RTHK: Eight killed in fire at University of the Philippines

Eight people died, including six children, when a fire ripped through a poor community in the Philippines capital of Manila on Monday and destroyed 80 houses, a fire official said.

Another three people were injured in the blaze which started around 5:00 am (2100 GMT) on the second floor of a house in a crowded, informal settlement inside the sprawling campus of the University of the Philippines.

It took nearly two hours to extinguish the inferno, said Senior Fire Officer Greg Bichayda.

An investigation into the cause was under way.

The victims were trapped inside their homes as "the fire spread quickly", Bichayda said.

Their ages are not yet known, but he said six were minors.

"The houses consist of light materials. When the fire broke out, people were shocked," Bichayda said.

"Our station was just nearby but they weren't able to call us immediately."

More than 13 million people live in the densely populated capital, with tens of thousands in overcrowded slums where fires are common.

Many of the residents have fled rural poverty to live in Manila where there are more jobs. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-05-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Interview: China to make all-out efforts to stabilize industrial, supply chains: official

Xinhua) 09:52, May 02, 2022

BEIJING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- A senior industrial official has called for all-out efforts to ensure the stability and connectivity of industrial and supply chains to maintain industrial growth.

Efforts will be made to ensure the solid implementation of the "white list" approach to support the resumption of work for key companies and remove bottlenecks that still exist in some places, Xin Guobin, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said in an interview with Xinhua.

Xin made the remarks in response to the new challenges that emerged since mid-March, including sporadic resurgences of COVID-19 and a complex external environment, resulting in the suspension of some factory activities and freight transport.

With countermeasures taken swiftly to stabilize the industrial and supply chains, the country's industrial economy has shown positive signs of stabilization, seen in a narrowed decline in industrial electricity consumption for two consecutive weeks since the second week of April, Xin said.

Currently, the country has seen an accelerated pace of resumption of work and production in key areas and industries, Xin said, adding that 86.8 percent of enterprises among the 666 companies included in the first batch of the "white list" in Shanghai have resumed work by April 28.

Noting that the difficulties are short-term and temporary, Xin said the sound long-term fundamentals of China's industrial economy remain unchanged, and the overall trend of steady development will not change as well.

For the automobile industry, which was hit hard by the epidemic, Xin said the ministry will strengthen monitoring of the production in key automobile firms, proactively promote consumption and improve weak links in auto chips.

Moreover, the official also pledged further efforts to improve the business environment and help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tide over difficulties.

Efforts will be made to ensure the solid implementation of the relief measures that have already been formulated and provide targeted services to the SMEs, Xin said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Workers pack Luosifen rice noodles at a food-processing company in Liuzhou, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang)

NANNING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Luosifen, an iconic dish from the southern Chinese city of Liuzhou and known for its pungent smell, registered remarkable growth in sales and exports despite global economic uncertainties and resurgences of COVID-19 infections.

The smelly yet tasty dish, listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Guangxi in 2008, is made from pickled bamboo shoots, dried white radish, fried peanuts, fried tofu skins and served in a spicy noodle broth flavored with river snails.

It has been sold to over 20 countries and regions worldwide, generating a sales revenue of 50 billion yuan (about 7.6 billion U.S. dollars) last year and boosting the income of over 200,000 rural households.

The dish gained popularity around the country after being featured in the acclaimed food documentary "A Bite of China" in 2012.

The city of Liuzhou started to produce pre-packaged Luosifen in the year of 2014. Since then, the local government has supported the modernization of Luosifen-related industries to achieve industrialization, standardization, branding and large-scale development of the industry.

"Our company has eight independent workshops for different procedures of the pre-packaged Luosifen with strict hygienic standards to ensure food safety," said Liu Qingshi, CEO of Liuzhou Luozhuangyuan Food Co., Ltd.

Liu noted that the company has scaled up production to meet the increasing demand, as 9.5 million packages were sold in the domestic market and 450,000 packages were exported in the first quarter of 2022.

The production of raw materials such as string beans and bamboo shoots also raised local farmers' income. Liu estimated that in the first quarter of the year, the company provided income of 3,000 to 5,000 yuan to each of the 500 farmers that sold string beans and bamboo shoots to it.

Currently, the city's planting and breeding base for the raw materials of Luosifen, including bamboo shoots, river snail, rice, string beans and fungus, covers 33,000 hectares.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Luosifen went viral and became one of the best-selling ready-to-serve meals for foodies both at home and abroad. Pre-packaged Luosifen became a hot ticket on e-commerce platforms.

Nisachol Thaithong, an e-commerce livestreamer from Thailand, told Xinhua that instant Luosifen is one of the more popular items on her online store. "It's really popular in both Thailand and China. It's easy to cook and affordable."

As demand for Luosifen soars, companies keep trying to add new flavors and ingredients to the product, such as tomato, pickled Chinese cabbage and even traditional Chinese medicine like the root of the kudzu vine.

"These different flavors of Luosifen can meet more people's needs, and I'm positive about their sales," said Thaithong. 
Post Office workers at 114 branches directly owned by the Post Office are staging a one-day strike in a dispute over pay.

The 114 Crown Post Offices will close for a 24-hour period, with no cash deliveries or collections from the 11,500 sub-post offices around the UK.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are angry over a pay freeze in 2021-22 and a 2% rise for the following year.

The Post Office declined to comment.

The Post Office said the vast majority of its 11,000 branches were not covered by strike action and would be open as usual.

It said in a statement: "There are 114 branches - typically in city centres - across the UK that are directly managed by Post Office.

"Posters are displayed which show where the nearest alternative branches are located. Customers can also find more information at postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder."

The CWU said that Post Office managers had been insisting on a pay freeze for 2021-22 "despite the company generating a profit for the last two years during the pandemic from the efforts of their key worker employees".

"Insultingly, Post Office has offered just a 2% pay increase - plus a 250 one-off payment (pro-rata for part-timers) for 2022-23," a spokesperson from the CWU added.

The union said this offer was not enough to keep up with rapid increases in the cost of living, which is currently rising at 7% a year.

The CWU said its members voted by 97.3% on a 70.2% turnout to take strike action.

Post Office Postal Assistants - a significant sector of the workforce - currently earn less than 24,000 per year, the CWU continued.

If management strictly followed government policy, these workers would have received a wage increase of at least 250, yet they have not.

Union assistant secretary Andy Furey said: "Post Office management are insisting they are simply following government policy on public sector pay policy.

Story continues

"But they have repeatedly contradicted themselves, and have also said that it's their decision to impose a pay freeze.

"We know Post Office has turned over huge profits in these past few years - management can afford to provide our members with a reasonable pay increase if they wanted.

"This is not an issue of affordability. This is about power play from a management that is needlessly antagonising its key worker employees."

The union said it had a mandate for more strikes in coming weeks.
The Daily Beast

HANNAH MCKAY/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesPrince Charles stepped in for ailing Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday to open Britains Parliament, a deeply symbolic moment in British royal history that gave the clearest glimpse yet of the contours of the post-Elizabethan world.Her Majesty left her decision to Monday afternoon to finally pull the plug on her scheduled role of opening the new legislative session, inevitably sparking fresh concerns that she is considerably more unwell than the palacewhich cit
Residents in northern Puerto Rico witnessed a rare tornado sweep across the city of Arecibo on Sunday as severe thunderstorms rattled the island during the afternoon hours.

Several views of the swirling vortex emerged across social media from locals who captured footage of the flying debris and downed palm tree fronds.

After crews surveyed the damage on Sunday, forecasters with the National Weather Service office in the capital city of San Juan gave the twister a preliminary rating of an EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, defined by winds ranging between 86 and 110 mph. Further damage assessments will continue to compile more information about the event and the final rating of the tornado may change.

"Tornadoes are a rarity in Puerto Rico. The island is far more prone to hurricanes, having been severely impacted by storms such as Maria and Irma in 2017," stated AccuWeather Meteorologist Thomas Geiger.

GOES-East Geostationary Lightning Mapper/RAMMB CIRA displaying the lightning associated with the severe thunderstorms that occurred over northern Puerto Rico on Sunday, May 1, 2022. (NOAA/GOES-EAST)

On average, the island is impacted by a tropical cyclone once every year or two. The last recorded tornadic event in Puerto Rico was in September of 2019.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's storm events database, there have been a total of 21 confirmed tornadoes that occurred in Puerto Rico since 1950. There has never been a tornado with an intensity of EF2, defined by winds ranging from 111 to 135 mph or greater, in Puerto Rico's recorded history. The tornado on Sunday was the first one ever recorded to impact the city of Arecibo.

Puerto Rico Gov. Pedro Pierluisi said on late Sunday afternoon that no injuries had been reported.

Why are tornadoes such a rarity for Puerto Rico?

"Tornadoes need near-perfect conditions to form, including energy and rotating winds along with a few other conditions. While this occurs more commonly in the United States, it is difficult to get the perfect ingredients on an island like Puerto Rico," explained Geiger.

Story continues

CLICK HERE FOR THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

Strong thunderstorms developed across the island on Sunday, which produced heavy rains and gusty winds. The storms prompted the NWS to issue special weather statements for municipalities along the north-central coast, including Arecibo, Barceloneta and Manati.

May 1 | 3:40 PM AST

A strong T-storm producing heavy showers & gusty winds is expected to move eastward across the coastal areas of north central municipalities in the next hour or so. #prwx pic.twitter.com/c65cMhlzRd  NWS San Juan (@NWSSanJuan) May 1, 2022

Following the storm's aftermath, there were multiple reports of moderate building and roof damage, mangled fences and downed utility poles across the Arecibo area.

More than 300 customers were still without power in Arecibo by early Monday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.

Bomberos Edwin Declet y Joel Mendez realizaran entrada de reconocimiento para monitorear si existe escape de quimicos. pic.twitter.com/0jsiWOBzQL  Negociado del Cuerpo de Bomberos (@Bomberos_de_PR) May 1, 2022

The Puerto Rico Fire Department responded to the Thermo King Factory in Arecibo after the tornado struck and left the factory's roof partially damaged. Workers were evacuated after they reported the strong smell of gasoline.

Emergency crews used gas monitoring devices on the scene to detect a leak in an Argon tank on the property. However, upon further inspection, all other tanks were found to be in good condition, with valves closed as a safety measure. Firefighters Edwin Declet and Joel Mendez conducted reconnaissance work to monitor the scene for any additional chemical leaks.

For the latest weather news, check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo, and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform.
A veteran rattlesnake handler died on Saturday, April 30, hours after a snake bit him during a show, Texas officials say.

Eugene De Leon Sr. was bitten on the shoulder during the Rattlesnake Roundup event in Freer, police told KII-TV. He was flown to a Corpus Christi hospital, where he died, police told the station.

Organizers of the Kendall County Fair Association say De Leon died doing what he loved, being with the rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnake Roundup is put on by the Freer Chamber of Commerce, which mourned De Leons death in a post on Facebook.

The love and dedication he displayed for his community was witnessed everyday from being a member of the Freer Vol. Fire Department to being a call away for local residents to assist with removing snakes from their property, the chamber of commerce said. He was always ready to help. We will never forget his excitement during Roundup time, from doing interviews with television stations to appearing on televised wildlife shows, he did it all.

His sister said De Leon had a passion for snake handling and handled rattlers for many years.

He was well loved by those who knew him, added U.S. Congress candidate Sandra Whitten. My family and I enjoy watching him handle these deadly snakes with ease, almost like he was simply dancing with them. He had a smile on his face and clearly joy in his heart.

Freer is in southern Texas about 110 miles south of San Antonio.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers kept Taylor Hawkins in their hearts, and on their drum kit, on Sunday (May 1) as the Black Summer veterans helped to close out the first weekend of the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival with a tribute to the late Foo Fighters drummer. According to NOLA.com, with Foos leader Dave Grohl and Hawkins widow, Alison, watching from the wings, Chili Peppers drummer (and Hawkins pal) Chad Smith played a bass drum featuring the hawk silhouette that was featured in a tattoo on Hawkins arm, with Taylor spelled out across the image.

We love the Foo Fighters and we love our brother Taylor Hawkins, Smith said at the end of the bands 90-minute set as he stepped to the front of the stage. This means a lot to us to be able to play for them. The Chili Peppers stepped in as a headliner after the Foo Fighters dropped off the bill in the wake of Hawkins shocking death on March 25 in Bogota, Colombia; the band later canceled the rest of their 2020 shows.

More from Billboard

Smith, who noted that the guys in the band are here, along with Alison Hawkins, then led the crowd in a cheer of We love Taylor!

Before the set, Smith told Billboard that they had invited Alison to be there and planned to turn their performance into a celebration of life. Thats what she wants. She doesnt want it to be anything other than, Lets celebrate music, lets celebrate our friends, lets celebrate Taylor. This is what he would want and he would be very happy that you guys are playing and he would want it be nothing but a positive experience,' he said. So were going to do all that and shes going to be part of that and Im very honored that we can do that with her.  Were going to play our hearts out.

Story continues

Following Hawkins death, Smith posted an emotional video filled with footage of the two musicians together over the years and clearly relishing each others company. The video ends with Smith giving a nod to Hawkins when RHCP received their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on March 31.

Check out some fan footage of the tribute below.

Click here to read the full article.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers paid tribute to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins during their headline set at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Sunday (1 May) night.

The Chili Peppers had stepped in with a few weeks notice to replace Foo Fighters at the festival following Hawkins death on 25 March. Foo Fighters, who were on tour at the time, subsequently cancelled their future concerts for 2022.

Hawkins was declared dead aged 50 at a hotel in Colombia after paramedics tried to revive him following chest pain.

The bands drummer Chad Smith, a close friend of Hawkins, played with the name Taylor spelt on his bass drum, and led a speech for the musician, his family and bandmates, who were in attendance, at the end of their set.

We just found out about this two weeks ago, because Foo Fighters were supposed to play here tonight, Smith said in footage from the event posted on Instagram.

We love Foo Fighters, and we love our brother Taylor Hawkins. This means a lot to us to be able to play for them.

He continued: The guys in the band are here, theyre supporting. Taylors wife Alison and his whole family are here, we love them, we love Taylor. Smith then encouraged the crowd to chant: We love Taylor!

The Chili Peppers previously paid tribute to Hawkins in the week following his death after being presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I have to give a shout out to my brother Taylor Hawkins, who I love and we will all miss so much, he said at the Los Angeles event.

He would laugh and make a nice smart a** comment about this whole thing, and I love him, Smith joked.

Foo Fighters were on tour in South America preparing to perform at a Colombian festival when Hawkins complained of chest pains.

While a cause of death has yet to be made public, a toxicology report revealed 10 different substances in his system at the time of death.
Rise & Shine! Im Scott Barrett, managing editor for The Daily News, and today is May 2, the 122nd day of the year  243 days remain in 2022. On this day in 1933, the legend of the Loch Ness Monster was ignited when a couple told the local newspaper they had seen an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface.

Here & Now

 Russell Dufault, the 58-year-old Portsmouth man killed by police in a shooting in Woonsocket last week, had past troubles with the law. But, according to his brother, he "couldn't find a break" after being released from prison.

Middletown resident Glenn Dufault remembered his sibling as a person who would give you the shirt off his back. He spoke with reporter Laura Damon about what transpired on April 27 after an alleged assault and kidnapping. Read the story here.

 A Newport man is dead and a Warren man is facing charges after what State Police are calling a road rage incident Saturday morning. Read more here.

 Phone scammers once again are targeting residents of Newport County. Middletown police on Friday said local residents and others across the state have been contacted by a person claiming to be a member of law enforcement. But its a fraud. Read more here.

 Check out the latest crop of reader-submitted images with the April edition of Your Photos.

 It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Tiverton High boys lacrosse team, but the Tigers are off to a strong start and have championship hopes. Sports reporter Steve Rogers has the story.

 The Middletown Town Council will meet tonight, and among the items on the docket is the relocation of sports fields displaced by proposed development in town. Find the full agenda below.

 Speaking of Middletown, today is the deadline to apply for the Tiered Residential Tax Program. Learn more here.

 The state Department of Transportation has provided its roadwork schedule for the coming week in Newport County and the rest of the state. Find it here.

Story continues

 Giusto Newport tonight is hosting Restaurants for Relief, an event to benefit World Central Kitchen, an organization with boots on the ground in Ukraine whose mission is to feed those in need. Daily News food columnist Dan Lederer has the details here.

 From the inbox: According to a recent study, Rhode ranks No. 32 in percentage of Korean War veterans. Montana tops the list, while New York ranks last. Find the state-by-state breakdown here.

Rise & Shine! is driven by Daily News subscribers, who make this newsletter possible. If you appreciate what you're reading, help support it by becoming a digital subscriber for as little as $1. Click here to get started.

Born today

Ellie Kemper (actress), 42

David Beckham (athlete), 47

Dwayne Johnson (actor), 50

Donatella Versace (fashion designer), 67

Christine Baranski (actress), 70

Weather report

.

Low tides: 3:08 a.m., 2:45 p.m.

High tides: 9:42 a.m., 9:56 p.m.

Sunrise: 5:39 a.m. Sunset: 7:45 p.m.

Water temperature: 48.7 degrees.

Municipal meetings

Newport

School Building Committee, 5:30 p.m.

Planning Board, 6:30 p.m.

Middletown

Town Council, 6 p.m.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth Free Public Library, 7 p.m.

Jamestown

Town Council, 6:30 p.m.

Local obituaries

Aaron Lee Davis

Today is 

National Brothers and Sisters Day

National Life Insurance Day

International Harry Potter Day

Where in Newport County?

The "Entering Tiverton" mural on Main Road.

Visitors from Fall River, Massachusetts, are greeted by this mural  which includes the Road Runner cartoon character  on Main Road in Tiverton.

Got a news tip, story idea or just want to drop me a line? Don't be a stranger. Send an email to sbarrett@newportri.com.

This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Rise & Shine! Your Newport County guide for May 2
Progressive Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calf.) is highlighting calls from the left for President Biden to cancel student loans, saying, If he can suspend interest payments, he can forgive the principal.

In a Washington Post op-ed published Monday, Khanna wrote that he took out $100,000 in student loans to attend college and later struggled to make monthly payments.

I have repaid my loans thanks to promising career opportunities and good fortune, but I understand the anxiety student loan debt causes. I dont want others who havent gotten the same breaks I did to struggle and feel that the American Dream is out of reach, Khanna wrote in his op-ed. Millions of Americans who took out student loans and paid them off feel the same way I do. We are not a nation of Scrooges.

Khanna also wrote in his op-ed that fellow liberal lawmakers Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) have shared plans or introduced legislation to cancel student loans, emphasizing that Biden has the power to do so.

These are vital steps for our nation, but this is a moment that demands bold action. If he can suspend interest payments, he can forgive the principal, Khanna wrote. If he can cancel student debt for some, then he can cancel it for all those in need.

The Hill reported last week that Biden is planning to move forward with a plan to forgive at least $10,000 of student loan debt per borrower.

The administration announced last month another extension of the coronavirus pandemic moratorium for federal student loan payments and interest growth, with Aug. 31 being the latest deadline for the moratorium.

The moratorium, enacted by former President Trump, has been renewed five times.

The Department of Education also announced last month that thousands of borrowers could see their loans forgiven in an initiative to address continuing issues and failures in federal student loan programs.

A long list of lawmakers and organizations, including the NAACP, have pressed Biden to forgive all federal student loan debt.

The best way to start the new school year for everyone saddled with crushing student loans would be for Biden to free them of this burden, Khanna concluded.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian military inspects part of the destroyed Russian equipment in the Zaporizhzhia oblast. April 30, 2022.

Read also: Day 68 of Putin's war. Russia continues shelling of grain warehouses, fires a missile on Odesa

"Historically, Russia collapses after a military defeat  the Russian authorities experience coups and destruction after military defeat," Andrusiv said.

"I don't rule out a coup after (Russia is) defeated in Ukraine, he said. Putin's extradition to The Hague may be one of the conditions for settling relations between Russia, the West and us."

Andrusiv said justice is a long process, but the most important thing is that it is done.

"(Nazi dictator Adolf) Hitler's defeat ensured 70 years of world stability," he said.

"Now Putin's defeat must ensure lasting peace and a new system of international security for years. So it's not a matter of deadlines, but of the justice that is to come."

Read also: Putin is inching towards his nukes, threatening to annihilate the world if he fails to capture Ukraine, says foreign affairs expert

As an academic, Andrusiv wrote several publications before the full-scale Russian invasion, claiming that the war in Ukraine would be the last for Russia.

"I drew a parallel with Germany. It had to suffer two major defeats to completely transform itself, its consciousness and attitude," he said.

Read also: Putin will respond with threats of chemical, nuclear weapons to increased Western support for Ukraine believes

"(Defeat in Ukraine) will be the second for the Russians. The first one was the collapse of the Soviet Union, the defeat of one generation. And the second is defeat in this war. And I'm sure that after that they will start the same processes as in Germany, when they come to the conclusion that it's no longer possible to resolve an issue by force."
KYIV (Reuters) - Russia has rerouted internet traffic in the occupied Ukrainian region of Kherson through Russian communications infrastructure, the internet service disruption monitor NetBlocks said on Monday.

The move appeared aimed at tightening Moscow's grip on a region where it claims it has taken full control. Russia-appointed authorities in parts of Kherson have said the region would start using the Russian rouble on May 1.

London-based NetBlocks said it had tracked a near-total internet blackout across Kherson region on Saturday that affected various Ukrainian providers. Connection was restored after several hours, but various metrics showed traffic was now going through Russia.

"Connectivity on the network has been routed via Russias internet instead of Ukrainian telecoms infrastructure and is hence likely now subject to Russian internet regulations, surveillance, and censorship," NetBlocks said on its website.

Britain's Ministry of Defence said on Sunday that Russian moves in the region are "likely indicative of Russian intent to exert strong political and economic influence in Kherson over the long term".

It pointed to statements about the use of the rouble and rejections of the possibility of the region's return to Ukrainian control.

Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of what Russia calls the "civil-military regional administration" of Kherson, told Russia's RIA news agency on Thursday that a four-month window when Ukraine's hryvnia and Russia's rouble were both in circulation would start on May 1.

Ukraine admits losing control of the majority of Kherson region, including the eponymous regional capital, but says its armed forces are beating back Russian attempts to reach the province's boundaries.

(Reporting by Max Hunder and Tom Balmforth; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
Chinese automakers have gained more and more popularity in the Israeli market with electric vehicles (EVs) amid the Israeli government's ambitions to gradually phase out fossil fuel vehicles.

In a showroom of China's automaker Geely Auto Group in the central Israeli city of Tel Aviv, Segal Yafa, a buyer from the south of the city, has signed a contract for three China-manufactured Geometry C electric vehicles.

"One for my husband, one for myself, and one for my friend," Yafa told Xinhua.

Most Israelis began to know about the Chinese brand Geely since its launch of Geometry C EV in November 2021. With dashing looks and affordable prices, Geometry C has achieved a strong market share here quickly, becoming the winner in the "Best Buy of the Year" category for 2022 nominated by Israel's major car magazine Auto.

"Good price, strong power and less pollution... it gains a good reputation," Yafa explained the reason for her choice.

Ronan Yablon, CEO of Geely Israel, told Xinhua that they have received more than 8,000 orders in less than five months.

Geely is a good example of the Chinese EVs in the Israeli market over recent years amid an ambitious green vision of the country.

According to a plan initiated by the Israeli Ministry of Energy in 2018, the import of vehicles powered by polluting fuels will be banned as of 2030, which makes EVs an irreplaceable choice for the public.

"The plan affects the welfare of all, and should not be delayed," read a statement from the ministry about the plan.

Yablon noted that "one of the most important goals with electric vehicles is to lower pollution."

To encourage the import and purchase of EVs, the Israeli government has offered tax incentives and free registration for EVs. Until 2023, Israel plans to tax EVs at a significantly lower rate of 10 percent, compared with regular vehicles at 83 percent.

In addition, a total of 30 million new shekels (9.11 million U.S. dollars) have been allocated for the public EV charging infrastructure across the country.

"Most consumers in Israel are the middle class who value price advantages. We do have European EV makers, but they are more expensive, and Chinese EVs are good value for money," Tomer Hadar, an automotive editor for Calcalist, Israel's largest financial newspaper, told Xinhua.

Hadar added that "the Chinese EVs have won the hearts of Israelis due to their reliability and technology with excellent long-lasting batteries."

For a long period, Japanese and Korean automakers have dominated the Israeli market, but now Chinese automakers are trying to overtake their traditional competitors by switching lanes in the race for EVs.

"In terms of fuel vehicles, Israelis are more familiar with non-Chinese cars, but in the field of EVs, no one owns the experience as China," stressed Yablon.

In the first quarter of 2022, around 5,000 EVs were sold in Israel, among which some 750 EVs were from Geely, occupying a market share of 15 percent, according to Yablon.

Hadar expects that 15,000 to 20,000 EVs will be sold in Israel this year, and more than half of them will be Chinese ones.

Besides Geely, China's Hongqi EV has also hit the headlines of some Israeli media and gained the attention of buyers.

Chinese automaker FAW Car started selling its Hongqi E-HS9 EV in Israel in April, providing the market with a new choice with a long-range of 510 km and a 99-kWh battery.

"I'm impressed more with the interior design, almost perfect," Danile Shpitz, an Israeli buyer, told Xinhua in a showroom of Hongqi EVs in Tel Aviv.

Geely, FAW, Aiways, SAIC MG, BYD ... EVs from more than 10 Chinese automakers have got into the Israeli market by the second quarter of 2022.

Some Israeli car importers are in talks with various Chinese automakers to bring and sell their EV products here, said Hadar.

"Chinese brands now have a strong foothold in the Israeli market and the potential is amazing," Hadar told Xinhua.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Civilians are finally being evacuated from the bombed-out steel plant where hundreds have been sheltering in the last Ukrainian stronghold in Mariupol, the key city that is otherwise under Russian control after months of siege.

The rescue operation in the southeastern port comes after weeks of failed efforts, with Russian forces bombarding Mariupol as they battle to make progress in their new offensive in the region.

The United States and its allies have stepped up their military support for Kyiv, with the surprise weekend trip to the Ukrainian capital by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic lawmakers the latest signal of growing Western backing. Pelosi met with Poland's president on Monday, while First Lady Jill Biden is set to travel to NATO members Romania and Slovakia this week to meet with families who have fled the war.

The Kremlin has left itself with few global allies, and now seems to have alienated one of the countries to have remained relatively neutral through the war after Israel denounced comments by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov comparing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, who Lavrov falsely said also had Jewish roots.

For full coverage please click here.
Roman Petrenko - Monday, 2 May 2022, 09:36 Vyacheslav Volodin, Speaker of the Russian Parliament, voiced his indignance toward all countries providing military aid to Ukraine, calling them war criminals as they are allegedly "pushing the world to the brink of a catastrophe." Source: Vyacheslav Volodin, on Telegram Details: Volodin said that those who help Ukraine defend itself "tarnish themselves" by being party to the conflict. The Head of Parliament also called on history, in particular WWII and fascism. According to Volodin: "Leaders of some European countries, with Germany at their helm, might implicate their people in major difficulties. By supplying arms to Ukraine they become party to the conflict. They were silent when nazis in Odesa burned civilians alive, they did nothing to defend the people of Donbas. And now they are doing everything to kill slavs in Ukraine. They have forgotten about the tragedy of the Second World War and about the price that had to be paid to liberate the world from fascism. Their actions are pushing the world to the brink of a catastrophe. All heads of state who approved decisions to supply arms have tarnished themselves and must be brought to justice as war criminals." Significance: Russia attacked Ukraine on 24 February. Countries around the world are calling the actions of Russia "war crimes" and that a genocide is being committed against the Ukrainian people. Russian troops deliberately fire on civilians, on their houses and on their cars, and torture, rape, and kidnap Ukrainians. The world cannot intervene in this war due to the threat of a nuclear war posed by Russia's occupier-in-chief, Vladimir Putin. That is why the collective West is helping Ukraine with weapons and humanitarian aid. Under international law, they are not a party to the conflict, and are not taking part in the war.
The Massachusetts Senate is gearing up for what could be its final debate on whether to allow undocumented immigrants to apply for drivers licenses.

The House already passed its version of the bill in February. Members of the Senate have until Monday afternoon to submit any amendments before it goes up for debate Thursday.

In the bill, people without legal immigration status could apply for a standard drivers license if they can show a foreign passport, a consular identification document, and at least one other document, like a foreign national ID card. Undocumented immigrants would not be registered to vote under the states automatic voter-registration law.

The Senate and Houses bills are very similar and are backed by immigrant rights advocates, insurance companies, and law enforcement groups. They argue it ensures people are properly trained to drive and it would help with identification. Its estimated there are about 250,000 undocumented people living in the state.

If the Senate passes the bill, it then moves to the governors desk. Governor Charlie Baker has been opposed to the idea of giving undocumented immigrants drivers licenses. But even if he vetoes it, lawmakers believe they have enough to override it. If it becomes law, Massachusetts could become the 17th state to allow such drivers licenses. Vermont and Connecticut are two other New England states that currently allow undocumented immigrants to apply for a divers license.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Senate Republicans feel increasingly optimistic about their chances of winning back the majority in November  as long as they dont self-sabotage with toxic nominees.

With primaries set to kick off in earnest this week, Republican senators are warning that the party could still screw up what they view as an advantageous political environment, with President Biden stuck in a polling slump and voters feeling restless, depending on who comes out on top in the states that will determine which party wins control of the Senate in the midterm elections.

The concern is both an echo from previous cycles, where Republicans feel they got burned at the ballot box because less-electable candidates won a primary, and a recognition that with a 50-50 Senate, any one race could make-or-break who wins the majority.

Sen. John Thune (S.D.), the No. 2 Republican senator, said his prediction that Republicans have a 50-50 shot of capturing the chamber is based, in part, on uncertainty on who will be the partys candidate in key races.

It would be a lot higher than 50-50 if the primaries were over and we knew who our nominees were. [There] are some very contentious, competitive primaries and in states, swing states, in a general election where youve got to have good candidates, Thune told The Hill.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), an advisor to Senate GOP leadership, said he is feeling good about the partys November chances before caveating, if we dont screw up the primaries.

Weve been there before. Weve shown our ability to do that and thats why its important as always to nominate people who can win general elections, and it remains to be seen, Cornyn said in a brief interview.

The hand-wringing comes as Republican voters are set to start going to the polls in key states.

A closely watched fight among Republicans in Ohio will come to a head on Tuesday, in an early test of former President Trumps influence.

Trump threw his support behind J.D. Vance, who gave high-profile criticisms of the former president during the 2016 race that hes sought to distance himself from as he tries to win the GOP nomination.

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The Ohio contest has divided Senate Republicans and Trump. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who came in second place behind Trump for the 2016 GOP nomination, has endorsed former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), whose retirement is creating the open seat, endorsed Jane Timken, the former Ohio Republican Party chair.

It looks like the [former] president has given J.D. Vance a little bit of a bump. Well see how long that lasts, Cornyn said.

Trump remains deeply popular with the GOP base, with Republicans spending several months privately and publicly jockeying for his backing.

In addition to Vance  an endorsement that sparked a high-profile and frantic 11th-hour effort from some Ohio Republicans to change Trumps mind  the former president also surprised Republicans last month when he endorsed Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania, where GOP Sen. Pat Toomey is retiring.

Both Vance and Oz have attracted criticism from some Republicans over their past positions: Vance for his criticism of Trump and Oz for his previous positions on health care, in particular, including supporting insurance mandates. Those reversals would also likely be fodder for Democrats to seize on during a general election.

Republicans acknowledge that Trump remains influential, and hes still viewed by many as the de facto leader of the party even out of elected office. But the primary slate is viewed as a test of Trumps king-maker status, and Republicans floated that while coveted by candidates, his imprimatur might not be determinative in every race.

It will be in some and not the others, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), a Trump ally. I think most of the Republicans would rather have Donald Trumps endorsement than not  but its a lot of factors, people are paying attention.

Trump also flip-flopped on his endorsement of Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.), who struggled in the polls.

Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), whose retirement is sparking that vacancy, has vowed to pour millions into supporting Katie Britt, his former chief of staff.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has pledged to remain neutral in the race but questioned whether Trump would get involved in a likely runoff. The Alabama race will go to a runoff election unless one of the candidates gets more than 50 percent of the vote.

If hes endorsing somebody, I think it would make a difference. How much I dont know. ..It would be interesting to see if he gets involved in the runoff, because there will be a runoff, Tuberville told The Hill. I talked to him about it, he said he hadnt made his mind up.

Trump hasnt stepped into every race. So far he has stayed out of the Arizona primary, though hes hinted hell throw his support behind someone, and a closely watched Missouri race, where national Republicans worry that former Gov. Eric Greitens clinching the nomination would upend what should be an easy win for them in a red state where GOP Sen. Roy Blunt is retiring.

A GOP strategist told The Hill that they saw a backhanded reference to Greitens in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells (R-Ky.) recent comments warning that Republicans could bungle the partys chances if they picked candidates who would struggle in the general election. Greitens faced sexual misconduct allegations in 2018 and his ex-wife has recently accused him of abuse, both of which he has denied.

McConnell, speaking at a chamber event in Kentucky, said that 1994 had been the best election year for congressional Republicans, and that the atmosphere heading into November is better than it was in 1994.

From an atmospheric point of view, its a perfect storm of problems for the Democrats, McConnell said. How could you screw this up? Its actually possible. And weve had some experience with that in the past.

In the Senate, if you look at where we have to compete in order to get into a majority, there are places that are competitive in the general election. So you cant nominate somebody whos just sort of unacceptable to a broader group of people and win. We had that experience in 2010 and 2012, McConnell added.

In 2012, then-Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.) won a crowded Republican primary to face off against Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill only for his campaign to implode days later when he said, If it is a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try and shut that whole thing down.

McConnell has also struggled to recruit high-profile candidates into the Senate races this year. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu each passed despite overtures from the GOP leader and his allies.

Not every Republican is worried that the party could repeat history depending on which candidates win the primary elections.

We have really good candidates, said Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.), who chairs the Senate GOP campaign arm, asked about the upcoming primaries.

And despite months of chatter about high-profile fights between McConnell and Trump over the primaries, theyve largely only diverged on one key race so far: Alaska.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) sparked Trumps ire by opposing Brett Kavanaughs Supreme Court nomination and being the only Republican up for reelection this year to vote to convict him as part of the Senates 2021 impeachment trial in the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, where a mob of his supporters breached the building. Trump has thrown his support behind Kelly Tshibaka in the race.

Cramer, spotting Murkowski while he was chatting with The Hill in a Senate office basement, shouted out her race, saying that she was solid as a rock and that shes going to win.

Murkowski, hopping in the elevator with Cramer, quipped: Handily.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Epicenter, with Joel Rosario aboard, is one of the top contenders for the 148th Kentucky Derby on Saturday. (Associated Press)

Aaron Sones always turns off his cellphone at night. But Sunday night, while he and his family were on vacation in Hawaii, he kept it on. He had a feeling.

Sones, a former emergency room doctor, likes to dabble in horse racing ownership and one of his horses, Ethereal Road, was on the bubble of making the 20-horse Kentucky Derby field. He was on standby while currently ranking 21st in qualifying. All he needed was one more horse to drop out.

Then at 3:30 a.m. the phone rang. It was trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

I thought to myself, Oh, I guess we got in the Derby," Sones said. "I answered the phone and Wayne said, Were in.

Ethereal Road made the field courtesy of Un Ojo dropping out. The news came shortly before Mondays draw for Saturdays 148th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

With a 20-horse field, the draw is always of interest. You dont want to be too close to the rail or too far outside.

Mo Donegal, at 10-1 morning-line odds, drew the first position for trainer Todd Pletcher and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr.

The new gate" that keeps the inside horses further from the rail "should work to Mo Donegals advantage, Pletcher said. Hes got some experience in there. He just won the Wood Memorial from the one hole. Hes used to having dirt in his face and Id hope that Irad could save some ground around that first turn and get us in a good spot.

As for the 20th starting position, that belongs to Ethereal Road (30-1).

This is the third trip to the Derby with a horse for Sones, who lives in Los Angeles. In 2016, he did the unthinkable and qualified a maiden, Trojan Nation, and brought him to Churchill Downs. He drew the one and was pushed into the rail and finished 16th.

I was joking with Wayne before we got in the race that getting the 20 would be a lot better, Sones said. Actually, its just what we wanted for a come-from-behinder. If you watch his running style, he likes to stay outside.

Thats likely where hell be for a good part of the 1-mile race.

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The biggest surprise of Mondays draw was that Mike Battaglia, who has been making the morning line for the Derby since 1975, chose Zandon (3-1) over Epicenter (7-2) as the favorite. Zandon will break from the 10th gate, while Epicenter will leave from the third.

The blue silk of the 3 post "matches his favorite colors, said Epicenter trainer Steve Asmussen, whose barn color and saddle towel are blue. Like any race, you want to get away nicely from the gate and go from there. How long he stands in there, how long it takes to load, 150,000 people staring at him, its a lot.

Chad Brown, the trainer of Zandon, was pithy in his reaction.

Perfect, were ready to go, he said.

The two major Santa Anita horses, Messier (8-1) and Taiba (12-1), drew the sixth and 12th spots, respectively. They were among the last three horses to get a post position. The draw is a simultaneous pull of a horses name and post position number.

They made us wait, said trainer Tim Yakteen, who took over the horses from suspended trainer Bob Baffert. But in the end, we drew well.

Trainer Doug O'Neill's Happy Jack will start from the No. 2 spot in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. (Hayne Palmour IV / San Diego Union-Tribune)

The other Southern California-based horse is Happy Jack (30-1), who drew the No. 2 slot.

It is good. Were happy, trainer Doug ONeill said. I think that new gate makes it better for the horses inside. We remain optimistic.

As for Sones, he couldnt be happier to make the Derby field and gives all the credit to Lukas.

Being around Wayne has been the greatest horse racing experience of my life, said Sones, who co-owns the horse with wife Julie Gilbert. Hes the one that picked out this horse. I told him that if he finds something good, to go ahead and buy it. He found him at the Keeneland sale and we thought he would go for $500,000, $600,000, $700,000.

But he went for $90,000 and we were in shock. In fact, I called Wayne and said Are you sure? What did we miss? I guess he just fell though a hole in the market.

The starting field can change until 9 a.m. Friday. Rich Strike and Rattle N Roll are called "also eligibles," the horse racing equivalent of a wait list.

Then the wait grows for 20 horses until the gates open.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
MADRID (Reuters) -Spanish authorities have detected "Pegasus" spyware in the mobile phones of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Defence Minister Margarita Robles, the government minister for the presidency, Felix Bolanos, said on Monday.

Bolanos told a news conference Sanchez's phone was infected in May 2021 and at least one data leak occurred then. He did not say who could have been spying on the premier or whether foreign or Spanish groups were suspected of being behind it.

"The interventions were illicit and external. External means carried out by non-official bodies and without state authorisation," he said, adding that the infections had been reported to the justice ministry, and the High Court would be in charge of the case.

The announcement followed intense pressure on the leftist coalition government to explain itself after Canada's digital rights group Citizen Lab said more than 60 people linked to the Catalan separatist movement had been targets of "Pegasus" spyware made by Israel's NSO Group.

After the allegations of spying on members of the Catalan separatist movement, the minority government's key ally in parliament, Catalonia's leftist pro-independence party ERC, said it would not support the government until Madrid takes measures to restore confidence.

Pere Aragones, the separatist Catalan regional president, said on Monday in a statement: "When the mass surveillance is against the Catalan independence movement, we only hear silence and excuses. Today everything is done in a hurry.

"But the double standard here is clear. It seems that against the independence movement anything is accepted."

The European Union's data watchdog has called for a ban on Pegasus over allegations it has been abused by client governments to spy on rights activists, journalists and politicians.

(Reporting by Graham Keeley, additional reporting Andrei Khalip, Belen Carreno; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Toby Chopra)
By Sam Nussey

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese gaming company Square Enix will reduce its developer presence in the West with the sale of the studios behind franchises "Tomb Raider", "Deux Ex" and "Thief" to Sweden's Embracer Group for $300 million.

The latest of a series of deals in the video games industry, the sale announced on Monday includes studios Crystal Dynamics, Eidos-Montreal and Square Enix Montreal, affects 1,100 employees and is expected to close in the July-September quarter.

Square Enix, whose major franchises include "Final Fantasy" and "Dragon Quest", said the proceeds will be used to invest in areas such as blockchain, artificial intelligence and the cloud.

The Tokyo-based company last year said it was reviewing its portfolio to adapt to industry trends such as the focus on the metaverse, or the idea consumers will spend more time in virtual worlds.

Embracer, which has a reputation for acquisitions and a war chest of 10 billion Swedish krona ($1.02 billion), said the deal will give it a pipeline of more than 230 games including 30 big budget AAA titles.

"Embracer is the best kept secret in gaming: a massive, decentralised collection of entrepreneurs whom we are thrilled to become a part of today," Square Enix America and Europe CEO Phil Rogers said in a statement.

The valuation of the assets, including the long-running "Tomb Raider" series that has sold 88 million units and generated a Hollywood franchise with its depiction of archeologist Lara Croft, surprised some industry observers.

The price reflects "limited competition for acquisition of the assets, perhaps suggesting some post-pandemic softness in valuations for particular segments," Piers Harding-Rolls, head of games research at Ampere Analysis, said.

"Interest will be curtailed by the lack of live service expertise," Harding-Rolls added, referring to games that offer continuous, updated play.

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Titles such as "Tomb Raider" are primarily single player and top games in recent years can require investment comparable to big budget movie productions.

"In different timing and circumstances that could have been a different number but now we are where we are and I'm standing here, so I'm super pleased with that," Embracer co-founder and CEO Lars Wingefors told a briefing.

Sony Group Corp, already a leader in first-player gaming, said in February it will buy "Destiny" developer Bungie and plans to launch at least 10 live service titles.

"Embracer believes there will be an increasingly strong demand for high-quality content, including AAA single-player games, over the decade," the company said in a statement.

Embracer's shares were up around 2% and have fallen 30% year-to-date.

($1 = 9.8474 Swedish crowns)

(Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Barbara Lewis and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
For almost six years, This Is Us fans have been on an emotional rollercoaster as they watched the Pearsons manage the ups and downs of their lives.

One character who has been responsible for an equal amount of laughs and tears throughout the shows run is Randall. And with only four episodes left in the dramas sixth and final season, Randall and his family members will undoubtedly continue to pull on viewers heartstrings before they say goodbye.

This Is Us - Season 6 (NBC)

As the series finale date quickly approaches, fans have been anxiously awaiting to see how the story ends and Sterling K. Brown shared that the last episode will bring the audience a sense of closure.

Brown  who spoke to TODAY in a phone interview about his upcoming partnership with Stand Up To Cancer and Mastercard  said he felt an incredible amount of satisfaction after reading the scripts for the final episodes.

He likened the This Is Us final episode to his favorite television finale scene  the last seconds of Cheers, when Sam Malone, played by Ted Danson, tells a customer that the bar is closed.

I just wept like a baby, Brown said, recalling the moment from his childhood. I feel like our shows already prone to inducing tears. I think (these) will be tears of satisfaction with how our story comes to an end.

This Is Us - Season 6 (NBC)

Speaking of the many teary-eyed moments throughout the series, Brown also named some of his favorite Randall storylines. The three that stood out to him were the relationship between Randall and his father William (Ron Cephas Jones) in Season One , Beth (Susan Kelechi Watson) and Randalls marriage struggles in Season Three and the multiple scenes with his three TV daughters.

He complimented Lyric Ross, who joined the show in Season Two as Deja. Brown said the scenes between Randall and Deja were always transformative.

The 46-year-old actor then applauded Eris Baker, who portrays Randalls middle child, Tess. He referenced Tesss heavy Season Three dialogue when she came out to her parents.

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I remember how nervous she was about the scene and how extraordinary she was in it, he said. That moment of coming out to your parents is one that can be fraught with a lot of anticipation, a lot of fear and I was very happy with the grace and acceptance with which Randall and Beth received their child.

After the episode, titled The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning, aired, Brown said there were a few occasions where fans approached him about the poignant scene. In one instance, one person said, I was not as accepting as the Pearsons were when my child came out to me. But Ive seen that I see now that Ive seen you all, I know that I can do better (at) sort of just creating the space for people to be people.

The pivotal moment with Tess and the welcoming of Deja are just two points on the extensive list of reasons why fans love the Black Pearsons. At the top of the list is the relationship between Randall and Beth, arguably the most loving and charming couple on This Is Us.

This is Us - Season: 6 (NBC)

I think theres something really beautiful about Black love, Brown said about the overwhelming support for Beth and Randall.

He noted that there are few current examples on television of married Black couples and that the This Is Us audience is predominantly white.

Theres a strong sort of pull towards representation and what people see and how we are exposed to different cultures, different people, etc., he explained. And to see a family man who is deeply devoted to his wife, to see two people who are deeply devoted to one another, and mutually devoted to their children, who are African Americans, who are family-first individuals, goes a long way in terms of representation and the humanization of Black people.

Following racial unrest and the deaths of Black men and women in 2020 such as George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and more, Brown said it was especially important for TV to humanize people who dont look like the mainstream so that the mainstream recognizes that we are indeed people too, that Black Lives Matter.

He explained how Beth and Randalls marriage is also crucial for Black viewers who have only seen Black people depicted as stereotypes on television.

Brown hopes the series has shown that the differences that we perceive, are not as great as the commonalities that we hold with one another.

He said that message is one of the reasons that both he and Watson, who he called his partner in crime, are filled with joy when they shoot their scenes.

During his interview with TODAY, Brown revealed that the Black Pearsons had wrapped filming at their fictional Philadelphia home a few days prior.

Brown said that the pictures hanging in the house, specifically the ones near the stairs, are photos that show Ross, Baker and Faithe Herman, who plays Annie, when they were very young and first appeared on This Is Us.

Before the home was torn down, Brown said he and Watson took a few of the family photos to have images of how the girls have grown in the past six years.

He sweetly added, Its an incredible thing to behold. So, I have real sons in real life. I have daughters on TV. And I have pictures of both.

The actor wouldnt mind keeping a few of the Pearsons board games, tooincluding the Taboo set from Season Six, which led to, in his opinion, the most awkward games of Taboo in television history.

This Is Us - Season 6 (Ron Batzdorff / NBC)

As for the famous Pilgrim Rick hat, Brown is not sure who is going to take it. But, he knows who it should go to.

It would make sense for Randall to have it because he is a Thanksgiving aficionado, he shared.

While fans will certainly miss Randall after the finale airs on May 24, they wont have to wait too long before they see Brown on their screens again.

He already has multiple projects lined up, including his Hulu miniseries Washington Black about an 11-year-old enslaved boy who escapes a Barbados sugar plantation. Brown, who is also an executive producer of the series, said he will be on location in Nova Scotia for the project when the This Is Us finale airs.

Fans will also see him collaborating with Mastercard and Stand Up To Cancer, which is a disease he said has tremendously impacted his family. As part of the partnership, Mastercard will donate one cent up to $5 million to Stand Up To Cancer every time a cardholder purchases groceries or dines out.

For the campaign, Brown dresses as a barista and explains to cardholders how they can participate in the cause. He described the campaign as fun and uplifting.

I always look for opportunities to get a chance to show some of the comical stylings of SKB, he said. Folks tell me I make them cry all the time. I try to make them smile and laugh a little bit too.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that Boston may not deny a Christian group the ability to raise a flag at City Hall alongside secular organizations that are encouraged to do so to celebrate the city's diversity.

The unanimous decision was the latest in a series of rulings from the high court favoring the protection of religious groups, though in this case the issue was more about the First Amendment's protection of free speech than its promise that Americans may practice their religion without government interference.

"We conclude that Bostons flag-raising program does not express government speech," Associate Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the court. "As a result, the citys refusal to let (the group) fly their flag based on its religious viewpoint violated the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment."

A mix of conservative and liberal justices joined the court's opinion, including Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett. There were no dissents.

That vote appeared to reflect the fact that the religious group had support that transcended traditional ideological and partisan lines. The Biden administration, for instance, sided with the group and against Boston in the case.

The religious group that made the request, Camp Constitution, said Boston's flagpole is a public forum, a concept in First Amendment law used by courts to help analyze when the government may regulate speech on public property. The government can't restrict speech based on a speaker's viewpoint in a public forum.

"This case is so much more significant than a flag," said Mathew Staver, the founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, a Christian legal group that represented Camp Constitution. "Boston openly discriminated against viewpoints it disfavored when it opened the flagpoles to all applicants and then excluded Christian viewpoints."

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Whose speech?: Supreme Court debates Christian flag at Boston's City Hall

Skepticism: Supreme Court leans against Boston decision to stop Christian flag

During the litigation Boston had countered that the flags on its flagpole are a form of government speech  not a public forum  and that city officials may choose the messages they want to convey, just as they might on the city's website. For years, the city rotated dozens of flags on a pole outside City Hall to celebrate veterans, sports teams and LGBTQ pride.

"We are carefully reviewing the court's decision and its recognition of city governments' authority to operate similar programs," said Ricardo Patron, a spokesman for the city. "As we consider next steps, we will ensure that future city of Boston programs are aligned with this decision."

The Supreme Court on Jan. 14, 2022.

Boston said it worried that losing the case would mean it might someday be required to fly a flag from a neo-Nazi group or an al-Qaida flag. Another option: The city could avoid flying flags inconsistent with its views by not flying any third-party flags in the first place.

Breyer, a former chief judge on the Boston-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, said the city had limited involvement in the flag program which he said undermined its argument that the flags were a form of government speech.

"Boston acknowledges it 'hadn't spent a lot of time really thinking about' its flag-raising practices until this case," Breyer wrote. "True to its word, the city had nothing  no written policies or clear internal guidance  about what flags groups could fly and what those flags would communicate."

At times during the Jan. 18 oral argument justices from both ends of the ideological spectrum appeared exasperated with the fact that the case wasn't resolved before it reached the nation's highest court. Both conservative and liberal justices indicated the dispute could have been settled relatively easily with a few changes to Boston's policy, such as ensuring that city officials were more involved in the selection of flags.

The Supreme Court has looked favorably on claims of religious freedom in the past. In 2019, the court ruled that a Latin cross on government property outside Washington, D.C., did not have to be moved in the name of church-state separation. In 2014, the court upheld the practice of offering prayers to open government meetings, even if those prayers were overwhelmingly Christian.

But a 5-4 court held in 2015 that a specialty license plate program promoting everything from "Choose Life" to "Conserve Water" could prohibit images such as the Confederate flag because license plates are government speech. The decision drew a sharp dissent from Associate Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Roberts and two others who have since left the court.

Boston's guest flag program is relatively rare so the wider impact of the ruling is unclear. Perhaps anticipating lawsuits, more than 7 in 10 cities do not fly third-party flags, according to a survey by the International Municipal Lawyers Association.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court: Boston can't deny flying Christian flag on flagpole
TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan's Defence Ministry said on Monday it was considering alternative weapons options after the United States informed it that the delivery of an artillery system would be delayed due to a "crowded" production line.

Washington last year approved the potential sale of 40 155mm M109A6 Medium Self-Propelled Howitzer artillery systems to Taiwan in a deal valued at up to $750 million, which Taiwanese media said had been due to be delivered by 2023.

Taiwan's Defence Ministry said, however, that because of a "crowded" production line for the M109A6, the U.S. had told it this would not happen until 2026 at the earliest.

Taiwan is considering other precision and long-range alternative weapons systems including truck-based rocket launchers made by Lockheed Martin Corp called the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, the ministry added.

It did not say why the production line was snarled, but the United States has been ramping up its military support and supply of equipment for Ukraine following Russia's invasion.

Taiwan, claimed by China as its own territory, is undertaking a military modernisation programme to improve its capabilities to fend off a Chinese attack, including with precision weapons like missiles.

U.S. officials have been pushing Taiwan to modernise its military so it can become a "porcupine", hard for China to attack.

U.S. arms sales to Taiwan always anger China and increase tensions between Beijing and Washington.

China considers Taiwan its most important and sensitive territorial issue.

Taiwan's government rejects China's sovereignty claims, saying only the island's people can decide their own future.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard, editing by Ed Osmond)
SHENYANG, May 2 (Xinhua) -- With bulging bellies toward the sky, a group of spotted seals is sunbathing on the rocks in Liaodong Bay, northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Under top-class national protection in China, the spotted seal is the only pinniped marine mammal to breed in Chinese waters.

The seals come to Liaodong Bay from cold waters at high latitudes every December, prey and rest in the area, and return northwards in May.

From every January to March, about 200 cubs are born in the 10,000-square-kilometer ice area in Liaodong Bay.

The seals have to overcome various challenges after birth. People occasionally find stranded ones drifting with the ice sheets on the shore, triggering the monitoring, rescue, and releasing work.

More than 100 spotted seals inhabit the Sandaogou area of Panjin City every year. Since 2012, Panjin has set up a protection station about one km away from the gathering place of spotted seals to avoid disturbance from fishing boats and tourists nearby.

The sea ice near Sandaogou melts early in March, and cubs lying on the ice sheets and unable to live in the water for a long time will be put on the beach by their parents.

As these cubs are at risk of injury, team members of the protection station would patrol the coastline every day, observe the growth of the seals, and persuade fishing boats and tourists to stay away.

After years of persuasion, local fishermen gave up part of their working areas for spotted seals to rest, and they would contact the station if they spotted any seals that had been injured or stranded for a long time.

"Unless there are special circumstances, such as the spotted seal being injured or its parents being invisible within visual reach, the rescue team will bring the cubs back for rescue. Human assistance is not an end. We will eventually let them return to nature," said Wang Xiaobo, an official with the agriculture and rural affairs department of Panjin City.

"We rescued seven spotted seals in 2021. Three of them survived by themselves, so they were released into the sea directly. The other four were born prematurely and couldn't feed themselves," he said, adding that the population of the spotted seals monitored in the Sandaogou area has exceeded 250 this year.

The seals needing rescue are sent to the Liaoning Ocean and Fisheries Science Research Institute or an aquatic wildlife rescue center in Dalian City. There they receive treatment and rewilding training, including avoiding fishing nets and fishing boats, catching fish, and recognizing foreign objects.

The seals would be released into the wild once they meet the criteria. On May 10, 2021, 37 cubs were released into the sea in Dalian after they were assessed to meet the releasing conditions.

"We did routine blood examinations and biochemical tests for the seals and then checked the viruses that this kind of animal might contract. The 37 seals all met the standards in the assessment, so we released them all together this time," said Lu Zhichuang, a researcher with the research institute.

Panjin City has initiated a coastal wetland restoration project to gradually restore the 5,300-hectare mariculture pond to its original ecology, thus providing habitats for spotted seals and other marine life.

The population of spotted seals in the Liaodong Bay remains at around 2,000 while seeing an increasing trend. 
Taiwans foreign minister on Sunday said the country could learn from Ukraines defense against Russias invasion amid fears that China could launch a similar attack on the island nation.

We try to see what we can learn from Ukraine in defending ourselves, Taiwans Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Sunday during an interview on CNNs Fareed Zakaria GPS.

China, which has claimed sovereignty over Taiwan despite the islands self governance, has tacitly supported Russias invasion of Ukraine, further stoking fears about a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

Wu pointed to Ukrainians defense strategy as a potential model for the island nation as he likened relations between Taiwan and China to that of Ukraine and Russia.

There are two things, of course, Wu told CNN. The first is asymmetric capability. Look at the Ukrainians, they use small personal weapons to go against a large enemy. And I think that is something we can learn from. In fact, we have been preparing for that, but we need to make more investment in this regard.

The second area we can learn from Ukraine is civil defense. Look at the Ukrainian people, the foreign minister also said. All of the males are having the determination to defend the country. They want to serve in the military. They want to go to the war zones to fight against Russia. That kind of spirit is enviable for the Taiwanese people.

When theres a war, we need friends and allies to support Taiwan, as in the case of Ukraine, he added.

Wu said that Taiwan, like Ukraine, was ready to defend itself  with support from the U.S. and other countries.

The people here in Taiwan are ready and prepared to defend ourselves, he added. We are asking the United States and other governments to provide Taiwan with necessary defensive articles, so that we are able to defend ourselves.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
South African comedian Trevor Noah speaks during the White House Correspondents Association gala at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC, on April 30, 2022. Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

Comedian Trevor Noah headlined the White House Correspondents' Association dinner on Saturday.

During his remarks, Noah joked about being "worried" about his speech following the Oscars.

He appeared to reference Will Smith slapping Chris Rock after he joked about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.

Comedian and "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah said he was "worried" about joking about people at this year's White House Correspondents' dinner, appearing to reference Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars on March 28.

Smith sent shockwaves across the world when he got up and struck Chris Rock across the face after the comedian cracked a joke about the bald head of Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Jada had previously discussed having alopecia, a medical condition that causes hair loss.

"It is risky making jokes these days. I mean, we all saw what happened at the Oscars," Noah said.

"I've actually been a little worried about tonight. What if I make a really mean joke about Kellyanne Conway, and then her husband rushes up on the stage and thanks me?"

Conway served as former President Donald Trump's presidential campaign manager and subsequent White House advisor. She is married to George Conway, a founding member of The Lincoln Project who has often publicly criticized Trump.

During his 25-minute speech, Noah took aim at numerous high-profile figures, including former President Donald Trump, Fox News host Tucker Carlson, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

The White House Correspondents' Association dinner, which took place at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C., is held every year to honor the journalists who report on the White House and the president.

The event was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the original article on Insider
Associated Press

The son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte are the new leaders of the Philippines, an alliance that ushers in six years of governance that has some human rights activists concerned about the course their country may take with the pair in power. Here is a look at the new president and vice president of the Philippines, who ran in separate races for their posts. A former provincial governor, congressman and senator, the 64-year-old son who goes by his childhood nickname Bongbong has managed to return his family to the presidency 36 years after the People Power revolt ousted his father and sent him into exile for filching billions and mass human rights abuses.
In this article:

Former President Donald Trump arrived in Greenwood, Nebraska for his "Save America" rally Sunday afternoon.

Trumps rally is expected to be in support of Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster. The event was scheduled for Friday but was delayed because of severe weather in the area.

Nebraskas primary election is on Tuesday, May 10.

Trump endorsed Herbster for governor in October.
(Bloomberg) -- Twitter Inc.s $44 billion deal to be acquired by Elon Musk means it risks losing advertisers and employees, who may be concerned about the companys uncertain future.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Twitter said it may be difficult to attract and retain key people, and mentioned the possibility that our current employees could be distracted, and their productivity decline as a result, due to uncertainty regarding the merger, the company said in a regulatory filing Monday.

The company added that it would be difficult to make changes to its business until the deal is completed. Twitter has paused hiring and app updates while the acquisition is pending. It could still fall apart, which would also be bad for business, and likely affect the companys stock, Twitter said.

Any disruptions to our business resulting from the announcement and pendency of the merger, including adverse changes in our relationships with employees, advertisers and other business partners, may continue or intensify in the event the merger is not consummated or is significantly delayed, Twitter said in the filing.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Jorge Duenes/Reuters

The Biden administrations roadmap to allowing up to 100,000 Ukrainian war refugees into the United States is drawing concern that the program may end up putting some of the most desperate refugees at the back of the line.

While the new parole program for Ukrainians is welcome progress, it is by no means a substitute for rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, said Krish OMara Vignarajah, president of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, a refugee resettlement organization. Multiple crises in the last year alone have added to unprecedented global displacement, all of which require the administration to lead by example in using refugee resettlement to the fullest extent possible.

The program, Uniting for Ukraine, was announced last week as the formalization of a long-promised process for getting Ukrainian refugees into the country. Under the process, eligible Ukrainians with a fiscal sponsor in the United States who undergo background vetting will be authorized to enter the country for up to two years.

U.S. Expected to Take in 100K Ukrainian Refugeesof 3.6 Million, Report Says

After that period, refugees will be eligible for employment authorization. Both individuals and organizations can apply to sponsor Ukrainian refugees through the Department of Homeland Securitywith an initial requirement of financial support for the refugee.

The majority of those who enter will receive humanitarian parole, which does not grant benefits or create a pathway for permanent legal status in the United States.

We will help deliver on the presidents commitment to welcome 100,000 Ukrainian citizens and others forced to flee their homes in Ukraine, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, a grandson of refugees and longtime supporter of expanding admissions, and our partnership with the Department of Homeland Security will help us fulfill that commitment.

Since Russias unprovoked invasion of Ukraine two months ago, more than 5 million people have fled the country, putting an enormous humanitarian strain on American allies in Central Europe. But due to visa restrictions preventing Ukrainians from seeking traditional entry, as well as a refugee admissions process that the previous administration actively dismantled, the United States only resettled a dozen Ukrainian refugees in the entire month of March.

Story continues

Ukraine Crisis Highlights Biden Failure on Refugees

On Thursday, Biden called the plan a direct means by which Ukrainian refugees can enter the United States without having to take circuitous routes through the U.S.-Mexico border.

Fly directly to the United States, Biden told reporters following remarks from the Roosevelt Room, calling on Congress to allocate increased aid to meet the embattled countrys military and humanitarian needs. We set up a mechanism whereby they can come directly with a visa.

But the programs emphasis on Ukrainians who have familial connections to the United States, and its reliance on relatives who have the money to be the fiscal sponsors of would-be refugees for up to two years, risks privileging refugees with resources over those who are even more disadvantaged.

We are disappointed to see the administration outsource its moral obligation to support newly arrived Ukrainians, OMara Vignarajah said. Without access to traditional refugee resettlement benefits, we urge policy makers to consider implementing some semblance of a safety net for those rebuilding their lives from scratch.

The administration has defended the temporary nature of the resettlement program for Ukrainianswhich could result in some eventually losing their residency statusby saying the majority of refugees hope to return to their homeland as soon as they can safely do so.

Refugees From Other Wars Want to Know Why White Ukrainians Get VIP Treatment

Our goal is to see to it that this conflict is put to an end as quickly as possible, and that Ukrainians and others who have been forced to flee Ukraine are able to return to a secure, stable, peaceful, democratic Ukraine just as soon as possible, Ned Price, press secretary for the State Department, told reporters last week. For many Ukrainians, they are looking for a temporary safe haven, and the United States for some individuals may be appropriate.

Bidens initial vow to admit as many as 100,000 Ukrainians echoed the commitment he made in May 2021 to increase the ceiling for refugee admissions into the United States to 125,000 people. But fewer than 6,500 people were granted entry through refugee resettlement programs five months into the fiscal year. The anemic pace has refugee advocates concerned, both over the beleaguered systems capacity for processing refugees and over the perceived focus on resettling white Ukrainians over others who have waited for years to be admitted.

Clearly, Uniting for Ukraine is a major and important re-envisioning of our refugee processing capacity in the U.S. and this kind of innovative and creative solution has the opportunity to be life-changing for people who have been torn from their homes and communities, said Ben Johnson, executive director of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. But the obvious differences in treatment of disparate populations is inexcusable. America should be welcoming refugees and asylum seekers who are being persecuted in an equitable and just manner.

Many who have lobbied the administration on refugee policy are frustrated by the juxtaposition between the governments response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis and its mishandling of the Afghan refugee crisis.

U.S. agencies dragged their feet and threw up their hands at logistical obstacles of their own making, all while Afghans spent millions of dollars on application fees for humanitarian programs it now appears the U.S. never had a real plan to administer, said Adam Bates, the policy counsel at the International Refugee Assistance Project. The Uniting for Ukraine program shows that if the Biden administration truly cared about its promise to protect Afghans, the U.S. can do so much more. It should start now.

Biden Made a PromiseBut Not a Planto Let 100K Ukrainians Into the U.S.

Like much of Bidens immigration policy, the root of many critiques of the state of refugee and asylum admissions lies in Title 42, the public health order implemented under President Donald Trump that effectively bars asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border from pursuing their legal right to asylum in the United States. The ability of Ukrainians to sidestep the Title 42 restrictionsnow suspended with the implementation of Uniting for Ukrainehas infuriated immigrant advocates who have fought the policy for years while hundreds of thousands of would-be refugees have waited on the Mexican side of the border since the pandemic began more than two years ago.

Many Ukrainians who are already en route or at the U.S. southern border and are being expelled based on the Title 42 border expulsion policy, Johnson said. Their plight is drawing a huge spotlight on the Presidents continued use of an unjustifiable policy to expel and block asylum seekers at the U.S. border.

The White House, which did not respond to a request for comment about whether it had considered direct government sponsorship of Ukrainian refugees, has maintained that its continued enforcement of Title 42which is scheduled to be repealed at the end of May, although some Democrats are hoping to stall itis a public health decision, rather than a political one.

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Lawmakers receiving the latest secret briefings on UFOs say national security agencies still arent taking seriously the reports of highly advanced aircraft of unknown origin violating protected airspace.

Members of the Senate Intelligence and Armed Services committees received classified progress reports in recent weeks on a series of new data collection efforts the Pentagon and spy agencies are now required to pursue to more rigorously investigate reports of UFOs, three people with direct knowledge confirmed.

But some leading sponsors of recent legislation want more analysts and surveillance systems dedicated to determining the aircrafts origin  and not just more reports of their existence.

One of those lawmakers is Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), a member of both committees who has called the phenomena an urgent issue and for the first time is expressing her public dissatisfaction at the response.

Senator Gillibrand believes that the DoD needs to take this issue much more seriously and get in motion, said one of her aides, who requested anonymity in order to discuss private conversations. They have had ample time to implement these important provisions, and they need to show us that they are prepared to address this issue in the long-term.



The congressional briefings come four months after Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act requiring the Pentagon to create the Anomaly Surveillance and Resolution Office.

The office, which is supposed to be fully operational by June, was granted the authority to pursue any resource, capability, asset, or process to investigate unidentified aerial phenomena  the now-widely accepted nomenclature for UFOs.

The Pentagon office is supposed to be developing an intelligence collection and analysis plan to gain as much knowledge as possible regarding the technical and operational characteristics, origins, and intentions of unidentified aerial phenomena, according to the legislation.

Story continues

That means identifying people across the government to respond rapidly to incidents or patterns of observations.

The bill, signed into law by President Joe Biden, also required an annual report and semiannual briefings for Congress, including descriptions of all UAP incidents such as those associated with military nuclear assets, including strategic nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered ships and submarines.

To respond to Congresss direction, Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks directed the creation of an Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group to oversee the stepped-up effort and establish the permanent UFO office required by Congress.

Among its tasks is to standardize UAP incident reporting across the military and collect and analyze more intelligence.

The Department continues to brief Congress on our efforts regarding unidentified aerial phenomena, including our progress in standing up the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group, in accordance with the fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, Susan Gough, a department spokesperson, told POLITICO in a statement.

I cannot comment on specific engagements, she added.



Expanding investigations of UAPs will require dedicating far more resources and personnel to the task, military and intelligence experts say.

But some members of Congress and their staff are beginning to air their dissatisfaction with the progress in making that happen.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the intelligence panel, also believes the Pentagon is not aggressively carrying out Congress direction.

Rubio is definitely frustrated, said one of the senators aides, who was not authorized to speak publicly. They are not moving fast enough, not doing enough, not sharing enough.

The administration is aware of the concerns, he added. It is not at the level it needs to be.

Others are more critical, accusing the Pentagon of hiding information from Congress.

I dont trust the Department of Defense to get this right since leadership there has always been part of a cover-up, said Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), a member of the House Transportation Aviation Subcommittee.

It is clear from the public evidence that we dont have full control of our airspace, added Burchett, whose district includes Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where there have been numerous reports of UFO sightings over the decades. Thats a national security issue and its also unacceptable.

Five current and former military and intelligence officials and contractor personnel privy to the deliberations who were not authorized to speak publicly told POLITICO they believe real progress is being made to compel agencies to take a more proactive approach  and also be more transparent about what they might know about UFO sightings and technologies.



Capitol Hill scrutiny has intensified since 2017, when former Pentagon official Luis Elizondo went public with his concerns. Since then, Navy pilots have come forward with credible testimony of UFO encounters, and the Pentagon began releasing select footage depicting mysterious aircraft captured by fighter jet cameras and ship radars.

They are putting time in, they are doing work, said a government contractor who has been enlisted in the new effort. They are going to put some bodies on it. I think they'll probably file the reports back to Congress on time. And that is a big plus.

Others said that while officials are doing a better job of collecting reports of UAPs, they are still reluctant to dedicate more intelligence assets to determine whether some of the reported craft might belong to a foreign nation or if they are extraterrestrial in nature.

I have seen everything we have [in the files] and I am very confident they are not ours, said a former senior intelligence official who had authority over the UFO portfolio, referring to classified U.S. aircraft programs.

The continued uncertainty is prompting members of Congress to increase pressure on the Pentagon and spy agencies to do much more than merely collect UAP reports.

The contractor worries that the new Pentagon panel is going to receive reports and collate them but theyre not going to lead any organized, serious effort to find out what the hells going on, nor are they going to be in a position to press anybody else to do that.



Congress wants somebody to get on the stick over there and get to the bottom of it, the contractor added.

That also means determining where the sightings are most commonly being reported and then cueing technical systems to monitor those areas more regularly  for example, to have these three satellites collect X amount of hours in X locations.

Who's got all the puzzle pieces, who's doing serious analysis, and then making informed, intelligent decisions about [intelligence] collection? he asked.

But it also means you have to compete with a lot of other priority things that are going to often outrank this, he added.

Elizondo also said in an interview that he believes an enduring problem is that there are still pockets of information on UAPs within the government that are not being shared with the new Pentagon oversight body or Congress.

And when some of those pockets reach oversight committees through other channels, it further undermines their confidence in the governments ability to seek and provide comprehensive answers.

When they are made aware of information and data and videos and photos that are not being provided by DoD, it sets up a situation where the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, Elizondo said.

Gough, the Pentagon spokesperson, declined to respond to such criticism.

Elizondo also warned that the Pentagon is lumping the most mystifying UAP reports with more traditional drones or other more readily identifiable objects commonly discovered in U.S. airspace, such as weather balloons or discarded rocket and satellite components.

The intent of the new law is not to associate UAPs as an air clutter issue or space junk, Elizondo said. That should not be confused with clearly breakaway technologies that are being employed and demonstrated within our controlled U.S. airspace.

The government UFO contractor sees signs of momentum to give the phenomenon the attention it deserves, but expects Congress will have to take more legislative action.

I think there are pockets of people in different agencies who are enthusiastic, he said. But is it a focused effort? Is there somebody at a high level who is an advocate who owns this problem and is putting together a plan to get the answers that Congress wants? I think the answer to that is no.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for dialogue to end the war in Ukraine at the start of a European tour on Monday but steered clear of condemning Russia over the invasion.

India, which imports much of its military hardware from Russia, has long walked a diplomatic tightrope between the West and Moscow, and has called only for an immediate end to hostilities.

"We have insisted on a ceasefire and called for talks as the only way to resolve dispute since the start of the Ukraine crisis," Modi told reporters after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

"We believe that there won't be any winners in this war and everyone will lose, which is why we are in favour of peace," he said.

Besides the humanitarian impact on Ukrainians, pressure on oil prices and global food supplies is also "putting a burden on every family in the world," he said.

Germany's Scholz stressed that the war in Ukraine threatened the "rule-based global order".

"Russia has jeopardised the fundamental principles of international law with its attack on Ukraine," he said.

"The war and the brutal assault on civilians in Ukraine show the unchecked manner in which Russia is violating the principles of the UN Charter," Scholz added, repeating his call for President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops.

- Rising Indian oil imports -

Scholz said he and Modi agreed that the "inviolability of borders" and "sovereignty of nations" must not be called into question.

"We thoroughly discussed that we want to achieve a better future -- not by fighting wars against each other but by making economic development possible together," he said.

The two governments later signed a joint declaration expressing "strong support" for upcoming talks between the European Union and India on a free trade agreement.

Scholz also confirmed he had invited Modi as a special guest to a Group of Seven (G7) leaders' summit next month, seen as part of an effort to forge a broader alliance against Russia.

Story continues

Bloomberg News had reported Sunday citing unnamed sources that Scholz was concerned over Modi's refusal to condemn Russia and India's increased fossil fuel imports from there, and was undecided on the invite until weeks ago.

India has significantly increased imports of Russian oil from March onwards, but has bristled at criticism of the move, saying Europe's consumption of Russian energy commodities remains far higher.

Modi was holding talks in Berlin before heading to Copenhagen to join the prime ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway at a two-day India-Nordic Summit from May 3.

He will then make a brief stopover in France to see President Emmanuel Macron to "share assessments on various regional and global issues and will take stock of ongoing bilateral cooperation", an Indian government statement said.

- 'Huge potential' -

In a media briefing on Sunday, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said European countries "not only understand but also have deep appreciation" of India's position on the conflict.

The principal focus of the visits and discussions is to strengthen bilateral partnership across a range of areas including trade, energy and sustainable development, Kwatra said.

With Russia reeling under Western sanctions, some 50 Indian food, ceramics and chemicals exporters will head to Moscow later this month after enquiries from Russian firms, the Times of India newspaper reported on Monday.

"Trade and financial sanctions imposed on Russia... have opened up numerous avenues for Indian businesses across various sectors," the newspaper quoted Vivek Agarwal from lobby group the Trade Promotion Council of India, which is organising the trip, as saying.

"Indian companies too are excited to tap the huge potential available for Indian products in Russia," he told the newspaper.

The daily quoted unnamed government officials as suggesting that shipments would only start once the war in Ukraine ends.

dlc-abh/hmn/kjm
A view of civil settlement damaged by Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 20, 2022. Photo by Emin Sansar/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Ukraine's human rights chief alleged citizens were tortured and abused by Russian forces.

In a Facebook post, Lyudmyla Denisova detailed the experience of captured Ukrainians in Russia.

She said some civilians had their limbs amputated due to frostbite, and returned with severe wounds.

Ukraine's human rights chief alleged that citizens who were forced across the border and into Russia by President Vladimir Putin's forces endured torture and other forms of abuse.

After recently returning from captivity at a prison in the Russian city of Kursk, Ukrainians detailed allegations of "humiliation and inhumane conditions," the country's ombudswoman for human rights Lyudmyla Denisova said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Denisova said the Ukrainians came back with sepsis, severe wounds, and amputated limbs and toes due to frostbite. She said the Russians filled people's boots with water  then made them put the boots back on after  and forced them to lie on the ground in the cold.

"Interrogations took place two or three times a day, after which the men were severely beaten and later forced to sign documents stating that they had been treated well," Denisova said, adding that the Ukrainians were forced to learn Russian patriotic songs and perform them to the guards.

Ukraine has previously accused Putin's forces of abducting its citizens  including children  and forcing them across the border into Russia.

A handful of prisoner exchanges have been facilitated between the two sides since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February. At one point, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy even offered Putin a captured pro-Kremlin oligarch in exchange for kidnapped Ukrainians  though Moscow denied the request.

Ukrainian civilians have also detailed reports of Russian "filtration camps" across the border for people who were forcibly relocated by Putin's forces.

Meanwhile, the international community has continued to slam Russia's apparent disregard for human rights during its unprovoked campaign against its neighbor. Thousands of civilians have been killed so far, many from indiscriminate shelling and targeted executions.

"Our work to date has detailed a horror story of violations perpetrated against civilians," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in late March.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A vendor waits for customers at an accessory stall at the Handmade Market Canberra in Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia, April 30, 2022. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

Organizers hope the event, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 restrictions, could continue to grow and connect people through handmade products in the Australian capital.

CANBERRA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- From colorful ceramics to street food of various flavors, the handmade market was back to the Australian capital after two and a half years.

The market, recognized as one of Canberra's most popular events which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic, was held on Saturday and Sunday with about 250 stall-holders this time.

"Really very emotional," Handmade Managing Director Julie Nichols told Xinhua. "We're really excited that it's back. The support has been overwhelming."

Budawang Pavilion of the Exhibition Park in Canberra became packed with people on Saturday, in which the gourmet food hall was teeming with scents of barbecue and pancake. In other halls, visitors were busy choosing their favorite clothes and artworks, chatting with stall-holders from time to time.

"I have loved supporting makers through the handmade online markets, but nothing beats being able to see and feel the handmade products with your own hands," long-time handmade market customer Carole said. "There is just something so special about holding a handmade product while talking directly to the person who has made it."

A man views a pottery product at the Handmade Market Canberra in Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia, April 30, 2022. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

Louise Martiensen came from her LouiseM Studio in Sydney about 280 km away. In her stall visitors were picking up ceramic plates with floral patterns or watercolor dishes.

"I'm really glad to be back at the handmade market in Canberra," she said. "Really missed it."

She told Xinhua that a big part of her business was being able to sell at markets. "You can sell online, but it's not quite the same as being able to come out to the markets and talk to people and have them see the work and pick it up and feel it and touch it."

Martiensen began coming to the handmade market in Canberra about six years ago. "There's just such a nice vibe in the air and it's so good to be able to re-connect with everyone," said the 34-year-old artisan. "It's good to see so many people in the room again. I know a lot of us are wearing masks now and being careful, but it does feel like life is coming back a little bit to normal."

Wu Jiawen's food stall the "Little Wu Jianbing" selling Chinese pancakes saw a long queue of customers at noon. While talking with Xinhua, she was still busy cooking with two stoves.

A woman watches a hand-made dinosaur-themed products at the Handmade Market in Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia, April 30, 2022. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

"I had been looking forward to the re-opening of the market for quite some time," said the Chinese stall-holder.

Now with her own restaurant in the Dickson area, which is recognized as Canberra's China Town, Wu said she actually started her business in the market.

In the past, the handmade market opened four times a year, and she came almost each time. "I have a special feeling about this market," she said.

Maybe because Saturday was the first day after the market reopened, Wu's business was so good that she had already sold several dozen of pancakes before noon.

Julie Nichols, the 54-year-old organizer, was happy to see people like Martiensen and Wu back.

"We have 600 small businesses registered with us and these types of events and markets are what keep them going, like it's their bread and butter," she said, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic has had very a big impact on the small businesses.

A woman views pottery products at the Handmade Market in Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia, April 30, 2022. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)

The last time the market opened was in December 2019, after which they made three attempts. Once the organizer and businesses had announced the re-opening, but canceled it at the last minute.

This was their fourth go, and they took several measures to help people stay safe. Visitors were asked to check in using the Canberra-safe app, and hand sanitizers were placed in different corners of the market.

Tara Cheyne, minister for business in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), hailed the market as a "local business success story."

"Previously the handmade market happened once per quarter and provided a great platform for local and regional makers to come together," she said in a statement. "This weekend Canberrans have a great opportunity to support local and regional makers at the handmade market in person."

Nichols said she hoped that the market could continue to grow. "So that we can support and keep doing what we do, which is connecting people who love handmade products to people who make handmade products." 
In May 1988, a 17-year-old girl told her sister a secret.

Her violin teacher was using his taxpayer-funded studio to have sex with her during what should have been private lessons at North Carolinas prestigious public conservatory, Lisamarie Vana claimed.

While Vana insisted the trysts were consensual, her older sister saw abuse instead. Resolving to put an end to it, she told their mother.

That summer, Vana overheard her mother calling violinist Stephen Shipps in a voice so hostile she left the room. Her mother told her shed also complained to administrators at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Vana said.

But it wasnt until 34 years later that a judge sentenced Shipps, now 69, to five years in prison for sexually abusing another underage student. Vana attended the sentencing, with her sister and two friends, in hope of some closure.

After being criminally charged for the first time, Shipps has admitted to trafficking another student while on the University of Michigans music faculty, taking her across state lines to have sex with her in 2002.

In a sentencing memo, federal authorities shared evidence that Shipps abused girls before and during his time as a UNCSA faculty member in Winston-Salem from 1980 to 1989.

Proving what UNC arts campus leaders knew and did about Shipps while he was on faculty is difficult, in part due to the passage of time and in part due to limited records from the School of the Arts.

But in lawsuits and correspondence with federal prosecutors, former students say UNCSA officials knew about allegations against Shipps and could have prevented what federal authorities say was decades of molestation by reporting him to off-campus authorities.

Instead, they allege, campus leaders sacrificed girls safety to preserve an elite schools reputation.

UNCSA is still grappling with the lawsuit, which is pending in state court.

Simply stated, we are horrified by the allegations of sexual abuse and are appalled by the concept that sexual abuse could happen under the guise of artistic training, Chancellor Brian Cole wrote in response to the lawsuit. We recognize that the words here are only a start  it is our actions that will most clearly communicate the strength of our commitment.

Story continues

A buried story

As a teenager, Vana defended Shipps, insisting that the relationship was consensual.

The grooming process was so complete that I didnt even know I was being abused, Vana told The Charlotte Observer.

Lisamarie Vana, pictured during her enrollment at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts

It wasnt until Shipps 2020 arrest that Vana told her story differently to federal authorities who were researching a pattern of abuse by Shipps. Soon after that she became one of 56 alumni suing UNCSA for, they allege, allowing them to be sexually abused by Shipps and many others. Of the accused, only Shipps has been convicted in criminal court.





Shed won a high school scholarship to study violin there in 1986, and spent her first months there absorbing rumors that Shipps had sex with his female students, Vana told the Observer.

While he taught Vana violin throughout her time at UNCSA, she said he suddenly took her under his wing in her senior year, when she turned 17.

When Vana was scheduled to play with the Winston-Salem Symphony, Shipps  then the symphonys concertmaster  invited her to stay at his home while campus closed for spring break 1988, she alleges in her complaint.

Vana said shed never had sex before that week. But Shipps coerced her to do so with him while his wife was in another room, according to the lawsuit. From then on, he invited her to his office on a daily basis for sex, she alleges.

His teaching was only about himself and his own sexual gratification, Vana told the Observer.

Vana also accused Shipps of pimping her out to a colleague across state lines. The pair convinced her to fly to Wisconsin to take lessons and shop for violins, one of them even paying for her ticket, she alleged in the lawsuit.

But when she arrived and refused that mans attempts at seduction, Vana said in the lawsuit, he drugged and raped her throughout the weekend.

The teacher, now deceased, told Vana that Shipps had slept with his wife, and sent her to him as an appeasement offering, she wrote in her complaint.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts music staff, 1981. Stephen Shipps is pictured second from the left in the back row.

The punishment office

People suing UNCSA are not the only ones who say many on campus in the 1980s knew about Shipps alleged behavior. Other former students say they recall just one attempt to curb it before his departure in 1989.

When UNCSA violin graduate George Carter, who is not suing the school, learned in November 2020 that federal prosecutors had charged Shipps, he rushed to tell them of his time at UNCSA.

Also a violin student, Carter arrived in 1984 to a campus saturated with rumors that Shipps sexually abused his female students, he wrote in an email to prosecutors.

Another student told Carter that Shipps sexually harassed and assaulted her, he wrote in an email to federal prosecutors. By 1986 it was common knowledge that Shipps had a sexual relationship with her and at least one other student, Carter said.

Two years later Shipps moved from his secluded music department studio to a smaller office in a different building, Vana said.

Carter recalls that the new studio had long windows exposing the interior to a busy hallway. Students understood the punishment office was music dean Larry Alan Smiths attempt to curb further abuse, Carter said. Even among his new neighbors, Shipps was the only one forbidden from closing the blinds, Carter wrote to prosecutors.

When Carter visited campus the year after Shipps 1989 departure, he noticed that a new violin teachers studio had been returned to the more private location, across the hall from the other violin professors.

This could have all ended in 1986 if (Smith) had taken the appropriate actions, Carter wrote prosecutors in an email.

Smith, also a defendant in the pending lawsuit against UNCSA, stepped down from his position as music dean the year after Shipps departure. He has not responded to several requests for comment. Then-chancellor Jane Milley left her position in 1989. Milley, too, is named as a defendant in the lawsuit and hasnt responded to requests for comment.

But Vana said the change of scenery did little to stop Shipps from molesting her.

It was safe if it was dimly lit, Vana said of the second studio. If he wanted servicing, he would dim the light.

Lisamarie Vana, photographed in 1980

Alumna Stephanie Silverman, who joined Vana at the sentencing, remembers Shipps move across campus during her 1980s enrollment, saying it made no sense for him to be so far from her own violin teacher in the main music wing.

We knew what was going on, Silverman said. They didnt do it to anyone else.

UNCSA said officials have found no records to verify the office locations.

Passing the trash?

Another plaintiff who accuses Shipps of sexual abuse was a few years ahead of Vana. Students gossiped about Shipps during her time on campus, the older alum said.

Unlike Vana, she spoke anonymously. The Observer doesnt name victims of alleged sexual assault without their consent.

Steve has had the reputation of fooling around with his students in the past, she wrote in a 1980s journal entry she provided to The Observer.

Shipps warned her to keep quiet about his sexual contact with her, saying hed been in trouble with the UNCSA administration for similar behavior, the woman told the Observer.

The things that would happen if we were found out would be: he would probably be fired but first, I would be thrown out of school, she wrote in another diary entry. I would sort of be blacklisted, he would have a lot of reason to hate me since it would probably be my fault that we were found out, he might have a hard time finding another job, etc.

But Shipps found another job barely a year after Vanas mother, now deceased, reported him to the school, the lawsuit claims.

Lisamarie Vana

To protect UNCSAs reputation, Shipps was simply allowed to leave UNCSA and go to the University of Michigan, the lawsuit alleges. Another plaintiff contends that Shipps colleagues wrote recommendations.

Inaction against a suspected child sex abuser is truly dangerous, said Mike McDonnell, a spokesperson for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, whose members saw much of that over decades.

Youre essentially just saying that its OK for someone else, McDonnell said. It gives this abuser a whole new group of potential victims just because you dont know these kids names and faces doesnt mean abuse stops.

Seeking the truth

As a public school in the 1980s, UNCSA was required to report even suspicions of child abuse to the Forsyth County director of social services. But even if they did, the county office wouldnt have any relevant records in its online system, an employee said. Any surviving documents would only be available if subpoenaed, she said.

While North Carolina state law forbade sexual relationships between underage students and their teachers in the 1980s, UNC policy wouldnt provide additional restrictions until the mid-1990s. That was spurred by a rare, until now, public accusation of sexual abuse at the School of The Arts.

There is a document that captures allegations against Shipps at UNCSA, six years after his 1989 departure.

In 1995, an alum sued UNCSA, saying administrators were aware that two dance teachers sexually abused him in 1984 but failed to help him. Before his case was dismissed due to the state statute of limitations, the arts campuss Board of Trustees responded by launching an investigation.

That included establishing a hotline where callers could report abuse and inappropriate behavior by campus faculty and staff.

A document obtained independently from a state archive revealed that eight people told hotline workers that Shipps had sexual relationships with students, including one first-hand report from a victim who described him harassing her.

UNCSA did not have a copy of that document until The Observer and the N&O uncovered it in 2021, and has no record of investigating Shipps, school attorney David Harrison has said.

During a brief phone conversation with the Observer last year, Shipps declined to discuss the 1995 hotline complaints against him. Neither he nor his lawyer have responded to multiple requests for comment since his sentencing. But five of the teachers accused alongside him claimed to have no knowledge of allegations against them when contacted by a reporter in 2021, suggesting there may have been no follow through.

Some still worked with UNCSA; others were teaching young students elsewhere.

Multiple Shipps accusers

Among the 56 former students suing the School of the Arts, three name Shipps as a defendant. Others describe disturbing behavior and rumors about him.

In 1980, the year Shipps joined UNCSA, one plaintiff auditioned for him, the lawsuit says. Shipps told her that hed accept her only if he could have a chance to date her, she said in her complaint.

After she enrolled at UNCSA at age 16, Shipps had her move into his home for a month, she alleged in the lawsuit, ostensibly to catch her up on private lessons.

But on her first night at the teachers home, the girl woke up to Shipps fondling her. He stripped and raped her, the lawsuit states, later promoting her to a violin position she hadnt earned.

The plaintiff endured Shipps groping until the years end, when he stopped giving her lessons, according to the lawsuit, a punishment for refusing to have sex with him.

She says in the lawsuit that she complained to then-music dean Robert Hickok, who has since died. When Shipps next called her to his office, it wasnt to resume teaching.

Then in his 20s, Shipps threw chairs, pushed his student against a wall and threatened to slap her for going to the dean, she wrote in her complaint. He screamed at her, telling her that her days at UNCSA were numbered.

Shipps did eventually kick her out of the program, she said, but the school allowed her to re-audition and study under another professor.

She didnt recount any memories of Shipps being punished.
May 1CHEYENNE  This city's loss of some Union Pacific Railroad historic steam and diesel locomotives and passenger cars will be the gain of the Quad Cities area in the Midwest.

And perhaps eventually, they could even travel again to our area for temporary display.

The railroad company has agreed to donate some well-known, but mostly no longer operational, locomotives and rail cars to the nonprofit Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, representatives at Union Pacific and RRHMA said in interviews Friday. U.P. will hang onto other popular train equipment, namely its so-called "Big Boy" and "Living Legend" steam locomotives.

An advantage to fans of old trains is they can eventually visit the artifacts that U.P. is donating, although they are expected to be housed at RRHMA's facility in Silvis, Illinois. The organization aims to transform that former 400,000-square-foot train shop complex of a now-defunct railroad into a museum. It is in the Quad Cities area of the Midwest, near Iowa's border with Illinois and some 800 miles from Cheyenne.

The donation helps U.P. focus on maintaining and showcasing the "Big Boy," which is perhaps the world's largest functioning steam locomotive, and "Living Legend," notable for being an older steam locomotive that was never fully retired from service. It also comes as major railroads across the U.S. are trying to trim costs to remain competitive.

"We've been trying to streamline our operations," noted Mike Jaixen, a spokesperson for U.P. "We realized that we do not need as big of a fleet as we had" of older train equipment, he said. RRHMA "was a group that was able to find a use for them."

Any speculation that the company, which is known for preserving a bigger fleet of older trains than some other railroads, is not sticking with this tack is unfounded, the company's representative said.

"There's been some internet scuttlebutt that this is the end of the U.P. steam program. This is not the case. We are continuing on with Big Boy 4014 and Living Legend 844. We are continuing forward  that is our steam program."

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Older array

Even with the downsizing, the rail carrier has an impressive array of older items, two stakeholders said.

U.P. has "one of the best steam programs in the world," said Steve Sandberg, RRHMA president. "We've been running a big steam locomotive around the Midwest," the organization's own Milwaukee Road No. 261 that is based in Minneapolis. The museum's new goal is to have what U.P. is donating "restored to a standard that is acceptable to Union Pacific," so that it could travel on the company's rails.

"They basically wanted to make sure that they could get it out in front of the public and that it would be preserved for future generations," Sandberg said of U.P. "With them having two steam locomotives, they really did not need to have more."

It could cost his organization $3 million to $5 million to fully restore all that U.P. is donating, estimated Sandberg. Donations totaling $500,000 will be tripled through matches by the UP in Smoke Foundation, as well as other donations, he noted.

Even before any financial hurdles are overcome, there are potentially complex logistics to get the donated rolling stock from Cheyenne to Silvis, representatives from U.P. and RRHMA acknowledged.

"It will be a huge endeavor, and while we have some ideas how that will happen ... now we have to figure out how we make all this logistically happen," said Jaixen.

One positive is that the train gear will start out on U.P. rails, although other tracks may also be used. The Iowa Interstate Railroad, which took over part of the railroad that used to own the Silvis facility, may play a part in the transfer, some suggested. One Iowa Interstate employee said they were not familiar with the situation, and the railroad itself did not comment.

When the historic equipment does hit the rails, it is likely to prove popular among rail fans, stakeholders said. They recalled big crowds when, a few years ago, Big Boy came to Cheyenne.

"We know that people will want to see this equipment moving," said Jaixen.

"You'll see rail fans taking pictures everywhere of the movement," said Union Pacific Historical Society Business Manager Bob Krieger. Indeed, photos from this newspaper show fans themselves snapping pictures alongside the rails.

Donated items

Krieger, who used to work for U.P., including in its local steam shop, described himself as happy with the donation.

"It's been sitting idle for a long time, and I don't think there is much chance of it being restored here. They have their hands full with the two engines they have," he said. "They'll keep their heritage fleet, they are just downsizing. A lot of stuff was just sitting around in the roundhouse. This way, they'll just give access to the public." (The current equipment is not typically on public display.)

U.P. summarized, and Jaixen provided details on, the donation from Union Pacific's Steam Shop in Cheyenne:

The Challenger, which also goes by 4664 and 3985: This was perhaps the world's largest operating steam locomotive, until it was exceeded by Big Boy's restoration.

U.P. No. 5511: It is about 100 years old, perhaps the "only one of its type left," Jaixen said by phone. "It has not operated in 60 years." It was "not designed for speed, it was designed for power" and could do things like push other trains around a train yard.

The Centennial U.P. No 6936: It was the world's biggest diesel locomotive when it was built in 1969 to mark the 100th anniversary of the of completion of the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad. It has some 6,600 horsepower.

The shell of a passenger locomotive.

Two business cars called the Selma and the Stanford. They are "kind of akin to a suite at a high-end hotel," Jaixen said. They could be used by railroad employees who were traveling, and they had things like a bed and an office setup.

Four 1950s coach cars.

A diner-lounge car.

A baggage car.

A caboose.

Jonathan Make is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle's assistant managing editor and editor of the Wyoming Business Report. He can be reached at jmake@wyomingnews.com{span} or 307-633-3129{/span}. Follow him on Twitter @makejdm.
The Moscow Police Department has identified the body of a University of Idaho student who was found dead in Paradise Creek.

Hudson R. Lindow, 19, of Boise, was found at approximately 11:28 a.m. Sunday near College Avenue, according to a news release from police. Moscow Police Capt. Anthony Dahlinger told the Idaho Statesman that no additional Information was available early Monday afternoon.

Lindow was a first-year student at U of I, spokesperson Jodi Walker told the Statesman via email.

Police said they do not suspect foul play and said next of kin had been notified.

The investigation is ongoing, police said.
US law enforcement was searching Monday for an Alabama murder suspect and a female corrections officer who authorities say participated in his escape, warning that both individuals were extremely dangerous.

Early on Friday, inmate Casey White and officer Vicky White -- who are not related -- both left the Lauderdale County Jail where he was being held to face murder charges.

Vicky White told colleagues they were headed to court for a psychological evaluation of the prisoner.

They never arrived, and suspicion rapidly grew that the two Whites had committed a brazen escape.

On Monday Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton told reporters that an arrest warrant had been issued for Vicky White "for permitting or facilitating an escape" of an inmate.

He said Casey White, 38, was "handcuffed and shackled" as he was put into a squad car, and that the corrections officer convinced colleagues she was the only firearm-certified officer available to transport White.

Singleton said there was "absolutely" a possibility the two were romantically linked and that authorities were investigating any connections between them.

"We know she participated" in the escape, Singleton said of officer White. "Whether she did that willingly, or if she was coerced or threatened somehow to participate in this escape, not really sure."

The US Marshals Service, a federal agency that assists in searches for violent fugitives, has deemed Casey White a "serious threat" to the public and to the corrections officer, and has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

Sheriff Singleton said there were several facts about Vicky White that suggested potential signs of her involvement, including the escape occurring on what was described as her final day of work.

"She was to retire that day," Singleton said of the "exemplary" officer with 17 years of experience in corrections. "Nobody saw this coming."

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White sold her house about a month earlier and had told colleagues of her desire to go to the beach, Singleton said.

"We just hope that this has a good ending."

Casey White was charged in 2020 with capital murder in the stabbing death of a 58-year-old woman. White confessed and was awaiting trial in the Alabama jail when he disappeared, the US Marshals Service said.

"He has nothing to lose," Singleton said. "He is extremely dangerous."

mlm/bgs
WASHINGTON  The Naval Postgraduate School and Microsoft have signed a cooperative research and development agreement to tackle four key technology areas where industry investments and naval operational needs may overlap.

The agreement, announced publicly on May 2, covers work involving intelligent edge computing solutions and cloud-enhanced networks; gaming, exercising, modeling and simulation to improve military capability development and command decision-making; the development of a campus of the future at the schools Monterey, California, campus; and establishing an infrastructure and processes that can rapidly transition research and development projects to the field.

The Navy isnt buying anything from Microsoft under this agreement, but scientists and engineers will collaborate on applying commercial technology to military problem sets.

However, the school and Microsoft are to collaborate on research in such a way that the Navy and Marine Corps will see the companys tools before they hit the market so the services can be ready to rapidly leverage them. Microsoft also benefits by better understanding the militarys operational needs and addressing them in future technology offerings.

Marine Corps Col. Randy Pugh, the senior Marine at the Naval Postgraduate School and the deputy director of the Naval Warfare Studies Institute, told reporters that the military must keep up with rapidly evolving technology, which is why the services needed to bring our industry partners in earlier and earlier into our thought process and give [industry] a great insight and insiders perspective of our most complicated problems so that we can collaborate and work side by side on solving some of those problems.

Asked about the operational needs of the Navy and Marine Corps that Microsoft and other tech companies could help with, Pugh and other project officials pointed to not just the operation side but also administrative and business issues.

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Things like talent management based on LinkedIn and the uncanny way that it presents people that I might want to invite to my network. Man, wed love to have that in the military for our talent management purposes, Pugh said. And so this allows us to understand the technology and the techniques, and then be able to lift and drop those onto the military quickly and efficiently.

Operationally, Pugh said, it comes down to autonomy or intelligent autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, certainly big data and the ability to do data engineering and data science and to have machines or computers assisting the humans and making decisions  whether those are business decisions for the services, or whether those are combat-related decisions.

All of those kinds of things are very immature right now in the services, but are both mature and exponentially maturing in the commercial sector, driven by industry, driven by competitive marketplaces where people  in order to maintain their position and serve their shareholders  are coming up with all these groundbreaking inventions, he added.

Cmdr. Chad Bollman, the director of the schools Center for Cyber Warfare, said the war in Ukraine has shined a light on the importance of using sensors on the battlefield, integrating their data and sending actionable information to commanders  and being able to do so in degraded environments. He noted that Ukrainian forces have been leveraging military and commercial systems to do just this  and fast enough to gain an advantage over Russia, which invaded the country on Feb. 24.

And so thats our challenge, and Microsoft is doing all of those aspects. Im looking at this as a great opportunity to take our sensors and our use cases and leverage what [Microsoft is] working on and see where it all comes together to, again, get earlier in the design phase and shape solutions, Bollmann said.

Microsofts federal senior director for the firms U.S. Navy portfolio, Marc Langlois, agreed that the collaboration is about creating decision advantage.

Our ability to help drive decision advantage out to the tactical edge by leveraging not only our hyperscale cloud but the intelligent edge through things like 5G, through our investments in Azure Space, Azure Orbital. This gives us an opportunity to prove that we can try and help derive that decision advantage.
ETTRICK  Virginia State University is on lockdown following an on-campus shooting of a woman Sunday night.

A statement from VSU said the incident happened shortly before 8 p.m. at the Quad I Residence Hall. The victim is not a VSU student.

That unidentified victim was taken to VCU Medical Center in Richmond with a reported neck wound. The injury is not considered life-threatening.

"No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting," VSU said in the statement, adding that no more information about it would be released Sunday night.

No motive for the shooting was released.

"The campus remains on lockdown as a precaution while police continue the investigation," VSU's statement read. We ask that anyone with information about this shooting, please contact VSU or Chesterfield Police."

Quad I is a dormitory for freshmen students, according to the university website. It actually is two L-shaped residence halls connected by one lobby, and was built in tome for the 2010-11 academic year.

Chesterfield Police are assisting VSU with the investigation. Anyone with information should call Chesterfield Police at (804) 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660, or use the P3Tips mobile app.

This is a developing story. Details will be reported as they are released.

This was the second shooting in southern Chesterfield Sunday. Two hours earlier, a person was shot at a Chester truck stop and later died.

More: Person shot to death at Chester truck stop; one suspect in custody, the other on the run

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia State University is on lockdown after on-campus shooting
A few days before Hurricane Dorian slammed into Ocracoke Island and the southern Outer Banks in September 2019, the massive storm was packing winds of 185 mph as it devastated the Bahamas.

Dorian's development into a "superstorm," tying the record for the strongest Atlantic hurricane at the time of its Bahamas landfall, is no longer an unusual event. Recent storms with names like Katrina, Ivan and Matthew have all had winds that topped 160 mph, surging well past the Category 5 designation on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which is used to identify the strongest storms in the world that have sustained winds of 157 mph or higher.

And with researchers forecasting climate change to produce more of these "superstorms" in the future as the planet continues to warm, some climate scientists are suggesting that a "Category 6" be added to the wind scale.

One of those is Dr. Michael Mann, director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State University.

"It has been argued by some that theres no need for a higher category than '5' because a '5' causes total destruction," he said in an email. "Thats less true now with the more resilient infrastructure that were creating, and there is a qualitative difference in the impact of a 157 mph weak Cat 5 and a 185 mph monster Cat 5."

On the current scale, a storm is classified as a Category 1 hurricane when its sustained winds are between 74 and 95 mph. The "Cat" level then increases every 15 to 25 mph until it maxes out at Category 5, used to describe storms with winds of 157 mph or greater.

More: On the Outer Banks, structures rise and fall as climate change looms

Hurricane Dorian was packing winds of 185 mph when it plowed into the Bahamas in September 2019. The increasing number of superstorms like Dorian is prompting some climatologists to propose a new "Cat 6" designation to better reflect their strength.

Mann argues that just saying a storm is a Cat 5 doesn't convey all of the dangerous impacts a super hurricane can pack, namely in the form of massive storm surge and precipitation events dumping tremendous amount of water on areas over a very short period of time.

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But the need to add a new wind category isn't shared by all meteorologists.

Dr. Lian Xie, professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences at N.C. State University, said he didn't support the push since such events are still relatively rare and the benefits of doing so are unclear.

"Although adding a Category 6 may get the attention of the public on the present and future danger of super hurricanes, it can also mislead the public to focus too much on the impact of wind speed," he said in an email. "In fact, recent studies indicate that in a warmer environment, the atmosphere would be able to hold more moisture, and hence leading to increased precipitation from hurricanes."

Mann, however, said the new category would just be following the reality we're already seeing on the ground, not putting the cart before the horse. That includes a growing body of research that shows a storm's potential maximum intensity increases by about 23% for each 1 degree Celsius (1.8 Fahrenheit) of warming over pre-Industrial Revolution temperatures. The planet crossed that 1 degree threshold late last decade. Climatologists warn that on our current track of greenhouse gas usage, the Earth could see up to a 3 degree Celsius (5.4 F) warming by 2100.

Related: Dire climate report is a call to action. What individuals can do to make a difference

"Its not a coincidence that the strongest hurricanes and typhoons ever observed globally, Patricia in 2015, and in both hemispheres, Patricia in the Northern Hemisphere and Winston in 2016 in the Southern Hemisphere, were within the past decade," Mann said. In October 2015, Patricia made landfall along the Pacific coast of Mexico with maximum sustained winds of 215 mph.

Hurricane Florence brought record-setting rains to much of Eastern North Carolina after the slow-moving storm made landfall in September 2018.

Perhaps the most important body when it comes to hurricane forecasting also is casting doubt about the usefulness of creating an additional wind speed category.

"At the National Hurricane Center, we've tried to steer the focus toward the individual hazards, which include storm surge, wind, rainfall, tornadoes and rip currents, instead of the particular category of the storm, which only provides information about the hazard from wind," said Dennis Feltgen, spokesman for the National Hurricane Center, in an email. "Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale already captures 'Catastrophic Damage' from wind, so it's not clear that there would be a need for another category even if storms were to get stronger."

Living shorelines: Along the N.C. coast, preparing for rising waters with natural remedies

He added that 90% of hurricane-related deaths in the U.S. are caused by water-driven events, such as storm surge and flooding, not from damage due to strong winds.

While Mann and Xie might disagree on the need for a new category class, one aspect of forecasting hurricanes that they agree on is that the current storm reporting system doesn't factor in all of the dangerous conditions they can present, namely that size matters.

While two storms might have similar wind speeds, the researchers said storm size and intensity can make a huge difference in the damage potential from wind, flooding and storm surge.

Hurricane Florence, for example, was only a Cat 1 storm when it made landfall at Wrightsville Beach in September 2018. But the slow-moving storm devastated much of Eastern North Carolina with record-setting rainfall dumping more than 30 inches in places and storm surge impacts amplified by sea-level rise.

"Until these important missing factors are considered, adding a Category 6 classification may do more harm than good in terms of raising the publics awareness of how dangerous future storms can be," Xie said.

Testing 200 mph winds

Bigger storms packing stronger winds, increased storm surge risk, and dumping more rain on areas isn't the only bad news about our future hurricanes.

"Some of our research suggests that climate change may actually be pushing the tracks poleward, so that storms that might have, say, been headed toward New York City in the past are more likely to landfall on the New England coast," Mann said.

Rising seas: How rising seas could bring new challenges for two big Wilmington infrastructure projects

Faced with stronger and potentially more frequent storms threatening the U.S. mainland in the coming years and decades, the federal government is

In January the National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $12.8 million grant to Florida International University for a testing facility capable of wind speeds of up to 200 mph, combined with a water basin to simulate storm surge and wave action.

Joy Pauschke, program director of NSF's Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation, said the goal of the new facility won't be to just document the worst that Mother Nature can bring, but transform that research into building more storm-resilient and prepared communities.

The new facility will allow researchers to test how powerful winds and water surges can increase loads on structures on a scale that isn't currently possible.

"It will allow us to design structures and retrofit existing buildings and infrastructure to better survive these conditions, and that's really exciting," Pauschke said.

Mann said any changes or innovations that can help communicate the grave threat posed by these storms is a win-win for emergency officials and residents potentially in harms way.

Hurricane Florence brings storm surges and flooding to sections of historic New Bern. Areas near the Trent and Neuse River are affected by major storm damage and piled debris. [Gray Whitley / Sun Journal Staff]

In 2017, Mann recalled visiting First Presbyterian Church in New Bern to give a talk about the threat posed to coastal North Carolina by sea-level rise and the specter of stronger hurricanes.

A year later, Florence flooded the church just a few blocks from the Neuse River.

"The intensity of the storm, coastal flooding potential and inland flooding potential were all boosted by the warmer oceans," Mann said. "That's not going to change."

Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from 1Earth Fund and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Super hurricanes have some researchers pushing for a Cat 6 designation
A fearless wild turkey has been attacking walkers, joggers and bikers on a trail in Washington, D.C., causing a flap.

Several people have reported being chased, slammed into, clawed and pecked in encounters with the big bird on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail in the northeast section of the district.

The turkey came for musician DeDe Folarin last month as he rode his bike through the area.

He jumped in the air and he almost clawed my face, Folarin told local WJLA TV. He kind of knocked me off the bike and literally chased me around for like five minutes.

When the turkey took off after another biker, Folarin recorded the confrontation on his cell phone  and then chased the bird off with a stick when the woman under attack called to him for help.

Ok this is insane 



After our story aired last night about a wild turkey attacking people on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail in DC, @DeDefolarin of the incredible @REWickedestBand sent me this video of a turkey attack he shot earlier this month. Never seen anything like this!! pic.twitter.com/L6HcyolK5u  Josh Rosenthal (@JoshRosenthalTV) April 26, 2022

Prince George County Parks and Recreation Department has put up a sign to discourage people from approaching the turkey.

Some people dont listen, Victor Davila of the parks agency told WJLA. They try to go up to it and take pictures and stuff like that.

There is an element of humor to it, Dan Rauch, a D.C. Department of Energy and Environment wildlife biologist trying to catch the bird, told The Wall Street Journal. There is a terror turkey stalking a river trail. If I hadnt seen the videos myself, I would have thought it was an urban myth.

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Wild turkeys are making a comeback across the nation. But encounters with humans can be problematic. Males fiercely guard their territories and may also be protecting nests in the spring. They can scratch and bruise people, and puncture skin with their beaks and claws.

One victim of the D.C. bird reported in February on a local blog: A wild turkey that attacked me on the Anacostia trail last night. I ended up at urgent care with puncture wounds on my legs and I had to get a tetanus shot and antibiotics. It was terrifying.

The tom is apparently becoming increasingly aggressive. Park guide Joe Cashman first encountered the bird with another guide last fall while they biked through the area.

We got a kick out of it, Cashman told the Journal. Then we started getting complaints. It started getting aggressive. Its gotten more and more aggressive.

The plan now is to capture the turkey and relocate it. But the bird sometimes high-tails it across the Maryland state line, and takes flight when he sees nets, Cashman pointed out.

In the meantime, Folarin said hes been prepping myself for the next turkey attack.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
This week's TV highlights include plenty of drama. (ITV/Sky)

Wondering what to watch on TV this week?

It's a drama-packed schedule this week with some exciting new launches including DI Ray as well as the return of The Terror, but there's also the MasterChef final to look forward to.

Read more: Everything new streaming on Netflix this May

Here's our pick of the seven must-see shows this week.

What to watch on TV, Monday 2 May - Sunday 8 May, 2022

DI Ray - Monday - Thursday, 9pm, ITV

Get set for your next police procedural binge with DI Ray. (ITV)

Line Of Duty's Maneet Bindra actor Maya Sondhi has written this new police procedural, with her old showrunner Jed Mercurio as executive producer.

You may think you know what you're getting from that combination, but it offers a fresh take on the genre with a look at identity and racism as DI Ray (Parminder Nagra) struggles with what she feels is a tokenistic appointment to a serious crime case.

Read more: Line Of Duty star landed Jed Mercurio collaboration by volunteering to be killed off

The series airs across four consecutive nights this week.

Davina McCall: Sex, Mind and the Menopause - Monday, 9pm, Channel 4

We've heard a lot about Davina McCall's work on her menopause documentary, and on Monday we finally get to see the finished article.

The TV presenter might have started making it a while ago, but it couldn't be more timely in the light of the current national HRT shortage.

MasterChef Finals Week - Tuesday - Thursday, 8pm, BBC One

Who will John and Gregg choose as their winner? (Shine TV)

It feels as though this series of MasterChef has only just begun, but we're already at finals week which will air across three nights.

Challenges include a trip to County Cork and a terrifying day working for Gordon Ramsay in his London restaurant, before John Torode and Gregg Wallace pick their champion and change the winner's life.

The Staircase - Thursday, 9pm, Sky Atlantic

Colin Firth and Toni Collette star in The Staircase. (Sky)

If you watched the gripping Netflix documentary of the same name about Kathleen Peterson's death and her author husband Michael's apparent involvement, you won't want to miss this dramatisation.

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Colin Firth and Toni Collette star as the couple, charting their troubled relationship and Michael's trial after he called in Kathleen's death to police claiming that she had fallen down the stairs at home.

Read more: All you need to know about drama adaptation The Staircase

Of course, viewers of the true crime original series will know there was a lot more to it than a misstep on the staircase...

The Dry - Thursday, BritBox

BritBox launches a new comedy-drama. (BritBox)

Streaming service BritBox continues its bid to draw in more subscribers, this time with new comedy-drama series The Dry.

The Fall's Roisin Gallagher stars as Shiv, a former hard partier who's returned home to Dublin from London determined to stay sober - which proves as difficult for her family as it is for her.

The Terror - Friday, 9pm, BBC Two

The Terror returns with a new story. (BBC)

Menacing historical drama The Terror returns for a second series, although obviously, given the comprehensive nature of the series one finale, it's a completely different cast and story.

Read more: The Tourist boosts BBC iPlayer to its strongest ever quarter

This time, the real-life mystery being dramatised is the Japanese folklore of bakemono, an uncanny spectre that threatens a Japanese American community from their Southern California home through to their Pacific battles in World War II.

Episodes one and two air on Friday night.

British Academy Television Awards - Sunday, 6pm, BBC One

Will Strictly pick up a win this year? (WireImage)

One of TV's glitziest nights of the year is brought to your living room on Sunday, where the biggest stars of the small screen will gather to celebrate the best telly of the past 12 months.

Look out for nominees including Kate Winslet, Olly Alexander and Stephen Graham, with nominations for TV favourites such as It's A Sin, Time, An Audience with Adele and Strictly Come Dancing.

Watch: Colin Firth and Toni Collette star in drama adaptation of The Staircase
Once a week, a Carmel cultural school teaches kids math, science and chess. Recently, their main subject  the namesake for their school  thrust them into an unfamiliar, overwhelming spotlight.

The attention the school was getting in the last two months is unbelievable, Natalia Rekhter, director of the (former) Russian School of Indiana, said.

The school typically stays out of politics, Rekhter said, but they felt compelled to speak out and condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine. Over the past two months, theyve collected money for Ukrainian relief and sent medical supplies overseas, through a nonprofit called Indiana Supports Ukraine.

But their "Russian" name put them in a precarious spot.

In the past, it was a linguistic nod to their shared Eastern European heritage, uniting families from Russia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus who immigrated to the U.S. after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Today, it is a painful reminder of the ongoing horrors of war.

When the war started  you can't even imagine how much it impacted people. People were crying, Rekhter said. People still cannot talk about it without crying.

Since the war, theyve received dozens of phone calls and messages about Russia, Ukraine and the school name, Rekhter said. Upon reflection with the school board and teachers, they decided it was time for a change. Rekhter wrote a piece for the weekly Current in Carmel publication.

We feel that our name no longer represents us, she wrote. She asked for suggestions on behalf of the school and received about 50 responses, she said.

The final name is an amalgam of those suggestions. They settled on: The Heritage School/Multicultural Education Center. (They're still working on fully updating the website and Facebook page).

I also thought (the old name)  was not fair for our students families who are from Ukraine because to them, it's very sensitive, teacher Irina Yoshida said. Right now, some of them, they dont want to be with anything Russia.

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But within our Russian-speaking community in Indiana, we dont have any problems, Yoshida added. Ukrainians and Russians, we are still together.

For subscribers: Russian war on Ukraine sparks Indianapolis cultural revival, opens new chapter for diaspora

Not 'just' a Russian school

The change is a gesture of solidarity with Ukrainian families, but its also something the school has considered in the past, to better represent their diversity.

The old name doesnt reflect who we are, Yoshida said. We offer a lot of classes in English and not all our classes are related to language.

The school offers various levels of math, chemistry, physics and SAT prep for parents seeking extra tutoring for their kids. Yoshida remembers explaining to potential families that despite the name, they didnt have to be Russian to join classes. They previously taught art, dance and theater, too, but they had to pause in-person classes during the pandemic.

"Parents want different things," Sergei Filatyev, a teacher, said. "(For) some students, parents say the (child) doesn't completely understand school ... some other cases, parents say, 'Well he aces everything in school, so I want him to be challenged.'"

Half of the schools population is of Russian origin, but they have students from all the former Soviet nations, Rekhter noted, and even China, India, Poland and Australia. With the growing curriculum and diversity, their mission has evolved.

The focus (became) not only preserving Russian culture, but also on education and  being like a multicultural center, so to speak," Rekhter said.

The Heritage School/Multicultural Education Center -- formerly called the Russian School of Indiana -- was founded in 1994 by immigrant families from three different countries.

Like other cultural schools, The Heritage School/Multicultural Education Center was founded to help children from immigrant families learn their familys language and stay connected with their heritage. But this school, in particular, has a uniquely multicultural origin story, too.

It was founded in 1994 by three families from Moldova, Russia and Ukraine, who fled to the U.S. as Jewish refugees. They started classes at an Indianapolis apartment complex, Rekhter said, with families meeting outside under a tree. Parents volunteered to teach Russian language, Russian history and culture and even physical education, where they just played games outside.

Over time, the school grew and formalized, with classes at the Jewish Community Center, then University High School, and today, at Carmel High School. Even as it expanded, families maintained a sense of kinship.

Its not (just) the school, its a whole community, Rekhter said.

Supporting Ukraine while upholding Russian heritage

Thats why the war in Ukraine is particularly painful, Rekhter said. Even after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the creation of different countries, there are still shared roots and a common language in the region.

Families like Rekhters often have ties to several countries. Her family is originally Russian, for instance, but her parents were born and raised in Ukraine. She remembers childhood trips to visit her grandmother in Ukraine.

Natalia Rekhter is director of the The Heritage School/Multicultural Education Center -- formerly known as the Russian School of Indiana. Here, she poses for a photo before the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.

"It's personal," Rekhter said. "It's personal for almost everybody because it used to be one country, USSR. ... It's impossible to even imagine.

I dont know how to explain it to you. It's heartbreaking. Every time I'm thinking about it. I'm the least emotional person in the world, nothing can bring me to tears. But every time I'm thinking about wars, it brings me to tears.

At the school this spring, theyve focused on fundraising and finding ways to help Ukraine during the war. This summer, they will start hosting English classes for Ukrainian refugees  for free. In August, they hope to host a Ukrainian festival, with food, dancing and music, alongside the organization Indiana Supports Ukraine.

They support Ukraine, unequivocally, Rekther said, but that doesnt mean they are denouncing their Russian heritage. Nor did they feel forced or pressured to make the name change, Yoshida said.

Russia is not Putin, Rekhter said. It's much bigger, much deeper. It's an old country with an old history and an old culture.

Its complicated, Yoshida said. I think there's a lot of things to be proud of, and there's a lot of things to be ashamed of.

Even with a different name, students at The Heritage School/Multicultural Education Center, will continue to learn math, science, Russian and Ukrainian. Most come from post-Soviet Union families, like the ones who first gathered under a tree in 1994, but some of them come from different continents, too.

I love that the mission of our school can do both things, Yoshida said. That we can promote our culture, and we can teach students from very different backgrounds.

You can always conserve and keep with your heritage (and) culture, but also absorb other cultures.

Contact Rashika Jaipuriar at rjaipuriar@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @rashikajpr.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why the Russian School of Indiana in Carmel changed its name
GABORONE, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Botswanan President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Sunday called on workers to make efforts to protect children's rights and end child labor.

At an event celebrating Botswana's working class in the northern town of Maun, Masisi said human rights are universal, interdependent and indivisible.

"Let us unite and raise our voices in promoting and protecting the rights of children at all cost," he told workers who will attend the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labor in South Africa.

On May 15-20, representatives from all over the world will hold plenaries, presentations and side events in the coastal city of Durban.

Children must be protected from the harrowing practices of labor exploitation, so as to ensure that they can live in an abuse-free environment, the president added.

Despite progress in many regions, at least 160 million children in Africa are still in child labor. The number is rising and the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse years of progress, according to the International Labour Organization. 
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
A Japanese trade union organization has staged a May Day rally in Tokyo, demanding corrections to pay gaps and long working hours.

The National Confederation of Trade Unions, or Zenroren, says 2,900 people took part in the gathering at a park in Shibuya Ward on Sunday. The event was scaled down in size and streamed online to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

The rally adopted a declaration calling for labor reforms, such as narrowing pay differences, preventing excessively long working hours, improving wages for caregivers and expanding healthcare services.

Zenroren President Obata Masako delivered a speech, saying that on top of more than two years of the coronavirus pandemic, other challenges have been forced onto people, including a weaker yen and rising prices.

She demanded efforts to revitalize local economies and realize stable employment.
Tokyo's Minato Ward has expanded a multi-language information service on its website to 108 languages from previous four. Around 17,000 people from about 130 countries live in the ward.

The municipal government conducted a survey last year on their multilingual services. Officials say many answered that they rely on the ward's webpage.

The officials began enhancing the language services of the website so that more foreign residents can get information on things such as vaccination programs, childcare support and garbage collection in their native language.

The service expanded in scope from four languages, namely Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese and Korean, to 108. Those languages include Ukrainian and Arabic.

It makes use of advanced AI translation and recognizes the language settings of a smartphone or a computer to automatically change the language of the website.

Officials say most of the native languages of residents of the ward are covered.
The Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Iowa will take a new form this year.

The plunge will be at noon on Saturday.

The usual dash into Lake Manawa will be replaced by a jump into a water tank, and the plunge will be held in tandem with a cornhole tournament.

The whole thing, renamed Cornhole & Cannonballs, will be held on the 100 Block of West Broadway. A post-party will be held at Barleys.

Special Olympics Iowa has been using the water tank  a converted shipping container with stairs inside and out  since October, according to spokeswoman Megan Filipi.

We used it in Sioux City and Davenport last fall and Norwalk this spring, she said. The participants so far have really liked it.

Local planners came up with the cornhole idea, Filipi said.

If jumping into cold water isnt your thing, you can support Special Olympics Iowa by playing in a cornhole tournament, a flyer states.

The tournament will include youth, social and competitive divisions, with prizes awarded to the top teams in each division. The Youth Division competition will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the Social Division at 11 a.m. and the Competitive Division will start at 1 p.m.

Registration will run from 8 to 11:45 a.m. Polar Plunge registration and check-in will be from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m. at Barleys. Registration for the Polar Plunge is $75, or an entrant can register as a fundraiser and must raise at least $75. Registration for the cornhole tournament is $50 per person or $100 for a team of two. Costumes are encouraged.

Cornhole & Cannonballs is part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run movement. To further the mission of Special Olympics Iowa, the Law Enforcement Torch Run carries the torch representing the Flame of Hope and dedicates itself to the goals of continually increasing awareness and funds for Special Olympics athletes across the state.

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A Moline man who was being electronically monitored as a probationer in Rock Island County in February is charged in Scott County in connection with a Feb. 8 shooting at a Davenport residence and for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl and recording the acts on his Apple iPhone, Davenport police said.

Domingo Tomas Garcia, 18, is charged in Scott County District Court with one count each of intimidation with a dangerous weapon, sexual exploitation of a minor-cause to engage in prohibited acts, and third-degree sexual abuse. Each of the charges is a Class C felony under Iowa law that carries a prison sentence of 10 years.

Garcia also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and sexual exploitation of a minor-filming.

According to the arrest affidavit filed by Davenport Police Officer Daniel Reeves, at 1:13 a.m. Feb. 8, Davenport Police were sent to the 3600 block of Johnson Avenue to investigate a shots-fired call.

Several neighbors reported hearing shots fired, but officers did not immediately find a scene.

At 7:46 a.m., a person called and reported their home had been shot.

Officers went to the victims home in the 3600 block of Johnson Avenue and found five .45-caliber shell casings and located three bullet holes in the property.

Inside the home, officers recovered two bullets inside the master bedroom.

During an interview with one of the victims in the home, police learned that Garcia was upset at his ex-girlfriend and shot at the house thinking she was there.

In checking this, officers learned that Garcia was being electronically monitored by Rock Island County. The GPS system showed that Garcia was in the area of the 3600 block of Johnson Avenue at the time of the shooting.

According to the affidavit, also on Feb. 8, Garcia was found to be guilty of aggravated discharge of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm in Rock Island County.

The victim told Davenport officers that Garcia admitted to the shooting on Facebook.

A warrant was obtained for Garcias Facebook account. On Feb. 9, Garcia sent a message to another Facebook user admitting to shooting at the house.

A search warrant was obtained for Garcias Apple iCloud account on which were several photos and video of Garcia possessing firearms.

Garcia also recorded and saved to his Apple iPhone 15 videos of sexual acts with a 14-year-old victim. The victim was positively identified. Garcia posted one of the sex videos on his Facebook account with the knowledge or permission of the victim.

The age of consent in Iowa is 16. Garcia was four years older than the victim at the time.

Moline police arrested Garcia at noon Friday. He waived extradition to Iowa. He was being held Saturday night in the Scott County Jail on a $25,000 cash-only bond.

A preliminary hearing on the charges is scheduled for Friday in district court.
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LAGOS, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Two men lost their lives while making efforts to recover a cell phone from a pit toilet, a traditional wooden toilet in north Nigeria, authorities said.

The accident occurred in Aku village in the Gaya local government area of Kano state on Sunday morning, said Saminu Abdullahi, a spokesperson for the fire service in the state, in a statement reaching Xinhua on Monday.

Abdullahi said one victim fell in the pit toilet and became trapped as he tried to pick up his cellphone from the pit, and his brother went inside to rescue him and became trapped as well.

The victims were brought out of the pit latrine unconscious and later confirmed dead, while their corpses were handed over to the village head for burial. 
Can you feel the affection? Photo: Chris Kleponis/Bloomberg via Getty Images

As thousands of protesters massed near the White House in the aftermath of George Floyds murder in June of 2020, former president Trump suggested that police officers disperse them violently  very violently. So says Mark Esper, Trumps onetime secretary of Defense, in a forthcoming book about his time working for the president.

Axios reports that in the Pentagon-vetted book, Esper describes Trump asking him, of the protesters, Cant you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something? Esper writes that declining to do so wasnt a difficult decision, but that he then had to figure out a way to walk Trump back without creating the mess I was trying to avoid.

In their memoirs, former Trump officials often cast themselves as unrealistically heroic defenders of democracy, pushing back on a wannabe tyrant president. But Espers account seems pretty plausible. For one thing, the enthusiasm for state-sanctioned violence is hardly out of character for a guy who expressed a desire to see protesters roughed up at his rallies and once threatened Minneapolis demonstrators by tweeting, When the looting starts, the shooting starts, among many other provocations.

And Esper did have a record of pushing back against Trump, even if low-hanging fruit like dont send in the military counts as pushing back. In June of 2020, Esper said that he opposed invoking the Insurrection Act to quell protests around the country, angering the president. Trump almost fired him then, and eventually did after the 2020 election.
Ten years ago, National Review fired longtime contributor John Derbyshire over a column urging white and Asian American parents to warn their children that Black people posed a danger to them. After his firing, Derbyshire, now cast out of mainstream conservative politics, began writing for VDARE, a more marginal far-right organ.

The lesson of this story is not that National Review was a bastion of enlightened anti-racism. Certain forms of racism have always been welcome in its pages. It is, rather, that conservative media once operated along an understanding that white nationalism was a distinct and unacceptable faction from which its movement had to be cordoned off.

The New York Times published a series this past weekend detailing Tucker Carlsons descent into white nationalism. The Times amassed impressive detail to support its findings, revealing how Foxs use of minute by minute ratings analysis displayed the popularity of white-nationalist themes, driving Carlson to ramp them up. Its description of Carlson as promoting white nationalism is supported by Fox employees both former (He is going to double down on the white nationalism because the minute-by-minutes show that the audience eats it up) and current (Fox executives wanted to focus on the grievance, the stuff that would get people boiled up  Theyre coming for you, the Blacks are coming for you, the Mexicans are coming for you).

It shows how Carlsons obsessive overhyping of a narrative about Black people murdering white farmers in South Africa created serious concern within the network. (Brian Jones, president of Fox Business Network and the highest-ranking Black man in Fox leadership, explained that almost everything Mr. Carlson was saying on the air was wrong  Mr. Jones told his fellow executives that Mr. Carlsons coverage had been ripped from far-right sites, including the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer, according to a person with knowledge of the discussions.)

Most alarmingly, it finds that an internal organization chart showed that Peter Brimelow, the founder of VDARE, reported directly to Rupert Murdoch and that employees curious about what Brimelow was doing were given a variety of explanations.

These findings are supported by an ample body of already public evidence: Carlson has described Iraqis as semiliterate primitive monkeys; he responded to a white supremacist murdering 22 people in El Paso to protest the Hispanic invasion of Texas by calling white supremacy a hoax; he endorsed replacement theory by name; and he self-proclaimed that white supremacists have gleefully embraced Carlson as a proponent of their ideas.

Ive argued before against the blanket use of white supremacist as a label for either all conservative ideas or vast swaths of American society. Different kinds of ideas need different labels. Whatever problems we may identify with Mitt Romneys ideas about race and racism, they are meaningfully different than Steve Kings ideas about racism and race. Donald Trump is clearly a racist, but if the president were David Duke, liberals would correctly feel more alarmed because Dukes racism is meaningfully different. If we categorized the entire American right as white supremacist, we wouldnt have any language to describe the significance of a Fox News host amplifying replacement theory.

But Carlsons crossing the line from conservatism to white nationalism has not provoked any serious response from the rest of the conservative movement. Instead, the right has met the Times revelations about Carlson by defiantly circling the wagons around him.

Here is a sample of the rights response to the Carlson series:

Utterly hilarious takedown attempt by NYT propagandists today. Seriously, check it out. https://t.co/h46TEbpItv  Mollie (@MZHemingway) May 1, 2022

Perfect example of how corporate media's partisanship has made it irrelevant.



NYT writes for liberals/Dems. Liberals believe (or assert) anyone opposing liberalism is racist.



Conservatives know liberal outlets accuse everyone opposing liberalism of being racist.



Just a game: https://t.co/KyvPfg0H81  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) May 1, 2022

the new york times, which printed probably 10 thousand words on tucker carlson this weekend, has not run anything on the DHS disinformation governance board. pic.twitter.com/TTnKL1b7K5  Joe Gabriel Simonson (@SaysSimonson) May 1, 2022

The New York Times spent thousands and thousands of words and dollars to uncover the truth about Tucker Carlson: that he uses his platform to talk about the class divide and immigration depressing working class wages, views any Democrat would have proudly endorsed 15 years ago.  Batya Ungar-Sargon (@bungarsargon) May 1, 2022

The New York Times traced Tucker Carlson's ancestors all the way back to 1850 and assigned 9 reporters to watch every episode of his show in order to smear him as a racist but couldn't even be bothered to ask Hunter Biden if he ever forgot his laptop at a repair shop  Greg Price (@greg_price11) May 1, 2022

One explanation for this behavior is epistemic closure. The term describes the conservative movements practice of rejecting any evidence that comes from sources outside the movement itself. Its gleeful refusal to weigh any charges from the hated New York Times is a classically pure symptom of the malady.

But there is also something else at work. Conservatives have previously not only supported but, at times, celebrated their movements purging of white nationalists. A few years ago, Ben Shapiro gloated that the right spends an inordinate amount of time self-policing. Thats a good thing. His main evidence was the firing of a writer for having associated with Peter Brimelow, creator of the white-supremacist site VDare.com. (Note that this is Shapiros own description.)

Now Brimelow has popped up at Fox News and his worldview is finding its way onto the most popular program on cable news. You would think this would call for some of Shapiros vaunted self-policing. Instead, Shapiro is lambasting the corporate media for smearing any speech that isnt their own.

Throwing a handful of low-level staffers and has-beens under the bus from time to time seems to be an acceptable price to pay for the movement to claim it has some anti-racism standards. But when the malefactor is a figure of Carlsons stature, he is too big to fail.
PARIS, May 02, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Regulatory News:

On April 27, 2022, Mercialys (Paris:MERY) finalized the sale of the Geant Casino Annecy Seynod and Saint-Etienne Monthieu hypermarkets, for a combined total including transfer taxes of nearly Euro 65 million, to Inter Gestion REIM, operating on behalf of SCPI Cristal Rente, its specialist retail property company.

These large food stores, acquired in 2014 and 2015, had seen their surface areas scaled back significantly in the last few years, in coordination with their operator Geant, making it possible to set up units with national retailers that are popular with consumers, contributing to the shopping centers appeal. These restructuring operations were part of the ongoing redevelopment of these two sites, illustrating the Companys value creation strategy.

For instance, Mercialys opened the Annecy areas first Action store in 2019, in the hypermarkets scaled-back spaces, after carrying out major developments at this site since 2017, including the creation of a food court and the opening of a Decathlon store. The Annecy Seynod shopping center will also see its offering further strengthened with a nine-screen Megarama multiplex cinema to open in December this year.

Alongside this, Mercialys welcomed the retailers FNAC and New Yorker in the space freed up by the Saint-Etienne Monthieu hypermarket in 2017, as part of a project to modernize and restructure this shopping center, enabling 23 new stores to be opened.

On this operation, Mercialys was supported by the notarys office LBMB, while the buyer, Inter Gestion REIM on behalf of SCPI CRISTAL RENTE, was supported by the notaries DDA. Jones Lang Lasalle and Arthur Loyd were also advisors on this transaction.

* * *

This press release is available on www.mercialys.com.

About Mercialys

Mercialys is one of Frances 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.

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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/20220502005552/en/

Contacts

Analyst and investor contact

Luce-Marie de Fontaines

Tel: +33 (0)1 82 82 75 63

Email: ldefontaines@mercialys.com
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Auburn Universitys spring commencement exercises will take place May 6-9, featuring a keynote address by Dave Clark, an Auburn alumnus and chief executive officer of Worldwide Consumer at Amazon on Friday, May 6.

The spring commencement weekend begins at 5 p.m. Friday, May 6, in Jordan-Hare Stadium with a ceremony that will feature the conferral of degrees, greetings by university officials, the recognition of students graduating with academic honors and the keynote by Clark. Families and guests can attend the Friday event, with gates opening at 3 p.m. The ceremony will be streamed live on the universitys commencement website.

Clark, a native of Orange Park, Florida, is returning to give the keynote to his alma mater, where he graduated in 1996 with a bachelors degree in music education. A member of the Auburn University Marching Band, Clark spent a year as a middle school band director following his graduation from Auburn. He then enrolled at the University of Tennessee to pursue a Master of Business Administration in logistics and transportation. Clarkwidely regarded as one of the industrys most influential thought-leadershas held a variety of roles at Amazon, including serving as senior vice president of worldwide operations. In that role, Clark spearheaded the launch of Amazon Robotics and grew the companys transportation fleet to include Amazons own planes, trailers and last-mile delivery vehicles to speed up order delivery times for customers. Clark currently oversees more than one million employees and partners across Amazons operations, retail, technology and marketing divisions, to name a few.

In addition to Fridays offerings, commencement weekend will continue with individual college ceremonies taking place on Saturday, May 7, in Neville Arena, with doors opening at 7 a.m. Ceremony start times for Saturday will be as follows: 8 a.m. for the College of Agriculture, College of Architecture, Design and Construction and the College of Education; 9:45 a.m. for the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering; 11:45 a.m. for the College of Nursing, College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, College of Sciences and Mathematics and College of Human Sciences; 1:35 p.m. for the Harbert College of Business; 4 p.m. for doctoral candidates; 5 p.m. for master's candidates; and 6:45 p.m. for the College of Liberal Arts.

The commencement weekend will conclude with ceremonies for the Harrison College of Pharmacy and the College of Veterinary Medicine on Monday, May 9 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.

In total, Auburn will award 4,625 degrees, including 110 doctoral degrees, 748 masters degrees, 259 professional degrees, 11 education specialist degrees and 3,497 bachelors degrees.

For more informationincluding historical information about the commencement ceremony, academic regalia, prior speakers and other detailsvisit auburn.edu/commencement.
Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i (Front) speaks at a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 2, 2022. (Photo by Allan Mutiso/Xinhua)

NAIROBI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan government Monday declared a month-long night curfew and security operations in Marsabit County in northern part of the country to enhance security disarmament exercise over rising insecurity.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i also said Komu Sub County in neighboring Isiolo County and Sololo area near the Kenya-Ethiopia border will also be affected by the dusk to dawn curfew.

"We have noticed the nexus between the proliferation of the guns in Marsabit and the chaos in Komu where there are illegal mining activities ongoing there," he told journalists in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Matiang'i said the 6 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew that will initially last for 30 days with the option of an extension will run in tandem with a disarmament exercise targeting illegal guns and ammunition.

The official said the government had in the past week mobilized enough personnel for the operation and they are already on the ground.

Matiang'i said the operation may be extended until they get rid of the illegal weapons causing havoc there and blamed the insecurity in the area on some leaders who are arming their militias from their clans.

He said special forces are among those on the ground to conduct the operation to also affect Komu sub-county, Merti, in Isiolo and parts of Sololo near the border.

This is because of fears some terror groups are using the area as a route to transport their weapons for attacks in other places like the capital Nairobi.

"The security challenges in Marsabit have been by far recently the costliest in our country. You know the lives of the leaders and our ordinary citizens that we have lost as a result of these challenges," he said.

"We in the security sector are counting losses almost every other day because of these challenges. We will stay on this operation until sanity prevails and until we stop the senseless loss of lives in that county," Matiang'i added.

The government had given the locals three months to come up with a solution or an operation be launched in the biggest county.

But the attacks have persisted. Six people were killed and four injured in an ambush by gunmen in Laisamis on April 28.

"The situation is aggravated by politics of expansionism, drought, rough and vast terrain and proliferation of arms sneaked in through porous borders. Political instability and troubles in neighboring countries also make it easy to access weapons," Matiang'i said.

Inter-communal clashes in northern Kenya between the Borana and Garba livestock herding communities which live on the border with Ethiopia have killed hundreds of and displaced thousands of people in recent months in reprisal attacks linked to rivalry over pasture and cattle rustling. 

Kenyan Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i (1st R, Front) speaks at a press conference in Nairobi, Kenya, on May 2, 2022. (Photo by Allan Mutiso/Xinhua)
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One of the proudest moments in a parents life is seeing their child walk across the stage at graduation.

For the Khan family, that graduation pride is a two-way street. Muhammad Ajmal Khan, and his son, Abdul Rehman, will each receive masters degrees from Auburn University when they walk across the stage on May 7 at spring commencementand it was their shared passion for education and classic cars that helped see one another across the finish line.

The Khan family moved to North America from Pakistan after Abdul graduated high school. He went to study at McGill University in Montreal, Canada, while his parents moved to Montgomery, Alabama, to pursue a business opportunity in the construction industry.

After earning a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, the same degree his father earned at university in Pakistan in 1992, Abdul began the search for a graduate program that would fit his interests. After some coaxing from his father, he agreed to explore Auburn University, just up the road from his parents new home in Montgomery.

I was looking for grad school options, and my dad said, Why dont you come down south and, you know, come here? So, I came down to Auburn from Montreal a couple of times, visited the university, saw the opportunities here and really liked it, Abdul said.

Abdul enrolled in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineerings Department of Industrial and Systems Engineerings masters program working under the advisement of Assistant Professor Jia Liu and Associate Professor Gregory Harris at the Interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems. It took just two semesters before he was able to convince his father to join him and pursue his own graduate degree ambitions.

Muhammad enrolled in the McWhorter School of Building Science in Auburns College of Architecture, Design and Construction, pursuing a Master of Building Construction working with Associate Professor Keith Rahn. As the owner of his own construction company in Pakistan, a masters program would equip him with additional information related to construction management and industry trends and align his existing knowledge with the transforming construction industry.

Credit goes to Abdulhe convinced me, Muhammad said, and I already had it in my mind, so why not keep myself abreast with the latest techniques and trends in this industry?

Going through graduate school together has brought about friendly competition among father and son when it comes to grades, but it also strengthened their relationship in other ways.

Its funny at times, you know, because Im used to cramming for exams, but I had never seen my father do it. Its been interesting that hes in the same boat, Abdul said.

Muhammad expanded upon that notion, noting the example he hopes hes setting for his son and the rest of their family. Returning to the classroom nearly three decades after completing an undergraduate degree program is a challenge in and of itself. But as he sees it, theres always room to learn.

I would say Im demonstrating something and trying to convince my other family members and, of course, our young generation that you have to learn until the time you go down to your grave, Muhammad said. The learning process has to continue, and you should never avoid it. Its open-ended.

The Khan family now calls Auburn home, and its where they spent their free time last year restoring a 66 Mustanga productive distraction from the rigors of their respective graduate programs.

It was basically a barn findthis forgotten old Mustang in a small town in Georgia, Abdul said. But you know, were engineers, so we enjoy doing projects. My dad has been doing very interesting mechanical engineering-related projects all his life. I think thats one of the things that inspired me to go into engineering. So, were just continuing with that, both professionally and personally.

Muhammad agreed and noted the value of applying such practical skills.

He started this project from scratch, and now he knows about its power system, its transmission system, its electrical system, cooling system and since hes a mechanical engineer, plus hes doing a masters in industrial engineering, he needed to see the thing and do the thing with his own hands, Muhammad said. He now knows exactly how the equipment works, how the things move mechanically. I knew this project would help him in his future.

The Mustang is a tangible reminder of their shared experience on the Plains that Abdul will be able to take with him wherever his career journey takes him next.

Weve become a real Auburn Family, Abdul said with a smile. I think just looking back at these past two years, I know I made the right choice by choosing Auburn. Its not just because of the education or Auburn as a town, which is full of life. But its also the people I met here and the whole Southern experience. That is something that I will cherish forever.
Oh god that's sick, I hope they're put away for life.

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Die in a fucking fire then rot in hell challenge.

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what in the karla homolka and paul bernardo hell

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I saw the makeup and murder episode of that and what a ride. Her own sister!!

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those two should've been put to death together

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The fact that she is out and just living her life is so heinous. Her own sister!!

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Karla used to pose as other people in letters-to-the-editor, saying Karla was a good, reformed person now and won't the judgemental meanies go away ? Her poor children, being raised by a deluded sicko 

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poor Tammy

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Those murders happened in my region and we have never forgotten about those poor 3 girls. It makes me absolutely sick.

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First place my mind went to. So awful.

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How horrible. I send the victim lots of love 

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Interesting the article mentions that Zara herself got with her now-husband when she was her teens while he was much older. He was having an affair with Zara while he was married.



Zara was in her early 20s when she started abusing the victim along with her husband. Shame when victims follow in the footsteps of the abuser.



Victor Marke has another similar accusation on him for another case from 2002-2003. So yeah this guy has a history and pattern.



Under the jail!!



Edited at 2022-05-02 12:48 am (UTC)

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I looked at their ages and immediately wondered, but didn't want to look it up myself. It's disgusting how predictable these things are and the way a chain of abuse can be created like this. I really hope the girl who came forward can get justice.

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As soon as I saw the ages and dates, I did the math and saw that when this abuse began in 2005, the victim was 13, Zara was 19, and Mark was 42. I know nothing else about these people (like how long they were in a relationship before they started doing this) but I'm guessing that this grown ass man probably groomed her first. He clearly has a pattern of behavior.

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Oh totally. I don't know how old Zara was when she got with Marke because all it says was that she was a teen. But she was clearly groomed like the victim, it's a shame but I'm not excusing her aiding along with the abuse of someone else.





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That was my first thought too.

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met

This doesn't absolve her, but my first thought is that she was groomed as well, possibly since before they got together and when she was close to the victim's age. The cycle of abuse at work.

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Yeah as soon as I saw the age gap between her and her husband I was like "oh, look, a pattern emerges". She's obviously still an adult and responsible for her own repugnant actions but I really do hate that SHE is the one being singled out first in these headlines just because she's mildly pop culture relevant. The implication then becomes that she was the primary instigator when it seems clear that her husband has a long pattern of sexual abuse of multiple minors.

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Yeah I saw the ages and wondered.

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jfc they are vile

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That is fucking sick

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gross

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jfc. fuck them.



Also, are we gonna just put the Doctor Strange tag on anything? Her role in the film was "Brunette Zealot".

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A few months ago, an actor was accused of something (I've forgotten the details) and all of the headlines said an actor from [insert name of popular American sitcom which I've since forgotten  maybe The Office?] had done [insert crime]. I didn't recognize him at all so I looked on IMDB and he was in one episode and even then I still didn't remember him. He was basically a glorified extra.

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they did this recently with some extra from game of thrones lmao. dude was in a handful of episodes in season 4 and iirc wasnt even a named character and all the headlines were like game of thrones star arrested

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Hopefully just makes it even easier to edit her out or just CGI over her or something!

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jesus christ

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Fucking disgusting

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What the fuck. Hope the victim gets some justice.

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Fucking gross. Lock both of them away.



I hope the victim has the support she needs. 

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i am sick





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General Hospital

Days of Our Lives

The Young and the Restless

Diane is looking for forgiveness, but she may not find it in Genoa City!  Tune in to see what happens next. #YR is new this week on @CBS. Watch the latest episodes on @paramountplus. pic.twitter.com/Htka7NRvXo  Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) May 1, 2022

The Bold and the Beautiful

Is there still a spark between these two?  #BoldandBeautiful is new this week on @CBS. Watch the latest episodes on @ParamountPlus. pic.twitter.com/1NylIfqj0B  Bold & The Beautiful (@BandB_CBS) May 1, 2022

This Week in Soaps history...

May 3rd-7th, 2010

This week on the US Daytime Soaps...Amanda learned that Amandafan was her mother. Janet had planned to kidnap Amanda and Trevor and then move to Italy, where Janet intended to manage Amanda's career. Brot and Jake arrived in the nick of time to rescue Amanda and Natalia. At the hospital, Janet suffered a violent seizure. Jake suspected that Janet had a stroke.David overheard a revealing conversation between Randi and Madison. David was uncomfortable with Greenlee's decision to fly to Rio on business with Ryan. Ryan agreed to help Greenlee resolve a packaging issue for her new product line in exchange for Greenlee's promise to clear Kendall's name. David blackmailed Madison to seduce Ryan, in order to get Ryan away from Greenlee. In Rio, Greenlee realized that she might be pregnant. Greenlee wasn't happy about the prospect of going through the loss of another child.Tad confirmed to Damon that a DNA test had revealed that he was Damon's biological father. Tad opened up to Damon about his brief marriage to Hillary. Damon continued to push Tad away.Jake and Angie were stunned when David announced that he had bought the hospital.Scott learned that he had controlling interest in Chandler Enterprises.JR told Marissa about his affair with Annie. Marissa was devastated by the news. She took off her wedding ring, handed it to JR, and then walked out on their marriage.Vienna handcuffed Henry to the bed, but Barbara interrupted, foiling Vienna's plan to get pregnant. Desperate to conceive, Vienna seduced an unsuspecting Casey Hughes. Vienna felt guilty and returned Henry's ring; however, she was sure that she'd wear it again.Katie set Barbara up with a jerk, but a dashing pilot rescued Barbara from the date. Henry sent the pilot packing, but to make it up to Barbara, he took her disco dancing.Reid halted Noah's surgery due to unforeseen brain damage. Luke accused Reid of allowing his feelings to interfere with his work. Luke worried for Noah, and Reid's comforting kiss almost exploded into sex, until a guilty Luke walked out on Reid. Instead of smothering a passed-out Craig, Carly set out clues to help Margo figure out that Craig had stolen from Parker's trust fund. Margo arrested Craig, who claimed that Ellis was the real criminal. Parker worried about his fight with Gabriel, but Carly said they'd let Craig pay for Gabriel's incident. Craig declared his innocence, and strangely, Jack believed Craig, which made Parker nervous.When Janet quit her Metro job and refused to take Dusty's house, Dusty made it look as if Rocco had left her an inheritance. Jack kept hovering over Janet, and when he balked about her moving to a nearby apartment, Carly told him to move out.Holden worried about keeping Lily safe from Craig, and a jealous Molly made sure that Holden caught her with Silas. Holden assured Molly that she didn't have to worry about Lily.A DNA test proved that Bridget was carrying Owen's baby. Jackie persuaded Bridget to tell everyone that Nick had fathered the baby. Bridget said that she wasn't sure she could live a lie for the rest of her life. Jackie insisted that it was best for everyone involved, and she reminded Bridget that she might never carry the baby to full term.With Bill's help, Donna made demands on Eric to save their marriage. Donna wanted to move out of the Forrester house because she felt that it was always home to Stephanie, and Donna's mother had died there. Donna also wanted Stephanie to be held accountable for Beth's death and she wanted Eric to stop working with Stephanie. Eric refused to agree to Donna's demands. Donna removed her wedding and engagement rings, but she told Eric that she would always love him. When Donna left the building, Pam played a trick on her, and Donna wound up getting carted away in an exterminator's truck. After the truck pulled away, Eric immediately reunited with Stephanie in a romantic moment on the loading docks. Ridge, Steffy, and Brooke watched.Nighttime Hope attacked Brady and branded him with an Irish symbol that represented feminine power. Arianna learned that her nemesis, Nicole, rescued Brady after his attack.Hope blamed Ciara for playing with her makeup. Dr. Baker seemed confused at the behavior of his new partner in crime.Chloe and Philip continued to deal with the guilt over their one-night stand. Chloe blasted an unknowing Carly for interfering in her relationship with Daniel. Daniel tried to convince Chloe that she had no reason to be jealous of Carly.Melanie confronted Stephanie about tossing her birth control pills in the trash and threatened to tell Nathan the truth.Will and Chad seemed puzzled over the photo of Kate and Madeline. Madeline avoided Chad's questions and then warned Kate to cover her tracks or else everyone would pay the price.Stefano ensured that Sami and the children remained under the DiMera roof. Sami told E.J. that he kissed her while he was semi-conscious after the mugging. E.J. seemed pleased with himself as Sami warmed to his affections.Rafe manipulated Calliope, who was in dire straights with the IRS, to spy on old friend Anna and force her to spill the name of her accomplice in Sydney's kidnapping.Michael took the stand and then revealed that he had killed Claudia. The judge convicted Michael of involuntary manslaughter and then sentenced Michael to five years in Pentonville, with a possibility of parole after two years. Michael tried to be strong for Sonny's sake. Everyone was stunned by the judge's decision.Carly accused Lulu of betraying her family. Dante and Lulu made love for the first time.Olivia warned Jason not to go after Dante. Johnny remained determined to destroy Sonny. Olivia continued to reject Johnny's requests to move in with him.Helena played on Nikolas' insecurities. Nikolas resented Lucky's demands for Helena to leave town. Helena's manservant, Thor, assured Helena that the police didn't question the drowning death of the lab technician who had changed the results of Elizabeth's paternity test. Tracy wondered why Helena was so interested in Elizabeth's baby when Nikolas already had an heir. Tracy began to suspect that Helena had tampered with the paternity tests after Epiphany revealed that Lawrence Bailey had drowned. Elizabeth was delighted that Lucky's first instinct had been to protect her during a confrontation with Helena.Shirley was admitted to the hospital with a high fever. Epiphany warned Elizabeth that Shirley's time might be drawing to an end.Hannah claimed that she had seen Todd push Marty down the steps, which had later resulted in Marty's miscarriage. Starr suspected that Hannah was lying.The judge rejected the plea bargain that Nora had extended to Cole. The judge insisted that Cole needed to face the consequences for nearly beating a man to death. Cole suspected that Todd had bribed the judge. John began to question Hannah's story.Reed and Kelly reminisced about their past. Reed refused to allow Kelly to walk away from him for a second time. Kelly agreed to go on a date with Reed.Tea was stunned to learn that she was dying from an inoperable brain tumor. Blair accidentally discovered Tea's secret. Tea was surprised by Blair's understanding and support. Tea revealed that a second opinion had confirmed Greg's diagnosis. Blair urged Tea to be honest with Todd, but Tea couldn't find the words to tell Todd that she was dying. Blair refused to allow Tea to deal with the illness alone.Rex continued his search for his biological parents. Gigi was determined to help Rex.Darren threatened to serenade Destiny with Michael Bolton tunes until she agreed to go to the prom with him. Danielle agreed to be Matthew's prom date when she realized that Nate had asked Whitney to go to the dance.Sarah tried to kill Phyllis, but she failed.Ryder helped Lauren and Jana escape from Daisy. Kevin, Katherine, and Murphy found Lauren and Jana. Kevin let Ryder get away, but he warned Ryder to never return. Daisy and Ryder fled Genoa City, and Daisy vowed to be back. Lauren shot Sarah and killed her. Lauren and Michael were reunited.Jana had surgery because of her severe headaches, and she lost her memory. Chance recovered Adam's cell phone, which had a message from Adam that had framed Nick for Adam's murder. Nick was charged with the murder. Phyllis and Sharon decided to put aside their differences and work together to find Adam's real killer.Jack realized that he had married Patty, not Emily. Jack confronted Patty, and she devised a scheme. Patty drugged Emily and put her in the morgue, and she took Emily's place in the psych ward. When Jack went to rescue Emily, he was really with Patty.THE WEEK OF MAY 1st-5th, 2000Luis took Sheridan back to Harmony. Sheridan had Luis arrested.Kay tried to stir up trouble for Whitney and Chad by disclosing to T.C. that they were alone together at the cabin. Theresa, Ethan, Chad, and Whitney attended the wedding planner event.Ivy and Julian disrupted T.C.'s dinner with Eve. Julian found the pillow that Eve had shot through and demanded an explanation from Ivy.Kay and Simone teamed up to keep Chad and Whitney apart. Ivy received a warning call from Alistair.Tabitha vowed that the prom would be the prom from hell. Source 3 and
I hope it's not televised.

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my first thought

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oh god can you imagine the Depp Stans turning into shia apologists?



I fucking hate the turn discourse has taken

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every woman is a liar and abuser if its against their ugly faves



i hate this planet, man

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I'm sure they're salivating at the thought of another trash man to hump

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the racism will be next level

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Even if its not a push by Depp stans, all the MRA and incel types who latched onto Depp may well keep the shit up every time a high profile man gets accused.

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Due to current events I worry for her, especially with the vitriol Robstens had for her.



Hopefully she has a good support team around her.

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Especially because the Venn diagram between unhinged Depp stans and Robsten stans is basically a circle

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the hedley guy's also going to trial rn



I feel bad for any abuse survivors dealing with the legal system right now, it's ALWAYS terrible but what a terrible moment in particular we're in.

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I was just wondering about that asshole the other day. I hope the survivors have support.

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I totally forgot Hoggards trial was finally starting, after being delayed for so long. Ive seen some Hedley Stans still defending him. I hope that the victims have good support network right now

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feel so bad for her i hope the public doesn't turn against her like they're doing with amber

he should do the world a favour and drop dead

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Oh god I feel so bad for her considering what a shitshow these last few weeks have proven to be. Hope she gets through it.

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I hope she a good support system around her. My heart goes out to her. She is brave to continue and not be scared away by our unfortunate current happenings.

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Omg. Fuck him. Id sue for emotional damages.

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Im terrified for her in the wake of everything happening

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I am genuinely terrified for her because I fully believe that Shia is a monster, and that too many men have learned from Johnny Depp.

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I could totally see Shia loving to go to court to put on a show just like Johnny is.

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Me too. Noel Clarke is also suing BAFTA, conde Nast, and the author of the article that revealed he's a serial sexual harasser and abuser. In expect he'll absolutely love it too.

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You just know hes going to use his baby with Mia as a prop to show the court Im a family man, I would NEVER hurt someone 

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bless her. all the strength.



I hope she prevails.

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I hope she wins. It must be scary facing your abuser. I'm glad that Shia doesn't have rabid stans like Depp does. Otherwise, they would have been vicious to her.



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all the strength & healing to her! 

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praying for things to go smoothly for her

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*sigh* I want to be optimistic and hope she gets some justice but looking at how the Depp case is going, its hard.



So much of what he did was heinous but the part about him speeding past 100 mph with her crying in the passenger seat begging to be let out breaks my heart. He put so many people in danger doing that.

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Meanwhile, in Canada, energy firms are suggesting that new tidal technologies could be significantly better than solar developments due to their efficiency and reliability. Montreal-based energy firm Idenergie is introducing a new type of tidal turbine that, it says, will not disrupt the marine life in the region and can provide continuous power throughout the day and night. The firm believes that one turbine can provide the same energy as 12 solar panels. In addition, the turbine can be transported easily in several parts and constructed on-site. Idenergie says it can provide up to 12kWh of power a day and connects to a battery grid.

Related: Exxon And Chevron Post Blockbuster Earnings

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More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The United States will need to pump a lot more oil if it wants to fill its declining stockpiles.

Since July 2020, U.S. oil inventories have plummeted by 421 million barrels, which could throw a wrench in Americas plan to help ease Europes energy crunch.

The U.S. oil and gas industry has boosted exports to record highs as Europe races to wean itself off of Russian energy.

The U.S. energy industry has taken its role of savior of Europe seriously. After boosting LNG exports to a record because of Europes thirst for energy, oil exports from the U.S. are now on the rise, as well, but the trend may not be sustainable. Reuters John Kemp wrote in a recent column that the United States became a net exporter of crude oil and fuels last month, with the difference between imports and exports at 3 million barrels daily. He also noted, however, that a lot of this oil was coming from inventories that had now fallen to the lowest since 2008.

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The situation could prove problematic for both the U.S. and Europe. The chances of large public oil companies suddenly changing their minds and doing what politicians want them to dostop buying back stocks, suspend dividends, and boost productionare slim to nonexistent.

The chances of smaller independent producers suddenly finding the money to drill as much as is necessary to restore balance in international oil markets may be slightly greater, but still too small: investors take time to change course, and then it takes time for oil production to begin growing.

According to the EIA, U.S. oil production will grow by some 8% this year from last, to 12.6 million bpd. That would be up from an estimated 11.9 million bpd as of the week to April 22, so the increase will be less than 1 million bpd. Europe needs more than that and there are few producers as friendly as the U.S. However, the U.S. will need more crude, too, if only to replenish its inventories at some point.

The situation is likely to remain complicated for quite some time. It is no coincidence that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned the European Union last month to tread carefully when it came to an oil embargo on Russia because that would raise prices for everyone. Despite the warning, the EU is soldiering on with its embargo plan, which could be announced as soon as this week.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The current supply chain crisis only further adds to the interest in 3D printing, with on-site printers removing the problems that come with obtaining vital pieces.

As the oil and gas industry modernizes and digitilizes, it is ready to embrace new technologies that can both reduce cost and the carbon footprint of operations.

While 3D printing has been around as a technology for years, its potential in the oil, gas, and renewable sectors is only just being realized.

The potential for 3D printing in the energy industry is gradually becoming clear. After years of encouraging oil and gas majors to adopt the technology for on-site additive manufacturing, printing firms are finally being recognized for their potential in the field. The global 3D printing market was worth over $13 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 20.8 percent between 2022 and 2030. So far, one of the biggest uses of technology has been for medical needs. But as the market rapidly expands, other industries are looking at how the technology might be used to enhance operations.

3D polymer material manufacturers have been making medical devices such as hearing aids, which have a high demand in the U.S. Having perfected the technique of creating several medical devices, 3D printing companies believe that can also add significant value to the energy sector by creating components needed on energy sites. This would decrease the amount of time needed to obtain vital components when they break, as well as reduce the carbon footprint of having to ship these pieces. It also has the potential so solve some of the key supply chain problems energy companies are currently dealing with.

In Scotland, one company saw the opportunity to work in the oil and gas sector thanks to its experiences providing printing services for engineering, aerospace, automotive, and other sectors. Orthogonal has set up an office in Aberdeen, Scotland, where it can partner with several oil and gas companies working in the North Sea. Founder John Niven explains having operated in the oil and gas sector for many years, I saw a gap in the market for 3D printing services and decided to set-up the business.

This is not the first company to set up shop near oil and gas operations, with the hope of creating strategic partnerships with energy firms. And energy firms are rapidly recognizing the benefit. In fact, according to a 2021 report, around 83 percent of oil and gas companies surveyed said they were considering using 3D printing or on-demand manufacturing to support their operations. This comes are part of a greater push towards modernization and digitalization in oil and gas, with 87 percent of respondents also demonstrating their interest in robotics and automation.

Related: The Inevitable Decline Of Russias Oil Industry

Oil majors, such as Shell and BP, have already begun to adopt 3D printing technologies to deliver parts on-site, quickly. The ability to print a multitude of different parts means that oil and gas firms dont need to store huge inventories of parts on-site, nor do they have to rely on third-party companies to deliver components. This would once have been thought impossible, but thanks to innovations in 3D printing the technology have become more reliable, delivering parts that can withstand the tough conditions of oil and gas operations.

While 3D printing in oil and gas remains a relatively fringe technology, it is expected to be worth around $32 billion by 2025 and $60 billion by 2030. It is thought that adopting this technology could improve efficiency across operations as well as reduce costs.

And 3D printing isnt only useful for oil and gas, with more renewable energy firms looking at how to use the technology. For example, a Ph.D. student in the Netherlands recently proposed the possibility of building an electrolyzer using a 3D printer. Electrolyzers are used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity. If a successful electrolyzer model could be established for 3D printing, it could help save huge amounts of money on traditional manufacturing.

And large-scale projects are already underway in the wind energy industry, with GE planning to print 3D components for wind turbines. GE Renewable Energy released a statement about its research into the potential for the use of 3D printing technologies in its projects, explaining it would enable GE to 3D print the bottom portion of the wind turbine towers on-site at wind farms. Which would dramatically reduce transportation costs.

GE established a multi-year relationship with cement major Holcim and 3D printing company Cobod in 2020, launching a research facility in Bergen, New York. The 3D printer is the size of a three-story building and can print turbine tower segments up to 20 meters tall, according to GE. It is thought to be the largest printer of its kind in the world, with the ability to print in excess of 10 tonnes of real concrete per hour. It has the potential to encourage other companies to adopt similar technologies to decrease transportation costs and reduce the companys carbon footprint.

The U.S. Department of Energy provided a grant to support research and the first applications of the components in the field are expected to be seen within the next half a decade.

This is just the start of the 3D printing revolution, as the technology continues to improve, and energy firms better understand the potential of the innovation to provide vital components for their operations. 3D printing will soon become much more commonplace in both oil and gas and renewable energy projects, being used to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Russia will attempt to find customers for its oil and gas in the East, but it wont be able to replace the losses it sustains from the West.

While Russias oil and gas industry may have both been hurt by sanctions and boycotts, it is still set to see its tax revenue increase this year.

Despite the severe oil production cuts expected in Russia this year, tax revenue will increase significantly to more than $180 billion due to the spike in oil prices, Rystad Energy research shows. This is 45% and 181% higher than in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Russias progressive tax system means that taxes increase in line with higher oil price ranges. With the oil and gas sector remaining the keystone of the countrys economy and with Western sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine starting to mount up, Russia is looking east for export opportunities.

Russian oil volumes are estimated to drop by 2 million barrels per day (bpd) by 2030 compared to 2021, while gas production will grow marginally, but will still be lower than pre-conflict estimates. Extremely high gas prices in Europe as well as liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices in Asia will generate around $80 billion of tax flows in Russia in 2022. Russias recent move to block gas sales to Bulgaria and Poland will not have a significant impact on revenues.

After Russia invaded Ukraine in late February, European buyers started to shun Russian crude amid sanction-related fears. The first issues with oil exports were expected in March, but this was only the case for the first three weeks of the month. Loadings began to recover on 24 March, supported by more orders from China and India. Russian crude exports were still resilient in April. Tensions between Europe and Russia are, however, increasing and may result in crude embargoes.

Europes dependence on Russian energy has been a deliberate and decades-long and mutually beneficial relationship. In this early phase of sanctions and embargoes, Russia will benefit as higher prices mean tax revenues are significantly higher than in recent years. Pivoting exports to Asia will take time and massive infrastructure investments that in the medium term will see Russias production and revenues drop precipitously, says Daria Melnik, senior analyst at Rystad Energy

Sanctions and alternative destinations for Russian exports

If further sanctions on Russian energy exports come into place, then the most likely scenario is a gradual phase-out of Russian oil in Western markets that will take several months to complete. Russias ability to redirect all unwanted cargoes from the West to Asia is limited, meaning that, in the case of embargoes, Russia will be forced to cut production further as it lacks storage capacity for extra crude volumes. In April, Russian crude output already started to fall amid lower oil demand and refinery runs inside the country.

It will take some time for Russia to retune its logistic chains and find enough buyers for its crude beyond Europe and the US. It will also take some time for the Russian economy to get over sanctions and create additional demand for oil inside the country. As such, crude output will only start recovering in mid-2023. However, many shut-in wells may not come back into production, meaning that some Russian spare capacity will be destroyed.

The situation will be aggravated by a lack of investments and foreign technologies, which will lead to lower drilling activity. Russia is, as a result, not expected to return to pre-conflict production levels even by 2026. In the long term, Russian crude output on mature fields will decline steeper than was expected before the conflict as foreign enhanced oil recovery technologies will be unavailable for the country. Russia has pinned its hopes on China to diversify its gas markets as Europe is set to reduce its energy dependence on Russia.

The Power of Siberia 1 pipeline will initially serve as Russias main gas supply artery to China. Gazprom completed feasibility studies in the first quarter 2022 on the Soyuz-Vostok gas pipeline  the Power of Siberia 2 project (50 billion cubic meters of annual capacity). On 28 February, Russian government approval for the line was granted. The pipeline will stretch from Yamal in Western Siberian to northern China, running through Mongolia. By tapping into the vast reserves in Western Siberia, Russia will enhance its ability to divert gas flows towards Asia instead of Europe. Along with pipeline gas, Russia is expected to increase LNG exports to China as the first train of the Arctic LNG-2 project prepares to commence operations.

By Rystad Energy

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China and India have been ramping up the use of coal, faced with volatile and record-high natural gas prices.

Long-term net-zero plans from Europe and the United States remain in tact, but elsewhere, energy security remains the top priority.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is upending global energy markets and short-term efforts to reduce emissions. The ongoing frantic search for non-Russian energy supply, especially in Europe, is set to keep global carbon emissions elevated in the short term as coal use grows everywhere. At the same time, Russias heavy industries, such as steelmaking and metals production, are now unable to implement imported emission-reduction technologies as the West is continuously ramping up sanctions against Moscow over Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Russia, the worlds fourth-largest carbon dioxide emitter, pledged last October a net-zero target by 2060. Russias primary method of reaching net-zero would be doubling in the level of negative emissions from the land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) sector between 2030 and 2050, says Climate Action Tracker, which rated Russian emission-reduction efforts as critically insufficient in early February this year.

That was less than three weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine and changed the global energy markets and trade flows forever.

Europe has realized it cannot remain dependent on Russia for a large portion of its energy supply and is looking at all available alternatives to replace imports of Russian oil, natural gas, and coal. While the European Union is doubling down on renewable energy to ultimately replace fossil fuels from Russia in the longer term, short-term solutions to the energy crisis include keeping all alternatives on the table, including a slowdown in the coal phase-out in some countries.

Related: Germany Drops Opposition To Russian Oil Embargo

Greece, for example, plans to step up efforts to explore for natural gas in an attempt to reduce its 40% reliance on Russian gas, and will double its production of coal over the next two years in order to reduce the use of Russian natural gas.

The war in Ukraine put Europe on an irreversible path to wean itself off Russian fossil fuel dependence, but until renewable energy becomes a viable widespread alternative to those fuels, the EU will look to procure fossil fuels from outside Russia, including by significantly ramping up imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Ideally, Europe would like to not be dependent on any fossil fuels  regardless of the source  but in the short term, it doesnt have too many choices but to increase the use of non-Russian oil, gas, and coal.

Elsewhere, China and India  the worlds largest and third-largest carbon polluters, respectively  are prioritizing energy security to short-term carbon-reduction efforts and ramping up the use of coal, faced with volatile and record-high natural gas prices.

In Russia, company efforts to decarbonize have stalled. Financial and technological hurdles due to the sanctions and the exodus of Western companies, including those with expertise to help decarbonize industries, is set to slow down Russias carbon-reduction commitments, local analysts told business daily Kommersant last month.

Russian firms are likely to freeze new investments in decarbonization and cut spending on environmental programs, Alexey Kalachev, an analyst at Finam, told Kommersant.

In addition, with Western companies looking for alternatives for Russian goods, Russias industry has little motivation to cut pollution anymore.

Those incentives to develop renewables, to develop energy efficiency  they will simply disappear, Tatiana Mitrova, a non-resident fellow at Columbia Universitys Center on Global Energy Policy, told Bloomberg last week.

Why should you invest in energy savings if fuel is so cheap and at the same time you do not have access to energy-efficient technologies any longer? Mitrova added.

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions jumped in 2021 to the highest level ever seen, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in March, as the world relied mostly on coal to power the post-COVID economic rebound.

Emissions could rise further this year as the world is focused on energy security. Long-term net-zero plans of developed economies, including in the EU and the United States, remain. Yet, in the short term, efforts to ensure power and heating, and to lower energy bills for consumers could result in a setback in the global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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SYDNEY, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Australia's national carrier Qantas announced plans on Monday to deliver non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to cities including New York and London from late 2025.

The carrier, which has been working on endurance flying under Project Sunrise for years, is ordering 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to service the routes. They are expected to cut up to four hours of total travel time compared with one-stop options at present.

"It's the last frontier and the final fix for the tyranny of distance that has traditionally challenged travel to Australia," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement.

"The cabin is being specifically designed for maximum comfort in all classes for long-haul flying," Joyce said.

The planes will carry 238 passengers in four classes, including first, business, premium economy and economy, and have a "wellbeing zone" in the center, with more than 40 percent of the cabin dedicated to premium seating.

Global travellers can also expect more direct routes to Australia as Joyce said the aircraft will also be able to operate non-stop flights to Australia from destinations such as Paris and Frankfurt.

The carrier also released its third-quarter trading update on Monday, which showed domestic travel demand is returning to pre-COVID-19 levels ahead of expectations.

Demand for international travel is also recovering, particularly as more COVID-19 restrictions ease. 
A bill that would pave the way for the U.S. to sue OPEC members and its allies under antitrust laws could have an unintended negative impact on Americas oil and gas industry, the American Petroleum Institute (API) said in a letter seen by Reuters.

The so-called No Oil Producing and Exporting Cartels Act (NOPEC) has been an on-and-off topic for U.S. lawmakers and Administrations for nearly two decades but has never moved past discussions at committees in Congress.

Now, with gasoline prices in the United States hitting their highest levels since 2014, the NOPEC legislation is again under discussion among lawmakers.

Last week, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member, said that the bipartisan NOPEC bill was scheduled for consideration at the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.

Begging oil cartels for help is not the answer to combatting sky high ga$ price$, Senator Grassley said on Twitter, adding that We should hold cartels accountable for price-fixing/market manipulation.

The bill was again introduced last year by Senator Grassley and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). NOPEC legislation was advanced in the House Judiciary Committee earlier in 2021.

Now, however, the API, the most influential U.S. oil trade group and lobby, is voicing its opposition to the legislation, arguing that it could have negative consequences for the U.S. oil industry with limited impact on bringing down gasoline prices in America.

Legislative efforts that strengthen American energy production would be the best approach to ensure market stability and protect America's energy security, the API wrote in the letter dated Friday and addressed to the chair and ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

As of May 2, the national average U.S. price of a gallon of regular gasoline was $4.194, per AAA data. Thats up from $4.123 a week ago and slightly down from $4.20 a month ago, but significantly higher than $2.901/gallon at this time last year.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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As Hungary threatens to veto a European Union-wide ban on Russian energy products, the bloc is now considering exemptions for Hungary and Slovakia, or a longer timeframe for the two countries to reduce their heavy reliance on Russia.

Slovakia and Hungary have been among those EU members staunchly opposed to a ban on Russian oil due to their very high dependence on Russian imports.

On Monday, a senior Hungarian government official said that Hungary could be ready to veto an EU embargo on Russian oil imports, Bloomberg reported.

Hungarian Cabinet Minister Gergely Gulyas told HirTV on Sunday that an EU-wide ban would require unanimity, and as such, it makes no sense for the commission to propose sanctions affecting natural gas and crude oil that would restrict Hungarian procurements.

Weve made it clear that well never support, Gulyas added.

An exemption or an extended period for Hungary  or Slovakia  could help overcome resistance, however.

The European Commission is currently discussing the sixth package of sanctions against Russia, and those sanctions are increasingly likely to include an embargo on Russian oil imports that would start by the end of this year. Slovakia and Hungary could be given exemptions or more time to find alternative supply, EU officials told Reuters on Monday, as the EU seeks a united front in sanctions against Russia.

Since the start of the Russian war in Ukraine, the EU has been split on a ban on Russian energy imports. The biggest European economyGermanyhas resisted an immediate oil embargo, saying an oil ban would plunge Germany, and Europe, into a deep recession. While Germany, Hungary, and Austria, as well as some other EU members, have opposed an immediate outright ban on Russian oil, Germany signaled last month that it could end its dependence on Russian oil and stop importing Moscows oil entirely by the end of this year.

Germany has now reportedly dropped its opposition to a ban, if given time to procure alternatives.

Last 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.

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 have said.

The EU energy ministers are meeting for emergency talks on Monday after Russia cut off natural gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria last week. Russias demand for ruble payments for gas and a united response to the move will top the agenda, but ministers are expected to discuss an oil embargo, too.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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At the conclusion of its Monday meeting, the European Union has said it will not heed Russian demands to pay for gas in rubles, with a mid-May deadline for payment looming.

The bloc also warned its member states to prepare for Russia to cut off gas to all members.

Failure to meet Russian demands on this point have already resulted in gas being cut off to Poland and Bulgaria last week.

European energy commissioner Kadri Simson said on Monday that all energy ministers across the bloc had acknowledged that paying in roubles would represent a breach of sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

According to the Guardian, several EU countries are in a position in which they have to renew supply contracts by the end of this month and may be considering a loopholeone that the Kremlin itself has suggested. The loophole would reportedly have a buyer open two accounts at Gazprombanka euro or dollar account and a rouble account, with payments deposited into the Western currency account and then transferred to the ruble account after passing through the Russian Central Bank, which is sanctioned.

According to Simson, using this loophole would violate sanctions.

Many European energy companies are due to make the next payment to Gazprom in mid-May and are trying to understand better what they should do and we need to give them the clarity that paying in roubles through the conversion mechanism managed by the Russian public authorities and a second dedicated account at Gazprom bank is a violation of the sanctions and cannot be accepted, the commissioner said.

The announcement and the warning comes as the European Commission prepares to unleash new sanctions against the Kremlin on Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, the EU is expected to propose a phased-out ban on imports of Russian oil, but not Russian natural gas, over the next six to eight months, with possible exemptions for some countriesmost notably, Hungary, which has threatened to veto a ban.

In the coming days, according to Bloomberg, the EU will provide further guidance on payment for gas in rubles.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Russia is finding it increasingly difficult to sell its diesel in Western Europe, after port workers in Sweden and the Netherlands have refused to unload a Russian cargo in recent days despite the fact that the vessel isnt sailing under a Russian flag.

Port workers in Rotterdam and Amsterdam have refused to unload a cargo of 60,000 tons of Russian diesel, after the tanker  departed from the Russian Baltic Sea port of Primorsk  was refused entry into a port in Sweden earlier last week.

If dockworkers somewhere else in the world refuse the cargo, we will also refuse, Niek Stam, director of the harbor arm of Dutch labor union FNV, FNV Havens, told Bloomberg in an interview on Sunday, adding that the workers refused to deal with the Russian cargo on the basis of international solidarity.

The Sunny Liger tanker with Russian diesel on board is traveling under the flag of the Marshall Islands and is currently idle off Amsterdam.

In recent weeks, self-sanctioning in Western Europe regarding purchases and deliveries of Russian crude oil and products has intensified, although the EU has not agreed (yet) to impose an official embargo on imports of Russian oil.

More Russian oil is heading for Dutch ports, which are the heart of northwest Europes oil trading and refining industry.

According to broadcaster NOS, the tanker CB Caribic, which had also departed from Primorsk, was able to unload at a Dutch port because the FNV Havens union hadnt called for a boycott on that vessel. Two other tankers  Clear Stars and the Eikeviken are currently traveling from Primorks to Rotterdam, NOS reported.

While it is currently unclear how much diesel Russia could actually deliver to the key ports in the Netherlands, refiners in Europe are processing crude at capacity, bolstered by the highest diesel margins in at least three decades.

Every refinery in Western Europe not undergoing planned spring maintenance has ramped up throughput as refining margins for most fuels, especially diesel, are very high amid a distillate crunch in Europe following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In a very tight market for distillates, Middle Eastern crude producers are ramping up diesel exports to Europe, which would alleviate the crunch and offset the loss of supply from Russia.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Finland has canceled its contract with Russian state-owned power giant Rosatom for a new nuclear power plant over the war in Ukraine.

Fennovoima, a Finnish-led consortium, said on Monday it had terminated the contract for the construction of what would have been the countrys third nuclear power plant, AFP reported, citing consortium representatives as saying at a press conference that earlier delays and war had increased risks.

The final construction permit for the nuclear power plant was expected to be issued by the end of this year.



The decision to terminate the EPC contract with RAOS Project is not made lightly. In such a large project there are significant complexities and decisions are made only after thorough considerations. We fully acknowledge the negative impacts and do our best to mitigate those, Fennovoima said in a statement.

The cancellation with Rosatom comes as both Finland and Sweden speed up talks about joining NATO. Both countries are expected to announce their decision to join the Western military alliance by May 16th, with some reports indicating Finland will make its announcement on May 12th.

On April 28, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg repeated the alliances offer to grant accelerated membership to Finland and Sweden in light of Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Finland shares a land border with Russia that is over 800 miles long, threatening national security. Russia considers NATO's further expansion a direct threat to its own national security, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov recently warning that Moscow would take additional measures if Finland and Sweden joined NATO.



The cancellation of the Rosatom contract also comes as the European Union moves closer to banning Russian oil. Finland has no coal, oil, or natural gas resources and depends on nuclear power and Russia for imports.

On April 7, Finland announced it would spend up to $924 million to hasten its independence from Russian oil and gas.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Force majeure in Libya and under-production in Nigeria have led to a much lower increase in OPEC production for the month of April than was called for by the cartels supply agreement.

According to a Reuters survey, OPEC produced 28.58 million barrels per day in April, meaning that OPECs 10 members produced only 40,000 bpd more than in March.

The output deal called for a 254,000 bpd increase for OPEC countries, and a 400,000 bpd increase overall for OPEC+ production for April. This suggests a shortfall of some 214,000 bpd for OPEC members.

In March, 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.

From October 2021 through March 2022, OPEC output came in lower than the deal commitments, except for the month of February, the Reuters survey noted.

Set to meet on Thursday this week, an OPEC delegate told Reuters that the current deal is likely to be maintained for June at an increase from 400,000 to 432,000 bpd that was discussed in March.



Compliance with the deal is now at an estimated 164%, the survey found, up slightly from compliance of 151% the previous month.

Even a modest increase to 432,000 bpd could be in question as the cartel weighs the demand outlook amid Chinas COVID lockdowns, which threaten downward pressure despite an energy shortage caused by Russias war on Ukraine.

Oil prices were down over 3% early Monday, amid rising fears that Chinas COVID lockdown will harm economic activity and strip demand for fuel, despite indications that the European Union is edging closer to a Russian oil ban.

Over the weekend, news emerged that Beijing was preparing to close more venues and Shanghai would not ease its lockdown measures.

China growth concerns are a key driver, coming on top of the general risk-averse sentiment and signs that high fuel prices are already causing demand destruction, Ole Sloth Hansen, head of commodities research at Saxo Bank A/S, said, as reported by Al-Jazeera.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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The European Union may agree to a ban on Russian oil imports by the end of this week, despite concerns that this would further boost oil prices.

Bloomberg reported this weekend that EU members were discussing a phase-out approach that would see Russian oil imports decline gradually until the end of the year.

The Financial Times, however, later reported that the timeline for phasing out Russian has been moved up to several months.



According to the FT report, Germany, one of the biggest importers of Russian crude, had initially asked for more time to prepare for the phase-out of Russian oil, or until the end of the year. Now, the German government appears to have become bolder and ready to give up Russian oil in several months.

Were asking for a considered wind-down period, Jorg Kukies, adviser to German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, told the Financial Times. We want to stop buying Russian oil, but we need a bit of time to make sure we can get other sources of oil into our country.

On Sunday, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck told DW that complete independence from Russian oil was possible by late summer.

Early on Monday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that such a ban, once imposed, could last for years.

Related: European Refiners Are Racing To Capitalize On Record-High Diesel Margins

Despite wide agreement on the oil embargo, it could still fail because there are EU members, notably Hungary, which has since the very beginning opposed measures against Russian energy imports.

Decisions on sanctions need to be approved unanimously by all EU members.

The aim of the sanctions is to reduce Russias oil and gas revenues, which funds the Kremlins war chest, but without causing turmoil on international oil markets. Unfortunately, right now it looks like the turmoil cannot be avoided given the volume of Russian energy exports. Russia is the largest exporter of crude oil and oil products, and also the largest exporter of natural gas.

Besides Russias fossil fuel industry, the next round of sanctions will also target more banks as well as access to consultancy and cloud services.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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After briefly surpassing Qatar and Australia as the worlds top LNG exporter, the United States lost the top slot to Qatar in April as volumes in the north dropped along with heating fuel demand, Bloomberg reports.

Bloomberg data now shows that Qatar exported 7.5 million metric tons of LNG in April.



American LNG production was somewhat reduced in April, Bloomberg notes, due to the end of the winter season and lower demand for heating fuel.

With promises to help the European Union replace Russian gas and a new American export terminal due to come online soon, however, the U.S. could once again reclaim the top spot later in the year.

In March, U.S. LNG exports rose 16%, according to Reuters.

Soaring demand for U.S. LNG has now rebooted export projects that had previously languished, and the Biden administration has approved new export licenses for projects under development.

Last week, the Biden administration authorized more LNG shipments from two U.S. plants under development. The move came as Russia cut off gas to Poland and Bulgaria for refusal to pay in roubles.

One of those plants is Texas-based Golden Pass LNG, which is owned by Exxon and Qatar Petroleum and is expected to go online in 2025. The second is the Louisiana-based Magnolia LNG, owned by Glenfame Group LLC and expected to launch in 2027.

Another factor adding to U.S. LNG exports in the coming months will be the ramp-up launch, on April 29, of the Louisiana-based Calcasieu Pass export terminal, which is the seventh export terminal to begin production in the United States since 2016. This terminal can turn around 3.1 billion cubic feet per day, according to the EIA, with two shipping berths that can load up to 185,000 cubic meters.

Calcasieu shipped its first LNG on March 1st, and natural gas deliveries to the terminal have steadily increased since the beginning of the year. Three blocks are still awaiting approval at this plant, expected by years end.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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COLUMBIA, S.C.  People who want South Carolina to become the 49th U.S. state to pass a hate crimes law have explained, bargained and begged Republicans in the State Senate to hold a debate on the bill.

On Wednesday, with just days left before the measure dies, they turned to one of the survivors of one of the most heinous racist attacks in modern America seeking to persuade senators to at least take a vote on the bill.

They showed a two-minute video of Polly Sheppard to the Senate chamber, where the bill has been stuck for months with eight Republicans senators objecting and only eight more legislative days to take action.

The racist gunman who killed nine of Sheppards church friends in 2015 pointed his gun at the woman but said he would spare her life so she could let people know he was killing Black people because he hated them. One of the dead from the attack was Sheppards pastor, State Sen. Clementa Pinckney, whose portrait hangs in a place of honor in the Senate chamber.

Eight members of the South Carolina Senate are giving a safe haven to hate. Every time you look at Senator Pinckneys photograph, you should be reminded that hate killed him, Sheppard said.

The killer at Emanuel AME is on death row after being convicted of hate crimes under federal law, a point opponents of the bill use to say it is unnecessary. They also have said a crime is a crime no matter the motivation and a hate crime bill could eventually be used to curtail free speech, especially against Christians.

But mostly, opponents have stayed silent about their reasons to not bring the bill up for debate in the Senate; the measure passed the House in 2021.

Wyoming is the only other U.S. state without a hate crime law. Thats where the killing of gay college student Matthew Shepard in 1998 led to the federal hate crimes law. Repeated attempts to pass a bill in Wyoming have failed, including last in 2021.

The Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act in South Carolina would add up to five years in prison for someone convicted of murder, assault or other violent crime fueled by hatred of the victims race, sexual orientation, gender, religion or disability.

Democratic Sen. Kevin Johnson said he has heard naming the bill after the Senates fallen colleague rankled some opponents and offered to change the laws title.

Its not the name thats attached to the bill. Its the bill itself and what it represents and more important what it speaks against, Democratic Sen. Ronnie Sabb responded.

Several Democrats stood Wednesday to get a better view of the Polly Sheppard video and were joined by a few Republicans. The video ended with the names of the eight Republicans objecting to the bill and the tag line What will you do!?

What is wrong with protecting us from hate crimes? Sheppard said in a quiet, but firm voice. Please remove your objection so this bill can pass today.

Senate Republicans against the bill did not respond when asked en masse if they wanted to speak Wednesday. At least one of their colleagues said the Senate was wrong just to ignore the bill.

This White Republican thinks we need an open and honest debate, Sen. Sandy Senn said.

Supporters of the hate crimes bill worked throughout most of 2021 to get it through the more conservative South Carolina House. The State Chamber of Commerce pushed hard saying major companies might think twice about locating or expanding in a state without a hate crimes law.
3M has announced plans to spend $58 million on an 80,000-square-foot expansion to its production facility in Valley.

The expansion, which will create about 50 new jobs, allows for expanded production of respiratory- and hearing-protection products.

The company has partnered with the state through the ImagiNE Nebraska Act, a tax incentive-based program designed to encourage companies to invest in the state by creating jobs.

3M acquired the Nebraska site in 1979. It employs about 560 people.

Most products produced at the Valley site are part of 3Ms personal safety division. The location played a significant role in meeting the demand for personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic, officials said in a press release.

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BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine:

Two explosions occurred in Russia's Belgorod Region, which borders Ukraine, but no damage or casualties have been reported, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor, said on Sunday.

"According to the operational headquarters, there is no damage or destruction. There were no casualties. Footage of flashes in the sky has already appeared on social networks," Gladkov wrote on Telegram.

- - - -

The Russian military will not artificially adjust its actions during the special operation in Ukraine to any date, including Victory Day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday.

"We will solemnly celebrate May 9, as we always do," Lavrov said in an interview with Italy's Mediaset broadcaster.

The pace of the operation in Ukraine depends, first of all, on the need to mitigate risks for civilians and Russian troops, he added.

- - - -

Ukraine will continue the evacuation from the besieged city of Mariupol which began on Sunday afternoon, head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said on Sunday evening.

In the first stage, Ukraine evacuated from Mariupol 100 women, children and elders, who will arrive in Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia, Yermak said on Facebook.

- - - -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that an evacuation is underway inside the Azovstal plant in the besieged city of Mariupol.

"The first group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area," Zelensky tweeted.

He said that the evacuees are set to arrive in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday. 
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russia resumed pulverizing the Mariupol steel mill that has become the last stronghold of resistance in the bombed-out city, Ukrainian fighters said Monday, after a brief cease-fire over the weekend allowed the first evacuation of civilians from the plant.

More than 100 people  including elderly women and mothers with small children  left the rubble-strewn Azovstal steelworks on Sunday and set out in buses and ambulances for the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) to the northwest, according to authorities and video released by the two sides.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive in Zaporizhzhia on Monday as hoped for. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

At least some of the civilians were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The Russian military said that some chose to stay in separatist areas, while dozens left for Ukrainian-held territory.

In the past, Ukraine has accused Moscows troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas. The Kremlin has denied it.

The Russian bombardment of the sprawling plant by air, by tank and by ship picked up again after the partial evacuation, Ukraines Azov Battalion, which is defending the mill, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were underway among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on evacuating more people.

The steel-plant evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the southern port city and other places have broken down, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russian forces of shooting and shelling along agreed-on evacuation routes.

Before the weekend evacuation, overseen by the United Nations and the Red Cross, about 1,000 civilians were believed to be in the plant along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. Russia has demanded that the fighters surrender; they have refused.

As many as 100,000 people overall may still be in Mariupol, which had a prewar population of more than 400,000. Russian forces have pounded much of the city into rubble, trapping civilians with little food, water, heat or medicine.

Some Mariupol residents got out of the city on their own, by way of often damaged private cars.

As sunset approached, Mariupol resident Yaroslav Dmytryshyn rattled up to a reception center in Zaporizhzhia in a car with a back seat full of youngsters and two signs taped to the back window: Children and Little ones.

I cant believe we survived, he said, looking worn but in good spirits over their safe arrival after two days on the road.

There is no Mariupol whatsoever,'' he said. Someone needs to rebuild it, and it will take millions of tons of gold. He said they lived just across the railroad tracks from the steel plant. Ruined, he said. The factory is gone completely.

Anastasiia Dembytska, who took advantage of the cease-fire to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog, said her family survived by cooking on a makeshift stove and drinking well water. She said she could see the steelworks from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

With most of Mariupol in ruins, a majority of the dozen Russian battalion tactical groups that had been around the city have moved north to other battlefronts in eastern Ukraine, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the Pentagons assessment.

In other developments, European Union energy ministers met Monday to discuss new sanctions against the Kremlin, which could include restrictions on Russian oil. But some Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc, including Hungary and Slovakia, are wary of taking tough action.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped more people would be able to leave Mariupol in an organized evacuation on Monday. The city council told residents wanting to leave to gather at a shopping mall to wait for buses.

Zelenskyy told Greek state television that remaining civilians in the steel plant were afraid to board buses because they feared they would be taken to Russia. He said he had been assured by the U.N. that they would be allowed to go to areas his government controls.

Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard, said in a televised interview that several hundred civilians remained trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said.

Also Monday, Zelenskyy said that at least 220 Ukrainian children have been killed by the Russian army since the war began, and 1,570 educational institutions have been destroyed or damaged.

Thwarted in his bid to seize Kyiv, the capital, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted his focus to the Donbas, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Russia said it struck dozens of military targets in the region in the past day. It said it hit concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region, which lies west of the Donbas.

Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow's troops are raining fire indiscriminately, taking a heavy toll on civilians while making only slow progress.

Zelenskyy's office said at least three people were killed in the Donbas in the previous 24 hours. The regional administration in Zaporizhzhia reported that at least two people died in Russian shelling.

The governor of the Odesa region along the Black Sea Coast, Maksym Marchenko, said on Telegram that a Russian missile strike Monday on an Odesa infrastructure target caused deaths and injuries. He gave no details. Zelenskyy said the attack destroyed a dormitory and killed a 14-year-old boy.

The missile attack took the roof off a church belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox faction that is loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate, according to the secretary of Ukraines national security council, Oleksiy Danilov.

Ukraine said Russia also struck a strategic road and rail bridge west of Odesa. The bridge was heavily damaged in previous Russian strikes, and its destruction would cut a supply route for weapons and other cargo from neighboring Romania.

The attack on Odessa came eight years to the day after deadly clashes between Ukrainian government supporters and protesters calling for autonomy in the country's east. The government supporters in 2014 firebombed a trade union building containing pro-autonomy demonstrators, killing over 40 people.

Also Monday, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea.

Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas, is key to Russia's campaign in the east. Its capture would deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere in the region.

A full picture of the battle unfolding in eastern Ukraine is hard to capture. The fighting makes it dangerous for reporters to move around, and both sides have imposed tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

But Britains Defense Ministry said it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective  unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

Varenytsia reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Lolita Baldor in Washington 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.
BANGKOK (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Monday with his Thai counterpart, Prayuth Chan-ocha, for talks about economic, security and geopolitical issues, including political upheaval in Myanmar and Russias war in Ukraine.

The two leaders also oversaw the signing of three agreements covering financial cooperation, the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and support for a COVID-19 emergency response.

Kishida is in the middle of a five-nation overseas trip. He earlier visited Indonesia and Vietnam and will travel to Italy and the United Kingdom after Thailand.

Japan has long been a major economic investor in Thailand, and at a post-meeting news conference Prayuth said the two nations are drafting a five-year strategic plan for an economic partnership.

He said he and Kishida agreed on the importance of supply chain connectivity to enhance development of smart agriculture, 5G communication technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and electric vehicles and components.

Prayuth also said they were pleased with their countries close defense and security cooperation, but did not elaborate. The United States has traditionally been Thailands closest security partner, but ties have loosened in the past decade as China has extended its influence in Southeast Asia. Japan, a strategic rival of China, is keen to offset Beijings ascendancy.

The war in Ukraine has figured prominently in Kishidas talks during his trip, and he and Prayuth both said they were concerned about escalating tensions there and urged an end to all hostilities.

Prayuth said he proposed a new approach to ending the confrontation by focusing on humanitarian considerations, and that a similar approach might be useful in restoring peace in Thailand's neighbor, military-ruled Myanmar.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power last year from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover was met with massive public resistance, and the country is now embroiled in what some experts characterize as a civil war. Several governments have imposed sanctions against Myanmars military rulers, and some Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Singapore have condemned their actions.

Thailand and Japan share a softer approach and have been less critical of the ruling military. Thailand has significant economic interests in Myanmar and has its own past history of army rule. Japan has historically had friendly ties with the military governments that have ruled Myanmar most of the past six decades.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Creighton University leaders have published a plan that outlines steps the institution will take to reduce its environmental impact and prepare students for a warmer world.

The Sustainable Creighton Initiative, released last week, outlines a plan through 2028 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, divert waste and teach students about and offer co-curricular activities focused on sustainability.

Climate change, if not the most, is one of the most serious existential crises that future generations face, said Nick McCreary, director of the universitys office of sustainability programs and the co-chair of the Sustainability Governance Committee that drafted the plan.

More than 50 people helped in what was a 2-year process that engaged campus administrators, faculty, staff and students.

The document updates the universitys 2013 Climate Action Plan and concerns matters pertaining to campus infrastructure, transportation, academics, public engagement and dining and waste.

Most ambitiously, Creighton intends to cut by 2028 its CO2 emissions by half, using 2010 as a baseline. That is when the universitys emissions accounted for the equivalent of 59,550 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Creighton intends to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, which the plan acknowledged is the most impactful action the university can take against global warming. In 2028, the university will publish concrete steps it will take to achieve that target.

Some methods might include producing on-site renewable energy and purchasing carbon offsets. The university also will investigate how to eliminate emissions associated with university-sponsored travel and employee and student commuting.

Henry Glynn, a Creighton junior who is interested in climate science issues and works as an intern with Catholic Climate Covenant in Washington, D.C., said it will be up to students to hold the university accountable for meeting its goals.

As a Catholic Jesuit university moving into the 21st century in a city that is taking some initiative, we need to be at the forefront of that fight, he said. Were at the point now in the climate crisis where if its not high-level, large action, then its not enough action.

Creighton also aims to reduce the more than 1.6 million pounds of waste it produces yearly.

Current estimates indicate that the institution recycles or composts between 10% and 25% of the waste produced on its Omaha campus, but due to unreliable data collection, those figures likely undercount the true percentage.

The initiative calls for a 25% reduction in the amount of waste the university generates by 2028. Additionally, officials hope to divert more than a third of the waste that is created.

In its academic programming, Creighton intends to expand upon its offerings in the study of sustainability science. It now offers a major and minor in the subject, but by 2028 the initiative calls for at least 20% of academic courses to include sustainability-related content. Likewise, 90% of departments are expected to offer at least one sustainability-related course.

One of the biggest single hopes that I have is for courses to help students understand the science of the climate crisis because I think that is what is going to help people continue to appreciate the urgency and the gravity of this issue, said Dan DiLeo, an associate professor who also serves on the Sustainability Governance Committee.

DiLeo hopes the universitys move will have positive implications beyond Creighton, empowering other stakeholders across Nebraska who hope to achieve carbon neutrality.

Similarly, the University of Nebraska system is developing a sustainability plan. Spokeswoman Melissa Lee said a draft document will be released this year.
Last week, for the third week in a row, Nebraskas COVID-19 cases inched up. But the pace of growth slowed, and its unclear how serious the latest virus wave will become.

Nebraska reported 808 new virus cases, up from 701 and 436 the two previous weeks.

Nebraskas 85% case growth in the past two weeks is the nations 12th-highest. Still, per-capita virus levels remain relatively low: 11th-lowest among the states and less than half the U.S. rate, according to a World-Herald analysis of federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.

Nationally, cases increased last week in 42 states.

The CDC reported that the nations seven-day average of new cases as of Wednesday had increased by 25.2% over the preceding seven-day period, driven by several newer versions of the omicron variant. The seven-day average of people hospitalized with COVID-19 increased by 18.5%.

Health officials have noted that the number of cases being officially reported is an undercount, given that more people are relying on at-home tests. Those results often arent reported to health agencies.

The Douglas County Health Department has a link to an online form that allows residents to report the results of at-home tests. Residents can access the form by visiting the Health Departments website and clicking on the Report a COVID-19 Home Test button.

Whether this more modest increase will become a bigger surge, however, is not yet known. The CDC last week reported that the record number of infections during the omicron wave bolstered immunity within the population.

Between December 2021 and February 2022, the estimated percentage of the U.S. population with infection-induced antibodies increased from 34% to 58% across all age groups. The largest increases were in children and adolescents.

In Nebraska, omicron infected 120,000 people over a seven-week period from December to February  one-fourth of all Nebraskans who have contracted COVID during the two-year pandemic.

Still, health officials continue to encourage people to get up to date on vaccines. For healthy people age 12 and older, thats two shots of an mRNA vaccine plus a booster. People with compromised immune systems and those 50 and older are eligible for a fourth shot.

Meanwhile, health officials internationally are watching two newer omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, that have taken hold in South Africa, which is entering its winter season. BA.4 and BA.5 also have been detected in the U.S., according to the CDC, although BA.2 remains the dominant subvariant.

The monitoring of COVID-19 levels in wastewater in Douglas and Lancaster Counties has been showing slightly rising virus levels. But levels have been relatively flat for the past three months.

And hospitalizations actually still are trending downward. An average of 54 Nebraskans were hospitalized with COVID last week, down from 57 the previous week.

Thats even as Nebraskans largely return to normal life, gathering in large groups at sporting events, performance venues and events such as this past weekends Berkshire Hathaway meeting at Omahas CHI Health Center.

Nebraska reported no new COVID deaths to the CDC last week, so the number of confirmed or probable deaths for the pandemic remained at 4,197. The state has recorded just under 480,000 total cases.

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ATLANTA (AP)  A special grand jury was selected Monday for the investigation into whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in Georgia.

The investigation has been underway since early last year, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis took this unusual step of requesting the special grand jury to help it along. She noted in a letter to the chief judge that the special grand jury would be able to issue subpoenas to people who have refused to cooperate otherwise.

The chief judge ordered the special grand jury to be seated for a period of up to a year, beginning Monday. Of the pool of about 200 people called from the county master jury list, 26 were chosen to serve  23 grand jurors and three alternates. Special grand juries focus on investigating a single topic and making recommendations to the district attorney, who then decides whether to seek an indictment from a regular grand jury.

Because of the intense public interest in this case, the court made arrangements for parts of Monday's selection process to be broadcast live. Now that the special grand jury has been selected, however, everything it does will happen in secret.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, whos been tasked with overseeing the special grand jury, told the people summoned to the jury pool that they would not be hearing a trial, but would instead be serving on an investigative special grand jury looking into actions surrounding the 2020 general election.

Now its time for 26 members of our community to participate in that investigation, McBurney said.

Willis has confirmed that her team is looking into a January 2021 phone call in which Trump pushed Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find the votes needed for him to win the state. She has also said they are looking at a November 2020 phone call between U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Raffensperger, the abrupt resignation of the U.S. attorney in Atlanta on Jan. 4, 2021, and comments made during December 2020 Georgia legislative committee hearings on the election.

It's not clear exactly what charges Willis could choose to pursue against Trump or anyone else. In a letter she sent to top-ranking state officials last year, she said she was looking into potential violations of Georgia law prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local government bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the elections administration.

McBurney said the grand jurors won't begin meeting until June and won't meet every week. They will be notified in advance of when they need to be there, and there's some wiggle room if they can't make it to every session as only 16 are needed for a quorum, he said.

McBurney then led the 200 potential grand jurors in swearing an oath to give truthful answers about their qualifications.

He explained that grand jurors must be at least 18, must be U.S. citizens and must have lived in Fulton County for the past six months. Anyone whos an elected official or has been for the last two years, anyone convicted of a felony or anyone whos served on a Fulton County jury or grand jury in the last year is not qualified to serve, McBurney said.

The investigation involves actions surrounding the 2020 general election, and it is important that grand jurors bring an open mind to the process, the judge said. Anyone who is already convinced that a crime did or did not happen should say they have a conflict when asked, McBurney said.

After identifying other potential conflicts  for example, plans to be out of the country for an extended time, having to care for someone after a major surgery  McBurney went through the first 100 potential jurors and asked them individually  addressing them only by number  to say whether they have a conflict. A quarter of the grand jurors said they had a conflict and the judge and prosecutors began questioning them privately to determine whether they could be excused. Then he closed the courtroom so he and prosecutors could speak privately with those selected.

While the district attorney's office will generally be steering the investigation, grand jurors will be able to question witnesses who appear before them. If they believe there are other witnesses they would like to hear from or documents they would like to see, they have the power to issue subpoenas.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A cold front advancing through the central Rocky Mountains will roll into Omaha on Monday, bringing lower temperatures and more chances for precipitation.

Monday will be the safest bet for precipitation, maybe even a slam dunk, said meteorologist Taylor Nicolaisen of the National Weather Service office in Valley. The best rain chances will be in the afternoon from about 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The forecast calls for as much as 1 or more inches of rain across much of the state, Nicolaisen said. The precipitation is desperately needed because, despite recent storms, much of the state remains in severe drought, he said.

In April, Omaha received just 1.72 inches of precipitation, which is far below the months average of 3.17 inches. With one-third of the year in the books, Eppley Airfield has received 5.14 inches of rain, while the yearly average calls for 6.14 inches.

(Omaha) is faring better than a lot of Nebraska, Nicolaisen said. The long-range outlook calls for warm and dry (conditions) with the drought expanding.

In northeast Nebraska, Norfolk has been especially dry. The city received just 1.07 inches of rain in April, far below its average of 2.73 inches. Lincoln, by contrast, has recorded 3.05 inches of rain in April, which is above the average of 2.69.

An interesting side note for the April rain totals occurred in ONeill, in north-central Nebraska. The city received all of its monthly rain on one day, April 30, when it recorded 3.20 inches of rain, just above its typical ration of 2.92 inches for the month.

Its worth noting that (in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa) we would need 7 inches of rain over the next 30 days to bust the drought, Nicolaisen said. That is not likely.

The Omaha area should dry out Tuesday when the forecast calls for a high temperature of 61 with comfortable winds, he said. Chances for rain return Wednesday when up to an inch could fall with a high of 62 projected.

The rain should come after dark on Wednesday and continue into Thursday, Nicolaisen said. It will sweep across the whole state.

High temperatures for Omaha are expected to stall in the mid-50s on Thursday before beginning to surge upward as the weekend approaches. Fridays high in Omaha is forecast to reach 66 under mostly cloudy skies, Nicolaisen said.

Starting Saturday and continuing through the following Monday, highs in the 70s are forecast.

I think my kids will prefer the sunshine and warmth, Nicolaisen said. Im hoping we can cash in on some more rain.

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PEKIN  A Tazewell County judge on Monday ruled in favor of The Pantagraph and several other Central Illinois news organizations, loosening a protective order in a lawsuit involving Reditus Laboratories, its CEO Aaron Rossi and his former business partner.

Judge Chris Doscotch said while 90% of filings are in the public sphere and not sealed or impounded, going forward media will have access to pleadings and attachments.

For records that are filed, theres a presumption that theyre public. Its important, First Amendment rights, he said. There are less restrictive ways to protect legitimate privacy and financial issues.

The lawsuit was filed in Tazewell County in early 2021 by James Davie, accusing Rossi of using company money to fund his own lifestyle.

Some key documents in the case have been under seal, the result of a protective order initially agreed to by Davie. He has since obtained new representation and sought to lift the seal. The petition by the media outlets was in support of that effort.

We assert the constitutional interest and access to court files and court orders that are impacted by the protective order, as entered by the court, said Don Craven, a Springfield attorney representing The Pantagraph and other news media based in Bloomington-Normal and Peoria.

Explaining his ruling, Doscotch said the litigation will proceed with the expectation that attorneys who wish to file a document that is redacted or impounded should file a motion, with the knowledge that the motion will be heard in open court.

Then you will file confidentially with the lock box those documents that you want to be redacted or impounded. The court will then make that decision, the judge said.

Adam Silverman, of Chicago-based Adleman & Gettleman Ltd. who was appointed as a receiver to oversee the Reditus Laboratories financial assets, will have 40 days to review the two orders filed April 6 and file any objections to the orders being made public.

Doscotch said while no one was beating the courthouse door down in this private lawsuit for the last two years, interest in the case has changed.

Obviously the case is in the public sphere now, he said, granting the media petition to intervene for the limited purposes of the protective order.

Other participating media outlets are WGLT, WCBU, WEEK 25 News & Heart of Illinois ABC, WMBD-TV & WYZZ, WMBD 1470 and the Peoria Journal Star.

Doscotch noted while no allegations have been brought forward questioning Reditus use of state funds and service provided, I cant think of anything in my lifetime that has been more disruptive to human beings as COVID-19 and  that this lab has been providing those service gives a public interest as well.

Craven previously said that, given Reditus $220 million contract with the state of Illinois to conduct COVID-19 testing, the business finances affect taxpayer dollars.

Attorneys for Rossi and his companies  Reditus Laboratories and PAL Health Technologies  argued against unsealing information they see as confidential as it related to non-public businesses.

In granting the petition to intervene, the judge said the media will not have access to any impounded pleadings. The judge did not include discovery documents filed throughout the litigation in his ruling.

Attorneys on all sides agreed that trade secrets, if present, were subject to a protective order; however, Craven said the other parties had abused their discretion in entry of the protective order.

When giving his ruling, Doscotch said the judge hearing the case will be a more active gatekeeper when it comes to impoundments, noting redactions would be preferred to wholesale impoundments.

A status hearing on the civil case is scheduled for Friday, May 6.

In an unrelated case, Rossi, 39, is charged with federal tax fraud for underreporting his income from 2015 through 2017.

Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer.

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Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban (2nd L, front) and Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjen (1st L, front) attend the first session of the newly-elected Hungarian parliament in Budapest, Hungary on May 2, 2022. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

BUDAPEST, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The recently elected Hungarian parliament held its first session here on Monday, electing its key officials.

Laszlo Kover, a founding member of the governing Fidesz party, was re-elected Speaker of the parliament. He was first elected to the position in 2010 and re-elected in 2014 and 2018.

The parliament also elected six deputy speakers.

President Janos Ader opened the new parliament for the third and last time, as his mandate will expire in a few days and he will be replaced by Katalin Novak, Hungary's first female president.

Ader asked the recently elected deputies to re-elect Viktor Orban for the position of prime minister, a post he will be carrying for the fifth time, a record in Hungarian politics.

Orban has been in the office continuously since 2010, but has also served in the same position between 1998 and 2002.

Last Friday, Ader officially called on Orban, the candidate for prime minister of the Fidesz-KDNP party alliance, to form the new government following the general elections on April 3.

Orban, who won the elections by a large margin -- securing 135 seats from the 199-seat parliament -- accepted the request. 

Photo taken on May 2, 2022 shows the first session of the newly-elected Hungarian parliament in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Hungarian President Janos Ader (C, front) and other guests attend the first session of the newly-elected Hungarian parliament in Budapest, Hungary on May 2, 2022. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)
Bloomington earns honors from Arbor Day Foundation

BLOOMINGTON  The Arbor Day Foundation has awarded the City of Bloomington a community Growth Award and recognized them as a 2021 Tree City USA.

The City is excited to receive this award in recognition of the City's overall vision and hard work to ensure a sustainable and generational urban forest, Dave Lamb, city forester and assistant superintendent of Parks, said in a news release. "The City of Bloomington administration, elected, staff and residents place a high value on our trees. Bloomington is very proud of its urban forest and this recognition from the Tree City USA (TCU) committee."

A Growth Award is given to a community alongside the Tree City USA recognition for showing environmental improvement and a higher level of tree care. The award recognizes major milestones and annual activities in five categories on a point-based system, including building a team, measuring trees and forests, planning the work, performing the work and building the community framework.

"Bloomington is now part of a team of Illinois communities charging the TCU Growth Award program and making a national statement," said Mike Brunk, from Illinois Urban and Community Forestry, in a news release. "Illinois community forestry programs are some of the most advanced programs in the nation and the TCU Growth Award is an excellent stage to display that value. Illinois TCU Growth Award communities are achievers and I look forward to Bloomington's 2022 works."

The City of Bloomington also held an Arbor Day Celebration April 29 where they dedicated a tree to Trinity Lutheran School, sponsored by the city's Beautification Committee.

Community meeting planned Tuesday

BLOOMINGTON  The West Side Neighbors Group and the Miller Park Neighbors Group will host a community meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Miller Park Zoo's Community Room. Candidates running for local and state offices will be available for a Q&A, and Bloomington Police Department Sgt. Kiel Nowers will speak on the department's new Community Engagement Unit. For more information or to RSVP, email 8669surena@gmail.com.

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PRAIRIE AVIATION MUSEUM SCHEDULE

The Prairie Aviation Museum, 2929 E. Empire St. in Bloomington near the old airport terminal, announced its operating schedule for 2022. The museum will be open April through October on Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open Cockpit Days will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the third Saturdays from May through September (i.e. May 21 , June 18, July 16, Aug. 20 and Sept. 17). Open Cockpit Days allows closer observance of the interiors of these important military and civilian aircraft. Visit PrairieAviationMuseum.org or call 309-663-7632 for more information or to schedule group visits.

VA WARRIORS TO WORKFORCE PROGRAM

The Warrior to Workforce Program (W2W) through the VAs Acquisition Academy in Frederick, Maryland, is accepting resumes for its next cohort that begins in August. Under this program, veterans with a service-connected disability and little to no post-high school education are hired as GS-5 federal government employees for careers in federal contracting. The curriculum includes business education, professional development, peak performance training and mission service. The education component helps participants obtain the 24 college-level business credits required for the contract specialist career field, through a local university using their VA education benefits. After completion, participants transition into the two-year Acquisition Intern program where they attend training and go to VA Acquisition offices for on-the-job training and permanent placement. The W2W Program is accepting resumes through June. W2W can be contacted via email at vaaaw2w@va.gov or visit the website by browsing "VA W2W program" for more information.

VA ESTABLISHES PRESUMTIVENESS FOR RARE RESPIRATORY CANCERS

The VA is adding nine rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities due to military environment exposures to fine particulate matter. The Interim Final rule published in the Federal Register on April 26 lists squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea, adenocarcinoma of the trachea, salivary gland-type tumors of the trachea, adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung, large cell carcinoma of the lung, salivary gland-type tumors of the lung, sarcomatoid carcinoma of the lung and typical and atypical carcinoid of the lung. VA is beginning to process disability compensation claims for veterans who served any amount of time in the Southwest Asia theater of operations beginning Aug. 2, 1990, to the present time, or Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Syria or Djibouti beginning Sept. 19, 2001, to the present. Any veteran who has or had one of the listed cancers at any time during or after separation from military service may be eligible for disability compensation benefits. VA will contact impacted veterans and survivors to inform them about their eligibility and will provide information on how to apply. Veterans who had previous claims denied are encouraged to file a supplemental claim for benefits. Applications for benefits, by veterans and survivors, may be completed by visiting VA.gov or by calling toll-free at 800-827-1000.

Jerry Vogler is superintendent of the McLean County Veterans Assistance Commission.

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CHICAGO  U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger said he has introduced legislation that would give congressional authorization for President Joe Biden to use U.S. military force in Ukraine if Russia uses chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

Speaking on CBS Face the Nation on Sunday, the Channahon Republican said the joint resolution would not be a mandate for the Democratic president but rather a measure that would provide an option for Bidens administration while also sending a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin as he pursues war with Ukraine.

It just says if it is used, (Biden) has that leverage. It gives him a better flexibility. But also, it is a deterrent to Vladimir Putin. If Vladimir Putin wants to escalate with the west, he will. Its easy for him to do it, said Kinzinger, the six-term congressman who is not seeking reelection.

Prior to World War II, there were moments nobody ever wanted to get involved and eventually came to realize they had to. I hope we dont get to that point here. But we should be ready if we do, he said.

Kinzinger, a U.S. Air Force veteran with missions in Afghanistan and Iraq who is a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard, said in a separate statement that his introduction of the use-of-military-force resolution came after speaking with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and hearing his grave concerns over Putins use of chemical weapons.

Kinzinger, in his TV interview, also said he hoped there would be broad congressional support for Bidens call last week for $33 billion in humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine through September.

Look, we do have outliers and people that seem to show some Putin sympathy, but for the most part Congress is vastly and largely united on the issue of Ukraine. We recognize Ukraine is fighting for all of us, Kinzinger said, citing some Republicans who have questioned providing U.S. aid to the war-torn country.

That $33 billion is significantly less than what we would have to spend if we took Russia on directly, so I hope we dont have any impediments to that at all. I wouldnt expect we do.

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On this anniversary of the birth of Hiram Ulysses Grant, 200 years ago, he is remembered as the 18th president of the United States, commander of the U.S. Army during the Civil War and national hero. He can also be thought of as an ordinary human being who struggled with many things that we struggle with now, two centuries later.

Grants official story is one of unrelenting service to his country. The Ohio native studied at West Point Military Academy. He graduated from West Point as a skilled horseman. Following his graduation, he was stationed at Jefferson Barracks, here in St. Louis. Not long after arriving at Jefferson Barracks, Grant met Julia Dent, the sister of one of his West Point classmates and the daughter of a plantation owner. Shortly after meeting Dent, Grant went on to fight in the Mexican-American War. After the war, Grant returned to St. Louis and married Dent in 1848. The couple had four children. Grant resigned from the military in 1854 after being assigned to a series of remote army posts, including some on the West Coast. The Grant family lived at White Haven, the Dent familys plantation.

Grants military career advanced quickly during the Civil War. After it began in April 1861, Grant reenlisted and became a colonel in the 21st Illinois Volunteers. President Abraham Lincoln soon made Grant a brigadier general. Grant had his first major military victory after his troops captured Fort Donelson in Tennessee. By 1864, Grant was promoted to lieutenant general and given command of all U.S. armies. Grant commanded the victorious Union army and, on April 9, 1865, Confederate Gen. Robert Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

Grant served two terms in the presidency from 1869 to 1877, which was in the middle of Reconstruction. He supported pardons for former Confederate leaders while also attempting to protect the civil rights of freed slaves. In 1870 he oversaw the creation of the Justice Department. During his term, the 15th Amendment, which gave Black men the right to vote, was ratified. He signed legislation limiting the activities of white terrorist groups like the Ku Klux Klan. Later in life, Grant commissioned Mark Twain to assist in writing and publishing his memoirs. The royalties of his memoirs totaled about $450,000, which would be more than $10 million today.

Grant received little warmth or nurturing from his mother. he was constantly reminded by his father that Grant disappointed him. He was a mediocre student. Dents father, his eventual father-in-law, also did not approve of Grant; he opposed the marriage and went so far as to scheme ways to keep Dent from marrying him. Neither father thought Grant would ever make something of himself.

Multiple times he failed as a businessman, which required him to take whatever jobs he could to provide for his family, including walking the streets of St. Louis selling firewood. He started out his military career as an ambivalent soldier. Grant struggled with how to reconcile that his wifes family owned slaves when he considered it morally wrong.

Grant remained honest during his presidency, but his administration tarnished him with corruption and scandal. Later in his life, he was diagnosed with cancer. He decided to write his memoirs to be able to provide for his family after he died, since he was swindled out of their savings.

Grant never used any of these personal and human experiences as an excuse. Despite his personal demons and difficult relationships, Grant rose to be a hero of our country.

I am not sure which I admire more, Grants professional life or his personal journey. Perhaps Twain said it best when he wrote, He was a very great man and superlatively good.

Lynn Schmidt is a columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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CalBank PLC has organized the First Ever CalBank Cashless Market to enable sellers and their customers to transact business digitally without the use of physical cash.



The CalBank Cashless Market allowed for customers to shop from a wide range of products and brands ranging from electronics, clothing, food among others.



Managing Director for Cal Bank Mr. Philip Wiredu stated that this is a collaboration with the Accra Goods Market and is aimed at encouraging the transaction of businesses virtually.



He said "Now we would have the opportunity to go and shop but we need to have the opportunity to shop virtually; we're collaborating on this program to get close to our merchants as well as the products and services offered by CalBank to help carry the customers along."



He also highlighted on the preparedness of CalBank PLC for the implementation of the E - Levy.



He stated "We have engaged the authorities in terms of how to comply with the laws governing the policy. There are various parameters about this policy and we will continuously engage the authorities to ensure that all our operations are within the remits of the law as far as this policy is concerned."



Some merchants and customers at the program also expressed delight at the use of the cashless systems for transacting but urged Government to take steps to ensure that the process of transacting business virtually is less expensive.









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Mr Kojo Oppong-Nkrumah, Minister of Information, has urged the public not to fall prey to false narratives and misinformation online.



He said there were a lot of false narratives on social media and cautioned the public against such messages.



This follows the circulation of an edited video of the Minister reviewing a page of Mr George Andah, a former Deputy Communications Ministers book, Determined to do More.



In the edited version of the video and the narrative that has been spun on social media, Mr Oppong Nkrumah is seen reading a text mischievously claimed to be lessons from politics.



Mr Oppong Nkrumah, in a statement accompanied with a video to clarify the context of his review of portions of the book, said: What you see me reading are paragraphs of the book and not a speech by me.



He said the paragraphs he reviewed detailed a message someone had sent to the author (Mr Andah) when he announced that he was going into politics and why the person thought it was not a good idea.



The Information Minister said in the book and the paragraphs he read, Mr Andah narrated the story and further explained why he disagreed with the message and supposed lessons not to venture into politics.



Mr Oppong-Nkrumah, therefore, encouraged the public to watch the full video and or read the book not fall prey to false narratives and misinformation online.





Source: GNA









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The Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Yaw Baah, has called for the suspension of taxes on fuel until prices are stabilised.



He said the high prices of fuel, with negative effect on food and commodity prices, was impacting workers wages badly and affecting the standard of living.



We, therefore, call on Government to suspend all taxes and all levies on petrol and diesel and LPG concurrently until the international price of crude oil and the value of the Cedi has stabilised. This will bring down prices of fuel products and ease the burden on Ghanaians.



He appealed to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Sunday at the May Day parade held at the Black Star Square in Accra to intervene and improve the ordinary Ghanaian workers purchasing power.



Dr Baah called on Government to, as a matter of urgency, review the single spine pay policy and pay workers living wage.



"As we speak, minimum wage earners in Ghana are currently receiving 13 cedis 53 pesewas for a whole days work or 365 cedis for a whole months work. This is below the 1.9-dollar international poverty line at the current exchange ratesalaries have lost over a third of their real value as prices of essential commodities, including food and fuel continue to increase on daily basis.



He lamented over the "poor structuring" of the salary of Public Sector employees, which he said also affected pensions particularly, those not captured under the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).



President Akufo-Addo, outlined measures by Government to help the economy recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic.



The measures include the introduction of the electronic transaction Levy (E-Levy), which he said was necessary to mobilise enough revenue for national development.



Over the past years in particular, Government has implemented several policies and programmes, all in an attempt to hasten economic recovery from the ravages of Covid 19. Weve introduced measures to improve fiscal consolidation and ensure debt sustainability, which are critical to achieving micro-economic stability in the short to medium term. These Measures such as the passage of the E-Levy Bill, have not been introduced in isolation, they have come on the back of a revenue loss of 13.1 billion cedis and the increased unbudgeted expenditure of 142 billion cedis.



He promised cutting 30 percent of "discretionary expenditures" of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, reduction of salaries of political appointees for the rest of the year and reducing fuel coupons by 50 percent among a host of other austerity measures.



He dismissed suggestions of Government not being sensitive to the plight of workers and assured of continuous protection of incomes and livelihoods of workers regardless of COVID-19.



The President promised to help revamp the private sector, which suffered more during the peak of the Covid -19.



He vowed to make capital more accessible and reduce the cost of doing business, improve access to credit and many more to the sector.



Touching on the issue of workers wages, President Akufo-Addo, said a committee had been set up and was reviewing the single-spine salary structure.



Following the National Labour Conference at Kwahu, the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations and the Tripad Partners have set up as of Tuesday, 26th April a Technical Committee to review the Single-Spine Pay Policy and advice Government accordingly.



He encouraged all workers to continue to observe the Covid-19 protocols despite the easing of restrictions and urged all to get vaccinated.



The occasion was used to award 59 workers for their contributions to national development.



International Workers Day, also referred to as May Day, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes observed by various labour unions and movements worldwide.



It falls on the first day in the month of May every year.



In Ghana, it is observed as a holiday with a national parade.



The theme for this year's commemoration is: Protecting Jobs and Incomes in the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic and Beyond."

Source: GNA









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Sheikh Dr Amin Bonsu, National Chairman, Ghana Muslim Mission (GMM), has urged Muslims to maintain holiness as they exit the month of Ramadan.



The National Chairman of GMM in a statement said: "as we pray for peace and blessings for our dear nation-Ghana, we urge educational and corporate Institutions to ensure that Muslims are granted equal rights and the freedom to practice their religion as enshrined in the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana"



"What is more important is for the Ummah to join hands with leadership to support the development of educational, health and other Institutions and to create more sustainable jobs and help the suffering masses out of poverty," he said



Meanwhile, GMM has wished all Muslims a happy Eidul-fitr.



Read the full statement below



2022 EID-FITR MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN OF GHANA MUSLIM MISSION-SHEIKH DR. AMIN BONSU



On behalf of the National Leadership and entire membership of the Ghana Muslim Mission I would like to wish all Ghanaians and the entire world a happy Eidul-fitr.



As we exit the month of Ramadan successfully, we urge all Muslims to try and maintain their new state of being by constantly getting closer to Allah through devotion to prayers, good deeds and frequent reading of the Holy Quran and to show more love to the poor and needy by taking care of their needs and be peaceful wherever they are.



We should also establish good relations with all manner of persons as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and also use this years Ramadan and Eid -Fitr as a rallying point to stay united and focused on spreading the good message of Islam to the rest of the world.



As we pray for peace and blessings for our dear nation-Ghana, we urge educational and corporate Institutions to ensure that Muslims are granted equal rights and the freedom to practice their religion as enshrined in the 1992 constitution of the Republic of Ghana.



We would like to entreat the Youth to celebrate this occasion humbly and solemnly with the fear of Allah. What is more important is for the Ummah to join hands with leadership to support the development of educational, health and other Institutions and create more sustainable jobs and help the suffering masses out of poverty.



Ramadan is a great month filled with high spirituality, love, goodness, charitable acts, piety, more prayers and lots of kindness. This activity is sanctioned by God Almighty in the Holy Quran (2:183) O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness. This provides a great opportunity for Muslims to attain piety by observing the fast, doing more good, praying more and seeking for Allahs Mercies.



We pray for peace in troubled parts of the world such as Syria, Lybia, Palestine, Ukraine among others where vulnerable people especially women and children are being tortured, starved and suffer all sorts of hardships as a result of war and conflicts. We would like to remind all Muslims to remain committed to the cause of Islam. May Allah accept our prayers and grant us the best in this world and the hereafter.



May Allah grant us life to witness another Ramadan.



Eid Mubarak!!!



Warmest regards,



SHEIKH DR. AMIN BONSU



(NATIONAL CHAIRMAN- GHANA MUSLIM MISSION)



Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Former President John Dramani Mahama has lauded the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Professionals Forum (ProForum) for its commitment to the ideals and vision of the party.



The forum, an intellectual wing of the main opposition party, he said, had since its establishment been beneficial to the party in diverse ways, providing the needed technical advice to ensure that the NDC established a strong presence in Ghanas politics.



According to him, the forum was instrumental in the partys good showing in the 2020 elections, and that the intellectuals had a critical role to play in returning the party back to power.



Victory 2024



Former President Mahama, who was addressing the 4th National Summit of the Professionals Forum, at Ejisu in the Ashanti Region, said: In the Forum, the NDC has some of the brightest minds with the expertise to guide the party to regain power in the 2024 elections.





The Summit was on the theme: Winning Election 2024: the Role of the NDCs Professionals Forum.



Our comeback is necessary given the fact that the majority of Ghanaians are calling for a change in the way the country is being governed currently, he said.



The three-day summit discussed the Forums past activities, while charting the course to strengthen its structures for sustainable growth.



It had in attendance the NDC General-Secretary, Johnson Asiedu-Nketia, the National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Sam Pee Yalley, President of ProForum, and members of the Council of Elders and National Executive Committee (NEC).



Also present was the NDC 2020 presidential running mate, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang.



Former President Mahama said the NDC remained the best alternative party to wrestle power from the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) as it had the panacea to restore the country to the path of economic growth.



According to him, the Akufo-Addo-led administration had failed to deliver on the NPPs campaign promises, saying the economic hardships in the country currently, especially the rising cost of living, was not the best of developments.



Grassroots engagement



Mr. Asiedu-Nketia entreated the NDC Professionals Forum to engage more with other stakeholders within the party, particularly those at the grassroots to help increase the support base.



Mr. Ofosu-Ampofo predicted a landslide victory for the NDC in the next elections, saying his conviction was premised on the partys whooping votes garnered in the 2020 Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.







Source: Graphiconline.com









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Beijing requires 48-hr negative COVID-19 test result to enter public venues

Xinhua) 09:54, May 02, 2022

A staff member checks the nucleic acid test results of customers outside a Walmart store in Beijing, capital of China, May 1, 2022. A negative nucleic acid test result within 48 hours is required to enter public venues during the Labor Day holiday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

BEIJING, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Residents in Beijing will be required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours to enter public spaces from Saturday, the municipal government said Friday.

A negative test result will be required to enter public venues during the upcoming five-day Labor Day holiday, and students and employees should produce their test results before they go back to work or school after the holiday, according to a press conference on local epidemic prevention and control work.

Beijing reported 31 locally-transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and three asymptomatic cases between 3 p.m. Thursday and 3 p.m. Friday, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal disease prevention and control center. A total of 228 local infections have been logged in Beijing since April 22.

On Friday, two communities in Beijing were classified as high-risk and medium-risk areas for COVID-19, respectively. The latest classifications have brought the total number of high-risk areas in Beijing to six and medium-risk areas to 19.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Mr Walaika Musah Iddrisu, the Nasara Coordinator of the Sissala West Constituency currently recuperating at the Upper West Regional Hospital, has retained his position as the Nasara Coordinator of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the constituency.



Mr Iddrisu obtained 260 votes to beat his closest contender, Mr Halidu Yahaya who had 252 votes.



After the elections, there was a wild video circulating on social media of him praying to his Maker for the feat achieved.



Mr Iddrisu was attacked at Gwollu by unknown assailants injuring him leading to his admission at the Wa Regional Hospital about two weeks ago.



A new Constituency Chairman, Mr Gbemmie Abudu Shaibu, a 44-year-old businessman got elected after the longest serving constituency chairman in Ghana, Mr Kanchuo Dramani stepped down a week before the elections, in a fiercely contested race.



Mr Shaibu polled 259 to leave behind his contender Mr Limann Shaibu who was contesting for the second time with 251 votes, just eight votes separating the two.



Mr Kofi Kpodonu Samson, the Sissala West District Electoral Officer, said this is an internal election by the NPP.



It started by 9am with 518 delegates on the register from 94 polling stations and by 3:pm the delegates had finished casting their votes.



Mr Forkah Mahamud, an old-time member of the party got 262 votes to beat Mr Seidu Nyangbentu with 250 votes to become the Constituency Organizer.



The position of the Secretary also went to the incumbent Mr Abdul Rauf Who got elected with 263 votes, with his contender Mr Badusuwodnin H. Ibrahim, getting 246 votes.



The rest of the elected executives included Mr Mahama Tahiru, First Vice Chairman, Mahama Ibrahim, Second Vice Chairman, and Mr Chaba Amweh, Assistant Secretary.



The rest were: Mr Ali Yahaya Fuowie, Treasurer, Rukaya Hagbana Yahaya, Women Organiser, and Karim Sulley Luri, Youth Organizer.



The elected chairman has promised to unite the party.





Source: GNA









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Majority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, has declared his support for Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia in the NPP leadership race.



He said Dr Bawumia will win the 2024 election to become the next President of Ghana.



By the grace of the almighty Allah, the Dr. Bawumia will be the next President of Ghana. The NDC are very wild this time, we dont have any fight with them neither do we have fight with John Mahama, in fact we respect John Mahama and we will continue to respect him but you were once an MP, Deputy Minister, minister, vice president and a president why does Ghana belong to your father? You have done your part step down, he said.



Mr. Annoh-Dompreh who is also MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri said this while addressing NPP Delegates during the conference to elect the constituency Executives.



He told the delegates that the partys poor performance in the 2020 parliamentary elections has had dire consequences on the government.



He said it is imperative for the incumbent MPs to be protected while the party plans to annex more seats.



Today parliament has become very hot because we didnt properly put things in order hence there were skirt and blouse voting in some constituencies but I want to say this in honour of God that from A-Z, from Asuogyaman to Zebila in this country, polling station executives have realized that we have to protect the MPs. Some constituencies like Asuogyaman, Ayensuano that we lost, because for a long time in our body politics if you win the majority in parliament, the presidency becomes a bonus.



He asked the delegates to reward him by voting for his favourite constituency executive aspirants.



I have visited and spoken to you very well. I have not disappointed you. You must therefore reward me today. This is no joke. Because you voted for me I have been elevated as the youngest Majority Chief Whip in Parliament. I will use this position to facilitate the development of this constituency, Construct roads, Astroturf, asphaltic overlays etc. I want 10/10. Oda MP had 10/10, all the constituencies in Ashanti Region had 10/10 so Nsawam Adoagyiri must also vote 10/10.





Source: star fm









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Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah has said the government cannot be held in contempt following the implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-Levy) which commenced on May 1, 2022.



According to him, the fact that the minority filed an application for an injunction against the implementation of the policy does not mean they have the order of the court.



He has, therefore, insisted that the government has not breached any order of the court for kick-starting the E-Levy policy.



There is no court order so, we have not breached anything. The fact that you have filed a motion in court does not mean you have an order of the court, citinewsroom.com quoted him to have said.



Speaking on the implementation of the E-Levy, he said, the tax policy will play a key role in the development of the country.



It is a good day for our country because we have managed to introduce a new tax mandate for our country. Lets continue to hope for the best for this country and especially lets believe that E-levy will come and play a key role in our national development process, he noted.



The implementation of the E-Levy commenced on May 1.



Following the implementation of the policy, some Ghanaians have expressed disappointment over the E-Levy tax deduction of transfer which is less than the GH100 threshold.



The government had earlier stated that no matter the amount a person sends on mobile money, the first GH100 will not be affected by the E-levy, which is 1.5%.



But this has not been the case as some Ghanaians have been deducted E-Levy tax for transactions less than GH100.



Meanwhile, Ghanas revenue governing body, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has assured people who have been wrongly charged as part of the implementation of the E-levy that all wrongful charges will be reversed.



According to the GRA, it is using a modified approach to validate claims of wrongful charges to be able to reverse the wrongful charges on transactions done on May 1, as a result of the full implementation of the E-levy.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









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Actor Yul Edochie has described marrying a new wife as the best decision he has ever made in his lifetime.



He said that he has always known that a day like this would come someday, adding that he didnt need to seek his first wifes permission to marry a new wife.



According to him, the woman who doesnt respect you will not respect you. And the one who loves you and respects you will be with you forever.



On the backlashes trailing the development, the actor said everybody cant see things the way you do. A whole lot of people dont know you, but judge you from what they see, he added.



Yul Edochie and his first wife, May Aligwe Edochie have been married for 18 years. Their union is blessed with four children, three boys, and a daughter.



On Wednesday, Yul Edochie surprised many fans and followers when he revealed on Instagram that he had married another woman and they share a son.



His name is STAR DIKE MUNACHIMSO YUL-EDOCHIE. Born by my second wife @JudyAustin and I love him so much, just as much as I love my other children, he wrote.



Reports indicate that Yul Edochie and Judy Austin met on a movie set.



The announcement did not sit well with his first wife, with whom he has been married for nearly 18 years.



May God judge you both, she reacted to the news.



Some fans, who sympathized with May, chastised the actor for having kids with another woman.



Meanwhile, in other posts online, Yul Edochie, urged Nigerians to focus on the pertinent problems in the country, while he deals with his personal matrimonial problems.



According to him, even though he is grateful for the massive support from the public, there is a need for citizens to now redirect their focus toward addressing the challenges that confront the country.



I thank you all for your concern towards my family. The love, concern and support you all have shown me and my family this past few days is overwhelming. Truly appreciated. Thank you. I promise you all that all is well and any issues arising in my family, I will sort out amicably as it is my personal problem.



For now, lets focus on the general problem that affects us all which is the situation of our country. We have no other country to call our own therefore we must make it work. WE PIN. WE DIE HERE (Yul Edochie), Yul Edochie wrote on Facebook.

Source: Vanguardngr









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Credit: Chris Hunkeler from Carlsbad, California, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

A new Rice University-led analysis of the remains of ancient predators reveals new information about how prehistoric humans didor didn'tfind their food.

"Sabertooth carcass consumption behavior and the dynamics of Pleistocene large carnivoran guilds" was published today in Scientific Reports.

For more than three decades, archaeologists thought that one potential source of meatcrucial for the development of the early human brainwas the flesh abandoned from sabertooth cat kills. Until very recently, researchers thought that prehistoric humans stripped flesh from abandoned animal carcasses to consume, but these ancient remains suggest that was not the case. The new research, conducted on fossil remains from 1.5 million years ago, reveals that sabertooth cats fully devoured the flesh of their prey and even consumed some bones.

These iconic predators, named for their enormous upper canines, roamed the landscapes of Africa, Eurasia and the Americas from the Miocene to the late Pleistocene. Manuel Dominguez-Rodrigo, a visiting professor of anthropology at Rice and the study's first author, was able to determine together with his colleagues the eating habits of these prehistoric cats based on their skeletons and those of their prey.

The finding is important, Dominguez-Rodrigo said, because it means that early humans relied on different ways of finding sources of protein. It provides more support to the idea that early humans were already successful hunters.

Dominguez-Rodrigo said the research helps further this area of study as it eliminates a source of this important type of food for ancient humans. However, he said, there are still a lot of unanswered questions about how prehistoric humans hunted and gathered food, and these topics will be the focus of future work.

More information: Manuel Dominguez-Rodrigo et al, Sabertooth carcass consumption behavior and the dynamics of Pleistocene large carnivoran guilds, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Manuel Dominguez-Rodrigo et al, Sabertooth carcass consumption behavior and the dynamics of Pleistocene large carnivoran guilds,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09480-7
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Public developments on the California coast would be required to capture carbon in wetlands or other natural systems under an Assembly bill that calls for projects to add "blue carbon" measures to their mitigation plans.

Blue carbon refers to coastal habitat such as wetlands, marshes, kelp forests and eelgrass beds that capture and store carbon in soil, plant matter and the sea floor.

AB 2593, authored by Assemblymember Boerner Horvath, D-Encinitas, would require projects on public lands to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions by building or contributing to blue carbon projects.

"It's a way to develop our coastline, while protecting some of California's remaining unique important areas," Boerner Horvath said. "Instead of damaging them, we can double down and reinforce the things that are really valuableseagrass, flora and fauna."

If the bill passes, it would add blue carbon mitigation to the suite of factors that the California Coastal Commission considers when it approves coastal permits.

Under California law, any project that affects coastal resources must take measures to avoid or minimize its negative impact. If it can't avoid that entirely, developers must offset the effects of the project with mitigation measures that replace or restore the resources it will damage.

For projects that affect tidal or ocean habitat, that may include planting new eelgrass beds or restoring marshland. For instance, efforts to widen Interstate 5 along the San Diego County coast have been accompanied by improvements to San Elijo Lagoon and other wetlands it crosses.

Now such mitigation plans focus on improving habitat for native plants and wildlife, along with building amenities such as trails and bike lanes. Under Boerner Horvath's bill, blue carbon would become another factor the Coastal Commission would evaluate.

"Her bill would add the carbon sequestration impact to the consideration of what mitigation we would require," said Coastal Commission Legislative Director Sarah Christie, who noted that the commission has not taken a position on the bill.

The new rules would apply to any projects on public land, which might include marine projects such as offshore wind, offshore oil and gas platform decommissioning, underwater pipelines, cables, marinas, ports and docks, Christie said. Dredging, aquaculture operations and coastal bridge and roadwork could also fall under its provisions.

Officials with the San Diego Association of Governments, a regional planning agency, declined to comment, saying they were not familiar enough with the bill to say how it might affect ongoing transportation plans or other public works projects. Boerner Horvath and Christie said there isn't an estimate now on how many projects the bill could affect or what the costs would be.

Boerner Horvath said the bill was inspired by the coastal geography of her district, as well as recent revelations about the role coastal habitat plays in the planet's carbon balance.

"I've always been interested in blue carbon," she said, "I think it's a function of the district, which has so many lagoons."

Boerner Horvath said as she learned about carbon sequestration she realized the opportunities in her own backyard.

"I learned that salt marshes sequester more carbon than trees," she said. "I'm an environmentalist, I'm a mother, and I want to make sure there's a healthy planet for my kids."

Tidal marshes such as those found along the lagoons on San Diego County's coast sequester carbon in deep layers of soil. These ecosystems capture carbon at a rate two to four times greater than tropical forests, according to the Blue Carbon Initiative, a coalition of international scientific and educational organizations. Seagrasses are submerged, deep-rooted meadows found on shorelines, which store twice as much carbon as terrestrial forests.

Kelp forests have also recently been identified as blue carbon sinks that rival other coastal flora in their ability to catch and hold carbon in their fronds. A 2020 study in Nature Scientific Reports found that kelp beds around Australia account for more than 30 percent of total blue carbon stored and sequestered around the Australian continent, and about 3 percent of total global blue carbon.

Blue carbon habitats are also some of the most biologically productive places on Earth, brimming with fish, shorebirds, crustaceans and insects. And they can counter the effects of climate change by buffering storm surges and reducing flooding.

Boerner Horvath introduced the bill in February, and on April 5 it passed the Assembly Natural Resources Committee on a 7-3 vote.

"It's a pretty commonsense measure that has strong bipartisan support," she said.

AB 2593 will continue through Assembly committees before going to the full Assembly and then Senate for a vote. Boerner Horvath said she hopes to see it signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom later this year, and take effect Jan. 1 of next year.

Explore further County exploring ways to use San Diego's land to fight climate change

2022 The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

An anti-idling campaign at two Salt Lake County elementary schools was effective in reducing idling time by 38%, and an air monitoring experiment found that air quality around schools can vary over short distances. These findings, published in the journal Atmosphere, can help schools and school districts along the Wasatch Front plan to protect students, staff and the community from idling-related air pollution.

"Idling at schools during drop-off and pick-up times is a substantial problem," says study lead author Daniel Mendoza, a research assistant professor in the University of Utah's Department of Atmospheric Sciences and visiting assistant professor in the Department of City & Metropolitan Planning. "The anti-idling campaign was effective in reducing not only the number of vehicles idling but also the length of idling."

Mendoza and colleagues, including Tabitha Benney, an associate professor of political science, are studying the sources and impacts of air pollution along the Wasatch Front, a region with bowl-like geography that leads to air quality issues. U scientists have developed mobile tools to monitor air quality, including a van filled with research-grade air sensors that's been affectionately named the "Nerdmobile." For this study, the Nerdmobile was parked outside Willow Springs Elementary and Bonneville Elementary for a week at a time in each school's pick-up/drop-off zone. The measurements at the van were then compared with air quality measurements inside the school and near the school's playground.

They're also interested in the social impacts of air quality. For this study, they partnered with researchers at Westminster College who used the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Idle-Free Schools Toolkit to conduct an intensive three-month anti-idling campaign involving teachers and parents. "It was extremely important to us that the campaign involved the school community every step of the way," says Rachel Forrest, adjunct professor in the Public Health Program, School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Westminster College. "Community members helped shape the look and feel of the campaign and donated their time and expertise to implement it. Without their support, this wouldn't have been possible."

And it worked. The researchers found 38% less idling time and 11% fewer cars idling after the campaign than before.

The researchers intended to follow up several months later to see how well the effects of the campaign persisted, but unfortunately, school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly ended the study in March 2020.

"Reduced idling has numerous advantages," Mendoza says. "The most important one is the substantial reduction of concentrated pollution in a relatively small area." Recent research from Mendoza, Benney and colleagues found that indoor air quality in two Salt Lake City high schools was impacted by outdoor air quality.

Idling can also unnecessarily burn fuela fact that becomes more relevant as gas prices have risen in recent months.

Why do parents idle when dropping off or picking up? It's usually to maintain a comfortable temperature in the car, but studies have found that it takes 10-15 minutes for in-car temperatures to change enough to be uncomfortable.

What did the team learn about air pollution from idling? Another unfortunate setback, a winter inversion, which traps emissions in the cold valley under a lid of warm air and impairs air quality, set in during the study period, confounding the measurements and making the effect of reduced idling on air quality unclear.

"However, what the inversion helped us see more clearly was the lasting effects of idling around schools as there were marked pollution spikes following drop-off and pick-up times," Mendoza says. The researchers also noticed that the amount of particulate matter air pollution dropped off between the van parked in the pickup lane and the school playgrounds, highlighting the localized air pollution caused by car emissions.

"It is not only parents but also school buses that have been culprits of localized pollution hotspots around schools," Mendoza says. Many school districts, he says, have already enacted idling bans for buses. "However, parents are a completely different story."

Explore further Study measures indoor air quality in two Salt Lake City high schools

More information: Daniel L. Mendoza et al, Air Quality and Behavioral Impacts of Anti-Idling Campaigns in School Drop-Off Zones, Atmosphere (2022). Daniel L. Mendoza et al, Air Quality and Behavioral Impacts of Anti-Idling Campaigns in School Drop-Off Zones,(2022). DOI: 10.3390/atmos13050706
Artists impression of NASAs DART mission. Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/Steve Gribben

There's an old joke that the dinosaurs are only extinct because they didn't develop a space agency. The implication, of course, is that unlike our reptilian ancestors, we humans might be able to save ourselves from an impending asteroid strike on Earth, given our six-and-a-half decades of spaceflight experience. But the fact is that while we have achieved amazing things since Sputnik kicked off the space age in 1957, very little effort thus far has gone into developing asteroid deflection technologies. We are woefully inexperienced in this arena, and aside from our Hollywood dramatizations of it, we've never yet put our capabilities to the test. But that's about to change.

Wu Yanhua, deputy head of the China National Space Administration (CNSA), announced last week that they plan to carry out an asteroid deflection test as early as 2025part of a larger asteroid monitoring and defense system that the CNSA is in the early stages of developing. The monitoring system will consist of both ground-based and space-based instruments, used to catalog near-Earth objects that may pose a threat.

Monitoring systems are especially important because the earlier you catch an incoming asteroid, the easier it is to deflect. A distant asteroid might need only a minor tap to redirect it enough to miss Earththe later an asteroid is seen, the more difficult it would be to change its course.

You can sleep well knowing that space agencies around the world have already built robust asteroid monitoring systems, and have cataloged many thousands of solar system objects. None of them pose a realistic threat in our lifetimes (currently, the highest risk object, known as 2010 RF12, has a 4.8% chance of an Earth impact in 2095. This 7-meter asteroid would cause a fireball similar to the Chelyabinsk meteor in 2013). Still, there may be more out there we haven't seen yet, so the CNSA's new monitoring project is a welcome addition.

When it comes to asteroid hunting, the smallest objects are the hardest to see, but, like the shooting stars that streak harmlessly through the sky every night of the year, these are unlikely to cause damage. On the other end of the spectrum, the largest asteroids out there are capable of causing an extinction-level event, but are easy to spot and keep track of. It is actually the middle-sized asteroids that are the most dangerousbig enough to do localized damage, but small enough that we may not find them in time.

A gravity tractor planetary defense technique that leverages the mass of a spacecraft to impart a gravitational force on an asteroid, slowly altering the asteroids trajectory. Credit: NASA.

Observing asteroids up close also helps us understand how best to deflect them. NASA's OSIRIS-Rex mission, which recently visited near-Earth asteroid Bennu, discovered Bennu to be a loose, gravel pit of an asteroid. Such a target would require a different technique to deflect it than a homogenous, solid chunk of rock. With enough time and warning, potential options include a gravity tractor (gently tugging at the asteroid with the mass of a spacecraft orbiting it) or painting the exterior of the asteroid white (changing the way the asteroid is heated and cooled by the Sun, slowly affecting its orbit via the Yarkovsky effect).

The simplest solution, of course, is to hit an asteroid really hard.

The CNSA's new monitoring program will be paired with an engineering effort to design and build a high thrust rocket that can carry a kinetic impactor: a payload designed to punch an asteroid with enough force to change its orbit. The target asteroid they plan to test the impactor on is, as yet, unannounced.

NASA and ESA are also taking their first steps toward developing kinetic asteroid defense capabilities. NASA's DART mission, launched last November, will attempt to change the orbit of Dimorphos, a tiny moon circling asteroid Didymos, by slamming into the moon at high speed. This is the first test of its kind, and the resulting change in trajectory is likely to be very small. This is, in large part, the reason DART is targeting a moon rather than a lone asteroid: it will be easier to measure the tiny changes in Dimorphos' orbit with nearby asteroid Didymos available to provide a frame of reference.

The DART mission will impact Dimorphos in September of this year, and will be followed up in 2027 with Hera, an ESA mission that will observe the aftermath of the impact up close.

The existential threat of an asteroid impact is small in the short term, but is almost certain in the (very) long term. As such, asteroid monitoring systems and deflection tests like DART and the CNSA's new impactor project are important first steps to keeping Earth safe, and making sure we don't go the way of the dinosaurs. Now, if only we could get climate change under control.
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

An international research team led by scientists at Georgetown University has found that city wildlife might pose less of a threat for future pandemics than once thought.

In a study published on May 2nd in Nature Ecology and Evolution ("Urban-adapted mammal species have more known pathogens"), researchers set out to understand whether animals adapted to living in cities tend to have different viruses. The study was led by Greg Albery, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Biology at Georgetown University College of Arts and Sciences.

The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked substantial interest in where future outbreaks are at the highest risk of emerging. Scientists have long suspected that cities might be a hotspot for outbreak risk, thanks to species like rats that make their home alongside us. For Washington, D.C., those problems are now close to home: in March 2022, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that the growing rat problem allowed a respiratory virus called Seoul hantavirus to infect two people in 2018.

Albery set out to study whether species like rats might play host to a greater number of these pathogens. In the study, Albery and colleagues examined the pathogens hosted by nearly 3,000 mammal species, and found that urban-adapted animals could host roughly ten times as many kinds of disease. However, they found that pattern was partly a problem of sampling bias: the same species were nearly 100 times better studied in the scientific literature.

"There are plenty of reasons to expect urban animals to host more diseases, ranging from their food to their immune systems to their close proximity to humans," said Albery. "We found that urban species do indeed host more diseases than non-urban species, but the reasons for this appear to be largely associated with the way we study the ecology of disease. We've looked more at animals in our cities, so we've found more of their parasitesand we've started to hit diminishing returns."

To Albery's surprise, after adjusting for sampling bias, the team found that city-living species don't seem to host more human-infective viruses more often than their rural counterparts. "Stunningly, although urban-adapted species have 10 times as many parasites, more than 100 times as many studies have been published on them. When you correct for this bias, they don't have more human pathogens than expectedmeaning that our perception of their novel disease risk has been overinflated by our sampling process."

The study's findings might exonerate city wildlife from being "hyper-reservoirs" of infectious disease. However, Albery cautions, that doesn't mean cities are disease-free.

"This probably means that urban animals aren't hiding as many important novel pathogens as we might thinkthose pathogens that might cause the next 'Disease X'," said Albery. "But they are still incredibly important carriers of many pathogens that we do know about. Rats, raccoons, and rabbits are still good at coexisting alongside us, and they still spread a lot of diseases to humans living in urban areas."

Colin Carlson, Ph.D., an author on the study and an assistant research professor at the Center for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University Medical Center, said that the study highlights the value of scientific data. The researchers used a database called The Global Virome in One Network, created by the Verena Consortium (viralemergence.org), an open science network founded by Carlson and Albery. "If we take the time to build better datasets, and look more closely at the patterns in them, we might keep overturning long-standing assumptions about who's at risk from emerging diseases and why," said Carlson.

The study concludes that future research should go beyond how many pathogens any given animal has, and start to explore how city living shapes the prevalence and transmission of those diseases. Understanding those phenomena may require researchers to collect much more data, particularly from new places; almost all of the disease data in the study came from the United States and Europe.

"What this really accentuates is that we need to design more evenly distributed, more equitable sampling regimes if we want to find novel pathogens of humans; sampling needs to be more focussed in wild areas of the world, but also in urban areas in less well-studied places," said Albery. "Not only will this help us to find the new ones, but will improve surveillance of the old ones, and will ultimately help to address ages-old geographic biases in ecology."

Explore further Researchers find humans have given wild animals their diseases nearly 100 times
Credit: Unite conservatoire genetique de Lacanau

Trees are an essential cornerstone in the functioning and survival of forest ecosystems. But as global change accelerates, certain tree populations, too slow to adapt, may experience population decline or even extinction. Conservation and forest management strategies can be implemented to avoid such scenarios, such as moving trees to more compatible climates, known as assisted gene flow, or to threatened populations that lack genetic diversity, known as evolutionary rescue. Because such strategies commit forest management authorities for several years, it is important to anticipate how transplanted trees will respond to their new environment.

Until now, prediction models have been based mainly on the climate of origin of transplanted tree populations. However, genomic data provide valuable information on adaptive processes in trees, such as growth. With climatic and genomic information more and more accessible thanks to the continually decreasing cost of sequencing technology, the research team developed models combining these two types of data to improve the robustness and accuracy of predictions. They reported their results in The American Naturalist.

A model based on a large-scale experimental scheme of maritime pine in France, Spain and Portugal

Researchers developed the models using maritime pine, an emblematic species of the Mediterranean basin. An experimental monitoring system was set up at five sites, in France (Cestas Pierroton (33)), Spain (Asturias, Caceres and Madrid) and Portugal (Fundao), with trees from 34 maritime pine populations collected throughout the species' natural habitat. Scientists focused on predicting the height growth of trees, a critical factor in economic and ecological terms given that the fastest growing trees have a higher probability of survival and reproduction.

Results show that observed height variations in maritime pine are explained by the different gene pools from which they originate and by the different climates in which they've evolved. The incorporation of climatic and genomic data into the models improved predictions of population height growth by an average of 1425% depending on the experimental site, compared to models based on climatic data alone.

The findings hold potential for the development of models to predict how transplanted tree populations adapt to a new environment in the context of forest conservation and management.

More information: Juliette Archambeau et al, Combining climatic and genomic data improves range-wide tree height growth prediction in a forest tree, The American Naturalist (2022). Juliette Archambeau et al, Combining climatic and genomic data improves range-wide tree height growth prediction in a forest tree,(2022). DOI: 10.1086/720619

Provided by INRAE
Meredith Clark, associate professor and founding director of the Center for Communication, Media Innovation and Social Change at Northeastern. Credit: Alyssa Stone/Northeastern University

Black Twitter, a subset of the platform distinguished by its hashtag, has been supporting and driving causes in the U.S.including the Black Lives Matter movementfor more than a decade. But the future of the online community is in doubt now that Elon Musk has bought Twitter, says Meredith Clark, an associate professor and founding director of the Center for Communication, Media Innovation and Social Change at Northeastern.

"I have to think about how this place may shift under the ownership of someone who is a son of apartheid, a billionaire who alleges that he's concerned about free speech but espouses a definition of free speech that is not at all in line with either the legal precepts that we understand or its practice in the United States," says Clark, author of the upcoming book, "We Tried to Tell Y'all: Black Twitter and the Rise of Digital Counternarratives."

Musk, 50, was born and raised in South Africa during its apartheid era before moving to North America in 1989. He has been a U.S. citizen since 2002.

His $44 billion purchase of the platform has led to conjecture that he will reinstate the account of former President Donald Trump, who was banned by Twitter in 2021 "due to the risk of further incitement of violence" following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Musk has indicated that his pursuit of free speech throughout society will enable controversial content to remain on Twittera reversal from the platform's attempts to limit tweets that are construed as harmful, including harassment and hate speech.

Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has vouched for Musk, saying, "I trust his mission to extend the light of consciousness."

Clark, whose book resulted from her 2014 dissertation on Black Twitter, spoke to News@Northeastern about the future of the community, her concerns over Musk's leadership, and possible responses by Black people. Her comments have been edited for brevity and clarity.

What is Black Twitter?

It's not a separate Twitter platform. #BlackTwitter is well recognized in terms of its influence on culture and politics.

In my book, I situate Black Twitter as a response to the incorrect and often absent coverage of Black communities, primarily in the United States but also throughout the world. I talk about how Black folks use Twitter as a means of producing what I call "digital counter-narratives" in real time, as we watch news and current events play out.

What might become of Black Twitter as a result of Musk's ownership?

A lot of this is going to be: Wait and see how the platform changes.

The instant knee-jerk reaction was, "This is over and I'm leaving." That's a shared sentiment, but then within a day or two people were saying, "No, we're not leaving, we're going to be here raising hell and being ourselves [because] that's what we have been doing all this time. Why would we stop now?"

If we do see an exodus that is quantifiable, I think that will come after a series of changes are made. If Elon Musk chooses to re-platform the 45th president [Donald Trump], or if the moderation policies change, I'm sure we'll see some people leaving the platform.

If there is enough of an alternative for people to start congregating in other spaces, I think that we could see some change.

Generationally, it will be very interesting to see how Black Twitter migrates to another platform.

I make this point in the book: Just because a new technology is widely adopted, it doesn't mean that the other technologies become obsolete. So I focus on Black digital resistance and centering Twitter in that way.

But I start with Freedom's Journal, the first newspaper published by free Black men in the United States in 1827. Of the communicative technologies that Black people have adopted for our own use in very specific ways, none of those are obsolete. People are still using them. There are still Black weekly newspapers. There are still shows that are dedicated to topics and issues of concern to Black communities. There is still Black television programming that speaks to those audiences. The newsletters are still there, the chat boards are still there. All of those avenues for communicating with and about and for Black communities are still in use. And so I think the same thing will be said for Twitter as long as the company remains.

How did Black Twitter influence the Black Lives Matter movement?

I think about Black Twitter as connective tissue between people and movements and causes that were already seated in different areas.

The Black Lives Matter movement was developed out of connections among three activists who had already been on the ground working in immigration rights and the rights of domestic laborers. With the [Black Twitter] hashtag being visible, it could help amplify messages about organizing around reactions to police brutality and injustice in Black communities.

People who were previously in disparate locations and with different foci could all see each other and connect in real time. And that is how so many movements are able to catalyze and find connection and find that forward motion that they otherwise would have to get through a series of emails, a series of meetings. It shortens the distance and the time to next to nothing.

The Twitter sale has raised concerns over who will have access to Twitter as well as the potential for hate speech and exploitation of private data. Which poses the biggest risk?

It's hard to prioritize, but I do think that the biggest risk is the data. I celebrated my 13th anniversary on Twitter two weeks ago. Thirteen years of using a platform every single day gives you a lot of information.

[Another] fear is that hate speech and harassment will run amok on the platform. But I think the thing that we really need to be attentive to is how this data is going to be used.

How will the new ownership affect groups that use Twitter to campaign for important issues?

Potentially what Musk could do is shift the playing field so that all opinions and all perspectives are considered equally valid. And that is troublesome.

Opinions are opinions. But the ones that are harmful, hateful, discriminatoryhaving those amplified and supported by the person who actually owns the platform legitimizes dangerous speech in ways that we haven't really seen yet.

The closest comparison is Rupert Murdoch and his ownership of Fox and publications throughout the world that serve as an amplifier for often unpopular perspectives. But a lot of those perspectives are part of the news. And so there is some sort of redeeming value to those perspectives having an outlet and having a place.

Whereas on Twitter, it is a free-for-all. How many followers do you have? How loud can you be? What is reality? What is fiction? What is fact? What is conjecture? We don't have any of that on Twitter, not formallynot in the same sense that we do with news production.

What do you think would have become of Black Twitter if Elon Musk had owned the platform all along?

The one thing that Jack Dorsey did very well was that he did not let people know exactly where he stood. It took Jack Dorsey several years to come out and say: We're standing up for racial justice, we're standing up for social justice.

Elon Musk has told us who he is from the beginning, and I don't limit that to issues of racial and social justice.

If he had owned the platform all along, and all things held constantthe same statements, the same allegations of discrimination in the workforce that he employsI don't think Black Twitter would have formed.

Now, I could be wrong about that. In my early studies of Black Twitter, the reason that people were there as opposed to other platforms was because their family and friends and co-workers were not on Twitter at that time. So it was a place where you could have a bit more open conversation without the surveillance that comes from your close family units or the community that you have in offline spaces. And so I wonder if people would have continued to use it that way to simply do things like make plans with people as they did.

So I think people might have continued to use it that way. But the community-buildingI don't think it would have happened in the same way.
Koppen-Geiger climate classes in the Sweden and Finland (Kottek et al., 2006, Rubel et al., 2017). Circles represent groundwater level observation wells (OWs). Cfb = temperate humid warm summers; Cfc = temperate humid cold summers; Dfb = cold humid warm summers; Dfc = cold humid cold summers; ET = Arctic tundra climate. Credit: Journal of Hydrology (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126732

When the winters get warmer in northern Sweden, there is a risk for groundwater level decline, despite heavy precipitation. The villain in this story is lingering ground frost that prevents snow meltwater and rain from filling underground reservoirs. This is the finding of a new thesis from the University of Gothenburg.

Precipitation in most of Sweden is sufficient to keep groundwater storage levels in a state of balance. However, the effects of climate change in recent decades, with dry summers and mild weather in the midwinter risks adversely affecting groundwater, especially in northern Sweden.

"When winter months are warmer, much snow melting takes place while the ground is still frozen. This means that groundwater reservoirs are not refilled as much as they used to be. The water flows on top of the frozen ground into lakes and streams instead of infiltrating underground," says Michelle Nygren, Ph.D. student in geology at the University of Gothenburg.

More mild weather days

Michelle Nygren has analyzed groundwater levels, precipitation and temperature in Sweden and Finland, among other countries, over the last few decades, and she sees a clear increase in the number of mild weather days during the winter months of DecemberFebruary. This trend is particularly evident in southern Finland. Winters were on average colder during the 1980s, which resulted in a greater proportion of precipitation in the form of snow, followed by more snow meltwater later in spring. When the ground frost thawed, more of the meltwater could infiltrate into the ground, replenishing groundwater levels. The growth season also started later, which contributed to a smaller amount of meltwater being absorbed by vegetation.

"A slow melt of the snow is best for groundwater replenishment. The climate-driven change is most evident north of Stockholm and in Finland, which increases the risk of lower groundwater reservoirs. As summers become warmer, rain in the summer months is not sufficient to fill the groundwater reservoirs. The water evaporates or is absorbed more by plants."

Higher risk of wildfire

She points out that this leads to an increased risk of wildfire, because moisture levels in the soil decrease due to lower groundwater levels. There is an increased need to irrigate dry arable land, which costs a great deal of money. In southern Sweden, the effects of warming climate on groundwater vary. Because there is ground frost, precipitation during the winter months may seep through the soil and fill the groundwater reservoirs. This in insufficient in the eastern parts of southern Sweden and Gotland, which receive too little rainfall in general. There, increasingly hot summers can lead to problems with drought and wells drying up.

"We risk overuse when we pump groundwater. This is particularly true for smaller groundwater reservoirs, which respond quickly to weather. Larger reservoirs are more robust and can withstand a year of drought now and then but, in contrast, take longer to recover after many years of drought."

The IPCC reports point to the climate becoming ever warmer, and Michelle argues that in 100 years, the amount of ground frost will probably have decreased so much in northern Sweden that groundwater problems will also decrease. But what will do until then?

"We have enough water in Scandinavia, but it can be very expensive for society as costs for water purification increase. Agriculture may need to switch to other crops. Like the Swedish Board of Agriculture, I believe that we need to retain more water in reservoirs or reuse wastewater. Groundwater is important for our water supply, and we need more studies of the impacts from climate change."

Explore further Do depressions in Canadian prairies hold the key to groundwater recharge?

More information: Michelle Nygren et al, Recent trends in hydroclimate and groundwater levels in a region with seasonal frost cover, Journal of Hydrology (2021). Michelle Nygren et al, Recent trends in hydroclimate and groundwater levels in a region with seasonal frost cover,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2021.126732 Michelle Nygren et al, Changes in seasonality of groundwater level fluctuations in a temperate-cold climate transition zone, Journal of Hydrology X (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.hydroa.2020.100062
The map shows the vulnerability levels of Dalbergia cultrata, a threatened rosewood tree, to over exploitation. Credit: Gaisberger et al., 2022

Safeguarding native tree diversity through improved conservation and restoration efforts is at a critical juncture in Southeast Asia, as many tree species face threats from habitat loss, fire and climate change, among other human-caused threats. A new study has used a spatially explicit framework to identify species-specific priority areas for conservation and restoration among rosewood species in the Greater Mekong subregion, which includes Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

The research focused on three highly valuable Asian rosewood (Dalbergia spp.) species: Siamese rosewood, Burma blackwood, and Burmese rosewood. All were found to face significant risk to at least one of five threats across 75% of their native ranges: overexploitation, fire, overgrazing, habitat conversion, and climate change. The continued decline in genetic diversity reduces the rosewoods' ability to adapt and survive in a changing environment and narrows the window of opportunity to restore productive populations, which are highly fragmented due to human activity.

Illegal logging and deforestation, mainly for agricultural expansion, are major concerns. Calls for the protection of Southeast Asian rosewoods have mounted for more than 20 years. The trees are included in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List of Threatened Species and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) restricts international trade of the entire Dalbergia genus, which is prized for its hardwood. The study, published in Biological Conservation in April, provided high-scale threat mapping for the rosewood species across different ecological regions. The work can help conservation planners prioritize efforts such as restoration, conservation both in forests and farmlands, and effectively measure the effectiveness of their efforts. The study can also act as a model for the conservation of other tree species in the region.

Monitoring human-caused threats

Rosewoods are the most lucrative form of illegal flora trade, exceeding ivory in terms of trade value, as per UN data. Increasing anthropogenic (human-caused) threats, including climate change, also increases the sensitivity of the species to other risks such as forest fires, which impact mature trees, their ability to reproduce, and seedlings. Rosewoods in Asia are highly diverse within species as populations have adapted to the variety of environments where the species grow across the Greater Mekong. If left unprotected, their unique genetic diversity is vulnerable to extinction. For conservation planning to succeed, modeling species distributions and threats with spatial data and using ecoregions as a proxy for genetic variation are helpful tools as a stopgap measure in the absence of range-wide genetic data.

The researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, a CGIAR research center, made use of a spatial framework to have an overview of the diversity of environments where species grow and assess gaps for conservation measures. "Information on threatening processes and the relative vulnerability of areas and species to these processes is therefore crucial for effective conservation planning," said Hannes Gaisberger, the study's corresponding author and researcher at the Alliance.

"Spatial approaches serve as a complementary method to field studies by helping narrow down target areas for follow-up surveys and benefiting tropical regions where there is high species diversity and where conservation resources are limited," said Riina Jalonen, a study co-author and Alliance researcher.

Remnant rosewood in farmland in Central Lao. Credit: National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (Lao)

Contextualizing current threats, exposure, and vulnerability

The authors produced recommendations to improve the conservation of the three rosewood species in the study, including in situ and ex situ conservation, and restoration to beef up current conservation measures of specific adaptive capacities within species. The study looked more closely at the vulnerability of the three species to key threats, species-specific and ecoregional conservation priorities, and opportunities for cooperation and synergies among countries for conservation efforts. Jalonen emphasized that not all species populations are equal. They have unique adaptation capacities based on various environmental conditions, making genetic diversity key in ensuring survival under current and future conditions.

Action maps were produced by running recent datasets against each threat exposure estimate, except for climate change exposure which made use of climate projections for 2055. Maps generated illustrate where climate change allows for viable in situ conservation, restoration activities like active planning or assisted regeneration, and where ex-situ activities are greatly needed. Overall, all three studied species are at risk across the Greater Mekong, particularly with overexploitation, habitat conversion, and fire.

Taking the next step for conservation and restoration

Only a fraction of the rosewood population in Asia is found in protected areas; the rest of the population is dwindling in the studied ecoregions. Species in protected areas are also not guaranteed survival due to limited access and the rapid changes in the environment, needing urgent conservation actions. Conservation and restoration activities require immediate action and the use of various resources.

Gaisberger underscores that spatial analysis helps target areas with high predicted potential for conservation and synergies among species and countries, saving both resources and time in the race against local extinction of Asian Rosewoods and other valuable tree species. Chris Kettle, the Global Program Leader on Tree Biodiversity at the Alliance, said that future work to stem from this is to engage local guardians of diversity.

"One of the major areas to evolve from this is to support smallholder farmers to increase tree cover on their farms, to enhance biodiversity, increase carbon and advance nature-positive agriculture," said Kettle, a study co-author. Producing seeds and seedlings of rosewoods is potentially an important source of additional income for farmers, as interest for planting the species grows rapidly and one kilogram of seed can cost up to US $250. The Alliance is optimistic that through regional initiatives, it will be possible to mobilize cross-country collaborations in conserving and restoring highly valuable and threatened tree species.

Explore further Coordinated conservation and restoration found to be critical to save Asia's threatened native trees

More information: Hannes Gaisberger et al, Range-wide priority setting for the conservation and restoration of Asian rosewood species accounting for multiple threats and ecogeographic diversity, Biological Conservation (2022). Journal information: Biological Conservation Hannes Gaisberger et al, Range-wide priority setting for the conservation and restoration of Asian rosewood species accounting for multiple threats and ecogeographic diversity,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109560

Provided by The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture
PFAS can be removed from contaminated water by Australian native rushes. Credit: University of South Australia

They're the non-stick on Teflon cookware, the stain resistance in Scotchgard, and the suppression factor in firefighting foam, but while the staying power of PFAS chemicals was once revered, it's now infamous as PFAS substances continue to infiltrate the environment and affect human health.

Now, new research from the University of South Australia is helping to remediate the "indestructible" PFASs as scientists show that Australian native plants can significantly remediate PFAS pollutants through floating wetlands to create healthier environments for all.

Conducted in partnership with CSIRO and the University of Western Australia, the research found that PFAS chemicals (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) can be removed from contaminated water via Australian native rushesPhragmites australis, Baumea articulata, and Juncus kraussii.

Phragmites australis, otherwise known as the common reed, removed legacy PFAS contaminants by 4253% from contaminated surface water (level: 10 g/L).

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to PFAS may lead to a range of health issues including a decline in fertility, developmental delays in children, increased risk of some cancers, a reduced immune system, higher cholesterol, and risk of obesity.

UniSA and CSIRO researcher Dr. John Awad says that this research could alleviate many of these environmental and health risks by providing a clean, green, and cost-effective method to remove PFAS from the environment.

"PFASs are often referred to as 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down, instead accumulating in the environment and in our bodies where they can cause adverse health effects," Dr. Awad says.

"In Australia, PFAS concerns often relate to the use of firefighting foamespecially legacy firefighting foamwhich accumulates in the surface water of our waterways. Our research tested the effectiveness of Australian rushes to remove PFAS chemicals from stormwater, finding that Phragmites australis was the most effective at absorbing chemicals through its roots and shoots."

The study used constructed floating wetlands as a mechanism for plants to grow hydroponically. Dr. Awad says floating wetlands present a novel and flexible way for natural remediation systems.

"Constructed floating wetlands can be readily installed into existing urban environments, such as holding reservoirs and retention basins, making them highly maneuverable and adaptable to local waterways," Dr. Awad says.

"Plus, as this innovative water treatment system does not require pumping or the ongoing addition of chemicals, it is a cost-effective remediation system for PFAS removal. Add native plants to the mix and we have delivered a truly clean, green and environmentally-friendly method for removing toxic PFAS chemicals from contaminated water."

Explore further Wetland plant removes PFAS

More information: John Awad et al, Application of native plants in constructed floating wetlands as a passive remediation approach for PFAS-impacted surface water, Journal of Hazardous Materials (2022). Journal information: Journal of Hazardous Materials John Awad et al, Application of native plants in constructed floating wetlands as a passive remediation approach for PFAS-impacted surface water,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128326
NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey, and ICESat-2 data from the National Snow & Ice Center. Credit: NASA GSFC/UMBC JCET

The eastern coast of Antarctica has lost most of the Glenzer and Conger ice shelves. In the process, it gained what is likely an island. If confirmed, the unnamed island would be one in a series of islands exposed in recent years as portions of the floating glacial ice hugging the continent's coast have disintegrated.

The candidate island is visible in this triptych of images acquired by Landsat satellites between 1989 and 2022. The images are a combination of shortwave infrared and visible light, and were adjusted for consistency in brightness and color. Notice how the island has maintained the same shape, even after shelf ice detached from it, and as sea ice around it waxed and waned. That round white mound has not budged, even after large icebergs likely smashed into it following the rapid collapse of the Glenzer and Conger ice shelves this year.

The feature also appears taller than its surroundings. The elevation profile below indicates that at least part of the mass stands 30 to 35 meters (100 to 115 feet) above the surface of the sea. The data were acquired on December 22, 2021, with the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) on NASA's Ice, Cloud, and land Elevation Satellite 2 (ICESat-2).

But just because a feature acts like an island and looks like an island, does not mean it is an islandat least not in the traditional sense. Scientists are still unsure if there is any solid earth breaching the sea surface below all of the snow and ice.

John Gibson, a scientist with the Australian Antarctic Division, thinks the feature is likely an ice island: a large, heavy cap of ice sitting solidly on an underwater peak. "It is undoubtedly similar to other ice islands, such as Bowman Island," Gibson said.

Gibson called the ice island "self-perpetuating," meaning that snow and ice accumulating on the island's surface balances out the amount of melting that occurs underwater. If that balance becomes disrupted by a decrease in snowfall, then the ice island could thin and float away. "The unnamed island is a more-or-less permanent feature of the landscape," Gibson said, "but may someday detach from the underlying rock and become an iceberg."

Without anyone having been there to observe the island, questions remain about its structure. "To be absolutely sure, you would need to put a ship next to it to check for a bedrock outcrop, and maybe a radar over it to assess the ice thickness," said Christopher Shuman, a University of Maryland, Baltimore County, glaciologist based at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "The ICESat-2 profile shows that the surface is well above sea level. That would be a whole lot of 'ice cream' above the 'cone' if there wasn't bedrock at or above sea level."

Traditional or ice, the island is the latest in a bunch of similar features that are no longer embedded in Antarctica's floating glacial ice. In 2019, the U.S. Board on Geographic Names recognized Icebreaker Island, which in 1996 became isolated from the Larsen B Ice Shelf along the Antarctic Peninsula. And in 2020, researchers on a ship-based expedition discovered a small, rocky island capped with ice that may have been part of Pine Island Glacier's ice shelf.

"The discovery of more of them is likely to continue in the years ahead due to shrinking glacial and sea ice," Shuman said. "Obviously these are 'new to us' features, but we also have more people and more tools to look at the margins of Antarctica now. Several examples do not make a trend, but they do imply that other once-hidden features are likely to be noticed in the years to come."

Explore further Emerging cracks in the Pine Island Glacier

Provided by NASA Earth Observatory
Tunisian marine biologist Yassine Ramzi Sghaier inspects seagrass: he says protecting the plant is crucial for a country already gripped by a grinding economic crisis.

Under the Mediterranean waters off Tunisia, gently waving green seagrass meadows provide vital marine habitats for the fishing fleets and an erosion buffer for the beaches the tourism industry depends on.

Even more importantly, seagrass is such a key store of carbon and producer of oxygencritical to slowing the devastating impacts of climate changethat the Mediterranean Wetlands Initiative (MedWet) calls it "the lungs" of the sea.

But, just as human actions elsewhere are devastating forests of trees on land, scientists warn that human activity is driving the grass under the sea to destruction at speedwith dire environmental and economic impacts.

Named Posidonia oceanica after the Greek god of the sea Poseidon, seagrass spans the Mediterranean seabed from Cyprus to Spain, sucking in carbon and curbing water acidity.

"Posidonia oceanica... is one of the most important sources of oxygen provided to coastal waters," MedWet, a 27-member regional intergovernmental network, says.

Tunisia, on the North African coastline, "has the largest meadows" of allspreading over 10,000 square kilometres (3,900 square miles), marine ecologist Rym Zakhama-Sraieb said, pointing to its key carbon-capture role.

The underwater flowering plants absorb three times more blue carbonthe term used to describe the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by the ocean and coastal ecosystemsthan a forest, and they can store it for thousands of years, she said.

A Tunisian fisherman enters port in Ghar el-Melh; fishing makes up 13 percent of Tunisia's GDP, and nearly 40 percent of it is done around seagrass meadows.

"We need Posidonia to capture a maximum of carbon," Zakhama-Sraieb said.

But a dangerous cocktail of rampant pollution, illegal fishing using bottom trawling nets that rip up the seagrass, and a failure by people to appreciate its life-giving importance is spelling its demise.

'Sea has been destroyed'

Growing at a depth of up to 50 metres (165 feet), seagrass provides shelter for fish and slows the erosion of coastlines by breaking wave swells that would otherwise damage the sandy beaches that tourists like.

Tunisian marine biologist Yassine Ramzi Sghaier said the grass is crucial for a country already gripped by a grinding economic crisis.

"All of Tunisia's economic activity depends on Posidonia," Sghaier said.

"It is the largest provider of jobs," he claimed, noting that at least 150,000 people are directly employed in fishing and tens of thousands in the tourism industry.

Growing at a depth of up to 50 meters (165 feet), seagrass provides critical shelter for fish.

Destruction has been swift, and replacement slow. The aquatic plant, also known as Neptune grass, grows less than five centimetres a year.

Areas of seagrass meadows have been slashed by more than half in the Gulf of Gabes, a vast area on Tunisia's eastern coast, Sghaier said, with a 2010 study blaming excessive fishing and pollution.

Once Posidonia and a wealth of marine species thrived there, but since the 1970s, phosphate factories have poured chemicals into the sea, causing more damage to the ecosystem.

Seagrass serves as a vital shelter for fish to breed, feed and shelter.

Fishing makes up 13 percent of Tunisia's GDP, and nearly 40 percent of it is done around seagrass meadowsand fisherman describe plummeting stocks.

"The sea has been destroyed," said Mazen Magdiche, who casts his nets from the port of Monastir. "Chemicals are dumped everywhere."

Map of Tunisia.

Magdiche calculates his catch is three times less than what it was 25 years ago, but said he had little alternative income.

"There are fewer and fewer fish," he said.

"You are not looking out for the interests of the sea, but to feed your children," he added.

'Catastrophe'

Nearly 70 percent of the Tunisian population lives on 1,400 kilometres (nearly 900 miles) of coastline, and for many Posidonia is considered mere rubbish.

When seagrass is washed up onshore, it mixes with sand to form large banks, that protect the coastline from swells and waves, experts say.

But sometimes bulldozers are used to "clean" the beaches, contributing to the acceleration of coastal erosion, with some 44 percent of beaches already at risk of being washed away.

"We are helping to make beaches disappear by removing the (seagrass) banks," said Ahmed Ben Hmida, of Tunisia's Coastal Protection and Development Agency.

Marine ecologist Rym Zakhama-Sraieb (left) stresses the critical carbon-capture role the marine plant has for the heating planet.

Beaches are a key asset for tourism, which provided Tunisia with a record 14 percent of GDP in 2019 -- and seagrass provides a key erosion buffer for them.

Beaches are a key asset for tourism, which provided Tunisia with a record 14 percent of GDP in 2019, and a living for up to two million peoplea sixth of the population.

The aquatic plant also improves the quality of water, making the beaches more attractive for tourists, said Zakhama-Sraieb.

Ben Hmida said the creation of four protected marine zones could help Posidonia, but that action was needed on a far wider scale.

"If nothing is done to protect the whole Tunisian Posidonia, it will be a catastrophe," he said.

 2022 AFP
The iconic European olive crop is in urgent in need of a biopesticide solution to fight the Xylella fastidiosa bacterium,. Credit:  Fabio Michele Capelli, Shutterstock

Some vitally important European crops like vines and olives are being devastated by disease. Scientists are searching for biological replacements for chemical pesticides to improve crop and human health.

The threat to agriculture from invasive species is huge. The United Nations (UN) estimates that plant disease costs the world's economy over 200 billion per year, with 2040% of crop production lost to pests.

"The economic loss from invasive species is immense, and if we took no action, there would be a huge amount of food insecurity, not only across the EU but across the globe," said Dr. Hikmate Abriouel, professor of microbiology at Universidad de Jaen in Spain's Andalucia.

With the stakes so high, it's easy to understand why the agricultural sector is one of the largest users of chemicals worldwide.

The question of food security is uppermost these days. But, as Dr. Abriouel goes on to explain, our growing reluctance to use chemicals in agriculture adds a layer of complication to farming.

"There was a time when it was normal to rely on powerful pesticides to treat agricultural land," she said. "But now we know that a chemical designed to kill a living organism is likely to have negative impacts on other biological systems too."

Spraying crops with synthetic compounds has adverse impacts on people, farm animals, wildlife, pollinators like bees and other living things that play an essential role in the ecosystem. The chemical runoff also damages the land and water.

Pollution risk

Pesticide pollution causes risk to farmland from the chemical residues that leach into water supplies.

Some synthetic pesticides have been linked to human diseases like cancer, diseases of the immune system and respiratory illnesses.

Farmers who work with pesticides are particularly vulnerable to side-effects, with an estimated 44% of farm workers worldwide experiencing at least one incident of acute pesticide poisoning every year.

The EU's Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy for sustainable food production targets significant reductions in the use of chemical pesticides, fertilizers and antimicrobials and supports an increase in organic farming. Sustainability goals mean biopesticides or biological alternatives to pesticides are required.

"There is a lot of evidence that replacing chemicals with biopesticides works with nature rather than against it," said Dr. Abriouel. Biological solutions benefit soil health and biodiversity too.

Dying vines

In France alone, around 12% of vineyards were unproductive between 2012 and 2017 due to Grape Trunk Disease (GTD) which has been spreading across Europe over the past two decades. A chemical pesticide used to treat vines was banned because it is harmful to human and environmental health.

The disease results in 50% less productive plants, a decrease in the quality of the wine and the premature death of healthy vines. Worldwide, estimates for the replacement cost of grapevines exceed 1.4 billion per year.

As a response to this blight, the EU is funding the multinational BIOBESTicide project which aims to find a biological solution to GTD.

"Our aim is to produce a really effective, totally natural preventive solution to this very serious and very expensive problem," said Dr. Assia Dreux-Zigha who works for the French biotechnology company Greencell and is coordinating the BIOBESTicide research.

The team's research is focused on a specific strain of Pythium oligandruma "friendly" fungus that is naturally present in the rhizosphere of many crop plants, including vines. The rhizosphere is the microorganism-rich region of soil directly around a plant's roots.

P. oligandrum works both by destroying parasites directly and by inducing plant resistance against further attack. After isolating P. oligandrum in the lab, Greencell and its partners found that under certain conditions, the biopesticide colonized the roots of vines and stimulated the plant's natural defenses against GTD.

In the near future, following trials and safety approval, the BIOBESTicide researchers aim to scale up and field-test their biopesticide in vineyards across different geographical areas.

"This is a very challenging project but, when we finish in late-2023, we hope to have a solution that will make it possible for vine plants to survive for their entire natural lifecycles," said Dr. Dreux-Zigha.

Undoubtedly, winemakers will raise a glass to this prospect.

Olive preserver

A second iconic European crop urgently in need of a biopesticide solution is the olive. First detected in European olives in 2013, Olive Quick Decline Syndrome (OQDS) is the disease caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa.

In Puglia, southern Italy, where Xylella first surfaced on the continent, olive production shrank by 6580% in the years up to 2020 with the loss of an estimated 100,000 jobs and the destruction of 400-year-old heritage olive trees.

Xylella has surfaced in France, Spain and Portugal, spread by an insect called the spittlebug. Affected plants are infected from the roots upwards, causing the leaves to turn brown and eventually killing the plant. It is considered one of the most dangerous plant pathogenic bacteria in the world.

"The problem with this pathogen is getting worse," said Dr. Abriouel, who supervises the EU-backed SMART-AGRI-SPORE project, which aims to develop a biopesticide based on bacterial spores.

"Preventing further spread of this pest is a priority in the EU," she said. A 2020 study estimated that as a worst-case scenario, Italy alone stands to lose between 1.9 billion and 5.2 billion over a 50-year period as a result of OQDS.

A number of projects are developing biopesticides to attack Xylella. Principal researcher Dr. Julia Manetsberger under the supervision of Dr. Abriouel is focused on modifying a strain of another bacteria to render it deadly to Xylella.

The researchers are hopeful that by 2024, a viable biopesticide will emerge from this research.

"We can't use something against Xylella that changes the biodiversity or destroys or increases the resistance of microorganisms present in other plants and soil," said Dr. Abriouel. "In other words, we can't solve one problem and create another."

"We are working hard to reach this objective," said Dr. Manetsberger, "These plants are so important for our economy and we need to defend them."

Explore further France reports first case of fatal olive tree bacteria
Yasuni encompasses more than 3,700 square miles of pristine rainforests and is home to two uncontacted Indigenous tribes. Credit: Keith Willmott

In 2017, a group of scientists raised alarm bells by showing that flying insects had declined in Germany by more than 70% in the three preceding decades. Studies before and since then have shown similar patterns in insects on a global scale. But with 1 million known speciesand conservative estimates indicating there are millions more awaiting discoverythere aren't nearly enough entomologists to document the full scale of insect diversity, much less how their populations change over time.

In a new study, entomologists turn to the aid of park rangers in Ecuador's Yasuni National Park, broadly considered to be one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Researchers, students and park staff have been actively engaged in monitoring butterfly abundance in Yasuni since 2016 in an ongoing project that flips the script on the way most survey efforts are conducted in the tropics.

"This study has obvious benefits for science and conservation, but it was also important that it include social benefits for the people we worked with," said lead author Maria Checa, a researcher at the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador and a former doctoral student at the Florida Museum of Natural History.

"We still know so little about the impacts of environmental change in tropical areas, because we simply don't have enough researchers with the expertise to study these regions," she said. "We need to empower local actors with this knowledge, because they are key stakeholders in conservation."

Building alternatives to parachute biology

Many scientists who focus on conservation often run into a roadblock early in their endeavors: Most of the world's biodiversity is unevenly distributed in the tropics, but the majority of researchers who study it primarily live in temperate regions. As a result, the flora and fauna of many industrialized countries are relatively well-studied and benefit from extensive monitoring programs, like the decades-long survey of insect declines in Germany.

A similar United Kingdom program using butterflies as a proxy for the health of insect communities was launched in 1976 and has since been adopted in at least 19 other European countries. These ongoing surveys offer a wealth of data for scientists, but the patterns they reveal provide only a small snapshot of the changes occurring globally.

"In Great Britain, you're dealing with less than 60 butterfly species, while in Yasuni alone there's likely more than 1,500," said senior author Keith Willmott, curator and director of the Florida Museum's McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity.

Scientists from many industrialized countries have tried to make up for this imbalance by conducting short-term projects in tropical ecosystems, often paying local residents to help with surveys and collections. This practice, sometimes called parachute biology, can yield important scientific insights. But when the project concludes or the funding runs dry, researchers return to their institutions, and residents return to their normal lives.

Willmott says these limited surveys will be insufficient to effectively monitor long-term population trends and help stave off what is currently the worst extinction event since the death of the dinosaurs.

"Trying to make sense of abundance patterns in a tropical community where there's less climate seasonality and a myriad of complex interactions taking place is incredibly complicated and requires long-term datasets," he said.

Getting these programs started and keeping them going, however, isn't always an option in remote regions where human populations are scarce. So when park rangers expressed interest in helping survey butterflies in Yasuni in 2015, Willmott saw the potential for a broad-scale partnership.

"Ecuador is dotted with national parks that have pristine forests, and part of the job responsibilities for many park rangers is to conduct biodiversity monitoring. It just seemed to us that this was a potential solution to the expense and logistics of managing these projects," he said.

Park rangers use photographic ID guides, including a book written by lead author Maria Checa, to identify the butterflies they capture in bait traps. Credit: Maria Checa

Butterflies are an ideal early warning system

Even with the help of park rangers, there is no realistic way to feasibly sample the diversity of an entire rainforest. Instead, biologists rely on indicator species, organisms that are broadly distributed and easy to find but are sensitive enough to environmental change that they can be used to infer how related groups are faring.

For insects, those indicator species are butterflies.

"There are a number of reasons they make good indicators," Willmott said. "They can be found just about everywhere, they're incredibly diverse and they reflect what's going on in other organisms."

Butterflies occupy a central role in mazelike ecosystem webs. Most rely exclusively on plants for food, and plantsin turnrely on butterflies for pollination. Caterpillars and butterflies also make a good meal for predators higher on the food chain. If you take butterflies out of the equation, the webs that bind natural communities together begin to unravel. This makes them the perfect litmus test for gauging ecosystem health.

And butterflies have another advantage that helps them stand out from the crowd. "From a practical point of view, there's no question that they are by far the easiest insect group to identify," Willmott said. In a place as diverse as Ecuador, this last component is imperative.

Park rangers collect and compile diversity data

Working with Checa, Willmott, co-author Sofia Nogales from Ecuador's National Institute of Biodiversity and their colleagues, the rangers quickly learned how to collect butterflies with bait traps and identify the most common species. Since 2017, they've been conducting regular surveys with comparable accuracy rates to those of trained field biologists. But their contribution to the study didn't end there.

"The rangers wanted to be more involved with the project, so we started talking about writing up a manuscript together," Checa said. "We set up a workshop in Quito in which we provided computers and taught them how to run basic statistical analyses on the butterfly data."

For Checa, the project represents an important shift in the way biodiversity monitoring is carried out in her home country of Ecuador, one that she hopes will help protect sensitive ecosystems and give voice to those who inhabit them.

"The people who live in rural areas near protected forests often lack resources and opportunities for formal training. It's challenging for many to even finish high school," she said. "We're talking about decentralizing knowledge from academic institutions to local people and from cities to rural areas."

The Yasuni National Park rangers, three of whom are co-authors on this study, are currently in the process of analyzing the data they continue to collect, which they plan to publish in an upcoming article. "We are proud to be the first park rangers in Ecuador to carry out a successful long-term monitoring programthis project has enriched our knowledge of biodiversity and the importance of insects in ecosystems, especially butterflies, helping us to better carry out our work," said co-author Leslie Bustos.

Ongoing support from the national park's administration has also been and continues to be critical for the project's success. Checa and Willmott hope to expand the butterfly monitoring to additional protected areas within Ecuador in the near future.

The researchers published their findings in Insect Conservation and Diversity.

Park rangers Vernardo Ojeda and Alcy Bustos are co-authors on the study, as is Patricio Salazar with the University of Sheffield.

Explore further Map of transparent butterflies highlights biodiversity hotspot in the Andes Mountains

More information: Maria F. Checa et al, Implementing a novel approach to longterm monitoring of butterfly communities in the Neotropics, Insect Conservation and Diversity (2022). Maria F. Checa et al, Implementing a novel approach to longterm monitoring of butterfly communities in the Neotropics,(2022). DOI: 10.1111/icad.12567

Provided by Florida Museum of Science
QUEENSBURY  People walked or hitched a ride up and down the northwestern side of West Mountain on Sunday to get a sense of what The Woods at West Mountain could look like.

Spencer Montgomery, co-owner of the West Mountain Ski Area, held an open house alongside representatives from Luizzi Companies.

Peter Luizzi of Luizzi Companies is the primary financier of the project, according to Montgomery.

The proposed ski-and-stay resort, which would cost an estimated $140 million, is planned to include 46 single-family homes, three buildings holding 18 apartments each, four condominium buildings with 72 units in total, 20 duplex townhouses, a hotel with 60 to 80 rooms, a village center with a pond and an additional 126 apartments.

A beach area will also be included, and space for a retail plaza, an amphitheater and a high-speed chairlift are a part of the plans.

Montgomery said that he would rate the event a 10 out of 10.

All positive feedback. I think we were able to answer peoples questions, he said.

The plan for a ski-and-stay resort at West Mountain has been a goal from the moment Montgomery purchased the property 10 years ago, he said.

In todays climate, he said he doesnt feel you can responsibly invest in a ski area as he did with West Mountain and not have an endgame in mind.

For him, that is the ski-and-stay resort.

He said that other than in one instance in the western part of the state  Holiday Valley Resort in Ellicottville, in the Southern Tier  there isnt a true ski-and-stay experience in New York.

You unpack, you know youre in a ski village. You get to enjoy your time, forget about the world and then pack up and leave when youre done, Montgomery said.

As people were ending their tours in the late morning on Sunday, Montgomery began speaking to a crowd outside of the northwest base lodge at West Mountain about the planned resort.

At the end of his presentation, some residents living on neighboring properties expressed concern about the overflow parking on West Mountain Road. Cars line the road in front of homes during ski season, they said.

Montgomery said that this wasnt the first time he has heard these views.

Were going to be adding a lot of parking capacity, he said. More importantly, we have successfully rezoned an expansion of the parking lot, it just hasnt been completed yet.

Montgomery said the extensive project could take 10 years to complete.

During his presentation, he said that typically a project will be constructed from the back to the front, which will not be the case with the ski-and-stay resort.

He said that the lower portion, which will include ski-centered amenities and some of the condominiums, could be completed in three to five years. After that, the developers and construction crews would head up the mountain.

Its anticipated that it will create 2,000 construction jobs. We have 375 employees in the winter right now at West Mountain, Montgomery said. That number would be at least the same on this side.

Chuck Pafundi, director of real estate development at Luizzi Companies, noted that the reason the portion going up the mountain will take longer to complete is because it will take time for developers to get the ball rolling on the custom homes that are planned.

Montgomery mentioned during his presentation that his wife, Sara, general manager of West Mountain, had said that Queensbury isnt typically considered a ski town.

Montgomery said that the resort will help change that.

This, for sure, in my mind, was the most important thing to do. One, location-wise, but two it ties in directly to the vibrance and vitality of the ski area, he said.

Montgomery said that he has been in contact with the town of Queensbury over the past six months regarding the project. The concept could take between two to six months before it is approved by the town.

He is hopeful that construction can begin in 2023, but said it could be a little further down the road.

We were lucky to find the design build group in BBL (Construction Services) and obviously the financier and developer in Luizzi, because thats above my pay grade, Montgomery said.

Jay Mullen is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls, Warren County and crime and courts. You can reach him at 518-742-3224 or jmullen@poststar.com.

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Warren County had a total of 45 residents test positive for COVID-19 out of 367 test results received, according to the most recent date from New York state on Sunday.

The seven-day positivity rate for the county was reported at 9.2%.

The next vaccination clinic Warren County Health Services will host is scheduled for Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The clinic will take place at the Warren County Municipal Center Human Services Building.

Registration is required and can be done on the countys COVID hub site. People can call Health Services at 518-761-6580 with any questions.

The vaccination rate for Warren County was 75.6%, according to state vaccination data, with 80.3% of residents receiving at least one dose of a vaccine.

The county has had 73.8% of eligible residents receive a booster dose.

Washington County

According to the most recent state data on Sunday, Washington County had 21 residents test positive for COVID out of the 354 tests administered.

The countys seven-day positivity rate was 8.2%, according to state data.

According to state vaccination data Washington Countys vaccination rate was 64.1% on Sunday, with 67.6% of residents receiving at least one dose.

Washington County has had 66.6% of its eligible residents receive a booster dose of the vaccine.

Capital Region/statewide

There were 151 COVID-related hospitalizations throughout Capital Region hospitals on Sunday, according to state data.

The Capital Region had 593 people test positive for COVID-19 out of the 5,535 tests administered.

The seven-day positivity rate for the region was reported at 10.9% on Sunday.

Throughout the state there were 7,036 additional COVID cases on Sunday, according to state data. The seven-day positivity rate was reported at 6.8% statewide.

Jay Mullen is a reporter for The Post-Star covering the city of Glens Falls, Warren County and crime and courts. You can reach him at 518-742-3224 or jmullen@poststar.com.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Sviastoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, which is helping defend the last section of Mariupol not occupied by the Russians, said he was glad evacuations had begun.

Palamar hoped the evacuations from the Azovstal steel mill continue until everyone in the plant, civilians and soldiers, had gotten out. Its been difficult even to reach some of the wounded inside the plant, he told The Associated Press in an interview from Mariupol on Sunday.

Theres rubble. We have no special equipment. It`s hard for soldiers to pick up slabs weighing tons only with their arms, he said.

The Azovstal plant is strewn with mines, rockets, artillery shells and unexploded cluster ordnance, he said.

Along with the Azov regiment, Palamar said, the plant is being defended by the 36th Marine Brigade, police officers, border guards, coast guard and more. Some of them guard the territory, some of them prevent attempted attacks, some of them are responsible for a ceasefire, some of them help to clear the rubble under shelling.

He said the presence of children and civilians makes it harder to fight, and there are many injured people in the plant. Theres not enough water, he said, and the air smells of decomposing bodies.

The fighters in the plant will continue to resist until they receive an order not to, Palamar said.

The best solution in this situation is our evacuation. Does it make a sense to continue carrying this massacre? he asked.

The standoff at the steel plant saved many lives, he believes. Because if we hadnt done this, the front line would be much bigger. The front line would be in another area.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Evacuations underway at steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol

 Pelosi leads delegation to Kyiv and Poland; vows US support

 Combat death puts spotlight on Americans fighting in Ukraine

 Wives of Mariupol defenders appeal for soldiers evacuation

 Look for the orange vest: Ukrainians in Romania help others

 Germany vows to stop using Russian oil exports by late summer.

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

An explosive device damaged a railway bridge Sunday in the Kursk region of Russia, which borders Ukraine, and a criminal investigation has been started. The regions government reported the blast in a post on Telegram.

Recent weeks have seen a number of fires and explosions in Russian regions near the border, including Kursk. An ammunition depot in the Belgorod region burned after explosions were heard, and authorities in the Voronezh region said an air defense system shot down a drone. An oil storage facility in Bryansk was engulfed by fire a week ago.

The explosion Sunday caused a partial collapse of the bridge near the village of Konopelka, on the Sudzha-Sosnovy Bor railway, the report from Kursk said.

It was a sabotage, a criminal case has been opened, said the regions governor, Roman Starovoit, according to TASS. He said there were no casualties, and no effect on the movement of trains.

KYIV, Ukraine  Four civilians were reported killed and 11 more were injured by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region on Sunday, the Ukrainian regional governor said that evening.

The deaths and seven of the injuries were in the northern city of Lyman, governor Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. One person also died in the city of Bakhmut from injuries received in the Luhansk region, he said.

In the same post, Kyrylenko said that it was impossible to determine the number of victims in the bombed-out port city of Mariupol and the town of Volnovakha, which is controlled by pro-Kremlin separatists.

LVIV, Ukraine  President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of waging a war of extermination, citing strikes against non-military targets on Sunday.

Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that Russian shelling had hit food, grain and fertilizer warehouses, and residential neighborhoods in the Kharkiv, Donbas and other regions.

The targets they choose prove once again that the war against Ukraine is a war of extermination for the Russian army, he said.

He said Russia will gain nothing from the damage but will further isolate itself from the rest of the world.

What could be Russias strategic success in this war?" Zelenskyy said. "Honestly, I do not know.

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukraines president is describing his hourslong weekend meeting with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Kyiv as a powerful signal of support in a difficult time.

In a televised address on Sunday evening, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his meeting with Pelosi included discussions of defense supplies to Ukraine, financial support and sanctions against Russia.

Pelosi and a half dozen U.S. lawmakers met with Zelenskyy and his top aides for about three hours late Saturday to voice American solidarity with the besieged nation and get a first-hand assessment as she works to steer a massive new Ukraine aid package through Congress.

Zelenskyy says Ukrainians are grateful to all partners who send such important and powerful signals of support by visiting our capital at such a difficult time.

Additionally, Zelenskyy estimated that more than 350,000 people had been evacuated from combat zones thanks to humanitarian corridors pre-arranged with Moscow since the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine in late February. Many civilians were evacuated Sunday from at a steel plant in the bombed-out city of Mariupol.

KYIV, Ukraine  A Ukrainian military officer says that Russian forces have resumed their shelling of a steel plant in the war-torn port city Mariupol immediately after the partial evacuation of civilians.

Ukrainian National Guard brigade commander Denys Shlega said Sunday in a televised interview that the shelling began as soon as rescue crews ceased evacuating civilians at the Azovstal steel mill.

Shlega says that at least one more round of evacuations is needed to clear civilians from the plant. He says dozens of small children remain in bunkers below the industrial facilities.

The commander estimates that several hundred civilians still are trapped at the site alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies. The plant is the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

A video published earlier on Sunday by the Russian defense ministry showed people walking out of the steel plant, including a small group of women accompanied by two pet dogs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Sundays evacuations from Mariupol marked the initiation of a vitally need humanitarian corridor.

BERLIN  Germany says its making progress on weaning itself off Russian fossil fuels and expects to be fully independent of crude oil imports from Russia by late summer.

Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said Sunday that Europes largest economy has reduced its share of Russian energy imports to 12% for oil, 8% for coal and 35% for natural gas.

Habeck says those steps mean increased costs for the economy and for consumers. But he says the changes are necessary if Germany no longer wants to be blackmailed by Russia.

The announcement comes as the European Union considers an embargo on Russian oil. The bloc has already decided to ban Russian coal imports starting in August.

Weaning German off Russian natural gas is a far bigger challenge. Before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, Germany got more than half of its natural gas imports from Russia.

KYIV, Ukraine  The city council in the bombed-out southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol says Monday is the scheduled start date for a broad, U.N.-backed evacuation of its civilians, other than those sheltering at a steel plant.

The city council also confirmed Sunday in a social media post on Telegram that some civilians were being evacuated Sunday from the Azovstal steelworks that is the last Ukrainian defense stronghold in Mariupol. City officials note the support of the Red Cross and say the wider evacuation of the strategic port city was delayed by security concerns.

As many as 100,000 people are believed to still be in blockaded Mariupol, including up to 1,000 civilians who were hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the Soviet-era steel plant. The plant is the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

KYIV, Ukraine  The Ukrainian army says that a Russian offensive along a broad front in the countrys east has been stalling amid human and material losses inflicted by Kyivs forces.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Sunday in a Facebook post that Russian troops were trying to advance in the Sloboda, Donetsk and Tauride regions, but were being held back by Ukrainian forces that continue to fight village by village.

Separately, Ukrainian intelligence officials accused Russian forces of destroying medical infrastructure, taking equipment and denying medical care to residents in several occupied cities and towns.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Ukraines Ministry of Defense claims that ventilators and other equipment provided since 2014 by international donors and the government of Ukraine were removed from a hospital at Starobilsk in Ukraines eastern Luhansk region.

The same post alleges that tuberculosis patients were denied medical care in the Kharkiv region at Volchansk while several facilities were used to treat wounded Russian troops.

The accuracy of the claims could not be immediately verified.

Ukrainian officials also said Sunday that internet and cellular communications were cut in a large area in the Russian-occupied Kherson region and part of the Zaporizhzhia region and blamed Russian forces. The London-based internet monitor Netblocks said the Kherson region lost 75% of internet connectivity beginning Saturday evening.

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that an evacuation is underway of civilians at a steel plant in the bombed-out city of Mariupol.

Zelenskyy said on social media Sunday that a group of 100 people are on their way from Azovstal steelworks to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

He indicated that plans are underway for a Monday rendezvous with the evacuees at the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia that has previously been a staging post for those fleeing Mariupol. Zaporizhzhia is located about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from Mariupol.

As many as 100,000 people are believed to still be in blockaded Mariupol, including up to 1,000 civilians who were hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the Soviet-era steel plant  the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

DUSSELDORF, Germany  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged to continue to support Ukraine with money, aid and also weapons, saying a pacifist approach to the war is outdated.

Speaking at a May Day rally in Dusseldorf, Scholz said: I respect all pacifism, I respect all attitudes, but it must seem cynical to a citizen of Ukraine to be told to defend himself against Putins aggression without weapons.

The German leader also warned that the war would have consequences for food supply, potentially leading to a worldwide hunger crisis.

Soaring food prices and disruption to supplies coming from Russia and Ukraine have threatened food shortages in countries in the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia.

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The United Nations has confirmed that an operation to evacuate people from a steel plant in the bombed-out Ukrainian city of Mariupol is underway.

U.N. humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu told The Associated Press on Sunday that the effort to bring people out of the sprawling Azovstal steel plant was being done in collaboration with the International Committee for the Red Cross and in coordination with Ukrainian and Russian officials.

He called the situation very complex and would not give further details.

Up to 1,000 civilians are believed to be hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the sprawling Soviet-era steel plant that is the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

BERLIN  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has brushed aside criticism that his government is not doing enough to help Ukraine defend itself against Russias invasion.

Even though Germany reversed its policy of not sending weapons to countries at war, Scholz has been accused at home and abroad of being hesitant and slow in coming to Ukraines aid. In an interview published Sunday by newspaper Bild, the Social Democratic leader defended his governments approach.

I make my decisions quickly  and in coordination with our partners, Scholz was quoted as saying. I am suspicious of acting too hastily and Germany going it alone.

Germany broke with tradition after Russias invasion on Feb. 24 to supply anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missiles and other military equipment to Ukraine. It has since agreed to provide Gepard anti-aircraft guns, but Scholz has faced mounting pressure to send other heavy weapons including tanks and other armored vehicles.

Scholz, who replaced Angela Merkel as chancellor late last year, said he wasnt bothered by opposition claims that hes too hesitant and timid.

It is part of a democracy that you are robustly challenged by the opposition, he said.

VATICAN CITY  Pope Francis has appealed again for a safe evacuation of Ukrainians trapped in the steel plant of Mariupol, saying he weeps thinking of their suffering and how their city has been barbarously bombed and destroyed.

Speaking Sunday during his traditional noontime prayer, Francis urged all the faithful to pray the Rosary every day in May for peace. He noted that May 1 begins the month Christians dedicate to Mary, the mother of God and for whom Mariupol is named.

He said: Even now, even from here, I renew the request that safe humanitarian corridors be arranged for the people trapped in the steelworks of that city. I suffer and cry thinking of the suffering of the Ukrainian population, especially the weakest, the elderly and children.

He noted the terrible reports of children being expelled and deported and the terrible regression of humanity.

WARSAW, Poland  Polands armed forces said Sunday that military exercises involving thousands of NATO soldiers have begun. They are regular exercises aimed at improving the security of the alliances eastern flank but come this year with Russias war against Ukraine raging nearby.

Due to those circumstances, Polands military appealed to the public on Sunday not to publish information or photos of the columns of military vehicles expected to move through the country in the coming weeks.

It warned that ill-considered activity could harm the alliances security. Lets be aware of the dangers! the statement said.

The Polish Army said in a statement that 18,000 soldiers from over 20 countries were taking part in the Defender Europe 2022 and Swift Response 2022 exercises that are taking place in Poland and eight other countries.

The exercises are scheduled to run May 1-27.

RZESZOW, Poland  U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has praised the courage of the Ukrainian people and vowed continued U.S. support to help Ukraine defeat Russia after leading a congressional delegation to Kyiv to assess Ukraines needs for the next phase of the war.

Pelosi, a California Democrat who is next in line to the presidency after the vice president, is the most senior American lawmaker to visit Ukraine since Russias war began more than two months ago.

She and a half-dozen U.S. lawmakers met for three hours Saturday with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his top aides. Speaking to reporters Sunday in Poland, the delegation members were unanimous in praising Ukraines defenses so far and offering continued long-term military, humanitarian and economic support, vowing the United States would stand with Ukraine until it defeated Russia.

This is a time we stand up for democracy or we allow autocracy to rule the day, said Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York.

Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, a veteran and a member of the House intelligence and armed services committee said he came to Ukraine with three areas of focus: Weapons, weapons and weapons.

He said: We have to make sure the Ukrainians have what they need to win. What we have seen in the last two months is their ferocity, their intense pride, their ability to fight and their ability to win if they have the support to do so.

Pelosi said she was dazzled by Zelenskyys expertise of all the issues at hand and described him at their meeting as a remarkable master class of leadership.

LONDON  Russian cyber soldiers have launched a new offensive against foreign leaders, targeting social media platforms with a large-scale disinformation campaign that seeks to legitimize the invasion of Ukraine, according to research funded by the U.K.

Paid operatives working from a factory in St. Petersburg use the Telegram messaging app to recruit and coordinate supporters who then flood the social media accounts of Kremlin critics with comments supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine, the U.K. Foreign Office said Sunday.

The so-called troll factory has developed new techniques to avoid detection by social media platforms, posting comments and amplifying pro-Kremlin content created by legitimate users rather than creating its own content, the Foreign Office said. Traces of its activity have been found on eight social media platforms, including Telegram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.

The operation has targeted politicians and wider audiences in a number of countries, including the U.K., South Africa and India, the Foreign Office said. It is believed to have links to Yevgeniy Prigozhin, who has been sanctioned by both the U.S. and Britain for financing the Kremlins online influence operations.

We cannot allow the Kremlin and its shady troll farms to invade our online spaces with their lies about Putins illegal war, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in the statement. The U.K. government has alerted international partners and will continue to work closely with allies and media platforms to undermine Russian information operations.

LVIV, Ukraine  Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show damage to oil depots just across the Ukrainian border in Russia after suspected Ukrainian attacks.

The photos from Saturday show damage at two sites in Bryansk. The blasts damaged multiple tanks, leaving the surrounding grounds charred.

The explosions happened Monday. One hit an oil depot 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.

The second facility is a short distance from the other.

Bryansk is located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the border with Ukraine.

KYIV, Ukraine  U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has met with Ukraines president.

Footage released early Sunday by President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office showed Pelosi in Kyiv with a Congressional delegation. Those with Pelosi included Reps. Jason Crow, Jim McGovern and Adam Schiff.

Zelenskyy told the delegation: You all are welcome.

Pelosi later said: We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom. We are on a frontier of freedom and your fight is a fight for everyone. Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done.

The visit was not previously announced.

KYIV, Ukraine  Some women and children were evacuated from a steel plant that is the last defensive stronghold in the bombed-out ruins of the port city of Mariupol, a Ukrainian official and Russian state news organizations said.

But hundreds are believed to remain trapped with little food, water or medicine.

The United Nations was working to broker an evacuation of the up to 1,000 civilians living beneath the sprawling Soviet-era Azovstal plant after numerous previous attempts failed.

Ukraine has not said how many fighters are also in the plant, the only part of Mariupol not occupied by Russian forces, but Russia put the number at about 2,000. An estimated 100,000 civilians remain in the city.

U.N. humanitarian spokesperson Saviano Abreu said the world organization was negotiating with authorities in Moscow and Kyiv, but he could not provide details of the ongoing evacuation effort because of the complexity and fluidity of the operation.

LVIV, Ukraine  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says American diplomats are making plans to return to Ukraine as soon as possible.

Blinken made the comment while speaking to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. An overnight statement Sunday said Blinken told Kuleba that America plans to return to Kyiv as soon as possible.

He said diplomats had been making initial visits to Lviv to prepare.

The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Kyiv in February just before Russia launched its war on the country. The U.S. had been bringing diplomats across the Polish border each day to work in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine, before stopping the practice.

Lviv has largely been spared in the conflict, though a missile strike several days ago targeted a railroad facility near the city.

The U.S. is one of Ukraines main backers in the war, providing billions in aid and weaponry.

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

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BRIDGETON  With Mothers Day on the horizon, the beginning of May can be an especially trying time for women who have lost children.

There are those, however, who are working to make them feel less alone.

Mothers Uplifting Mothers or MUMs  a group of New Jersey mothers who have each experienced the death of a child  hosted its inaugural En Blanc Dinner on Sunday. The group was marking International Bereaved Mothers Day, which takes place on the first Sunday of May. Over the course of the four-hour ceremony, scores of people gathered inside a tent overlooking the Bridgeton riverfront, eating, dancing and remembering those who have passed away.

Karen Barnett, the director of the Bridgeton Municipal Alliance and a lead organizer of MUMs, thanked the mothers for coming out. Early on in the dinner, she encouraged those in attendance to reflect on the happy memories they had of their loved ones.

Today is not a day to mourn, today is a day to think on those things that are good, Barnett said. Although youre here for something that people would consider to be sad, there is laughter, there is yet joy here with us today.

Deborah Deshields, a member of MUMs who helped found the organization, lost both a son and a daughter. Attending the dinner Sunday with her family, Deshields said she was grateful for the opportunity for bereaved mothers to gather and find strength in one another.

Its a beautiful thing, for us to come together like this and realize that were all going through the same thing, Deshields said.

Joined together inside the tent and staying out of the rain from a cold May day, people shared hot meals and listened to a performance put on by a choir from Cornerstone Community Church in Vineland. It being an En Blanc dinner, most of the guests donned all-white attire to mark the occasion. As the rain cleared later in the day, people began making their way toward the center of the riverfront to dance.

Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly delivered introductory remarks. He thanked the MUMs organizers and called the event the epitome of how the city would come together to triumph over hardships.

Thats what its all about, thats what community is all about, to support each other through the ups and downs that life may bring, Kelly said.

Terri Elliotts first-born son, Joseph Robert Elliott was fatally shot about 11 years ago on July 22, 2011. He was survived by six children of his own. She recalled how isolated she was after her sons death, but had been able to endure to celebrate the life of her son. Standing next to her was one of her grandsons, named after Joseph.

Were making it, were making it, Elliott said. Thats what were going to do, celebrate his life.

Stephanie Baker was attending in honor of her late sister, Laquanda Fedd, who was killed on Memorial Day 1999. She said she also felt support from the dinner Sunday.

Its like family, we all talk to each other about how to cope, Baker said.

Connie Chann came to honor the memory of her late daughter, Tara Valentin. She is currently raising Valentins son, her grandson, with the help of her niece Becky Fry. Reflecting on the dinner Sunday, Chann said that she appreciated the support she was receiving from her friends and family.

They say it takes a village to raise a child and it really does, Chann said. Because I need that village now, because Ive been through a lot. Its nothing you ever get over, you just get through it day by day.

Some at the dinner Sunday were still awaiting closure on their loss.

Latanya Pierce-Mack said her son, Keon Butler, was killed in August 2015. Trial for his death was only set to begin next week  May 10, the day after what would have been Butlers birthday. She was there with multiple family members and noted that Butler was survived by five children. Tonya Allen-Brown, Pierce-Macks cousin, said that the family was planning to hold a celebration of Butlers life for his birthday next week.

Its been a journey, a struggle, his kids are here, Pierce-Mack said. Were trying to cope.

During the midpoint of the dinner, several MUMs members and anti-violence activists gave speeches, including a member of the gun-control advocacy group Moms Demand Action.

Ashley Campbell, the reigning Miss Cumberland County Area and the first Black woman to hold that title, delivered a brief address at the dinner. From Bridgeton, Campbell highlighted the importance of taking care of ones mental health and destigmatizing mental-health treatment.

Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae also spoke at the event. She discussed how her work with MUMs has impacted how the Prosecutors Office interacts with child victims who have experienced trauma. She added that the group has helped her office design victim and witness programs that help those who have had loved ones fall victim to violence or opioid abuse.

We want you to know that its just a privilege to be associated with Mothers Uplifting Mothers, so that no one else has to go through the pain that you have all gone through but have turned into triumph and support for other mothers, Webb-McRae said.

Alaya Mathis, 7, also spoke at the dinner. One of Terri Elliotts granddaughters, thanked the mothers in attendance for their dedication and strength.

Everything is so hard to do, but you get through it, Mathis said.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP  A new Mexican food store has arrived in the township.

Bubbakoos Burritos, a fast-casual, Mexican-fusion chain, has opened a new location at 6801 Black Horse Pike, in the Walmart shopping plaza, according to a news release issued Monday.

The Egg Harbor Township location joins 71 other locations the company has across 10 states.

Paul Altero and Bill Hart founded Bubbakoos Burritos in 2008. Industry veterans who had worked together previously, the pair put an emphasis on customization, fresh ingredients and customer service, according to the release.

ACUA Earth Day Festival returns after pandemic pause The Atlantic County Utilities Authority hosted its 30th annual Earth Day Festival on Sunday.

Hart said the new store and the Kenny family who will operate it will be assets to Bubbakoos.

This is an exciting week for us, with Cinco de Mayo and the opening of our newest location in Atlantic County, Hart said.

Bubbakoos Burritos, which has its flagship store in Point Pleasant, Ocean County, says it is dedicated to helping the community. The company launched a Read it to Eat it program in 2019, working with schools to promote reading among local students. The initiative now works with more than 500 teachers and 120,000 students. The company said it also works to help fundraise for local community organizations and donated a share of its sales March 29 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The expansion in Atlantic County is a sign of more planned growth. The release said there are more than 100 store locations in the pipeline, and the company anticipates opening several more stores before the end of the first half of 2022.

The Egg Harbor Township Bubbakoos is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week.

Contact Chris Doyle cdoyle@pressofac.com

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OCEAN CITY  A subcontractor working on the Ferris wheel at Gillians Wonderland Pier fell from a lift Monday morning. He died of his injuries.

The man was identified as Robert W. Sanger, 62, of Pittsgrove, and was pronounced dead at Shore Medical Center, city officials announced Monday afternoon. He was an employee of Cargo Tech International of Swedesboro.

The fall is under investigation by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, according to city officials.

We are saddened to report that an employee of a subcontractor working on a lift at Gillians Wonderland Pier suffered a fatal injury Monday morning, Jay Gillian wrote in a letter posted on the amusement parks Facebook page. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Gillian is the president of the amusement park as well as the mayor of Ocean City.

Ocean City Fire Department EMTs were called to the Boardwalk amusement park at 10:32 a.m. Monday, city spokesperson Doug Bergen said.

Its unclear how far the worker fell.

Investigators were on scene Monday morning, Bergen reported.

Gillian said the company is cooperating with all appropriate authorities to investigate the incident, and would release more information when it becomes available.

A separate posting to the Facebook page of Gillians reelection campaign, indicated the mayor is suspending all campaign activity effective immediately, and offered prayers for the family of the worker.

Gillian is running for reelection this year, with a vote set for May 10. He did not immediately respond to a request for further details on Monday.

By the early afternoon Monday, there was little sign anything had happened. The amusement park was shut, and there was no sign of work underway. A crew working on the Boardwalk said they had not heard anything about a fall.

From the Sixth Street entrance, lines of yellow caution tape could be seen near the Ferris wheel. It read Crime Scene Do Not Cross.

An Ocean City police officer was also at the scene, standing inside the park. He said he could not give any information.

There was a blue lift in front of the Ferris wheel, with the platform set at an angle. It could not be determined if it was the lift from which the worker fell. From a distance, it appeared to be at least 15 feet from the ground.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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By Chloe Ashby

You might disbelieve me, but its not the half-dressed workmen in Gustave Caillebottes 1875 painting The Floor Scrapers (pictured, below) that Im interested in  I can take them or leave them  its the wooden floor. Its the decorative energy of the iron window grille. The creamy baseboard with its golden trim. I would even ask the workers to leave the glass by the fireplace, half-filled with wine, perhaps also the gleaming bottle beside it. In my Parisian apartment, each working day will end at six oclock with a well-earned drink on the balcony.

Ive always had a thing for Paris. Not necessarily Paris today, but the City of Light as captured in the 19th-century by the writers and other artists who would have rubbed shoulders in its cafe-concerts and galleries with Caillebotte: Baudelaire, Sand, Zola, Manet, Morisot. The Paris rebuilt by Baron Georges-Eugene Haussmann, the king of creative destruction, at the bequest of Napoleon III.

The Floor Scrapers (1875) by Gustave Caillebotte

Some critics called the plan to clear the crowded medieval streets absurd  and no wonder, with all the evictions and the demolition, not to mention the realignment of districts. But something spectacular rose from the rubble: Haussmanns boulevards cut through the chaos and flooded the city with light.

My dream apartment is located on one of those broad streets, the cobbled kind painted by Caillebotte in a skilfully choreographed snapshot of urban life: Paris Street; Rainy Day (1877). My door opens on to a courtyard thats home to potted plants and a water fountain. So far, so bourgeois. But mine is an old building, with quirks that would irk some people; I find them charming. Every step of the wooden staircase creaks as I climb to the third floor  my main exercise, along with morning riverside walks. Theres a knack to opening my own door, which requires jiggling the brass key in the lock.

This three-bedroom apartment in the 6th arrondissement is on the market for 2.7mn

The place isnt huge, but its home. Theres a kitchen off the main living space, which has a sitting and dining area, two sunny bedrooms and a bathroom big enough for a freestanding tub. White walls are alternatively lined with bookshelves and piled high with paintings, drawings, prints. There are floor-to-ceiling windows with those curled iron grilles and oak shutters that I pull to in the evening. And of course, polished wooden floorboards throughout.

Two doors down is a bakery where I buy flaky croissants and freshly baked baguettes on a daily basis. On the corner, the chairs of a dimly lit wine bar spill out on to the wide pavement; when I leave late at night, Im guided home by bottle-green street lights. During the day, I write at a big desk by the balcony which overlooks the Jardin du Luxembourg; if I listen carefully, I can just about hear the clink of boules.

North-east of the Arc de Triomphe in the 8th arrondissement, this apartment is priced at 1.2mn

If you like the sound of my fantasy home, youre in luck: this three-bedroom apartment in the 6th arrondissement, on the market for 2.7mn, is just as light and bright; then theres this splendid pied-a-terre in the 8th, close to leafy Parc Monceau, for 1.2mn. Both have lovely parquet floors and fireplaces, and with the first property theres even a lift if you dont fancy walking up and down the stairs. Perhaps you could persuade the sellers to throw in a couple of their artworks, a glorious mix of old master-types and modernist abstractions.

And the bottle of wine? Im sure you can take care of that.

Photography: Christie's International Real Estate
Each flower, each name, meant a life lost, but also one remembered.

"Deputy Nicholas Weist," Tony Liston, the chaplain for the Quad Cities Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, read on Sunday as he stood before the Rock Island County Justice Center. "Knox County Sheriff's Office."

Weist was killed Friday in Henry County while helping to catch a fleeing person.

Then came Terry Engle, Hampton Police Department chief, who was killed in 2020 when his squad crashed.

In the end, Liston read 50 names going back to the 19th century and belonging to numerous departments in the area. Each was the name of a law enforcement official killed in the line of duty in the Quad-Cities area.

As each name was announced, Rock Island County Correctional Officer Kat Johnson held up a flower. Each flower  all but one white and that last was pink  was retrieved by a loved one of the person being remembered, or a fellow member of law enforcement. Flower in hand, the bearer approached a white disc edged in blue and with a huge blue star dominating its center. Each person fixed their flower to the disc.

In the star were the words "Some Gave All."

The annual event is organized by the QCLEOM and involves services at an area church and a final ceremony at the physical memorial, which is at the Rock Island County Justice Center in downtown Rock Island.

There are 48 names already on the physical memorial. The oldest is Thomas D. Moore, who was a patrolman with the Muscatine Police Department when he was killed in 1869. The most recent is Engle.

The other new officer was one who had been forgotten until research uncovered him, Liston said.

Roy Liesveld was a Moline Police Department officer who contracted the Spanish flu in 1918 while driving other people to the hospital to be treated for the disease, Liston said.

Both he and Weist will be added to the memorial, Liston said.

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A man on probation in Iowa until 2026 and a woman who is due in court this week on a pair of drunken-driving charges were arrested in connection with the armed robbery and pistol whipping of a victim early Sunday, Davenport Police said.

Robert Jermaine Johnson, 38, and Tityana Tanesha Woodland, 26, are charged with one count each of first-degree robbery. The charge is a Class B felony under Iowa law that carries an automatic prison sentence of 25 years, 70%, or 17  years, of which must be served before parole can be granted.

They also each are charged with assault while displaying a weapon, an aggravated misdemeanor that carries a prison sentence of two years.

Johnson also is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and assault causing serious injury. Each of those charges is a Class D felony that carries a prison sentence of five years.

Woodland also is charged with intimidation with a dangerous weapon, also a Class D felony.

According to the arrest affidavits filed by Davenport Police detectives Bryan Butt and Elizabeth Tharp-Mayne, Johnson and Woodland went to the home where Johnson lives at 617 Warren St.

Johnson pointed a gun at the victim, forced him to undress and then demanded money from the victim. Johnson pistol-whipped the victim, striking him in the head multiple times with the gun. The beating caused an intracranial hemorrhage, as well as contusions and lacerations.

Woodland pointed a pistol at the victim and demanded money from him. The victim gave Woodland $70. The victim then fled the residence, at which time, according to the affidavit, she shot the pistol at him multiple times.

Officers located a spent casing outside the home.

Johnson, who also has been charged with violating his probation, was being held Monday night in the Scott County Jail on cash-only bonds totaling $30,000.

Woodland was being held Monday night in the Scott County Jail on a $25,000 bond, cash only.

Each has a preliminary hearing on their charges scheduled for May 12 in Scott County District Court.

Johnson, who has served prison sentences in Iowa for burglary, drug and gun crimes, is on probation until probation until May 12, 2026, on a conviction for conspiracy to commit a non-forcible felony in connection with a robbery that occurred Sept. 5, 2020.

Woodland has a Class D felony conviction from 2015 in Clinton County. At that time she was convicted of two counts unauthorized use of a credit card over $1,000 and under $10,000.

Woodland is due in Rock Island County Circuit Court on Wednesday for hearings in two drunken-driving cases.

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If you would have asked Fatima Belhak eight years ago about having children, she would have said she wanted three or four, hoping to raise at least one daughter along with her soon-to-be-born son.

Now, after living for years with debilitating pain, decreased mobility and other health issues because of a botched episiotomy, the Bettendorf mother is thankful for the blessing of her two sons and resigned to the fact that she cannot have another child  not without considerable risk.

Belhak was awarded $3.25 million by a Scott County jury March 30 after a lawsuit claiming she suffered a botched episiotomy when giving birth in January of 2014. She sees the verdict as an acknowledgment of the suffering she will deal with for the rest of her life and an injury that could have been avoided.

To be honest numbers don't matter to me that much because no matter what the number is, it wasn't going to give me back my health or what I lost, Belhak said. What I really cared about was that people heard me and they knew my story and they knew whose fault it was.

Belhak, who moved with her husband to the U.S. from Morocco, spoke with The Quad-City Times with the assistance of an Arabic translator.

When Belhak gave birth to her now-8-year-old son Zayd in January 2014, Dr. Denice Smith, then working for Womens Care Specialists, performed a fourth-degree episiotomy to assist in the birth.

According to the suit, the episiotomy wasn't necessary, and Smith failed to diagnose Belhaks condition after the procedure and failed to provide proper post-operative care for it. This caused Belhak to be in pain and caused other medical costs.

While the suit was filed in 2016, because of court procedures, an earlier procedural mistrial, scheduling difficulties with Arabic translators and the COVID-19 shutdown of the courts, the case went to trial in March.

The attorneys for Womens Care Specialists and Dr. Smith, Lane & Waterman, have until May 13 to file any post-trial motions, according to a ruling by District Judge Jeffrey Bert.

Bert also ruled that the execution of any judgment is stayed pending the outcome of post-trial motions.

It is important to note, this case is far from concluded as the judge did not enter judgment on the verdict," said Ian Russell with Lane & Waterman. "Our legal team is preparing to present a series of post-trial motions including our motion for a mistrial. Womens Care Specialists provides exceptional care to all its patients and is a trusted partner to patients throughout our region.

Belhak said when she told medical staff something felt wrong after the birth and demonstrated an issue she was having, she was told everything was normal. After being discharged, her feelings of pain, discomfort and wrongness solidified, and after calling the doctor again, they advised her to come in for an appointment a few days later.

She and her husband decided to head to a Genesis Health System emergency room, where the extent of the problem became evident. They were advised to go to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City immediately. After receiving care there, Belhak had reconstructive surgery six months later to try to repair damage.

Davenport attorneys Anthony and Bill Bribriesco, who represented the couple, said they were proud of the jury's "fair and reasonable" result, Anthony Bribriesco said, and their understanding of Fatima's story and struggles.

"Her doctor didn't listen to her, dismissed her and the jury, they heard Fatima," Anthony Bribriesco said. "That makes it all worth it  all the years, all the work, all the time waiting."

Belhak says every aspect of her life has been altered by pain. She used to go out often to see friends, run errands and experience nature with her children. Now friends stop by her house so she doesnt have to move too much. She leaves the house only when absolutely necessary, for funerals or other important gatherings, and stays just a short while.

You can think of this pain that I'm experiencing as a rock or a chain that's keeping me inside the house, Belhak said.

Even conducting her prayers has become an arduous process.

Her younger son, 4-year-old Emraan, came as a surprise, as Belhak didnt plan to have another child unless her pain lessened  which wasnt happening.

As the pregnancy progressed Belhak experienced even greater pain and gave birth via c-section. If she had delivered vaginally, she said, she would have been right back at Square One. She sees Emraan as an unexpected gift and blessing, and she doesn't plan to have another child.

Belhak has learned to adapt to her situation, focusing on watching her children grow up and ensuring they have a quality education. She used to teach, and once Emraan is in school, she'd like to pursue learning in special education.

"This is the source of my happiness right now," Belhak said. "This is where I put all my satisfaction."

While the couple has reached a long-awaited milestone in the suit, the award will not assuage the suffering Belhak has experienced since her son was born, and it will not prevent the pain and worsening symptoms she will carry with her forever. It's an inevitability that the symptoms she deals with will worsen over time.

She's never heard of anyone going through what she has and hopes having her story vindicated with the suit will serve as a lesson to others to trust their bodies and stand up for their rights.

I was always saying that I should tell my story so that I could be heard and understood, and that no other person or lady would have the same thing happen to her, Belhak said.

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The Rock Island Elks 980 Lodge and Illinois Elks Children's Care Corporation will sponsor a free children's orthopedic assessment clinic on Tuesday, May 24. The clinic will be held at ORA Orthopedics, Dr. Michael Pyevich's office, 520 Valley View Drive, Moline from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

No medical referral is necessary, but assessments are by appointment only for low-income families and Illinois residents. To make an appointment, call the Illinois Elks Children's Care office at 800-272-0074 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

This is one of 15 clinic locations throughout Illinois and an opportunity to have a child reviewed for bone and joint development.

There is no charge for any diagnostic services at this clinic. The Elks will provide financial assistance to the best of their ability for children needing further treatment or specialty equipment when the family lacks sufficient resources to do so.

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For decades, the Democratic Party of Illinois has been an antiquated outlier among state Democratic organizations, focusing on parochial fundraising instead of using its status as a staunchly blue state in a Midwest field of red to influence national politics.

But a year after former House Speaker Michael Madigan relinquished his ironclad control as state Democratic chairman, the state party has entered the 21st century  decentralizing its organization, putting together its first email list of supporters, digitizing outreach activities and creating a recruitment, training and support infrastructure for Democratic candidates in the Nov. 8 general election.

Madigans decision to step down amid a federal investigation that led to his indictment in March has also led to a host of competitive races in the June 28 primary for seats on a Democratic State Central Committee no longer content to serve as merely a rubber stamp for its leader.

Im hoping that people feel that its a party worth getting involved in and they want to get active, said U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson, who replaced Madigan as state Democratic chair in March of last year.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the chambers leadership, said the races for state central committee seats are evidence of a pent-up energy after Madigan.

They want to be part of the party structure and make it work. Thats a very positive thing, he said.

While Durbin is not a member of the state central committee, he has significant influence over the party, which was evident in his endorsement of Kelly as the partys first Black and female chair. Kelly won a close committee vote over Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers choice, Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th.

Kelly said she sees her role as providing more diverse and inclusive leadership, and said she spent the last year on a listening tour to try to see what we could do better.

If people were active, what were their ideas? If people werent as active, what could we do to get them to be more active? How do we get more people involved with the party? Kelly asked. Ive kind of lost count in all kinds of the places where what I heard was, Wow, I was surprised to see the party chair.

Making Kelly the partys chair wasnt without controversy. As a federal officeholder, she is prohibited from raising money for state and local candidates because federal fundraising limits are tighter than Illinois.

The state Democratic Party went to the Federal Election Commission for approval to spell out the separation of Kellys chairmanship from any state and local fundraising activities. As a result, fundraising has become more decentralized than it was under Madigan.

Under Madigan, the state Democratic Party was largely a fundraising vessel for state House campaigns at the expense of other state and federal offices. It operated with an antiquated infrastructure  one of its most valuable assets was its postage meter, which allowed Madigan to send out bulk mailings in House races at a lower rate.

Madigans power as the nations longest-serving House speaker, a role he held for 36 years, and as state party chairman for 23 years, could be seen in the fundraising totals of the first three months of last year, when the party raised $2 million. The state party had more than $2.6 million in the bank at the end of March 2021.

This quarter, the partys state account raised more than $350,000 but ended March of this year with nearly $2.9 million in cash.

While the fundraising totals are down from a year ago, the party is no longer merely a pass-through fund for state House Democratic candidates, as it was under Madigans direction. Instead, through fundraising committees created as a result of the federal restrictions on Kelly, the party has been focusing on becoming a support organization for all Democratic candidates.

The $1 million the party had stored at the end of March 2021 for spending on federal races grew to nearly $1.4 million at the end of this March. Combined federal and state money raised by the Democrats totaled more than $712,000  with little party spending expected until after the primary when the Democratic field is set.

Youre seeing a totally new fundraising approach for the Democratic Party, and I have been really excited to see the number of people who are investing in the party, said Abby Witt, the partys executive director. It was a little bit of an experiment that has turned out really well. Were proud of it.

The modernization of the party also is reflected in a comprehensive post-primary campaign for Democrats across the November ballot that is expected to be unveiled in coming days. Funded and led by the billionaire Pritzker, the coordinated campaign will also enlist the state party organization, the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association and other ancillary groups.

You know, this is a challenging year and we shouldnt take anything for granted, Durbin said. So lets all get it together.

The partys evolution from the Madigan era also is seen in the development, from scratch, of a digital program, something Witt called a core part of how campaigns need to communicate in 2022.

Witt said Kelly had this vision for a modern professional party and how it communicates its message, as well as trying to engage volunteers and organizers and activists who will get that message to their network. The party is six months into developing its email program, and its mailing list now totals more than 100,000 people, she said.

For the messaging to work, the party has sought to bridge a void that had existed between the work of the Democratic National Committee and federal and state officeholders, often drawing a link between Democratic agenda items in Congress and within the state legislature. One example is a recent push by Democrats in Washington to limit insulin costs after Democrats in Springfield in 2019 established a $100 monthly cap for people covered by state-regulated insurance plans. The messaging effort has also extended to the media, which previously had been an afterthought.

The state party is also working with the county chairs association to develop and recruit candidates on the local and countywide level through a 12-week cohort program.

Of more immediate concern for the future of the party is the June primary when Democratic voters will select the 34-member state central committee members, one man and one woman from each of the states newly drawn 17 congressional districts.

There are contested elections for 20 of the 34 seats. The partys various factions and interests are vying for a seat at a smaller table, the result of Illinois losing one central committee seat as a result of the U.S. census that reduced the number of congressional seats from 18 to 17.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush is stepping down from his 1st Congressional District seat at the end of his term, creating a cascade of candidates seeking to replace him, but is seeking reelection to the state central committee. He faces three challengers.

In the new 3rd Congressional District, current state central committeewoman Iris Martinez, the clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, faces two challengers including state Rep. Delia Ramirez of Chicago, who also is running for the congressional seat. For the committeemans seat, Ald. Gil Villegas, 36th, who also is vying for the congressional nomination, faces state Sen. Omar Aquino.

In the 5th Congressional District, former state Senate President John Cullerton, a current state central committee member, is facing a challenge from state Sen. Robert Martwick.

Cullerton voted against Kelly for chair, citing the complications of a federal officeholder raising money for state candidates. He said his proposal for a compromise, making Kelly a co-chair with Harris, was rejected.

Thats still a big issue, he said of Kellys state fundraising limitation. Its not the same thing to not have the actual chairman of the party raising and doing the fundraising.

Still, Cullerton, a member of the Democratic National Committee, voted for Kelly as a co-chair of its Midwest regional committee, calls her a friend and says any differences are intramural stuff.

Kelly, who is expected to seek reelection as chair when the new state central committee is seated after the primary, said she has been satisfied with the progress the Democratic Party organization has made.

What we were able to accomplish in 2021 leading up to my first year is definitely helping us as we move forward into these elections. Kelly said. People nationally are really excited Illinois is back in the mix.

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DES MOINES  The state will pay an $8 million settlement, believed to be one of the largest in state history, to the family of a Quad-Cities-area man who was left unable to walk after being struck by an Iowa Department of Transportation snowplow blade in 2019.

The State Appeals Board approved the deal at its regular meeting Monday afternoon. The $8 million settlement is believed to be one of, if not the largest, in state history, according to spokespeople for multiple state agencies. It is more than the state panel approved for all settlements in the entirety of the 2021 state budget year, and also more than five of six fiscal years between 2013 and 2018.

According to state records, on Jan. 23, 2019, the blade of a snowplow owned by the Iowa DOT struck Terry Bunting, of Silvis, on U.S. Highway 67 in Scott County, causing serious injuries.

Bunting suffered multiple fractures, including to his spine, pelvis, ribs and leg, and required eight surgeries during an 11-month hospitalization, the records show. Bunting, now 64, is unable to walk and will require significant future health care and assistance.

At the time of the accident, Bunting was a contracted truck driver for the U.S. Postal Service, according to state records.

The settlement includes compensation for Buntings family, for whom Bunting had been a provider, according to state records. His wife is legally blind and cannot drive, and one of his three daughters has special needs and lives in a group home.

The settlement was approved by the Iowa Attorney Generals Office in April and Monday afternoon by the State Appeals Board, which is comprised of the state auditor, treasurer and budget manager.

Bunting, through his lawyer, declined to be interviewed. His lawyer, John Bush, said Bunting and his family were pleased to see the yearslong process finally come to a close.

I think its a big step in moving forward to address the damages that he sustained as a result of this accident, Bush said. Were just happy that this portion of this matter has been resolved now, and Terrys looking forward to moving on with the rest of his life.

Bush said Bunting regarded the life-altering incident as a tragic accident.

Terry relayed to me that he did not personally blame the driver of the snowplow, Bush said, that he understood that this was all just a tragic accident on the part of the snowplow driver and that he holds no personal grudges.

In 2019, Bunting told WQAD-TV in Davenport that he was on his mail route through LeClaire when his windshield wipers began freezing over. He pulled off the interstate and pulled over to clean his wipers. As he was returning to his truck, he was struck by the snowplow blade.

I was starting to get back into the truck when I see the snowplow coming and I could not get out of his way, Bunting told WQAD-TV.

Bunting told the TV station that he could remember lying on the street, screaming. Yet even then, he said he did not blame the plow driver.

Accidents happen, Bunting told the TV station. He was doing his job as well as I was doing mine.

The settlement payments will be made from the states primary road fund, according to state records.

Reporter Sarah Watson of the Quad-City Times contributed.

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Constitutional Amendment C, on the June 7 primary ballot in South Dakota, would change the number of votes needed to pass ballot issues that raise taxes and fees. The increased number of votes would also apply to ballot issues that call for the expenditure of $10 million over five years.

Backers of the amendment, which they have dubbed the taxpayer protection amendment, say the bar for passing ballot issues that deal with raising taxes and fees should be 60% of the vote. Currently ballot issues pass with a 50% plus one majority.

Those who oppose the amendment say that it takes away the ability of citizens to create tax and fee legislation through ballot initiatives.

The amendment was introduced as House Joint Resolution 5003 in the 2021 legislative session. It was sponsored in the House by Republican Rep. Jon Hansen of Dell Rapids. It was approved in the House by a vote of 56-12 and in the Senate by a vote of 18-17. Originally intended for the November 2022 general election ballot, in the Senate the resolution was amended to put it on the primary ballot this June.

The ballot date change was offered by Republican Sen. Lee Schoenbeck of Watertown. The amendments foes note that if approved by voters, Amendment C would increase to 60% the number of votes needed for a Medicaid expansion initiative thats on the November ballot.

Schoenbeck calls Medicaid the flavor of the day, saying that passage of Amendment C would protect voters from any number of special interests that seek to use ballot initiatives, constitutional amendments or referred measures to spend taxpayer dollars.

On a ballot issue, some special interest goes out and gets the signatures and then they run ads in support of it, Schoenbeck said. Whos got the interest to spend the money on the other side? Usually nobody.

In the Legislature, new taxes or spending programs need a two-thirds majority to be enacted. According to Schoenbeck, Amendment C holds the passage of initiated measures that raise taxes or fees to a similar standard.

He explained that the Legislature must make budget trade-offs. As an example, Schoenbeck said that if lawmakers want to spend more money on nursing homes, there may be less money to spend on education. Special interests dont take that approach when they place a tax measure on the ballot.

Its about special interests putting their spending issues or their tax issues on the ballot without regard to what the whole financial picture for the state looks like, Schoenbeck said. And thats dangerous. There are consequences that they dont tell people when they do that.

Brendan Johnson, an attorney for the opponents of Amendment C, says that its passage would take away majority rule, the same majority rule that lawmakers use when they vote on the state budget. While new spending requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, the states budget is approved with a simple majority vote.

This is the Legislature trying to say to the people that anytime that there is a tax or fee that they have to have 60%, Johnson said. That is not the same rule that applies to the Legislature. They do their appropriation and thats what this would be, an appropriation.

Passage of Amendment C would change forever South Dakotas political legacy of citizen-backed ballot initiatives, according to Johnson.

This is our right that weve had, as South Dakotans, since the beginning of our states history, Johnson said. For the first time, we have a Legislature that wants to take it away from the people of South Dakota so badly that theyre putting it on a June primary ballot when they know that the smallest percentage of South Dakota voters will come out to vote.

The constitutionality of the amendment is the subject of a lawsuit thats not likely to be resolved soon. Johnson said summary judgment arguments will be held after the June election. If Amendment C is approved, the lawsuit is likely to make its way to the South Dakota Supreme Court in the fall.

All registered voters are eligible to vote on Amendment C. The voter registration deadline is May 23. Absentee voting started on April 22 and continues until June 6, the day before the primary election.

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The Rapid City Area Schools Board of Education will vote Tuesday on whether or not to destroy five sets of library books, two of which have been challenged as being inappropriate in other school districts across the country.

The Board of Education meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. inside the Council Chambers at Rapid City Hall. The five book titles are listed on the school district's surplus list as books "to be destroyed." The surplus list will be considered under the board's consent agenda, which is normally voted on without discussion unless a board member requests the item to be pulled for separate discussion and vote.

According to the surplus list, 185 copies of "How Beautiful We Were: A Novel" by Imbolo Mbue, 35 copies of "Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic" by Alison Bechdel, 75 copies of "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, 30 copies of "Girl, Woman, Other: A Novel" by Bernardine Evaristo, and 30 copies of "The Circle" by Dave Eggers are on the list of books to be destroyed.

According to the book's description from publisher Penguin Random House, "How Beautiful We Were: A Novel" is about a "fearless young woman from a small African village (who) starts a revolution against an American oil company." The book tells a fictional story about an African village who deals with multiple deaths of the village's children caused by illegal operations of a nearby American oil company.

Though it does include some scenes of violence, kidnapping the oil company's representatives and enlightenment on corruption, the book explores themes of a government or corporation repressing underprivileged people and how those people fight back. The New York Times listed Mbue's novel as one of the "10 Best Books of 2021." It was also named to the best books lists of The Washington Post, Esquire, Good Housekeeping and The Christian Science Monitor, among others.

It is unclear if the book has been challenged by other school districts, or why it is suggested as being destroyed by Rapid City Area Schools.

RCAS Public Information Manager Caitlin Pierson said the books were pulled from the reading list for English 12 classes.

"The building administrators and the Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation agreed on this decision, based on the content of the books," she said in a brief statement. "Each year, some used books are either destroyed or sold on palettes."

Last Thursday, the Journal also sent an open records request to the school district seeking information and correspondence related to removing books from school libraries. Per state law, the deadline for the school district to respond is 10 days from the original request.

"Girl, Woman, Other: A Novel" was published in 2019 by Hamish Hamilton of the United Kingdom and Grove Atlantic in the United States. It is a fictional novel that follows 12 characters in the U.K. over several decades. The author, Evaristo, writes about the struggles of these very different characters  mostly Black women  and includes a lesbian character, a gender nonbinary character, a teacher, an investment banker and a cleaner.

The book has received numerous literary awards.

"The Circle" was published in 2013 by Knopf and was adapted to film in 2017 starring Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. It's a science fiction story of a woman who is hired to work for the world's most powerful internet company that develops technology to surveil society  akin to George Orwell's "1984." The novel does have scenes of multiple romances with sexual references.

The other two books on the surplus list have been subject to controversy at several school districts across the country.

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" was published in 1999 by Pocket Books and was adapted into a film in 2012. The book's author, Chbosky, tells a coming-of-age story of a self-described introvert  or wallflower. It tells of a high school freshman dealing with adolescence and some of the issues that arise while growing up. It addresses drug use, sexuality, rape and mental health.

According to the American Library Association, "Wallflower" last made the 2014 list as one of the "Top 10 Most Challenged Books." It was also listed as one of the most challenged books in 2004, 2006, 2007-2009 and 2013. The ALA said it has been challenged because of its depiction of drugs, alcohol, smoking, homosexuality, offensive language and sexually explicit material.

"Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic," is an illustrated, comic book-styled memoir published in 2006 by Houghton Mifflin. The author, Bechdel, tells a story about her youth and childhood  including a complex relationship with her distant father, emotional abuse, suicidal thoughts and her coming out as a lesbian.

The book was a finalist for the 2006 National Book Critics Circle Award and won multiple awards from LGBT groups like GLAAD, the Rainbow Round Table of the American Library Association and the Lambda Literary Award.

According to Marshall University, socially conservative groups across the nation have complained about Bechdel's book and have requested it be removed from several school and university libraries since it was first published. The groups cited depictions of drug use, graphic sexual violence and anti-religious sentiments as their main concerns.

In 2021, one group, the Power2Parent organization, successfully had the book removed from a Clark County, Nevada school's 10th grade honors English class reading list.

Contact Nathan Thompson at nathan.thompson@rapidcityjournal.com.

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FLORENCE, Ala. (AP)  Authorities issued an arrest warrant Monday for a jail official who they say helped an inmate awaiting trial on a murder charge to escape from an Alabama jail. A search was on for the pair.

Inmate Casey Cole White, 38, was shackled and handcuffed when he and Vicky White, the facility's assistant director of corrections, left the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Florence, Alabama, on Friday morning. They have not been seen since, although the patrol vehicle that the pair used when leaving the detention center was found at a nearby shopping center parking lot after their absence was discovered.

Authorities have no idea where they are, although the inmate should be recognizable by his size. He stands 6 feet, 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall and weighs about 260 pounds. Authorities warned that anyone seeing the pair should not approach them.

"We consider both of them dangerous and in all probability, both individuals are armed," U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said at a press conference Monday. He noted that Casey White "will stand out" because of his size even if he is has changed his appearance.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Monday that they had issued an arrest warrant for Vicky White on charges of permitting or allowing an escape. She is not related to White.

She violated a policy that required more than one official to be involved in transporting him, according to Singleton. The policy was put in place when White was jailed two years ago and authorities believed he was planning to escape.

"We know she participated, whether she did that willingly or if she was coerced, threatened somehow to participate in the case, not really sure. We know for sure she did participate," Singleton said.

Vicky White told co-workers she was taking him to the courthouse for a mental health evaluation. But Singleton later said no such evaluation was scheduled. He said video showed the pair left the jail and went straight to that parking lot.

"Casey White, as you've heard me say over and over and over is an extremely dangerous person and we need to get him located and get him off the street," Singleton said.

White was already serving a prison sentence for attempted murder and burglary when he disappeared. He was set to go to trial next month for stabbing a 58-year-old woman to death. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.

The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 for information.

The sheriff said they were shocked by the events that transpired.

"This is not the Vicky White we know, by any stretch of the imagination," the sheriff said.

Singleton said Vicky White had been an exemplary employee and jail employees are "just devastated."

Vicky White had planned to retire and that Friday was to be her last day. He said she had sold her home about a month ago and "talked about going to the beach."

The sheriff said they had no leads at this point on where the two are located.

"If we knew where they were at, we would be there and not here," Singleton said.

The U.S. Marshals Service said anyone with information about Casey White's location or Vicky White's disappearance can call the service at 1-800-336-0102. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the U.S. Marshals Tip App.

***

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NORFOLK  A Richmond man faces up to 15 years in prison for his involvement in a 2017 boating crash that killed 31-year-old Graham McCormick in Lancaster County.

John Randolph Rand Hooper, 36, is expected to be sentenced Monday after a Norfolk jury in January found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter and failure to render aid after the crash. Both are felonies.

McCormicks body was found floating in Carter Creek, off the Rappahannock River, on the morning of Aug. 11, 2017. His family is expected to testify Monday at the sentencing hearing.

McCormick had been visiting Hooper at his parents Irvington home. The night before McCormick was found, the two college buddies had been drinking and took a boat for a late-night joy ride. It crashed into a bulkhead that juts into the creek about 2 miles, by water, south of the Hooper home, sending McCormick overboard.

McCormicks head was struck, though it is unclear whether the head wounds were sustained in the initial impact or if he was struck by the boat. Hooper returned to his parents home on the boat, leaving McCormick to drown.

A state medical examiner determined the cause of death was drowning. Though blunt-force trauma contributed to his death, the lacerations to McCormicks head alone wouldnt have killed him, the doctor testified during the three-day jury trial in January.

The next day, Hooper acted like he didnt know what happened, according to testimony. His defense team, led by veteran criminal defense attorney Craig Cooley, did not contest that the crash occurred, but argued that McCormick had been driving, not Hooper, and that prosecutors couldnt prove otherwise.

The jury disagreed, reaching its verdict after a little over 90 minutes of deliberation.

The case was tried in Norfolk because of the media attention the long-running case has received in Lancaster County and Richmond. Hooper and McCormick are from Richmond, though McCormick had moved to Atlanta shortly before his death for a job in banking. Both mens parents still live in the Richmond area.

In 2019, Hooper entered guilty pleas to the same two felonies he was convicted of in January. Former Lancaster prosecutor Jan Smith, who lost re-election in 2019 and has since had his law license suspended for a year for his handling of this case, and Hoopers attorneys negotiated a controversial plea agreement in which Hooper would serve only one year of a 15-year sentence.

McCormicks family said the punishment was too lenient. Circuit Judge Herbert M. Hewitt agreed, rejecting the plea deal.

Hewitt said the sentence was inappropriate and that Hoopers actions came from a cold and malignant heart. Hewitt allowed Hooper to withdraw his plea and recused himself, the second judge to do so in the case.

Earlier, Lancaster Circuit Judge R. Michael McKenney had recused himself after receiving a letter from a witness in the case. In the letter, Benjamin M. Chip Woodson, who owns the land just off of which McCormicks body was found, said Smith alleged that McKenney had already made up his mind about the case, which the judge denied. Later, the state bar sanctioned Smith for lying.

The case passed through a few other hands until it was assigned to retired Norfolk Circuit Court Judge Charles Poston. A special prosecutor, King William County Commonwealths Attorney Matthew R. Kite, was appointed after Smiths successor, Tony Spencer, was removed from the case after Hoopers attorneys alleged his election was supported by McCormicks family.

At the start of the trial in January, Hooper pleaded not guilty to more serious charges. He initially faced aggravated manslaughter, but the jury found him guilty of the lesser degree of involuntary manslaughter. The most serious charge, felony murder, was dismissed by Poston before the jury deliberated. The judge said there was insufficient evidence to support malice, which is an essential element in proving the charge.
A judge on Monday set a trial date of Oct. 11 for Henrico County police officer Timothy Grant Million III, who faces a voluntary manslaughter charge in the shooting death of a Tidewater man following a car crash last year on Interstate 64.

Million is accused of killing Tony E. Singleton, 53, who was mortally wounded after an encounter with the officer that hasnt been explained. Singleton and a passenger were driving along I-64 east of Interstate 295 in eastern Henrico, when the car crashed about 6:30 p.m. and flipped several times, police said. Million responded to the wreck.

After gathering evidence from the criminal investigation, Henrico Commonwealths Attorney Shannon Taylors office requested a grand jury to hear the evidence, and a panel of seven citizens returned an indictment against Million on Feb. 3.

The jury heard witness testimony, watched body camera footage and heard more details from the Nov. 6 encounter, including testimony from one witness that indicated Singleton had a bladed weapon on his person at the time of the crash, Taylor said previously.

Taylor also indicated that grand jurors were presented information from the Office of Virginias Chief Medical Examiner, which determined that Singleton was injured in the crash, but not fatally so. The gunshots he sustained were a contributing factor to his fatal injuries.

During a status hearing on the case Monday, retired 15th Judicial Circuit Judge Joseph J. Ellis, who will preside over the matter after Henricos circuit judges recused themselves, set a trial date with a jury for Oct. 11-14. The date was set after Taylor and defense attorney Peter Baruch agreed to the dates.

In another matter, the judge agreed to unseal a portion of the grand jurys transcript that had been sealed and provide it to the defense as part of the discovery process. Part of the transcript had already been provided to the defense.

On a motion from the prosecution, the judge closed a portion of Mondays hearing to hear arguments from the prosecution and defense on the merits of unsealing the part of the grand jurys transcript in question. It was not disclosed what it contained.

Lastly, the judge scheduled a hearing for May 24 to hear various evidentiary motions in the case.

Million remains on paid leave pending the outcome of the criminal charge against him.
Veteran Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist and Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Paul Williams will be honored this month by both of his alma maters.

Williams will receive an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Virginia Union University on Saturday during its 123rd commencement exercises at Hovey Field.

Then, on May 19 in Chicago, hell be inducted into Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications Hall of Achievement for 2022, the school announced last month. Williams and five other Medill alumni will be honored for careers that have had positive effects on their fields.

A Richmond native, Williams won Virginia Press Association awards for column writing in 1992, 1994, 2007 and 2014. During 1999-2000, he was one of 24 U.S. and international journalists awarded a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University.

In 2021, he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for penetrating and historically insightful columns that guided Richmond, the former capital of the Confederacy, through the painful and complicated process of dismantling the citys monuments to white supremacy.
The Virginia Attorney Generals Office is questioning the volume of redacted records filed at the State Corporation Commission related to the cost of Dominion Energys proposed offshore wind farm.

The offices Division of Consumer Counsel made a filing on Friday asking Dominion Energy to justify the need for the confidential material in a case pending before the commission, and asking the commission to make more information available to the public.

This a public utility project that will be funded entirely by captive ratepayers with a dollar-for-dollar rate recovery mechanism, the filing said. Captive ratepayers have the right to know how much of their money is being committed to pay for a project at the time it is being proposed.

Dominions $9.8 billion plan is the largest energy project ever undertaken in Virginia. The wind farm would be the largest in the country and one of the largest in the world.

A response from Dominion is optional, but if the company does respond, the attorney general wants Dominion to provide descriptions of the documents that are confidential, explain why confidentiality is needed, and describe in detail the harms that would happen if the records were public.

The General Assembly, through a 2020 state law called the Virginia Clean Economy Act, directed the commission to approve the utility-owned wind farm at a customer cost of up to $9.8 billion.

Dominion filed an application to the commission in November for approval of the project and its associated costs. Public comment is open, and hearings in the case will begin May 16.

The AGs Division of Consumer Counsel has already questioned the cost of the project and on Friday questioned the public transparency.

Its not unusual for information to be redacted in public filings made at the State Corporation Commission, but theres a general presumption of public disclosure.

Information can be made confidential in the public record, however, if theres a risk of financial harm to the company or its suppliers, for example.

So Dominion Energy was allowed to keep certain information about the cost and cost analysis of its project confidential. State Corporation Commission staff responded in written testimony, and much of that response was redacted, the attorney general noted in the filing.

Consumer Counsel presumes these redactions reflect Company designations of information that is deemed either Confidential or [extraordinarily sensitive], the filing said. There is material throughout this testimony, however, where the basis for protective treatment is not apparent.

The filing said the scope of the redacted information would make it difficult for any meaningful examination of this important testimony to take place in public session.

Asked how the company planned to respond to the filing, Dominion spokesman Jeremy Slayton said by email that the utility is committed to an open and transparent regulatory process while maintaining important protections for its customers, and intends to work collaboratively with the Attorney General and State Corporation Commission staff.
Rocked-up Americana and roots band Whiskey Myers has a widely anticipated new album coming on July 29, and the band has released several singles to preview it.

Southwest Virginia fans are in for a more intimate preview of the new music, Thursday night at Salem Civic Center. Whiskey Myers is scheduled to lead a triple-bill into the arena.

Late last week, the band dropped the latest number from the album Tornillo. Its called Whole World Gone Crazy, and American Songwriter magazine, which premiered the song on its website, likes it a lot.

The bluesy-southern rock blending tune places Whiskey Myers in a league of their own with their signature hard-rocking sound on full display, the magazine wrote.

Check it out on the gritty, half-time rag site of your choice, via orcd.co/wholeworldgonecrazy. It follows previous single releases Antioch John Wayne, from a band that has been receiving critical love from Rolling Stone, Billboard and Esquire.

Opening the show are Shane Smith & The Saints and Goodbye June.

Whiskey Myers has summer stops scheduled for Colorados Red Rocks Amphitheater  which sold out quickly, according to the bands publicist  and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Both are debut shows for the band.

But first, it has a debut date set for Salem.

 Tad Dickens

 Tad Dickens
The Rev. David A. MacQueen identified two categories of the wealthy. The disappointing ones were the disengaged idle rich as he labeled them with the longstanding pejorative.

In that group were people who clear their consciences by sending their money to charities and thus leaving their minds unburdened.

By contrast are those families who give of themselves; their constant thoughts, and a great deal of their time.

To those well-heeled exemplars of citizenship and humanity Rev. MacQueen placed one great Pennsylvania family mentioned in this space recently. In MacQueens 1982 The Crozers of Upland the late pastor of Upland Baptist Church while tracing the family history to its early 18th century beginnings in America made a case that the Crozers were rare aristocrats indeed.

In considering the beneficial good created by the Crozers, it must be said they did not take the easiest road in continually helping people.

The record covers vast contributions to education, health care, missionary work, public spaces, and many other grand and noble causes.

Not to be overlooked are the many small good works of the original Crozer empire builder John P. Crozer. One of his Fourth of July traditions included treating the children of the Upland Baptist Sunday school to what he called a feast of ice cream, cakes, other confections, and lemonade. Another instance of his warm heart was his annual underwriting of summer excursions to the seashore, usually Atlantic City, for the municipal employees of the city of Chester, Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile these Crozers consistently and successfully devised methods of making an honest buck by the vault load.

The Crozer talent to juggle public and private good to the betterment of both was in particular focus during the life of Samuel Aldrich Crozer (1825-1910) a dynamo industrialist and philanthropist. Crozer was a pioneer of Roanoke manufacturing with his Crozer Iron Works profiled here previously.

That report prompted reader Shirley McNeil to email that she had a book about the Crozers and an interesting story about its writing.

My sister attended the Rev. MacQueens church, McNeil said. When she heard that he was coming to Roanoke to research his book she told him she had a sister there.

MacQueen served in his post at Upland Baptist, a church built by Samuel Crozers father John P. Crozer, from 1947 until he retired in 1984 two years after the history of the Crozers was published. MacQueen died in 1989 according to a footnote to a biographical sketch produced for the silver anniversary of his ministry at Upland Baptist.

Before MacQueen arrived in Roanoke to do his research, a stroke of luck involving Shirley McNeils employer at the time and one of its vendors that just so happened to have a real estate corner marker forged at Crozer Iron. She arranged for the artifact to be given the preacher as a welcome gift and he told her it would be put on display back home at the church.

The minister/biographer looked the part, in McNeils recollection.

Suit, tie, white shirt  if you saw him in a group of men, youd think that ones the minster.

The details about MacQueens subject family included in the 112-page page book along with 33 additional pages of family trees, bibliography, and acknowledgements (including particularly Shirley McNeil) make good reading.

A sampling:

The first Crozers, who were Huguenot or French Protestants, arrived in America after family members were driven from their homeland by the 1685 revocation of the Edict of Nantes. The revocation by order of King Louis XIV prompted an exodus of French Protestants to other lands.

Origin of the familys American fortunes was ground-floor Industrial Revolution interest in textile milling. After several failed efforts at other endeavors, John Crozer with backing from his sisters husband, bought a defunct paper mill near Chester, re-equipped it with up-to-date looms and jennies, and found success. The mill opened in 1824.

Samuel, John and Sallie Crozers first child, was born on Christmas Day.

Among his countless charitable acts, John Crozer built a teacher training or normal school in Chester in 1857 that was out of business by 1861 after the institution was wracked by successive scarlet fever and smallpox epidemics. The facility was subsequently sold to the federal government for conversion as a military hospital to accommodate 945 patients. After the battle of Gettysburg in 1863, 1,700 casualties both Union and Confederate were treated there.

There were other major Crozer setbacks prior to the Civil War. John Crozer was coming home on a snowy February in 1843 when something spooked his sleigh horse whose bucking flung the cotton tycoon from his seat and into the snow with a broken thigh. He lay where he fell and could have frozen to death had not luck produced a rescuer just prior to nightfall.

Later that year, massive flooding took out three of his mills. They rebuilt at once.

When the elder Crozer was injured in the sleigh accident, he was out of work for months. His youngest son Samuel was summoned home from boarding school to manage the familys affairs. Samuel was then 18 years old.

Samuel supervised the rebuild of the wrecked mills. When they came back on line, his father made him a full partner in the business.

The Crozers were leaders in the anti-slavery movement since at least 1820. Samuels uncle of the same name was an agent of the American Colonization Society that sought to repatriate freed slaves to an African homeland. The uncle accompanied the first such return voyage to the continent. After losing a quarter of its passengers to disease en route, 60 would-be colonists arrived on the west coast of Africa and were provided with what they needed to establish new homes. Such were the origins of the present nation of Liberia.

Samuel A. Crozer parlayed his share of the cotton mill empire he co-owned with his brothers into the furnace at Roanoke and related enterprises; vast coalfields in Virginia and West Virginia; substantial holdings in at least three railroads including the early Norfolk and Western; partnered in a natural gas provider for municipal lighting; and owned valuable downtown real estate in several American cities including Philadelphia and Chicago. Some of what he owned in Chicago was lost during the Great Chicago fire.

In addition to all that, he founded the Crozer Seminary and was president for over 40 years of the Pennsylvania Institute for Feeble-Minded Children. A future student at Crozer Seminary: Martin Luther King Jr.

Subsequent generations of Crozers solidified the familys status as American royalty. Intermarriage led to links with the DuPonts, Ludlows, Latrobes, Auchinclosses, Sailers and Beales.

Lana Allaire DuPont, whose mother was a Crozer, was the first female member of the U.S. Olympic Equestrian team and was part of the silver medal squad at the 1964 Tokyo Games. Her mother, also named Allaire, bred thoroughbred horses one of whom was Kelso, considered one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

If youve been wondering about something, call Whats on Your Mind? at 777-6476 or send an email to whatsonyourmind@roanoke.com. Dont forget to provide your full name (and its proper spelling if by phone) and hometown.
MONETA  Bedford County resident Neil Ellis was driving home after an out-of-state job and not expecting to assist a policeman in apprehending a suspect.

It was early in the afternoon on an early spring day this year when Ellis saw several stopped vehicles, including an unmarked police car, ahead of him on Moneta Road.

As he slowed down to try and find out what was happening, Ellis said, he saw a fight ensuing: flailing arms and a deputy getting hit by someone he was apparently trying to arrest.

Ellis reacted on impulse. He pulled over, got out of his vehicle, and approached the scene as the suspect fled and the deputy pursued.

It was kind of automatic. It was, Im not going to sit here and watch this happen, Ellis said.

Sgt. Keith Peterson, a Bedford County sheriffs officer, said the incident began when he responded to a call about a vehicle wreck. Since he was nearby, not far outside Bedford on Moneta Road, he responded to the call that came across his radio.

Shortly before the call, Peterson said he had seen a man walking down the road. He thought nothing of it  until he heard the man identified as the one whose vehicle was involved in the reported wreck. Nobody else was involved in the crash, Peterson said. The car ran off the road and damaged a guard rail, but that seemed to be the extent of the incident.

Peterson pulled over and approached the man walking down the road, wanting to talk with him. But the man kept trying to walk past, Peterson said, so he held out his arm in an attempt to stop him and continue trying to speak with him. Then, Peterson said, the man assaulted him.

We began to scuffle, and he started throwing punches. We started fighting in the middle of Moneta Road. He tried to grab my leg, tried to push me onto the ground, punched me in the side of the head, Peterson said.

After an initial struggle, the man stopped and continued up the road before looking over his shoulder and breaking into a run, refusing to comply with his commands, Peterson said.

As he pursued the subject, knowing officers with the Virginia State Police were on the way and having radioed in that he had been assaulted by the subject, Peterson said he heard someone shout that he had backup.

He initially assumed his backup was an officer. Only when the pursuit was ended did Peterson realize it was civilians providing his backup.

A few other civilians became part of a small group who helped the sergeant by the end of the foot pursuit. Ellis estimated the chase lasted for about half a mile.

It was fairly cold, and running that far reminded me I need to run more often, probably. By the time we caught him, I was glad he didnt run any further, because I was tired of running, Ellis, 38, laughed.

Ellis grabbed one of the suspects arms, and the deputy grabbed the other. Together, they were able to detain and cuff the suspect, who, according to Ellis, kept trying to resist arrest.

Perhaps part of Elliss reaction came from the fact that his brother is a police officer, he said.

As the saying goes, the only thing that it takes for evil to win is for good people to do nothing. There were plenty of people sitting in their cars and pulling out their phones to videotape the altercation for whatever social media platforms they wanted to post it to. But I wasnt going to sit idly by and let evil win, he said.

The subject was charged by state police with traffic-related offenses pertaining to the vehicle crash, and charged with obstruction and felony assault on law enforcement by the Bedford County Sheriffs Office, Peterson said.

The community support is so important, in all aspects of our profession, Peterson said. Knowing that people in the community support what we do, support us as law enforcement officers to the point where they could potentially put themselves in harms way to keep us safe, I mean, thats huge.

Although he didnt do it for recognition, Ellis said it felt good to be honored by the Bedford County Sheriffs Office. On April 1, Ellis was presented with an Outstanding Citizenship certificate during a pinning ceremony at the sheriffs office.

For that brief time, I got to experience what a lot of our officers experience on a daily basis: that you are willing to risk your well-being to help somebody that you didnt know. That doesnt make me an outstanding citizen, because the police do that daily, Ellis said.
GLADE SPRING  A local teachers misfortune has brought about a grassroots volunteer effort from students, faculty, and staff where she teaches.

As many as 34 volunteers from Holston High School gave up a morning to sleep on a recent April Saturday to come to the aid of their beloved English teacher, Christine Mitten, who lost her Glade Spring home to a fire in August of 2019.

Recently, the small Washington County town off Interstate 81 notified Mitten that a lien would be issued against the property if the cleanup was not completed by May.

If Id had the financial ability to get the job done, I would have a long time ago, Mitten said.

The teacher, who also works two other jobs, was using any spare time she had to come to the site after work to pull out a few boards and throw out trash.

Im only one person and it was taking me a long time. I really felt like it was hopeless.

Students and teachers worked alongside each other, removing the charred remains of the demolished house that stood as a painful reminder to Mitten of her loss.

The volunteers sifted through ash and debris, separating wood, shingles, concrete and other trash during the morning, completing the job in only a few hours.

Mitten said she is amazed by the kindness shown to her, especially since shes taught at the high school for less than a year. She worked 25 years in elementary and early childhood education before returning to the high school classroom.

Im so overwhelmed by the amount of care shown to me by teachers, the administration and students, some of whom I have not even taught, Mitten said. Im hugging all of them in my heart right now. I cant express my gratitude for them adequately.

Chlowe Taylor, a senior at the school, asked for a day off from her work at a veterinary clinic, just so she could be there to help.

When the opportunity arose, I didnt blink an eye. Anything to help her, Im all about it, said the student.

Noah Tweed, a freshman at the school, said he was in Mittens class during the first semester this school year. Shes a very sweet lady. Shes always been there for us. It was an immediate reaction that we need to give back to her.

Jacob Bott, a junior at the school, agreed with his classmates. We get so much help from people around us. It feels good to come out here and give back.

Arrangements made by Mitten to remove the badly damaged house two years ago were interrupted when the pandemic left many workers unavailable.

Things went from bad to worse when Mitten recently discovered that a shed on the property had been stolen. It didnt contain valuables  only keepsakes that meant a lot to us, Mitten, who has two adult daughters, said. That just sent me over the edge.

When Mitten went to school the next day visibly shaken, many of her colleagues knew they wanted to help somehow.

Rarely, do I talk about things outside the school, but they could tell I was upset. I was overwhelmed and I couldnt figure out a way to get past this, she said

Steve Ahn, a biology teacher at the school, Lawrence Cox, the horticulture teacher, and Michael Reid, the schools resource officer, put a plan into action, recruiting students, staff, and teachers to volunteer for a work day at the site of the demolished house.

This just pulled at my heart strings, Cox said, who called the service project a blessing.

Donated money helped to pay for a rented dumpster for the debris. Ryan Davidson who owns C&S Construction volunteered his time and machinery to excavate the property.

We didnt expect to even come close to finishing, Ahn said, only a few hours after the work started on Saturday.

People from the school who couldnt be there donated money for snacks and drinks for the volunteers.

Ive worked at other schools, and I never would have thought wed have such a large turnout, Gabe Long, the principal at the school said. This community has come together to help one of our own.

Mitten, who has since relocated to another house in Glade Spring, said rebuilding at the site is not an option for her now.

But, I will be forever grateful they took this huge weight off my shoulders, she said. That doesnt happen very often in todays world.
Christine Lattin checking for eggs in a European Starlings nest box. Credit: Lattin Lab

As humans continue to impact the world around us, often resulting in the destruction of wildlife and their habitats, LSU researcher Christine Lattin believes better understanding how some animals thrive while others fail to adapt will allow us to better understand human and animal stress.

Research conducted in her lab, known as the Lattin Lab of Neuroendocrinology and Behavior, looks at stress hormones and other biological systems in sparrows and starlings as they cope with challenges they encounter in the wild, such as predators, bad weather or a lack of food.

Through extensive research the Lattin Lab has uncovered striking similarities between the way humans and birds cope with stress.

Like humans, a sparrow's excessive production of glucocorticoid hormones and certain neurotransmitters can cause stress that can quickly switch from being helpful in problem solving to detrimental to their survival.

"I'm interested in that switch; how do these systems switch from being helpful to harmful and why are some individuals very stress resilient while others are susceptible to the negative impacts of stress?" Lattin questioned.

Lattin explains that understanding how and why stress becomes harmful in birds helps us understand stress-triggered diseases such as anxiety or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD because of the unique similarities in how birds, humans and other vertebrate animals cope with stress.

Lattin's controlled experimental research is opening doors for scientists to discover new types of therapy and drugs that could help people and animals cope with chronic stress. She believes her research is more important now than ever.

"A lot of people are dealing with trauma right now after two years of a pandemic, I think a lot of people are feeling chronic stress that is unprecedented in our lifetimes," Lattin said. "As a society, this pandemic has been an incredible two-year chronic stressor that is not quite like anything we have seen before and it's really been a huge adaptive challenge."

Lattin studies sparrows and starlings because of her background in bird research and the large amount of research previously done on these species.

Lattin spent a year working at a raptor center in Ohio where she learned to care for injured and ill birds of prey, helping to nurse them back to health so they could be released back into the wild. During this experience she realized the many similarities between humans and birds. Through the differences between species, she saw an opportunity to learn from them.

"Birds are an important group in terms of understanding the health of an ecosystem, and the negative impacts people can have on ecosystems," Lattin said.

During this research the Lattin Lab discovered that some individual sparrows are fearful toward new things and will not approach new objects, while others do not act fearful and are quick to approach. Lattin believes the different personalities within the same flock may contribute to their success in adapting. Some of Lattin's current research involves studying sparrows' fearful behavior toward new things, also known as neophobia, in a controlled environment. As humans continue to build roads, shopping centers, and housing developments on once-natural habitats, Lattin points out that sparrows and starlings have adapted extraordinarily well to the changes happening around them, whereas most other bird species have not. This adaptive behavior has been successful enough that house sparrows are considered one of the most successful invasive species on the planet and have successfully established themselves nearly worldwide.

Socially, the birds flock together and Lattin's research demonstrates they can show "social learning" where they can teach each other that the new objects are not threatening.

Some of Lattin's interest in the study of glucocorticoid hormones began after the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. That spill would cause animals to ingest oil for years, affecting ecosystems and food webs.

Her research, funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency, found that very small amounts of oil ingested by birds would negatively affect their ability to secrete hormones critically important for stress coping.

Lattin's findings were published and cited by other researchers who were puzzled by continuing to find sea turtles and dolphins dead on beaches after the oil spill.

Through Lattin's previous research on sparrows, researchers were able to understand the impact of even small amounts of oil on the adrenal glands, which may have ultimately led to many animal deaths after the spill.

"It's evidence that holds oil companies accountable for deaths of wildlife," Lattin said. "Without that kind of research that is controlled in a lab environment we have no way of knowing what exactly is the cause of these types of illnesses that occur in wildlife."

Despite her research being challenged by groups of animal rights advocacy groups such as PETA, Lattin argues there is an absolute need for controlled laboratory experiments to understand the consequences of stress and different types of stressors from oil spills, road noise and other man-made stressors on wildlife. Additionally, without animal research, Lattin said therapies for cancer, drugs and veterinary medicines would not exist to help human and animal patients.

"We wouldn't have any information about how wildlife are dealing with the altered planet that we continue to change," Lattin said. "Animal research is necessary, and it also saves human lives."

Animal research requires extensive oversight, rules, regulations and permits to make sure it is done in the most humane way possible to minimize suffering.

The Lattin Lab continues to research ways they can help alleviate stress from animals who struggle to adapt to an environment impeded on by humans.

"You have to be really careful when you're doing any kind of research with animals. You're trying to minimize any negative impacts and suffering. But unfortunately, there is no way at this point to study stress without stressing the animals to some extent," Lattin said.

Lattin's love for books, nature and writing eventually lead to her career in science, one she never imagined possible.

"Scientists do the work we do because we believe it's important to contribute knowledge that can help the planet and wildlife," Lattin said.

The first-generation college graduate initially pursued an office job at a small company that provided language translation services but missed working outside and with animals. In her next job she worked with children doing environmental education. Her love for working with children and nature together led to her realizing that she wanted a career path in biology and education.

Lattin's interest and observations of birds in their environment left her not only wanting to educate others but also ask and answer the questions she had, herself.

"I thought why not? Why not me? Why can't I be a scientist too?" Lattin said.

Provided by Louisiana State University
Kelli Moran. Credit: Kelli Moran

LSU student Kelli Moran is one of 14 in the nation to receive a National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant that supports graduate student study in the Netherlands. Moran is a doctoral candidate in the College of the Coast & Environment.

This $399,718 grant awarded to The Water Institute and the University of New Orleans supports three groups of students over the next three years for two-week educational programs in water management and resiliency in the Netherlands. The program, which will begin its first session this summer, will include work with Deltares, Delft University of Technology and Utrecht University where students will integrate classroom training, field site visits and hands-on instruction in numerical modeling techniques using Delft3D and flume lab experiments.

"The Netherlands and Louisiana are very similar in that they have some of the most engineered coastlines in the world. By exchanging information with the experts there, in addition to the amazing experts at LSU, my research will enable us to better manage the delicate coastlines and ecosystems along the Gulf Coast as well as abroad," Moran said.

Moran studies geological oceanography with her major professor, Kevin Xu, director of the Coastal Studies Institute and associate professor in the Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences. She loves working in the field and has performed research on a dredge pit on Ship Shoal, Louisiana; in Terrebonne Bay analyzing the last 10,000 years of climate change and sea level rise; and in an 60,000-year-old underwater cypress forest off the Alabama coast.

According to Moran, the opportunities she received at LSU afforded her the right skillset that she needed to qualify for this exciting grant.

"Dr. Xu, LSU, and the College of the Coast & Environment really gave me an opportunity to thrive and do what I love to do. It was the right major professor, the right time, and the right research projects. I get to work with cutting-edge technology and do some of the coolest research that I didn't even know existed before starting at LSU. I'm looking forward to expanding my skillset and bringing back new ideas and perspectives when I return from the Netherlands," Moran said.

Provided by Louisiana State University
FLORENCE, S.C. Cory Dewayne McNeal, 39, of Darlington, has been sentenced to more than 12 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute those substances.

Evidence presented to the court showed that on April 17, 2020, a deputy with the Florence County Sheriffs Office approached a car in the parking lot of a hotel in Florence, South Carolina.

Cory McNeal was sitting in the drivers seat. Upon approaching the car, the deputy noticed an odor of marijuana and saw marijuana remnants on McNeals pants.

The deputy also saw a clear plastic bag that appeared to contain marijuana near the center console.

Deputies searched the car and located a firearm, a digital scale, 0.44 gram of cocaine, 3.36 grams of crack cocaine, 4.44 grams of marijuana, 10 grams of fentanyl, 21.61 grams of heroin, 97 tablets containing 23.25 grams of methamphetamine, and an additional 5.04 grams of methamphetamine.

United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon sentenced McNeal to 151 months in federal prison, to be followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Florence County Sheriffs Office.

This case was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods, the centerpiece of the Department of Justices violent crime reduction efforts.

PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

Assistant United States Attorney Lauren Hummel prosecuted the case.
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July 31, 2012

High-profile Cleveland corruption case culminates with 28-year prison term for Jimmy Dimora

As reported in this local article, headlined "Jimmy Dimora sentenced to 28 years in prison, defense attorney calls it a 'death sentence'," a very high-profile federal criminal corruption case involving Cleveland politicians concluded with a very long sentence handed down this afternoon. Here is how the local article begins:

U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi handed down a 28-year sentence to former county Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, who was convicted in March of racketeering and 32 other bribery- and corruption-related crimes. Afterward, Stephen D. Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Cleveland FBI said: "There are lots of reasons to be positive and optimistic going forward. It is our hope this case will give pause to any individual who considers violating the public trust." Dimora, 57, gave an emotional brief statement in court today, denying any wrongdoing or that he bilked Cuyahoga County taxpayers. Wiping tears from his face, Dimora also asked Judge Sara Lioi to not separate him from his family because of his health. His attorney, William Whitaker, said Dimora's statement to the court was true and accurate -- that he never traded his votes for anything. He said his defense has raised a number of issues, including Dimora's ability to get a fair trial. They will appeal those issues, as well as the 28-year sentence, which he called "grossly unfair." Whitaker called Lioi's ruling a "death sentence." Dimora would be 85 years old if he were to complete the 28-year prison sentence. His attorneys requested he be sentenced to prison in Buckner, N.C., because of its health facilities for prisoners. Lioi said she would recommend it. While using his walker as he was escorted from the courtroom, Dimora said to prosecutors, "I hope you guys are happy." Before she handed down the sentence, Lioi said Dimora abused his power as a politician. The reach of his corruption was far and wide, Lioi said. "The destruction left in its wake is incalculable." The conduct was part of daily workings in Cuyahoga County, a pervasive pattern of corruption, she said. "In the world of Cuyahoga County corruption, they had somewhat of a symbiotic relationship," she said. Lioi said that while Dimora did good things as mayor of Bedford Heights, his behavior become less about helping others and more about helping Jimmy Dimora. "Somewhere along the way he began using his power and authority for his own benefit."

This just-before-final-sentencing local article about the Dimora case reveals how guideline calculations and lawyer advocacy might have played a role in this sentencing judgment:

U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi said [based on her] federal sentencing guideline [calculations] that Dimora could be looking at between 292 to 365 months in prison.... Federal prosecutors have asked Lioi to put Dimora behind bars for at least 22 years for racketeering and 31 other corruption-related charges. Federal probation department officials recommended Dimora be sentenced to life in prison, while defense lawyers had asked for a much lighter, although unspecified, sentence.... Dimora's attorneys argu[ed] he should get less time due to physical condition and age. Andrea Whitaker, one of Dimoras attorney, asked for the court to consider less of a prison sentence due to what she described as his ailing health conditions. Prison is a more severe experience for people with health conditions, Whitaker said. "Mr. Dimora's health issues are real, they aren't imagined." Whitaker said mass behind his lungs and also suffered from an aneurysm. She also said he had other health related conditions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Antoinette Bacon, however, said Dimora had the same health issues when he committed the crimes. Hes only 57 years old, Bacon said. He is a relatively young man who has a long life ahead of him.

Dimora is going to need to have a long life ahead of him if he will even be free again (unless he can get some kind of relief on appeal). Even if he gets full credit for good behavior, the lengthy prison term given to Dimora today means he cannot be free until at least 2036 and is in his 80s.

As an interesting point of reference, I think it is notable that Dimora's sentence is fully twice as long as the sentence given to former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (basic here). Indeed, I cannot recall and am unaware of any sentence for political corruption longer than even 20 years, and thus Dimora may well have today received the longest sentence for political corruption in modern history.

July 31, 2012 at 05:06 PM | Permalink

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Got what he deserved--good riddance.

His attorney was an absolute joke during the trial. After being called out several times for filing "frivolous" motions, it doesn't surprise me that they would seriously ask for a lenient sentence for some of the worst corruption in Cleveland history (and maintain the guy's innocence in light of the overwhelming evidence against him, which Dimora never attempted to explain or contest). The city is still recovering from this scum's "kiss-the-ring" antics.

I have no doubt Judge Lioi's meticulous attention to the trial will be affirmed on appeal.

Posted by: Res ipsa | Jul 31, 2012 5:20:13 PM

Doug, this sentence is fully twice as long as Blagojevich's sentence, but it's not "the longest sentence for political corruption in modern history" nor is it as novel or unusual as it may seem at first blush. See, eg., USA v. Ciavarella, 3:09-cr-00272-EMK-2 (M.D.Pa.)(28 years)(judge-defendant sentenced 8/11/2011 for public corruption). In the actual dialogue/diction often heard at sentencing proceedings (despite Booker, Gall, Kimbrough, Pepper.... etc. etc.) judges, probation departments, and (worst of all) defense counsel too often remain influenced too strongly by inflated, non-empirical, not-necessarily-rational guidelines like 2B1.1--- however "advisory" they may be de jure.

Posted by: Defense Attorney Timothy Polishan | Jul 31, 2012 10:01:57 PM

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May 1, 2022

An (incomplete) account of the dynamic state of federal criminal justice reform politics

This new Politico article, headlined "Trumps criminal justice reform bill becomes persona non grata among GOPers," provides an interesting (but I think incomplete) account of the current state of federal criminal justice reform politics. I recommend the full piece, and here are some excerpts:

The First Step Act was not just hailed as a rare bipartisan achievement for the 45th president but as the beginning of a major shift in GOP politics, one that would move the party past the 1980s tough-on-crime mindset to a focus on rehabilitation, racial fairness and second chances. Three-and-a-half years later, few Republicans  Trump included  seem not at all interested in talking about it. With spikes in crime registering as a top concern for voters, Republicans have increasingly reverted back to that 1980s mindset. Talk of additional legislation has taken a back seat to calls for enhanced policing and accusations that Democratic-led cities are veering toward lawlessness.... For some advocates, the Republican Partys cooling to criminal justice reform confirms the belief the interest wasnt ever sincere. But for lawmakers and advocates on the right who worked on the First Step Act, the shift has been similarly disconcerting, raising concern it freezes political momentum for further reform. I personally think theres just as many people that want to do criminal justice reform as the last several years, but I think their voices are quiet now, and those that are opposed to the First Step Act are still opposed and have gotten louder, said Brett Tolman from the conservative group Right on Crime. Tolman added that much work continues behind the scenes. It feels like we just have to bide our time a bit and get past when the emotion of all of the political rhetoric is at the forefront.... Republicans who support reforms say the party can be both in line with that vision and adopt a tough-on-crime posture  that voters will be able to differentiate between crackdowns on violent crime and accountability in the justice system. Reform and calling out truths can coexist. Its not a binary decision. And there are achievable solutions available, said Zack Roday, a Republican political strategist. But trends arent helping the reformers cause. In the past year, violent crime rates have risen dramatically, with at least 12 major U.S. cities breaking annual homicide records in 2021. Recent polling reflects public concerns about rising crime rates and dissatisfaction with how public leaders are addressing the problem. Republicans pointed to the trends as evidence of a Democratic failure.... Despite the changing political winds, reform advocates still say they are optimistic that Congress will pass the EQUAL Act, which would end federal sentencing disparities between crack and cocaine offenses. Supporters of the bill, which the House passed in September with the support of some of the most conservative members, say it would address racial disparities, noting 90 percent of those serving federal time for crack offenses are Black.... So far, the bill has the support of 11 Republican senators, the National District Attorneys Association, the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the American Civil Liberties Union. But congressional aides warn the legislation is not a slam dunk, especially without the support of Grassley, now the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee. This week, the senator introduced a separate bill tackling crack and cocaine sentencing disparities. And in a midterm election year when public focus is on rising crime in communities, some conservatives say they do not see a path forward for federal reforms. From the federal government I dont see anything passing this year on criminal justice reform, I think theyre done. I think the politics of it are too difficult, said Charles Stimson, a crime expert at the conservative Heritage Foundation. People will probably be motivated in the fall to vote for folks who take the law and order approach and theyre not going to believe people who say they dont have a crime problem.

Though covering a lot of ground well, this Politico piece seem to me to fail to highlight how much crime and punishment had become a part of this era's broader culture wars. Of particular note, I think George Floyd's murder, which brought "defund the police" to the forefront of the political arena, served to derail some of the bipartisanship that got the FIRST STEP Act to the finish line. And thereafter with rising crime concerns, the GOPs recent affinity for a certain brand of populism makes it ever more likely for a return to the classic tough-on-crime tune. (It also bears noting, in this context and others, that while Prez Trump leaned into prison reforms all through 2018 and actively helped get the FIRST STEP Act done, Prez Biden has made no public effort to push criminal justice reforms others than politically-fraught policing reforms.)

And yet, adding ever more nuance to a complicated political story, there still seems to be persistent bipartisan energy for not just the EQUAL Act, but also for other smaller reforms. For example, as noted here, just six weeks ago, the US House overwhelmingly voted, by a margin of 405-12, for the Prohibiting Punishment of Acquitted Conduct Act of 2021. And various modest proposed marijuana reforms, such as the SAFE Banking Act and a variety of bills to enhance research or expand expungements, are garnering bipartisan support in one form or another.

Stated differently, I share Brett Tolman's general view that there are still plenty of folks on both sides of the aisle that are considerably interested in considerable criminal justice reforms. But, critically, as political and criminal justice realities on the ground have changed, leaders of Congress must change their vision of the possible circa May 2022. More modest bills may have to get more attention, and the "best" cannot be the enemy of the "good enough." Small reform victories are still victories, and I would hope that the type of criminal justice reform bills that pass by a margin of 405-12 in one chamber should be able to make some progress in the other. But hoping for Congress to do better obviously does not mean it will anytime soon.

May 1, 2022 at 10:39 PM | Permalink

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Doug notes that he probably won't be lucky enough to see any big "reforms" get through Congress this time, so once again he and I are together in sharing a mild sense of pessimism: I don't think I'll be lucky enough for the Democrats to make shorter prison sentences and going easier on hard drugs their signature issues for November. Well phooey. Still, with voices like AOC increasingly running the show in the Democratic Party, I haven't given up all hope.

Posted by: Bill Otis | May 2, 2022 10:07:53 AM

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May 2, 2022

Seriously considering resentencing in high-profile Cleveland corruption case (while seriously enjoying rewatching puppet trial parody)

Though the initial federal sentencing of former Cleveland area county commissioner Jimmy Dimora took place a decade ago, I still recall that Dimora received one of the longest prison terms ever given for political corruption. My 2012 post about his sentencing to 28 years in federal prison provides some background on the case, and it notes that his attorneys then argued Dimora should get less prison time due to his ailing physical condition and age. Fast forward a decade, and this local story highlights that what's old is new again in federal sentencing for Dimora. The article is headlined "Ex-Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimoras health is failing; attorney asks for release from prison at re-sentencing," and here are excerpts:

Disgraced former Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimoras health is failing, and his defense attorney asked a judge to consider releasing him from prison when Dimora is re-sentenced on corruption charges next month. Attorney Philip Kushner urged U.S. District Judge Sara Lioi to have leniency for Dimora, according to a court filing last week. Lioi must re-sentence Dimora after the judge overturned convictions on two of Dimoras 32 charges in one of the largest corruption cases in Ohio history. Dimora, who will turn 67 in June, has a long list of medical issues that Kushner said should result in Lioi giving Dimora significantly less prison time than the original 28-year sentence. He was convicted of engineering a pay-to-play scandal that led to an overhaul of county government in 2012. During his 10 years of incarceration, his health has deteriorated, Kushner wrote in the filing.... Dimoras cohort and co-defendant, former county Auditor Frank Russo, died last month. His death came about two years after he was released from prison, in part, because of his failing health and the coronavirus pandemic. Kushner argued for a significantly lesser sentence or release for Dimora based on his age, health and the steep punishment Lioi doled out in 2012. Dimora, he wrote, suffers from a heart defect, an intestinal disorder and an inner-ear equilibrium disease. He needs knee-replacement surgery. He suffered a stroke in prison, is diabetic and uses a wheelchair, according to the filing. Dimora contracted COVID-19 twice in prison, including once in which he became very ill, according to Kushner. Dimora is currently serving time in the Federal Medical Center Devens in Massachusetts, which houses seriously ill inmates. Kushner also argued that similar felons typically serve far less time, somewhere between 12 and 15 years, not the 28 that Dimora is serving. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ordered Lioi to re-examine the case in the wake of a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision in which the justices clarified the definition of an official act taken by a public official in a bribery case. The ruling meant that Liois instructions to the jury were outdated and incorrect. Lioi in March overturned two convictions that focused on contractor Nicholas Zavarella, who built an outdoor kitchen and retaining wall at Dimoras home for free.... Federal prosecutors are expected to file their own sentencing memorandum with Lioi in the days before the hearing June 8.

Whether Dimora receives a significantly reduced federal sentence is a serious matter, perhaps even literally deadly serious for him. But Dimora's name and his high-profile case reminded me of a not-quite-so-serious aspect of his trial. Specifically, as this 2012 NBC News piece detailed, one news station's local coverage of the Dimora trial itself made national and international news:

It's courtroom drama crossed with "Sesame Street," as a television station barred from using cameras during a high-profile corruption trial covers the highlights with a nightly puppet show. It stars a talking squirrel "reporter" who provides the play-by-play in an exaggerated, "you won't believe this" tone. "It's a satirical look at the trial and, again, I think we have it appropriately placed at the end of the newscast," WOIO news director Dan Salamone said Thursday. He said the puppets are in addition to the station's regular coverage of the Akron federal trial of ex-Cuyahoga County Commissioner Jimmy Dimora, the longtime Democratic power broker in Cleveland. "It's not intended in any way to replace any of the serious coverage of the trial," Salamone said.

Especially on a Monday afternoon when everyone could surely use a bit of levity, I highly recommend watching at least the first few segments of "The Puppet's Court":

Each of these segments is only about 90 seconds long, though I think there are at least 10 of them if you keep watching. I am so glad they are still on YouTube.

May 2, 2022 at 02:20 PM | Permalink

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Puppet Court is great. Thanks for the heads up, I found them on Utube.

Posted by: Ilene Marsch | May 4, 2022 9:48:56 AM

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russia resumed pulverizing the Mariupol steel mill that has become the last stronghold of resistance in the bombed-out city, Ukrainian fighters said Monday, after a brief cease-fire over the weekend allowed the first evacuation of civilians from the plant.

More than 100 people  including elderly women and mothers with small children  left the rubble-strewn Azovstal steelworks on Sunday and set out in buses and ambulances for the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) to the northwest, according to authorities and video released by the two sides.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive in Zaporizhzhia on Monday as hoped for. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

At least some of the civilians were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The Russian military said that some chose to stay in separatist areas, while dozens left for Ukrainian-held territory.

In the past, Ukraine has accused Moscows troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas. The Kremlin has denied it.

The Russian bombardment of the sprawling plant by air, by tank and by ship picked up again after the partial evacuation, Ukraines Azov Battalion, which is defending the mill, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were underway among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on evacuating more people.

The steel-plant evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the southern port city and other places have broken down, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russian forces of shooting and shelling along agreed-on evacuation routes.

Before the weekend evacuation, overseen by the United Nations and the Red Cross, about 1,000 civilians were believed to be in the plant along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. Russia has demanded that the fighters surrender; they have refused.

As many as 100,000 people overall may still be in Mariupol, which had a prewar population of more than 400,000. Russian forces have pounded much of the city into rubble, trapping civilians with little food, water, heat or medicine.

Some Mariupol residents got out of the city on their own, by way of often damaged private cars.

As sunset approached, Mariupol resident Yaroslav Dmytryshyn rattled up to a reception center in Zaporizhzhia in a car with a back seat full of youngsters and two signs taped to the back window: Children and Little ones.

I cant believe we survived, he said, looking worn but in good spirits over their safe arrival after two days on the road.

There is no Mariupol whatsoever,'' he said. Someone needs to rebuild it, and it will take millions of tons of gold. He said they lived just across the railroad tracks from the steel plant. Ruined, he said. The factory is gone completely.

Anastasiia Dembytska, who took advantage of the cease-fire to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog, said her family survived by cooking on a makeshift stove and drinking well water. She said she could see the steelworks from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

With most of Mariupol in ruins, a majority of the dozen Russian battalion tactical groups that had been around the city have moved north to other battlefronts in eastern Ukraine, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the Pentagons assessment.

In other developments, European Union energy ministers met Monday to discuss new sanctions against the Kremlin, which could include restrictions on Russian oil. But some Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc, including Hungary and Slovakia, are wary of taking tough action.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped more people would be able to leave Mariupol in an organized evacuation on Monday. The city council told residents wanting to leave to gather at a shopping mall to wait for buses.

Zelenskyy told Greek state television that remaining civilians in the steel plant were afraid to board buses because they feared they would be taken to Russia. He said he had been assured by the U.N. that they would be allowed to go to areas his government controls.

Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard, said in a televised interview that several hundred civilians remained trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said.

Also Monday, Zelenskyy said that at least 220 Ukrainian children have been killed by the Russian army since the war began, and 1,570 educational institutions have been destroyed or damaged.

Thwarted in his bid to seize Kyiv, the capital, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted his focus to the Donbas, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Russia said it struck dozens of military targets in the region in the past day. It said it hit concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region, which lies west of the Donbas.

Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow's troops are raining fire indiscriminately, taking a heavy toll on civilians while making only slow progress.

Zelenskyy's office said at least three people were killed in the Donbas in the previous 24 hours. The regional administration in Zaporizhzhia reported that at least two people died in Russian shelling.

The governor of the Odesa region along the Black Sea Coast, Maksym Marchenko, said on Telegram that a Russian missile strike Monday on an Odesa infrastructure target caused deaths and injuries. He gave no details. Zelenskyy said the attack destroyed a dormitory and killed a 14-year-old boy.

The missile attack took the roof off a church belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox faction that is loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate, according to the secretary of Ukraines national security council, Oleksiy Danilov.

Ukraine said Russia also struck a strategic road and rail bridge west of Odesa. The bridge was heavily damaged in previous Russian strikes, and its destruction would cut a supply route for weapons and other cargo from neighboring Romania.

The attack on Odessa came eight years to the day after deadly clashes between Ukrainian government supporters and protesters calling for autonomy in the country's east. The government supporters in 2014 firebombed a trade union building containing pro-autonomy demonstrators, killing over 40 people.

Also Monday, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea.

Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas, is key to Russia's campaign in the east. Its capture would deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere in the region.

A full picture of the battle unfolding in eastern Ukraine is hard to capture. The fighting makes it dangerous for reporters to move around, and both sides have imposed tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

But Britains Defense Ministry said it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective  unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

Varenytsia reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Lolita Baldor in Washington 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.

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Who doesnt love a good onion recipe? Turns out, not many. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, onions are the third most-consumed vegetable in the U.S, behind just tomatoes and potatoes.

San Antonio-based pastry chef Sofia Tejeda lives in the heart of Texas onion country, not far from the Carrizo Springs-based Dixondale Farms, which is one of the largest onions farms in the nation. Tejeda, who we first met in our Grapefruit issue, was born in Mexico City, Mexico, then moved to San Antonio during junior high school. Her Mexican roots are a major influence on her kitchen life, and that includes onions, which are a main component of Mexican cooking. While Tejeda is a pastry chef, she shows in her recipes that baking is not exclusive to sweet stuff. Savory items  like onions!  also have a home in baked goods.

Cheddar, onion and sausage scones

Scones are not only vessels for sweet fruit and melty chocolate, and this recipe from pastry chef Sofia Tejeda shows the pastrys savory side with the addition of slow-cooked onions. Try using a plant-based sausage if you are looking for a vegetarian option.

Yields: about 12-15 scones

1/2 cup onions, caramelized*

3 1/2 cups cake flour, plus more for dusting

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

12 Tbsp cold butter (1 1/2 sticks), cut into small pieces, plus more for brushing

1 cup cooked sausage, chopped

1/2 cup cheddar cheese

1 green onion, finely chopped

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 cup heavy or whipping cream

Caramelize onions and pat dry to get rid of excess liquid. Let cool.

Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and butter. Mix until the butter breaks down to small pieces.

Add sausage, cheese, green onions and caramelized onions. Mix.

Add the eggs and heavy cream. Mix until combined.

Roll out on a lightly floured surface and cut into desired shape. Brush with melted butter and bake at 350F for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Brush with more butter once out of the oven, if desired.

*Caramelizing onions is a process in which onions that are sliced thin are cooked slowly with a tablespoon of butter or oil and a pinch of salt. Once the onions have softened, turned a golden caramel color and appear dry, they are ready to be used in this recipe. Cool them slightly before incorporating into the scone dough to avoid melting the butter in the recipe. See our guide to onions for more details on how best to cut onions.

Cebolla en Escabeche (Pickled Red Onion)

The briny notes of a good pickle can elevate any sandwich or rich, savory dish. You might be surprised how often you rely on this cebella en escabeche recipe from chef Sofia Tejeda. Keep a jar in your fridge at all times to top braised meats or burgers, add to a quick salad, adorn tacos or even garnish a cocktail.

Yields: about 2 quarts

1 quart of red onions, cut into 1/8-inch thick half circles

1 quart red wine vinegar

1 pint water

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp kosher salt

5 peppercorns

2 cloves of garlic

1 bay leaf

Mix together all ingredients except the onions in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then strain over the red onion. Let sit overnight before eating.

Caramelized Onion Quiche

Quiche  like an onion  has a place at the table any time of day: Breakfast, brunch, a quick lunch or a simple dinner. Onions can be caramelized ahead of time in a large batch and doled out for recipes as needed, including for this novice-level quiche from pastry chef Sofia Tejeda that any home cook can successfully make.

Yields: 6 to 8 servings

For pie dough

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 pinch of salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1 stick of butter

1/4 cup of cold water

For filling

2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 cup mushrooms, chopped (optional)

2-3 large red onions, sliced thin

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 each eggs

6 oz cheese (like Gruyere or Muenster)

To make the dough

Combine flour, salt and sugar. Add butter in small cubes, mix until combined. Slowly add cold water until a dough forms. Cover and let cool in fridge, at least 1 hour. Roll out to desired size and mold into a pie tin, sprayed with nonstick spray.

To assemble the quiche

Caramelize the onions.*

Par bake pie dough in pie tin at 350F for 15 minutes: Cover the pie dough with parchment paper and cover with pie weights. Remove from oven and remove parchment and beans. Poke the dough with a fork to allow any air bubbles to escape. Insert back in oven (without the parchment or weights) and bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Set shell to the side.

Sprinkle some of the cheese at the bottom of the tart shell, then layer on caramelized onions.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients and pour into tart shell over cheese and onions.

Bake again for 30 to 40 minutes or until the center has cooked and is set. Let cool a bit before serving.

*Caramelizing onions is a process in which onions that are sliced thin are cooked slowly with a tablespoon of butter or oil and a pinch of salt. Once the onions have softened, turned a golden caramel color and appear dry, they are ready to be used in this recipe. Cool them slightly before incorporating into the scone dough to avoid melting the butter in the recipe. See our guide to onions for more details on how best to cut onions.

Onion Dip

No party, tailgate buffet or game day spread is complete without a bowl of onion dip. From chef Sofia Tejeda, the dips flavor benefits from sitting overnight in the fridge before serving, as it allows the flavors to meld together and create a luscious texture and onion flavor. Serve with potato chips, pretzels or crudite  or all of the above!

Yields: about 1 cup

4 Tbsp butter

3 cups diced onions (Chef Tejeda likes yellow)

1 tsp of salt

1/2 tsp of pepper

4 oz of cream cheese, at room temperature

1/4 cup mayo (Dukes is Tejedas favorite)

3/4 cup of sour cream (full fat)

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Green onions, for garnish (optional)

Melt the butter in a pan and cook onions, adding salt and pepper, and any other spices youd like. Cook until translucent/golden. Allow to cool.

Once cream cheese is at room temperature, fold in sour cream and mayo. Mix in Worcestershire sauce. Add some more salt and pepper to taste, fold in the onions, cover and let sit for a couple of hours, or overnight if possible. Garnish with some green onions on top if youd like.

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"The railcar was moved into its bay earlier this week," Erickson said Friday at the museum, 3400 Sioux River Rd. "When work is completed this fall, the railcar will vibrate electronically, giving visitors a sense of what prisoners felt in transport."

The exhibit will be coming during what Tolerance Week board member Lou Ann Lindblade described as a "transitional" time for the organization.

"The Holocaust is part of the curriculum for many Siouxland middle schools and we've been able to provide an entire week on activities every spring," she said.

That included special guests and film presentations at the Orpheum Theatre, 528 Pierce St.

Concerns over COVID-19 forced organizers to cancel the event in 2020. Events were held virtually last year.

Lindblade said this year's activities were originally slated to go on as planned from May 2 - 6.

Unfortunately, German-born author and Terezin Concentration Camp survivor Inge Auerbacher, who was slated to speak, canceled her engagement due to persistent back and leg pain.

"Inge made a trip back to Germany earlier this year," Lindblade said. "It was her first major trip since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The trip aggravated Inge's back and leg pain. So, she decided not to travel at this time."

Instead, Sioux City's Tolerance Week events will be kept to a minimum this year.

On Wednesday, eighth grade students from Sioux City Community Schools, Siouxland Christian School, Hinton Middle School, Sgt. Bluff-Luton Middle School, St. Augustine, Holy Cross and Vermillion (S.D.) Middle School will travel to the Orpheum to view "Nicky's Family," a 2011 documentary detailing Nicholas Winton, who helped to organize the rescue of 669 children just before the outbreak of World War II.

In addition, an invitation-only banquet for entrants of the Tolerance Week essay contest and the Ella Holtzen Memorial Art Contest (named after the 2016 art contest winner who died in 2020 car accident) will be held.

The theme for the essay and art contests is, how we can live a more tolerant life, improving our part of the world, according to a Tolerance Week social media post.

"There won't be any other events this year," Lindblade said, "and none will be open to the general public."

However, the opening of the Holocaust Rails exhibit at the Sioux City Railroad Museum, later in 2022, will completely change the course of Tolerance Week.

"We're looking forward to field trips, not just from Siouxland schools," Erickson explained. "We're hoping that schools from as far away as Sioux Falls and Omaha will see the exhibit."

Since the exhibit is open year-round, families will also be able to learn about the Holocaust.

"Tolerance Week shouldn't be limited to one week out of the year," Erickson said. "Instead, we can remember the Holocaust throughout the years."
SIOUX CITY -- A Sioux City man out on bond while facing attempted murder and other charges from a March shooting was arrested Sunday in connection with another incident in which shots were fired in Morningside.

Ethan Hewitt, 23, was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm. He posted a $5,000 cash bond Monday and was released from custody.

Hewitt on Monday filed a written plea of not guilty to charges of attempted murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, attempted first-degree burglary, going armed with intent and felon in possession of a firearm in connection with a shooting in the 1600 block of Nebraska Street. He had posted a $250,000 surety bond after his arrest in that case and was released from custody.

Sioux City police received a call of shots fired in the 100 block of Cecelia Street at 8:47 p.m. Sunday. Officers and Woodbury County Sheriff's deputies responding to the call located and stopped a Ford Taurus described by witnesses and detained three occupants, including Hewitt, who was a passenger. Officers found a 9mm firearm under the seat in which Hewitt had been sitting and 11 empty shell casings inside the car.

Police also arrested the driver, Collin Muston-Rosewall, 24, of Sioux City, for operating while intoxicated. According to court documents, his blood-alcohol level was 0.115 percent, above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. He posted a $1,000 bond and was released from custody. The female in the car was released without charges.

After Hewitt's latest arrest, Assistant Woodbury County Attorney Kristine Timmins filed a motion to increase his bond in the attempted murder case. The motion was resisted by Hewitt's attorney, Brendan Kelly. District Judge Steven Andreasen ordered a bond review hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

Hewitt is charged with firing shots into the Nebraska Street apartment building on March 21. A resident of the targeted apartment returned fire with a legally owned firearm, striking Hewitt, who was arrested April 15 after spending several days in the hospital recovering from his gunshot wound.

The apartment resident and Hewitt had an ongoing feud because they both had a previous relationship with the same woman, court documents said.

The man who shot Hewitt has not been charged.

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Evacuations under way in Mariupol; Pelosi visits Ukraine

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  An operation to evacuate civilians from a steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol is under way. The effort to bring civilians out of the sprawling Azovstal steel plant was being done Sunday with the International Committee of the Red Cross and in coordination with Ukrainian and Russian officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the first group of about 100 people was headed to Ukrainian-controlled territory. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed that she visited Ukraines president to show unflinching American support for the countrys defense against Russias invasion. Later Sunday, one of the defenders of the steel plant said Russian forces resumed their shelling of the plant as soon as the evacuation of a group of civilians was completed on Sunday.

Evidence mounts of GOP involvement in Trump election schemes

WASHINGTON (AP)  Text messages and testimony released by the House Jan. 6 panel shows the deep involvement of some House Republicans in President Donald Trumps desperate attempt to stay in power. The evidence provides new details about how  long before the attack on the Capitol unfolded in January 2021  several GOP lawmakers were directly participating in Trumps campaign to reverse the results of the election. The exchange of ideas happened in private calls and texts and at several White House meetings in the weeks leading to the insurrection. The majority of the lawmakers have since denied their involvement in those efforts.

Combat death puts spotlight on Americans fighting in Ukraine

A former U.S. Marine who died last week in Ukraine was believed to be the first American citizen killed while fighting there. An undetermined number of other Americans _ many with military backgrounds _ are thought to be in the country battling Russian forces beside both Ukrainians and volunteers from other countries, even though U.S. forces arent directly involved in fighting aside from sending military materiel, humanitarian aid and money. Russias invasion has given Ukraines embassy in Washington the task of fielding inquiries from thousands of Americans who want to help. Ukraine is using the internet to recruit volunteers for the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine.

Elon Musk's big plans for Twitter: What we know so far

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP)  Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is buying Twitter for $44 billion to take it private, has outlined a mix of vague principles and technical details as he looks to make the platform "maximum fun! But what's in store if he follows through? Turns out that some of his bigger ideas about free speech, fighting spam and opening up the black box of artificial intelligence tools that amplify social media trends are still more intentions than actual plans. And implementing them is likely to be more complicated than he suggests.

Muslims mark Eid al-Fitr holiday with joy, worry

CAIRO (AP)  Muslims are observing the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr, typically marked with communal prayers, celebratory gatherings around festive meals and new clothes. This year, the feast comes amid a surge in global food prices exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Against that backdrop, many Muslims are still determined to enjoy the holiday and the easing of coronavirus restrictions in their countries. But for others, the festivities are marred by conflict and economic hardship. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, Islams holy month of fasting.

Black doctors say they face discrimination based on race

ATLANTA (AP)  After Dr. Dare Adewumi was hired to lead the neurosurgery practice at an Atlanta-area hospital, he says he quickly faced racial discrimination that ultimately led to his firing. His lawyers and other advocates say hes not alone, that Black doctors across the country commonly experience discrimination. That can range from microaggressions to career-threatening disciplinary actions. Biases can become magnified in the fiercely competitive hospital environment, they say, and the underrepresentation of Black doctors can discourage them from speaking up. Some, including Adewumi, are fighting back. He has filed a lawsuit against the hospital system where he worked alleging employment discrimination based on race.

Biden calls former VP Mondale 'giant' of political history

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  President Joe Biden has saluted his friend of five decades Walter Mondale, traveling to the University of Minnesota to remember the former vice president and Democratic Party elder whose memorial service was delayed for a year due to the pandemic. Mondale died in April 2021 at age 93. He is credited with transforming the office of the vice presidency  which Biden himself held for eight years under President Barack Obama  expanding its responsibilities and making himself a key adviser to President Jimmy Carters administration. Biden said Sunday that Mondale was a giant in American political history.

The Judds, Ray Charles join the Country Music Hall of Fame

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Ray Charles and The Judds joined the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, just a day after Naomi Judd died unexpectedly. The music played on at the all-star ceremony, featuring music from Garth Brooks, Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood. Naomi's daughters, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, accepted the honor amid tears, holding onto each other and reciting Psalm 23 from the Bible together. Wynonna Judd said that despite her heart being broken, she will continue to sing. The posthumous induction of Charles showcased his genre-defying skill as a singer who exposed the genre to new audiences. The Hall of Fame also inducted two studio musicians, Eddie Bayers and Pete Drake.

ESSAY: For a gay country boy, Naomi Judd did build a bridge

Over their nearly three decade career, the mother-daughter duo of The Judds scored 14 No. 1 songs. For Jeff McMillan, an editor at The Associated Press, the Judds' music provided a lifeline of sorts throughout his life. That was apparent Saturday after Naomi Judd's death was announced by her daughters. McMillan writes in an appreciation that dealing with bullying as a pre-teen, the insecurities of the narrator of their song Mama He's Crazy was relatable. Love Is Alive provided comfort after McMillan's father died. Through health troubles and more, McMillan writes that the Judds' lyrics, and their own life stories, provided a source of kinship and strength.

Marshals: Reward for info on escaped inmate, missing officer

FLORENCE, Ala. (AP)  The U.S. Marshals Service says it's offering up to $10,000 for information about an escaped inmate and a missing and endangered correctional officer who disappeared Friday after leaving a jail in north Alabama. The 38-year-old inmate, Casey Cole White, had been jailed on a capital murder charge in the Lauderdale County Detention Center. He and the assistant director of corrections, 56-year-old Vicky White disappeared after leaving the Lauderdale County Detention Center to go to a courthouse. Northern Alabama U.S. Marshal Marty Keely says Sunday that the inmate is believed to be a serious threat to the officer and the public.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  Wind-whipped flames raced across more of New Mexicos pine-covered mountainsides on Monday, closing in on a town of 13,000 people where some residents hurried to pack their cars with belongings, others hustled to clear brush from around their homes, and police were called in to help evacuate the state's psychiatric hospital.

Firefighting crews battled on several fronts to keep the fire, the largest burning in the U.S., from pushing into more populated areas as it fed on the states drought-parched landscape. The fire has charred more than 217 square miles (562 square kilometers) and flames could be seen from the small northeastern New Mexico city of Las Vegas just a couple miles away.

Fire officials said they were encouraged by a forecast for Tuesday of improving humidity and shifting winds. Still the blaze is expected to keep growing, putting it on track to possibly be one of the largest and most destructive in the states recorded history.

The sky above the citys historic plaza, made famous as a backdrop in several movies and television series, was a sickly tinge of yellow and gray as thick smoke blotted out the sun. As ash fell around them, Chris Castillo and his cousins were cutting down trees and moving logs away from a family members home.

Were all family here. Were trying to make a fire line," he said

Other family members were driving around with cattle trailers, waiting to help anyone who calls to move livestock.

Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the drought-stricken West and they are moving faster and burning hotter than ever due to climate change, scientists and fire experts say. In the last five years, California for example has experienced the eight largest wildfires in state history, while Colorado saw a destructive blaze tear through suburban neighborhoods last December.

The fire in northern New Mexico  fanned by an extended period of hot, dry and windy conditions  ballooned in size Sunday, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders for the small town of Mora and other villages.

This is a long-term event, and we dont anticipate having control of this fire any time soon, fire officials said in an update Monday.

Residents in some outlying neighborhoods of the town of Las Vegas were told to be ready to leave their homes as the smoke choked the economic hub for the farming and ranching families who have lived for generations in the rural region. Still no evacuations had been ordered within the city as of Monday evening.

Las Vegas is also home to New Mexico Highlands University and is one of the most populated stops along Interstate 25 before the Colorado state line.

Operations Section Chief Todd Abel said crews were busy using bulldozers to build fire lines to keep the flames from pushing into neighborhoods.

Fire information officer Mike De Fries said crews got a bit of a break Monday afternoon as the wind diminished and helicopters were able to make water drops in key locations. Still, flames running along the ridges above town could be seen from the discount store, an empty baseball field and other vantage points.

The county jail, the state's psychiatric hospital and more than 200 students from the United World College have evacuated and what businesses remained open were having a hard time finding workers as more people were forced from their homes.

Were trying to house and feed people with skeleton crews. Hundreds of people have lost their homes. Its an extraordinary tragedy," said Allan Affeldt, a hotelier in Las Vegas. He said most of his staff were evacuated from their homes and he canceled guest reservations to accommodate firefighters and emergency crews.

The 197 patients at the Behavioral Health Institute were being sent to other facilities around the state, with some being transported in secured units and others escorted by police.

State environmental authorities and officials in Las Vegas also were asking people to conserve water to ensure fire crews have enough to fight the blaze.

Across New Mexico, officials and groups were collecting food, water and other supplies for the thousands of people displaced by the fires. Offers of prayers and hope flooded social media as residents posted photos of the flames torching the tops of towering ponderosa pines near their homes. Some of those living close to the fires described the week that the fire has raged nearby as gut wrenching.

On the northern flank of the fire, evacuees streamed uphill Monday out of the Mora River valley over passes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. State Rep. Roger Montoya, from the mountain hamlet of Chacon, said neighbors were putting what they couldn't carry with them into metal containers and leaving them in irrigating fields, hoping the moisture would offer some protection.

Officials have said the northeastern New Mexico fire has damaged or destroyed 172 homes and at least 116 structures.

It merged last week with another blaze that was sparked in early April when a prescribed fire escaped containment after being set by land managers to clear brush and small trees in hopes of reducing the fire danger. The cause of the other fire is still under investigation.

Jesus Romero, the deputy manager of San Miguel County, on Monday was helping family monitor their home amid smoky ash-laden air. He cut down trees around his garage as a fire-prevention measure and talked with other residents who were undecided about whether to leave. He called the situation serious.

Another New Mexico wildfire burning in the mountains near Los Alamos National Laboratory also prompted more evacuations over the weekend and other communities were told to get ready to evacuate if conditions worsen. It has reached the burn scars of wildfires that blackened the region a decade ago when New Mexico had one of its worst and most destructive seasons.

A wildfire in 2000 forced the closure of the laboratory and left about 400 people homeless. The community was threatened again in 2011 when another blaze caused by a downed power line blackened more of the surrounding forest.

In the southern New Mexico community of Ruidoso, two people were killed in a wildfire that destroyed more than 200 homes in April. That mountain community saw similar destruction from a 2012 fire.

And new wildfires were reported over the weekend  three in Texas, two in New Mexico and one each in Oklahoma and Tennessee, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. More than 3,100 wildland firefighters and support personnel are fighting fires across the country, with about one-third of them trying to prevent the big blaze in New Mexico from spreading.

More than 4,400 square miles (11,400 square kilometers) have burned across the U.S. so far this year.

Associated Press writers Terry Tang and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix, Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff, Arizona, contributed to this report. Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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

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NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A cathartic return of music and culture to New Orleans' chief music festival after three years ended its first weekend with the Red Hot Chili Peppers honoring the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins by closing out the show for his band.

Hawkins died March 25 and the Foo Fighters bowed out of their slot at Jazz Fest, the first time New Orleans has held the massive festival since COVID-19 cancelled it in 2020 and 2021.

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith's bass drum Sunday had a hawk silhouette like the one tattooed on Hawkins' arm. Taylor was written across it, The Times-Picayune / The New Orleans Advocate reported.

And at the end of the 90-minute set, Smith took center stage as Hawkins' widow and members of the Foo Fighters stood just off stage.

We love the Foo Fighters and we love our brother Taylor Hawkins. Its meant a lot to us to be able to play for them," said Smith who then led the crowd in chanting We love you Taylor!"

The vibe of the 2022 Jazz Fest echoed the 2006 festival, held eight months after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. The 2020 and 2021 festivals were canceled by an entirely different storm  COVID-19.

The two-weekend event draws tens of thousands to the citys Fair Grounds Race Course, where as many as 80 musical acts perform daily on more than a dozen stages, complemented by art and craft exhibits and an array of booths featuring foods from Louisiana and beyond.

Jazz Fest attracts well known acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Who and Lionel Richie but it might be best known for showcasing a dizzying array of Louisiana musical talent, styles and genres  jazz, blues, Cajun, Zydeco and more.

Masks were a rare sight at the festival, most of which takes place outdoors. It is taking place as COVID-19 cases are at a lower point than theyve been in months and two-thirds of the U.S. population is vaccinated.

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

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ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Monday his main campaign committee raised $2.7 million in the period that ended April 30, giving him $10.7 million in cash as the May 24 Republican primary approaches.

Kemp's main campaign committee, like other sitting state officials, is barred from raising money while state lawmakers are meeting, meaning Kemp raised the money in the 26 days following the April 4 end of the session.

The $10.7 million in cash on hand is down from $12.7 million as of Jan. 31, reflecting Kemp's heavy spending as he tries to fend off a primary challenge from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and other Republicans. The campaign said in March that Kemp would spend $4.2 million on television advertising alone before the primary.

None of Kemp's Republican primary rivals, who also include Kandiss Taylor, Catherine Davis and Tom Williams, have yet filed reports or announced totals. Reports are due later this week.

Perdue has struggled to tap the same network of big donors that sustained his two Senate runs, despite his endorsement by former President Donald Trump. After having less than $1 million in cash on hand at the end of January, Perdue hinted he would crack his own $50 million fortune to try to keep up with Kemp's spending.

Trump hosted a fundraiser for Perdue at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where contributors had to give $3,000 to attend. A picture with Trump meant contributing $24,200, the maximum individual contribution for Georgia in this election cycle, including a primary, general election and two possible runoffs. The results of that fundraiser will show up in Perdue's report this week.

Kemp campaign manager Bobby Saparow predicted that totals would show Kemp has continued to build a fundraising advantage.

The momentum is with our campaign, and we will continue to outwork our competition to secure wins in May and November, Saparow said in a statement.

The Republican nominee will face Democrat Stacey Abrams, who displayed her fundraising power by raking in $9.25 million in December and January.

The totals don't count Kemp's leadership committee, a special state fundraising vehicle that allowed the governor to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with his campaign. Both Perdue and Abrams sued over the committee, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred until they won their party primaries.

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled last week that 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.

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.

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YEREVAN, Armenia (AP)  Police in Armenia's capital on Monday detained 180 anti-government demonstrators that were blocking streets to protest against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Protests demanding that Pashinyan step down reignited in Armenia last month, after he spoke in the country's parliament about the need to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a decades-old conflict over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is part of Azerbaijan but has been under Armenian control since early 1990s. In a six-week war in the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan was able to reclaim control over large swaths of land in and around the region before signing a Russia-brokered truce with Armenia. Pashinyan has faced backlash at home for agreeing to the deal.

As Armenia and Azerbaijan edged closer to reaching a proper peace agreement this year, opposition forces in Armenia have resumed protests against Pashinyan. Rallies in the capital, Yerevan, are being held almost daily since April 17.

On Sunday, demonstrators in the center of Yerevan set up tents for a round-the-clock protest and said they wouldn't leave until Pashinyan and his team step down. The Interfax news agency reported that barricades were erected from garbage cans and street benches, and that traffic on France Square, a major road connecting four main avenues of the Armenian capital, stopped.

Demonstrators  including opposition lawmakers  chanted Armenia without Nikol! Protest leader and deputy parliamentary speaker Ishkhan Sagatelyan told reporters that protesters would clear the streets by Monday afternoon, so that another rally could gather on the square in the evening.

Some of the detentions on Monday were carried out with the use of force, and journalists covering the protests were reported to have been pushed around by the police. Police spokespeople told Interfax the demonstrators were detained on charges of refusing to obey police officers.

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

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The 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.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  A long-awaited evacuation of civilians from a besieged steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol began Sunday, as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed that she visited Ukraine's president to show unflinching American support for the country's defense against Russia's invasion.

Video posted online by Ukrainian forces showed elderly women and mothers with small children bundled in winter clothing being helped as they climbed a steep pile of debris from the sprawling Azovstal steel plants rubble, and then eventually boarded a bus.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more than 100 civilians, primarily women and children, were expected to arrive in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday.

Today, for the first time in all the days of the war, this vitally needed (humanitarian) corridor has started working, he said in a pre-recorded address published on his Telegram messaging app channel.

The Mariupol City Council said on Telegram that the evacuation of civilians from other parts of the city would begin Monday morning. People fleeing Russian-occupied areas in the past have described their vehicles being fired on, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russian forces of shelling evacuation routes on which the two sides had agreed.

Later Sunday, one of the plants defenders said Russian forces resumed shelling the plant as soon as the evacuation of a group of civilians was completed.

Denys Shlega, the commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard, said in a televised interview Sunday night that several hundred civilians remain trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said. We need one or two more rounds of evacuation.

An aide to Mariupols mayor also reported renewed shelling. The cannonade is such that even (on the opposite side of the river) the houses are shaking," Petro Andryushenko wrote in a Telegram post.

As many as 100,000 people may still be in blockaded Mariupol, including up to 1,000 civilians hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the Soviet-era steel plant  the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov, is a key target because of its strategic location near the Crimea Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.

U.N. humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu said civilians who have been stranded for nearly two months would receive immediate humanitarian support, including psychological services, once they arrive in Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol.

Mariupol has seen some of the worst suffering. A maternity hospital was hit with a lethal Russian airstrike in the opening weeks of the war, and about 300 people were reported killed in the bombing of a theater where civilians were taking shelter.

A Doctors Without Borders team was at a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, in preparation for the U.N. convoys arrival. Stress, exhaustion and low food supplies have likely weakened civilians trapped underground at the plant.

Ukrainian regiment Deputy Commander Sviatoslav Palamar, meanwhile, called for the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian fighters as well as civilians. We dont know why they are not taken away, and their evacuation to the territory controlled by Ukraine is not being discussed, he said in a video posted Saturday on the regiments Telegram channel.

Video from inside the steel plant, shared with The Associated Press by two Ukrainian women who said their husbands were among the fighters refusing to surrender there, showed men with blood-stained bandages, open wounds or amputated limbs, including some that appeared gangrenous. The AP could not independently verify the location and date of the video, which the women said was taken last week.

Meanwhile, Pelosi and other U.S. lawmakers visited Kyiv on Saturday. She is the most senior American lawmaker to travel to the country since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion. Her visit came just days after Russia launched rockets at the capital during a visit by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Rep. Jason Crow, a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the House intelligence and armed services committees, said he came to Ukraine with three areas of focus: Weapons, weapons and weapons.

In his nightly televised address Sunday, Zelenskyy said more than 350,000 people had been evacuated from combat zones thanks to humanitarian corridors pre-agreed with Moscow since the start of Russias invasion. The organization of humanitarian corridors is one of the elements of the negotiation process (with Russia), which is ongoing, he said.

Zelenskyy also accused Moscow of waging a war of extermination, saying Russian shelling had hit food, grain and fertilizer warehouses, and residential neighborhoods in the Kharkiv, Donbas and other regions.

What could be Russias strategic success in this war? Honestly, I do not know. The ruined lives of people and the burned or stolen property will give nothing to Russia, he said.

In Zaporizhzhia, residents ignored air raid sirens and warnings to shelter at home to visit cemeteries Sunday, when Ukrainians observe the Orthodox Christian day of the dead.

If our dead could rise and see this, they would say, Its not possible, theyre worse than the Germans, Hennadiy Bondarenko, 61, said while marking the day with his family at a picnic table among the graves. All our dead would join the fighting, including the Cossacks.

Russian forces have embarked on a major military operation to seize significant parts of southern and eastern Ukraine following their failure to capture the capital, Kyiv.

Russias high-stakes offensive has Ukrainian forces fighting village-by-village and more civilians fleeing airstrikes and artillery shelling.

Ukrainian intelligence officials accused Russian forces of seizing medical facilities to treat wounded Russian soldiers in several occupied towns, as well as destroying medical infrastructure, taking away equipment, and leaving the population without medical care.

Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in eastern Ukraine is difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for reporters to move around. Also, both Ukraine and Moscow-backed rebels have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

But Western military analysts have suggested the offensive was going much slower than planned. So far, Russian troops and separatists appeared to have made only minor gains in the month since Moscow said it would focus its military strength in the east.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance has flowed into Ukraine since the war began, but Russias vast armories mean Ukraine will continue to require huge amounts of support.

With plenty of firepower still in reserve, Russias offensive could intensify and overrun the Ukrainians. Overall the Russian army has an estimated 900,000 active-duty personnel, and a much larger air force and navy.

In Russia's Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, an explosive device damaged a railway bridge Sunday, and a criminal investigation has been started, the regions government reported in a post on Telegram.

Recent weeks have seen a number of fires and explosions in Russian regions near the border, including Kursk. An ammunition depot in the Belgorod region burned after explosions were heard, and authorities in the Voronezh region said an air defense system shot down a drone. An oil storage facility in Bryansk was engulfed by fire a week ago.

Fisch reported from Sloviansk. Associated Press journalists Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, 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.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Republican governor candidate Tim Michels defended his Wisconsin ties saying Monday he still votes and spends most of his time in the state, after a published report revealed his extensive real estate holdings on the East Coast and that his children attended high school there.

Michels went on talk radio to address a report by conservative website Wisconsin Right Now that detailed more than $30 million in properties Michels had bought in New York and Connecticut between 2015 and 2020. The report also showed that his children attended and graduated from high school on the East Coast between 2013 and 2021.

Michels is in a four-way Republican race for governor. The winner of the Aug. 9 primary will advance to face Democrat Tony Evers.

Michels, who entered the governors race last week, said in an interview Monday with conservative talk radio host Dan O'Donnell that he has lived in Wisconsin the minimum 183 days a year to maintain residency, both for voting and paying taxes. He lived a majority of 2015 in New York and paid taxes there that year, he said.

Michels has paid more than $11.2 million in personal income taxes in Wisconsin over the past 10 years, including $7.8 million over the past five years, his campaign said.

To run for a governor, a candidate must be a qualified voter in Wisconsin. Records maintained by the Wisconsin Elections Commission show Michels has voted in Wisconsin regularly over the past decade, including both in-person and absentee.

Michels said the only time he voted absentee was to cast a ballot early from Wisconsin.

Ive never dropped a ballot in the mail from any other state, he said.

Michels said his family decided to buy property in New York City after his construction business, Michels Corp., won a $201 million contract for subway work there in 2013. That project ended in 2016.

We did the right thing for our family, Michels said. I did the right thing for the company. But Ive always been a Wisconsin resident. I go where duty calls, where things are tough."

Michels played up his Wisconsin roots at a launch event that he said was just down the street from where he grew up in Dodge County. He still owns a home in Hartland, in Waukesha County, and uses that address to vote. In 2020, Michels bought a $17 million home in Greenwich, Connecticut, and still owns the Manhattan penthouse he bought in 2015 for $8.7 million.

We probably could have moved back a few years ago, Michels said in the radio interview, but he said they did not want to disrupt their daughters senior year in high school. She graduated from a New York high school in 2019, according to the Wisconsin Right Now report.

Michels also mentioned that his son, now a freshman at Dartmouth, was a competitive sailor in high school and a top collegiate recruit.

There's some very competitive sailing out on the east coast in Connecticut, some would say the most competitive, and it worked," Michels said. "He was, arguably, I don't think anyone could poke a hole in it, one of the top three recruits in the country last year.

Michels Corp. won another $100 million project in Brooklyn, after the subway one was completed, which also required him to be on site a lot, Michels said. He did not say if that project was ongoing and if he continues to split his time between Wisconsin and the East Coast. His campaign spokesman, Chris Walker, said he was looking into it.

Im the guy on the ballot. Im the one that is running for governor because I cant take it anymore, Michels said in the radio interview. Anybody who is trying to portray my family as being anything other than genuine Wisconsin hardworking people  its just plain politics.

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

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The White House has announced that Jill Biden will meet with Ukrainian refugees during a trip to Romania and Slovakia later this week. The first lady will visit both eastern European countries during a five-day trip that starts Thursday. Romania and Slovakia share borders with Ukraine. Ukraine has spent the past two months fighting off Russia's military invasion. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees says nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24. Jill Biden will also meet with U.S. service members, U.S. Embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers and educators.
CHICAGO - If Mary Lovelace had lingered at dinner a little longer, she might have missed him.

Had she left the restaurant a couple of minutes earlier, she wouldnt have been next to Angelo Valenti when he collapsed.

But luck intervened, and Lovelace  a nurse at Loyola University Medical Center  happened to be walking down a sidewalk in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 24 at the exact same time that Valenti, of Highland Park, fell to the ground midconversation, going into cardiac arrest.

As people yelled around her, Lovelace knelt on the brick pavers and gave Valenti  whom she had never met  CPR. She pumped on his chest for nearly eight minutes, until an ambulance arrived, helping to save his life.

Thank God she was there because every doctor Ive seen since Ive gotten back starts off with, Do you realize how lucky you are?  said Valenti, 58, now back in Highland Park recovering from the ordeal. To have a nurse right next to me, literally, was just a miracle.

Each year more than 350,000 people in the U.S. experience cardiac arrest  which is when the heart suddenly stops beating  outside of a hospital environment, according to the American Heart Association. About 90% of those people die, but performing immediate CPR can double or triple a persons chance of survival, according to the American Heart Association. Cardiac arrest is different than a heart attack.

It was only after Lovelace gave Valenti CPR that she learned they were both from the Chicago area, vacationing in Arizona that week.

I just said, Angelo, someone was watching out for you,  said Susie Cohn, one of Valentis friends, who was on vacation with him at the time and saw everything unfold. Shes from Loyola. Were all from Chicago. Shes on vacation. Were on vacation.

Lovelace, also 58, had flown from Chicago to Arizona early that same morning, and was visiting with friends over dinner at a restaurant in a Scottsdale shopping center. Yawning over her meal, Lovelace told her friends that she had to get going.

As she was walking out of the shopping center with her friend and her friends adult son, Valenti and his friends and family were heading toward Shake Shack for dinner. Valenti, his wife and two 15-year-old twin sons were spending spring break in Arizona with Cohn and her family, who are longtime friends, also from Highland Park.

As he was joking and talking, Valenti bumped into Cohn. He then fell onto the adult son of Lovelaces friend, walking nearby.

The next thing we knew, he was on this guys feet, Cohn said. I thought he was being funny.

At first, Lovelace also wondered if it was a joke. She soon realized it wasnt.

I looked down and Im like, Oh, gosh,  Lovelace said. He was really gray already.

Her training as a nurse kicked in immediately, and she started directing the people around her to call 911 and search for an automated external defibrillator. She dropped to the ground and started chest compressions.

People were crying and yelling his name, and I completely blocked that out, she said.

Lovelace  who has worked as a NICU nurse at Loyola for 37 years  had performed CPR before, but never on an adult and never outside of a hospital.

When she performs CPR on babies, she uses two fingers to press down on their chests. With Valenti, she had to use both hands, and the force of her entire body, to keep his heart pumping.

Im only 5-foot, 2-inches, Lovelace said. I knew I had to go harder.

Just a couple of weeks earlier, Lovelace had participated in a CPR review class.

A few minutes in, she felt one of his ribs break from the pressure. She heard him draw in a sharp breath. In my mind, Im like, Oh buddy, Im sorry, but thank goodness youre still breathing,  Lovelace said.

An ambulance soon arrived, and the emergency medical technicians took over from Lovelace, and rushed him to a nearby hospital.

Cohn turned to Lovelace to ask her if he was being taken to a good hospital, and Lovelace replied that she wasnt from Scottsdale. Thats when they realized they were all from the Chicago area. They exchanged numbers, and Lovelace followed up with Cohn in the following days to see how Valenti was doing.

Valenti said for the first day or so that he was in the hospital, he wasnt responding to his name. But eventually he came around, to the relief of his family and friends.

Doctors in Arizona inserted a implantable cardioverter defibrillator in his chest to prevent another cardiac arrest, Valenti said. Hes still not sure exactly what caused him to go into cardiac arrest that day in March, though he did have a mitral valve repair years ago. Valenti said he felt fine all day, leading up to his collapse in Scottsdale.

About a week after going into cardiac arrest, Valenti was able to fly home to Highland Park.

He has no memory of falling on the sidewalk in Scottsdale, and doesnt recall much about the day before or after.

But his friends and family have filled him in about what Lovelace did that day.

Im pretty amazed, just to be here and talking, Valenti said. I feel like I have another birthday March 24. I died and lived through it and now every day I have is extra thanks to Mary.

Recently, Valenti called Lovelace to say thank you. They talked about their families, their jobs and, of course, the day she came to his rescue.

It was very powerful, and us talking to each other, it was a very emotional conversation, Lovelace said. Im glad I was there at the right time to do what I know how to do and what Ive been trained to do over the years.

Valenti plans to have Lovelace and her family over this summer, once hes fully recovered. He said hes already feeling much more like himself, with more energy and less pain in his chest.

I told her we are forever connected, Valenti said. I said theres definitely going to be Christmas cards every year. Theres a bond there now.

She will never have to buy another bottle of wine the rest of her life, said Valenti, who works for a wine distributor.

Cohn, who witnessed everything, said what happened has given her renewed faith in humanity, especially when the world is a little upside down right now.

It just really goes to show, for me, how a nurse isnt just someone who works their job when they clock in at a hospital, Cohn said. She just didnt hesitate. She didnt think twice. She was just on top of this man that she didnt know.

It just shows what a heart nurses have. Their instinct just kicks in and they save people no matter if it was their vacation.

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On social media, the Ghost of Kyiv was a military hero, an ace fighter pilot hailed for supposedly shooting down multiple Russian planes. The tales began just days into the war and circulated for months, bolstered by official Ukrainian accounts.

But on Saturday, Ukrainian authorities admitted that the legendary pilot was a myth.

The Ghost of Kyiv is a super-hero legend whose character was created by Ukrainians! Ukraines air force said in Ukrainian on Facebook.

The statement came after multiple media outlets published stories wrongly identifying Major Stepan Tarabalka as the man behind the moniker. Tarabalka was a real pilot who died on March 13 during air combat and was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine, Ukraines air force said last month.

But he was not the Ghost of Kyiv, the force said in Saturdays statement.

The information about the death of the The Ghost of #Kyiv is incorrect, Ukraines air force wrote in a separate post Saturday on Twitter. The #GhostOfKyiv is alive, it embodies the collective spirit of the highly qualified pilots of the Tactical Aviation Brigade who are successfully defending #Kyiv and the region.

The legend emerged just a day after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, as social media users began to spread claims, without evidence, of an anonymous fighter pilot who had single-handedly taken down multiple Russian planes.

Memes, unrelated photos, and even footage from a flight simulator video game circulated on social media, claiming to show the Ghost of Kyiv during combat.

On Feb. 25, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko tweeted a photo that Ukraines Ministry of Defense had shared three years earlier, falsely claiming it showed the Ghost of Kyiv who had taken down six Russian pilots.

Two days later, Ukraine's official Twitter account shared a video including the same picture, along with footage of fighter jets in combat, set to pulsating music, with the caption: People call him the Ghost of Kyiv. And rightly so  this UAF ace dominates the skies over our capital and country, and has already become a nightmare for invading Russian aircrafts.

That same day, Ukraines Security Service, the SBU, shared the same old photo on Telegram  but now claiming he had shot down 10 occupying planes.

By the time news outlets, including the Times of London, falsely identified the pilot as Tarabalka on Friday, reports had increased the ghosts toll to 40 planes. The Times later updated its story to reflect the air forces new position on the Ghost of Kyiv.

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

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And now there are just nine days to go in what has developed into a fluid and unpredictable Republican gubernatorial race.

"Capable of flowing and easily changing shape" is the dictionary definition of fluid.

Yep, that's the word.

Lots going on behind the scenes in campaign war rooms as this race appears to be tightening with three candidates moving within grasp of victory.

Polling results are strategically leaking or directed to news media and organizational skills at getting out the vote will begin to emerge as a big factor now.

And, of course, the fallout continues from the charge that Charles Herbster inappropriately touched or groped eight women at public events, a bombshell that exploded on the scene in April in a story written by Aaron Sanderford in the Nebraska Examiner.

Herbster denies the allegations, describing them as "totally false."

We've already had the surprising sight of Lt. Gov. Mike Foley independently parting company politically with Gov. Pete Ricketts, who twice chose him as his running mate, when Foley endorsed Herbster in opposition to the governor's strong support for University of Nebraska regent Jim Pillen.

What could be left now except for Donald Trump to parachute into this chaotic scene in a Nebraska version of his trip down the Trump Tower escalator five years ago?

So, of course, as if on cue, Trump prepared to drop into Nebraska and address a storm-rescheduled rally between Lincoln and Omaha on Sunday to support Herbster.

And there could be more drama ahead.

What does the governor do if Herbster, a man whom Ricketts has said would be "a terrible governor," wins the Republican nomination?

Does Ricketts just take a walk or would there be any consideration of an alternative petition candidate to challenge Herbster and the Democratic nominee on the November general election ballot?

But wouldn't that in turn open the possibility that the Democratic nominee, almost certainly Sen. Carol Blood of Bellevue, could be elected governor with 40% of the vote, or less, in a three-candidate race?

In his loss to Ricketts in 2014, when the governor was first elected, Democratic nominee Chuck Hassebrook snared roughly 40% of the general election vote.

More likely than an alternative candidate in November is an explosive final 10 days ahead with Pillen, state Sen. Brett Lindstrom and Herbster all in the hunt and momentum in the driver's seat.

If Herbster ultimately wins the Republican nomination, we could expect a flood of Democratic TV ads during the general election campaign depicting Ricketts and Herbster and weaponizing the governor's words: "He would be a terrible governor."

Put on your helmets and flak jackets. This isn't going to be pretty.

* * *

"Never underestimate Justin Wayne," Ricketts said during a ceremony at Metro Community College celebrating enactment of legislation that will pump $336 million, most of it in the form of federal coronavirus pandemic recovery funds, into North Omaha and South Omaha for development of affordable housing and new employment opportunities while revitalizing neighborhoods.

Wayne, with assistance from Sens. Terrell McKinney, Tony Vargas and Mike McDonnell, drove what the governor described as "a team effort" to win enactment of the plan after adjusting the original proposal to include other parts of the state and thereby gain widespread legislative support.

Lincoln is included in the compromise package with federal funding for development of affordable housing and support for the Lancaster Event Center.

It's a big step forward for Black and Latino communities in Omaha and, even though it took federal funds to accomplish it, also a step forward for the state.

Wayne described the ceremony as "a celebration of hope."

* * *

Looking ahead, there's the potential for an unprecedented movement of state senators into higher office this year.

It's all speculative now except for the guarantee that Nebraska will have a current state senator sitting in the 1st District seat in the House of Representatives after a June 28 special election.

Either Sen. Patty Pansing Brooks of Lincoln or Sen. Mike Flood of Norfolk will join former Sen. Adrian Smith of Gering in the House. With former Sen. Deb Fischer of Valentine now a member of the U.S. Senate, that will give former state senators a majority in Nebraska's five-member congressional delegation.

And Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha is attempting to make it four with his Democratic candidacy for Republican Rep. Don Bacon's 2nd District seat in the House.

In addition to all of that, Lindstrom, of Omaha, and Blood, of Bellevue, are bidding for their party's nomination for the governorship and conceivably could meet in the general election.

Nebraska has not elected a current or former state senator to be governor in the last seven decades.

Finishing up

* What's with that long table, President Putin? Royalty; COVID; shuffleboard; Brutus?

* Qualified Nebraska students with family incomes of $65,000 or less can attend the University of Nebraska tuition-free, NU President Ted Carter notes in a Journal Star "local view" column. That's remarkable, strategic and smart as Nebraska's political and business leaders center their attention and support on community colleges and their instant production of a workforce.

* Here's KU's Bill Self, talking about the transfer portal (and in my opinion the gradual demise of the amateur, pure appeal of college sports): "Kids should be able to move in theory, but it's out of control now because the reason they're moving is because I can get a bigger NIL deal somewhere else" by marketing their name, image and likeness.

* It's May; slow the calendar down now.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSdon

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DES MOINES  Soon, 16- and 17-year-old workers at child care centers in Iowa will be able to work unsupervised, and all workers will be allowed to oversee more children, if Gov. Kim Reynolds signs into law legislation headed her way.

The Iowa Legislature approved the bill last week with mostly Republican support. They said the proposal will help child care centers to address critical staffing shortages.

Democrats warned that the legislation will not address the shortage in a meaningful way because most centers will choose to not take advantage of the loosened regulations. And in the cases where centers do, Democrats warned it could create dangerous scenarios.

Workforce shortages have been brought up quite often over the last couple of months, and I think this is a good answer to that, Sen. Craig Johnson, a Republican from Independence, said during Senate debate on the bill. Its the option (for) an employer to utilize their workforce.  Its an opportunity for more Iowans to go to work.

Like many areas of the country, child care staffing, access and affordability are issues in Iowa.

According to state figures, almost 1 in 4 Iowans live in a child care desert, which is an area with a shortage of licensed child care providers. The issue is more pronounced in rural Iowa, where more than 1 in 3 Iowans live in child care deserts.

A family earning the states median income of roughly $77,000 would pay 15 percent of that income on child care at a licensed center, or 10 percent at a registered home, according to the states Child Care Resource and Referral. The national nonprofit advocacy organization Child Care Aware of America classifies affordable child care as 7 percent of a familys income.

And 4 out of 5 child care centers nationally said they are experiencing a staffing shortage, according to a recent survey by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The legislation would address only the workforce issue at child care centers. In addition to allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to work unsupervised, it would allow child care centers to operate with one worker for every seven 2-year-olds and one worker for every 10 3-year-olds.

The measure does not contain any provision to encourage the establishment of more child care centers, lower costs to families or increase child care workers wages. The Republican majority Iowa Legislature did pass in 2021 legislation that allows more low-income Iowans to access the states child care assistance program.

This is a workforce issue. This is not the only thing thats going to solve this problem, but its part of the issue, Rep. Ann Meyer, a Republican from Fort Dodge, said earlier this year during House debate on the proposal. Its opening up more possibilities to child care centers if they choose to take them.

Most Democrats were staunchly opposed to the proposal, saying it does nothing to meaningfully address child care issues.

Iowa parents deserve better, Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, leader of the minority House Democrats from Windsor Heights, told reporters last week. Just because we dont have enough child care spots, instead of just shoving more kids in a room with younger people, maybe we should be focused on opening more centers, partnering with more communities, making sure that across the state were opening up opportunities for affordable child care instead of just trying to make do with what we have.

The legislation, House File 2198, was approved by both the House and Senate and is now awaiting Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signature to become law. It is the only child care bill that has passed both chambers and made it to the governor this session.

That sort of sideways look at addressing the child care crisis is indicative of what (Reynolds) and Republican leaders continue to do, which is to make piecemeal, tiny steps in the wrong direction and then claim victory over one of the problems, Konfrst said. I promise you, Republicans (seeking votes) on the doors this summer will say they fixed Iowas child care crisis. And my question for everybody at the door is ask back, Oh yeah, why dont I have a spot for my kid? Why dont my neighbors have an opportunity to get child care so they can go back to work?

Sen. Zach Wahls, leader of the minority Senate Democrats from Coralville, said its not just Democrats opposed to the proposal, but that child care centers dont want the changes, either.

I would be mostly interested in what Iowa child care providers think. Theyre the ones who actually deliver this essential service to Iowa families and children. And what Iowa child care providers tell us is that these (staff to child) ratios are dangerous, they wont solve the problem. And many of them wont actually change their practice, because they dont feel like they can safely deliver that service, Wahls said. So I think that tells you everything that you need to know.

There is no statewide organization representing child care centers that lobbied on the legislation, according to state lobbying records. The Iowa Alliance of YMCAs, Easter Seals, and the respite provider ChildServe registered in support of the proposal; among those registered in opposition are the advocacy group Save the Children, and the progressive advocacy organization Common Good Iowa.

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DES MOINES  Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she will not force state lawmakers to remain in session until late June while holding out hope they will approve her proposal to shift taxpayer funding for public schools to private school tuition scholarships.

But Reynolds also said she is not yet ready to give up on the possibility of Republican lawmakers passing the bill and sending it to her desk. Thus, the Iowa Legislature will continue its work this week, with virtually all other policy issues decided.

The legislative session is already past the 100-day mark, when legislators compensation for housing and meals expenses expired. But that is more of a carrot to entire legislators to finish their work than a hard deadline.

The state budget year ends June 30; legislators must pass a new, $8.2 billion state budget before then in order to keep state government funded and operating.

Speaking to reporters last week, Reynolds said she continues to meet with Republican lawmakers who have expressed opposition to her proposal, and that she continues to entertain tweaks and concessions in hopes of securing enough votes to pass it through the Iowa House, where it is stalled for a second consecutive year.

Were still working on it. Were still talking to legislators, Reynolds told reporters in West Des Moines. Theres no way Im giving up on it. Theyre still in session. Im still working.

But she also said she would not keep lawmakers around so long that the next budget years funding becomes a potential issue.

Im not going to shut down (state government) if thats what youre asking me.  Were not going to do that, Reynolds said. Im going to give it every effort. I feel I still have some opportunity.  But at some point youve got to just figure out youre at an impasse. If we get there, then we take a look at the budget, and then we go home and I continue to work on it over the interim. Ill be back next year with it, if I dont get it through. I believe that strongly in what Im working on.

The proposal, as passed by Senate Republicans, would allow up to 10,000 students from families at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level to receive a scholarship of roughly $5,500 to attend a private school. The money would come from the state funding that was dedicated to the public school that the student would have attended, which is roughly $7,700 per student. A portion of the remaining per-pupil funding would go into a state account to help small, rural schools that may lose multiple students and thus a significant percentage of their funding.

The proposal, Senate File 2369, passed the Iowa Senate on a 31-18 vote with only Republican support. It has not been debated in the Iowa House because not enough of the 60 House Republicans are willing to vote for it. It would need 51 votes to pass in the 100-member House.

The provision that would set aside funding for small, rural schools was one concession Reynolds made after last years proposal failed to pass largely because of opposition from House Republicans who represent rural districts with small schools. Another possible compromise being floated this year would set a baseline enrollment level for which schools would be eligible. Such a provision would, theoretically, make the states smallest schools ineligible for the program and, supporters hope, make it a more palatable yes vote for some House Republicans.

Im willing to listen to a lot of suggestions that maybe (House Republican holdouts) have in order to get this through and to start a pilot program, Reynolds said.

Democrats have remained united in their opposition to the proposal, no matter its form. No Democrat voted for the Senate bill, and there has been no indication any would in the House.

Democrats say the proposal would put public schools in danger by the way it diverts state funding to the private school scholarships.

Its clear and important to point out that the reason that Republicans are having so much trouble getting votes on vouchers, besides the fact that vouchers are bad for Iowa kids and Iowa communities, is the fact that Democrats stand united against school vouchers, said Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, leader of the minority House Democrats from Windsor Heights. Theyre having to fish within the Republican caucus because not one Democrat will support school vouchers, because we know theyre bad for Iowa kids.

Some House Republicans are already facing political pressure over their stance on the legislation.

Rep. Jon Thorup, a Republican from Knoxville, roughly a week ago said in a statement to The Gazettes Des Moines Bureau that he would vote against the bill because of uncertainty in Iowa and around the world, and that a new state law will significantly reduce state income taxes and potentially impact future state revenues.

Then the prominent and politically active conservative political action organization Americans for Prosperity announced a round of endorsements for statehouse races, and among them was its endorsement of Barb Kniff-McCulla, a Republican candidate who is challenging Thorup in the primary election.

In a news release, Americans for Prosperity specifically cited the candidates support for the governors private school tuition assistance proposal.

When asked whether she would use her political capital or resources to work against the election of Republicans who will not vote for the bill, Reynolds said she is spending her time advocating for the bill.

Im out there advocating for a priority of mine, and this is a priority of mine, Reynolds said. Im going to, of course, look for candidates that support some of the priorities that I do, and I dont think that thats unreasonable.

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A second woman has come forward publicly with allegations that Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster groped her.

Elizabeth Todsen alleges that Herbster "sexually groped" her while greeting people at her table during the Douglas County Republican Partys 2019 Elephant Remembers dinner, according to a statement released by her attorney. She claims the incident occurred at the same event state Sen. Julie Slama accuses Herbster of groping her.

Todsen, a former legislative assistant to state Sen. Dave Murman, was one of the eight women who accused Herbster of groping them in a Nebraska Examiner story released April 14. At the time, Slama was the only named accuser.

Herbster alleges the accusations are part of a smear attack. He has sought to tie Slamas claims to her political connections to Gov. Pete Ricketts and endorsement of Herbsters primary opponent, Jim Pillen, a Columbus hog producer and University of Nebraska regent. Herbster denied Todsen's allegations in a statement released by his campaign office Saturday.

In her statement, Todsen said it was a difficult decision to come forward by name with the allegations.

After thinking about this for years now, I know that it is time that Nebraskans know about the horrible actions made by Charles W. Herbster, the statement says.

Todsen also said that she is "proud" of Slama for coming forward with her accusations.

She declined to provide further comment Saturday.

On April 22, Herbster filed a defamation lawsuit against Slama following the publication of her and the seven other womens allegations by the Nebraska Examiner.

Slama filed a countersuit Monday alleging Herbster committed sexual battery.

On Tuesday, four Republican female state senators announced they were launching a legal fund to support the women accusing Herbster. One of the four, Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, said the senators wanted to show their support for Slama and the other women who have made accusations.

We realized that it would be helpful for these other women if they knew that we would support them if they came forward, Linehan said.

Herbster's campaign said he plans to take legal action against the other women who have accused him of groping them.

He will not stop fighting until his name is cleared and he is vindicated, the statement read.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  A South Dakota ethics board on Monday moved to hire an outside attorney as it considers a pair of ethics complaints against Gov. Kristi Noem, delaying its decision on whether to investigate allegations the governor interfered in a state agency evaluating her daughter's application for a real estate appraiser license and misused state airplanes.

After meeting for roughly an hour in a closed-door executive session, the retired judges who sit on the Government Accountability Board decided they needed legal advice, but that it shouldn't come from the lawyer who usually advises the board because she works in the attorney general's office. That lawyer, Katie Mallery, has been recused from legal matters in the complaints.

Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, who is a Republican like Noem, initiated the complaints after media reports on Noems actions in office. The board's decision Monday was a procedural move as it approaches a key juncture for the complaints.

The board requested in February that Noem respond to the complaints and will eventually decide whether they should dismiss or investigate them.

We have not yet made an initial determination, and so were going to consult with an attorney about that," said the board's chair Lori Wilbur, a retired Supreme Court justice.

The board's consideration of the complaints has stretched since last year and happened entirely in private meetings. Democratic Rep. Linda Duba, who was at Monday's meeting, expressed frustration at the laws governing the board, which was created in 2017 but has never handled high-profile allegations against the state's top official.

For a law that was passed that was supposed to provide transparency, were in the dark," she said.

The Associated Press reported that the governor took a hands-on role in the appraiser certification agency while it was evaluating her daughters application for an appraiser license in 2020. Just days after the Department of Labor and Regulation moved to deny her daughters application, Noem called a meeting with her daughter, the labor secretary and the then-director of the appraiser certification program.

The agencys director, Sherry Bren, told a legislative committee last year that she felt intimidated at the meeting, where she said Peters unsuccessful application was discussed in detail and a plan was formulated that gave her another chance to apply. Noems office, defending the governor's conduct, has said the plan was already in the works before the meeting.

The attorney generals other complaint was sparked by a report from Raw Story, an online news website. Noem in 2019 had used state airplanes to travel to events held by political organizations including the National Rifle Association and the Republican Jewish Coalition, even though South Dakota law bars their use for anything other than state business.

Noem, who faces reelection this year and has positioned herself as a 2024 White House aspirant, called the reports a political attack.

In her daughters case, she said she was working to cut red tape to solve a shortage of appraisers. She said she was acting as an ambassador for the state in her use of state airplanes.

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

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For much of the latter half of the 20th century, residents of Great Britain could travel to the quiet medieval city of Salisbury to enjoy a free vacationprovided that they were willing to be infected with a virus. These were the days of the U.K.s Common Cold Unit, a research body that infected volunteers with cold viruses to better understand how the viruses worked and develop treatments for them. It was through one of these human challenge trials, or HCTs, that researchers identified the first human coronavirus in 1965. People were used to going off on a flu camp, says Peter Openshaw, professor of experimental medicine at Imperial College London. It wasnt a foreign concept.

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So its no coincidence, Openshaw says, that the first human challenge trial of SARS-CoV-2 was conducted just two hours east of Salisbury, by him and his colleagues at Imperial. In February 2021, scientists at Imperial College London gained approval to conduct an HCT of COVID-19 in a small group of young, healthy volunteers. Like for much of the work in the Common Cold Unit, the goal of the study was to better characterize the trajectory of COVID and its associated immune response. In late March, the scientists reported their first results, in the journal Nature Medicine. They found, among other discoveries, that subjects tended to first test positive by PCR fewer than two days after exposuremuch more quickly than many had thought.

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The work the Imperial scientists have donein particular, determining that many people can catch COVID after being exposed to an extremely small dose of it in the labis a foundation on which future COVID challenge trials can be built. Scientists at Imperial already have further studies in the works, according to Openshaw. And the protocols that his research established can in principle now be used in COVID human infection studies anywhere.

As the pandemic continues to trudge on, these studies could answer essential questions that might otherwise prove insoluble.

But principle is far from reality. While some experts emphatically support COVID HCTs and have advocated for them since March 2020, others doubt that the risks currently outweigh the benefits. Im still skeptical of whether this study was sufficiently justified, says Seema Shah, a bioethicist at Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago.

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Intentionally infecting people with the virus that has disrupted life across the planet for the past two years and killed more than 6 million people worldwide might seem difficult, even impossible, to justify. But newly developed treatments mean that such studies are now more feasible than they have ever been, and, as the pandemic continues to trudge on, they could answer essential questions that might otherwise prove insoluble.

We really need to understand basic facts about infection, immunity, and transmission, and some of those are just really hard to observe in community epidemics, says Euzebiusz Jamrozik, postdoctoral fellow in ethics and infectious disease at the University of Oxford. In a well-circumscribed, controlled laboratory setting, where you know the exact time that people are getting infected, we just get a much better read on those facts.

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When discussion first began to buzz around COVID human challenge trials early in the pandemic, everyone was focused on vaccines. The idea had a strong precedent: Challenge trials have proved instrumental in the development of vaccines for cholera, typhoid, and malaria. Real-world exposure to pathogens is often incredibly uncertain, and studying infectious diseases in a well-controlled laboratory setting allows scientists to collect much more data, and do so much more precisely, than would be possible otherwise. For vaccines, this can mean faster, and cheaper, approval.

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COVID HCT advocates argued at the time that even if challenge trials might pose some risks to volunteers, the benefits of that potentially early approval were so astronomical that such trials had to be considered. In this pandemic, every day is thousands of lives, says Josh Morrison, president of 1Day Sooner, an organization that advocates for volunteers who want to participate in COVID HCTs. If you get an earlier answer, even if its earlier by just a week, that could be really valuable, he says.

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In the first months of the pandemic, however, those benefits and risks were both incredibly uncertain. Some experts, like Ruth Macklin, professor emerita of epidemiology and public health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, argued that the lack of a treatment for COVID made such challenge studies categorically different from those used to develop vaccines for treatable diseases like malaria. In the absence of a means to prevent serious consequences for participants, Macklin and others were unwilling to take on the risk.

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Nir Eyal, director of the Rutgers University Center for Population-Level Bioethics and an early advocate for COVID challenge studies, thinks this worry was misplaced. There has been a convention in the realm of challenge trials that you only do them for diseases that are either very mild or perfectly containable, he says. But this perspective, he argues, ignores the possibility that major benefits can outweigh substantial risks, and that risks can be reduced without a cure.

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In particular, for young, healthy volunteers, COVID effectively is a very mild disease, something scientists have known almost since the start of the pandemic. Of course, the risks arent zerobut risks are never zero in medical research with human subjects. In cancer trials, most people think its in the interests of cancer patients to participate, says Jamrozik, but that isnt the case at all. Many experimental treatments dont work; they may harm participants through unpleasant side effects, or by forcing them to forgo other treatment options. Those studies are only justified, then, because the treatments could one day end up helping many other people. Most research is not a net benefit to the participants, Jamrozik says.

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The question, then, is whether the benefits of any given study outweigh its risks. Such calculations are by no means limited to human challenge trials; in fact, they are intrinsic to any medical study that uses human subjects. But because the potential harms to participants are so obvious in challenge studies, they are perhaps the context where that sort of analysis comes out in the starkest relief.

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This calculus is devilishly complex, but one place to start is by looking at cases that medical ethicists have already deemed acceptable. Like participation in a challenge study, living organ donations is an altruistic act that involves risk to the volunteerand its widely considered to be ethicalso it has become a common way of evaluating the risks of COVID HCTs. And based on the best available calculations of the risks to young, healthy participants, COVID HCTs appear to be hundreds of times safer than routine liver donations.

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For Eyal, this is a decisive piece of evidence in favor of challenge studies, which also may have much greater benefits than a single liver donation. We certainly wouldnt let the injuries alone dissuade us from saving a single life through [liver] donation, Eyal says. We shouldnt let the somewhat vague prospect of long COVID alone dissuade us from saving an incalculable number of lives by improving a pandemic that takes so many lives globally, every day.

The Imperial researchers are still working to analyze the immunological data from their HCT, so its not yet possible to take a full retrospective look at the studys benefits. What we do know are the negative consequences for the participants. The researchers stipulated that only young, healthy individuals could participate in the study, since such people are extremely unlikely to experience serious consequences from a COVID infection, and that assumption was borne out by the study: The participants experienced only mild to moderate symptoms.

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Several subjects, however, did lose their senses of taste and smell; one still had an impaired sense of smell six months later. Those are somewhat substantial long-term risks, Shah says. With uncertainty still swirling around the long-term consequences of COVID, she says, there should be a high threshold for intentionally exposing people to the disease.

Participants in challenge trials today, though, will have access to better treatments than those in the Imperial trialand new antivirals and antibody treatments will make future challenge trials even safer. But now, the original impetus for COVID challenge studies is moot, since COVID vaccines were developed far faster than anyone anticipated and shots were going into arms months before the Imperial study was announced. So some ethicists contend that there is no need for further challenge trials. We developed faster vaccines than weve ever developed in the history of humankind, better vaccines than weve developed in the history of humankind, and very rapidly developed treatments that are effectivewithout having to resort to a human challenge trial, says Daniel Sulmasy, director of the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University.

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But others argue that these advancements are not enough. The past year has made clear that the existence of a vaccine does not guarantee protection for everyone, and Jamrozik says that human challenge studies could help researchers quickly determine which vaccines are effective against new variants and how they should be optimally administered. In many resource-poor countries, vaccination rates remain below 10 percent, and vaccine development is very much still a critical issue. Challenges can reduce the cost of vaccine development, Morrison says, which is particularly helpful in contexts where theres not as much of a market for the vaccine, like in lower-income countries.

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And some information about COVID cannot possibly be obtained from a standard trial. Imperial College researchers were only able to determine that people tend to test positive fewer than two days after COVID exposure because they knew exactly when their participants had been exposed and because they were testing them twice a day. Such information, Jamrozik says, could help optimize quarantine procedures, and future challenge studies could allow scientists to nail down the effectiveness of prevention measures such as masks and air purifiers. A mannequin study of aerosols is not the way to study masks, Jamrozik says. The way to study masks is to do it in human beings in real-life situationsto expose people with and without masks to COVID-positive individuals and see how much better off the mask-wearers really are.

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Theres one more tantalizing piece of knowledge that challenge studies are particularly well positioned to discover: correlates of protection. When someone mounts a successful immune response to a pathogen and prevents it from taking hold in their body, their immune system typically shows a characteristic response such as the presence of certain antibodies or types of white blood cell. If scientists identify these so-called correlates of protection for COVID, they can test new vaccines without ever exposing subjects to the coronavirus, naturally or otherwise. They will be able to infer successful protection just by studying a persons immune response in the days following inoculation.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration already authorizes pediatric COVID vaccines on the basis of immunobridging studies, in which antibody production in children is compared with antibody production in adults from the same vaccine, because the rarity of symptomatic COVID infection in children makes the vaccines difficult to test otherwise. But these studies are viewed as adequate evidence only because the same vaccines have already been proved effective in adults through more conventional means. Richer and more general data about the correlates of protection from COVID could allow this approach to be used much more widely, and HCTs could enable that shift. Everybody agrees the best way of getting at [correlates of protection] is through challenge trials, says Eyal. Those correlates could then allow new vaccines, and new vaccine administration protocols, to be approved far faster than is currently possiblewithout ever having to expose anyone to COVID at all. COVID human challenge trials, if successful, have within them the seeds of their own obsolescence.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Welcome to State of Mind, a new section from Slate and Arizona State University dedicated to exploring mental health. Follow us on Twitter. On May 11 at 1 p.m. Eastern, State of Mind and the 19th News are hosting an event titled Prioritizing Mental Health. Register here.

If youre a mental health professional who works in a jail, theres a sound that will always make your stomach drop. Its the soundmultiple sounds, reallyof security responding to an inmate in distress. It starts as the faint jingling of keys and footsteps pounding in the distance. Before long, the sound has swelled to a synchronized, thundering, Jumanji-style stampede, rounded out by the belligerent voice of a correctional officer yelling, Take them to mental health!

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The stampede is a regular occurrence, maybe two or three times per week, and often follows a predictable sequence of events. Security interacts with an incarcerated person in a way that causes or exacerbates an agitated response. Physical restraint ensues. Mental health professionals are called in after the fact to treat the patient because any time there is a behavioral problem, the assumption is that its because of a mental health issue.

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One day, while working as a licensed mental health clinician in a county jail, I counted 17 separate stampedes. Five out of 17 involved the same person, George: a brilliant academic with several credentials after his last name and research publications to back them up. (George is a pseudonym and identifying details have been changed to protect his privacy.) George was also diagnosed with Bipolar I disorder, and when in the throes of a manic episode, he lost any tether to reality, becoming delusional to the point of posing a danger to himself and others. On this particular day, George sat before me shirtless, handcuffed, and sweaty, his left shoulder hanging three inches below his right, rambling incoherently about how he had seen his doctoral thesis proven in the formation of the clouds outside his cell window.

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I never got the full story of what happened that dayhow George ended up in handcuffs with a dislocated shoulder. The correctional officers that dumped George in front of my desk could only tell me that they were told by their superior to take him to mental health. Still, it wasnt hard to picture a scenario in which Georges unusual behavior had been met with confrontation and coercion, further fueling the psychosis, and peaking in an act of violent restraint that dislocated his shoulder. During my five years working in jails, it felt like security was always using the same script when confronted with a problem: Get loud and posture to intimidate. When that doesnt work, apply physical restraint. Then, take them to mental health. I wish Georges story was the exception, but it most certainly was the rule.

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Though I no longer work in corrections, the words take them to mental health still haunt me. Implicit is the devaluing assumption that as a mental health professional, I have the magical ability to fix the deep-seated roots of a persons emotional issues in five to 10 minutes. This assumption puts mental health care in a corner where band-aid solutions are the only clinical tools available, making interventions doomed to fail and encouraging both security and patients to see this essential service as ineffective. Even more problematic is that security officials have the ultimate authority in deciding how mental health care is administered in the jail. Mental health professionals, with their training, skills, and expertise, are an isolated afterthought in a process for which they are fundamentally qualified to add value.

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People with serious mental illness are booked into jails in the U.S. about 2 million times a year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, effectively making jails and prisons among the nations largest mental health facilities. Yet health care professionals who work in corrections will tell you they are visitors in someone elses homekeeping on their best behavior, so as to be invited back. Simply questioning the logic of a security policy from a health care perspective could get you flagged as a threat to security operations and escorted out of the building, with no invitation to return. The result is a precarious dynamic in which mental health care professionals lack authority, and security officials are making health care decisions theyre unqualified to take on. To move carceral health care from triage to treatment, mental health professionals need to occupy leadership roles at the administrative level, where top-down decision-making can translate to bottom-up change.

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Very few institutions have applied this strategy. Among them is Chicagos Cook County Jail, where Nneka Jones Tapia, a clinical psychologist, served as warden from 2015 to 2018. Recognizing how jails have shape-shifted into holding facilities for people with mental illness, officials brought Jones Tapia on to serve in an executive role, a move that sent a compelling message: Mental health care must become the backbone around which correctional practices are developed, measured, and administered, so the infrastructure does not collapse under the weight of the system.

Under Jones Tapias leadership, the Cook County Jail started offering programs and services including linkage to community healthcare resources, communication with the court system, and follow-up with therapists in the community post-release. The jail also implemented a five-day-per-week mental health transition program, where individuals diagnosed with mental illness received cognitive behavioral therapy, job readiness skills, and extra recreation.

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Carceral policymakers and administrators like to say that rehabilitation is their goal. You might think that any genuine attempts at rehabilitation would embrace mental health care treatment, but thats not the case on the ground. During my tenure in jails, I lost count of how many times someone from mental health care management told me, We dont provide treatment here. But if thats the case, then what are we doing? The answer, unfortunately, is spending a lot of money to keep someone alive while incarcerated, without any care, consideration, or planning to equip them for life outside the facility.

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This is why it is so important for qualified mental health professionals to serve in administrative leadership roles, such as warden, and not to be confined to positions like director of mental health services, which sit tangentially outside of the scope of jail operations. We need people who will not be intimidated to abandon clinical judgment and best practice to preserve the status quo. Mental health, after all, is security, because it is key for safety.

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Jones Tapia understood this well, acknowledging in the New York Times that the relationships she cultivated with correctional officers smoothed her transition into leadership. Correctional officers are key to transforming the quality of mental health care in prisons and jails. For incarcerated people, correctional officers are a 24/7 presence, assuming the role of a caregiver. And because humans are innately wired to connect to and trust caregivers, correctional officers wield a tremendous amount of power to positively influence the safety and well-being of everyone in a facility based on how they treat those in their care.

While a growing body of research and practice demonstrates the benefits of mental health intervention as a core training area for police officers, this same level of attention in correctional settings seems to be lacking. Given the inherent parallels between these groups, it is perplexing how little is known about mental health training requirements for correctional officers (not to mention what is known about program outcomes). What we do know is that theres a high degree of variability in terms of delivery, duration, and contentreflecting the low priority this training has in correctional settings. What did mental health training for correctional officers look like in the jail where I worked, the place with the day of 17 stampedes? I could not tell you, because the mental health staff were not involved in developing or leading those trainings, nor was the correctional health care corporation that was my employermental health training was securitys domain.

Whenever I see a news article about a mental health crisis in a jail, Im reminded of George and his dislocated shoulder. I also think about the hundreds of other incarcerated patients Ive encountered for whom a different security response could have led to a different outcome, a de-escalation versus a stampede. I hear the echo of the words take them to mental health and how they represent a disconnect in a system that could reasonably be repaired with a willingness to listen, learn, unify, and restructure.

State of Mind is a partnership of Slate and Arizona State University that offers a practical look at our mental health systemand how to make it better.
This winter, a massive underwater volcano erupted near the Pacific island nation of Tonga. The eruption was massive, killing at least four people and triggering a tsunami. And on Jan. 15, when it reached its climax, it also disconnected Tonga from the outside world. The eruption severed the only internet cable that connects the archipelago of Tonga to the global internet, and the country spent about a week with no internet.

On Jan. 21, Elon Musk tweeted, Could people from Tonga let us know if it is important for SpaceX to send over Starlink terminals? The company ended up sending 50 terminals of Starlink, a satellite internet service. A narrative spread on social media that Musk had swooped in to save the day. But the reality on the islands was more complicated. It actually took longer for Starlink to arrive in the country than it took for the state-backed cable company to fix the repair, and the head of the state telecom group said that he was not really able to find any use for the terminals himself.

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The story of Tongas internet access feels like a bit of a pattern for Starlink: bold ambition but only modest success. On Sundays episode of What Next: TBD, I spoke with Meaghan Tobin, a reporter for the website Rest of World, about whether Starlink can ever fulfill its promise of connecting the world, especially places left behind by traditional internet. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Lizzie OLeary: Starlink is an offshoot of Elon Musks rocket company, SpaceX, that provides internet via satellite. The satellites are grouped in constellations that operate at a lower orbit than traditional ones used for internet communication. What makes Starlink different?

Meaghan Tobin: The innovation of Starlink is that the satellites are much closer to Earth, so the speed at which people can connect to the internet is a lot faster, in theory. In practice, one of the limitations of this technology is that a lot of people cannot use it all at the same time. And its kind of an inherent limitation to the physics of how low Earth orbit satellites work. So the only way to be able to get more people connected at the speed that low Earth orbit satellites offer is to get more satellites up there.

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Starlink has fewer than 2,000 satellites in operation, though the current constellation is authorized for more than 4,000. The company wants to launch as many as 30,000, and its not alone in its low Earth orbit goals. Jeff Bezos company, Project Kuiper, wants to launch a similar kind of small satellite to deliver internet access, as does a company called OneWeb thats backed by SoftBank. But right now, Starlink is the undisputed leader. It seems like something that would be perfect for the parts of the world where there isnt a lot of underground cable or undersea cable, right?

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In theory, yeah. It definitely solves a lot of issues of traditional internet infrastructure. You sign up and you get sent a piece of equipment, fondly referred to in many Reddit forums as Dishy. And so you program in your location and Dishy basically does the rest for you. You dont have to be near any major fiber. You dont have to be connected through a major telecom company. You dont have to pay enormous Verizon bills. So, for a certain segment of the population and for people who live in certain places, this is a really appealing idea.

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In June 2021, Elon Musk said that Starlink would be a reimagining of the internet and would get to the parts of the world that are hard to reach. At the Mobile World Congress, he said they should have global connectivity everywhere except the by August 2021. At the time, how was that promise received?

People were really excited about it. This was seen as a revolution in connectivityit was going to finally solve issues of internet access all over the world. And it also made his competitors really nervous. There was a big push to get more of these satellites launched and get more funding into this type of technology as fast as possible. But like a lot of things that Elon boasts about, its not quite as easily executed in practice.

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Here we are not quite a year out from that speech. Where would you say the connectivity is now? Was that global promise delivered on?

As of now, it absolutely hasnt been. Recent data from Cloudflare and also self-reported data to Reddit show that 98 percent of Starlink users are located in the West. Theyre in North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. There are some notable exceptions: Service was made available in Chile. But for the most part, users are overwhelmingly in Canada and the United States and Europe. And thats not to say that there arent people in rural parts of these countries that really need internet access. Starlink is definitely solving a problem for those people. But in terms of delivering on the promise of connecting the entire globe, thats absolutely not happening. That was one of the things that I was really interested in my reporting, to talk to people in India, who had been on the wait list and expected to receive Starlink technology this month.

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You talked to one entrepreneur in Indias Assam state, who preordered Starlink, thinking it might revolutionize his business. He runs an adventure tourism startup and imagined that the satellite internet would allow him to attract digital nomads who could work from the area. He and his business partner also thought they could give their neighbors a boost.

They were expecting that they could use their Starlink terminal to provide connectivity for the area that theyre in. They didnt just want it for their own business or their own customers. They also figured like, Hey, kids in the neighborhood could come by and use the internet.

But so far it hasnt worked out. In India, regulators have yet to license Starlink. And in January the government ordered the company to refund anyone who had already paid for the service, which costs about $600 to set up and $110 per month. Its also worth noting that Indias largest telecom company has a direct stake in OneWeb, one of Starlinks competitors. But Starlink has faced delays in other places, too. The expected service date in South Africa was pushed from 2022 to 2023, with no explanation. And the company is also contending with the global semiconductor shortage.

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In concept, it seems like Starlink, or SpaceX, is really the right company to execute on this internet-beamed-from-space idea. They have a great track record of getting objects into space. But its not actually as simple as that on the ground. There are a lot of challenges from governments and lobbyists and entrench interests and supply chains that are a lot harder to control.

I feel like we should note that Starlink has had one incredibly high-profile, good experiencein Ukraine. Can you tell that story?

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Absolutely. Right after the Russians invaded Ukraine, the countrys minister of information technology [Mykhailo Federov] tweeted Elon, saying basically Can you send in Starlink? Russia is here, and were worried about our internet communications. And within days, there was a delivery of Starlink terminals to the country and Starlink service was running. I think it was within four days. So, on the surface, that really seems like an incredibly quick turnaround time, incredible success. And it really has been extremely helpful to a number of people and essential services in the country. A lot of hospitals and energy companies have received Starlink equipment. But the backstory is that Starlink was working behind the scenes for, I think, six weeks before the Russian invasion to already try and get service to the country. So it was already next on their list as a place to start offering service. So, once Federov tweeted, they were basically able to just flip a switch and make it happen. The Washington Post has reported that there are about 5,000 Starlink terminals that have been delivered to Ukraine. And that close to 1,500 of them were paid for by USAID. So it also was not entirely the goodness of Elons heart donating all of these terminals for free. Some of the connectivity has been directly funded by the American government.

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One aspect of this that I find particularly interesting is who the customer is. The goal of connecting people in remote places seems so worthy, but I cant get my head around the idea, number one, that the price point is accessible. But number two, that Starlink is going to make money for SpaceX at a scale that makes it worth their while.

Elon has said from the beginning that Starlink is going to be a commercial revenue generator for SpaceX, that its going to be such a widespread success that its going to fund additional rocket launches. Its really difficult to see, in the case of a place like Tonga, how theyre going to fund that scale of revenue from a country of a 100,000 people scattered across the Pacific. Its really challenging to imagine that a lot of these markets are actually going to generate the scale of revenue that Starlink would need to be a major profit stream for SpaceX. At that end, its kind of obvious that theyre doubling down on serving markets where people can already afford to pay for it.

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Do you read this as a story of Elon Musks big promises that have fallen short, or is it more complicated? Is it about the market and the cost of providing internet service?

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That was definitely the main starting point for the story. We were reporting on the play by play of getting the internet reconnected in Tonga. It was really interesting to see how many Western media outlets had reported that Starlink was delivering service there. And really they had all said, Starlink has sent terminals. But no one had actually said, People are using Starlink for the internet in this place. And I think that discrepancy is really important. It is a lot about can Starlink fulfill the promise of getting technology to people all over the world? So far, it really hasnt delivered on that.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Concerts and festivals can be held as before pandemic, says the ministry.

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With nearly all Covid-19 restrictions now dropped, organisers will be able to hold cultural, or any other events involving mass gatherings, just as they would before the pandemic began in 2020, the Culture Ministry has said.

Our paywall policy: The Slovak Spectator has decided to make all the articles on the special measures, statistics and basic information about the coronavirus available to everyone. If you appreciate our work and would like to support good journalism, please buy our subscription. We believe this is an issue where accurate and fact-based information is important for people to cope.

All capacity restrictions for such events have been removed, while after the mandate to wear FFP2 respirators indoors was dropped on April 21, people will no longer be required to wear either respirators or masks when attending such events.

Organisers can use 100 percent of their capacity without any entry regimes, so summer concerts, festivals and other cultural events can be held just as they were before the pandemic, the Culture Ministry said, as quoted by the TASR newswire.

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Read more about the coronavirus developments in Slovakia:
People don't want higher energy prices.

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As many as 62 percent of Slovaks do not agree with disconnecting from Russian gas and oil if the consequence would be higher energy prices.

Only seven percent of respondents think we should disconnect immediately. Disconnection has support mainly among coalition voters, however, not all of them are in favour of the move.

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The results come from a survey by the Focus polling agency.

Coalition divided

The most support for either immediate or gradual cut off of Russian gas comes from the Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO) and Progressive Slovakia voters, with 61 and 60 percent respectively in favour of doing so.
Time is running out due to current parliament conflict.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address Slovak MPs via teleconference video. The virtual meeting is scheduled to take place during the current parliamentary session.

According to Michaela Jurcova, head of parliaments press department, technical solutions such as securing a big screen and a specific date are being coordinated.

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Zelensky's intention to speak before the Slovak parliament was presented by Ukrainian Ambassador to Slovakia, Yuri Mushka, to Speaker of Parliament Boris Kollar. Mushka did so during the opening of an photography exhibition in the National Council building. The exhibition shows pictures depicting war crimes committed by Russian soldiers in Ukraine.

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Time-constraints

"I believe it is right to do. We must realize that Ukraine is fighting for us, that it is not just a fight between Ukraine and Russia, not just a special military operation. Future history is being decided here, a system to deal with countries that decide to cut one territory from another," said Kollar as quoted by TASR newswire.

According to Kollar, it is also a signal that such actions against any other country in the future are unacceptable.

However, at the present moment the Slovak parliament is time-constrained. The parliamentary session to decide whether to allow detention of opposition leader Robert Fico is continuing and MPs have yet to vote.

Kollar would like Zelensky's speech to take place as soon as possible. Moreover, the parliament has to approve the speech in the first place.

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Used to addressing parliaments and crowds

Since the war in Ukraine started, Ukrainian President has addressed several national parliaments, including members of the European Parliament, as well as protesters at various rallies around the world. On March 4, Zelensky even addressed people in Bratislava who came together for a protest gathering titled Peace for Ukraine via teleconference.

"Please, don't be silent, don't turn a blind eye on us; come out and support Ukraine as much as you can," he said at the time.
Fico has decided to hijack the first of May, because too much is at stake for him.

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Welcome to your weekly commentary and overview of news from Slovakia. Parliament debates whether to allow Ficos arrest, with a vote expected soon. Another MP, this time from the coalition, faces corruption charges. The court map finally gets parliaments OK, allowing Slovakia to apply for its first Recovery Plan payment. Slovakia will struggle over winter without Russian gas. Jill Biden to visit Slovakia.

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EU accession is a reason to celebrate, now more than ever

The first of May has been a national holiday in Slovakia for as long as anyone can remember. It is a rare national holiday in that it has a fitting connotation for anyone: in the countryside, maypoles are erected  one surviving folklore custom in this part of Europe  and people kiss under the blossoming cherry trees. Older generations that grew up in communist Czechoslovakia in the second half of last century recall the marches on May Day that everyone was expected to take part in, and thereby physically demonstrate their allegiance to the regime.

But the most important connotation is the most recent one: since 2004, the first day of May marks Slovakias accession to the European Union. This year, in particular, that anniversary needs to be highlighted.

Slovakias road to the EU was far from straightforward. The country was fortunate enough to be able to reverse its mid-90s drift towards authoritarianism. In 1998, the entire opposition joined forces in an effort to defeat then prime minister Vladimir Meciar and his HZDS party in a vote that was widely perceived to be absolutely decisive. And it was. Within the parliamentary term that followed, the government of Mikulas Dzurinda, though not without difficulties and setbacks, kicked off the key reforms that enabled Slovakia to join the EU, together with its neighbours, just six years later.

Eighteen years on, not only Slovakia but all the countries that were once on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain can now see very clearly how fortunate they were to be able to take that step.
China's endeavor to becoming intellectual property powerhouse

11:23, May 02, 2022 By Xinhua writer Yuan Quan ( Xinhua

BEIJING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-seven years ago when Hu Guohua applied for a patent he had to queue overnight outside China's patent office.

Eight months later, he received a patent certificate for his invention, a color display device to help analyze satellite images. Soon after newspapers splashed photos of the spectacled aerospace engineer, who became the country's first patent rights holder.

Much has changed over the years, as China implemented numerous reforms to add efficiency to the entire system and has established itself as a leader in the intellectual property sector.

China's Patent Law came into effect on April 1, 1985, and the patent office received more than 3,400 applications on the very first day.

Hu's patent certificate has been in the National Museum of China collection since the patent expired. He kept a copy, as it is an important record of his innovative work.

The 79-year-old scientist has never stopped his pursuit of innovations, having obtained patent rights on at least 10 inventions over the past decades. He has also espied China's rise to prominence as a veritable intellectual property (IP) powerhouse.

In 2019, China overtook the United States as the top source of international patent applications filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and has since stayed at the top.

In 1999, the WIPO received just 276 applications from China, and by 2021, the number skyrocketed to 69,540, marking a 250-fold increase in 22 years.

China's rapid growth to become the top filer of international patent applications was hailed by the WIPO director general Daren Tang as "an amazing achievement."

Though competition has become much fiercer today, there is no need to queue up to file an application as Hu did over three decades ago. China's patent evaluation system has been streamlined to the point that it can now be deemed world-class. The average processing time for the examination of invention patents was shortened to 20 months, while trademark registrations take just around four months.

The National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA) has also established more than 40 centers nationwide, offering quicker services and reducing the duration and cost of IP protection.

A patent certificate is no longer an uncommon thing in China. The average ownership of invention patents reached 15.8 patents per 10,000 people by the end of 2020, exceeding the target of 12 patents set in the country's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).

While China has taken the global lead in the number of applications for patents, trademarks and industrial designs, it has also made enormous efforts to promote the transformation of this sector from pursuing the expansion of scale to quality improvement.

The country has attached greater importance to stronger legislation, with stringent punishment for any related violations.

Since 2019, it has promulgated a series of laws, regulations and IP protection guidelines, including the Foreign Investment Law, to create a fairer, more transparent and predictable business environment for foreign investors.

China also took measures including ending all patent subsidies and cracking down on improper behavior, to rectify the simple pursuit of patent quantity. And these efforts have won international recognition.

According to the WIPO's latest Global Innovation Index 2021 report, China moved up from the 35th place in 2013 to 12th in the world ranking and is now "knocking at the door of the top 10" among 132 economies, which "underlines the continued importance of governmental policies and incentives to stimulate innovation."

The Chinese currency renminbi has become the pricing and settlement currency of international expenses related to the WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty.

The China-European Union (EU) agreement on geographical indications (GI) took effect last year, which enables consumers from China and the EU to buy 100 authentic specialties, including wine, tea and agricultural products, from each other without worries about inferior quality or fake goods.

And the trend is only growing, with China promoting similar bilateral GI cooperation with France, Thailand and Japan.

China will continue to leverage IP to drive innovation, particularly in meeting the demand for new technologies and industries such as big data, artificial intelligence, gene technology and blockchain, Shen Changyu, head of the NIPA, told a press conference earlier this week.

Last year, China released the Outline of Building an Intellectual Property Rights Powerhouse (2021-2035), setting new goals for the next 15 years. China will seek to participate more in global IP governance and strengthen international cooperation, Shen added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
KEARNEY - Emergency crews are at the scene of a semitrailer that tipped over six miles west of Kearney on Interstate 80.

At 10:49 the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department was called to the area in between Kearney and Odessa for a semitrailer that was on its side on the south ditch of the eastbound lanes. Initial reports were that the trailer was leaking an unknown yellow substance.

The Buffalo County Hazardous Materials team was initially paged.

When firefighters arrived at the scene they determined the substance was milk cream, according to emergency radio traffic, and determined it wasn't hazardous. The driver was uninjured.

The Nebraska Department of Roads was called to the scene to provide sand and a pay loader.

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A 2018 wrongful death suit filed in the 2016 shooting death of a Rich Valley man has finally concluded.

In January, a Smyth County jury awarded Joyce Prater $3 million in damages and, in late March, a judge signed the order.

Joyce Prater is the widow of 60-year-old Duane Prater, who was shot and killed in April 2016. In 2019, the court granted a default judgement against Dana Dove, who did not file a response to Praters complaint. Dove had initially submitted a document asking the court for more time to retain an attorney, but months later said in a second and final letter to the court that he was unable to do so due to his fixed income.

Joyce Prater filed the wrongful death suit against Dove in the spring of 2018 after Commonwealths Attorney Roy Evans declined to file criminal charges against Dove. Evans said in 2018 that evidence indicated that Dove and Duane Prater had shot at one another.

The decision not to file charges in the shooting, he said, was born out of that evidence, at least to the extent that we could prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

According to search warrants filed in the investigation, Dove called 911 following the shooting, telling dispatchers that he had returned fire at Duane Prater, who was a relative, after Duane Prater had shot at him. When Smyth County deputies arrived at Doves home on Valley Road where the shooting took place, Dove told investigators that his uncle had driven up his driveway and pulled the gun.

According to court documents, the two men and their wives had been in a land dispute that had led to a civil suit. Proceedings in that suit were still underway at the time of Duane Praters death.

On Wednesday, Joyce Prater said she didnt expect to receive any payments awarded her in the wrongful death suit, saying the suit was her way of seeking justice for her husbands death in lieu of criminal charges.

There were no eyewitnesses to the incident, but Joyce Prater said witnesses who heard the shooting gave testimony that disputed Doves claim of self-defense. The News & Messenger was unable to verify that testimony as the trial, which was held to determine damages, was not transcribed.

Although Dove did not attend the court proceedings, and so presented no defense, he did maintain in his 2018 letter to the court that he shot Duane Prater to protect himself and his wife.

The jury awarded Joyce Prater $2 million in punitive damages and $1 million in compensatory damages. Doves 30-day period to appeal the decision concluded in late April.
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.

DUI  Washington State Patrol troopers Saturday arrested Raymond Lee Channel, 36, of Kelso, on suspicion of felony driving under the influence and operating a vehicle without ignition interlock.

Assault  Longview police Saturday arrested Branson Santiago, 26, of Kelso, on suspicion of third-degree assault, obstructing a public servant, resisting arrest, making a false statement and custodial assault.

Failure to register  Cowlitz County sheriffs deputies Sunday arrested Sean Michael Greiner, 35, of Longview, on suspicion of failure to register as a sex offender.

Burglary

1000 block of Seventh Avenue, Longview. Sunday. Apartment broken into and car stolen from garage.

Stolen vehicles

2800 block of Pacific Avenue, Kelso. Saturday. Blue 2013 Dodge Journey. Washington BLX3942. Drivers side back window has a blue Dutch Bros sticker and a dent on the drivers side back panel.

3300 block of Ohio Street, Longview. Saturday. White 2002 Chevy Tahoe. Oregon 670FDA. Lifted.

2900 block of Ocean Beach Highway, Longview. Sunday. Missing a rear bumper and had red rims on the front.

Thefts

3100 block of Maryland Street, Longview. Saturday. Purse and other items taken.

2100 block of 42nd Avenue, Longview. Sunday. Radio cab driver brought someone from ilani and upon arrival she said she had no money.

1000 block of Third Avenue, Kelso. Sunday. Razor E300 scooter worth $300 taken off the porch.

Oregon Way and Industrial Way, Longview. Sunday. Catalytic converter stolen.

Vandalism/malicious mischief

500 block of Royal Street, Kelso. Saturday. Back window broken, a crow bar inside.

200 block of 24th Avenue, Longview. Saturday. Known suspect kicked in the bottom of the door.

500 block of Eighth Avenue, Kelso. Sunday. Flower boxes knocked off the porch overnight.

200 block of 28th Avenue, Longview. Sunday. Dark Sedan pulled up in front of the resident and shot some sort of explosive at the house.

200 block of Casey Road, Castle Rock. Sunday. Two Shetland ponies found dead off the end of the road, horses in poor shape. Humane Society of Cowlitz County will follow up.

Vehicle prowls

500 block of Kelso Drive, Kelso. Saturday. Known suspect.

100 block of Stoneway Lane, Longview. Sunday. Residents vehicle and his sons vehicle broken into overnight.

200 block of Second Street, Kalama. Sunday. Medical bag and some other items taken.

200 block of Hillshire Drive, Woodland. Sunday. Found truck doors open and items taken.

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NASA: A gigantic solar flare erupted on the surface of the Sun. Should we worry about this?

NASA: The extreme volatility on the surface of the Sun is now a constant phenomenon with several solar flares being generated by the Sun that we have seen in the past few weeks. Now, on April 30, an active sunspot AR2994, short for Active Region 2994, unleashed another gigantic solar flare. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory has shared a stunning video of the solar flare in different wavelengths of light. The massive solar flare is said to be of X1.1-class.

What does it mean? X-class denotes one of the most intense flares. And the number along with the intensity symbol of the solar flare denotes its strength. The solar flares are classified into four classes - A, B, C, M, and X, based on their intensity. So, the most powerful solar flare would be an X-classified solar flare while M denotes the second most powerful solar flare.

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About the massive solar flare

Solar flares are powerful and very eruptions of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun, which can last from minutes to even hours. These sudden outbursts of electromagnetic energy travel at humongous speeds. And if transmitted towards the Earth side, it can have a significant effect on the sunlit sides of Earth, NASA explained.

And this recent massive X1.1-class solar flare began at 9:37 AM EDT and reached its peak strength within 10 minutes, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) mentioned. The outburst erupted just before the first partial solar eclipse of 2022. For skywatchers in different parts of South America, the southern Pacific Ocean, and Antarctica, the moon was expected to block out a portion of the Sun. Here's when the April 30th solar eclipse begins.

Will this solar flare hit the Earth?

According to Spaceweather.com which tracks solar flares reported how this solar flare impacted Earth and human activity. It said, "Even with the sunspot completely hidden behind the sun's northwestern limb, the explosion still produced enough radiation for a strong shortwave radio blackout over the mid-Atlantic Ocean and much of Europe. Tony Phillips mentioned on his website Spaceweather.com that the gigantic solar eruption almost unleashed a coronal mass ejection but because the solar flare came from a sunspot hidden from direct view of the Earth, the chances of it impacting the planet are low.
Samsung has announced Fab Grab Fest from May 1 to May 8, 2022. During the fest, you can avail great offers and cashbacks on several Samsung products like smartphones, laptops, TVs, among others. Check offer details here.

Samsung biggest summer fest of the year  Fab Grab Fest is here. You can avail great offers and cashbacks on a wide range of Samsung digital appliances as well as Galaxy Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, accessories and wearables. The Fab Grab Fest is live from May 1 to May 8, 2022. It can be noted that the offers will be available on Samsung.com as well as at Samsung exclusive stores across the country. During the Fab Grab Fest, you can get up to 60 percent off on Samsung TVs such as the flagship Neo QLED TVs and Crystal 4K UHD TVs and up to 57 percent off on a range of Samsung digital appliances such as the premium Samsung WindFree ACs, Twin Cooling Plus Double Door Refrigerators, Curd Maestro Double Door Refrigerators and AI Ecobubble Washing Machines.

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Additionally, consumers can get up to Rs. 4,500 off when they buy these products on the Samsung Shop App for the first time. Samsungs Galaxy smartphones, tablets, wearables and accessories, including the flagship Galaxy S22, Galaxy S20 FE 5G, Galaxy M32, Galaxy F22 and the recently launched Galaxy M53 5G and Galaxy M33 5G will be available at up to 50 percent off, along with additional benefits. Samsung Galaxy Book2 laptop will be available at up to 16 percent off.

Samsung has also tied up with leading banks  HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and SBI  so that consumers shopping from Samsung.com and Samsung Exclusive Stores can enjoy up to 20 percent cashback on their purchases this summer. The cashback can be availed on both credit and debit cards.

Samsung will also host Live Commerce events from May 3-6, 2022 on Samsung Live, a live video interactive shopping experience only on Samsung.com. People who will purchase during the Samsung Live events will not only get additional limited period offers but also get a chance to win exciting gifts and vouchers. Consumers shopping from Samsung.com will also enjoy 2-3-day superfast delivery of Samsung products to their doorsteps across 16,000 PIN codes in the country.

Samsung Fab Grab Fest: Special offers

In addition to the above offers, during the Fab Grab Fest, you can also avail special deals on purchases across Samsungs Experience Stores as well as Samsung Shop App. On purchase of Galaxy M53, M33, and F23, consumers will get a free Travel Adaptor, mobile covers at Rs. 999 with Galaxy S21 FE 5G, Galaxy Buds Live at Rs. 999 on purchase of Galaxy Flip3 and 50 percent off on covers with Galaxy S22. With Galaxy Book2, you can buy Galaxy Buds2 at Rs. 999.

While making the purchase from Samsung Shop App, first time consumers can avail an additional off of up to Rs. 4,500 on Samsungs Neo QLED TVs, Crystal 4K UHD TVs, WindFree ACs, Twin Cooling Plus Double Door Refrigerators, Curd Maestro Double Door Refrigerators and AI Eco Bubble Washing Machines. In addition to the exciting offers and bank cashback, consumers can also benefit from every purchase using the programs below:

Samsung 20K Advantage

Samsung Shop App users get an opportunity to unlock 10 shopping vouchers, up to Rs. 20,000, by registering on the Samsung Shop App. There is one voucher for each of the following categories  Smartphones, TVs, Washing Machines, Refrigerators, Microwaves, Tablets, Smartwatches, True Wireless Audio, Accessories and Harman/JBL products. Each voucher gives a consumer up to Rs. 2,000 shopping benefit, depending on category and transaction value of the product and is valid for 365 days.

Samsung Referral Advantage

Using the Referral Program, Samsung customers (referrers) can help their friends and family get exciting rewards (of up to 8 percent off) on purchase of a range of premium smartphones, tablets and wearables through Samsung.com. The referrer will also receive benefits in the form of Samsung.com vouchers up to Rs. 4,500 for successful transactions completed by their friends.

Samsung Referral Program is applicable on over 21 devices, which include smartphones, tablets and wearables. During this festive season, the referrer also stands a chance to win additional products for successful referrals.

Samsung Student Advantage

The student-specific Storefront on Samsung.com enables the student community to get easy access to a special catalogue of products consisting of a wide range of smartphones, tablets, wearable and accessories. The products listed in the catalogue will be available at a special price and come with value added services such as complimentary insurance, easy exchange and convenient EMI options.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Advertisements on a voice assistant like Alexa or Siri may be more effective if the assistant is viewed as the medium for the ad, not the source. However, user motives play a role in how these persuasive messages are received, according to a new study in the proceedings of the premier ACM Conference on Human-Computer Interaction (CHI 2022).

In 2017, Google faced backlash from Google Home users who felt that ad messages from the voice assistant (VA) were inappropriate. It seemed generating ad revenue on VAslike that on search engineswas not feasible.

The study presented today says there still may be an opportunity to run effective ads on VAs. It found that ads are better received if the VA is a mediumlike radioand not the source of the ads.

Reactions to ads depended on whether the user was informationally motivated (one who asks about the weather or news) or socially motivated (one who uses VAs to cope with loneliness or just to chat).

Socially motivated users see VAs as "companions in their midst," according to S. Shyam Sundar, James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State and co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory.

"There are many skills that have been added to VAs that are very social in nature," Sundar said. "You can have a casual chat, ask them to tell a joke, thank them when they wish you 'Good Morning,' and so on."

If the VA promotes a brand in the middle of such social exchanges, it is not so off-putting, according to Eugene Cho, assistant professor at the College of New Jersey, and lead author of the study, who worked with Sundar.

The researchers recruited 264 participants who were familiar with VAs for their experiment. They were provided two different scenarios in which a specific question was posed to Siri. They listened to Siri's response to the question, which was followed by an ad related to the query.

Example: When a participant asked, "Siri, how do I make pumpkin spiced latte?" Siri responded with the recipe, followed by an advertisement for Starbucks and how to get a pumpkin spiced latte using the company's app. Chosen randomly, some users heard the ad as a human spokesperson and others heard the voice of Siri directly relaying the ad.

Those with high informational motives responded negatively to ads when Siri was the sourceversus the human spokesperson. On the other hand, social motives led to "higher social presence" when Siri delivered the ads.

"Motivations are linked to usage," Cho said. "[For Google Home], maybe it wasn't the ad that was so bad. Maybe it was the content and the context that was the problem."

These findings are particularly relevant to companies like Google whose main source of revenue comes from advertising.

"We understand that ads are inevitable to their business model," Sundar said. "We want the way ads are delivered to be more human-centered and contextually relevant. Convert ads into a service. That's how you can be both commercially viable and socially responsible."

Sundar said advertising shouldn't be a "sneak attack." Through their research, the researchers are advocating a user-responsive approach that is more helpful and less deceiving.

According to Cho, companies that make VAs have the capability to learn about their users and provide an experience suitable to them. "Instead of running ads indiscriminately, they can personalize ad delivery based on user motivations," she added.

Explore further A new version of Siri could base speech on environment and user input
Credit: Animaflora PicsStock, Shutterstock

The DiBiCoo project has launched the Biogas and Gasification Matchmaking Platform, a free online hub connecting countries that import and export biogas and biomethane technologies. The platform serves as a database for stakeholders in the biogas and gasification field, while also offering a business matchmaking feature and a biogas and gasification knowledge base.

The tool makes it possible for markets in developing and emerging countries to import sustainable biogas and biomethane technologies from Europe. "The digital matchmaking platform of the DiBiCoo projects is an excellent tool to facilitate worldwide networking between biogas technology providers, project developers and investors," observes bioenergy expert Dominik Rutz of DiBiCoo project partner WIP Renewable Energies, Germany, in a news item posted on Bizcommunity.

Saving companies time

On the platform, companies can find the profiles of leading stakeholders in the biogas and gasification sectors. Users can search the companies based on their business needs, exploring by categories or finding them on the global map. By choosing a specific category of biogas and gasification technology or service provider, the user can view the profiles of all companies active in the selected field.

The online platform therefore saves companies time as they search for the right match. "Time efforts will be reduced both for technology providers to investigate new markets and for biogas project developers finding the most suitable companies to collaborate with for the execution of their project," explains Mieke Decorte, a technical and project manager at DiBiCoo project partner European Biogas Association, Belgium.

Promoting collaboration and knowledge

Another feature enables companies to present their business ideas and post their needs and requests for new business collaboration opportunities with different biogas solution providers. Stakeholders can refine their search for business opportunities by entering the field of interest (anaerobic digestion or gasification), the target region and country. "The platform makes it easy to find the right choice in implementing biogas and gasification technology and brings business opportunities for importing and exporting countries," notes renewable energy expert Wondwossen Bogale of iceaddis, an Ethiopian tech start-up incubator participating in the DiBiCoo project.

The platform's final feature is the knowledge base containing literature and factsheets on biogas and gasification. A selected list of literature sources provides insights on biogas, biomethane, biogas technology safety guidelines, financial instruments such as the European Investment Bank and World Bank, and related studies and reports with an EU focus. There are also reports discussing current European biogas and gasification technologies, export opportunities, European legal frameworks, and biogas markets and financing options in Argentina, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia and South Africa. Informative factsheets briefly outline the key components of biogas plants such as feedstocks, digesters, pumps, pipes and valves.

Europe is a world leader in biogas and also the leading producer of biomethane worldwide. The DiBiCoo (Digital Global Biogas Cooperation) project's goal has been to support the European biogas and biomethane industry's rapid growth by facilitating the export of related technologies from Europe to developing and emerging countries.

Explore further Producing ethylene from food waste without greenhouse gas emissions
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Google wants you to update your Chrome browser to deploy a new wave of software fixes to patch some security flaws.

A software update is being rolled out over the coming days and weeks for Chrome on PCs, Macs and Linux, and other browsers that use Google code such as Microsoft Edge, Google said in a blog post dated April 26.

Among the 30 security fixes are seven deemed high level threats. Google doesn't break out specifics on the details of the software bugs being addressedor potential hackers using themuntil most users have updated the fixes.

Such software updates happen regularly, but this one is alarming enough to warrant users' immediate attention, says Lotem Finkelstein, director of cyber intelligence and research for Check Point Software Technologies, headquartered in San Carlos, California and Tel Aviv, Israel.

"Overall, Google keeps high standards for security and the safety of its users, but that alone is not enough and we, the end users, need to make sure we are using their most updated fixes," he told U.S. TODAY.

Security professionalsand even President Bidenhave recommended Americans be on alert for an increase in cyberattacks, some coming from Russian retaliation for U.S. assistance to Ukraine. That means being on alert for phishing attempts, which try to get you to click on links that could steal personal data or install malware, and using strong passwords.

Google also recently noted an increase in zero-day attackssoftware weaknesses spread among hackers before developers can create a fixin another blog post from March 10.

In addition to keeping your browser software up to date, Check Point Software recommends you avoid unfamiliar websites and clicking on links from unknown sources. Especially look for links that may have a company name you recognize, but have a suspicious URL or end with something other than .com.

"The cyber threat landscape expends all the time, new threat actors join constantly and hackers acquire new skills as we speak," Finkelstein said. "We see an all-time high in cyber attacks, more than 50% vs. last year, so it is only natural that we see an increase in zero-days. We expect it to keep on growing."

How to update your Chrome browser:

On your computer, open Chrome. At the top right, click the three vertical dots Click Help >About Google Chrome. Click Update Google Chrome. Click Relaunch.

Explore further Windows 10 update could solve Chrome RAM tie-ups

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Qantas plans to fly passengers between Sydney and London in just over 19 hours.

Qantas has revealed plans for the world's longest-duration commercial flight by the end of 2025, ferrying passengers between Sydney and London on Airbus A350s in just over 19 hours.

Only a handful of airlines fly non-stop over such vast distances, which present a host of challenges including the capability of planes, commercial viability, and even the health of crew and passengers.

Here are some of the longest-duration flights in the world today:

Singapore to New York: 18 hrs 40 min

Singapore Airlines Flight SQ24 to New York's John F. Kennedy International airport is currently the longest commercial journey in the world, taking passengers more than 15,000 kilometers (9,300 miles) from the city-state to the eastern United States on Airbus A350-900s.

It also operates the second-longest journeyFlight SQ22, also on A350-900s, to Newark in the US state of New Jersey is scheduled at 18 hours and 25 minutes.

Qantas will use the A350-1000 variant for its planned Sydney-London flights.

Darwin to London17 hrs 55 min

The longest current Qantas routeQF9connects Darwin in northern Australia with London daily, with passengers covering almost 14,000 km on Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The flights were originally operated between London and the western city of Perth, but were moved to Darwin because of COVID-linked travel restrictions in Australia.

Qantas has said it will resume the Perth-London route this year.

Los Angeles to SingaporeMore than 17 hrs

Singapore Airlines Flight SQ35 takes passengers more than 14,000 km over the Pacific Ocean from Los Angeles on the US West Coast to the Asian city-state in 17 hours and 10 minutes.

The carrier's San Francisco-Singapore flight is scheduled at 16 hours and 40 minutes.

New York-Hong Kong in 16-17 hrs?

Cathay Pacific said in March that it was planning to alter its New York-Hong Kong route over the Atlantic instead of the Pacific Ocean, making it a longer journey than Singapore Airlines Flight SQ24 to JFK.

The flight path will cover "just under 9,000 nautical miles" (10,357 miles)or 16,668 kilometersin 16 to 17 hours, the airline told AFP in a statement.

It declined to be drawn why its flight path gave a wide berth to Russia's airspace, which it has previously flown through, according to Bloomberg.

Many airlines have canceled routes to Russian cities or are avoiding Russian airspace over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Cathay Pacific said the decision was taken because "strong seasonal tailwinds" made the new route more favorable.

 2022 AFP
Spirit Airlines endorsed a proposed merger with Frontier Airlines, rejecting a bid from JetBlue Airways as too risky.

Spirt Airlines reiterated Monday its support for a merger with Frontier Airlines, saying it concluded a competing offer from JetBlue Airways involved excessive regulatory risk.

Spirit said the Department of Justice's challenge of JetBlue's alliance with American Airlines raised the odds that a takeover of Spirit by JetBlue might get blocked.

"After a thorough review and extensive dialogue with JetBlue, the board determined that the JetBlue proposal involves an unacceptable level of closing risk that would be assumed by Sprit shareholders," said Mac Gardner, chairman of Spirit.

"We believe that our pending merger with Frontier will start an exciting new chapter for Spirit and will deliver many benefits to Spirit shareholders, team members and guests."

In early February, budget carriers Spirit and Frontier announced they were combining to create a competitive low-cost carrier that aims to test the dominance of larger rivals.

But in April, JetBlue challenged the deal, bidding to buy Spirit for $3.6 billion and offering a similar argument about challenging larger US carriers.

JetBlue announced Monday an "enhanced" offer for Spirit that included a $200 million reverse break-up fee in case the JetBlue-Spirit deal was blocked on antitrust grounds.

But Spirit, which had pushed for assurances JetBlue would drop the American Airlines venture if needed, said in a letter the carrier's concessions were insufficient and "imposes on our stockholders a degree of risk no responsible board would accept."

Shares of Spirit fell 8.9 percent to $21.52 in pre-market trading, while JetBlue gained 0.6 percent to $11.08. Frontier Group fell 1.9 percent to $10.41.

Explore further JetBlue seeks to buy Spirit Airlines, threatening Frontier deal

 2022 AFP
At times it may be tempting to rip up below-average pasture ground and just start over.

If you make that call, several questions need to be asked and answered prior to firing up the tractor.

The first thing I would ask is what kind of system you want, says Walter Fick, an extension agronomist with Kansas State University. Do you have a cow herd to maintain? What grass species do you already have? What sort of soil and topography? Do you farm full- or part-time?

Fick says surveying grass species in the pasture is a good place to start.

Do you have warm-season grasses already established? he says. Most of our pastures have smooth brome or fescue, but is there something in the pasture to get those cows through the summer months?

Drought conditions could present even more challenges for producers as they assess grass ahead of grazing. Pastures that were overgrazed could be permanently damaged, leaving heavy weed pressure.

If thats the case, it might be best to use Roundup and just kill everything off, Fick says. You can then reseed immediately into that old pasture.

Water also needs to be a priority, he says, adding any new grazing system must include an accessible water source.

In an ideal world, you can set up your system with water in the middle, but thats pretty unusual, Fick says. If you are using something like a pond, youll need to create lanes so the cattle can drink without causing a lot of pasture damage.

Grazing systems range from simple to intense, says Mitchell Stephenson, extension range management specialist with the University of Nebraska in Scottsbluff.

Several factors play into that decision, including labor availability and the number of cattle in the system.

Stephenson says some producers may not have the time to rotate cattle daily and may elect to set up something geared toward larger paddocks.

The system has to match your needs as well as the needs of the cattle, he says.

Stephenson cautions against turning cows out on drought-damaged grass until it is tall enough to take full advantage of the photosynthesis process.

Topography and precipitation also factor into grazing systems. Stephenson says its good to look at historical rainfall data to help determine any new grass species that may be introduced into the pasture.

Some species need more water than others might, he says.

Fick also recommends a soil test before putting in any kind of grazing system.

If you are looking at fertilization, remember that nitrogen will stimulate weeds, so be careful, he says. If you are planning to take a cutting of hay, that removes a lot of nutrients. Just make sure the pasture is operating effectively.

Jeff DeYoung is editor and livestock editor for Iowa Farmer Today, Missouri Farmer Today and Illinois Farmer Today.
The League of Women Voters of the Brazos Valley, in its first month of existence, hosted a candidate forum at the Memorial Student Center on the Texas A&M campus Sunday, ahead of the May 24 runoff election.

Candidates for Brazos County commissioner Precincts 2 and 4, Texas House District 12, Brazos County justice of the peace and Brazos County district clerk participated in the forum, moderated by WTAWs Scott DeLucia.

Nine of the 10 candidates were present. District clerk candidate and incumbent Gabriel Garcia was absent, and opponent Margaret Meece was present.

Jessica Williams, a sophomore at A&M and a member of the universitys Student Government Municipal Affairs Committee, helped coordinate the forum and was pleased to see every chair in the small meeting room filled.

A lot of these races get overlooked, she said. Not many people are aware of what a county commissioner does, what a JP does, and so bringing that to the community in a space thats still accessible to students is really exciting to me.

Sara Ptomey, president of the League of Women Voters of the Brazos Valley, said she cares about peoples ability to vote and to have an informed vote, but not how they vote. The organization is a nonpartisan group, she said, and she emphasized the organization is not just for women.

Williams said she wants to help other people in the university and broader communities get informed and understand how the local and state races affect them.

Government works better for all of us when were all more involved, she said.

One of the topics covered by Brazos County Precinct 2 Republican candidates Russ Ford, incumbent, and challenger Chuck Konderla was infrastructure, including county roads, the Regional Mobility Authority and the future Interstate 14 corridor.

Both agreed on the importance of continuing the work to pave the remaining unpaved roads in the county and preparing for the impact of I-14 in Brazos County.

Ford said the Regional Mobility Authority is the countys opportunity to affect where I-14 is placed, and both called it the countys seat at the table.

Ford said he supports the RMA and I-14 project, but believes the funding should come from a user fee rather than the proposed $10 fee on vehicle registrations, which is part of a bill that will appear on the November 2022 ballot.

Konderla said he also wants to explore other funding options, including bonds and utilizing Hotel Occupancy Tax funds.

Im worried about the idea that we would simply pass a $10 fee on every vehicle as the only funding source, Konderla said. I dont think thats fair, but weve got to have a seat at this table. The future of our county is at stake, and I-14 is coming.

When asked what needs to happen in the county in 2022 to prepare for 30 years from now, Ford said the county must make decisions based on its position now as an urban county.

Were 233,000 people, he said. Thats probably going to double in the next 30 years, and with that, the I-14 corridor is going to bring a completely different clientele; a completely different number of people to our community. Were the largest community in the country thats not served by an interstate highway.

Konderla said the county must work with the cities and the Texas A&M University System to prepare for I-14 while still holding true to the countys values.

Each candidate was given the opportunity to ask their opponent a question. Konderla said he was committed to supporting Ford if Ford wins the seat, as there is not a Democratic opponent, and asked Ford if he could commit to do the same. Ford said he would.

Other topics discussed were how the county can use American Rescue Plan funds, the increase in property taxes and the cost of living in Brazos County.

Brazos County Precinct 4 Democratic candidates Wanda J. Watson and Prentiss Madison were asked similar questions, including what they would like to see the county do with the American Rescue Plan funding.

Watson, the former chair of the Brazos County Democratic Party, said she did not have specific projects in mind to bring before the court, but said she hopes the county will be creative in finding uses that will benefit the county and Precinct 4 in particular, noting the disparity in income and housing.

The need in Precinct 4 is so great on so many levels, and so any funding that can come out of that, anything that I can bring before the court that will be a benefit to the community, I will do that.

Madison, current Bryan City Council member, said he wants to see some of the funding go toward improving broadband internet access to Precinct 4 residents.

With the area of Precinct 4 growing at the rate that it is, and especially with the RELLIS campus and the expansion thats going on out there, were going to see a lot of issues that we may need to fix, he said.

With discussions taking place to create a medical examiners office in Brazos County, the candidates talked about the new office and funding for a mental health care facility, with both saying the medical examiners office is not an if, but a when.

Madison said the medical examiners office will be a collaboration of Brazos County, surrounding counties, cities and the Texas A&M University System, and said the same stakeholders need to be part of the discussions for a mental health facility.

Watson said she also recognizes the medical examiners office would be a collaborative effort, saying the Texas A&M College of Medicine already has some infrastructure in place. She said she hopes a medical examiners office will include all seven counties in the Brazos Valley.

She said the need is great for a mental health care facility in the county.

The Precinct 4 candidates also discussed the countys funding of the Brazos Valley Economic Development Corporation, the RMA $10 fee and taxes.

The winner of the Democratic runoff will face unopposed Republican candidate Timothy Delasandro in November.

State Representative District 12 candidates Kyle Kacal, incumbent, and Ben Bius also tackled the question of American Rescue Plan funding with both saying they would like to see it go toward infrastructure.

Lets talk about roads, Kacal said. College Station and House District 12 with the growth coming in on 45 into Walker County, 290 into Washington County and the new Aggie Highway coming into Grimes and ultimately into College Station  weve got a lot of people coming, and it is very difficult to get through. So those funds need to be focused on what I think is the epicenter of growth in Texas, and that is right here in the middle of the triangle and all of House District 12.

Bius said infrastructure is vitally important.

Ive often said that if you drew a triangle from Huntsville to College Station, down to the coast and back, never in the history of the world has there been a greater assemblage of people who know more about space, medicine, geology, oil and gas, he said. We are in the most dynamic region in the United States of America, and there are a lot of people who want to come here, and we do need to plan ahead.

The two also weighed in on border security with both placing it as their first job if elected.

The state of Texas needs to have the authority of self-defense, Bius said. Currently, the Biden administration is prohibiting us; theyre threatening our law enforcement people if we stopped the illegal border crossing. I believe the first thing we need to do is give the authority through legislation to create a deportable offense for Texas, and Texas needs the right to protect itself.

Kacal said the current system of border security is depleting local Department of Public Safety troopers because they are at the border providing a safety net for Texas back door.

The people of South Texas need to protected; the people interior of the state of Texas need to be protected, he said. We are sending our men and women down there to secure the border.  Weve got to implement more technology with these dollars that we keep allocating to protect until the federal government realizes we have a problem on the border.

The two also discussed taxes, changes to the Texas Constitution, public education and school choice.

Democratic candidates for justice of the peace, Precinct 4, Darrell Booker and incumbent Celina Vasquez discussed how they will ensure they are trained and have the necessary resources. Both said it comes down to continuing education and staying up to date with changes to the law.

Both were asked how they will ensure anyone who comes to any of the four justices of the peace have the same experience.

Vasquez said it is about collaborating. She said during the pandemic, she helped author a standing order adopted by all four justices of the peace to issue personal PR bonds to people with low-level, nonviolent offenses on the promise they would appear in court.

Booker said it comes down to communication, calling it the most vital thing between the four justices of the peace.

DeLucia noted many people only have interaction with the judicial system through justice court, and asked each candidate to discuss how they will make sure citizens are heard and given a day in court, confident the law would be followed.

Vasquez said everyone is treated with dignity and respect. She said she cannot interpret during court, but as a bilingual judge, she was able to offer all-Spanish hearings, saving the county money.

Booker said for a person to be treated fairly, the justice of the peace must know the law. He said it is the responsibility of the justice of the peace to protect the rights of everyone who enters the court and make sure everyone is treated fairly and with transparency.

The winner of the runoff between Vasquez and Booker will face Republican candidate Justin Lopez in November.

Brazos County district clerk candidate Margaret Meece answered DeLucias questions when, after a brief recess, her opponent, Gabriel Garcia, did not arrive.

Meece answered questions about the efficiencies she would like to see implemented in the office, in the jury roll system and what steps she would like to see taken in the office to respond to population growth.

She said the work increases as the population grows, and the district clerks office must become more efficient and stay current on training and technology because nothing gets to the courts or out of the courts unless it comes through the office.

As an attorney and former judge, Meece said, she has been affected by inefficiencies.

We file something in with the district clerks office, and it may or may not get to the court as quickly as it ought to, and were talking about a digital system, she said.  Thats one of my first priorities is to make sure that when documents get filed in with the district clerks office, they go to the court that they need to go to immediately.

With the jury roll, she said, she wants to see the roll updated when jury notices are returned.

The primary runoff election is set for May 24 with early voting scheduled for May 16-20.

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The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony for Reel Men of Nebraska, Inc. on Friday at Sucks Lake.

Bruce Berck of Grand Island started the nonprofit last year after his son, Bruce Berck Jr., died. The mission of the organization is to Help men by using fishing to help with stress and lifes issues.

Reel Men focuses on helping the homeless, former inmates, men on probation, veterans and those with disabilities. All of the money donated to the group goes toward helping the men.

Poles are provided to men who dont have one, and scholarships are available for Nebraska fishing licenses.

We welcome all men, Berck said.

This summer Reel Men of Nebraska will form mentoring groups.

In a small group we provide fishing poles, licenses and tackle boxes with tackle to the ones in need, Berck said. Our goal is to help ease lifes issues. We have a support group and enjoy fishing as a group. We learn how to deal with our lifes issues while enjoying our great outdoors.

Research has found fishing has an unexpected connection to happiness and wellbeing, and being in nature can improve moods, memory and self-esteem. Theres also evidence it can reduce blood pressure and decrease the risk of certain cancers.

Fishing helped Berck cope with the grief of losing his son last July. In October, he created a nonprofit to help men dealing with major issues by using fishing. He recruited eight board members to oversee the organization.

Its made up of positive people, Berck said. Our goal was to provide men with poles and licenses to the ones who could not afford them.

Berck used to fish a lot when his son was younger. After his son died he returned to fishing to help with the loss.

In the first quarter of the year, donations have allowed the nonprofit to be funded for the year.

Its been awesome, he said. In the almost five months, weve seen so much growth.

The organization operates out of Bercks home, although organizations in the community have offered their services. Reel Men is currently working to create a website, and Berck hopes to the expand the organization to communities throughout the state.

He said he wants to help men find ways how to heal from whatever their life issues they are facing.

It could be addiction, as well as divorce or post traumatic stress, he said. There are a wide variety of different things that are affecting mens lives.

The goal of Reel Men of Nebraska is fellowship.

Having someone there to listen to you can help so much, Berck said.

And, he said, fishing can help to create those lines of communication.

Berck said churches are aiding Reel Men of Nebraska, along with businesses, such as Sportsman Warehouse.

For more information about Reel Men of Nebraska, contact Berck at 308-850-8464, or reelmennebraska@gmail.com.

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Expert Viewpoint

How To Build a Computer Science Curriculum with Existing Staff

A Career and STEM Academy Director Shares How Her District Responded to a State Mandate By Collaborating with Teachers and Students

Students will need computer science and STEM skills throughout their education and career, regardless of what future career field they choose. With this in mind, the state of Indiana mandated that schools offer computer science for all K12 students starting last year.

At Barr-Reeve Community Schools, we didnt have the resources to build a computer science curriculum from scratch. Nevertheless, we created a program that not only meets the requirements of the mandate, but also gets teachers and students excited about learning. We learned a number of lessons along the way, but the biggest takeaway was this: You can transform your curriculum and provide students with the computer science skills they need, often with the teachers and tools you already have in the classroom.

Where to Begin Starting a New Computer Science Program

When our school district first started looking at launching our computer science curriculum, the question quickly became, "Where do we start?" Some districts undertaking a new curriculum begin in elementary school and scale up from there; others focus first on teaching high-schoolers the job skills they need before they graduate.

With funding from a Digital Learning Grant through the Indiana Department of Education a couple of years ago, we were able to introduce computer science to all grade levels and schools at the same time. If you choose to follow our path, that doesn't mean that you have to launch a full-blown computer science curriculum on Day 1. A strategic first step is to get buy-in from teachers and administrators in each school by meeting them where they are.

Start By Meeting Teachers Where They Are

When we were ready to implement our district-wide curriculum, we took stock of what teachers were available and interested. For example, we had one teacher who had previously taught computer science using materials from Code.org but needed a more structured, sequential curriculum. We also had teachers who were interested in computer science but had not taught it or gone to school for it.

To provide all of our teachers with the vital preparation and support they needed, we chose Codelicious, a K12 computer science curriculum that offers teachers step-by-step instructions. Codelicious also was willing to adjust the beginning of the curriculum into smaller steps that helped the teachers learn and reinforce foundational concepts that would be most important for the students. Since the teachers could see exactly what they needed to do and exactly how they needed to teach, they could present that information to students more easily.

Moving Away from the Traditional Lecture Format

Because we didn't expect our teachers to be computer science experts, we embraced an instructional model that moved beyond the sage on the stage. This collaborative approach made the most of the fact that students are often more tech-literate than educators, especially at the middle and high school level.

Instead of the teacher standing at the front of the room and lecturing, our teachers serve as guides who ask the right questions and learn alongside their students. For example, when we first started the computer science program, a student was building a website  but there was a problem with the code. The teacher took that problem home and worked on it all weekend. By Monday, he was completely frustrated and overwhelmed because he couldnt find the issue.

We met with the team from Codelicious, and the guidance for that teacher was simple: Its not all on you. Instead of taking up all your time with this problem, throw the code on the board and ask your students, Who can help debug this? What are we missing?

The other key question we encourage teachers to ask themselves in situations like this is, What is your end goal here? Is it that the site runs perfectly, or is it that students are learning along the way? Our computer science program is about teaching kids how to think and learn and be resourceful, not necessarily just about providing them with static information. This approach applies to almost anything kids might want to do  not just in STEM-related fields, but in any career they might choose to pursue outside of it.

Creating a Learning Journey

Bringing computer science to the classroom isn't about putting students in a single computer science class and expecting them to learn everything they might need to know about STEM from that. Instead, it's about providing them with the opportunity to set out on a learning journey.

This is the Google generation. They have access to all the information they could possibly need at their fingertips. They carry their devices with them, and they know how to perform those searches, but they need to know how to use that information once they have it  and they need to know how to take that knowledge and apply it to new and different situations. We can replicate that in the classroom by showing how computer science applies to all of their subjects. In our district, computer science doesn't just show up as an elective or in a science classroom. It is also a part of learning in social studies, English, and math.

With this philosophy in place, our teachers have been able to focus on making computer science something students look forward to. One of our science teachers says that bringing computer science into his lessons has brought a lot of enjoyment into his class. Students have gotten used to computer science at the elementary level. Theyre comfortable with it and accustomed to it, and if he wants to meet students where they are, he needs to provide more computer science instruction. With support, hes now able to offer students lessons that theyre excited about.

Like Barr-Reeve, your school or district may already have the resources you need to introduce a comprehensive computer science curriculum. By meeting teachers where they are and teaching students how to solve problems, not just how to absorb and regurgitate information, you can create a more effective learning environment that better prepares students for their future careers.
Pandemic Recovery

Imagine Learning, Gale, Discovery Education Top List of New Statewide Ed Tech Expenditures by Mississippi

The Mississippi Department of Educations provision of no-cost subscriptions to digital learning solutions for districts statewide, launched in January, is helping to close learning gaps for students in schools taking advantage of the six opt-in platforms, according to a news release, with a majority of Mississippi districts already using the subscriptions or planning to begin this summer.

Mississippis State Board of Education in December approved the supplemental digital subscription expenditures totaling $23.1 million, funded by American Rescue Plan grants; the statewide opt-in access includes subscriptions to ed tech solutions in English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science for students, teachers, schools, and districts. MDE said the subscriptions support the states College- and Career-Readiness Standards and complement each school's core instructional materials.

The first round of districts that opted in began using their subscriptions in January; a second round will begin this summer, MDE said.

Supplemental instructional subscriptions offered under the program and the number of districts opting in to each are as follows, MDE said:

Homer (K2 English Language Arts): Designed to improve reading fluency, increase academic vocabulary and develop independent reading skills Cohort 1 (started in January 2022): 37 districts Cohort 2 (starts in July 2022): 48 districts Total districts participating: 85 Total cost: $1.2 million

Newsela (312 English Language Arts): Designed to provide content specifically for ELA and expand content curation to support academic standards; includes instructional supports. Cohort 1 (started in January 2022): 38 districts Cohort 2 (starts in July 2022): 55 districts Total districts: 93 Total cost: $3.9 million

Imagine Learning (K8 Math): Designed to builds problem-solving skills, provide personalized learning and scaffolded instruction for all students. Cohort 1 (started in January 2022): 35 districts Cohort 2 (starts in July 2022): 52 districts Total districts: 87 Total cost: $7.9 million

News-O-Matic (K8 Social Studies): Publishes daily news articles with multimedia features and provides a teacher dashboard to help track and monitor students progress. Cohort 1 (started in January 2022): 41 districts Cohort 2 (starts in July 2022): 48 districts Total districts: 89 Total cost: $370,854

Discovery Education (K6 Science): Provides multimodal resources, aligns with academic standards and includes virtual STEM activities. Cohort 1 (started in January 2022): 38 districts Cohort 2 (starts in July 2022): 65 districts Total districts: 103 Total cost: $4.7 million

Gale (712 Science): Includes interactive labs for biology, chemistry, and human anatomy; provides Lexile-level articles and includes multimedia content. Cohort 1 (started in January 2022): 38 districts Cohort 2 (starts in July 2022): 51 districts Total districts: 89 Total cost: $5 million



An administrator at one district using the subscriptions since January described the importance of the supplemental instruction resources as vital to helping students there overcome so-called pandemic learning loss and said student engagement has increased with the new digital learning solutions.

A large majority of students began school with more than average deficiencies and in need of additional interventions and engaging learning opportunities, said North Bolivar Consolidated School District Interim Assistant Superintendent Xandra Brooks-Keys. The digital subscriptions provide individualized learning paths to increase math fluency and overall mathematical competency, exposure to literary content to increase overall reading comprehension, and discovery of hands-on activities and science exposure to help students better understand and apply scientific concepts to reality. Most importantly, the students are engaged, having fun while closing learning gaps and increasing mastery of standards and overall student achievement.

Learn more at at the MDE website.
CARBONDALE  Police are investigating after responding to a report of a fight in progress at about 2:16 a.m. Saturday in the 500 block of South Illinois Avenue, according to a department news release.

Carbondale officers responded and determined that suspects had already fled the area, police said.

During their investigation of the fight, officers heard multiple shots fired from the 200 block of West College Street, police said.

Officers responded and found the suspects had again fled the area.

No injuries or property damage related to the incident were reported, according to the news release.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

-- The Southern

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A Southern Illinois University Carbondale scientist is asking the public to keep its ears open in the name of monitoring biodiversity.

Starting May 1, Brent Pease, an assistant professor in the forestry program, will kick off Sounds of Nature, a community research project aimed at understanding changes in biodiversity over time by recording and monitoring so-called soundscapes, the collective sounds emanating from a given area. The effort runs through July 15 and plans call for it to continue annually.

In the first year of the project, Pease is focusing efforts in Southern Illinois and specifically its southern-most 16 counties. Pease, along with forestry graduate student Elaine Metz and Shasta Corvus, of the School of Forestry & Horticulture, plan to monitor some predetermined areas. But they hope to fill in the gaps with help from citizen scientists.

Sounds of Nature is unique in that the project works directly with the public to monitor soundscapes on public and private land, said Pease, who last year directed a similar citizen scientist program called BioBlitz, a 24-hour effort to collect and identify every possible species of plant and animal on campus.

Making the global local

For decades, scientists have been monitoring worldwide biodiversity, which has been falling at unprecedented rates. With the overall stability of the environment at stake, the decline of so many wildlife species is a growing concern for society, Pease said.

Keeping tabs on the situation can be challenging, with so much ground to cover and much of it  more than 85%  private and therefore usually off limits to researchers. Sounds of Natures goal is to learn about where regional biodiversity is declining and identify targeted conservation and management actions that can best slow the decline where most needed.

Studying the collective biodiversity  by listening  is a promising approach to learn about the health of an ecosystem across time and space, Pease said. Because we are monitoring the entire soundscape, we can learn about a number of animals  birds, amphibians and even mammals  across the unique places in Illinois. Places like forests, developed areas, agricultural landscapes and even riparian areas such as river banks and wetlands.

Citizens as scientists

Many everyday people share concerns for the environment, and projects such as Sounds of Nature and BioBlitz, which use citizen science, are important ways for the public to positively contribute to its protection. Citizen science is the process of engaging and involving the general public in scientific research, Pease said, and its participation can make a big difference.

Without community support, he said, scientists will miss an essential piece of the biodiversity puzzle.

The people who live in the region are particularly proud of the natural resources in Illinois and may be concerned about the loss of wildlife and special places, but are unsure how they can help, Pease said. This project directly involves the public in the scientific process. We work with landowners all across the region who volunteer to run our sound recorders on their properties.

Easy to help

Most citizen science projects require no special training of the volunteers, just an interest and a willingness to help, Pease said. In this case, it takes just a few minutes to deploy and retrieve a sound recorder.

The sampling period runs May 1-July 15, with each volunteer sampling for five or six days within that time period. After the recording is finished, volunteers are asked to retrieve and return the device to the researchers.

Participation is open to everyone, with no age, background or experience required. The sound recorders the researchers are using do require volunteers to use their smartphones to set up, but no other equipment is needed.

If youre concerned about the environment and biodiversity, this is an important opportunity to help scientists learn more and better protect it for everyone, Pease said.

To learn more about volunteering for Sounds of Nature, visit the projects application portal. Questions may be directed to Pease at bpease1@siu.edu or 618-453-7474.

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CAIRO  A 68-year-old woman has been found guilty of first-degree murder charges in the 2018 death of 63-year-old Tomie Edwards, according to an Illinois State Police news release.

On April 29, Mary Davis, of Carbondale, was found guilty on charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death during a jury trial in Alexander County.

Edwards body was discovered by Kentucky authorities in the Mississippi River on May 22, 2018.

The murder investigation was led by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 7.

The Illinois State Police was assisted by the Cairo Police Department, Alexander County States Attorneys Office, and the Kentucky State Police.

A sentencing hearing for Davis is scheduled for June 29 in Alexander County court. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

 The Southern

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Ive always taken pride in my vocabulary.

Growing up in the country with no neighbors nearby, I spent hours and hours reading  everything from novels, to Sport magazine to the World Book Encyclopedia. Words have always fascinated me.

And, as of last week, they are now confusing me.

Based on the Illinois Environmental Protection Agencys recent ruling allowing the Pond Creek Mine to dump millions of gallons of polluted water into the Big Muddy River, Im going to have to reassess my understanding of the words environmental and protection.

If youre not familiar with the case, the Pond Creek Mine has a severe issue with ground water. Millions of gallons of water with high concentrations of chlorides, sulfates and iron fill the mine on a regular basis.

Several years ago, Williamson Energy LLC applied for a permit that would allow the company to dump the water into the Big Muddy. Just the thought of the EPA allowing such a ridiculous thing made the permit request seem like a story from The Onion, a satirical newspaper.

Yet, here we are.

On April 15, the Environmental Protection Agency approved the permit. Oh, they tried to assuage those of us who actually care about the environment by noting that the discharged water will receive some treatment. The water going into the river wont be quite as toxic as it could be.

What is happening to us?

Remember when the EPA was actually the EPA? Remember when the agency actually cared about the environment? Remember when the agency actually cared about protection? Remember when businesses hated the EPA because the agency rigidly enforced its regulations?

Ive been disappointed in government agencies in the past, but this is shameful.

The government, OUR government, is putting the welfare of a business above the health and safety of its citizens.

In a world where an environmental protection agency was actually doing its job, the government would prohibit the discharge of pollutants into a waterway. It would be, should be, up to the business to treat the water until it was benign.

Instead, the EPA is allowing this business to use a public waterway to dilute its pollutants. I live here and I object strenuously.

Oh, the EPA assures us the situation will be monitored.

Thats not very reassuring. What is the agency going to do if and when this grand scale chemistry experiment goes awry? Remember these chemicals arent being introduced into the water with an eye dropper, were talking millions of gallons of water.

Who can predict what is really going to happen? I dont think its worth the gamble.

And, given the horrible environmental record of the extractive industries, Im pretty sure were talking about when, and not if.

We dont need another Elk River incident. In 2014, a company accidentally discharged a chemical into that West Virginia river that fouled the drinking water in nine counties. Coincidentally, the chemical discharged is used to treat coal.

When the application was first filed, I was a full-time employee of The Southern. I called the mine for comment. I called the parent company for comment. The companys reaction  hanging up on me and not returning calls. Other reporters working on the story had the same experience.

That does not inspire confidence.

The introduction of sulfites and chlorides could have harmful effects on flora and fauna downstream. And, the Big Muddy flows through some environmentally sensitive areas downstream that are prone to flooding.

In my mind, a true environmental protection agency would be fighting tenaciously to ensure this is not a remote possibility.

Of course, that is in a world where environment and protection carry conventional definitions. I have little idea what these words mean now.

The Prairie Rivers Network and the Sierra Club pledge they will closely monitor the situation. Maybe theyll do the job our supposed protection agency refused to do.

Concerns can be addressed to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency at 217-782-3397.

LES WINKELER is the outdoors writer for The Southern Illinoisan. Contact him at les@winkelerswingsandwildlife.com, on Twitter @LesWinkeler.

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South Carolina has been addressing a problem with the popular landscape tree, the Bradford pear, for years. Now the issue is getting a lot of attention elsewhere as well.

As beautiful as the Bradford pear is in bloom in early spring, the tree is an invasive species that has caused problems, with more on the horizon. The Bradford pear and 24 other ornamental trees were developed from Callery pears  a species brought to America a century ago to save ravaged pear orchards.

The Callery pears invasive descendants are now reported in more than 30 states.

Callery pears have nasty thorns that can damage everything from tractor tires to livestock and also damage the ecosystem by creating thickets that overwhelm native plants while providing little to no food for insects.

Without regular maintenance, fields near seed-producing trees can be covered with sprouts within a couple of years, James J.T. Vogt, a scientist at the U.S. Forest Services Southern Research Station in Athens, Georgia, said in an Associated Press report.

If you mow it, it sprouts and you get a thicket," he said. If you burn it, it sprouts, too.

The spikeless Bradford pear mutant was developed in 1952 and was available commercially a decade later. Other seedlings grew into the 24 other ornamental varieties. All are so pretty, hardy and insect-resistant that they were planted nationwide.

Not now.

Bradford pears were once touted as sterile, but it turns out that if pollen from any other of the Pyrus species gets into Bradford pear flowers, the trees can make viable seeds. Those seeds are then eaten by birds and other animals and spread across the landscape, contributing directly to the Callery pear.

Some states are asking homeowners and landowners to stop planting them or to cut existing ones down and apply herbicide to the stumps. Several, such as North Carolina, offer free native trees to landowners who provide photos proving they have cut down Callery pears on their property.

South Carolina is going further. It will become only the second state in the United States to ban the nursery sale of Bradford pear trees and any other related pear trees.

The ban on sales will begin Oct. 1, 2024, which is the annual nursery licensing renewal date in South Carolina. Ohio will become the first state on Jan. 1, 2023, after passing regulations banning the sale of the species in 2018 with a five-year grandfathering period.

While the ban on these plants will make them illegal to sell or trade within South Carolina, its important for the public to know it will not be illegal to possess them on their property or to keep what they have.

But people are encouraged to make a change. Clemson has even used its own bounty program to provide replacement trees.

If youre on board, here are four suggested replacements:

 Pagoda dogwood -- a gorgeous multi-stemmed tree that has showy white blossoms not dissimilar to the Bradford pear tree.

 American basswood -- a large native tree with fragrant yellow blossoms in late spring.

 American beautyberry -- aptly named for its striking pink fruit plus arching branches.

 Ashe magnolia -- a smaller, deciduous magnolia with white, saucer-shaped flowers.

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For Bryan Jennings, 23, an international studies and modern languages and linguistics major in Rowans College of Humanities & Social Sciences, extensive foreign language expertise is the key that will unlock a career in international relations.

Thanks to receiving the prestigious David L. Boren Scholarship from the National Security Education Program, he will travel to Jordan this fall, where he will hone his Arabic language skills. He was notified of the scholarship while studying in Germany this spring.

According to the Boren Awards website, Boren Scholars and Fellows study critical languages and immerse themselves in various cultures in regions that are often underrepresented in study abroad programs.

Studying in Jordan will allow me to study and learn another critical and valuable language that is essential for a career in international affairs, said Jennings, who minors in German and Arabic, as well as geography. I also will experience a new culture and life abroad, which will lead to more connections, friendships and an unforgettable journey.

As he develops a high proficiency in the Arabic language and the dialect native to the region and an understanding of the culture, he will volunteer in the community, helping local organizations that support refugees with aid, entertaining children in hospitals and helping distribute food to those in need.

Studying in Jordan also will give me the life experience of being a foreigner in a faraway land, which will prepare me even more for a career that could likely involve living overseas, he said.

Multicultural background

Jennings passion for languages and other cultures took root when his Filipina grandmother taught him the Tagalog language when he was a child. As he grew older, he reinforced his understanding of the language as he talked with family members in the Philippines during video calls.

He values the immersive nature of studying abroad as he expands his range of languages.

While anyone can study a language at an institution in their home country, it is a totally different experience to be in another nation across the world while learning the language, Jennings said.

Everyone around you speaks a different language than your own, and everything you see and hear on TV or in the streets of the city will be in the language you are learning. You are essentially forced to speak it to communicate and survive, and it is an excellent way to achieve fluency in a language and knowledge of a foreign culture.

Competitive edge

I believe studying in Germany and Jordan will help me in my career search process, allowing me to discover what I am truly looking for in my academic and professional career, said Jennings, who plans to pursue graduate school and a career in the Foreign Service. I believe it will help me stand out from many others who are looking for careers in international affairs, and it will influence my perspective by opening my mind even more to a new way of life and culture very different from my own.

Jennings transferred to Rowan from Stockton University in 2019 and was motivated by the faculty and course offerings at his new school.

The language and international courses at Rowan empowered me by helping me recognize the countless possibilities that languages and international affairs can unlock, he said. They also piqued my interest and passion to travel even more and see the world. Rowan faculty are also so encouraging and more than happy to offer guidance and see me succeed.

Jennings encourages students to search within themselves to find inspiration for their dreams.

Many people suggest looking to a role model in seeking success or their goals, but I disagree, he said. In my family, I am the only one who has studied abroad in another country and chose a completely different major. Others may have thought it was impossible or something that is not feasible. I didnt let this scare or deter me.

Believe in yourself, believe in your abilities and never give up on yourself or your dreams. Only you can carve out your path to happiness and success.
In 1994, former President Bill Clinton passed the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, often considered the most far-reaching crime law in U.S. history.

The act ended Pell Grants  federal grants usually given to students with high financial need  for people in prison. Most in-prison college programs heavily depended on money from Pell Grants and other federal aid because people in prison are overwhelmingly poor. In the year before the 1994 crime law, about 23,000 federal and state prisoners used these grants, a paper from the American Enterprise Institute estimates.

Data from the U.S. Department of Justice shows a drop in college course participation among inmates following the 1994 crime law; in 1991, the participation rate was around 19% for federal prisoners and 14% for state prisoners. That fell to around 10% and 7% in 2004, respectively. The number of college-in-prison programs also fell, according to the Prison Policy Initiative. In the early 90s, there were about 772 programs. By 1997, only about eight programs remained.

But theres some turnaround on this trend. The administration of former President Barrack Obama established the Second Chance Pell Experiment in 2015. The initiative partly put back in place prison inmates former eligibility for the grants. Last week, the U.S. Department of Education chose Wyoming Pathways from Prison  the University of Wyomings prison education initiative  to be one among about 200 institutions across almost all 50 states participating in the program.

After 30 years, the consensus is that it was a mistake to withhold this money from inmates, said Dan Fetsco, an attorney and UW faculty member in the Criminal Justice & Sociology Department.

Fetsco is part of the team that operates Wyoming Pathways from Prison, which offers free UW college courses to people in Wyoming prisons. The program started in 2016 and has been volunteer-driven, with one-off classes that typically count for one college credit.

Before joining UW, Fetsco worked as the deputy director and executive director of the Wyoming Board of Parole. Through that experience, he became familiar with educational offerings within prisons. Being part of Wyoming Pathways from Prison, he said, was a natural fit. He taught his first class through the program on correctional legal history and inmate rights this past year.

It was a popular class, he said.

Before COVID, UW professors traveled around the state to all of Wyomings prisons, teaching inmates about topics ranging from financial literacy to Greek history.

UW Assistant Professor of Philosophy Rob Colter said he would stay at an Airbnb near a prison for a week and teach two- to three-hour classes in the morning and afternoon for inmates everyday. The first course he taught was about Stoic philosophy.

What I aim for is some kind of transformation in the way we think about ourselves and our lives, he said.

That transformation isnt just theoretical.

Data shows a strong correlation between education and reduced recidivism, Fetsco said.

A 2018 study by the RAND Corporation, a public policy research organization, found that inmates who took part in a correctional education program had about a 43% decrease in their odds of returning to prison compared to their counterparts who didnt. A 2015 study published in the Journal of Correctional Education came to a similar conclusion.

But the courses that Wyoming Pathways from Prison was offering were intermittent and didnt result in an actual degree  there simply wasnt enough funding and volunteers to offer inmates a degree-bearing program.

Participation in the Second Chance initiative, however, will change that. The extra funding will help Wyoming Pathways offer a four-year UW college degree in general studies for inmates, making it the first four-year degree offered in Wyoming prisons since the 1994 crime law.

Its going to allow us to take a huge jump, Colter said. This development is really big for the universitys ability to serve some of the most vulnerable and marginalized people in the state.

The team at Wyoming Pathways from Prison plans to work on creating the admissions process for the degree program this summer and aims to have the first cohort of students start in the fall.

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Western public lands are going digital.

President Joe Biden signed the MAPLand Act  a popular piece of legislation intended to boost access to the countrys public lands  into law on Friday.

The new law affords federal land managers $47 million to publish online maps of U.S. public lands, including how they can be used and how and when they can be accessed, within the next four years. It previously cleared the House of Representatives in mid-March and the Senate in early April, cosponsored by Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, R-WY.

Barrasso, who has advocated for the bills passage since it was first introduced in the House last spring, called it a win for both landowners and outdoor enthusiasts.

Outdoor access bill backed by Barrasso, Lummis sails through Congress Legislation that would modernize mapping of federal lands now heads to the presidents desk.

Now that the MAP Land Act has been signed into law, Americas sportsmen and women will have better tools to help them access our public lands, Barrasso said in a statement to the Star-Tribune. It will boost our outdoor recreation economy, protect private property, and improve public land mapping.

Its passage and signing have been cheered by some of the Wests most visible outdoors and conservation groups.

The single biggest obstacle to hunters and anglers venturing afield is insufficient public access, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers President and CEO Land Tawney said in an emailed statement.

He went on, By funding public land management agencies to standardize and release digital maps to the public, the MAPLand Act will make it easier for citizens to access great places to enjoy the outdoors, adding, we thank our congressional leaders for expediting its passage, and we thank President Biden for signing the MAPLand Act into law.

Barrasso: The MAP Land Act will make accessing Wyomings federal lands simpler and safer Barrasso writes: The MAP Land Act will require the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, as well as the Army Corps of Engineers, to create a digital mapping system for the public. This system will be made available online so anyone can determine the borders between public land and private land.

The bill was signed the same day a jury in Carbon County found four hunters not guilty of trespassing on private property when they crossed from one adjacent corner of public land to another in 2021  an outcome that Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, which raised more than $70,000 to pay the hunters legal fees, called a major win for public lands access.

According to a report published last month by GPS mapping service OnX, 8.3 million acres of Western lands are corner-locked  boxed in by private lands except at their corners  and inaccessible to recreators.

Sen. Jim Risch, R-ID, one of the lawmakers to introduce the bill in the Senate, said in a Monday statement that the mapping law would help reduce trespassing on private land by showing new public land users where they can and cannot go.

In Wyoming, providing access to detailed mapping information, including through the Wyoming Hunt Planner, has already been a priority for state officials, according to Sara DiRienzo, public information officer for the states Game and Fish Department.

We have tried to really put that information in peoples hands, she said, to help them be empowered to plan their own hunts.

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The Wyoming Democratic Party will soon have a rural organizing director thanks to the Democratic National Committees new focus on investing in deep red states.

The state Democratic party requested and received $40,000 for an organizing director to canvass rural and frontier areas of Wyoming with a special focus on the Wind River Reservation. The reservation is home to the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes.

Wyoming Democratic Party officials found that the reservation and some surrounding areas had low voter turnout in the 2020 elections compared to other places in Wyoming, so theyre confident there is a pool of untapped Democratic-leaning voters, as Fremont County often votes for Democrats.

Previously, swing states with a higher number of electoral votes would get grant money from the DNC. But with a new fund, more ruby red states like Wyoming are starting to receive cash infusions of their own.

Last year the DNC established a Red State Fund that includes $2 million for states that meet two of the following criteria: No Democratic senator or governor, less than 25% of its congressional delegation are Democrats and a supermajority of Republicans in the state legislature.

Wyoming meets all three.

Overall, its a petty big deal, said Nina Hebert, communications director for the state party. We used to have to compete against swing states with high electoral counts and high electoral count blue states [for money]. Smaller states and red states were being left out simply because we were small and/or red.

The rural organizing director will work to register Democratic voters in areas with higher percentages of Democrats who dont typically turnout in non=presidential years and nonpartisan races.

I know firsthand how critical it is for Democrats to organize year-round in every state. Thats why the DNC is committed to providing resources to empower state parties to hold Republicans accountable for betting against the American people, said DNC Chair Jaime Harrison. The DNC is excited to support Wyoming Democrats work to continue building the critical organizing infrastructure they need to be successful in November and beyond.

By many measures, Wyoming is the reddest state in the nation. Wyoming voted 70% for Trump in 2020 and 68% in 2016, both the highest proportions in the nation. In the 2012 presidential election, Wyoming voted 69% for the Republican candidate, Mitt Romney, only trailing Utah, Romneys home state.

Still, voters have shown an openness to Democrats in the past. From 2003 to 2011, the Cowboy State was home to a Democratic governor.

Counties that are now represented by Republicans in the statehouse have elected Democrats in recent years. Sweetwater, Carbon, Laramie, Natrona, Fremont and Uinta counties have been represented by Democrats at some time over the last two decades.

But the organizing director will not just going to focus on the statewide and county-wide elected offices, but the down ballot races as well.

Through a targeted voter registration effort, we have enough unregistered, possible Democrats to flip key town councils and school boards in our rural areas, the state party said.

Organizing in rural areas, particularly Wyoming, can be tough because of the amount of miles that have to be covered to talk to a small number of voters.

Much of Wyoming is considered rural and requires creativity and connection with the community in order to know how to reach people, said Sarah Hunt, executive director of the Wyoming Democrats. We want to make sure that everyone gets what they need to vote, not just those that live in in population centers. Our new rural organizing director will help our local county parties set up voter registration programs, help candidates reach voters in the remote areas of the state, and create an innovative program to make sure that all our voters are able to participate in this election.

The Wyoming Democrats hope to get the funds to retain the organizing director beyond the current campaign season, Hebert said.

We dont like to do the turn and burn ... in the off-season if we can avoid it, she said.

Sate Democratic Party Chair Joe Barbuto said he hopes the role will pay dividends for Democrats in the upcoming midterm elections and beyond.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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Former President Donald Trump will appear at a May 28 rally in Casper, he announced in a statement Monday.

The city has for months been discussed as a possible site for a Trump rally. But it wasnt until Monday that Caspers Ford Wyoming Center was confirmed as the location for what will be Trumps first political appearance in the state.

Its not surprising that the former president would choose Casper. The Ford Wyoming Center is the largest indoor venue in Wyoming, with a capacity of more than 8,000 people.

There is symbolism as well. The Cheney family hails from Casper, and Trump has made it his mission to defeat Rep. Liz Cheney after she voted to impeach him following the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. Cheney remains Trumps most outspoken Republican critic, and she is serving as vice-chair of the committee tasked with investigating the events of Jan. 6.

Trump is appearing in support of land attorney Harriet Hageman, his pick to challenge Cheney in the highly anticipated August Republican primary.

It will be a tremendous honor and incredibly exciting to have President Trump visit with us and it will no doubt be the largest political event in Wyoming history, Hageman said in a statement. His policies were the best that we have ever seen, from building the greatest economy in the world, to driving America to energy independence, to enforcing our immigration laws, and I expect thousands of Wyomingites to come out to thank him enthusiastically.

The race for Wyomings lone House seat has drawn considerable national attention, attracting well-known political figures to the state including Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, both of whom have campaigned against Cheney. Many observers see Wyomings House race as a symbolic battle in the broader war between Republicans who support the former president and those who oppose him.

Polling shows that Trump remains deeply popular in the state.

In the 2016 and 2020 elections, Wyoming voted for Trump at a higher rate than any other state, with the Republican receiving 68.2% percent of the vote in 2016 and 69.9% of voters in 2020.

The former presidents popularity here among Republicans resulted in a strong backlash when Cheney began to speak out against him after the Jan. 6 riot. Wyoming Republican Party leaders censured her in February 2021 and then later voted to no longer recognize her as a Republican, a symbolic move.

Cheney hasnt flinched. Shes continued to forcefully describe Trump as a threat to democracy. Meanwhile, her national stature has grown, and she continues to rake in huge sums of campaign contributions, with donations coming from across the country.

While Cheney and Hageman are the highest-profile candidates in the race, they are not the only ones. State Sen. Anthony Bouchard, R-Cheyenne, was the first Republican to announce a challenge to Cheney. Retired Army Col. Denton Knapp is also seeking the Republican nomination.

Hageman entered relatively late compared to the other candidates, but did so with the coveted Trump endorsement. May 28 will be the first time they campaign together.

Ford Wyoming Center officials say they were approached last year about the possibility of holding a Trump rally at the venue. Cheyenne was also discussed as a possible location.

Parking for the event is set for 6 a.m. Doors will open at 11 a.m., with speakers starting at 1 p.m. Trump is scheduled to speak at 4 p.m.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis

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After fewer than two hours of deliberation Friday, a Carbon County jury found four Missouri hunters not guilty of trespassing for corner crossing at the Elk Mountain Ranch in 2021.

The three-woman, three-man panel returned the not-guilty verdicts on criminal trespass charges and on an alternative theory of trespassing to hunt.

Phillip Yeomans, Bradly Cape, John Slowensky and Zachary Smith hugged one another and their attorneys after Carbon County Circuit Court Judge Susan Stipe read the verdicts at about 2:30 p.m. It was the third day of the trial. Jurors would not comment as they left the temporary courthouse in Rawlins.

Corner crossing involves stepping from one piece of public land to another at the common corner with two pieces of private property, all arranged in a checkerboard pattern of alternating ownership. The hunters attorneys said Carbon County Prosecutor Ashley Mayfield Davis never produced evidence the four had touched the private land of Fred Eshelmans Elk Mountain Ranch.

But Mayfield Davis said stepping on private property was not necessary to convict the four. Property ownership involves three dimensions, she said, using a block of Duplo LEGO style bricks in two colors to illustrate the concept of checkerboard ownership in three-dimensions.

The law is you own the airspace, she told the jury in her closing arguments. Land ownership is not just the dirt, its the airspace above.

You dont have to touch that land, to be convicted of trespass, she said.

The men must have violated the airspace above Eshelmans ranch when they crossed the infinitely small point at the corner, she said.

A body is bigger than that point, she said. All of their bodies were over private land. When you break that plane [above a property boundary line] you are entering their property.

Along with property ownership comes the right to exclude others from that property, she said. She proved the necessary elements for conviction, she asserted, including that the men knowingly entered private property after receiving notice not to trespass.

The defendants actions in this case are brazen, she told the jury.

Defense attorney Ryan Semerad painted a picture of ranch owner Eshelman, a wealthy North Carolina businessman, as a would-be king of Elk Mountain. The 11,161-foot high game-rich peak is largely surrounded by Eshelmans ranch property. But a number of mile-by-mile U.S. Bureau of Land Management sections, as well as state-owned sections, lie within the ranch boundaries.

The hunters set up camp on a public parcel accessible by a county road and then corner crossed to reach other public land where they killed two elk and a deer in the fall of 2021.

Eshelman used his money, clout and influence to get prosecutor Mayfield Davis to file charges, Semerad asserted.

He believed the whole mountain was his and that no one but [he] was allowed to be there  like a king, Semerad said. When he hears there are some regular people on the other side of the mountain [he said] go track them down, arrest those men!

He sends his helper to go call the county attorneys office and here we are.

The state told you the law was clear on this, Semerad said of the trespass statutes. But the lack of an immediately issued citation shows otherwise, he said.

Neither a Wyoming Game and Fish Department warden nor a county sheriffs deputy cited the men when they investigated the incident in the field. Game and Fish lacks authority to cite for criminal trespass and has a policy not to cite under the trespassing-to-hunt statute in corner-crossing cases.

Instead, corner-crossing cases are forwarded to the county attorney for consideration of charges. Warden Jacob Miller submitted a report to Mayfield Davis, whose office later directed a deputy sheriff to cite the hunters.

Defense attorney David McCarthy outlined how that indecision demonstrated the law was unclear and that maybe the hunters did not knowingly enter private property after being notified not to trespass. He asked jury members to consider how such convoluted considerations would seem to them if employed when they were pulled over for speeding.

In such an instance, have any of you been told Oh, Im going to call the county attorneys office  Ill get back to you? he asked.

Semerad said the hunters heard from a deputy that Game and Fish wouldnt cite them for corner crossing. They heard a deputy himself say he wouldnt cite them and a law officer said most of Wyomings county attorneys wont cite for corner crossing.

Its clear as mud, Semerad said of the trespass laws as they relate to corner crossing.

The defense also asserted that Mayfield Davis had not produced the necessary evidence to convict. On the trespassing-to-hunt alternative charge, for example, McCarthy said the prosecutor failed to show that each hunter, individually, had possessed a hunting weapon when seen after corner crossing.

Defense attorneys emphasized that public land is not the province of an individual and that no one person can control access to it.

America has no king, Semerad said. Wyoming has no king, Carbon County has no king. There is no man [on] Elk Mountain who can make judgments on his will alone.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.

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A Dutch production company is looking to cast dozens of Wyoming actors in an upcoming indie film.

Sleep tells the story of a father who takes a cross-country trip around the U.S. as he grieves the loss of his daughter. Its the work of Amsterdam-based company Propellor Film, in association with Film Kitchen Films.

The film starts in the Netherlands, but a good chunk of it will be shot in Fremont County, said Dennis Rollins, the films Wyoming casting director. Other parts will be filmed in Utah, Nevada and California.

The producers expect more than 40 speaking and non-speaking roles for the Wyoming segment of the movie, according to the Sleep Casting Wyoming Facebook page. All positions will be paid, Rollins said.

That makes Sleep a rare opportunity for Wyoming actors to make money off a gig, Rollins said. Most movies shot in-state are passion projects with just a few thousand dollars to work with, he explained. Actors in those films usually dont get paid.

For every film that actually has a real budget, theres probably 100 or 200 films made that have virtually no budget, Rollins said.

Pay rates for Sleep havent been announced yet, but actors in speaking roles will likely receive over $300 a day, he said. Hes not sure about non-speaking roles.

For more information about what roles are available, visit the Sleep Casting Wyoming Facebook page.

Anyone interested in participating can email an audition video to Rollins at wolfgangwyoming@cs.com.

In the video, auditioners can share a little bit about themselves, and talk about an experience that made them happy, and one that made them sad, Rollins said. Videos shouldnt be more than two minutes long.

Rollins said he anticipates auditions to close by the end of June or early July. After he rounds up all the audition tapes, the films director will pick who gets what role.

Filming is set to take place in September. Actors wont have to take much time out of their schedules, Rollins added  most of the parts will only take a few days to shoot.

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AS INFLATION rates climb throughout the Caribbean, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Cleviston Haynes is cautious about wage adjustments to match it.

A wage adjustment to match inflation is really not the first best option for us, Haynes said at an inflation discussion hosted by the Central Bank of Barbados on Thursday night.
The two separate cases of teenaged girls who went missing last week and were found in shacks
Russia may continue to attack the territory of Ukraine using Iskander Tactical Ballistic Missile Systems deployed in Belarus.

The Russian authorities have enforced the strict administrative-police and counterintelligence regime in the Russian Bryansk Region districts adjacent to Ukrainian border, according to the recent report released by Oleksandr Motuzniak, the Speaker of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

"The designated units of the Armed Forces of Belarus are deployed along the Ukrainian-Belorussian border in Gomel and Brest regions. We cannot exclude the possibility of further demonstrative and provocative actions along the Ukrainian state border. The use of Iskander Tactical Ballistic Missile Systems deployed in Belarus for missile strike on Ukrainian territory and potential fire-for-effect attacks on the infrastructural facilities in Ukrainian near-border districts remain a significant concern, the report reads.

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0005250386-01 ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY ENTITY INFORMATION ENTITY NAME: COMFORT ELEMENTS LLC ENTITY ID: 23356705 ENTITY TYPE: Domestic LLC EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/05/2022 CHARACTER OF BUSINESS: Any legal purpose MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE: Member-Managed PERIOD OF DURATION: Perpetual PROFESSIONAL SERVICES: N/A STATUTORY AGENT INFORMATION STATUTORY AGENT NAME: United States Corporation Agents, Inc. PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 17470 N. Pacesetter Way, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255 MAILING ADDRESS: 17470 N. Pacesetter Way, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85255 PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 11921 E Ryscott Cir., VAIL, AZ 85641 PRINCIPALS Member: Albert Santoscoy - 11921 E Ryscott Cir., VAIL, AZ 85641, USA --Date of Taking Office: Member: Miriam Santoscoy - 11921 E Ryscott Cir., VAIL, AZ 85641, USA-- Date of Taking Office: ORGANIZERS Legalzoom.com, Inc.: 101 N Brand Blvd, 11th Floor, GLENDALE, CA, 91203, USA, SIGNATURES Organizer: By: Cheyenne Moseley, Asst. Secretary of Legalzoom.com, Inc., A Delaware Corporation - 04/05/2022 Published May 9, 10 & 11, 2022 Arizona Daily Star

0005246661-01 LEGAL NOTICE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES BEFORE THE DIRECTOR In the matter of Application No. 59-236670.0000 for a Permit to Withdraw Groundwater for Dewatering Purposes located within the Upper Santa Cruz Sub-basin of the Tucson Active Management Area; The Director gives notice that ASARCO LLC - Mission Complex (Applicant) has filed the above referenced application for a Permit to Withdraw Groundwater for Dewatering Purposes pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 45, Chapter 2, Article 7,  45-513. It is the Applicant's intent to use groundwater under this application for dewatering activities and ore processing. The Applicant intends to drill two (2) new wells and use twenty-two (22) existing wells located within Section 1 Township 17 South, Range 12 East, Section 31 Township 16 South, Range 13 East, and Section 6 Township 17 South, Range 13 East of the Gila Salt River Basin and Meridian. A total of 1,200 acre-feet per annum have been requested for period of twenty (20) years. A copy of the application is available for review at the Department, or electronically, upon receipt of a public records request. A public records request can be submitted online here: https://www.azwater.gov/eforms/ Forms/Request/DWR_Request.aspx Objections to the issuance of the permit may be filed by persons that may be adversely affected by the project and must be filed, in writing, with the Docket Supervisor of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, Legal Division, 1110 West Washington Street, Suite 310, Phoenix, Arizona 85007-2952, within fifteen (15) days after the last day of publication of this notice. For this application, the final date on which an objection may be filed is June 1, 2022. Objections are limited to whether the application meets the criteria of Arizona Revised  45-513. An objection shall state the name and mailing address of the objector, be signed by the objector, his agent or attorney and must clearly set forth the reasons why the permit should not be issued. Issued this 3rd day of May, 2022 Thomas Buschatzke Director Publication Dates: May 10, 2022 and May 17, 2022 Arizona Daily Star

0005250999-01 Omega Alpha Academy Amended Invitation for Bid Date: May 5, 2022 RE: Amended Invitation for Bid for Installation of Solar Panels Carports to Reduce Electricity Costs To Whom It May Concern: This amended invitation was prepared in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code Section R7-2-1024. Omega Alpha Academy ("OAA") will be accepting sealed bids for the installation of solar panels carports to reduce OAA's electricity costs. Bids will be accepted starting on the date of this letter and must be received by OAA no later than 3:00 P.M. on May 12, 2022. Bids received after this date and/or time will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the sender. If you are interested in submitting a bid, it should be delivered to OAA by U.S. Mail or hand delivery at the following address in a sealed envelope: Omega Alpha Academy 1402 San Antonio Ave. Douglas, AZ 85607 Bid Submission Attn: Ms. Rubi Galaz Bids must be prepared and submitted using the bid form enclosed with this invitation. The sealed bid acceptance period (during which the contract will be awarded and during which the bid is irrevocable) is from the date and time of the Bid Opening, May 13, 2022, through June 13, 2022. All information and bids submitted by bidders will be made available for public inspection following the award of the contract. OAA will not consider partial bids for award of a contract for this procurement. OAA will not award multiple contracts for this procurement. Contracts will not be awarded incrementally/in stages. The basis for determining the lowest bidder is: Price. If the procurement is for earth- moving equipment, material- handling equipment, road maintenance equipment, or construction equipment, OAA will evaluate the total life cycle cost, including residual value of the equipment, and to the extent practicable, the cost of outright purchase, for purposes of evaluating the price. The purchase description: Solar panels to reduce OAA's electricity costs. The purchase specifications: Conduct engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for the 2 new carport structures. Order carport structure materials. Submit engineering packet to City of Douglas requesting building permits for construction of carports. Once permits are issued, begin construction of carport structures Conduct engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) for pv solar system on rooftop and covered parking structures. Order solar pv system materials. Submit engineering packet to City of Douglas requesting building permits for installation of solar pv system. Submit "Net Metering Agreement" and "Notice of PV Install" to APS. Once permits are issued for the Solar PV system and carport construction is complete, installation of solar panels and inverters begin. After the installation is complete, schedule City of Douglas final inspection. After final inspection from City of Douglas request the PTO (Permission to Operate) gets sent to APS. The purchase delivery/performance schedule: OAA needs this project completed during summer break/after school hours/before school hours and it needs to be completed as soon as possible. Inspection and acceptance requirements, if applicable: OAA requires that the vendor possess an active ROC License, bonded and insured. If a particular brand name is used, OAA will consider products substantially equivalent to the brands identified. The factors that OAA will use in evaluating the bids are as follows: Price. Contract terms: 1. The warranty, bonding, and/or security requirements are as follows: Performance and payment bonds in accordance with ARS  34-222 are required: 1. A performance bond (protecting the school if the contractor defaults) is required in an amount equal to the full contract amount, conditioned on the faithful performance of the contract in accordance with plans, specifications, and conditions thereof. 2. A payment bond is required in an amount equal to the full contract amount solely for the protection of claimants supplying labor or materials to the contractor or his subcontractors in the prosecution of the work provided for in such contract. The contract length will be: 45 Days. The contract will not include an option for extension. The school representative is Rubi Galaz. If OAA amends the IFB, the bidder must email Rubi Galaz acknowledgement of the amendment at rugalaz@oaak12.org and write "acknowledgement of amendment" in the subject line of the email. Note that OAA may cancel the solicitation or reject a bid in whole or in part if it is deemed advantageous to OAA to do so. The bidder must certify in its bid that submission of the bid did not involve collusion or other anticompetitive practices, and that the bidder has taken steps and exercised due diligence to ensure no violation of A.R.S.  15-213(O) has occurred, which is a law that prohibits vendors from offering any personal gift or benefit to a person participating in the contract, aside from items of nominal values such as greeting cards, to-shirts, mugs, or pens. The bidder must declare in its bid whether it has ever been debarred, suspended, or otherwise lawfully prohibited from participating in any public procurement activity, including being disapproved as a subcontractor of any public procurement unit or other governmental body. Bid Security: As a guarantee that the contractor will enter into a contract, bid security is hereby required. Bid security shall be in the form of a certified check or surety bond. The bid security will be surrendered to OAA if the bidder: (i) withdraws its bid prior to award of the contract to the selected bidder; (ii) fails to sign the contract after the notification of award; or (iii) fails to provide a performance and payment bond, as mandated in this IFB. The bid security must be 10% of the bid. Other information: The fee for posting performance and payment bonds must be included in your bid. If you will be traveling to Douglas to perform the work, your travel costs must be included in your bid as well. The following information will be recorded and available for public inspection at the bid opening: Entity that submitted the bid, when the bid was received, and the details of the bid, including the price. There will be no pre-bid conference. Electronic submission of sealed bids is not permitted. The date, time, and place for the public Bid Opening will be: May 13, 2022 at 3:30 pm at the following address: Omega Alpha Academy 1402 San Antonio Ave. Douglas, AZ 85607 OAA School (Finance Office) Bid protests should be filed with the school representative Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org and shall indicate "bid protest" in the subject line of the email. If you would like to be on OAA's Prospective Bidders List for future procurement projects as well, please notify Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org. If a person on OAA's list fails to respond to an Invitation for Bids for two consecutive procurements of similar items, that person may be removed from the list. You can be reinstated upon request to Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org. Thank you, /s/Rubi Galaz Rubi Galaz Finance & Human Resources Director Omega Alpha Academy (520) 805-1261 ext. 212 Published May 10, 2022 Arizona Daily Star

0005251175-01 Omega Alpha Academy Amended Invitation for Bid Date: May 5, 2022. RE: Amended Invitation for Bid for Installation of Shade Systems Over Playground Areas To Whom It May Concern: This amended invitation was prepared in accordance with Arizona Administrative Code Section R7-2-1024. Omega Alpha Academy ("OAA") will be accepting sealed bids for the installation of shade systems over its four (4) playground areas. Bids will be accepted starting on the date of this letter and must be received by OAA no later than 3:00 P.M. on May 12, 2022. Bids received after this date and/or time will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the sender. If you are interested in submitting a bid, it should be delivered to OAA by U.S. Mail or hand delivery at the following address in a sealed envelope: Omega Alpha Academy 1402 San Antonio Ave. Douglas, AZ 85607 Bid Submission Attn: Ms. Rubi Galaz Bids must be prepared and submitted using the bid form enclosed with this invitation. The sealed bid acceptance period (during which the contract will be awarded and during which the bid is irrevocable) is from the date and time of the Bid Opening, May 13, 2022, through June 13, 2022. All information and bids submitted by bidders will be made available for public inspection following the award of the contract. OAA will not consider partial bids for award of a contract for this procurement. OAA will not award multiple contracts for this procurement. Contracts will not be awarded incrementally/in stages. The basis for determining the lowest bidder is: Price. If the procurement is for earth- moving equipment, material- handling equipment, road maintenance equipment, or construction equipment, OAA will evaluate the total life cycle cost, including residual value of the equipment, and to the extent practicable, the cost of outright purchase, for purposes of evaluating the price. The purchase description: Shade systems to be installed over OAA's four (4) playground areas. The purchase specifications: Shade systems to be installed over four (4) playground areas. The square footage is the following for each of the four playgrounds: (may be subject to changes) 50' x 70' Shade Structure 66' x 32' Shade Structure 25' x 14' Shade Structure 25' x 50' Shade Structure 70' x 65' Shade Structure The purchase delivery/performance schedule: OAA needs this project completed after school hours (3:30 pm) during weekends or school breaks. The complete job needs to be done in a month. Inspection and acceptance requirements, if applicable: OAA requires that the vendor possess an active ROC License, bonded and insured. If a particular brand name is used, OAA will consider products substantially equivalent to the brands identified. The factors that OAA will use in evaluating the bids are as follows: Price. Contract terms: 1. The warranty, bonding, and/or security requirements are as follows: Performance and payment bonds in accordance with ARS  34-222 are required: 1. A performance bond (protecting the school if the contractor defaults) is required in an amount equal to the full contract amount, conditioned on the faithful performance of the contract in accordance with plans, specifications, and conditions thereof. 2. A payment bond is required in an amount equal to the full contract amount solely for the protection of claimants supplying labor or materials to the contractor or his subcontractors in the prosecution of the work provided for in such contract. The contract length will be: 30 Days. The contract will not include an option for extension. The school representative is Rubi Galaz. If OAA amends the IFB, the bidder must email Rubi Galaz acknowledgement of the amendment at rugalaz@oaak12.org and write "acknowledgement of amendment" in the subject line of the email. Note that OAA may cancel the solicitation or reject a bid in whole or in part if it is deemed advantageous to OAA to do so. The bidder must certify in its bid that submission of the bid did not involve collusion or other anticompetitive practices, and that the bidder has taken steps and exercised due diligence to ensure no violation of A.R.S.  15-213(O) has occurred, which is a law that prohibits vendors from offering any personal gift or benefit to a person participating in the contract, aside from items of nominal values such as greeting cards, to-shirts, mugs, or pens. The bidder must declare in its bid whether it has ever been debarred, suspended, or otherwise lawfully prohibited from participating in any public procurement activity, including being disapproved as a subcontractor of any public procurement unit or other governmental body. Bid Security: As a guarantee that the contractor will enter into a contract, bid security is hereby required. Bid security shall be in the form of a certified check or surety bond. The bid security will be surrendered to OAA if the bidder: (i) withdraws its bid prior to award of the contract to the selected bidder; (ii) fails to sign the contract after the notification of award; or (iii) fails to provide a performance and payment bond, as mandated in this IFB. The bid security must be 10% of the bid. Other information: The fee for posting performance and payment bonds must be included in your bid. If you will be traveling to Douglas to perform the work, your travel costs must be included in your bid as well. The following information will be recorded and available for public inspection at the bid opening: Entity that submitted the bid, when the bid was received, and the details of the bid, including the price. There will be no pre-bid conference. Electronic submission of sealed bids is not permitted. The date, time, and place for the public Bid Opening will be: May 13, 2022 at 4:00 pm at the following address: Omega Alpha Academy 1402 San Antonio Ave. Douglas, AZ 85607 OAA School (Finance Office) Bid protests should be filed with the school representative Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org and shall indicate "bid protest" in the subject line of the email. If you would like to be on OAA's Prospective Bidders List for future procurement projects as well, please notify Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org. If a person on OAA's list fails to respond to an Invitation for Bids for two consecutive procurements of similar items, that person may be removed from the list. You can be reinstated upon request to Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org. Thank you, /s/Rubi Galaz Rubi Galaz Finance & Human Resources Director Omega Alpha Academy (520) 805-1261 ext. 212 Published May 10, 2022 Arizona Daily Star

0005251057-01 Omega Alpha Academy Amended Invitation for Bids Date: May 5, 2022 RE: Amended Invitation for Bids for Intercom and Bell System for Charter School To Whom It May Concern: Omega Alpha Academy ("OAA") is a charter school located in Douglas, Arizona. OAA is looking to modernize its Intercom and Bell system. As such, OAA is accepting sealed bids for the procurement of an Intercom and Bell System, including the Materials, Services, & Labor necessary to remove OAA's old intercom and bell system and install a new Intercom and Bell System. Bids are currently being accepted and must be received by OAA no later than 3:00 P.M. on May 12, 2022. Bids received after this date and/or time will not be accepted and will be returned unopened to the sender. If you are interested in submitting a bid, it should be delivered to Omega Alpha Academy by U.S. Mail or hand delivery at the following address, in a sealed envelope: Omega Alpha Academy 1402 San Antonio Ave. Douglas, AZ 85607 Bid Submission Attn: Ms. Rubi Galaz Bids must be prepared and submitted using the bid form enclosed with this invitation. The bid opening date is May 13, 2022 at 3:00 pm. The sealed bid acceptance period (during which the contract will be awarded and during which the bid is irrevocable) is from the date and time of the bid opening, May 13, 2022 through June 6, 2022. All information and bids submitted by bidders will be made available for public inspection following the award of the contract. OAA will not consider partial bids for award of a contract. OAA will not award multiple contracts for this procurement. The basis for determining the lowest bidder is: Price. The purchase (service) description: Intercom and Bell System (Material, Service, & Labor) The purchase (service) specifications: 1. Intercom and bell system must integrate with the school's (VOIP) phones (so that the intercom and bell system can be operated by the school's phones). 2. Intercom and bell system must be able to address classrooms individually. 3. Intercom and bell system must be able to address all classrooms at once (and various combinations of each). 4. Intercom and bell system must offer a configurable/ customizable bell schedule. Bell schedules must be able to address classrooms individually, as well as groups of classrooms. 5. Minimum of 46 talkback speakers and call buttons. Six horns. 6. System should be easily expandable, should we ever need to add more speakers. The purchase/service delivery/performance schedule: The job will be done at OAA Campus located at 1402 San Antonio Avenue Douglas, AZ 85607. The labor schedule will be 45 Days (maximum), after both parties sign the Contract. Inspection and acceptance requirements, if applicable: OAA requires that the vendor possess an active ROC License, bonded and insured. If a particular brand name is used, OAA will consider products substantially equivalent to the brands identified. The factors that OAA will use in evaluating the bids are as follows: Price. Please note that the contract you will be required to sign will include the following: You will be required to furnish Performance and payment bonds in accordance with ARS  34-222: o A performance bond in an amount equal to the full contract amount, conditioned on the faithful performance of the contract in accordance with plans, specifications, and conditions thereof. o A payment bond in an amount equal to the full contract amount solely for the protection of claimants supplying labor or materials to the contractor or his subcontractors in the prosecution of the work provided for in such contract. o As such, your bid amount must include the cost of both bonds identified above. Warranty for one year. The contract length will be: for 45 Days. The contract will not include an option for extension. The school representative is Rubi Galaz. If OAA amends this Invitation for Bids, we will send the amendment out, and the bidder must email Rubi Galaz acknowledgement of the amendment at rugalaz@oaak12.org and write "acknowledgement of amendment" in the subject line of the email. Note that OAA may cancel the solicitation or reject a bid in whole or in part if it is deemed advantageous to OAA to do so. The bidder must certify in its bid that submission of the bid did not involve collusion or other anticompetitive practices, and that the bidder has taken steps and exercised due diligence to ensure no violation of A.R.S.  15-213(O) has occurred, which is a law that prohibits vendors from offering any personal gift or benefit to a person participating in the contract, aside from items of nominal values such as greeting cards, t-shirts, mugs, or pens. The bidder must declare in its bid whether it has ever been debarred, suspended, or otherwise lawfully prohibited from participating in any public procurement activity, including being disapproved as a subcontractor of any public procurement unit or other governmental body. Bid Security Importantly, bid security is required to guarantee that the winning bidder will undertake the contract under the terms at which the company bid. Please obtain either: (1) an annual or one-time bid bond executed and furnished as required by A.R.S. Title 34, Chapter 2 or 6, as applicable; or (2) a certified check. The bid security must be 10% of the bid price. The following information will be recorded and available for public inspection at the bid opening: Entity that submitted the bid, when the bid was received, and the details of the bid, including the price. There will be no pre-bid conference. Electronic submission of sealed bids is not permitted. The date, time, and place for the public Bid Opening will be: May 13, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at the following address: Omega Alpha Academy 1402 San Antonio Ave. Douglas, AZ 85607 OAA Finance Office Bid protests should be filed with the school representative Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org and shall indicate "bid protest" in the subject line of the email. If you would like to be on OAA's Prospective Bidders List for future procurement projects as well, please notify Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org. If a person on OAA's list fails to respond to an Invitation for Bids for two consecutive procurements of similar items, that person may be removed from the list. You can be reinstated upon request to Rubi Galaz at rugalaz@oaak12.org. Thank you, /s/Rubi Galaz Rubi Galaz Finance & Human Resources Director Omega Alpha Academy (520) 805-1261 ext. 212 Published May 10, 2022 Arizona Daily Star
OSIRIS-REx has already put more than 2 billion miles on its odometer, but NASA hopes to squeeze one last road trip out of the history-making spacecraft.

NASA has extended the University of Arizona-led mission beyond next year so it can study a second nearby asteroid called Apophis.

First, though, OSIRIS-REx must complete its primary objective: deliver a capsule back to Earth filled with rocks and dust it collected from the asteroid Bennu in 2020.

That is on track to happen on Sept. 24, 2023, as the unmanned craft the size of a passenger van swoops past its home planet.

Once the sample-return capsule has been safely collected from the Utah Test and Training Range west of Salt Lake City, the spacecraft will be given a new name: OSIRIS-Apophis Explorer, or OSIRIS-APEX for short.

At that point, the original mission team will split in two, with one group going off to sift through the booty from Bennu while the other steers the spacecraft to its next target.

The UAs Lunar and Planetary Laboratory will oversee both efforts. Regents Professor Dante Lauretta will stay on as principal investigator for the sample-return operation, while assistant professor Dani DellaGiustina will be placed in charge of OSIRIS-APEX.

We were stoked to find out the mission was extended, said DellaGiustina in a written statement. Apophis is one of the most infamous asteroids.

At nearly a quarter of a mile wide, the space rock raised alarms when it was first discovered in 2004 by scientists at Kitt Peak National Observatory because it appeared to be on course to collide with the Earth in 2029.

Subsequent observations have since ruled out an impact for the next century at least, despite two more close approaches in 2036 and 2068.

But the near-miss seven years from now could be pretty unsettling. When Apophis streaks past on April 13 of that year, scientists predict it will come within 20,000 miles of the surface  thats less than one-tenth the distance between the Earth and moon, closer than the orbit of geosynchronous satellites.

People in Europe and Africa will be able to see it with the naked eye. Thats how close it will get, said DellaGiustina, who currently serves as deputy principal investigator for OSIRIS-REx.

Bennu also poses a risk to Earth, but not until the late 22nd century.

Orbital projections developed by Lauretta and other researchers give a 1-in-2,700 chance of impact on Sept. 24, 2182.

A devastating collision is also possible  though even more unlikely  in 2187, 2192, 2193 and 2194, as the Earth crosses paths with the asteroid roughly the size of Pusch Ridge in the Catalina Mountains.

Whether Bennu ultimately hits our planet will be decided by an earlier encounter in 2135, when the asteroid sweeps past at roughly half the distance to the moon.

By approving an extension for OSIRIS, NASA has agreed to spend up to $200 million more on a mission that has already cost more than $1.1 billion.

The spacecraft is scheduled to begin its trip to Apophis about 30 days after its rendezvous with Earth in September of next year.

The probe is not set up to collect a sample from the second asteroid, but it will spend 18 months studying Apophis in detail. That science mission includes a maneuver that will put OSIRIS-APEX close enough to stir the asteroids surface with its thrusters, revealing whatever material lies beneath.

Scientists also hope to learn more about how the Earths gravitational pull might affect Apophis during its close approach in 2029.

The extended mission should provide current and future UA students with an unparalleled learning opportunity like the one that helped propel DellaGiustina to where she is today.

Dani first started working with us in 2005 as an undergraduate student. To see her take on the leadership of the mission to asteroid Apophis demonstrates the outstanding educational opportunities at the University of Arizona, Lauretta said. I couldnt be prouder of Dani and the APEX team.

32 groundbreaking NASA missions in photographs 31 groundbreaking NASA missions in photographs Explorer 1 Apollo-Saturn Apollo 7 Apollo 8 Apollo 9 Apollo 10 Apollo 11 Apollo 12 Apollo 13 Apollo 14 Apollo 15 Apollo 16 Apollo 17 Pioneer 10 Pioneer 11 Viking Voyager Interstellar Skylab Space Shuttle Shuttle-Mir Landsat Hubble Space Telescope Chandra Spitzer Space Telescope International Space Station Mars Science Laboratory Parker Solar Probe Juno OSIRIS-REx Cassini-Huygens SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket and Manned Crew Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover 32 groundbreaking NASA missions in photographs

Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@tucson.com or 573-4283. On Twitter: @RefriedBrean

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LAS VEGAS (AP)  A body inside a barrel was found over the weekend on the the newly exposed bottom of Nevada's Lake Mead as drought depletes one of the largest U.S. reservoirs  and officials predicted the discovery could be just the first of more grim finds.

I would say there is a very good chance as the water level drops that we are going to find additional human remains," Las Vegas police Lt. Ray Spencer told KLAS-TV on Monday.

The lakes level has dropped so much that the uppermost water intake at drought-stricken Lake Mead became visible last week. The reservoir on the Colorado River behind Hoover Dam has become so depleted that Las Vegas is now pumping water from deeper within Lake Mead, which also stretches into Arizona.

Personal items found inside the barrel indicated the person died more than 40 years ago in the 1980s, Spencer said.

He declined to discuss a cause of death and declined to describe the items found, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Police plan to reach out to experts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to analyze when the barrel started eroding. The Clark County coroners office will try to determine the persons identity.

Boaters spotted the barrel Sunday afternoon. National Park Service rangers searched an area near the lake's Hemenway Harbor and found the barrel containing skeletal remains.

Lake Mead and Lake Powell upstream are the largest human-made reservoirs in the U.S., part of a system that provides water to more than 40 million people, tribes, agriculture and industry in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and across the southern border in Mexico.

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

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ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the state's top election official, accused a fellow Republican at a debate Monday of lying and spreading misinformation about former President Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election. U.S. Rep. Jody Hice shot back that Raffensperger did not adequately investigate the election results and was acting like a Democrat with his attacks.

Hice, who is endorsed by Trump, is challenging Raffensperger in the May 24 Republican primary for secretary of state and continues to cast doubt on Georgia's 2020 presidential election results despite a lack of evidence of widespread fraud or tampering.

He is among a number of Republican candidates for secretary of state around the country who either outright deny that Democrat Joe Biden won the presidency or make unsubstantiated claims that elections are not secure.

This past election was an absolute disaster under the leadership of Brad Raffensperger," said Hice, calling Raffensperger the worst secretary of state perhaps in our nation.

Election security must be protected, and Brad Raffensperger let that ball majorly fall, he said.

Hice cited ballot drop boxes and the mailing of absentee ballot request forms in the 2020 election as openings for fraud.

Raffensperger said the request forms were intended to ensure Republican voters had equal access to absentee voting. Investigators knocked down multiple rumors after the 2020 election, but Hice persisted in spreading them, he said. Hice has maintained that an accurate count of the vote would show a Trump victory.

Jody Hice is lying," Raffensperger said. "If you look at the election of 2020, what happened at the end of the day is that 28,000 Georgians skipped the presidential race, and yet they voted down ballot in other races.

Multiple tallies of Georgias 5 million votes cast for president, including one done by hand, showed Biden won the state. Raffensperger has insisted that Georgias election was accurate and secure. Officials in other states and federal investigators, including Trumps own attorney general, have said there was no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 contest.

In the weeks after the vote, Raffensperger refused to bend to pressure from Trump to overturn Bidens victory, making him a top target of the former president and other Republicans who have embraced false claims of voter fraud.

Hice  Raffensperger's leading Republican challenger  supported a Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn Bidens victory in Georgia and other states and voted against his Electoral College victory.

He said Monday he would not have certified the election results without proper investigation.

Raffensperger is also facing two other Republican challengers, former Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle and former county Probate and Magistrate Judge T.J. Hudson. They also criticized Raffenspergers handling of the 2020 election during the debate Monday.

Despite pushing back on voter fraud claims, Raffensperger has supported new voter identification requirements for absentee ballots and called for an amendment to the state Constitution to say only U.S. citizens can vote in the states elections  a protection that already exists in state law.

He mentioned voting by non-U.S. citizens as a top issue several times during Monday's debate.

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

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BRUSSELS (AP)  Poland urged its European Union partners on Monday to unite and impose sweeping sanctions on Russia's oil and natural gas sectors over the war in Ukraine, and not to cave in to pressure to pay for their gas in Russian rubles.

The appeal came as EU ministers met in Brussels to discuss their response to Russias decision last week to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. Energy giant Gazprom says the two countries failed to pay their bills in April.

We will call for immediate sanctions on Russian oil and gas. This is the next, and urgent, and absolute step," Polish Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa said. We already have coal. Now its time for oil, and (the) second step is for gas. The best option is take them all together.

The EU has hit Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, companies and other organizations with rafts of sanctions since Moscow ordered an invasion of Ukraine in February. The commission is working on a sixth round of measures, possibly including oil restrictions, and could announce them this week.

The measures would have to be approved by the member countries, which could take several days.

In a move last week branded in Europe as blackmail, Russian energy giant Gazprom cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. It came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that unfriendly countries must start paying for gas in rubles, Russias currency.

Bulgaria and Poland have refused to do so, like most EU countries. More Gazprom bills are due on May 20, and the bloc is wary that Russia might turn off more taps then. Russia rejects the claims of blackmail.

Both countries informed the ministers that consumers and industry face no immediate supply risk.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson warned that Gazproms action clearly shows that they are not reliable suppliers and that means all the member states have to have plans in place for full disruption to their supplies.

The 27-nation EU imports around 40% of the gas it consumes from Russia. But some member countries, notably Hungary and Slovakia, are more heavily dependent on Russian supplies than others, and support for a gradual phasing in of an oil embargo is emerging.

Germany believes it could cope if supplies of Russian oil were cut off by Moscow. Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Russian oil now accounts for 12% of total imports, down from 35% before the war, and most of it goes to the Schwedt refinery near Berlin.

Germany is not against an oil ban from Russia. Of course it is a heavy load to bear, but we are ready to do that," Habeck told reporters. He said that a few more weeks or months to find oil transporting ships, and to better prepare harbors and pipelines would be useful.

Time is helpful but I think other countries have bigger problems, and as I have asked for solidarity or understanding of the German situation, I am also of course willing to understand the maybe more difficult situation for other countries," he said.

The bulk of Monday's meeting focused on shoring up gas supplies and not giving in to Putin's demand that companies pay for gas in rubles. Around 97% of European contracts have been concluded in euros or dollars.

The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, has warned that companies ceding to pressure to convert euros to rubles through two accounts at Gazprombank would be in contravention of the blocs sanctions.

French Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili, whose country holds the EUs rotating presidency until the end of next month, said all countries agreed that we should implement the sanctions and respect the contracts. And the contracts clearly say payment in euros.

Despite the pressure, Europe does have some leverage in the dispute since it pays Russia $400 million a day for gas, a huge dent in Moscow's coffers should it opt for a complete cutoff.

Frank Jordans in Berlin and Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report.

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP)  A 12-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting his classmate in a South Carolina middle school hallway should be tried as an adult on a murder charge, prosecutors told a judge Monday.

The prosecutors' request to move the case out of Family Court did not include any explanation regarding why the boy should be charged as an adult. Murder carries a sentence of 30 years to life in prison in South Carolina. If he is convicted as a juvenile, he couldn't be kept in jail after he turns 22.

Jamari Cortez Bonaparte Jackson was shot during a class change at Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville on March 31.

The suspect left school in the chaos but was found hiding under a nearby deck about an hour later and was still armed, investigators said.

No one else was injured.

Greenville County deputies have released little information about what led to the shooting. A one-page police report called it possibly gang related" but provided no details to back up that idea.

The boy is charged with murder, possession of a firearm at a school and possession of a weapon by someone under 18. He remains at a juvenile prison in Columbia, authorities said. His name has not been released because of his age.

South Carolina law allows anyone of any age to be tried as an adult on a murder charge if a judge allows it.

Jesse Osborne, who was 14 when he shot and killed a first-grader on the playground at Townville Elementary School in September 2016, is serving a life sentence for murder.

Townville is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Greenville middle school.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
COVID-19 remains rather unpredictable, but through it all the vaccine has been safe and stayed effective at preventing acute complications and hospitalizations from the disease, according to Dr. Dale Bratzler, the University of Oklahoma's chief COVID officer.

He pointed to a recent research finding that 43% of people reported some long-term symptoms after an acute COVID infection in a meta-analysis of 1.6 million people from 41 different studies across the globe. Fatigue was the most common symptom, at 23%, and memory problems were next at 14%, according to the article, published April 16 in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Bratzler urged unvaccinated people to consider the potential ramifications of long COVID as a reason to get vaccinated, not just the acute illness.

"Some of those people are quite miserable," Bratzler said. "That, in my opinion, is one of the biggest reasons to think about promoting your own vaccine-based immunity rather than getting the infection  so you don't get long COVID."

Bratzler focused much of his time during the Healthier Oklahoma Coalition's media briefing Tuesday by offering vaccine insights and discussing some of the latest developments.

He said many experts believe there will be a fall booster for COVID-19, which might be the second booster for a lot of the population. A popular assumption is that there will be a significant increase in COVID in the winter months, similar to other respiratory viruses.

Nonetheless, a "fairly substantial outbreak" ongoing in the Caribbean has shot another hole in the cold weather theory, Bratzler said. But perhaps that surge is fueled by outside travelers.

"We saw delta (COVID variant) in the summer of 2021 that was devastating  a highly deadly virus," Bratzler added. "So it's kind of broken a lot of rules here."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a second booster for individuals age 50 and older, as well as those who are younger and are immunocompromised or have other high-risk conditions.

Given the relatively low case counts in Oklahoma and the U.S. right now, one question is whether it might be prudent  if already eligible for another booster  to wait until the fall to get it.

Bratzler said he strongly recommends that high-risk people get the second booster now.

He also touched on an immunologic discussion about "attenuative maturation" that suggests the body's immune system response becomes more robust with more exposures.

Bratzler said a friend of his who works in vaccine research at the National Institutes of Health acknowledged that the evidence isn't strong that a second booster gives a lot of additional protection  fewer symptomatic infections over a relatively short period of time  but that there isn't a reason not to get one.

The concept is that repeated exposure to particular antigens or proteins from the virus  or that develop after vaccination  might improve and broaden the immune response to provide better protection against current and future variants, Bratzler said.

"There's quite a bit of literature on this topic now," Bratzler said. "Whether you've had COVID before or not, you should get vaccinated, because that repeated exposure continues to mature your immune response to the infection and probably gives you longer-term protection than you may see with either vaccination just by itself or the protection that you got because you had the infection acutely."

Along similar lines of strengthening immunity, Bratzler said there is emerging evidence from a number of studies that receiving a different mRNA booster might be a good idea. So a person should consider getting a Moderna booster if Pfizer was the priming series or vice versa.

He said switching to the opposite mRNA vaccine for boosters might provide additional protection.

"Even though the RNA inside the vaccine is identical in the two vaccines, the delivery mechanism is a bit different, presenting itself to the immune system differently," Bratzler said. "And it turns out that people get a bit of a different immune response to the two vaccines."

Bratzler said newer vaccines in the pipeline show some promise of additional protection, too  especially for those who have previously received the mRNA vaccines.

However, he added, the current vaccines are "holding up very well" in protecting against what matters most: complications and hospitalizations from the disease.

A large-scale CDC study published in late March evaluated vaccine effectiveness during the omicron wave.

Two shots of mRNA vaccine were 90% effective at preventing COVID hospitalizations compared to unvaccinated people; one shot of Johnson & Johnson and one shot of an mRNA vaccine was 78% effective; and two shots of Johnson & Johnson were 67% effective.

Vaccination "doesn't mean you won't get an infection, but your chance of having severe complications is dramatically reduced," Bratzler said.

The study found that one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was only 31% effective at preventing hospitalizations.

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Tulsa County officials say $5 million is required to build a secured detention area for juveniles that they previously didnt know was needed.

A change in holding juvenile offenders in the Family Center for Juvenile Justice instead of the Tulsa County Jail led to extensive destruction of the building in just a few months. The $39 million center was opened in December 2019 with a therapeutic design in mind.

Youthful offenders are typically 15 to 17 who can be charged in district court instead of juvenile court with some felony crimes. They can be aggressive and violent, and it can take months to resolve their cases.

The transition from holding youth in the jail to a separate facility ought to have been expected.

In 2018, Congress passed the Juvenile Justice Reform Act that amended the 1974 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act. The change required that juveniles charged as adults would not have sight or sound contact with adult inmates or be held in an adult jail or lockup. The Oklahoma Legislation affirmed that federal law last year.

Even before the federal law, trends were moving in the direction to keep minors and adults apart. Its disappointing county officials didnt plan for this possibility.

Regardless, Tulsa County must deal with it now. Fortunately, state officials have been upfront about the higher than expected revenue available.

The issue is bigger than Tulsa County, and now is the time for the Office of Juvenile Affairs to assess how juvenile offenders are being detained and treated throughout the state.

Tulsa County takes in youth from northeastern Oklahoma, not just the county. Its a similar situation in Oklahoma County. That may be counter to the needs of rural Oklahoma youth.

Beyond the infrastructure requirements are staffing levels. The Tulsa County center had not provided guards or staff to oversee the detention of juvenile offenders. Recurring funds are needed to fully implement this shift.

State officials must recognize that constructing detention areas for the more destructive and older youth is not optional. This is a public safety issue for all juveniles. Other youth held at the Tulsa County center tend to be younger, held for non-violent crimes and have shorter stays.

Right now, those groups of youths are cohabitating, and its dangerous. Fights are breaking out, and building damage occurs daily.

In just a few months, there has been a 55% increase in reports of assault and property damage. Also, residents have committed 25 acts of violence against staff and 29 against other residents, with 20 involving EMSA transport of residents to hospitals.

Not all juvenile offenders are violent, but they require a different services and space. Many will be detained long enough to need GED or job training for post-release.

Local officials didnt expect to have this population in their care. But the state must become a partner in planning, funding and support for a safe and effective statewide juvenile offender system.

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Given a rise in demand for immune-boosting products amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a wide selection of edible birds nests are available for sale on the local market, including many with unclear origin yet inflated prices.

Consumers should inspect birds nests thoroughly before deciding to buy this delicacy, especially imported birds nests and those with dodgy product information.

Shopping without knowing product origin

Nguyen Thi Thuy, residing in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, said her family rarely consumed edible birds nests, but the pandemic prompted her to impulsively buy 100 grams of birds nest in hopes that it could help them build better protection against the coronavirus.

Birds nests offered by popular agents are priced at over VND5 million [US$218] per 100 grams," she said.

"I searched for birds nests from sellers active on Facebook who demand VND3.5 million [$133], VND2.8 million [$122], or even VND600,000 [$26] per 100 grams.

The sellers offer higher prices than before, nudging customers into buying the nests while the supplies last.'"

Similarly, Do Long, a resident of Thu Duc City in Ho Chi Minh City, said he usually buys birds nests at VND3 million ($131) per 100 grams, but he bought the nests at up to VND3.5 million ($152) per 100 grams a couple of weeks ago.

An owner of a birds nest house in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam harvests birds nests to serve a rising number of customers. Photo: X.M. / Tuoi Tre

Given numerous types of birds nests on the local market, he bought the product by his own faith as he knew no competent agencies or associations certified the quality of the nests.

Birds nest stores have sprouted up everywhere and gone online as well.

Busy transactions are taking place in the 'Cho Yen Sao Toan Quoc' (Nationwide Birds Nest Market) Facebook group.

Bottled birds nests sell for VND70,000-180,000 ($3-8) per 70-200ml or broken birds nests at VND15 million ($653) per kilogram.

As revealed by Nguyen Dang Ly, owner of Ong Giao Ly, a birds nest business in south-central Ninh Thuan Province with 10-year experience in the field, the prices of feathered birds nests were VND2.2-2.5 million ($95.5-108.5) per 100 grams and then rose to VND2.8 million ($121) during the pandemic but there was a limited stock.

Refined birds nests fetch VND3.5 million ($152) per 100 grams.

Another birds nest business owner with nearly 20 years of experience in the outlying district of Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed that eatable birds nests offered at below VND1 million ($43.5) per 100 grams are all fake.

Quality chaos

The pandemic has fueled the demand for immune-boosting products, thereby birds nests are selling like hot cakes, Ly said, adding that his products are competing with fake, substandard nests.

A screenshot of two boxes of low-cost birds nests for sale on a social media platform

Besides, there are even adulterated birds nests on the local market, he continued.

Ho Ngoc Tuan, an expert, said low-cost bottled birds nests are often not Vietnamese birds nests.

The global prices of birds nests are VND250-400 million [$10,824-17,347] per kilogram, tenfold the rates in Vietnam. Bottled birds nests usually come from Malaysia, Indonesia, or Thailand," Tuan said.

Budget imported birds nests are broken and of low quality. As for high-quality ones, they are exported at extremely high prices."

The expert from the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho also revealed many tricks in making birds nests, especially sugar refined birds nests to increase net weight and oil refined birds nests to reduce labor costs.

An owner of a birds nest business who declined to be named said it is not difficult to make fake birds nests.

Some fake nests are made of agar and similar substances. These substances do not pose a health risk as agar is a normal food, but the birds nest is fake, he elaborated.

Birds nest industry needs supervision

To cope with obstacles facing consumers who seek quality birds nests at reasonable prices, Ly of Ong Giao Ly suggested authorities should take action while relevant associations raise their voice to protect the local birds nest industry.

Nguyen Duc Thanh, who once operated a birds nest business, recommended that Vietnam learn from South Koreas experience with ginseng.

The East Asian country has prestigious trade associations and agencies in charge of testing and certifying quality ginseng products.

Therefore, consumers have a tool to realize genuine products and will not risk losing their money on the fakes, and this will pave the way for encouraging the growth of the birds nest industry.

Tuan said current mechanisms have yet to address the issue in the long run.

Consumers can now only visit authorized agents or houses of birds nests to lower the risk of buying fake, substandard products, Tuan added.

More stringent measures needed to tackle fake birds nests According to Nguyen Thanh Hai, general director of Khanh Hoa Birds Nest Company, the growing demand for immune-boosters has brought about a brighter outlook for the local birds nest market, resulting in a rising number of birds nest household businesses and manufacturing facilities. However, the market has witnessed numerous birds nests without clear origin and labeling, adding that they are offered at various prices that confuse consumers. We discovered some birds nest businesses use the brand and images of the Khanh Hoa Birds Nest Company for their products without our permission," Hai said. Therefore, we hope that market surveillance agencies, the Vietnam Competition and Consumer Authority, and other elevant agencies will ramp up efforts to tackle counterfeit, substandard goods and those of unknown origin to protect the reputation of authentic Vietnamese birds nests. Consumers in need of birds nests should opt for reputable brands and products with proper label, packaging, and clear origin.

Some basic ways to tell difference between authentic and fake birds nests Nguyen Dang Ly shares his basic tips to differentiate between a genuine birds nest and a fake: - By eyes: The structure of edible birds nests resembles a hammock consisting of tightly woven threads, thereby seeing tiny feathers in a nest is completely normal. It is impossible to manually remove all feathers from a nest. - By nose: A real birds nest has a little fishy smell as it is made from the saliva of swiftlets. A genuine birds nest will have a light musty smell of wood, as most of the birds nests are now farmed in houses. - By hand: After soaking a nest fiber in water, use one's hands to pull it apart. When a low-elastic nest fiber breaks right after it is pulled, this could be a fake birds nest. - Burning a birds nest: A fake birds nest will have a plastic smell after being burnt. - Cooking: Fake birds nests will not have a pleasant protein taste when being cooked. - Soaking: Place a birds nest in a bowl and add some water. The birds nest is authentic if the water remains clear. If the water turns cloudy, that birds nest is bogus as the nest was already adulterated with some substances to increase its weight.

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Many Vietnamese enterprises are facing issues as material imports from China have not been shipped to Vietnam over the past three months because of a COVID-19 lockdown in many parts of the neighboring country.

The risks of production disruptions and capacity reduction, which may lead to a delay in the completion of orders, put considerable pressure on the businesses.

Interminably waiting for goods

T.V.H., general director of a truck manufacturing and assembling company in Cu Chi District, Ho Chi Minh City, said a shipment of auto parts from China has been delayed for three months, which has resulted in the tardiness of the companys truck manufacturing and delivery.

It normally takes 1.5-2 months to receive the goods but no one knows how long it might take this time.

The company is waiting for parts to assemble trucks. Supply chain disruptions have caused multiple difficulties for businesses, H. added.

These cases have become a popular topic on logistics forums.

Many businesses complain about the shortage of accessories and maintenance equipment imported from China, which may damage the prestige of the enterprises and even cause them to be fined for failing to implement contracts.

The hold-up is occurring at both water and road border crossings, impeding the shipment of goods from China to Vietnam.

On April 18, a representative of logistics firm Best Express said that the China-Vietnam cargo transport route which was opened last year is now closed as part of Chinas epidemic control measures.

Tran Van Hao, director of Thai Viet China Transport Joint Stock Company, which specializes in transporting materials to large electronic groups in Vietnam, divulged that a foreign-invested firm in Vietnam even chartered 60 flights to transport parts and equipment from China because of the road transport disruption and impediments to customs clearance.

Thus, the firm faced a cost overrun.

Lack of work

Dap Cau Garment Corporation Joint Stock Company, which specializes in garment outsourcing for large markets, has 80 percent of its materials imported from China as required by its partners.

However, the company merely received around 60 to 70 percent of the materials needed for orders in the second quarter.

Dap Cau director Nguyen Duc Thang said goods and materials from ports in Shanghai have yet to arrive in Vietnam over the past month as the city is under lockdown over rising coronavirus infections.

Vietnamese enterprises must divide orders into smaller ones and distribute them to production teams to ensure jobs for workers, leading to low productivity.

Thang added it was impossible to seek new material suppliers in a short period as China is the worlds factory, which supplies a wide variety of materials at reasonable prices.

Meanwhile, the majority of materials imported by Dap Cau are required by its partners.

As for orders with insufficient materials, the firm has been negotiating about a delay in the delivery time but it should not be delayed for too long.

Enterprises have faced multiple risks in payment and late shipment and found it difficult to recover after the pandemic, Thang said, proposing the state provide market information to help them secure new orders and diversify their material sources.

According to Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, vice-chairwoman and general secretary of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear, and Handbag Association, up to 70 percent of the footwear sectors materials are shipped from China so the large-scale lockdown has caused supply disruptions.

In addition, high transport and logistics costs hinder enterprises from completing orders.

A representative of the Industry Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the agency had asked associations and companies to carefully review the impact of Chinas lockdown policy.

However, they should take the initiative in adapting to the countrys zero-COVID strategy.

Besides providing market information and connecting supply and demand, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will seek new markets to help Vietnamese businesses reduce their dependence on certain countries in both importation and exportation.

The ministry will take full advantage of the benefits and commitments in free trade agreements to which Vietnam is party.

It also encouraged enterprises to enhance the research and design of new products, reduce outsourcing, take the initiative in material supplies, and diversify export markets.

Increasing and unstable transport costs

Vo Thi Phuong Lan, chairwoman of ASL Logistics Company, said international transport costs would remain unstable as the global port congestion remains rampant, especially at large ports in China and the U.S..

Fuel price hikes and many other issues have caused a spike in domestic transport costs in the first quarter of the year, up 27 percent over the last months of 2021.

The increase is beyond the control of all logistics firms.

According to logistics experts, international transport costs will remain volatile.

This year, the expenses may fall over last year. However, it is extremely hard to reach the levels in 2019-20.

Saigon Newport Corporation has liaised with other companies on improving the digital ecosystem and arranging many depots in Binh Duong and Dong Nai Provinces to connect with Cat Lai Port in Ho Chi Minh City and Tan Cang-Cai Mep Terminal in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province in a bid to cut transport costs by 10-30 percent.

Failing to set delivery time

Nguyen Thanh Trung, a representative of the Logistics Association of Ho Chi Minh City, told Tuoi Tre that cargo ships getting stuck at Chinas ports remains a serious issue.

Export firms face a shortage of empty shipping containers while incurring high transport costs.

As a result, they cannot set a specific time to deliver goods to their partners.

China is striving to remove the bottlenecks. With hundreds of ships waiting to enter ports, it will take two to three months to clear the backlog of cargo at ports after China scraps the zero-COVID policy, Trung said.

Vietnam exported US$56 billion worth of products to China and spent some $110 billion on imports from the neighboring country, up 14.5 percent and 30.5 percent, respectively, over 2020, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

In the first quarter of this year, the export revenue from the Chinese market reached $13.7 billion, while the import turnover was $23.8 billion, rising 9.2 percent and 47.3 percent, respectively, year on year.

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Editors note: The story is authored by Ray Kuschert, an Australian who has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for nearly ten years.

If you come from any Western country, the idea of 'charity' is very different from what you can expect in Vietnam. This country holds the concept of giving much closer to its heart, with helping the poor being deeply entrenched in the cultural fabric of this caring society. And if you want to get involved and make a difference, it is actually much easier than you think.

Whether it is young children living in orphanages, the disadvantaged or old people, the developing economy of Vietnam has a structure that allows people to help those in need. Littered across the country are privately run orphanages and homes, poor villages in far out regional communities and groups of people that really need help just to survive.

In many Western countries, such as Australia, charity usually involves the act of giving money to an organization that is paid to distribute items to those most in need. Some examples of this include flood victims, fire victims, and the homeless. But in Vietnam, these organizations dont have the same position and it is more likely that giving will include personal involvement and the experience of handing goods directly to those most in need, and it feels amazing when you do it.

A typical charity event is usually held on a weekend. Money is collected by the organizers of the group, which you may be able to help. They accept donations from anywhere and 100% of the money raised is usually given directly to those in need, unlike Western countries. The group organizers usually have a list of food items that is most in need and some of the money will be used to purchase the items to take to the needy, with the remainder handed over in cash.

When you join a charity group, you will most likely be invited to join the bus trip to the countryside. They often start very early. You may spend 30 minutes or so loading the bus with all the boxes of noodles, soy sauce, nuoc mam (fish sauce), and other food items. Then you are off on the ride to the place you are supporting. These places may be anywhere in regional Vietnam so your trip can be from an hour to more than one day.

On arrival, you will be welcomed by everyone in the village/orphanage. If its an orphanage, the kids will come out to greet you. At locations run by the Buddhists and Catholics, the leaders will come and welcome you into their home and offer you tea or a drink.

After unloading the goods and playing with the children/meeting the poor, you will have a small ceremony and officially hand over the donated goods. This is followed by a meal or snack. It will vary according to the location, time of the day, and the community you are visiting.

Whilst it is always an amazing experience to be involved in such a charitable event, there are some rules and procedures that need to be followed. Firstly, dont try and do it yourself. Local people and Vietnamese are well informed about local rules and laws regarding charity, so it is much better to join with a group. For example, it is a requirement for your event to be registered with the local committee and as an expat, this would be a very difficult task. It is much easier to have an experienced group deal with the processes and allow you more time to just experience the pleasure of giving.

Also, dont do anything too big or too loud. Charity in Vietnam is done quietly and politely. One bus loaded with food and 30 to 40 people is the normal activity here. It is rare to find large trucks transporting goods. So, remember to be respectful to the local community and share your charity quietly and politely.

Here in Vietnam, charity is greatly appreciated and needed right across the country. Not only is it beneficial to the poor but I promise you that you will take so much from the experience. It really is a life-changing moment for most expats that support local charity groups.

The best way to get involved is to ask Vietnamese colleagues and friends. They will know someone who is part of a group or they may be able to start a group at your work or social group. Just dont try to do it yourself because you need the knowledge and contacts to successfully complete a charity event.

In the past 10 years, I have attended countless events from as far west as Soc Trang to the east in Bao Loc and Da Lat. Every time I cry. Every time I find happiness in my heart from the smiles I see. Every time I find purpose in my life by being privileged to be able to help those in need. Do yourself a favor and join at least one charity trip whilst living in Vietnam. It will change your life forever.

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Cooperation possibilities for Japan and Vietnam are limitless, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said at a seminar on bilateral cooperation in digital transformation, technology renovation, and supply chain diversification in Hanoi on Sunday morning.

As part of his two-day visit to Vietnam starting on Saturday, PM Kishida attended the seminar that was co-organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).

Emphasizing that the bilateral cooperation potential has no limits, PM Kishida said the two countries have been focusing on expanding their partnership toward the post-pandemic period.

He said he looked forward to working with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to strengthen the strategic partnership between Japan and Vietnam for their mutual interests in the context that Tokyo announced its 'ASIA-Japan Investing for the Future Initiative' in January.

He recalled that the two sides had launched three initiatives on cooperation in technology and industrial development, digital transformation, and supply chain diversification during PM Chinhs visit to Japan last November.

Vietnams supporting industries, Kishida said, are essential for Japanese enterprises to operate stably in the Southeast Asian country, so the two sides should cooperate to enhance the capacity and technology for those industries.

The two countries also hope to keep working together to address various socio-economic issues through digital transformation, the Japanese government chief stated.

Regarding supply chains, Kishida said that Vietnam has an increasingly important role in the global supply chain, whose importance was clearly realized amid the serious impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He pointed out that Vietnam accounted for 39 among the 92 Japanese-supported projects on diversifying supply chains in the ASEAN region.

Addressing the workshop, PM Chinh said Vietnam is focusing on boosting its science-technology development and innovation to enhance its participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution in service of the countrys rapid and sustainable development.

Vietnam hopes for further coordination and support from the government and enterprises of Japan in the process of technology renovation, digital transformation, and supply chain diversification, the Vietnamese government chief said.

Both countries can work together to speed up their digital transformation process toward setting up a digital partnership, Chinh said.

He asserted that the Vietnamese government will always facilitate both Japanese and Vietnamese enterprises in strengthening their partnership in all fields.

Japanese PM Kishida, along with his entourage, left Hanoi on Sunday afternoon, wrapping up his first official visit to Vietnam since he took office in October 2021.

The visit took place when the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership is developing fruitfully and both nations are looking forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2023.

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Read what is in the news today:

Society

-- Officials in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong and in southern Binh Phuoc Province found the bodies of an 18-year-old boy and four 17-year-old students, who drowned in the Serepok River and the Dong Nai River, respectively, after hours of searching on Sunday.

-- Hanoi police are verifying a case where a woman tried to cling to a car door, then was pushed down the road as the driver accelerated and turned the steering wheel on Ring Road 3 on Sunday.

-- Traffic accidents claimed 11 lives and injured 26 people across Vietnam on Sunday, the second day of a four-day break marking Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers Day (May 1).

-- Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has approved putting aside more than 1,396 metric tons of rice from the national reserves for Tuyen Quang and Quang Tri Provinces during the between-crop period in 2022.

Business

-- Singapore wants to further promote cooperation with Vietnam in clean and renewable energy, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Sunday, quoting Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam as saying at a recent working session with Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An in Hanoi.

Sports

-- Washington Brandaos first-half strike earned Hoang Anh Gia Lai a 1-0 win over Sydney FC in Group H in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday as the Vietnamese side closed out the 2022 AFC Champions League with five points.

World news

-- Police fired tear gas to push back black-clad anarchists who ransacked business premises in Paris on Sunday during May Day protests against the policies of newly re-elected President Emmanuel Macron, Reuters reported.

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At least seven young people died and two others remain unaccounted for following four separate drowning cases in Vietnams Binh Dinh, Binh Thuan, Dak Nong, and Binh Phuoc Provinces on Sunday.

One of the missing victims is N.B., a 24-year-old resident of Hoai Nhon Town in south-central Binh Dinh Province, town chairman Pham Truong said on Monday morning.

B. went with two neighbors, 16-year-old S. and 14-year-old K., to Tam Quan Bac beach for a swim on Sunday afternoon, according to Truong.

Big waves and eddy currents drowned the three of them.

Rescuers managed to recover the bodies of S. and K. later on the same afternoon while B. is unaccounted for.

Officials and B.s family members were still searching for him as of Monday morning.

Truong added that many people like B.s group swam at Tam Quan Bac beach, where dangerously eddy currents washed away sea embankments, although local authorities had installed warning signs there.

The other missing one is Duong, a 13-year-old resident of Phan Thiet City in south-central Binh Thuan Province.

Duong slipped and fell into So Muoi Canal while playing on So Muoi Bridge with friends on Sunday afternoon, according to local rescuers.

Both passers-by and rescuers, who arrived at the scene after receiving a report of the case, were unsuccessful in finding the teenager. The search effort continues.

Rescuers search for a victim of a drowning case on the Serepok River in Dak Nong Province, Vietnam, May 1, 2022. Photo: D. P. / Tuoi Tre

In the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong, rescuers were able to find the body of N.C.D. at 1:30 pm on Sunday and handed it over to his family after the 18-year-old had drowned while swimming with friends in the Serepok River at around 12:00 pm the same day.

In southern Binh Phuoc Province, three 17-year-olds, including Nguyen Minh H., Le Hong M., and Le Nguyen T., and 18-year-old Vo Duc Tr. drowned after they and about six other schoolmates went bathing in a shallow water area of the Dong Nai River on Sunday.

During their trip, H., M., T., Tr., and another student separated themselves from the group to go swimming in a deeper part of the river.

The five were swept into a whirlpool about five meters deep and then sank.

Passers-by managed to save only one student, whose name was not revealed, while the bodies of H., M., T., and Tr. were recovered by rescuers more than two hours later.

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Former producer / director Christopher Muir, who was appointed ABC Head of Drama in 1982, has died, aged 91.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports he joined the ABC in 1949 as a messenger boy, becoming a general trainee, and by 1954 a radio announcer. In 1955 the ABC seconded him to Paris to study television. He returned to Melbourne for the arrival of ABC television in 1956.

His knowledge of film, literature and music was vast, and he helped many future luminaries professionally, also through his role as chair of Swinburne Film and Television. Among those he supported early in their careers were Norman Kaye, Jan Chapman, Jana Wendt, Jane Campion, David Williamson, Hal Porter, Fred Schepisi, Robyn Nevin and Jack Thompson.

In the second half of the 1970s and into the 1980s, his work moved increasingly towards documentary filmmaking and contemporary issues. He had a special fondness for the music series Music Around Us.

In 1982, Muir received an offer to head ABC Drama. Someone who preferred the production side, he accepted reluctantly. This management role proved stimulating yet frustrating for him. The creative freedoms of the ABCs earlier days were fading.

Troubled that decisions were increasingly made around targets, quotas and revenue he decided to leave the ABC, after a profound contribution spanning 38 years.

He once said, We producers had a buzz around us wherever we went but we also faced a lot of criticism. I thought 60 percent of what we did was okay and 40 percent I thought was dreadful. I recall doing several one-act plays by Australians but nothing memorable. There was no firm commitment to local material and we felt it was fascinating for viewers to see things like Chekov and some of the worlds best drama.

In retirement he became a passionate observer of the arts and world affairs, now at his fingertips on the internet. His humour and thirst for knowledge never diminished.

Photo: National Gallery of Victoria
Kimberley Joseph has returned to television in 10 Shake teen series Rock Island Mysteries.

Shes a fan of several Netflix titles

What shows are on your must-see TV list lately?

KJ: Ozark, Bridgerton, Call My Agent.

How has lockdown affected your viewing?

KJ: We werent super affected by lockdown up in Queensland so our viewing didnt change dramatically. I found myself doing more yoga (with Adriene on YouTube) and meditation during lockdowns to keep me sane and we watched documentaries with our 8-year-old son. Fantastic Fungi and My Octopus Teacher were a couple of our favourites.

Which guilty pleasure show are you reluctant to admit watching?

KJ: Emily in Paris. Actually, this was probably my go to during Lockdown as I kept yearning to travel and that show seemed to satisfy the craving a little. I love the costumes and seeing all the beautiful Parisian sights. I was pleasantly surprised by the characters and how they developed over the two seasons.

When you settle down for a night on the couch what are your must-haves?

KJ: Comfy pillows and blankets, a cup of tea, Guylian chocolates and occasionally a bowl of ice-cream with strawberries and maple syrup.

What show would you secretly love to appear on?

KJ: Bridgerton. Fabulous locations and sets, dreamy costumes and fun story lines.

Tell us about your character in Rock Island Mysteries? What did you enjoy most in filming the series?

KJ: I play Emily Young on Rock Island Mysteries. I am a marine biologist working at The Poseidon Institute and the mother of Taylor Young in the series. Our home is one of the go to spots for the friends to gather at while Sunny (Craig Horner) and I support Taylor and her friends in their endeavours ..often trying to strike that balance between being a mum and allowing them the freedom to explore the island and enjoy their adventures. It was a super fun show to be a part of, all the kids were such a joy to watch and interact with, they each brought so much to their characters. I enjoyed being in my hometown again, back at Village Roadshow Studios and shooting at all the stunning locations the Gold Coast has to offer.

Rock Island Mysteries screens 5pm weekdays on 10 Shake.
A mother-daughter duo and one of the nation's top ROTC cadets will be among those walking across the stage for the University of Dayton's first "full" spring commencement ceremonies in three years.

For Laura and Mercedes Franklin, graduation day will be the ultimate unplanned Mother's Day celebration. Heading into this academic year, daughter Mercedes wasn't planning on attending the ceremony and mom Laura still had more than two semesters left. Mercedes went to Laura for her thoughts.

"I was like, 'How could you not walk?!?,'" Laura told her daughter. "Mercedes said, 'If you walk with me, I would totally do it.' So I decided to up my game to take a heavy semester last semester and this semester, and we will be walking together.

"It is an excellent Mother's Day gift to graduate together."

Laura, an employee at UDs Institute for Pastoral Initiatives, will be graduating with majors in criminal justice studies and sociology and a minor in psychology to go along with an associate's degree and another bachelor's degree she earned previously. Mercedes will earn her bachelor's in fine arts.

Having each other's support and encouragement definitely helped get them to graduation day, they said.

"The friendly competition and not wanting to see each other graduate alone definitely pushed us," Mercedes said. "But I think having each other to lean on when life got hard plus the pride of accomplishing a goal despite our adversity has gotten us to this point more than just our competitiveness. Im really proud of us for getting to this point. Being able to do it side-by-side has been the ultimate cherry on top of a long journey for us."

UD ROTC Cadet Battalion Commander Rachel VerDow will be graduating with her degree in international studies ranked 20th nationally among 5,700 ROTC cadets being commissioned this spring. The ranking is based on overall academic GPA, military science GPA and leadership evaluations, according to the U.S. Army Cadet Command.

"It's very rewarding to hear that number, but I also know this program has completely prepared me to reach that," she said. "Because of how competitive we are and how we all strive to get better, I think being in that environment has set me up for that. I can't say it's all me, but the people around me."

VerDow will give her first salute to and receive her first salute from her grandfather, a Vietnam War veteran, during her commissioning ceremony in a tradition dating before the Revolutionary War.

Overall, UD expects to confer approximately 2,050 degrees in the ceremony this spring, including a record of approximately 1,655 undergraduate degrees, which eclipses last year's mark of 1,582. For the academic year, which also includes August and December graduations, UD will confer approximately 3,037 degrees, eclipsing last year's mark of 3,004. Final numbers will be confirmed in late June.

The ceremony for undergraduate students will be at 9:45 a.m. Sunday, May 8. The University will award an honorary doctorate of science at the ceremony to Lori Beer, a 1989 University of Dayton computer science graduate who now is the global chief information officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Read more here. Information about graduation ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students can be found here.

The University's spring 2022 commencement ceremony for the School of Law will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 7. The ceremony for doctoral and graduate students will follow at 12:45 p.m.

The baccalaureate Mass will be held at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 7.

All graduation ceremonies and the baccalaureate Mass will be in University of Dayton Arena and will be streamed live; links are embedded above. Tickets are not required and there are no seating limits. There are no COVID-19 restrictions, but that is subject to change based on the state of the pandemic on campus and in the Dayton community.

The 2020 spring commencement ceremony was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The University will hold a celebration for 2020 graduates at noon Saturday, May 14, at the Marycrest Amphitheater located at the east end of the central mall opposite Kennedy Union.

"The University is committed to celebrating these 2020 undergraduates who were unable to have a typical graduation ceremony due to COVID. We would like to give them an experience to commemorate their accomplishments in a public way with their friends, family, and faculty and staff," said Paul Benson, provost and executive vice president of academic affairs. "Students will be in their caps and gowns; have their names read as they walk up to shake hands with President Spina, myself and their dean; receive their diploma cover; and have their photo taken."

Information about the celebration for the class of 2020 can be found here.

Last year, the University held six in-person ceremonies at UD Arena aligned with safety guidelines to allow students and their invited guests to celebrate academic achievements in the Flyer spirit and tradition.

For more information and interviews, please contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu.
This year's University of Dayton Army ROTC cadet class will graduate and receive their commissions as the top-rated class in Ohio.

The class of 22 cadets includes six who will receive distinguished military graduate designations for being among the top 20% nationally out of approximately 5,700 cadets. Four of them rank among the nation's top 100 cadets, including UD Cadet Battalion Commander Rachel VerDow who ranks 20th.

"This record speaks to the challenging yet supportive environment in our ROTC program and on our campus, one that truly provides the education, the strength and the fortitude that new Army officers require," UD President Eric F. Spina said. "UD-formed Army officers are the ones I want to lead our country in times of conflict and in times of peace, as I know they will lead with character, values and a strong sense of ethics."

There are just three other top-100 cadets among the other 38 ROTC programs in Ohio, according to University of Dayton military science department Chair Lt. Col. Matthew Clementz.

Clementz said it was immediately apparent this group would achieve great things.

"This is a very special group, and it's the No. 1 class in the state of Ohio based on overall academic GPA, military science GPA and leadership evaluations during their time in school, according to the U.S. Army Cadet Command. UD has had a high-performing program for years, but this is exceptional. I can't find any other class here that has reached this level," Clementz said.

VerDow noticed she was part of a competitive but supportive group "the very first day."

"There is no 'I need to be the best.' Everyone picks each other up. We work really well together," said VerDow, who will graduate with an international studies degree. "It's very rewarding to hear that number, but I also know this program has completely prepared me to reach that. Because of how competitive we are and how we all strive to get better, I think being in that environment has set me up for that. I can't say it's all me, but the people around me."

VerDow said she came to UD because of the size of the program, which she believes allows cadets and instructors to better know each other; the facilities; and the feel for day-to-day cadet life she experienced on her tour. She also appreciated the University community and environment in the student neighborhoods plus opportunities she received between school years to advance her career. She's been able to take a 12-week Russian language course and intern at the National Ground Intelligence Center. One opportunity would have taken her to Kyrgyzstan for the summer if not for the COVID-19 pandemic.

"People here really fight for you to get those slots," she said.

Clementz said highly successful students are attracted to the program because of the University's support for the program, the combination of University and Army scholarships, and the opportunity to serve their country and be a college student. He adds that the success of the class of 2022 is contagious and students want to be part of that, too.

The UD ROTC class of 2022 commissioning ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, at the University of Dayton Arena Flight Deck.

For more information and interviews, please contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at srobinson1@udayton.edu.
Day 3 of the 2022 PokerStars European Poker Tour presented by Monte-Carlo Casino has ended and the final six players are set for Mondays finale of the 1,100 French Poker Series (FPS) Main Event.

The final six outlasted the 62 returning players on Day 3 to guarantee themselves 54,020, while the top prize of 290,910 waits up top for the winner from a total prize pool of 1,841,280.

Jacob Amsellem is the chip leader going into the finale after starting the day with one of the short stacks. He is followed by Lucas Scafini in second and Fabio Peluso in third. Tibor Nagygyorgy, Florian Guimond, and Francois Vincenti round out the top six.

1,100 FPS Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Rank Name Country Chip Count Final Table Big Blinds 1 Jacob Amsellem Israel 21,500,000 106 2 Lucas Scafini Brazil 15,450,000 77 3 Fabio Peluso Italy 10,625,000 53 4 Tibor Nagygyorgy Hungary 3,850,000 19 5 Florian Guimond France 3,550,000 18 6 Francois Vincenti France 2,525,000 13

Day 3 Highlights

Amsellem came into Day 3 with one of the shorter stacks but he was one of the chip leaders within the first two levels after the double knockout of Jaime Cervantes and Raymond Attal. Amsellem stayed active all day and played a role in several knockouts. He entered the final table with over 18 million in chips and finished off the day above 20 million.

Scafini, previously the Day 1d chip leader, remains in the hunt and will return on Monday with a big stack after eliminating Tahar Said to end the night.

Earlier in the day, Gregory Teboul was out in the fourth level of the afternoon after being eliminated by Nagygyorgy in a three-way pot. Teboul came into Day 3 as the chip leader, but he couldnt make a run at the final table.

Eugenio Peralta was among those that got off to a fast start, thanks in part to the rare double cooler against Alexandre Sette and Xavier Rouayroux. Sette picked up queens and Rouayroux picked up kings, but they both ran into the aces of Peralta. Peralta was one of the early pacesetters on Day 3 and he ultimately parlayed that into an 11th place finish.

Other players falling short of the finale include the up-and-coming Moroccan Mehdi Chaoui, WSOP bracelet winner Motoyoshi Okamura, and 100,000 Mystery Bounty winner Imad Derwiche.

Remaining Payouts

Place Prize 1 290,910 2 176,430 3 124,250 4 94,130 5 71,310 6 54,020

Day 4 Plans

After a player conference to discuss starting later, the Day 4 finale will kick off at 1 p.m. local time at the Monte Carlo Sporting complex on the shores of the French Riviera. Play will resume in Level 32 with 10:30 left and blinds at 100,000/200,000 with a 200,000 ante, and the final six runners will play until a winner is declared.

Be sure to keep it with the PokerNews team for updates from the finale of the 1,100 FPS Main Event live from the 2022 PokerStars European Poker Tour presented by Monte-Carlo Casino.
Just under eight levels were completed on Day 2 of the 100,000 Super High Roller at the 2022 PokerStars European Poker Tour presented by Monte-Carlo Casino before play concluded for the day. It turned out to be a run-away show for Spanish poker pro Adrian Mateos who will enter the final day with an overwhelming chip lead.

A total of 42 entries were recorded before late registration closed at the start of the day which meant the final six players would reach the money. It was Mateos who closed the curtains on Day 2 when he eliminated Orpen Kisacikoglu on the money bubble, bringing his stack to 4,485,000 for the final showdown. Mateos will be looking to add another seven-figure payday to his already impressive career that includes multiple titles across all types of events.

Final Table Seat Assignments

Seat Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Adrian Mateos Spain 4,485,000 150 2 Kent Staahle Norway 1,235,000 41 3 Laszlo Bujtas Hungary 1,105,000 37 4 Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Belarus 1,010,000 34 5 Mikita Badziakouski Belarus 660,000 22 6 Marius Gierse Austria 2,005,000 67

Although Mateos will come into the final day as the clear favorite, there is still plenty of work to do to take home the title. Marius Gierse is starting to become familiar in the high-stakes tournament fields and he is looking to make his mark with his first EPT high-roller victory. Gierse will enter the day with 2,005,000 chips, sitting in second place behind Mateos. Third place currently belongs to Norwegian businessman Kent Staahle (1,235,000) who will most certainly record his largest career poker tournament score in whichever place he finishes.

Rounding out the rest of the field is Laszlo Bujtas (1,105,000), Mikalai Vaskaboinikau (1,010,000), and Mikita Badziakouski (660,000). Although they are sitting in the bottom half of the field, these three poker pros all have plenty of high-stakes tournament experience and they can not be counted out as of yet.

There will be plenty of money up for grabs when the final table resumes on Day 3 with a prizepool of 4,074,840 still to be handed out. Each player has locked up over 285,000 while the winner will be taking home 1,385,430.

Final Table Payouts

Place Prize (EUR) 1st 1,385,430 2nd 957,590 3rd 611,230 4th 468,610 5th 366,740 6th 285,240

With late registration closing at the start of Day 2, there were two new entries (Byron Kaverman and Andras Nemeth), along with six re-entries to kick things off. It didn't go well for one of those re-entries as Seth Davies was eliminated in short order thanks to back-to-back coolers. In fact, all eight players were eliminated before any of them could get a sniff at reaching the money.

There was also some heartache for Sam Grafton and Christoph Vogelsang who were eliminated at the same time just prior to the dinner break, which allowed the final eight players to gather at the final table. Joao Vieira and Kisacikoglu entered the final table as the two short stacks and low and behold, they were unable to battle their way up the leaderboard. Vieira's stack dwindled to just a few big blinds before he was eliminated in eighth place. Kisacikoglu battled a while longer with a couple of double-ups but was unable to prevail when he ran into a dominating Mateos.

The final table is scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. local time with just under 30 minutes remaining in level 16. The blinds will resume at 15,000/30,000 and a 30,000 big blind ante. The final table will also be streamed on the feature table with hole cards up on a 30-minute delay. The PokerNews live reporting team will be bringing you all of the updates in accordance with the live stream.
People opposed to the asylum centre plans gathered to protest outside Linton on Ouse village hall this lunchtime Picture: Mike Laycock

PEOPLE protested today against plans to turn a former RAF base near York into an asylum seekers reception centre - after a petition against the scheme had attracted more than 3,000 signatures.

The small demonstration was staged outside Linton on Ouse village hall and involved about a score of people from the village and further afield.O.ne carried a placard urging the Government to stop the Linton on Ouse project and 'all asylum expansions.'

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said before the demonstration that the force was aware of the planned activity and its officers would be in the area to provide reassurance to the local community, but The Press saw no officers today.

Megan Remmer, clerk to Linton on Ouse Parish Council, said the demonstration was not affiliated in any way with the council and nor did it support it.

"It is also, as far as we aware, not affiliated with anyone from the village," she said.

"While we obviously cannot speak on behalf of every resident of Linton, those we have spoken to do not feel this is the appropriate manner to oppose the proposed siting of the Asylum Seekers Centre.

"We have removed mentions of it on social media where we can in the hope that it can be kept to a minimum."

Representatives of a village group campaigning against the air base plans have issued a statement this evening claiming that today's protest was organised by people who were not residents of Linton.

They claimed several 'far-right groups' had been invited to the protest, members of which made up the majority of the small number of protestors present, having travelled to Linton from the wider region.

It said: "The gathering was not obviously a protest and was not directed at anyone. There was no message: there were no speeches, no placards, no banners.

"For under an hour, protestors chatted to one another and filmed each other on their mobile phones. They then dispersed."

Story continues

It claimed only one resident of Linton was present at the protest and the remainder of the village rejected it and refused to participate. T"he village also objects, in the strongest possible terms, to the presence of far-right groups on their streets."

Meanwhile, an anonymous online petition, Stop Linton on Ouse Asylum Centre, had gathered 3,015 signatures by this lunchtime.

It said the UK Government had recently announced that Linton on Ouse would house an Asylum Reception Centre, holding a minimum of 1,500 single adult males who had travelled to the UK illegally from Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan.

"Based on latest electoral figures, Linton on Ouse has an adult population of circa 700," it said.

"Such centres have been heavily criticised in the past, with court's ruling the site at Napier Barracks and Pennaly Barracks not fit for purpose, resulting in arson, violence, poor mental health amongst refugees, suicide attempts, COVID outbreaks and anti social behaviour.

"Furthermore, the site saw protests by right wing parties resulting in a number of arrests and additional policing. Such sites are not beneficial to either the asylum seekers or the general population. Despite this, a new site has been sanctioned to open in Linton on Ouse and on a much larger scale.

It said local refugee charities had objected to the site location, stating a rural area was not conducive to a positive experience and could cause additional stress on asylum seekers due to a lack of access to services and amenities.

It also said the centre would be open door and its residents would be free to roam. "The Home Office and North Yorkshire Police understands how intimidating this can be for females and the elderly given the large volume, minimum 1500, and small village population, 800."
The starting hourly pay rates for University of North Georgia (UNG) student workers will increase to $11 for the 2022-23 academic year.

Student worker jobs offer the flexibility of hours through the ability to set one's own schedule. They also provide valuable experience that can help students grow their skills before graduating. Some positions will be posted soon, while Federal Work-Study jobs will be posted in July.

The Federal Work-Study jobs that will post during the summer require students to have an unmet financial need. Jill Rayner, director of financial aid, said students must fill out a Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) form to determine their eligibility for those jobs.

Students can regularly check job openings by visiting the UNG Human Resources webpage. While many of the positions are on campus, UNG also provides some avenues for student employment tied to community service through nonprofits and government agencies.

Student worker positions can provide up to 25 hours per week, depending on the office.

Azqa Qureshi's role as a Presidential Ambassador has certainly fit that bill. She assists with events through the Office of the President and the Office of University Events.

"There is never a day I come into work and leave without new knowledge about programs, the university, or event planning," Qureshi, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in kinesiology with a health and fitness concentration, said. "This is a job environment where you work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Being personable and having an innate sense of adaptability is paramount to succeeding in this position. To put it simply, you have to prepare for the unexpected."

Amberlyn Muntz, a junior from Cartersville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, serves as a student worker for both the Student Involvement office and Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions.

"Once I moved off campus, it has helped me stay involved," Muntz said. "I've learned so much about UNG, and it's given me pride in being part of the university."

She has grown in her professionalism and customer service through her interactions with students, faculty, and staff in these roles. Muntz has also discovered her eye for details.

"I can see how I have improved on my marketing skills and designing graphics," Muntz said. "I've found my strengths in a work environment and the areas I can improve."
Kiem tra ky nang oc hieu tieng Anh trong 15 phut

Sau khi oc oan van ve ngay au tien cua mot be gai tai truong hoc, ban tra loi cac cau hoi e tu kiem tra ky nang oc hieu tieng Anh.
Teams of workers strove Monday to repair a bridge in southwestern Russia near the border with Ukraine that was damaged in what a local governor described as an act of sabotage.

The regional administration said it expects the repair work will be completed Wednesday.

Kursk regional Gov. Roman Starovoit said Sunday that the bridge was blown up by unidentified attackers and the Investigative Committee, Russia's top state investigative agency, has launched a criminal probe into what it described as a terrorist act.

Officials didnt specify the significance of the bridge for the war, but it sits on a key railway link used to ferry supplies to Russian troops fighting in eastern Ukraine

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the bridge, that follows a series of explosions and fires in western Russia amid the war in Ukraine that has entered a third month.

On April 1, two Ukrainian helicopter gunships struck an oil depot in Belgorod, according to Russian officials, causing a massive fire.

A week ago, a massive blaze erupted at an oil depot in the western city of Bryansk owned by Transneft-Druzhba, a subsidiary of the Russian state-controlled company Transneft that operates the western-bound Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline carrying crude to Europe. The fire didn't cause any disruption in oil deliveries.

On the same day, another oil storage facility in Bryansk also caught fire.

And on Wednesday, several explosions rocked a huge ammunition depot in the Belgorod region, sparking a huge fire.

Ukraine hasnt officially taken responsibility for the incidents, and the Russian officials also havent publicly ascribed those to Ukrainian attacks, apart from the April 1 incident.

The frequency of explosions in Russia and their targeting speaks better than any words about who benefits from it. But Ukraine does not want to take responsibility for the sabotage and remains silent, Nikolai Sungurovsky, a military analyst at Ukraines Razumkov Center, told AP.

For all the obviousness of the situation, it is extremely unprofitable for Ukraine to take responsibility for sabotage and explosions in Russia, because then Kyiv risks losing the status of a victim of aggression and this will create difficulties in international courts, Vladimir Fesenko, an analyst at the Penta Center, told AP. Ukrainian lawyers are already preparing multi-volume materials for international courts in order to demand multibillion-dollar compensation from Russia for damage from aggression

Last week, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak hinted at Ukraine's involvement although he stopped short of claiming responsibility. He noted in a messaging app post that the Belgorod, Voronezh and Kursk regions that border Ukraine hosted depots serving the invasion and adding that karma is a harsh thing.

If you, Russians, decided to massively attack another country, massively kill everyone there, massively crush civilians with tanks and use warehouses in your regions to provide for these killings, then sooner or later the debts will have to be repaid, Podolyak wrote Wednesday. Given the intensity and scale of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, it will not be possible to sit it out."

Explosions were frequently heard in Russian regions bordering Ukraine, drawing a stream of gleeful comments on social platforms in Ukraine.

Earlier Monday, Belgorod region Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said that loud bangs heard in the region overnight came from a Russian airstrike in Ukraine, not by something that flew to us from Ukrainian territory.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
WATERLOO  U.S. Senate candidate Michael Franken has never held public office and wholeheartedly does not identify as a politician.

But Franken, a nearly 40-year veteran of the U.S. Navy who achieved the rank of admiral, has extensive leadership experience, including at the Pentagon.

The Democrat was in Waterloo on Friday for an evening meet and greet with voters at the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum.

When asked which legislator he feels he resembles during an interview with The Courier, he chose not to pick one. But he listed characteristics  logical, empathetic, pragmatic, fair and kind  that he thinks are important.

I will pretty much define my own space, he said. I have no intention of being the junior senator from the state of Iowa, but frankly the leading senator of the state of Iowa.

Born and raised in Iowa, Franken is vying in the June 7 Democratic primary election against former Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer and Minden City Councilman Glenn Hurst. He hopes to win a November shot at Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley, the longest serving senator in Iowa history who has held that office since 1981.

He lost a bid two years ago for the seat eventually retained by Sen. Joni Ernst. But he now feels he is a little more experienced on the campaign trail. In addition, he felt he was swimming against a headwind by not getting the backing of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and being bushwhacked with a hit ad that was generally nonsense.

According to his campaign website, he was the only voice on a team of military advisers to oppose President George W. Bushs invasion of Iraq. He also served under President Barack Obama and oversaw numerous successful missions, including leading U.S. forces in Africa to fight terrorists and pirates.

Franken believes those who can most afford to pay more should pay more, and they should be happy in that capability.

He said he is pretty progressive when it comes to the environment.

He notes he is the beneficiary of almost 40 years of military health care.

We in America are missing the boat entirely with the most inefficient system Ive seen imaginable. We have great providers, great equipment, great services and fabulous education, and the administration and execution of it is the least productive Ive ever seen, and that needs an entire overhaul, he said.

Asked about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he noted the United States needs to play a role and has an international responsibility.

Do we permit autocratic bullies to take over fledgling democracies? Are we OK with that? If we as a nation are OK with that, then we just need to realize that were not No. 1 at anything anymore, he said. Nothing. We are just a floating entity that has a lot of debt and a people base that is more centered and focused on themselves versus being altruistic internationally. And I would find that an affront.

Franken believes in more responsible gun ownership laws and supports a womans choice when it comes to abortion.

He says a college education and health care should be free in America up to a degree. He does not believe college tuition debt to date should be forgiven.

I break with Democratic leadership, he said in response. I believe youre creating a schism, and theres way too many unknowns. When do we do this again? Is this a one and done? What does that solve for future generations? What does it do to those who didnt graduate? What does it do for people who were just malingering in college? Why would we cause the blue collar worker who ultimately will be reigned by or be overseen by college graduates, whyd we ask them paid for the college graduates?

In regard to immigration, he said its an issue that is best highly regulated and made more accessible for more immigrants.

I think we ought to endeavor to make them Americans as soon as we can. God knows we need the workforce, he said.

Asked about racial equality and LGTBQA rights, he said: My bones are in the military. We care not where you came from, or what your condition is in life. We want you to achieve your best, so we as a community can do our best. I am a complete supporter regardless of where they are in society and what their skin color, religion, etc., it matters not to me, or their gender identity. It just doesnt matter. And Im surprised so many people make it an issue. Thats always amazing to me.

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DES MOINES  On Friday, two Iowa State Patrol troopers who died in the line of duty in 2021  Sgt. Jim K. Smith and Trooper Ted Benda  will have their names added to the Iowa Peace Officer Memorial.

Smith was gunned down while trying to arrest an armed suspect who fled a Grundy Center traffic stop in April 2021. An Independence resident, Smith was assigned to the State Patrols Oelwein Post. In October, Benda, also assigned to the Patrols Oelwein Post, died in a crash while responding to a call.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens and the state of Iowa will honor those troopers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Each officer dedicated their lives to serving Iowans to protect and keep our communities safe.

The ceremony Friday will honor these fallen peace officers as well as the many other Iowa officers who have given their lives in the line of duty over the last 153 years.

The Iowa Peace Officer Memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday on the grounds east of the Oran Pape State Office Building, 215 E. Seventh St., Des Moines. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the State Capitol rotunda.

The ceremony also will be streamed on Facebook Live. It is held in conjunction with National Police Week May 15-21. Iowans are asked to please take time and thank current peace officers for protecting and serving your community.

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DES MOINES  Gov. Kim Reynolds said she will not force state lawmakers to remain in session until late June while holding out hope they will approve her proposal to shift taxpayer funding for public schools to private school tuition scholarships.

But Reynolds also said she is not yet ready to give up on the possibility of Republican lawmakers passing the bill and sending it to her desk. Thus, the Legislature will continue its work this week, with virtually all other policy issues decided.

The legislative session is already past the 100-day mark, when legislators compensation for housing and meals expenses expired. But that is more of a carrot to legislators to finish their work than a hard deadline.

The state budget year ends June 30; legislators must pass a new, $8.2 billion state budget before then in order to keep state government operating.

Speaking to reporters last week, Reynolds said she continues to meet with Republican lawmakers who have expressed opposition to her proposal, and she continues to entertain tweaks and concessions in hopes of securing enough votes to pass it through the House, where it is stalled for a second consecutive year.

Were still working on it. Were still talking to legislators, Reynolds told reporters in West Des Moines. Theres no way Im giving up on it. Theyre still in session. Im still working.

But she also said she would not keep lawmakers around so long that next years budget becomes an issue.

Im not going to shut down (state government) if thats what youre asking me.  Were not going to do that, Reynolds said. Im going to give it every effort. I feel I still have some opportunity.

The proposal, as passed by Senate Republicans, would allow up to 10,000 students from families at or below 400% of the federal poverty level to receive a scholarship of roughly $5,500 to attend a private school. The money would come from funding now dedicated to the public school that the student would have attended, which is roughly $7,700 per student. A portion of the remaining per-pupil funding would go into a state account to help small, rural schools that may lose multiple students and thus a significant amount of funding.

The proposal, Senate File 2369, passed the Iowa Senate on a 31-18 vote with only Republican support. It has not been debated in the House because not enough of the 60 House Republicans are willing to vote for it. It would need 51 votes to pass in the 100-member House.

The provision that would set aside funding for small, rural schools was one concession Reynolds made after last years proposal failed to pass largely because of opposition from House Republicans who represent rural districts. Another possible compromise being floated this year would set a baseline enrollment level for which schools would be eligible. Such a provision would, theoretically, make the states smallest schools ineligible for the program, and supporters hope make it a more palatable yes vote for some House Republicans.

Im willing to listen to a lot of suggestions that maybe (House Republican holdouts) have in order to get this through and to start a pilot program, Reynolds said.

Democrats have remained united in opposition, no matter its form. No Democrat voted for the Senate bill, and there has been no indication any would in the House.

Democrats say the proposal would put public schools in danger by the way it diverts state funding to the private school scholarships.

Its clear and important to point out that the reason that Republicans are having so much trouble getting votes on vouchers, besides the fact that vouchers are bad for Iowa kids and Iowa communities, is the fact that Democrats stand united against school vouchers, said Rep. Jennifer Konfrst, D-Windsor Heights, House minority leader. Theyre having to fish within the Republican caucus because not one Democrat will support school vouchers.

Some House Republicans already are facing political pressure over their stance.

Rep. Jon Thorup, a Republican from Knoxville, roughly a week ago said he would vote against the bill because of uncertainty in Iowa and around the world, and that a new state law will significantly reduce state income taxes and potentially impact future state revenues.

Then the prominent conservative political action organization Americans for Prosperity announced a round of endorsements for statehouse races, and among them was its endorsement of Barb Kniff-McCulla, a Republican candidate who is challenging Thorup in the primary election.

In a news release, Americans for Prosperity specifically cited the candidates support for the governors private school tuition assistance proposal.

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When Chuck Grassley was first elected to public office, Dwight Eisenhower was president and Alaska and Hawaii were brand new states.

After more than 40 years in the Senate  following stints in the Iowa Legislature and three terms in the U.S. House  Grassley is now seeking another six years in office. He is 88 and would be 95 at the end of his term if reelected.

Still, Grassley faces nothing like the pressure being directed at Sen. Dianne Feinsteinto stand aside, even though the Iowa Republican is only three months younger than the California Democrat. He seems certain to waltz past his 59-year-old primary opponent in June, and is a solid bet to win reelection in November.

Unlike Feinstein, Grassley also faces no clamor within his party to let someone younger take his place.

On Tuesday, the Senate Democratic leader, New Yorks Charles E. Schumer, conspicuously declined when asked by reporters to vouch for Feinsteins fitness to serve. Ive had a good number of discussions with Sen. Feinstein, but Im keeping them to myself, said Schumer, who pressed her to surrender the chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee when Democrats took control of the Senate last year.

Is Feinstein facing a double-standard because of her gender?

No. She isnt.

While Feinstein still seems capable of doing her job, her mental acuity has visibly declined in recent years. It is no secret the senator relies heavily on her staff  though the same can be said for many lawmakers  and suffers from memory lapses.

By contrast, Grassley makes a point of seeming as active and vital as ever, said Dennis Goldford, a decades-long student of Iowa politics who teaches at Des Moines Drake University. He recently chatted with Grassley at an Iowa event promoting support for Israel.

(Grassley announced his reelection bid last September in a tweet that read, Its 4 a.m. in Iowa so Im running. I do that 6 days a week. Included was an image of the senator jogging.)

Karen Kedrowski, an Iowa State University expert on women and politics, agreed the elderly incumbent has given voters no obvious reason to question his physical well-being or mental capacity. Theres been no gossip, she said, no whispering about him not being able to do the job.

On Capitol Hill, Grassley is constantly shadowed by an aide, but appears sharp and very much on top of Senate business.

More importantly, he has kept up a long-standing tradition back home, spending summers visiting each of Iowas 99 counties.

If youre out in the middle of rural Iowa in some county where the population is less than any one of Des Moines suburbs, you still feel respected and paid attention to and appreciated because he shows up, Goldford said. That means a lot in a state like this.

Tellingly, Grassleys opponents have not overtly sought to make age an issue.

His Republican rival, state Sen. Jim Carlin, has instead wrapped himself around former President Trump and echoed his lies about voter fraud and a stolen 2020 election. Democrats have split along their usual lines over which approach  rallying the partys liberal base or appealing to centrist and potential cross-over voters  offers the best chance of unseating Grassley.

His main Democratic challenger, former Rep. Abby Finkenauer, is 33. When she was born, Grassley was already serving his second term in the Senate.

Finkenauer, who served a single term in the House before narrowly losing her 2020 reelection bid, refers only glancingly to the senators advanced age. Instead, she speaks of his many decades in Washington, suggesting  in the face of Grassleys assiduous courtship of even the smallest-town voter  that he has lost touch with Iowa.

That could fall under the category of not belaboring the obvious, though there is little evidence to suggest leaning into the age issue would do her, or any of Grassleys opponents, much good. If anything, Kedrowski said, it could backfire.

Democrats were heartened last year when a Des Moines Register poll showed 64% of those surveyed said it was time for someone else to occupy Grassleys seat. Fewer than 3 in 10 said theyd support his bid for an eighth term.

However, those sort of surveys, measuring a candidates appeal in the abstract, dont necessarily translate when real-life opponents are matched up. A subsequent poll showed Grassley leading Finkenauer 55% to 37%.

The circumstances were similar when Feinstein prepared to seek reelection in 2018.

An April 2017 poll found more than half of Californias registered voters thought it would be bad thing for her to run again. When reminded of Feinsteins age, that sentiment grew to 62%.

The next year she was handily elected to a fifth six-year term.

Feinstein appears competent to keep serving in the Senate. Barring clear-cut evidence of incapacity, she deserves to serve out the remainder of her term and, if smart, wont run again in 2024.

Those pushing her to quit now may be politically pragmatic or ruthless, uncaring or merely unflinching, depending on your perspective. Theres no reason to believe the main impetus is sexism.

The decline and fall of geriatric male senators such as South Carolinas Strom Thurmond, West Virginias Robert Byrd and Mississippis Thad Cochran were well-chronicled in their time.

Feinstein may be a target. But shes not a victim.

Mark Z. Barabak is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on politics in California and the West.

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Putin signs law on data sharing with unfriendly states

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Sunday barring the countrys banks from sharing data with government agencies from so-called unfriendly nations that have illegally sanctioned Russian entities and individuals.

The new law prohibits the countrys financial institutions from responding to requests from foreign agencies, including judicial bodies, for information about their clients and transactions.

From now on, banks are instructed to reject such inquiries, citing Russian law as the reason for not processing such requests.

https://www.rt.com/business/554818-banks-data-putin-unfriendly/

Subscribe to RT t.me/rtnews

WtR
U.S. senators and members of the House of Representatives are covered by the Social Security program, as are the president and vice president, federal judges, and other federal government officials and employees. They pay Social Security taxes, like the vast majority of U.S. workers.



Congress wasnt always part of the system. The Social Security Act of 1935, which established a national retirement benefit, exempted services performed in the employ of the United States Government from occupations whose workers paid into the system and received benefits. That meant senators and representatives did not pay Social Security taxes on their congressional salaries, although they did have to do so for outside income, such as speaking fees.

Instead, in the 1940s, Congress voted to include itself in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), a voluntary program in which federal employees could have a percentage of their pay deducted to fund annuities. Senators and House members who chose to join the CSRS could make higher contributions than regular government workers and receive larger benefits.

That remained the case until the 1980s, when Congress tackled a broad overhaul of Social Security to avert a looming shortfall in the systems funding.

Some members had long argued that it was inappropriate for lawmakers to exempt themselves from Social Security taxes ordinary workers were required to pay. The National Commission on Social Security Reform, established by President Ronald Reagan in 1981, included bringing the federal workforce under the Social Security system among its recommendations to buttress the programs finances.

The change was enacted as part of the sweeping Social Security Amendments of 1983, which, among other things, raised the full retirement age and introduced income taxes on Social Security benefits. Under the new law, House members, senators and others in the federal workforce were brought into the Social Security system and began paying Social Security taxes on Jan. 1, 1984.

Members of Congress elected before 1984 could choose to be covered for retirement in one of four ways:

Social Security alone.

Social Security and the CSRS.

An offset plan that reduced CSRS contributions and benefits by the amount of Social Security contributions and benefits.

Social Security and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), a pension program that replaced the CSRS in 1987.

Those elected since 1984 are eligible for Social Security and FERS benefits. Senators may decline FERS coverage and opt for Social Security alone. So can House members who took office prior to Sept. 30, 2003, but FERS is mandatory for representatives elected since then. The FERS system is financed by a combination of payroll deductions and federal funding.

And in case youre wondering, there are six still-serving members who entered Congress before it was covered by Social Security: Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Charles Grassley of Iowa and Reps. Hal Rogers of Kentucky, Chris Smith of New Jersey, Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Marcy Kaptur of Ohio.
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Vancouver, May 2, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Join Ellis Martin for a Discussion with Claudia Tornquist, CEO of Kodiak Copper Corp ( CVE:KDK )( OTCMKTS:KDKCF )( FRA:5DD1 ) as the company adds a second drill rig at the MPD Copper-Gold Project in Southern British Columbia, Canada.Kodiak Copper Corp. 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 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."To listen to the Interview, please visit:About Kodiak Copper Corp.Kodiak Copper Corp. (CVE:KDK) (OTCMKTS:KDKCF) is focused on its portfolio of 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 southern British Columbia, Canada, where in 2020 the Company made a high-grade discovery at the Gate Zone, which is part of a zoned, copper-gold enriched envelope of significant size.Kodiak also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine. Both of Kodiak's porphyry projects have been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits.The Company's Kahuna diamond project in Nunavut, Canada, hosts a high-grade, near surface inferred diamond resource and numerous kimberlite pipe targets. Kodiak is considering strategic options for the Kahuna project.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Miguel Molinar remembers immigrating from Mexico when he was just 15 years old.

Molinar had come with family and began working in construction with his father and brother to make ends meet in the land of opportunity.

And not long after, he found that opportunity.

As he was working on Las Placitas Presbyterian Church as a high school-aged boy, church members recognized Molinar was too young to be working. After finding out his age and situation, members paid for Molinar to finish out his education at Menaul School  which he graduated from not long after, in 1987. By 1989, he had become a legal resident.

Molinar has been an active member in his community since then. He works in construction as a superintendent of Powers Products Southwest, a business that specializes in the commercial installation of skylights, and hes the president of the Foringas Truck Club New Mexico.

Folks like Molinar were the focus Sunday as organizers with EL CENTRO de Igualdad y Derechos celebrated International Workers Day with a festival at Tiguex Park, the first event the organization has held since the onset of the COVID pandemic. Speakers celebrated wins for the working immigrant community while calling for more action from politicians going forward.

We not only contribute to the state through taxes and stuff like that, we also contribute to the multicultural (fabric) of the state, said EL CENTRO community organizer Hilaria Martinez through a translator. Were going to keep on with the fight for domestic workers to get more benefits and for them to be recognized.

The event held Sunday became a white out of sorts. Supporters wore white shirts in solidarity with immigrant workers and the day featured a variety of musical and dance performances from Grupo Folklorico Desoluna and from Circulo Solar Ollin Xochipilli. The event also saw speakers of a wide variety, including local politicians such as Rep. Javier Martinez, the House majority leader, and City Councilor Isaac Benton.

Our country has a long history of demonizing the immigrant whenever times get tough, Javier Martinez, who is a first generation U.S. citizen, said. Were as American as anyone.

Celebrating the wins

About one in eight, or 13%, of New Mexicos workforce is made up of immigrant workers. Many of the jobs taken by immigrants involve back-breaking work, from working in oil and gas to construction and agriculture.

But many of these immigrants have been left behind by federal and local policies  long before the pandemic and especially after. For instance, about 28% of Hispanics made less than $28,000 in 2021, according to a survey conducted by BSP Research, and about 60% have $1,000 or less in savings for financial emergencies. For immigrant workers  those who are undocumented  the pandemic only exasperated those issues as many werent eligible for the federal stimulus money given to millions of Americans despite their working status.

But locally, that has been rectified, said Javier Martinez, as the state has allocated millions in COVID relief funding to help out those who didnt qualify for federal stimulus money  including those who are undocumented.

For the immigrant community, that was seen as a win, and so was the paid sick leave law. The law, known as the Healthy Workplaces Act, allows for nearly all New Mexico employees to receive sick leave, totaling at least one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 64 hours in a year. Another win, Javier Martinez said, was the extension of the working families tax credit to undocumented workers.

Thats a game changer for these families, who every year when they file their taxes will now get a little bit more relief based on the fact that they work  and work hard, he said. These are the folks who shower after they get back from work, not before they go to work.

El pueblo unido jamas sera vencido

The people united will never be defeated, event goers chanted in Spanish.

Indeed, they wont, said Hilaria Martinez, as there is still plenty of work to do to help immigrants in the state and across the country.

Some of that work, she said, includes getting President Joe Biden to follow through with his ideas for immigration, such as a path to citizenship for the millions of undocumented citizens in the U.S.

But some of that change also includes getting others to recognize immigrants are people, too, said Brianda Hernandez.

Hernandez, a first generation citizen, said immigrants work just as hard as other Americans and deserve to be treated with respect.

Everybody puts in the same effort, Hernandez said. Were all a melting pot.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Cuisine is one way to bring community together.

Add in a great atmosphere and its an excellent foundation.

Chef Fernando Ruiz is teaming up with a Homewise mixed-use project in Santa Fe near Agua Fria Street and Harrison Road.

The name of the restaurant is Escondido, which means hidden in Spanish. Ruiz is partnering with Meow Wolf co-founder Vince Kadlubek to create the concept.

Kadlubek, a member of Meow Wolfs Board of Directors and senior consultant to the arts organization, has worked with Ruiz for the past year developing Escondido.

The project received early support from a third founder, Santa Fe resident and early Meow Wolf investor Stewart Alsop.

Homewise was looking for some restaurants as anchor tenants for the project, Kadlubek said. Fernando was looking to open his first restaurant.

Escondidos owners say the restaurant will focus on simple, fresh and healthy Mexican cuisine at reasonable prices. The restaurant will also serve traditional margaritas with a wide selection of tequilas and mezcals. The 3,000 square-foot restaurant will hold over 120 seats between its main dining room, an outdoor patio, and a rooftop deck. The rooftop deck, Ruiz and Kadlubek both agree, is a key feature of the restaurant.

Not many restaurants outside of downtown have a roof-top patio, Ruiz said. Its another feature that we will build on. Were also planning to be open later than most restaurants.

Kadlubek and Ruiz wanted to bring high-quality food to Santa Fes south side.

Its not downtown, Kadlubek said. South side of Santa Fe deserves to have high-quality and fun places at reasonable prices.

Ruiz has built his culinary reputation from the ground up after spending nearly four years incarcerated for running drugs and guns. While in jail, he earned his GED and learned how to cook. Upon his release, he immediately enrolled in culinary school.

After earning his culinary degree, Ruiz moved to Santa Fe in the early 2000s and worked at Rio Chama, La Boca and Santacafe.

In 2017, Ruiz won three Food Network competitions  Chopped, Guys Grocery Games and Beat Bobby Flay.

The dish Ruiz defeated Bobby Flay with was Chile en Nogada, a traditional stuffed poblano that will be a featured entree at Escondido.

I am proud to bring high-quality, locally-sourced food to the central part of town and at a reasonable price, Ruiz said. Opening my own restaurant has always been a dream, and to do it in the Agua Fria neighborhood in Santa Fe couldnt be more perfect for my first concept.

The word escondido resonates with both Kadlubek and Ruiz.

Fernando and I have felt like much of our life was out of the mainstream. Kind of hidden, Kadlubek said. With me having shoplifting charges and not having a college degree, we both have an outsiders perspective.

Ruiz continues, I was constantly playing hide-and-seek with the police growing up. Being locked up in a cage, I was hidden to the world.

Kadlubek is inspired by Ruizs story because he is a prime example that past mistakes shouldnt define a person.

We need more representation of this, Kadlubek said. Working hard proves to people that you can focus on something youre passionate about. Things can be turned around.

Ruiz wants to create a space that feels like home.

Lets be good humans and nice to each other, Ruiz said. Especially here in Santa Fe. We have something different to offer.

Escondido is expected to open in summer 2023.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

A suspect said it started as a plan to score.

It blew up into the Nov. 14 fire at the Walmart Supercenter in Edgewood that sent employees and shoppers running and torched aisles of merchandise.

It took firefighters several hours to extinguish the blaze allegedly set as a distraction to shoplift hundreds of dollars in goods  goods to be exchanged for drug money.

Now, 32-year-old Jessica Campbell of Tijeras is federally charged with arson in U.S. District Court after the fire caught the attention of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The alleged shoplifting-turned-arson is detailed in incident reports released by Edgewood Police to the Journal through an Inspection of Public Records Act request.

Police let Campbell and an accomplice go when the fire broke out, thinking she had only shoplifted, but she was arrested April 9 on a federal warrant after being found outside the same Walmart, and is currently in custody.

Campbells attorney couldnt be reached for comment.

Its unclear if Campbell was the only one to set fires in the building.

The State Fire Marshals Office declined to comment and referred questions to ATF, who could not be reached Friday.

So far, only one of Campbells alleged accomplices has been charged in the incident: Leila Williams, 20, whose recent places of residence have been listed as Belen and Edgewood. She faces one count of shoplifting over $500. A warrant has been issued for Williams arrest after she failed to show up for court.

Employees of the Walmart on N.M. 344, just north of Interstate 40, declined to comment or answer questions from the Journal.

The incident report states Williams told authorities it began with a plan to score.

Edgewood Police responded around 8 p.m. when they were called to the store. Employees pointed out two men in the store, Campbells alleged accomplices, who had shoplifted the night before and asked police to cite them for trespassing.

As I was filling out trespass forms, I observed several Walmart associates begin running to the back of the building with fire extinguishers, an officer wrote in the incident report. I heard one of them yell there was a fire in the bathroom.

Thats when a customer told another officer that a woman was running with a shopping cart full (of) items that were not paid for. Police found Williams and another woman  later identified as Campbell  loading the stolen goods into a car outside.

As I was speaking to (Campbell), I observed people running out of Walmart and noticed smoke starting to come out of the grocery side, an officer wrote.

Police issued Williams a criminal summons for shoplifting and let the women go due to the priority of the structure fire, according to the report.

A Walmart employee told police she heard what sounded like matches or a lighter being struck in the bathroom stall next to her shortly before a fire sparked there.

Another woman told police she saw two boys pointing and laughing at the fire and when she asked if they thought it was funny, they told her it was funny because they did it, according to the report.

I asked her if she believed them, and she said she wasnt sure and thought maybe they were teasing, an officer wrote.

Police said security video showed two women  identified as Williams and Campbell  push a shopping cart through the toilet paper aisle as one ducked under the shelves and set two fires.

It was now evident that the shoplifters that we had stopped (were) the arsonists, an officer wrote.

The fire department said the blaze caused significant damage to the paper goods aisle along with several adjacent aisles. A smaller fire started in the bathroom trash can had been quickly extinguished before damage could be done.

Police said Williams mother told them she hadnt spoken with her daughter  who she said was homeless, had been on drugs for several years and lost custody of her child.

Police spoke with Williams when she was arrested Nov. 29 and she told them the whole thing was Campbells idea, according to the report. She said the four were going to shoplift for drug money and Campbell brought a torch to cause a distraction.

Police said Williams told them she tried to get Campbell to stop lighting the fires but she wouldnt listen. She said afterward the group got angry at Campbell, who replied she was doing it for us so we can get high.

Williams told police she didnt know Campbells whereabouts. She said the two women met on the streets and said Campbell often lives in her car with her two children.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

One of Kelli Murphys most dramatic moments as a librarian occurred when she was managing Erna Fergusson in Northeast Albuquerque.

A visitor who was clearly in crisis had flashed a knife. While someone called emergency services, another library employee continued to talk with the man in an attempt to alleviate the tension.

It proved effective. No one was hurt  or even directly threatened  and the man ultimately left the library in what seemed like a calmer state.

It is not the kind of thing Murphy was specifically trained to handle when studying to be a librarian 20 years ago, but de-escalation skills are now part of the job.

You just kind of work through the situation, Murphy said.

Murphy started her career in an academic library but shifted her focus early on. She has now worked for the city-run Albuquerque-Bernalillo County library system about eight years.

She said her present position  managing the Main Library in Downtown Albuquerque  means serving a broad cross-section of the community, from families who live in surrounding neighborhoods and people seeking the on-site genealogy resources to those who merely want access to a printer or restroom.

I realized (years ago) public libraries are really more my thing just because its everybody, Murphy said.

The citys libraries are indeed active melting pots  even with a pandemic, the 18-branch system still recorded more than 800,000 in-person visits last fiscal year.

As busy, free and open spaces  often with hours running into the evening and on weekends  libraries face some inherent challenges. The Public Library Association even offers an hourlong webinar called Violence prevention in the public library, acknowledging on its website that libraries founding principal of welcoming everyone is wonderful but can also leave staff vulnerable to encountering difficult and sometimes dangerous individuals.

But Albuquerque officials say numbers show the city-run library system remains overwhelmingly safe.

The number of negative experiences going on, I think, is pretty negligible in the context of all the positive things, Assistant Public Library Director Mary Sue Houser said.

Across the network in March, for example, staff recorded 21 total incidents out of nearly 117,000 visits, according to data the city provided.

Libraries use the term incident liberally  it does not mean something that prompted a 911 call but instead encompasses any event employees deem worthy of documentation.

In two of the March cases, it was a client suffering a fall, according to the citys report. Another involved an animal that was not a service dog.

Officials also acknowledge that, as a highly accessible public place, the library is a microcosm of the larger community and can reflect the challenges happening beyond its doors, sometimes literally. In March, employees documented a theft and an attempted theft of vehicles catalytic converters, a tent set up on library property and an overnight dumpster fire.

The March report also shows three instances where employees had to ask a patron to leave due to an argument  two at the Central and Unser branch and one at Main  and one intoxication incident, also at Main.

Such unwelcome behavior recently prompted one library employee to complain to City Council President Isaac Benton. Bentons subsequent questions about library safety prompted city Arts and Culture Director Shelle Sanchez to publicly address the matter.

Weve seen a lot of issues in a lot of our public spaces, and this is something libraries are dealing with across the country, Sanchez said in a presentation to the City Council earlier this month. Its not specific to our city.

Sanchez presented the council years of data from three of the citys busier branches: Main, Central and Unser, and Erna Fergusson, located on San Mateo near Comanche. She noted that each is near a major public transit route.

Together in 2021, the three recorded 183 incidents, though a significant portion  about a quarter  were something of a pandemic-era anomaly, pertaining to enforcement of the indoor mask mandate and related public health orders.

Out of the 183 total incidents, 42 (23%) prompted a call for emergency medical services. But employees only summoned the Albuquerque Police Department for two, according to Sanchezs presentation.

Our staff is really good at dealing with a lot of different people with a lot of different needs in these spaces, and theyre very talented at bringing down the conflict (and) at really resolving things before they become a problem, Sanchez told the council.

To address problems at Central and Unser  which had more than twice as many incidents last year as Main and Erna Fergusson combined  Sanchez said the city brought in a different manager with extensive de-escalation experience. The city also put a portable toilet near the facility  an addition she said has solved a lot of the sites problems. Incidents have trended down over the last several months.

Benton said the recent discussions have demonstrated to him that library leaders are taking problems seriously. He said he believes libraries remain safe.

I wanted to be assured of that, he said. I like the answers that I heard.

Houser, who managed the Central and Unser branch before taking a division leadership position, said the city has worked to adjust to the problems it sees and respond better to the clients it serves.

Annual staff training sessions usually include a de-escalation lesson, and some library employees will attend a Bernalillo County-run behavioral health training in May, she said. Library leaders also have talked with Albuquerque Community Safety  the citys new public safety department using a non-police response for certain 911 calls about public intoxication, homelessness and more  and ACS now makes routine visits to some of the branches.

Since some who are homeless rely heavily on the libraries  including for computer and internet access they might not have anywhere else  Houser said a Health Care for the Homeless employee was once stationed at the Main Library through a contract arrangement with the city. It made a difference, as he worked proactively to sign people up for applicable services. The city now has budgeted to hire three new library-based social service specialists to replicate that success, though Houser said the program is still being developed.

In addition, she noted that Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery  a nonprofit providing peer support to those with mental health and substance abuse issues  even keeps office hours at the Central and Unser Library.

We serve everyone in our community, and some of those members of our community have some challenges, and they know that this is a safe space to come to, and a place to get resources and get assistance, Houser said. And  we treasure being in that role. I think we see it as our mission to be of service.

Officials also say that the pandemic  during which the local libraries were open all but a few months  may have magnified problems, as the libraries continued basic operations but halted the kind of group programming and other special events that foster some of the most positive interactions. Events have since resumed.

Houser said libraries are the most democratic institution in the country and emphasized the public in the title of public library.

If you spend time in our libraries, you see that its a very positive, safe, welcoming space that serves the entire community, she said. And there really is nothing else like it.
Beijing reports 55 new local COVID-19 cases

Xinhua) 11:28, May 02, 2022

BEIJING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Beijing reported 51 locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and four asymptomatic cases between 3 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday, local authorities have said.

A makeshift hospital located in Xiaotangshan Township in the capital's northern suburb was put into use on Sunday, and has received 12 patients, Li Ang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, told a press conference on Sunday.

So far, 40 medical staff, including eight doctors and 30 nurses, are treating 12 asymptomatic cases and patients with mild symptoms in the makeshift hospital, Li added.

Beijing on Sunday classified one area as a high-risk area and six others as medium-risk areas, bringing the total number of high-risk areas in Beijing to seven and medium-risk areas to 28.

Gene sequencing of 158 infected samples collected since April 22 showed there are currently two transmission chains in Beijing, said Pang Xinghuo, deputy head of the Beijing municipal disease prevention and control center.

"Most of the newly infected cases were found among personnel under closed-off management, and a small number of infected cases were found through community screening," Pang said.

Nearly 22 million samples were collected during the third round of citywide nucleic acid testing in Beijing from April 29 to 30, in which eight tubes of mixed sampling for COVID-19 were found positive, according to Li.

He added that two more rounds of nucleic acid testing would take place in Beijing between May 1 and 4.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
When Teja reached Bengaluru, the customs officials took him into custody on April 27. (Representational Image/ DC)

Vijayawada: Vijayawadas unholy links with drugs menace came to the fore once again, on Sunday, with arrest of the worker of a courier service in Bharati Nagar, Vijayawada, by the customs officials of Bengaluru.

According to reports, Guttula Teja of DST courier, Bharati Nagar, was arrested after seizure of a parcel with his Aadhar number. Teja told the police that one person from Sattenapalli of Guntur district -- now Palnadu district -- came to the courier office on January 31, 2022 and handed over a parcel.

He had said his Aadhar card number was not visible clearly and asked me to use his Aadhar card to send the parcel, Teja told the investigating cops.

The Aadhar card copy is used for sending parcels through courier. On record, Teja, a resident of Prasadampadu, Vijayawada, sent the parcel with his Aadhar card number as proof.

Teja claimed that he was innocent and one person by name Kondaveeti Gopi Sai of Sattenapalli, of Guntur district gave the parcel to be sent abroad.

ACP, Vijayawada central zone, Khadar Basha, said the parcel contains 4496 grams of banned drug of Ependrine. It was sent to an address in Australia but it instead went to Canada. The parcel came back to Bengaluru where the customs officials noticed that it contained the banned drug.

DST courier has asked Teja to go Bengaluru and get back the parcel.

When Teja reached Bengaluru, the customs officials took him into custody on April 27.

ACP Khadar Basha said three teams were formed to investigate the case. One team went to Sattenapalli to identify one Kondaveeti Gopi, who gave the parcel to Teja at a courier office in Vijayawada. One team was sent to Bengaluru to investigate the case. The third team was sent to Hyderabad to investigate the details from the courier agency.
SPEED CAMERA TICKETS WONT WORK: Thats the sentiment of several readers after Albuquerque announced the first of 10 cameras  some at fixed locations, some mobile  are now issuing warnings and go live May 25.

Kevin McKeown emails tickets dont work. They never work. Recall the knuckleheaded woman who racked up $76,000 worth of red-light camera tickets?

The city revealed in 2011 there were around 150,000 unpaid camera tickets from the 2005-2011 program. In 2012 vendor Redflex Traffic Systems hired a collections agency to go after millions of dollars of unpaid fines. In 2016 Redflex, Creditwatch Services and others reached a tentative $3.5 million settlement agreement in a class-action lawsuit over robocall collection tactics. And in 2019 the City Council voted to write off $21 million in unpaid fines.

TAKE THEIR CARS: Kevin says what will work is confiscation of the offenders vehicle and jail. Take their toys away, like mom and dad do. How about barricades, leaving no escape for offenders? Sadly, there are thousands of these idiots in Albuquerque. I live near Trumbull and Wyoming, which is a big venue for racers. (April 24) around midnight they were really going at it. One can hear the loud mufflers, screeching tires and revving engines for miles across town and see the tire donuts the next day.

MAKE IT COUNT AGAINST INSURANCE, LICENSE: Retired Albuquerque police Sgt. Dan Klein says in an email to seriously change driving habits, the speed cameras should be written into the traffic code for the state or city ordinance for Albuquerque. Why wont the mayor and council do this? They say cameras will change driving behavior, but they wont count against insurance or points on a license. If you want to impact driving behavior, these citations must be counted against their drivers license and count against their insurance. This also gives the driver a chance to contest in Metro Court and not at some kangaroo court set up in the City Clerks Office.

Traffic cameras are the future and the future is now, he adds, but the politicians arent taking it seriously. Why wont they make these changes to traffic statute and city ordinance?

SPEEDERS MAKE THE CITY LOOK BAD: Meanwhile, Paul Schmolke of Santa Fe shares hes glad to finally see some positive action on the speeding problem in Albuquerque. I frequently drive on Montgomery.  Im hoping this will help slow things down a bit. Its not only dangerous but embarrassing when Im out with guests. The Montgomery situation especially really makes Albuquerque look bad to out-of-towners.  Perpetrators should have their cars impounded and (be) sent to jail.

RACING CRACKDOWN LOOKS GOOD: And after last weeks column on law enforcement writing hundreds of tickets for street racing/spectating racing, Paul says, I understand that traffic enforcement is overwhelmed. Its a big city with many miles of streets, thousands of drivers and currently around 1,000 policemen working different shifts. Im guessing there arent more than around 300 officers out there at any given time and many are occupied with other than traffic enforcement. If they can sustain their enforcement efforts Im sure it will have a beneficial effect on the problems  Ill hope for that.

AND WE WANT MORE: Pauls email ends with now if we can get a similar response from the traffic enforcement people in Santa Fe itll be a positive reflection on our community. Cerrillos Road is Santa Fes version of Coors regarding the loud cars and racing.

And Mar adds, I live in the area of Spain and Tramway. I can hear the cars racing along Tramway at night. Is this area on anyones radar?

The city and Albuquerque police have shared they will be factoring in resident complaints as they determine where to locate the cameras and their live enforcement.

In response to the input, Valerie Hermanson, the citys Vision Zero coordinator, says speeding is touching every corner of our community, demanding change now. Were taking needed action while also accounting for important equity concerns. The speed camera program is a way to make a real change in widespread speeding that doesnt require suddenly saddling a large amount of people with new criminal charges or points on their license that can have disproportionate effects on disadvantaged communities. APD and prosecutors will continue to focus their efforts on criminal speeders, while the new safety cameras help to influence better driver behavior. By phasing in speed cameras throughout the city, were taking a data-driven approach to traffic safety, and learning from that data to build a program that will get the best results for Albuquerque.

Meanwhile, under the revamped program the city says citations that go unpaid/without completion of community service will be sent to collections, eventually affecting the individuals credit.

Editorial page editor DVal Westphal tackles commuter issues for the metro area on Mondays. Reach her at 823-3858; dwestphal@abqjournal.com; or 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109.
PHOENIX  Phoenix police say a man was shot after charging at an officer while wielding a machete.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon in south Phoenix near the intersection of 19th and Southern avenues.

Officers were actually in the area on an unrelated call when they received reports of a man with a machete in an open field.

They located him and ordered him to put the machete down. However, they were not able to communicate with him because the man only spoke Spanish.

Officers say he then walked into traffic.

An officer used a stunbag shotgun several times but the man was not affected. They say an officer then fired on him with a handgun when he began advancing toward him.

Officers administered first aid until firefighters arrived.

The man was taken to the hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition. No others were injured.

Police have not identified him. The police shooting is under investigation.
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell was banned from Twitter for a second time after attempting to use a new account to access the social media platform.

Lindell set up a new account Sunday on Twitter under @MikeJLindell. The account was quickly suspended.

Twitter said Monday that Lindells new account was permanently suspended for violating its rules on ban evasion.

Lindells original Twitter account was permanently banned in January 2021 after Lindell continued to perpetuate the baseless claim that Donald Trump won the 2020 U.S. presidential election. At the time Twitter said that it decided to ban Lindell due to repeated violations of its civic integrity policy.

Lindell, a Trump supporter, has continued to insist that the presidential election was rigged even after U.S. President Joe Bidens administration had begun.

Trump has also had his account permanently suspended by Twitter. The former president posted on Truth Social, his own platform, on Thursday. He had not made any appearance on the platform, save for one quick post before the platform was opened to the public in late February. He has said that he has no intention of rejoining Twitter even if his account is reinstated following Elon Musks agreement to buy the social media giant for roughly $44 billion.

While it remains to be seen if Musk will reinstate accounts that are banned on Twitter, the Tesla CEO calls himself a free speech absolutist who believes in allowing any content that doesnt run afoul of the law.
FLORENCE, Ala. 

Authorities on Monday continued the hunt for an extremely dangerous murder suspect and issued an arrest warrant for the Alabama jail official they now believe helped him escape.

Inmate Casey Cole White, 38, was shackled and handcuffed when he and Vicky White, the facilitys assistant director of corrections, left the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Florence, Alabama, on Friday morning. They have not been seen since, although the patrol vehicle that the pair used when leaving the detention center was found at a nearby shopping center parking lot after their absence was discovered.

Authorities have no idea where they are, although the inmate should be recognizable by his size. He stands 6 feet, 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall and weighs about 260 pounds (118 kilograms). Authorities warned that anyone seeing the pair should not approach them.

We consider both of them dangerous and, in all probability, both individuals are armed, U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said at a press conference Monday. He noted that Casey White will stand out because of his size, even if he has changed his appearance.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Monday that they had issued an arrest warrant for Vicky White, 56, on charges of permitting or allowing an escape. She is not related to Casey White, who was serving a 75-year prison sentence and awaiting trial on a capital murder charge.

Vicky White told co-workers she was taking him to the courthouse for a mental health evaluation. But Singleton later said no such evaluation was scheduled. She also violated a policy that required more than one official to be involved in transporting inmates, a rule that officials emphasized for White because he had previously tried to escape, Singleton said. The sheriff said video showed the pair left the jail and went straight to that parking lot.

We know she participated, whether she did that willingly or if she was coerced, threatened somehow to participate, not really sure. We know for sure she did participate, Singleton said.

Casey White, as youve heard me say over and over and over is an extremely dangerous person and we need to get him located and get him off the street, Singleton said.

Casey White was serving time for a string of crimes that included attempted murder, robbery and burglary. While in prison, he had confessed to the 2015 stabbing death of a 58-year-old woman, authorities said, which caused him to be brought to the Lauderdale County jail for court proceedings. The sheriff said they believe White plotted an earlier escape from the jail in 2020 when they found a makeshift knife.

He could face the death penalty if convicted of the capital murder charge. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 for information.

Singleton said Vicky White had been an exemplary employee and jail employees are just devastated. This is not the Vicky White we know, by any stretch of the imagination, the sheriff said.

Vicky White had planned to retire and Friday was to be her last day. He said she had sold her home about a month ago and talked about going to the beach.

The sheriff said they had no leads at this point on where the two are located.

If we knew where they were at, we would be there and not here, Singleton said.

As an assistant director for corrections, Vicky White moved throughout the county detention facility and had multiple opportunities every day to be in contact with any given inmate, the sheriff said. Her job duties also included coordinating transport of inmates.

Vicky Whites mother, Pat Davis, told WAAY she was in shock and scared for her daughter.

As a mother, I didnt know how to act because I thought at first it was a mistake. And then when I found out for sure it was, it was just disbelief, says Pat Davis. She told the station that we just want her back and found it difficult to believe her daughter would help an inmate escape.

Shes never done anything, I bet shes never even had a speeding ticket, Pat Davis said.

Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said he was also shocked. He last spoke to Vicky White on Thursday about transporting an inmate with a broken ankle to get medical care, and nothing seemed unusual.

She is somebody I would have trusted with most anything. She was one of those people you could call if you needed something to happen at that jail. She was the go-to person, Connolly said.

The U.S. Marshals Service said anyone with information about Casey Whites location or Vicky Whites disappearance can call the service at 1-800-336-0102. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the U.S. Marshals Tip App.
WASHINGTON  A federal jury on Monday convicted a New York Police Department veteran of assaulting an officer during the U.S. Capitol riot, rejecting his claim that he was defending himself when he tackled the officer and grabbed his gas mask.

Thomas Webster, a 20-year NYPD veteran, was the first Capitol riot defendant to be tried on an assault charge and the first to present a jury with a self-defense argument.

Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before they convicted Webster of all six counts in his indictment, including a charge that he assaulted Metropolitan Police Department officer Noah Rathbun with a dangerous weapon, a metal flagpole. The assault charge alone is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, although sentencing guidelines likely will recommend a significantly shorter prison term.

Webster, 56, testified that he was trying to protect himself from a rogue cop who punched him in the face. He also accused Rathbun of instigating the confrontation.

Rathbun testified that he didnt punch or pick a fight with Webster as a violent mob attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, disrupting Congress from certifying Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election victory over then-President Donald Trump.

Two jurors who spoke to reporters after the verdict said videos capturing the officers assault from multiple angles were crucial evidence rebutting Websters self-defense argument.

I guess we were all surprised that he would even make that defense argument, said a juror who spoke on condition of anonymity. There was no dissention among us at all. We unanimously agreed that there was no self-defense argument here at all.

Another juror, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said Websters self-defense claim just didnt stack up.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is scheduled to sentence Webster on Sept. 2.

Websters jury trial was the fourth for a Capitol riot case. The first three defendants to get a jury trial also were convicted of all charges in their respective indictments. A judge decided two other cases without a jury, acquitting one of the defendants and partially acquitting the other.

Webster, who wore a mask in court, showed no obvious reaction to the verdict.

Were disappointed, defense attorney James Monroe said after the verdict, but we recognized from the beginning that folks here (in Washington, D.C.) were quite traumatized by what transpired on Jan. 6. And I think we saw some of this expressed today.

Prosecutors asked for Webster to be detained, but the judge agreed to let him remain free until his sentencing. Hell continue to be monitored with an ankle bracelet. The judge said it was a close call whether to jail him immediately but noted that he has complied with current conditions of release and doesnt have any prior convictions.

Webster drove alone to Washington from his home near Goshen, New York, on the eve of the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a U.S. Marine Corps flag on a metal pole when he approached the Capitol, after listening to Trump address thousands of supporters.

Webster said he went to the Capitol to petition lawmakers to relook at the results of the 2020 presidential election. But he testified that he didnt intend to interfere with Congress joint session to certify the Electoral College vote.

Rathbuns body camera captured Webster shouting profanities and insults before they made any physical contact. Webster said he was attending his first political protest as a civilian and expressing his free speech rights when he yelled at officers behind a row of bike racks.

The body camera video shows that Webster slammed one of the bike racks at Rathbun before the officer reached out with an open left hand and struck the right side of Websters face. Webster said it felt as though he had been hit by a freight train.

It was a hard hit, and all I wanted to do was defend myself, Webster said.

Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain.

After Rathbun struck his face, Webster swung a metal flag pole at the officer in a downward chopping motion, striking a bike rack. Rathbun grabbed the broken pole from Webster, who charged at the officer, tackled him to the ground and grabbed his gas mask.

Rathbun testified that he started choking as the chin strap on his gas mask pressed against his throat. Webster said he grabbed Rathbun by the gas mask because he wanted the officer to see his hands.

Rathbun reported a hand injury from a separate encounter with a rioter inside the Capitol. 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 faced counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer using a dangerous weapon; civil disorder; entering and remaining in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and engaging in an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.

Webster retired from the NYPD in 2011 after 20 years of service, which 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 more than 245 of them have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. More than 100 officers were injured.

Two other defendants testified at their trials. Dustin Byron Thompson, an Ohio man who was convicted by a jury of obstructing Congress from certifying Bidens presidential victory, said he was following orders from 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.

Two riot defendants didnt testify at their trials before jurors convicted them of all charges, including interfering with officers. One of them, Thomas Robertson, was an off-duty police officer from Rocky Mount, Virginia. The other, Texas resident Guy Wesley Reffitt, also was convicted of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump nominee who acquitted Martin of all charges, also presided over a bench trial for New Mexico elected official Couy Griffin. McFadden convicted Griffin of illegally entering restricted Capitol grounds but acquitted him of engaging in disorderly conduct.
The New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute evacuated all 197 patients on Monday morning as the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire raged toward Las Vegas.

The National Guard began helping the state-operated psychiatric hospital evacuate patients around 1 a.m.

Some patients will be moved to the State Veterans Home in Truth or Consequences and the Fort Bayard Medical Center in southern New Mexico, according to the state Health Department.

I want to thank our staff for their commitment, courage and compassion, said David Scrase, acting Health secretary. Many of our caregivers live in the area that burned and many still dont know if their homes are still standing  still, they put their patients first.

Officials issued mandatory evacuation orders for the Luna and Cinder areas of Las Vegas on Monday morning.

Residents in the areas of Creston and Bibb were told to be ready to evacuate. Las Vegas city councilor Barbara Perea Casey said that the winds were horrendous yesterday.

The hotels here are all full, Perea Casey said. This morning they recommended that if you were being evacuated to go to the Glorieta Baptist Assembly.

Luna Community College, which is serving as a headquarters for several disaster agencies, is in an evacuation zone. Casey said those teams are sheltering in place.

Operations sections chief Todd Abel said Monday that the fire made a very big run on Sunday night, which pushed the blaze close to Bradner Reservoir and the United World College.

Crews are putting fire lines west of Las Vegas.

We have crews in there working on doing what we call a firing operation, where theyre actually removing the fuel between the fire and that line to make sure that fire doesnt want to make a hard run and get over that line, Abel said.

The fire has burned more than 120,000 acres and is just 20% contained.
WASHINGTON  Jill Biden said she is heading to Romania and Slovakia later this week to visit with Ukrainian families who fled for their lives after Russia invaded their country in hopes of sending the message, despite language barriers, that their resilience inspires me.

The White House announced late Sunday that the first lady will spend Mothers Day meeting Ukrainian refugees, most of whom are women and children.

The May 8 meeting will take place in Slovakia. Biden is scheduled to depart Washington late Thursday on a five-day trip that will also take her to Romania. Both countries share borders with Ukraine, which has spent the past two months fighting off Russias military invasion. Romania and Slovakia also are NATO members.

She discussed the trip Monday while touring a costume exhibit at New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, saying she would spend the U.S. holiday dedicated to honoring mothers with Ukrainian families who have been displaced by Russian President Vladimir Putins war.

As a mother myself, I can only imagine the grief families are feeling, said Biden, a mother of three. I know that we might not share a language, but I hope that I can convey, in ways so much greater than words, that their resilience inspires me, that they are not forgotten, and that all Americans stand with them still.

The trip will mark Bidens latest show of solidarity with Ukraine.

Nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded its smaller neighbor on Feb. 24, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Many have resettled in neighboring countries or relocated elsewhere in Europe.

Throughout the trip, Biden will also meet with U.S. service members, U.S. Embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers and educators, the White House said.

After arriving in Romania on Friday, she is scheduled to meet with U.S. service members at Mihail Kogalniceau Air Base, a U.S. military installation near the Black Sea.

The schedule then takes her to the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Saturday to meet with government officials, U.S. Embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers and educators who are helping teach displaced Ukrainian children. The first lady will travel to Slovakia to meet with staff at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, the capital.

On May 8, Biden will travel to Kosice and Vysne Nemecke in Slovakia to meet with refugees, humanitarian aid workers and local Slovakians who are supporting Ukrainian families that have sought refuge in Slovakia.

She plans to meet with members of Slovakias government on May 9 before returning to the United States.

President Joe Biden visited with Ukrainian refugees during a stop in Poland in March.

The trip will be the first ladys second overseas to represent the United States by herself, following her journey to Tokyo last year for the opening of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games. The trip also will mark her latest gesture of solidarity with Ukraine.

Four days after Russias Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Biden appeared at a White House event wearing a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, Ukraines national flower.

She also invited Ukraines ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, to sit with her during President Bidens State of the Union address in March and had a sunflower sewn into the sleeve of the cobalt blue dress she wore for the occasion.

Jill Biden spoke Monday at the Met about fashion as a means of communication. She said she had the sunflower applique sewn onto the cuff of her dress because she knew the only thing that would be written about her for the presidents big speech was what she wore.

And that night, sitting next to the Ukrainian ambassador, I knew that I was sending a message without saying a word, that Ukraine was in our hearts and that we stood with them., she said.
New Delhi: Gujarat legislator Jignesh Mevani Monday alleged that his arrest by the Assam Police was a pre-planned conspiracy "designed" by the Prime Minister's Office to "destroy" him ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

"My arrest is an act of 56-inch cowardice and it has undermined Gujarat's pride," Mevani told reporters in an apparent attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi using his 56-inch chest assertion.

Addressing a press conference here after he was granted bail by an Assam court, Mevani announced he would take to the streets and ensure a Gujarat Bandh on June 1 seeking action against those behind the leak of 22 exam papers, the recent recovery of "Rs 1.75 lakh-crore" worth of drugs from Mundra Port, and to press for the withdrawal of all cases against Dalits registered in in Una and against minorities

"My arrest by the Assam police was a pre-planned conspiracy. It was in blatant disregard to protocol and rules for an MLA, Mevani told reporters.

It is my charge that this is a conspiracy designed by the Prime Minister's Office. Gujarat elections are due soon and this is being done to destroy me. I fear that there is every chance that by now they may have planted something on my computer which has been seized by them, he also said.

He also asserted he will fight all cases against him in court, but demanded all cases against Dalits in Una and minorities in his Vadgam constituency be taken back as was done in the case of the Patidar community members during their pro-quota agitation.

He also demanded the paper leak cases be investigated by a Special Investigation Team and the Mundra Port operator be investigated in the case of seizure of drugs.

"Otherwise, we will take to the streets and launch a Gujarat Bandh on June 1," he announced.
Dance is not just an art, it is a power to express, feel, love, laugh, and forget all the worries. Dance has always been a way to make someone feel good. From ancient times, it is said to be an art form that is sacred and has deep meaning. There are hundreds of dance forms in the world. Every year on April 29, International Dance Day is celebrated around the world to highlight its value and revel in the diversity of the art form. On this day, India Fine Art Council Presented World Dance Day with Bollywood ace choreographer Sandip Soparrkar.

Ameesha Patel congratulated Sandip Soparrkar for this beautiful initiative. She said, Sandip Sir is my Guru, he has taught me Latin and Ballroom Dancing which gave me immense confidence. He is a very good teacher and I am honoured to be his student.

Actor Ratan Pratap hosted the one of its kind dance events at Club Illusion Andheri, which was attended by many Bollywood celebrities. The evening started with enthusiastic Bollywood actress Ameesha Patel and Sandip Soparrkar brilliant performance followed by Sandip Soparrkar, Shanthi Priya, Hiten Paintal, Bhavna Pani, Amit Dolawat, Roopal Tyagi, Rohit Verma, Shalini Bhargava, Aman Maheswari, Jassi kaur, Krishna Bharadwaj, Neha Mehta and Smiley Suri presented different classic Latin and Ballroom dances.

While talking to the media Sandip Soparrkar said, World Dance Day is a very special day for all dancers and I am thrilled that so many of my star students showcase their skills on this occasion and the presence of my dear student Ameesha Patel adds more value to what we are celebrating.
Authored by Chandan Bagwe, Founder and Director, C Com Digital

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on different sectors has been a hot subject of discussion for the last few years, and with great reason. It has constantly prompted curious minds to dig deeper and discover how it can be leveraged to assist humans in the most appropriate ways. AI has already charted its territory in several fields such as robotics, medicine, and customer services, among others. Now, its high time for search engine optimization (SEO) to benefit from this wonder.

Find out from the guide below how AI will influence the future of SEO and what digital marketers can do to integrate these latest technologies to stay on the top of their game.

#1 Amplifying visual content for SEO will gain importance

As per Sam Mallikarjunan, the Head of Growth, HubSpot Labs, SEO will be significantly influenced by visual content in the near future. AI has turned search engines intelligent enough to understand how to evaluate visual content, particularly in cases of videos. Google not only favors YouTube videos, but the emergence of AI has made it possible for the search engine to showcase the most relevant videos. This transition will change the scenario for visual content creators. The way content writers had to evolve and learn to use target keywords, meta descriptions, and meta tags, visual artists will have to consider SEO when creating content like videos and images.

#2 Optimize your website for mobile and voice search

If you are considering SEO for just web browsing on computers, rethink your approach. A Google study indicated that 40 percent of searches now take place on mobile. If marketers are not taking measures to reach their audience on mobile, they are missing out on a quarter of their potential customers. Whether your brand is prepared or not, search engines have created the pressure to make sites more mobile-friendly. A positive impact of this mobile shift is that it offers new opportunities for brands to market.

On the other hand, the rise of mobile usage has surged the demand for voice searches. Google Now, Siri, and Cortana have become our virtual assistants of all our demands. This, in essence, changes things for SEO. Rather than typing best burger outlet in Mumbai, an iPhone user will simply dictate Siri to call the nearest pizza outlet for me. Voila! The call gets connected. The AI-based search identifies that a user is seeking something specific and hence, waits for the user to complete the query. Now is the time to level up your SEO game with regard to voice searches, too, because that is the way things are going to transform.

#3 Quality is the new ranking weapon

AI-powered search engines are equipped to identify and sidestep weak content with poor readability and high bounce rates. This means SEO marketers are required to put extra effort into curating valuable and relevant content that a user would actually notice. So, unlike earlier days when keyword density held more importance, things like content relevance, value, and context will take over as ranking factors. Gone are the days when you could write a blog post surrounding one keyword you picked from your keyword research. Now, its about drafting a series of blog posts revolving around a concept related to that keyword. By doing so, you will prompt Googles AI, RankBrain, to understand the niche you are in and slim down your competitive pool, so you will have a better chance of ranking and garnering traffic.

#4 More focus on niche-specific keywords

Some keywords have a broad spectrum, which means they can be easily used for different niches. Search algorithms have a limited capability of categorizing the content as per the niche and oftentimes, the user ends up getting results that are not relevant to the query. Here is where AI comes into play. With deep understanding and content evaluation, search engine crawlers are not just going to analyse the keywords in the content but also examine the entire draft to ensure if the query and content match. This is going to be a major turning point.

To sum it up

Not long ago, AI was simply a sci-fi concept that would get brushed under the carpet. Today, AI-powered tools are getting as common as SEO tools and leveraging them together will enable us to push the scenario of marketing into infinite reach. These developing technologies will push marketers to build elaborate strategies that involve different types of content, tools, and devices into the equation.
LOreal Paris returns to the Festival de Cannes to celebrate 25 years as an official partner. A landmark anniversary for the worlds leading beauty brand, LOreal Paris will once again honour one promising female short film director in the second annual edition of the brands signature Lights on Women Award program. The winning film will be chosen from the Short Films Competition and La Cinef's selection at Cannes. This year, the Award will be presented in person by Academy Award-winner, LOreal Paris spokesperson and Juror, Kate Winslet, at the Jeune Cinema dinner on May 27, 2022. For this milestone year, LOreal Paris will also welcome its iconic family of spokespeople to Cannes, who will walk the red carpet on the brands behalf and come together to celebrate an inclusive and empowered vision of beauty. To mark the occasion, an exclusive anniversary dinner with the LOreal Paris family and friends of the brand will be hosted to pay tribute to the 25 years of partnership on May 18, 2022.

The LOreal Paris Family Returns to Cannes

From across continents and cultures, the LOreal Paris spokespeople in attendance at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival will include iconic actors and actresses who embody beauty in all its diverse forms. Among them are:

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

Leila Bekhti

Gemma Chan

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Viola Davis*

Elle Fanning

Aja Naomi King

Katherine Langford*

Eva Longoria

Andie MacDowell

Camille Razat

Nidhi Sunil

Kate Winslet*

These exceptional individuals of different backgrounds reflect the diversity of LOreal Paris customerswhatever their age, whatever their originand uphold the feminist values at the heart of the brand.

25 Years of Beauty Expertise, Glamour, and Innovation

As Official Makeup Artist to the Cannes International Film Festival since 1997, LOreal Paris is proud to continue to support the world of cinema, bringing whats new in beauty to the film industrys most significant global gathering. This year the brand will host 30 makeup artists from around the world, led by LOreal Paris creative genius Val Garland, to create unforgettable makeup looks throughout the duration of the Festival.

Delphine Viguier-Hovasse, Global Brand President, LOreal Paris, says, Twenty-five years at Cannes is an incredible milestone. Throughout this historic partnership, we have always aimed to bring our brands beauty expertise to the forefront of the Festival, while also honouring the best cinematic talent from around the world. This years Lights on Women Award will continue to break down barriers and encourage talented female filmmakers to achieve their dreams. As we look ahead to the next 25 years, my hope for the future is that this kind of award wont even be necessary, as women who make cinema continue to take their rightful place in the industry.

Lights On Women Award: Reshaping the Film Industry Through Recognition and Visibility

The global film industry has historically underrepresented women, both in front of and behind the camera, with only 17% of women in directorial positions on top-grossing films, and only 25% working in key behind-the-scenes roles[1]. Further amplifying LOreal Paris message of self-esteem and empowerment, the Lights on Women Award is a unique recognition that offers the winner financial support of up to 20 000. The final awards selection will be determined and announced by Academy award-winner and LOreal Paris spokesperson and Juror, Kate Winslet, who will attend the prize ceremony at the Jeune Cinema dinner in person at Cannes on May 27, 2022.

Actor Kate Winslet adds, The Lights On Women Award plays a vital role in bestowing much needed praise on todays female creatorswomen who are much too often passed over for their male counterparts in this industry. The sheer beauty and force of last years inaugural film moved me to tears, and I am honoured to play a part in continuing this important program, which offers a pathway for women in film to propel their careers forward.

2021 Reminder: Lights On Women Awards Inaugural Winner

Aleksandra Odic from Germany took the top honour for her 22-minute film, Frida, from the 11 selected short films, depicting an encounter between a young nurse and her patient. In recognition of her accomplishment, Odic received financial support from LOreal Paris.
LinkedIn, the worlds largest professional network, has today launched Space For You, a new brand campaign running across India and the UK. The campaign celebrates how LinkedIns members are increasingly asking questions, looking for guidance and wanting to connect with other members to discover what works for them and their careers today during these fast-changing and uncertain times.

With the pandemic prompting many people to think deeply about what they want from their careers and work-life, LinkedIn research found 82% of professionals in India suggesting they plan to move jobs this year, with the top reasons being for a better work life balance, more money and greater career ambitions.

LinkedIn worked with VCCP London to mastermind the creative for the new brand campaign which launches with a 60 second film produced by creative agency The Glitch for India. The film is directed by Student Emmy award-winning short-film director Sahirr Sethi who was also part of the visual effects production team for the highly acclaimed film, Life of Pi. The creative is brought to life through the medium of an ever-expanding table that represents how LinkedIn is a universal, communal space for everyone.

The film begins around a desk as a young woman ponders her career pathways, but is soon joined by an entire community of fellow professionals who too are navigating their future. As more and more people pull up chairs and even additional tables to join her, the film reflects how LinkedIn celebrates every kind of career  from creators to entrepreneurs and corporate professionals among others. Space for You shows how an entire community can be born from one table and one idea. As the lead protagonist walks across the ever expanding table, she watches a diverse set of people engaged in their unique professional element and also shares chai with one of them. As she finally finds a like-minded tribe and pulls up her chair to chat with them, the film draws to a close with the hero strapline: Find your space on LinkedIn.

Ngaire Moyes, Vice President, Communications and Brand, International, at LinkedIn said: The pandemic prompted many people to rethink what they want from work and life, and weve seen that first-hand on LinkedIn as people have reached out to their community for help and support as they consider whats next for them. Were committed to fostering a sense of community for our members, inspiring them to open up, talk, help, and support each other. With Space For You, we wanted to shine a light on how our professional community can help people discover whats next for them, and how LinkedIn is a space where they can connect with diverse people and spark conversations about their careers. Wherever your career is right now, there is always a space for you on LinkedIn.

Matthew Lloyd, Deputy Executive Creative Director at VCCP added: People are asking big questions about life and work. The need for a supportive, like-minded community to help navigate the way, is greater now than ever. We wanted to showcase the breadth of conversations and support you can find on LinkedIn, no matter who you are or what your career questions are. With LinkedIn as the universal communal space  a table  we show the platform as a place for honest conversations, human connections, speeches, statements, agreements, disagreements, or sometimes just a place to sit and listen.

Sunetro Lahiri, Vice President, Creative Services at Glitch said: Given how heterogenous Indian culture is, it was exciting to localize the metaphorical communal table by weaving in a rich diversity story that India could afford to own. With wildly diverse communities, interests & passions running across different spaces, the best part of this narrative was the canvas we could create while painting in the colorful strokes that Indian workforce experiences allow us to. And along the way we decided to create these magical capsules that showcase how the new realities of single parents, visible gender diversity, age, ethnicity, and geographies are no longer a barrier in the journey of connections. We wanted to create a reality where all this could happen, and where everyone truly has a space they can see themselves fitting in.

This campaign will be live for 4 weeks on TV across channels including the IPL (English and Hindi), English movie channels, OTT platforms Hotstar and Sony Liv, and digital platforms LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Spotify.
The traders assess that mango prices would go up because of the poor yield during the present season. (Representational Image/ DC)

Anantapur: The mango crop was having a poor yield this season, a situation further complicated by the strong winds and untimely rains, which caused additional damage to the existing crops in the region during the peak stage.

The Banganagipalli variety rules the entire season with its export quality in the Kurnool area and other parts of Rayalaseema region. They were hit by whirlwinds and storms. Some Rs 25 lakh worth of crop was damaged due to the storms in Pappampalli village in Kalyandurg mandal on Saturday night.

Farmers K Mahesh and Neelakantappa from Papampalli were in tears after they developed a mango orchard on 30 acres and the crop was at peak stage for harvesting. There was massive damage to the crop due to heavy rains. Similarly, the crop was hit in Putlur mandal due to the storms.

In the YSR district, about 300 hectares of mango orchards were hit due to whirlwinds and storms in Sundupalle mandal on Sunday evening.

Horticulture official Naga Malleswara Reddy said the existing mango crop was badly damaged following the sudden change in climate. The farmers incurred huge losses in many parts of the region.

The traders assess that mango prices would go up because of the poor yield during the present season. The Totapuri ( Bengaluru) variety and limited stocks of other mangoes were available in the retail markets. Normally, the Banganipalli variety rules the entire season. The prices may go up due to the present shortfall and the demand for the variety in the markets across the country, official said.
NODWIN Gaming, one of the worlds leading esports company and BACARDI are bringing Indias happiest multi-genre music festival  BACARDI NH7 Weekender  to Delhi through a one-of-a-kind City Takeover show. The festival will take place on May 6 (Friday), 2022, at the capital citys busiest mall - DLF Avenue, Saket. Tickets for the Delhi show are available on:

DLF Avenue, Saket: https://insider.in/bacardi-nh7-weekender-delhi-2022-may6-2022/even

Delhiites can look forward to making new memories with their loved ones and be swept away with live performances by independent artists like Lush Lata and Nucleya. This music fest promises a magical start to the weekend inviting people of all age groups to come in and enjoy experiences that includes a specially curated drinking experience for the youthful Delhi crowd, fun and interactive photo ops, and of course, an evening packed with good music and good vibes!

"We are excited to bring Nucleya and Lush Lata to Delhi which is also the home city of NODWIN Gaming. We can't wait to usher in the weekend that is going to be packed with good food and mind-blowing performances by some of India's most popular artists, to be enjoyed in the company of loved ones. Weve pulled all stops to ensure that our venue is completely hygienic, and the audience feels safe, said Akshat Rathee, Co-Founder & Managing Director, NODWIN Gaming.

We are extremely excited to bring the spirit of Indias happiest music festival - BACARDI NH7 Weekender to Delhi this weekend. We have received a great response from the other cities and are overjoyed to be able to come on-ground and express ourselves with our fellow Delhites. We always keep consumers at the heart of everything we do, and with our city take-overs we strive to bring newer avenues for our audiences to do what makes them happy again! Ashish Jha, Brand Manager, BACARDI India

BACARDI NH7 Weekender successfully concluded its main festival in Pune on March 26-27 followed by its City Takeover shows in Jaipur and Hyderabad on March 11-12, Goa on April 2-3 and Bengaluru on April 15-16. Additionally, BACARDI NH7 Weekender will be coming to Kolkata on Sunday, May 08 and to Mumbai on Sunday, May 15, 2022.

BACARDI NH7 Weekender has prioritised all necessary safety and hygiene protocols and checks such as social distancing rules, vaccination certification, on-ground rapid tests (antigen), mandatory use of masks and sanitizers, temperature checks, etc., to ensure fans enjoy the live experience in a safe atmosphere.

So, go ahead and grab your tickets now!

For more information, follow the BACARDI NH7 Weekender social media channel on Instagram @nh7dotin.
Harpic, the World's No.1 toilet cleaner brand, launched its first-ever commercial in Myanmar. It strives to spread the message that everyone should have access to hygienic sanitation solutions. This campaign aims to change the behavior in ordinary households through the Doorstep Challenge.

In Myanmar, bleach is often the preferred toilet cleaning solution due to a lack of available toilet cleaning products. In contrast, bleach is not as effective as it cannot cling longer to the toilet surface and has a strong chemical smell, which means there is a better solution for toilet cleaning with a higher viscosity resulting in the toughest of all stain removal, killing 99.9% of germs and without pungent smell. The second message focuses on preventing Covid-19, and cleaning is crucial in the fight against the virus, protecting homes and families during this difficult time.

Mr. Rohit, General Manager of Thailand & Indochina from Reckitt said, Our objective is to contribute to the creation of a healthy environment. Families in APAC lead very different lifestyles. Living a healthy lifestyle begins at home, with healthy food and sanitation.

Currently, we are working in Myanmar to prevent the spread of germs by maintaining the cleanliness of toilets and bathrooms. Many of our brands such as Dettol, Harpic, Strepsils, Durex, and Shieldtox contribute to protecting society during these tough trying times.

Through bacteria-free toilets, we can reduce illness transmission and ensure a healthy life and community through better hygiene practices.

Sheetal Pritmani, the CEO of GRIP DIGI CO.LTD, said, "Harpic has been a global leader in providing access to clean and hygienic sanitation solutions for over 100 years. Our partnership with Reckitt is a significant opportunity for us.

For an agency, it is imperative that communications drive behavior change throughout the country. The most effective way to counter disruption is to lead it. We are hopeful that through this communication, consumers will adopt a new cleaning technique and a superior cleaning solution that will help to protect their loved ones. We are planning a few other activities in the next few weeks to take the brand deeper into the market."

Khin Mar Win@Winny, the Business Lead of GRIP DIGI CO., LTD said, Working on a successful global doorstep campaign was challenging and it came with a lot of responsibilities. We accepted the challenge and adapted the global campaign to local cultures and insights.

Harpic believes that its concentrated liquid formula makes a difference in cleaning toilets. And it helps Myanmar's people develop good habits when it comes to cleaning and ensures family hygiene, especially during a pandemic. As Harpic's launch in Myanmar nears, the team is eager to claim that Myanmar's superior clean toilet starts with Harpic. Now and in every household!

CREDITS:

Client: Reckitt

Product: Harpic

Campaign: Doorstep Challenge

Agency: GRIP DIGI CO., LTD

Creative: Anirudh, Yin Aye Nyein San @Gucci and team

Business: Khin Mar Win @Winny and team

Director: Num Dorsakun

Executive Producer: Zarchi Sawnai

Production House: Z Productions

Producer: Cho Cho Oo
Chicnutrix, the fastest growing womens wellness, nutrition and beauty brand in India, is delighted to announce its association with fitness icon, superstar, entrepreneur and yoga aficionado Shilpa Shetty Kundra as its official Brand Ambassador.

As a brand that has a holistic approach to wellness, beauty and nutrition, Chicnutrix aims to cement its commitment to womens wellness with pure, effective, and clinically proven best nutritional supplements for a healthy and happy lifestyle.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty)

Shilpa Shetty Kundras dedication to living a healthy, balanced lifestyle perfectly complements the brand's values and products for achieving wellness and beauty from the inside out. This association also marks the launch of Chicnutrixs new product, Indias first vegan, effervescent Chicnutrix Plant-Based Collagen Builder for skin rejuvenation with clinically proven ingredients that is dermatologist-approved.

This one-of-a-kind collagen builder has three unique blends for comprehensive skin support- Collagen Builder Blend, Cell Renewal Blend & Skin Protection Blend. 100% vegan and sugar-free, the Chicnutrix Vegan Collagen Builder comes in a delicious Blueberry flavor in an effervescent format. Its nutrition on the go and can be digested easily while being gentle on the stomach.

Speaking on the development, Shilpa Khanna Thakkar, CEO at Chicnutrix said, "With immense pleasure, we welcome Shilpa Shetty Kundra to our Chic Tribe. She is an inspiration for women across categories. We at Chicnutrix being a brand made for women by women, aim to cater to all age groups and categories. Who better than the iconic wellness guru to endorse our values and core philosophy. As a woman who herself is a firm believer in fitness and natural ingredients, she joins the brand with an authentic voice that helps spread this positive message of healthy living. With this association, we aim to amplify brand awareness across urban and rural markets to create many more captivating stories fuelled by pure, clinically proven, clean and convenient nutrition."

Commenting on her new role, wellness guru and Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty Kundra said, "Nutrition is the core to well-being. Our lifestyle today is such that it is difficult to keep up with all the nutrients and essentials required by a woman on a daily basis for her hair, skin and general well-being. One brand that does that for me is Chicnutrix. I have been using their products for a while, especially Bounce and Glow and now, it's an absolute delight to associate with them at a larger level. I have been fond of their communication and the fact that it is a brand by women for women, and I really like their approach to wellness and beauty through science-based nutrition. Its great to announce this association alongside the launch of my ultimate favorite- Chicnutrix Plant-Based Collagen Builder. I love how it makes my skin look healthy! As a fitness enthusiast, I believe in the saying that you are what you eat and that wellness and beauty start from within. I am extremely excited to embark on this partnership."

Shilpa Shetty Kundra will be joining ace fashion designer and actor Masaba Gupta, who is our nutrition BFF and brand ambassador for Chicnutrix.
Spotify India announced its new original audio series, Batman Ek Chakravyuh, a Hindi adaptation of the audio streaming platforms global audio series, Batman Unburied. The audio series premieres globally tomorrow, with 9 international adaptations, including the original English script.

The all-star cast for Batman Ek Chakravyuh includes Amit Sadh (as Batman), Sharib Hashmi (as The Riddler), Shweta Tripathi (as Barbara Gordon), Anangsha Biswas, Aseem Hattangady, Ashwin Mushran, Danish Hussain, Pooja Gor, Rajat Kapoor, Sarika and, Vrajesh Hirjee. Bringing David S. Goyers creation to life in India is Mantra Mugdh, the director of the audio series.

Batman Ek Chakravyuh has been specially created for our local listeners and establishes new frontiers in audio storytelling for India. It brings an all-time favourite Super Hero to millions of listeners in India. Through our partnership with Warner Bros. and DC, we have the unique opportunity to take Batman deeper into the market. Today, 1 out of 4 Spotify users in India listens to podcasts, and we hope that this spine chilling soundscape masterpiece, which tells the transcendent story of the one and only Bruce Wayne, brings his fans to Spotify, said Dhruvank Vaidya, Head of Podcasts - India, Spotify.

It has been absolutely thrilling to take on the mantle for a superhero such as Batman, that too in audio and with Spotify. You can expect nothing short of an epic, cinematic audio thriller, the likes of which India has never heard before. Voicing Batman was an experience in itself and I am glad we get to show our audience a re-imagined caped crusader, said actor Amit Sadh.

I am a fan of David Goyer's Batman films and his tight plot brings out the different shades of Batmans story so well. To have the opportunity to portray Barbara Gordon in the audio series written by him is truly special. Barbara Gordon is such an inspirational firebrand, a go-getter who knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get that. It has been a fun experience voicing her in Batman Ek Chakravyuh. said actress Shweta Tripathi Sharma.

Batman Ek Chakravyuh is a psychological thriller that takes listeners on a new journey deep into the mind of Bruce Wayne, introducing a slew of dark twists and turns with a number of classic Batman Super-Villains. When audiences meet Bruce Wayne he is a forensic pathologist, working in Gotham Hospital and tasked with examining the victims of The Harvester, a gruesome serial killer preying on Gotham Citys citizens. Not only will Wayne be forced to face his own mental demons, but he will also have to overcome them to save the citizens as his alter-ego, Batman.

Catch the sublime double act of good versus evil as Batman Ek Chakravyuh takes listeners on a journey where the characters inhabit the mind and linger long after the tale is over - only on Spotify. Listeners can also stream the English version of the podcast featuring Winston Duke as Bruce Wayne surrounded by an A-list cast that includes Hasan Minhaj, Gina Rodriguez, Jason Isaacs, and Lance Reddick.

The audio series premieres globally today with 9 international adaptations, including the original English-language script for the US, and localised versions developed for India, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, and Mexico. Batman Unburied will be the first project to debut as part of Spotify's global multi-year agreement with Warner Bros., and DC. The partnership will leverage DCs vast library of iconic characters in new Spotify podcasts to unite fans around the world in an unforgettable audio experience.
Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has called for a comprehensive plan to interlink ponds with canals and feeder channels to overcome the shortage of water in the next five years.

The CM held a review meeting on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, rural roads and drinking water, with deputy chief minister for panchayat raj Mutyala Naidu and senior officials at his camp office here on Monday.

Jagan Mohan Reddy laid stress on interlinking of ponds with canals especially in Kadapa and Anantapur districts to mitigate the shortage of water. He asked officials to expedite construction of buildings for RBKs, digital libraries, village secretariats and village clinics and asked them to display the photograph of Navaratnalu programme on every building.

He said that the construction of buildings should not be delayed or stopped. He underscored the need to upload bills pertaining to job scheme and their payment and asked the authorities to appoint a special officer in Delhi to take a follow up activity to get the bills cleared by the Centre.

He said that construction of four categories of buildings should be completed expeditiously.

With regard to YSR Jala Kala, the CM called for the setting up of a rig in all 175 assembly segments in the state and to provide a borewell, a motor and pipes to each farmer.

The officials informed the CM that, so far, 13,245 borewells were dug with a spend of Rs 4.50 lakh for each. The CM asked the officials to remit the amount for drilling the borewells through Direct Benefit Transfer mode to the beneficiary farmers. Farmers having less than five acres of land should get free borewell while those having five to 10 acres will have the drilling of borewell done free of cost.

Jagan Mohan Reddy called for display of photographs of works taken up under Nadu-Nedu pertaining to education, health, roads and RBKs at village and ward secretariats. He laid stress on providing drinking water on a priority basis at Jagananna Colonies under Jal Jeevan Mission in coordination with the Centre and NABARD.

The CM felt the need for proper management of solid waste by proper maintenance of village sewers and collection of garbage, and asked the officials to ensure there is no stagnation of drainage water or dumping of garbage on village roads.

He called for completion of all works taken up under solid waste management by October. The officials informed the CM that they would arrange two crore dustbins by October.

With regard to liquid waste management, the officials informed the CM that 46 liquid treatment plants would be constructed and 632 de-sludging machines made available for use across the state.

The CM called for entrusting the responsibility of maintenance of bathrooms in schools to the school headmaster and to the concerned panchayat secretary.

Meanwhile, the officials informed the CM that they have initiated special measures to overcome shortage of drinking water in the summer season and said an action plan was prepared, which will be effective up to July.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said special arrangements were made to supply drinking water especially in Godavari districts where salinity was the problem and also in uranium affected areas in YSR district as also Prakasam, Palnadu and Chittoor districts.
This aspiring dictatorship is getting desperate and dangerous.

Imagine having complete control over America's corporate news propaganda arm and still feeling vulnerable when it comes to "securing the narrative." Imagine having all the Big Tech censors working for the U.S. Intelligence Community, and the masters of disinformation are still unsure whether they can amply manipulate American opinion. Imagine dedicating a year and a half to persecuting anyone who questions the legitimacy of the 2020 election and learning that more Americans than ever now view that monstrosity as tainted by fraud. Imagine shamelessly spinning the Capitol breach into an attempted coup d'etat only to find that half the country believes that the federal government is in the business of imprisoning political protesters. Imagine spending six years framing Donald Trump as a Russian spy; putting him in constant legal jeopardy with a rogue, Democrat-aligned special counsel investigation; impeaching him for the financial corruption of his political opponent's quid-pro-quo schemes in Ukraine; and then impeaching him a second time for the crime of free speech in a congressional operation designed to prevent him from ever running for elective office again  only to learn that he is the runaway favorite to win the 2024 Republican presidential primary and handily beating the current occupant of the White House by six points.

When propaganda, domestic espionage, malicious prosecution, blackmail, and an organized terror campaign of burn-loot-murder mayhem directed against ordinary Americans fail to subdue the citizen population, what do aspiring totalitarians do next? That's right, friends, come on down: it's Ministry of Truth time! The same Department of Homeland Security that has never had any interest in securing the homeland (come right over, international terrorists and drug-runners, the border's wide open!) will now dedicate its malignant resources to censoring so much truth that only the government's lies can be heard! If you can't beat 'em in the arena of ideas, then beat them into submission with clubs, cut out their vocal cords, declare them "enemies of the State," and round up anyone still standing. It's the Deep State way!

The whole farce of setting up an all-powerful Department of Disinformation (whose only purpose will be to spread disinformation) would be downright comical if we were given a moment's rest to laugh in between the Biden regime's outrageous daily attacks on what's left of the Constitution. The First Amendment  right at the top, so no future tyrants could miss it  is obviously meaningless if government censors must first approve acceptable speech. By far and without equivocation, the most important speech deserving of protection from the treachery of government overreach is that speech that the government decries as disinformation! The First Amendment isn't there for the protection of cookie recipes and weather reports (although those are protected, too). It's there to make sure that when officials in the federal government betray their oaths and seize illegitimate power for themselves, there are opposing voices that can beat those usurpers down with words before violence becomes inevitable. In truth, the First Amendment is one of ten easy-to-understand, bold-faced instructions from our Founding Fathers to future generations of Americans that state as simply as possible  so that no one has any trouble comprehending their meaning  when the Republic's very survival is at stake.

"You future Americans," our Founders effectively declared, "are a free people with expansive liberty limited only by the few delegated powers explicitly written into the Constitution as exclusive duties of the three branches of the federal government. All other powers belong either to the respective states or to the people. Is that clear? If not, here is a convenient list of government limitations and guaranteed freedoms  although by no means a complete description of Americans' inalienable rights and liberties  that you must keep an eye on in order to ensure that your government does not descend one day into despotism and tyranny, as all forms of government inevitably do. We will call these the Bill of Rights, and if you catch your government abridging or striking down any of these basic American liberties, then it's time to act. Set forth in item number one, so you understand their importance to our overall design in protecting you from abusive government, are free speech, freedom of the press, the free exercise of religion, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. In case of emergency  e.g., a tyrant has risen to squash your freedom of speech  break glass immediately, for you are under attack! Now on to item number two..."

That's the First Amendment in a nutshell! It's the first and most important item on a ten-point checklist helpfully provided to aid Americans in determining when their government has lost all legitimacy. If the words we write today are illegal tomorrow, then peace and freedom are made illegal, too.

It has become quite clear that the Intelligence Deep State dictating U.S. policy is convinced that the Chinese communist model is ideal. The officers of the federal government have sworn oaths to defend the First Amendment but, instead, treat free thought and free expression as threats to their power. They do not respect dissent. They do not protect (as is their duty) unsanctioned political protest. They actively work with private companies to censor speech and opinion. They actively work with tech monopolies to manipulate public opinion and propagate blatant lies. They actively spy on the American people. They harass and intimidate those who have the courage of their convictions. They criminalize the constitutional rights of citizens and commit crimes under the color of their constitutional authorities.

Let me ask a simple question: will there ever be an end to these government trespasses? Is it truly possible for America to dip only a couple of toes into the police state pools without sinking into the depths of despotism? Can the government really cut the Chinese communist baby in half or select only a handful of new totalitarian tools to enforce upon the American people like some a la carte assortment of unconstitutional hors d'oeuvres? Of course not! There are no halfsies with totalitarianism. Once you toss out the First Amendment, the Constitution is soon dead-letter law.

If America is to survive, we must not misunderstand this serious moment. Americans must not let their freedoms slip away in silence. The Rubicon lies ahead, and the federal government must turn around before it's too late.

Those who would abuse their power can silence any one of us at any time, but they cannot silence all of us at all times. Do not go quietly.

Image: Mark Hillary via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
WARNING: This post contains spoilers for the TV series Ozark. Do not read if you are planning to watch the show or have not finished the second half of the fourth season.

Now that Ozark is finally over, there are so many articles and opinions and blog posts about it that it would be a full-time job to read them all. Like most people who stuck with the show through all its twists and turns, I look for headlines that interest me.

This morning I clicked on one that declared, "'Ozark's Ending Is Authentically Corrupt." I was expecting some musings about the nature of evil and how worldly success can be corrupting. To my surprise, the author fully embraced the idea that Marty and Wendy were successful because they had achieved wealth and power. The author's charge of corruption stemmed from the fact that the Byrdes are white. The author wrote

[T]he Byrde family ... were everything that their allies and foes weren't  white, American, economically stable, and in good standing with the law ... the Byrde family ended this series unscathed. Ozark ended with a rich, white family getting everything they ever wanted while everyone else pays the price for their greed. If that's not an American story, nothing is.

In other words, it's not thieving or killing that makes the Byrdes bad people. It's their white skins. As the author states, if that's not an American story, nothing is, at least America as it is today. However, there is an older story, the story of God and His relationship with mankind.

The Bible teaches us in Mark 8:36 that it profits a man nothing to gain the whole world and lose his soul. Ozark is a story filled with characters who made it to the top of their world by forfeiting their souls, and their color had nothing to do with their choices. Some of them were brown, some were white, but all of them had souls steeped in darkness.

Image: Ozark logo. Public domain.

As a Christian, I found it deeply ironic when Marty told his wife Wendy that, if he did decide to launder money for a Mexican drug cartel, their family would be good. That was the word he used. Good. What he meant by "good" was that there would be plenty of money to buy whatever material goods they desired. They had young children, and their idea of "good" was to provide whatever worldly things their children wanted. There was no thought of what God had said about such values or where such a path might lead  only the worldly benefit that comes from having millions of dollars.

The final scene of Ozark epitomized that warped vision of good. It was a scene that pitted Mel Sattem, a private detective, against the Byrdes when they were finally free of the drug cartel and about to resume their old life in Chicago. Marty and Wendy had attempted to buy Mel off with an offer of reinstatement to his old job as a police officer in Chicago after his investigation began to threaten their freedom.

That final scene happened because Mel thought bringing Marty and Wendy to justice was more important than regaining his old life. Unfortunately for Mel, the Byrde children were fully committed to their parents' criminal lifestyle. Jonah Byrde had been furious with his mother for killing her brother, Ben, yet in the end, Jonah chose to kill Mel even though it was Ben's murder that the detective had solved.

From a worldly perspective, the Byrdes won. They had everything that makes life worth living, with millions of dollars and major political power. From a worldly perspective, Mel lost. Like so many others, he died at the hands of the Byrdes. No doubt he was disposed of in the Byrde crematorium, and he was nothing more than white ash on the winds of heaven as the Byrdes flew off to enjoy their ill-gotten gains.

From a Christian perspective, the opposite is true. The Byrdes gained the world at the cost of their souls, and Mel lost his world because he chose to save his soul.

Pandra Selivanov is the author of The Pardon, a story of forgiveness based on the thief on the cross in the Bible.
One of the left's useful narratives is that Native Americans lived in idyllic, pastoral harmony, only to have this paradise brutally destroyed by the invading Europeans and their Christian God. There's some truth (some Native American tribes were peaceful and some Europeans brutal), but that's not important for the left. Angelic indigenous people and evil Whites are the core story for them. That's why it's intriguing to learn about the fate of 150 people whose skeletons were found in a cave in Mexico.

The skeletons were actually found a decade ago. Now, though, Guatemala's Institute of Anthropology and History has determined when and how these people died. It turns out that they were victims of human sacrifice around 1,000 years ago:

The police in 2012 weren't 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. 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.

CBS notes that these are not the only victims of sacrifice archeologists have found:

In 2015, archaeologists found the main trophy rack of sacrificed human skulls at Mexico City's Templo Mayor Aztec ruin site. That same year, artifacts found at the Zultepec-Tecoaque ruin site revealed evidence from when hundreds of people in a Spanish-led convoy were captured, sacrificed and apparently eaten.

According to another study that CBS cites, ritual sacrifice was a means of social control in developing societies. Well, yes, but there's more to it than that.



Image: The tzompantli illustrated in the 16th-century Aztec manuscript, the Duran Codex. Public domain.

Indigenous cultures in the Americas ranged from Stone Age prehistoric to something akin to pre-Christian pagan culture (think: the Aztecs and Mayans). They worshiped myriad gods tied to natural forces and existed in a state of almost continuous violence. As Steven Pinker explains in The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined, in prehistoric times, violence against the other was a necessary aspect of survival because resources (food, water, shelter, and women) were scarce and because the "other" was likely to kill you if you didn't kill him first.

Our human ancestors, writes Pinker, in every corner of the globe, were highly aggressive, something that may have come from our primate forebears. Stone Age tribes the world over lived in a state of constant warfare, something that Pinker describes in graphic detail, often ending in cannibalism or sacrifice to the capricious gods.

Europeans went through the same phases, but by the time they arrived in the Americas, something had changed, and that something was Christianity. The Europeans during the era of exploration maintained the cruelty and violence of pre-modern cultures, but what they had abandoned was human sacrifice.

The Jews, with the story of the binding of Isaac, were the first known group to conclude that their God opposed human sacrifice. For various reasons, the great pre-modern cultures in Europe and the Middle East (e.g., Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans) abandoned human sacrifice as well, preferring animal offerings to their gods.

Still, by the time Christianity came along, large swaths of Europe outside the reach of Rome still engaged in human sacrifice (e.g., the Celts and Germanic tribes). The genius of Christianity was helping these pagans understand that they no longer needed to make sacrifices because Christ was the ultimate sacrifice. It was syncretism at its finest.

When Europeans arrived in America, while they were cruel and violent compared to modern people, they had developed a revulsion toward sacrifice and cannibalism. And what the left doesn't want people to know is that many of the indigenous people in the Americas were grateful to get rid of those horrible practices.

Making this point is not the same as saying Europeans are superior and indigenous people inferior. It is, instead, that when two cultures meet, and one of them still functions at a Stone Age level, the culture that has evolved beyond human sacrifice and cannibalism is going to be appealing to the people who were the most likely victims of these practices.

Thus, indigenous people in the Americas were not only savvy people who allied themselves with various Europeans to gain an advantage against neighboring tribes, but many of them may also have willingly accepted Christianity rather than having it forced upon them. It's wrong to pretend, as the left does, especially when teaching our children, that the Americas were a paradise of innocent peace and beauty and that the European explorers were callous murderers who forced Christianity on these gentle Gaia-worshipers. As the skeletons in that cave show, the real picture is infinitely more complex and interesting.
God bless Tor Wennesland!

This Norwegian U.N. special coordinator for the Middle East peace process told the truth.

This is a rare quality among U.N. officials when it comes to getting to the heart of why there is no progress to peace with the Palestinians: they always point the finger of blame at Israel and never at the perpetrators of hate and violence.

Mr. Wennesland is a brave exception.

His report identified what really happened on the Temple Mount during Ramadan and Passover and pointed to the real perpetrators.

On 15 April, during the early morning hours, a large number of Palestinians gathered at the Al Aqsa compound. Some Palestinians threw stones, fireworks, and other heavy objects toward Israeli Security Forces. (snip) Several dozen Palestinians entered a mosque in the compound, with some continuing to throw stones and fireworks toward Israeli security forces.

Following a standoff with those inside, Israeli police entered the mosque and arrested those barricaded inside, but not without a fight.

"During the clashes," he reported, "some damage was caused to the structure of the mosque."

He went on to report that Israeli forces entered the Al Aqsa Mosque only after the rioting Palestinians had barricaded themselves inside.

And Tor Wennesland actually praised the Israeli police, who were only attempting to restore law and order so that thousands of Muslims could peacefully pray atop the Temple Mount as part of their Ramadan rituals, thus confirming what every Israeli watching TV news already knew: that Israeli officials had "reiterated their commitment to upholding the status quo and ensuring that only Muslims would be allowed to pray on the holy esplanade."

So no Jews with their "filthy feet" came to "desecrate Islam's holy places," as claimed by Mahmoud Abbas in a previous incitement. Instead, violent Arab rioters were desecrating their own holy shrines by using the Al Aksa Mosque as a weapons and explosive storage facility to launch attacks on law enforcement officers after pelting Jewish worshipers with dangerous missiles, thereby damaging religious property at the most holy sites for Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

Mr. Wennesland's report includes the fact that when Muslim dawn prayers ended around 6:30 A.M., hundreds of Palestinian youths began throwing rocks and fireworks stored in the Al Aksa Mosque at Jewish worshipers below the Temple Mount praying at the Western Wall.

Many were waving Hamas flags and chanted, "Death to the Jews!" There are photographs and video images to prove this to be true.



I-24 screen grab (cropped).

And when the police arrived to restore order, they barricaded themselves inside the mosque and began to launch explosive devices at the police outside, setting fire to property and trees.

Police entered the mosque only to quell the violence and arrest the attackers.

Tor Wennesland's report, together with the evidence, should be sent to the Western media who falsely portrayed the unfolding events to cast Israel in a bad light.

One example was CNN's Christiane Amanpour who pointed an accusatory finger at her guest, Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, by talking about "the rise of violence" by "settler terrorism" and accusing the Israeli police of "storming Islam's third most holy site," giving her viewers a false and blatantly one-sided narrative, shaking her head in denial when the prime minister responded by telling her, "There you go again, starting the story in the middle."

Why is it that news purveyors always give Israel a bad rap after we suffer losses from Palestinian terrorists and Hamas rockets?

What can we expect from the mainstream media in America that treat their own law enforcement like dirt, promoting the "Defund the Police" rioters?

Why should they show more sympathy for Israeli police trying to quell Arab riots and violence at the most holy place on Earth for the three main religions?

But this is the narrative we suffer from in Israel when Israelis are targeted for death by rioters and terrorists and our security forces are required to respond.

Have you noticed that when we respond to intense rocket fire, we do so "disproportionately," or there is a need to search through the rubble for "war crimes" or "crimes against humanity"?

There is, it seems, no humanity for dead Israelis, no war crimes for Palestinian rocket-firing terror groups, just as hundreds of dead black kids go unnamed and unmentioned by the mainstream media when they are slaughtered on the streets of Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore, and too many other communities in America.

America is caught in a problem that allows the dangerous and deadly to rule the streets. Why should they apply anything different to Israel?

When violence is appeased and excused by the information-providers and the blatantly biased, this is where truth and morality go to die.

Barry Shaw, The View from Israel.
We've been looking at this all wrong. We thought CRT was about changing the behavior of white people to be more inclusive, less racist, and more deferential to non-whites. We were naively and pathetically wrong. It's all about revenge.

Owen Strachan in his book, Christianity and Wokeness, has this shocking description of what the woke themselves say wokeness really means. Strachan writes:

Woke scholars and activists argue that the America of today is much like the America that formalized slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation. In addition, the average "white" person today is much like an intentional racist of the American past, whether or not they actually say or do anything traditionally identified as racist[.] ... The well-meaning "white" housewife ... who goes about her daily business, tries to be a good neighbor, and lives a quiet existence is not fundamentally considered a decent citizen by virtue of God's common grace. There is no common grace in Wokeness; there's just the righteous (the Woke) and the guilty (ordinary white people.) This housewife is not just a part of the broader unjust framework, though; according to Kendi and others, she is the very burning core of the problem. Even as she posts photos of her kids on Instagram, bakes pumpkin muffins in the fall and volunteers at her local homeless shelter, she is actually a "white supremacist." She not only participates in the collective problem; in a real sense, she is the problem.

Despite CRT, DEI, and all the other permutations of white-shaming racism, the perpetrators of these ideologies are telling white people, regardless of the lives they lead, that even if white people believe they are colorblind, the very notion of colorblindness is thoroughly racist and objectionable. They are saying that the honorable lives decent people lead are actually racist to the core by virtue of the white skin they live in. No behavior on their part will change the fact that all white people are worse than Jim Crow, worse than forced segregation, and worse than slave-owners. They are not redeemable.

It gets worse. Far more deceptive, says Strachan, is the idea that

though it [wokeness] announces itself to us in positive terms, telling us we should be for "racial equality" and "justice" and "unity", it conceals thunder. It is not a movement of unity at all, nor does it preach tolerance. In actuality, it saves its strongest firepower not for extraordinary offenders, but for ordinary men and women who live quiet, normal American lives. Such people, it turns out, are the true villains.

It cannot be overstated that the woke among us insist that the majority-white culture in America is evil at its founding and remains so, no matter what is done to reverse it. They say that Whiteness itself is evil no matter if the white people within the culture do no evil. They are evil because they are born white  "systemic racism." White people don't acquire racism; it is built into their DNA. This "privilege" cannot be fixed and so it should be eliminated forcibly. This is a seismically devastating worldview that allows no fixing, no redemption, no mercy, and certainly no equality. Wokesters do not want equality. They don't even want equity. They want revenge.

In 2017, a BLM organizer and speaker spilled the beans when she said:

All white people are racists. So, I put this up because I really want any white person in the room to know up front that this is what we're dealing with. That it's not going to be this coddling of white tears. And we're not going to discuss, "oh, maybe some of us are going to work it out." No, you're always going to be racist, actually. So even when you're on your path to trying to figure out how to be a better human being, I believe that white people are born into not being human[.] ... And that's what y'all are taught to do, be demons. So in this particular way, white people are all racists, so I just want y'all to know that up front.

She laughed during the delivery of this repulsive message that conveys the idea that white people have no chance of changing even if they wanted to. They are demons. No matter how many CRT and DEI courses they take, there is no redemption.

That raises some serious questions. Is the CRT movement really a diversionary tactic to lure its victims into a false sense of security via CRT and DEI training? If whiteness is something that cannot change and is evil at its core, why offer courses that purport to change the attitudes of white people? But perhaps it is not white attitudes they wish to change, but white status: let whites feel what we felt as slaves. Let them have everything taken from them. Let them be forbidden to speak. (Never mind that no one alive today suffered in this way. If anything, there are practices and prejudices mitigating against white people in hiring, mortgages, college enrollment, etc.)

Something sinister has been bothering me from the beginning about this toxic CRT being injected into the American bloodstream: there is only one purpose for telling people that they not only cannot change, but are not worthy of changing: retribution. Anti-white wokeness is not a call for unity or "anti-racism"; it is a call for dominance. This smacks of revenge, not comity. If the black/white issue goes away, large swaths of the woke culture dissolve, and race-hustlers go out of business. Better to claim that it cannot be fixed so that they perpetuate their raison d'etre.

News flash for the woke of all colors: red, white, and blue Americans, many of them young people, will not go quietly into the hellish gulag the wokesters have planned for us. In fact, we won't go at all. We are rising up, getting sharper. What is revealed is a fatal weakness  an Achilles heel: we have the Spirit of '76, of liberty, of freedom on our side, preparing us for the newest theater in the culture war. All they have is enmity and hate. We are raising up patriotic and godly leaders to turn the tide of virulent anti-white, anti-Asian, anti-Judeo-Christian racism. The woke are ill advised to underestimate the furious dragon, red in truth and claw, that is the roused American Spirit.

On second thought, let them underestimate us. Our victory will be even sweeter.

Image: Twitter screen shot.
Following the announcement of his "Disinformation Governance Board," Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas found himself scrambling to spin the hideous new speech enforcer, claiming it is not as Orwellian as any normal person would think.

Speaking with Fox News Sunday, he told Bret Baier:

This is a working group that takes best practices to make sure that, in addressing disinformation that presents a threat to the homeland, our work does not infringe on free speech, does not infringe on civil rights, civil liberties[.] ... It's not about speech, it's about the connectivity to violence. That is what we need to address. You know, an individual has the free speech right to spew anti-Semitic rhetoric. What they don't have the right to do is take hostages in a synagogue, and that's where we get involved.

Like any Biden administration official, he claimed that anyone who saw problems with this was responding to a "messaging" problem rather than a real problem:

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said "there's no question" he could have more effectively communicated the purpose of his newly-created "disinformation" board after critics framed it as a crackdown on free speech. Mayorkas said on "Fox News Sunday" that the Biden administration "could have done a better job in communicating what it does."

He also claimed that his choice for his rhymes-with-KGB board, Nina Jankowicz, was completely objective.

He meant her:

This is the new Biden administration head of Ministry of Truth, Nina Jankowicz. She is in charge of whats truth and fiction in America. Every time you think the Biden administration cant get more ridiculous, they do: pic.twitter.com/SKCaLafDzv  Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 29, 2022

Not one word of it is to be believed.

Baier did a pretty good objective-effort interview, but one thing he didn't mention was the strange timing of the DGB rollout.

It was right when Elon Musk decided to purchase Twitter in order to restore its free speech orientation. The left had an absolute meltdown about that, as leftists had benefited politically from Twitter's outrageous censorship practices, which were ongoing. The leftists of Twitter had shut down the president of the United States, who was guilty of nothing, on claims of preventing "violence," as well as America's oldest newspaper, the New York Post, after it uncovered a major news story about Biden family corruption based on the contents of Hunter Biden's abandoned laptop. Twitter at the time called it foreign "disinformation" and falsely claimed it was hacked rather than abandoned content, while in reality, their real aim was to benefit the 2020 presidential campaign of Joe Biden as an illegal in-kind donation, which they got away with.

The timing of this board has nothing to do with that? Yes, we know that the left has been bucking for more censorship on social media  as the case of the phony Democrat-linked Facebook whistleblower, Francis Haugen, signaled. But leftists didn't do anything until Musk announced that he would buy Twitter, and he had every intention of getting rid of its far-left censorship practices.

The DGB itself is designed in its mission to identify foreign disinformation, and then work with platforms (e.g., Twitter, Facebook, others) to supposedly undertake enforcement action. They will serve as a sort of Media Matters, dryly claiming that anything they don't like is "disinformation" and then expect social media platforms to act on it. They'll declare any claims of election fraud "Russian disinformation" and then tell Twitter and Facebook to ban anyone who shares that idea because he is, as Jankowicz liked to say in her Mary Poppins video, "laundering" that foreign disinformation.

That makes the Mayorkas claim that they won't be censoring Americans rather sketchy. No one sane is going to believe that.

The government not only orders the censorship of Americans all the time, as happened in the Obama era, but also spies on Americans. Think of how the Obama administration spied on investigative reporters Sharyl Attkisson and James Rosen. Think of how the Associated Press's emails were monitored. Think of how Carter Page and George Stephanopoulos were spied on by the Deep State. Think of the profligate "unmaskings" of Trump campaign officials. Think of how the Obama administration spied on Trump Tower and even Trump himself while he was at the presidential office. Anyone punished for those transgressions? They can't even punish the dishonest FBI official who altered documents to obtain a subpoena. Does anyone seriously think they won't keep the spying on Americans in the name of "disinformation" going strong?

Now let's look at Mayorkas's oh, so objective choice to head the panel. White House spokesweasel Jen Psaki calls her an "expert" and "well qualified," while Mayorkas himself expresses his full confidence in her "objectivity." The rest of us see a freak with an obsessive hate for Republicans.

The big problem with her is indeed her objectivity. Amid all those claims of expertise, based on her social media trail, she focuses solely on Republicans in her claims to be countering disinformation. She has never been focused on anything else. That may soothe leftist and Deep State circles, assuring them that their worldview is all correct, but the rest of us can see that she's out to get anyone with an interest in exposing election fraud, COVID fraud, corruption at Black Lives Matter, complaisance against Antifa, and other problems that boil and boil because the mainstream media have no interest in covering them. Mayorkas himself lies like a rug about the open-borders crisis.

One of his most disingenuous claims is that he claims to be concerned about cartels spreading information to would-be illegal aliens. How that should be any of America's business when his job is to enforce the border, not fine-tune the messaging of the cartels looking to make money from gullible people, who, if they get cheated, will stop patronizing as word gets around, is an open question. Since when has the open-borders champ, who sees every illegal crossing the border as an asylum claimant, ever been concerned about cartels at all?

It's all spin, and bad spin at that, because we know what this leftist government has already been up to  spying on Americans, targeting Republicans, and manipulating social media platforms to censor derogatory information about the ruling Democrats. All of these things have already happened and are still happening, yet Mayorkas persists.

Spare us your bee ess, Alejandro. Not a word you say is believable. Your crummy little censor-spies outfit is out in the open, and everyone knows what it's really about. Just shut it down.

Image: Twitter screen shot.
Even before the Ukraine war began, people were speculating that something was physically wrong with Putin. He looked puffy, not as if he'd gained weight, but as if he were reacting to medicines. Speculation escalated with recent videos showing him clutching a table and with a badly shaking hand. Now The Sun, a British tabloid, is claiming that Putin is going under the knife for a cancer operation, as well as suffering from Parkinson's.

As early as January 3, Britain's Telegraph paper was suggesting that Putin is seriously ill. The five pieces of evidence it reported were his puffy face; the excessive distance Putin kept from people, as evidenced by the long table between him and France's Macron, a possible sign of a weakened immune system; intelligence reports such as one that Marco Rubio alluded to, saying something was off about Putin; a Russian academic's claims that Putin has both cancer and Parkinson's; and Putin's sudden desire to force a conclusion over his claims about Ukraine, a possible sign that he wants the matter resolved before imminent retirement or death.

In March, Mundo Hispanico reported that Putin's puffy face indicated poor health. The article noted that Putin's face was noticeably puffy and reported on rumors that the puffiness was from steroids he was taking to treat cancer. Part of his warlike behavior, some speculated, could be 'roid rage.



Image: Puffy Putin clutching a table. YouTube screen grab.

All the rumors escalated about ten days ago, when Putin was interviewed and spent the entire interview clutching the table with his right hand, while he seemed to prop himself up in his chair. (Postural instability is one of the signs of Parkinson's.)

Recently, an interview was released of Putin, and there seemed to be some very interesting elements. His posture seems off, and he is gripping the table with his right hand for the entire meeting pic.twitter.com/kRN65jVqmR  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) April 21, 2022

Then, a week ago, a video was released showing Putin's right hand shaking uncontrollably before he hastily slapped it to his chest, stilling the movement:

Many suspected it after his weird meeting sign Shoigu, during which he held on to the table for 13 minutes.



This is probably the clearest video of something being wrong with Putins health.



Look at his leg & hand tremors!



Any doctor out there willing to weigh in?



Parkinson? pic.twitter.com/Vt0TpHtdrF  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) April 24, 2022

The Sun's report is the first that states that Putin's ill health isn't a matter of guesswork. It is, instead, confirmed:

VLADIMIR Putin is set to undergo an operation for cancer and will hand over power to his hardline spy chief, a Kremlin insider has reportedly claimed. The Russian tyrant's health has been source of considerable speculation amid reports that he is battling both abdominal cancer and Parkinson's Disease. But now it has been reported that 69-year-old Putin could soon vanish as he goes under the knife, with power transferred to Nikolai Patrushev. Shadowy Patrushev, 70, is seen as a key architect of the Ukraine war strategy and the man who convinced Putin that Kyiv was awash with neo-Nazis. The claim was reported on Russian media outlet General SVR, which first raised issues of Putin's health around 18-months ago. They quote an anonymous former high-ranking Kremlin military figure as saying: "Putin has discussed that he will be undergoing medical procedures."

As I understand it, it's not just steroids that may be responsible for someone becoming irrationally aggressive. Parkinson's disease can cause people to lose impulse control, and some people even become psychotic.

Currently, there's a lot of speculation about Putin's health, but there are few facts. We're certainly seeing extreme physical changes in him. Moreover, his decisions, even accepting his fear of NATO and long-term designs on eastern Ukraine, have seemed to be irrational from a man famed for cold calculation. I'm not expecting Putin's funeral any time soon, though. I remember that Fidel Castro lived several years after rumors about his illness and death started circulating.
The Department of Homeland Security has decided to create a "Disinformation Governance Board," Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated in congressional hearings held last week. Though Mayorkas attempted to link it to efforts to combat misinformation from human-smugglers and to counter Russian cyber- and election misinformation, no one really knows the extent of the board's mission. Mayorkas said, "We have just established a mis- and 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."

The name of the new government entity reeks of various totalitarian nations' attempts to control speech...as well as thought and behavior...and is mindful of George Orwell's fictional "Ministry of Truth" as depicted in his seminal book 1984.

The administration's choice of an executive director to head the board, Nina Jankowicz, has not inspired confidence in the integrity of the DGB, either. Jankowicz has historically been a staunch supporter of Democrats. And she believed that the shocking Hunter Biden laptop story was fabricated, part of a Kremlin influence operation. She has been wrong about numerous other things, as well, while seemingly labeling anything with which she disagrees as "disinformation."

A younger Jankowicz was also apparently ridden with sexual fantasies about Harry Potter, as evidenced by songs she apparently wrote and sang with another young woman while in a two-person "musical group" called "The Moaning Myrtles."

So, the question of the day is, who else should be on the Disinformation Governance Board under the peerless Jankowicz?

Perhaps Bill & Hillary Clinton? Adam Schiff? James Clapper? James Comey? Hunter Biden? Jussie Smollett? Pinocchio? Beelzebub?

Send in your recommendations now!

Image: Jordan L'Hote.
In January this year, Google started showing warnings when you open a potentially malicious or dangerous file in Drive. These warnings are also available when opening Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drawings. The company is now extending the feature to the file level. You will get the warnings if you open malicious Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides files on the web as well.

This file looks suspicious. It might be used to steal your personal information, the yellow warning banner reads. It appears at the top of the screen. If youre confirmed that the file is safe, you can dismiss the warning or simply ignore it and continue working. But if you arent confident about it, a Learn more button will let you find more details about whats potentially dangerous about that file and how it may harm you.

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Google strengthens the security standards of its Workspace tools

Online productivity tools like Googles Workspace suite have helped professionals and companies remotely continue the workflow in this ever-changing world of uncertainties. But using third-party services also increases the risk of cybercriminals accessing company data. To that end, the providers of these services regularly add new security measures to strengthen the overall security.

At Google Cloud Nest 2021 in October, Google announced its Work Safer program to provide companies with access to best-in-class security for email, meetings, messages, documents, and more. It rolled out Client-side encryption to Google Meet, having previously covered Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. The company also released Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for Chat in beta.

These warning banners are also part of Googles Work Safer program. Google Docs picked up this feature first, followed by Google Sheets and Slides late last year. Google Drive also joined the party early this year. The company is now extending it to the file level. However, its a never-ending battle with cybercriminals. Even as the security measures get stronger, cybercrime has hardly come down. But the work must go on.

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This feature is available to all Google Workspace customers, including legacy G Suite Basic and Business customers. The latest rollout began last week and should be live for all users should over the next couple of weeks regardless of whether they are on Rapid Release or Scheduled Release domain. Google says there is no admin control for this feature, and nor is there any end-user setting. Its on by default and works automatically across all supported Workspace tools and files.
(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 2 - Ecuador's Richard Carapaz is aiming for his second Giro d'Italia victory this month after winning the world's second biggest stage race after the Tour de France in 2019, his new team Ineos Grenadiers said at the presentation of the May 6-29 round-Italy classic which culminates on the iconic Marmolada peak before a run in to Verona on Monday.

Superteam Ineos are gunning for their third straight win in the Giro, which gets under way in Budapest Friday.

In 2020 young Briton Tao Geoghegan Hart won it for them while last year it was the turn of Colombia's Egan Bernal, who is unable to defend his title as he is recovering from a training injury.

Carapaz, who moved from Movistar to Ineos last year, will also be able to count on the experience he gained in placing third in the Tour last year and winning the Olympic road race in Tokyo.

He will be "fully backed" on this year's many Giro climbs by Australia's Richie Porte, 37, third in the Tour two years ago, Ineos said.

As well as Carapaz, this year's Giro also features two other riders who have already ended up with the winner's pink jersey: Vincenzo Nibali (2013 and 2016) and Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (2017).

But the first of the year's three grand tours (before the Tour de France and the Vueta a Espagna) will be without the three Slovenians who have won virtually everything in the last few years: Primoz Roglic, Tadej Pogacar and Matej Mohoric.

Also missing are young Belgian phenom Remco Evenepoel, recent victor at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, as well as veteran stars like Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Nairo Quintana.

Other opt-outs who have preferred to keep their powder dry for the Tour are Italians Damiano Caruso and Filippo Ganna, the latter of whom has impressed in time trials and 'in line' stages in recent Giros.

That leaves Carapaz, Nibali and Dumoulin as the bookies' favourites.

Meanwhile, Britain's Mark Cavendish will be looking to extend his 15 sprint wins.

After three initial stages in Hungary, the Giro will return to Sicily with a gruelling climb up Etna.

Saturday May 14 will be played out on the streets of Naples while the following day will see another stern mountain test from Isernia to Blockhaus.

After Abruzzo there will be more climbs in Romagna, followed by Emilia and Liguria, arriving in Genoa for stage 12 on May 19, when the race will remember the 43 victims of the August 14 2018 Morandi Bridge Disaster.

The riders will cross the spanking new San Giorgio Viaduct, the latest jewel in starchitect and Genoa native Renzo Piano's crown.

Another major stage awaits on Sunday May 22, with the Rivarolo Canavese-Cogne (177 km), the 'tappone' of the western Alps with several long climbs but without supersteep inclines.

May 24, on the other hand, will see stage 16 offer up 200km of pure suffering from Salo to Aprica including the fearsome Mortirolo.

The following day will see other mountaintop challenges, with the Ponte di Legno-Lavarone (165 km), staring out from the Passo del Tonale.

Then, after a couple of relatively easy stages, the grand finale is set for Saturday May 24 with the Belluno-Marmolada (Passo Fedaia), running 167 km for the classic Dolomites stage and the last uphill one.

Straining the riders' legs will be the Passo San Pellegrino (inclines over 15% after Falcade), followed by the Pordoi (Cima Coppi 2022) and the Fedaia.

After 14 years, the iconic Marmolada is once more the arrival point.

The day after, Sunday May 25, there will be a test against the clock around Verona for anyone left with anything in their legs, after which the man who has triumphed on the Marmolada will presumably be crowned. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 2 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has angered Israel by telling Italy's Mediaset television on Sunday that the fact Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish does not mean he isn't a Nazi, saying Adolf Hitler himself had Jewish roots.

Moscow has justified its invasion of Ukraine on the grounds that its neighbour must be "denazified".

On Monday the Israeli foreign ministry summoned the Russian Ambassador to Israel for a clarification on the comments.

"Foreign Minister Lavrov's remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error," said Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

"Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust.

"The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of antisemitism." Dani Dayan, the president of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, was furious too.

"The remarks of Russian FM Lavrov are absurd, dangerous and deserve of condemnation," Dayan said via Twitter. "Lavrov is propagating the inversion of the Holocaust - turning the victims into the criminals on the basis of promoting a completely unfounded claim that Hitler was of Jewish descent.

"Equally serious is calling the Ukrainians in general, and President Zelenskyy in particular, Nazis.

"This, among other things, is a complete distortion of the history and a serious affront to the victims of Nazism". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 2 - A campaign of civil disobedience by the 'Ultima Generazione' group continued on Monday when a contingent of its climate activists blocked traffic on a central street in Pavia.

The young protestors sat in the middle of the road with a huge banner and called on people to "join us" and "not get fossilized".

Eight of the activists were taken to the police headquarters in the city to be identified in relation to the demonstration.

Ultima Generazione said Pavia was chosen for the protest because the northern city is one of the most polluted in Europe.

It also referred to the drought that has hit northern Italy in recent months, which is linked to the climate crisis and has had a big impact in the area, causing serious problems for farmers in the province of Pavia and elsewhere.

The group called for new gas projects to be dropped and for Italy to increase its wind and solar power energy capacity by 20GW this year, with the creation of thousands of jobs to enable workers in the fossil-fuel sector to find more sustainable employment. (ANSA).


Biden's perilous Putin policy

By Mark Alexander

web posted May 2, 2022

A month ago, Joe Biden went to Europe to warn Vladimir Putin to get back in his box, or else. Fact is, the most sensible thing he said  that Putin "cannot remain in power"  was immediately walked back by his full-time team of "he didn't know what he was saying" record correctors.

His bumbling Brussels confab proved to be what we all knew it would be  another Biden failure. He even denied that sanctions were a deterrent, after two months of his entire administration's declarations that sanctions were a deterrent .

A month earlier, Biden had sent over his version of Neville Chamberlain's "peace for our time" appeasers, Tony Blinken and Wendy Sherman , to fix it, with equally predictable results.

Last week Biden sent Blinken back, along with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and this time they ventured across the border into Kyiv for a photo-op with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They led from behind by announcing that our embassy personnel would return from Poland to Ukraine, and Biden appointed a U.S. ambassador , Bridget Brink, a career Foggy Bottom bureaucrat, to the post that had been vacant since 2019. (We were rooting for ambassador Hunter Biden , since he has so much experience in Ukraine, but to no avail.)

Of course, they came bearing more gifts, including another $713 million in foreign military financial aid and $165 million in " non-standard ammunition ." According to Austin, "We want to see Russia weakened to the degree that it can't do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine." Or at least "weakened to the degree that it can't do the kinds of things" the Demos' Russian disinformation cabal falsely claimed they did with Donald Trump . (Please put them in jail!)

Officially, Blinken concluded : "Russia is failing, Ukraine is succeeding. Russia has sought as its principal aim to totally subjugate Ukraine  to take away its sovereignty, to take away its independence. That has failed."

For the moment.

Putin underestimated the tenacity of Ukrainians, both those in uniform and street resistance fighters. Evidence of their fighting spirit is displayed on billboards, including references to the sinking of his prize Black Sea fleet flagship Moskva (Moscow) in retaliation for the Snake Island attack. As you recall, the Ukrainian guards manning that small outpost responded to demands they surrender, "   ,    " ("Russian warship, go f*ck yourself," as noted on the billboard). Other billboards encourage street methods for fighting, like the use of Molotov cocktails. (Compliments to our friends on the ground in Ukraine for the billboard photos.)

Responding to Biden and Blinken's assessment, Putin is shutting off the gas lines to Poland (a primary weapons staging area) and Bulgaria until which time they pay in rubles  a measure to shore up the value of the ruble and to remind the EU they have struck a bargain with the devil.

EU President Ursula von der Leyen observed the obvious: "Unilaterally stopping delivery of gas to customers in Europe is yet another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail. This is unjustified and unacceptable. And it shows once again the unreliability of Russia as a gas supplier."

Memo to Ursula: Duh!

The good news is that citizens in the EU are getting a very rude wakeup call.

So, what's the current status of the Russian threat to Ukraine and NATO?

Despite weeks of hopeful predictions that Putin was in retreat after failing to take Kyiv , if that was in fact his objective, along with pulling back to refortify his position in the Donbas region on the Eastern Ukraine border with Russia, what is Putin's next move?

No question that the Russian dictator met more resistance than expected in Kyiv, but as all war strategists know, the best laid plans are compromised after the first shots are fired. However, the surge to Kyiv may have been a feint, a diversion, and the refocus on taking the Donbas region may be precisely Putin's strategy.

However, re-staffing our embassy in Kyiv is the right move, coming on the heels of the UK and other European countries, and finally affirming that the Biden administration believes that Putin might be stopped in Donbas. But the perils abound.

In December, I outlined Putin's Ukraine invasion strategy and rationale in " Putin the Tyrant v. Biden the Appeaser ." As I noted then (and as a few media outlets are finally mentioning now): "Why does Putin want to retake Ukraine? One reason is the threat that Ukraine could eventually become a NATO country, providing a military staging ground on Russia's western front. But more to the point would be that on 22 February of 2014, after hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians rose up against Putin's puppet president Victor Yanukovych, occupying Kyiv's Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), Yanukovych was forced to flee back to Russia in what was a severe blow to Putin's power and ego."

Putin wants to restore his legacy.

Note that, as we anticipated, while the layers of economic sanctions being enforced against Russia are doing significant damage, Putin has also used the pain as a rallying point to bolster nationalist fervor, the model used by Adolf Hitler. However, on the other side of some negotiated victory, what are Putin's options now that Biden has accused him of war crimes and genocide ?

The Hoover Institution's Niall Ferguson writes in his assessment of worst-case scenarios : "Most conflicts end quickly, but this one looks increasingly like it won't. The repercussions could range from global stagflation to World War III."

Of those, the one we are most concerned about is the very real risk that a cornered Putin would utilize tactical nukes . (A tactical nuclear weapon is one specifically designed for battlefield use.) He may well be determined to demolish what he can't possess.

Remember that Ukraine is already the site of history's worst nuclear accident  the nuclear power plant core meltdown in 1986 at Chernobyl, which is located just north of Kyiv  so pilling on additional nuclear contamination is not beyond Putin's playbook.

Ferguson notes: "Biden and his advisers seem remarkably confident that the combination of attrition in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia will bring about a political crisis in Moscow comparable to the one that dissolved the Soviet Union 31 years ago. ... Those who prematurely proclaim Ukrainian victory seem to forget that the worse things go for Russia in conventional warfare, the higher the probability rises that Putin uses chemical weapons or a small nuclear weapon."

Further, he writes: "Those who dismiss the risk of World War III overlook this stark reality. In the Cold War, it was NATO that could not hope to win a conventional war with the Soviet Union. That was why it had tactical nuclear weapons ready to launch against the Red Army if it marched into Western Europe. Today Russia would stand no chance in a conventional war with NATO. That is why Putin has tactical nuclear weapons ready to launch in response to a Western attack on Russia. And the Kremlin has already made the argument that such an attack is underway."

On the other hand, as I have previously asserted , the scenario we find most appealing is this: The tidiest way to end Putin's dictatorship is for a member of his security or military detail to take him out. The more war and sanction-related civil unrest that emerges in Russia's major cities, the more likely a proud and heroic individual may impose that "regime change"  and that individual would qualify for a "Hero of Russia" medal.

Ferguson suggests the "combination of military and economic crisis precipitate a palace coup against Putin." He believes "the Biden administration is betting on regime change in Moscow." He concludes, "There is no doubt in my mind that the U.S. (and at least some of its European allies) are aiming to get rid of Putin."

The standoff is best summarized in an assertion by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: "NATO is, in essence, going to war with Russia through a proxy and arming that proxy." Of course, the same can be said of Russia, going to war with NATO through a proxy and attacking that proxy.

Clearly, one outcome of the Ukraine war is that our military footprint in Europe, which was receding, is now growing , with significant budgetary and military allocation implications.

All the hopeful predictions that Putin is on the ropes notwithstanding, it is actually Biden who is on the ropes as a result of his growing list of domestic and foreign policy failures. And make no mistake, Biden's handlers are making no moves without calculating, first and foremost, how those moves affect the midterm elections and the socialist Democrat Party agenda.

Biden's domestic political standing is so abysmal that he has now resorted to blaming his constituents for his own abject ineptitude.

They are not responsible for his failures, of course, but they are most assuredly responsible for putting him in a position to codify those failures, and the dire consequences are on them. What exactly did Biden voters think he was going to accomplish? A bustling economy? World peace? A restoration of dignity to the executive branch? Biden, and by extension our nation, is the laughing stock of the world.

Finally, as I have stated previously, Putin's " minor incursion " into Ukraine, as Biden framed it ahead of the invasion, is the direct consequence of a weak and inept commander-in-chief  one who was a foreign policy dolt long before he was elected. Power does not tolerate a vacuum, nor a feeble-minded appeaser . Consequently, Biden's weakness invited aggression.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 2 - President Sergio Mattarella said Monday that the war Russia started with its invasion of Ukraine should not lead to the severing of cultural ties between European peoples.

"A senseless war cannot throw into doubt the spiritual and cultural bonds that have been strongly woven in the world of Europe's culture over the centuries," Mattarella said during a meeting with the candidates for this year's David di Donatello Italian cinema awards.

"The Russian Federation's deplorable decision to use the brutality of violence and war cannot, and must not, sever those precious ties between European peoples that culture contributed to building and consolidating.

"Duty-bound indignation and condemnation certainly cannot regard culture, great spirits of the past and their works, which have given a great deal to the civilization of the whole world.

"It would be counterproductive for our Italy and our Europe.

Lacerating European culture would amount to supporting the logic of aggression." (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 2 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has angered Israel by telling Italy's Mediaset television on Sunday that the fact Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky is Jewish does not mean he isn't a Nazi, saying Adolf Hitler himself had Jewish roots.

Moscow has justified its invasion of Ukraine on the grounds that its neighbour must be "denazified".

"Lies such as these mean to blame Jews for the horrible crimes committed against them throughout history and by doing so, remove responsibility from their enemies," said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett.

On Monday the Israeli foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to Israel for a clarification on the comments.

"Foreign Minister Lavrov's remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error," said Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid.

"Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust.

"The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of antisemitism." Dani Dayan, the president of the Yad Vashem Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, was furious too.

"The remarks of Russian FM Lavrov are absurd, dangerous and deserve condemnation," Dayan said via Twitter. "Lavrov is propagating the inversion of the Holocaust - turning the victims into the criminals on the basis of promoting a completely unfounded claim that Hitler was of Jewish descent.

"Equally serious is calling the Ukrainians in general, and President Zelenskyy in particular, Nazis.

"This, among other things, is a complete distortion of history and a serious affront to the victims of Nazism".

Ruth Dureghello, the president of Rome's Jewish community, said Lavrov's comments were "nonsensical and dangerous" and said the most alarming thing was that they went unchallenged by the interviewer.

Adolfo Urso, the president of Copasir, the Italian parliament's intelligence system oversight body, said an inquiry had been launched that would involve hearings with broadcasters and communications authority Agcom.

"Lavrov's intervention has confirmed our concerns because of the way it took place and the mountain of fake news it piled up," Urso said. The row exploded amid controversy about a series of appearances on Italian TV by experts and journalists critical of Western support for Kyiv and calling for a soft stance with Moscow.

Indeed, a European Commission spokesperson on Monday said that Italian broadcasters must be careful after two Russian journalists on the sanctions list were hosted on TV talk shows.

"Hosting Russian journalists from media organs blocked by sanctions, such as Sputnik and Russia Today, must not circumvent EU sanctions against Russian propaganda on Ukraine," the spokesperson said.

"It's not a question of censuring opinions, but it is important that their backgrounds are contextualized.

"Furthermore, EU and member State broadcasters must not allow incitement of violence and hatred in the programmes". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 2 - Rome prosecutors on Monday appealed against a preliminary hearings judge's (GUP) April 11 suspension of the proxy trial of four Egyptian intelligence officers in the abduction, torture and murder of Italian student Giulio Regeni in Cairo in early 2016 on the grounds that they could not be located to be served notice of the proceedings.

Assistant Prosecutor Sergio Colaiocco asked the supreme Court of Cassation to quash the GUP's decision to suspend the trial after a Court of Assizes in Rome said in October the trial could not go ahead because the defendants had not been notified of its existence due to lack of cooperation from Cairo.

National Security General Tariq Sabir and his subordinates, Colonels Athar Kamel Mohamed Ibrahim and Uhsam Helmi, and Major Magdi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif, were on trial at the third Court of Assizes in Rome in mid-October when the judge ruled the trial could not proceed because they had not been served notice of it.

The family of Regeni, a 28-year-old Friuli-born Cambridge University doctoral researcher who was tortured to death in Cairo because of his politically sensitive research into Cairo street hawkers' unions, appealed on April 15 for help in finding the addresses of the four Egyptian security officers indicted in his killing.

"Help us find them," said the lawyer for Claudio Regeni and Paola Defendi, Alessandra Bellerini in a Facebook post in Italian, English and Arabic.

The photos of the four defendants - National Security General Tariq Sabir and his subordinates, Colonels Athar Kamel Mohamed Ibrahim and Uhsam Helmi, and Major Magdi Ibrahim Abdelal Sharif - were also posted.

In her ruling, the GUP ordered ROS special branch Carabinieri to carry out fresh efforts to track down the four, while Regeni's parents urged Premier Mario Draghi to intervene.

The next hearing in the case was set for October 10.

In Friday's Facebook post, lawyer Ballerini said: "These images portray: ATHAR KAMEL MOHAMED, Born in Egypt in 1968, holder of military identification document nr. 5/89; UHSAM HELMI, Colonel, born in Egypt in 1968, holder of military identification document nr. 270/1990; MAGDI IBRAHIM ABDELAL SHARIF, born in Egypt on 09.07.1984; "These three are accused of the kidnapping, torture and murder of Giulio Regeni.

"There is a fourth accused: TARIQ SABIR, born in Egypt in 1963, holder of military identification document nr. 791/1984/19, General of Police at the Department of Homeland Security, of whom we have no photo at the moment.

"We know who they are, we know their faces and we know how much harm they are capable of doing. Can you kindly help us find them? "We need their residential addresses to be able to process (sic) them in Italy. Help us find them. Let's not give them the chance to hide behind their arrogant cowardice once again and continue doing "all the evil in the world" with impunity.

"Anyone with news about them and their residential addresses should kindly contact the undersigned and I will protect the anonymity of any witness. Let's make justice win!" The GUP described the Cairo prosecutor-general's arguments as to why the defendants cannot be found as "wholly specious", adding that "the Egyptian authorities' refusal to cooperate is now a proven fact".

On October 10 the GUP will hear from the justice ministry's judicial affairs office chief Nicola Russo on possible developments after a statement sent by the Egyptians following a meeting on March 15.

Meanwhile Regeni's parents and many politicians, especially on the left, have protested a new gas deal with Egypt to help Italy cut its reliance on Russian gas amid the Ukraine war.

A justice ministry note issued for the April 11 hearing said there has been "no cooperation whatsoever" from Egyptian authorities on the case.

The note described the stance of Egyptian authorities as one of "total closure" on the researcher into Egyptian street-seller unions, who was tortured so badly his mother said she only recognised him by the tip of his nose.

Ballerini asked "Premier Draghi, sharing our indignation, to demand, without any ifs or buts, the defendants to divulge their domiciles" so they can be served.

"We take note of the justice ministry's failed attempts to obtain concrete collaboration from the Egyptian authorities and we are saddened and indignant at the response from the el-Sisi regime's prosecutor who is continuing to thumb his nose at our institutions and our legal system.

"Today was the umpteenth mockery." Ballerini said the Regenis were now hoping Draghi's intervention could help achieve progress in the case.

Italy has been trying to notify the four officers of their indictments in order for the case to proceed with their trial in absentia, which ran into a brick wall last year after Cairo refused to help locate them.

Regeni, whose research topic was a politically sensitive issue, was tortured for days, resulting in "acute physical suffering" by being subjected to kicks, punches, beaten with sticks and bats and cut with sharp objects, and also being burned with red-hot objects and slammed into walls, Rome prosecutors say.

His neck was then snapped in a fatal blow.

At various times Egypt has advanced differing explanations for Regeni's death including a car accident, a gay lovers' tiff and abduction and murder by an alleged kidnapping gang that was wiped out after Regeni's documents were planted in their lair.

Lack of cooperation on the case by Egypt led to Rome's temporarily withdrawing its ambassador from Cairo for a spell.

The Regenis have appealed to the EU for help in finding the truth about their son's slaying and have condemned continued Italian arms sales to Egypt including two frigates, as well as last month's new gas deal. (ANSA).


PARIS - Some 47 people were still detained on Monday after violence broke out during May Day protests in the French capital, the prosecutor's office said.



Footage and photos are being studied that were posted on social media that show a young woman hitting a firefighter who was trying to put out the flames in front of a shop and hitting him on the head.



The clashes began after the start of a procession from Place de la Republique, when groups of protestors set up barricades, broke windows and set rubbish bins on fire.



About 20 shops and restaurants were destroyed or seriously damaged including McDonald's as well as insurance companies, banks, and real estate offices.



The protestors threw objects at the security forces, who tried to disperse them using tear gas.



Immediately after the protest, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin spoke out against the "unacceptable violence" committed by "thugs", saying that eight firefighters and gendarme had been injured.



An independent estimate of participants in the procession put the number at 21,000.
REGGIO CALABRIA - The appeals trial for former mayor of Riace Mimmo Lucano will be held on May 25.



Lucano had been sentenced in September by the Locri court to 13 years and two months in jail as part of the Xenia trial regarding an investigation by the financial police into the 'Riace Model' and management of migrant reception services.



Lucano was informed of the trial, as were 17 other defendants, by the Second Section of the Reggio Calabria Court of Appeals.



Criminal association, fraud, embezzlement, forging documents and omission of duty were some of the charges that Lucano was found guilty of in his first trial.



The sentenced was appealed by his lawyers Andrea Daqua and Giuliano Pisapia, who in the reasons for the appeal wrote that the judges interpretation of the events was "far-fetched if not surreal".



The lawyers said that the Locri court under Judge Fulvio Accurso had wanted to "declare at any cost that the one responsible was Lucano" , whose aim was instead "only what is stated in the SPRAR handbook: reception and integration" and that there was no proof that Lucano had acted any differently.



The reasons for the appeal also stated that an "excessive use of phone wiretaps" had been used despite having been inadmissible as established by the 'Cavallo' sentence in 2020 by Italy's top court, which established that they can be used only in trials for which they have been authorised unless they are indispensable for the ascertainment of facts for which immediate arrest is required.



The Court of Appeal will also have to study the crime of criminal association and the charges for which the former mayor of Riace's sentence had been increased. The Locri prosecutor's office had initially asked for 7 years and 11 months in prison.




MADRID - The hackers that "infected" the cellphone of Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez using Pegasus spyware took over 2.7 GB of data from it, Spanish government sources told El Pais and other national media.



The attack occurred on two occasions in May and June 2021, Madrid added.



The Spanish government added that Defense Minister Margarita Robles's phone had also been infected with Pegasus in June 2021 and that 9 MB were taken.



A diplomatic crisis between Spain and Morocco marked by incidents such as the arrival incognito of Sahrawi leader Brahim Ghali and the arrival en masse of over 8,000 migrants in the Ceuta enclave, as well as the decision to grant a pardon to Catalan leaders sentenced to jail were among the most important events during the period in which Sanchez and Robles were spied on.



The media noted that Ghali arrived in Spain in April, while the migration crisis of Ceuta started on May 15.



The pardon for Catalan leaders was granted on June 22, though Sanchez had given a prior announcement of his plans to enact such a measure some days before.



In May 2021, there was the victory of Isabel Diaz Ayuso in the Madrid regional elections and the formation of the current Catalan government of Pere Aragones with an agreement between the independent parties Esquerra Republicana and Junts per Catalunya.



The minister for the presidency, Felix Bolanos, has said that his government prefers to avoid making any statements at the moment on the alleged case of spying.
BEIRUT - About 60 Syrian activists and dissidents have been freed in war-torn Syria as part of an amnesty announced on Saturday by Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).



SOHR confirmed and updated a total previously reported to ANSA by Syrian sources within the judiciary and lawyers for human rights in Damascus.



Previously, Syrian lawyers had published a preliminary list of about 20 activists and dissidents released, some of whom after a decade in prison and one of whom had been sentenced to death.



SOHR sources said that about 60 people had been released as of Monday in several regions in Syria under government control.



Human rights experts in Syria say that amnesty announced by Assad two days ago for Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting, is new compared with previous amnesties since it includes political prisoners detained on the basis of a controversial 2012 anti-terrorism law that was applied to repress political opposition and dissent.



The presidential decree N. 7 signed Saturday by Assad includes an amnesty for crimes committed before April 30.



The lawyer Muhammad al Abdallah on Monday morning published a preliminary list of 20 people who had been released, all of whom in prison for at least three and a half years and one had been jailed since the outbreak of violence in the country 11 years ago.



One of those liberated had been sentenced to death.



This amnesty does not cover those who have killed others.



Some lawyers, such as Michel Shammas, who has been in exile abroad for many years, say that this amnesty is an expedient by the central government and Assad to improve their image at home and abroad.



Other Syrian human rights advocates, such as Aref Shaal, who lives in Damascus, said that this amnesty partially differs from previous ones that had been decided by Assad over his years in power, since it also includes dissidents and activists and not only common criminals.




TUNIS - Tunisian president Kais Saied has announced the start of "national dialogue" that will not however include the political parties that he considers responsible for the political and economic crisis that the country is suffering from.



In a speech given for the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, Saied said that a commission would be "handling the national dialogue", a measure called for multiple times by the G7 countries and the EU after he took on special powers on July 25, 2021.



Four organisations will be taking part in the dialogue: the UGTT trade union, the Utica employers association, the Tunisian Human Rights League (LTDICA H), and the Bar Association.



This 'Quartet' won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015 for its contribution to a democratic transition in Tunisia.



On Sunday, the secretary of the powerful UGTT, Noureddine Taboubi, called insistently for Saied to set national dialogue in motion.



It said that it's "probably the last chance to bring national forces together" to avoid "the dismantling of the state and financial and economic collapse" of the country.



In his speech, Saied excluded any participation in the dialogue by "those who engaged in sabotage, who made people die of hunger, and who mistreated the population", in reference to parties that - like the Islamist Ennahdha - denounced Saied's "coup d'etat".



In a roadmap to get the country out of the political crisis, Saied has scheduled a referendum on constitutional reform on July 25, to be followed by parliamentary elections on December 17.



Saied said that the committee of experts tasked with drawing up a constitution for a "new republic" would soon complete its work.



In addition to the political deadlock, Tunisia is going through a serious socio-economic crisis and is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in the hope of getting another loan.
Comparing the Canadian and the American Right  updated to 2022 (Part Two) By Mark Wegierski

web posted May 2, 2022 In regard to immigration, Canada has received about a quarter-million immigrants a year  about 75% - 80% of them from non-European sources -- since 1988. The mass, dissimilar immigration began in the mid-1960s, but the total immigration since that time had been about 100,000 persons a year. Indeed, it had reached a mere 54,000 in Pierre Elliott Trudeaus last year in office (1983-1984). It was Progressive Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney who had raised it precipitously, where it has basically remained ever since. The population of Canada is now close to 38 million. Unlike the U.S., where there is some degree of criticism of mass, dissimilar immigration permitted, this is virtually a closed issue in Canada. Indeed, Justin Trudeau has raised immigration to the unprecedented levels of over 400,000 a year, in the next three years. Related to policies of mass, dissimilar immigration are policies of multiculturalism. Canada has been a pioneer in the area of multiculturalism  the city of Toronto today is probably the most diverse city in the world, with probably close to 200 groups represented. All levels of government (federal, provincial, and municipal) are required to support the cultural endeavours of ethnic groups, at least to some extent. Ethnic groups also claim absolute cultural self-determination, rejecting the earlier assimilation model. Multiculturalism today may really be called multiracialism, as it is visible minorities (a term officially used in Canada), rather than white ethnics such as Ukrainian-, Italian-, Portuguese-, and Polish-Canadians, who are overwhelmingly the focus of government, media, and corporate concern. Related to multiculturalism is employment equity (the Canadian term for affirmative action), which operates on behalf of the following designated groups  women, visible minorities, aboriginal peoples, and persons with disabilities  in all levels of government, as well as in much of the private sector. In one major pay-equity settlement, the Canadian Human Rights Commission (a quasi-judicial tribunal) ordered the Federal Government to pay about $3.5 billion (Canadian) to women working or formerly working for the Federal Government. (By contrast, the entire budget for the Canadian military in the year 2000 was about $10 billion.) In August 2002, there was an attempt to further entrench employment equity in the Federal Civil Service  twenty percent of all new hires were to be visible minorities, and senior managers were to receive performance bonuses depending on how many visible minorities they hired. Although there were a few scattered voices of protest, this is fact seemed like a continuation of policies that had been in place for at least thirty years. The Harper government had several years ago promised some kind review of employment equity policies, but this did not go anywhere. Ironically, in the wake of BLM in the United States, Canada is awash with claims of systemic racism and a group of Black civil servants has launched a lawsuit against the Federal Government, claiming pervasive discrimination, and asking for $900 million (Canadian). On October 1, 2021, the lawsuit claim was raised to $2.5 billion (Canadian). As far as disabled persons, they have probably been included under employment equity to give the policy an increased aura of kindness and compassion. It could be argued that there is not all that much being done for most disabled persons today, apart from giving them disability support payments and some subsidies for housing and assistive devices, which are not excessively generous. However, the inclusion of disabled persons as a designated group inclines this rather heterogeneous category of people (and their care-givers) to support the current-day equity regime, and increases still further the social stigma of publicly challenging employment equity. Canada is also permeated by the bilingualism (French and English) policy. This means that Canada is an officially bilingual state, and that most positions (and especially senior positions) in the Federal Civil Service require knowledge of both French and English. The effect of this has been to increase the chances of French-Canadians and members of Canadas liberal English-speaking elites (more of whom tend to be bilingual) to obtain civil service positions. It has tended to discriminate against ordinary, English-speaking Canadians. New Brunswick, an Atlantic Maritime province with a French-speaking population of about 35%, is fully officially bilingual, and Ontario, with a French-speaking population of about 5%, has been urged to move to full official bilingualism. However, the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec, where one of seven inhabitants doesnt have French as a first language, embraces unilingualism in its government and official policy: French only. Government (typically white-collar) jobs at the federal, provincial, or municipal levels are often considered to be relatively easy to do, with comparatively large benefits (relative to private sector compensations), so policies such as employment equity tend to exclude increasing numbers of persons (especially white males) from remunerative employment. And it now sometimes happens that persons are typically hired only if they bridge two or three designated categories. The government sector is also clearly permeated by varying degrees of political correctness, so a person with more conservative or traditionalist views is unlikely to be hired, and, even if hired, they may sometimes end up in a rather miserable situation, with constant stress and little chance for advancement. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
Love Island star Shaughna Phillips has said that upon appearing on the programme overnight, no-one cared about what I wanted to say.

The influencer, 28, featured on series 6 of the winter version of the hit ITV2 show which saw the contestants spend up to six weeks in a South African villa.

Phillips became a fan favourite after being dumped by fellow islander Callum Jones, 25, when he decided to form a couple with Molly Smith in the rival villa, Casa Amor.

During the re-coupling scene that followed, Phillips uttered the two words  congrats, hun  that caused her to become an internet sensation, with the phrase instantly trending on Twitter.

However, for Phillips the hardest part of becoming a reality TV star was being regularly asked questions about her appearance.

Originally working as a democratic services officer for Lambeth Council in south London, Phillips said she had always focused on being the smartest person in the room.

When I walked into an office or meeting, no-one cared about what I looked like because it was about what you were about to say, she told the PA news agency.

I always tried to be the smartest person in the room and suddenly overnight, no-one cared about what I wanted to say  no-one cared about my opinion.

It was about what I was wearing, or if I have my make-up done today or have I had a new filler put in.

I dont like it. And thats one of the reasons I do what I do now, because it absolutely doesnt matter what you look like.

Phillips has been vocal about her journey to body confidence  culminating in the launch of her sport, fitness and nutrition app, Be You With Shaughna.

She has also publicly documented her battle with the condition lipoedema, an abnormal build-up of fat in the legs or arms, and her surgery to remove the fat in September 2020.

Love Island star Shaughna Phillips says my body is the least important part of me (UPL Universal)

I always say that my body is the least important part of me, she said.

Thats not me saying I hate my body, it just means that theres so much more to me than what I look like.

As a young woman, the pressures that youre under men just dont have that.

Ive never looked at a man with his top off and gone, oh my God, hes a bit overweight. We dont do that for men, so why would we do that to each other?

Phillips, who now has an Instagram following of more than 1.5 million, described herself as the worst influencer going and said she tries not to read negative comments online.

Im probably the worst influencer going because when I go to events, my phone stays in my pocket, she said.

If I could not be on social media, I wouldnt be (because) Id rather experience it than be stuck on my phone.

When I came out (of Love Island) I didnt look for stories about myself, although it was very tempting, because I knew for my own self it would serve no purpose.

There is always going to be people that dont like you and thats fine. Im not everyones cup of tea.

Shaughna Phillips has been vocal about her journey to body confidence (UPL Universal)

Phillips said she is worried about the effect social media is having on young people.

Thank God I was never bullied, but if you were, it stopped at school, youd go home, and then it would stop, she said.

And that just isnt the case anymore.

Kids go home and theyre still being tormented and tortured, and thats just so alien to us.

The reality TV star added that she believes schools should teach young people about self-confidence and how to love yourself.

Youre taught the periodic table in school and youre taught algebra, Phillips said.

But youre not taught to love yourself, youre not taught that the most important relationship in your life is you.

I think thats a British thing that were scared to say that we think were amazing, but why cant we think that?

For more information about Be You With Shaughna, visit https://thebeyouplan.com/
Heineken has said it will create more than 700 jobs across the UK as part of a 42 million investment plan into its pub operation.

The brewing giant said that 660 pubs  more than a quarter of its Star Pubs & Bars venue business  will be upgraded as part of the move.

It comes as the UK hospitality industry targets a strong period of recovery in 2022 after two years hampered by pandemic regulations.

Heineken UK said that 137 of its pubs will receive a makeover costing at least 125,000 as it continues to refresh its property estate.

The company said the latest cash injection will bring the total investment in refurbishing its pubs to 115 million since the pandemic first hit.

The investment will focus on suburban pubs and those on high streets near residential neighbourhoods which have benefited from an increase in homeworking, the firm added.

Refurbishments will include kitchen refits and new bars at a number of sites.

The group is also focusing on improving outdoor seating areas across some of its pubs amid a continued increase in demand for alfresco drinking and dining.

Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs & Bars, said: People have stayed closer to home over the last two years due to the pandemic and turned to their local for the kind of experience theyd previously have travelled to a city centre, restaurant or bar to find.

They dont want to turn back time: they expect better quality including food and speciality drinks  such as cocktails  that are harder to recreate at home.

The cost-of-living squeeze on wallets is magnifying these trends.

People are looking for a really great experience when they go out  these are challenging times.

However, we are confident that pubs which adapt to pubgoers changing needs will have a bright, long-term future.
The rising cost of living is keeping people up at night, Labour leader Keir Starmer has said while on the campaign trail in Worthing.

Sir Keir arrived at the West Sussex seaside town on Monday morning to do some final campaigning ahead of Thursdays local elections.

Elections will be held in 140 of Englands councils, with all of Scotlands 32 councils and all 22 in Wales also heading to the polls.

Sir Keir walked along the beach with Worthing Council Labour group leader Beccy Cooper before stopping at Coast cafe.

He said: Everybody is talking about the cost-of-living crisis.

The thing that has been keeping people up at night is worrying about paying their bills and being whacked with tax by the Government.

From the Labour Party point of view we think that there should be a windfall tax on oil and gas companies in the North Sea, they have made more profit than they are expecting.

Use that for energy bills, up to 600 for those who need it most.

Sir Keir Starmer talks to Labour councillor Beccy Cooper during his visit (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The Labour leader was also asked about his plan to deal with the migrant crisis after some 254 people were detected in small boats crossing the Channel to the UK on Sunday.

He said that he would solve the migrant crisis by working closer with France.

Nobody wants to see anybody making that perilous journey across the Channel and everybody wants to crack down on the criminal gangs that are driving this, he said.

The best way to do that is to have an international co-ordinated criminal response.

I have worked on international criminal organisations before when I was director of public prosecutions.

I know what can be done if youve got teams working together across Europe all the way along those routes absolutely bearing down on these criminal gangs and working very closely with the French authorities as well.

Labour Leader Sir Keir took in the view from Worthing pier (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Sir Keir again denied that he had broken Covid lockdown rules after a video emerged of him drinking a beer last April in Durham.

The Labour leader was filmed in the Durham constituency office of local MP Mary Foy while he was campaigning in the area.

There was no party, he said.

There was no breach of the rules. There was nothing really to add.

Despite the Durham allegations, Sir Keir was keen to press that Downing Street was the most-fined workplace in the UK.

Contrast that to Downing Street, where we know that there have been 50 fines issued already in Downing Street in relation to goings on.

That makes Downing Street the most-fined workplace in the whole of the UK.
Refugee charities said the Governments plan to send migrants to Rwanda has done little to deter people from making the perilous journey to the UK, as Channel crossings resumed at the weekend.

Some 254 people were detected in small boats crossing from France on Sunday after an 11-day pause in such trips.

More people thought to be migrants were taken to Dover on Bank Holiday Monday, including children, with the BBC reporting that more than 100 migrants had been brought to shore by the afternoon.

In the last few days we have carried out a survey of refugees in Calais to get their reaction to the governments Rwanda plan. A  about the results.  Care4Calais (@Care4Calais) May 2, 2022

The official figures for Mondays crossings from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are not expected until Tuesday.

Confirmation of Sundays figures from the MoD came after what is believed to have been an 11-day break in activity around the Channel from April 20 to 30, when no crossings were recorded amid reports of strong winds and choppy seas.

The MoD took over control of migrant operations in April, when the Government also announced controversial plans to send some of those making the cross-Channel journey to Rwanda.

The Governments Nationality and Borders Bill  dubbed the anti-refugee Bill by campaigners as it makes it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and includes powers to process asylum seekers overseas  became law on Thursday.

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover (Gareth Fuller/PA)

But refugee organisations said the Bill does nothing to address the reasons people come, with one charity saying the majority of migrants it spoke to said the plan will not put them off crossing to the UK.

The Rwanda deal will see the east African nation receive asylum seekers deemed by the UK to be inadmissible, having arrived illegally under new immigration rules.

Care4Calais said that of the 64 people it surveyed, 87% had heard of the plan and 75% said it wont put them off crossing to the UK.

In a Twitter post, the organisation said: They have no choice: theyve fled danger made long, dangerous journeys, and France does not give you security, as one said.

The charity branded the Rwanda deal  which Home Secretary Priti Patel has described as a world-first agreement  as just another in a long line of deterrence policies announced by this Government over the last few years.

(PA Graphics)

Care4Calais said: Refugees have escaped from the worst horrors in this world. When youre risking your life, what else do you have to lose? When someone explains even death wouldnt stop me trying to get to the UK, its clear that even the threat of Rwanda wont change anything.

Such sentiments were echoed by Pierre-Henri Dumont, French National Assembly member for Calais.

He told BBC Radio 4s The World At One programme: When you leave your country because of flood, because of starvation, because you are not afraid of being hauled and sent back to another country, at least if you have a chance you will try.

He added there was evidence that UK Government plans to process asylum applications in Rwanda was encouraging migrants to attempt the crossing before these measures took effect.

He said: From what I heard from the migrants, it seems that the news of the new legislation in the UK with Rwanda gives the smugglers the availability of new commercial arguments (to) the migrants to urge them to cross quickly for them not to be sent away because of this new legislation.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of Refugee Council, said the resumption of crossings at the weekend showed that draconian policies enshrined in the Nationality and Borders Bill and their (the Governments) Rwanda deal are doing little to deter desperate people jumping on boats because they do nothing to address the reasons people come.

He called on the UK to have a grown-up conversation with France and the EU about sharing responsibility.

He said: We need a fair and humane asylum system, with means well thought-out, long-term solutions that address why people are forced from their homes, and provides them with safe routes to the UK.

Sundays figures mean at least 6,947 people have reached the UK since the start of the year after navigating busy shipping lanes from France in small boats, according to data compiled by the PA news agency.

A group of people arrive into Dover on a lifeboat on Monday (Gareth Fuller/PA)

That is more than three times the amount recorded by this time last year (2,004) and over six times the figure for the same period in 2020 (1,006).

Typically there can be periods of several days or weeks without migrant crossings, often depending on weather conditions.

Two longer gaps of 16 and 13 days without crossings were recorded earlier this year, before the Rwanda deal was announced.

The longest period without any crossings so far in 2022 was 16 days, between January 27 and February 11, PA analysis of Government figures shows.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said there needs to be an international co-ordinated criminal response to tackle the criminal gangs that he said are driving the migrant crisis.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Worthing, West Sussex, he said: I know what can be done if youve got teams working together across Europe all the way along those routes, absolutely bearing down on these criminal gangs, and working very closely with the French authorities as well.

Mr Solomon reminded people that those coming across the channel are fleeing atrocities like those in Ukraine and Afghanistan.

Care4Calais said there is no longer a build-up of Ukrainians in Calais because they can apply for visas from anywhere.

Renewing their call for the option of visa applications for all refugees, the charity added: The answer to many problems in Calais is to let refugees apply for visas to cross the Channel safely, because now  unless youre Ukrainian  theres no safe way for a refugee to get to the UK and claim asylum. That would put people smugglers out of business and save lives.
An investigation is under way after an intruder reportedly spent the night at barracks with Royal Guardsman close to Windsor Castle.

Police were alerted to reports of an intruder at Victoria Barracks in Sheet Street, Windsor, at 9.20am on Wednesday while the Queen was at Sandringham for Easter.

The barracks are home to The Coldstream Guards, recognised by their red jackets and black bearskin hats and have a ceremonial role as protectors of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace.

Soldiers from the Coldstream Guards (Kirsty OConnor/PA)

Soldiers were approached at the gate by the man who was pretending to be a priest, TalkTV reported.

He allegedly spent the night eating and drinking with senior officers before being offered a bed for the night, despite showing no identification or credentials.

A source told Talk TVs The News Desk: This is just an extraordinary breach of security.

The guy turned up at the gate in the evening and said his name was Father Cruise and claimed to be a friend of the battalions Padre Rev Matt Coles.

He was invited in and offered something to eat in the Officers Mess.

Within a couple of hours, he was drinking with the officers in the bar and telling them stories of how he had served in Iraq.

He was telling lots of tall stories and the lads were enjoying his banter and having a few drinks.

An Army spokesperson said: The Army takes this breach of security extremely seriously and it will be thoroughly investigated as a matter of priority.

This incident is now part of an ongoing investigation and it would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this time.

Thames Valley Police spokesman told the Sun: We received a report of an intruder at Victoria Barracks in Sheet Street, Windsor, at 9.20am on Wednesday.

Officers attended and removed the intruder from the barracks. No further action was required.
Boris Johnson will salute the resistance of Ukrainians in the face of the brutal Russian invasion, telling them it is their countrys finest hour in an address to the parliament in Kyiv.

In a speech by video link to the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, the Prime Minister will echo the words of Winston Churchill as he sets out a new 300 million package of support for the Ukrainian military.

Downing Street said it will include electronic warfare equipment, a counter battery radar system, GPS jamming equipment and thousands of night vision devices, as Russias offensive in the Donbas region continues.

It follows Mr Johnsons unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital last month, in a show of support and solidarity with president Volodymyr Zelensky.

When my country faced the threat of invasion during the Second World War, our Parliament, like yours, continued to meet throughout the conflict, and the British people showed such unity and resolve that we remember our time of greatest peril as our finest hour, Mr Johnson is expected to say.

This is Ukraines finest hour, an epic chapter in your national story that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.

Your children and grandchildren will say that Ukrainians taught the world that the brute force of an aggressor counts for nothing against the moral force of a people determined to be free.

In 1940, following the fall of France, Mr Churchill sought to rally Britons to resist the Nazis  telling the country that it would be remembered as their finest hour.

The illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is continuing. The map below is the latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  2 May 2022 Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/bPVxJqq2E1  #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/fi0dNvWgKL  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 2, 2022

When he addressed the UK Parliament in March, Mr Zelensky evoked another of Mr Churchills wartime addresses, declaring: We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets.

The latest military support package comes after ministers updated Parliament last week on plans to send sophisticated long-range Brimstone missiles and Stormer air defence vehicles.

In addition, the UK is to supply heavy lift aerial drones to provide logistical support to Ukrainian forces which have become isolated.

Downing Street said it is also sending more than a dozen new specialised Toyota Land Cruisers to protect civilian officials in eastern Ukraine and to evacuate civilians from frontline areas, following a request from the Ukrainian government.

It comes as a senior US official warned Russia was planning to annex large portions of eastern Ukraine and recognise the southern city of Kherson as an independent republic.

Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said the suspected plan was straight out of the Kremlins playbook.

He said the US and other allies had information Moscow was planning sham referenda in the the separatist-held peoples republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in an attempt to add a veneer of democratic or electoral legitimacy.

Such sham referenda, fabricated votes will not be considered legitimate, nor will any attempts to annex additional Ukrainian territory, he said.
FILE - This still frame from Metropolitan Police Department body worn camera video shows Thomas Webster, in red jacket, at a barricade line at on the west front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. Jurors have returned to court to deliberate in the federal trial of a New York Police Department veteran charged with assaulting an officer who tried to protect the Capitol from an attacking insurrectionist mob last year. Retired NYPD officer Thomas Webster is the first Capitol riot defendant to be tried on an assault charge and the first to present a jury with a self-defense argument. (Metropolitan Police Department via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal jury on Monday convicted a New York Police Department veteran of assaulting an officer during the U.S. Capitol riot, rejecting his claim that he was defending himself when he tackled the officer and grabbed his gas mask.

Thomas Webster, a 20-year NYPD veteran, was the first Capitol riot defendant to be tried on an assault charge and the first to present a jury with a self-defense argument. Webster, who was wearing a face mask in court, showed no obvious reaction to the verdict finding him guilty of all six counts against him.

Webster, 56, testified that he was trying to protect himself from a rogue cop who punched him in the face. He also accused the Metropolitan Police Department officer, Noah Rathbun, of instigating the confrontation.

Rathbun testified that he didnt punch or pick a fight with Webster as a violent mob attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, disrupting Congress from certifying Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election victory over then-President Donald Trump.

Websters jury trial was the fourth for a Capitol riot case. The first three defendants to get a jury trial were convicted of all charges in their respective indictments. A judge decided two other cases without a jury, acquitting one of the defendants and partially acquitting the other.

A grand jury indicted Webster on six counts, including a charge that he assaulted Rathbun with a dangerous weapon, a metal flag pole. Webster wasnt accused of entering the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Webster drove alone to Washington, D.C., from his home near Goshen, New York, on the eve of the Jan.6 Stop the Steal rally. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a U.S. Marine Corps flag on a metal pole when he approached the Capitol, after listening to Trump address thousands of supporters.

Webster said he went to the Capitol to petition lawmakers to relook at the results of the 2020 presidential election. But he testified that he didnt intend to interfere with Congress joint session to certify the Electoral College vote.

Rathbuns body camera captured Webster shouting profanities and insults before they made any physical contact. Webster said he was attending his first political protest as a civilian and expressing his free speech rights when he yelled at officers behind a row of bike racks.

The body camera video shows that Webster slammed one of the bike racks at Rathbun before the officer reached out with an open left hand and struck the right side of Websters face. Webster said it felt like he had been hit by a freight train.

It was a hard hit, and all I wanted to do was defend myself, Webster said.

Webster also said he believed Rathbun was coming after him and recalled thinking, Hes gone rogue.

Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain.

After Rathbun struck his face, Webster swung a metal flag pole at the officer in a downward chopping motion, striking a bike rack. Rathbun grabbed the broken pole from Webster, who charged at the officer, tackled him to the ground and grabbed his gas mask.

Rathbun testified that he started choking as the chin strap on his gas mask pressed against his 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.

During the trials closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Kelly urged jurors to reject Websters self-defense argument.

Dont let the defendant off the hook for what he did that day, Kelly said.

Defense attorney James Monroe said Webster had a right to defend himself against a bad cop who was using excessive force.

Get behind the truth. And Im talking about the whole truth, Monroe told jurors.

Rathbun reported a hand injury from a separate encounter with a rioter inside the Capitol. 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.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective who investigated the incident said Rathbun didnt recall his encounter with Webster several days after the riot. Rathbun said seeing the body camera video refreshed his memory.

Webster faced six counts: assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer using a dangerous weapon; civil disorder; entering and remaining in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and engaging in an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.

Webster retired from the NYPD in 2011 after 20 years of service, which 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. More than 100 officers were injured.

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.

Two riot defendants didnt testify at their trials before jurors convicted them of all charges, including interfering with officers. One of them, Thomas Robertson, was an off-duty police officer from Rocky Mount, Virginia. The other, Texas resident Guy Wesley Reffitt, also was convicted of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump nominee who acquitted Martin of all charges, also presided over a bench trial for New Mexico elected official Couy Griffin. McFadden convicted Griffin of illegally entering restricted Capitol grounds but acquitted him of engaging in disorderly conduct.
Her parents say it is essential they learn the truth of what happened (Joe Giddens/PA)

Madeleine McCanns parents say it is essential they learn the truth of what happened to their daughter ahead of the 15th anniversary of her disappearance.

In a message on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page on Monday, Kate and Gerry McCann wrote although uncertainty creates weakness, they need closure on what happened to the toddler at the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3 2007.

The Metropolitan Police, which continues to treat Madeleines disappearance as a missing persons inquiry, said it is committed to finding the truth 15 years on.

The McCanns post read: This year we mark 15 years since we last saw Madeleine.

It feels no harder than any other but no easier either.

Its a very long time.

Many people talk about the need for closure.

Its always felt a strange term.

Regardless of outcome, Madeleine will always be our daughter and a truly horrific crime has been committed.

These things will remain.

It is true though that uncertainty creates weakness; knowledge and certainty give strength, and for this reason our need for answers, for the truth, is essential.

We are grateful for the ongoing work and commitment of the UK, Portuguese and German authorities as it is this combined police effort which will yield results and bring us those answers.

As always, we would like to thank all of our supporters for their continued good wishes and support.

It is a huge comfort to know that regardless of time passed, Madeleine is still in peoples hearts and minds.

Thank you.

In July 2013, Scotland Yard launched its own investigation, Operation Grange, into Madeleines disappearance

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell from the Metropolitan Police, who leads the operation, said: Fifteen years on from Madeleines disappearance in Praia Da Luz our thoughts, as always, are with her family.

Officers continue to investigate the case and our dedicated team are still working closely with law enforcement colleagues from the Portuguese Policia Judiciaria as well as the German Bundeskriminalamt.

At this time, the case remains a missing persons inquiry and all involved are committed to doing what we can to find answers.

It comes after convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner, 44, was declared an official suspect by Portuguese authorities last month, which was welcomed by the couple.

Prosecutors in the Algarve city of Faro released a statement that said, according to a translation, that a person was named an arguido, a Portuguese legal designation which elevates a witness to the status of a named or formal suspect.

The statement did not name Brueckner but said the person was made an arguido by German authorities at the request of Portugals public prosecution service.

Brueckner, who was identified as a murder suspect by German prosecutors in June 2020, has reportedly denied any involvement in the case and has not been charged.

Investigators believe the convicted sex offender killed Madeleine, then three, after abducting her from the holiday apartment.
President Donald Trump wanted U.S. troops to shoot protesters during racial justice demonstrations in 2020, according to a new book from former Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

Can't you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something? Esper quotes Trump saying. The then president allegedly made the remark as protesters descended on Washington, D.C., following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, by a Minneapolis police officer. The quote was first reported by Axios.

President Donald Trump heads to St. John's Church near the White House on June 1, 2020, after protesters were forcibly removed from the area. With him are, from left, Attorney General William Barr, Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

Days after Floyd was killed, Trump tweeted, These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I wont let that happen. Just spoke to [Minnesota] Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!

The message was later flagged by Twitter for glorifying violence.

In his book Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost, released last year, reporter Michael Bender relayed similar stories from the White House.

Thats how youre supposed to handle these people, Trump told military and law enforcement officials while showing them videos of police violence toward protesters, according to Bender. Crack their skulls!

Protesters take a knee and raise their fists in Lafayette Square near the White House on June 1, 2020. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump reportedly said he wanted police to beat the f*** out of the protesters, according to Bender, saying just shoot them on multiple occasions. When he received pushback from staffers, Trump said, Well, shoot them in the leg  or maybe the foot. But be hard on them!

While Trump had discussed invoking the 1807 Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty troops on U.S. soil to contain the protests, Esper publicly broke with him in the days after Floyds death, saying at a Pentagon briefing that action should only be used as a matter of last resort and only in the most urgent and dire of situations.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said at a June 3 press conference following Espers comments that the Insurrection Act is a tool available. The president has the sole authority, and if needed, he will use it. Trump never invoked the act, but Attorney General William Barr did deploy a number of Justice Department officers in riot gear at the protests.

Trump fired Esper in November 2020, two months before he was set to leave office following his loss to Joe Biden.
At the Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church in Lviv, Ukraine, soldiers attend Mass along with civilians on Sunday. Many of the icons, such as Christ and the angels, have been wrapped for protection from bombing, along with some of the stained-glass windows. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Camouflage netting, spent shell casings, hunks of jagged shrapnel: In this 17th century Baroque jewel of a church in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, these are considered sacred relics.

During Sunday services at the citys Garrison Church, Ukrainian soldiers in uniform, flanked by civilians young and old, bowed their heads and clasped their hands in prayer, surrounded by ancient tokens of faith and artifacts of modern battle.

Since war erupted in Ukraine more than two months ago, this landmark house of worship, named for the apostles Peter and Paul, has become a lodestar for those praying for their armys success against a larger and more powerful invader.

A wrap is lowered to cover the crucifix in the event of a bombing in Lviv, Ukraine. Much of the statuary has been wrapped for protection, along with the stained-glass windows. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The church is open to all, but it is most deeply entwined in the lives of military families and those close to them  a demographic which, at this ragged national moment, encompasses nearly everyone in the country.

Beneath its soaring arches, soldiers wives appeal for divine protection for husbands serving on the front lines. Bereaved mothers and fathers weep. Weddings are bracketed by military funerals.

We try to give comfort to all of them, said Father Nestor, a chaplain affiliated with the church, who has a brother serving in the military. Here, we are all together.

Lviv, less than 50 miles from the Polish border and North Atlantic Treaty Organization territory, has largely been spared the battles raging in the countrys east and, in the wars earlier weeks, in the region surrounding the capital, Kyiv. Nonetheless, the churchs treasures are heavily protected against potential bombardment, adding to its martial air.

Cladding and tarpaulin, secured with cords, surround its ornate altars and time-tarnished icons. The delicately wrought chandelier has been packed away. Precious paintings are covered over with silver thermal blast blankets.

Angelic statuary is swathed in protective padding. A larger-than-life crucifix carved from rare hardwood is surrounded by a window-shade-like contraption that allows it to be alternately displayed and shielded.

The churchs military-themed role, however, long predates the war that began on Feb. 24. Its main memorials and exhibits date back to 2014, when Russia seized the Crimean peninsula and fomented a separatist war in the countrys east. That conflict had already killed more than 13,000 people when the current full-scale invasion began.

In a side aisle off the central nave, portraits of war dead from 2014 to the present gaze out from mountings on placards. A heap of battlefield detritus  bullet casings, a canteen shot full of bullet holes, a Kalashnikov magazine  forms a shrine of sorts.

Over it all stands a simple cross of white birchwood, the only thing left standing when a military tent in the eastern province of Luhansk suffered an artillery hit.

A wrap is lowered to cover the crucifix inside Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church in Lviv, Ukraine. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

As they would be to traditional altars, worshipers are drawn to the display for prayer and remembrance. One middle-age man stood before the tangle of metal, head bowed. When he lifted his head, his eyes were red.

I had so many friends who died, he said. I think of them here.

Set in a cobblestoned square in the city center, the Garrison Churchs affiliation is Greek Catholic, a significant religious minority among Ukraine's 44 million people, who are mainly Orthodox. But it is still known to some locals as the Jesuit church, after the Catholic order that founded it, which was expelled by the Soviets in 1946.

The Jesuits are perhaps best known for rigorous devotion to education and learning, but the order is also closely associated with chaplaincy services, including for the military, which helped pave the way for the churchs current incarnation.

In its earliest form, the church was a simple wooden structure on what was then the edge of Lviv, near the old city walls. It was replaced in the early 1600s with a splendid edifice that was one of the largest churches in the then-confederation of Poland and Lithuania.

During the Soviet era, the war-damaged church was used as a warehouse and book depository. Ukraine became independent in 1991 when the Soviet Union collapsed, but it was not until nearly 20 years later, in 2010, that authorities set out to renovate the historic structure.

Baby Mativii is baptized on Sunday at Saints Peter and Paul Garrison Church. Mother Yaryna Bidyuk, second from left, left Ukraine to give birth in Poland because of the war. Her husband, Taras Bidyuk, carrying the bassinet, has been serving in the military in Lviv. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

On Sunday, as people milled about between services, a family group gathered in the churchs nave for a baptism.

The infants mother, Yaryna Bidyuk, gave birth alone in a Polish hospital after fleeing for safety in the wars first days. Her soldier husband Taras, who has been deployed since the fighting began, met his son for the first time last week.

After the ceremony, both were beaming. Little Mativii, swaddled in a white coverlet, squirmed in his bassinet and yawned.

Soon the father would return to the fight.

But for now, were happy, the mother said. At least we had this moment.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Former Iranian official admits Iran was trying to build nuclear weapons By Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael Segall

web posted May 2, 2022 Amid the moribund nuclear talks in Vienna, on April 24, 2022, former Deputy Chairman of the Iranian Parliament, Ali Motahhari, said in an interview with the Iran Student Correspondents Association (ISCA) that from the start of its nuclear program, Iran sought to produce nuclear weapons but changed the policy at a later stage. At the beginning, when we launched the nuclear program, our aim was to develop the bomb and improve our deterrent power. Motahhari quoted parts of Surah al Anfal (60): And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy. However, Motahhari continued, we failed to keep it a secret, and our confidential reports were revealed by the monafeqin (hypocrites) [i.e., the exiled opposition organization, Mujahideen Khalq]. Motahhari added: A country that wants to have a peaceful nuclear program never starts with enrichment but constructs a reactor and then starts the enrichment process. When we enrich [uranium] straight away, it creates the impression that we want to develop the bomb. If we could have developed a bomb secretly and tested it like Pakistan did, it would have been a strong deterrent and international players would have been more considerate of Irans status. Other countries rely on nuclear strength. I believe that when we start something, we should see it through to the end. Iran can build a nuclear bomb because sharia law prohibits only the use of it and not the production of the atomic bomb. [But] Now, the opinion of the Supreme Leader [Ali Khamenei] is that developing a nuclear bomb is definitely haram [religiously forbidden]. Motahhari, asked if his words might influence the future of the faltering Vienna nuclear talks, said, No one listens to what I say. I have no official post, and my words are my opinion only. Ali Motahhari is the son of Ayatollah Morteza Motahhari, one of the founders of the Islamic Republic of Iran and an ideologist who was close to Khomeini and headed the Revolutionary Council during the inception of the Islamic Revolution. He is also the brother-in-law of Ali Larijani, who was chairman of the Iranian parliament for 12 years and one of the strong critics of former President Ahmadinejad. Motahhari was considered a senior conservative politician and was the second deputy of the Majlis (parliament) chairman from 2016 to 2019. In 2020, however, he was disqualified from running in the 2020 Majlis elections by the Guardian Council, and he urged Khamenei to launch an investigation into the mass disqualification of Majlis candidates. Motahhari had begun to voice more pragmatic positions and affiliate with the conservative-pragmatic camp. In February 2021, he submitted his candidacy for the elections for the Iranian presidency. The Problematic Parts Were Expunged Motahharis words sparked great interest in the social networks and the world media, and various state-run Iranian media hastened to deny them. Apparently, under tremendous pressure within Iran, the Iran Student Correspondents Association (ISCA) that published the Motahhari interview re-edited it and removed the problematic parts on the nuclear program and Irans original intentions to produce nuclear weapons. The only item the outlet kept was Motahharis claim that Khamenei is now opposed to the use of nuclear weapons and considers it as haram. A short time after the interview was broadcast, a knowledgeable source denied Motahharis assertions. In an interview with the Nour News Agency, which is affiliated with the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), the official said Irans nuclear program never had a military dimension and that irresponsible people made statements based on a lack of knowledge or their subjective political opinions. Irans enemies, the official remarked, had been claiming for years that Iran was trying to develop nuclear weapons clandestinely, and their aim was to curtail its peaceful nuclear program. 4 The Tasnim News Agency quoted Motahhari as retracting his assertion that Iran had sought nuclear weapons, saying in a clarification that the hypocrites distorted Irans involvement with the issue. Much of the Iranian media quoted the Nour Agency and published Motahharis clarification. Motahhari: I Was Misunderstood After the heavy pressure apparently exerted on him, on April 25, Motahhari issued a denial on his Instagram account, saying his words were taken out of context and Iran had never sought nuclear weapons. What I said was that at the beginning, there were people who believed that building bombs to scare the enemy away was acceptablethe sentence has not been properly reflected by ISCA. Despite what the Mujahideen Khalq claimed, Motahhari said, The Islamic Republic has never sought to develop atomic bombs in policy and purpose. The Supreme Leader has also issued a religious decree [fatwa] prohibiting them. The Mujahideen Khalq responded by rebroadcasting Motahharis original interview with ISCA in social and international media. Was There Ever a Fatwa Prohibiting Use of Nuclear Weapons? In recent years, Iran has claimed that Khamenei issued a fatwa prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons, and he periodically reiterates this point in the section of Khameneis website dealing with religious-law issues. Toward the end, there is a reference to the sacred prohibition [haram] of weapons of mass destruction. One area of the site presents a message from Khamenei in four languages (Farsi, Arabic, English, and Spanish) to the 2011 session of the Conference on Disarmament, stating: We believe that alongside nuclear weapons, all kinds of weapons of mass destruction, such as chemical or biological weapons, pose a serious danger to the human race. Iran has had the experience of this. We see the use/deployment [] of such weapons as haram and believe that everyone is obligated to invest all efforts in safeguarding the future of humanity against such a catastrophe. The message (defined as a fatwa) was conveyed to the United Nations and officially recorded. On the issue of prohibiting the use of nuclear weapons, Khamenei also referred to the conference of Irans Assembly of Experts on February 22, 2021. He wrote: Our Islamic thought says that weapons whose use will cause the killing of innocent people, and not military personnel, are prohibited. Such weapons are prohibited, whether they are nuclear or chemical. Such weapons are prohibited because this is the position of Islam, and because of the position of Islam, we have not sought nuclear weapons; otherwise, if we wanted to do so, who are you, what is your role [Israel and the West], that you could prevent us. In any case, Motahharis words, amid the crisis in the Vienna nuclear talks, reflect the disagreements within Irans military-religious leadership on the development and use of nuclear weapons as well as the negotiating strategy in Vienna. It appears that, at present, Iran prefers to take the stance touting Khameneis fatwa, which prohibits the use of nuclear weapons, but it does not necessarily ban their continued clandestine development and production for purposes of deterrence. IDF Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael (Mickey) Segall, an expert on strategic issues with a focus on Iran, terrorism, and the Middle East, is a senior analyst at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs and at Acumen Risk Advisors. Home
Jill Biden will spend Mother's Day meeting with Ukrainian mothers and children who fled for their lives after Russian President Vladimir Putin opened war against Ukraine, the White House announced late Sunday.

The May 8 meeting will take place in Slovakia, one of two eastern European countries the first lady plans to visit during a five-day trip that starts Thursday. She also will be stopping in Romania.

The trip will mark Biden's latest show of solidarity with Ukraine.

Romania and Slovakia share borders with Ukraine, which has spent the past two months fighting off Russia's military invasion. Romania and Slovakia also are NATO members.

Nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded its smaller neighbor on Feb. 24, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Many have resettled in neighboring countries or relocated elsewhere in Europe.

Throughout the trip, Biden will also meet with U.S. service members, U.S. Embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers and educators, the White House said.

After arriving in Romania on Friday, she is scheduled to meet with U.S. service members at Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, a U.S. military installation near the Black Sea.

The schedule then takes her to the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Saturday to meet with government officials, U.S. Embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers and educators who are helping teach displaced Ukrainian children. The first lady will travel to Slovakia to meet with staff at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava.

On May 8, Biden will travel to Kosice and Vysne Nemecke in Slovakia to meet with refugees, humanitarian aid workers and local Slovakians who are supporting Ukrainian families that have sought refuge in Slovakia.

She plans to meet with members of Slovakia's government on May 9 before returning to the United States.

The trip will be the first lady's second overseas by herself, following her journey to Tokyo last year for the opening of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games.

Four days after Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Biden appeared at a White House event wearing a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, Ukraine's national flower.

She also invited Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, to sit with her during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in March and had a sunflower sewn into the sleeve of the blue dress she wore for the occasion.

President Biden visited with Ukrainian refugees during a stop in Poland in March.

Additional reporting by the Associated Press.
The Kremlin has struggled to explain why it was necessary to de-Nazify Ukraine, a country whose president, Volodymyr Zelensky, is Jewish. The latest effort to do so, a comparison of Zelensky to Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, may have been the most disastrous of all.

If nothing else, it signals how desperate Russia has been to explain its invasion of Ukraine, a sovereign nation it has partly occupied since 2014.

Though justifications for the invasion have shifted, Russian President Vladimir Putin initially invoked the threat of Ukrainian ultranationalists. Since then, he and other top Kremlin officials have traded one line of argument for another, most recently settling on a narrative that charges the West with using Ukraine as a proxy to weaken Russia.

Lavrovs remarks to Italian television network Zona Bianca seemed to revive the original rationale, only in a way that is unlikely to help the Kremlins cause.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on Wednesday. (Russian Foreign Ministry/Handout/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

I could be wrong, but Hitler also had Jewish blood, the Russian foreign minister said, reviving one of the more notorious myths about Hitler, who killed himself in his bunker as the Red Army approached in late April 1945. Victory over the Nazis remains central to Russian identity.

Initially, some Ukrainians did support the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, largely because of animosity stemming from the Holodomor, the famine Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin foisted on Ukraine in the 1930s. Millions of Ukrainians died during the famine. Then, millions more died fighting Hitler.

Zelensky had family members perish in the Holocaust, one of whose most infamous sites  the Babi Yar mass grave  is in the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv. His grandfather fought for the Red Army. Zelensky enjoys broad support in Ukraine, where the majority of citizens, as do their Russian neighbors, belong to the Eastern Orthodox denomination of Christianity.

Zelenskys own Jewish background means absolutely nothing, said Lavrov, who is himself of Armenian heritage. Hitler looked to the genocide of Armenians by nationalist Turks as a model for his campaign against European Jews.

Wise Jewish people say that the most ardent antisemites are usually Jews, Lavrov went on to say.

His remarks were swiftly denounced by Israel, which last week marked Yom HaShoah, the day on which the 6 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust are remembered. Using the Holocaust of the Jewish people as a political tool must cease immediately, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said.

Adolf Hitler at a rally in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1933. (Ullstein Bild/Ullstein Bild via Getty Images)

The notion that Hitler had Jewish roots has persisted for decades despite having been dispelled by top German historians.

Hitlers background is in a rural region of northwestern Austria called the Waldviertel. His ancestors, who may have also had roots in the neighboring Czech Republic, were Schicklgrubers and Hiedlers. His father was born Alois Schicklgruber in 1837. His name was changed to Hitler in 1876 because of a family dispute.

By the time Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, he had spent a decade fashioning his own mythology as pure Aryan, a fictional designation rooted in the Nazi obsession with race. Because so little was known about his background, and because he elicited such strong negative reactions from many Germans, speculation about his origins, and lifestyle, were not uncommon as he came to increasing prominence in the late 1920s.

Murky origins, however, hardly provide any merit for Lavrovs assertion.

Rumors that there were Jews in Hitlers family have no proven foundation, writes historian Volker Ullrich, whose magisterial two-volume biography of the genocidal tyrant has been widely praised. The idea came from Hans Frank, a top Nazi official who wrote in 1946 that Hitler was fathered by a Jewish merchant whose Graz household once employed Hitlers grandmother.

Frank likely invented the story to save his own life after World War II. It didnt work: The notoriously cruel overseer of occupied Poland was executed after the Nuremberg military tribunal in 1946.

Nor was it true. As Ullrich notes, there were no Jews with the name that Frank provided Allied authorities  Frankenberger  in either Graz or the surrounding region.

Hans Frank at a conference of German jurists in Sopot, Poland, in 1939. (AP)

There is no evidence that Hitler ever took speculation about his supposed Jewish grandfather seriously  to say nothing of feeling threatened by them, Ullrich writes.

Joachim Fest, another renowned Hitler biographer, calls the Jewish origins story exceedingly dubious and unable to withstand serious investigation.

Thomas Childers, author of a one-volume history of the Third Reich, similarly finds no credible evidence that Hitlers grandfather was Jewish.

In Mein Kampf, his memoir and political manifesto, Hitler described an idyllic German childhood. It is not considered a reliable autobiography and is read mostly as evidence of the derangement that gripped Hitler and came to disastrously infect the entire German nation.

Hitler did not become a committed antisemite until moving to Vienna in 1908, about two months after his mother died at the age of 47. It was the Hitler familys longtime Jewish doctor, Eduard Bloch, who diagnosed the breast cancer that would kill her.

_____

What happened last week in Ukraine? Check out this explainer from Yahoo Immersive to find out.
By Akriti Sharma

(Reuters) -A U.S. federal judge dismissed a request by the Republican National Committee to block a subpoena asking its email vendor to release records to the congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The RNC sued the House panel on March 9 after it issued a subpoena to Salesforce Inc, which organizes donor information for the committee.

The House Select Committee, formed in July, said it wanted to understand the flow of emails from the RNC in the weeks before the attack on the Capitol that claims the 2020 election was stolen.

In an order late on Sunday, U.S. District judge Timothy Kelly tossed out the RNC's claims that the subpoena to Salesforce was "overbroad" and "seeks sensitive and proprietary data," according to court records.

"The RNC argues that the Select Committee lacks the proper authorization to wield investigative power on behalf of the House on three grounds," Kelly said in the 53-page opinion.

"But for a few reasons, especially given the House's own reading of the authorizing resolution, the Court cannot agree."

However, Kelly also temporarily barred Salesforce from releasing any records to the Jan. 6 committee until May 5, giving the RNC time to appeal.

The RNC had claimed that the subpoena was a "fishing expedition" that would "chill the RNC and its supporters' First Amendment rights."

Separately, the committee had said the RNC and the Trump campaign had solicited donations after the 2020 election "by pushing false claims that the election was tainted by widespread fraud."

A representative of the RNC did not respond to a Reuters request for comment via LinkedIn outside regular hours. Salesforce and the House panel also did not respond to requests for comment.

In late March, the U.S. lobbying heavyweight Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck withdrew from representing the RNC in its legal challenge against Salesforce and the Jan. 6 committee.

(Reporting by Akriti Sharma and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Nick Macfie)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a direct appeal to Russian soldiers, asking them not to fight in Ukraine and claiming their leaders expect thousands of them to die.

In his video address late Saturday, which Zelenskyy delivers nightly in Ukrainian, the president switched into Russian: Every Russian soldier can still save his own life. Its better for you to survive in Russia than to perish on our land."

He said Russia has been recruiting new troops with little motivation and little combat experience" for units sent into battle early in the Russian invasion, only for those units to be gutted and thrown back into the war again.

The Russian commanders are lying to their soldiers when they tell them they can expect to be held seriously responsible for refusing to fight and then also dont tell them, for example, that the Russian army is preparing additional refrigerator trucks for storing the bodies. They dont tell them about the new losses the generals expect, Zelenskyy said.

The message comes as Ukrainians in besieged areas such as Mariupol are struggling to hang on; thousands of civilians and soldiers in the Azovstal steel plant there are running out of food and supplies. Yet Western authorities have said the strong Ukrainian defense is slowing Russian troops in their ultimate goal to seize the Donbas region.

USA TODAY ON TELEGRAM: Join our Russia-Ukraine war channel to receive updates straight to your phone

Zelenskyy also met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who praised the courage of the Ukrainian people and vowed continued U.S. support to help Ukraine defeat Russia. Pelosi led a congressional delegation to Kyiv to assess Ukraines needs for the next phase of the war.

Pelosi, a California Democrat who is next in line to the presidency after the vice president, is the most senior American lawmaker to visit Ukraine since Russias war began more than two months ago. The group met with Zelenskyy for three hours.

"America stands with Ukraine. America will stand with Ukraine until victory is one. And will stand with our NATO allies," she said at a briefing in Rzeszow, Poland.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zelenskyy urges Russian soldiers to give up and go home
One of the UKs most wanted men has been arrested after trying to fly to Portugal using a fraudulent passport.

Alex Male, 29, of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, is alleged to have been a regional distributor of class A drugs across the south west of England, buying and selling them using an EncroChat encrypted communications network.

He was detained at Lisbon Airport on Saturday after arriving on a flight from Turkey where he had been refused entry, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA), which added Male to its most wanted appeal in January.

Alex Male has been detained in Lisbon (NCA/PA)

NCA international liaison officer Phil Robinson said: Male naively believed he could travel across international borders using fraudulent documentation and remain undetected by law enforcement.

But he underestimated the vigilance and expertise of the Turkish border police, which enabled the Portuguese authorities to act.

Any arrest of a fugitive is a fantastic result, even more so since Male had only recently been added to our most wanted list.

He is wanted in connection with dangerous crimes, which have a devastating impact on communities, so Im delighted he has been caught.

We continue to work with our international partners to close the net around fugitives, no matter where they are.

Male is accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine and ketamine, money laundering and conspiracy to acquire a firearm as part of his drug dealing activity between April and June 2020.

He had been on the run after failing to follow to the bail restrictions imposed following his arrest.

He was previously on the run in the Marbella area of Spain before moving to Portugal.

Male remains in custody and will now face extradition proceedings.

Detective Inspector Adrian Hawkins of the South West regional organised crime unit (SW ROCU) said: Male will now be returned to the criminal justice system in the UK to face the charges he ran away from.

This is an example of international law enforcement working together to ensure justice can be done and demonstrating there is nowhere safe to hide.
A British volunteer who has spent a decade helping Chernobyl children has said it is heartbreaking to see the town where she worked being destroyed by the Russian army.

Jo Cullimore, 46, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, has been helping children from the town of Borodyanka in northern Ukraine since 2012.

Russian forces invaded Borodyanka, just outside the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, on February 24 but have since left the town.

A damaged apartment building in Borodyanka (Vadim Ghirda/AP)

In April, the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia visited Borodyanka with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky after reports that there was evidence of war atrocities in the town.

Its heartbreaking and every day I wake up thinking Ive just dreamt the war, but then I watch the news and remember that it is real, Ms Cullimore told the PA news agency.

I started volunteering for a charity in the UK and then went on to helping take aid out to the community and Chernobyl children in 2015, with the help of my mother Lindsay and my 13-year-old daughter Emma, who is now 18.

We spent a lot of time working in the town of Borodyanka and the children would put on performances at their school for us and we would help with English lessons.

The Russians have recently been in that school and now its no longer useable, theyve even graffitied all over the walls, its just horrible.

Jo Cullimore (right) with Sergei Berdnikov, Illia Berdnikov, Iryna Berdnikov, Lindsay Cullimore and Emma Cullimore (Jo Cullimore/PA)

Before the war, Ms Cullimore, who is a mother-of-two, had already formed close bonds with the families she had worked with.

She has remained in constant contact with one mother in particular, Iryna Berdnikov, who is also a mother-of-two and has a teenage son who is the same age as Ms Cullimores 17-year-old son.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, Ms Berdnikovs son Illia visited the UK to spend a month with Ms Cullimores family.

Ms Berdnikov, her son and her four-year-old daughter are now staying in Poland after fleeing their home in Borodyanka, but the childrens father Sergei remains in Ukraine.

Ms Cullimore makes frequent visits to Poland to help around 40 families, some of whom are in Poland and others are still stranded in Ukraine.

Graffiti on the walls of a school in Borodyanka (Jo Cullimore/PA)

I have a particularly close relationship with Iryna, to the point where we now call each other sisters, Ms Cullimore said.

When Illias younger sister, who is now four, was born I went over to help them and I have recently spent a lot of time in Poland with the family.

But the trauma when I speak to Illia now, he says hes fine but I know something is clearly distressing him.

Especially when his mum goes to call her husband, who is still in Ukraine, and comes back with tears in her eyes it must be so hard.

Photographs sent to Ms Cullimore, and shared with PA, show the destruction of the school in Borodyanka where she used to volunteer.

The images, taken by the headteachers husband  who is a friend of Ms Cullimore  after Russian soldiers left, show the bright yellow walls of a childrens classroom covered in spray-painted Russian words, and wooden desks littered with empty bottles and shattered glass.

(PA Graphics)

The people I know who are still there have told me the town has been as destroyed and flattened by the Russians, Ms Cullimore said.

The town is basically one long street, with a few houses behind.

They drove their tanks down shooting at everything and there is nothing that hasnt been damaged or destroyed.

They didnt destroy the school totally as the Russian soldiers used it to sleep and live in.

Poland has received more than three million refugees from Ukraine since Russia launched its war on February 24.
Machination: A COVID hysteria horror story By Thomas M. Sipos

web posted May 2, 2022 Less than two months after the lockdown began in March 2020, filmmakers were already marketing finished films with COVID storylines and themes. (I screen entries for a film festival and see this stuff fresh from the editing room.) Most were shorts, but by summer 2020, features were ready for viewing. Some were shot in apartments "under lockdown." Others were Zoom "films," just a computer screen with multiple faces, the actors performing their roles from home. Still others were one-man projects shot on iPhones. By now the "COVID film genre" likely includes hundreds of productions from around the world. Most were, I suspect, an attempt to exploit a hot "ripped from today's headlines!" topic. But among them are some interesting works. Co-directors Sarah Jayne and Ivan Malekin's Machination was shot "during the pandemic" (according to its promotional material). In this short feature film (62 minutes), a young office worker, Maria (Steffi Thake), exemplifies COVID hysteria . Maria is not merely cautious; she's turned hypochondriac. Upon coming home from work, she strips to her undies, disinfects her feet, her hands and arms, her shoes, her purse, and throws all her clothes into the washer. When Maria showers, we see the red bruises where she's scrubbed herself raw. She has groceries delivered, refuses to open the door until the delivery man leaves, then disinfects her packaged food. When her landlord enters, she panics, social distances by escaping into her bathroom, and shouts that the rent money is in her bedroom side table drawer. Just take it and please leave! Perhaps because COVID is no longer a hot topic, Machination is marketed as a psychological horror film. That's not entirely dishonest. Jayne and Malekin employ horror aesthetics in their story. Eerie music and sinister whispers convey Maria's fears upon seeing ordinary objects. As the film progresses, so does her mental breakdown. She hallucinates and sees worms upon her phone, her food, and throughout her apartment. Despite its weighty topic, Machination also employs exploitation film techniques. Thake spends an awful lot of screen time walking about in her undies. And the shower scenes needn't be so long. Despite these skin shots, a feminist theme ironically emerges. Why is Maria a hypochondriac? It turns out she was sexually abused as a child. This made her feel dirty. But she had suppressed her feelings of unwholesomeness, and perhaps the memories as well. Then COVID burst upon the world and threatened to contaminate Maria. And no amount of social distancing or disinfection suffices to protect her, to help her feel safe and clean, because she already feels polluted. And so Machination opens as an "unprogressive" critique of COVID hysteria, but ends safely deep in progressive territory as Maria is revealed to be a victim of the patriarchy. But then I wondered. Maria is crazy because she's suffered sexual abuse, but she's still crazy. The co-directors have even stated that their film is about, among other things, mental illness. And so the message remains that you must be crazy to overreact to COVID like Maria is doing, whatever the cause of her hypochondria. Perhaps to dilute that dangerously "MAGA conservative" message, Maria's brother, Yorgen (Rambert Attard), spouts conspiracy theories about 5G and metal-contaminated vaccines. He's the film's villain, the man who sexually abused Maria when they were young. Thematically, this translates into: Maria's exaggerated fears of COVID are crazy, but Yorgen's conspiracy theories are evil. Machination was shot on Malta. Its cast all speak English with an accent, so I assume all the actors are Maltese. Steffi Thake is both talented and looks great in underwear. This is a low-budget, indie affair; the distributor claims it cost 6,000 Euros. It was shot mostly in an apartment, mostly with just Maria. Nevertheless, it's an interesting, at times powerful film. An oddball mix of COVID skepticism , feminist critique, and exploitation horror. Thomas M. Sipos writes satirical novels and film criticism. His website is CommunistVampires.com . Home
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will depart for the United States on May 2-6 to take part in the session of Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue, the Armenian foreign ministry spokesperson said on social media.

On May 2-6, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to the United States of America to participate in the session of Armenia-US Strategic Dialogue.

In Washington, Ararat Mirzoyan will also meet with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, USAID Director Samantha Power, US Special Assistant to the President Amanda Sloat and other colleagues.

Meetings with high-ranking representatives of the US Congress will take place.

Within the framework of the visit, the Foreign Minister of Armenia will deliver remarks at the Atlantic Council think tank, the statement says.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. 189 people were detained by police Monday morning amid anti-government protests in Yerevan.

The demonstrators were blocking streets in downtown Yerevan and were detained for failure to obey a lawful order of police, the press service of the police told ARMENPRESS.

The Vice President of the Republican Party of Armenia Armen Ashotyan, as well as Arsen Babayan from the Hayrenik party were also earlier detained.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. The number of detained protesters who are blocking streets in Yerevan grew to 244 as of 14:00, police told ARMENPRESS.

The anti-government protesters are detained for failure to obey the lawful order of the police.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. There are no plans to re-demarcate the Armenian-Turkish border, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

In response to the question of the media, we inform that there is no discussion or agreement on the redemarcation of the Armenian-Turkish border. There is no such issue on the agenda, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Vahan Hunanyan said in a statement.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan and the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will sign a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation in the civil nuclear field, ARMENPRESS was informed from the website of the US State Department.

On May 2-6, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan paid a working visit to the United States of America to participate in the Armenian-American Strategic Dialogue session.

In Washington, Ararat Mirzoyan will also meet with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, US Special Assistant to the President Amanda Sloat and other colleagues.

Meetings with senior members of the US Congress will also take place.

Within the framework of the visit, the Armenian Foreign Minister will deliver a speech at the Atlantic Council think tank.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. During the protest organized by the opposition in Yerevans French Square, Ishkhan Saghatelyan, a member of the "Hayastan" faction and a representative of the ARF Supreme Body of Armenia, summed up the activities of the day, referred to the registered incidents and presented the upcoming activities.

"Today, starting from early morning, we carried out acts of disobedience in different parts of Yerevan. We closed about 30 streets. According to official data, 244 people were detained, but I must say that most of them have been released and have joined the rally. Despite all the difficulties, we are strong and ready to go to the end," ARMENPRESS reports, Ishkhan Saghatelyan said.

In his speech, Saghatelyan expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of some police officers. He referred to cases of violence initiated by some civilians, condemning the incidents. Ishkhan Saghatelyan assured that the actions of peaceful disobedience will continue. The participants of the rally again decided to hold a march and block the central streets.
The failure of talks between the Congress and PK, not just once but twice, has also damaged the partys image

Questions are being asked after the collapse of the talks between the Congress Party and election strategist Prashant Kishor (popularly known as PK) on what may be the way forward for the Grand Old Partys revival. Frankly, with or without PK, the Congress revival wont be easy. I am not saying it wont be possible, but two things are certain. First, it will be next to impossible for the Congress to regain a dominant position in Indian politics. Second, the journey for its revival will be long and arduous, and its fortunes are unlikely to change significantly before the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. The problems are deep-rooted, and no quick-fix solution will help. The party needs a complete overhaul, with multiple changes in leadership, organisational structure, membership and mobilisation strategy.

PK is no magician, and he cant create an illusion for people to vote for the Congress, he is only a poll strategist who can at best help the party with one or two aspects. He can help to strategise the partys campaign, on which he has a proven track record. Such strategies may help to get some additional votes. But what Congress needs is just some additional votes, it requires a massive shift of votes in its favour to make difference in 2024, which seems difficult. The failure of talks between the Congress and PK, not just once but twice, has also damaged the partys image. It signalled the leadership was clueless about how to revive the party after massive and successive defeats, for why else would they hold discussions with PK? What is damaging the party even more is the widespread public perception that Congress leaders, and particularly the Gandhis, dont want to give up their powers and unwilling to change.

The party has been in bad shape since 2014, but things have got much worse after its defeat in the 2019 general election. Its inability to win a single Assembly election since the 2019 debacle has demoralised not just senior leaders but also the rank and file. The problem is far more serious than one may believe. Not only has the party not won any Assembly poll since 2019, its vote share has declined into single digits in some states. The elections in the coming years also dont hold out much hope.

Look at the Congress dismal performance in the last three years, since it lost the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Of the 17 Assembly elections held since then, the Congress hasnt been able to win a single one on its own. It can have the solace of being a part of coalition governments in three states --Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand -- but except in Maharashtra, the Congress is a very small partner in the collation governments in Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu, led by the JMM and DMK respectively. The Congress has only 18 seats in the Tamil Nadu Assembly and just 16 seats in Jharkhand.

The story of the Congress poor showing in Assembly elections in the last four years goes beyond the number of seats won. Not only has the party lost elections in many states, it has lost badly in some cases, pushed to the third or fourth positions, or even beyond that. Of the 17 states which went to the polls in the last four years, the Congress vote share was less than five per cent in five states, and in another five it remained between five per cent and 16 per cent. Only in the remaining seven states did it get a reasonable vote share of around 25-30 per cent, though it failed to win any election. The Congress vote share declined in 12 of these 17 states -- Haryana, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar and Kerala being the only exceptions.

Not only have the past four years been difficult for the Congress, the coming years also dont indicate any change for the better. Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh will go to the polls by the end of 2022. Both states have traditionally witnessed a bipolar contest, and the BJP being in power in both states, the Congress should have a 50 per cent chance of winning the election. But the arithmetic doesnt seem to be working in such a simple way. The BJP has been in power in Gujarat for the last 27 years, and the Congress has lost six elections in a row at the BJPs hands. By any standard, 27 years of one-party rule should have led to significant anti-incumbency against the ruling party, but that doesnt seem to be visible, at least till now. Not only has the Congress not won an election in Gujarat since 1995, it has trailed behind the BJP by a margin of more than 9-10 per cent votes. In my view, there is hardly any hope for the Congress in Gujarat in the coming election. What may hit the Congress even harder will be the presence of the Aam Aadmi Party, which swept the recent Assembly elections in Punjab, besides being in power in Delhi. In both states, it is the Congress which has been at the receiving end. In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress has won byelections to three Assembly and one Lok Sabha seat, which raised hopes for the party in the state. But one shouldnt forget that the mood of voters can be different in a byelection and a general election. In byelections, voters dont vote to elect a government, they merely vote to elect their representative, and might express their anger against a ruling party, but in general elections they vote to elect a government, and exercise their voting choices carefully. Just before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP lost some key byelections, but won the 2019 Lok Sabha election with a much bigger majority. Also, one should not forget that the Congress trailed behind the BJP by almost eight per cent votes and the BJP won more than double the number of seats won by the Congress (BJP 44 seats; Congress 21 seats). It may not be easy for the Congress to cover so much ground with which it can defeat the BJP.

People talk of various remedies to help revive the Congress -- change of leadership, organisation building, membership drive, etc. I think no single remedy will work. The disease is much more serious than it looks from the outside, and it must be attended to by several specialists, not just one, in order to have a reasonable chance to cure it.
by Nirmala Carvalho

The new archbishop was installed last Friday, but his appointment is still rejected by some because he is not a Dalit. A local Dalit group organised a protest announcing that it was taking the case to the Indian government and Indias Supreme Court.

Pondicherry (AsiaNews)  The new archbishop of Pondicherry-Cuddalore, Mgr Francis Kalist, was officially installed last Friday; however, his appointment remains controversial.

Before he was chosen by Pope Francis to head the archdiocese, the Dalit Christian Liberation Movement (DCLM) demanded that a Dalit prelate be selected to lead the archepiscopal see, which is located in Tami Nadu, a state where Dalits represent the overwhelming majority of the Catholic community.

Archbishop Kalist, 64, is the former bishop of Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. His new assignment to the sensitive see of Pondicherry-Cuddalore was announced on 19 March.

He led the solemn Eucharist marking his installation Friday afternoon in the courtyard of the Petit Seminaire Primary School, in the presence of the apostolic nuncio to India Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli.

However, the entry of the new archbishop was not enough to ease the tensions. On the very day that Archbishop Kalist assumed office, the DCLM held a protest.

During the rally, it harshly criticised the bishops of the Indian state and the apostolic nuncio. The group continues to demand the resignation by the new archbishop; their complaint is that only one local bishop out of 18 is Dalit.

In a statement, DCLM president M. Mary John says that like Jesus, Dalit Catholics are victims of a betrayal, and that they have been denied their rights and marginalized in the Catholic Church.

Because of this, We have lost confidence in the Catholic religious authority. So from now on we are going to raise these issues of casteism, untouchability and caste discrimination with the government and the constitutional authorities in the country.

The statement adds, We have been restrained for decades in taking such action, but now it is only proving to be negative to our cause. To rectify the situation, We will also write to the Supreme Court of India on this serious issue.

The DCLM also cited the request for forgiveness Pope Francis made to delegations representing Canadas Indigenous peoples on 1 April For the deplorable conduct of those members of the Catholic Church vis-a-vis their members in that country.

Now, It is time that the Indias Catholic hierarchy comes forward to apologize to the Dalits in the Catholic Church for the centuries-long caste discrimination they suffered and make suitable reparation.

The letter ends with an appeal to Pope Francis to make a special visit to India soon, specifically with this main focus in mind.
Pic story: tea making instructor in SW China

Xinhua) 11:32, May 02, 2022

Guo Jun walks with freshly-picked tea leaves in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 27, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun (5th L) remarks on tea leaves his students processed at a local technical school in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 27, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun gives a lesson on tea making at a local technical school in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 28, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun (1st R) talks with his students about tea making technique at a local technical school in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 28, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun (3rd R) and his students pluck tea leaves in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 29, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun plucks tea leaves in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 27, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun (2nd R, front) teaches his student to bake tea leaves in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 27, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun looks at a cup of tea his student brewed in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 29, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun (2nd R) and his teacher Liu Xiaohua (1st R) watch a student brew tea at a local technical school in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 29, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

Guo Jun (R) walks with his students carrying freshly-picked tea leaves in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 29, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

In this aerial photo, Guo Jun (2nd R) and his students pluck tea leaves in Meitan County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, April 29, 2022. Busy toasting tea leaves on a stove, Guo Jun basks in the fresh aroma filling a workshop in Meitan County. After graduating from Guizhou University in 2016, Guo returned to his hometown to work at a tea company, where he learned tea making from a local master. In 2018, he became an instructor at a local technical school two years later. Honing one's tea-making skills demands huge reserves of patience, empathy and a strong sense of vocation. "My students and I have to bake while kneading the leaves by hand. Our hands often get burned on the wok, leaving them blisters," Guo recalled. "We, the younger generation, should cherish traditional tea making technique while tapping its innovative potential," he said. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
A sceptic's guide to the universe, part IV: 'Recalled to life'--literary tool or universal human hope? By Charlotte B. Cerminaro

web posted May 2, 2022 Like many, I find the opening lines of Charles Dickens' great novel, A Tale of Two Cities, oddly compelling. The idea is simple; two major cities juxtaposed, one in the throes of pre-revolution, the other in a state of uneasy peace. Paris would soon be the vision of anarchy, a catastrophic bloodbath; Londoners were feeling the stirrings of unrest from their southerly neighbor, in relative stability. Early in the narrative we are introduced to Dr. Manotte, a highly respected Parisian physician who has been wrongly imprisoned in the Bastille for 18 years. He has a daughter, Lucie, who lives in London; she doesn't know her father is even alive, let alone released after nearly two decades. Intercepting her carriage late one night, a messenger hands a note to one of her fellow passengers--whose verbal reaction to this note is strange and cryptic: "Recalled to life.." The concept to which this phrase refers is a central theme, woven into the tapestry of the narrative. As it unfolds, we are repeatedly submerged in the worst human actions, alongside the very best. Remorseless cruelty was inflicted on the innocent and those of decent charactertheir only mistake, being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The toll was devastating on the witnesses and survivors of such brutality; France was staggering under the weight of injustice. Like most of the severely mistreated, Dr. Manotte's physical and mental health had deteriorated significantly. There was little hope of recovery. While imprisoned he was tasked with making shoes all day; he obsessively continued doing the same, many months after his release. But when he met his daughter for the first time, the kind and noble qualities of his wife (long deceased) were quite apparent in their daughter. After a time, Manotte gradually regained health and hope. His daughter got married and he befriended his son-in-law, another key to the narrative. We are introduced to a gentleman called Darnay, on trial in London for espionage. Born of a wealthy, aristocratic French family, Darnay wanted no part in the inhumanity perpetuated by his ancestors on the less fortunate. Renouncing his family and inheritance, he went to London seeking a normal life. Unfortunately, the deeds of his ancestors seemed destined to follow him. He was acquitted by the unexpected testimony of a man named Carton, who bears a striking physical resemblance to Darnay. We learn that Carton has lived a selfish and purposeless life thus far. He admires Darnay and knows he is a man of action and decency. Darnay and Carton's chance meeting turns into friendship. Among the witnesses at Darnay's trial, Dr. Manotte and Lucie recognize that the French revolutionaries are chasing down all aristocrats, intending to murder every last one. Lucie encourages Darnay to stay in England to avoid persecution, and it is Darnay that she eventually married. Paris was thrown into the darkness of revolution only a few years later. Returning to France to help secure the release of his former servant, Darnay put himself in the midst of this danger. He'd known the servant most of his life, a man who imprinted Darnay with a conscience. After the servant's release, as Darnay prepared to return to London he was arrested. Denied a trial, he was to be executed in less than 24 hours. Upon hearing Darnay's fate, Carton was determined to find his purpose, the life he'd never lived. Walking the streets of Paris, by chance he overheard revolutionaries plotting the arrest of Darnay's wife and daughter as well. Within hours he devised and arranged a clever plot to switch places with Darnay, allowing the family to flee Paris. Carton found his way to Darnay's cell and told him what he intended. He drugged Darnay, switched clothes and had him carried out to Manotte's waiting carriage, Lucie and daughter already inside. The next morning Carton went to the gallowswillingly, and without anyone's suspicion. He was neither sentimental nor suicidal. His self-centeredness had followed him like a dark cloud; Darnay's unselfish love and courage broke through that seemingly impenetrable darkness within Carton. The only possibility for a second chance was the certainty of Darnay's death; only he, with his remarkable physical likeness, could take Darnay's place. The concept of regaining a life that was lost has been used by many great writers, including Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, Leo Tolstoy and Joseph Conrad, and by less great writers like Stephen King (Shawshank Redemption). It's a potent theme in our collective consciousness but is it a reality? A thought occurred, perhaps this phenomenon is actually real, and it's not uncommon. Being "recalled to life" may not always be so dramatic and doesn't usually make headlines. Someone in a near-fatal accident is told they'll never walk again. After years of struggle and physical therapy, this person is now walking without assistance. A lifelong acquaintance is no longer held captive by grief and trauma. Just comprehending such possibilities reaffirms our capacity to heal from unspeakable hurt. According to Charles Dickens, this is hope: second chances, renewal, wounds healed that were beyond repair. To paraphrase Ernest Hemingway, the one thing every intelligent being has in common, no matter how rich and powerful or courageous, if they've been broken by life they will plead with God for a second chance. At his execution, the character named Carton left the world with these words: "I see a beautiful city rising from this abyss. I see the lives for which I lay down my life, peaceful, useful, prosperous and happy. It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done. It is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known." Charles Dickens penned these words over a century and a half ago. More than just a notable character's famous last words, they are a poignant and powerful statement about hope, healing, and the gift of life. Charlotte B. Cerminaro is a Juilliard-trained classical musician and recording artist. In her free time she enjoys writing and regularly contributes to Enter Stage Right and she attained a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology. Home
In his message for the festival of Vesak, the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue calls on Christians and Buddhists to turn to the transcendental values of their respective traditions and take a risk on the path that leads humanity to triumph over the spiritual emptiness that causes so much wrong-doing and suffering.

Vatican City (AsiaNews)  The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue issued a statement for Vesak, the day Buddhists commemorate the birth, death and enlightenment of the Buddha.

Signed by the Councils president, Card Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, and Secretary, Mgr Kodithuwakku K. Indunil J, the message for Dear Buddhist friends notes that in times of crisis such as those we are going through, it is more important than ever to continue with "resilience" to draw on the treasures of spiritual life in order to sow hope.

Turning to humanitys manifold crises, the message bemoans the fact that, For a third consecutive year, people around the world are held hostage by the lingering health crisis brought on by COVID-19.

In addition, Frequent natural disasters related to the ecological crisis have exposed our fragility as citizens of a shared Earth. Conflicts continue to shed innocent blood and to provoke widespread suffering. Sadly, there are still those who use religion to justify violence.

Citing Pope Francis, the statement notes that, Humanity is proud of its advancement in science and thought, in many beautiful things, but it is going backward in bringing about peace.  This should make us all feel ashamed.

Although signs of solidarity [are] emerging in response to the tragedies, lasting solutions are still faraway. Unfortunately, The pursuit of material wealth and the abandonment of spiritual values has led to a generalized moral decline in society.

As Buddhists and Christians, our religious and moral sense of responsibility should motivate us to sustain humanity in its quest for reconciliation and resilience. Religious people, sustained by their noble principles, must strive to be lamps of hope that, even though small, still illuminate the path that leads humanity to triumph over the spiritual emptiness that causes so much wrong-doing and suffering.

Thus, Buddhists and Christians can do a lot in this area for The Buddha and Jesus Christ direct their followers to transcendent values, albeit in different ways. The noble truths of the Buddha explain the origin and causes of suffering and indicate the eightfold path that leads to the cessation of suffering.

Citing a verse from the Dhammacakkappavattanasutta, we can read that if practiced, this teaching is a cure to the ceaseless grasping that leads to greed and power-plays. In this sense, it is related to the Beatitudes proclaimed by Jesus, which show us how to be resilient by giving priority to spiritual values in the midst of a world running amok.

Ultimately, Christians and Buddhists can help humanity by bringing to light the hidden treasures of their spiritual traditions, in particular the dimension of hope. Hence, Dear friends, we wish that your celebration of Vesak will keep hope alive and generate actions that welcome and respond to the adversities caused by the present crises.
Today's headlines: Taiwanese premier describes Chinese anti- Covid-19 measures as "cruel", underlines Taipei's different approach; Armenian opposition calls for the premier's resignation over concessions to Azerbaijani "enemy" for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh; Ukrainian sources report Russian occupation forces in Kherson have kidnapped dozens of children; Ashgabat forbids childrens T-shirts and games depicting foreign heroes, women wearing make-up risk being fired.

AFGHANISTAN

The Afghan Supreme Leader appeared in public for the second time in six years yesterday on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr. Hibatullah Akhundzada "praised" the successes of the Koranic students, who are said to have provided "freedom and security" to the country. At the same time over the weekend, on the eve of the end of Ramadan, two bloody attacks in Kabul claimed dozens of lives.

TAIWAN - CHINA

The lockdowns imposed by China to contain the Covid-19 are "cruel" Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang has said, adding that Taipei would not follow Beijing's lead on the pandemic. As an example of emergency management, the island also saw an increase in cases with the Omicron variant, but thanks to the vaccination campaign the number of victims remains low and restrictions are relaxed.

SINGAPORE

The war in Ukraine is also causing "suffering" in Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledged during a May Day address to the nation. The losses amount to about 5.5 billion euros and are linked to uncertainties in energy prices, which the city-state is forced to import in full. Fears are of an economic recession.

IRAQ

An emergency caused by dust and sand storms, which have turned the sky and air orange, is underway in the country. Flights at Baghdad and Najaf airports have been suspended due to poor visibility. The phenomenon, exacerbated by climate change and the water crisis, is expected to continue today. Hospitals are on alert for a possible spike in admissions due to respiratory problems.

ARMENIA - AZERBAIJAN

Thousands of opposition supporters demonstrated yesterday in Yerevan, against the government's threatened concessions to the Azerbaijani "enemy", in view of an agreement on the disputed lands of Nagorno-Karabakh. Demonstrators blocked traffic, accusing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of selling off the territory under pressure from the international community, and calling for his resignation.

RUSSIA - UKRAINE

The former commissioner for children's rights in Ukraine, Nikolaj Kuleba, reports that Russian occupying forces kidnapped 58 orphans in Kherson, hiding in the basement of a church. In addition, Moscow soldiers looted museums in Mariupol, taking more than two thousand unique works of art to Donetsk, including paintings by Arkhip Kuindzi and Ivan Ajvazovsky, icons, Torahs and ancient Gospels.

TURKMENISTAN

Ashgabat has banned kindergarten children from wearing clothes with drawings of foreign cartoon heroes, particularly those of Disney. They are also not allowed to bring cartoon toys, which are also banned from sale in shops. Women who use cosmetics risk their jobs, civil servants have to sign a form in which they "undertake not to wear make-up".
by Fady Noun

Patriarch Pizzaballa presided over the episcopal ordination of the new vicar of Israel in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth. Passionate about dialogue, educated as an engineer, he is a builder of 'bridges' between people. The exhortation to be a "father" for priests and the faithful.

Beirut (AsiaNews) - Born in Egypt, in Ismailia on January 27, 1959, raised in Lebanon, his later years spent in France before moving to the Holy Land, Msgr Rafic Nahra is truly Lebanese. A man of openness and dialogue, a distinctive trait that knows how to extend himself according to the occasion without ever breaking, and who is capable of adapting without ever changing his nature, a precious resource that the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem can boast of counting among its ranks since last April 30th in Nazareth, with his episcopal ordination.

Lebanese and Maronite by birth, 63-year-old Fr. Rafic Nahra was ordained auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem on Saturday 30 April in the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth (Galilee-Israel). The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

Firmly rooted in the reading of the Bible and in the fraternal life that animates the life of the Churches and ecclesial movements in Lebanon, Mgr Rafic Nahra happily considers himself "a man drawn to the frontiers". He arrived in France in 1979, at the age of 20, after studying engineering for two years, which was interrupted by the war. A scholarship holder, he "built" bridges and roads, then started work. However, shortly afterwards, Christ wooed him at length and then invited him to abandon bridges, pavements and soil mechanics to become first and foremost a builder of bridges between people, communities and peoples.

In his new episcopal role, Bishop Nahra will deal more specifically with Arabic-speaking Latin Catholics, who represent some 17,000 people in Israel. Having previously entered the seminary in 1987 and been a priest in the diocese of Paris since 1992, he made himself available in 2016 to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which appointed him patriarchal vicar for Hebrew-speaking Catholics, a position with a responsibility to which was also added that of coordinator and head of the pastoral care of migrants.

A passion for Jewish-Christian dialogue

Passionate about Jewish-Christian dialogue, in 2004 he was sent by Card. Lustiger, himself of Jewish origin, to the Holy City to continue his studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. These studies were crowned in 2016 with a master's degree in Judaic Thought, then a doctorate in Judeo-Arabic literature. These qualifications earned him the direction, between 2008 and 2011, of the "Judaism and Christianity" research department of the College of the Bernardines in Paris. And in Jerusalem, while serving with Palestinian children or in the Maronite parish in Jerusalem, he also came into contact with Israel's Hebrew-speaking Christian community of a few hundred people.

Patriarch Pizzaballa celebrated the episcopal ordination, together with Msgr. William Shomali, vicar general for Jerusalem and Palestine, and Msgr. Thibault Verny, auxiliary bishop of Paris, as well as in the presence of Msgr. Adolfo Tito Yllana, apostolic nuncio to the Holy Land. Also present were Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabbah and Fr. Francesco Patton, Custos of the Holy Land and recently confirmed in the post by Pope Francis.

Msgr Nahra will certainly know how to meet all the expectations of his patriarch who, as a final recommendation, addressed these words to him: "One thing will be asked of you before your anointing: do you love the Lord? [...] The testimony that the Church expects from you is above all this". And this aspect will certainly not be difficult for him to fulfil. To fully embrace the Lord's call, he turned his back on a bright professional future, which would certainly have opened all doors to him, preferring instead to enter the Paris seminary in 1987.

Knowing his preference for pastoral work, the Patriarch also advised him to act as a good administrator and "to be a father to priests and faithful". At the same time, he also warned him "not to confuse 'fatherhood' with simple 'friendship'. A father is more than a friend. Being a father implies knowing how to generate: faith, first of all, but also life in the Church".

A crowd gathering different communities experienced the ordination ceremony as a moment of joy, reflecting Fr Rafic's journey, considered in many ways "atypical": members of the vicariate of St James (the Hebrew-speaking Catholic community) and the vicariate for migrants and asylum seekers (Vmas), priests from the diocese of Paris, lay, religious and consecrated people from all over the Holy Land...

Everyone applauded, interrupting the celebration several times. At the end of the mass, after blessing the crowd and giving a speech of thanks to all, the new bishop was surrounded by a crowd of faithful, who came to congratulate him.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

With the invasion of Ukraine, the teaching of history as a demonstration of Russian superiority has been intensified in schools. Education is now a propaganda tool. But school facilities are underfunded. The Soviet-style ideological system remains in place.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - In these months of war, there has been a proliferation of parliamentary and governmental projects and decrees extolling the importance of school education in the country, especially the teaching of history. This is considered a fundamental dimension of the patriotic spirit and a demonstration of the moral and cultural superiority of the Russians with respect to the hated West and the entire world. A typically Soviet ideological mould of the 'best school' of true ideology, has been renewed.

Thus the school has become an instrument of propaganda, but many observers stress that this prospect is only further damage to a school system that has long been in crisis. An analysis by Rbk-Media shows that primary and secondary schools in Russia have suffered for years from a total lack of funding for infrastructure, and thousands of schools are in a very poor state, apart from a few purely cosmetic interventions of a very "Soviet" type, such as repainting walls and replacing a few layers of linoleum on floors destroyed by pupils' snow shoes. In many regions, action is only taken on school buildings that are at risk of collapse.

It is not just a question of a lack of funding, which is sometimes dispersed or misappropriated, so much so that expenditure on food even exceeds the teachers' living expenses. Yet there are increasing complaints about poor rations for pupils, many of whom have suffered allergy problems or severe discomfort from bad food.

Lessons in the regions furthest from Moscow are held in two or three shifts, with a considerable deterioration in the quality of teaching: teachers cannot cope with the workload, families are also put to the test by the discontinuity; classrooms and school materials are overused.

In such a stressed context, the parliament and the government are competing to introduce new standards and programmes all the time, obviously for propaganda purposes, to prevent any ideological discrepancy in the new generations. Over the past 10 years, students in particular, starting in their teens, have been very receptive to the anti-corruption protest campaigns of Naval'nyj and his comrades.

Teachers are constantly having to pass refresher tests to satisfy the demands of the top management and save their jobs and salaries, and some have been dismissed for not adhering to the official line, not to mention a few courageous teachers who have expressed some criticism.

With the exception of a few excellent schools in the big cities, the Russian education system is very backward from a technological point of view, and does not take advantage of digital opportunities, remaining similar to the 'assembly line' of the schools of the past. The level of students is chronically very low, and it does not seem that solutions to raise it to an acceptable level can be found any time soon.

Foreign languages continue to be a privilege only for those students who can be initiated into studies of "national interest", i.e. those who are expected to be able to recruit for security services and political careers, and this too is a legacy of Soviet times. The humanities are also traditionally undervalued and taught in a haphazard manner in order to exhalt "scientific primacy", which is in fact also of old fashioned approach, excluding the study of scientific achievements of Western origin - in the USSR it was called "capitalist countries".

Nothing like a hierarch from days gone by, despite his relatively young age, is the Minister of Education, 49-year-old Sergei Kravtsov. In recent years Putin has put him in charge of guarding the system to avoid leaps forward or ideological deviations, managing it all with extreme doses of bureaucratic formalism.
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EV

The Korean marque 's engineers were testing the prototype of the next-gen Kona in Germany, near the company's development center. As you may be aware, Hyundai Motor Europe established a Technical Center in Russelsheim, Germany, many years ago.While the company still develops some elements in South Korea, European vehicles get developed on the market where they are meant to be sold.From what we can discern, the Kona will grow slightly in size, while sticking to the shape that made it what it was. To be specific, Hyundai is going to keep the split headlight design , although the lower lamps will not sit vertically instead of horizontally like they did on the ongoing model.Bigger changes will be found under the sheet metal, where Hyundai will offer both gasoline variants with varying degrees of electrification and full-on electric vehicles. The latter will have the internal designation SX2e, while the regular next-gen Kona will be just SX2e. The small e is meant to signify Europe, mind you, as unnamed sources have explained.On the inside, the gauge cluster will be changed with a fully digital screen , and the dashboard is also different. The Ioniq 5 is an inspiration, but the Kona will not be a mini-Ioniq 5 from this point of view.Despite the thick layer of camouflage, the upcoming Kona is bound to have styling influences from its bigger brother, the Tucson. While that will remain to be seen, it will come as no surprise if Hyundai decides to apply the same styling philosophy on the Kona as it had on the Tucson The next-generation Kona is expected to be launched in early 2023, so we are bound to see more prototypes in the future, especially in the coming months. With the increase in size, it is now clear that Hyundai wants to compare its 2023 Kona with the VW T-Roc, so we can have a good idea of how much it will grow.
The Defender 30th Anniversary Edition idea is to pay tribute to its predecessors from three decades ago, the 1993 Defender 110 First Edition. At the time, that model was the first Defender to be offered in North America, which is why this special edition celebrates 30 years and not a day more.Only selected Land Rover dealers will have these models on their list. Each 2023 Land Rover Defender 30th Anniversary Edition will have an MSRP of $75,000. The above value excludes retailer fees, license, title, tax, delivery, and destination, which must be due at signing.Furthermore, the value mentioned above does not include any optional equipment, which comes at an additional price. So yes, take the $75,000 value as a beginning point.If you are interested in off-roading, you will be happy to learn that this special edition model comes with an Expedition Roof Rack, front and rear mudflaps with a classic design, and rubber mats on the interior, fixed side steps, a deployable ladder, wheel arch extensions, and more.The Solihull brand has not forgotten about modern elements, so this vehicle has the Tow Pack, the Cold Climate Pack, the Black Exterior Pack, and the Off-Road Pack. Yes, the latter exists in the Defender range , and it does not come standard.This special edition model also includes Premium LED headlights, air suspension, front fog lamps, and the Land Rover Activity Key. The latter allows its bearer to keep the vehicle's keys dry while you go out and have a nice day at the beach or something like that. Once you are dry and back inside the vehicle, you get to enjoy the three-zone climate control with an air quality sensor and cabin air ionization function. Land Rover developed the 30th Anniversary Edition on the base of the 2023 Defender 110 P 300 S model, which has been painted Fuji White for the occasion. The off-road-focused look is enhanced by the 18-inch Gloss White Steel Wheels. Each example will get a Heritage Inspired exterior badge on its tailgate.The changes do not stop here, as the special edition model comes with Ebony grained leather seat facings. It does look a bit like a 90s off-roader, doesn't it? Well, it still comes with all the modern bells and whistles, so it might make two groups of people happy, if only they could afford it.
The pictured ute is a 1965 model based on the first digit of the vehicle identification number. Manufactured at the Lorain assembly plant in Ohio, chassis number 5H27C123799 is rocking low-back seats rather than the factory-issue bench. The fifth digit refers to the 289 Windsor, a stout engine that cranks out 200 horsepower thanks to a two-barrel Autolite carburetor.Popping the hood reveals a different engine, though. Fitted with a 302 Windsor that flaunts a 289 high performance sticker on the chrome-finish air cleaner, this lump breathes through a Weiand aluminum intake manifold and a 650-cfm Holley four-barrel carburetor. Exhaust gases are routed through long-tube headers, and a Howe aluminum radiator keeps this engine cool with the help of dual electric fans. Augmented with aluminum roller rockers, the V8 had its oil and coolant replaced in preparation for sale.Offered with fewer than 10,000 miles (approximately 16,000 kilometers) on the clock, the Falcon-based truck is rolling on Kumho and BFGoodrich radial tires mounted on staggered wheels from American Racing. Equipped with a front brake line-lock system, an export brace, Monte Carlo bar, four-link rear suspension, Aldan American rear coilovers, upgraded front springs, and Koni front shocks, the blue-painted Ranchero had its front disc brakes, wheel bearings, and coilovers replaced under current ownership.Further boasting a Hurst shifter connected to a Tremec five-speed manual transmission, AM/FM/cassette stereo, adjustable seat rails, and black vinyl upholstery, the 1965 model is fitted with a Mooneyes tachometer mounted to the top of the dashboard. A narrowed 8.8-inch axle with 2.80:1 gears and a little bit of rust on the passenger front fender pretty much seals the deal.With seven days left on the ticker, this patina-infused Ranchero is going for merely $8,000 on Bring a Trailer at the moment of reporting. The vehicle is located in Palmdale, and features a clean California title in the owners name.
To keep players interested and engaged in the conversation, SCS Software recently published several screenshots from one of the upcoming DLCs, Montana, which show off the beauties of Great Falls, the city located on the Missouri River.Going through the citys history, we learn that this is the third largest city in the state, and its been named after one of the five waterfalls in the area. The images published by SCS Software are also an indicator of how the developer managed to bring the city to life in the upcoming Montana DLC Also known as the Electric City thanks to its slew of dams and power plants, Great Falls virtual counterpart in the upcoming Montana DLC will feature several landmarks including the Museum of Art, several churches and banks.SCS Software also revealed that American Truck Simulator players visiting Great Falls will be able to deliver to and from industries such as beverage plants, homeware stores, packaging factories and even the local airport.For those who are more into sightseeing, the upcoming Montana DLC will allow them to visit and admire the Great Falls the city was named after. Not to mention that Great Falls is the perfect blend of big city excitement and small town charm, as SCS Software describes the location, so the more reason to jump behind the wheels of your truck and head to Montana as soon as the new DLC goes live. Until then, make sure to add Montana to your wishlist via Steam, you never know when SCS Software announces its release date.
The year was 1938, and Boeing was cranking out B-17 Flying Fortresses as fast as possible. A war in Europe was imminent, so the Air Force asked Consolidated to build them under license. The design was already 4 years old, and aerodynamics had improved in the meantime. Coincidentally, the AF also released requirements for a new bomber: 300 mph, for 3,000 miles (4,828 km) range at 35,000 feet (10,668 meters) altitude.A new wing design was their starting point. The Davis Wing is longer and thinner, and mounted high up on the fuselage. This meant the wings had to work harder, as they carried 35 percent more stress (wing loading) than the B-17. Nevertheless, it was strong enough to carry two of the B-17's bomb bays mounted in-line. The trade-off was in altitude, as the B-24 topped out at 25,000 feet (7,620 meters) with a full load of bombs. The B-17 could go higher, but it was 15 mph slower.Another first was the tricycle landing gear. By incorporating a steerable, retractable nose wheel, takeoff and landings were much less stressful than tail-dragging aircraft. On the opposite end, having twin vertical stabilizers (rudders) offered redundancy, in that the bomber could make it home with one of them shot away.Power came from four Pratt & Whitney R-1830 Twin Wasp engines. These 30-liter beasts used massive turbos and 14 cylinders to deliver 1,200 horsepower each. Large intercoolers required oval engine cowlings, where active aerodynamics maintained optimal flow for the altitude and temperature.Being such a big target, it was defended by ten Browning .50 caliber machine guns. They were dual-mounted in turrets on the nose, roof, and underneath in the cramped ball turret. Handling one of the most dangerous jobs in the Air Force, the B-24 could retract the turret inside, a luxury not afforded to crews of other bombers.The aircraft's first test was in the Atlantic. The limited range of early sub hunters created a gap in coverage where U-boats would lurk. After trading a few bomb racks for extra fuel tanks, the VLR (Very Long Range) model was responsible for 93 confirmed U-boat kills, allowing vital convoys of men and machines to reach Europe.England and Germany had given up on daylight bombing as their losses mounted, but the Liberator went on the offensive in late 1942. Flying from bases across Southeast England, the 8th Air Force took heavy losses throughout 43 and 45, with 26,000 Airmen lost and another 28,000 captured. As losses mounted, Henry Ford offered to revolutionize the way bombers were built. The Willow Run assembly plant was transformed into the worlds largest single-story building in less than a year, and at peak output in August of 44, they delivered 428 bombers. Thats a new bomber every 63 minutes, for a total run of 8,685.Thanks to their 6,000-lb (2,721 kg) cargo capacity, they were easily transformed into transports that crossed the Himalayas to support Chinas war against Japan. As a tanker, they could haul 2,900 gallons of fuel (11,000 liters) over the roof of the world. Trading tanks for seats offered room for 25 passengers, so Quantas used them on the Perth to Sri Lanka route. It was the Indian Air Force who kept them flying until 1968, proving these rugged ships were well built.When Japan surrendered, 400 new examples were flown straight to the boneyard. With a production run of 18,482, the B-24 holds records for bomber, heavy bomber, American warplane, and multi-engine aircraft, but only one remains airworthy today.
The name of the company is Undefined Technologies and its brainchild is called Silent Ventus. It is an all-electric flying machine that doesnt look like your average drone and it uses another propulsion system, too. It is powered by ion propulsion through a proprietary technology that promises a minimum noise signature of the aircraft.According to Undefined Technologies, commercial delivery drones generate between 85 and 96 dB of noise, while U.S. regulations allow for noise levels of 50 to 70 dB in residential, industrial, and commercial zones. NASA research quoted by the startup shows that people find the high-pitched buzzing of drones even more irritating than road traffic noise.The company aims to achieve noise levels below 70 dB with its ion-powered Silent Ventus and it already shared footage of its prototypes completing test flight missions of up to two and a half minutes at below 85 dB. The goal is to increase flight time and decrease even further the noise level, so that the drones can be used for a variety of applications, from last-mile delivery to civil, military operations and more.However, so far, Undefined Technologies hasnt offered much information on its praised technology. It did reveal though that it uses innovative physics, making it viable to use ion propulsion in atmospheric conditions with superior performance of up to 160 percent compared to current ion thruster technologies.The design you see in the featured image is close to the one thats going to be used for the final product.You can also take a look at a previous prototype achieving the aforementioned two-and-a-half-minute test flight in the video below.
AV

The Autonomous Challenge race that took place in January 2022, which was part of this years Consumer Electronics Show (CES), had all competing teams racing the same kind of vehicle, the Dallara-21, touted as the most advanced autonomous racecar. Now, a few months later, PoliMOVE, which represents the Milan Polytechnic University and the University of Alabama, programmed the fastest autonomous racecar in the world and managed to set another world record.It all happened at the historic Kennedy Space Center, where the Dallara AV-21 reached a top speed of no less than 192.2 mph (309.3 kph) during some test runs. Compared to previous models of the vehicle, this one received an upgrade in the engine package, making the car able to deliver 30 percent more horsepower. Before the upgrade, the engine delivered 449 hp. All the vehicles involved in the autonomous race will be fitted with the new and improved engine moving forward.Operating on algorithms alone, the four-wheeled rocket is packed with LiDAR sensors meant to provide 360-degree long-range sensing, with cameras, actuators for autonomous driving, and features a 4-cylinder turbo engine. Precision is paramount when it comes to such vehicles, with no small prediction errors being allowed.The new world record is reason enough for the PoliMOVE team to be proud of itself, but those tests and all the gathered data are also meant to help the entire industry benefit from the learnings, as explained by Prof. Sergio Savaresi, team lead of Politecnico di Milano. In fact, the whole point of these autonomous races is to solve real world problems by speeding up the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles.You can see the upgraded Dallara AV-21 reaching the insane speed in the video below.
Despite its chipper commercial name, this program is testing a deadly threat for all warships. The infamous sinking of Russias flagship military vessel in the conflict with Ukraine has confirmed once again the crucial importance of defense capabilities against maritime threats.According to the U.S. military , a Navy submarine can destroy any warship with a single torpedo. But its not cheap, and its got its limitations.The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has been working on an alternative method that would be low-cost while having the same success rate of a torpedo over even wider areas. Its officially called the QUICKSINK Joint Capability Technology Demonstration, and the first successful test was completed last year.During this second test, an F-15E Strike Eagle launched a modified GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), obliterating a mock enemy full-scale vessel. At the moment, only a small percentage of the Navy can effectively launch heavy-weight torpedoes against military ships.With this new capability, USAFs combat aircraft could also destroy ships by using air-launched weapons. The modified 2,000-pound (907 kg) JDAM precision-guided bombs are the deadliest ones. As a result, the armed forces overall anti-ship lethality would be increased exponentially.The main advantage of using this new capability is that it can rapidly deliver an immediate effect on stationary or moving maritime targets at minimal costs. A part of the reason for that is the AFRL-developed weapon open systems architecture. This combines a modular structure with a precise placement of the weapon, resulting in higher efficiency and reduced costs.As warships become even more sophisticated, effective anti-ship methods must also evolve, and Quiksink will make enemy vessels look fearfully to the sky instead of underwater.
Well, the answer is relatively easy, at first glance anyway, because its always a good move to see what the competition has to offer when coming up with something new like, say an electrified supercar. Thats right, Lamborghini is currently working on the Aventadors successor, and it will feature a plug-in hybrid powertrain, just like the SF90.Thus, in all likelihood, the Raging Bull went out and bought this Ferrari, and chances are that they will take a close look beneath the skin to learn its secrets. However, until that happens (or maybe it already did happen), theyll drive it around the streets next to their facility , and perhaps in other environments, so we wouldnt be surprised to see it again, retaining the mandatory 'high-voltage' stickers on its red body.It is not uncommon at all for automakers to turn into peeping Toms whenever they have something new in the pipeline that theyre not familiar with. General Motors admitted to have done so, too, when developing the flat-plane crank V8 of the new Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Only instead of buying a full car, they turned to eBay, and spent roughly $25,000 on a Ferrari 458 engine, having it delivered to their Michigan engineering facility. The models chief engineer, Tadge Juechter, remembered how surprised they were by the small bearings, recalling that examining engines like the [458s 4.5-liter V8] was beneficial" for the development of their own lump.As for the Aventadors successor , it is reportedly due sometime next year, and will still feature a V12 engine, just like the Aventador, Murcielago, Diablo, Countach, and Miura. However, it wont be a pure unit, as it will be assisted by electricity. In the looks department, the yet-unnamed supercar will still be instantly recognizable as a Lamborghini, sporting an evolutionary design, albeit much more aerodynamic, and modern.
On the 17th of April, the Turkish state launched a large-scale attack on the legitimate defense areas (Matina, Zab and Avashin) with the participation of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. In northern and eastern Syria, where Turkish attacks have not stopped, since the beginning of April, Turkey has escalated the pace of its attacks.

On the other hand, the Iraqi army built up in Shingal district, while the wall between Shingal and northern and eastern Syria is still standing.

In parallel with this multi-sided escalation, the Damascus government has tightened its siege on the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods in Aleppo, in addition to besieging al-Shahba canton, where tens of thousands of displaced people live in the occupied canton of Afrin.

The head of the Future Syria Party, Ibrahim Al-Qaftan, and the co-chair of the Democratic Peace Party, Talal Muhammad, assessed to our agency, the aim of these attacks and ways to confront them.

Turkey does not want stability in the region

The co-chair of the Future Syria Party, Ibrahim al-Qaftan, says, Turkey insists that there will be no stability in this region on the pretext of fighting the Kurds, and fighting some parties, but what has become clear throughout this period still has an expansionist mentality, and hit any democratic project in the this area.

Kobani, the start of salvation from ISIS

Ibrahim notes that Kobani has a special importance, and everyone is aware that the liberation of the regions of north and east Syria started from Kobani. We know that this city did not fall despite the strength of ISIS, which could not penetrate this city, which has a special symbolism for the people of the region. We consider it the main nucleus through which it ISIS has been eliminated.

Countries are not charities

Ibrahim Al-Qaftan believes that the silence of the international community and the guarantor parties only indicates that these countries build their relations only on the basis of interests, "when Russian-Turkish interests intersect, there is Russian silence towards any action Turkey takes, and the same is true of America."

Al-Qaftan pointed out that the people of Syria should realize that countries are not charities. Rather, they are interests that intersect at the expense of peoples, and we have to take advantage of this issue to solve the Syrian crisis. We intersect with all Syrian parties, whether they are with Damascus or the opposition or with any of the Syrian parties, we must look at our interests as well, as other countries look at their interests.

'The Syrian regime still relies on the zero-sum theory'

The neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh have been facing a stifling siege since 2011, but their sons did not succumb. Today, the Damascus government is besieging them by preventing any food and medical supplies to it.

Ibrahim Al-Qaftan explains that "the Syrian regime still relies on the zero-sum theory regarding the people of Syria (me or no one), and this is a fact that reflects negatively on it, and all parties should not burden the sons of Syria in Sheikh Maqsoud and others," and added, "If the government is serious about resolving the Syrian crisis, and it should not succumb to these petty things.

The Turkish occupation army launched a genocidal attack against the Peoples Defense Forces on the 17th of April, to annex new areas in Basur Kurdistan. This comes after Erdogan's meeting with Masrour Barzani on the 15th of April in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

The Kurdish people today are different

The co-chair of the Kurdistan Democratic Peace Party, Talal Muhammad, commented on the developments in the region, and said: "What is happening is related to developments in the Middle East, and the contradictions between regional and international countries; the Kurdish issue is on the negotiating table between countries."

Talal Muhammad noted that the Kurds did not resolve their affairs during the first and second world wars. Today we are in the midst of the third world war, and the world knows the Kurdish people for their sacrifice and resistance against the most powerful terrorist organization, so the Kurdish people today are different.

His goal is to occupy Kurdistan

And Muhammad said in Politics there are no permanent friends, and there is no permanent enemy, but in the Kurdish case the enemy remains a permanent enemy, and Erdogan wants to occupy Kurdistan and exterminate the Kurdish people. His arguments for occupying Rojava and Basur Kurdistan to fight the PKK are weak, his goal is to occupy Kurdistan.

Talal Muhammad called on Basur Kurdistan government officials and politicians not to turn a blind eye to what is happening. "The enemies are not unaware, they want today to drag the Kurds into infighting. There will be no loser in this battle except the Kurdish people and their cause."

Escalation as a result of an agreement between the occupation and the Kurdistan Democratic Party

Muhammad linked the recent escalation of the Turkish occupation army to the recent visits between the KDP and Turkey, "there is an agreement between them and we can link them to many files, as well as the contradictions between the central government in Iraq and the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Iraqi elections file, the complications in Iraq, and the internal problems that exist between the two parties about Gas and Oil".

The Turkish state supports the Syrian regime

On a related level, media reports talk about the return of relations between the Damascus government and Turkey, in the context of intelligence communication, but the Damascus government denies the received news, and says that relations should be restored.

Talal Muhammad says, "The Turkish state supports the Syrian regime. It is true that Turkey says that the regime in Syria is tyrannical and must be changed, but what is happening is that the reports issued speak of an approach with the regime, and these facts cannot be hidden."

They want to put Shingal under political bartering

On the other hand, the Iraqi government, similar to the Turkish occupation, is building a concrete wall to separate the peoples in the region. The Iraqi government claims that setting this border is to protect its borders from ISIS.

Talal Muhammad shows that the construction of the wall between Syria and Iraq aims "to besiege Rojava and put pressure on the Autonomous Administration in Shingal. What is happening today is a continuity of the agreement signed by both the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Democratic Party," and points out: "The sons of Shingal are the ones who liberated their city without anything being offered to them." A helping party since 2014 until now, today they want to put it under political swaps.

Recently, the areas of Tel Tamer, Zarkan, Ain Issa and al-Shahba are witnessing a military escalation and the mobilization of mercenaries on the front lines separating the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Turkish occupation.

Talal Muhammad shows that the recent Turkish escalation and its threat to northern and eastern Syria is the result of an agreement between the Turkish state and the Syrian regime, under the command of the Russians that want through the Turkish escalation, to concede to the Autonomous Administration of the Syrian regime. We see today how Sheikh Maqsoud, Ashrafieh and al-Shahba are besieged to put pressure on the administration."

ISIS mercenaries announced that they will return to the scene again to avenge the killing of their leaders, in conjunction with the Turkish attack on the mountains of Kurdistan. This confirms the existence of a great scheme."

The return of ISIS means deepening the Syrian crisis

The co-chair of the Kurdistan Democratic Peace Party, Talal Muhammad, explains that ISIS has been geographically defeated on Syrian soil, but its cells continue to regroup in the region.

Talal Muhammad says that the return of ISIS to the region is linked to the countries that founded and supported ISIS, and its return means deepening and prolonging the Syrian crisis, and linked to the agenda of the Turkish state and countries that impede a democratic solution to the Syrian crisis. "The solution lies in political recognition of the Autonomous Administration to establish a court to prosecute thousands of mercenaries in the administration's prisons."

Mustafa Al-Kazemis government claims that the construction of the wall between Shingal and Rojava is to protect Iraqi areas from ISIS mercenaries, but on August 3, 2014, the world saw how the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Iraqi government fled from ISIS and left the people of Shingal face to face with the genocide committed against them at the time.

The wall is not to protect it from ISIS as they claim

Talal Muhammad points out that the construction of the wall between Shingal and Rojava is not to protect it as they claim, the ISIS attack started from Mosul, the parties that built the wall themselves withdrew from the area and left its residents alone in front of the Genocide. 2014, meaning not recognizing them and their rights, the sons of Sengal struggled and resisted in order to protect and liberate their city and their right to form a decentralized administration.

Muhammad called on the Iraqi government to create a constitutional situation to solve the issue of protecting Shingal, and noted that the construction of the wall is besieging Shingal and northeastern Syria.

Border building message: "We closed the road to the resistance"

Muhammad pointed out that by building the wall they want to send a message to the people of northern and eastern Syria; "We closed the way for the resistance fighters who came to the rescue and embrace of the sons of Sengal." By building this wall, they say, "We will not allow you to provide any assistance to Sengal. There are many messages that the Iraqi government wants to deliver to Turkey as well. We are implementing what you asked us."

Talal Muhammad stressed that the Middle East is going through a sensitive stage, and a democratic project is emerging again. This project will help establish confederal states, or a federal state, and decentralized states, and the peoples who did not obtain their rights will reach them if this project succeeds.

They want to divide Kurdistan into 8 parts

The co-chair of the Kurdistan Democratic Peace Party, Talal Muhammad, called on the Kurdish people to be vigilant, we will not conclude anything from what is happening if we do not support each other, problems are solved through dialogue, to solve our problems and be one hand, there are gains in Rojava and Basur Kurdistan, we have to stick to be A difficult number in protecting the Kurdish and Kurdish people. Our enemies want to draw a new Sykes-Picot in the region and divide Kurdistan instead of 4 into 8 parts.

A

ANHA
kW

Thats hardly a surprise to anyone slightly familiar with their plans, as they made it crystal clear that the Ultimae, which was presented last summer, is the models swansong. Production was supposed to end sooner, yet Lamborghini was forced to restart assembly in order to rebuild the 15 copies that ended up in the Atlantic Ocean, when the Felicity Ace sank in March.In order to bid farewell to the Aventador, Lamborghini organized a road trip with two Ultimae supercars, a coupe and a roadster, which took them from the sea to the mountains, traveling the roads of Emilia Romagna, and the Marches to create unique images. Less emotional than we expected, those pictures were just released by the auto firm, and you can explore them in our gallery above.As a reminder, the entire production lot, comprising 350 coupes and 250 roadsters, of the Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae is spoken for. The final copy that was still available went under the gavel on April 19, setting its owner back $1.6 million. The supercar was accompanied by a bespoke NFT, created by artists Krista Kim and Steve Aoki, in partnership with the INVNT Group.The Aventador is the last Lambo to feature a naturally aspirated V12 engine without any electrical assistance, as its successor will get a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The 6.5-liter mill pumps out 780 ps (769 hp / 574) at 8,500 rpm and 720 Nm (531 lb-ft) of torque at 6,750 rpm in the Ultimae . This version can deal with the 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) acceleration in 2.8 seconds and has a 355 kph (221 mph) top speed.
First and foremost, Google Maps is completely free, so it can be used without paying a single cent. Sure, critics claim users are paying with their data, but this is a completely different story.Then, Google Maps is already there on Android devices, and it can easily be downloaded on iPhones as well. So using it is extremely convenient, as launching the app doesnt require more than a few taps.And last but not least, it comes with a super-advanced feature lineup, including state-of-the-art navigation for drivers, biking directions, walking information, and so much more. It also packs Street View for street-level imagery, as well as satellite data that lets us explore pretty much any location in the world from the comfort of our own sofas.Needless to say, there are several Google Maps alternatives out there, some of them coming from navigation specialists that know precisely what such a piece of software is supposed to do. However, at the end of the day, Waze looks like the only solid Google Maps alternative for drivers.First and foremost, the biggest difference between Google Maps and most of its rivals is the freeware license. The applications coming from the navigation specialists we told you about earlier arent always available at no cost, and if they are, they only come with a basic feature package. Google Maps offers everything to everybody without having to pay a single cent.For example, one of the best Google Maps alternatives right now is Sygic GPS Navigation . The app has everything youd ever need when driving, including offline maps, traffic information, speed limit warnings, sign recognition detection, and so on.However, it only comes with a 7-day trial, after which youre required to get a subscription to continue using it on Android or iPhone.Unfortunately for people who are aiming for an experience without Google, the best alternative for Google Maps when driving is another Google-owned app. Its Waze, an application that makes it more convenient and faster to reach a specific destination using the power of the community.As compared to Google Maps, Wazes essential engine is a crowdsourcing system that allows users to send traffic reports on speed traps, traffic jams, roadkill, accidents, and so on. Using all this data, Waze can then look for the best route to a user-defined destination.In other words, if youre using Google Maps for driving and just want to reach a certain destination faster and easier, Waze is, in 99 percent of the cases, the one thatll help you do this without having to pay for it.The only drawback that Waze comes with, and for many people out there, its actually a deal-breaker, is that the app requires a permanent Internet connection. It doesnt come with offline maps, and in order to do its magic and always have the up-to-date maps and the latest traffic reports, it needs to be online to download them.Once you go offline, Waze becomes just a useless piece of software that cant do anything for you, in which case youre better with pretty much any other navigation solution in the store.So right now, if youre looking for a Google Maps alternative to get you to the destination faster, Waze should be one of the first stops. If youre not interested specifically in this capability and just want a navigation solution that comes with the full package (and you dont mind paying), including offline maps, then Sygic, TomTom, and HERE already have several mobile applications (some of them free) that are worth trying.
The Oxford-based brand 's automatic transmissions have been significantly more popular than manuals for a while now, and that means that the decision does not dramatically affect output. However, customers who want a MINI with a manual transmission might have to get one that has already been manufactured or just hope for the best.According to unnamed sources within the British brand, who spoke with Autocar under the cover of anonymity, supply-chain issues have led to a stall in production, and the only way out of it was to stick to building automatic transmissions. It is not clear what component is missing to let MINI build cars with manual gearboxes, though.While the global chip shortage has left many vehicles without some of their options, additional equipment, or even features, this would be the first time when a manual transmission has been eliminated from a range because of the shortage.On the other hand, the lack of parts that are quoted might refer to components sourced from Ukraine, where there is a war going on, and several other suppliers were affected by it, not to mention millions of people in the country. The factory in Oxford was shut down earlier this year because of another parts shortage that was linked to the situation in Ukraine.Unlike other brands, who have pledged to kill their manual transmission options sooner rather than later, as well as those who already have done so for various reasons, Mini still offered a manual transmission option for each of its models, except for its EV Eventually, dwindling sales will motivate MINI to stop offering manual transmissions in its range. Before that happens, the Brits might try to cash in on the whole manual transmission trend and offer a swansong edition of them when the supply shortage is resolved.Do not bet on it happening, as MINI might just stop making manuals altogether, or the brand might revert to its normal offer as soon as possible. We have requested additional information on the matter, and we will update the story if we get any more official information.According to a PR representative of the British marque, the production halt for manual transmission models will happen starting in July. That was the only information on the matter that the representative could provide at this point on the matter.If we think about this differently, this means that ordering one now might still be possible, within a couple of limits. For example, it depends on the factory's production schedule and available parts stock, which means that the dealer might try to place an order for your desired vehicle with a manual transmission, but the order might be rejected by the system.
NASA's Perseverance rover touched down on Mars last year, in February, to search for ancient microbial life. The rover has collected seven samples so far from the surface of the Red Planet and has another 36 other empty sample tubes inside its belly that must be filled with pieces from another world.The Mars Sample Return mission seeks to return select tubes to Earth so that scientists can examine them using modern lab equipment that would be way too large to send to Mars. To make sure that each precious sample safely arrives on our planet, engineers must make a durable aeroshell for the spacecraft that will land inside the Utah Test and Training Range.The recent drop test is how NASA is making sure that the model can hold up during final descent and landing. This is part of a series of tests conducted last year that involved a smaller and less detailed example.It's a full-scale Manufacturing Demonstration Unit (MDU) that spans 4.1 ft (1.25 meters) wide and uses materials similar to those used in the actual mission's entry system. The MDU was dropped from a helicopter at an altitude of 1,200 ft (366 meters) and performed accordingly."The MDU was very stable during descent - it didn't wobble around a lot, and it landed successfully, in the sense that there was no structural damage and it survived impact as expected," said Jim Corliss, Mars Sample Return Earth Entry System chief engineer.This test, along with others scheduled for later this year, will help researchers verify and improve the performance of the entry system for the Mars Sample Return mission.
Stellantis is the latest big name in the automotive industry that has come up with the obvious prediction: the chip shortage wouldnt end this year, so fingers crossed for the semiconductor inventory to improve in 2023.Speaking at an event last week, Stellantis Chief Executive Carlos Tavares explained that the current chip inventory is very similar to what the industry faced back in 2021. Tavares claimed 2022 barely produced any improvements, but on the other hand, there are high hopes 2023 would come with some sort of recovery in this regard.Certainly, guessing when the chip shortage could come to an end isnt much different from spinning the wheel of luck.The current market is so volatile that the production capacity can change overnight, especially because the world is currently struggling not only with the health issue (which, by the way, is yet to come to an end) but also with the geopolitical tensions in Europe.The health crisis itself is causing additional challenges as a result of the new lockdowns and restrictions happening in China, as the local producers of parts and materials are therefore massively impacted.On the other hand, the war in Ukraine generates new shortages, including critical materials that are used for the production of other components. One such example is neon, the gas thats being used by the lasers employed for the production of chips, as Ukraine is one of the largest producers in the world.After the Russian military invasion, Ukraine has stopped the production of neon , and while other factories, including those in Taiwan, can produce the necessary output, its pretty clear the supply chain continues to be under heavy pressure.
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Take, for instance, the Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 tested by km77.com in the featured clip. That mouthful refers to a plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive, which is the heaviest drivetrain available at 1,790 kilograms (3,946 pounds) in European specification. Its also rather frugal at 1.7 liters per 100 kilometers combined as per theor 73, according to the EPA.Despite being a plug-in hybrid, the Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 performs quite well for a small crossover. Based on the UKL2 platform of the BMW X1 and coupe-styled X2, this fellow needs 6.8 seconds to reach 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) with the bone-stock tires. This particular vehicle is rocking 18-inch alloys and Pirelli Cinturato P7 on every corner, a premium-oriented touring summer tire with very good grip in dry weather.Priced at 42,900 euros in Spain, where the video was filmed, which converts to $45,145 at current exchange rates, the Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 is rocking 125 metric ponies up front and 95 metric ponies for the rear axle-mounted electric motor. Total output ratings are 220 ps (217 horsepower) and 385 Nm (284 pound-feet) of torque, mirroring the numbers that BMW quotes for the X1 xDrive25e, which weighs a bit more and drinks more gas.From a 10-battery pack with a usable capacity of 8.8 kWh, the Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 offers up to 51 kilometers (approximately 32 miles) of zero-emission driving range. At 3.7, the X1-twinned crossover that VDL Nedcar builds in the Netherlands needs 3.2 hours to charge to 100%.With the technicalities out of the way, lets get back to the video. The peeps at km77.com can't stop waxing lyrical, using the word outstanding to describe the results achieved in the moose test. From the way the body barely rolls to the effectiveness of the ESC, theres no denying that someone has spent plenty of time fine-tuning the chassis and safety systems.
Plymouth authorities unveiled the countrys first e-marine hub of charging facilities for electric vessels. One of them is a 25kW installation at the Barbican landing stage, another one is the countrys first 75kW site, located at Queen Annes Battery, and another one, at Mount Batten, is described as the worlds first 150kW charging facility. All of these are located along the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, with several more to be added.The installation of these high-power DC electric charging stations is part of a project called Marine e-Charging Living Lab (MeLL), led by the University of Plymouth together with local authorities. The University of Plymouth won the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition launched by Innovate UK, so the MeLL project is funded by the Department for Transport.The projects main industry partners are Aqua Superpower, the company that developed the dedicated marine fast-charging stations, and the luxury boat builder Princess Yachts.According to the research behind the project, this innovative hub could cut port emissions by more than 96% over the next 30 years. Sarah Fear, the leader of the MeLL project, said that reaching the industrys net-zero target relies heavily on the electrification of vessels, which must be encouraged by implementing adequate infrastructure.The bigger goal is to eventually have electric charging facilities along the UKs entire southern coastline, within every ten miles (16 km). Plymouth was the trailblazer, and the ones to follow are expected to be Devon and Cornwall.
All that Diess decided to share at the transmission was that Porsches plans are a bit more concrete than those with Audi. Thankfully, Reuters had a bit more information to share about these ideas.According to the news service, Audi would be ready to put 500 million ($526,25 million at the current exchange rate) at McLaren. It is not clear if Audi would then turn the iconic F1 team into a team Audi (like Aston Martin did with Racing Point) or if it would just supply the team with engines. We suspect Audi would get money from McLaren and not the other way around if that was the case.Regarding Porsche, Reuters heard that Porsche was planning to have a long-term partnership with Red Bull. In both cases, the German brands would join F1 by 2026, which is not as fast as fans would like to see that happening.Rumors that Porsche is planning to go public with an IPO (Initial Public Offering)  as Ferrari did in 2015  are growing every day. With those plans to sell shares on the table, joining F1 could be a genius move or something terrible, depending on the results. Making an engine that will not be robust enough and often brake in races would be a shame, for example.That said, the reason for Porsche to join F1 at this point is a mystery: it would have a successful IPO regardless of that. We just know that the livery would be amazing, as the renderings created by Guilherme R. Borges demonstrate in our gallery and on Racedepartment , where he first published them.Audi buying the McLaren team would bring similar questions, especially considering that McLaren has its own passenger car division. Killing the name McLaren would also make some fans resent Audi. After all, it could make its own team. Right now, what we do know is that it will happen. The how has plenty of time to be answered if 2026 is an accurate deadline for that.
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An accidentally crashed JL-10 trainer jet has informed the west of Russian flight instructors collaborating with the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) to upgrade skills leading to flying the J-20. This is a critical point for the developments in Ukraine that have driven the two countries closer.

Russia, China Cooperation

The JL-10 jet that crashed last week is based on a Russian design. When Moscow is fighting in Ukraine, a viral video from China may have tipped off the west that Russian pilots are training Chinese aviators, reported the Eurasian Times.

Last April 23, a People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) supersonic jet trainer went down in Caolu Village, located in Yucheng County, Henan Province's Shangqiu City.

The plane crew safely parachuted before the crash and were located in a field, waiting for help. A post-crash video that went viral on social media raised questions if Russia was helping upgrade the pilot skills of the Chinese. Two pilots were seen in a field with minor injuries immediately after jettisoning from their plane, mention Youtube shorts.

One pilot, clothed in a Chinese air force outfit, has spoken with his commander on the phone in Chinese. A second pilot was thought to be a Caucasian with red hair who talked with an accent in English.

Reported a villager was recording and told by a foreigner to stop; he was a Russian flight instructor flying the JL-10 Trainer jet remarked the PLAAF. This was verified by western experts but no comment from China.

Read Also: Xi Jinping: 5 Things To Know About China's President

This comes as Russian troops push back against the Donbas' Ukrainian defenses. Although not tolerating the war and calling for a cease-fire, Beijing does not allow the US to pressure it to take the western side. All efforts to sanction and condemn the action of the invasion have only increased resolve to support Moscow.

Despite the claim by China not to accept any assistance from Russia was declared; the Russian pilots showed that Beijing could not care less for the west, noted the BBC.

PLAAF Resources

Based on the Russian Yak-130 trainer with foreign flight instructors to teach flying, they are not openly admitted and are a kept military secret.

Commentators claim that the People's Liberation Army's military forces are self-sufficient and do not need foreign training. But these Russian trainers have been teaching pilots on the advanced trainer jet for a year, revealed by a Chinese dissident to the Washington Times. This includes landing on aircraft carriers too.

An analyst connected to the US Air Force Aerospace Studies Institute, Derek Solen, remarked that JL-10 training would be for the J-20 stealth fighter later on.

The Mighty Dragon J-20, a 5th gen-fighter, is doing patrols in the East and South China Seas in the heating Indo-Pacific. The US Air Force Aerospace Studies Institute USAFASI concluded that Chinese instructors weren't enough.

It is a policy of the PLAAF for their new flight instructors to have experience in real-world missions; to teach effectively.

The first batch of trainees who flew on third-generation jets just got their grades on the first solo flight last January. PLAAF started a new training method via the Shijiazhuang Flight Academy in 2021, J-10s jets are used there.

One of the J-10 Trainer jets went down that exposed Soviet flight instructor use which the PLAAF kept secret; the west has something to consider with the J-20 used more, mentioned China Mil.

Related Article: China's L-15 Falcon Light Fighter Jet To Replace MiG-23s as Ethiopian Air Force's Upgraded, Modernized Planes

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The Message to Ukraine site is a dedication of love for our home country. We created this project to celebrate the 30th anniversary of independence in August 2021. It is a special one for us: here we try to show the uniqueness and beauty of our country, talk about the people and cities, and remember your favorite national dishes.

The author's poem is the basis of the site in the form of our favorite storytelling. An interesting feature is a custom font that we made for this project. These days "The Message to Ukraine" is acquiring a new meaning for all Ukrainians and all who love and stand with our country.

Preloader of the site.

The Main Idea

In 2021 Ukraine celebrated its 30th anniversary of independence. The idea of a site creation was born in our team. We wanted to create something special that could find a response in the heart of everyone who visited the site. We didnt want to give any political mood to the project, we wanted to tell the world about Ukrainian people and our traditions, about our cities and favorite food, about creativity and language. And we succeeded with it! The whole website is one story with cool animations. It has horizontal and vertical scrolling. Users can find an interesting menu layout and an About page hidden in the menu.

The whole website is one story with cool animations.

Menu of the site and About page.

In order not to deviate from the styles of the site, we decided that the menu would also be divided into 4 lanes as a preloader. First, we show the years 1991  2021 (now 2022). This is the period when Ukraine became independent. And these 4 strips are also like sheets from a book that touch and overlap each other.

In the menu each strip contains its own information branch, and when you hover over them, elements appear that correspond to these pages. But we decided it didn't make sense to have a separate page for About, since we didn't want to show a lot of information there. Therefore, when hovering over the About branch, the user immediately sees the information.

We wanted to create something special that could find a response in the heart of everyone who visited the site.

The font combination.

The Content: from Images to Poem

When we started coming up with ideas for the future site, we were faced with the issue of content selection. We wanted to use copyright-free photos, but at the same time everything should be in the same style, not look too simple and reflect the whole mood and soul of the project. The site has a lot of historical photographs and paintings. Therefore, at one of the brainstorms we decided that we could try to make all the pictures in the form of clippings from newspapers, books, etc. First we made the shape, then we picked up the styles so that it looks like old sheets of paper. And in the end, to give it an even more interesting effect, we decided to process all the photos in a halftone style. All these effects made all the content, all the graphics and photos on the site just like we originally envisioned. We tried to make all the content in Ukrainian style and mood.

Since there are a lot of clippings on the site that interact with each other, touch and overlap, we decided that the information can also be divided into blocks, as if they were different sheets and they would run into each other, touch etc.

Section of the site  Nature.

The poem is written by our team member and corrected by our designers mum (she is a teacher of Ukrainian literature). It became a kind of basis for the site, determining the main vectors of this digital love letter. We tried to fit as many interesting details as we could onto a small site and dive into everyones soul.

The Font Combination

Two fonts are in order to make the site unique, we didn't want to write all the phrases in one font to make the accents. We created our own font completely. We created it specifically for this project in order to give it a more Ukrainian identity and to enhance the impression of the content on the site. We are inspired by the works of Georgy Narbut, Vasily Krichevsky, Vasily Ermilov when developing the style. Paired with sans serif, this font adds a unique stylistic touch. This year we are planning to release the entire font with a beautiful name Krasa.

Technologies

We have already said more than once that Readymag is a tool in which a designer can implement his ideas without developers. In addition, we had a very short timeline (we only had one month from the idea to launch) to come up with and implement all our ideas, and Readymag was perfect for this. We love scroll-based animation because it allows us to surprise the users and create unexpected features for them. And, of course, the scroll-based option is easy-to-used on Readymag. But at the same time, we need to come up with new features every time.

P.S:

The birds on this site are a symbol of freedom and independence of Ukraine. More than a month has already passed since Russia invaded our country. For more than a month, Ukraine and Ukrainians have been fighting for our rights and our freedom. If you want to help Ukrainian children and people, please follow the links of the funds  Voices of Children and Help Ukraine Center. Or any other you trust.

#StandWithUkraine

Company Info

Obys is an Ukraine-based design agency that creates unique graphic and web experiences all around the world.

More about us is here and here.
The countrys leading opposition groups launched the civil disobedience campaign after rallying thousands of supporters in a key square in the city center and setting up a protest camp there on Sunday. They pledged to bring other parts of Yerevan to a standstill.

Groups of activists mostly led by opposition lawmakers began blocking three dozen busy streets and street intersections in the Armenian capital early in the morning. Riot police reinforced by special police units used force to unblock them.

A statement released by the national police said traffic through those streets was fully restored by noon. The police reported later in the afternoon that 244 protesters were detained in scuffles with security forces.

Opposition leaders condemned the use of force and said the arrests will not deter them from continuing their push for regime change.

We have many cases of violence, including against parliament deputies, one of them, Ishkhan Saghatelian, told reporter. But you know, all this is secondary. Everything is alright. People have risen up and the objectives set up by us are being methodically achieved.

Security forces did not attempt to disperse protesters camped out at the intersection of four central avenues forming Yerevans France Square. The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem alliances were due to hold another rally there on Monday evening.

The opposition campaign was sparked by Pashinians recent statements on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Addressing parliament on April 13, the prime minister said the international community is pressing Armenia to scale back its demands on Karabakhs status and recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity. He signaled Yerevans intention to make such concessions to Baku.

Opposition leaders and other government critics say Pashinian is intent on helping Baku regain control of Karabakh.

Pashinians political allies say that he did not call for the restoration of Azerbaijani control of Karabakh. They have accused the opposition of exploiting the issue in a bid to seize power.

Vahagn Aleksanian, a pro-government lawmaker, said on Monday that the opposition forces are now trying unsuccessfully to replicate mass protests that brought Pashinian to power in 2018. He expressed confidence that they will fail to topple the current government.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Contributing columnist Jose Gaspar is a news anchor/reporter for Telemundo Bakersfield and KGET. Email him at elcompa29@gmail.com. The views expressed here are his own.
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You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @idesai98 on Twitter.
Ukrainian officials revealed over the weekend that the "Ghost of Kyiv" is a hoax. Military authorities revealed Saturday that the fabled, mystery hero fighter pilot was not a 29-year-old father recently slain in action with the Russians, as various news agencies reported last week.

Ukraine's Airforce Admits "Ghost of Kyiv" Isn't Real

The rumored hero was credited with shooting down as many as 40 Russian planes before being shot down on March 13 while engaging an overwhelming amount of enemy forces, according to the Times of London. Major Stepan Tarabalka is the alleged Ukrainian war hero.

The Ukrainian government had already played a vital role in creating and perpetuating the legend of a single courageous and highly accurate fighter pilot. However, many people questioned whether the 'Ghost' was real after a video purporting to show the fighter turned out to be from a computer game.

Some speculated that the alleged folk hero and his MiG-29 Fulcrum would be unable to carry out the strikes for which he was credited. Despite this, many individuals were eager to commemorate the mysterious supposed pilot, according to the New York Post.

Major Stepan Tarabalka, an actual 29-year-old who died in air combat in March, was recognized as the Ghost of Kyiv by certain news publications, including The Times of London. The allegation was widely shared on social media and in tabloid magazines in Ukraine and the West, appearing to corroborate that the courageous fighter's narrative was true.

Read Also: US Health Officials Detect Highly Infectious Bird Flu in a Prison Inmate Working in Colorado Farm

"Ghost of Kyiv" Used as Propaganda in Information War

Instead, it has proven to be one of the most effective pieces of propaganda in a propaganda war that Ukraine has conducted at times as viciously as it has on the battlefield.

The Ukrainian media began reporting barely a day after Russia's invasion began that an unknown pilot of a MIG-29 fighter jet had shot down six enemy jets in 30 hours. With the hashtag #ghostofkyiv, memes and images circulated online, garnering hundreds of millions of views.

Even Ukraine's previous president, Petro O. Poroshenko, tweeted a photo of the Ghost of Kyiv, a pilot who he claimed had "six wins over Russian pilots!" "

The government of Ukraine has also joined in. It shared the tale and the images on Twitter on February 27, calling the unidentified pilot a nightmare for invading Russian aircraft, and posting a video congratulating the pilot that featured footage from a military flight simulator.

When the Ukrainian Defense Ministry stated on Facebook that scores of dismissed military pilots were returning to the Air Force around the same time, it alluded to the obsession with the unidentified pilot, saying, "Who knows, maybe one of them is the air avenger on the MIG-29."

According to early reports, 13 Ukrainian border guards were killed after being ordered to lay down their guns and surrender on Snake Island, also known as Zmiinyi Island. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky praised the 13 guards who died as heroes, adding they will be given the title of Hero of Ukraine posthumously.

After Russia stated that a garrison at the outpost had willingly surrendered to Russian forces, the Ukrainian Navy confirmed that the defenders were alive and well.

Last month, the Russian Navy missile cruiser spearheaded the legendary raid on Snake Island in the Black Sea and fell to the seabed. According to the Pentagon, Ukrainian forces fired two Neptune missiles at the Russian flagship Moskva, which sunk the next day, Washington Examiner reported.

Related Article: Ukraine Detains "Traitors" Who Collaborated, Supported Russian Invasion

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
For 23 years, Chris Moore has been in the business of making authentic, local honey. He stumbled into the industry sort-of by accident and decided to stay.

He works with fellow beekeepers across North America and even hires workers from Nicaragua.

Now, the Moore family lives on a large tract of land deep in the woods of Kountze and sends their honey to stores all over the coastal counties. We sat down with Moore to ask him seven questions about bees and his life as a beekeeper:

Q: What is a typical day like in the life of a beekeeper?

A: It depends on the time of year. That's one reason I like this job. We're never doing the same thing. We have seasons. We just finished what we refer to as splitting or starting new colonies for the year. So, that goes on for three or four weeks.

And now we're kind of preparing the bees for the spring flowers we have right now. We are treating bees for varroa mites this week. I'll be mowing locations where we're going to put bees.

We're getting boxes ready. When we start a new colony, it's in one box. And then we'll add a second box. So, we've already added a second box for probably 80% of our colonies, but there's 20% that are a little behind. We've got to get those boxes ready.

Every years different. You got the weather, Mother Nature's always throwing your curveball, and then you've got the health of your bees. I mean, there's so many different factors that go into our schedule. Sometimes what we do this year is not what we do next year, and it's different the following year.

I tell people, its like, if you play cards, you never know what card you're gonna get.

Q: How do bees make honey?

A: Bees have two stomachs. They have their stomach like you and I have, but they also have a storage tank where when they go collect nectar from flowers, they're not ingesting that in their stomach, they are putting it in their transport stomach. They're just taking that back to the colony.

They gather nectar from the different flowers, and they bring it back to the colony. They actually pass it off to another bee, which then will put it in the cell and in the meantime they're adding enzymes when they do that.

Their tongues look like little straws and they stick their tongue out and the second bee sticks its tongue out. That nectar might be 30% or 40% moisture. So, the bees also dry the nectar down to about 18% moisture.

Bees only produce honey in spring, late spring, and then once we pull honey in June, that's it for the year. We have fall flowers. They make a little bit of fall honey, but we leave all that honey for the bees to consume.

Q: Why did you get into this field?

A: I did corporate sales (for an) industrial supply company. I did that for 10 years. I just got tired of the corporate rat race. Its like, the better job you do, the more work they give you. And they promise you more income, but they don't give it to you.

And so I met a guy at church  we were doing some work. First, we had a single mom at church  she needed a roof. So we redid a roof on her house. And then there's a widow lady that ran the choir and we rebuilt her garage for her.

Anyway, I got to meet Glenn. We had a group of guys that did this once a month. And he would always show up with trucks and forklifts and different equipment  I'm like, What in the world do you do? And he said, I keep bees, and I thought, That's kind of fascinating.

So, I started helping him a little bit on the weekends and then he offered me a job. And it's probably the dumbest thing I could have ever done because my son was a year old at the time  leaving a job that's got benefits and reliable income to go work for this guy.

And, and then sure enough, the first year I went to work for him, he had to file bankruptcy because there's a verroa mite that gets on honeybees, and it will decimate the colony. So, the mites tore up his colonies. That was the first year the mites were in Texas.

So, I put my sales hat back on and I went and got a beginning farm loan and I bought him out and Id only been doing it for six months. But he stuck around and technically on paper, he worked for me, even though I was still learning from him.

Then after a few years, he retired. That's how I got in. Most people grow up in it, just like farming, most people grow up in it. Me, I'm a first-generation beekeeper.

Q: Who works with you at Moore Honey?

A: Its me and my son. And my wife helps with the bookkeeping part. I've got a delivery driver that just runs to grocery stores every day. And then I've got two girls that fill honey, just part time. Right now I've got four seasonal workers here. Theyre out here six months and then go home.

Q: What do you wish people knew about beekeeping?

A: There's so much fraud. I got involved in the Texas Beekeepers Association probably 12 years ago. Being on the board there, you find out how much fraud there is.

If youre at a store and there's six different brands that say they're local honey, none of them are local. So, we'd always tell people don't buy honey in a grocery store. Its not what it says it is.

Q: What is the importance of soil and water conservation to beekeepers?

A: Bees need a good, clean source of water. Unfortunately, when farmers grow a crop, they've got to protect that crop. That's how they're making their money.

So, if they're growing corn, if it's a sod farm, they've got to keep the grubs and the ants and stuff out of there, because that's where they're making a living. I get that, but the problem is they're treating hundreds of acres with some type of chemical to control whatever bug they're trying to control  well, then you get run off from that. And the bees are nearby. Or even if the bees are within two miles of that, they're potentially getting run off from that. And they're potentially getting some of that chemical.

I can't say I'm opposed to farmers using chemicals. I know theyve got to make a living. But it's like, everybody's trying to kill bugs. And we're trying to raise bugs. And they're beneficial because what's the most important thing we get from bees? They're going from one flower to the next flower, where they're cross pollinating.

So, they're producing food  watermelon, apples, oranges, lemons, strawberries. Almonds is a big one. When you go grocery store, and you see that big produce section with all the fruits and vegetables, bees pollinate like two-thirds of them.

Q: What are your dreams for the future of Moore Honey? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

A: I would love to just  I just want to produce local honey and provide people with that honest, local honey. Beekeepers have to make multiple incomes off our bees because we can't produce honey with all the imported honey in the U.S., which is 75% of U.S. honey.

So, we can't just produce honey here and make that sustain our business. You've got fewer family farms. And the farms that are still farming have more acreage. Farming is a business. It's an agricultural business. So, you've got to be cost efficient, and the more volume you run on anything, usually, the cheaper you can produce it.

Whats happened is, it's gone to the extreme where there's no more, there's no more family farms. And beekeepers are the same deal. We have to take the same bees we have to send them to California to produce almonds, in the summertime we send (them) to the Lubbock area, we pollinate seedless watermelons. So we're making various incomes. We have to.

Bonus Q: If people want to offer their land to you, who is eligible?

A: It's hard to find good places to place our bees. We do need locations to put bees on. It needs to be at a productive area. And we need to have access  in the wintertime, we have to feed the bees several times.

We need to pull up our big truck right next to the bees, even if we get 12 inches of rain. We need a decent road. We need access to get to him so we can take care of them.

The other issue is, people can get help with property taxes. If you've got five and 20 acres of property, you can put that AG valuation for honeybees. So, people want bees, but they only want like six, or eight hives so they can claim ag exemption on their property taxes, which is not cost effective for me to go (out) for six or eight.

If I go put some amount, 50 or 100  that's what we can do efficiently and cost effective for us. You want them to have a good source of water. If I'm offered a location, if I go look at it, and there's a house close by, and they've got kids toys outside, I might say, Thank you, but no, thank you. I don't want to be a hindrance to those people, those kids.
Travelers across Taylor's Bayou will soon have a temporary bridge to use while the existing one on Texas 124 is under construction as part of a project to widen the body of water underneath.

Jefferson County Commissioners last week approved a contract for engineering services to plan the temporary bridge.

During a flood event, the flow of water from the northwestern part of the county  China, Nome, and parts of Beaumont  down through that system was pinched off, said Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick. Part of the project is to build a new bridge, which will allow them to open up the bayou so that we don't have that impediment to water flow down into the diversion channel and on down south out into the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

The Texas Department of Transportation said that if the original bridge is closed completely, the project could be finished in nine months.

However, if the bridge remained open to one-lane traffic during construction, the entire reconstruction would take 18 months. Closing the bridge was deemed more time effective.

Additionally, closing the bridge and maintaining a temporary bridge beside it was determined to be a good option for other projects going on simultaneously.

Just to the west, you got all this work going on Interstate 10, and so TxDOT came back and said we don't want to close it completely because if we have a wreck over here, we've got to route traffic around to 124, Branick said. And if that bridge is closed completely, we've really got a mess over here on Interstate 10.

According to Branick, the temporary bridge will allow two-way traffic, one lane at a time. Traffic lights will signal vehicles when its their directions turn to advance.

The temporary bridges construction will add more than $140,000 to the projects total, bringing it to more than $500,000. The county and Drainage District 6 are evenly splitting the additional cost for the temporary bridge. The majority of the projects cost is being covered by a grant from the Texas General Land Office.
sinology/Getty Images

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality issued fines against 28 entities for more than $270,000 for violating state environmental regulations, an April 27 press release said. The fines were issued for multiple different violations, including air quality, wastewater discharge and water quality.

Of the 14 entities receiving fines, two companies are in Jefferson County, according to the TCEQ Commission meeting agenda. Lion Elastomers, a synthetic rubber manufacturing plant located in Port Neches, and Nederland chemical plant Mitsubishi Chemical America both received fines.
French police fired tear gas to push back black-clad anarchists who went on violent demonstrations and ransacked business premises on Sunday during May Day protests against President Emmanuel Macron's policies.

The situation comes after the French leader was able to win re-election against far-right rival Marine Le Pen. Thousands of people from all across France marched on May Day, calling for salary increases and for Macron to let go of his plan to raise the retirement age.

Macron's Win Greeted by Protests

Many of the demonstrators were peaceful, but violence broke out in the capital, causing police to arrest 54 individuals, including a woman who attacked a fireman trying to put out a fire. In a Twitter post, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said that eight police officers were also injured during the chaos.

Civilians clashed with police at the start of the march near La Republique Square and also when they reached La Nation Square in eastern Paris. Police said that "Black Bloc" anarchists ransacked a McDonald's restaurant located on the Place Leon Blum. They added that the suspects trashed several real estate agencies, breaking their windows and setting garbage bins on fire, as per France24.

Left-wing politics have sought to use the May Day rallies which were organized by labor unions to mobilize voters ahead of the country's parliamentary election scheduled in June. They argued that Macron only represents the wealthy and is out of touch with everyday concerns such as the surging cost of living.

Read Also: BBC Europe Correspondent says Europe Might Call an Oil Embargo Not Natural Gas After French Elections

Macron has repeatedly dismissed such criticism and argued that he has more economically sound policies for addressing the issues. Jean-Luc Melenchon, a far-left leader who came third in the first round of the presidential election last month, attended the Paris march and called on other parties to unite against Macron.

According to Politico, Melenchon's France Unbowed party is currently negotiating with the Socialist Party about a pre-election pact. The situation comes after Macron unanimously won another term in office during the election's second round last Sunday. He received 58.5% of the vote to defeat his rival, far-right Le Pen.

May Day Protests

The protests shown in the May Day rallies highlight the opposition that Macron will be coming into with his new five-year term. Opposition parties are starting to band together to break the leader's government majority.

There were roughly 250 marches and protests that were held around France during May Day in opposition to Macron. However, some see the French leader's re-election as a big blow to Russian Vladimir Putin, who has been at war with Ukraine for the last two months.

This is primarily because Le Pen is seen as a Putin ally and could have provided Russia support amid Western sanctions that have severely impacted its economy. Some believe that Macron won over Le Pen due to people fearing the latter's promise to drastically change the economy and the possibility of pivoting France closer to Russia's side.

Macron's lead over his rival was the highest seen in a French government election in at least two decades. The situation could give him a substantial boost toward a definitive majority in the National Assembly when elections to fill its 577 seats are held in June, CNN reported.



Related Article: President Macron Beats Rival Le Pen, Becomes First French Leader To Win Re-election

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A Muslim woman adjusts her veil during a prayer gathering in Northern Philippines to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, May 2, 2022.

Jojo Rinoza/BenarNews
Chinese fishing boats are docked at a fishing port in Wenling city in eastern Chinas Zhejiang province, July 12, 2013.

China has once again announced a unilateral fishing moratorium in the South China Sea, which drew vigorous protests by Vietnam while the Philippines has so far not reacted.

The 3-month ban began Sunday and covers waters north of 12 degrees north latitude in the South China Sea which Vietnam and the Philippines also call their traditional fishing grounds.

Hanoi spoke out against the fishing ban, calling it a violation of Vietnams sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction.

The moratorium applies to part of the Gulf of Tonkin and the Paracel islands claimed by both China and Vietnam.

Vietnam requests China to respect Vietnams sovereignty over the Paracel islands, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime zones when taking measures to conserve biological resources in the East Sea [South China Sea], without complicating the situation toward maintaining peace, stability and order in the East Sea, said Le Thi Thu Hang, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

She said Vietnams stance on Chinas fishing ban is consistent and well established over the years.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang talks to reporters in Hanoi, July 25, 2019. [Reuters]

Meanwhile the Philippines, which holds a presidential election on May 9, had not responded to the moratorium.

In the past, Manila repeatedly protested and even called on Filipino fishermen to ignore the Chinese ban and continue activities in the waters also known as the West Philippine Sea.

Risks of overfishing

China has imposed the annual summer fishing ban since 1999 as part of the countrys efforts to promote sustainable marine fishery development and improve marine ecology, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

A collapse of fishery stocks in the South China Sea because of overfishing and climate change could fuel serious tensions and even armed conflict, analysts have said.

Overfishing is the norm in open-access fisheries, so restrictions on fishing represent a sensible policy, said John Quiggin, professor of economics at the University of Queensland in Australia.

But Chinas decision to impose such restrictions implies a claim of territorial control which other nations are contesting, Quiggin told BenarNews.

The best outcome would be an interim agreement to limit over-fishing until boundary disputes are resolved, if that ever happens, he said.

Chinas fishing ban in the South China Sea is expected to end on Aug. 16. Similar bans cover the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea with a later end-date.

Chinese media said this week that the South China Sea branch of the Coast Guard and local authorities are to patrol major fishing grounds and ports to ensure that the ban will be well observed.

At the end of last year, Beijing issued a new regulation threatening hefty fines of up to tens of thousands of dollars on activities of foreign fishermen in Chinas jurisdictional waters.

The self-claimed jurisdictional waters extend to most of the South China Sea but the claims are disputed by Chinas neighbors and have been rejected by an international tribunal.

Rashid Sumaila, a professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada and author of a 2021 report on the fishery industry in the East and South China seas, said in an interview that the simmering conflict that we see in the South China Sea is mostly because of fish even though countries dont say it out loud.

Fishery is one of the reasons Chinas entangled in disputes with its neighbors in the South China Sea, Sumaila said.

Distant-water fishing

Chinas distant-water fishing causes serious concerns across the world, mainly because of the size of the Chinese fleet and its illegal behavior, according to a recent report.

The report released in March by the Environmental Justice Foundation, a U.K. non-profit organization, traces Chinas vast, opaque and, at times illegal global fisheries footprint, using mainly Chinas own data.

It found that Chinas distant-fishing fleet that operates on the high seas and beyond its exclusive economic zone is by far the largest in the world.

The number of Chinese distant-water fishing boats is unknown, but could be around 2,700, according to some estimates.

China is responsible for 38 percent of the distant-water fishing activities of the worlds 10 largest fleets, the report said.

Chinese fishing ships operate across the globe in both areas beyond national jurisdiction and in the EEZs of coastal states.

Researchers who worked on the report have identified high instances of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, destructive practices such as bottom trawling and the use of forced, bonded and slave labor and trafficked crew, alongside the widespread abuse of migrant crew members.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha (second from left) welcomes Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (second from right) on the lawns of the Government House in Bangkok, May 2, 2022.

Japan and Thailand urged an end to the war in Ukraine and discussed working with the international community to provide humanitarian assistance, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha said after he met with his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida, in Bangkok on Monday.

The two countries also signed a defense deal as they reaffirmed their bilateral relationship during Kishidas trip to Thailand, which coincides with the 135th anniversary of diplomatic relations and ten years of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Kishida arrived in Thailand Sunday evening for a two-day trip after visiting Vietnam, a staunch Russian ally, which nevertheless announced a humanitarian aid package worth U.S. $500,000 to Ukraine during the Japanese leaders trip.

Concerning the situation in Ukraine, Thailand and Japan reaffirmed the principles of territorial integrity, international law, and the United Nations Charter. Both sides expressed concern over the escalation of tension in the situation and urged all relevant parties to cease all hostilities and violence and exercise utmost restraint, Prayuth said in the statement.

Japan condemned Russias Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine and joined a slew of Western nations in imposing sanctions on Moscow. Thailand, meanwhile, abstained from a United Nations resolution vote to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council for alleged human rights abuses in the war in Ukraine. It did however support a strongly worded U.N. resolution that deplored the aggression by Russia against Ukraine.

Kishida said Japan admired Thailand for supporting the latter resolution.

I agree with Prime Minister Prayuth to denounce the violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity, unilateral use of force in any region, and disapproval of the use of weapons of mass destruction or the threat to use it, the Japanese PM said.

Prayuth also said he had proposed a new approach towards ending confrontation which calls for the need to change the narrative of the Ukraine situation from conflict to humanitarian consideration for those who are affected by the Ukraine situation.

He said he had a similar approach to resolve the situation in Myanmar and attached importance to humanitarian assistance for the people of Myanmar.

He did not give details about the so-called approach.

Thailand shares a 2,400-kilometer (1,500-mile) long border with Myanmar. It has not outright condemned the coup in Myanmar or the actions of its security forces, which toppled the elected National League for Democracy (NLD) government on Feb. 1, 2021.

Before arriving in Bangkok, the Japanese PM visited Hanoi where he spent fewer than 24 hours. He was received by all three of Vietnams top leaders, including the prime minister, the president, and the chairman of the national assembly.

Speaking about Vietnams commitment of humanitarian aid for Ukraine, a Vietnamese analyst, Le Dang Doanh, said that Kishidas visit helped Russian ally Vietnam adjust its stance towards the Ukrainian war.

South China Sea



At a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh and the other Vietnamese leaders, Kishida also discussed the issue of the disputed South China Sea, and the need for a free and open Indo-Pacific.Vietnam shares interest with Japan in safeguarding maritime security in the South China Sea, where China holds expansive claims and has been militarizing reclaimed islands. China is involved in maritime disputes with Japan over the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea. China claims sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, where Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam all have claims.

In Bangkok Monday, Kishida said that Japan along with Thailand hoped to achieve the goal of [a] free and open Indo-Pacific and will closely cooperate to handle the matters of the South China Sea and North Korea and nuclear weapon and ballistic missile tests.

Defense deal

Meanwhile the new defense equipment deal announced by Kishida and Prayuth would help facilitate the transfer of hardware and technology from Japan to Thailand, but the leaders provided no details.

The deal would support the strengthening of defense cooperation between the two countries and incentivize Japanese investment in the Thai defense industry, which is one of the targeted industries, Prayuth said in a joint press conference held at the Government House in Bangkok on Monday evening.

The signing of our defense equipment and technology transfer agreement is a major step forward in expanding bilateral defense cooperation, Kishida said. The two countries will later decide on the specific types of equipment for transfer.

Apart from the defense deal, the two leaders also witnessed the signing of agreements to deepen financial cooperation between Japan and Thailand. Additionally, Japan gave Thailand COVID-19 emergency support worth 50 billion yen (U.S. $384 million) in loans and 500 million yen in grants aid, according to a joint statement.

The two leaders discussed improvements in agricultural supply chains and agreed to continue working together on the Mekong sub-region, particularly in promoting connectivity, human resource development, and sustainable development, the statement said.

Japan is Thailands biggest foreign investor, followed by the United States and Singapore. According to the Thai commerce ministry, Japanese investors represented 28.6 percent of the overall foreign investment in Thailand, worth more than 82.5 billion baht (U.S. $ 2.39 billion), in 2021.

Japans investments, especially in the automotive industry, have been vital to Thailands economic growth in the last several decades.
Hunter Biden's laptop story has endured several twists and turns.

The New York Times and the Washington Post described emails on the computer as misleading info, but they later recognized that the emails were real. There are several emails that might link President Joe Biden to his son's questionable and unscrupulous overseas business dealings, but the federal government appears to be unwilling to conduct an inquiry.

Author: Administration Limits Hunter Biden Probe

Author and investigative journalist Peter Schweizer warned that the US Attorney General Merrick Garland has the power to direct Delaware Attorney General David Weiss, a Trump appointee. The investigation involves the President Joe Biden's family. The attorney general is, of course, appointed by the president. According to Schweizer, this is the person who will lead the US attorney in charge of the grand jury in Delaware, hence an independent counsel is required.

There would be no such fear if it was obvious that the probe was limited to the actions of the younger Biden, according to Schweizer. However, given reports on Hunter Biden's laptop and purported proof that he received cash from US overseas adversaries such as China, an independent counsel must be appointed.

Schweizer blamed the White House for the absence of a special prosecutor but speculated that Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell would oppose such an appointment due to his family's international business links.

According to Schweizer, McConnell's purported links, which are through a shipping company owned by relatives of his wife Elaine, are more real than Hunter and Joe Biden's alleged connections, and he believes the senator doesn't want the matter exposed.

Schweizer further warned that if Hunter Biden is indicted and settles, the facts included in the indictment might lawfully remain secret from the American people, whereas a council would be required to publish a public report, according to Fox News via MSN.

Meanwhile, according to KABC, two Utah congressmen have joined 95 House Republicans in calling for a special counsel to look into President Biden's son's international business dealings. Representatives Blake Moore and Chris Stewart, both Democrats, wrote to Attorney General Merrick Garland alleging that Hunter Biden may have broken tax rules and worked as an unregistered foreign agent. Moore and Stewart both believe that an independent counsel is required to ensure that the probe is devoid of political bias.

Read Also: Russian Missiles Rain Down On Kyiv Following Zelensky's Meeting With UN Chief

Who Is Eric Schwerin?

Throughout a 20-year relationship that converted the enigmatic moneyman into a DC fixture, Eric Schwerin became one of Hunter Biden's closest friends, business colleagues, and emotional anchor to the president's troubled second son. a dominant figure

The 52-year-old fixer, who paid at least 27 trips to the White House and other important locations during the Obama/Biden administration, is likely to be the subject of a Republican House investigation into Hunter Biden's offshore business transactions.

Hunter Biden and Robert Schwerin most likely met in President Bill Clinton's Commerce Department. Schwerin joined the firm in 1994 with a stellar background, having graduated with a B.A. M.A. from the University of Pennsylvania George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs He worked as an English teacher in Czechoslovakia for a year before graduating.

Schwerin swiftly advanced through the ranks, becoming an International Trade Specialist in 1997 and then the Secretary for International Trade's senior policy advisor in 1999, as per New York Post. According to allegations in the media, Joe Biden has already spent $750,000 in American tax funds to a firm called NewsGuard, which professes to battle disinformation but is a censorship outfit. It goes after everyone who opposes the ruling class.

NewsGuard has also been tasked with compiling a blacklist of news sources and websites that violate the national security state's talking points on Ukraine and Russia. According to Blitz, it will also prohibit any website that attacks Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Party, and even terrorist groups like Hamas, the Taliban, and the Houthis.

Related Article: Hunter Biden Laptop Reveals Joe Biden Used Pseudonyms in Exchange of Emails; Son's Business Partner Visited the White House 27 Times

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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.
As detectives focus on fraudulent statements she made before picking him up from jail, the family of an Alabama jail officer who vanished with a murder offender on Friday says she was a nice person who would not have helped a killer escape.

At 9:41 am, Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White, 56, arrived at the Lauderdale County Jail to take up convict Casey White, 38. She informed the booking officer she was sending him to the county courtroom for a mental health examination, but there was none scheduled for that day. She also said she was heading to a personal medical appointment, which she never attended.

Casey Cole White, Prison Guard Leave Courthouse

They were both absent an hour and a half later, and her police car was discovered abandoned at a nearby retail mall. According to Lauderdale Sheriff Rick Singleton, all indications suggest that Director White was complicit and participated in the escape, as per WBRC

Vicky's former mother-in-law, Frances White, told DailyMail.com on Sunday that the allegations against her do not reflect the nice lady she knows. White's son was divorced 16 years ago after only four years of marriage by the correctional guard, but his mother-in-law said the two remained amicable until his death in January.

Vicky had worked for the Sheriff's Department for 25 years and had recently announced her retirement, according to Law and Crime. Vicky White and Casey White, who are not related, are being sought. The United States Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information on the couple.

Sheriff Singleton stated on Friday that while evidence suggests Vicky assisted Casey in escaping, her intentions remain unknown. When the prison official stated she was bringing Casey for an unscheduled examination, she was equipped with a 9mm weapon. She then stated that she would go to a medical appointment for herself, which likewise did not occur.

He believes Casey should have always had two deputies with him. The sheriff stated that it would be nearly hard for Casey to get free from his shackles without assistance but that assisting Casey would be out of character for Vicky.

Read Also: Hunter Biden Net Worth 2022: How Much Money Does Joe Biden's Son Really Have Amid Scandal?

Alabama Authorities Offer $10,000 Reward

Investigators are still examining the situation as though she was kidnapped against her will, Singleton said on Saturday. Casey admitted to killing a 58-year-old lady while serving a 75-year sentence for several offenses, including animal cruelty for shooting a dog, and Frances White, Vicky's former mother-in-law, doubts she would have cooperated with him.

Vicky White was married to Frances' son Tommy White for roughly two to three years more than 16 years ago, according to Frances, who claims Vicky left him when his drug issues became severe. Frances claimed Vicky and Tommy had been married for approximately three years and were farming cattle on a property directly across the street from her house.

Vicky stayed close to her and her children after the divorce, she claimed. Tommy died in January after a long battle with Parkinson's. The US Marshals Service said on Sunday that it is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information regarding an escaped inmate and almost an endangered' correctional officer who went missing Friday after leaving a jail in north Alabama.

Officials with the Sheriff's Department initially grew concerned about 3.30 pm Friday, when employees at the jail noticed Vicky had not returned, according to Singleton. They tried calling her many times, but her phone kept going to voicemail, he claimed.

They discovered Casey had never returned to the jail at that point. He stands six feet nine inches tall and is armed and deadly. Casey was reportedly arrested in December 2015 for the stabbing death of Connie Ridgeway, a woman who startled the little community of Rogersville, roughly 50 miles west of Huntsville. It is still unknown why she was slain.

She was remembered for her warmth and eagerness to help others, and the town organized an annual vigil in her honor every October for many years. After committing a crime spree across Tennessee and Alabama, Casey was ultimately apprehended at the age of 32.

He faked a house invasion, two carjackings, and three gunshots in one night, killing a dog and injuring a lady. According to WHNT, the crimes were followed by a chase with speeds above 100 miles per hour.

It concluded with a stolen automobile stalling in a field south of Huntsville and authorities begging him to lay down his pistol and surrender. With a revolver in his hand, White exited the truck, threatening to shoot cops and himself until he could talk with Limestone Sheriff Mike Blakely. While they waited for Blakely to arrive, officers tried to persuade White to surrender by providing him with smokeless tobacco and Sun Drop citrus drink.

Casey White was convicted on nine counts, including attempting to murder his ex-girlfriend and kidnapping her two housemates. First-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, third-degree burglary, breaking and entering a car, animal cruelty for shooting a dog, and attempting to evade were among the accusations, as per Daily Mail.

Related Article: Ukraine Detains "Traitors" Who CollabUkraine Detains "Traitors" Who Collaborated, Supported Russian Invasionorated, Supported Russian Invasion

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TEA SERVICE OF FAMOUS WOMEN

Tea service Napoleon commissioned for Empress Josephine is now part of The Clark's permanent collection
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.
NORTH ADAMS  An intersection notorious for crashes was tweaked last week.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation made changes to the traffic lights at the intersection of Hodges Cross Road and Curran Highway.

Before, lights governing traffic from both Hodges Cross Road and Walmart were green at the same time. Which we know is a big issue, Mayor Jennifer Macksey recently told the City Council.

Now, traffic from Hodges Cross Road and Walmart will get green lights separately, a practice known as split phasing.

We are hoping this will reduce the crash frequency at the intersection. And we will be monitoring that very closely, the mayor said.

The intersection has been a recurring topic at City Council meetings. Just a few hours before the issue came up at a City Council meeting last month, a two-car crash at the intersection caused minor injures.

Earlier this year, Councilor Peter Oleskiewicz asked that the city take action. Although there are traffic signals, unsafe behaviors lead to the cause of these accidents, he wrote in a letter. The road is a state highway, and the city reached out to Mass DOT, Macksey said at the time.

Of all intersections in the city that police track, it is the site of the most crashes over the last 15 months. There have been eight crashes there from Jan. 1, 2021, to mid-April 2022, according to data from city police. In that same time period, the intersection of Union and Eagle streets had the second highest number of crashes, with five, according to police data.

There was a fatal accident last year at the Hodges Cross Road and Curran Highway intersection: A Cheshire man died when his motorcycle and a car collided.
Charles "Chuck" Gilson, a former teacher at Pittsfield High School, left a big impression on students like Alec MacGillis by bringing his history subjects to life with encyclopedic knowledge and larger-than-life impressions of historical figures. Gilson died last month. He was 88.
BOSTON  Three days before the Senate plans to debate the bill, Gov. Charlie Baker reiterated his concern that legislation to allow immigrants who are unable to prove lawful presence in Massachusetts to obtain driver's licenses does not do enough to protect against an ineligible person unlawfully registering to vote.

Senators optimistic about licensing bill's odds BOSTON  The Senate next week plans to pass a bill that would give immigrants without legal 

"I continue to believe that states that have driver privileges cards completely separate the issue of driving with a license from voting," the governor said Monday after a meeting with House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka. "In Massachusetts, a big piece of the way we've organized voter registration is through the issuance and distribution of driver's licenses, and issuing the exact same driver's license to everybody  whether they're eligible to vote or not  and not creating some mechanism that makes it possible for town clerk's to engage with the registry as part of that issue, I think is a problem."

The Senate on Thursday plans to take up a bill that would allow so-called undocumented immigrants to apply for a Massachusetts driver's license if they can produce certain papers, like a foreign passport, proving their identity and residence in Massachusetts.

Immigrant license bill clears Massachusetts House 120-36 The House passed legislation Wednesday that opens a pathway for some undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses in Massachusetts, a move that advocates say would make roads safer for all motorists and that opponents argue rewards people for entering the country illegally.

The House passed a similar bill, co-authored by state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, in February and included language to clarify that a license applicant who does not provide proof of lawful presence will not be not automatically registered to vote under the automatic voter-registration law.

But Baker previously suggested he does not think the House's language goes far enough and said it "bothered me a lot" when representatives voted down an amendment that would have required the Registry of Motor Vehicles to share information with municipal clerks looking to verify a license holders' eligibility to vote.

"I really think this is an issue we have to make clear. Driver's license is one thing. The right to vote is something else," Baker said in early March.

While Massachusetts has automatic voter registration upon certain interactions with the Registry of Motor Vehicles, MassHealth and the Health Connector, Secretary of State William Galvin's office said the agencies "will not submit names to local election officials of any persons they have determined are not U.S. citizens."

Some non-U.S. citizens who cannot vote are already eligible for driver's licenses in Massachusetts, like green card holders. By the 5 p.m. Monday deadline, senators had filed 25 amendments to the bill.
Poland has slowly started to restart the flow of natural gas to areas within its territory after a Russian firm halted supplies following Moscow's cut of the product.

But with Poles and Bulgarians, who also had their supply cut off, worrying that their cookers and heaters will run dry, the rest of Europe was scrambling to respond after Russian President Vladimir Putin's latest announcements over its war on Ukraine. The leader said that his country would cut off the gas supply to major customers.

Russia's Gas Supply Blackmail

Last week, Moscow made the decision to stop the deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to both Bulgaria and Poland. The country's leaders have threatened to do the same thing to other nations if they offer their support to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It prompted accusations of blackmail by European nations and the United States.

Many see Putin's strategy as a warning to his opponents in Europe, who are unfortunately heavily reliant on Russia's gas supply and other petrochemical products. It is interpreted as telling them that if they do not want to pay in rubles, there would be no gas supply coming to them, as per Aljazeera.

On Friday, Poland's state gas said it was gradually working on bringing back the flow of natural gas to various municipalities in the region. The situation was caused by sanctions handed by Russia which were separate from the previous announcement of stopping gas deliveries to the region.

Read Also: World War 3 Warning: Russian State TV Shows Missile Simulation Destroying Paris, Berlin, London in 200 Seconds

In a statement, PGNiG said that Russian firm Novatek Green Energy complied with the demand to make its pipelines available to Polish entities that were now trying to convey their gas to 10 affected areas. These include the popular Baltic Sea resort of Leba which was anxious about the lack of gas prior to Poland's long weekend through May 3.

According to the Associated Press, PGNiG said that the handing over of Novatek's infrastructure and the necessary documents took place "without problems and in good atmosphere." The statement added that all affected locations are expected to have gas again starting on Friday.

Effects of the Russia-Ukraine War

Government spokesman Piotr Muelle warned on Friday that Novatek could face legal action under the country's crisis management laws if it did not immediately comply. Russia's second-largest natural gas provider, OAO Novatek, controls a subsidiary of a group that was put earlier this week on Poland's list of sanctions against 50 Russian and Belarusian businesses.

However, some see Putin's actions and decisions, as well as his invasion of Ukraine, as putting his country's superpower status at risk. Western sanctions have restricted Moscow's access to technology and finance that is needed to help it drill oil from drawn-down, remote, and inhospitable Siberian and Arctic fields.

Furthermore, the departure of Western companies also cripples Russia's ability to produce ultra-lucrative liquefied natural gas for the next decade. It could be difficult for Moscow to find new places to sell its products. This is because the European Union is already discussing moving against oil in its sixth sanctions package this week, Politico reported.



Related Article: Russia-Ukraine War: The Reason Why Indonesia Rejected Volodymyr Zelensky's Request for Arms

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As a follower of Jesus, each one of us has a special role and responsibility to share His gospel with others. Sometimes this can feel overwhelming when we think about the great need in our world. Or maybe it is motivating to you in knowing that so many people get to hear about Christ?

As we look as the Great Commission, people often forget to go to Acts 1:8 as a guide to fulfilling it. What did Jesus mean when He said, Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth?

Before being taken up into heaven, Jesus had a commissioning of His disciples. This is found in Matthew 28:19-20. However, when Paul is recounting the events that occurred, he too shares about this moment in Acts 1.

Acts 1:8 says, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Jesus final message to His followers was for them to go and tell others about Him. They are to stay in Jerusalem and receive the Holy Spirit before going anywhere. This reminds us that in our own power, we can never truly accomplish anything of spiritual significance. It is only by the grace of the Holy Spirits work through us. It is humbling when we realize that we have nothing to offer God, but He still chooses to use us for His kingdom purposes when we say yes to Him.

This message to the disciples is still a command to all believers today. We are called to be the witnesses of Christ to this world. You likely do not live in Jerusalem, so lets break down what this means for us in this day and age.

When looking at a map, we see that Jerusalem is a city within Judea, which neighbors Samaria. Jesus called His disciples to minister first to their hometown, then to their culture, then to a nearby culture, and to the ends of the earth. There is no limit to who Christ can reach through us, but it starts where we are and goes outward.

Think about the help of understanding the culture of your hometown (Jerusalem). You know the traditions, the foods, and the personalities, so it makes it a natural ground for mission work. You can easily relate to others in the everyday things, so then you can segue to the gospel in effective ways. Then, think about your country (Judea). You know the overall feel, the ways in which things are done, and the culture. This means that you can minister and find a connection to others. You likely speak the same language and understand the same culture. There are fewer barriers, so this can be an amazing opportunity for sharing the gospel. There are minor differences in the ways people live or act, but nothing too culturally shocking.

Outside of this we have neighboring countries (Samaria). Think about what countries border your country. In the United States this would be Canada and Mexico. We could also think about the Caribbean Islands as our neighbors. These are countries with their own culture and languages which might be different from ours, but they are closer in reach. We are called to go out and share the gospel with them.

To the end of the earth is just that, we are then instructed to share Jesus with the world. These would be places that are far from home and which likely have different cultures and languages. They are people who need to hear the gospel too.

Distance does not determine value. God values the end of the earth as much as Jerusalem. We need to remember that whether this be through physically going, praying, giving to send others, or even online ministry, we are all called to reach the world for Jesus.

In a smaller sense, we can use this model to think about our everyday life. No, most of us are not going to be able to be traveling missionaries every week. However, we are all called to the mission of Acts 1:8, wherever the Lord has placed us.

Jerusalem would be symbolic of your main ministry, the home. Who is in your family? Then from there it might be your neighborhood or place of work (Judea). You could think of Samaria as the other side of town.

In doing this exercise, it is important to remember we are called to reach others from our hometowns to globally. However, it is helpful to think about on a smaller scale, the value of impact within a home into the community. The concept is the same. We are called to share Jesus from the inside out. We seek Him in who He has intentionally placed around us, and trust Him in stepping out of our comfort zones to reach those who are different culturally. Jesus emphasis was that all people are welcome into His family.

It is worthwhile to point out that Samaria is where the Samaritans lived. Jesus Himself ministered in Jerusalem and Judea, and then purposefully went the long way on one journey to go to a specific well and meet the Samaritan woman. He told her that He was her Living Water, her salvation (John 4). Jesus modeled that not only is He for those who are similar to us, but He came for people of every nation and background.

The disciples would have easily avoided Samaria because of racial and cultural tensions. However, Jesus taught them to love and press in to the unknowns. Who are we trying to avoid sharing Jesus with today? Who do we feel is unworthy of hearing this good news? We need to ask God to purify our hearts and help us to share His message of hope even with those we do not like or agree with in this world.

Whatever your Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria are, remember that you are called to go. You are chosen by Jesus Himself to share His message of the gospel where you are and to the ends of the earth. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to witness many coming to Christ because He is working in this world through our obedience to His calling.

More from this author

2 Important Lessons from Jesus and the Fig Tree

4 Beautiful Lessons Psalm 139 Has for Us Today

3 Ways Samuels Story Helps Us Witness to Children



Photo credit: Getty Images/Bayram Gurzoglu

Emma Danzeys mission in life stems from Ephesians 3:20-21, inspiring young women to embrace the extraordinary. One of her greatest joys is to journey with the Lord in His Scriptures. She is wife to Drew and they have been married for over a year. Drew and Emma serve with Upstate CRU college ministry in South Carolina. Emma is an avid writer for Salem Web Network and provides articles on the Bible, life questions, and on the Christian lifestyle. Her article on Interracial Marriage was the number 1 viewed article on Crosswalk for the year 2021. All the glory to the Lord! She has the joy of being the host of Her Many Hats podcast where she explores the many roles that women play while serving One God.
Why Is the Gutenberg Bible Famous?

The Gutenberg Bible is not famous because it was the first Bible (it wasnt).

It is not famous because some important libraries worldwide own copies of itor even just a single page of it. Nor is it famous because, nowadays, when a single page becomes available for sale, that one page would probably be auctioned for close to $16,000. Nor is it famous becauseheres a huge numberif an entire Gutenberg Bible suddenly became available (beyond the 48 copies, some incomplete, known to exist today) it might legitimately be valued at $150,000,000.

No. The Gutenberg Bible is famous because it represents a moment in historical time when the act of reproducing what we call books changed forever.

How were Bibles Printed Before the Gutenberg Bible?

Before Gutenberg, Bibles were not printed, as we use the term today. Instead, they were illuminated. The process was slow, careful, and exacting. It was usually performed by monks, who had time enough to apply their own artistic and calligraphic efforts to glorify the Lords words.

Illuminating was done by an important monk or team of monks. The monks had to be literate (meaning they could read), and they had to have exhibited artistic mastery when copying the letters in words onto pages of vellum or parchment. Both parchment and vellum are animal skins that have been treated to accept the ink and the paint used during illumination. These materials were used for the monks work in the Middle Ages (paper was not commonly used in Europe until the 1450s).

Does Gutenberg Bible Refer to a Person, Place, Translation, or Theological Idea?

Johannes Gutenberg was born in Germany, in Mainz, which is near Frankfurt and Wiesbaden in southwest Germany, in about 1398 or 1399. He was born into a prosperous family, and he learned to read early. So, the Gutenberg Bible is named after the person Johannes Gutenberg.

However, Gutenberg himself did not become famous as a translator of the Bible or as a man who advanced any new biblically theological ideas. Gutenberg became famous because he invented moveable type, which made any printing project easier, quicker, less costly, and rapidly repeatable.

To the extent that Johannes Gutenberg advanced any new ideas about the Bibles content, his contribution was that Bibles should be readily available to laypeople. His invention meant that Bibles were no longer the sole property of nobility (who could afford illuminated versions) or church masters (who could judge them on theological grounds).

So, Gutenberg invented no new ideas. He invented the printing press, a machine that used his new moveable type to quickly reproduce page after page (generally on paper) so that each page for a book was uniform with that same page in the next book. Gutenbergs process was quick, slick, and inexpensive compared to illumination. So much so that Bibles could be made for buyers among the general public and in their local language.

How Did the Roman Catholic Church React to the Existence of the New Gutenberg Bible?

Not well. But perhaps not for the reason sometimes claimed nowadays.

Todays academic world is preoccupied with the notion that every powerful institution is motivated by excluding anyone from power and prestige who doesnt belong to its own elite ranks. They assign this dynamic to the Roman Catholic Church, as they do to every other institution they can identify as having been villainous throughout western history. So, if they perceive that some element of the Renaissance-era church frowned on the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, they are not surprised and trumpet their point. Ah hah! Caught you!

Yet this is chronological snobbery.

What Language Did People Read in the Middle Ages?

In the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance, people learned about the world around them in monasteries and churches. Churches and monasteries taught Latin. So if people learned to read and write, think about what they read, and discover their cultures customs to pass along to their children, they had to learn Latin.

They didnt learn the High Latin of the Lords of the Church but the Vulgate (for the common or vulgar population). Vulgate Latin was for ordinary men and women going about their ordinary lives, yet still needing to talk, read and write, and debate.

I spoke a few moments ago about illuminations, the painfully slow, exact, careful, and welcome creation of new copies of the Bible. The Roman Catholic Church usually produced illuminations, and they didnt lament the creation of additional Bibles in the world. Instead, the Roman Catholic Church went out of its way to produce more illuminations and make them beautiful. For one thing, more beautiful illuminations (each page with its elaborate capitals and its illustrative marginalia) further drew attention to them. The Roman Catholic Churchs actual response was the opposite of what some people attribute.

Did the Roman Catholic Church Ever Deplore What Gutenberg Made Possible?

Yes.

Gutenberg was an inventor. Like other inventors before and since his time, after he conceived his initial idea and constructed it, he tested it, improved it, and kept working on it, always making it function better and more efficiently.

He began in 1436. The height of his professional printing career came in 1454-55 when the first edition of his famous Bible came off the press. That Bible was, naturally, in Latin.

But what happened after his culture noticed that an invention had occurred that made Bible printing so easy? Some people speculated about printing the Bible in German, the primary language of the German people. Others speculated about even printing the Bible in English (of all things!). Now, from the point of view of Rome, that would be a bridge too far.

The Roman Catholic Church strongly deplored translating Gods glorious Bible, written in beautiful Latin, into such low and faulty languages as German and English.

The Roman Catholic Church did not kill Luther, who translated the New Testament into German in 1522, then the Pentateuch in 1523, and finally the whole Bible during the 1530s. But the Roman Catholic Church did execute William Tyndale, who translated the Bible from Greek and Hebrew into English and published it in 1526. In Antwerp, he was tied at the stake, strangled to death, and then burned to ashes.

However, despite the Roman Catholic Churchs most earnest efforts, Bible translation had become a rage across Europe. For example, the famous Geneva Bible (a favorite of Protestants, particularly Luther and Calvin) was made in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1557. The Geneva Bible was to educate English people forced to leave England when it returned to the Roman Catholic Church under Mary I (1553-1558).

Eventually, the Roman Catholic Church produced its own English translation, but this was so shoddy that it was disdained by the people it was produced to please. Instead, under the new Anglican Church and the sponsorship of King James, an entirely new English Authorized Version of the Bible, was issued in 1611. The King James Bible is the most widely published version of the Bible of all time, numbering 55% of the approximately 5 billion copies of the Bible that have been published.

Johannes Gutenberg Must Have Died Rich. Did He?

Gutenberg died in 1468, a poor man. He was just short of 70 years old. He was probably buried in the Franciscan monastery of Mainz. That place has disappeared, so his grave location is unknown.

Three years before his death, Archbishop von Nassau recognized Gutenberg for his lifes work and gave him a stipend. The stipend included an annual new outfit of court clothing, 2,180 liters of grain per year, and 2,000 liters of wine per year, all without tax.

Gutenberg published 180 Bibles, most on paper and a few on vellum. Aside from the Bibles, his most lucrative printed products were indulgences. As far as I have been able to determine, he died a pious Catholic believer. We may speculate that some people purchased indulgences printed by Gutenbergs printing press to intervene for his soul.

Further Reading:

What Is the Gutenberg Bible?

Gutenberg's First Bible?

What Is the Vulgate?

What Is the Codex Vaticanus?

Photo Credit: Getty Images/PhoebeMillerDesign

Dr. Dikkon Eberhart lives in the Blue Ridge area of SW Virginia. He and his wife have four grown children and five grandchildren. He has written all his life, both fiction and memoir, and his academic interest is the connection between religion and the arts. His most recent book is the popular memoir The Time Mom Met Hitler, Frost Came to Dinner, and I Heard the Greatest Story Ever Told (Tyndale House, 2015). He writes memoirs, and he assists those who wish to write memoirs, for the purpose of coming closer to God. Learn more about his interests at www.dikkoneberhart.com.

Photo Credit:  Alexander Rose Photography, LLC
BOISE - Idaho Power has announced plans to install 120 megawatts (MW) of battery storage, the state's first utility-scale battery storage systems, with the expectation to come online next summer.

Idaho Power hopes the storage will help maintain reliable service during periods of high use while furthering the companys goal of providing 100% clean energy by 2045.

This is an exciting step for Idaho Power," said Idaho Power Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Adam Richins. "Not only are we adding capacity to serve our customers, but we are taking advantage of advancements in technology that will be key to our future. Battery storage enables us to use existing generation sources efficiently while setting the stage for more clean energy in the coming years.

On April 29, the company filed a request for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, which will determine whether the proposal is in the public interest.

The batteries are scheduled to come online by June 2023.

According to the company, potential site locations are still being evaluated. Currently, a 40-MW system is being proposed for the Black Mesa solar facility in Elmore County, while the Hemingway substation near Melba is being proposed as the location for the other 80-MW system.

Although batteries dont generate electricity, they can store power generated during periods of lower use and deliver it when customers need it. According to Idaho Power, a 40-MW battery can power more than 13,000 average homes for four hours during periods of peak use, and more when energy demand is lower. The batteries can be completely recharged in about four hours, depending on their energy source.

The company issued a request for proposals in May 2021 for new resources to meet 2023 energy needs. After evaluating numerous responses, the company selected Portland, Oregon-based Powin to install the systems, which will be owned by Idaho Power.

Were pleased to support Idaho Power and its 600,000-plus customers with 120 MW of battery storage solutions, said Powin CEO Geoff Brown. The Powin Stack750 product will allow Idaho Power to efficiently store power and deploy it when its needed the most. As regulated utilities, IPPs and developers across the country add energy storage to their systems and achieve renewable energy goals, were proud to be their trusted partner."

The company says that several factors are driving the need for additional capacity, including the regions strong economy and rapid population growth. Idaho Power says that transmission constraints have also restricted the companys ability to import energy from the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere.

Idaho Powers most recent long-range plan calls for adding nearly 1,700 MW of battery storage and more than 2,100 MW of solar and wind capacity by 2040.
Former United States President Donald Trump has defended a Nebraska gubernatorial candidate accused of groping and sexual assault after allegedly targeting eight women.

Earlier this month, the Republican businessman's aides told him about the bombshell allegations involving Charles Herbster. However, instead of dropping his endorsement of the candidate, who is a longtime top donor and ally, Trump continued his support of the official.

Sexual Assault Allegations

The former president also continued to hold a Friday evening rally in support of the Nebraska candidate. Trump relayed word that Herbster was not fighting back hard enough against the accusations against him. He supported plans for the gubernatorial candidate to hold a press conference to aggressively deny the charges and push back at his opposition.

The Nebraska candidate followed suit, blasting the allegations as a "smear campaign" that was taken from the same "playbook" that was used to target Trump and Supreme Court justices, Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh. The multimillionaire agricultural executive boasted that he had brought on a law firm that the former president used to defend himself against sexual misconduct accusations, as per Politico.

In his speech, Trump said that Herbster was "badly maligned" and called the entire situation a shame. He said he came out to Nebraska to defend people that he knew were good and continued to call the gubernatorial candidate a "good man."

Read Also: Marjorie Taylor Greene Offers Bill To Abolish Online Platform Liability Protection After Musk's Twitter Takeover

The former president added that he was defending one of his friends, noting that he has been friends with Herbster for three decades. Trump said that the gubernatorial candidate was one of the most innocent human beings he has ever known. He noted that Herbster would be the last man to do any of the stuff that he is being accused of by multiple women.

According to The Hill, during the Nebraska rally, Trump invited Herbster to join him on stage, calling the candidate a person who was unfairly "put through a grinder." But the official only spoke for a moment where he praised the Republican businessman for the work he did while in office, including his Supreme Court appointments and moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

Trump's Influence in the GOP

The situation came after several women, including Republican state Sen. Julie Slama, accused Herbster of groping them at political events or beauty pageants. One woman added that the gubernatorial candidate forcibly kissed her. In six of the cases, at least one eyewitness corroborated the women's allegations.

The Nebraska candidate, who said that the allegations were "100% false," filed a lawsuit on Friday against Slama. The female official previously said that Herbster reached up her skirt during a Republican fundraising dinner in 2019. He claims that he has suffered "grievous harm to his reputation" from the accusation.

The May 10 Nebraska gubernatorial primary is only one of several upcoming tests for the influence of the former president's endorsement in GOP primaries. The candidates that Trump is supporting will be facing off in competitive primaries for House, Senate, and governor's races in May in various states, including Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, CNN reported.



Related Article: DOJ Sues Former Trump Campaign Chair For $3 Million Over Failure To Disclose Offshore Accounts

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Plus, Bill's Message of the Day, don't know much about history.

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BioSpectrum lists Top 10 Indian BioPharma Companies 2021 & Top 10 MNC BioPharma Companies 2021

BioSpectrum India, a leading B2B media platform in Lifesciences space since 2003, re-launched its ranking special edition in June 2019 after a gap of 2 years. We have delayed this survey and the ranking exercise in 2021 due to COVID-19, as companies were given an extended period to submit their financial returns till December 2021.

In this survey we looked at only the Biopharma Industry with companies specialising in Biologics/Blood products/ Recombinant products/ mAbs/ Vaccines/ Insulin.

We have highlighted the companies (both MNCs and domestic players) based on their achievements in the past financial years. A detailed questionnaire (survey form) was sent to the companies in biologicals space to capture the needed information for the analysis.

This was done during October 2021 to March 2022 (Sales revenues of all the companies are in Rs Crore). Companies shared information with us to the extent it was possible by them. We have collected information about listed companies from stock exchange, financial agencies and speaking with industry experts as well.

Click here for the full story....
Poonam Khetrapal Singh reappointed WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia

The WHO has appointed Dr Takeshi Kasai as Regional Director for WHOs Western Pacific Region, and re-appointed Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh for a second term as Regional Director for WHOs Southeast Asia Region.

New Regional Director for Western Pacific (WPRO)

Dr Kasai said he plans to build on the decade of leadership and legacy of the outgoing Regional Director. He is a Japanese national, has worked for WHO for more than 15 years. As Director of Programme Management for the last 4 years, he served as deputy to the Regional Director.

Prior to this, Dr. Kasai was instrumental in developing and implementing the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies, which guides the Member States to improve readiness and response in public health emergencies. Dr Kasai also served as the WHO Representative in Viet Nam from 2012 to 2014.

A physician by training, his career in public health began nearly 30 years ago, when he was assigned to a post on the remote northeast coast of Japan, where he saw first-hand the value of building strong health systems from the ground up.

Re-election of the Regional Director for South-East Asia (SEARO)

It is a privilege to once again be appointed as Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region. The confidence you have reposed in me is humbling, said Dr Khetrapal Singh, whose first term as Regional Director was marked by numerous initiatives and public health achievements.
Launches eMedicoz app that helps to bridge the gap among medical students

Delhi Academy of Medical Sciences (DAMS) has launched simulation-based medical education at its Delhi centre. The innovative idea of simulation-based education enhances the students from all perspectives- it provides a structured, learner-centred environment in which novice, intermediate, and advanced practitioners can learn or practice skills without causing harm to patients.



The innovation of eMedicoz app helps to bridge the gap amongst medical students preparing for various career opportunities at the post-doctoral level and provides them with a common platform where they can get all useful information in one place and prepare for common national level examinations like NEET-PG, NEXT.

Through this app, students get the opportunity to discuss medical cases with their seniors and peers across the world.




A transnational approach to translational research

Human body like the Space is an endless frontier made even more complex by the irreversibility of life by the arrow of time. Similar to the mystery of origin of the Universe some problems in the human body are so complex, for example, the problem of qualia or the Hard problem of consciousness why any physical state is conscious rather than nonconscious that it has given the league of neuroscientists, philosophers and empiricists a perpetual Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent or the Upanishadic Neti Neti limbo.

Another such outlier among the mysteries of nature which has currently eclipsed the developmental goals of poor and rich countries alike is an infinitesimally small virus, rather a particular strain of coronavirus that ordinarily causes the common cold. Evolutionary biologists are still to figure out whether to classify viruses as living or dead or something in between; whether they are a rare anomaly of nature or the first and the most abundant form of cellular organization in Universe. Human genome that is made up of 5-10% of viral DNA tells us that we have been at the receiving end of countless virus attacks throughout our evolutionary history but scientists are now coming to terms with the fact that viruses may have played a very important role in our evolution e.g. in the development of female placenta which essentially helped us establish at the top of the food chain. In the far future scientists envision using viruses in development of nanomachines, cancer killing cyborgs and advanced geriatric care.

Globalization and extensive deforestation have caused a lot of pathogens of animal origin to adapt and infect humans, and viruses are so adaptable that they have started developing increasingly stealthy mechanisms to remain undetected by human immune system. The initial strains of SARS-CoV-2 had developed mutations with respect to SARS-CoV-1 that allows it to first replicate silently in the upper respiratory tracts of patients for first few days and spread by respiratory droplets before showing any detectable symptoms. With widespread transmission viruses accumulate more mutations and the current strains are becoming more infectious, virulent and stealthy due to changes in its spike protein and genetic material. The only way Covid 19 outbreak is going to end is when enough people have developed immunity (by a combination of innate, adaptive and passive immunity) through infection or vaccination against the prevalent and most virulent strains. A good vaccine along with other treatment options like repurposed drugs, plasma therapy, antibody mixtures, antivirals, immunomodulators and other adjunctive therapies are the tools we are using to tide over the pandemic.

We hardly give a second thought while taking any OTC (over the counter) medication for our minor ailments but we will be very surprised to know that most modern medications under Allopathy and for that matter any other system of medicine work like black boxes. In a few cases we know the chemical composition or the active chemical groups in the medicine but how they interact with thousands of receptors in human body giving rise to a cascade of effects finally resulting in the alleviation of the symptom troubling us is a problem that is too hard to figure out with the current level of technological advances in a complex living system. So all clinical research on medicines work on the principle of cause and effect, trying to maximize desirable effects while trying to minimize the undesirable side effects. Novel drug discovery process starts with thousands of trial compound collections which are then reduced to hundreds of lead compounds by high throughput screening to finally identify few novel drug candidates by secondary assays which may or may not pass four phases of clinical trials to get apex drug authority approvals; the whole exercise costing a billion dollars. Like the olden wars for spice, the big silent wars are now for averting hospice.

Vaccines differ from drugs in that they are always biological products and larger, more complex requiring special cold storage conditions up to -50 degrees. These special storage conditions create logistical nightmare for their global distribution and administration from their source of production. An ideal vaccine is defined in terms of its safety profile, cost, efficacy, need for booster doses, thermal stability and mode of administration. Many pharmaceutical companies have specialized vaccine verticals and they may choose any of the methods to generate a vaccine depending on their expertise like attenuated or inactivated viruses, recombinant- DNA vaccines, RNA vaccines, subunit  virus protein, sugars or other structural components from the virus.

Translational Medicine is a bench to bedside approach to medical research that tries to better translate the results of laboratory studies or clinical research to be used for better clinical prognostics and facilitate better clinical outcomes. There is a clear disconnect between academia, medical training and research, and medical practice; most of the medical colleges and research centres are not tied up with hospitals because of the highly commercial nature of medical practice in our country. The primary reason for this state of affairs of medical education is the high costs involved in it compared to the average household income of the middle class.

In response to the pandemic COVID-19, Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog was entrusted to identify promising startups that can offer innovative solutions to address the current crisis by Government of India Inter-Ministerial Working Group. This working group is also critically supported by industry bodies like CII, NASSCOM, UNDP and TiE who are committed to tackling COVID-19. This resulted in identification and industry-connect opportunities for 1,000+ COVID-19 related startups and startups working in different categories such as equipments, hygiene and also those working on awareness and sensitization campaigns.

These startups are now actively helping the Government to tackle covid-19. AIM is also leveraging the strength of Indian academic research and translational resources of its AICs at CCMB and C-CAMP to boost research translation and commercialization in the medical field focussing on Covid 19 research in the current scenario supported by other AICs like 91springboard, Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone, AIC -Pinnacle etc. Atal Incubator Centres and Established Incubator Centres under AIM have played an instrumental role in controlling the emerging Covid 19 scenario in the country and are expected to further raise the bar in coming times.

EIC-CCAMP started a nationwide search for innovations that were ready to be deployed immediately or in the near future to curb the COVID-19 outbreak. EIC 91Sprinboard has launched a community repository of resources supported by AIM and updated in real time for solving COVID 19 challenges. AIC-Pinnacle in partnership with Garage48 organised an online hackathon, inviting Non-Medical Solutions from the Quarantined Minds of Young India against COVID-19. Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone has been providing support for large scale manufacturing of ventilators, PCR based & serology based COVID diagnostic kits through proposals. AMTZ in its efforts to pace in curbing shortage of ventilators and other COVID-19 targeted products, have developed TECHRx APP to help all innovators, startups and manufacturers to connect with Electronic Spares, Components and Machinery suppliers.

AIC -SMUTBI team were able to design and 3D print the mask as an intervention to the acute shortage of mask in initial covid 19 surge. The mask can be converted to N95 standards with the filters being replaced with 0.3 microns fibre/materials. Atal Incubation Centre- Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini has launched I-CAN (India Co-Win Action Network) initiative in collaboration with Connecting Dreams Foundation (CDF) to help underprivileged communities that have been hardest hit due COVID-19. It is a unique movement to combat the pandemic through an online platform that connects those help seekers and help givers. In addition to this numerous AIM startups and Atal tinkering lab innovators have come up with solutions such as AI enabled diagnostic decision-making support for pulmonary diseases, telemedicine and case management platforms and other innovations in the field of Drug Discovery, Biotherapeutics, Devices & Diagnostics and Bioinformatics & Computational Biology.

In medicine many of the old doctrines get progressively invalidated but it happens at a meticulously slow rate, the most recent is that fMRi that is used to scan any sort of brain activity in relation to various diseases like Alzheimers to Sleep apnea is at best a false representative of the blood flow in the brain. This new research finding has invalidated the previous research of hundreds of neuroscientists who had designed their studies on the basis of fMRi. Patents, intellectual property, innovation in translational medicine and big pharmaceutical industries needs to be well coordinated to bring about this change at a quicker pace. To meet the countrys growing healthcare needs cost effective and high quality preclinical and clinical research needs to be facilitated by core stakeholders and augmented by product development support services. Interaction with enterprises, particularly SMEs involved in new technology innovation can facilitate translation of scientific know-how into viable products. A network of Centres of Excellence (CoE) in clinical research through partnerships with leading institutions conducting clinical trials in India needs to be developed and synergized. Providing comprehensive and sustained training in clinical research through these CoEs in order to build a cadre of world class investigators capable of conducting clinical trials for regulatory submissions will fast track drug development and clinical research in the India.

Developing a vaccine is an inordinately tough task limited by time and capacity, a safe and effective vaccine often requires more than a decade to be licensed and used globally, and requires more than $ 500 million in capital. To give some perspective an average molecular biology doctorate student spends 100+ man hours and 1000 slides to complete a five year study. Multiple vaccine platforms are in development, and enrolment in a clinical trial with different candidate vaccines will become centralized with a translational medicine platform. Clinical endpoints of various trials should be normalized as much as possible so that relative efficacy can be determined clearly. The Effectiveness criteria for Covid 19 vaccines are going to be prevention of infection, reduction in mortality or reduction in severe hospitalizations.

After vaccination the studies that need to be conducted are the degree of prevention of infections and reinfections, the most effective dose and the length of protective immunity. Other studies that needs to be conducted are the need for the booster doses and the effects of the booster doses. Our body does not develop a long term immunity from the conventional coronavirus. A genetic/family history screening may be required for those predisposed to ailments like Multi organ Inflammatory syndrome and a thorough analysis of auto immune disease spectrum. The populations in developed countries with high mortality rates and comorbidity rates will be very reluctant to try a new vaccine but in India the onus for this rests with the Government and the medical fraternity. Storage of some vaccines developed by biopharmaceutical companies require -80 degrees of storage, a logistical nightmare for global distribution but Serum Institute of India has been able to locally manufacture 50 million doses a month of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine by modifying weakened version of chimpanzee adenovirus. Vaccines developed by SII can be stored at 2-8 degrees which more suitable for impending hot summer in the country. UN has applauded Indian vaccine efforts and India has been able to export 2 million doses to Brazil and 1 million doses to Canada as a friendly gesture. No wonder India is called the pharmacy of the World and it also produces 60% vaccines of the total vaccines of the World and 80% vaccines imported in USA are from India.

A centralized review board facilitated by a Translational platform will be well equipped to achieve this objective and tackle emerging Covid 19 scenario and future vaccination efforts in India. A combination of vaccines is a dangerous concoction and the clinical studies attempting to study the comorbid side effects of more than two vaccines have never been attempted but to tackle the increasing complex nature of pandemics and epidemics it needs to be attempted and India is possibly the only country in the World that has the capability to take on this herculean task.

Other flagship interventions by AIM which have already made a huge impact are:

AIM-ICDK Water innovation challenge - AIM, NITI Aayog has partnered with Innovation Center Denmark (ICDK), Denmark Embassy in India and the Denmark Technical University (DTU) to identify Innovative & next-gen solutions to solve proposed challenges in collaboration with corporate and public partners. The initiative engages young talent from leading universities and innovation hubs to come up with technology driven innovative solutions for effective water management for digital water management solutions, solutions for monitoring and prevention of leakage in city water supply, wastewater management across rural/agri belts and urban settlements, rainwater harvesting in rural and urban settlements.

India Australia Circular Economy Hackathon (I-ACE) - a joint effort by AIM, NITI Aayog, Government of India and Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia to enable the students and startups/MSMEs of both the nations in fostering innovative solutions for the development of a circular economy across the food system value chain with the aim of increasing the long-term health and resilience of our planet, through innovative technology solutions.

AIM, NITI Aayog in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) India has launched Youth Co:Lab which aims at accelerating social entrepreneurship and innovation in young India recognizing young people as critical drivers of sustainable development. Through Youth Co:Lab, young entrepreneurs and innovators will get a chance to connect with governments, mentors, incubators and investors, who will help equip them with entrepreneurial skills.

AIM-PRIME - AIM, NITI Aayog has launched AIM-PRIME (Program for Researchers on Innovations, Market-Readiness & Entrepreneurship), an initiative to promote and support science-based deep-tech startups & ventures across India through hands-on practical insights and mentoring from experts and mentors who have been nurturing science-based deep-tech startups in global innovation hotspots as well as in India. Beneficiaries get access to in-depth learning via a comprehensive lecture series, curated video library, live team projects, exercises, and project-specific mentoring and plenty of peer-to-peer learning opportunities.

AIM iCREST - Incubator Capabilities enhancement for a Robust Ecosystem for high performing Startups  launched in collaboration with Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Wadhwani Foundation providing global expertise and showcase proven best practices to the incubator networks. It enables incubators and their teams to gain deep insights about incubation and acceleration and learn about best practices of about 200 incubators and accelerators globally.

Ranjan Das, Innovation Lead, NITI Aayog
Interview: Chinese economy resilient, long-term fundamentals attractive for investors, says Swiss banker

Xinhua) 11:36, May 02, 2022

GENEVA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China's economy boasts excellent potential and resilience, said Swiss banker Fiorenzo Manganiello in a recent interview with Xinhua, stressing that the long-term fundamentals of the Chinese economy remain attractive for investors.

The British Financial Times recently reported that several international investment banks are carrying out ambitious business expansion plans in Shanghai, and the current prevention and control measures against COVID-19 in the city won't discourage them.

According to Manganiello, co-founder at Lian Group, a specialized direct investment firm in Europe, these expansion plans prove that China has remained one of the world's most resilient economies during the pandemic, and its future growth potential remains more robust than most other major economies.

Manganiello said China's economic efficiency has improved significantly and domestic and global demand for Chinese goods is strong.

China can withstand downward pressure and risks and has the confidence to stabilize the macroeconomic market, said Manganiello, previously the vice president of the Swiss private bank Banque Profil de Gestion.

According to the banker, China's economy is under downward pressure in terms of the international balance of payments and fiscal revenue and spending, but its economic foundation remains solid.

He noted that China's total retail sales of consumer goods and industrial added value, main factors supporting economic growth, have recovered better than expected.

China continues to improve and liberalize its investment environment, he said.

In recent years, China has promulgated the Foreign Investment Law and established a complaint mechanism for foreign-invested enterprises and a service system for foreign investment, noted the banker.

These policy measures protect foreign investors' legitimate rights and interests and encourage them to enter the Chinese market, he said, adding that China's market access space is widening, and restrictions on the manufacturing industry have basically been lifted.

Manganiello added China is bolstering investment in large-scale infrastructure and is building a safe and efficient logistics system.

Logistics infrastructure is an essential pillar for China to build a competitive advantage in the global industrial chain, significantly promoting economic development, Manganiello said.

Manganiello believes that new energy, rail transit, intelligent manufacturing, robotics, chips, and high-end manufacturing of precision instruments will be the focus of China's future development and areas worthy of investor attention.

According to Manganiello, a stable and efficient Chinese government is the key to solving many economic problems. For example, China's pursuit of common prosperity is committed to bridging the income gap and conducive to expanding its middle-income group, which will help make China a key global market.

"China is the world's second-largest economy, the world's largest trader in goods and an important link in the global value chain. The stability of China's economy is very important to global investors," he said.

Manganiello believes that the Asian country will continue to promote globalization and regional economic integration.

"Agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and the Belt and Road Initiative are powerful engines for the recovery of the global economy," Manganiello added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Some areas in India and Pakistan suffer from record-breaking heat levels, which experts attribute to climate change, endangering the lives of millions.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the average maximum temperature in northwest and central India in April was the highest since records began 122 years ago, reaching 35.9 and 37.78 degrees Celsius (96.62 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit), respectively.

CNN meteorologists pointed out that New Delhi experienced seven consecutive days above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) last month, three degrees above the normal temperature for April.

The heat forced schools to close, damaged crops, and put a strain on the energy supply in certain regions, prompting officials to advise people to stay indoors and drink plenty of water.

Based on the most recent data provided by Pakistan's Meteorological Department (PMD) to CNN, the cities of Jacobabad and Sibi in the country's southwestern Sindh province reached highs of 47 degrees Celsius (116.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on Friday.

Unprecedented Heatwave

This was the hottest temperature ever recorded in any city in the Northern Hemisphere on that day, according to the PMD.

Sherry Rehman, Pakistan's Minister of Climate Change, said that the heat is "the first time in decades" when Pakistan is undergoing "what many call a 'spring-less year'."

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has identified India as one of the countries with a high risk of the climate crisis.

Dr. Chandni Singh, IPCC Lead Author, and Senior Researcher at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements, remarked that the "unprecedented" heatwave has serious effects.

"We have seen a change in its intensity, its arrival time, and duration. This is what climate experts predicted and it will have cascading impacts on health," the expert said.

Heatstroke cases in Patna, the state capital of Bihar in India, have increased dramatically in the last ten days, with a rise in the number of children suffering from fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Read Also: Macron's Presidential Win Greeted by Violent May Day Protests Criticizing French Leader's Policies

Big Challenge For Muslims

Coming during the month of Ramadan, the heat makes fasting in India and Pakistan even tougher for Muslims, who shun even water during daylight hours for the holy month.

The heat makes fasting in India and Pakistan much more challenging for Muslims, who refrain from drinking even water during daytime hours during the holy month of Ramadan, per ABC News.

When the sun goes down, sellers sell Rooh Afza, a sugary pink beverage that has been relieving thirst throughout the subcontinent for generations.

People swim or wade in shallow dark waters with dark sands and stones, and some dress in white fabric and others shirtless.

The severe heat also raises electricity demand and strains water supplies.

Due to coal shortages at power plants, several Indian states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, have reduced electricity supplies to industrial sectors.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, temperatures will ease by May 2.

The #heatwave in #India and #Pakistan is hitting many millions of people and the economy. Temps topped 45C (113F), will ease by 2 May#Heatwaves are one of the signs of #climatechange

Air temps at 1200 UTC from @CopernicusECMWF

WMO roundup at https://t.co/au1UovUieL pic.twitter.com/wGuZXIU2yS  World Meteorological Organization (@WMO) April 29, 2022

Though in India, daytime high temperatures will persist in the first week of May, along with warmer nights, according to the country's weather service, per The National.

"Most parts of northwest India are expected to experience above-normal temperatures in May,"

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director-general of India's Meteorological Department, said.

Related Article: Poland Slowly Restarts Gas Flow After Russian Firm Halts Supply Following Moscow's Cut of Exports

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted Americans to work remotely, wearing sweats and yoga pants for two years. As offices reopen, employees reconsider their clothes to strike a mix between comfort and professionalism, ditching the formal suits, zip-front pants, and pencil skirts in favor of new designs.

Americans were already wearing more casually at work before the pandemic. The change from "business casual" to "business comfort" was hastened by the time spent in sweatpants, per ABC News report.

Kay Martin-Pence used to go to work at a pharmaceutical company in Indiana in dress pants and blazers before the outbreak. In April, she reported back to work in stylish jeans and flowing tops, following two years of working remotely in leggings and slippers.

"Why feel buttoned up and stiff when I don't have to?" she said, and argued that 'being comfortable is more important than being super structured,"

Martin-Spence said she will never wear dress pants again to her workplace.

The clothes for returning to the workplace situation is still a social experiment, according to Adam Galinsky, a social psychologist at Columbia Business School who invented the phrase "enclothed cognition," or how what people wear influences the way they think.

Galinsky believes that people are going to be "consciously thinking" about if what they wearing is the appropriate outfit for "being in the office."

"They're going to be thinking about what they're doing, the context they're in, and the social comparisons of what others will be doing," Galinsky said.

Office Attire Evolution

Steve Smith, CEO of outdoor sportswear brand L.L. Bean, said people are stepping out of their "typical uniform" to whatever form as long as they are comfortable to wear, due to more flexible working hours and being able to work in a hybrid scheme.

"Some of the office uniforms, office wardrobes, are shifting and changing. There's no reason why it can't be permanent," he said, according to a report from The Independent.

The shifting tendencies are reflected in data from market research firm NPD Group and retailers.

Read Also: President Joe Biden Faces Horrific Backlash For Sinking US Economy, Inflation That Could Lead To Midterm Nightmare for the Democrats

According to NPD, wire-free bras now account for more than half of the overall non-sports bra market in the United States, reversing a long-term trend. Dressy footwear sales have been recovering since 2021, but they're still 34 % below 2019 levels, as per NPD, and are likely being driven by the resumption of social functions rather than the office. Instead, casual sneakers have become the most preferred work footwear.

Brooks Brothers, a 200-year-old haberdashery, faced a greater challenge: unlike its competitors, it never followed the casual workplace attire trend a few years ago. In a post-bankruptcy makeover, the brand has found success in producing relaxed designs under new owner and CEO Ken Ohashi.

Casual sportswear like sweaters and polo shirts now account for 45% of its collection. That figure was 25% before the outbreak, according to Ohashi.

Dress shirts, he noted, are making a comeback while workers return to work. But Brooks Brothers is adding a twist: a polo-style stretch version of their cotton-knit shirts. It also sells brightly colored jackets.

An Indication Of Significant Change In Society

War, disease, depression, and revolution impacted what people wear throughout history.

"The periods of greatest shifts in fashion are in line with great shifts in society," said Jennifer Dasher, assistant professor of costume design at the University of Florida, as per an NBC News' Think article.

Some of these moments are easier to pinpoint: the glamor of the Roaring '20s following World War I and the Spanish flu; women's jeans following World War II factory styles.

Long pants and shoelaces replaced aristocratic trends like breeches and buckled shoes, which were declared politically incorrect during the French Revolution.

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@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The legislation has already passed through the Senate and now heads to President Biden's desk

On Thursday, the House overwhelmingly approved a bill that would revive the World War II-era lend-lease program for Ukraine in another effort to pour weapons into the country. The lend-lease program was used to ship arms to the Soviet Union, China, the UK, and other US allies during World War II.

The bill passed through the Senate earlier this month, and it is now headed to President Bidens desk. If signed into law, the lend-lease program would ramp up arms shipments to Kyiv by allowing the US to give weapons to Ukraine free of charge while technically requiring payment at a later date.

According to a summary of the bill, it would temporarily waive certain requirements related to the Presidents authority to lend or lease defense articles if the defense articles are intended for Ukraines government and necessary to protect civilians in Ukraine from Russian military invasion.

The US would be to send weapons to Ukraine under the legislation for however long the current conflict lasts. According to the summary, it will remain in effect until the conflict beginning with Russias annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014 has ceased, and Russia has reduced its military force on Ukraines eastern border to the levels maintained prior to March 1, 2021.

The legislation passed the House in a vote of 417-10 with only Republicans voting against it. The no votes came from Reps. Andy Biggs (AZ), Paul Gosar(AZ), Ralph Norman (SC), Tom Tiffany (WI), Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA), Dan Bishop (NC), Warren Davidson (OH), Scott Perry (PA), Matt Gaetz (FL), and Thomas Massie (KY).

The passage of the bill came the same day President Biden asked Congress for a massive new $33 billion assistance package for Ukraine, which includes $20.4 billion for military aid.

During World War II, the US sent its allies an enormous amount of military aid under the lend-lease program. According to the US Embassy in Russia, the program provided the Soviet Union with $11.3 billion in assistance, the equivalent of $180 billion in todays currency, from 1941 to 1945.
It is that time of the week again where we list the top five stories here on iTech Post! Are you ready for it because we sure are!

This week, two tech giants land in the top stories on the site. Can you guess which of the tech giants they could be? Well, without further ado, let us get on with the rundown.

Coming in at number five is a story about former president Donald Trump's much talked about social media app, the Truth Social. It has been said that people, even Trump himself, has lost interest in the app, but this week, it has experienced a sudden increase in downloads.

In fact, the social media app even became the top free app downloaded on the Apple App Store. The sudden popularity being experienced by Truth Social has been attributed by Fast Company's to Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter, according to our report.

Related Article: #ThisWeekOnITP: The Truth Social App, SIM Swapping, and More!

Asteroids have been a source of fascination and loads of data for research, but it has also been the subject of countless end-of-the-world theories out there. Whether or not an asteroid is about the blast our planet into smithereens remains to be seen. However, it looks like China is not even willing to risk it.

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) has announced that it will be launching a mission meant to deflect asteroids. The space agency is actually hoping to conduct an experiment by 2025 that involves changing the orbit of a potentially dangerous asteroid.

If you are frequently on TikTok, there is a chance you have seen a dance trend that has been growing in popularity on the platform as of late.

The dance trend in question is Louis Theroux's "My Money Don't Jiggle, Jiggle." It is actually a rap turned dance trend and those who perform it on TikTok even have a common outfit they wear in their videos. The outfit consists of a hoodie and sunglasses with a serious expression even as the TikTok user dances along with the simple yet viral dance steps.

Remember how we said at the beginning of article that two tech giants have landed in the top two this week? Well, here is the first of the two and it is none other than Apple.

It somehow feels like that the iPhone has just been released yesterday yet apprently people are already gearing up for the release of the iPhone 14.

The second best article on iTech Post this week lists down all the rumors swirling around the iPhone 14. These rumors include those about its features and feature. Specifically, it has been rumored that the non-Pro iPhone 14 will get a 6.7-inch screen for the first time.

And at number one for this week's list of top stories here on iTech Post is Google. If you think a tech company, let alone a tech giant, is incapable of being woke, well, Google is about to prove you wrong.

Google is not flagging users who use politically incorrect words while making searches on the search engine. This is because the company has launched an "inclusive language" function. So what does this mean?

For example, you want to search for the word "policemen" on Google. Do not be surprised if Google ends up replacing that word with "police officer" instead as a way of being more gender-sensitive.

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If you thought the U.S. election in 2020 was bad, its nothing compared to the sham election that just went down in France.

Emmanuel Macron, a former Rothschild banker and World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, may have been crowned the winner, but millions of Le Pen voters lost their ballots and rights on Sunday.

In France, if a ballot is damaged, it cannot be cast. So the political establishment, who are desperate to install Macron in office for another five years, arranged for the destruction of millions of Le Pen ballots.

Following an eerily similar script from the last French presidential election in 2017, evidence circulating on Twitter shows the same issue which reared its head at that time  spoiled ballots. In 2017 the UK Daily Mail reported that there were 4.2 million spoiled ballots reported out by election authorities, an enormous number in an election in which a total of 36 million people voted.

A spoiled ballot is a ballot which has extraneous marks on it, is defaced, torn, or otherwise unacceptable. They are automatically rejected and cannot be counted. Typically spoiled ballots in the US cannot exceed 1%.

In 2017 the UK report assumed that 4.2 million people in France had spoiled their own ballots, speculating that:

a record-breaking 12 per cent of French voters were projected to have spoiled their ballots  seemingly put off by both politicians [Macron and Le Pen] who are not members of establishment parties.

Fast forward to 2022 and the UK Guardian reports: The number of spoiled votes, and the abstention rate, were also alarmingly high. But no exact numbers of spoiled votes are available.

Why wont the authorities release the number of spoiled votes?

Stephen Lendman reports that in 2017:

Only Le Pens ballots showed up damaged or destroyed, none for Macron.

Lendman says it appears Macron has won again the old fashioned way.

As today, Le Pens name is consistently prefaced with the descriptor far right even though Macron escapes any prejudicial descriptor. However Le Pen rejects Frexit similar to Britains Brexit from the EU, and says she would place French troops neither under an integrated NATO command nor under a future European command

Le Pen calls Macron a globalist puppet.

Pre-election polls had Macron and Le Pen running neck and neck, within margin of error, as recently as April 10.

The spoiled ballots shown in the video below, all Le Pens, all have disqualifying tears in about the same place. Spoiled ballots are held by the French government.
CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA  As the bloody conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, so does the online propaganda war between Russia and the West. A prime example of this is the White House directly briefing influencers on popular social media app TikTok about the war and how to cover it. As the crisis spirals out of control, Americans have turned to TikTok to view real time videos and analysis of the invasion. With the app estimated to have around 70 million U.S. users, the White House is keenly aware of its impact. We recognize this is a critically important avenue in the way the American public is finding out about the latest  so we wanted to make sure you had the latest information from an authoritative source, President Joe Bidens director of digital strategy, Rob Flaherty, told 30 top TikTok influencers.

TikTok itself has taken steps to align itself with U.S. government policy, deleting more than 320,000 Russian accounts and removing at least 41,000 videos peddling misinformation about the war. In addition to this, it has placed warning labels marked Russia state-controlled media on 49 accounts linked to the Russian government. Like other big social media platforms, it has not done the same to Western state-owned outlets such as the BBC, RTE, or the CBC.

All this is a far cry from 2020, when President Donald Trump signed an order that would shut down TikTok within 45 days unless it was sold to an American buyer. The Chinese-owned platform, the U.S. government alleged, posed a severe national security threat to the United States. Although TikTok is a Chinese company, it is, ironically, completely blocked inside China, their domestic market being served by a sister app, Douyin, which functions in a similar way but is separated by the Great Firewall. Thus, there is no contact or overlap between the two. After Douyins success in China, its parent company ByteDance launched a global platform.

ByteDance first reached a deal to sell TikTok to Microsoft, then to Oracle and Walmart. Yet the new Biden administration, without explanation, quietly dropped the sale requirement indefinitely in early 2021, saying in a court filing that it had begun a review of security concerns cited by the Trump administration.

That decision left buyers and onlookers alike perplexed. Yet studying the backgrounds of dozens of key TikTok employees brought on since the 2020 scare suggests that, instead of destroying TikTok, perhaps the U.S. national security state has co-opted it instead.

High-placed NATO recruits

Since 2020, there has been a wave of former spooks, spies and mandarins appointed to influential positions within TikTok, particularly around content and policy  some of whom, on paper at least, appear unqualified for such roles.

For example, while simultaneously being the Content Policy Lead for TikTok Canada, Alexander Corbeil is also the vice president of the NATO Association of Canada, a NATO-funded organization chaired by former Canadian Minister of Defense David Collenette. In order to join TikTok, Corbeil left his job at the SecDev Foundation, a U.S. State Department-funded security think tank. Corbeils work focused on Middle Eastern security and in particular on the war in Syria and what NATOs role should be.

Another NATO-linked new recruit is Ayse Kocak, a Global Product Policy manager at the company. Before joining TikTok last year, she spent three years at NATO. Like Corbeil, Kocak had special expertise in Middle Eastern politics, including a years tour in Iraq as the organizations deputy senior civilian representative.

Foard Copeland, who works on TikToks trust and safety policy, is also an ex-NATO man. Copeland previously worked as a desk officer for NATO, as well as for the Department of Defense. Between 2011 and 2021, he also worked for U.S. contractor Development Alternatives Incorporated (DAI), spending much of that time in Afghanistan. DAI has long been accused of being a CIA front group, perhaps with some justification. In 2009, for example, DAI agent Alan Gross was arrested in Cuba and sentenced to 15 years in prison for spying, espionage, and his part in efforts to destabilize the government.

Perhaps the most worrying NATO alumnus, from a public perspective, is new Feature Policy Manager Greg Andersen. According to his own LinkedIn profile, until 2019, Andersen worked on psychological operations for NATO. This fact, according to MintPress contributor Lowkey, was removed after his tweet raising concerns about the relationship between big tech and the national security state went viral. Lowkey wrote:

Andersens profile continues to identify him as a former NATO employee, but there is no reference to psychological operations or soldier-system lethality. Lowkey provided MintPress with a screenshot of what he said was Andersens pre-tweet profile, which has been included below.

Not just NATO

NATO, however, is far from the only organization newly connected to TikTok. The companys new Global Lead of Integrity and Authenticity, Chris Roberts, is a former senior director of Technology Policy at the Albright Stonebridge Group (ASG), a powerhouse strategy and consulting firm started by late-Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. The ASG has been perhaps the major staffing source for President Bidens administration, with at least 10 ASG employees appointed to key positions in national security, state and foreign policy positions.

Before ASG, Roberts worked, in his own words, on special projects for the National Democratic Institute (NDI). The NDI was founded by the Reagan administration after a series of CIA scandals necessitated the creation of a network of front groups to take the heat off the agency. The NDI exists to channel U.S. government money, training and support to political and social groups around the world. This could charitably be described as democracy promotion, although cynics might label it overthrowing governments. As Roberts himself said, The nature of democracy promotion is that the most important countries to work in are also the ones where the government may not want your help.

At TikTok, Roberts role is to Lead the Integrity and Authenticity policy team. This team covers misinformation, synthetic and manipulated media, covert influence activity, and spam and inauthentic engagement.

One group infamous for peddling misinformation and carrying out covert operations is the CIA. Yet rather than identifying operations, they might be conducting, TikTok has instead recruited a former agent to serve in an important position. Since January, Beau Patteson has been working as a threat analyst for TikToks Trust and Safety Division. Between 2017 and 2020, however, Patteson was a targeting analyst for the CIA, after which he joined the State Department to become a foreign service officer. In addition to his role at TikTok, Patteson is also, according to his social media profile, a military intelligence officer in the United States Army.

One step closer to the halls of power is Victoria McCullough, who previously worked for the Department of Homeland Security and for the White House itself. Like Patteson, McCullough now works on trust and safety at TikTok. Another trust-and-safety TikTok staff member, Christian Cardona, spent nearly 13 years in senior roles at the State Department across the Middle East and Europe before seamlessly moving to the social media giant.

Virtually every former spook or state official this investigation found works in very specific (and highly politically sensitive) fields such as trust, safety and content moderation, rather than in banal areas like marketing, customer service or sales. Yet TikToks new recruits come from some of the least trustworthy organizations anywhere in the world  organizations that should not be anywhere near the levers of power of such a popular platform.

The national security state has been the source of some of the most outlandish and damaging fake news claims in recent years. This includes lurid allegations about so-called Havana Syndrome and the BountyGate hoax. Going further back, falsehoods about weapons of mass destruction or an immiment genocide helped push the U.S. to war in Iraq and Libya, respectively. Yet individuals from many of these institutions are now in charge of deciding what is real and what is fake, and which content to promote or suppress.

In this light, the 2020 pandemonium about TikTok being a national security threat looks increasingly like a power play from the national security state. These dire warnings, and even the threat to completely shut down its platform, subsided only after TikTok began appointing Western officials to important positions within its organization, thereby giving the state considerable influence over the content and direction of the app.

Serious business

Readers who consider TikTok little more than a fun app to watch short videos of people dancing are behind the times. From a modest beginning, it has exploded in popularity, growing exponentially from 85 million global users in early 2018 to 1.2 billion by late 2021 (with a similar monstrous growth in revenue to boot).

It is exceptionally popular among the younger generations. The 2021 Reuters Institute Digital News Report found that 9% of people aged between 18 and 24 worldwide had gone to TikTok to get news over the past week, while 31% of that age group used the app in that period (and therefore likely passively consumed news to some extent). Furthermore, it has a very loyal user base, with the tens of millions of U.S. TikTok users spending an average of 68 minutes per day on the platform.

Thus, TikTok has become an enormously influential medium that reaches over one billion people worldwide. Having control over its algorithm or content moderation means the ability to set the terms of global debate and decide what people see and do not see. MintPress invited TikTok to comment on its relationship with the government, but has not received a response.

Surveillance Valley

This is far from the first time the national security state has pulled this trick, however. In 2018, Facebook came under enormous pressure from the U.S. government, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg himself being hauled in front of both the House and the Senate to face hours of grilling over the platforms role in privacy, content moderation and spreading Russian disinformation. Only weeks after this, Facebook announced a new partnership with the Atlantic Council, whereby the group would serve as Facebooks eyes and ears, taking considerable control over its content moderation, supposedly in an effort to weed out fake news and disinformation. The Atlantic Council, however, is NATOs think tank and serves as its brain trust, with no fewer than seven former CIA directors on its board. Since then, Facebook (or Meta, as it is officially known), appointed former NATO Press Officer and current Atlantic Council Senior Fellow Ben Nimmo to serve as its head of intelligence. In addition, Facebooks new global director of content policy, Mark Smith, was formerly employed by NATO as an advisor to its deputy commander.

The Atlantic Council has also found its way into Reddits management. In 2017, Jessica Ashooh went straight from being deputy director of Middle East strategy at The Atlantic Council to director of policy at the popular news aggregation service  an unusual career move that drew few remarks at the time. Like Corbeil, Kocak and others, Ashooh was a Middle East specialist and was intimately involved in the Wests war in Syria. For years, Reddit took a free-speech absolutist position, even defending hosting clearly illegal sexual content. However, Ashoohs arrival coincided with a new era of far more forceful moderation. Reddit recently took the decision to not only ban links from Russian state media outlets, but all websites with a Russian (.ru) domain.

Likewise, a number of key Twitter personnel raise eyebrows. Chief among them is Head of Editorial for Europe, the Middle East and Africa Gordon MacMillan, who, in addition to his duties at Twitter, is an officer in the British Armys 77th Brigade  a notorious unit dedicated to online warfare and psychological operations. Like Facebook, Twitter has partnered with some highly questionable state-linked organizations, giving them considerable influence over its content moderation.

Meanwhile, Googles current global head of Developer Product Policy, Ben Renda, was formerly a strategic planner and information management officer for NATO, before working for both U.S. Cyber Command and the Department of Defense.

Big Tech a big weapon

The U.S. government, it appears, refuses to allow any competition to its hegemony over the digital realm. Huawei has effectively been banned throughout much of the West, with the United States refusing to allow the Chinese giant to control the new network of 5G communications. U.S. attempts to convince other nations to block Huawei have elicited significant pushback in the Global South. If you are ahead, I will ban you, I will send warships to your countryThat is not competition, that is threatening people, said Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, commenting on U.S. actions. Decades earlier, the U.S. government effectively destroyed the Japanese semiconductor industry, forcing Japan to sign a one-sided trade deal while imposing a 100% tariff on Japanese electronics  a power play that led to a decades-long recession from which the island nation has never recovered.

In 2020, the U.S. government even forced Chinese-owned Grindr to be sold to a U.S. company, deeming the LGBT dating app to be a national security threat.

In every accusation, it is said, there is a confession. That Washington considers even frivolous hookup apps to be too important to be outside of U.S. control, lest they be used to influence the public, suggests they know exactly what they are doing, infiltrating big tech companies. Indeed, this was more or less confirmed earlier this month by a letter written by a host of top natsec officials, including former CIA Directors Michael Morell and Leon Panetta, and former Assistant to the President for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security Frances Townsend (all of whom also sit on the Atlantic Councils board of directors).

The officials advised that breaking up Silicon Valley giants, as many have advocated, would inadvertently hamper the ability of U.S. technology platforms to  push back on the Kremlin. The United States will need to rely on the power of its technology sector to ensure [that] the narrative of events globally is shaped by the U.S. and not by foreign adversaries, they explain, concluding that Google, Facebook, Twitter are increasingly integral to U.S. diplomatic and national security efforts. In other words, they see big-tech as a key weapon of the U.S. empire.

Mockingbird 2.0

In the 1970s, the Church Committee unearthed the existence of Operation Mockingbird, a secret CIA project to infiltrate newsrooms across America and place agents masquerading as journalists inside. Investigative reporter Carl Bernsteins work found that the CIA had cultivated a network of over 400 individuals it considered assets, including the owner of The New York Times.

Today, it appears that the links between big media and big government are, if anything, closer than they were in the 1970s. The monopolistic power of big social media platforms gives them  whether they like it or not  extraordinary influence over public opinion. And within their opaque Silicon Valley offices, a small cadre of individuals set the algorithms and decide the moderation policies that shape what billions of us see every day. With a host of former officials taking positions in these companies, the U.S. national security state is acquiring some measure of influence over the means of communication. Its Operation Mockingbird for the 21st century  and on a global scale.

It is not normal for NATO officials or CIA agents to suddenly be put in charge of TikTok content policy. This did not happen purely by accident, just as it did not occur by chance at the other big tech platforms. One might reasonably argue that some of the only people who have the skills to highlight, spot and counter disinformation campaigns are those who have done similar work in the military or secret services. However, these organizations are the last ones that many would want in control of big-tech platforms, given their history of subterfuge and deceit.

Put another way, if these were Russian-based social media companies filled to the brim with former FSB, KGB or Kremlin officials, we would immediately recognize them as blatant government-controlled platforms. Yet many of the most popular apps are heading in the same way.

There is certainly a huge problem with fake news and disinformation online. And a fair chunk of it emanates from Russia. But while some might argue that poachers can become gamekeepers and use their skills for good, this situation feels far more like foxes being in charge of the digital henhouse.
Ukrainian academic Olga Baysha details Volodymyr Zelenskys embrace of widely loathed neoliberal policies, his repression of rivals, and how his actions fueled the current war with Russia.

A comedic actor who rose to the countrys highest office in 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was virtually unknown to the average American, except perhaps as a bit player in the Trump impeachment theater. But when Russia attacked Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Zelensky was suddenly transformed to an A-list celebrity in US media. American news consumers were bombarded with images of a man who appeared overcome by the tragic events, possibly in over his head, but ultimately sympathetic. It didnt take long for that image to evolve into the khaki-clad, tireless hero governing over a scrappy little democracy and single-handedly staving off the barbarians of autocracy from the east.

But beyond that carefully crafted Western media image is something much more complicated and less flattering. Zelensky was elected by 73 percent of the vote on a promise to pursue peace while the rest of his platform was vague. On the eve of the invasion, however, his approval rating had sunk to 31 percent due to the pursuit of deeply unpopular policies.

Ukrainian academic, Olga Baysha, author of Democracy, Populism, and Neoliberalism in Ukraine: On the Fringes of the Virtual and the Real, has studied Zelenskys rise to power and how he has wielded that power since becoming president. In the interview below, Baysha discusses Zelenskys embrace of neoliberalism and increasing authoritarianism, how his actions contributed to the current war; his counterproductive and self-absorbed leadership throughout the war, the complex cultural and political views and identities of Ukrainians, the partnership between neoliberals and the radical right during and after Maidan, and whether a Russian takeover of the entire Donbass region might be less popular among the local population than it would have been in 2014.

Tell us a bit about your background. Where are you from and how did you become interested in your current area of study?

I am an ethnic Ukrainian born in Kharkov, a Ukrainian city on the borderline with Russia, where my dad and other relatives are still living. Before the current war, Kharkov was one of Ukraines leading educational and scientific centers. The citys residents pride themselves on living in the intellectual capital of Ukraine. In 1990, the first television company free from party control was established there; soon, its first news program went on air. By that time, I had already graduated from Kharkov University, and one day, I was invited to work as a journalist in this program by a university friend. Next day, without prior experience, I started reporting. In a couple of months, I was a news presenter. My meteoric career was not an exception.

New uncontrolled media, the number of which was increasing at a huge rate daily, demanded more and more media workers. In the overwhelming majority of cases, they were young ambitious people without any journalistic education or life experience. What united us was the desire to westernize, a lack of understanding of societal contradictions characterizing the post-Soviet transition, and deafness to the concerns of working people who opposed reforms. In our eyes, the latter were retrograde: they did not understand what civilization was about. We saw [our]selves as a revolutionary vanguard and chosen progressive reformers. It is wemedia workerswho created a favorable environment for Ukraines neoliberalization, presented as westernization and civilization, with all disastrous consequences for society they brought. Only years after, I realized this.

Later, while supervising the production of historical documentaries in a Kiev television company, I recognized that the mythology of unidirectional historical progress and inevitability of westernization for barbarians provided an ideological ground for neoliberal experiments not only in the former Soviet states but around the globe. It is this interest in the global hegemony of the ideology of westernization that led me first to the doctoral program in critical media studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder and then to the research I am doing now.

According to the academic work of some Ukrainian sociologists, polling showed in the recent past that most Ukrainians were not very interested in the issue of identity but were more concerned with issues like jobs, wages, and prices. Your work focuses a lot on the Neoliberal reforms that were enacted in Ukraine since 2019  against the popular sentiment. Can you talk about what the view is on economic issues for most Ukrainians and why?

In the social milieus [in which] I lived  the east of Ukraine, Crimea, and Kiev  there were very few people concerned with the issue of ethnic identity. I do not in vain emphasize my social milieus. Ukraine is a complex and divided country with its far east and far west holding diametrically different views on all socially significant issues. Since the declaration of Ukraines independence in 1991, two ideas of national identity have been competing in Ukraine: ethnic Ukrainian versus eastern Slavic. The ethnic Ukrainian national idea, based on the notion that Ukrainian culture, language, and ethnicity-centered history should be the dominant integrating forces in the Ukrainian nation-state, has been much more popular in the west of Ukraine. The eastern Slavic idea, which envisages the Ukrainian nation as founded on two primary ethnic groups, languages, and cultures  Ukrainian and Russian  has been accepted as normal in the Ukrainian southeast. However, in general, I can agree that most Ukrainians are much more concerned with economic issues, which has always been the case.

As a matter of fact, Ukraines independence of 1991 was to a big extent also a matter of economic concerns. Many Ukrainians supported the idea of political divorce from Russia because of an expectation that Ukraine would be better off economically  this is what propagandistic leaflets promised us. This economic hope was not realized. In many ways, the collapse of the Soviet Union radically changed peoples lives for the worse because of Ukraines neoliberalization  the marketization of the social sphere and ruination of the Soviet welfare state.

What about neoliberal reforms initiated by Zelensky? You can judge on their popularity by opinion polls  up to 72% of Ukrainians did not support his land reform, the flagship of Zelenskys neoliberal program. After his party approved it despite peoples indignation, Zelenskys rating fell from 73 percent in Spring 2019 to 23 percent in January 2022. The reason is simple: a deep sense of betrayal. In his unofficial election platform  the show Servant of the People  Zelesnky-Holoborodko [Holoborodko was Zelenskys character in the television show  NB] promised that if he could rule the country for just one week, he would make the teacher live as the president, and the president live as the teacher. To put it mildly, this promise was not fulfilled. People realized that they were duped once againthe reforms have been carried out in the interests of not Ukrainians but global capital.

To what extent do you think that prioritizing of economic security versus identity issues has changed with the Russian invasion? How do you think that will work out for the political fortunes of the nationalists/ultranationalists versus moderates or leftists?

That is an interesting question. On the one hand, peoples priority now is to survive, which makes security their primary concern. To save their lives, millions of Ukrainians, including my mom and my sister with children, have left Ukraine for Europe. Many of them are ready to stay there forever, to learn foreign languages, and to adopt to a foreign way of lifeall these developments can hardly prioritize identity concerns. On the other hand, however, the intensification of ethnic sentiments and the consolidation of the nation in the face of the invasion is also evident. I can judge on this from public discussions in social mediasome Kharkovites whom I know personally even started making posts in Ukrainian [language], which they had never used before, to highlight their national identity and signal that they are against any foreign invasion.

This is another tragic aspect of this war. The Maidan revolution of 2014, which many people in the southeast did not support, transformed these people into slaves, sovki and vatnikiderogatory terms to denote their backwardness and barbarism. This is how Maidan revolutionaries, who considered themselves the progressive force of history, saw anti-Maidan others because of their adherence to Russian language and culture. Never ever could this pro-Russian population imagine Russia to shell their cities and ruin their lives. The tragedy of these people is twofold: first, their world was ruined symbolically by the Maidan, now, it is being destroyed physically by Russia.

The outcomes of these developments are unclear so far as it is unclear how the war will end. If the southeastern regions remain in Ukraine, the ruination of everything resisting aggressive nationalism will most likely be completed. This will be probably the end of this unique borderline culture that has never wanted to be either completely Ukrainized or Russified. If Russia establishes control over these regions, as it boasts now, I can hardly predict how it will be dealing with mass resentmentat least, in the cities that are damaged significantly, as in Kharkov.

Moving to Zelensky specifically  one thing you point out in your book is how Zelensky served as this sort of Pied Piper figure in that he used his celebrity and acting skills to get people to support him on behalf of this vague, feel-good agenda (peace, democracy, progress, anticorruption) but that really obscured another agenda that would not have been popular, specifically a Neoliberal economic agenda. Can you talk about how he did that  how did he run his campaign and what were his priorities after he got into office?

The basic argument presented in my recent book is that the astonishing victory of Zelensky and his party, later transformed into a parliamentary machine to churn out and rubber-stamp neoliberal reforms (in a turbo regime, as they called it), cannot be explained apart from the success of his television series, which, as many observers believe, served as Zelenskys informal election platform. Unlike his official platform, which ran only 1,601 words in length and contained few policy specifics, the 51 half-hour episodes of his show provided Ukrainians with a detailed vision of what should be done so that Ukraine could progress.

The message delivered by Zelensky to Ukrainians through his show is clearly populist. The people of Ukraine are portrayed in it as an unproblematic totality devoid of internal splits, from which only oligarchs and corrupted politicians/officials are excluded. The country becomes healthy only after getting rid of both oligarchs and their puppets. Some of them are imprisoned or flee the country; their property is confiscated without any regard to legality. Later, Zelensky-the-president will do the same towards his political rivals.

Interestingly, the show ignores the theme of the Donbass war, which erupted in 2014, a year before the series started being broadcast. As the Maidan and Russia-Ukraine relations are very divisive issues in Ukrainian society, Zelensky ignored them so as not to jeopardize the unity of his virtual nation, his viewers, and ultimately his voters.

Zelenskys election promises, made on the fringes of the virtual and the real, were predominantly about Ukraines progress, understood as modernization, Westernization, civilization, and normalization. It is this progressive modernizing discourse that allowed Zelensky to camouflage his plans for neoliberal reforms, launched just three days after the new government came to power. Throughout the campaign, the idea of progress highlighted by Zelensky was never linked to privatization, land sales, budget cuts, etc. Only after Zelensky had consolidated his presidential power by establishing full control over the legislative and executive branches of power did he make it clear that the normalization and civilization of Ukraine meant the privatization of land and state/public property, the deregulation of labor relations, a reduction of power for trade unions, an increase in utility tariffs, and so on.

Youve pointed out that many foreigners were appointed to important economic and social posts after the 2014 coup and before Zelenskys term. Similarly, many of Zelenskys officials have close ties to global neoliberal institutions and youve suggested there is evidence that they manipulate Zelensky who has an unsophisticated understanding of economics/finance. Can you discuss that aspect of the ramifications of the pro-Western change of government in 2014? What are the larger interests at play here and do they have the interests of the general Ukrainian population in mind at all?

Yes, the Maidan change of power in 2014 marked the beginning of a completely new era in the history of Ukraine in terms of Western influence on its sovereign decisions. To be sure, since Ukraine declared its independence in 1991, this influence has always existed. American Chamber of Commerce, Center for US-Ukraine relations, US-Ukraine Business Council, European Business Association, IMF, EBDR, WTO, the EUall these lobbying and regulating institutions have been significantly affect[ing] Ukrainian political decisions.

However, never in the pre-Maidan history of Ukraine had the country appointed foreign citizens to top ministerial poststhis became possible only after the Maidan. In 2014, Natalie Jareskoa citizen of the USwas appointed Ukraines Minister of Finance, Aivaras Abromaviciusa citizen of Lithuaniabecame Ukraines Minister of Economy and Trade, Alexander Kvitashvilia citizen of Georgiathe Minister of Healthcare. In 2016, Ulana Supruna citizen of the USwas appointed the acting Minister of Healthcare. Other foreigners assumed offices of lower ranks. Needless to say, all these appointments resulted not from the will of Ukrainians but from the recommendations of the global neoliberal institutions, which is not surprising given that the Maidan itself was not supported by half of Ukraines population.

As already mentioned, the majority of these anti-Maidan others reside in the southeastern regions. The farther east one looked, the stronger and more unified a rejection of the Maidan with its European agenda one would find. More than 75 percent of those living in the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (two eastern regions of Ukraine predominantly populated by Russian-speakers) did not support the Maidan, while only 20 percent of people living in Crimea supported it.

These statistical figures, provided by Kiev Institute of Sociology in April 2014, did not prevent Western institutions of power from arguing that the Maidan was the uprising of Ukrainian people presented as an unproblematic totalitya very powerful ideological trick. When visiting the Maidan Square and encouraging its revolutionaries to protest, members of the international community disrespected millions of Ukrainians who held anti-Maidan views, thus contributing to the escalation of the civil conflict, which at the end of the day led to the disaster that we are helplessly observing today.

What about foreign interests invested in Ukraines neoliberalization, carried out in the name of the Ukrainian people? [T]hey are diverse, but behind the land reform, which I have been analyzing carefully, there were financial lobbies in the West. Western pension funds and investment funds wanted to invest money that was depreciating. Looking for assets to invest in, they enlisted support of the IMF, the World Bank, EBRD, and various lobbying groups to promote their interests and lay out all necessary groundwork. This has nothing to do with the interests of Ukrainians, of course.

How has Zelenskys record been on democracy  freedom of speech and press, political pluralism and treatment of different political parties? How does it compare to past presidents of post-Soviet Ukraine?

I agree with Jodi Dean who argues that democracy is a neoliberal fantasy in a sense that it cannot exist in neoliberal systems of government controlled not by people but by supranational institutions. As mentioned earlier, this became especially evident after the Maidan when foreign ministers were appointed by these institutions to present their interests in Ukraine. However, in his reforming zeal, Zelensky went further. In early February 2021, first three oppositional television channelsNewsOne, Zik, and 112 Ukrainewere shut down. Another oppositional channel Nash was banned in the beginning of 2022, before the beginning of the war. After the war broke out, in March, dozens of independent journalists, bloggers, and analysts were arrested; most of them are of leftist views. In April, television channels of right-wing leaningChannel 5 and Pryamiywere shut down as well. Moreover, Zelensky signed a decree obliging all Ukrainian channels to broadcast a single telethon, presenting only one pro-governmental view on the war.

All these developments are unprecedented for the history of independent Ukraine. Zelenskys proponents argue that all the arrests and media bans should be written off for military expediency, ignoring the fact that the first media closures happened one year before the Russian invasion. As for me, Zelensky only uses this war to strengthen dictatorial tendencies within his regime of government, which started being formed right after Zelensky came to powerwhen he created a party machine to control the parliament and rubber-stamp neoliberal reforms without regard to public mood.

The National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) was used by Zelensky in 2021 to sanction certain people  mostly political rivals. Can you explain what the NSDC is and why Zelensky was doing it and whether it was legal or not.

After his popular support plummeted in 2021, Zelensky launched the unconstitutional process of extrajudicial sanctions against his political opponents, imposed by National Security and Defense Council (NSDC). These sanctions involved the extrajudicial seizure of property without any evidence of illegal activities of the relevant individuals and legal entities. Among the first to be sanctioned by the NSDC were two parliamentary deputies from the Opposition Platform For Life (OPZZh)Victor Medvedchuk (later arrested and shown on TV with his face beaten up after interrogation) and Taras Kozak (managed to escape from Ukraine), as well as members of their families. This happened in February 2021; in March 2022, 11 oppositional parties were banned. The decisions to ban oppositional parties and sanction oppositional leaders were taken by NSDC; they were put into effect by presidential decrees.

The Constitution of Ukraine states that The Council of National Security and Defense is a coordinating body: it co-ordinates and controls the activity of bodies of executive power in the sphere of national security and defense. This has nothing to do with prosecuting political opponents and confiscating their propertysomething NSDC has been doing since 2021. It goes without saying that this know-how of Zelenskys regime is unconstitutionalonly courts may decide on who is guilty or not and confiscate property. But the problem is that Ukrainian courts turned out to be unprepared to serve as Zelenskys puppets. After the head of Ukraines Constitutional Court Oleksandr Tupytskyi called Zelenskys unconstitutional reforms a coup, Zelensky had nothing to do but to rely on NSDC to push forward his unpopular policies. What about the dissident Tupytskyi? On March 27, 2021also in violation of the Ukrainian ConstitutionZelensky signed a decree canceling his appointment as a judge of the court.

Under Stalins rule, the Peoples Commissariat of Internal Affairs (NKVD) created troikas to issue sentences to people after simplified, speedy investigations and without a public and fair trial. What we observe in the case of NSDC is a very similar development, only NSDC unconstitutional trials have a bigger number of participantsall the key figures of the state, including the president, the prime minister, the head of Ukrainian security service, prosecutor general of Ukraine, etc. One NSDC meeting can decide destinies of hundreds of people. In June 2021 alone, Zelensky put into effect a NSDC decision to impose sanctions against 538 individuals and 540 companies.

Id like to ask you about the Peacemaker (Myrotvorets) list that is reportedly affiliated with the Ukrainian government and SBU intelligence service. My understanding is that this is a list of enemies of the state and publishes said enemies personal information. Several of those who appeared on it have been subsequently murdered. Can you talk about this list, how do people end up on it, and how does it fit into a government that weve been told is democratic?

The nationalistic Myrotvorets website was launched in 2015 by a peoples deputy holding a position of adviser to the Ministry of Interior of Ukrainethis is how the UN report describes this. The name of this peoples deputy is Anton Gerashchenko, a former advisor to the former Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov. It is under Avakovs patronage in 2014 [that] nationalistic punitive battalions were created to be sent to Donbass for suppressing peoples resistance against the Maidan. Myrotvorets has been part of the general strategy of intimidating the opponents of the coup. Any enemy of the peopleanybody who dares to express publicly anti-Maidan views or challenge Ukraines nationalistic agendamay occur on this website. The addresses of Oles Buzina, a famous publicist [journalist], shot dead by nationalists near his apartment building in Kyiv, and Oleg Kalashnikov, an oppositional deputy killed by nationalists in his house, were also on Myrotvorets, which helped the killers to find their victims. The names of the murderers are well known; however, they are not imprisoned because in contemporary Ukraine, whose political life is controlled by radicals, they are considered heroes.

The site was not shut down even after an international scandal when Myrotvorets published the personal data of well-known foreign politicians, including the former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder. But, in contrast to Mr. Schroder residing in Germany, thousands of Ukrainians whose data are on Myrotvorets, cannot feel safe. All those arrested in March 2022 had been on Myrotvorets as well. Some of them I know personally  Yuri Tkachev, the editor of Odessa newspaper Timer and Dmitry Dzhangirov, the editor of Capital, a YouTube channel.

Many of those whose names are on Myrotvorets, managed to flee Ukraine after the Maidan; some were able to do it after mass arrests this March. One of them is Tarik Nezalezhko, Dzhangirovs colleague. On April 12, 2022, already being safe outside of Ukraine, he made a post on YouTube, calling Ukraines Security Service Gestapo and giving advice to his viewers on how to avoid being captured by its agents.

That said, Ukraine is not a democratic country. The more I observe what is going on there, the more I think about the modernization path of Augusto Pinochet, who, as a matter of fact, is admired by our neoliberals. For a long period of time, the crimes of Pinochets regime had not been investigated. But in the end, humanity discovered the truth. I only hope that in Ukraine this will happen earlier.

Ukrainian academic Volodymyr Ishchenko said in a recent interview with NLR that, unlike in Western Europe, there is more of a partnership between nationalism and Neoliberalism in post-Soviet Eastern Europe. This was even observed in the Donbass among the more affluent. Do you agree with that? If so, can you explain how that combination evolved?

I agree with Volodymyr. What we observe in Ukraine is an alliance of nationalists and liberals based on their common intolerance to Russia and, respectively, to all who advocate for cooperation with it. It the light of the current war, this unity of liberals and nationalists may appear as justified. However, the alliance was created long before this warin 2013, during the formation of the Maidan movement. By liberals, the Association Agreement with the European Union, advocated by the Maidan, was seen predominantly in terms of democratization, modernization, and civilizationit was imagined as a means of bringing Ukraine up to European standards of government. In contrast, the Eurasian Economic Union, led by Russia, was associated with civilizational regression to Soviet statism and Asian despotism. It is here that the positions of liberals and nationalists converged: The latter actively supported the Maidan not because of democratization, but due to its clear anti-Russia stance.

From the first days of the protests, radical nationalists were the most active Maidan fighters. The unity between liberals associating the Euromaidan with progress, modernization, human rights, etc., and radicals co-opting the movement for their nationalistic agenda was an important prerequisite for the transformation of the civic protest into an armed struggle resulting in an unconstitutional overturning of power. The decisive role of radicals in the revolution also became a crucial factor in the formation of a mass anti-Maidan movement in the east of Ukraine against the coup detat, as the hegemonic anti-Maidan discourse dubbed the change of power in Kyiv. At least partly, what we observe today, is a tragic outcome of this shortsighted and unfortunate alliance, formed during the Maidan.

Can you explain what Zelenskys relationship has been with the far-right in Ukraine?

Zelensky himself has never expressed far-right views. In his series Servant of the People, which was used as an unofficial election platform, Ukrainian nationalists are portrayed negatively: they appear as nothing else but stupid oligarchs marionettes. As a presidential candidate, Zelensky criticized the language law signed by his predecessor Poroshenko, which made the knowledge of Ukrainian language a mandatory requirement for civil servants, soldiers, doctors, and teachers. We must initiate and adopt laws and decisions that consolidate society, and not vice versa, Zelensky-the-candidate claimed in 2019.

However, after assuming the presidential office, Zelensky turned to the nationalistic agenda of his predecessor. On May 19, 2021, his government approved an action plan for the promotion of the Ukrainian language in all spheres of public life strictly in line with Poroshenkos language law, to the delight of nationalists and dismay of Russophones. Zelensky has done nothing to prosecute radicals for all their crimes against political opponents and the people of Donbass. The symbol of Zelenskys right-wing transformation was his endorsement by nationalist Medvedkoone of those accused of murdering Buzinawho publicly approved Zelenskys ban of Russian-language oppositional channels in 2021.

The question is why? Why did Zelensky make a U-turn to nationalism despite peoples hopes that he would pursue the politics of reconciliation? As many analysists believe, this is because radicals, although representing the minority of the Ukrainian population, do not hesitate to use force against politicians, courts, law enforcement agencies, media workers, and so forthin other words, they are simply good at intimidating society, including all the branches of power. Propagandists may repeat the mantra Zelensky is a Jew, so he cannot be a Nazi as often as they want, but the truth is that radicals control the political process in Ukraine through violence against those who dare confront their nationalistic and supremacist agendas. The case of Anatoliy Shariy  one of the most popular bloggers in Ukraine living in exileis a good example to illustrate this point. Not only does he, along with his family members, permanently receive death threats, radicals constantly intimidate the activists of his party (banned by Zelensky in March 2022), beating and humiliating them. This is what Ukrainian radicals call political safari.

Right now, Zelensky is the most influential figure on the world stage with respect to a conflict that has grave implications if it escalates. Im concerned that hes using those same manipulative show biz skills to rally support behind this image of some personal incarnation of democracy and righteousness against the forces of evil and autocracy. Its like a movie based on a Marvel comic book world. Its precisely the kind of framing that seems antithetical to diplomacy. Do you think Zelensky is playing a constructive role as the wartime leader of Ukraine or not?

I follow Zelensky war speeches on a regular basis, and I can confidently say that the way he frames the conflict can hardly lead to any diplomatic resolution as he permanently repeats that the forces of good are attacked by the forces of evil. Clearly, there can be no political solution for such an Armageddon. What falls out of this mythical frame of reference for the war is the broader context of the situation: the fact that for years Ukraine has been refusing to implement the Minsk peace agreements, which were signed in 2015 after the defeat of the Ukrainian army in the Donbass war. According to these agreements, Donbass had to receive a political autonomy within Ukrainea point inconceivable and unacceptable for radicals. Instead of implementing the document, which was ratified by the UN, Kiev has been fighting with Donbass along the line of demarcation for eight long years. The life of Ukrainians living in these territories has been transformed into a nightmare. For radicals, whose battalions have been fighting there, Donbass peopleimagined as sovki and vatnikido not deserve mercy and indulgence.

The current war is a prolongation of the war of 2014, which started when Kiev sent troops to Donbass to suppress anti-Maidan rebellion under the premise of the so-called anti-terrorist operation. The acknowledgement of this broader context does not presuppose the approval of Russias military operation, but it implies the acknowledgement that Ukraine is also responsible for what is going on. Framing the issue of the current war in terms of a fight of civilization against barbarism or democracy against autocracy is nothing else but manipulation, and this is essential for understanding the situation. Bushs formula you are either with us or with terrorists, propagated by Zelensky in his appeals to the civilized world, has turned out to be very convenient in terms of avoiding personal responsibility for the ongoing disaster.

In terms of selling this one-dimensional story to the world, Zelenskys artistic skills appear invaluable. He is finally on the global stage, and the world is applauding. The former comedian does not even try to hide his satisfaction. Answering the question of a French reporter on March 5, 2022  the tenth day of the Russian invasion  on how his life had changed with the beginning of the war, Zelensky replied with a smile of delight: Today, my life is beautiful . I believe that I am needed. I feel it is the most important meaning in life  to be needed. To feel that you are not just an emptiness that is just breathing, walking, and eating something. You live.

For me, this construction is alarming: it implies that Zelensky enjoys the unique opportunity to perform on a global stage provided by the war. It made his life beautiful; he lives. In contrast to millions of Ukrainians whose life is not nice at all and thousands of those who are not alive any longer.

My life today is wonderful, I believe that I am needed Thats the most important sense of life, that you are needed, that you are not just an emptiness that breathes and walks and eats something.  Pres. Zelenskyy, via translator, asked about his living conditions in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Qtv48yuB1W  The Recount (@therecount) March 3, 2022

Alexander Gabuev has suggested that the Russian leadership has a lack of expertise about the country that was a contributing factor to this conflict. I have also heard Russian commentators suggest that Ukraine has a superior attitude with regard to being pro-Western versus pro-Russian. Do you think this is a significant contributing factor for either side?

I am inclined to agree with the claim regarding the lack of an adequate understanding on the part of Russian leadership of social processes that have been going on in Ukraine since the Maidan. Indeed, half of Ukraines population did not welcome it, and millions living in the southeast wanted Russia to intervene. I know this for sure as all my relatives and old friends reside in these territories. However, what was true in 2014 may not be necessarily the case now. Eight years have passed; a new generation of young people, raised within a new social environment, has grown; and many people simply accustomed themselves to new realities. Finally, even if most of them despise radicals and the politics of Ukrainization, they hate the war even more. The reality on the ground has turned out to be more complex than decision-makers expected.

What about the sense of superiority among those Ukrainians who identify themselves with Westerners rather than with Russians?

This is true, and, as for me, this is the most tragic part of the whole post-Maidan story, because it is exactly this sense of superiority that prevented the progressive pro-Maidan forces from finding common language with their backward pro-Russian compatriots. This led to the Donbass uprising, the anti-terrorist operation of the Ukrainian army against Donbass, Russias intervention, Minsk peace agreements, their non-fulfillment, and, finally, the current war.
History is cyclical, and thus full of pertinent lessons.

At some point  unless the corporate state successfully drags us into the long night of full-on martial-law/lockdown totalitarianism  were going to emerge from the COVID fog of war into a Nuremberg-like scenario.

The political revolution will call for moral judgment: what should we do with the Fauci/ NIH/ big pharma/ biomedical state collaborators  from the highest ranks to the lowliest clerks?

Lets survey historical lessons we might glean from post-Soviet lustration.



Lustration means ceremonial purification. In the context of the post-Soviet world emerging from the Iron Curtain, it meant dismantling the legacy communist governing structures without destabilizing the new and fragile political system.

Via Matt Killingsworths Lustration after totalitarianism:

The democratic transitions that many of the former Central and East European Communist states have gone through have occurred on a scale and at a pace without precedent. But the euphoria felt by many following the fall of these Soviet-type regimes has been replaced by a sombre realisation that the road from one-party rule to democracy is not without its obstacles . Perhaps the most controversial and emotional aspect of the transition has involved the question of how the new democratic regimes should deal with those who played an integral role in the maintenance of the ancien regime? More specifically, what should be done with those who either worked for or collaborated with the security apparatus? Lustration is intrinsically problematic, as it confronts us with one of the most profound ethical dilemmas of public policy  the accommodation of victors and vanquished in a decent society.' (Killingsworth, 278)

In the case of Poland, the lustration debate concerned the proper fate of the so-called nomenklatura  communist power-brokers positioned atop the state structure in Poland and other Bloc states  in the post-Soviet world that they helped, through their reform policies, to catalyze:

The nomenklatura were identified as co-architects in the peaceful collapse of communism in Poland and had thus earned the right to play an active part in the new democratic institutions. Adopting a particularly inclusive, liberal notion of democracy. (Killingsworth, 280)

Lustration raises interesting ethical questions:

Polands political operatives that facilitated the transition out of communist totalitarianism arguably did a worthwhile service  would it have been right to then punish them for their previous enabling of despotism, even after the victory over it that they helped facilitate?

Would hardline lustration penalties disincentivize future participants in totalitarian regimes to facilitate their overthrow out of fear of what would happen once they did?

Does culpability for state oppression run down to the level of the atomized individual government agent, who complied with, and enforced, immoral and often downright evil measures  for example, in the COVID context, forced masking, vaccine mandates, and the shutdown of civil society out of fear and complacency?

How did this happen? Whos to blame? Well certainly there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable, but again truth be told, if youre looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror . I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldnt be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you . -V for Vendetta

Some, again, in the COVID context, are indeed guiltier than others. War criminals  the likes of Warlord Fauci, Bill Gates, NIH Director Francis Collins, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla  should all be hounded to the ends of the Earth. They deserve no mercy nor quarter.

Whether were talking about lockdown-triggered wrecked mental health (higher suicide rates, higher addiction rates), stunted child development, or injection side effects, Fauci, Pfizer, the FDA, the CDC and the entire public-private public health establishment have blood on their hands.

But what about well-intentioned public servants who were genuinely duped into fear-based decisions  just like so many of our fellow countrymen and women? The ones who, when presented with fraudulent evidence of COVID vaxx safety provided by Pfizer, believed it, and enacted good-faith public policy on those grounds?

Does their misjudgment permanently disqualify them from public service? Is there any room for redemption?

What should we do with, for example, Sen. Rand Paul  who initially supported Trumps Operation Warp Speed but who has recently become one of the lone figures in elected national office voicing opposition to the vaxx-them-all agenda?

The bar for politicians to earn the label anti-lockdown, anti-forced-vaxx hero is lamentably low, but in a sea full of GOP big pharma cucks, does Rand Paul qualify as one? Has he earned veneration or scorn?



Of course, lenient policy in dealing with the lockdown social engineers produces inherent moral hazards.

If you allow those who committed such war crimes to spread the blame across the collective, and thus avoid personal responsibility  if everyone got it wrong then no single individual got it wrong  are they to be allowed to skate on those grounds? Could a lone voice be expected to have gone against the grain, given the immense institutional pressure they surely felt to conform to the official narrative?

Should we expect such heroism from the average government worker? By its nature, heroism is rare. Even more to the point, by their nature, government workers comply reflexively with bureaucratic decrees. Would punishing them be akin to beating a parrot for mimicking its owner, or kicking a dog for licking its own butt?

Thats what such creatures do. Is the problem with the individual, inherently cowardly and obedient government tool, or with the system that manipulates them into compliance with the agenda dispensed from on high?

The consensus and those who adhered to it are given the benefit of the doubt in this generous framing; how could they have known the truth, when everyone cried in unison that the vaccines work, when skeptics were dismissed and smeared out of hand as racist conspiracy theorists in respected medical journals?

The editor of @TheLancet today admitting to @UKParliament that US-China politics influenced their decision to publish a 2020 letter dismissing the lab leak theory as a conspiracy theory  despite there being [no] evidence one way or the other. pic.twitter.com/cwEERXSfoi  Ataraxis (@ataraxisfinch) December 15, 2021

Virtually every public health official across all fifty states, and worldwide, pushed deadly lockdowns; they all cheerleaded mandatory vaxxes for children to go to school; they all publicly promoted vaxx passports to live a new normal life.

Given we now know definitively that lockdowns were fully counterproductive for slowing the spread, how many bureaucrats who imposed them have been fired for their massive miscalculations/malfeasance?

Are they all to slink away punishment free?

Here we arrive at arguably the most salient consideration: all of the morally based public health servants, operating in good faith with an open mind to new evidence, have, by this time, long ago defected from the biomedical corporate state  such as, just to name one high-profile example, the two elite-level career FDA advisors who resigned in protest over the Biden administrations science-free push to boost everyone.

The remaining ranks of the NIH, CDC and FDA bureaucracies, then, are the willing tools of the pharma-funded technocracy, unencumbered by moral considerations, with a quick pen hand to endorse whatever mass-scale experiments their masters wish to conduct upon the public next.

Decency demands that we purge them.

Ben Bartee is a Bangkok-based American journalist with opposable thumbs. Follow his stuff via his blog, Armageddon Prose, Substack, Patreon, Gab, and Twitter.
Russias invasion had damaged or destroyed up to 30% of Ukraine's infrastructure at a cost of $100 billion, a Ukrainian minister alleged on April 18, adding reconstruction could be achieved in two years using frozen Russian assets to help finance it.

Oblivious to the concerns of Ukraines politicians regarding rebuilding damaged infrastructure of the embattled country during the war, the New York Times reported Wednesday the infrastructure sustained damage due to the myopic policy of scorched-earth tactics deployed by Ukrainians in order to hamper Russias blitz north of the capital in the early days of the war.

The scorched-earth policy played an important role in Ukraines success in holding off Russian forces in the north and preventing them from capturing Kyiv, the capital, military experts confided to NY Times. During the war, over 300 bridges had been destroyed across Ukraine by Ukrainians themselves, the countrys minister of infrastructure, Oleksandr Kubrakov, bragged. Elsewhere in Ukraine, the military had, without hesitation, blown up bridges, bombed roads and disabled railway lines and airports.

Demydiv, a town on the outskirts of Kyiv, was flooded when troops blew up a nearby dam and sent water surging into the countryside. Ukrainian forces flooded the area on Feb. 25, the second day of the war. The move was particularly effective, Ukrainian officials and soldiers say, creating a sprawling, shallow lake in front of the Russian armored columns.

The flooding that blocked the northern rim of Kyiv on the west bank of the Dnipro River played a pivotal role in the fighting in early March, as Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attempts to surround Kyiv. The waters created an effective barrier to tanks and funneled the assault force into ambushes and cramped, urban settings in a string of outlying towns  Hostomel, Bucha and Irpin.

Even two months later, despite the withdrawal of Russian forces north of the capital in late March, residents of Demydiv still paddled about in a rubber boat. Despite unequivocally acknowledging the dam was blown up by Ukrainians themselves but attempting in vain to implicate Russians, too, in the wanton act of vandalism, the NY Times report risibly claims later, Russian shelling further damaged the dam, complicating efforts now to drain the area.

Dubious Ukrainian claims of having repelled Russias assault on the capital by mounting guerrilla warfare and deploying scorched-earth tactics to the contrary, its an incontestable fact that the 40-mile-long military convoy of battle tanks, armored vehicles and heavy artillery that descended from Belarus in the north and reached the outskirts of Kyiv in the early days of the war without encountering much resistance en route the capital was simply a decoy astutely designed as a diversionary tactic by Russias military strategists in order to deter Ukraine from sending reinforcements to Donbas in east Ukraine where real battles for territory were actually fought and scramble to defend the embattled countrys capital instead.

In the early days of Russias military campaign in north Ukraine, the Washington Post reported on March 5 the main threat to Kyiv appeared to be a massive Russian convoy, about 40 miles long, approaching Kyiv from the northwest and believed to be about 20 miles from the capital and stuck near a cargo airport.

Despite the wanton destruction of over 300 bridges, blowing up dams to flood the countryside and disabling roads, railway lines and airports in the state of panic by Ukraines security forces as contended by NY Times, the virtually nonexistent resistance and subversive scorched-earth tactics had no effect, whatsoever, on the lightning quick blitz of Russian forces north of the capital.

All the towns from the Belarus border to the northern approaches of the capital fell in quick succession. Russian forces continued advancing from the northwest of Kyiv, capturing Bucha, Hostomel and Vorzel on the outskirts of the capital by March 5, and Irpin by March 9.

Quite astonishingly, however, instead of mounting a long-awaited assault on the capital, it was reported on March 11 that the convoy had largely dispersed, taking up positions in forests around the capital, before withdrawing back to Belarus after the announcement of scaling back Russias military campaign in north Ukraine at Istanbul peace initiative on March 29.

Clearly, commanders of the military convoy had explicit instructions to spare the city of four million people. The indiscriminate bombardment of the densely populated Ukrainian capital and the ensuing urban warfare against heavily armed Ukrainian militant groups nurtured by NATO patrons would inevitably have caused thousands of needless civilian casualties. Therefore, the Russian militarys top brass decided to spare the rest of the embattled country and restricted Russian military offensive on liberating Russian-majority Donbas region in east Ukraine.

While the Russian military convoy was knocking on Kyivs doors, Ukrainian politicians were so alarmed that a senior Ukrainian government official announced in the state of panic that Ukraine must hold off Russias attack for the next seven to ten days to deny Moscow claiming any sort of victory.

Vadym Denysenko, adviser to Ukraine's interior minister, said on March 9: They need at least some victory before they are forced into the final negotiations, Denysenko wrote on Facebook. Therefore our task is to stand for the next 7-10 days. Forget about repelling the assault on the capital, it was considered a stellar victory by Ukraines valiant political and military leadership to delay Russias inevitable takeover of Kyiv by a week.

Publicly acknowledging the impending fall of Kyiv in the face of Russian blitz and contending that Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky would soon form a government-in-exile, which would lead a guerrilla warfare campaign from safe havens in Poland, the Washington Post reported on March 5:

The possible Russian takeover of Kyiv has prompted a flurry of planning at the State Department, Pentagon and other U.S. agencies in the event that the Zelensky government has to flee the capital or the country itself. Were doing contingency planning now for every possibility, including a scenario in which Zelensky establishes a government-in-exile in Poland, said a U.S. administration official.

Zelensky, who has called himself Russias target No. 1, remains in Kyiv and has assured his citizens hes not leaving. He has had discussions with U.S. officials about whether he should move west to a safer position in the city of Lviv, closer to the Polish border. Zelenskys security detail has plans ready to swiftly relocate him and members of his cabinet, a senior Ukrainian official said. So far, he has refused to go.

This is a special military operation. If Russia were fighting a full-scale war, it would have been over long ago. This would have happened if we used the United States customary carpet bombings and scorched land tactics, repeatedly employed by the worlds most democratic Air Force in Yugoslavia, Libya, Iraq and Syria, Russias State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his Telegram channel Monday.

On his first foreign visit to Belarus since Russias invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin explained during a joint press conference with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko on April 12 that the time frame of the military offensive in Ukraine was determined by the intensity of hostilities and Russia would act according to its plan.

I often get these questions, cant we hurry it up? We can. But it depends on the intensity of hostilities and, any way you put it, the intensity of hostilities is directly related to casualties, said the Russian president. Our task is to achieve the set goals while minimizing these losses. We will act rhythmically, calmly, and according to the plan that was initially proposed by the General Staff.

Putin reiterated that Russias actions in several regions of Ukraine, implying diversionary tactics deployed by Russian forces in Kyiv and Chernihiv in the north, were intended only to tie down enemy forces and carry out missile strikes with the purpose of destroying the Ukrainian militarys infrastructure, so as to create conditions for more active operations on the territory of Donbas.

In a bombshell NBC scoop published April 7, the authors of the report alleged that US spy agencies used deliberate and selective intelligence leaks to mainstream news outlets to mount a disinformation campaign against Russia during the latters month-long military offensive in Ukraine lasting from late February to late March, despite being aware the intelligence wasn't credible, and sometimes even publicizing downright fabrications.

The US intelligence assessment that Russia was preparing to use chemical weapons in the Ukraine War, that was widely reported in the corporate media and confirmed by President Biden himself, was an unsubstantiated claim leaked to the press as a tit-for-tat response to the damning Russian allegation that Ukraine was pursuing an active biological weapons program, in collaboration with Washington, in scores of bio-labs discovered by Russian forces in Ukraine in early days of the military campaign.

The NBC report noted: It was an attention-grabbing assertion that made headlines around the world: US officials said they had indications suggesting Russia might be preparing to use chemical agents in Ukraine. President Joe Biden later said it publicly. But three US officials told NBC News this week there was no evidence Russia had brought any chemical weapons near Ukraine. They said the US released the information to deter Russia from using the banned munitions.

Multiple US officials acknowledged that the US had used information as a weapon even when confidence in the accuracy of the information wasnt high. Sometimes it had used low-confidence intelligence for deterrent effect, as with chemical agents, and other times, as an official put it, the US was just trying to get inside Putins head.

The crux of the NBC report, however, isnt whats being disclosed but rather whats still being withheld by the US intelligence community that the mainstream news outlets are not at liberty to report on, as is obvious from the misleading NY Times report that mounting fierce guerrilla warfare campaign and deploying scorched-earth tactics by Ukraines largely conscript military and allied neo-Nazi militant groups repelled Russias assault on the capital and the Russian withdrawal wasnt a consequence of a calculated military strategy.

Despite being aware of Russian President Vladimir Putins major unilateral concession to Kyiv, halting Russian offensive north of the capital and focusing on liberating Russian-majority Donbas in east Ukraine, practically spelling an end to Russias month-long offensive in Ukraine, US security officials, as quoted by the corporate media, are still deceptively asserting that Russias pullout from areas around Kyiv wasnt a retreat but a strategic redeployment that signals a significant assault on eastern and southern Ukraine, one that US officials believe could be a protracted and bloody fight.

Regarding the nefarious disinformation campaign mounted by the mainstream media on behalf of NATO powers, the report notes: The idea is to pre-empt and disrupt the Kremlins tactics, complicate its military campaign, undermine Moscows propaganda and prevent Russia from defining how the war is perceived in the world, said a Western government official familiar with the strategy.

By mid-March, after the 40-mile-long military convoy of armored vehicles that created panic in the rank and file of Ukraines security forces and their international backers and that didnt move an inch further after reaching the outskirts of Kyiv in the early days of the war, it became obvious even to lay observers of the Ukraine War that it was evidently a diversionary tactic. But US security agencies insidiously kept feeding false information of impending fall of the Ukrainian capital to the mainstream media throughout Russias month-long military campaign in Ukraine.

Only two conclusions could be drawn from this scaremongering tactic: either it was a massive intelligence failure and Western security agencies werent aware the 40-mile-long convoy approaching the capital was a ruse; or the NATOs spy agencies had credible intelligence since the beginning of Russias military campaign that real battles for territory would be fought in Donbas in east Ukraine and the feigned assault on the capital was simply a diversionary tactic but they exaggerated the threat in order to vilify Russias calculated military offensive in Ukraine, and win the war of narratives that how the war is perceived across the world.

Even in the weeks after the unilateral Russian peace initiative announced on March 29, offering scaling back its blitz north of the capital and focusing instead on liberating Russian-majority Donbas region in east Ukraine, a task that has already been accomplished in large measure, Western intelligence community and the mainstream media kept warning the gullible audience Russias pullout from areas around Kyiv wasnt a retreat but a strategic redeployment and that Russian forces had withdrawn back into Belarus and Russia simply to regroup, refit and resupply.

Compared to 150-190,000 Russian troops deployed in Ukraine before the withdrawal process began in late March, the total number of battalion tactical groups in the country currently stands at 78, all of them in the south and the east in the Donbas region. That would translate to about 55,000 to 62,000 troops, based on what the Pentagon said at the start of the war was the typical unit strength of 700 to 800 soldiers. In other words, two-third of Russian troops deployed in Ukraine have withdrawn back to Russia and Belarus while only one-third remain in east Ukraine battling neo-Nazi militant groups trained and equipped by the CIA.

About the author:

Nauman Sadiq is an Islamabad-based geopolitical and national security analyst focused on geo-strategic affairs and hybrid warfare in the Middle East and Eurasia regions. His domains of expertise include neocolonialism, military-industrial complex and petro-imperialism. He is a regular contributor of diligently researched investigative reports to alternative news media.
It has become depressingly common to read unrelenting attacks on free speech in the Washington Post and other newspapers. The anti-free speech movement has been embraced by Democratic leaders, including President Joe Biden, as well as academics who now claim China was right on censorship. However, a Time magazine column by national correspondent Charlotte Alter was still shocking in how mainstream anti-free speech views have become. Alter denounces free speech as basically a white mans obsession.

What is most striking about the column is Alters apparent confusion over why anyone like Musk would even care about the free speech of others. She suggests that Musk is actually immoral for spending money to restore free speech rather than on social welfare or justice issues.

She suggests that supporting free speech is some disgusting extravagance like buying Faberge eggs.

Why does Musk care so much about this? Why would a guy who has pushed the boundaries of electric-vehicle manufacturing and plumbed the limits of commercial space flight care about who can say what on Twitter?

The answer, not surprisingly, is about race and privilege. Alter cites Jason Goldman, who was an early figure shaping the Twitter censorship policies before he joined the Obama administration. Goldman declared, free speech has become an obsession of the mostly white, male members of the tech elite who would rather go back to the way things were.

Alter also cites professor of communication at Stanford University Fred Turner who explains that free speech is just a dominant obsession with the most elite [and] seems to be much more of an obsession among men.

In arguing in favor of censorship, Alter engages in a heavy use of historical revisionism, claiming that

free speech in the 21st century means something very different than it did in the 18th, when the Founders enshrined it in the Constitution. The right to say what you want without being imprisoned is not the same as the right to broadcast disinformation to millions of people on a corporate platform. This nuance seems to be lost on some techno-wizards who see any restriction as the enemy of innovation.

It is also lost on me.

Censorship has always been based on the notion that the underlying speech was false or harmful. Calling it disinformation does not materially change the motivation or the impact. What Alter calls a Tech Bro obsession was the obsession of the Framers.

Alter is confusing free speech values with the rationale for the First Amendment. For years, anti-free-speech figures have dismissed free speech objections to social media censorship by stressing that the First Amendment applies only to the government, not private companies. The distinction was always a dishonest effort to evade the implications of speech controls, whether implemented by the government or corporations.

The First Amendment was never the exclusive definition of free speech. Free speech is viewed by many of us as a human right; the First Amendment only deals with one source for limiting it. Free speech can be undermined by private corporations as well as government agencies. This threat is even greater when politicians openly use corporations to achieve indirectly what they cannot achieve directly.

Key free speech figures practiced what they preached in challenging friends and foes alike. After playing a critical role with our independence, Thomas Paine did nothing but irritate the Framers with his words, including John Adams, who called him a crapulous mass.

Yet, free speech was a defining value for the framers (despite Adams later attacks on the right). It was viewed as the very growth plate of democracy. As Benjamin Franklin stated in a letter on July 9, 1722: Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without Freedom of Speech.

The same anti-free speech voices were heard back then as citizens were told to fear free speech. It was viewed as a Sirens call for tyranny. Franklin stated:

In those wretched countries where a man cannot call his tongue his own, he can scarce call anything his own. Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech; a thing terrible to publick traytors.

Yet, Alter assures readers that this is just due to a lack of knowledge by Musk and a misunderstanding of why censorship is a natural and good thing:

Tech titans often have a different understanding of speech than the rest of the world because most trained as engineers, not as writers or readers, and a lack of a humanities education might make them less attuned to the social and political nuances of speech.

It appears that Alters humanities education in college allows her to see nuances that escape the rest of us, including some of us who are not trained as engineers.

Just for the record, Alter has a degree in English Language and Literature/Letters (Harvard). Musk has his undergraduate degrees not in engineering but a Bachelor of Arts degree in physics and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics (both from the University of Pennsylvania). None of these degrees bestow any basis for claiming superior knowledge of constitutional law or human rights.

Indeed, no degree offers such determinative authority. Some of the most anti-free speech figures in our history have law degrees. A degree guarantees neither wisdom nor understanding. Many of the Framers were not legally trained but they had an innate sense and commitment to free speech.

James Madison warned us to be more on guard against such nuanced arguments: There are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.

As Time, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and other media outlets align themselves with the anti-free speech movement, it is more important than ever for citizens to fight for this essential right. There is nothing nuanced in either this movement or its implications for this country.


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AirTag stalker "terrified" a family from Tennessee after discovering that the Apple tracking device has been following them while visiting Walt Disney World.

It even took the family a couple of hours before discovering that a surveillance device was tracking their location.

AirTag Stalking and Family at Disney World

As per a news story by Fox 35 Orlando, the teenage daughter from the Tennessee family first learned that an AirTag is following them on their Disney World trip after her phone received a surprising notification.

The alert specifically told the 17-year-old girl that they were being followed by the owner of the Apple tracking device. Upon seeing the notification on her phone, she started to panic.

It did not help that the phone alert further told her that the device has been following them to Disney World for more than four hours already, spanning from 7:09 pm to 11:33 pm.

The mother of the teenager, Jennifer Gaston, told the news outlet in an interview that they felt "terrified, confused, hurt and scared" upon learning that they were being followed by the Apple device.

The notification also revealed more details regarding the tracking activity of the AirTag that was used to track them to the massive theme park.

It vividly drew a line from where the tracking had begun, along with their movements since then.

Search for the Apple AirTag

After the panicky discovery, the Tennessee family went straight back to the parking lot of the Disney theme park where their vehicle was parked, according to a recent report by Unilad,

Then they tried refreshing the notification to check if the AirTag is still following their movement. To their dismay, it still did.

So, the family started panicking furthermore, leading them to shake their clothes to get rid of them from their body. Not to mention that they had to open up their bags and dump everything out of them to check if it was stuffed along with their belongings.

After attempting to get rid of the surveillance device, the family drove to the police. And while they were on their way, it turned out that the location of the AirTag stayed in the parking lot. So, it must have been left behind while they were frantically trying to search for it.

Unfortunately, losing the Apple device meant that the Orange County Sheriff will not be identifying the incident as a criminal violation.

Read Also: Unwanted Apple AirTag Tracking No More? Tech Company Release Update to Address the Issue

Apple AirTag

Apple debuted its tracking device, the AirTag, last April 30, 2021, serving as a smart key finder, which also works on other personal stuff like wallets, bags, and even vehicles.

Related Article: Latest Firmware Update for Apple AirTag Tunes Undesirable Monitoring Sound
WINNIPEG  At least seven Manitoba communities have now declared a state of emergency because of flooding as heavy rains continue.

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WINNIPEG  At least seven Manitoba communities have now declared a state of emergency because of flooding as heavy rains continue.

The worst isnt over yet, said Morden Mayor Brandon Burley, who declared a state of emergency following a special council meeting Saturday afternoon. The city of Morden issued roughly 50 evacuation notices to residents because of substantial overland flooding that is damaging homes and vehicles throughout the city.

Its not really isolated at this point, Burley said.

The southern Manitoba community is one of several areas that have been among the hardest hit with another Colorado low system that brought more rain starting Friday night.

Areas in and around Morden, Portage la Prairie and Selkirk were pummelled with 20-30 mm, while Winnipeg had already received about 25 mm as of early Saturday afternoon, according to Environment Canada.

Environment Canada renewed its rainfall warning on Saturday morning, predicting an additional 10-25 mms of rain over southern Manitoba, and between 20-40 mms in northern Interlake regions. Heavy rain had started overnight as part of a Colorado low system, the third consecutive weekend of excessive rain or snow in Manitoba.

The rural municipalities of Morris, Montcalm, Cartier, Fisher, Headingley and Ritchot previously declared local states of emergency, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk said during the legislatures question period last week. An overland flood warning is still in effect for much of southern Manitoba from the provinces Hydrologic Forecast Centre.

The accumulation of snow and rain from previous storms caused Mordens Deadhorse Creek to spill its banks, washing out a bridge that was the only route out of a neighbourhood west of the creek. Emergency responders built a temporary exit and the city issued the evacuation notices, but some residents stayed, only to call for help later, Burley said.

We need co-operation from the public. Stay off the flooded roads. We have vehicles breaking down because they flood out, and in areas where we need access to, we have trucks that are driving down flooded roads, creating lakes that are flooding homes out. So we need people to listen to emergency personnel, the mayor said.

Hes asking residents to shelter in place, saying some people are getting too close to the water.

I know theres a certain amount of drama and excitement associated with it, but we do not want drowning situations or rescue situations on top of this.

Provincial help hasnt been needed yet, Burley said. He thanked volunteers and emergency personnel for their ongoing work to sandbag and help prevent more flooding. The community hasnt experienced a flood like this in recent years.

This would be a first in most peoples recollection. Certainly in the past 40 years we havent seen something like this. Its substantial, and depending on what the weather does over the next 24 to 48 hours, if we get the precipitation theyre calling for, were going to be in an even worse position, so were trying to get ahead of that, he said.

Morden is now under a boil-water advisory. A failure in the citys treatment process and monitoring system caused poorly treated water to enter the network, the provinces Medical Officer of Health said in a statement Sunday morning.

The devastating impact of this rain is undeniable, but there is some good news on the way.

Luckily after this system moves out, it looks like were getting into normal temperatures. Dare I say that the long-range forecast has 20s (C) in it, so if that pans out I think well all be really happy. I think we could all use some sunshine and some warm temperatures, Environment Canada meteorologist Shannon Moodie said.

You can really see the impact of the rain, and theres just so much that people really have to be aware of right now, especially when travelling on highways and in communities affected by flooding.

 Winnipeg Free Press
The Google Pixel Watch could have a longer battery life than its rivals. Republicworld.com, citing the news story of 9To5Google, said that a 300 mAh battery will be included in the next Google Pixel Watch. According to the report, the forthcoming Wear OS device would also include cellular connectivity. Although the exact models that will support this feature are unknown, three possible variants have recently been discovered online.

Google Pixel Watch Allegedly Has Larger Battery Capacity Than Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

As per Republicworld.com, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 currently has a 247mAh battery and has a battery life of close to 24 hours. The Pixel Watch would outperform the Galaxy Watch 4 if it came with a 300mAh battery. The Google Pixel Watch is also 4mm thicker and 10 grams heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4, according to the report, because the larger battery requires more room.

However, Android Central noted that it's unclear whether this battery capacity will be shared by all of the Pixel Watch's speculated variants. However, this battery capacity is likely to be featured on the 40mm variant that was recently sighted in a restaurant in the U.S.

The report also emphasized that determining a device's endurance merely based on battery capacity is difficult. However, based on this leak and the possibility that the wristwatch will run Wear OS 3, the Pixel Watch will most likely have a longer battery life than the Galaxy Watch 4.

Read More: Pixel Watch's New Leak Shows it Worn on a Wrist - Is it Comfortable to Wear?

Google Pixel Watch Is Rumored To Support Cellular Connectivity

Citing the 9To5Google report, that the smartwatch will include cellular connectivity, thus it will not be dependent on a smartphone for connectivity. It's unclear whether this will be consistent across all of the company's models, but it'll almost surely be available on at least one.

The Pixel Watch is expected to cost between $300 and $400, which is similar to the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic's pricing range. This indicates that Google intends to take on Samsung in the wearables market.

When Google's I/O 2022 event kicks off on May 11, we'll likely learn more about the first Made by Google smartwatch.

Samsung's Chipset Could Be Used in the Google Pixel Watch

Separately, Republicworld.com mentioned that apart from the battery capacity, it would be fascinating to discover what software improvements Google makes to boost the device's effective battery life. It's not surprising that Google would use Samsung's Exynos W920 chipset, given that Samsung used Google's Wear OS instead of its own in the Galaxy Watch 4.

Previous Reports Said Google Pixel Watch Has Been Spotted on the Bluetooth Sig Certification Website

The Google Pixel Watch has been found on the Bluetooth SIG certification site ahead of its formal launch. According to the listing, the company may release three different smartwatch models. Google recently filed a trademark for the device, suggesting that it will be known as the Pixel Watch.

As previously reported, "Google Pixel Watch received three of what is believed to be the models' Bluetooth listing - GWT9R, GBZ4S, and GQF4C. It has a design name BT Wearable Design-Controller Subsystem."

Related Article: Google Pixel Watch Receives Bluetooth Certification, Hints at Three Possible Models
A policy change that was quietly introduced in Manitobas hospitals is seeing non-COVID patients being admitted to hospital units that have active outbreaks of the virus.

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A policy change that was quietly introduced in Manitobas hospitals is seeing non-COVID patients being admitted to hospital units that have active outbreaks of the virus.

To free up acute-care capacity and reduce the number of emergency room patients waiting for a hospital bed, administrators changed outbreak admission guidelines in January, two months before the province lifted all COVID-19 public restrictions.

As of last week, Shared Health said there are two designated COVID-19 hospital units, one in Winnipeg and one in Brandon. All patients are tested upon admission. Those who test positive are grouped together or with recovered COVID-19 patients; those with suspected cases of the virus are isolated until results are confirmed.

A statement from Treena Slate, Prairie Mountain Healths regional lead of acute care, explained patients with active COVID would not be placed with patients who are not infected with the virus.

"Patients who have tested positive for COVID but are no longer considered infectious [i.e. COVID-recovered] can be moved into a general unit as needed," Slate said. "This guidance allows for increased acute-care capacity at sites and is supported by advice from infection prevention and control experts."

Patients who have active or suspected COVID infections are not necessarily admitted to designated units, but would be placed according to provincial guidelines, which can be found at sharedhealthmb.ca/files/COVID-19-highlights-provincial.pdf

However, Slate said community transmission of COVID has increased over the past few weeks and there have been a number of outbreaks in PMH facilities and units in acute-care facilities. These facilities would follow outbreak management guidelines to ensure safe care for patients and limit virus transmission.

When an outbreak is declared in any unit, infection prevention and control processes are immediately implemented, with measures in place to monitor staffing levels and increase them if needed.

"All these measures mitigate the risk of COVID infection for patients receiving care on units in outbreak," she said.

PMH could not confirm where COVID patients were being housed in Brandon Regional Health Centre.

On Thursday, a Shared Health spokesperson stated in comments to the Winnipeg Free Press that hospitals do not track the number of patients whove been transferred into outbreak units.

The Jan. 13 guidance issued to health staff said its not always possible to avoid admitting patients who dont have COVID-19 into areas with outbreaks, particularly if those patients need care in a specialized unit.

The main entrance of Brandon Regional Health Centre is shown on Saturday. A policy change by Shared Health in January has been seeing active infection COVID and recovered COVID patients being housed together in hospitals. (Karen McKinley/The Brandon Sun)

The policy recommends health professionals avoid placing unvaccinated patients, patients older than 60, or patients who are immunocompromised in outbreak units because of their increased risk of serious COVID-19 infection. Its also not ideal, the guidance stated, to place new patients in units that have uncontained or newly declared outbreaks.

Shared Health also stated patients with active COVID cases are kept separate from patients whove never been infected with the virus, but may be kept distanced in the same general unit.

The provincial health management organization did not address the January memo, instead referring to a more detailed protocol, updated March 29, that links to the Jan. 13 guidance.

The January memo from Shared Health showed a change in practice from earlier pandemic protocols that aimed to keep non-COVID patients away from active outbreaks.

"It should be expected ward and/or facility outbreaks are going to increase in frequency and are not preventable. The approach being outlined herein is to allow for a balance of staff/patient/resident safety while maximizing our acute-care capacity and permitting ongoing delivery of complex co-ordinated care for patients. Acute-care sites can no longer suspend admissions to a unit/site that is in outbreak," the Jan. 13 Shared Health memo states.

This memo was issued the day before Premier Heather Stefanson spoke publicly about the need for Manitobans to learn to live with the virus.

This policy change is not seen as balanced or good for either patients, families or staff by the nurses caring for them. In a statement to the Sun, the Manitoba Nurses Union decried the policy change as another example of Manitobas health-care system failing to manage COVID infections safely and effectively.

"With the continued prevalence of COVID throughout the system, Manitoba is no longer able to cohort COVID positive patients together, in units separate and apart from those that are non-COVID," the statement read. "That poses significant risk, given COVID remains, despite the wishes and proclamations of government, capable of very serious  and even fatal  results for the immuno-compromised and those with other health conditions."

Further, the statement says highly infectious COVID variants are infecting an already dwindling number of health-care staff and nurses. What remaining healthy staff that remain must change PPE more frequently when moving between COVID and non-COVID patients. This creates an unstable workload and further delays in delivering timely patient care.

This policy change does not reflect what the government has been telling the public or frontline staff about their commitment to improving health care in the province, the union stated.

"Despite the billboards and press releases, in the end, those many Manitobans that need proper health care are the ones paying the dearest price, and this latest change is yet another in a long line of unfortunate consequences that land squarely on the shoulders of Manitobans and those that provide care for them in this broken system."

The provinces epidemiological report for April 17 to April 23 showed test positivity rates are increasing for those getting lab-confirmed PCR results. An average of 955 Manitobans per day receive PCR tests, and the test positivity rate is at 23.4 per cent, up from 19 per cent a week earlier.

 kmckinley@brandonsun.com, with files from the Winnipeg Free Press

 Twitter: @karenleighmcki1
Members of the Rotary Club of Brandon have arranged a significant contribution toward ShelterBox Canada  an organization that is providing critical needs to refugees fleeing the crisis in Ukraine in the form of temporary housing.

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Members of the Rotary Club of Brandon have arranged a significant contribution toward ShelterBox Canada  an organization that is providing critical needs to refugees fleeing the crisis in Ukraine in the form of temporary housing.

Within the first few weeks of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Brandon Rotarian Cheryl Winger explained the club was able to donate $3,600 toward the implementation of a ShelterBox designed for a refugee family escaping turmoil from their country.

COURTESY OF CHERYL WINGER An example of a ShelterBox setup by Cheryl Winger and her husband in Brandon in 2019. Everything except for the two chairs and the table in the photo is included in the green tub shown on the left.

The funding could also go toward what ShelterBox sees as the most urgent needs for the humanitarian effort in the case of blankets or other sleeping and safety materials.

"Right now, the primary focus in on Ukraine," Winger said.

"ShelterBox is working with an organization called People in Need, delivering thousands of mattresses to collective centres like schools and churches and will be distributed to people sheltering in these places. They need safety and a warm place to sleep at night."

When the money is put toward a regular ShelterBox unit, the typical green tub is full of contents including a large tent, bedding, portable stove, pots and pans, dishes, toys for children, a rechargeable light, water jugs, and a water filtration device that can be reused several times according to Winger, who has been an ambassador for ShelterBox for five years.

Winger referred to the ShelterBox organization not only assisting Ukraine, but in past years aiding people affected from an earthquake in Haiti, to the volcanic eruption in Tonga in December 2021. She said the $3,600 donated was double what the Rotary Club would typically give in past crises.

Taras Lychuk, a fellow Brandon Rotarian and former resident of Ukraine, said the units have been effective for refugees who have fled from Ukraine into Poland and Moldova.

He noted when the war first began, ShelterBoxes could give refugees close to the border some relief, being able to lie down and sleep after standing for two to three days. The money from the Rotary Club is sent overseas where the unit is transported in a short period of time.

"As long as we have money in the budget, we make it happen and the ShelterBox is there in a couple of days," Lychuk said.

Lychuk moved to Canada in 2014 and joined the club within the same year. Since the war has started, he has been trying to keep up with the news as much as he can and has been in touch with several relatives, all with a different story of escape from potential violence.

"I had a cousin who was in Kyiv, and she left with her husband to join her mother in the western part of Ukraine where its relatively safe," he said.

"Although there were a couple of shelling episodes targeting the airport and television antenna."

Originally from Rivne, a town in northwestern Ukraine two hours from the Polish border, another of Lychuks cousins told him they are taking things day by day, trying to live life as normal as they can.

"So far it has been relatively safe, they are seeding flowers on the street and trying to keep it normal," he said.

"The air raids are still ongoing, but lessening."

Lychuk told the Sun a third cousin of his left with her three kids and husband to Poland during the first week of the war. The family is renting a place in Poland while the children are able to go to school. All of these conversations have been difficult to process.

"Its very devastating, my day starts with reading the news with how things are back home," he said.

"The first couple of nights I dont think I slept more than four hours total. Deep in our hearts, nobody believed it was going to really happen, until it happened."

For Winger and Lychuk, the two are grateful to have the feeling they have helped a family in a extreme time of need. A ShelterBox may not bring peace in the conflict, but it can provide hope to ease the suffering of loved ones overseas.

"What gets me the most about these ShelterBoxes is that in areas where there are numerous of them setup, these people have an address on there and they create streets in the tent villages," Winger said.

"Its not a tent, its not a shelter, it becomes a home."

 jbernacki@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @JosephBernacki
After turning a new leaf and opening a boutique with her best friend, Krista Powell is working hard to put Minnedosa on the map with several key events planned for her community  namely an anticipated spring craft show this Saturday.

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After turning a new leaf and opening a boutique with her best friend, Krista Powell is working hard to put Minnedosa on the map with several key events planned for her community  namely an anticipated spring craft show this Saturday.

Powell, who opened Gold Leaf Boutique with Lisa Buchanan in February, has not slowed down their business, getting back to planning craft sales throughout Westman including the return of the Spring Market in Minnedosa scheduled for May 7.

"Were really excited to get back to a little bit of what was always normal," Powell said.

"We did the spring market in Brandon two weeks ago, which was amazing. We had over 900 people over the two days, so that was awesome."

On April 8 and 9, Powell and Buchanan who own and operate Gold Leaf Events hosted their first show in the city prior to the start of the pandemic. Powell said their "Spring Market at the Dome," was a great success as they were able to welcome 36 vendors, the majority of whom were from Brandon.

As they turn their attention to this weekend, she said they have more than 30 vendors lined up for the Minnedosa spring market, and shes amazed by the local interest generated by new startup smaller businesses.

KRISTA POWELL Powell said as a result of the pandemic, people right now are interested in paying closer attention to where their goods, products and services are coming from and appreciating the craftsmanship behind a handmade item. Everything on display at the Dome building in early April was made from Brandon and area crafters.

"Theres been so many Minnedosa makers and sellers popping up, I think everyone just kind of took on a new hobby during COVID when everyone had to stay home," she said.

With that emphasis on supporting local makers, the two have organized a raffle based on donated prizes from vendors. Proceeds from the raffle will go toward the Minnedosa and Area Food Bank, an organization they have partnered with on many occasions.

More recently, the event planners were able to raise a few hundred dollars for the food bank in December following the return of their Christmas craft sale for the area. She said with rising costs, the food bank has seen more use recently from people accessing it in the community.

Earlier in April, proceeds from the Brandon craft sale at the dome went toward One At A Time Rescue.

"Animals are very near and dear to my heart so we always usually try to pick a couple of animal rescue groups to work with," she said.

This year, the two have recruited makers from many different business backgrounds, including womens fashion, jewelry, carving, knitting, sewing, homemade honey and more.

"We have a few soap makers, Lather and Strand and Old Farm Soap Works are from Minnedosa," she said.

"Wild and Natural Creations is from the Rivers area. We have some sewers and crocheters from the Neepawa area as well as Onanole."

Powell and Buchanan will be offering a few social media contests for a chance to win "market dollars," prior to this Saturday, and a promotion for everyone who enters the market.

She explained everyone who pays for their $2 admission will be able to draw a popsicle from a glass and have a chance to win $10 to spend at the market which every vendor can accept.

Since their February opening, Powell said support from the community for Gold Leaf Boutique has been overwhelming over the first three months. She has come across a good number of people on social media who have made the drive in from other parts of Manitoba to check out their boutique.

"Theres so much in our town that we love showing off," she said.

"Weve had a really good response from our community and Westman in general."

Products from the Chocolate Moose Fudge Factory in Moose Jaw continue to be one of their best sellers, and their demand for eco-friendly gifts, baby gifts and their pet section have grown in number.

She said homemade pet treats from Neelin Farms, a local Minnedosa seller, added to their product lineup over the last two weeks and they have now had to restock based on popularity.

Ahead of Mothers Day weekend, Powell believes people right now are interested in paying closer attention to where their goods, products and services are coming from and appreciating the craftmanship behind a handmade item.

"People are doing their best to support their neighbours, and were so excited because with the markets, theres so many small businesses that people depend on as their income, that havent had a chance or a place to sell their items," she said.

Later in the year, the two are putting together a market for the Sandy Lake Western Days in early August and have retaken the ropes for organizing the Minnedosa Fun Fest, a three-day event they used to arrange for the community. Powell said there was a lack of interest in bringing the event back this year and they jumped on the opportunity.

"If we can be another reason for people to want to come and visit our town, were beyond excited about that," she said.

The spring craft sale will take place from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. at the Minnedosa Community Conference Centre. Admission is $2, but children 12 and under get in free. A full list of vendors can be found on Gold Leaf Events Facebook page.

 jbernacki@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @JosephBernacki
WASAGAMING  Community-driven youth gathered in Riding Mountain National Park for a retreat to enhance their leadership and volunteer skills last week.

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WASAGAMING  Community-driven youth gathered in Riding Mountain National Park for a retreat to enhance their leadership and volunteer skills last week.

Manitoba ALIVE brought together high school students from across Manitoba for a symposium designed to develop critical their leadership and volunteering skills. About 20 students arrived in Wasagaming Thursday and departed Saturday with enhanced skills and a new outlook on life.

Symposium director Keith Macpherson described the cohort of students as brimming with heartfelt empathy, compassion and acceptance. The symposium was designed to help students enhance these traits and uncover their passions for the benefit of their communities.

"Were inspiring youth to take a really good look at who they actually are and authentically living into who they are meant to be," Macpherson said.

CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN Grade 11 students Eduardo Folly Betrao (left) and Elle Labossiere attend Manitoba ALIVE in Wasagaming on Saturday.

The young people were nominated by their schools to attend Manitoba ALIVE based on having the potential to be a leader in their community. The initiative looks for students who embody empathy, understanding and are looking to change the world.

The next generation must be brave trailblazers, Macpherson said, because the world is relying on them to stand up and speak authentically.

"Were in a world right now that is very volatile, complex and uncertain, and we dont know whats going to happen next," Macpherson said. "To be really giving the tools and planting the seeds in the next generation about how to move from that place from more reactive tendency in leadership to more of a creative place is really crucial."

Symposium director Courtney Mandock attended Manitoba ALIVE in 2010 as a Grade 11 student.

"I got so much out of it as a student that when I was asked to come back as a counsellor, I immediately jumped on it," Mandock said.

SUBMITTED Students from across the province attend Manitoba ALIVE at the Riding Mountain National Park visitors centre in Wasagaming.

"Every year seeing the students grow and then the growth I get from seeing the students grow always brings me back."

Manitoba ALIVE helped her see it was OK to be different and have unique passions, she said. Mandock enjoys being able to pass on the message of "be true to yourself and you are going to find the group that fits with you" to others.

Mandock has a Canadian pageant title and is a female engineer in training. She also experienced depression and anxiety while in university.

"I shared my journey with them, and thats so powerful to me to show them at this age what I wish I would have known at their age," Mandock said.

High school is often a challenging time for students as they are putting a mask on to fit in, Mandock said. Manitoba ALIVE offers young people a chance to step back and explore who they are without fear of judgment.

It is an inspiring atmosphere, and she enjoys being able to see students come out of their shells and take on new challenges. Everyone works together to create a safe space where students can connect with like-minded young people.

"Someone saw something in them  lets start that spark and lets make it into a fire," Mandock said. "Lets take it and build it up so they can be passionate and bring something back to their communities and back to their schools."

Killarney School Grade 11 student Elle Labossiere signed up for the program as soon as she learned about the leadership symposium from her guidance counsellor.

"I was really excited right away because it sounded awesome," Labossiere said. "I knew it was going to be a fun time and we were going to learn new skills."

The retreat has been action-packed and allowed her to make new friends and learn new skills. Labossiere said she will take these skills back to Killarney to help better her community.

It can be challenging finding volunteer opportunities in Killarney, she said, because there are not as many options in comparison to cities like Winnipeg.

Now she can create opportunities in her community.

"Now, I can do more I feel like because I know what it [volunteering] is," Labossiere said. "I never thought I would connect with so many people. I can start up a conversation with anyone [now]."

West Lynn Heights School teacher Laura Kelly travelled from Lynn Lake with two students, Paris Johnson and Lenaya Farrow-Pronteau, to attend Manitoba ALIVE.

Her students have been transformed by their experience, Kelly said. It has been incredible to see how much their confidence has grown. They are excited to return to their community to share what they have learned.

Winnipeg-based Fort Richmond Collegiate Grade 11 student Eduardo Folly Betrao said it felt like serendipity when he learned the trip would take place during his 17th birthday.

It was exciting for him to celebrate the occasion in Clear Lake as it felt like a winter wonderland. He appreciated the peace of the spring thaw and it felt like they had the park to themselves.

It was a liberating experience attending Manitoba ALIVE, he said.

"Its about freedom because I feel like there is a lot of pressure when we are in normal communities because the community has its own beliefs and attitudes," Folly Betrao said. "Everyone here was open and already knew that we would accept you no matter what, and we shared that idea of respect."

Participants were open and unafraid to be themselves participating in activities they would never normally participate in.

It was an incredible opportunity because they were a diverse group of students with unique life experiences, Folly Betrao said, but they were able to talk and connect in a powerful way.

"We all share our core beliefs the same way which is what allowed us to all be really OK already each other from the start," Folly Betrao said. "I think everyone should have the opportunity to feel what its like to be your full self  and not be afraid of showing who you are."

 ckemp@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
Brandon Troyanda School of Ukrainian Dance students celebrated the culture of Ukraine with three back-to-back performances on Saturday.

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Brandon Troyanda School of Ukrainian Dance students celebrated the culture of Ukraine with three back-to-back performances on Saturday.

The Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Concert marked the first time dancers have been able to showcase their skills since 2019, said Andrew Synyshyn, president of the volunteer executive committee of the organization. It was a festive atmosphere celebrating the skills of dancers in the Ukrainian National Hall, he said, but emotions were tempered as they also wanted to honour the ongoing war in Ukraine.

"Were empathetic to whats happening in Ukraine, the war being raged there," Synyshyn said. "We want to sort of balance between a celebration of what weve been able to accomplish and celebrating Ukrainian culture as well as showing solidarity with those individuals that are suffering in the war right now."

The festivities were a toned-down celebration in 2022 compared to previous years, with a focus placed on honouring Ukrainian dance and culture. As part of the special occasion, participants wrote down why they love dancing and Ukraine on Ukrainian flags placed at the entrance of the Ukrainian National Hall.

The messages conveyed pride in the culture and dance, he said, serving as another way for dancers to express their enjoyment of the art.

CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN Dreyson Potter (left) Lauren Rehirchuk, Valeriya Boiko and Morgan Leshchyshyn perform Saturdays Troyanda Ukrainian dance concert.

The concert also raised funds to support the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. All proceeds, including a 50/50 draw, raffle and a crafts table, went toward the besieged country.

"Ukrainian culture and Ukrainian people are strong and resilient despite hardship and hard times. They will always come together," Synyshyn said. "We love to celebrate. We love to showcase our culture and we stand in solidarity with those in Ukraine."

Students worked hard to put their best foot forward on stage, said Troyanda instructor Tynnille Chomenchuk Bouchard. Her fellow instructors Jodi Woloski and Bryce Ewasiuk helped prepare students for the spotlight.

CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN Rosie Cameron (left), Charlotte Geekie and Kara Gaurdy take the stage during the Troyanda Ukrainian dance concert at the Ukrainian National Hall on Saturday.

The dances offer a small taste of Ukrainian culture and a fun experience for audiences, Chomenchuk Bouchard said. She hopes those who attended the performance appreciate the vibrancy of Ukrainian culture in Westman and the beauty and excitement of each unique dance.

The return to the stage was a welcome achievement, she said, as it was challenging for the school when competitions and performances were interrupted by COVID-19.

"It was absolutely heartbreaking, and we are still sore in our hearts from everything," Chomenchuk Bouchard said.

CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN Daryna Artemchuk, Baillie Brykaliuk and Jordan Woloski get ready for their performance on Saturday.

Students has prepared a beautiful dance for the 2019-20 season, but they were only able to perform it once for local audiences and were unable to bring it to competitions.

Troyanda faced a challenging situation preparing for the concert because the school had dancers graduate, while younger children only had a year or two before seeing dances paused during the pandemic, Wolski said.

Getting ready for the year-end concert was challenging, she added, especially because the younger students did not know what to expect performing for a live audience. It was also complicated because they have not been able to have typical practices for the last two years.

CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN Jodi Woloski (left) and Chantelle Zamonsky perform during Saturdays concert.

"Even just getting ready and putting on a costume is something we havent done in two years. Its hard to remember what goes with what and how things are put together," Ewasiuk said.

He added it was nice having something to work toward. It helped motivate students knowing a performance would be taking place.

He could feel their excitement building as the day approached.

CHELSEA KEMP/THE BRANDON SUN Messages of support for Ukraineare shown during the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Concert Saturday at the Ukrainian National Hall.

Opening the doors of the Ukrainian National Hall and moving forward with their first performances was an exciting return to normal, Woloski said. The groups take pride in displaying culture and having the best representation of dances possible.

"We feel like we were under a little bit more pressure just to have everything polished for this, but also had less practices," Woloski said. "We want to portray our culture the best we can."

The concert was a more emotional experience overall in comparison to past performances. Watching students and being on stage, Chomenchuk Bouchard said she was often holding back tears.

Dreyson Potter (left) Lauren Rehirchuk, Valeriya Boiko and Morgan Leshchyshyn perform Saturdays Troyanda Ukrainian dance concert. (Photos by Chelsea Kemp/The Brandon Sun)

"Once youre a dancer and youve been on stage, that never leaves you. Performing is so exhilarating," Woloski said.

Olga and Oleksander Boiko of the Brandon-based Canadian Ukrainian Association group Tryzub served as the emcees for the event.

The performance served as a powerful partnership between two Ukrainian organizations, she said, especially given the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

Myla Synyshyn (left) and Londyn Hrubeniuk perform during the Troyanda Ukrainian dance concert at the Ukrainian National Hall on Saturday.

It was a great concert because for a long time Troyanda performances were not possible, Oleksander said. He could see the excitement on the youth and audiences faces as different dancers appeared on stage.

Tryzub had a special craft table selling unique items to raise money for Ukraine, Olga said. The items were made in Ukraine and arrived two days before the concert.

Tryzub has been in Brandon for more than a decade, Oleksander said, but has gained momentum in recent months as people are looking to rally behind Ukraine.

Messages of support for Ukraine written by dancers at the Troyanda Ukrainian Dance Concert Saturday at the Ukrainian National Hall. (Chelsea Kemp/Brandon Sun)

"We are working together to keep all the Ukrainian traditions going," Oleksander said. "They support Ukraine in all ways."

Each dollar raised can be life-changing for those who face bombing every day in Ukraine, Olga said. Cities are destroyed, houses are without electricity in some regions and getting essential items can be difficult.

"Its simple things like bread and water they need to survive, so its a big deal to them," she said.

Daryna Artemchuk, Baillie Brykaliuk and Jordan Woloski get ready for their performance on Saturday.

The country will need ongoing support as the Russian invasion continues, she said, and every action of support makes a difference.

"You feel like you did your part for them to feel better, that is just tremendous," Olga said.

Registration for Troyanda classes opens in June and classes begin in September.

For more information on providing donations to Ukraine, visit the Tryzub Facebook page.

 ckemp@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp
OTTAWA - The Conservatives say the prime minister is trying to create an audience, not an opposition" after the Liberal government introduced changes to allow midnight sittings for the rest of the spring.

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A Canadian flag hangs from a lamp post along the road in front of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. The Conservatives are accusing the prime minister of trying to create an audience, not an opposition in Parliament, after the government introduced changes to allow midnight sittings for the rest of the spring.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

OTTAWA - The Conservatives say the prime minister is trying to create an audience, not an opposition" after the Liberal government introduced changes to allow midnight sittings for the rest of the spring.

The government says the proposal  known as Motion 11  would simply organize the business of the House of Commons before it adjourns for the summer, which is scheduled for June 23.

Conservative House leader John Brassard said extending hours at the last moment has a profound impact on the people who work in Parliament, including interpreters and other staff.

But the justice minister said they'll only extend the hours if needed to facilitate debate on key bills before the spring sitting wraps.

David Lametti said MPs have spent 12 sitting days debating the bill to implement some parts of the fall economic statement, which was introduced in December.

That bill would create a tax credit for businesses that improve air quality and ventilation, expand the school supplies tax credit for teachers and create a fuel tax credit for farms in provinces that use the federal carbon-pricing backstop. It was adopted at report stage on Monday.

During a debate on Monday, Lametti said Liberal leadership will ensure staff, including interpreters, have advanced warning of late sitting days, adding theyre mindful of the health and safety needs of staff. The motion put forward by the government last week would allow it to extend hours at any time up to 6:30 p.m., the scheduled end of the day.

Last week, Lametti spoke to a Senate committee about a bill that would allow courts to expand the use of virtual appearances, including by witnesses and potential jurors, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the bill is going before the Senate first to try and speed its passage, because there are so many pieces of potential legislation moving slowly through the House.

Can you imagine what will happen when we get to the budget? Lametti asked. Were doing this to facilitate debate because of the obstructionist tactics by the Conservative party.

Bloc Quebecois MP Alain Therrien shot back in French that the Liberal government is undermining democracy with the help of the NDP.

NDP House leader Peter Julian argued the Conservatives have been blocking bills for months without any explanation.

It appears the NDP will support the government motion, even though it doesnt fall under the terms of the confidence and supply agreement.

What the NDP has done by agreeing to this with the Liberals is give Justin Trudeau exactly what hes wanted for the last six-and-a-half years: hes now got an audience and not an opposition, Brassard said.

Meanwhile in the upper chamber, the government representative in the Senate has put forward a motion to continue hybrid sittings due to the ongoing threat of COVID-19.

Sen. Marc Gold said that's not government policy, but rather to be cautious and careful out of consideration for the health and safety of senators, their families and staff.

But other senators argue its another attempt to avoid accountability. Senate hours have been reduced and there have been fewer committee meetings under the hybrid model. Some pointed out the fact that the public galleries in the House are open, and most provinces have dropped pandemic mandates.

The Opposition leader in the Senate, Donald Plett, said he feels he and his colleagues are failing to fulfil our duties as senators.

I acknowledge that there are ongoing challenges and uncertainties with the pandemic, but treating the Senate like it is a long-term care home is an insult to taxpayers and to the constitutional significance of a senators role, Plett said during a debate.

He suggested senators are likely not quarantining at this point, and said if theyre comfortable going to church or a grocery store, there is no reason you cannot be in Ottawa.

That debate continues Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2022.
OTTAWA - The Conservative party says there are six official candidates in the leadership race that will culminate with a winner announced Sept. 10.

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Federal Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre holds a campaign rally in Toronto, Saturday, April 30, 2022. The Conservative party says there are six official candidates in the leadership race that will culminate with a winner announced Sept. 10. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

OTTAWA - The Conservative party says there are six official candidates in the leadership race that will culminate with a winner announced Sept. 10.

Candidates had to submit the full $300,000 required in registration fees and a compliance deposit, along with signatures from 500 party members by last Friday.

Here is a look at the names on the ballot and who did not make the final cut.

Who's in:

Scott Aitchison: The two-term Ontario MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka launched his campaign on March 20. Before being elected as an MP in 2019, he served as the mayor of Huntsville, Ont. Most recently, he was the Conservatives' labour critic.

Roman Baber: The Independent member of the Ontario legislature was kicked out of the Progressive Conservative caucus by Premier Doug Ford for speaking out against COVID-19 lockdowns in January 2021. He says he was the first candidate in the race to do so, and also wants to stand up to cancel culture.

Patrick Brown: The mayor of Brampton, Ont., and former leader of Ontario's Progressive Conservatives entered the race March 13 at a launch in the Greater Toronto Area. He previously served as an MP. He has pitched a bigger Conservative tent, with plans to rebuild trust with members of Canada's "cultural communities.''

Jean Charest: The former Quebec premier who led the federal Progressive Conservatives in the mid-1990s is jumping back into politics and formally launched his campaign in Calgary. He's running the under slogan "Built to Win.'' Charest, 63, is highlighting his years of experience to party members.

Leslyn Lewis: The third-place finisher in the 2020 leadership race is running again. In the past contest, the former Bay Street lawyer enjoyed heavy backing from the party's socially conservative members and those in Western Canada. She was elected as an MP last fall in the rural southwestern Ontario riding of Haldimand-Norfolk.

Pierre Poilievre: The 42-year-old longtime Ottawa-area MP declared his candidacy just days after former leader Erin O'Toole was ousted. His rallies across Canada have at times drawn crowds in the thousands. One of his chief promises is to cancel the federal carbon tax.

Who's out:

Grant Abraham: A consultant who ran as a candidate in Britains 2019 election. He did not make the final list.

Leona Alleslev: The former Ontario MP joined the Conservatives in 2018 after crossing the floor from the Liberals. She was the party's deputy leader under former leader Andrew Scheer. She announced last week she was unable to raise the required $300,000 by the deadline.

Joseph Bourgault: The businessman from rural Saskatchewan, who travelled to Ottawa for the "Freedom Convoy" earlier this year, had promised to eliminate all COVID-19 mandates should he win the leadership. He did not make the final list.

Marc Dalton: The MP for Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge was first elected federally in 2019. A former teacher, he also served as a B.C. Liberal MLA from 2009 to 2017. He did not raise enough funds.

Joel Etienne: A former candidate for the party, and lawyer from around Toronto. He did not make the final list.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2022.
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Whether you want to get your heart pumping or sit back with popcorn, theres no shortage of things to see and do in Sydney this month. Unsure where to start? Weve compiled a list of highlights to inspire you when planning your calendar.

If you want to lighten up your nights, see some stand-up at the Sydney Comedy Festival or check out one of Vivid Sydneys iconic displays later in the month.

Or, for thrill-seekers and horror enthusiasts, the Crime After Dark series will plunge you into Sydneys criminal underbelly. If you want to play detective, test your investigative skills at the Hideaway Immersive Horror Experience.

If thats not your style, then sit back and watch the action unfold on the big screen in new Marvel blockbuster Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, long-awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick or the acclaimed Petite Maman from arthouse darling Celine Sciamma. Music lovers can look forward to The Kid Larois first headline tour and Guy Sebastian hitting the stage with hits from his number one album. Meanwhile, Broadway musical An American in Paris and Moulin Rouge! The Musical might scratch that travel itch by transporting you to the city of love.

Finally, Biennale is back for its 23rd year, with the exhibition flipping the perspective on local wetland ecosystems. It will ask questions such as, can a river sue us over psychoactive sewage? and will oysters grow teeth in aquatic revenge? Thats certainly food for thought.

A cultural guide to going out and loving your city. Sign up to our Culture Fix newsletter here.
Lidcombe Uniting Church minister Uilisone Mafaufau accused the government of being missing in action as he told 200 attendees from across Sydney and the Pacific that he was angry it had not engaged with the Pasifika community. That empty chair is very disappointing, upsetting, and to tell you truth ... making me very angry. We have informed [the Liberal Party] about the climate change focus of this meeting. And we have tried all we can to ask the LNP to join us, he said. This is how much they think of us Pacific Island Australians  Youd start to ask: Why are the Solomons [turning] somewhere else? Sydney Pasifika community leader Reverend Alimoni Taumoepeau said there was anger because Pacific Island voices had been marginalised for a long time.

Perhaps because we are migrants ourselves, we are coloured people, we are not really recognised as people of power ... We understand that Australia is very interested in the Pacific Islands, but we know [it is] because of national security. Pacific Islands want the big brothers and sisters of our region to listen to our concerns, hear our hurt. Climate change is a crisis in the Pacific: Tuvalu and the Marshall Islands are already drowning. Tonga, Samoa and Fiji are going the same way. Taumoepeau said it was not too late to repair the damage. We need to allow space for our stories to be heard, and for Pacific Islands concerns to be recognised by our political leaders. According to the government, Australia has reduced its emissions by 20 per cent below 2005 levels, faster than similar developed economies such as Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. However, analysis by Crawford School of Public Policy honorary associate professor Hugh Saddler, shows Australias industrial emissions have continued to rise. If the changes to historical rates of land clearing were excluded, national emissions would have in fact risen by about 7 per cent.

Dr Wesley Morgan, an expert in Pacific Island affairs from Griffith University, said Australias reputation and standing in the Pacific had been badly damaged over the past two decades due to its climate politics. We want to be the security partner of choice to the Pacific, but when Pacific leaders tell us their number one security threat is climate change, we ignore them, he said. Loading He said that the joke made by then Immigration Minister Peter Dutton in 2015 that Pacific ministers had been late to a meeting because time doesnt mean anything when youre about to have water lapping at your door typified Australian attitudes to many in the Pacific. It was offensive to Pacific leaders but they were not surprised, said Dr Morgan, who is also a researcher with the Climate Council. It confirmed a widely held view that Australia does not take the Pacifics key security concern seriously.

Dr Morgan said that Pacific leaders feel this as a personal affront. They know that China is the worlds biggest emitter, but they expect more of Australia. Australia is the biggest member of the Pacific Islands Forum, it is part of the family. But it is also vying with Indonesia to be the worlds biggest coal exporter. They want China to do more, but they want Australia to help them call for China to do more. It is personal. Dr Morgan said the concerns had been made clear to Australia for decades, with Pacific leaders at the forefront of a campaign to have climate recognised as a security threat by the United Nations Security Council. In 2013 Marshall Islands foreign minister, Tony De Brum told the UN Security Council, in whose warped world is the potential loss of a country not a threat to international peace and security?

In 2018 Pacific leaders issued a regional security declaration reaffirming climate change is the single greatest threat to the livelihoods, security and wellbeing of the peoples of the Pacific. At the time it was widely reported that Australia sought to water down the language. In 2020 Solomon Islands high commissioner to Australia told a senate hearing, Lest we forget, climate change, not COVID-19, not even China, is the biggest threat to our security. Loading When asked if Australia should be doing more on climate during a 2019 forum at Australian National University the Solomon Islands diplomat Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary, Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. When we talk about climate change it is basically a life and death situation for us. We want everyone, including Australia, to do their fair share.
The best thing for the voters of Kooyong right now would be for everyone to take a day off. Go for a walk. Read a book. Spend some time in the garden.

Kooyong, a place where the bluest of blood has long fertilised the richest of soils, has some of the loveliest gardens in Melbourne. If you can spare 30 minutes, just ask local resident Jeff Kennett about his roses. And then take some time to smell them.

Josh Frydenberg at his campaign launch. Credit:Chris Hopkins

For the first time since federation, Kooyong is up for grabs in an election, with Monique Ryan, a well-liked and well-funded independent candidate, up against Josh Frydenberg, a popular local member.

A genuine contest between two smart people to represent a smart, engaged electorate should make for good politics. Instead, the Kooyong campaign has turned rancid, as Ryan and her principal backer, Simon Holmes a Court, can almost touch an unlikely prize and Frydenberg, a potential future prime minister, can see his political career fading to black.
The Moon's enigmatic farside has stayed hidden from curious mankind for millennia. This is due to the Moon's tidal lock with Earth, which means its "nearside" is always facing our planet.

Luna 3 Was Sent To Get the Images of the Rear Side of the Moon

According to NASA, the Luna 3 spacecraft launched from Kazakhstan's Baikonur Cosmodrome on Oct. 4, 1959. Luna 3 was the third Soviet space mission to reach the Moon's vicinity, as its name suggests.

Astronomy.com said that due to the great distance and weak signal, Luna 3 initially produced just static. Then, at Soviet listening posts, a blotchy monochrome disk appeared on thermal-paper printouts. Twenty-nine photos were finally delivered to Earth, and with them came the discovery of a hitherto unknown land.

What Does the Other Side of the Moon Look Like?

Another report from NASA mentioned that despite issues with heating and communication, Luna 3 captured 29 photos of the Moon's far side with wide-angle and telephoto lenses. The images were noisy and blurry, but they provided views of a previously unseen area of the Moon.

Read More: 5 Facts About Elon Musk's SpaceX - Is It Profitable?

The spacecraft processed the film before sending the photographs back to Earth, giving humanity its first grainy views of the Moon's far side. The images revealed significantly less traces of volcanic plains on the far side, leading scientists to rethink existing views about lunar evolution.

The Moon's far side is strikingly different. The most noticeable difference in the Luna 3 images is the lack of enormous, dark oceans of cooled lava known as maria, which cover a significant portion of the Earth-facing near side. Instead, the far side is littered with impact craters of all sizes and ages.

1959 vs 2009 Pictures of the Moon

NASA held that the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida fifty years later, in June 2009. It's possible to properly replicate the panorama captured in the photos from Luna 3 using LRO's global elevation maps and photographic mosaics, both of which are of incredible quality and detail. Luna 3's camera was banked 17.5 clockwise from vertical relative to the Moon's north pole when it was directly above 12N 120E at a distance of 61,700 kilometers above the surface.

The boundary between the near and far sides of the Moon is marked by the thicker blue longitude line at 90E, which runs along the left side of the LRO image. The familiar maria Crisium (the circular point at 9 o'clock), Marginis, Smythii (both east of Crisium), Humboldtianum (in the north), Australe (near the south pole), and the eastern edge of Fecunditatis are all to the left of that line. A cluster of nameless craters at the disk's center is surrounded by King, Langemak, Gregory, and Abul Wafa craters. Because it's at the subsolar point, the luminosity is amplified. Tsiolkovskiy crater and its central peak are the black, sharp-edged shield shape in the southern hemisphere with the white dot in the middle. The crater Jules Verne is the black spot to the southeast of Tsiolkovskiy. Moscoviense is the mare in the northeast.

Related Article: #SpaceSnap: Hubble Space Telescope Captures Amazing 'Space Triangle' Created by Colliding Galaxies
Speaking from Paris, Gautrand said she visited Australia for the first time when she was 20. I was totally fascinated by your climate and the scale of the landscape compared with Europe. Everything is biggerand the inhabitants are so small compared with the landscape. Shes returned since then, including last month when she spent most of her visit in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19. But she managed to spend a day on site. She said the colours of the building  shades of red and orange that become lighter as they reach towards the sun were inspired by the colours of Australias red dirt and its native flowers. The colours of the tiles also lighten as the building reaches towards the sun. Clad in hundreds of red and orange insulated aluminium panels that work like a giant skylight system, the building is designed to have natural ventilation that sucks air through the building. The colours turned the building into a magnet in the city, Gautrand said. They stand out from blocks away, with the colours reflected on the glass facades of conventional office blocks.

Some say the buildings shape resembles Star Treks Starship Enterprise or the slope of an Olympic ski jump. But Gautrand said the building was sculpted to track the course of the sun throughout the day so its interior would always have indirect light and avoid direct sunlight. This resulted in an unexpected triangular shape, with the levels stacked like terraces. That created an amphitheatre facing the square which became a kind of stage. Western Business chief executive David Borger said the explosion in modern architecture in Parramatta followed years of neglect. Credit:James Brickwood Like the most beautiful building in Paris  the Pompidou Centre  Gautrand said Phive respected the public square outside.

The Pompidous architects Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano opted to build on half the site because they wanted to create a large plaza outside. Piano said the Pompidou was not a building but a town where you find everything  lunch, great art, a library, great music. Phives ground floor contains an urban living room giving on to the square. Bifold doors span an 18-metre opening so that events can spill onto the square. Its six floors contain Parramattas new library, its council chambers, community meeting rooms, and a cafe and restaurant. Like the Pompidou, the exterior of Phive is transparent  a nod to its role as both a community centre and council chambers. Gautrand said it was designed so the public and the politicians would cross paths. She described the relationship between the public and their elected representatives as very fragile. I think architecture has to help foster a stronger relationship.

Manuelle Gautrand often uses bright colours such as this office building in St Etienne. Credit:Manuelle Gautrand Architecture Paris. The architects had wanted to design a joyous and playful facade to contrast with the neighbouring commercial buildings such as 6 and 8 Parramatta Square, expected to become Australias largest office space. Richard Does, a director of DesignInc and the projects director, said the triangular shape meant the building met the councils demand that the dining area in the square remained sunny in winter. Does said the public would want to visit the building because it was quite striking. As for whether it resembled the Starship Enterprise, he said: I am a Trekkie. I dont see it. Borger said the explosion in modern architecture in Parramatta followed years of neglect.

He cited the new Parramatta Powerhouse by architects Moreau Kusunoki and Genton, scheduled to open in 2024, and the new public high school and primary school shaped like a horseshoe by Grimshaw and BVN. The NAB building at 3 Parramatta Square, featuring a bright red Escher-like staircase. The new NAB building at 3 Parramatta Square has a direct view of Phive. Its interior, by architects Woods Bagot, features a bright red Escher-like staircase traversing 13 floors. It was shortlisted for the NSW chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects 2022 NSW Architecture Awards. It fits neatly with its neighbour Phive, but the choice of colour was only serendipitous, Amanda Stanaway, a principal architect with Woods Bagot, said. The red staircase had become the motif of Woods Bagots collaborations with NAB across Australia.

The Gathering Place, which has also been dubbed the banksia pod because of its shape, next to the historic Leigh Memorial Church. Credit:Durbach Block Jaggers Stanaway said Phive was bold, and thought-provoking. It is always good when something is not what someone expected. In the same way as the Pompidou, it will create conversation, she said. She said she hoped Phive and the other new architect-designed buildings being erected would elevate the quality and ideology of the architecture in Parramatta. It should not replicate the CBD in my mind, she said. Award-winning architects Durbach Block Jaggers are also working on a banksia-inspired meeting place next to one of Sydneys oldest churches and on the site of a traditional Indigenous meeting spot. Last year, the architects won a design competition held by the Uniting Churchs Parramatta Mission, in conjunction with the City of Parramatta Council, for a new building on the site next to the historic Leigh Memorial Church.
Business leaders brought in by the Morrison government to advise on Australias new nation brand were outraged when their chosen logo was mocked, publicly likened to a coronavirus, and led to calls for the return of the iconic kangaroo.

Before the pandemic, the high-flying nation brand advisory council, backed by $10 million in funding, researchers and consultants, was asked to come up with a new logo to help sell Australia overseas.

Members of the Nation Brand Advisory Council and the wattle brand (left) replaced by the kangaroo brand (right).

There were concerns about negative perceptions of Australias culture and intellect, as well as doubts about safety. To compete for trade and tourism dollars, the government wanted the business leaders to help rebrand the nation.

The council  chaired by Andrew Forrest, and including Qantas chief Alan Joyce and Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes  convinced the government to embrace a golden wattle design, described as an optimistic burst of gold positivity.
Brendon Berichon in custody after being captured in Darwin. Credit:Jason South

Darwin police believe they are close to catching the man wanted for shooting two Victorian police last month after the weekend capture of Australias most wanted criminal, Brendan James Abbott.

Exits from Darwin were sealed last night as the hunt intensified for a man who shot two Victorian police.

First published in The Age on May 4, 1998

Police have received several unconfirmed sightings of Abbotts partner, 20-year-old Brendon Berichon, and his travelling companion, a Thai woman known as Michelle.

We consider it is a matter of time and it is a matter of being patient, acting Commander Gary Manison said last night.

Berichons mother, Julie, yesterday called on her son to give himself up. He has weapons and Im afraid that he may just lose control and do something, she said.

Commander Manison said Berichon was an armed drug user with a history of erratic behaviour.

Victorian police say Berichon shot and wounded two transit police near Box Hill station on 20 April before abducting a woman and forcing her to drive to Carlton.
The state budget is forecast to edge its way back to a $650 million surplus within four years, with the Andrews government banking on a booming economy as it gears up to fight the November election.

In an upbeat assessment, Tuesdays budget will predict economic growth of 5.5 per cent this financial year and 3.25 per cent growth next financial year, 2.25 per cent in 2023-24 and 2.75 per cent in both 2024-25 and 2025-26.

Treasurer Tim Pallas peruses the budget papers that will be released on Tuesday. Credit:Justin McManus

The government is increasingly confident that two years of economic pain linked to the pandemic have now largely washed through. By June 30, the state economy is expected to be 8.7 per cent larger than it was in 2018-19, the last full year before the pandemic hit.

This optimistic prognosis is being relied on by Labor to carry the budget back into surplus, allowing the government to eventually start winding back borrowing. Further initiatives to stabilise debt are to be announced.
In his sermon to 1500 worshippers to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan on Monday morning, Imam Alaa Elzokm stressed the importance of fostering relations between Muslims and their non-Muslim brothers and sisters.

In the afternoon, he practised what hed preached.

Adnan Hanna, on rear couch at right, visits his neighbour, Imam Alaa Elzokm (front, in check shirt) and his family for an Eid al-Fitr meal in Roxburgh Park on Monday. Credit:Justin McManus

Imam Elzokm and his wife Rheme El-Hussein celebrated the Islamic religious holiday of Eid al-Fitr with a meal not just with their own family, but with a Christian friend from next door.

At the start of Ramadan early last month, Adnan Hanna, an Assyrian Orthodox Christian from Iraq, had visited the Elzokm family with a box of dates to break the daily fast at night, and wished them Ramadan Mubarak (a blessed Ramadan).
Labor leader Anthony Albanese will negotiate with state premiers on their call for about $20.5 billion in funding for public hospitals if he forms government at the May 21 election but has stopped short of promising the money.

Albanese pointed to the growing Commonwealth debt, which is approaching $1 trillion, to explain why he would not commit the additional spending ahead of the election when Labor and Liberal premiers have united on the funding call.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he was not going to promise something he could not deliver in government. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk voiced her support for the increased funding at a press conference in Brisbane on Monday, where she stood alongside Albanese before they joined union members and others on a Labour Day march to the citys showgrounds.

Under the current hospital funding arrangement, the federal government pays 45 per cent of the growth in costs, with a 6.5 per cent annual cap. Whichever party wins the election will have to negotiate a new agreement to begin in 2025, with states and territories pushing for the Commonwealth share to be raised to 50 per cent and the growth cap to be abolished.
Both major parties have promised to lower PBS medicine costs for middle-income earners. But about a third of Australians pay an out-of-pocket fee when they visit their GP, with a 15-minute consultation on average costing $41.12 after the Medicare rebate of $38.75, according to Health Department data. Neither party has agreed to lift Medicare rebates, as demanded by doctors. Nor have they promised to increase hospital funding, as the states push for an estimated $20.5 billion over four years to tackle ambulance ramping and expanded elective surgery waitlists.

Albanese on Monday promised to negotiate with premiers on hospital funding while cautioning that Labor would be mindful of the budget implications. Loading Questioning the future of universal healthcare under the Coalition was a tactic employed by Labor in the 2016 election campaign after reports emerged the Turnbull government was considering privatising the Medicare payments system. The Coalition had also made itself vulnerable on the issue in 2014 when then-prime minister Tony Abbott unsuccessfully tried to impose a $7 co-payment for visiting the doctor. Liberal frontbencher Anne Ruston, chosen last month to replace retiring Health Minister Greg Hunt, has been forced to defend 2014 comments on Abbotts co-payment plan, that Medicare was not sustainable and unfortunately, the credit card is maxed out. After initially declining to rule out future cuts after being announced as the Coalitions pick, Ruston said: Our government has been absolutely clear that we are not cutting Medicare.

For his part, Morrison points to the fact that, as treasurer in 2017, he introduced the Medicare Guarantee Bill, although the bill didnt guarantee the existence of Medicare itself, but ring-fenced tax receipts earmarked for spending on health. Australian Medical Association president Dr Omar Khorshid said neither major party stood out as stronger on health at this election, adding if Labor want to be taken seriously about Medicare, theyve got to actually be proposing some policies different to the Coalition. Both parties want to lower taxes. Neither party wants to be the better party on health, Khorshid said. The policies being announced by both sides were those that make a good headline but did not cost much and would only benefit a small number of voters.

Political parties should be outlining how they will fix our hospital system should they win government, he said. Instead, there has been a series of smaller promises by both sides. In a move aimed at addressing middle Australians cost-of-living concerns, Morrison last month promised to reduce the maximum cost of drugs listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme by $10 to $32.50. Albanese used Labors campaign launch on Sunday to pledge a slightly larger reduction of $12.50, lowering the maximum Australians would pay for PBS medicines to $30.

Morrison followed on Monday with a pledge to expand access to the seniors health card to give older Australians cheaper medicines and healthcare even if their income is more than $90,000 a year for singles or $144,000 for couples, with Labor matching the promise. Loading Hunt has trumpeted the governments record on subsidising drugs through the PBS, approving more than 2900 new and amended listings to the tune of $16.5 billion since winning government in 2013. Labor delayed listing several medications on the PBS in its 2011 budget after they were approved by the independent Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee but has since committed to following PBACs recommendations. The March federal budget included $525.3 million over four years to reduce the PBS safety net threshold, lowering the number of scripts people need to pay for before the safety net kicks in, which is expected to save 2.4 million people an average of $80 a year.

While Morrison is correct that the proportion of GP services that are bulk-billed has risen while the Coalition has been in government, the statistics paint a more complicated picture. The Health Departments annual Medicare report shows 89 per cent of GP services were bulk-billed in 2020-21. When Labor was last in government, it was 82 per cent. Political parties should be outlining how they will fix our hospital system, should they win government. AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid Much of the growth comes down to the tendency of GPs to bulk-bill chronically ill patients  a growing cohort that includes the elderly  who are often on low incomes, along with a temporary bulk-billing boost from COVID-19 telehealth. This is counterbalanced by GPs charging gap fees to patients they believe can afford to pay. According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, only 22 per cent of GPs work at a practice that bulk-bills all patients, while 64 per cent of GPs reported bulk-billing most patients. This is roughly in line with Health Department data tabled in the Senate showing 66 per cent of patients had all GP consultations bulk-billed in 2018-19.

Only 35 per cent of specialist attendances were bulk-billed in 2020-21 and a Grattan Institute analysis shows out-of-pocket payments for all Medicare-subsidised services increased by 50 per cent over the past decade. Loading Medicare rebates, which rise in line with the wage price index, were frozen by Labor in 2013 under a policy continued by the Coalition until 2017 when the freeze was progressively eased. Doctors say the rebates need a substantial hike to keep up with the rising cost of delivering healthcare. Labors health spokesman, Mark Butler, says cutting Medicare is in the Liberals DNA and that the Opposition would have more to say on our plans to protect and strengthen Medicare during the campaign.
A new bridge out of the flood-locked Bellbowrie-Moggill region is being proposed by Labor and Green candidates as the battle for Brisbanes blue-ribbon Ryan electorate intensifies.

Both challengers say the February 2022 floods  where homes were blocked off for five days  have rammed home to voters the areas vulnerability to future floods.

The region has no bridge access, one road in (Moggill Road) and has day ferry access only to the suburb of Riverview.

Floodwater inundates parts of the Ryan electorate in western Brisbane, yet incumbents refuse to consider a cross-river bridge to improve access. Credit:Facebook

Several Facebook groups are calling for a new bridge, and the local community newspaper plans to hold a forum after the election.
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

The Sunshine Coast has experienced incredible property market growth which is reflected in its record low rental vacancy rate of 0.5%, says a local broker.

Gordon MacVicar (pictured) runs the Mortgage Choice Peregian Beach brokerage and said there was high demand from interstate buyers who had snapped up available properties in the region.

The vacancy rate on the Sunshine Coast was 2.4% in March 2020, and with migration over the last two years, we are now sitting at 0.5%. There is a supply shortage of property, but not a supply shortage of people wanting to move here, MacVicar said.

Read more: Brisbane property prices rise 33%

The major trend the broker noticed was locals capitalising on the increased equity in their properties.

We have gone from being heavily weighted to purchasers running around 70% of our settlement figures, to Marchs figures of 65% of our settlements being refinancers, he said.

The top three areas people are spending their equity on around the home are their kitchens, adding swimming pools, and air-conditioners. You cant get anyone to install a swimming pool this side of Christmas  everyone is booked out.

MacVicar said due to the low stock levels and people being priced out of the local market, the rental market has been negatively impacted.

People are either selling their investment properties or moving into them. As a result, the rental market has shrunk considerably, and renters are being pushed further out as rental prices skyrocket.

Read more: Is mortgage lending competitive in Australia?

MacVicar said the investor clients he worked with were looking in the $500,000 to $700,000 price bracket  a popular price point with limited stock available.

Lot of investors want to invest locally but are struggling to find anything, he said.

Our investor clients are now looking at outer Brisbane areas which is a bonus for Brisbane as infrastructure is coming the city with the upcoming Olympic Games.

MacVicar said the biggest challenge he was facing was the high volume of 100% clawbacks.

Its a sellers market right now where they can sell quickly and make a strong profit but as brokers we are not experiencing any of the clawback, he said.

Clients shouldnt have to think about how much their mortgage broker gets paid.

The broker said the local market had transitioned from being a ridiculous market to a strong market.

I think its better for everyone because properties were getting listed and gone the same day and locals were unable to get a look in. I am glad to see local buyers have the opportunity to get back into the market and heres hoping for a more sustainable market moving forward.
Actor Benedict Cumberbatch waves to Korean reporters during an online press conference for the film, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," Monday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Korea





By Kwak Yeon-soo







Actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who is returning with Marvel's "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," said the evolution of his character has been interesting  going from a neurosurgeon with egotistical pride to a selfless hero acting for the greater good.







On reprising his role as Dr. Stephen Strange in six years, the actor said the sorcerer has been pretty busy shooting six films to date, including "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017) "Avengers: Infinity War" (2018), "Avengers: Endgame," (2019) and "Spiderman: No Way Home" (2021).







"Just before 'Spider-Man,' Doctor Strange was omnipotent. He sees human flaws in 'Spider-Man,' but still is insistent to be the one in control. My task was to adjust the balance in him, and exhibit different variation of my character," Cumberbatch said in a press conference for the film, held via Zoom for reporters here, Monday.







In the Marvel Cinematic Universe's (MCU) latest film, Dr. Strange dives back into the multiverse and unleashes more threats than he can handle, including what appears to be an evil version of himself.







"This is the next chapter of MCU. We've done films in the multiverse and my character is sort of a gateway into that. To play different versions of myself was a wonderful challenge," he said.







"The actual Dr. Strange we already know has multiple layers to his personality. The multiverse sort of explores that idea around where we can understand many other versions to do with different choices and their resulting consequences."







A scene from the film, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" / Courtesy of Walt Disney Korea





Cumberbatch lauded horror-centric director Sam Raimi, adding that he created the perfect combination of horror genre and superhero genre. Raimi is well known for creating the Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007) as well as the "Evil Dead" franchise.







"The pitch for the idea of this film was to be a horror film as much as a Marvel film can be. It's definitely the darkest and scariest so far," he said.







"He is incredibly amenable, funny and a great first audience you have as an actor to laugh or to engage with your work. He always has a very keen eye, which is very important in this phase of the MCU. He's very keen on holding onto story and character and making things clear to an audience," Cumberbatch added.







The actor also teased about the newcomer in "Doctor Strange" franchise who is Xochitl Gomez's America Chavez.







"Xochitl is brilliant, lovely and enthusiastic. She has all the requisite energy to fill the character. Her character is important because she represents LGBTQ+, Latin American, which is another mark for Marvel's inclusivity and diversity," he said.







"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" will hit local theaters on May 4.






E-commerce giant has stopped seven days of paid time off (PTO) for frontline who contracted Covid-19.

Starting from Monday, will offer up to five days of "unpaid, excused leave", reports CNBC.

initially offered 14 days of paid time off to Covid-infected workers at the start of the pandemic.

In a fresh notice, Amazon said that the workers with "confirmed" Covid-19 cases can submit a request for paid time off per its "standard sick leave policy", regardless of vaccination status.

"Amazon will also stop giving workers excused time off when waiting for their COVID-19 test results, citing the wide availability of rapid tests," the report noted, citing the notice.

Amazon is also discontinuing its vaccine incentive programme that paid workers $40 for every jab they received.

The company will also no longer notify entire workplaces of positive Covid-19 cases "unless required by law".

"The sustained easing of the pandemic, ongoing availability of Covid-19 vaccines and treatments, and updated guidance from public health authorities, all signal we can continue to safely adjust to our pre-Covid policies," according to the company.

The decision may invite a backlash from pro-union workers fighting for better working conditions and improved benefits at its facilities.

--IANS

na/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.)
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San Francisco-based Rise Capital on Monday has announced its entry into the Indian startup ecosystem, with the appointment of Anuj Mehta as its India investment head to increase its activity gradually as it starts deploying capital.

Rise Capital, which is known for investing in such as Latin America, Mediterranean and Northern Africa, South East Asia, and Africa, will be investing in India through its global fund III. The company has already invested in two Indian startups, TradeX and SaveIn, both in the fintech space.

We are quite bullish on the Indian venture space and remain committed as we are a long term player. Our ability to spot high potential startups as demonstrated in other emerging regions gives us the confidence to deploy a significant part of our global fund in India," said Nazar Yasin, Managing Partner, Rise Capital.

Even though India has already become the third largest startup ecosystem globally, Rise Capital in a statement believes that India's growth story is still in its early innings and has the potential to experience significant further growth in the coming years. The VC fund said that tech startups in India will create well over $1 trillion in market capitalisation by 2030.

"We will continue to focus on a digital disruption thesis, which we believe is still quite early across most sectors in India," Yasin added.

As Rise Capital continues to build its operations in India, it will be looking to invest in early stage startups and will back the potential winners in the follow on rounds, the company said.

We bring unique value to our portfolio because all of our partners are former operators who have helped build $1 billion+ tech across emerging economies," he added, saying the fund is confident of replicating its success from other emerging markets in India as well.
Korean electronics major expects to increase its market share to 40 per cent in value terms in the premium mobile segment in the first half of 2022 in India on the growing demand for 5G smartphones, a senior company official said on Monday.

India senior vice-president Raju Pullan told PTI that led the Indian smartphone market in March 2022, capturing 22 per cent shipment volume and 27 per cent revenue share.

"Our smartphone business has seen some very robust growth year-on-year in quarter one on the back of extremely strong demand for the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy A series sales in India.

"The strong growth has helped us consolidate our overall market leadership in India. We exited the first quarter on a very strong note. For H1 (first six months), we have got a clear objective of consolidating our premium leadership to 40 per cent market share," Pullan said.

The company had a market share of 23 per cent in value terms in the premium segment (priced above Rs 30,000 per cent unit) at the end of the same period a year ago.

"We are going to launch more colours in the S22 series based on customer demands and feedback. In the next couple of days we will launch rose pink," Pullan said.

Launched in mid-March, the S22 series priced in the range of Rs 72,999 to Rs 1,18,999 attracted 1.5 lakh pre-booking orders.

Pullan said that Galaxy A series also received strong demand in India.

"We will overall consolidate leadership in the mid to high segment. We will grow our market share from the current 25 per cent to 40 per cent in H1. In fact March has been one of the best from a performance perspective for Samsung in the last 15 months," he said.

Pullan said that the company expects consumer demand for future-ready products is adding to the sales of 5G smartphones.

"We remain the top 5G selling brand in India for the second consecutive quarter. It will further enhance the overall 5G portfolio as we see strong adoption of 5G products in India. People want future-ready products," he said.

The company sees Samsung Finance Plus to push penetration of its 5G devices in tier 2-3 markets.

"Samsung Finance Plus will play an extremely important role in our growth. It processes about 3 lakh transactions per month worth about Rs 500 crore of which half of the consumers are new to credit," Pullan 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.)
Leading maker Ltd on Monday announced that it has entered into a partnership to set up a joint venture with Highly International (Hong Kong) Ltd to manufacture compressors in India.

The Tata group firm has executed the joint venture agreement on April 30, 2022 with Highly International (Hong Kong), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Highly (Group) Company, "to engage in the business of design, development, manufacture, marketing, sale and service of inverter compressors" for room AC, motors for inverter compressors and their associated parts, said in a regulatory filing.

The agreement also includes sourcing of raw materials and components required for manufacturing these products, it added.

However, this would be subject to "fulfilment of certain conditions", which includes obtaining necessary approvals, including PN3 (Press Note 3) approval, said .

Through PN3, the government had made its prior approval mandatory for foreign investments from countries that share a land border with India in order to curb opportunistic takeovers of domestic firms following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Countries that share land borders with India are China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar and Afghanistan. As per that decision, FDI proposals from these countries need government approval for investments in India in any sector.

In the JV, Highly International (Hong Kong) will have 60 per cent shareholding while the rest is to be owned by Voltas.

The proposed JV will have an equity capital of Rs 250 crore to be contributed in tranches by the partners.

For the financial year ended on March 31, 2021, Voltas had a revenue of Rs 6,251.65 crore.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Zepto, which was launched 9 months back by two 19-year-old Stanford dropouts, has raised $200 million Series D fundraise, valuing the quick commerce company at around $900 million. With the capital, Zepto plans to expand 10-minute grocery delivery nationwide and continue growing sustainably.

Y Combinator Continuity doubled down and led quick commerce Zeptos Series D, with new investor - Kaiser Permanente - joining in to back the company as well. All key existing investors, including Nexus Venture Partners, Glade Brook Capital, and Lachy Groom, have also increased their investments, marking another vote of confidence in the companys trajectory.

The capital would also help Zepto compete with players such as Dunzo, Swiggy, Zomato, Amazon and Flipkart, which are also betting big on the rapidly-growing market in the country.

The core of what we're doing is delivering groceries in 10 minutes, said Zepto co-founder and CEO Aadit Palicha in an interview. The way we do that is through a network of highly optimized delivery centers.We have scaled to millions of customers across the country. Today, we're doing hundreds of thousands of orders a day. We have achieved a scale that took food delivery players years to achieve and we did that in a few months.The business continues to grow at very fast pace.

Palicha said Zepto posted 800 per cent Q-o-Q (quarter-over-quarter) revenue growth, while burn has come down 5X on a per-order basis. He said the firm maintained a phenomenal 88-Point NPS (net promoter score) and 60 per cent Month-1 Buyer Retention at scale.

This unbelievable execution over the past few months has made it clear to investors that Zepto will be one of the winners in Indian Q-Commerce, said Palicha.

The company has raised a total of $360 million from marquee investors in Silicon Valley and India. The firm said it has also built an all-star bench of executive talent and grown the team to over 1,000 people in a few months. The funding would help it to continue to hire across all functions, including engineering, analytics, operations, marketing, finance, and HR.

Zepto said what it differentiates it is its ability to consistently deliver over 3,000 products in 10 minutes. The mission is to make 10-minute delivery the new normal.

Zepto is also piloting a service to deliver Coffee, Chai, and other Cafe items in 10 minutes across select areas in Mumbai. The firm said the new category - termed Zepto Cafe - is being received quite well by early customers and if the pilot continues to go well, Zepto plans to scale this service across India soon.

Our rigorous focus on unit economics is the main reason why weve had such an amazing trajectory as a company, said Kaivalya Vohra, co-founder and CTO, Zepto. Weve turned micro-markets profitable and brought down burn significantly while growing to a scale of hundreds of thousands of orders per day.

With the rise in coronavirus cases, top e-commerce including Amazon, Meesho, udaan, Dunzo, and DealShare have been scaling up their operations to reach customers as the demand for their services increase. The pandemic has accelerated the shift to e-commerce, and more consumers are expected to shop online at a higher frequency this year than last year, according to analysts.

We probably want to get to a point of pan-India scale in a very short period of time in the next few quarters, said Palicha of Zepto. We went from one small pilot in Bandra in August (last year) to pan-India presence. We are live across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune and Kolkata. A lot of this (new) capital will be used for expanding our geographical presence as quickly as possible across all the major cities in the country, where there are dense customer opportunities.

At present Zeptos model expects majority of the opportunities in top 30 cities which are dense locations. These include not just metros but also places such as Chandigarh, Kanpur and Ahmedabad.

As per research firm RedSeer Consultings estimates, more than 50 per cent of the $570 billion grocery retail space in India is addressable by e-grocery platforms. Investors are pouring millions of dollars into startups and tapping this space.

Early this year, Dunzo, the Google-backed quick commerce player, raised $240 million in a round of funding led by Reliance Retail Ventures Limited. Dunzo is using the capital to further its vision to be the largest quick commerce business in the country, enabling instant delivery of essentials from a network of micro warehouses while also expanding its B2B (business-to-business) vertical to enable logistics for local merchants in the Indian cities. Dunzo, recently launched Dunzo Daily, its instant grocery delivery service in Mumbai. Dunzo Daily is already operational in Bengaluru, Pune and Chennai and had plans to launch in Delhi-NCR and Hyderabad. The Dunzo Daily model delivers daily and weekly essentials within 15-20 minutes, with a focus on providing high-quality fruits and vegetables.

E-commerce giant Amazon also continues to make progress with its single grocery store called Fresh. It has now expanded to more than 20 cities where the firm said it offers customers very high-quality fruits and vegetables, a large supermarket grocery selection available in two hours from morning 6 am to midnight. It has plans to scale it up further. In the remaining 250 odd cities, the firm said it offers ambient grocery such as atta, dal and chaval at very competitive prices.
The State Bank of India on Monday told the Gujarat that it has issued a no-dues certificate to a borrower in a land sale matter, which was withheld over non-payment of an outstanding amount of just 31 paise.

Last week, the HC had pulled up the country's largest public sector lender for not issuing a no-dues certificate, observing this was nothing but harassment.

On Monday, the bank, in an affidavit filed before the court of Justice Bhargav Karia, said it has issued the no-dues certificate on April 28 to the borrower, required for clearing the land deal.

Justice Karia said in his order that with the issuance of the no-dues certificate, the petitioner has sought permission to withdraw the plea.

The SBI said it could not issue the no-dues certificate earlier in view of a letter received from the original borrower directing it not to do so.

"It was not the endeavour of the respondent bank to not issue no-dues certificate in spite of payment of the entire dues," the SBI told the court.

The court had last Wednesday pulled up the bank for not issuing no-dues certificate over an outstanding amount of just 31 paise.

Petitioners Rakesh Verma and Manoj Verma 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 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 charge on the land parcel.

Though the farmer later repaid the entire amount to the bank, the SBI did not issue a no-dues certificate, following which the new owners moved the two years ago.

During the hearing last week, when Justice Karia had asked the bank to submit the no-dues certificate in 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.

(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 cash-starved government is struggling to organise means to fight red sanders smuggling, but, is seeking to make a fast buck by disposing off the already seized logs of the prized timber.

Red sanders is endemic to the forests in Kadapa and Chittoor districts in the Rayalaseema region of . The timber is a premium product with "tremendous export potential" but its smuggling is too rampant, mainly to countries like China.

The recent blockbuster 'Pushpa' laid bare the red sanders smuggling mafia and the high stakes involved in it.

The Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force constituted by the state government is short-staffed, with less than half the sanctioned strength currently on rolls.

A seven-year Red Sanders Protection Scheme, from 2019-20 to 2025-26, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 485.23 crore was drawn up but in the first three years only a measly sum of Rs 11.171 crore has actually been spent.

Though Rs 50 crore was allotted in the first year (2019-20), not a rupee could actually be utilised as the "authorisation came late." The next year, a sum of Rs 112.98 crore was sought but only Rs 10 crore was allotted, of which only Rs 4.45 crore could be spent.

In the last financial year, Rs 15 crore was allotted against the requested Rs 50 crore but the expenditure incurred was only Rs 6.72 crore.

"We require money to provide amenities at the base camps and pay remuneration to protection watchers. Improving the wireless communication network, constructing living quarters for staff, setting up a Dog Squad are some of the other important works proposed but dearth of funds is hampering the implementation of the Red Sanders Protection Scheme," a top official of the Forest Department told PTI.

The latest status report on red sanders prepared by the AP Forest Department pointed out that even basic infrastructure is not available for the force that is expected to protect a precious timber that has fetched close to Rs 2,000 crore to the state government so far (only through sale of the seized stuff).

"There is no sufficient building to accommodate the officers, the allotted vehicles became old and required more repairs, there is no sufficient furniture, while a medical officer is urgently required to look after the health of the force," the report said.

The state government sanctioned 463 personnel for the Red Sanders Anti-Smuggling Task Force, from police and forest departments, but currently only 228 posts are filled, leaving another 235 vacant.

In fact, the Task Force that previously used to be headed by a Deputy Inspector General of Police-rank officer, has now been virtually disbanded, with the job of controlling red sanders smuggling entrusted to the Special Enforcement Bureau, which also is tasked with curbing illicit liquor, illegal sand mining, gambling and other things.

"This has watered down the very objective of setting up an exclusive Task Force for red sanders. Now there is no focused approach to curb the rampant smuggling activities," the Forest official pointed out.

In the last 20 years, 14,882.95 tonnes of red sanders wood was seized from smugglers, mainly in the Rayalaseema region of the state.

Since 2015-16, a total of 1,852 cases were booked against the smugglers and 1,048 non-bailable arrest warrants were issued. But the Task Force could so far serve only 484 warrants on the offenders.

Of the pending 564 warrants, 436 were on alleged smugglers from Tamil Nadu, 123 from AP and five from Karnataka, according to the report.

Lack of local police support in other states, objection from villagers, lack of permission to enter other states, fake addresses of the accused and also death of some were cited as the reasons for non-execution of the non-bailable warrants.

The state government is now seeking to dispose of over 5,376 tonnes of seized red sanders through an online global auction to earn about Rs 1,500 crore.

"We hope at least 30 per cent of the sale proceeds will be ploughed back for the Red Sanders Protection Scheme so that we can effectively step up the anti-smuggling activities," the Forest official said.

The state is now awaiting a call from the Centre to take up the auction.

(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.)
Korea Development Bank (KDB) Chairman Lee Dong-gull speaks during a press conference at KDB headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, January. A loyalist of outgoing President Moon Jae-in, he tendered his resignation last week, in the lead-up to the incoming Yoon Suk-yeol administration on May 10. Yonhap





By Yi Whan-woo







Who will be the next chief of Financial Services Commission (FSC) is drawing keen attention, with the incoming Yoon Suk-yeol administration still undecided on a possible nominee in the lead-up to its inauguration next Tuesday.







Korea Development Bank (KDB) is also drawing attention over who will fill its top post, after Chairman Lee Dong-gull tendered his resignation last week. His term was to end in September 2023.







A loyalist of outgoing President Moon Jae-in, Lee was believed to be fingered by the presidential transition committee as a figure to be displaced right away over politically motivated disputes concerning the state-run bank, such as its relocation from Seoul to Busan and the CEO appointment at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DMSE) at which the bank stands as the main creditor.







Political and financial sources speculated Monday that transition committee chairman Ahn Cheol-soo may be given the right to pick the nominee to chair the FSC.







The sources noted that Ahn, although his merging of candidacies was critical for Yoon's presidential election victory, has rarely had a chance to pick the nominees for ministers and presidential secretaries for the incoming government.







In that regard, Shin Sung-hwan is being touted as a potential candidate for the FSC chairman.







A member of the transition committee's first economic subcommittee tasked with the macroeconomic and financial agendas, Shin is considered Ahn's aide.







Some sources said the top FSC post will be taken by Yoon's aide, considering that a FSC chairman is required to have a grip on the financial market and that close relations with the president help fulfill such a job.







Among the possible nominees is Rep. Yun Chang-hyun of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP), who was in charge of economic policy for Yoon's election campaign team.







Concerning KDB, Chairman Lee appeared to be under growing pressure after he explicitly opposed Yoon's pledge to move the Seoul-headquartered bank to Busan in the name of balanced regional development.







The dispute over the new DSME CEO was extended from rows between the outgoing and incoming administrations in nominating the chiefs of government-affiliated organizations.







Under the circumstances, Lee said he decided to quit because he believes a KDB chief should share an economic philosophy with the government they serve but he does not see eye to eye with the incoming Yoon administration.







"The reason for me tendering my resignation is therefore fairly simple, rather than being politically motivated and complicated," he said during a press conference, Monday.







The chairman, however, expressed regrets over the controversy involving the KDB chairmanship that comes every five years during the transition of government.







"Such controversy is not constructive at all," he said.


The once again hit out at chairperson and asked the 'self-appointed custodians of morality' to speak up against the school's diktat asking students to carry Bibles.

The used the signing of MoU for setting up the largest fabrication unit in to hit out at Shaw.

department of Industries and Commerce said that the state will soon be home to India's first and largest fabrication unit. " will soon be home to India's first and largest fabrication unit! The #Indian #Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ISMC has announced an #investment of Rs. 22,900 crores ($3 billion) - a proud moment for the state," 'Invest In Karnataka' state department of Industries and Commerce tweeted on Sunday.

Late Sunday evening, quoting 'Invest in Karnataka', in-charge of BJP's information and technology department, Amit Malviya Asaid, "Nation 3 billion dollars is massive. Lot more than what Kiran Mazumdar and her ilk, who were lecturing the Govt in Karnataka, can count to. Incidentally, did any of these self appointed custodians of morality speak up against Clarence school's diktat asking students to carry Bible?"

Amid the call of boycotting Muslim traders in Karnataka by some group on March 30, Shaw tweeted, "Karnataka has always forged inclusive economic development and we must not allow such communal exclusion- If ITBT became communal it would destroy our global leadership. A@BSBommai please resolve this growing religious divide."

Malviya then hit back at chairperson and said, "It is unfortunate to see people like Kiran Shaw impose their personal, politically coloured opinion, and conflate it with India's leadership in the ITBT sector. Rahul Bajaj once said something similar for Gujarat, it is today a leading automobile manufacturing hub. Go figure."

--IANS

ssb/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will chair a three-day Health Summit being hosted at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Kevadia from May 5-7.

During the three days meeting, which will be attended by the Health Ministers of all states and Union Territories, there will be a detailed discussion on India's fight against COVID and the Centre's initiative --Heal by India and Heal in India -- which has been a major focus of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government.

Sources aware of the development told ANI that there has been an overall study of how certain states were able to keep the Covid numbers in check and also how they managed to boost the vaccination drive.

"The whole purpose (of the meeting) is to share these best practices with other states, which will be the topmost priority," sources said.

Sources said that a three-minute presentation will be made by each state and UT on their experiences in dealing with the pandemic, followed by a brief speech by the various Health Ministers.

Another key focus area will be to encourage states to boost Health Infrastructure since the budget assigned to various states and UTs is often seen to be under-utilised.

'Heal by India', a campaign recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would also be key on the agenda for the three-day summit to focus on bringing investment in the health infrastructure.

PM Modi, when in on April 20, at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, spoke about the same at the Ayush investment Summit about the huge potential for traditional medicines and wellness products. The Summit was also attended by World Health Organization (WHO) Director Dr Tedros and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.

In order to boost "Ayush", the Centre has also announced that they will be issuing a separate category of visas for those who want to travel to India for medical reasons and would want to avail of AAYUSH facilities.

"The possibilities of investment and innovation in AYUSH are limitless as India has witnessed unprecedented growth in the production of AYUSH medicines, supplements and cosmetics," the Prime Minister had said in his speech at the Summit.

The choice of venue for the summit is also interesting as is heading for Assembly elections in the next few months and Mansukh Mandaviya hails from 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.)
Days after the developed world sought to belittle India for continued oil imports from Russia, COP26 president Alok Sharma's endorsement of a letter by UK's Secretary, Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy on Sunday came under severe criticism from all quarters for encouraging going against his role of head of the climate negotiations conference.

Sharma has been the COP president since the last climate change conference was held at Glasgow (COP26) in UK in November 2021. Sharma is known for his almost theatrical gestures of weeping when the CO26 concluded with words "phasing down coal" on India's insistence rather than "phasing out".

COP negotiations are held annually to decide collective actions to reduce emissions so as to restrict global temperature rise to less than 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era.

"Investment by companies in 'new clean energy technology'.... And we need a proper accelerated plan to make this happen. The future of energy has to be clean and green (sic)," Sharma had quote tweeted a tweet by his country's Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng.

Kwarteng's tweet had said: "The North Sea is vital to our energy security, so I will launch another licensing round later this year. In return, I want companies to reinvest their profits into the UK, so we all feel the benefit -- jobs, growth, new clean energy technology. I think that's fair along with the image of an appeal 'Accelerating investment to protect Britain's energy security."

T. Jayaraman, Senior Fellow, Climate Change, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, tweeted: "Shocking tweet by the President of #COP26. Were his dramatics at the closing plenary in Glasgow for real? Here he is, tweeting support to immediate expansion of UK . What "new clean energy technology" is he talking about? (sic)."

In fact, the COP President endorsing that appeal/letter that said: "I want to also be clear that we will not bend to the will of activists who naively want us to extinguish production in the UK Continental Shelf has drawn widespread criticism from some influential western personalities too.

Tejal Kanitkar, Associate Professor at National Institute of Advance Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru tweeted: "#COP26 President tweets support for oil and gas for the UK, for 'decades to come'. Seems like we now have an unequal atmosphere as well. One that can discriminate between CO2 molecules from oil, gas, and ...or based on which part of the world they emerge from perhaps?"

--IANS

niv/pgh

(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 Monday reported 16 COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 12,24,374, while the death toll remained unchanged at 10,943, a state health department official said.

So far, 12,13,320 persons have been discharged post recovery, including 27 during the day, leaving the state with 111 active cases, he added.

Ahmedabad led with five cases, followed by four in Rajkot, three in Vadodara, two in Valsad and one each in Gandhinagar and Panchmahal, the official said.

A government release said 61,379 people were given COVID-19 vaccine jabs, taking the total number of doses administered in to 10.79 crore.

The adjoining Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu continued to be coronavirus-free, a local official said.

Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 12,24,374, new cases 16, death toll 10,943, discharged 12,13,320, active cases 111, people tested so far - figures not released.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Mumbai on Monday reported 56 COVID-19 cases, which took the tally to 10,59,970, while the death toll remained unchanged at 19,563, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official said.

The addition to the tally dipped below the 90-mark after six days, with the figure being 92 on Sunday and a high of 112 last week, he pointed out.

However, he also said only 4,243 tests were carried out in the last 24 hours against 7,856 over the previous 24-hour period.

The recovery rate increased by 45 to touch 10,39,768, leaving the city with an active caseload of 562, he said.

BMC data showed the overall number of tests carried out in the metropolis was 1,69,06,861, while the positivity rate was 0.013 per cent and the recovery rate stood at 98 per cent.

It also showed that 53 of the 56 new cases were asymptomatic and the three persons admitted in hospital did not need oxygen support.

Only 19 of the 26,039 hospital beds earmarked for COVID-19 treatment are currently occupied.

The caseload doubling time was 7.989 days and the overall growth rate of cases between April 25 and May 1 was 0.008 per cent, as per civic data.

There are no sealed buildings or containment zones in Mumbai for a long time now, the BMC official added.

Mumbai had seen a record 20,971 cases on January 7, while the maximum number of deaths in a day, at 90, was witnessed on May 1 last 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.)
Chief Minister Singh Dhami on Monday said that the doors of "Yamunotri Dham" dedicated to Goddess will open on May 3.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "May 03, the doors of "Yamunotri Dham" dedicated to Goddess will open on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. I wish all of you devotees a devotional, smooth and pleasant Chardham Yatra. #ChardhamYatra2022"

Notably, Yamunotri is a part of Char Dham (along with Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath), the four most revered Hindu pilgrimages in the Himalayas.

Yamunotri Dham attracts thousands of devotees every year and is the commencing point of the pilgrimage, which proceeds from Yamunotri to Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath. This temple is dedicated to Yamuna, the second-most sacred river after the Ganga, as per Hindu beliefs.

(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.)
Maharashtra's MP-MLA couple Navneet Rana and Ravi Rana, arrested over the Hanuman Chalisa row, will have to remain in jail at least for a few more days as a special court here on Monday said it will give its ruling on their bail plea on May 4. Earlier, special judge R N Rokade had reserved the order for Monday. But the order couldn't be delivered as the court was busy with other matters and dictation (of the bail order of Ranas) was not completed. The judge said he will now pass the order on May 4. Independent Lok Sabha MP Navneet Rana and her MLA-husband Ravi Rana were arrested on April 23. The couple had moved the court seeking bail in an FIR registered by the Mumbai Police against them on charges of sedition and promoting enmity following their public declaration of reciting the Hanuman Chalisa outside Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's private residence Matoshree' in suburban Bandra. On Saturday, both prosecution and defence completed their arguments on the bail application.

Their bail plea said the call to recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside 'Matoshree' cannot be said to be aimed at promoting feelings of enmity or hatred among different group and this charge under IPC section 153(A) cannot be sustained. There was no intention on the part of the applicants (Ranas) to instigate people or spread hatred by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa near the CM's private residence, their plea said. "It is submitted that by no stretch of imagination, can the acts of the Applicants be stated to constitute the offence of sedition," the plea said. Further, the Mumbai Police had issued a notice to the couple under section 149 of the CrPC (dealing with preventing cognizable offences) and the applicants had complied with their direction and not stepped out of their residence, it added. Navneet Rana, the Lok Sabha MP from Amravati in eastern Maharashtra, and Ravi Rana, the MLA from Badnera, had eventually dropped their plan to recite the Hanuman Chalisa (hymns dedicated to Lord Hanuman) outside Thackeray's private residence citing the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Mumbai for an event.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Monday thanked the BJP-led government at the Centre for permitting humanitarian aid to the crisis-hit and said the move would improve cordiality between the two countries.

Expressing gratitude to the Centre for accepting the state's plea to dispatch relief material to the island nation, the Chief Minister said this humane gesture would be greatly welcomed by all.

"This would help to improve the warmth and cordiality between the nations," he said while personally thanking Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for accepting Tamil Nadu's request.

Posting a copy of Jaishankar's letter addressed to him on his Twitter account, the CM said, "Let the goodwill grow in all spheres."



On April 29, the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a resolution urging the Centre to positively consider the state government's request to immediately dispatch food and life-saving medicines to crisis-hit .

Chief Minister who piloted the resolution unanimously passed by the House, including the opposition AIADMK and the BJP, said, "We can't see the development in as the neighbouring country's internal issue. We need to extend humanitarian aid...help should be prompt, on time."



Also, recalling his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month on the issue, Stalin said he followed it up with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar but there has been no response from the Centre so far. "Hence, I have been constrained to move this resolution," he had said.

Responding to the Assembly resolution, Jaishankar stated that the island nation would accept inclusive relief on government-to-government basis.

"The Foreign Secretary had spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and highlighted on April 16, that government of Sri Lanka would be open to humanitarian support on government-to-government basis," the Union Minister said in the letter dated May 1.

Jaishankar further said both Lankan government and Tamil leaders there were of the view that humanitarian gesture at this time should be inclusive. "This may be reflected in the distribution of supplies. The matter could therefore be coordinated by our high commission, supplementing assistance already underway," he said in the letter posted by the Chief Minister on his twitter account.

Jaishankar asked Stalin to direct the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to coordinate with the government of India for supply and distribution of humanitarian relief material to the Sri Lankan government.

"The relief material will be shared with government of Sri Lanka to be distributed appropriately in the current circumstances," he said.

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Asserting that India is on the side of peace, Prime Minister said on Monday that India believes there will be no winner in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and all will suffer losses.

Addressing a joint press event with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz here, Modi said that from the start of the Ukraine crisis, India has called for immediate cessation of hostilities and stressed that talks are the only solution to resolve the dispute.

"We believe that there will be no winner in this war and all will suffer losses. Therefore, we are on the side of peace," he said.

"Due to the disturbance caused by the Ukraine crisis, oil prices are sky rocketing, there is a shortage of food grains and fertilizers as a result of which every family in the world has been burdened," he said.

Modi said that the effect of this on developing and poor countries will be much more.

He also said India is also concerned about the humanitarian consequences of the conflict.

On his part, Scholz said Russia has violated the UN charter by attacking Ukraine.

He said he has also invited Prime Minister Modi for G-7 summit in Germany.

Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday morning on the first leg of his three-nation Europe trip that will also take him to Denmark and France.

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In a significant verdict, the on Monday held that the parties, including insurance firms, cannot rely on definitions of in various penal laws to repudiate insurance claims which have to be governed by the definition of the term given in the policy.

The verdict came on a plea of Narsingh Ispat Ltd, a Jharkhand-based firm, the insurance claims of which under the Standard Fire and Special Perils Policy, was repudiated by the Oriental Insurance Company Ltd by taking recourse of the 'exclusion clause' in the policy regarding loss or damage caused by acts of .

The repudiation was upheld by the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) which referred to the definitions of the term 'terrorism' provided under various penal laws.

A bench comprising Justices Ajay rastogi and Abhay S Oka set aside the verdict of the apex consumer body, NCDRC, and restored the complaint of the insured firm besides asking the insurance firm to deposit the sum of Rs 89 lakh in the Registry of the Commission within one month from Monday.

The same shall be deposited in the interest-bearing account on auto renewal basis. At the same time, the appellant (insured firm) will be at liberty to file an application for withdrawal of the amount before the Commission pending complaint. If such an application is filed by the appellant, the Commission may examine on its own merits and decide the same in accordance with law, the top court said.

The verdict, penned by Justice Oka, dealt in detail the exclusion terms on the ground of of the policy and said the insurance company did not discharge the "burden of bringing the case within the four corners of the Exclusion Clause.

When the policy itself defines the acts of terrorism in the Exclusion Clause, the terms of the policy being a concluded contract will govern the rights and liabilities of the parties. Therefore, the parties cannot rely upon the definitions of terrorism' in various penal statutes since the Exclusion Clause contains an exhaustive definition of acts of terrorism, it held.

It also said NCDRC committed an error by applying the Exclusion Clause and moreover, the policy specifically covers the damage to the insured's property caused by violent means.

According to the case records, Narsingh Ispat Ltd had purchased the Standard Fire and Special Perils Policy from the insurance firm for the period from June 28, 2009 to June 27, June 2010 for its plant at village Khunti in Saraikela, Jharkhand for a sum assured of Rs 26 crore by paying a premium of over Rs 2 lakh.

According to the insured firm, the policy covered the loss caused to the property of the appellant on account of fire, lightning, explosion, riots, strike, among others. Later, a claim was lodged on the basis of the policy based on the incident of March 23, 2010 in which about 5,060 anti-social armed people entered the factory premises and demanded money and jobs for local people.

The rioting mob then caused substantial damage to the factory, machinery and other equipment with an intention to terrorise the management and workers by forcing them to pay a ransom to the miscreants.

The claim was denied based on the exclusion clause by the insurer and this was upheld by the NCDRC.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Police investigators enter Woori Bank's headquarters for a search and seizure operation in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap



By Lee Min-hyung



The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has come under fire for a botched inspection of Woori Bank's latest embezzlement scandal.



An employee of the lender allegedly embezzled 61.4 billion won ($48.49 million) between 2012 and 2018 while working at its corporate financing division. The official has been arrested and is being investigated.



But the watchdog, which carried out 11 inspections on the lender's divisions including the risk management and internal auditing departments in 2016 and 2018, failed to find any suspicious signs.



A spokesman for the watchdog was unavailable for comment.



The FSS has also launched an investigation into Deloitte Anjin, which was Woori's auditor between 2004 and 2019.



FSS Governor Jeong Eun-bo pledged to overhaul the authority's inspection system.



"We will also investigate why the FSS failed to uncover the case during the regular inspection," he said Friday after a meeting with leaders of foreign financial firms here.



Woori Bank reiterated its willingness to cooperate with further investigations over the incident and pledged to take full-fledged measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.



"We have requested investigative authorities to look into the case and Woori will carry out our independent investigation as well," Woori Bank CEO Lee Won-duk said in a message to its employees last week.



The lender also promised to keep sharing additional details while conducting the investigation.



"We will also try our best to minimize any possible loss from the incident and take active measures to retrieve the embezzled money," Lee said.



A spokesman for Woori also said the bank will tighten its internal audit system to prevent similar financial incidents from taking place again.



"Woori will look into why we failed to detect the embezzlement in advance, and take follow-up measures by tightening internal inspection," an official from the lender said.



On Monday afternoon, the police launched a search and seizure operation into the headquarters of Woori Bank in Seoul.



Industry officials said the only way to prevent such an incident is for each financial firm to tighten its internal inspection system.



"Even if financial watchdogs carry out regular inspections, it is realistically impossible for them to look into all the financial statements from banks or any financial companies," an official at a major commercial bank said.



"Strengthening an internal inspection system is de facto the only measure to reduce the likelihood of the recurrence of such a financial scandal," the official said. "But the FSS will also be subject to controversy for its poor inspection of the incident."



Depending on the result of the investigation, chances are Woori Financial Group Chairman Son Tae-seung may be mired in another legal dispute, as the FSS left open the possibility of holding top management of Woori responsible for the scandal, citing their poor internal control.


Lithuania has ended the Covid-related "extreme situation", changing the pandemic's management strategy, according to the Ministry of Health.

The decision was made following a steady decline in the number of new cases and hospital admissions, reports Xinhua news agency.

Lithuania has also reached a Covid-19 immunization rate of over 80 per cent, the Ministry said.

"We are not saying that the disease is gone but that it is under control," Deputy Health Minister Ausra Bilotiene Motiejuniene told Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT).

Lithuania has already scrapped the requirement to wear masks in most indoor places.

Before Sunday, masks were only compulsory in medical and care facilities, as well as on public transport.

As of May 1, mask-wearing will become recommended and no longer compulsory in all indoor facilities.

Self-isolation will also no longer be compulsory even after a positive Covid-19 test.

Family doctors will decide on the length of their patients' sick leave based on their condition.

As of May 1, the National Centre for will no longer collect questionnaires on the infected people's contacts.

However, the centre will continue to investigate outbreaks.

As of Monday morning, the country's overall Covid caseload and death toll stood at 1,058,431 and 9,098.

--IANS

ksk/

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Live news updates: PM on Monday held a meeting with German Challancer Olaf Scholz in Berlin as the two leaders look forward to expand India-Germany cooperation.

"Expanding India-Germany cooperation. PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Scholz meet in Berlin. @Bundeskanzler," Office of the Prime Minister of India said in a tweet.People fleeing besieged Mariupol described weeks of bombardments and deprivations as they arrived in Ukrainian-held territory, where relief workers awaited the first group of civilians freed from a steel plant.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, more than 100 civilians from the plant were expected to arrive in Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol, on Monday. The evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol.

Sanctions against Russia can only be lifted after its forces leave Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said, adding this includes Crimea, which Moscow annexed in 2014.'

Parts of country can expect "big relief" from a heat wave, said the the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) that predicted thunderstorms and gusty winds over northwest India till Wednesday, over northeast till Tuesday and over eastern and southern peninsular India till Friday.

R K Jenamani, a senior scientist at IMD, told news agency ANI there are chances of the heatwave being over in most parts of India, including Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. There are chances of a heatwave in West Rajasthan and Vidarbha, but the major heatwave spell is over.
No individual can be forced to get vaccinated against COVID-19, the said on Monday and asked the Centre to make public data on the immunisation's adverse events.

Bodily autonomy and integrity are protected under Article 21 of the Constitution, a bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and B R Gavai said while suggesting that there be no restrictions on unvaccinated people in public areas till Covid numbers are low.

On the basis of available material, and considering expert views, the current COVID-19 vaccine policy cannot be said to be manifestly arbitrary and unreasonable, the apex court said.

"Till numbers are low, we suggest that relevant orders are followed and no restriction is imposed on unvaccinated individuals on access to public areas or recall the same if already not done," the bench said.

The apex court also directed the Union of India to publish reports on adverse events of vaccines from the public and doctors on a publicly accessible system without compromising on the data of individuals.

The apex court was hearing a plea filed by Dr Jacob Puliyel, a former member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, who has sought directions to also disclose post-vaccination data regarding adverse events.

On the issue of vaccination for children, the bench said that it is not possible to second guess the opinion of experts and the vaccination indeed follows global standards and practices.

"On paediatric vaccines, the decision taken by the Union of India to vaccinate children in the country is in tune with global standards... We direct the Union of India to make sure the key findings of the stages of trials already approved by regulatory authorities for children be made public at the earliest,'' it said.

The Centre had earlier clarified that it has not made COVID-19 vaccines mandatory and has only said the vaccination should be 100 per cent.

Vaccine manufacturers Bharat Biotech Ltd and Serum Institute of India had opposed the plea and said the petition, purporting to be in public interest, is liable to be dismissed with exemplary costs for espousing a private motive and attempting to cause vaccine hesitancy and public hysteria in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic.

The counsel for Bharat Biotech Ltd had submitted that it has extensively published the findings of clinical trials in publicly available reputed peer-reviewed journals and these are available on its website.

The counsel for the Serum Institute of India had also opposed the petitioner's plea for disclosure.

The Centre had earlier told the apex court that all documents related to COVID-19 vaccines and their compositions were available in public domain, and the vaccine had proven to be very effective and safe.

As on March 13 this year, it said, a total of over 180 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered in the country, and 77,314 adverse events, which come to 0.004 per cent, were reported.

The government had said that over 8.91 crore doses of Covaxin vaccine were administered in the age group of 15-18 years as on March 12, and the number of adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) reported were 1,739 minor, 81 serious, and six severe.

It said both vaccines -- Covaxin and Covishield -- generate antibodies with the minimum likelihood of onset of any adverse event.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for the petitioner, had earlier argued that whether to get vaccinated or not is an individual decision, and in the absence of informed consent, mandatory vaccination is unconstitutional.

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The continuation appeal hearing in the case of Nirav Modi, the fugitive diamond merchant wanted in India to face charges of fraud and money laundering amounting to an estimated USD 2-billion Punjab Bank (PNB) scam case, is listed to be heard in the High Court in London on June 28.

The 51-year-old diamond merchant had lodged an appeal against his order on mental health grounds.

The hearing is listed for the 28th June, confirmed the Royal Courts of Justice administrative office last week.

Lord Justice Jeremy Stuart-Smith and Justice Robert Jay presided over an initial hearing at the court in December last year to determine whether District Judge Sam Goozee's Westminster Magistrates' Court ruling from February 2021 in favour of was incorrect to overlook the diamond merchant's high risk of suicide.

The hearing next month is for the continuation of that appeal.

According to officials familiar with the case, the Indian government has given assurances about the conditions in which Modi will be detained if surrendered to India and the facilities that will be available to care for his physical and mental health.

At the June hearing, both sides will be making submissions on whether those assurances are sufficient and can be relied upon.

He is at high risk of suicide already and his condition is likely to deteriorate further in Mumbai, Edward Fitzgerald QC had argued on behalf of Modi during the December appeal hearing.

Modi, meanwhile, remains behind bars at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London since his arrest in March 2019.

The High Court hearings follow a ruling in August last year by High Court Justice Martin Chamberlain that arguments concerning the jeweller's severe depression and high risk of suicide were arguable at a full appeal hearing.

The appeal against Judge Goozee's ruling to send the case to UK Home Secretary Priti Patel for extradition was granted leave to appeal in the High Court on two grounds under Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECHR) to hear arguments if it would unjust or oppressive to extradite Modi due to his mental state and Section 91 of the Extradition Act 2003, also related to mental ill health.

Modi's high risk of suicide and the adequacy of any measures capable of preventing successful suicide attempts in Arthur Road prison were deemed as the focal points for the appeal.

The permission to appeal was denied on all other grounds, including the admissibility of evidence provided by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Patel's extradition sign off.

The High Court also noted that the District Judge's approach to the identification of a prima facie case in the PNB fraud case was correct.

Modi's legal team has sought to establish that it would be oppressive to extradite him due to his mental condition that could lead to suicidal impulses, given the family history of suicide of his mother, and that he is at risk of flagrant denial of justice in India.

The lawyers have also claimed the COVID-19 pandemic is overwhelming the Indian prison system.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), arguing on behalf of India, has highlighted the high level of diplomatic assurance to provide adequate medical attention to the accused on being extradited to face trial in India.

Modi is the subject of two sets of criminal proceedings, with the CBI case relating to a large-scale fraud upon PNB through the fraudulent obtaining of letters of undertaking (LoUs) or loan agreements, and the ED case relating to the laundering of the proceeds of that fraud.

He also faces two additional charges of "causing the disappearance of evidence" and intimidating witnesses or criminal intimidation to cause death, which were added to the CBI case.

If Modi wins this appeal hearing in the High Court, he cannot be extradited unless the Indian government is successful in getting permission to appeal at the Supreme Court on a point of law of public importance.

On the flip side, if he loses this appeal hearing, Modi can approach the Supreme Court on a point of law of public importance, to be applied for to the Supreme Court against the High Court's decision within 14 days of a High Court verdict. However, this involves a high threshold as appeals to the Supreme Court can only be made if the High Court has certified that the case involves a point of law of general public importance.

Finally, after all the avenues in the UK courts are exhausted, the diamantaire could still seek a so-called Rule 39 injunction from the European Court of Human Rights.

(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 think-tank the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is likely to meet mid-week to review the data of Covid-19 vaccines Covovax and Corbevax for the age group 5-12 years, according to sources in the know.

This may pave the way for the inclusion of younger children in the national immunisation mission if the NTAGI finds the data satisfactory. A senior government official had told Business Standard last week that so far there was no scientific evidence to expand the vaccination programme to young children. There are no plans yet to include children below 12 years in the vaccination drive. There is no scientific evidence about their vulnerability, the official had said.

However, much hinges now on the upcoming NTAGI review meeting.

Last week, the standing technical sub-committee of the NTAGI had recommended inclusion of the Serum Institute's Covovax in the Covid-19 vaccination programme for children aged 12 to 17 years. An expert committee is reviewing the data submitted by makers for 5-12 year olds. A decision will be taken based on this review.

Last week, the Drugs Controller General of India had granted emergency use approval for Corbevax (Biological E) and Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) for 5-12 year olds, while Zydus Lifesciences ZyCoV-D was approved for use in 12 year olds and above.

India has so far vaccinated 29.1 million children in the age group 12-14 years, and 101 million in the 15-17 age bracket.

With rising cases in parts of the country and offline schools resuming, there is concern amongst parents around vaccination. In fact, Prime Minister said last week that vaccinating all eligible children at the earliest is a priority for the government and specialised programmes needed to be conducted in schools to achieve this feat.

Clinicians feel vaccines for younger children are necessary.

Pramod Jog, pediatrician from Pune and former president of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, said: Though Covid-19 in children is comparatively less severe, we found around 11 per cent of Covid-19 cases during the second wave in children younger than 10 years of age. There were cases of multisystem inflammatory syndrome and long Covid cases in our state. Considering many deaths and serious cases in 5-12 age groups, many countries have started vaccinating this age group. Indian Academy of Pediatrics expert group on vaccination strongly endorses the Covid-19 vaccines for younger children below 12 years also.

He said Corbevax is a protein subunit manufactured using a well-established platform similar to . The vaccine is licensed for age group of 5 years and above and Covaxin an Inactivated vaccine licensed for age group of 6 years and above. Both vaccines are already used for children.

Several cases of Covid-19 cases in children creating hotspots for transmission and closure of school in many states have been reported recently.
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): The COVID-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) will review the data of COVID-19 vaccines for the children aged 5 to 12 years on May 4, said sources on Monday.

"After looking into the safety and efficacy data of the vaccines, the second level Standing Technical Sub-Committee (STSC) will review and discuss the recommendations by the working group. The STSC will again review the data and then give their decision to the final group of NTAGI that will take the final call," said sources.

Recently, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted emergency use authorization to Biological E's Corbevax for children in the age bracket of 5 to 12 years and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for kids aged 6 to 12 years.

Last week, NTAGI approved the Serum Institute of India's COVID-19 vaccine Covovax for the age group 12-17.

This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that vaccination for all eligible children at the earliest with "special campaigns" in schools is a priority for the government.

Covovax has already been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for children above 12 years of age, but its administration has not been allowed yet.

COVID-19 vaccination for minors in India started from January 3 onwards for those in the 15-18 age group with Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. The drive later expanded on March 16 to include children aged above 12 for Corbevax. India is currently administering two COVID-19 vaccines for children above 12.

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The early arrival of summer and the subsequent heat wave have led to soaring demand for residential air conditioners, with manufacturers such as Voltas, Panasonic, Hitachi, LG and Haier posting record growth sales in April.

The sales have also been boosted by pent-up demand and a low base of April last year when businesses were impacted by the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. This year the AC sales have crossed the pre-pandemic levels in April 2019, according to industry players.

"In the month of April 2022, the AC industry has witnessed unprecedented growth over last year, due to a very strong summer, and a low base of 2021. We have witnessed high triple-digit growth across the sector," Voltas managing director and CEO Pradeep Bakshi told PTI.

The company, which is an industry leader, witnessed "unprecedented growth" and almost touched the volume level of April 2019, which was also one of the hottest summers of the decade, he added.

"We are confident that the industry will continue to outperform the last two summers during the rest of this summer," Bakshi said.

Similarly, Panasonic India said it has witnessed a "record demand" for and sold over 1 lakh units during the month.

"We have been seeing record demand for . This April, Panasonic India sold over 1,00,000 units, a growth of 83 per cent over last April (2021) and a 67 per cent growth over April 2019. We would attribute this phenomenal growth to pent-up demand and early onset of the summer season," said Gaurav Sah, Panasonic India Business Head, Group.

The company is hoping to see an overall 30-35 per cent growth this summer vs FY19 for room ACs, he added.

Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India, which sells residential AC under the Hitachi brand, said its sales had almost grown more than double in April over last year, and the company is "optimistic" about achieving a record Rs 1,500-crore sales during the peak season in the segment.

The company expects a big chunk of sales to come from smart ACs and inverter-based ACs, said Johnson Controls-Hitachi Air Conditioning India chairman and managing director Gurmeet Singh.

When asked about year-on-year (YoY) growth in April in comparison with last year, Singh said: "Last year being Covid-hit and many markets under lockdown, sales were impacted substantially. The sales, however, were much better than in April 2020. We have grown more than 110 per cent over last year."



Similarly, Haier Appliances India has recorded a YoY growth of over 50 per cent in March and over 100 per cent in April in the air conditioners segment, said its president Satish NS.

"Buoyed by the intense summer season this year along with the pent-up demand of the last two summers, we have been witnessing a greater demand this season for our air conditioners across India. At Haier, we have garnered a YoY growth of over 50 per cent in March and over 100 per cent in April in the air conditioners segment," he said.

However, the manufacturers are also worried about the rise in input costs, and there could be a price revision by some of them this month.

"While there is continued pressure on input costs, we are working to minimise the impact on consumer pricing," said Panasonic's Sah, adding, "The bigger challenge is product availability itself due to unstable global supply situation."



LG India also said it is witnessing a "robust growth" in AC sales this season and has seen higher than expected growth in April.

"We are witnessing robust growth in AC sales this season due to rising temperatures. Especially there is good demand for 5-star rated products. In April, we witnessed higher than expected growth and strengthened our market leadership with product portfolio developed based on indian consumer insight and technology leadership," said Deepak Bansal, VP - Home Appliances & Air Conditioners, LG India.

According to the Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA), the Indian residential AC market is expected to be around 7 to 7.5 million units and more than 15 companies operate in the space.

The segment is still highly dependent on imports with an average of 25 per cent local value addition only. The government had last year approved 26 applications for manufacturing of components of the air conditioner with a committed investment of Rs 3,898 crore under the production-linked incentive scheme.

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The on Monday extended till the third week of July the stay on the proposed demolition of around 200 jhuggis at Sarojini Nagar and asked the Centre to conduct a survey to verify the slum-dwellers there.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy took note of the submissions of the Centre's counsel and said a nodal officer be appointed to conduct physical verification of the residents after conducting a proper survey of the area proposed to be used by the government.

The bench, meanwhile, extended the operation of its earlier order staying the proposed demolition till the third week of July when the matter will be heard next after taking note of the submissions of senior advocate Vikas Singh, assisted by lawyer Aman Panwar.

Earlier on April 25, the bench had extended the stay on the proposed demolition till May 2, saying the slumdwellers should be dealt with humanly and cannot be simply thrown.

The bench had taken note of the submissions that the lawyers, appearing for two minor residents including Vaishali whose 10th board examinations are starting on April 26, that thousands of people will be ousted without any other rehabilitation scheme in place.

"Deal with them humanly when you deal with them. As a model government, you cannot say you would not have a policy (on rehabilitation) and simply throw them away. You are dealing with families, the bench had said.

No coercive steps be taken till the next date of hearing, the bench had told Additional SolicitorGeneral K M Nataraj, appearing for the Centre.

Prior to this, a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana had taken note of the submissions that the plea needed an urgent hearing in view of the imminent threat of demolition of jhuggis' (shanties).

The Union ministry of urban development on April 4 issued eviction/demolition notices to all residents of the jhuggis' asking them to vacate the place within one week.

The plea said that the slum dwellers have been living there since 1980 and they do not want to stall any government project at the site.

However, the residents, besides deferment of a proposed demolition, for the time being, wanted rehabilitation and relocation of their jhuggis' as per the provisions of the Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) Act.

The DUSIB Act casts an obligation on government authorities to frame a scheme for rehabilitation and relocation of jhuggis' before any action of eviction is undertaken.

The government had taken a plea before the High Court that the jhuggis' in question was not notified under the DUSIB Act and hence, the residents were not eligible for rehabilitation.

The single judge and the division benches of the high court had relied upon the submissions of the DUSIB and dismissed the plea of residents.

The appeal, filed in the apex court, referred to a response received under the Right to Information Act and said that the city government and its authorities have not notified any Jhuggi in Delhi under the DUSIB Act and have only prepared a list of 675 jhuggis.

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The NCB has arrested one more person in connection with its probe against an India-Afghan syndicate and seizure of about 50 kg of heroin from south Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area last week, officials said on Monday.

The latest arrest of an Indian man living in Laxmi Nagar was made on Sunday, they said.

This is the fifth arrest in the case as two Indian and an equal number of Afghan nationals have been taken into custody in the case earlier by the federal anti- agency after raids were conducted by it in south Delhi's Shaheen Bagh-Jamia Nagar on April 27.

All the accused have been arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

NCB Director General S N Pradhan had last week said terror links with this trafficking case "cannot be ruled out" and the agency was probing these connections further.

The (NCB) had on Thursday said it seized about 50 kg of "high-quality" heroin packed in Flipkart and other e-commerce companies' wrappers, following raids at a residential premise in the Shaheen Bagh-Jamia Nagar and it claimed to have unearthed an Indo-Afghan drug-smuggling racket.

NCB Deputy Director General (operations) Sanjay Kumar Singh had said during a press briefing that cash amounting to Rs 30 lakh was also seized during the operation.

Singh had said this was one of the biggest narcotics seizures in in the recent past and the agency had acted upon inputs provided by a "reliable source."



Another 47 kg of "suspected" narcotics were also seized from the premises and the NCB has sent the seized substance to a laboratory for testing, Singh said.

The seized heroin originated from Afghanistan and the cash found is suspected to have been channelled through hawala (illegal routing of cash), he added.

The agency also seized cash-counting machines and some other "incriminating" material from the premises.

"It has been revealed that an Indo-Afghan syndicate based in Delhi, the National Capital Region and the neighbouring states is connected with the case. These syndicates have expertise in manufacturing and adulterating heroin locally," Singh said.

A senior officer had said the "kingpin" of the syndicate is based in Dubai and the agency is probing the case further, including certain links with Pakistan-based narcotics operatives.

India-Afghanistan syndicates smuggle goods into India through maritime as well as land border routes and heroin is smuggled with legitimate goods and cargo, the NCB said.

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In a strong rebuttal to Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's statement, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said it was being contemplated to take back Kannada speaking regions from the neighbouring state.

Bommai said there are Kannada speaking regions in and it is being contemplated on how to take them back.

Pawar had stirred a controversy after he said that an agitation will be launched to include the cities of Belagavi, and Nippani to .

In response, Bommai claimed that there is a political crisis in Maharashtra and the entire government is in rough waters.

The border is very clear between and Maharashtra, he said, adding: "We will not yield to them. They also know it. They are raking it up to survive in politics."

"I strongly urge Maharashtra political leaders not to use such language for political gains," he appealed and said that there was question of giving away even an inch of land from Karnataka.

--IANS

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Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) has got off to a good start with the $732 million of shares reserved for so-called anchor investors oversubscribed. Ltd reported a 16 per cent increase in net profit in January-March quarter, aided by a rise in net interest income and lower provisions. Read more on these our top headlines.

off to a good start as anchor investors oversubscribe: Report

The IPO of India's biggest insurer, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), has got off to a good start, with the $732 million of shares reserved for so-called anchor investors oversubscribed at the upper end of the price range, a banking source said. Read more



Heat threatens India's wheat, adding to world food shortage worries

A blistering heat wave has scorched wheat fields in India, reducing yields in the second-biggest grower and damping expectations for exports that the world is relying on to alleviate a global shortage.



Temperatures soared in March to the highest ever for the month on record going back to 1901, shriveling Indias wheat crop during a crucial growth period. Read more



Ltd Q4 profit up 16% to Rs 3,700 cr; firm approves Rs 30 dividend

Mortgage lender Housing Development Finance Corporation (HDFC) reported a 16 per cent increase in net profit in January-March quarter, aided by a rise in net interest income and lower provisions. Net profit of the lender totaled to Rs 3,700 crore in Q4FY22 versus Rs 3,180 crore in the year-ago period, beating street estimates. Analysts at Bloomberg had estimated a net profit of Rs 3,518 crore. Read more



As India's Covid-19 cases inch up, recreation and shopping visits show dip

There was a drop in mobility last week amid a rise in Covid-19 cases across the country, multiple indicators show. There were 3,157 cases across the country in the previous 24 hours, according to a government statement on Monday. There were fewer than 1,000 cases in the second week of April. Read more



PMI manufacturing rises to 54.7 in April on robust demand, factory orders

Factory activity in India picked up last month, bolstered by a solid increase in demand as pandemic restrictions were eased, but rising energy prices pushed input costs to a five-month high, a private survey showed.

The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index compiled by S&P Global, improved to 54.7 in April from 54.0 in March. Read more
Claiming that the Kolkata Police have denied the BJP permission to hold an exhibition on the post-poll violence in West Bengal, the party leaders on Monday slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, saying what was the fear about.

The BJP had sought permission for a photo exhibition to mark one year of post-poll violence unleashed against its workers after the declaration of state Assembly polls results on May 2, 2021.

BJP co-incharge Amit Malviya tweeted, "Kolkata police has denied BJP permission to hold an exhibition on the horrific post poll violence under Mamata Banerjee's watch. What does she fear? Is she scared of standing on a ground that is oozing blood or finds cries of hapless women being raped by TMC workers deafening," Malviya tweeted.

BJP secretary Sunil Deodhar claimed that even after a year of voting, thousands of BJP workers are homeless in Bengal.

"Recently elections were held in 5 states, no post-poll violence happened in any of these states. But post-poll violence still continues in WB. Even after a year of voting, thousands of BJP workers are homeless in Bengal. Is this a representation of good governance," Deodhar said in a social media post.

In a series of tweet, Lok Sabha Member from Bishnupur and BJP vice president Saumitra khan said, "West Bengal is the only state in India where in the name of political violence, Mamta Banerjee gave order to kill, rape, burn and force innocent people to leave house."

Khan further said that Mamta Banerjee and her party workers left no opportunity to root out democratic values and constitutional bases.

"Mamta Banerjee's Khela Hobe, our innocent Sanatani brothers and sisters and our BJP workers had to bear many injustices and troubles," Khan said.

--IANS

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Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport, Indias largest, emerged as the second busiest airport in the world in March, displacing and trailing only Atlanta in the pecking order, according to OAG, a global travel data provider.

Its flight to the second position was the result of a strong recovery in the domestic aviation market. The governments decision to reopen international flights last month also helped increase traffic flow.

With the rise in the number of vaccinated people across the world, governments are easing travel restrictions and slowly opening up their borders. India opened its borders and allowed the entry of fully vaccinated international travellers into the country. These steps have largely helped the travel and tourism industry and given a much-needed boost to air travel, said Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi international Airport Ltd.

operating into the flew around 3.6 million seats as compared to 4.4 million deployed by in Atlanta. However, experts said that Delhis rise in the pecking order was an anomaly primarily because of other big aviation markets not yet being fully open for international travel.





The rise in Delhis rank is primarily due to the significant recovery in Indias domestic travel market, said Mayur Patel, head of Asia at OAG Aviation. As compared to other large markets in the region like China or Singapore, which have been very strict when it comes to removing Covid curbs, the Indian government has adopted a policy of mass vaccination and gradual opening up, which has helped the aviation industry. However, as more and more countries open up and relax their travel restrictions, Delhi will lose its rank.

Unlike Delhi, other large airports in the region like Dubai and Changi primarily depend on international traffic, which is yet to recover. Many are also yet to fully remove restrictions post two years of Covid. For example, Thailand, which is a prime source of traffic for Dubai airport, still requires travellers to have a minimum stay for five nights. Beijing and Shanghai, among the busiest airports in the world, are again facing stiff restrictions as a fresh wave of Covid is sweeping through the country.

A drop in the number of Covid-19 cases, relaxation in restrictions, and the beginning of school and college holidays in some parts of India are contributing to the demand recovery. The long weekend resulted in a surge in traffic as witnessed high loads both on flights to popular leisure destinations such as Goa and Srinagar and also on metro-to-metro flights.

On April 18, which was a Sunday, Indias domestic passenger numbers crossed the 400,000-mark and for the entire month of April, air traffic was around 10 million, which was 96 per cent of April 2019  a benchmark of pre-Covid traffic.

Indias largest airline, IndiGo, is currently operating 1,600 flights daily, which is more than what it used to operate in 2019. The airline is also deploying more A321 aircraft, which have 30-50 seats more than the A320 aircraft.
on Monday committed to provide additional support worth euro 10 billion to India by 2030 to support green growth initiatives. The commitment came during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the country  his first trip abroad this year.

India and also agreed to work together on joint projects in third countries in an apparent signal to counter Chinas debt-driven infra financing model. PM Modi held bilateral talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and participated in the sixth round of Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) between the two countries.

 intends to strengthen its financial and technical cooperation and other assistance to India with a long-term goal of at least euro 10 billion of new and additional commitments till 2030 under this partnership. This will support inter alia the achievement of their ambitious goals in the climate action and sustainable development space, further promote German-Indian research and development (R&D), encourage private investment and thus aim at leveraging further funding. India and Germany stress the importance of swift implementation of existing and future commitments, both sides said in a joint statement.

Thanking Scholz for the fresh financial commitment, Modi said: Both sides launched Indo-Germany partnership on green and sustainable development. By raising its climate ambition in Glasgow, India has shown that for us green and sustainable growth is an article of faith.

Both sides agreed to work together on triangular cooperation, based on individual strengths and experiences in development cooperation and offer sustainable, viable and inclusive projects in third countries to support the achievement of sustainable development goals and climate targets. This effort will provide an alternative to the developing world for transparent and sustainable project finance, Modi said.

Keeping in mind the complementary stance of both countries, India and Germany decided to launch a green hydrogen taskforce. This will be beneficial to expand green hydrogen infrastructure in both countries, Modi said.

The two countries expressed their strong support for the upcoming negotiations between the European Union and India on a Free Trade Agreement, an Investment Protection Agreement and an Agreement on Geographical Indications, and underlined the enormous potential of such agreements for expanding bilateral trade and investment. Negotiations for the proposed FTA are expected to begin in June, after the World Trade Organisations (WTOs) 12th ministerial meeting. EU ambassador to India Ugo Astuto on Friday told reporters that both sides hope to finalise a comprehensive free trade deal by early 2024.

The countries also decided to negotiate a bilateral agreement on a comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership by initiating the draft agreement in English. They agreed to take action to swiftly sign the agreement and bring it into force. They highlighted the importance of this agreement in facilitating two-way mobility of students, professionals and researchers as well as addressing the challenges of illegal migration, the joint statement said.

Modi said todays sixth IGC has given new direction to India-Germany cooperation. This IGC has given significant guidance to our cooperation in energy and environment. I am confident that todays decisions will have a positive impact on the future of our region and the world.

The countries highlighted the importance of the World Trade Organisation as the centre of the multilateral trading system and central pillar of integrating developing countries into the global trading system. Both governments committed to reforming the WTO with the objective of strengthening its principles and functions, especially, preserving the two-tier Appellate Body, along with the autonomy of the Appellate Body, the joint statement said.


India and on Monday agreed to cooperate on agro-ecology and sustainable management of natural resources in the sector, with the latter intending to provide concessional loans of up to 300 million euros by 2025 for such initiatives.

Minister and Germany's Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze signed a declaration in this regard in a virtual meeting, an official statement said.

As per the agreement, the two nations have agreed for the promotion of joint research, knowledge sharing and innovation between academic institutions and practitioners including farmers, it said.

Besides, the transfer of technology and scientific knowledge will be promoted by encouraging exchanges, partnerships and research collaboration with the private sector.

"Germany's Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development intends to provide up to 300 million euros by the year 2025 for financial and technical cooperation for projects under this initiative," the statement said.

will provide coordinated support for this initiative, supporting the agro-ecological transformation process in India through the Technical Cooperation Project.

For changing the agenda of agro-ecology, the two countries envisage the establishment of a joint research centre supported by financial cooperation to develop and share cutting edge knowledge with practitioners from India, and other countries, while facilitating value-added technology and scientific transfer.

To oversee the implementation, a working group will be set up with the concerned ministries, namely, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and .

The cooperation on sustainable management of natural resources will benefit the rural population and small-scale farmers in India in terms of income, food security, climate resilience, improved soil, biodiversity, forest restoration and water availability and to promote Indian experience globally.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India and on Monday inked a joint declaration of intent on Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force, an official statement said.

Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy R K Singh and German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Change Robert Habeck signed the joint declaration virtually, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said.

Singh said India has emerged as one of the global leaders in energy transition with the fastest rate of growth of renewable energy capacities in the world.

He told his German counterpart that India has a transparent bidding system, an open market, an expeditious dispute resolution system, and is globally acknowledged as one of the most attractive destinations for investment in renewable energy (RE).

Singh emphasised that India has huge ambitions in energy transition. It will add 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030. India is also coming out with bids for green hydrogen.

The minister further stressed on the need for developing storage for balancing RE such as pumped hydro and battery storage. It will also need large capacities of electrolysers manufacturing for green hydrogen.

He invited German industry to come and compete for developing this ecosystem in India.

The German Minister appreciated India's ambitious plans for RE expansion and expressed interest in opportunities for investment in offshore wind farms given German expertise in the same, the statement said.

Under the agreement which was signed on Monday, both countries will establish an Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force to strengthen mutual cooperation in production, utilisation, storage and distribution of green hydrogen through building enabling frameworks for projects, regulations and standards, trade and joint research and development (R&D) projects.

India has launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission with the goal to make the country the global hub of green hydrogen production and export.



also has developed an ambitious National Hydrogen Strategy with the aim to assume global leadership in hydrogen technologies.

Blessed with abundant renewable energy potential and experience of implementing renewable energy projects, India can produce low-cost green hydrogen to progressively decarbonise a range of industry sectors, and also export it to meet global demand.

With strengths in innovation and manufacturing, is already implementing numerous hydrogen projects.

Trade of green hydrogen and/or its derivatives such as green ammonia / green methanol would form the cornerstone of the collaboration. Institutional collaboration in joint research, light house projects, innovation clusters and hydrogen hubs would catalyse the synergistic efforts of the two countries, the statement said.

The ambitious deployment targets would also create attractive investment and business opportunities for industries from both countries. India and Germany share the common goal to decarbonise their economies.

Both nations are committed to develop a national green hydrogen economy. The common long-term goal is to reduce emissions and protect the environment.

This requires a global upscale of green hydrogen production and offtake. India and Germany therefore support the establishment of a global green hydrogen economy, to facilitate the achievement of the goals under the Paris Agreement.

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Indias touched Rs 1.8 trillion in fiscal 2022, said the commerce ministry, marking flat growth compared to last fiscal.

In the pandemic year of 2020-21, had grown by 18 percent to $24.4 bn (roughly Rs 1.8 lakh crore at current exchange rates).

The Ministry said compared to 2013-14, from the country have doubled. India had exported Rs 90,415 crore worth of pharma products in FY14.

"Indian pharma companies enabled by their price competitiveness and good quality have made a global mark, with 60 percent of the world's vaccines and 20 percent of generic medicines coming from India," the ministry said.

India ranks third worldwide for production in terms of volume and 14th by value. The current market size of the domestic industry is around $50 billion. The share of pharmaceuticals and drugs in the global exports is 5.92 percent.

Formulations and biologicals continue to account for a major share of 73.31 percent of the country's total exports, followed by bulk drugs and drug intermediates, according to the ministry.

India's top five pharma export destinations are the US, UK, South Africa, Russia and Nigeria. Around 55 percent of our pharma exports cater to highly regulated markets.

"Even in the year 2020-21, Indian drugs and pharmaceuticals had registered a sharp growth amid the COVID despair, achieving an export of $24.4 billion with a YoY growth of 18 percent," it said.
Stating that there is more stock for supply of fertilisers for this than the demand this year, the Centre on Monday asked the states to not create either a panic situation or spread misinformation related to fertilisers.

"With the government's proactive steps in pre-positioning urea, DAP and NPK and other fertilisers supply, currently, we have more stock for supply of fertilisers for this than the demand," Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya said.

"Despite the pandemic and rise in prices of raw materials at international level, we have managed to keep the fertilisers' price at a very minimum rate by increasing subsidies, so that our farmers don't suffer. This year, around Rs 2.5 lakh crore subsidy will be given to farmers."

While jointly reviewing the fertiliser situation with Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar during a meeting with the Agriculture Ministers of states/UTs, Mandaviya also advised the states to keep providing farmers with adequate and accurate information regarding availability and to not create either a panic situation or misinformation related to .

Earlier, the Union Cabinet had approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilisers for Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) rates for phosphatic and potassic (P&K) fertilisers for 2022 (from April 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022) worth Rs 60,939.23 crore, including support for indigenous fertiliser (SSP) through freight subsidy and additional support for indigenous manufacturing and imports of DAP.

The increase in the international prices of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) and its raw materials has been primarily absorbed by the Centre, which has decided to provide a subsidy of Rs 2,501 per bag on DAP instead of the existing subsidy of Rs 1,650 per bag which is a 50 per cent increase over the last year's subsidy rates.

The increase in the prices of DAP and its raw material is in the range of approximately 80 per cent. "It will help farmers to receive notified P&K fertilisers on subsidised, affordable and reasonable rates and support the agriculture sector," the Minister added.

Stressing on the need to tackle the issues of malpractices like hoarding, black-marketing or diversion of fertilizers, he said that the government will take strict action in case of such scenarios.

Observing that fertiliser is an important component of agriculture production and the government's objective is to reduce import dependency on various fertilisers, Tomar said: "We are committed to ensuring availability of affordable fertilisers to our farmers. In order to reduce the agricultural import dependence, we should work together to become AtmaNirbhar in the agriculture sector too."

--IANS

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cut its lending rate on by 25 basis points to 7.0 per cent to buy new car, seeking to push its retail loan book.

The state-owned lenders new rate beginning at seven per cent for car would be linked to a borrowers credit profile. The bank also announced a reduction in processing charges to a flat Rs 1,500 plus Good and Services Tax (GST), BOB said in a statement today.

The bank, in April, cut the lending rate for home by 25 basis points to 6.5 per cent till end of June 2022. This rate is available across all loans amounts and is linked to a borrowers credit profile

This rate cut contrasts with lender decision to hike Marginal Cost of Funds Based Lending Rate (MCLR) by five basis points across different maturities from April 12, 2022 for increase in cost of funds. One year MCLR would be 7.35 per cent, up from 7.30 per cent.

The existing rate of interest for pre-owned cars and two-wheeler loans remains unchanged.

"The pandemic and subsequent lockdown impacted the auto segment, but there has been a steady rise in demand for car loans as the economy has opened up and people are keen to travel in their own vehicles, said H T Solanki, General Manager - Mortgages & Other Retail Assets, .

Its auto loan book rose by 20.54 per cent Year on Year basis to Rs 23,384 crore by end of December 2022. Total retail loan portfolio was up 11.13 per cent to Rs 1,28,960 crore as of December 2021.
Feature: Direct shipping route sees growing demand in booming China-Britain trade

Xinhua) 11:49, May 02, 2022

LIVERPOOL, Britain, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Port of Liverpool in northwestern England is dotted with cranes loading and unloading cargo at container terminals. The China Xpress service of the British company Allseas Global Logistics is working to ensure the flow of goods continues unabated between China and Britain.

With the launch of a direct shipping route in April 2021, Allseas has recently provided service every 10 days from China to Britain and vice versa, with vessels capable of carrying 1,500 to 1,700 containers port to port from such Chinese cities as Shanghai and Ningbo to Liverpool in 30 days, according to the company.

In just one year, the shipping route between Liverpool and Shanghai has developed from a short-term temporary arrangement to a long-term and fixed route, said Zheng Zeguang, Chinese ambassador to Britain, at a ceremony held on April 26 at the Port of Liverpool celebrating the first anniversary of China Xpress.

"The fast growth fits the needs of trade between China and the UK against the pandemic and proves the potential and resilience of trade between the two countries," he added.

Darren Wright, managing director of the Allseas Group, told Xinhua that the idea of a new trade lane came in early 2021 when customers were struggling to move cargo from China into Britain because of the COVID-19 pandemic and problems related to various ports and shipping lines.

At first, Allseas charted three vessels in April 2021 to ease some difficulties, but "quickly the word spread, and we had three full ships within a matter of days of announcing to the market," Wright said. With such growing popularity, a plan to establish regular sailings was on the table.

Wright told Xinhua that transit times are much shorter with China Xpress. "The fact that we're only calling at few ports in Asia and limited ports in Europe means that we're not having the problems with congestion," he added.

The shipping route saw over 60,000 containers move in and out of Britain over the past year, supporting more than 200 local businesses, according to Wright.

At the ceremony, Claudio Veritiero, chief executive officer of the Peel Ports Group, the owner of the Port of Liverpool, said British customers appreciate the benefits of a direct service for key products to complement transshipment routes to the port. More investment is on the way, not only in terminals but in warehousing and logistic solutions to ensure cargo reaches markets quickly.

"Our business recognizes the value of being a gateway for China and the opportunities that this creates," Veritiero said. "From a local perspective, we're delighted that this growth has helped drive and support further investment in people and jobs."

As a significant center for shipping and manufacturing in Britain, Liverpool has played an essential role in furthering Britain-China economic relations.

With the rapid development of China's economy and the establishment of the sister-city relationship between Shanghai and Liverpool, Liverpool and China have become increasingly close in exchange and cooperation in trade, investment, culture, education and sports, Zheng said at the ceremony.

As Liverpool boasts one of the oldest Chinese communities in Europe, "we continue to grow in our relationships," said Paul Kallee-Grover, chairman of the Liverpool China Partnership.

Noting that partners in China offered much-needed assistance during the pandemic, Kallee-Grover expressed hope for a closer bilateral relationship. "We look forward to the opportunities not just for goods coming back into our city, but the opportunity for people to travel between our two countries," he said.

In 2021, China remained Britain's third-largest trading partner and the number one source of imported goods. Trade in goods between the two sides exceeded 100 billion U.S. dollars.

The win-win nature of China-Britain business cooperation remains unchanged, Zheng said, noting that especially in recent years, products from China that are good value for money have supported Britain in fighting the pandemic and curbing the pressure of rising prices, while famous-brand products from Britain meet the diverse needs of China's huge consumer market.

The ambassador said China stands ready to share opportunities, pursue common development and work together with Liverpool to promote the sound and steady progress of the two countries' relations.

Allseas now plans to cooperate with more ports in China. With the possibility of more vessels in operation, the company aims to offer a weekly service.

"China now is manufacturing quality products, and on scale, nobody else in the world can do that," Wright said. "And we are big buyers, we love internet shopping, and we love buying products. So the trade will only increase and increase, and it's a perfect partnership."

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)




North Korean leader Kim Jong-un praised students and young workers who participated in a massive military parade for demonstrating ardent patriotism like no other country, state media reported Monday.







At the photo session held Sunday, Kim noted the "rosy future" of "our-style socialism" belongs to the youth and urged them to hasten their efforts toward this "sacred patriotic cause," according to the official Korean Central News Agency.







"Our youths have regarded the loyalty to the Party and revolution as their high honor and pride and spent their youthful days with ardent patriotism and high enthusiasm for the revolution and struggle," Kim was quoted as saying.







He stressed such proud traits are "peculiar to the Korean youths that can neither be seen nor be imitated in any society of the world."







Kim also expressed appreciation for their contribution in glorifying the anniversary of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army (KPRA) as an "unprecedented, grand festival of single-minded unity" and a "showcase theatre" of its national power.







Last Monday, the North staged the nighttime parade to celebrate the 90th founding anniversary of the KPRA and showcased key weapons, including its Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile.







The latest session comes after Kim earlier held photo sessions with the soldiers, broadcasting workers and commanding officers who took part in the parade, in a move seen as aimed at bolstering internal unity and loyalty.







Other officials attended the photo session, including Ri Il-hwan, a member of the ruling party's powerful politburo. (Yonhap)






In a surprise move, the promoters of Fino Payments Bank, Fino Paytech Ltd, have voted against the reappointment of its current chairman, Mahendra Kumar Chouhan, and independent director Punita Sinha in a shareholder meeting.

Fino Paytech, which is the holding company of the bank owning around 75 per cent stake, has investors like insurance behemoth Life Insurance Corporation of India, ICICI Bank, ICICI Lombard, Corporation Bank, Union Bank, The Blackstone Group, Indian Bank, and others.

The resolution to reappoint Chouhan and Sinha was voted down by 80 per cent of shareholders, which included 100 per cent of the promoter group.

In the shareholders meeting, the promoter has also voted against the increase in the authorised share capital of the bank and the alteration of the capital clause of the memorandum of association of the bank. It also voted against an amendment proposal to the employee stock options policy.

in a statement said, We at would like to place on record the significant contribution made by our outgoing independent directors over the past five years. Their term has come to an end, we will miss their strategic steer.

Further as a listed entity, their extension was approved by the banks board and we have followed the due process and all the relevant information is in the public domain and has been communicated to the regulator and the exchanges.

Both Chouhan and Sinha have been on the banks board since 2017.

Chouhan sits on the boards of a couple of other companies as an Independent Director. Sinha too has served on the boards of many companies.

started operations in 2017 after it was granted a license by the Reserve Bank of India in 2015. Shares of the bank were trading 2.28 per cent lower on the BSE at Rs 291.60 on Monday.





Fino Paytech, the holdco of the payments bank, wishes to clarify that these changes are only on account of a policy decision on reappointment of independent directors. In order to introduce fresh talent and experience to meet the evolving challenges of the market, the board of Fino Paytech decided to limit the tenure of independent directors to one term, the company said in a statement.

"This policy decision is applicable to all companies in the group. We thank the outgoing directors for their contribution", the company said.
Six rockets targeted an area in Erbil province in Iraq's northern semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, but caused no casualties, the regional Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) has said in a statement.

The rockets were fired from al-Hamdaniya on Sunday, a town 60 km west of the city of Erbil, and landed near the al-Zab River outside the Kurdish town of Khabat in Erbil province, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the Kurdish CTS statement.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the attack.

On April 6, three rockets were also fired from the al-Hamdaniya area and hit an inhabited area near an oil installation in the Khabat area, which also caused no casualties.

--IANS

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Eighty civilians have been evacuated from the Azovstal plant in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, the Russian Defence Ministry said Sunday.

The safe evacuation is a result of ceasefire and the opening of a humanitarian corridor, the ministry said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the civilians who wished to leave were delivered to representatives of the UN and the Committee of the Red Cross.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said earlier on Sunday that an evacuation from the steel plant had begun and the evacuees were set to arrive in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday.

(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.)
Australian flag carrier, Qantas on Monday unveiled plans for new non-stop flights from Sydney and Melbourne to cities, including New York and London, starting from 2025.

The carrier, which has been working on endurance flying under Project Sunrise for years, announced that it is ordering 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to service the routes, reports Xinhua news agency.

They are expected to cut up to four hours of total travel time compared with one-stop options at present.

"It's the last frontier and the final fix for the tyranny of distance that has traditionally challenged travel to Australia," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said in a statement.

"The cabin is being specifically designed for maximum comfort in all classes for long-haul flying," he said.

The planes will carry 238 passengers in four classes, including first, business, premium economy and economy, and have a "wellbeing zone" in the centre, with more than 40 per cent of the cabin dedicated to premium seating.

Global travellers can also expect more direct routes to as Joyce said the aircraft will also be able to operate non-stop flights to from destinations such as Paris and Frankfurt.

The carrier also released its third-quarter trading update on Monday, which showed domestic travel demand is returning to pre-Civud-19 levels ahead of expectations.

Demand for travel is also recovering, particularly as more Covid-19 restrictions ease.

--IANS

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Already under fire from the Digital Security Act, Bangladeshi journalists face even worse censorship if a new piece of legislation gets up.

I was picked up, held, interrogated and eventually deported by intelligence services because of my reporting, Susannah Savage, a freelance journalist working for the Economist in Bangladesh, recently tweeted after she was interrogated and forced to leave the country by Bangladeshi intelligence forces. Human rights activists have been railing against the Bangladeshi government's use of the controversial Digital Security Act' to gag media and free speech for a long time, to no avail.

continues to fall down the rankings in the World Index: hundreds of people, including journalists, university teachers, cartoonists and photographers, have been arrested and jailed on charges of "spreading disinformation against the government and state" on social media platforms.

Significantly, while journalists make up a disproportionately large group among the total number of arrestees, around 80 percent of accusers are politically affiliated with the Awami League, the ruling centre-left political party. Newly drafted legislation could go beyond the draconian Digital Security Act, effectively turning into a surveillance state.

Under the guise of regulating the tech companies, the law would enforce traceability and interception of end-to-end encrypted services offered by social media and messaging platforms. All digital platforms, including social media and over-the-top (OTT; direct via the internet) media services, are set to come under strict government monitoring. The very last space for dissent, free speech and independent journalism will be taken away.

The regulations are dense and complicated, and come as the Awami Leagueled government continues to amass power through regulating freedom of expression and social media. While there has been significant growth in the media industry in Bangladesh in recent years, most media outlets are backed by the current regime, reflecting a corrupt nexus between political power and media ownership. The boundaries of and digital spaces are set by the regimes, with multiple tactics including partisan licensing, revenue control and even repressive control.

The government also creates invisible fear' by using state apparatus. In addition to the oppressive regulatory framework, the rapid growth of political ownership of the media industry mutually shapes media policy that restricts the free flow of information and in Bangladesh. Both television channels and newspapers are forced to constantly negotiate and compromise their journalism.

They survive through self-censorship, silencing voices and views critical of the government. At the same time, misinformation and hate speech on Facebook have fuelled violence and communal attacks. The public understands the need to regulate the digital space to combat hate and misinformation as well as hold monopolistic tech giants such as Facebook and Google to account. But instead of regulating the tech giants directly, the government has focused on regulation that creates a culture of fear, intimidation and digital authoritarianism.

It would do better to promote digital critical thinking skills and media literacy among Bangladeshis to ensure a better informed and inclusive society free from digital hate and misinformation. State-led digital infrastructure investment and the politics of digitalisation in Bangladesh under the agenda of 'Digital Bangladesh' has stifled the free press and freedom of expression for many years. As media scholar James Carey once argued, when democracy falters, journalism falters, and when journalism goes awry, democracy goes awry.

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The employees of the Belgian Embassy in who have been declared persona non grata left the Russian capital on Sunday, Belgian media reported.

"Twelve embassy employees against whom this measure was taken have already returned to Belgium," a spokesperson of the Belgian Foreign Ministry told the Belga news agency on Sunday.

The diplomats and their family members left on a Belgian military transport aircraft since there are currently no regular flights between the two countries.

According to the foreign ministry spokesperson, the Belgian embassy in will remain open despite the reduction in its personnel.

In April, Belgian Ambassador to Moscow Mark Michielsen was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry in connection with the decision of Brussels to expel 21 employees of Russian foreign missions in . In response, Russia declared the employees of the Belgian Embassy in Moscow persona non grata. They were ordered to leave Russia by May 3.

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(Reuters) - When Tesla's plant and other auto factories were shut over the last two months by emergency measures to control China's biggest COVID-19 outbreak, the burning question was how quickly they could restart to meet surging demand.

But with the lockdown grinding into its fourth week, and similar measures imposed in dozens of smaller cities, the world's largest boom market for electric cars has gone bust.

Other companies from luxury goods makers to fast-food restaurants have also offered a first read on the lost sales and shaken confidence of recent weeks, even as rolls out measures to help COVID-hit industries and stimulate demand.

Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China, which owns KFC and Taco Bell, said in a letter to investors that April sales had been "significantly impacted" by COVID controls. In response, the company simplified its menu, streamlined staffing and promoted bulk orders for locked-down communities, she said.

The pressing question now is: how and when will Chinese consumers start buying everything from Teslas to tacos again?

In China's once-hot EV market, the recent turmoil is a stark example of a one-two economic punch, first to supply and then to demand, from Beijing's hard-line implementation of COVID controls across the world's second-largest economy.

Before Shanghai was locked down in early April to contain a COVID-19 outbreak, sales of electric vehicles had been booming. Tesla's sales in had jumped 56% in the first quarter, while sales for EVs from its larger rival in China, BYD, had quintupled. Then came the lockdowns.

Showrooms, stores and malls in Shanghai were shut and its 25 million residents were unable to shop online for much beyond food and daily necessities due to delivery bottlenecks. Analysts at Nomura estimated in mid-April that 45 cities in China, representing 40% of its GDP, were under full or partial lockdowns, with the economy at a growing risk of recession.

The Passenger Car Association estimated retail deliveries of passenger cars in were 39% lower in the first three weeks of April from a year earlier.

COVID control measures cut into shipments, car dealers held back from promoting new models, and sales tumbled in China's richest markets of Shanghai and Guangdong, the association said.

One dealer of a premium German car brand in Jiangsu province, which borders Shanghai, told Reuters sales plunged by one-third to half in April, citing lockdowns and trucking bottlenecks that made it difficult to deliver orders.

He was even more worried about the impact on consumer spending power, he said, declining to give his name as he was not permitted to speak to the media.

"It could be worse than the first wave of COVID in 2020, when the economic recovery was quick and strong. Nowadays there are more uncertainties in the economy, and the stock and property markets are not doing well," he said.

DOWNWARD SPIRAL

"Much will depend on how fast these restrictions can be lifted but the coming weeks may be difficult," Helen de Tissot, chief financial officer at French spirits maker Pernod Ricard, told Reuters on Thursday.

Kering, which owns luxury brands including Gucci and Saint Laurent, said a "significant chunk" of its stores had been shuttered in April.

"It's very difficult to predict what will happen after the lockdown," said Jean-Marc Duplaix, Kering's chief financial officer.

Apple also warned at its latest results over COVID-hit demand in China.

City authorities from to Shenzhen are trying to stimulate some demand by giving out millions of dollars worth of shopping vouchers to encourage residents to spend.

On Friday, Guangdong, a manufacturing powerhouse with an economy larger than South Korea's, rolled out its own incentives to try to restart sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids.

These include subsidies of up to 8,000 yuan ($1,200) for a select range of what China classes as "new energy vehicles", including from Volkswagen and BYD. Tesla, second in EV sales in China, was excluded from the subsidy programme.

The U.S. automaker did not respond to a request for comment.

Chongqing, another major auto manufacturing hub, in March said it would offer cash of up to 2,000 yuan ($300) for shoppers who exchange old cars for new models and set aside another $3 million for other measures to spur sales.

While noting such measures, Credit Suisse analysts still said they believe COVID control measures have put both online and offline consumption on a downward spiral.

"We see the consumer sector as being at major risk if the prolonged pandemic and further tightening continue across China," they said in an April 19 research note.

(Reporting by Zhang Yan and Brenda Goh; Additional reporting by Sophie Yu in and Silvia Aloisi in Milan; Writing by Kevin Krolicki; Editing by Tom Hogue)

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energy ministers will meet Monday to discuss Russia's decision to cut to Bulgaria and Poland, and debate planned new sanctions over Moscow's war on Ukraine.

The 27 nation-bloc has imposed five rounds of sanctions on Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, companies and other organizations since Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February.

The European Commission is working on a sixth round of measures which could include oil restrictions, but Russia-dependent countries like Hungary and Slovakia are wary of taking tough action.

The EU's executive branch could announce it new sanction proposals later this week. The measures would have to be approved by the member countries; a process that can take several days.

The energy ministers will also look at what steps to take should ramp up its pressure by cutting to other countries.

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The was preparing a ban on Russian oil, with possible exemptions for wary countries, as EU energy ministers on Monday held crisis talks on Moscows demand that foreign buyers pay for gas in rubles or lose their supply.

The office (OHCHR) said on Monday that the death toll of civilians killed in since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24 had exceeded 3,000 people.

The toll of 3,153 killed so far represents an increase of 254 from Friday.

The European Commission is expected to propose a sixth package of EU sanctions this week against over its invasion of Ukraine, including an embargo on buying Russian oil  a measure that would deprive Moscow of a large revenue stream, but that has so far divided EU countries.

supplies 40 per cent of EU gas and 26 per cent of its oil imports.

To keep the 27-nation bloc united, the Commission may offer Hungary and Slovakia an exemption or a long transition period  with the overall ban likely to be phased in by the year-end, officials said. Hungary, which said it would oppose energy sanctions, and Slovakia are heavily dependent on Russian crude.

EU countries have paid more than $47.43 billion to for gas and oil since it invaded on February 24, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Reuters

says it sank 2 Russian patrol boats

Kyiv said Monday that its drones sank two Russian patrol boats near the Black Seas Snake Island where Ukrainian soldiers rebuffed Moscows demands to surrender at the start of its invasion. Agencies

Israel slams Russia over Nazi remarks

Israel on Monday lashed out at Russia over unforgivable comments by its foreign minister Sergei Lavrov about Nazism and antisemitism  including claims that was Jewish. Israel said the remarks blamed Jews for their own murder in the Holocaust. AP
Ukrainian President said on Sunday that an evacuation is underway inside the Azovstal plant in the besieged city of Mariupol.

"The first group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area," Zelensky tweeted.

He said that the evacuees are set to arrive in southern Ukraine's city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Petro Andryushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol said earlier on Telegram that the evacuation began at 4 p.m. local time.

The Ukrainian authorities are working with the United Nations to evacuate other civilians from the plant, Zelensky said.

The evacuation from Mariupol was the centerpiece of talks between Zelensky and UN Secretary-General on Thursday.

Mariupol, a key Azov Sea port city in eastern Ukraine, has seen intense fighting since the Russia- conflict started.

--IANS

int/shs

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Students at Chonnam National University in Gwangju chat on Monday, the first day when the first relaxation of mask wearing regulations came into effect as the national daily COVID-19 infection case number continue to gradually decline. Yonhap



Daily COVID-19 infection cases drop to 20,084, lowest in nearly 3 months



By Ko Dong-hwan



Monday marked the first day when the lifting of the outdoor mask mandate came into effect, 566 days since the nation introduced it in October 2020. Despite the relaxed rules, people seen in crowded city streets on Monday morning included both masked and unmasked members of the public.



There were those with their mask in-hand while walking who only put it on when boarding public transport, so as to abide by the national quarantine regulations that still requires masks to be worn in enclosed or indoors spaces.



It may be that news of the mandate's lift on Monday hasn't reached all, as some wearing masks may still think the measure is in place. Or it may be that the eased quarantine regulation simply needs more time for more members of the public to put themselves at ease and expose their faces more comfortably.



"I feel weird that I don't have to wear it anymore," one of the passers-by wearing her mask in Seoul told The Korea Times, asking not to be named. "I think I've become accustomed to wearing it so I was reluctant to go outside without it this morning. I want to take time and see how others are doing before I decide to go mask-free."









One 39 year old man not wearing a mask, on the other hand, seemed vibrant. "I have been looking forward to this day," he said on his way to work in Seoul's Jung District. "I see that many people are still wearing them, but I guess they will eventually take them off. I hope I also don't need to wear it inside my office soon."



The outdoor mask mandate lift came as Monday saw 20,084 new COVID-19 infection cases from the previous day, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The figure is the lowest in nearly three months and also hit the lowest mark along the downward trend, which has been continuing throughout the past weeks. Monday's tally is a marked drop from the previous day's 37,771. It is the first time since early February that the daily count came down to the 20,000s.



The KDCA scrapped the mandate for outside spaces except for at large gatherings of 50 or more people. Those with possible symptoms of COVID-19 like fever, cough and sore throat, as well as old age, low immunity, chronic respiratory problems, and those who haven't vaccinated are still required to wear masks outside.





Employees at Government Complex building in Sejong stroll during a lunch break on Monday. Despite the lift of outside mask mandate on Monday, some still felt reluctant to take off their masks. Yonhap
Victorious over his far-right rival in last month's presidential vote, centrist now faces a gathering challenge from the left in France's upcoming legislative elections.

A government headed by hard-left veteran politician Jean-Luc Mlenchon is hardly a prospect Macron would relish at a time of crisis for the European Union. The French president would have to contend with a prime minister far apart ideologically from himself on crucial issues like France's relationship with the 27-member nation bloc and the supplying of weapons to Ukraine.

Mlenchon, who earned a third place finish in the presidential election, is trying to engineer a stunning comeback as the head of what he hopes will be a coalition of leftist parties who have spent the past five years in the president's large shadow.

Mlenchon inched closer toward uniting the shattered and weakened left by striking a deal on Monday with France's Greens to not compete against each other in the legislative polls in June. Mlenchon's La Insoumise ( Unbowed) party is also talking to the Socialist and Communist parties in hopes that they'll also get behind him.

Still, the fiery orator remains far away from becoming prime minister and potentially limit Macron's room for policy-making. Mlenchon's nascent coalition of the left would need to win a majority of the 577 seats in the lower house, the National Assembly, in the elections that will be held over two rounds of voting, on June 12 and 19. With six weeks of campaigning left to go, a Macron-Mlenchon power split emerging in June looks unlikely for now.

Here is a look at some of the obstacles that stand in the way of Mlenchon's ambitions:



MACRON'S ADVANTAGE:



The president's political movement, La Republique en Marche (The Republic on the Move), and its centrist allies together hold over 300 seats in the outgoing parliament, making him the favorite to again win a majority.

Macron is hoping that having elected him to a second, five-year term, large enough numbers of voters in the 577 districts won't want to tie his hands by saddling him with a parliament largely filled with opponents.

Some Socialist former ministers and other center-left figures have already announced that they support Macron.

He is also expected to get the backing in parliament of lawmakers from a newly created, center-right Horizons party run his former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.

MELENCHON'S CHALLENGE:



The nearly 8 million votes that Mlenchon got nationally in the presidential election are no guarantee that he can secure a legislative majority, in part because the voting system is different. Legislators are elected by district. And voters don't always cast ballots in legislative elections along the same political lines that they chose in the presidential vote.

In the previous presidential election in 2017, Mlenchon also got more than 7 million votes, placing fourth. But his party went on to win less than 20 seats in the legislative election that followed.

His third-place finish this time, which earned him 22% of the vote in the first round, gave him leverage in trying to rally other parties on the left behind him for the legislative election.

Under the deal that his party struck on Monday with the Greens, the environmental party will field candidates in 100 districts where Mlenchon's party won't run, so they don't compete against each other. The Greens agreed that if the coalition wins a parliamentary majority, then they'd back Mlenchon as prime minister.

The Communist and Socialist parties also appear close to a deal with Mlenchon's party, although some Socialists have publicly denounced his views that should disobey EU rules, including free-market regulations.

Mlenchon has also expressed opposition to supplying weapons to Ukraine and wants France to leave NATO's military command, ideas which are not acceptable to center-left politicians.

THE FAR-RIGHT:



The far-right goes into this legislative election looking stronger than ever.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen was beaten by Macron in both the first round and the runoff in last month's presidential vote. Still, her scores in both rounds were unprecedented for Le Pen.

Another far-right presidential candidate, Eric Zemmour, also got 7% of the first-round vote, placing fourth. The support they got suggests that political leanings in France may be shifting increasingly to the right.

Yet legislative elections are traditionally difficults for Le Pen's National Rally, in part because other parties often come together to bar the way for its candidates. The National Rally won just eight seats five years ago.

This time, the party hopes to elect at least 15 lawmakers, which under parliamentary rules would give its group more speaking time and more seats on parliamentary commissions.

Le Pen will run for reelection as lawmaker in her working-class stronghold of Henin-Beaumont in northern France.

Zemmour has announced that his party, Reconquest, won't field candidate in places where National Rally members are running.

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Tightened anti-smoking laws took effect in on Sunday. Brand images and logos must be removed from packages of all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and refill containers.

Under previous laws, tobacco products must not be visible in a store, and customers must be able to identify the purchase verbally. The unified package formats have a transition time until May 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.

has been gradually banning smoking since 1976. Smoking in public transport and schools and selling tobacco to people aged under 16 were banned. The ban was later extended to cover all public indoor areas, including restaurants. From this week, the ban also covers public beaches and playgrounds.

Smoking in rental accommodations has been banned in new contracts for several years, and the ban concerns also balconies. In ownership-based condo units, the condo company can apply for a municipal order to ban smoking in the house. But owners can continue smoking in detached houses that are their properties.

While "characterising" aromas or flavors such as menthol or strawberry have been illegal for years, the new amendment also prohibits products that consumers themselves can use to alter the flavor. Existing stock can be sold.

Establishment owners can maintain smoking rooms, but laws require costly, low-pressuring, and exhaust ventilation that takes the contaminated air out to the roof level of the building.

The legislative change is aimed at reducing the appeal of tobacco products, particularly to young people, and protecting young children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. It is also intended to reduce littering and environmental damage related to smoking, said the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.

--IANS

int/shs

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People fleeing besieged Mariupol described weeks of bombardments and deprivations as they arrived Monday in Ukrainian-held territory, where relief workers awaited the first group of civilians freed from a steel plant that is last redoubt of Ukrainian fighters in the devastated port city.

Video posted online Sunday by Ukrainian forces showed elderly women and mothers with small children climbing over a steep pile of rubble from the sprawling Azovstal steel plant and eventually boarding a bus.

More than 100 civilians from the plant were expected to arrive in Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol, on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the city on the Sea of Azov and other places have broken down. People fleeing Russian-occupied areas in the past have said their vehicles were fired on, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russian forces of shelling agreed-upon evacuation routes.

Today, for the first time in all the days of the war, this vitally needed green corridor has started working, Zelenskyy said Sunday in a pre-recorded address published on his Telegram messaging channel.

At least some of the people evacuated from the plant were apparently taken to a village controlled by Moscow-backed separatists, though Russian state media reported they would be allowed to continue on to Ukrainian-held territory if they wanted to. In the past, Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow's troops of forcibly relocating civilians from areas they have captured to Russia; Moscow has said the people wanted to go to Russia.

While official evacuations have often faltered, many people have managed to flee Mariupol under their own steam in recent weeks. are unable to escape.

People without cars cannot leave. They're desperate, said Olena Gibert, who was among those arriving an a U.N.-backed reception center in Zaporizhzhia in dusty and often damaged private cars. You need to go get them. People have nothing. We had nothing.

She said many people still in Mariupol wish to escape the Russian-controlled city but can't say so openly amid the atmosphere of constant pro-Russian propaganda. A siege of the city since the early days of the war has trapped civilians in terrible conditions, with scarce access to food, water, medicine and electricity. They have suffered intense bombardment, including a Russian airstrike on a maternity hospital and the bombing of a theater.

Anastasiia Dembytska, who took advantage of the brief cease-fire around the evacuation of civilians from the steel plant to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog, told The Associated Press her family survived by cooking on a makeshift stove and drinking well water.

She said could see the steel plant from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

A defender of the plant said Russian forces resumed shelling the plant Sunday as soon as some civilians there were evacuated.

Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraine's National Guard, said in a televised interview that several hundred civilians remain trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said. It was unclear whether there would be further evacuation attempts.

Before the weekend evacuation, about 1,000 civilians were also believed to be in the the sprawling, Soviet-era steel plant, along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters. As many as 100,000 people may still be in Mariupol overall.

The city, which had a pre-war population of more than 400,000, is a key Russian target because its capture would deprive of a vital port, allow Moscow to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere in the Donbas, now Russia's main focus.

A Ukrainian officer at the plant urged groups like the U.N. and the Red Cross to ensure the evacuation of wounded fighters, though he acknowledged that reaching some of the injured is difficult.

There's rubble. We have no special equipment. It's hard for soldiers to pick up slabs weighing tons only with their arms, Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, told the AP in an interview. We hear voices of people who are still alive inside shattered buildings.

The Azov Regiment originated as a far-right paramilitary unit and is now part of the Ukrainian military.

In his nightly address Sunday, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of waging a war of extermination, saying Russian shelling had hit food, grain and fertilizer warehouses, and residential neighborhoods in the city of Kharkiv, in the Donbas and other regions.

After failing to capture Kyiv in the opening weeks of the war, Russian forces have embarked on a major military operation to seize the Donbas, Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces struck dozens of military targets in eastern in the past 24 hours, including concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The information could not be independently verified. The Ukrainian president's office said at least three people were killed and another three, including a child, were wounded in the eastern Luhansk region over the last 24 hours. It said that four people were wounded in the shelling in Donetsk, another eastern region.

The regional administration in the Zaporizhzhia region farther west said that at least two people died and another four were wounded in the Russian shelling of the town of Orikhiv.

A full picture of battle unfolding in eastern Ukraine is hard to capture. The fighting makes it dangerous for reporters to move around, and both sides have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

Western officials say Russia is advancing slowly in its eastern offensive and has captured some villages, but is inflicting heavy civilian casualties through indiscriminate bombing. Ukrainian forces are fighting their offensive village-by-village while civilians flee airstrikes and artillery shelling.

The British Defense Ministry said in a daily briefing Monday that it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

The British military believes Russia committed over 120 so-called battalion tactical groups into the war since February, which represents 65% of all of Moscow's combat strength.

Ukraine's military claimed Monday to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea. Drone footage posted online showed what the Ukrainians described as two Russian Raptor boats exploding after being struck by missiles.

The AP could not immediately independently confirm the strikes.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance has flowed into Ukraine during the war, but Russia's vast armories mean Ukraine still needs massive support. Zelenskyy has appealed to the West for more weapons, and tougher economic sanctions on Russia.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other U.S. lawmakers visited Zelenskyy on Saturday to show American support.

European Union energy ministers were meeting Monday to discuss a new set of sanctions, which could include restrictions on Russian oil though Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc including Hungary and Slovakia are wary of taking tough action.

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Alphabet unit on Monday urged Europe's second-highest court to dismiss a 1.49-billion-euro ($1.6 billion) fine imposed by three years ago for hindering rivals in online search advertising.

The case is one of three that has resulted in a total of 8.25 billion euros in antitrust fines on the world's most popular internet search engine.

The European Commission in its 2019 decision said had abused its dominance to stop websites using brokers other than its AdSense platform which provided search adverts. The Commission said the illegal practices occurred from 2006 to 2016.

subsequently challenged the EU finding in the Luxembourg-based General Court. The company will set out its case during a three-day hearing starting on Monday.

The EU competition enforcer's assessment of Google's dominance and the Commission's decision that search ads and non-search ads do not compete were wrong, Google said in a court document.

It also took issue with the Commission for saying the company's exclusivity, premium placement and minimum Google ads clauses were abusive.

Google suffered a setback last year when it lost its court fight against a 2.42-billion-euro antitrust decision over the use of its own price comparison shopping service to gain an unfair advantage over smaller European rivals.

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Although Elon Musks deal to acquire is still months away from closing, some of Musks fans are soliciting future employment at the social media platform via his feed. Considerable turnover is likely, at least based on Musks feed, which is often critical of leadership. So Musks followers are taking their shot.

Hire me to run Twitter as VP of Product, tweeted Nikita Bier, co-founder of a positivity-focused polling app called tbh that was acquired by Meta Platforms.

Ive been building social apps for 11 years  and not in a way that leads products to decay like a typical BigTech product director dad. Antonio Garcia Martinez, the author of the tech insider tell-all Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley, nominated himself for a job at Twitter and even listed a brief resume fit for the platforms 280-character tweet limit.

Even William Shatner, the actor best known for his role as Captain James T Kirk of the USS Enterprise in the franchise, is vying for a job as the face of Twitter. Hes got experience; Shatner was paid in equity to be the spokesperson for Priceline.com in the early 2000s, and reportedly missed out on millions in gains by selling his stake too early. But its MIT Research Scientist Lex Fridmans job solicitation, which taps into Musks well-documented affinity for jokes including the numbers 420 or 69, that perhaps has the best chance of getting the billionaires attention.

This tweet is my official job application to Twitter for the position of Chief Love Officer (CLO). request a monthly salary of $69, preferably paid in crypto, Fridman said in a tweet. Bloomberg

Tesla delays filing as investors await word on any stock split

Tesla needs more time to file a regular disclosure ahead of its annual shareholders meeting, pushing back a potential detailing of plans for issuing new shares and a possible stock split. Elon Musks electric-car-market leader said on Monday in a securities filing that it wouldnt be able to file a proxy statement until sometime later this year, without providing a specific timeline. Tesla faced an April 30 deadline for filing its shareholder proxy after the end of its fiscal year on December 31. Investors are awaiting details on an anticipated request for a share-issuance vote the company announced in a March 28 tweet. Bloomberg

falls after Covid pill fails in preventive therapy

fell in early trading after Paxlovid, its pill for treating Covid-19, failed to show benefit as a preventive therapy in a trial. Paxlovid is poised to become one of the fastest-selling drugs of all time, with $24 billion in projected 2022 sales, according to analytics group Airfinity. has also reaped billions in global sales from its Covid-19 vaccine. The company said on late Friday that the drug failed to hit its main goal of reducing the risk that adults exposed to the coronavirus through contact with a household member would become infected. Bloomberg

Despite curbs, Shanghais Covid battle faces setback

China's commercial capital of Shanghai was dealt a blow on Monday as authorities reported 58 new Covid-19 cases outside areas under strict lockdown, while Beijing pressed on with testing millions of people on a May Day holiday few were celebrating. Tough coronavirus curbs in Shanghai have stirred rare public anger, with millions of the citys 25 million people stuck indoors for more than a month, some sealed inside fenced-off residential compounds and many struggling for daily necessities. Bloomberg

PMs phone attacked with Pegasus spyware in 21

The cellphones of Spain's prime minister and defence minister were infected last year with Pegasus spyware, which is available only to countries' government agencies, authorities announced on Monday. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs mobile phone was breached twice in May 2021, and Defence Minister Margarita Robles device was targeted once the following month, Cabinet Minister Felix Bolanos said. The breaches, which resulted in a significant amount of data being obtained, were not authorised by a Spanish judge, which is a legal requirement for national covert operations. AP
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Monday and signed an agreement on a direct encrypted connection between the two foreign offices.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar informed that both the leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict and Indo-Pacific.

"Good conversation with FM @ABaerbock. Reviewed our bilateral cooperation. Discussed the Ukraine conflict & Indo-Pacific. Signed agreement on direct encrypted connection between the two Foreign Offices. Will be reporting at the Inter-Governmental Consultations Plenary," Jaishankar tweeted.

This comes as Prime Minister is on an official visit to . PM Modi held a meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin as the two leaders look forward to expand India- cooperation.

The Prime Minister earlier today received a guard of honour at Federal Chancellery in Berlin on Monday in the presence of the German Chancellor.

PM Modi, who arrived in on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

The Prime Minister greeted members of the Indian community, who were awaiting his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime Minister's arrival.

The people chanted "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" on seeing the Prime Minister.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

(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.)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to wish him a happy Eid al-Fitr, a celebration marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, amid heightened regional tensions.

Herzog expressed hope for "peace and stability in the region" on the eve of Eid al-Fitr, said a statement issued by Herzog's office, without elaborating on the content of the conversation.

He also spoke with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and wished them a happy holiday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Herzog's office noted that the President is expected to speak with more leaders in the next few days.

It was the first official talk between Herzog and Abbas since the beginning of a wave of fatal violence between Israel and the Palestinians in March.

The UAE and Bahrain agreed to normalise their ties with Israel in the US-brokered Abraham Accords which were signed in September 2020.

The Israeli Presidency is a largely ceremonial position.

--IANS

int/shs

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Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to talk with his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha about economic matters, upheaval in and Russia's war in Ukraine when they meet on Monday in the middle of his five-nation overseas tour.

Kishida arrived in on Sunday after visits to Indonesia and Vietnam. He is scheduled to go to Italy and the United Kingdom after .

Japanese economic investments have been key to Thailand's industrialisation over the past six decades, especially in the automotive industry, which now seeks to expand in the sector.

Also likely to be on their agenda is the violent conflict in Thailand's neighbour, Myanmar, which some experts characterise as a civil war.

Several governments have imposed sanctions against Myanmar's military for the takeover last year, and other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Singapore have condemned its abuses.

and share a softer approach and have been less critical of the ruling military.

Thailand has significant economic interests in and has its own past history of army rule. has historically had friendly ties with the military governments that have ruled most of the past six decades.

Japanese officials have said Kishida would also discuss a possible Reciprocal Access Agreement with Thailand, aimed at deepening their defense cooperation.

The agreement would allow for joint exercises, training and stationing of their militaries on each other's territory.

Kishida discussed the war in Ukraine with Vietnamese leaders on Sunday and said they agreed on the respect for law and rejection of the use of force.

has condemned Russia's invasion and joined western nations in imposing sanctions against Moscow.

Vietnam, like most other Southeast Asian nations, has avoided directly criticising Russia and has called for restraint, the respect of the UN charter and dialogue to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.

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Prime Minister on Monday held a meeting with German Challancer Olaf Scholz in as the two leaders look forward to expand India-Germany cooperation.

"Expanding India-Germany cooperation. PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Scholz meet in . @Bundeskanzler," Office of the Prime Minister of India said in a tweet.

The Prime Minister earlier today received a guard of honour at Federal Chancellery in on Monday in the presence of the German Chancellor.

PM Modi, who arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

The Prime Minister greeted members of the Indian community, who were awaiting his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime Minister's arrival.

The people chanted "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" on seeing the Prime Minister. Before departing for Federal Chancellery in Berlin, PM Modi was again greeted by the Indian diaspora.

During his visit to Germany, PM Modi will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will also co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in Germany.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

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The Russian military will not forcefully adjust their actions during the special operation in to any date, including Victory Day, which is celebrated in on May 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"The pace of the operation in depends, first of all, on the need to minimize any risks for the civilian population and Russian military personnel," Lavrov told the Italian Mediaset broadcaster, saying that "our troops will not artificially adjust their actions to any date, including Victory Day."

Lavrov specified that is focused on its main objectives in Ukraine, which had been announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, namely, the protection and security of the civilian population, the absence on the territory of of any threats related to offensive weapons and Nazification, which the West is actively trying to downplay.

Asked whether wants Ukrainian President Volozymyr Zelenskyy to surrender, Lavrov said that Moscow is "not demanding that he surrender" but demands "that he give the order to release all civilians and stop resistance."

Lavrov emphasized that Russia wants to ensure security for all people in eastern Ukraine "so that they are not threatened by either the militarization or the Nazification of this country, and that there are no threats to the security of the Russian Federation from the territory of Ukraine."

"Our goal does not include regime change in Ukraine. This is an American speciality. They do it all over the world," Lavrov stressed.

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Korea's top envoy to Ukraine and some other embassy staff have returned to Kyiv to restart operations there, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.







Korean embassy officials had evacuated from the capital and worked at a temporary office in the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi since March following Russia's invasion of the country.







Amb. Kim Hyung-tae and some embassy staff have returned to Kyiv in preparation for work there starting Monday (Ukraine time), the ministry said, adding it is considering the phased return of the remaining staff.







"(They) plan to carry out tasks on diplomatic affairs and protecting (Korean) nationals under closer cooperation with the Ukrainian government," it said.







During his visit to Ukraine last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a gradual return of American diplomats to Kyiv. (Yonhap)






Russian state media has urged President Vladimir Putin to wipe the off the map using his most-powerful nuclear weapons.

Dmitry Kiselyov, a man often known as "Putin's mouthpiece", used his Sunday night show to call for attacks on the with a Poseidon underwater drone that he said would trigger a 1,600ft radioactive tidal wave and "plunge Britain to the depths of the ocean", The Daily Mail reported.

The drone "has capacity for a warhead of up to 100 megatonne", Kiselyov claimed and added that it also has several thousand times the strength of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, which would "raise a giant wave, a tsunami, up to 1,640ft high" enough to reach halfway up Scafell Pike, the tallest point in England.

Speaking against a background graphic showing the being erased from the world map, Kiselyov added: "This tidal wave is also a carrier of extremely high doses of radiation. Surging over Britain, it will turn whatever is left of them into radioactive desert, unusable for anything. How do you like this prospect?"

Kiselyov also threatened the UK with an attack by Sarmat 2, Russia's latest nuclear missile which was tested by Putin a fortnight ago, which he claimed could also completely destroy the country with just a single impact.

"(Their) island is so small that one Sarmat missile is enough to drown it once and for all," he said.

"(It) is capable of destroying an area the size of Texas or England. A single launch, Boris, and there is no England anymore', the Daily Mail quoted Kiselyov as saying.

Kiselyov's remarks follow a pattern that has developed on Russian state media in recent days of threatening Britain with nuclear holocaust, based on the false premise that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has threatened to carry out a nuclear strike on Russia without consulting NATO.

--IANS

san/ksk/

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New Delhi, May 2: said on Monday that its armed forces continue to strike important military infrastructure of Ukraine with high-precision missiles, including the Iskander-M which destroys air and missile defence systems as well as other important objects at a distance of up to 500 km.

Releasing a video on the operation today, the Russian Defence Ministry showed how the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system destroys an entire battery of Smerch multiple launch rocket systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a high-precision strike.

"Intelligence calculated the positions of the rocket artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the sky, an unmanned aerial vehicle controls the target. At a distance of hundreds of kilometers from the enemy, 'Iskander-M' hits the enemy in the heart. In place of the explosion, a sea of fire and a column of smoke. Dozens of destroyed strategic facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already been accounted for by such complexes," said the ministry.

Iskander, claims Russia, is the only operational tactical missile system in the world that uses both ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. It is capable of flying at the lowest possible altitude along the trajectory set by the operator and can bend around the terrain, which makes it invisible to enemy air defences.

"Not a single modern air defence system is capable of repelling our missile attack. The complex is not afraid of enemy electronic warfare and it is almost impossible to intercept the Iskander missile," said the head of Iskander-M Operational-Tactical Missile System (OTRK) crew.

Highlighting the success of its strikes in the course of the 'special military operation' in Ukraine, said that the system has no analogues in the world as the forces are able to hit targets in the tactical depth of the enemy.

"The crew copes with the fulfillment of the assigned combat mission of hitting critical enemy targets such as warehouses of artillery and missile weapons, fuels and lubricants, command posts and headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The mobility of this complex helps to quickly change its location, which does not allow the enemy to calculate our location in time and strike back," the crew chief added.

Moscow had on Sunday also said that its another high-precision missile 'Onyx' had destroyed in the region of Odessa a hangar with weapons in a military airfield which stored ammunition received from the and European countries. A newly-constructed runway was also bombed.

"High-precision air-based missiles of the Russian Aerospace Forces hit seven military facilities in Ukraine. Among them: four areas of concentration of manpower and military equipment, as well as three depots of rocket and artillery weapons and ammunition in the areas of the settlements of Beryozovoe of the Donetsk People's Republic, Slation and Barvenkovo of the Kharkiv region," said the Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson during his daily briefing.

also said that it has rescued 80 civilians, including women and children, who were held by Ukrainian nationalists, at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.

"Civilians evacuated by Russian servicemen from the Azovstal plant who wished to leave for areas controlled by the Kyiv regime were transferred to representatives of the UN and the Committee of the Red Cross," said the Russian Defence Ministry.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

--indianarrative

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Addressing a May Day rally organised by his party in Polonnaruwa, former President and the chairman of the Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Srisena on Sunday called for fresh elections in the country.

Saying that politicians should take the side of the people at a time when the country is facing a great tragedy, Srisena said that he took to the streets on Labor Day for this purpose, Colombo Page reported.

"I also too took to the streets as this government doesn't leave even when people from the country's richest to the innocent suffering farmers and public servants took to the streets demanding the government to go home. I want to form a new government in the country. We will do it," Srisena was quoted as saying by Colombo Page.

The former president added that he could not stay at home when the people were in a state of distress with thousands of problems in the country.

"Farmers in Polonnaruwa who dreamed of making a country self-sufficient in agriculture from the Moragahakanda Reservoir are now unable to cultivate even on a daily basis. Today I participate in the May Day rally of the working class which raised the voice of the farmers' community and expressed its problems and challenges to the ruling class of the country," Srisena was quoted as saying.

The former president also cautioned that if the current leaders stay on, there would be a situation where people would die at home, adding that two or three lakhs of people in the country were already starving and he was receiving calls from people all over the country asking for food.

is facing its worst since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the people, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation.

The recession is attributed to shortages caused by a fall in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reckless economic policies, like the government's move last year to ban chemical fertilizers in a bid to make Sri Lanka's agriculture "100 per cent organic".

Due to an acute shortage of Foreign exchange, Sri Lanka recently defaulted on the entirety of its foreign debt amounting to about USD 51 billion.

The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

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Guy Stockbridge runs multiple businesses from his headquarters in central California, including landscape companies that ripple across his home state and a utility solar business with operations in 17 states.

Flying is a way of life for Stockbridge and others at his company, Elite Team Offices, based in Clovis. For years they flew both privately and on commercial flights out of Fresno, roughly 10 miles from Clovis. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and ownership became more and more attractive.

"Buying a jet has been on my mind for years, but Covid definitely added to the equation!" Stockbridge told Reuters by email.

He is not alone.

A shift toward private flying that more wealthy Americans saw as a necessary luxury during COVID-19 is now showing signs of becoming something else: a pricey but sought-after alternative to a premium ticket on a commercial flight.

Many stayed for the convenience, with analysts and industry executives saying they see both more first-time jet owners and families and even small- and medium businesses flying private.

Airlines had an 80% share of premium travel in 2021, down from 90% before COVID-19, according to Alton Aviation Consultancy.

Business jets were often associated with entertainers and top executives. They now account for a quarter of U.S. flights, roughly twice the pre-pandemic share, according to research and consultancy WINGX.

And consultancy McKinsey & Company estimated that before the pandemic, only 10% of those with the means to travel privately did so.

Flying private covers a whole gamut of transport. For some, like Stockbridge, that means owning a private plane. Other services include operators of charter flights that sell either by the seat or the entire plane, as well as services that sell fractions or shares of jets.

It all comes at a cost.

Stockbridge took delivery this month of a Cessna Citation M2 Gen2, a light jet made by Textron, which he said can turn travel to his out-of-state businesses into a day trip. The plane, which seats up to seven, lists for $5.85 million.

Stockbridge was clear about the business benefits. "Our out of state work is driving the need for a private jet, distance, and time to getting to job is crucial."

"Yes, we do still fly commercial but much less frequent... probably 10% commercial, and 90% jet/charter," he said.

Charters and other services may be cheaper than owning a plane, but they still carry gold-plated prices.

Booking a Gulfstream G280 with nine passenger seats for a one-way New York-to-Miami flight costs $18,100, according to Jettly, a platform for charter bookings. That compares with an average cost for a single business-class, New York-to-Miami ticket of $421, before taxes, according to data from airline analytics firm Cirium for January.

Even so, for many the price is not a deterrent.

"I think the people we're seeing convert from commercial are not going back to commercial," said Jamie Walker, chief executive of U.S.-based Jet Linx, which manages planes and operates private flights through a "jet card" subscription-style program.

Jet Linx charges a $25,000 membership fee as well as per-flight fees, according to its website.

Subscription-based Wheels Up Experience said its service costs members $80,000 a year.

Jet Linx saw sales of jet cards jump 40% last year compared with 2019, Walker said.

Other operators are also seeing gains.

"We are still seeing new entrants continuing to come to the market," said Megan Wolf, chief operating officer at Flexjet, a global provider of fractionally owned jets.

Despite a small uptick in pre-owned business jet supply, the market remains robust, with companies like Jet Linx capping sales because they cannot meet demand.

The boom is benefiting planemakers like Textron, General Dynamics Corp's Gulfstream, and Bombardier.

Textron reported quarterly earnings last week that topped estimates, signaling that an expected leveling-off in business jet demand has yet to occur.

"If anything demand has accelerated," said Vertical Research Partners analyst Robert Stallard.

U.S. private aviation traffic is up about 15% from its 2019 levels, while airline traffic remains down about 13%, according to data from flight-tracking website FlightAware.

Analysts do expect a rebound in commercial flights to eventually draw some wealthy travelers back to scheduled airlines. But there are signs that some of the shift to private jets could be permanent, especially on shorter-haul U.S. flights.

Not only are major carriers pulling out of such routes because of pilot shortages, the flights are comparatively less expensive than using private jets for overseas trips.

AIRLINE RECOVERY

The trend is not lost on the big airlines.

Delta Air Lines, the No 3. U.S. airline by fleet size, has a 20% stake in Wheels Up.

Delta, like other U.S. carriers, is seeing demand return. Its revenue from higher-yield premium cabins rose to 77% of the pre-pandemic level in the first quarter, up from 27% a year ago. And Atlanta-based Delta sees stronger demand from higher-paying leisure travelers making up for an estimated 10% of business travel that might not return.

Ed Bastian, Delta's chief executive, acknowledged the surge in private flying but said many of those passengers also fly commercial.

"I don't think that it's taken a lot of traffic off our plane - some, yes," Bastian said in an interview.

Some competitors in the sphere see things differently.

Jettly saw requested flights more than triple from December 2019 to December 2021, with more than a quarter of demand estimated to come from passengers who previously flew business-class, said Justin Crabbe, head of the Toronto-based company.

"Some of them are jumping to the airlines' chagrin," he said.

(Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal and Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; Editing by Leslie Adler)

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A first group of civilians trapped for weeks inside a steel plant in Mariupol under Russian siege was expected to reach a Ukrainian-controlled city on Monday, as a new attempt was launched to allow people sheltering elsewhere in the city to leave.

Video posted online Sunday by Ukrainian forces showed elderly women and mothers with small children climbing over a steep pile of rubble from the sprawling Azovstal steel plant and eventually boarding a bus.

The evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the port city on the Sea of Azov and other places have broken down. People fleeing Russian-occupied areas in the past have said their vehicles were fired on, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russian forces of shelling agreed-upon evacuation routes.

At least some of the people evacuated from the plant were apparently taken to a village controlled by Moscow-backed separatists, though Russian state media reported they would be allowed to continue on to Ukrainian-held territory if they wanted to. In the past, Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow's troops of forcibly relocating civilians from areas they have captured to Russia; Moscow has said the people wanted to go to .

More than 100 civilians were expected to arrive in Zaporizhzhia on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday.

Today, for the first time in all the days of the war, this vitally needed green corridor has started working, Zelenskyy said in a pre-recorded address published on his Telegram messaging channel.

While official evacuations have often faltered, many people have managed to flee Mariupol under their own steam. Anastasiia Dembytska took advantage of the brief cease-fire around the evacuation of civilians from the steel plant to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog.

She told The Associated Press she could see the steel plant from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

She said she had to navigate many checkpoints on the journey to Zaporizhzhia and waited 18 hours near the city before being allowed to pass.

Like many Mariupol residents, Dembytska and her family survived by cooking on a makeshift stove and drinking well water under near-constant bombardment.

I was scared, then I got used to it, her 14-year-old daughter Vladyslava said.

A defender of the steel plant said Russian forces resumed shelling the plant Sunday as soon as the civilians were evacuated.

Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraine's National Guard, said in a televised interview Sunday night that several hundred civilians are still trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said.

As many as 100,000 people may still be in Mariupol, including an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the sprawling, Soviet-era steel plant the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

A siege of Mariupol since the early days of the war has trapped civilians with scarce access to food, water, medicine and electricity. A Russian airstrike hit a maternity hospital early in the conflict, and hundreds of people were reported killed when a theater was bombed.

The city, which had a pre-war population of more than 400,000, is a key Russian target because its capture would deprive of a vital port, allow Moscow to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere in the Donbas, now Russia's main focus.

A Ukrainian officer at the steel plant urged groups like the U.N. and the Red Cross to also ensure the evacuation of wounded fighters at the plant, though he acknowledged that reaching some of the injured is difficult.

There's rubble. We have no special equipment. It's hard for soldiers to pick up slabs weighing tons only with their arms, Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, told the AP in an interview. We hear voices of people who are still alive inside shattered buildings.

U.N. humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu said civilians arriving in Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol, would get immediate support, including psychological services. A Doctors Without Borders team was waiting for the U.N. convoy at a reception center for displaced people in the city.

In his nightly address Sunday, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of waging a war of extermination, saying Russian shelling had hit food, grain and fertilizer warehouses, and residential neighborhoods in the city of Kharkiv, in the Donbas and other regions.

More than 350,000 people have been evacuated from combat zones thanks to humanitarian corridors pre-agreed with Moscow, he said, adding the organization of humanitarian corridors is one of the elements of the negotiation process which is ongoing.

In Zaporizhzhia, residents ignored air raid sirens to visit cemeteries on Sunday, the Orthodox Christian day of the dead.

If our dead could rise and see this, they would say, It's not possible, they're worse than the Germans,' Hennadiy Bondarenko, 61, said while marking the day with his family at a picnic table among the graves. All our dead would join the fighting, including the Cossacks.

Meanwhile, Russian forces embarked on a major military operation to seize the Donbas, Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, after failing to capture Kyiv.

A full picture of battle unfolding in eastern is hard to capture. The fighting makes it dangerous for reporters to move around, and both sides have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

Western officials say is advancing slowly in its eastern offensive and has captured some villages, but is inflicting heavy civilian casualties through indiscriminate bombing. Ukrainian forces are fighting their offensive village-by-village while civilians flee airstrikes and artillery shelling.

The British Defense Ministry said in a daily briefing Monday that it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

The British military believes Russia committed over 120 so-called battalion tactical groups into the war since February, which represents 65% of all of Moscow's combat strength.

Ukraine's military claimed Monday to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea. Drone footage posted online showed what the Ukrainians described as two Russian Raptor boats exploding after being struck by missiles.

The AP could not immediately independently confirm the strikes.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance has flowed into Ukraine during the war, but Russia's vast armories mean Ukraine still needs massive support. Zelenskyy has appealed to the West for more weapons, and tougher economic sanctions on Russia.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other U.S. lawmakers visited Zelenskyy on Saturday to show American support.

European Union energy ministers were meeting Monday to discuss a new set of sanctions, which could include restrictions on Russian oil though Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc including Hungary and Slovakia are wary of taking tough action.

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urged its partners on Monday to unite and impose sweeping sanctions on Russia's oil and natural gas sectors over the war in Ukraine, and not to cave in to pressure to pay for their gas in Russian rubles.

EU ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss their response to Russia's decision last week to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and .

Energy giant Gazprom says the two countries failed to pay their bills in April.

We will call for immediate sanctions on Russian oil and gas. This is the next, and urgent, and absolute step," Polish Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa said. We already have coal. Now it's time for oil, and (the) second step is for gas. The best option is take them all together.

In a move last week branded in Europe as blackmail, Russian energy giant Gazprom cut supplies to Bulgaria and . It came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that unfriendly countries must start paying for gas in rubles, Russia's currency.

Bulgaria and Poland have refused to do so, like most EU countries. More Gazprom bills are due on May 20, and the bloc is wary that Russia might turn off more taps then. Russia rejects the claims of blackmail.

The 27 nation EU imports around 40 per cent of the gas it consumes from Russia. But some member countries, notably Hungary and Slovakia, are more heavily dependent on Russian supplies than others, and support for a gradual phasing in of an oil embargo is emerging.

Germany believes it could cope if supplies of Russian oil were cut off by Moscow. Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Russian oil now accounts for 12 per cent of total imports, down from 35 per cent before the war, and most of it goes to the Schwedt refinery near Berlin.

Germany is not against an oil ban from Russia. Of course it is a heavy load to bear, but we are ready to do that," Habeck told reporters. He said that a few more weeks or months to find oil transporting ships, and to better prepare harbours and pipelines would be useful.

Time is helpful but I think other countries have bigger problems, and as I have asked for solidarity or understanding of the German situation, I am also of course willing to understand the maybe more difficult situation for other countries," he said.

The bulk of Monday's meeting is focused on shoring up gas supplies and not giving in to Putin's demand that companies pay for gas in rubles. Around 97 per cent of European contracts have been concluded in euros or dollars.

The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, has warned that companies ceding to pressure to convert euros to rubles through two accounts at Gazprombank would be in contravention of the bloc's sanctions.

We shouldn't support Gazprombank, we shouldn't support the Russian economy. We are not obliged to follow Putin's decree, to follow Putin's law. We've got European law. We've got national law, Moskwa said. She added that Poland's gas supplies are not at risk.

The EU has hit Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, companies and other organisations with rafts of sanctions since Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February. The commission is working on a sixth round of measures, possibly including oil restrictions, and could announce them this week.

The measures would have to be approved by the member countries, which could take several days.

Despite the pressure, Europe does have some leverage in the dispute since it pays Russia USD 400 million a day for gas, a huge dent in Moscow's coffers should it opt for a complete cutoff.

Off the Dutch North Sea coast, meanwhile, a fuel tanker stood idle at anchor after port workers in Amsterdam said they would not unload its cargo of Russian diesel. The Marshall Islands-flagged Sunny Liger was initially scheduled to unload in Sweden, but dockers there refused to carry out the work.

Dutch port employees with the FNV dockers' union say they also refused to unload the tanker out of solidarity with their Swedish colleagues. Union spokeswoman Asmae Hajjari told NOS Radio 1 over the weekend that the ship is not welcome.

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A top-level US congressional delegation led by House Speaker was in Warsaw on Monday to express gratitude to for their humanitarian and other support for Ukraine.

Pelosi and a half dozen US lawmakers met with President Andrzej Duda and Polish lawmakers in Warsaw.

The visit followed a weekend visit to Kyiv where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pledging to support his country until it defeats Russia.

In a statement after the meeting with Duda, Pelosi called him a valued partner in supporting the people of Ukraine in the face of Putin's brutal and unprovoked war.

She said that during their meeting the members of her delegation expressed America's deep gratitude to the Polish government and Polish people for opening their hearts and homes to Ukrainian refugees, and we reaffirmed our nation's pledge to continue supporting Poland's humanitarian efforts.

Russians invasion of Ukraine has sparked a refugee crisis, with more than 5.5 million people fleeing the country. The largest group by far more than 3 million people have arrived in Poland, and many of them have remained.

Regular Polish people have taken Ukrainians into their homes, while the government and volunteers have mobilized to help in countless ways.

The trip came two days after US President Joe Biden asked Congress for USD33 billion to bolster Ukraine's fight against Russia, more than twice the size of the initial USD13.6 billion aid measure that now is almost drained.

The measure is designed to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that US weaponry and other forms of assistance aren't going away.

During a news conference on Sunday in Rzeszow, Poland, the members of the congressional delegation were unanimous in praising Ukraine's defences, in painting the battle of one as good against evil and in assuring continued long-term US military, humanitarian and economic support.

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Shares of Gokdaldas Exports were up 4 per cent at Rs 416.50 on the BSE in Mondays intra-day trade, surging 18 per cent in the past two trading days after the company reported a robust performance in the March quarter (Q4FY22).

Its consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (ebitda) margin improved 170 bps QoQ and 365 bps YoY to 13.1 per cent on account of positive operating leverage.

The stock of the garments & apparels company had hit a record high of Rs 438 on March 31, 2022. At 09:41 AM; it was up 2 per cent as compared to a 0.6 per cent decline in the S&P BSE Sensex.

The companys revenue grew 58 per cent year on year (YoY) to Rs 588 crore as against Rs 373 crore in Q4FY21. Consolidated profit after tax jumped 280 per cent YoY to Rs 61 crore from Rs 16 crore in the corresponding quarter last year.

The primary drivers of growth were robust capacity expansion and a rapid ramp-up of production. Increased volume, better product mix, and improved operational efficiency all contributed to a growing operating profit.

The company plans to invest around Rs 130 crore on new initiatives in the next two years and will deploy around Rs 110 crore on existing and ongoing projects. The company has commissioned three new units in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, which are ramping up well, and initiated work on a new factory in Madhya Pradesh.

 has initiated work on a new greenfield unit in Madhya Pradesh that is expected to be commissioned in early FY23E (potential revenue: Rs 150 crore). It has charted out capex of Rs 340 crore over the next four years, which will have potential to generate incremental revenues worth Rs 1,300 crore, ICICI Securities said in a note.

Further, the management has indicated that it is looking to enter new business segments like technical textiles, knitwear and setting up manufacturing units in cost efficient countries like Bangladesh. "We like as a structural long term story to play the apparel export space", the brokerage said.
The IPO of India's biggest insurer, Life Insurance Corporation (LIC), has got off to a good start, with the $732 million of shares reserved for so-called anchor investors oversubscribed at the upper end of the price range, a banking source said.

The Indian government has said it expects to raise up to $2.74 billion, just a third of its original target, from selling a 3.5% stake in in the country's biggest initial public offering (IPO).

Anchor investors are high-profile institutional investors that are allotted shares before the subscription opens for retail and other investors, and have to commit to holding their shares for a certain period after listing.

LIC's offering is set to open for other investors on May 4 and will close on May 9. The indicative price range has been set at 902 to 949 rupees per share, with 56 billion rupees ($732 million) of shares set aside for anchor investors.

Norwegian wealth fund Norges Bank Investment Management and Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC have subscribed to the anchor book, the source said.

Alongside other global funds, domestic mutual fund houses such as HDFC mutual fund, SBI, ICICI and Kotak have also come in as anchor investors, the source added.

Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Qatar investment authority had previously been in talks to be anchor investors, but it wasn't immediately clear if they made bids.

India's finance ministry did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Over 20 investors had expressed interest in subscribing to the anchor book, two other banking sources said.

Foreign institutional investors had some concerns about LIC's IPO, but global pension funds had shown "good interest," LIC's chairman said last week.

($1 = 76.5150 Indian rupees)

($1 = 76.4640 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Nupur Anand; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani and Mark Potter)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Sonali Paul

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Oil prices fell on Monday in holiday-sapped trade in Asia as concerns about slowing economic growth in China, the world's top oil importer, outweighed fears of potential supply disruptions from a looming ban on Russian crude.

futures fell $1.21, or 1.1%, to $105.93 a barrel at 0205 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 99 cents, or 1%, to $103.70 a barrel. in Japan, India and across Southeast Asia were closed for public holidays on Monday.

Prices fell after released data on Saturday showing that factory activity in the world's second-largest economy contracted for a second month to its lowest since February 2020 because of COVID lockdowns.

"A slowing to that extent, when is already suffering from a property bust and worries about its (until recently) increased regulation, is potentially a major issue for commodity and the world economy," said Tobin Gorey, a Commonwealth Bank commodities analyst, in a note.

On the supply side, Libya's National Oil Corp (NOC) said on Sunday it would temporarily resume operations at the Zueitina oil terminal to reduce stockpiles in storage tanks to avert an "imminent environmental disaster" at the port.

NOC in late April declared force majeure on some shipments at Zueitina as political protesters forced a number of oil facilities to suspend operations.

Limiting the down side for oil prices is a possible dent in supply with the leaning towards banning imports of Russian oil by the end of the year, two EU diplomats said after talks between the European Commission and EU member states on the weekend.

Around half of Russia's 4.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude exports go to the EU, supplying about one-fourth of the EU's oil imports in 2020.

While Western countries have curbed buying Russian oil as sanctions have hit shipping and insurance for the country's exports, the impact on global supply has been cushioned as India has been picking up lower priced Russian cargoes.

Royal Bank of Canada analysts estimated India's crude imports from have grown from less than 100,000 bpd in 2021 to 800,000 bpd in April and expect India to continue ramping up imports as long as Washington does not impose secondary sanctions.

Reuters reported on Friday that Indian refiners are negotiating a six-month oil deal with to import millions of barrels per month.

(Reporting by Sonali Paul; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

(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 worker cleans palm oil fruits from the ground at Agrivar, a palm oil factory in Samo, Ivory Coast, April 13. The government vowed Monday to strengthen the monitoring of palm oil supplies following Indonesia's recent ban of its exports amid the continued crisis surrounding Ukraine. Reuters-Yonhap





The government vowed Monday to strengthen the monitoring of palm oil supplies following Indonesia's recent ban of its exports amid the continued crisis surrounding Ukraine.







Indonesia, the world's biggest palm oil producer, announced the ban on palm oil exports on April 28, citing a domestic supply squeeze following the war in Ukraine and other factors.







Korea brings in around 340,000 tons of palm oil from Indonesia per year, about 56 percent of its total imports of palm oil, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Palm oil is used for cooking, cosmetics and biodiesel fuel.







Korea's food industry has an up to four-month stockpile of palm oil.







"As Indonesia's export restrictions could affect broader industry sectors, the government will beef up the monitoring of global supply chains and supply situations of the item at home," the trade ministry said in a release.







It has also been closely assessing the situation regarding the Ukraine crisis and China's lockdown of major cities, according to the ministry.







Korea's exports to the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) sank 46.5 percent to $610 million in April.







As for trade with Russia, the shipment of vehicles nosedived 97.3 percent during the first 25 days of last month, and those of auto parts and steel products went down 87.4 percent and 89.2 percent, respectively, government data showed.







Sales in China also fell 3.4 percent year-on-year to $12.94 billion last month due mainly to the country's lockdown of Shanghai and other major cities over the fast spread of COVID-19 there.







"Uncertainties have grown in the global trade circumstances, which would negatively affect our exports and imports, as the country is heavily dependent on trade for its economic growth," Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo said, vowing the government's utmost support for exporters. (Yonhap)






The Hinduja Group company's total commercial vehicle (CV) sales surged 42% to 11,847 units in April 2022 from 8,340 units sold in April 2021.

On a sequential basis, the company's total CV sales declined 41.1% last month from 20,123 units sold in March 2022.

While the total sales of medium & heavy commercial vehicles (M&HCV) jumped 77% to 7,688 units, sales of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rose just 4% to 4,159 units in April 2022 over April 2021.

In the domestic market, the company sold 11,197 units of total vehicles in April 2022, up 41% compared with 7,961 units sold in the same period last year.

Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja group, is among the largest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in India and also among the biggest manufacturers of buses and trucks globally.

On a consolidated basis, Ashok Leyland reported a net loss of Rs 121.56 crore in Q3 FY22 as against a net profit of Rs 14.24 crore in Q3 FY21. Net sales rose 11.79% to Rs 6,627.35 crore in Q3 FY22 over Q3 FY21.

Shares of Ashok Leyland were trading 1.65% lower at Rs 125.10 on BSE.

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The Karnataka state BJP is witnessing heavy political activity as Union Home Minister is arriving here Monday late night.

The visit has assumed importance in the backdrop of Shah coming with a specific mission of finalising the decision on cabinet expansion or reshuffle. He would also hold talks regarding the various happenings in the state and strategise for the state Assembly elections in 2023.

is also expected to clear the air regarding the leadership change issue, which has come to the forefront after the statement by party National General Secretary B.L. Santhosh. He had stated that change of leadership is the strength of BJP. The experiment had yielded good results in Punjab and Gujarat, he added.

Former Chief Minister, senior BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa stated on Monday that he would be meeting Shah. "He is visiting the state in the backdrop of the developments in the state as we have entered the election year," he said.

Yediyurappa further stated that and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would focus more on Karnataka now. They would give suggestions and directions towards winning 150 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. "We will discuss with them," he said.

"It is the responsibility of the central leaders to decide on the tickets for the Assembly elections to the sitting MLA's," he said.

Yediyurappa maintained that there will be "no change of leadership in the state BJP" as per his knowledge. "Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is doing a good job," he said.

Shah is going to finalise on the long pending issue of cabinet reshuffle or expansion. He is expected to take the crucial decision on the accommodation of B.Y. Vijayendra, son of Yediyurappa in the cabinet. He will also decide on the inclusion of Ramesh Jarkiholi, who had lost the cabinet berth after alleged sex-CD scandal came to the surface, sources said.

The party intends to introduce 10 new faces in the cabinet and there was a proposal to drop non-performing senior ministers, sources indicated. Amit Shah is also going to discuss the aggressive Hindutva approach by the ruling BJP in Karnataka and the present unrest type situation in the state.

Meanwhile, the core committee meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday at the party headquarters in Malleshwaram in has been shifted to a private hotel. The change has been done after a security check by the SPG.

Amit Shah will arrive in on Monday late night. He will stay in a private star hotel on the Race Course Road. On Tuesday, he is holding a meeting in a private hotel.

He will attend a luncheon hosted by Chief Minister Bommai at his residence and later engage in the core committee meeting. The visit of Amit Shah is expected to create ripples in the state according to sources in the BJP.

--IANS

mka/dpb

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Attacking the ruling AAP over the clashes in Patiala, the Congress on Sunday said it cannot evade responsibility for the "crumbling" law-and-order situation in Punjab and asked why its national convener was "shying away" from appealing for peace.

Congress leader Alka Lamba alleged that with the now in the government of a full state, the chief minister of Delhi was using the police against his political opponents.

Lamba, who had been summoned over a case of "inflammatory statements" against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, appeared before the Punjab police in Rupnagar on Wednesday.

Attacking the AAP, she recalled that Rahul Gandhi had appealed to the people of Punjab during assembly elections to cast their vote bearing in mind that Punjab is a sensitive border state.

"We have seen a lot of violence and sacrifices in the history of Punjab, we cannot take it lightly," she told reporters at the AICC headquarters in Delhi.

The Delhi chief minister keeps saying that since police and law and order are not in his hands, he cannot do anything in Delhi, Lamba said.

"Today the law and order is completely crumbling in Punjab. Khalistani supporters were there, they are there. All know it, whether it is the intelligence agencies at the Centre, the police in Punjab or those whose government is there," she said.

"Delhi Chief Minister Ji not sending out a single tweet appealing for peace somewhere shows the fear that if you comment on the violence in Patiala, it will anger your Khalistani supporters," she alleged.

"I think both the governments (at Centre and state) are playing with fire because Punjab is a border state. They cannot run away from their accountability, neither will Congress allow them to do so," Lamba said.

Two groups had clashed in Patiala on Friday over an anti-Khalistan march, hurling stones at each other and brandishing swords, forcing the police to fire in the air to bring the situation under control.

With the arrest of six more people, the number of accused who had been nabbed so far reached nine, police said.

Lamba also accused the AAP of peddling "soft Hindutva".

Referring to the AAP's plan to float 'tiranga shakhas' in Uttar Pradesh on the lines of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Lamba said AAP leaders are coming up with all these programmes on RSS lines and "sadly" involving the national flag in their "pretence".

"Their (RSS and AAP's) thinking, their methods are the same. One is walking on the line of radical Hindutva, the other wants to follow soft Hindutva. But this is a secular country," she said.

"This country will run by the independence given in the Constitution and not by the modalities of the Sangh and the BJP's A, B, C, D teams," Lamba said.

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This is not the first time opposition parties have come together on the issue of inequity between the Centre and the states. The last time around, in the 1980s, N T Rama Rao joined hands with such powerful provincial leaders as Jyoti Basu in West Bengal, H N Bahuguna in Uttar Pradesh, Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra, Farooq Abdullah in Jammu & Kashmir, and Devi Lal in Haryana to demand more powers  fiscal and administrative ...

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After his talks with the top brass of the party failed, political strategist on Monday hinted that he is set to take a political plunge with a tweet in which he said that he would be ready to go to the people's court, starting from his home state .

"My quest to be a meaningful participant in democracy & help shape pro-people policy led to a 10yr rollercoaster ride! As I turn the page, time to go to the Real Masters, THE PEOPLE, to better understand the issues & the path to Peoples Good Governance" Kishor said in a tweet today.

He accompanied it with the hashtag in Hindi 'From Bihar'.

The announcement has come within a week of his statement on Twitter that he had declined the Congress' offer to join a group on strengthening the organization in the run-up to the 2024 general elections.

Kishor is not new to politics, for he was the vice president of the ruling Janata Dal-United led by the chief minister .

More details to follow.

(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.)
Maharashtra cabinet minister Nawab Malik, arrested by the ED in a money laundering case, was in a "serious" condition after he was admitted to a state-run J J Hospital here on Monday on complaining of fever and diarrhoea, his lawyer told a special court here. The hospital said the minister is under observation at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and his condition is stable. Last week, Malik (62), lodged in the Arthur Road jail here, had sought an interim bail on medical grounds from the special court set up for trial of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs. However, the (ED) has opposed the interim bail plea, calling it an attempt by Malik "to flee from the clutches of law". When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, Malik's lawyer Kushal Mor told the court that when the leader's family members went to give him home food, they were told he was shifted to the state-run J J Hospital. Mor told the court that Malik, arrested more than two months ago, has been ill since the last three days and that his condition has deteriorated and he was "serious". Sanjay Surase, Medical Superintendent, Sir JJ Hospital, said Malik was brought to the hospital at 10 am. He complained of an upset stomach and his blood pressure was not stable. He is under observation at the Intensive Care Unit and his condition is currently stable, Surase said. Lawyer Mor further said there is no facility at the JJ Hospital to conduct some of the tests which are required for treatment of his client and hence he should be shifted to a private medical centre. The judge, after hearing his submissions, said it is necessary to seek a report from the medical officer of the state-run hospital about the health condition of the accused.

He directed ED officers to collect the report from the medical officer and find out whether there is a facility to conduct all tests required for the treatment of the leader.

Special judge R N Rokade expressed concern over the prison authorities not informing the court about Malik's condition and that he was taken to the hospital. The court posted the matter for further hearing on May 5. Malik had sought an interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds, citing multiple illnesses, including kidney ailments and swelling in legs. The ED on Monday filed a reply to the interim bail sought by Malik, saying it was another attempt by the minister "to flee from the clutches of law". The ED, in its reply, submitted that the accused had earlier moved the Bombay High Court for interim relief, but his application has been rejected. "It is pertinent to take into account that the applicant did not see any medical ground in such interim relief. Later, he also approached the Supreme Court for interim relief and the same has been rejected at the outset," the central agency said. The latest bail plea on medical grounds is one more attempt by the accused to "flee from the clutches of law", it said.

The attempts of the accused to get interim relief is nothing but a tactic to get bail which the accused is not otherwise entitled to, in view of the conditions imposed by the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the probe agency said. So far as the medical emergency portrayed in the interim bail application is concerned, it is vehemently denied that he is not being provided adequate health facilities while under judicial custody, the ED added. The ED submitted that all health issues being faced by the minister can be treated at the government facility and there was no requirement for an interim bail for the purpose of undergoing treatment at a private hospital. The minister was arrested on February 23 by the in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his aides. The ED's case is based on an FIR filed recently by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Dawood Ibrahim and others. The NIA had filed its criminal complaint under sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The ED had recently filed an over 5,000-page charge-sheet in the case against Malik. The leader has denied all charges levelled against him and had moved the Supreme Court against an order of the Bombay HC, which had rejected his interim application seeking immediate release from jail. The SC had also refused to grant him any relief, noting the probe into the case was at a nascent stage.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
For the past 10 years, Maharashtra has not seen any significant power outage. When, amid a heatwave, fans stopped whirring last week and most of Mumbai went dark for several hours, it seemed that no contingency plan was in place. Maharashtras power demand has increased to over 28,000 megawatt (Mw) and is expected to cross 30,000 Mw.

Ministers acknowledge hydel power is not an option as rivers are running dry. There is a shortage of coal. The rains are still some weeks away. How is Maharashtra going to cope? For the state government, managing the power situation is its priority. ...
Udayanidhi Stalin, the youth wing leader of the and son of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, is likely to join as a minister in the state government by the first week of June. Sources in told IANS that discussions are on in the party to make the first-time MLA a minister.

state organising secretary and member of Rajya Sabha, R.S. Bharathi while speaking to IANS said, "Udayanidhi Stalin is a great crowd puller and demand has come from across the state to make him a minister. It is for the Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin to take a decision and in all likelihood, he will be a minister soon."

Karunanidhi family is deemed as the first family of by the DMK leaders and cadres, and whenever Udayanidhi comes into the Assembly hall, party MLAs stand up from their seats to greet him.

The young leader, who is a powerful orator, has good leadership abilities and the possibility of him becoming a minister in June first week is almost certain, according to the DMK leaders.

There are around four first-time MLAs as ministers in the Stalin cabinet and hence Udayanidhi Stalin, who is a first-time MLA from Chepauk in Chennai, may not face any hindrance.

The Chief Minister, according to the DMK leaders, has already conducted discussions with his close associates like veteran leader S. Duraimurugan, Lok Sabha MP T.R. Baalu, and R.S. Bharathi to elicit their views on making the young leader a minister in the government.

According to insiders in the DMK, all the senior leaders have given their consent to the Chief Minister for making Udayanidhi Stalin a minister, and the swearing-in may take place by June first week.

--IANS

aal/dpb

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Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, (BJP) Foreign Affairs Department In-Charge, said that Ukraine will be an important part of deliberations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three day Europe visit.

"Bilateral collaboration with the three European countries and Ukraine will be an important part of deliberations during this visit," said Chauthaiwale.

He also added that on the backdrop of post-pandemic recovery which is challenged by the Ukraine war the importance of PM Modi's three-nation visit cannot be emphasized more.

PM Modi who arrived in Germany will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. On Monday is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

The BJP official noted that all three countries have a unique partnership with India and added that the visit encompasses diverse sectors such as defence, healthcare, science and technology, trade and investment, sustainable development as well as education.

While Ukraine will be an important part of deliberations during this visit, the above-mentioned sectors of bilateral collaboration are also equally important, he added.

He also said that the India-Nordic summit will also bring a unique opportunity to address several issues of mutual interests.

Notably, during his visit to Germany, PM Modi will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will also co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). India has the IGC only with Germany, which is held every two years.

The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries.

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Foreign Minister nominee Park Jin speaks during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap



'No plans for redeployment of US tactical nuclear weapons'



By Kang Seung-woo



The incoming Yoon Suk-yeol administration will take a cautious approach to deploying an additional U.S. missile defense shield on the Korean Peninsula, Foreign Minister nominee Park Jin said, Monday, taking a step back from the incoming president's pledge to do so.



The four-term lawmaker, regarded as a diplomacy expert, also said that North Korea appeared unprepared to denuclearize.



The National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held its confirmation hearing of the nominee ahead of President-elect Yoon's inauguration, slated for May 10.



During the election campaign, Yoon pledged to strengthen the extended deterrence provided by the U.S. in favor of additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) deployments here in proportion to North Korea's growing missile threats.



"The idea was suggested as part of tightening the nation's missile defense network system in response to a range of North Korean missile threats," Park said.



"The new administration needs to hold in-depth discussion before making a final decision on the issue."



His remarks seem to be mindful of possible Chinese retaliation. Beijing claims that the powerful radar of the THAAD system can be used to spy on military maneuvers in its airspace and hurt its security interests.



As a result, in response to the South Korean government's approval in 2016 of a THAAD battery in Seongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the Chinese government has been carrying out an economic retaliation campaign by imposing unofficial boycotts on Korean products and enforcing tourism restrictions.



"The government needs to make efforts to prevent a security decision from adversely affecting the economy and to this end, we will collect opinions from lawmakers, while providing necessary support for the defense ministry, in charge of the matter, so as to come up with the best way," the nominee said.



Yoon has pledged to pursue a comprehensive strategic alliance with the U.S. as his administration's key foreign policy priority, raising concerns over possible diplomatic friction with China, which has been engaged in fierce competition with Washington.



In response, the minister nominee stressed the importance of strategic dialogue with Beijing despite admitting possible diplomatic conflicts.



"If we engage in diplomacy, based on liberal democracy, the rule of law and human rights, the possible problem with China would boil down to whether to uphold the rules-based order in the end," Park said.



"Should South Korea come into conflict with China on relevant issues, we need to make efforts to minimize potential risks."



With Pyongyang modernizing its nuclear and missile programs, there have been calls for Seoul to bring back U.S. tactical nuclear weapons to the peninsula. The United States removed all of its nuclear assets from South Korea in 1991.



However, confirming that there have been no negotiations on redeploying nuclear weapons here, the incoming administration will rely more on strengthening extended deterrence, Park noted.



"Reactivating regular meetings of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) between the two countries to ensure the presence of U.S. strategic assets is the best measure that we can take in order to deal with North Korea's nuclear weapons effectively," he said.



The EDSCG is a high-level consultative mechanism to achieve North Korean denuclearization through steadfast deterrence, which last met in January 2018. Extended deterrence refers to the commitment to use nuclear weapons to deter attacks on allies, which the U.S. has provided since the removal of its tactical nuclear weapons in 1991.



With regard to North Korea's evolving nuclear program, the nominee, who served as the chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Trade and National Unification Committee from 2008 to 2010, said its northern neighbor has not given up its nuclear ambition at all, adding that the Yoon administration will focus on stopping North Korea's military provocations.



"We figure that its verbal commitment to denuclearization is not sincere. Although North Korea has continued to advance its nuclear and missile capabilities, we will seek to discourage its provocations," he said.



"While building the deterrence against North Korea, we need to guide the country toward denuclearizing itself by using a variety of measures, based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance."



Park's remarks come days after the North Korean regime showed signs last week of having changed its nuclear doctrine to using nuclear weapons for offensive purposes, not just for a retaliatory strike, raising fears that the threshold for the North's use of nuclear weapons has been lowered.



Park also said the Yoon administration will continue to support international sanctions on North Korea to make it realize "nothing can be achieved with its nuclear weapons."



"If North Korea moves toward substantive progress in denuclearization, the new South Korean administration will consider the provision of humanitarian aid, economic cooperation and a peace treaty in coordination with the U.S.," the nominee said.






New Delhi [India], May 02 (ANI/SRV): Organised by the Tool & Gauge Manufacturers Association of India (TAGMA India), India's most sought-after platform for the die mould industry is scheduled to take place from April 27 - 30, 2022 at Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.

With the regular participation of leading brands who showcase their latest proven technologies and visitors like CEOs, Consultants, and Decision Makers; DMI is today known to be a one-stop shop for die mould professionals.

DM Sheregar, President of TAGMA India, said, "With the ongoing pandemic still posing challenges, Indian manufacturers are taking a variety of approaches to radically transform their businesses and find new ways to differentiate themselves. Companies are continually looking for technologies that can help them achieve accuracy and reduce cycle time. The 2022 edition of Die Mould India is going to highlight the latest development in the field of tooling as companies are gearing up to showcase smart manufacturing solutions, newer tool geometries, the latest CNC machines, and additive manufacturing solutions, integrated automation solutions, among others. With over 300+ exhibitors showcasing their technologies and solutions, we expect this edition to be a grand success."

The tooling industry plays a critical role in the manufacturing value chain by providing dies and moulds needed for mass production of various parts and thereby forms the backbone of industrial growth.

As per the latest Indian Tooling Report compiled by TAGMA India and Nomura Research Institute, Ltd., the market size of the Indian tooling industry stands at ~INR 18,000 crore with more than half of the total demand attributed to the automotive and auto components sector.

Most major global auto manufacturing hubs have a strong domestic tooling industry with India being a notable exception, where a significant portion of tool demand is still met via imports. Looking at the prevailing positive sentiment of the industry after the challenging two years, the show, which will be held after a gap of four years, is likely to get a good response from various industry verticals.

D Shanmugasundaram, Vice President, TAGMA India said, "The die mould India exhibition is the only dedicated event for tool and die makers which makes it unique and attracts visitors from diverse industries. In this edition, we are inviting delegates from 50+ OEMs and the public sector, and 10+ user industry associations to explore business opportunities for tool makers. On behalf of TAGMA India, I invite industry professionals to visit the show and witness some of the latest developments in the industry"

India is seeing growing demand for tooling in the last few years. However, a significant number of tools are still imported. This is not a desirable scenario since it results in significant value addition happening outside the borders. Promoting indigenous manufacturing provides advantages such as employment creation; development of domestic machinery manufacturers; boost in R & D and reduction in supply chain inefficiencies and risks. Thus, having a strong tooling industry is a must for India to enhance its manufacturing industry.

At the upcoming Die Mould India show, the Indian tooling industry will showcase its capabilities and preparedness for growth opportunities. Exhibit range of the show includes Dies & Moulds, Press Tools, Mould base & standard parts of Dies & Moulds, Hot Runner System, Tool Steel, Heat Treatment, Texturizing, Gauges, Additive Manufacturing, CAD/CAM system related to Dies & Moulds, Die Spotting, Digitizing, Additive Manufacturing/ 3D Printing, Rapid Prototyping & Modeling, Machine Tools for Dies & Moulds, CNC Milling/Machining Centre, EDM, etc. Moulding machine/ Die Casting machine, Accessories for Machine Tools, Die/moulding polishing machines, Cutting Tools, Measuring Machines, materials, equipment, accessories & services covering Die & Mould industry.

TAGMA India established in 1990 serves as a forum for the Indian Tool Room & Die and Mould Industry whose activity involves design, sales or manufacture of dies for pressing, stamping, punching and forming; injection and compression moulds; die casting dies; patterns and pattern equipment; jigs and fixtures; standard tooling components; CAD/CAM; rapid prototyping; gauges; precision machining; special machines and related products.

Some of the important objectives of TAGMA are --

To promote training and the diffusion of knowledge relating to standards in the manufacture of Tools and Gauges to improve the standards or the connected trade therewith or with allied industries and to impart relevant and appropriate training to all those engaged in the manufacture of tools and gauges.

To promote and encourage improvements in tool room industries for greater efficiency.

To organize relevant seminars, workshops and exhibitions etc. to impart useful knowledge to the tool and gauge manufacturers.

To establish, run and maintain a library connected with the industry

To enhance the contribution of tool room industry to the growth and development of the Indian National Economy and to encourage members to be progressive.

To publish a directory of members with details of products manufactured and services offered

TAGMA over the years has been successful in achieving some of the objectives mentioned above, prominent amongst them are --

Diemould India International Exhibition is the most popular mould & die show in India showcasing the capabilities of the industry

Established Online library for members via Internet and Computer Based Training (CBT) modules at NTTF-TAGMA Library, Bangalore

Periodical surveys of the Tool Room industry

Delegations/Country Pavilion at the overseas exhibitions

Facilitators for Joint Venture by circulating Outsourcing enquiries

For more information, visit - (https://www.diemouldindia.org/) and (https://www.tagmaindia.org/)

This story is provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV)

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], May 02 (ANI/NewsVoir): Kauvery Hospital Chennai, a unit of Kauvery Group of Hospitals, a leading multispecialty healthcare chain in Tamil Nadu, announced the adoption of the latest remote monitoring solution to continuously monitor the health of patients shifted from ICU (Intensive Care Unit) to the wards.

A medical grade wireless biosensor patch that is attached to the chest

Continuously monitors vital signs to detect and report deterioration on a real time basis enabling early interventions

Reduces length of ICU stay

Lack of wires increases patient comfort and mobility along with speedy recovery.

'State of the art' wireless bio sensors are used to detect abnormalities across multiple parameters such as ECG (cardiac abnormalities), respiratory rate, temperature, oxygen levels etc., and generate alerts at a centralized dashboard.

"Generally, ICU patients are continuously monitored during their stay and once we see improvement in their condition they are shifted to the ward. On a normal ward, their vitals are monitored once every 4-8 hours, which means any deterioration that happens in between may not be immediately identified. This solution enables us to detect deterioration at an early stage when intervention can offer maximum benefit. The individual can move around, take part in physio therapy and be free of wires unlike the conventional vital monitoring. While the present focus is on detecting deterioration, in the future once we have sufficient data it should be possible to predict deterioration using machine learning algorithms. We are pleased to partner with Life Signs the tech provider, and be an early adopter of technology in Chennai, that can potentially save lives," says Dr. Sridhar N, Consultant Intensivist, Critical Care, Kauvery Hospital Chennai.

All patients shifted from ICU at Kauvery Hospital, are being remotely monitored till discharge. The critical vitals monitored are immediately reported to the on ground nursing staff and then escalated to the medical team. The alerts are sent to the Medical Emergency Team response, enabling timely intervention. The critical interventions includes shifting the critical patient to ICU for advanced monitoring, providing oxygen support and respiratory therapy.

"One of the goals of introducing this system was to reduce the incidence of unanticipated cardiac arrests on the wards. When we face challenges in health care, traditionally we have attempted to solve these using more man power, this time we used a combination of technology and man power to enhance patient safety and comfort. This system also allows us to have data that can be accessed any time and eliminates paper based monitoring sheets, thereby enabling our nurses to focus more on patient care," says Ms Deeksha Senguttuvan, Head - Digital Strategy, Kauvery Hospital.

Speaking about the technology adopted in Chennai, Dr. Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-founder and Executive Director, Kauvery Hospital Chennai says, "We are proud to be the first hospital in Chennai and an early adopter of this extraordinary technology, which improves patient care by multiple folds. We will aim to incorporate this technology spanning across all our units."

"We were among the first hospitals in the world to use Bluetooth oxygen saturation monitoring to remotely and continuously monitor COVID patients. Having learnt from that experience of integrating technology with human resources to harness actionable data, we are now seeing the benefits of implementing continuous vital signs monitoring on our wards in improving patient safety," says Dr. Manivannan Selvaraj, Founder and Managing Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals.

This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)

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(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The streets of the usually bustling Chaoyang district remain muted as Beijing tightened Covid controls and added three more rounds of compulsory testing to battle the ongoing outbreak. The local government has suspended nonessential services in Chaoyang, forcing anyone who lives or works there to telecommute. Beijing reported more than 70 new local cases on Monday

May 10, 2022 04:07 PM
Former President Lee Myung-bak / Yonhap





More than half of Koreans oppose granting a pardon to former President Lee Myung-bak, a poll showed Monday, amid rising speculation outgoing President Moon Jae-in may use his clemency powers to set Lee free before he leaves office.







The Korea Society Opinion Institute survey of 1,012 adults, conducted between Friday and Saturday, showed 51.7 percent of respondents were against pardoning Lee, while 40.4 percent supported amnesty for the former president.







Lee's pardon has emerged as a key issue after Moon said last week he will determine whether to pardon Lee after taking judicial and public consensus into consideration, noting there are not only cons but also pros to the envisioned pardon.







Moon is widely speculated to use the occasion of Buddha's Birthday, Sunday, a day before his five-year term ends, to pardon Lee, who is serving a 17-year prison term for embezzlement and bribery.







The poll also found 56.9 percent of the respondents oppose granting a pardon to former South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo, a close aide to Moon who is in jail for public opinion rigging. Only 28.8 percent were in support.







In contrast, 68.8 percent were in favor of granting a pardon to Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, who is currently on parole after serving time for bribery and embezzlement. Only 23.5 percent opposed his pardoning.







On Chung Kyung-sim, former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's wife who is convicted of falsifying some of her daughter's college admission documents and other charges, 57.2 percent objected to her pardon, while 30.5 percent supported it.







Meanwhile, 46 percent of the respondents said they are against giving parliamentary approval to prime minister nominee Han Duck-soo. A total of 36.8 percent supported it.







In Korea, the prime minister is the only Cabinet post that requires parliamentary approval. Confirmation hearings on Han have been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday.







The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. (Yonhap)






Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo gestures during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps



Opposition party defends Han claiming he possesses experience, expertise



By Nam Hyun-woo



Rival parties clashed over Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo's qualifications during a confirmation hearing on Monday. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) took issue with Han's wealth which increased in size over the past 10 years after he last served in a government position, while the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) defended him, claiming he is more qualified than any other prime minister of the current Moon Jae-in administration.



During the first leg of a two-day National Assembly confirmation hearing on Han, Monday, DPK Rep. Kim Eui-kyeom slammed the nominee's stints at Kim & Chang, saying Han alternated between jobs at one of the biggest law firms in Korea and the government like going through "a revolving door."



"There have been no precedents and there won't be," Kim said. "While working at the law firm, Han received 2 billion won ($1.58 million) in salary, but made almost no donations."



Han served as senior presidential secretary for economic affairs in 2001 and moved to Kim & Chang as an advisor the next year, collecting 150 million won in salary for working eight months. He returned to the government to serve as the policy coordination minister, finance minister, prime minister and ambassador to the U.S. From 2017 to 2021. He then went back to Kim & Chang to work as an advisor and received a salary of 1.8 billion won.



DPK Rep. Nam In-soon also said Han's overall wealth increased by 4.3 billion won after he left public positions, including the salary from Kim & Chang, but there are no clear documents or data proving Han's work at the law firm.



"If you received more than 2 billion won in salary, you should be able to state what your work was," Nam said. "He made seven overseas trips while working for Kim & Chang, and he first said he cannot reveal the details citing confidentiality, and then he suddenly changed his statement by saying that six of them were just personal visits."



Han explained that his work at the law firm was "explaining Korea's economic condition and drawing foreign investment" and that they are "not different from my work as a diplomat."



"The work I did for Kim & Chang does not contradict my duties as a public official," Han said. "There has never been an instance where my work (at Kim & Chang) was related to a particular case, and I never asked public officials for favors.  The work of explaining Korea's economic condition and outlook is a very difficult job."





Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo looks down during his confirmation hearing at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps
The main opposition People Power Party's floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong speaks during a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, May 2. Yonhap





The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) urged President Moon Jae-in, Monday, to use his veto to stop controversial prosecution reform legislation from becoming law.







The appeal came one day before the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is set to railroad through the National Assembly the second and final part of a package of legislation aimed at reducing and ultimately removing the prosecution's investigative powers.







The DPK hopes to postpone this week's Cabinet session from Tuesday to Wednesday so the legislation can be signed into law before President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol takes office May 10.







"The only thing that is left now is President Moon's veto, and in order to fulfill the president's duty to defend the constitutional government, it is only right to exercise that veto," PPP floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong said during a party meeting.







The rival parties have been wrangling for weeks over the bills as the DPK has insisted they are necessary to ensure the prosecution does not abuse its investigative powers for political purposes, while the PPP has countered they will leave the people with fewer means to seek justice for crimes.







The parties reached a compromise deal under which the prosecution's investigative powers would be reduced from six crime types to two  corruption and economic  before being removed completely, but the PPP backtracked amid criticism the agreement stripped the prosecution of its right to investigate election crimes.







The DPK forged ahead with passing one of the bills Saturday and is set to pass the second Tuesday.







"I won't keep my hopes up that President Moon will exercise his veto," PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok said at the meeting, warning, however, that the legislation will not shield the Moon government or the DPK from potential investigations.







"The Democratic Party will pay a large price for its recklessness and the (June 1) local elections will be the first opportunity for judgment," he said.







PPP lawmakers stood outside Cheong Wa Dae for a second day Monday, displaying signs that demanded Moon's veto of the legislation.







The Supreme Prosecutors Office also said it submitted a request earlier in the day asking Justice Minister Park Beom-kye to make a recommendation to President Moon Jae-in during the Cabinet meeting to veto the legislation. (Yonhap)






President Moon Jae-in / Korea Times file





Outgoing President Moon Jae-in is not expected to carry out a pardon before his five-year term ends May 9, Cheong Wa Dae officials said Monday.







Moon has long deliberated over whether to exercise his power to grant pardons on the occasion of Buddha's Birthday, May 8 this year, but eventually decided not to do so, the officials said.







Speculation has recently risen in political circles that Moon may grant his last pardon in office to former President Lee Myung-bak, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's wife, Chung Kyung-sim, and former South Gyeongsang Gov. Kim Kyoung-soo.







"I don't know anything about a pardon by President Moon," a senior Cheong Wa Dae official told Yonhap News by phone. "There has been no official discussion on the matter."







Political watchers also say chances of additional pardons by Moon have diminished in consideration of time constraints, as the Ministry of Justice has not begun any relevant screening ahead of Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, the last one to be presided over by the outgoing president.







They said negative public opinions about Moon granting pardons to controversial figures just days before the end of his term may have affected his decision.







Moon said last week that he would determine whether to pardon former President Lee after taking judicial and public consensus into consideration.







According to a poll of 1,012 adults released by the Korea Society Opinion Institute earlier in the day, 51.7 percent are against pardoning Lee, who is serving a 17-year prison term for embezzlement and bribery.







The poll also found 56.9 percent and 57.2 percent oppose granting pardons to Kim and Chung, respectively, though a pardon of Samsung's Lee was supported by 68.8 percent. (Yonhap)






ATLANTA (May 2, 2022)  The Carter Center is deploying an international electoral expert mission to Manila to assess important aspects of the May 9 general elections in the Philippines.

The expert mission, which is composed of five electoral experts, began its work on May 1. The mission will focus on assessing the campaign and political finance system and on the use of the automated election system. While the expert mission will visit a limited number of polling stations on election day, it will not assess the conduct of voting processes or make a comprehensive assessment of the election process as a whole.

Carter Center experts will meet with an array of electoral stakeholders, including the Philippines Commission on Elections (COMELEC), political parties, civil society organizations, media outlets, national observer missions, and other stakeholders. The expert mission is led by Peter Wardle, former chief executive of the UK Electoral Commission. Mission members are accredited by COMELEC.

After the conclusion of the electoral process, The Carter Center will publish a final report on key findings and conclusions, as well as recommendations for reform. The missions analysis will be based on international human rights obligations and standards for democratic elections. The Centers election missions are conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, which was endorsed in 2005.

###

Contact: Soyia Ellison, associate communications director, soyia.ellison@cartercenter.org



The Carter Center

Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
It is good to see some health care professionals finally speaking out about the reality of the effectiveness of covid vaccines.

Dr. Ralph Behrens is obviously keeping up to date with developments, unlike our (provincial health officer.)

As a footnote to his very well-written article in (Castanets) opinion section (April 29), I would like to draw readers' attention to an article published in the highly respected British Medical Journal, entitled The Illusion of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM)".

The article stemmed from a release into the public domain of previously confidential pharmaceutical industry documents. The conclusions in it are extremely disturbing, and can be summarized as follows:

The pharmaceutical industry suppresses negative trial results, fails to report adverse events and fails to share data with the academic research community.

The pharmaceutical industry is heavily financing university research.

"As a result, university departments become instruments of industry: through company control of the research agenda and ghostwriting of medical journal articles and continuing medical education, academics become agents for the promotion of commercial products, states the article.

Could this describe Dr. Fisman I wonder?

"While universities fail to correct misrepresentations of the science from such collaborations, critics of industry face rejections from journals, legal threats, and the potential destruction of their careers."

This article was not specifically referring to the COVID-19 vaccines, but the implications are clearwe simply cannot trust research that is principally financed by an industry that stands to make massive profits from certain outcomes.

Our PHO has accepted everything the industry has produced at face value and has, in effect, become a taxpayer-funded advertising and PR campaign for their products.

Hopefully the PHO will learn some lessons from Denmark, where the virus is no longer considered a critical threat and they plan to let it run through the population to build up their natural immunity.

In addition, it has abandoned the vaccination program, at least until the fall. Furthermore, it has concluded it is impossible to stop the spread of (the) Omicron (variant), even with severe restrictions.

No doubt Canada will be the last to wake up to these new realities.

Peter Emery, Kelowna
Photo: The Canadian Press Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien.

Canada's privacy commissioners say it should be illegal for police to use facial recognition technology to monitor people involved in peaceful protest.

In a joint statement today, federal, provincial and territorial privacy watchdogs also call for a prohibition on any police deployment of the tool that could result in mass surveillance.

They say facial recognition use by police for prevention and investigation of serious crimes should be authorized only if it is targeted, led by intelligence and subject to appropriate time limitations.

The commissioners acknowledge the tool, which analyzes images for biometric facial data unique to a person, can be used to help solve serious crimes, locate missing people and support national security.

But they say facial recognition use by police is not subject to a clear and comprehensive set of rules.

Instead, it is regulated through a patchwork of statutes that, for the most part, does not specifically address different uses or risks posed by the technology.
Photo: pixabay

When Ben Treen was invited to a wine tasting trip in Portugal, he realized he needed to renew his passport.

The federal document had been expired for about a year and a half.

Treen, who manages a chain of liquor stores in Vancouver, needed a quick turnaround. He received his invite just 10 days before departure.

He contacted Service Canadas appointment booking hotline to schedule an in-person meeting. Although the government website claims a representative will be in touch within two days, Treen says it took staff nine days to return his call.

I actually cancelled my trip because I realized that they weren't going to call me back within that period of time," he says.

A spokesperson for Employment and Social Development (ESDC) told Glacier Media that their focus during this time is on ensuring anyone with travel in 25 days is prioritized for service.

In a statement, ESDC said to ensure we are providing the passport services Canadians need, we are using new workload management and processing technology to increase efficiency."

Since Treen needed to renew his passport anyway, he decided to wait at the Sinclair Centre in downtown Vancouver for a walk-in appointment.

He arrived at 8 a.m. and there was already a lineup of people.

There was 40 of us and then you know, half the lineup went away when they realized how long of a lineup it was, he says.

I waited there for about four hours, and they hadn't moved. And so, I kind of gave up.

How long are passport lineups in B.C.?

In British Columbia, many Service Canada centres have seen long lines, with people waiting hours like Treen.

Richmond resident Grace Chow said her patience and energy were quickly fading after standing in line for four hours to get in and another hour once inside the office.

"I have never waited so long for anyone in my life," sighed Chow, who had taken the day off work to get her passport renewed for a vacation in Hawaii. She said she had no idea it would take so long, adding now, my whole day is gone.

When Glacier Media asked whether there were certain centres that had longer wait times, the ESDC stated, lineups will vary depending on location and time of day, as well as whether it is at a specialized passport site, but the surge in passport applications for those travelling within 25 business days is likely to lead to longer lineups for in-person services at all locations.

In the last seven weeks, Service Canada has received almost 500,000 applications. That's due in part because of the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel and public health restrictions were in effect.

The volume of passport applications was relatively low, the ESDC spokesperson said. With the easing of restrictions and the resumption of travel, Service Canada has experienced an increase in passport applications across the country.

Service Canada processed nearly 1.3 million passports between April 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022  a sharp increase from the roughly 360,000 passports processed over the previous fiscal year.

The number of passport-related calls to the government has also shot up from 500 a day before the pandemic to now over 200,000 per day.

To avoid long lines, ESDC advises Canadians with no imminent travel to apply by visiting any of over 300 Service Canada centres.

Before Treen gave up, he spoke with a security guard at Sinclair who told him to arrive well before the centre opens.

The doors open at 6 a.m. If you get here before then you can post up at the Hastings door  that one opens first. Bring a coffee. Youre going to be waiting a couple hours but thats the only way that youre going to get there without an appointment, he recalls.

Although Treens business trip wasnt essential, he still wishes the government had better communication.

I think the only thing that was really frustrating for me was expecting an appointment. That's easily updated bit of information to say, We are backlogged right now, we're experiencing 10 days, to have our Service Canada employees getting back to make appointments, says Treen.

That would have been nice to know, instead of waiting around for this phone call, that wasn't going happen for days.

After having experienced the long lines, Treen says he's planning on mailing in his application.

"It was a cool opportunity. It would have been nice. Hopefully, a similar opportunity arises [in the future]."

With a file from Nono Shen/Richmond News and Canadian Press
Prominent in the news last week was a report from Stats Canada about the rising number of seniors in Penticton, where residents over the age of 65 will soon make up 30% of our population.

This news led to much speculation about how we, as a community, are going to meet the needs of this group as they continue to age. The Seniors Wellness Society and our Aging Well partners have explored this question for the past three years, and is preparing to share some of our thoughts and ideas with the community during Seniors week, June 5 to 11.

After two years of distancing due to COVID-19, we've all learned the importance of staying connected with others. This year we are offering the community the opportunity to connect to explore ways to make new connections or to renew old ones, to hear from community organizations offering support and services to our seniors and their caregivers and, importantly, to ask questions and to tell us how this community can better support us all in aging well and feeling supported.

On June 5, the B.C. Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie, will visit Penticton to share what she's learned about the importance of connection through the pandemic and to hear from you about seniors concerns. Representatives of organizations that serve seniors will be on-site to answer your questions and hear your suggestions. At the end of the week, June 11, the Seniors Drop-In Centre will offer a day of festivities with representatives of clubs and social organizations on site to allow you to examine the multitude of activities our community has to offer young and old alike.

In between these events there will be a number of speakers and activities taking place throughout the community to allow us to connect, to be creative, to learn and to be entertained together. Come and see what we offer. Tell us what you need.

Look for a full schedule of events to be available soon in your local media.

Elmie Saaltink, chair of South Okanagan Seniors Wellness Society
News journalists have reported Conservative Party leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre is attracting large crowds as he tours the country, campaigning on a message of freedom, and selling memberships at his events.

April 9 was the date Poilievre attracted large crowds in both Kelowna and Vernon.

Is he the right one this time for the Conservativesor the far-right one?

It seems a foregone conclusion Conservatives will choose Poilievre to be their leader on Sept. 10, as many of them love his attack-dog style and populist approach.

As with Conservative interim leader Candice Bergen, Poilievre quickly allied himself with the anti-vaccine mandate convoy protestors, some of whom embrace extremist ideas.

Poilievre also said he wanted to make Canada the crypto and blockchain capital of the world."

Stephen Poloz is the former governor of the Bank of Canada. In an interview he was asked: "A few years ago, you called Bitcoin trading gambling. Do you still see crypto through that lens?" Poloz replied: "I do. I see crypto. As you know, it's becoming more and more legitimate as a place to have some exposure in your portfolio."

Jacob Goldstein, author of Money: The True Story of a Made Up Thing, said: If you believe the government should have less power, figuring out a way to do money without the government is an exciting idea. And that's a, you know, a conservative idea."

According to TheTyee.ca contributing editor Steve Burgess, under Poilievre, Canada could become a national laboratory of "monetary mutation."

"Think Poilicoin. And thats just the beginning. Poilievre and his team will no doubt unveil Bean Coin, a magic-bean-shaped currency that you will invest in your backyard, growing a beanstalk that leads to financial and personal freedom," said Burgess.

Conservative MPs Tracy Gray (Kelowna-Lake Country) and Dan Albas (Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola) are shoo-ins (for re-election) in the next election. Those who voted for Gray or Albas (in the past) think voting for a non-Conservative candidate is anathema.

The only way for non-Conservative candidates to defeat Gray and Albas would be similar to 2015 when the Greens did not run a candidate in Kelowna-Lake Country, which helped Liberal Stephen Fuhr unseat longtime Conservative backbencher Ron Cannan by (just over) 4,000 votes.

Since the Liberal or NDP candidates in the two ridings usually comes in second, would the Greens consider not running a candidate in the next federal election?

Or if pre-election polling shows the Green candidate in second place, would the Liberals or NDP consider not running a candidate?

(Editors note: In 2015, the Green Party did field a candidate but during the campaign Gary Adams made a deal with Liberal candidate Stephen Fuhr, in which Adams agreed to drop out of the race and support Fuhr in return for Fuhr promoting parts of the Green Party platform if elected.)

David Buckna, Kelowna
Photo: Victoria Police Department Victoria police have released photos of two potential witnesses to an arson at the home of a Ukrainian priest.

Detectives with Victorias Major Crimes Unit detectives are hoping to identify and locate two men who are potential witnesses to an arson at the residence of a Ukrainian priest and his family on April 20.

Neither man is considered a suspect in the arson, but police believe they might have information relevant to the ongoing investigation.

The fire sent a young girl to hospital after she suffered severe cuts while escaping the fire through a second-storey window at the Caledonia Avenue home.

The first man is described as about 50 years old and white. He is about six-feet-tall with a medium build, short dark brown hair, and clean-shaven face. He was wearing a brown jacket with black areas near the shoulders, over top a black sweater, with dark blue jeans and dark coloured lace-up shoes. The man was in the area of Cook Street and Caledonia just after 1 a.m. April 20.

The second man is described as about 25 years old and either white or Middle Eastern. He is six-foot-two with medium-length dark brown hair that is shorter on the sides and back and longer on top and a short beard. He wore a dark blue hooded coat, olive-brown pants, dark shoes and an army green backpack. He was also in the area of Cook and Caledonia just after 1 a.m. on April 20.

Investigators say they received several tips after releasing video of a vehicle driven by a potential witness.

Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, with help from a neighbour, caught his three daughters as they jumped from the second floor of their house to escape the early-morning fire. He woke up to check on a noise and discovered flames after someone had apparently poured a flammable liquid into the the mail slot.

Vyshnevskyy, parish priest at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church next door to the home, and his family barely escaped with their lives.

In the course of their escape, his 11-year-old daughter landed on shattered window glass, resulting in a deep cut that severed a nerve in her arm. First responders were initially concerned about her losing a large amount of blood from her injury. She has since had two surgeries to repair the damage and doctors say that it can be up to a year before she can regain the full use of her arm. Her stitches will be removed in the coming week, but her arm will be in a splint.

While the rest of the family escaped relatively unscathed, the mental wounds may take longer to heal.

We have received counselling services, Vyshnevskyy said last week. There is so much information to process at the same time. It takes time to prioritize the information and figure out what requires immediate action.

The heritage home, next door to the church, sustained heavy damage, especially in the front entryway and stairs to the upper floor.

Police ask anyone who recognizes either of the potential witnesses or who has information about the fire to call the VicPD report desk at 250-995-7654, extension 1.

 With files from Pedro Arrais
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Europe, is set to arrive in Germany on Monday and will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). India has the IGC only with Germany, which is held every two years. The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also interact and address the Indian diaspora in Germany.

In his departure statement ahead of the three-nation visit, the Prime Minister said his visit to Berlin will be an opportunity to hold detailed bilateral discussions with Chancellor Scholz.

"I see this IGC as an early engagement with the new government in Germany, within six months of its formation, which will be helpful to identify our priorities for the medium and long term," he said.

India and Germany have had a 'Strategic Partnership' since 2001, which has been further strengthened with three rounds of Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC). The last IGC was co-chaired by PM Modi and German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel who visited India. The fifth round of IGC was held from October 31-November 1, 2019. The consultations were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Noting the long-standing commercial ties between India and Germany, the Prime Minister informed that he will also jointly address a business roundtable with the goal of energising industry to industry cooperation, which will help strengthen the post-Covid economic recovery in both the countries.

PM Modi's three-nation visit will have a substantial and comprehensive agenda during his bilateral and multilateral meetings.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

(ANI)

Also Read: UNSC condemns 'heinous' terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, calls it threat to Int'l peace, security
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently been pushing the limit with his US and NATO allies in the war in Ukraine, while at the same time, due to the dire economic situation facing Turkey, he is trying to mend relations with oil-rich former adversaries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

In the war between Russia and Ukraine, as Turkey maintains good relations with both countries, Erdogan is trying a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, he strongly criticized Moscow's invasion but refrained from implementing the sanctions imposed by most Western countries, claiming that he opposes sanctions on principle.

As Turkey continues to buy Russian oil and keeps its airspace open to Russian civilian flights - whereas 31 countries on the European continent have closed their airspace to Russian companies- probably with a view to deflecting criticism, Erdogan tried to play the role of mediator between Ukraine and Russia and hosted an unsuccessful meeting in Antalya between the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Russia.

Turkey also indicated that it is ready to be a guarantor of a future deal between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Turkey to be a "guarantor" in any future agreement with Russia, along with the United Nations Security Council's five permanent members which include Russia and Germany.

Russia may accept Turkey as a mediator, but at the same time is angry because Turkey has supplied its drones to the Kyiv government, which helped Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion and reportedly played a decisive role by providing precise targeting information to the Ukrainian Neptune missiles that sank the "Moskva", the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. So, Ankara has good reasons to fear the wrath of Moscow.

Soner Cagaptay, of the Washington Institute, points out: "Turkey fears a Russian defeat only slightly less than it fears a Russian victory...If Putin has a list of countries he will punish for supporting Ukraine after the war, Turkey is close to the top of that list after the Baltic states, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Erdogan's ultimate goal is to avoid a showdown with Putin, who could use economic leverage or even cyber-attacks to derail the Turkish President's re-election prospects."

Ankara's mediation efforts and its offer to be one of the guarantors of an agreement between Ukraine and Russia have certainly improved its relations with Washington, that in recent years had been steadily deteriorating. The worsening of relations between the two countries was mainly due to the purchase by Turkey of the Russian S-400 missile system, for which last December the US imposed sanctions on the head of Turkey's military procurement agency Ismail Demir and other top officers.

But the crisis concerning the S-400, although put on the back burner due to the war in Ukraine, maybe far from over, as Ismail Demir said last Tuesday that Turkey was still talking with Russia about purchasing a second batch of S-400 despite the war in Ukraine. Demir also repeated Turkey's position that it wanted to maintain good relations with Moscow during its invasion of Ukraine.

Although Erdogan has embarked in the past few months on "a charm offensive", trying to improve relations with European countries, and has scored some success in this respect, he suddenly makes some moves that destroy the whole effort.

For example, Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had announced during their talks on March 13 that they decided to improve the relations between the two countries.

Despite this, on April 24, when Greek Orthodox people celebrated Easter day, Turkish F-16 fighters made 17 violations of Greek airspace. The violations continued on Easter Monday, while last Wednesday Turkish F-16 made 126 violations of Greek airspace.

Another example is the case of Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala, who was sentenced last week to life imprisonment, allegedly for trying to overthrow the government by financing the Gezi Park protests in 2013. Two years ago, the European Court of Human Rights decided that Kavala should be released immediately, but the Turkish Court ignored the decision. Now infringement proceedings will be initiated, which could end in Ankara's suspension from the Council of Europe.

On April 27, Germany summoned the Turkish Ambassador over the sentencing of Kavala and Ankara responded immediately by summoning the German Ambassador and reminding him of the principle of not meddling in internal affairs.

Last October, Erdogan caused a major diplomatic row when he threatened to expel the ambassadors of the US, France, Germany and other seven European countries after they reiterated the need for Turkey to respect the ECHR ruling.

As Turkey is passing through one of its worst economic crises in recent history, Erdogan who is facing a tough election next year is making feverish efforts to boost the faltering economy of his country, trying to improve economic relations with the oil-rich Gulf States, as well with Israel and Egypt.

Having succeeded to mend ties with the United Arab Emirates and securing a promise by Abu Dhabi to set up a USD 10 billion fund to support investments in Turkey, Erdogan on Thursday travelled to Saudi Arabia and had meetings with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

It should be noted that ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia were strained after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan had accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of giving the orders but Ankara has since sharply softened its tone.

Just three days before Erdogan's visit to Saudi Arabia, a Turkish prosecutor decided to transfer to the Kingdom the case of 26 Saudi suspects tried in absentia, removing in this way a thorn in the relations between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters on his return from Riyadh, Erdogan said, "We agreed with Saudi Arabia to reactivate a great economic potential through organizations that will bring our investors together."

(ANI)

Also Read: PM Modi in Germany for 1st in-person talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, co-chair 6th IGC
Environment Minister Han Jeoung-ae examines a tidal power plant at Shihwa Lake in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, that is covered with building-integrated photovoltaic panels, December 2021. Newsis



By Ko Dong-hwan



The Seoul Metropolitan Government has started accepting applicants for a subsidy for installing building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPVs) panels  a type of solar panel the city is promoting to increase the public's usage of renewable energy resources instead of fossil fuels.



Considered the next level of PV panels, BIPVs can be integrated like large tiles covering a building's external surfaces. Unlike conventional PV panels that physically stand out, BIPVs can be installed in various spots along a building's surface, such as windows, exterior walls or rooftops. They also come in different colors and can add a sleek glass facade to older structures.



The city government will accept applicants until June 10 and subsidize a total of 1.5 billion won ($1.2 million) to selected applicants.



The subsidy is available for two types of BIPVs. For those installing "design-type" BIPVs (designed to look less conspicuous), the city will cover up to 70 percent of the installation costs. This particular subsidy, however, comes with the condition that installation costs are calculated at 6 million won per kilowatt for replacing old PVs with BIPVs, and 4 million won per kilowatt for installing new BIPVs.



For those installing "new technology-type" BIPVs (made with new materials or new technologies developed domestically), the city will cover up to 80 percent of the installation costs.



Those who own private buildings in Seoul can apply for the subsidy with a firm that will install the panels. The Green Energy Division in the city government's Climate and Environment Headquarters will evaluate candidate firms based on their qualifications  such as their licenses and performance in the area  and then select pairs consisting of the building owner applicant and an installation firm.



The Seoul Metropolitan Government has run various programs to subsidize solar panels for residents, beginning with a program for apartment dwelling households, since 2011. It started subsidizing building owners installing BIPVs in 2020. The city government subsidized a total of 2.2 billion won since that year for four buildings (including a church) in the districts of Gangseo, Yangcheon and Seocho.



Lim Mi-kyung, the head of the Green Energy Division, said that the government started subsidizing BIPVs to provide the newest type of PV panels available in Korea and to reduce the usage of conventional panels that have been limited to installation on apartment balconies or outside veranda spaces, or to building rooftops.



"It is our goal to propagate the use of BIPVs, which can expand the city's usage of eco-friendly energy resources and also improve the appearance of existing buildings," said Lim. "The project will contribute to the city transitioning its energy structure to an eco-friendly one and reduce greenhouse gases."



Since a national standard that assesses the performance of a BIPV module was certified in 2016, observers said that the BIPV market in the country is expected to grow by 20 percent annually until 2028. As the country's BIPV technologies have been growing, there is a rising demand for revising the country's existing standards for BIPV modules and systems. Some of the observers mentioned that the national policies for BIPVs of European nations like Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands are worth researching and citing.


Vietnam exports to dip as China weakens

02 May 2022

Vietnams cement and clinker exports are expected to record an annual drop of 1.5 and two per cent YoY, respectively, to 45Mt in 2022-23, according to VNDirect Securities. This is being blamed on lower demand from China. Vietnams cement and clinker exports have surged since China was forced to close many of its factories due to environmental problems and a shortage of power for production in 2017-21.



The figure reached 46Mt in 2021, marking a 20 per cent uptick YoY and triple the figure reported in 2016. In 2021, China accounted for around 35 per cent of Vietnams cement and clinker exports. However, a weakening of Chinas civil real estate sector, which makes up 30-35 per cent of its cement consumption, is forecast to affect the countrys demand for cement this year.



Export tariffs for clinker are due to double to 10 per cent from January 1, 2023, with the aim of minimising shipments of minerals. However, this hike will insignificantly affect Vietnams clinker exports as the country is facing a glut of such product, says VNDirect Securities.

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I am talking about not having books for the class, not having basic supplies for the class, not enough teachers, incomplete facilities, safety equipment, and I could go on and on. As a parent of two children that were educated in the Hamilton County School system, I cannot be more thankful to two commissioners, the late Richard Casavant and Sabrena Smedley. My son graduated from Signal Mountain and my daughter graduated from East Hamilton. Both of these schools were brand new and came with tremendous additional financial burden to the parents, teachers and community, as they were vastly incomplete of the mere basics.I am talking about not having books for the class, not having basic supplies for the class, not enough teachers, incomplete facilities, safety equipment, and I could go on and on.





Any parent, teacher, and student would tell you these beginning times at these two new schools were very rough, especially the financial deficits these two schools bore. I am not talking about a deficit that a car wash or bake sale would cover. I am talking about a $250,000 to $500,000 a year deficit each year for the first five years.





County Commissioners, during this time period, were given $100,000 in discretionary funds to be used in their district. I have to believe every teacher, parent, and student will be forever grateful to both Dr. Casavant and Mrs. Smedley for using 100 percent of their funds on the new schools and caring for what they believed was most important, getting the teachers what they need, the students what they need and through time, the facilities that were not included.





As a very significant personal giver to both schools and many other Hamilton County Schools, it turns my stomach to read Weston Wamp supporters bashing the discretionary dollars Sabrena 100 percent used on the schools in her district. For someone whose campaign focused on education, Weston Wamp, should denounce his supporters who portrayed Sabrena as sneaky with her discretionary dollars. No one cares more for the Hamilton County Schools than Richard Casavant and Sabrena Smedley.





If you really care about Hamilton County Schools, then please vote for Sabrena this Tuesday.





Dr. Keith Dressler

I am grateful to Sabrena for her support of Hamilton County Schools.
The state of Tennessee is calling off all executions until next year, a family member of a victim of Harold Wayne Nichols said.

The Chattanooga woman said she received a call from the governor's office informing her of the decision.

She said, "They said it was over the lethal injection. Who cares what's in it? We've waited 34 years (for Nichols to be put to death)."

The state was recently set to execute Oscar Smith, but it was called off at the 11th hour because of "an oversight" involving the lethal dose he was to be given.

The state is using a three-drug dose, but is apparently evaluating it.

Nichols is on death row for the rape and murder of Karen Pulley in 1988. He has acknowledged raping 14 other women, including her daughter, the woman said.

On Monday, Governor Bill Lee announced plans to launch a third-party review of a lethal injection testing oversight that resulted in a temporary reprieve for death row inmate Oscar Franklin Smith.

I review each death penalty case and believe it is an appropriate punishment for heinous crimes, said Governor Lee. However, the death penalty is an extremely serious matter, and I expect the Tennessee Department of Correction to leave no question that procedures are correctly followed.



Both the United States Supreme Court and Governor Lee declined to intervene on the merits of Smiths case, but questions surrounding lethal injection testing preparation for the April 21 execution resulted in a temporary reprieve by the governor.

Tennessee will retain former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton to conduct an independent review of the following:

Circumstances that led to testing the lethal injection chemicals for only potency and sterility but not endotoxins preparing for the April 21 execution

Clarity of the lethal injection process manual that was last updated in 2018, and adherence to testing policies since the update

TDOC staffing considerations

An investigation by a respected third-party will ensure any operational failures at TDOC are thoroughly addressed, said Governor Lee. We will pause scheduled executions through the end of 2022 in order to allow for the review and corrective action to be put in place.

Since 2019, three of four executions have been carried out by electric chair. Death row inmates may choose to be executed by electric chair rather than lethal injection, and lethal injection is the default execution method in Tennessee. The April 21 execution was set to be the first execution since February 2020 due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. This execution was one of five executions scheduled to take place this year. The Tennessee Supreme Court will determine rescheduled dates for the 2022 executions.
My last drivers license picture was one of the worst photos of myself ever. At least I hope it was. I was sweaty and my hair was more horrible than usual. My lips were nonexistent (again, more so than usual) and my flat eyes looked pissed off. A mug shot of a meth dealer comes to mind, but my father said, Thats a really good picture of you. I wish I could say he had been joking.

For years, each time I showed my ID, I gushed, Its a really bad picture of me! as the clerk glanced up at me for verification, immediately finding it. I felt like I needed to explain the horrible picture, but apparently I didnt.

A few years ago, I moved from Georgia to Tennessee so I had the opportunity to get a new glamor shot for my license. I slathered on concealer, teased my limp hair, coated my lips with some fiery hot pepper enhancing concoction that stung and outlined my eyes with liner to make them somewhat pronounced. Mascara, hair spray and eye shadow followed. On the way to the DMV, I could barely take my eyes off my reflection in the rear view mirror.

I arrived at the DMV on the coldest morning of the year, actually skidding though ice on the way. Smug, I knew that would work in my favor, certain that most folks had more sense and would opt to stay home. As it was the height of flu season, I rationalized that most would stay away for that reason, as well.

I was wrong. There was standing room only in the DMV, and people lined the walls, several holding their heads in their hands in despair.

Chirpy, I approached the woman at the counter, thinking I might sail right through since I was probably one of the few people moving from out of state. Wrong on that count. She directed me to take a number (A-19) at an automated kiosk that took me a while to figure out. I was challenged by Redbox, too.

I leaned against the wall and tried to look perky. They called K-19 and I put my head in my hands as I realized they had to go all the way to letter Z before calling my number. But I was greatly encouraged when they seemed to only be calling A, K and D! However, I realized that blip of cheer was all for naught. The numbers rarely moved  they seemed slower than molasses on a freezing cold day.

I wondered what my chances were of actually being arrested for driving with an out-of-state license. Jail time probably would have been quicker. After an hour, they called my number, checked my paperwork, and gave me another number, A-35. I scored a chair, and sat for another hour before my number was called. She simply checked my paperwork again to make sure it was all in order and sent me back to my seat, which had been taken.

I leaned against a wall for another hour and a half, right next to a man hacking away without even attempting to cover his mouth. In an effort not to put my hands in my mouth, I just rested my head in them, not concerned with mussing my hair.

Three hours and 15 minutes after I grasped my paper tab printed with A-15, they called A-35. This is no embellishment. I rushed to the counter, ready to get on the other side of this experience. I didnt need to check the mirror. I knew my mascara had run under my eyes, my hair was matted flat down on my head, my lips had vanished, and I looked murderous. If they could convict based on mug shots only, I would be behind bars.

In hindsight, Im glad the woman behind the counter said that on second thought, my paperwork was not in order after all. And I needed to start all over, from my birth certificate on to present day. Apparently she just checked it every hour for the pleasure of telling me it was lacking when she called my final number.

So, I am back to square one. A-19 if you will. The only good news is that there may be another chance to get that glamor shot for my ID.

----



Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a FREE pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.
People who know me well are aware of my traveling disability  Im directionally challenged. Going to a new place, I either need clear directions or must lean heavily on my good friend, Gladys Penelope Snodgrass (GPS). Im not proud of it, but I can go somewhere 10 times and if the route is complicated in any way, will probably need directions again.

I admire people who can travel to a new location and will forever have the directions down pat. That doesnt describe me. A common stereotype about men is that they never stop for directions, insistent on finding the way on their own. However, acknowledging my directional deficiencies, Im usually quick to stop to ask someone  or consult GPS  for guidance.

Occasionally I have tried the find it yourself approach, but have found the farther that I drove, the more distant I was getting from my destination. Id rather humble myself and admit Im lost  or suspect I might be  than keep following the wrong route.

I marvel at the account in Exodus of how the ancient Israelites, after being freed from bondage in Egypt, wandered in the desert for 40 years before God guided them to the Promised Land. In that culture, women were expected to submit to the authority of men. So maybe the men of Israel refused to ask for directions and all their wives could do was shake their heads.

Theres a spiritual parallel here, but not limited to the male species. Many of us have spent considerable time wandering through life, often in a tremendous hurry, but we seem to be going in circles. Were going nowhere, but at least feel like were making great time. Or as a friend used to describe people trying to live without Jesus Christ, Theyre lost, but they dont know theyre lost.

Recently I heard a story about C.S. Lewis, a one-time atheist who became a stalwart theologian and apologist for Christianity. Although he attended church as a boy, Lewis rejected the faith at an early age. For a time thought he was doing just fine, on the right path, right on schedule. Then, as recounted in The Most Reluctant Convert, a biography of Lewis by David Downing, came an aha moment.

Lewis was enrolled to attend the esteemed Oxford University College, but when he exited the train in Oxford for the first time, mistakenly began walking down the street in the wrong direction. Having never been to the town before, Lewis grew disappointed at the nondescript houses and shops he saw along the way. After a while he wisely concluded perhaps he had been going the wrong way.

Not long after turning around, Lewis began to see the beautiful towers and spires for which the college is noted. Recalling this experience in his own book, Surprised by Joy, Lewis states, This little adventure was an allegory of my whole life. This became an important step in his journey to capture the wonder of a life of faith, realizing the futility of following the path that had absorbed him into the mundane inanities of modern life.

Only when he turned around had Lewis found his way to the college, and in time this turning served as an important moment in realizing his need to turn back to the God he had encountered as a child. And what a turning it was  he became the author of many influential books about the Christian faith, including Mere Christianity, A Grief Observed, and the Chronicles of Narnia fantasy series.

Tragically, countless men and women are similarly traveling in the absolute wrong direction, convinced eventually it will get them to where they want to go. They have no idea that unless they turn around and proceed in the opposite direction, which the Bible calls repentance, they will never arrive at their desired destination. As Acts 3:19 declares, Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

Religions of this world suggest there are many ways of finding the peace, joy, sense of purpose and fulfillment we all long for. But Jesus Christ boldly declared, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).

This opportunity is available for anyone who will call out to God, acknowledge their need for Him and the fact that they have been headed in the wrong direction for much too long. If we do so, were told, A highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called the Highway of Holiness (Isaiah 35:8).

Is it time that you  or someone that you know and love  admitted going the wrong way and decided it was time to consult a new GPS: Gods Positioning System?

There was a time in my life that I was far off-course spiritually, knowing nothing about a real, transforming relationship with the Lord. But I finally saw the light, no longer directionally challenged spiritually. Ever since then, following Jesus has become an incredible adventure I could never have imagined. When God said in Jeremiah 33:3, Call on me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know, He wasnt kidding.

* * *

Robert J. Tamasy is a veteran journalist, former newspaper editor and magazine editor. Bob has written, co-authored and edited more than 15 books. These include the newly published, Marketplace Ambassadors; Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Todays Workplace; Tufting Legacies, The Heart of Mentoring, and Pursuing Life With a Shepherds Heart. A weekly business meditation he edits, Monday Manna, is translated into more than 20 languages and sent via email around the world by CBMC International. The address for his blog is www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com. His email address is btamasy@comcast.net.
The late Glen Campbells hit The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Rules the World, is the way the Chattanooga Funeral Home team feels about our mothers. Here are a few making a difference.



We start with Robin Gobble, usually the first voice you hear when calling CFH. She has two children and two grandchildren.



The second voice is Office Manager Ruth Ann Johnson, who has one child and one grandchild.



Cheryl Benefield works part time in the business office.

She has two children and two grandchildren.Dot Longley is receptionist at the East Brainerd Chapel. She has two children and two grandchildren.Vicki Blevins works out of the East Chapel and does a variety of jobs. Vicki has five children and six grandchildren.Wanda Thompson assists with catering. Wanda has two children, four grandchildren, three great- grandchildren and another on the way.The Chattanooga Funeral Home is proud of our mothers working at the Care Center. Chaney Alder is the mother of three children, Amanda Beard has one child and Tiffany Vincent has three children.Kay Self is with the Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Ms. Self has five children and 12 grandchildren.Jennifer Loveless, Hamilton Memorial Gardens, has four children and eight grandchildren.Linda Thompson, CFH organist, has one child.Judy Atkins, Chattanooga Memorial Park, has two children and three grandchildren. Ginger Teppenpaw CMP has two children and five grandchildren.Benita Walsh and Pam Guinn are Chattanooga Funeral Home professional flower designers. Ms. Walsh has two children and three grandchildren. Ms. Guinn has three children and seven grandchildren.Advantage Funeral Home Mothers include Margaret Lorimer, with one child, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, and Felicia Lashley-Verrett has two children, one grandchild and one on the way.We cant forget Gail Pike, mother of CFH Vice President Stephen Pike.HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL, MAY 8, 2022.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and industry partners across the state will join forces May 1-7 to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week (NTTW), the annual celebration of the contributions of the U.S. travel industry. This week spotlights the critical role travel will play in driving economic growth and building the path forward through the theme #FutureofTravel. Tourism is the states #2 industry.

Visitors across the state are invited to stop in any of Tennessees 16 Welcome Centers to experience first-hand what area destinations have to offer by participating in the Centers National Travel and Tourism Week Trivia Wheel to answer questions on Tennessees music, culture, geography, sports, highway safety laws presented by Tennessee Highway Safety Office and litter prevention and awareness presented by Keep Tennessee Beautiful and Nobody Trashes Tennessee for a chance to win Tennessee souvenirs.

Guests can also learn more about Tennessee and how they can utilize the Welcome Centers when planning road trips across the state by taking advantage of the Centers certified travel ambassadors and resources on-site, including free hotel, motel, campground and attraction reservations, pet walking areas, free statewide brochures, Tennessee Vacation Guides and maps, picnic tables, weather and traffic monitors, civil war exhibits, free WI-FI and a relaxing environment to rest during a day of travel.

The travel industry is a powerful economic engine, supporting jobs and driving local economies. In 2020, Tennessee Tourism generated $16.8 billion in domestic and international travel spending. Despite the impact of COVID-19, efforts to promote outdoor travel opportunities helped Tennessee outperform the national average. Now with economies and the U.S. opening back up, Americans are ready to ready travel according to Destination Analysts:

81.0% of American Travelers report strong excitement for travel this year and 86.2% are in a ready-to-travel state of mind .

87.6% of American travelers have current trip plans.

71.8% of Americans did some trip dreaming and planning in the last week.

Americans are seeking out new experiences for travel with 55.7% preferring to travel to places they have never been before.

From Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Jack Daniels in Lynchburg to Beale Street in Memphis and everywhere in between, the travel and tourism industry contributes significantly to the economy and the spirit of the Volunteer State, said Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell. We are excited to connect with our partners and celebrate the bright future ahead for Tennessees tourism industry.

Celebrated annually during the first full week in May, NTTW was created by Congress in 1983 to elevate the economic power of travel in the U.S. The 39th annual NTTW arrives as the industry looks ahead to future growth and success following the challenges of the past two years.

For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week in Tennessee, visit here.
The Institute of Contemporary Art Chattanooga announces its summer 2022 exhibition, New Acquisitions from the George Cress Estateon view at the ICA in the Fine Arts Center on the UTC campus from May 16-July 29. The ICA will hold summer hours from Mon-Thurs, 11ba.m.-3 p.m. Additional viewings may be requested and arranged by appointment; if you are visiting and need to confirm hours, email hello@icachatt.org.



About the artist:

George Ayers Cress (American, 1921-2008) was born in Anniston, Al.

in 1921 to parents to Glen H. Cress, Sr. and Lola Ayers King, and he was raised primarily in NE Georgia. He earned a BFA and MFA from the University of Georgia, where he studied under fellow Southern contemporary artist Lamar Dodd who provided his early foundation and academic understanding of the study and practice of artmaking. Cress also studied journalism at Emory University and art at American University. Cress served in the United States military from 1942-45 and was stationed in Europe.Cress moved to Chattanooga in 1951 to join the faculty of the University of Chattanoogalater renamed the University of Tennessee Chattanoogawhere he taught for 56 years. He served as chair of the Department of Art and was Guerry Professor Emeritus of Art. He was a central figure in Chattanooga's arts community and served as President of the Tennessee Arts Council and sat on the board of the Hunter Museum of Art.George Cress work became increasingly abstract over his career, always informed by travels and time spent in nature, frequently searching for the feel of the scene. Cress painted his favored Appalachian landscapes of NE Georgia and eastern Tennessee by employing abstracted geometric forms and saturated colors through direct observation within nature. The Hunter Museum hosted his retrospective, George Cress: 50 Years of Painting, in 1990, and his monograph George Cress: Paintings & Drawings 1953 to 2005 was published by Pennyroyal Editions in 2006.Cress outlined plans for his artistic legacy in his will, and the Hunter Museum was the beneficiary of Cress massive archive and artwork holdings: the George Cress Estate. In 2021, the ICA and the Hunter Museum worked to transfer 304 objects from the George Cress Estate7 paintings, 27 watercolors, 86 drawings, 172 sketches, 1 print, and 11 archival photographsto the permanent collection of fine art at UTC, housed in our universitys library. This gift meaningfully expands UTCs ability to tell George Cress significant artistic history and story, both as related to our academic institution, and to the history of artmaking in the southeast. The gift includes archival images of Cress at work, as well as a significant number of early works from the 1940s and 1950s, during and after his military service.The ICA galleries were prior named the Cress Gallery of Art, which were officially named in Cress honor in 2000 and operated as such until 2020. Cress remained active in his support of the Gallery and its programs throughout his career at UTC.Kim White, UTC vice chancellor for Development and Alumni Affairs and executive director of the UC Foundation said, "As someone who was fortunate to have George Cress as a teacher during my studies at UTC, I am thrilled to see his legacy further expanded on campus with the acquisition of additional works to UTC that will be displayed in the ICA. Between the lives he impacted as a teacher to the continued influence of his art, George Cress' imprint continues to be seen on the UTC and Chattanooga community."
Pakistan to make every effort to fight terrorism, says National Assembly speaker

Xinhua) 11:52, May 02, 2022

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan will make every effort to fight terrorism and bring the perpetrators of Tuesday's terrorist attack which killed three Chinese teachers to justice, Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said here on Sunday.

He made the remarks during a visit to the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, when he expressed condolences to the Chinese side over the loss of lives in the attack, saying that the National Assembly strongly condemns it.

On Tuesday, an explosion ripped through a shuttle passenger van of the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi, leaving three Chinese teachers dead, one Chinese teacher injured and causing several Pakistani casualties.

Pakistan will spare no effort to arrest the perpetrators of this terrorist attack and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country, he said, adding that Chinese friends from afar have made important contributions to Pakistan-China friendship, and are very respected guests of the Pakistani people.

He stressed Pakistan does not allow such incidents to damage the Pakistan-China friendship, which is a model of state-to-state relations.

Pang Chunxue, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, thanked Ashraf for his visit, noting that China strongly condemns the terrorist attack and has asked the Pakistani side to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

China will work with Pakistan to combat terrorism and further promote bilateral ties, she added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
President Moon Jae-in delivers an opening speech during the World Forestry Congress at COEX in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service



World Forestry Congress kicks off 5-day run in Seoul



By Baek Byung-yeul



President Moon Jae-in pledged that Korea will expand the size of the official development assistance (ODA) budget and technical help to support reforestation in developing countries on the first day of the World Forestry Congress (WFC) held in Seoul, Monday.



"Korea will actively participate in the international community's efforts to protect and nurture forests based on the experience of achieving reforestation through solidarity and cooperation," Moon said during a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the event held at COEX in southern Seoul.



"We plan to more than double the size of the ODA budget by 2030, and we will expand ODA in the forest sector accordingly. The country will participate in the global forest funding pledge of last year and implement the $60 million donation without any problems."





Visitors to the World Forestry Congress stand in line at COEX in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Korea is regarded as one of the world's biggest success cases in reforestation efforts. Based on its experience, it became the host country of the WFC, the world's largest forest-related event.



Organized by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the WFC is an event where parties form all around the world gather to discuss everything about the global forest sector. The event is running for five days until Friday, May 6.



It is attended by government officials, international organizations, civic groups and companies from 144 countries to discuss issues related to forests and the broader environment. The organizing committee expects the event, which was originally scheduled to be held in 2021 but delayed to this year due to the pandemic, to be the largest ever, featuring more than 10,000 participants.



"Forests are our key partners for achieving the objectives of the 2030 Agenda including combating desertification, achieving food security and improving livelihoods, as well as the Global Forest Goals, the Paris Agreement, the U.N. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework," FAO Director-General Qu Dongyum said.









"This is an important message to be carried to the important global meetings of the Rio Conventions and other global fora where decisions will be made on the future of the planet and its people, to ensure that forests are an integral part of the solution to current and future challenges."





Choi Byeong-am, minister of the Korea Forest Service, speaks during a press conference at the World Forestry Congress at COEX in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk



Choi Byeong-am, minister of Korea Forest Service, told reporters that Korea as a host nation will try to share its experience of making the nation greener and be more responsible to agilely respond to forest issues that the global community is facing.



"The WFC is the largest event in the forest sector that shares global problems such as climate change, reduced diversity of plants and desertification and seeks methodologies for how to solve them," Choi said.



"Korea was able to host the event as a country that successfully restored forests. As a host country, Korea will share the success stories we have experienced with the world and take the lead in solving and creating a vision for solving forest problems facing the whole world with responsibility."



The WFC is held every six years. This is the first time for an Asian nation to host the event since the 1978 congress held in Indonesia. Various official representatives  33 ministers and vice ministers and 10 heads of international organizations  will attend the largest-ever general meeting until Friday to deliver keynote speeches.





Seen are, from left, XV World Forestry Congress Secretariat Secretary-General Park Eun-sik, Korea Forest Service Minister Choi Byeong-am, Princess Basma bint Ali of Jordan and Food and Agriculture Organization Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo, during a press conference for the World Forestry Congress at COEX in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Hamilton County voters on Tuesday will choose nominees for a new county mayor and a number of other key offices, including district attorney.

County Commission Chairman Sabrena Smedley, businessman Matt Hullander and entrepreneur Weston Wamp are in a tight race to succeed Jim Coppinger. Matt Adams is a Democratic candidate

Another Wamp, Coty, is challenging incumbent Neal Pinkston for district attorney. John Allen Brooks is running as a Democrat.

Key County Commission races include incumbent Randy Fairbanks vs. longtime Soddy Daisy official Gene-o Shipley as well as teacher Stacy Swallows in District 1. Greg Beck is trying to get back on the commission in District 5 along with three other contenders (Phylicia Blackmon, Mike Greer and Nathaniel Doss III). Lee Helton is unopposed for the District 7 seat now held by Commissioner Smedley. East Ridge Vice Mayor Mike Chauncey and School Board Chairman Tucker McClendon are seeking the District 8 seat being vacated by Tim Boyd. Jeff Eversole and Dean Moorhouse are in a tight race in the new District 10. Joe Graham, a former commissioner, is the only Republican candidate in another new District, 11. Democratic contenders are Montrell Besley, Sean Nix and Molly Blankenship.

Mike Dumitru and Jim Exum are contending to take the seat in Circuit Court, Division 2, being vacated by Judge Jeff Hollingsworth.

With Criminal Court Judge Don Poole retiring, Boyd Patterson, Amanda Dunn and Rebecca Stern are going after the post.

Veteran City Court Judge Sherry Paty is opposed by Brian Bush.

School Board matchups include three Republican candidates in District 6 (Jon Baker, Cindy Fain and Delores Gross Vinson), two Democratic candidates in District 8 (Katie Perkins and Sandy Norris Smith), three Republican candidates in District 10 (Roddey Coe, Patrick Lee and Faye Robinson).

On Election Day, polls in Hamilton County open at 8 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Hamilton County residents can find their polling location and access voter specific information including sample ballots and election results with the GoVoteTN app or on GoVoteTN.gov. The GoVoteTN app is free in the App Store or Google Play. To cast a ballot, Hamilton County voters need to bring valid photo identification. A Tennessee driver license or photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Tennessee state government or the federal government is acceptable even if it is expired. Under Tennessee law, student IDs are not acceptable. More information about voter ID requirements, visit sos.tn.gov/elections/voter-id-requirements. Casting your ballot in the midmorning or midafternoon may shorten your time. Early morning, noon and after 5 p.m. are peak times as people typically vote before work, after work or on their lunch breaks. If there is a line to vote, frail, physically disabled, or visibly pregnant voters can request to be moved to the front of the line. State law requires polling locations and the area within a 100-foot boundary of the entrance to remain campaign-free zones. The display or distribution of campaign materials and the solicitation of votes for or against any person, party or question on the ballot within this area are prohibited. Voters wearing campaign-related clothing or paraphernalia will not be allowed within the 100-foot boundary. Hamilton County voters are encouraged to report possible voter fraud or misinformation to the Secretary of States Division of Elections toll-free at 1-877-850-4959. Persons who make a report of voter fraud that leads to a conviction are eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Voters with questions or concerns about the election can visit GoVoteTN.gov or contact the Hamilton County Election Commission at (423) 209-8683 or vote@hamiltontn.gov
Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2022 will be held May 6 in the Health & Physical Fitness Building (Gym) on the main campus of Chattanooga State Community College, 4501 Amnicola Hwy. in Chattanooga.



We will have ceremonies at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., stated Dr. Amanda Bennett, interim vice president for Student Affairs. These ceremonies will encompass all academic divisions, Collegiate High School and University Parallel graduates.

Students each received six tickets for guests. For those unable to attend, ceremonies will be livestreamed here.



Chattanooga States academic divisions include Business, Engineering and Information Technologies, Humanities and Fine Arts, Mathematics and Sciences, Nursing and Allied Health, and Social and Behavioral Sciences, in addition to Collegiate High and University Parallel graduates.



We are excited to host our graduates on our campus this year, and there is much to celebrate, shared Dr. Bennett. Our graduates and their accomplishments exemplify our purpose of empowering everyone in our community to learn without limits.



The Class of 2022 is composed of 1,221 graduate candidates. Sixty-seven percent are female while 33 percent are males, and 339 grads, or 28 percent, have become the first member of their family to attend college. The largest percentage of graduates are over 25 years of age at 50 percent, while 45 percent more are within the ages of 18 and 20. Almost a third of the graduates are TN Promise recipients. Chattanooga States oldest graduate candidate is age 71, while the youngest is 17.

The following countries represented in the graduating Class of 2022 include Australia, Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Mexico, Panama, Philippines, Senegal South Africa, Sudan, Ukraine and Vietnam.



More information about Chattanooga States 2022 Commencement exercises can be found here.
Martha Belle Mathis, 94, of Chattanooga, died on Monday, May 2, 2022 at her home.

A 1945 graduate of Chattanooga Valley High School, and also attended Edmondson Business College, Mrs. Mathis was a retired secretary from TVA after several years of service.

Mrs. Mathis was a member of Middle Cross Baptist Church for several years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Col Joe T. Mathis; her parents, Monroe and Rena Belle (Nation) Wooden; and her brother, Clarence Wooden.

She is survived by her special daughter, Connie Mathis; sisters-in-laws, Barbara Leamon Roberson, Harrison and Fran Mathis, Chattanooga; along with many nieces, nephews, and special friends.

Services will be held on Thursday, May 5, at noon in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Eddie Ellison, Dan and Bill Mathis officiating. Burial will follow at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Orange Grove Center, Chattanooga, Tn., or a charity of choice.

You may visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share condolences and view the service on live stream.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 4, from 4-8 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home,

7454 E. Brainerd Road.
Faye has spent a lifetime dedicated to our Greater Chattanooga Community. She is a strong leader and a consummate volunteer for children, families and veterans.



When asked to run for school board, Faye heard the statistics of how many students could not read on grade level and she was appalled. The numbers - some 64 percent across the board by third grade - cant read on grade level and many drop out, flunk or remain behind through graduation, or they must take remedial classes when they begin higher education. Out of a $850 million dollar Hamilton County Budget, we spend roughly $544 million on our schools, and

kids cant read; She said, "Sign me up!"



Faye is a graduate of public schools and of UT Chattanooga. She was the co-owner of Robinson - Thompson Insurance Agency before selling the business for retirement. Fayes financial background in the insurance industry and as a business owner was great training for financial forecasting, accountability and transparency with the school board budget.

Reading, Writing, Math, Art, Sciences, Civics and Financial Literacy are paramount for our children becoming successful adults. According to Faye, the basic skills of being able to read, write and calculate math are necessary, for all students, no matter their future career choices.



Faye is an incredible advocate for students. She volunteers and mentors with Tennessee Achieves to assist and encourage graduating students to transition from high school to either college or trade school. Faye wants our students to become independent, critical thinking, empathic, well - adjusted, responsible and successful citizens.



We All Do.



Faye is honest, forthright, organized, attentive and trustworthy. Fayes lifetime of service shows that she cares and that she listens; Faye finds solutions and acts in everyones best interest.



Electing Faye to the HCSB matters to All of Us in Hamilton County. We elect from districts, but

Faye will Support and Serve All Students, Parents, Teachers and Admin to have the Resources, Facilities and Skills Necessary to Accomplish Positive and Successful Outcomes for All; while Raising the Standards and Accountability.



Faye is the epitome of a fine, humble, southern, Christian woman. She has been an incredible Leader, Volunteer, Patriot and Mentor. She shows up, rolls up her sleeves and gets the work done.



She is the ONLY Conservative in the current field of HCSB Candidates for D10.



Faye Believes Education is the Great Equalizer for our Society!



Good Leaders: Pray, Listen and Serve.



I said that in my endorsement for Sabrena for Mayor and now the same is true for my

Endorsement for Faye Robinson for School Board District 10!



Edward LeCompte,

Red Bank Commissioner
Dario Argento shocked film festival audiences with his performance in Gaspar Noes Vortex. Its an absolutely devastating movie about life and death. However, critics are specifically loving how the director-turned-actor translates his talents to the silver screen in front of the camera. Noe explained that Argentos daughter, Asia, convinced him to star in Vortex.

Vortex brings Dario Argento in front of the camera

L-R: Dario Argento, Kylian Dheret, and Gaspar Noe | Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Vortex tells the story of a longtime married couple named Lui (Argento) and Elle ( Francoise Lebrun). They try to help one another over the course of the story, but dementia continues to weigh heavily on Lebrun. Their son (Alex Lutz) tries to help when he can, but they enjoy their independence and do not want to be put in a home.

Noe explores Argento and Lebruns story in Vortex through a split-screen format. This allows the film to follow two characters simultaneously, establishing a claustrophobic atmosphere. Critics and audiences know Noe for his visual tricks to enhance his storytelling methods.

Dario Argentos daughter, Asia, convinced him to star in Vortex

The Film Stage interviewed Noe to talk about what it was like to work on Vortex with a horror legend, like Argento. The filmmaker explained that this ultimately informed how they interacted on the set.

I told him, Hey, Dario, you are the big director. Im just a student. You take care of your character, Ill do the camera,' Noe recalled. Hes such a sweet guy, there are not many directors that I know that I would want to film and spend every day having lunch and dinner with.

Noe added: Scorsese is one; hes another. There are some people in life that you like as a person, as an artist, and also as showmen. Dario Argento, whenever you see him on stage, people are laughing, applauding, and Im very surprised that no one before me offered him a big part in a movie. Hes pure charisma.

Argentos daughter, Asia, certainly played a big part in getting him on board for Vortex.

I was told by him, and by his daughter, that he liked my previous movies, Noe said. He hadnt seen Love, but Climax, Irreversible, Enter the Void. It was not evident that he would say yes, because he was preparing a movie, and when you are preparing a movie all your brain goes to your own feature.

Noe concluded: But with the help of Asia [Argento], who convinced him to not stay in Rome but to go with his assistant director to France and work on his movie in France, finally he said OK.

Gaspar Noe learned how to work with the director through Benicio Del Toro

Happy birthday to Benicio del Toro pic.twitter.com/QkDXyeHrVB  Letterboxd (@letterboxd) February 19, 2022

Noe told Film Stage that all of the Vortex actors are constantly improvising throughout the movie, including Argento. He learned how to properly respect an actors craft from star Benicio Del Toro, who gave him a little piece of advice.

They are all improvising, even the little kid, Noe said. I got used to that way of shooting, because I think that the performances I get by giving a lot of freedom to those Im filming are much better than if I tell them how.

Noe continued: I often see Benicio Del Toro. Ive never worked with him but I said, Who among all the directors do you like working with most? and he said, Steven Soderbergh, and I said, Why? and he said, Because hes the only one who doesnt tell me how to do it. So I said, OK: thats how you get the respect of an actor.'

RELATED: Vortex Movie Review: Gaspar Noe Depicts Hopelessness in Both Life and Death
Last week Starz premiered its new mini-series Gaslit starring Julia Roberts as Martha Mitchell, the original whistleblower in the Watergate scandal. Gaslit Episode 2, California, picks up as the Mitchell family heads to (you guessed it) California while the burglars and G. Gordon Liddy (Shea Whigham) make their move.

Patrick Walker as Frank Wills, Gaslit | Starz

We meet Frank Wills in Gaslit Episode 2 California

Martha Mitchell may be the first whistleblower in the Watergate scandal, but Frank Wills is the gentleman who got the ball rolling. Frank, played by Patrick Walker in Gaslits California, got a job as a security guard at the Watergate complex just before the historical incident. After the bumbling burglars made their way into the complex, Frank noticed tape over the latch on a door that led to the parking garage. He gave it little thought the first time, but he became suspicious when he found the latch taped again after removing the first strip of tape.

Frank called the police, and Sergeant Paul Leeper, Officer John Barrett, and Officer Carl Shoffler arrived on the scene. However, theyre dressed as hippies because of a previous investigation that called for them to go undercover. Even though Liddy, Howard Hunt, and Al Baldwin were on the lookout, they mistook the cops for hippies and didnt notify the burglars in time. When the cops bust the burglars, Liddy, Hunt, and Baldwin take off to avoid getting in trouble.

RELATED: The Starz Limited Series Gaslit Was Inspired by Slates Slow Burn Podcast

Meanwhile, in California

Both John Dean (Dan Stevens) and John Mitchell (Sean Penn) planned to be out of town when the burglary occurred. They thought this would allow them an alibi if somehow people thought they were involved. While John Dean headed to the Phillippines, Mitchell took Martha and their daughter to California.

In Gaslit Episode 2 California, The Mitchells attend a fundraiser where they talk to Michael Deaver, an aide to Ronald Reagan. John and Martha showcase what makes them such a good team with her charm and his no-nonsense demeanor. However, later that night, John Dean calls Mitchell with news of the arrest, and they both agree to return to Washington. James McCord, one of the burglars, also served as a bodyguard for the Mitchells, and his involvement in Watergate has Mitchell worried he could be traced back to the crime.

Getting ready for the new episode of #GaslitSTARZ pic.twitter.com/z141DProUD  Gaslit (@GaslitSTARZ) May 2, 2022

Gaslit Episode 2 California features the start of the abuse Martha Mitchell suffered at the hand of one of her husbands security guards

The first episode of Gaslit hinted at Martha Mitchells friendship with James McCord. In Gaslits California, we see John Mitchell leave his wife behind in California with a new member of his security team, Peter. Martha, confused about why her husband would go without her, tries to call John on the phone, but Peter refuses to allow her to make the call. He grabs her by the shoulders and forces her back into the bedroom.

Gaslit Episode 2 California, ends with Liddy and Hunt pouring gasoline on all the documents they collected regarding the crime. As the flames grow, Liddy says to Hunt, I saw this in a dream, Howard  these flames consuming our best-laid plans. Its all our fault. We made too many mistakes, too many assumptions. The tide of our ideals smashed against realitys rocky shore. Have we been so foolish to not see it coming?

Hunt replies, See what coming?

Liddy turns to him and simply says, Retribution.

RELATED: Gaslit Release Date: When Can You Watch the Julia Roberts/Sean Penn/Dan Stevens Watergate Drama?
Behind the scenes of Jungle Fever, Halle Berry and Spike Lee got into an argument that Berry claimed soon got intense. This was because Lee voiced his own opinion on the marriage and divorce of Berrys parents. And it was an opinion that the actor didnt take kindly to.

Halle Berry constantly searched for women she could identify with because of her multi-ethnic background

Halle Berry | Johnny Nunez/WireImage

As most know, Halle Berry grew up in an interracial household with a white mother and a black father. Because of her background, this led to a difficult high school experience for the actor in her formative years.

Growing up in a mostly white suburb, she was bullied for her multi-ethnic heritage. Because of her experiences, Berry shared that she was on a constant search for images of strong black women she could identify with. She would find these images on television.

Seeing Diahann Carroll being the star of a show and playing a mother who was a nurse, who was educated, who was beautiful, just rearranged me and it made me realize I had value, that I could turn to every week, a woman that looked like who I would aspire to be when I grew up, Berry said on the PBS documentary American Masters(via ET Canada).

This was important for Berry, who was happy to find images she could relate to anywhere she could.

I was a Black child being raised by a white woman, so I didnt have those images in my household, she added. Finding them on television and through movies became very, very crucial to me.

Halle Berry and Spike Lee got into a heated argument about her parents

Halle Berrys parents divorced at the age of four. Afterward, the Oscar winner was primarily raised by her mother. Her parents divorce soon became a topic of discussion between herself and Lee, who would later work together on Jungle Fever.

Although the film followed the interracial relationship of a potential black and white couple, some felt the film itself criticized this relationship. Critics believed the ultimate message of the movie had been it was better to avoid interracial relationships. But Lee denounced these claims.

I dont promote or condemn interracial relationships, Lee said according to Sun-Sentinel. In this film, its a matter of how these characters come together over the belief in two myths  that the white woman is the paragon of beauty and the black man is a sexual stud, a superhuman love machine.

According to Berry, Lee referenced her parents divorce as a reason that interracial relationships wouldnt work.

He said my parents divorced because Black/White love can never work, Berry said in Halle Berry: A Biography of an Oscar-Winning Actress (via I Love Old School Music). I told Spike that that was just his warped and twisted point of view. The reality was that my parents loved each otherthey split up because of my fathers drinking.

Berry has dated outside of her race before. But the Oscar-winner once wanted to make it clear that doing so didnt mean she was discarding her identity as a black woman.

Well, first thing I want to say is that Im very connected to my community and I want black people to know that I havent abandoned them because Ive had a child with a man outside of my race and Im dating someone now outside of my race who is Spanish and French, Berry told Ebony (via YBF). I have never been more clear about who I am as a black woman. The people I have dated sort of hold up a mirror to me and help me realize more of who I really am.

RELATED: Halle Berrys Moonfall Character Was Originally a Man
The Pioneer Womans TV crew is growing. Ree Drummond had a new face on the show in a recent episode. Heres what the Food Network star prepared and who came to the show.

Ree Drummonds spicy recipes

Stephen Colbert and Ree Drummond | Scott Kowalchyk/CBS via Getty Images

During The Pioneer Woman Season 31 Episode 2 (titled Spice It Up), Drummond made some of her best spicy dishes. For this episode, she added spice to some old favorite family recipes. During the shows opening, she says she is adding variety and spice to some real Drummond favorites. (Drummond makes some of her grandmothers recipes during the previous season.)

Drummond put together an exciting menu that included spicy garlic bread sloppy joes, pub salad board with creamy caper tarragon dressing, and spicy ginger sundaes. Some other recipes Drummond has spiced up are fried chicken and waffles; spicy sriracha popcorn, chicken spaghetti with spicy sausage and red pepper flakes; and macaroni and cheese with jalapeno, hot sauce, and pepper jack cheese.

Ree Drummond welcomed a special guest

This episode of The Pioneer Woman was a special one. The episode included Paiges boyfriend, Mitchell. Usually, the crew includes Alex and Mauricio, Stewart, and Paige. This time, her friend (as Drummond likes to call him) joined in on the fun. (Fans cant get over his resemblance to Mauricio.)

Drummond took a moment during her show to ask Paige what she likes about Mitchell. Paige had her list ready. Mitchell is funny, hes very intentional and sincere, and hes very considerate of others, she says.

Since Mitchell is part of the filming, its safe to assume he and Paige are serious. Could there be a wedding in their future? We cant wait to see what happens with these two.

Mitchell visited the Drummonds for Easter

Mitchell joined the Drummond family for the Easter holiday (some fans had questions after seeing the Easter pic). He and Paige looked happy and in love. The highlight of the festivities was when Bryce, Drummonds son, helped remove the ham from the oven. Drummonds father-in-law, Chuck, made a 30-pound ham. It was easier to get the ham into the oven than to remove it. Thankfully, Bryce was there to lend a hand.

When it came time to lift the ham out of the oven after it cooked, Chuck and I realized we were outmatched because it had been cooking in a disposable aluminum roasting pan with a rack, and even if we could lift it from a strength perspective (which was questionable), the flexibility of the pan made the whole thing pretty unwieldy, says Drummond on The Pioneer Woman website. Bryce was able to successfully retrieve the ham without dropping it on the floor.

Alex Drummonds first anniversary

During the previous episode of The Pioneer Woman, Drummond celebrated Alex and Mauricios first wedding anniversary. (Check out some of the recipes Drummond made to celebrate Alex and Mauricios honeymoon in the Maldives.) The couple decided to get married on the Drummond ranch. Drummond included clips of the ceremony and spoke about some of the highlights.

In one clip, we see Paiges wedding speech for Alex and Mauricio. Drummond also showed a clip where she got her heel stuck in a grate. Thankfully, a few of the photographers were able to come to her rescue and get her unstuck. We also see Mauricios tearful reaction when he first sees Alex walking down the aisle. Heres to Alex and Mauricio and many more years of marriage.

RELATED: The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond Invites Mauricio to Make Grilled Vegetable Hand Rolls With Her

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K-pop group Stray Kids kicked off their MANIAC world tour with three sold-out shows in Seoul, South Korea. The concerts took place on three consecutive evenings at Jamsil Arena. While there was some variety in the setlist, Bang Chan, Lee Know, Changbin, Felix, Hyunjin, Han, Seungmin, and I.N performed for hours to excited fans each night. Heres the setlist for nights one, two, and three.

Stray Kids | Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Stray Kids performed 29 songs on night 1 of the Maniac world tour

Stays (Stray Kids fandom) have anxiously awaited the moment their favorite boy group took the stage for a live concert once again. The last time Stray Kids toured, they had to cut the tour short due to coronavirus (COVID-19.) Now, riding high on the massive success of their ODDINARY album, the Kids are back in front of their adoring fans.

Night one brought 29 songs, never before seen choreography and performances. From hard hip hop to heartbreaking ballads, Stray Kids gave it their all with live vocals. BLACKPINKs Lisa was in attendance to cheer on her friends.

MANIAC World Tour: Seoul, South Korea  Night 1

MANIAC

Venom

Red Lights (OT8 version)

Easy

All In

District 9

Back Door

CHARMER

B Me

Lonely St.

Side Effects

Thunderous

Domino

Gods Menu

CHEESE

YA YA YA

Rock

Again & Again (2PM cover)

Waiting for Us

Muddy Water

Silent Cry

Hellevator

Double Knot

TOP

Victory Song

Astronaut

MIROH

Star Lost

Haven

On Night 2, Stray Kids played 32 songs, including covers of 2PM, 10cm, and Lee Juck

On night 2 of the MANIAC tour in Seoul, Stray Kids added more songs to the already stacked setlist. They took out Astronaut during the first encore and replaced it with My Pace. They also added a few more cover songs to the setlist.

MANIAC World Tour: Seoul, South Korea  Night 2

MANIAC

Venom

Red Lights (OT8 version)

Easy

All In

District 9

Back Door

CHARMER

B Me

Lonely St.

Side Effects

Thunderous

Domino

Gods Menu

CHEESE

YA YA YA

Rock

Again & Again (2PM cover)

Stalker / Mosquito Song (10cm cover)

Waiting for Us

Love in the Milky Way Cafe (10cm cover)

Its Fortunate (Lee Juck cover)

Muddy Water

Silent Cry

Hellevator

Double Knot

TOP

Victory Song

My Pace

MIROH

Star Lost

Haven

On night 3, emotions ran heavy as Stray Kids ended the night with Boxer

For their last night in Seoul, Stray Kids performed for four hours. The eight members gave fans 33 songs and emotional speeches before leaving home on their international tour. TA replaced My Pace. Original songs and different covers also weaved their way into the setlist.

MANIAC World Tour: Seoul, South Korea  Night 3

MANIAC

Venom

Red Lights (OT8 version)

Easy

All In

District 9

Back Door

CHARMER

B Me

Lonely St.

Side Effects

Thunderous

Domino

Gods Menu

CHEESE

YA YA YA

Rock

Again & Again (2PM cover)

Carpe Diem / Freestyle (Changbin and Han)

Beautiful (Hyunjin and Felix)

Waiting for Us

Muddy Water

You Were Beautiful (Day6 cover)

Silent Cry

Hellevator

Double Knot

TOP

Victory Song

My Pace

MIROH

Star Lost

Haven

Boxer

Stray Kids MANIAC tour will next hit Japan before coming stateside for nine sold-out arena shows. ODDINARY continues to chart on the Billboard 200 and has ranked No. 1 on the World Album Chart since its release in March.

The MANIAC tour is Stray Kids coming out party. After debuting in 2018, these eight young men have turned a worldwide audience into MANIACs for all things Stray Kids. In a tweet shared after the first show, the group said The stay I missed so much that I couldnt express it in words. They ended the tweet with, this is the beginning.

RELATED: Stray Kids Members Recommend 22 Songs on Spotifys Idol Lounge
Fagron, a leading global company active in pharmaceutical compounding, announced on April 14th the acquisition of HiperScan, the German market leader for reliable raw material identification in pharmacies. HiperScan is a spin-off of Fraunhofer IPMS and the German market leader for reliable and secure identification of starting materials in pharmacies.

HiperScan, a Dresden-based technology company, is a specialist in near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and emerged in 2006 as a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS, developing innovative analysis systems for pharmacies and other industries. With its Apo-Ident analysis system, which is specially designed for the identification of raw materials and is used in over 5,500 pharmacies, HiperScan has become the leader in this market segment in Germany and currently employs over 50 people.

The innovative scanning grating technology developed at Fraunhofer IPMS forms the basis for the near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer developed by HiperScan. The analytical systems make it possible to significantly reduce investment costs to make NIR-analytics affordable even to small companies. As early as 2004, Dr. Alexander Wolter, then a scientist at Fraunhofer IPMS and now managing director of HiperScan, approached Fraunhofer with his spin-off idea. The spin-off took place in 2006 and Fraunhofer acquired a stake in the company in 2007. Additional Fraunhofer funding with the goal of further management expansion followed. The company was financed by the High-Tech Grunderfonds (HTGF) and the Technologiegrunderfonds Sachsen (TGFS), among others. In addition to other shares, Fagron now takes over all Fraunhofer shares.

"Thanks to the successful collaboration with Fraunhofer IPMS in Dresden, we were able to launch Apo-Ident, a highly innovative product, within just a few years and quickly become the market leader for fast and reliable outgoing substance testing in German pharmacies. As a former scientist who knows the institute in the north of Dresden from the inside, it was easy for me to rely on the competence and professionalism with which work is done here right from the start. After more than 15 years as an entrepreneur, I am pleased that our long-term strategy is confirmed with the inclusion in the Fagron Group and receives additional tailwind for international expansion," explains Dr. Alexander Wolter, Managing Director at HiperScan.

Fagron is a leading global company active in pharmaceutical compounding, which is focused on delivering personalized medicine to hospitals, pharmacies, clinics and patients in 35 countries around the world. Founded in 1990, the company has more than 3,000 employees. By joining the Fagron family, new markets may open up for HiperScans technology to further increase safety in order to accelerate the future of personalizing medicine.

"The technological foundations for the successful HiperScan analytical system were developed at Fraunhofer IPMS. Now we are pleased about the share sale to the renowned company Fagron and continue to be available for small series production of the micromechanical heart of the NIR system," concludes Prof. Dr. Harald Schenk, Institute Director at Fraunhofer IPMS.
By Arthur I. Cyr





The reelection of President Emmanuel Macron of France is an exceptionally important event. This result overall is positive for the stability of Europe, Atlantic area relations and international relations more generally.







Above all, the outcome confirms the institutional stability of France. This is important in terms of contemporary challenges in Europe, especially the war in Ukraine, as well as the longer-term history of France.







President Macron received just over 58 percent of the vote against Marine Le Pen's just over 42 percent. This margin, while decisive, is narrower than in 2017 when these same two candidates competed for the presidency.







Candidate Le Pen promises to continue to lead the struggle against established leaders and policies of her nation. She was polite in her concession speech, but also reiterated her commitment to the populist goals of her rightwing National Rally Party.







Those positions include hostility to the European Union and regional cooperation generally, reinforced by her ties to President Vladimir Putin of Russia. After the 2016 presidential election in the United States, she was one of the first foreign leaders to publicly praise the victory of Donald Trump.







Most important, is that the just-concluded presidential election and campaign reconfirms the stability of France's domestic political structures and institutions of government. This is no small matter. Instability previously characterized France.







The decisive, stunning military defeat of the large, well-armed but woefully weak army of France in the spring of 1940 by the fast-moving blitzkrieg of Nazi Germany began four years of brutal humiliating occupation. Years of weak ineffective governments followed Allied liberation of France in 1944.







General Charles de Gaulle, exceptional leader of the Free French during the war, returned as leader of France in 1958. He succeeded in stabilizing the nation's politics, and finally reestablished effective national authority and legitimacy.







A new constitution created a powerful presidency, key to long-term stability. A referendum in 1962 confirmed direct election of the president through universal suffrage. In 2000, a referendum reduced the presidential term from seven to five years.







In this century, the alliance with the U.S. has been strong. Immediately after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, French aircraft joined those of other NATO allies in patrolling the skies over North America. The struggle against al Qaeda and the Taliban represents a comprehensive collective enterprise, authorized and supported by the United Nations as well as the NATO alliance.







Earlier, long-term socialist President Francois Mitterrand was pragmatic in dealing with the United States. "An American Life," President Ronald Reagan's autobiography, portrays Mitterrand and his wife in warm terms, with emphasis on interpersonal rapport. This overcame specific disagreements on trade and missile deployment.







By contrast, President de Gaulle was almost constantly at odds with the Kennedy administration on strategy, including nuclear weapons, the future of European integration and the structure of NATO.







De Gaulle was also in power during President Dwight Eisenhower's second term, but similar clashes were avoided. Ike developed good working rapport with the difficult, sometimes-insufferable French leader during the Second World War. While planning the Normandy invasion, American and British air commanders argued against heavy bombing, which would kill many civilians.







General Eisenhower was able to turn to General de Gaulle for vital support. Both deemed such bombing essential for success of the inherently extremely risky sea-based invasion.







In foreign policy, as in domestic politics, leadership is crucial







) is the author of "After the Cold War  American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia" (NYU Press and Palgrave/Macmillan).



Arthur I. Cyr ( acyr@carthage.edu
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Cherokee Nations Anadisgoi Magazine and the tribes ongoing efforts to perpetuate the Cherokee language through traditional and emerging media both received the highest honors awarded as part of this years Hermes Creative Awards international competition. Among those award-winning items include Anadisgoi Magazine COVID-19 edition, Cherokee National Holiday 2021 poster, Remember the Removal Bike Ride 2021 poster and Anadisgoi Magazine Cherokee language edition.
Seven weeks into the war in Ukraine, my newsfeed refreshes each day with stories of unthinkable atrocities. With each new account of suffering, its easy to wonder, How could this happen?

This is a question I asked myself often during a recent trip to Poland, where I met church leaders and Ukrainian refugees whose lives have been forever changed by the reality of this war. But one church leader, Pastor Zbigniew Sobczak of First Baptist Church in Krakow, reminded me that the suffering we are witnessing is not new to humanity.

In the first family, there was war, Pastor Sobczak said. There were no armies, [but there was] brother killing brother.

From humanitys very first generation and down through the ages, war has been one of our biggest adversaries. But, as long as there has been war, Gods Word has inspired ordinary men and women to rise up and serve in the most difficult circumstances.

That story is true today in Poland, where more than 5.4 million Ukrainian refugees have fled. In a country of 38 million, this number is not insignificant. But from the very first day of the war, Polish pastors, priests, and parishioners have opened their doors and hearts to people in need. And, in a show of service that stopped me in my tracks, Ukrainians in Poland are turning around to serve others during this difficult time. I want to share these powerful stories as a reminder to all of us that Gods people, strengthened by his Word, are an unstoppable forceeven in the face of devastating war and trauma.

Valentin

Image: Photo courtesy of the American Bible Society

Valentin and his family fled the crisis in eastern Ukraine in 2014. He reminded me of Joseph, who was brought to Egypt by God long before the rest of his family. Like Joseph, Valentin is now uniquely positioned to serve people in their hour of need. He and other volunteers with First Baptist Church in Krakow often wake up as early as 2 A.M. to help families with government paperwork and supply them with daily necessities from a new food pantry. We are trying to support everyone, Valentin told me. We dont want the Ukrainian people sleeping on the streets. Beyond the physical care he helps provide, Valentin sees an opportunity to share the hope of the gospel. People are ready to speak about God, he says. It is a great opportunity for us. Lots of organizations are supporting with food [and other resources]. But they cant give God like we can.

Image: Photo courtesy of the American Bible Society

Mateusz

As caretaker at Saint Martins Lutheran Church in Krakow, Mateusz (pictured right) and his team are working around the clock to help Ukrainians with legal documentation, transportation, clothing, and shelter. Most people walk in with one bag and two kids, Mateusz told me. Theyre grateful for everything they receiveincluding the spiritual comfort of Gods Word. At the time of my visit with him, Mateusz told me that only six of the 25 Russian and Ukrainian Bibles he scrounged off an old church bookshelf were left. The rest of the Bibles, along with care packages from the church, are in the hands of Ukrainians heading for other destinations. Mateusz asked us to pray for more volunteers to serve these vulnerable families, but he also asked us to pray for more Bibles. The problem will not end with the end of the war, he says. The Bible and the Gospels will be helpful so people can look for consolation.

Image: Photo courtesy of the American Bible Society

Father Antosiuk

Father Jarosaw Antosiuk serves as a priest at the Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Krakow. His church, which was once a military building, is now a powerful symbol of Gods peace overtaking humanitys endless wars. While his congregation ministers to Ukrainian refugees in multiple waysincluding language courses, legal assistance, childcare, and medical shipments to UkraineFather Antosiuk believes that the biggest service they provide is simply listening. In this way, he says, they provide a safe space for Ukrainians struggling with the heavy burden of trauma. They come for consolation. They come to pray. They come to get help, he told me. During our conversation, I saw this happening with my own eyes: a constant stream of Polish and Ukrainian believers flowing into the churchs sanctuary to pray.

Image: Photo courtesy of the American Bible Society

Pastor Tarkowski

In just one day, Pastor Zbigniew Tarkowski and volunteers from Christian Fellowship Church in Warsaw ran out of Ukrainian and Russian Scriptures. So, the congregation of just 400 people began caring for Ukrainians in different ways, including providing apartments, medical care, a daycare center, and help with documents from the nearby Ukrainian Consulate. Standing in the churchs bustling aid center, Pastor Tarkowski told me that, in the past month, his church had seen a miracle of biblical proportions: We have actually fed 5,000 people! Since the war began, he has witnessed two waves of people fleeing Ukraine: those who left before the war started and those who left after it began. In the second group, he says there are life-changing traumas and crises of faith. According to Pastor Tarkowski, the churchs role in this crisis remains the same: being salt and light for the world. And his request for prayer is simple: Pray for peace.

There are countless others serving alongside these church leaders and sharing similar stories. Their sacrificial service is not easy. People are experiencing deep trauma. Bibles are in short supply. Volunteers are exhausted.

And yet I am in awe of the love demonstrated by these faithful believers as they serve as the hands and feet of Christ. Through their actions, they are demonstrating the message of the Bible and showing how the Holy Spirit works through Gods people in the most difficult times.

I encourage you to pray for Pastor Sobczak, Valentin, Mateusz, Father Antosiuk, Pastor Tarkowski, and many others. Pray that God would sustain them in these challenging days. Pray for the Bible Society in Poland, which is responding to the largest Scripture crisis in its 200-year history with just three staff members. Pray that the body of Christ around the world would generously supply the Scripture resources these churches need: Ukrainian and Russian Bibles, large print Bibles, Psalm booklets, and childrens Bibles.

Its true that murder and warfare have existed for nearly as long as Gods people. But through the example of these Christians empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve and share the hope of the gospel in Poland, I am reminded that war will not get the last word in our story. That wordthe word of shalombelongs to our faithful Savior, whose Word is a light for our path in these dark days.

The Better Samaritan blog is produced by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute at Wheaton College, a research institute which specializes in resilience and spiritual fortitude. To learn more and apply for a M.A. in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership, visit our website

Rev. Enid Almanzar is Director of Global Access Partnerships for American Bible Society.
The idea of an apocalypse is terrifying for a people and culture under the pretension that everything is under our controland that our best hope is to continue to feel in control.

In politics today, apocalyptic thinking on the right and the left is based on an apocalypse that is sure to harm usbut is not so unwieldy that our total control could not avert it. Meanwhile, the Christian idea is nearly the opposite: Embracing apocalypse would not only prepare us for the reality of the world to come, but it involves an acceptance of the world as it is and our role in it.

Political imaginings of apocalypse are of events that we might prevent if only everyone else would get on board. In this way, the apocalypse is not so much focused on the event itself, but on other peoples stubbornness. We are condemned not necessarily by God or by our own deeds and thoughts, but by our neighbors degraded political views. Because of this, the apocalyptic thinking dominating our politics is anti-humanistic since it depends on broad, explicit, and implicit condemnation of our fellow human beingsand ultimately, of our own existence.

One version of apocalyptic thinking on the right is lamenting the ever-encroaching immorality of others and the culture in general. We are at risk of losing America as we know itthat is, our communities have transformed such that they are unrecognizable and constantly on the verge of irretrievability. Its the language of carnage and nostalgia.

On the right, the moral dualism of apocalyptic thinking moves from character and values outward to actions. We are doomed because evil people act in such a way that makes our way of life inhospitable.

For a significant segment of conservative Christianity in America, there is an entire subcultureincluding works of literature, advocacy organizations, and media punditspremised on an opposing force that will make it impossible to live in this country as a faithful Christian.

As Peter Manseau observed, there is a common form of ideation in conservative Christian culture that imagines scenarios in which one must greatly sacrifice, even to the point of death, in response to a developing persecuting culture. Manseau cites the disproven narratives that formed around the Columbine shooting in 1999, in which the gunman reportedly asked a student whether she was a Christian and shot and killed her because she said yes.

But Manseau has identified this kind of thinking elsewhere, including during the pandemicpointing to a TikTok video depicting a woman who denies the vaccine (portrayed as the mark of the beast) on threat of death. After she is killed, she arrives in heaven to receive a Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant as her eternal reward.

Ostensibly, conservatives believe such a future might be avoided. If the culture changed and peoples hearts were transformed, then evil thoughts would no longer flow from their minds, nor evil deeds from their hands. But what hope do we have for such transformation?

According to believers on the right, we can pray for it. But while we wait for God to intervene, this kind of apocalyptic thinking can lead to a logic of rationalization that justifies previously unthinkable behavior in light of the perceived existential threats.

Alison McQueen, author of Political Realism in Apocalyptic Times, argues in an interview that apocalyptic rhetoric creates a false sense of moral clarity.  Once we see ourselves as engaged in an ultimate battle against evil, we are often more willing to use terrible meanswar, torture, genocide, nuclear annihilationto achieve our ends.

Apocalyptic thinking is common on the political left as well, but it tends to begin with an assessment of action which is then used to make moral judgments about people. The primary mover in apocalyptic thinking is not who people are but what people do. On the right, theres a fatalism concerning peoples behavior; on the left, a technocratic confidence in the right activity resulting in the right kind of outcomesif only everyone would get on board.

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This progressive mindset, of course, amounts to fatalism by way of a scenic route. This has been the course of many environmental debates. Climate change is cast as a threat of biblical proportions with consequences that could nonetheless be mitigated if collective action were taken on a set of prescribed political policy solutions.

Heres another difference between the Left and the Right: On the right, apocalyptic thinking moves from the cultural to the political. On the left, apocalyptic thinking moves from the political to the cultural and individual. Climate change is first a political and systemic crisiswhich seeps into the private domain in ways that mirror the apocalyptic thinking of the right.

The commensurate response on the right to the Lefts apocalyptic thinking is often death by martyrdom, as Manseau recognized. The heroic response to the coming apocalypse is that of the Christian who wont deny Jesus in the face of an evil murdererthe libertarian who wont let government mandates dictate their action. Amid cultural degradation or carnage, the question is always implicit, and often explicit: How are we supposed to raise our children in this culture?

In the Lefts response to climate change, as both a policy matter and a personal matter, the ethics of conceiving a childand therefore by logical inference, the value of human life itselfare also brought into question.

A 2021 article in The New York Times, which bears the already-dehumanizing headline of To Breed or Not to Breed, profiled would-be parents who have shut off the possibility of having children of their own due to fearand, according to the article itself, a misguided assessment of the positive impact childlessness might have on climate change.

The author cites a 2018 Morning Consult poll which found that one in four childless adults cited climate change as one reason they do not have childrenoffering a window into the apocalyptic thinking of the Left. Its worth pointing out that this thinking, though premised on fears of insecurity, is more likely to be held by the most economically secure.

We regularly attribute suicides in this country to laws that are passed and prejudices that are held, but we have a popular culture that regularly embraces, and even extols, apocalyptic thinking. This inescapably leads to the conclusion that life is not worth living, or that certain social problems would improve if only some people did not exist to begin with.

Once that door opens and that question is asked, everyone feels the pressure to justify their existence. And then we expect them to be comforted by the cute slogans and meaningless gestures of the Peloton instructor who says they believe in you and that youre crushing itor the womens cosmetics advertisement model who insists that everyone, especially you, are beautiful.

Apocalyptic thinking in politics is full of misdirection. As much as it seeks to find factual, substantive supportit is ultimately therapeutic. It is related to optimism and pessimism, entrepreneurialism and cynicism.

But true apocalypse is indifferent to these dispositions. Apocalyptic events reflect an intrusion of realitythe actual state of thingsinto the life we thought we were living.

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The kind of apocalyptic thinking weve described so far is an escape hatch from reality, a way to avoid responsibility for the life we have. Whether its the anti-natalist for climate action or the anti-vaxxer concerned about the mark of the beast, people who push rational arguments often fail to face their deeper assumptions about the kind of world we live in and our place in it.

In 2012, Matthew Barrett Gross and Mel Gilles wrote an article for The Atlantic with the headline How Apocalyptic Thinking Prevents Us from Taking Political Action. In it, the authors describe a culture drawn to the apocalyptic storyline, which imposes that storyline on a range of theoretically possible but unlikely events or developments.

They write that the danger of the medias conflation of apocalyptic scenarios is that it leads us to believe that our existential threats come exclusively from events that are beyond our control and that await us in the futureand that a moment of universal recognition of such threats will be obvious to everyone when they arrive.

They argue that these kinds of scenarios obscure real threats, such as climate changesaying that societys efforts to address climate change have been hampered by apocalyptic thinking.

Global climate change is not an apocalyptic event that will take place in the future; it is a human-caused trend that is occurring now, they write. And as we expend more time either fearfully imagining or vehemently denying whether that trend will bring about a future apocalypse, scientists tell us that the trend is accelerating.

Gross and Gilless essay predictedmuch to their chagrin, Im surethe plot of the Oscar-nominated film Dont Look Up. (Although, before we think of them as prophets, they also critiqued media for equat[ing] the remote threat of a possible event, like epidemics, with real trends like global warming. Oops!). But the movie does exactly what Gross and Gilles criticizedirectly compare climate change with an earth-destroying comet.

In the film, scientists discover a comet heading toward earth. They are foolish enough to believe that by clearly communicating the scientific fact that a catastrophic event is about to take place, they can move politicians and the public to put all their energies toward averting the disaster.

Instead, self-serving politicians, big corporations, a profit-driven media, and an unserious and distracted public ignore them. Everyone dies, even though they all should have seen it coming. Everything they needed to avert the disaster was known and availableeverything, that is, except for the collective will to act.

This is how apocalypses are typically portrayed in Hollywood, but one recent movie takes a different approach. In Arrival, an unexpected outside force bursts onto the human scene. Almost every human being in the movieparticularly the governmental authoritiesexpects this outside force to harm them, and they come up with completely ineffective, counterproductive ideas about how to protect themselves.

The more aggressive and antagonistic those with power and access get, the worse the situation becomes. That is until Louise, played by Amy Adams, takes a risk and saves the daynot through aggression, but through vulnerability. However, she only acts after receiving a toola gift she could not have attained by her own effortfrom the outside force indicating that it did not intend to harm humanity but save it.

Only in thinking about the apocalypse did I come to understand the movie in this wayand it has taken on new meaning for me in recent days. We live in a time of war and the threat of renewed nuclear aggression; of intense political sectarianism driven by aversion and othering; of the hubris of technocracy and the inevitability of progress.

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The perverse worldview of our materialistic society holds that the perfection of the human condition lies just on the other side of less human life. And in some corners, it increasingly scoffs at the reality of a God in whose image human beings are made. In these times, I find that making oneself vulnerable for the sake of othersby trusting an outside force who wills our goodis profoundly countercultural.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jesus was sent to be among us, and he announced that his kingdom is at hand. We dont avert disaster by seeking ultimate control and authorityby ensuring no outside force can interfere with our designs.

It is Jesus who offers us life to the full, and not in exchange for our scheming. We must set our sights on a design that is not of our makingand only there can we place our hope.

Hope is that act whereby a person becomes aware of the distance of the Kingdom, wrote Jacques Ellul, and it clings to apocalyptic thinking. If the Kingdom is there, within easy reach, if the Kingdom is quite naturally within us, there is no need for hope.

Some fear that if we dare to locate our hope outside of our circumstances, we will not be sufficiently motivated to deal with life as it is. But this concern stems from a view of life that is much smaller than the life that is available to us.

The kind of apocalyptic thinking that permeates our politics and lives is not insufficient because it gets everything wrong. Epidemics can happen and climate change is occurringthese threats pose real harm to the well-being of people. We can still take these things seriously and seek to play our part in alleviating harm to others where and when we are able.

Rather, this politically charged apocalyptic thinking is insufficient because it tempts us to view our lives through a lens of control that we do not have. Indeed, we hardly know what to do with the mere illusion that we could make everything right if the world bent to our will.

True apocalyptic thinking is not about the objective processing of facts but about a way of knowing. And for Christians, apocalyptic thinking should more commonly be thought of as hope. It is a confidence that, as Fleming Rutledge argued for CT, the upper lights are burning.

We are stewards of a world we did not makeand as we care for it, we rely on the loving grace of the one who spoke all of creation into existence. It is the Lord who will finally make it new and right, whose justice is perfect, not proximate. And his kingdom will have no end.

Michael Wear is the author of Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America. He runs the Reclaiming Hope Newsletter with his wife, Melissa Wear.
When a megachurch scandal makes headlines, it doesnt usually affect your Sunday morning set list. But Hillsong isnt just a megachurch. Its a major global force in worship music.

Since the explosion of the song Shout to the Lord in 1994, Sydney-based Hillsong has shaped worship in the US, particularly among Pentecostals and evangelicals. The pop and rock sounds of Hillsong United and Hillsong Young and Free reach Americans through the pews on Sunday, radio and streaming, and arena concert tours.

Currently, four of the ten most popular worship songs sung in churches have come out of Hillsong (The Goodness of God, What a Beautiful Name, Who You Say I Am, and King Of Kings).

But as successive headlines chronicle revelations of moral failings among Hillsong leadership, accusations of abuse, toxic internal structures, pastors stepping down, and congregations leaving the denomination, some worship leaders are questioning whether the musical fruit of such a ministry belongs in their own churches.

Recently, the situation at Hillsong was featured in Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed, a Discovery+ docuseries hooked to the 2020 termination of Hillsong New York pastor Carl Lentz, who admitted to infidelity in his marriage.

At first, its like, There is no way this is happening  but then it goes to anger, said Katie Thrush, a longtime Hillsong fan, a worship leader, and a survivor of abuse. Following the stories out of Hillsong, she said, felt like going through the stages of grief.

Now, shes conflicted about whether to keep singing favorites like What a Beautiful Name. I really love that song. It speaks volumes to me and a lot of other people, Thrush said.

Shes worried that continuing to use that music could associate her or her church with Hillsong or serve as a reminder of the harm its leaders have caused. Founder Brian Houston left the church in March after a pair of investigations into his inappropriate behavior and awaits trial on charges he covered up abuse by his father.

The question over whether to keep playing Hillsongs music in worship falls in an interesting place. Musicologists and critics have considered how we engage with songs produced by problematic composers for centuries, and revelations around contemporary artists like Michael Jackson and R. Kelly have also challenged how listeners engage with groundbreaking and chart-topping songs.

We dont evaluate historical compositions and Billboard hits in the same way we consider music meant to facilitate worship, but the question of the separation between art and artist, or even art and the system that generated it, is a relevant one.

The conversation around Hillsong music also runs parallel to considerations around promoting the work of fallen pastors that have emerged in recent years. While some are quick to ask, What about the psalms of David? or If we cant sing songs written by sinners, whats left? others emphasize the need to hold worship musicfor all its formative powerto a higher standard.

Even before the Hillsong news over the past two years, worship leaders in the US had been vetting worship hits on a theological basis. Some churches had already opted not to include songs by Hillsong (or Bethel or Elevation) because of conflicting beliefs or different approaches of ministry.

Anyone looking to have a nuanced conversation about the future of Hillsongs music in the church may benefit from considering how musicologists and critics talk about important music with a troubling backstory.

Musicologists are very good at drawing up borders around the circumstances in which a piece of music was composed and the way the music itself goes, said Peter Mercer-Taylor, a professor at the University of Minnesota.

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Sometimes, those borders are easy to draw. Franz Joseph Haydnan influential Austrian composer of the 18th centuryworked for an incredibly wealthy prince for 30 years. He creates this great pile of symphonies that lay the blueprint for the future of the genre, just invaluable work, Mercer-Taylor said. I dont like the idea of a princely court or the concentration of wealth  but the moral challenges dont linger in the work itself.

Haydn, though a far-flung parallel, is relevant as one example of a composer whose music has transcended its provenance as a product of the patronage of an unjust system or corrupt organization. With Hillsong, questions of power, wealth, proximity, and association are still relevant.

Hillsong leaders have criticized the Discovery+ documentary, saying its slanted portrayal is an attempt to harm the church, not an effort to present a true and fair account its ministry work. Some fans have drawn distinctions between Hillsong Church and Hillsong music. But even the musicians dont claim to be their own entity.

In an Instagram post on April 6, Hillsong Worship announced its withdrawal from an upcoming tour with Casting Crowns and We The Kingdom, saying, Uniquely, Hillsong Worship is not and has never been a band. We are an extension and expression of Hillsong Church.

It is true that big-name Hillsong artists like Brooke Ligertwood and Joel Houston have their own brands and images, but they are still employees of the church, and they have acknowledged the difficulties facing Hillsong, though in relatively veiled or general terms.

The question becomes, What do you do when you have teams of young people who have worked really hard at what they do and are really good at it? Mercer-Taylor said. [They] have developed music that a lot of people find catchy and spiritually nourishing, that has gone out into the world and served a lot of people  but it turns out that the organization they serve is a bad organization.

Hillsong has an unusual structure around the royalties for its music that gives the church the performance royalties in addition to those paid to the songwriters. For worship leaders worried about guilt by association, the financial connection between Hillsong and its music may be irreconcilable.

For others, the primary concern may be more about being identified with an organization that has lost its moral authority.

The legacy of composer Richard Wagner, another giant in the Western canon, is frequently relitigated because of his antisemitism and Hitlers embrace of his music as a symbol of German greatness. But youll be hard-pressed to find a college course on the era that doesnt include his works, even if they must come with an asterisk.

Unlike worship leaders in the context of a church service, music historians have the benefit of teaching and engaging with musical works while providing extensive context and facilitating discussion about a particular composers biography.

The 2019 documentary about Michael Jacksons alleged sexual abuse of minors, Leaving Neverland, stirred fans to reconsider the artist and his musical legacy. The Guardians chief pop critic Alexis Petridis wrote:

You cant easily eradicate Jackson from history: too many people have too much of their lives bound up with his music. And perhaps you shouldnt. Perhaps it is all right that his music continues to be heard, so long as it comes with a caveat: that it reminds us great art can be made by terrible people, that talent can be weaponised in the most appalling way, that believing an artist automatically embodies goodness because we like their work is a dreadful mistake that can have awful consequences.

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Mercer-Taylor, an expert in American hymnology and popular music, still includes Michael Jacksons Billie Jean video in his courses. This was the first video by a nonwhite artist to broadcast on the MTV network. Its just historically a very significant thing, and Michael Jackson was a very significant figure.

Some may dismiss the expulsion of Hillsongs music as an example of cancel culture, a rush to get rid of historically significant influence on worship culture and songs that have been meaningful and formative for so many.

But this moment follows a gradual crescendo of calls to at least proceed with caution when it comes to engagement with Hillsong, claims that the charismatic church promotes a kind of prosperity gospel or a celebrity culture in Christianity.

If I wouldnt quote their pastor or allow him to preach in our pulpit, then I wont use the songs their bands write, wrote musician Dan Cogan in a blog post in 2016. Unlike singing an old hymn that may be doctrinally sound but have been written by someone with questionable theology, singing Hillsong or Bethel songs, he argued, lends credence to the active ministry of two influential churches.

The American worship music industry has always uncomfortably existed under the pressures of both the marketplace and the church. The bargain musicians make when they release worship music is that the same impulses that drive ideological boycotts will apply to their music.

In the case of Hillsong, said Mercer-Taylor, the music will be handled as a commodity, subject to being unseated in the marketplace even if it has artistic or spiritual value.

It enters the world as a commodity; it enters the world under a brand name, he said. People may decide they just cant justify subsidizing the organization behind the brand.

The reality, though, is that What a Beautiful Name and other Hillsong hits will likely remain in the regular music rotation for many churches. Hillsong has produced a body of singable and infectious songs that are meaningful, encouraging, and comforting for many believers.

Oklahoma pastor Sam Storms, a past president of the Evangelical Theological Society and council member for The Gospel Coalition, defended singing Hillsong songs in a blog post last summer. He emphasized the orthodoxy of Hillsongs statement of faith and lyrics.

He wrote, In no way do I endorse or turn a blind eye to the scandals that have rocked Hillsong in recent days and acknowledged some points of disagreement on ministry approaches. But he concluded, To refuse to sing thoroughly biblical worship songs they wrote lest we be somehow tainted or defiled in doing so is both impractical and absurd and will only lead to a legalistic and Pharisaical local church culture.

Many worship leaders agree. They see the content of songs themselves as a priority, not to mention the familiarity and sing-ability, over whats happening at the church that bears the same name.

Thrush finds it understandable that many worship leaders would continue using Hillsong music. The songs are biblically based, she said, and some [worship leaders] have never even heard of the documentary.

As a worship leader, Thrush hopes that the attention around Hillsong will push leaders and worshipers to have difficult and honest conversations that acknowledge the associations with its music. Perhaps other leaders will also question whether using their songs sends a message of endorsement.

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Lyndsey Winship, dance critic at The Guardian, wrote of Michael Jackson, It must be possible to condemn the person, even shelve the records, without being ashamed of the influence his music had on us.

That sentiment is strangely relevant to this very different situation. Regardless of how each individual or congregation decides to reckon with Hillsong, the profound spiritual experiences facilitated by its music need not be a source of shame or embarrassment, even if the memories of those experiences are now altered.

Kelsey Kramer McGinnis is a musicologist, educator, and writer. She holds a PhD from the University of Iowa and researches music in Christian communities.
By hoisting 50 other flags up the city hall flagpole but turning down one Christian flag, the city of Boston violated the Constitution and denied a Christian group its free speech rights, the US Supreme Court ruled Monday.

The unanimous decision declared that because Bostons flagpole hadnt been used for government speech but as a public forum for hundreds of groups to use, the city discriminated against the groupCamp Constitutionthat applied for the ecumenical flag to fly for a day.

When the government does not speak for itself, it may not exclude private speech based on religious viewpoint, wrote outgoing Supreme Court justice Stephen Breyer in the opinion; doing so constitutes impermissible viewpoint discrimination.

Christian religious liberty advocates are celebrating the ruling as a win, coming just over a month after the high court sided with the religious rights of a Texas death row inmate requesting prayer at his execution.

In one of the last opinions Justice Breyer will ever write (he retires at the end of the term), he says, Bostons refusal to allow petitioners to raise their flag because of its religious viewpoint violated the Free Speech Clause, tweeted John Litzler, an attorney in Texas who represents Christian nonprofits.

This is the 2nd of 4 different religious liberty cases being decided by SCOTUS this term, Litzler added. The decisions thus far have been 8-1 and 9-0 in favor of those asserting religious liberty claims. Freedom of religion & religious speech are not controversial or partisan issues.

Brent Leatherwood, acting president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, called the decision a welcome addition to free speech jurisprudence.

Pastor Chris Butler, a board member for the And Campaign and a US congressional candidate in Illinois, said the 90 decision was spot-on and that religion MUST NEVER be the basis for exclusion.

The courts opinion focused on how readily Boston approved permits to fly other flags on one of three flagpoles outside of city hall, allowing 50 unique flags at 284 ceremonies between 2005 and 2017, including LGBT flags and flags of other countries.

Indeed, the citys practice was to approve flag raisings without exceptionthat is, until petitioners request, Breyer wrote.

The plaintiff in the case, Hal Shurtleff, had asked to fly the Christian flaga white flag with a blue box and red cross in the cornerin front of city hall on Constitution Day as a way to honor Christians civic contributions. His organization, Camp Constitution, promotes the countrys Judeo-Christian moral heritage.

The fact that the city of Boston emphasized accommodation and framed City Hall Plaza as a public forum rather than an outlet for its own views undercut its argument that allowing a religious flag would be government speech rather than private expression by citizens like Shurtleff.

The decision notes that nothing prevents Boston from changing its policies going forward, and other cities have been more selective in approving flags and designate that their poles are not a forum for free expression.

This 90 decision from the Supreme Court strikes a victory for private speech in a public forum, said Mat Staver, whose organization Liberty Counsel represented Shurtleff.

This case is so much more significant than a flag. Boston openly discriminated against viewpoints it disfavored when it opened the flagpoles to all applicants and then excluded Christian viewpoints. Government cannot censor religious viewpoints under the guise of government speech.

Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch each penned concurring opinions with differing reasoning for why Bostons rejection of Shurtleffs permit application was wrong.

Gorsurch focused on the citys claims that allowing the Christian flag to fly would violate the establishment clause. He criticized Bostons use of the 1971 Lemon v. Kurtzman decision, which had to do with schools and church-state separation.

For as long as the First Amendment means anything, government policies that discriminate against religious speech and exercise will only invite litigation and result in losses like Bostons, Gorsuch wrote.

Todays case is just one more in a long line of reminders about the costs associated with governmental efforts to discriminate against disfavored religious speakers.
Palestinian farmer discovers artifact linked to Canaanites from the Bible's Old Testament

A Palestinian farmer has discovered the head of a 4,500-year-old statue of Anat, an idol of the ancient people God ordered the Israelites to drive out of the Promised Land for breaking His commandments and worshiping false gods.

The limestone statue is about 8 inches tall and carved into the head is a face wearing a serpent as a crown. Anat was an idol of the Canaanites, a group of people God ordered driven out of Israel in the Old Testament.

The Hamas-run Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the heads discovery during a press conference in Gaza on Tuesday. The New Arab reported that Jamal Abu Rida, the ministrys director-general of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage, estimated that the statue dates back to 2,500 B.C.

Anat was the goddess of love, beauty and war in the Canaanite mythology, Abu Rida said.

Abu Rida argued that the statue made a political point, stating that its presence disproves the Zionist claim that the land of Palestine is a land without a people for a people without a land. He also maintained that the farmer who made the discovery, Nidal Abu Eid, found the artifact on Monday in the al-Qarara town of Khan Younis.

I found it by chance when I was cultivating my land. It was muddy but when I washed it with water, I realized that it is a precious thing, Abu Eid told The New Arab.

The farmer initially considered selling the goddess statue but changed his mind when an archaeologist informed him of its great archaeological value.

I am so proud that our land still has great archaeological values, Abu Eid added. It means that this land is ours and we have a civilization and history for thousands of years B.C. since the Canaanite times.

As the BBC reported, the Anat statue is on display in one of Gazas few museums in Qasr al-Basha. Due to increasing tensions between Israel and the Hamas-occupied territory, many Gazans are reportedly making sarcastic comments on social media about how the discovery of a goddess associated with war seems fitting.

Hamas is a military terrorist group that seized control of Gaza after Israel withdrew from it in 2005. Archaeological finds in Gaza have reportedly not been handled well in the past due to the groups development of the land. As The Times of Israel reported in 2017, Hamas destroyed the remains of the Canaanite town of Tel es-Sakan to construct houses and military bases.

At the time, Abu Rida said the Canaanite citys destruction was disastrous for the archaeology and cultural heritage in Palestine.

According to the Bible Project, the Canaanites occupied Israel, the land God had promised to Abraham. They were descendants of Canaan, the grandson of Noah, who was cursed for his fathers sin against Noah in Genesis 9:20-25.

The Canaanites angered the Lord by worshiping idols and sacrificing children to their false gods. These actions violate the first and second of Gods Ten Commandments, which declare You shall have no other Gods before me and You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth, respectively.

After Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt, Joshua assumed leadership of the Israelites, according to Bible Project. God entrusted Joshua with the role of taking His people to Canaan and retaking the land of Israel.

God tells the Israelites in Deuteronomy 9:5 that It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the Lord your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

He also warned the Israelites not to let themselves be influenced by the Canaanites and the culture that endorsed their practices. Instead, they were to cleanse the land of such wickedness and fulfill Gods promise in Genesis 12 to make Abraham and his descendants a great nation.
American authority and prosperity rests on the Kingship of God

Because we are Children of God, consent is our holy decree which we, by free choice, relinquish some or enumerate authority from ourselves to others. But we, as Children of God, always hold the power to reassume that authority when those given that authority, by our consent, violate their enumerated authority. Consent becomes the instrument for establishing authority in the community and for expressing the sovereignty of God, notes constitutional historian Donald Lutz. God transmits his sovereignty to the people through the broader covenant, continues Lutz, and they in turn convey his sovereignty to the rulers on the basis of the specific covenant creating the civil community. Therefore, The rulers are beholden to God through the people and thus are immediately responsible to them.

The most impactful manifestation of this consent in America would be in the arena of property rights  as property rights, in terms of civil authority, directly impact taxation, finance, business decisions, investment, banking, currency, and so many other financial attributes of individuals and companies. Therefore, consent of governance is also consent of the level of authority over our property and finances. This is a big deal for our abundance and liberty.

The scholar and historian Daniel Dreisbach concurs with Dr. Lutz stating that Civil magistrates, therefore, rule with the consent of the governed and are accountable to the people. Dreisbach continues, Their power is derived, first, from God and, second, from the people. In other words, God has delegated to the people the right to determine who will exercise the public trust for the common good and to fix the boundaries of the civil magistrates authority. Rulers [] are accountable to both God and the people who are the sources of their political authority. Again, illustrating that the people act in Gods stead, although under His authority as well, as servants and as the served. In either capacity, citizens must act under God; that is, under Gods Law, as per the Torah specifically and scripture generally.

Since God created man in the image of God and also gave man dominion over His creation, each individual was the image of God on earth, which gave man self-authority. Moses would convey this notion to the Israelites and it would have revolutionary implications, as it put each individual on par with any earthly king. Each person is a priest and has access to God in much the same way as pagan priests or kings.

Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image. God prohibited the Israelites, and all His children, the worship any artificial images because He had already created man in His image and given His children dominion of earth; thus creating a representation of Himself in man  all man. This understanding would also manifest itself in Colonial America (and the West in general) as the idea and belief that entrepreneurs were behaving and practicing in the image of God by being tektons 6  creating products and services from the natural resources God created to service their fellow man.

This revolution Moses brought to the Children of Israel carried forward to Colonial America and our ability to serve as proxies to God in our government. All men are created equal so any citizen of the Shining City has the opportunity to serve in civil government. This practice carried forward through millennia from Moses and the Hebrews 3500 years ago to Colonial America and then into the United States. By making each person equal to the king, God is declaring that no man has the right to rule over another just as no king has the right to rule over other kings. In his perceptive book, The Gift of the Jews, author Thomas Cahill divulges, Democracy [] grows directly out of the Israelite vision of individuals, subjects of value because they are images of God, each with a unique and personal destiny. There is no way that it could ever have been self-evident that all men are created equal without the intervention of the Jews.

God enlightened Moses and the Israelites to a level of understanding the world had never seen; hence Gods chosen people, who rejoiced at the direct revelation of Gods will to Moses on Sinai. Moses revealed in Deuteronomy:

See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so

that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.

Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to

the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, Surely this great

nation is a wise and understanding people. What other nation is so great as to

have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we

pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous

decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?

Just as Moses explained the essence of who the Children of Israel are to be, so it was to be at the inception of America  both colonial America and America in Union. This consent is absolutely critical to our liberty, and, as a direct result, critical to our ability for making business and financial decisions.
Over 3K accept invitations to Christ at Greg Laurie's Harvest crusade in Idaho

Calling it an event years in the making," California evangelist Greg Laurie drew thousands of people to hear the Gospel at his latest Harvest outreach in Boise, Idaho.

The crowd packed the two-night event held at ExtraMile Arena last Saturday and Sunday, with over 21,000 in attendance and more than 144,000 watching online.

Over 3,000 people responded when Laurie extended the invitation for them to come forward and commit their lives to Christ.

Initially slated for 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic, Boise Harvest involved over 100 local churches and the surrounding Treasure Valley area, partnering and planning for more than three years.

Speaking with The Christian Post, Laurie said some weren't even sure the Harvest event would ever come to Boise.

"This event was different because it had been postponed over two years. We were set and ready to go and COVID hit, and it just kept getting pushed off and pushed off, and perhaps some people in Idaho were not sure we would come at all," he said. "But we had made a commitment, and I saw the great commitment they had made, continuing to ask for it, pray for it, working together over 100 churches. So I thought weve got to go and do this.

And it was without question one of the best crusades weve ever held in our 30-year history.

Since 1990, Harvest Crusades have been held in the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Roughly 6.5 million people have attended Lauries crusades in person, and an estimated 600,000 have made professions of faith in Christ through Harvest outreaches.

In 2012, the event was expanded as an annual nationwide simulcast event called Harvest America, broadcasting Harvest events into churches, theaters and living rooms across the country.

Harvest events are designed to be opportunities for Christians to invite family members, coworkers, friends and acquaintances to hear the life-changing message of the Gospel in an environment that is entertaining and non-threatening, according to the program's website.

In 2020, SoCal Harvest was canceled for the first time in over three decades due to the coronavirus pandemic. Harvest resumed in 2021 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, but only as a one-day event.

Laurie, the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship megachurch based in Riverside, compared the extended hiatus to the story of Elijah. God called the Old Testament prophet to walk boldly into the court of King Ahab and speak as a mouthpiece for God. Then the Lord told Elijah to ... basically just wait."

"And sometimes, when God tells us to wait, it doesnt make sense to us," Laurie added. "But the Scripture says He makes all things beautiful in His time."

When COVID hit in 2020, Laurie said it was time to pivot from in-person crusades to what he called a cinematic crusade." Harvest took everything learned from the live event production and put it into something that could be watched on a phone or TV screen.

Laurie also launched "Harvest at Home," the online service which exploded from about 10,000 viewers to about 200,000 viewers as the pandemic raged on.

It reminded me of Romans 8:28  that God can cause all things to work together for good, he said.

The Boise event featured performances from Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin, Jordan Feliz, Andy Mineo and the Harvest Worship Band. Laurie presented two messages on what it takes to fulfill a soul and Christ's solution to the problems of fear and the unknown.

So, what is the meaning of life? Laurie asked. It is to know there is a God in Heaven who loves you and has a plan for your life. Why are you here on this earth? To walk with God in a friendship, a relationship, with hope for this life and the afterlife.

He also spoke directly to those in attendance who came as skeptics or even to debate Christians.

No matter what sin you have committed, God will forgive you, Laurie said. Maybe you came here to mock Christians tonight. Maybe you went out of your way to argue with believers. I used to be like that too. I never planned on becoming a Christian when I did.

Laurie shared his testimony of how he came to know Jesus and his life changed forever at the age of 17.

At the end of each night in Boise, Laurie invited attendees to make a public profession of faith as the Harvest Worship Band played.

Thousands rose from their seats and made their way toward the stage as they committed their lives to Christ. They were met by local pastors and volunteers, who were able to lead them in prayer and invite them to a local church community.

During the final invitation, Laurie says the floor was so full that follow-up counselors had to climb up to the third level of the venue to hand out more than 2,500 Bibles.

The success in Boise, Laurie says, has prompted him to seriously consider holding similar outreaches around the country.

"They were just responding to everything so beautifully, and it was just a warm, memorable experience," he told The Christian Post. "And I look forward to going back there again sometime in the future."
President Moon's last amnesty should be based on consensus



President Moon Jae-in is considering pardoning former President Lee Myung-bak, Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong and former South Gyeongsang Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo, one of his close confidants, on the occasion of May 8 Buddha's Birthday, a day before his five-year term ends.



In a recent meeting with Cheong Wa Dae reporters on April 25, Moon said, "It's true that people from all walks of life are requesting pardons. But I think the public's support or consensus must be the standard for pardons." In his response to online petitions opposing former President Lee's amnesty, Friday, however, Moon said he will determine whether to pardon him after taking judicial and public consensus into consideration, noting that there were not only cons but also pros to the proposed pardon. Moon's nuanced remark was interpreted as suggesting a higher likelihood of a pardon.



Clemency is the president's constitutional right, but it must be exercised exceptionally and restrictively. Granting a special pardon to former President Lee, who is serving a 17-year prison term for embezzlement and bribery, makes sense, given the need for national unity. Pardoning the Samsung CEO, who was released on parole last August, also has a point, considering that his amnesty could help overcome imminent economic difficulties.



But requests for pardoning the former South Gyeongsang governor sound absurd, given that he shook the foundations of democracy by manipulating public opinion. It's also senseless to call for releasing Chung Kyung-shim, the wife of scandal-plagued former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, who has not even acknowledged her crime yet.



Most former presidents used to release their close associates right before their terms end. Roh Moo-hyun pardoned Choi Do-sul, one of his aides, through his last special amnesty in December 2007, and Lee Myung-bak also released Choi See-joong, the former head of the Korea Communications Commission, in January 2013. The time has come for the nation to prevent the abuse of presidential pardons to rebuild the basis for the rule of law.




Divorce papers reveal Lysa TerKeurst's husband spent over $100K on extramarital affair

A recent court filing has shed light on the divorce proceedings between Proverbs 31 Ministries founder Lysa TerKeurst and her husband, Art, including evidence the latter spent over $100,000 of the couples money on an illicit sexual extramarital affair with a woman he met online.

Lysa TerKeurst filed for divorce in December 2021 and publicly announced her decision in January, revealing her husband of nearly three decades had engaged in chosen patterns of behavior that dishonor God and the biblical covenant of marriage. The couple has five adult children together.

In 2017, TerKeurst revealed she would be pursuing a divorce from her husband due to his infidelity and struggles with addiction. At the time, she wrote he had been repeatedly unfaithful to me with a woman he met online and was abusing substances. However, the couple renewed their vows just over a year later after working to restore their marriage.

In her latest divorce announcement, TerKeurst said her husband had "broken" those renewed vows.

In February, Art TerKeurst filed a response to the divorce petition, requesting post-separation support, alimony, an equitable division of property, damages and the rescission of a post-nuptial agreement, Ministry Watch reported.

He claimed that he signed the post-nuptial agreement under duress, at a time when he was suicidal and preparing to enter a treatment facility for alcoholism. Art TerKeurst argued that after he finished treatment for his addictions and the couple renewed their vows, he believed the post-nuptial agreement was invalidated as part of their fresh start.

Though admitting hed engaged in illicit sexual behavior prior to the post-nuptial agreement, he claimed to have been a faithful and dutiful spouse ever since. Seeking post-separation support, Terkeurst said he is actually and substantially dependent upon [his] wife for his maintenance and support, adding the does not possess the financial ability or adequate resources to meet his accustomed standard of living.

But in April, Lysa TerKeurst entered a motion to dismiss Arts counterclaims, a request to compel arbitration and a reply to his allegations, according to Ministry Watch.

In her filing, the ministry leader said her husband freely agreed to the post nuptial agreement and voluntarily withdrew from the alcohol treatment program without completing it. She claimed his allegations of being suicidal were false, and that Art TerKeurst had exhibited narcissistic and sociopathic tendencies over the years.

The Forgiving What You Cant Forget author claimed that the couple maintained completely separate financial accounts pursuant to the post-nuptial agreement even after reconciling, and said that post-separation support and alimony ought to be denied due to her husbands infidelity.

The filing also includes text messages between Art TerKeurst and Mistress X. He allegedly met the woman on the website SugarDaddy.com and spent at least $118,000 of the TerKeursts money on the relationship. Expenses included paying for the mistress to move from Atlanta to Charlotte, North Carolina, and buying her a pre-engagement left hand ring.

In her January divorce announcement, the 52-year-old said shed fought really hard to not just save my marriage but to survive the devastation of what consistent deception of one spouse does to the other.

Its brutal and heart crushing to constantly fear the hurtful choices of someone you love. Ive had to learn the hard way theres a big difference between mistakes (which we all make) and chosen patterns of behavior that dishonor God and the biblical covenant of marriage.

In an April Instagram post, the ministry leader shared an update with her followers, reflecting on the moment she said, No more. No more devastation. No more betrayal. No more being lied to. No more.

Sometimes no more means implementing good boundaries that will help hold each person accountable to healthier relational patterns, she wrote.

Sometimes no more means acknowledging a heartbreaking reality that wise counsel has helped you see is no longer sustainable. Both dynamics require that we pursue healing. We need solid truth from Gods word to help guide and direct us. We need a godly professional counselor who is specifically trained to educate, comfort, and challenge us.
UMC Bishops president decries schism over LGBT stance Global Methodist Church breakaway denomination launches Sunday

The outgoing head of the United Methodist Church Council of Bishops has denounced the split of the mainline Protestant denomination over LGBT issues, arguing that fomenting division is counterintuitive to the Bible.

A theologically conservative denomination known as the Global Methodist Church is set to officially launch on Sunday, with many UMC congregations expected to join.

At the official spring meeting for the UMC Council of Bishops held virtually last week, Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey gave her final address for the leadership body, having served in the position for two years. She handed over the helm to new president Bishop Thomas Bickerton Friday.

During a Monday speech, Harvey touched on the expected split within the UMC, acknowledging that tensions in our United Methodist Church are running high as we anticipate the pending launch of a new expression of Methodism in our short future.

Harvey referenced Romans 12, which speaks about how in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others and that believers have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.

We are part of one another, and the energy we have spent trying to figure out how to make sense of this separation is egregious, said the bishop, who mentioned reading the UMC Book of Discipline to help make sense of separation for any reason.

Perhaps the reason the Book of Discipline is complex in this matter or is silent or vague about separation is that it is because that is not its intent. The Book of Discipline is designed to give us direction for how to be United Methodists, not how not to be United Methodists.

Harvey told the other bishops that it saddened her to see leaders at various annual conferences say things like, Im here to help you understand the process for disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church.

Now I understand the intent, but the mere words make me so sad in the very pit of my stomach, continued Harvey. The fact that we have to give instructions for how to separate from the body is so counterintuitive from the instruction for how to be the Body of Christ.

We have said that we cannot be a traditional church or a progressive church or a centrist church, we cannot be a gay church or a straight church," she added. "Our churches must be more than echo chambers made in our own image, arguing with each other while neglecting our central purpose.

Harvey referenced megachurch pastor Andy Stanley, who said in March while serving as guest chaplain for the Georgia House of Representatives that those of you who pander to and foster division, you are terrible leaders.

We ought never pander and foster division, she said. We lead out of and because of the love and grace of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  We are to bring people together, not tear them apart. This is what it means to be the Body of Christ.

Harvey says the UMC must be one people, rooted in Scripture, centered in Christ, serving in love, and united in the essentials" and must also be a church that is big enough for the left and the right and the in-between.

Harvey conceded that although she "will always wish we could all remain in this Church, I am clear some cannot. She said, it might be time to bless and send our sisters and brothers who cannot remain under the big tent.

Our best witness is to love each other as Christ loves us, to show the world the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to bring us together despite our differences. This is what it means to live out the Gospel, she emphasized.

The UMC Book of Discipline presently identifies homosexuality as incompatible with Christian teaching and prohibits the blessing of same-sex unions or the ordination of clergy in same-sex romantic relationships.

Although the UMC has reaffirmed this stance several times at their churchwide General Conference meeting, theological progressives in the UMC have tried to change the teachings, occasionally outright refusing to enforce them.

Keith Boyette, president of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and spokesman for the GMC, told The Christian Post last year that UMC leadership has shown an unwillingness to uphold its teachings.

In the United States, particularly, some bishops, clergy, and churches are operating in open defiance to the teachings of the United Methodist Church, Boyette said at the time.

The Church has become ungovernable as a consequence, such unchecked defiance has destroyed the integrity of the Church.

Boyette contends that those who advocate for change in the official teachings and who are in defiance have made it very clear that they will not leave the Church voluntarily.

In light of this, theologically conservative leaders have decided to launch a new denomination that will be true to its doctrine and teachings and end this endless conflict within the United Methodist Church, he added.

Initially, the UMC was to consider proposals on creating a gracious separation policy at the 2020 General Conference. However, the gathering was postponed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March, when UMC leadership said the General Conference will be pushed back to 2024, conservatives announced that they would go ahead with plans to launch the Global Methodist Church.

It is anticipated that some theologically conservative local churches will find annual conferences willing to negotiate fair and just exit provisions, while others will unfortunately face obstacles placed in their paths, stated the GMC.

The Transitional Leadership Council decided it was time to launch the Global Methodist Church, so those who can leave early will have a place to land, to begin building and growing, and making room for others to join later.
No Vacancy star Dean Cain talks faith, reliance on God: 'If you're doing the right thing, never give up'

During the toughest seasons in his life, actor Dean Cain said he relies on his faith and turns to God to get him through.

The star of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman plays Pastor Cliff Lea in the new film No Vacancy, which tells the true story of a congregation that transforms an entire community by renovating a motel and turning it into a homeless shelter called the Good Samaritan Inn.

The film follows a jaded reporter demoted to a rural news bureau who finds her cynicism slowly transformed as she befriends a recovering addict and writes about a church struggling to purchase a motel for homeless families, reads the film's synopsis.

Premiering May 9 in more than 700 cinemas nationwide, Cain is joined on screen by actress Sean Young (Blade Runner) and actor T.C. Stallings (War Room). Cain said he was drawn to the film because it was a true story, and many of the people involved in making the film were beneficiaries of the Good Samaritan Inn spearheaded by First Baptist Leesburg in Leesburg, Florida.

"So you see lots of these folks walking around, and you talk to them, and you realize how they've been helped and what they've done. A lot of people were working on the film, and you realize that they have their own story, and this has helped them, Cain recounted in a video interview with The Christian Post.

The main story of the film, according to Cain, is that of Cecil Johnson, whose story is portrayed by Stallings. Cecil Johnson had a heck of a story, he declared.

Johnson was down and out, suicidal and a drug addict who had no faith when he was approached by a man who would take him to the Good Samaritan Inn. Now he's beloved by the community and a follower of Christ. Cain plays Pastor Lea, the minister who was on the front lines working to purchase the vacant motel and get planning approval to renovate the building as a homeless shelter that saved Johnson and the lives of hundreds more.

The actor said it was "impossible" not to be inspired while filming at The Good Samaritan Inn.

The inspiration factor is "very consistent throughout making faith-based films," he said. "That's one of the reasons I started doing that when my son was born. Then [when he] got a little bit older, and was able to come on set with me and see things or watch my films, [he was] able to take away a positive, uplifting message."

Much like the example of Johnson's life, Cain credited his faith for sustaining him through life's most challenging moments.

"There are so many conversations I've had with God at the toughest points and times of my life, and there's nowhere else to turn if you don't have that faith,'' The "God's Not Dead" actor stressed. "I feel bad for someone who doesn't. And maybe it takes those moments to find Him."

Cain added that his pursuit of God has been "a wonderful journey," especially with his son. Once he was born, Cain started thinking much more seriously about faith and someone being more important than himself.

"I remember I had explained to him when he was 5-years-old that one day he's going to die, and he couldn't sleep and I had to sit outside with him on my lap," Cain recalled.

"Then it comes back around right at us, what you've been teaching your child, and then suddenly they have more strength than you or they give you that strength," he added.

In "No Vacancy," the pastor and his members faced opposition when they tried to buy the motel, but they stood firm and didn't back down from what they believed God had called them to do. Cain said they set an example for others not to allow challenges and disappointment to deter them from their mission.

"All you can do is keep moving forward," Cain advised. "You're going to meet that opposition, and whether you say it's the devil doing it, or you believe that's the case or not, you're going to have to fight that battle."

"To see the whole community come together to support [the Good Samaritan Inn], it's the kind of thing that you can't even put into words," he continued. "And the community did come together and did something completely wonderful," he added.

The film also shows the power of influence that the media wields.

"Sean Young, who plays Brandy Michaels, her character is that person in the media who wouldn't care about it whatsoever," Cain said. "She starts off in that place, and then has to go to Leesburg and cover this feel-good story church thing that she doesn't care about. And then her own life gets changed as her eyes are opened. She sees that even within her own family, her own brother is a victim, in that sense. For her to change, and then put that out there [in the media] is wonderful.

"Then for the community to see it, it's a wonderful story," he added. "The media is hugely important. That's why I like to make these films, because if it changes one person's heart, 10 people's heart, or reaffirms something or maybe opens somebody's eyes, then it's worth it."



There's a line in the film where Johnson asked the reporter if she believed in angels because he believed that the man that took him to the Good Samaritan Inn was, in fact, an angel.

Cain told CP that while he also believes in angels, he doesn't know if he's ever encountered one: "I don't know that I've encountered an angel, but you never know. ... "I just don't know where in my life they've been. But I live a very blessed life. And so I imagine it's happened a number of times along the way."

The actor ended his interview with CP by offering advice to those who have a calling but are feeling discouraged.

"It's the same advice I give anybody about filmmaking or about life, it's to never give up, Cain said. "If you're doing the right thing and you believe in what you're doing, never give up! You're going to hit those hurdles, nothing wonderful ever comes easily.

"I look back at all of the things in my life where I've become super successful. I really doubted whether I could get them done, whether I could make it," he added. "I took on more than I thought I could handle but it's all those moments where I stepped up and did it that have led to all of the biggest successes in my life.

"I think that's true for Pastor Lea, my character in this film, there's no way he was about to get this done. It just couldn't have happened. It was over. He knew it was done, but he felt like that was what he was called to do. Then suddenly, it happens," Cain said.

"So for anybody out there who is wondering if they're doing the right thing, if it's right in your heart, and you know you're helping other people, carry on, because eventually, it will happen."

To learn more about "No Vacancy," visit the film's website.
Apologist William Craig recovering after hospitalization for COVID-19: 'Grateful for your love and prayers'

Christian author and apologist William Lane Craig is doing better after dealing with a significant health scare regarding COVID-19 that required him to be hospitalized.

Theology professor and author Kenneth Keathley took to Twitter last Friday to announce that 72-year-old Craig had been hospitalized with COVID-19.

Last night Dr. Craig was admitted to Northside Hospital with COVID-19. His oxygen levels were too low so they could not administer monoclonal antibodies, tweeted Keathley last week.

In a follow-up tweet, Keathley explained that the hospital was treating him with oxygen and antibiotics." Keathley said that as of that morning, Craig was "feeling much better.

The doctor says something more than just Covid may be going on here. The staff at the hospital have been very attentive and have been giving him multiple tests, continued Keathley.

They now want to get his oxygen levels up so they can administer the monoclonal antibodies. Dr. Craig is in good spirits and is grateful for your love and prayers.

Reasonable Faith, the ministry that Craig oversees, reported on Twitter on Sunday afternoon that Craig was doing better and would likely be discharged from the hospital soon.

I talked to Bill this morning and he sounds totally normal and totally ready to come home! The nurses think that they may probably release him sometime tomorrow. PTL, tweeted the account.

A visiting scholar of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology and professor at Houston Baptist University, Craig is a noted Christian apologist who heads the group Reasonable Faith.

Craig became a Christian when he was a high school student. He has authored or edited more than 30 books and spoken at multiple events.

In January 2018, for example, Craig spoke at the Wycliffe College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where he argued that atheists cannot live "consistently and happily" with their worldview.

"Confronted with the human predicament, the only solution the atheist can offer is that we simply face the absurdity of life and live bravely," stated Craig at the time.

"The fundamental problem with the solution, however, is that it is impossible to live consistently and happily within the framework of such a worldview. If you live consistently, you will not be happy. If you live happily. It is only because you are not consistent."
Boston can reject Christian flag at City Hall, 1st Circuit rules

The city of Boston, Massachusetts, can stop a citizen from flying a Christian flag over City Hall, the First Circuit ruled on Friday. The petitioners say they will go to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that censoring a private flag because it contains a cross amounts to violation of the First Amendment.

Boston is entitled to select the views that it wants to express, U.S. Circuit Judge Bruce Selya, a Reagan appointee, wrote for a three-judge panel, according to Courthouse News.

The refusal to fly the flag, the judge added, simply cannot be construed to suggest the disparagement of the plaintiffs religion.

The conservative law firm Liberty Counsel pointed out, Never has Boston censored any flag until the Christian flag, which is white with a blue square in the upper corner and a red cross. The flag contains no writing.

Two of the three 83-foot-tall flagpoles outside City Hall always fly the U.S. flag and the state flag. While the third usually flies the city flag, citizens can petition to temporarily raise another flag. Between 2005 and 2017, Boston approved all of the 284 requests it received to fly other flags.

The law firm, which is representing Boston resident Hal Shurtleff and his Christian civic organization Camp Constitution, said, Under oath, the city official testified the flag would have been approved if the application did not refer to it as a Christian flag. The word Christian on the application alone triggered the censorship.

The official said he had never heard of a Christian flag until Camp Constitutions application, Liberty Counsel added.

The flag was to be part of a ceremony to honor the Constitution and recognize the Christian Founders on Sept. 17, 2017, in observance of Constitution Day.

The court said the City Halls display of three flags flying in close proximity communicates the symbolic unity of the three flags.

It therefore strains credulity to believe that an observer would partition such a coordinated three-flag display  into a series of separate yet simultaneous messages (two that the government endorses and another as to which the government disclaims any relation), the court continued.

Although the plaintiffs might perhaps make the case that a lone Christian flag, nowhere near City Hall, would be seen as devoid of any connection to a government entity, a City Hall display that places such a flag next to the flag of the United States and the flag of the commonwealth of Massachusetts communicates a far different message.

Liberty Counsel founder and Chairman Mat Staver said the refusal was discrimination.

The citys discrimination against Camp Constitutions Christian viewpoint is both obvious and unconstitutional, Staver said. There is a crucial difference between government endorsement of religion and private speech, which government is bound to respect. Censoring religious viewpoints in a public forum where secular viewpoints are permitted is unconstitutional. We look forward to the next step in our journey to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Christian group laments Church of Scotland presbyteries drift toward allowing gay marriage ahead of vote

A Christian group based in the U.K. said its very sad to learn that a majority of presbyteries of the Church of Scotland have supported the proposed approval of same-sex weddings in its churches ahead of the upcoming General Assembly.

Its a very sad development, said The Christian Institute after 29 of the 41 presbyteries said they would support the change at the denominations General Assembly later this month.

The denomination has in its constitution a commitment to the Bible as the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice, commented The Christian Institutes Scotland Officer Nigel Kenny.

The Bible is crystal clear that true, God-honoring marriage is only between one man and one woman. Jesus own teaching on this in Matthew 19 could not be clearer. But it seems that the majority of presbyteries are more interested in taking their cue from culture rather than Christ.

A framework for ministers to officiate same-sex ceremonies was prepared last year, and the Assembly will have a final vote on whether to implement it.

If the proposal is passed, which is likely, ministers wishing to conduct a same-sex ceremony would have to make their application to the Principal Clerk, who would then make the application to the Registrar General for Scotland.

Ministers and deacons would purportedly not be forced to officiate or get involved in same-sex ceremonies due to a conscience clause in the legislation.

The Rev. Mike Goss of Barry Parish Church in the Angus presbytery was quoted as saying, Theres still a continued struggle within the Church of Scotland and there are some folk who stand by the Bible, were not going away. Were still there.

Currently, the Law of the Church of Scotland adheres to the biblical mandate and only allows ministers and deacons to marry opposite-sex couples, the denomination says on its website.

The Church recognizes that there are diverse views on the subject of same-sex marriage, it says. We are committed to ensuring that debates on this subject are held in a spirit of humility and grace, that the tone and tenor of discussions are civil and people are respectful of those who hold opposing views.

A 2016 Church census in Scotland showed that the number of regular churchgoing Christians in the country had fallen to 390,000, representing 7.2% of Scotlands population, down from 854,000 (17% of population) in 1984.

The study also showed that 42% of churchgoers were older than 65, and that the number of congregations had dropped from 4,100 in 1984 to 3,700 in 2016.

Lead researcher Peter Brierley said at the time that the figures indicated that Scotland faced a crisis in Christianity. We are living in the 21st century and one of the features of the 21st century is that peoples allegiance to particular faiths is no longer as strong as it used to be, he said. There are also quite a lot of invisible Christians who used to go to church, still believe in God, but they have moved house, perhaps to a rural area, and simply haven't found a church to go to.
Judge allows Boston to ban the flying of Christian flag outside City Hall

A federal judge ruled this week that the city of Boston, Massachusetts, does not have to raise a Christian flag at City Hall Plaza even though the city has raised flags representing other cultural and social groups, including flags indicating support for LGBT rights.

U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper, an Obama-appointee, issued an order Tuesday denying summary judgment to a Christian man who sued the city in 2018 after the city government rejected his request in 2017 to fly a Christian flag on a public flagpole outside City Hall.

The plaintiff, Harold Shurtleff, runs the organization called Camp Constitution. Camp Constitution exists to enhance understanding of our Judeo-Christian moral heritage. The organization hosts annual Constitution Day and Citizenship Day events at City Hall.

But Shurtleffs request for the Christian flag (featuring a cross in the upper lefthand corner) on Constitution Day (September 17) 2017 was denied by the city on the basis of a policy that gives discretion to the city to determine which flags can fly.

Shurtleff believes that the citys rejection of the flag equates to censorship of the Christian viewpoint.

The city of Boston raised nearly 300 flags by private organizations on the City Hall flagpole between 2005 and 2017, according to court documents. The conservative religious freedom legal group Liberty Counsel, which is representing Shurtleff, argued that the flagpole is designated by the city as a public forum for private speech.

According to Liberty Counsel, the city had never censored any flag until Shurtleffs request to fly the Christian flag on Constitution Day 2017.

Casper rejected the plaintiffs argument that the flagpole is designed to be a public forum for private speech, saying that the display of flags outside City Hall is government speech.

The [then-head of the property management department Gregory Rooney] had never considered a religious flag prior to the Plaintiffs application, the judge reasoned in her ruling.

There are no additional facts in the record that would suggest any improper preference for non-religion over religion or selective treatment of any person or group based on religion. The City did not alter its procedures for review of flag applications because of Camp Constitutions request, instead, Camp Constitutions request presented a novel issue for the Citys consideration, which the City considered consistent with its practice and policy.

Liberty Counsel has already filed an appeal of Caspers ruling.

The city of Bostons open censorship continues against Camp Constitutions Christian viewpoint, Liberty Counsel founder Mat Staver said in a statement. There is a crucial difference between government endorsement of religion and private speech, which government is bound to respect. Censoring religious viewpoints in a public forum where secular viewpoints are permitted is unconstitutional.

A statement issued from the office of Bostons Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh contends that the use of the flagpoles is the citys sole and complete discretion.

The City maintains that its flag poles are a forum for government speech, the statement from the mayors office reads, according to The Boston Herald. As such, the City maintains selectivity and control over the messages conveyed by the flags flown on our flag poles.

The mayors office further argued that Camp Constitutions request to fly the Christian flag can properly be denied because such a flag would send an overt religious message, and could reasonably be construed to be an endorsement of Christianity by the City.

The city claims flying a Christian flag would equate to a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Shurtleff told The Boston Herald that he and his legal team will take the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

The Supreme Court ruled last year that religious symbols on public property are permissible. In June 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that a giant 40-foot cross sitting on public property in Bladensburg, Maryland, does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Religion Clauses of the Constitution aim to foster a society in which people of all beliefs can live together harmoniously, and the presence of the Bladensburg Cross on the land where it has stood for so many years is fully consistent with that aim, Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion.

Shurtleff and his attorneys had argued that the city regularly flies flags that contain explicit religious symbols, such as the Boston city flag which contains the Latin phrase for "God be with us as He was with our fathers."

However, Casper contended that state, national and municipal flags that use religious symbols in part of its field are not inherently religious flags.

Although Boston has approved the flying of an LGBT rainbow flag at City Hall Plaza, the only other flag the city has refused to fly was a straight pride flag last year.
Only 38% of Brits identify as Christian; lowest proportion in poll's history

The proportion of Brits who identify as Christian has hit its lowest point in over three decades of polling, as more than half of respondents said they no longer affiliate with a religion, a new study suggests.

The National Centre for Social Research, which claims to be Britains largest independent social research agency, released its 36th annual British Social Attitudes report this week based on a survey of 3,879 people.

The report confirmed the continued trend seen in the U.K. and the United States of people not affiliating with any religion as 52% of respondents to the survey said they do not belong to any religion.

Of these, most were simply not brought up with a religion, with a smaller minority having lost a childhood faith, the report states. Those who do not regard themselves as belonging to a religion are increasingly secular, that is, likely to say they are very or extremely unreligious.

The study finds that only 38% of the respondents identify as Christian, a far cry from the 66% of respondents in the organizations 1998 survey who identified as Christian and a 2-percentage-point drop from 2017.

In 2008, 50% of respondents identified as Christian.

The proportion of respondents who identified as belonging to the Church of England or its sister churches, the report states, fell 40% in 1983 to 12% in 2018.

As for people ages 18 through 24, just 1% identify as Anglican compared to the 33% of people older than 75.

At the same time, the proportion of the population that declares themselves to be Muslims (5%) and nondenominational Christians has risen. The percentage of respondents who said they were nondenominational Christians increased from 3% of the population in 1998 to 13% in 2018.

The finding shows that the proportion of nondenominational Christians in the United Kingdom is now equivalent to the proportion that identifies with the Church of England, the report explained.

The exact nature of this group is unclear: some of those people will be active members of independent nondenominational churches  indeed a third (34%) of them attend services at least monthly, the report states. Some may feel alienated from institutionalised religion. Others may be making a claim not so much about religious faith as ethnic identity.

The report also found that the proportion of Brits who consider themselves to be Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist or Baptist totals 10%, down from 20% in 1998.

The report was written by University College London social science professor David Voas and University of Aberdeen professor Steve Bruce. They pinpoint the decline in church membership in the U.K. to have begun somewhere around 1851.

In 1900 church membership was around 25 percent; it is now less than 10 percent, the report reads. In 1900 more than half the age-relevant population attended Sunday schools; now it is less than 4 percent.

In 1998, the British Social Attitudes found that 11% of people with no religion were brought up in some sort of religious tradition. But in 2018, the report states, that figure rose to 23%.

The new study also found that 66% of respondents never attend religious services, apart from special occasions such as weddings, funerals and baptisms.

While there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of people who say they attend religious services on a monthly basis, the report notes that the proportion of people who report attending services weekly has remained stable at 11%.

The study also found that about two-thirds of respondents believe that religion brings more conflict than peace. Twenty-one percent of respondents said they have no confidence at all in churches and religious organizations and less than half (46%) said that have some or more confidence in such organizations.

Wider research suggests that Britain is becoming more secular not because adults are losing their religion or inclination to practice but because old people with an attachment to the Church of England and other Christian denominations are gradually being replaced in the population by unaffiliated younger people, the report reasons.

To put it another way, religious decline in Britain is generational; people tend to be less religious than their parents, and on average their children are even less religious than they are.

While fewer people in the U.K. are identifying with a religion, 26 percent say they dont believe in God. By comparison, just 10% said the same in 1998. The proportion of people who say they believe in God now and always have has dropped from 48% in 1998 to 35% in 2018.

While the study shows the continued trend away from religion in the U.K., it also found that the proportion of respondents who consider same-sex relationships to be not wrong at all dropped from 68% in 2017 to 66% in 2018.

Even though 2-percentage-points might not seem like much, it represents the first time there has been a decline in that figure since the question was first asked by the polling organization in 1987, according to Reuters.

Over the last three years attitudes seem to have been stabilizing, research director Nilufer Rahim told Reuters. What we might be seeing is that attitudes are plateauing now  we might be reaching a point at which attitudes might not liberalize in the same way as they have done since the early 1980s.

The report noted that the process of liberalisation was slowing down.

While we have a new and radically transformed set of social norms in the field of sexual relations and gender, we also have a significant minority who feel differently about these issues, the report reads, according to The Independent. And that minority may become increasingly focused on ensuring that socially conservative views and voices are reflected in public discussion of gender and relationships.
Pastor leaves comfortable California life behind to plant new church 1,300 miles from home

For Pastor James Marini, life in pre-COVID California was pretty sweet, at least for him and his family.

Marini had just become an assistant pastor on staff at Calvary Chapel Pomona Valley in the San Gabriel Valley, about 20 miles northeast of Los Angeles.

His wife, Jen, and their sons, Caleb and Titus, were surrounded by family and friends, laboring in ministry and generally enjoying life.

Then came the call.

I remember sitting in my office as assistant pastor on a Sunday morning in 2019, and the Lord began to stir in my heart this idea, I have something more for you to do, Marini told The Christian Post.

But planting a church in North Texas, Marini said, may have been the last thing on his mind.

'Living the dream'

After the Marinis were married in 2009, the couple moved from California to Flower Mound, just outside of Dallas, where James Marini began a career in marketing.

While they enjoyed their local fellowship at Calvary Chapel Flower Mound, Marini said once they were ready to start having kids, the couple felt led to return to California in 2012 to be around their family.

After working as the marketing director for a national tutoring company and serving as volunteers at their church, James Marini went on staff at Calvary Chapel Pomona Valley and began living the dream.

I was finally in vocational ministry doing a little bit of everything: leading worship, teaching Bible studies, designing graphics, bookkeeping, street evangelism, et cetera, Marini said. I felt like my administrative skills and spiritual gifts were being utilized regularly, and I was getting to do ministry with many of my closest friends.  I imagined staying there for the rest of my life feeling like I was doing exactly what I was created to do."

Then the stirring began," he added.

Marini said he and his wife had no plans to leave again even as they watched California drift further off-course, both politically and economically.

James Marini said they quietly and prayerfully sought the Lord for five months." And then came the COVID-19 shutdowns in March 2020.

In those months, he said, the Lord began to confirm this stirring to plant a church.

I knew it would be out of state but uncertain of where exactly, he recalled. Jen began to feel McKinney, Texas, which was the last place I expected, considering that we had already lived in the [Dallas-Fort Worth] area and had moved back to California.

But as he wrestled with the idea of leaving what he described as a comfortable and ideal situation, the pastor said God confirmed the calling through several passages in his Word, including 2 Chronicles 25:9: The Lord is able to give you much more than this.

I knew as difficult as it would be to leave, the Lord had something more for us to do, and wed be blessed in whatever that was as we obeyed His call, Marini said.

Obedience to Gods calling wasnt exactly automatic for James Marini early on.

'Prodigal living'

Despite growing up in a Christian home and going to a Christian high school and college, Marini initially dreamed of becoming a musician, not joining the ministry. He regularly performed at many of the trendy music venues in L.A. and Hollywood.

Following what he called a season of prodigal living, Marini committed his life to Jesus Christ in December 2008 and began to grow hungry for Biblical teaching. He listened to teachers such as Pastor Chuck Smith and Pastor David Guzik and developed a love for teaching the Word of God.

I found myself teaching through the Bible every day at my desk while working on marketing projects at my 9-to-5 corporate job, he said. I was frustrated that I was shackled to a desk in a corporate office instead of doing what I believed I was made to do, which was full-time ministry.

But the Lord had a plan and used that season to refine and equip me prior to calling me into vocational ministry.

After joining the staff at his then-home church Calvary Church Pomona Valley in 2016, that stirring came again, drawing him to the Lone Star State.

But this time, Marini said Gods hand was on the whole situation.

Rolling the dice

The Marinis packed up their stuff  their lives crammed into a POD  and left California behind a second time, arriving in McKinney in February 2021.

There was a really odd mixture of emotions, he said. Happy to begin a new work in the Lord, sad to leave everyone and everything we knew in California, uncertain about how to even begin a church from conception, yet totally excited to see how God would bring this all together for His glory.

Ministering to about three or four other families, James held the first Calvary Chapel McKinney church service in his living room on Feb. 14, 2021.

It was a challenge coming from the big church mentality and having to learn how to do church in this small format, he said. It took a month or two to figure out home church was less about plans and systems and more about the people.

It really was more of a home Bible study for the first 10 months once we figured that out, he added.

While teaching and leading worship were already well-honed skills for Marini, the financial uncertainty was something he said posed perhaps the greatest challenge.

The biggest sacrifice for me was the idea of leaving vocational ministry to roll the dice on planting 1,300 miles from home, he said. I was applying for marketing jobs, and nothing was coming together, which was scary.

Marini eventually found work teaching music lessons and picking up marketing jobs on the side to try and make ends meet while still serving as pastor.

For the first 10 months, Marini taught verse by verse through the Gospel of Luke to about the same handful of families.

And then, he said, God did something new and a little unexpected.

It seems like overnight people started to hear about what we were doing and began to visit, he recalled.

By January 2022, there were about 40 adults in the Marinis living room and another 25 kids in a small bedroom for childrens ministry.

It was time to move out of the house and into the Sheraton Hotel in McKinney, where the fellowship has been meeting ever since.

There are currently about 100 people regularly attending every Sunday.

For Marini, the milestone isnt in the numbers but a deeper walk with Jesus  a truth reflected in Calvary Chapel McKinney's mission statement to grow disciples of Jesus Christ through sound Bible teaching.

The Lord has reminded me in this season of the beauty of growing deep with few rather than growing wide with many, he said. Ive learned that making true disciples takes intimate fellowship and commitment to minister to individuals.

For others who may be praying about planting a church, Marini said its all about caller ID.

First, make sure it is of the Lord. Test it against His word and prayerfully seek Him to confirm the call," Marini advised. Once it is confirmed, step out as He leads, knowing that He is faithful to complete that good work.
Peanuts Mother's Day special declares 'some kids have two moms' amid media push for LGBT inclusion

An upcoming Apple TV special featuring the characters from the Peanuts comic strip will promote same-sex families in the latest example of childrens programming incorporating LGBT-related content.

On Friday, Apple TV released a trailer for an upcoming Mothers Day special titled Snoopy Presents To Mom (and Dad), with Love. The special, scheduled for release Friday, stars the characters from the Peanuts comic strip including Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Peppermint Patty, Snoopy, Woodstock and others.

The trailer lists some tips on celebrating Mothers Day, accompanied by video footage of Charlie Browns attempts to provide his mother breakfast and cake for the holiday backfiring.

Throughout the video, Peppermint Patty appears upset and uneasy about the upcoming holiday. A loud scream from her causes the cake that Charlie Brown prepared for his mother to fall on Lucy. Apparently, Mothers Day is not her favorite holiday, Charlie Brown concludes.

When Peppermint Patty tells Marcie, I dont know why I get so upset, her friend replies that it was because you miss your mom. At this point, Peppermint Patty laments that she never had a mom.

Maybe you miss what moms do, Marcie says. Peppermint Patty remarks, My dad does all that mom stuff for me," adding: For Mothers Day, Im going to celebrate my dad.

From there, Peppermint Patty asks, There are all types of moms, right? After responding, of course, Marcie notes that some kids have two moms.

And even kids like me can have someone who acts like a mom. And its all those moms who deserve to be celebrated, Peppermint Patty declares.

Created by the late cartoonist Charles Schulz, the Peanuts comic strip appeared in newspapers across the United States for several decades until the illustrator died in February 2000.

The comic strip spawned several film and television adaptations, including feature-length films as well as television specials such as A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Its the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

Schulz himself was a professing Christian and Sunday School teacher who subtly explored religion, spiritual questions and biblical ideas in much of his work. Notably, he highlighted the "true meaning of Christmas" in the Charlie Brown holiday special where Linus reads the story of Jesuss birth directly from the Gospel of Luke.

The Peanuts specials promotion of the idea of having two moms is not the only example of modern childrens programming featuring well-established cartoon characters attempting to introduce children to LGBT ideology.

The reboot of Rugrats, based on the former Nickelodeon television series profiling the daily lives of a group of small children, airs on the streaming service Paramount Plus. It portrays one of the main characters from the original series, Betty, as a mother in a same-sex relationship.

Another example of the incorporation of LGBT ideology into childrens programming comes from the reboot of the Nickelodeon series Blues Clues. In one episode of the childrens television series based on the adventures of an anthropomorphic blue dog, the title character presents a song designed to help young viewers learn the alphabet.

The lyrics of the song proclaim P is full of pride as a picture of the letter P emblazoned in rainbow colors and surrounded by flags representing the different groups within the LGBT community appears on the screen.

The efforts to include LGBT characters and activism in childrens programming follow the LGBT advocacy organization GLAAD calling for LGBT characters to account for 20% of all characters in television programming by the year 2025.

Concerns about the exposure of small children to LGBT ideology prompted the Florida legislature to pass House Bill 1557, which prevents school officials from discussing matters related to sexual orientation and gender identity with students in kindergarten through third grade. The Walt Disney Company, which operates the Walt Disney World theme park in Orlando, Florida, is well-known for producing family-friendly programming. It emerged as a staunch critic of House Bill 1557.

As Disneys opposition to the measure received national attention, video footage surfaced of company officials talking about their efforts to include their not-at-all secret gay agenda in programming geared toward children.

In one video clip obtained by the Manhattan Institutes Christopher Rufo, a Disney executive producer admitted that she was basically adding queerness to episodes of the Proud Family reboot.

In another, production coordinator Allen March talked about what he viewed as the need for canonical trans characters, canonical asexual characters, [and] canonical bisexual characters to have stories where they can  be their whole selves.

Additionally, March noted that children are getting all this information from media of what is normal regarding sexuality. He maintained that theres a lot of power to that and it just needs to be acknowledged, suggesting that Disney should use that power to introduce children to LGBT ideology.
By Andrew Hammond





The unexpectedly strong rebuke of many Western countries and corporates to Russia's invasion of Ukraine has surprised many, yet three months later the U.N. is facing growing criticism of its own multilateral efforts to bring an end to the war.







To date, more than 30 countries  representing more than 50 percent of the global economy  have levied sanctions against Moscow. Moreover, some 500 corporates have cut or reduced their business ties with Russia by either withdrawing, suspending, scaling back and/or buying time by postponing future planned investment/development/marketing while continuing substantive business.







To be sure, the U.N. has taken a wide range of actions since Russia's invasion in February. The U.N. General Assembly has voted to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council.







The world body has also provided some 2.5 million people in the country with assistance, including 218 tons of emergency and medical supplies. Moreover, Secretary General Antonio Guterres visited Moscow on Tuesday to meet President Vladimir Putin.







However, U.N. agencies are struggling to reach civilians under siege in the east of Ukraine, where humanitarian assistance is sporadic. According to the U.N. itself, more than 12 million people need humanitarian assistance in Ukraine. Meanwhile the U.N. Security Council, where Russia is one of five permanent members with veto power, has failed to pass any resolutions condemning the war.







This has fueled criticism with, for instance, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling for the U.N. to exclude Russia from the Security Council. He has also said "we have to develop a new tool" capable of better maintaining peace in the decades to come.







Created in 1945 with an ambition of guaranteeing world peace and preventing another world war, the U.N. confers high influence on the five permanent, veto-wielding members of the Security Council  the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom and France. For instance, Moscow has exercised its Security Council veto some 15 times in votes regarding its ally Syria since 2011. And this same veto power also guarantees that Moscow can never be removed from the Council, since the U.N. Charter allows the General Assembly to exclude a member only upon the recommendation of the Security Council.







This structural issue underlines why it is so hard for the U.N. to get on the front foot in Ukraine, but there are also wider issues, including the many non-Western states which have refused to take sides. Take the example of key emerging markets such as Brazil where President Jair Bolsonaro has said that his country "will not take sides," and Indian leaders who have reaffirmed a policy of nonalignment, with South Africa following a similar path.







For many countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, such nonalignment has significant appeal. A wide number depend heavily on trade, aid, investment and/or weaponry from both Western powers and from China, if not also from Russia.







Yet, while nonalignment may suit many states, it makes the job of international security harder. Reluctance to take sides in such a clear case of aggression can weaken international norms and undermine global security.







At this stage, many members of the approximately 160-strong so-called Non-Aligned Movement have condemned Russian attacks. Yet only one, Singapore, has imposed sanctions.







This makes it easier for Russia to sustain its military campaign, in effect sending a message that territorial aggression by major powers will be tolerated.







This is therefore a massive headache for the U.N. Yet, while the international body is much criticized, sometimes fairly, the last few years have underlined that it continues to have significant resilience and legitimacy more than three quarters of a century after its creation.







Indeed, one of the few potential silver linings of the coronavirus pandemic is that it has shown yet again how global challenges can best be tackled through international, coordinated action, often led by the U.N. And despite the decay of the post-1945 order, the remaining dense web of post-war international institutions, with the U.N. at its heart, continue to have major relevance decades after their birth.







Going forward, a fundamental driver of whether the U.N. will thrive, not just survive, well into the 21st century may rest less with Russia, but the direction of the relationship between China and the United States, the two most powerful members of the Security Council. It seems all set now for growing bilateral rivalry, and what some see as a new Cold War, that could see international cooperation erode, including military tensions increasing from the South China Sea outwards.







However, the relationship may yet contain unexpected potential for fruitful partnership, at the U.N. and beyond. Such growing bilateral cooperation is most likely if stronger partnerships can be embedded on issues like climate change, as proved the case during the Obama presidency, which may then potentially enable more effective ways of resolving hard power disputes, from trade to the military tensions in the South China Sea.







) is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.



Andrew Hammond ( andrewkorea@outlook.com
Protestant families may be forced to pay illegal fines in Mexico over refusal to participate in festival

Several Protestant Christian families in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas may have to pay illegal fines for the fourth consecutive year if they do not participate in an upcoming syncretic Roman Catholic festival that involves alcohol, according to a persecution watchdog.

At least 16 indigenous families from the Alpha and Omega Presbyterian Church in Nueva las Tacitas in Ocosingo Municipality are being forced to pay an illegal fine for refusing to take part in the annual Santa Cruz Festival, locally called Convivio de Agua, on May 3, the U.K.-based group Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported.

Local authorities and communities have been imposing fines on the Christian families from the Tzeltal indigenous group since 2019. The penalty was first issued in 2016.

The Christians have been threatened with losing their water supply if they fail or are unable to pay the fine, which is about $15.

In May 2021, six Christian families were charged an increased fine of $25 per family. When they couldnt pay the amount initially, their water supply was cut off. The church has since grown, and now an additional 10 families are facing the fine.

Pastor Miguel Gomez Perez, a local resident, was quoted as saying that the funds collected through the fines would be used to purchase supplies for the celebration of the festival, including alcoholic beverages.

It is unacceptable that these families face having their water services cut off for the fourth consecutive year, without a lasting solution from the government, whose duty it is to uphold provisions in the law and to ensure that the local authorities are held to account for illegal actions, CSWs Head of Advocacy and Americas Team Leader Anna Lee Stangl said.

The families have clearly been targeted on account of their faith and with the intention of pressuring them into conformity with the majority religion in Nueva las Tacitas.

Last September, two Evangelical families from the First Baptist Church in the La Mesa Limantitla area in Hidalgo states Huejutla de los Reyes Municipality were threatened with being cut off from essential services or expelled from the community if they continued to refuse to deny their faith and pay a fine illegally levied against them.

In Mexico, such extra-legal agreements are often used in place of appropriate justice mechanisms when the rights of religious minorities are violated.

This is not a one-off incident of Christian persecution in Mexico, which has risen due to drug cartel violence, persecution by traditionalist Catholics and violent discrimination by anti-Christian left-wing groups, Open Doors USA previously reported.

[In 2020], Mexico was [No. 52 on Open Doors USAs World Watch List]. Its jumped up a bunch, Open Doors USA President and CEO David Curry told The Christian Post in an earlier interview. That would most certainly be around the issues of violence and drug cartels.

Traditionalist Catholics often persecute Mexican Christians, too, he said. In this way, they resemble many small, rural groups of people practicing ancient folk religions around the world. Open Doors calls this kind of persecution clan violence.

These rural indigenous groups see Christian churches as an outside force. They can harass and bother churches and believers who might be in the community, Curry said. Its within these four states in Mexico: Chiapas, Hidalgo, Guerero, Oaxaca. Its very localized.
Remembering Madeleine Albright: Richard Land on their unlikely friendship, her escape from Nazism

Christian Post Executive Editor Dr. Richard Land joined "The Christian Post Podcast: The Inside Story" over the weekend to reflect on his unlikely friendship with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, her belief in American exceptionalism and how her family's escapes from Nazism and communism shaped her views.

Land, the president emeritus of Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina, who also served as head of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics & Religious Liberty Committee, attended Albright's funeral last Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

He reflected on Albrights other positive characteristics, heralding her personal story as evidence of true love for America.

"Madeleine Albrights life provides a truly inspiring story of the triumph of the human spirit," Land wrote in a recent op-ed. "While, as you would imagine, Madeleine and I had significant disagreements on many important issues, I always loved and appreciated Secretary Albrights deep and abiding love for America  her adopted country."

Listen to the discussion (and subscribe to the podcast):

"The Christian Post Podcast" takes you behind the headlines of the biggest faith, culture and political headlines of the week. In 15 minutes or less, Christian Post staff writers and editors will help you navigate and understand whats driving each story, the issues at play  and why it all matters.

Listen to more Christian podcasts today on the Edifi app  and be sure to subscribe to the Christian Post Podcast on your favorite platforms:

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Retired bishop leaves UMC for new conservative church over significant disagreement on theology

A recently retired bishop of The United Methodist Church has announced that he is leaving the mainline Protestant denomination for a conservative alternative launched on Sunday.

The Rev. Michael J. Lowry, who recently retired as bishop of the UMC Fort Worth Episcopal Area, announced the cutting of his ties to the UMC to join the Global Methodist Church.

Lowry was previously involved in the GMCs Transitional Leadership Council, which had been a reported concern among other UMC leaders due to him also being credentialed with the UMC.

In a letter to UMC Council of Bishops President Cynthia Fierro Harvey and Bishop Bob Farr of the South Central Jurisdiction College of Bishops dated April 28 that was posted online on Sunday, Lowry said his transition comes with a heavy heart and deep grief.

I am thankful for the great nurturing and guidance I have received from the United Methodist Church over the course of my life. I have been richly blessed by friendships and support from a numerous cloud of witnesses across the face of the church universal, including members of the Council of Bishops, wrote Lowry.

Nonetheless, Jesus is Lord. It is first and foremost in allegiance to my Lord and Savior that I take this action.

Lowry said the UMC had strayed in significant ways from faithfully upholding the Book of Discipline, which is the central rulebook of the denomination.

The retired bishop expressed the belief that the debate over LGBT issues only masks the deeper and truly significant disagreement over what constitutes fidelity to the historic confession of the Christian faith expressed in the normative nature of Holy Scripture as the primary rule of faith, the ecumenical creeds, the Articles of Religion, and Wesleys Standard Sermons.

Put succinctly, the massive iceberg beneath the roiling waters of our looming separation is the ongoing argument over just what constitutes the theological and moral foundations of contemporary Methodism, he continued.

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. of the UMC Central Texas Conference, where Lowry had served as a resident bishop, sent a letter on April 29 to clergy and laity based in the regional body, expressing his sadness over the issue.

It saddens me to hear this news because Mike is a friend and has been a solid pastor and leader over the years in The United Methodist Church. However, I respect his decision to assist with the launch of the Global Methodist Church and pray for Gods best for him, stated Saenz.

I want to thank Mike for his years of service, for his pastoral spirit, and for his personable approach throughout his ministry. I ask that you join me in prayer for Mike and his wife, Jolynn, as they begin a new chapter in life and service to Christ.

For several years, the UMC has been embroiled in a debate on whether to change its official stance labeling homosexuality incompatible with Christian teaching. This stance includes prohibiting the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals and barring clergy from performing same-sex wedding ceremonies.

Although the stance has survived numerous attempts to change it, theological liberals have continued to resist the Book of Discipline rules and have, at times, refused to enforce them.

On Sunday, a group of theological conservatives officially launched the Global Methodist Church, which is meant to be an alternative for those planning to leave the UMC due to the liberal resistance.

It is anticipated that some theologically conservative local churches will find annual conferences willing to negotiate fair and just exit provisions, while others will unfortunately face obstacles placed in their paths, stated the GMC back in March when announcing their plans.

The Transitional Leadership Council decided it was time to launch the Global Methodist Church, so those who can leave early will have a place to land, to begin building and growing, and making room for others to join later.

At the official spring meeting for the UMC Council of Bishops held virtually last week, Harvey gave her final address as president of the body, taking the time to denounce the looming schism.

We are part of one another, and the energy we have spent trying to figure out how to make sense of this separation is egregious, she said, adding: "The fact that we have to give instructions for how to separate from the body is so counterintuitive from the instruction for how to be the Body of Christ.

We have said that we cannot be a traditional church or a progressive church or a centrist church, we cannot be a gay church or a straight church  Our churches must be more than echo chambers made in our own image, arguing with each other while neglecting our central purpose.
Supreme Court rules in favor of group banned from flying Christian flag at Boston City Hall

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that city officials in Boston, Massachusetts, were wrong to prohibit a group from flying a Christian flag at city hall.

In an opinion released Monday morning in the case of Harold Shurtleff, et al. v. Boston, MA, et al., the high court unanimously ruled to reverse a lower court decision and remand the case back to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Justice Stephen Breyer delivered the court's opinion, in which he concluded that the First Amendment prevents [the government] from discriminating against speakers based on their viewpoint.

At issue, according to the court's opinion, was whether Bostons flag policy represented government speech; if it did, then it had the right to reject the Christian flag.

We conclude that, on balance, Boston did not make the raising and flying of private groups flags a form of government speech, wrote Breyer.

That means, in turn, that Bostons refusal to let Shurtleff and Camp Constitution raise their flag based on its religious viewpoint abridg[ed] their freedom of speech.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh authored a concurring opinion, in which he wrote that a government does not violate the Establishment Clause merely because it treats religious persons, organizations, and speech equally with secular persons, organizations, and speech in public programs, benefits, facilities, and the like.

Under the Constitution, a government may not treat religious persons, religious organizations, or religious speech as second-class, he added in his brief concurrence.

In 2017, Harold Shurtleff of Camp Constitution asked to fly the Christian flag (which features a cross) outside of city hall on Constitution Day 2017, but his request was rejected by the city.

Shurtleff filed suit against the city in response, with him being represented by the Liberty Counsel, a prominent conservative law firm that has handled many religious liberty cases.

In February 2020, U.S. District Judge Denise Casper, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, ruled in favor of Boston, and a three-judge panel of the First Circuit unanimously upheld the lower court ruling in January 2021.

Judge Bruce Selya, an appointee of former President Ronald Reagan, wrote the panel opinion, arguing that the three flags flying in close proximity communicates the symbolic unity of the three flags, and therefore, it strains credulity to believe that an observer would partition such a coordinated three-flag display.

Shurtleff appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, gaining the support of groups including the ACLU, which filed an amicus brief in his support.

We have long expressed concern about government endorsement of religion, and have sued often to enforce the Establishment Clause, stated ACLU National Legal Director David Cole last November. But when the government opens a forum to private speakers generally, as Boston did here, it cant turn away a speaker simply because it is religious.
Vineyard Anaheim renamed the Dwelling Place after split: 'Not a departure from what has gone before'

Months after announcing Vineyard Anaheim, the mother church of the Vineyard movement, would be disassociating from the charismatic denomination, Pastor Alan Scott revealed the church will now be called the Dwelling Place Anaheim.

I love that it's not just Dwelling Place, but it's Dwelling Place Anaheim,' Scott told his congregation in an April 24 message.

We want to see our city become a dwelling place of God; we want people in this city to know that He is their God and that they are His people. And so, as we step into this new part of our story together as a house, as a community together, it's not a departure from what has gone before. In fact, we're just continuing the story that we've been engaged in together, and the bookends of the story of God is that God's dwelling place is with His people, and that's who we are we are, a dwelling for and by His spirit.

In March, Scott, who, with his wife, Kathryn, led the former Vineyard Anaheim for four years, announced the church would be officially disassociating from Vineyard USA without giving a specific reason for the decision.

Vineyard Anaheim was planted in 1977 by John Wimber and is widely considered to be the mother church of the Vineyard movement, which today is a network of over 1,500 churches worldwide. Wimber died in 1997.

The church, located in Orange County, California, owns multiple buildings on a 5.7-acre property estimated to be worth tens of millions, according to The Roys Report.

The move to disassociate from the Vineyard movement was widely criticized by Vinyard Church leaders and members of the Wimber family. Carol Wimber-Wong, Wimbers widow, accused the Scotts of stealing their brothers house and of actions that are screaming dishonor.

Rich Nathan, pastor of Vineyard Columbus in Ohio, the nations largest Vineyard church, said the split was due to selfish ambition and not the Spirits leading!

David and Robin Denunzio, former Vineyard Anaheim board members, said they were deeply saddened and completely blindsided by the move.

Details of the Dwelling Place Anaheim remain unclear. But the churchs Our Story page says church leaders believe they are stepping into the story of God not just for the sake of the Church but for the sake of the world."

Our dream is bigger than building a large church or bringing life to the Church, reads the churchs Our Story page. Today we dream of partnering with God to build a better city.

In the future, we are going to plant churches and we are going to plant businesses. We are going to ordain ministers and we are going to ordain filmmakers. We are going to have schools of ministry and schools of industry. We are going to go where those before us didnt have time to go or permission to go  because the story of the kingdom continues. Its the story that brings life to everything everywhere.

The Dwelling Place Anaheim website also said the Scotts seek to bring together biblical principles and supernatural power in a way that supplies the destiny of ordinary people, raising up kingdom carriers that change culture.

In his April 24 message, Alan Scott reflected on how church leaders settled on the new name.

I wish I could say to that, on, whatever day it is, April the 8th or something like this, the angel of the Lord appeared to me and said, Behold, this is your new name, he said.

But that didnt happen.

Scott cited several Bible verses about God dwelling among His people, adding: I love that idea that every time we speak the name, we're telling a story or we're declaring meaning, and so when we look at the name Dwelling Place Anaheim, we are stepping into the story of God from the beginning.

It reminds us that God is making everything new, he said, that one day all of humanity and all of history ends up at the feet of Jesus and Gods dwelling place is with us.
Oklahoma becomes first state to ban nonbinary gender X option on birth certificates

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law a bill that bans nonbinary identification of residents on their government-issued documents, making his state the first in the nation to require birth certificates to indicate only male or female as a persons biological sex.

The bill, SB 1100, requires the biological sex designation on a birth certificate to be either male or female and prohibits a nonbinary or any symbol representing a nonbinary designation.

People are free to believe whatever they want about their identity, but science has determined people are either biologically male or female at birth, Oklahoma Rep. Sheila Dills, the House sponsor of the bill, said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. We want clarity and truth on official state documents. Information should be based on established medical fact and not an ever-changing social dialogue.

While many states only allow the sex designation of male or female on birth certificates, the law makes Oklahoma the first to prohibit nonbinary identification for those who don't want to identify as their birth sex and instead self-identify as the opposite sex or claim to be gender fluid.

State Rep. Mauree Turner, a Democrat, who publicly identifies as nonbinary, called the law extreme and grotesque.

I find it very extreme and grotesque use of power in this body to write this law and try to pass it  when literally none of them live like us, Turner tweeted. Some of our fate, for now, lies in the hands of some people who claim to get it and some people who absolutely dont.

Last October, the state issued its first nonbinary birth certificate, which led Republican lawmakers to pass legislation banning the misidentification of residents' sex on the document.

The governor said at the time he would take whatever action necessary to prohibit the practice.

I believe that people are created by God to be male or female. Period, Stitt said at the time. There is no such thing as nonbinary sex, and I wholeheartedly condemn the purported [Oklahoma State Department of Health] court settlement that was entered into by rogue activists who acted without receiving proper approval or oversight.

A month later, Stitt signed an executive order asking the Department of Health to stop amending or issuing birth certificates with a nonbinary option.

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia specifically allow a gender marker designation outside of male or female, and the number will increase to 16 on July 1 when Vermonts new statute goes into effect, the AP noted.

Last month, the Biden administration announced that airport security would allow passengers to choose their gender as X, regardless of the gender listed in their passports or other IDs, and Americans would be able to select their gender on their passports without supporting medical documentation.

Previously, the U.S. State Department had defended the gender binary for passports by arguing that it ensured accuracy, helped identify eligibility, and made passport data useful for other agencies.

The department had also previously contended that there was no medical consensus on determining intersex identity and that creating a third designation for sex, such as an X mark, was not feasible.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled in May 2020 that three of the five reasons argued by the State Department lacked record support and sent the case back down to the district court level.

The circuit panel still considered the reasons for helping identify individuals ineligible for passports and helping to make passport data useful for other agencies valid.
Get a Good Ranchers box of USDA-graded 100% American meat and save up to $25.

Its easy to say youre going to make an effort to buy American products and support American companies. In practice, that policy isnt always so easy to carry out, even if youre paying attention and doing your due diligence to make that happen.

Case in point: purchasing meat. When you hit the grocery store meat section, youll usually find many cuts hailing from countries like New Zealand and Uruguay. When you finally do spot a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture sticker on a choice filet or rack of ribs, you might think your search is over. However, that patriotic sticker doesnt tell the whole story.

In many cases, companies can import meat from anywhere in the world, process and package it in the U.S., and still qualify for that USDA-approved label. That prime slab of meat you think is a 100% American product could easily have been born and raised in Mexico or dozens or other countries.

Good Ranchers is all about ensuring that only steakhouse-quality USDA-graded beef  originating only from American farms and ranches  reaches you. The company launched in 2018 with a simple premise: that everyone deserves to know exactly where their meat comes from and everyone should be able to afford it. With 85 percent of grass-fed beef imported from overseas, Good Ranchers began sourcing only U.S.-based cattle farms and ranches, then assembling fresh meat boxes to put premium American-raised cuts on dinner tables at a reasonable price.

Good Ranchers starts by only working with the cream of the U.S. cattle-raising crop. Their partner producers raise a variety of cattle breeds, all with practices that put a premium on sustainability, animal wellness, and social responsibility. From there, its just a matter of choosing the specific beef, chicken, pork, or even seafood collection that best suits your tastes.

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Right now, Good Ranchers shopper can save up to $25 off the cost of their first meat box while also earning free express shipping with code CHRISTIANPOST.
Pa. college reins in free speech after Hillsdale professors talk leaves left grumbling

St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., has given us yet another disturbing example of modern American colleges disdain for free speech.

David Azerrad, a professor at Hillsdale Colleges D.C. campus, gave a lecture at St. Vincent on April 8, Black Privilege and Racial Hysteria in Contemporary America, and the speech rubbed Gary Quinlivan the wrong way. Quinlivan is co-director of the program series at the private Catholic college about 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, where Azerrad spoke.

In a letter addressed to the schools students and faculty, Quinlivan accused Azerrad of minimizing the role of several highly accomplished African Americans and that his theory as to why Kamala Harris was selected as VP on the basis of her standing solely as an African American woman [was] demeaning in many ways.

Quinlivan added that the speakers presentation was not consistent with the Benedictine values of hospitality and respect for all people.

We regret that it was presented at this forum, he said.

Azerrad disagrees.

If you listen to the talk, you can see, without really offering any substantive counterarguments, theyre just indignant that someone deviated from the accepted script when talking about race, said Azerrad in an interview with The Daily Signal. They just released a statement slandering me by suggesting that what I said was racist. In fact, what I said was a denunciation of racism.

But the Rev. Paul Taylor, the president of St. Vincent, agreed with his colleague and made a stunning announcement.

In another open letter on April 19, released five days after Quinlivans, Taylor said that as a result of campus grumblings over Azerrads presentation, he and what he calls his Cabinet members would now approve all sponsored speakers to make sure that the message to be delivered is not in conflict with the spirit and Mission of the College.

Yet, seemingly oblivious to the irony, Taylor wrote that the action the school was taking was intended to protect the diversity of opinion critical to our students educational growth.

Though disappointed in how St. Vincent responded to his presentation, Azerrad says hes not shocked.

Its, regrettably, a rather common story, Azerrad said. Namely, a speaker on a college campus says something perfectly sensible on the question of race  A handful of students disagree loudly. After the talk is over, they complain to the administration, and the university administration cowers before their indignation.

Where the incident at St. Vincent differs from many other cases like it is in the extreme response of the schools administration. Cowering before the mob is one thing; active suppression of freedom of expression on campus to placate the mob is quite another.

To Azerrad, the action taken by St. Vincents administration represents a huge problem  and is a disservice to the colleges mission.

A university is not a safe space for ideas. Its a place where ideas collide, where people express ideas so long as they do it peacefully and calmly, respectfully, which I did, he said. The university is overreacting by instituting this draconian policy to preapprove any speakers on campus.

He added, I suspect that the net effect of it will be to the detriment of St Vincents students, who will be exposed to a narrower range of ideas. You dont go to college to have your prejudices confirmed.

Azerrad is right about that. While people outside of academia might be rightly frustrated with the rampant censorship on campus, its the students who suffer the most.

There are many students on campus who want to be exposed to new ideas, to broaden their horizons and hear opinions they might not ever have considered. Instead, theyre subjected to the whims of radical activists and cowardly administrators who wont stand up to them  or even agree with them.

Azerrad noted that the students [who attended the talk] did not interrupt.

They asked a lot of questions. Given the contentious nature of the subject these days in America, I think, on the whole, they behaved rather well.

Theres an appetite for debate on college campuses, but its being actively stifled by leftist dogma that views dissenting ideas as a threat to be eliminated.

Normally, the advice to students engaged in free speech is to ignore the radicals and press on with pursuing the truth. But the fact that St. Vincents administration will now be actively complicit in efforts to stifle speech complicates matters.

The complicity of the school administration makes it a target, however. Students and donors alike should demand change at the school and the reversal of the new speaker-approval policy. If it doesnt, St. Vincent should be made to suffer financial consequences.

After all, why should donors be expected to subsidize an increasingly illiberal school? Why should students sit idly by as their First Amendment rights are trampled on?

The schools 19th-century founder, Archabbot Boniface Wimmer, had some advice for students now fighting back against the tyranny at the college.

Forward, always forward, everywhere forward! We must not be held back by debts, bad years, or by difficulties of the times. Mans adversity is Gods opportunity.

So, take heart, St. Vincent students. At least your schools founder is behind you.

Originally published at The Daily Signal.
The delusion that doomed CNN+

The Wall Street Journal and other news outlets reported on April 21st that CNN Chairman and Chief Executive Chris Licht put a bullet in CNN+, the companys premium pay-for streaming service, less than a month after it launched on March 29. CNN lost the $300 million it invested in CNN+ and correctly realized the meager subscriber base it had attracted, at $5.99/month, would not be able to sustain the operation.

A rapid business nosedive of that magnitude is rare these days, but you get a glimpse of why it happened when you listen to a statement made by CNNs CEO about the event: We have to own what happened, even though its not a result of what we did.

Come again?

One way to fail at business

My career has been one of helping build and make software companies successful. My first ten years were spent as a database engineer, but then I developed and sold my own database monitoring software to my first company and was blessed to, among other things, go on from there and lead the product teams at three of the most popular database companies in the world.

All that to say I know a thing or two about developing successful products. Plus, Ive made some mistakes along the way that have taught me pitfalls to avoid.

When I first heard the announcement for CNN+, I couldnt believe my ears.

Since the Trump presidency and COVID, CNN has worked overtime at producing polarizing, biased, and obnoxious broadcasts that greatly narrowed its audience and market appeal. During COVID, in particular, CNN took up the cause of being the nations tattletale, reporting on anyone who dared resist the constantly-changing mandates from the companys christened authorities. Violators would receive a public flogging followed up with the famous Silence of the Lambs threat of, or else it gets the hose again.

Such constant beratement and finger-wagging produced what some commentators call the exhausted majority  large segments of society fed up with being parented by media outlets in general, whether theyre left or right-leaning in nature.

So, how could a highly opinionated and ideological out-of-touch news organization that has seen the viewership of its general cable service drop by 80-90% over the past couple of years believe people would pay extra for their premium service?

Although I dont have the inside scoop, given my career experience, I suspect one thing: confirmation bias.

Confirmation bias is deadly in business. Its the psychological tendency in us all to search for, translate, and then ultimately favor information in a manner that supports our a priori and desired beliefs.

Ive been guilty of confirmation bias myself. You either drink too much of your own Kool-Aid or want so badly for something to be true that you avoid any data that might challenge your reasons for moving in the direction you want.

When it comes to CNN+, its not hard to believe that a company that subjected our nation to a hysterical three-year loop of bungled Russia collusion stories would follow the same pattern of not impartially checking the facts on whether the market actually wanted to pay for even more from them.

Confirmation bias in matters of faith

Truth be told, CNN is far from being unique  anyone can be a victim of confirmation bias. Maybe its due to laziness or fear, but all of us are naturals at avoiding data that contradicts our beliefs.

One area of our lives particularly vulnerable to it is the domain of religion and faith. We think we know our particular faith well, but in reality, well never understand it completely unless we consider the challenges sent against it.

English economist and philosopher John Stuart Mill said, He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that, meaning the position held is not a well-rounded and deep one if we dont know the real ins and outs of the other side. I got a good example of this during my second at seminary.

My philosophy professor was Dr. Norm Geisler who many argue was one of the sharpest Christian minds of our day. He gave each of us a gigantic binder of anti-Christian essays from historys top atheist and skeptical thinkers to read through, which at the time I thought was odd.

Geislers devotional time each day was spent reading not Christian works but atheist writings. He believed that unbelievers can keep Christians honest in our positions and thought some of them proved a few of our arguments did indeed deserve to be dropkicked into a dumpster and hauled away.

But Geisler was also a lion when it came to defending Christianity, in part, because he found claims against our foundational Christian truths to be vaporous and highly unconvincing. Hes right.

It sounds funny to say that one of my most faith-enriching experiences was plowing through a seemingly unending mountain of hostile anti-Christian writings, but it actually was. After working my way through the ancient skeptics up to present-day unbelievers and turning the last page, my concluding thought was, Is that really the best they have?

I was reminded of this the other day after listening to William Lane Craig defend his work on the cosmological argument against a recent video put up by his detractors. After addressing their key talking points, Craig said in an exasperated tone, This is supposed to be a better and more reasonable explanation than theism?

In the end, the most reliable cure for confirmation bias  and the way to evade disasters like CNN+ in business as well as avoid being duped in matters that are more important like religion and faith  is to interact with those who believe differently than you and pursue truth vs. what you want the truth to be.

Of course, the prerequisite for doing so is to do your own homework and be solidly grounded in your own belief so you are not, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming (Eph. 4:14). Not grounding yourself well can lead to doubt (vs. critical thinking), which is never commended in Scripture.

But when youve done that, taking the next step and understanding your opposition better allows you to be more informed and thus reach your full potential as Paul encourages: Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature (1 Cor. 14:20).
China shuts down popular Christian website amid crackdown on religious groups

The latest victim of the Chinese Communist Partys ongoing crackdown against Christianity in cyberspace is a well-known Christian website which has disappeared after serving believers for about 21 years, according to a report.

The people behind the popular Christian website, Jona Home, have put a notice on the Home page, which reads, Due to reasons known to everyone, from now on our site can no longer serve brothers and sisters in Christ. Thanks to all for your company and support in the past 21 years! U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern said.

The notice further reads, The disappearance of a website is merely a disappearance of a website, it does not carry any meaning. Except that the website link can no longer be opened, there is nothing else which stopped at that moment; Need not to be concerned, and just keep walking.

A new legislation, known as Administrative Measures for Internet Religious Information Services, was enacted on March 1, Bitter Winter, a publication produced by the Center for Studies on New Religion which covers human rights issues in China, reported earlier.

The law mandates an Internet Religious Information Service License for any religious group that wants to disseminate religious content on the internet. But it says only legally established organizations can do so, which practically means only groups that are part of the five authorized religions in China can use the internet to distribute religious content.

Open Doors USA, which covers persecution in over 60 countries, estimates that China has more than 97 million Christians, many of whom worship in unregistered or so-called illegal underground churches.

The five state-sanctioned religious groups in China are the Buddhist Association of China, the Chinese Taoist Association, the Islamic Association of China, the Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.

Even the organizations within the five authorized religions are subject to surveillance and limitations, Bitter Winter reported.

As per the new law: [T]hey can broadcast sermons and lessons, but these would be checked by the authorities for their Sinicized content, making sure they promote socialist values and support the party, and are not intended as proselytization tools. Religious universities and colleges may disseminate content via the internet only to their students. Any attempt to spread religious content to minors or induce minors to believe in religion will lead to the termination of the license.

Without the license, it will be severely prohibited to share images or comments on religious ceremonies such as worshiping Buddha, burning incense, taking ordination, chanting, worship, mass and baptisms.

The law followed dictates by President Xi Jinping that prohibitions on the use of the internet to advertise religion were not enough to prevent religious propaganda.

In 2018, the Chinese government banned the sale of Bibles at online bookstores across the country to comply with a white paper that dictated compliance with the core values of socialism.

Australia's ABC News reported at the time that copies of the Gospels had been removed from online retailers following the release of a regime document titled Chinas Policies and Practices on Protecting Freedom of Religious Belief.

The white paper declared that Chinese faith communities should adhere to the direction of localizing the religion, practice the core values of socialism, develop and expand the fine Chinese tradition and actively explore the religious thought which accords with China's national circumstances.
Former Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo appears at Seoul Central District Court in this March 14 file photo. Yonhap



By Park Jae-hyuk



Asiana Airlines has filed a complaint with the prosecution against Gategroup for allegedly colluding with former Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo, while filing a civil lawsuit to nullify its 30-year in-flight meal contract with the Swiss catering service provider, according to industry officials, Monday.





Asiana Airlines CEO Jung Sung-kwon
Pastor wins religious discrimination case over tweet warning parents not to expose kids to LGBT pride march

A British tribunal has ruled that an Evangelical pastor and ex-school caretaker who claims his former employer forced him to resign after he tweeted that LGBT pride month events are "harmful" to children and "contrary to Christian faith" experienced "indirect discrimination."

Pastor Keith Waters, 55, contends he had no other choice but to resign from his part-time caretaker role at the Isle of Ely primary school in 2019 following his tweet warning that Christians should not support or attend pride month events.

The Cambridge Employment Tribunal heard Waters discrimination case in January and issued a ruling on April 22.

The tribunal dismissed Waters' claims of "direct discrimination" and "constructive dismissal" but upheld his claim of "indirect discrimination in the imposition of the disciplinary sanction." However, the tribunal found that the imposition of the disciplinary sanction "post dates the resignation so cannot be the reason why the claimant resigned."

The judges found the fact that Waters made the tweet outside of work on his personal Twitter account as part of his role as a Christian minister "highly relevant." The body declared that it is "one thing to have rules that apply during work and something else to extend those to ones private life outside of work."

The ruling noted that curtailing "the claimants freedom of speech outside of work which is an important part of his role as a Christian minister and thus part of freedom to practice his religion; must be done with some exercise of caution and only in the clearest cases where the rights of others are being damaged should the school intervene to prevent the claimant from preaching."

The ruling finds that Waters is "entitled" to hold his views on sexual relationships. Even if they may "conflict with the fundamental rights of others," "it is clear that the same could be said about some other aspects of Christianity which could conflict with other religions.

The tribunal stated that Waters Christian beliefs are protected under the Equality Act 2010.

"It is clear to us that evangelical Christian ministers will have views not necessarily shared by everyone in Society but that is part of their duty as a Christian minister to preach those beliefs," the tribunal ruling led by Employment Judge King states. "In today's modern society social media is one medium in which these beliefs are preached which is good for spreading the word but puts the word in the public forum more and more accessibly."

Waters had argued that his sermons are also recorded and posted on the church's website and that there could be content in those sermons that others could find offensive and trigger a breach in the school's employment policies. The tribunal accepted that argument, saying that in theory, a member of the public could be a member of his church and "take offense such that anytime an evangelical Christian minister carried out his role he was at risk of a disciplinary sanction."

"There are other Christian Ministers with secular employment and it is a requirement that they preach the gospel to others," the ruling states.

"The respondent submitted that there is no evidence that any of the respondents other employees either shared the same belief or that they suffered a disadvantage because of it. We cannot accept that as we had no evidence of the religious beliefs of the respondents other employees as none was led. The policy we agree would apply to all but others would be disadvantaged by the PCP in the same way as the claimant if they hold the same beliefs as the claimant and then preach those beliefs and that resulted in a complaint to the School."

The tribunal rejected the claim of "direct discrimination" because he was not terminated and that others who would write a "similar post for non-religious reasons would be subject to the same treatment."

In a statement, Waters said he is "pleased with the outcome."

This is a victory, not just for me, but for Christian Evangelical leaders across the country, he said.

"The freedom to resign from your job or be silenced from speaking as a Christian pastor is no freedom at all."

Waters was represented by the Christian Legal Centre. The organization's chief executive Andrea Williams believes Waters "received justice in this crucial case for Christian freedom."

For loving Jesus, speaking biblical truth, and caring for the welfare of children, Keith became persona non grata  his words and intentions distorted, his character assassinated," Williams said in a statement.

Our schools and churches need more community-minded people like him, not less. For sending one tweet, that raised genuine concern for children, he was vilified, threatened and hounded out of his employment."

Willaims said Waters is "the latest in a long line of cases where honest, kind, normal people are subjected to harassment and intimidation for expressing moderate, mainstream Christian views on sexual ethics."

"Why should a Christian pastor not be able to speak out on such concerning issues without being threatened and losing his job? she added.

Waters said he felt called to the vocation as a caretaker at the Isle of Ely Primary School and to his other job doing pastoral ministry at Ely New Connexions Free Church.

When he first took both jobs, he had to go through a change in all his prior occupational pursuits to commit to both lines of work. He left his previous church, which was a place he had served for more than a decade. And he willingly terminated his work as an estates manager at a Cambridge University college.

The career change also meant a 60% reduction in salary and moving his family 100 miles across the country, Christian Concern reported.

Waters said that he is left with lasting emotional turmoil" because of all that transpired.

Despite knowing this was the right thing to do, this whole episode has taken a lasting toll on me and my family," he said. "In 37 years of employment, I have never been treated in such a heartless and hostile way."

Waters still believes anyone who attends a Pride event risks being exposed to obscenities, that is self-evidently harmful for children.

In a free, responsible and truly loving society, we must be free to say that and raise concern without fear, Waters said.

I still stand by what I said, and Ill always stand up for the truth. I believe that childrens safety is paramount; and that everyone, but especially Christian pastors, must be able to voice concerns and raise red flags where children may be at risk."

Waters hopes that the ruling may help pastors who might go through similar experiences.

I pray that this ruling will help protect pastors in the future that have to work part-time in other jobs to make up their income. This is an important win for our freedom to speak the truth of the Gospel without fear of losing our jobs, Waters said.

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. I believed the issues my case raised were much bigger than anything that was happening to me and that it was the right thing to do."
Coptic Christian shot dead at work, assailants set fire to his car and flee

Four unidentified masked men barged into the shop of a young Coptic man in the city of Dabaa in Egypt, shot him in the head 22 times, killing him on the spot, and burned his car before fleeing the scene, according to media reports.

The victim, identified as Rani Raafat, was killed instantly from the gunshot wounds, and another man, Sherif Rashad, sustained a gunshot wound during the attack in Matrouh Governorate, Middle East 24 reported, adding that the attackers also burned Raafats car and fled.

The father of the deceased, Raafat Nour, was quoted as saying, I was at home in Dabaa, and a phone call came to my son to open the shop to receive goods for agricultural supplies in a project he works in the afternoon. I later received a phone call of the death of my son. When I went to the store, I found him dead and lying on the ground, overwhelmed in own his blood.

The slain Christian worked in the veterinary medicine trade and had no known enemies, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog group International Christian Concern said.

His father added, My son had a problem in December 2021, and was beaten with a shotgun. The accused was arrested and imprisoned. We sat with his family, and they promised us that the matter would be over, and my son was transferred from El Dabaa High School to a school in Burj Al Arab  I only want to apprehend the perpetrators and hold them accountable, and to take the right of my son through the judiciary.

Earlier this month, a 56-year-old Coptic Orthodox priest of Alexandria, Arsanious Wadid, from the Church of the Virgin Mary and St. Paul in Moharm Bek district, was stabbed several times in the neck and died en route to the hospital, ICC reported earlier.

We have seen a second major incident in just a few weeks, ICCs president, Jeff King, said. We are watching Egypt closely to see if these are warning signs of a more challenging future for Egyptian Christians. Our prayers are with the victims family and we urge the authorities to conduct a transparent investigation which affirms due process of law.

The Copts, who make up about 10% of Egypts population, are the descendants of a long line of ancient Egyptians who later converted to Christianity in the early first century, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.

According to the persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA, Egypt is among the 20 worst persecutors of Christians in the world.

Incidents of Christian persecution in Egypt vary from Christian women being harassed while walking in the street to Christian communities being driven out of their homes by extremist mobs, the group says on its website, adding that Christians are typically treated as second-class citizens.

Egypts government speaks positively about the Egyptian Christian community, but the lack of serious law enforcement and the unwillingness of local authorities to protect Christians leave them vulnerable to all kinds of attacks, especially in Upper Egypt, it explains. Due to the dictatorial nature of the regime, neither church leaders nor other Christians are in a position to speak out against these practices.

Churches and Christian nongovernmental organizations are restricted in their ability to build new churches or run social services, it adds. The difficulties come both from state restrictions, as well as from communal hostility and mob violence.
A California home once owned by convicted murderer Scott Peterson and his late wife Laci sold for $50,000 over asking, the Sacramento Bee reported.

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 523 Covena Ave. in Modesto was listed for $459,888 on March 31 and sold for $510,000 on April 21, Zillow said.

The couple lived at the residence in the Central Valley city when Scott was accused in 2002 of murdering 27-year-old Laci and their unborn son, Conner, SFGATE reported when the home was first listed. Laci went missing on Christmas Eve 2002, the day her husband left the home to go fishing at the Berkeley Marina. Scott came under suspicion almost immediately, with detectives noting he seemed far too calm for a man whose pregnant wife had suddenly vanished.

"Authorities speculated that Peterson strangled his pregnant wife in the house on or just before Christmas Eve 2002 before slipping her weighted body into San Francisco Bay," the Modesto Bee said.

The body of Laci and the fetus of Conner washed up on the shoreline near Richmond in April 2003. Their remains were badly decomposed from time in the water and no cause of death was ever determined. A few days later, police arrested Scott, who had dyed his hair blond and filled his car with survival gear, $15,000 in cash and other evidence of a possible escape to Mexico.

Peterson was convicted of double murder in March 2005. He was on death row at San Quentin until 2020 when his sentence was overturned by the California Supreme Court due to errors made during jury selection for his original murder trial. Last year, he was re-sentenced to life in prison without parole. Peterson has maintained his innocence and is currently back in court attempting to get a new trial.

Laci and Scott bought the 1949 bungalow with 1,700 square feet for $177,000 in 2000. There have been several owners since then, including real estate agent Gerry Roberts, who bought the house in 2005 for $390,000, the Bee reported. The home sold again in 2007 for $280,000 and in 2013 for $180,000, records posted on Zillow show.

Modesto is one of the many places in California where home prices are rising. The average home value in the Central Valley city was $442,285 in March 2022 and has gone up 22% over the past year, Zillow said.

With a vast front lawn and tall shade trees, the home is located in Modesto's La Loma neighborhood was advertised on Zillow as "move-in ready" with a swimming pool and hot tub, a freshly painted interior and a remodeled kitchen featuring stone countertops, a six-burner gas stove and a built-in wine rack.

SFGATE Managing Editor Katie Dowd contributed to this story.
BOSTON (AP) _ Boston Properties Inc. (BXP) on Monday reported a key measure of profitability in its first quarter. The results exceeded Wall Street expectations.

The real estate investment trust, based in Boston, said it had funds from operations of $286.1 million, or $1.82 per share, in the period.

The average estimate of seven analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for funds from operations of $1.74 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 $143 million, or 91 cents per share.

The real estate investment trust posted revenue of $754.3 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $718.1 million, also beating Street forecasts. Three analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $700.6 million.

Boston Properties expects full-year funds from operations to be $7.40 to $7.50 per share.

The company's shares have increased roughly 2% since the beginning of the year, while the S&P's 500 index has declined 13%. In the final minutes of trading on Monday, shares hit $117.24, a climb of 7% 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 BXP at https://www.zacks.com/ap/BXP
Its no secret that most businesses were hit hard by the pandemic, but lets be real: Little guys suffered more than most.

While corporations like Amazon and Microsoft posted record profits, small-business owners struggled like never before. We dont have as much cash on hand to get us through the rough patches or to weather dips in sales. Some of us had to close vital storefronts or locations where we served our customers. Supply chain issues became dinner-table conversation. And with people out of work, our teams were decimated.

Illness, caring for family, homeschooling children, lack of public transportation, fear; there were many reasons workers stayed home. The result was that employers had no choice but to embrace flexibility. To stay in business, we had to get creative. Its about time.

Normalizing flexibility was overdue

While women were most negatively impacted by the pandemic, Covid only exacerbated the stressors we have always faced in the workplace. Suddenly, all of our invisible work that was put in before, during and after work was impossible to hide  despite our carefully curated Zoom nooks. Childcare, every working womans holy grail, disappeared. School moved home. In the first weeks of the pandemic, those of us who could work from home delighted in background dogs and infants bouncing on knees. The attention given Zoom dads showed a crazy, upside-down blip in the American work ethic that viewed these competitors for workers attention as fun.

The secret? Those dogs, those high school students, those infants, those piles of laundry and unwashed dishes  they were there all along. The pandemic instigated extraordinary stressors, to be sure. But as a business owner, you know that prior to 2019, our workers still were diagnosed with cancer or suffering through divorce. They got flat tires and waited for buses that never arrived. If anything, Covid finally normalized how peoples lives intersect with their work.

Related: Your Employees Expect Schedule Flexibility. Here's How to Give It to Them

Flexibility as a business philosophy

At the core of flexibility is the belief that each one of us wants and needs room to experience the things that bring us joy, we want to prioritize our health and safety, to care for our loved ones and feel cared for, and to contribute meaningfully to our economy and offer our unique gifts and talents to our workplace. While the traditional office or downtown cores may never look the same again, it takes more than laptops and Zoom to fulfill the promise of flexibility. That were all working more now has proved that.

Flexibility isnt a benefit offering; its a philosophy. The question of flexibility is not one about remote vs in-office work. It is a matter of complete trust and letting go of micromanagement. If you approach it as a benefit, equal to unlimited soda or a game room, youll likely fail. Rather, it must become the philosophical underpinning of your operations. I can attest that to make it work, it requires time, money and creativity.

However, what you reap in terms of loyalty, retention and performance far outweighs that effort. Flexibility also opens your talent pool, creating a legitimate draw for exceptional talent and diversifying the types of workers you may pursue.

Related: The Future Workforce Will Need a Workplace Of Trust and Flexibility

Incorporating flexibility into small-business operations

Shifts in the labor market have made flexibility policies a near-necessity to attract prospective hires, but defining what flexibility looks like in practice and adjusting operations to accommodate a new flexibility policy is a challenge for small businesses. Here are some examples of what true flexibility can look like and what it takes.

Full benefits for part-time workers. Yes, this costs more. What it also creates is an environment where caregivers stay in the workforce and workers can tend to their mental and physical health. In some states, such as Washington and California, businesses are aided in part by state-run family leave and sick-leave programs funded by all workers in the state.

Suspend judgment. In my definition of flexibility above, youll note many subjective concepts  joy, health, giving and receiving care. For example, while accommodation of childcare might make sense to one manager, a travel opportunity could be deemed optional while the worker considers it essential to mental health.

Trust your workers to know what they need. What you get to prescribe is what it looks like for them to contribute meaningfully. Someone wants to work a 30-hour week and pick up their kids from school every day. Work together to figure out how to accommodate regularly scheduled meetings, client calls and a good workflow.

Practice saying yes. As entrepreneurs, we can extend our mindset to our operational practices and default to yes when workers express what they need and want. To take a recent example, say an employee has the opportunity to do a house swap in Chile for a year. Shes already working remotely, shell have good internet, and it turns out Chile is in the same time zone. Why say no?

Be proactive and stay open. There are common proactive flexibility policies, and many work well  four-day work weeks, unlimited time off, choose your own schedule, paid leave, health vouchers or stipends and remote work all come to mind. But we all know that what you can never expect will always happen at some point. Which is all the more reason to always focus on retaining incredible talent who will continue to contribute to your company's success.

Copyright 2022 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved
Brunch is the gateway to a good weekend, and no city does it better than Houston. In H-Town, worldly decadence meets Texas-sized portions with a dash of Southern charm at the table. Brunch is defined by its leisurely pace, the company of friends, and bottomless beverages (whether thats a heavily-garnished bloody mary or a fruity mimosa is up to you).

Forget the Sunday scaries and check out these beloved brunch spots in Houston, whether youre in search of a hearty Tex-Mex platter to cure your day after the night before hangover, a New Orleans-style breakfast or a healthier start to the weekend. Read on and you may just discover a new favorite brunch in Houston.

Squable

Houstons own Justin Yu (Theodore Rex) and Bobby Heugel (Anvil) have joined forces with chef Mark Clayton at Squable, a Heights eatery serving a hearty and creative brunch with European-inspired flavors and global influences. Their list of brunch bevvies includes the standards and some creative additions, like the Champagne julep made with mint, strawberry, elderflower, cognac and bubbles; and the spumoni (rum, melon, grapefruit and tonic).

Bijou N. via Yelp

Interesting brunch mashups include the heirloom Oaxacan green polenta, served with crawfish, sauce Americaine and chow chow; the tomato-braised gigante beans with poached eggs, spicy pepper paste and cheddar; and the le brunch burgeran obvious choicetopped with raclette, lardons, an egg and dijonaise, served with fries. Looking for a menu classic? Squable's Dutch baby pancakes served with maple syrup never disappoint.

Find it: 632 W. 19th St., Houston, TX 77008; 832-834-7262

aBouzy

Planning a memorable Houston Mothers Day brunch? Like its name suggests, aBouzy is all about bubblesbut not because its pronounced boozyits aptronymic name is also that of a small French village in the Champagne region. Like youd expect, it has one of the best curated Champagne and wine lists in the country, ranging from by-the-glass options to magnums.

Victoria P. via Yelp

The menu includes a list of French classics: Croque Madame, French onion soup, moules and frites, tuna nicoise saladbut other menu items have a distinctly Texas twist: mini kolaches with fondue, chicken fried steak and eggs, blackened shrimp tacos and the fried oyster wedge salad. This popular restaurant is a prime people-watching spot, too.

Find it: 2300 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098; 713-722-6899

Bloom & Bee

Located inside the elegant Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, Bloom & Bee is a natural destination for bridal and baby showers, Mothers Day and birthday soirees. With its pink upholstered chairs and blush-colored blown-glass ceiling installation, its delicate and feminine, and is (along with the rest of the hotel) an Instagram-worthy backdrop for any occasion.

Polunina A. via Yelp

Touted as offering lighter, healthier fare, Bloom & Bee has a menu of fresh-pressed juices (its glow juice is a blend of carrot, orange and ginger) and fancied-up avocado toast, but dont get it twisteditems like chili-cheese fondue with totopos (read: queso and chips) and lobster eggs Benny with caviar are unarguably indulgent.

Find it: 1600 W. Loop South, Houston, TX 77027; 346-227-5139

Lucilles

Theres so much more to Lucilles than simply a menu of Southern foodits a homage to chef Chris Williamss great-grandmother, Lucille B. Smith, who was a culinary innovator and entrepreneur. The restaurant takes his family recipes and blends them with his classical training: chicken and waffles, grits served with shrimp or catfish, croissant French toast with fried chicken and oxtail tamales all get a boost.

Jazmine B. via Yelp

Bonus: Lucilles is open for brunch on Fridays, too, and offers live music during weekend brunch service.

Find it: 5512 La Branch St., Houston, TX 77004; 713-568-2505

Dish Society

With five locations across Houston (plus one in Katy), local favorite Dish Society takes the pain out of chain restaurants by focusing on sourcing its ingredients locally and making everything from scratch. Self-described as an all-day diner, it offers updated breakfast and lunch classics like BLTs, omelets and pancakes, but its got healthy options, too, like quinoa-stuffed avocados and a crispy chicken kale salad.

Bijou N. via Yelp

Another thing to love about Dish Society: you can enjoy brunch seven days a week.

Find it: at The Galleria and several other Houston locations.

Rosalie

Celebrity chef Chris Cosentino is behind this intimate eatery created in honor of his Italian immigrant great-grandmother, Rosalie, whom he credits with giving him the inspiration to become a chef.

Stephanie P. via Yelp

The menu is full of Italian-American favorites with his nonnas special touch: spaghetti and meatballs in Sunday gravy, arancini, poached eggs and arrabiata sauce on grilled bread and breakfast polenta with your choice of sweet or savory toppings. Houstonians wont go hungry at this newest addition to the city's brunch scene.

Find it: C. Baldwin Hotel, 400 Dallas St., Houston, TX 77002; 713-351-5790
Employees at West Shore Medical Center recently honored Mary Gosset, registered nurse, as employee of the year for 2001. Gosset joined West Shore in 1971 and is a nurse supervisor.

60 YEARS AGO

Wissner is mayor

Ray Wissner, newly elected city commissioner from the seventh district, was named the citys new mayor at last nights commission meeting. The forthcoming term will be the second for Wissner, who served as mayor from 1959-1960 while in an earlier term as commissioner.

Approve school land

Commission approval of annexation of a parcel of Filer Township property, site of a new Manistee Catholic Central high school, was an unopposed feature of last nights session. The property, located directly south of Radio Hill and east of U.S. 31, is in an unplatted area, the city manager pointed out, after reading a petition request for the action from Donald Jennings, attorney for the Manistee Catholic Central Building Association. Manistees approval will become effective only following similar approval of the annexation by the Filer Township board, it was pointed out.

80 YEARS AGO

Consumer registration underway

Applicants for sugar rationing books are urged by the Office of Price Administration to carefully study the application card and have the correct answers when they register May 4-7. A separate application must be made for every person whom a ration book is issued, but only one member of each family unit is to appear at the nearest elementary school to apply for all members of the family.

Magic shows near capacity

Playing before two near-capacity houses, Birch, master magician, entertained Manistee residents on April 30 with a fine selection of illusions as has ever been seen on the local stage. Birch gave two performances here yesterday.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Monday, restoring celebrations of the Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan at the White House after his predecessor scrapped them.

Muslims around the world typically abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan. Its end often means gathering for prayers, visiting family and friends and holding festive meals.

Addressing hundreds of attendees in the East Room, Biden said hed promised as a presidential candidate to bring back marking Eid al-Fitr at the White House  but was forced to hold a virtual celebration last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Today, around the world, weve seen so many Muslims that have been targeted by violence. No one, no one should discriminate against or be oppressed, or be repressed, for their religious beliefs, Biden said. We have to acknowledge that an awful lot of work remains to be done, abroad and here at home. Muslims make our nation stronger every single day, even as they still face real challenges and threats in our society, including targeted violence and Islamophobia.

Presidents have held Eid al-Fitr celebrations since the Clinton administration, until Donald Trump, who didnt hold formal events. He instead released statements marking the holiday, including one in 2020 when Trump said of Muslims we hope they find both comfort and strength in the healing powers of prayer and devotion.

Biden said Monday that he'd recently nominated the first Muslim woman to the federal bench as part of a commitment to build an administration that values diversity and looks like America. He also jokingly compared fasting for Ramadan to his Catholic faith, which he said mandates that he make major sacrifices for Lent including having to go 40 days with "no sweets and no ice cream.

Talib Shareef, Imam of Masjid Muhammad in Washington, known to some as The Nations Mosque," said of the White House gathering, "Being hosted here is an important statement for our nation and for the world."

A statement that Islam is a welcome part of our nation together with all the other faith traditions," Shareef said. And that the highest office in this land is committed to our nation's foundational values and laws protecting religious freedom.

Also addressing the event was first lady Jill Biden, who drew applause by saying that the holiday embodies above all "a joy born from love. Love for our families and for our communities, and for THIS community.
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BRIDGEPORT  They didnt exactly change the world, but a group of students from Park City Magnet School changed the calendar Monday night.

The students, from teacher Erik Johnsons social studies class, successfully lobbied the Board of Education to add Eid al-Fitr as a school holiday beginning with the 2023-24 school year. The group had been working to get Eid added to the Bridgeport school calendar since January.

The Muslim holiday marks the end of Ramadan, a period of daily dawn-to-sunset fasting and reflection. Muslims traditionally celebrate Eid with charitable acts, prayer and celebratory feasting.

Although the day is a fixture on the Muslim calendar, a cross section of religious and secular leaders of various faiths joined the students in urging the board to adopt Eid.

As a lifelong Catholic, there has never been anything more important to me than raising my children in the faith, said Therese LeFever, who represents St. James of Stratford in the group Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut. As a Christian, I am privileged to have my holiest days recognized, and I can fully celebrate them with my family. But this should not be a privilege. This should be a right for all families.

LeFever also presented the board a letter from Bishop Frank Caggiano supporting the addition of Eid to the calendar.

The CONECT group also had organized an online campaign that had generated about 2,850 letters in support of adding Eid.

Michelle Rubel, a cantor at BNai Israel, said she grew up on Long Island, where the schools were closed on the Jewish high holy days. But others were not so lucky, she said.

Forcing (families) to choose makes students feel like an other, she said. That is a feeling that lasts long after the school year ends.

Johnson used his allotted speaking time to address his students, both in the room and watching the meeting remotely.

I told you if we come ready and prepared the community would back us. And here they are, he said.

Addressing the board, he thanked the members for helping teach the students a lesson.

Youve given them the lesson of faith in government, and I can tell you that they are the change we are always hoping for, he said.

Reheen Bangi, one of Johnsons students, described the process the students took to decide on a change topic, craft their argument and present their case to the board. Following a rejection in committee, the students did more research, revised their presentation and tried again, this time getting their proposal advanced to the full board.

We have come a long way in our journey as a class, and we will not give up until Eid is a recognized holiday, he said.

Although most of the two dozen public comments focused on religious equity and diversity, board Chairman John Weldon cautioned the members that state laws were specific when it comes to closing schools on holidays. According to board attorney Floyd Dugas, of Milford-based Berchem Moses, school boards cannot endorse any particular religion, or even religion in general.

In his written opinion, Dugas told the members that they could vote to close schools on a religious holiday for a secular reason, but not for a religious reason.

The most common (reason) would be due to a large number of students who would be out because they are celebrating the holiday, he wrote.

Superintendent Michael Testani said he had researched the absentee rate around Eid in 2019 and 2021 and had noted about a 500-student bump in absenteeism, from 1,399 on June 4, 2019 to 2,070 the following day. Last year there were 2,021 absentees on May 12, compared to 1,512 the following day.

Due to its ties to a lunar calendar, Eid does not fall on the same day each year. Instead it tends to move backward about 10 days each year. The holiday falls on May 3 this year, and by 2027 is expected to be commemorated on March 10.

But, Testani cautioned, in a district the size of Bridgeport, there is a wide variance in absenteeism from day to day, making it hard to determine how many students were absent due to the holiday.

I dont think these numbers really reflect any data, because parents send their children to school, he said. Kids want to go to school.

Last year, Weldon said the board had explicitly stated that students absent due to Eid would not be penalized for missing school.

There would be no tests, no homework on that day, he said. By these numbers, I dont see a mass change in absences from one day to another.

He also wondered about the learning disruption for the 20,000 non-Muslim students who would miss a day of school on a holiday they dont celebrate.

In reply, board member Joseph Sokolovic said Weldons argument actually supported closing the schools.

Theres no tests, no homework, he said. So 20,000 kids pause their education because we cant figure out the calendar in the sense of fairness?

Sokolovic argued that having 95 percent of students in school, but not doing schoolwork constituted a significant disruption that met the definition of a secular reason to close schools.

The rest of the board agreed, ultimately voting 8-0 with Weldon abstaining to add Eid as a school holiday for the 2023-24 school year.

State Sen. Dennis Bradley, who represents the neighborhood that includes Bridgeports Islamic Community Center, welcomed the Muslim community as neighbors and friends and called the group an integral part of Bridgeport.

We have a welcoming tradition as Americans, and the Muslim immigrants coming here now represent the wonderful fabric of this great mosaic, he said.

Speaking before the vote, Bradley said members had a chance to show this wonderful community that the promise of America  to be inclusive and respect everyones individual religious choices  is alive and well in the City of Bridgeport.
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MIAMI (AP)  The premier of the British Virgin Islands on Monday demanded his immediate release from U.S. custody, arguing he is immune from prosecution on cocaine-smuggling charges because he is the elected, constitutional head of government of the British overseas territory.

An attorney for Andrew Fahie made the request in a filing with Miami federal court.

Fahie, 51, was arrested last week during a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration sting as he was preparing to board a private jet in Miami.

According to a criminal complaint, Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard, his ports director, had been at the airport to meet who they thought were Mexican drug traffickers but in reality were undercover DEA agents. In the criminal complaint, Maynard refers to Fahie as a little crook sometimes who wouldn't hesitate to profit from a plan cooked up with the help of self-proclaimed Lebanese Hezbollah operatives to move mass quantities of cocaine and drug proceeds through the Caribbean island.

The shock arrest roiled the British Virgin Islands, where Fahie was already facing allegations of widespread corruption, and seemed to bolster calls to suspend the constitution for two years to clean up government and return to home rule by officials from London.

Fahie's attorney declined to comment and in her two-page filing didn't provide details about her client's immunity claim. Fahie, who also serves as the finance minister, was said to have traveled to Miami to attend a conference for the cruise industry and ahead of his departure had appointed a deputy to act as premier in his absence.

But any battle to assert immunity is likely to face numerous obstacles.

Immunity doesnt protect you if youre on your own private boondoggle, said Dick Gregorie, a former federal prosecutor in Miami who in the 1980s indicted the prime minister of Turks & Caicos, another British colony, on drug charges and then Panamanian strongman Gen. Manuel Noriega.

Still, prosecutions of foreign officials are rare and going after the Caribbean islands top elected official would certainly have been greenlighted at the highest levels of the U.S. Justice Department and State Department given the potential impact.

For example, federal prosecutors in New York waited for Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez to step down this year before indicting him on allegations of drug trafficking that first came to light in the trial of his brother.

This isnt done willy-nilly. Prosecutors are clearly very confident in the evidence, said Gregorie.

The string of islands of 35,000 people east of Puerto Rico is currently under a 2007 constitution giving it limited self-governance.

Gov. John Rankin, who is Queen Elizabeth II's representative to the islands and its ultimate executive authority, said the arrests prompted him to release  earlier than originally intended  a report by a commission of inquiry launched in January 2021 to investigate allegations of widespread government fraud.

Gov. Rankin said the inquiry concluded that millions of dollars were spent on projects, some of them linked to allies of the premier, that were abandoned or found to be of no public benefit.

Some of them were, on their face, false, the governor said.

The commission had concluded that unless the most urgent and drastic steps are taken, the current situation with elected officials deliberately ignoring the tenants of good governance will go on indefinitely, Rankin told the televised news conference.
Firefighters operate at an oil refinery which caught fire following a missile attack near the port city of Odesa, amid the ongoing Russia's invasion, in Ukraine, April 3. Reuters-Yonhap





Russia's defense ministry said Sunday it had struck at weapons supplied to Ukraine by the United States and European countries and destroyed a runway at a military airfield near the Ukrainian city of Odesa.







The ministry said it used high-precision Onyx missiles to strike the airfield, after Ukraine accused Russia of knocking out a newly-constructed runway at the main airport of Odesa.







Odesa regional governor Maksym Marchenko said Russia had used a Bastion missile, launched from Crimea.






Laredo City Council will meet Monday evening along with requests from councilmembers to discuss a possible explanation that occurred with three recent waterline breaks, the expansion of the World Trade Bridge and a city-wide event hosted at Uni-Trade Stadium.

A request by Councilmember Ruben A Gutierrez Jr. will look into an explanation of what the cause of the three waterline breaks were which occurred mid- to late-April in the Gateway City and its surrounding area.

Another request made by Gutierrez is why council is not receiving information about waterline breaks, criminal activity, major accidents and more.

From Councilmember Dr. Marte A. Martinez comes a request for the discussion of possible action to explore the viability of delegating control of the citys water and sewer system away from a city-owned utility, managed by an independent board of trustees, as any other matters will be brought up as well.

A stand out from the consent agenda is to accommodate increasing traffic volumes, as the World Trade Bridge is expected to ratify the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding between both local governments which include the City of Laredo and Gobierno del Estado de Tamaulipas.

Currently there is no sitting or interim city attorney, and the city is being counseled by Bojorquez Law Firm, which Interim City Manager Samuel Keith Selman is expected to pay upwards of $95,000 in a contractual agreement. The firm has currently been paid almost $25k for their services.

A presentation of the possible actions on the Bi-National River Park are expected to take place, and the expected hosting of a Fourth of July event at Uni-Trade Stadium is being considered as well.

Uni-Trade has been known to host a fireworks display before, but the stadium had to go under repairs for some time to fix major issues. Tecolotes general manager Cuitlahuac Rodriguez confirmed previously to Laredo Morning Times that the repairs were completed.

There is still no word what kind of event is expected to take place, but Independence Park and the Sisters of Mercy waterpark are expected to host a fireworks display July 3 at Independence Park and July 4 at the waterpark.

editorial@lmtonline.com
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP)  DNA from a coyote that bit a girl on Southern California's Huntington Beach last week matched samples from one of two coyotes shot and killed following the attack, authorities said Monday.

The 2-year-old child was hospitalized with bites to her head and face that were not considered life-threatening after she was attacked near the Huntington Beach Pier last Thursday night.

Huntington Beach police responded and shot two coyotes found in the coastal area south of Los Angeles, police Lt. Shawn Randell said.

Samples taken from the girl's wounds were used to confirm that the animal that bit her had been killed, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Patrick Foy said.

The girl was with her mother on the sand when she wandered a mere few feet and was attacked, Foy said last week.

The coyote came out of the dark, hit and knocked over the girl and attacked her for 12 seconds before her cry alerted adults and the animal ran off, Foy said.

However, it stayed around, pacing, before finally fleeing, Foy said.

The family did nothing to antagonize the coyote, he added.

Coyotes are found almost everywhere in California, including cities, and authorities have long warned that small children and pets can be at risk. Last year, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife began workshops to help communities deal with coyotes because of an increase in the number conflicts with people.

Foy said coyotes usually are shy and try to avoid humans. He estimated there are only about 10 to 12 attacks per year around the state, mostly involving smaller children but full-grown adults were attacked in a few cases.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Poland urged its European Union partners on Monday to unite and impose sweeping sanctions on Russia's oil and natural gas sectors over the war in Ukraine, and not to cave in to pressure to pay for their gas in Russian rubles.

The appeal came as EU ministers met in Brussels to discuss their response to Russias decision last week to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. Energy giant Gazprom says the two countries failed to pay their bills in April.

We will call for immediate sanctions on Russian oil and gas. This is the next, and urgent, and absolute step," Polish Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa said. We already have coal. Now its time for oil, and (the) second step is for gas. The best option is take them all together.

The EU has hit Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, companies and other organizations with rafts of sanctions since Moscow ordered an invasion of Ukraine in February. The commission is working on a sixth round of measures, possibly including oil restrictions, and could announce them this week.

The measures would have to be approved by the member countries, which could take several days.

In a move last week branded in Europe as blackmail, Russian energy giant Gazprom cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. It came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that unfriendly countries must start paying for gas in rubles, Russias currency.

Bulgaria and Poland have refused to do so, like most EU countries. More Gazprom bills are due on May 20, and the bloc is wary that Russia might turn off more taps then. Russia rejects the claims of blackmail.

Both countries informed the ministers that consumers and industry face no immediate supply risk.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson warned that Gazproms action clearly shows that they are not reliable suppliers and that means all the member states have to have plans in place for full disruption to their supplies.

The 27-nation EU imports around 40% of the gas it consumes from Russia. But some member countries, notably Hungary and Slovakia, are more heavily dependent on Russian supplies than others, and support for a gradual phasing in of an oil embargo is emerging.

Germany believes it could cope if supplies of Russian oil were cut off by Moscow. Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Russian oil now accounts for 12% of total imports, down from 35% before the war, and most of it goes to the Schwedt refinery near Berlin.

Germany is not against an oil ban from Russia. Of course it is a heavy load to bear, but we are ready to do that," Habeck told reporters. He said that a few more weeks or months to find oil transporting ships, and to better prepare harbors and pipelines would be useful.

Time is helpful but I think other countries have bigger problems, and as I have asked for solidarity or understanding of the German situation, I am also of course willing to understand the maybe more difficult situation for other countries," he said.

The bulk of Monday's meeting focused on shoring up gas supplies and not giving in to Putin's demand that companies pay for gas in rubles. Around 97% of European contracts have been concluded in euros or dollars.

The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, has warned that companies ceding to pressure to convert euros to rubles through two accounts at Gazprombank would be in contravention of the blocs sanctions.

French Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili, whose country holds the EUs rotating presidency until the end of next month, said all countries agreed that we should implement the sanctions and respect the contracts. And the contracts clearly say payment in euros.

Despite the pressure, Europe does have some leverage in the dispute since it pays Russia $400 million a day for gas, a huge dent in Moscow's coffers should it opt for a complete cutoff.

___

Frank Jordans in Berlin and Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Monday unveiled his first television ad buy of his reelection bid, marking an uptick in activity in the governors race that comes on the heels of other large advertising buys by Republicans in recent weeks.

Millionaire businessman Tim Michels, who got into the race last week, launched a nearly $1 million television ad campaign. He hasnt run for office since a failed U.S. Senate bid in 2004. A super PAC supporting Kevin Nicholson, who ran for U.S. Senate in 2018 but lost in the Republican primary, ran around $1 million worth of ads supporting him in April. Another Nicholson group last fall spent around $1 million on ads before he was officially a candidate.

Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who polls show is leading the GOP race, has run three different TV spots since January for a total in the six figures, according to her campaign. State Rep. Timothy Ramthun, another GOP candidate, has not run any TV ads.

The winner of the Aug. 9 primary will advance to face Evers in November.

Evers committed $3.5 million in television ad spending until the August primary, said his campaign spokesman Sam Roecker.

Evers, at an event where he was endorsed by the Wisconsin Laborers District Council, said he wasn't reacting to spending by his Republican challengers.

I don't take anything for granted, Evers said. This wasn't a response to ads or money on the other side.

Evers ad is positive, noting the states low unemployment rate and a middle-class tax cut that Evers signed in the last budget that was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature. He doesn't refer to any of the Republican candidates or attacks they've made against him.

The ad says that Evers worked with Republicans and Democrats to pass the $2 billion income tax cut, but Evers rarely meets with GOP legislative leaders and they have complained about Evers taking credit for the tax cut written by Republicans. The Republican co-chairs of the Legislatures budget committee called it laughable for Evers to take credit for the tax cut when he signed the budget last year.

The GOP-controlled Legislature killed more than $1 billion in tax increases Evers proposed in the last budget that primarily would have fallen on manufacturers and the wealthy.

The ad also mentions the more than $1 billion in federal coronavirus relief money that was awarded to the state that Evers directed toward small businesses. The Legislature fought with Evers over control of the money, but Evers vetoed bills that would have given lawmakers a say in how its spent.

Folks, theres too much division in politics today, Evers said into the camera. Thats why Im focused on bringing people together to get the results that matter.

Evers said at the labor endorsement event that while he almost never speaks with Republican legislative leaders, he does work with other GOP lawmakers.

I sign bipartisan bills and we'll keep working, he said.

Kleefisch campaign spokesman Alec Zimmerman dismissed the Evers ad as revisionist history" that doesn't address issues that voters care most about, including inflation, crime and how Evers responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.

___

The story has been updated to correct that ads from the super PAC supporting Kevin Nicholson ran in April.
CAVALIER, N.D. (AP)  Excessive rainfall has caused flooding in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota where roads are closed and at least one small community is surrounded by water.

Neche, with a population of about 380, has become an island with the Pembina River cresting at 21.7 feet (661 centimeters), according to Pembina County Emergency Management spokeswoman Rebecca Flanders.

It's anticipated that the water level in Neche will be consistent for the next several days to a week, Flanders said.

About 16 miles to the south, officials asked residents in some parts of Cavalier to evacuate their homes due to the rising water.

The Pembina County Sheriff's Office says some areas will become inundated, and residents may be unable to leave due to flooded streets.

Cavalier Mayor Lacey Hinkle said Monday a few people left their homes and moved to higher ground. Sandbagging continued around local businesses, Hinkle said.

Cavalier, the largest city in Pembina County with about 1,100 residents, is about 80 miles (128.7 kilometers) northwest of Grand Forks.

The region received between 1.5 inches (38 millimeters) and 2 inches (50.8 millimeters) of rain between Friday and Sunday as did Thief River Falls and Crookston in northwestern Minnesota.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning Monday for Willow Creek near Willow City affecting McHenry and Bottineau counties and for the Red Lake River at Crookston, Minnesota.

Heavy rainfall has continued to cause rising levels on rivers within the Red Lake basin, the weather service said.

Roads remain closed in many locations due to flooding, including portions of Highways 54 and 18, as well as the Sorlie Bridge and the Point Bridge in Grand Forks.

In Pembina near the Canadian border, water is touching Interstate 29, but has not covered the road, according to emergency management officials. Sand is being delivered to the area and high school students will be volunteering to fill sand bags on Tuesday and Wednesday.
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JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A Mississippi lawmaker who was a longtime leader in working to remove a Confederate symbol from the state flag said Monday she is stepping down to take a job with an advocacy group.

Democratic Rep. Sonya Williams-Barnes of Gulfport said her last day in the state House will be Sunday. The next day, she will begin work as Mississippi policy director for the Southern Poverty Law Center.

Williams-Barnes, 53, said the center supports many of the issues she has supported in office, including protection of voting rights and public education. She was first elected in November 2011 and took office in January 2012.

All of the things I have been passionate about as a legislator, I will be able to continue to do," she told The Associated Press.

Williams-Barnes said her most rewarding times as a legislator included restoring voting rights for people who had lost them because of disenfranchising crimes. Under Mississippi law, legislators must vote to restore those rights person by person. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed automatic restoration of voting rights for people whose crimes are expunged.

Williams-Barnes said she is grateful to her constituents in coastal Harrison County.

I am not leaving them, she said. I am choosing another path to continue my service to those in my district as well as throughout the state of Mississippi.

Republican Gov. Tate Reeves will set a special election to fill the rest of the term, which ends in January 2024.

Williams-Barnes said she qualified to run for the House a week after the sudden death of her mother, the Rev. RoseMary Hayes-Williams. Williams-Barnes, who is vice president of her family-run funeral home, said her mother had encouraged her to run.

Williams-Barnes has been an advocate of equal pay for equal work by women and men. She was a sponsor of the Dignity for Incarcerated Women bill Reeves signed into law in 2021. Among other things, the law bans the use of restraints on women giving birth in prisons or jails.

Williams-Barnes was chairwoman of the Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus from 2014 to 2017. She led several other Black lawmakers in boycotting the Southern Legislative Conference meeting on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2017 to bring pressure on Mississippi to change the flag that prominently featured the Confederate battle emblem.

Mississippi lawmakers voted to retire the old flag in the summer of 2020, as protests were happening in the state and nation over racial injustice after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Knowing I was able to make a major play in changing of our state flag probably was one of those times I would say my beloved mother looked down and said, Thats my girl," Williams-Barnes said Monday.
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ATLANTA (AP)  After three Republican primary debates in Georgia's governor's race, a few things are clear: Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue wants the May 24 primary to be about the 2020 election, incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp wants the election to be about his record, and when in doubt any Republican should say they're the one to beat Democrat Stacey Abrams in the fall.

Sunday's debate sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club was a little different, with candidates Kandiss Taylor, Catherine Davis and Tom Williams included after the two earlier debates featured only Kemp and Perdue.

Polls show Perdue significantly behind Kemp, raising the chance the incumbent could clear 50% in May and avoid a possible June 21 runoff. While Perdue landed some licks on Kemp, especially in the April 24 debate, its unclear if the clashes have changed voters' minds.

The debates come as voting begins in the May 24 primary. Some counties are already mailing absentee ballots, and early in-person voting begins Monday.

Here's a look at some of the themes from the debates:

ELECTIONS AT CENTER STAGE

At times, the other candidates ganged up Sunday with Perdue to attack Kemp on elections and blame him for paving the way for Democratic control in Washington, a theme Perdue has been hammering.

Brian Kemp gave us Joe Biden. He gave us the troubles we're seeing in Georgia, Williams said, even though Biden would have been elected president without winning Georgia.

Kemp continued to push back, saying he followed the law requiring that he certify the election. He sought to reassure Republican voters that he had solved problems with the restrictive election law Georgia passed and Kemp signed in 2021.

I was as frustrated as anyone else with the 2020 election results, Kemp said. And I actually did something about working with the Georgia General Assembly to address those issues.

Federal and state election officials and Donald Trumps own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence the election was tainted. The former presidents allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by courts, including by judges Trump appointed.

KEMP STANDS ON HIS RECORD

Kemp emphasizes his achievements, including raising teacher and state employee pay, cutting taxes and quickly lifting restrictions after Georgias brief COVID-19 lockdown.

Ive done all that I said I would do when I was campaigning in 2018, Kemp said.

Perdue mounted a stronger defense of his senatorial record on Sunday, saying Kemp was taking credit for projects financed by federal money Perdue helped secure.

We got the port deepened after 20 years of career politicians trying to get it deepened, Perdue said of Savannah. We brought the cyber warfare headquarters of the Army to Fort Gordon. We got disaster relief for the farmers in south Georgia.

WHEN IN DOUBT, MENTION STACEY

When asked if they would support the Republican nominee Sunday, even if it's not them, several of the candidates turned the question into a discourse against Abrams.

Kemp and Perdue mentioned Abrams 19 times in the second debate, leading Abrams to tweet Clearly, I live in their heads rent free.

Invoking fear of Abrams has been a constant throughout the debates, using a fear of her election to motivate Republicans, and it continued Sunday.

You better win this race right now because if Stacey Abrams wins this race, we will not win a Senate majority this year and we will not win the presidency in 2024, Perdue said Sunday.

But Davis said the constant discussion of Abrams was taking away from an honest look at the Republicans.

Stacey Abrams is not the standard by which the voters should measure the next governor, Davis said. You've turned her into the bogeyman. The way you get rid of a bogeyman is to turn the lights on.

EDUCATION FINALLY SHOWS UP

Education had been mentioned only in passing in the first two debates, although on Sunday candidates fielded multiple questions about public schools.

Kemp was questioned about whether bills he signed that are meant to prevent the teaching of divisive concepts would deter people from becoming teachers.

Thats what people want..., Kemp said. Theyre worried about their children and what theyre being taught in the classroom.

He also touted the $5,000 pay raise that he pushed through for teachers in two steps.

But other candidates focused on doing more to prevent ideology from infiltrating the classroom.

The No. 1 thing we can do for our teachers, our parents and most of our children is just get the woke mob out of our schools in Georgia, Perdue said.

IT'S PERSONAL

Perdue and Kemp showed real dislike for each other, repeatedly calling each other liars in the first two contests.

I'm just telling you the worst mistake I ever made, was getting Donald Trumps endorsement for this man, Perdue said Thursday at WTOC-TV in Savannah.

Kemp retorted multiple times that Perdue was attacking him because he had no record of his own, saying it was Perdue's fault that he had lost his reelection bid to Democrat Jon Ossoff in the 2021 runoff.

The reason everybody here tonight is looking in the rearview mirror is because they dont have a record to win in the future," Kemp said Sunday.

___

Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
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ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Monday his main campaign committee raised $2.7 million in the period that ended April 30, giving him $10.7 million in cash as the May 24 Republican primary approaches.

Kemp's main campaign committee, like other sitting state officials, is barred from raising money while state lawmakers are meeting, meaning Kemp raised the money in the 26 days following the April 4 end of the session.

The $10.7 million in cash on hand is down from $12.7 million as of Jan. 31, reflecting Kemp's heavy spending as he tries to fend off a primary challenge from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue and other Republicans. The campaign said in March that Kemp would spend $4.2 million on television advertising alone before the primary.

None of Kemp's Republican primary rivals, who also include Kandiss Taylor, Catherine Davis and Tom Williams, have yet filed reports or announced totals. Reports are due later this week.

Perdue has struggled to tap the same network of big donors that sustained his two Senate runs, despite his endorsement by former President Donald Trump. After having less than $1 million in cash on hand at the end of January, Perdue hinted he would crack his own $50 million fortune to try to keep up with Kemp's spending.

Trump hosted a fundraiser for Perdue at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, where contributors had to give $3,000 to attend. A picture with Trump meant contributing $24,200, the maximum individual contribution for Georgia in this election cycle, including a primary, general election and two possible runoffs. The results of that fundraiser will show up in Perdue's report this week.

Kemp campaign manager Bobby Saparow predicted that totals would show Kemp has continued to build a fundraising advantage.

The momentum is with our campaign, and we will continue to outwork our competition to secure wins in May and November, Saparow said in a statement.

The Republican nominee will face Democrat Stacey Abrams, who displayed her fundraising power by raking in $9.25 million in December and January.

The totals don't count Kemp's leadership committee, a special state fundraising vehicle that allowed the governor to collect unlimited contributions and coordinate spending with his campaign. Both Perdue and Abrams sued over the committee, saying it was unfair that Kemp could take in large amounts while Perdue and Abrams were barred until they won their party primaries.

After an earlier ruling that Kemp could not spend money from the committee against Perdue, U.S. District Judge Mark Cohen ruled last week that 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.

___

Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Republican governor candidate Tim Michels defended his Wisconsin ties saying Monday he still votes and spends most of his time in the state, after a published report revealed his extensive real estate holdings on the East Coast and that his children attended high school there.

Michels went on talk radio to address a report by conservative website Wisconsin Right Now that detailed more than $30 million in properties Michels had bought in New York and Connecticut between 2015 and 2020. The report also showed that his children attended and graduated from high school on the East Coast between 2013 and 2021.

Michels is in a four-way Republican race for governor. The winner of the Aug. 9 primary will advance to face Democrat Tony Evers.

Michels, who entered the governors race last week, said in an interview Monday with conservative talk radio host Dan O'Donnell that he has lived in Wisconsin the minimum 183 days a year to maintain residency, both for voting and paying taxes. He lived a majority of 2015 in New York and paid taxes there that year, he said.

Michels has paid more than $11.2 million in personal income taxes in Wisconsin over the past 10 years, including $7.8 million over the past five years, his campaign said.

To run for a governor, a candidate must be a qualified voter in Wisconsin. Records maintained by the Wisconsin Elections Commission show Michels has voted in Wisconsin regularly over the past decade, including both in-person and absentee.

Michels said the only time he voted absentee was to cast a ballot early from Wisconsin.

Ive never dropped a ballot in the mail from any other state, he said.

Michels said his family decided to buy property in New York City after his construction business, Michels Corp., won a $201 million contract for subway work there in 2013. That project ended in 2016.

We did the right thing for our family, Michels said. I did the right thing for the company. But Ive always been a Wisconsin resident. I go where duty calls, where things are tough."

Michels played up his Wisconsin roots at a launch event that he said was just down the street from where he grew up in Dodge County. He still owns a home in Hartland, in Waukesha County, and uses that address to vote. In 2020, Michels bought a $17 million home in Greenwich, Connecticut, and still owns the Manhattan penthouse he bought in 2015 for $8.7 million.

We probably could have moved back a few years ago, Michels said in the radio interview, but he said they did not want to disrupt their daughters senior year in high school. She graduated from a New York high school in 2019, according to the Wisconsin Right Now report.

Michels also mentioned that his son, now a freshman at Dartmouth, was a competitive sailor in high school and a top collegiate recruit.

There's some very competitive sailing out on the east coast in Connecticut, some would say the most competitive, and it worked," Michels said. "He was, arguably, I don't think anyone could poke a hole in it, one of the top three recruits in the country last year.

Michels Corp. won another $100 million project in Brooklyn, after the subway one was completed, which also required him to be on site a lot, Michels said. He did not say if that project was ongoing and if he continues to split his time between Wisconsin and the East Coast. His campaign spokesman, Chris Walker, said he was looking into it.

Im the guy on the ballot. Im the one that is running for governor because I cant take it anymore, Michels said in the radio interview. Anybody who is trying to portray my family as being anything other than genuine Wisconsin hardworking people  its just plain politics.
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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel is holding some 600 Palestinian detainees without charge or trial, the highest number since 2016, an Israeli rights group said Monday.

Israel says it uses so-called administrative detention to thwart attacks and to hold dangerous militants without revealing sensitive intelligence. Palestinians and rights groups say the system is widely abused and denies due process, with some detainees held for months or years without seeing the evidence against them.

HaMoked, an Israeli rights group that regularly gathers figures from prison authorities, said that as of May there were 604 detainees held in administrative detention. Nearly all are Palestinians, as administrative detention is very rarely used against Jews.

HaMoked says 2,441 Palestinians are serving sentences after being convicted in military courts. Another 1,478 detainees are being held for questioning, have been charged and are awaiting trial, or are currently being tried.

Israel has seen a wave of attacks in recent weeks that have killed at least 15 people. It has carried out arrest raids across the occupied West Bank that it says are aimed at preventing more. Those operations have ignited violent protests and gunbattles.

At least 29 Palestinians have been killed, according to an Associated Press tally. Most were killed after carrying out attacks or during clashes with Israeli forces, but an unarmed woman and two people who appear to have been bystanders were also killed.

The last time Israel held this many administrative detainees, in October 2016, was also in the wake of a surge in violence, including stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks carried out by Palestinians.

Administrative detention is used only when the security forces have credible and well-established information of an actual security threat posed by the detainee, and when other avenues to remove the threat are not feasible, the army said in a statement.

Israel says all administrative detention orders are subject to judicial review. Detainees can appeal to a military court of appeals or Israelis Supreme Court, but rights groups say the courts overwhelmingly defer to the security establishment.

Jessica Montell, the director of HaMoked, said violence does not justify detaining hundreds of people for months or years without charge.

Its like an assembly line of administrative detention, far in excess of what can be justified under international law," she said, which only allows preventive detention under rare circumstances for a limited period of time.

Those held could include dangerous militants, but also cases of mistaken identity. A teenager with a rare neuromuscular disorder has been held in administrative detention for over a year.

We have no idea what theyre suspected of, and many of them also have no idea what actually are the allegations against them, because its entirely based on secret evidence," Montell said.

Several Palestinians in administrative detention have gone on prolonged hunger strikes in protest, with many developing lifelong health issues. Administrative detainees and their lawyers have boycotted Israeli military court proceedings since the start of this year in protest. The courts are holding hearings without them, according to B'Tselem, another prominent Israeli rights group.

The West Bank has been under Israeli military rule since Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state.

The territory's nearly 3 million Palestinian residents are subject to Israel's military justice system, while the nearly 500,000 Jewish settlers living alongside them have Israeli citizenship and are subject to civilian courts.
A child emerges from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine, during U.N.-led evacuations, after nearly two months of siege warfare on the city by Russia, in this still image from a video released May 1. Reuters-Yonhap





A long-awaited evacuation of civilians from a besieged steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol began Sunday, as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed that she visited Ukraine's president to show unflinching American support for the country's defense against Russia's invasion.







Video posted online by Ukrainian forces showed elderly women and mothers with small children bundled in winter clothing being helped as they climbed a steep pile of debris from the sprawling Azovstal steel plant's rubble, and then eventually boarded a bus.







Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more than 100 civilians, primarily women and children, were expected to arrive in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, Monday.







''Today, for the first time in all the days of the war, this vitally needed (humanitarian) corridor has started working,'' he said in a pre-recorded address published on his Telegram messaging app channel.







The Mariupol City Council said on Telegram that the evacuation of civilians from other parts of the city would begin Monday morning. People fleeing Russian-occupied areas in the past have described their vehicles being fired on, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russian forces of shelling evacuation routes on which the two sides had agreed.







Later Sunday, one of the plant's defenders said Russian forces resumed shelling the plant as soon as the evacuation of a group of civilians was completed.







Denys Shlega, the commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraine's National Guard, said in a televised interview Sunday night that several hundred civilians remain trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and ''numerous'' dead bodies.







''Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant,'' Shlega said. ''We need one or two more rounds of evacuation.''







An aide to Mariupol's mayor also reported renewed shelling. ''The cannonade is such that even (on the opposite side of the river) the houses are shaking,'' Petro Andryushenko wrote in a Telegram post.







As many as 100,000 people may still be in blockaded Mariupol, including up to 1,000 civilians hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the Soviet-era steel plant  the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.







Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov, is a key target because of its strategic location near the Crimea Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014.







DPR People's Militia servicemen are seen by a bus at a temporary accommodation facility in the village of Bezymennoye that came under the control of the Donetsk People's Republic, where evacuated Mariupol residents were being taken to, May 1. TASS-Yonhap





U.N. humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu said civilians who have been stranded for nearly two months would receive immediate humanitarian support, including psychological services, once they arrive in Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol.







Mariupol has seen some of the worst suffering. A maternity hospital was hit with a lethal Russian airstrike in the opening weeks of the war, and about 300 people were reported killed in the bombing of a theater where civilians were taking shelter.







A Doctors Without Borders team was at a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, in preparation for the U.N. convoy's arrival. Stress, exhaustion and low food supplies have likely weakened civilians trapped underground at the plant.







Ukrainian regiment Deputy Commander Sviatoslav Palamar, meanwhile, called for the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian fighters as well as civilians. ''We don't know why they are not taken away, and their evacuation to the territory controlled by Ukraine is not being discussed,'' he said in a video posted Saturday on the regiment's Telegram channel.






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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Israel on Monday lashed out at Russia over unforgivable comments by its foreign minister about Nazism and antisemitism  including claims that Adolf Hitler was Jewish. Israel, which summoned the Russian ambassador in response, said the remarks blamed Jews for their own murder in the Holocaust.

It was a steep decline in the ties between the two countries at a time when Israel has sought to stake out a cautious position between Russia and Ukraine and remain in Russias good stead for its security needs in the Middle East.

Asked in an interview with an Italian news channel about Russian claims that it invaded Ukraine to denazify the country, Sergey Lavrov said that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures, including the countrys president, were Jewish.

So when they say How can Nazification exist if were Jewish? In my opinion, Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it doesnt mean absolutely anything. For some time we have heard from the Jewish people that the biggest antisemites were Jewish," he said, speaking to the station in Russian, dubbed over by an Italian translation.

In some of the harshest remarks since the start of the war in Ukraine, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called Lavrov's statement unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error.

The Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust, said Lapid, the son of a Holocaust survivor. The lowest level of racism against Jews is to blame Jews themselves for antisemitism.

Later, Lapid said Israel makes every effort to have good relations with Russia. "But there's a limit and this limit has been crossed this time. The government of Russia needs to apologize to us and to the Jewish people, he said.

An Israeli official confirmed late Monday that Russia's ambassador, Anatoly Viktorov, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a diplomatic matter, said that Israel stated its position and that the sides agreed not to elaborate.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who has been more measured in his criticism of Russia's invasion, also condemned Lavrov's comments.

His words are untrue and their intentions are wrong, he said. Using the Holocaust of the Jewish people as a political tool must cease immediately."

Israels Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem called the remarks absurd, delusional, dangerous and deserving of condemnation.

Lavrov is propagating the inversion of the Holocaust  turning the victims into the criminals on the basis of promoting a completely unfounded claim that Hitler was of Jewish descent, it said in a statement.

Equally serious is calling the Ukrainians in general, and President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy in particular, Nazis. This, among other things, is a complete distortion of the history and an affront to the victims of Nazism.

In Germany, government spokesman Steffen Hebstreit said the Russian governments propaganda efforts werent worthy of comment, calling them absurd.

Nazism has featured prominently in Russias war aims and narrative as it fights in Ukraine. In his bid to legitimize the war to Russian citizens, President Vladimir Putin has portrayed the battle as a struggle against Nazis in Ukraine, even though the country has a democratically elected government and a Jewish president whose relatives were killed in the Holocaust.

Ukraine also condemned Lavrov's remarks.

By trying to rewrite history, Moscow is simply looking for arguments to justify the mass murders of Ukrainians, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Lavrov's remarks exposed the deeply-rooted antisemitism of the Russian elites.

World War II, in which the Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people and helped defeat Nazi Germany, is a linchpin of Russias national identity. Repeatedly reaching for the historical narrative that places Russia as a savior against evil forces has helped the Kremlin rally Russians around the war.

Israel gained independence in the wake of the Holocaust and has served as a refuge for the world's Jews. Over 70 years later, the Holocaust remains central to its national ethos and it has positioned itself at the center of global efforts to remember the Holocaust and combat antisemitism. Israel is home to a shrinking population of 165,000 Holocaust survivors, most in their 80s and 90s, and last week the country marked its annual Holocaust memorial day.

But those aims sometimes clash with its other national interests. Russia has a military presence in neighboring Syria, and Israel, which carries out frequent strikes on enemy targets in the country, relies on Russia for security coordination to prevent their forces from coming into conflict with one another. That has forced Israel to tread lightly in its criticism of the war in Ukraine.

While it has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and expressed support for its people, Israel has been measured in its criticism of Russia. It has not joined international sanctions against Russia or provided military aid to Ukraine.

That paved the way for Bennett to be able to try to mediate between the sides, an effort which appears to have stalled as Israel deals with its own internal unrest.

The Holocaust and the constant manipulation of its history during the conflict has sparked outrage in Israel before.

In a speech to Israeli legislators in March, Zelenskyy compared Russias invasion of his country to the actions of Nazi Germany, accusing Putin of trying to carry out a final solution against Ukraine. The comparisons drew an angry condemnation from Yad Vashem, which said Zelenskyy was trivializing the Holocaust.

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Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
DENVER (AP)  The father of JonBenet Ramsey is supporting an online petition asking Colorados governor to intervene in the investigation into her death more than 25 years ago by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case.

The 6-year-old was found dead in the basement of her familys home in Boulder on Dec. 26, 1996, bludgeoned and strangled, several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted.

John Ramsey said he wants DNA evidence that was never tested before to be transferred away from Boulder police to a different agency, KUSA-TV reported Sunday.

Somehow weve got to force the police, or take it away from them, the ability to go ahead and test some of the crime scene evidence that was never tested for DNA, he said. Why thats never been done and will never be done by the police baffles me.

The petition notes that advancements in DNA and the use of genetic genealogy is leading to the solving of more cold case around the country. It criticizes the Boulder Police Department for not doing enough to use DNA to solve the case, noting that the department said at the time of the 25th anniversary of JonBenets death that it was actively reviewing genetic DNA testing processes to see if those could be applied to the case.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Gov. Jared Polis said The State will review the petition and look into how the state can assist in using new technology to further investigate this cold case and to identify JonBenet Ramseys killer. The statement did not address the involvement of Boulder police.

Meanwhile, the Boulder Police Department said it has been working with state law enforcement agencies and the FBI, on the investigation and that DNA from the case is regularly checked for any new matches. As of December, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation has updated over 750 DNA samples from the investigation with the latest DNA technology, the department said in a statement.

We have a shared goal to bring justiceand hopefully some peaceto JonBenets family and everyone who was impacted by her loss, Police Chief Maris Herold said in the statement.

The police department was criticized for its initial handling of the investigation into the death of JonBenet, who had competed in beauty pageants.

The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet from the pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States, unleashing a series of true-crime books and TV specials.

While the district attorney at the time of JonBenets death said her parents were under an umbrella of suspicion early on, tests in 2008 on newly discovered DNA on her clothing pointed to the involvement of an unexplained third party in her slaying, and not her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, or their son, Burke. That led former district attorney Mary Lacy to clear the Ramseys of any involvement, two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer, calling the couple victims of this crime.
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An Oklahoma judge ruled Monday that a lawsuit seeking reparations for the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre can proceed, bringing new hope for some measure of justice for three survivors of the deadly racist rampage who are now over 100 years old and were in the courtroom for the decision.

Tulsa County District Court Judge Caroline Wall ruled against a motion to dismiss the suit filed by civil rights attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons in 2020. The Tulsa-based attorney said after Wall announced her ruling that it is critical for living survivors Lessie Benningfield Randle, 107, Viola Fletcher, 107, and Hughes Van Ellis, 101.

We want them to see justice in their lifetime, he said, choking back tears. Ive seen so many survivors die in my 20-plus years working on this issue. I just dont want to see the last three die without justice. Thats why the time is of the essence.

The packed courtroom, which Wall noted may have been over capacity, erupted in cheers and tears after she handed down her ruling.

Solomon-Simmons sued under Oklahoma's public nuisance law, saying the actions of the white mob that killed hundreds of Black residents and destroyed what had been the nations most prosperous Black business district continue to affect the city today. The lawsuit also seeks reparations for descendants of victims of the massacre.

In public nuisance cases, it is clear either criminal acts or destruction of personal property constitute a nuisance, said Eric Miller, a Loyola Marymount University law professor working with the plaintiffs. Miller said that racial and economic disparities resulting from the massacre continue to this day.

Chamber of Commerce attorney John Tucker said the massacre was horrible, but the nuisance is not ongoing.

What happened in 1921 was a really bad deal, and those people did not get a fair shake ... but that was 100 years ago, Tucker said.

Oklahoma sued consumer products giant Johnson & Johnson using the state public nuisance law for its role in the deadly opioid crisis. Initially, a judge ordered the drugmaker to pay the state $465 million in damages. But the Oklahoma Supreme Court overturned the Johnson & Johnson verdict, ruling that the public nuisance law did not apply because the company had no control of the drug after it was sold to pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians offices and then prescribed by doctors to patients.

Miller said the state court's ruling in the Johnson & Johnson case does not affect the lawsuit.

The massacre happened when an angry white mob descended on a 35-block area in Tulsa's Greenwood District, killing people and looting and burning businesses and homes. Thousands of people were left homeless and living in a hastily constructed internment camp.

The city and insurance companies never compensated victims for their losses, and the massacre ultimately resulted in racial and economic disparities that still exist today, the lawsuit claims. In the years following the massacre, according to the lawsuit, city and county officials actively thwarted the communitys effort to rebuild and neglected the Greenwood and predominantly Black north Tulsa community in favor of overwhelmingly white parts of Tulsa.

Other defendants include the Tulsa County Board of County Commissioners, Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission, Tulsa County Sheriff and the Oklahoma Military Department.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified punitive damages and calls for the creation of a hospital in north Tulsa, in addition to mental health and education programs and a Tulsa Massacre Victims Compensation Fund.

The massacre received renewed attention in recent years after then-President Donald Trump selected Tulsa as the location for a 2020 campaign rally amid the ongoing racial reckoning over police brutality and racial violence. Trump moved the date of his June rally to avoid coinciding with a Juneteenth celebration in the citys Greenwood District commemorating the end of slavery.

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Associated Press writer Terry Wallace in Dallas contributed to this report.

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This version corrects the spelling of Van Ellis first name to Hughes instead of Hugh.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)  Five people affiliated with a Nazi prison gang, including one who legally changed his name to Filthy Fuhrer, have been convicted in the grisly death of a member whose gang tattoo was cut off his rib cage with a hot knife before he was shot and his body was burned, a federal jury in Alaska decided Monday.

Fuhrer, 45, the gang leader who legally changed his name from Timothy Lobdell, and the others were convicted of murder, racketeering, kidnapping and assault charges.

All face a mandatory sentence of life in prison without parole on the murder charge when they are sentenced in federal court in Anchorage. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for October.

Violent gangs, especially those based upon racial hatred, are a plague to our society, U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska said in a statement.

As this case demonstrates, the crimes of organized prison gangs often go beyond the prison walls bringing violence into our communities. Todays convictions are a major disruption to the operation of the 1488 prison gang and hold accountable those who order or commit brutal and heinous crimes, Tucker said.

According to federal prosecutors, Fuhrer founded the 1488 prison gang, which operated in prisons throughout Alaska and on the outside, or the free world, as members called it. Full membership is given to those committing acts of violence on behalf of the gang, and these made members receive the 1488 patch, a tattoo depicting an Iron Cross superimposed over a swastika.

The name of the gang, 1488, refers to different tenets of white supremacy, according to court documents. The 14 refers to the 14 words in a white nationalist creed: We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children.

There are two possible meanings for the last part of the gangs name: The double eights could reference the 88 precepts outlined by white supremacist David Lane, or they could stand for Heil Hitler, since H is the eighth letter of the alphabet.

The gang requires all members to be white, look white and act white.

Fuhrer, who is serving a 19-year sentence for the attempted murder of an Alaska State Trooper, believed some members were defying the gangs code of conduct, which includes the creed that the only currency we recognize is violence and unquestionable loyalty. According to prosecutors, Fuhrer believed the conduct of some was diminishing the power and influence of the gang.

From behind bars, Fuhrer sent out a trusted member with a list of directives, which included the kidnapping and assault of two low-level members and then the kidnapping, assault and murder of Staton on Aug. 3, 2017, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said 1488 members Roy Naughton, Glen Baldwin and Colter ODell worked with Craig King, a Hells Angel Motorcycle Club member, to kill Staton as retaliation for stealing from both King and the 1488s.

With hands and feet bound, Staton was delivered to a duplex in Wasilla, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) north of Anchorage. King and his wife lived on one side. The other side was vacant but prepared for the beating with walls and floor covered with painters plastic, court documents say.

Inside, Staton was beaten and tortured and the 1488 patch was cut off his rib cage with a knife that had been heated with a propane torch.

Staton was still alive when Baldwin and ODell took him into the woods, where he was shot and his body burned, prosecutors and court documents said.

Two others, Nicholas Kozorra and Dustin Clowers, previously pleaded guilty to murder charges in Statons death.
Kathy Boudin, a radical leftist convicted in the fatal Brink's robbery who went on to help former inmates, and the mother of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, died Sunday afternoon at her home in New York, according to a statement from the district attorney's office, and reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and other news outlets. She was 78 years old.

Chesa Boudin told the Chronicle, which was first to report the news, that his mother had been battling with cancer for seven years. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.) He said he took a red-eye flight to New York to say goodbye and to see her one last time, describing her nature as unshakably optimistic and courageous.

She made it long enough to meet her grandson, and welcome my father home from prison after 40 years," Boudin said in a statement his office shared with SFGATE. "She always ended phone calls with a laugh, a habit acquired during the 22 years of her incarceration, when she wanted to leave every person she spoke with, especially me, with joy and hope. She lived redemption, constantly finding ways to give back to those around her.

Born on May 19, 1943, Kathy Boudin was raised by civil rights lawyer and left-wing activist Leonard Boudin and poet Jean (Roisman) Boudin while growing up in New York Citys Greenwich Village. She went on to attend Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, majoring in Russian studies, and was valedictorian of her class in 1965. She "was soon radicalized by the growing anti-war and racial justice movements of the '60s," the district attorney's office said, leading her to become an active member of radical leftist organization the Weather Underground. Kathy Boudin married David Gilbert in 1970, the same year she fled from an explosion at a Manhattan townhouse where the organization had been crafting bombs allegedly intended for the Fort Dix army base in New Jersey, and later went into hiding, giving birth to their son, Chesa, in 1980.

In October of the following year, Kathy Boudin, Gilbert and other members of the organization worked in conjunction with the Revolutionary Armed Task Force and the Black Liberation Army to partake in a robbery of $1.6 million in a Brinks armored car at the Nanuet Mall in New York. A Brinks guard was killed by one of their accomplices in the holdup, and two New York police officers were killed by the group during a shootout in the escape. Kathy Boudin and Gilbert were charged and convicted of felony murder because they were involved as the unarmed driver and passenger of the getaway vehicle  Boudin herself also served as a decoy.

Weather Underground members Bill Ayers and his wife, Bernardine Dohrn took Chesa Boudin into their care when he was 14 months old. Kathy Boudin pleaded guilty in 1984 and entered Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in exchange for her release on parole in 2003, while Gilbert took the case to trial and was eventually sentenced to 75 years to life in prison. He received a grant of clemency from Governor Andrew Cuomo on Aug. 23, 2021 before he was granted parole and then released on Nov. 4, 2021, reuniting with his wife.

During her incarceration, Kathy Boudin published articles in the Harvard Educational Review, among other publications, taught literacy classes and pushed to bring college courses back to Bedford Hills after Pell Grants had been terminated. She obtained her masters degree in adult education and literacy at Norwich College, becoming the first woman to do so while in a New York state prison, the statement from the district attorney's office said.

Kathy Boudin advocated for her fellow inmates and fought for the reunification of imprisoned women and their children. She also co-authored The Foster Care Handbook for Incarcerated Parents" and wrote and published poetry, going on to win an International PEN Prize.

She felt "remorse for her role in the deadly robbery, and [had] serious questions about the role of violence in political movements and the consequences of her political choices," a statement from the district attorney's office said, adding that she had regular visits with her son for 22 years.

After her release, she worked for the St. Luke's Hospital HIV/AIDS Center and continued to support former inmates, helping to prepare them as they transitioned to life on the outside, according to the New York Times. She earned a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College in 2007 and went on to co-found the Center for Justice at Columbia, focusing on the causes and consequences of mass incarceration.

Kathys legacy, mission and lifetime commitment to advancing social justice, supporting disadvantaged communities and reforming the criminal legal system will never be forgotten, especially by those whose lives she touched," Jarrell E. Daniels, a staff member at Columbias Center for Justice and a formerly incarcerated person, said in a statement. "For so many of us, Kathy was a legend that defied odds and broke through the boundaries. She will never be forgotten.

Kathy Boudin is survived by her brother Michael Boudin, her life partner Gilbert and their son Chesa Boudin, as well as her daughter-in-law Valerie Block, the district attorney's office said.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Jury selection in the death penalty trial of Florida school shooter Nikolas Cruz was delayed Monday by at least a week because his lead attorney is apparently ill.

Melisa McNeill, Cruz's lead public defender, was absent from Monday's hearing, which was supposed to be the beginning of the second phase of jury selection but that was postponed until at least May 9.

No public explanation was given for McNeill's absence, but Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer asked McNeill's assistants if she was being tested. The attorneys and the judge then held a private conversation, after which Scherer adjourned, saying she hoped everyone stayed well.

Broward County Public Defender Gordon Weekes declined to discuss McNeill's status, including whether she has COVID-19 or any other illness. One of the assistant prosecutors was also absent from Monday's hearing without explanation.

According to the Mayo Clinic, about 525 Broward residents per day are testing positive for the coronavirus  about one case for every 3,700 residents. That's well below last year's peak but about double the state's last reported rate 10 days ago.

Cruz, 23, pleaded guilty in October to murdering 14 students and three staff members on Feb. 14, 2018, at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The penalty trial will decide if he receives a sentence of death or life in prison without parole.

Over the last month, Judge Scherer and the attorneys screened almost 1,900 jurors during the first phase, with about 400 saying they could serve from mid-June through September, the trial's expected duration. Those 400 have filled out extensive questionnaires about their backgrounds, their knowledge of the case and opinions on the death penalty.

The second phase will consist of the prosecutors and defense asking the jurors whether they can put aside whatever knowledge they have of Cruz and the extensively covered massacre and vote for his sentence based on what is presented in court. They must also say they can vote for the death penalty if they believe Florida law requires it, but they also don't believe all murderers should face execution.

Those who pass that stage are expected to be brought back a third time for more questioning as the panel is winnowed to 12 jurors and eight alternates.

Scherer and the attorneys present Monday were able to deal with one issue that had been hanging over the case for a month  the judge's erroneous dismissal of 11 potential jurors during initial screening nearly a month ago.

Over recent weeks, the potential jurors were brought to the courtroom typically in groups of 60 or 70. Usually, Scherer asked just two questions: Do you know Cruz or any of the attorneys? Can you serve four months? But during one early group, Scherer asked a third question  Can you follow the law? That was a question that was supposed to be saved for a later phase.

A few jurors raised their hands indicating they could not, then a few more and a few more until 12 hands were raised.

She dismissed those 12 without allowing the attorneys to question them  something they should have been allowed to do. Both sides objected. Scherer tried to get them back, but 11 had already left the courthouse. That led Scherer last week to order that jury selection start anew over the objection of Cruz's attorneys  a decision that would have thrown out 250 potential jurors. Prosecutors feared Scherer had made a mistake that could result in a death penalty verdict being thrown out on appeal.

But Scherer then reversed herself two days later over the objection of prosecutors and said the 250 were still part of the pool.

Summonses were then issued to the 11  and 10 of them showed up in court Monday. Nine were dismissed because they had work or family conflicts that prevented them from serving for four months, while the 10th said he could serve. He was taken to fill out the questionnaire and will be brought back for the second phase.

The 12 jurors who are eventually chosen will weigh whether aggravating factors such as the number of people Cruz murdered, his extensive planning and his cruelty outweigh mitigating factors such as his long history of mental and emotional problems, his possible sexual abuse and the death of his parents. If one juror sides with the defense, Cruz will receive a life sentence.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  The owner of hydroelectric dams in Maine said Monday it's going to make changes to some of its operations to try to help save the final remaining wild Atlantic salmon in the United States.

The country's last wild populations of the fish are found in a few Maine rivers. Salmon counters found fewer of the fish on one of those rivers, the Penobscot, last year than in any year since 2016.

Brookfield Renewable U.S. said Monday that it has begun shutdown procedures for dams on the lower Kennebec River to help the salmon migrate. The company is a subsidiary of a larger Canadian company that owns many dams in Maine.

A spokesperson for the company, David Heidrich, said the shutdowns will continue until the end of the salmon migrating season. The company said it made the voluntary move to shut down some operations after the detection of young salmon in the Sandy River, a tributary of the Kennebec.

The company is also working with regulators, including the Maine Department of Maine Resources, to help ensure safe passage of the salmon, Heidrich said.

We are working closely with the DMR and the National Marine Fisheries Service to limit any potential impact to smolt during their downriver migration, Heidrich said.

Atlantic salmon were once plentiful in American rivers, but factors such as dams, overfishing and pollution hurt populations, and they are now listed under the Endangered Species Act in the U.S. The fish is familiar to seafood consumers because it's heavily fish farmed.

Environmental groups have long pressured Brookfield Renewable to take steps to help protect the few salmon that still return to Maine. Nick Bennett, staff scientist with the Natural Resources Council of Maine, wrote to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in April to say Brookfield should begin its protections at the beginning of the month, when young salmon start migrating.

It's too little, too late, Bennett said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  A leading Republican running for Minnesota governor has suggested that the states Democratic secretary of state should go to prison for his running of the state's election system, without providing any evidence that he's done anything illegal.

Scott Jensen, a doctor and former state senator known for his skepticism of the COVID-19 vaccine and the state's response to the pandemic, attacked Secretary of State Steve Simon at a recent GOP district convention.

We are not voter suppressors," Jensen told the delegates. "We have a simple attitude. Make sure that every ballot in the box belongs there. Make sure that its easy to vote, hard to cheat, and if you cheat, youre going to jail.

"And Steve Simon, you maybe better check out to see if you look good in stripes, because youve gotten away with too much, too long, under (Democratic Attorney General Keith) Ellison, and the hammers coming down, Jensen said to applause and cheers.

Courts have ruled repeatedly that the temporary steps that Simon took with Ellison's backing to make it easier and safer to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic were legal.

Jensen's April 23 remarks, which were first reported Sunday by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, had echoes of Donald Trump's threats during the 2016 presidential race to send Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton to jail. Chants of Lock her up from his supporters were a defining feature of his campaign.

President Joe Biden beat Trump in Minnesota by 7 points in 2020. The crowded field of candidates in Minnesotas GOP gubernatorial race has generally been reluctant to acknowledge Biden's legally won the 2020 presidential election, despite a lack of credible evidence to support Trumps allegations of mass voter fraud.

Its bizarre and irresponsible; a cynical attempt to use extreme conspiracy theories to radicalize political supporters," Simon said in a statement. "The truth is that Minnesotas election system is fundamentally fair, accurate, honest, and secure. Its also nonpartisan, and we need to keep it that way. The voters of Minnesota showed their confidence in our system by making us No. 1 in America in voter participation for the third time in a row.

Jensen's campaign did not immediately return a message Monday seeking comment on his remarks, nor did the campaign of one of his leading rivals for the GOP endorsement, business executive Kendall Qualls. Another leading Republican candidate, state Sen. Paul Gazelka, declined to characterize Jensen's remarks.

He's going to have to swim in his own comments, Gazelka said in an interview.

The Minnesota GOP holds its state endorsing convention in Rochester on May 13-14.

Democratic U.S. Rep, Dean Phillips, who represents the western suburban 3rd District, where Jensen spoke, defended Simon in a tweet Sunday as a principled public servant and outstanding Secretary of State."

"Minnesota is recognized for our secure and fair elections and highest voter turnout in the nation. Shame on @drscottjensen for his despicable, dangerous, and remarkably unpatriotic vitriol, Phillips added.

Ken Martin, the Democrats' state party chairman, added to the criticism in a statement Monday, calling Jensen a dangerous right-wing extremist who won't let go of the Big Lie.
BRENTWOOD, N.H. (AP)  The mother of a 21-month-old New Hampshire girl who died after ingesting fentanyl at a truck stop in 2020 pleaded guilty to negligent homicide Monday and was sentenced to eight to 20 years in prison.

Shawna Cote, 30, didn't speak at her sentencing but wiped her eyes with a tissue as family members addressed a judge about the loss of her daughter, Adalynn. They said the child is missed by many, including her older sister, who referred to her as Babyheart," a relative said. She was nearly 5 years old when Adalynn died.

The hardest part for me is knowing that she will forever live with the pain of losing her baby sister, and there's nothing on this earth I could do to take her pain way," her aunt, Mechelle Rodriguez, said. Cote's son, who was born after Adalynn died, will know of her," Rodriguez said.

Cote pleaded guilty in a plea agreement, also admitting to falsifying evidence and endangering the welfare of a child. Adalynn's father, Mark Geremia, who pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide and other charges, is scheduled to go to trial, and a friend who was with them plans to to plead guilty to a reckless conduct charge.

Police said the three adults, Adalynn and her sister went to the Londonderry truck stop in their pickup truck to rest after trading an ATV in Massachusetts for what they thought was heroin. The adults used the drug and fell asleep. A police investigation later showed evidence of fentanyl in the truck.

When they woke up, Adalynn was not conscious. Cote tried to give an opioid-overdose antidote to Adalynn, and then got out of the vehicle with her other daughter and walked away, police said.

A witness said Geremia performed CPR on Adalynn, but then stopped at one point to smoke a cigarette.

Cote has a criminal record that includes theft, forgery and drunken driving cases. Her lawyer noted that is involved in drug treatment recovery efforts. If she successfully completes her programs, she could be eligible for parole after her minimum term. A separate sentence of at least 3 1/2 years on the evidence charge would remain suspended if she remains on good behavior.

Cote's parents said in a statement read in court that they believed she will be able to improve herself and that they have seen her remorse. Another family member questioned whether she would succeed in a drug recovery program.

There's no way out unless you want to get out," Judge David Ruoff said.
BANGKOK (AP)  Ousted Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi went on trial Monday in a new corruption case against her, alleging she took $550,000 in bribes from a construction magnate.

She is charged with two counts under the country's the Anti-Corruption Act, with each count punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine.

Suu Kyi has been detained since the army ousted her elected government in February 2021 and has not been seen or allowed to speak in public since then. She is being tried in closed sessions and her lawyers cannot speak publicly on her behalf or about her trial because of a gag order placed on them.

She has already been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment after being convicted of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies, violating coronavirus restrictions, sedition and another corruption charge.

Suu Kyi's supporters and human rights groups have said the cases against her are an attempt to discredit her and legitimize the militarys seizure of power, eliminating the possibility of her taking part in a possible 2023 election.

But widespread resistance to the armys takeover has resulted in what some U.N. experts have characterized as a civil war, challenging the militarys ability to govern.

Mondays opening of Suu Kyi' latest trial was confirmed by a legal official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to release information.

In this latest case, she is accused of receiving money in 2019 and 2020 from Maung Weik, a tycoon who previously was convicted of drug trafficking. State television under control of the military government last year showed a video in which Maung Weik claimed to have given cash payoffs to government ministers to help his businesses.

Ye Htet, an official from the Anti-Corruption Commission who is a plaintiff in the case, gave testimony in Mondays proceedings, said the legal official, who said payments Maung Weik made in 2019 and 2020 were being treated as separate counts.

The Global New Light of Myanmar, a state-controlled newspaper, reported in February the official charges that Suu Kyi in her position as state counsellor  the countrys de facto chief executive  received $550,000 in four installments in 2019-2020 to facilitate the business activities of a private entrepreneur.

Maung Weik in his statements in state media last year said he gave the money from 2018 to 2020. He said in his video that the money included $100,000 provided to Suu Kyi in 2018 for a charitable foundation named after her mother and also gave Suu Kyi $450,000 in payments from 2019 to 2020 for purposes he did not specify.

Under Suu Kyis government, Maung Weik won a major development project that included the construction of houses, restaurants, hospitals, economic zones, port and hotel zones in Myanmars central Mandalay region.

Maung Weik, as chairman of a property development company, was close to some of the generals in power during a previous military-run government. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2008 for drug trafficking and was released in 2014 under a semi-democratic transitional government led by former generals. After his release, he returned to doing business with former generals.

Overall, Suu Kyi has been charged with 12 counts of corruption. She was convicted last week on one corruption charge and given a five-year prison sentence after being found guilty of receiving $600,000 and seven gold bars from Phyo Min Thein, the former chief minister of Yangon, the countrys biggest city.

Her lawyers are trying to overturn the verdict in an appeal to the Supreme Court on technical grounds, saying the case should not have been heard. If that is rejected, they can still make another appeal.
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde, left, and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto attend a news conference, amid Russia's invasion on Ukraine, in Helsinki, April 29. Reuters-Yonhap





Finland will almost certainly apply for membership in NATO, Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde told Swedish television Sunday.







Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced both Sweden and its eastern neighbor Finland to review beliefs that military neutrality is the best means of ensuring national security.







"We know more or less that they (Finland) will apply for NATO membership. And that changes the whole balance... If one of our countries join, we know that tensions would increase," Linde told public broadcaster SVT.







Asked whether she thinks Finland will join NATO, Linde said:






KITTERY, Maine (AP)  The Navy is still mum about the extent of vandalism aboard the USS Texas a month after the incident took place while the submarine was undergoing maintenance at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the identification of a suspect.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP)  A Nevada woman has been convicted of scamming an elderly person in West Virginia by claiming the person had won $1 million.

The U.S. attorney's office for the Northern District of West Virginia said Shelly Anne Leipham, 66, of Las Vegas, called the person in Harrison County, said the person won the prize and directed that nearly $25,000 be sent to her by mail and wire during a two-year period.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  North Dakota is challenging the federal government's awarding of lucrative mineral rights under a Missouri River reservoir to the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, otherwise known as the Three Affiliated Tribes.

The state attorney general's office said Friday that it filed notice with the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., that it plans to intervene in the tribes' lawsuit against the federal government. It said its motion preserves the states position while also allowing discussions to continue with the tribes and the United States to reach an amicable resolution.

The Interior Department ruled in February that the tribes own the mineral rights, in what has been a long-running dispute. An Obama appointee affirmed the tribes' ownership of the rights in 2017, but a Trump appointee ruled in the states favor in 2020 before the Biden administration scrapped that ruling last year.

At stake is an estimated $100 million in unpaid royalties held in trust and future payments certain to come from oil drilling beneath the river. The federal government dammed the river in the 1950s, flooding more than a tenth of the tribes' 1,500-square-mile (3,885-square-kilometer) Fort Berthold Reservation and creating the reservoir, Lake Sakakawea.

Tim Purdon, an attorney for the tribes, said Monday that the Interior Department's ruling didn't resolve the tribes' entire lawsuit, including their claim to unpaid royalties.

The remaining claims are the financial accounting and payment of monies owed to the tribes for drilling under the river," Purdon said.

The state argues that it assumed ownership of the riverbed when North Dakota became a state in 1889, citing cases in which the U.S. Supreme Court held that submerged lands were not reserved by the federal government.

The tribes, which reassumed control of the rights last month, point to three previous federal opinions dating back to the 1851 Treaty of Fort Laramie that they say confirm their ownership of the riverbed.

The tribes' chairman, Mark Fox, said the state's challenge was expected and that the tribes will fight it. He has previously condemned the states past efforts to intervene and said the tribes being granted ownership of the mineral rights corrected a grave injustice.
HOOKER, Okla. (AP)  Law enforcement officers shot and killed a man after a police chase in the Panhandle town of Hooker, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said Monday.

In a news release, the agency said Scott Osborn, 47, was killed Sunday night. Officers from several agencies were at the scene, and the OSBI did not report which officers fired shots at Osborn or why police initiated a traffic stop.
A Beaumont man, who accused police of paralyzing him, is headed to trial for allegedly assaulting a police office.

Christopher Shaw on Monday morning rejected a plea bargain from the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office.

Shaw was previously indicted for assault on a peace officer, stemming from events that occurred on June 12, 2021. At the time, Shaw was being arrested on the charge of public intoxication.

The District Attorney's office offered Shaw a probated 10-year term in prison, if he pleaded guilty to the assault charge instead of going to trial.

Related: Beaumont citizens, activists march for Chris Shaw

Shaw confirmed to the judge that he understood his options and the possible consequences when he rejected the offer.

He faces up to 20 years in a Texas prison, if found guilty during trial.

Shaw was a 41-year-old cook at a local hotel until he was allegedly paralyzed while in the custody of the Beaumont Police Department on June 12.

Following his arrest, national civil rights leaders and community activists gathered on multiple occasions, including for a press conference at the Jefferson County Courthouse with North Carolina-based Lynch Law LLC. Managing Attorney, Chance Lynch, and his co-council Harry Daniels from the Atlanta-based Law Offices of Harry M. Daniels, LLC.

Related: National civil rights leaders demand justice for Beaumont man

A march followed in his name at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park with a demand for justice in regards to his allegations against the police department.

The police department could not specifically comment on the matter at the time due to the pending litigation, but previously told The Enterprise that the incident is unfortunate and the department never wishes to see anybody get hurt.

Candice Matthews, with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition--an international human and civil rights organization founded by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, told The Enterprise on Monday during a phone interview that she supported Shaw's decision.

Related: Activists looking to take Shaw case national

Matthews has been among the activists demanding accountability and transparency, including by requesting the release of video footage from the police and sheriff's departments. Sheriff Zena Stephens previously said the law prevents her from releasing evidence in a criminal case.

I wholeheartedly agree that Mr. Christopher Shaw should have rejected the plea deal from the DA, Matthews said. Because clearly Chris Shaw was the one that police brutality was demonstrated upon. Therefore, accountability needs to be had for the Beaumont Police Department as well as the Beaumont sheriffs office.

The hammer of accountability is coming to Beaumont real soon, Matthews, who could not more details regarding the allegations against the police department at this time, said.

The Beaumont Police Department could not immediately be reached for further comment. The Jefferson County District Attorney's Office could not comment on the case.

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com

twitter.com/megzmagpie
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MANILA, Philippines (AP)  One supporter wrote a stirring campaign song that has been played nearly 4 million times on Spotify. Other volunteers are barnstorming Philippine villages, going door-to-door to endorse Vice President Leni Robredo in next weeks presidential election.

The stakes are high: If Robredos opponent, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., clinches the presidency, as surveys suggest, it will mark a stunning about-face for a nation where millions poured out into the streets in 1986 to force out a dictator, Marcoss father, whose legacy continues to shadow his son.

Followers from diverse backgrounds  families with grandparents and children, doctors, activists, Catholic priests and nuns, TV and movie stars, farmers and students  have joined Robredos fiesta-like campaign rallies in the tens of thousands. She called the movement a pink revolution after the color worn by her volunteers.

The large crowds, as well as drone shots and videos posted online by followers, evoke memories of the massive but largely peaceful 1986 People Power uprising that toppled strongman Ferdinand Marcos in an Asian democratic milestone that awed the world.

While the rallying call then was to bring back democracy after years of a brutal and corrupt dictatorship, the battle cry of Robredos supporters is a promise to bring good and corruption-free governance with her as the reformist torchbearer.

Weve been wanting good governance, honest, hard-working government officials, who genuinely care for the people, and shes finally here, said Nica del Rosario, a 32-year-old musician. Lets not waste this chance because somebody like her doesnt come very often.

With her colleagues, del Rosario wrote and sang two campaign songs for Robredo, including Rosas  Tagalog for roses  a tribute to the opposition leaders patriotic and humble brand of hands-on politics that has become an emotional anthem to her followers. The song has been streamed more than 3.9 million times on Spotify in just two months, and has been widely shared on Facebook and YouTube and driven supporters to tears at rallies.

But Robredo is fighting an uphill electoral battle against Marcoss son and namesake, who has topped voter-preference surveys with a seemingly insurmountable lead.

Robredo remains in second place in independent surveys for the 10-way presidential race, far behind Marcos Jr., with just a week before 67 million registered voters pick the next Philippine leader on May 9.

Marcos Jr. topped the latest poll by Pulse Asia released on Monday with 56% support while Robredo received 23%. The other candidates lagged far behind in the April 16-21 survey, which polled 2,400 Filipinos of voting age nationwide with a margin of error of 2 percentage points.

Marcos Jr.'s candidacy has been bolstered by his vice presidential running mate, Sara Duterte, the daughter of outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte, who has remained popular despite his bloody crackdown on illegal drugs and dismal human rights record that has left thousands dead since 2016.

There is still a possibility that people will change their decision, Pulse Asia President Ronald Holmes said of voter preferences. Its also hard to capture the effect of word-of-mouth and house-to-house campaigns, he said.

Activists who helped oust Marcos 36 years ago fear Philippine history will be upended if his son takes over a country long seen as an Asian bulwark of democracy. Marcos Jr., a 64-year-old former senator, has defended his fathers legacy and steadfastly refuses to acknowledge or apologize for the widespread abuses and plunder that scarred the Philippines during his martial law rule. Courts in the U.S. and the Philippines as well as government investigations have offered indisputable evidence of that period.

My worst fear is the return of the Marcoses  because we will face global condemnation. People will be asking us, Havent you learned? You said in 86 never again and now hes back. So what are you telling us? said Florencio Abad, a political detainee in the 1970s under Marcos who later served in top government posts after the dictators downfall and now advises Robredos campaign.

Robredo, 57, a former congresswoman and mother of three, is running independently and does not belong to any of the countrys entrenched political dynasties and wealthy land-owning clans.

She has been cited for integrity and simplicity in the poverty- and corruption-plagued Southeast Asian nation, where two presidents had been accused of plunder and overthrown, including the elder Marcos, who died in U.S. exile in 1989. A third was detained for nearly four years on a similar allegation but was eventually cleared.

Like her late husband, a respected politician who died in a plane crash in 2012, Robredo's appeal lies in shunning the trappings of power. As a congresswoman, she would regularly travel alone by bus from her province to the capital and back, often at night, using the long trip to sleep.

Aside from their electoral rivalry, Robredo and Marcos Jr. are on opposite sides of history.

As a student at the state-run University of the Philippines in the 1980s, Robredo joined anti-Marcos protests that culminated in the 1986 democratic uprising.

In 2016, she narrowly defeated Marcos Jr. in a cliffhanger race for vice president in their first electoral faceoff. He waged a years-long unsuccessful legal battle to invalidate her victory for alleged fraud and still refuses to concede.

Without the enormous logistics required for a presidential campaign, Robredo did not initially plan to seek the top post but changed her mind at the last minute last year after Marcos Jr. announced his candidacy and talks to field a single opposition candidate fell apart. The emergence of campaign volunteers was a lifeline, according to her allies.

She did not have any machinery and it was really the volunteers who were energizing the entire campaign, said Georgina Hernandez, who coordinates nationwide volunteer efforts for Robredo.

Robredo's army of volunteers, which Hernandez says numbers close to 2 million, initially engaged in all sorts of campaigning  from turning roadside walls into pink-colored murals with her portrait and mottos to providing free medical and legal services to running soup kitchens for the poor.

Most, however, turned to house-to-house campaigning and organizing star-studded rallies as the election day draws near, she said.

Mary Joan Buan, a volunteer campaigner who also joined the 1986 revolt, said opposing the rise of another Marcos to the presidency decades after the dictator was ousted has become more complex given a well-funded campaign to refurbish the Marcos family image that began on social media several years ago.

Many rely on social media now and use platforms like TikTok for information so its doubly challenging, Buan said while going door-to-door for Robredo in a depressed Manila neighborhood. A few residents bluntly told her group they were rooting for BBM, a popularized reference to Marcos Jr. that does not mention his family name.

University of the Philippines sociologist Randy David said the rare and spontaneous volunteer movement that emerged for Robredo is a red flag for potential tyrants.

Traditional politicians are wary of the unlimited potential of social movements to shape electoral outcomes as well as of their capacity to take new forms and persist beyond elections, David wrote in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, a leading Manila daily. But it is autocrats who fear them most  because they almost always carry within them the seeds of regime change.

___

Associated Press journalists Joeal Calupitan and Aaron Favila contributed to this report.
SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP)  Bleach was sprayed into a persons eyes during an attack at a Maryland mall, and police said Monday they are searching for two teenage suspects.

Montgomery County police officers responded to the Westfield Wheaton mall in Silver Spring around 8 p.m. on April 15 for a report of an assault, police said in a news release on Monday.
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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  Human rights groups on Monday criticized the massive arrests of suspected gang members in El Salvador..

The roundups, begun in late March after a spike in homicides, have resulted in the arrest of over 22,000 presumed gang members.

But as of May 1, only 10,885 of them have been ordered held pending trial. The government has decreed a state of emergency that extends to 15 days the time that someone can be held without charges.

Rights groups have criticized the measures, saying arrests are often arbitrary, based on a persons appearance or where they live. Police have also reported being forced to meet arrest quotas.

In late April, El Salvadors congress voted to grant a request by President Nayib Bukele to extend the anti-gang emergency decree for another 30 days.

The original 30-day state of emergency restricts the right to gather, to be informed of rights and have access to a lawyer.

A growing amount of evidence indicate that Salvadoran authorities have committed serious human rights violations since the emergency decree was approved" on March 27, according to a report by Human Rights Watch and the Cristosal Foundation.

The two groups interviewed 43 victims, relatives or lawyers and reviewed arrest records.

We have found evidence of arbitrary detentions of innocent people, who have in some cases been disappeared for short periods of time, as well as alarming cases of deaths while in custody, said Tamara Taraciuk Broner, the acting Americas director for Human Rights Watch.

The two groups documented two cases where people died in policy custody, and found press reports of three other cases.

And the decree has almost certainly added to dangerous overcrowding in Salvadoran prisons, which were already at 136% of capacity in December. The government has pledged to build more prisons, but that will take time.

The emergency decree came after a spate of homicides in late March, when gangs were blamed for 62 killings in a single weekend, a level of violence the country of 6.5 million people has not seen in years.

Bukele has also established a raft of other measures. Among other things, they lengthened sentences, reduced the age of criminal responsibility to 12.

El Salvadors congress has authorized prison sentences of 10 to 15 years for news media that reproduce or disseminate messages from the gangs, alarming press freedom groups.

Gang members held at Salvadoran prisons have been put on reduced food rations, denied mattresses and frog-marched around.

Bukele has unashamedly filled his social media platforms with photos of handcuffed and bloodied gang members. At the same time, he has lashed out at human rights organizations and international agencies critical of some measures.

For example, Bukele has taken to calling Human Rights Watch, the international advocacy organization, Homeboys Rights Watch.

Gangs control swaths of territory through brutality and fear. They have driven thousands to emigrate to save their own lives or the lives of their children who are forcibly recruited.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Pritam Das, University of Washington; Faisal Hossain, University of Washington; Horur Bragi Helgason, University of Washington, and Shahzaib Khan, University of Washington

(THE CONVERSATION) The Xingu River is revered as the house of God by the Indigenous people living along its Volte Grande, or Big Bend, in the Brazilian Amazon. The river is essential to their culture and religion, and a crucial source of fish, transportation and water for trees and plants.

Five years ago, the Big Bend was a broad river valley interwoven with river channels teaming with fish, turtles and other wildlife. Today, as much as 80% of the water flow is gone.

Thats because in late 2015, the massive Belo Monte Dam project began redirecting water from the Xingu River upstream from the Big Bend, channeling it through a canal to a giant new reservoir. The reservoir now powers one of the largest hydropower dams in the world, designed with enough capacity to power around 20 million households, though it has been producing far less.

Most of the rivers flow now bypasses the Big Bend, and the Indigenous peoples who live there are watching their livelihoods and way of life become endangered. Some of the most devastating effects are during the rainy season, when wildlife and trees rely heavily on having high water. The consortium of utilities and mining companies that runs the dam has pushed back on government orders to allow more water to reach the Big Bend, claiming it would cut their generation and profits. The group has argued in the past that there was no scientific proof that the change in water flow harmed fish or turtles.

There is proof of the Belo Monte Dam projects impact on the Big Bend, though  from above. Satellite data shows how dramatically the dam has altered the hydrology of the river there.

The same satellite data can also point to potential solutions and ways that operators of the Belo Monte Dam could revise the dams operations to keep both its renewable power and the Xingu River flowing at the most important times of the year.

As scientists who work with remote sensing, we believe satellite observations can empower populations around the world who face threats to their resources. The fact that satellite observations of surface water of the Xingu River can be clearly tied to the construction and operation of the Belo Monte Dam offers hope that this kind of knowledge can no longer be hidden.

50 years of Earth observation

Satellites have been monitoring changes in Earths landscapes for 50 years, ever since the U.S. launched the first Landsat satellite in July 1972. By piecing together data from the Landsat program and other satellites, scientists can reconstruct historical patterns of change in the landscape and predict current and future trends. They can monitor forest cover, drought, wildfire damage and desert expansion, as well as river flows and reservoir operations around the world.

An example of how that data can be used to help threatened communities is the global Reservoir Assessment Tool, which was created by colleagues and one of us at the University of Washington. It monitors how much water is in about 1,600 reservoirs around the world.

Dam operators already collect thorough on-site data about water flow, but their datasets are rarely shared with the public. Remote sensing doesnt face the same restrictions. Making that data public can help hold operators to account for and protect local communities and their rivers.

How satellites could pressure Belo Monte to share

Satellite monitoring can provide unprecedented insight into the operations of dams like the Belo Monte and their impact on downstream populations.

Existing satellite data can be used to monitor recent historical behavior of a dams operations, track the state of the river and patterns of inflow and outflow at the dam, and even forecast the likely state of the reservoir. Much of that data is easily accessible and free. For example, a tool created for the regional governing body of the Mekong River Commission is empowering communities along the river in Southeast Asia by giving them access to satellite data about water flow at each dam  data that cannot be hidden or modified by those in power.

While estimates based on remote sensing have higher uncertainty than on-site measurements, unfettered access to such information can provide local populations with evidence to argue, in court if necessary, for more water releases.

Long-term observations of dams and hydroclimate records show it is possible to revise the standard operating procedures of dams so they allow more water to flow downstream when needed. A compromise with the Belo Monte Dam could ensure that enough water flows to the Xingus Big Bend region while also providing hydropower benefits.

By making the impact of the Belo Monte Dam and others like it public to the world, agencies and the general public can put pressure on the dams operators and its investors to release more water. Public pressure will become increasingly important, as water disputes in the Amazon are expected to worsen as the planet warms and deforestation continues. Climate change will affect river flow patterns in the Amazon and likely increase droughts, leaving less water during some periods.

A tool for social justice

The Amazonian native population has declined, and dams and nearby mining operations, like those threatening the Xingus Big Bend region, play a role. The current Brazilian government under president Jair Bolsonaro has generally sided with wealthy landowners and industry over Indigenous peoples, making access to independent data crucial for protecting these communities.

Monitoring dams is a powerful way satellites can make a difference. Nearly two-thirds of Brazils electricity comes from more than 200 large and 400-plus small hydropower plants, and more large dams are expected to be built in the Amazon this decade. Many are in areas with Indigenous populations.

[Over 150,000 readers rely on The Conversations newsletters to understand the world. Sign up today.]

Remote sensing may not directly solve the problem of social injustice, but it offers the tools needed to recognize the problems and explore solutions. Being able to monitor changes in near-real time and compare them with historical operations can help maintain the checks and balances required for equitable growth.

Raaghul Senthilkumar, a former Masters student at the University of Washington, contributed to this article.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/satellites-over-the-amazon-capture-the-choking-of-the-house-of-god-by-the-belo-monte-dam-they-can-help-find-solutions-too-182012.
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NEW YORK (AP)  Donald Trump's post-presidency enters a new phase this month as voters across the U.S. begin weighing the candidates he elevated to pursue a vision of a Republican Party steeped in hardline populism, culture wars and denial of his loss in the 2020 campaign.

The first test comes on Tuesday when voters in Ohio choose between the Trump-backed JD Vance for an open U.S. Senate seat and several other contenders who spent months clamoring for the former president's support. In the following weeks, elections in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and North Carolina will also serve as a referendum on Trump's ability to shape the future of the GOP.

In nearly every case, Trump has endorsed only those who embrace his false claims of election fraud and excuse the deadly U.S. Capitol insurrection he inspired last year.

The month of May is going to be a critical window into where we are, said Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, a Trump critic defending incumbent GOP governors in Georgia, Ohio and Idaho against Trump-backed challengers this month. Im just concerned that there are some people trying to tear the party apart or burn it down.

Few states may be a higher priority for Trump than Georgia, where early voting begins on Monday ahead of the May 24 primary. He's taken a particularly active role in the governor's race there, recruiting a former U.S. senator to take on the incumbent Republican for failing to go along with his election lie. For similar reasons, Trump is also aiming to unseat the Republican secretary of state, who he unsuccessfully pressured to overturn President Joe Biden's victory.

While the primary season will play out deep into the summer, the first batch of races could set the tone for the year. If Republican voters in the early states rally behind the Trump-backed candidates, the former president's kingmaker status would be validated, likely enhancing his power as he considers another bid for the presidency. High-profile setbacks, however, could dent his stature and give stronger footing to those who hope to advance an alternate vision for the GOP.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz predicted a strong month of May for Trump and his allies.

The voices in Washington that want him to fade into obscurity or to be silenced are engaged in their own form of wishful thinking," Cruz said in an interview. "Thats not going to happen. Nor should he.

As Republicans grapple with Trump, Democrats are confronting their own set of revealing primaries.

Candidates representing the Democrats moderate and progressive wings are yanking the party in opposing directions while offering conflicting messages about how to overcome their acute political shortcomings, Bidens weak standing chief among them. History suggests that Democrats, as the party that controls Washington, may be headed for big losses in November no matter which direction they go.

But as Democrats engage in passionate debates over policies, Republicans are waging deeply personal and expensive attacks against each other that are designed, above all, to win over Trump and his strongest supporters.

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who leads the GOP's effort to retake the Senate, described the month of May as a brutal sorting period likely to be dominated by Republican infighting instead of the policy solutions or contrasts with Democrats hed like to see.

The primaries too often become sort of character assassinations, Scott said in an interview. Thats what has happened.

He added, Hopefully, people come together."

No race may be messier than the Republican primary election for Georgias governor. Trump has spent months attacking Republican incumbents Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. He blames both men for not working hard enough to overturn his narrow loss in the 2020 presidential election.

The results in Georgia were certified after a trio of recounts, including one partially done by hand. They all affirmed Bidens victory.

Federal and state election officials and Trumps own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence the election was tainted. The former presidents allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by courts, including by judges Trump appointed.

Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a frequent Trump critic who is not running for reelection, described Trumps decision to back former Sen. David Perdue against Kemp an embarrassing waste of time that could undermine the GOPs broader goals this fall.

Duncan predicted Trump would ultimately win some races and lose others this month, but he was especially optimistic about Kemps chances to beat back Trumps challenge.

If a sitting governor is able to defeat that whole Donald Trump notion by a huge amount  and others down the ticket  I think were gonna send a message that its gonna take more than a Donald Trump endorsement to call yourself a Republican, he said.

For now, however, Trump is unquestionably the nation's most powerful Republican as even those who find themselves on opposite sides of the former president are careful to note their loyalty to him. Cruz, who is backing opponents of Trump-endorsed Senate candidates in Ohio and Pennsylvania, downplayed any disagreement with him in an interview. Cruz noted he made his picks long before Trump did.

For the four years he was president, Donald Trump had no stronger ally in the Senate than me, Cruz said.

Six months before the general election, the Republican candidates in key primaries have already spent mountains of campaign cash attacking each other as Democrats largely save their resources  and sharpest attacks  for the November.

With early voting already underway in Ohio, a half-dozen Republican candidates in the state's high-profile Senate primary and their allied outside groups have spent more than $66 million this year combined on television advertising as of last week, according to Democratic officials tracking ad spending. The vast majority of the ads were Republican-on-Republican attacks.

Mike Gibbons, a Cleveland real estate developer and investment banker, spent $15 million alone on television advertising as of last week. That includes an advertising campaign attacking Vance highlighting his past description of Trump as an idiot."

The pro-Vance super PAC known as Protect Ohio Values, meanwhile, has spent $10 million on the primary so far, including a recent barrage of attack ads casting Cruz-backed candidate Josh Mandel as another failed career politician squish.

On the other side, the leading Senate Democratic hopeful, Rep. Tim Ryan, has spent less than $3 million so far in positive television ads promoting his own push to protect Ohio manufacturing jobs from China.

The spending disparities in high-profile Senate primaries in Pennsylvania and North Carolina were equally stunning.

In Pennsylvania, where Trump-backed Dr. Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund executive David McCormick are locked in a fierce fight for the GOP nomination, the candidates and allied outside groups have spent more than $48 million on television advertising so far. Democrats spent just over $10 million.

And in North Carolina, Republican forces have spent more than $15 million on a divisive primary pitting Trump-backed Rep. Ted Budd against former Gov. Pat McCrory. Democrats, who have united behind former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, spent just over $2 million.

Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who leads the effort for Democrats to keep the Senate majority, said Republicans are essentially creating the Democrats' general election ads for them. He described the intensity of the Republican infighting in several states as toxic for the character of the Republican candidates.

Theyre trying to compete to see who is the Trumpiest of the Trumpsters," Peters said. Theyre not talking about issues that people care about.

At the same time, Peters acknowledged his own party's challenges, particularly Biden's low popularity. He said it would be up to every individual candidate to decide whether to invite the Democratic president to campaign on their behalf.

I think the president can be helpful, Peters said of Biden. But this is about the candidates. Theyre running to represent their state in the United States Senate. And they have to rise and fall by who they are as individuals.

-

Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics
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For travelers heading to Europe, summer vacations just got a whole lot easier.







Italy and Greece relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions Sunday before Europe's peak summer tourist season, in a sign that life was increasingly returning to normal.







Greece's civil aviation authority announced that it was lifting all COVID-19 rules for international and domestic flights except for the wearing of face masks during flights and at airports. Previously, air travelers were required to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or a recent recovery from the disease.







As of Sunday, visitors to Italy no longer have to fill out the EU passenger locator form, a complicated online ordeal required at airport check-in.







Italy also did away with the health pass that had been required to enter restaurants, cinemas, gyms and other venues. The green pass, which showed proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus or a recent negative test, is still required to access hospitals and nursing homes.







Some indoor mask mandates in Italy also ended, including inside supermarkets, workplaces and stores. Masks are still required on public transport, in cinemas and in all health care facilities and nursing homes.







''It was needed,'' said Claudio Civitelli, a Rome resident having his morning coffee at a bar near the Trevi Fountain. Until Sunday, patrons had to wear a mask to enter bars and restaurants, though they could remove them to eat and drink. ''We have waited more than two years.''







At a nearby table, Andrea Bichler, an Italian tourist from Trentino Alto-Adige, sat with friends, all without masks.






HAGATNA, Guam (AP)  Face masks to protect against COVID-19 are no longer required in Guam, a U.S. territory.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero issued an order Monday that starting Tuesday, wearing masks in public is optional, Pacific Daily News reported.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed into law Monday an overhaul he proposed for the formula for funding the state's multibillion-dollar K-12 education system.

The Republican signed the law at Franklin High School, where he attended school. Lawmakers in the Republican-supermajority General Assembly passed the bill last week. There were some crossover votes, with Democrats supporting it and Republicans opposing it.

What's unique about this piece of legislation and this funding formula is that it considers students above all," Lee said.

Under the new school funding plan, Tennessee would join nearly 40 other states that attach a set amount of money per student. This has alarmed critics who argue the plan could potentially punish school districts because they might receive less funds over time. However, supporters counter the current decades-old funding mechanism  made up of about 45 components  is overly complicated and makes it difficult to track how the money is spent.

The bill states that schools will receive a base dollar amount of $6,860 per student with options to increase that amount depending on the students location and needs under a matrix known as unique learning needs. For example, schools with students with dyslexia or a disability would receive more funding  as well as those students in small districts or where poverty is concentrated, calculated using an algorithm outlined in the legislation.

Education Commissioner Penny Schwinn has said schools could receive as much as $15,600 per student depending on how many unique learning needs a student meets.

So far, Lee is expected to sign off on giving $750 million more annually to fund the new education formula starting in the 2023-2024 school year. The money would first be available for other one-time education uses in the upcoming budget year. Another $100 million has been allocated to give schools incentives to reward high reading schools and students who have strong college and career readiness. An additional $125 million will be added to boost teacher salaries, moving the minimum salary from around $35,000 to $46,000 by 2026.
Houston City Council on Wednesday will vote to tighten regulations on businesses that buy catalytic converters and give cops more tools to take on those who steal them.

Houstonians have reported close to 3,200 incidents of catalytic converter thefts in the first three months of 2022, city attorneys said in a request to council this week, a 123 percent increase from the same time period in 2021. The phenomenon is not unique to Houstoncatalytic converter thefts have been on the rise across the United States as the value of precious metals they contain have also soared.

Every gas-powered vehicle has a catalytic converter, sometimes two or more, which converts raw exhaust into emissions regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. With the proper tools, such as a reciprocating saw, it's easy enough for thieves to cut through the exhaust pipes leading into and out of the converter and take it for themselves. They can then take the stolen car part to businesses that buy scrap metal and car parts and make a quick profit.

Under Wednesday's consideration, new rules aim to make it more difficult for thieves to sell the stolen converters. The proposed ordinance will require more paperwork to sell a catalytic converter, including the make and model of the car, a vehicle identification number and a copy of the vehicle's title. It also requires the same paperwork if a business, such as an auto repair shop, seeks to sell catalytic converters to other businesses, like scrap metal buyers.

Marie D. De Jesus, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

In the same vote, council members will decide whether or not to make it a Class C misdemeanorthe equivalent of a traffic ticketfor an individual or business to possess a catalytic converter that has been cut off a car. Possessing a catalytic converter that has been unbolted and removed as designed would remain legal, according to the proposed rules.

"If people are bringing catalytic converters to businesses by five, six, or the dozens, common sense will tell you that they did not legitimately get them," Mayor Sylvester Turner said through a spokesperson Monday. "... I believe this process will assist police in their investigations and help identify criminals."

The rules will only apply to businesses and individuals within Houston's city limits.

"Ultimately, the goal is to continue making Houston a safer city," Turner continued. "The more jurisdictions that take affirmative steps to combat catalytic converter theft should result in fewer loopholes to avoid prosecution."

The proposed ordinance is part of Turner's One Safe Houston initiative to combat violent crime in the Bayou City.
A Texas Republican lawmaker is looking to remove no-fly zones over Disney's theme parks in Florida and California. U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX) sent letters on Tuesday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg asking whether or not they supported the resort's no-fly zones, which were given to the company through a 2003 law.

Nehls claims that Disney received preferential treatment as other theme parks were not considered for the flight restrictions.

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees our nation's airspace with the mission of providing the 'safest, most efficient airspace in the world,'" Nehls wrote. "Unfortunately, special interests may have hijacked the agency's mandate, in the sheep's clothing of national security, for commercial gain."

Nehls wrote that the air restrictions "add complexity and restrict freedom" and should be "reserved for compelling national security and safety needs," pointing to no-fly zones residing over "places of high security, such as military bases, or hazards like wildfires and hurricanes."

"Yet, because aircraft can be noisy or disruptive, interest groups may lobby Congress to enact restrictions for their benefit," Nehls continued. "The principle of fairness requires that the federal government does not favor one organization over another, or thereover, enact flight restrictions to benefit one favored organization."

The former Fort Bend County sheriff called on Pelosi and Buttigieg to reconsider the "appropriateness" of the no-fly zones as measures "designed for protecting our national security and public safety must not be co-opted by companies looking to gain." He also questioned if the Biden administration "supports the continued preferential treatment of Disney Resorts" through the no-fly zones.

Disney has been under attack by Florida Republicans for opposing Gov. Ron DeSantis's so-called "Don't Say Gay" law, which bans classroom discussions on gender identity and sexual orientation in Florida public schools through the third grade. DeSantis recently stripped Disney of its special land and tax privileges.

Other Texas Republicans have also voiced opposition against Disney. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has expressed his desire for Texas to adopt its own "Don't Say Gay" bill, and last month urged his supporters to boycott Disney by joining him in selling all stock they own in the company in protest of its "woke" agenda.

On April 21, Fort Bend County Judge JP George wrote a letter to Disney CEO Bob Chapek inviting him to move Disney World to the Lone Star State.
Texas is losing out on a major trade railway worth billions of dollars in response to Gov. Greg Abbott's recently rescinded enhanced safety inspections for commercial trucks entering the state through Mexico.

Mexican Economy Minister Tatiana Clouthier said the railway, known as the T-MEC Corridor  which will connect the Mexican port of Mazatlan to the Canadian city of Winnipeg  will now bypass the Lone Star State and go through New Mexico instead, according to the Dallas Morning News.

"We're now not going to use Texas," Clouthier said at news conference on April 28. "We can't leave all the eggs in one basket and be hostages to someone who wants to use trade as a political tool."

Abbott launched the 10-day-long enhanced safety inspections for trucks crossing the border on April 6 in response to the Biden administration ending pandemic-era Title 42 expulsions. While Abbott said the searches were necessary to combat human trafficking and drug smuggling, the inspections turned up neither.

The Republican leader ended the increased inspections after multiple governors of Mexican states bordering Texas agreed to step up border security on their end. However, the Perryman Group, a Waco-based economic analysis firm, estimated that delays caused by the additional inspections had already cost Texas $4.2 billion in gross domestic product. The delays also resulted in $240 million in spoiled produce.

In contrast, Abbott's heightened security measures were actually quite lucrative for Santa Teresa, New Mexico as trucks facing delays at the Texas border were re-routed through the city at the time, according to the Dallas Morning News. Still, Abbott has threatened to reinstate the enhanced border inspections if Mexico doesn't adequately address illegal immigration into Texas.

Jerry Pacheco, president of Santa Teresa's Border Industrial Association, told the Dallas Morning News that Mexico still has time to reconsider as plans for the rail link are still in preliminary stages, but "the very fact that were being discussed in the early stages is a positive thing."

Pacheco told the Dallas Morning News that even after the additional truck inspections ended, "our traffic numbers remain higher than normal in terms of northbound cargo shipments, which leads me to believe that what I thought would be a temporary fix is actually going to stick in the long term." He added that some business leaders are referring to Santa Teresa as a "very effective delivery route."

"We also absolutely play politics with the border, but we play to bring more trade from Mexico through our New Mexico ports of entry, not to impede trade," Pacheco told the Dallas Morning News.
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Amarillo TX

555 PM CDT Sun May 1 2022

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 615 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHWESTERN SHERMAN...SOUTHEASTERN DALLAM...NORTHERN MOORE AND

NORTHEASTERN HARTLEY COUNTIES...

At 555 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles southeast of

Conlen, or 12 miles south of Stratford, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

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...

Dumas, Hartley, Cactus, Sunray and Conlen.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading

killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to

be struck by lightning.

FOR NORTHWESTERN LUBBOCK...NORTHEASTERN HOCKLEY...SOUTHWESTERN HALE

AND SOUTHEASTERN LAMB COUNTIES...

At 555 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles west of

Anton, or 7 miles southeast of Littlefield, moving north at 45 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Littlefield, Anton and Spade.

Prepare immediately for large hail and damaging winds. People outside

should move to a shelter, inside a strong building and away from

windows.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

The National Weather Service in Midland has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...

North central Gaines County in western Texas...

* Until 645 PM CDT.

* At 555 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado

was located near Denver City, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and hail up to two inches in diameter.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation. Storm spotters on the ground

report funnel cloud.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.

Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree

damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

north central Gaines County.

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest

floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a

mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter

and protect yourself from flying debris.

At 557 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles southeast of

Littlefield, moving north at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Public.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind

damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN LUBBOCK...

NORTHEASTERN LYNN...NORTHERN GARZA AND SOUTHERN CROSBY COUNTIES IS

CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe

limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.

Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However small hail, gusty

winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for

northwestern Texas.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement

agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service

Lubbock Texas.

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN GAINES COUNTY WILL EXPIRE AT

600 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.

Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. A severe storm

capable of a tornado continues to the southwest of Denver City.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for western

Texas.

Midland.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM CDT

FOR NORTHEASTERN BAILEY...SOUTHERN PARMER...SOUTHWESTERN CASTRO AND

NORTHWESTERN LAMB COUNTIES...

At 559 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles northeast of

Progress, or 7 miles north of Muleshoe, moving north at 45 mph.

Muleshoe, Bovina, Lazbuddie, Oklahoma Lane, Progress and Lariat.

This storm is producing large hail. SEEK SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy

structure and stay away from windows.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX

310 AM CDT Mon May 2 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Kinney

and southwestern Uvalde Counties through 400 AM CDT...

At 309 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7

miles east of Brackettville, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Brackettville, Laguna, Dabney, Blewett, Cline, Alamo Village, Uvalde

Estates, Turkey Mountain and Fort Clark Springs.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to

localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded

roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 2924 10044 2944 10042 2947 9980 2909 9987

2909 9993

TIME...MOT...LOC 0809Z 284DEG 24KT 2931 10029

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX

426 AM CDT Mon May 2 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Medina,

northeastern Frio and northwestern Atascosa Counties through 515 AM

CDT...

At 425 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over

Moore, or 8 miles southwest of Devine, moving east at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Devine, Poteet, Natalia, Moore, Bigfoot, Iuka, Amphion, Kyote,

Rossville and Three Oaks.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 2913 9911 2922 9872 2918 9861 2898 9857

2895 9908

TIME...MOT...LOC 0925Z 260DEG 33KT 2906 9901

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southern Dallas County in north central Texas...

* Until 530 AM CDT.

* At 437 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Cockrell

Hill, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Dallas, Garland, Irving, Grand Prairie, Mesquite, Desoto, Cedar

Hill, Duncanville, Lancaster, Balch Springs, University Park,

Seagoville, Glenn Heights, Highland Park, Hutchins, Cockrell Hill,

Sunnyvale, Wilmer, Ovilla and Ferris.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

TORNADO WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX

836 PM CDT Sun May 1 2022

...A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 900 PM CDT FOR EAST

CENTRAL PECOS COUNTY...

At 836 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado

was located 25 miles southwest of McCamey, moving southeast at 30

mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed. Damage

to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree damage is

likely.

Locations impacted include...

Bakersfield.

This includes Interstate 10 between mile markers 279 and 305.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest

floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a

mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter

and protect yourself from flying debris.

The National Weather Service in San Angelo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

West central Coleman County in west central Texas...

Southeastern Runnels County in west central Texas...

North central Concho County in west central Texas...

* Until 930 PM CDT.

* At 838 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Ballinger,

moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Benoit around 900 PM CDT.

Talpa around 915 PM CDT.

Crews around 925 PM CDT.

Glen Cove around 930 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Hords

Creek Reservoir.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

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 945 PM CDT.

* At 838 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Channing, or

21 miles southwest of Dumas, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 70 mph wind gusts.

IMPACT...Expect some tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile

homes, roofs, and outbuildings. People and animals

outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs,

siding, windows, and vehicles.

* Locations impacted include...

Channing, Four Way and Masterson.

Large hail and damaging winds and continuous cloud to ground

lightning is occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately.

Lightning is one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can

hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Rihanna arrives for the 2018 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in this May 7, 2018 file photo. AFP-Yonhap



Well, hello first Monday in May. The year's biggest night in fashion, the Met Gala, returns to its usual berth on the social calendar this year after pandemic upheaval. And if it feels like one of those what, already moments, it is.



It's been just under eight months since the last gala, an annual fundraiser that raises eight-figure sums for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. Pre-pandemic, about 600 A-listers from fashion, sports, music, film, TV, technology and beyond were invited. This year and last, the numbers were closer to 400. The 2020 gala was canceled.



More than $16.4 million was raised last year. The starry event is the institute's primary budget feeder.

This year's gala coincides with the opening of the second part of a two-part exhibit at the Costume Institute focused on American fashion and style. The evening's dress code is gilded glamour and white tie, a la the Gilded Age, that tumultuous period between the Civil War and the turn of the 20th century known for its robber barons, drama and grandeur.



This year's walk up the Grand Staircase at the Met returns the gala to its legendary berth on the first Monday in May, with the official livestream appearing on Vogue's website.



Vogue's Anna Wintour has run the gala since 1995. She continues as one of the night's honorary co-chairs, along with designer Tom Ford and Instagram's Adam Mosseri. The official co-chairs for 2022 are Regina King, Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds and Lin-Manuel Miranda.



The cost for a seat at last year's Met Gala started at $35,000, though some attend for free. Celebrities are sometimes accompanied (and their tabs paid) by the designers who dress them or other companies that invite them. A focus on inclusivity in fashion this year may celebrate and include more unsung designer heroes than usual.



The event is the invention of the late Eleanor Lambert, a fashion publicist as powerful as Wintour in her day. In 1948, she needed to come up with a way to pay for the newly formed Costume Institute, the only department at the Met that must raise its own funds.



While many on Wintour's carefully tended guest list follow the dress code, others go their own way. Interpretation is everything. Think Rihanna in a papal hat, Billy Porter as a sun god carried on a litter by shirtless men and Lady Gaga peeling off layers as the fashion world came to a standstill to watch.



The gala also serves as a twisted time capsule of love gone wrong for celebrity couples who didn't make it. Kim Kardashian and Ye, the former Kanye West, first attended in 2013. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes went in 2008. Jennifer Lopez attended with Marc Anthony in 2011, then with Alex Rodriguez in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Ben Affleck joined her inside last year after she walked alone.



Charlize Theron and Sean Penn were among the "it" couples invited in 2014. Selena Gomez and The Weeknd showed up together in 2017. (AP)




WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Midland has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northwestern Borden County in western Texas...

Northeastern Dawson County in western Texas...

* Until 930 PM CDT.

* At 851 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over O'Donnell, or

11 miles south of Tahoka, moving northeast at 55 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles.

* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

northwestern Borden and northeastern Dawson Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for western

Texas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ANDREWS BORDEN BREWSTER

COKE CRANE CROCKETT

DAWSON ECTOR FISHER

GAINES GLASSCOCK HOWARD

IRION JONES LOVING

MARTIN MIDLAND MITCHELL

NOLAN PECOS REAGAN

REEVES SCHLEICHER SCURRY

STERLING SUTTON TAYLOR

TERRELL TOM GREEN UPTON

VAL VERDE WARD WINKLER

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CDT

FOR NORTHEASTERN OLDHAM...NORTHWESTERN POTTER...SOUTHWESTERN MOORE

AND SOUTHEASTERN HARTLEY COUNTIES...

At 853 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles east of

Channing, or 18 miles southwest of Dumas, moving east at 15 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...

Four Way and Masterson.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading

killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to

be struck by lightning.

...THE TORNADO WARNING FOR SOUTH CENTRAL FISHER COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.

Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for west central

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN ANGELO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service San Angelo TX

736 PM CDT Sun May 1 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Coke,

northeastern Tom Green and southwestern Runnels Counties through 800

PM CDT...

At 735 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over

O.c. Fisher Reservoir, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

San Angelo, Miles, Orient, San Angelo State Park, O.c. Fisher

Reservoir, Lake Nasworthy, Harriet, Tennyson, Grape Creek and

Goodfellow Air Force Base.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for west central

Texas.

LAT...LON 3151 10065 3180 10034 3158 10009 3158 10011

3156 10011 3136 10053

TIME...MOT...LOC 0035Z 235DEG 21KT 3148 10052

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The National Weather Service in San Angelo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northwestern Coleman County in west central Texas...

Southwestern Taylor County in west central Texas...

Northern Runnels County in west central Texas...

* Until 815 PM CDT.

* At 738 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Wilmeth, or

near Winters, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Winters around 745 PM CDT.

Bradshaw around 800 PM CDT.

Lawn around 815 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Lake

Abilene, Drasco, Camp Tonkawa, Pumphrey, Goldsboro, Wilmeth, Lake

Winters Lake and Ovalo.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN MOTLEY...

SOUTHWESTERN HALL AND SOUTHEASTERN BRISCOE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe

limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.

Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However small hail, gusty

winds and heavy rain are still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for

the Panhandle of and northwestern Texas.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN ANGELO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

TORNADO WARNING

The National Weather Service in San Angelo has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...

Southwestern Fisher County in west central Texas...

* Until 915 PM CDT.

* At 827 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado

was located over Capitola, or 10 miles west of Longworth, moving

east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.

Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree

damage is likely.

* This dangerous storm will be near...

Roby and Longworth around 845 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this tornadic thunderstorm include Busby,

Capitola and Gannon.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest

floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a

mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter

and protect yourself from flying debris.

The National Weather Service in Lubbock Texas has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southwestern Lynn County in northwestern Texas...

* At 828 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles southeast

of New Moore, or 15 miles southwest of Tahoka, moving east at 25

mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect

wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

O'donnell and New Moore.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHERN CIMARRON AND NORTH

CENTRAL DALLAM COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 830 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe

limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.

Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire. However small hail

is still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for

the Panhandle of Oklahoma...and the Panhandle of Texas.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central

Coleman, southeastern Runnels and north central Concho Counties

through 915 PM CDT...

At 829 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7

miles east of Rowena, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Ballinger, Paint Rock, Valera, Glen Cove, Talpa, Benoit, Rowena,

Hords Creek Reservoir, The Intersection Of Us-

83 And Ranch Road 1929 and Us-83 Near The Concho-

Runnels County Line.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for

west central Texas.

LAT...LON 3149 9994 3167 10013 3200 9967 3171 9940

TIME...MOT...LOC 0129Z 229DEG 25KT 3163 9992

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN SCURRY COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has moved out of the area.

Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for western

Texas.

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

Northeastern Hutchinson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Eastern Hansford County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Northwestern Roberts County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Ochiltree County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 945 PM CDT.

* At 830 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles southwest

of Spearman, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and ping pong ball size hail.

IMPACT...Expect some tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile

homes, roofs, and outbuildings. People and animals

outdoors will be injured. Expect hail damage to roofs,

siding, windows, and vehicles.

Perryton, Spearman, Wolf Creek Park, Waka, Morse and Farnsworth.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

Northwestern Callahan County in west central Texas...

Southeastern Jones County in west central Texas...

Southwestern Shackelford County in west central Texas...

Northeastern Taylor County in west central Texas...

* At 829 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Abilene,

moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Hamby around 845 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Impact,

Lake Fort Phantom Hill and Kirby Lake.

This includes Interstate 20 between Mile Markers 278 and 298.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for west central

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN ANGELO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in San Angelo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Central Jones County in west central Texas...

* Until 1030 PM CDT.

* At 946 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Anson, moving

east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Anson around 950 PM CDT.

Nugent and Avoca around 1030 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Funston,

Truby and The Intersection Of Us-180 And Farm Road 600.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for west central

Texas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 PM CDT

FOR WEST CENTRAL BROWN AND COLEMAN COUNTIES...

At 949 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Mozelle, or

near Voss, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect wind

damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

This severe storm will be near...

Santa Anna around 1010 PM CDT.

Grosvenor, Lake Brownwood Near Thrifty and Lake Brownwood around

1030 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Mozelle,

Whon, Fisk, Thrifty, Echo and Shields.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS CANCELLED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM

WATCH 169 FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN TEXAS THIS CANCELS 4 COUNTIES

IN NORTHWEST TEXAS

BAILEY COCHRAN YOAKUM

IN THE PANHANDLE OF TEXAS

PARMER

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF BOVINA, DENVER CITY, FARWELL, FRIONA,

MORTON, MULESHOE, PLAINS, AND WHITEFACE.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 169 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 11 PM CDT THIS

EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN TEXAS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 20 COUNTIES

COTTLE CROSBY DICKENS

FLOYD GARZA HALE

HOCKLEY KENT KING

LAMB LUBBOCK LYNN

MOTLEY STONEWALL TERRY

BRISCOE CASTRO CHILDRESS

HALL SWISHER

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF AMHERST, ASPERMONT, BROWNFIELD,

CEE VEE, CHILDRESS, CROSBYTON, DICKENS, DIMMITT, DUMONT,

FLOYDADA, GUTHRIE, HALE CENTER, HAPPY, HART, JAYTON, KIRKLAND,

LAKE ALAN HENRY, LEVELLAND, LITTLEFIELD, LOCKNEY, LUBBOCK,

MATADOR, MEADOW, MEMPHIS, NEW HOME, ODONNELL, OLD GLORY, OLTON,

PADUCAH, PLAINVIEW, POST, QUITAQUE, RALLS, ROARING SPRINGS,

SILVERTON, SLATON, SPUR, SUNDOWN, TAHOKA, TULIA, TURKEY, WELLMAN,

AND WOLFFORTH.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN POTTER COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for

the Panhandle of Texas.

FOR NORTHWESTERN ARMSTRONG...NORTHEASTERN RANDALL AND SOUTHWESTERN

CARSON COUNTIES...

At 949 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Washburn, or 12

miles west of Claude, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible. Hail

damage to vehicles is expected.

Locations impacted include...

Claude and Washburn.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading

killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to

be struck by lightning.

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR SOUTHERN SCURRY COUNTY HAS BEEN REPLACED

WITH A FLOOD WARNING...

...FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1245 AM CDT MONDAY...

...REPLACES FLASH FLOOD WARNING...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is ongoing.

* WHERE...A portion of western Texas, including the following

county, Scurry.

* WHEN...Until 1245 AM CDT.

* IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying

and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Low-water

crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable. Expect

many areas of slow moving or standing water, especially across

southern Scurry county.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- At 948 PM CDT, Emergency management reported heavy rain in

the warned area due to thunderstorms. Flooding is ongoing.

Between 3.5 and 4.5 inches of rain have fallen, with locally

higher amounts.

- Some locations that will experience flooding include...

Snyder, Inadale, J B Thomas Reservoir, Dunn, Winston Field,

Ira, Hermleigh, Randalls Corner and Knapp.

- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the

dangers of flooding.

_____

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
Facts about Russia-Ukraine conflict: Two explosions occur in Russia's Belgorod Region

Xinhua) 14:33, May 02, 2022

BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments regarding the conflict between Russia and Ukraine:

Two explosions occurred in Russia's Belgorod Region, which borders Ukraine, but no damage or casualties have been reported, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regional governor, said on Sunday.

"According to the operational headquarters, there is no damage or destruction. There were no casualties. Footage of flashes in the sky has already appeared on social networks," Gladkov wrote on Telegram.

- - - -

The Russian military will not artificially adjust its actions during the special operation in Ukraine to any date, including Victory Day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Sunday.

"We will solemnly celebrate May 9, as we always do," Lavrov said in an interview with Italy's Mediaset broadcaster.

The pace of the operation in Ukraine depends, first of all, on the need to mitigate risks for civilians and Russian troops, he added.

- - - -

Ukraine will continue the evacuation from the besieged city of Mariupol which began on Sunday afternoon, head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said on Sunday evening.

In the first stage, Ukraine evacuated from Mariupol 100 women, children and elders, who will arrive in Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia, Yermak said on Facebook.

- - - -

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that an evacuation is underway inside the Azovstal plant in the besieged city of Mariupol.

"The first group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area," Zelensky tweeted.

He said that the evacuees are set to arrive in the southern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
Digital transformation isnt new. Indeed, it has been on the CIOs agenda for at least 35 years.

I assisted in designing and stage-managing my first symposium on digital transformation in 1987. The keynote speakers were the CEO at the emerging technology supplier and the Chairman/CEO at one of the worlds largest and most technologically sophisticated financial institutions.

The messages delivered from both the supply and demand sides of the tech industry back then were not terribly different from those currently pulsing through podcasts, webinars, zoom calls, and analyst whitepapers today.

This doesnt mean there has been no progress.

Despite the term itself having been relegated to buzzword status, a result of decades of overuse and misuse, the fact is digital transformation is THE thing great CIOs do, every day.

6 truths about digital transformation

After over three decades of hard work, weve learned a lot about what digital transformation is and what it is not. Heres a summary:

Digital transformation is not digitalizationdigitalization is applying new technologies to existing business processes.

Digital transformation is not a strategya strategy has an end point, a set of tactics designed to achieve that end point, and a timeline.

Digital transformation is not a fixed duration projectdigital transformation isnt achieved in three months, six months or 18 months; it never ends.

Digital transformation is hardBCG data indicates that only about 30% of transformation initiatives succeed.

Digital transformation is importantindeed it is existential; the future is digital. As fellow futurist Gerd Leonhard pithily proclaims, Real-life is out.

Digital transformation is less about upgrading the at-scale technology stack and more about upgrading your strategic thinking.

IT strategy in the digital age

From a macro standpoint, everything that the internet did to the music industry is now happening to every other industry. The path forward begins with strategy and strategy begins with conversationsconversations with customers, employees, suppliers, and stakeholders.

We need to stop talking about digital transformation and start paying more attention to the conversations taking place throughout (and outside) the enterprise.

Dr. Karen Stephenson, one of the great seminal thinkers of this century advocates identifying, analyzing, and augmenting these conversations to create maps showing the ropes of the institution (i.e., how things really work), as compared to the org chart, which describes an institutions rules.

Anthropologists and sociologists will tell you that humans pathologically sort themselves (and others) into categories. It is via conversations that such categorizations reveal themselves. Rendering these categorizations explicitly is the starting point of the path to the future.

4 steps for leading through transformation

Thirty-plus years of digital transformation has provided a rich data set of how workplace populations react to technology change. We know there is a digital ethnography of sorts. There are digital natives, workers who grew up with digital tools; digital immigrants, workers who are open to learning and changing; and digital refugees, workers who aggressively avoid digital tools. Each group needs tailored leadership.

Spend more time on strategy. A compendium of academic research regarding where work time is spent indicates that executives currently spend roughly one hour of every five on strategy. Executives need to spend more time on strategy. The Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness estimates that the average leader spends 25 minutes per day on strategy and planning.

Beware the compliance trap. In the U.S., roughly 12% of GDP is spent on regulatory compliance. Faced with massive uncertainties, many organizations have essentially given up on crafting strategy, deciding instead that regulatory compliance will be a surrogate for strategy. Does anyone really want to work in a company whose core skill is compliance?

Embrace uncertainty. Honest futurists will admit that modern forecasts are no more accurate than the auguries generated by ancient gizzard squeezers seeking to advise Roman generals when and where the Visigoths might attack. The future cannot be predicted, but it can be prepared for. It is possible to be on the right side of major trends.

The path forward requires setting in place processes for identifying early signals of change (some call this Pivot Hunting.) Upon recognizing inflection points, one needs to take advantage of them. The owner of a set of underground parking facilities in Paris, recognizing that parking spots were not required when workers were not commuting into work, pivoted and converted the lightless underground facilities into organic mushroom farms.

Tell a story. We live in a confusing world. Employees and customers need a personalized message explaining where you were, where you are now, and where you are going.
On Saturday nightfollowing three blissful years without one and weeks of over-the-top media hype about its returnthe White House Correspondents Dinner made its post-covid comeback. President Biden spokea departure, we were told far too many times, from his predecessors no-showsas did The Daily Shows Trevor Noah, the first comedian to host the event since Michelle Wolfs (barely) edgy 2018 speech offended the prim sensibilities of many White House reporters. Both men made jokes about the pandemic, amid other targets. This is the first time a president attended this dinner in six years, Biden said. We had a horrible plague followed by two years of covid. Noah said he was honored to be hosting the nations most distinguished superspreader event, before asking did none of you learn anything from the Gridiron Dinner? The second someone offers you a free dinner you all turn into Joe Rogan.

The covid context was always likely to loom large, but the aforementioned Gridiron event, which itself returned from a three-year hiatus in early April (and is even yuckier than the Correspondents Dinner), supercharged matters; more than eighty guests subsequently tested positive, including numerous reporters. Last week, Anthony FauciBidens top covid adviser, who attended the Gridirondecided to skip the Correspondents Dinner, citing a personal risk calculation. (Fauci thought it was too dangerous to come tonight, Noah said onstage. Pete Davidson thinks its okay, and we all went with Pete.) All this raised questions as to whether the Correspondents Dinner should be canceled or whether Biden ought to go, and under what circumstances; some health experts said that his attendance would be overly risky given his responsibility to the nation to stay healthy, though others were more positive about his presence and the event in general, arguing that Biden should show Americans how to live alongside the virus. Ultimately, the organizers strengthened their rules to demand a same-day negative test as well as proof of vaccination (they turned down a chance to install germicidal UV lights), while Biden wore a mask when he wasnt talking and took a pass on the eating portion of the event.

New from CJR: 2022 is already the deadliest year for journalists in Mexico

Like Noah, Biden addressed the debate around holding the Correspondents Dinner at the dinner itself. I know there are questions about whether we should gather here tonight because of covid, he said. Well, were here to show the country that were getting through this pandemic. Apparently, members of his administration have recently sounded far less sanguine behind the scenes following a spike in reported covid cases, both nationally and in Washington, where several high-profile politicians have been affected. The cabinet secretaries Merrick Garland, Gina Raimondo, and Tom Vilsack all tested positive post-Gridiron (as, a week later, did Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City); last week, Kate Bedingfield, the White House communications director, and, most notably, Vice President Kamala Harris both reported cases. All said that they had mild or no symptoms. Headlines and push alerts about their diagnoses rained down regardless.

After the Gridiron, in particular, this type of coverage irked the White House: according to Alexander Nazaryan, of Yahoo News, officials saw reporters focus on a handful of largely asymptomatic cases among members of the political elite as coming at the expense of a much more important story about the administrations requests for more covid funds stalling out in Congress, with the White House calculating that Jen Psaki, the press secretary, faced fewer than half as many questions about funding (ten) in the entire first week of April as about safety protocols around Biden (twenty-one) at a single briefing on April 7. At the same briefing, Psaki frustratedly waved around the administrations pandemic preparedness plan and offered reporters a copy. Around the same time, she did likewise with a thick binder detailing how past covid funds were spent, amid Republican complaints about a lack of transparency. Stats Rachel Cohrs said that she was the only reporter to take Psaki up on her offer. When she did so, officials refused her a copy, instead allowing her an hour with the binder under supervision.

This, obviously, was intensely hypocritical. More generally, covid infections among senior officials are newsworthyisolation affects their duties and covid remains a dangerous disease, especially for unvaccinated, immunocompromised, and older people; take these factors together, and Bidens exposure clearly matters. Debates like the one around whether, and how, to hold the Correspondents Dinner, meanwhile, can feed into more broadly relevant societal conversations about risk calculations at this stage of the pandemic.

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Often, though, the tenor of such coverageand, particularly where the Correspondents Dinner has been concerned, its volumehas been disproportionate, sometimes absurdly so. A powerful person getting infected isnt necessarily that big a story if their symptoms arent debilitating and, as has been the case with the names in the spotlight recently, they are vaccinated, sometimes quadruply so; were nowhere near the level, so far, of the time Trump went to the hospital in 2020. More importantly, and more to the White Houses post-Gridiron gripe, focusing on elites can lessen focus elsewherein this case, on funding interventions, from testing to vaccines, that are urgently needed by medically vulnerable people in particular, both in the US and globally. Throughout the pandemic, media coverage has often, if by no means always, framed avoiding infection as a matter of personal responsibility. This approach has always been deeply flawed, and it remains so. As federal covid funds dry up, programs that have supported hospitals and the uninsured are withering. The idea that the Correspondents Dinner is in any way more important than that is shameful.

We have seen plenty of coverage of the funding stakes. Much of it, though, has focused on Washington politicking at the expense of the bigger picture. At this (hopefully) late stage of the pandemic, the press shouldnt be limiting our lens to the scope of congressional will, but rather working to convene a much broader debate not only around covid, but healthcare policy more generally, not least the urgent need to end medical racism and the many other glaring inequities and flaws in the system. Again, some journalists are working to do this; yesterday morning, to cite just one example, a story about funding for the uninsured was higher up the New York Times homepage than the Correspondents Dinner. But its hard to conclude that this has added up to an urgent, agenda-shaping national conversation. Other big stories, not least the war in Ukraine, have recently sapped much of our bandwidth on that front, and thats understandable. But it also underscores just how few distractions we can collectively afford to indulgeand distraction is a perfect word for the Correspondents Dinner.

Not all of the coverage of the dinner was elitist; Axioss Paige Hopkins, among others, drew attention to the disparity in covid requirements between guests and the staff members serving them, flipping the script to shine a light on one close-to-home example of covid inequality. Much of the dinner discourse, though, was circus-like and incestuous. Of course, as I and many others have written before, the dinner didnt need covid to come along to be accused of that; as the Democratic strategist turned pundit David Axelrod told the Times ahead of the event, there is a question of whether its EVER appropriate to engage in an exercise in gaudy, celebrity-drenched self-adulation. Axelrod added that this was a separate questionbut actually it isnt. Its painfully consistent for a media ecosystem that treats a DC schmoozefest as really mattering to treat the many victims of Americas healthcare system as if they dont.

Like Wolf in 2018, Noah had some serious words for the press on Saturday, amid all the jokes. In America you have the right to seek the truth and speak the truth, even if it makes people in power uncomfortableeven if it makes your viewers or your readers uncomfortable, he said, before pivoting to the war in Ukraine. Ask yourself this question: If Russian journalistshad the freedom to write any words, to show any stories, or to ask any questionsif they had basically what you havewould they be using it in the same way that you do? The immediate context here may have been different, but covid, again, was not a separate question.

Below, more on the Correspondents Dinner, covid, and the White House:

Biden v. Fox: After Biden acknowledged the debate about the safety of the dinner in his speech, he referenced the vaccination requirement for entry, and then tweaked Fox News, telling viewers that if they were wondering how to get vaccinated and boosted they should just contact your favorite Fox News reporter. Theyre all here, vaccinated and boostedall of them. Yesterday, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a Fox personality, hit back, saying that she didnt go to the dinner because (among many other reasons) she is unvaccinated, before pointing to her colleague Pete Hegseth and noting that he isnt vaccinated either. Bidens remark, she said, was not true and so ironic.

After Biden acknowledged the debate about the safety of the dinner in his speech, he referenced the vaccination requirement for entry, and then tweaked Fox News, telling viewers that if they were wondering how to get vaccinated and boosted they should just contact your favorite Fox News reporter. Theyre all here, vaccinated and boostedall of them. Yesterday, Rachel Campos-Duffy, a Fox personality, hit back, saying that she didnt go to the dinner because (among many other reasons) she is unvaccinated, before pointing to her colleague Pete Hegseth and noting that he isnt vaccinated either. Bidens remark, she said, was not true and so ironic. Vaccines for young kids: On Friday, David Leonhardt, of the Times, took aim at the federal government for creating confusion around its failure to approve a covid vaccine for children under five, with officials variously pinning the decision on themselves and vaccine manufacturers. Parents listen to the public statements of government officials and the news coverage but fail to find comprehensible answers, Leonhardt wrote. The confusion has become one more factor contributing to Americans distrust of major institutions like the government, the media and the medical system.

On Friday, David Leonhardt, of the Times, took aim at the federal government for creating confusion around its failure to approve a vaccine for children under five, with officials variously pinning the decision on themselves and vaccine manufacturers. Parents listen to the public statements of government officials and the news coverage but fail to find comprehensible answers, Leonhardt wrote. The confusion has become one more factor contributing to Americans distrust of major institutions like the government, the media and the medical system. Staffing news: Sarah Mucha, of Axios, reported last week that Pili Tobar, the deputy White House communications director, is leaving the administration to take a job in the private sector. At the White House, Tobar managed a communications portfolio that included immigration, climate and LGBTQI+ issues, among others, while serving as a bilingual spokesperson in Spanish, Mucha writes. Tobar joined the White House from the Biden campaign, where she led the coalitions communications team.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: In western Canada, land defenders keep filming

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
About 5 million honeybees bound for Alaska last weekend got waylaid when Delta Air Lines routed them through Atlanta, where most of the bees died after being left for hours in crates on the ground during hot weather.

The bees were the first of two shipments ordered by Alaska beekeeper Sarah McElrea from a distributor in California. The bees were to be used to pollinate apple orchards and nurseries in Alaska, where they are not native.

But the bees were bumped from their original route to Anchorage, Alaska, and instead put on a flight to Atlanta, where they were to be transferred to an Anchorage-bound plane, according to published reports.

McElrea said she worried when the 800-pound shipment didnt arrive in Atlanta in time to make the connecting flight. The next day, she said, Delta told her some bees had escaped, so airline workers put the crates holding the bees outside.

In a panic, McElrea reached a beekeeper in Atlanta, who rushed to the airport and discovered that many of the bees had died from heat and starvation, according to The New York Times.

Delta called it an unfortunate situation.

In an emailed statement, Delta spokeswoman Catherine Morrow told The Associated Press on Friday that that the airline was made aware of the shipment situation  and quickly engaged the appropriate internal teams to assess the situation. We have taken immediate action to implement new measures to ensure events of this nature do not occur in the future.

Morrow said Delta apologized to McElrea. The airline declined to make anyone available for an interview.

The beekeeper in Atlanta, Edward Morgan, called more than a dozen people to go to the airport and try to save any bees that were still alive.

This is a disaster, Gina Galucci of the Georgia Beekeepers Association told Atlanta broadcaster WABE. We did mobilize very, very quickly. We did that because we know theyre going to die.

McElrea, who runs a business called Sarahs Alaska Honey, that she had received previous shipments of honeybees on Delta from Sacramento, California, to Anchorage via Seattle many times. The airline told her that last weekends shipment didnt fit on the plane, so they were rerouted through Atlanta.

McElrea said her supplier in California will replace the shipment, which was worth about $48,000. She said she is hoping Delta provides some help, although she acknowledged that shipping live animals carries risk.

About the photo: In this Sept. 1, 2015, photo, a honeybee works atop gift zinnia in Accord, N.Y. A shipment of honeybees bound from California to Alaska died after an airline re-routed them through Atlanta, then left them to sit on the tarmac during hot weather. Delta Air Lines said Friday, April 29, 2022, it is making changes to prevent a repeat of what happened last weekend. (AP Photo/Mike Groll, File)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A Florida appeals court has put a fine point on the still-evolving going and coming rule in workers compensation law.

The 1st District Court of Appeal found that a man injured on his way to a jobsite was not due benefits, even though he was carrying some work supplies at the time of the automobile accident and had been partly paid for his gas expenses.

The take-away for employers and insurers may be that the injury was not compensable because the electrician was non-salaried, was not fully compensated for his gas money, did not transport large amount of materials, and was en route from home to his first job of the day  not between jobs  when he was involved in the collision.

The opinion in DSK Group and Zurich American vs. Jorge Hernandez, posted Wednesday, overruled a workers compensation judges 2019 decision. It left the now-retired comp judge, Stephen Rosen, shaking his head.

It seems to me the court went out of its way to avoid paying this guy compensation, Rosen said Thursday. They disregarded the facts, I say.

George Kagan, the insurers attorney in the case, said the court got it right, based on the going and coming rule and its exceptions. Even after decades of court review, the rule is still debated in some circumstances.

Its settled law, but there are so many permutations to it, Kagan said.

Hernandez was working for DSK, an employee-leasing company in August 2018. He was on his way to a jobsite for KBF Renovations Inc., a remodeling contractor near Tampa, one morning when a drunk driver collided with his vehicle.

Floridas coming-and-going rule, like those in most states, generally bars workers comp benefits for employees who are commuting to and from work. The rule was established by the courts in 1941 and was codified by the Florida Legislature in 1990, the appeals court explained. The thinking was that with so many workers at risk of an accident during their commutes, when they are essentially off duty, the comp system could not afford to cover the thousands of accidents which routinely occur, the court wrote, quoting from a 1986 court decision.

But the law also allows an exception for traveling employees who are required to travel extensively for work. They are more often considered eligible for benefits if injured while traveling. But that exception has its own limits and usually applies only if the injury occurs in the course and scope of employment, and not necessarily while in route to work.

Rosen decided that Hernandez was not a traveling employee but was what he termed a field employee. The appeals court said that label was not found in the statutes and Rosen was in error.

A key reason for Rosens decision was that, while the electricians hourly pay did not start until he reached the jobsite, the employer had provided him with a fuel credit card. Hernandez also carried some supplies necessary for the electrical work, suggesting that the man was in the course and scope of employment when injured.

He was paid by the hour, but in addition, he also got $165 a month in gas money, Rosen told the Insurance Journal. And he carried some materials in his car. How would they have gotten to the site if he didnt take them?

I find that the hazards of the road were inherent to the claimants employment with this employer, Rosen wrote in his 2019 decision.

Kagan pointed out that Hernandez had testified that the gas card did not cover all of his fuel expenses, although at the comp court hearing, Hernandez said he would request more if needed. Nonetheless, The appeals court noted that the fuel allowance did not mean that the employer was compensating Hernandez for drive time from home.

None of the evidence regarding the monthly $165 company credit card allowance for gas demonstrated that the employer intended to reimburse Hernandez for any specific mileage cost he incurred between his home and the job sites, Judge A.S. Tanenbaum wrote for the three-judge panel.

On appeal, the claimants attorney argued that Hernandez was, in fact, a traveling employee, exempted from the comings-goings-rule. But the appeals court did not buy into that, either.

The decision also highlights the fine line that case law and statutes have continued to draw between whats compensable and whats not. If the electrician had been salaried, or had been traveling between job sites, or had been on a special errand for the employer, or had carried extensive amounts of materials, its more likely his injuries would have been compensated, the court and the attorneys in the case said.

Hernandez lawyer, Kimberly Hill, pointed to a 2000 case known as McCormick v. Florida Auditor General. The worker in that case was injured on her way home from a field audit, and the 1st DCA at the time found that the injury was compensable, partly because she was a salaried employee.

The difference in that case, Kagan said, was that McCormick routinely took long trips for audits, was paid for her mileage and was paid a per diem amount for lunches.

The appeals court noted that this all meant that her drive, even though it was to her home, was part of her work, rather than coming from work. The compensated status of the travel made her a traveling employee, excepted from the going or coming exclusion.

At the end of the day, Rosen said, Hernandez came up short. He may have filed suit against the other driver, and may have had health insurance, but he was never reimbursed for the time he could not work.

Kagan, based in Gulf Stream, said the Hernandez decision should put an end to claims from workers who are injured in route to work, carrying small amounts of tools or supplies.

The days of some employer material in claimants car or truck, or a different worksite daily constituting going and coming exceptions are over, Kagan wrote in an email Thursday to other comp lawyers. Such folks are simply going to and from work, which is not compensable as a matter of statutory policy.

The claimants attorney in the appeal could not be reached for comment Thursday. But Rosen said he fully expects that the decision will be appealed to the Florida Supreme Court.
13 April 2022 marked 80 years since the Dutch revolutionary socialist Henk Sneevliet, along with six of his comrades, were executed by the Nazi German occupiers. Sneevliet devoted his whole life to fighting for the interests of the working class of the Netherlands, as well as the oppressed in Indonesia and China.

In this article, we examine his life and contributions to the workers movement in the Netherlands and abroad. We analyse his strengths and weaknesses in order to learn from his struggle and thereby prepare a new generation of Marxists for the coming class struggle.

Early life

Henk Sneevliet was born on 13 May 1883 to a poor family in Rotterdam, and grew up in the town of Den Bosch. He was only able to attend secondary school (Hogerburgerschool) with the help of external financial support. After completing his exams, he got a job on the state railways.

He became politically active in 1902, and joined the Social Democratic Labour Party (SDAP), the Dutch section of the Second (Socialist) International, which was Marxist at least in name. The following year, in 1903, there were two mass railway strikes, the first mass strikes of the Dutch working class. Although the first strike was won, the railway workers lost the second strike. The conservative Kuyper government passed an anti-strike law for state officials and railway employees, and 10 percent of the railway workers were fired. This anti-strike law was not abolished until 1979.

Sneevliet devoted his whole life to fighting for the interests of the working class of the Netherlands, as well as the oppressed in Indonesia and China / Image: public domain

This defeat reverberated within the workers movement, but also resulted in the emergence of a new generation of young militants, including Sneevliet. He helped to organise an SDAP section in the town of Zwolle, of which he became the chairman in 1907. He was also elected to the city council and became the editor of the local SDAP newspaper De Sociaal-Democraat.

In addition to this, he was active in the Dutch Association for Rail and Tram Employees (the NV), becoming its paid chairman in 1911. He was a very passionate and talented editor, propagandist and organiser, which he would remain for the rest of his life.

His theoretical education initially came from the famous Dutch socialist poet Henriette Roland-Holst, who was affiliated with the Marxist monthly magazine De Nieuwe Tijd. Through this publication, he came into contact with the left-wing of Dutch social democracy, from which he learned a lot.

Conflicts inside the SDAP and the NVV

The SDAP was part of the Second International, the international organisation of socialist parties founded in 1889. Friedrich Engels was involved with its founding and the International officially based itself on Marxism.

In practice, however, a non-Marxist wing developed in the Second International, the so-called revisionists, who argued that the ideas of Marx were no longer correct and that capitalism had overcome its contradictions. They considered the central task of social democracy to be the implementation of reforms and the management of capitalism through participation in the government.

Alongside them, there existed a layer of social democratic leaders that called themselves Marxists and stood for socialist revolution, but in practice were busy with the everyday work in the party and trade unions, focusing on small reforms.

The rise of these currents reflected the rising bureaucracy in the socialist parties and trade unions, which in a period of relative economic growth could gain more concessions from the bosses. They rose above the average worker, and viewed the activity of the party and trade union organisations as a goal in itself, from which they also acquired their income.

This international phenomenon could also be seen in the Netherlands, when the SDAP leadership made opportunist concessions in order to get more votes in elections. For example, in 1901, the SDAP leader Pieter Jelles Troelstra argued that small plots of land should be given to agrarian workers in order to turn them into small farmers. This was supposed be a lot easier than the organisation of agrarian workers against capitalist farmers, but was a concession to the petty-bourgeoisie. Besides being unhelpful for increasing the class consciousness of agricultural workers, this was a reactionary utopia. The small farmers were gradually marginalised as a social group through competition from the more productive large-scale agriculture.

Another example was the educational struggle. With the idea in mind of winning over the Catholic and Protestant workers, Troelstra and the SDAP leadership wanted religious education to be financed by the state (a demand of the religious political parties). The party would later also make a deal with the Christian parties to support this. Far from winning the support of religious workers, this resulted in the division of children along religious lines, the financing of religious education and a strengthening of religious institutions.

The Marxists around De Nieuwe Tijd were highly critical of this and organised against the watering-down of the programme for electoral gains. When the old guard of the Marxists surrendered at the 1907 party congress in order to maintain party unity, a new group of Marxists (led by David Wijnkoop, Willem van Ravesteyn and Jan Ceton) set up the magazine De Tribune. They were more firm and determined in their resistance. In 1909, at a regular congress in Deventer, the editors of De Tribune were expelled because they refused to stop publishing their magazine. Along with some 400 other members, they created the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which formed the basis for the future Communist Party of Holland (CPH)

Henriette Roland-Holst did not yet become a member. She wanted to remain in the opposition of the SDAP. The same was true for Sneevliet, who was strongly influenced by her. At that moment, it was not yet clear to them how shamefully the Second International would collapse and how important it was to build a strong core of Marxists. In addition to this, the SDP also had ultra-left, sectarian traits, which did not attract the left-wing of the SDAP. Sneevliet would also come into conflict with the SDAP leadership, two years later.

The international sailors strike

In June of 1911, the international sailors strike began in Great Britain, which sought an international uniform wage-standard for all sailors. Unions in Germany, Norway and Sweden didnt support them, but the British sailors received support from the Netherlands and Belgium.

In Rotterdam, De Volharding played an important role. This was a union of sailors that was affiliated with the social democratic trade union federation, the NVV. In Amsterdam, the General Dutch Sailors Union (ANZ) played an important role. It was not, however, affiliated with the NVV, but the older syndicalist union federation, the NAS (Dutch Labour Secretariat).

While De Volharding had arrived at an agreement with the shipowners after two weeks, the ANZ wanted to expand the strike and involve as many workers as possible. Sneevliet, who at that time was the chairman of the NVV-affiliated trade union NV, argued that the NVV and NAS unions should work together in the interests of the strike, which had expanded to the dockworkers of Amsterdam. This was the correct Marxist position, which puts the interests of the whole working class above those of the trade union apparatus. However, the leadership of the NVV was against this and did not want to support a NAS union. As a result, the strike in Amsterdam eventually ended in a defeat.

For Sneevliet, this was a sign of opportunism within the NVV leadership. He wanted the SDAP to take a definite stand against this, but in the end, Troelstra decided to support the politics of the NVV at the 1912 party congress. This was the final straw for Sneevliet and Roland-Holst, and they left the SDAP.

Sneevliet joined the SDP, which at that time was still a propaganda organisation. He was not a theorist though, but an organiser par excellence and did not have a good understanding of the role that the SDP could play in the Netherlands. Due to the close bond between the SDAP and NVV bureaucrats, he lost his function in the NVV as a result of his SDP membership.

Feeling like he was stuck, being unemployed, and looking for new opportunities, he moved in 1913 to what was then still the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia). Before leaving he resigned from the SDP, which he found to be sectarian. Consequently, he re-joined the SDAP shortly before his departure.

Work in Indonesia

Sneevliet arrived in the Dutch colony at a moment when both the national consciousness and the working class were just developing. The Sarekat Islam (SI), the Islamic Union, had been established a few years earlier as a merchants organisation, but was quickly transformed into a mass organisation with 100,000 members. This was a reflection of the desire for national and social emancipation.

In Indonesia, Sneevliet was able to work as an organiser alongside his job at the trade association in Semarang, Middle Java. He was active in the in multi-ethnic trade union, the Association for Rail and Tram Employees (VSTP), and used his experience from the Dutch railway union to expand the union to the poorest Indonesian workers on the basis of a radical and militant programme. The young rail worker Semaun, who joined in 1916, would become one of later leaders of the Communist Party of Indonesia (PKI).

Sneevliet was key in extending the work of the multi-ethnic trade union in Indonesia, which was later to provide cadres for the building of the Communist Party of Indonesia / Image: public domain

In May of 1914, he and a couple of dozen socialists (both SDAP and SDP members) helped to found the Indies Social Democratic Association (ISDV). Although the first members were Dutch socialists, there was a special focus on recruiting Indonesian workers. In 1915, the ISDV had 103 members (of which only three were Indonesian), and in 1919, there were 330 (of which 300 were Indonesian). Sneevliet correctly saw the necessity of uniting the social with the national struggle, and oriented the ISDV towards the Sarekat Islam. Multiple sections of Sarekat were won over to the ISDV.

The openly anti-colonial programme of the organisation caused the revisionist minority to split from the ISDV in 1917. It also resulted in the party being opposed by the colonial government, which saw it as a threat. Despite its small size, the ISDV had a large influence in the trade unions of the Dutch East Indies. Its correct message  to link the anti-colonial struggle to the workers struggle in the Netherlands  was a threat to Dutch capital, the common enemy of the Indonesian masses and the Dutch workers.

The mass influence of the ISDV also had a weaker downside. Similar to people like Rosa Luxemburg and the Irish revolutionary James Connolly, Sneevliet had an incomplete understanding of the need to build a revolutionary party well-grounded in Marxist theory. He was mostly concerned with quickly building mass organisations led by a general Marxist view of class struggle. The Leninist approach, by contrast, emphasises a cadre organisation of professional revolutionaries with a thorough knowledge of Marxism. This is the condition for mass influence. Of course, there was Marxist education and political discussion in the ISDV and later the PKI. These however took place in a routinist manner. This weak side of Sneevliet would leave a permanent mark on the development of the young Communist Party. Read more about this subject in this article.

These were the years of the First World War. In August of 1914, the leadership of the Second International betrayed the working class by supporting their own ruling classes (with a few individual exceptions) in this imperialist conflict. In Germany and France, the socialist parties voted for the war credits. In neutral countries such as the Netherlands, social democracy and the trade unions reached an agreement to minimise the class struggle for the duration of the war, in order to keep the peace of God. Also, the SDAP voted for mobilisation credits. While the class struggle was contained, and the working class suffered from shortages and price increases, the Dutch capitalists made super-profits by exporting goods to both war parties.

This international barbarism came to an end as a result of a revolutionary wave. In November of 1917, the October Revolution, led by the Bolsheviks took place and transferred power to the Soviets. A year later, the November Revolution happened in Germany, which brought down the Kaiser. Both of these events sent huge shockwaves through Europe and Asia.

The war and revolutions clarified on which side Sneevliet stood. I only became completely conscious in my Indonesian years that I shared the views of Karl Liebknecht, Rosa Luxemburg, Franz Mehring, and others in Germany Lenin, Trotsky and others in RussiaGorter, Van Ravesteyn, Wijnkoop and others in Holland. I then definitively broke with the SDAP, he declared in November 1917. He had re-joined the SDAP right before his departure to Indonesia, but in 1916 he definitively left the party and re-joined the SDP. Roland-Holsts group in the Netherlands, the RSV, also fused with the SDP.

The colonial authorities wanted Sneevliet out of Indonesia. He had written a notorious article in which he praised the Russian February Revolution, calling it an example for the masses of the Dutch East Indies:

Here lives a people that is blessed by nature as no other country. Here lives a people, poor and ignorant. Here lives a people that brings forth riches, which for centuries fly away to the safes of the rulers of Western Europe, especially to the small country that politically rules here. Here lives a people that tolerates and bears. Political organisations are bannedthe right to assemble is promised but not implemented; criticism in the press severely threatened by a justice that must fear unilaterally and unjustly, because it is the justice of the ruler; attempted activities are fought with violence or imprisonment. Political activity is only allowed when it is the activity of the ruler, as contempt for the peoplefor example, activity for military resilience to defend the fatherland, which is what a foreign ruler has taken away from the community. Here millions of people have lived, tolerated and suffered for centuries.and since Dipo Negoro there have not been any leaders to bring the masses into action to take their fate into their own hands. People of Java, the Russian Revolution also contains lessons for you.

This article (especially the last line) resulted in a political trial for incitement, but in the end, he was acquitted.

The following autumn, however, was too much for the colonial authorities. The German Revolution of November 1918 had caused a shockwave, which amongst other things led to tension within the Dutch military (resulting in the so-called 'Red Week'), which also affected the Dutch East Indies. A soldiers and sailors movement developed, which even started to set up soldiers and sailor councils. Leaders of the ISDV, such as Sneevliet and Brandsteder, had been holding meetings since the summer with soldiers and sailors about the Russian and German Revolution, and helped them to organise.

The German Revolution did not lead to the seizure of power by the working class, because of the treacherous role of German social democracy, which gave power back to the bourgeoisie. The First World War did end, giving some breathing room and encouraging a faster de-mobilisation in the Netherlands. This situation, combined with repression, resulted in the end of the soldiers' and sailors movement. On 20 December 1918, Sneevliet was expelled from Indonesia and returned to the Netherlands.

The CPH

In the Netherlands, the situation had already changed. During the First World War, the SDP had grown and become popular among the most advanced workers. The Russian October Revolution was a turning point, whereby it became clear what the differences were between social democracy and the revolutionary Marxists, who from this point began calling themselves Communists. In 1918, the SDP changed its name to the Communist Party of Holland in order to join the Third International (the Comintern) the following year. The party had grown to about 2,000 members.

Although the leading triumvirate of the Party (David Wijnkoop, Willem van Ravesteyn and Jan Ceton) played an important role in the struggle against Troelstra's revisionism and the later building of the SDP-CPH, there were problems with them from the start. There were ultra-left political tendencies in the leadership, who, for example, rejected the negotiations between Soviet Russia and Germany and rejected the right to self-determination in principle. They also had a strong tendency to organise above their means and constantly sought financial support from the Russian Communist Party in order to fill financial gaps. In addition to this, there was an unhealthy culture around resolving internal disagreements, which were dealt with organisationally rather than politically. For example, the leadership of the Comintern had to intervene in 1923 to protect the oppositional minority around Willem van Reesema and Jacques de Kadt against the leading triumvirate, making calls for unity and political discussion. They demanded a more democratic culture, organisational professionalism, and more discussion about Comintern resolutions about the united front and trade union tactics, but were threatened with expulsions and suspensions.

Sneevliet was welcomed back by the CPH and joined the leadership of the party, but from the beginning expected to be distrusted by Wijnkoop. Because of his trade union experience, it was decided that Sneevliet would lead the work in the NAS.

Because of the class collaboration of the NVV leadership during the war, the NAS had grown into a militant alternative. In 1914, the NAS had a small membership of 10,000 members, but in 1920 had achieved its peak of 50,000 members. These were the most advanced, radical workers, who had significant sympathy for the Russian Revolution.

In that period, it was correct for the party to orient itself towards the NAS workers and to advocate for the NAS to become an affiliate of the Red International of Labour Unions (RILU, Profintern), which was established by the Comintern to unite all revolutionary trade unions and currents in the trade union movement in a single international. Nonetheless, it was also important in the long-term to win over the workers in the larger NVV to communism. Here, tactical flexibility was very important.

Sneevliet became active in the Dutch federation of transport workers and played an important role in the transport workers strike of February-April 1920, which took place in the harbours of Amsterdam and Rotterdam. In the summer, he soon had to leave the Netherlands again in order to attend the Second Congress of the Comintern.

Moscow and China

Sneevliet participated in the Second Congress in 1920 as a representative of the ISDV, which had recently changed its name to PKIthe Communist Party of Indonesia. He participated in the debates around the national and colonial question. His unique experiences among those present formed an important basis for the positions of the Comintern on this question.

While the communist parties had to retain their class independence and orient themselves towards the proletariat in these countries, it was necessary at the same time to support the national-democratic independence movements against colonialism and imperialism. A central point here was that these movements in oppressed nations had to be united with the workers struggle in the advanced capitalist countries.

As a result of his knowledge and experience, Sneevliet, as the representative of the Comintern in the Far East (using the name Maring), was sent on a mission to China to help the young communists to set up their organisation. He was present at the First Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in July of 1921.

At that time, it was a small organisation that had to operate underground, in a country that was torn apart by conflicts between different warlords. Basing himself on his experience with the ISDV and Sarekat Islam and the positions of the Congress of the Comintern, Sneevliet came to the conclusion that the CCP should orient itself to work inside the Chinese nationalist mass organisation, the Kuomintang (KMT).

In the early stages of the CCP, it was necessary to have an orientation towards the Kuomintang. There were still tasks of the national revolution that had to be carried out: driving the imperialist powers out of China, national unity (the defeat of the warlords) and land reforms. However, in order to build a revolutionary anti-imperialist united front, it was necessary not to liquidate the communist organisation, but rather have it maintain its own identity.

There was always a danger of illusions in the Kuomintang, which under Chiang Kai-shek's leadership in 1927 would eventually slaughter the workers and peasants. Sneevliet visited the former KMT-leader Sun Yat-sen multiple times and definitely held illusions in him. Sneevliet saw few options for the Chinese communists, while only a few years later the party could have taken power on the condition that it carried out its own independent politics. This was a clear error of judgement.

Yet, it is incorrect to blame the later failure of the Chinese Revolution in 1925-1927 on Sneevliet. The orientation of the KMT really only became a problem when the Comintern, under Stalin and Bukharin's leadership, advocated for a two-class party of workers and peasants and a two-stage theory of revolution, in which the CCP during the first stage had to entirely subordinate itself to the KMT leadership around Chiang Kai-Shek. This occurred in 1924-1925. In August of 1923, Sneevliet had already left China. After a few months in Moscow, he definitively returned to the Netherlands.

From the CPH to the RSP

In the spring of 1924, Sneevliet returned to the Netherlands, where he took up his work in the CPH. He was welcomed by the oppositionists within the party, who saw in him an alternative for the triumvirate around Wijnkoop.

Because of his work in Indonesia and China, and his earlier trade union work, Sneevliet was very popular among the advanced workers in the Netherlands. When he took up his work within the NAS, which had joined the Profintern in 1923, Sneevliet was elected its chairman within a short period of time.

When the CPH leadership came in support of the attacks by Stalin on Trotsky, Sneevliet  whom had met Trotsky and knew there was not a grain of truth in all the slanders against him and his supporters  resigned from the party / Image: Henk Sneevliet Archive, Wikimedia Commons

In the year 1924, Lenin died. Because the Russian Revolution was isolated in a backward country, the Bolsheviks were forced to use elements of the old tsarist state bureaucracy to implement administrative and government tasks. This bureaucracy was extending its power, from the state apparatus towards the party and the Comintern. The democratic culture of discussion of the first four congresses of the Comintern, was being replaced by bureaucratic-centralist methods.

In the meantime, within the Russian party there was the rise of the Left Opposition, which struggled for a return to the democratic traditions of the Bolsheviks, for re-introducing workers democracy in the state, for industrialisation and voluntary collectivisation of agriculture. The Opposition turned against Stalins anti-Marxist theory of socialism in one country, which reflected the narrow interests of the bureaucracy. This proletarian opposition, of which Leon Trotsky was the figurehead, was repressed more and more, and in 1927 was expelled from the party.

Under the banner of the Bolshevisation of the national sections of the Comintern, the national leaderships started to be replaced from the top, to bring them into line with the International. Of course, in an international organisation, the international leadership stands above the national leaderships and has the right and duty to get involved with the national sections, especially in case of internal conflicts and problems. Its authority, however, should be political and moral, seeking to stimulate debate from which all can sides learn, to lift the political level of the organisation, so that the sections can turn outwards in a united way.

On the other hand, replacing national leaderships from the top leads to a lowering of the political level, and an organisational submission of the sections to the international leadership. It is a way of looking for administrative-organisational solutions to political problems. This practice was introduced in the Comintern by Zinoviev, and cleared the way for the much worse bureaucratic practices under Stalin.

In the Netherlands, the party was under the wayward leadership of the triumvirate around Wijnkoop, which was opposed by different oppositionist currents. On the one hand, there was a democratic opposition against the authoritarian tendencies of the triumvirate, on the other hand, there was a trade union opposition.

The trade union opposition fought against the proposal to liquidate a few smaller NAS unions in order to fuse them with the NVV. This opposition wanted the party to exclusively focus on the NAS for its trade union work. In principle, it was correct to have a perspective of work within the NVV, the trade union federation with a much higher membership. At the same time, the proposal of Wijnkoop was very forceful and without a sense of proportion. The NAS had tens of thousands of members. The CPH in these days had around 1,500 members, most of them active members of the NAS. Whatever trade union policy should be followed, it was first of all needed to explain this policy in a political way. The NAS was full of militants of a syndicalist background, that needed to be convinced of the Communist policies, but also the Communist members of the NAS had first to be properly convinced of the need to connect with the NVV workers, before the policy could be forced through from the top.

The Comintern and Profintern, however, started to push for a collaboration of the Profintern with the social-democratic International Federation of Trade Unions (the so-called Amsterdam International). This was part of an international tactic to win social-democratic and reformist trade union leaders as allies for the Soviet bureaucracy. Instead of winning the trade union militants by systematic Communists work from below, deals were made from the top-down.

In 1925, the first top-down intervention took place against the leadership of the CPH. Wijnkoop had to step down, forced by the Comintern leadership. He certainly was no supporter of Leon Trotsky, but he was seen as independent of Moscow. The oppositionist currents originally supported this move and were happy they got rid of the triumvirate, but all this was only the start of more problems. The party would fall apart soon, exactly because the new leadership was now blindly following Moscow.

The Comintern leadership did not want to directly get rid of Sneevliet, because of his leadership position in the NAS. They wanted to force through a fusion of the NAS and the NVV. Sneevliet and the NAS-communists disagreed, but it was forced through anyway in 1927 as the official line of the Profintern. This led to a rupture between the NAS and the Profintern.

The new CPH leadership in 1927 supported the attacks by Stalin on Trotsky and Zinoviev. In December that year, it condemned the Trotskyists. This led to Henriette Roland Holst and Sneevliet leaving the party. Both had known Trotsky personally and knew there was not a grain of truth in all the slanders against him and his supporters, that they would form a rightwing, counter-revolutionary faction that was undermining the Russian revolution. From his time in China, Sneevliet had also known Adolph Joffe. This Soviet diplomat had committed suicide in 1927, in protest against the treatment of the Left Opposition.

For Sneevliet this forced trade union policy, combined with the treatment of the Russian opposition, was the proof that the Comintern was lost. In 1929, he founded the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP), an anti-Stalinist party strongly connected to the NAS, of which he became the chairman. When founded, it had about 350 members, mostly NAS-communists and some ex-members of a former libertarian socialist party. The RSP put almost all of its attention on the NAS, in order to give a political expression to this radical union. The CPH was now aimed at the NVV.

Sneevliet admired Trotsky a lot, but did not always understand his struggle completely. Trotsky was involved in building the Left Opposition, both in the Soviet Union and internationally, as a faction of the Comintern. Even if members or sections were expelled, they still considered themselves a faction. This had nothing to do any illusions by Trotsky in the Comintern. It was a struggle to win the majority of the Communists to a correct course, against the opportunist and ultra-left turns of the bureaucracy. For the RSP, however, the CPH was simply now a competitor and opponent.

That is why, in spite of Sneevliets sympathy for Trotsky, there was no direct attempt at political collaboration. Sneevliet and the RSP did ask for political asylum for Trotsky in the Netherlands, after he was expelled from the Soviet Union, a request the Dutch bourgeois state of course refused.

It was only a few years later that the two men would join hands, after Hitler came to power in Germany. The Communist Party of Germany (KPD) consistently refused a united front with the Social-Democratic Party to stop a fascist take-over. When this allowed Hitler to take power in 1933, the KPD and Comintern initially refused to recognise this as a defeat!

After this dramatic defeat, Trotsky and the International Left Opposition (ILO) started to advocate the building of a Fourth International, because they now saw the Comintern as completely lost. The first collaboration with other groups led to the Declaration of Four, which the ILO co-signed with the SAP in Germany, and the RSP and OSP in the Netherlands. The latter, the Independent Socialist Party, was a left-wing split from the SDAP.

Besides having contacts with the ILO, the RSP also was in contact with the London Bureau, an international association of centrist parties. These were floating between the ideas of revolution and reformism. Sneevliet chose close collaboration with the ILO, but kept his contacts with the London Bureau in reserve.

Mutiny at De Zeven Provincien

While Sneevliet was fighting with the RSP and the NAS for the interests of the Dutch workers, he never forgot the colonial question. This was clear when a mutiny broke out at the warship De Zeven Provincien. On 4 February 1933, a mutiny started, in solidarity with a movement of (both Dutch and Indonesian) sailors on Surabaya against wage cuts, which led to arrests there. Indonesian and Dutch sailors took over the ship and wanted to sail from Northeast Sumatra to Surabaya in order to liberate their jailed comrades. The Dutch state, however, decided to end this mutiny the hard way and on 10 February it dropped a bomb on the ship by plane, killing 23 sailors.

Sneevliet had written a supportive manifesto for the mutiny, which led to him being put in jail for 5 months. This happened when he was already on the electoral list of the RSP, for the parliamentary elections. Because of his actions, he was very popular among the most advanced layers, which led him to be elected into parliament from jail.

Fusion between RSP and OSP

The RSP fused in 1935 with the OSP, to create the Revolutionary Socialist Workers Party (RSAP). This fusion party had more than 3,000 members and brought together the vanguard of the most militant socialists in the Netherlands. The Stalinist CPN (the CPH had changed name) around that time had 5,000 members, and saw the RSAP as a serious competitor that had to be slandered.

The RSP fused in 1935 with the OSP, to create the Revolutionary Socialist Workers Party / Image: International Institute of Social History

Together with the NAS, the RSAP organised actions within factories and companies, and organised the unemployed. It also organised anti-fascist activities, support for German refugees fleeing fascism, and solidarity with the revolutionary struggle in Spain. The 1930s was a turbulent time, with a strong economic crisis, high unemployment, and the rise of fascist groups such as the NSB, which presented a threat to the working class.

The exclusive orientation towards the NAS meant that the party and trade union together formed a sort of small closed-off pillar with their own organisations, which made it difficult to win reformist and communist workers, who were mostly active in the NVV.

Differences between Sneevliet and the Fourth International

Although Sneevliet and Trotsky had come closer politically, as they both wanted to build a Fourth International, from the start there were political differences. These eventually led to a rupture of Sneevliet and the RSAP with the Fourth International.

Its important to analyse these differences. Many Dutch socialists have a tendency of glossing over them, thinking they are secondary. Or they see in the split the proof that the Fourth International was sectarian and purist, doomed from the start. Often it is said that Trotskys approach was hard and dogmatic, and that his tone contributed to the split.

All this ignores the fact that there were a series of serious political differences from the beginning. The International Secretariat did not force its line in a bureaucratic way on the RSAP, but in fact, had a lot of patience. Sneevliet basically had a free hand in the Netherlands. It was taken into account that the RSAP and NAS came from a different tradition than the Left Opposition, so a process of clarification was inevitable. However, a process as such can have two outcomes. Either the parties grow closer, or they grow apart, which inevitably leads to a split.

The NAS question

Sneevliet since 1924 had been the chairman of the NAS, and the RSP was in fact completely connected to the NAS. The NAS membership figure in the meantime had shrunk a lot. In 1920 it had 50,000 members, while in 1935 it was only around 13,000. Meanwhile, the NVV had about 300,000 members.

Trotsky advocated gradually building up the work in the NVV, because the mass of the workers was situated there. This didnt mean that all positions in the NAS had to be thrown away, but it was needed to have an orientation to the rest of the workers movement and to advocate a united front.

Another issue was that the NAS now was paying unemployment benefits that came from the Dutch government, similar to what the NVV and Christian unions were doing. Trotsky saw a risk in this, as it was a way through which the bourgeois state would integrate the trade unions into its apparatus, something which was (and is) an international trend.

Sneevliet made the NAS almost a fetish, as the best revolutionary elements of the working class were here. He wanted to keep these elements together. However, in practice, this meant the separation of these vanguard elements from the rest of the class, which meant that the reformist SDAP leadership could keep its grip over the NVV.

The NAS was a radical union in decline. After the Second World War, it would not be re-founded. The future was not for the small revolutionary unions, but for the mass unions. Trotsky and the International Secretariat were correct on this question.

The question of entryism

Trotsky advocated theoretical implacability, but at the same time tactical flexibility. The sections of the nascent Fourth International were, since their expulsion from the Comintern, mostly small propaganda groups. It was necessary for them to pursue active work within the broader labour movement. This meant, not only within the trade unions, but in some cases also within existing workers parties.

This was not Trotskys invention. In his book Leftwing Communism, Lenin advised the small British Communist Party to join the Labour Party. This formed the basis for the so-called French turn, Trotskys call in 1934 for the French section to join the French Socialist Party (SFIO). This was a period of international revolutionary ferment and a shift to the left among the rank-and-file of the social democratic parties, especially among the youth. By forming a revolutionary faction, the supporters of the Fourth International could win these people for their ideas. After France, this tactic was implemented in Britain (Independent Labour Party and later the Labour Party), Belgium (Socialist Party) and the USA (Socialist Party of America).

Sneevliet disagreed with these turns (known as entryism) and fought against this tactic. He saw them as a step away from the Fourth International, as concessions towards reformism and the Second International. When his son-in-law Sal Santen pointed out that Lenin also advocated flexible tactics, Sneevliet answered that he saw Leftwing Communism as Lenins worst book. The idea was that tactical flexibility would cause confusion amongst the most advanced revolutionary workers, and thus had to be avoided.

In reality, whatever the tactic, the point is always to explain to the membership what we are doing and why we are doing it. It is for that reason that Marxists want to build a cadre organisation: to build a membership with a high political level, that can understand our ideas and methods, and explain them, in order to win others over.

When these tactics were implemented correctly, like in the USA, where a large part of the Socialist Party youth was won to the Fourth International, it led to further growth of the organisation. Thus the American section, the Socialist Workers Party (SWP), attracted more support among the most advanced revolutionary workers.

The situation in the Netherlands was different than in other countries. The left wing of the SDAP (the OSP) had already split off and the best elements fused with the RSP, which was already collaborating in building the Fourth. However, even then, Trotsky advised the party to organise work within the social democratic youth organisation, the Arbeiders Jeugd Centrale. He advocated flexible tactics, with which their own youth organisation didnt have to be liquidated. It was important to give attention to the socialist youth, because internationally they were radicalising as a result of the crisis. In countries where they did not got into contact with the ideas of the Fourth International, many of them were won to the Stalinists.

Sneevliet and the RSAP leadership refused to give attention to this, just as they refused work within the NVV. With regard to his work in Indonesia and China, Sneevliet had more attention for tactical turns towards the national-revolutionary movement, which led to work within respectively the Sarekat Islam and the Kuomintang. Within the European context, he refused tactical turns however. He preferred to shut off the revolutionaries from bad influences and only pursue independent work. The reformists had betrayed the labour movement, so that meant according to him that a complete break with their movement was a matter of principle. Sneevliet and the RSAP had revolutionary principles, but very rigid and sometimes conservative methods.

The question of the POUM and the Popular Front

On 17 July 1936, general Franco rose up against the Republican government of Spain, with the aim to crush the Spanish Republic and labour organisations with a fascist regime. This was the beginning of the Spanish civil war.

The Spanish republic was founded in April 1931, when the Spanish revolution deposed the monarchy. The masses of workers and peasants did not however only want a different form of government, they wanted land, bread, higher wages, etc. The difference with Russia in 1917, was that there now was no revolutionary party that could bring the working class to power. The reformist socialists and Stalinists advocated a progressive government with the bourgeois republicans, which however could offer no solution to the acute problems of the Spanish workers and peasants.

The Spanish republic was founded in April 1931, when the Spanish revolution deposed the monarchy  the masses of workers and peasants did not however only want a different form of government, they were fighting for a new society / Image: public domain

The only party that initially had potential was the POUM, a fusion of ex-Trotskyists and other oppositional communists. At its peak, the party had 60,000 members. This party, however, made the mistake in 1936, when the workers of Barcelona rose up and crushed the fascist revolt with their own hands, of joining a popular front government with socialists, Stalinists, anarchists and bourgeois republicans. They did not pursue an independent class policy, which in its turn strengthened the bourgeois state. The latter tried in May 1937 to disarm the anarchist and socialist workers militias. The workers of Barcelona rose up against this attempt and de facto held power for four days. The POUM leadership refused (like the anarchist leaders) to take power and told the workers to return to work. With the workers now powerless, the counterrevolution could attack. Within six weeks the POUM itself was declared illegal by the popular front government of Stalinists, right-wing socialists, and bourgeois republicans, for so-called collaboration with Franco.

While Trotsky and the International Secretariat criticised and rejected the popular front policy of the POUM, Sneevliet separately sought contact with the POUM. In October 1936 he visited Barcelona, where he spoke on the POUM radio channel and wrote for its papers. Later, back in the Netherlands, he set up solidarity actions with the POUM. He openly criticised the views of Trotsky and participated in a meeting of the London Bureau (of centrist organisations) to advocate his views.

This shows, next to the soft approach towards something fundamental as the class collaboration of the popular front, a deeper-lying problem. Sneevliet saw the Fourth International mainly as a loose association of national parties, on the basis of some shared basic principles, not as an international party with a strong international leadership and joint positions about different questions. As such, Sneevliet saw no problem with a Dutch line about Spain, separate from the international leadership.

In addition to that, he had difficulties with criticism coming from the international centre, which he saw as meddling into Dutch affairs. Meanwhile, he had no problem himself strongly criticising sections that pursued policies of entryism. This was problematic: in an International, it should be possible to discuss the internal questions of different sections also in other sections and within the international leadership, in a way which leads to a rise in the political level of all parties. This with the goal of being able to jointly turn outwards in a stronger way.

The question of Ignace Reiss

On 11 June, 1937, a meeting took place in Amsterdam between Henk Sneevliet and Ignace Reiss, an officer of the GPU, the Soviet secret services. They knew each other from a decade before, when Sneevliet had helped Reiss with setting up a cover for intelligence operations in Amsterdam.

In 1937, the Moscow Processes had begun, a series of show trials against the Old Bolsheviks on the basis of false accusations. Many of them were charged on the basis of confessions from torture, and sent to labour camps or executed. Ignace Reiss was done with the Stalinist counter-revolution and wanted to break with the regime, and join the Fourth International.

Sneevliet had to report this to the international centre in Paris. On 25 June he met Leon Sedov, Trotskys son who was part of the leadership, to discuss this, but he didnt give much information to him. Reiss himself wanted to first report his defection to the Communist Party leadership in the USSR, while it would have been safer to bring the news out to the public in the biggest way possible.

Only after Reiss sent his letter on 17 July, a new attempt was made by Sneevliet to meet Reiss and Sedov in Reims, which was constantly postponed. While they finally were to meet on 5 September, this meeting was cancelled because the day before Ignace Reiss was shot by a Stalinist agent in Lausanne. Normally it would take two weeks before a letter dropped at the Russian embassy would reach Moscow, but this time the GPU had been given a tip, so the letter was intercepted and the GPU started a hunt at Reiss.

Trotsky criticised Sneevliet in this case, because he acted on his own, although in name of the Fourth International. It would have been necessary to bring Reiss as soon as possible in contact with Sedov and make him give a public declaration to the world. This criticism was correct.

However, the story is not complete. The communication with Leon Sedov went through his secretary, Etienne (real name: Mark Zborovski), an agent of the GPU, who passed information to Stalin. He was responsible for setting up the meeting in Reims, so probably also for organising the ambush in which Reiss was killed.

In February 1938, Leon Sedov was poisoned, after recovering in a private clinic, which was a huge blow for the Fourth International. Several days after his death, Zborovski sent a letter to Trotsky, in which he alleged that Sneevliet and Vereeken (a leader of the Belgian group) would have said that Leon Sedov was responsible for Reiss death. This misinformation was one of the causes that Trotsky later was so critical in his appraisal of Sneevliet.

Trotsky was negative about Sneevliet, but at the same time asked for setting up a commission to investigate the Reiss case. In a letter to the Belgian section, Trotsky wrote: It has been reported to me that comrade Vereeken attempted to make Sneevliets role in the Reiss case look better, by shifting the blame to Leon Sedov. I will withhold myself from giving this attempt a proper qualification. I just want to declare that I am in the possession of the whole correspondence, including Sneevliets letter, and this document in itself will be enough to form a judgement. I will hand over this documentation to the International Conference and will ask for a Special Commission to determine everyones responsibility in this very important and tragical case. This commission however was never set up, probably because Etienne tried to obstruct this process in order to hide his own role.

Sneevliet himself already was correctly suspicious about Etienne and didnt trust him, arriving at this view earlier than Trotsky. However, Trotsky still had his doubts and gave the task to another secretary, Rudolf Klement, to investigate the role of Etienne. Klement himself was then murdered in July, after which his decapitated body was found in the Seine. These were the circumstances in which the Fourth International had to do its work.

Only in 1955 did it become clear who Etienne really was, when Alexander Orlov, a GPU agent who defected to the USA, unmasked his role. Zborovski himself by then also lived in the USA, and was asked to testify to the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee, where he spoke about his activities for the GPU in France, including sharing information with the GPU about the meeting in Reims.

Last period: resistance work in the occupied Netherlands

Because of these differences, and a few others, around new year 1937-38, the split between the RSAP and Fourth International took place. Trotskys complaints about Sneevliet in the Reiss case may have given the last push, but also even without this incident, the split could not have been prevented, as there were substantial differences about the NAS, entryism and the structure of the Fourth International.

The followers of the Fourth International started a new section, the Group of Bolshevik-Leninists (GBL), consisting of a few tens of activists. Some were still members of the RSAP and its youth organisation, but were quickly targeted by Sneevliet, who drove them out with organisational methods. Sneevliets son-in-law, Sal Santen, became a key figure in this group.

Four days after Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands, Sneevliets group started resistance work against the German occupation / Image: public domain

Cutting the ties meant that on the theoretical plane there was a quick regression, when the RSAP left the position that the USSR had to be defended in the coming world war. In spite of that, the party was well prepared for a war scenario and had an emergency plan to disband the party and start underground work.

On 14 May 1940, four days after Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands, the RSAP was disbanded. While the Stalinist CPN initially tried to keep a legal front, the RSAP started resistance work against the German occupation, under the name of the Marx-Lenin-Luxemburg Front (MLL-Front).

This resistance organisation published the paper Spartacus, in reference to the paper of Rosa Luxemburg and the Spartacists (German revolutionary Marxists) during the First World War. The MLL-Front was unique in the Dutch situation, as it applied a consistent internationalist class policy from the start, against both the German occupation and its Dutch bourgeois hangers-on. It did not have any illusions about the Allies and the Dutch government in exile (in London). While many resistance groups propagated hate against Germans in general, the MLL-Front had a clear message of class propaganda, where they rejected the idea that ordinary German workers and soldiers were responsible for the crimes of the fascist government, and they even spread propaganda in German among German soldiers in the Netherlands. The MLL-Front did not collaborate with bourgeois resistance organisations.

The Front did all kinds of propaganda work, assisted in hiding political activists and Jews, organised worker cells in companies, and partially helped in organising the February Strike of 1941, against the deportation of Jewish citizens. Its activities were strictly forbidden and the brave militants risked their lives many times.

Politically the MLL-Front was partially influenced by New International, the magazine of the supporters of Max Shachtman, who had broken from the American SWP. They refused to defend the Soviet Union against an imperialist attack, because of Stalins extreme opportunist policies of the Molotov-Ribbentrop-pact, the non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the USSR. This was to be the proof that the USSR was not a workers state anymore and there was nothing left to defend.

In fact, there was still nationalised property and a planned economy to defend, something the masses of the USSR did after Hitler invaded the country in 1941. This new situation led to polemics, also within the MLL-Front. Sneevliet kept seeing the war between Russia and Germany as one between two imperialist blocs. Another leader of the Front, Willem Dolleman, advocated the defence of the last gains of the Russian Revolution, but was unclear about whether Russia was a workers state. Lastly, a third current within the Front arose, which advocated the same position as the Fourth International. This current after the war would form the Revolutionary Communist Party, the Dutch section of the Fourth International.

Sneevliet and his wife had to hide during the war, constantly moving from one hiding place to the other. In early 1942 a member of the Front was betrayed to the Nazis, who tortured him to extract information. In the following weeks, the leadership of the MLL-Front was arrested.

On 13 April 1942, 80 years ago, together with Ab Menist, Willem Dolleman, Jan Schriefer, Jan Koeslag, Jan Edel and Rein Witteveen, he was executed by the Nazi occupating forces. Their comrade Cor Gerritsen had already committed suicide in his prison cell. Later that year, on 16 October, their comrades Johan Roebers and Aalbert Ijmkers were executed as hostages. All these men died as martyrs of the working class.

As a prisoner in the cell opposite later recalled: They were then all brought together in one small cell, just opposite mine, size 90 x 200 cm. And then the emotional moment; Lets all give each other a hand, and then seven men sung out loud the Internationale, one hour before their death. What a melody and what words! I have been to concerts many times, but I never heard people sing with such feeling and conviction. I am not ashamed that I cried.

Sneevliets legacy

Henk Sneevliet was a hero of the Dutch working class, who fought his whole life for the workers and oppressed in Europe and Asia. Until the bitter end, he continued fighting, despite all difficulties, for a socialist future. He was a genuine revolutionary and a great example for everyone who wants to fight for socialism today.

He lived according to his Malaysian motto, Berani Karena Benar, being brave because its good. He showed this bravery during the seafarers strike, during his inciting activities in Indonesia, during his break with the bureaucracies of the SDAP and Comintern, and of course during his resistance activities.

On the other hand, Sneevliet was no theoretician. He was a very capable organiser, propagandist, agitator and editor, but he always had a certain practical mindset. He did not grasp completely the essence of the many sharp polemics that Trotsky held against many different groups in the 1930s, in order to lay the theoretical basis for the Fourth International. The example of the POUM question shows this clearly. Instead, Sneevliet advocated a looser association of national groups, on the basis of a few common characteristics. In the RSAP itself, there were complaints from the youth (including his own son-in-law Sal Santen) that political issues were solved in an organisational way.

The isolation of revolutionary Marxists in the Dutch labour movement led to a certain revolutionary conservatism, which affected Sneevliet, with regard to the NAS. His fear of losing positions that were won led to a tendency of wanting to keep the CPH and later the RSAP strongly connected to the NAS. He was hesitant to use flexible tactics to win reformist and Stalinist workers, afraid of confusing the revolutionary workers in his party, while in all this, only the building of strong political cadres could have functioned as a strong cement keeping the organisation together.

Still, there was no careerism in Sneevliets stance towards the NAS, something which Trotsky insinuated after their breach. Sneevliet held on tight to the NAS, but the moment the German occupation began, he swiftly shifted to illegal work and new tactics.

Trotsky was murdered in August 1940 and Sneevliet in April 1942. They had grown apart because of clear political differences. We cannot know what would have happened if both men survived the war, if there would have been a new partial collaboration. After Trotsky was murdered by a Stalinist agent, Sneevliet described Trotsky, in spite of their differences, as the largest living figure of the international socialist movement. The Trotskyist press also published sympathetic articles about Sneevliet, after news of his death came out.

What we do know is that the Sneevliet movement came to an end in April 1942. From the remnants of the MLL-Front, eventually, the Fourth International in the Netherlands rose up. The NAS was not re-constituted.

Sneevliet was a hero of the working class. We can learn a lot from him, from his strong side and insights, as well as from his weak side and the mistakes he made. Only by learning the lessons of the past, we can prepare a new generation of class fighters for the big battles of the coming years and decades. So that finally our class can win and we can build the socialism which was fought for by Marx, Lenin, Luxemburg, Trotsky and Sneevliet.
On the occasion of May Day we republish the below May Day leaflet written by Lenin in 1904

Comrade workers! May Day is coming, the day when the workers of all lands celebrate Their awakening to a class- conscious life, their solidarity in the struggle against all coercion and oppression of man by man, the struggle to free the toiling millions from hunger, poverty, and humiliation. Two worlds stand facing each other in this great struggle: the world of capital and the world of labour, the world of exploitation and slavery and the world of brotherhood and freedom.

On one side stand the handful of rich blood-suckers. They have seized the factories and mills, the tools and machinery, have turned millions of acres of land and mountains of money into their private property. They have made the government and the army their servants, faithful watchdogs of the wealth they have amassed.

On the other side stand the millions of the disinherited. They are forced to beg the moneybags for permission to work for them. By their labour they create all wealth; yet all their lives long they have to struggle for a crust of bread, beg for work as for charity, sap their strength and health by back-breaking toil, and starve in hovels in the villages or in the cellars and garrets of the big cities.

But now these disinherited toilers have declared war on the moneybags and exploiters. The workers of all lands are fighting to free labour from wage slavery, from poverty and want. They are fighting for a system of society where the wealth created by the common labour will go to benefit, not a handful of rich men, but all those who work. They want to make the land and the factories, mills, and machines the common property of all toilers. They want to do away with the division into rich and poor, want the fruits of labour to go to the labourers themselves, and all the achievements of the human mind, all improvements in ways of working, to improve the lot of the man who works, and not serve as a means of oppressing him.

The great struggle of labour against capital has cost the workers of all countries immense sacrifices. They have shed rivers of blood in behalf of their right to a better life and real freedom. Those who fight for the workers cause are subjected by the governments to untold persecution. But in spite of all persecution the solidarity of the workers of the world is growing and gaining in strength. The workers are uniting more and more closely in socialist parties, the supporters of those parties are mounting into millions and are advancing steadily, step by step, towards complete victory over the class of capitalist exploiters.

The Russian proletariat, too, has awakened to a new life. It too has joined this great struggle. Gone are the days when our worker slaved submissively, seeing no escape from his state of bondage, no glimmer of light in his bitter life. Socialism has shown him the way out, and thousands upon thousands of fighters have thronged to the red banner, as to a guiding star. Strikes have shown the workers the power of unity, have taught them to fight back, have shown how formidable to capital organised labour can be. The workers have seen that it is off their labour that the capitalists and the government live and get fat. The workers have been fired with the spirit of united struggle, with the aspiration for freedom and for socialism. The workers have realised what a dark and evil force tbe tsarist autocracy is. The work ers need freedom for their struggle, but the tsarist govern ment binds them hand and foot. The workers need freedom of assembly, freedom to organise, freedom for newspapers and books, but the tsarist government crushes, with knout, prison and bayonet, every striving for freedom. The cry Down with the autocracy! has swept through the length and breadth of Russia, it has been sounded more and more often in the streets, at great mass meetings of the workers. Last summer tens of thousands of workers throughout the South of Russia rose up to fight for a better life, for freedom from police tyranny. The bourgeoisie and government trem bled at the sight of the formidable army of workers, which at one stroke brought to a standstill the entire industrial life of huge cities. Dozens of fighters for the workers cause fell beneath the bullets of the troops that tsarism sent against the internal enemy.

But there is no force that can vanquish this internal enemy, for the ruling classes and the government only live by its labour. There is no force on earth that could break the millions of workers, who are growing more and more class- conscious, more and more united and organised. Every defeat the workers sustain brings new fighters into the ranks, it awakens broader masses to new life and makes them prepare for fresh struggles.

And the events Russia is now passing through are such that this awakening of the worker masses is bound to be even more rapid and widespread, and we must strain every nerve to unite the ranks of the proletariat and prepare it for even more determined struggle. The war is making even the most backward sections of the proletariat take an interest in polit ical affairs and problems. The war is showing up ever more clearly and vividly the utter rottenness of the autocratic order, the utter criminality of the police and court gang that is ruling Russia. Our people are perishing from want and starvation at homeyet they have been dragged into a ruinous and senseless war for alien territories lying thou sands of miles away and inhabited by foreign races. Our people are ground down in political slaveryyet they have been dragged into a war for the enslavement of other peoples. Our people demand a change of political order at home but it is sought to divert their attention by the thunder of guns at the other end of the world. But the tsarist govern ment has gone too far in its gamble, in its criminal squan dering of the nations wealth and young manhood, sent to die on the shores of the Pacific. Every war puts a strain on the people, and the difficult war against cultured and free Japan is a frightful strain upon Russia. And this strain comes at a time when the structure of police despotism has already begun to totter under the blows of the awakening proletariat. The war is laying bare all the weak spots of the government, the war is tearing off all false disguises, the war is revealing all the inner rottenness; the war is making the preposterousness of the tsarist autocracy obvious to all and is showing everyone the death-agony of the old Russia, the Russia where the people are disfranchised, ignorant and cowed, the Russia that is still in serf bondage to the police government.

The old Russia is dying. A free Russia is coming to take its place. The dark forces that guarded the tsarist autocracy are going under. But only the class-conscious and organised proletariat can deal them their death-blow. Only the class- conscious and organised proletariat can win real, not sham, freedom for the people. Only the class-conscious and organised proletariat can thwart every attempt to deceive the people, to curtail their rights, to make them a mere tool in the hands of the bourgeoisie.

Comrade workers! Let us then prepare with redoubled energy for the decisive battle that is at hand! Let the ranks of the Social-Democrat proletarians close ever firmer! Let their word spread ever farther afield! Let campaigning for the workers demands be carried on ever more boldly! Let the celebration of May Day win thousands of new fight ers to our cause and swell our forces in the great struggle for the freedom of all the people, for the liberation of all who toil from the yoke of capital!

Long live the eight-hour day!

Long live international revolutionary Social-Democracy!

Down with the criminal and plundering tsarist autocracy!
More than one million Coloradans with non-violent criminal records may soon have their records automatically sealed, thanks to a bill passed by the state legislature on Monday.

If signed into law by the governor, Senate Bill 99 would implement an automatic sealing process for non-violent criminal records. This would apply to those who are eligible to request record sealing under the current system  meaning they have finished their sentence, completed a required waiting period and have not committed another criminal offense.

The state House passed the bill  dubbed the Clean Slate Act  in a 61-4 vote on Monday, following the Senates 33-1 vote last month. None of the five opponents, all of whom are Republicans, commented on their no votes.

This is truly one of those bills where everybody comes together, said bill sponsor Rep. Colin Larson, R-Littleton. We can bring more people into the workforce and get people back into the economy getting lucrative jobs.

Supporters championed the bipartisan-sponsored bill as a way to increase Colorados workforce by removing a barrier to employment, education and housing for residents with criminal records. Legislators are tackling the measure as Colorado and the rest of the nation are experiencing a pandemic-induced labor shortage. In July 2021, 7.7% of jobs in Colorado were unfilled  an all-time high for the state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Around 1.125 million Coloradans with criminal records are eligible to apply for sealing but have not, according to state estimates. Bill supporters said many dont pursue record sealing because the current process is difficult and expensive, involving filing a petition with the court and paying a fee. Under the bill, those Coloradans could have their records sealed without taking any action.

These were never intended to be life sentences, but in effect, thats what theyve become absent sealing, said bill sponsor Rep. Kerry Tipper, D-Lakewood. Sealing is expensive. You often have to hire a lawyer to go through the process of sealing your record.

The bill would also prohibit employment and housing discrimination based on the contents of a sealed criminal record.

Nearly three dozen local businesses are backing the bill, including Goodwill, Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase and the fair-chance employment platform Honest Jobs. Honest Jobs founder Harley Blakeman said he was forced into homelessness at 16 years old and briefly went to prison for a non-violent drug charge  a record that often overshadows his honors graduation from Ohio State University's business school only five years later.

I graduated unemployed top of my class. Four months after graduation, I was being rejected for assistant manager positions at fried chicken restaurants, Blakeman said during a press conference in support of the bill. This follows you and theres nothing you can do about it.

Supporters of the bill also argue that automatic record sealing would lower crime. They cited a 2020 Harvard Law Review study, which concluded that people who have gotten their criminal records sealed or expunged are less likely to reoffend and pose a lower crime risk than the general population.

Under the bill, district attorneys could object to automatic record sealing for non-drug felonies by filing notice to a court. The court could deny record sealing based on a victims concern or a media outlets need to access records.
Colorado lawmakers passed a bill Friday seeking to protect educators from doxxing, sending the legislation to Gov. Jared Polis for final consideration.

If signed into law, Senate Bill 171 would add educators to the list of people who can request to have their personal information removed from government websites after they or their family receive threats to their safety. Personal information includes home addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.

I talk a lot with the teachers in my community and there is certainly a lot of concern and fear about doxxing, said bill sponsor Rep. Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins. In these extremely tense times, we need to make sure that we retain the teachers that we have. We have a teacher shortage and we want to make sure that our teachers are willing to continue to teach.

The sponsors of the bill said it was inspired by recent events in Douglas County, during which the identities of hundreds of teachers faced potential exposure after participating in a protest.

In February, as many as 1,500 teachers from the Douglas County School District took part in a sick out in support of former Superintendent Corey Wise, after he was fired in a controversial move by the new school board. Afterwards, some teachers who participated in the protest found fliers on their cars telling them to get out and leave. An unknown person also made a records request for the names of the teachers absent on the day of the protest.

During a committee meeting on the bill, several teachers from the district testified in support, saying they live in fear of their personal information being released online and of being followed home from school.

The House passed the bill in a 46-16 vote on Friday, following the Senates 25-9 approval last month. All 25 opponents to the bill are Republicans, some of whom criticized a portion of the bill that would update Colorados open records law to prohibit the public from accessing the specific dates an educator is absent from work.

Because they work for the people, they should be visible and accountable to the people, said Sen. Paul Lundeen, R-Monument, while voting against the bill on the floor. This idea of obfuscating, hiding political communication by a class of individuals who work for the public, Ive got a problem with that.

This part of the bill was added in direct response to the records request that asked for the names of the Douglas County teachers absent on the day of the sick out, the bill sponsors said. The district initially agreed to release the names of the teachers who took off work, though it later decided against doing so and said the request had been withdrawn.

However, several Republicans voted in support of the bill, including Rep. Tonya Van Beber on Friday.

Its unfortunate that weve come to a point in our society where a bill like this becomes necessary, Van Beber, R-Eaton, said. This is yet another place and space and industry where those who work in it are in an ever-increasing unsafe place from the individuals that they are tasked with taking care of.

During testimony on the bill, several teachers described a dire state of public education in Colorado, saying many are leaving due to the kind of harassment that occurred in Douglas County. Teachers said they receive threats not only for political protests, but also for enforcing face mask mandates or teaching about evolution and equity.

A survey of the 39,000 members of the Colorado Education Association found that nearly 67% of the educators are considering retiring or resigning at the end of this school year. This comes as Colorado and the nation have been experiencing a teacher shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other professions, including peace officers and public defenders, already enjoy privacy protections in Colorado. In March, House Bill 1041 was signed into law to also add health care workers, code enforcement officers, child representatives and animal control officers to the list.
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.
Someone recently asked me what version of Windows I recommend deploying on a system. They pointed to the various Windows versions available, including Enterprise SKUs, Windows 10 Professional and Windows 10 Home. For most small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) and home users, I recommend Windows 10 or 11 Professional  which you can move up to even if you initially purchase Windows 10 or 11 Home. Professional gives you more control over updates and exposes local group policies so you can control more items in the OS.

Another important point is to make sure the computer you buy has appropriate hardware. In particular, that means having a solid-state drive (SSD).

The other day I helped someone set up a new PC with Windows 11 and realized again how important having an SSD is. After boot-up, the PCs mechanical hard drive was pegged at 100% disk usage and the system was basically unusable. I opened Device Manager and confirmed my suspicion: the drive wasnt an SSD. I let the system sit for a while  a long while  until the disk utilization was reasonable. While the laptop had enough RAM, it clearly did not have the appropriate hard drive for Windows 11 (or even Windows 10).

Another issue when buying PCs right now involves supply chain constraints; some businesses are having to buy hardware with any version of Windows and then upgrading.

Most likely, you will only find systems with Windows 11 Home, not Windows 10, in the stores. While Windows 11 remains a work in progress, it can be tamed through the use of third-party tools such as Start11, which reverts the menu system back to whats like in Windows 10. If you decide to keep the centered Windows 11 menu system, be aware that Microsoft is in the process of making more changes to the Start Menu system and the Task Manager in response to feedback. Once you purchase Windows 11 Home you can easily purchase an upgrade to Windows 11 Professional, which makes it easier to defer feature releases, pause updates, and set update settings than having to use registry keys or other workarounds.

If youre deploying Windows 11 as an SMB or for a home office, you might run into issues with older hardware such as home NAS devices that rely on SMB version 1 file sharing. In the future, Windows 11 will be shipped with SMBv1 disabled, meaning you may need to junk your old  and probably now unsupported  NAS devices, or find a way to enable SMBv2 or SMBv3 to continue to use them. My advice: find a community forum for your NAS device and you should get real-world advice on whether its better to retire the old system or remove it from your network.

If youre a small business with 300 users or less and need a license to an Office suite, I suggest looking into Microsoft Business Premium. It includes the latest version of Office hosted email and, most importantly, several tools to allow additional protection and support. In particular, it includes Azure AD p1 which allows you to set up Conditional access based on device state or location and group. (This is helpful for setting policies for multi-factor authentication that kick in when someone logs in from a risky location or performs risky actions.) And it includes Defender for Business, an Endpoint Detection and Remediation tool that expands on Microsoft Defender antivirus; it actually tracks the actions on a workstation and sends alerts about any malicious activity.

In addition, it also offers up actionable tasks to increase network security such as ensuring that third-party software on my network is patched and Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules are enabled. ASRs can provide additional protection for a network, making your system more resilient to attacks. If you are a company with more than 300 users, Microsoft offers two additional enterprise licenses, an E3 or an E5. These versions offer even more security features. You can purchase either the operating system license alone or combine it with the Microsoft 365 licensing suite for additional protection for Office.

To reiterate: choosing the best version of Windows will depend on which additional security features you want. Its generally easy to upgrade or downgrade to a version of Windows that best meets your needs after youve got your hardware in place. But its not always so easy to upgrade hardware, and buying the wrong laptop or PC can lock you into an unsatisfactory computing experience. So before you get too worked up about which version of Windows you need, opt for the best hardware you can get. Then youll be well-prepared to run whichever version of Windows 10 or 11 you want.
When Russia launched its all-out attack against Ukraine in February, the world expected the invaders to roll over the country quickly. That didnt happen, and Ukraine today, though still under assault, has so far thwarted Russias ambitions to conquer it.

Russia has also been fighting a quieter war against Ukraine, a cyberwar, deploying what had been considered the most feared state-sponsored hackers in the world. And in the same way that Ukraine has fended off Russias military might, its been winning the cyberwar as well.

In that cyberwar, as always, the terrain is primarily Windows, because it represents the largest and most vulnerable attack surface in the world. The facts about what exactly is going on have been shadowy. But theres plenty of evidence that Ukraine may keep the upper hand.

Windows XP and the initial Russian invasion

The first loss Russia suffered in the cyberwar came at the very beginning of its invasion  in fact, even before the invasion began. Russia used the extensive railways of its partner in the war, Belarus, to rush soldiers, tanks, heavy weapons and other war materiel to the Ukraine border. Once the invasion began, it used the same railroads as a primary supply chain for its troops, and to send more tanks and weapons into Ukraine.

But then came the Cyber Partisans, a hacktivist group of exiled Belarus tech professionals that had for years been fighting Belarussian dictator Grigoryevich Lukashenko. At the first signs of the Russian buildup, the Cyber Partisans attacked the Belarussian train system, slowing troop movements, supplies and weaponry. They worked in concert with Belarusian railroad workers and dissident Belarusian security forces. The "Washington Post" notes that they played a role in fueling the logistical chaos that quickly engulfed the Russians, leaving troops stranded on the front lines without food, fuel and ammunition within days of the invasion.

Thanks to that chaos in the face of fierce of Ukrainian resistance, the Russians couldnt take the Ukraine capital Kyiv and other cities in the north of the country. Eventually they turned their attention to the south and east.

The Cyber Partisans were successful, in part, because Belaruss train system runs on the more-than-year-20-old Windows XP, a hackers best friend.

Cyber Partisans spokesperson Yuliana Shemetovets explained to Vice in a video, Tanks cannot be transported by planes. Heavy artillery cannot be transported by planes. So, they do need to use these trains. Cyber Partisans attack the internal network of the railway systems, as well as equipment, software, and any databases that are associated with the railway systems. Windows XP is a really old program and it can be easily attacked. One of the reasons it was so easy to hack these systems is because Lukashenko prefers loyalism over professionalism. They didn't secure the systems. So, as much as people admire the work of Cyber Partisans, we should also state that it was not that hard to hack, because Lukashenko's regime disregarded simple cybersecurity practices.

The Cyber Partisan reveled publicly in what they did, at point tweeting screenshots of the hacked Belarus train software and calling it, An outdated piece of crapware that runs on Windows XP.

Ukrainians step up

The Cyber Partisans arent the only ones involved in the cyberwar against Russia. The Ukrainians are, too  and theres evidence theyve held off what has long been considered the perhaps most fearsome cyberwarriors in the world: Russian intelligence agencies and the hacking groups they support.

A Microsoft report found plenty of evidence that Russia is engaged in a hybrid war, using soldiers and weaponry in tandem with cyberattacks and the online spread of misinformation. For example, the report found the Russians targeted a government agency with malware in coordination with hitting government buildings with missile strikes.

As the Russians turned their ground and missile attacks towards the east and south, they also coordinated cyberattacks there.

Throughout the war, many of the Russian attacks targeted Windows machines. Russian hackers frequently used the Windows utility SecureDelete to, in the words of Microsoft, permanently delete data from targeted devices.

Tom Burt, who oversees Microsofts investigations into the biggest and most complex cyberattacks, says of the Russian cyberattacks: They brought destructive efforts, they brought espionage efforts, they brought all their best actors to focus on this. Its definitely the A-team.

The New York Times reports, Ukrainian defenders were able to thwart some of the attacks, having become accustomed to fending off Russian hackers after years of online intrusions in Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said they believed Russia had brought all of its cyber-capabilities to bear on the country. Still, Ukraine managed to fend off many of the attacks.

Burt added: Ukrainians themselves have been better defenders than was anticipated, and I think thats true on both sides of this hybrid war. Theyve been doing a good job, both defending against the cyberattacks and recovering from them when they are successful.

This doesnt mean, of course, that the Ukrainians will eventually win the cyberwar or the physical war. But the evidence so far shows they can at least hold their own in the cyberwar with the Russians, which bodes well for their future.
So around this time of year we like to share some of the most gut-wrenchingly disturbing stories, the kind we would tell around the campfire if we ever actually went outside. And most importantly, they're all true.

As we are fond of pointing out , fact is usually much creepier than fiction.

6 Something Off About That Picture

The Legend:

A young man is dropping off groceries at the house of an eccentric old lady when he notices an old photo that makes the hair on his arms stand on end. The photo's normal enough--a young boy in his Sunday best--but something just seems off. He asks the old lady who it is.

"Oh," she replies, trying to stuff a cat in the dishwasher "isn't that beautiful? You can hardly tell he's dead."

The Truth:

While most folks today are too squeamish to take more than a glance into the casket during a funeral, in the late 19th through early 20th centuries someone dying meant it was time to break out the camera for a family photo. The practice was known as memorial photography.

And, while it all sounds like the set-up for some terrifying practical joke on the photographer, there was actually a somewhat reasonable explanation for the practice. The process used to take pictures back then was expensive enough that it was a once in a lifetime (er, or shortly after a lifetime) thing for most, and required people to sit perfectly still for a couple minutes for it to turn out properly. And if there's one thing dead people are good at it's sitting still.
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In 1844, Strang converted to Mormonism, most likely as a ploy to attract settlers for some land he owned outside Burlington. Smith was murdered a few months later, at which point Strang announced that he was the new leader of the church. Nobody knew what to make of this. It was like a guy taking first communion and instantly declaring himself pope. But Strang had powerful evidence to support his claim in the form of a letter from Joseph Smith, declaring Strang as his divinely appointed heir. Sadly, it seemed that Smith was so absent-minded that he failed to mention this letter to anyone else and even forgot what his own handwriting and signature looked like while writing it. What a scatterbrain!

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Sensing that few god-kings are anointed by post, Strang decided to up his game. In 1845, he announced that the same angel who visited Joseph Smith had returned to show him the location of even more hidden plates of ancient wisdom. Unfortunately, the ancients had apparently had some budget cuts in the interim since Strang's plates were made of brass instead of gold, were small enough to fit in the palm of his hand, and generally appeared to have been made out of an old tea kettle. Undeterred, Strang set about deciphering the wisdom of these broke-ass elders. He ultimately announced that the plates had been written by Rajah Manchou of Vorito, who had ruled over a primordial empire in the greater Burlington area. The Rajah had eventually seen his people destroyed by whatever catastrophe created modern Wisconsin, but he found time to bury a prophecy of Strang's coming under the hill before expiring.

James J. Strang The Rajahs empire fell apart because he was so bad at drawing.

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Now, how credible you find all that probably depends on how recently you got your head caught in a stepladder, but as we've seen, it was an era searching for something to believe in. Strang immediately attracted thousands of followers, and the Mormon movement split into competing churches led by Strang and Brigham Young. Strang took the schism with good grace, simply saying that he hoped Young's followers "may see their bones rot in the living tomb of their flesh; their flesh generate from its own corruptions a loathesome life for others; their blood swarm with a leprous life of motelike, ghastly corruption feeding on flowing life, generating chilling agues and burning fevers. May peace and home be names forgotten to them; and the beauty they have betrayed to infamy, may it be to their eyes a crawling mass of putridity." Which sounds bad now, but we're pretty sure it actually describes the picture of good health in the 1840s, when the average person was a dung-coated battleground between various tapeworm civilizations.
The Golden State Killer was also brought down by DNA from a family member, but in his case, theyd willingly supplied it. After decades of dead-end leads, investigators finally just started scouring genealogy websites for DNA matches with people who just wanted to prove that they really are Irish, Greg . It didnt take them long to find Joseph DeAngelos family, which is why you should always just put up with Gregs mockery, depending on how you feel about familial murder.

12 The Night Stalker Was Recognized By a Bunch of Grandmas

Richard Ramirez was out of town when the LAPD identified him as the Night Stalker, so when he came back, he unknowingly walked into his own personal Truman Show. When he walked into a convenience store, a group of elderly women began pointing and shouting El matador, at which point Ramirez saw his own face on a newspaper and attempted to flee. An angry mob followed him from the store, picking up more members as it rolled along like a vengeful snowball, until by the time police caught up with him, hundreds of residents were either kicking his ass or trying to.
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JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Millions of Muslims in Indonesia returned to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in full swing Monday after two years of subdued festivities due to pandemic restrictions and travel curbs.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy month Ramadan, when the faithful fast from dawn to dusk.

The return of the Eid tradition of homecoming has caused great excitement for people in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country, as family gatherings and meet-ups with friends were on peoples lists while shoppers flocked shopping centers despite surges in food prices.

In the past week, millions of Indonesians have crammed into trains, ferries, busses and  in greater numbers than ever  motorcycles, as they poured out of major cities to return to their villages to celebrate the holiday with families amid severe traffic congestion starting to occur on major thoroughfares across the country.

Flights were overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts formed long lines at bus stations for journeys that can take days.

The annual exodus tradition, known locally as mudik, returned this year after President Joko Widodo surprisingly announced last month that the government decided to ease restrictions for the holiday festivities for the first time since it was banned two years ago due to COVID-19.

The country had largely recovered from a third wave of COVID-19 infections as an omicron-driven surge peaked at around 64,700 daily cases in mid-February. New daily infections had fallen to around 200 by May. About 80% of Indonesias eligible population of 208.2 million people have been fully vaccinated as of Sunday.

The government estimates around 85 million travelers were expected to crisscross the vast archipelago that spans 17,000 islands for Eid al-Fitr this year, with about 14 million travelers departing from Jakartas greater metropolitan area. This is significantly higher than pre-pandemic, when some 30 million people participated in the annual exodus tradition.

Worshippers wearing masks joined communal prayers shoulder-to-shoulder without physical distancing in the streets of Indonesias capital, Jakarta, and in mosques across the city.

In Jakartas Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, tens of thousands of Muslims attend prayers after authorities shuttered the mosque in 2020, when Islams holiest period coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The Istiqlal mosque was totally closed during 2020 and remained closed for congregational prayers in 2021.

Words cant describe how happy I am today. After two years we were separated by pandemic, today we can do Eid prayer together again, said Epi Tanjung, a resident in Jakarta. Hopefully all of these will make us more faithful, he said after worshiping with his wife at Jakartas Al Azhar mosque where Muslims were seen embracing one another after prayers.

Despite soaring food prices in the past month, popular markets such as Tanah Abang in Jakarta were teeming with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets before the holiday. Security personnel were overwhelmed by thousands of shoppers and traders who ignored health protocols.

The Trade Ministry has said that prices of imported staple foods including wheat, sugar, beef and soybeans had seen the sharpest year-on-year rise in 2022 as a result of rising global commodity prices and supply chain disruptions, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Prices may go higher as loosened pandemic restrictions coupled with the Eid al-Fitr festivities and the end of the Ramadan fasting month increase domestic food demand.

Food prices, which are getting higher day by day, certainly affected my life, said Aneke Karolina, a mother of two in Jakarta.

"But falling trust in government makes it harder, as this is an annual problem ahead of Eid, she said, adding that she hopes the prices would return to normal as they have in the past after the holiday celebration's end.
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FLORENCE, Ala. (AP) 

Authorities on Monday continued the hunt for an extremely dangerous murder suspect and issued an arrest warrant for the Alabama jail official they now believe helped him escape.

Inmate Casey Cole White, 38, was shackled and handcuffed when he and Vicky White, the facility's assistant director of corrections, left the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Florence, Alabama, on Friday morning. They have not been seen since, although the patrol vehicle that the pair used when leaving the detention center was found at a nearby shopping center parking lot after their absence was discovered.

Authorities have no idea where they are, although the inmate should be recognizable by his size. He stands 6 feet, 9 inches (2.06 meters) tall and weighs about 260 pounds (118 kilograms). Authorities warned that anyone seeing the pair should not approach them.

We consider both of them dangerous and, in all probability, both individuals are armed," U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said at a press conference Monday. He noted that Casey White will stand out because of his size, even if he has changed his appearance.

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said Monday that they had issued an arrest warrant for Vicky White, 56, on charges of permitting or allowing an escape. She is not related to Casey White, who was serving a 75-year prison sentence and awaiting trial on a capital murder charge.

Vicky White told co-workers she was taking him to the courthouse for a mental health evaluation. But Singleton later said no such evaluation was scheduled. She also violated a policy that required more than one official to be involved in transporting inmates, a rule that officials emphasized for White because he had previously tried to escape, Singleton said. The sheriff said video showed the pair left the jail and went straight to that parking lot.

We know she participated, whether she did that willingly or if she was coerced, threatened somehow to participate, not really sure. We know for sure she did participate, Singleton said.

Casey White, as youve heard me say over and over and over is an extremely dangerous person and we need to get him located and get him off the street, Singleton said.

Casey White was serving time for a string of crimes that included attempted murder, robbery and burglary. While in prison, he had confessed to the 2015 stabbing death of a 58-year-old woman, authorities said, which caused him to be brought to the Lauderdale County jail for court proceedings. The sheriff said they believe White plotted an earlier escape from the jail in 2020 when they found a makeshift knife.

He could face the death penalty if convicted of the capital murder charge. The U.S. Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 for information.

Singleton said Vicky White had been an exemplary employee and jail employees are just devastated. This is not the Vicky White we know, by any stretch of the imagination, the sheriff said.

Vicky White had planned to retire and Friday was to be her last day. He said she had sold her home about a month ago and talked about going to the beach."

The sheriff said they had no leads at this point on where the two are located.

If we knew where they were at, we would be there and not here, Singleton said.

As an assistant director for corrections, Vicky White moved throughout the county detention facility and had multiple opportunities every day to be in contact with any given inmate, the sheriff said. Her job duties also included coordinating transport of inmates.

Vicky White's mother, Pat Davis, told WAAY she was in shock and scared for her daughter.

As a mother, I didnt know how to act because I thought at first it was a mistake. And then when I found out for sure it was, it was just disbelief, says Pat Davis. She told the station that we just want her back and found it difficult to believe her daughter would help an inmate escape.

Shes never done anything, I bet shes never even had a speeding ticket," Pat Davis said.

Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said he was also shocked. He last spoke to Vicky White on Thursday about transporting an inmate with a broken ankle to get medical care, and nothing seemed unusual.

She is somebody I would have trusted with most anything. She was one of those people you could call if you needed something to happen at that jail. She was the go-to person, Connolly said.

The U.S. Marshals Service said anyone with information about Casey Whites location or Vicky Whites disappearance can call the service at 1-800-336-0102. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the U.S. Marshals Tip App.
Patrick Semansky/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court is leaving in place the illegal campaign contributions conviction of Kentucky businessman and former Democratic Party chief, Jerry Lundergan.

The high court on Monday turned away Lundergan's appeal of his conviction. As is typical, the justices did not say why they rejected his case.
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  The first multistate contest of the 2022 midterm election season unfolds on Tuesday, as Ohio voters pick nominees for governor and the U.S. Senate while Indiana voters consider whether their Legislature should become even more conservative.

The races, particularly in Ohio, could provide a fresh window into former President Donald Trump's sway among the party faithful. He has been especially involved in Ohio's Senate primary, which has been marred by Republican divisions, along with campaigns for the U.S. House and secretary of state.

For Democrats, a potential threat to incumbent U.S. Rep. Shontel Brown in Cleveland is of keen interest. Brown is locked in a rematch against progressive challenger Nina Turner, a former state senator and surrogate for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaigns. Turner is trying again after losing to Brown in last year's special election.

Voting in Ohio comes against the backdrop of a chaotic and still unresolved redistricting battle.

What to watch as the Ohio and Indiana primaries unfold:

WHO WILL SURVIVE OHIO'S NASTY SENATE PRIMARY?

Seven candidates are on the ballot in Tuesday's Republican faceoff for the coveted open U.S. Senate seat of retiring Republican Rob Portman. They are Trump-endorsed Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance, former Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, Cleveland investment banker Mike Gibbons, former Ohio Republican Chair Jane Timken, state Sen. Matt Dolan, whose family owns the Cleveland Guardians baseball team, and entrepreneurs Mark Pukita and Neil Patel.

The campaign has featured months of jockeying among top contenders for Trump's endorsement, more than $65 million in TV and radio spending, dozens of debates and candidate forums, and one highly publicized physical confrontation between two candidates.

As Vance rides high on the Trump endorsement, other candidates who campaigned on their loyalty to the former president are hoping that heavy ad spending or a strong ground game can help them win. Dolan is the only candidate who ran as a Portman-like centrist, but Timken landed Portman's endorsement.

Whoever prevails will face the winner of a three-way Democratic primary between 10-term U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, former consumer protection attorney Morgan Harper and Columbus activist and tech exec Traci Johnson.

IS A TRUMP ENDORSEMENT A SLAM-DUNK IN OHIO?

Trump twice won Ohio by more than 8 percentage points, so many viewed getting his nod in the Senate race as critical to winning the crowded Senate primary. Instead, when he finally chose Vance, it divided the state.

That's because Vance opponents, including Mandel, Gibbons and their allies, had aired months of ads highlighting Vance's past anti-Trump statements. Some tea party Republicans protested an April 23 Trump rally featuring Vance, and one conservative group, Ohio Value Voters, urged its supporters to boycott  or boo Vance when he walked on stage. The deep-pocketed Club for Growth, a conservative group backing Mandel, has taken to TV with ads directly attacking Trump for his choice.

Trump also has backed candidates in two Republican congressional primaries: Max Miller, his former White House and campaign aide, in the sprawling new 7th District in northeast Ohio, and Madison Gesiotto Gilbert in the Akron-area 13th District. He also is backing Secretary of State Frank LaRose in his primary against former state Rep. John Adams, a conservative Trump supporter.

WILL A WOMAN BREAK THROUGH IN OHIO'S GUBERNATORIAL RACE?

Democrat Nan Whaley is seeking to be the first woman in Ohio to get a major partys nomination for governor. The former Dayton mayor is locked in a tight race with ex-Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, who is endorsed by feminist icon Gloria Steinem.

They see eye-to-eye on most major issues  guns, abortion rights, social justice  but Whaley has repeatedly pointed out that Cranley only recently said he was pro-choice. She also has the backing of the state's top Democrat, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Neither candidate is a household name across Ohio. Both have struggled to draw attention as much of the state is focused on the contentious U.S. Senate race and ongoing redistricting fight.

The big question for first-term Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is just how many conservative voters will punish him for pushing aggressive mandates and shutdowns during the pandemic.

DeWine is widely known from a 40-year career in Ohio politics and in a solid position to win the GOPs nomination for another four-year term. His two main challengers have tapped into the anger over the governor's COVID-19 policies, but they're likely to split those far-right voters.

DeWine isn't taking any chances, pouring millions into advertising during the weeks leading into the primary. The concern will be whether those same conservative voters who were furious with DeWine will come back to him in November.

WILL CONFUSION OVER OHIO'S PRIMARY CALENDAR AFFECT RESULTS?

A protracted battle over Ohio's congressional and legislative maps has played havoc with the state's 2022 election calendar. For a long time, it looked like the May 3 primary wouldn't go forward amid all the legal wrangling. Then suddenly it did.

Voter advocates, campaigns and political parties have stepped up efforts to get the word out as participation in early voting showed a 40% decline from four years ago.

Tuesday's ballots will not list state legislative races, which are expected to be decided in a second primary later this year. The Ohio Redistricting Commission faces a deadline next week to try for a fifth time to draw district lines that don't represent a partisan gerrymander and can meet constitutional muster. If the panel fails, a federal court has said it will force an Aug. 2 primary using one of the previously invalidated maps.

Congressional races have gone forward using a map that has also been invalidated by the Ohio Supreme Court. Ongoing litigation could result in a new map before 2024 elections.

IS INDIANAS LEGISLATURE CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH?

More than a dozen Indiana House members are trying to hold off Republican primary challengers who argue that the GOP-dominated Legislature hasnt been aggressive enough on issues from attempting to ban abortion to overturning COVID-19 restrictions that were ordered by the states Republican governor.

Those challengers say they are tapping into frustration among conservative voters and want to push the Legislature further to the right in a state where Republicans control all statewide offices and have had legislative supermajorities for the past decade.

Whether the challengers can defeat incumbents backed by Republican leaders multimillion-dollar campaign fund should be answered in Tuesdays primary.

Republican legislative leaders argue the no compromise stances adopted by many challengers arent practical and tout the states low taxes and unemployment and broad private school voucher program among its conservative successes.

Challengers like Brittany Carroll, a family law attorney running for a central Indiana seat, maintain Indiana lawmakers should be aggressively pushing issues such as the Texas ban on abortions after roughly six weeks of pregnancy.

Indiana could be leading in terms of liberty, like Florida, like Texas, Carroll said.

___

Davies reported from Indianapolis. Associated Press writer John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio, contributed to this report.

___

Follow AP for full coverage of the midterms at https://apnews.com/hub/2022-midterm-elections and on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ap_politics
: hounddog (), : Military

 : stand with AOC

: BBS  (Sun May 1 18:20:35 2022, )



AOC and Bernie Sanders' 'Democratic Socialists' group blames the US for

Russian invasion of Ukraine and demands NATO is scrapped: 'US must end the

imperialist expansionism that set the stage for this conflict'



The Democratic Socialists of America's statement condemning the Russian

invasion as well as blaming the West for it was shredded by Democrat

lawmakers

The group slammed the Allied sanctions against Russia as 'brinksmanship'

AOC and Bernie Sanders, who are members, have never come out against NATO or

US participation in it but have expressed hesitance to get involved in

Ukraine

Several New York lawmakers slammed the DSA -- their state has the largest

Ukrainian population anywhere in the United States

The left-wing group Democratic Socialists of America has been under fire

over the weekend after calling for the dissolution of NATO's Western

alliance and blaming the United States' 'imperialist expansionism' for

Russia's unprovoked attack on Ukraine.



The DSA, which boasts high-profile members like New York Rep. Alexandria

Ocasio-Cortez and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, released a Saturday night

statement condemning Russia's invasion and calling for Vladimir Putin to

immediately recall his troops.



Immediately after demanding a ceasefire the progressive group also called

for an end to 'further intervention' -- even as Kyiv's own top officials

have invited Europeans and other global allies to come take up arms and

fight Moscow's military.



They also appeared to dismiss the coordinated sanctions levied against

Russia in a historic cooperative effort as economic 'brinksmanship' and

claim the West's attempts to punish Putin will only cost more lives.



Current and former Democrat lawmakers and even a Biden White House official

lambasted their take.



'There is no solution through war or further intervention. This crisis

requires an immediate international antiwar response demanding de-escalation

, international cooperation, and opposition to unilateral coercive measures,

militarization, and other forms of economic and military brinkmanship that

will only exacerbate the human toll of this conflict,' the Democratic

Socialists stated.



'DSA reaffirms our call for the US to withdraw from NATO and to end the

imperialist expansionism that set the stage for this conflict.



'We call on antiwar activists in the US and across the world to oppose

violent escalations, demand a lasting diplomatic solution, and stress the

crucial need to accept any and all refugees resulting from this crisis.'



The statement ended: 'No war but class war.'



A slew of Democrats leapt up to criticize the DSA's message, including the

White House.



Biden's rapid response director Mike Gwin slammed the far-left statement as

'shameful.'



The Twitter handle of the Los Angeles branch of the DSA countered: 'It's a

good statement, mike.'



The Biden official returned fire with a statement the DSA made earlier this

year accusing Western media of 'drumming up conflict' in Ukraine's

separatist region -- which has been at war with Russian-backed rebels since

2014 -- and calling the country's revolution against their Moscow puppet

government that year a 'coup.'



Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York accused the DSA of peddling a pro-

Putin message and comparing it to sentiments espoused by conservative Fox

host Tucker Carlson.



'FACT: [DSA] called for US withdrawal from NATO, which would be a gift to

Vladimir Putin. FACT: [Tucker Carlson] referred to Russias imminent

invasion of Ukraine as a "border dispute",' Torres wrote on Twitter Sunday.



He said Carlson and the DSA 'have joined forces to form a pro-Putin axis in

American politics, an alliance of useful idiots.'



Former New York Rep. Max Rose, who is running to take back his seat this

year, tweeted: 'I am deeply concerned with DSA's statement calling on the US

to unilaterally leave NATO in the midst of a level of Russian Aggression on

the European Continent that we have not seen since World War 2.'



Another left-wing New York lawmaker, Rep. Tom Suozzi, applauded Rose's

message.



'I adamantly oppose the DSA's statement calling on the US to leave NATO. We

must stand by NATO, stand with Ukraine, and stand up against Putin's

bullying,' Suozzi, who is leaving the House at the end of this year to run

for governor, said.



It's not surprising how many New York lawmakers oppose the message given

their state is home to the largest Ukrainian population in the country.



Democrat Rep. Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania, who's running for Senate this year

, defended the US's sending of weapons and defensive equipment to Ukraine: '

I'm positive that your words mean nothing to them, but anti-tank missiles

--

 :  mitbbs.com [FROM: 2607:fb90:2d82:]


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Harrison Jozefowicz quit his job as a Chicago police officer and headed overseas soon after Russia invaded Ukraine. An Army veteran, he said he couldn't help but join American volunteers seeking to help Ukrainians in their fight.

Jozefowicz now heads a group called Task Force Yankee, which he said has placed more than 190 volunteers in combat slots and other roles while delivering nearly 15,000 first aid kits, helping relocate more than 80 families and helping deliver dozens of pallets of food and medical supplies to the southern and eastern fronts of the war.

It's difficult, dangerous work. But Jozefowicz said he felt helpless watching from the United States last year during the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, particularly after a close friend, Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, died in a suicide bombing at Kabul.

"So, Im just trying to do everything I can to make sure I can help others not go through what I went through, he said Saturday during an interview conducted through a messaging platform.

A former U.S. Marine who died last week was believed to be the first American citizen killed while fighting in Ukraine. Willy Joseph Cancel, 22, died Monday while working for a military contracting company that sent him to Ukraine, his mother, Rebecca Cabrera, told CNN.

An undetermined number of other Americans  many with military backgrounds  are thought to be in the country battling Russian forces beside both Ukrainians and volunteers from other countries even though U.S. forces aren't directly involved in fighting aside from sending military materiel, humanitarian aid and money. The U.S. government discourages Americans from fighting in Ukraine, which raises legal and national security issues.

Russias invasion has given Ukraine's embassy in Washington the task of fielding inquiries from thousands of Americans who want to help in the fight, and Ukraine is using the internet to recruit volunteers for a foreign force, the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine.

Anyone who wants to join the defense of security in Europe and the world can come and stand side by side with the Ukrainians against the invaders of the 21st century, President President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a recruitment pitch.

Texan Anja Osmon, who did tours in Iraq and Afghanistan while serving in the U.S. Army from 2009 through 2015, said she went to Ukraine on her own. A medic, she said she arrived in Ukraine on March 20 and lived in the woods with other members of the International Legion before a new commander sent her away because he didnt want female fighters.

Osmon, 30, said her mother wants her home before September. But for now shes anxious to get out of the hotel where she is staying in Lviv and catch on with another fighting force nearer the action.

I cant turn away from injustice, she said. No one should be scared.

U.S. Marine veteran Eddy Etue said he quit his job in the gig economy, found a friend in Colorado to watch his cat and gave up his home four blocks from the beach in San Diego, California, to help out in Ukraine, where he's been about two weeks. He first worked with an aid organization but now is training with the International Legion.

Etue, 36, said he simply couldn't stay home. It's just the right thing to do, said Etue, who financed the journey through an online fundraising campaign.

Etue's family history pulled him toward Ukraine. He said his grandparents left Hungary with nothing but their four children and clothes after the 1956 revolution, which was put down by Soviet forces that killed or wounded thousands.

Whats happening here will affect not only the people who are experiencing it but their children and grandchildren as well," he said. "I know that from personal experience.

Jozefowicz, the former Chicago cop, says there are thousands of American and other volunteers in Ukraine. Multiple organizations are operating in the country, and Jozefowicz said his group alone has placed scores of volunteers in positions all over the country, with about 40 of those being combat jobs.

We do not facilitate a civilian going into any direct-action role. We only guide and connect prior military volunteers, he said.

But there's plenty of other work to do. Groups of volunteers are getting medical and food supplies to people in the nation of 44 million people, he said, and others are working with refugees and others who've had to flee their homes.

The closer I got into Ukraine and the more time I spent in Ukraine, the more voids I found that needed to be filled to maximize my groups volunteer efforts, he said.

Osmon, who said she's been in contact with Jozefowicz's group, said she supplied troops with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications after days in the woods.

Most everyone had air raid fever from hiding in the trenches in the snow and cold air, she said. Bronchitis was ravaging us.

Etue said he got a feel for the country after making a 24-hour round trip with another volunteer to pick up a vehicle in Odessa. He said he's been impressed with the quality of people serving in the International Legion since Ukrainians have done a good job of weeding out the inexperienced and war tourists who don't have much to offer a military unit.

I think theyre doing amazingly well given that theyre at war with one of the largest standing armies in the world, he said.
NEW YORK (AP)  Amazon workers at a warehouse on New York City's Staten Island overwhelmingly rejected a union bid on Monday, dealing a blow to organizers who last month pulled off the first successful U.S. organizing effort in the e-commerce giants history.

This time around, warehouse workers cast 618 votes  or about 62%  against the union, giving Amazon enough support to fend off a second labor win and raise questions as to whether the first victory was just a fluke.

According to the National Labor Relations Board, which oversees the process, 380 workers  or 38%  voted in favor of the grassroots union. Turnout was 61%, with about 1,600 workers eligible to vote, according to a voter list provided by Amazon.

The few ballots that were challenged by either the company or the nascent Amazon Labor Union, which led the organizing effort, were not enough to sway the outcome. Both parties have until next Monday to file objections. The ALU is weighing whether to object, said Seth Goldstein, a union attorney who provides pro-bono legal assistance to the group.

Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said the company was glad workers at the warehouse were able to have their voices heard."

We look forward to continuing to work directly together as we strive to make every day better for our employees, Nantel said.

A separate election held last month gave the ALU a surprise victory when workers at a different Staten Island facility voted in favor of unionizing. That was a first for Seattle-based Amazon in the U.S.

For the union, Monday's defeat will surely sting. A second labor win was expected to fuel more organizing at the nation's second largest employer, and cement the power and influence of the ALU.

But despite the momentum after the first win, it was unclear whether the group would be able to replicate its success. Organizers said they had lost some support at the warehouse after filing for an election in February because they directed more energy to the nearby facility that voted to unionize last month. There were also fewer organizers working at the warehouse  roughly 10 compared with the nearly 30 employed at the other warehouse.

Some experts believed part-time workers, who organizers say the smaller facility relies on heavily, would potentially offer less union support because they might have other sources of income outside Amazon.

Kate Andrias, professor of law at Columbia University and an expert in labor law, said it can also be harder to organize part-time workers because they have less of a stake in improving the workplace" and "may be less likely to have strong relationships with co-workers.

Despite the loss, Chris Smalls, the fired Amazon worker who leads the ALU, wrote on Twitter Monday that he was proud of the organizers who participated, saying they had a tougher challenge after the group's prior win.

Nothing changes we organize! Smalls tweeted. do not be discouraged or sad be upset and talk to your coworkers

The same obstacles that plagued the effort the first time, including Amazons aggressive anti-union tactics, were at play again. In the lead-up to the election, Amazon continued to hold mandatory meetings to persuade its workers to reject the union effort, posted anti-union flyers and launched a website urging workers to vote NO.

Goldstein, the attorney working with the ALU, argues Amazon stepped up its union-busting campaign after the last election, disciplined organizers for engaging in union activities and barred them from displaying a pro-union sign in the breakroom. The union is also taking issue with the retailer's use of mandatory anti-union meetings for its workers. The NLRB has allowed companies to mandate such meetings, but the labor boards top prosecutor is currently trying to get them outlawed.

Kent Wong, the director of the UCLA Labor Center, anticipated that there will be setbacks and victories in organizing Amazon. He contrasted it to Starbucks, where several stores have voted to unionize. Wong noted Amazons famously high turnover rate makes it hard to organize and unlike individual Starbucks locations, with 15 to 20 workers, there are far more workers at each Amazon warehouse who must be persuaded to form a union.

This one setback is not going to stall the momentum, Wong said. But if Amazon can block three or four or five in a row, it will be a message to other Amazon workers, it is going to be really hard.

John Logan, director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University, said he wasnt entirely surprised by the unions loss. He said he believes that the ALU was stretched thin. A second union victory would have solidified the unions position, he said, but the results in many ways were more important to Amazon than the fledgling labor group.

A second defeat could have proved fatal to the companys efforts to stop the organizing from spreading like wildfire, just as it has done at Starbucks," Logan said. But he noted theres no question that the ALUs organizing campaign will continue and that labor activism at Amazon will continue to spread across the country.

Andrias said she believes the loss highlights the fundamental problems with labor law and the extent to which employers are able to exercise coercive power over workers during the course of these union campaigns.

Even after a victory is secured, it's still an uphill battle. Amazon has disputed the first election organized by the ALU, arguing in a filing with the NLRB that the vote was tainted by organizers and by the boards regional office in Brooklyn that oversaw the election. The company says it wants a new election, but union supporters believe its an effort to delay contract negotiations and potentially blunt some of the organizing momentum. A separate NLRB regional office in the Southwest will hold a hearing later this month over the companys objections.

Meanwhile, the final outcome of a separate union election in Bessemer, Alabama, is still up in the air with 416 outstanding challenged ballots hanging in the balance. Hearings to review those ballots are expected to begin in the coming weeks.
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MILFORD  The man behind the wheel during a 2020 Shelton crash that killed two of his passengers and paralyzed another will face up to a dozen years years behind bars after taking a plea deal in the case Monday.

Rakiem Reid, 32, pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree manslaughter with a motor vehicle and a single count of second-degree assault with a motor vehicle before Judge Peter Brown in Milford Superior Court.

A plea offer from the judge calls for a 20-year prison sentence to be suspended after a maximum of 12 years and a minimum of six and a half years, to be followed by five years of probation.

But the judge said that, if after reading a sentencing report and hearing from the victims families, he decides the offer is not appropriate under the circumstances, he would allow Reid to withdraw the pleas and have the matter proceed toward trial.

Senior Assistant States Attorney Mary Sanangelo said Reid was driving his BMW south on River Road in Shelton about 11:30 p.m. Feb. 9, 2020 when he entered the northbound lane while trying to pass a Toyota RAV4 making a left-hand turn into Southbank Park and struck the other vehicle.

The prosecutor said Reids BMW was going so fast that after the collision it crossed the northbound lane, went over a guardrail and then into several trees next to the road before rolling over downhill and coming to rest.

Two of Reids passengers  Lily Pirulli, 20, of Monroe, and Adrian Miles, 31 of Ansonia  were pronounced dead at the scene. A third, Meghan Nealy, an Ansonia resident who was 26 at the time of the crash, was paralyzed.

Nealy was in court Monday, as were more than a dozen members of hers, Pirullis and Miles families, many of whom cried throughout the proceeding. None spoke, but Sanangelo said several of them planned on making remarks during Reids sentencing, scheduled for July 25.

Sanangelo said Reid told police that before the crash he had been drinking in Shelton with his three friends, but that he decided he was too drunk to drive and pulled over to switch seats with Nealy, who had no recollection of what had happened, but had injuries consistent with being in a rear passenger seat.

The prosecutor said cops found surveillance footage of Reid pulling away from Center Street Social in downtown Shelton minutes before the crash. She said police tried to re-trace the path of Reids car from there to the accident scene and determined there was no way he could have stopped to pull over.

It was not physically possible even when the officers were driving 60 miles an hour, Sanangelo said.

In addition, she said, the front passenger and entire rear of the vehicle was crushed as a result of the accident. The only area of the car that sustained no damage was the front drivers seat.

After obtaining a search warrant for Reids medical records, police calculated Reids blood alcohol level to be .128, well over the legal limit of .08. The records also turned up traces of cocaine in his system, Sanangelo said.

Reid, who lived in Derby at the time of the crash, had multiple convictions for driving under the influence and operating under suspension on his record.

Reids lawyer, Kevin Smith, said his client, who sobbed throughout Mondays hearing, is struggling and grappling with how to put his own life back together and reckoning with the lives that have been lost.

I think today was the first step in a long series of steps that Mr. Reid is trying to take in order to make amends to the best of his ability, Smith said.

Reid has been behind bars since May 2020, when he was extradited from North Carolina after Shelton police obtained an arrest warrant charging him in connection with the crash. He is currently being held at Cheshire Correctional Institution in lieu of $500,000 bond.
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Anthony Cerneras path to becoming an organ donor began with him trying to talk a friend out of donating a kidney.

A few years ago, the 39-year-old Fairfield resident saw a Facebook post from a friend who was intending to donate a kidney to her friends son. At first, Cernera was alarmed.

I thought Theres no way to to donate a kidney and not be in medical crisis for the rest of your life, said Cernera, director of philanthropy at St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport.

He began researching the process of organ donation, and what he found was almost totally the opposite of his initial impressions. According to the National Kidney Foundation, living donation does not change life expectancy (of the donor), and does not appear to increase the risk of kidney failure.

Not only did Cerneras research lead him to support his friends decision, he began to wonder if he should volunteer to be a living organ donor. Ultimately, he decided to do it  and not just once. Between 2016 and 2020, Cernera donated a kidney, stem cells and part of his liver, all to different people.

April is Donate Life Month, and, even as it concludes, at least one expert said the contributions of people like Cernera are essential to connecting people with life-saving organs.

We strongly encourage living donations, said Dr. Glyn Morgan, chief of transplant surgery at Hartford Hospital. Living donor organs work better and last longer.

For Cernera, contributing a piece of himself to help save someone elses life is mutually beneficial. He said he has struggled with depression since age 13, and his organ donations have helped him battle his own illness.

Depression is a funny illness, Cernera said. It can make you feel hopeless and like your life doesnt have meaning or purpose. When I feel a little down, I can think Ive put a little more good into the world than Ive taken out of it. It provides a little meaning and purpose for me.

Though Morgan said, in his personal experience, we do way more organ transplants than have people die while on the donor list, there are still many people in need of organs, some of which can be given by living donors like Cernera.

More than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for organ transplants, according to Donate Life America  a national nonprofit that educates people about organ donation and encourages them to register as potential donors. In Connecticut alone, more than 1,000 people are waiting for donations.

Multiple organs and tissues can be donated, including hearts, livers, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, skin and eyes. Some of these  particularly the heart  can only be donated by deceased donors. But some can be contributed by living donors.

Morgan said there is this belief that organ donors and recipients need to be related, which isnt the case.

The whole idea that you need to know or be biologically related to the recipient is no longer relevant, he said.

Of Cerneras donations, all three were to people he didnt know. He said, despite his earlier reservations about organ donations, he remains in excellent health, and has no regret about his contributions.

Its a privilege to be able to help people in this amazing way, Cernera said. If I hadnt heard someone elses story I wouldnt have known this was possible.

For more information on donation, visit the state Department of Motor Vehicle organ and tissue donation page, at https://portal.ct.gov/DMV/DMV-Services/Organ-and-Tissue-Donor-Registration or visit https://www.donatelife.net/.
Brian A. Pounds / Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

STRATFORD  A member of the Stratford Zoning Commission was arrested by the Stratford Police Department and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol early Saturday morning, according to police.

Dion Francis, 48, was stopped by police on April 30 at 1:14 a.m. for a traffic violation, according to arrest records. Stratford Police Information Officer Capt. Frank Eannotti said that Francis was observed running a stop sign between Hamilton Avenue and Stratford Avenue and then a red light between Stratford Avenue and Beardsley Avenue.
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX

144 AM CDT Mon May 2 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of western Kinney and

southeastern Val Verde Counties through 230 AM CDT...

At 143 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over

Del Rio, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Del Rio, Brackettville, Val Verde Park, Standart, Cienegas Terrace,

Amanda, Laughlin AFB, Escondido Estates, Fort Clark Springs, Kickapoo

Cavern State Park, Lake Ridge Ranch and 277 South Boat Ramp.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to

localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded

roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 2949 10093 2962 10043 2918 10039 2929 10088

2931 10089 2931 10091 2935 10095

TIME...MOT...LOC 0643Z 279DEG 23KT 2939 10087

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southwestern Parker County in north central Texas...

Southeastern Palo Pinto County in north central Texas...

Northwestern Hood County in north central Texas...

* Until 245 AM CDT.

* At 144 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 10 miles east of

Gordon, or 20 miles southwest of Mineral Wells, moving east at 20

mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Weatherford, Granbury, Lipan and Oak Trail Shores.

This includes Interstate 20 between mile markers 375 and 407.

For your protection get inside a sturdy structure and stay away from

windows.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN ANGELO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service San Angelo TX

942 PM CDT Sun May 1 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHWESTERN CALLAHAN AND

NORTHEASTERN COLEMAN COUNTIES IS CANCELLED...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe

limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.

Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for

west central Texas.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN HOCKLEY COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

Therefore, the warning has been cancelled. However gusty winds are

still possible with this thunderstorm.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for

northwestern Texas.

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

BROWN CALLAHAN COLEMAN

COMANCHE CONCHO EASTLAND

ERATH HAMILTON HASKELL

HOOD JACK KIMBLE

LAMPASAS MCCULLOCH MASON

MENARD MILLS PALO PINTO

PARKER RUNNELS SAN SABA

SHACKELFORD SOMERVELL STEPHENS

THROCKMORTON YOUNG

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN DALLAM COUNTY IS

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

the Panhandle of Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHWESTERN SHERMAN...NORTHWESTERN MOORE AND EAST CENTRAL

HARTLEY COUNTIES...

At 944 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles west of

Cactus, or 13 miles northwest of Dumas, moving northeast at 40 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...

Dumas, Cactus and Sunray.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

The National Weather Service in Lubbock Texas has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Lynn County in northwestern Texas...

Southern Garza County in northwestern Texas...

* Until 1045 PM CDT.

* At 944 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles south of

Grassland, or 13 miles southwest of Post, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect

wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Post, Lake Alan Henry and Justiceburg.

The National Weather Service in San Angelo has issued a

West central Brown County in west central Texas...

Coleman County in west central Texas...

* Until 1030 PM CDT.

* At 944 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Mozelle, or

near Voss, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* This severe thunderstorm will be near...

Santa Anna around 1010 PM CDT.

Grosvenor, Lake Brownwood Near Thrifty and Lake Brownwood around

1030 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Mozelle,

Whon, Fisk, Thrifty, Echo and Shields.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
"Stinky" noodle sales soar demonstrating economic resilience

Xinhua) 16:04, May 02, 2022

NANNING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Luosifen, an iconic dish from the southern Chinese city of Liuzhou and known for its pungent smell, registered remarkable growth in sales and exports despite global economic uncertainties and resurgences of COVID-19 infections.

The smelly yet tasty dish, listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Guangxi in 2008, is made from pickled bamboo shoots, dried white radish, fried peanuts, fried tofu skins and served in a spicy noodle broth flavored with river snails.

It has been sold to over 20 countries and regions worldwide, generating a sales revenue of 50 billion yuan (about 7.6 billion U.S. dollars) last year and boosting the income of over 200,000 rural households.

The dish gained popularity around the country after being featured in the acclaimed food documentary "A Bite of China" in 2012.

The city of Liuzhou started to produce pre-packaged Luosifen in the year of 2014. Since then, the local government has supported the modernization of Luosifen-related industries to achieve industrialization, standardization, branding and large-scale development of the industry.

"Our company has eight independent workshops for different procedures of the pre-packaged Luosifen with strict hygienic standards to ensure food safety," said Liu Qingshi, CEO of Liuzhou Luozhuangyuan Food Co., Ltd.

Liu noted that the company has scaled up production to meet the increasing demand, as 9.5 million packages were sold in the domestic market and 450,000 packages were exported in the first quarter of 2022.

The production of raw materials such as string beans and bamboo shoots also raised local farmers' income. Liu estimated that in the first quarter of the year, the company provided income of 3,000 to 5,000 yuan to each of the 500 farmers that sold string beans and bamboo shoots to it.

Currently, the city's planting and breeding base for the raw materials of Luosifen, including bamboo shoots, river snail, rice, string beans and fungus, covers 33,000 hectares.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Luosifen went viral and became one of the best-selling ready-to-serve meals for foodies both at home and abroad. Pre-packaged Luosifen became a hot ticket on e-commerce platforms.

Nisachol Thaithong, an e-commerce livestreamer from Thailand, told Xinhua that instant Luosifen is one of the more popular items on her online store. "It's really popular in both Thailand and China. It's easy to cook and affordable."

As demand for Luosifen soars, companies keep trying to add new flavors and ingredients to the product, such as tomato, pickled Chinese cabbage and even traditional Chinese medicine like the root of the kudzu vine.

"These different flavors of Luosifen can meet more people's needs, and I'm positive about their sales," said Thaithong.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
THE Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has raised alarm over rampant sexual harassment of female mine workers.

Sexual harassment, also called sexual violence could cause the victims to lose their jobs, suffer physical and emotional pain, loss of income and various other negative consequences.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) says sexual harassment are behaviours in workplaces manifesting in the form of offensive phone calls or non-verbal comments such as sexually suggestive gestures and display of sexual materials, physical violence, which effectively compromises equality and quality of work among others.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ZDAMWU Gwanda District elections in Gwanda recently, the unions secretary general Mr Justice Chinhema said there was a need to come up with laws to protect women against sexual harassment.

Weve seen parliamentarians going around investigating sexual harassment in colleges. That tells you a story. It is also rampant in the mines. Female miners are facing harassment because partly because theyre very few.

You go to a mine set up and you find showers for men but there are no bathrooms where ladies can take a shower after work which means female employees are not regarded as key as male employees, he said.

Weve started doing campaigns for ILO Convention 190. ILO Convention 190 speaks about gender balance and sexual harassment in the workplace.

Weve engaged all female parliamentarians to get the ball rolling so that the Convention is ratified. For it to be ratified, it has to be discussed in Parliament.

At mine level, weve said we want to see sexual harassment policies. We also want to have a sexual harassment policy at district level and at national level as well.

The ILO Violence and Harassment Convention No. 190 as read with Recommendation No. 206 provides for an inclusive, integrated and gender-responsive approach to put an end to violence and harassment.

Mr Chinhema said in Gwanda District, the casualisation of labour was also rampant.

Workers are employed on fixed-term contracts which is a cause for concern.

We know that mining provides lifetime employment, he said. Mr Chinhema said a significant number of mine workers in the district earn the local currency or the United States dollar although most businesses trade in Rands.

What it means is that were losing production when people come to town to change their money to Rands which poses a challenge.

The miners need to be given a currency that can be used in the district, he said.

Mr Chinhema said it was worrying to note that workers dont know their rights which leads to cases of unreported abuse.

Workers are treated badly and some of them dont even realise that theyre being abused because they dont know their rights, he said. Chronicle
Most of our favorite dishes have a story to tell us  a background that blends culture and tradition. It can take dedication and hard work to keep these recipes going, but with time, these foods can become staples anywhere you take them. Here in Eugene, a restaurant called Mama Mayras Kitchen serves authentic Mexican food that is about much more than what you eat.

El proposito que yo tenia en mi corazon, era de que cuando la gente probaran mi comida dijeran, 'mmm, eso me recuerda a mi abuelita y mi mama cuando cocinaban [translation: The purpose that I had in my heart was that when people tasted my food, they would say, 'mmm, that reminds me of my grandmother and my mothers cooking], Mayra Medina, the owner and head cook at the restaurant said. Ever since Medina was a child she wanted to open a restaurant, hoping to bring her family's ingredients to people who really enjoy food and cooking.

Mama Mayras has been operating since 2015, starting as a food truck. They had a small menu with basic ingredients and dishes, serving tacos, burritos and enchiladas. Medina said she would buy her produce in small portions, according to what she thought she would sell that day. She would get most of her ingredients from El Torito market, which specializes in Latin products.

Medina and her husband Carlos Garcia moved to Eugene in 2005, looking for work and an opportunity to start a new life in the U.S., she said. Medina would work in various food trucks and restaurants, never drifting too far from the kitchen. Garcia would work various jobs providing for his wifes business. He believed in Medina and her passion for cooking, helping her any way he could with opening the restaurant.

Trabajaba para una senorita en ese tiempo y me encantaba porque me decia, haz lo que quieras en la cocina [translation: I worked for an older lady during that time, and she would tell me, do what you want in the kitchen,] Medina said. This gave her the freedom to explore her craft in the kitchen.

She used this experience to expand Mama Mayras menu into various items, including Menudo, a soup made from beef tripe and vegetables; sopes, a fried maize dough with an assorted mix like refried beans, avocado, lettuce, queso fresco and meats; and empanadas, which is a fried pastry made with maize and stuffed with meat, cheeses and sauces. The restaurant also offers an extensive breakfast menu with fresh ingredients at a reasonable price.

Es comida de casa y yo creo que nos ha mantenido todos estos anos [translation: It 's homemade food, and I think it 's maintained us all these years], Garcia said.

Mama Mayras is located in the Jefferson Westside area of Eugene on Blair Boulevard and West 7th Avenue. The place has a friendly atmosphere, welcoming everyone from Eugene to eat something unique, and brings years of culture into their delectable dishes.

I like the environment; its a lot of the food that I grew up eating, Yesenia Pimentel said. Pimentel has been working with Mayras kitchen for a year and is happy to contribute something thats a part of her culture. She said she does a little bit of everything in the restaurant including waiting, prepping and cooking. She brings her kitchen skills back home to cook for her family.

Although Mama Mayras gone through the weeds, it continues to serve food to the community with compassion and devotion for those looking to try something authentic; putting in the hours and faceing whatever challenges come its way. If youre looking for something good to eat, come check out Mayras Kitchen and see what traditional dishes youll find.
A company by the name Podilla Ventures Private Limited has vanished with US$ 137 713 after being awarded a tender by Masvingo City Council (MCC) to supply 545 drums of bitumen.

In 2016 council purchased 545 drums of bitumen from said contractor and since then the consignment is yet to be delivered while no recoveries have been made on part of the local authority.

In Auditor General (AG) Mildred Chiris 2020 Report, the AG found that by the time of her audit August 2021 council was yet to recover anything from the supplier.

The Council purchased five hundred and forty-five (545) drums of bitumen from Podilla Ventures (Private) Limited in 2016 valued at US$137 713. However, the bitumen had not been delivered and the money paid had not been recovered by the time of my audit in August 2021.

My enquiries with management revealed that a High Court judgement was given in favor of the Council but the Master of the High Court was facing challenges to serve the supplier with a warrant of execution, read the AGs report.

Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said a High Court judgement was given in favour of council and a messenger of court was sent to the company with the papers of litigation only to find empty offices.

The issue was taken to court and the case was finalised, with the judgement given in our favour. A messenger of court then went with lawsuit papers to the company but the company was no longer at the given address.

So we have now gone to the company registrars offices to try and locate them and if they are registered under a new name we can be able to find them and get our compensation as they have all the records there, said Mukaratirwa.

A Google search of the company indicates that Podilla Ventures is a Mining and Construction equipment company that specializes on pothole patching and machines, earthmoving machines, survey and geo testing equipment, bituminous products, thermoplastic and cold plastic road marking paint, line marking machines located on 33 Dan Jadson Harare, Zimbabwe.

This is not the first time Masvingo City Council has inadvertently awarded a tender to questionable contractors after Mutual Construction company which benefitted from a confirmed US$4 million from council coffers failed to deliver on the prolonged Mucheke Trunk Sewer project which is yet to be completed, way behind schedule but continuously recurs on annual budgets.

The construction company later on withdrew their services and left the site in 2014 after barely a quarter of the job was done. TellZimNews
Moscow's claims of what it might do to the UK, in retaliation for our support of Ukraine's fight against the Russian invader, get more blood-curdling by the day.

Last week one of Russian state TV's most popular programmes showed a map of Europe, and in how short a time various cities could, allegedly, be demolished by Moscow's hypersonic nuclear missile, Sarmat, when fired from the western-most Russian exclave of Kaliningrad.

Alexei Zhuravlev exclaimed: 'One Sarmat and that's it  the British Isles are no more.' Another angry presenter on the programme boasted it would take one of these missiles '202 seconds to hit London' from Kaliningrad. In fact, there is no missile launch site in Kaliningrad, or anywhere near it. And last week the Pentagon's press secretary, John Kirby, said that the earlier test launch of Sarmat 'was not deemed to be a threat to the United States or its allies'.

Alexei Zhuravlev (right) exclaimed: 'One Sarmat and that's it  the British Isles are no more.'

Make of that what you will; but it seemed that the Pentagon, not known for its relaxed attitude to Russian military capabilities, was saying that Moscow's latest threat was empty (while terrifying). Indeed, the performance of the Russian military to date, in its invasion of Ukraine, has been startling only in its primitiveness.

The same Russian state TV had claimed, just before the invasion, that Kyiv would fall 'within 11 minutes'. This, or something like it, may have been what President Vladimir Putin himself believed, having been promised that by his military commanders.

Fantasies

That is what happens in a country where deception is the governing principle of communication, from top to bottom. Flattering fantasies come to be believed, and the truth is never acceptable: it would be more than someone's job is worth to tell it.

This sort of thing is not unknown in the West  British Prime Ministers and American Presidents are frequently told what their advisers think they want to hear. But ours are societies with a querulously independent press and a firm tradition of legal protection for the rights of the individual against the state. Russia has never had that.

And last week the Pentagon's press secretary, John Kirby, (pictured) said that the earlier test launch of Sarmat 'was not deemed to be a threat to the United States or its allies'

As a result, its leaders can get away with any lie, however outrageous, in part because of the undoubtedly intense patriotism of the typical Russian, who equates this with faith in the ruler  and always has.

Among the more risible such lies recently propagated on Russian state television was the claim, just before the invasion of Ukraine (you know, the invasion which in February Putin repeatedly told visiting Western leaders would never happen), that the British Royal Family had been pushing the idea of 'a war with Ukraine', in order to deflect attention from the travails of Prince Andrew  and that this somehow determined the behaviour of the British government.

When telling the Russian people this, Dmitry Kiselyov (pictured), known as 'Putin's mouthpiece', almost certainly didn't believe it himself

When telling the Russian people this, Dmitry Kiselyov, known as 'Putin's mouthpiece', almost certainly didn't believe it himself. But that is the point. As the former Moscow bureau chief of the Financial Times, Charles Clover, explained some years ago: 'Putin has correctly surmised that lies unite rather than divide Russia's political class. The greater and more obvious the lie, the more his subjects demonstrate their loyalty by accepting it, and the more they participate in the great sacral mystery of Kremlin power.'

The most grotesque lies are as much designed to demonise the Kremlin's enemies, as to boost the mystical power of the country's ruler. Thus the Ukrainian government of President Volodymyr Zelensky has been described  again on Russian state television  as one comprising (variously), Nazis, drug addicts, Satan-worshippers, and Masonic sodomites.

This approach is not just that of attention-seeking TV presenters. Major General Igor Konashenkov, the chief spokesman for the Russian military, in one of his recent briefings, insisted that the Ukrainians had been supplied by the U.S. military with a troupe of migratory birds trained to fly to Russia, where our feathered friends would drop 'bioweapons'.

This is a distant echo of Operation Infektion, the KGB disinformation campaign to propagate the idea that the CIA created the AIDS virus as part of a biological weapons project. It was designed to stir up popular anger at U.S. military bases during the cold war, portrayed by the KGB as the cause of AIDS outbreaks in local populations.

Contempt

The monstrous lie was successfully spread across the world by the KGB, and may well have contributed to the refusal of the Moscow-trained South African President Thabo Mbeki to accept the true cause of the virus that was killing millions of his countrymen. The consequence was appalling.

It is obviously significant that Putin was a KGB officer. As the emigre Russian novelist Vladimir Sorokin wrote at the outset of the Ukraine invasion, described by the Kremlin as 'a special operation': 'For Putin, life itself has always been a special operation. From the black order of the KGB, he learned not only contempt for 'normal people', but also its main principle: not a single word of truth.'

But it would be wrong to see the culture of 'not a single word of truth' as peculiar to the KGB, or as a legacy of the period of Communist rule. It goes much deeper and further back than that.

It is obviously significant that Putin was a KGB officer. As the emigre Russian novelist Vladimir Sorokin wrote at the outset of the Ukraine invasion, described by the Kremlin as 'a special operation': 'For Putin, life itself has always been a special operation'

One of the most remarkable books on the subject was Astolphe de Custine's Letters From Russia. This was the result of a stay in this vast country by that French aristocrat in 1839.

De Custine went there as a sympathiser with the idea of a nation under the firm rule of a Tsar: not surprisingly, since both his father and grandfather had been guillotined in the wake of the French Revolution. Yet he discovered, to his shock, what the effects were of Tsarist autocratic rule on the character of the Russian people.

De Custine encountered a liberal Russian prince, who informed him: 'It has led to a degeneration of language in Russia to the point where speech is now considered merely a trap: our government feeds on lies, because truth frightens the tyrant as it does the slave.'

Survival

And de Custine himself concluded, at the end of his journey: 'Russians of every class conspire together with wonderful mutual understanding to ensure the triumph of duplicity in their country. They have a dexterity in lying and a natural talent for falsehood, the success of which repels my sincerity as much as it strikes terror in my heart.' He returned to France a convert to the merits of constitutional government.

Perhaps the best recent book touching on this phenomenon is Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia To Confront The West, published in 2018. The author, Keir Giles, worked in Moscow during the 1990s, and is now a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House's Russia and Eurasia Programme.

Giles observed: 'The English word 'lie' does not convey the wide range of modalities of Russian deception . . . When reviewing an early draft of this book, a Russian academic suggested avoiding the word 'lie' altogether, as its emotive nature in English was not appropriate for describing a shared conspiracy in avoiding the truth as a survival mechanism.'

I gained some sense of this when, in the 1970s, my paternal grandfather's first cousin Lev visited the UK for a scientific conference: he was a very senior figure at what was then Leningrad University, and was able to see his British relatives without a KGB minder. Lev was astounded to observe the chaos of the 'winter of discontent' under the then Labour government.

His astonishment was because he had read about bodies going unburied, and so on, in Pravda, then the official newspaper of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union  and had therefore assumed it was not true. But this unexpected discovery did not alter his profound cynicism about the deceitfulness of the rulers of his country.

Few have more cause for such absolute lack of faith in the Kremlin's word than the Ukrainian people and their government. For this reason, I cannot imagine the war being concluded soon, or ever, with a formal agreement between the two sides. Kyiv knows better than to take Putin's word for anything, including the time of day. The lies will never stop.
Keir Starmer has had a disastrous week and must be relying on his team to rally round. In particular, he will be looking to Matthew Doyle, his director of communications who was head of press for Labour under Tony Blair.

Doyle travelled the world with Blair after he left office, when the ex-Labour leader became the richest former PM in British history.

His partner of five years is Philip Normal, the first openly HIV-positive mayor in the country who resigned as a councillor for Lambeth in South London in January and will no longer be a candidate in this week's local elections.

The fashion designer, who changed his surname from Burr to Normal by deed poll, is now under investigation by the party after a number of offensive tweets came to light.

Keir Starmer has had a disastrous week and must be relying on his team to rally round. In particular, he will be looking to Matthew Doyle, his director of communications who was head of press for Labour under Tony Blair

They include: 'Why do some Muslim women walk like penguins?' which Normal tweeted on September 29, 2011. He described Whitechapel in East London as an 'aggressively Muslim' neighbourhood in a tweet on January 22, 2013. On May 27, 2011, he complained about a 'big black man' taking up room on a bus.

When Normal was campaigning in the past for re-election he was using the same Twitter account with which he'd made the offensive remarks.

After the old tweets resurfaced, he tweeted to say sorry: 'I sincerely apologise to everyone who has seen them and who I have insulted by their contents.'

The revelations will do little to help Labour rehabilitate itself after Corbyn  something which Starmer has been desperately trying to achieve.

Labour MP Jess Phillips is, predictably, no fan of Boris Johnson. 'I've met pot plants that could compete with Boris Johnson's Oxford debating skills,' she says. 'He is a genuinely dreadful Commons performer.'

It's the X-tractor

Has the porn-shame Tory MP Neil Parish made a small piece of literary history?

The comedian David Baddiel asks: 'Will 'I was looking at tractors' become a national catchphrase?'

Is Sheffield ready for Eddie?

Comedian Eddie Izzard has been on the campaign trail in Sheffield for the party's South Yorkshire mayoral candidate Oliver Coppard.

Izzard, who prefers to be identified as 'she' and 'her' these days, is desperate to become an MP.

The Sheffield Central MP Paul Blomfield is standing down at the next election so his 27,000 majority will be a tempting proposition for Izzard. But will the local Labour Party want serial loser Izzard, who spent 36,000  including 22,000 on transport and food  in a doomed nationwide campaign to stop Brexit?

An avowed republican, Izzard also campaigned unsuccessfully to change the 'first past the post' voting system to the Alternative Vote (AV) in the 2011 referendum.

Labour's culture spokeswoman Lucy Powell last week secured an emergency Commons debate on the Government decision to privatise Channel 4. What she failed to declare at the start of the speech was the gifted trip to the Baftas worth 2,140 that she received from the TV network. Perhaps she had forgotten? Unlikely  the Baftas were in March.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper has been calling for any MPs linked to sexual harassment to be banned from Parliament for good.

That is, it seems, unless they're Lib Dem. Lord Rennard, former Lib Dem chief executive, was suspended from the party in 2014 after four women activists made sexual harassment allegations against him  which he has denied  only to be reinstated seven months later.

A service of thanksgiving for the life of the civil servant Sir John Chilcot is being held in Westminster Abbey this month.

It was Chilcot's devastating 2016 report into the Iraq War which concluded that Tony Blair agreed to the invasion before peaceful options had been exhausted.

It also argued the threat posed by Iraq's so-called 'weapons of mass destruction' was presented with a 'certainty that was not justified'.

In short, Chilcot's report trashed Blair's legacy.

As a former PM, Blair will be invited to the service. But will he go?
A woman whose desire for sex has dwindled since giving birth claims her husband gets into a mood when she doesn't want to be intimate and has said she's 'lucky' that he still finds her attractive.

Posting on the UK-based forum Mumsnet, the woman explained that she didn't have a high sex drive before the birth of her son more than a year ago, and it's decreased even further since.

She said her husband wants sex multiple times when they have a night away from their child and claims she should be 'happy' that he still desires her, while giving her the cold shoulder if she turns him down.

Many responses to the thread advised the woman to speak to her doctor to find out if her hormones are an issue, but others argued she should leave her husband and consider that he might stray from their relationship.

A woman, who lives in the UK, revealed she hasn't desired to have sex with her husband since giving birth (file image)

The woman penned a lengthy post explaining that her lack of desire for sex is causing tension within her relationship.

She wrote: 'My partner wants to have sex all the time but I have zero interest.

'We have a one and a half year old toddler and it's been the same since he was born. Pre baby I didn't have a high sex drive either, but did have some interest in sex. However since my son was born I have no desire to have sex whatsoever.

'My husband was very understanding at first but now I feel like it's a total area of contention in our relationship. When we don't have sex when he "expects it", i.e. when my son stays at his grandparents or when we have a night alone or his birthday, he goes in a massive mood and doesn't speak to me or mopes about.

'I've tried having a chat with him and explaining my take on things. He says all the right things at the time but then it just comes back round again.

'When we do have sex, for example this week when my son was away, he wants this several times in the one day or night. Again when I don't want to more then once I get the cold shoulder or ignored.

Posting on Mumsnet, the woman said her husband expects to have sex continuously when their son stays at his grandparents

'He tells me that I should be 'lucky or happy' that he still finds me attractive after all these years and still desires me which I get.

'I also get sex is an important part of a relationship but we have a young child and I do think things will get back to normal when we aren't sleep deprived and busy with work etc.

'Do you think I'm being unreasonable? I have said I will contact my GP to see if it's maybe a hormonal thing. I found coming off birth control before helped improve my sex drive but I'm not on any now and haven't been for years.'

Many commenters warned the woman that her marriage won't last if she continues not to have sex and suggested that she might be more compatible with someone else.

One person wrote: 'I know this is controversial but if my husband didn't want sex for a year and a half our relationship wouldn't survive either. The husband shouldn't be sulking about it if she has made it clear she isn't interested in him that way though and should just leave her instead.

Many responses to the thread warned the woman that she risks divorce if she continues not to have sex with her husband

'I understand that it can be difficult for men though because often it means living in a different house to your child most of the time. But yeah clearly if the relationship carries on this way it is dead in the water. Most adults want sex and wanting to feel desired in their relationship isn't groundbreaking.'

Another said: 'You would be happy for the relationship to be sexless. You know that but you haven't told him that because you don't want the marriage to end. It really is hugely common and painful. It happened to me.

'I left. And discovered that actually I have a very high sex drive I just wasn't that compatible with my ex husband. With my partner, we are equally matched and much more happier.'

A third warned the woman her husband may lose interest if she doesn't have sex, saying: 'There is only one way that this will end. No sex for the husband means he will look elsewhere.'

However, others told the woman that she should seek help from a professional and work on improving the communication in her relationship.

Other commenters advised the woman to speak to a couple's counsellor or her doctor for practical tips on improving her relationship

'Could you try couples counselling?,' one wrote.

Another said: 'Have you tried going to the doctor? I think for women the more you have it the more you want it, so if it's not happening at all it sort of doesn't trigger the desire.

'But he shouldn't be acting in that way to you but it clearly needs sorting out as to what happens, it's clear you're not meeting each other's needs. H needs to be grown up about it and support you with it.'

A third added: 'He should respect that you don't want sex all the time and sometimes just cuddled up on the sofa is better.'
A new podcast is investigating a series of grisly murder cases in Victorian Britain and America as it aims to explore the crimes from a 'contemporary, feminist perspective'.

Historian Lucy Worsley, 48, recalls the stories of a woman who was paid to care for babies but instead strangled '400' to death during a 30-year spree and a serial killer who poisoned 11 out of 13 of her children and three of her four husbands for their insurance policies.

The BBC radio series, Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley, also includes a look at Scottish socialite, Madeleine Smith, whose family was caught in a scandal after she was accused of poisoning her older French lover.

Elsewhere, American Lizzie Borden became notorious after being tried and acquitted of the axe murders of her father and stepmother - and her innocence is questioned even today, with some suggesting she was after her wealthy father's inheritance.

While some of the cases discussed by the all-female panel of experts have no mitigating circumstances, they examine how some of the women may have acted out of fear or because they were victims of abuse.

Here, FEMAIL examines the stories of the Victorian women included in the podcast and the disturbing murder cases they were involved in...

AMELIA ELIZABETH DYER: THE NURSE WHO STRANGLED 400 BABIES

1837-1896

VICTIM COUNT: Thought to be 400

While largely forgotten today, Amelia Dyer (pictured) has been considered one of the worst serial killers in history and is believed to have murdered more than 400 infants, according to some historians

While largely forgotten today, Amelia Dyer has been considered one of the worst serial killers in history and is believed to have murdered more than 400 infants, according to some historians.

In Victorian-era England, the practice of baby farming - in which unwed women could pay people to take custody of their unwanted infant - became widespread.

For three decades, Dyer worked as a baby farmer and adopted hundreds of infants from unwed women across Bristol and Reading.

She began to conduct her grisly trade in Bristol in the late 1860s, opening a house of confinement in the suburb of Totterdown where she took in unmarried pregnant women who had nowhere else to go.

She would accept a lump sum in exchange for her childcare services - but instead of caring for the babies, Dyer would murder the infant.

Initially, she would let the baby die through neglect and starvation. But at some point in her criminal career, she decided to forgo the expense and inconvenience of letting the infants die through malnutrition.

Instead, soon after being given the unwanted baby, Dyer would strangle them to death.

In 1879, Dyer was caught after a doctor was suspicious about the number of child deaths he had been called to certify in her care.

However she was only sentenced to six months of hard labour for neglect - and, when she was released, she resumed her baby farming career.

She stopped involving doctors to issue death certificates and began disposing of the bodies herself.

However Dyer's downfall came in 1896 when the bagged body of an infant was discovered in Thames at Reading.

An address on the parcel paper led the police to her rented terraced house. Inside her house of horrors they were met with the stench of rotting flesh emanating from the kitchen pantry and from a trunk under her bed.

They discovered baby clothes, vaccination papers as well as letters and receipts for her newspaper advertisements offering adoption services.

A search of the River Thames was hastily ordered. After 50 bodies had been discovered she admitted to police: 'You'll know all mine by the tape around their necks.'

She was arrested on 4 April 1896 and tried for the murder of infant Doris Marmon. The jury took only four and a half minutes to find her guilty and Dyer was hanged on June 10, 1896, in London, aged 58.

At the time of her death, a handful of murders were attributed to her, but there is little doubt she was responsible for hundreds of similar deaths.

Following Dyer's horrific crimes, which sent a shock wave through 19th century Britain, UK adoption laws were made stricter, giving local authorities the power to police baby farms in the hope of stamping out abuse.

MARY ANN COTTON: THE WOMAN WHO BECAME BRITAIN'S FIRST CONVICTED SERIAL KILLER

1832-1873

DEATH COUNT: 21

Mary Ann Cotton (pictured) shocked Victorian society when she became Britain's first convicted serial killer after murdering 21 people with her arsenic-filled teapot from 1852 to 1873

Mary Ann Cotton shocked Victorian society when she became Britain's first convicted serial killer after murdering 21 people with her arsenic-filled teapot from 1852 to 1873.

The lives Cotton claimed included 11 of her 13 children, three of her four husbands, her mother, a lover and a friend.

Described as 'strikingly beautiful' at the time, she murdered her victims with arsenic poisoning apparently to collect their insurance policies.

Arsenic poisoning caused gastric pain and a rapid decline of health - which was similar to many other common medical conditions in the 1800s and therefore undetectable.

Sunderland-born Cotton is believed to have started killing after marrying her first husband William when she was 20 years old.

While living in Plymouth, she and William had five children - four of whom died of 'gastric fever'. The couple then moved back to the North East where they had, and lost, three more children.

In 1865 William, like his children, died of an intestinal disorder, leaving his widow with an insurance pay-out.

Little over a year later, her second husband George Ward died again from intestinal problems with Cotton collecting a hefty sum of insurance.

Cotton married her third husband, James, in 1866 and the deaths continued with Cotton's mother, a daughter, and two of James's own offspring passing away.

Estranged from third husband James, she then bigamously married husband number four, Frederick.

The deaths again continued - Frederick, their child, Frederick's sister, and Frederick's own child Charles Edward Cotton and Cotton's lover Joseph all passed away with stomach problems.

It was the death of little Charles which led to Cotton's undoing. His body was exhumed and traces of arsenic were found.

Cotton's trial at Durham Crown Court lasted three days, and she was found guilty of Charles's murder and responsible for the deaths by poisoning of 11 of her children, three husbands, one lover, and her mother.

She was hanged at Durham County Gaol on March 24, 1873.

MADELEINE SMITH: THE SCOTTISH SOCIALITE WHO IS SAID TO HAVE LACED HER SECRET LOVE'S COCOA WITH ARSENIC

1835-1928

DEATH COUNT: 1

Glasgow socialite Madeleine Smith (pictured) went on trial for murder following the death of her secret lover, middle-aged clerk Pierre Emile L'Angelier, after he drank cocoa laced with arsenic

Glasgow socialite Madeleine Smith went on trial for murder following the death of her secret lover, middle-aged clerk Pierre Emile L'Angelier, after he drank cocoa laced with arsenic.

The case, which scandalised Victorian society, resulted in Scotland's first ever not proven verdict and Madeleine fled to America, where she married three times before her death aged 92.

Her family left their home in Scotland following the scandal surrounding Madeleine, who was described by a contemporary as 'strikingly attractive, stylish, and confident with dark hair and the most entrancing eyes'.

The socialite began her affair with Pierre in 1855 when they were introduced by a neighbour - but the difference in their social status meant Madeline became engaged to another man.

Pierre is though to have threatened to expose their romantic letters unless she married him instead.

In a meeting between the couple in 1857, Madeleine is alleged to have put arsenic in her former beau's cocoa.

Pierre died shortly afterwards and a post-mortem revealed the presence of arsenic, resulting in Madeleine's arrest and trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

The prosecution case rested on Madeleine's motive but her defence team insisted she had not seen Pierre for three weeks before his death.

Reluctant to send a woman to the gallows without more evidence, the jury returned a not proven verdict, meaning Madeleine was acquitted but left under a shadow of doubt for the rest of her life.

Following the trial, the young socialite reportedly disguised herself and caught the night train to London before fleeing to America, where she died in 1938.

Madeleine's story has captured the imagination of many historians, playwrights, film makers and the general public since it was reported in 1857.

Having been the subject of many re-interpretations and productions (including a musical), the story of Madeleine and her love affair have persisted until this day. But why is this the case?

Her trial led to the revelation of lascivious letters that were shocking because of her gender and class, but also because of the explicit statement of her enjoyment in sexual activity.

In the context of her time, this was a shocking revelation as, although it was not unexpected that women would enjoy sex, it was understood that this would and could only happen within the marital bed.

While the tantalising story of a doomed romance ending in a possible murder still has an attractive hook for a story today, it is likely the 'whodunnit' element of Madeleine's case which continues to capture the imagination.

LIZZIE BORDEN: DAUGHTER ACCUSED OF AXING HER FATHER AND STEP-MOTHER TO DEATH

1860-1927

VICTIM COUNT: 2

On the morning of August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his second wife Abby Borden were found murdered inside their home in Fall River, Massachusetts, which they shared with adult daughters Lizzie (pictured) and Emma

Andrew and Abby Borden were murdered with a hatchet on the morning of August 4, 1892. Their deaths remain a mystery to this day

The handle-less hatchet believed to be the murder weapon is shown on display at the Fall River Historical Society

On the morning of August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his second wife Abby Borden were found murdered inside their home in Fall River, Massachusetts, which they shared with adult daughters Lizzie and Emma.

Lizzie Borden was suspected of killing her father Andrew and her stepmother with an axe after the two wealthy victims were found hacked to death.

She was sensationally tried and found not guilty of her parents' violent murders but, more than a century on from the grisly crimes, she continues to be the prime and only suspect in the slayings.

Andrew's body was found on the living room couch - where he had been sleeping - by Borden . His face almost split in two from the violent axe attack. Abby, who both Lizzie and Emma disliked, was found upstairs in a pool of blood.

THE LIZZIE BORDEN RHYME The murder and trial inspired the schoolyard rhyme: 'Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks. The murders and trial surrounding Borden made her a cult figure and inspired the schoolyard rhyme: 'Lizzie Borden took an axe and gave her mother 40 whacks. 'And when she saw what she had done. She gave her father forty-one.' In reality, Mr Borden suffered 11 'whacks' and his wife suffered 18 or 19. It is believed the song was created by a newspaper vendor, and children would sing it while skipping rope. Advertisement

The Borden sisters, whose mother died when they were younger, called Abby 'Mrs. Borden' and were fearful that she and her family wanted to get their hands on Andrew's money.

With both Andrew and Abby out the picture, Lizzie and Emma inherited their father's fortune.

Lizzie, then 32 and a quiet Sunday school teacher, allegedly discovered her father's body that morning and called for the housekeeper Bridget.

As neighbours comforted Lizzie, the maid found her stepmother's body in an upstairs guest bedroom. Both victims had died after being struck on the head with a hatchet.

Investigators determined that Abby was killed first. Police officers called to the scene suspected Lizzie immediately but did not arrest her until a week later.

The net closed in on Lizzie when she was found to have burned a dress similar to the one she wore on the day of the murders in the week after her parents' killings.

She claimed the dress had been covered in paint but prosecutors said she was burning the blood-stained dress to cover-up the murders. Prosecutors also said she had bought a small axe the day before.

Lizzie had also attempted to buy cyanide the day before the murders and the family had mysteriously come down with food poisonings.

She was also the first person on the scene of the murders and the only person, other than the housekeeper, in the home at the time. Emma was out of town when the murders took place.

Before his death, Mr Borden had upset his two daughters by dividing property among other relatives. He had also upset Lizzie for chopping off the heads of pigeons she fed and watered.

Lizzie was arrested and put on trial for double murder.

The widely publicized trial began in New Bedford in June 1893 and gained national attention because during that time it was very uncommon for women to be accused of murder.

Lizzie was acquitted on June 20 after the jury deliberated for just 90 minutes.

They were thought to have been swayed by the fact she was an active member of the local church while the police had refused to carry out fingerprint testing on the murder weapon found in the basement saying the technique was unreliable.

No one else was ever suspected or taken into custody and the case went cold.

Lizzie and her sister, Emma, inherited most of their frugal fathers wealth which would have been around $10million today.

They lived the high life in Fall River, buying another property now known as Maplecroft in 1894, where they lived together for many years and even hosted celebrities thanks to their newfound fame.

However, despite her acquittal, the community continued to suspect Lizzie of the grisly murders and she was accused of shoplifting four years later. Her innocence is questioned even today.

Her sister Emma moved out of the home in 1905 after the two once-close sisters fell out for unknown reasons and never spoke again.

Lizzie died from pneumonia in 1927 and was buried in the family plot next to her parents.

FLORENCE BRAVO: WIFE SUSPECTED OF POISONING SECOND HUSBAND BECAUSE SHE FEARED BECOMING PREGNANT AGAIN AFRER TWO MISCARRIAGES

1845 - 1878

VICTIM COUNT: 1

Florence Bravo (pictured) was linked to the unsolved murder of her second husband barrister Charles Bravo in 1876

Florence Bravo was linked to the unsolved murder of her second husband barrister Charles Bravo in 1876.

His murderer has never been caught and in Victorian England it sparked outrage as the public questioned who the killer was.

Florence, who resented Bravos brutal sexual advances, was a suspect, as well as their housekeeper, who was about to be fired, and Florence's ex-lover, the physician James Gully, according to the BBC.

Charles was murdered at his home The Priory in Balham, Surrey, when the poison potassium antimony was put in his beside glass of water.

He didnt name anyone who might want to kill him on his deathbed, so police reportedly took this to mean he had committed suicide.

The coroners inquest later heard that Florence was ill after suffering two miscarriages and was scared a third pregnancy would result in her death.

Author and historian James Ruddick told the BBC how antimony was used by women in the Victorian era to control their husband's alcohol addiction because it would make them sick in small doses.

Florence had previously been married to an alcoholic, 'so she had plenty of experience with the poison,' suggested the historian.

Mr Ruddick added: 'I think on the night of the murder, Bravo wanted sex but Florence was scared that a third pregnancy might kill her.

'In Victorian times women had no right to deny their husband sex and in these circumstances she resorted to poison.

'But she couldn't have done it alone. Mrs Cox (the maid) must have got rid of the glass and then misled the police. It's a tragic story which highlights how poor a woman's standing was back then.'
Princess Charlotte gave the first glimpse of her beloved pet Spaniel Orla as she celebrated turning seven with an adorable spring snap.

The little Princess was seen warmly embracing her pet dog as she posed in a field of bluebells in a sweet picture taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in Norfolk over the weekend.

The charming image marks two-year-old Orla's first public appearance since being gifted to the Cambridges by Charlotte's uncle James Middleton in the summer of 2020.

Orla, whose name Celtic in origin and means 'golden princess', was bred by the Duchess's brother James and was given to the family shortly before the death of their Spaniel Lupo in November 2020.

Princess Charlotte gave the first glimpse of her beloved pet Spaniel Orla as she celebrated turning seven with an adorable spring snap

In January this year, avid dog lover James, 35, shared an image of himself posing with his pet dogs, revealing how he was inspired by his beloved pets to live in a more mindful way

Avid dog lover James, 35, originally bred a litter of puppies from his Spaniel Ella in 2011 - keeping one puppy called Luna and gifting her brother Lupo to Kate in early 2012.

Lupo arrived with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shortly after their marriage, when Prince William, then an RAF search-and-rescue pilot, was deployed to the Falklands.

Last summer, James bred another litter of six puppies with Luna as their mother while staying with his parents Carole and Michael at their Berkshire home,

It is understood Kate and William had the pick of the litter, helped by Prince George, seven, and Charlotte, five.

The little Princess was seen warmly embracing her pet dog as she posed in a field of bluebells in a sweet picture taken by the Duchess of Cambridge in Norfolk over the weekend

Entrepreneur James is a self-confessed dog-lover and owns nine pooches. He has credited both his beloved dogs and wife wife Alizee Thevenet with helping him through struggles with his mental health

'The new puppy is adorable and the whole family are besotted,' a friend told The Mail on Sunday.

'They were devastated when Lupo passed away, as any dog owner will understand, but got the new puppy before he died. It was hoped that a younger dog would give Lupo some company and give him a little more life and energy.'

When the litter was born, James and his wife Alizee Thevenet, 32, posted pictures on Instagram of themselves with the six puppies, his other spaniels Ella, Inca, Luna and Zulu plus golden retriever Mabel.

'I am sad to see you go, and yes I might cry, but it will be with happiness as each of your new homes are bursting with love,' he wrote.

Lupo - The Cambridges' first dog The Cambridges were devastated by the death of their dog Lupo in November 2021, pictured with Prince George in 2016 Lupo the cocker spaniel was given to Kate by her brother James in 2012. The name Lupo is the Italian for 'wolf'. He originally bred a litter of puppies from his dog Ella in 2011. James kept one called Luna but gave brother Lupo to Kate when Prince William, then an RAF search-and-rescue pilot, was deployed to the Falklands. Lupo often appeared in official pictures of the Cambridges, but died aged nine. In an Instagram post the family said: 'He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much.' New pup Orla was also given to the Cambridges by James Middleton, before Lupo died. Advertisement

'You might be scared at first, that's ok. Just be yourself and you will never understand how much happiness you will bring to your new families and the people you meet. Make me proud and remember to write.'

He donated the money from the sale of the puppies to the charity Pets As Therapy, which provides therapeutic visits to care homes, hospitals and schools.

The death of nine-year-old Lupo was announced in a rare personal post on social media by the Cambridges in mid-November.

Sharing the news they wrote: 'Very sadly last weekend our dear dog, Lupo, passed away. He has been at the heart of our family for the past nine years and we will miss him so much. - W & C'.

Entrepreneur James is a self-confessed dog-lover and launched his health and wellbeing company for dogs in June 2020.

He owns nine dogs; Golden Retriever Mabel, a black Labrador, two Cocker Spaniels, and five black Spaniels called Rafa, Ella, Zulu, Inka and Luna - who he has credited with helping him through tough times.

In January this year he shared images of himself and wife Alizee posing with his pet dogs, revealing how he was inspired by his beloved pets to live in a more mindful way.

He wrote: 'Ive always found January a very difficult month, especially when I was suffering with clinical depression. When everyone is setting new goals, laying down new ground rules and striving to become a better version of themselves, while some of us are just about surviving.

'I have, however, set myself a new mantra which was inspired by my dogs Dont spend every moment thinking of the one to come, or ones in the past.

'The past is imperfect, the future will be too, but now  we can do something about that. So right now Im going to take the dogs for a long walk hand in hand with my wife.'
Kate Middleton is renowned for fashionably mixing High Street bargains with luxury purchases - so it's perhaps not surprising that she's chosen the same style approach for her daughter.

Princess Charlotte, who turns seven today, sported a 15 polka dot polo top from Next and a 299 Ralph Lauren cashmere jumper in portraits released to celebrate her milestone.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared three pictures of their spirited daughter - taken by Kate and showing Charlotte posing in the spring bluebells of Norfolk, alongside the family's adored new little spaniel, named Orla.

Charlotte was first spotted wearing the Next multi-pack option during a Father's Day appearance in 2021, alongside her older brother Prince George, eight, and her father Prince William, 39, at Sandringham.

Kate Middleton is renowned for fashionably mixing High Street bargains with luxury purchases - so it's perhaps not surprising that she's chosen the same style approach for her daughter Princess Charlotte (pictured)

Princess Charlotte, who turns seven today, sported a 15 polka dot polo top from Next (pictured left) and a 299 Ralph Lauren cashmere jumper (pictured right) in portraits released to celebrate her milestone

While the blue Ralph Lauren cable-knit appears to be a new addition to the royal's influential wardrobe, it's not the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has dressed her daughter in a sweater from the US giant.

During her 2021 Father's Day appearance, Charlotte once again teamed the Next top with a Ralph Lauren jumper, this time a 36 baby pink number.

In the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's 2020 Christmas card portrait, featuring all three of their children, Charlotte, George, and Prince Louis, 4, the princess again wore the brand.

Captured sitting on her mother Kate's lap, Charlotte was pictured wearing a stylish Ralph Lauren jumper and 259 Penelope Chilvers boots, similar to a pair owned and worn by her mother on several occasions for the festive snap.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared three pictures of their spirited daughter - taken by Kate and showing Charlotte posing in the spring bluebells of Norfolk, alongside the family's adored new little spaniel, named Orla

Charlotte (pictured) was first spotted wearing the T-shirt during a Father's Day appearance in 2021, alongside her older brother Prince George, eight, and her father Prince William, 39, at Sandringham

Meanwhile, laughing into the lens, fourth-in-line to the throne Charlotte clutches a posy of freshly picked daisies in her hand in the birthday pictures, which were taken at the family's country home Anmer Hall over the weekend.

In the images, Charlotte was joined by little Orla. She was given to the family in the summer of 2020 by the duchess's brother, James Middleton.

She proved to be a great source of comfort when they lost Lupo, their first black spaniel, in November 2020.

Kate and William had doted on Lupo since they got him as a puppy in 2012  a year after they married.

Now that she is seven, Charlotte is likely to be seen on more royal engagements. She joined George, eight, at the Easter Service last month

However, they so jealously guarded his privacy that they refused to confirm his identity at first, let alone reveal his name, until Kate let it slip in an incident dubbed 'Puppygate'.

While Lupo was the Italian for 'wolf', Orla  whose name has also been kept under wraps for two years  is Celtic in origin and means 'golden princess'.

It is not known why the couple chose it but they later said they liked the name Lupo so it may be the same for their new pet.

Now that she is seven, Charlotte is likely to be seen on more royal engagements such as church services. She joined George, eight, for a memorial service for their late great-grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, in March.
A German man who fathered four children with his sister - and then claimed an incest conviction breached his human rights - is continuing to call for an end to laws banning their relationship.

Patrick Stuebing, 44, from Leipzig, was adopted as a child and did not meet his younger sister Susan Karolewski, 37, until he tracked down his natural family in his 20s.

After he moved into their mother's home, Stuebing and Karolewski started having sex a month after meeting and began pursuing a romantic relationship.

The couple, who have long defended their relationship, went on to have four children between 2001 and 2005 - two of whom are disabled.

Previously speaking about their union, Patrick said: 'We do not feel guilty about what has happened between us. We want the law which makes incest a crime to be abolished.'

Patrick Stuebing, from Leipzig, who fathered four children with his sister Susan Karolewski - and then claimed an incest conviction breached his human rights - is continuing to call for an end to laws banning their relationship (pictured)

Stuebing was the third of eight children born into a poor, uneducated, dysfunctional family.

His violent father, now dead, attacked him with a knife when he was three and he was made a ward of court and then adopted.

Susan was born into the same unhappy family - on the same day her parents' divorce was finalised.

Her childhood was deprived, with her chain-smoking, unemployed mother Ana Maria often leaving her at home alone, or entertaining lovers while she was there.

Stuebing and Karolewski started having sex a month after meeting and lived together in their mother's home for several years (pictured together in 2004)

The couple, who have long defended their relationship, went on to have four children between 2001 and 2005 - two of whom are disabled

How brother and sister fell in love after meeting for the first time: The timeline of Patrick and Susan's incestuous relationship 1978 - Patrick Stuebing is born third of eight children born into a poor, uneducated, dysfunctional family. 1981 - Patrick is adopted aged three 1985 - Susan Karolewski is born to the same parents. 1996 - Stuebing, 18, decided to find his biological parents 2000 - Stuebing, 22, tracked down his mother Ana Marie and she allowed him to move in and share bedroom with Susan, 15. Six months later, Ana Marie died of a heart attack. January-August 2001 - Stuebing had sexual intercourse with his sister 16 times and rarely used protection. October 2001 - Susan, 16, gave birth to a baby boy, Erik. He was taken into care and was severely disabled. 2002 - The couple were first tried for incest. The district court in Leipzig heard how from January 2001 until August 2001, Stuebing 'had only at the beginning bothered using condoms'. Stuebing received a year's suspended jail term after being found guilty on all counts. Susan, then 17, was treated as a juvenile and placed into the care of youth services. 2003 - the couple's daughter Sarah, now 19, was born and suffers similar disabilities. 2004 - the couple welcomed a third daughter, Nancy, 18. 2005 - They found themselves in court again on account of their other daughters and Stuebing was sentenced to two and a half years for re-committing incest. The couple's fourth daughter, Sophia, now 17, was born. Patrick was jailed for ten months for his second incest conviction and then for a further two and a half years after being convicted for the third time. When he was taken to jail, a tearful Susan told German newspapers she could not live without him. Stuebing threatened to kill himself. 2012 - After vowing to change Germany's laws making sex between siblings illegal, they took their challenge to the Court of Human Rights. However they lost the case. The European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, France, ruled Germany was entitled to ban incest. 2014 - the German Ethics Council made a shocking u-turn and voted in favour of allowing incest between siblings. 2022 - The couple continue their fight to make incest legal Advertisement

Poorly educated and barely able to write, Susan has previously spoken of being unloved and a burden to her mother.

Six other brothers and sisters, some of whom were born with disabilities, died in childhood.

One was run over and killed age seven.

Another mentally handicapped sister died age eight.

When Stuebing was 18 he decided to find his biological parents.

Four years later he tracked down his mother and discovered Susan.

He moved in, and, astonishingly, Ana Marie allowed him to share her young daughter's bedroom.

Speaking about his relationship with the then-15-year-old in 2007, he said: 'We both stayed up late into the night to talk to each other about our hopes and dreams.'

Six months later, Ana Marie died of a heart attack. Susan was close to one of her disabled brothers, Andre, but he died in the same year.

The then teenager came to rely more and more on her brother.

In her own words: 'Trust grew into a different type of love when our mother died six months later.'

Meanwhile he said: 'I became head of the family and I had to protect my sister.

'She is very sensitive but we helped each other during this very difficult period and eventually that relationship became physical.'

The couple began sleeping together months later, and it was later revealed in court they had slept together sixteen times between January and August 2001.

They rarely used protection.

Despite already having experienced a normal relationship with a woman, he insisted: 'We didn't even know we were doing anything wrong when we started sleeping together.

'We didn't think about using a condom.

We didn't know it was illegal to sleep together.

'Our mother would not have approved, but the only ones who should judge us now is us.'

In October 2001, aged just 16, Susan gave birth to a baby boy, Erik. He was taken into care and now - aged twenty - can hardly walk or speak properly.

Sarah, now 19, was born in 2003 and suffers similar disabilities.

She was also taken into care, as was Nancy, nearly 18, who appears to be normal. Sophia, now 17, was born while Stuebing was in prison.

Under the care of German social services, Susan tried to hide the pregnancy by wearing baggy clothes.

She gave birth alone in the bath. Stuebing has since been sterilised in the mistaken belief that if he has no more children with his sister, he will evade jail.

And yet both are apparently in denial about their children's disabilities, despite expert opinion.

'Two of our children are disabled,' said Stuebing.

'But that is not necessarily anything to do with the fact that we are siblings.

'There are other disabled people in our family.

'We had six brothers and sisters who did not survive in some cases because they were disabled.'

The pair were tried for incest in 2002. The district court in Leipzig heard how Stuebing 'had only at the beginning bothered using condoms'.

Stuebing received a year's suspended jail term after being found guilty on all counts. Susan, then 17, was treated as a juvenile and placed into the care of youth services.

Stuebing, who has experienced other relationships with women, has insisted the pair 'didn't know they were doing anything wrong' when they started having sex

But after the birth of two more children, the court was not so lenient. Stuebing was eventually sentenced to ten months in prison.

They found themselves in court again in 2005 on account of their other daughters and Stuebing was sentenced to two and a half years for re-committing incest.

When he was taken to jail, a tearful Susan told German newspapers she could not live without him. Stuebing threatened to kill himself. Yet while the brother was locked up, the sister conceived a fifth child by another man.

Even so, upon Stuebing's release, she gushed to German reporters: 'I'm so happy Patrick is here and that I have him again. I need him.'

They found themselves in court in 2005 after having four children together, where Stuebing was sentenced to two and a half years for re-committing incest (pictured, Susan arriving at court with her daughter Sophia in her arms)

When he was taken to jail, a tearful Susan told German newspapers she could not live without him. Stuebing also threatened to kill himself (pictured)

More than 13,000 people in the UK have been born out of 'extreme inbreeding' and the illegal incestuous trysts of close relatives, study claims Scientists believe that more than 13,000 people in the UK have DNA which indicates they are the result of 'extreme inbreeding'. Analysis of the UK Biobank data-bank by researchers at the University of Queensland in 2019 uncovered evidence of people with whose parents are considered to be first- or second-degree relatives. This includes children created when parents and their offspring (first degree) have a child. It also assessed children born from the intercourse of half-siblings (second degree). The researchers say scaling up the research is difficult due to the limitations of the data-set, but claim the real number may be even higher than the extrapolated 13,200 figure from the paper. People born out of such extreme inbreeding often suffer myriad health concerns, the researchers confirm. This includes reduced lung function, fertility, cognitive function and a 44 per cent higher risk of all diseases. According to the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics, extreme inbreeding can be suspected if over 10 per cent of the DNA sequence in an individual has runs of homozygosity. Homozygosity is the term given to stretches of the genetic code that are identical, and therefore must have been inherited from both the mother, and the father. If this is significantly higher than normal, it can indicate a person's parents are closely related. Extreme inbreeding (EI) is often defined as genome-wide homozygosity consistent with mating between first or second degree relatives. This includes children created when parents and their offspring (first degree) have a child. It also considers that of children born from the intercourse of half-siblings (second degree). Advertisement

Stuebing in turn told the cameras: 'I am doing well. I will always be there for Susan and the children.'

Meanwhile, the couple have even argued that they might not have had so many children if the first hadn't been taken away.

Stuebing said: 'The younger children might not have been born had they not taken the first one from us.

'We just want to make sure that we don't lose everything again.'

Meanwhile Stuebing said: 'When you see your child being looked after by someone else when they should be with you, that's hard for any parent to bear.

'So if he is handicapped, well, that is all the more reason we should be able to look after him.'

The couple have defended their relationship, with Susan saying: 'We didn't know each other in childhood.

'It's not the same for us. We fell in love as adults and our love is real. There is nothing we could do about it.

'We were both attracted to each other and then nature took over from us.

'It was that simple. What else could we do?

'We followed our instincts and our hearts.'

After vowing to change Germany's laws making sex between siblings illegal, they took their challenge to the Court of Human Rights in 2012.

The case led to calls for Germany to join countries such as France, Turkey, Japan and Brazil in legalising sex between relatives.

However they lost the case. The European Court of Human Rights, in Strasbourg, France, ruled Germany was entitled to ban incest.

Germany, as with most of the 47 Council of Europe member states, bans consensual sexual acts between adult siblings, the ECHR said.

It also said there was not enough evidence to suggest a possible trend of decriminalisation of such acts.

The ECHR said the German courts did not convict Karolewski because she has a personality disorder and was 'only partially liable' for her actions.

The main basis for Stuebing's conviction, the ECHR said, was 'the protection of marriage and the family' because the couple's behaviour blurred family roles.

It also noted 'the risk of significant damage' to children born of incest, which is banned partly because of the higher likelihood of disability.

However, i n 2014 the German Ethics Council made a shocking u-turn and voted in favour of allowing incest between siblings.

They claimed the risk of disability was not enough to warrant the law after reviewing the couple's case.

It is believed the couple are still living together in eastern Germany, where it still remains the law that incest between siblings is illegal.

It is also illegal in the UK and punishable by life imprisonment.

After vowing to change Germany's laws making sex between siblings illegal, they took their challenge to the Court of Human Rights in 2012 - and continue their fight to make their love legal
Princess Charlotte sported an elegant blue cashmere jumper for her seventh birthday portraits - and it's not the first time her mother Kate Middleton has opted to dress her in the colour.

The Duchess of Cambridge appears to have relied on the shade in numerous snaps of Charlotte throughout the years - including pictures celebrating her sixth, fifth, fourth and third birthdays.

Opting for blue hues shows an 'openness against gender stereotypes' of the shade and 'conveys softness, trust and serenity', according to a colour psychologist.

Lancashire-based Lee Chambers told FEMAIL that the decision to often dress Charlotte in sapphire ensembles showcases 'a modern princess who will grow into a more dynamic world'.

Three images were shared by Prince William and Kate to mark their daughter's milestone today - with each one showing the young royal posing in the spring bluebells of the family's Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, while sporting her 299 Ralph Lauren jumper.

Princess Charlotte (pictured) sported an elegant blue cashmere jumper for her seventh birthday portraits - and it's not the first time her mother Kate Middleton has opted to dress her in the colour

The Duchess of Cambridge appears to have relied on the shade in numerous snaps of Charlotte throughout the years - including pictures celebrating her sixth (pictured), fifth, fourth and third birthdays

Opting for blue hues shows an 'openness against gender stereotypes' of the shade and 'conveys softness, trust and serenity', according to a colour psychologist. Pictured, Charlotte on her fourth birthday

Lee said: 'We often see Charlotte in blue outfits and blue is a colour that represents calm, confidence and trust in a stable future.

'With it being a colour that conveys a sense of serenity and softness, especially in the lighter shades we often see, there is a show of respect to the royal tradition of duty.

'It also brings to the fore an openness against the gender stereotypes of blue, showcasing a modern princess who will grow into a more dynamic world.

'As a colour, it is very present in nature, featuring in both the sea and sky, and it conveys a connectedness to the bigger picture, and also links in to feelings of integrity and trust, and these will play a part as the royal's position continues to evolve in the future.'

In this year's birthday portraits, Charlotte teamed her blue jumper with a 15 polka dot polo top from Next.

Charlotte was first spotted wearing the Next multi-pack option during a Father's Day appearance in 2021, alongside her older brother Prince George, eight, and her father Prince William, 39, at Sandringham.

Lancashire-based Lee Chambers told FEMAIL that the decision to often dress Charlotte in sapphire ensembles showcases 'a modern princess who will grow into a more dynamic world'. Pictured, a portrait of Charlotte to mark her fifth birthday

Charlotte's fourth birthday portraits (pictured) saw the royal wearing a 50 Yarrow tartan plaid skirt from Amaia Kids, paired with a light grey button up cardigan over a navy blue roll neck top and tights

Following her third birthday, a stunning photograph - again taken by the Duchess of Cambridge as is tradition - showed Charlotte with her baby brother Prince Louis, now four

While the blue Ralph Lauren cable-knit appears to be a new addition to the royal's influential wardrobe, it's not the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has dressed her daughter in a sweater from the US giant.

During her 2021 Father's Day appearance, Charlotte once again teamed the Next top with a Ralph Lauren jumper, this time a 36 baby pink number.

For her sixth birthday, the young royal posed in a vibrant 59 Rachel Riley floral summer dress which was also in blue, while for her fifth, she sported a navy houndstooth smock dress from Zara.

Similarly, her fourth birthday portraits saw the royal wearing a 50 Yarrow tartan plaid skirt from Amaia Kids, paired with a light grey button up cardigan over a navy blue roll neck top and tights.

In another snap released in celebration of Charlotte's fourth birthday, she donned a 70 blue floral Betsy Dress from high-street store Trotters.

In this year's images, Charlotte was joined by the family's new pet dog Orla. She was given to the family in the summer of 2020 by the duchess's brother, James Middleton

In this year's birthday portraits, Charlotte teamed her blue jumper with a 15 polka dot polo top from Next

Following her third birthday, a stunning photograph - again taken by the Duchess of Cambridge as is tradition - showed Charlotte with her baby brother Prince Louis, now four.

Sweetly kissing the newborn on the head, Charlotte sported a navy blue cardigan by royal favourite Fina Ejerique that George donned for a Vanity Fair family portrait celebrating his grandmother the Queen's 90th birthday.

In this year's images, Charlotte was joined by the family's new pet dog Orla. She was given to the family in the summer of 2020 by the duchess's brother, James Middleton.

She proved to be a great source of comfort when they lost Lupo, their first black spaniel, in November 2020.

Now that she is seven, Charlotte is likely to be seen on more royal engagements. She joined George, eight, at the Easter Service last month

Kate and William had doted on Lupo since they got him as a puppy in 2012  a year after they married.

However, they so jealously guarded his privacy that they refused to confirm his identity at first, let alone reveal his name, until Kate let it slip in an incident dubbed 'Puppygate'.

While Lupo was the Italian for 'wolf', Orla  whose name has also been kept under wraps for two years  is Celtic in origin and means 'golden princess'.

It is not known why the couple chose it but they later said they liked the name Lupo so it may be the same for their new pet.

Now that she is seven, Charlotte is likely to be seen on more royal engagements such as church services. She joined George, eight, for a memorial service for their late great-grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, in March.
The future monarchs of Sweden and Norway looked regal in matching blue outfits as they met up in Stockholm this evening.

Crown Princess Victoria, the heir to the Swedish throne, sported a wave-inspired blue tea dress with an A-line skirt as she and her husband Prince Daniel hosted the with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway.

Crown Prince Haakon, 48, is the only son and heir apparent of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway.

His wife, Princess Mette-Marit, also 48, matched Victoria, 44, in a blue dress as the two royal couples made the most of the Swedish spring sun.

The future monarchs of Sweden and Norway looked regal in matching blue outfits as they met up in Stockholm this evening. Crown Princess Victoria, the heir to the Swedish throne, sported a wave-inspired blue tea dress with an A-line skirt (right) as she and her husband Prince Daniel hosted the with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway (left)

The royal couple are on an official three-day trip to Sweden to mark the 'neighbourly relationship' between the bordering countries. The visit has been delayed several times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The royal couple are on an official three-day trip to Sweden to mark the 'neighbourly relationship' between the bordering countries. The visit has been delayed several times due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Today, the two families visited the Karolinska Institutet, starting their visit at Haga Palace in Stockholm, Sweden.

The Norwegian royals are accompanied by Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt and Minister of Trade and Industry Jan Christian Vestrem they will also visit Gothenburg.

The Norwegian royal court said the visit will 'contribute to strengthening the close business cooperation between Norway and Sweden, and emphasis will be placed on the fact that tomorrow's value creation must be sustainable and knowledge-based.'

Today, the two families visited the Karolinska Institutet, starting their visit at Haga Palace in Stockholm, Sweden

Meanwhile, Mette-Marit let her blonde hair down and in lose curls pairing her sparkling blue dress with nude heels and a golden clutch bag.

Today, Victoria tied her hair back and opted a natural make-up look and minimal jewellery sporting just an oversized bangle and hoop earrings.

Meanwhile, Mette-Marit let her blonde hair down and in lose curls pairing her sparkling blue dress with nude heels and a golden clutch bag.

Crown Prince Haakon also sported blue, pairing a navy suit with and lilac tie while Prince Daniel completely the royal blue quartet in a dark blue suit and bright blue tie.

Crown Prince Haakon also sported blue, pairing a navy suit with and lilac tie while Prince Daniel completely the royal blue quartet in a dark blue suit and bright blue tie.

Prince Daniel, Mette-Marit Crown Princess of Norway, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Haakon Crown Prince of Norway arrive at Norra Latin

It's the second time the two Princesses have twinned today, as Crown Princess Mette Marit showcased her knowledge of seasonal fashion trends as she and husband Crown Prince Hakakon kicked-off their three-day visit to Sweden with stylish photos taken on the steps of Haga Palace.

The Norwegian royal couple were welcomed by Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel as they arrived on Monday to strengthen the neighbourly relations between the two countries.

Mother-of-three Mette Marit donned a chic floral dress and white tartan print coat, while Crown Prince Haakon looked equally polished in a blue suit and matching tie.

Crown Princess Victoria recycled a Malina Maisy Dress which she has previously been spotted wearing at a virtual 2020 Care Gala and for a conference at Stockholm's University.

The trip was previously postponed several times due to the global covid-19 pandemic.

Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel are hosting Crown Princess Mette Marit and Crown Prince Haakon (pictured left to right) at Haga Palace

The Norwegian and Swedish royals looked very relaxed during their meeting in Stockholm today

Today, Crown Princess Mette Marit opted to wear neutral colours donning a white dress with pastel flowers spotted throughout and a delicate bow to draw attention to her neckline.

She teamed the look with a white tartan print duster coat and pink court heels, while styling her blonde hair into loose curls for an elegant appearance.

Crown Prince Haakon paired a blue suit with a matching tie, white shirt and black shoes for an equally dashing look.

Meanwhile, Crown Princess Victoria pulled her glossy brunette hair into her signature top knot to reveal pearl hoop earrings and teamed her geometric print dress with white heels.

Prince Daniel of Sweden looked suave in a navy suit styled with a white shirt and burgundy tie.

The European royals looked in good spirts as they gathered at Haga Palace in Stockholm for a group photo to kick-off the state visit.

Crown Princess Mette Marit (pictured second from right) donned a floral dress, while Crown Princess Victoria (pictured second from left) opted to recycle a geometric print dress

The European royals appeared in good spirits as they kicked-off the three-day visit organised to highlight the good relations between Sweden and Norway

They went on to meet King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, as well as Victoria's brother Prince Carl-Philip and his wife Princess Sofia.

Sofia wore a stylish floral dress in pink for the occasion, while Queen Sofia picked a tasteful pink, white and black number with a white blazer.

Environmental issues including sustainable agriculture and climate-friendly buildings are expected to be covered throughout the tour, with the Norwegian royals also championing their culture and creative industries.

The couple will visit the SPACE-centre and travel to Fryshuset in Stockholm to see the wide range of services for young people.

Crown Prince Haakon who is heir apparent to the throne of Norway, has two children, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus with Mette Marit.

She has a child from a previous relationship, 25-year-old Marius Borg Hiby.

Later, Mette-Marti and Crown Prince Haakon met with Princess Sofia, Prince Carl Philip, left, King Carl Gustaf, Queen Silvia, right

Victoria, Mette-Marit, Kaahkon and Prince Daniel went on to visit at Stocklhom's House of Culture (Kulturhuset), where they talked to children about books and reading

Mette Marit was born a commoner, to farmers in Norway and was a single mother by the time of her controversial engagement to Crown Prince Haakon in 2000.

She became Crown Princess after the couple's marriage in 2001. Mette Marit has spent her reign championing humanitarian projects while joining official visits.

Her first official appearance was at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall on December 10, 2000, following the announcement of the couple's engagement on December 1.
A Kate Middleton lookalike who recently went viral on TikTok has announced she has applied to play the royal in The Crown.

Brittany Dixon, an artist from Australia, created her account on the social media platform to promote her artwork - but many of her followers were quick to note the uncanny resemblance she has to the Duchess of Cambridge.

It comes following reports that Netflix producers are on the hunt for a 'stunning' actress who can play a young Kate in the sixth season of the historical drama.

Following the news, Brittany was showered with messages from TikTok users telling her she should apply for the role - and following the suggestion, the artist revealed she had applied.

In one of her TikTok videos, Brittany explains the application process, describing how she was asked to send a selfie, some general information and a 30-second video talking about something you love.

Brittany Dixon (pictured right), an artist from Australia, created her account on the social media platform to promote her artwork - but many of her followers were quick to point out the uncanny resemblance she has to the Duchess of Cambridge (pictured left, in 2005)

Following the news, Brittany was showered with messages from TikTok users telling her she should apply for the role - and following the suggestion, the artist revealed she had applied

When posting videos of herself, Brittany was quickly inundated with comments comparing her to the royal, with one writing: 'Wow, the resemblance [to Kate] is amazing.'

Others tagged her in comments suggesting she apply for The Crown, with one person insisting: 'You look more like her than anyone else people are tagging.'

A third added: 'Wow, you are very, very similar. Now I know why you've always looked familiar.'

When posting videos of herself, Brittany (pictured in a video alongside pictured of Kate) was quickly inundated with comments comparing her to the royal, with one writing: 'Wow, the resemblance [to Kate] is amazing.'

After being told she should apply for The Crown, the artist (pictured) announced: GUYS I APPLIED, and promised to keep her followers updated after the clip went viral with over 300,000 views

A fourth wrote: 'That's so funny, you [and Kate] look like sisters', while many continued to encourage her to apply for The Crown role.

Following this, she announced: GUYS I APPLIED, and promised to keep her followers updated after the clip went viral with over 300,000 views.

Explaining the application process, she added: 'I was not expecting that video to get that much attention.

Reaction: TikTok users (above) were quick to compare the artist to the Duchess of Cambridge

Reacting to Brittany's announcement, one person (above) wrote: 'Omg now I am so invested. I hope you get the role.'

'So I did end up applying, they just wanted a selfie, some general information, and a 30 second video of me talking about something I love.

'Obviously I talked about painting, so we'll see how it goes and if they even see it,' she said, before concluding: 'Anyway thanks guys for being so nice, back to painting.'

Reacting to her clip, one person wrote: 'Omg now I am so invested. I hope you get the role.'
Fashionista Nina Brener-Hellmund has shared more pictures from her extravagant wedding in Yucatan, southeastern Mexico, which was filled with celebrity guests and socialites from all over the world.

The founder of online fashion platform Cult Mia, who grew up between Mexico, Texas, and Switzerland married Freddie Briance, the dashing CEO of gentlemen's outfitters New & Lingwood at a luxury resort last week.

D&G model Sabrina Percy, whose father Richard Percy is a second cousin of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, was among the well-heeled guests raking in celebrations at the exclusive Chable Yucatan.

Nina, who has changed her name to Nina Briance Brener-Hellmund, has now shared more idyllic pictures from her picturesque wedding, including posing in her new husband's arms in front of the stunning Mexican architecture and dancing the night away with her beau.

It's the first look at the bride's dress, a lace and tulle number with a traditionally long train that seeped over steps in photos.

Fashionista Nina Brener-Hellmund has shared more pictures from her extravagant wedding in Yucatan, southeastern Mexico, which was filled with celebrity guests and socialites from all over the world

One shot shows the bride surrounded by white butterflies with her arms thrown up in the air, while one guest shared a video of the beautiful bride being thrown up in the air by dancing partygoers.

The dress also featured a cinched in waist and straps with gorgeous white lace covering the bodice and A-line skirt.

One shot shows the bride surrounded by white butterflies with her arms thrown up in the air, while one guest shared a video of the beautiful bride being thrown up in the air by dancing partygoers.

The couple officially wed at home in London in October but celebrated with friends and family at a big blowout bash this weekend.

In snaps shared online by guests, the bride-to-be can be seen beaming as she began the weekend.

The dress also featured a cinched in waist and straps with gorgeous white lace covering the bodice and A-line skirt.

Nina, who has changed her name to Nina Briance Brener-Hellmund, has now shared more idyllic pictures from her picturesque wedding, including posing in her new husband's arms in front of the stunning Mexican architecture and dancing the night away with her beau.

Heiress Jemima Cadbury, who is looking ahead to her own big day in the near future, also made the journey from the UK for the celebrations, as well as connected journalist Natalie Salmon.

Nina and Freddie's guests were invited to a lavish pre-wedding celebration, which continued late into the night.

Images posted to social media captured attendees entering the venue to live musicians, before the bride and groom walked in behind two larger-than-live effigies of themselves.

Celebrations were in full swing last weekend as two of London's fashion set prepared to tie the knot in a lavish ceremony in Mexico. Pictured: Guests at a pre-wedding party for Nina Brener-Hellmund and Freddie Briance

The guests of Nina and Freddie (pictured above at the event) were invited to a lavish pre-wedding celebration, which continued late into the night in Yucatan, southeastern Mexico

Nina was dressed all in white ahead of her nuptials, with colourful flowers in her hair as she enjoyed the night's celebrations with her friends and family

At one point on Friday night, both Nina and Freddie danced on a stage next to a DJ, as hundreds of delighted partygoers enjoyed the night beneath them.

Amela Subasic, a creative director from New York who made the trip to Mexico for the wedding, posted on Instagram: 'When the pre-wedding party turns into a clerb (sic.) you know the wedding is gonna be [fire].'

She added: 'You sure do know how to throw a party.'

Fashion influencer and stylist Bettina Looney also shared images of the bash online, having travelled to Mexico with her husband Carlos a few days earlier.

Some of the guests have booked into the exclusive Chable Yucatan, where rooms cost upwards of 1,353-per-night.

The happy couple! Nina, who grew up between Mexico, Texas, and Switzerland, is the founder of online fashion platform Cult Mia. The dashing Freddie is the CEO of gentlemen's outfitters New & Lingwood. The couple, pictured in 2018, are tying the knot in Mexico this weekend

At one point, both Nina and Freddie danced on a stage next to a DJ, as hundreds of delighted partygoers enjoyed the night beneath them

According to it's website, the hotel, which is part of a collection of ultra luxury boutique hotels in the area, offers an escape for 'those seeking a place within the most diverse natural and historical landscapes of Mexico'

Fashionista Nina Brener-Hellmund has kicked off her pre-wedding events with a bridal shower and pool party at a 1,300-a-night Mexico resort ahead of her big day (pictured right)

Nina, who officially married her beau at home in London in October, was in high spirits as celebrations kicked off in Yucatan, southeastern Mexico

Nina attended Stanford University in California, graduating in 2013. She first tried to build a business at 19 before joining Goldman Sachs, followed by UBS, working in investment banking.

In 2017, she enrolled at the London Business School to study for her MBA.

She worked at fashionista favourite Moda Operandi, founded by socialite entrepreneur Lauren Santo Domingo, where she learned the foundations of e-commerce before founding Cult Mia.

It is thought she met Freddie in London, where she has been based for almost 10 years.

Ready for the beach! Well connected journalist Natalie Salmon made the journey from the UK

Guests attending the pre-wedding parties were quick to share snaps of the luxury hotel online, showing off their rooms (left) and the stunning outdoor pool (right)

One guest wrote: 'Amazing! Happy to be here!' on social media as the event kicked off

Images posted to social media captured attendees entering the venue to live musicians

Strike a pose! D&G model Sabrina Percy, right, whose father Richard Percy is a second cousin of the 12th Duke of Northumberland, is taking in the sights ahead of the nuptials

Soaking up the sun: Natalie and friend Holly Tabor shared snaps from their day at the beach

On their way! Heiress Jemima Cadbury also shared a photo from her flight to Mexico

Oxford graduate Freddie also studied for his MBA at London Business School. He now heads up New & Lingwood, a British heritage brand founded in 1865 in Eton.

Multi-day destination weddings have become a must-have for the society set.

Lady Kitty Spencer set the trend when she wed Michael Lewis in her Roman extravaganza and in the months since there have been OTT nuptials in Spain, Mexico and the English countryside.
Queen Mathilde of Belgium stunned in a crimped coral dress today as she joined King Philippe to meet Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and her husband Pavlos Kotsonis in Athens today.

The royal, 49, showed off her easy style in a red and pink midi dress with an oversized waist belt and statement buckle.

Proving her penchant for coordination, the mother-of-four added a matching bag, hat and face mask while opted for a touch of glamour with dangling earrings and brown slingback heels.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium stunned in a crimped coral dress today as she joined King Philippe to meet Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and her husband Pavlos Kotsonis in Athens today.

The royal, 49, showed off her easy style in a red and pink midi dress with an oversized waist belt and statement buckle

Mathilde of Belgium stunned in a green dress at an official state dinner while President Sakellaropoulou opted for a red silky dress

Pavolos Kotsonis, partner of HE President Sakellaropoulou, Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Philippe - Filip of Belgium and President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou pose for the photographer with women dressed in traditional Greek costumes, at the start of a state dinner with president Sakellaropoulou on the first day of a three days state visit of the Belgian royal couple to Greece,

Her Majesty, who is first queen consort of native Belgian nationality, also visited to the children of the Smile of the Child project community home on the first day of her official three-days state visit to Greece.

The royal, who married King Philippe in 1999, wore her blonde hair down in a lightly coiffed bob and opted for a natural make-up look.

Meanwhile, King Phillipe opted for a navy blue suit, while President Sakellaropoulou looked chic in an off-white suit.

The couple are on an official trip to the Balkan country, and have been joined by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sophie Wilmes, and Minister-Presidents of Communities and Regions.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Philippe arrive at the start of a state dinner with president Sakellaropoulou on the first day of a three days state visit of the Belgian royal couple to Greece

Proving her penchant for coordination, the mother-of-four added a matching bag, hat and face mask while opted for a touch of glamour with dangling earrings and brown slingback heels.

Her Majesty, who is first queen consort of native Belgian nationality, also visited to the children of the Smile of the Child project community home on the first day of her official three-days state visit to Greece.

It comes just a week after the Queen tested positive for Covid - with the palace saying she is #doing well and is following her doctors recommendations'.

Her coronavirus diagnoses meant she missed her goddaughter's - Princess Isabella of Denmark - confirmation this weekend.

The Danish royal family assembled on Saturday at Fredensborg Castle Church in Fredensborg, Denmark, to herald the special occasion with Crown Princess Mary, 50, and Prince Frederik, 53, joined by their four children Christian, 16, Isabella, 15, and twins Josephine and Vincent, 11.

Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (2nd R) and her partner Pavlos Kotsonis (R) speaks with Belgium Queen Mathilde (L) and King Philippe (2nd L) during their meeting as part of the Royal couple three-day visit in Greece

The royal, who married King Philippe in 1999, wore her blonde hair down in a lightly coiffed bob and opted for a natural make-up look. She is pictured with children in the Smile of the Child project

Mathilde is mother to Princess Elisabeth, 20, Prince Gabriel, 18, Prince Emmanuel, 16 and Princess Eleonore, 14.

Her eldest Princess Elisabeth, the heir apparent to the throne juggles her degree in history and politics in Oxford with military training back home in Belgium.

The future queen spent the last weekend of her Easter holiday at a training course in Leopoldsburg, near the Dutch border.

This summer Elisabeth will return to Belgium for a camp run by the the Royal Military Academy (RMA), the university of the Belgian Defense, responsible for the academic, military and physical training of its future officers.

Elisabeth enrolled in a course with the RMA in September 2020 and remains involved in training despite being a full-time first-year student at Oxford.
The A-listers who will be attending the 2022 Met Gala on Monday are expected to be channeling Edith Wharton's 'Age of Innocence' as part of this year's Gilded Age-inspired theme, but how they will interpret the dress code is anyone's guess.

The annual benefit, which has been dubbed the Oscars of fashion, has returned to the first Monday in May for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 event was canceled while the 2021 Met Gala was postponed until September.

Just eight months after last year's fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute, the world's most famous stars are getting ready to hit the red carpet once again.

The 2022 Met Gala's theme is 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion.' Guest are expected to channel Edith Wharton's 'The Age of Innocence.' Michelle Pfeiffer, Geraldine Chaplin, and Winona Ryder are pictured in the 1993 film

The Gilded Age was a tumultuous period in American history after the Civil War that extended from roughly 1870 to 1900. The dress code is 'gilded glamour' and white tie

Blake Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds will be hosting the 2022 Met Gala along with Regina King and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The theme'In America: An Anthology of Fashion'coincides with the Costume Institute's new exhibition of the same name. It's a continuation of last year's theme, 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

The stars who were lucky enough to score invites to the exclusive benefit have been told the dress code is 'gilded glamour' and white tie, which is worn for only the most formal occasions. However, guests have been known to go rogue in the name of fashion.

'Dust off Edith Whartons "Age of Innocence" and "The House of Mirth." The 2022 Met Gala will ask its attendees to embody the grandeurand perhaps the dichotomyof Gilded Age New York,' Vogue proclaimed last month.

During this period, wealthy women wore tulle dresses that exposed the decolletage, fur-lined cloaks, and elbow-length gloves to formal events. Dan Akroyd, Gillian Anderson, and Anthony Lapaglia are pictured in the 2000 film 'The House of Mirth'

The invention of electric and steam-powered looms during this time made fabric cheaper and faster to produce. Women's dresses often featured a combination of textiles and adornments such as lace, bows, and ruffles as a result

The Gilded Age was a tumultuous period in American history after the Civil War that extended from roughly 1870 to 1900.

It was a time of rapid industrialization and minimal government regulation that allowed the upper classes to accumulate great wealth while most of the working class lived in poverty.

John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Leland Stanford, and J.P. Morgan were among the 'captain of industries' who grew their immense wealth through the monopolies they created in their chosen industries.

The rich hosted decadent balls and attended the opera in ornate gowns and tuxedos while millions of immigrants came to the country through Ellis Island to find work.

The period takes its name from Mark Twain's 1893 novel 'The Gilded Age,' a satire about greed and political corruption in post-Civil War America that he wrote in collaboration with Charles Dudley Warner.

The HBO series the Gilded Age is an homage to fashion during this time period

Corsets were still popular in the late 1800s, and the elite always wore hats, often adorned with feathers, when stepping out of their homes

The first issue of Vogue was launched in 1892 during the Gilded Age

Fashion also changed with the times as the invention of electric and steam-powered looms made fabric cheaper and faster to produce while synthetic dyes offered more color choices.

Women's dresses often featured a combination of textiles and adornments such as lace, bows, and ruffles as a result, according to Vogue. Jewel tones were favored, as light colors were impractical on the streets of New York.

Corsets were still popular in the late 1800s, and the elite always wore hats, often adorned with feathers, when stepping out of their homes.

For women of the era, formal occasions called for tulle dresses that exposed the decolletage, fur-lined cloaks, and elbow-length gloves. Men wore top hats and tuxedos, which arrived in the U.S. in the 1880s.

It was undeniably a time of excess for the upper echelon in New York, who embraced extravagant and sometimes bizarre styles while attending parties and other formal events.

Some of this year's Met Gala attendees may have taken inspiration from looks that were seen at William and Alva Vanderbilts extravagant costume ball that was hosted in their Fifth Avenue mansion in 1883.

Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt enlisted haute couture designer Charles Frederick Worth to create a gown that was an homage to electricity for the Vanderbilt Ball in 1883

Kate Feering Strong went as far as wearing a taxidermied cat on her head and a collar that had 'PUSS' printed on it while attending the costume party hosted by William and Alva Vanderbilt

Actress Lillian Russell is pictured wearing a feathered hat in 1898

Inspired by the invention of the lightbulb, which Thomas Edison had patented the year before, Alice Claypoole Vanderbilt enlisted haute couture designer Charles Frederick Worth to create a gown that was an homage to electricity, Slate reported.

She attended her sister-in-law's party wearing an ornate blue velvet that featured a gold satin overlay. The gilded gown was adorned with metallic beads, tassels, and diamonds that were stitched into lightning bolts and starbursts.

Claypoole Vanderbilt was actually able to illuminate her outfit thanks to a hidden battery, and she topped off the look with a diamond-covered headdress.

Meanwhile, Kate Feering Strong went as far as wearing a taxidermied cat on her head and a collar that had 'PUSS'her nicknameprinted on it.

This year's Met Gala guests will likely interpret gilded glamour in a myriad of ways, ranging from elegant to over-the-top. The definition for gilded is literally covered with gold, so many celebrities will likely opt for shimmery ensembles.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are co-hosting the Met Gala this year

Fittingly, Lively's Gossip Girl character, Serena van der Woodsen, was a part of a high school production of 'The Age of Innocence' during the show's second season

Regina King (left) and Lin-Manuel Miranda (right) are also co-hosting the benefit

Celebrity stylist Mickey Freeman told InStyle has predicted that there will be plenty of stand-out accessories on the red carpet as well.

'One thing that is synonymous with the Gilded Age is ornately designed headpieces a la Philip Treacy. I also expect to see many whimsical accessories, such as very demure umbrellas and ostentatiously embroidered shoes,' he said.

'There is a certainty in my mind that the red carpet will be rife with pearlescent and metallic gowns that reveal a bit less skin, with an exception of the occasional plunging neckline.'

Lively already knows what it's like to dress for the Gilded Age. In a season two episode of Gossip Girl, her character, Serena van der Woodsen, was a part of a high school production of 'The Age of Innocence.' However, she will likely be donning something far more ornate than the feathered costume she wore on the show.

Kim Kardashian is rumored to be wearing the exact same dress that Marilyn Monroe wore to sing 'Happy Birthday' to then-President John F. Kennedy at his birthday party in 1961.

Kardashian opened up about her Met Gala look during an interview with Access Hollywood last month, saying she won't be going if her outfit doesn't fit.

The definition for gilded is literally covered with gold, so many celebrities will likely opt for shimmery ensembles. Iman is pictured at the Met Gala in 2021

The last time the Met Gala was white tie was back in 2014, when the theme was 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion.' Benedict Cumberbatch is pictured at the Met Gala that year

'It really depends if I fit into my dress, so I hope I'm going,' she explained, without sharing what she was wearing. 'I think it will be up to the last minute because it can't be tailored, so I have to fit into it like exactly.'

Guests are also expected to be in white tie, the most formal of the dress codes. White tie attire is typically floor-length gowns for women and a tailcoat and matching trousers for me.

The last time the Met Gala was white tie was back in 2014, when the theme was 'Charles James: Beyond Fashion.'

Anna Wintour has been running the Met Gala since 1995. The Vogue editor-in-chief chooses the exhibit theme and the pieces displayed with Andrew Bolton, the head curator of the Museum of Modern Arts Costume Institute.

Wintour, 72, is so hands-on that she also curates the guest list and advises guests on what to wear to the high-profile event.

Tickets for the glitzy benefit can reportedly cost up to $35,000 apiece, while prices for a table range from $200,000 to $300,000. Last year's bash raked in a whopping $16.4 million for the Met's Costume Institute.
TikTok star Charli D'Amelio celebrated her 18th birthday with a huge influencer blowout in the Bahamas.

The social media star, who turned 18 on May 1, rang in her big day with an extravagant, star-studded birthday bash attended by many big names like Meek Mill, Lil' Baby, and a huge array of TikTokers.

The 18-year-old jetted off to the Bahamas over the weekend to celebrate among her celebrity friends, and she documented the entire thing on her social media account.

TikTok star Charli D'Amelio celebrated her 18th birthday with a huge influencer blowout in the Bahamas

The social media star, who turned 18 on May 1, rang in her big day with a star-studded birthday bash attended by many big names. She is pictured at the party with her parents

The 18-year-old jetted off to the Bahamas over the weekend to celebrate among her celebrity friends, and she documented the entire thing on her social media account

Charli's older sister, Dixie, 20, was by her side throughout the multi-day celebration

Dixie was accompanied by her beau and fellow TikToker Noah Beck, who is pictured at the party

Other celebrity attendees included TikTokers Markell Washington, Larri Merritt, Jack Wright, Kavour Anon, Alex Warren, Hayley Sharpe, and photographer Bryant Eslava (pictured)

Charli's older sister, Dixie, 20, was by her side throughout the multi-day celebration, and she was accompanied by her beau and fellow TikToker Noah Beck.

For the party, Charli donned a custom, small, black gown designed by BluMarine

Other celebrity attendees included TikTokers Markell Washington, Larri Merritt, Jack Wright, Kavour Anon, Alex Warren, Hayley Sharpe, Katarina Demetriades (who is also well known for dating The Kid Laroi), Zoi Lerma, Ama Allan, Sophia Birlem, and photographer Bryant Eslava.

The group arrived by private plane over the weekend, and stayed at the luxurious Grand Hyatt Baha Mar - a beachfront resort located in Nassau.

Celebrations kicked off on Saturday night with a dinner party attended by Charli's closest friends and family - including her parents, Marc and Heidi D'Amelio.

Charli wore a sparkling Georges Hobeika dress for the event. The mini haltered gown was embellished with blue crystals and sheer butterflies, and it left her legs on full display.

She paired the dazzling look with silver heels, big Nadri Jewelry hoop earrings, and a black purse; she kept her long brown hair pulled back in a bun.

The next day - on Charli's actual birthday - the professional dancer awoke to her hotel room filled with balloons, including ones which read, 'Happy birthday Charli.'

Throughout the day, the star was pictured going on water slides and soaking up the sun at the resort, while wearing a t-shirt that said, 'B***h I'm TikTok famous' - a gift from her close friend and YouTuber Larri.

When nighttime hit, Charli threw a huge celebration at the resort, which included dancing, sparklers, and cardboard cut-outs of Charli's face.

The group arrived by private plane over the weekend, and stayed at the luxurious Grand Hyatt Baha Mar - a beachfront resort located in Nassau

Celebrations kicked off on Saturday night with a dinner party attended by Charli's closest friends and family - including her parents, Marc and Heidi D'Amelio

Charli wore a sparkling Georges Hobeika dress for the event. The mini haltered gown was embellished with blue crystals and sheer butterflies, and it left her legs on full display

She paired the dazzling look with silver heels, big Nadri Jewelry hoop earrings, and a black purse

She kept her long brown hair pulled back in a bun

The next day - on Charli's actual birthday - the professional dancer awoke to her hotel room filled with balloons, including ones which read, 'Happy birthday Charli'

For the party, she donned a custom, small, black gown designed by BluMarine. The stunning garment had personalized 'Charli' embezzlements throughout.

Her hair was pulled back in a long braid, and she also wore a $295 Nadri Jewelry choker, strappy platform heels, and hoop earrings.

Her famous sister, Dixie, opted for a mini yellow dress; The bright and silky number contained crystals all over her chest.

Many of her celebrity friends shared a glimpse into the lavish bash, sharing pictures and videos of the birthday girl dancing and partying throughout the night.

Other videos show her grinning from ear to ear as a waiter brought sparklers to her table. Another showed her holding up a giant cardboard cutout of her own face.

When nighttime hit, Charli threw a huge celebration at the resort, which included dancing, sparklers, and cardboard cut-outs of Charli's face

Charli's stunning gown contained personalized 'Charli' embezzlements throughout

Her hair was pulled back in a long braid, and she also wore a $295 Nadri Jewelry choker, strappy platform heels, and hoop earrings. She is pictured with her sister, Dixie, and Lil' Baby

Her famous sister, Dixie, opted for a mini yellow dress; The bright and silky number contained crystals all over her chest

Many of her celebrity friends shared a glimpse into the lavish bash. Zoi, Larri, and Bryant are pictured at the party

One video showed her grinning from ear to ear as a waiter brought sparklers to her table

Another showed dancing with friends, while a third featured her holding up a giant cardboard cutout of her own face

When it came time for dessert, they were given enormous ice cream sundaes, topped with hot fudge, sprinkles, and whip cream

She also had an all black cake, which was topped with red roses and had the words 'Happy birthday Charli' written in gold icing

Of course, there were numerous photo spots sprinkled throughout the party, including a light up backdrop that said the word 'Charli

There was also a black and gold throne with a flower wall and neon sign behind it

The day after her birthday, the fun continued - with Charli sharing snaps of herself enjoying the beach in the Bahamas in a red checkered bikini. She is pictured with Haley

When it came time for dessert, they were given enormous ice cream sundaes, topped with hot fudge, sprinkles, and whip cream.

She also had an all black cake, which was topped with red roses and had the words 'Happy birthday Charli' written in gold icing.

Of course, there were numerous photo spots sprinkled throughout the party, including a light up backdrop that said the word 'Charli,' as well as a black and gold throne with a flower wall and neon sign behind it.

The day after her birthday, the fun continued - with Charli sharing snaps of herself enjoying the beach in the Bahamas in a red checkered bikini.
A man has finally had his new penis attached to its correct place after living with it on his arm for six years.

Malcom MacDonald, 47, had his member amputated in 2014 after a blood infection caused it to decay  though his testicles remained intact.

Believing he'd be left with a lifelong stump, the mechanic turned to alcohol and became a recluse.

But in 2015 doctors revealed he could a new penis grafted from the skin on his arm in a 50,000 NHS-funded op.

However, a lack of oxygen in his blood during surgery meant doctors had to abort midway, and stuck the six-inch penis to his left arm 'temporarily'.

Hospital delays and the Covid pandemic meant the appendage stayed there for six years  making his life a misery.

He was unable to wear short-sleeved tops in public and couldn't go swimming with his two children for fear of embarrassment.

But Mr MacDonald finally has his manhood back in the correct place following a nine-hour operation last year.

The separated father-of-two, from Thetford in Norfolk, said: 'The first thing I did was look down and I was like, "Oh my days. They got it right this time". I feel like a real man again.'

Malcom MacDonald's penis fell off 12 years ago due to a blood infection that turned his member black. Despite originally being told he would be left with a stump, medics were able to build him a new six-inch member using skin from his arm in a 50,000 procedure (detailed in graphic)

Malcom MacDonald, 47, had his member amputated in 2014 after a blood infection caused it to decay

Mr MacDonald has told of his ordeal in a Channel 4 documentary 'The Man with a Penis on His Arm', which is set to air at 10:05pm on Tuesday, May 5.

His ordeal began in 2014 when a long-term perineum infection  between the scrotum and anus  developed into sepsis, turning his fingers, toes and penis black.

When someone has sepsis, a serious blood infection, the blood begins to clot and prevent vital nutrients and oxygen getting to the furthest parts of the body.

Mr MacDonald said he threw his penis in the bin, with medics originally telling him they could only roll up the remaining stump 'like a sausage roll'.

For the next two years he became a recluse, turning to alcohol and feeling 'like a shadow of a man', he revealed at the time.

The aftermath: After a successful nine-hour operation in 2021, the mechanic finally has his penis removed from his left arm

Before the op: He was forced to live with the member on his arm for six years

How mechanic became first man in world with a penis on his arm 2014: Malcom MacDonald's long-term perineum infection  between the scrotum and anus  developed into sepsis. This led to his penis turning black and falling off. 2015: Doctors revealed he could a new penis grafted from the skin on his arm in a 50,000 NHS-funded op. Medics took skin and muscle from the left arm and a vein in the right leg. The skin was wrapped around the vein and moulded into the shape of a penis. But during an operation to attach it between his legs, it had to be stuck onto his arm due to lack of oxygen in his blood, known as hypoxemia, which is thought to occur in around one in 15 procedures and can be fatal. It had to be connected to the blood vessels in his arms to keep the penis tissue healthy. Delays meant the penis was left dangling from his arm for six years. 2019: An NHS staff shortage in December 2019 meant the procedure could not go ahead when planned. 2020: The operation was due to go ahead in April 2020 but the pandemic hit, causing further delays. 2021: Mr MacDonald's penis was finally extracted from his arm and moved to his groin during a nine-hour operation. It is fitted with a penile implant, consisting of a saline reservoir, a cylinder that runs along the length of the penis and a pump and release valve that's inside the scrotum. The implant allows the user to pump saline fluid that is kept inside the reservoir into the cylinder. Once fully pumped, the penis will be hard enough for sexual intercourse. Advertisement

But his GP then turned him onto Professor David Ralph, an expert in phallus construction at University College Hospital in London almost two years later.

Professor Ralph revealed he could have a new penis grafted - and he got to choose the size.

Mr MacDonald requested that it be six inches (15cm), which was two inches (5cm) longer than he had previously.

Doctors took a skin flap from his left arm and rolled it to form a makeshift penis.

The arm was chosen because it has skin quality and sensation, medics said.

They also created a urethra within the skin.

But rather than the penis being attached between his legs, it was originally stuck onto his arm due to lack of oxygen in his blood at the time of the operation, known as hypoxemia.

The complication is thought to occur in around one in 15 procedures and can be fatal.

His penis had to be connected to the blood vessels in his left arm to keep the tissue healthy.

While it was on his arm, Mr MacDonald could not pass urine or get an erection.

The procedure to move the penis to his groin was severely delayed because he missed a string of appointments due to transport and scheduling mix-ups, staff shortages and the pandemic.

But doctors said the wait for the procedure would not affect the ability for it to eventually be put in place.

After six years, the penis was then extracted from his arm and moved to his groin during a nine-hour operation.

The shaft was detached from his forearm, allowing it to hang freely and form naturally as skin and tissue.

Penis reattachment surgery is intricate and usually involves plastic surgeons and urologists working together.

The blood vessels and nerves between the arm and penis were divided and the member is removed.

These nerves and blood vessels, which can be thinner than a strand of hair, have to be stitched together with the penile area to establish blood supply to the makeshift penis.

Mr MacDonald will also be able to have sex as doctors installed two tubes, which enable him to inflate the penis with a hand-pump to give him a 'mechanical' erection. He will also be able to pass urine.

He was left with the bulge on his arm for six years due to transport problems preventing him from going to hospital, scheduling mix ups, staff shortages and the Covid pandemic.

Mr MacDonald told of how he was unable to wear a short-sleeved top and couldn't go swimming with his children.

Mr MacDonald told the Channel 4 documentary: 'This could be a turning point in my life.

'My luck in life hasn't been too good so far, but it can only go bad for so long, can't it?

'Can you imagine six years of your life with a penis swinging on your arm? It's been a nightmare, but it's gone now  the little bugger.'

He also told the documentary that when reaching for a product for an elderly lady in a supermarket, his penis came loose and swung near her head.

Mr MacDonald told the documentary: 'It's something to tell the grandchildren, isn't it?'

The keen darts player also spoke of learning to tuck his darts under the penis.
Three children in Indonesia have died from a mysterious hepatitis which, if confirmed, would bring the global death toll to at least four.

The country's health ministry said the victims died from 'suspected acute hepatitis' last month and were all located in the capital of Jakarta.

Their symptoms included nausea, vomiting, heavy diarrhea, fever, jaundice, seizures and loss of consciousness  all tell-tale signs of the deadly liver disease.

Tests are underway to confirm their cause of death. Indonesia has not officially logged any cases of hepatitis since the outbreak began.

The ages of the children have not been revealed and it is not clear if they had underlying health conditions.

More than 200 child hepatitis cases of unknown origin have been confirmed worldwide in the mystery outbreak - which experts say is just the 'tip of the iceberg'.

Most of the cases have been detected in the UK and US, which have some of the strongest surveillance systems.

The World Health Organization has confirmed one death, although it did not reveal the location. One fatality in the US is being probed, along with the three in Indonesia. At least 18 of the youngsters have required liver transplants.

None of the cases tested positive for normal hepatitis-causing viruses, which has left scientists puzzled about the origins of the disease.

A virus which normally causes the common cold, known as adenovirus, is thought to be involved.

But there are a number of theories about why the normally harmless virus is causing critical illness in young, previously-healthy children.

More than 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

Indonesia's Ministry of Health urged parents to be on the look out for symptoms of the illness, which include jaundice  yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes  as well as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and dark-coloured urine.

It has instructed people to seek medical advice if their child developed symptoms and encouraged its population to maintain good hand hygiene, ensure food is clean and cooked well and avoid contact with unwell people.

Q&A: What is the mysterious global hepatitis outbreak and what is behind it? What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that is usually caused by a viral infection or liver damage from drinking alcohol. Some cases resolve themselves, with no ongoing issues, but a fraction can be deadly, forcing patients to need liver transplants to survive. Why are experts concerned? Hepatitis is usually rare in children, but experts have already spotted more cases in the current outbreak than they would normally expect in a year. Cases are of an 'unknown origin' and are also severe, according to the World Health Organization. It has caused at least one death and 18 liver transplants. How widespread are cases? The inflammatory liver condition has been spotted in more than 200 children aged between one month and 16 years old. Country Cases UK US* Spain Israel Denmark Ireland The Netherlands Italy France Norway Romania Belgium Japan* Canada* Singapore 145 27 13 12 Six Fewer than five Four Four Two Two One One One Unspecified number One *cases in Canada, Japan, and Illinois, Wisconsin and New York are still yet to be confirmed What might be triggering it? None of the cases have been caused by any of the five typical strains of the virus  hepatitis A, B, C, D and E  leaving experts baffled by the outbreak. Some children have tested positive for adenovirus, which usually causes cold, while other have been infected with Covid  but no clear theme has emerged. The UKHSA ruled out the Covid vaccine as a possible cause, with none of the British cases so far having been vaccinated because of their age. What are the symptoms? Hepatitis often has no noticeable symptoms  but they can include dark urine, pale grey-coloured faeces, itchy skin and the yellowing of the eyes and skin. Infected people can also suffer muscle and joint pain, a high temperature, feeling and being sick and being unusually tired all of the time. How is it treated? Treatment depends on severity, with some patients able to fight off the illness on their own. In more dangerous cases where the liver fails, children can be put into induced comas to deal with brain swelling caused by ammonia build-up. A liver transplant may be necessary if the liver has become damaged to self-repair, although this is incredibly rare. Advertisement

Officials are investigating the cause and looking into the epidemiology of the outbreak, the ministry said.

UK health chiefs believe adenovirus may be behind the sudden onset hepatitis cases.

The 145 affected children in Britain, who have mainly been aged five and under, initially suffered from diarrhoea and nausea, followed by jaundice.

But the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said it is not typical to see this pattern of symptoms in adenovirus, so it is still probing other causes, including Covid itself.

It also noted that lockdowns may have weakened the immunity of children and left them more susceptible to the virus, or it may be a mutated version of adenovirus.

The UK agency is working with scientists and doctors across the country to 'answer these questions as quickly as possible'.

Indonesia did not impose a nation-wide lockdown, instead implementing local restrictions that saw people told to work from home, attend school online and not dine in restaurants.

Experts are also investigating whether a new variant of coronavirus is responsible or if it could be a case of a previous or concurrent Covid infection.

Dr Meera Chand, director of clinical and emerging infections at UKHSA, said parents may be concerned but the likelihood of their child developing hepatitis is 'extremely low'.

'However, we continue to remind parents to be alert to the signs of hepatitis  particularly jaundice, which is easiest to spot as a yellow tinge in the whites of the eyes  and contact your doctor if you are concerned,' she said.

Dr Chand added: 'Normal hygiene measures including thorough handwashing and making sure children wash their hands properly, help to reduce the spread of many common infections.

'As always, children experiencing symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea should stay at home and not return to school or nursery until 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped.'

Hepatitis is usually rare in children, but experts have already spotted more cases in the UK since January than they would normally expect in a year.

Cases are of an 'unknown origin' and are also severe, according to the World Health Organization.

Scientists have previously suggested cases could be just the 'tip of the iceberg', with more likely to be out there than have been spotted so far.

Professor Alastair Sutcliffe, a leading paediatrician at University College London, told MailOnline health chiefs may not know the cause until later this summer.

He said: 'With modern methods, informatics, advanced computing, real time PCR and whole genome screening, I would think finding the cause with some reasonable reliability will take three months.'

Professor Sutcliffe said discovering the cause could be slowed by red tape across international boundaries, with difficulties in transporting biomaterials across countries.

Parental consent, data protection and laws regulating the use of human tissue in the UK could all act to slow research, he said.

Searching for an unknown cause is especially hard because cases may have multiple factors behind them that are not consistent across all illnesses.

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.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) official said the disease was 'quite rare' but judged the risk to children as 'high' because of the potential impact.

The risk for European children cannot be accurately assessed as the evidence for transmission between humans was unclear and cases in the European Union were 'sporadic with an unclear trend', it said.

But given the unknown causes of the disease and the potential severity of the illness caused, the ECDC said the outbreak 'constitutes a public health event of concern'.

The surge in hepatitis cases was first recorded in Scotland on March 31, with one child in January being hospitalised with the condition. The Scottish case was dated back to January.
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Moderna will be ready to dish out an Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster vaccine this fall, its chief medical officer has said  as U.S. Covid cases surge 51 percent over the past two weeks.

The leading vaccine manufacturer's Dr Paul Burton revealed it was now testing a shot against Omicron likely to be 'even more superior' than its current jab  with 'large amounts' set to be available as soon as this September.

All Covid vaccines are currently based on the original Wuhan virus, amid hesitancy among manufacturers to spend months making a new jab in case another variant emerges. If approved, Moderna's shot would be the first to target the Omicron variant.

But more scientists have now raised concerns over whether extra top-up shots are actually needed, saying they only trigger a 'temporary increase' in protection. The World Health Organization's chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan said Monday there 'isn't any good evidence' that a fourth jab will be beneficial.

Second boosters are already being rolled out to all Americans over 50 years old, but uptake is lagging with more than half of those eligible still yet to get their first top-up. It is expected that more Covid jabs will be rolled out this fall, like with flu, as the country heads into its third winter of the pandemic.

It comes as Covid cases in the U.S. continue to climb to 56,000 a day on average, with a total of 43 states now seeing infections rise. Vermont, Rhode Island and New York all having the biggest outbreaks.

New York today raised its alert level to 'medium', after the infection rate passed more than 200 cases per 100,000 people in all its five boroughs. No new restrictions will be brought in at this stage, but if it rises to 'high' public health chiefs say they will consider again ordering masks to be worn in all indoor spaces.

But admissions to intensive care units remain at half the levels last summer with about 2,000 patients currently on the wards. For comparison, last year they never went below 4,000. Hospital admissions with the virus have risen 16 per cent in a fortnight, but this figure includes many people who have tested positive after being admitted to wards for something else such as a fall. Covid deaths are still falling.

Moderna's chief medical officer Dr Paul Burton said today that the leading vaccine maker would be ready to roll out Omicron-specific shots this fall. It came as the World Health Organization's chief scientist, Dr Soumya Swaminathan, warned there was not any good evidence that fourth doses are needed

America's Covid cases have surged by 50 per cent in a fortnight, and are now rising in the majority of states. The hotspots are Vermont, Rhode Island and New York

But Covid deaths are continuing to fall, with the majority of states also seeing these start to tick down. But deaths are a lagging indicator, because of the time taken for someone who is infected to die from the virus

The above map shows the infection rate in states across the US. It reveals the hotspots Vermont, Rhode Island and New York

About 250,000 fatalities in southern states may have been avoided if they masked up more, scientists claim About 250,000 fatalities in southern states during the Covid pandemic could have been avoided if people masked up more, scientists have claimed. In the study, Georgetown University experts looked at excess mortality  the number of deaths above expected levels  from January 2020 to September 2021. This is a better measure of Covid's impact because it captures deaths due to the virus that were not correctly diagnosed and due to the crisis in healthcare. The scientists found that in southern states  including Texas, Alabama, and Georgia  there were 392,000 excess deaths. But in the northeastern areas  including New York, Vermont and Rhode Island  there were 152,000 more fatalities than expected. The study was led by Georgetown University's Dr Michael Soto, who previously successfully urged a Massachusetts-based council to keep a face mask mandate in place throughout last winter. Writing in the paper, the scientists said: 'Differential implementations of and adherence to stay-at-home orders, mask use, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions seem to be at least a partial explanation for the regional differences in Covid mortality.' It was published in the journal PLOS One. Advertisement

Dr Burton told CBS News' Face the Nation that the vaccine manufacturer  behind one of three jabs being used in the states  would have Omicron-specific shots this fall. Pfizer said in January that it would have an Omicron-specific shot ready by March, although this is yet to be rolled out.

Dr Burton said: 'We announced a couple weeks ago a new, variant-specific booster that weve been testing, and we have an additional candidate, our lead candidate, in testing now that I believe is going to be even more superior.

'We are confident that by the fall of this year, we should have large amounts of that new booster vaccine that will protect against omicron and other variants, and really protect Americans and people around the world as we go into the fall of 2022.'

Moderna has also submitted a request for its vaccine to be approved among children aged six months to five years old. If this gets the green-light, it will make the U.S. the first country in the world to inoculate children younger than two years.

Studies found the jab was about 37 per cent effective against infection among two to five-year-olds, and 51 per cent effective for those aged under two years.

Dr Burton said that for parents and caregivers, this means children who get the vaccine would have their risk of infection 'cut in half'. He added: 'I know that 50 per cent is often lower than what we're used to seeing with our vaccine, but it's because this study was conducted during [the Omicron wave].'

Yet more scientists have raised concerns Monday, however, that top-up jabs are not needed.

The WHO is yet to recommend another booster shot, but Dr Swaminathan has warned that 'there isn't any good evidence at this point of time' to suggest it would be beneficial.

She told CNBC: 'What we know from immunology is that if you give another booster, you will see a temporary increase in the neutralizing antibodies. But what we've also seen is that these neutralizing antibodies wane quite rapidly.

'This happened after the third dose. And it's happened again after the fourth dose.'

Other scientists to suggest more top-up shots may not be needed were Paul Goepfert, professor of medicine at the University of Alabama, who said it 'doesn't really do much of anything'.

He added: 'I'm not sure we need to get out and just jump up and down screaming that everybody needs to get abroad.'

Last week other scientists raised concerns that the U.S. was heading towards rolling out yet more doses, when it is not clear if they are needed.

Dr Paul Offit, from the Food and Drug Administration's jabs advisory panel, has said at a recent meeting the only question was 'what were we going to boost with, not whether we were going to boost'. He added: 'We didn't define what the goal of this extra shot was.'

Several countries including the UK and Singapore have approved fourth doses for the most vulnerable groups, but they have stopped short of rolling them out to over-50s, unlike the U.S.

There have been repeated suggestions that new Covid vaccines may be rolled out every year, like with the flu. But in recent weeks the scientific consensus has fractured, with more and more experts now suggesting the additional doses may not be needed.

It comes as America's Covid cases continue to climb amid the emergence of an even more transmissible version of Omicron in New York  but hospitalizations and deaths remain low.

Vermont, with 350 cases per 100,000 people, Rhode Island, at 305, and New York, at 291, are the current hotspots in the U.S. recording the most Covid cases per head.

For comparison, at the other end of the scale South Carolina (16.28), Mississippi (24.7) and Wyoming (27.3) have the smallest outbreaks in the country.

The new Omicron sub-variant  scientifically named BA.2.12.1 and thought to be about 25 per cent more transmissible than the old strain  is currently dominant in all three hotspots, and spreading in other areas along the west coast. It has already reached every corner of the country.

Daily hospital admissions due to the virus are now rising in 36 out of 50 states, and are up 16 per cent in two weeks nationally. But the 17,000 admissions a day are barely a tenth of the peak of the Omicron wave, when they hit more than 150,000 a day. Covid deaths are still falling in 30 states.
Minnesota and Tennessee have now both reported cases of unexplained hepatitis, with one registering a liver transplant  as global death toll rose to at least four including a fatality in America.

Minnesota has spotted two cases, doctors said, including a baby who needed a liver transplant and a second patient still in hospital awaiting a transplant. Tennessee doctors also say they have spotted at least two cases.

It takes the U.S. total to at least 31 cases across 11 states, with five children having received liver transplants and one death confirmed in Wisconsin.

Indonesia is now probing three deaths from a mysterious hepatitis which, if confirmed, would bring the global total to at least four. It would also be the second country in the world to report fatalities from the disease.

Child patients' symptoms included nausea, vomiting, heavy diarrhea, fever, jaundice, seizures and loss of consciousness  all tell-tale signs of the deadly liver disease.

Tests are underway to confirm the cause of death, although Indonesia has not officially logged any cases of hepatitis since the outbreak began.

It is not clear what is causing the spate of illnesses, although experts have linked it to adenovirus  which normally triggers the common cold  and even suggested lockdowns could be responsible.

More than 200 child hepatitis cases of unknown origin have been confirmed worldwide in the mystery outbreak - which experts say is just the 'tip of the iceberg'. Most are in the UK and U.S., which have a stronger surveillance system.

The above map shows the states that have reported confirmed or suspected cases of hepatitis. Over the weekend Tennessee and Minnesota were added to the list. Minnesota still has a patient in hospital who is awaiting a liver transplant

More than 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

Last week the U.S. became the first country in the world to declare a fatality from the disease in a child in Wisconsin.

The World Health Organization has confirmed one death, although they did not reveal the location. Indonesia is looking into three deaths.

At least 18 youngsters have required liver transplants so far.

Q&A: What is the mysterious global hepatitis outbreak and what is behind it? What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver that is usually caused by a viral infection or liver damage from drinking alcohol. Some cases resolve themselves, with no ongoing issues, but a fraction can be deadly, forcing patients to need liver transplants to survive. Why are experts concerned? Hepatitis is usually rare in children, but experts have already spotted more cases in the current outbreak than they would normally expect in a year. Cases are of an 'unknown origin' and are also severe, according to the World Health Organization. It has caused at least one death and 18 liver transplants. How widespread are cases? The inflammatory liver condition has been spotted in more than 200 children aged between one month and 16 years old. Country Cases UK US* Spain Israel Denmark Ireland The Netherlands Italy France Norway Romania Belgium Japan* Canada* Singapore 145 35 13 12 Six Fewer than five Four Four Two Two One One One Unspecified number One *cases in Canada, Japan, and Illinois, Wisconsin and New York are still yet to be confirmed What might be triggering it? None of the cases have been caused by any of the five typical strains of the virus  hepatitis A, B, C, D and E  leaving experts baffled by the outbreak. Some children have tested positive for adenovirus, which usually causes cold, while other have been infected with Covid  but no clear theme has emerged. The UKHSA ruled out the Covid vaccine as a possible cause, with none of the British cases so far having been vaccinated because of their age. What are the symptoms? Hepatitis often has no noticeable symptoms  but they can include dark urine, pale grey-coloured faeces, itchy skin and the yellowing of the eyes and skin. Infected people can also suffer muscle and joint pain, a high temperature, feeling and being sick and being unusually tired all of the time. How is it treated? Treatment depends on severity, with some patients able to fight off the illness on their own. In more dangerous cases where the liver fails, children can be put into induced comas to deal with brain swelling caused by ammonia build-up. A liver transplant may be necessary if the liver has become damaged to self-repair, although this is incredibly rare. Advertisement

Doctors in Minnesota and Tennessee have not revealed the ages of their patients.

But in Minnesota one child is still in hospital, pediatric gastroenterologist at M Health Fairview hospital Dr Heli Bhatt said.

She told KSTP.com: 'I pray for that kid to turn around, which they might, but some of those indicators do say that it is severe and so we have evaluated this patient for transplant.'

Doctors at the hospital also revealed they had another patient with unexplained hepatitis who needed a liver transplant.

The Minnesota Department of Health told DailyMail.com it was now following up on 'several cases' of the illness.

In Tennessee, Dr Saeed Mohammad, also a pediatric gastroenterologist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, told Fox17 at least two cases had been recorded in the state so far.

They have both tested positive for adenovirus, which can trigger the common cold.

The state's Department of Health said it is not collecting information on the hepatitis outbreak.

U.S. health chiefs believe the adenovirus may be behind the sudden spate of hepatitis cases.

But some experts suggest the illness could also be triggered by weakened immunity among children due to lockdowns.

They are also looking into whether a new Covid variant or previous Covid infection could be behind the uptick in cases.

None of the U.S. patients have tested positive for the hepatitis viruses.

Indonesia's Ministry of Health on Monday urged parents to be on the look out for symptoms of the illness, which include jaundice  yellowing of the skin and whites of eyes  as well as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea and dark-colored urine.

It has instructed people to seek medical advice if their child developed symptoms and encouraged its population to maintain good hand hygiene, ensure food is clean and cooked well and avoid contact with unwell people.

Officials are investigating the cause and looking into the epidemiology of the outbreak, the ministry said.

U.S. health chiefs believe adenovirus may be behind the sudden onset hepatitis cases.

It found this week that none of the nine children in Alabama, where the outbreak began, had tested positive for Covid.

Scientists have previously suggested cases could be just the 'tip of the iceberg', with more likely to be out there than have been spotted so far.

Professor Alastair Sutcliffe, a leading paediatrician at University College London, told MailOnline that health chiefs may not know the cause until later this summer.

He said: 'With modern methods, informatics, advanced computing, real time PCR and whole genome screening, I would think finding the cause with some reasonable reliability will take three months.'

Professor Sutcliffe said discovering the cause could be slowed by red tape across international boundaries, with difficulties in transporting biomaterials across countries.

Parental consent, data protection and laws regulating the use of human tissue in the UK could all act to slow research, he said.

Searching for an unknown cause is especially hard because cases may have multiple factors behind them that are not consistent across all illnesses.

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.

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) official said the disease was 'quite rare' but judged the risk to children as 'high' because of the potential impact.

The risk for European children cannot be accurately assessed as the evidence for transmission between humans was unclear and cases in the European Union were 'sporadic with an unclear trend', it said.

But given the unknown causes of the disease and the potential severity of the illness caused, the ECDC said the outbreak 'constitutes a public health event of concern'.

The surge in hepatitis cases was first recorded in Scotland on March 31, with one child in January being hospitalised with the condition. The Scottish case was dated back to January.
The shortage of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has caused uproar, igniting debates in Parliament and triggering the appointment of an HRT tsar.

The lack of oestrogen gel means that thousands of menopausal women are going cold turkey and their symptoms are returning overnight. Hopefully theyll get their hormones and lives back soon. And then they may want something more: testosterone.

For as a new generation of menopausal women have discovered, they are missing not just two hormones  progesterone and oestrogen  but three.

Testosterone is a female hormone, too, and one we make in the largest amount; three times that of oestrogen.

Yet no one tells you that in school biology lessons. According to the British Menopause Society, it helps energy, mood, libido and cognition, plus it maintains muscle and bone.

At work, I felt like a clapped-out banger before I started testosterone. Now I know Ill cruise smoothly through the day, like a Tesla, writes Kate Muir, pictured

While oestrogen and progesterone drop suddenly at menopause, testosterone gently peters out. But supplementing with testosterone at that time can help with debilitating symptoms, too.

Ive been using testosterone cream for six years as part of my HRT.

The main difference it makes for me is in memory  before I began taking it I sometimes panicked and struggled to find the words for things. Now I can give a speech for an hour without notes.

At work, I felt like a clapped-out banger before I started testosterone. Now I know Ill cruise smoothly through the day, like a Tesla.

Its not just my experience  as part of a documentary I produced, Davina McCall: Sex, Mind And The Menopause, which was screened last night, we monitored a group of working women in their 50s who started taking testosterone on top of their regular HRT over three months. The results were astonishing.

I seem to have a sharpness back, a real focus and clarity about what Im trying to say, said Joanne Harding, a councillor. Before the experiment shed been exhausted. Its tiring feeling so tired all the time, shed told us. (It wasnt just how they felt  blood tests showed all the womens testosterone levels were low-to-zero at the start.)

Paula Fry, a senior manager in the City, had said of her libido: Brad Pitt wouldnt do it for me. After testosterone treatment her mojo was back, and in general she said it just feels like a lift in mood, the missing piece of the jigsaw.

Before our experiment, business manager Maggie Dennis just said resignedly: What is libido? Id almost forgotten about it.

And after? I feel more like myself. I can think more clearly. Ive got my va-va-voom back!

Yet as Dr Zoe Hodson, a GP from Manchester and menopause specialist, said in the programme: We lose three hormones and they give us back two. Whose bright idea was that?

She also explained that womens fears that testosterone supplements would make them hairy were largely unfounded. Menopause experts give women only a tiny bit of testosterone, and roughly the same amount as the average woman would have in her early 40s (women need a tenth of the amount men make).

The shortage of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has caused uproar, igniting debates in Parliament and triggering the appointment of an HRT tsar

Occasionally women dont tolerate it well, and one report has suggested that some can experience mild acne and hair growth  particularly if they use too much.

But after six years, I havent grown a moustache. Dr Hodson said: As long as it stays within the normal female physiological range, we can discount the beards, we can discount the testicles!

What was surprising is that testosterone in both women and men is commonly viewed as a sex hormone, ramping up desire.

But the tests with the women for our documentary  and what they emphasised themselves  showed that the hormone had brought back their mental agility as well as their ability to feel pleasure.

Carolyn Harris, a Labour MP who has led the campaign in Parliament for a yearly payment for HRT prescriptions, is another who has experienced the brain-boosting impact of testosterone.

She started taking testosterone on top of her regular HRT last year, and is delighted with the results: Testosterone should be readily available on prescription for all women, she told me.

Many women in the spotlight take testosterone and are happy to talk about it, including Lorraine Kelly and Davina McCall, who has seen great results but admitted in last nights show: Testosterone was another hormone I lied about taking  I felt embarrassed and ashamed about it. Not any more.

The message is getting out there, but slowly: in a survey of more than 4,000 women for the programme, 61 per cent had never heard that testosterone could be part of HRT. Yet NHS guidelines approve it for menopausal women with low sexual desire if HRT alone is not effective.

Setting up our testosterone tests for the programme, we decided to go beyond just filming.

We wanted the women to have solid evidence for themselves about any changes, so they filled in a form rating the severity of more than 20 menopause symptoms, and a testosterone-specific test which asked about brain fog, energy and libido. Most found that after the testosterone treatment their general menopause symptoms, such as difficulty sleeping, had gone from extreme to rare or non-existent. And they were no longer misplacing objects around the house  the car-keys-in-the-fridge syndrome had gone.

We didnt have time to show all of this on TV, but our interviewees agreed to do other before and after tests, including memory checks. Again, there were improvements. I can remember my husbands mobile number now, said one tester.

Obviously, this was not proper science, and after you have done a test once you tend to get better at it. But it did give the women insight into their progress.

Menopause researchers are hoping to do cognitive trials on a larger scale, and academics at Manchester Metropolitan University are planning to investigate women and testosterone with data from the UK Biobank (a project involving 500,000 people).

There has been one trial comparing testosterone gel and a placebo on 92 women who were not already on HRT, conducted by Professor Susan Davis at Monash University, Australia.

It showed a consistent finding of improved performance on tests of verbal learning and memory with testosterone therapy.

Studies have shown that testosterone treatment does not raise the risk of breast cancer  long-term risks remain untested, but using gel or cream is known to be safer than pills or implants.

Despite testosterone being approved by the NHS, very few GPs feel confident about prescribing it. Because it was once wrongly considered to be a male-only hormone, they were not taught about it at medical school.

A female testosterone patch was approved in the UK years ago, particularly for younger women with low sexual desire after a hysterectomy or removal of the ovaries, but was discontinued due to lack of demand. So now women are given male-sized sachets or pumps of testosterone gel on the NHS, and have to work out one tenth of the dose themselves.

Im on a six-month waiting list just to apply to get testosterone gel at my NHS menopause clinic.

I get the rest of my HRT on the NHS but have to go private to buy AndroFeme, a testosterone cream for women thats licensed in Australia and imported here. It costs me about 160 a year  but Id rather have that than a cappuccino in the morning.

The British Menopause Society guidelines for doctors note that a lack of testosterone in women can lead to a number of distressing sexual symptoms such as low sexual desire, arousal and orgasm.

Testosterone deficiency can also contribute to a reduction in general quality of life, tiredness, depression, headaches, cognitive problems, osteoporosis and muscle loss. Topping it up seems to be a no-brainer. As Davina McCall asks: When will they give us our own hormone back?

Kate Muir is the author of Everything You Need To Know About The Menopause (But Were Too Afraid To Ask).
Sydney socialite Hollie Nasser - who started a relationship with her best friend's husband - has told friends she is now 'single' and 'looking forward to dating'.

Ms Nasser shocked the city's eastern suburbs social clique in late 2021 when she announced she was dating investment banker Charlie Aitken, her best friend Ellie's husband.

Complicating things further was the fact Mr Aitken was in business with Ms Nasser's investor husband, Christopher.

But five months since the new couple went public, Daily Mail Australia has been told Ms Nasser is openly telling people she is 'single', signalling she is no longer in a relationship with Mr Aitken.

Since announcing she was single, Ms Nasser has been posting pictures to her social media accounts enjoying days at Randwick races and nights out with friends.

She did not respond to calls for comment on Friday.

All four parties in a high-society love split have now gone their separate ways, but are still intertwined as a result of their young children and the company they keep. Pictured dining at Eleven Madison Park in New York before the Covid pandemic

Now that all four parties have gone their separate ways, Daily Mail Australia reveals what each is up to now:

Hollie Nasser

Ms Nasser and Mr Aitken spent several months in a love bubble.

They were trying to take things slow, but intense public scrutiny of their relationship added a level of pressure they didn't expect - or know how to handle.

They quietly parted ways earlier this year and are said to be disappointed in how everything played out.

Well-placed sources say Ms Nasser, a mother to two girls she shares with ex-husband Christopher Nasser, has been speaking openly about being single again.

Hollie has slowly started making appearances again on major events in the social calendar. She recently shared pictures from two events at Randwick Racecourse

Well placed sources say Hollie, a mother to two girls she shares with ex-husband Christopher, has been speaking openly about being single again

She reportedly confided in friends she was struggling with all the attention the relationship brought her.

'She never wanted it,' a friend said. 'She just wanted to get back to being a mum.

'Hollie really just wants to move on with her life.'

It's understood she and her girls are hunkering down at their Paddington home with Covid this week.

Ms Nasser has slowly started making appearances again on major events in the social calendar. She recently shared pictures from two events at Randwick Racecourse.

'She never wanted it,' a friend said. 'She just wanted to get back to being a mum. 'Hollie really just wants to move on with her life'

Charlie Aitken

Despite trying to keep a low profile in the early days of their relationship, Mr Aitken and Ms Nasser were often seen making grand, public displays of affection.

Word of their split first made waves through their social circles in Sydney's east, but they denied there was any trouble.

Now, Mr Aitken's focus has again turned to his business, the Aitken Investment Management.

The company took a hit in the wake of Mr Aitken's relationship woes, with Ms Nasser's jilted estranged husband Christopher Nasser pulling a reported $7.5million from the fund and stepped off the board of AIM after five years as director and shareholder.

Major backer Kerry Stokes also sold his 19% stake.

Charlie later revealed AIM Global High Conviction Fund delivered a return of 3 per cent after fees in December, compared to a benchmark return of 1.7 per cent.

That means for the whole of 2021, AIM had a 31.1 per cent return after fees, ahead of a 29.3 per cent benchmark.

He's also gone out of his way to mend his relationship with his estranged lawyer wife Ellie Aitken, and the pair are amicable for the sake of their children.

They shared a kiss before Mr Aitken held open the passenger side door for Ms Nasser

The Nassers and Aitkens were two of Sydney's power couples before a scandalous love triangle tore them apart (pictured, Hollie and Christopher Nasser)

Ellie Aitken

While Ms Aitken's life was flipped on its head in the wake of her marriage bust up, she appears to have seamlessly slipped back into what she does best.

Just last month she helped to organise an event for the Art Gallery of NSW celebrating women in art.

She also attended Justin Hemmes' Silver Party on behalf of the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation.

Ellie still holds a senior position with investment firm Pallas Capital after jumping ship from her estranged husband's company in the wake of their split.

During the initial controversy, Ms Aitken snapped and released private conversations with Ms Nasser accusing her former friend of 'bullying', before whisking her family away for a holiday in Aspen.

She flew out of Sydney on December 15 for a quiet break to avoid the intense limelight of the public fallout of her 19 year marriage.

Just last month she helped to organise an event for the Art Gallery of NSW celebrating women in art

She also attended Justin Hemmes' Silver Party on behalf of the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation

'The truth is that despite the support of friends and family I have not coped well with the deeply hurtful lies, gossip and innuendo that has surrounded the breakdown of my relationship,' she said in a statement released on her departure.

She announced she would be 'taking a break from social media' and public view while she and her family adjust to the separation and her estranged husband's new relationship.

Ms Aitken is now in a much better place according to friends, and has been spending time with her ex for the sake of their two children.

'People really admire how gracious she has been throughout this ordeal. She's doing much better and definitely has her groove back,' said a source.

Eight weeks ago, Ms Aitken shared a picture of her ex and their son supporting their daughter at a sailing competition.

Eight weeks ago, Ellie shared a picture of Charlie and their son supporting their daughter at a sailing competition

Christopher Nasser

Of all four parties, Christopher Nasser has kept the lowest profile.

Friends said he was 'mortified' that the breakdown of his marriage played out so publicly and sought comfort in his close network.

On top of the devastating split, Mr Nasser was hit with an AVO taken out by his ex and the matter appeared several times before the courts until it was eventually dropped.

Mr Nasser's lawyer Paul McGirr told Daily Mail Australia he had argued with police that the AVO was 'baseless', and had been used 'as a sword instead of a shield' against a non-violent person.

Hollie also said that she, too, sought to have the AVO dropped.

The grounds for the order were allegations of 'general intimidation behaviour' during the marriage which foundered late last year.

Mr McGirr said that Mr Nasser had been 'bewildered and shocked' by the restraining order and 'he now wants to move on with his life'.

Like Ms Aitken and Mr Aitken, Mr Nasser is co-parenting his daughters with his ex.

Of all four parties, Christopher Nasser has kept the lowest profile. Friends said he was 'mortified' that the breakdown of his marriage played out so publicly and sought comfort in his close networ
Clouds of toxic foam up to 26-feet high with a putrid odor are plaguing a city in Colombia, with officials say they have been trying to speed up efforts to contain it.

Cloud-like chunks of scum often drift with the wind through the streets and into yards in the Los Puentes neighborhood in Mosquera, about 12 miles outside the Andean nation's capital of Bogota

The environmental mishap has been pinned on the presence of household detergents and chemical substances in the Balsilla River and discharge from an industrial zone.

Recent rain storms have generated foams topping 26 feet and carrying with it a fetid odor that permeates throughout the community.

A woman avoids stepping on a cloud of foam that spreads through Mosquera, a city outside the Colombian capital of Bogota. The foal is released from the Balsilla River and leaves a fould odor that's developed health problems to residents in the Los Puente neighborhood

A resident flees from the polluting foam generated by a river full of waste, at the entrance of her house in Los Puentes, a neighborhood in the Colombian city of Mosquera

Men talk in a street where there is polluting foam generated by the Balsilla River, which full of waste, in Mosquera

'The works to remove the water hyacinth are already advancing with the machinery arranged by the CAR (Cundinamarca Regional Autonomous Council) and also by the municipality, in order to allow the passage of this foam,' Cundinamarca governor Nicolas Garcia said, as quoted by El Tiempo newspaper.

'An analysis is being done on it to ensure that it has no effect on the community.'

Gonzalo Roa, who has lived in the Los Puentes neighborhood for 40 years, blamed the contamination for causing respiratory problems in children.

'We've had many years of this situation,' he said.

Luz Gomez, president of the neighborhood association, said some residents have

'It's been a long time since it filled up here, it wasn't cleaned and it started to come out. Many see it as pretty, fun, but it has a very bad smell,' she said. 'Where it reaches, it sticks like grease that's hard to remove.'

Clouds of toxic foam rising from the Balsillas River float over the Los Puentes neighborhood in Mosquera, Colombia. According to local authorities, the white toxic foam is caused in part by untreated sewage mixing with chemicals found in household detergents

A blanket of toxic foam covers the Balsillas River in the Los Puentes neighborhood in Mosquera, Colombia. Luis Alejandro Camacho Botero, an expert on environmental hydraulics at the University of the Andes, explained that the foam is usually created when a narrowing of the river or a bridge creates turbulence in the contaminated water

The foam is usually created when a narrowing of the river or a bridge creates turbulence in the contaminated water, said Luis Alejandro Camacho Botero, an expert on environmental hydraulics at the University of the Andes.

He said similar problems exist along other rivers, including the Bogota River and warned they will bring public health problems if not controlled.

Edwin Garcia, director of the environmental laboratory for the Cundinamarca region, said authorities are trying to monitor and reduce the problem and have installed a water treatment plant.

'This situation is due to the large amount of chemical products and detergents thrown by unscrupulous people, which mix with the high loads of organic matter from the water source, generating a turbulent effect,' Garcia in a recent interview with Caracol Radio.

'We previously told the community not to get close to this foam, due to possible skin irritations. It is important to keep children aw

Residents and dogs sit along a street as foam rising from the Balsillas River wafts over the Los Puentes neighborhood

The governor of Cudinamarca said last week that works in being done to clean the Balsillas River to prevent the release of toxic foam

A woman tries to avoid clouds of toxic foam rising from the Balsillas River in the Los Puentes neighborhood
British sellers are charging up to four times the NHS price for HRT medication on eBay as they cash in on a national shortage, MailOnline can reveal.

The most popular type of oestrogen gel was selling for 40 on the online marketplace last week  quadruple the NHS prescription charge of 9.35.

MPs have warned desperate women are being 'exploited' after it emerged over the weekend private pharmacies are also hiking up their prices.

Shortages and poor planning mean thousands have been unable to get drugs to help ease menopause symptoms such as low mood, brain fog and hot flushes.

It came as a US study published today indicated the menopause can physically 'reshape the brain'  sometimes irreversibly.

MailOnline found three eBay listings for Oestrogel, a drug which is used by around 30,000 women in the UK and is particularly low in stock.

One seller, based in Uxbridge, London, charged 40 for one month's supply, and 5.55 for postage. Another seller from Bristol listed the same 80gram pump for 39.99 and 4.99 for delivery.

There are fears some women could be priced out of crucial treatments just as the cost-of-living crisis bites.

One seller, based in Uxbridge, London, charged 40 for one month's supply, and 5.55 for postage

Another seller from Bristol listed the same 80gram pump for 39.99 and 4.99 for postage

One still had a prescription slip on the packaging and the seller claimed they had received a 'duplicate order'

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

Prescriptions for HRT medication have doubled in England in just five years as women and GPs become increasingly aware of the excruciating and wide-ranging symptoms of the menopause.

An increasing number of desperate women have had to ration their prescriptions or have turned to the black market or abroad.

Two of the eBay listings for Oestrogel were sold and a third was removed by the seller at the time of writing.

One still had a prescription slip on the packaging and the seller claimed they had received a 'duplicate order'.

MailOnline found the products online on Friday  the same day the Government announced a ration on some HRT products to a three-month supply.

The move, which affects Oestrogel, as well as Ovestin cream and Premique low-dose tablets, is the first to address supply issues since the appointment of HRT tsar Madelaine McTernan.

Those who have prescriptions longer than three months will not have to pay an extra charge.

There has been a big increase in women seeking HRT, with an estimated 538,000 prescriptions issued in December, compared with 238,000 in January 2017.

As a postcode lottery means many are looking online for HRT, some online pharmacies have also been found to be selling a three-month supply of Oestrogel for 80.

Prices vary wildly, however, with Oxford Online Pharmacy selling the same product for 49.99.

Pharmacy Planet is rationing its sales of Oestrogel to one-month batches due to 'limited stock', but at 42 each.

Alternatives to Oestrogel have also taken a hit as women switch to different medication until stocks are replenished.

Treated.com is selling one month's worth of Estradot patches for 32, although women can normally get a three-month supply for 9.35 on the NHS.

The Independent Pharmacy prices a three-month supply of Estradot and Sandrena  an Oestrogel alternative  at 75 each.

There is no suggestion these online pharmacies, registered with the Care Quality Commission, are handing out unsafe medicine.

Labour MP Carolyn Harris, co-chairman of the UK menopause taskforce, told The Mail last week that it was exploitative of women.

It comes as scientists today urged women to take HRT treatments to protect against menopause-related brain changes.

A team of US researchers found menopause  when women stop having periods and oestrogen levels decline  'reshapes the brain' by reducing grey matter and affecting blood flood.

They believe changes in the hypothalamus, which regulates body temperature, are behind hot flushes, while a drop in oestrogen interferes with energy levels in the brain, which could cause brain fog.

The researchers, from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York and the University of Arizona, spotted the changes after examining brain scans from 161 women aged 40 to 65 and comparing them against 125 men of the same age.

They said taking HRT as soon as menopausal symptoms begin can protect against these changes.

The findings are set to be highlighted in a new documentary presented by Davina McCall, who has raised awareness about her own battle with the menopause. It will air tonight on Channel 4.
The investigation centers around a January 2021 phone call where Trump asked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to 'find' the votes the president needed to win the state

When potential grand jurors showed up at an Atlanta courthouse Monday, they would have found a television camera in the room and streets closed outside -- nods to the intense public interest in the investigation into whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to pressure Georgia officials to overturn Joe Biden's presidential election victory in the state.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has taken the unusual step of requesting a special grand jury for the investigation, and the selection of that panel begins Monday.

They'll be impaneled for up to a year, per a judge's order.

Willis' team is looking into a January 2021 phone call in which Trump pushed Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to 'find' the votes needed for him to win the state.

She has also said they're looking at a November 2020 phone call between U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Raffensperger, the abrupt resignation of the U.S. attorney in Atlanta on January 4, 2021, and comments made during December 2020 Georgia legislative committee hearings on the election.

The seating of a grand jury -- even a rare special grand jury -- is a routine process that's generally of little interest to the public.

But the appetite for any news about this case has prompted the court to make accommodations for at least parts of the grand jury selection to be broadcast to the public.

Although there will be cameras in the room, they won't be allowed to show potential grand jurors.

The investigation into potential attempts to influence the 2020 general election in Georgia began early last year.

Willis asked for a special grand jury in the case in January.

Fulton County District Attorney Fanni Willis opened the investigation last year

She wrote in a letter that her office had information indicating a 'reasonable probability' of 'possible criminal disruptions' to the administration of that election.

Unlike a regular grand jury, which hears many different cases and can issue indictments, a special grand jury focuses on investigating a single topic and produces a report on its findings. The district attorney then decides whether to seek an indictment from a regular grand jury.

Former Gwinnett County District Attorney Danny Porter, who convened a special grand jury roughly 15 years ago, said the process for seating a special grand jury is pretty much the same as seating a regular grand jury. It's made up of between 16 and 23 people who are summoned from the county master jury list.

The judge will make sure the potential grand jurors are qualified -- over 18, residents of Fulton County and haven't been convicted of a felony -- and then will hear from people who want to be excused for one reason or another.

Unlike jury selection for a trial, where there are two sets of lawyers trying to ferret out biases and prejudices, there's no defense attorney in this process because no one has been charged yet.

Anyone who tunes in to watch shouldn't expect to hear potential grand jurors questioned extensively about their political leanings or their opinions on Trump.

'There's no excuses for bias or prejudice,' Porter said. 'In this case, I would suspect if somebody came in wearing a MAGA hat, they would probably excuse them. But the inquiry into their prejudices or biases is very, very limited in selecting a grand jury.'

Raffensperger (pictured) also reportedly got calls from Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally

Once the special grand jury is seated, the cameras will have to leave -- all grand jury proceedings are secret.

Willis indicated in her letter to the chief judge that one reason she wanted a special grand jury is to issue subpoenas to witnesses who have refused to cooperate without one.

A Trump spokesman has previously dismissed the investigation as a politically motivated 'witch hunt.' Graham has also denied wrongdoing.

In a separate investigation in New York, Trump is appealing rulings enforcing a subpoena for his testimony and holding him in contempt of court for failing to turn over documents in a civil investigation that State Attorney General Letitia James' office says has uncovered evidence that he may have misstated the value of skyscrapers and other assets for more than a decade.

Trump's lawyers argue that James is using the civil probe to collect information that could then be used against the former president in a parallel criminal probe overseen by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. James and Bragg are both Democrats.

Bragg says the criminal investigation is continuing despite a shakeup in the probe's leadership. So far, it's resulted only in tax fraud charges related to fringe benefits against the Trump Organization and its longtime finance chief, Allen Weisselberg. Both have pleaded not guilty.

However, the grand jury in Bragg's case ended without an extension last week.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger on Sunday gave new insights into the House January 6 committee's preparations for its looming public hearings, tearing into fellow GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene for claiming she was a 'victim' of violence that day while also publicly urging ex-Vice President Mike Pence to appear in front of the panel.

The Illinois lawmaker told CBS News that he would 'love' to ask them both questions about the lead-up to last year's Capitol attack.

It comes after a text message dated January 17 -- nearly two weeks after the insurrection -- shows Greene discussed ways to keep Donald Trump in power and advocated for 'marshall law' - a misspelling of 'martial' that went viral following the disclosure of Greene's texts.

'I would love to ask her a few questions. We know some things. I won't confirm or deny the text messages,' Kinzinger told Face The Nation of Greene.

'Let me just say this. For Marjorie Taylor-Greene to say shes a victim, it is amazing how folks like her attack everybody for being a victim.'

He then referenced a February 2019 video -- from before Greene was elected to office -- in which the firebrand Republican stood outside of progressive Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's office and demanded she be a 'big girl' and face her.

'She stood outside a Congresswomans office and yelled at her from a mail slot and said she was too scared to come out and confront her, and then when Marjorie Taylor-Greene is confronted, shes all of a sudden a victim and a poor helpless congresswoman just trying to do her job,' Kinzinger fumed.

He added: 'It is insane.'

Rep. Adam Kinzinger said he'd like to hear from both Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and ex-Vice President Mike Pence. He's one of two Republicans on the Capitol riot committee, which begins public hearings in early June

GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger tells @margbrennan he wants to see Vice President Mike Pence testify before the House January 6 investigating committee:



"Yes. I would love to see that. I hope he would do so voluntarily." pic.twitter.com/8cFlijPRu7  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 1, 2022

The Illinois lawmaker also said he'd 'love' to see former Vice President Mike Pence testify in his committee's upcoming public hearings.

'I hope he would do so voluntarily,' Kinzinger said.

'These are decisions I think we're going to end up making from a tactical perspective in the next week or two as we pin down what this hearing schedule is going to look like, the content, and as we go into the full narrative of this.'

CNN first reported that Greene texted Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows on January 17, 'In our private chat with only Members, several are saying the only way to save our Republic is for Trump to call for Marshall (sic) law.'

'I don't know on those things. I just wanted you to tell him. They stole this election. We all know. They will destroy our country next. Please tell him to declassify as much as possible so we can go after Biden and anyone else!'

Greene and Pence's names that have frequently come up in the months-long investigation

The damning message was moved to be entered into the record of an ongoing lawsuit aiming to keep Greene off the ballot in November's midterm elections.

In a legal challenge filed with the Georgia Secretary of State, voters claimed Greene violated a provision of the U.S. Constitution passed after the Civil War known as the 'Insurrectionist Disqualification Clause.'

The measure was passed to keep people who had fought with the Confederacy from holding federal office.

Plaintiffs claim Greene ran afoul of the law because she took part in trying to stop the peaceful transfer of power through her comments challenging and casting doubt on the 2020 election results.

Her lawyers said in a Friday court filing: 'Rep. Greene was not a participant in the January 6th violence -- she was a victim.'

The House committee investigating the Capitol riot has not subpoenaed any sitting lawmakers, but on Sunday Kinzinger did not rule out the possibility of compelling members of Congress who are accused of participating in efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's victory to testify.

'I think ultimately, whatever we can do to get that information, I think if that takes a subpoena, it takes a subpoena,' he said.

The Capitol riot panel's first public hearing is slated for June 9.
Lawyers are set to file over 100 new claims against Hertz on behalf of customers who say they were victims of false arrests because the company's computer system erroneously reported their rental cars to police as stolen.

The new claims come despite promises from the company's CEO just this month to fix what he called a glitch in the system causing the false reports.

Stephen Scherr, who took over as CEO on Feb. 28, said the company has changed its practices to fix problems that have occurred when cars were reported stolen but the transaction was improperly recorded in Hertz's system.

However, another 100+ cases are set to be filed to add to the more than 230 to date, which have sought over $750million in damages. Some of these new cases are being filed as civil cases separate from the bankruptcy proceeding because the incidents happened after Hertz got out of bankruptcy.

The allegations have caught the attention of Congress, who are demanding the Federal Trade Commission investigate.

Michael Okoasia, 29, a music video director from New York City, said he was the victim of this Hertz 'glitch' after renting a 2019 Nissan Versa from the company at the LAX Marriott Hotel in California.

Okoasia claims he was headed to a video shoot when he was pulled over and arrested at gunpoint by 10 officers.

'Hertz had rented me the wrong car and then without any investigation reported the car I was driving stolen. I was eventually let go, and the car towed, but not before a very public arrest in Hollywood,' Okoasia said in a legal filing. 'I had to tell the production team I had been arrested for being in possession of a stolen car.'

Michael Okoasia, 29, a music video director from New York City, rented a 2019 Nissan Versa from Hertz at the LAX Marriott Hotel in California when he was pulled over

Rental vehicles parked at a Hertz location at the Louisville International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky

He's claiming losses of about $20,000 because he was unable to shoot the music video he was supposed to work on, as well as airfare expenses.

Brittany Morgan and Jeremy Benjamin were also pulled over at gunpoint in Houston recently after renting a Ford Mustang from Hertz's George Bush Airport location.

'We showed the police the paperwork and told them we had obviously not stolen the car. We were stunned when the police told us that the license plate on our car was from another car that was reported stolen and that it was not even the license plate listed on our rental paperwork,' the couple wrote in their legal declaration.

'We are infuriated that something like this could happen, and dumbfounded to learn that Hertz has previously rented 'stolen' cars to customers,' they added.

Okoasia claims he was headed to a video shoot when he was pulled over and arrested at gunpoint by 10 officers

Hertz claims that it files over 3,000 police reports annually, saying that most of the reports are for customers who were 'many weeks or even months overdue returning vehicles and who stopped communicating with us well beyond the scheduled due date.'

But Scherr said earlier in April that he'd been working to fix a glitch in the rental-car giant's systems that has led to some of its customers being wrongly accused of stealing cars they had rented.

'This is among the first things that I have started to look to take care of and deal with in the first 30 days I've been at the company,' Scherr told CNBC on Monday. 'It is not acceptable to Hertz to have any customer ... caught up in some of what has happened.'

Some Hertz customers have said they were arrested and jailed because the company accused them of stealing cars that they had paid to rent and in some cases had returned long before their arrest.

It's not clear how many people have been affected. More than 200 customers asked a federal judge in Delaware to Hertz to disclose records about erroneous theft reports, and the judge ruled in the renters' favor in February.

Stephen Scherr, who took over as CEO on Feb. 28, said the company has changed its practices to fix problems that have occurred when cars were reported stolen but the transaction was improperly recorded in Hertz's system.

The company logo is shown on the exterior of a closed Hertz car rental office, May 23, 2020, in south Denver

Scherr said the false reports involve several hundred customers out of Hertz's 15 million annual transactions, but lawyers for the customers say the number is more like 8,000.

'We have changed our policies to avoid the possibility of this happening again,' Scherr said. 'No one customer should be put through that.'

Scherr said that in some cases, vehicles have been reported as stolen, the report was withdrawn when the vehicle was found, 'but that rescission wasn't recognized.'

Francis Malofiy, an attorney for the victims, told FOX Business that the company's recent comments are 'discordant' with reality and 'frustrating for a lot of people who are still being arrested, jailed and prosecuted for false police reports.'

'There's a massive world of difference between something that's lost or misplaced or that you can't find and something that's stolen,' he added.
The Republican governor of Arkansas, Asa Hutchinson, broke ranks with fellow GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis Sunday, saying he thinks it is a mistake for Republicans to 'go after businesses and punish them because we disagree with what they said.'

Speaking on CNN's State of the Union, Hutchinson was referring to DeSantis' decision to revoke Disney's special tax district in Florida, which allowed DisneyWorld to essentially run its own government.

Hutchinson said that DeSantis' opposition to the 'Don't Say Gay' law violates the GOP's very mantra of both limited and restrained government.

'I don't believe that government should be punitive against private businesses because we disagree with them,' the Arkansas governor said.

'That's not the right approach to me it's the old Republican principle of having a restrained government.'

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says Florida Governor Ron DeSantis went against the Republican principle of restrained government by dissolving a 55-year-old tax law the benefited the company

Governor @AsaHutchinson breaks with his fellow GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, telling @DanaBashCNN its a mistake for Republicans to go after businesses and punish them because we disagree with what they said. #CNNSOTU https://t.co/bkId37Bw13  State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 1, 2022

DeSantis' feud with Disney, the state's largest private employer came over the 'don't say gay' bill.

The law bans the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the classroom in certain grades.

Hutchinson did not mention any issues with the bill itself or DeSantis going after the LGBTQ+ community.

Hutchinson criticized DeSantis, pictured, for signing legislation stripping Disney World of a decades-old special agreement that allowed the theme park to govern itself

'The law that was passed is to me common sense that in those grades, those lower grades, you shouldn't be teaching sexual orientation, those matters that should not be covered at that age,' he said.

Last week, DeSantis dissolved Disney's 55-year right to self-government through its special tax district in Florida.

DeSantis's new law looks to eliminate all special taxing districts created before 1968.

Disney attempted to strike back at DeSantis by telling investors the state would not be able to dissolve its status until first paying off the company's bond debts, believed to be about $1 billion.

'Let's do the right thing. It's a fair debate about the special tax privileges, I understand that debate. But let's not go after businesses and punish them because we disagree with what they say.'

LGBTQ employees protesting CEO Bob Chapek's handling of the staff controversy over Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill are seen protesting in March outside the Burbank HQ

'I disagree with a punitive approach to businesses. Businesses make mistakes, [Disney] shouldn't have gone there, but we should not be punishing them for their private actions.'

DeSantis and Asa Hutchinson may well end up going head-to-head Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

During the same interview on Sunday, Hutchinson said he is considering a run, making clear that he is 'not aligned' with former President Donald Trump, another potential candidate.

Hutchinson, a former congressman and head of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, is in his final year as governor of the southern state, with Arkansas law barring him from seeking a third four-year term.

Hutchinson has a long track record as a conservative, dating from his time as a George W. Bush administration official to the House of Representatives to the governor's mansion in Little Rock

Hutchinson has criticized Trump's continued efforts to discredit the 2020 presidential election in which Democrat Joe Biden defeated the businessman-turned-politician.

Trump has made false claims that the election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud.

Hutchinson said Trump's decision on whether to run will not influence his own.

'I've made it clear I think we ought to have a different direction in the future and so I'm not aligned with him on some of his endorsements, but also the direction he wants to take our country,' Hutchinson said.

'I think he did a lot of good things for our country, but we need to go a different direction. And so that's not a factor in my decision-making process.'

Trump rebuked Hutchinson last year when the governor vetoed a Republican-backed bill passed by the state legislature to ban certain types of treatment for transgender youths. Hutchinson called the measure a government overreach. The legislature subsequently voted to override his veto.

'Bye-bye Asa, that's the end of him!' Trump said in a statement at the time, dismissing the conservative governor as a 'lightweight RINO,' one of the former president's favorite insults, meaning 'Republican in name only.'

Hutchinson, who last week attended a political event in the pivotal early presidential primary state of New Hampshire, said he is passionate about border security, cracking down on criminal cartels and keeping in place a COVID-19 pandemic-related policy that lets U.S. authorities rapidly expel migrants, including asylum seekers, to Mexico and other nations.

Other potential Republican contenders in 2024 include DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Hutchinson has previously said that he would not support the former president if he ran for president in 2024
Scott Morrison has pushed ahead of Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister but his Liberal Party still trails behind Labor in the latest poll.

A Newspoll published in The Australian on Monday showed 45 per cent of respondents believe Mr Morrison would make the better prime minister.

Only 39 per cent believed Mr Albanese would do a better job.

Labor is leading the government by 53 per cent to 47 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, three weeks out from the federal election.

Scott Morrison has pushed ahead of Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister but his Liberal Party still trails behind Labor in the latest election poll

A Newspoll published in The Australian on Monday showed 45 per cent of respondents believe Mr Morrison would make the better prime minister, against 39 per cent for Mr Albanese

If realised, the Coalition could lose 10 seats at the May 21 election.

Asked if it was time for a change of government, the poll of 1,538 voters taken between April 27 and 30 found 56 per cent agreed and 44 per cent said the Coalition should be returned.

A Resolve poll of 1408 voters published in Nine newspapers on Monday closely mirrored the Newspoll result, finding Labor leading on a two-party basis at 54 per cent to 46 per cent.

Mr Morrison was ahead on the preferred prime minister measure at 39 per cent to 33 per cent.

Mr Albanese is expected on Monday to campaign in Queensland, where Labor holds six of 30 seats and needs to make gains if it is to win the election.

He told the campaign launch a Labor government would invest $1 billion in developing value-added products from minerals like lithium and nickel.

The coalition has been campaigning in Queensland on division within Labor over the future of the resources sector, especially coal mining jobs, which cost the party votes in 2019.

'We know Labor is dominated by its green-left faction and is deeply divided over the future of Australia's resources sector,' Resources Minister Keith Pitt said.

Meanwhile, a second leaders debate will be hosted by the Nine Network this Sunday night and the Liberal campaign is expected to be launched a week later.

A day after Mr Albanese accused him of neglecting older Australians, Mr Morrison is set to announce an increase in the singles income test threshold - from $57,761 to around $90,000 - from July 1 this year to broaden access to the concession card

Early voting starts on May 9.

An extra 50,000 older Australians will get access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card if the Morrison government is re-elected.

A day after Mr Albanese accused him of neglecting older Australians, Mr Morrison is set to announce an increase in the singles income test threshold - from $57,761 to around $90,000 - from July 1 this year to broaden access to the concession card.

The couples threshold will also increase from $92,416 to $144,000.

At the commonwealth level, all card holders are eligible for cheaper medications and health care and may also be entitled to state, territory and local government savings, like discounted rates, electricity and gas bills, ambulance, dental, eye care, recreation and public transport.

Mr Morrison says the $70 million expansion is part of the coalition's plan to deliver cost of living relief.

'This means more senior Australians could save hundreds of dollars, including up to $428 a year for access to a monthly script for vital medicines and a refund for medical costs if you reach the Medicare safety net,' he said.
A builder who's been on the tools for more than 25 years has been forced to close his business for good due to crippling costs and supply issues that he says have just about broken him.

Anthony Lococo, from Torquay, Victoria, will be shutting his building company Lococo Build later this year in what is the latest in a long line of tradesman feeling the pressure because of skyrocketing material prices.

He explained that supply shortages, price increases and even finding tradesmen to do the work were all factors that had left him with no choice but to give up his business - and go to university to retrain as a teacher.

It comes after several high-profile building companies shut up shop in recent months, with Queensland construction giant Condev collapsing alongside Melbourne-based builder Probuild.

'It's been a heartbreaking decision to make, but after two years of struggling to get materials and trades, and costs continuingly blowing out and eating into anything that even looked like a profit margin,' Mr Lococo explained.

Anthony Lococo (pictured) will be closing his building company Lococo Build for good later this year in what is the latest in a long line of tradesman and businesses giving up the tools due to a myriad of issues hampering the industry

'I decided at Christmas that I just couldn't face another year of it. I'm drained, and I've had enough.

'Reports from the trade industry said that it was going to be just as bad if not worse this year, and we just couldn't do it. I have a family, and I was feeling the pressure.'

Costs of metal ores, plastics, and timber have been consistently rising for years, but particularly through the pandemic as factories were forced to shut down for extended periods.

The trickle-down effect of these surging costs means Australian tradies are forced to cover the difference because they had entered fixed-price contracts with clients.

'There's a lot of builders who are struggling out there, I know a few of them. Many don't want to talk about it but they're feeling the pressure,' he added.

A survey conducted last year by Master Builders Australia revealed that 98 per cent of builders in Victoria had been affected by price rises and wait times for materials.

Mr Lococo says rising material costs were possibly the most significant problem that required urgent addressing, revealing that his expenses had jumped as much as 30 per cent in the space of a month.

Mr Lococo (pictured with his family) told Daily Mail Australia that the spiralling cost of building materials and lack of staff had left him with no choice but to close his business

The father-of-two is one of many trade businesses either closing or teetering on the decision to close as problems in the industry worsen (stock image)

He had built the company with his wife 'from the ground up'.

'I got to the point where I couldn't even face the thought of going into the office,' he explained.

'Having to let my team go is devastating, but I don't realistically have any choice.

'You just cant run a successful business like this, youre just belting your head against a brick wall.'

Mr Lococo has committed to finalising all his current projects but admits picking an end date for his business will be a challenge.

Despite his decision to walk away from his business, Mr Lococo is keen to stay involved with the building sector, and plans to take up a course at university to become a teacher to young tradies.

Michaela Lihou from the Masters Builders Association of Victoria, elaborated on the 'crisis' impacting tradesmen in Australia.

'We have got supply shortages, skills shortages and at the moment, it's a perfect storm,' she said.

Michaela Lihou (pictured) from the Masters Builders Association of Victoria, who was also featured in the same Today Show interview, elaborated on the 'crisis' impacting tradesmen in Victoria

Matthew Mackey, executive director of engineering company Arcadis, said smaller businesses are more likely to go broke because they can't absorb the cost increases like their larger counterparts.

'Smaller businesses don't have the cash flow, they don't have the same safety net,' he explained.

'They're going to feel the pain a lot sooner and a lot more harshly.'

Mr Mackey said contractors were feeling the pinch after locking themselves into agreements months before the cost of materials rose, so they had to bear the weight of the difference and make only razor-thin profits if not total losses.

'Some people are blaming the pandemic, some are blaming material cost increases, but there's a bigger issue, and it'll affect just as much as the bigger companies as the smaller businesses,' Mr Mackey said.

Prices of materials have been rising steadily since the start of the pandemic, but exploded in April and May last year (average prices of commodities - Arcardis statistics)

While large companies are managing with big orders, small to medium businesses are really struggling - with extended waiting periods for materials impacting jobs. Pictured are tradies on a Sydney construction site.

In March, it was revealed now defunct company ProBuild owed 786 employees across 19 projects $14million, and even more to its 2300 creditors (pictured, a construction site in Darling Harbour)

Rising costs are also believed to have fueled the collapse of major construction firm ProBuild, as the company owed $14million to workers for its doomed 443 Queen Street project in Brisbane.

The chief executive of South African parent company Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon that owns Probuild said there had been 'red flags' years ago.

In March, it was revealed ProBuild owed 786 employees across 19 projects $14 million, and even more to its 2,300 creditors.

WBHO told the Johannesburg Stock Exchange it could no longer profitably build apartment complexes.

As a result, administrators were assigned to Probuild after the parent company refused to throw any more money at the failed construction firm.

The bombshell decision will jeopardise 18 building and civil engineering projects around Australia and the livelihoods of nearly 800 workers.

The group's project in Brisbane for a 264 high-quality residential apartments has hemorrhaged as much as $223million in material losses.
Officials at a high school in Pennsylvania were forced to apologize and place a veteran French teacher on leave after the school's LGBT club staged a drag show event on school grounds last week.

According to a statement from the Hempfield School District, the unsanctioned event took place after school on April 25. The statement said the district was treating the event as a 'serious situation.'

"First and foremost, the administration team apologizes to students, parents, and the community on behalf of those involved in this event," the statement said. "We are appalled at what took place and in no way condone this type of activity in our schools. Neither the dress of the invited guests nor the performance was appropriate in our school setting."

The school is located in Salunga-Landisville, around 80 miles west of Philadelphia.

For the event, the school hosted dancers dressed in drag performing raunchy routines.

The apology statement was issued after video of the performance made it onto social media.

The event was held after school on April 25. It has not been confirmed if students needed permission slips to attend

The incident first became public knowledge following a Facebook post in a Landisville community group

As a result of the show, a member of the school's staff was placed on administrative leave.

The teacher was named by Lancaster Online as French teacher Kelly Tyson, who also serves as the LGBT club's adviser.

The district is also conducting an official investigation into the event, the statement said.

A statement from the school district said that those responsible for the event would be held accountable

According to the clubs and extra curricular activities list on the Hempfield High School website, the Gay Sexuality Alliance club is advised by Tyson and Carla Vicidomini.

Tyson, a graduate of the Millersville University of Pennsylvania, has taught in the Hempfield School District since 2013, according to her LinkedIn page.

The club is described as bringing 'together LGBTQIA+ and straight students to support each other, provide a safe place to socialize, and work together to improve school climate for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender, or identity expression.'

The event featured professional dancers who wore formfitting clothing. It was pitched to students as a drag show

Republican State Senator Ryan Aument weighed in on the event saying that he had been regular contact with the school district over the investigation

The school district said that those responsible for the event will be held accountable.

The event was promoted to the public as a drag show, reports Harrisburg 100. The website also reported that no permission slips were required for students to attend the performance.

Republican State Senator Ryan Aument weighed in on the event saying that he had been regular contact with the school district over the investigation.

In a statement, Aument said, 'I spoke twice today via phone with Hempfield School District Superintendent Mike Bromirski. I appreciate his willingness to update me and answer my questions.'

Aument is sponsoring a bill that seeks to alert parents to the presence of sexually explicit materials in schools, reports Lancaster Online.

The event was first brought to the attention of school officials thanks to a Facebook post in a Landisville community group.

The post, written by a woman named Melissa Hilt, said that her outrage was not about a vendetta against the LGBT community but rather against students wearing form-fitting clothes and the exposing of a buttocks on the school's campus.
A Labor campaign advert narrated by Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe uses foreign stock images filmed overseas.

The minute-long clip voiced by the Gladiator actor shows Mr Albanese meeting Aussies on the campaign trail as well as stock footage of senior Australians and a farmer in a field of wheat.

The advert talks about Labor's plan to do better for Australians - but eagle-eyed viewers spotted some of the clips were from other countries which Labor simply bought from the internet rather than filming in Australia.

Russell Crowe (pictured with girlfriend Britney Theriot) has thrown his support behind Anthony Albanese by voicing an advert for the Labor leader just three weeks out from the election

The image of an elderly woman used in the advert is listed on stock image company Shutterstock under the title 'Portrait of an old lonely human who looks out the window from the window sheds light'

These include an elderly lady filmed in the US, a man in a wheelchair filmed in Canada, and a farmer walking through fields of wheat which appears to be from Slovenia.

The clip of the farmer and the man in a wheelchair are available to buy from New York based stock image company Pond5.

An image of an elderly woman is listed on stock image company Shutterstock under the title 'Portrait of an old lonely human who looks out the window from the window sheds light'.

Crowe - who is a part-owner of Mr Albanese's boyhood NRL team South Sydney Rabbitohs - speaks over the images as they flash up on screen.

'We can do better. All it takes is a better government with better plans,' he says.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Labor for comment.

The advert was played at Mr Albanese's official campaign launch in Perth on Sunday.

The Labor leader is six points ahead of Scott Morrison in the polls and is on track on form Government - should the polls mirror the actual election results.

Mr Albanese also used his Perth speech address to officially unveil the party's new housing equity scheme.

This clip of a farmer featured in the advert. It is available to buy from New York based stock image company Pond5 under the title A Medium Stabilized Shot Of An Older Farmer Walking Down The Wheat Fields. The contributor is from Slovenia

A screengrab of the Pond5 website shows the exact clip Labor used available to buy online

This clip of a man in wheelchair appeared to have been filmed in Canada, eagle-eyed viewers noted. It is available to buy from New York based stock image company Pond5 under the title Old Man In Wheel Chair At Retirement Home. The contributor is from Canada

The Help to Buy scheme will provide an equity contribution of as much as 40 per cent of the purchase price of a new home and up to 30 per cent for an existing dwelling for 10,000 Australians.

Coalition Housing Minister Michael Sukkar said barely anyone would take up the offer because they don't want 'Anthony Albanese sitting at their kitchen table and owning part of their home'.

Mr Albanese also pledged to build more electric vehicle charging stations with $40million funding matched by the NRMA - as well as a hydrogen refuelling network on 16 busy freight routes.

Meanwhile, Mr Morrison has pledged an extra 50,000 older Australians will get access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card if he is re-elected.

The PM is set to announce an increase in the singles income test threshold - from $57,761 to around $90,000 - from July 1 this year to broaden access to the concession card.

The couples threshold will also increase from $92,416 to $144,000.
A record-breaking three million patients were referred for cancer checks over the past year amid a post-pandemic surge.

The number has risen from 2.4million, according to NHS data. Figures also reveal that around 315,000 patients started treatment for the disease in the last year, 2,000 up on pre-Covid numbers.

Dame Cally Palmer, national cancer director for NHS England, said there were still 30,000 people who have not yet begun treatment due to the pandemic. But she added that the latest figures suggest progress is being made to diagnose patients earlier.

To meet the higher demand for cancer checks, NHS services are being expanded including one-stop shops for tests, mobile clinics and symptom hotlines.

The number has risen from 2.4million, according to NHS data. Figures also reveal that around 315,000 patients started treatment for the disease in the last year, 2,000 up on pre-Covid numbers

Charities welcomed the rise in referrals but warned of the 'devastating impact' of the pandemic on cancer care and urged ministers to tackle the long-term problem of NHS understaffing.

Dame Cally said: 'We are going further and faster than ever before in our ambitions to diagnose more cancers at an earlier stage so that we can save more lives.

'We have seen record numbers of people coming forward for checks in the last year, but we know there are still at least 30,000 who haven't started treatment due to the pandemic, so it's vital that we keep these referral rates high.'

Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England national clinical director for cancer, said: 'We know the pandemic meant that at first we saw fewer patients, but in the last year GPs have been referring people for investigation in record numbers and have been working hard to make sure people with worrying symptoms can be seen.

The Omicron wave also saw more cancellations of vital cancer treatments, 'indicating the NHS is still not able to access sufficient Covid-free treatment capacity to safeguard treatments and address the backlog,' the MPs said. A commuter is pictured above in London during the Omicron wave

'The NHS has continued to prioritise cancer care throughout the pandemic.'

The surging numbers come after MPs warned that Covid-related disruption mean more people will not have cancer diagnosed until it has reached a later stage, when it is harder to treat.

In a report earlier this month, the Health and Social Care Committee said three million fewer people in the UK were invited for cancer screening between March and September 2020.

And between March 2020 and March 2021, 326,000 fewer people in England received an urgent referral for suspected cancer.

The Omicron wave also saw more cancellations of vital cancer treatments, 'indicating the NHS is still not able to access sufficient Covid-free treatment capacity to safeguard treatments and address the backlog,' the MPs said.

Minesh Patel, head of policy at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: 'It is reassuring to see record numbers of people coming forward with cancer symptoms for these life-saving checks.

'However, people living with cancer are often missing out on crucial care as a result of chronic NHS understaffing.

'To avoid putting further pressure on hardworking doctors and nurses, it's vital the Government includes steps in the upcoming 10-Year Cancer Plan to grow the number of cancer professionals so that people living with cancer receive the quality and timely care they desperately need.'

Ian Walker, executive director of policy, information and communications at Cancer Research UK, said: 'We know that the pandemic has had a devastating impact on cancer services and cancer waiting times were being missed before the pandemic struck. It's very encouraging to see an increased number of people being referred for cancer checks.'
The Barefoot Investor has shared more financial advice after speaking to a top fund manager whose performance shows the less you do, the better your returns.

Financial expert Scott Tape recently shared the advice after speaking with his 'hero' Steve Edmunson, an American fund manager.

Mr Edmunson manages the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System Fund, which is worth an astonishing $82 billion and has been in the top 10 per cent of US superfunds for the last ten years.

Barefoot Investor (Scott Pape) has advised investors steer clear of trendy strategies and do nothing, writing 'less is more'

Mr Edmunson manages the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System Fund which is worth an astonishing $82 billion

Mr Pape asked Mr Edmunsun what his 'edge' was which made his investment strategy so successful.

'Well, I don't do a lot', Mr Edmunsun responded.

Pape explained the hedge fund matter does not do any 'frantic buying or selling, just sitting and holding.'

Mr Edmunsun explained further: 'I think in the world of investing the spotlight goes to the latest hot new strategy, but there isn't much emphasis on what you don't do. If you've got a long-term horizon, like we do, the best thing to do is usually nothing,' he said.

Mr Pape agreed writing: 'Finance is the only industry in the world where the less you pay, the more you get  and the less you do, the better your returns'.

Mr Edmunson joined the fund 17 years ago and immediately set to work cutting back costs.

'He sacked all the highly paid stock-picking hedge fund managers and replaced them with ultra-low-cost index funds,' Mr Pape explained. 'He has 88% of his portfolio invested in index funds and 12% invested in private equity investments.'

Mr Edmunson said he couldn't control investment returns, but he could control the company's costs.

'We keep ours extremely low. Being a lot cheaper than other funds gives us a big head-start,' he said.

Australians pay some of the most expensive super fund fees in the world, which amount to more than $30 billion every year.

Australia has some of the world's most expensive super fund fees - coting more than $30 million annually

In contrast to Australia's high-rolling fund managers, Mr Edmunson still drives a second-hand car, lives in a small home, and brings his leftovers to work.

When asked if wished he reaped more reward from his hard work Mr Edmunson simply said: 'Not at all'.

'Yes, it's an enormous responsibility, but it's that part of the job that makes it so fulfilling. I get to work at a job that helps firefighters, and teachers, and police men and women  good working-class people. I'd say I'm the luckiest guy around.'
Menopausal women are caught up in a national scandal which sees as many as one in ten forced to leave jobs due to debilitating symptoms, according to the largest study of its kind.

Researchers say women are put through unnecessary misery  with the equivalent of 333,000 aged 45 to 55 quitting work while suffering from symptoms such as brain fog, lack of sleep, hot flushes and depression.

A further 14 per cent of women in the UK have reduced their hours at work, 14 per cent decided to go part-time and 8 per cent had not applied for promotion while going through the menopause.

And 77 per cent of women find at least one menopause symptom very difficult to cope with.

So if you cant get hold of HRT, what are the alternatives  and do they work?

The survey of more than 4,000 women aged 45 to 55 lays bare the hardships faced by menopausal women  and the dire need to remedy the nations HRT crisis.

On Saturday, the Daily Mail launched a manifesto calling for urgent changes to the way HRT medication is prescribed, processed and distributed.

It also demands an immediate curriculum change, making it mandatory for medical students to be taught about the menopause, and for women to be given menopause information at NHS health checks.

Our HRT manifesto 1. Allow pharmacists to dispense substitutes if the prescribed HRT is out of stock Currently, if an HRT product is unavailable, a pharmacist cannot substitute another product without consulting the prescribing GP, forcing patients to go back and forth between doctor and pharmacy. This could be avoided if pharmacists are allowed to alter prescriptions themselves. They should also be able to move stock between different pharmacies. 2. End the postcode lottery Local areas all have different formularies  or lists  of approved HRT products, meaning women face a postcode lottery of treatments. A national list of all approved HRT products would ensure women have equal access, and that alternative treatments are available faster. 3. Immediately introduce the once-a-year payment for HRT medication An annual prescription payment for HRT, which could save women up to 200 a year, is planned for April 2023. This must be implemented urgently, especially during the cost-of-living squeeze, so all women can afford treatment. 4. Bring forward mandatory requirement for medical students to be taught about the menopause A curriculum change needs to be introduced sooner than January 2023, when it is planned. This will ensure all doctors have the training to recognise menopause symptoms, which will help reduce the rate of misdiagnoses. 5. Provide menopause information to women at their NHS health check Everyone who doesnt have a pre-existing medical condition is invited for a free check-up every five years between the ages of 40 and 74. Women should be given information at these health checks to raise awareness of the menopause and treatment options. Advertisement

It comes after supply chain problems and poor planning amid unprecedented demand have led to a shortage of HRT, mostly a type of oestrogen gel.

In recent months women who rely on the treatment to ease the side-effects of the menopause have been left suicidal, and desperation has led to a gold rush on pharmacies with stock, with some likening the situation to wartime rationing.

The new research, which is believed to be the largest survey of menopausal women conducted in the UK, was commissioned as part of a Channel 4 documentary presented by campaigner Davina McCall, which airs tonight at 9pm.

The study revealed nearly a third of women agreed it took many appointments for their GP to realise they were menopausal or perimenopausal.

Just 39 per cent of women who spoke to a GP or nurse said they had been offered HRT after diagnosis, and 44 per cent experience three or more symptoms they class as very difficult, such as brain fog and joint pain.

The survey was supported by the Fawcett Society, a womens rights charity, which has produced a report, Menopause And The Workplace.

Its chief executive Jemima Olchawski said: Menopausal women are experiencing unnecessary misery and its a national scandal. From waiting too long for the right care, to uniforms that cause unnecessary discomfort, women are being badly let down. Too often menopause symptoms have been dismissed as a joke and HRT has been labelled a lifestyle drug.

The Government needs to make urgent changes, from requiring employers to have menopause action plans, to creating a route into menopause healthcare, to ensuring that GPs are adequately trained to spot menopause symptoms.

Miss McCall, 54, added: One out of ten women quit their jobs due to menopause. This really broke my heart... because these are women at the top of their game and then they just cant cope in their jobs any more. Were talking teachers, doctors and nurses. And if we dont look after them, who is going to look after us?

Prescriptions for HRT have more than doubled in England over the past five years, according to NHS data.

Figures from OpenPrescribing, an Oxford University project that analyses prescription trends, suggest that nearly 538,000 for HRT treatment were issued in December, compared with 238,000 in January 2017.

Ive thrown plates and sobbed... dont deny others the help I got

By Penny Lancaster for the Daily Mail

Not long after the start of the first lockdown, I called Rod and our boys Alastair and Aiden down to the kitchen for dinner.

No one came, not even after the third call  and when they finally did arrive, they were arguing.

I lost it, throwing their dinner plates across the room and breaking down in floods of tears on the floor.

I remember Rod asking me what on earth was wrong, but the truth was that I really didnt have a clue why I was experiencing such violent and upsetting mood swings, which meant some days I would feel completely devoid of feeling, while on other days I would be hyper.

I thought I was losing my mind and it was only months later, while appearing as a panellist on Loose Women, that my colleagues put me straight.

Penny, youre perimenopausal, they told me. Its all down to your hormones. I could hardly believe it, especially as Id described my symptoms to my doctor and he had promptly put me on anti-depressants.

Penny Lancaster with her husband Sir Rod Stewart, who she says felt worried about her mood swings when she became perimenopausal

Of course, they were correct. After all, I was 49, exactly the right age. With their urging, I consulted a menopause specialist, started on HRT and within a few months, I felt like I was back to my old self.

The hot flushes, the night sweats, the brain fog and the heart-palpitating anxiety that had blighted the previous year and left me feeling like I was going mad  all gone. Its one reason I am so angry about the difficulties women face in accessing this vital treatment, whether its getting their hands on it or being able to afford to pay for it.

It seems extraordinary to me that a life stage that affects half our population is still not being treated with the importance it deserves, and as someone in a position where I have a platform to speak out, I became passionate about campaigning for better access to HRT  and making it subject to just a one-off annual prescription charge.

So Im delighted that the Mail is throwing its weight behind a cause so close to my heart.

Like many women, I was in the dark about the changes the menopause would bring. I started having hot flushes at the beginning of the pandemic back in early 2020 and at first, I was convinced I had the virus. I was terrified  back then we were all in the dark.

All I knew was that I would wake up in the middle of the night feeling like the bed was on fire. Id move on top of the covers to try to cool down, only to wake up freezing cold 20 minutes later.

I was anxious and irritable too, prone to bursting into tears, but like everyone else, Rod and I were juggling the stress of home-schooling as well as worrying about loved ones, so I put my occasional meltdowns down to the situation we  everyone  were in.

Covid probably played a part, but there was no question my symptoms were getting worse. Ive always been able to pull myself out of a crisis, but this time I couldnt. Id go to bed anxious and wake up anxious.

Some days I felt so low, so flat, that you could prick me with a pin and I wouldnt feel it, but on other days it was the complete opposite  Id be worked up over the smallest thing, just like when Rod and the boys were late for dinner.

Naturally, Rod was worried. Whats happening with you Penny? he would ask. I hate seeing you like this.

Weve talked since about how hard it was for him to see the happy-go-lucky woman he married change so dramatically and not be able to do anything about it. In fact, it was Rod who persuaded me to go to the doctor, who promptly put me on antidepressants. They didnt work, because I wasnt depressed  I was perimenopausal.

Anti-depressants were like putting a sticking plaster over a deep wound  a mask, but not tackling the root cause. I now know this is a very common error. It wasnt until several months later, in spring last year, that I had that lightbulb moment.

Ill be honest: a part of me didnt want to resign myself to getting old. The word menopause can feel terrifying, something that signifies the end of everything  your youth, your sex appeal and your sex drive. Its hard to say goodbye to that. My Loose Women friends got me to see it differently  not as an ending but a new beginning, an exciting new chapter that I should embrace.

A nurse also made me recognise something profound. She said that after years of putting their own needs last, this was a life stage where women could look in the mirror and say: I see you.

She told me: Life isnt just about making sure everyone else is OK. It took time, but as my hormones started to rebalance, it was like magic. I could feel the old Penny coming back, but this time with a renewed sense of purpose.

Today, I can still get emotional, both happy and sad, but I feel back in control  albeit more opinionated, as Rod has pointed out. As I told him, maybe that was one bit of my pre-HRT life that I didnt want to let go! I know Im lucky that Rod has been so supportive.

Weve always been good at communicating with one another and his empathy for what I was going through turned into a determination to encourage other men to educate themselves. He recognises that this isnt just a womens problem, but everyones problem  or it should be.

Im so proud of him for speaking up about it. Not everyone is so lucky: since becoming an ambassador for the Menopause Mandate, which is campaigning to raise vital awareness and to support the cause for change, Ive realised just how many of us are suffering in silence, or whose lives have been horribly affected by the transformation the menopause has brought for them.

Women have lost their jobs, their homes and their partners from being unable to manage their symptoms.

Some have been left so devastated that they have taken their own lives. I was shocked to learn that the biggest risk group for suicide for women is 45-54, but its not hard to work out why.

Its heart-breaking  especially when for most of them help is out there, if only they can get their hands on it. I think its ridiculous that we have a postcode lottery in terms of access to treatment.

NHS prescriptions for HRT are free in Scotland and Wales, yet in England women can face paying nearly 20 a month to get their life-changing treatment. At a time when we are facing a cost-of-living crisis, I have no doubt that for some women this will put it out of reach.

What kind of a society are we when women have to make a choice between looking after themselves and putting food on the table for their children? Hopefully, with the work of the Mail and the Menopause Mandate, all this will change.

Were climbing this mountain now and we wont stop until every man and woman can hear us. I hope that when we reach the top, we can ensure that the millions of women in the UK who are going through the menopause right now can get easy access to the treatment they need.
The key Ukrainian city of Odesa will honour Boris Johnson to thank Britain for its support against Russia.

Mayor Gennady Trukhanov said people across his country had been impressed by the Prime Ministers strong stance in protecting and helping Ukraine.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, he added: I am going to suggest that we rename one of the streets or squares here in Odesa after Boris Johnson.

I want to express my deep gratitude to Great Britain for taking such a principled and tough position, and in particular to your Prime Minister who calls things as they are.

The key Ukrainian city of Odesa will honour Boris Johnson to thank Britain for its support against Russia

Russia has been firing missiles at Odesa  Ukraines largest port and third- biggest city  in a bid to seize it and cut off the countrys vital access to the Black Sea to cripple the economy.

One rocket attack destroyed a runway at Odesas airport, the Ukrainian army said on Saturday.

Regional governor Maksym Marchenko added that the rocket was fired from Russian-occupied Crimea and that there were no reports of injuries.

Local authorities urged residents to take shelter as the Ukrainian news agency, citing army sources, said that several explosions were heard in Odesa.

Mr Johnson had tweeted late on Saturday after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky how he was more committed than ever to ensuring Putin fails. Mr Trukhanov, 57, an ex-army captain, also took a thinly veiled swipe at Brussels for failing to slap an immediate total ban on all Russian energy exports.

Today, some EU countries are counting how much gas will cost, how much petrol will cost, he said. We cannot put a price on freedom.

Russia has been firing missiles at Odesa  Ukraines largest port and third- biggest city  in a bid to seize it and cut off the countrys vital access to the Black Sea to cripple the economy

EU governments have paid more than 39billion to Moscow to buy fossil fuels since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, according to a think-tank, the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

Romanian MEP Cristian Terhes praised Mr Trukhanovs idea, saying it would be a great way to recognise how the UK helped Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.

He added: While Brussels is full of empty talk, Brexit Britain is a true global player opposing Putins invasion in every aspect.

Fontanka, a village 12 miles to the north, has already taken the step of honouring Mr Johnson but Odesa is the first major Ukrainian city to announce plans to follow suit.

Sources close to Mr Trukhanov said the idea would be put forward to the city council once martial law in Ukraine is scrapped. Aides added that the plan is likely to be approved unopposed. Sergei Boyko, 32, a local doctor, said the move would be very popular.

Ukrainians will always remember Boris Johnson as the one who helped us in our darkest hour, he said.

Britain has been one of the leaders in the Wests response to Russias invasion, having started training the countrys military the year after Moscows illegal 2014 annexation of Crimea. The Government has sent 450million in military aid to the Ukrainian army, including thousands of missiles.

But even as Putin amassed tens of thousands of troops along Ukraines borders in January, French president Emmanuel Macron accused Mr Johnson and US President Joe Biden of alarmism.

French spy chief General Eric Vidaud resigned in March over the huge intelligence failure.
A 12-year-old girl missing from a rural town in Victoria has been found.

Police appealed for assistance in locating Lailah, 12, on Monday after she went missing from an address in Dookie, 28km east of Shepparton, about 1pm on Sunday.

A spokesperson from Victoria Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that Lailah was found late Monday morning.

Lailah (pictured) was last seen was last seen at a Dookie address in Shepperton at about 1pm yesterday wearing a brown T-shirt and black jeans

Lailah is of Caucasian appearance, has brown shoulder-length hair, is of slim build, and is 157cm tall.

She was last seen wearing a brown T-shirt and black jeans.

Police and family were concerned for her welfare due to her young age.

Police urge anyone with information to contact Shepparton Police Station on (03) 5820 5777.
A hidden mobile speed camera parked between several vehicles to catch out unsuspecting motorists has renewed calls for the return of more warning signs.

A driver shared footage of the sneaky camera tucked away on one of Sydney's busiest roads, sparking widespread debate.

Dash cam shows the eagle-eyed motorist turning onto Lyons Road at Drummoyne in the city's inner-west on Sunday approaching a 50km/h zone when he spots a mobile speed camera ahead.

'Parked in between three parked cars is a speed camera, a fixed speed camera vehicle,' the astonished driver says.

A mobile speed camera was spotted tucked away between vehicle on Lyons Road on Sunday

He sent the footage to 2GB broadcaster Ben Fordham, who has slammed the placement of the mobile speed camera and renewed calls for more warning signs.

The footage was also sent to NSW roads minister Natalie Ward, who insisted the sign was clearly visible and that the vehicle was legally parked.

She added the government had listened to the community with the recent return of warning signs on speed camera vehicles.

The signs returned in February following a public backlash as speeding fines skyrocketed.

In the 12 months to December 2021, almost $40.4million worth of fines were issued for low range speeding  10kmh or less over the limit.

More than 295,000 fines were issued.

Former roads Minister Duncan Gay has slammed his own government's decision to remove warning signs.

'The way it was before was a better and fairer way,' he told 2GB in November.

'I think it's better to be able to tell someone that they've either passed the speed camera and been got or if they're really close that they've got time to slow down.'

Fordham believes the revamped mobile speed camera policy is still ruthless and accused the government of being addicted to the revenue 'because it's easy money' from 'relatively safe drivers'.

'Minister, if you're listening to the community, you'd have the old system back, the one aimed at slowing people down as opposed to catching them out,' he said.

The mobile speed camera was parked behind three vehicles to catch unsuspecting drivers

'If speed is the biggest killer, focus on people who are knowingly doing the wrong thing, not those travelling a few kilometres over the limit.'

'Most of the people nabbed by these speed cameras are travelling less than 10 kilometres over.'

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns has vowed to bring back the old system if he's elected NSW Premier next year with advance warning signs to be implemented 250 and 50 metres before and 50 metres after.

'This will be an election issue for Dominic Perrottet and I won't be surprised if he turns the partial backflip into a full backflip before the election next year,' Fordham concluded.

The latest hidden mobile speed camera spotted in Sydney's inner-west has reignited debate

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Transport for NSW for comment.

The department insists every dollar from camera enforcement fine goes into the Community Road Safety Fund and reinvested back into improving road safety.

The latest hidden camera divided motorists online.

While many see it as revenue raising, others say drivers should be complying with the road rules.

'Nothing new, it's legal. Don't like it, drive to the speed limit. Not sure why that is so difficult to do and comprehend,' one commented.
Bill Gates has admitted he made 'a huge mistake' by attending fundraising meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The Microsoft founder, 65, first met Epstein in 2011 after the financier had been convicted of soliciting sex from a minor in 2008.

Epstein was also invited to fundraising dinners that promoted the Gates Foundation.

'At the time, I didn't realize that by having those meetings it would be seen as giving him credibility,' Gates told The Times in an interview Sunday.

'You're almost saying, 'I forgive that type of behavior,' or something. So clearly the way it's seen, I made a huge mistake not understanding that.'

Gates says he 'made a huge mistake' meeting with Jeffrey Epstein for fundraising dinners

Melinda Gates in her CBS interview in March 2022. She lifted the lid on her marriage to Bill Gates for the first time including his encounters with Jeffrey Epstein

The dinners were a point of contention between the Microsoft billionaire and his now ex-wife and business partner, Melinda French Gates, who described Epstein as 'evil personified.'

The couple announced their separation last year after 27 years of marriage.

In earlier interviews, Gates stated how he ultimately stopped meetings with the convicted sex offender after he realized the meetings would not be productive for his philanthropic foundation.

'I had dinners with him. I regret doing that. He had relationships he said with people he said would give to public health. Not nearly enough philanthropy goes in that direction,' Gates said in a September 2021 interview.

'Those meetings were a mistake. They didn't result in what he purported, and I cut them off. You know, that goes back a long time ago now,' he said to PBS.

The billionaire has previously claimed he had concerns about Epstein, who had pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute - years before the tech mogul met the financier.

'I had several dinners with him hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through contacts he had might emerge. When it looked like that wasn't a real thing that relationship ended,' Gates said.

'It was a huge mistake to spend time with him and give him the credibility of being there. There were lots of others in that same situation, but I made a mistake.'

Bill and Melinda Gates couple are pictured with their three kids in a 2018 family photo. The kids - Jennifer (center), Rory (right) and Phoebe (left) are now aged 26, 22 and 19. Bill and Melinda announced their split in May after 27 years of marriage

Gates has been reported to have visited Epstein's home numerous times and even talked with him about his 'toxic' marriage while the pedophile allegedly gave him advice on ending his marriage, according to the Daily Beast.

Gates' visits to Epstein's 'lair' were an escape from his unhappy marriage, and the pair 'were very close', a source said.

Flight records also reveal that Gates flew with Epstein on the so-called Lolita Express from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey to Palm Beach on March 1, 2013, one of the few flights that year where pilot Larry Viskoski recorded the name of a passenger.

In her first interview since her divorce from the billionaire last year, Melinda told CBS Mornings in March that she insisted on meeting Epstein back in 2011 because she wanted to see 'who this man was'.

'I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. I made that clear to him. I also met Jeffrey Epstein exactly one time. I wanted to see who this man was and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door.

'He was abhorrent, evil personified. I had nightmares about it afterwards. That's why my heart breaks for these young women. That's how I felt, and I am an older woman. He was awful.'

A photo shows Bill and Melinda Gates while they were dating before getting married

She told how Bill had to answer for the many times he met Epstein, and even suggested that it may have contributed to the divorce.

'It was not one thing, it was many things [that led to the divorce]. Any of the questions remaining about what Bill's relationship with him was... those are for Bill to answer. I made it very clear how I felt about him.'

A spokesperson for Gates told Insider last June that Gates had 'absolutely no business partnership or personal friendship' with Epstein, and any meetings between the two were about philanthropy.

Melinda, who shocked the world when she and Bill announced in May 2021 that they were ending their 27-year marriage, previously told how she endured emotionally challenging times whilst working with the billionaire.

The pair's divorce was finalized privately in Washington - where their Gates Foundation is based - in August.

JEFFREY EPSTEIN'S UNDOING: A TIMELINE OF THE MILLIONAIRE PEDOPHILE'S DOWNFALL 1999 - Virginia Roberts Giuffre is allegedly recruited by Ghislaine Maxwell to became Epstein's 'sex slave,' at 17. She also claimed that he forced her to have sex with his friend Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth.

2002 - Trump tells New York Magazine that his friend Epstein 'likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.'

2005 - A 14-year-old girl tells police that Epstein molested her at his Palm Beach mansion.

May 2006 - Epstein and two of his associates are charged with multiple counts of unlawful sex acts with a minor. State attorney of the time Barry Krischer, referred the case to a grand jury who heard from just two of the 12 girls law enforcement had gathered as potential witnesses. They returned just one single count of soliciting prostitution.

July 2006 - The case is referred to the FBI by the Florida Palm Beach police who were unhappy with how the case was handled.

2007 - Epstein's lawyers meet with Miami's top federal prosecutor Alexander Acosta, who would later become the Secretary of Labor in the Trump administration. They secretly negotiate the 'deal of a lifetime'.

June 2008 - After pleading guilty to two prostitution charges, the millionaire was sentenced to 18 months in a low-security prison in exchange for prosecutors ending their investigation into his sex acts with minors and give him immunity from future prosecution related to those charges. In reality, Epstein was able to work from his office six days a week while supposedly incarcerated at the jail.

July 2008 - Accusers learned of the deal for the first time.

July 2009 - Epstein is released from jail five months early.

July 2018 - The Miami Herald publishes investigative journalist Julie K. Brown's expose on Epstein's long history of alleged sexual abuse and news of the 'deal of a lifetime' after Acosta was made Labor Secretary.

February 2019 - The justice department opens an internal review into Epstein's plea deal.

July 7, 2019 - Epstein is arrested after his private jet lands at New Jersey's Teterboro Airport from Paris. At the same time, federal agents break into his Manhattan townhouse where they uncovered hundreds of photographs of naked minors.

July 8, 2019 - Epstein is charged with sex trafficking charges which detail how he created a network of underage girls in Florida and New York, paying girls as young as 14 to provide 'massages and sex acts.' The charges carry a sentence of up to 45 years in prison.

July 11, 2019 - More than a dozen women, not previously known to law enforcement, came forward to accuse him of sex abuse.

July 24 - Epstein was found unconscious in his cell after an apparent suicide attempt. He was moved to suicide watch at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

August 9, 2019 - More than 2,000 documents are unsealed which reveal the lurid allegations against Epstein in detail.

August 10, 2019 - Epstein is found dead in his cell. Advertisement

The terms of it were never made public but Bill was worth around $152billion at the time, giving Melinda a 50 percent settlement of $76billion.

That does not include the couple's vast property portfolio which comprised of homes in New York, Washington, and California.

Melinda said in March that she and Bill are not friends but are 'friendly' and work together, and she suggested he had more than one affair throughout their marriage.

'I believe in forgiveness. I thought we had worked through some of that,' Melinda said of his 2000 affair with a Microsoft employee. I gave every single piece of myself to this marriage. I was committed from the day we got engaged to the day I got out of it.'

Gates' spokeswoman confirmed he had a sexual relationship with a female staff member in 2000 and that he resigned as an investigation into the relationship was being conducted by an external law firm on behalf of the company board.

The New York Times also reported that Gates asked out a Microsoft employee in 2006 after watching her make a presentation and, couple of years later, asked out an employee with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - both while he was married.

Gates reportedly told the Microsoft employee in an email: 'If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened.' She said she took his advice.

Gates later allegedly asked an employee with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to dinner, while the pair were in New York for a trip.

Last year, four Microsoft employees accused Gates of being an office 'bully' whose catchphrase was 'that's the stupidest f*****g idea I've ever heard' and supported claims he pursued sexual affairs with employees and journalists.

Gates' reputation as a hot-tempered boss began not long after he launched tech giant Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975, Insider reported. A spokesperson for the billionaire has denied he mistreated employees.

A former Microsoft executive who spoke on condition of anonymity told the outlet that 'having a meeting with Bill was just an opportunity to get yelled at, so I tried to avoid that.'

Gates would even allegedly track his employees by memorizing their license plates, according to the outlet.

Maria Klawe, a former Microsoft board member, said 'a person like Bill Gates thinks the usual rules of behavior don't apply to him' and accused him of being unreceptive to suggestions about improving diversity.

Klawe said that Gates behaved as if he was the 'smartest person in the room' and that diversity was not something Gates 'was interested in hearing about.'

She said that, when female executives would suggest diversity initiatives, Gates would allegedly respond with: 'Are you trying to effing destroy the company?'

A spokesperson for Gates told Insider that Klawe's allegations are a 'gross mischaracterization.'

Melinda herself was an employee at Microsoft, having been hired as a product manager in 1987, when the billionaire first asked her out months after flirting with her at a conference dinner.

In the 1992 biography Hard Drive: Bill Gates and the Making of the Microsoft Empire, author James Wallace revealed Gates had an alleged affair with a married woman 13 years older than him when he was 27 years old.

His alleged affair was with the wife of an Osborne Computer executive who lived abroad, according to the biography.

Gates himself admitted to frequenting the area, centered on Washington Street between Boylston Street and Kneeland Street, in a 1994 interview he did with Playboy magazine.

'Just because I went there doesn't mean I engaged in everything that was going on,' Gates said.

'I ate pizza, read books and watched what was going on. I went to the diners.'

Wallace claimed to Insider that Gates' penchant for socializing with women remained even after he started dating Melinda Gates in 1987.

Gates was allegedly known to invite friends to swim naked at his bachelor pad in Laurelhurst where he 'rounded up' dancers from local all-nude nightclubs, Wallace said.

'I don't know if he physically transported them or if he just told them where to show up,' Wallace told the outlet.

Robert X. Cringely, who wrote a popular computer gossip column for InfoWorld, told Insider that Gates was allegedly often inebriated at tech events and after-parties and that he 'got drunk pretty easily.'

'All of us will have been at some affair where Bill was clearly impaired. He was happier' drunk, Cringely said.

Gates, then 33, took a helicopter to Les Arcs ski resort in the French Alps for an international sales meeting for Microsoft in the summer of 1988 where he was allegedly caught lying on top of a woman on the lawn.

The pair were 'just snuggling' after Gates joined his employees for drinks in a Swiss chalet and partied until the early morning, Dan Graves, a former Microsoft export manager, told Insider.

After he started dating Melinda, Gates allegedly struggled to commit to her and she was allegedly aware of his 'womanizing,' the outlet reported. The couple even broke up for at least a year early in their relationship.

'Bill wanted to be married, but he didn't know whether he could actually commit to it and have Microsoft,' Melinda said in an interview for the Netflix docuseries Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates.

Even after marrying Melinda, Gates told Time magazine in 1997 that he still went on annual vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with his ex-girlfriend Ann Winblad, the software entrepreneur whom he had dated from 1984 to 1987.

Bill and Melinda Gates' personal affairs have been managed by Watermark Estate Management since at least 2001, which would allegedly arrange Gates' annual beach trips with Winblad.
MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell rejoined Twitter on Sunday - more than one year after he was banned from the site for promoting election misinformation - only to be re-suspended again just four hours later.

Lindell was banned from Twitter in late January 2021 for promoting unfounded claims that the 2020 presidential election results were fraudulent.

The social media company said at the time those tweets violated its civic integrity policy it implemented in September 2020 to fight disinformation online.

But following the news that Tesla CEO Elon Musk was taking over control of the company, Lindell created a new account on Sunday afternoon, writing: 'Hello everybody, I'M BACK ON TWITTER.

'My only account is @MikeJLindell!' he wrote in the tweet at 1:25pm. 'Please RT and FOLLOW to SPREAD THE WORD.'

The tweet also included a video of him apparently on a private jet, saying: 'Hello everyone on Twitter, this is Mike Lindell. I'm here to tell you about my new account.'

He then cautioned his fans about fake accounts impersonating him.

'So we started this account,' Lindell said, according to Newsweek. 'Please share it with everyone you know. Let everybody you know - so we can get the word out over here at Twitter in case they do take it down.

'And thanks a lot for helping out.'

Within about five minutes, Lindell's new account was followed by over 20,000 users, Newsweek reports, and he racked up more than 37,000 followers before his account was removed shortly after 5pm.

A spokesperson for Twitter told Newsweek the account was permanently suspended for violating the platform's rules on ban evasion.

MyPillow CEO rejoined Twitter briefly on Sunday after he was kicked off the site last year for violating its civic integrity policy it implemented in September 2020 to fight disinformation online with tweets alleging the 2020 election results were fraudulent

He tweeted on Sunday that he is 'back on Twitter' before his account was taken down just four hours later

Lindell's shortly lived time back on Twitter came as conservatives continue to celebrate Tesla CEO Elon Musk's $44 billion deal to take over the company.

Musk, who is now the owner of the platform, has described himself as a 'free-speech absolutist' and has said that he aims to make Twitter 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.

He claimed in his bid to take over the company that it was too restrictive in clamping down on expression after a number of high-profile conservatives had been suspended or blocked from the platform.

A recent study by researchers at MIT and Yale found that Republican users tend to be suspended more often than Democrats - but conservatives are more likely to share misinformation that would get them banned.

Most recently, the account of Babylon Bee - a satirical news website - was suspended for a tweet naming Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine - who is transgender - 'Man of the Year.' The account was suspended for violating Twitter's ban on hate speech it said at the time.

But now Musk is likely to slash Twitter's policies on hate speech and misinformation as he seeks to encourage more free speech on the site - a promise that has been lauded by Republican lawmakers.

'It finally feels like someone is standing up for a principle that has been going in an opposite direction lately: less free speech, less ability to express yourself - if you are a conservative,' Rep. Bill Huizenga, of Michigan, told the Los Angeles Times following the news of Musk's acquisition of the site.

Others expressed their happiness with the news directly on the site, with Rep. Jody Hice, of Georgia, tweeting: 'WELCOME BACK FIRST AMENDMENT' and Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas, putting out a survey asking if Musk's purchase of the site was a good thing.

The only options on the survey were 'yes' or 'no, I hate free speech.'

Lindell's short-lived return to the site comes as conservatives are continuing to celebrate Tesla CEO Elon Musk's $44 billion deal to take over the company

Meanwhile, prominent conservatives on the social media site have seen their Twitter followers balloon since Musk's purchase of the company was first announced.

The company has long been accused of 'shadow-banning' certain accounts by allegedly setting its algorithm to promote or demote a user's tweet. Musk has now said he is looking to make the algorithm publicly available to address these concerns.

But conservatives have already seen their follower counts surge, prompting some, like former first son Donald Trump Jr. to claim it is proof of the shadow bans.

The former first son received 87,296 new followers on Tuesday, and another 119,002 on Wednesday morning - after weeks of averaging just about 7,000 new followers a day, according to the New York Post.

'While I'm awesome, and totally deserving of 87,000 new followers a day, it seems that someone took the shackles off my account,' he tweeted on April 26.

'Wonder if they're burning the evidence before new [management] comes in?'

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also received more than 205,000 new followers in one day over the past week, the Post reports, and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz gained more than 112,000 new followers.

Controversial Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, meanwhile, also saw her followers gain by more than 130,000, while podcaster Joe Rogan's follower count exploded by nearly 135,000

And conservative radio host Dana Loesch gained more than 22,000 followers in just two days - up from a daily average of 574.

She tweeted that she was 'noticing an increase in followers and engagement after losing huge chunks ... for the past few years.

'It's too soon for Musk to have done this, but I'm wondering if something was changed by those seeking to minimize their fingerprint ahead of potential transparency.'

Several conservatives, like Donald Trump Jr., have noticed that they have gained more followers since the announcement that Musk would take over control of Twitter

At the same time, though, woke Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez shed more than 38,000 followers after gaining an average of 966 new followers a day, and Vice President Kamala Harris lost more than 28,000 followers after gaining a daily average of 2,300.

Former Democratic presidential candidates also faced declining follower counts, according to the Post, with 21,000 of Hillary Clinton's followers vanishing after she received a daily average increase of 1,900 new followers a day.

And Sen. Bernie Sander's follower count declined by more than 23,000, while Warren lost 17,800. In the ten days prior, the Post reports, they had averaged 1,800 and 650 new followers a day, respectively.

Twitter executives now say they are looking into the fluctuations of followers, but said it appeared to have largely been due to an increase in conservative people creating accounts, while more liberal users are deleting theirs.

They also said they are continuing to 'take action on accounts that violate our spam policy, which can affect lower follower count' - but stopped short of addressing concerns about alleged shadow bans.
Olympian Scott Miller (pictured) was always going to get caught trying to smuggle meth from Sydney to the Victorian border

The full chaotic story of Scott Miller's doomed drug running escapade can finally be told as the Olympic swimmer faces sentencing for his inept attempt at smuggling meth.

Miller's plan to drive 4kg of meth worth $2.2million across New South Wales ended in his inevitable arrest along with three bumbling accomplices, one of whom he had met in rehab.

The entire shambolic scheme had no chance of success, with police watching, listening to and tracking every movement of the drugs from start to finish.

Miller, the 100m butterfly silver medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, drove the meth about 280km from Sydney to Yass and handed over the consignment for transport to Albury.

But the drugs were ditched more than 200km further south after two incompetent mules were involved in a high-speed pursuit with highway patrol officers.

One of those mules had shot up drugs just before the police chase and the other had only gone on the trip to keep his emotionally fragile friend company.

Even before Miller began his cross-state dash he was worried, desperately sending a message to another of his fellow conspirators: 'Tiger up my ass bro'.

Drug runner Scott Miller won a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the 100m butterfly. He was married to TV personality Charlotte Dawson from 1999 to 2000. Dawson took her own life In 2014. The couple is pictured in August 1999

Miller sat slumped and shirtless in a chair as police searched his apartment at Rozelle, in Sydney's inner west, just after dawn on February 16 last year. Police found almost a kilogram of heroin in his home as well as more than $70,000 in cash

The investigation into Miller, who has a long history of drug use, began early last year after police discovered a shipment of candles which each contained half a kilogram of methylamphetamine.

By monitoring electronic communications police identified a group including 44-year-old Miller, Wayne Allan Johnson, 47, Justin Szabolics, 44 and 40-year-old Luke Mathew Peake, a hapless late addition to the plot.

As a police source previously told Daily Mail Australia: 'You could say Scott Miller has been on the radar of law enforcement agencies across the country for some time.'

The NSW State Crime Command's Drug and Firearms Squad and NSW Crime Commission worked together on Miller under the auspices of Strike Force Tarrawilla.

After obtaining a surveillance device warrant police were able to install trackers, listening and optical devices inside a white Toyota Camry with Western Australian plates used by Miller.

Scott Miller drove this Toyota Camry from Sydney about 280km to Yass with 4kg of meth hidden in a secret compartment. The car and drugs were then handed to Justin Szabolics and Luke Peake who headed down the Hume Highway towards Albury

The meth, worth $2.2million, was concealed in eight candles which were put in a red, white and blue striped bag that was stashed in this hidden compartment

Those devices revealed the Camry had a hidden, electronically lockable compartment concealed behind the rear passenger seat which could only be opened with a specific sequence of actions.

That process was meant to be sufficiently complex that the compartment could not be accidentally opened.

At 4.30pm on January 11 Miller drove the Camry from Wise Street, Rozelle to White Street Balmain. The hide was empty when Miller got out of the car and walked to Elkington Park.

A short time later an unknown man wearing a hi-visibility shirt and face covering opened the rear passenger door and placed a blue, white and red bag into the footwell.

Inside the bag were eight candles in glass containers which contained 3,961 grams of meth, sometimes called 'eye' by suppliers.

The meth was in oil form, mixed in with the candle wax, and the intention was to convert it to crystals in a process known as sharding.

A highway patrol unit unsuccessfully tried to pull over the Camry and gave chase as it reached high speeds. The chase was terminated shortly before midnight when it became too dangerous. Miller is pictured inset top and bottom

This image shows one of the candles used to smuggle the $2.2million worth of meth. The drug was moulded into the candle's glass shell

At 4.30pm Miller returned to the Camry and drove it to Thornton Street, Balmain where he appeared to use his mobile phone to take photos of the footwell.

He then opened the hide - which required the ignition to be turned on - and loaded the contents of the bag into the compartment before closing it.

Miller drove the Camry to nearby Terry Street and left the vehicle parked there overnight.

Just after 6pm Miller contacted Johnson using the supposedly encrypted ANOM mobile phone app which was popular with criminals at the time. Miller's handle was EyeQ and Johnson called himself Snowy Mountain.

Unknown to both men, ANOM had been set up by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation and communications were being monitored by Australian Federal Police analysts.

The day before the drug run Miller contacted Wayne Johnson using the supposedly encrypted ANOM mobile phone app which was popular with criminals at the time. Miller's handle was EyeQ and Johnson called himself Snowy Mountain

Miller: 'Bro... Yo... I need the eye separated from the wax and sharded... Bro.'

Johnson: 'I talk to them tomoz... I pushed for tonight. Someone was with him a few days ago. Said he couldn't see me Tull tomorow.

Miller: 'Ok... I have pressure to do it quick from OS people... Yo... Yo.'

About 12pm the next day Miller picked up the Camry and drove to Homebush then returned to Balmain without stopping. He messaged Johnson again at 12.04pm using ANOM.

Miller: 'On way to Yass... On m4... Tiger up my ass bro... I need you... Meet me M4... I'm turning around... I'll come your area... '

Johnson: 'I'm on scooter 20 min.'

The day of the drug run Miller, calling himself EyeQ, messaged Wayne Johnson, who used the handle Snowy Mountain, using ANOM devices. 'On way to Yass... On m4... Tiger up my ass bro... ' Miller wrote

Shorty before 1pm Miller told Johnson he was parked in a dead end near his home and to come outside, bringing his encrypted Ciphr phone. Johnson joined him about 1.30pm and said he couldn't find his Ciphr.

Miller showed Johnson how to access the hide and Johnson placed something small inside the compartment. The pair then drove west on the M4 motorway.

At 2.44pm they stopped at a service station at Pheasants Nest, about 100km south-west of Sydney, to refuel and purchase snacks. Johnson took over the driving.

Down in Albury on the NSW-Victoria border on the same day, Peake had met up with Miller's friend Szabolics.

According to a statement of facts tendered in court, Szabolics told Peake he was working for Miller and he had to pick up a vehicle in Yass as part of his employment.

'[Peake] was concerned about Szabolics driving such distances without company and offered to come with him,' the statement said. 'At the time Szabolics had broken up with a girlfriend and the offender was worried about his mental state.'

The investigation into Miller began early last year after police discovered a shipment of candles which each allegedly contained half a kilogram of methylamphetamine. Miller is pictured outside Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court after facing a drug charge in 2014

Szabolics and Peake drove the 270km north-east to Yass and at 4.28pm checked into the Thunderbird Motel, where Miller and Johnson pulled up in the Camry about half an hour later.

Johnson later accessed the hidden compartment several times, loading items and removing the blue, white and red bag.

The meth was allegedly moulded into glass containers holding candles (pictured)

All four men later drove to a remote road where the Camry was refuelled from a jerry can and Johnson showed Szabolics how to open the hide.

The group went back to the Thunderbird Motel where Johnson returned the bag to the Camry and Peake put it in the hidden compartment.

As the four stood around the car Szabolics questioned the wisdom of using a car with Western Australian plates and Miller reassured him it wasn't a problem. They all then had a meal at the Club House Hotel.

Shortly before 9pm Szabolics and Peake got into the Camry and headed south on the Hume Highway for Albury. About 11pm they stopped at a rest area at Little Billabong for half an hour.

'During this time Szabolics injected "gear" and told Peake about his relationship with Miller, saying that others were "in his pocket" and that he "gets s**t done",' a statement of facts said.

'He said that he and Miller had attended rehab together twice, and said, "He's a good c**t 'cause he doesn't, like, you can do what you want as long as you're doing your s**t . Like, he doesn't tell me not take drugs.'

Justin Szabolics (above) shot up 'gear' during the drive from Yass towards Albury. He told fellow mule Luke Peake about his relationship with Miller, who he had met in drug rehab

The pair then resumed their journey with Peake - who was disqualified from driving - at the wheel.

At 11.46pm a Holbrook highway patrol vehicle tried to stop the Camry and flashed its warning lights. Szabolics told Peake: 'Go'.

Police commenced a pursuit and Peake accelerated to 200km/h before braking harshly and turning onto Woomargama Way at Woomargama, crossing onto the wrong side of the road.

The pursuit was terminated by police who feared for their safety.

Once the chase was over Szabolics and Peake argued about where they should go next and Szabolics took over the driving.

'After swapping, Szabolics told [Peake] it would be bad if they were caught with the contents of the bag,' a statement of facts said.

'Whilst Szabolics was driving, Peake said, "We've just gotta get back to [indecipherable] and then we're going to f***ing stash the car somewhere".

'The interior light of the car went on and Peake accessed the hidden compartment. Sometime later Peake said words to the effect "stash this" and they slowed down and Peake said "Tree".'

At 12.03am the Camry stopped at the intersection of Holbrook Wagga Road and Rose Valley Lane at Cookardinia where Peake put the bag behind a large tree in long grass. They then drove to Jindera Street, Jindera and abandoned the vehicle.

Later that day police found the bag containing the drugs where Peake had put it.

'The following day Szabolics approached [Peake] and asked him to come and retrieve the items,' a statement of facts said.

'[Peake] refused as he did not want to be part of the criminal activity. However he later relented but they could not find the bag.'

Miller was originally charged with knowingly directing a criminal group but after representations by lawyer Greg Goold that was downgraded to participating in the drug syndicate, to which he also pleaded guilty. He is pictured with former wife Charlotte Dawson

Peake and Szabolics were arrested for other matters on January 14 and held in custody.

A search warrant was executed on Miller's apartment at Rozelle just after 6am on February 16 The Camry was found at the unit.

Footage showed police busting down the door of the unit where Miller was photographed shirtless and slumped on a chair while investigators scoured the premises for evidence.

At his apartment police found 796.8 grams of heroin in a cardboard box inside a walk-in wardrobe. They located $2,175 in the same wardrobe, $500 in a satchel, and $69,870 in a safe.

Miller was taken to Newtown police station where he took part in a recorded interview in which he responded 'no comment' to every question.

He was refused bail and has been on remand at the maximum-security Mid North Coast Correctional Centre near Kempsey.

Miller pleaded guilty in March to supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Miller was allowed to put on a striped polo shirt before he was handcuffed and taken to Newtown police station to be charged. He underwent an electronically recorded interview but to each question answered, 'No comment'

He was originally charged with knowingly directing a criminal group but after representations by lawyer Greg Goold that was downgraded to participating in the drug syndicate, to which he also pleaded guilty.

Johnson was arrested the same day as Miller but Peake and Szabolics were not charged over the drug run until March 16 - a month later.

Szabolics told police that Miller and Johnson were his friends, not Peake's, and that Peake knew less about the drug run than he did. 'He come for a drive with me,' he said.

Szabolics has pleaded guilty to supplying a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group.

Johnson has pleaded guilty to taking part in the supply of a prohibited drug and participating in a criminal group.

Peake pleaded guilty to taking part in the supply of a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, driving while disqualified and driving recklessly and at dangerous speeds during the police pursuit.

Miller has admitted having troubles in his personal life in recent years. During an interview with 60 Minutes in 2014 he admitted he was battling a drug addiction. He is pictured at the Sydney International Aquatic Centre in 1996, the year of the Atlanta Olympics

In March he received minimum terms of 15 months for each offence and will be eligible for parole on May 13.

Miller has admitted having troubles in his personal life in recent years. During an interview with 60 Minutes in 2014 he admitted he was battling a drug addiction.

He worked as a drug awareness and prevention speaker with the Church of Scientology's Narconon program, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Miller is also known for his brief marriage to Sydney socialite and TV presenter Charlotte Dawson between 1999 and 2000. Dawson took her own life in 2014.

Before his arrest Miller had been working for a trucking company.

Miller, Szabolics and Johnson will face sentencing hearings in the District Court in August.
A man in his 50s plunged to his death after jumping from his balcony on the 14th floor of his home in Manhattan's Lower East Side neighborhood.

The man also took his two dogs and a cat with him - killing one of the dogs and the cat. The other dog broke its legs and was taken to a local animal hospital for treatment.

The horrific incident occurred at 575 Grand Street, close to FDR Drive, around 3:30 p.m. on April 28.

The building is known as the East River Coop.

The building where the tragedy occurred is located at 575 Grand Street. It's known as the East River Coop

The identification of the man who jumped has not been made public. He was rushed to Beth Israel Hospital where he was pronounced dead

The man was 51 years old, the New York Daily News reported - though he has not been formally identified.

The man was rushed to Beth Israel Hospital with severe trauma, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

A neighbor told the New York Post, 'Why would he do that to those poor animals? They dont deserve that. Lord knows why he jumped but they dont deserve that, said another resident of the building that didnt want to be identified.'

This incident occurred a day after a Brooklyn mother dropped her 6-month old infant child out of a window. The child survived but was critically injured.

The suicide comes as New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced a $7.2 million investment in emergency mental health hotlines

Earlier this week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $7.2 million was being invested in strengthening crisis call center services for New Yorkers.

Hochul said, 'Too often, people experiencing a mental health crisis or considering suicide feel as though they have no one to turn to, but the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides hope and help.'

If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
A New York City plastic surgeon is being sued for allegedly forcing an employee to work while she was COVID-positive, even asking her to fake test results to get back to the office.

Dr. Ryan Neinstein, who operates out of the Bergdorf Goodman building on the Upper East Side and has an Instagram account with 40,000 followers, is being accused of constantly texting staffer Christina Flores, 33, to try and get her back to work.

Flores said she had only been working for Neinstein about a month when she contracted COVID in December 2020, just prior to the vaccine rollout.

She says her boss told her to work from home even as her condition got worse , according to a filing made in Manhattan Supreme Court.

'Every day was constant calls, texts, emails,' Flores told The New York Post. 'He was relentless and the more I tried to work through it, it just wasn't good enough for him.'

Dr. Ryan Neinstein, who operates out of the Bergdorf Goodman building on the Upper East Side and has an Instagram account with 40,000 followers, is being accused of constantly texting staffer Christina Flores, 33, to try and get her back to work

Flores said she had only been working for Neinstein about a month when she contracted COVID in December 2020, just prior to the vaccine rollout

The suit accuses Neinstein of demanding Flores use nasal rinse and 'virus-killing' nose swabs in an attempt produce a false negative test to get her back to work.

She felt she was targeted by Neinstein when she finally did return to the office.

'He gets away with it,' Flores, who said she was fearful of losing her job, alleges. 'He's a plastic surgeon in Manhattan. He feels he has money and power.'

'I had no choice but to abide by his command,' she added.

On December 4, 2020, just three days after receiving her positive test and while registering a high fever and headaches, Neinstein texted her, according to court documents: '[the office's] voicemail does not workI don't care what you're doing. I want it fixed in next 15 minutes,' the suit claims.

Flores says Neinstein told her to work from home even as her condition got worse , according to a filing made in Manhattan Supreme Court

She adds Neinstein told her to work from home even as her condition got worse , according to a filing made in Manhattan Supreme Court

He texted her again later in the day: 'I understand you're sick, but if you can't do your job I will find someone else.'

As she continued to remain COVID-positive, on December 21, she alleges Neinstein asked her to go through the process of obtaining the false positive, which she refused.

She tested negative four days later on Christmas and returned to work shortly thereafter but things continued to be tense with Neinstein.

'I returned back to work and I felt like was a target for him,' Flores said. 'He treated me so poorly. He always talked down to me. It was never good enough.

'I felt like it was retaliation because I had time off,' Flores added. 'But I was working from home. I never took the time off.'

Flores also accuses Neinstein of interviewing her for a job opportunity (that she passed on before eventually accepting) while he was conducting liposuction on an unconscious patient.

'How he interviewed me while a poor patient was on the table not aware,' she said. 'And how he treated me when I had COVID.'

She eventually moved on to another employer but Neinstein filed legal action against Flores herself, saying she poached employees from him after leaving in a March 2021 filing.

Flores' lawyer Matthew Blit says the suit is frivolous and he's filed a motion to toss the case.

'This profit-hungry doctor risked the lives of every employee and patient while unlawfully discriminating against Ms. Flores,' Blit said. 'Because Ms. Flores bravely refused to fake a covid test she was retaliated against in a clearly frivolous lawsuit for millions of dollars that will be immediately tossed by the court.'

Flores' lawyer Matthew Blit says Neinstein's suit against his client is frivolous and he's filed a motion to toss the case

An attorney for Neinstein, Steve Polyakov, denies the allegations

'Ms. Flores' ultimate victory will serve as a deterrent to other scoundrels out there that want to illegally jeopardize the health and safety of their clients and employees,' he added.

An attorney for Neinstein, Steve Polyakov, denies the allegations.

'Neinstein Plastic Surgery, PLLC is an equal opportunity employer. We take allegations of discrimination and harassment seriously.'

'We deny all of Ms. Flores's allegations of wrongdoing and look forward to the opportunity to establish a complete and factually accurate account of the underlying events,' Polyakov added.
Magistrates have had their sentencing powers doubled in a bid to tackle the courts backlog  but barristers warned yesterday the move could trigger a flood of appeals.

Criminals will now face sentences of up to a year from today for a single offence, compared with a previous six-month maximum at a magistrates court.

The plans are part of a bid to relieve the huge crown court backlog of cases built up over the pandemic. Until now, magistrates have sent cases to crown courts for sentences longer than six months.

It is hoped that dealing with more offences in the lower court will free up time for crown courts to handle complex and serious cases, delivering swifter justice for victims. Justice Secretary Dominic Raab estimates the move will free up 1,700 days of crown court time a year.

Magistrates have had their sentencing powers doubled in a bid to tackle the courts backlog, they will now be able to sentence criminals to prison for up to a year

Justice Secretary and deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab believes the change will alleviate pressure on crown courts to help them handle more complex and serious cases

Yesterday, Mr Raab said: Together with an extra 30 Nightingale courtrooms currently open, digital hearings and allowing the crown court to hear as many cases as possible for another financial year, we will deliver swifter and more effective justice for victims.

But barristers fear offenders will launch more appeals against decisions by magistrates, and say the reform first announced in January does not address the shortage of judges and lawyers.

Jo Sidhu QC, chairman of the Criminal Bar Association, which represents barristers across England and Wales, said: Keeping back more cases in the magistrates may in any event only trigger more appeals to the crown court, adding to the growing lists of outstanding cases and diverting criminal advocates from tackling the pre-existing pile-up of trials.

There simply arent enough judges to sit because, as the Ministry of Justice knows full well, it cant recruit sufficient judges who are in very large part drawn from the same diminishing pool of criminal barristers who also prosecute and defend and who are leaving in droves.

Last week, the Government also promised unlimited court sitting days to speed through the backlog of trials.

In January the Ministry of Justice launched a national campaign to recruit 4,000 new magistrates specifically targeting young people in a bid to boost diversity. Since then, more than 34,000 people have registered their interest.
A mother has shared the difficult reality of living with three children with Tourette's Syndrome, telling how she has learned to cope with getting hit by her kids every day and dealing with stares from the public.

Mandy Maysey kept a smile on her face as her son Tryxx, 11, involuntarily slapped her as the pair were conducting a live cross to Studio 10 from their Gold Coast home on Monday.

Hosts Sarah Harris and Tristan MacManus asked Ms Maysey to describe her day-to-day life in dealing with the condition - a neurological disorder that causes sufferers to have involuntary tics and outbursts.

She has two other children - Conor, 27 and Void, 15 - who are also living with Tourette's Syndrome.

Ms Maysey said some members of the public made 'snap judgments' about the condition and said her children often had no control over their gestures, which her son, Tryxx, demonstrated by involuntarily slapping her in the face.

A mother was slapped and verbally abused by her son as she revealed the difficult reality of caring for her children with Tourette's Syndrome during an interview on TV

Mandy Maysey kept a brave smile on her face as she was repeatedly hit by her son Tryxx while doing a live cross from her Gold Coast home on Monday

'You mean like this?' he said. 'Snap judgement. Snap, snap, snap, snap, snap.'

An embarrassed Ms Maysey apologised for her son's behaviour before Harris told her not to worry.

Ms Maysey went on to say her Tryxx's tics intensify when he is excited before she copped more verbal abuse from her son.

'I am not overexcited,' Tryxx yelled. 'You f***er.'

Ms Maysey was then bitten on her arm and hands, labelled a 'b***h' and spat in the face throughout the remainder of the interview.

The mother-of-three admitted she was concerned by the number of teachers who had a difficult time managing her son.

Tryxx is in Year Six and has 'mixed emotions' about attending high school next year. He said he feared he would be kicked out of the classroom like some of his primary school teachers had done in the past.

Ms Maysey admitted some members of the public made 'snap judgements' about her children before Tryxx turned in his seat and slapped her across the face

An embarrassed Ms Maysey apologised for her son's behaviour before a reassuring Harris swooped in and told her not to worry

What is Tourette's Syndrome? Tourette's Syndrome is a neurological condition that causes involuntary tics. The condition affects about 1 in 100 kids, yet the cause remains a mystery. Research indicates those under 21 are more commonly affected - as are boys generally more likely than girls to develop the condition. The symptoms are thought to lessen with age, however, those with the condition must learn to manage it for a lifetime. Advertisement

Ms Maysey, who is the president of the Tourette Syndrome Association, urged the government to provide more support to high school teachers.

'The problem we have with high school is because there's such a high amount of teachers, whereas primary school it's just one or two teachers,' she said.

'You can educate one or two teachers, but when you've got a different teacher for each subject, it just makes it that little bit more complicated.'

Ms Maysey reassured there was 'no malice' behind the involuntary tics and that they simply could not be controlled.

'Because of the nature of tics being involuntary, being noisy, they can be seen to be quite obnoxious,' she said.

'What we need is for people to understand is they can't control it. There's no malice behind it.

'If teachers could actually just understand, or any other school staff, could understand.'

Tryxx is 11-years-old and a Year Six student who has 'mixed emotions' about attending high school next year

Ms Maysey reassured there was 'no malice' behind the involuntary tics and that they simply could not be controlled

Tourette's Syndrome resource available for schools Tourette's Syndrome Association president Mandy Maysey revealed there were plenty of resources available to help manage students who were living with Tourette's Sydnrome. Tac'Tics is designed to 'directly support the education and awareness of children living with Tourette Syndrome in schools throughout Australia. The program is available as an app and is described as an 'immersive digital scavenger hunt with purpose, based on augmented reality and gamification'. Teachers can find the app on the TSAA website. Advertisement

Tourettes affects about 1 in 100 kids, yet the cause remains a mystery.

Research indicates those under 21 are more commonly affected - as are boys generally more likely than girls to develop the condition.

The symptoms are thought to lessen with age, however, those with the condition must learn to manage it for a lifetime.

The Tourettes at School Report shows one 44 per cent of students living with Tourette's are told off.

One third are sent out of the classroom while a student living with the condition is three times more likely to be suspended.
A popular Australian DJ has suddenly died in the Netherlands just days after sharing an Instagram post about his 'rebirth'.

Ryan Biggs, 30 - best known as the artist DELETE - was found dead at a home in Waalwijk, in the south of the Netherlands, on Saturday night.

The cause of Mr Biggs' death has not been confirmed, but local media outlets report that police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

Mr Biggs spent the past nine years in Europe making a name for himself in the hardstyle community, with devastated relatives revealing it hadn't always been easy.

His stepmother, Annmarie Biggs, said he had struggled with his mental health at times during his time away from home.

DELETE was known as the 'king of gated kicks', a sound technique popular in his style of music, and had garnered more than 67,000 fans on social media from across the world.

Ryan Biggs, AKA Delete, (pictured right) was found dead at home in the Netherlands, aged 30

The DJ's death has rocked the hardstyle community, with hundreds of fans paying tribute

Biggs had previously opened up about his struggles with depression and had cancelled shows in the past and stalled song releases due to his state of mind.

Two weeks before his death, Biggs issued a message to followers as he played what would be his final set at the Netherlands' REBiRTH festival.

He thanked them for sticking with him throughout his career even during his period of 'silence' and vowed to give them an incredible performance, describing what he was going through himself as a rebirth.

'My rebirth process has begun!' the post began.

'Im so grateful for all my fans that have stuck with me the past few years while I was silent.'

'Ill make sure it was worth the wait.

'WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE!'

Just weeks before his death, Biggs had issued a post thanking for fans for sticking by his side as his battle with depression slowed down music releases

Devastated fans and friends flocked online to pay their respects to the beloved DJ as the hardstyle community reels over his unexpected death.

Fellow Australian DJ Toneshifterz said he was in 'absolute shock'. 'Rest in peace legend,' he said.

'It was too early for you to leave, you touched many peoples hearts with your music and we will miss you. We lost an Australian hardstyle Legend today.'

Dutch DJs Randy 'Ran-D' Wieland and Bob van der Palen, aka B-Front also offered their condolences to his family and said he would be 'missed'.

'Im absolutely shattered right now,' one fan wrote. 'Thank you for everything. Im grateful that I got to witness you multiple times in Australia. You will never be forgotten in the hardstyle community. RIP King'

'I am so upset on what has happened today,' another person said,'12 years ago you have changed my life, first artist to make me fall in love with the RAW scene, your style of music makes me happy every time I hear it.

'Keep kickrolling up in heaven.'

DJ Delete, who became known as the 'king of gated kicks, played at many high-profile hard dance events across the world

Biggs' biggest hit was 'Payback ', featuring MC Tha Watcher, which almost 2 million hits on YouTube and 8 million on Spotify since its release in 2018.

He performed at some of the world's largest hardstyle events including Defqon.1, Decibel, QAPITAL, Loudness, Q-BASE, Dominator, Masters of Hardcore, Hard Bass, and Supremacy.

In recent years, he had been open about battling with depression which had led to delays in releasing his albums as he grappled with 'burnout'.

In March 2021, he revealed the past seven years had been 'tough' after he suffered a number of 'tragic events' in 2013 when he first migrated to Europe.

'My struggle with depression, anxiety and other mental problems have gotten worse every year for the past few years,' he wrote on Facebook.

'The depression I had never really went away... it turned dark again ever since my album at the end of 2018.

The DJ, whose career spanned more than 15 years, moved to the Netherlands in 2013

He opened up about his struggles with depression in a candid post in March last year

WHAT IS HARDSTYLE? Hardstyle is a sub-genre of Electronic Dance Music (EDM). It is characterised by heavy use of synthesisers and sound distortion. It emerged in the Netherlands in the late 1990s and mixes influences from techno, new beat, and hardcore. This style tends to features a hard-sounding kick drum and distorted and detuned vocals. Popular hardstyle musical festivals include Syndicate, Tomorrowland, Imagination, and Defqon.1. Advertisement

'Depression is debilitating and makes the simplest things much more difficult. It really has taken away my ability to accomplish anything meaningful. Finishing music used to be second nature, but lately it's like climbing a huge mountain.'

Biggs said he had started seeking help after becoming overwhelmed after taking on too many projects at the beginning of 2021 after fans asked him to make more music.

'I just started it way too optimistically and jumped the gun scheduling releases when I really shouldn't have, but the silver lining is that I finally made the move to get help. I've finally started medication, getting psychologic help etc,' he said.

'I want to thank you for your support over all these years and being patient with me.

'The one thing that has kept me going is the love and support I get from you guys, and my colleagues/label(s)/agency, who also have been great.'

Biggs leaves behind his father Gary, mother Yvonne, sister Jess, step mother Annmaree, and step brothers Grant and Jeremy.

His stepmother Annmaree Biggs has launched a GoFundMe to help raise funds to bring the musician's body back home to Australia.

Devasted loved ones now face the daunting task of trying to get the DJ back home to Australia

Ms Biggs said he left his homeland to follow his dreams as a DJ and producer in the hardstyle scene, and the distance had been hard on his family.

'It's been so hard for us with Ryan on the other side of the world, but we have watched his successes and were so proud of him,' she said.

'For the last few years it has been tough on Ryan with the lockdowns and mental health issues but he gave it everything he had for his fans.'

Ms Biggs said the family were devastated' to wake up on Sunday to the 'absolutely shattering' news of his death.

'We need to get him home to lay him to rest.. and give him the funeral that he deserves to celebrate his life as a family and start healing,' she said.

'Please help us get Ryan aka Delete" back to his family and home where he can rest in peace.'

For confidential support in Australia, contact Lifeline: 13 11 14, Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636, or Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467.
Allies of Lord Frost have called for him to stand as MP in the by-election triggered by Neil Parishs resignation.

The former Brexit minister is being urged to stand down as a peer and contest the Tiverton and Honiton seat in Devon, which has a Tory majority of more than 24,000.

One ally told The Sunday Telegraph that he was a proper Conservative with star quality, who could even be a future prime minister.

Lord Frost, pictured, is understood to have indicated to friends that he would consider standing if Tory headquarters want him to do it.

Last month it was reported that friends had suggested the peer as a potential candidate for Wakefield, where the incumbent, Imran Ahmad Khan, resigned after being found guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage boy.

Lord Frost, pictured, is understood to have indicated to friends that he would consider standing if Tory headquarters want him to do it

Members of the House of Lords cannot stand for election in the Commons. But, as a result of changes introduced in 2014, Lord Frost could resign from the Lords to stand for a Commons seat.

Opposition parties, however, will be hoping for a backlash in Tiverton and Honiton akin to the Conservatives defeat in North Shropshire following the resignation of Owen Paterson last year.

Lord Frost, who has been critical of the direction of Mr Johnsons administration, said Britain had developed a strongly established culture of dependency, where people look to the state to solve their problems rather than making efforts themselves, and where business faces ever-growing practical obstacles to normal commercial activity.

He added to the Telegraph: It is always difficult to call a halt, but call it we must. This is a Conservative government and it is time to talk about Conservative principles - not only of low taxation and enterprise, but of freedom to act, to create and retain wealth, to debate and to speak freely even if others dont like your opinions.
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Former president Donald Trump held a rally in Nebraska on Sunday, where he spoke for almost two hours and attempted to make the case for voters to elect a Republican gubernatorial candidate who is accused of sexually assaulting several women.

Trump appeared alongside Charles Herbster, an embattled local businessman who is now a Nebraska candidate for governor.

Last month, the Nebraska Examiner reported that eight women, including a state senator, accused Herbster of touching them inappropriately.

But Trump defended Herbster during the rally, which was held in Greenwood, Nebraska, just northeast of Lincoln.

'He's been maligned. He's been badly maligned and it's a shame,' Trump said. 'That's why I came out here. I defend people when I know they're good.'

Trump also misspoke at one point, accidentally endorsing the wrong Ohio candidate for Senate.

'We've endorsed Dr. Oz. We've endorsed JP right? JD Mandell. He's doing great.'

Venture capitalist JD Vance is running for a senate seat in Ohio, as is former Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel.

Former president Donald Trump held a rally in Nebraska on Sunday where he spoke for almost two hours

'He's the most innocent human': Trump defended the Nebraska governor candidate, Charles Herbster, pictured center, accused of groping several women including a state senator

Trump mixed up the names of J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, and former State Treasurer Josh Mandel

The rally, held at the I-80 Speedway, was postponed from Friday when storms forced the event to be called off.

Herbster helped to advise Trump on his agricultural policy when he was in office.

Photographs of the two together feature prominently in Herbster's promotional material.

Herbster also donated to his campaigns. The former president did not hold back on his gushing endorsement.

'He's a good man. He was with us from the beginning. He's been my friend for 30 years, he's an innocent human being.'

Trump even suggested that he was putting himself out by endorsing Herbster and that Friday's cancellation of the rally meant he could have 'easily have gotten out' of coming.

'I could have gotten out of this one real easy. I could have played golf, I could have gone to the beach. And I'm here with Charles W Herbster. I said "Charles are you are I have to come?"'

'We cant let this stuff happen. By the time he clears himself the election will have happened,' Trump said.

Trump's endorsement of Herbster, who has never held public office, is seen as another example of the former president taking a gamble on an ultra-loyalist, rather than better connected opponents.

But it could be enough to turn Herbster into a real contender in a state that heavily backed Trump in 2020.

'Charles W. Herbster has been a tremendous supporter of America First and Make America Great Again, right from the beginning,' said Trump in his endorsement.

'He is running for governor of the great state of Nebraska and will do a fantastic job.

'A proud native of Nebraska, Charles is an extraordinarily successful businessman who will fight for our farmers and ranchers, support our military and vets, and protect and defend your under siege Second Amendment rights.'

Trump spoke for almost two hours as he riffed off the crowd while using a teleprompter

Trump made the case for voters to elect a Republican gubernatorial candidate, Charles Herbster, who is accused of sexually assaulting several women. He is pictured at Sunday's rally

Last month, the Nebraska Examiner reported that eight women, including a state senator, accused Herbster of touching them inappropriately as well as groping.

Several women told the paper that Herbster touched them inappropriately as they attended a meet and greet and posed for a photograph.

Republican State Senator Julie Slama alleged that Herbster reached up her skirt and touched her inappropriately and without consent as she walked by him in a crowded ballroom in 2019.

A former aide to a state senator, Elizabeth Todsen, alleged Herbster grabbed her buttocks at the same event.

My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell (R) greets Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster during a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump at the I-80 Speedway

Trump appeared onstage at the rally for almost two hours and went through a 'greatest hits' of talking points

Before Trump spoke, Herbster took to the stage took a moment to address the allegations suggesting they had come about because the 'political establishment' did not want him to win.

'They are trying to scare me out of this race and it's not going to happen. We are going to take back Nebraska,' Herbster said.

Herbster has released a series of television ads denying the accusations.

'I respect all women, all females across this land,' Herbster said. 'The number of calls and text messages and prayers coming in to me has been absolutely overwhelming.'

Herbster's campaign mirrors a line used by Trump as he promises to 'make Nebraska great again'.

Trump said Herbster was 'a very good man.'

Herbster took to the stage on Sunday speaking for around half an hour on several topics, including critical race theory.

Herbster promised that he will ensure the controversial topic will not be taught in Nebraska universities.

The gubernatorial candidate also outlined his position on illegal immigration.

Herbster said he welcomes immigrants so long as they enter the United States legally.

Herbster also talked about China and said he will not allow the country to buy land in the Cornhusker State.

He also said he plans to ensure election security in Nebraska.

Speaking of the groping allegations, Herbster said the accusations 'lack even a shred of credibility' and have damaged his reputation

One of Herbster's email addresses was among millions dumped online by hackers who accessed accounts of users of Ashley Madison, a website that advertised itself as catering to married people looking to have discreet affairs

Last month it was revealed how an email address linked Herbster was used to set up an account on the cheating website Ashley Madison.

The address was among millions released by hackers in 2015.

The revelation will increase scrutiny of Herbster's troubled campaign.

Speaking of the groping allegations, Herbster said the accusations 'lack even a shred of credibility' and have damaged his reputation.

Herbster, a wealthy cattle breeder and loyal Trump ally, launched his candidacy last year and used the email address charles@herbsterangus.com on his official filing with the Nebraska secretary of state.

The same address was in the huge trove of Ashley Madison data dumped online by hackers, according to an independent analysis conducted by a cybersecurity expert for DailyMail.com.

Earlier this month, Nebraska State Senator Julie Slama accused Herbster of putting his hand up her skirt at a public event. Herbster denies the accusation and has launched legal action

Log-on information associated with the Herbster email address shows the account was accessed from an IP address linked to Verizon Wireless, at a location that corresponds to Kansas City International Airport.

Among Herbster's business interests is Conklin Company, which manufactures more than 130 products, including roofing and agriculture products, such as fertilizers and motor oil, and has its administrative offices in Kansas City, Missouri.

He also owns Herbster Angus Farms, a cattle breeding business. In 2019 he spent a record $1.5m on an Angus bull.

Proving who used particular email addresses, and whether the user signed up for an Ashley Madison account, is notoriously difficult.

But the charles@herbsterangus.com address is listed in connection with Herbster Angus Farms in directories, as well as documents used to file his run for governor.

Herbster has been married twice, and his second wife Judith died in 2017.

The details will raise fresh questions for Herbster, whose campaign makes much of his born-again Christian credentials, business experience and relationship with Trump.

His campaign did not respond to multiple requests for comment until after this story was published.

'This is clearly another attempt by the fake news to smear Charles,' said spokesperson Emily Novotny.

'Charles 100% denies ever using Ashley Madison or creating an account.'

Former President Donald Trump arrives for a rally at the I-80 Speedway on Sunday

The outgoing Republican governor Pete Ricketts has said Herbster would a 'terrible' choice and has thrown his weight behind rival candidate University of Nebraska regent Jim Pillen.

The rally also saw the participation of two conservative activists who have continued to falsely claim the 2020 election was rigged and stolen from Trump, MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell and Republican activist David Bossie.

Trump appeared onstage at the rally for almost two hours and went through a 'greatest hits' of talking points.

He spoke freely about the Biden administration's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan last August while praising his own administration's delivery of the coronavirus vaccines through Operation Warp Speed.

Around 2,000 people gathered to hear the former president speak on Sunday afternoon

While speaking about the pandemic Trump he took a moment to mock Chief Medical Advisor Anthony Fauci and his flip-flopping on face masks.

He noted how he did the right thing by supporting Republican governors who decided to keep their states open rather than enforce lockdowns.

'It's the China Virus, whether we like it or not,' he told the crowd. 'I was also right about Wuhan [the Wuhan lab].I think I was right about everything.'

Trump added: 'What a mess this country's in. Our country's going to hell, but we'll turn it around  we're gonna turn it around.'

Trump referred to the coronavirus as the 'China Virus' during his time in office including the Wuhan lab in China where some believe it originated.

At the time, critics bashed the 45th president for referring to it as the 'China' virus but Trump appeared emboldened as he revived the nickname on Sunday eliciting laughter and cheers from the crowd.

'On Covid, we had tremendous success. I rejected mandates, I rejected unscientific lockdownsand I fought to get our children back into schools.' He added, '[The Democrats are] the party of disinformationalmost everything they say is false.'

President Trump said the Biden administration 'imposed horrific mandates, punishing lockdowns, and radical mask regulations.'

Nebraska candidate for governor Charles Herbster greets guests before the start of the rally

Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster speaks during a rally at the I-80 Speedway

Former NFL player Jack Brewer, left, embraces Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster during prayer at the rally

He got the crowd chanting 'Joe's gotta go' as he criticized the Biden's administration's handling of the war in Ukraine.

'This could be a very dangerous thing where we have incompetent people running things. I never realized how important being president was until we have someone who goes over to Europe and embarrasses our country.'

'Joe Biden and the radical left have turned calm into chaos, competence into incompetence, stability into anarchy, prosperity into poverty and security into catastrophe, otherwise they're doing a fantastic job.

Trump then went on to attack Joe Biden's cognitive state during the energetic rally.

He called on Biden to 'put the question to rest by taking a cognitive test.'

Trump appeared at the rally to support Charles Herbster in the Nebraska gubernatorial race

President Trump is the MASSIVE favorite for the 2024 election! pic.twitter.com/3lExfBSUQy  RSBN  (@RSBNetwork) May 1, 2022

'Just look at the video of Joe Biden attempting to speak last week very tough to Russia and Putin,' he began as he played a clip of Biden stumbling over his words and appearing confused.

'We have a president right now, sadly, who has absolutely no idea what the hell is happening. He's shaking hands with the air; he's walking around somewhat bewildered.

'What a mess this country's inbut we'll turn it aroundI just hope it's not too late in some respects,' Trump mused.

Getting back on track, Trump returned to the remarks written in his teleprompter.

'The election was rigged and stolen. Such stupid decisions are being made because of it, including the border, including Afghanistan.

'Our movement must continue to pursue a populist and nationalist economic agenda that puts working families before globalist politicians, that are fools, and corrupt multinational corporations,' Trump said to cheers at one point.

Trump also spoke about transgender issues briefly during the his 105 minute long rally.

'One of our top priorities must be to defend parent's rights. You see what's going on. No teacher should ever be allowed to teach transgender to our children without parental consent... We will save our kids and we will also keep men out of women's sports.'

Trump appeared wearing his signature red baseball cap at Sunday's Nebraska rally

"I don't believe California is not a winnable state. I think if you had a fair election, I think it's a very winnable state. I think we have a lot of winnable states." pic.twitter.com/2FJ3AnBVfj  RSBN  (@RSBNetwork) May 1, 2022

Trump shared his thoughts on voters and elections in California calling the Golden State a 'winnable state.'

Trump said 'millions and millions and millions' of allegedly fraudulent paper ballots were the reason California had been a Democratic 'blue' state for so long.

'You know, you take California. I think we do much better in Californiayou know they all say that you lose by, automatically, by millions of votes. I don't believe that.

'I went to California for just one rallyI never saw a crowd like thatthis crowd was massive,' Trump explained.

'I don't believe California's not a winnable stateI think if you had a fair election, I think it's a very winnable state. I think there are a lot of winnable statesI don't think they'd [the Democrats] win at all if we had fair elections,' Trump said to cheers.

"One of our top priorities must be to defend parent's rights. You see what's going on. No teacher should ever be allowed to teach transgender to our children without parental consent... We will save our kids and we will also keep men out of women's sports." pic.twitter.com/TNqVGp4CsE  RSBN  (@RSBNetwork) May 1, 2022

Former President Donald Trump is seen speaking to supporters during a rally in Greenwood, Nebraska

Nebraska Senate candidate Charles W. Herbster with former President Donald Trump in a photo from his Facebook page

Merchandise is offered for sale at a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump

Campaign posters supporting Nebraska candidate for governor Charles Herbster decorate the grounds of the I-80 Speedway prior to the start of the rally
Seven shocking reasons have been put forward in court detailing why a driver who killed four children and injured three others in Sydney's horror Oatlands crash must serve his full sentence.

Prosecutors detailed how Samuel Davidson, drunk and high on drugs, sped through a red light, drove on the wrong side of the road and forced a motorbike to swerve before mounting a footpath on February 1, 2020 and mowing down seven children walking to an ice-cream shop in a crime that shocked Australia.

Davidson was sentenced to 28 years in jail for his crime but now claims his sentence is 'crushing' and he deserves to have it slashed by more than a half because he's sorry and his ADHD is making prison life difficult.

Appearing via video link from Hunter maximum security prison on Monday, Davidson sat in prison greens and a face mask, staring straight ahead as his barrister Stephen Odgers QC described his 'good character'.

'He was a 29-year-old with no significant driving offences, had never driven while intoxicated before, was appropriately remorseful and his ADHD will make his imprisonment more onerous,' Mr Odgers said.

Davidson argued his ADHD and impulsivity made him get behind the wheel while high, but prosecutors said he'd binged on alcohol and drugs on prior occasions when off medication

Davidson, a professional truck driver, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Veronique Sakr, 11, (right) and her cousins, Sienna Abdallah, eight, and her siblings Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13

He argued that Davidson's maximum 28 year sentence with a minimum 21 years expiring when he turned 51 should instead be slashed to a minimum of eight years and four months.

This would mean Davidson walking from prison in 2029 after serving seven more years for four counts of manslaughter, one count of dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm and two of bodily harm by misconduct.

But Davidson's appeal before Justices Paul Brereton, Christine Adamson and Natalie Adams, also heard shocking details of the wild behaviour he engaged in before he committed the offences.

Crown prosecutor David Kell SC argued he had gone off his ADHD medication on several occasions before the tragedy and had binged on alcohol and illicit drugs.

After the crash, Davidson appeared distressed and was heard saying: 'What have I done? ... I have killed people ... I am going to jail' and is now serving a maximum of 28 years

Davidson, who is locked in in Hunter maximum security prison (above) claims his ADHD made being in jail 'onerous' and his term should be cut by more than half

Driving while drunk and after taking cocaine and MDMA, Davidson killed Veronique Sakr, 11, and her cousins, the Abdallah siblings, Sienna, eight, Angelina, 12, and Antony, 13.

He also injured three children, causing one boy permanent brain damage.

Davidson's lawyer argued that despite multiple victims, the offences had been caused by just a single act and that his ADHD made him drink to excess and his impulsivity had then made him get behind the wheel.

However, Mr Kell said that among the 'unique' circumstances of this 'exceptional' case taken into account at sentencing included the fact Davidson had been diagnosed with ADHD aged five, and had periodically ceased medication for the condition and binged on alcohol and drugs.

He said this 'history of being on and off ADHD medication' was Davidson's own 'choice'.

Mr Kell said the shocking details of Davidson's criminal conduct could be summed up in a series of seven different ways leading up to the tragedy. .

Samuel Davidson was jailed for 28 years for mowing down and killing four children aged under 14 when he was drunk and on drugs, but now claims it was an 'excessive' sentence and he had ADHD at the time

SEVEN SHOCKING REASONS SAMUEL DAVIDSON 'SHOULD REMAIN IN PRISON' UNTIL 2041 1. On February 1, 2020, after drinking the night before, Samuel Davidson starting drinking at 7am and continued until about 7.30pm , also taking cocaine and MDMA. 2. After leaving on what would be a total journey of 5.4km, Davidson 'exited a petrol station at speed and sped through a red light'. 3. He then 'engaged in menacing driving' half a metre driving behind a woman with two children on board, who could see him 'shirtless and laughing' as he 'swerved from side-to-side'. 4. Then drove on wrong side of road, overtook a car and drove round a roundabout in the wrong direction, anti-clockwise. 5. Stuck up his middle finger at a witness who saw him laughing and caused a motorbike to swerve sharply towards the gutter. 6. Accelerated through a red light and then crossed over four lanes on Pennant Hills Road, Oatlands. 7. In a 50kph zone on Bettingdon Road, drove up to 125kph, then at 133kph approached a bend and lost control, mounting the footpath and striking the children, killing four and injuring three. For up to 5 second s beforehand, he did not engage his brake pedal, and afterwards travelled a further 90m on the footpath before hitting a road sign. Advertisement

Immediately after Samuel William Davidson mowed down a group of children on a Sydney footpath, killing four of them, he tested positive for alcohol and drugs

On a wild ride which continued for a total of 5.3km ride, he exited a petrol station at speed and then sped through a red light.

He then engaged in menacing driving' by driving close to rear of another drivers vehicle, about half a metre behind and swerved from side-to-side to get past the car.

'The other driver had two children in her car, and in her rear view mirror could see Davidson and his passenger shirtless and laughing.

Davidson then drove on the incorrect side of the road and overtook another car.

'STUCK UP HIS MIDDLE FINGER'

He then drove around a roundabout in the wrong direction, anti-clockwise, and a witness observed him laughing as he stuck up his middle finger and caused a motor bike to swerve sharply towards a gutter.

Next, Davidson accelerated through a red light on Pennant Hills Road and across four traffic lanes.

Travelling south on Bettingdon Road, he clocked up a speed of between 122kph and 125kph in what was a 50kph zone.

Samuel Davidson will be 51 before he is allowed to apply for parole, but his lawyers argued that his ADHD and 'impulsivity' are to blame for his offending and he should get out earlier

The Abdallah family as they were before the tragedy which took the lives of Antony (left) and two of his sisters, Sienna and Angelina

When he approached a right hand bend, he was travelling up to 133kph, and owing to his excessive speed, he entered the bend in road and lost control of his vehicle.

Mounting the kerb and footpath he struck the Abdallah children and their cousin, killing four and injuring three, one critically.

Analysis of his vehicle later proved that during the five seconds before striking the children, his brake pedal was not engaged once.

'After striking all seven children, the vehicle travelled a further 90m on the footpath before colliding with a road sign before changing direction to the other side of the road,' the court heard.

At sentencing, Judge James Bennett said 'tragedy was inevitable' but that 'the magnitude of the tragedy, though, unimaginable'.

'DEVASTATION OF FAMILIES'

At the appeal hearing Justice Brereton said it was 'the devastation' to the families of the victims and the community which had resulted in a lengthy sentence for Davidson.

He said it was important 'to recognise the the dignity of each of the victims' in making the length of the sentence fit the punishment.

Davidson is two-and-a-half years into his sentence and is not expected to be eligible for parole until 2041.

Bridget Sakr (centre) and Craig Mackenzie (right) arrive at Parramatta District Court for Davidson's sentencing

In a statement Leila Abdallah (pictured) said she, her husband and the parents of Veronique had forgiven Davidson, referring to their Christian faith and their hope he will find God and repent

Both the Abdullah children's parents Danny and Leila and Sakr families have shown remarkable grace in the wake of the horrific incident, with Danny saying said he forgave Davidson 'for your sake, for my sake, and most importantly for my family's sake'.

But he also said at the time of Davidson's sentencing that it did not matter whether he received one year or 100 years, 'we wont get Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique back'.

'We will all have our hearts broken until the day we take our last breath and no sentence can help ease that pain.'

Judge Bennett acknowledged Davidson suffered from ADHD but did not accept impulsivity that day caused him to drive, seen in his consciousness of guilt immediately after the crash.

Justice Brereton told the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal at the end of Monday's hearing that the three judges would reserve their decision which will be published at a later date.
Amber Heard has fired her PR team and switched to a new firm after she became frustrated following a week of 'bad headlines' during a bombshell defamation trial brought by ex-husband Johnny Depp, a new report claims.

Heard was being represented by Precision Strategies, which she reportedly suddenly ditched in favor of LA-based consulting firm Shane Communications.

She made the move in apparent hopes she might receive more favorable coverage this week - during which time she is expected to take to the stand and testify.

'She doesn't like bad headlines,' an unnamed source told the New York Post, which first reported the news.

Another source told the newspaper Heard, 36, is 'frustrated with her story not being told effectively.'

The A-list trial in Virginia, which started on April 11 and is set to last another three weeks, has so far seen Depp, 58, claim he was the victim of domestic abuse during his four days of testimony.

His bodyguard on Thursday even described in detail the wounds on the actor's face allegedly sustained during a confrontation with Heard.

Just days before she is scheduled to give testimony against ex-husband Johnny Depp, Amber Heard, pictured last week, reportedly fired her PR team and hired a new public relations firm

Depp, 58, took the stand April 19 and has essentially controlled the narrative since then

Heard, 36,was using Precision Strategies but has now switched to the services of LA-based Shane Communications, an organization with a bevy of Hollywood experience

The Pirates of the Caribbean star is suing Heard for $50 million, claiming she defamed him and ruined his career after a 2018 Washington Post article in which she described herself as a 'public figure representing domestic abuse', without naming her ex-husband.

Heard is countersuing for $100million, and after three weeks of sitting silently in the courtroom during Depp's testimony, she is preparing to start her fight back, possibly as soon as Wednesday.

The PR firm switch came following several days of court testimony from Depp witnesses that saw the social-media mob suddenly turn against Heard.

Heard's credibility as a philanthropist also took a battering when it was claimed she had not donated her $3.5 million divorce settlement to charity - something she had promised publicly to do.

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'

She had apparently donated only $1.3 million  and much of that appeared to have come from her ex-boyfriend, billionaire Elon Musk.

According to Terence Dougherty, the chief operating officer of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the recipient of Amber's 'largesse', $500,000 came from a Vanguard fund connected to Musk.

Her contributions dried up by 2019, and Dougherty told the court the ACLU 'learned that she was having financial difficulties'.

Heard's lawyer is arguing Depp abused the her both physically and sexually and she hopes to make her point once she takes the stand early this week.

Shane Communications is led by its CEO David Shane, who has briefed against Depp in the past.

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

In 2017, the firm highlighted accusations made by Depp's former business managers, The Management Group, alleging that the Pirates of the Caribbean star needed to hire a shrink for his 'compulsive spending' habit of spending $2 million per month.

Depp then launched a $25 million lawsuit last month against his business managers, The Mandel Company, claiming 'gross mismanagement' of his affairs.

One crisis communications expert told the Post that they believed the new PR company would have its work cut out in order to change the narrative.

'It's crazy to change teams in the middle of a trial like this because you don't like the headlines,' said Lis Smith, a senior communications director for Pete Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign.

'After years of narrative building, you can't change the public's opinion in the three weeks when someone is suing you in a case.'

Heard and Depp, who were married for just 15 months from 2015, are halfway through the explosive trial, which is expected to end on May 19. The pair are pictured in November 2011

Heard never wanted cameras to be allowed in the courtroom at all, but Depp's team pushed for it, and won.

It means that the entirety of the trial could be heard by the public instead of the media simply cherry-picking what made it outside.

The trial has so far covered all manner of bizarre behavior with shocking allegations levied by both sides.

Depp has even accused his ex of defecating on their bed in an act of aggression.

Amber Heard is set to take to the stand in her bombshell defamation trial against ex-husband Johnny Depp as soon as Wednesday

The A-list trial in Virginia, which started on April 11 and is set to last another three weeks, has so far seen Depp claim he was the victim of domestic abuse

Testimony so far has also included photos of severed fingers, pictures of feces, videos of explosive arguments and temper tantrums, and even a discussion about the Hollywood star's penis.

Depp denies the allegations of abuse noting how he brought the lawsuit in order to clear his name.

Lawyers for Heard say such denials are not credible because the actor was too drunk and high to remember what occurred.

The trial in the Fairfax County Courthouse runs Monday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm, and is set to conclude on May 19.

Judge Penny Azcarate has a prescheduled conference from May 9 to 12 when the trial will pause for a week.
Russia yesterday stoked fears that Moldova may be next in Putins firing line  after blasts rocked part of the tiny nation.

When asked about the risks of war spilling into Ukraines neighbour after explosions rattled its Transnistria region, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told a Saudi broadcaster: Moldova should worry about their own future. Because theyre being pulled into Nato.

Transnistria is a breakaway region in the east of Moldova where ethnic Ukrainians and Russians outnumber Moldovans.

The tensions come as Defence Secretary Ben Wallace predicted that Putin could use Russias Victory Day to announce an intensification of the Ukrainian onslaught  and perhaps an opening of new theatres of war.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (pictured) suggested that Moldova, which was hit with explosions, could be Russia's next target

The explosions destroyed two powerful Soviet-era radio antennas that were re-broadcasting Russian stations in the region of Transnistria

Several explosions believed to be caused by rocket-propelled grenades were reported to hit the Ministry of State Security in the city of Tiraspol, the region's capital. No one was hurt in the explosions, officials said

UK's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured) believes that Russian president Vladimir Putin will escalate his military action on May 9

Mr Wallace said that the Russian president  whose advances in Ukraine are far behind expectations  might declare war on the worlds Nazis at the May 9 parade, which sees Moscow mark the Soviet Unions victory over Hitler.

Mr Wallace told LBC Radio: I would not be surprised... that he is probably going to declare on May Day that we are now at war with the worlds Nazis and we need to mass mobilise the Russian people.

He added: Putin, having failed in nearly all objectives, may seek to consolidate what hes got... and just be a sort of cancerous growth within the country.

We have to help Ukrainians effectively get the limpet off the rock and keep the momentum pushing them back.

Analysts had predicted that Putin wanted to be in a position where he could declare some form of victory on May 9.

But with Russian progress on the battlefield being less than conclusive, he may now seek to escalate further.
The chief suspect in the Madeleine McCann case could be charged with an offence by the end of the summer, sources claim.

German police officers have reportedly told a possible witness to be ready to give evidence in court against Christian Brueckner, 45.

The turn of events comes almost 15 years to the day that three-year-old Madeleine disappeared while holidaying with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal, The Mirror reports.

Brueckner was first named as a suspect by German Police in 2020 and is known to be a convicted paedophile.

Three-year-old Madeleine McCann vanished from the apartment she slept in with her two younger siblings on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant

Despite extensive police searches and worldwide media attention, no trace of Madeleine McCann has ever been found

German prosecutors insist they have evidence that Brueckner is responsible for Madeleine's disappearance.

Portugese police listed him as an 'arguido' - an official suspect - in her disappearance last month.

Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann have never given up hope of finding their daughter alive but are said to have welcomed the news that Brueckner may be charged.

The toddler vanished from the apartment she slept in with her two younger siblings on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant.

Despite extensive police searches and worldwide media attention, no trace of Madeleine has ever been found.

45-year-old German national Christian Brueckner was first named as a suspect in Madeleine's disappearance by German Police in 2020 and is known to be a convicted paedophile

Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said that after gathering evidence, his team of investigators are '100% convinced' that Brueckner killed Madeleine.

Friends who knew Brueckner during the time he stayed in Portugal in 2007 understand that charges will soon be made.

One former friend said: 'I got a call from the Germans asking questions about a previous statement I made.

'They said I should be prepared to come to Germany, possibly at the end of the summer. They said they were hoping to charge Christian with something but didnt go into any more detail.'

Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann have never given up hope of finding their daughter alive but are said to have welcomed the news that Brueckner has been charged

On May 3, 2007 Kate and Gerry McCann went to a small tapas bar metres away from their apartment to dine with friends. But when Kate returned to do a routine check on their children, she found that Madeleine had disappeared

In addition to kidnapping Madeleine, Brueckner is also a suspect in the rape of an Irish tour rep in 2004 as well as exposing himself to children in a playground.

It is not known if the new charges - said to be imminent - relate to Madeleine or the other crimes in which Brueckner is a suspect.

Brueckner is serving a seven-year jail term for a brutal 2005 sex attack on a 72-year-old woman and his application for early release has been rejected by the German authorities.

Last week, he wrote to MailOnline - along with his supporters around the world - to claim he had nothing to do with Madeleines disappearance almost 15 years ago.

In all the notes  handwritten in near perfect English  Brueckner explains how he feels he is being persecuted by prosecutors and police and even accuses them of fitting him up.
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Millions of tenants could get the right to buy the homes they rent from housing associations to help young people get on the housing ladder, it emerged last night.

Boris Johnson told officials in the last fortnight to develop the proposals to help 'generation rent'.

The plan is intended to give the 2.5million households in England who rent properties from associations the chance to purchase them at a discounted price.

It is inspired Margaret Thatcher's scheme, launched in 1980, that allowed families to buy homes from councils.

Michael Heseltine, then the housing minister, declared that 'no single piece of legislation has enabled the transfer of so much capital wealth from the state to the people' - but it infuriated the Left, who blamed the scheme for slashing the number of council homes available to people on waiting lists.

The plan was inspired by Margaret Thatcher's scheme that allowed families to buy homes from councils. Pictured right: Mr Johnson campaigning in Burnley ahead of the local elections

The proposal is intended to give the 2.5million households in England who rent properties from associations the chance to purchase them at a discounted price

Right to Buy: Flagship Thatcher policy that has seen more than 2.5million council homes sold off Right to Buy, introduced by the Thatcher government in 1980, led to more than 2.5million council homes being sold at discounted rates. Although some Labour-controlled councils were opposed, the Tories argued the scheme was necessary for increasing home ownership and rewarding aspiration. The sale price of a council house was based on its market valuation, discounted initially by between 33% and 50% (up to 70% for council flats), which was said to reflect the rents paid by tenants and also to encourage take-up. The maximum discount was raised to 60% in 1984 and 70% in 1986, but by 1988, the average discount that had by then actually been given was 44%. Some 6,000,000 people were affected, with around one in three actually buying their property. Michael Heseltine, then the housing minister, declared that 'no single piece of legislation has enabled the transfer of so much capital wealth from the state to the people'. Justifying the policy, he said: 'There is in this country a deeply ingrained desire for home ownership. The Government believe that this spirit should be fostered. 'It reflects the wishes of the people, ensures the wide spread of wealth through society, encourages a personal desire to improve and modernise one's own home, enables parents to accrue wealth for their children and stimulates the attitudes of independence and self-reliance that are the bedrock of a free society.' However, many on the Left have savaged the programme, blaming it for slashing the national stock of council-owned properties and lengthening waiting lists. When Labour returned to power at the 1997 general election, it reduced the discount available to tenants in local authorities which had severe pressure on their housing stock, including almost the whole of London. However, Tony Blair's government never actually attempted to abolish Right to Buy - perhaps wary of the huge backlash that could result. Advertisement

Under the new proposals, officials are also considering using taxpayer money paid out in housing benefits to help recipients secure mortgages.

Downing Street believes the new version of Right to Buy would help poorer households in red wall seats, reported The Daily Telegraph.

Current Right to Buy rules lets most council tenants buy their homes at a discount.

But housing-association tenants have limited discounts and can only buy a property acquired by an association since 1997.

The plan to widen the scheme to all housing association tenants was included in the 2015 Tory election manifesto  but it failed to materialise.

However, there's criticism over whether prices could still be too high and that it would not solve the housing shortage.

A government source said: 'The Prime Minister has got very excited about this. In many ways it is a replica of the great Maggie idea of 'buy your own council flat'. It is 'buy your own housing association flat.'

Robert Jenrick, who was housing secretary, said: 'Conservatives must be the party of home ownership.'

Right to Buy was seen as one of the flagship policies of the Thatcher government, which transformed the life chances of many former council tenants.

Its popularity among her 'aspirational' working class supporters has led to the Conservatives announcing numerous plans to widen the scheme in recent years.

David Cameron's government increased the discounts available to council tenants looking to buy their homes to 75,000 and 100,000 in London.

The Government is desperate to find ways to make it easier for younger people to get on the housing ladder, but its plans for housing reform were left in tatters late last year after a backlash from Tory MPs.

Ministers had said they wanted to overhaul the planning system to allow 300,000 homes a year to be built, in what would have been the biggest shake-up of the system in 70 years.

The reforms would have given councils mandatory targets for the number of houses that would need to be built in each area.

Local authorities would then have been required to divide areas into three categories  protected, renewal and growth.

Protected areas such as the Green Belt would get limited development.

In renewal areas, councils would be told to look favourably on development.

Applications that meet agreed local plans in growth zones would be approved automatically.

It comes as the Tories look to give a boost to their campaign for Thursday's local elections. Research by Survation found Keir Starmer's party has a 13-point advantage in parts of England choosing councillors next Thursday

Right to Buy: What discounts can you currently get? The Right to Buy scheme allows most council tenants to buy their council home at a discount. You can apply to buy your council home if: It's your only or main home

It's self-contained

You're a secure tenant

You've had a public sector landlord for 3 years, but it doesn't have to be 3 years in a row The maximum discount is 87,200 across England, except in London boroughs where it is 116,200. It will increase each year in April in line with the consumer price index (CPI). The discount is based on how long you've been a tenant with a public sector landlord, the type of property you are buying, and the value of your home. Source: Gov.uk Advertisement

Labour, which favours development of housing on former industrial 'brownfield' sites, has indicated it would oppose the legislation, describing it as a 'developers' charter'.

Meanwhile, Tory MPs had feared the new system of nationally imposed targets would lead to overheating in the South, while earmarking too little construction in the North.

Mr Johnson's attempt to relaunch Help to Buy comes as the Tories look to give a boost to their campaign for Thursday's local elections after the MP Neil Parish said he would resign as the MP for Tiverton and Honiton after admitting twice watching pornography in the Commons.

On Sunday, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insisted Mr Johnson would 'absolutely' remain leader no matter how badly the Tories fared in the council elections.

Pressure was also on Sir Keir Starmer to lead Labour to significant gains when polls in 200 local authorities across Britain.

Research by Survation found Labour has a 13-point advantage in parts of England.

The 46.9 per cent to 33.7 per cent margin is even bigger than the 41 per cent to 32 per cent recorded the last time the seats were contested.

Meanwhile the picture in Scotland and Wales is similarly bleak in the survey for ITV's Good Morning Britain, with Labour on course to stretch its lead from what was already a high water mark.

More than 4,000 council seats will be up for grabs in England, including parts of the Red Wall such as Bury, as well as Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and all 32 London boroughs.
Annastacia Palaszczuk has attacked Scott Morrison for 'dividing' Australia as she made her first appearance alongside Anthony Albanese during the election campaign.

The Queensland Labor Premier appeared with Mr Albanese to attend a union march through Brisbane on Monday morning, a day after he spoke alongside another Labor leader, Mark McGowan, in Perth.

In a press conference before the march, Ms Palaszczuk accused Scott Morrison of 'attacking' Labor premiers during the pandemic.

'The Prime Minister of this country had a golden opportunity to unite this country and during a pandemic, he chose to divide,' she said.

'He chose to attack Queensland, attack Victoria, and attack WA.'

Her comments came during the first time Ms Palaszczuk has campaigned with Mr Albanese at this election, after she took a three-week break over Easter.

Australian Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Brisbane on Monday

At the height of the pandemic, Morrison Government ministers were critical of Queensland's hard border stance which left families split apart.

One 26-year-old nurse from Canberra was refused to say goodbye to her dying father in Brisbane under Ms Palaszczuk's rules.

However, contrary to Ms Palaszczuk's claims that Mr Morrison attacked the premiers, the PM's government funded their lockdowns and even backed Mr McGowan's extension of the WA hard border earlier this year.

In fact, conservatives accused him of being pliant and allowing the premiers to effectively run the country by not challenging their border shutdowns or vaccine mandates.

Throwing her support behind the Opposition leader on Monday, Ms Palaszczuk said: 'This country needs someone who will unite this country and I believe that Anthony Albanese is definitely the person to do this job.'

'We have got someone here who will stand side-by-side Queenslanders, we have got someone who will stand by us to make sure that we get the infrastructure we need.'

Mr Albanese wore his Rabbitohs cap during the march alongside Premier Palaszczuk

She blasted Mr Morrison for not funding quarantine camps in Queensland as soon as she asked for them and said Mr Albanese would be more amenable to her demands.

'He would not have delayed things like quarantine. He would have stepped up to the plate,' she said.

'In relation to Scott Morrison, enough is enough. Now is the time, now is the time for us to unite the country and the man to do this is Anthony Albanese.'

The Labor leader spruiked his relationship with Ms Palaszczuk after they worked together as infrastructure ministers 10 years ago and also talked up his plan to lift wages.

'The simple principle that we celebrate today is a fair day's pay for a fair day's work,' he said.

The Labor leader is six points ahead of Scott Morrison in the polls and is on track on form Government - should the polls mirror the actual election results.

Mr Albanese also used his Perth speech address to officially unveil the party's new housing equity scheme.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison hands out lolly bags after Eid prayers to mark the end of Muslim Ramadan at Parramatta Park in Sydney

The Help to Buy scheme will provide an equity contribution of as much as 40 per cent of the purchase price of a new home and up to 30 per cent for an existing dwelling for 10,000 Australians.

Coalition Housing Minister Michael Sukkar said barely anyone would take up the offer because they don't want 'Anthony Albanese sitting at their kitchen table and owning part of their home'.

Mr Albanese also pledged to build more electric vehicle charging stations with $40million funding matched by the NRMA - as well as a hydrogen refuelling network on 16 busy freight routes.

Meanwhile, Mr Morrison has pledged an extra 50,000 older Australians will get access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card if he is re-elected.

The PM announced an increase in the singles income test threshold - from $57,761 to around $90,000 - from July 1 this year to broaden access to the concession card.

The couples threshold will also increase from $92,416 to $144,000.
A desperate mother used Scott Morrison's appearance at an Eid event to beg the Prime Minister to help her family flee Afghanistan.

Hundreds of Muslim worshippers gathered in Parramatta, west Sydney, on Monday morning for Eid prayers to mark the end of Ramadan.

Mr Morrison attended the event alongside community members from the nearby Parramatta Mosque and delivered a speech to the hundreds of worshippers in attendance.

After the prayers, tearful Afghan mother Hijara Taufiq approached the prime minister.

While surrounded by a mob of people Ms Taufiq begged Mr Morrison in broken English to help her brother's family flee the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Desperate Afghan mother Hijara Taufiq begged Scott Morrison on Monday to help her family free Afghanistan after her nephew's leg was 'broken' by the Taliban

'I want help,' she said. 'My family in Afghanistan. They now not have passport, visa.'

Ms Taufiq explained her family has been unable to migrate to Australia because of problems with their paperwork.

She also said her family's lives were in danger and that one of her nephew's legs had been 'broken' by the Taliban.

Hijara Taufiq uses the Prime Ministers appearance at Eid prayers in Parramatta to raise the plight of her extended family, who she says are in visa limbo in Afghanistan @SBSNews pic.twitter.com/X3fmKoXm4z  Anna Henderson (@annajhenderson) May 1, 2022

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Immigration Alex Hawke attended the Eid prayers event in Parramatta to mark the end of Muslim Ramadan

Mr Morrison handed out colourful bags containing lollies and bubble wands to an enthusiastic crowd on Monday

The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan following the retreat of allied forces - including Australia - last year.

The militant group's previous reign in the 1990s was marked by the violent oppression of women and the nation being used as a base for al Qaeda to strike the United States on September 11, 2001.

Ms Taufiq said 'school is over' for her four nieces - as in, they are no longer allowed to go to class - and begged the prime minister to hurry the processing of their visas so her family can live in safety.

The federal government has allotted 26,500 spots in its humanitarian program to help refugees from Afghanistan but over 180,000 applications have clogged Department of Home Affairs' processing systems.

During a speech to Muslim worshippers, Mr Morrison compared the finishing of Ramadan to the end of Covid restrictions

Muslim worshippers watched Eid al-Fitr prayers on a portable screen to mark the end of Ramadan at the event in Parramatta on Monday

Mr Morrison directed Ms Taufiq to the Liberal Party's candidate for Parramatta, Maria Kovacic for help.

'Maria will be able to work with you, we are bringing thousands and thousands of people from Afghanistan,' he said. 'We will do everything we can.'

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke also attended the event alongside the PM.

Eid festivities take place at the end of Muslim Ramadan and focuses on prayer, eating well, and being with family

Prime Minister Scott Morrison came armed with lolly bags to the Parramatta Eid prayers event on Monday to mark the end of Muslim Ramadan

Prior to the heartbreaking conversation, Mr Morrison delivered a speech to the hundreds of worshippers.

During his speech the prime minister compared the end of Ramadan to the easing of Covid measures across the country.

'Breaking this fast is a little like what the country is now going through, after two years of incredible difficult times' he told the crowd.

'Now we can see the dawn breaking. We can reflect as we go into this new period with hope, restored by our faith and by our community.'

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd (left) and Labor candidate for Parramatta Andrew Charlton (centre) greeted Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the event (right)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison attended the Eid prayers event in Parramatta on Monday where he spoke to an Afghan mother and handed out lolly bags to children

Mr Morrison also praised the country's large multicultural population.

'Australia is like a rope, with many different strands that weave together to make it incredibly strong,' he said.

Mr Morrison was later photographed handing out colourful bags containing lollies and a bubble wand to children to celebrate Eid festivities.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd was also a guest at the event, alongside Labor candidate for Parramatta Andrew Charlton.

Kevin Rudd and Andrew Charlton attended the Eid prayers event in Parramatta on Monday

Mr Morrison's Liberal government remains behind in the latest Newspoll, continuing to trail Labor 47-53 on two-party preferred basis

The government announced on Monday it would expand access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card.

An extra 50,000 older Australians will gain access to the concession should the coalition get re-elected, with the threshold for singles being lifted from $57,761 to $90,000 from July 1.

The couples threshold will also rise from $92,416 to $144,000.

Meanwhile, the government remains behind in the latest Newspoll, continuing to trail Labor 47-53 on two-party preferred basis.
There are calls for Bunnings to remove popular glue trap products from the shelves as disturbing photos emerge of native wildlife getting stuck to them

Concerns have been raised by wildlife advocacy group Wild Animals Australia over the killing of native wildlife, as a result of being caught in these particular traps.

'Animals have been known to tear off, or bite through, their own limbs in an attempt to free themselves,' the organisation claims.

More than 38,000 Australians have signed a Change.org petition calling for the products to be removed from the country's biggest hardware store.

Wildlife advocates calling on having glue trap products removed from Bunnings shelves over native wildlife deaths (pictured)

Animals have been known to tear off, or bite through, their own limbs in an attempt to free themselves (pictured)

The sticky and glue traps (pictured) that Bunnings sell are designed to capture insects only

One signatory, Maureen Cudmore, said: 'How horrific does this have to be before retailers and others such Bunnings have some care for our beautiful wildlife?'

Another, Trudi Nesbitt, said the country's wildlife is already at risk from natural predators, floods and fire, adding: 'Please stop this insanity Bunnings!'

Bunnings is not removing the sticky traps from the shelves but stressed they are designed for indoor use only.

In a statement, Adrian Pearce, Bunnings general manager for merchandise, said the warehouse understands there is a range of views about sticky traps and glue traps.

'We continue to work with our suppliers and the regulatory bodies to ensure we are well-informed on these products,' Pearce said.

Concerns have been raised by wildlife advocates 'Wild Animals Australia' over the killing of native wildlife, as a result of being caught in these particular traps (pictured)

Mr Pearce also noted Bunnings doesn't sell glue traps designed to catch rodents, 'which we understand can be purchased at other retailers.'

The store does offer a range of insect control products, which includes smaller sticky insect traps and non-sticky insect traps, such as the Yates Indoor fly trap, Envirosafe fly trap or Gepro Mile Bottle fly trap.

Most of the sticky insect traps that they offer are designed for indoor use only, as stated on the product packaging.

Mr Pearce stated they are working with suppliers to include additional information on the packaging, which they are aiming to roll this out before the end of the year.

Most of the sticky insect traps that Bunnings offer are designed for indoor use only, as stated on the product packaging (pictured)

Bunnings have said they are careful to ensure the sticky insect traps they offer, meet all government standards across all states and territories of Australia.

They will continue to closely follow the advice of Agriculture Victoria, other state regulatory bodies, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA), and work with their suppliers to innovate in this area.

Wildlife advocates are also calling for businesses including eBay and Amazon to stop selling glue traps. 'No creature deserves this fate'.
One boy is dead while another has serious pelvic injuries after a horror head-on crash on a major highway.

A Nissan Patrol was travelling north along the Bruce Highway at Gregory River near Prosperine in Queensland's north when the vehicle collided with a Toyota RAV4 travelling in the opposite direction on Sunday night.

A 12-year-old boy travelling in the Toyota died at the scene.

Another 12-year-old boy also travelling in the Toyota was transported to Proserpine Hospital but was later airlifted to Mackay with serious injuries.

A horror head-on crash on the Bruce Highway (pictured) claimed the life of a boy on Sunday

The Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service described the incident as an 'absolute horrific tragedy.'

'Please send your prayers and strength to the family and friends of all those involved,' the organisation wrote online.

The female Toyota driver, 48 from Cannonvale and sole occupant in the Nissan, a 45-year-old Townsville man, were both taken to Proserpine Hospital in stable conditions.

Forensic Crash Unit officers have launched an investigation into the horror crash, which closed the Bruce Highway in both directions for several hours.

'Lengthy delays expected, please avoid the area,' a Queensland Ambulance alert read.

The Central Queensland Helicopter Rescue Service (pictured) later airlifted an injured boy, 12 to Mackay Base Hospital

The speed limit is 100km/h along that stretch of the Bruce Highway.

It was one of several incidents the rescue helicopter was dispatched to over the Labor Day long weekend in Queensland.

One man was gored in the abdomen and kicked in the head by a bull at a rodeo at Bloombury near Mackay on Saturday night.

He was airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital in a stable condition but in 'significant pain.'
Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances that led to the apparent stabbing death of a young mother - with a 40-year-old being questioned by police.

The 35-year-old woman was left with critical injuries at the Patrick Avenue home at Croydon North, in Melbourne, at 10.15pm on Saturday.

Police had received reports of an assault and screaming coming from the house before they arrived on scene.

A neighbour said they attempted to perform CPR on the woman before emergency services tried to treat her - but she died shortly afterwards.

A 40-year-old man is being questioned after a woman died in a suburban home in Melbourne

Children's toys, including stuffed animal and balls, could be seen in the garage, with police taking a box of the items away

'Paramedics worked on a woman found with critical injuries,' a police spokesperson said.

'Sadly, the woman  who is yet to be formally identified  died at the scene.'

Homicide detectives have launched an investigation and continued to question a 40-year-old man. No charges have been made.

It is understood the man and woman were in a relationship.

A neighbour told Herald Sun they had heard screaming come from the house.

Another local said the man in custody was a 'nice normal person' and 'they were a quiet family'.

The road had been blocked off as police and forensics teams worked at the home on Sunday

Police were called to the property about 10.15pm on Saturday to reports of an assault

Police taped off the scene as forensic teams carried items away from the house.

Children's toys, including stuffed animal and balls, could be seen in the garage, with police taking a box of the items away.

Daniel Mr Woodrow who lives nearby said he was shocked to stumble across the police presence during his morning walk.

'I have never seen anything like this,' he said.

'I got woken up last night, I got out of bed  I actually thought it might've been a cat trying to kill a possum, there was a human element to it.'

Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through the website.

Police taped off the scene as forensic teams carried items away from the house

Police vehicle parked outside the house following the incident in Croydon North, Melbourne, on Saturday night
A New Zealand thug who crushed the face of a young reveller with a sack of stubbies must remain in Australia for the next two-and-a-half years to serve the community.

Jonathan Ewington, 39, was sentenced in the County Court of Victoria on Monday to the community corrections order for his savage 2019 attack on gatecrasher Tyson St Jacques.

Mr St Jacques, aged 21 at the time, had gone to the Rancho Relaxo music festival at Hastings on the Mornington Peninsula with a group of friends - but they were quickly asked to leave because they didn't have tickets to the private event.

Tyson St Jacques sustained horrific facial injuries after he was struck with a sack of stubbies by Jonathan Ewington

The court heard the Melbourne-born Ewington, who had travelled to the event from New Zealand, jumped a fence to attack his victim on the mistaken belief he had nicked his sack of beers from the party.

Mr St Jacques and his four mates had only moments earlier been asked to leave the private event by security guards, who instantly noticed the group had not been wearing the required wristbands to enter the festival.

The group left without incident, but Ewington decided to take matters into his own hands all the same.

The court heard he scaled a fence to remonstrate with the rejected party goers.

'What's in the f**king bag,' he shouted while charging at Mr St Jacques.

While Mr St Jacques' mate dropped his bag and ran, he stopped and held out his to allow Ewington to inspect what was inside.

The court heard Ewington grabbed the bag and continued to chase down the fleeing gatecrasher.

When Mr St Jacques attempted to retrieve his sack of beers, Ewington cracked him in the face with it.

The impact caused catastrophic injuries to Mr St Jacques face, breaking his jaw and sending at least one tooth flying.

Over the next three days he was treated at hospital for his fractured jaw and the dislocation of at least seven other teeth.

The court heard Mr St Jacques would likely require years of ongoing treatment, with three more teeth at risk of coming out.

Ewington faced up to 15 years in jail for the brutal attack on his young victim.

About 200 guests had attended the private festival.

Upon his arrest, Ewington told police he believed the gatecrashers had pilfered tents of wallets, mobile phones and his own passport.

He claimed while he never did check the contents of the sack he used as a weapon, he did recognise it had something heavy within it.

Jonathan Ewington must remain in Australia to perform community work over a vicious attack

Ewington maintained for years he had acted in self defence before accepting a plea deal to a lesser charge on the eve of his trial.

In pleading guilty to recklessly causing serious injury, Ewington pledged to pay for all of his victim's medical expenses, despite being unemployed and now having to move to Melbourne.

The court heard Ewington had dreams of becoming a pro snowboarder before he was involved in a car crash that caused him a brain injury.

Forced to work as a concreter, Ewington had spent the past seven years living in Wanaka where he lived with his partner and looked after his sick mum.

In sentencing Ewington to the community order, which includes 350 hours of unpaid work, Judge Simon Moglia accepted Ewington was now sorry for the injuries he caused Mr St Jacques.

He further accepted Ewington did not set out to assault his victim and had left him alone after bashing his face in with the stubbies.

'You caused his injuries as you were passing him when you swung the bag backwards at him not knowing he was still very close as you continued to pursue (his friend),' Judge Moglia said.

'Your conduct was certainly reckless was momentary and impulsive.'

Prosecutors had called for Ewington to be jailed, but Judge Mogolia accepted the fact he needed to be in Melbourne to carry out the community order was punishment enough.

'I agree that this disruption would be very significant indeed,' he said.
Valiant fighter pilot the 'Ghost of Kyiv', who shot down 40 Russian warplanes to defend the capital, is just a myth, Ukraine has admitted.

The 'Ghost' was an inspiring symbol of Ukraine's steadfast resistance against the Russian invasion.

Air Force Major Stepan Tarabalka, 29, was wrongly identified as the 'Ghost' in media reports, prompting the Ukrainian army to finally dispel the myth.

The air force wrote via Facebook on Saturday: 'The Ghost of Kyiv is a super-hero legend whose character was created by Ukrainians!'

Ukrainian air force Major Stepan Tarabalka (pictured left and right) is not the true 'Ghost of Kyiv', the army confessed, because there isn't one. Tarabalka died in battle on March 13

Mr Tarabalka was a real pilot who died in battle on March 13. He was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine, Ukraines air force said last month.

But he was not the Ghost of Kyiv, the force said.

'The information about the death of the The Ghost of Kyiv is incorrect,' Ukraines air force wrote in a separate post Saturday on Twitter.

'The Ghost Of Kyiv is alive, it embodies the collective spirit of the highly qualified pilots of the Tactical Aviation Brigade who are successfully defending Kyiv and the region.'

The legend emerged just a day after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, as social media users began to spread claims of an anonymous fighter pilot who had single-handedly taken down scores of Russian planes.

People call him the Ghost of Kyiv. And rightly so  this UAF ace dominates the skies over our capital and country, and has already become a nightmare for invading Russian aircrafts. pic.twitter.com/lngfaMN01I  Ukraine /  (@Ukraine) February 27, 2022

Though he was never real, the 'Ghost of Kyiv' is alive in Ukrainian hearts, the army said. This image of an unidentified fighter pilot was shared by numerous army accounts and politicians

Memes, photos, and even footage from a flight simulator video game circulated on social media claimed to show the Ghost of Kyiv during combat.

A day later, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko tweeted a photo that Ukraine's Ministry of Defense had shared three years earlier, 'showing' the Ghost of Kyiv had taken down six Russian pilots.

Two days later, Ukraine's official Twitter account shared a video including the same picture, along with footage of fighter jets in combat set to pulsating music with the caption: 'People call him the Ghost of Kyiv.

'And rightly so - this UAF ace dominates the skies over our capital and country, and has already become a nightmare for invading Russian aircrafts.'

By the time news outlets falsely identified the pilot as Tarabalka on Friday, reports had increased the ghost's toll to 40 planes.

Two days before his death, Ukraine's General Staff shared this photo of the legendary fighter sitting in the cockpit. They captioned it: 'Hello, occupier, I'm coming for your soul!'

Two days before his death, Ukraine's General Staff shared a photo of the legendary fighter sitting in the cockpit.

They captioned it: 'Hello, occupier, I'm coming for your soul!'

Tarabalka was born into a working class family in the village of Korolivka in the west of Ukraine.

He attended Kharkiv National University of the Air Force and leaves behind his wife Olenia and son Yarik, eight.

His mother Nahtalia said he used to watch MiG jets flying over their home and always dreamed of being a fighter pilot.

She said: 'He would always watch the paratroopers in their air exercises. And he would run in their direction to try to see where they landed. Since early childhood, he always dreamed of the sky, about flying higher than the clouds.'

Once qualified, he would regularly fly over their village and tilt the wings of his jet as a salute to the family.
Chris Dawson's fate will be decided by a judge alone after the alleged killer successfully argued he could not be given a fair trial before a jury.

On Monday, the Supreme Court of New South Wales agreed to the judge-only trial.

Dawson, 73, has pleaded not guilty to murdering his wife Lynette on Sydneys northern beaches in January 1982.

He was charged in 2018 following years of public scrutiny.

Chris Dawson is pictured after reporting for bail at Maroochydore Police Station before driving for two hours to Runaway Bay on the Gold Coast to meet his wife Sue last week

Chris Dawson (pictured left), is accused of killing his wife Lynette (pictured right) 40 years ago following her 1982 disappearance from Sydney

Dawson had also tried to have the jury trial matter pushed back after revealing he had failed to obtain legal aid funding for his defence.

The ex-rugby league player and teacher had hoped to delay the hearing in the hope it would advance his appeal to be granted public money to mount the defence for his upcoming trial, which is due to commence next week.

The Supreme Court trial is expected to cost Dawson hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal expenses.

Dawson remains free in the community on bail while awaiting trial.

Just last week he was spotted out with his third wife Sue after reporting for bail in Maroochydore on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

She has stuck with Dawson for more than three decades after first meeting him in 1990 or early 1991 when she was a science teacher and he was a PE teacher.

They lived at Yeppoon, near Rockhampton, on Queensland's Capricorn Coast.

His trial for the alleged murder of Lynette was given the go-ahead after the High Court of Australia dismissed an application for the matter to be struck out.

Lynette Dawson was 33-years-old when she disappeared in Bayview in Sydney's north, leaving two daughters behind.

Her body has never been recovered.

Chris Dawson's trial before Justice Ian Harrison is likely to take up to eight weeks.

Chris Dawson (left) is pictured having lunch with his wife Sue after reporting for bail at Maroochydore Police Station
A Texas mother shot and killed a man who broke into her home while her three children were inside.

The woman, who has not yet been identified but is reportedly in her 30s, was at her San Antonio home with her three children at around 10 p.m. Thursday when she heard the man break in.

Police say the man - who was later identified as 41-year-old Roman Rodriguez - entered the home from the rear through the laundry room, which is adjacent to South Side Lions Park, according to News 4 San Antonio.

Photos from the scene show a fence around the house also appeared to be broken.

At that point, police say, the woman grabbed a gun and shot the home intruder twice in the chest.

San Antonio police officers remained on the scene of a deadly home invasion Thursday night

Police say the home invasion occurred at around 10pm on Thursday night when the homeowner heard a man enter her house

The man - who was later identified as Roman Rodriguez, 41 - reportedly broke into the house from the rear laundry room and was found bleeding in the backyard

A broken fence was seen at the crime scene on Kashmuir Place in San Antonio

By the time police arrived on the scene of the 600 block of Kashmuir Place, they found Rodriguez sitting in a chair in the backyard as he bled out.

Rodriguez died from his wounds on the way to the hospital, police report, with the Bexar County Medical Examiner ruling he died from gunshots to his torso, KSAT reports.

No other injuries were reported.

Police are still investigating the shooting, but the homeowner is reportedly not facing any charges due to the state's Castle Doctrine, which allows for the use of force against another person who is unlawfully and forcefully entering or attempting to enter one's home, vehicle or work place, according to News 4 San Antonio.
The Alabama guard who escorted a murder suspect out of jail on Friday had sold her home weeks earlier and filed for retirement just a day before the pair vanished, as the woman's family insists that she would never help a 'killer' escape.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office on Sunday released pictures of inmate Casey White, 38, as he walked the halls of the Lauderdale County Jail.

In the pictures, Casey is seen tucking something under his right sleeve and looking around as he is followed by a prison guard.

He was serving a 75-year sentence and facing the death penalty for a 2015 murder. He previously tried to escape and was supposed to always have two guards on him when Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White, 56, picked him up from the jail at 9.41am on Friday.

She told a booking officer she was taking him to the county courthouse for a mental health evaluation, but no such evaluation was scheduled that day. She also said she was going to a medical appointment for herself, which was confirmed by the doctors' office, but for which she never showed.

An hour and a half later, they were both missing and her patrol car was found abandoned at a nearby shopping center.

The sheriff's office has since revealed that Vicky - who had a clean record and had been named 'employee of the year' four times - filed for retirement a day before she went missing. Her mother says Vicky had sold her house weeks earlier.

Lauderdale Sheriff Rick Singleton told NBC's Today Show: 'All indications are that she assisted him escape. The question we're trying to answer ... is, well did she do that willingly or was someone from outside threatening her?'

But Vicky's family continues to insists she is a 'sweet person' who never even spoke about Casey White.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office released its most recent surveillance photos of convicted murderer Casey Cole White, 38, who escaped the Alabama jail on Friday

The photos show him apparently tucking something under his right sleeve and looking around suspiciously as he is flanked by a guard

Vicky White, assistant director of corrections for the sheriff's department, went missing on Friday evening, having collected Casey Cole White (no relation) from county jail

A manhunt for Vicky and Casey White - who are not related - is ongoing, and the US Marshals Service is offering up to $10,000 for information about the pair.

A news conference with more information is scheduled for Monday at 10.30am.

Why was Casey White in jail? Casey White in his 2015 mugshot Casey White, 38, is 6'9 and weighs 260 pounds. He was first arrested in 2015 after he engaged in a crime spree across Tennessee and Alabama. In one night, he staged a home invasion, two carjackings and multiple shootings that left a dog dead and a woman injured. He then led police on a 100 mile-per-hour chase. It ended with his stolen car stuck in a field south of Huntsville, Alabama. Casey was found guilty of a total of nine charges, including trying to kill his ex-girlfriend and kidnapping her two roommates. Other charges included first degree robbery, first degree burglary, third degree burglary, breaking and entering a vehicle, animal cruelty for shooting a dog and attempting to elude. He was sentenced to 75 years in prison in April 2019. In June 2020, he wrote to Lauderdale County requesting a meeting with the sheriffs office, and confessed to killing Connie Ridgeway, 58 - providing a detailed description of the crime scene. He said he was paid to kill her, although no motive for hiring a hitman has ever been disclosed. He pleaded not guilty on grounds of insanity. Advertisement

Sheriff Singleton said that officials with the Sheriff's Department first became suspicious at around 3.30pm Friday, when officers at the jail realized Vicky had never returned.

They repeatedly tried to call her, he said, but her phone kept going to voicemail.

That's when they realized Casey never returned.

On Friday, Singleton said that while the evidence points to Vicky helping Casey escape, her motivations are unclear.

'We are trying to determine was that done willfully, or was she somehow coerced or threatened into participating?' Singleton said, pointing to the various excuses she used to justify breaking protocol by taking Casey out of jail without other officers present.

The jail official was armed with a 9mm handgun when she claimed she was taking Casey for an evaluation that wasn't ever scheduled. She said she would then head to a medical appointment for herself that also turned out to not take place.

'It was all bogus,' Singleton said. 'That leads us to believe that she was involved.'

Casey should have always had two deputies with him, he added.

The sheriff said it would be nearly impossible for Casey to get out of his handcuffs and free himself without any help, but he added that helping Casey would be out of character for Vicky, who had been named 'employee of the year' four times.

'I don't think there's any question she assisted, but to do it willingly would be so out of character for the Vicki White we all know,' he said.

On Saturday, Singleton said investigators are still treating the case as if she was taken against her will.

'Knowing the inmate, I think she's in danger, whatever the circumstances,' the sheriff said. 'He was in jail for capital murder and he had nothing to lose.

'Whether she assisted him or not, we don't know and we won't address that until we have absolute proof that's what happened,' he added, noting: 'We are assuming at this point that she was taken against her will, unless we can prove otherwise.'

Vicky's family members have since come forward to say she was a 'sweet person' who wouldn't have helped a 'killer' escape.

Frances White, Vicky's former mother-in-law, told DailyMail.com on Sunday that the accusations against Vicky don't match the 'awfully good person' she knows.

'I can't understand her leaving with a guy she knew was a murderer,' said Frances, 88, who said she last spoke to Vicky about a month ago. 'If he killed one person, he'd kill another.'

Casey White, above in February 2019, was in jail for 75 years when he was escorted out by Vicky White on Friday. He was also facing murder charges after confessing while in jail

Lauderdale Sheriff Rick Singleton announced on Saturday that Vicky's patrol car was found abandoned in a parking lot about an hour and a half after she 'broke protocol' to transport Casey

She says she has a hard time believing Vicky would have cooperated with Casey, who confessed to killing a 58-year-old woman while serving a 75-year sentence for a string of crimes, including animal cruelty for shooting a dog.

Frances, 88, says Vicky was married to her son Tommy White more than 16 years ago for about two to three years, eventually leaving him when his drug problems got bad.

'I read it in the paper this morning,' she told DailyMail.com Sunday afternoon. She left with that man. I said, "I can't see her doing that. She wasn't that kind of person.'

Vicky and Tommy raised cattle on a farm right across the street from her home, she said.

'She raised baby cows and stuff, and she worked hard,' Frances said.

She added that Vicky remained close with her and her son even after the divorce. Tommy died in January after struggles with Parkinson's Disease.

'Before my son got to where he couldn't drive, Vicky would always - she would come out to the car and help him in.

'We still was really good friends. She was a really sweet person,' Frances said.

Vicky had been with the Sheriff's Department for 17 years. NBC's Today show reported that she had turned in her retirement papers on Thursday - the day before she vanished.

Vicky's mother, Pat Davis, says she also doesn't believe that her daughter would willingly help an inmate she never even talked about.

Davis says Vicky sold her house and had been living with her for the past five weeks, but that she never brought up retirement or Casey White's name.

'You know, I never heard of him, never seen his picture, nothing. I didn't know anything about him,' she told WAAY.

'We don't know if she was took by force or if she was voluntarily in this. But we just want her back, that's all we want,' Davis said.

'She's never done anything, I bet she's never even had a speeding ticket. But I mean, she's always been, what I say, a good person. And like I say, this is all a shock.'

The US Marshals Service announced on Sunday that it is offering up to $10,000 for information about an escaped inmate and a 'missing and endangered' correctional officer who disappeared Friday after the two left a jail in north Alabama.

Connie Ridgeway, 58 (center) is pictured with her sons Austin and Cameron. Casey killed her in October 2015 in what he said was a contract hit. No motive has ever been given

White is seen during the hearing in the case of Ridgeway's murder in 2020

Casey admitted to killing Connie Ridgeway, who was found stabbed to death in a killing that shocked the small town of Rogersville - about 50 mi west of Huntsville.

People who knew Ridgeway, 58, said she was known for her friendliness and willingness to help others, and the community for many years held a vigil every October in her memory.

Casey's arrest at the age of 32 finally came after he engaged in a crime spree across Tennessee and Alabama.

In one night, he staged a home invasion, two carjackings and multiple shootings that left a dog dead and a woman injured.

The crimes were followed by a chase, where speeds reached more than 100 miles per hour, WHNT reported.

It ended with a stolen car stuck in a field south of Huntsville, and officers - who were evidently well known to him - pleading with him to put down his gun and give himself up.

Police are pictured in December 2015 taking Casey White into custody after a wild rampage across Tennessee and Alabama that ended in a 100mph car chase, and his stolen car stuck in a field

White got out of the vehicle with a gun and threatened to shoot officers and himself unless he could speak with Limestone Sheriff Mike Blakely.

Body-cam footage shows deputies attempting to get White to surrender by offering him smokeless tobacco and Sun Drop citrus soda while they waited for Blakely to arrive.

Casey White was found guilty of a total of nine charges, including trying to kill his ex-girlfriend and kidnapping her two roommates. Other charges included first degree robbery, first degree burglary, third degree burglary, breaking and entering a vehicle, animal cruelty for shooting a dog and attempting to elude.

He was sentenced in April 2019 to 75 years in prison.

In June 2020, he wrote to Lauderdale County requesting a meeting with the sheriffs office, and confessed to killing Ridgeway - providing a detailed description of the crime scene.

He said he was paid to kill her, although no motive for hiring a hitman has ever been disclosed.

In October 2020, Casey White, aged 37, appeared in court for an arraignment hearing, and requested to stay at the Lauderdale County Jail instead of going back to prison, WAFF reported.

His request was denied, after authorities said they believed that he was plotting to escape the Lauderdale County Jail.

They had found a makeshift knife, stashed in the showers, and suspected White was intending on using it to force someone to let him out.

'We got information yesterday that he had made a shank and he intended to escape today and take a hostage,' said Connolly, Lauderdale County district attorney, during the hearing.

'Our deputies did a great job.

'Found the shank and eliminated that threat this morning so we obviously aren't equipped to house somebody like that for that long term in our jail, so we are happy that the judge ordered him to go back to the department of corrections.'

White, having confessed, then pleaded not guilty, on grounds of insanity.
A Labor politician's controversial tweets have emerged where she describes Jesus as 'gay', denies Sydney's Lindt cafe siege was a terrorist attack and tells the Pope to 'get your head out of your a***'.

Mich-Elle Myers, the party's number five pick on the NSW Senate ticket and a friend of Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, shut down her social media profile as the cache of bizarre messages emerged.

But it came too late - with the tweets surfacing on Monday, three weeks out before the Federal election.

In one message, supplied to Daily Mail Australia, Ms Myers weighed in on the 2014 Lindt Cafe Siege when extremist Man Haron Monis held 18 people hostage for 17 hours before killing two of them.

A Labor candidate who denied the 2014 Lindt Siege was a terror attack and called Jesus 'gay' in a series of tweets has shut down her social media account

Mich-Elle Myers made a series of controversial tweets that touched on religion, politics and terror attacks before scrubbing them completely from her platform

The Labor candidate took to Twitter in 2016 to deny it was a terror attack - despite an inquest later declaring it was one. 'Martin Place was NOT a terror attack! Stop spreading the fear!' she tweeted.

'The nutcase in the cafe wasn't a terrorist he was a nutcase with a gun that killed innocent people.'

Ms Myers has also been critical of the Catholic Church, dropping a series of controversial messages about religion in 2013.

'Jesus was gay! You heard it here first,' read one of them.

Another read: 'I've had enough of the catholic (sic) church & the sh*t that comes from their mouths'.

The Labor candidate had also tweeted for the Pope to 'get your head out of your a***'.

Ms Myers went on to criticise anti-terrorism laws enforced in the country

Ms Myers also broke ranks from her Labor colleagues to also slam the AUKUS agreement signed between Australia, the United Kingdom and United States in November 2021.

'The news about nuclear subs and defence deals (sic) has made me feel sick,' she tweeted.

Ms Myers was also a close friend of CFMEU Secretary John Setka before he was kicked out of the Labor Party and convicted of harassing his wife in 2019.

'Why are these thugs so happy? Because we are one! (We won!)' Ms Myers captioned a photo of her and Mr Setka in 2018.

NSW Senator Hollie Hughes slammed the tweets saying they did not belong in parliament.

Ms Myers weighed in on the 2014 Lindt Cafe Siege when Man Haron Monis held 18 people hostage for 17 hours before killing two of them (pictured, hostage runs towards police outside the cafe)

'It says many things about Mr Albanese's weak leadership that he thinks these views are acceptable in the Senate,' she said.

Ms Myers said she regretted the tweets and apologised for any offence they might have caused.

'Ms Myers has apologised for her past comments. They do not reflect Labor's views,' an ALP spokesman said.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Ms Myers for comment.
A man has tragically died after becoming trapped under a forklift on a worksite in Sydney's west.

The man, in his 30s, was working at an industrial complex on Charles Street, St Marys, when the machine tipped on top of him at 6.30am on Monday.

Emergency services were called to the scene following reports of a serious workplace accident and arrived to find the man in a critical condition.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the man could not be saved and died at the scene.

A man has died after being crushed by a forklift on a worksite in Sydney's western suburbs (pictured)

The man was working for automotive manufacturer Custom Denning, which builds electrical buses, 7News reports.

Shocked co-workers have been sent home for the day by the company.

NSW Ambulance said three ambulance road crews were dispatched to the scene.

NSW Police has alerted SafeWork NSW which will investigate just how the incident occurred.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

The man's shocked colleagues were sent home as police launch an investigation

Devastated colleagues were earlier seen sitting in the car park as officers arrived at the site.

Devastated witnesses spoke to officers outside the complex, with some appearing visibly shaken.

The incident comes just weeks after a man died after being struck by a reversing forklift at a workplace at Banksmeadow, in the city's south-east.
Jill Biden will spend Mother's Day meeting with Ukrainian mothers and children who fled for their lives after Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, the White House announced late Sunday.

The May 8 meeting will take place in Slovakia, one of two eastern European countries the first lady plans to visit during a five-day trip that starts Thursday. She also will be stopping in Romania.

The trip will mark Biden's latest show of solidarity with Ukraine and comes just after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a secret visit to Kyiv on Saturday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, offering support amid Russia's invasion of the nation.

Romania and Slovakia share borders with Ukraine, which has spent the past two months fighting off Russia's military invasion.

The two countries also are NATO members.

First lady Jill 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

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) made a secret visit to Kyiv on Saturday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (right). Zelensky honored Pelosi with the Order of Princess Olga, a civil decoration bestowed upon women for outstanding service to Ukraine

Nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded its smaller neighbor on Feb. 24, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

Many have resettled in neighboring countries or relocated elsewhere in Europe.

Throughout the trip, Jill Biden will also meet with U.S. service members, U.S. Embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers and educators, the White House said.

After arriving in Romania on Friday, she is scheduled to meet with U.S. service members at Mihail Kogalniceau Air Base, a U.S. military installation near the Black Sea.

The schedule then takes her to the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Saturday to meet with government officials, U.S. Embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers and educators who are helping teach displaced Ukrainian children.

Four days after Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Biden appeared at a White House event wearing a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, Ukraine's national flower

First lady of the United States, Jill Biden waves during a swimming event at the 2020 Summer Olympics

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi pose for a picture with members of their entourage during their meeting in Kyiv

The first lady will travel to Slovakia to meet with staff at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava.

On May 8, Jill Biden will travel to Kosice and Vysne Nemecke in Slovakia to meet with refugees, humanitarian aid workers, and local Slovakians who are supporting Ukrainian families who have sought refuge in Slovakia.

She plans to meet with members of Slovakia's government on May 9 before returning to the United States.

The trip will be the first lady's second overseas by herself, following her journey to Tokyo last year for the opening of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games. The trip also will mark her latest gesture of solidarity with Ukraine.

Four days after Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Biden appeared at a White House event wearing a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, Ukraine's national flower.

She also invited Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, to sit with her during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in March, and had a sunflower sewn into the sleeve of the blue dress she wore for the occasion.

President Biden visited with Ukrainian refugees during a stop in Poland in March.

President Biden visited with Ukrainian refugees during a stop in Poland in March
An elite Sydney girls' school has banned students from using their phones at school after teachers flagged concerns over students being distracted by their phones during class.

Teachers at SCEGGS in Darlinghurst say students have become more dependent and distracted by their phones, with many noting a significant increase in device usage in class following last year's lockdown.

SCEGGS Darlinghurst is the latest school to impose restrictions on students using phones or electronic devices after Shore School banned students from bringing their own laptops to class last month.

An elite girls school has banned students from using their phones after teachers flagged concerns over students being distracted by their phones during class

SCEGGS Darlinghurst implemented the ban on mobile devices when several teachers raised the issue with school leaders.

The school's principal, Jenny Allum, later issued a letter to parents announcing the ban and the reasoning behind it.

Ms Allum explained that teachers were concerned by a 'seeming increase in students' distracted on their phones as they were trying to conduct lessons.

She also pointed towards students becoming too dependent on their devices.

Ms Allum told The Sydney Morning Herald: 'This seems particularly so after the COVID lockdowns, but perhaps [it is] for other reasons too.'

This decision by SCEGGS comes just a month after all-boys private school Shore School banned students from bringing their own laptops to class.

Teachers at SCEGGS Darlinghurst (pictured) in Sydney say students have become more dependent and distracted by their phones, with many noting a significant increase in device usage in class following last year's lockdown

SCEGGS Darlinghurst implemented the ban on mobile devices when a number of teachers raised the issue with school leaders. The school's principal, Jenny Allum, later issued a letter to parents announcing the ban and the reasoning behind it following the decision

Shore School - which charges $37,350 a year for Year 12 tuition - initially allowed students to bring their own devices to class for their education under a Bring Your Own Device policy.

But the prestigious, single-sex Anglican college backflipped and introduced a ban after many boys became increasingly distracted by gambling, porn, social media and streaming sites instead of focusing on their teachers.

The school's principal Timothy Petterson listed classroom distraction as one of the main reasons for the policy change and told parents the BYO policy was only 'sub-optimal to the learning of students.'

Teachers conceded at an information night for students last month that issues had arisen since boys at the school started to bring their own devices to class.

Shore School in North Sydney (pictured) initially permitted students to bring their own devices to class. But the prestigious, single-sex Anglican college has since implemented a ban after several were caught on online gambling sites, social media or watching pornography

A former student who graduated from Shore School last year penned an article for the school's newsletter elaborating on just how frequent laptop misuse amongst his peers was.

'Students are gambling, gaming, scrolling through social media, watching Netflix, purchasing things on eBay, video conferencing with their friends and viewing pornography all while their teacher is addressing them,' he said.

'I am five weeks out from the trial HSC in one of the top classes and this is still happening every single day.'

The author wrote that 'fewer than half of the students in most of my classes are paying full attention to teachers, with most staring blankly at their laptops'.

He recalled how one teacher had to stop his class 'every 10 minutes' to tell students to look up and pay attention.

The school is currently rolling out a new policy where boys will 'rent out' laptops with built-in controls instead of bringing their own devices.

Teachers have also been trained to be aware of device misuse in class.

Teachers conceded at an information night for students last month that issues had arisen since boys at the school started to bring their own devices to class

Bans and restrictions on mobile phones and laptops has become a divisive issue amongst schools and educators.

Last year, NSW clarified rules for primary and high schools following a review of phone use in schools.

'The new policy includes the digital device restriction for primary schools announced by the NSW Government in December 2018 in response to the review,' the department said.

'Under the new policy, secondary schools retain discretion to opt into the restriction or implement an approach that best suits their circumstances and the needs of their diverse communities.'
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The number of migrants crossing the Channel to reach the UK this year could top 7,000 by the end of the day.

The first five months of 2022 have seen last year's number of arrivals triple, as asylum seekers continue to arrive on British shores, adamant that Priti Patel's plan to send them to Rwanda won't stop them.

Dozens of those making the perilous journey from Calais and Dunkirk told the Care4Calais charity that they were still prepared to take their chances.

'I'm willing to risk it,' said one. 'Everyone is scared in the camp but I don't think it will affect them [the decision to cross the Channel].'

It comes as more migrants travelled this morning as the weather improved  showing Nigel Farage was right to say high wind was the reason behind the recent pause in crossings rather than asylum seekers being scared away by Priti Patel's planned policy to fly them to Rwanda for processing.

The former Brexit Party leader filmed himself on a boat in the water today, in which he claimed 'there have been spottings all over the place this morning', on what he described as 'another huge day'.

The group were this morning pictured being brought into Kent on board the Dover Lifeboat after rescue crews responded to an incident in the water in the early hours. That came after 254 people made the perilous journey yesterday, following an eleven day hiatus.

It takes the number to have been intercepted so far to 6,947 this year in 211 incidents, while last year a total of 28,526 migrants crossed the Channel in 2021 - significantly higher than the 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

The recent stoppage in crossings was being hailed by some Tories as an early victory for Home Secretary Priti Patel's much-publicised new scheme.

But Mr Farage said last week the lull was instead the result of the weather conditions, warning there would be an influx once again as the seas became calmer.

The number of migrants crossing the Channel to reach the UK this year could top 7,000 by the end of the day

The first five months of 2022 have seen last year's number of arrivals triple, as asylum seekers continue to arrive on British shores, adamant that Priti Patel's plan to send them to Rwanda won't stop them

Dozens of those making the perilous journey from Calais and Dunkirk told the Care4Calais charity that they were still prepared to take their chances

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force are seen as they brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A man amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force vessels Speedwell (left), Valiant, and Typhoon (right) in the Port of Dover, Kent, following a number of small boat incidents in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard the Dover Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A group of people thought to be migrants are escorted from a Border Force vessel (left) onto a bus (right) as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A young child is carried amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard the Dover Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel

A young child is carried amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

The Ministry of Defence took over control of migrant operations in April, when the Government also announced controversial plans to send some of those making the cross-Channel journey to Rwanda.

The Government's Nationality and Borders Bill - dubbed the anti-refugee Bill by campaigners as it makes it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and includes powers to process asylum seekers overseas - became law on Thursday.

Last month, Home Secretary Priti Patel signed what she described as a 'world-first' agreement with Rwanda.

The deal will see the east African nation receive asylum seekers deemed by the UK to be inadmissible, having arrived 'illegally' under new immigration rules, but it has been met with criticism and is already facing legal challenges.

It comes as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said today that the UK needs to work closer with France to solve the migrant crisis.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Worthing, he said: 'Nobody wants to see anybody making that perilous journey across the Channel and everybody wants to crack down on the criminal gangs that are driving this.

'The best way to do that is to have an international co-ordinated criminal response. I have worked on international criminal organisations before when I was director of public prosecutions.

'I know what can be done if you've got teams working together across Europe all the way along those routes absolutely bearing down on these criminal gangs and working very closely with the French authorities as well.'

Meanwhile, the French National Assembly member for Calais has warned crossings will continue to pick up in the coming months.

Pierre-Henri Dumont told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: 'We are going to the summer so we will have less waves and less danger for the smugglers. So we will have more and more people going to cross.'

Mr Dumont said there was evidence that UK Government plans to process asylum applications in Rwanda was encouraging migrants to attempt the crossing before these measures took effect.

'From what I heard from the migrants, it seems that the news of the new legislation in the UK with Rwanda gives the smugglers the availability of new commercial arguments (to) the migrants to urge them to cross quickly for them not to be sent away because of this new legislation.'

Mr Dumont said that he did not believe the measure would deter people from trying to reach the UK.

'When you leave your country because of flood, because of starvation, because you are not afraid of being hauled and sent back to another country, at least if you have a chance you will try,' he added.

And a Conservative MP has said it is too early to know if the Government's plan to process asylum claimants in Rwanda will deter migrants from attempting the Channel crossing.

Following the latest influx on Sunday and Morning, Tim Loughton, a member of the Commons home affairs committee, said while more arrivals could be expected, the Rwanda scheme represented a practical attempt to tackle the problem.

'They are depressing scenes and they are going to get worse,' he told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme.

'It may seem a very robust, extreme scheme, but it is the first thing that has actually been put forward that would actually practically do something about this problem.

'People in the south and up and down the country are just sick and tired of these people smugglers making a fortune out of human trafficking, this misery coming across the Channel.

'The Rwanda scheme is an attempt to do something practical about it. But is very early days - it was only announced three weeks ago and it hasn't started yet.'

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force are seen as they brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Young children are helped by military personnel amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Military personnel arrive to assist a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A young child is carried amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A group of migrants are brought in to Dover Marina by Border Force after an 11 day hiatus in crossings last month

A Royal Navy vessel tows boats thought to be used by migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a number of small boat incidents in the Channel

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, has said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes. Rightly, the British public has had enough.

'Through our Nationality and Borders Bill, we're cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.'

UK officials, including a Border Force vessel, escorted seven small boats of men, women and children into Dover Harbour at around 12.30am on Sunday.

The last migrants to arrive at the port were a total of 263 across seven small boats on April 19 - and Ministry of Justice data revealed not a single adult or child made it across since.

Last week, Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said 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'.

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 Mr 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.'

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

At least 230 migrants have crossed the English Channel yesterday after an eleven day hiatus in what was being claimed as an early victory for the Government's new scheme for sending asylum seekers to Rwanda

UK officials, including a Border Force vessel, escorted seven small boats of men, women and children into Dover Harbour, Kent, at around 12.30am

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 revealed not a single adult or child made it across since

It 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 (left) said 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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Last 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.

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

A Government spokesperson said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable. Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes.

'This week, the Nationality and Borders Act completed its passage through Parliament.

'Through this landmark legislation, the Government is cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.'
Fresh details have emerged about the showdown between a fed-up shop assistant and a woman who was allegedly caught using an empty child's pram to steal from his store.

Viral footage circulating online shows the worker confronting the woman outside Supercheap Auto in Ashmore, in the Gold Coast, last week after she allegedly tried to flee with a series of items stashed in the pram.

As the employee grabbed hold of the pram, the woman was heard screaming dramatically 'let my baby go' before allegedly stolen items fell from its blanket-covered carriage.

Now, a new video shared on social media on Monday shows the final moments of the incident, after the employee managed to recover some of the allegedly nabbed goods.

The new clip shows the embattled employee standing in front of her pram, trying to prevent the woman from leaving the scene.

New footage (pictured) has emerged of the dramatic end to a now-viral showdown between an alleged thief and store worker

But the woman barges him out of the way and storms off down the carpark, away from the automotive supplies store.

A witness, who was at the shop getting her windscreen wipers serviced, said staff allegedly saw her stealing on their cameras inside the store.

The eyewitness claimed to Daily Mail Australia that the woman had three disc brake rotors in her possession. They are valued at around $82.99 each.

'I heard the yelling before I saw them and just started filming,' the witness said.

'The worker was ok, he was angry more than anything.'

The bystander claimed staff recovered two rotors and believe the woman got away with a third hidden under the pram.

The woman barges past the employee and takes off down the car park as another worker picks up an allegedly stolen rotor

The Queensland Police Service said detectives are unaware of any complaints made about the incident.

Supercheap Auto did not return requests for comment.

The woman allegedly stole several disc break rotors (pictured) , which are valued around $82 each

The first video posted on social media on Sunday shows the woman tightly gripping her decoy pram, pretending there's a baby inside, as she bickers with the employee.

The employee is heard threatening to 'call the cops' if she doesn't return the allegedly stolen items as the woman tries to move the stroller out of his reach.

'Let my baby go,' she screams as the man takes hold of its handles and looks inside.

'You haven't even got a baby in there,' the man calmly replies.

'Don't touch my baby,' the woman screams again as the employee notices a box stowed inside the pram which has been craftily covered with a blanket.

'Oh there's a box in there!' the man cries in mock surprise.

A woman has been confronted by a frustrated employee after she allegedly used a decoy children's stroller to steal from a Super Cheap Auto (pictured)

The woman then seemingly gives up on her ploy and tells the retail assistant he can have 'the f***ing motor'.

She pushes a large cardboard box out of the pram and onto the pavement for the man to collect before finally calling him a 'f***head'.

Dozens of social media users flocked to the comments to share their thoughts.

'Leave my baby alone. Out thumps a brake disc. F***ing howler,' one said.

'No baby in there,' another commented.

'Ahhh the ol cover the baby in the pram routine,' a third said.
Staff at a top City law firm will be given the option of working from home full time - but they'll have to take a 20 per cent pay cut.

Managers at Stephenson Harwood are giving lawyers and other employees the option to stay at home permanently in return for the financial sacrifice.

Junior lawyers at the company have starting salaries of 90,000, meaning anyone taking up the officer would lose around 18,000.

Managers at Stephenson Harwood are giving lawyers and other employees the option to stay at home permanently in return for the financial sacrifice

A spokesman told the Times the offer would be available to all staff in London and most of its international offices, but partners would not be eligible.

The firm, which dates back to London, employs more than 1100 staff in the UK with eight offices across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

It is among the 50 highest-earning legal firms in the UK

Specialisms include maritime law, intellectual property and real estate, and full equity partners receive an average of 685,000.

Stephenson Harwood said it expected only a few staff to choose WFH full time, because, 'For the vast majority of our people, our hybrid working policy works well'.

Currently staff on a hybrid working arrangement can WFH two days a week.

The firm's pay reduction policy for full time WFH comes after the firm recruited lawyers during the pandemic who were not based in London, where living costs tend to be higher.

The spokesman said that in theory a senior associate solicitor could choose to WFH full time even if they lived in London, but it is likely they would be ruled out for promotion to become a partner.

Many companies are facing a battle to tempt staff back into the office, with some offering inducements such as free lunches and cinema evenings.

Meanwhile, Jacob Rees-Mogg is leading the government's efforts to persuade civil servants back to the office.

The firm, which dates back to London, employs more than 1100 staff in the UK with eight offices across Asia, Europe and the Middle East

Yesterday, the minister hinted staff could see their London weighting scrapped if they do not come back in for most of the week.

According to calculations by the TaxPayers Alliance pressure group, removing the subsidy  which is awarded to offset the higher cost of living in the capital  from those who work from home three days a week or more would save up to 250 million.

If such a move was imposed, it would affect many working at the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Cabinet Office and the Department for Work and Pensions, who are currently being asked to go into the office for just two days a week.

The Cabinet Office last night insisted that the estimate was too high because more London-based civil servants are going into work for the majority or all of the time. But Tory MPs welcomed the idea.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, MP for Chingford and Woodford Green, said: If they simply refuse to come back to work for the majority of the week surely London weighting should be removed. They are paid to come into work, and if they are not, they should not get that money.

Danielle Boxall, media manager at the TaxPayers Alliance, said: Taxpayers facing a cost of living crisis want to know they are getting value for money from the Civil Service. If mandarins insist on going remote long-term, officials must make savings.
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Russian state media has urged Putin to wipe the UK off the map using his most-powerful nuclear weapons as the despot's propaganda machine continues to threaten mass death over support for the war in Ukraine.

Dmitry Kiselyov, a man often known as 'Putin's mouthpiece', used his Sunday night show to call for attacks on Britain with a Poseidon underwater drone that he said would trigger a 1,600ft radioactive tidal wave and 'plunge Britain to the depths of the ocean.'

The drone 'has capacity for a warhead of up to 100 megatons', Kiselyov claimed - several thousand times the strength of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima - which would 'raise a giant wave, a tsunami, up to 1,640ft high' - enough to reach halfway up Scafell Pike, the tallest point in England.

Speaking against a background graphic showing the UK being erased from the world map, Kiselyov added: 'This tidal wave is also a carrier of extremely high doses of radiation. Surging over Britain, it will turn whatever is left of them into radioactive desert, unusable for anything. How do you like this prospect?'

Kiselyov also threatened the UK with an attack by Sarmat 2, Russia's latest nuclear missile which was tested by Putin a fortnight ago, which he claimed could also completely destroy the country with just a single impact.

'[Their] island is so small that one Sarmat missile is enough to drown it once and for all,' he said. '[It] is capable of destroying an area the size of Texas or England. A single launch, Boris, and there is no England anymore.'

Kiselyov's remarks follow a pattern that has developed on Russian state media in recent days of threatening Britain with nuclear holocaust, based on the false premise that Boris Johnson has threatened to carry out a nuclear strike on Russia without consulting NATO.

The threats are instead believed to be the result of the UK's staunch support for Ukraine, which has seen it move further and faster than other European nations in delivering arms to Kyiv to help in the fight against Russia and has seen Mr Johnson twice visit the Ukrainian capital to show his support.

Dmitry Kiselyov, known as 'Putin's mouthpiece', twice threatened to destroy the UK with nukes on his show last night - including with an underwater drone he claimed can cause a radioactive tidal wave

Kiselyov, speaking over a graphic that showed the UK being wiped from the world map (above), said a single Poseidon bomb would be enough to trigger a 1,600ft wave that would turn Britain 'into a radioactive desert'

Kiselyov also threatened the UK with Russia's new Sarmart 2 nuclear bomb (pictured during a test last month), claiming that a single missile would be enough to destroy the entire country

Russia has increased the intensity of its nuclear threats in recent days, as its military suffers brutal losses in the Ukraine war (pictured, a Russian soldier mans an armoured vehicle outside the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power in eastern Ukraine)

What is Russia's nuclear armed Poseidon torpedo? Poseidon is a Russian nuclear weapon currently in development that is a blend of torpedo and drone. Moscow claims it is unstoppable by current nuclear defences, and could be used to destroy coastal cities or blow up aircraft carriers and their battle groups. Poseidon is made up of a 65ft tube that is almost 6ft in diameter which can be carried by specially adapted submarines and launched like a torpedo. Once launched, it acts like a drone and can be remotely guided to its target. The tube is though to contain a nuclear reactor theoretically giving the drone an unlimited range if traveling on a pre-set course to its target. In order for an operator to control the drone, it would have to stay within range of some kind of control tower. Poseidon is thought to be capable of traveling up to 115mph which would give it the ability to out-run any torpedos that might be used to destroy it. It is also thought to be able to dive to 1km, which would also put it out of range of current torpedos. While the exact payload is unknown, the size of the nuclear warhead seen in leaked designs suggests it could have a yield of up to 100 megatons. That would make Poseidon roughly twice as powerful as the Tsar Bomba - the largest nuke ever created - which obliterated everything within a 60mile radius when it was tested in 1961, shattering the windows of buildings up to 560miles away. Exactly what would happen if a bomb twice as powerful as that was detonated underwater is unknown, though a tsunami would inevitably result. Scientists estimate the volcanic eruption which devastated Tonga earlier this year hit with a force of 10 megatons - or a tenth the power of Poseidon. Putin last gave an update on the development of Poseidon in 2019, saying it had passed key tests. However, the weapon is not thought to be operational and may not enter active service for several years. Advertisement

While Russia has stepped up its nuclear threats in recent days as its army suffers repeated defeats in Ukraine, the UK has dismissed the threats as 'bravado' while the US says it has seen no change in the position or readiness of Moscow's nuclear forces.

It comes as senior officers from MI5 informed the Home Office that the threat of Russian saboteurs entering Britain to carry out attacks on key British infrastructure and target high-profile politicians had increased.

'There is a serious concern that officers or agents attached to Russia's security services may attempt to enter the UK and target strategic locations,' one security source said last week.

Meanwhile, Russian state television earlier this week broadcast a segment which simulated how Putin could launch a three pronged nuclear strike on London, Paris and Berlin, leaving 'no survivors'.

Hosts on Channel One's 60 Minutes programme said the three capital cities could be hit within 200 seconds of nuclear missiles being launched, as chairman of the nationalist Rodina party, Aleksey Zhuravlyov, declared: 'one Sarmat missile and the British Isles will be no more.'

Western leaders have also been warned that infamous 'troll farms' are increasingly flooding the internet with pro-Kremlin messaging as part of an information war that Russia is widely judged to have lost so-far after Western support rallied firmly behind Ukraine.

New UK government funded research has revealed Moscow is now conducting a large-scale cyber operation to spread support for the war.

Online operatives were found to be ordering followers to target Western media outlets and politicians including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, by posting pro-war comments on their social media accounts.

The social media profiles of bands and musicians including Daft Punk, David Guetta, Tiesto and Rammstein also appear to have been targeted by the disinformation operation, which is being waged by Russia's infamous 'troll farms'.

One such troll farm - the ominously-named 'Cyber Front Z' - is said to operate out of a rented warehouse in Russia's second city St. Petersburg, where workers are believed to be paid up to 45,000 roubles (500) per month to post 200 pro-war and pro-Putin comments per day to platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.

The group uses messaging app Telegram to encourage Russians citizens to help wage its cyber war, organise targeted social media offensives and parrot Putin's rhetoric that Russia is freeing Ukraine from the grip of neo-Nazis and fascists.

Researchers say the group seems to have learned from the tactics used by QAnon conspiracy theorists and from the Islamic State terror group, and appears to hire salaried workers while encouraging Russian citizens to join targeted 'social media attacks'.

Ukrainian servicemen stand in a fox hole during an exercise not far from the second largest Ukrainian city of Kharkiv

Ukrainian troops patrol through defensive trenches on the outskirts of Kharkiv, as Russian forces continue fighting for control of territory to the east of the city

Ukrainian servicemen ride on an armoured presonnel carrier during an exercise near the second-largest city of Kharkiv

A pinned message on the group's Telegram channel explains to Cyber Front Z's subscribers how they can help strengthen Russia's pro-war narrative.

'Friends, the main weapon of a cyber fighter is information! But for effective actions on the field of information war, efficiency is important, which means you should always have your orders to hand,' the post reads.

'Therefore, for your convenience, we will mark our posts with hashtags, each of which will correspond to a specific category. This will allow you to quickly find the information you need on the channel and apply it during the ''battle''.'

The threats have ramped up amid warnings that Putin is preparing to declare all-out war 'within days' to enable Russia to launch a general mobilisation after its military took a battering in the early days of the war.

While Russia's invasion of Ukraine is widely viewed as a war, Putin's framing of it within Russia as a 'special military operation' has thus-far stopped him from conscripting large parts of the population into the military.

Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said that the Russian president might use Russia's victory day parade on May 9 to announce the mass mobilisation of his reserves for a final push in Ukraine.

It was initially thought Putin would try to use the parade to declare 'victory' in Ukraine - either by seizing Kyiv or, when that effort failed in March, by seizing Donbas.

But Russia's troops remain firmly bogged down in Ukraine's east, making only marginal gains while suffering punishing losses with Russian state media now acknowledging that no victory is likely by May 9.

A Russian military source told the Telegraph: 'The military are outraged that the blitz on Kyiv has failed.

'People in the army are seeking payback for failures of the past and they want to go further in Ukraine.'

Earlier this week, the Russian military was said to be furious that Putin had downsized the invasion of Ukraine and called for a new escalation of the conflict.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Wallace said Putin may declare a new war against the world's 'Nazis' at the victory day parade which sees Moscow mark the end of Russia's involvement in the Second World War.

With Putin's military having failed in their first wave of military objectives, Moscow has re-focused its efforts on seizing both the east and southern coast of Ukraine.

However, as in the first months of the invasion, Russian forces are being met with heavy Ukrainian resistance from Kyiv's determined armies.

Russian troops wearing 'Z' badges which have become emblematic of Putin's invasion guard the part of Mariupol, in Ukraine

Russian servicemen guard an area in Berdyansk, in territory under the control of Moscow-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian servicemen stand in the rubble of an apartment building destroyed in a military strike, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv

Some analysts had predicted that Putin wanted to be in a position where he could declare some form of victory on May 9. But with Russia's victory day parade now less than two weeks away, that is looking less likely.

Instead, Mr Wallace told LBC Radio that Putin could use the occasion to declare a new war on who he would call the world's Nazis to galvanise his populace in another push against the Ukrainian defenders.

'I would not be surprised... that he is probably going to declare on May Day that 'we are now at war with the world's Nazis and we need to mass mobilise the Russian people',' Mr Wallace said on Friday morning.

While several countries, including the UK, mark VE Day - the anniversary of the allied victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War - on May 8, Russia marks the data on May 9 due to the time difference.

The end of all combat actions came at 23:01 Central European Time on Tuesday May 8, 1945 - which was already May 9 in Soviet Bloc countries, including in Russia.

Mr Sherriff today said Russia was likely to double down on its approach to Ukraine, insisting to its people that it is the right approach.

He told BBC Radio 4: 'The worst case is war with Russia. By gearing itself up for the worst case, it is most likely to deter Putin because ultimately Putin respects strength.'

Ukraine's allies have massively stepped up support for Kyiv as fierce fighting rages in the east, with Kyiv's generals today saying that Russia is suffering 'colossal' casualties in the pivotal battle for Donbas.

Oleksiy Arestovych, a Ukrainian secret service veteran-turned presidential adviser, acknowledged his military is suffering 'serious losses' on battlefields in the east but insisted that Russia's casualties are 'much, much worse'.

Russia is pouring troops into the battle in Donbass in an effort to force a bloody victory having been defeated in its initial aim to storm in Kyiv, topple the government, and install a puppet regime loyal to Moscow.

After it became apparent they did not have sufficient force to take the capital, Russia's generals yanked their units out, patched them up as best they could, and then threw them back into the fight in Donbas.

They also adapted their tactics - abandoning precision missile strikes and rapid advances which saw them mauled around Kyiv in favour of slow advances behind walls of blanket artillery in similar tactics to WW1 trench warfare.

The move has been met with mixed success. Ukraine has acknowledged losing control of some towns and villages, but has made gains elsewhere in counter-attacks.
An elderly man has tragically died after a Toyota Landcruiser ploughed into the front bedroom of his house as he took a nap.

The Landcruiser veered off the road at about 3pm on Sunday afternoon, while travelling on High Street in Largs, a suburb in Maitland, in the NSW Hunter region.

Brian Whipps, 74, was rushed to John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition, where he sadly died the following day.

The Landcruiser (pictured) veered off the road while travelling on High Street in Largs, a suburb in the city of Maitland, in the NSW Hunter region at about 3pm on Sunday

The driver, 69, was also rushed to the same hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Officers from the Port Stephens-Hunter Police District have established a crime scene and will investigate the crash.

Mr Whipps home, which is located near an intersection, suffered structural damage.

Initial inquiries suggest the driver may have suffered a medical episode before he careened off the road and smashed into the home.

The Toyota Landcruiser has been seized for forensic testing.

Police have asked anyone who witnessed the crash, or has dashcam footage to contact the Maitland Police Station or Crime Stoppers.
Australian owners of the current generation of Ford Ranger utes are in for a refund due to supply chain pressures.

Ranger owners will share in $110,000 in compensation from Ford Australia after it stopped including fuel-saving 'stop-start' technology due to a worldwide semiconductor shortage.

That will amount to a refund of $1,100 for the around 100 owners, but the original buyer must still own the vehicle.

The 'stop-start' feature automatically switches off the engine when the car is stopped in traffic and then restarts it when the driver releases the brake pedal.

Current generation Ford Ranger (pictured) owners are in for a cash windfall due to a world shortage of semiconductors

Removing this fuel-saving technology results in a 8.1 per cent increase in the Ranger's official fuel-consumption rating.

The affected models are powered by Ford's twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel.

Not every customer with an updated version of the Ford Ranger is entitled to the refund as the company included the updated technical information in fine print on its brochure.

But the 100 or so customers who ordered cars before the changes were publicised are eligible for the $1,100 refund if the fuel-saving tech was missing.

A statement from Ford Australia said: 'Due to ongoing semiconductor shortages, certain Rangers arriving in Australia from January 2022 were not produced with automatic "stop-start".

'This included Ranger double-cab XL, XLT, FX4, Wildtrak and Wildtrak X models fitted with our (twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine) with 10-speed automatic transmission,' the company told the Drive website.

Ford Australia has apologised to owners who bought Ford Rangers expecting a fuel-saving feature that was discontinued

Ford Ranger owners were sent an email that said in part: 'We apologise for this change and, provided that you still own your vehicle, we would like to offer you a one-off pre-paid Visa gift card of $1,100 (including GST) as compensation for this specification change.'

Removing the fuel-saving technology means the average consumption of Ford Ranger XLT and Ford Ranger Wildtrak variants powered by the twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine increased from 7.4L/100km to 8L/100km.

This 8.1 per cent increase amounts to an extra $247.50 per year in fuel  based on the national average annual distance travelled of 15,000km.
Two Brits who fought for Ukraine could face the death penalty at the hands of their Russian captors.

Ex-care worker Aiden Aslin, 28, and Royal Anglian Regiment veteran Shaun Pinner, 48, were captured in mid-April while fighting in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine.

The breakaway Donetsk People's Republic prosecutor smirked as he informed a TV crew that his British hostages could be executed.

Andrei Spivak said: 'They are charged with a number of crimes against civilians of the Donetsk People's Republic.

'The maximum punishment for these crimes is the death penalty.'

Captive Shaun Pinner, 48 (left), pictured in the past few days, is a Royal Anglian Regiment veteran. Right: ex-care worker Aiden Aslin, 28, went to Ukraine in 2018 after fighting with Kurds in Syria

Aiden was heard saying he understood the accusations against him, but strenuously denied killing any civilians while fighting in the ravaged Donbas region.

British Army veteran Scott Sibley became the first UK national to die in Ukraine when he was killed last week, the Foreign Office confirmed.

It is highly unlikely that the charges - including the death penalty - could have been brought without Russia's approval.

Spivak said the pair are charged with 'acting deliberately as part of the armed forces of Ukraine, being on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic in a time of war'.

Prosecutor Andrei Spivak told a TV crew: 'They are charged with a number of crimes against civilians of the [DPR]. The maximum punishment for these crimes is the death penalty.'

They are also accused of trying to 'forcibly seize and retain power' of the Russia-backed separatist region.

The prosecutor listed further charges of 'violating the constitution, firing artillery shells, committing terrorist acts, murdering citizens and threatening civilians'.

Aslin said to camera: 'I understand fully what I am accused off and I agree with it fully up to the part about murdering civilians. I don't agree with [that].

'I agree with the fact that I fought on the territory of the [DPR], and fought against soldiers in peaceful settlements.'

He admitted using arms and weapons systems alongside other foreigners including Pinner.

Pinner appeared drained as he said he understood the charges.

Neither of the men were seen pleading guilty.

It is unclear whether they've been told they could face the death penalty.

The news emerged as Russia claims it has tracked down one hundred British 'mercenaries' fighting in Ukraine.

Aiden's mother Ang Wood said she was called by Russian captors urging her to be available for a video call.

Ang Wood told the captors that 'she didn't have Boris Johnson on speed dial'

They pressed her son to tell her to pressure Boris Johnson for him to be freed in exchange for pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk, she said.

Ms Wood added: 'I told them that I expected them to treat him humanely and adhere to the terms of the Geneva Convention because he is a prisoner of war - a soldier in the Ukrainian army and has been for nearly four years.

'He is not a mercenary, not a spy, as they have claimed before.'

Russia outlawed capital punishment in 1996, but some favour its reintroduction.

In February prime minister Dmitry Medvedev vowed to bring it back.

He said he hoped to 'restore a number of important institutions' including the death penalty for 'the most dangerous criminals'.

Medvedev added: 'By the way, it is actively used in the USA and China.'

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.'
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It was the policy that transformed the lives of millions of Britons and helped to propel Margaret Thatcher to three successive terms in Downing Street.

The then Prime Minister's Right to Buy scheme, which was introduced after the passing of the 1980 Housing Act, allowed council house tenants to buy their own homes.

The policy led to more than 2.5million council houses being sold at discounted rates and - despite fierce opposition from some on the Left - allowed some of Britain's poorest people to have a home of their own.

The policy's success was typified by the words of mother-of-two Ann Young, who said when she became the owner of the millionth council home to be sold under the scheme in 1986, that Mrs Thatcher's government had made her 'dream' a 'reality'.

The mother spoke outside the home that she now owned with her husband and children in Grampian, Scotland, after Mrs Thatcher had presented her with a bottle of whisky to celebrate her major milestone.

At the time the policy was introduced, Mrs Thatcher's government was hugely unpopular and in danger of being either forced from office by her own party or suffering heavy defeat at the next election.

But along with victory in the Falklands War in 1982, Mrs Thatcher's fortunes were transformed by the success of the policy and she remained in office at the 1983 election after defeating Labour's Michael Foot in a landslide.

Last night, it was revealed that Boris Johnson could be set to build on the success of Mrs Thatcher's most famous policy by allowing millions of tenants the right to buy the homes they rent from housing associations.

Whilst the Right to Buy scheme still exists, it does not currently apply to housing association tenants.

With the PM's Conservative Party taking a hammering in recent weeks amid the fallout from the partygate scandal and the recent furore over alleged sexual misconduct among MPs in Parliament, Mr Johnson may be hoping that the new policy helps his popularity to soar once again.

It was the policy that transformed the lives of millions of Britons and helped to propel Margaret Thatcher to three successive terms in Downing Street. The Right to Buy scheme, which was introduced after the passing of the 1980 Housing Act, allowed council house tenants to buy their own homes. Above: Mrs Thatcher handing over the deeds to the residents of a former council house in Essex in 1980. New owner James Patterson is seen at the property's front door with his family

The policy led to more than 2.5million council houses being sold at discounted rates and - despite fierce opposition from some on the Left - allowed some of Britain's poorest people to have a home of their own. Above: Mrs Thatcher with the Patterson family inside their kitchen

Mrs Thatcher is seen chatting to former council house tenants in Balham, south London, after they had bought their home from Greater London Council

Although some Labour-controlled councils were opposed to Right to Buy, the Tories argued the scheme was necessary for increasing home ownership and rewarding aspiration.

The sale price of a council house was based on its market valuation, discounted initially by between 33 per cent and 50 per cent (up to 70 per cent for council flats), which was said to reflect the rents paid by tenants and also to encourage take-up.

The maximum discount was raised to 60 per cent in 1984 and 70 per cent in 1986, but by 1988, the average discount that had by then actually been given was 44 per cent.

Some 6,000,000 people were affected, with around one in three actually buying their property.

The national policy was introduced after the then Conservative-led Greater London Council had brought in a general sales policy for tenants in London in 1977. GLC leader Horace Cutler was close to Mrs Thatcher.

From the start, Mrs Thatcher's policy was a resounding success. In the first year alone, the Government receiving 1,000 applications to buy each day.

In the run-up to the passing of the Housing Act, some Labour councils were hostile to the introduction of the scheme because they argued that by reducing the stock of council housing it force vulnerable tenants into the private rented sector and some even into homelessness.

Last night, it was revealed that Boris Johnson (left) could be set to build on the success of Mrs Thatcher's most famous policy by allowing millions of tenants the right to buy the homes they rent from housing associations

In August 1980, the Daily Mail reported on the introduction of the Right to Buy scheme under the headline, 'Maggie's deed for council tenants'

The policy's success was typified by the words of mother-of-two Ann Young, who said when she became the owner of the millionth council home to be sold under the scheme in 1986, that Mrs Thatcher's government had made her 'dream' a 'reality'

Some Labour local authorities were even deliberately sluggish in dealing with would-be buyers, with workers refusing to hand out application forms.

But Michael Heseltine, who as Environment Secretary was in charge of the legislation that put the policy into law, declared that 'no single piece of legislation has enabled the transfer of so much capital wealth from the state to the people'.

Justifying the policy, he said: 'There is in this country a deeply ingrained desire for home ownership. The Government believe that this spirit should be fostered.

'It reflects the wishes of the people, ensures the wide spread of wealth through society, encourages a personal desire to improve and modernise one's own home, enables parents to accrue wealth for their children and stimulates the attitudes of independence and self-reliance that are the bedrock of a free society.'

In Right to Buy's first year there were just 2,328 sales, but in the following 12 months there were 105,199 purchases.

Although some Labour-controlled councils were opposed to Right to Buy, the Tories argued the scheme was necessary for increasing home ownership and rewarding aspiration. Above: Scottish mother Mrs Young is seen outside her home with husband Alan and two children after they had bought their home in Grampian, Scotland

The then Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher (bottom right) visiting the Parker Family, of Ascot Close, Northolt, in London, who were among the first to buy their terrace council house from Ealing Borough Council, after the Conservatives took control of the council in May 1978

Mrs Thatcher handing over deeds to new owner George Greensmith and his wife, who were buying their council house in Balham, south London, from Greater London Council

In 1982-3, this figure leaped once again to a peak of 167,123. In the rest of Mrs Thatcher's time in office, that figure was repeatedly approached before the number of purchases plummeted after the PM was forced from Downing Street in November 1990.

Mrs Thatcher herself had introduced the policy in a special television broadcast to the nation. She said: If you have been a council tenant for at least three years you will have the right, by law, to buy your house.

Scottish mother Mrs Young, who was 30 when she became the owner of the millionth council house to be sold, told the Daily Mail in 1986: 'It's something we never thought we could get under a Labour Government.

'It was our great dream,' she added, before saying that she had 'always liked' Mrs Thatcher.

When Labour returned to power at the 1997 general election, it reduced the discount available to tenants in local authorities which had severe pressure on their housing stock, including almost the whole of London.

However, Tony Blair's government never actually attempted to abolish Right to Buy - perhaps wary of the huge backlash that could result.

Right to Buy Sales in England, 1980-2021 Year Number of sales 1980-81 2,328 1981-82 105,199 1982-83 167,123 1983-84 106,262 1984-85 77,522 1985-86 72,142 1986-87 76,748 1987-88 93,729 1988-89 135,701 1989-90 133,804 1990-91 76,332 1991-92 48,290 1992-93 37,686 1993-94 44,678 1994-95 43,336 1995-96 31,512 1996-97 33,206 1997-98 41,329 1998-99 40,272 1999-00 54,251 2000-01 52,380 2001-02 51,968 2002-03 63,394 2003-04 69,577 2004-05 49,983 2005-06 26,654 2006-07 17,756 2007-08 12,212 2008-09 2,886 2009-10 2,340 2010-11 2,753 2011-12 2,613 2012-13 5,941 2013-14 11,261 2014-15 12,235 2015-16 12,220 2016-178 13,433 2017-18 12,750 2018-19 10,926 2019-20 10,599 2020-21 6,994

Boris Johnson 'plans to revive Margaret Thatcher's Right to Buy scheme to help young people get on housing ladder'

Prime Minister told officials in the last fortnight to develop the proposals to help members of 'generation rent'

It's inspired Margaret Thatcher's scheme, launched in 1980, that allowed families to buy homes from councils

Plan included in 2015 Tory election manifesto, but has been reheated as Tories look towards local elections

BySophie Huskisson For The Daily Mailand Rory Tingle, Home Affairs Correspondent For Mailonline

Millions of tenants could get the right to buy the homes they rent from housing associations to help young people get on the housing ladder, it emerged last night.

Boris Johnson told officials in the last fortnight to develop the proposals to help 'generation rent'.

The plan is intended to give the 2.5million households in England who rent properties from associations the chance to purchase them at a discounted price.

It is inspired Margaret Thatcher's scheme, launched in 1980, that allowed families to buy homes from councils.

Michael Heseltine, then the housing minister, declared that 'no single piece of legislation has enabled the transfer of so much capital wealth from the state to the people' - but it infuriated the Left, who blamed the scheme for slashing the number of council homes available to people on waiting lists.

The plan was inspired by Margaret Thatcher's scheme that allowed families to buy homes from councils. Pictured right: Mr Johnson campaigning in Burnley ahead of the local elections

The proposal is intended to give the 2.5million households in England who rent properties from associations the chance to purchase them at a discounted price

Right to Buy: Flagship Thatcher policy that has seen more than 2.5million council homes sold off Right to Buy, introduced by the Thatcher government in 1980, led to more than 2.5million council homes being sold at discounted rates. Although some Labour-controlled councils were opposed, the Tories argued the scheme was necessary for increasing home ownership and rewarding aspiration. The sale price of a council house was based on its market valuation, discounted initially by between 33% and 50% (up to 70% for council flats), which was said to reflect the rents paid by tenants and also to encourage take-up. The maximum discount was raised to 60% in 1984 and 70% in 1986, but by 1988, the average discount that had by then actually been given was 44%. Some 6,000,000 people were affected, with around one in three actually buying their property. Michael Heseltine, then the housing minister, declared that 'no single piece of legislation has enabled the transfer of so much capital wealth from the state to the people'. Justifying the policy, he said: "There is in this country a deeply ingrained desire for home ownership. The Government believe that this spirit should be fostered. 'It reflects the wishes of the people, ensures the wide spread of wealth through society, encourages a personal desire to improve and modernise one's own home, enables parents to accrue wealth for their children and stimulates the attitudes of independence and self-reliance that are the bedrock of a free society." However, many on the Left have savaged the programme, blaming it for slashing the national stock of council-owned properties and lengthening waiting lists. When Labour returned to power at the 1997 general election, it reduced the discount available to tenants in local authorities which had severe pressure on their housing stock, including almost the whole of London. However, Tony Blair's government never actually attempted to abolish Right to Buy - perhaps wary of the huge backlash that could result. Advertisement

Under the new proposals, officials are also considering using taxpayer money paid out in housing benefits to help recipients secure mortgages.

Downing Street believes the new version of Right to Buy would help poorer households in red wall seats, reported The Daily Telegraph.

Current Right to Buy rules lets most council tenants buy their homes at a discount.

But housing-association tenants have limited discounts and can only buy a property acquired by an association since 1997.

The plan to widen the scheme to all housing association tenants was included in the 2015 Tory election manifesto  but it failed to materialise.

However, there's criticism over whether prices could still be too high and that it would not solve the housing shortage.

A government source said: 'The Prime Minister has got very excited about this. In many ways it is a replica of the great Maggie idea of 'buy your own council flat'. It is 'buy your own housing association flat.'

Robert Jenrick, who was housing secretary, said: 'Conservatives must be the party of home ownership.'

Right to Buy was seen as one of the flagship policies of the Thatcher government, which transformed the life chances of many former council tenants.

Its popularity among her 'aspirational' working class supporters has led to the Conservatives announcing numerous plans to widen the scheme in recent years.

David Cameron's government increased the discounts available to council tenants looking to buy their homes to 75,000 and 100,000 in London.

The Government is desperate to find ways to make it easier for younger people to get on the housing ladder, but its plans for housing reform were left in tatters late last year after a backlash from Tory MPs.

Ministers had said they wanted to overhaul the planning system to allow 300,000 homes a year to be built, in what would have been the biggest shake-up of the system in 70 years.

The reforms would have given councils mandatory targets for the number of houses that would need to be built in each area.

Local authorities would then have been required to divide areas into three categories  protected, renewal and growth.

Protected areas such as the Green Belt would get limited development.

In renewal areas, councils would be told to look favourably on development.

Applications that meet agreed local plans in growth zones would be approved automatically.

It comes as the Tories look to give a boost to their campaign for Thursday's local elections. Research by Survation found Keir Starmer's party has a 13-point advantage in parts of England choosing councillors next Thursday

Right to Buy: What discounts can you currently get? The Right to Buy scheme allows most council tenants to buy their council home at a discount. You can apply to buy your council home if: Its your only or main home

Its self-contained

Youre a secure tenant

Youve had a public sector landlord for 3 years, but it doesnt have to be 3 years in a row The maximum discount is 87,200 across England, except in London boroughs where it is 116,200. It will increase each year in April in line with the consumer price index (CPI). The discount is based on how long youve been a tenant with a public sector landlord, the type of property you are buying, and the value of your home. Source: Gov.uk Advertisement

Labour, which favours development of housing on former industrial 'brownfield' sites, has indicated it would oppose the legislation, describing it as a 'developers' charter'.

Meanwhile, Tory MPs had feared the new system of nationally imposed targets would lead to overheating in the South, while earmarking too little construction in the North.

Mr Johnson's attempt to relaunch Help to Buy comes as the Tories look to give a boost to their campaign for Thursday's local elections after the MP Neil Parish said he would resign as the MP for Tiverton and Honiton after admitting twice watching pornography in the Commons.

On Sunday, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng insisted Mr Johnson would 'absolutely' remain leader no matter how badly the Tories fared in the council elections.

Pressure was also on Sir Keir Starmer to lead Labour to significant gains when polls in 200 local authorities across Britain.

Research by Survation found Labour has a 13-point advantage in parts of England.

The 46.9 per cent to 33.7 per cent margin is even bigger than the 41 per cent to 32 per cent recorded the last time the seats were contested.

Meanwhile the picture in Scotland and Wales is similarly bleak in the survey for ITV's Good Morning Britain, with Labour on course to stretch its lead from what was already a high water mark.

More than 4,000 council seats will be up for grabs in England, including parts of the Red Wall such as Bury, as well as Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and all 32 London boroughs.
The government is embroiled in a row over its refusal to publish its contracts with a PPE firm linked to Tory peer Michelle Mone, with Labour saying it 'reeks of a cover-up'.

PPE Medpro was awarded 203million worth of Covid PPE contracts to supply surgical gowns and masks to the NHS without public tender, but is now being investigated by the National Crime Agency (NCA) as part of an inquiry into suspected fraud offences.

It was previously revealed that lingerie tycoon Lady Mone, who claims to have no link to PPE Medpro, referred the firm to the office of fellow Tory peer Theodore Agnew, who at the time was a Cabinet Office minister responsible for the procurement of PPE.

In January, Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, wrote to the government requesting the release of records related to the deal, and claimed PPE Medpro had won the contracts via a 'VIP lane' after Lady Mone contacted two ministers in May 2020.

Edward Agar, a junior health minister, responded to the letter last week and defended the government's purchasing of PPE, saying the alternative was 'not securing the PPE that was desperately needed'. However, he said the government could not provide correspondence relating to the contract with PPE Medpro as they remain 'commercially sensitive'.

Ms Rayner said the refusal to release the contracts 'reeks of a cover-up', and that the government was 'failing to be transparent with the public'.

It comes as Lady Mone's home on the Isle of Man was raided by the National Crime Agency last week by officers investigating PPE Medpro.

It was revealed that lingerie tycoon Lady Mone, who claims to have no link to PPE Medpro, referred the firm to the office of fellow Tory peer Theodore Agnew, who at the time was a Cabinet Office minister responsible for the procurement of PPE

Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, wrote to the government requesting the release of records related to the deal, and claimed PPE Medpro had won the contracts via a 'VIP lane' after Lady Mone contacted two ministers in May 2020

PPE Medpro appeared on the 'VIP Lane' list of companies given greater chances of a PPE contract after being added to it by Lord Agnew's office.

The firm, which is based in the Isle of Man, was formed on May 12, 2020, and, a few weeks later, was given a contract to supply 25 million sterile gowns and masks.

Lady Mone was linked to the company by the Guardian, however she denied have a 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.

Also in January, Ms Rayner wrote her letter to the government asking for the release of records connected to the deal with PPE Medpro, as had happened with Randox following lobbying by then Tory MP Owen Paterson.

Ms Rayner wrote: 'I would ask now that the government takes the same approach as it has to the contract with Randox, which was a similar matter of controversy, and commits now to place all correspondence and records relating to the award in the library of the house [of Commons] for parliamentary scrutiny.'

Mr Agar responded to Ms Rayner last week, saying not securing PPE at the start of the pandemic was 'clearly not an option'.

Lady Mone with her billionaire husband Doug Barrowman. She has denied any involvement with PPE Medpro, which was given government contracts along with another firm

PPE Medpro shows these products among items it currently offers on its website

He said 'all offers underwent rigorous financial, commercial, legal and policy assessments' before adding: 'However, we are unable to provide correspondence and records relating to the award of the PPE Medpro contract as these remain commercially sensitive, given the department is currently engaged in a mediation process concerning the products it received from PPE Medpro Ltd, which involves confidentiality undertakings.'

Millions of the medical gowns bought by the NHS from PPE Medpro were never used as they had not reached the British Standard for the sterilisation of medical devices or what was called a 'technical equivalent'.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) sought to recover money from PPE Medpro through mediation but the firm said it had complied with contact and that it was entitled to keep the money.

In a statement published by the Guardian, Ms Rayner said: 'The fact that Medpro is in mediation for providing useless PPE is no excuse for failing to be transparent with the public  in fact it only strengthens the need for clarity about how this eye-watering waste was allowed to happen.

'The government have shown complete disregard for working people by wasting taxpayers money on dodgy contracts.'

Government details show how Lady Mone referred PPE Medpro as a potential supplier

Officers from the NCA searched properties associated with PPE Medpro on the Isle of Man, including Lady Mone's 25million estate and an office building where the firm is registered. They also raided buildings in London connected to the firm.

The Isle of Man constabulary confirmed Wednesday's searches saying they were 'in support of an ongoing NCA investigation' and that no arrests were made.

Lady Mone, who founded lingerie brand Ultimo through parent company MJM International in 1996, has repeatedly denied any association with PPE Medpro.

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.

Lawyers for Lady Mone said suggestion of collusion between her and the firm would be 'inaccurate'.

'Baroness Mone is neither an investor, director or shareholder in any way associated with PPE Medpro', they told the Guardian.

'She has never had any role or function in PPE Medpro, nor in the process by which contracts were awarded to PPE Medpro.'

The DHSC directed all enquiries regarding PPE Medpro to the NCA.
Senior Conservatives are at odds over whether the party should choose from an all-female shortlist when selecting a by-election candidate to replace porn-watching MP Neil Parish.

A by-election contest is due to be held in Mr Parish's Tiverton and Honiton constituency after he announced he would quit Parliament.

It followed his admission he twice watched pornography in the House of Commons in a 'moment of madness' - although Mr Parish said the first occasion occurred as he attempted to look at tractors online.

Mr Parish's resignation has come amid a blitz of sexism, misogny and harassment allegations at Westminster.

This has led to calls for the Conservatives to display 'real evidence of change' by ensuring their by-election candidate is a woman.

But government minister Michelle Donelan today rejected demands for the Tories to use 'demeaning' all-female shortlists or quotas in deciding on election candidates.

She told Sky News: 'I've never been in favour of shortlists and quotas.

'We get more women into parliament by encouraging them, by breaking down barriers, by initiatives like Women2Win.

'We don't do it by putting in quotas which I find quite demeaning to women.

'Women can get there on merit.'

Michelle Donelan rejected demands for the Tories to use 'demeaning' all-female shortlists or quotas in deciding on election candidates

Caroline Nokes, the chair of the Commons' Women and Equalities Committee, has led calls for the Tories to ensure their candidate to succeed Mr Parish is female

Neil Parish will resign as an MP after he admitted to twice watching pornography in the Commons

Ms Donelan, the universities minister, drew a comparison between Britain's first two female prime ministers being Tories, while Labour have never had a permanent female party leader.

She added: 'We have got the Home Secretary (Priti Patel) who is a female, we have got the Foreign Secretary (Liz Truss) who is a female: those individuals got there on merit.'

Ms Donelan also said he had not personally experience any harassment in Parliament, but that it was 'horrific and alarming' to see so may reports of such conduct.

'This is not the majority of MPs, this is a minority,' she said.

'These are misogynistic dinosaurs. They do not represent the majority of MPs.'

Senior Conservative MP Caroline Nokes, the chair of the Commons' Women and Equalities Committee, has led calls for the Tories to ensure their candidate to succeed Mr Parish is female.

She told The Times: 'It would be real evidence of change if the Conservatives made sure they selected a local woman as the candidate for the by-election.'

Ms Nokes called on her party to 'seize the moment' and highlighted how two recent by-elections had been won for the Tories by women.

'Conservative women like Trudy Harrison (the Copeland MP elected in 2017) and Jill Mortimer (the Hartlepool MP chosen last year) are proof that they can win by-elections and then be great parliamentarians.'

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today said she believes the problems of sexism and misogyny in politics are getting worse - in part due to the impact of social media.

The SNP leader told ITV's Good Morning Britain: 'I don't thinks there is a woman alive, not just in politics but in any walk of life, who will not have experienced somewhere on the spectrum of misogyny and sexism behaviour which is unacceptable.

'In some ways I think it is worse today than it was when I was a woman starting out in politics.

'You become a bit inured to it and get used to it whereas I see it much more starkly through the eyes younger women.'

Friends of Mr Parish have claimed the MP was in fact searching for 'Dominator' combine harvesters when he opened a link to an adult website in the Commons.

Devon county councillor Colin Slade said he 'could see' how the search might have led to inappropriate content.

Mr Parish has described how he had initially been looking for tractors before viewing the adult content.

'I did get into another website that had a very similar name and I watched it for a bit, which I shouldn't have done,' he told the BBC.

'But my crime - biggest crime - is that on another occasion I went in a second time.'
A university lecturer has been charged with the brutal killing of his young wife as detectives scour the couple's bloodstained home for clues.

Adam Brown, a Deakin University lecturer from Croydon North in Melbourne, is alleged to have stabbed Chen Cheng, 35, at their home on Saturday night.

The 40-year-old was charged by homicide detectives on Monday afternoon and appeared for a brief hearing in court via video-link later that day where his lawyer Nick Tehan revealed his client had never been in custody before.

The circumstances surrounding young mother's death are still widely unknown with no details of the alleged murder aired in the court room.

Adam Brown, a Deakin University lecturer from Croydon North in Melbourne, has been accused of murdering his wife Chen Cheng, 35, inside their home. Pictured is the couple

The 40-year-old lecturer (pictured) was charged by homicide detectives on Monday afternoon

Emergency services were called to a Patrick Avenue address, in the city's northeast, at about 10.15pm on Saturday night.

It's understood forensic officers were met with an 'extremely graphic' scene with specialist cleaners seen arriving at the home on Monday, the Herald Sun reports.

Bags of bloodstained evidence were removed from the two-storey townhouse as detectives combed the property for clues.

Bags of children's toys were also taken from the scene.

A neighbour reportedly gave the mother-of-two CPR for 15 minutes before paramedics arrived but was unable to revive her.

Ms Cheng (pictured) married Dr Brown in China in 2017 with the couple going on to have two young children

Emergency services were called to the couple's Patrick Avenue address, in the city's northeast, at about 10.15pm on Saturday night

Bags of bloodstained evidence were removed from the two-storey townhouse on Monday (pictured is the couple's wedding)

A neighbour reportedly gave the young mother (pictured) CPR for 15 minutes before paramedics arrived but was ultimately unable to revive her

'Paramedics worked on a woman found with critical injuries,' a police spokesperson said on Sunday.

A shocked resident said she knew the man in custody to be 'nice and normal' and described the family as 'quiet'.

Neighbours previously recalled hearing a woman scream, with one saying they had mistaken the commotion for animals screeching in the night.

Daniel Woodrow who lives nearby said he was shocked to stumble across the police presence on the normally quiet street during his morning walk.

'I got woken up last night, I got out of bed  I actually thought it mightve been a cat trying to kill a possum, there was a human element to it,' he said.

It's understood forensic officers were met with an 'extremely graphic' scene with specialist cleaners seen arriving at the home on Monday. Picture is police at the scene

Shell-shocked neighbours have described the family as 'quiet' and Dr Brown (pictured with Ms Cheng) as 'nice and normal'

Dr Brown (pictured) is a senior lecturer in media and communications

Dr Brown is a senior lecturer in media and communications and has a doctorate in Philosophy.

He married Ms Cheng in China in 2017, and the couple went on to have two young children together.

Video he shared on Twitter less than two weeks before his wife's death, he records the couple on an amusement park ride called 'The Slingshot'.

The lecturer is heard asking his giggling wife if she feels out of her comfort zone who simply replies: 'This is nice'.

The lecturer (pictured at his wedding to Ms Cheng) is an avid social media user

'Paramedics worked on a woman found with critical injuries,' a police spokesperson said on Sunday. Pictured is Chen Cheng.

On International Woman's Day in March last year, Brown (pictured) posted a gushing tribute to his 'strong, creative and hilarious' wife to Instagram

On International Woman's Day last March, Dr Brown posted a gushing tribute to his 'strong, creative and hilarious' wife on Instagram.

He said Ms Cheng made him 'laugh every day' while keeping him sane and ensuring he was 'on time with everything'.

Meanwhile, flowers have been laid outside the North Croydon home, which has been cordoned off from the public as investigations continue.

No application for bail was made during Dr Brown's brief court appearance on Monday, which heard Ms Cheng's family had been notified of her death.

The magistrate has asked prosecutors to present a brief of evidence by August with the accused to remain in custody to return to court in September.
A British adventurer who was the first to open up tours in Iraq after the 2003 war has died in a Baghdad hospital as a member of his final excursion faces the death penalty for smuggling.

In what has proved to be his final trip, Geoff Hann, 85, died while under police guard in Iraq after officials stopped him from leaving the country.

Members of his team were accused of trying to take historical artifacts out of the country when visiting the ancient ruins of Eridu in southern Iraq.

Geoff Hann, a British adventurer who was the first to open up tours in Iraq after the 2003 war, has died under police guard in Iraq and officials stopped him from leaving the country

Jim Fitton, 66, a retired geologist and father of two, was detained in connection with the alleged smuggling.

Fitton was one of the members embarking on a tour with Hann throughout Mesopotamia, arriving at the Sumerian city of Eridu as one of the final spots on the list.

After his detention, his daughter Leila Fitton, 31 told The Daily telegraph: 'There were no guards present, no signage warning against removal of any of the detritus, and indeed neither the Ministry of Tourism representative with them nor the experience tour guide team led by Geoff gave a hint of warning that these items were considered valuable.'

She said her father asked with the representative and the tour guide whether they would be able to take home a few shards from the site to remember the trip by, and were told such mementos would be permitted.

More than 95,000 people signed a petition asking the Foreign Office to intervene after Fitton's family pleaded for help.

Jim Fitton, 66, a retired geologist and father of two, is facing the death penalty after being accused of smuggling out antiquities by the Iraqi authorities

Though Hann had initially planned to lead the tour himself, he fell ill during the journey, forcing a trainee guide to take over while the adventurer spent most of the remaining trip recovering on the bus.

Hann was alert to the sensitivity of the Iraqi authorities over antiques, managing a country which has become exploited by looters and smugglers over the years.

His guidebook, titled Iraq: the ancient sites and Iraqi Kurdistan, warns visitors: 'The outrage at the looting in Iraq, principally that of the National Museum, has resulted in the tightening and strict implementation of rules regarding the selling, purchasing and possessing of antiquities in Iraq.'

It also warns against buying antiques from bazaars and local street stores, adding 'under no circumstances should you try to smuggle antiquities out of Iraq.'

But as Hann was unwell, it appears he wasn't present to warn members of the tour in person.

Seemingly unbeknownst to the tour's leader, members of his group had taken some of the shards found at the Sumerian city, without interjection from the trainee tour guide.

Fitton, formerly a geologist for oil and gas companies who now lives in his adopted home of Malaysia with his wife Sarijah, was one of the members who allegedly tried to take the shards home.

Hann was alert to the sensitivity of the Iraqi authorities over antiques, managing a country which has become exploited by looters and smugglers over the years

Hann's guidebook, Iraq: the ancient sites and Iraqi Kurdistan, says: 'The outrage at the looting in Iraq, principally that of the National Museum, has resulted in the tightening and strict implementation of rules regarding the selling, purchasing and possessing of antiquities in Iraq'

The trip ended on March 19, with the group sharing a final meal at a Baghdad restaurant. Hann seemed to be doing better.



But the 85-year-old had a stroke the day before he was due to fly home, leaving him partially paralysed and unable to speak.

They group went to the airport together, but Iraqi authorities said Hann was too unwell to board the flight.

Instead, they transferred him to to Baghdad's al-Yarmouk hospital, where he quickly contracted Covid-19.

The veteran tour guide developed a chest infection and clots in his lungs, with doctors warning his survival was unlikely.

While he was in hospital, it emerged that the rest of his tour was facing their own troubles.

Upon arriving at the Baghdad airport, Fitton was immediately detained along with another German member of the tour.

Authorities spotted 30 suspected stolen artefacts, seizing them and arresting the pair.

Miraculously, Hann was starting to recover from the virus. He was due to be flown out again for further treatment. His close friend organised medical evacuation at the cost of 24,700.

But the arrest of members of his tour, an Iraqi court forbade Hann from leaving the country before police had the chance to question him, despite the risks to his health.

He later relapsed and died in the Baghdad hospital.

Authorities spotted 30 suspected stolen artefacts when members of the tour tried to fly home, seizing them and arresting the pair

The tour guide's books warns against buying antiques from bazaars and local street stores, saying 'under no circumstances should you try to smuggle antiquities out of Iraq.' But as Hann was unwell, it appears he wasn't present to warn members of the tour in person

An artistic re-creation of the port at Eridu, where the tour visited, is shown

Fitton's daughter appealed to the Foreign Office when she heard her father could be facing the death penalty.

The Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) warned the family not to speak publicly about the case, advice which they at first followed.

But after a short wait, they heard there was nothing the Foreign Office could do, for fear of upsetting the Iraqi authorities.

She has since gone public about the incident, saying: 'It is our view that the entire FCDO political hierarchy had abandoned Jim to his fate, all the way up to the Prime Minister.'

Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath, raised the case with ministers in the House of Commons.

Foreign Office minister Amanda Milling, in a letter to Ms Hobhouse, said last week: 'We understand the urgency of the case, and have already raised our concerns with the Iraqi authorities regarding the possible imposition of the death penalty in Mr Fittons case and the UKs opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances as a matter of principle.'
Home Office officials have been contacting chief constables to ask them to apply to become the new Met Police commissioner amid fears the botched ousting of Dame Cressida Dick could put people off.

Dame Cressida quit in February after losing the support of London mayor Sadiq Khan, who said publicly after a string of scandals that he no longer felt she could restore trust and confidence in the force.

Home Secretary Priti Patel has ordered an inquiry into how her departure was handled over concerns that due process was not followed.

Dame Cressida quit in February after losing the support of London mayor Sadiq Khan

Now, a string of senior officers have been 'tapped on the shoulder' to apply in order to widen the field of candidates, sources told The Times.

As well as being contacted by Home Office officials, chief constables have also been approached by Sophie Linden, Khan's deputy mayor for policing, it is understood.

Runners and riders for next Met commissioner Dame Lynn Owens - Widely admired and was seen as the natural successor to the Yard top job until she retired on health grounds last autumn. Dame Lynne led the National Crime Agency - dubbed 'Britain's FBI' - from 2016 until last October. She has now fully recovered from cancer. Seen as a safe pair of hands, she is known to be a favourite of Home Secretary Priti Patel. Matt Jukes - Matt Jukes joined South Yorkshire police in 1995 three years after graduating with a degree in mathematics from Oxford. He worked as a detective and rose through the ranks to represent UK police forces at G8 meetings and lead on national anti-terror strategy. Mr Jukes is best known for tackling Rotherham grooming gangs while borough commander in the Yorkshire town from 2006 to 2010. He's currently serving as an Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations Sir Mark Rowley - A familiar figure after leading the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism operations for four years. Although he resigned from the police in 2018, Sir Mark is still only 58 and sources believe he could be tempted back by the biggest job in British policing. Served as chief constable of Surrey for three years to 2011, when he joined the Met as an assistant commissioner. Lucy D'Orsi - Previously served as deputy assistant commissioner at the Met before moving to lead the British Transport Police in 2020, where she has impressed colleagues. Ian Livingstone - The non-nonsense head of Police Scotland for four years who impressed Boris Johnson with his effective policing operation at COP26 in Glasgow. Shaun Sawyer - The chief constable of Devon and Cornwall Police announced this weekend that he would stand down from his current role. He served in the Met for more than 20 years and is considered highly likely to apply. Advertisement

One senior officer said: 'It's not surprising they've been trying to get lots of people to apply. They want a decent field as it's the most senior job in policing.

'But the way Cress was treated, and the increasingly political nature of that job  it's fair to say that's turned a few people off.'

A Home Office source said: 'We want to make sure that chief constables know they are welcome to apply, that we want to attract the best from across the country.'

Met chief Dame Cressida Dick left the job last week after five years, with her deputy Sir Stephen House temporarily taking the reins until a permanent successor is appointed in the summer.

Potential candidates for the post include former director general of the National Crime Agency Dame Lynne Owens and current Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes.

Applications close on May 4.

The Met has been mired in a series of incidents that have damaged public confidence, including deeply offensive messages shared by a team based at Charing Cross station and the strip-search of a black schoolgirl.

Dame Cressida admitted herself that Sarah Everard's rape and murder by then-serving police officer Wayne Couzens had brought 'shame' on the force and damaged public confidence in police.

Britain's most senior officer also failed to get a grip on a culture of racism, sexism and bullying that has haunted Scotland Yard for years.

The advert for her replacement states that it has become 'evident that significant and sustained improvements need to be made within the MPS to restore public confidence and legitimacy in the largest police force in the UK.'

It continues: 'This will require inspirational leadership to deliver a demonstrably more professional police force, that better reflects the diversity of London itself.'

The Met has also been heavily criticised by watchdogs the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in recent months.

HMICFRS found that the Met's approach to tackling corruption was not fit for purpose, and described storage of evidence by some teams as 'dire' with drugs, jewellery and money going missing and guns not properly secured.

While the IOPC took the unusual step of publishing disturbing messages shared by the Charing Cross team - despite the fact that much of the content was too offensive to print in mainstream news coverage - as it detailed the 'disgraceful' behaviour of officers based in a now disbanded Westminster team between 2016 and 2018.

Runners and riders: Dame Lynn Owens, former head of the National Crime Agency. Matt Jukes is currently serving as an Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations

IOPC regional director Sal Naseem said that the issues raised were 'not isolated or historic'.

Two inquiries, set up in the wake of the murder of Miss Everard, are being held into culture at the Met - an internally-commissioned probe led by Baroness Louise Casey, and a Home Office commissioned inquiry by Dame Elish Angiolini.

'You will lead the service through significant change, role-modelling credible, visible and empowering leadership to address concerns around police conduct and tackling institutional culture.

'The successful candidate will be responsible for re-establishing trust and confidence in policing amongst everyone living in London, particularly women and girls and those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.'

The role, considered the most senior police rank in the country, has a salary of 292,938 - almost twice as much as the Prime Minister.
Death threats have forced a Muslim cleric to flee Manchester, after he condemned Islamic extremism while a witness in the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry.

Mohammed El-Saeiti, a former iman at Didsbury mosque, has been threatened by three stalkers near his home and targeted on social media, after he appeared at the bombing inquiry in November last year.

The cleric was approached near his home by the three men, leaving Mr El-Saeiti scared for his life, after one of them told him 'you'll be dead', if he continued to speak out against Islamic extremism.

He has now left Manchester and will be moving to a secret location with help from the police, after becoming increasingly worried about his safety.

Anti-terrorism police concluded that his life is in danger, following its own risk assessments.

And they are running inquires into the three suspects, it is understood.

Mohammed El-Saeiti has now fled Manchester and will be moving to a secret location, it is understood

During the stalking incident near his home, a second man, thought to be Libyan, stood carrying a rucksack with his hand in his pocket, The Times reported.

Libyan-born Mr El-Saeiti believed he was trying to imitate the pose of terrorist Salman Abedi, 22, who detonated the rucksack bomb in the Manchester Arena in May 2017  killing 22 people and himself in the process, while leaving hundreds more injured.

Six police cars were called out to Mr El-Saeiti, but the three men had gone before they arrived.

'He has to leave Manchester, a city that he loves. He has to do it because it's not safe for him here,' a friend to Mr El-Saeiti told The Times.

The former iman had criticised extremist views that he experienced while at Didsbury mosque, which was attended by Abedi and his brother Hashem, 25.

The friend said that the cleric had 'Facebook threats and physical threats' targeted at him, after giving evidence at the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry.

Salman Abedi, 22, who detonated the rucksack bomb in the Manchester Arena in May 2017 is pictured at Victoria Station making his way to the Manchester Arena. One stalker who allegedly threatened Mr El-Saeiti stood carrying a rucksack with his hand in his pocket, which was interpreted by the cleric as an imitation of the terrorist's pose

The former iman at Didsbury mosque (pictured) has been allegedly threatened online and in person, when three stalkers arrived near his home, after speaking out about extremism

'The three individuals had been watching his house in Manchester and following him,' the friend told The Times.

He was also followed to the mosque by the same men, the friend added.

'The mosque checked its CCTV cameras and the men were on there, standing on a street corner, waiting for him to come out.'

It is understood that Counter Terrorism Policing North West are still running inquires into the three suspects.

And the social media threats are being studied by the Crown Prosecution Service, in a file of evidence.

During the inquiry, Mr El-Saeiti recalled receiving online death threats following his speech at the mosque on the day ISIS claimed it was responsible for the murder of Manchester taxi driver Alan Henning in October 2014.

Police near the scene of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017

The terror attack claimed 22 lives at Manchester Arena and injured hundreds more

While at the Manchester Islamic Centre, known as Didsbury mosque, Mr El-Saeiti criticised the extremist views of IS and 'ghastly crimes' that had been committed in Syria and Iraq.

Speaking at the inquiry, he said that mosque trustees admonished him for talking about politics and warned him threats had been made to harm him if he returned to the pulpit.

He said he made reference to Islamic State, al-Qaeda and Libyan-based Islamist militia groups Ansar al-Sharia and the Shura Council of Benghazi Revolutionaries, who he called 'dogs of hellfire'.

He was dismissed from his post in 2020 having spent more than 10 years working there, after confirming he would be a witness in the inquiry.

There was also a petition, signed by 91 people including Abedi's brother Hashem, calling for his removal as iman.

Abedi's father, Ramadan, also urged worshippers to 'isolate' Mr El-Saeiti to stop the mosque being shut down by the government.

Hashem has been jailed for conspiracy to bomb Manchester Arena, and will serve a minimum of 55 years.

Mr El-Saeiti has a degree in Islamic studies, and a master's degree in theology from Middlesex University.

In 2009, he was given indefinite leave to remain in the UK, after arriving as an asylum seeker.
The commonwealth government was warned about violent unrest at Manus Island detention centre weeks before deadly riots occurred but allegedly did nothing to stop it, a court has heard.

Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati died and 77 others were injured in three days of riots at the detention centre from February 16 to 18, 2014.

Former Manus Island security guard Chandra Osborne has brought Supreme Court action against the federal government and security firm G4S, alleging they were warned about increasing violence but still put her at risk.

Her barrister Tim Tobin said G4S wrote to then-border protection minister Scott Morrison on February 6, 2014, warning about a deterioration in detainee behaviour.

Mr Morrison was informed the centre had 'very limited security infrastructure, which currently created a significant and real risk for safety and security', Mr Tobin told the court in Melbourne on Monday.

He alleged this was one of many repeated warnings the government and G4S were given about rising violence at the centre.

The commonwealth government was warned about violent unrest at Manus Island detention centre (Asylum seekers pictured) weeks before deadly riots occurred but allegedly did nothing to stop it, a court has heard.

G4S guards filed reports about large rocks being used as weapons and umbrellas, bed posts and tent pegs being fashioned into shivs.

The centre was overcrowded and security infrastructure was limited, with issues including lack of secure fencing, lighting and CCTV.

'In the weeks leading up to the riots, the defendants knew that there had been protests and incidents of unrest by detainees, including violence and using makeshift weapons,' Mr Tobin said.

'They knew the unrest was caused partly by uncertainty about the prospects of detainees settling in Australia, and knew basic security infrastructure was not in place.'

Violent riots broke out on the Manus Island detention centre over three days in 2014, killing one and injuring 77

In an ABC interview played to the court, Mr Morrison said the riots were anticipated and the government took steps to increase security at the facility in the weeks beforehand.

Mr Tobin disputed this and said there was no evidence any steps were taken in the six months prior to protect staff from the riots or to stop them from occurring.

Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati died during three days of riots at the detention centre from February 16 to 18, 2014

During the riots he said 'blood and violence permeated throughout' with semi-automatic rifles and shotguns fired, rocks thrown, property damaged, fences and gates pushed down.

Some G4S staff were trapped under a fence and attacked with rocks and clubs, but he said none had access to personal protective equipment.

Ms Osborne is one of 20 security guards alleging the federal government and G4S failed to provide a safe workplace at the detention centre.

She has suffered serious psychiatric injuries, including ongoing trauma and depression, as a result of the riots and unsafe working environment, Mr Tobin said.

Ms Osborne claims she is partially incapacitated for employment due to her injuries and is seeking compensation for loss of earnings.

Multiple witnesses, including several other Manus Island security guards, will give evidence as the trial continues before Justice Andrea Tsalamandris.

The Commonwealth will give its opening remarks on Tuesday.
Bill Gates has opened up about his divorce from Melinda, saying he is still 'grieving' over the breakup of the 27-year marriage.

The Microsoft founder, 65, revealed the pair did not have a prenuptial agreement but amicably split their vast wealth, although she kept the family dog.

The billionaire also refused to confirm if he ever cheated on his ex-wife - despite suggestions he had multiple affairs - with Melinda saying in March he had 'questions to answer'.

When asked if the couple are still friends, Bill told The Sunday Times: 'I would say that.

'In an interview she chose not to use that word, but I'll use it. We have a, you know, super important, complex, close relationship where we've chosen to work together. And I'm very happy that we get to work together.

'I'm also grieving the same way she is. Yes. You know, we grew up together. When I got married, yeah, Microsoft was a big deal.

'But I was a young 38-year-old and she was a mature 28-year old [when they married], and over those next few years, in terms of what we learnt together, what went well, what didn't go well I mean, that's more than half my adult life.'

Bill Gates has opened up about his divorce from Melinda, saying he is still 'grieving' over the breakup of the 27-year marriage

Bill said the divorce settlement, at a time when his wealth was estimated to be around $130billion, was 'fair' on both sides.

The couple have three children, Jennifer, 26, Rory, 22, and Phoebe, 19, and in the public break-up last year, Bill revealed that Melinda got to keep the dog.

He said neither has had to suffer from a reduction in their wealth, saying the discussions were more focused on their philanthropy, admitting he still has his 'supernice' house.

He said: 'She got the dog. She just killed me with that. No, I'm kidding. The world should know how mistreated I was. No, I'm kidding. We weren't mean to each other.'

But the tech entrepreneur refused to answer any questions about his alleged affairs.

Melinda, who shocked the world when she and Bill announced in May 2021 that they were ending their 27-year marriage, previously told how she endured emotionally challenging times whilst working with the billionaire.

The pair's divorce was finalized privately in Washington - where their Gates Foundation is based - in August.

Melinda said in March that she and Bill are not friends but are 'friendly' and work together, and she suggested he had more than one affair throughout their marriage.

'Those are questions Bill needs to answer,' she said when asked about reports he cheated multiple times. He previously acknowledged one affair.

A photo shows Bill and Melinda Gates while they were dating before getting married

'I believe in forgiveness. I thought we had worked through some of that,' Melinda said of his 2000 affair with a Microsoft employee. I gave every single piece of myself to this marriage. I was committed from the day we got engaged to the day I got out of it.'

Gates' spokeswoman confirmed he had a sexual relationship with a female staff member in 2000 and that he resigned as an investigation into the relationship was being conducted by an external law firm on behalf of the company board.

The New York Times also reported that Gates asked out a Microsoft employee in 2006 after watching her make a presentation and, couple of years later, asked out an employee with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - both while he was married.

Gates reportedly told the Microsoft employee in an email: 'If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened.' She said she took his advice.

Gates later allegedly asked an employee with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to dinner, while the pair were in New York for a trip.

Last year, four Microsoft employees accused Gates of being an office 'bully' whose catchphrase was 'that's the stupidest f*****g idea I've ever heard' and supported claims he pursued sexual affairs with employees and journalists.

Gates' reputation as a hot-tempered boss began not long after he launched tech giant Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975, Insider reported. A spokesperson for the billionaire has denied he mistreated employees.

Bill and Melinda Gates couple are pictured with their three kids in a 2018 family photo. The kids - Jennifer (center), Rory (right) and Phoebe (left) are now aged 26, 22 and 19. Bill and Melinda announced their split in May after 27 years of marriage

A former Microsoft executive who spoke on condition of anonymity told the outlet that 'having a meeting with Bill was just an opportunity to get yelled at, so I tried to avoid that.'

Gates would even allegedly track his employees by memorizing their license plates, according to the outlet.

Maria Klawe, a former Microsoft board member, said 'a person like Bill Gates thinks the usual rules of behavior don't apply to him' and accused him of being unreceptive to suggestions about improving diversity.

Klawe said that Gates behaved as if he was the 'smartest person in the room' and that diversity was not something Gates 'was interested in hearing about.'

She said that, when female executives would suggest diversity initiatives, Gates would allegedly respond with: 'Are you trying to effing destroy the company?'

A spokesperson for Gates told Insider that Klawe's allegations are a 'gross mischaracterization.'

Melinda herself was an employee at Microsoft, having been hired as a product manager in 1987, when the billionaire first asked her out months after flirting with her at a conference dinner.

In the 1992 biography Hard Drive: Bill Gates and the Making of the Microsoft Empire, author James Wallace revealed Gates had an alleged affair with a married woman 13 years older than him when he was 27 years old.

His alleged affair was with the wife of an Osborne Computer executive who lived abroad, according to the biography.

Gates himself admitted to frequenting the area, centered on Washington Street between Boylston Street and Kneeland Street, in a 1994 interview he did with Playboy magazine.

'Just because I went there doesn't mean I engaged in everything that was going on,' Gates said.

'I ate pizza, read books and watched what was going on. I went to the diners.'

Wallace claimed to Insider that Gates' penchant for socializing with women remained even after he started dating Melinda Gates in 1987.

Gates was allegedly known to invite friends to swim naked at his bachelor pad in Laurelhurst where he 'rounded up' dancers from local all-nude nightclubs, Wallace said.

'I don't know if he physically transported them or if he just told them where to show up,' Wallace told the outlet.

Robert X. Cringely, who wrote a popular computer gossip column for InfoWorld, told Insider that Gates was allegedly often inebriated at tech events and after-parties and that he 'got drunk pretty easily.'

'All of us will have been at some affair where Bill was clearly impaired. He was happier' drunk, Cringely said.

Gates, then 33, took a helicopter to Les Arcs ski resort in the French Alps for an international sales meeting for Microsoft in the summer of 1988 where he was allegedly caught lying on top of a woman on the lawn.

Bill said the divorce settlement, at a time when his wealth was estimated to be around $130billion, was 'fair' on both sides

The pair were 'just snuggling' after Gates joined his employees for drinks in a Swiss chalet and partied until the early morning, Dan Graves, a former Microsoft export manager, told Insider.

After he started dating Melinda, Gates allegedly struggled to commit to her and she was allegedly aware of his 'womanizing,' the outlet reported. The couple even broke up for at least a year early in their relationship.

'Bill wanted to be married, but he didn't know whether he could actually commit to it and have Microsoft,' Melinda said in an interview for the Netflix docuseries Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates.

Even after marrying Melinda, Gates told Time magazine in 1997 that he still went on annual vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with his ex-girlfriend Ann Winblad, the software entrepreneur whom he had dated from 1984 to 1987.

Bill and Melinda Gates' personal affairs have been managed by Watermark Estate Management since at least 2001, which would allegedly arrange Gates' annual beach trips with Winblad.

Elsewhere in his interview, Gates admitted he made a 'huge mistake' by attending fundraising meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

He first met Epstein in 2011 after the financier had been convicted of soliciting sex from a minor in 2008.

Epstein was also invited to fundraising dinners that promoted the Gates Foundation.

Gates says he 'made a huge mistake' meeting with Jeffrey Epstein for fundraising dinners

The dinners were a point of contention between the billionaire and his ex-wife who described Epstein as 'evil personified.'

In earlier interviews, Gates stated how he ultimately stopped meetings with the convicted sex offender after he realized the meetings would not be productive for his philanthropic foundation.

'I had dinners with him. I regret doing that. He had relationships he said with people he said would give to public health. Not nearly enough philanthropy goes in that direction,' Gates said in a September 2021 interview.

'Those meetings were a mistake. They didn't result in what he purported, and I cut them off. You know, that goes back a long time ago now,' he said to PBS.

The billionaire has previously claimed he had concerns about Epstein, who had pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2008 of procuring a child for prostitution and of soliciting a prostitute - years before the tech mogul met the financier.

'I had several dinners with him hoping that what he said about getting billions of philanthropy for global health through contacts he had might emerge. When it looked like that wasn't a real thing that relationship ended,' Gates said.

'It was a huge mistake to spend time with him and give him the credibility of being there. There were lots of others in that same situation, but I made a mistake.'

Gates has been reported to have visited Epstein's home numerous times and even talked with him about his 'toxic' marriage while the pedophile allegedly gave him advice on ending his marriage, according to the Daily Beast.

Gates' visits to Epstein's 'lair' were an escape from his unhappy marriage, and the pair 'were very close', a source said.

Flight records also reveal that Gates flew with Epstein on the so-called Lolita Express from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey to Palm Beach on March 1, 2013, one of the few flights that year where pilot Larry Viskoski recorded the name of a passenger.

Melinda Gates in her CBS interview in March 2022. She lifted the lid on her marriage to Bill Gates for the first time including his encounters with Jeffrey Epstein

In her first interview since her divorce from the billionaire last year, Melinda told CBS Mornings in March that she insisted on meeting Epstein back in 2011 because she wanted to see 'who this man was'.

'I did not like that he had meetings with Jeffrey Epstein. I made that clear to him. I also met Jeffrey Epstein exactly one time. I wanted to see who this man was and I regretted it from the second I stepped in the door.

'He was abhorrent, evil personified. I had nightmares about it afterwards. That's why my heart breaks for these young women. That's how I felt, and I am an older woman. He was awful.'

She told how Bill had to answer for the many times he met Epstein, and even suggested that it may have contributed to the divorce.

'It was not one thing, it was many things [that led to the divorce]. Any of the questions remaining about what Bill's relationship with him was... those are for Bill to answer. I made it very clear how I felt about him.'

A spokesperson for Gates told Insider last June that Gates had 'absolutely no business partnership or personal friendship' with Epstein, and any meetings between the two were about philanthropy.
This is the incredible moment a Ukrainian drone decimates a Russian patrol boat in the Black Sea.

Video recorded by the Bayraktar drone high above Snake Island this morning shows the unmanned vehicle wreck the Raptor attack craft below.

It is one of two Russian patrol vessels destroyed this morning, the Ukrainian navy said.

Chief of General Staff Valeriy Zaluzhniy wrote on Facebook: 'Two Russian Raptor-class boats were destroyed at dawn today near Zmiinyi (Snake) Island.'

The drone's display proves the annihilation took place this morning, military expert Rob Lee tweeted.

Before and after: the Russian Raptor patrol boat was annihilated by Ukrainian artillery fire

Mr Zaluzhniy added: 'Bayraktars are working. Together to victory!'

Moscow did not respond to the reports.

The Turkish-made drone is the same model used in the audacious destruction of Russian flagship the Moskva last month.

A Ukrainian naval crew famously told the Moskva as they were urged to surrender near Snake Island: 'Russian warship, go f*** yourself.'

Other video released by the Armed Forces of Ukraine shows the Turkish-made drone take off

The Raptor boats were reportedly being used to evacuate Russian military personnel from notorious island to replace them with new troops.

The strikes came 'as the enemy tried to carry out the evacuation and replenishment of personnel', said Ukraine's Operational Command South.

Andrey Simonov became the ninth Russian general killed during the invasion of Ukraine

Project 03160 Raptor high-speed boats are designed for patrolling, search and rescue operations, landing operations at a maximum distance of up to 100 miles from base.

The Ukrainian army enthused by the defence of Kyiv and large-scale Russian withdrawals to the east has reportedly stepped up its attacks on Russian land.

Army warehouses in border town Belgorod were aflame overnight days after checkpoints in the Kursk region were targeted by Ukrainian drones.

And a ninth Russian general was reportedly killed in a Ukrainian artillery strike on an occupied outpost near Kharkiv.

Andrey Simonov, 55, was thought to be the Russia's leading electronic warfare expert.
Israel has denounced comments by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and demanded an apology after he suggested that Adolf Hitler had Jewish roots.

Lavrov made the remark when challenged by an Italian TV station over his claim that Russia is 'de-Nazifying' Ukraine, by pointing out that President Zelensky is Jewish.

'I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it means nothing,' Lavrov said. 'For a long time now we've been hearing the wise Jewish people say that the biggest anti-Semites are the Jews themselves.'

Yair Lapid, Israel's foreign minister, today branded the remark 'scandalous' and said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for a 'tough talk'.

Israel has demanded an apology after Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov peddled a conspiracy theory that Hitler had Jewish roots

'It is an unforgivable, scandalous statement, a terrible historical mistake, and we expect an apology,' Lapid told the YNet news website.

Israel has expressed repeated support for Ukraine but has been less-vocal than Western nations in denouncing Russia's actions.

The government has tried to avoid direct criticism of Moscow and has not enforced any sanctions on Russian oligarchs.

That is thought to be because Russia is a power-player in neighbouring Syria, where Israel has been fighting against Iranian-backed militias.

Lapid has been among the more outspoken members of Israel's government over the war in Ukraine.

Last month, he accused Russia of committing war crimes and agreed to supply helmets and vests to Ukrainian rescue services.

Dani Dayan, chairman of Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust, said the Russian minister's remarks were 'an insult and a severe blow to the victims of the real Nazism'.

Speaking on Kan radio, Dayan said Lavrov was spreading 'an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory with no basis in fact'.

Lavrov made the remark after being challenged over Russia's claims that Ukraine is being run by Nazis, despite Zelensky (pictured) being Jewish

The identity of one of Hitler's grandfathers is not known but there has been some speculation - without evidence - that he might have been a Jew.

Lapid added that accusing Jews of being anti-Semites themselves was 'the lowest level of racism'.

He also dismissed Lavrov's claim that pro-Nazi elements held sway over the Ukrainian government and military.

'The Ukrainians aren't Nazis. Only the Nazis were Nazis and only they dealt with the systematic destruction of the Jewish people,' said Lapid, whose grandfather died in the Holocaust.

The Ukrainian president has also run into flak in Israel by looking to draw analogies between the conflict in his country and World War Two.

In an address to the Israeli parliament in March, Zelenskiy compared the Russian offensive in Ukraine to Nazi Germany's extermination of European Jewry during World War Two.

Yad Vashem called his comments 'irresponsible,' saying they trivialised the historical facts of the Holocaust.

During Israel's annual Holocaust memorial day last week, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett appeared to be referencing Zelensky when he urged world leaders not to compare current events to the Nazi genocide.

'I take the trouble to say this because as the years go by, there is more and more discourse in the world that compares other events to the Holocaust,' he said.

'But no. Even the most difficult wars today are not the Holocaust and are not comparable to the Holocaust,' he said.
An Australian man faces a sentence of life in prison after admitting to killing a gay American mathematician in 1988 by pushing him off a cliff in what prosecutors describe as a hate crime initially dismissed as suicide

Scott White, 51, pleaded guilty in January to the murder of 27-year-old Scott Johnson, a Los Angeles native and doctoral student at the Australian National University in Canberra.

Johnson's body was found at the bottom of the North Head Manly Walk in Sydney in 1988 and for nearly three decades his death was dismissed by police as a suicide.

A coroner had ruled in 1989 that the openly gay man had taken his own life, while a second coroner in 2012 could not explain how he died.

A third report ruled in 2017 that Johnson 'fell from the clifftop as a result of ... violence by [someone who] perceived him to be homosexual,' after mounting evidence of several reports of gay men being beaten in the area in the 1980s.

Then in 2019, White's ex-wife, Helen White, alerted police after her then-husband 'bragged' to their six children about beating gay men at a clifftop well-known for gay meetups. He was charged in 2020 with murder.

During a sentencing hearing Monday, an Australian Supreme court heard Helen White's account as Johnson's family choked down tears.

Johnson's Boston-based brother Steve Johnson, who maintained pressure for further investigation and offered his own reward of AU$1million or $704,000, described the way his mother had reacted with a wailing cry at the news of his brother's death.

'The wailing is a reliving, it's a howl of death and despair and loss and grief that signifies that a piece of us has departed. It never goes away,' he told the court.

White will be sentenced on Tuesday and faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

Scott White, 51, (left) faces life in prison for the 1988 murder of 27-year-old Scott Johnson, (right) a Los Angeles native and doctoral student at the Australian National University in Canberra

Johnson's body was found at the bottom of the North Head Manly Walk in Sydney in 1988 and for nearly three decades his death was dismissed by police as a suicide

'The wailing is a reliving, it's a howl of death and despair and loss and grief that signifies that a piece of us has departed. It never goes away,' Steve Johnson (pictured right with Scott) told the court about his brother's death

During a sentencing hearing Monday, an Australian Supreme court heard accounts of White's ex-wife that her then-husband 'bragged' to their six children about beating gay men at a clifftop well-known for gay meetups as Johnson's family choked down tears. Above, Johnson siblings Rebecca (left), Terry (center left), Steve (right) and Steve's wife Rosemarie (center right)

Johnson lived in Canberra at the home of his partner's parents in Sydney before being murdered in 1988.

Prosecutors said some precise details of the murder are not known and that White's accounts have varied since first being interviewed by police.

White had met Johnson in a nearby bar in a Sydney suburb and Johnson had stripped naked at the clifftop before he died, according to prosecutors.

They added that the gravity of the murder was significantly elevated because it was motivated by the victims sexuality.

White's lawyer said her client was also gay and had been concerned that his homophobic brother would find out.

In January, White yelled repeatedly in court during a pre-trial hearing that he was guilty, having previously denied the crime. His lawyers later announced they will appeal that plea and hope he will be acquitted at trial.

White's ex-wife, Helen White, said she started to suspect her then-husband was involved in Johnson's killing after reading a newspaper report in 2008 about it. On Monday, she recounted a conversation with White in December 1998 about his 'poofter bashing' of the 1980s

Scott Johnson, a Los Angeles native, was a doctoral student at the Australian National University in Canberra before being killed

White had met Johnson in a nearby bar in a Sydney suburb and Johnson had stripped naked at the clifftop before he died, according to prosecutors

In 2017, a coroner found that gangs of men roamed various Sydney locations in search of gay men to assault, resulting in the deaths of some victims. Some people were also robbed.

The coroner determined that Johnson had been one of those men, and that he 'fell from the clifftop as a result of actual or threatened violence by unidentified persons who attacked him because they perceived him to be homosexual.'

White's wife, Helen White, said she started to suspect her then-husband was involved in Johnson's killing after reading a newspaper report in 2008 about it.

On Monday, she recounted a conversation with White in December 1998 about his 'poofter bashing' of the 1980s.

'He said the only good poofter is a dead poofter, to which I said, 'So you threw him off the cliff'. And he said, 'It's not my fault the dumb c*** ran off the cliff',' she said.

'I said, ''It is if you chased him,''' Helen White told the court, adding that her husband did not reply.

White had initially told police that he had tried to grab Johnson and prevent his fatal fall, before saying in a 2020 police interview that he had lied and been charged with murder.

'I pushed a bloke. He went over the edge,' White said in a recorded police interview.

Scott Johnson's partner at the time of death Michael Noone also spoke in court on Monday

Noone said after the devastating loss he had to identify Johnson's body, found at the bottom of the North Head Manly Walk in Sydney, Australia

'This man who once told me he could never hurt someone even in self-defense died in terror,' Steve Johnson said about his brother, Scott

Under cross-examination, Helen White denied she had been aware of the AU$1 million reward for information on Johnson's murder when she reported her former husband to police in 2019.

She said she only became aware of a reward when the victim's brother, Steve Johnson, doubled the sum in 2020.

Steve Johnson said in his victim impact statement that, 'With a vicious push, Mr. White took Scott and he vanished.'

'This man who once told me he could never hurt someone even in self-defense died in terror,' the brother added.

'If he had turned himself in after his violent action, I would have had a little more sympathy. If he had grasped Scott's hand and pulled him to safety, I would owe him everlasting gratitude.'

Steve Johnson, brother of U.S. murder victim Scott Johnson, hugs his wife Rosemarie as they arrive at the court. Scott Johnson's Boston-based brother maintained pressure for further investigation and offered his own reward of AU$1million or $704,000

Scott Johnson (right) pictured with older brother Steve (left). On Monday, Steve Johnson told the court the pain of losing Scott will never go away

Scott Johnson's sisters Terry and Rebecca Johnson, his partner at the time of death Michael Noone and Steve Johnson's wife Rosemarie Johnson also gave victim impact statements.

Rosemarie Johnson described the initial police failure to investigate Scott Johnson's death as 'indefensible and inhumane.'

Rebecca Johnson, a younger sister, said the police report of suicide 'made no sense.'

'How could a community fail so spectacularly that they created boys capable of such horror?' she asked, referring to media reports of gay beatings in Sydney being described as a sport.

'Parents, brothers and sisters, teachers and classmates, authority, culture, somehow Mr. White's world reinforced that violence and even killing was OK and maybe that gay men weren't human. That is a profound tragedy,' she said.

Another sister, Terry Johnson, said White had taken away decades from her brother's life.

'The hateful person who killed Scott has been walking free on this earth for the past 33 years. Thirty-three years that he took away from my baby brother. I believe [White] deserves life in prison.'
Britons are not booking holidays till the last minute before they go, aiming to avoid Covid disruption and extra, unexpected costs.

Bookings for the May half-term school holidays are down by five per cent compared to 2019, though the number is expected to pass pre-pandemic levels by mid-May according to the Times.

Members of Advantage Travel Partnership, the UK's biggest group of travel agents, said that 40 per cent of all holiday bookings were now for travel within the next 12 weeks.

Holidaymakers are also choosing to take one long break instead of multiple short trips, in an effort to avoid extra Covid disruption.

Beaches are set to be quieter this May half term as holidaymakers are holding off on booking their annual getaway (pictured) Poniente beach of Benidorm in summer seen from the heights of a skyscraper with the beach, the sea and other buildings of hotels and apartments

Brits are more hesitant to book travel ahead due to ever-changing Covid travel restrictions (pictured) Tapas Bar Tradicional in Seville, Andalusia, Spain

Many travel companies are doing all they can to offer more flexible booking policies, such as giving customers the option to postpone or amend their holiday and making it easier to claim a refund.

However, the International Air Transport Association predicts that airline passenger numbers will still not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024.

Pre-pandemic, most Brits booked summer holidays during the January 'peaks' window at the start of the year.

But the Omicron variant closed borders that month, causing no post-Christmas surge in holiday bookings.

Kelly Cookes, Advantage's leisure director, said the trend for last-minute bookings is expected to continue into the summer due to growing travel uncertainty.

'It's completely different from the pattern that we would have seen pre-pandemic,' she told The Times.

'At the moment it is absolutely the case people book and depart quickly because they then feel like there's less chance of things changing and then not being able to travel as planned.'

Kelly predicts the last-minute nature of bookings will be a 'short-term trend' with normality returning in 2024 as consumers' habits revert to pre-pandemic norms.

She said: 'We need this period of stability where we continue to see restrictions being scrapped.

What are the Covid rules for your holiday destination? Spain Adults Must be fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid in the past six months to enter. Latest jab must have been given within 270 days of travel. No tests or forms required. Children No rules for under-12s. Unvaccinated children aged 12 to 17 can take PCR test within three days of travel. Masks for public transport only. France Adults No tests or forms for the fully vaccinated but anyone aged 12 and over who is not must take a PCR test within three days of travel or a lateral flow test within two days. Children No rules for under-12s. Masks for public transport only. Italy Adults No tests or forms for the fully vaccinated or for those who have recovered from Covid in the past six months. Latest jab must have been given within 270 days of travel. Unvaccinated travellers aged six and over must take a PCR test within three days of travel or a lateral flow test within two days. Children No rules for those under six. Masks required for public transport, cinemas, theatres and indoor events. Greece No travel rules in place for holidaymakers, regardless of vaccination status. Masks for all indoor public spaces. Portugal Adults No tests for the vaccinated or those who have recovered from Covid in the past 180 days. Latest jab must have been given within 270 days of travel. Unvaccinated travellers aged 12 and over must take either a PCR within three days of travel or a lateral flow test within one day. Children No rules for under-12s. Masks For public transport only. Source: Gov.uk Advertisement

'We still have quite a few of our key destinations where you do have regulations, such as testing, which is always going to be a deterrent for customers. We need to see more destinations scrapping [all rules] to help build confidence.'

ONS data showed that Britons made 6.1 million visits abroad by air in the summer of 2021, which was a decrease of 76% compared with the summer of 2019.

UK residents spent 4.9 billion on visits abroad in July to September of 2021, this was a decrease of 78% compared with July to September 2019.

Tim Alderslade, the chief executive of Airlines UK, said airlines are being forced to 'plan summer blind' due to ever-changing border restrictions.

Speaking in Madeira, he said: 'We are incredibly relieved where we are now.'

Travel has been rapidly decreasing as Brits worry about sudden changes in travel rules meaning they are holding off booking trips (Pictured) A young woman drinking an alcoholic cocktail in a rooftop restaurant with view to the Eiffel tower in Paris, France

'We all want to put Covid behind us now although there are still a number of challenges, not least sustainability but also getting through the summer with labour shortages,' after mass lay-offs.

John Holland-Kaye, the chief executive of Heathrow airport, has suggested the surge in bookings was a 'bubble' that would burst and that Americans think 'London is under attack' because of the war in Europe.

Critics say the airport is tactically making an effort to boost its chances as the Civil Aviation Authority is allowing it to increase passengers fees. An announcement on the five-year deal is expected this summer.

'It's all just so cynical,' an anonymous aviation industry source said.

'A man stranded on the moon could see what they're trying to do. Nobody else in UK aviation is talking down their own sector like this  literally nobody.

It's hugely disappointing when we've spent two years in the trenches together battling Covid and now they do this.'
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This is the moment more than 100 civilians trapped inside the Azovstal steel works in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol were able to crawl to safety after the first evacuation took place at the weekend.

Video taken by rescuers from the UN and Red Cross showed women and children climbing up a steep pile of rubble and into the daylight, having spent weeks underground amidst near-continuous shelling by the Russians. They were greeted by a bombed-out wasteland, and required help from Ukrainian soldiers to cross it.

Having boarded buses due to carry them to safety, one woman showed her baby to the camera. She said he was born just two months ago, meaning he has spent his entire life hiding from Russian bombs and has never known a Ukraine at peace.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Sunday night address that more than 100 people had been evacuated from the steel plant after a two-day ceasefire held, and hoped that more would be evacuated today.

It is thought the rescue mission began on Friday, but was only reported to the media Sunday when the first phase had been completed. Those leaving Azovstal are being taken to nearby villages under Russian control, but are then being sent to the city of Zaporizhzhia which is under Ukrainian command. They are due to arrive there today.

Ukrainian soldiers guarding Mariupol said Russian shelling resumed late Sunday as soon as the civilians had evacuated. It was not immediately clear on Monday morning whether the ceasefire was holding to allow more civilians to make their way out. Some 900 are thought to remain in Azovstal's underground bomb shelters.

Russian shelling killed several civilians on Monday in the wider Donetsk region and neighbouring Luhansk, and even struck a village 35 miles to the west of Zaporizhzhia, where the evacuees are heading, killing two.

Denys Shlega, the commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraine's National Guard, said Sunday night that several hundred civilians remain trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and 'numerous' dead bodies.

'Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant,' Shlega said. 'We need one or two more rounds of evacuation.'

Red Cross workers and Ukrainian soldiers help civilians to evacuate from the Azovstal steel works in the besieged city of Mariupol some time during the last 48 hours, while a ceasefire was in place

President Zelensky said more than 100 women and children were able to get to safety during the evacuation, which is the first to have taken place from Azovstal during a weeks-long siege of the plant

Women are helped across a bombed-out wasteland in Azovstal as they make their way to a convoy of coaches waiting to carry them out of the city of Mariupol, which has been under siege for more than two months

A Red Cross convoy carrying evacuees from Mariupol, including civilians from Azovstal, is seen driving along a highway leading from the Donetsk region to the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia

Civilian rest along the side of a highway as they travel in a convoy of vehicles evacuating people from the city of Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia following a 48-hour ceasefire

A woman who was wounded during the siege of Mariupol travels in a convoy of Red Cross and UN vehicles to Zaporizhzhia after being evacuated from the besieged city

A woman holds a child next to a bus as civilians from Mariupol, including evacuees from Azovstal steel plant, travel in a convoy to Zaporizhzhia

A Red Cross worker waves a flag signalling the start of an evacuation from the besieged Azovstal steel works which can been seen in the background

Mariupol's city council said that attempts to evacuate people from various areas of the city would resume this morning, without saying where exactly the evacuations would take place. It is thought there are tens of thousands of civilians still trapped in the city, which had a pre-war population of 400,000.

Only civilians are being evacuated from the steel works, despite Ukrainian calls for the plant's last defenders to be allowed safe passage out of the city as well.

People still stuck there were running out of water, food and medicine as Russian forces hemmed them into the industrial complex, whose network of bunkers and tunnels has provided shelter from weeks of Russian bombardment.

'The situation has become a sign of a real humanitarian catastrophe,' Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Around 100 civilians evacuated from the Azovstal steelworks were due to arrive in the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia, 230 km northwest of Mariupol, on Monday morning.

'For the first time, we had two days of a ceasefire on this territory, and we managed to take out more than 100 civilians - women, children,' President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a nightly video address.

Footage from inside the steelworks showed members of the Azov regiment helping civilians though rubble and on to a bus. But hundreds of civilians remain trapped inside.

One older evacuee accompanied by young children said survivors were fast running out of food.

'Children always wanted to eat. You know, adults can wait,' she said.

Russia last week said it had decided against storming the steel works and would instead blockade it. But sporadic bombardments have continued.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was taking part in the evacuation operation along with the United Nations and Ukrainian and Russian officials but the situation was complex.

More than 50 civilians arrived at a temporary accommodation centre in Russian-controlled territory on Sunday after escaping from Mariupol, a Reuters photographer said.

Meanwhile, energy ministers from EU countries were due to hold emergency talks to plan a response to Moscow's demand that European buyers pay for Russian gas in roubles or face their supply being cut off.

While the EU has imposed heavy economic sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, the issue of Russian energy supplies has posed a dilemma that threatens to crack the united front.

The Russian military is now focusing on crushing resistance in Ukraine's south and east after failing to capture Kyiv in the early weeks of the war, now in its third month.

Natalia, 50, who used her own car to evacuate from the besieged city of Mariupol during the ceasefire, arrives in Zaporizhzhia ahead of a larger convoy of evacuees from the Azovstal steel plant

Dina, 81, Natalia's mother, breaks down in tears as she arrives in Zaporizhzhia after driving herself out of the city of Mariupol

A young Ukrainian boy looks out the window of a car arriving in the city of Zaporizhzhia after he was evacuated from Mariupol

A boy from Mariupol looks out through the smashed windscreen of his family's car after arriving with his family at an evacuation point for people fleeing Mariupol

Its assaults have flattened cities, killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 5 million people to flee the country. Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, has become emblematic of the brutality of the war and the suffering of ordinary people.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's forces are now in control of nearly all the city, linking up Russian-held territory to the west and east.

Moscow calls its actions a 'special military operation' to disarm Ukraine and rid it of anti-Russian nationalism fomented by the West. Ukraine and the West say Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression that threatens to spiral into a much wider conflict.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Sunday Moscow only wanted to guarantee the security of pro-Russian Ukrainians in the east and was not demanding that Zelenskiy 'give himself up' as a condition for peace.

'We are demanding that he issue an order to release civilians and stop resistance. Our aim does not include regime change in Ukraine,' Lavrov said in an interview published on his ministry's website.

Ukraine's military said on Monday Russian forces were trying to take over the eastern town of Rubizhne and prepare an assault on Sievierodonetsk. Further east, Dnipro Governor Valentyn Reznichenko said a Russian missile hit a grain silo, but caused no casualties.

Luhansk region Governor Serhiy Gaidai said three people had been killed by shelling over the past 24 hours.

Two explosions took place early on Monday in Belgorod, the southern Russian region bordering Ukraine, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said. The cause of the blasts was not immediately clear but the Kremlin has accused Ukraine of making cross-border attacks. Gladkov said there were no casualties or damage.

Moscow is pushing for complete control of the Donbas region, where Russian-backed separatists already controlled parts of Luhansk and Donetsk provinces before the invasion.

In Brussels, EU energy ministers were due to meet in a bid find a way out of the dilemma posed by Russian energy supplies, which count for 40% of EU gas and 26% of its oil imports.

Germany and others have so far resisted calls for an abrupt halt to Russian fuel imports for fear of economic damage, while Moscow is demanding that European buyers pay for Russian gas in roubles or face their supply being cut off.

Russia halted gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland last week after they refused to meet its demand to effectively pay in roubles.

With many European companies facing gas payment deadlines later this month, EU states must clarify whether companies can keep buying the fuel without breaching the EU's sanctions against Russia.

Payments in roubles can help to shelter Russia's economy from the impact of sanctions, while the fuel revenues can help finance its military operation. Diplomats said the EU is edging towards a ban on imports of Russian oil by the end of the year.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday that some countries were not yet ready for an embargo of Russian oil. Germany did not want to trigger an economic catastrophe, he said.

Natalia Usmanova, 37, bursts into tears on arrival at the temporary accommodation centre in the village of Bezimenne today (pictured)

Steel plant employee Natalia Usmanova, 37, who was evacuated from Mariupol, arrives at a temporary accommodation centre in Bezimenne today (pictured)

Azovstal steel plant employee Maxim, evacuated from Mariupol, hugs his son Matvey, who had earlier left the city with his relatives, as they meet at a temporary accommodation centre in the village of Bezimenne today (pictured)

Valeria (right), evacuated from Mariupol, hugs her sister Aleksandra as they meet at a temporary accommodation centre during Ukraine-Russia conflict in the village of Bezimenne (pictured)
RTHK: Israel outraged over Lavrov's remarks about Hitler

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Monday slammed his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov for alleging Adolf Hitler may have "had Jewish blood" and summoned the Russian ambassador for "clarifications".

Since Russia's assault on Ukraine on February 24, Israel has sought to keep a delicate balance between the two sides, but remarks by the Russian foreign minister to an Italian channel sparked anger in Israel.

Moscow has previously said it wants to "de-militarise" and "de-Nazify" Ukraine.

Speaking to Italian outlet Mediaset in an interview released on Sunday, Lavrov claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "puts forward an argument of what kind of Nazism can they have if he himself is Jewish".

Lavrov, according to a transcript posted on the Russian foreign ministry website, then added: "I could be wrong, but Hitler also had Jewish blood."

Lapid, in a statement from the foreign ministry on the "grave remarks", condemned the comments.

"Foreign Minister Lavrov's remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error," Lapid said.

"Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust. The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of antisemitism."

Israel's foreign ministry "has summoned the Russian Ambassador to Israel for a clarification meeting", the statement added.

Dani Dayan, director of the Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Israel, also criticised Lavrov's statement, calling them "unfounded, delusional and dangerous remarks which deserve to be condemned".

In a speech at the end of March to the Israeli parliament, Zelenskyy called on Israel to "make a choice" by supporting Ukraine against Russia, and asked the Jewish state to provide it with weapons.

Israel has provided helmets and bulletproof vests to Ukrainian rescue workers, but has not recently supplied the country with weapons, Israeli officials say. (AFP)

This story has been published on: 2022-05-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
British Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss Photo: AFP

By Global Times

Liz Truss, UK Foreign Secretary, delivered what the Financial Times described as a "hawkish set-piece" speech at a banquet in London on Wednesday. Her target was China. She said "NATO must have a global outlook," and "needs to preempt threats in the Indo-Pacific." Then she bluntly pointed out that they "must ensure that democracies like Taiwan are able to defend themselves." It's fair to say that Truss' remarks are the most blatant and ambitious statements among those made by US and Western politicians for a while about "the globalization of NATO."

It's reported that Truss' remarks came as NATO members were discussing the bloc's new "strategic concept." There is a fierce debate among NATO countries over how much emphasis should be placed on the "security threat" posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region. On the same day, the US Indo-Pacific Commander said that NATO is a "pretty good model" for the Indo-Pacific region, for those nations that value freedom. People have become very familiar with such pattern of the US and the UK echoing each other.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, some politicians in the US and the West have been constantly distorting facts, deliberately linking the Russia-Ukraine conflict to the Taiwan question in an attempt to play the "Taiwan card" to contain China. Truss took advantage of the Ukraine crisis to hype the "China threat" as early as before the conflict broke out. She "warned" that China could use the Russia-Ukraine conflict as an opportunity to launch aggression of its own in the Indo-Pacific. Even former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating harshly criticized her as being "demented" and suffering "illusions of grandeur."

There is indeed frenzy in British foreign policy right now because of the Ukraine crisis. The UK, which has already left the EU and has a "special relationship" with the US, thinks it has a more flexible position than the US and the EU, and often parrots words very "conscientiously," saying and doing things that are inconvenient for Washington and at times being even more aggressive. Some politicians in London now increasingly see this as a source of uniqueness and superiority. The more they do this, the more they seem to feel the lingering warmth of the UK's prior status as "The Empire on which the sun never set."

Although after Brexit, the UK sees "Global Britain" as its strategic goal, hoping that the UK can become a leading country across the world. But over the years, the so-called Global Britain only seems to cling more tightly to the US. Truss claimed she would become the "modern-day Thatcher," but she only looks like the head of the US State Department's London office. Since taking office as the UK Foreign Secretary, Truss has pointed her fingers at China on almost all major China-related issues, including the Taiwan question and Hong Kong and Xinjiang issues. She has followed Washington's lead. And the pragmatism of diplomacy that the British used to talk about has increasingly descended into opportunism and radicalism. In Washington's redeployment of the global system, the UK is increasingly willing to be a "pebble."

Last July, the UK sent its Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier to the South China Sea, but it needed fighter jets and warships from Italy to make a fleet. In late March, during Truss' visit to India, she tried to persuade India not to buy Russian oil, but Indian's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar defended India's purchase of discounted Russian oil. "If you look at the major buyers of oil and gas from Russia, I think you'll find most of them are in Europe," Jaishankar said, refusing the unreasonable demand of the UK.

Even as their own strengths continued to decline, some British and American politicians began to fantasize about "mind control" - namely to re-establish the global "superiority" of Anglo-Saxon civilization. Truss herself does not hide this, calling on Britain in a speech last year to stop the guilt about colonial history and instead be proud of its identity and status. This is why it is not surprising that although UK politicians have recently taken turns to win over India, emphasizing the special relationship between the UK and India and praising India with all kinds of nice words, the domestic response to this in India has been mediocre. Indians say that the UK still adopts a colonial mentality toward India.

In fact, India is hardly the only country that has seen through this. More and more countries have recognized the nature of a series of small-circle activities carried out by the UK and the US in the name of the so-called common values and the culture that prioritizes Anglo Saxons. Truss and her ilk attempt to bring NATO to Asia and try to destabilize the Pacific, but they are doomed to fail. Treating China as a "systemic competitor" is also definitely a big misjudgment in the "Global Britain" strategy.
Lee Rigby's killer Michael Adebolajo is said to be 'gutted' after being banned from taking yoga sessions in prison to 'improve his mental health'.

Adebolajo, 37, and his accomplice Michael Adebowale ran over 25-year-old fusilier Mr Rigby close to Woolwich barracks, London, in May 2013 before stabbing him to death in broad daylight.

The murderer has been stopped from joining the activity because bosses fear that he would 'spread extremist views' to other participants during classes.

Lee Rigby's killer Michael Adebolajo (above) was 'gutted' after being told that he cannot take yoga sessions in prison to 'improve his mental health'

Adebolajo was given a whole life term for the killing. He is serving his sentence at HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.

'He was gutted. He thought yoga would relax him and improve his mental wellbeing,' a prison source told The Sun.

A Prison Service Spokesperson told MailOnline: 'These activities are not available to terrorist offenders.'

It comes as Rigby's fiancee recently tied the knot nine years after her world came crashing down.

Aimee West (right), 31, tied the knot nine years after her world came crashing down after Lee Rigby was brutally hacked to death in broad daylight. She is pictured above outside the Old Bailey in 2013

Aimee West was 3,500 miles away at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan when she learned her fiance had been killed in front of horrified onlookers near Woolwich Barracks.

But almost a decade on and personal trainer Aimee, 31, rekindled her romantic spark and married sound engineer Simon Jackson-Lyall, 32, in a ceremony last week.

Sharing a picture to his Instagram with a glass of champagne, Simon wrote of his new wife: 'Married the love of my life yesterday. What an amazing whirlwind of a day!'

Aimee West was 3,500 miles away at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan when she learned her fiance had been killed in front of horrified onlookers near Woolwich Barracks. Aimee West is pictured with her fiance Lee Rigby in 2012

Members of Lee's family were said to be delighted at the news, reports The Sun.

One friend reportedly said: 'Aimees a beautiful, kind and loving young woman which is why Lee loved her so much.

'He wouldnt want her to be sad forever. If anyone deserves to be happy again, its Aimee.'
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez rounded off their Sunday with a dinner at an exclusive New York City restaurant after an afternoon of shopping in SoHo.

The billionaire Amazon founder, 58, and his girlfriend met up with his parents Miguel and Jacklyn at popular celebrity hangout Emilio's Ballato.

The couple, who have been dating since 2019, dressed for the occasion at the swanky Italian.

Lauren Sanchez, 52, is spotted alongside Jeff Bezos's mother Jacklyn as they visit Emilio's Ballato in New York on Sunday

The billionaire Amazon founder, 58, stood alongside his father Miguel during the Sunday night excursion

Sanchez, 52, stepped out in an eye-popping display, showing off her figure in form-fitting blue jeans, and a revealing lowcut ribbed grey-green top.

The brunette beauty was also sporting a huge diamond dangling from a thin necklace.

She completed the ensemble with a brown handbag and pointed heels for the night on the town.

Meanwhile Jeff cut a more muted figure in a tucked-in black shirt, chinos and black shoes.

Earlier on Sunday, the couple were spotted doing some retail therapy at Brunello Cucinelli in SoHo.

The entrepreneur and his girlfriend met up with his parents Miguel and Jacklyn at a popular celebrity hangout

Sanchez stepped out in an eye-popping display, showing off her figure in form-fitting blue jeans, and a revealing lowcut ribbed grey-green top

She completed the ensemble with a brown handbag and pointed heels for the night on the town

Earlier yesterday, Bezos and Sanchez spent their Sunday afternoon with some retail therapy in New York City

Sanchez stepped out with a slightly-unbuttoned white blouse with a grey fedora, with a huge diamond dangling from a thin necklace

Sanchez stepped out with a slightly-unbuttoned white blouse with a grey fedora and light brown flats.

Bezos stepped out with a black t-shirt and black sunglasses as he chatted on the phone during the walk.

He also wore a brown belt and cream-colored pants for his with with Sanchez on Sunday afternoon.

The billionaire completed his look with brown shoes with white soles for his shopping outing.

Bezos was married to Mackenzie Scott from 1994 until 2019, and Sanchez was married to Endeavor talent agency co-founder Patrick Whitesell from 2005 until 2019.

Bezos split with Scott in January 2019, and he published a blog post about how American Media Inc. owner David McKenzie threatened to post pictures of him and Sanchez, while they both were married.

Sanchez split with Whitesell in April 2019, with their divorce finalized in August 2019.

Exes: Bezos was married to Mackenzie Scott from 1994 until 2019, and Sanchez was married to Endeavor talent agency co-founder Patrick Whitesell from 2005 until 2019

Bezos and Sanchez are coming off a busy weekend where they attended a special film premiere.

They both hit the red carpet at a screening of National Geographic Documentary Films' We Feed People in Washington DC.

They were spotted posing with World Central Kitchen Founder Jose Andres at the star-studded screening.

Premiere: Bezos and Sanchez are coming off a busy weekend where they attended a special film premiere
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Matt Hancock was spotted getting competitive on the dodgems while enjoying a family day out over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The former Health Secretary, 43, appeared to be in high spirits as he whizzed around on the dodgems at Chester fun fair with his children.

Carlene Spicer, 33, who was visiting the fair yesterday with her daughter, Imogen, nine - and only spotted Chester-born Hancock as she was watching Imogen on the same ride.

Matt Hancock appeared to be in high spirits as he whizzed around on the dodgems at Chester fun fair with his children on Sunday. Pictured right is Mr Hancock photobombing fairgoer Carlene Spicer's daughter Imogen

Mr Hancock laughed and smiled as he went head to head with his children and other riders on the dodgems in Chester

The mother-of-three said: 'I saw him and I thought it could be him but when you see someone like that you question yourself.

'I was thinking, is it him? Is it really him? At one point my daughter - who had no idea who he was - even bumped him with her dodgem car.

'When he got off the ride people were coming up to greet him and shake his hand so I knew it must be him. He was dressed casually but he wasn't really trying to hide who he was - he hadn't brought sunglasses or a hat.'

Mrs Spicer said the politician, who has two sons and one daughter with his ex-wife, Martha, 'seemed like a normal guy'.

'He was like a normal ''weekend dad'' you might pass on the street. He seemed very happy, at one point he asked a security guard to take a photo of him and his family.

'I think when too many people started to recognise him, he left.'

Mrs Spicer, 33, who was visiting the fair yesterday with her daughter, Imogen, nine - and only spotted Chester-born Hancock as she was watching Imogen on the same ride

Mr Hancock appears to grimace while riding the dodgems. He is currently writing a book about his experiences during Covid

Mr Hancock recently revealed he is writing a book about his experiences during the Covid pandemic, prompting cruel Twitter users to brand it 'the adulterer's guide to social distancing' and 'saving lives, s***ging wives'.

He has promised the book will disclose 'what actually happened' following heavy criticism about his handling of the crisis, including telling young people 'don't kill gran' and failing to shield care homes.

It is expected to brag about his role in the vaccine rollout, despite claims responsibility for jabs was taken from him by the Prime Minister due to other Covid mishandlings.

The book, which will be released by Biteback Publishing in October, is bound to touch on Mr Hancock's secret affair with married aide Gina Colangelo, which broke his own social distancing rules and ultimately forced him to resign.

Relatives of Covid victims have accused Mr Hancock of trying to 'cash in' on the pandemic, with sales expected to earn him up to 100,000. But the royalties will reportedly be donated to NHS charities.

Mr Hancock oversaw a policy that allowed untested hospital patients to be discharged into care homes at the height of the first wave  seen as the defining factor behind the huge death toll in the sector.

Mr Hancock was born in Chester. He now lives in his West Suffolk constituency and also has a flat in London
The medals of an SAS soldier who was killed in the devastating 'Sea King' Falklands War helicopter tragedy have sold for 20,000.

Sergeant Philip 'Taff' Jones was on board a Sea King Mk 4 which crashed in the sea while ferrying elite soldiers between the flagship HMS Hermes and the warship HMS Intrepid ahead of the assault on San Carlos in May 1982.

Twenty members of the SAS were killed, including 28-year-old Sergeant Jones.

It remains the largest loss of life to the regiment from a single incident since the end of the Second World War.

Nine others survived by swimming out of the helicopter before it disappeared beneath the waves.

Harrowing accounts emerged of the soldiers fighting each other to access tiny air pockets in the sinking craft.

Sergeant Jones, from Hoddlesden, Lancashire, served with distinction in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.

He was also present during Operation Storm carrying out anti-insurgency missions as the Dhofar Rebellion took hold in southern Oman.

His medals, red beret and other personal effects appeared on the market for the first time with auctioneers Spink & Son, of London.

They attracted a hammer price of 16,000, with extra fees taking the final figure paid to 19,840.

Medals of SAS soldier Sergeant Philip 'Taff' Jones, who was killed in the devastating 'Sea King' Falklands War helicopter tragedy, have sold for 20,000

Sergeant Jones's General Service 1962-2007 medal with Northern Ireland and Dhofar clasps (left) and his South Atlantic 1982 medal (right)

Harry Blackett-Ord, a medals specialist at Spink, said: 'What makes this group so poignant is the way such a brave man was killed in an accident of fate.

'The SAS were heavily engaged during the Falklands War, indeed some of the men killed in the crash had been deployed in the raid of Pebble Island only days before and having survived all their Argentine opponents could throw at them they died in a chance collision.

'The testimonies of the survivors describe vividly the frantic struggle for survival within the Sea King and the guilt of the few that made it out of what was, for the regiment, the worst loss of life since the end of the Second World War.

'Interest in the Falklands War is indeed high and has been for some time.

'To send an expeditionary force around the world a fight a campaign with an modern army, let alone one so close to its own homeland is a staggering feat and required soldiers of immense bravery, ingenuity and ability.'

The Sea King tragedy took place on the evening of May 19, 1982.

One theory is that the helicopter hit a large black albatross bird at 300ft, causing it to plunge into the sea at 80mph.

Survivor Trooper Mick Williams later recalled: 'I woke when the helicopter hit the water.

'The Sea King had already tilted on its side and I was at the bottom of a heap of bodies.

Members of the SAS's Mountain Troop boarding Navy Lynx helicopters sent from HMS Brilliant en route to South Georgia during the Falklands War

The Sea King tragedy took place on the evening of May 19, 1982. One theory is that the helicopter hit a large black albatross bird at 300ft, causing it to plunge into the sea at 80mph. Pictured: A Sea King takes to the skies after dropping off members of the Royal Marines in the Falklands

A view of commandos being lifted from the decks of HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible to be transferred by Westland Sea King helicopters to other ships

'I had been thrown backwards and swallowed mouthfuls of water.

'It was strangely calm and surreal in this cocoon of blackness and muffled sound.

'Then everyone's survival instinct kicked in.

'Men who had been SAS soldiers together for years fought each other, desperately trying to reach a tiny air pocket.

'Guys were standing on top of me, their boots digging into my chest.

'So I pulled them down, grappled with them, my best mates, guys I loved, we all wanted to live.

'If I had died maybe some of them would have lived.'

In May last year, survivor Corporal Mark Aston, now 73, spoke about his experiences for the first time.

He told MailOnline: 'The Sea King struck the water in an involuntary dive, its rotor blades thrashing into the waves.

'A wall of freezing white water burst into the compartment and I was struggling to hold my breath.

A commando Sea King approaching the crowded deck of HMS Hermes. Some of the ships Sea Harriers can be seen lined up

Inside the hanger deck of HMS Hermes just before launching a raid on Pebble Island. A survivor of the Sea King disaster, Corporal Mark Aston, is on the far left of the picture, with an AR15 Armalite assault rifle in his right hand

'My world closed in to become a frantic, frenzied struggle for survival, legs and arms thrashing around, close friends fighting for survival like fish caught in a barrel.

'Everyone was fighting with primal urgency to live. As men exhaled the desperate sound of their last breath was attenuated through the sea-filled interior.

'I could feel bodies twisted against mine in their struggle for life.'

Corporal Aston was saved when a wave that had crashed against the helicopter shifted the water that was inside and created an air pocket.

He had to climb over friends who were now lying motionless after passing out. The soldier escaped the aircraft after squeezing through a gap in the fuselage.

Corporal Aston then had to swim more than 160feet in freezing water before he clung to a life raft and waited to be rescued.

After 20 minutes of agonised waiting, during which survivors' bodies began to shut down, a helicopter came and picked them up.

Corporal Aston added: 'I struggled to process the magnitude of what had just befallen us.

'But deep down I knew I must have been the last one out of the helicopter. Too many good men died that day. Good friends were gone. It was all too much.'

Because no evidence ever emerged that the Sea King had hit an albatross, Corporal Aston believes the crash could have been a result of human error.

He said: 'In pitch darkness, without night vision goggles and with no discernible horizon, flying was fraught with risk, especially for an air crew that had been flying all day and who were operating in a state of fatigue.

'Whatever the cause, accidents are part of the bloody business of war.'

Sergeant Jones, who served in G Squadron, 22 Special Air Service, left behind wife of eight years, Moira.

He was buried in the St Martin's Churchyard in Hereford, where the SAS is based.

More than 100 people attended a memorial in 2012 to mark 30 years since the horrific loss of life.

Sergeant Jones's medal group consists of General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Northern Ireland, Dhofar; South Atlantic 1982; Elizabeth Cross; United States Delta Force Badge.
The heartbroken mother of a schoolboy who was stabbed to death in South London has revealed that the teenager had interviewed for his 'dream' college course just hours before he was killed.

Rommel McKoy, 16, was attacked in Hicken Road, Brixton five minutes from home at around 7.30pm on Monday, April 4. He was taken to hospital, but tragically died of his wounds 16 days later.

Two youths, aged 16 and 17, arrested in connection with the stabbing have been released on bail until mid-May.

His devastated mother Karen has now revealed that Rommel had interviewed for a science and engineering course at Merton College just hours before he was fatally wounded.

'He was so happy, he was going to study his dream course of science and engineering,' she said.

Rommel McKoy, who was attacked in Hicken Road, Brixton on the evening of April 4

Pictured, the scene of the stabbing in Hicken Road, Brixton, South London

'He had his whole life ahead of him. We got home and he said 'I'm just going go to check my friends' and that's the last I saw of him.

'I'm devastated he wanted to be an engineer or scientist. He was so kind and thoughtful and intelligent. His friends loved him. He was calm but so ambitious. He wanted to do so well in his career that he could buy me a house by the time he was 25.'

She told the Standard: 'I don't know how I can get over this. I can't believe he has gone, we are devastated. His 11 year old sister and older brother are finding it hard to cope.

'He was never in any trouble, he was a good boy.'

One of Rommel's teachers at City Heights Academy in Tulse Hill called the teenager a 'kind and respectful young man'.

Detective Chief Inspector Sal Minhas, from the Specialist Crime Command, said: 'A 16-year-old boy has lost his life and his family deserve answers to their questions about what happened to him.

Rommel was stabbed in Hicken Road in Brixton, South London

'I want to reassure Rommel's family that we are committed to bringing the person or people responsible to justice.

'Thank you to everyone who has spoken to police already about this incident. If you have not already contacted us, it is now even more vital that you do so without delay. Please let my team be the judge of what is important as you may have information that will be key to our investigation.'

Detective Superintendent Neerav Patel of the Met's Central South BCU added: 'The Met is making significant progress in reducing violence in London, but tragedies like this senseless murder remind us all that there is much more to do.

'Local people will have seen additional officers in the area in recent weeks.

'The thoughts of my colleagues and I are with Rommel's family and particularly his grieving mother. Met officers will be available to support her for so long as we are needed.'

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or to remain anonymous Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
The Australian Greens are promising to reform cannabis laws and push for a ban on new fossil fuel projects in Bass Strait if the minor party secures the balance of power at the federal election.

Cannabis laws needed reform after decades of punitive policy at the state and federal levels, the federal party said on Monday.

'Much of the rest of the world has moved on to legalise cannabis and it's high time Australia did the same,' Greens NSW Senate candidate David Shoebridge said ahead of a policy launch in the NSW Northern Rivers town of Nimbin.

Australian Greens leader Adam Bandt (pictured, left) has vowed to reform cannabis laws if his party holds the balance of power after the federal election

Regulation and taxation on legalised cannabis would make it safer for adults who use it, take money away from criminals and divert it to infrastructure like hospitals and schools, he said.

'When the government controls the supply and quality of cannabis, it is also able to provide health support for intervention or problematic use where needed,' Mr Shoebridge said.

Some 36 per cent of Australians over the age of 14 have used non-medicinal cannabis, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data for 2019, with 11.6 per cent having consumed it in the previous twelve months.

Those people should not be considered criminals, according to the Greens.

Many people in the community use cannabis and a regulated industry could raise $4.4 billion in revenue, Greens candidate for Page, which includes Nimbin, Kashmir Miller said.

Many people in the community use cannabis and a regulated industry could raise $4.4 billion in revenue, the party claims

Under the Greens plan, adults would be able to grow six plants at home for personal use or buy from cannabis retail shops.

Licences to produce or sell cannabis would go through an Australian Cannabis Agency, which would also act as the single wholesaler.

Advertising would be banned and the cannabis sold in plain packaging like cigarettes.

Those selling without a licence would still be open to penalty.

The party also wants a freeze on offshore gas exploration, including ConocoPhillips and 3D Oil's plans to drill northwest of Tasmania near King Island.

The Greens also want to push for a ban on new fossil fuel projects in the Bass Strait (stock image)

'To reach even the weak target of net zero by 2050, not one single new coal, oil or gas project can be built,' Greens leader Adam Bandt said on Monday.

Mr Bandt said the 3D Oil project had the potential to release 545 million tonnes of carbon dioxide if the estimated 10 trillion cubic feet of gas in the permit area was burned.

'More pollution than all of Australia emits for a whole year,' he said.

'The people of Tasmania don't want it, it endangers fisheries and coasts and it totally fails the climate test'.

Mr Bandt called on Labor and the coalition to commit to stopping the project before the election on May 21.

In February, the Morrison and NSW governments rejected a proposal to drill for gas in NSW waters off Manly and Newcastle following significant community opposition

In February, the Morrison and NSW governments rejected a proposal to drill for gas in NSW waters off Manly and Newcastle following significant community opposition.

Labor also supported rejecting the exploration permit.

'If opposing a fossil fuel project due to community consensus was good enough for progressive NSW electorates then it's good enough for Tassie,' Greens Senator for Tasmania Peter Whish-Wilson said.

'New Zealand, Greenland, Spain, Denmark, Costa Rica, France, Belize and Portugal have all implemented bans on new oil and gas exploration - there is no reason Australia shouldn't do the same.'

ConocoPhillips Australia and 3D Oil's exploration permit is located west of King Island and covers 4960 square kilometres of the offshore Otway Basin.

ConocoPhillips Australia is the operator and holds an 80 per cent interest and 3D Oil holds the remaining 20 per cent.
The heir to the throne gazed at his mother's priceless crown (main picture) before he announced 38 of Boris Johnson's new Bills for the coming year to properly punish eco 'hooligans', capitalise on Brexit and ensure Britons can pay their soaring bills. Today, in a highly symbolic and historic moment for the British monarchy, the Prince of Wales took on his closest role yet to that of king and addressed the House of Lords after the monarch, 96, obeyed doctor's orders to miss the State Opening of Parliament for the first time in 59 years (inset last year). It is the first time a member of the Royal Family has delivered the Queen's Speech on her behalf, with Charles referring to 'Her Majesty's Government' throughout after the words were changed just hours earlier. He gazed at his mother's crown before addressing the peers and MPs, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, after they were summoned to the Lords after Black Rod hammered on the door of the Commons. The Imperial State Crown - the greatest symbol of British sovereign power and authority - was carried to Westminster ahead of the Prince of Wales in a limousine with Britain's Crown Jeweller. But Her Majesty was forced to stay away due to mobility problems, although it was confirmed she was watching the event on TV from Windsor Castle. Prince William, who will one day sit on the throne himself, arrived at his first ever State Opening of Parliament (top right) around five minutes before his father. The two future kings were specifically given power to jointly act on Her Majesty's behalf so that the ceremony could go ahead. And as her role expanded, Charles' wife the Duchess of Cornwall is by his side at her first state occasion since Her Majesty said Camilla will become queen consort on Charles's ascension to the throne. Both William and Camilla flanked the Prince of Wales as he delivered the speech (bottom right).
Police in the City of London were today hunting for a knifeman after a man was stabbed to death near St Paul's Cathedral last night.

The victim was given CPR by paramedics at the scene in the centre of the capital last night after being found seriously injured shortly before midnight.

He was taken by ambulance to Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel but died from his injuries, and detectives are now trying to establish what happened.

Police set up a cordon in the area at the junction of St Martin's Le Grand and Gresham Street and have also taped off a car outside the Lord Raglan pub.

A forensics officer works inside a cordon close to Gresham Street in London this morning

Police in the City of London have cordoned off an area near Gresham Street in London today

Forensics teams have been scouring the area for clues this morning, and City of London Police confirmed they were investigating but no arrests had been made.

Assistant Commissioner Pete O'Doherty said: 'City of London Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Gresham Street, EC2V, at 11.30pm on May 1.

'Officers found a man suffering from serious injuries and carried out CPR at the scene before he was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he later sadly died. Enquiries are ongoing and no arrests have been made at this time'.

The victim's age is not known. A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 11.27pm on May 1 to reports of an incident in Gresham Street, EC2.

A police cordon in Greenwich, South East London, yesterday following a separate stabbing

'We sent an ambulance, a medic in a response car, an incident response officer and an advanced paramedic.

'We treated a man at the scene and took him to a London trauma centre but, sadly, he died.'

The attack happened less than 24 hours after a man aged in his 30s was stabbed to death in Greenwich with police called to that scene at 2.15am yesterday.

The man was taken to hospital following the stabbing in South East London but died soon after, and British Transport Police are investigating. No arrests have been made.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Polish President Andrezj Duda a 'valued partner' in fighting against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a Monday morning press conference at the end of a Congressional delegation to Europe.

She and six other lawmakers went to Poland after making a surprise visit to Kyiv, where the California Democrat met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for three hours late Saturday.

Pelosi, second in line for the presidency behind Vice President Kamala Harris, is the highest-ranking US official to visit the war-ravaged country since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his brutal attack on February 24.

Back in the states, the lawmakers will have to figure out how to sell President Joe Biden's request of a massive new aid package to Ukraine to their colleagues in Congress.

The president requested $33 billion last week -- more than twice the size of the initial $13.6 billion aid measure that now is almost drained.

It's meant to be a message for Putin that American weaponry and other forms of assistance to Ukraine aren't going away.

In this photo released by the Office of the President of Poland U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, left, and Poland's President Andrzej Duda shake hands in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, May 2, 2022. (Marek Borawski/Office of the President of Poland)

In a statement after the meeting with Duda, Pelosi called him 'a valued partner in supporting the people of Ukraine in the face of Putin's brutal and unprovoked war.'

She said that during their meeting the members of her delegation 'expressed America's deep gratitude to the Polish government and Polish people for opening their hearts and homes to Ukrainian refugees, and we reaffirmed our nation's pledge to continue supporting Poland's humanitarian efforts.'

Pelosi pledged to keep fighting for more aid dollars in Ukraine's fight against Russia upon her return to Capitol Hill.

'Further informed and deeply moved by our experiences throughout our engagements in Poland, our delegation will return to Washington ready to continue our work until victory is won, and Ukraine has defended Democracy for their nation and the world,' the speaker said.

Russians invasion of Ukraine has sparked a refugee crisis, with more than 5.5 million people fleeing the country. The largest group by far -- more than 3 million people -- have arrived in Poland, and many of them have remained.

Regular Polish people have taken Ukrainians into their homes, while the government and volunteers have mobilized to help in countless ways.

During a news conference on Sunday in Rzeszow, Poland, the members of the congressional delegation were unanimous in praising Ukraine's defenses, in painting the battle of one as good against evil and in assuring continued long-term U.S. military, humanitarian and economic support.

In this photo released by the Office of the President of Poland U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, 3rd from left, and Poland's President Andrzej Duda, 4th from right, meet for talks in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, May 2, 2022. (Marek Borawski/Office of the President of Poland)

The lawmakers met with U.S. service members from the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Poland, Pelosi said in a statement on Sunday.

'On behalf of Congress and the Country, we conveyed our pride and appreciation for their patriotic service to our nation,' she said.

Pelosi lauded Ukrainians' 'courage' and Zelensky's leadership in a statement after their visit to Kyiv.

'Our meeting with President Zelensky began with him thanking the United States for the substantial assistance that we have provided,' she said.

'He conveyed the clear need for continued security, economic and humanitarian assistance from the United States to address the devastating human toll taken on the Ukrainian people by Putin's diabolic invasion  and our delegation proudly delivered the message that additional American support is on the way, as we work to transform President Bidens strong funding request into a legislative package.'

She concluded, 'Our delegation conveyed our respect and gratitude to President Zelensky for his leadership and our admiration of the Ukrainian people for their courage in the fight against Russias oppression.'
A Virginia man visiting his cousin in New York City was shot dead in broad daylight while sitting in a parked car on the Upper West Side.

Ronald Thomas, 27, of Glen Allen, Virginia, was seen getting into an 'intense' argument with a woman when a gunman pulled up in a car and shot him dead in the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 he was seated in, New York Daily News reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

When his family was notified of the attack, Thomas' brother went into cardiac arrest. He remains hospitalized in critical condition.

Thomas' slaying is the latest in a string of violent crimes across the Big Apple, with major crimes surging by more than 40 percent in the past month, compared to the same period in 2021.

One nearby resident, Maria Beltran, told the Daily News, that this latest killing has people fearing for their lives.

'I don't even come outside here anymore,' she said. 'I just want to get the hell out of here. I'm going to the store right now and then I'm gonna go straight home.'

New Mayor Eric Adams, a former cop, has vowed to get crime in New York City under control and decrease bloodshed, one of the key points of his mayoral campaign.

Over the weekend he met with NYPD commanding officers to brainstorm and discuss crime crackdown strategies.

Ronald Thomas, 27, of Glen Allen, Virginia, was fatally shot in broad daylight while sitting in a parked car in New York City's Manhattan Valley neighborhood on Sunday

The victim was was struck in the head following an 'intense' argument with a woman. He was pronounced dead at the scene

Thomas was fatally shot near the Frederick Douglass Houses, a public housing development in the Manhattan Valley neighborhood, on W. 102 St. near Amsterdam Avenue around 12.15pm Sunday.

Witnesses allege he and a woman were arguing when a gunman pulled up to the cul-de-sac outside the housing complex.

'I saw an argument,' neighborhood resident Manny El Grande told the newspaper. 'I just said maybe that's like a relationship, things going on it wasn't my problem so I kept walking.'

The shooter pulled out his weapon and opened fire, striking the Virginia father in the head. He then fled the scene, leaving Thomas to die in the Mercedes he had been seated in.

A resident who heard the gunfire recalled seeing Thomas' sneakers dangling out of the driver's side door.

Others saw a woman sobbing at the scene while police investigated. It is unclear if she was the individual Thomas had been arguing with.

Thomas was fatally shot near the Frederick Douglass Houses, a public housing development near W. 102nd Street and Amsterdam Avenue

Witnesses allege Thomas and a woman were arguing when a gunman pulled up to the cul-de-sac outside the housing complex. The shooter pulled out his weapon and opened fire, striking the Virginia father in the head

The gunman then fled the scene, leaving Thomas to die in the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 he had been seated in

Thomas, originally from the Bronx, had been visiting family in the city

Thomas, originally from the Bronx, had been visiting family in the city. His cousin said he was shocked by the incident.

'It's a tragedy,' Dwayne Martin explained. 'This is nuts because it's unexpected. I don't know who he came to see, what happened. He's not that type of guy.'

Martin and his neighbors shared how Thomas' killing goes to show how crime in running rampant across the city.

'You don't really know what's going on out here or what people are into,' Martin said of the neighborhood. 'I don't know what's going on over here, I don't know if it's gangs or what.'

Carmen Quinones, president of the Frederick Douglass Houses, said the community is 'devastated' by the loss of life.

'Everybody here is devastated,' Quinones shared. 'We don't know him, but still we're devastated because this is someone's child.'

Thomas' death remains under investigation and his killer still remains at large.

Police are pictured near Thomas' body after the shooting

A resident who heard the gunfire recalled seeing Thomas' sneakers dangling out of the driver's side door

Others saw a woman sobbing at the scene while police investigated. It is unclear if she was the individual Thomas had been arguing with

New York City has seen a more than 40 percent rise in major crimes in the past month, compared to the same period in 2021.

In January 2022, Mayor Adams unveiled a comprehensive plan to combat surge in crime. That included increased foot patrols as well as the revival of a plain clothes unit named Neighborhood Safety Teams.

On Saturday, he met with 77 NYPD precinct commanders and other top officials to discuss ways to combat the surge of violence across the city.

The mayor reportedly emphasized the need for authorities to become more actively involved with the community, alleging commanders should know schools principals, homeless shelter officials and other leaders in the neighborhoods they serve.

'I need everybody to buy in,' Adams told the officers at Saturday's summit, The New York Post reported.

Thomas' slaying comes as New York City has seen a more than 40 percent rise in major crimes in the past month

He also requested the input of all attending commanders in what many are regarding as a 'very productive' conversation.

'The mayor and command staff of the NYPD had a productive meeting today with precinct commanding officers,' Chris Monahan, president of the Captains Endowment Association, said after the meeting.

'But, not discussing the real issue of the crime increase, is counterproductive. We must discuss the over-zealous [Civilian Complaint Review Board] and their lack of experience, prosecutors who refuse to charge or prosecute crimes and the state legislature which is okay with keeping violent criminals on the streets.'

'We're here for them, the community - and the community is here as you can see,' 7th Precinct Commanding Officer Luis Barcia told WABC. 'They're also doing their part and working with us to stop the violence.'

'This is how serious this is to everyone, including the mayor,' echoed NYPD Deputy Inspector Ralph Clement.
Teachers at a private Catholic school 'don't feel safe' after year seven and eight boys were caught out rating female staff's genitals on a sickening list.

A teacher at St Kevin's College in Melbourne revealed the boys had been ranking 'staff members' p*****s' and rating the sexual attractiveness of each other's sisters.

The shocking claims come after an internal review in July 2021 found that the $20,995-a-year school had a 'sexist' and 'misogynist' culture.

A teacher at St Kevin's College in Melbourne said a list had been found where boys ranked 'staff members' p*****s' (stock image)

'There is a great deal of disrespect for female teachers. The list we confiscated had a name, attribution number and rank for 'staff members' p*****s,' the teacher who wished to remain anonymous told the Herald Sun.

'The school is not making sure the boys are going out into the world with respect for women and the diverse world we live in.'

She added that the culture is now so bad female teachers 'don't feel safe walking across the school yard'.

The college is still reeling after a year 11 boy was recently asked to leave the elite school when it was revealed he shared demeaning comments about girls from the nearby Loreto College on social media.

The student, who also made rape jokes on TikTok last year, said in a post that girls from the Toorak school will 'do anything for d**k'.

An internal review found in July 2021 that St Kevin's College (pictured) had a 'sexist' and 'misogynist' culture

Educators at a private Catholic school 'don't feel safe walking across the school yard' (stock image)

Deborah Barker, principal of St Kevin's College, said 'We recognise what we are dealing with ... we want to have the best and most complete cultural realignment that ultimately serves the interest of our students, staff and the broader community.'

She added that 'Much work has already been done'.

Daily Mail Australia contacted St Kevin's College with further questions on issues in the school and was told it not able to comment about specific instances of student behaviour.
Outraged locals have voiced their disgust over a 'puke green' new paint job for a historic harbour footpath in a popular seaside town.

The new footway is part of a seven-month project to resurface and improve the street scene on Custom House Quay in Weymouth, Dorset.

However, the bright green hue has left residents unimpressed after it was likened to 'vomit' - whilst another said the path was 'vile' and 'incredibly uninviting' to walk on.

Councillor Louie O'Leary branded the path 'disgusting' and compared the colour to the character Shrek from the 2001 eponymous animated comedy.

The new footway is part of a seven-month project to resurface and improve the street scene on Custom House Quay in Weymouth, Dorset. Pictured left: The historic harbour before the 'puke green' paint job compared with after (right)

Councillor Louie O'Leary branded the path 'disgusting' and compared the colour to the character Shrek (Pictured) from the 2001 eponymous animated comedy

The bright green hue (Pictured) has left residents unimpressed after it was likened to 'vomit' - whilst another said the path was 'vile' and 'incredibly uninviting' to walk along

Cllr O'Leary said: 'I've raised the Shrek coloured Quay with the cabinet member for highways. It's disgusting.

'I was the only member of the south and west area planning committee to vote against the current harbour scheme last year and feel very vindicated in doing so. However if we're going to have it, let's make the most of it.'

Locals flocked to social media to complain that the green colour ruined the council's ongoing improvement works and likened the harbour to a children's playground.

Writing on Facebook, Aaron Grant Jones, said: 'You can't modernise your windows along there, but you can paint the pavement puke green? Solid logic.'

Local resident, Jane Long, added: 'Our lovely working harbour looks like a playground.'

Earl Godwin replied: 'When they said they wanted everyone and everything to go green, someone at the council took the idea quite literally.'

William Evans said: 'Walked along it yesterday. It was vile, incredibly uninviting.'

Stuart Law added: 'In no way is this in keeping with an historic harbour. The council have broken their own Conservation Area rules, by not replacing like for like.'

Other residents said the path would 'enhance' the area and claimed the paint had already faded.

Christopher James Toms wrote: 'I like it, I think it will greatly enhance the area, I've seen it in a few countries and like it myself.'

It is not the first time the council faced criticism for 'ghastly' changes to the harbour. Officials came under fire in April last year after installing new safety railings to stop people falling into the water that locals said looked like cheap scaffolding poles.

Officials came under fire in April last year after installing new safety railings (Pictured) to stop people falling into the water that locals said looked like cheap scaffolding poles

Many claimed the railings would put an end to the age-old tradition of people sitting on the harbour wall to eat fish and chips and restrict crabbers from dangling their lines in the water.

Weymouth Harbour was formed in the 12th century in what is now the old town of the seaside resort.

During the Second World War 'little ships' set off from the quayside to help with the Dunkirk evacuation and thousands of troops embarked on landing craft for D-Day there.

The route for the new footways was closed for months and the area turned into a building site as the work was carried out.

The programme of works started last October and has included footway widened and resurfaced, kerbs realigned, roads resurfaced and new drainage channels installed.

But the project is behind schedule and expected to finish on May 27. Dorset Council said it will be installing benches along the harbourside footway, erecting signs, reinstating bollards and finishing lining work over the next month
Madeleine McCann vanished from the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in May 2007 where she was on holiday with her parents Kate and Gerry and siblings

Madeleine McCann's parents have marked 15 years since their three-year-old daughter was taken with a poignant line from A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh as they say a 'truly horrific crime has been committed'.

In a message on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page on today, Kate and Gerry McCann quoted a poignant line from A.A.Milne's Winne-the-Pooh - 'But the most important thing is, even if we are apart, I'll always be with you' and said they need closure on what happened to the toddler at the holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007.

They wrote: 'This year we mark fifteen years since we last saw Madeleine. It feels no harder than any other but no easier either. It's a very long time.

'Many people talk about the need for 'closure'. It's always felt a strange term. Regardless of outcome, Madeleine will always be our daughter and a truly horrific crime has been committed. These things will remain.

'It is true though that uncertainty creates weakness; knowledge and certainty give strength, and for this reason our need for answers, for the truth, is essential.

'We are grateful for the ongoing work and commitment of the UK, Portuguese and German authorities as it is this combined police effort which will yield results and bring us those answers.

'As always, we would like to thank all of our supporters for their continued good wishes and support.

'It is a huge comfort to know that regardless of time passed, Madeleine is still in people's hearts and minds. Thank you.'

Madeleine McCann's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, today released a message to mark 15 years since their daughter's disappearance

Madeleine McCann's parents have marked 15 years since their three-year-old daughter was taken with a poignant line from A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh

In July 2013, Scotland Yard launched its own investigation, Operation Grange, into Madeleine's disappearance

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell from the Metropolitan Police, who leads the operation, said: 'Fifteen years on from Madeleine's disappearance in Praia Da Luz our thoughts, as always, are with her family.

'Officers continue to investigate the case and our dedicated team are still working closely with law enforcement colleagues from the Portuguese Policia Judiciaria as well as the German Bundeskriminalamt.

The parents said Madeleine (pictured) 'will always be our daughter' and thanked well-wishers

'At this time, the case remains a missing person's inquiry and all involved are committed to doing what we can to find answers.'

It comes after convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner, 44, was declared an official suspect by Portuguese authorities last month, which was welcomed by the couple.

He has insisted he was having sex with woman in his camper van at time when three-year-old girl vanished, according to reports.

Brueckner claims to have been stopped and photographed at a police roadblock after driving the woman to the airport at Faro, Portugal, for a flight home the next day.

The suspect says she was arrested at airport security for carrying an illegal pepper spray and is adamant Portuguese police will have a record of the events, Sky News reports.

German police are said to have found a picture of the woman lying in his van when they investigated a rape charge for which the 44-year-old is now in jail.

This revelation comes just days after it was claimed that Brueckner has not provided German police with an alibi.

German prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters, who is leading the investigation, told Sky News: 'I assume if he has anything that exonerates him that sooner or later he will share it with us and we would then check it out. What happens then, let's see.

Christian Brueckner, 44, the chief suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann 'has not provided German police with an alibi', a German prosecutor has said

'So far he has told us nothing, he's given us no alibi. So, we can only work on the evidence we have found so far in our investigation. And there was nothing to exonerate him.'

Earlier this year, however, sources close to the case were said to have discovered that Brueckner was not at the resort in Praia da Luz the night she disappeared and was actually '30 minutes away.'

It is expected that British investigators' television programme Madeleine McCann: Investigating the Prime Suspect, will dismantle the case against the prisoner.

When she vanished aged three in 2007, phone records were said to show the prime suspect near the scene, the Sun reported.

However, the new investigation has revealed that an alibi for Brueckner, who was made an 'arguido', a formal suspect, by Portuguese authorities last month, 'stacks up.'

If his latest claim is true, it would contradict the evidence from mobile phone data masts, which police said shows his phone was in the village when it received a call from 7.32pm to 8.02pm.

Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry McCann, say their daughter vanished between 9pm and 10pm, while Brueckner insists that he'd driven miles along the coast towards Faro by 10pm.
The Post Office executive who oversaw the Horizon IT scandal which resulted in hundreds of subpostmasters being wrongly convicted could be stripped of her CBE when a government inquiry ends.

Paula Vennells, 62, who ran the Post Office between 2012 and 2019, was awarded a CBE at the end of her tenure for 'services to the Post Office and to charity', a year before the first group of subpostmasters were awarded compensation for their false prosecution.

However, Sir Tom Scholar, the chairman of the Honours Forfeiture Committee, said his team would reconsider her award once a government inquiry into the Post Office IT scandal has concluded later this year.

Close to 700 subpostmasters and postal workers across the country were incorrectly convicted of crimes such as fraud, false accounting and theft between 2000 and 2015 when glitches in the computer system, called Horizon, were to blame.

A total of 104 have had their convictions overturned or begun the process to quash them, in what has previously been described as the 'biggest miscarriage of justice in modern English legal history'.

A long-awaited public inquiry into the scandal has been hearing from victims since it opened in February and is expected to continue until later this year.

Paula Vennells, 62, who ran the Post Office between 2012 and 2019, was awarded a CBE at the end of her tenure for 'services to the Post Office and to charity', a year before the first group of subpostmasters were awarded compensation for their false prosecution

Former post office workers celebrating outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in London, after their convictions were overturned by the Court of Appeal in April 2021

Labour MP Kevan Jones has repeatedly written to the Honours Forfeiture Committee over the past three years asking if Ms Vennells' honour will be reviewed.

In a response to Mr Jones on April 20, Sir Tom said: 'As you know there is currently an official government inquiry into the Post Office Horizon IT issue and the inquiry is planning to submit its findings in autumn 2022.

'In your letter of July 9 2020 to the previous chair of the Forfeiture Committee, you asked the committee to reconsider the honour awarded to Ms Vennells once there had been an investigation into the issue.

Paula Vennells: Post Office boss in postmasters scandal is willing to appear at inquiry The former chief of the Post Office during the subpostmasters scandal previously confirmed she is willing to appear as a witness in the inquiry into the UK's biggest miscarriage of justice. Paula Vennells, who ran the Post Office between 2012 and 2019, said she welcomed the move to give the inquiry statutory powers to compel witnesses to appear or risk jail for non-attendance. She said in a statement: 'It is beyond doubt there are serious and unanswered questions as to the manner in which subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted. 'All those involved in any way have a duty to those subpostmasters and their families, who were innocent victims, to ensure that this can never happen again.' Mrs Vennells, an ordained priest, joined the Post Office in 2007 and was promoted to CEO in 2012. She is said to have known that money could appear to be missing from the accounts. Over two decades, hundreds of postmasters were bankrupted, sacked or jailed. After leaving the Post Office, she landed roles as an adviser to the Cabinet Office and chairman of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London. She was given a CBE in 2019 for services to the Post Office and to charity. The married mother-of-two kept the 4.5million she earnt during her Post Office tenure, and received 140,000 a year advising supermarket chain Morrisons and homeware retailer Dunelm before her resignation from both in April. In June last year, she was forced to step back from the Church of England's ethical investment advisory group due to the furore over the scandal. In evidence to the Commons business committee she sought to shift the blame for the IT scandal, insisting she did not approve prosecutions of her staff and was misled by computer experts. She was accused of treating postmasters 'with contempt and derision'. Ms Vennells oversaw the organisation whilst it routinely denied that there were problems with its Horizon IT system, instead accusing subpostmasters of stealing money. Ms Vennells, who was an associate minister in the Diocese of St Albans, announced at the time that she would also be stepping back from her regular church duties in the wake of the Horizon scandal. She also quit non-executive board roles at high street retailers Morrisons and Dunelm.

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'The committee will have more information on which to make an assessment once the Post Office Horizon IT inquiry has completed its work.'

Sir Tom said the committee could consider cases if an individual is deemed to have brought the honours system into disrepute by being jailed for more than three months or having been struck off for 'failures to act which are directly relevant to the granting of the honour'.

Mr Jones said he welcomed the response from Sir Tom.

He told the Telegraph: 'It is good to finally receive a response from the Honours Forfeiture Committee.

'Victims of this scandal will rightly not be able to understand why Paula Vennells still retains this honour given the evidence already in the public domain.'

A government spokesman said forfeiture action is confidential and refused to comment.

A Post Office spokesman said: 'The Post Office has no comment to make regarding Sir Tom Scholars remarks and takes no view as to what the Honours Forfeiture Committee should or should not do when it comes to her honour.'

Ms Vennells was accused of covering up the IT fiasco and dragging hundreds of postmasters into the costly court battle.

She was forced to resign from a series of prestigious roles but held onto her CBE.

An ordained priest, Ms Vennells joined the Post Office in 2007 and was promoted to CEO in 2012.

After leaving the Post Office, she landed roles as an adviser to the Cabinet Office and chairman of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London.

The married mother-of-two kept the 4.5million she earnt during her Post Office tenure, and received 140,000 a year advising supermarket chain Morrisons and homeware retailer Dunelm before resigning her non-executive board member roles with both in April.

In June 2020, she was forced to step back from the Church of England's ethical investment advisory group due to the furore over the scandal.

In evidence to the Commons business committee she sought to shift the blame for the IT scandal, insisting she did not approve prosecutions of her staff and was misled by computer experts. She was accused of treating postmasters 'with contempt and derision'.

She told a committee of MPs: 'The message that the board and I were consistently given by Fujitsu, from the highest levels of the company, was that while, like any IT system, Horizon was not perfect and had a limited lifespan, it was fundamentally sound.'

Her comments came after a High Court judge found that Fujitsu's experts knew about the IT problems in 1999  15 years before the prosecutions against postmasters were halted.

In April last year, shortly after 39 former Post Office workers had their criminal convictions overturned by the court of appeal, Ms Vennells said: 'I am truly sorry for the suffering caused to the 39 subpostmasters as a result of their convictions which were overturned last week.'

People who have previously had their honours removed by the committee include Rolf Harris, who was stripped of his CBE after being found guilty of sex attacks on young girls, and Stuart Hall, whose OBE was removed due to his conviction for sex offences against children.
Sir Keir Starmer today refused to offer any further details on a 'work' event during which he drank beer with colleagues, as he again insisted there had been no breach of Covid rules.

The Labour leader is facing calls to provide evidence to back up his claims that an event on 30 April last year was in line with Coronavirus restrictions at the time.

Sir Keir was filmed swigging a beer in a room with others at Durham Miners Hall at 10.04pm that Friday night.

But he has repeatedly stressed he was working on the night in question, which came in the week before council elections and the Hartlepool by-election.

The Labour leader has also maintained he and his team had only stopped for a 'break' before resuming their duties.

It has since been revealed that Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner was also at the event.

Labour previously denied that she was present, but the party now say that was a 'mistake' made in 'good faith'.

At the time of the event, England was in the 'Step 2' rules that banned people from gathering indoors with people not from your own household.

However, there was an exemption for 'work purposes'.

Sir Keir again faced questions about the event on a visit to Worthing today, as he continued Labour's campaigning ahead of Thursday's local elections.

Asked if he had really gone back to work after 10pm that night, the Labour leader said: 'We were working, it was days before the election.

'We paused for something to eat, there was no party, no rules were broken - there's nothing I can add to that.'

Sir Keir was also grilled on suggestions there could have been as many as 30 attendees.

A delivery driver for an Indian restaurant yesterday claimed that he had dropped off quite a big order at the hall of about four bags of curry, rice and naan bread.

He also estimated there were probably about 30 or so people there.

But after the Daily Mail made further enquires with the restaurant, he changed his story to say he had no recollection of making the delivery on April 30.

Asked today to give further clarification about what happened on the night in question, Sir Keir insisted he had 'nothing to add'.

'There was no party, no breach of the rules,' he told broadcasters.

Sir Keir Starmer again faced questions about the 'Beergate' event on a visit to Worthing today, as he continued Labour's campaigning ahead of Thursday's local elections

The Labour leader was filmed swigging a beer in a room with others at Durham Miners Hall at 10.04pm on 30 April last year

The Labour leader accused the Conservatives - ahead of this week's local elections, - of 'desperately trying to talk about anything other than the cost of living, chucking as much mud as possible'.

'If they spent as much energy and as much focus on people's bills and the tax they're whacking people for, then millions people would actually be grateful for that,' he added.

'I think this is classic, two or three days before an election, mud-slinging from the Tories. But, I've got nothing to add.'

Sir Keir has called for both Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to resign over the Partygate scandal, which has seen both the Prime Minister and Chancellor hit with police fines for attending a birthday bash for Mr Johnson in Number 10 in June 2020.

Some Tory MPs have since questioned why the Metropolitan Police investigation into lockdown breaches in Downing Street isn't being replicated over Sir Keir's 'Beergate' event.

In February, Durham Constabulary decided not to launch a formal probe after reviewing a video of the event and deciding it did not believe an offence had been 'established'.

Sir Keir today took a selfie with two runners on Worthing sea front as he campaigned in the town ahead of Thursday's local elections

The Labour leader spoke with Labour councillor Beccy Cooper during his campaign visit in East Sussex

But Sir Keir's time on the south coast was dogged by questions about the event at Durham Miners Hall

Richard Holden, the Tory MP for North West Durham, wrote to the force a week ago asking them to reconsider in light of Scotland Yards decision to fine Mr Johnson.

Last night he sent a further letter asking officers to look into Sir Keirs implausible account.

He wrote: Keir Starmer has again repeated his claim that he returned to work after being pictured drinking beer inside after 10pm on the evening in question.

As many observers  including residents of County Durham  now know, this seems implausible.

Mr Holden added that it simply cannot be the case that Keir Starmer returned to work, or that the drink was reasonably necessary for work purposes.

He also demanded that police interview two students who filmed the video of Sir Keir swigging beer.
Another SAS soldier called by Ben Roberts-Smith to testify in the defamation trial he launched does not remember a contentious tunnel in Afghanistan the two men were allegedly found inside.

The serving elite soldier codenamed Person 27 began giving evidence in the Federal Court on Monday about a key mission to the Taliban compound Whiskey 108 in the Uruzgan province in 2009.

The Victoria Cross recipient is suing The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald for defamation over reports claiming he committed war crimes in Afghanistan including murder, and acts of bullying and domestic violence.

Ben Roberts-Smith (pictured leaving Federal Court last week) is suing The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald for defamation over reports claiming he committed war crimes in Afghanistan including murder, and acts of bullying and domestic violence

The 43-year-old denies all claims of wrongdoing, while the mastheads are defending them as true.

The war veteran's friend said he never saw a tunnel entrance, nor did he hear a radio transmission that one was found while several patrols were clearing the Whiskey 108 area.

He also could not recall any fighting-aged Afghan males found within the compound but confirmed taking some women over to another construction dubbed Whiskey 109.

Another SAS soldier called by Roberts-Smith (pictured in Afghanistan in 2009) claims he does not remember a contentious tunnel in Afghanistan the two men were allegedly found inside

Another SAS member anonymised as Person 42 earlier testified that a group of agitated women alerted his squad to the entrance of the tunnel where two men came out - unarmed, freely and relatively quickly.

Person 42 said the discovery was made alongside Person 35, who denied this saying 'no men' were found inside the tunnel.

Person 27 said he later heard a rumour 'bandied around' that two men were found inside the secret enclosure, but can't recall when.

Several soldiers have testified they helped or watched the men out of the tunnel, while Ben Roberts-Smith's witnesses have denied this occurred

Whether two prisoners were found inside the tunnel is a key issue in the case.

Several soldiers have testified they helped or watched the men out of the tunnel, while Ben Roberts-Smith's witnesses have denied this occurred.

Mr Roberts-Smith is accused of executing one of the unarmed prisoners who had a prosthetic leg, while he denies this and says he shot the insurgent within the rules of engagement.

And he allegedly stood by while a young trooper called Person Four was ordered by his patrol commander to execute the other, to get his first kill in action.

Mr Roberts-Smith (pictured with ex-wife Emma in 2012) is accused of executing one of the unarmed prisoners who had a prosthetic leg, but he denies this and says he shot the insurgent within the rules of engagement

Person Four successfully objected to giving evidence on this topic, citing self-incrimination.

Person 27 said he did not hear or see any engagements within the Whiskey 108 compound.

But he was aware of a prosthetic leg removed from a dead body inside the compound and taken to troop headquarters at Tarin Kowt.

He said the leg was then mounted at their makeshift bar called the Fat Lady's Arms, and confirmed he participated in drinking from it.

'Because ... it seemed to be the thing that was done.'

The trial abruptly ended early with an evacuation warning siren heard in the NSW Law Courts building, and will return on Tuesday morning.

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Friends and family of Sydney underworld crime boss Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad have attended a wake for the slain kingpin, amid fears of further gangland violence.

Up to 60 mourners met at a home on Canterbury Street in Punchbowl, in Sydney's southwest, to pay their respects to the 39-year-old on Monday evening.

It was a tense atmosphere when men, women and children began to arrive at about 7pm and greeted their fellow guests with hugs and pleasantries before heading inside.

NSW Police made sure their presence was known with at least four squad cars parking in different locations around the home.

Friends and family of Sydney underworld crime boss Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad have attended a wild wake for the slain kingpin

It comes as Ahmad was laid to rest at a service at Sydney's Rookwood cemetery on Saturday, following funeral prayers in Lakemba

The Islamic funeral service was held just two days after Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad was shot dead

Up to 60 mourners met at a home on Canterbury Street in Punchbowl, in Sydney's southwest, to pay their respects to Ahmad, also known as 'Mr Big'

Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad was gunned down while visiting an associate in a suburban street in Greenacre at 9.30pm last Wednesday night

Police told Daily Mail Australia officers were 'conducting high-visibility patrols in the area to ensure the safety and security of the community' as authorities brace for more bloodshed.

At one point in the evening catering was dropped off to guests, while others attendees made trips to the nearby shops or stepped outside for a cigarette.

The sombre mood was palpable with no music or prayers heard from outside the building before guests started dispersing at about 8:30pm.

Ahmad, also known as 'Mr Big' in criminal circles, was gunned down while visiting an associate in a suburban street in Greenacre, western Sydney, at about 9.30pm last Wednesday night.

Men, women and children began to arrive at about 7pm and greeted their fellow guests with hugs and pleasantries before going inside

At one point in the evening catering was dropped off to guests, with others seen making trips to the nearby shops or stepping outside for a cigarette

NSW Police made their presence known with at least four squad cars parked at different locations surrounding the home that hosted the wake

His brazen execution came after a $1million bounty was placed on his head and several warnings from police that an attack was imminent.

Authorities fear the brutal execution will spark yet another escalation in the bloody gang war raging on Sydney's streets.

Ahmad had only recently been released from prison after serving five years for the manslaughter of an underworld rival at a Sydney scrap yard in 2016.

The kingpin shot in a hale of bullets with authorities saying it was a 'miracle' nobody else was hurt.

'My understanding is a lot of people were in the street at the time,' Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said last week.

Police have appealed for other people in the area at the time to come forward, particularly those with mobile phone or dashcam footage.

There was no music or prayers heard from outside the building in Sydney's Punchbowl

Another police vehicle is seen parked near where the wake was held on Monday evening

Sombre guests started to arrive at the Punchbowl home at about 7pm for the wake before dispersing at about 8:30pm

Paramedics tried to treat Ahmad for his injuries but he died at the scene.

The gunman fled with a Porsche four-wheel-drive and a black BMW both found on fire a short time later.

A local resident recalled the car driving 'normally' rather than speeding from the scene after hearing several loud bangs.

'It was four banging noises at 9.32pm,' they told Nine's Today show.

'And then I heard a car drive off. It just drove off normally - it didn't drive off quickly.

'There's always things happening in Greenacre - that's just the way it is.'

Officers from Homicide Squad, Criminal Groups and Raptor Squads attended the crime scene

Police had been scouring multiple crime scenes, including the street where Ahmad was gunned down on Wednesday night. Pictured are two men who claimed to live on the street.

How the deadly shooting unfolded 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

Another neighbour described the scenes that followed the brazen attack on the crime boss as 'pandemonium'.

'Police, all my neighbours, we were all on the street,' 34-year-old Zarif told Daily Mail Australia last week.

'I'd like to say I'm surprised but I don't know, I don't know if he was a very good person.'

Detectives have since returned to the cul-de-sac near where Ahmad was shot with sniffer dogs to comb the scene for clues.

Officers were also seen speaking to and taking statements from both bystanders and locals who lived in the vicinity.

Bullet holes were evident in the side of a white ute with tinted black windows which was removed at about 10.30am.

Police are looking at a long list of 'persons of interest' and suspects who may have been involved in Ahmad's death but are keeping an open mind.

Mahmoud 'Brownie' Ahmad (pictured) died at the scene, despite attempts to revive him

Police are looking at a long list of 'persons of interest' and suspects who may have been involved in Ahmad's death but are keeping an open mind

'The intention was to kill him and they were going to do that by firing as many bullets at him as they could,' Detective Superintendent Doherty said.

'He's been warned in the past he was a marked man but he didn't heed those warnings.'

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.

Detective Superintendent Doherty said Ahmad had put himself in 'imminent danger' by continuing about his normal business in the face of threats.

'His life was always going to be in danger. He was always going to end up on a slab in a morgue or end up back in jail,' he said.

'Unfortunately for him, he's in the morgue as we speak.'

The gunman fled with a Porsche four-wheel-drive and a black BMW both found on fire a short time later. Police are investigating if the two incidents are linked

Bullet holes were evident in the side of a white ute with tinted black windows which was removed from the cordoned-off scene at about 10.30am

Ahmad pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Safwan Charbaji in 2016 shortly after returning to Australia from Lebanon where he had fled in the aftermath.

He served five years in prison and was only released six months ago.

Charbaji was shot in a gunfight outside a south-west Sydney smash repair business owned by Ahmed's brother Walid 'Wally' Ahmed.

Wally Ahmad was himself shot dead on the rooftop carpark of Bankstown Centro shopping centre weeks later.

Seven cars in total have so far been towed from the crime scene, including this blue one

Ahmad (pictured) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Safwan Charbaji in 2016 shortly after returning to Australia from Lebanon where he had fled in the aftermath

Afterwards he briefly left Sydney for the Middle East and when he returned had been surrounding himself with allies in a bid for protection.

Since 2020, NSW Police have focused considerable resources on a gangland war between the Alameddine and Hamzy groups which has seen at least seven killed.

NSW Police assistant commissioner Peter Thurtell previously said there was no doubt the ongoing gang wars on the streets of western Sydney are drug related.

'They are organised criminal groups targeting each other,' Asst Comm Thurtell said.
A council has told a mother-of-three she will have to move 250 miles from Cornwall to Wales to get accommodation and should treat the trip 'as a holiday' due to the local housing shortage.

Rae Layton, 43, was handed a shock eviction notice by her private landlord on April 22 and was told she has until mid-July to find somewhere else to live despite living in the property the last 15 years.

She signed up to Cornwall Council's Homechoice but due to increasing rent and the unprecedented interest in properties in the area, Ms Layton has been told she might have to move from the village of Ponsanooth to Cardiff.

A housing officer for Cornwall council allegedly told Ms Layton that she should look at the move to Wales as a 'holiday' despite having to leave family and friends behind.

Rae Layton, 43, (Pictured with her three children) was handed a shock eviction notice by her private landlord on April 22 and was told she has until mid-July to find somewhere else to live despite living in the property the last 15 years

A housing officer for the council allegedly told Ms Layton that she should look at the move to Wales as a 'holiday' despite having to leave family and friends behind. Pictured: Ms Layton's three children

Cornwall is one of the most sought-after destinations for city dwellers looking for second homes in other parts of the country

She said: 'The council worker told me that my kids can look at it as a holiday.

'She didn't mean anything bad by it but it's just a horrible situation to be in.

'On the 22nd April I got an email saying she wanted us out. I get it, I get all of it.

'People should be able to go fair enough and get another rental property. But people are demanding increasing rental prices.'

The ongoing housing crisis comes as Cornwall Council said there is 'an imbalance in supply and demand' that the county has never seen before.

St Ives MP Derek Thomas said in December last year that around 100 families compete for every available three-bedroom home in parts of Cornwall.

Covid lockdowns and the rise of flexible working saw a surge of Londoners spending a record 54.9bn on properties outside the city last year - the highest value on record by far.

However, the rush for second homes has brought misery to residents of the most popular towns, with soaring house values pricing young people out of the housing market.

Cornwall Council said there is 'an imbalance in supply and demand' that the county has never seen before. Pictured: Ponsanooth village in Cornwall where Ms Layton lives with her three children

Cornwall council have advised Ms Layton that she could have to move as far as Cardiff (pictured) for emergency accommodation if she does not find anything by July

Cornwall is one of the most sought-after destinations for city dwellers looking for second homes in other parts of the country.

The housing problem in Cornwall was accelerated during the pandemic when 'staycations' boomed. Increased demand for second homes in the beach town drove up prices even further - with the cost of rent nearing that seen in London.

Homechoice, Cornwall's social housing waiting list, is currently inundated with families in need, with currently 15,000 families on it as of September 2021.

Cornwall council have advised Ms Layton that she could have to move as far as Cardiff for emergency accommodation if she does not find anything by July.

She said: 'My son has been in that house since he was born. I moved from pillar to post when I was growing up and I hated it.

'They've all got friends. My best friend lives two days away from me, every evening we see each other.

'There's such a big support network that I'm gonna miss. All the parents watch everyone's kids.

'At the minute, I have to send off all my paperwork. There aren't any properties.

'They want to put me in emergency accommodation, my friends been in one for six months. She's been pushed here there and everywhere.

Homechoice, Cornwall's social housing waiting list, is currently inundated with families in need, with currently 15,000 families on it as of September 2021. Pictured: Ms Layton with her daughter

'I think when she told me I kind of thought 'no'. I just laid there at night, thinking what would I do.

'The kids wouldn't be able to go to school as they wouldn't have an address.'

Ms Layton added: 'All my friends live on my road. It's the government that are doing it, they need to change it.'

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: 'Our priority is to keep people safe, and we are working hard to find suitable emergency accommodation for all those who need it.

'We sympathise with the position that some residents are finding themselves in as Cornwall continues to face extreme pressure on the availability of housing.

'We do everything possible to keep residents within their own communities.

'The Council has established emergency accommodation and is buying and refurbishing homes to provide medium-term temporary accommodation, but the current unprecedented demand does mean that we are having to use emergency accommodation hotels.

'In a very small number of instances, we may have to offer accommodation outside Cornwall in the short term and as a last resort.

'We seek to move people back as soon as we can Cornwall and continue to offer support to help them find long-term homes.'
The driver of a pub crawl trolley that crashed over the weekend and left more than a dozen people injured - two 'critically' - has been charged with a DUI.

James Anthony Johnson, 28, was arrested Saturday after the crash at around 6.30pm at the intersection of 14th and West Peachtree Street in Atlanta, Georgia.

A total of 15 people on board were hurt and rushed to hospital, where 10 people suffered minor injuries, while two others are still critically injured.

Three others are in 'serious condition,' the Atlanta Fire and Rescue unit reported.

The party vehicle, also known as a 'pedal pub,' went too fast and rolled over while trying to turn at the intersection in downtown, according to local authorities.

'I was just laying in bed, and then I heard several screams,' said a horrified witness, who saw passengers trapped by the party bike.

Footage of the incident showed several riders lying on the lawn next to the scene of the crash, waiting to be assisted by 911, while red solo cups and other pieces of debris were scattered on the street.

Pedal pubs are open-air, foot powered trolley buses that allow people to enjoy drinks while riding through the city.

The operator sits at the front and controls the multi-people bike. They are common in most major U.S. cities.

James Anthony Johnson, 28, who works as a tour guide at Pedal Pub Atlanta, was charged with a DUI after being arrested for driving the 15-person trolley while being intoxicated. As of Monday morning, it remains unknown if he still works for the company

At least 15 people are injured and two are 'critically' hurt after what's known as a 'pedal pub' went too fast and rolled over in an intersection in downtown Atlanta on Saturday evening

There were 15 passengers on the trolley when it crashed, of whom 10 suffered minor injuries. Two riders are said to be suffering from 'critical' injuries while three more others are in critical condition although none of the victims are believed to be in a life threatening situation

DailyMail.com has contacted the trolley's owner - Atlanta Pedal Pub - for comment.

It remains unknown as to whether Johnson still works for the company, which was charged with a business permit violation, APD said.

In the aftermath of the crash, the intersection had to be shut down as officials tended to those that were injured before transporting them to four different Atlanta hospitals.

'This is a unique challenge, simply because it's a multi-casualty incident,' Atlanta Fire Battalion Chief Jason McClain said. 'This is not an everyday call, although we do train for these incidents.'

No other vehicles were involved. The crash remains under investigation, according to APD.

The crash took place at around 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of 14th and West Peachtree Streets

Debris, clothing items and a lot of red solo cups were found on the ground after the trolley flipped over

Pedal Pub, which operates as a limited liability company from its headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, provides tours of two to four bars in the Atlanta downtown area.

According to its website, the rides can take up to 15 people at most, while the bike's operators sits in the middle. The business describes passenger safety as a priority online, also revealing that its tour guides are thoroughly trained.

Meanwhile, the city of Atlanta allows passengers to consume their own alcoholic drinks onboard the trolley, except for hard liquor, the website mentions. In other cities where Pedal Pub is located, it is allowed to serve beer on the vehicles too.

Described as the 'the original party bike,' the vehicles were invented in the Netherlands before coming stateside.
Primary school students have been urged to 'ditch the ham sandwich' in leaflets inserted in their newsletters and send home to parents.

Leaflets from the Cancer Council telling kids to stop eating ham sandwiches have been put into public school newsletters by teachers in NSW.

'Ditch the ham sandwich' is the Cancer Council's latest anti-meat edict and follows on from a previous leaflet telling children to have a 'meat-free Monday'.

But both parents and pork producers have defended the humble ham sandwich and railed against the 'politically correct message'.

However, Channel Nine's US. correspondent, Amelia Adams, admitted she 'wasn't surprised'.

'It's such a nanny state back there,' she told Karl Stefanovic during a Today show cross on Tuesday morning.

Leaflets telling kids to stop eating ham sandwiches have been put into public school newsletters by teachers. Pictured: A young boy eating a ham sandwich

A pork company owner said the Cancer Council leaflets go 'too far'.

'Ham is actually a product which has been developed over the last 5,000 years and people have eaten it through the ages without any problems,' David Bligh of Bringelly Pork and Bacon told News Corp.

'I think sometimes these politically correct messages can go a little bit too far and not be as practical as they should be.'

A Cancer Council spokeswoman said the leaflets are part of a health campaign to get children eating better food.

Cancer Council leaflets (pictured) encouraging children to 'ditch the ham sandwich' have been included in public school newsletters

'Because there is strong evidence that eating processed meats and too much red meat is associated with increased risk of bowel cancer, our cancer prevention messages advise everyone to limit their processed meat consumption and cut down on red meat,' she said.

She added that schools sent the messages to include with material sent home with pupils, were not under any obligation to do so.

The NSW Department of Education eased fears of parents confirming no public school had banned ham sandwiches.

Earlier this year, an Australian mum was criticised by other parents for one part of the contents in her son's school lunchbox.

Poll Would you put ham in your child's lunchbox? Yes No Would you put ham in your child's lunchbox? Yes 4796 votes

No 633 votes Now share your opinion





Tara was happy with the lunch she prepared for her child, which included a sandwich, yoghurt, grapes, biscuits with Vegemite, popcorn and red pickled onions.

But after sharing an image to the Aldi Mums Facebook group, the ham, cheese and mayonnaise sandwich was quickly critiqued by others.

One mum questioned whether the ham sandwich was safe during Australia's hot summer, as it could lead to 'food poisoning' if left in the child's bag until lunchtime.

Tara quickly responded and said she puts an ice pack alongside the lunchbox to keep the food chilled, claiming it's 'usually still cold' after school.

For Tara, and a great many others, the humble ham sandwich will remain a school lunchbox favourite for a long time to come.
The US Navy's top enlisted officer has told sailors aboard troubled USS George Washington that 'beating suicide is like beating cancer' after 10 sailors killed themselves on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier over the last 10 months.

Master Chief Petty Officer Russel Smith admitted at an all-hands meeting with 2,700 personnel still on the ship that the Navy is struggling to address the problem.

'I'm gonna tell you that I understand that we still have a problem and the department has been focusing on it, but the problem is beating suicide is like beating cancer,' Smith said. 'There are many different causes, many different reasons.'

It took the Navy weeks to admit that three sailors - Retail Services Specialist 3rd Class Mika'il Sharp and Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Natasha Huffman, both 23, and Master-at-Arms Seaman Xavier Hunter Mitchell-Sandor, 19, -took their own lives in the month of April alone.

Sandor's father, John Sandor, said his son had complained about the conditions on the ship, which has been docked in Virginia since 2017, and was sleeping in his car after completing 12-hour shifts.

'This can't happen to any other sailors, it's not fair that when these boys and girls enlist to serve their country. It's not fair,' he told Good Morning America on Monday.

In an earlier interview, Sandor told NBC: 'He always said it sucked, and I'd always say to ask for help. He'd say, 'Dad, they don't give a f***. They don't care.' That was always his response to me.'

He added that conditions were so bad, his son would make an eight-hour drive every other weekend to visit the family in their Connecticut home in order to get far away from the ship.

Xavier Hunter Sandor (above) killed himself on April 15. His father said the sailor slept in his car and drove 8 hours home every other weekend from Virginia to Connecticut to get away

Natasha Huffman, 23, (above) killed herself on April 10. Friends said she repeatedly asked for help but was provided with little assistance before ending her life

Mika'il Rayshawn Sharp, 23, (pictured) killed himself on April 9. His mother said the youngman was excited to start a family with his new wife

Aside from the seven others who died, still more sailors tried and failed to kill themselves while assigned to the dry-docked ship which is undergoing a mid-career overhaul, according to two female sailors interviewed by NBC.

They cited deplorable conditions onboard the ship, which is under 24-hour construction while docked in Virginia Beach for the past 3 years, as one of the primary causes of mental strain aboard the ship.

'They live in a construction zone,' one sailor told Military.com. 'There's grinding, needle gunning, there's always problems with ventilation, there's always problems with hot water.'

Hannah Crisostomo, of Menifee, California, took 196 pain relievers last year because she couldn't take life on the ship. She was put on life-support for eight days and eventually survived the attempt and was discharged.

'The command pushes you to that point,' Crisostomo, now 20, told NBC.

Last week, Captain Brent Gaut, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier's chief officer, announced that all crew members who wished to live off of the ship while it undergoes its renovation may do so starting Monday, according to Military.com.

Currently 260 sailors have asked to leave the carrier for the 'off-site barracks-type living arrangement,' the publication reported.

Master Chief Petty Officer Russell Smith acknowledged problems on the ship and said that beating suicide is like beating cancer, there are many causes and it's not easy to find the cause

At least five crewmembers aboard the USS George Washington (pictured) were confirmed to have died by suicide. There have been others who have tried but failed to kill themselves

'We'll be able to expand that number at about 50 additional beds per week as we figure out exactly what is needed,' Gaut told Military.com.

The captain said that all personnel who wish to leave the ship will be allowed to do so.

Two anonymous sailors told Military.com that on April 11, Gaut told all personnel through the ships intercom Sharp and Huffman were the ship's eighth and ninth suicides. Sandor Mitchell died a week later, making his death the tenth.

The Navy only acknowledges seven suicides.

The Navy has been doing damage control since their delayed acknowledgement that there was a problem on the ship.

On April 22, the Master Chief Petty Officer addressed the crew hoping to boost morale and ease discontent over working conditions.

'The downside is some of the shit that you have to go through logistically will drive you crazy,' Smith told the crew.

He also acknowledged that 'there's not enough psychiatric care in the Navy.'

There has been a 44 percent rise in suicides in the military since 2015, according to Department of Defense stats. Since 2015, 4,842 soldiers took their own lives, 384 military personnel died of suicide in 2020.

Crisostomo, who was dealing with a bipolar disorder that had yet to be diagnosed, said she first sought help from leadership aboard the Washington after her first six months.

She said she was told to seek help on her own time, but because she worked the night shifts, there was no one around to help.

When she swallowed the pain relievers, Crisostomo was put on life support for eight days with doctors warning her family that she may never regain normal brain functions again.

Hannah Crisostomo, 20, (pictured) swallowed 196 pain relievers last May. She said she was overwhelmed by the conditions aboard the USS George Washington, where following her suicide attempt, five other crewmates killed themselves

Crisostomo slammed the alleged lack of leadership aboard the boat and failure to tend to the sailors' mental health. She claimed no one came to help her when she sought assistance

But when she woke up, her mental condition continued to deteriorate out of fear that she would have to return aboard the ship.

'If they keep me in the Navy, and they put me back in the same situation, I'm going to kill myself,' she recalled thinking, 'and I'm going to be successful the next time.'

Crisostomo and other sailors, who spoke under the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, told NBC News that 24-hour construction noise made it nearly impossible to get sleep aboard the ship.

While most sailors on board can leave the ship to sleep at home, those who come from out of state and lack housing in Virginia, where the ship is docked, are left with few options.

The sailors told NBC that many choose to sleep in their cars after working nearly 12 hour shifts.

During the span of a single week, the ship lost Sharp on April 9, Huffman on April 10, and Hunter-Sandor on April 15 to suicide.

Sharp's mother, Natalie Jefferson, told NBC that the 23-year-old had just gotten married last year with plans on buying a house and starting a family with his wife.

'He was the life of the party,' Jefferson said. 'He never showed his pain.'

One sailor aboard the ship said Huffman, 23, had been suffering and was not able to get help from the navy before ending her life.

'She wasn't getting any assistance from the Navy, as much as she tried,' the sailor told NBC . 'And then that's when we got the phone call that she wasn't with us anymore.'

Robinson, a friend of Huffman, said the two bonded over the conditions at the ship.

'She said it was draining, it's tiring,' Robinson told NBC. 'How going to the psych ward helped, but being sent back to the same place in the George Washington, we were both talking about that.'

'They really, really failed her,' she added.
A popular gay dating app is catching heat after precise location data for millions of users was collected from a digital advertising network and sold to outside parties.

Grindr - which touts itself as the world's largest social networking app for gay, bi, transgender and queer individuals - is one of several platforms prompting concern among national security officials.

Data collected from the app, which has millions of users, was used as part of a demonstration by the U.S. government detailing the intelligence risks of commercially available information, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Although the information did not disclose names or phone numbers, experts allege some of the data was detailed enough that one could make inferences about a person's identity and romantic partners.

Analysts claim location data of Grindr users had been sold to advertisers since at least 2017. While the app has updated its privacy settings to prevent this data from becoming accessible, many allege users' historical data may still be obtainable.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Grindr spokesperson Patrick Lenihan denied that the app shared users' 'precise location', and has shared less information with ad partners since 2020.

'We do not share user profile information, and we do not share even industry standard data like age or gender,' he said.

Grindr is catching heat after precise location data for millions of users was collected from a digital advertising network and sold to outside parties

Mobile advertising company clients have been able to purchase phone movement data of Grindr users in bulk for many years.

People familiar with the data told the Wall Street Journal that a user's address and workplace could be identified by analysis of their patterns, habits and routines.

Similarly, one could make inferences about a user's romantic partners based on the proximity of their device to that of another user's device.

App executives reportedly believed sharing real-time location data with advertising networks was not a privacy concern, but instead would allow users to receive targeted ads about nearby restaurants, bars or hotels - something that could be arguably beneficial to singles looking for new date ideas.

Advertising industry officials said the purchased location data would be used for target ads and to reshape marketing budgets, Grindr executives allege. It is unclear if the execs knew the data would be accessible to other parties.

In a statement, Grindr spokesperson Patrick Lenihan told DailyMail.com

'Grindr users value privacy, and we have put our users' privacy first even when it meant lower revenue. The activities that have been described would not be possible with Grindr's current privacy practices, which we've had in place for two years,' he said.

The statement added that since early 2020, the app shared less information with ad partners than any other big tech platform and its competitors, 'restricting the information we share to IP address, advertising ID and the basic information necessary to support ad delivery'.

Although the information did not disclose names or phone numbers, experts allege some of the data was detailed enough that one could make inferences about a person's identity and romantic partners

Analysts claim location data of Grindr users had been sold to advertisers since at least 2017

'Since early 2020, Grindr has shared less information with ad partners than any of the big tech platforms and most of our competitors,' a Lenihan told The Wall Street Journal.

'The activities that have been described would not be possible with Grindr's current privacy practices, which we've had in place for two years.'

He also noted that the company has taken hits, such as lesser ad quality and lower revenue, by reducing the data shared.

Most apps participate in real-time ad exchanges that provide user data to

Location data is obtained in a computerized bidding process that takes places in just milliseconds. The highest bidding advertiser will then receive access to the data.

Experts claim consumers are often unaware of the process, which occurs nearly every time they load and app or webpage.

However, Grindr is designed to encourage users to share their location data so they can better utilize the app.

Some allege that Grindr sharing its location data could pose risks to its users, specifically those in countries where being gay is illegal and could result in prosecution or punishment.

The app claims it doesn't serve ads in those particular countries, keeping users' information off of advertising exchanges.

While the app has updated its privacy settings to prevent this data from becoming accessible, many allege users' historical data may still be obtainable

Other experts cited concerns that Grindr users who have not yet come out as gay could face threats of blackmail from those who obtain their data.

For example, the U.S. government reportedly forced a Chinese company off of Grindr in 2019, alleging national security grounds, blackmail risk and the potential that Beijing could use the app's data for surveillance purposes.

And, as recently as last year, a senior official with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops resigned from his role after being approached about data identifying him as a user on the app.

The official's resignation came after The Pillar, a Catholic publication, obtained commercially available data allowing it to track individual's Grindr usage.

Grindr officials, at the time, stated they did not believe the app was the source of the data obtained by The Pillar, but reportedly acknowledged it was 'theoretically possible' an advertising partner may have collected the information.

The Pillar did not respond to requests for comment.
The European Commission may spare Hungary and Slovakia from an embargo on buying Russian oil, preventing them from vetoing Russian oil from being sold to the rest of the EU.

Hungary and Slovakia are highly dependent on imports of Russian oil and gas, with both hinting they could block an embargo via the EU's membership veto.

But the EU may grant the two countries a way out, denying the member states from blocking the sanctions.

Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday it would be able to weather an EU embargo on Russian oil imports by the end of the year, in a signal Germany is throwing its weight behind the ban.

If Slovakia and Hungary are given a loophole and Germany pushes ahead, the bloc may be able to present a united economic front on the banning of Russian exports.

The Commission is expected to finalise on Tuesday work on the next and sixth package of EU sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine, which would include a ban on buying Russian oil.

Oil exports are a major source of Moscow's revenue, giving EU countries the ability to pile up economic pressure on Russia by denying it sales from the continent.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends the opening session of Hungary's new parliament in Budapest. The European Commission may spare Hungary and Slovakia from an embargo on buying Russian oil

EU energy ministers will discuss the proposed oil ban in Brussels later on Monday, aiming to present the sanctions package to ambassadors of EU governments on Wednesday.

Hungary, heavily dependent on Russian oil, has repeatedly said it would not sign up to sanctions involving energy.

Slovakia is also one of the EU countries most reliant on Russian fossil fuels.

To keep the 27-nation bloc united, the Commission might offer Slovakia and Hungary 'an exemption or a long transition period', one of the officials said.

The oil embargo is likely to be phased in anyway, most likely only taking full effect from the start of next year, officials said.

Russian pipelines supplying oil and gas to Europe (pictured) would be turned off under the new sanctions package, with the possible exception of imports heading to Hungary and Slovakia

'We have managed to reach a situation where Germany is able to bear an oil embargo,' Habeck, of the ecologist Greens, told a news conference. 'This means it won't be without consequences.'

Finance Minister Christian Lindner went even further, telling a German broadcaster that the German economy would even be able to stomach an immediate ban.

'With coal and oil, it is possible to forgo Russian imports now,' Lindner of the Free Democrats (FDP) told WELT. 'It can't be ruled out that fuel prices could rise.'

Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government is under pressure to reduce Germany's dependence on Russian fossil fuels and he has been accused of lacking leadership after his initial resistance to supplying Ukraine with heavy weapons.

Germany last month cut the share of Russian oil to 25% of total imports from 35% before the invasion.

Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday it would be able to weather an EU embargo on Russian oil imports by the end of the year, in a signal the country is throwing its weight behind the ban

Habeck said the main challenge for Germany was to find alternative oil deliveries to a refinery in Schwedt operated by Russian state company Rosneft which supplies east German regions as well as the Berlin metropolitan area.

Those areas could face supply shortages in the event of an EU embargo if Germany can't secure alternative oil imports by the end of the year, Habeck said.

'We still have no solution for the refinery in Schwedt,' said Habeck. 'We can't guarantee that supplies will be continuous. There will for sure be price hikes and there will be some outages. But that doesn't mean we will slide into an oil crisis.'

An advisor to Scholz told the Financial Times in remarks published on Sunday that Germany backed the planned EU embargo on Russia oil but wanted a few more months to secure alternatives.

Joerg Kukies told the newspaper that the goal was to ensure Schwedt is supplied with non-Russian oil brought by tankers to Rostock on the Baltic Sea
The alleged cell leader of a power cartel has been captured by the Mexican navy in resort city of Mazatlan.

Francisco Rodriguez, who is also known as 'El Senoron' among other aliases, was taken into custody in front of a high-end condominium Friday.

Rodriguez allegedly oversaw the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's operations in the central state of Morelos.

'(He is) one of the main generators of violence in the state of Morelos with different activities in the metropolitan area and south of the entity,' the Morelos Attorney General's Office said.

Francisco Rodriguez was arrested by the Mexican navy in resort city of Mazatlan on Friday. He allegedly oversaw the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's operations in the central state of Morelos.

Francisco Rodriguez (second from left), the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's operations in the central Mexican state of Morelos, was taken into custody outside a condominium in the resort city of Mazatlan on Friday

His arrest was made possible due to a collaborative effort between federal and state law enforcement which gather sufficient intelligence that allowed the navy to captured outside the Torres Veleros (Veleros Towers) condominium.

Rodriguez was sought for aggravated homicide and was accused of being behind the April 12, 2020 murders of three doctors - Oscar Emeterio, Luis Vidana y Gerardo Urquiza  who were shot dead in the Morelos municipality of Puente de Ixtla. Two other suspects linked to the killings were taken into custody June 16, 2020.

The Attorney General's Office also accused Rodriguez of extortion and organized crime.

A $25,000 reward for information leading to his capture was offered in July 2021.

The announcement of the ransom sparked a wave of killings throughout Mazatlan that left eight people dead, including a six-year-old boy and a police officer.

Dr. Gerardo Urquiza (pictured) is one of the three doctors who were shot dead on April 10, 2012 in Morelos, Mexico. The killings have been attributed to Francisco Rodriguez, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's operations in the central Mexican state of Morelos

Dr .Luis Vidana was among the three doctors who were found shot dead on April 10, 2020 in Morelos, Mexico

Dr. Oscar Emeterio, one of the three doctors who were killed April 10, 2020 in Morelos, Mexico. Three suspects are under arrest for the murders, including Francisco Rodriguez, the alleged leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel's operations in the central Mexican state of Morelos

Rodriguez caught the attention of authorities in 2019 following the arrest of Santiago Mazari, the leader of a criminal gang known as Los Rojos, that operated in the states of Guerrero and Morelos, according to digital news outlet Infobae.

El Senoron, who had known presence in Morelos for carrying out extortions and running drug dealing spots, wound up being taken in by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

He reportedly enlisted as a member of National Action Party's youth wing, handing out flyers from 2012 to 2015 before took up criminal activities.

Mexican federal and state law enforcement shared intelligence which allowed the navy to captured alleged Jalisco New Generation Cartel cell leader Francisco Rodriguez outside the Torres Veleros (Veleros Towers) in Mazatlan on Friday.

The U.S Department of Justice is offering a $10 million reward for the arrest of his boss, Nemesio 'El Mencho' Oseguera.

His cartel has carved a presence in 32 states throughout Mexico and the nation's capital, Mexico City, and spread across the border to 11 states in the United States, including Hawaii, and the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.

The Drug Enforcement Administration labeled the cartel as one of the nine drug cartels that pose a major threat to the United States by flooding its streets with fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, according to the agency's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment Report.
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Hastings has celebrated the traditional start of summer with a splash of green - as part of the Jack of the Green legend festival.

The festival takes place over four days every May and culminates with a procession through Hastings' Old Town on the May bank holiday Monday.

The festival's greenery celebrates the blooming flowers and foliage which precipitates the coming of spring.

Revellers lined the streets clad in green to celebrate the coming of spring with a procession of vibrant costumes walking down the streets of historic Hastings, East Sussex.

References were seen to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this summer as the parade continued through the Old Town.

Costumed participants were seen wearing a myriad of colourful outfits which fit with the theme with the start of the warmer months.

Jack of the Green, the central character of the festival, symbolises winter and the tradition started in the 17th century as part of May Day celebrations.

Jack was first referenced in 1770 with some historians believing that the character goes back further and has pagan roots.

The legend of Jack evolved during the 1700s and eventually ended up covering Jack from head to foot in foliage, hence Green Jack then became known as Jack in the Green.

The traditional festival also involves creative decorative neck or headwear from flowers and leaves which were worn while dancing around a Maypole. Many visitors to the festival this year carry on the tradition, wearing their own garlands to see the parade.

Some people even put a modern twist on the festival, bring green smoke flares to create an even more spirited atmosphere.

Elsewhere in the UK, traditional Morris dancers entertained the crowds for May Day celebrations.

May Day celebrations took over the UK today, a traditional festival which takes place over four days every May, culminating with a procession through Hastings' Old Town (pictured) on bank holiday Monday

The festival's greenery celebrates the blooming flowers and foliage which precipitates the coming of spring .References were seen to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee (pictured) this summer as the parade continued through the Old Town

Revellers lined the streets clad in green to celebrate the coming of spring with a procession of vibrant costumes walking down the streets of historic Hastings, East Sussex

Costumed participants were seen wearing a myriad of colourful outfits which fit with the theme with the start of the warmer months. Jack of the Green, the central character of the festival, symbolises winter and the tradition started in the 17th century as part of May Day celebrations

Jack was first referenced in 1770 with some historians believing that the character goes back further and has pagan roots. Local residents pictured taking part from their window

The legend of Jack evolved during the 1700s and eventually ended up covering Jack from head to foot in foliage, hence Green Jack then became known as Jack in the Green

The traditional festival also involves creative decorative neck or headwear from flowers and leaves which were worn while dancing around a Maypole

Many visitors to the festival this year carry on the tradition, wearing their own garlands to see the parade

Some people even put a modern twist on the festival, bring green smoke flares to create an even more spirited atmosphere

People pictured attending the May Day bank holiday Jack In The Green parade in Hastings on bank holiday Monday

The Ellington Morris dancers entertained visitors and locals in Henley on Thames to celebrate the arrival of summer.

The team are named after the original Domesday Book designation for Maidenhead, from where the group hail.

Morris dancing is thought to evolve from dancing around a Maypole - which in terms comes from the pagan custom of dancing around a tree to shove off to rival villages.

They attended the Henley May Fayre as one of the few mixed-gender Cotswolds Morris dancing troupes on Monday.

Morris dancers were also seen celebrating Beltane May Day on High Peak in Derbyshire before sunrise yesterday.

Dancers performed their annual dance atop the Eccles Pike at sunrise, as part of the ancient Celtic festival Beltane, celebrated on May Day weekend.

The costumes were far from traditional like those seen in Henley, with participants turning out in steampunk-inspired gear.

The Ellington Morris dancers entertained visitors and locals in Henley on Thames to celebrate the arrival of summer. The team are named after the original Domesday Book designation for Maidenhead, from where the group hail

Morris dancers celebrated Beltane May Day on High Peak in Derbyshire before sunrise on Saturday morning. Dancers, pictured, performed the annual dance atop Eccles Pike at sunrise as part of the ancient Celtic festival Beltane

Morris dancing is thought to evolve from dancing around a Maypole - which in terms comes from the pagan custom of dancing around a tree to shove off to rival villages

Morris dancers were also seen celebrating Beltane May Day on High Peak in Derbyshire before sunrise yesterday

Dancers performed their annual dance atop the Eccles Pike at sunrise, as part of the ancient Celtic festival Beltane, celebrated on May Day weekend

. The costumes were far from traditional like those seen in Henley, with participants turning out in steampunk-inspired gear
Russia is already preparing to invade Moldova, Ukrainian army insiders have claimed.

Putin will create a 'pretext' in the country south-west of Ukraine in order to justify forces entering border region Transnistria, they warned.

Around 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed in the Kremlin-backed breakaway state to 'protect Russian-speaking peoples'.

Moldova's entire army numbers 3,250 troops.

The Ministry of State and Security in regional capital Tiraspol (left) was bombed last Monday. Right: smartphone footage from an adjacent building shows smoke billowing after the attack

The breakaway region Transnistria on the border with Ukraine could be a crucial supply point for a full Russian invasion of crucial Black Sea port Odesa, officials in Kyiv warned. One insider said: 'We believe the Kremlin has already taken the decision to attack Moldova.'

Ukrainian Ministry of Defence insiders said: 'We believe the Kremlin has already taken the decision to attack Moldova', The Times reported.

Moldovan president Maia Sandu said the explosions were an attempt to escalate tension between rival factions in Transnistria

'The fate of Moldova is crucial. If the Russians start to take control we will be [...] an easier target.'

Controlling Transnistria would forge a well-located supply point for the faltering invasion of southern Ukraine.

Strategic Black Sea port Odesa is just 35 miles from the border with Moldova - and 100 miles from capital Chisinau.

Transnistria's regional capital Tiraspol, likely to be a flashpoint in the event of a Russian invasion, is 62 miles from Odesa.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told a Saudi broadcaster: Moldova should worry about their own future. Because theyre being pulled into Nato.

Tiraspol airport (satellite image pictured) is likely to become a flashpoint in any future conflict

Tiraspol airport is preparing to accept Russian Ilyushin-76 transport planes and helicopters, the Kyiv army insiders added.

They said: 'That means they are preparing an airborne landing operation and there is a high probability the airborne troops will be delivered from Crimea.'

Russia is expected to base its excursion into Moldova on the 'pretext' of protecting Russian speakers in the country.

Tiraspol airport is reportedly preparing for the arrival of Russian Ilyushin Il-76 cargo planes

That could come in the form of false flag attack blamed on anti-Russian groups.

In Transnistria, ethnic Ukrainians and Russians outnumber Moldovans.

'It's very easy to create a pretext in Moldova', a military source told The Times.

Sergei Lavrov (pictured last week in Moscow) said Moldova 'should worry about their own future' and keep off Ukraine

Since April 7, Russian military symbols have been banned in Moldova.

The tensions came as Defence Secretary Ben Wallace predicted Putin could use Russias Victory Day to announce an intensification of the Ukrainian onslaught  and perhaps an opening of new theatres of war.

He added: Putin, having failed in nearly all objectives, may seek to consolidate what hes got... and just be a sort of cancerous growth within the country.

We have to help Ukrainians effectively get the limpet off the rock and keep the momentum pushing them back.

Analysts had predicted Putin wanted to be in a position where he could declare some form of victory on May 9.

But with Russian progress on the battlefield being less than conclusive, he may now seek to escalate further.
Thomas Webster, a 20-year NYPD veteran, was the first Capitol riot defendant to be tried on an assault charge and the first to present a jury with a self-defense argument

A federal jury on Monday convicted a New York Police Department veteran of assaulting an officer during the U.S. Capitol riot, rejecting his claim that he was defending himself when he tackled the officer and grabbed his gas mask.

Thomas Webster, a 20-year NYPD veteran, was the first Capitol riot defendant to be tried on an assault charge and the first to present a jury with a self-defense argument.

Other rioters charged with assaulting, resisting or impeding officers have either entered plea agreements with the prosecution or pleaded guilty.

Webster, who was wearing a face mask in court, showed no obvious reaction to the verdict finding him guilty of all six counts against him.

The 56-year-old testified that he was trying to protect himself from a 'rogue cop' who punched him in the face. He also accused the Metropolitan Police Department officer, Noah Rathbun, of instigating the confrontation.

According to a complaint by the Department of Justice, Webster swung a large flagpole with a red US Marine Corps flag attached to it before grabbing a metal bike rack and shoving it into Rathbun.

He also forcibly tried to remove Rathbun's face shield and gas mask. Rathbun testified that he started choking as the chin strap on his gas mask pressed against his throat.

Rathbun testified that he didn't punch or pick a fight with Webster as a violent mob attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021, disrupting Congress from certifying Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory over then-President Donald Trump.

Webster's jury trial was the fourth for a Capitol riot case. The first three defendants to get a jury trial were convicted of all charges in their respective indictments. A judge decided two other cases without a jury, acquitting one of the defendants and partially acquitting the other.

A grand jury indicted Webster on six counts, including a charge that he assaulted Rathbun with a dangerous weapon, a metal flag pole. Webster wasnt accused of entering the Capitol on Jan. 6. He's scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 2.

Webster forcibly tried to remove Metropolitan Police Department officer Noah Rathbun's face shield and gas mask during the riot. Rathbun testified that he started choking as the chin strap on his gas mask pressed against his throat

This still frame from Metropolitan Police Department body worn camera video shows Thomas Webster, in a red jacket, at a barricade line at on the west front of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021

The Trump loyalist said he was trying to protect himself from a 'rogue cop' who punched him in the face. Above, Webster can be seen holding a 'Trump 2016' cake in an undated Facebook picture shared by the Department of Justice

Prosecutors asked for Webster to be detained pending sentencing, but the judge agreed to let him remain free until that hearing.

He'll be monitored with an ankle bracelet. The judge said it was a 'close call' whether to jail him immediately but noted that he has complied with current conditions of release and doesn't have any prior convictions.

Webster drove alone to Washington, D.C., from his home near Goshen, New York, on the eve of the January 6 'Stop the Steal' rally. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a U.S. Marine Corps flag on a metal pole when he approached the Capitol, after listening to Trump address thousands of supporters.

Webster said he went to the Capitol to 'petition' lawmakers to 'relook' at the results of the 2020 presidential election. But he testified that he didn't intend to interfere with Congress joint session to certify the Electoral College vote.

Officer Rathbun's body camera captured Webster shouting profanities and insults before they made any physical contact.

Webster said he was attending his first political protest as a civilian and expressing his free speech rights when he yelled at officers behind a row of bike racks.

The body camera video shows that Webster slammed one of the bike racks at Rathbun before the officer reached out with an open left hand and struck the right side of Webster's face. Webster said it felt like he had been hit by a freight train.

'It was a hard hit, and all I wanted to do was defend myself,' Webster said.

Webster also said he believed Rathbun was coming after him and recalled thinking, 'He's gone rogue.'

Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain.

After Rathbun struck his face, Webster swung a metal flag pole at the officer in a downward chopping motion, striking a bike rack. Rathbun grabbed the broken pole from Webster, who charged at the officer, tackled him to the ground and grabbed his gas mask.

Officer Rathbun's body camera captured Webster shouting profanities and insults before they made any physical contact

The body camera video shows that Webster swung the flagpole before the officer reached out with an open left hand and struck the right side of Webster's face

A federal jury on Monday rejected Webster's claim that he was defending himself when he tackled the officer and grabbed his gas mask

'You f****** piece of shit. You f****** Commie motherfuckers, man . . . Come on, take your s*** off. Take your s*** off,' Webster can be heard saying on video while attempting to forcibly remove Rathbun's face shield and gas mask.

'That's 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.

During closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Kelly urged jurors to reject Websters self-defense argument.

'Don't let the defendant off the hook for what he did that day,' Kelly said.

Defense attorney James Monroe said Webster had a right to defend himself against a 'bad cop' who was using excessive force.

'Get behind the truth. And I'm talking about the whole truth,' Monroe told jurors.

Rathbun reported a hand injury from a separate encounter with a rioter inside the Capitol. He didn't report any injuries caused by Webster, but jurors saw photos of leg bruises that Rathbun attributed to his confrontation with the retired officer.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective who investigated the incident said Rathbun didn't recall his encounter with Webster several days after the riot.

Rathbun said seeing the body camera video refreshed his memory.

Webster faced six counts: assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer using a dangerous weapon; civil disorder; entering and remaining in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and engaging in an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.

Trump supporters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021

Trump supporters wave banners and swarm the Capitol on January 6, 2021

Webster retired from the NYPD in 2011 after 20 years of service, which 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. More than 100 officers were injured.

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 Biden's 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.

Two riot defendants didnt testify at their trials before jurors convicted them of all charges, including interfering with officers.

One of them, Thomas Robertson, was an off-duty police officer from Rocky Mount, Virginia. The other, Texas resident Guy Wesley Reffitt, also was convicted of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump nominee who acquitted Martin of all charges, also presided over a bench trial for New Mexico elected official Couy Griffin.

McFadden convicted Griffin of illegally entering restricted Capitol grounds but acquitted him of engaging in disorderly conduct.
An explosion has struck an arms factory deep inside Russia, a senior Ukrainian official said - just the latest in a series of fires and blasts at military sites amid suspicion they are being orchestrated from Kyiv.

Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian foreign ministry, tweeted out footage which he claimed showed the arms factory in Perm - 700 miles to the east of Moscow - burning, claiming a 'powerful' explosion had struck it.

Russia acknowledged a fire took place at the factory around 8pm Sunday but did not say what caused the 'accident'. It comes amid a series of blazes and blasts at military sites which Kyiv is thought to be orchestrating, though it has not confirmed this.

The Perm factory is used to make rockets for Russian artillery systems of the kind being used to bomb Ukrainian cities and troops.

The blast came as Ukraine today released footage showing Polish tanks arriving in the country as they prepare to join the fight in Donbas. Warsaw has donated more than 200 of its Soviet-era T-72 tanks to Ukraine.

At the same time, British intelligence said that more than quarter of Russia's invasion force is now out of action after suffering heavy losses and will take years to recover.

A fire at a Russian arms factory has killed at least two workers, local officials confirmed, as a Ukrainian government adviser shared this footage and claimed there had been an 'explosion'

Ukraine today released footage which it said showed T-72M1 tanks donated by Poland arriving on the frontlines near Donbas, as crews prepared to join the fight

The Ministry of Defence said that Putin assembled around 65 per cent of his total ground forces for the attack on Ukraine, around 25 per cent of which has now been rendered 'combat ineffective'.

'Some of Russia's most elite units, including VDV [paratroopers], have suffered the highest levels of attrition,' the briefing said. 'It will probably take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces.'

Meanwhile Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, denied reports that Putin is aiming for victory in Ukraine by May 9 because coincides with the date of an annual parade commemorating Nazi Germany's surrender.

Lavrov said the victory over Hitler's forces will be marked in a 'solemn manner' and won't affect the timing of events in Ukraine.

'Our soldiers wont base their actions on a specific date,' he said. 'The timing and speed of what is happening in Ukraine will hinge on the need to minimize risks for civilians and Russian solders.'

Russia is now more than two months into what was supposed to be a days-long 'special military operation' to topple Ukraine's government and install a puppet regime loyal to Moscow.

Having been defeated in their mission to take the capital Kyiv, Putin's generals have merged their battered units together and thrown them back into battle in an effort to take the eastern Donbas region.

Fighting here will likely prove pivotal: If Ukraine can hold on, then Russia will likely lack the manpower to carry out more attacks elsewhere and may even struggle to hold the territory it has taken.

If Russia prevails, then it could push further west in an attempt to seize Mykolaiv and Odesa to establish control over the Black Sea coast, and perhaps return to Kyiv.

In an effort to hamstring Russia's forces, Ukraine has been carrying out an increasing number of attacks behind enemy lines in order to cut supply lines and wear out the invasion effort.

Belgorod, which sits just a few dozen miles from the Ukrainian frontline, has been repeatedly targeted with explosions at ammunition dumps, fuel depots and railway bridges in the last several weeks.

Ukraine has refused to acknowledge carrying out any such attacks, but is widely thought to be behind them - mostly using drones and missiles.

Two loud explosions were heard in Belgorod, a Russian city near the Ukraine border, overnight as videos appeared to show jets letting off flares in the night sky

Russia last month accused Kyiv of using helicopters to blow up a fuel dump in Belgorod, which Ukraine denied.

Since then, two fuel dumps, and ammunition dump, and a railway bridge have been destroyed. A fire broke out at a military facility in the region yesterday, while a blaze also destroyed a base in Tver, near Moscow, two weeks ago.

Overnight Monday, air defence systems were once again active over Belgorod with two explosions heard as lights appeared in the sky.

The bright marks appear to have been a trail of flares left behind by either jets or helicopters flying over the city, in what observers speculated could be another Ukrainian attack.

Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov sought to dispel those rumours, saying the flares were fired by Russia jets and that the blasts had caused no damage.

However, he did not explain what the blasts were, why they had taken place over Russia rather than over Ukraine, or why Russian jet would be letting off flares above one of their own cities where they should be protected by air defences.

Flares are designed to distract heat-seeking rockets, and are generally only used over enemy territory where aircraft are in danger of being hit.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces struck dozens of military targets in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, including concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The information could not be independently verified.

Flames were seen rising from Belgorod during the day on Sunday, as a blaze engulfed a Russian defence ministry facility

The Ukrainian president's office said at least three people were killed and another three, including a child, were wounded in the eastern Luhansk region over the last 24 hours.

It said that four people were wounded in the shelling in Donetsk, another eastern region.

The regional administration in the Zaporizhzhia region farther west said that at least two people died and another four were wounded in the Russian shelling of the town of Orikhiv.

A full picture of the battle unfolding in eastern Ukraine is hard to capture.

The fighting makes it dangerous for reporters to move around, and both sides have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

Western officials say Russia is advancing slowly in its eastern offensive and has captured some villages, but is inflicting heavy civilian casualties through indiscriminate bombing.

Ukrainian forces are fighting their offensive village-by-village while civilians flee air strikes and artillery shelling.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance has flowed into Ukraine during the war, but Russia's vast armouries mean Ukraine still needs massive support.

America has pledged some $33billion to help arm and support Ukraine, while its allies have stepped up deliveries of heavy weapons including artillery, tanks, armoured vehicles and helicopters.

Meanwhile the West is debating harsher sanctions on Russia to prevent their money being used to fund the war, including cutting off oil, gas and coal exports.
The Russian army bombed a grain warehouse in Ukraine and tightened its blockade on Black Sea ports, sparking fears of a new global food crisis.

Around 4.5million tonnes of grain are sitting in closed occupied Ukrainian ports, according to UN World Food Programme director Martin Frick.

Mr Frick said: 'None of the grain can be used right now. It is just sitting there.'

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also warned Russia's blockade will deprive dozens of countries essential food supplies.

It followed news that Putin's forces looted 4million worth of Ukrainian tractors and took them 700 miles to Chechnya before realising they were locked.

The Dnipropetrovsk grain warehouse was destroyed by the Russian missile, staff said

Shocking video of the grain attack in Synelnykove district, south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region emerged earlier today.

Zelensky said: 'They targeted the warehouses of agricultural enterprises. The grain warehouse was destroyed.

'The warehouse with fertilizers was also shelled.'

The president urged world leaders to prepare for a new food crisis prompted by Russia's food blockade on Ukraine.

He told 60 Minutes: 'Russia does not let ships come in or go out, it is controlling the Black Sea.

Tractors worth 4million in total were stolen - but locked. The tractors were taken by Russian vehicles with the military 'Z' painted in white

'Russia wants to completely block our country's economy.

'Ukraine could lose tens of millions of tonnes of grain due to Russia's blockade of its Black Sea ports.'

Egypt and Tunisia import 80 per cent of their grain from Ukraine and Russia, while Lebanon purchases 60 per cent of its supplies from the two countries.

Russian soldiers appear to be planning to extract more supplies from their own land with stolen Ukrainian equipment. But it has not all gone to plan.

Combine harvesters worth 240,000 each were taken on Russian military vehicles - but could not be used

Nicknamed 'the breadbasket of Europe', Ukraine's grain supplies are a crucial food source to central and western Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Pictured: a Ukraine grain shed in 2016

A fleet of 27 Ukrainian farm vehicles including combine harvesters and seeders were stolen from a tractor dealer in occupied Melitopol over a several week period.

Their combined value totalled 4million, with the harvesters going for 240,00 each.

But after loading the vehicles onto trucks and carrying them 700 miles to Chechnya, the Russian army realised they couldn't even use them.

A source close to the dealer told CNN: 'When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely.'

During his speech to the Irish parliament , Zelensky said Putin has targeted Ukraine's food supply in an effort to starve its people.

'For them, hunger is a weapon against us ordinary people as an instrument of domination', Zelensky added, in comments which may have been intended to reference Ireland's struggle with starvation in the 1840s.

'They are blocking humanitarian access to the half-million people in Mariupol who can no longer melt snow for water', he continued.

He also told Italy's Chamber of Deputies in March that exports of grain and food products will be disrupted as Russias invasion continues.

'The worst will be hunger, which is nearing for many countries . . . we do not know what harvest we will have and whether we will be able to export it. Prices are already surging.'
Steve Hilton served as director of strategy for the British Prime Minister David Cameron and hosts the podcast California Rebel Base.

When I was around eight years old, I was walking around Szeged, the small town in Hungary where my family is from, with my two cousins.

For some reason - yes, I suppose this offered some clue about my future career! - I started shouting out loud 'Kadar is an idiot!'

Janos Kadar was then Hungary's Communist leader and frankly I had no idea whether he was an idiot or not. I just thought it was a funny thing to say.

Except -- in an authoritarian one-party state it's not so funny.

Later that day I was taken to one side by my aunt who kindly, but firmly explained to me that shouting silly anti-government slogans on the street may be perfectly fine in England, where we lived, but extremely risky in Communist Hungary, where they lived.

They could end up getting punished by the regime for my childish antics.

That conversation has always stayed with me.

And today it's a big reason why, as a new citizen of this country, I'm so horrified - and disgusted - by the direction America is taking under this increasingly appalling Biden regime.

Americans recoil from dark episodes in our own past when the federal government used its incredible power to crush ordinary citizens for supposed speech crimes.

Senator Joseph McCarthy's campaign to root out Communists in the late 1940s and early 1950s stands as a stark warning against empowering federal thought police.

Nina Jankowicz (above), the new Disinformation Czar, colluded in the unconscionable and brazenly partisan establishment plot to bury negative stories about Joe Biden in the final stages of the 2020 presidential election.

But memories are apparently short  considering what we've seen from Biden and his gang of thuggish ideologues just in the last few months.

Biden branded his political rivals and millions of Americans, who opposed his radical plans to gut Senate tradition and pass partisan election reform, as enemies of the state.

Democrats colluded with the National School Boards Association to threaten to send federal law enforcement after parents who committed the 'crime' of challenging the Democrats' destructive far-left school indoctrination.

Two weeks ago, former President Barack Obama warned that unregulated social media threatens to inflame 'humanity's worst impulses.'

Now - lo and behold - we have the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security Disinformation Governance Board, announced seemingly out-of-the-blue during a Senate hearing by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

The very name conjures up images of a totalitarian police state.

But what it may do is more frightening, while details on the scope of the board's mission are scarce.

All that Mayorkas could offer when challenged about his new board on the Sunday shows this weekend was a string of bureaucratic gobbledegook: 'The board does not have an operational authority or capability. What it will do is gather together best practices in addressing the threat of disinformation from foreign state adversaries, from the cartels and disseminate those best practices to the operators that have been executing and addressing this threat for years.'

When asked if the board will monitor Americans, Mayorkas said 'No.'

Excuse me if I'm not reassured.

Recall that the surveillance powers of the federal government were never meant to be turned against Americans either.

Now - lo and behold - we have the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security Disinformation Governance Board, announced seemingly out-of-the-blue during a Senate hearing by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (above).

That was until the FBI found a loophole that enabled them to spy on Trump campaign associate Carter Page.

When there's a will  there's a way.

Caught flat-footed by the announcement, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said last week, 'It sounds like the objective of the board is to prevent disinformation and misinformation from traveling around the country in a range of communities...'

Without a hint of irony, she told us not to worry. 'I'm not sure who opposes that effort?' she chirped brightly.

Well, let's see.

Would you be someone who 'opposes that' if you thought voters had the right to know, a month before an election, that a presidential candidate had entered into corrupt business deals with a hostile foreign power.

Would you be someone who 'opposes that' if you thought Americans had the right to know that the same party's previous presidential candidate had commissioned a disinformation operation against her opponent, then personally promoted the disinformation as part of her campaign.

And you would be someone who 'opposes that' if you thought the world had the right to know that the pandemic which has killed millions and upended the global economy may have leaked from a Chinese lab linked to a rogue American public health bureaucrat commissioning risky virus research.

All these things were branded 'disinformation' by the ruling elite, and censored.

But Joe Biden was involved in business deals with China, and his son Hunter's laptop did provide legitimate evidence of that.

Hillary Clinton's campaign did order up the fabricated 'Steele Dossier' and the invented 'Russia collusion' narrative.

And while we still don't have all the answers, the virus did potentially leak from a Wuhan lab as the result of reckless 'Gain of Function' experiments conceived by a shady researcher and commissioned by Dr Anthony Fauci, in defiance of Obama and Trump administration rules.

Caught flat-footed by the announcement, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki (above) said last week, 'It sounds like the objective of the board is to prevent disinformation and misinformation from traveling around the country in a range of communities...'

Now the exact same arrogant, self-righteous establishment that presided over these deceptions and cover-ups asks us to accept the institutionalization of their Orwellian tactics in the name of 'restoring public trust.'

How can anyone trust a word they say?

Obama lectured us recently about the 'raw sewage' of disinformation put into the public domain, without mentioning that he was complicit in doing just that.

Recently declassified notes revealed that in June 2016 Obama was briefed by then CIA Director John Brennan about Hillary Clinton's Russia disinformation operation.

He was told explicitly of intel indicating that Clinton approved a plan to stir up suspicions about Trump and Russia to distract from stories about the secret email server she used as Secretary of State.

But instead of cleaning up the 'raw sewage,' he let it flow, for his own political purposes.

Perhaps worse still - and in a darkly ironic twist that George Orwell would surely appreciate - the person the Biden regime has now put in charge of its 'battle against disinformation' is herself one of its leading purveyors.

Nina Jankowicz, the new Disinformation Czar, colluded in the unconscionable and brazenly partisan establishment plot to bury negative stories about Joe Biden in the final stages of the 2020 presidential election.

Without evidence, Jankowicz claimed that the source of potentially explosive revelations about Biden family corruption - Hunter Biden's laptop  'should be considered a Trump campaign product.'

America should consider Nina Jankowicz to be a Biden campaign product.

Indeed, she is a classic product of the insular, self-serving, left-leaning Washington DC think tank/media/academia/lobbyist/activist complex.

As such, the idea that she can be trusted to police our public discourse is as ludicrous as her fantastically embarrassing Mary Poppins impression on a TikTok that went viral soon after her appointment - and not in a good way.

But while we can - and should - laugh at the supercilious smugness on display in that horrendously ill-judged video, this entire episode is in fact deeply sinister.

It is now beyond dispute that when our ruling establishment - in government, the media and Big Tech - use the term 'disinformation' (or its equally discredited cousins, misinformation and even 'mal-information) what they really mean is any information that contradicts or undermines the narrative they seek to impose on the rest of us.

Thus: pointing out the ineffectiveness of cloth masks; the fact that Covid vaccines do not control transmission; that inequality is not always the result of discrimination or any number of similar challenges to establishment groupthink is instantly branded 'disinformation.'

And that's when the real assault on our democracy begins.

Without evidence, Jankowicz claimed that the source of potentially explosive revelations about Biden family corruption - Hunter Biden's laptop (picture recovered from Hunter Biden's laptop hard drive above)  'should be considered a Trump campaign product.'

America should consider Nina Jankowicz (above) to be a Biden campaign product.

Once the establishment coalesces around the verdict that a particular fact, idea or opinion is 'disinformation', its tools of oppression swing into action.

Big Media faithfully parrots the party line. Big Tech censors, suppresses, shadow bans and down-weights dissenting speech.

What's truly menacing about Biden's new disinformation police is that this whole process will now be accelerated and centralized.

We won't even need a few days of left/elitist 'thought leaders' agreeing with each other on Twitter: now all it will take is a pronouncement from Nina Jankowicz and Boom! You're canceled.

Of course, the very notion of a government bureaucrat policing what we can say - and thereby what we can think - is entirely antithetical to everything America stands for, regardless of who that bureaucrat is.

If a Republican administration made such a move, we should be equally horrified.

We must resist this creeping authoritarianism with everything we've got.

And it's not just Biden's speech police. It's the vaccine police, the mask police, the way Big Business and Big Tech now collaborate with Big Government to push their elitist ideology and punish those who oppose it.

While all this certainly reminds me of the Communist Hungary of my childhood, it also brings to mind something even worse: the high-tech totalitarianism of Xi Jinping's China.

Biden came into office sucking up to China for personal gain; it looks like he may leave office imitating China for political gain.

It's hard to imagine a more shameful trajectory for a U.S. president.
Nicola Sturgeon today insisted Scottish voters would opt for independence in a second referendum despite signs of dwindling support for a breakaway from the rest of the United Kingdom.

The Scottish First Minister has vowed to hold another independence referendum by the end of next year and she has recently said that neither Covid or the Ukraine war will derail those plans.

During the Brexit turmoil at Westminster and at times during the Coronavirus pandemic, opinion polling showed record support for independence among Scottish voters.

One Ipsos Mori survey in October 2020 found that 58 per cent said they would vote Yes to independence, while 42 per cent would vote No.

But more recent polling has shown a slide in support for independence.

A YouGov poll at the end of March this year found that more Scottish voters wanted to remain part of the UK (53 per cent) than wanted Scotland to be independent (47 per cent).

However, Ms Sturgeon - who recently suggested she would resign if Scots again decide against independence - today said she was 'convinced' that when given the opportunity at a second referendum, most Scots would choose independence.

'We said that we wanted to offer people the choice of independence in the first half of this Scottish parliamentary term which means before the end of next year - 2023,' the SNP leader told BBC Breakfast.

'I'm convinced that when people get that choice again they will vote for Scotland to be independent - most of the promises that were made to Scotland at the last referendum by those who argued against independence - not least that we'd continue to be in the European Union - have been broken.

'But, of course, it is a matter for the people of Scotland and I recognise the responsibility I have and those arguing for independence have to make that case and to win that argument.'

Nicola Sturgeon said she was 'convinced' that, when given the opportunity at a second referendum, most Scots would choose independence

The Scottish First Minister has vowed to hold another independence referendum by the end of next year

A YouGov poll at the end of March this year found that more Scottish voters wanted to remain part of the UK (53 per cent) than wanted Scotland to be independent (47 per cent)

Support for Scottish independence has recently been on the slide

The 2014 referendum saw 55 per cent vote against breaking up the UK, with 45 per cent in favour of independence.

Despite Ms Sturgeon's push for a second referendum by the end of 2023, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has shown no sign he is willing to give the formal consent that ensured the 2014 vote was legal.

The Scottish Government was last week ordered to publish details of legal advice it has received over a potential second independence referendum by 10 June.

But Ms Sturgeon again suggested she could challenge that order as she highlighted how divulging such legal advice could be a breach of the ministerial code.

She told BBC Radio Scotland: 'The reason we are considering this carefully is the long-standing convention, not just in Scotland, but across the UK and probably most other countries in the world, that routinely governments don't publish legal advice because we put a lot of value on the ability to get free and frank legal advice,' she said.

'So if we are to depart from that convention, it's quite a significant thing, it goes against precedent and we want to consider that carefully.

'But we act in line with Freedom of Information law, and that law sets out the process that we are currently going through.'

Pressed on whether she would comply with the order from Scotland's information commissioner, Ms Sturgeon replied: 'The law says that when the commissioner makes a ruling, we have the ability to decide whether to accept that ruling or decide whether to challenge that ruling.'

Ms Stugeon, out campaigning in Arbroath, again suggested she could challenge an order for the Scottish Government to publish details of legal advice it has received over a potential second independence referendum

Opposition parties have put pressure on First Minister to comply with the ruling from Scotland's information commissioner

Opposition parties have put pressure on First Minister to comply with the ruling.

Scottish Conservative MSP Donald Cameron, the party's constitution spokesman, said: 'The information commissioner has said clearly that the Scottish Government ought to publish the legal advice they have received on holding another divisive independence referendum.

'But instead of accepting they were wrong to attempt to withhold this in the first place, Nicola Sturgeon is continuing to explore every avenue to prevent this coming out to avoid scrutiny.

'The First Minister is forever claiming that her government is open and transparent, while behaving in a way totally at odds with that laughable assertion.'

He added that 'the public has a right to know what legal justification there is for a team of senior civil servants being seconded to work on a referendum that the majority of Scots don't want'.

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton said: 'The information commissioner was clear that the Government needed to publish.

'I think the public would be appalled if the Government were wasting taxpayers' money pressing ahead with their plans if there was legal advice suggesting they didn't have a leg to stand on.'
Russian President Vladimir Putin is believed to have taken full control over the war in Ukraine and is making 'impossible demands' as his forces continue to assault the eastern Donbas region.

Putin has assumed 'day-to-day control' over the conflict and has largely delegated the running of Russia to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, according to a senior EU source cited by MD of the Eurasia Group, Mujaba Rahman.

The Russian President has wasted no time in making a series of major demands in an attempt to secure some success in Ukraine ahead of Russia's May 9 Victory Day celebrations.

One such demand is for his troops to take Kryvyi Rih - the birthplace of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky - according to a report from the General Staff of Ukraine's armed forces.

But seizing a city of roughly one million represents a mammoth task for his forces, which are already engaged in bloody battles along the eastern front and are believed to have lost almost 25,000 men in just nine and a half weeks of fighting.

It comes as an ex-KGB agent who defected to the West has said members of Putin's inner circle may be kept in the dark about his physical state.

Boris Karpichkov, a former KBG agent who defected from Russia, told The Sun that Putin was 'insane' and becoming 'obsessed by paranoid ideas'.

'He sees literally everyone, including those inside the Russian security services and even inside his close inner circle, to be 'traitors'', he said.

Boris Karpichkov, a former KBG agent who defected from Russia, said Putin was 'insane' and becoming 'obsessed by paranoid ideas'. He says the Russian president is suffering from Parkinson's and early stage dementia

The defected KGB agent said the Russian president is known among his circle as obsessive over details, with a reputation for remembering faces and conversations. But his recent behaviour marks a change in character

Bloated Putin was seen gripping a table while slouching in his chair during a televised meeting with his defence minister Sergei Shoigu. He has been unable to shake cancer rumours

Putin may be keeping those closest to him unaware of his health difficulties, in under to maintain his strongman image, said Karpichkov.

'He is so suspicious and so obsessed with his paranoia ideas that he can be now compared with Stalin tyrant,' he added.

Stalin's last years were marked by paranoia and mistrust. He had one of his doctors imprisoned after he suggested the dictator should retire from political life to try and improve his health.

Stalin's last years were marked by paranoia and mistrust

By 1952, the Kremlin was rounding up doctors and torturing them for allegedly plotting to kill senior politicians, resulting in most medical professionals fleeing the country.

Putin has also begun to interrogate doctors  in an echo of Stalin's last years.

In February, Russian authorities interrogated Professor Valery Solovey, 61, for seven hours over the regular claims about Putin's supposed medical and mental condition.

Solovoy was a professor at Moscow State Institute of International Relations, attended by future top diplomats and spies.

Professor Solovey has been linked to the Telegram channel General SVR which reported on Saturday that Putin may be forced to give up control of the war in Ukraine for days as he is set for cancer surgery.

It said the Russian dictator will reportedly nominate hardline Security Council head and ex-FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev to take control of the invasion while he is under the knife, after having personally taken control of on-the-ground operations.

The surgery had been scheduled for the second half of April but was delayed, SVR claimed.

It will now not take place before the Victory Day commemoration of Russia's World War Two victory in Red Square on May 9, the person alleged.

General SVR reported that Putin has abdominal cancer and Parkinson's 18 months ago.

Putin's press secretary has insisted Putin's health is 'excellent', but several videos and photos have emerged suggesting the Russian president may be enjoying less than perfect health.

The former KGB-agent listed Parkinson's, cancer, or another medical condition as an explanation for his odd behaviour, adding his voice to the list of commentators speculating over Putin's health.

'I am not a medic myself... but there is a serious concern that Putin is suffering from numerous physical health conditions - possibly from the sport injuries during his younger years,' he added.

'This is along with some issues which affect older people - such as Dementia in the early stages.'

Karpichkov said the Russian president is known among his circle as obsessive over details, with a reputation for remembering faces and conversations.
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously on Monday morning that Boston violated the free speech rights of a Christian group by refusing to fly a flag with the image of a cross at City Hall.

While the decision sparked religious controversy, the case brought by Harold Shurtleff, conservative activist and director of Camp Constitution, centered on Constitutional protection free speech.

The court said the city created a public forum, open to anyone, when it offered groups the chance to use its flagpole.

Denying that for a Christian flag violated free speech rights, it said in its 9-0 ruling.

'When the government encourages diverse expression  say, by creating a forum for debate  the First Amendment prevents it from discriminating against speakers based on their viewpoint,' Justice Stephen Breyer, who is on on the liberal wing of the court, wrote in the decision.

Three conservative justices wrote a concurring decision, although they said they disagreed with Breyer's reasoning.

Harold Shurtleff and Camp Constitution took legal action when Boston told them they could not fly their flag from a city flagpole that had been opened up to local organizations

The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 against Boston, saying that denying Christian group the same chance as everyone else to fly its flag violated free speech rights

Breyer added: 'The city's lack of meaningful involvement in the selection of flags or the crafting of their messages leads us to classify the flag raisings as private, not government, speech  though nothing prevents Boston from changing its policies going forward.'

The decision overturned a lower court's ruling that the rejection of the flag did not violate their rights to freedom to speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

President Joe Biden's administration backed Camp Constitution in the case.

Boston's flag-raising program was aimed at promoting diversity and tolerance among the city's different communities.

The city approved 284 applications in a row to fly flags before rejecting a flag with a Christian cross.

In turning down Camp Constitution, Boston had said that raising the cross flag could appear to violate another part of the First Amendment that bars governmental endorsement of a particular religion.

As a result of the litigation, Boston last October halted the program to ensure that the city cannot be compelled to 'publicize messages antithetical to its own.'

Boston has said that requiring it to open the flagpole to 'all comers' could force it to raise flags promoting division or intolerance, such as a swastika or a terrorist group.

The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, has taken an expansive view of religious rights and has been increasingly receptive to arguments that governments are acting with hostility toward religion.

At issue was whether the flagpole became a public forum meriting free speech protections under the First Amendment to bar discrimination based on viewpoint, as the plaintiffs claimed, or whether it represented merely a conduit for government speech not warranting such protection, as Boston claimed.

In their concurring opinion, conservative Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch agreed with the outcome of the case, but not Breyer's reasoning.

'Under the Constitution, a government may not treat religious persons, religious organizations, or religious speech as second-class,' wrote Kavanaugh .

In his decision, Justice Breyer wrote: 'When the government encourages diverse expression  say, by creating a forum for debate  the First Amendment prevents it from discriminating against speakers based on their viewpoint.'

The dispute arose over Boston's practice of allowing private groups to hold flag-raising events using one of three flagpoles - two are reserved for the U.S. flag and the State of Massachusetts - on the plaza in front of City Hall. From 2005 to 2017, Boston approved all 284 applications it received before rebuffing Camp Constitution.

The vast majority of flags were those of foreign countries, but also included one commemorating LGBT Pride in Boston.

Camp Constitution, whose stated mission is 'to enhance understanding of our Judeo-Christian moral heritage' as well as 'free enterprise,' sued in 2018 over its rejection.

It was represented in the case by Liberty Counsel, a conservative Christian legal group.

Among other topics, Camp Constitution's website posts materials questioning the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, claiming that last year's U.S. Capitol attack was actually a cover up for 'massive' 2020 election fraud and calling Japan's 1941 Pearl Harbor attack and al Qaeda's Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States 'carefully orchestrated false flags.'

The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the city's control of the flag-raising program made it government speech.
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The former deputy commander of the Royal Navy submarine that sank Argentine cruiser the General Belgrano today defended the controversial attack in an interview to mark the 40th anniversary of the sinking.

Vice Admiral Sir Tim McClement, who is now aged 70, was the second in command on HMS Conqueror when the vessel fired two torpedoes at the ship on May 2, 1982, during the Falklands War.

The attack led to the deaths of 323 Argentine sailors and controversy has raged ever since, with critics arguing that the ship had been sailing away from the 200-mile exclusion zone that had been declared around the Falklands by Britain.

But, speaking to BBC Radio 4, the now retired Vice Admiral McClement defended the attack on the ship.

He said: 'In my mind, it was definitely not a crime and it was the right thing to do. [General Leopoldo] Galtieri had invaded the island where British people were living peacefully and their independence was brutally threatened.

'It was our duty and responsibility to recover the islands for them. They started the war, it was our duty to evict them. They were a threat and they had to be dealt with, and it was exactly the right thing to do.'

The Belgrano was sunk by the Royal Navy four weeks after the start of the 10-week conflict with Argentina, which broke out after troops from the South American country invaded the Falklands, on the orders of dictatorial leader General Leopoldo Galtieri.

The former deputy commander of the Royal Navy submarine that sank Argentine cruiser the General Belgrano today defended the controversial attack in an interview to mark the 40th anniversary of the sinking. Above: The Belgrano is pictured as it sank on May 2, 1982

HMS Conqueror fired two torpedoes at the ship on May 2, 1982, during the Falklands War. Above: The crew of the Conqueror are seen after returning to Scotland following the war. It was commanded by 36-year-old Commander Christopher Wreford-Brown

The attack led to the deaths of 323 Argentine sailors and controversy has raged ever since, with critics arguing that the ship had been sailing away from the 200-mile exclusion zone that had been declared around the Falklands by Britain. Above: The Daily Mail's front page after the Belgrano's sinking

Speaking of the moment that HMS Conqueror opened fire, Vice Admiral McClement said: 'When we heard the first explosion and the captain reported seeing smoke from the aftermath of the Belgrano there was an instant cheer on board the submarine because we had done the job we had been tasked to do by our Government successfully.

'[It was] followed almost instantaneously by absolute silence as we all thought our own thoughts.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, the now retired Vice Admiral McClement (pictured in 2014) defended the attack

'Mine were [that] there were over 1,000 sailors on board the Belgrano doing exactly the same, the job their government had tasked them to do. They were a long way from home and it was a cold sea.'

Asked by interview Justin Webb if the Argentine sailors 'needed to die', Vice Admiral McClement insisted that they did.

'Yes they did, unfortunately. War is brutal,' he said.

'The Argentinians had two task groups, one the Belgrano to the south-west and another their aircraft carrier to the north-west of the islands.

'And they were both a threat to our carriers and if either of those groups had got through and damaged one of our carriers that would have been the end of our ability to retake the Falkland Islands.'

On the question of the exclusion zone established by the UK, Vice Admiral McClement said that he later discovered that the British government had told the Argentine government on April 25, 1982, that any Argentinian forces deemed to be a threat would be dealt with.

They then gave them seven days notice to heed the warning. That warning period expired on May 2, the day the Belgrano was sunk, Vice Admiral McClement said.

He added: 'We had actually detected the Belgrano on the 1st May but we were not allowed to sink her because the seven days hadn't expired?

The Argentinian government later said the sinking of the Belgrano was an acceptable act of war, but that did not stop furious critics from arguing that Margaret Thatcher's government was wrong to attack the vessel.

In 2011, it emerged in a book that the Belgrano had in fact been sailing into the British exclusion zone when it was hit.

The book, by Major David Thorp, revealed details of a formerly top secret report that was written after Mrs Thatcher requested a 'complete and thorough investigation' into the Belgrano's sinking, amid pressure from opposition backbenchers in Parliament.

Major Thorp wrote the original report after being provided with 'every conceivable document, file, report and note imaginable that related to, or included the name, Belgrano.'

In his book The Silent Listener, he wrote: 'Shortly after the UK's announcement of the exclusion zone, the Argentinian Navy HQ notified its warships, possibly for the purpose of re-grouping, of a pre-arranged rendezvous (RV) point.

HMS Conqueror famously sank the General Belgrano (pictured) on May 2 1982. The Argentinian government later said the sinking of the Belgrano was an acceptable act of war

Picture of the sinking of the General Belgrano after it had been hit by two torpedoes fired from HMS Conqueror

HMS Conqueror's crew line the deck on their return to Faslane up Gare Loch on the Clyde. They are flying the skull and crossbones from the conning tower to signify their part in the sinking of the General Belgrano

'When the co-ordinates for the RV were plotted on a map, the actual location, though east of the Falkland Islands, was nevertheless inside the 200 nautical miles exclusion zone.

'Some considerable time prior to the Conqueror firing its torpedoes, my analysis revealed that the General Belgrano had been instructed to alter course and head in the direction of the RV inside the exclusion zone.

'The findings of my report stated that the destination of the vessel was not to her home port as the Argentine Junta stated, but the objective of the ship was to relocate to a pre-arranged RV within the exclusion zone.'

Major Thorp's report was never disclosed by Mrs Thatcher during her time in office because she did not want to reveal the extent of Britain's ability to intercept enemy electronic and radio signals.

The book was cleared for publication by the security services.

On the BBC's Nationwide TV programme, Mrs Thatcher was famously quizzed by teacher Diana Gould about the sinking of the Belgrano.

During a fiery exchange, she fended off Ms Gould's assertions that the vessel was sailing away from the British exclusion zone.

The strike on the Belgrano signalled the first loss of life in the Falklands conflict. But two days later Argentina hit back with a missile attack on the British destroyer HMS Sheffield, killing 20.

The sea battle continued for many more weeks, then the conflict turned to the land before the Argentine forces finally surrendered and peace was declared on June 20, 1982.

A total of 255 British servicemen were killed, with a further 775 wounded. Argentina lost 649 men, whilst 1,657 servicemen lost their lives.
A tiny cat was carried to safety after she survived alone for over a month on the seventh floor of a wrecked Kyiv apartment building.

The fearsome feline was finally rescued after a team of animal retrievers found out about her plight and attended the scene in Borodyanka, a war-ravaged suburb of the capital.

Social media was aflame with desperate pleas to get her to safety from her precarious situation in the wrecked building high above ground.

When local hero Eugene Kibets enlisted friends to help bring her home, they swiftly summoned a fire engine with a crane tall enough to get her down.

A brave emergency services worker climbed to the lofty height and retrieved her.

A fire engine with a crane was summoned (left) to bring the tiny kitty (right) down from the seventh floor, where she had been stranded for more than a month without food

Animal rescuer Eugene Kibets, who has more than 3,000 Facebook followers, enlisted friends and the emergency services to help retrieve the fearsomely brave feline

She is now being treated at a local animal clinic, where she was started taking food again.

Mr Kibets knew the scale of the challenge, writing: 'The cat is on the 7th floor of a non-existent house.'

Well-wishers in the comments begged him to bring the cat to safety.

One of Eugene's friends kneels down next to the cat as he offers her water, with well-wishers looking on

And when he and his team finally did it, he posed with the cat in his arms and simply wrote: 'Im so happy!!!!!!!'

Cat fan Lorenzo the Cat wrote on Twitter: 'Holy S*** he did it! Eugene Kibets got the cat from the 7th floor of a bombed building.

'I know this is crazy, but amid the horror of war we have to celebrate the good in humanity.'

Twitter user @beanerz72 wrote: 'Omg Ukraine, thank you for saving kitty! Crying because Im glad hes safe!'

And tweeter Kaarina added: 'Oh dear, the cat looks absolutely exhausted, but a fierce look in his eyes. So happy for this rescue.'

The healthy-looking feline is now being treated at a local clinic, where she is eating again

First food; looks like hell be ok pic.twitter.com/4rXAJfLvEE  CharlieTheCat (@CharlieCatlife) May 2, 2022

Devonia added: 'AWESOME EUGENE! Every minute of every day the people in Ukraine show the world their devotion, their strength & their love for one another & their animals.

'Something that Putin can never destroy. The hearts & souls of Ukrainians.'

And presidential adviser Anton Gerashchenko wrote: 'Local rescue services saw a repost about this cat. They saved the [cat emoji] and here it is in the hands of Eugene Kibets who originally posted about him on FB.

Twitter user Amaia added: 'that makes me unbelievably happy ! I hope he can be reunited with his family if he still have one or be adopted'.
A federal judge on Sunday night rejected the Republican National Committee's (RNC) request to block a subpoena for Salesforce to hand over fundraising emails to the Jan. 6 committee.

The RNC sued the House panel on March 9 after it subpoenaed Salesforce, which tracks donor information for the committee. The RNC also sued Salesforce to block the vendor from handing over data to the committee.

The committee had been seeking data on fundraising emails from Nov. 3, 2020, to Jan. 6, 2021 when the RNC was circulating emails claiming that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Trump.

U.S. District judge Timothy Kelly denied the RNC's claims that the Salesforce subpoena was 'overbroad' and 'seeks sensitive and proprietary data.'

But Kelly temporarily barred Salesforce from releasing any documents until May 5, giving the RNC time to appeal.

RNC Chief Counsel Matt Raymer promised to do so in a statement on the ruling.

'While the RNC strongly disagrees with this ruling, our lawsuit compelled Nany Pelosi's January 6th Committee to dramatically narrow the subpoena's scope. Nancy Pelosi's attempted seizure of her political opponents' campaign strategy cannot be allowed to stand, and we appreciate Judge Kelly continuing to temporarily block the subpoena,' he said.

U.S. District judge Timothy Kelly denied the RNC's claims that the Salesforce subpoena was 'overbroad' and 'seeks sensitive and proprietary data'

The Jan 6 committee had been seeking RNC fundraising emails and data from Salesfroce from the run-up to the Capitol riot

The RNC had deemed the subpoena a 'political fishing expedition' and argued it had nothing to do with the violence on Jan. 6 a

'[T]he Select Committee seeks reasonably relevant information from a narrow window during which the RNC sent emails promoting claims that the presidential election was fraudulent or stolen,' Kelly, a Trump appointee, wrote in the 53-page ruling.

Kelly also disagreed with the RNC's argument that the subpoenas could grant Democrats access to Republicans' secret campaign strategies that they'd spent years crafting. The National Republican Senatorial Committee supported their argument, submitting its own brief comparing the committee's subpoena to Watergate.

Kelly called the argument 'speculative,' and said the committee's interest in the emails outweighed any potential competitive disadvantage.

'Nothing suggests that the Select Committee is demanding, or that Salesforce is preparing to produce, internal RNC memoranda laying out its digital strategy,' Kelly ruled. 'Obviously, information that shows which email campaigns attracted more attention, and which attracted less, has some strategic value. But on the record here, whatever competitive harm may come to the RNC from disclosure of the actual material at issue is too 'logically attenuated' and 'speculative' to defeat the Select Committee's weighty interest.'

The RNC had deemed the subpoena a 'political fishing expedition' and argued it had nothing to do with the violence on Jan. 6 and said that the political strategy and data that Salesforce has, including private information on millions of Americans, has nothing to do with the Capitol riot.

The RNC said that the subpoena violated both the First and Fourth Amendments, was overly broad and did not advance a valid legislative purpose.

But Kelly ruled that the committee had narrowly tailored its interests to records that revealed the impact of the RNC's efforts, alongside Trump's, to fundraise off claims the 2020 election was stolen.

'That two-month window is plainly relevant to its investigation into the causes of the January 6 attack,' Kelly said of the November-to-January data request.

Kelly also wrote that the committee did have a 'legitimate legislative purpose' in seeking the documents, writing that legal precedent gave Congress wide investigatory power and allowed it to seek information that had 'an indirect bearing on the subject.'

On February 23, the January 6 committee subpoenaed Salesforce as it owns a digital marketing company called ExactTarget, which allowed clients - including the RNC - to send mass-email communications.

Salesforce was to have documents handed over to the committee by March 9, the day the RNC lawsuit was filed.

In the days following the 2021 attack, Salesforce said it had 'taken action' to prevent emails sent out by the RNC from inciting violence.

'The Republican National Committee has been a long-standing customer, predating the current Administration,' a spokesperson for Salesforce told The Verge. 'We have taken action to prevent its use of our services in any way that could lead to violence.'
The House January 6 Committee has hit three more House GOP lawmakers with requests that they appear to tell what they know about events leading up to the Capitol riot  this time referencing lawmakers' role in planning meetings and former President Trump's push to remain in office.

All are being asked to answer questions about their involvement in the effort to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election loss  on a voluntary basis.

The committee sent letters to GOP Reps. Mo Brooks of Alabama, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Ronny Jackson of Texas - three members of the ultra-right House Freedom Caucus that have in recent years aligned themselves with Trump.

In Biggs' case, the committee wants to know about his participation 'in certain planning meetings' with the White House before Jan. 6th. They also want to know about his conversations about having former Vice President Mike Pence 'unilaterally refuse' to accept votes certified states.

The House Jan. 6th Committee wants to talk to GOP Rep. Andy Biggs (Ariz.) about his participation 'in certain planning meetings' with the White House before Jan. 6th

The panel wants to ask Brooks about his recent comments following a spat with Trump after the former president pulled back his endorsement. Brooks said Trump 'asked me to rescind the election of 2020' weeks before leaving office.

Brooks spoke at the Jan. 6th rally on the Ellipse, where he famously

'Today is the day American patriots start down names and kicking ass.' He also came up on a leaked House leadership call where leaders fretted about lawmakers calling out fellow members of the conference.

And the panel wants to talk to Jackson, who vouched for Trump's 'good genes' and said he 'might live to be 200 years old' while serving as White House physician.

The panel wants him to speak about communications between Oath Keepers during the riot to provide him with 'security assistance,' as alleged by prosecutors in related Jan. 6th trials.

The letter notes that Jackson posted a photo directed at 'American patriots' at the Ellipse on Jan. 6th, and want to know 'how and when you returned from the Ellipse to the Capitol.'

Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chair of the House select committee tasked with investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol , signed the letters to GOP lawmakers. Listening are Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.

The panel continues to gather evidence in anticipation of the start of public hearings next month

The nine-member panel is asking for the members of Congress to testify about their involvement in meetings at the White House, direct conversations with then-President Trump as he sought to challenge his loss in the 2020 presidential election, and the planning and coordination of rallies on and before Jan. 6, 2021.

'The Select Committee has learned that several of our colleagues have information relevant to our investigation into the facts, circumstances, and causes of January 6th,' committee chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and vice-chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., said in a statement. 'We urge our colleagues to join the hundreds of individuals who have shared information with the Select Committee to get to the bottom of what happened on January 6th.'

The decision to ask for Brooks cooperation comes weeks after the Alabama Republican accused Trump of dropping an endorsement for him for a Senate seat after he rebuffed the former president's entreaties to help overturn the 2020 election.

Brooks, who spoke at the rally that day before Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, has since become more critical of the former president, and the committee believes his insight into Trump's effort to involve members of Congress will be helpful to their investigation.

The committee's interest in Biggs is on the heels of an April 22 court filing in which lawmakers accused him of being an active participant in White House meetings after the 2020 election, where he and other Republicans brainstormed ways to keep Trump in power. Biggs is also accused of encouraging protesters to come to Washington on Jan. 6 as well as persuading state legislators and officials that the election was stolen.

The House Jan. 6th Committee tweeted out the letters to three GOP lawmakers

The letter to Jackson notes that he posted from the Ellipse on Jan. 6th

The letter to Brooks cited his public comments about asking him to 'rescind' the election

The panel also said it has 'recent information from former White House personnel' that identified an effort by certain House GOP lawmakers to seek a presidential pardon for activities related to Trumps efforts to overturn the election. 'Your name was identified as a potential participant in that effort,' the committee wrote to Biggs.

In an interview last week, Biggs didnt deny his public efforts to challenge the election results but called the recent reports about his deep involvement untrue. 'Ive seen my name. There were three articles today, and they were filled with untruths,' he told The Associated Press.

The panel also wants to question Jackson about his efforts, along with other GOP lawmakers, to barricade the doors of the House as rioters tried to breakthrough.

'The Committee has video evidence of how close the rioters came to breaching the House Chamber at that point in time,' Thompson and Cheney wrote. 'We wish to record your firsthand observations of that period, including the reactions and statements of other members of Congress to the violence at that moment.'

Additionally, Jackson, a former White House physician to two presidents, was mentioned in texts, retrieved by the committee, between members of the Oath Keepers as the violent mob descended on the Capitol building.

In one text, a member of the far-right militia group texted their leader, Stewart Rhodes, saying Jackson required their protection because 'he has critical data to protect.'

'The exchanges above raise several specific questions for you,' the committee wrote to Jackson. 'Why would these individuals have an interest in your specific location? Why would they believe you 'have critical data to protect?' Why would they direct their members to protect your personal safety?'

During the Trump administration, Jackson had emerged as a vocal ally, but his nomination as Veterans Affairs secretary was withdrawn amid allegations that he created a hostile work environment and improperly distributed prescription drugs. Jackson strenuously denied those claims, and went on to run for Congress from Texas.

A request for comment from Jackson and Brooks was not immediately returned.

FILE - Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 29, 2021. The congressional committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection has requested for three more House Republicans to come in and testify. The requests to Reps. Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson come weeks after investigators revealed new evidence of their involvement in former President Donald Trump's desperate attempt to stay in power. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
Kathy Boudin, the radical leftist mom of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, has died at age 78 after serving more than 20 years behind bars for the fatal robbery of a Brinks truck in 1981, her family said Monday.

Boudin, an ex-member of infamous left-wing militant group Weather Underground, had been jailed for the armed robbery of the armored vehicle in Upstate New York for decades, before being paroled in 2003.

The heist saw a 39-year-old Boudin and her accomplices - including her boyfriend Gilbert, Chesa's 77-year-old father - make off with $1.6million in cash, after snuffing out the lives of two police officers and a security guard tasked with watching over the haul.

Boudin, who lived in New York City, died surrounded by family, relatives said Monday, including life partner Gilbert, who was released from prison last year for his own role in the infamous robbery.

The heist saw the couple both charged with murder and subsequently hit with 75-year-to-life sentences.

Boudin had expressed remorse for the robbery, in which a guard and two police officers were killed north of New York City. Behind bars, the former `60s radical was described as a model prisoner.

She was released on parole in 2003, a move that infuriated some relatives and friends of the three men slain in the botched Brink's robbery.

Kathy Boudin (at right), the mom of San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin (second from left), has died at age 78 after serving 22 years behind bars for the armed robbery of a Brinks truck in 1981. The heist saw Boudin and husband Gilbert - Chesa's father (third from left) - make off with $1.6million in cash, after killing two cops and a security guard. Pictured is the family in 2019 with Chesa's wife, Valerie Block, at a New York prison, where Gilbert, 77, was serving a 75 years-to-life sentence, which was commuted last August. Kathy was put on parole in 2003

When Boudin he was just one year old in 1981, his parents, members of the far-left Weather Underground which engaged in a series of bombings and attacks in the late 60s and 70s, dropped the future politician off with a babysitter and took part in an armored car robbery

Boudin kept a low profile after her release and continued to work on behalf of inmates and former inmates.

Her son with Gilbert, Chesa, said his mother devoted herself to others well after her cancer diagnosis in 2015.

'She, as a mother, offered not only unconditional love and pride, but also a model of how to live redemption and own responsibility for horrific mistakes without allowing them to entirely define her life,' Chesa Boudin said Monday.

Kathy Boudin was the daughter of civil rights attorney Leonard Boudin and became a radical activist in the 1960s, joining the Weather Underground.

The group helped define the radical anti-Vietnam War movement with its violent protests and bombings.

Boudin was once seen fleeing naked from a 1970 explosion of a Greenwich Village townhouse police said was used by radicals as a bomb factory.

Katherine Boudin pictured being led from a Rockland County courthouse in New City, New York, by sheriffs in November 1981, after the October robbery, which left three dead

She and Gilbert joined members of the Black Liberation Army in the October 20, 1981, robbery, stealing $1.6 million in cash from an armored car outside the Nanuet Mall near the Hudson River community of Nyack.

Brinks guard Peter Paige was killed in the robbery and two police officers, Sgt. Edward OGrady and Officer Waverly Brown, were killed when a getaway truck was stopped at a roadblock and gunmen burst from the back with weapons firing.

Boudin, who had been in the trucks passenger seat, was apprehended as she fled. She pleaded guilty in 1984 to murder and robbery, while maintaining that her role in the crimes was limited and that she was unarmed.

'I feel terrible about the lives that were lost as a result of this incident,' Boudin said in court, standing next to her father. 'I have led a life committed to political principles. I believe I can be true to these principles in various ways without engaging in violent acts.'

She was sentenced to 20 years to life. In prison, she developed a program on parenting behind bars and helped write a handbook for inmates whose children are in foster care. She earned a masters degree and worked to help inmates with AIDS.

After her release, she founded a program that provides health care for people returning from incarceration and co-founded the Center for Justice at Columbia University, which seeks alternatives to mass incarceration.

Chesa Boudin pictured with mother Kathy in 2002, during a visit to the maximum security New York prison where she was incarcerated for 22 years for her part in the crime

She earned a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College and taught at the Columbia School of Social Work, according to the Center for Justice.

Gilbert, who did not plead guilty, was sentenced to 75 years to life. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo granted clemency to Gilbert just before the Democrat resigned last summer.

Boudin and Gilbert were married after their arrests and later divorced in prison, but remained close and had been spending their days together since Gilbert's release, Chesa Boudin said.

The prosecutor, who ran on a progressive platform, was 14 months old when his parents were imprisoned. He was raised by Kathy Boudin and Gilbert's Weather Underground compatriots, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, but kept in close contact with his biological parents.

'I have boxes and boxes of letters that she sent me from prison,' Chesa Boudin said of his mother. 'We spent countless hours every month on the phone.'

Boudin, left, the mother of San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin, waves as she leaves the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility escorted by a corrections officer, September 17, 2003, in Bedford Hills, New York, shortly before she was paroled for murder charges stemming from the heist

Chesa is a former public defender who was elected DA of crime-ridden San Francisco in 2019 as part of a national wave of progressive prosecutors opposed to mass incarceration and in favor of restorative justice.

He faces a recall election in June over his soft-on-crime policies amid soaring crime rates.

Boudin's notoriously progressive laws have been largely blamed for a recent crime wave seen in the Bay Area, where looters have ransacked stores and broken into parked cars, spurring several city officials, including its mayor, to act.

The DA has been charging people with theft in fewer than 50 per cent of all cases throughout his tenure, recent data showed, leading to claims that Boudin had effectively legalized theft by refusing to prosecute lower-level offenders.
The Webster Groves School District in Missouri is under fire for violating state and federal privacy laws by subjecting students to probing surveys asking about political beliefs and affiliation, gender, sexual orientation and mental health status.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt on Monday agreed to investigate the issue after being alerted to the practice by the Southeast Legal Foundation, which was retained by Webster Groves parents after they learned of the practice.

'We appreciate the Southeast Legal Foundation for bringing their concerns to the office, and have received similar allegations in districts across the state,' Missouri Attorney General spokesman Chris Nuelle said in an email.

'We have been working diligently to empower parents and return transparency to Missouri's schools. We are currently closely reviewing the information contained in that letter and information in other districts, and will take action wherever possible.'

The surveys don't just ask questions, but like the one pictured, they hope to raise awareness of LGBTQ issues

One survey of a second grader prompted him to look at his own race for the first time

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt agreed to look into the way school surveys were conducted and how the information is used

The foundation sent a 23-page letter to the state's top lawyer, outlining a 'cat-and-mouse game' in which Webster Groves, and other districts, purchase surveys for civics classes or general student questionnaires from education companies that then turn around and sell expensive lesson plans to address the problems the surveys have uncovered.

'They're very lucrative contract,' foundation lawyer Kimberly Herman said.

Although Hermann said she did not have information on how much Webster Groves is paying Panorama, the survey firm, another district Springfield Public Schools, pays $60,000 a year, she said. Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia pays the firm $2.4 million annually.

Panorama did not immediately respond to a DailyMail.com request for comment.

Federal law does not allow the collection of this information without parental consent and Missouri law does not allow the collection of the information at all.

The Webster Groves School District did not immediately respond to a call left for comment.

Herman said that the new lessons have a tendency to edge out the traditional curriculum.

'What it really amounts to is racial programming,' she said. 'Teaching kids as young as four years old can pick their gender.'

The Webster Groves School district has not said what they used the information gathered in the surveys for or with whom the share it

Students are asked if they consider the school an inclusive environment

She said that federal law does not give parents the right to sue over the privacy violation, that's why they turned to the state AG for help.

'Parents are done sitting on the sidelines as America's public schools violate our children's privacy rights and collect personal information about them and our families,' Herman said.

'Schools need to get back to teaching math and how to read, not asking about gender identity or Planned Parenthood. These are conversations for parents to have with their children at an appropriate age. Schools shouldn't be asking these questions in the first place. It is outrageous that they are doing it and not even telling parents.'

She declined to make her clients available to speak for fear of reprisals against them or their children by the school district.

Hermann said that students are told that they must take the surveys and if they don't their parents will get a call about refusing to do work.

She also said that questionnaires are not anonymous, but it's unclear who sees the answers and who knows how the students filled them out.

It's unclear what the information is used for and who has access to it, Hermann said.

The questions ask about political ideology of the students and their parents, asking them to label them conservative, liberal or moderate. They are quizzed on which congress member they are most closely aligned and which political party they side with.

Students are pressed to say which elected officials they most closely identify with politically

Students are pressed to say which political party and ideology that they and their parents most closely identify with

Boys and girls are told that they must fill out the forms and if they don't their parents will get a call about missing schoolwork

Questions about public funding for abortion, their stance on the death penalty, prayer in school, mental problem, sexual behavior and other personal question are also in the survey.

Herman said kids as young as 6 years old are questioned.

One parent of a second grader provided a questionnaire in which their child was asked which race he or she identified with.

The child circled white.

The next question was: When is the first time you noticed that people can be different races from you? The child wrote, 'Now' as the answer.
First Lady Jill Biden remarked on American fashion and Russia's war in Ukraine during a speech at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

In her first speech since announcing an upcoming trip to meet Ukrainian refugees in Europe, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on Monday sharply condemned 'Putin's war' and shared praise for the 'resilience' of those affected by Russia's brutal invasion.

The first lady was at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Hours later, dozens of celebrities and other elites will descend on the space for this year's annual Met Gala.

Biden was invited by Vogue editor Anna Wintour to deliver remarks at the unveiling of this year's Met Gala costume exhibit, In America: An Anthology of Fashion.

'Style helps us express things that can't be put into words,' she said at the high-fashion event.

The English professor and first lady revealed she had that sentiment in mind in the lead up to her husband's State of the Union address at the beginning of March.

'A few months ago, as the President was preparing for the State of the Union address, my mind was a world away,' Biden said.

'Like so many Americans, I was transfixed by the news of Ukraine, the bombings, the parents weeping over their childrens broken bodies in the streets.'

'As the State of the Union approached, I knew the only thing that would be reported about me was what I was wearing.'

And so that led Biden to have a small fabric sunflower -- the national flower of Ukraine -- sewn onto her 'deep cobalt-blue' dress

'And that night, sitting next to the Ukrainian ambassador, I knew I was sending a message without saying a word: that Ukraine was in our heartsand that we stood with them,' she said.

She was there unveiling the Met Museum Costume Institute's 2022 Spring exhibit, In America: An Anthology of Fashion

The first lady received a standing ovation both before and after her remarks

She then took a tour of the exhibit with Vogue editor Anna Wintour, who invited her to speak on Monday

Biden will come face-to-face with Ukrainian refugees who fled Russia's invasion this weekend, spending Mother's Day with a few of the millions who have been displaced since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

'Earlier today, I announced that, at the end of this week, Ill be headed to Romania and Slovakia to visit our troops and spend Mothers Day with Ukrainian families whove been displaced by Putins war,' the first lady said.

'As a mother myself, I can only imagine the grief families are feeling. I know that we might not share a language, but I hope that I can convey, in ways so much greater than words, that their resilience inspires me, that they are not forgotten, and that all Americans stand with them still.'

The first lady will be in Romania on May 6 and 7 where she'll meet with American service members stationed there, representatives of Romanian government, US embassy staff as well as aid workers and educators working with Ukrainian refugees.

On Sunday she'll meet with embassy staff, humanitarian workers and refugees in Slovakia. Before departing she'll meet with members of the Slovakian government on Monday.

She concluded her remarks at the Met with, 'As we celebrate the designers and the fashion that has shaped the very identity of America, I hope it will inspire all of us to keep learning.'

The new exhibit will feature historical fashion such as the jacket George Washington wore to his inauguration (left) and a dress worn by Mary Todd Lincoln (right_

The 'Battle of Versailles' piece designed by Tom Ford depicts a 1973 fashion face-off between five American designers and five French designers at a show in the famous French palace

Other rooms have been designed by various famous directors and artists

'I hope it will help us to see the beauty and art that surrounds us every day. And most importantly, I hope it will remind us to be bold and brave.'

The packed room stood up to give Biden a standing ovation at the end of her speech.

Even before celebrities pack the museum for their extravagant party, artists and VIPs like Instagram head Adam Mosseri and the platform's director of fashion partnerships Eva Chen gathered in the Met's Charles Engelhard Court for the first lady's opening remarks.

Mosseri is one of the Met Gala's co-hosts this year along with Wintour.

An entourage including Wintour and Met interns then accompanied Biden on a private tour of the exhibit, which this year includes historical artifacts like the jacket George Washington wore to his inauguration and the clothing Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in.

Mannequins are posed in scenes depicting American fashion through the years, having been created by the likes of Tom Ford, Martin Scorcese and Sofia Coppola.

During her Monday speech, Biden wore a $2,900 Tom Ford dress.

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A French MP has warned that Priti Patel's Rwanda migrant plan is being used by people smugglers to urge asylum seekers to bring forward their Channel crossing.

It is expected that the number of migrants who have made the perilous crossing during 2022 could hit 7,000 over the next few hours.

French MP Pierre-Henri Dumont said Ms Patel's controversial plan, which has been condemned by opposition politicians and human rights organisations, could be having the opposite effect than the hard-line measure was intended.

Mr Dumont told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: 'We are going to the summer so we will have less waves and less danger for the smugglers. So we will have more and more people going to cross.'

Mr Dumont said there was evidence that UK Government plans to process asylum applications in Rwanda was encouraging migrants to attempt the crossing before these measures took effect.

'From what I heard from the migrants, it seems that the news of the new legislation in the UK with Rwanda gives the smugglers the availability of new commercial arguments (to) the migrants to urge them to cross quickly for them not to be sent away because of this new legislation.'

In 2020, 8,417 people arrived in the UK on small boats, increasing to 28,431 in 2021.

Between January and the end of April, 2020, 1,023 migrants had crossed the channel. In 2021, that figure had increased to 2,116, while provisional figures for 2022 suggest more than 6,600 people have arrived on the south coast.

A French MP has warned that Priti Patel's plan to send cross channel asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing may not provide the deterrent intended

As an estimated 7,000 people have crossed the English Channel on small boats so far this year, it is feared a record-breaking number of people will make the journey

French MP Pierre-Henri Dumont said: 'From what I heard from the migrants, it seems that the news of the new legislation in the UK with Rwanda gives the smugglers the availability of new commercial arguments (to) the migrants to urge them to cross quickly for them not to be sent away because of this new legislation'

On the ground in Calais and Dunkirk, charities said many asylum seekers are still planning to risk their lives in making the crossing despite the threat of being sent to Rwanda from the Home Secretary.

The number of migrants crossing the Channel to reach the UK this year could top 7,000 by the end of the day.

The first five months of 2022 have seen last year's number of arrivals triple, as asylum seekers continue to arrive on British shores, adamant that Priti Patel's plan to send them to Rwanda won't stop them.

Dozens of those making the perilous journey from Calais and Dunkirk told the Care4Calais charity that they were still prepared to take their chances.

'I'm willing to risk it,' said one. 'Everyone is scared in the camp but I don't think it will affect them [the decision to cross the Channel].'

It comes as more migrants travelled this morning as the weather improved  showing Nigel Farage was right to say high wind was the reason behind the recent pause in crossings rather than asylum seekers being scared away by Priti Patel's planned policy to fly them to Rwanda for processing.

The former Brexit Party leader filmed himself on a boat in the water today, in which he claimed 'there have been spottings all over the place this morning', on what he described as 'another huge day'.

The group were this morning pictured being brought into Kent on board the Dover Lifeboat after rescue crews responded to an incident in the water in the early hours. That came after 254 people made the perilous journey yesterday, following an eleven day hiatus.

It takes the number to have been intercepted so far to 6,947 this year in 211 incidents, while last year a total of 28,526 migrants crossed the Channel in 2021 - significantly higher than the 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

The recent stoppage in crossings was being hailed by some Tories as an early victory for Home Secretary Priti Patel's much-publicised new scheme.

But Mr Farage said last week the lull was instead the result of the weather conditions, warning there would be an influx once again as the seas became calmer.

The number of migrants crossing the Channel to reach the UK this year could top 7,000 by the end of the day

The first five months of 2022 have seen last year's number of arrivals triple, as asylum seekers continue to arrive on British shores, adamant that Priti Patel's plan to send them to Rwanda won't stop them

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force are seen as they brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A man amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force vessels Speedwell (left), Valiant, and Typhoon (right) in the Port of Dover, Kent, following a number of small boat incidents in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard the Dover Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are escorted from a Border Force vessel (left) onto a bus (right) as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A young child is carried amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard the Dover Lifeboat following a small boat incident in the Channel

A young child is carried amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

The Ministry of Defence took over control of migrant operations in April, when the Government also announced controversial plans to send some of those making the cross-Channel journey to Rwanda.

The Government's Nationality and Borders Bill - dubbed the anti-refugee Bill by campaigners as it makes it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and includes powers to process asylum seekers overseas - became law on Thursday.

Last month, Home Secretary Priti Patel signed what she described as a 'world-first' agreement with Rwanda.

The deal will see the east African nation receive asylum seekers deemed by the UK to be inadmissible, having arrived 'illegally' under new immigration rules, but it has been met with criticism and is already facing legal challenges.

It comes as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said today that the UK needs to work closer with France to solve the migrant crisis.

Speaking on the campaign trail in Worthing, he said: 'Nobody wants to see anybody making that perilous journey across the Channel and everybody wants to crack down on the criminal gangs that are driving this.

'The best way to do that is to have an international co-ordinated criminal response. I have worked on international criminal organisations before when I was director of public prosecutions.

'I know what can be done if you've got teams working together across Europe all the way along those routes absolutely bearing down on these criminal gangs and working very closely with the French authorities as well.'

Meanwhile, the French National Assembly member for Calais has warned crossings will continue to pick up in the coming months.

Pierre-Henri Dumont told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme: 'We are going to the summer so we will have less waves and less danger for the smugglers. So we will have more and more people going to cross.'

Mr Dumont said there was evidence that UK Government plans to process asylum applications in Rwanda was encouraging migrants to attempt the crossing before these measures took effect.

'From what I heard from the migrants, it seems that the news of the new legislation in the UK with Rwanda gives the smugglers the availability of new commercial arguments (to) the migrants to urge them to cross quickly for them not to be sent away because of this new legislation.'

Mr Dumont said that he did not believe the measure would deter people from trying to reach the UK.

'When you leave your country because of flood, because of starvation, because you are not afraid of being hauled and sent back to another country, at least if you have a chance you will try,' he added.

And a Conservative MP has said it is too early to know if the Government's plan to process asylum claimants in Rwanda will deter migrants from attempting the Channel crossing.

Following the latest influx on Sunday and Morning, Tim Loughton, a member of the Commons home affairs committee, said while more arrivals could be expected, the Rwanda scheme represented a practical attempt to tackle the problem.

'They are depressing scenes and they are going to get worse,' he told BBC Radio 4's The World At One programme.

'It may seem a very robust, extreme scheme, but it is the first thing that has actually been put forward that would actually practically do something about this problem.

'People in the south and up and down the country are just sick and tired of these people smugglers making a fortune out of human trafficking, this misery coming across the Channel.

'The Rwanda scheme is an attempt to do something practical about it. But is very early days - it was only announced three weeks ago and it hasn't started yet.'

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force are seen as they brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Young children are helped by military personnel amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Military personnel arrive to assist a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A young child is carried amongst a group of people thought to be migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

Border Force brought Migrants in to Dover docks this morning the Migrants are trying to cross the channel to the UK before they make it law that they are shipped to Rwanda

A group of migrants are brought in to Dover Marina by Border Force after an 11 day hiatus in crossings last month

A Royal Navy vessel tows boats thought to be used by migrants as they are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a number of small boat incidents in the Channel

Minister for Justice and Tackling Illegal Migration, Tom Pursglove MP, has said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable.

'Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes. Rightly, the British public has had enough.

'Through our Nationality and Borders Bill, we're cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.'

UK officials, including a Border Force vessel, escorted seven small boats of men, women and children into Dover Harbour at around 12.30am on Sunday.

The last migrants to arrive at the port were a total of 263 across seven small boats on April 19 - and Ministry of Justice data revealed not a single adult or child made it across since.

Last week, Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen said 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'.

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 Mr 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.'

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, onboard a Border Force vessel, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel

At least 230 migrants have crossed the English Channel yesterday after an eleven day hiatus in what was being claimed as an early victory for the Government's new scheme for sending asylum seekers to Rwanda

UK officials, including a Border Force vessel, escorted seven small boats of men, women and children into Dover Harbour, Kent, at around 12.30am

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 revealed not a single adult or child made it across since

It 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 (left) said 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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Last 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.

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

A Government spokesperson said: 'The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable. Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes.

'This week, the Nationality and Borders Act completed its passage through Parliament.

'Through this landmark legislation, the Government is cracking down on people smugglers and fixing the broken system by making it a criminal offence to knowingly arrive in the UK illegally and introducing a maximum sentence of life imprisonment for those who facilitate illegal entry into our country.'
Peter Meijer slammed Nancy Pelosi for not inviting Republicans to join her delegation to Ukraine after she secretly brought a group of Democrats to Kyiv after more than two months of war with Russia.

The House Speaker's office insisted that members of the GOP were invited on the trip but were only told it included a stop in Poland because they had to keep the Ukraine part under wraps.

'While I am glad @SpeakerPelosi went to Kyiv along with the Foreign Affairs, Rules, and HPSCI chairs, this should have been a *bipartisan delegation* as I have been requesting for weeks,' Meijer tweeted on Sunday.

'Huge missed opportunity to show the world the breadth of congressional support for Ukraine,' the Michigan Republican congressman added.

An aide to Pelosi told Punchbowl News on Tuesday: 'Given the security precautions for this trip, the delegation members themselves did not know they were going into Ukraine until just before they departed the U.S.'

This comment suggests that Republicans declined their invitations for the trip  potentially because they were unaware that it included a stop in Ukraine.

Pelosi became on Saturday the highest ranking official to visit Ukraine after Russia launched a full scale invasion into the country on February 24.

Republican Representative Peter Meijer slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sunday for not inviting GOP lawmakers on her trip to Ukraine over the weekend

'[T]his should have been a *bipartisan delegation* as I have been requesting for weeks,' the Michigan lawmaker tweeted on Sunday

Pelosi led a Democratic delegation to Poland and then to Ukraine over the weekend. The stop in Ukraine was kept secret and even members were unaware of the stop until right before they left. Pictured: Pelosi (right) and her team met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left)

During the secret visit to Kyiv, Pelosi and her colleagues offered Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky support amid Russia's invasion of the nation.

'We are here until victory is won,' Pelosi said during the meeting.

Zelensky replied: 'We'll win and we'll win together.'

Pelosi, a California Democrat who is second in line to the presidency after the vice president, was joined at the meeting by five other members of her party. She is the most senior American lawmaker to visit Ukraine since Russia invaded more than two months ago.

Her visit to Kyiv marks a major show of continuing support for the country's struggle against Moscow.

'Our delegation traveled to Kyiv to send an unmistakable and resounding message to the entire world: America stands firmly with Ukraine,' Pelosi said in a statement released Sunday, condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'diabolic invasion' of the nation.

The White House confirmed that President Joe Biden spoke with Pelosi on the phone Sunday following her return to Poland where she discussed her visit to Ukraine and meeting with Zelensky.

Moscow calls its actions a 'special military operation' to disarm Ukraine and rid it of anti-Russian nationalism fomented by the West. However, Ukraine and other world leaders argue Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (left) made a secret visit to Kyiv on Saturday to meet with Zelensky (right). The Ukrainian leader honored Pelosi with the Order of Princess Olga, a civil decoration bestowed upon women for outstanding service to Ukraine

Zelensky and Pelosi pose for a picture with members of their entourage during their meeting in Kyiv over the weekend  the image was released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Service on Saturday, May 1, 2022

Footage released by Zelensky's office showed Pelosi and other U.S. legislators in Kyiv. In video later released by Pelosi's office, the speaker and Zelensky both thanked each other for their support in the war.

Pelosi led the congressional delegation to Kyiv to meet with Ukraine's president before heading to Poland for talks with officials there on Sunday.

The full congressional delegation included Democratic Reps. Gregory Meeks of New York who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Adam Schiff, of California who chairs the House Intelligence Committee; Jim McGovern of Massachusetts who chairs the House Rules Committee; Jason Crow of Colorado; Barbara Lee of California; and Bill Keating of Massachusetts.

'You all are welcome,' Zelensky told the delegation.

Pelosi told Zelensky: 'We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom.'

'We are on a frontier of freedom and your fight is a fight for everyone. Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done,' Pelosi added.

The visit wasn't previously announced.

'We are here until victory is won,' Pelosi told Ukraine's president during the meeting

Pelosi and U.S. lawmakers meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team

Pelosi and Zelensky shake hands as they meet face-to-face in Ukraine on Saturday

The delegation continued its trip in southeast Poland, and Pelosi said they would later visit the capital, Warsaw, to meet with President Andrzej Duda and other senior officials. Poland has received more than 3 million refugees from Ukraine since Russia launched its war on Feb. 24.

'We look forward to thanking our Polish allies for their dedication and humanitarian efforts,' she said.

In a news conference in Poland, Pelosi said she and others in the delegation applauded the courage of the Ukrainian people. She added that the delegation brought Zelensky 'a message of appreciation from the American people for his leadership.'

Schiff said the U.S. lawmakers had a three-hour meeting with Zelensky and his administration, talking about sanctions, weapons and aid assistance. Schiff promised that intelligence sharing would continue between Ukraine and the U.S.

'This is a struggle of freedom against tyranny,' Schiff said. 'And in that struggle, Ukraine is on the front lines.'

McGovern said Russia's war had repercussions far beyond Ukraine, saying it was exacerbating a food crisis that would be disastrous for poor people across the globe.

'Putin's brutal war is no longer only a war against the people of Ukraine,' McGovern said. 'It's also a war against the world's most vulnerable.'

He added that Ukraine is a 'breadbasket of the world.'

'I don't think that Putin cares if he starves the world,' McGovern said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi leads a team of Congress members to Kyiv to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky (not pictured) on Saturday

During Saturday's meeting, Zelensky presented Pelosi with the Order of Princess Olga award for 'her significant personal contribution to strengthening Ukrainian-American interstate cooperation and supporting sovereign, independent and democratic Ukraine'

Western nations have imposed broad economic sanctions on Russia and have been shipping increasing quantities of weapons to help Ukraine defend itself.

Pelosi said on Friday she hoped to pass a $33billion aid package for Ukraine that President Joe Biden has requested 'as soon as possible'.

Russia's defense ministry said on Sunday it had carried out a missile strike on a military airfield near the port city of Odesa, destroying a runway and a hangar containing weapons and ammunition supplied to Ukraine by the United States and European countries.

On Saturday, Ukraine said Russian missiles had knocked out a newly constructed runway at Odesa's main airport.

It was unclear if they were referring to the same incident and Reuters could not immediately verify the reports.

An Ukrainian flag is seen on a damaged building in Makariv village of Kyiv on Saturday

Pelosi (pictured in Poland on Sunday) hopes to pass a $33billion aid package for Ukraine that President Joe Biden has requested 'as soon as possible'

A damaged building is seen in Makariv village of Kyiv on Saturday

Moscow has turned its focus to Ukraine's south and east after failing to capture Kyiv in the early weeks of a war that has flattened cities, killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 5 million to flee the country.

Russia's defense ministry accused Ukraine's forces of shelling a school, kindergarten and cemetery in villages in the occupied southern Kherson region, the Russian RIA news agency said on Sunday.

The ministry said civilians had been killed and wounded but gave no further details. There was no immediate response from Ukraine and Reuters could not independently verify the report.

Russian forces captured the town of Kherson, 60 miles (100 km) north of Russian-annexed Crimea, in March and since then have mostly occupied Mariupol, a strategic eastern port city on the Azov Sea.

Ukraine's military said in a bulletin on Sunday that Russian forces were fighting to break beyond Kherson's administrative borders and prepare the way for attacks on the cities of Mykolayiv and Kryvyi Rih.

A man speaks with a person through the broken windows of a store in Makariv village of Kyiv on Saturday

Wooden safety barriers have been erected around holes caused by missiles in Makariv village of Kyiv. This photo was taken on Saturday

A view of destruction in the city of Mariupol under the control of Russian military and pro-Russian separatists on Friday

In Mariupol, Russia declared victory on April 21 even as hundreds of holdout Ukrainian troops and civilians took shelter in the city's bombed out Azovstal steel works, where they have been trapped with little food, water or medicine.

On Saturday, a Ukrainian fighter inside said that 20 women and children had made it out of the sprawling plant.

'We are getting civilians out of the rubble with ropes - it's the elderly, women and children,' said the fighter, Sviatoslav Palamar.

Palamar said Russia and Ukraine were respecting a local ceasefire.

Russia's defense ministry said on Sunday that 46 civilians had left the area around the steel plant the previous day.

Speaking to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square for his noon blessing on Sunday (pictured), Pope Francis said Mariupol had been 'barbarously bombarded and destroyed' in a war he called a 'macabre regression of humanity'

Speaking to thousands of people in St. Peter's Square for his noon blessing on Sunday, Pope Francis said Mariupol had been 'barbarously bombarded and destroyed' in a war he called a 'macabre regression of humanity'.

In the east, Moscow is pushing for complete control of the Donbas region, where Russian-backed separatists already controlled parts of Luhansk and Donetsk provinces before the invasion. Russian forces carried out missile strikes across the south and east on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said.

On Sunday, Kharkiv region governor Oleh Synehubov warned residents in the north and east of the city of Kharkiv to remain in their shelters due to heavy Russian shelling. Reuters could not immediately verify reports of shelling in the area.

Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, in a post on social media on Sunday, urged people to evacuate while it was still possible.

Zelensky said in a late-night video address on Saturday that Russia was 'gathering additional forces for new attacks against our military in the east of the country' and 'trying to increase pressure in the Donbas'.

Despite weeks of peace talks, both sides looked to be as far apart as ever on Saturday.

Ukraine accuses Russian troops of carrying out atrocities in areas near Kyiv from which they have since been pushed back in early April, a claim denied by Moscow. Negotiators last met face-to-face on March 29 and have since spoken by video link.

A view of destruction in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol on Friday

A view of an explosion crater filled with water in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol on Friday
A man has died after being gored by a bull in front of his wife and one of his two daughters at a Spanish festival.

Oscar Rodriguez Calleja, 50, was rushed to hospital after being speared in the groin by a 84-stone bull called Rodillero at Fiesta del Verdejo festival in the small town of La Seca, Valladolid, northern Spain, but medics were unable to save him.

Footage of the incident which happened on Sunday 1 May showed the moments before the bull dashed out of its wooden box, immediately taking a right turn towards the crowds stood behind barriers.

The father-of-two was then lifted by the bull's horns as he stood behind the railings, then held up and dragged for a few seconds.

Rodillero pulled Oscar while with its horns before dumping him on the floor as onlookers watched in disbelief.

His loved ones suffered panic attacks and were treated at the scene before his wife was taken to a health centre.

Oscar had travelled from his home in the nearby municipality of Nava del Rey to take part in the festivities with his family.

The 50-year-old, described locally as a greyhound breeder, died after being rushed to nearby Medina del Campo Hospital for an emergency operation.

The event was immediately suspended by La Seca Town Hall, which issued a statement after it emerged the injured man had lost his fight for life.

It confirmed: 'A man who was gored at the start of the festivities has died.

'The fatal outcome occurred after he was evacuated to Medina del Campo Hospital with a doctor and nurse who were part of the medical team covering the event.

'We would like to express our most sincere condolences to his family and friends.'

The Fiesta del Verdejo festival where the tragedy occurred is an annual event which was first held in 2008.

Oscar Rodriguez Calleja, 50, died after being gored by a bull called Rodillero in front of his wife and one of his two daughters at Fiesta del Verdejo festival in La Seca, Valladoid, northern Spain. Pictured, the bull being released from the wooden box before making a left turn

Footage of the incident which happened on Sunday 1 May showed the moments before the bull dashed out of its wooden box, immediately taking a right turn towards the crowds stood behind barriers, ramming himself into Oscar

In January a man was fatally gored by a charging heifer at a festival in Puerto Serrano in the south-west Spanish province of Cadiz.

He was described at the time as only the second person to be fatally gored during an annual festival in Spain involving bulls and heifers since the start of the Covid pandemic.

A 55-year-old man became the first person to die during a bull goring in Onda in the eastern Spanish province of Castellon at the end of October last year.

Before the coronavirus pandemic several revellers were gored to death every year at Spanish festivals involving bulls being let onto the street including the Pamplona-style 'encierros.'

In 2015 seven people died between the start of July and the middle of August.

The father-of-two was then lifted by the bull's horns as he stood behind the railings, then held up and dragged for a few seconds
President Joe Biden said on Monday he's meeting with Debra and Marc Tice, the parents of journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria since 2012.

Tice's mother was in the audience on Saturday night during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, a gathering of elite media to celebrate the first amendment.

WHCA president Steve Portnoy of CBC News asked her to stand and paid tribute to Tice, a freelance reporter who worked for CBS, The Washington Post, and McClatchy. He was kidnapped in Syria on August 14, 2012.

'All over the world, journalists are subjected to jailing and intimidation for the use of pen pad camera and keyboard. They've been tortured, murdered, kidnapped, and we must never forget, Portnoy said.

He then asked Debra Tice to stand and said of Austin Tice: 'He should be here with us tonight. But he's been held captive in Syria since 2012. As we take note of Trevor Reed's return our thoughts tonight are with Austin Tice.'

Biden, who spoke at the event, said he would like to meet with her.

Halfway through his speech, Biden said to Debra: 'Mom, I'd like to meet you and Dad to talk about your son.'

President Joe Biden will meet with Debra and Marc Tice, the parents of missing journalist Austin Tice, at the White House on Monday after Debra Tice appeared at White House Correspondent's Association dinner on Saturday (above)

Austin Tice, a freelance journalist, has been missing in Syria since 2012

Tice's parents have been pleading with the administration to help their son.

Tice's parents met with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan in December as part of their plea.

'We have been very closely engaged with the family,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at her press briefing on Monday.

She said she had no information on Austin Tice's whereabouts but said the administration would 'do everything we can' to bring him home.

'We are doing everything we can to engage with leaders with countries - even some we certainly do not have diplomatic relations with - to bring Americans home,' she said.

Austin Tice's current whereabouts and health status remain unclear. It's been nearly nine years since he was last seen, which was on a video showing him bound and blindfolded.

The Biden administration has called on Syria to return Tice.

'We believe that it is within Bashar al-Assad's power to free Austin,' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement in August marking Tice's 40th birthday.

The call to free Tice gained steam after the Biden administration negotiated the successful release of former Marine Trevor Reed in a 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.

Trevor Reed's parents had been pleading with President Biden to bring their son home. 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 said they are grateful to President Biden for saving their son's life.

President Donald Trump sent two administration officials to Syria in the summer of 2020 to try to negotiate Tice's release.

It did not happen.

At the time, Syrian officials told CBS News that the Syrian government said no discussion could take place about U.S. hostages as long as U.S. military forces remained in Syria. Roughly 900 U.S. troops are in Syria.

Marc and Debra Tice have pleaded with the Biden administration to help their son

President Joe Biden said he would meet with Tice's parents

Austin Tice's current whereabouts and health status remain unclear. It's been nearly nine years since he was last seen

Biden made his remarks on Tice after he presented the Presidential Rank Awards to 230 winners from 37 federal agencies in a virtual ceremony.

The awards honor federal employees for their service.

Biden brought the awards back after Trump canceled them in 2020.
A high school photo of Lacey Ellen Fletcher, 36, taken when she was 16. The coroner believes she was left on the couch for 12 years

The parents of severely autistic Lacey Ellen Fletcher who died 'fused' to a sofa by her own excrement were arrested on Monday and face life in jail after a grand jury indicted them on second-degree murder charges.

DailyMail.com has obtained jail mugshots of Clay, 65, and Sheila, 64, taken shortly after they were picked up by sheriff's deputies and hauled off to East Feliciana Parish Jail in Clinton. Louisiana.

Sheriff Jeffery Travis told DailyMail.com: 'We picked them up, arrested them, brought them to the jail and we're in the process of booking them in.

'Their bond is not my purview. The judge sets the bond and she will work with their attorney for that. I'd say the bond will be really high.'

DailyMail.com understands that the couples bond is unlikely to be set for a few days.

That means under Louisiana state law that Sheila Fletcher is likely to be moved to a prison until at least the bond issue is sorted because there is a time limit that females can be held in jail. Her husband Clay will remain in the parish jail.

The first arraignment is expected to be in around two to three weeks.

In a horrific scene, Lacey's emaciated body was discovered partially naked, sitting upright and partly submerged in a hole in a couch covered from head to toe in urine, liquid feces, maggots and insect bites at her parents' otherwise neat single family home in Slaughter on January 3.

Her feet were crossed underneath her on the couch deep inside the hole that her long-suffering body had worn through both the upholstery and cushion. Dr Ewell Bickham III said she had been stuck on the couch for at least 12 years.

Additionally it has been reported that Lacey had fecal matter shoved on her face, chest and abdomen. Her hair was matted, knotted and filled with maggots  and she weighed less than 100lbs.

Sheila Fletcher, 64, (pictured) and Clay Fletcher, 65, did not attend the courthouse in Clinton, Louisiana, where District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla demanded the charge, which would mean mandatory life if convicted

Clay Fletcher, 65, was arrested alongside his wife Sheila on Monday afternoon

Arrest warrants for the Fletchers were prepared immediately after the grand jury decision.

East Feliciana Parish Coroner Dr Ewell Bickham III told DailyMail.com Monday that the images of the conditions Lacey was found in were so horrific and upsetting that medics would be on standby for the members of the jury.

He added that the photos of the scene left those in the room speechless.

'When I was presenting the case and showed the pictures and gave the timeline the expressions of the grand jury was utter shock,' he said. 'Like the clock on the wall never moved again.'

'There was complete silence. Some jurors were gasping in horror. Some were staring in disbelief.'

Bickham also told the DailyMail.com that the case has been really hard on him personally and described Mondays grand jury proceedings as long emotional day.

'Seeing those photos again and reliving this traumatic experience again was really hard.'

Outside the court, District Attorney D'Aquilla said: 'I believe justice was served here today. Lacey Fletcher didn't deserve the way she was treated.

'For this type of crime second degree is the highest charge that could have been produced today.'

The Fletchers were arrested on Monday afternoon.

Dr Bickham revealed that Lacey had been on the couch for at least 12 years.

'Evidence wise, a minimum of 12 years,' he said. 'Could be before that. At least 12 years. A terribly long period of time.'

A grand jury was selected in Clinton on Monday  with East Feliciana District Attorney Sam D'Aquilla pressing them to charge the Clay Fletcher, 65, and Shiela Fletcher, 64, with second-degree murder for their daughter Lacey Ellen Fletcher's death. It would mean life sentences for the couple if convicted

A photo of the two-story home located on Tom Drive in Slaughter where Lacey lived with her parents

The coroner also revealed the full horrific cause of death.

He said: 'The cause of death stemmed from severe medical neglect, which led to chronic malnutrition, acute starvation, immobility, acute ulcer formation, osteomyelitis which is bone infection which led finally to sepsis.'

Dr Bickham also cleared up a misunderstanding about Lacey's actual condition, originally reported as 'Locked-In' Syndrome.

He said: 'I don't know where that term came from or what source it came from. In all my years as a practicing physician I have never heard of that term.

'The only diagnoses that I know she did have was first, social anxiety, severe autism and that's it. Those are her only two diagnoses.

'The last time she saw a physician of any type or any kind was when she was 16 years old. That picture of her was when she was 16.'

DA D'Aquilla agreed Lacey's death was a 'crime against humanity' and added: 'I hope this indictment brings some spotlight to victims of this type of crime.

'The coroner has a lot of authority, a lot of power. If people don't want to get treatment or they refuse treatment, go to the coroner's office, go to law enforcement, check on your neighbors, check on your friends. If you are a care giver, reach out and make sure people are taken care of.

'This case was so horrific that the coroner and the sheriff's office initially investigated this case in January and the conditions that she was found it was just unbelievable.

'You don't treat anybody of any animals like that. Something had to be done and we all got together, we all stood on the same platform and we are all here now and we have an indictment for second degree murder.'

Sheriff Travis added: 'It was nothing short of horrific and sickening. We all collectively worked together to reach the point that we are at now. This is a case that is rare, but today everything was done correctly by every member of this team and we successfully reached a conviction(sic) that we believe is going to being justice for Lacey's situation.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE

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 Fletchers, considered outwardly respectable and pillars of their community, were not at the courthouse and have not been seen since news broke last week of the horror. They were not immediately arrested because they were not considered flight risks.

DailyMail.com understands Sheila Fletcher rang 911 at 2am on January 3 to report her daughter had stopped breathing. The sheriff's office sent a deputy to the ranch-style home 20 miles north of Baton Rouge.

But after confronting the horror, the deputy reported back and East Feliciana Parish Coroner Dr Ewell Dewitt Bickham III immediately came out.

He said: 'The scene was sickening. I've seen some horrible things in my life but nothing like this.' He said bedsores went all the way down to her bone.

Horrific photos issued by Dr Bickham's office revealed the feces smeared hole in the sofa where Bickham believes Lacey might have been sitting for the past 12 years.

The Fletchers were meant to be her caregivers. 'It's unconscionable, something you make horror movies about,' said Bickham.

The moment he arrived at the home he was hit by a stench so bad 'it would almost make you run out of the house.' He said he knew immediately it was a potential crime scene.

'The parents were in the kitchen. They did not have an explanation,' he said. 'I couldn't eat for a week and I cried for a week.'

He ruled her death a homicide with the cause as medical neglect  believing she passed 24 to 48 hours before his official time of death of 3.07am, January 3.

The tragedy is even more of a mystery as Sheila Fletcher worked for authorities who might have helped her daughter.

She was a police and court clerk in the small nearby city of Baker and more recently an assistant to the city prosecutor in Zachary, a slighter larger community also nearby.

The mom was also on Slaughter's Board of Alderman but quit on January 24 following four years' service and three weeks after the horror discovery.

Clay Fletcher is an officer of non-profit 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'.

The couple's lawyer Steven Moore has said in a statement: '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.'

Before the grand jury hearing, the coroner said he would present the case with the hope of the parents being charged over the death. 'I probably won't even have to open my mouth, the pictures will show it,' he said.

District Attorney D'Aquilla has said: 'On a murder, you have to have intent. Did they want to kill her? I want to say yeah, they wanted to kill her.'

'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.

'We don't treat animals or neglect animals in that way. If you have an animal in that condition you have to take them to a vet.

'If you are not capable of providing the care then get help. We want people to know that if you are a caregiver of someone you need to pay attention. It is important for neighbors and the community to look out for each other. We hope this never happens again.'

He said the Fletchers claimed in 2011-2012 that Lacey didn't want to leave the house and had not been to a doctor. He said the parents claimed she was able to communicate with them and apparently never complained.

D'Aquilla added it was not known when Lacey had last moved from the couch.

The Fletchers reportedly said Lacey developed 'some degree of Asperger's syndrome' after 9th grade when she started being home schooled.

They insisted during an interview with law enforcement that she was the one who chose never to leave the couch and to relieve herself there or on a nearby towel, it is reported. Sheila Fletcher said she routinely cleaned her daughter's sores.

'Mom and Dad love you so much,' she wrote in a Facebook post after the death.

News of the January horror is breaking now as the autopsy report was not handed to East Feliciana Sheriff's Office until March. At that point Sheriff Travis consulted with District Attorney D'Aquilla on a course of action that has resulted in this grand jury deliberation.

A new East Feliciana Parish grand jury is selected every six months, with a new one chosen today. Authorities decided it should be the new jury that decided the Fletcher case.
The former president will be in Casper, Wyoming on May 28 on Harriet Hageman's behalf, he announced in a statement through his Save America PAC on Monday

Donald Trump will campaign in Wyoming for Rep. Liz Cheney's Republican primary challenger in an effort to unseat one of his most vocal critics in Congress, the ex-president announced on Monday.

Trump will hold one of his campaign-style Make America Great Again rallies in Casper, Wyoming on behalf of lawyer Harriet Hageman on May 28.

It'll be the first event Trump holds with Hageman, who he endorsed in September.

Less than two weeks later, Cheney and fellow lawmakers on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack will hold their first public hearings that they have promised will reveal explosive information on the former president and his allies' efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Cheney is the panel's vice chair and one of just two Republican members, alongside Rep. Adam Kinzinger.

Her work on the committee and criticism of Trump have made her a favorite target for the former president's attacks.

She was also the highest-profile House Republican who voted to impeach him following the Capitol riot.

Trump frequently dismisses Cheney as a RINO or 'Republican In Name Only,' and has lambasted Wyoming's lone at-large House representative as a 'psycho' and 'not the brightest person' according to a book by Washington Examiner reporter David Drucker.

And despite raising more than $10 million for her 2022 re-election campaign so far, Cheney still may be facing an uphill battle in Wyoming's August 16 primary race.

She and Kinzinger have been ostracized by much of their party since their efforts to investigate the January 6th attack. Unlike Cheney, Kinzinger has said he will not seek re-election in the House this year.

Cheney has far out-raised Hageman in the primary race so far, racking up more than $10 million compared to roughly 2 million raised by the first-time candidate's campaign. However Hageman has pulled in donations from sitting lawmakers like House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Jim Jordan

The Wyoming Republican was booted out of her No. 3 job in the House GOP as its conference chair, with colleagues voting to replace her with pro-Trump Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Then on February 7, the Republican National Committee voted to censure the pair in a highly unusual move against two sitting lawmakers within their caucus.

The Republican leader, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, followed Trump in endorsing Hageman later that month.

Trump said in a September 9 statement, 'I strongly endorse Republican House of Representatives Candidate Harriet Hageman from Wyoming who is running against warmonger and disloyal Republican, Liz Cheney.'

'Unlike RINO Liz Cheney, Harriet is all in for America First,' he continued.

'Harriet has my Complete and Total Endorsement in replacing the Democrats number one provider of sound bites, Liz Cheney.'

Cheney shot back at the time: 'Heres a sound bite for you: Bring it.'

Hageman has raised slightly more than $2 million so far in her campaign, according to the most recent campaign filings through the end of March.

McCarthy's re-election PAC donated two separate $2,000 checks to Hageman in March.

Less than two weeks after the rally, the Capitol riot committee will hold its first of eight public hearings beginning June 9

She got the same sum from pro-Trump GOP Rep. Jim Jordan.

Trump's Save America PAC gave Hageman two donations of $5,000 each at the end of last year.

The Wyoming rally will happen less than two weeks before the January 6 committee begins the first of eight public hearings on June 9.

Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin, suggested they would be explosive in nature in a statement late last week.

'We now have evidence to support the story of the worst presidential political offense against the Union in American history,' Raskin said on April 29.

He added that the upcoming hearings 'will expose every facet of the assault against our democracy and Constitution on 1/6.'

Cheney brushed off Trump's endorsement of Hageman in September with a defiant 'bring it'

Kinzinger, Cheney's fellow Republican member, said during a Sunday CBS News interview that he would 'love' to see former Vice President Mike Pence testify at the hearings.

Pence had reportedly refused to take part in enacting a legal theory that claimed he as vice president had sole power to overturn the election results in several states that narrowly went to President Joe Biden.

'I would love to see that. I hope he would do so voluntarily,' Kinzinger told Face The Nation.

'These are decisions I think, that we're going to end up making from a tactical perspective in the next week or two as we basically pin down what this hearing schedule is going to look like, the content and as we go into the full narrative of this thing.'

He continued, 'I would hope and think that the Vice President would want to come in and tell his story because he did do the right thing on that day.'

'If he doesn't, then we'll look at the options we have available to us if there's information we don't already have.'
The Federal Communications Commission has said it would be 'un-American' to interfere with Elon Musk's $44billion Twitter deal.

Commissioner Nathan Simington issued a press release on Monday dismissing requests for the agency to stop Elon Musk from acquiring Twitter.

He warned the agency would not intervene and said he did not have the authority to weigh in on the blockbuster acquisition and added it would be 'unconstitutional'.

Musk confirmed his mammoth takeover at the end of last month and has vowed to release the shackles 'woke' bosses have put on free speech on the site.

It has been met with fury by some who fear the social media giant would further sour if people could post more freely.



FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington issued a press release on Monday dismissing requests for the agency to stop Elon Musk from acquiring Twitter

Simington said the FCC did not have authority to regulate internet platforms like Twitter, but even if it did, there was 'no reason to think the deal would limit competition or harm consumers'

'The FCC cannot, and should not, block this sale. We should instead applaud Mr. Musk for doing something about a serious problem that government has so far failed to address,' Simingtong wrote

Why the FCC won't block Elon Musk's $44billion Twitter deal 1. The FCC's 'review authority does not and has never extended to internet platforms like Twitter.' 2. 'Even if it did, it would be inappropriate and contrary to the public interest to block it, and it would harm consumers.' 3. 'Nothing about Musk becoming the sole owner of Twitter would be out of step with the ownership structures of other social media platforms or. Google, YouTube, Facebook, the Washington Post, and the New York Times are each owned or controlled by one or two people or a single family.' 4. 'It would be not only unconstitutional [and illegal], but plainly un-American, for any arm of the government to act against Twitter or Mr. Musk for such a purpose.' Source: FCC Advertisement

Simingtong wrote: 'The FCC cannot, and should not, block this sale. We should instead applaud Mr. Musk for doing something about a serious problem that government has so far failed to address.'

He continued: '...I am particularly troubled by arguments that the federal government must act with the purpose of stopping Mr. Musk from enshrining free expression on Twitter. The only merit in such proposals is their candor in proposing something so blatantly illegal.

'It would be not only unconstitutional, but plainly un-American, for any arm of the government to act against Twitter or Mr. Musk for such a purpose.'

Simington said the FCC did not have authority to regulate internet platforms like Twitter, but even if it did, there was 'no reason to think the deal would limit competition or harm consumers.'

The commissioner seemingly sided with Musk and even ventured to suggest that 'restrictive, and often politically motivated, content moderation practices,' were affecting consumer choice and freedom of speech.

Simington added the purchase did not raise concerns of horizontal or vertical concentration in the social media market - terms that refer to companies' strategists to merge and regulate stages of their production instead of relying on suppliers.

The release comes after 'some called on the FCC to stop Elon Musk from acquiring Twitter,' according to Simington. It is unclear who he referred to, DailyMail.com has reached out for comment.

Musk, the world's richest man, currently owns a 9.2 per cent stake in the tech giant and is trying to take it private with an unsolicited bid of $54.20 per share.

To buy Twitter the 50-year-old committed $21 billion in equity, $13 billion from Morgan Stanley in debt facilities and another $12.5 billion from the bank and others in margin loans.

But 'a portion' of his shares in Tesla have been put forward as collateral, which analysts feared could have a huge impact on the firm.

Musk filed a document with the US. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21 showing how he planned to take over Twitter for about $44 billion.

'If Mr. Musk follows through on his stated intention to ease Twitter's restrictions on speech, he would almost certainly enhance competition and better serve those Americans, the majority, who value free speech,' Simington wrote on Monday.

The FCC commissioner said that despite reports of concerns that Musk becoming the sole owner of Twitter 'would be out of step with the ownership structures of other social media platforms,' that was the case for many platforms.

'Google, YouTube, Facebook, the Washington Post, and the New York Times are each owned or controlled by one or two people or a single family,' Simington argued.

Concerns of Musk controlling both Twitter and Starlink were also dismissed as 'not serious,' with Simington rebutting that there are plenty of examples of common ownership and control of broadband internet and online services like streaming platforms, and news websites.

Musk seemingly reacted to the news that the FCC wouldn't interfere with his deal by sharing a rather particular meme on his Twitter feed.

'As I was saying,' Musk captioned a picture of a hand flicking a tiger's bollocks, which read '2022, here we go.'

Musk has laid out some bold, if still vague, plans for transforming Twitter into a place of 'maximum fun' once he buys the social media platform for $44 billion and takes it private.

But enacting what at the moment are little more than a mix of vague principles and technical details could be considerably more complicated than he suggests.

Simington added that the purchase did not raise concerns of horizontal or vertical concentration in the social media market - terms that refer to companies' strategists to merge and regulate stages of its production instead of relying on suppliers

Musk seemingly reacted to the news with a tweet deemed hilarious by Twitter users

Twitter workers have already warned of a 'mass exodus' of staff when he takes over the company, with one describing the world's richest man as 'a person with questionable ethics'.

At an 'all-hands' meeting via videolink last week, 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.'

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 cringey 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?'

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.
The jury selection for Parkland school mass shooter Nikolas Cruz's death penalty hearing has been delayed for at least another week after the lead attorney fell ill.

Nickolas Cruz, 23, who was seen in court on Monday without his face mask, pled guilty in November to all 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder of 14 students and three staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018.

The penalty trial will decide if Cruz receives a sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty in the Valentine's Day massacre.

At Monday's hearing, Melissa McNeill, Cruz's lead public defender, was absent. No explanation was given.

When Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer inquired if she was being tested, a private conversation was held, between the attorney's and Scherer, after which she adjourned, and said she hoped everyone stayed well, the Associated Press reported.

The jury selection will now be delayed until May 9.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter Nikolas Cruz, 23, previously pled guilty to all 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder in the 2018 shooting deaths of 14 students and three staff members at the Majory Stoneman Douglas High School located in Parkland, Florida

Cruz, is pictured in center, maskless, alongside Chief Assistant Public Defender David Wheeler and sentence mitigation specialist Kate O'Shea at the Broward County Court House in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Monday

At Monday's court hearing, when Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer asked lead defense attorney Melissa McNeill's assistants if she was being tested no explanation was given. The attorneys an the judge held a private conversation, after which Scherer adjourned, and said she hoped everyone stayed well

Broward County Public Defender Gordon Weekes also declined to discuss the reason why McNeill was not present and did not disclose whether she had COVID-19 or any other illness.

Another no show at Monday's hearing was one of the assistant prosecutors, who was also absent from without explanation.

Over the last few weeks, Scherer and the attorneys have screened almost 1,900 jurors during the first phase. Of that number 400 members said they were available to serve the duration of the four month trial that is set to begin mid-June and run through September.

Prospective jurors were asked to fill out questionnaires about their backgrounds, their knowledge of the case and their opinions on the death penalty.

Judge Scherer, who has been on the Parkland shooter case since 2018, has had her share of drama stopping and re-starting jury selection since the high-profile case began.

In April, one juror named 'Miss Bristol,' was excused after telling the judge she didn't have time for it because she is too busy juggling her husband and her sugar daddy.

The woman, known only as 'Miss Bristol', told the court in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that she had a lot of other commitments that she couldn't divert her attention from in order to serve on the jury in Cruz's case.

Miss Bristol told the judge: 'Well I am married and I have my sugar daddy. I see him every day.'

Her bizarre explanation rendered Judge Scherer speechless, who later replied: 'OK. All right. Ma'am, we'll come back to you, OK? Thank you.'

That same month, a potential juror caused another dramatic scene in court, after a 30-something man, 'mouthed expletives' toward Cruz, and appeared ready to attack the school shooter, as he got other jurors riled up.

Bailiffs had to quickly remove the man from the Florida courtroom as the man vigorously shook his head and muttered 'that's horrible' repeatedly.

The second phase of the trial that has since been postponed since May 9 will involve the prosecutors and defense asking the jurors whether they can put aside whatever knowledge they already have of Cruz, including all the extensive media coverage they may have read and vote for his sentence based on what is presented in court.

At this time, jurors must also say whether they can vote for the death penalty if they believe Florida law requires it, but they also don't believe all murderers should face execution.

Those who pass that stage are expected to be brought back a third time for more questioning before the panel of jurors is selected which is compromised of 12 jurors and eight alternates.

Assistant Public Defender Melisa McNeill, right, speaks to prospective jurors during the third day of preliminary jury screening in the penalty phase of Nikolas Cruz's trial, Wednesday, April 6 at the Broward County Courthouse in Fort Lauderdale. Cruz previously plead guilty to the 2018 murders of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland

Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz, 23, escorted by security into the Florida courtroom today. The 12 jurors that will be chosen will determine whether aggravating factors, such as the number of people he murdered, his extensive planning, and his cruelty outweigh the mitigating factors, such as his long history of mental and emotional problems, his possible sexual abuse and the death of his parents. If one juror sides with the defense, he will receive a life sentence

At Monday's hearing, Scherer and the attorneys present had resolved one outstanding issue which was the judge's erroneous dismissal of 11 potential jurors during initial screening nearly a month ago

At Monday's hearing, Scherer and the attorneys present had resolved one outstanding issue which was the judge's erroneous dismissal of 11 potential jurors during initial screening nearly a month ago.

Since jury selection began a few weeks ago, potential jurors were brought to the Florida courtroom in groups of 60 or 70 people. During this time, the judge asked the potential jurors two questions: 'Do you know Cruz or any of the attorneys?' 'Can you serve four months?'

However, during one early group, the judge had asked a third question: 'Can you follow the law?' That question was apparently supposed to be asked at a later phase.

In the interim, a few jurors raised their hands during the questioning indicating they could not follow the law, then a few more hands were raised, bringing the number to 12.

Scherer dismissed those 12 members without allowing the attorneys to question them. The attorney's should have been allowed to question them. Both sides objected. Scherer tried to get them back, but 11 of the potential jurors had already left the courthouse.

That led Scherer last week to order that jury selection start anew over the objection of Cruz's attorneys, a decision that would have thrown out 250 potential jurors. Prosecutors feared Scherer had made a mistake that could result in a death penalty verdict being thrown out on appeal.

Nickolas Cruz, 23, who was seen in court on Monday without his face mask, pled guilty in November to all 17 counts of premeditated murder and 17 counts of attempted murder of 14 students and three staff members at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018

On February 14, 2018, a normal school day turned to horror as Cruz massacred 14 students and three staff

Children are seen fleeing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the day of the massacre

Scherer then reversed her decision two days later over the objection of prosecutors and said the 250 potential jurors were still part of the pool.

Summonses were then issued to 11 people. Ten of them showed up in court on Monday. Nine had been dismissed because they had work or family conflicts that prevented them from serving for four months, while the 10th potential juror said he could serve.

That person filled out the questionnaire and will be brought back for the second phase.

The 12 jurors that will be chosen will determine whether aggravating factors, such as the number of people he murdered, his extensive planning, and his cruelty outweigh the mitigating factors, such as his long history of mental and emotional problems, his possible sexual abuse and the death of his parents.

If one juror sides with the defense, Cruz will receive a life sentence.
Vice President Kamala Harris tested negative for covid on Monday and will return to in-person work at the White House on Tuesday.

The White House said Harris will 'wear a well-fitting mask while around others through the ten-day period.'

'Today, the Vice President tested negative for COVID-19 on a rapid antigen test. The Vice President will return to work, in person, tomorrow. Following CDC guidelines, she will wear a well-fitting mask while around others through the ten-day period,' Harris' office said in a statement.

Harris, 57, tested positive for covid last week and worked from her home at the Naval Observatory. She was the highest ranking member of the Biden adminstration to catch covid.

She is returning to the White House six days after testing positive. She also took the anti-viral pill Paxlovid on advice of her doctor.

Harris was asymptomatic as she isolated at home.

Vice President Kamala Harris tested negative for covid on Monday and will return to in-person work at the White House on Tuesday - above second gentleman Doug Emhoff posted a photo on his social media of her working from home

The White House said Harris will 'wear a well-fitting mask while around others through the ten-day period'

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday that she didn't know if Harris was scheduled to be in any meetings with President Joe Biden upon her return to the West Wing.

'She will be wearing a mask through the 10 days, which is what our protocols are here,' Psaki said. 'And we - as noted - triy to socially distance in meetings with the president.

Harris had been on a trip to California ahead of her diagnosis and the White House said she was not a close contact to President Biden.

The White House has had to defend Harris' mask use after she did not wear one during events tied to Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

At the time, Harris had been a close contact to her communications director Jamal Simmons, who tested positive for covid after attending the white-tie Gridiron dinner.

The White House had shared a video of Harris, First Lady Jill Biden, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, and members of Jackson's family gathered around President Joe Biden in the Oval Office without face masks on Friday, celebrating Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki defended Vice President Kamala Harris (above) for not wearing a mask during an outdoor event celebrating Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation to the Supreme Court after Harris had been exposed

Press secretary Jen Psaki said that it was an 'emotion day' for Harris, the nation's first black vice president, to see the first black woman confirmed to the high court.

'It was an emotional day. It was a historic day. And there were moments when she was not wearing a mask inside, including in a photo but she was wearing it 99.9% of the time,' Psaki said at her White House press briefing.

'There are moments when, yes, she was human, and she didn't have a face mask on in a photo, but she has worn the mask and certainly that is what we want to convey to the American people,' Psaki said.

'It was a decision made in the moment. But it doesn't mean that we don't all try to be model citizens here and abide by what the CDC protocols are on requirements,' Psaki noted.

The White House also had to spend nearly a week defending Harris after she didn't wear a face mask on the Senate floor during Jackson's confirmation vote and then didn't wear a face mask to the outdoor ceremony marking Jackson's confirmation.

Psaki also defended Harris receiving Paxlovid  a drug that can reduce severe infections and hospitalizations, saying it was prescribed by her doctor.

The drug can only be administered within three days of a positive test. Psaki downplayed 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.
The altercation, police say, saw Yan and the suspect briefly exchange words before he was shot once in the chest near 108th Street and 67th Drive

A Chinese food delivery driver working three jobs was shot dead mid-shift late on Saturday - as cops probe whether a furious customer pulled the trigger.

Zhiwen Yan, 45, was doing the rounds on his scooter in Forest Hills, Queens, at 9:30 pm, cops say, when he was blasted in the chest by an unidentified suspect.

The shooting saw Yan and the suspect briefly exchange words before he was hit near 108th Street and 67th Drive, in what is usually a quiet, close-knit community.

Police say the incident came immediately after Yan - a father-of-three who moved to New York from China more than two decades ago - had dropped off a delivery.

Shocking video obtained by police shows Yan pulling onto 108th Street when the suspect approaches on foot with a gun drawn, cops say.

In the clip, which has not been released, Yan tries to roll backward on the bike to get away when the suspect suddenly shoots, sending the scooter falling to the ground.

According to his family, the Chinese-born New Yorker had been working seven days a week when he was killed, trying to support his wife and school-aged kids.

Cops have yet to make an arrest in the case - and so far, a suspect has not been named.

Hardworking Zhiwen Yan, 45, pictured at right in this undated image on the day of his wedding, was making a delivery on his scooter in the Forest Hills neighborhood Queens at around 9:30 pm, cops say, when he was fatally shot in the chest during an inexplicable encounter with an unidentified suspect

The altercation, police say, saw Yan and the suspect briefly exchange words before he was shot once in the chest near 108th Street and 67th Drive, in what is usually a quiet, close-knit community. Cops are pictured Saturday night at the crime scene, looking over Yan's scooter

But they are investigating claims from Yan's fellow staffer Soi Chung, 70, a 50-year-old 'disgruntled' customer was the one who took his friend's life.

According to Chung, the supposed suspect had 'multiple' disputes with the Forest Hills eatery, Chinese restaurant Great Wall, and pulled a gun on staffers during one incident in January.

Another incident last year saw the angry patron became peeved over the amount of duck sauce given to him in one of his orders, Chung told The New York Post, spurring a campaign of harassment, vandalism, and threats from the customer.

The customer - the only person of interest in the case thus far - is currently wanted for questioning by the New York Police Department, law enforcement sources told the outlet.

The beef with the rowdy regular, Chung said, began one night last year.

'The customer came in and ordered some food,' Chung, who has worked at the Queens establishment for 20 years, recalled to the paper Monday.

According to a colleague of Yan's at Great Wall restaurant (pictured), a supposed suspect in the case had 'multiple' disputes with the Forest Hills eatery, and pulled a gun on staffers during an incident last January

The encounter was friendly first, according to Chung - but things quickly turned when the customer deemed the amount of duck sauce he had received with his order to be unsatisfactory.

'He left with the food but then came back and said 'It's not enough,'' Chung said. 'He came to the counter and wanted more food, more duck sauce.'

An argument then ensued, Chung told the outlet, spurring Yan's and Chung's employer to get involved.

'They had an argument,' Chung told the Post, 'and the boss said, 'It's enough already.'

The veteran restaurant worker said that the jilted customer then walked out of the restaurant in a huff, before returning to vandalize the establishment with - what else? - the duck sauce.

'The guy left the restaurant, and later came back and threw the duck sauce, everything, all over the place,' Chung recalled.

'The police came and took a report, but the guy was gone.'

However, according to Chung, the strange saga was far from over - with the guest's harassment campaign only growing more brazen and threatening.

'After that, sometimes, he'd be waiting around outside,' Chung told the outlet Tuesday, as cops continued to comb the city in hopes of tracking down Yan's killer.

'He'd say to the boss and to the delivery guy and to one of the chefs, 'I remember you. I remember you,' the restaurant staffer said, adding that the customer twice vandalized Great Wall staffers' cars, and once slashed the tires on the manager of the establishment's vehicle.

The most brazen threat from the customer, Chung said, came earlier this year, when the customer - who reportedly drives an older model Lexus RX3 SUV, a witness told The Post - menacingly waved a gun at the restaurant workers, spurring them to call the cops.

Chung said the customer's crusade against Great Wall has since ceased, but is adamant that he is the one responsible for Yan's death, which has rocked the residential neighborhood where the deceased delivery man had resided for more than a decade.

Chung's theory does hold some weight - police insiders told the Post Monday that cops are currently searching for the 50-year-old suspect so that they can detain him for questioning.

What's more, one Forest Hills resident who witnessed some of the patron's reported intimidation tactics against workers at Great Wall reportedly told police the customer drove off on one occasion in his Lexus RX3 SUV - the same type of vehicle cops say was spotted fleeing the scene of the shooting.

The Post noted that it would be withholding the customer's name until he was officially named a suspect or person of interest in the case.

No arrests have been made as of Monday evening, nearly 48 hours after the fatal shooting. Yan leaves behind a wife and three children, aged two, 12, and 14.

Police say the incident transpired immediately after Yan - a father-of-three and Forest Hills resident who moved to New York from China more than two decades ago - had dropped off a delivery at a nearby address in the usually quiet residential neighborhood

'This was a father of three children working three jobs - all food delivery,' Yan's nephew, who identified himself as Michael, said during a presser held outside the family's home in neighboring Middle Village Sunday.

'He came here in 2001,' the relative went on. 'He has been in this country over 20 years. I would like to know why this murder took place. I would like to find out the truth and get justice. This was a brutal murder.'

He added: 'It's unacceptable that this happened. This is a very peaceful community. This never happened, this kind of issue.'

The presser also saw Yan's wife, Kunying Zhao, repeatedly burst into tears after emerging from the family home while being questioned by reporters, while her youngest daughter looked on from the doorway behind her.

'Somebody, somebody killed my husband,' Zhao said through tears. 'Catch him, catch him,' she pleaded to cops attending the conference.

Despite Yan's colleagues claims concerning the threatening customer, it is currently unclear if the delivery man was being targeted.

Cops said the shooter fired several times before fleeing, and drove eastbound on 67th Drive.

Cops are currently scouring the neighborhood for surveillance footage of the shooting.

A GoFundMe page posted Sunday to benefit Yan's three children described the shooting as 'a random act of road rage.'

'He immigrated from China and worked in food delivery for more than 20 years,' the fundraiser notes. '[He] leaves behind his wife and three children, ages 2, 12, and 14.'

The page surpassed its initial goal of $100,000 Monday, raising $122,000 as of Monday evening.

The crime came less than 24 hours after Mayor Eric Adams met with police officials in Manhattan to discuss a plan to combat the city's recent violent crime wave.

An investigation is currently underway.
A BLM leader and professor at California State University in LA has been dragged out of a mayoral debate and had the police called on her.

Melina Abdullah, a professor of Pan-African Studies who has been at the college for 20 years, was hauled out by around four members of campus security.

The 49-year-old claimed that she was kicked out because she did not have a ticket for the event.

Attendance was strictly limited, and it was preceded by protests over some candidates being excluded from participating.

Melina Abdullah, a Cal State professor of 20 years and the co-founder of BLM LA, was forcibly removed from a mayoral debate at the campus on Sunday evening

Abdullah told the LA Times that she was ejected because she did not have a ticket to attend the tightly monitored event

Footage shows a near empty theater with a panel of LA mayoral candidates on the stage and Abdullah and another woman sitting in a back row.

One of the women can be heard saying 'why aren't people being allowed in? Why are people not allowed in? Let the people in!'

Security then take hold of Abdullah, who begins to shout 'You're hurting me! You're hurting me.'

She begins shouting the names of several of the candidates on stage and repeats: 'They're hurting me.'

She continued: 'This is a public university, and I work here! This is a public university! This is a public University for the public!'

As she was removed from the the theater onlookers could be heard calling the police pigs

But she was carried out by the four security workers as she wailed: 'Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you.'

She then appeared to be handed over to police officers who escorted her out of the building.

Abdullah told the LA Times she was ejected simply because she did not have a ticket to attend the debate.

She said: 'Debates should be public... especially at a public university.' She added the students, faculty, and public were not allowed into the 'near-empty theater.'

Cal State LA said 'One person was removed from the debate, arrested, and released at the scene. There were no other arrests.

'Cal State LA's Department of Public Safety has no comment. The university will provide a statement after a fuller review of the incident.'

In 2018 Abdullah was removed from a Police Commission meeting after she helped a protester (center, in black) throw her niece's ashes in the police chief's face

Abdullah (left) faced recent scandal after it was revealed she and fellow BLM founders bought a $6million mansion with charity donations

This is not Abdullah's first scuffle with the law during an organized event.

In May 2018 she was removed from a Police Commission meeting after she assisted in helping a woman throw the ashes of her niece in a LAPD Chief Charlie Beck's face.

Beck claimed Abdullah held his arm down during the incident, and she was charged with battery and interfering with a public meeting.

The charges were ultimately dropped, but Abdullah sued the city for wrongful arrest. A jury found that she had not been wrongfully arrested in 2020.

She also found herself embroiled in the recent scandal surrounding the $6million mansion purchased by her and her fellow BLM leaders with the charity's donations.
President Joe Biden lunched Monday with former President Bill Clinton  who contended with the Republican congressional takeover in 1994, fought his way to reelection and survived an impeachment.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the meeting Monday, days after both men gave eulogies at services for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

Biden also lunched last week with former President Barack Obama, Psaki revealed. Obama had made his return to the White House just weeks ago to mark ten years since he signed the Affordable Care Act. Obama during his tenure had to contend with the House GOP takeover in the Tea Party wave of 2010.

The lunch put Biden across the table from one of the Democratic Party's most celebrated strategists and communicators  even if his policies and personal issues left Clinton contending with what his wife Hillary Clinton called a 'vast right-wing conspiracy.'

US President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and former president Bill Clinton chat before the start of a memorial service for US Senator Robert Byrd on July 2, 2010 at the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia. Biden had lunch with Clinton on Monday, the White House confirmed

'I'm sure they will have a broad conversation,' said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki.

Clinton won election in 1992 with just 43 per cent of the vote with Ross Perot on the ballot. Biden's current popularity is in that range  but he is now confronting a series of headwinds, some with parallels to Clintons.

House Republicans are girding to try to seize control of the House, and they have structural advantages that might get them there  although anew poll Washington Post / ABC News poll had the public favoring Democrats over Republicans by 46 to 45 per cent.

GOP lawmakers have already crowed about seizing control of the chamber's investigative machinery.

Colorado Rep. Ken Buck said last week that the GOP would hold impeachment hearings on Biden if they gain control.

Biden lunched with Obama last week, Psaki said. Obama was at the White House in early April to celebrate the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

US President Joe Biden (L) and former US President Barack Obama (R) attend the funeral service of Madeleine Albright at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, DC, USA, 27 April 2022

Clinton survived impeachment and Democrats picked up seats after the House voted to impeach him in 1998

'It's a good question. It's a fair question,' Buck said when asked about it at a town hall. 'I sit on the Judiciary Committee. We will hold the hearings to determine whether impeachment is appropriate. We'll vote on impeachment. And then it will be presented to the full House.'

That could vault issues such as the border crisis and legal problems surrounding Biden's son Hunter to a new level.

Psaki spoke after the Washington Post reported on the lunch.

Biden has spoken of his own strategy that aides called 'triangulation' to run agains the House GOP  where many of his tormentors during the Monica Lewinsky scandal turned out to have infidelity issues of their own.

Clinton famously ran against the Republicans in 1998, and Democrats broke historical odds to pick up five House seats just weeks after the House voted to impeach him.

Clinton was regularly on the stump for Hillary Clinton when she ran against Obama in the 2008 primary, but has been less visible lately.

He failed to predict the GOP comeback in 2010, when he was asked on NBC's Meet the Press about Hillary's 'conspiracy' comment and if it was still present.

'Oh, you bet. Sure it is. It's not as strong as it was, because America's changed demographically, but it's as virulent as it was,' he said.

'I mean, they're saying things about him [Obama] -- you know, it's like when they accused me of murder and all that stuff they did,' he said in reference to the Vince Foster conspiracy theory.

He said it was 'not really goo for the Republicans or the country,' saying there was 'no way' 2010 would be like the 1994 takeover. 'Whatever happens, it'll be manageable for our president,' he predicted.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki branded the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) 'disinformation board' as a tool to fight illegal immigration, noting that its first warnings were sent out under the Trump administration in 2020.

'This is a continuation of work that was done under the [Trump] administration,' Psaki assured reporters at her daily briefing on Monday.

She said the board's work would be to 'to address the use of disinformation in helping smugglers prompt the movement of more migrants to the border.'

'For anyone out there who might be concerned about the increase of migrants to the border, this is the kind of apparatus that's working to address disinformation. And again, it's continuing the work of the Department of Homeland Security in 2020,' Psaki said.

In March, there were 221,000 migrant encounters at the southern border, more than any month since the early 2000s.

Critics immediately fired off about the new plan for the dystopian-sounding board when it was announced last week, especially about Nina Jankowicz, who has been chosen to head the Disinformation Governance Board. Jankowicz has been critical of Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter and stories about the Hunter Biden laptop.

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Sunday praised President Joe Biden's new disinformation czar as 'qualified and neutral' despite a slew of Republicans criticizing her as partisan.

Asked about that criticism on CNN's State of the Union, Mayorkas called Nina Jankowicz 'eminently qualified, a renowned expert in the field of disinformation.'

'And neutral?' host Dana Bash asked.

Mayorkas answered, 'Absolutely so.'

Jankowics poses with her own book, How to Lose the Information War

He also pledged the White House's new Disinformation Governance Board will not be used to monitor American citizens, despite mounting right-wing concerns that it will be a tool for censorship and surveillance.

Jankowicz has been appointed by the Biden administration to head the Department of Homeland Security's Disinformation Governance Board as executive director

Jankowicz's appointment in particular has caught criticism from conservatives, after her previous dismissal of reporting by the New York Post and DailyMail.com on Hunter Biden's laptop as a 'Trump campaign product.'

The laptop's contents, some of which are reportedly linked to a federal tax fraud investigation into the president's son, had been dismissed in October 2020 by Democrats and mainstream media outlets as 'Russian disinformation' before being authenticated by the Washington Post earlier this year.

A Wilson Center fellow who once advised the Ukrainian government, Jankowicz has also come under scrutiny for praising former British spy Christopher Steele.

Steele is behind the notorious and now-debunked Russia dossier that purported Trump had strong ties with Moscow.

Jankowicz also caught heat for an old tweet criticizing advertisements promoting mask-wearing at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised against public mask-wearing at the time.

Mayorkas said the board would not have 'operational authority' despite GOP claims it will be used to crack down on dissent

"Will American citizens be monitored?"



"No."



CNN's @/DanaBashCNN presses Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about the department creating a disinformation governance board that he says is meant to "address the threat of foreign state adversaries." @CNNSotu #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/JLDNnbtsc7  CNN (@CNN) May 1, 2022

Prominent Republicans like Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have compared the disinformation board to the 'Ministry of Truth' in George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, claiming it's being done to silence right-wing voices.

'It's clear I mean, those criticisms are precisely the opposite of what this small working group within the Department of Homeland Security will do,' Mayorkas said on CNN's State of the Union.

However, he acknowledged that the Biden administration 'probably could have done a better job of communicating what it does and does not do.'

'The fact is that disinformation that creates a threat to the security of the homeland is our responsibility to address, and this department has been addressing it for years.'

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced last week that it was creating the board in a bid to crack down on disinformation coming from Russia as well as disinformation spread by human smugglers to encourage migrants to attempt to cross the southern border.

Biden's Homeland Security chief was forced to defend the new disinformation board after a slew of Republican criticism

Mayorkas said Sunday that the board will not have 'operational authority' but was vague when asked about exactly what it will do.

'We know the problems but it's still not clear to me how this governance board will act,' host Dana Bash pressed.

Mayorkas answered: 'So what it does, is it works to ensure that the way in which we address threats, the connectivity between threats and acts of violence are addressed without infringing on free speech, protecting civil rights and civil liberties, the right of privacy.'

Many Republicans have compared it to the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984

'The board -- this working group, internal working group -- will draw from best practices and communicate those best practices to the operators, because the board does not have operational authority.'

The Biden official gave a firm 'no' when asked whether Americans will be monitored.

'What it will do is gather together best practices in addressing the threat of disinformation from foreign state adversaries, from the cartels, and disseminate those best practices to the operators that have been executing and addressing this threat for years,' he said instead.

He drilled down the point during a separate interview on Fox News Sunday, claiming his department was not the 'opinion police.'

'There are people in the department who have a diverse range of views, and theyre incredibly dedicated to the mission,' he said when pledging the board will not step on free speech.

It comes days after Florida's GOP governor pledged his state would be 'fighting back' against the disinformation board and accused President Joe Biden of using it to attack his critics.

Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas pledged to introduce legislation to combat the board

'You cannot have a Ministry of Truth in this country. Were not going to let Biden get away with this one. So we will be fighting back,' DeSantis said during a press conference.

'When youre not doing well, you have two options: You can try to do better. Or you can try to silence your critics. [Biden] is doing the latter.'

Meanwhile, Republican Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton said he would introduce legislation to defund the board.

'The Federal Government has no business creating a Ministry of Truth,' Cotton wrote on Twitter Friday.

'The Department of Homeland Security's "Disinformation Board" is unconstitutional and unamerican, and I'll be introducing a bill to defund it.'

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy wrote on the platform: 'The Biden administration's proposed Ministry of Truth is completely un-American.'

'Republicans have already introduced legislation to stop it, and we will force votes and a discharge petition to defund this Orwellian idea,' he added.
President Joe Biden would 'love to visit Ukraine,' his spokesperson said on Monday, but there are no current plans for him to travel to the war-torn nation after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a surprise trip at the weekend.

But White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki made an intriguing comment during her daily briefing, suggesting that officials are planning an event to mark U.S.-Ukraine solidarity around May 9 - Russia's Victory Day, and a date some analysts believe is President Vladimir Putin's target to wrap up his annexation of eastern Ukraine.

Psaki has previously said that Biden would not visit until conditions on the ground were right.

'As you know, our objective is to reopen the embassy, to have our diplomats back there - not just traveling back and forth - but present in the country, and I know the president would love to visit Ukraine,'she said.

'But no plans in the works at this point.'

Pelosi was in Warsaw on Monday with a congressional delegation. They used their visit to thank Poland for their support for Ukraine.

A day earlier, they met President Volodomyr Zelensky, making her the most senior American politician to visit Kyiv since Russia launched its invasion on February 24.

President Joe Biden was at the White House on Monday, where Press Secretary Jen Psaki said he would 'love to visit Ukraine' but there are currently no plans for a trip

The White House was asked about Biden's plans after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met President Volodomyr Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday, making her the most senior American politician to visit Ukraine since Russian troops invaded on February 24

Psaki also suggested that the U.S. planned to use Russia's Victory Day on May 9 to send a message of support to Ukraine. 'We will certainly mark our support for for the Ukrainians and the Europeans in some capacity,' she said, without offering further details

Meanwhile, the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Washington had credible intelligence that Russia planned to annex the separatist-occupied regions of Donetsk and Luhansk by mid-May, and had similar designs on the south-eastern city of Kherson.

'The reports state that Russia has plans to engineer referenda on joining Russia some time in mid-May, and that Moscow is considering a similar plan for Kherson,' said Michael Carpenter during a State Department briefing.

It comes amid speculation that Putin could use May 9's military parade - marking the end of Russia's war with Germany in World War Two - to make a major announcement.

Psaki was asked what the White House expected from Putin.

'We know that President Putin has emphasised the significance of this day for him and for the Russian military,' she said.

'But I don't have anything to preview or predict at this point in time from here about what they may or may not do ... and I expect we'll have more to convey about what we will do in advance of Monday.'

The last part of her answer triggered follow-ups as reporters asked for more information.

She added: 'We will certainly mark our support for for the Ukrainians and the Europeans in some capacity.'

The first lady will come face-to-face with Ukrainian refugees who fled Russia's invasion this weekend, spending Mother's Day with a few of the millions who have been displaced since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

'Earlier today, I announced that, at the end of this week, Ill be headed to Romania and Slovakia to visit our troops and spend Mothers Day with Ukrainian families whove been displaced by Putins war,' Jill Biden said during a speech ahead of the Met Gala in New York.

'We are here until victory is won,' Pelosi told Ukraine's president during their meeting Sunday

Pelosi and U.S. lawmakers met U.S. President Joe Biden would "love to visit Ukraine," but there are no current plans for him to do so, White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said on Monday, after House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid a surprise visit over the weekend. Psaki said the White House would continue to assess the situation, and underscored the Biden administration's objective to reopen the U.S. Embassy and have U.S. diplomats on site. "And I know the president would love to visit Ukraine, but no plans in the works at this time," she said.with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team

'As a mother myself, I can only imagine the grief families are feeling. I know that we might not share a language, but I hope that I can convey, in ways so much greater than words, that their resilience inspires me, that they are not forgotten, and that all Americans stand with them still.'

Earlier Pelosi called Polish President Andrezj Duda a 'valued partner' in fighting against Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a Monday morning press conference at the end of a Congressional delegation to Europe.

She and six other lawmakers went to Poland after making a surprise visit to Kyiv, where the California Democrat met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for three hours late Saturday.

Pelosi, second in line for the presidency behind Vice President Kamala Harris, is the highest-ranking US official to visit the war-ravaged country since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his brutal attack on February 24.

Back in the states, the lawmakers will have to figure out how to sell President Joe Biden's request of a massive new aid package to Ukraine to their colleagues in Congress.

The president requested $33 billion last week -- more than twice the size of the initial $13.6 billion aid measure that now is almost drained.

It's meant to be a message for Putin that American weaponry and other forms of assistance to Ukraine aren't going away.

In this photo released by the Office of the President of Poland U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, left, and Poland's President Andrzej Duda shake hands in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, May 2, 2022. (Marek Borawski/Office of the President of Poland)

In a statement after the meeting with Duda, Pelosi called him 'a valued partner in supporting the people of Ukraine in the face of Putin's brutal and unprovoked war.'

She said that during their meeting the members of her delegation 'expressed America's deep gratitude to the Polish government and Polish people for opening their hearts and homes to Ukrainian refugees, and we reaffirmed our nation's pledge to continue supporting Poland's humanitarian efforts.'

Pelosi pledged to keep fighting for more aid dollars in Ukraine's fight against Russia upon her return to Capitol Hill.

'Further informed and deeply moved by our experiences throughout our engagements in Poland, our delegation will return to Washington ready to continue our work until victory is won, and Ukraine has defended Democracy for their nation and the world,' the speaker said.

Russians invasion of Ukraine has sparked a refugee crisis, with more than 5.5 million people fleeing the country. The largest group by far -- more than 3 million people -- have arrived in Poland, and many of them have remained.

Regular Polish people have taken Ukrainians into their homes, while the government and volunteers have mobilized to help in countless ways.

During a news conference on Sunday in Rzeszow, Poland, the members of the congressional delegation were unanimous in praising Ukraine's defenses, in painting the battle of one as good against evil and in assuring continued long-term U.S. military, humanitarian and economic support.

In this photo released by the Office of the President of Poland U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, 3rd from left, and Poland's President Andrzej Duda, 4th from right, meet for talks in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, May 2, 2022. (Marek Borawski/Office of the President of Poland)

The lawmakers met with U.S. service members from the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Poland, Pelosi said in a statement on Sunday.

'On behalf of Congress and the Country, we conveyed our pride and appreciation for their patriotic service to our nation,' she said.

Pelosi lauded Ukrainians' 'courage' and Zelensky's leadership in a statement after their visit to Kyiv.

'Our meeting with President Zelensky began with him thanking the United States for the substantial assistance that we have provided,' she said.

'He conveyed the clear need for continued security, economic and humanitarian assistance from the United States to address the devastating human toll taken on the Ukrainian people by Putin's diabolic invasion  and our delegation proudly delivered the message that additional American support is on the way, as we work to transform President Bidens strong funding request into a legislative package.'

She concluded, 'Our delegation conveyed our respect and gratitude to President Zelensky for his leadership and our admiration of the Ukrainian people for their courage in the fight against Russias oppression.'
The chief suspect in the Madeleine McCann case has been denied parole and branded a 'danger to society' - as he claimed he could not have abducted her because he was miles away at the time.

German national Christian Brueckner, 45, insists he was having sex with a woman in his camper van when three-year-old Madeleine disappeared while holidaying with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on February 3, 2007.

Bruckner further alleges that he drove the young woman to Faro Airport in Portugal on the morning after their encounter. He says the young woman was arrested at the airport for carrying pepper spray and later appeared in court, Sky News reports.

Brueckner is understood have asked for Portugese Police to find a record of the incident, as he reportedly believes his relationship with the woman will prove his innocence.

Brueckner is currently serving seven years in jail for raping a pensioner in Praia da Luz and had become eligible for parole after serving half of his sentence, taking into account time spent on remand.

But the Mirror reports that the panel are thought to have found a high risk of reoffending, concluding that his 'social prognosis' meant he had to stay locked up in Kiel, north Germany.

German national Christian Brueckner, 45, insists he was having sex with a woman in his camper van when three-year-old Madeleine disappeared while holidaying with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on February 3, 2007

The turn of events comes almost 15 years to the day that three-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared while holidaying with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal

Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters, leading the investigation, said: 'I assume if he has anything that exonerates him that sooner or later he will share it with us and we would then check it out. What happens then, let's see.

'So far he has told us nothing, he's given us no alibi.'

German police officers have reportedly told a possible witness to be ready to give evidence in court against Brueckner.

The turn of events comes almost 15 years to the day that three-year-old Madeleine disappeared while holidaying with her family in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

Madeleine vanished from the apartment she slept in with her two younger siblings while her parents visited a nearby tapas bar.

Brueckner was first named as a suspect by German Police in 2020 and is known to be a convicted paedophile.

German prosecutors insist they have evidence that Brueckner is responsible for Madeleine's disappearance.

Bruckner further alleges that he drove the young woman to Faro Airport in Portugal (pictured) on the morning after their encounter, where she was allegedly arrested for carrying pepper spray

Portugese police listed him as an 'arguido' - an official suspect - in her disappearance last month.

Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann have never given up hope of finding their daughter alive but are said to have welcomed the news that Brueckner may be charged.

The toddler vanished from the apartment she slept in with her two younger siblings on May 3, 2007, as her parents dined at a nearby tapas restaurant.

Despite extensive police searches and worldwide media attention, no trace of Madeleine has ever been found.

Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters said that after gathering evidence, his team of investigators are '100% convinced' that Brueckner killed Madeleine.

Friends who knew Brueckner during the time he stayed in Portugal in 2007 understand that charges will soon be made.

Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry McCann have never given up hope of finding their daughter alive but are said to have welcomed the news that Brueckner has been charged

On May 3, 2007 Kate and Gerry McCann went to a small tapas bar metres away from their apartment to dine with friends. But when Kate returned to do a routine check on their children, she found that Madeleine had disappeared

One former friend said: 'I got a call from the Germans asking questions about a previous statement I made.

'They said I should be prepared to come to Germany, possibly at the end of the summer. They said they were hoping to charge Christian with something but didn't go into any more detail.'

In addition to kidnapping Madeleine, Brueckner is also a suspect in the rape of an Irish tour rep in 2004 as well as exposing himself to children in a playground.

It is not known if the new charges - said to be imminent - relate to Madeleine or the other crimes in which Brueckner is a suspect.

Brueckner is serving a seven-year jail term for a brutal 2005 sex attack on a 72-year-old woman and his application for early release has been rejected by the German authorities.

He's a monster. But I'm sure he didn't do it... and convicting the wrong man would leave real killer at large: Investigator who has followed every twist and turn of Madeleine McCann case believes Christian Brueckner is not responsible for her disappearance

A Madeline McCann case investigator thinks police are after the wrong man

Last month jailed paedophile Christian Brueckner was named as a chief suspect

Mark Williams-Thomas says his evidence blows police's claims to 'smithereens'

By Mark Williams-Thomas for the Daily Mail

The case against the man suspected of abducting and killing Madeleine McCann rests on three key pieces of evidence. Convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner was named last month by Portuguese police as the official chief suspect or arguido in her presumed murder.

The question is: can we trust the evidence? Or is the entire indictment based on lies and wishful thinking?

In a major private investigation, hunting down witnesses and conducting interviews across Europe for more than six months, I have uncovered significant fresh information that doesn't merely call the prosecution case into question.

It blows their claims to smithereens.

Not only are their facts inaccurate and misleading, but they are ignoring potentially the most important evidence of all  a strong alibi for Christian Brueckner, 44, supplied by a woman who has no reason to lie.

Christian Brueckner (pictured) is a convicted paedophile and has been named as the official chief suspect for the of Madeline McCann's disappearance, but an investigator believes he didn't commit this crime

Investigator Mark Williams-Thomas (pictured) has been following the Madeline McCann case from the very beginning, and he doesn't think Christian Brueckner was involved

Prosecutors in Germany, where Brueckner is in prison, assert he boasted of snatching, abusing and killing Madeleine in a bar-room confession to an associate.

They point to the fact that Brueckner was living in Praia da Luz, close to the Algarve holiday complex in Portugal where Madeleine and her family were staying in May 2007.

And, in the most sensational and damning claim of all, they say telecoms mast data shows Brueckner was outside the McCanns' apartment on his mobile phone for 30 minutes on the evening the little girl vanished.

Though Madeleine's body has never been found and no forensic evidence exists to link Brueckner definitively to her abduction, those three strands when combined appear to show strong circumstantial evidence.

There is no doubt he is a man with repellent sexual leanings. A self-confessed drug dealer and burglar, he is serving a seven-year sentence in a German prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in her home on the south coast of Portugal, not far from Praia da Luz in 2005.

He denies having anything to do with Madeleine's disappearance. But to the general public, desperate for this notorious mystery to be solved and for an end to the ordeal of Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, his guilt might now seem beyond question as a result of the German prosecutors' reports.

Madeleine McCann (pictured), aged three, disappeared as she slept in a holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007

I have been investigating the truth of what happened to Maddie, who was nine days away from her fourth birthday when she disappeared on May 3, 2007, since the beginning. Within 72 hours of the alarm being raised by Kate, when she checked on her three children during dinner at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz and found that Madeleine was gone, I flew to the Algarve.

I have followed every twist of the story with intense interest ever since. It is my fervent wish to see the perpetrator caught but that cannot be achieved by selecting a likely scapegoat and pinning the allegations on him.

Worse, if the wrong man is convicted of Madeleine's murder, then the real killer remains free.

In my determination to get to the truth, I have interviewed more people, tracked down more witnesses and broken down more obstacles than any other investigator. I have spoken in depth to the German prosecutors and Brueckner's solicitor as well as corresponding with the suspect himself. What I have uncovered is deeply troubling. The much-vaunted confession in a bar simply doesn't stand up.

Not only is there no proof that it ever happened but the man accusing Brueckner lacks all credibility. It is concerning that the German police ever took his statements seriously.

There is no doubt Brueckner was in the Algarve around the time of Madeleine's abduction. One woman's testimony proves that. But this woman, who was just 17 at the time of her brief relationship with the known drug pedlar and thief, can also place him miles away from Praia da Luz  and denies that his behaviour that week was in any way out of the ordinary. Just as damaging are my findings about the mobile supposedly used by Brueckner in Praia da Luz in the minutes before Maddie went missing. The idea that it pinpoints his whereabouts is just not accurate

No one should imagine that I have anything but contempt and disgust for Brueckner. As I tracked his meanderings over the past 15 years, I found numerous sickening proofs of his sexual deviance.

The case to find Madeline McCann has lasted for almost 15 years, but no one has been charged with a crime yet

At one of his former lairs, a derelict shoe box factory in Braunschweig, Germany, police unearthed a massive stash of child abuse material. He bought the land in 2010 and sometimes stayed there in his camper van.

A barmaid named Karola told me he took her there: 'It was unnerving even during daylight, and my colleague and I were joking, 'Nobody would notice if he made somebody disappear here'.' The site was discovered by police when a walker reported a foul stench.

Officers found the body of one of Brueckner's dogs under a heap of child abuse material.

At that time, Brueckner ran a tobacconist's kiosk. A former employee named Sabrina told me he beat his girlfriend, a young Russian woman, leaving her covered in bruises. 'He was a pig of a man,' she said.

He was convicted in Germany in 2012 of dealing in indecent images, 19 years after he was charged with two counts of sexually assaulting children when he was just 17.

And in 2017 he was arrested for exposing himself to children in a playground. With such vile behaviour, it's easy to assume he must capable of abducting and killing a three-year-old.

And, knowing that he was in the Algarve in May 2007, that appears to be exactly what German police have done. But being a child abuser does not make you a child killer.

Through meticulous inquiries, I have been digging into those assumptions. And their foundations are weak or non-existent.

For many, the phone mast evidence is the most damning. Prosecutors say confidently that Brueckner was using a Portuguese mobile with a number ending in '680' in early 2007.

What I believe really happened that night Despite poisonous rumours and speculation by people who lack real insight into the crime, there is no evidence at all against Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate. They were clearly not involved in any way with her disappearance. But Portuguese police made a grave error by failing to treat them as suspects immediately. That is simply good practice: they should have systematically eliminated those closest to the child from their inquiries to clear the ground from under their feet. Instead police started with the assumption that a stranger had abducted her. When that theory faltered, they aggressively turned their focus on the McCanns. Gerry and Kate were in an impossible situation, at the centre of a worldwide media storm and out of their minds with worry for their daughter. When they were declared formal suspects, or arguidos, whatever they did was bound to be criticised. So what is the truth of Madeleine's disappearance? The mistake most investigators have made was to assume she was taken from her bed in the apartment. In fact, it is far more likely that Maddie left on her own. That morning, she had said that her brother and sister, twins Sean and Amelie, two, had woken up during the previous evening while the adults were out at dinner, and that their crying disturbed her. What would be more natural than for Madeleine, woken again by her brother or sister, to go looking for her parents? Perhaps she turned the wrong way as she left the flat and wandered into the car park. Wherever she was, a predatory stranger saw her and acted on impulse. One of the McCanns' friends, Jane Tanner, thought she saw a man carrying a small child in pyjamas when she went at 9.15pm to check the children were sleeping. Perhaps that was the abductor  or perhaps no one saw him at all. This kind of opportunistic crime is very rare but not unknown. My hunch is that more than one person knows what happened to Madeleine. I live in hope that the silence could break, as allegiances shift or attitudes change. Advertisement

Phone records show categorically that, between 7.32pm and 8.02pm, this number was in use to another Portuguese phone, ending in '683'. It has been widely reported that analysis of the signal places the '680' number very close to the Ocean Club, perhaps even outside the McCanns' window. To add to the circumstantial evidence, the '683' number I have linked to a sex offender whose activity on the internet's 'dark web' sites is also heavily linked to child abusers. But there's a major problem.

I cannot find any evidence '680' was ever Brueckner's regular number, in fact I have found contra evidence. The German police have just one witness, a woman who says she called '680' and spoke to Brueckner.

With so much publicity around the case, I would expect to see many people coming forward to confirm that the suspect was using this number.

In fact, there is irrefutable evidence from multiple witnesses that '680' was regularly used by a different man, a close friend of Brueckner's who was also based in south Portugal. Paperwork and an official document that I have seen show this was his phone  not Brueckner's. So it can't be established the suspect was even using '680' on the evening Madeleine was taken.

My investigation has demolished this evidence in a second way. We know the phone call at 7.32pm 'pinged' off a mast 200 yards from the Ocean Club.

But that doesn't mean the user was nearby as the mast has a range of up to 21 miles.

When mobiles 'talk' to two or three masts, it is often possible to locate them by triangulation. That is not what happened here.

The bare fact is that someone, almost certainly not Brueckner, received a 30-minute call on '680' somewhere in south Portugal that evening. This is not compelling evidence and actually makes the phone number ending '680' irrelevant. My findings have been presented to the German authorities who say they are not bothered by the phone mast evidence.

Nor do they seem concerned at the unreliability of the convicted drug dealer and people trafficker who claims Brueckner confessed in a bar in 2008 to killing Madeleine. His name is Helge Busching and he is, quite simply, a fantasist.

One informant showed me a video of Busching in paramilitary kit, spouting nonsense about the case.

Busching and an associate, Manfred Seyferth, told police they saw videos filmed by Brueckner as he beat and raped a 72-year-old woman. Those tapes have never been produced.

Busching lacks real credibility and should be treated very cautiously as a witness. Even his initial statement to police is a major concern because he was given payment for information.

It could be argued Busching and Seyferth would say almost anything for money. Busching has said he will give an interview for 50,000 euros to be paid into the McCanns' fighting fund  a bizarre stipulation. So far, he has had no takers.

Brueckner has repeatedly offered to be interviewed and then withdrawn. I wrote to him in prison, and eventually he agreed to see me. That was vetoed by the German authorities but Brueckner did write a four-page letter in which he admitted living in Praia da Luz in the early 2000s before being jailed for sex offences.

He insisted that, after his release in 2006, he did not return to the resort. Instead, he started importing and dealing drugs from his camper van along the coast.

One of his prime sites, he said, was Barranco Beach, 20km (12 miles) from Praia da Luz. That is corroborated by a photo of his van by the cliffs there.

Christian Brueckner's letter in which he said he did not return to the resort in Portugal

'I was selling drugs on a large scale,' he wrote. 'I'd make trips back and forth to Spain, bringing drugs back, marijuana, making a good living.' That tallies with his criminal record: his first arrest for drug dealing came after 2007.

The letter contained another assertion that could exonerate him completely. Brueckner claims he has an alibi.

During the week when Madeleine went missing, he was in a brief relationship with a 17-year-old German on holiday with her parents. Each night, she would leave their lodgings and spend several hours with Brueckner in his van.

Her family was staying in Carvoeiro, about 44km (27 miles) from Praia da Luz  about 40 minutes by road. Each evening he would leave the beach, drive into the town, park and leave at 10am.

Flight records show this family was in the Algarve that week. And that on May 10 the girl came to the notice of police as she was illegally carrying a pepper spray.

I have tracked down this woman, now 32, to a small town in Germany. She is very reluctant to take part in the inquiry, though if she is formally called by the police she will have to give evidence at trial.

That evidence surely rules out Brueckner. I confirm that, although she cannot say exactly what they were doing on May 3, she is sure his behaviour showed no changes or signs of stress that week.

And even more significant is that in the days after Madeleine disappeared, Brueckner was driving around in the van in which she was apparently abducted

Is it conceivable that this man drove to Praia da Luz, kidnapped a three-year-old some time after 9pm, abused and probably killed her, disposed of her body and then drove for more than half-an-hour, to meet his girlfriend?

Could he have acted as though nothing had occurred?

I must reiterate that Brueckner groomed and abused children. But there is a massive difference between committing these offences and the abduction and murder of a child. Nothing I have seen suggests he has a predilection to kill, let alone that he could carry out so hideous an act and then behave, an hour later, as if nothing had happened.

None of the supposed evidence against him stands up. No wonder over two years on, the German prosecutors have not charged him. I have no evidence Brueckner is responsible for the abduction and murder of Madeleine McCann.
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It was once mooted as a home for newlyweds Harry and Meghan.

Now it is said to be the first choice of properties on the Queens Windsor estate for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their boisterous young family.

But could there be a rival to take over Adelaide Cottage, just a few minutes walk from the Queens private apartments at Windsor Castle?

For the Mail understands that Prince Andrew, who lives nearby at Royal Lodge, has long had his eye on it for his younger daughter, Princess Eugenie, 32. She has been living with her husband, Jack Brooksbank, and their baby son August in Frogmore Cottage, the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs home on the Queens estate.

Prince William is considering moving his family to Adelaide Cottage which has been recently refurbished and is on the Windsor estate

Prince William, centre pictured with his wife, Catherine, left, and two of his three children, Prince George, second left, and Prince Charlotte, right, is looking for a permanent home for his family. Adelaide Cottage was thought to be the intended home of Prince Harry and his family before he moved to the United States

Prince Andrew, pictured with his daughters, is believed to want to move Eugenie, pictured centre, into the cottage

Harry and Meghan kept it on despite moving to the US, after coming to an undisclosed financial arrangement with the Crown Estate.

In November 2020, a year after they quit the UK, they allowed cousin Eugenie and her husband to move in. The Yorks had vacated their first home together  Ivy Cottage at Kensington Palace  for a life in the country close to the princess parents.

But while Harry and Meghans gesture is clearly a generous one, the couple know it might not be long-term, especially if the Sussexes start to return to the UK more regularly.

When they flew to see the Queen just before Easter, Harry and Meghan stayed at Frogmore overnight with Eugenie and her family. But that clearly wouldnt be very practical for a longer stay, especially if the Sussexes have children Archie and Lilibet in tow.

Yesterday, sources close to the Yorks told the Daily Mail that Eugenie had been trying to secure Adelaide Cottage for a while [ready] for when she moves out of Frogmore. They added: Before Andrews most recent scandal it was definitely a property he was [also] trying to secure for his daughter.

It is not clear whether they still have an interest in it. And there is no doubt that if push comes to shove, the Cambridges and their children  all direct heirs to the throne  would get first refusal.

As first revealed by the Mail, the couple have been planning a move to Berkshire since last year and have enrolled Prince George in a new school there, where he is expected to be joined this September by his siblings Charlotte and Louis.

William, 39, and Kate, 40, are keen for the youngsters to have a country upbringing and want to be closer to the duchesss parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, who play a hands-on role in their upbringing.

The couple have looked at several properties on the Windsor estate including Frogmore House, which is now used for royal functions but would need a great deal of work and money to turn into a family home, and Fort Belvedere.

Adelaide Cottage is only a few minutes' walk from Windsor Castle, pictured. William and Kate are believed to want to bring their children up in the country

The Royal couple want to live near Kate's parents Carole and Michael, pictured, who have a hands-on role with their grand children

Both are believed to have been deemed unsuitable. They have also been looking at private homes in the area as well.

But Adelaide Cottage, which has been used as a grace-and-favour home for royal staff and family friends in recent years, could be the one. The news that the Cambridges were first eyeing up the property was revealed in the Mail on Sunday last month.

Yesterday it was further claimed that the couple, who want to be in their new home by the summer, are viewing it as their first choice.

Nestled at the heart of the Crown Estates private 655-acre royal park, Adelaide Cottage was built in 1831 as a retreat for William IVs wife Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.

The most famous former resident has to be the late Princess Margarets ex-beau, Group Captain Peter Townsend, whose affair with the Queens sister caused a national scandal

It was also known to be a favourite home of Queen Victoria, as she frequently enjoyed taking her breakfast there.

However, the most famous former resident has to be the late Princess Margarets ex-beau, Group Captain Peter Townsend, whose affair with the Queens sister caused a national scandal.

The cottage underwent major renovations in 2015, which means the Cambridges would not have to shell out millions in remodelling the house.

After all they still have a 20-plus room home, Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, and Anmer Hall on the Queens Sandringham estate.

And Adelaide Cottage still boasts original features including a marble Graeco-Egyptian fireplace and a principal bedroom with a coved ceiling featuring gilded dolphins and rope ornament reused from the Royal yacht Royal George.

It also has seven gated entrances and exits to Windsor Castle so the family can come and go in relative privacy.

Kensington Palace declined to comment last night.

But the Mail understands an announcement about the Cambridges plans is expected in the coming weeks.

Ghosts of Margaret's scandalous romance still haunt Victoria's cherished retreat

By BETH HALE

As royal residences go, Adelaide Cottage has neither the proportions nor grandeur of its larger, more illustrious neighbour.

But what it lacks in stature, this picture-postcard cottage standing in the shadows of Windsor Castle more than makes up for in its intriguing role in one of the best-known love affairs of the 20th century.

For back in the years following the Second World War, Adelaide Cottage was the grace-and-favour home of Group Captain Peter Townsend.

He, of course, was the dashing RAF pilot and later equerry to King George VI who would precipitate a scandal, becoming the divorced lover of Princess Margaret.

Princess Margaret, pictured centre, had a scandalous affair with Group Captain Peter Townsend, pictured left, wearing sunglasses at the Farborough Air Show

Adelaide Cottage is only a short walk from Windsor Castle and is on the 655 acre estate

Back when it was built in 1831 by King William IV for his wife Queen Adelaide, the cottage was a day retreat for the royal couple.

Although it seemingly fell out of favour with the queen after the death of her husband in 1837, it remained a popular destination for breakfast or tea with his successor, the young Queen Victoria.

So popular, in fact, that a new private carriageway was created for her. Not only that, her beloved King Charles spaniel, Dash, was buried in the grounds.

But the most intriguing interlude in the cottages history came with the appointment of Peter Townsend to the Kings staff.

The Battle of Britain pilot was married to Rosemary and had a toddler son, Giles, and another, Hugo, on the way, when he was made the Kings equerry in February 1944 and granted the use of a grace-and-favour property, tucked behind a ten-foot privet hedge, within walking distance of the office.

Adelaide Cottage became the first proper marital home for Townsend and his wife after three years of wartime marriage  though back then it was far from a glamorous proposition.

Power was delivered along cables running from Windsor Castle, but the current was so poor it could only support a vacuum cleaner and a small electric heater at any one time.

King George VI, pictured left with the then Princess Elizabeth, appointed war hero Townsend as his equerry and allowed him to stay in the cottage

The inside of the cottage was apparently a gloomy affair, decorated with Victorian wallpaper and heavy furniture, which might explain why one 1950s commentator described it as poky and unattractive. Not that it deterred a certain young princess  and her family  from visiting.

When Townsends second son was born, King George VI was named the boys godfather and the christening tea, with two princesses in attendance, was held at Adelaide.

As a 1950s report from this newspaper would later remark: It was the first of many Sunday visits. Princess Elizabeth liked to chat with Rosemary, while Princess Margaret played with the children on the lawn and Peter Townsend, off duty, sat back in a deckchair.

Sometimes the King and Queen arrived to collect their daughters, more often Peter ran them home himself. Princess Margaret never came to Adelaide Cottage unless she was accompanied by Princess Elizabeth or the Queen.

A schoolgirl when Townsend first moved in to the cottage, Margaret was largely unnoticed by Townsend at first. Although he made quite an impression on her. Years later the princess, who was 13 at the time of his appointment, would admit: When he first appeared, I had a terrific crush on him.

How intriguing then to think of the visits the young princess, together with her older sister, made to Adelaide Cottage in those post-war years and how that crush developed into the passionate affair that rocked the monarchy. Quite when the spark was lit is unknown.

It wasnt until after the Townsends divorced in 1952  and a famous moment during the Queens Coronation the following year when Margaret was seen tenderly removing a piece of fluff from Townsends lapel  that the affair would become public knowledge.

But it is now widely believed it began years earlier, during that time when the two sisters were occasional visitors to Adelaide Cottage  a time when, significantly, Townsend was never far from the Royal Family in his work for the King.

It was a three-month State tour of South Africa, from February 1947  on which the two princesses accompanied the King and Queen  that pitched Townsend, 32, and Margaret, then nearly 17, into near-constant company. Part of the equerrys role was to chaperone the teenager  the two were in each others company every day, riding out and taking in the sights.

She would later tell a confidante: We rode together every morning in that wonderful country, in marvellous weather. Thats when I really fell in love with him.

In 2017 Daily Mail columnist Craig Brown revealed how a reader of his book about Margaret  Maam Darling: 99 Glimpses Of Princess Margaret  had unearthed fresh information which some might view as startling.

What it suggested was that the affair began years earlier than is popularly accepted. Indeed, it seems that when the Princess launched the ship the Edinburgh Castle on October 16, 1947, she was already in a relationship with Townsend, who was then 32 and the father of two young sons.

While there is no proof they were intimate at that stage, the reader had uncovered notes among official paper showing that on the visit to the shipyard, on which Townsend accompanied her, a request was made for them to have adjoining bedrooms at Hillsborough Castle, the then governors official residence in Belfast.

Was this request spurred on by an intimacy already established at Adelaide Cottage?

Further evidence of the closeness of the pair when Townsend lived in the Windsor house came in Sarah Bradfords 2002 biography of the Queen. She recounted how courtiers noticed Townsend spending more time with Margaret as his marriage faltered.

One courtier recalled being at the cottage for the birthday party of one of the Townsend children. The telephone rang and it was someone saying would Peter go riding with Princess Margaret? He was not on duty. And he went.

Townsend and his family quit Adelaide Cottage in 1952, when he divorced Rosemary.

The affair, however, would be doomed by the Royal Marriages Act which stated no member of the Royal Family was permitted to marry a divorcee while the ex-partner was still living. On October 31, 1955, the Princess announced she and Townsend would not marry.

Since then the cottage has been home to a host of well-connected dignitaries and courtiers, including most recently Simon Rhodes, son of the Queens cousin and best friend Margaret Rhodes, who died in 2016.

But for the most part, Adelaide Cottage had sunk back into its backdrop under the shadow of Windsor Castles grey walls.

Will it now be thrust into the spotlight again?
Shattered colleagues and mates have broken down while paying tribute to a young father crushed to death by a forklift in a horror workplace accident.

Tuaese Taufa, 31, had just started work at an industrial complex in St Marys in Sydney's west when the forklift fell on top of him around 6.30am on Monday.

He tragically died at the scene, despite desperate efforts from paramedics and colleagues to revive him.

Mr Taufa worked for Custom Denning, a company that builds electrical buses.

Tuaese Taufa (pictured left) had just started work for the day when a forklift fell on top of him

The workplace was shut down following the tragic accident.

Distraught colleagues were seen at the site sitting in shock and being consoled before being sent home for the day.

Mr Taufa's heartbroken family were also seen arriving at the site where they were consoled by staff.

Colleague Maea Folau regarded Mr Taufa as family.

'He's a good fella,' he told Seven News while fighting back to tears.

'He's like a son to me.'

Tuaese Taufa (pictured left) was a much loved father, husband, son, friend and colleague

A man has died after being crushed by a forklift on a worksite in Sydney's western suburbs (pictured)

Three ambulance crews were dispatched to the scene.

'It was a tragic incident. His colleagues were extremely brave to help him,' NSW Ambulance inspector Caitlyn Murphy said.

'Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the man passed away.'

Shocked friends and family took to social media to express their shock and pay tribute in Tongan on Monday night.

A report will be prepared for the coroner as SafeWork NSW launch an investigation into the incident.

The tragedy comes just weeks after a man died after being struck by a reversing forklift at a workplace at Banksmeadow, in the city's south-east.

The tragic death of Tuaese Taufa (pictured) is the second fatal workplace accident within a fortnight in Sydney
A Nicaraguan man's tragic drowning was captured on camera Sunday - the result of a failed bid to illegally cross the Mexico-United States border.

Calixto Rojas, 53, and his friend Elbe Castro, 42, were seen struggling to stay afloat as the Rio Grande's current picked up strength between Piedras Negras, Coahuila, and Eagle Pass, Texas.

A Fox News camera crew spotted Castro hanging on to a concrete column in the middle of the river while Rojas battled the current and tried to keep his head above water. He later went under as Texas National Guard soldiers looked on.

Rojas was swept down the international waterway and his body found near an islet further down the river.

Castro somehow continued on and made it to a second set of concrete pillars under a bridge, where he sat on top of a tree branch.

Calixto Rojas, a former radio host from Nicaragua, drowned Sunday when he tried to cross the United States-Mexico border and got swept by a strong current in the Rio Grande. He left his family behind in December 2021 after he received death threats for covering an government demonstration and was among several migrants who paid a smuggler $3,000 to be taken to Piedras Negras, Coahuila, in order to reach Texas

Fox News cameras captured the moment Calixto Rojas (right) was about to drown while his friend Elbe Castro grabbed on to a bridge concrete pillar in the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico

U.S. Border Patrol contacted its Mexican counterparts, who rescued him and led him back to Mexico.

The drowning took place nine days after Texas National Guardsman Bishop Evans, 22, died while attempting to rescue two migrants who were being swept by the Rio Grande's treacherous currents.

One of the guardsmen who were on the Texas-side of the river told Fox News that they were instructed not to conduct any rescue missions involving individuals attempting to cross the Rio Grande.

According to local Nicaraguan outlets, Rojas and Castro were among several migrants who each paid a woman $3,000 to be taken to the Mexican border town of Piedras Negras and smuggled into the U.S.

Albe Castro sits on a fallen tree next to the pillar of a bridge that connects Coahuila, Mexico, and Texas - just moments after his friend Calixto Rojas drowned in the Rio Grande

Albe Castro is tended to by Mexican immigration agents who would return him to Coahuila after his friend Calixto Rojas drowned during a failed bid to reach the U.S. border in Texas

Rojas, a radio host back home, frequently penned letters to fill in Radio Dario with updates of what turned out to be an ill-fated journey to the U.S. border.

Rojas left his family behind in Nicaragua after he attended a demonstration denouncing the regime of President Daniel Ortega and immediately had his home attacked by supporters of the Sandinista National Liberation Front.

'They threatened me with death, that if I continued like this they would disappear me and my family,' he wrote.

'I had to make the hard decision to leave my family to save their lives, because when a Sandinista march was passing by made up of workers from the mayor's office, they pounced on my house throwing stones towards the roof, it was at that moment that in a consensus (decision) with my wife, I have to leave my house and therefore the country.'

Rojas traveled through Honduras before crossing into El Salvador and then Guatemala.

Texas National Guardsman Bishop Evans drowned April 22 after he tried to rescue two migrants from drowning

Elbe Castro manages to swim away from the pillar to another column before he was rescued by Mexican immigration agents

He settled for a while in Belize where he claimed he was 'totally disoriented and lost. And this is where my suffering began.'

Rojas shared that he struggled to eat a healthy meal, often settling for fruits, oatmeal, bread and just about anything that was cheap and affordable.

He made ends meets performing random cleaning jobs until he overheard a man speaking about the radio station he owned.

The impromptu job interview led to a $12-a-day radio gig, money which was used fund his journey to the Mexican Caribbean coastal state of Quintana Roo, where he faced additional struggles prior to finally reaching the northern state of Coahuila, where death awaited him.

'May God continue to illuminate the path of all of us who fight and leave everything to see a Nicaragua without a dictatorship and emigrate aimlessly just to save our lives for one day to see the dictators defeated,' Rojas wrote.
The case against the man suspected of abducting and killing Madeleine McCann rests on three key pieces of evidence. Convicted paedophile Christian Brueckner was named last month by Portuguese police as the official chief suspect or arguido in her presumed murder.

The question is: can we trust the evidence? Or is the entire indictment based on lies and wishful thinking?

In a major private investigation, hunting down witnesses and conducting interviews across Europe for more than six months, I have uncovered significant fresh information that doesn't merely call the prosecution case into question.

It blows their claims to smithereens.

Not only are their facts inaccurate and misleading, but they are ignoring potentially the most important evidence of all  a strong alibi for Christian Brueckner, 44, supplied by a woman who has no reason to lie.

Christian Brueckner (pictured) is a convicted paedophile and has been named as the official chief suspect for the of Madeline McCann's disappearance, but an investigator believes he didn't commit this crime

Investigator Mark Williams-Thomas (pictured) has been following the Madeline McCann case from the very beginning, and he doesn't think Christian Brueckner was involved

Prosecutors in Germany, where Brueckner is in prison, assert he boasted of snatching, abusing and killing Madeleine in a bar-room confession to an associate.

They point to the fact that Brueckner was living in Praia da Luz, close to the Algarve holiday complex in Portugal where Madeleine and her family were staying in May 2007.

And, in the most sensational and damning claim of all, they say telecoms mast data shows Brueckner was outside the McCanns' apartment on his mobile phone for 30 minutes on the evening the little girl vanished.

Though Madeleine's body has never been found and no forensic evidence exists to link Brueckner definitively to her abduction, those three strands when combined appear to show strong circumstantial evidence.

There is no doubt he is a man with repellent sexual leanings. A self-confessed drug dealer and burglar, he is serving a seven-year sentence in a German prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in her home on the south coast of Portugal, not far from Praia da Luz in 2005.

He denies having anything to do with Madeleine's disappearance. But to the general public, desperate for this notorious mystery to be solved and for an end to the ordeal of Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, his guilt might now seem beyond question as a result of the German prosecutors' reports.

Madeleine McCann (pictured), aged three, disappeared as she slept in a holiday apartment in Portugal in 2007

I have been investigating the truth of what happened to Maddie, who was nine days away from her fourth birthday when she disappeared on May 3, 2007, since the beginning. Within 72 hours of the alarm being raised by Kate, when she checked on her three children during dinner at the Ocean Club in Praia da Luz and found that Madeleine was gone, I flew to the Algarve.

I have followed every twist of the story with intense interest ever since. It is my fervent wish to see the perpetrator caught but that cannot be achieved by selecting a likely scapegoat and pinning the allegations on him.

Worse, if the wrong man is convicted of Madeleine's murder, then the real killer remains free.

In my determination to get to the truth, I have interviewed more people, tracked down more witnesses and broken down more obstacles than any other investigator. I have spoken in depth to the German prosecutors and Brueckner's solicitor as well as corresponding with the suspect himself. What I have uncovered is deeply troubling. The much-vaunted confession in a bar simply doesn't stand up.

Not only is there no proof that it ever happened but the man accusing Brueckner lacks all credibility. It is concerning that the German police ever took his statements seriously.

There is no doubt Brueckner was in the Algarve around the time of Madeleine's abduction. One woman's testimony proves that. But this woman, who was just 17 at the time of her brief relationship with the known drug pedlar and thief, can also place him miles away from Praia da Luz  and denies that his behaviour that week was in any way out of the ordinary. Just as damaging are my findings about the mobile supposedly used by Brueckner in Praia da Luz in the minutes before Maddie went missing. The idea that it pinpoints his whereabouts is just not accurate

No one should imagine that I have anything but contempt and disgust for Brueckner. As I tracked his meanderings over the past 15 years, I found numerous sickening proofs of his sexual deviance.

The case to find Madeline McCann has lasted for almost 15 years, but no one has been charged with a crime yet

At one of his former lairs, a derelict shoe box factory in Braunschweig, Germany, police unearthed a massive stash of child abuse material. He bought the land in 2010 and sometimes stayed there in his camper van.

A barmaid named Karola told me he took her there: 'It was unnerving even during daylight, and my colleague and I were joking, 'Nobody would notice if he made somebody disappear here'.' The site was discovered by police when a walker reported a foul stench.

Officers found the body of one of Brueckner's dogs under a heap of child abuse material.

At that time, Brueckner ran a tobacconist's kiosk. A former employee named Sabrina told me he beat his girlfriend, a young Russian woman, leaving her covered in bruises. 'He was a pig of a man,' she said.

He was convicted in Germany in 2012 of dealing in indecent images, 19 years after he was charged with two counts of sexually assaulting children when he was just 17.

And in 2017 he was arrested for exposing himself to children in a playground. With such vile behaviour, it's easy to assume he must capable of abducting and killing a three-year-old.

And, knowing that he was in the Algarve in May 2007, that appears to be exactly what German police have done. But being a child abuser does not make you a child killer.

Through meticulous inquiries, I have been digging into those assumptions. And their foundations are weak or non-existent.

For many, the phone mast evidence is the most damning. Prosecutors say confidently that Brueckner was using a Portuguese mobile with a number ending in '680' in early 2007.

What I believe really happened that night Despite poisonous rumours and speculation by people who lack real insight into the crime, there is no evidence at all against Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate. They were clearly not involved in any way with her disappearance. But Portuguese police made a grave error by failing to treat them as suspects immediately. That is simply good practice: they should have systematically eliminated those closest to the child from their inquiries to clear the ground from under their feet. Instead police started with the assumption that a stranger had abducted her. When that theory faltered, they aggressively turned their focus on the McCanns. Gerry and Kate were in an impossible situation, at the centre of a worldwide media storm and out of their minds with worry for their daughter. When they were declared formal suspects, or arguidos, whatever they did was bound to be criticised. So what is the truth of Madeleine's disappearance? The mistake most investigators have made was to assume she was taken from her bed in the apartment. In fact, it is far more likely that Maddie left on her own. That morning, she had said that her brother and sister, twins Sean and Amelie, two, had woken up during the previous evening while the adults were out at dinner, and that their crying disturbed her. What would be more natural than for Madeleine, woken again by her brother or sister, to go looking for her parents? Perhaps she turned the wrong way as she left the flat and wandered into the car park. Wherever she was, a predatory stranger saw her and acted on impulse. One of the McCanns' friends, Jane Tanner, thought she saw a man carrying a small child in pyjamas when she went at 9.15pm to check the children were sleeping. Perhaps that was the abductor  or perhaps no one saw him at all. This kind of opportunistic crime is very rare but not unknown. My hunch is that more than one person knows what happened to Madeleine. I live in hope that the silence could break, as allegiances shift or attitudes change. Advertisement

Phone records show categorically that, between 7.32pm and 8.02pm, this number was in use to another Portuguese phone, ending in '683'. It has been widely reported that analysis of the signal places the '680' number very close to the Ocean Club, perhaps even outside the McCanns' window. To add to the circumstantial evidence, the '683' number I have linked to a sex offender whose activity on the internet's 'dark web' sites is also heavily linked to child abusers. But there's a major problem.

I cannot find any evidence '680' was ever Brueckner's regular number, in fact I have found contra evidence. The German police have just one witness, a woman who says she called '680' and spoke to Brueckner.

With so much publicity around the case, I would expect to see many people coming forward to confirm that the suspect was using this number.

In fact, there is irrefutable evidence from multiple witnesses that '680' was regularly used by a different man, a close friend of Brueckner's who was also based in south Portugal. Paperwork and an official document that I have seen show this was his phone  not Brueckner's. So it can't be established the suspect was even using '680' on the evening Madeleine was taken.

My investigation has demolished this evidence in a second way. We know the phone call at 7.32pm 'pinged' off a mast 200 yards from the Ocean Club.

But that doesn't mean the user was nearby as the mast has a range of up to 21 miles.

When mobiles 'talk' to two or three masts, it is often possible to locate them by triangulation. That is not what happened here.

The bare fact is that someone, almost certainly not Brueckner, received a 30-minute call on '680' somewhere in south Portugal that evening. This is not compelling evidence and actually makes the phone number ending '680' irrelevant. My findings have been presented to the German authorities who say they are not bothered by the phone mast evidence.

Nor do they seem concerned at the unreliability of the convicted drug dealer and people trafficker who claims Brueckner confessed in a bar in 2008 to killing Madeleine. His name is Helge Busching and he is, quite simply, a fantasist.

One informant showed me a video of Busching in paramilitary kit, spouting nonsense about the case.

Busching and an associate, Manfred Seyferth, told police they saw videos filmed by Brueckner as he beat and raped a 72-year-old woman. Those tapes have never been produced.

Busching lacks real credibility and should be treated very cautiously as a witness. Even his initial statement to police is a major concern because he was given payment for information.

It could be argued Busching and Seyferth would say almost anything for money. Busching has said he will give an interview for 50,000 euros to be paid into the McCanns' fighting fund  a bizarre stipulation. So far, he has had no takers.

Brueckner has repeatedly offered to be interviewed and then withdrawn. I wrote to him in prison, and eventually he agreed to see me. That was vetoed by the German authorities but Brueckner did write a four-page letter in which he admitted living in Praia da Luz in the early 2000s before being jailed for sex offences.

He insisted that, after his release in 2006, he did not return to the resort. Instead, he started importing and dealing drugs from his camper van along the coast.

One of his prime sites, he said, was Barranco Beach, 20km (12 miles) from Praia da Luz. That is corroborated by a photo of his van by the cliffs there.

Christian Brueckner's letter in which he said he did not return to the resort in Portugal

'I was selling drugs on a large scale,' he wrote. 'I'd make trips back and forth to Spain, bringing drugs back, marijuana, making a good living.' That tallies with his criminal record: his first arrest for drug dealing came after 2007.

The letter contained another assertion that could exonerate him completely. Brueckner claims he has an alibi.

During the week when Madeleine went missing, he was in a brief relationship with a 17-year-old German on holiday with her parents. Each night, she would leave their lodgings and spend several hours with Brueckner in his van.

Her family was staying in Carvoeiro, about 44km (27 miles) from Praia da Luz  about 40 minutes by road. Each evening he would leave the beach, drive into the town, park and leave at 10am.

Flight records show this family was in the Algarve that week. And that on May 10 the girl came to the notice of police as she was illegally carrying a pepper spray.

I have tracked down this woman, now 32, to a small town in Germany. She is very reluctant to take part in the inquiry, though if she is formally called by the police she will have to give evidence at trial.

That evidence surely rules out Brueckner. I confirm that, although she cannot say exactly what they were doing on May 3, she is sure his behaviour showed no changes or signs of stress that week.

And even more significant is that in the days after Madeleine disappeared, Brueckner was driving around in the van in which she was apparently abducted

Is it conceivable that this man drove to Praia da Luz, kidnapped a three-year-old some time after 9pm, abused and probably killed her, disposed of her body and then drove for more than half-an-hour, to meet his girlfriend?

Could he have acted as though nothing had occurred?

I must reiterate that Brueckner groomed and abused children. But there is a massive difference between committing these offences and the abduction and murder of a child. Nothing I have seen suggests he has a predilection to kill, let alone that he could carry out so hideous an act and then behave, an hour later, as if nothing had happened.

None of the supposed evidence against him stands up. No wonder over two years on, the German prosecutors have not charged him. I have no evidence Brueckner is responsible for the abduction and murder of Madeleine McCann.

Madeleine McCann: The Case Against Christian B

Wednesday 11th May, 9pm, Channel 5

Maddie suspect's shock alibi claim

By Vanessa Allen

The prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann has finally given a detailed alibi for the night the little girl vanished.

Christian Brueckner insists he was with a 17-year-old girl and miles away from Praia da Luz when Madeleine went missing. According to a new documentary, she backs his story.

The German paedophile drifter told the TV crew that the teen, on a family holiday in Portugal from Germany, stayed in his camper van on the night of May 3, 2007. The pair were stopped and photographed at a police roadblock the next day, he said.

Although his alibi does not cover the time Madeleine vanished, former detective Mark Williams-Thomas believes it raises serious questions over whether Brueckner could have taken her and disposed of her body before meeting his fling two hours later.

If true, the account could destroy hopes that police were close to solving the mystery of what happened to Madeleine, three, who vanished from her parents' Algarve holiday apartment 15 years ago today.

Mr Williams-Thomas reveals today that Brueckner  now 44  wrote him a four-page letter detailing his alibi which 'blows to smithereens' the case against him.

Writing in today's Daily Mail, Mr Williams-Thomas said he had tracked down the woman identified by Brueckner. He also questioned the mobile phone evidence which allegedly placed Brueckner in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine vanished.

Brueckner, in prison for rape in Germany, was made an arguido, or official suspect, by Portuguese police last month. German prosecutors had previously said they believed he took and killed Madeleine.

He has been interviewed by the German authorities but reportedly refused to answer questions about his whereabouts on the night of the disappearance, although he has denied he was involved.

The convicted sex offender has now told the film-makers that he was selling drugs in the Algarve and was in a brief relationship with the 17-year-old during the week Madeleine went missing.

The teen's family was staying a 40-minute drive from Praia da Luz, and Brueckner said he drove there nightly to meet her.

Mr Williams-Thomas said the woman, now 32 and living in Germany, told how Brueckner's behaviour did not change in the days after Madeleine's disappearance.

According to police, mobile phone data puts Brueckner's mobile in Praia da Luz on the night Madeleine vanished.

But Mr Williams-Thomas said he had seen evidence that the phone in question was regularly used by a different man.

Madeleine's parents Kate and Gerry are expected to mark the 15th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance at home in Rothley, Leicestershire, with her younger siblings, twins Sean and Amelie.
Senior ministers tonight dramatically ramped up pressure on Durham Constabulary to fully investigate allegations Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner broke Covid rules.

After a string of revelations in the Daily Mail, three Cabinet ministers went public yesterday to say Sir Keir clearly had questions to answer over the so-called Beergate affair.

One suggested no reasonable person now believed the Labour leaders account of the event and asked how Durham Constabulary could.

And although Home Secretary Priti Patel has declined to intervene, her allies voiced frustration today about the lack of action from the force.

Sir Keir was caught on camera swigging beer with colleagues at a time when England was slowly emerging from lockdown last year, when indoor socialising was banned. Labour insisted it was a work event.

Three Tory cabinet ministers insist Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has questions to answer over the so-called Beergate affair (Pictured: Sir Keir meets two runners while canvassing in Worthing earlier today)

But last week, after being presented with video evidence by this newspaper, it was forced to admit deputy leader Mrs Rayner was at the gathering  something it had denied for months.

The Mails revelations have also raised a string of other questions over Labours account of the event, particularly over whether Sir Keir returned to work after drinking beer at 10pm.

Durham Constabulary has so far declined to launch a full investigation  apparently deciding to clear Sir Keir of any offence on the basis of video footage it reviewed in February.

But pressure is now mounting on the force to begin a full probe.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: Keir Starmer clearly has questions to answer on this affair, which isnt going away.

Sir Keir was caught on camera swigging beer with colleagues at a time when England was slowly emerging from lockdown last year

Given his unrelenting focus on events in Downing Street, it is only right that he observes the same standard in regard to scrutiny that he applies to the benches opposite. Otherwise, he leaves himself open to the charge of hypocrisy.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: We are expected to believe that a curry and beers arrived for about 30 people at 10pm, and this was a break for a work meeting?

No reasonable person believes Labours story, so why do Durham police and what were they told?

Tory chairman Oliver Dowden said: The revelations that have come to light in the past week clearly do not stack up with his [Sir Keirs] account of events.

While Miss Patel has declined to intervene, as the police are operationally independent, her allies voiced frustration about a lack of action from Durham Constabulary.

A Home Office source said: Taxpayers across the UK expect the law to be enforced equally.

Its clear Starmer has more questions to answer in light of recent revelations.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: No reasonable person believes Labours story, so why do Durham police and what were they told?

Sir Keir faced questions yesterday about the Durham Miners Hall gathering on April 30 last year during a visit to Worthing, East Sussex, ahead of Thursdays local elections.

He was also grilled on suggestions there could have been as many as 30 attendees.

An Indian restaurant delivery driver claimed he had dropped off quite a big order at the hall, estimating there were probably about 30 or so people there, but after the Mail made further inquiries, he said he had no recollection of the delivery.

Asked if he had gone back to work after drinking beer at 10pm, Sir Keir said: We were working, it was days before the election. We paused for something to eat, there was no party, no rules were broken. Theres nothing I can add to that.

Tory MPs yesterday accused Sir Keir and Mrs Rayner of hypocrisy for calling for Boris Johnson to face a police probe or the sack over Partygate, whilst refusing to accept they should be treated the same.

Richard Holden, Tory MP for North West Durham, wrote to Durham Constabulary (pictured) a week ago asking it to reconsider a probe in light of the Mets fine

Mark Jenkinson said: Theyre quick to call for police investigations and resignations, unless its into their own behaviour.

His colleague Chris Clarkson said: Week after week we had the same pained sanctimonious expression from Keir Starmer at the dispatch box as he banged on about parties, when all along he knew hed been at one himself and so had his deputy.

Last month Mr Johnson was fined by the Met Police for attending a No 10 event on his birthday in 2020.

Richard Holden, Tory MP for North West Durham, wrote to Durham Constabulary a week ago asking it to reconsider a probe in light of the Mets fine.

Step 2 rules in England from April 12 to May 17 last year stated: You must not socialise indoors except with your household or support bubble.
A man claiming to be a retired FBI agent and his wife were filmed being kicked off a plane in Florida after they hurled homophobic slurs at the airline staff - only to later claim they were being removed because they are Trump supporters.

Videos posted online show the man and woman arguing with a steward aboard a JetBlue flight departing from West Palm Beach, Florida as she claimed her fellow passengers were 'f******.'

'You don't like the words coming out of my mouth,' the woman - who has not yet been identified - could be seen telling a steward, before yelling: 'No words, no words, free speech is dead.'

At that point, the steward tells the woman she and her husband are 'definitely coming off,' to which the woman replies, 'No, we're not coming off' insinuating that if he forces them off the plans 'then you're going to have to take everyone off.

'This is ridiculous,' she says, asking her fellow passengers: 'Do you guys see what is happening in America.

'He didn't like what we said, and now we're getting kicked off of a plane, and all of y'all are going to have to wait.

'This is f****** outrageous,' she continues, adding: 'You guys, we're going to turn into China, it's coming.'

She then calls her fellow passengers 'sheep,' and makes baaing noises.

Throughout the woman's three-minute long tirade, her husband does not say much and slurred his words when he did.

An unidentified woman was filmed berating a JetBlue steward who threatened to kick her and her husband, left, off the flight

Her husband barely spoke during her three-minute tirade, and slurred when he did, but claimed he was a former FBI agent and knew his rights

Security tried to escort her husband off the flight, as she yelled to her husband, apparently named Gene 'we're not getting off'

As she and her husband were being kicked off the plane, the woman claimed it was because they were Trump supporters

At another point in the video posted online, the woman says she loves Elon Musk, saying 'he's the best,' before screaming the billionaire's name.

'He's the f****** king, because the masked people in our row are kicking us off the plane.'

She then continued to say she planned to sue the airline and her fellow passengers - asking another man at the edge of the frame what his name is.

The man then replies: 'I guarantee I have more money than you, you're a f****** jerkoff.

The woman then seems to get offended, claiming she 'used to dance on Broadway, I'm not getting that f****** vaccine.

'We did nothing,' she again claimed, before insinuating that the United States is going to turn into 'Shanghai.'

Later, a man could be seen trying to escort her husband off the flight, as she yells: 'Gene, we're not getting off.

'Excuse me, it's our anniversary,' the woman tells the flight crew, at which point her husband interjects: 'I'm retired FBI, I know my rights.'

But the JetBlue crew ultimately called in local law enforcement, at which point the woman claims: 'We're getting kicked off the plane because we're Trump supporters,' prompting another exasperated passenger to say: 'Don't do that.'

By the time they were escorted off the flight, a second video showed, their fellow passengers booed them and yelled at them to 'move.'

It remains unclear what led up to the woman's tirade, but the person who posted it on Reddit claimed the couple was using various 'racist and homophobic' slurs, prompting a passenger to inform the flight crew.

It also remains unclear if they are facing any charges.

DailyMail.com has reached out to JetBlue for comment.

A second video showed her and her husband being escorted off the plane at West Palm Beach, Florida by local law enforcement

As they passed by their fellow passengers, they were booed and told to 'move'

But this is just the latest incident of passengers becoming unruly on a plane since flights resumed following the heart of the pandemic as more people began to once again travel.

In October, a male passenger allegedly punched a female flight attendant on an American Airlines flight from New York City to Orange County, California in a dispute over wearing his mask.

That same month, another apparent anti-masker on a United Airlines flight screamed at a flight attendant and threatened fellow flyers when he was asked to put on his mask. At one point, the passenger even warned someone trying to diffuse the situation: 'I'll break your neck.'

Then in December, a Delta flight from Washington to Los Angeles was diverted after a passenger attacked a steward and then turned on an Air Marshal.

Most recently, a Southwest Airlines passenger was accused of pleasuring himself four times and exposing his privates to a woman on a two-and-a-half-hour flight from Seattle to Phoenix.

Antonio Sherrodd McGarity was arrested last month, after Southwest Airlines Flight 3814 landed at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.

He was taken into federal custody on suspicion of lewd, indecent or obscene acts on an aircraft - a charge that carries a sentence of up to 90 days in prison.

During an interview with the FBI, McGarity allegedly admitted to masturbating on the plane, and he dismissed the entire episode involving the female passenger who witnessed his sexually explicit display as being 'kind of kinky.'

'McGarity admitted to law enforcement that he had masturbated during his flight from Seattle, Washington, to Phoenix, Arizona, and that he had an orgasm,' according to the criminal complaint.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg warned airline passengers not to be a 'jerk' amid an increase in unruly flyers

The Federal Aviation Administration has tried to clamp down on the influx of unruly passengers, imposing a zero-tolerance mandate for bad behavior after it escalated following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol.

Incidents remained elevated after President Joe Biden's administration imposed a mandate requiring passengers to wear masks on airplanes and in airports because of COVID-19 cases in February 2021.

The FAA said since January 2021, there have been a record 7,060 unruly passenger incidents reported - and 70% involved masking rules - but the rate has declined 60% since its high in 2021.

The FAA said in February it has referred 80 unruly airplane passengers to the FBI for potential criminal prosecution.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has now warned airline passengers not to be a 'jerk.'

'Look. It's one thing to be grumpy on a flight. I feel that way sometimes,' Buttigieg in an appearance on ABC's The View last month. 'But yeah, it's another thing to endanger flight crews and to endanger fellow passengers. We have no tolerance for that. The FAA is actually getting ready to announce record fines on people who have done this.'

'If you're on an airplane, don't be a jerk,' he advised. 'Don't endanger your fellow passengers.'

'The bottom line is if you're on an airplane, and you endanger flight crews and fellow passengers, you may be referred for criminal prosecution as well, and you might lose the privilege of flying on that airline, period,' Buttigieg said.

He added at the time that the Biden administration is still looking at creating a 'no-fly' list for unruly passengers, after several Democratic members of Congress introduced legislation that would create a list for 'violent offenders convicted of assaulting flight crew -- including flight attendants, pilots, and crew members.'

Unions representing flight attendants have voiced support for the legislation.
A Utah gynecologist is being sued by 83 different women who claimed he sexually abused and battered them over the course of 40 years.

Dr. David H. Broadbent, 74, faces a civil suit from dozens of anonymous women regarding his work at his practice in Provo, a college town 45 miles south of Salt Lake City.

The allegations, which span four decades, included that he abused and battered women while examining them and preyed upon them for sexual pleasure, even moaning while doing it some cases.

The women suing in Utah's 4th District said they felt 'ashamed', 'disgusted' and 'vulnerable' according to the suit.

One of the Jane Does, who goes by H.P., resembles many of the plaintiffs' experience: She claims Broadbent, during an appointment in July 2020, pulled her by the legs without warning her in a sexual manner and then inserted a speculum.

According to H.P., he quickly removed the medical device and had only his fingers inside of her.

A Utah gynecologist, Dr. David H. Broadbent (pictured) is being sued by 83 different women who claimed he sexually abused and battered them over the course of 40 years

The allegations, which span four decades, included that Broadbent abused and battered women while examining them and preyed upon them for sexual pleasure

'Dr. David H. Broadbent took advantage of his position, Plaintiffs' vulnerability, and that relationship of trust as he sexually battered and abused Plaintiffs and numerous other women over the course of four decades,' the suit claims.

This Jane Doe had little experience with gynecological exams and zero context for what Broadbent had done, so she continued seeing him at least two more times, when his behavior persisted, including mocking vaginal exams as he performed them.

Broadbent also joked that H.P. had not suffered a miscarriage when she actually had. Nurses apparently knew about Broadbent's behavior, but did not interfere, the lawsuit claims.

The first time any of the victims realized the scope and length of Broadbent's alleged misconduct was in 2021, when a patient told a doctor on a podcast about what he had done, leading to a wave of women from across the state who had experienced similar things.

One patient alleges Broadbent unnecessarily 'manually remove[d] her placenta' after giving birth, which caused her 'extreme pain.' Another claims he joked that she must be a virgin based on how she responded to his touch.

Broadbent, 74, faces a civil suit from the dozens of Jane Does regarding his work at his practice in Provo, a college town 45 miles south of Salt Lake City

Many of the victims claim that the nurses did not get in his way, with one merely rolling her eyes.

His treatment was so bad that, when in 2010 a patient was scheduled to deliver a baby with him, she screamed 'don't let him touch me!'

The lawsuit was filed against Broadbent in February with just four plaintiffs, with 46 more Jane Does joining shortly after.

A second, 'sister' suit was filed Tuesday, listing 33 more women who say they were patients between 1979 and 2022.

David C. Epperson, a lawyer representing Broadbent, has said the allegations are bogus.

'Dr. Broadbent categorically denies all of the allegations of wrongdoing that are asserted in this lawsuit,' Epperson said in a March statement. 'Medical ethics prevent Dr. Broadbent from saying anything more, but he believes that time will prove that the charges in this lawsuit have no basis.'

Broadbent, the Utah Valley Hospital and Intermountain Healthcare are the defendants in the case. They have all asked a judge to dismiss the suit and argue plaintiffs should file their complaints via a state malpractice law.

The firm, Gross & Rooney, who represent the Jane Does, said their reasoning is incorrect because 'sexual abuse is not health care' and Broadbent's alleged acts are 'deserving of an orange jumpsuit, not the protection of a white coat.'
Three shoplifters were seen grabbing as much as they could carry as they stole items off the shelves, including from behind the counter, at a San Francisco Walgreens Pharmacy.

The brazen act was all caught on camera as the clerk could do nothing but watch as the trio simply snatched whatever they could, as quickly as possible, with nobody around to stop them.

The shop attendant could be heard on the radio calling out 'code 99 in aisle one', shorthand for a robbery in progress.

A trio of thieves in San Francisco could be seen filling their bags before emptying the shelves at a Walgreens pharmacy taking whatever they wanted

One pair of women even went behind the counter to steal nicotine patches

After the women finished behind the counter, they ventured into the rest of the store to steal

In footage posted to Reddit, it could be seen how two of the perpetrators were women while the third suspect was a man.

One of the participants could be seen in the restricted area behind the cash register as she grabbed what appeared to be nicotine patches and Nicorette gum from the shelves.

The other pair were seen filling bags that were worn over their shoulders before racing out of the store.

The trio's actions were all caught on cellphone camera as fellow shoppers looked on

The threesome walked out of the store unhindered and left to make their getaway

Shoppers could do nothing but stand around in disbelief as the team simply filled their bags before making a clean getaway.

On the way out of the door, the shop associate called out 'Get a job!'

'F**k you you piece of s**t!' came the response as the male robber run out the door.

It is the latest in a string of shocking shoplifting outrages to hit the famously liberal Bay Area.

Last month a man was seen stuffing everything from gift cards to batteries into his suitcase

Last month a man was seeing cruising the ailes of a CVS Pharmacy also in San Francisco stuffing items into a rollaboard suitcase.

The frustration was felt by viewers of the video online.

'Some people will do what they can get away with. Does raise the question: how much theft can a store absorb and still stay open?' asked one user.

'The only occasion these people will be willing to wear their masks,' added another

'I wasnt even physically there and I feel very awkward,' wrote one Redditor.

'In SF there's zero risk of going to jail or even being put on probation. The DA can not prosecute any thefts under $950, and even if it goes above that the DA in SF doesn't care,' explained one viewer.

A bottle of soda was the final item to catch the man's eye. Stealing is thirsty work!

Crime in San Francisco has been climbing steadily, with larceny theft among the most committed offenses

The scene is similar to those seen across the country from New York to Los Angeles and beyond, with thieves undeterred as they take whatever they like from the shelves.

But San Francisco and its Bay Area neighbors have been hit hard by a wave of property crimes and smash-and-grab robberies since the start of the pandemic.

Lax bail reform laws in often-liberal cities mean there is virtually no penalty for the thieves who carry out the crimes.

Without any threat of a jail sentence, the crooks are released back out onto the streets and able to reoffend - often on the same day of their original arrest.

Eighty looters ransacked a luxury Nordstrom store in California's Bay Area in a November 2021 raid that lasted less than a minute

Earlier in the year, the West Coast was the scene of a spate of high-end luxury robberies with thieves targeting boutiques where designer goods were sold.

It even involved getaway drivers waiting outside department stores while their accomplices pulled what they could from the shelves inside.

The pharmacy robberies are a much lower-end version of the heists but ultimately it is the consumer that ends up paying with stores forced to increase their prices due to inventory constantly being stolen and shoplifted from their own stores.

The video is also extremely similar to those which have been shot in the past and see thieves lining their pockets with whatever they desire with no resistance from either store staff or fellow shoppers whatsoever.

According to the latest available crime data, grand larceny rates in California's liberal bastion were up 26 per cent in mid-April, compared with the same period last year

Liberal San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin, whose soft-on-crime policies have been blamed for San Francisco's soaring crime rates, is facing a recall vote in June

Drug store chains like Walgreens and CVS have become attractive and easy targets for shoplifters, leading to numerous store closures in the Bay Area. In the area's largest city, San Francisco, low-level offenses, such as retail thefts, have been effectively de-criminalized under the leadership of progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin.

Boudin, who in a recent interview with the New York Times argued that tough-on-crime policies do not work and blamed the police for the San Francisco's soaring crime rates, is facing a recall vote on June 7.

Walgreens said last year that retail theft in San Francisco was five times the chain average and security costs were 46 times the chain average, reported San Francisco Chronicle.

According to the latest available crime data, grand larceny rates in California's liberal bastion were up 26 per cent in mid-April, compared with the same period last year.

California Gov Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has vowed to crack down on gangs of retail thieves, despite a controversial 2014 law - Proposition 47 - that barred prosecutors from charging suspected shoplifters accused of stealing less than $950 worth of merchandise with felonies.

Walgreens has already closed at 17 of its 70 San Francisco stores because of constant shoplifting. One of the stores closing, pictured above, was subject of a viral video showing a man filling a garbage bag full of goods as security guards watched and let him go

Similar thefts have been taking place across the country in New York with thieves hitting the same Upper East Side Rite Aid for months, forcing it to close.

A Rite Aid store, located at the corner of 80th Street and 2nd Avenue, in one of New York City's wealthiest neighborhoods, shut its doors for good on February 15 a day after a thief was caught on video boldly sauntering out with shopping bags full of stolen goods.

The Rite Aid's closure is just one of many in the city. On February 8, a Hell's Kitchen store which had been rife with robberies also closed.

On the Upper West Side, another store which experienced daily thefts shut down last November.

The chain announced last year that it was shutting down about 63 stores across the US in the next few years, citing cost-cutting measures to save $25 million a year - but workers say that the thefts are part of the reason for the closures as inventory dwindles.

Footage was posted of a thief going for a shoplifting spree in NYC earlier in the year
Boris Johnson will today hail Ukraines finest hour in standing up to Russia as he becomes the first world leader to address Kyivs parliament.

The Prime Minister will evoke Sir Winston Churchill and salute the resistance of Ukrainians in the face of the brutality of the Russian invaders.

He will also announce a new 300million package of military support as he addresses the countrys politicians by video link.

His appearance comes after his surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital last month.

Mr Johnson is expected to say the UK is proud to be among Ukraines friends after reopening the British embassy in Kyiv last week. In his address to Ukraines parliament  the Verkhovna Rada  the Prime Minister will echo the words of Churchill to the British people during the Second World War.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson will give a speech directly to the Ukrainian parliament in which he will announce a military support package worth 300million (pictured recording an address at Downing Street)

The Prime Minister, who visited Kyiv last month (pictured next to president Zelensky) is expected evoke the words of Churchill to the British people during the Second World War in his address to the politicians of Ukraine

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also invoked him when he spoke to the Westminster Parliament in March.

Mr Johnson is expected to say: When my country faced the threat of invasion during the Second World War, our Parliament, like yours, continued to meet throughout the conflict, and the British people showed such unity and resolve that we remember our time of greatest peril as our finest hour.

This is Ukraines finest hour, an epic chapter in your national story that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.

Your children and grandchildren will say that Ukrainians taught the world that the brute force of an aggressor counts for nothing against the moral force of a people determined to be free.

Mr Johnson regards Sir Winston as his political hero and wrote a biography of the wartime leaders life called The Churchill Factor.

The new military support will include electronic warfare and GPS-jamming equipment, a counter-battery radar system and thousands of night vision devices. The package comes after ministers updated Parliament last week on plans to send sophisticated long-range Brimstone missiles and Stormer air defence vehicles.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and President Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured in Kyiv) have a close relationship, in March the Ukrainian leader praised Mr Johnson for his bravery

The UK will also supply heavy lift aerial drones to provide logistical support to Ukrainian forces. Downing Street said it would also send more than a dozen new specialised Toyota Land Cruisers to protect civilian officials in eastern Ukraine and to evacuate civilians from frontline areas.

Mr Johnson visited Kyiv last month to meet Mr Zelensky after a pledge to give 100million worth of weapons to Ukraine.

The countrys parliament praised the Prime Minister, declaring: Be brave, like Boris. Be brave, like Ukraine.

The key Ukrainian city of Odesa is planning to honour him by naming a street or square after him.

During Mr Zelenskys address to the Commons in March, he told MPs: I would like to remind you the words that the United Kingdom have already heard, which are important again. We will not give up and we will not lose. We will fight until the end, at sea, in the air. We will continue fighting for our land, whatever the cost. We will fight in the forests, in the fields, on the shores, in the streets.

Thanking civilised countries for their support, he said: Im very grateful to you Boris Please make sure you do what needs to be done and what is stipulated by the greatness of your country. Glory to Ukraine and glory to the UK.

Britain is at the forefront of the Wests response to Russias invasion and has sent more than 450million in military aid to the Ukrainian army, including thousands of missiles.

The British embassy in Kyiv recently reopened more than two months after it was moved due to fighting.

The US said yesterday it hoped its diplomats would be able to return by the end of the month, while Sweden will reopen its embassy tomorrow.

Washington closed its embassy in Kyiv and moved its diplomats on February 14, ten days before Vladimir Putins invasion.

President Joe Biden proposed a $33billion (26billion) aid package to Ukraine after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met Mr Zelensky on Saturday.

Russia is continuing its assault on the industrial Donbas region, attempting to advance in the south and east after failing to capture the capital.

Mr Zelensky has accused Russia of trying to empty the region of people, saying peace talks are in danger of collapsing.

The death toll of civilians in Ukraine has exceeded 3,000 as of yesterday, according to the UNs human rights office.
As royal residences go, Adelaide Cottage has neither the proportions nor grandeur of its larger, more illustrious neighbour.

But what it lacks in stature, this picture-postcard cottage standing in the shadows of Windsor Castle more than makes up for in its intriguing role in one of the best-known love affairs of the 20th century.

For back in the years following the Second World War, Adelaide Cottage was the grace-and-favour home of Group Captain Peter Townsend.

He, of course, was the dashing RAF pilot and later equerry to King George VI who would precipitate a scandal, becoming the divorced lover of Princess Margaret.

Princess Margaret, pictured centre, had a scandalous affair with Group Captain Peter Townsend, pictured left, wearing sunglasses at the Farborough Air Show

Adelaide Cottage is only a short walk from Windsor Castle and is on the 655 acre estate

Back when it was built in 1831 by King William IV for his wife Queen Adelaide, the cottage was a day retreat for the royal couple.

Although it seemingly fell out of favour with the queen after the death of her husband in 1837, it remained a popular destination for breakfast or tea with his successor, the young Queen Victoria.

So popular, in fact, that a new private carriageway was created for her. Not only that, her beloved King Charles spaniel, Dash, was buried in the grounds.

But the most intriguing interlude in the cottages history came with the appointment of Peter Townsend to the Kings staff.

The Battle of Britain pilot was married to Rosemary and had a toddler son, Giles, and another, Hugo, on the way, when he was made the Kings equerry in February 1944 and granted the use of a grace-and-favour property, tucked behind a ten-foot privet hedge, within walking distance of the office.

Adelaide Cottage became the first proper marital home for Townsend and his wife after three years of wartime marriage  though back then it was far from a glamorous proposition.

Power was delivered along cables running from Windsor Castle, but the current was so poor it could only support a vacuum cleaner and a small electric heater at any one time.

King George VI, pictured left with the then Princess Elizabeth, appointed war hero Townsend as his equerry and allowed him to stay in the cottage

The inside of the cottage was apparently a gloomy affair, decorated with Victorian wallpaper and heavy furniture, which might explain why one 1950s commentator described it as poky and unattractive. Not that it deterred a certain young princess  and her family  from visiting.

When Townsends second son was born, King George VI was named the boys godfather and the christening tea, with two princesses in attendance, was held at Adelaide.

As a 1950s report from this newspaper would later remark: It was the first of many Sunday visits. Princess Elizabeth liked to chat with Rosemary, while Princess Margaret played with the children on the lawn and Peter Townsend, off duty, sat back in a deckchair.

Sometimes the King and Queen arrived to collect their daughters, more often Peter ran them home himself. Princess Margaret never came to Adelaide Cottage unless she was accompanied by Princess Elizabeth or the Queen.

A schoolgirl when Townsend first moved in to the cottage, Margaret was largely unnoticed by Townsend at first. Although he made quite an impression on her. Years later the princess, who was 13 at the time of his appointment, would admit: When he first appeared, I had a terrific crush on him.

How intriguing then to think of the visits the young princess, together with her older sister, made to Adelaide Cottage in those post-war years and how that crush developed into the passionate affair that rocked the monarchy. Quite when the spark was lit is unknown.

It wasnt until after the Townsends divorced in 1952  and a famous moment during the Queens Coronation the following year when Margaret was seen tenderly removing a piece of fluff from Townsends lapel  that the affair would become public knowledge.

But it is now widely believed it began years earlier, during that time when the two sisters were occasional visitors to Adelaide Cottage  a time when, significantly, Townsend was never far from the Royal Family in his work for the King.

It was a three-month State tour of South Africa, from February 1947  on which the two princesses accompanied the King and Queen  that pitched Townsend, 32, and Margaret, then nearly 17, into near-constant company. Part of the equerrys role was to chaperone the teenager  the two were in each others company every day, riding out and taking in the sights.

She would later tell a confidante: We rode together every morning in that wonderful country, in marvellous weather. Thats when I really fell in love with him.

In 2017 Daily Mail columnist Craig Brown revealed how a reader of his book about Margaret  Maam Darling: 99 Glimpses Of Princess Margaret  had unearthed fresh information which some might view as startling.

What it suggested was that the affair began years earlier than is popularly accepted. Indeed, it seems that when the Princess launched the ship the Edinburgh Castle on October 16, 1947, she was already in a relationship with Townsend, who was then 32 and the father of two young sons.

While there is no proof they were intimate at that stage, the reader had uncovered notes among official paper showing that on the visit to the shipyard, on which Townsend accompanied her, a request was made for them to have adjoining bedrooms at Hillsborough Castle, the then governors official residence in Belfast.

Was this request spurred on by an intimacy already established at Adelaide Cottage?

Further evidence of the closeness of the pair when Townsend lived in the Windsor house came in Sarah Bradfords 2002 biography of the Queen. She recounted how courtiers noticed Townsend spending more time with Margaret as his marriage faltered.

One courtier recalled being at the cottage for the birthday party of one of the Townsend children. The telephone rang and it was someone saying would Peter go riding with Princess Margaret? He was not on duty. And he went.

Townsend and his family quit Adelaide Cottage in 1952, when he divorced Rosemary.

The affair, however, would be doomed by the Royal Marriages Act which stated no member of the Royal Family was permitted to marry a divorcee while the ex-partner was still living. On October 31, 1955, the Princess announced she and Townsend would not marry.

Since then the cottage has been home to a host of well-connected dignitaries and courtiers, including most recently Simon Rhodes, son of the Queens cousin and best friend Margaret Rhodes, who died in 2016.

But for the most part, Adelaide Cottage had sunk back into its backdrop under the shadow of Windsor Castles grey walls.

Will it now be thrust into the spotlight again?
One's from Russia, the other from Ukraine.

Both were thrown together at school as teenagers where they became close friends... before losing touch.

So when Olya Robertson heard Inna Horbenko was hiding in a basement in Ukraine as missiles rained down, she did not hesitate to offer her old schoolmate shelter in the British home where she now lived.

The pair met aged 13 at school in the town of Novy Urengoy in western Siberia.

Mrs Robertson later met and married her financial adviser husband Jack, 57, in 1995 while studying English in Norwich.

While a reunion in 2005 was the last time the friends had met in person, they had kept in contact on social media.

Russian born Olya Robertson (right) of Norwich, Norfolk, who is sheltering her Ukrainian refugee school friend Inna Horbenko (left) at her home

Now Mrs Horbenko and her son have moved into the Russians four-bedroom home in Norfolk.

Mother-of-three Mrs Robertson, 48, said: I am Russian and Inna is Ukrainian but it makes no difference. You do what you can to help your friends.

Like many other Russian people, I am totally against president Putin and his invasion of Ukraine. Inna and I were close friends as teenagers and were in a group of about six girls who hung out together.

Now I am just happy that I can help her when she is in need.

Mrs Horbenko, 48, said: I am so grateful to my friend and the UK for supporting us. In the back of my mind, I am still worrying about my daughter, my country, our home, cat and dogs and my husband, who is not allowed to leave the country.

The pair met aged 13 at school in the remote town of Novy Urengoy in western Siberia

Inna (left) and Olya (right) pictured as teenagers during their school days in Siberia

She is learning English in the hope of getting a job and trying to find her son Yehor, 13, a place at a school. She went to university in St Petersburg before returning to Ukraine.

Mrs Robertson said: When the war started, I told Inna that I was scared for her. When the Government said they would allow Ukrainians to come in, I asked her if she wanted her son to stay with us.

They then agreed Mrs Horbenko should also come. She and Yehor, who had been sheltering in their Cherkasy basement, managed to get a lift to Poland.

The accountant left her dentist husband Valerii, a Ukrainian army volunteer, and daughter Anastasia, who is at a Kyiv military academy.

They met the Robertsons at the border on March 24 and their visas were granted on April 13.

Mrs Robertson, a financial services administrator, said: When we were at school, we went there with people from all over. We were all different people living away from home... Ukraine and Russia are interconnected and the stupidity of what is happening now is beyond me.
Germany last night backed an EU-wide ban on Russian oil  but warned it will come at a cost.

The bloc could also be forced to soften any announcement after Hungary threatened to veto an outright ban.

The EUs sixth package of sanctions could be unveiled as soon as today but would require unanimous agreement of all 27 member countries.

Robert Habeck, Germanys economy minister and deputy chancellor, said Berlin backed the ban but warned of the knock-on effect for consumers.

EU sources conceded yesterday that Slovakia and Hungary could be offered an exemption or a long transition period to keep the bloc united.

Poland said yesterday it is ready to be independent from Russian oil and is willing to support other countries to cut their supplies.

Robert Habeck, Germanys economy minister and deputy chancellor, said Berlin backed the EU-wide ban on Moscow's oil, but warned of the knock-on effect for consumers

Austria and Italy have also expressed reservations about a total ban by the end of 2022.

Around half of Russias 4.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude exports go to the EU, which has paid around 17bn for Russian energy since the invasion on February 24.

EU ministers met in Brussels yesterday to discuss their response to Russias decision last week to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, which was branded blackmail.

Energy giant Gazprom says the two countries failed to pay their bills in April.

The two countries had refused to accept Russian President Vladimir Putins demand that unfriendly countries must start paying for gas in Russian rubles.

More Gazprom bills are due on May 20, and the bloc is wary that Russia might turn off more taps then.

Britain has already pledged to phase out imports of Russian oil by the end of the year. Russian imports recently accounted for 8pc of total UK oil demand.
Heartwarming footage has emerged of a Ukrainian nurse enjoying her first dance at her wedding in a Lviv hospital after she lost both of her legs in a Russian mine explosion.

Oksana, 23, was walking alongside her husband Viktor in their home town of Lysychansk in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region on March 27 when she stepped on a mine.

The couple were returning home 'along a familiar path', according to the Lviv medical association, when Oksana took one fateful step and was caught in a horrific blast just a split second later.

Viktor was not injured, but Oksana had both of her legs and four fingers on her left hand blown away in the explosion.

Miraculously, the young nurse survived, and after four operations to stabilise her injuries was evacuated west towards the city of Dnipro, before arriving in Lviv by train four days ago to be fitted with prosthetics.

Upon arriving in Lviv, the pair, who have two children, decided to tie the knot.

The beautiful footage, captured by a nurse, showed Viktor holding Oksana aloft in a warm embrace as the couple twirled gently around the hospital room to the applause of happy onlookers.

Oksana, 23, was walking alongside her husband Viktor in their home town of Lysychansk in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region on March 27 when she stepped on a mine. Miraculously, the young nurse survived despite losing both her legs, and after four operations to stabilise her injuries was evacuated west towards the city of Dnipro, before arriving in Lviv by train four days ago to be fitted with prosthetics

The beautiful footage, captured by a nurse, showed Viktor holding Oksana aloft in a warm embrace as the couple twirled gently around the hospital room to the applause of happy onlookers

Ukraine's parliament described Oksana and Viktor's wedding as the culmination of 'a very special love story'

Ukraine's parliament shared the wonderful news via their official Twitter account, posting footage of the couple's first dance as husband and wife and wishing them future happiness.

The tweet described Oksana and Viktor's wedding as the culmination of 'a very special love story' and wished the couple 'happiness and long years together'.

'Life should not be postponed until later, decided Oksana and Victor, who in six years together never found time for marriage,' the Lviv medical association said.

The association told Sky News they bought wedding rings in Lviv, found Oksana a white dress, and enjoyed a wedding cake baked by volunteers at the hospital.

Their wedding celebration took place on the ward of the surgery centre ahead of Oksana's preparations to be fitted with prosthetic limbs and begin learning how to walk again.

Oksana is now preparing to travel to Germany with her husband for further treatment.

Their wedding dance is the latest in a string of touching clips of Ukrainians expressing their love for each other in the midst of war.

Footage released in early April captured the inspiring moment a Ukrainian soldier proposed to his girlfriend next to a pile of sandbags on the streets of war-torn Odesa.

The hero husband-to-be got down on one knee before his flabbergasted girlfriend, whose shock suddenly turned to joy as she realised exactly what was going on.

The soldier produced a ring from his fatigues, which caused the young woman to cover her mouth with both hands before shrieking and saying 'YES!', the viral TikTok shows.

None the wiser: the pair met up by a pile of sandbags in Odesa, but she had no idea what's next

The woman's surprise turns to sheer joy when she realises what her boyfriend is asking

After placing the ring on his fiancee's finger, which fitted perfectly, the husband to be watched on as his girlfriend celebrated her good fortune with a fist pump.

He then brought a huge bouquet of flowers to top it all off.

Though the couple's names are unknown, the heartwarming clip has clearly touched a nerve, gaining 850,000 views and 179,000 within just a few hours of being posted.

Supportive comments, mostly in Ukrainian, saw well-wishers hoping the soldier stays safe during the war.

One user wrote: 'Awww so sweet, live long and happy!'

Another added: May you be safe and victorious! Congratulations!'
At least five British soldiers have been arrested in a sting by military police on suspicion of dealing cocaine at their base.

The gunners from the Royal Artillery were hauled into custody after raids on military accommodation in Wiltshire last Tuesday.

While cases of soldiers being caught taking cocaine are not uncommon, it is rare for troops to be suspected of dealing Class A drugs.

Following the arrests, the camp at Larkhill was locked down while other troops underwent compulsory drug tests (CDTs).

Royal Military Police (RMP) officers accompanied by specialist military dog units swept through the base following a tip-off about drug dealing.

Emergency services were called to Larkhill Garrison (pictured) on the outskirts of Salisbury, Wiltshire after reports that a body of a woman in her 30s was discovered

The soldiers suspected of dealing face certain expulsion from the Army if found guilty. Anyone who purchased the drug will also face court martial.

While, officially, the Army says it operates a zero tolerance approach towards drug taking, junior soldiers with unblemished disciplinary records are often given a second chance.

Last night, a source at the base said: It was a shakedown.

The RMPs clearly had some good intelligence on what was happening and had come prepared.

Afterwards, everyone was getting CDTed. You couldnt get off camp without being tested. Nobody was being let out otherwise.

The officers are furious, the suggestion that their soldiers are dealing drugs when their backs are turned has made them livid.

Last night, the Ministry of Defence confirmed the dramatic events last week.

A spokesman said: A number of soldiers at Larkhill Garrison were arrested by the Royal Military Police on April 26, 2022.

As the matter is the subject of an ongoing Royal Military Police investigation it would be inappropriate to comment further. This is the latest drugs scandal to hit the Royal Artillery.

Last year the Daily Mail revealed how ten soldiers from the Royal Horse Artillery, which is part of the same Corps, were booted out after failing drug tests.

Their commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Simon Harris won praise for his hardline stance when it emerged he ordered the troops to be driven hundreds of miles to the nearest available drug testing centre after he suspected them of misusing illegal substances at a weekend party on their camp.

Had he waited for a closer testing facility to reopen on the Monday morning the drugs may have been flushed out of their bodies.

Those given their marching orders included two female soldiers. The wider Army has suffered a series of drug scandals in recent years.

In 2021, a record 19 members of the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, failed the same CDT after they had taken cocaine and cannabis.

Also last year, ten soldiers from the Yorkshire Regiments 2nd Battalion were caught taking cocaine at the Cypriot resort of Paphos near the base on the island. They were confronted by drug testers on their return to camp.

The Royal Navy has also suffered its share of drug scandals with a nuclear submarine having been dubbed HMS Sex and Cocaine after a breakdown in discipline among sailors.

In 2017, 17 members of HMS Vigilant were booted off the vessel after traces of the Class A drug were found in their bloodstream#.
A boy has died after falling off his bike in a freak accident.

The nine-year-old was riding with his mother when he hit a kerb in the town of Collie in Western Australia's south-west on Sunday afternoon.

The boy, who was wearing a helmet at the time, was rushed to hospital with critical injuries but sadly couldn't be revived.

The tragedy has rocked the close-knit community as the boy's schoolmates returned to the classroom for the start of term two on Monday.

Flowers lay at the scene where a boy fell off his bike and died in Collie on Sunday afternoon

'Any little boy is precious in our community and if we lose one of them it's just tragic for the whole community, let alone how the family are feeling,' Collie deputy shire president Ian Miffling told Nine News.

'I mean it's tragic for the family.'

Floral tributes have been placed at the crash scene.

Authorities are investigating whether the boy suffered a medical episode before falling off his bike.

Major Crash Investigation officers travelled from Perth to examine the scene and have ruled out foul play.

No other vehicle was involved in the 'tragic incident'.

The young boy was riding with his mother when he hit a kerb and fell off his bike

'He had a good bike and good helmet, everything was going correct,' Superintendent Martin Voyez said.

'When he hit the kerb, and for reasons we are not yet sure of, [he] passes away.

'It was a local family and that makes it all the worse.

'It's absolutely terrible, these things break your heart.'

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.
GPs are being forced to care for 2,200 patients each because of NHS staff shortages.

An extra 3.1million patients have been registered since June 2017 yet the number of fully qualified family doctors has fallen by 1,343 over the same period.

It means each GP has 10 per cent more names on their lists than five years ago.

And a postcode lottery is leaving some areas desperately short of cover, with just one doctor to look after 3,000 patients.

The shocking figures come after NHS Digital revealed that GPs are rushing through a fifth of appointments in five minutes or less.

New figures have revealed that a single GP is responsible for the care of 2,200 people, as patient numbers have risen but the number of family doctors has fallen (stock image)

Daisy Cooper MP (pictured), Lib Dem health spokesman, believes the health system is at a breaking point and that a plan is needed to recruit more doctors

The revelations will pile pressure on ministers to honour their promise of hiring an extra 6,000 family doctors by 2024.

The national shortage of GPs means it is a struggle securing an appointment, said Dennis Reed of Silver Voices, which campaigns for elderly people. Some people give up trying, which leaves them at risk of deteriorating, while others will end up at the door of busy A&Es. More needs to be done to get doctors into general practice and to stop experienced ones from retiring early.

But we need to increase GP numbers equitably, so we can end this postcode lottery of care.

There were 58.4million patients registered with a GP in England in June 2017, rising 5.4 per cent to 61.57million by March this year.

Meanwhile, the number of full-time and fully qualified GPs fell 4.6 per cent from 29,112 to 27,769 over the same period. It means the number of patients per GP rose by 10.46 per cent, from 2,007 to 2,217.

Blackburn with Darwen was worst off, with 3,004 patients per qualified GP in March, according to analysis of NHS data by the Liberal Democrats.

By contrast, Wirral had just 1,762 patients per GP  the lowest ratio.

Even routine appointments axed by over a third of GPs More than a third of GP practices have stopped booking routine appointments after being overwhelmed with calls, a survey reveals. Family doctors say severe staff shortages and unprecedented demand have forced them to turn sick patients away. Of 824 doctors surveyed by GP magazine Pulse, 35 per cent said their surgery had stopped booking routine consultations at some point over the past year. Dr Nick Morton, a GP partner in Norfolk and Waveney, said: We operate a safety valve system so when we are overwhelmed, we stop pretending we have enough resources. Patients are directed to the walk-in centre, local pharmacies or if they perceive it to be an emergency, A&E. The system does not apply to some, including the vulnerable and end-of-life patients, and is not used often. But it gives practice staff a sense of being able to cope when deluged with demand, Dr Morton said. Dr Gaurav Gupta, a GP and chairman of the Kent Local Medical Committee, said it was not surprising practices had been unable to provide services. In March, GPs in England had more than 15million patient consultations  the highest number since records began, according to NHS Digital data. Advertisement

Daisy Cooper, Lib Dem health spokesman, said: Our health services are at breaking point following the Conservative Governments broken promise to recruit more GPs.

People are struggling to get appointments and GPs are under more pressure than ever. We need a proper plan to recruit the GPs the country desperately needs and prevent so many doctors leaving or retiring early.

Commenting on the numbers, Healthwatch England, which represents patients, said access to GP services was one of the most common issues raised by the public. It added: Things need to change for the sake of patient care, staff welfare and the sustainability of the wider NHS. Dr Kieran Sharrock, deputy chairman of the British Medical Associations GP committee, said: With fewer doctors to treat more patients, its harder to see people in a timely way and GPs share their patients frustration with longer waits.

Remaining staff are forced to stretch themselves further, risking their own physical and mental health, which then drives them away from the profession, making the problem even worse.

We need the Government to listen to and support GPs and their colleagues, and make good on its pledges to boost the GP workforce so that practices can provide the safe, quality care that patients deserve.

Dr Rachel Ward, of the Rebuild General Practice campaign, described the shortage of GPs as a national emergency. She added: Years of underfunding, neglect and broken government promises have led to fewer GPs, at a time when there are more patients than ever.

GPs want to provide the best quality care for their patients, but the current situation is unsafe.

Thats why were calling for urgent support to rebuild general practice.

More than a third of appointments at GP surgeries were still not face to face in March, the NHS Digital figures show. Many switched to video or phone consultations during the pandemic but have not returned to normal levels. Some 81.0 per cent of appointments took place in-person in October 2019, pre-Covid.

This dipped to a low of 46.7 per cent in April 2020 and climbed to a recent high of 64.3 per cent in October 2021 as restrictions were eased. But only 62.0 per cent of the 29.6million appointments conducted this March at GP surgeries were face to face. This total includes appointments at surgeries with nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists as well as doctors. Government research shows most GPs now work no more than three days a week.

The study commissioned by the Department of Health and Social Care shows a substantial fall in hours worked since the pandemic, with just half of family doctors in work on Friday afternoon.

More than a third of appointments at GP surgeries in the UK were still not face to face in March

A spokesman for the department said the number of GPs in England had increased in recent years when considering those still in training.

They added: We are working with the NHS to improve access to GPs, tackle the Covid backlog, and grow the general practice workforce to ensure everyone receives the care they need  including making 520million available to improve access and expand general practice capacity during the pandemic.

There were over 1,400 more full-time equivalent doctors working in general practice in March 2022 compared with March 2019, a record-breaking number started training as GPs last year, and weve invested 1.5billion until 2025 to create an extra 50million appointments a year.

A survey earlier this year revealed that patient satisfaction with GP surgeries has plummeted to its lowest ever level.

Fewer than four in ten patients said they happy with the service. The British Social Attitudes survey found the approval rating had almost halved in the pandemic.
Beergate may hurt Labour at the ballot box in this weeks local elections, experts predicted last night.

Tory peer and polling analyst Lord Hayward said: Beergate is dissipating the impact of Partygate. Two or three days ago, not many people knew about it but now theres no question that they do. Keir Starmer has had a tough time from the broadcasters and was unable to say whether it was an error after bashing Boris for making errors.

He added: There is no question that southern Englands Waitrose Radio 4 Tories have been more angry about Partygate. But the existence of Beergate will have an impact to the extent that the anger will be aimed across all parties.

Voters in the north of England and the midlands are mentioning 'Beergate' on the doorsteps, according to a Tory Party peer

The Beergate scandal could cost Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour party, pictured, votes

He said seats to watch were Bury, Sunderland, Nuneaton and Walsall, where the Tories might do well. Sir Keir has denied that he broke Covid rules after pictures emerged of him swigging beer with colleagues last year. Tory activists said Beergate was starting to come up on doorsteps in the Midlands on Friday.

In Stoke, they said, locals quoted Beergate back to canvassers, saying of politicians: Theyre all the same, arent they.

Lord Hayward He said that there were two effects that the saga could have on voters ahead of Thursdays local elections.

Firstly, it could convince wavering Tories who are angry about lockdown parties in Number 10 to vote, he said.

But he said the bigger impact could be that the public takes the view of politicians that theyre all the same, which could hurt both Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

He said that Mr Johnson was likely to retain support in the Red Wall where Number 10 lockdown party issues are not cutting through.

In your more white collar former industrial belt, there is less of an impact from Partygate. The Red Wall areas will hold up, he said.

Labour will have a bigger problem here. The party has still not got over being seen as toxic because of Jeremy Corbyn.

Going back to Labour is going to be more difficult for people.

He said there will be less damage from Partygate revelations in these areas because they see issues like Ukraine and the cost-of-living crisis as more important.

They have a different perspective which is why in the home counties the impact [from Partygate] is greater in the midlands and north, he said.

Ukraine and cost of living is more salient there, and I think there is still a hangover from the vaccine bounce.

They are much less likely to swing against the Tories. Boris Johnson can expect there will be less damage in those areas.

He also suggested that the Tories faced southern discomfort in its traditional blue wall shire and home county council seats.

He warned that the areas most at risk were those whose voters were middle-class, Remain-oriented, well-educated and women.

Hertfordshire, Surrey, Hampshire, Solihull and Trafford and other commuter belt areas are likely to lose votes to other parties, he warned.

However, he said that Labour was unlikely to be the main beneficiary of this, with the Liberal Democrats and Greens picking up council seats from them.

Lord Hayward said: The Tories face in the home countries what might be described as southern discomfort as the Lib Dems, Greens and other residents groups may take council seats off them in their heartlands.
I am looking to buy a holiday home in Wales but have heard something about stamp duty being increased significantly on buy-to-let and second properties in the area.

Is this happening and should I rethink my plans before committing to invest in property in the area? FH

Pictured: Tenby in Wales is a beautiful harbour town and it attracts second homeowners

MailOnline Property expert Myra Butterworth replies: A clampdown on second homeowners has been announced by the Welsh Government.

Wales has already announced that it is tripling the maximum amount of council tax that such homeowners can be charged, amid concerns that holiday home demand is driving house prices up rapidly.

And now it is considering whether to increase the rate of stamp duty on second homes and short-term rentals. In Wales, stamp duty is known as Land Transaction Tax or LTT for short.

This issue is currently out for consultation and so it is not decided yet if the amount charged would be capped. And it is not known how loopholes - such as landlords turning their properties in short-term holiday lets to avoid any extra charges - would be addressed.

The Welsh Government is clear in the policy's aim though, as it wants to help restrict second homeowners and address unaffordable housing facing some communities in Wales.

However, some experts claim the measures could end up restricting the supply of property for sale and push up values even higher.

Daryl McIntosh, policy manager for Propertymark, replies: Property values in Wales have shot up during the last couple of years, largely due to lifestyle changes and increased demand for staycations.

While Wales has experienced the highest house price growth in Britain, its still a good place to invest - although you could end up with a bigger tax bill than you envisaged depending on how you intend to use your property.

The Welsh Government cottoned on quickly to the increased activity in the second homes and short-term holiday lets markets and has brought forward a number of measures designed to deter investors from buying homes that it argues could otherwise have been lived in by locals who now find themselves priced out.

One of these measures is a proposed change to the higher rate of land transaction tax (LTT).

In Wales when you buy a property you pay Land Transaction Tax (LTT), in England and Northern Ireland this tax is referred to as stamp duty land tax or stamp duty for short.

Wales is looking at increasing stamp duty on second homes and short-term lets to help address unaffordable housing facing some communities in Wales

When you buy an additional property in Wales you will pay the standard rate of LTT plus an additional 4 per cent, which is referred to as the higher rate.

LTT on second homes in Wales is set at 4 per cent above the standard LTT rate, irrespective of if the property is to be used as a long-term rental, short-term let or holiday home.

Daryl McIntosh is the policy manager for property trade body Propertymark

But under the Welsh Governments plan, the higher, additional rate of LTT could be varied depending on whether a local authority deems there to be too many second homes or short-term lets in their area.

While no figures have yet been discussed, anyone looking to buy a second home for their own personal use or to let as short-term holiday accommodation will need to be mindful that their LTT liability may not only be higher than the current 4 per cent levy but may vary between local authorities or even between postcodes if the proposals are implemented.

This is likely to push second home and holiday let markets into less touristy areas of the country where their perceived negative impact on local communities is not considered to be such an issue. Perhaps a welcome shift for investors, who might snap up property at the current higher rate before local variations kick in?

The good news for landlords is that, so far, the Welsh Government has not included the private rented sector in its reform of LTT. So provided you want to let a property long-term, the varied higher rate LTT will not apply.

However, this does provide a loophole in that the Welsh Government hasnt said how the proposed variations to LTT will be enforced, leaving the process open so that potentially buyers of second homes could claim to be prospective landlords and avoid any variation on the higher rate altogether.

Investors in the private rented sector should also be mindful of the Renting Homes (Wales) Act coming into force on 15 July, and factor in any associated risks and costs to their plans.

The Act introduces new safety standards and effectively sets the minimum term of a tenancy at twelve months due to the requirement for a landlord to give six months notice, and this might not suit everyone.

But the upshot is that, while there are changes afoot with the Renting Homes regime, demand for private rented sector property remains high and forthcoming LTT variations shouldnt put off those looking to invest.
Private clinics where women can freeze their eggs have begun offering a similar service to men who want to put fatherhood on ice.

Freezing eggs, which allows younger women to boost their chances of motherhood in later life, costs 8,000 on average.

The process combats the decline in egg quality  but experts say there is no need for the vast majority of men to freeze their sperm.

Its quality only drops slightly with age and older men can easily conceive children naturally.

A snapshot investigation by the Daily Mail discovered London clinics offering sperm-freezing.

Allan Pacey, professor of andrology at the University of Sheffield, said the process can be beneficial for men with conditions such as cancer, where treatment can harm fertility, or those in high-risk roles including in the military.

Men are being given the chance to freeze their sperm by clinics in London, a Daily Mail investigation has shown (file photo)

He added: But for the remainder, I dont see it has any real purpose. Once sperm has been frozen, it will almost certainly need to be used in an IVF cycle.

Professor Pacey said young men freezing their sperm are committing their future partner to undergoing IVF without needing to for probably only a marginal gain.

Kevin McEleny, a male fertility specialist at the University of Newcastle, said: For most men who have a normal sperm quality, storing sperm for the future will not be necessary and it will not be needed for fertility treatment.

Gennet City Fertility charges 360 to freeze sperm and store it for 12 months, then 360 a year thereafter.

Medical director Dr Malini Uppal said: Just like women, men have a biological clock too, so sperm-freezing should be a consideration for men wishing to delay fatherhood.

She added that men undergoing a vasectomy or changing sex might want to freeze their sperm.

Harley Street Fertility Clinic charges 150 for sperm-freezing and 300 for annual storage.

It also offers a sperm-freezing package for 550.

Sarah Norcross of the Progress Educational Trust, a fertility charity, said: The quantity and quality of a mans sperm may decrease somewhat with age, but most men over the age of 35 will continue to be fertile.

Experts say while most men don't need to freeze their sperm, it could be useful for those with conditions such as cancer or in high-risk jobs like the military (file photo)

We can all think of male celebrities who have fathered children naturally at an advanced age, such as Charlie Chaplin and Mick Jagger, who were both aged 73.

Studies suggest sperm quality declines by a small amount with age, with evidence of a very small increased chance of autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in children born to older fathers, and a slightly increased risk of miscarriage for these mens partners.

Dr Geetha Venkat, director of Harley Street Fertility Clinic, said: It is known that men produce sperm throughout their lives, unlike women who have a limited number of eggs.

However, male sperm parameters decline with age, as many studies demonstrate.

For these reasons, we would advise men to freeze their sperm when they are younger in case it is needed in later life.
Kremlin space chiefs have launched a secret military spacecraft into orbit around the Earth using Russia's new Angara 1.2 rocket.

The launch took place at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the town of Mirny in the north-western Russian region of Arkhangelsk Oblast on 29 April.

A statement said that a space 'combat crew' had launched the unidentified payload for the Russian Ministry of Defence.

It is understood that the payload was probably a top-secret new military radar satellite system, for use in the war in Ukraine.

The launch took place at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the town of Mirny in the north-western Russian region of Arkhangelsk Oblast on 29th April

What is the Plesetsk Cosmodrome? The Plesetsk Cosmodrome, founded in 1957, is a special military site, originally designed to test the R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile. During the Soviet Unions existence, Plesetsk was primarily used to launch classified military payloads, most often the 'Zenit' photo-reconnaissance satellites. Due to the classified nature of the Cosmodrome, the USSR did not officially acknowledge its existence until 1983. However, the launch site was uncovered by British physics teacher Geoffrey Perry and his students, who carefully analysed the orbit of Russian satellite Kosmos 112 in 1966. They were able to deduce that the satellite was not launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The Cosmodrome has only become busier in recent years, as Kazakhstan, now an independent country, has started charging Russia $115 million annually for the use of the land. There are also security concerns about launching classified missions from complexes not owned by Russia. Advertisement

Video footage of the nighttime launch shows the rocket powering its way through the sky from a remote site.

The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement on 30 April: 'From the State Test Cosmodrome of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation (Plesetsk Cosmodrome) in the Arkhangelsk Region, the combat crew of the Space Forces of the Aerospace Forces [VKS] successfully launched an Angara-1.2 light-class launch vehicle with a spacecraft in the interests of the Russian Ministry of Defence.

'The launch of the carrier rocket and the launch of the spacecraft into the calculated orbit took place in the normal mode.

'Two minutes after the launch, the Angara-1.2 launch vehicle was accepted for escort by ground controls of the Titov Main Test and Space Systems Control Centre.'

The spacecraft was designated 'Kosmos 2555' after the successful launch.

Although the payload is unknown, is has similar parameters to two military imaging satellites launched in 2018 and 2021, known as EMKA-1 and EMKA-2, suggesting that it too is an imaging satellite.

The statement went on: 'Stable communication was established and maintained with the spacecraft, and its onboard systems are operating in normal mode.

'After the spacecraft was launched into orbit, officers of the Space Control Centre entered data into the Main Catalogue of Space Objects of the Russian Space Control System, and proceeded to analyse and process information about the new space object in order to accept it for tracking by ground facilities of the Main Space Intelligence Centre of the VKS.

'In total, over 30 ground-based measuring instruments and over 50 combat crews of the 15th Aerospace Forces Army (Special Purpose) were involved in ensuring the launch of the spacecraft of the Russian Ministry of Defence.'

The secret payload was launched by a Russian Angara 1.2 rocket. This was Angara 1.2s first operational flight, after one suborbital test flight to verify that all systems worked

The spacecraft was designated 'Kosmos 2555' after the successful launch atop an Angara 1.2 rocket

European Space Agency will no longer work with Russia on future moon and Mars missions The European Space Agency has ended its collaboration with Russia on future moon and Mars missions. It confirmed it would no longer cooperate with Moscow's space agency Roscosmos on the Luna 25, 26 or 27 moon missions, or the ExoMars mission, because of the ongoing war in Ukraine. 'As an intergovernmental organisation mandated to develop and implement space programmes in full respect with European values, we deeply deplore the human casualties and tragic consequences of the aggression towards Ukraine,' ESA said. 'While recognising the impact on scientific exploration of space, ESA is fully aligned with the sanctions imposed on Russia by its member states.' Advertisement

The Plesetsk Cosmodrome, founded in 1957, is a special military site, originally designed to test the R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile.

Since its inception, the Cosmodrome has gone on to launch the R-7 derived Soyuz, the Cosmos-3M, Rokot, Tsyklon, and the most recent addition to the launchers, Angara.

Due to the classified nature of the Cosmodrome, the USSR did not officially acknowledge its existence until 1983.

This was the first operational flight of Angara 1.2 following a suborbital test flight to check that all systems worked, and three test flights of the Angara-A5 variant to test its effectiveness at launching payloads into orbit.

While the Angara 1.2 can only launch 8,400 lbs (3,800 kg) to low-Earth orbit, the more capable Angara A5 can carry 7.5 tonnes (16,500 lbs).

This launch is the first of three planned Angara launches in 2022, with one more launch planned for Roscosmos, the Russian state space agency, and one commercial flight for South Korea.

The launch comes just days after Roscosmos announced it would be pulling out of the International Space Station.

The ISS is jointly managed by Moscow and Washington, and a complete Russian pull-out is expected to pose major challenges for the operation, as Russian rockets deliver much of the cargo needed to maintain the space station.

However, in recent years NASA has worked with private commercial entities, most notably Elon Musk's SpaceX, to deliver cargo and conduct manned flights into space, which could help to reduce their reliance on Russia.

The Russian space agency has not given an exact date of its withdrawal, but confirmed that it will adhere to the stipulated year-long notice period.
In 2019, a marine heatwave hit the Hawaiian Islands, causing a huge expanse of unusually warm water to build up in the area.

Now, scientists from Arizona State University have released aerial maps that show the effects the marine heatwave had on coral.

The maps reveal how reefs near heavily developed coasts were more susceptible to bleaching during the marine heatwave.

However, other areas appeared to offer safe havens for corals, with more than 10 'refugia' discovered along eight islands.

Brian Neilson, co-author of the study, said: 'These findings can be incorporated into management plans to aid in building a resilient network of reef regions and sustaining Hawaii's reefs and the communities that depend on them into the future.'

Scientists from Arizona State University have released shocking maps that show the effects the marine heatwave had on coral. Brighter colours indicate locations of corals that died after a bleaching event

Why are reefs near developed coasts more susceptible? The maps showed that coral mortality was highest along highly developed coasts. The researchers suggest that pollution entering the reefs is higher in these areas. This creates an unfavourable environment for coral reefs already fighting to survive the warming water. Advertisement

Previous studies have shown that when water is too warm, corals expel the algae living in their tissues and turn completely white  a process known as coral bleaching.

In their new study, the researchers set out to understand which corals are most affected by bleaching during a major marine heatwave event.

The team took to the skies over the Hawaiian Islands on board the Global Airborne Observatory (GAO) aircraft, both before and after the marine heatwave.

GAO is equipped with advanced spectrometers that can map ecosystems both on land, and beneath the ocean surface.

The maps reveal how Hawaii's coastal ecosystem has changed over time.

'Repeat coral mapping with the GAO revealed how Hawaii's coral reefs responded to the 2019 mass bleaching event,' said Greg Asner, lead author of the study.

'We discovered coral "winners" and "losers."

'And these winning corals are associated with cleaner water and less coastal development despite elevated water temperatures.'

The maps reveal more than 10 potential habitats that may offer a safe haven for corals, called 'coral refugia'.

In these areas, there was up to 40 per cent less coral mortality than on neighbouring reefs, despite similar heat stress.

The maps reveal more than 10 potential habitats that may offer a safe haven for corals  called 'coral refugia'

Previous studies have shown that when water is too warm, corals expel the algae living in their tissues and turn completely white  a process known as coral bleaching

In contrast, the maps showed that coral mortality was highest along highly developed coasts.

The researchers suggest that pollution entering the reefs is higher in these areas, creating an unfavourable environment for coral reefs already fighting to survive the warming water.

'This study supports Hawaii's Holomua Marine 30x30 Initiative by not only identifying areas impacted by ocean heat waves, but also areas of refugia,' said Mr Neilson.

The Holomua 30x30 initiative aims to effectively manage Hawaii's nearshore waters with 30 per cent established as marine management areas by 2030.

'Previous approaches have failed to deliver actionable interventions that might improve coral survival during heat waves or to locate places of heatwave resistance, known as coral refugia, for rapid protection,' said Mr Asner, who is also director of the Global Airborne Observatory.

'Our findings highlight the new role that coral mortality and survival monitoring can play for targeted conservation that protects more corals in our changing climate.'
A luxury apartment building in New York, designed for seniors, will make use of Artificial Intelligence to monitor the health and wellbeing of its residents.

Known as the Bristal, staying at the assisted living facility is on York Avenue costs between $12,800 and $20,150 per month, with each of the 132 studio apartments equipped with a private bathroom, kitchenette and an optional AI assistant.

'Foresite' is a predictive health and fall management system, that triggers alerts and warnings for medical professional and facility staff, coming pre-installed in all rooms.

It isn't turned on by default, but comes with an upcharge on top of the up to $20,000 monthly rent, allowing for it to be activated as needed when a residents needs change, according to The Bristal.

'The pandemic has shown seniors that if you are living alone you are going to be isolated,' Faraz Kayani from the Bristal told the New York Post, adding that the AI and wider facility helps them stay connected to the community.

A luxury apartment building in New York, designed for seniors, will make use of Artificial Intelligence to monitor the health and wellbeing of its residents

Known as the Bristal, staying at the assisted living facility is on York Avenue costs between $12,800 and $20,150 per month, with each of the 132 studio apartments equipped with a private bathroom, kitchenette and an optional AI assistant

It includes the option of studio, one and two bedroom apartments, and the building comes equipped with a beauty salon, bistro, dining room, fitness center, outdoor terrace, activity center and private dining room.

There is also a dedicated floor for dementia and memory care, that includes alarms, alerts and doors locked and controlled by the AI wellbeing monitor.

The monthly rent includes three gourmet meals a day, housekeeping for the bedroom, and a range of social activities and utilities.

This isn't the only Bristal facility to implement Foresite, others including the facility at Lake Success, Mount Sinai and Bethpage.

'Regular health monitoring and reducing the risk of falls both play a critical role in maintaining the well-being of aging seniors,' the firm says.

'This is especially true for older adults with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, who often cannot communicate when something might be wrong.

'Foresite' is a predictive health and fall management system, that triggers alerts and warnings for medical professional and facility staff, coming pre-installed in all rooms

It isn't turned on by default, but comes with an upcharge on top of the up to $20,000 monthly rent, allowing for it to be activated as needed when a residents needs change, according to The Bristal

Foresite combined wireless sensors, AI, visual monitoring systems and predictive analysis to track the health of residents.

It can use all of these data points to 'predict an elevated risk of falling, and provide immediate alerts should a fall occur.'

The sensors are placed at strategic locations inside an apartment, including infrared cameras that capture the gait and movement patterns of a resident.

'The cameras are unobtrusive and maintain privacy by only recording a silhouette image,' according to the facility website.

'Additionally, a plastic sleeve with wireless sensors is placed under the resident's mattress, which monitors breathing, heart rate, and restlessness.

'The pandemic has shown seniors that if you are living alone you are going to be isolated,' Faraz Kayani from the Bristal told the New York Post , adding that the AI and wider facility helps them stay connected to the community

It includes the option of studio, one and two bedroom apartments, and the building comes equipped with a beauty salon, bistro, dining room, fitness center, outdoor terrace, activity center and private dining room

'The system is also designed to alert staff if a resident tries to get out of bed, so they can provide assistance.'

As a resident moves in, Foresite creates a baseline for their statistics and then monitors key health indicators for any change over time.

Changes in heart rate or respiration may signal an infection, while a shift in movement may indicate an increased risk for a fall.

In addition to generating health alerts, the system can provide a comprehensive health report that can be shared with the resident's medical provider.

The monthly rent includes three gourmet meals a day, housekeeping for the bedroom, and a range of social activities and utilities

This isn't the only Bristal facility to implement Foresite, others including the facility at Lake Success, Mount Sinai and Bethpage

'Foresite provides families with an extra measure of reassurance by monitoring for immediate, as well as potential health concerns,' the facility said.

'For families with a loved one who has Alzheimer's, dementia, or other memory-related cognitive disorders, falls and wandering are real concerns.

'Using the data provided by the Foresite system, The Bristal is able to work with a resident's family and medical team to provide truly customized care.'

Four of the 14 floors in the building are 'Reflections memory care' units, that include day services and dining facilities for residents with memory related conditions.

'Once you enter, you feel like you have entered a home,' said Kayani.
John Krasinski has come a long way from a paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The actor, 42, seems to be playing a big role in the upcoming Doctor Strange and The Multiverse of Madness movie, opening Friday.

A leaked scene from the film seemed to confirm that Krasinski will play Mr. Fantastic, the iconic elastic character and leader of the Fantastic 4 from the Marvel comic books.

Blockbuster: John Krasinski seems to be playing a role in the upcoming Doctor Strange and The Multiverse of Madness movie, opening Friday (pictured 2020)

In one of the stills released, Krasinski stood in the forefront of an image while several other Marvel characters backed him up.

He wore a blue and black latex suit, the character's iconic look, with a big '4' directly in the middle of his chest.

His light brown hair was combed over and he had a large bushy beard covering his face.

Leaked: A leaked scene from the film seemed to confirm that Krasinski will play Mr. Fantastic, the iconic elastic character and leader of the Fantastic 4

Brought to life: He wore a blue and black latex suit, the character's iconic look (pictured here), with a big '4' directly in the middle of his chest

TMZ reported that the characters in the background are Captain Marvel, though not the Brie Larson version of the character, Captain Carter and Black Bolt.

Legendary actor Patrick Stewart will reportedly reprise his role as Charles Xavier from the X-Men franchise for the movie.

The film, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will follow Dr. Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, after he uses a forbidden spell to walk into alternate universes.

However, a threat emerges that will force Strange and his trusty ally Wong (Benedict Wong) to seek out the help of the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen).

Bringing back everyone's favorite wizard: The film, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, will follow Dr. Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch

Screen test: Years ago, the husband of Emily Blunt auditioned to play Captain America and got as far as a screen test before the role went to Chris Evans (pictured here 2015)

Fans have thought Krasinski would play a great Mr. Fantastic for a long time with many of them photoshopping the costume on pictures of him.

In addition, the A Quiet Place director also has ties to the MCU. Years ago, the husband of Emily Blunt auditioned to play Captain America and got as far as a screen test before the role went to Chris Evans.

Krasinski even put on the Captain America suit though he explained seeing one Marvel actor's ripped body really put a damper on the situation.

'I was putting on the suit, just watching it, I was like, "This is so amazing," he said in an interview on Conan back in 2016. 'And I got about right to my waist and was still shirtless, feeling pretty good about myself. It wasn't 13 Hours yet, but I felt pretty good.

'And all of a sudden Chris Hemsworth walked by as Thor and he's like "Hey, mate,' and I went "I'm good, this is stupid. It's okay. I'm not Captain America."'
Chelsea Lazkani looked every inch glamorous as she stepped out for dinner at Delilah in West Hollywood on Saturday.

The newest cast member of Selling Sunset, 29, wore a shimmering semi-transparent halter top that reveled her trim midriff, which she paired with a matching ankle-length skirt.

The stylish beauty draped a glamorous grey fur-collar coat over her shoulders, and was seen arriving to the swanky eatery with a group of female friends.

Arriving in style: Chelsea Lazkani looked every inch glamorous as she stepped out for dinner at Delilah in West Hollywood on Saturday

The British-Nigerian luxury real estate agent continued with the glimmering theme by wearing a pair of open toe crystal sandal heels, that showed off her perfect French pedicure.

The mom-of-two finalized her outfit with an iridescent white quilt-pattern purse. As for glam, she wore voluminous lashes and a shiny gloss on her pout.

Her raven tresses were styled into loose curls and pinned into a stylish bun, with a few strands left to frame her face.

Sparkle: The newest cast member of Selling Sunset, 29, wore a shimmering semi-transparent halter top that reveled her trim midriff, which she paired with a matching ankle-length skirt

Glamour: The stylish beauty draped a glamorous grey fur-collar coat over her shoulders, and was seen arriving to the swanky eatery with a group of female friends

Lazkani began working with Rodeo Realty Inc. as a real estate agent in Los Angeles in 2017, after relocating here from London.

She then joined The Oppenheim Group in July 2021, and after almost a year with the company, she announced the news she'd be joining the cast of Selling Sunset in March.

Posting on Instagram she wrote, 'The secret is OUT! I'm beyond thrilled to announce that I have joined the cast of Selling Sunset! So grateful for everyone involved, the list is long and you know who you are.

'The laughs, the lux, the drama, it's all there in season 5 and I can't wait for you all to see it!' she added.

Her first season: During filming of the popular real estate show she quickly struck a friendship with the show's main villainess, Christine Quinn, 33, who recently left The Oppenheim Group

During filming she quickly struck a friendship with the show's main villainess, Christine Quinn, 33, who recently left The Oppenheim Group, following accusations that she attempted to bribe one of her fellow real estate agent Emma Hernan's clients.

In March 2022, Lazkani told People, 'I just adore Christine [Quinn]. We have such a great relationship.'

However, she made it clear that Quinn's issues with other women on the show are her own, stating, 'I understand they may have had drama, but I am here to form my own unique relationships.'

Season 5 of Selling Sunset is now available to stream on Netflix.
The hosts of Channel Seven's Sunrise have ridiculed an 'inclusion and diversity' program for NSW public sector employees that proposed banning the word 'mate'.

Discussing the backlash to the inclusivity seminar among NSW government ministers, Sunrise co-anchor Natalie Barr said any ban on the word 'mate' would be problematic for Seven because of its blokey multichannel 7mate.

After fill-in newsreader Monique Wright wrapped up a segment about the seminar, Barr: 'We've got a problem here. A glaring problem at Channel Seven.

Unimpressed: The hosts of Sunrise have ridiculed an 'diversity' program for NSW public sector employees that proposed banning the word 'mate'. (Pictured: Natalie Barr and Michael Usher)

'Because we have 7mate. Hello! Do we have to rename it?'

The Sunrise team then suggested several alternative names, including '7inclusive', '7buddy' and even '7cobber' - the latter of which Barr said 'would probably offend somebody nowadays'.

7mate, which launched in 2010, is primarily aimed at a male audience and airs shows about hunting, fishing and pawnbrokers.

It is also the home of AFL for many Australians outside of Victoria.

Problematic: Discussing the backlash to the inclusivity seminar among NSW government ministers, Sunrise co-anchor Natalie Barr said any ban on the word 'mate' would be problematic for Seven because of its blokey multichannel 7mate (logo pictured)

It comes after NSW government ministers slammed a 'woke' inclusion training seminar in which they were told they should not refer to each other as 'mate'.

The NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet conducted a series of 'diversity and inclusion' consultations last week.

The program listed a number of workplace changes including bans on drinking alcohol in the office, yelling at colleagues and gossiping about staff.

The seminars are estimated to have cost taxpayers $202,000.

Some ministers have criticised the 'Respect at Work' consultations and labelled them as 'PC insanity', 'straight out of 1984' and 'mumbo jumbo'.

Woke: It comes after NSW government ministers slammed a 'woke' inclusion training seminar in which they were told they should not refer to each other as 'mate'. (Pictured: NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on April 27)

Political correctness: A series of workplace changes were listed including bans on drinking alcohol in the office, yelling at colleagues and gossiping about staff

'I use "mate" all the time  it's as Australian as you can get. How can it be offensive?' one told The Daily Telegraph.

Another added: 'We're not allowed to have individual opinions. We have to engage in group thought This is straight out of 1984.'

All staff must be invited out to after-work drinks to ensure 'inclusivity' while work tasks must be fairly divided between senior and junior colleagues.

Veterans Minister David Elliott said he kept a bottle of whisky in his office to 'placate my parliamentary colleagues'.

The seminars lasted three-and-a-half hours and were run by an external 'diversity and inclusion' consultant.

The sessions were aimed at fostering 'inclusive leadership', 'unconscious bias and mindful inclusion', 'gender equity' and 'cultural inclusion'.

Ministers were also taught how to properly report allegations of sexual abuse to the department.

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokesman said the consultations were held in response to a report into bullying and harassment.

Everyone's invited! All staff must be invited out to after-work drinks to ensure 'inclusivity' while work tasks must be fairly divided between senior and junior colleagues

Ex-premier Gladys Berejiklian had ordered the review and placed former sex discrimination commissioner Pru Goward in charge of the report.

It was handed to the NSW government in April 2021 and included 13 recommendations.

'The NSW government takes its work, health and safety obligations very seriously,' the Department of Premier and Cabinet spokesman said.

Ms Berejiklian previously said she was 'keen to adopt all the recommendations'.

'If we're serious about making change, we have to do it properly and this will involve engagement with NSW Parliament and any survivors.

'I want to have a clear conscience that I've done everything I can to make sure that our workplace is supportive, respectful, and fair and that staff are always comfortable in coming forward in a safe setting.'
Beloved Australian sitcom Kath & Kim is reportedly getting a reboot 20 years after it first hit screens.

The show, which aired on the ABC and Channel Seven from 2002 to 2007, will make a return next year, according to Woman's Day.

The Melbourne home that was used as the central location for the series has been visited by crew members in recent weeks, neighbours say.

Noice! Beloved Australian sitcom Kath & Kim is reportedly getting a reboot 20 years after it first hit screens. (Pictured: Jane Turner and Gina Riley)

'It was unimaginable neighbours could keep TV's biggest secret under wraps much longer,' a source told the magazine.

The Kath & Kim reboot is already in pre-production and is expected to air on a streaming platform, not a free-to-air TV channel.

An official announcement will be made later this month, Woman's Day reports.

Pre-production: The Melbourne home that was used as the central location for the series has been visited by crew members in recent weeks, reports Woman's Day. (Pictured: Jane Turner)

Kath & Kim aired on the ABC from 2002 to 2005, and on Channel Seven in 2007.

The series also spawned the television movie Da Kath & Kim Code in 2005 and the feature film Kath & Kimderella in 2012.

It comes after actress Magda Szubanski, who played Sharon Strzelecki, said in May last year a reboot was off the table.

Popular: Kath & Kim aired on the ABC from 2002 to 2005, and on Channel Seven in 2007

'I think it should be off the table... It holds such a special place in people's memories,' the comedian, 61, told The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

'If we did a live show, which was a "best of" or something like that, that's different.

'But to actually try and do a whole new series, I think you can never capture that magic again.'

Not happening: It comes after actress Magda Szubanski (right), who played Sharon Strzelecki, said in May last year a reboot was off the table

The series followed a dysfunctional mother and daughter, Kath and Kim, as they navigated life and love in Melbourne's suburbs.

In an interview with news.com.au in February 2016, Gina Riley, who played Kim in the series, discussed whether she'd consider a reunion.

After previously saying she was '95 per cent done' with the character of Kim, Gina confessed it had gone up to '98 per cent now'.

Getting back together: In an interview from February 2016, Gina (right), who played Kim in the series, discussed whether she'd consider a reunion. Pictured with co-star Jane Turner

'Look at me now. I'm not sure I can play 25 and five quarters any more,' she said.

Jane Turner, who played Kath, previously told TV Week that while she was open to a reunion, things 'would be very different now'.

'There would always be funny new trends and things Kath and Kim could put their spin on, which would be fun to do,' she said.
HoYeon Jung cut a stylish figure as she stepped out in New York City on Sunday.

The 27-year-old actress donned an olive-green military jacket that was embellished with vintage patches when she was spotted leaving The Mark Hotel on the Upper East Side.

The Squid Game star - who now goes by Hoyeon - wore the jacket over a white top that had a partial button down placket.

Casual chic: HoYeon Jung cut a stylish figure as she stepped out in New York City on Sunday

The South Korea native emphasized her trim waistline as she tucked the white top into a pair of baggy low-rise blue jeans.

Hoyeon sported brown leather shoes and shielded her eyes from the sun with tortoiseshell-framed black shades.

The brunette beauty wore her long locks down in loose waves and rocked a nude lipstick.

Military-style: The 27-year-old actress donned an olive-green military jacket that was embellished with vintage patches when she was spotted leaving The Mark Hotel on the Upper East Side

The Louis Vuitton brand ambassador toted a black and gold handbag by the famed fashion house and carried her iPhone.

The model beamed as she strolled to her waiting black SUV and opened the car door.

Last month, Hoyeon starred in the music video for The Weeknd's new single Out of Time, which also featured a cameo from Jim Carrey.

Stylish: The Squid Game star - who now goes by Hoyeon - wore the jacket over a white top that had a partial button down placket.

In March, Hoyeon won the SAG Award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series for her acting debut as North Korean defector Kang Sae-byeok in Squid Game.

The star joked to Vogue in January that she'd love to return for season two of the smash hit Netflix series in the same way deceased characters come back to life on the Korean soap opera Penthouse.

It's not implausible considering creator Hwang Dong-hyuk teased to Deadline on March 19: 'Let's say maybe [Kang] has a twin sister, you'll see.'

Out and about: The model beamed as she strolled to her waiting black SUV and opened the car door

Netflix renewed Squid Game for a second season in January, which is expected to start streaming by the 'end of 2024.'

In the meantime, Hoyeon has signed on to portray journalist Catherine Ravenscroft's (Cate Blanchett) 'ambitious, hard-working' staffer Kim in Alfonso Cuaron's upcoming AppleTV+ series Disclaimer.

She is also set to star alongside Lily-Rose Depp and Renate Reinsve in Joe Talbot's film adaptation of Anne Serre's novel The Governess.

According to Deadline, the movie 'follows three rebellious governesses who upend the household they work ininspiring the minds of the boys in their care, igniting the imaginations of the bohemian couple who employ them and abandoning their charges for erotic adventures.'

Winner: In March, Hoyeon won the SAG Award for outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series for her acting debut as North Korean defector Kang Sae-byeok in Squid Game
She was labelled 'vindictive, spiteful and self-absorbed' by her ex Brent Vitiello during their final vows on Married At First Sight.

But Tamara Djordjevic looked like she didn't have a care in the world on Saturday as she stripped down to a bikini at the beach on the Gold Coast.

The real estate operations manager, 30, showcased her incredible figure in the tiny blue two-piece as she strolled across the shore with her best friend Kristy Ralph.

Showing Brent what he's missing! Married At First Sight's Tamara Djordjevic looked incredible as she stripped down to a skimpy blue bikini at the beach on the Gold Coast on Saturday

The bikini featured skimpy tie-side bottoms, which drew attention to her toned legs.

She accessorised her look with a gold bangle and a ring on her middle finger.

Tamara wore her hair in a gentle beach wave, and enhanced her striking features with bronzer and thick eyelashes.

Nice day for it: The real estate operations manager, 30, showcased her incredible figure in the tiny blue two-piece as she strolled across the shore with her best friend Kristy Ralph (right)

Sizzling: The bikini featured skimpy tie-side bottoms, which drew attention to her toned legs

Details: She accessorised her beach look with a gold bangle and a ring on her middle finger

Tamara seemed to be in a relaxed mood as she walked down the sand.

She played fetch with her dog Zeus before going for a dip in the ocean.

The sighting comes after Tamara appeared to confirm she was dating her Married At First Sight co-star Mitch Eynaud.

Taking it easy: Tamara seemed to be in a relaxed mood as she walked down the sand

Pretty: Tamara wore her hair in a gentle beach wave, and enhanced her striking features with bronzer and thick eyelashes

Flawless physique: Tamara showed off her pert derriere as she caught some rays

The rumoured couple uploaded their first Instagram photo together on Friday after posing for a snap with fellow MAFS stars Bryce Ruthven and Melissa Rawson.

The group had attended a luxury party on the Gold Coast to launch a low-calorie wine range.

When asked about their romance at the event, the pair said they were 'really good friends' and refused to put a label on things.

Fun in the sun: At one stage, she played fetch with her dog Zeus

Cute! Tamara was seen calling out to her pet as he ran towards her

Cameo: Tamara's friend Kristy (right) briefly appeared on MAFS when Tamara asked for her advice on her failing 'marriage' to Brent Vitiello

Time to go home: Tamara looked pensive as she made her way back to her car

Sources close to the pair have confirmed they are dating but taking things slow.

'They are seeing each other but just want to go slow with everything,' an insider told Daily Mail Australia last week.

'They've both just come out of this experience and want to see how they feel about each other before putting a label on it.'

Something to tell us? It comes after Tamara appeared to confirm she was dating her MAFS co-star Mitch Eynaud (right). They uploaded their first Instagram photo together on Friday after posing for a snap with Bryce Ruthven (left) and Melissa Rawson (second from left)

Tamara was partnered with hospitality manager Brent Vitiello on MAFS, but he broke up with her during their final vows.

He called her 'vindictive, spiteful and self-absorbed' before walking off dramatically.

Mitch and his on-screen wife Ella Ding called it quits just days after they filmed the Married At First Sight reunion on January 13.

Over: Mitch and his on-screen wife Ella Ding (left) called it quits just days after they filmed the Married At First Sight reunion on January 13. Tamara was partnered with hospitality manager Brent Vitiello (right) on MAFS, but he broke up with her during their final vows
Khloe Kardashian and mother Kris Jenner were seen arriving in New York City on Sunday, a day ahead of what's expected to be Khloe's Met Gala debut.

Kardashian, 37, kept things casual in an ash grey ensemble of a hooded sweatshirt with sweatpants and white sneakers as she was pictured heading into her hotel.

Khloe, who is mother to daughter True, four, with ex Tristan Thompson, 31, wore her long blonde locks parted to the side and black sunglasses on the spring day while carrying a black patterned purse.

The latest: Khloe Kardashian, 37, seen arriving in New York City on Sunday, a day ahead of what's expected to be her Met Gala debut, in an outing with her mother Kris Jenner, 66

Her mother Jenner, 66, stood out in a magenta coat over a long-sleeved black top with a black fedora hat with a flat brim and black sunglasses.

The reality TV matriarch rounded out her fashionable ensemble with black platform boots as she waved to fans in the Big Apple.

The Kardashians stars radiated confidence ahead of what looks to be Khloe's first appearance at the lauded pop culture event for the Metropolitan Museum of Arts Costume Institute.

The Los Angeles native last fall shot down rumors that there was a reason she had not attended the event in past years, saying in a Twitter Space chat that it was 'Absolutely NOT True.'

Kardashian kept things casual in an ash grey ensemble of a hooded sweatshirt with sweatpants and white sneakers as she was pictured heading into her hotel

Jenner stood out in a magenta coat over a long-sleeved black top with a black fedora hat with a flat brim and black sunglasses

The reality TV matriarch rounded out her fashionable ensemble with black platform boots as she waved to fans in the Big Apple.

Khloe last year denied being kept away from the Met Gala after a fan asked her about the issue on Twitter

According to PageSix, Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour has invited all of the Kardashian and Jenner ladies to Monday's event.

That includes Kourtney (who will attend with fiance Travis Barker), Kim (who will bring beau Pete Davidson) and Khloe Kardashian as well as Kris, Kendall and Kylie Jenner (whose beau Travis Scott will most likely not attend).

Scroll down for a look at Kim, Kendall and Kylie's Met Gala fashion...

Thanks Anna, it's about time! It looks like Monday could be a big night for all the Kardashian and Jenner ladies. According to PageSix, Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour has invited all of the family members from The Kardashians

Kim, 41, and Kendall, 26, have both posed for Vogue covers and attended the Met Gala several times.

Kylie, 24, has attended the event four times.

Rob Kardashian was likely not invited as he does not attend red carpet events. (He is also locked in a fierce legal battle with ex Blac Chyna - together they have daughter Dream - over the cancelation of Rob & Chyna.

It is still not immediately clear who will show to the luxe event on Monday.

She has a big plus one: Kim will bring beau Pete Davidson; seen Saturday at the 2022 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at Washington Hilton

Like an anniversary: Kim and Pete first chatted a year ago at the Met Gala where Pete wanted to exchange phone numbers

This years theme is Gilded Glamour so expect gowns that look as if they are from the Gilded Age.

According to Britannica.com, the Gilded Age is a period of gross materialism and blatant political corruption in U.S. history during the 1870s that gave rise to important novels of social and political criticism.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'

They got an invite: Kourtney Kardashian, left, and Travis Barker appear at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on April 3

Fashion's biggest night is traditionally held the first Monday in May to raise money for the Costume Institute in New York City, with last year's event moved to September due to the pandemic.

This year's theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

Tickets for the glitzy event can reportedly cost up to $35,000 apiece, while prices for a table range from $200,000 to $300,000, with last year's bash raking in a whopping $16.4 million for the Met's Costume Institute.

Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda are hosting this time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Anna, thanks for getting your act together: Khloe Kardashian has finally been invited even though she has been a massive star for over 10 years

This will be Miranda's first time as a Met Gala co-chair (and guest) but he was originally intended to co-host the 2020 edition before the pandemic forced its cancellation.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is once again supervising the benefit as chairwoman, a position she's held since 1995. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' which is the second of star curator Andrew Bolton's two-part show exploring the roots of American style.

Her not him: Kylie Jenner will likely attends but PageSix thinks her beau Travis Scott will not go due to his Astroworld tragedy where many lives were lost; seen in 2019

This exhibit will showcase some lesser-known designers, and also some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last year's Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

Bolton said eight directors will create what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

Similar to the September event, there will be 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

Yes for Kenny: Kendall Jenner, seen in an Alo ad shared on Sunday, goes as often as she can

The other four are Ford, the celebrated fashion designer who's also an acclaimed film director, Janicza Bravo (Zola), Julie Dash (Daughters Of The Dust) and Autumn de Wilde (who directed the Jane Austen adaptation Emma. and is also a photographer).

The first part of the exhibition will remain on display in the rooms of the Anna Wintour Costume Center, along with the second part, until September 5.

More than half the pieces in the opening exhibition will be rotated out and garments from designers not yet featured will go on display.

The Met Gala is a huge money-maker for the museum, and provides the Costume Institute with its main source of funding.

KIM KARDASHIAN'S MET GALA LOOKS OVER THE YEARS Kim Kardashian has made some fairly dramatic statements at the annual Met Gala in New York City over the years. During her first year at the splashy, star-studded event she had on a tight floral dress that made the most of her very pregnant belly. Later she would be seen in a gold column dress, a silver suit that made her look like a robot, a see-through lace wonder and a dress that came in so tight she had to wear a waist trainer for weeks beforehand. Last year the star, 41, covered her face with black cloth in a shocking move as she shared she had a full face of makeup on underneath for some reason. Here is a look back at the eight looks The Kardashians star has tried out during the most important night in fashion.

2013 - GIVENCHY Her first time at the Met Gala was for PUNK: Chaos to Couture in 2013. She was pregnant with North and wore a floral print dress from Givenchy. The California native said that she was not invited but rather was West's plus one. Sadly, after the gala she 'cried' because she was so insecure about everything, she had said. '2103 Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy. I was Kanye's plus one & so nervous! I didn't know anyone & I'm sure no one wanted me there lol. I did my own lipstick & the color is so off. I went home & cried after of insecurity but this is one of my fave looks now,' said the TV vet. 2013 - GIVENCHY 2014 - LANVIN In 2014, Kim had on a blue strapless Lanvin outfit as Kanye had on black. The theme was Charles James: Beyond Fashion. She said it was the first time she had been invited on her own. 'My dress was originally made of this amazing leather with metallic detailing,' Kim said earlier. 'But we decided at the last minute to redo it in blue satin.' 2014 - LANVIN 2015 - ROBERTO CAVALLI She wore a very sheer and sexy lace and net gown by Roberto Cavalli for the May 2015 event. Her hair was slicked back and she modeled huge earrings. And the star posed with husband Kanye West who went with a black suit and boots. The theme was celebrating China: Through the Looking Glass. 2015 - ROBERTO CAVALLI 2016 - BALMAIN Kardashian tried out silver at the Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology in 2016. She wore Balmain, a shimmery silver dress that looked like a futuristic gown with a slit up the side. Husband Kanye West was in the same designer. She said: '2016 Olivier Rousteing for Balmain. I was back to insecure this year because I hadn't lost all of my baby weight. Big mistake to bleach the brows but Kanye looked so good this year with those blue eyes! It was super controversial that he wore denim.' Earlier she had noted: 'I thought Balmain was the perfect choice for me and Kanye, especially. I think Kanye's look is a little bit more downplayed with the denim mixed with all the Balmain bling.' 2016 - BALMAIN 2017 - VIVIENNE WESTWOOD This one in 2017 was celebrating the opening of Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between. The Selfish author had on a white Vivienne Westwood off-the-shoulder dress with no jewelry and strappy heels. In the bus ride to the event she had to stand up so the dress would not wrinkle and she said she was already sweating and had to use the bathroom because she was so nervous. The daughter of Kris Jenner said, '2017 Vivienne Westwood. This was my first year going solo. I was so nervous to go by myself I almost threw up on the way & I had to pee every second.. I was FaceTiming my sisters to meet up at the top of the stairs. Vivienne made me this beautiful dress from her archive.' 2017 - VIVIENNE WESTWOOD 2018 - VERSACE Kim Kardashian attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala in 2018. She said this gold mesh Versace dress fit her like a 'glove.' Kardashian added, 'I knew exactly what I wanted and was most confident this year. 90's, chainmail, sexy and simple.' 2018 - VERSACE 2019 - THIERRY MUGLER Kardashian was in a wet look for Camp: Notes on Fashion in 2019. She had to wear a waist trainer to get her midsection as small as possible to pull off this Thierry Mugler dress. The look was supposed to be 'wet' which is why she had crystals that looked like raindrops coming off of her. Her hair also looked wet as she had oiled skin. 2019 - THIERRY MUGLER 2021 - BALENCIAGA Kim shocked fans when she wore a head to toe black look that covered her famous face. Later the red carpet fixture said that she was fully made up under that face sock which seemed like a lot of effort for no payoff. Turns out, it was not her favorite move. 'I fought against it. I was like, I dont know how I could wear the mask. Why would I want to cover my face?' she told Vogue this year. 'But Demna [Gvasalia, Balenciagas creative director] and the team were like, "This is a costume gala. This is not a Vanity Fair party where everyone looks beautiful. Theres a theme and you have to wear the mask. That is the look."' 2021 - BALENCIAGA 2021 - Sister Kendall Jenner, left, stole the show in GIVENCHY Advertisement Advertisement

KENDALL JENNER'S MET GALA LOOKS OVER THE YEARS Kendall Jenner has become one of the stand-out stars at the annual Met Gala in New York City. The supermodel - who works for Versace and Fendi - has served up some of the most elegant looks among the star-studded crowd. Her first year saw her take a chance in Topshop but she moved on nicely to Calvin Klein and Versace. Last year the 5ft10in reality TV star was called the best dressed in her stunning Givenchy gown that made her resemble Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle from the 1964 classic musical My Fair Lady. Here is a look back at all of the Vogue star's ravishing looks during the biggest night in fashion. 2014 - TOPSHOP The budding model looked like a bride in this strapless satin Topshop gown which she paired with a diamond necklace. The brunette beauty had on a custom-made satin Topshop dress with a mermaid finish, adding Tabitha Simmons heels and Chopard jewels. She was only a teen at the time but looked like a sophisticated lady. The theme was Charles James: Beyond Fashion. 2014 - TOPSHOP 2015 - CALVIN KLEIN It was a semi sheer mint green gown by Calvin Klein Collection for Kendall in 2015. The sparkly dress had a surprise on the sides: her skin was showing under a few thin straps. She smartly wore her hair straight and down so as not to take away from the gown. The theme of the year was China: Through the Looking Glass. 2015 - CALVIN KLEIN 2016- VERSACE The KUWTK had on Versace this year. The theme was Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. The dress was blue, white and beige, had a halter top design and cut outs on the sides for a more youthful beachy feel. Kendall also pulled her hair back for a more casual look but added big diamond earrings. 2016- VERSACE 2017 - LA PERLA It was a daring sheer black gown by La Perla for 2017. She had on no bra and only a thong for her undies which exposed her bottom. High heels in sheer black material coordinated nicely. The theme was Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between. 2017 - LA PERLA 2018 - OFF-WHITE Jenner wore an off-the-shoulder white top with white slacks for a less obvious look by Off-White in 2018. And she added gloves, which is unusual for the Met Gala. The long diamond earring lent a Hollywood movie premiere feel. The theme was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. 2018 - OFF-WH ITE 2019 - VERSACE She wore orange Versace for a Las Vegas showgirl look at the Camp: Notes on Fashion event in 2019. Her dress was sheer with a nude undertone and orange beads with feathers at the hem. And she added a massive orange feather boa that was festive. An orange necklace with matching drop earrings added ever more sizzle. Her younger sister Kylie had a similar look but in purple. 2019 - VERSACE 2021 - GIVENCHY It was her best look yet. The Kardashians star was called the best dressed in her stunning Givenchy gown that had a sheer, crystal studded overlay over a nude bodysuit, adding a wide sparkling choker. The show-stopping gown made her resemble Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle from the 1964 classic musical My Fair Lady. She held her head high as she mingled with pal Gigi Hadid and sister Kim Kardashian as she must have known her elegant look was a triumph. 2021 - GIVENCHY She held her head high as she mingled with pal Gigi Hadid and sister Kim Kardashian, right, as she must have known her elegant look was a triumph Advertisement
Tears will be shed on ABC's Australian Story on Monday when Olympic swimmer Lisa Curry opens up about her recent family tragedies.

The former athlete, 59, has been coping with excruciating grief after losing her daughter Jaimi in 2020 and subsequently her mother Pat in April this year.

In a preview for the interview, Lisa said she'd been fundamentally changed by grief, admitting: 'I just don't feel like the same person anymore. It's like your soul has changed.'

'I don't feel like the same person anymore': Lisa Curry, 59, has spoken of her unbearable grief after the death of her mother Pat and daughter Jaimi. (She is pictured here in a trailer for Australian Story, which airs on the ABC on Monday night)

'I don't know if I will get the old Lisa back. I hope so,' she added.

Lisa also revealed she'd developed a new outlook on life since losing Jaimi and Pat, whom she lovingly described as her 'bookends'.

'It's not about the medals, it's not about records, it's not about success and failure. It's about family, it's about love,' she said.

Loss: The former athlete has been coping with excruciating grief after losing her daughter Jaimi (left) in 2020 and subsequently her mother Pat (right) in April this year

Jaimi, Lisa's daughter with her ex-husband Grant Kenny, a former Ironman and Olympic bronze medal winner, died in September 2020 at the age of 33 after a lengthy battle with anorexia and alcoholism.

'[My family] didn't have the education to pick up on red flags, signals or triggers. We just didn't know,' she said of Jaimi's health battle.

'I'm in the state where I am still trying to work it out because I can't work it out. And it's annoying me, because if I can help someone else, if I can say, "Here's something that I've learnt," it might help another family's kid, but I can't seem to do it.'

'It's not about the medals... it's about family': The swimmer revealed she'd developed a new outlook on life after losing Jaimi and Pat, whom she lovingly described as her 'bookends'

'If I knew the answers, I'd be shouting it to the world,' she added.

Lisa's interview with Australian Story will air on Monday at 8pm on the ABC.

It comes after the retired Ironwoman told Stellar magazine her recent family tragedies had left her with thoughts of self-harm.

Heartbreaking: Jaimi, Lisa's daughter with her ex-husband Grant Kenny, a former Ironman and Olympic bronze medal winner, died in September 2020 at the age of 33 after a lengthy battle with anorexia and alcoholism

'I would never have done what I thought, I would never have followed through [with] what I was thinking, but they were thoughts, and it surprised me that I would even have thoughts of harming myself,' she said.

'I was just in so much pain and it's hard for that pain to ever go away. It just never went away.

'So I can kind of understand people in Jaimi's position, or with their own mental health concerns, when they go through this every single day. It must be a terrible way to live.'

Pain: It comes after the retired Ironwoman told Stellar magazine she'd thought about self-harm after the death of her daughter. 'I was just in so much pain and it's hard for that pain to ever go away. It just never went away,' she said

Lisa lost her mother, Pat, in April, and the mounting tragedy left her feeling adrift.

'My bookends have gone. Every time I'm in the car, their photos come up on the screen  my favourites who I would ring all the time,' she said.

'I get in the car and think, "I'll ring mum. Oh, hang on, mum isn't there anymore." It was a habit, a daily routine when I got in the car to drive to the coast  that's when I'd ring mum. And before that it used to be when I would ring Jaimi.'

Battle: 'I would never have followed through [with] what I was thinking, but they were thoughts, and it surprised me that I would even have thoughts of harming myself,' she said

Jaimi was receiving treatment for an eating disorder at the time of her death in September 2020.

Lisa shared the sad news she had lost her mother Pat at age 86 in April this year.

'Our beautiful mum slipped away peacefully this morning,' Lisa told her Instagram followers at the time, before adding, 'My heart is broken again.'

Devastating: Lisa shared the sad news she had lost her mother Pat at age 86 in April this year

Lisa explained she'd spent some tender moments with her mum in her final hours, as she and her sister Melanie awaited the arrival of their brother Scott from Berlin.

'We shared some last laughs, memories and lots of tears,' she wrote.

'Thank you for being a wonderful mother. Have a nice, long sleep mum. We love you so much and we'll all miss you.'

Family: Lisa is pictured with her son Jett (left), daughter Morgan (right) and her grandson Flynn

Lisa and Grant Kenny married in 1984, separated in 2009, and welcomed three children, Jaimi, son Jett, 28, and daughter Morgan, 31.

She married her second husband, Mark Tabone, in 2018.

In need of support? Contact Gotcha4Life, Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Kid's Helpline on 1800 55 1800
Noel Gallagher says a sex-crazed stalker has been following him around Europe, making suggestive hand movements to him in front of the stage during gigs.

The High Flying Birds star, 54, previously got the police involved and claimed she wrestled with his security outside his hotel room after finding out where he was staying.

He said on his pal Matt Morgan's podcast: 'I was signing things for fans after a gig and I spoke to her and then I noticed her at the next gig and then the gig after that and she started trying to get backstage.

Shock: Noel Gallagher, 54, says a sex-crazed stalker has been following him around Europe, making suggestive hand movements to him in front of the stage during gigs (pictured April)

'Once I was in Belgium and I had to get the police involved.

'This stalker has been at every gig and she goes to the front and she does all these suggestive hand movements, its weird, this "come to me" sex stuff.

'I get back to the hotel and theres this knock on the door and its this girl, I recognise her by looking through the little peep hole, as she keeps knocking shes getting more irate.

Altercation: The High Flying Birds star, 54, previously got the police involved and claimed she wrestled with his security outside his hotel room after finding out where he was staying (pictured in 2020)

'So I text my security guard. I hear my security come and theres an altercation outside.

'Theyre fighting and Im sitting on the end of the bed with a little tub of Pringles eating while she gets carted off by the hotel security and then the police come to the hotel.'

Noel, who did not confirm when the incident happened, said the police only had authority to move her outside of the hotel if she was still waiting at her room.

He said he later went to bed in the hope she'd be gone by the time he woke up in the morning.

Jaw-dropping: It comes after Noel revealed last month that he moved into Claridge's hotel, where rooms can cost 14,000 a night, after the heating broke at his north London home

Noel continued: 'In the morning I was having a laugh with my guard going "What was all that about?"

'He said, "Shes in the cafe across the street." She was sat in the window doing the same suggestive hand movements.'

It comes after Noel revealed last month that he moved into Claridge's hotel after the heating broke at his north London home.

Th star booked himself along with his wife Sara McDonald, 50, and children Donovan, 14, and Sonny, 11, into the five-star hotspot where rooms reach an eye-watering 14,000 per night.

He claimed he ran into actor Sean Penn in the swanky establishment's reception, before indulging in 'a massive f*****g afternoon tea' and a stroll through the nearby Soho district.

Claiming their family home is 'freezing cold' and will take a week to be restored, he told The Sun: 'I was like, 'F*** that, I can't be a***d staying here, it's depressing. So, we're in Claridge's, and why not? If you f*****g could, you would.

'I had the day off, I was mooching around Soho and trying to avoid having my picture taken, so I decided I'd have a massive f*****g afternoon tea with sandwiches and scones and it was great.

'I'd say this hotel is the best and I bumped into Sean Penn today  he was wandering around the reception. He took his glasses off and did a double take and I had a chinwag with him. He's a dude.'
Channel 10 is making a big play for the AFL.

The struggling network is pulling out all the stops in its efforts to scoop Seven for the free-to-air broadcast rights, even flying AFL chief Gillon McLachlan to New York last week to meet executives from Ten's U.S. parent company, reports The Australian.

The AFL is reportedly looking for '$2.5billion over five years', and Channel 10 is willing to do 'whatever it takes' to secure the rights.

Big move: Channel 10 is making a big play for the AFL. The struggling network is pulling out all the stops in its efforts to scoop Seven for the free-to-air broadcast rights, even flying AFL chief Gillon McLachlan (pictured) to New York to meet executives from Ten's U.S. parent company

Mr McLachlan met with the President and CEO of Paramount Global, Bob Bakish, in New York City on Thursday to discuss the AFL deal.

Also in attendance were Channel 10's joint Australian bosses, Beverley McGarvey and Jarrod Villani.

Part of the sell to Mr McLachlan is understood to be Paramount's ability to showcase the sport internationally via its Paramount+ streaming platform.

The product: The AFL is reportedly looking for '$2.5billion over five years', and Channel 10 is willing to do 'whatever it takes' to secure the rights. (Pictured: Sunday's game featuring the Sydney Swans and the Brisbane Lions)

Paramount+ was recently launched locally, replacing the video-on-demand subscription service 10 All Access.

Seven has owned free-to-air rights for AFL matches since 2010.

Channel 10 previously broadcast the sport for four years from 2006.

Big wigs: Mr McLachlan met with the President and CEO of Paramount Global, Bob Bakish, in New York City on Thursday to discuss the AFL deal.( Pictured: Ten boss Beverley McGarvey)

McLachlan is also understood to have visited the California headquarters of both Amazon and YouTube last week.

According to recent reports, the AFL is seeking a broadcaster with deeper pockets than Seven, after years of falling ratings.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Channel 10 for comment.
She is one of Australia's biggest influencers.

And 21-year-old Mikaela Testa flaunted her sensational curves yet again on Sunday.

The brunette took to Instagram to showcase her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy multi-coloured bikini.

Body secrets: Influencer Mikaela Testa, 21, flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy bikini on Instagram over the weekend as her surgeon revealed what procedures she's had done to her body

The swimsuit left little to the imagination - showcasing her ample cleavage and flat stomach.

Mikaela encouraged her fans to check out her racy Twitter, writing: 'pls follow me on that app that Elon Musk just brought.'

The star later linked to her Gold Coast surgeon, Dr Mitchell Kim, who explained what procedures he had done on her.

Curves: The brunette took to Instagram to showcase her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy multi-coloured bikini

'Mikaela showing off her body contouring perfection,' he explained.

'Vaser lipo to her midsection and arms, and a fat transfer to her hip dips to create this jaw dropping silhouette.'

Vaser liposuction uses ultrasound technology to break apart fat cells and loosens them from deeper tissues.

Tiny: The swimsuit left little to the imagination - showcasing her ample cleavage and flat stomach

It is considered more targeted than more traditional forms of liposuction.

Mikaela had her Instagram banned due to raunchy content with her boyfriend Atis Paul - who previously begged for it to be reinstated.

'My girlfriend's Instagram account has been deleted again. Does anyone here have true connections to someone at Instagram? If you do, please HMU,' he wrote.

Fans: Mikaela had her Instagram banned due to raunchy content earlier this year with her boyfriend Atis Paul, begging it to be reinstated

The 21-year-old followed up with a second post that read.

'Please no one message me saying you know someone that's gotten accounts back, they're all BS [bulls**t]. Please only HMU if you have a real connection.'

According to Instagram's terms of service, accounts that violate the platform's community guidelines may be permanently banned without warning.

There is no way to retrieve an account once it has been permanently banned.

Racy: Mikaela, who makes more than $162,000 per month selling X-rated images and videos on OnlyFans, is no stranger to having her social media accounts deactivated

Mikaela, who makes more than $162,000 per month selling X-rated images and videos on OnlyFans, is no stranger to having her social media accounts deactivated.

In 2020, she was banned from TikTok for breaching 'multiple community guidelines'.

She publicly disputed the ban, telling News Corp she hadn't done anything wrong.

She added she had been unfairly penalised by TikTok's 'automatic scanner.
American influencer Roma Abdesselam has been roasted online for referring to Lebanese cuisine as 'lesbian food' in an unfortunate Instagram video.

The TikTok star, known for her username 'The Stay At Home Daughter', raised eyebrows this week by sharing a video of herself chowing down on hummus dip from a local Lebanese restaurant.

Roma's clip showed her shovelling hummus-dipped celery sticks into her mouth, while declaring: 'Real hummus is so good! I've never been so passionate about food the way I am about this hummus. It's just so good!'

Whoops! American TikTok star Roma Abdesselam (pictured) has been roasted by Australian influencer watchdog account Celeb Spellcheck for referring to Lebanese cuisine as 'lesbian food' in an unfortunate Instagram video

In her caption, the brunette wrote: 'Lesbian food is sooo good', mistakenly using the word 'lesbian' instead of 'Lebanese'.

Australian influencer watchdog account Celeb Spellcheck swiftly reposted the embarrassing typo on Monday, adding the snarky caption: 'Eating out'.

Celeb Spellcheck's followers couldn't resist poking fun at Roma, with one commenting, 'That can't be real', while another added: 'How embarrassing!'

Roma, known for her username 'The Stay At Home Daughter', raised eyebrows this week by sharing a video of herself chowing down on hummus dip from a local Lebanese restaurant. In her caption, the brunette wrote: 'Lesbian food is sooo good', mistakenly using the word 'lesbian' instead of 'Lebanese'

Tickled: Several Australian influencers even commented on the post, including Australia's first pansexual Bachelorette Brooke Blurton (pictured), who wrote: 'DEAD [laughing-crying emojis]'

Several Australian influencers even commented on the post, including Australia's first pansexual Bachelorette Brooke Blurton, who wrote: 'DEAD [laughing-crying emojis].'

Married At First Sight Australia's lesbian bride Tash Herz meanwhile joked: 'STOP THIS IS STUNNING. She's also entirely correct. Also only lesbians talk about hummus like this.'

Roma is known for unashamedly bragging about not having a job yet maintaining a luxurious lifestyle.

Poking fun: Married At First Sight Australia's lesbian bride Tash Herz (pictured) meanwhile joked: 'STOP THIS IS STUNNING. She's also entirely correct. Also only lesbians talk about hummus like this.

The high life: Roma is known for unashamedly bragging about not having a job yet maintaining a luxurious lifestyle

Thanks, daddy! She went viral on social media in 2020 after she launched a video series about her life as a 'stay-at-home daughter' - a term she coined to describe privileged women who is financially supported by her parents

She went viral on social media in 2020 after she launched a video series about her life as a 'stay-at-home daughter' - a term she coined to describe privileged women who is financially supported by her parents.

'A stay-at-home daughter is every girl that doesn't have a job, doesn't go to school, and lives off her parents,' she told Truly last year.

Roma, who boasts 620K TikTok followers, also insisted she doesn't mind receiving backlash for her eyebrow-raising videos.

'I love when people say the meanest things to me. More shares, more likes. More engagement.'
Former Married At First Sight bride Jessika Power has been raking in the big bucks since signing up for OnlyFans last year.

And the 30-year-old was quick to support fellow MAFS star Seb Guilhaus after he faced backlash for joining the adult website with his girlfriend Ania last month.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the launch of Skinny B*tch wines on the Gold Coast on Friday, Jessika said there was nothing wrong with wanting to make some extra money by selling exclusive content.

'We're not living for your opinion': Married At First Sight's Jessika Power (pictured) has defended Seb Guilhaus' decision to join adult website OnlyFans following backlash from fans

'I think that he's been profiled as this "golden boy" and then now because he's gone down the path of wanting to add a bit of extra money, it's so out of left field for him that people are shocked,' she said.

'I have heard that Seb's been getting a bit of backlash from it, but I think at the end of the day if we want to do something that we want to do, then that's all that matters.'

'We're not living for the public. We're not living for the people that read these articles. We live in for ourselves and we're entertaining you,' she added.

'So at the end of the day, if we want to do something, like, have an opinion, but you don't need to be nasty about it.'

Having her say: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the launch of Skinny B*tch wines on the Gold Coast on Friday, Jessika said there was nothing wrong with wanting to make some extra money by selling exclusive content. (Pictured: Seb Guilhaus and his girlfriend Ania)

Jessika continued: 'I hope he smashes it makes a lot of money off of it.'

Seb announced last month he was joining OnlyFans with his girlfriend Ania.

OnlyFans is a subscription-based adult website where content can range from something as innocent as a suggestive selfie, all the way to hardcore pornography.

Defending himself: Seb announced last month he was joining OnlyFans with his girlfriend Ania. The personal trainer later defended the couple's racy career move on Instagram (pictured)

Shortly after the announcement, the personal trainer defended the couple's racy career move on Instagram.

'I thought this might be a little contentious,' he wrote. 'Sorry to shock everyone.

'I don't see anything wrong with being empowered sexually with someone I'm close to, and hopefully empowering others to embrace a very important part of life.

'I definitely haven't changed as a human being, just adding a little spice, a new life experience it is of course everyone's prerogative to decide what this means to them.'

New love: Seb went public with Ania, whom he has known for more than a decade, last August

He said it was 'upsetting' that some had been so quick to judge the couple for their decision, adding: 'It's like having a favourite sporting team and dumping them after they lose a single game.

'In this case no one is being hurt and no one is being forced to explore this lots of love everyone.'

Seb went public with Ania, whom he has known for more than a decade, last August.

He had previously confirmed his split from MAFS co-star Elizabeth Sobinoff in January 2021, after dating for about a year.
Style and beauty preps have been well underway for VIP guests of the Met Gala, which has appropriately been dubbed, 'Fashion's Biggest Night' over the years.

With celebrities and high-profile people from all over the world looking to make a spectacular style statement of their own, actress Gabrielle Union is giving her 20.1 million Instagram fans and followers a glimpse at all of her 11th hour action, ahead of the event.

And while she had the help of a glam team to sort out Monday's outfit and overall look, the She's All That star still needed to hit the bustling streets of Manhattan's Upper East Side to take care of a few personal errands.

Gala preps: Gabrielle Union, 49 stepped out of her hotel in Manhattan's Upper East Side to take care of personal errands, one day before attending the Met Gala with husband Dwyane Wade

Knowing photographers were already out and about looking to score a snap of likely guests of the Met Gala, Union made sure to step out looking fabulously fashionable.

The actress hadn't taken more than 10 steps when the first photograph was taken of the actress, decked out in high-waisted plaid slacks with a retro 1970s feel.

She also donned an equally retro brown leather duster coat, which fell to just below her knees, over a light blue crop top.

With the pants set so high above her waist, that left little of her midriff to be out on display.

Cool kitten: The actress was the picture of 1970 retro style for her afternoon out in NYC

Super fly: The platform shoes and plaid pants helped with the 1970s retro look

Pace and love: The Bring It on star flashed a peace sign before getting into her awaiting vehicle

In keeping with the style era theme, Union, 49, stepped out in light brown platform shoes, and her dark tresses pulled back off her face into a high ponytail.

Upping the 'cool' factor to her look, she also wore dark sunglasses, as she lit up the afternoon sky with her infectious smile.

Later in the day. the Bring It On actress would be seen making her way back to her hotel to continue getting ready for Monday's grand evening at The Met Gala.

Fashion's Biggest Night: The Nebraska native spend part of her afternoon taking care of errands and beauty preps ahead of her grand evening out at the Met Gala on Monday

New role: The actress has been out promoting her latest film Cheaper by the Dozen, alongside co-star Zach Braff, ahead of its release on March 18

In a series of Instagram post, Union shared a quick video of herself relaxing on a chair in her hotel room

'Getting ready for the Met is so hard... until it isn't,' she joked, while rubbing a Therabody device along the side of her face, as part of a deep tissue message.

To cap off her - living the good life tone - in the clip, Union would go on to take a sip of her white wine, all while flashing a seductive smile for the camera.

She confessed to be 'feeling so good' after her '@111skin facial',which showed her makeup free in the photo.

Union simply wrote 'him' along with a photo of her husband sneaking up from behind to give her a kiss on the cheek.

Beauty preps: 'Getting ready for the Met is so hard... until it isn't,' she joked, while rubbing a Therabody device along the side of her face, as part of a deep tissue message

El natural: The Bring It On actress She confessed to be 'feeling so good' after her '@111skin facial', which showed her makeup free in the photo

Loved up: Union simply wrote 'him' along with a photo of her husband sneaking up from behind to give her a kiss on the cheek

On Saturday, Union slipped into a skin-tight white dress and matching knee-high boots for a dinner date with Wade.

The Nebraska native documented this part of their day with a video showing Union have a hard time waking a straight line down a hallway.

'Sooooo, there had been cocktails,' she wrote at the bottom of the clip, as an explanation to her wobbly walk.

Baby got back: On Saturday, Union slipped into a skin-tight white dress for a date with Wade

Tipsy: 'Sooooo, there had been cocktails,' she wrote at the bottom of the clip, as an explanation to her wobbly walk down the hallway

The happy couple were photographed leaving their New York City hotel holding hands on Saturday.

Wade, 40, who's a former Miami Heat superstar, looked fashionable in golden brown slacks with a blue and brown jacket and white sneakers.

By the time they reached the restaurant, Union would strike a solo pose decked out in her figure-hugging number.

Traditionally held on the first Monday in May, the Met Gala goes off on Monday, May 2, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Cute: The happy couple were photographed leaving their hotel holding hands

The fashion-forward event helps raise funds for the museums Costume Institute.

This year's theme is In America: An Anthology of Fashion, which comes on the heels of last year's In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, that was a far more smaller, intimate affair, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The gala is actually organized by Vogue haute couture magazine and marks the opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Phase one of the gala, the red carpet arrival, is considered the Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.
Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker were spotted while going for a walk in New York City on Sunday afternoon.

The 43-year-old reality television personality and the 46-year-old drummer held hands while heading to Sant Ambroeus for a romantic meal.

The pair's outing comes just a day before the 2022 Met Gala, which they are currently set to attend alongside several of the entrepreneur's family members.

In the big city: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker were spotted while going for a walk in New York City on Sunday afternoon

Kardahsian wore a flowing black-and white-blouse underneath a zip-up jacket while spending time with her fiance.

The social media personality also donned a set of slim-fitting pants and a pair of platform leather shoes.

The entrepreneur accessorized with a chic set of sunglasses as she enjoyed all that the Big Apple had to offer.

Her gorgeous and typically free-flowing brunette locks remained tied back in a loose bun.

Fashionable: Kardahsian wore a flowing black-and white-blouse underneath a zip-up jacket while spending time with her fiance

Making an impression: The social media personality also donned a set of slim-fitting pants and a pair of platform leather shoes

Barker opted to wear a distressed black t-shirt that featured a text graphic that read: 'F*** this place.'

The Blink-182 member paired his top with matching pairs of skinny jeans and boots.

The performer accessorized with several silver necklaces and a fashionable set of sunglasses.

He was later spotted while escorting his fiancee, to whom he became engaged last October, back to their hotel room.

Edgy: Barker opted to wear a distressed black t-shirt that featured a text graphic that read: 'F*** this place'

The happy couple is currently set to make their first appearance at the forthcoming Met Gala, which will take place on Monday.

It was recently revealed that the pair would be joined by several of Kardashian's family members at the upcoming event.

According to Page Six, the two are set to make their debut alongside the entrepreneur's younger sister Khloe.

Her siblings Kim, Kylie and Kendall, as well as mother Kris, are also expected to be in attendance.

Getting ready: The happy couple is currently set to make their first appearance at the forthcoming Met Gala, which will take place on Monday

The former's boyfriend, Pete Davidson, will accompany her at the annual star-studded event.

An insider from Conde Nast spoke about the family and noted that 'everyone is scheduled to go.'

However, the media outlet pointed out that Kardashian's brother Rob, who is currently embroiled in a legal battle with his former partner Blac Chyna, would likely not attend.

Heading back: Barker made a point of shielding Kardashian from attention as they made their way back to their hotel

Page Six went on to note that Kylie's partner Travis Scott is also not set to appear at the event, as he is still dealing with the fallout from the disastrous Astroworld Festival.

Kim's former husband, Kanye West, is not scheduled to make an appearance at the annual gala.

The reality television personality has attended the event on several occasions ever since she made her debut in 2013.
She's known as Sydney's fashion 'it girl'.

So it's no wonder socialite Nadia Fairfax-Wayne pulled out all the stops when it came to celebrating her 33rd birthday last weekend.

Held at the trendy Four Pillars Gin Laboratory in Surry Hills, Nadia's birthday party featured an array of unique details - including a strict blue dress code.

Inside Nadia Fairfax-Wayne's wild 33rd birthday bash: From a strict blue dress code and high society guests to a VERY unique martini-themed cake

Nadia stunned in a royal blue mini dress covered in rhinestone tassels, which was custom-made for the birthday girl by Australian designer Kourh.

She completed her look with a pair of strappy pink stilettos and a rhinestone-encrusted Prada handbag worth $3,000.

Sharing details of her outfit on Instagram last week, the blonde wrote: 'I have a blue house with a blue window. Blue is the colour of all that I wear' - a reference to the iconic Eiffel 65 song I'm Blue.

Stylish: Held at the trendy Four Pillars Gin Laboratory in Surry Hills, Nadia's (pictured) birthday party featured an array of unique details - including a strict blue dress code

Nadia stunned in a royal blue mini dress covered in rhinestone tassels, which was custom-made for the birthday girl by Australian designer Kourh. Pictured with Montarna Pitt (centre) and Luxe Listings real estate agent Remi Lindsay (left)

Razzle dazzle! Sharing details of her outfit on Instagram last week, the blonde wrote: 'I have a blue house with a blue window. Blue is the colour of all that I wear' - a reference to the iconic Eiffel 65 song I'm Blue

Belle of the ball: Nadia completed her look with a pair of strappy pink stilettos. Pictured with Montarna and stylist Elliot Garnaut (centre)

'Thank you for making the birthday dress of my dreams,' she added, tagging designer Kourh.

Perhaps the most unusual element of the event was a large cardboard cut-out illustration depicting Nadia sitting inside a large martini glass.

The custom-drawn artwork was created by Sydney illustrator Chloe Hoffmann, who also designed Nadia's bespoke cocktail menu for the night.

Cha-ching! She also carried a rhinestone-encrusted Prada handbag worth $3,000

Quirky: Perhaps the most unusual element of the event was a large cardboard cut-out illustration depicting Nadia sitting inside a large martini glass

Finer details: The custom-drawn artwork was created by Sydney illustrator Chloe Hoffmann, who also designed Nadia's bespoke cocktail menu for the night

Unusual: Guests were also treated to a large blue cake, which was iced with a martini-inspired illustration

The menu featured a playfully-named drink called 'Tanlines' - perhaps a reference to Nadia's love for Sydney's eastern beaches.

Guests were also treated to a large blue cake, which was iced with a martini-inspired illustration.

Nadia's high society friendship circle were all in attendance, including fashion PR maven Montarna Pitt and celebrity stylist Elliot Garnaut.

Pals: Nadia's high society friendship circle were all in attendance, including fashion PR maven Montarna Pitt (left) celebrity stylist Elliot Garnaut (centre)

Glamazons: Also in attendance was heiress Louise O'Neil, right

Cheers! Social media photos from the night show Nadia's guests dancing near the blue-clad DJ, toasting at the bar and posing beneath a large disco ball

Also in attendance was heiress Louise O'Neil, daughter of the late cleaning product mogul Donald Hay, and Lou's sister-in-law and Aussie Home Loans heiress Deborah Symond O'Neil.

Social media photos from the night show Nadia's guests dancing near the blue-clad DJ, toasting at the bar and posing beneath a large disco ball.

Not in attendance was Nadia's former best friend, Double Bay eyebrow artist Kristin Fisher.

Picker up! Guests also posed for a pouty selfie

Just dance! Nadia looked elated as she twirled around on the dance floor

Fisher and Fairfax were once joined at the hip, but the pair seem to have cut ties in the wake of Fisher's recent cocaine scandal.

Fisher was allegedly caught buying cocaine on July 17, after her drug dealer was pulled over by police for driving erratically in Bondi.

The cocaine drama went unnoticed by the media for months, before suddenly making headlines in September.

Socialites at war: Not in attendance was Nadia's former best friend, Double Bay eyebrow artist Kristin Fisher (left, with Nadia)

Fisher, 36, and Fairfax unfollowed each other on Instagram at about this time, but it's unclear why.

When Daily Mail Australia contacted the women for comment in September, they quietly refollowed each other on the social media app.

At the time, Fairfax also insisted she hadn't fallen out with Fisher - despite rumours of their rift being the talk of the eastern suburbs.

'What you're speculating is factually incorrect,' she said.

Controversial: Fisher was allegedly caught buying cocaine on July 17, after her drug dealer was pulled over by police for driving erratically in Bondi

'Kristin and I have had a wonderful friendship over the years and I continue to wish her well throughout her current situation, and no doubt you'll hear the same from Kristin.

'I had no prior knowledge of the [cocaine] incident, and found out just like everyone else through the media.'

In March, months before the cocaine scandal broke, Fisher had served as a bridesmaid at Fairfax's multimillion-dollar wedding to financier Michael Wayne.
La La Anthony was spotted while leaving her hotel in New York City on Sunday afternoon.

The 42-year-old reality television personality was accompanied by a male friend who kept his arm around hers and took several photographs of her while they stepped out into the Big Apple's bustling streets.

The actress' outing occurred just a day before the 2022 Met Gala, and she is currently set to co-host its live stream.

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Heading out: La La Anthony was spotted while leaving her hotel in New York City on Sunday afternoon

Anthony rocked a tight-fitting white turtleneck shirt that was tucked into a plaid skirt while stepping out with her friend.

The performer also sported a stylish cardigan sweater and donned a pair of partially transparent high-heeled shoes.

The Power actress accessorized with a lovely set of earrings and she carried a sparkling purse during her outing.

Her voluminous brunette locks were tied into a lengthy ponytail that fell onto her backside.

Standing out: Anthony rocked a tight-fitting white turtleneck shirt that was tucked into a plaid skirt while stepping out with her friend

Dressed to the nines: The performer also sported a stylish cardigan sweater and donned a pair of partially transparent high-heeled shoes

The selection of Anthony as the co-host of the Met Gala's live stream was originally revealed by Vogue last month.

She is currently set to appear alongside Vanessa Hudgens while appearing at the annual event.

The pair will also be joined by the media outlet's Editor-at-Large, Hamish Bowles, as they mix and mingle with the stars present at the gala.

The live stream will be broadcast on Vogue's various digital platforms, as well as its Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Leading lady: The selection of Anthony as the co-host of the Met Gala's live stream was originally revealed by Vogue last month

Good company: She is currently set to appear alongside Vanessa Hudgens while appearing at the annual event

Anthony spoke about her expectations for the forthcoming event in a video that was shared to Vogue's official Instagram account on Sunday, where she was asked if she preferred understated or eye-catching outfits.

The actress expressed: 'I'm kind of with over-the-top! It's the Met Gala, you want to make a statement.'

The performer was then asked about the importance of a designer versus the inspiration behind an outfit.

Sharing her thoughts: Anthony spoke about her expectations for the forthcoming event in a video that was shared to Vogue's official Instagram account on Sunday, where she was asked if she preferred understated or eye-catching outfits

Anthony noted that she valued 'Ia little bit of both, I think it goes hand in hand.'

The social media personality was also asked if she preferred getting something to eat over attending an afterparty.

She remarked that she was a fan of 'both! You get the fast food first, then you go to the afterparty.'
Megan Thee Stallion returned to her beloved hometown of Houston on Sunday, where she was bestowed with a huge honor: the key to the city.'

The 27-year-old rapper (born Megan Jovon Ruth Pete) was honored by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner with the key to the city on Sunday.

The Mayor also declared that May 2 will forever be known as Megan Thee Stallion Day in the city of Houston.

Honor: Megan Thee Stallion returned to her beloved hometown of Houston on Sunday, where she was bestowed with a huge honor: the key to the city'

The key: The 27-year-old rapper (born Megan Jovon Ruth Pete) was honored by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner with the key to the city on Sunday

'Came home real quick to get THEE KEY TO THEE CITY,' the rapper began in her Instagram post on Sunday.

She added, 'and in honor of my mother and grandmothers birthday MAY 2ND is officially MEGAN THEE STALLION DAY IN HOUSTON TX.'

Megan went on to thank Mayor Turner, 'for honoring me today and I will continue to give back to the city that made me who I am today,' she concluded.

Homecoming: 'Came home real quick to get THEE KEY TO THEE CITY,' the rapper began in her Instagram post on Sunday

Turner said during the ceremony, 'Individuals who receive the key are responsible of upholding Houstons values and represent the best this city offers.

'In fact, the key is our commitment to those who represent Houston at its best,' Turner added.

Not only did he give Megan the key to the city, but also a cowboy hat and an official belt buckle as well.

Values: Turner said during the ceremony, 'Individuals who receive the key are responsible of upholding Houstons values and represent the best this city offers

High key: Not only did he give Megan the key to the city, but also a cowboy hat and an official belt buckle as well

The rapper made headlines last week when she opened up about rapper Tory Lanez shooting her in the foot.

Lanez, 29 (real name Daystar Peterson), was charged after allegedly shooting at Stallion as she left a SUV vehicle during a drunken argument in the Hollywood Hills on July 12, 2020.

'So, I get out the car and it's like, everything happens so fast,' Stallion told CBS host Gayle King in an emotional interview on Monday.

Emotional: 'So, I get out the car and it's like, everything happens so fast,' Stallion told CBS host Gayle King in an emotional interview on Monday

Shooting: Lanez, 29 (real name Daystar Peterson), was charged after allegedly shooting at Stallion as she left a SUV vehicle during a drunken argument in the Hollywood Hills on July 12, 2020

'And all I hear is this man screaming. And he started shooting. I'm just like, "Oh my God." He shot a couple of times,' she added.

'All I hear is this man screaming and he said, "Dance b****!'" the rapper explained. 'And he started shooting and I'm just like, oh my God.'

'I didn't even want to move, I didn't want to move too quick,' Stallion added while tearing up and getting emotional.

Screaming: 'And all I hear is this man screaming. And he started shooting. I'm just like, "Oh my God." He shot a couple of times,' she added

Dance: 'All I hear is this man screaming and he said, "Dance b****!'" the rapper explained. 'And he started shooting and I'm just like, oh my God'
Martha Kalifatidis has called out her fiance Michael Brunelli for causing a media frenzy by announcing they were 'moving' to Europe.

The couple, who met on Married At First Sight in 2019, plan to spend a few months in Europe this year to pursue business opportunities - but Michael implied it was a semi-permanent move when he addressed fans on Instagram on April 26.

Speaking to The Kyle and Jackie O Show from Italy on Monday, Martha, 33, clarified they were not leaving Australia for good, and called Michael, 31, an 'idiot' for suggesting otherwise.

'He is just dense': Martha Kalifatidis (left) has called out her fiance Michael Brunelli (right) for causing a media frenzy by announcing they were 'moving' to Europe

'No way, we are not moving overseas. Michael is such an idiot and I cannot believe he told everyone that,' she told hosts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson.

'He is just dense. He cannot be helped.'

Martha then explained what was actually going on.

She said there had been a 'mould issue' at their home in Bondi Beach, which meant they had to move all of their belongings into storage.

False alarm! The couple, who met on Married At First Sight in 2019, plan to spend a few months in Europe this year to pursue business opportunities - but Michael implied it was a semi-permanent move when he addressed fans on Instagram on April 26

This housing problem coincided with Martha's planned trip to Italy with her business partner to attend the Cosmoprof beauty expo.

Michael had also booked a trip to the UK at about the same time to meet developers of his Tru Fit workout app.

Because they both had European trips planned, Martha decided, 'Why don't we just go over and stay [there] for a little bit because the timing's perfect?'

'Then we come home, obviously,' she clarified, before adding: 'We're not moving anywhere. We're just on a little break.'

Ouch! Speaking to The Kyle and Jackie O Show from Italy on Monday, Martha, 33, clarified they were not leaving Australia for good, and called Michael, 31, an 'idiot' for suggesting otherwise

The furore began on April 26 when Michael told his Instagram followers he was about to hop on a plane to join Martha in Italy.

He explained how he was packing up their beachside home ahead of the big move - but failed to mention they only planned to stay overseas for two months.

'Martha and I spent some time making a big decision to move overseas for a while,' Michael said during a Q&A with fans.

Whoops! The furore began on April 26 when Michael told his Instagram followers he was about to hop on a plane to join Martha in Italy. He explained he was packing up their Bondi home ahead of the big move, but failed to mention they only planned to stay overseas for two months

'We've had a few problems with our house and the fact that the world is essentially open again, we decided now is as good a time as any.'

While he insisted it wasn't a permanent move, Michael said the relocation was a 'change we both wanted to experience'.

Weeks earlier, the newly engaged couple had been shocked to discover mould spreading on the walls and roof of their Bondi pad.
Aaron Chen proposed to his girlfriend Esther Shim in a very unorthodox manner last month.

The comedian, 26, revealed on Instagram over the weekend he'd popped the question with a ring hidden inside a box of McDonald's Chicken McNuggets.

'Congratulations to me I am engaged,' he captioned the hilarious post.

He put a ring on it: Comedian Aaron Chen (right) proposed to his girlfriend Esther Shim (left) in a very unorthodox manner last month

A photo of the couple showed a beaming Esther proudly showing off the ring.

In another image, she held up the ring in front of a Cash Converters store. It's possible they celebrated their engagement at the pawn shop.

In her own April 20 post celebrating the engagement, Shim wrote: 'I AM HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!!!!'

Delicious surprise: Aaron, 26, revealed on Instagram over the weekend he'd popped the question with a ring hidden inside a box of McDonald's Chicken McNuggets

Pawn stars: In another image, Esther held up the ring in front of a Cash Converters store. It's possible the couple celebrated their engagement at the pawn shop

One accompanying image showed the ring placed on a baby's toe.

Aaron is best known for playing George in the ABC comedy series Fisk.

The stand-up comic won Best Newcomer at the 2017 Melbourne International Comedy Festival for his debut solo show The Infinite Faces of Chenny Baby.

Day job: Chen is best known for playing George in the ABC comedy series Fisk

The Sydneysider is currently touring his show If Weren't Filmed, Nobody Would Believe.

Following a run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival last month, the show is moving north to Aaron's home city.

He will take to the stage at the Enmore Theatre in Newtown on May 5, followed by The Concourse in Chatswood on May 6.
DaBaby has shared a clip of a rental property owner using racial slurs and profanity aimed at him and his associates in the wake of a December 2, 2020 incident in which the rapper and a pal named Thankgod Chimmeka Awute allegedly battered the man.

The Grammy-nominated rapper has been charged with felony battery in connection with the incident by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office.

In a clip posted on TikTok and TMZ, the rental property owner (identified as 'Gary Prager' in text posted by the rapper) is seen walking out of a Los Angeles-area mansion shouting at the rapper and his friends, purportedly using the N-word and calling them 'f***ing a**holes' and 'scumbags.'

A voice is heard sarcastically telling Pagar, 64 at the time of the incident, 'Say how you feel,' Pagar responds, 'I'm telling you how I feel.'

Shocking: DaBaby has shared a clip of a rental property owner using racial slurs aimed at him in the wake of a December 2020 incident in which the rapper allegedly battered the man

The latest: DaBaby (pictured in 2021) has been charged with felony battery in connection with the incident by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office

The Charlotte, North Carolina native, 30, whose real name is Jonathan Kirk, captioned the post: 'On today's episode of 'Let's Make DaBaby look like a bad person," we have Gary Prager a PROUD white supremacist lying to TMZ & LAPD. Not knowing that he's caught on camera.

'These are the type of people y'all validate & let assassinate DaBaby's character. Not to mention he spat in DaBaby's face.'

Authorities said in the warrant that both DaBaby and Thankgod - who is also charged with felony theft using force - 'willfully and unlawfully' used 'force and violence' against Pagar while on the set of a music video they were unauthorizedly filming at a Los Angeles mansion Pagar rented to them.

Pagar previously filed a civil lawsuit in February of 2021 in connection with the incident against the rapper and his manager Kinsza Virgil, according to TMZ.

DaBaby wrote: 'On today's episode of 'Let's Make DaBaby look like a bad person," we have Gary Prager a PROUD white supremacist lying to TMZ & LAPD. Not knowing that he's caught on camera'

The rapper added: 'These are the type of people y'all validate & let assassinate DaBaby's character'

Accusations: The rapper claimed that the rental owner spat in his face

Pagar said in court documents that the attack came after he attempted to enforce previously agreed-upon rental rules that limited occupancy to nine people in adhering to COVID-19 protocols in place at the time. He said after DaBaby's associates lied to him in saying that the guests would soon disperse.

'They signed the lease, and personally assured Mr. Pagar theyd adhere to it; they promised thered be no crowds, no parties, and no filming. Those were bald-faced lies,' Pagar said in court docs, according to Rolling Stone.

Pagar said that he was led to believe DaBaby was renting the property for a vacation, and eventually went to the property to confront the rapper, who had more than 40 people on the premises, including a film crew, as he was shooting a music video.

'When Mr. Pagar asked them to stop, they beat and battered him, stole his phone by force so he couldnt call the police, and threatened him,' Pagar said in court docs. 'Then they vandalized his house and left, after stealing various valuable items. Defendants behavior was utterly despicable.'

Serious: The musician has been charged by the L.A. County District Attorney's Office for beating up property owner, Gary Pagar, after he attempted to shut down his video shoot (An associate of DaBaby, pictured in yellow plaid shirt, was also involved)

Pagar told the court that he was initially attacked by Thankgod and then DaBaby, who exited the vehicle he was in to 'taunt, threaten and punch' him, knocking one of his teeth in the attack.

Pagar told Rolling Stone last week: 'There are people who believe that the rules dont apply to them. Whatever the rules are, whether its the law, that they can do what they want with impunity, and there are no consequences. Thats who [DaBaby] was.'

Pagar said that he seeks to have DaBaby 'pay for his behavior, and hopefully teach him a lesson that the rules actually do apply to him.'

A preliminary hearing in the criminal case is scheduled to be held June 1 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, according to the Los Angeles County Court database.

A hearing to determine damages in the incident is slated for June 21.

Short fuse: Pagar claims that after he attempted to enforce rules regarding the number of people allowed on the property, DaBaby punched him in the mouth, knocking out his tooth (DaBaby pictured in red, yellow and black shirt)

The violent incident is one of many in the rapper's history.

Last weekend, he appeared to have swung his fist at a member of his own team. The incident, which saw him appearing to swing at Wisdom, his signed artist, happened backstage at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, where DaBaby was scheduled to perform for Spring Jam 2022.

Earlier this month, the rapper also shot someone in the leg, after alleging that they wandered onto his property, as per TMZ. No arrests were made at the time.

He's also been embroiled in a bowling alley altercation with his ex-girlfriend DaniLeigh's brother Brandon Bills earlier this year, with law enforcement sources saying they were investigating DaBaby for assault with a deadly weapon at the time.

Meanwhile a recent video of the rapper surfaced last weekend, showing him fatally shooting 19-year-old Jaylin Craig during a 2018 confrontation at a Walmart in North Carolina.

DaBaby was charged with carrying a concealed weapon after the shooting, but did not receive a murder charge as he claimed self-defense and reported that the victim had pulled a gun on him.

Rolling Stone published surveillance footage of the incident, sparking a debate in regards to self-defense.
Married At First Sight stars Ella Ding and Brent Vitiello have been teasing a possible romance for weeks.

And the pair were busted arriving back in Sydney on Sunday, after enjoying a romantic getaway to Port Douglas.

The duo looked every inch a couple as they briskly strolled through the terminal.

It's on! Married At First Sight stars Ella Ding and Brent Vitiello have been teasing a possible romance for weeks and the pair were busted arriving back in Sydney on Sunday after enjoying a romantic getaway to Port Douglas

Brent was dressed casually in a pair of blue jeans with a black crew neck T-shirt that showed off his tattoos.

Meanwhile, Ella looked comfortable and stylish in a pair of black trousers along with a zip-up jacket.

Just like any other couple! The duo looked every inch a couple as they briskly strolled through the terminal

Close: Brent cuddled up to Ella and at her birthday last month. The pair are pictured here with Brent's father Rino

Casual: Brent was dressed casually in a pair of blue jeans along with a black crew neck T-shirt that showed off his tattoos

She finished her look with a silver bag she wore crossbody and chunky sneakers.

The pair have been teasing a hot and heavy romance for weeks.

On Monday, Brent finally revealed the pair kissed each other during an interview with Nova FM's Fitzy and Wippa.

Dressing for comfort: Meanwhile, Ella looked comfortable and stylish in a pair of black trousers along with a zip-up jacket

'We have kissed, guys,' Brent said, before Ella revealed she had initiated the smooch, adding: 'I did. I just grabbed his face.'

'It just happened. But to be fair, I'm sure there were many more times that we wanted to, except I did get a little crook and I wouldn't have kissed me either seeing the state I was in for a bit,' said hospitality manager Brent.

Radio host Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald then asked if the couple were official.

Kisses: Brent revealed the pair kissed each other during an interview with Nova FM's Fitzy and Wippa on Monday following the trip

Milestone: 'We have kissed, guys,' Brent said, before Ella revealed she had initiated the smooch, adding: 'I did. I just grabbed his face'

'Can we can we call it right now? Is Team Brella official? Or are you going to continue your friendship?' he said.

'Well, what I think is before anything, there has to be friendship. And right now we are really getting to know each other on those really deep levels, so I think that it' beautician Ella replied.

Co-host Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli interrupted: 'So are you together or not?'

No labels: Brent said they were 'not making anything official', adding: 'I think that's where it creates tension and pressure

Brent said they were 'not making anything official', adding: 'I think that's where it creates tension and pressure.

'I think if it's going to be official, it'll just happen on its own organically.'

It comes just weeks after Ella revealed she had enjoyed a 'sleepover' with Brent.

She said on The Handbags podcast last month: 'We are just friends. We've even had a sleepover and nothing's happened. Nothing.'

Ella was ghosted by her on-screen husband Mitch Eynaud just days after they filmed the MAFS reunion dinner party in Sydney in January.

The financial planner, 27, reportedly broke things off because he was upset about her staging paparazzi photos with Brent.

Sleepover? It comes just weeks after Ella revealed she had enjoyed a 'sleepover' with Brent. She said on The Handbags podcast last month: 'We are just friends. We've even had a sleepover and nothing's happened. Nothing'

Their marriage was already on shaky ground by the reunion as Mitch had earlier tried to end things at their final vows, telling Ella he wasn't ready to commit.

Meanwhile, Ella and Brent's former MAFS spouses are now dating.

Mitch went public with Tamara Djordjevic at her 30th birthday on the Gold Coast over the weekend.

Over: Ella was ghosted by her on-screen husband Mitch Eynaud just days after they filmed the MAFS reunion dinner party in Sydney in January
Joey Lawrence and actress Samantha Cope wed Sunday at the Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, California.

The Abington, Pennsylvania native, 46, was joined by his two daughters Charleston, 15, and Liberty, 12, and brothers Matthew Lawrence, 42, and Andrew Lawrence, 34, in the outdoor ceremony, People reported.

The Blossom alum told of exchanging vows with the 34-year-old actress, who has been seen on shows such as Insecure, NCIS: Los Angeles and Private, 'It just feels so right. Life can be challenging at times, but when God gives you the right person, it's worth it.'

The latest: Joey Lawrence, 46, and actress Samantha Cope, 34, wed Sunday at the Temecula Creek Inn in Temecula, California. The couple was seen in a selfie last year

The Salt Lake City-born beauty donned a Wtoo by Watters tulle gown at the Southern California venue, while the Melissa & Joey star donned an ASOS cream suit.

The luxe event was put together by HCD Weddings and Events planer Heather Christian Folger, according to the outlet.

The nuptials included a cocktail hour followed by a meal of filet, mahi mahi, and roasted chicken, the magazine reported.

Cope told People days before the wedding that she and Lawrence complemented one another well from the get-go.

The veteran actor was snapped last year on The Celebrity Dating Game

The Blossom alum told of exchanging vows with the 34-year-old actress, 'It just feels so right. Life can be challenging at times, but when God gives you the right person, it's worth it'

'From day one, it was such a safe place to be myself,' Cope said. 'He loves everything about me and celebrates all those weird quirks about me. I was so blessed to be in a position to receive that. Two weeks in, I was like, "I will be with you forever."'

Lawrence agreed that the pair fell for one another fast, telling the outlet, 'When you meet the right person, if you're lucky enough, it cuts to the chase so quick.

'I have somebody who is like-minded and has the same love language and we communicate the same way. That's super important. And I am so thankful.'

Lawrence and Cope last August revealed their engagement to Us Weekly, telling the publication, 'Its a lot of great stuff, a lot of really great stuff. Shes the best person ever.'

Lawrence and Cope first met in 2020 working on the Lifetime film My Husband's Secret Brother

Cope said days before the wedding that she and Lawrence complemented one another well from the get-go

Lawrence and Cope first met in 2020 working on the Lifetime film My Husband's Secret Brother.

'So we met there and out of nowhere, you know, it was a crazy year and a half for everybody, obviously the whole world,' he said, referring to the coronavirus pandemic. 'Then when you least expect [it,] amazing things happen and meeting her has just been really the greatest thing ever.

'When you least expect it, you know, you literally meet the perfect person for you, and all those intangibles come into play  and then you meet [the] right person.'

Lawrence was previously wed to Chandie Yawn-Nelson (who he shares his daughters with) from 2005 thru their 2020 divorce filing, with their split finalized earlier this year; and Michelle Vella from 2002 until 2005.
Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention should work with the international community and take concrete actions to fulfill their obligations to safeguard the authority of the convention, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Friday.

Zhao told a news conference that full and balanced implementation of the convention is facing multiple challenges, and noted that the convention has played an instrumental role in maintaining international peace and security.

The United States has yet to complete the destruction of its chemical weapons stockpile, making it the only country preserving such a stockpile, Zhao said, adding that "some countries have used hot spot issues, including chemical weapons in Syria to conduct political manipulation, disrupting the normal operation of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons".

Japan's implementation of the convention also does not satisfy the international community, Zhao said.

Japan has failed several times to meet the deadlines for destroying the chemical weapons it had abandoned in China at the end of World War II, threatening the lives and properties of the Chinese people and China's environment, he said.

"The chemical weapons left behind in China are one of the serious crimes that the Japanese militarism committed during Japan's aggressive war on China," Zhao said.

Japan has safely recovered more than 90,000 pieces of chemical weapons from China and destroyed more than 60,000, but is "far from completing its task" to destroy its chemical weapons in China, Zhao said.

Urging Japan to do all it can to speed up the destruction process, Zhao said it's a commitment Japan has made to China and the world as well as its responsibility to destroy all its chemical weapons in China as soon as possible in a clean and thorough manner.

China, an original party to the convention and the second-largest contributor to the OPCW, has made important contributions to global disarmament and security governance, Zhao said.
Neighbours' executive producer has spoken out about Kylie Minogue's return to the show that made her famous.

Minogue and her onscreen love interest Jason Donovan are returning to the iconic soap for its final episode.

'Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbours couple and it would not feel right to end the show without them,' Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison said in an Instagram post.

She's back! Neighbours' executive producer has spoken out about Kylie Minogue's return to the show that made her famous. Pictured in 2018

'We are thrilled that Jason and Kylie have come home to play a very special part in our series finale,' he added.

The experience of filming the episode was an emotional one for the pair and also for the show's production team, he said.

The show announced its cancellation in March, following the loss of its main UK broadcast partner Channel 5.

Iconic: Minogue and her onscreen love interest Jason Donovan (both pictured) are returning to the iconic soap for its final episode

Two million Australians and almost 20 million viewers in Britain tuned in to watch Donovan's Scott Mitchell and Minogue's Charlene Robinson tie the knot in episode 523, aired in 1987.

The wedding scene, complete with Minogue's lacy dress, coral-coloured bridesmaids' outfits, and Donovan's mullet, became a touchstone of '80s television in Australia.

It also launched Minogue's international career, with her first hit song Locomotion released just weeks after it aired.

Sister act: The show announced its cancellation in March, following the loss of its main UK broadcast partner Channel 5. Kylie and sister Dannii pictured in 2015

The adventures of Ramsay St residents have been entertaining viewers for almost 37 years since 1985, with almost 9000 episodes broadcast.

But after Channel 5's decision to concentrate on local UK drama, producers Fremantle were unable to find another broadcaster to back the show.

The final episode will air on Monday, August 1.
Sebastian Stan sported a rather stylish look after capping off his Sunday evening with some dinner in Manhattan.

The 39-year-old Romanian-born actor was spotted leaving Carbone in the South Village neighborhood of New York City on Sunday evening.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star was all smiles after his meal in Manhattan to close out the weekend.

Stylish Sebastian: Sebastian Stan sported a rather stylish look after capping off his Sunday evening with some dinner in Manhattan

The Pam & Tommy star stepped out with a blue satin Valentino jacket under a dark blue and red Valentino shirt that was slightly unbuttoned.

The actor was also sporting a 5 o'clock shadow and the early makings of a beard as he stepped out in brown pants.

Stan completed his look with shiny black shoes as he exited the popular Italian restaurant.

Sebastian's look: The Pam & Tommy star stepped out with a blue satin Valentino jacket under a dark blue and red Valentino shirt that was slightly unbuttoned

The actor has already been quite busy this year, with his hit Hulu series Pam & Tommy, where he portrayed Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee.

He also starred in the original Hulu film Fresh with Daisy Edgar-Jones and one of the first theatrical films released in 2022, Universal's The 355.

Stan was coming off a strong year in 2021 as well, where he reprised his role as Bucky Barnes a.k.a. The Winter Soldier in Marvel's The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and What If?

Big year: The actor has already been quite busy this year, with his hit Hulu series Pam & Tommy, where he portrayed Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee

He'll return to the big screen later this year with Sharper, a con artist thriller where he stars alongside Julianne Moore.

He will play another con artist named Max, who, according to Deadline, is described as, 'a clever conman known for carrying out complicated plans and making away with large sums of money,' who gets pulled into a new scheme.

Sharper also stars John Lithgow, Justice Smith and Briana Middleton, with Benjamin Caron directing for A24 and Apple.

Coming soon: He'll return to the big screen later this year with Sharper, a con artist thriller where he stars alongside Julianne Moore

Stan also has The Brutalist in pre-production from co-writer/director Brady Corbet, where he's part of a talented ensemble.

He stars alongside Vanessa Kirby, Joel Edgerton, Mark Rylance, Marion Cotillard and Alessandro Nivola.

The film follows an architect who, 'emigrates to the United States in 1947 and spends the next three decades developing his masterpiece.'

Brutalist: Stan also has The Brutalist in pre-production from co-writer/director Brady Corbet, where he's part of a talented ensemble
She might have rose to fame on the beloved soap Neighbours.

But Sarah Ellen, 25, was every inch the bikini-clad bombshell as she modelled for swimwear brand Seafolly on Monday.

Sarah, who portrayed Madison Robinson on the series, looked absolutely stunning as she flaunted her toned figure in a series of bikinis.

Svelte: Former Neighbours star Sarah Ellen, 25, (pictured) looked every inch the bikini-clad bombshell as she modelled swimwear for Seafolly

Sarah showcased her toned abs and slender thighs as she slipped into a textured tan bikini before topping her look with a robe.

The star opted for other looks including a skimpy floral bikini and a stunning red and white swimsuit for the shoot.

Other outfits saw the star in a floral one-piece and a classic green two-piece, similar to old Hollywood designs.

Skimpy: The star, who played Madison Robinson on the series, opted for other looks including a skimpy floral bikini and a stunning red and white swimsuit for the shoot

The star wore her brunette tresses down and opted for a bronzed goddess feel for the glamorous shoot.

It comes after Dan Single set the record straight on romance rumours, confirming they are just pals.

According to a report in The Daily Telegraph last month, sources said the pair 'met and fell for each other' in Byron Bay.

Bombshell: The star wore her brunette tresses down and opted for a bronzed goddess feel

Dan swiftly denied the claims - saying the pair are just 'mates' and are '100 per cent not in a relationship' together.

'We be [sic] asked the same question all the time, and laugh - can't a man and a woman just be mates?' he told the publication.

'We are 100% NOT in a relationship, we are the best of friends that share a common bond for life, adventure, and all the beauty that comes with it,' he added.

Old Hollywood: Sarah showcased her toned midriff in one of Seafolly's elegant designs

Oh my: The star certainly wasn't afraid to flash the flesh in the bikinis

The creative pair have recently been creating art together for charity AIME, which aims to support 100,000 marginalised kids by 2025.

Dan was previously in a relationship with P.E Nation founder, Pip Edwards.

The former couple share a 15-year-old son, Justice.

He was also in a relationship with New York based model, Bambi Northwood-Blyth.

Zippy: The star showcased her long limbs and flat stomach

Edwards was recently forced to deny she was reigniting a romance with Dan at Justin Hemmes' Silver Party last month, as reported by Sydney Morning Herald.

When asked if a reunion was on the cards, Pip told the newspaper: 'Dan is the father of my child and we have a co-parent relationship'.

The couple split in 2008, but have remained on good terms.
Former Married At First Sight star Jessika Power and recent cast member Olivia Frazer crossed paths on Monday, and their meeting was certainly memorable.

Footage obtained by Daily Mail Australia shows Jessika, 30, awkwardly snubbing Olivia, 28, at the launch of Celebrity Slim's Skinny B*tch wine range at Wahlburgers in Sydney.

According to a witness, Jessika bolted to the opposite side of the venue when the controversial bride entered the restaurant.

Ouch! Married At First Sight's Jessika Power [R] completely ignored Olivia Frazer [L] when she arrived at the launch of Celebrity Slim's Skinny B*tch low calorie wine range on Monday

Moments later Olivia was seen making her way over to Jessika, who didn't hold back from giving her an earful before they eventually talked things over.

'Jessika wanted nothing to do with Liv after the whole Domenica (Calarco) OnlyFans thing and was wondering why she was at her event,' said one witness.

'Olivia didn't really discuss the OnlyFans thing because of the ongoing court case but they talked for a few moments before they eventually hugged it out.

'Olivia was actually shaking. She was so nervous and scared of Jess, it was funny to watch,' they continued.

Awkward: Footage obtained by Daily Mail Australia shows Jessika, 30, awkwardly snubbing Olivia as she made her way over to the event media wall

Staying away: According to a witness, Jessika then bolted to the opposite side of the venue when the controversial bride entered the restaurant

It comes just weeks after Jessika said that it was 'disgusting' that Olivia exposed rival Domenica as an OnlyFans model, and that her behaviour was 'far worse' than hers during an interview with The Herald Sun.

'It's worse than me. That's a different type of dislike from people. You can't just say "I found it on the internet", you need to pay for it and it's behind a paywall,' Jess said.

She continued: 'As women in 2022 aren't we supposed to be empowering each other? I thought it was disgusting for another woman to do that to another woman.

Confronted: Moments later Olivia was seen making her way over to Jessika, who didn't hold back from giving her an earful before they eventually talked things over

'Jessika wanted nothing to do with Liv after the whole Domenica (Calarco) OnlyFans thing and was wondering why she was at her event,' said one witness

'Olivia didn't really discuss the OnlyFans thing because of the ongoing court cause but they talked for a few moments before they eventually hugged it out,' said a source

'She shouldn't be laughed at behind her back, I think Olivia was grasping at straws and I don't agree with it. It was horrible'.

The former teaching student received extreme backlash from viewers after she was painted as the villain in her feud with fellow bride Domenica, 28.

She infamously outed Dom as an OnlyFans model this season, after sharing a nude photo of her among the cast.
Kate Ritchie and Tim Blackwell appeared in great spirits as they headed out to Sydney's Enmore Theatre on Friday to support their radio co-host, Joel Creasey.

Looking sensational in a black shift dress and ankle boots, Kate, 43, couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she joined Tim, 40, at Joel's 'Basic AF' stand-up show.

The trio host Nova FM's Kate, Tim and Joel Show, and are often spotted out and about.

Nova's night out! Kate Ritchie and Tim Blackwell (both pictured centre) appeared in great spirits on Friday as they supported their radio co-host Joel Creasey at his Sydney stand-up show

Kate was primped to perfection for the night out, with her brunette tresses styled into a sleek ponytail and glamorous makeup.

Tim showed off his cool sense of style in a graphic dress shirt, which he teamed with black jeans and well-worn leather boots.

Meanwhile, Joel, 31, was spotted at the venue's carpark, looking relaxed in a beige dress shirt as he engaged in friendly banter with his driver.

Kate returned to Nova's FM Drive shift on March 28 after two weeks off the air.

Glamorous: Kate, 43, who rose to fame as a child star on Home and Away, looked casually chic in a black shift dress and ankle boots. She styled her brunette tresses into a sleek ponytail and opted for glamorous makeup

On March 12, the former Home and Away star revealed on Instagram that she was unable to take part in the TV special Australia Unites Flood Appeal as she was 'tucked up in bed with Covid'.

'I was meant to be helping to take all your calls and donations tonight but we are tucked up in bed with COVID. So instead I'll be tuning in and doing my bit from home come 7.30pm,' Kate wrote in her Instagram post.

Kate has now forged a successful radio career, having pressed pause on acting.

Star of the night: Meanwhile, Joel (pictured), 31, was spotted at the venue's carpark, looking relaxed in a beige dress shirt as he engaged in friendly banter with his driver

Short break: Kate returned to Nova FM's Kate, Tim and Joel Show on March 28 after two weeks off the air

At home resting: On March 12, Kate revealed on Instagram that she was unable to take part in the TV special Australia Unites Flood Appeal as she was 'tucked up in bed with Covid'

The brunette began her acting career as a child, scoring the role of Sally Fletcher on long-running soap Home and Away at the age of eight.

She left the show in 2008, before briefly reprising her role in 2013 for the series' 25th anniversary special.

In an interview with WHO Magazine, Kate reflected on her time on the popular Channel Seven show, and said she will always be attached to Sally.

Finding fame: Kate starred as Sally Fletcher on popular Aussie soap opera Home and Away alongside the late Heath Ledger (right). She was on the show between 1988 and 2013

'I will always feel attached to Home and Away,' she told the publication.

'How could I not? It trained and nurtured me. It offered me some of the most wonderful years of my life and, for a long time, defined who I was.'

Kate added that she is often nostalgic about the memories she experienced on-set.

'Even now, with some distance from those days and having had the chance to develop into my own person without the security blanket of Sally, I still miss it desperately,' she said.
Daniel Salazar's blurred memory left him risking everything to find his dead daughter on Sunday's episode of Fear The Walking Dead on AMC.

The episode titled 'Ofelia' opened with Daniel [Ruben Blades] and Luciana [Danay Garcia] playing a memory card game inside the submarine.

Daniel matched up a pair of cards with boats on them. He then became convinced that the cards were a sign that his daughter Ofelia was alive and on a boat despite the fact she had died after she was bitten by a walker.

Memory issues: Daniel Salazar's blurred memory left him risking everything to find his dead daughter on Sunday's episode of Fear The Walking Dead on AMC

Meanwhile, Alicia Clark [Alycia Jasmin Debnam-Carey], Sarah Rabinowitz [Mo Collins] and Morgan Jones [Lennie James] prepared to leave the submarine to recover a stash of weapons. Morgan stopped and asked Luciana how Daniel was doing.

'Making progress,' Luciana said.

Morgan said they needed the weapons to get into Victor Strand's Tower complex. Morgan told Luciana to help Daniel with his memory so he could help them take over the Tower. While they were discussing Daniel, Wes [Colby Hollman] walked in and told them that Daniel wandered out of the submarine on his own.

Zombie apocalypse: Daniel was struggling mentally with feelings of guilt and loss

'The front hatch was open, and a suit was gone,' Wes said.

'You go get the weapons,' Luciana said. 'I'll find him.'

Luciana and Wes went out to find Daniel. Daniel was walking through a playground looking for Ofelia. He was attacked by a walker who took off his radiation helmet but Daniel quickly killed it. Luciana and Wes found him. Daniel showed them the boat card and said that the last time he saw Ofelia was when she was on the boat. He said that it was a sign.

Memory game: The episode titled 'Ofelia' opened with Daniel [Ruben Blades] and Luciana [Danay Garcia] playing a memory game inside the submarine amid the zombie apocalypse

'That means she is out there,' Daniel said.

'Your daughter is dead,' Luciana said. 'Ofelia died in Mexico years ago.'

Daniel didn't believe her. Wes tried to explain to Daniel that he was confused.

'Ofelia is alive,' Daniel said. 'I'm sorry that you are alone but you will never replace my daughter, Ofelia.'

Suddenly they were surrounded by a group of Stalkers who kidnapped them. The Stalkers took them to their compound that was surrounded by walkers. Daniel whispered to Luciana that they could take them and that he used to be in the CIA.

Good effort: Wes tried to explain to Daniel that he was confused

'I'm not scared of these people,' Daniel said. 'What's scary is what I'm going to have to do to them.'

'We're screwed,' Wes said.

The leader of the Stalker's Arnold 'Arno' [Spenser Granese] told them to take off their gear and gave them a tour of his compound. Daniel grabbed Arno's gun and pointed it at him. Sage [Jacob Kyle Young] pulled his gun on Daniel in response, but Arno told him that he could handle it.

Daniel pulled the trigger of the gun pointed at Arno, but it was out of bullets. Arno took the gun from him and then said that he heard their radio chatter from the sub.

Weapons needed: Morgan Jones said they needed the weapons to get into Victor Strand's Tower complex

'We know you found a weapons cache, but we don't know the coordinates,' Arno said.

'And we're not going to tell you,' Luciana said.

Daniel saw a boat on the compound. Daniel told Luciana, after they were taken to a holding cell, that all he needed to do was to tell Arno where the weapons were and then they would give him Ofelia.

'When you discover that Ofelia's dead, I'm worried what will happen to you,' Luciana said.

Arno lowered Wes in a cage over the walkers and told him to tell them the location of the weapons. Daniel insisted Sage open his cell because that he was ready to make a deal. Daniel told Arno to release Wes and he would tell him where the weapons were.

'You kill us, you have nothing,' Daniel said and instructed him to let Wes out.

Daniel told Arno that all he wanted was his daughter Ofelia back. Arno then lied and said that he did have his daughter. Luciana told Arno to leave Daniel alone.

'He's having problems remembering what's real and what isn't,' Luciana said.

Daniel told Luciana that he knew what he was doing.

'You do know what's coming,' Arno said. 'Alicia and Morgan are going to get you all killed.'

Luciana asked what was coming. Arno ignored her and asked Daniel for the coordinates promising him his daughter in exchange. Daniel wrote the coordinates on a piece of paper. Arno gave the coordinates to Sage and told him to go search for the weapons.

Arno put Wes, Luciana and Daniel back into the holding cell. Luciana said that Daniel was going to get their people killed.

'That's not going to happen because I gave them the wrong coordinates,' Daniel said. 'He just sent half of his people 20 miles in the wrong direction.'

Daniel revealed to them that he had taken a knife from one of the Stalkers. He explained that with the Stalkers unarmed that they could take them.

Daniel told Luciana that he just needed to talk to Ofelia and tell her about his past to help him regain his memory.

'That's not going to happen, Daniel,' Luciana said.

Daniel pretended to collapse. They pounded on their cell door for help. Sage opened it and then Daniel held a knife to his throat. Daniel insisted Sage take them to the boat on the compound where he believed Ofelia was being held. Luciana asked Sage about what Arno said was coming.

Dead daughter: 'That's not going to happen, Daniel,' Luciana said as Daniel talked about speaking again with Ofelia

'The dead are gathering in one of the craters,' Sage said. 'There's bad stuff there.'

They got the boat and it was empty. Daniel held a knife to Sage's throat and demanded he tell him where Ofelia was.

'Daniel you need to accept the truth,' Luciana said. 'Ofelia died in Mexico. You told me you buried her yourself. I'm sorry she's gone.'

Daniel then slashed Sage's throat right when he was about to tell Wes about his brother.

'You are better off not knowing about your brother,' Daniel said. 'The truth about people is always disappointing. Trust me.'

Daniel then stranded Wes and Luciana on the boat surrounded by walkers. He said he needed to go make Arno pay for what he did to him first before they left.

Left behind: Daniel then stranded Wes and Luciana on the boat surrounded by walkers

'I'll come back, I promise,' Daniel said.

Luciana told Wes she was sorry he didn't get to find out about his brother. Wes said he was hoping to find out if Derek knew he was at Tank Town and that he launched the attack anyway. He said the only way he would feel better would be knowing that his brother deserved to die.

Daniel then snuck up behind Arno and held a knife to his neck. He then shoved him in a cage and lowered him outside the compound into a group of walkers. Arno tried to tell him he was making a mistake.

'Your mistake was lying to me,' Daniel said.

The walkers pulled Arno apart and bit and attacked his legs. Luciana rushed over and raised the cage. Arno said to her that they were all going to die. She asked him to tell her what's coming.

'The dead in the pit are escaping,' Arno said. 'You can't touch them. You can't even go near them.'

As he died, Arno told her they had to get to the Tower and that there was nowhere else. Daniel told Luciana that he didn't know why she stood by him when he almost got her killed.

'We all make mistakes,' Luciana said.

Luciana then spoke to the people remaining at the Stalker compound. She said she knew they had been enemies in the past but that they now had to work together to survive.

'We need to fight Victor Strand and take his Tower and only then, we will have a new life, a new beginning,' Luciana said. 'Together. Who's with us?'

The remaining Stalkers decided to work together. Daniel said he didn't think Luciana could deliver on what she promised. Luciana said Daniel could be the key because he could know what Victor was thinking. Daniel told him he didn't even know where his cat was and that trying to find his daughter gave him focus.

'Arnold told me something before he died,' Luciana lied to Daniel. 'Ofelia's alive.'

Luciana told him that Strand has Ofelia in the Tower. He told her he wanted to believe her.

'You must be certain Luciana,' Daniel said. 'Because if this is wrong and if this is not true, if this is another lie, it could break me for good.'

Another lie: 'You must be certain Luciana,' Daniel said. 'Because if this is wrong and if this is not true, if this is another lie, it could break me for good'

Luciana told him it was true. Daniel said then that they would get inside the Tower. Wes told Luciana that he wasn't going with her to the Tower after how she lied to Daniel.

'I can't be around someone pretending to be something that they are not,' Wes said. 'Daniel's confused. He can't help it but you know exactly what you are doing.'

Back on the sub, Morgan, Sarah and Dwight [Austin Amelio] returned with the cache of weapons.

'This could make all the difference,' Morgan said.

Totally lied: Luciana told him it was true in a bid to gain an edge over Victor

Luciana returned to the submarine with Arno's people and told Morgan that they wanted to help. Luciana explained that Wes walked off. Daniel said now all they needed to do was to start planning how to get into Victor's compound.

Meanwhile, Wes went to the call box at the Tower and said he wanted to talk to Victor to make a deal. The person on the other side of the line asked him why Victor would want to make a deal with him.

'Because I can help him save his tower,' Wes said.

Fear The Walking Dead will return next Sunday on AMC.
Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that she once woke up in the night and 'thought she was having a heart attack' while grieving her father's death.

Speaking on the Wylde Moon podcast with Holly Willoughby, the Goop founder, 49, told how her grief was so 'physical' that it felt like it would 'split her open'.

Gwyneth's father Bruce died in 2002 at the age of 58 after being diagnosed with throat cancer. Gywneth was just 30 when he passed away.

Difficult: Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that she once woke up in the night and 'thought she was having a heart attack' while grieving her father's death

She explained candidly on the podcast: 'I lost my dad to cancer when I was 30. He was only 58. It gets so abstract as the years go on. You are so far away from the last phone call, the last meal you had with them the last embrace, your relationship with them is in another realm.

'When it first happened I never anticipated that it was possible to have a feeling like that. It was not in my lexicon of emotions. It was so physical it felt like it split me open.

'After the funeral I was living in London and I woke up one night in the middle of the night and I thought I was having a heart attack. The only reason I didn't call the emergency services was because I didn't know it was 999 in England!

Sad: Gwyneth's father Bruce died in 2002 at the age of 58 after being diagnosed with throat cancer. Gywneth was just 30 when he passed away

'But I thought I was dying. It was really really tough, I don't know how we got through it, it was really messed up. It's sad he's not part of my life now.'

The star went on to explain how her wellness company Goop was created a few years after his death, after she took an interest in holistic health following his illness.

She explained: 'Starting Goop was after he died. When he was diagnosed I started looking at environmental toxins and how food affects our health. That is what started me on this whole journey.'

During her chat with Holly she also opened up about living with fame and how she went into hiding at her parent's house for three weeks after winning her Oscar for Shakespeare in Love in 1999.

Inspiration: The star went on to explain how her wellness company Goop was created a few years after his death, after she took an interest in holistic health following his illness

She said of the experience: 'My nervous system was having a really hard time recuperating. There was so much scrutiny and social interaction around these awards.

'I was kind of a kid I was only 26 and it was so intense. I was put on this fake pedestal and afterwards I then just sort of collapsed.

'So I went home after and tried to remember who I was, it can be hard if you start to believe all the bulls**t people say about you and if you believe you're special or the best. It was intense.'

The actress won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1999 for her performance in the film where she played Shakespeare's muse Viola.

Attention: During her chat with Holly she also opened up about living with fame and how she went into hiding at her parent's house for three weeks after winning her Oscar for Shakespeare in Love in 1999

Also during the podcast chat Gwyneth opened up about speaking out about Harvey Weinstein - which sparked the beginning of the Me Too movement.

She was a key figure in the New York Times story that first catalogued a series of sexual harassment allegations against the producer.

The star explained: 'It was long overdue, those systems had been in place for so long and they still are in so many fields. I really felt like I had to say something.

'I didn't really realise at the time that it would cascade and change culture. I hope we continue to evolve as a culture. We need to keep an eye on exploitation of any kind.'
Robert Irwin joined The Wiggles on stage during their 'Adults Only' tour in Brisbane on Sunday.

The group's original members Greg Page, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Anthony Field performed 'The Crocodile Hunter' - a song about Robert's dad Steve Irwin - when he joined them on stage.

The 18-year-old was dressed in Steve's classic khaki ensemble as he performed alongside the group.

Special guest: Robert Irwin joined The Wiggles' original members on stage to sing his dad Steve's part in The Crocodile Hunter during their 'Adults Only' tour in Brisbane

Robert sang his dad's lines and performed his dance moves during the show.

Steve tragically died after he was struck in the chest by a sting ray barb back in 2006 while filming a documentary on the Batt Reef.

Since his death, his family have vowed to continue his legacy through their work with animals and conservation efforts at Australia Zoo.

Surprise: The group's original members Greg Page, Murray Cook, Jeff Fatt and Anthony Field performed 'The Crocodile Hunter' - a song about Robert's dad Steve Irwin

Meanwhile, Anthony, Murray, Jeff and Greg are currently touring the country with very special Saturday and Sunday night shows.

The shows feature their best-loved songs and cameos from characters such as Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags, and Henry the Octopus.

There are also performances from bands including Polish Club, DZ Deathrays and many more.

Original Purple Wiggle Jeff Fatt said it was great for the nostalgic kids from the 1990s.

Performance: The 18-year-old was dressed in Steve's classic khaki ensemble as he performed alongside the group

'All of those children who loved The Wiggles in the 90s are now adults who love the nostalgia and fun from that time in their lives,' he said.

'This night is for the grown-ups and is a chance to bring back some of that genuine, high-spirited liveliness again.

'We can't wait to relive those childhood memories and dance the night away to some of the favourite old-school tunes.'
Emma Watkins has walked down the aisle with fiance Oliver Brian.

The couple married in an intimate ceremony in the Victorian countryside attended by 80 friends and family on May 1, with Emma sharing images to Instagram on Monday.

The 32-year-old stunned in a Paolo Sebastian gown featuring sheer, short sleeves and a retro collar.

Married! Emma Watkins has walked down the aisle with fiance Oliver Brian. Both pictured

The dress featured intricate glittering beading and a gathered waist before it flared out to a full skirt.

Tones of cream, peach and soft pink could be seen throughout the soft, sheer layering and the skirt was floor length.

The former Yellow Wiggle added a stunning veil adorned with flowers in colours that matched her gown - and revealed that she made the headpiece herself on the morning of the wedding.

Happy news: The couple married in an intimate ceremony in the Victorian countryside on May 1st, with Emma sharing images to Instagram on Monday. Pictured on the day they became engaged

For makeup, she chose romantic pink tones with a peachy lipstick in a matte finish, and wore her hair pulled off her face.

Oliver, 33, looked dapper in a black tuxedo from The Bespoke Tailors, a white shirt and Edward Kwan bowtie, with flowers that complemented Emma's dress pinned to his lapel.

The new couple posed for photos in the sweeping countryside, after exchanging vows at a 100 year old estate.

In her interview with Vogue Australia, Emma explained there was something of a Pride and Prejudice theme to the wedding - inspired by the Jane Austen novel.

Theme: In her interview with Vogue , Emma explained there was something of a Pride and Prejudice theme to the wedding - inspired by the Jane Austen novel

She told the publication that the reception was a sit down lunch and the couple acted as their own emcees.

The colour palette for the decorations was pink and peach, like Emma's dress, and there was even a cake for their pet goats.

Oliver tells Vogue that he was overcome with emotion when he saw his bride walk down the aisle.

'I was basically a mess, I was in shock when Emma got out of the car,' he told the publication.

Cute: She told the publication that the reception was a sit down lunch and the couple acted as their own emcees

'I was fixated on you the whole way down (the aisle) - when your dad handed you over, it was a very beautiful moment. I was definitely overwhelmed and there were tears,' he said to Emma.

The pair shared their first dance to Johann Sebastian Bach's Sheep May Safely Graze.

When it comes to her dress, Emma said she wanted 'soft tulle' and something that had a 'ballerina-esque background to it'.

'I saw his dress I thought, "oh, it has a collar! I was like that's so me. I'd never seen a dress like that,"' she said of her Paolo Sebastian gown.

Aww: Oliver tells Vogue that he was overcome with emotion when he saw his bride walk down the aisle. 'I was basically a mess, I was in shock when Emma got out of the car,' he said

'I'm quite eclectic and eccentricI like colour. I was looking for something fun. When I saw the dress I thought, that is very me.'

She also picked a pair of Roger Vivier flats for her wedding shoes, in a deep plum velvet with rhinestone buckles.

Emma announced her engagement to Oliver in April last year, 15 months after going public with their romance.

She shared the happy news in an Instagram post, posing alongside her Wiggles guitarist beau and flashing her diamond ring.

Happy news: Emma announced her engagement to Oliver in April last year, 15 months after going public with their romance. She showed off her ring in a series of Instagram photos

Emma captioned the image: 'When life gets more sparkly'.

She shared further photos from the proposal to her Instagram Stories, revealing it had occurred in stunning countryside.

The performer was absolutely beaming as she showed off her sparkler in a number of images, including one where she cuddled up to her musician fiance.

One image showed Emma posing alongside a pony, showing the animal her ring, which he captioned: 'Approval from the locals'.

Emma captioned the images: 'When life gets more sparkly'

Emma confirmed her relationship with Oliver in an interview with The Daily Telegraph's Stellar Magazine in December 2019.

'Yes, I'm in love and I feel very excited to tell you,' she told the publication, describing their relationship as 'new' at the time.

She said Oliver was the 'opposite' to her in personality, but described their relationship as being 'nice'.

'He's a very calm and thoughtful person and I've always been interested in his mind and his take on life, and his morals,' she explained.

Together: Emma confirmed her relationship with Oliver in an interview with The Daily Telegraph's Stellar Magazine in December 2019

'He loves talking about the environment and food production. It's not very "Wiggly", but it's been nice for me to talk about things not just concerning ourselves, but people everywhere around the world.'

The pair took the next step in their relationship in April 2020, reportedly moving in together amid the coronavirus lockdown.

In September, Emma and Oliver showed further signs their relationship was becoming more serious, as they brought home a new puppy.

News of the couple moving in together came less than two weeks after Emma's ex-husband, fellow Wiggles member Lachlan Gillespie, 36, announced his engagement to dancer Dana Stephenson.

'He's a very calm and thoughtful person and I've always been interested in his mind and his take on life, and his morals,' she explained

'On Thursday night, Dana asked me to marry her at home under a fairy light sky and a very excited little boy in a beautiful bow tie,' the purple Wiggle announced on Instagram on April 13.

Emma appeared to give their engagement her approval, commenting with three purple hearts on Lachy's post.

She also congratulated Lachy and his fiancee Dana on the birth of their twins that same month.

Co-workers: Oliver plays various instruments on The Wiggles, including guitars and banjo, and has previously joined the band on several of their world tours

During her candid interview with Stellar, Emma discussed Lachlan's relationship with dancer Dana, a senior artist at The Australian Ballet.

After the dancer filmed scenes with The Wiggles last December, Watkins revealed she told a friend that Dana and Lachlan would be 'perfect together'.

In August 2018, Emma and former husband Lachlan announced their split.

Split: Emma split from ex-husband and fellow Wiggles member Lachlan Gillespie (right) in August 2018

The former couple - who joined The Wiggles in 2013 and started dating weeks later - had married in Bowral, New South Wales in 2016.

Despite their break-up, Lachlan and Emma have vowed to remain friends and still perform together in The Wiggles.

'To be able to realise as a couple that we were going different ways and to stay as close as we are is a real testament, I think, to both of us,' Lachlan said in a statement.

Moving on: Lachlan announced his engagement to dancer Dana Stephenson (right) in April last year, the same month that Emma moved in with Oliver in Sydney

'I love her more now than anything and she loves me more than anything.'

Oliver plays various instruments on The Wiggles, including guitars and banjo, and has previously joined the band on several of their world tours.

Away from the group, Oliver and Emma's ex Lachlan are in band The Unusual Commoners, alongside Anthony Field and David O'Reilly.

Emma made the surprise announcement in October last year that she was was quitting The Wiggles after 11 years in the band.

Stars: Oliver (second, right) and Emma's ex Lachlan (left) are in band The Unusual Commoners, alongside Anthony Field (second left) and David O'Reilly (right)

She said her exit was so she could devote more time to her passions - including completing her PhD at Macquarie University.

The performer revealed the Covid-19 lockdown made her reassess her priorities and realise how much she missed being at home.

'After 11 years of performing with The Wiggles, and nine of those as the Yellow Wiggle, the time has come for me to pass the yellow skivvy on,' she said.

'Like many people around the world, the pandemic has given me time to reflect on what is important in life.

Exit: Emma made the surprise announcement in October last year that she was was quitting The Wiggles after 11 years in the band

'For me, that means spending more time at home, something that I didn't realise I was missing out on being away eight months of the year on tour, but something that I have really cherished over the last 18 months.'

She continued: 'I am also really looking forward to devoting more time and energy on completing my PhD that incorporates my ongoing passion for sign language, dance and film editing, and to having more time to work with the deaf community.'

Emma is passionate about sign language and raising awareness of Australia's deaf community after growing up with her best friend having two deaf brothers.

Her PhD, which she has been researching for several years, focuses on the affective, artistic integrations of sign language, dance and film editing.
Lisa Curry broke down in tears as she discussed her daughter Jaimi's death at age 33 in September 2020, on Monday's episode of ABC's Australian Story.

The former athlete, 59, revealed she's still trying to process her death and has been in a constant state of mourning for two years.

Jaimi had been battling alcoholism and an eating disorder for years before her death.

'All I've done for two years is sit and cry and eat': Lisa Curry, 59, broke down in tears on ABC's Australian Story on Monday as she revealed she's still trying to process her daughter Jaimi's death at age 33

Wiping away tears, Lisa said on the program: 'Jaimi was only 33, she had a whole life to live. I haven't been able to talk about it because you can see what it does to me.

'All I've done for two years is sit and cry and eat... you know I feel like s**t.'

Lisa, who welcomed Jaimi with ex-husband Grant Kenny, 58, revealed that she wishes she were able to help out other families in a similar situation.

Awful: Jaimi (pictured), who Lisa shared with former Ironman and Olympic bronze medal winner Grant Kenny, died in September 2020 after a lengthy battle with an eating disorder and alcoholism

An understandably emotional Lisa said on the program: 'Jaimi was only 33, she had a whole life to live. I haven't been able to talk about it because you can see what it does to me'

'I'm still in a state where I'm still trying to work it out, because if I can help someone else,' she said.

'Here's something that I've learnt, it might help another family. But I don't know... I can't seem to do it. It's annoying. If I knew the answers I'd be shouting them to the world.'

Earlier on in the episode, Lisa's son Jett Kenny, 28, credited her resilience.

In mourning: Lisa, who welcomed Jaimi with ex-husband Grant Kenny, 58, revealed that she wishes she were able to help out other families in a similar situation: 'I'm still in a state where I'm still trying to work it out, because if I can help someone else,' she said

'She's very hard on herself with all of that. And Dad was the same. But Mum's a strong woman. Like, she will...she'll push through it,' he said.

Jaimi died in September 2020 at age 33, after a lengthy battle with an eating disorder and an addiction to alcohol.

She passed away at Sunshine Coast University Hospital surrounded by her family, including both her Olympian mother and Ironman father.

Support: Earlier on in the episode, Lisa's son Jett Kenny (pictured), 28, credited her resilience. 'She's very hard on herself with all of that. And Dad was the same. But Mum's a strong woman. Like, she will...she'll push through it,' he said

Heartbreaking scene: Jaimi's devastated family are pictured at her funeral where they carried her flower-covered coffin

Jaimi had been supported by her parents and siblings through many years of treatment at private clinic End ED, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland.

Lisa first broke her silence on the final night of Jaimi's life in an extract from her new memoir, Lisa A Memoir - 60 Years of Life, Love & Loss, where she detailed how Jaimi had called her saying she was vomiting blood.

An ambulance was called, and Lisa and her former husband Grant, rushed to her side as she was admitted to hospital.

At first, Jaimi's parents were told she was stable and under sedation - and seeing as she had episodes of vomiting blood in the past, they hoped for the best.

Lengthy battle: Jaimi had been supported by her parents and siblings through many years of treatment at private clinic End ED, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland

Her final hours: Lisa first broke her silence on the final night of Jaimi's life in an extract from her new memoir, Lisa A Memoir - 60 Years of Life, Love & Loss, where she detailed how Jaimi had called her saying she was vomiting blood

By her side: An ambulance was called, and Lisa and her former husband Grant (pictured), rushed to her side as she was admitted to hospital. At first, Jaimi's parents were told she was stable and under sedation - and seeing as she had episodes of vomiting blood in the past, they hoped for the best

However, 40 minutes after they left, the pair were called back, and learned Jaimi had been put on a ventilator, as her condition had become critical.

'I ran to her and called softly, "Jaimi, Jaimi, it's Mum. Open your eyes, baby, open your eyes. Squeeze my hand if you can hear me." But there was no response, there was just nothing. I was numb,' Lisa writes in the extract as published by The Daily Telegraph.

While the pair were at the hospital, Jaimi's kidneys shut down, and a doctor delivered devastating news.

Devastating: While the pair were at the hospital, Jaimi's kidneys shut down, and a doctor delivered devastating news. 'Jaimi will die tonight,' he told Lisa, as the grieving mother tried to prepare herself for the worst

'Jaimi will die tonight,' he told Lisa, as the grieving mother tried to prepare herself for the worst.

'Hearing those words, I was sobbing. "No, no, no, I'm not ready!" Even though we'd known for years this time would come, we didn't want it to be real,' she writes.

Lisa and Grant married in 1984, separated in 2009 and share three children including Jaimi, Jett, and daughter Morgan, 31.

Lisa married current husband Mark Tabone in 2018 and admitted recently that she was finding it hard to spend time away from him as she tours to promote her new memoir.

In need of support? Contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Kid's Helpline on 1800 55 1800

Traumatic: 'Hearing those words, I was sobbing. "No, no, no, I'm not ready!" Even though we'd known for years this time would come, we didn't want it to be real,' Lisa wrote in her memoir

Who is Lisa Curry? * A former competitive swimmer and Ironwoman, Lisa has won 30 international swimming medals * As a swimmer, she represented Australia 16 times from 1977 to 1992 * Lisa competed in three Olympic Games - Moscow (1980), Los Angeles (1984) and Barcelona (1992) * The Brisbane-born star was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 * Turning her hand to reality TV, Lisa starred in Channel Nine's The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2011 * In 2017, she joined Network Ten's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! * Lisa married former Ironman and Olympic bronze medallist Grant Kenny in 1984. They separated in May 2009 * They share three children including Jaimi, son Jett, 28, and daughter Morgan, 31 * She announced her engagement to entertainer Mark Tabone in October 2016. They wed in May 2018 Advertisement
Joanna Chimonides put on an eye-popping display as she headed out in Chelsea on Sunday evening to celebrate pal Maria Wilde's birthday.

She was reunited with co-stars such as Georgia Steel and Jess Gale for the evening, as they headed to Italian eatery Chelsea Lodge Bar.

The 25-year-old star looked sensational in a plunging green leather corset - with a lace up torso and halter neck design.

Love Island star Joanna Chimonides, 25, put on a plunging display as she headed out in London on Sunday evening.

She flashed her taut abs in the ensemble, pairing it with satin tassel cargo trousers and open toed black heels.

The beauty accessorised with a black handbag, adding a mix of silver rings to the look.

Her ombre locks were styled in a brushed out wave as they fell to her midriff, as she sported a glowing makeup look.

Stunning: She looked sensational in a plunging green leather corset - with a lace up torso and halter neck design

Bombshell: Whilst her ombre locks were styled in a brushed out wave as they fell to her midriff

Monochrome: Georgia Steel put on an ultra sleek display for the night out, as she opted for a monochrome ensemble

Meanwhile, Joanna's Love Island pal Georgia put on an ultra sleek display for the evening, as she opted for a monochrome ensemble.

The star, 24, donned a pair of shell material trousers layered over a bejewelled Palm Angels bodysuit, showing off her ample cleavage with a square neck cut.

Georgia added barely-there black heels as she clutched onto a croc-texture d Balenciaga Hourlgass handbag.

Toned: Jess Gale showed off her toned legs for the night out, as she stunned in a mesh, cut-out black mini dress

Birthday girl: The trio were out to celebrate the birthday of Love Islander Maria Wild, who appeared in Season five of the show during Casa Amor, but was sent home just four days later (pictured)

Sleek: The birthday girl amped up the glamour in a luxe red strapless jumpsuit, with intricate gold detailing as she entered the venue with a pal

The reality star had her locks styled in a soft curl, adding a bronzed nude lipstick to her dewy complexion.

Jess showed off her toned legs for the night out, as she stunned in a mesh, cut-out black mini dress.

The 22-year-old added an eye-catching Louis Vuitton handbag in a bright orange, alongside open-toed perspex heels.

Together again: It was a Love Island reunion as Sophie Piper and Elma Pazar were both in attendance

Beauty: Elma nailed night out chic as she sported a white, sweetheart neckline mini dress

Her blonde tresses were left to fall freely as she put on a bronzed display, with a dark nude lip.

The trio were out to celebrate the birthday of Love Islander Maria Wild, who appeared in Season five of the show during Casa Amor, but was sent home just four days later.

The birthday girl amped up the glamour in a luxe red strapless jumpsuit, with intricate gold detailing.

Work it: The pals posed for a slew of snaps together as they enjoyed the night out on the town

Co-ord: Francesca Allen also made a show stopping appearance in a black co-ord

She added a black Christian Dior saddle bag, with her hair in a bouncy Hollywood curl.

The bash acted as a reunion for the ITV2 show, as stars Elma Pazar, Francesca Allen and Sophie Piper also made a chic appearance.

The group posed for a slew of snaps during the night out, with Georgia and Joanna both taking to their Instagram Stories to share shots from the night.

Posting a pre-part mirror selfie to her Story, Georgia posed with Joanna as she captioned: 'Back with chuuu'.

The pair also shared a sneak peak inside the party, which featured cupcakes with Maria's face on top of them.

(L-R Joanna Chimonides, Francesca Allen, Elma Pazar, Maria Wild and Georgia Steel)

Besties: Georgia took to her Instagram to share a mirror snap of her and Joanna before the bash
A hapless hiker was rescued by Carol Vorderman on Sunday after locking himself out of his own car in remote south Wales - but failed to recognise the former Countdown star.

Sightseer Tyrone Coburn found himself stranded after inadvertently leaving his keys inside the vehicle while exploring picturesque Welsh mountain range Brecon Beacons over the Bank Holiday weekend.

With no phone signal, Coburn was faced with the grim prospect of finding his way off the sprawling range on foot before passing good Samaritan Carol, 61, solved the conundrum by offering him a lift.

Saviour: A hapless hiker was rescued by Carol Vorderman on Sunday after locking himself out of his own car in remote south Wales - but failed to recognise the former Countdown star

Taking to Instagram with a selfie of himself and Carol later that day, he wrote: 'Locked my keys in my car today after walking the horse shoe in Brecon.

'Had no signal to phone AA and this kind lady CAROL VORDERMAN came to my rescue and gave me a lift to the nearest village so I could ring them, what a lovely lady she is.'

Responding to the post, she wrote: 'Awwwww. I was wandering around the Beacons yesterday and chatting to an ex-teacher who was manning one of the car parks for @breconbeacons.

You're welcome: Carol responded after he thanked her on social media, but admitted he didn't recognise her until she took her sunglasses off

'Then Tyrone and his two friends came over and said that he'd locked his keys in his car. The problem was he would have to climb back up a mountain for a signal to ring the AA or walk 5 miles to the nearest village...

'Er Hello....time for a lift.'

However he failed to recognise his celebrity saviour until she removed her heavily tinted sunglasses - because she wasn't wearing any make-up.

Glam: A made-up Carol during a recent appearance on Good Morning Britain in April

She added: 'He made me laugh tho cos we were chatting away in the car and it was only when I took my sunnies off that he recognised me.

'Two frights at once. Seeing it was the old numbers bird off the telly and it was her without make up as well!!!!

'Glad you got back home safe and sound tho T. Always glad to help, just as you would help some other soul too I'm sure. Happy days.'
She announced she had welcomed her first child - a baby boy named Rumi-Ray - with her husband Cory Tran in November last year.

And Freida Pinto enjoyed a family day out with her husband and son as they went for a stroll through the Los Feliz neighbourhood of Los Angeles on Sunday.

The actress, 37, cut a casual figure for the day as she sported a white shirt along with a pair of dark grey shorts.

Family: Freida Pinto donned a white shirt and grey shorts as she went for a stroll with her husband Cory Tran and son Rumi-Ray, five months, in Los Angeles on Sunday

The Slumdog Millionaire star also wore a pair of black trainers along with a large tan sun hat.

Letting her locks fall loose down her shoulders, the star went makeup free on the outing.

Friday's husband Cory went shirtless and wore a pair of black shorts as he carried Rumi-Ray in a baby sling.

Freida announced that she had welcomed a baby boy named in a post that was shared to her Instagram account in November.

Casual: The Slumdog Millionaire star also wore a pair of black trainers along with a large tan sun hat

In one of the photos, Freida was seen resting while her newborn cuddled up to her chest, and her spouse was pictured doing the exact same thing.

The actress wrote a short message in her caption to send her best wishes to Cory on his birthday and to publicly express her love for the new father.

She wrote: 'Happy Birthday Dada Cory! I celebrate you my husband, friend and partner in life. To see you become not just a Dad but Super-Dad makes me so emotional and fills me with joy.

Freida added: 'It also gives this sleep deprived Mama a break and you have no idea how much I appreciate that! I am so grateful and in love with how we do life together. Love you madly.'

Proud parent: Freida announced that she had welcomed a baby boy named in a post that was shared to her Instagram account in November

Freida then revealed her son's name to the public by writing: 'Rumi-Ray you are one lucky boy!'

Cory also reposted the images to his own Instagram account, and wrote a brief statement that began with: 'Best birthday gift you could ever ask for.'

Cory then expressed his gratitude for his wife's love and devotion before concluding his message.

'Thank you for our sweet boy. I'm in awe of you more and more every day. Watching you give birth to Rumi-Ray was truly a miracle, you are such a warrior,' he wrote.

Feeling the love: Cory also reposted the images to his own Instagram account, and wrote a brief statement that began with: 'Best birthday gift you could ever ask for'

The couple announced that they had become engaged in November of 2019.

Before she became involved with the photographer, the actress was engaged to her former publicist, Rohan Antao.

She went on to begin a long-term relationship with her Slumdog Millionaire co-star, Dev Patel.

The two went their separate ways in 2014 and have remained close friends ever since then.
Charlotte Crosby showcased her blossoming bump during her Pepper Girls Club clothing fashion show in York on Sunday.

The pregnant Geordie Shore star, 31, looked radiant in a green shirt and trouser co-ord, which she teamed with a white crop top and nude heels.

She styled her caramel tresses in loose curls and flashed her dazzling smile while giggling beside co-star Holly Hagan during the event held at Principal Hotel.

Beaming: Charlotte Crosby showcased her blossoming bump while Holly Hagan cradled her tummy during her Pepper Girls Club clothing fashion show in York on Sunday

Holly flaunted her toned midriff in a black crop top and leather trousers, while adding a pop of colour with a pink shirt.

The reality TV star, 29, teamed the ensemble with white trainers and a stylish green handbag while cradling Charlotte's tummy.

She wore her ashy locks in loose waves with a pair of sunglasses on top of her head, while sporting a glam makeup look.

Incredible: Holly flaunted her toned midriff in a black crop top and leather trousers, while adding a pop of colour with a pink shirt

Radiant: The pregnant Geordie Shore star, 31, looked radiant in a green shirt and trouser co-ord, which she teamed with a white crop top and nude heels

Stunning: Charlotte styled her caramel tresses in loose curls and flashed her dazzling smile while giggling beside co-star Holly Hagan during the event held at Principal Hotel

Holly recently spoke out about her experience going under the knife in 2018 to remove her FF breast implants.

The reality TV star detailed her decision to reduce her breast size, admitting she 'started hating the attention that came with them.'

Geordie Shore stars Nathan Henry and Sophie Kasaei reunited with their co-stars to support Charlotte.

Fashionista's: Sophie Kasaei, Charlotte and Holly (pictured left to right) showcased their sensational style at the fashion show

Stylish: Sophie flaunted her peachy bottom in blue jeans and sported a vibrant pink crop top and matching heels

Amazing: Charlotte looked every inch the doting mother-to-be as she showed Sophie her growing bump

Cosy: Charlotte was all smiles as she caught up with Sophie who gave her a hug

Gorgeous:The brunette beauty opted for a bronzed makeup palette which accentuated her natural features

Pals: Geordie Shore star Nathan Henry reunited with his former co-stars to support Charlotte

Charlotte has discussed her high-risk pregnancy after announcing she is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Jake Ankers.

The pregnant star beamed from ear-to-ear as she held up the ultrasound scan in the post, while wearing a white bikini top as she soaked up the sun during her recent Dubai getaway.

In her caption, she revealed how she had been staring at the photo 'every single second of the day' and had been 'nervous' following her ectopic pregnancy in 2016 - after falling pregnant by her ex-boyfriend Gaz Beadle.

Happy: The star beamed with pride as she showed off her fashion range at the show

Pregnancy: Charlotte has discussed her high-risk pregnancy after announcing she is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Jake Ankers

The TV personality wrote: 'Our little baby. While we were on holiday I literally stared at my scan pictures every single second of the day, like thats our baby! Growing inside of me.

'Im holding up my absolute favourite scan picture! going into my scans was completely new to me, I was so nervous for so many reasons after my EP Im high risk for complications.

'BUT seeing the baby in the correct place with a healthy beating heart At our first ever scan was nothing short of a miracle to me and my partner .

Expecting: Revealing how she had been staring at the photo 'every single second of the day', she revealed she had been 'nervous' following her ectopic pregnancy in 2016

Emotional: The TV personality wrote: 'Our little baby. While we were on holiday I literally stared at my scan pictures every single second of the day, like thats our baby! Growing inside of me'

'I didnt expect to see much movement at our first ever scan but the baby had other plans, it was like a little acrobat in there turning and spinning and rolling around I was in awe!

'It was the most magical moment and this picture Im holding was right in the middle of one of the impressive tumbles and I just love it! 

'I love how you can see the little tiny shoulders, the cutest little back and he/shes little legs stretched out. I could sit here all day trying to guess what Im having. What do you guys think boy or girl???'

It comes after Charlotte confirmed her pregnancy in a heartwarming post she shared with her fans on Instagram.

Her announcement came just weeks after she hinted that she and Jake could get engaged in the future, after he admitted he may propose soon.

In her social media post, she shared the news in a video showing her pregnancy test and also filmed herself telling the happy news to her family.

She penned the caption: 'A moment I wasn't sure would ever be mine is here, it's mine (and Jake's) and i couldn't be happier to be sharing it with you allI'm having a baby.'

In the video, the reality star is seen going for a pregnancy scan where she hears the baby's heartbeat.
Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews have shared the first picture of their newborn son, who they have named Otto James.

In a spread with Hello! Magazine, the couple looked every inch the proud parents as they posed with their new addition as well as son Theodore, three, and daughter Gigi, 21 months.

In an accompanying interview the couple said they had 'always loved' the name Otto, with his middle name in honour of Spencer's older brother James, 46.

Introducing baby Otto: Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews showed off their newborn son in an adorable family snap with son Theodore, three, and daughter Gigi, 21 months

Vogue, 36, said: 'I heard somebody else's child called Otto a couple of years ago and the name always stuck. I just loved it. I think Otto James together sounds really cool.'

They said: 'Otto slotted in straight away. The kids love him and we are obsessed with him. Theodore and Gigi love playing with each other and I think that Otto's going to be another little member of their gang. It's really lovely to see.'

The pair spoke about Otto's straightforward birth on April 18 and noted how he is the 'spitting image' of his dad Spencer.

Congratulations! The happy couple took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the wonderful news, sharing a photo of their older children meeting their new sibling

Vogue said: 'I mean, there's none of me in there,' Vogue laughs. If I had been shown this baby and had to choose which one was mine, I would never know because he's just the spitting image of Spencer.'

In an Instagram post, she added: 'Here he is! The newest member of our family I cant believe he only arrived 12 days ago, it feels like hes been here forever.

'He has brought so much happiness to our house click the link in my bio for all the piccies, absolutely love them!'

Cute: In an interview with Hello! Magazine , in which the couple posed up with their third child, the couple said they had 'always loved' the name Otto, with his middle name in honour of Spencer's older brother James (pictured with wife Pippa Middleton in July)

The couple announced the birth of their son on April 20.

The happy couple took to Instagram on Wednesday to share the wonderful news, sharing a photo of their older children meeting their new sibling.

Captioning her heartwarming snap, which sees Gigi and Theo cradling the tot, Vogue gushed: 'We are so happy to announce that our beautiful boy arrived safely on Monday evening.

'Bursting with love he is the perfect addition to our family .'

Blooming lovely: Vogue, 36, said: 'I heard somebody else's child called Otto a couple of years ago and the name always stuck. I just loved it. I think Otto James together sounds really cool'

The post was met with a plethora of congratulatory messages from her showbiz pals including Angela Scanlan, Emma Louise Connolly and Rosie Fortescue.

Spencer also took to social media to celebrate his little boy's birth, sharing a snap of Gigi and Theo looking into their sibling's crib, writing: 'And then there were three .'

Spencer and Vogue announced they were expecting their third child in October, and then later confirmed the sex in December.

Speaking to HELLO! magazine, Vogue said: 'Baby number three on the way!!! This has been a lot harder to hide third time around, I feel like I've had a bump since the first month.'

Spencer shared a sweet snap of the couple and wrote: 'WE'RE HAVING A THIRD BABY!!!

'If you'd have told me a few years ago that by the age of 33 I'd have three beautiful children with the woman of my dreams I WOULD have believed you because that was always the plan.

'Having said that I feel fortunate every day for what we have. Family is EVERYTHING.'

Vogue added of their new baby: 'It'll be the more the merrier.'

Sweet: Captioning her heartwarming snap, which sees Gigi and Theo cradling the tot, Vogue gushed: 'We are so happy to announce that our beautiful boy arrived safely on Monday evening. Bursting with love he is the perfect addition to our family '

Well wishes: The post was met with a plethora of congratulatory messages from her showbiz pals including Angela Scanlan, Emma Louise Connolly and Rosie Fortescue

Before their third bout of baby joy, Spencer told MailOnline: 'Both Vogue and I love children. We can't wait. We consider ourselves very lucky to have grown our family as quickly as we have.

Out now: Read the full interview in Hello magazine, out now

'It was always the plan for us to move quite quickly in that regard. We're full of joy and excitement.

The couple chose the name early on, with Spencer telling Martin King and Una Healy on The Six O'Clock Show in January: 'It happened quite early, pretty much as soon as she was pregnant we haven't really thrown anymore into the mix, as far as I'm concerned we've had the chat.'

The reality star kept tight-lipped on the moniker of choice, but did say: 'It is not an Irish name. No disrespect to the Irish!'

Eldest child Theodore is said to be thrilled to have a little brother, with Vogue telling Hello!: 'My sister asked Theodore if he wants to have a brother or sister and he replied: 'A brother! I don't want a sister, I already have a sister.' So he's delighted.'

Spencer and Vogue got engaged in January 2018, before tying the knot in a romantic ceremony at a Scottish mansion owned by Spencer's family just five months later.
She's been enjoying a fun-filled hen do in Palma, Mallorca this week with her friends and family ahead of her nuptials to fiance Martin Bojtos.

And Kate Lawler 41, continued the celebrations on Saturday as she enjoyed a final hurrah with her pals - sharing a slew of snaps to Instagram.

The Big Brother winner showed off her toned abs as she posed for a bikini snap with two friends, donning a strapless, wrap torso bikini.

Hen do: Kate Lawler, 41, shared more fun-filled snaps to Instagram on Saturday as she enjoyed the last of her Mallorca hen do ahead of wedding to fiance Martin Bojtos

She looked sensational in the beachy ensemble, with her blonde tresses falling in a tousled style to her chest.

It seemed that she was making the most of the wild getaway before her nuptials, as she was playfully pushed around in a shopping trolley by pal Katy Millen.

The pair giggled as Kate sported a glitzy bride-to-be hat and love-heart sunglasses, with her legs hanging over the edge of the trolley.

Playful: It seemed that she was making the most of the wild getaway before her nuptials, as she was playfully pushed around in a shopping trolley by pal Katy Millen

The group, which included Kate's twin sister, Karen, enjoyed a sun-soaked weekend, attending a host of beach clubs and seaside destinations - with Kate documenting the trip to her 425k Instagram followers.

They even took some time out for dress-up, sporting matching face masks of Kate's dog as they strutted beside a pool.

On Friday, Kate posed up a storm once again while showing off her toned figure in a pink bikini, and novelty sunglasses.

Masks: They even took some time out for dress-up, sporting matching dog face masks as they strutted beside a pool

Wow! She looked incredible on Friday as she showed off her toned figure in a pink bikini, a glitzy bride-to-be hat and novelty sunglasses

The beauty sported a white sheer beach cover up over her shoulders and paired the ensemble with black sandals which were embellished with pearls.

Her string bikini also featured large pearl detailing and her blonde locks were styled in loose curls.

The novelty bride-to-be hat from Glitter Gals and sunglasses from G Gal Designs were embellished in pearls and rhinestones.

Kate oozed confidence as she posed for the stunning snaps which she captioned: 'Mrs B to be'

Looking good: The Big Brother winner posed up a storm for a slew of sizzling Instagram snaps in front of a stunning sea view

Beauty: Her string bikini also featured large pearl detailing and her blonde locks were styled in loose curls

Pose: The novelty bride-to-be hat and sunglasses were embellished in pearls and rhinestones

As the fun-filled celebrations came to an end, it was then time for the group to head home - to which three members of the group hilariously turned up to the airport in the same outfit.

Posting the blunder to her Instagram story, Kate took a snap of her three pals all in white trousers and denim jackets.

In the caption, she jested: 'When you don't check what your mates are wearing for the flight home'.

Work it! Kate oozed confidence as she posed for the stunning snaps which she captioned: 'Mrs B to be'

Boozy: The party, which she nicknamed 'disgust-hen', got into full swing on Friday with Kate being accompanied by a group of pals including her sisters

Here she is: She shared some close up snaps of her 'Mrs Bojtos' glasses and wore a sparkly bride hat

Despite the wild holiday, the star admitted that she was 'ready' to go home, posting a bare-faced selfie on Sunday from the plane as she wrote: ' Ready to fly home to babies and Boj'.

And it seemed she had quite the welcome party, as she was greeted by cuddles from her 13-month-old daughter Noa, husband-to-be and their two dogs.

Kate is engaged to her fiance Martin - who she shares her daughter Noa with - and the pair are set to wed in June.

Awkward: As the fun-filled celebrations came to an end, it was then time for the group to head home - to which three members of the group hilariously turned up to the airport in the same outfit

Home time: Despite the wild holiday, the star admitted that she was 'ready' to go home, posting a bare-faced selfie on Sunday from the plane

Cute! And it seemed she had quite the welcome party, as she was greeted by cuddles from her 13-month-old daughter Noa, husband-to-be and their two dogs

The star and and her fiance Martin were meant to tie the knot on June 6 last year but were forced to postpone their big day due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Earlier this month Kate revealed she and her fiance Martin were in the 'worst possible place for a couple' as she detailed their relationship ahead of their upcoming wedding.

In a candid interview she admitted that she 'wasn't prepared for the seismic shift' in their relationship following the birth of their daughter Noa.

Family: Kate is engaged to her fiance Martin - who she shares her daughter Noa, 13 months, with - and the pair are set to wed in June

However, the star told how her first week since quitting Virgin radio had already seen things dramatically improve with her fiance and her daughter, with Kate and Martin now happily looking forward to their nuptials in June.

The 2002 Big Brother winner, presenter, DJ and author, had her first child Noa last February after insisting for a long time she never wanted to be a mum, while her partner of nine years Martin, known affectionately as Boj, was 'desperate' for kids.

Speaking to Kate Thornton on her White Wine Question Time podcast, Kate explained: 'Since we became parents our relationship has changed so much. I want to say for the better, but sadly we both know, and we're acutely aware of this, that we haven't prioritised our relationship at all and we know that we need to take steps to improve it.

Together: The party, which she nicknamed 'disgust-hen' got into full swing with Kate being accompanied by a group of pals including her sisters

'We're getting married in two months and we've actually had like the hardest year as a couple so far.

'But we know it's because we became parents and your life changes monumentally when you become parents.'

She continued: 'I wasn't prepared for the seismic shift in our relationship. I thought it would change my life, me personally, but I didn't think about how much it would effect us as a couple even though I had friends giving me advice saying 'look you're both going to say things you don't mean, you're both going to be more tired than you've ever been before'.

Funny: Her pals later decorate her lavish hotel room with silver balloons and snaps of her dogs

'We went out for a curry the other night because I pointed out that since Noa was born a year ago we've only been out on our own on a date twice. It's not good enough.

'I can't be bothered to put on make-up and find something to wear. I want to sit in my pyjamas and read a book.'

She went on: 'We'd only been out for our anniversary in June, four months after Noa had been born...and we spent most of it looking on the monitor like 'ooh, is she ok?'. His mum was babysitting. So the last week has been great.

'We're talking, we're communicating. We're just better with each other.'

Style: For her hen do Kate looked incredible in a silky colourful co-ord from Zara that showed off her toned legs

Last month, Kate told how Boj, who proposed back in 2018, had brought them couples therapy in a bid to start their marriage on 'right foot'.

Speaking about the effect it has had on their relationship, she said: 'It was Boj's suggestion that we start couple's therapy, and I can't recommend it enough because it's really helped us. She's given us tools that we've applied when it comes to that feeling when an argument is brewing and you know that you're going to go down a road that's going to lead to anger and shouting.

'I felt really bad saying this to Boj... but part of the reason I didn't want a kid was because I was so scared of what it would do to our relationship. I feel that he knew that when arguments were brewing over the last year and I'd say 'this is why I knew we shouldn't have...'

Having fun: She took to her Instagram Story to share close ups of her novelty glasses as she partied with friends and family

'And I hate myself for saying that because it's horrible for him to hear it, for me saying 'I knew that it would do this to us, I knew it would break us, I knew that we would end up resenting each other', and falling out and becoming like distant and being in the worst place possible for a couple who are about to get married.

'But we're coming out of the other side. We know what we need to do and we're trying to make sure that at the bottom of this, that us going into our marriage we want to start on the right foot which is why we decided therapy would be the best route for us.

'And we would just focus on spending more time together as a family, and less time on our phones and less time working in the evenings when we're supposed to be having that quality time together.'

Wild: In one snap the gang were served huge jugs of summery cocktails with Kate's sister Kelly then seen singing and dancing around the tables as the other girls egged her on

She added: 'I'm focusing on the wedding now. It's all about just spending the next two months, doing as little work as possible just to take a little breather and make sure that I'm happy on my wedding day. I don't want to feel like I've been feeling on my wedding day - I want to be a happy bride.'

The beauty revealed how she's tying the knot on June 11 at an East London venue, with her darling daughter acting as a bridesmaid.

Kate also revealed that she's turned down a magazine deal, that they're having a non-religious ceremony as they're both atheists and that Noa and their dogs will be joining them on the second part of their honeymoon.
Helen Flanagan has revealed she and her fiance Scott Sinclair have been living 'like flatmates' and have not shared a bed together for the last seven years.

The former Coronation Street star, 31, who is mother to three small children - Matilda, six, Delilah, three, and son Charlie, 13 months - admitted she is now going to focus on doing up a room they can both sleep in together.

Helen told her followers on social media that she always had trouble sleeping and functioning if she didn't sleep with her children.

Relationships: Helen Flanagan has revealed she and her fiance Scott Sinclair have been living 'like flatmates' and have not shared a bed together for the last seven years

She explained: 'I've always co slept with Charlie and the breast feeding went hand in hand.

'I'm doing my house up at the moment ( hence why most of my pics are taken in lounge area as I haven't got round to the rest).

'One of my next jobs is mine and Scott's room and after seven years it would be nice as a couple to actually share a bed and not feel like flat mates.'

She confessed: 'I've always just co slept with the kids out of easiness and just basically so I can sleep and just function in the morning.'

Parents: The former Coronation Street star, 31, who is mother to three small children - Matilda, six, Delilah, three, and son Charlie, 13 months - admitted she is now going to focus on doing up a room they can both sleep in together

Helen also revealed in her post that she is weaning her little boy Charles off her breast milk and is looking forward to him sleeping better too.

She said: 'There is so many other lovely amazing stages after nursing loving watching Charlie's little personality grow.

'It's been a good week of progress for Charles totally off my milk all through out the day and just having a feed before bed and when he wakes up a milky feed. Had to do it gradual for Charlie and also for me that I don't get mastitis.

She added: 'I've not had any regular kind of childcare for Charlie since he's been born so it's been nice to have some this past week to sort just general life admin that I had to do that you just can't do with a baby and because I've had a pair of hands he's not been frustrated during the day not having my milk.

Mother: She explained: 'I've always co slept with Charlie (pictured) and the breast feeding went hand in hand with that'

'Can't believe it either Charlie's started to want to sleep in his cot! He just seemed so unsettled next to me, I think a bit was a bit of constipation with eating more food bless him.'

It comes after last month, the actress, who is best loved for playing Rosie Webster on the cobbles, revealed that all three of her children had caught scarlet fever.

Scarlet fever is a contagious infection that mostly affects young children but is easily treated with antibiotics.

A main symptom of scarlet fever is a rash of small, raised spots while some also suffer with flu-like symptoms, including a high temperature, a sore throat and swollen neck glands.

Family: Helen told her followers on social media that she always had trouble sleeping and functioning if she didn't sleep with her children

Taking to Instagram, Helen shared a snap of Delilah napping on the sofa while she battled with the infection.

She penned: 'All the kids have Scarlet Fever. Glad to know what it is after Delilah not been herself and the medicine to treat it.'

Parents have been warned to be on their guard for chickenpox and scarlet fever as cases rise among children across the country.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issued the warning to parents after nearly 3,500 cases of scarlet fever were reported between September 2021 and March 2022 in England.
He is the leading man of one of the nation's most adored medical comedy dramas.

And Martin Clunes - aka emotionally stunted Doctor Martin Ellingham - was spotted in Cornwall last week as filming continued for the final instalment of ITV's Doc Martin.

Suited and booted Martin, 60 - dressed in his character's trademark attire - threw himself straight into the proceedings in Port Isaac and was pictured assessing a BMW which was dangling over a cliff edge.

On edge! Martin Clunes was back in Cornwall to film scenes for the final series of beloved Doc Martin last week - which saw a BMW dangle off a cliff

A string of crew members surrounded the aloft vehicle, with a JCB digger in close proximity.

Prior to the car toppling over the edge, Martin, also known for his role in Men Behaving Badly, picked up litter that had accumulated on the grass.

Despite the assumed tense scene, the comedian looked in high spirits as he cracked jokes for his colleagues.

Tense: Suited and booted Martin, 60 - dressed in his character's trademark attire - threw himself straight into the proceedings in Port Isaac

In character: Martin is the leading man of one of the nation's most adored medical comedy dramas and plays emotionally stunted Doctor Martin Ellingham

Oh dear: The actor was pictured assessing a BMW which was dangling over a cliff edge

Drama: A string of crew members surrounded the aloft vehicle, with a JCB digger in close proximity

Filming: Prior to the car toppling over the edge, Martin, also known for his role in Men Behaving Badly, picked up litter that had accumulated on the grass

If the pictures from the set were anything to go by, the final series, set to air this year, promises plentiful drama, as Martin was seen rushing to the aid of a woman who was sprawled at the bottom of the cliff.

It seemed as though the actress, clearly depicting an injury, was being attended to by Martin and another man after an accident.

Despite being filmed in small fishing village Port Isaac, Doc Martin's fictional location is seaside village Portwenn.

Keeping it fun: Despite the assumed tense scene, the comedian looked in high spirits as he cracked jokes for his colleagues

Cornwall-based: If the pictures from the set were anything to go by, the final series, set to air this year, promises plentiful drama

Intense: Martin was seen rushing to the aid of a woman who was sprawled at the bottom of the cliff

Struggles: It seemed as though the actress, clearly depicting an injury, was being attended to by Martin and another man after an accident

Setting: Despite being filmed in small fishing village Port Isaac, Doc Martin's fictional location is seaside village Portwenn

Doc Martin was manifested by Dominic Minghella, who drew inspiration from the character of Doctor Martin Bamford in the 2001 comedy film, in which Martin was the protagonist.

Most of the interior scenes in Doc Martin are shot in a converted local barn, with Fern Cottage used as the home and surgery of Doctor Ellingham.

A total of nine series aired between 2004 and 2019, with a TV film airing on Christmas Day in 2006.

Leading man: Doc Martin was manifested by Dominic Minghella, who drew inspiration from the character of Doctor Martin Bamford in the 2001 comedy film

Filming hotspots: Most of the interior scenes in Doc Martin are shot in a converted local barn, with Fern Cottage used as the home and surgery of Doctor Ellingham

Comeback: A total of nine series aired between 2004 and 2019, with a TV film airing on Christmas Day in 2006

Short break: The ninth and most recent series aired on ITV from September 2019

Taking a break: Martin was spotted recharging his batteries with a bite to eat

One more instalment: To the delight of fans, the tenth series will air this year

The ninth and most recent series aired on ITV from September 2019 and has been made available in the US and Canada via Acorn TV.

To the delight of fans, the tenth series will air this year.

The programme centres on Doctor Ellingham's encounters with the local Cornish villagers.

Plot: The programme centres on Doctor Ellingham's encounters with the local Cornish villagers

Portrayal: Despite his medical excellence, Ellingham is renowned for his lacking social skills and grouchiness, often delivering diagnoses without empathy

Ratings: The show has been a roaring success for ITV

Awards: In its debut year, it won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Drama

Crime: Martin was pictured opening the passenger door of a police van

Acclaim: In 2004, Doc Martin was also been nominated for Best New TV Comedy

Wow: Aerial shots showed the vastness of the surrounding areas

Despite his medical excellence, Ellingham is renowned for his lacking social skills and grouchiness, often delivering diagnoses without empathy.

The show has been a roaring success for ITV, with the third series achieving the channel's best midweek drama performance in the 9pm Monday slot since December 2004.

In its debut year, it won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Drama, having also been nominated for Best New TV Comedy.

Martin, in the same year, also scooped the gong for Best TV Comedy Actor.
Melissa Rawson and Bryce Ruthven are set to tell all in a new Channel Seven special.

In a trailer for the upcoming television event, The Fame Game, the Married At First Sight stars reveal they were targeted with death threats after appearing on the show.

Some of those threats were even aimed at their twin baby sons, Melissa, 32, said in the clip.

Soon: Melissa Rawson (pictured) and Bryce Ruthven are set to tell all in a new Channel special. In a trailer for the upcoming television event, The Fame Game, the Married At First Sight stars reveal they were targeted with death threats after appearing on the show

'They hoped my twins would die,' the new mother reveals in part of her interview shown in the preview.

Bryce also implies that what people saw on the reality show may not be the whole story.

'You think you know what you saw, but you have absolutely no idea,' he says.

Awful: Some of those threats were even aimed at their twin baby sons, Melissa, 32, said in the clip. 'They hoped my twins would die,' the new mother reveals in part of her interview

Not all it seems: Bryce (pictured) implies that what people saw on the reality show may not be the whole story

Also appearing on The Fame Game will be Biggest Loser Host Ajay Rochester, socialite Brynne Edelsten, actor Cameron Daddo, and Home and Away star Ada Nicodemou, among others, who will discuss their lives of fame and infamy.

Bryce and Melissa welcomed twin sons, twins, Levi and Tate, now six months old, in October 2021.

The tots were born prematurely and they were unable to take them home until Christmastime.

'You think you know what you saw, but you have absolutely no idea,' he says in the clip

Wedding day: The couple 'wed' on the 2021 season of MAFS and announced their engagement in July last year

The couple 'wed' on the 2021 season of MAFS and announced their engagement in July last year.

Their time on the show was controversial with some feeling the relationship was toxic.

Last year, fans started a Change.org petition demanding Channel Nine issue an apology for airing 'triggering' scenes involving the 'gaslighting' groom Bryce and his long-suffering wife Melissa.

It also called for Nine to acknowledge its alleged 'failure of duty of care' towards Melissa.

Long wait: Bryce and Melissa welcomed twin sons, twins, Levi and Tate, now six months old, in October. The tots were born prematurely and they were unable to take them home until Christmas

'This season of Married at First Sight Australia features a couple, Melissa and Bryce, who portray an excessive amount of DV [domestic violence] signs which are not being handled by the network appropriately,' the petition stated.

'There is a clear failure of duty of care to Melissa during filming of the show, allowing her to remain in a toxic and dangerous environment with her partner for the "benefit" of the network.'

'She is being subject to gaslighting, emotional manipulation, isolation, and countless other textbook signs of a controlling and or abusive relationship,' the petition goes on to claim, adding that the scenes are 'incredibly triggering and stressful to watch'.

It continues: 'This petition is for the Nine Network to acknowledge and apologise for letting Melissa go through this and also airing such a horrible relationship on TV without doing anything to showcase that the relationship is clearly not healthy.'
Murray Cook is returning to the stage after his time in The Wiggles.

The former Red Wiggle, 61, will perform at the Blues on Broadbeach music festival on the Gold Coast this month.

He will be joined but his band, Soul Movers, and is expected to be greeted by an audience of 150,000.

Music man: Murray Cook is returning to the stage after his time in The Wiggles. The former Red Wiggle, 61, will perform at the Blues on Broadbeach music festival on the Gold Coast this month. Pictured in 2019

Unlike the upbeat songs of The Wiggles, Murray says the blues tunes of the Soul Movers are a little more sombre.

'People think of the blues as always being sad songs, but it can be uplifting as well. It's music that comes from the heart,' he tells The Courier Mail.

Murray replaced punk rock legend Deniz Tek of rock band Radio Birdman on guitar in the group in 2017.

They have soul: He will be joined but his band, Soul Movers (pictured), and is expected to be greeted by an audience of 150,000

The musician, who was a member of The Wiggles between 1991 and 2012, first returned to the stage in January, 2021 after undergoing open-heart surgery in 2020.

'I'm really looking forward to it, it's a little bit daunting but I'm thrilled to get on stage and see the crowd,' Murray told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential at the time.

Murray was released from St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney in December 2020 after undergoing surgery where a faulty aortic valve was replaced.

Back: The musician, who was a member of The Wiggles between 1991 and 2012, first returned to the stage in January, 2021 after undergoing open-heart surgery in 2020. Pictured in 2008

He was hospitalised last year after having difficulty breathing while swimming, and has had a heart murmur since a child.

'It's a condition I have been aware of all my life and I knew at some stage I'd need surgery,' he told his followers in a video uploaded to his account.

'It's a fairly routine procedure but pretty major and I'll be recovering for about six weeks.'
She is best known for playing 'tearaway' Lola Pearce in EastEnders.

And Danielle Harold looked worlds away from her soap character on Sunday as she shared a glamorous photo before heading out over the bank holiday weekend.

The 29-year-old actress posed up a storm on her Instagram grid, wearing a plunging corset top teamed with a black blazer.

Wow: EastEnders star Danielle Harold looked worlds away from her soap character Lola Pearce as she posed up a storm in a glamorous snap on Sunday

While Lola is often tracksuit-clad with a natural face of makeup, Danielle pulled out all the stops by caking on multiple layers of cosmetics, including fake lashes and a striking application of bright green eye shadow.

The soap star pulled her bright blonde tresses into a pin curl coiffure and gazed sultrily at the camera.

She simply captioned the post with a green heart and gave a mention to her makeup artist.

Beauty: While Lola is often tracksuit-clad with a natural face of makeup, the actress, 29, often pulls out all the stops by caking on multiple layers of cosmetics

Beautiful: The post garnered several complimentary comments, with many labelling her 'pretty' and 'stunning'

The post garnered several complimentary comments, with many labelling her 'pretty' and 'stunning'.

Another wrote: 'Goodness gracious', followed by shocked and kiss emojis.

Danielle first joined Albert Square in 2011 as the granddaughter of established characters Billy Mitchell and Julie Perkins.

Role: Danielle first joined Albert Square in 2011 as the granddaughter of established characters Billy Mitchell and Julie Perkins

In 2012, she was at the heart of a teenage pregnancy storyline which saw her become the first EastEnders actress to act out giving birth live on air.

Three years later, it was announced that Danielle would be leaving the soap, but she ended up reprising the role in 2019, returning to Albert Square with her on-screen daughter Lexi.

Danielle, who remains a current cast member, told Digital Spy of her reprisal: 'EastEnders was my first acting job and I have so many happy memories from my time there. I cant believe its been over three years since I left and I cant wait to get back and find out what Lola has been up to.'
Martha Kalifatidis is missing her fiance Michael Brunelli.

The pair are apart while Martha, 34, travels around Italy for work, with Michael, 31, set to join her soon.

However the influencer had her man on her mind on Monday, as she shared a racy photo of the pair together to Instagram.

Love: Martha Kalifatidis (right) is missing her fiance Michael Brunelli (left). The influencer had her man on her mind on Monday, as she shared a racy photo of the pair together to Instagram

In the image, Martha straddles Michael on the floor, wearing nothing but a t-shirt and skimpy underwear.

Feeling romantic, the reality star captioned the image, 'Amore' which means 'love' in Italian.

Michael was quick to reply in the comments, writing: 'Dreaming of this rn [right now]'.

Racy! It's not the first time Martha has risked an Instagram ban for her racy posts

It's not the first time Martha has risked an Instagram ban for her racy posts.

Last month, she shared a black and white image in which Michael is lying in bed, seemingly totally nude.

Martha posted the image of Michael in response to a fan asking which of the pair of them is more jealous - she replied that Michael was, '1000 percent'.

Woah! Last month, she shared a black and white image in which Michael is lying in bed, seemingly totally nude

Martha also shared a series of intimate bedroom snaps on Instagram in December last year during their trip to Cabo San Lucas.

Things appeared to be getting hot and steamy as Martha posed naked in bed with a shirtless Michael.

In another shot the brunette beauty carefully used a duvet to protect her modesty as they enjoyed a green juice and watched TV from their bed.

Holiday mode: Martha also shared a series of intimate bedroom snaps on Instagram in December last year during their trip to Cabo San Lucas

Sexy: Martha showcased her tanned and toned figure and plenty of cleavage

Other photos showed the couple in a state of undress, with Martha showing off her sizzling physique before stripping it off completely to kiss Michael under the covers.

She captioned the post: 'When the Don Julio takes your girl out before you do'

Martha and Michael thrilled fans last year when they announced their engagement.

Martha and Michael's Married At First Sight wedding was watched by over a million Aussies back in 2019 - with the pair becoming breakout stars on the show.
She has stayed quiet despite there being rumors of a reconciliation with ex-girlfriend Kylie Prew.

and JoJo Siwa seemingly confirmed the reunion was on as she held hands with her ex-girlfriend during a trip to Walt Disneyworld over the weekend.

The 18-year-old Nickelodeon star's dad Tom posted a gallery of snaps from their trip to the iconic theme park in Orlando, Florida on Sunday.

Back together? JoJo Siwa seemingly confirmed she has reconciled romantically with ex-girlfriend Kylie Prew as they were snapped holding hands during a trip to Walt Disneyworld over the weekend

One of the images saw Kylie, JoJo, and Tom holding hands together as they galivanted around the park together.

There were also several selfies of the trio together on the rides as Tom captioned the gallery to his near 84K followers: 'Ride partners...'

There have been rumors of a reconciliation between the two for weeks as last week JoJo chose to stay mum on the matter while admitting she should have asked her partner 'what she wanted' her to say in public.

Bond: The 18-year-old Nickelodeon star's dad Tom posted a gallery of snaps from their trip to the iconic theme park in Orlando, Florida on Sunday

There were also several selfies of the trio together on the rides as Tom captioned the gallery to his near 84K followers: 'Ride partners...'

Peace: The trio seemed happy on the bonding outing

Interring: There have been rumors of a reconciliation between the two for weeks as last week JoJo chose to stay mum on the matter while admitting she should have asked her partner 'what she wanted' her to say in public

'I mean, listen, I will [answer this] one day,' she told Extra after she was asked if she was back with Prew.

'I'm not saying yes or no I should have told her I was doing press today and asked her what she wanted me to say,' added the teen.

Although JoJo is keeping tight lipped, she recently admitted she was 'very much so in love' and added she was 'really lucky that [she's] loved unconditionally'.

Now, she said: 'It would be really nice if she was at my home. We're long distance, which is always hard.

'She is the best, and FaceTimes and when we do actually get to see each other, my heart is just like

'I mean, listen, I will [answer this] one day,' she told Extra after she was asked if she was back with Prew (they are seen together in September)

'I felt like for a while my puzzle piece was just like scrambled eggs and I feel like I finally started to put my puzzle back together, and I feel like there was that one piece that was missing and she was that one piece. Like that corner piece that you just needed.'

Last month, the former Dancing With The Stars contestant revealed she is 'not single' and described herself as a 'loyal lady' when she's in a relationship.

She confirmed: 'We're not single. I say 'we're' because it's me and my multiple personalities within myself I am not single and I don't want to mingle. No, I'm a loyal lady.'

Last month, the former Dancing With The Stars contestant revealed she is 'not single' and described herself as a 'loyal lady' when she's in a relationship, as JoJo and Kylie are seen together in an Instgram post from last year

She also said: 'I was gonna erase my whole bio but just put the lock [emoji],' to which Rachel Uncensored host Rachel Ballinger replied: 'She's exclusive, ladies and gentleman.'

Back in October it was reported that JoJo and Kylie had broken up after a year of dating.

Their last Instagram post together came on September 25, 2021 as JoJo wished their shared puppy a 'happy daughter's day.'

The pair first met on a cruise ship and were friends for a year before things became romantic in early 2021. 'After being my best friend for over a year, January 8 2021 I got to start calling this exceptional human my Girlfriend,' she gushed in a post in February.

Last post: Their last Instagram post together came on September 25

In January 2021, JoJo came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and talked about Kylie and conversation about defining and unpacking her sexuality in an April interview.

'I still don't know what I am. It's like, I want to figure it out. And I have this joke. Her name is Kylie. And so I say that I'm Ky-sexual,' she told PEOPLE.

At the time she also gushed: 'She [Kylie] never cares what the internet said about us,' as she spoke about acclimating to being publicly out. 'It's nice to have somebody in my life like that.'
She's getting prepared to welcome her first child with boyfriend Lewis Burton in the coming months.

And Lottie Tomlinson has jetted off for a sunny holiday in Greece with her beau and family ahead of welcoming the new arrival.

The 23-year-old showed off her blossoming bump in a mirror shot on Monday, posting to her 4.5million followers.

Bikini babe: Pregnant Lottie Tomlinson showed off her growing baby bump in a brown bikini on Monday as she enjoys a family holiday to Greece

The entrepreneur donned a chocolate brown bikini for the snap - with a plunging triangle design.

In typical holiday fashion, her brunette tresses were scraped up in a bun for the picture, as she shielded her eyes with a pair of dark sunglasses.

The beauty accesorised with gold jewellery - adding a Christian Dior necklace and a dainty gold bracelet with complementing rings.

Bump: Lottie's boyfriend Lewis Burton also took to his story to share a video of his partner cradling her bump while they relaxed by the pool

Sunny: The pair are staying at five-star hotel Domes of Elounda in Crete - as they make the most of their time as a family of two

Lottie's boyfriend Lewis also took to his story to share a video of his partner cradling her bump while they relaxed by the pool.

The pair are staying at five-star hotel Domes of Elounda in Crete - as they make the most of their time as a family of two.

Another video showed Lottie dipping her feet in the pool, as she cooled down from the Grecian sun.

Loved up: Gushing over her beau, Lottie posted a snap of Lewis, adding a heart eye emoji beside his face

Stunning: The makeup-artist put on a show-stopping display the night before as they headed for a seaside dinner in the resort - donning a figure-hugging dress in emerald green

Gushing over her beau, Lottie posted a snap of Lewis, adding a heart eye emoji beside his face.

The makeup-artist put on a show-stopping display the night before as they headed for a seaside dinner in the resort.

In a similar mirror pic to Monday's, she donned a figure-hugging dress in emerald green, with a thigh grazing slit up the side.

Lewis and Lottie announced that they were expecting a baby boy back in February, sharing the sweet news to Instagram.

The couple unveiled the gender in a sweet clip, where they pulled a canon which released blue confetti.

The sister of Louis Tomlinson captioned the post: 'Our Little Baby'.

Revealed: Lottie and Lewis shared their gender reveal in February, in which they found out they were expecting a boy via a confetti cannon
Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet pulled at their fans heartstrings as they shared unseen footage of the moment he proposed.

The couple confirmed Tommy, 29, had popped the question back in February following a trip to Mexico with their son Brody, 11 months.

On Sunday's episode of ITV's Baby Steps, Georgia, 30, admitted she could hardly remember the proposal as it took her by surprise.

Emotional: Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet pulled at their fans heartstrings as they shared unseen footage of the moment he proposed

Getting down on one knee in front of a breathtaking view of the ocean, Tommy said: 'You're the best thing that ever happened to me and you're the best mum. Will you marry me?'

Georgia, in shock, replied: 'What? Oh my God, are you joking? Yes!'

Attempting to put the ring on her finger, Tommy said: 'What hand is it, is it that one?'

Speaking to the camera about the proposal, Georgia said: 'Wow, it was a blur. All I remember saying was, are you joking? So yeah, he caught me off guard.'

Heartwarming: The couple confirmed Tommy, 29, had popped the question back in February following a trip to Mexico with their son Brody, 11 months

Popping the question: On Sunday's episode of ITV's Baby Steps, Georgia, 30, admitted she could hardly remember the proposal as it took her by surprise

During the clip, Geogia wiped tears from her eyes as she said: 'How did you do this without me knowing? Oh my God. My eyes are stinging.'

'Are you happy?' Tommy asked.

'I'm in shock!' she said.

It comes after Georgia recently admitted she 'doesn't see herself' getting married in her native Essex and has instead set her sights on an overseas ceremony.

Tommy said: 'You're the best thing that ever happened to me and you're the best mum. Will you marry me?'

The TOWIE favourite revealed that it's work associations with her hometown that have deterred her from tying the knot there.

Georgia explained: 'The thing with a wedding in England is that with TOWIE, I have filmed in so many of those locations that I don't see myself getting married there because I filmed there.

'It is work people keep sending me so many different options but I am like, 'I have worked there.' There are so many. Seven years is a long time.

'There are a lot of venues we filmed in, a hell of a lot. That is the case with Essex and even further out to be fair. If I am travelling I may as well go to Spain or whatever.'

EXCLUSIVE: Georgia recently admitted she 'doesn't see herself' tying the knot in her native Essex but will film nuptials with Tommy for their show

Of the moment business owner Tommy, 29, got down on one knee, the reality star said: 'I did cry, I think so! The whole thing is a blur! I don't actually remember it. Brody was hanging out my arm and it was all a bit quick and all a bit mad.

'All my friends keep asking me what happened. I am a bit like: 'God knows' I don't know.

Hinting the wedding could be filmed like the engagement, Georgia added: 'It is like a little journey. It only makes sense to film it all and now we have started we may as well carry on.'

Parents: Baby Steps follows the couple as they navigate parenthood after welcoming son Brody last May

Georgia admitted she 'rarely goes out these days' but detailed how she gets the balance right.

'Just now I am managing evenings out I rarely go out these days but when I go out for dinner with my friends I enjoy that time because I know he is happy.

'Say Tom's mum or my mum is round we can then go for dinner. I put Brody to bed and then I've got my thing. It is just getting a bit of a balance. Being a mum is first priority but you need that time to yourself. I like to eat dinner then as well.

'There are some times when I don't get an evening  if he is teething and stuff like that - but if Tommy is there I can go out for an evening with my friends for dinner,' she said.

Watch episodes of Georgia and Tommy: Baby Steps on ITVBe on Sundays at 9pm.
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Joy Corrigan has made a habit of showing off her incredibly toned and slender figure on Instagram where she has almost 1million followers.

And on Sunday the Victoria's Secret model was at it again as she shared a video where she was prancing around outdoors in a pale blue bikini by La Mariposa while on vacation on the coast of Mexico.

'Living in paradise,' the 27-year-old cover girl wrote in her caption as she shared she was staying at the La Casa de la Playa hotel in the Mayan Riviera in Mexico.

Bikini time: Joy Corrigan has made a habit of showing off her incredibly toned and slender figure on Instagram where she has almost 1million followers. And on Sunday the Victoria's Secret model was at it again as she shared a video where she was prancing around outdoors in a pale blue bikini by La Mariposa

The curvy Guess model was fully made up with her blonde hair worn down over her tanned shoulders.

Corrigan added heavy gold jewelry as she went from the swimming pool to the white sand beach to take a dip in the ocean.

The string bikini bottom with a thong backside and daring top, which covered the Reprisal star's body, had fans sharing hearts and fire emojis for their comments.

Siren south of the border: The catwalk queen has been on vacation on the beautiful coast of Mexico

Paradise found: Living in paradise,' the 27-year-old cover girl wrote in her caption as she shared she was staying at the La Casa de la Playa hotel in the Mayan Riviera in Mexico

Le look: The Guess model was fully made up with her blonde hair worn down over her tanned shoulders

The Aftermath actress was not shy about showing off her curves, including shots of her toned and taut abs.

In order to maintain her long and lean look, the model has said she jogs and walks for cardio, practices yoga and eats healthfully.

Corrigan has admitted her locks can become stressed from all the styling and she soaks her tresses in virgin coconut oil repair the damage.

In the swim: Corrigan added heavy gold jewelry as she went for a dip in the swimming pool

Swim with me: The string bikini bottom and daring top, which covered the Reprisal star's body, had fans sharing hearts and fire emojis for their comments

A nice view from the pool: Joy looked out at the ocean which had small waves and cumulus clouds overhead

In a January interview with Maxim, the model discussed her laid back attitude towards showing her body in front of the camera.

'I love to be sexy and I love to show skin 'cause I work out really hard to get the body that I have. I've always been very free-spirited about it,' she explained.

The stunner added: 'I try to keep every shot I do very classy and a visual showcase of the beauty of what a woman can look like. That's my goal.'

It's so much work! The Aftermath actress was not shy about showing off her curves, including shots of her toned and taut abs. In order to maintain her long and lean look, the model has said she jogs and walks for cardio, practices yoga and eats healthfully

Hair talk: Corrigan has admitted her locks can become stressed from all the styling and she soaks her tresses in virgin coconut oil repair the damage

She was raised on a backwoods farm, surrounded by livestock, with six brothers and three sisters in North Carolina.

'I would never have dreamed I would be where I'm at today. I knew there was something else, and something bigger, but I had no idea what it was. I just knew I had to get out of that town, and as soon as I was old enough I moved. I love my family, but I realized there's more out there,' the model explained.

When she was young, she said she 'would go to church every Sunday and every Wednesday' and wasn't 'allowed to wear skirts above' the knees.

Farm past: She was raised on a backwoods farm, surrounded by livestock, with six brothers and three sisters in North Carolina

You've come a long way, baby: 'I would never have dreamed I would be where I'm at today. I knew there was something else, and something bigger, but I had no idea what it was. I just knew I had to get out of that town, and as soon as I was old enough I moved. I love my family, but I realized there's more out there,' the model explained

'But there was a part of me that wanted to be free and show the world I can be sexy,' she said of bucking her strict upbringing. 'They [her parents] werent too proud of me cause they didnt get that I wanted to show my body and promote feeling sexy as a woman. Now theyre proud of their daughter.'

The entrepreneur, who has worked for brands like Guess, Victoria's Secret, and Jimmy Choo, has been modeling since she was 14-years-old after getting scouted in a mall in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Corrigan has created Naked Species, a clothing line with her sister, Gina.

The 5'8" beauty described the line as 'streetwear with a twist.' The brand includes clothes, jewelry and swimwear for both men and women.

Ten percent of Naked Species profits are donated to protect wild animals.
Drew Barrymore has bowed to pressure from social media critics and issued an apology for comments that she made about the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial - which she described as 'one layer of crazy' and a 'seven-layer dip of insanity'.

The 47-year-old divided opinion last week when she shared her thoughts on the ongoing, high-profile trial between the former couple, which has included several accusations of domestic abuse - but also a number of bizarre moments, including a former doorman for Depp and Heard vaping during his filmed deposition, and the Pirates of the Caribbean actor giggling over a mention of his penis.

Still, when Barrymore voiced her opinion about the court case, she was met with a bitter backlash online, where critics accused her of displaying a lack of 'empathy' towards victims of abuse and of making light of such a serious subject.

'It's like one layer of crazy, its a seven-layer dip of insanity,' the actress-turned-talk show host said of the trial. 'I know that these are two peoples real lives and I know what its like to have your life put out in public.

'I understand all the feelings, but they are actually offering up this information.'

Drew Barrymore bowed to pressure from social media critics and issued a public apology for describing the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard trial as 'one layer of crazy' and 'a seven-layer dip of insanity'

After coming under fire from Twitter's woke brigade, the 47-year-old actress apologized for her comments in a one-minute Instagram video. The trial between Depp and Heard (seen in court on Monday) is still ongoing and is expected to last for another three weeks

Her comments sparked a bitter debate on social media, with some users blasting Barrymore, while others voiced agreement with her take on the controversial topic.

Despite the mixed reactions however, the CBS talk show host bent to the pressure from her critics, on Sunday issuing a mea culpa on Instagram, where she apologized for any 'offence' caused and promised to turn the backlash into a 'teachable moment'.

'It has come to my attention that I have offended people with making light of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard and for that I just want to deeply apologize and appreciate everyone who spoke out because this can be a teachable moment for me and how I move forward and how I conduct myself,' she said in the one-minute clip.

'I can be a more thoughtful and better person moving forward because all I want to do is be a good person and I very much appreciate the depth of this and I will grow and change from it, and I thank everyone for helping me grow along the way and teaching me. Thank you.'

Ironically, Barrymore's public apology has sparked all the more controversy on Twitter, with dozens of users insisting that she was not in the wrong and shouldn't have had to say sorry for offering up her thoughts on what has already been an incredibly controversial trial.

'Drew Barrymore having to apologizing for saying the Depp/Heard trial is crazy is really stupid and a waste,' one Twitter user commented.

'People need to stop nitpicking opinions and finding things to be upset about. It IS a wild trial with lots of details that are eye opening. and??'

Last week, Barrymore addressed the trial on The Drew Barrymore Show, voicing her shock at the revelations that had emerged - a sentiment that many on Twitter actually agreed with

Still, the actress-turned-talk show host issued a mea culpa on her Instagram, where she 'deeply apologized' for any 'offence' caused and vowed to make the controversy a 'teachable moment'

'I just want to deeply apologize and appreciate everyone who spoke out because this can be a teachable moment for me and how I move forward and how I conduct myself,' she said

Another accused 'the internet' of hypocrisy, tweeting: 'The Internet: This trial is crazy. Drew Barrymore: This trial is layers of crazy. The internet: Thats insensitive Drew.'

'Was she not allowed to comment on the #JohnnyDeppAmberHeardTrial at all? Why not? Everyone else is,' one person chimed in. 'Drew Barrymore say what you want to say. No one has the right to suppress your voice. The trial is crazy. A lot has come out. [Domestic violence] is a serious thing. Let's keep listening.'

Others accused Barrymore of bowing to pressure and playing it 'safe' so as not to jeopardize her career, with one person writing: 'Drew Barrymore is just being safe because she cares so much about what people think about her.

'Product of being too Hollywood. I want to see someone brave enough to stand on what they say. It's normal to look at this and say "this is crazy!"'

The trial between Depp and Heard, which started on April 11 and is set to last another three weeks, has so far seen the Pirates of the Caribbean actor accuse his former spouse of domestic abuse during his four days of testimony on the stand.

On Monday, Depp's security guard also claimed that he once saw Heard strike her then-partner with a 'closed fist' during an explosive fight at the former couple's LA penthouse.

Travis McGivern, testifying via live video link, described how fights between the pair escalated in March 2015, when Depp and Heard returned from Australia, and how he was forced to intervene when one particular argument turned physical.

Meanwhile the trial, which started on April 11 and is set to last another three weeks, has so far seen Depp claim he was the victim of domestic abuse in his four days of testimony, with his bodyguard describing wounds on the actor's face

The Pirates of the Caribbean star is suing Heard for $50million, claiming she defamed him and ruined his career after a 2018 Washington Post article in which she described herself as a 'public figure representing domestic abuse', without naming her ex-husband

Depp is currently suing Heard for $50 million, claiming she defamed him and ruined his career after penning a 2018 Washington Post article in which she described herself as a 'public figure representing domestic abuse', without naming her ex-husband.

Former flames: Depp and Heard (seen in February 214) began dating in 2012 and were married in a civil ceremony in February 2015. Their divorce was finalize January 2017

Heard is countersuing for $100million, and after three weeks of sitting silently in the courtroom during Depp's testimony, she is preparing to start her fight back when court resumes next week after a day off today.

Insiders told Deadline she could take to the stand as soon as Monday, unless a major revelation comes out during the closing statements in Depp's case.

A source said: 'It's hard to see how Amber won't prove to be a highly effective weapon against Depp in her own advocacy.

'Regardless of how they have tried to characterize her, she has been nothing but well composed and pretty conservative in court without having said a word.'

Heard was not a party and did not take the stand in Depp's 2020 libel claim against The Sun in the UK, which he lost.

The trial in the Fairfax County Courthouse runs Monday to Thursday from 10am to 5pm, and is set to conclude on May 19. Judge Penny Azcarate has a prescheduled conference from May 9 to 12 when the trial will pause for a week.

Depp and Heard began dating in 2012 and were married in a civil ceremony in February 2015. Their divorce was finalize January 2017.
The annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit - also known as the Met Gala - takes place on Monday evening at the Metropolitan Museum Of Art in New York City.

And already by early morning stars were getting ready for their red carpet appearance in haute couture where there is extreme pressure to shine.

Kourtney Kardashian, 43, was the first to show Instagram fans what she was doing to look her very best on fashion's biggest night.

Hello Met! Kourtney Kardashian was seen getting ready for the Met Gala on Monday

Facial time: She said that she was working with Joanna Czech on her facial. 'Facials with Joanna Czech make me happy,' she wrote over the images.

The mother of three was seen getting her skin toned up for her first appearance at the Met Gala.

She said that she was working with Joanna Czech on her facial.

'Facials with Joanna Czech make me happy,' she wrote over the images.

Kourtney wore a white robe that was opened enough to show off her tanned chest.

'Good morning New York,' she wrote as she shared a photo of breakfast pastries. And the reality TV diva shared a photo of a horse and carriage in Central Park with skyscrapers in the background.

The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star will take as her guest fiance Travis Barker, whom she has already posed with at the Oscars and Grammys.

Kourtney and Travis flew into NYC on Sunday after a trip to Milan and Lake Como in Italy where they were seen shopping, swimming and sipping cappuccinos.

Pamper me please: Kourtney wore a white robe that was opened enough to show off her tanned chest

Yummy: 'Good morning New York,' she wrote as she shared a photo of breakfast pastries

Big city: And the reality TV diva shared a photo of a horse and carriage in Central Park with skyscrapers in the background

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'

Fashion's biggest night is traditionally held the first Monday in May to raise money for the Costume Institute in New York City, with last year's event moved to September due to the pandemic.

This year's dress code is 'gilded glamour' to match the theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

She got pampered too: Lily James from Pam & Tommy was seen getting her face masked

She knows how to work it: Kerry Washington spent her morning working out

She must feel special: Irina Shayk showed off a note from Riccardo Tisci

Getting her workout on: Ciara danced around the streets of NYC before getting glam

Tickets for the glitzy event can reportedly cost up to $35,000 apiece, while prices for a table range from $200,000 to $300,000, with last year's bash raking in a whopping $16.4 million for the Met's Costume Institute.

Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda are hosting this time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

This will be Miranda's first time as a Met Gala co-chair (and guest) but he was originally intended to co-host the 2020 edition before the pandemic forced its cancellation.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is once again supervising the benefit as chairwoman, a position she's held since 1995. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

Check it out! 15-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys teased a sneak peek at her rhinestone-studded hairline and spiral ponytail extension

Mastermind: The 41-year-old R&B songstress' unique updo was conceived by 'hair artist' Fesa Nuza (R)

'Back together!' The glam session also served as a reunion for Alicia and make-up artist Ayako Yoshimura (L), who worked with her 21 years ago on her breakout music video for Fallin' in 2001

Keys (born Aguello-Cook) will be wearing Ralph Lauren for the 'gilded glamour' themed Met Gala festivities

15-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys teased a sneak peek at her rhinestone-studded hairline and spiral ponytail extension.

The 41-year-old R&B songstress' unique updo was conceived by 'hair artist' Fesa Nuza.

The glam session also served as a reunion for Alicia and make-up artist Ayako Yoshimura, who worked with her 21 years ago on her breakout music video for Fallin' in 2001.

Keys (born Aguello-Cook) will be wearing Ralph Lauren for the 'gilded glamour' themed Met Gala festivities.

'Thanks for kicking my butt today!' Emmy-winning producer Kerry Washington kicked off her Met Gala Monday exercising with Pilates instructor Erika Bloom 'after two years of training virtually'

Sitting pretty! Hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew coiffed the 45-year-old actress' elegant braided updo while make-up artist Carola Gonzalez brought out her natural beauty

Glam! Kerry then donned a black Tory Burch gown, Jimmy Choo heels, and Jacob & Co. jewelry selected by 'image architect' Law Roach

Emmy-winning producer Kerry Washington kicked off her Met Gala Monday exercising with Pilates instructor Erika Bloom 'after two years of training virtually.'

Hairstylist Takisha Sturdivant-Drew coiffed the 45-year-old actress' elegant braided updo while make-up artist Carola Gonzalez brought out her natural beauty.

Kerry then donned a black Tory Burch gown, Jimmy Choo heels, and Jacob & Co. jewelry selected by 'image architect' Law Roach.

KENDALL JENNER'S MET GALA LOOKS OVER THE YEARS Kendall Jenner has become one of the stand-out stars at the annual Met Gala in New York City. The supermodel - who works for Versace and Fendi - has served up some of the most elegant looks among the star-studded crowd. Her first year saw her take a chance in Topshop but she moved on nicely to Calvin Klein and Versace. Last year the 5ft10in reality TV star was called the best dressed in her stunning Givenchy gown that made her resemble Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle from the 1964 classic musical My Fair Lady. Here is a look back at all of the Vogue star's ravishing looks during the biggest night in fashion. 2014 - TOPSHOP The budding model looked like a bride in this strapless satin Topshop gown which she paired with a diamond necklace. The brunette beauty had on a custom-made satin Topshop dress with a mermaid finish, adding Tabitha Simmons heels and Chopard jewels. She was only a teen at the time but looked like a sophisticated lady. The theme was Charles James: Beyond Fashion. 2014 - TOPSHOP 2015 - CALVIN KLEIN It was a semi sheer mint green gown by Calvin Klein Collection for Kendall in 2015. The sparkly dress had a surprise on the sides: her skin was showing under a few thin straps. She smartly wore her hair straight and down so as not to take away from the gown. The theme of the year was China: Through the Looking Glass. 2015 - CALVIN KLEIN 2016- VERSACE The KUWTK had on Versace this year. The theme was Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. The dress was blue, white and beige, had a halter top design and cut outs on the sides for a more youthful beachy feel. Kendall also pulled her hair back for a more casual look but added big diamond earrings. 2016- VERSACE 2017 - LA PERLA It was a daring sheer black gown by La Perla for 2017. She had on no bra and only a thong for her undies which exposed her bottom. High heels in sheer black material coordinated nicely. The theme was Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art Of The In-Between. 2017 - LA PERLA 2018 - OFF-WHITE Jenner wore an off-the-shoulder white top with white slacks for a less obvious look by Off-White in 2018. And she added gloves, which is unusual for the Met Gala. The long diamond earring lent a Hollywood movie premiere feel. The theme was Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. 2018 - OFF-WH ITE 2019 - VERSACE She wore orange Versace for a Las Vegas showgirl look at the Camp: Notes on Fashion event in 2019. Her dress was sheer with a nude undertone and orange beads with feathers at the hem. And she added a massive orange feather boa that was festive. An orange necklace with matching drop earrings added ever more sizzle. Her younger sister Kylie had a similar look but in purple. 2019 - VERSACE 2021 - GIVENCHY It was her best look yet. The Kardashians star was called the best dressed in her stunning Givenchy gown that had a sheer, crystal studded overlay over a nude bodysuit, adding a wide sparkling choker. The show-stopping gown made her resemble Audrey Hepburn's Eliza Doolittle from the 1964 classic musical My Fair Lady. She held her head high as she mingled with pal Gigi Hadid and sister Kim Kardashian as she must have known her elegant look was a triumph. 2021 - GIVENCHY She held her head high as she mingled with pal Gigi Hadid and sister Kim Kardashian, right, as she must have known her elegant look was a triumph Advertisement

As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' which is the second of star curator Andrew Bolton's two-part show exploring the roots of American style.

This exhibit will showcase some lesser-known designers, and also some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last year's Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

Bolton said eight directors will create what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

Similar to the September event, there will be 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

The other four are Ford, the celebrated fashion designer who's also an acclaimed film director, Janicza Bravo (Zola), Julie Dash (Daughters Of The Dust) and Autumn de Wilde (who directed the Jane Austen adaptation Emma. and is also a photographer).

The first part of the exhibition will remain on display in the rooms of the Anna Wintour Costume Center, along with the second part, until September 5.

More than half the pieces in the opening exhibition will be rotated out and garments from designers not yet featured will go on display.

The Met Gala is a huge money-maker for the museum, and provides the Costume Institute with its main source of funding.
Kendall Jenner was seen leaving a brick building in New York City on Monday morning.

The 26-year-old supermodel wore a casual outfit as she looked ready for a meeting.

On Monday evening the reality TV star is supposed to appear at the annual Met Gala with her sisters Kim, Kourtney, Khloe and Kylie. According to PageSix, they have all been invited.

Busy babe in the city: Kendall Jenner was seen leaving a brick building in New York City on Monday morning

She flaunted her slim figure in a brown fuzzy coat with black lining, her blue denim skinny jeans and low but pointy black boots.

A black purse was slung over her shoulder as she flashed black nails.

Kendall wore narrow sunglasses in black and modeled oversized matte gold earrings.

There was a man in a black suit and tie who held an umbrella over the star's head so she would not get rained on.

Easy chic: The 26-year-old supermodel wore a casual outfit as she looked ready for a meeting

This is a real job? There was a man in a black suit and tie who held an umbrella over the star's head so she would not get rained on

It looks like Monday could be a big night for all the Kardashian and Jenner ladies.

According to PageSix, Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour has invited all of the family members from The Kardashians.

That includes Kourtney (who will attend with fiance Travis Barker), Kim (who will bring beau Pete Davidson) and Khloe Kardashian as well as Kris, Kendall and Kylie Jenner (whose beau Travis Scott will most likely not attend).

Hotel time: Jenner arrived at The Carlyle Hotel ahead of the MET Gala

Chic Kenny: She flaunted her slim figure in a brown fuzzy coat with black lining, her blue denim skinny jeans and low but pointy black boots

Kim, 41, and Kendall, 26, have both posed for Vogue covers and attended the Met Gala several times.

Kylie, 24, has attended the event four times.

Rob Kardashian was likely not invited as he does not attend red carpet events.

He is also locked in a fierce legal battle with ex Blac Chyna (together they have daughter Dream) over the cancelation of Rob & Chyna.

But it is still not know who will for sure show.

This years theme is Gilded Glamour so expect gowns that look as if they are from the Gilded Age.

According to Britannica.com, the Gilded Age is a period of gross materialism and blatant political corruption in U.S. history during the 1870s that gave rise to important novels of social and political criticism.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'

She has a big plus one: Kim will bring beau Pete Davidson; seen Saturday at the 2022 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at Washington Hilton

They got an invite: Kourtney Kardashian, left, and Travis Barker appear at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on April 3

Fashion's biggest night is traditionally held the first Monday in May to raise money for the Costume Institute in New York City, with last year's event moved to September due to the pandemic.

This year's theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

Tickets for the glitzy event can reportedly cost up to $35,000 apiece, while prices for a table range from $200,000 to $300,000, with last year's bash raking in a whopping $16.4 million for the Met's Costume Institute.

Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda are hosting this time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

Anna, thanks for getting your act together: Khloe Kardashian has finally been invited even though she has been a massive star for over 10 years

This will be Miranda's first time as a Met Gala co-chair (and guest) but he was originally intended to co-host the 2020 edition before the pandemic forced its cancellation.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is once again supervising the benefit as chairwoman, a position she's held since 1995. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' which is the second of star curator Andrew Bolton's two-part show exploring the roots of American style.

Her not him: Kylie Jenner will likely attends but PageSix thinks her beau Travis Scott will not go due to his Astroworld tragedy where many lives were lost; seen in 2019

This exhibit will showcase some lesser-known designers, and also some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last year's Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

Bolton said eight directors will create what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

Similar to the September event, there will be 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

Thanks Anna, it's about time! It looks like Monday could be a big night for all the Kardashian and Jenner ladies. According to PageSix, Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour has invited all of the family members from The Kardashians
Lily James looked relaxed on Sunday, as she underwent an expensive facial to prepare for the Met Gala on Monday.

The actress, 33, took to her Instagram Stories to share a video of her getting the lavish treatment done.

She lay back on a table, while a professional massaged her face with a brightening mask.

Preparations: Lily James looked relaxed on Sunday, as she underwent an expensive facial to prepare for the Met Gala on Monday

The British star will be attending the Met Gala for the second time, after going in 2017 with then-boyfriend Matt Smith.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'

Fashion's biggest night is traditionally held the first Monday in May to raise money for the Costume Institute in New York City, with last year's event moved to September due to the pandemic.

This year's dress code is 'gilded glamour' to match the theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

Getting ready: The actress, 33, took to her Instagram Stories to share a video of her getting the lavish treatment done

Tickets for the glitzy event can reportedly cost up to $35,000 apiece, while prices for a table range from $200,000 to $300,000, with last year's bash raking in a whopping $16.4 million for the Met's Costume Institute.

Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda are hosting this time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

This will be Miranda's first time as a Met Gala co-chair (and guest) but he was originally intended to co-host the 2020 edition before the pandemic forced its cancellation.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is once again supervising the benefit as chairwoman, a position she's held since 1995. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

Glowing: The British actress is busy preparing for the glitzy event, considered by many as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets'

As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' which is the second of star curator Andrew Bolton's two-part show exploring the roots of American style.

This exhibit will showcase some lesser-known designers, and also some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last year's Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

Bolton said eight directors will create what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

Similar to the September event, there will be 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

The other four are Ford, the celebrated fashion designer who's also an acclaimed film director, Janicza Bravo (Zola), Julie Dash (Daughters Of The Dust) and Autumn de Wilde (who directed the Jane Austen adaptation Emma. and is also a photographer).

The first part of the exhibition will remain on display in the rooms of the Anna Wintour Costume Center, along with the second part, until September 5.

More than half the pieces in the opening exhibition will be rotated out and garments from designers not yet featured will go on display.

The Met Gala is a huge money-maker for the museum, and provides the Costume Institute with its main source of funding.
Michelle Hardwick would love another baby with her wife Kate Brooks after the couple welcomed son Teddy in 2020.

The Emmerdale actress, 46 - who married producer Kate, 39, at Elvis' home Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee in 2019 after meeting on the set of the show - welcomed son Teddy in October 2020 after Michelle carried Teddy following IVF treatment.

Soap star Michelle says she and Kate are keen to expand their family and would one day love to meet Teddy's biological father who was a donor.

Happy family: Michelle Hardwick, 46, would love another baby with her wife Kate Brooks, 39. after the couple welcomed son Teddy in 2020

She told OK! magazine: 'When Teddy is 18 he can find out who his dad is and wed massively back him. Id love to meet him just to say, "Thank you so much for allowing us to be parents and giving us the most beautiful little boy."'

Michelle carried Teddy while Kate donated the egg and they used the sperm of a donor.

She added: 'Wed definitely love Teddy to have a brother or sister. And if were lucky enough, fantastic  for him as well, not just for us.'

Loved up: The Emmerdale actress - who married producer Kate at Elvis' home Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee in 2019 - welcomed son Teddy in October 2020

Elsewhere, she defiantly spoke out about calling the police after she and Kate received death threats and horrific homophobic abuse online.

Michelle said she was stunned when cruel trolls included her son's name was in the nasty taunts.

She said she's been targeted because of her sexuality since appearing on the ITV serial as Vanessa Woodfield in December 2012.

Proud: Elsewhere, Michelle defiantly spoke out about calling the police after she and Kate received death threats and horrific homophobic abuse online

She told OK!: 'Weve had a bit of trolling over the last few years. And there have been certain times when police have had to be called because there have been death threats

'When theyre mentioning your sons name and youre just going "Really? Im just in a soap you know  were not doing any harm to anybody."'

Michelle, who previously starred in Heartbeat spin-off The Royal, came out publicly in 2013 and says people often send her horrible words about her sexuality on social media.

Cruel: Soap star Michelle (left) said she's been targeted because of her sexuality since appearing on the ITV serial as Vanessa Woodfield in December 2012 (seen with Emma Atkins as Charity Dingle on Emmerdale in 2020)

'The root of it all is always because Im gay, Im a gay woman. And its like, "Lesbians shouldnt be on this Earth, just burn in hell and die",' she said.

Michelle said, while the majority of messages she and Kate receive are from supportive fans, there is a lot of negativity from other people, which she describes as 'the dark side of social media'.

And the star admits she does worry about her son Teddy and any children she and Kate may have in the future, saying she doesn't want them to be targeted by bullies as well.

'Overwhelmed by all your beautiful support': Michelle received a flood of sympathetic messages after exposing homophobic abuse from online trolls last year (pictured in 2019)

In August last year, Michelle posted screenshots of the shocking messages from a homophobic troll on Instagram and Twitter.

While challenging them to reveal their identity, the actress revealed she had been called a 'd**e' and a 'l**bo brat' by one user.

'Come on, show us who you really are I dare you!' the actress dared.

Shocking: While challenging them to reveal their identity, the actress revealed she had been called a 'd**e' and a 'l**bo brat' by one user

Clapping back at one hater, Michelle penned: 'Hi "Michael", the original Prisoner Cell Block H called from 1985 - they'd really like their insults back. Thanks a mill.'

Taking to Twitter later on, the talented star thanked her many fans who were vocal about their disgust of the nasty messages.

'Overwhelmed by all your beautiful supportive messages,' Michelle typed against a rainbow-coloured background.

Wow! Michelle said she was 'overjoyed' with emotion following the supportive messages from fans

'I honestly don't take it to heart, I just like to highlight it every so often.

'Thank you to every single person who took the time to message me whether I know you personally or not. I promise I'll read them all,' she concluded.

One devoted fan reassured: 'Just read those awful messages that were tweeted to you. Pleased you are ok and didnt take it to heart.

Kind: Devoted fans quickly rushed to the comments section to make sure the star was alright following the incident

'There are some really nasty people. You and Kate are two beautiful people and Teddy is gorgeous. Have a lovely bank holiday xx.'

Meanwhile another penned: 'I think its great that you shared. You seem to be living your best life, surrounded by love, but that doesnt mean every day is the same as it is for our straight friends.

'I think its important to call it out. To not let their bile translate into our shame. Thank you [red heart emoji].'
Brunette bombshell Nina Dobrev sure knows how to unwind in style.

The 33-year-old actress posed in a stunning blue one-piece bathing suit as she enjoyed some downtime in Santorini, Italy on Sunday.

The star was in the company of her snowboarding champion beau Shaun White, who she has been dating for the past two years.

Sensational: Nina Dobrev, 33, posed in a stunning blue one-piece bathing suit as she enjoyed some downtime in Santorini, Italy on Sunday

Nina showed off her toned figure in the blue swimsuit as she soaked up the sun while enjoying the romantic getaway.

The Vampire Diaries actress flashed her incredible legs in the high legged swimsuit as she beamed sat on a wall in the picturesque Greek island.

She turned up the heat as she kept her brunette tresses down as they cascaded down past her shoulders.

Looking good: Nina showed off her toned figure in the blue swimsuit as she soaked up the sun while enjoying the romantic getaway

Wow: The Vampire Diaries actress flashed her incredible legs in the high legged swimsuit as she beamed sat on a wall in the picturesque Greek island

Nina showed off her natural beauty as she went makeup free as she posed up a storm in front of the blue ocean.

The star also put on a loved up display with Shaun as he couldn't keep his hands off of the actress as they smiled for a mirror selfie.

Shaun coordinated with Nina in a blue shirt and black shorts as the pair both sported dark sunglasses.

High spirits: Nina turned up the heat as she kept her brunette tresses down as they cascaded down past her shoulders

Loved-up: The star was in the company of her snowboarding champion beau Shaun White, who she has been dating for the past two years

Adorable: The happy couple shared a loved up snap of their shadows

In another holiday snap, Nina rocked a green and white pair of striped high waisted shorts which she paired with a matching open shirt revealing a white crop top.

The star looked sensational as she kept her summery look simply adding a pair of flat tan sandals.

She captioned the post: 'I'll be zooming from here today, and forever. c u never.'

Nina has really given her 25.4million Instagram followers an insight into her luxury trip as she wrote: 'Nini in Santorini.'

The beauty enjoyed lavish meals out in a crisp white shirt which she tied at the bottom with an eye-catching patterned blue midi skirt.

The actress wowed while adding some height to her frame in a nude pair of heels.

Incredible: In another holiday snap, Nina rocked a green and white pair of striped high waisted shorts which she paired with a matching open shirt revealing a white crop top

Chic: Nina took in the incredible scenery and captioned the series of snaps: 'I'll be zooming from here today, and forever. c u never.'

Stylish: Nina has really given her 25.4million Instagram followers an insight into her luxury trip as she enjoyed lavish meals in a crisp white shirt and an eye-catching patterned blue midi skirt
Social media users joked that Diesel might be holding Lin 'hostage' in the clip

Lin looked slightly awkward as Diesel asked him about the first week of filming

It was posted the day before the 50-year-old Fast & Furious 10 director quit

Days before social media went into overload at a video of Lin posted by Diesel

Over the weekend The New York Daily News' Richard Johnson reported Diesel's 'difficult' behavior on set was the reason behind Lin's departure

Louis Leterrier will be replacing the 50-year-old filmmaker to helm the highly-anticipated action film

A new report suggests that franchise staple filmmaker Justin Lin abruptly quit his role as director of Fast & Furious 10 due to star Vin Diesel's unprofessional behavior on set.

And hours later news of his replacement has been revealed.

Louis Leterrier will be replacing the 50-year-old filmmaker to helm the highly-anticipated action film according to Variety on Monday.

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Moving on: Louis Leterrier (seen in March 2016) will be replacing Justin Lin to direct Fast & Furious 10 according to Variety on Monday

Very ineresting: Over the weekend The New York Daily News ' Richard Johnson reported that the 54-year-old actor Vin Diesel's 'difficult' behavior on set was the reason behind Lin's departure (as they are seen together in an Instagram post last week)

Leterrier, 48, is best known for directing the first two Transporter films (2002 and 2005), 2013's Now You See Me, and 2008's The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton.

Over the weekend The New York Daily News' Richard Johnson reported that the 54-year-old actor Diesel's 'difficult' behavior on set was the reason behind Lin's departure.

A source for the publication claims: 'Diesel shows up late to the set. He doesnt know his lines. And he shows up out of shape.'

No doubt it was a shocking decision as Lin has been involved with the franchise since 2006's The Fast And The Furious: Tokyo Drift which was the third installment in the franchise.

He will also miss out on a eight-figure payday as a veteran producer told the Daily News: 'Ive never seen anything like it. Lins giving up $10 or $20 million.'

Quite the resume: Leterrier, 48, is best known for directing the first two Transporter films (2002 and 2005), 2013's Now You See Me, and 2008's The Incredible Hulk starring Edward Norton

Interesting: Jason Statham and Katie Nauta are seen in 2005 flick Transporter 2

Fooling no one: Jesse Eisenberg is seen in 2013 flick Now You See Me

The report comes at an interesting time as social media went into overload at a video of Lin posted by Diesel the day before the Fast & Furious 10 director quit las week.

Lin said last Tuesday that he will not direct Fast X, the tenth installment in the Fast & Furious film series, just days after production commenced on the action film.

In a video taken the day before, Lin looked awkward as Diesel quizzed him about the first week of filming. It's likely Lin already knew he was quitting as director when the action actor filmed the clip.

Users on Twitter even joked Viesel had taken Lin 'hostage'.

Lin (seen on set of F9) will also miss out on a eight-figure payday as a veteran producer told the Daily News: 'Ive never seen anything like it. Lins giving up $10 or $20 million'

Social media has gone into overload at a video of Justin Lin posted by Vin Diesel the day before the Fast & Furious 10 director quit

In the video Diesel asked Lin where he's 'been'.

Lin said: 'Week one. Just finished week one.'

After Diesel asks, 'How does it feel?' Lin said 'it feels like the beginning of, uh... of an epic... ending'.

The actor asked: 'Is it fair to say this is going to be the best one?'

Lin, looking slightly awkward, replied: 'In my heart, yes.'

Social media user Louie Shmurda said: 'I mean bro, Justin Lin looks like he wants to cry.'

Another added: 'Vin Diesel seemed to be holding Lin hostage.'

Meanwhile, Twitter user Matt said: 'Man Justin Lin looked like he was not having a great time in that Vin video. People like to hate on F9 but I highly doubt it was his fault, he didn't write the script.'

The 50-year-old filmmaker issued a statement on the Instagram account of the upcoming movie, which he penned the script for alongside Dan Mazeau.

'With the support of Universal, I have made the difficult decision to step back as director of Fast X, while remaining with the project as a producer,' Lin said.

'Over 10 years and five films, we have been able to shoot the best actors, the best stunts, and the best damn car chases.

Vin Diesel smiled as he quizzed Justin Lin about the first week of filming, although Lin quit the very next day

It's likely Lin already knew he was quitting as director when the action actor filmed the clip

'On a personal note, as the child of Asian immigrants, I am proud of helping to build the most diverse franchise in movie history. I will forever be grateful to the amazing cast, crew and studio for their support, and for welcoming me into the Fast family.'

Production on the film's main unit - which began April 20 - has been put on hold amid Universal's search for a new director, insiders told Variety, as the second unit is continuing to work on the movie.

Lin last June spoke with Variety about finishing off the film franchise with the tenth and eleventh films, recalling how he 'used to sit around' and talk with Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker about the creative direction the film franchise would take at its conclusion.

'I thought it was just an exercise, I never thought we were able to ever realize it - so it was very much in theory,' he said. 'Then when I came back Vin pulled me aside and said, 'We're doing it.' So, in a way it felt like F9 is about celebrating 20 years of this journey, but also just pointing it into this last chapter that we've been talking about for years.'

The latest: Justin Lin, 50, said on Tuesday that he will not direct Fast X, the tenth installment in the Fast & Furious film series, just days after production commenced on the action film. He was snapped last June in LA at the F9 premiere

The filmmaker issued a statement regarding his status on the Instagram account of the upcoming movie

Lin had been in the director's chair for five of the films: 2006's The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, 2009's Fast & Furious, 2011's Fast Five, 2013's Fast & Furious 6 and last year's F9.

Fast X features mainstays such as Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Ludacris, Jordana Brewster, Charlize Theron and Nathalie Emmanuel. Notable additions to the cast include Jason Momoa, Brie Larson, Daniela Melchior and Michael Rooker. Musical superstar Cardi B, who made a brief appearance in F9, is also slated to appear in the movie.

Notably absent from the cast is Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, who has played Luke Hobbs in multiple films in the franchise.

Diesel attempted to recruit Johnson to appear in the film by taking to social media last November in hopes of persuading him to reprise his role of Hobbs.

'My little brother Dwayne... the time has come,' Diesel said. 'As you know, my children refer to you as Uncle Dwayne in my house.

'There is not a holiday that goes by that they and you don't send well wishes... but the time has come. Legacy awaits.'

Diesel said he 'was going to fulfill [his] promise' to the late Walker, adding, 'I say this out of love... but you must show up, do not leave the franchise idle you have a very important role to play. Hobbs can't be played by no other. I hope that you rise to the occasion and fulfill your destiny.'

Johnson, speaking with CNN in December, reiterated 'there was no chance [he] would return' and said that he was 'very surprised' after Diesel went public with his plea after they had 'came to a clear understanding' months before that he wasn't going to come back to the film franchise.

'Vin's recent public post was an example of his manipulation,' Johnson said, adding he 'didn't like that he brought up his children in the post, as well as Paul Walker's death,' adding, 'Leave them out of it.'

The rift between Johnson and Diesel went public in 2016 when Johnson wrote on Instagram, 'Some conduct themselves as stand up men and true professionals, while others don't. The ones that don't are too chicken s*** to do anything about it anyway. Candy a**es.'

The long-running film franchise is centered around Vin Diesel, who plays the role of Dominic Toretto

Diesel and Dwayne Johnson (pictured in 2011's Fast & Furious 5) have had a long-running rift stemming from their work on the films

Diesel told Men's Health last year that he 'could give a lot of tough love' while working with Johnson on the action films: 'Not Felliniesque, but I would do anything I'd have to do in order to get performances in anything I'm producing.'

In response, Johnson told Vanity Fair, 'One part of me feels like there's no way I would dignify any of that bull**** with an answer. I've been around the block a lot of times. Unlike [Diesel], I did not come from the world of theater. And, you know, I came up differently and was raised differently.'

Johnson said he 'came from a completely different culture and environment' and ventures 'into every project giving it [his] all.

'And if I feel that there's some things that need to be squared away and handled and taken care of, then I do it. And it's just that simple. So when I read that, just like everybody else, I laughed. I laughed hard. We all laughed. And somewhere I'm sure Fellini is laughing too.'

The film is slated to arrive in theaters May 19, 2023.
A furious Nick Knowles has hit out at critics who took aim at his girlfriend over their 27-year age gap.

The DIY SOS star, 59, was spotted enjoying a romantic evening with mother-of-two and sex toy business owner Katie Dadzie, 32, over the Easter weekend last month, with the pair dining out in London's Mayfair.

And, after he was targeted by trolls who pointed out their age difference and suggested she was a gold digger, Nick has slammed the bullies for having a go at the 'people I care about'.

Unimpressed: A furious Nick Knowles, 59, has hit out at critics who took aim at his girlfriend Katie Dadzie, 32, over their 27-year age gap

He told The Sun: 'I choose to be on TV. As a result, I expect the whole nine yards. I am up there as an object. Ive chosen to be on TV but my children, or my family, or people I date, for them I feel its unfair to have a go at them.

'What upset was the judgment of her without knowing anything about her. Or what her motivations might be. I found that upsetting and unfair and felt I needed to say something about it.

'By all means have a go at me, Im there to be shot at verbally on social media and the rest of it because of what Ive chosen to do as a living.

Together: Nick, who split from his wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016, made his first appearance with girlfriend Katie (pictured) in September 2021

'But it feels a bit unfair to have a go at people I care about.'

Nick went on to insists he does not believe his own hype when it comes to being a celebrity.

He said he feels working in the public eye does not mean he thinks his more special than anybody else and never assumes people are pleased to meet him just because he's been on the television.

'I start from the idea that actually everybody thinks the worst of me until I can prove otherwise,' he said.

Last month, Nick took to Twitter to point out to his critics that Katie was 'wealthier and more successful' than him.

Sad: Nick took to his Twitter last month to call out trolls who pointed out their age difference and implied she might be a gold digger

He wrote: 'I'm raging. The woman I was out to dinner with when we were papped is 32, has degrees in two subjects, runs 3 businesses.

'She is wealthier & more successful than me and is intelligent and independent, unlike the abusive trolls attacking her. 'What happened to #bekind?'

Katie runs two businesses, one called Boa Boa which sells lingerie and sex toys, and other called Boobbix which flogs 'lactation products for breastfeeding mums'.

Nick, who split from his wife Jessica Rose Moor in 2016, made his first appearance with girlfriend Katie in September 2021, after ending his romance with PR guru Emily Hallinan, 27, in February 2020.

On their night out last month, Nick cut a dapper figure in a smart navy blue blazer and jeans as he left Hakasan restaurant with girlfriend Katie on his arm.

The pair were seen leaning in for a kiss as they took a cigarette break before jumping into a waiting car.

Old flame: It comes after Nick revealed that he was single again after splitting from his girlfriend, PR guru Emily Hallinan, 27, insisting at the time it 'wasn't the end of the world (Nick and Emily pictured in 2019)

According to The Sun, Nick and Katie made their public debut as a couple at a restaurant in Bath last year, after being friends for several years.

The presenter allegedly met his new girlfriend at a playgroup attended by his youngest son Eddie, seven. A source said: 'Nick and Katie have known each other for a couple of years, but it's always been platonic.

'They actually met through their youngest offspring and went on a few playdates as pals, before romance blossomed. Katie is a beautiful woman, fiercely independent and just Nick's type.

'They've met one another's friends and, although it's early days, everyone is hopeful this might be for keeps.'

It comes after Nick revealed in February 2020 that he was single again after splitting from his girlfriend, PR guru Emily, insisting at the time it 'wasn't the end of the world' and announcing the news on Valentine's Day.

Having made something of a reputation for himself with his love of younger ladies, Nick was also romantically involved with TOWIE star and stuntwoman Pascal Craymer, 34, back in 2017.

Things turned sour however, when model Pascal claimed she blocked Nick after he reportedly bragged about his 'revolving' bed' and 'dating younger women'.

She alleged that the twice-married DIY SOS host was 'desperate to get his leg over' when they went on a few of lavish dates in 2017.

He tried to kiss her before the starters during a 600 meal and embarrassed her with his 'dad dancing' in a nightclub.

Shock: Prior to his romance with Emily, he was reported to have dated TOWIE star Pascal Craymer (pictured in 2017)

Nick later hit back - branding the one-time TOWIE star a 'sad fame-hungry nobody', with his pals issuing a scathing statement about the brunette beauty, who later hit back.

Pascal strongly denied the claims, saying: 'I dont take too kindly being referred to as a sad fame-hungry nobody.' She insisted the allegations were incorrect.

Prior to his Pascal fling, Nick and Jessica Rose Moor's romance and marriage was also widely publicised, with emphasis on their age gap.

Nick began dating Jessica in 2009 before they tied the knot in 2012 and welcomed their son Eddie in 2014. They split in 2016 - initially amicably, as he supported her through her battle with cervical cancer.

Despite a bitter divorce battle surrounding the custody of their then three-year-old son Eddie, the pair are now back on good terms with one another, with Nick recently admitting he still cared about his former wife.

Speaking to The Mirror in 2018 Nick said: 'It took me a while to figure stuff out. I'm really proud of the fact that Jess and I are really good.

'She's a great mother. Coming out of a marriage is hard, so I just want to make sure it stays respectful. I really care about my ex. She's got a new chap and I'm really pleased. They seem really happy.'

It was revealed at the time that Jessica asked for 48,000 a year from him in light of their bitter divorce battle.

Ex: Nick began dating now ex-wife Jessica in 2009 before they tied the knot in 2012 and welcomed their son Eddie in 2014 (Nick and Jessica, pictured in 2016)

According to The Sun, Jessica who was receiving 4,000 a month as part of their settlement, is demanding an extra 2,000 a month in order to fund their three-year-old son Eddie's education.

'Nick is distraught that Jessica has made these claims. She already gets 4,000 a month from him and hes funded her life for years,' a source told the publication.

It came after Jessica posted an 'open letter about my divorce' in which she alleged 'years of emotional cruelty, physical abuse' by her husband as well as reportedly withdrawing their son Eddie from private education.

However, sources close to the DIY SOS presenter denied the allegations - saying he 'only wants the best for his son'.

In a statement on the micro-blogging site, she denounced his denials of 'cruelty' and continued to suggest that he has withdrawn his financial support for their son.

In the equally emotional letter captioned: 'In response', Jessica responded to Nick's apparent shock at the 'horrendous' allegations made, saying:

'Nick may be intelligent but he is not smart. He is now denying that he withdrew his promise to send Eddie to private school but it was sent by his solicitor to mine.

'He as also denied years of cruelty but I do have diaries and photographic proof'.

Jessica then alleged that the presenter 'abandoned' her with young son Eddie in Spain for a 'string of girlfriends', and that she wants Nick to 'keep his promises' or she may publish 'witness statements' that could confirm her allegations.
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Lily James, Cara Delevingne, Kate Moss and Phoebe Dynevor looked incredible as they led the stars at the Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

Actress Lily, 33, left little to the imagination in a semi-transparent thigh-split gown with blue segments and pearls while Cara, 29, ditched a shirt in favour of gold body paint and Kate, 48, exhibited her pins in a black velvet coat, which she wore off one shoulder.

Phoebe, 27, flashed her bra beneath a sheer black minidress from Louis Vuitton's SS22 ready-to-wear featuring a mesh train which exhibited her legs.

Wow! Lily James, Cara Delevingne, Kate Moss and Phoebe Dynevor (L-R) looked incredible as they led the stars at the Met Gala at New York City 's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

Pam and Tommy actress Lily exuded Grecian glamour in a sparkling bejewelled dress, which revealed her ample cleavage and her toned legs with a thigh-high-split.

The semi-sheer number featured an asymmetric neckline and teased a glimpse of the star's incredible frame.

She boosted her height with platform heels and sported glittering earrings. Her raven locks were pulled into a chic updo and she sported a rich palette of make-up, after her flawless visage was prepped by FaceGym.

Kate meanwhile flashed her legs in a black velvet coat, which she wore off one shoulder. The dress boasted a daringly high slit that showed off her long legs underneath and black high heels.

Racy: Cinderella star Lily sent temperatures soaring as she exhibited her legs in the risque number from Atelier Versace

Gorgeous from all angles: Lily showed off the intricate beading on her stunning Atelier Versace gown as she posed

The iconic supermodel was joined at the gala by her look-alike daughter Lila Moss.

The 19-year-old runway maven put on a daring display in a nude mesh gown by Burberry. The dress was covered in sparkly rhinestone appliques.

She layered a nude strapless bodysuit beneath it that featured the Burberry moniker across the tummy.

In preparation for the iconic event, Lila also entrusted FaceGym to look after her skin with facial workouts, to ensure she was Met Gala ready.

Family: Kate Moss was joined by her 19-year-old daughter Lila, who flaunted her enviable frame in a tight nude leotard beneath a sheer sleeved dress

Matching: Lila and Kate were both wearing dresses designed by Burberry, with Kate wowing in black velvet

Details: Lila's daring Burberry gown was covered in sparkly rhinestone appliques. She layered a nude strapless bodysuit beneath it that featured the Burberry moniker across the tummy

Incredible: Her pout had been painted an eye-popping shade of red for the glitzy evening out

Cara Delevingne left very little to the imagination as she stormed the red carpet on Monday night.

The model, 29, stripped off a red double-breasted jacket to unveil her bare chest and gold painted body.

She protected her modesty with a pair of pasties and accessorized with a dainty gold body chain for some added dimension.

Countless gold chain choker necklaces were also secured to the catwalk queen's neck and she rocked a statement ring on one finger.

Golden girl: Cara Delevingne left very little to the imagination as she stormed the red carpet on Monday night

Big reveal: The model, 29, stripped off a red double-breasted jacket to unveil her bare chest and gold painted body

All about balance: She did decide to leave her lower half under wraps by rocking a pair of silky high-waisted red trousers that matched her jacket

Cool factor: Cara kept the jacket in one hand while yielding a black cane with a gold handle din the other

Glam: The covergirl's bright blonde hair was parted to one side and styled in glamorous, loose waves that flowed down her back and chest

Despite the shocking nature of her look, Cara oozed confidence and even stuck her tongue out at photographers after going topless on the red carpet.

She did decide to leave her lower half under wraps by rocking a pair of silky high-waisted red trousers that matched her jacket.

Phoebe Dynevor gave a glimpse at her midriff and her bra through the mesh material of her Louis Vuitton SS22 RTW dress.

She put on a leggy display as she posed outside the hotel with her garment being see-through on the lower skirt.

Glitterati: Phoebe Dynevor, 27, showed off her chic sense of style as she arrived at the Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

In style: The actress gave a glimpse at her midriff and her bra through the mesh material and put on a leggy display as she posed at the event

The gown featured delicate lace detailing to the front and at the bottom of the skirt. The star, who was styled by Nicky Yates, confidently posed with her hands on her hips and wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty facial features.

Phoebe, Lily James and Lila Moss were just some of the Brits whose looks were created by Charlotte Tilbury Beauty on the night.

Lucy Boynton was a vision in a sheer white gown featuring short sleeves, while toting her essentials around in a sliver clutch while Sophie Turner displayed full maternity glow alongside her husband Joe Jonas.

The 26-year-old Game Of Thrones actress, who is expecting the couples' second child together, stunned in an embellished black gown.

Sensational: Graceful: Lucy Boynton was a vision in a sheer white gown featuring short sleeves, while toting her essentials around in a sliver clutch

Full glam: Sophie Turner displayed full maternity glow as she and husband Joe Jonas were seen departing The Mark Hotel also

Glowing: Sophie looked radiant as she cradled her growing baby bump while posing for gawking photographers

Soulmates: The couple stared adoringly into one another's eyes while beaming from ear-to-ear

Her husband, 32, looked dapper in a white and black tuxedo jacket with extra long tails. Cynthia Erivo wore an impressive white lace gown with a feathered train.

Jodie Turner-Smith, who left little to the imagination. The 35-year-old British-born actress of Jamaican descent was all smiles at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, with husband Joshua Jackson, 43, at her side.

The Queen & Slim actress hit the red carpet with a custom Gucci silver dress that was comprised of a crystal chain bra and a fringed mini-skirt.

Jaw-dropping: Jodie Turner-Smith, who left little to the imagination in her barely-there Gucci ensemble

Jodie's look: The Queen & Slim actress hit the red carpet with a custom Gucci silver dress that was comprised of a crystal chain bra and a fringed mini-skirt

Josh in Gucci: Her husband of over two years Jackson also wore Gucci, opting for a white dress shirt and bowtie under a black vest and a black coat with tails

Swap: While the couple was planning their first Met Gala together - since tying the knot in December 2019 - they had considered swapping looks

The skirt was prominent up front but layered behind a much longer pink pleated chiffon skirt that trailed behind her.

She completed her look with elegant silver earrings, diamond bracelets and rings with silver heels for her Met Gala debut.

Her husband of over two years Jackson also wore Gucci, opting for a white dress shirt and bowtie under a black vest and a black coat with tails.

Showstopper: Jodie posed up a storm in her daring silver look before climbing the iconic stairs

Icon: Naomi Campbell modelled an embellished Burberry number with matched gems over her shimmering makeup

Gorgeous pair: Carey Mulligan sparkled in a Schiaparelli dress with gold bust and train detail as she posed with her dapper husband Marcus Mumford

Dazzling: Carey posed up a storm on the red carpet, showing off the dramatic gold train of her stunning gown

The bearded actor also wore grey dress pants and black shoes buffed to a mirror shine for the annual gala.

The couple also teased in a new interview with New York Times that they had actually considering gender-swapping their outfits for the bash.

While the couple was planning their first Met Gala together - since tying the knot in December 2019 - they had considered swapping looks.

'I was going to wear the tuxedo with tails, and he was going to wear a gown,' Turner-Smith said.

Her husband joked, 'Im not sure I could have pulled off your exact look,' though he did add, 'Ive got the legs for it, Id like to say.'

Out of this world: Meanwhile Gemma Chan, 39, put her toned pins on display in a glittery charcoal midi dress resembling a chandelier, which she wore with a leather jacket

Smart: Stormzy dressed up to the nines in a white suit which he teamed up with a gigantic cape while Bridgerton hunk Rege-Jean Page was dapper in a velvet blazer

James Corden put on a suave display in a black suit and a cream bow-tie and his wife Julia Carey looked gorgeous in a velour forest gown, featuring a lace cutout which displayed her cleavage.

Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz commanded attention with David and Victoria's son looking trendy in a stone oversized suit from Valentino Haute Couture while the billionaire heiress flashed her cleavage in a plunging pink gown, also from Valentino.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'

Fashion's biggest night is traditionally held the first Monday in May to raise money for the Costume Institute in New York City, with last year's event moved to September due to the pandemic.

Commanding attention: Harriet actress Cynthia Erivo (left) wore an impressive white lace gown with a feathered train. Alexa Chung (right) flashed her legs in a thigh-split cream maxi dress

Vision: Alexa put her modelling skills to use as she posed against an eye-popping red rose wall

This year's dress code was 'gilded glamour' to match the theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

Tickets for the glitzy event can reportedly cost up to $35,000 apiece, while prices for a table range from $200,000 to $300,000, with last year's bash raking in a whopping $16.4 million for the Met's Costume Institute.

Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda hosted this year's gala, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

It marked Miranda's first time as a Met Gala co-chair (and guest) but he was originally intended to co-host the 2020 edition before the pandemic forced its cancellation.

What a pair! James Corden put on a dapper display as he attended with his wife Julia Carey

Stunning: His wife looked gorgeous in a velour forest gown, featuring a lace cutout which displayed her cleavage

Loved up: Brooklyn Beckham and his wife Nicola Peltz commanded attention as they departed The Mark Hotel

Hot stuff: The billionaire heiress flashed her cleavage in a plunging pink Valentino gown, while elevating her height with a pair of unmissable bubblegum heels

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour was once again supervising the benefit as chairwoman, a position she's held since 1995. Her fellow honorary co-chairs were designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' which is the second of star curator Andrew Bolton's two-part show exploring the roots of American style.

This exhibit will showcase some lesser-known designers, and also some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last year's Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

Style statement: Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams wowed in black and white from Thom Browne

Quirky: Emma Corrin certainly showed off her eclectic sense of style with a black Miu Miu minidress and a plaid jacket which she wore over one shoulder only

Bolton said eight directors have created what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

The other four are Ford, the celebrated fashion designer who's also an acclaimed film director, Janicza Bravo (Zola), Julie Dash (Daughters Of The Dust) and Autumn de Wilde (who directed the Jane Austen adaptation Emma. and is also a photographer).

Similar to the September event, there were 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

Gorgeous: Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan made her Met Gala debut in a stunning pink and black gown

The first part of the exhibition will remain on display in the rooms of the Anna Wintour Costume Center, along with the second part, until September 5.

More than half the pieces in the opening exhibition will be rotated out and garments from designers not yet featured will go on display.

The Met Gala is a huge money-maker for the museum, and provides the Costume Institute with its main source of funding.

Looking great: Iris Law set pulses racing as she displayed her toned midriff in a multi-coloured gown featuring a cutout and blue train
Andy Cohen surprised fans last week when he revealed that he had become a father again.

But rather than resting up, the 53-year-old talk show host was straight back to work on Monday as he promoted all new episodes of Watch What Happens Live while cradling his adorable newborn Lucy.

'Hi everybody , just saying hi from me and my daughter, little Lucy,' Andy said in a cute video posted to his Instagram Stories.

Sweet: Andy Cohen was seen enjoying some time with his baby daughter Lucy while cuddling with the newborn on his couch in adorable videos that he shared to his Instagram Story

The television personality was clad in a gray The North Face x Online Ceramics sweatshirt as he held his daughter in his arms.

Lucy was seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and a diaper and resting her head on a white blanket.

The father of two continued, 'Hi, we're just hanging out, having some daddy time.'

The Real Housewives franchise executive producer then gave Lucy a tender kiss on the forehead before saying, 'We're been sitting in the corner of this couch for a long time.'

'Daddy time': The television personality was clad in a gray The North Face x Online Ceramics sweatshirt as he held his daughter in his arms

Andy panned the camera over to a painting of Dolly Parton that was hanging on his living room wall.

'We've got Dolly right here keeping up company which is nice,' he noted. 'And just saying hi. Here we are.'

The Missouri native took a moment to let WWHL fans that they could look forward to new episodes of the show.

Adorable: The Real Housewives franchise executive producer gave Lucy a tender kiss on the forehead before saying, 'We're been sitting in the corner of this couch for a long time.'

'All new episodes of Watch What Happen Live this week but the way,' he said. 'Taped right before Lucy got here but all fresh episodes. I want you to know.'

Andy also shared a mirror selfie in which he was seen in his sweatshirt as he cradled Lucy on his shoulder.

'My 2022 #MetGala look!' he joked, tagging The North Face and Online Ceramics.

'My 2022 #MetGala look!': Andy also shared a mirror selfie in which he was seen in his sweatshirt as he cradled Lucy on his shoulder

On Sunday, Andy shared a photo of his son Benjamin, three, kissing Lucy on the cheek as he met his baby sister for the first time.

'When Ben met Lucy,' wrote the single father in his caption as he added a black heart emoji.

In a photo posted to his Instagram account on Saturday, Andy gazed adoringly at his newborn child as she lay swaddled in her cradle.

Big brother: On Sunday, Andy shared a photo of his son Benjamin, three, kissing Lucy on the cheek as he met his baby sister for the first time

'Greetings from Cloud 9 #ILoveLucy,' he captioned the post.

Andy broke the news last Friday that he has become a dad again when he shared a heart-warming snap of the newest member of his family.

He shared a sweet image of himself cradling the bundle of joy with the caption: 'HERES LUCY!!!!! Meet my daughter, Lucy Eve Cohen! Shes 8 pounds 13 oz and was born at 5:13 pm in New York City!!!'

'Greetings from Cloud 9': Cohen shared a heart-warming snap of the newest member of his family on Saturday

Back in February 2019, Andy welcomed his first child Benjamin via surrogate as he made sure to note in the caption that the youngster is excited about being a big brother.

Andy wrote: 'Her big brother cant wait to meet her! Thank you to my rock star surrogate (ALL surrogates are rockstars, by the way) and everyone who helped make this miracle happen. Im so happy.'

Many of the television personality's famous friends hit the comment section to congratulate the star on his new bundle of joy including Billy Eichner, Billie Lourd, and several personalities from the Bravo universe.

Rock a bye baby! Cohen also shared a tender shot of him cradling his baby

'Can't wait to meet her!': Back in February 2019, Andy welcomed his first child Benjamin via surrogate as he made sure to note in the caption that the youngster is excited about being a big brother, the father and son are seen in February

Longtime pal Sarah Jessica Parker sent a sweet message which said: 'Oh Lucy Eve we are madly in love with you already. Congratulations Andy. All hands on deck and ready. Ben is a big brother!!!!! So much love from our family to yours!! Xxxxx'

Anderson Cooper wrote: 'Amazing! Congratulations! Welcome Lucy!!!!'

Khloe Kardashian sent well wishes as she said: 'Congratulations!!!!! How wonderful and blessed is your family!!! May God bless you all!! [three red heart emojis]'

'Oh Lucy Eve we are madly in love with you already': Many of the television personality's famous friends hit the comment section to congratulate the star on his new bundle of joy including Billy Eichner, Billie Lourd, and several personalities from the Bravo universe

'Hello sweet girl! [heart emoji] congrats Andy!,' John Mayer wrote before adding: 'Doing her star chart right now!!!'

The Bravo exec was so excited to share the news that he spanned social media platforms as he excitedly posted: 'IM A GIRL-DAD!!!!!'

He also shared the same image from Instagram with the caption: 'HERES LUCY!!!! Meet Lucy Eve Cohen!! My heart is bursting'

He did not elaborate on the meaning behind the new bundle of joy's name but since 'HERES LUCY!!!!!' was in the caption, it seems to be a reference to one of the most iconic television stars of all-time Lucille Ball.

Ball was an icon who famously starred on I Love Lucy from 1951 to 1957, The Lucy Show from 1962 to 1968, and yes Here's Lucy from 1968 to 1974.

'Eternally grateful': In February 2019, he revealed that he had welcomed son Benjamin Allen Cohen also with an Instagram post

According to BabyNames.com, the name Lucy is of English origin and means light.

In February 2019, he revealed that he had welcomed son Benjamin Allen Cohen also with an Instagram post.

'WOW! This is my son, Benjamin Allen Cohen,' Cohen said. He is 9 lbs 2 ounces !! 20 inches !! Born at 6:35 pm, PT.'

'He is named after my grandfather Ben Allen. Im in love. And speechless. And eternally grateful to an incredible surrogate. And Im a dad. Wow.'

In February, Benjamin sweetly joined Andy as he received a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Icon: He did not elaborate on the meaning behind the new bundle of joy's name but since 'HERES LUCY!!!!!' was in the caption, it seems to be a reference to one of the most iconic television stars of all-time Lucille Ball (seen center in Here's Lucy in 1970 along with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton)

Cohen - who hosts late night talk show Watch What Happens Live on Bravo and Radio Andy on Sirius XM - had the support of his famous friends including Lisa Rinna, Garcelle Beauvais, and John Mayer who all spoke at the event.

The ceremony wasn't the only reason the day was special in the Cohen household as they also celebrated Ben's third birthday.

Andy ended his speech by saying: 'This is all my honor and my privilege and thank you so much all of you and thanks for coming out to my friends and family.

'And happy birthday Ben! Happy birthday Ben! It's your birthday! We've got cookies waiting for you man.'

Andy has worked hard to get to the place he is in as he began his career in the late 1980s working in television as an intern at CBS News where he spent 10 years and eventually served as senior producer for The Early Show.

He also served as a producer for 48 Hours and CBS This Morning.

He went on to join pop culture network Trio in 2000 which was bought out by Bravo in 2004 and Andy eventually became vice president of original programming.

In the summer of 2009, he began hosting a weekly late night chat show titled Watch What Happens Live which later expanded to a weeknight series and still is on air to this day.

Andy later shared a post celebrating his son's third birthday with the caption: 'Ben had the best 3rd birthday ever!!! [four heart and one cake emojis]'

The proud St. Louis, Missouri native made history with the gig as it made him the first openly gay host of an American late-night talk show.

As if that already wasn't enough, in September 2015 Sirius XM launched a new radio channel curated by him, known as Radio Andy.

More recently Andy joined pal Anderson Cooper as co-host of CNN's New Year's Eve coverage as he replaced Kathy Griffin in 2017.
James Corden cut a dapper figure as he stepped out with his television producer wife Julia Carey to the Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday.

The television star, 43, wore a navy blue with black lapels which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and matching bow tie.

His outing comes after it emerged last week he was quitting The Late Late Show in the US at the end of season eight despite the best efforts of CBS executives.

In style: James Corden, 43, cut a dapper figure as he stepped out with his television producer wife Julia Carey to the Met Gala at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday

His wife of 10 years Jules looked glamorous for the couple's outing in a sweeping floor-length green velvet gown.

The garment featured elegant lace detailing to the front and a corseted mid section as well as structured puff shoulders.

She carried a clutch purse in the same colour as her dress and wore lashings of make-up to highlight her pretty facial features.

Dapper: The television star wore a navy blue with black lapels which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and matching bow tie

The couple, who share children Max, 11, Carey, seven, and Charlotte, four, stood arm-in-arm on the red carpet at the glamorous event.

James and Julia are still trying to 'figure out' what's next for the family as they mull over a move back to the UK.

CBS executives told the MailOnline last week that they 'desperately tried to keep him for longer' before he made the decision to depart The Late Late Show.

An insider told MailOnline 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.

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.

Stepping out: His outing comes after it emerged last week he was quitting The Late Late Show in the US at the end of season eight despite the best efforts of CBS executives

James 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.'

Glamour puss: His wife of 10 years Jules looked glamorous for the couple's outing in a sweeping floor-length green velvet gown

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit, also known as the Met Gala, is considered by many as the 'Super Bowl of celebrity red carpets.'

Fashion's biggest night is traditionally held the first Monday in May to raise money for the Costume Institute in New York City, with last year's event moved to September due to the pandemic.

This year's dress code is 'gilded glamour' to match the theme of 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' a continuation of last year's 'In America: A Lexicon of Fashion.'

Tickets for the glitzy event can reportedly cost up to $35,000 apiece, while prices for a table range from $200,000 to $300,000, with last year's bash raking in a whopping $16.4 million for the Met's Costume Institute.

Regina King, power couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, and Lin-Manuel Miranda are hosting this time, taking over from Timothee Chalamet, Billie Eilish, Amanda Gorman and Naomi Osaka.

This will be Miranda's first time as a Met Gala co-chair (and guest) but he was originally intended to co-host the 2020 edition before the pandemic forced its cancellation.

Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour is once again supervising the benefit as chairwoman, a position she's held since 1995. Her fellow honorary co-chairs are designer Tom Ford and Instagram head Adam Mosseri.

As usual, the sartorial theme comes from the exhibit the gala launches: 'In America: An Anthology of Fashion,' which is the second of star curator Andrew Bolton's two-part show exploring the roots of American style.

This exhibit will showcase some lesser-known designers, and also some top film directors, including Sofia Coppola, Martin Scorsese, host King, and last year's Oscar winner Chloe Zhao.

Bolton said eight directors will create what he called 'cinematic vignettes' in the period rooms of the American Wing of the museum.

Similar to the September event, there will be 400 guests this year, lower than the pre-pandemic highs of 500-600 attendees.

The other four are Ford, the celebrated fashion designer who's also an acclaimed film director, Janicza Bravo (Zola), Julie Dash (Daughters Of The Dust) and Autumn de Wilde (who directed the Jane Austen adaptation Emma. and is also a photographer).

The first part of the exhibition will remain on display in the rooms of the Anna Wintour Costume Center, along with the second part, until September 5.

More than half the pieces in the opening exhibition will be rotated out and garments from designers not yet featured will go on display.

The Met Gala is a huge money-maker for the museum, and provides the Costume Institute with its main source of funding.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in German capital Berlin on Monday morning to set off his three-nation tour of Europe.

During his first trip abroad this year, PM Modi will be visiting Germany, Denmark and France.

His three-day visit comes against the backdrop of Russias invasion of Ukraine. Before starting his trip, PM Modi said that he intends to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with India's European partners.

We take a look at what all is going to happen during the PMs Europe visit and its significance.

3-DAY VISIT

The PM is n Berlin on Monday at the invitation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, following which he will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark from May 3-4 to hold bilateral engagements and to participate in the second India-Nordic Summit.

On his way back to India, PM Modi will make a brief stopover in Paris for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, said a release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

My visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices. Through my engagements, I intend to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with our European partners, who are important companions in Indias quest for peace and prosperity, he said in a statement.

DAY 1, GERMANY (MAY 2)

PM Modi landed in Berlin on Monday morning, where he will hold bilateral talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The two leaders will co-chair the sixth edition of the India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC).

Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany. pic.twitter.com/qTNgl8QL7K  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

Several other Indian ministers are also travelling to Germany and holding consultations with their German counterparts.

PM Modi said that he sees this IGC, which is happening within six months of the formation of a new government, being helpful in identifying India's priorities.

In 2021, India and Germany commemorated 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and have been strategic partners since 2000.

It was early morning in Berlin yet several people from the Indian community came by. Was wonderful connecting with them. India is proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora. pic.twitter.com/RfCyCqJkPY  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

Continental Europe is home to over one million persons of Indian origin, and Germany has a significant proportion of this diaspora. The Indian diaspora is an important anchor in our relations with Europe and therefore I will take the opportunity of my visit to the continent to meet our brothers and sisters there, said the PM.

DAY 2-3, DENMARK (MAY 3-4)

After the one-day visit to Berlin, the PM will travel to Danish capital Copenhagen, where he will first have a meeting with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.

#Historicvisit ????PM Shri @narendramodi will pay an official visit to DK from 3-4 May. He will also participate in 2nd India-Nordic Summit being hosted by DK. It is the 1st time in 20 years that an Indian PM is on an official visit to DK! #GreenStrategicPartnership @Statsmin pic.twitter.com/pByNioO4wX  Denmark in India (@DenmarkinIndia) April 27, 2022

*India and Denmark will discuss their bilateral relations and also review the progress of their 'Green Strategic Partnership'.

*Modi will later participate in the India-Denmark Business Roundtable and then interact with the Indian community in the Scandinavian country.

*PM Modi will also take part in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit along with Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway.

*Modi and the Nordic leaders will take stock of their cooperation since the first India-Nordic Summit in 2018.

The summit is expected to discuss 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, said the PMO.

In Denmark, I shall hold talks with PM Frederiksen. I also look forward to the 2nd India-Nordic Summit in Copenhagen. This will also give me an opportunity to meet leaders of Nordic countries on the sidelines of the Summit. @Statsmin  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 1, 2022

"Nordic countries are important partners for India in sustainability, renewable energy, digitisation and innovation. The visit will help in expanding our multifaceted cooperation with the Nordic region," said the PM.

DAY 3, FRANCE (MAY 4)

After his two-day visit to Denmark, PM Modi will stop over in Paris while returning home. He will meet French President Emmanuel Macron, who has just recently been re-elected for a second term.

Other than congratulating him in-person, PM Modi also wants to reaffirm the close friendship between the two countries. The meeting is seen as an opportunity to set the tone of the next phase of the India-France strategic partnership.

PM @narendramodi 's visit to deepen ties between trusted partners,??& ?? with strong focus on Indo-Pacific, multilateralism, defence & security, economic ties, digital innovations, climate change & people-to-people linkages. pic.twitter.com/tPj0CIO8Fi  India in France (@IndiaembFrance) May 1, 2022

PM Modi said that President Macron and he will share assessments on various regional and global issues and take stock of ongoing bilateral cooperation.

"It is my firm belief that two countries that share such similar vision and values for the global order, must work in close cooperation with each other," said the PMO.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modis intense three-nation European trip from Monday to Wednesday -- where he will visit to Germany, France and Denmark -- will be an opportunity to strengthen ties with Germany, the five Nordic nations and France and will also see an exchange of perspectives on the Ukraine issue, Indias new foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said on Monday.

Speaking at a special media briefing on Sunday hours after taking charge as foreign secretary, Mr Kwatra said India stood for the cessation of hostilities and a dialogue between the two warring sides in the war in Ukraine, and this position would be communicated to Indias European partners during the visit, which had a substantial and comprehensive agenda.

Our position on Ukraine has been very clear. First, there should be a cessation of hostilities; second, a solution must be found out through dialogue and diplomacy, Mr Kwatra explained, saying this has been clearly communicated to various countries.

In his departure statement on Sunday and in a veiled reference to the Ukraine war, Mr Modi said his visit to Europe comes at a time when the region faces many challenges and choices, and added that through his engagements, he intends to strengthen the spirit of cooperation with Indias European partners.

Mr Modi said he would visit Berlin on the first leg of his visit to Germany and co-chair the sixth India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) there on Monday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, after which he would travel to Copenhagen on Tuesday and hold talks with Denmark PM Mette Frederiksen. Mr Modi will participate on Wednesday in the Second India-Nordic Summit along with the leaders of all five Nordic nations (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland).

On the way back to India, Mr Modi said he would make a brief stopover in Paris on Wednesday evening to meet his friend Emmanuel Macron, the French President, who was recently re-elected to a second term. Mr Modi said he would convey his congratulations in person to Mr Macron and reaffirm the close friendship between the two nations, while setting the tone of the next phase of the India-France Strategic Partnership. It must be noted India has a robust defence partnership with France that includes the acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter aircraft.

Mr Modi will be accompanied by three senior ministers to Germany, including external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The foreign secretary said the IGC with Germany on Monday would have three strands -- foreign affairs and security, economic policy and trade ties, and finally cooperation on climate, green energy and sustainable development.

The foreign secretary talked about the changing elements of energy security, its impact on developing countries like India, the challenges in the sector and the mitigation of challenges. I am sure this will constitute one of the elements in the overall discussions. But naturally one single item would not define what the structure of the discussions would be, he said. The IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where Mr Modi and Mr Scholz will interact with top CEOs of both countries. Mr Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in Germany. Mr Scholz is due to host the Prime Minister at a private dinner.

On Tuesday, Mr Modi will hold talks with the Danish PM and discuss bilateral ties as well as issues of regional and global interest. The India-Nordic Summit on Wednesday with the five Nordic nations will focus on partnership in green energy, digital economy, trade tires, sustainable development and cooperation in the arctic region, Mr Kwatra said.

In his departure statement, Mr Modi said: The long-standing commercial ties between India and Germany form one of the pillars of our strategic partnership, and Chancellor Scholz and I will also jointly address a Business Roundtable with the goal of energising our industry-to-industry cooperation, which will help strengthen the post-Covid economic recovery in both countries. Continental Europe is home to over one million persons of Indian origin, and Germany has a significant proportion of this diaspora. The Indian diaspora is an important anchor in our relations with Europe and therefore I will take the opportunity of my visit to the continent to meet our brothers and sisters there.

Mr Modi added: From Berlin, I will travel to Copenhagen where I will have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Frederiksen which will provide an opportunity to review the progress in our unique Green Strategic Partnership with Denmark, as well as other aspects of our bilateral relations. I will also participate in the India-Denmark Business Roundtable as well as interact with the Indian community in Denmark. I will also take part in the 2nd India-Nordic Summit along with the Prime Ministers of Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway, where we will take stock of our cooperation since the First India-Nordic Summit in 2018. 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. On the sidelines of the summit, I will also meet the leaders of the other four Nordic countries and review the progress in Indias bilateral relations with them.

Mr Modi went on: During my return journey, I will stop over in Paris to meet my friend, President Macron. President Macron has very recently been re-elected, and my visit just 10 days after the result will not only allow me to convey my personal congratulations in person, but also reaffirm the close friendship between the two countries. This will give us the opportunity to set the tone of the next phase of the India-France Strategic Partnership.
HYDERABAD: The government on Sunday celebrated May Day with a promise to workers that they will be more empowered financially, even as the state provides better opportunities for their children so that they can have a better future than their parents.

Addressing the governments May Day celebrations at Ravindra Bharathi, labour minister Ch. Malla Reddy, dressed in khaki pants and shirt, said the next two years would see work opportunities and increased income for workers.

The Chief Minister has ensured that every sector of workers receives what it deserves and more. For farmers, there is Rythu Bandhu, and Rythu Bima, and then there is Dalit Bandhu for Dalits. There will be more opportunities for work and for income. You are working hard, and you will reap the benefits. Before Telangana state became a reality, your work was never recognised, but now it is. And to ensure that your children have an even better future, the government has opened many gurukul schools, Malla Reddy said.

Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav said the Chief Minister was continuously working towards creating opportunities for workers to empower them financially. He said the labour department had taken many welfare decisions including assistance to workers and their families, whether it is for weddings, unfortunate incidents such as accidents, or loss of life.

Be it the organised or unorganised sectors, lakhs of workers have employment and work, lakhs of people come to Telangana in search of work, whether in construction or agriculture, and the state is taking care of them too. We witnessed during the peak of the pandemic how the state government rushed to the assistance of such workers, irrespective of which part of the country they came from to the state, he said.
Chief of the Army Staff Lieutenant General Manoj Pande during his visit to the National War Memorial, in New Delhi, Sunday, May 1, 2022. (PTI Photo/Manvender Vashist)

New Delhi: The Indian Armys new chief, Gen. Manoj Pande, on Sunday asserted that India will not permit any change in the status quo or any loss of territory at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. He said that the resolution to the military standoff at the LAC will be achieved by a mix of diplomatic, operational and tactical methods.

The unilateral and provocative actions by our adversary to change the status quo by force, I feel, have been adequately responded to, Gen. Pande told a news agency. He said that as far as the LAC situation with China is concerned, Indian troops are present in a firm and resolute manner ensuring that there is no change in the status quo.

The Army Chief said that Indian troops are holding important physical positions at the LAC. We are clear that we will not permit any change in the status quo and any loss of territory, he said.

Gen. Pande said that India's focus has also been on the development of infrastructure to match the operational and logistics requirements. In the end, our aim is to reduce the tension along the LAC and restoration of the status quo as it was earlier, he said.

Speaking to the media on the India-China military standoff in Ladakh for two years, he said: The resolution will be possible only if two countries continued to talk and engage. We are confident that by a mix of diplomatic, operational and tactical methods we will soon find a resolution to the ongoing problem.

On Pakistan, the Army Chief said that after the directors-general of military operations (DGMOs) of the two countries arrived at an understanding a year ago, there has been an improvement in the situation for the civilian population on both sides of the Line of Control.

However, he said there was no reduction in the terror infrastructure and terror camps across the LoC. On the contrary, we find that the number of terrorists operating has increased. Whilst on the LoC the infiltration and violence levels have gone down, in the hinterland there is no indication to that effect, said Gen. Pande.

He said due to the strong counter-infiltration grid at the LoC, Pakistan has shifted its focus to nacro-terrorism. The Army Chief said that on the international border area in Jammu and Punjab activities like smuggling of arms and narcotics and dropping of arms through drones have increased.

We are clear that if we see any act of terror or any hybrid threat in terms of infiltration, radicalisation through the social media, we will counter these threats and we are sure that we will succeed, said Gen. Pande.

The Army Chief said that his utmost and foremost priority would be to ensure high standards of operational preparedness to face current, contemporary and future security challenges across the entire spectrum of conflict.

He said that the global geopolitical situation was changing rapidly as a result of which we have multiple challenges ahead. Asserting that the Indian Army in coordination and cooperation with the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy will together deal with any situation.

Gen. Pande said he will focus on the ongoing reforms, restructuring and transformation of the Indian Army to enhance its operational and functional efficiency besides giving importance to achieving self-reliance in defence. Gen. Pande was presented a ceremonial guard of honour on Sunday morning at the South Block lawns, a day after he took charge. The heads of the IAF and the Navy, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari and Adm. R. Hari Kumar, were also present at the ceremony.
activists and NSUI members of Osmania University stage a protest at ministers quarters against denial of permission for Rahul Gandhi's meet in OU on Sunday. (R/Pavan/DC)

HYDERABAD: Police arrested 11 students when OU Joint Action Committee (JAC) and NSUI activists protested at the ministers quarters for some time on Sunday, against the denial of permission to Congress leader Rahul Gandhis visit to the Osmania University campus on May 7.

The police also arrested state Congress working president T. Jayaprakash Jagga Reddy when he tried to meet the OU student union leaders on Sunday. He was also taken to the Banjara Hills police station where the students and been detained.

Students shouted slogans against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao and demanded that he allow the Congress leader to conduct a meeting on OU campus. JAC chairman Manavatha Roy, who was also detained, said the police personnel had been deployed on the campus to prevent protests.

KCR is scared of Rahul Gandhi and does not want to take a risk by allowing him to conduct a meeting in OU," Jagga Reddy said. The police released all of them in the afternoon.

Jagga Reddy said the state Congress chief and MP A. Revanth Reddy along with party MPs N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and Congress MLAs will visit the university on Monday to seek permission for Rahul Gandhis visit.

Venkat Reddy, Uttam Kumar Reddy, former PCC president V. Hanumantha Rao and TPCC working president J. Geetha Reddy strongly condemned the arrest of students. They said that the Telangana Rashtra Samiti government had destroyed all democratic values.
ADILABAD: BJP leaders in this district are a divided lot. To add to the partys troubles, district party chief Payal Shankar is facing some land-related allegations.

Police have registered cases against some BJP leaders and their family members following the complaints lodged by locals, alleging illegal encroachments. The party central leadership has expressed displeasure over these developments.

A few days ago, Adilabad MP Soyam Bapuraos gunmen lodged a complaint against BJP leader Loka Praveen Reddy, a close associate of Payal Shankar and Shankars son Payal Sharath.

The two "manhandled us when we prevented them from meeting Soyam Bapurao as he was sleeping in his house," the complaint said. However, the Mavala police registered a case under SC and ST (prevention of atrocity) act only against BJP leader Lokapraveen Reddy.

As per reports, the two went to discuss the land-related issues with Soyam Bapurao.

Subsequently, the locals of Ichoda lodged a complaint with the police against Payal Shankars son-in-law Siddartha, Gudihathnoor ZPTC Pathangi Brahmanand and four others, saying the BJP leaders encroached into their lands. The police filed an FIR against them.

Leaders of a rival group in the party lodged a complaint with the party high command alleging that Payal Shankar and his family members as also associates were involved in land grabbing and encroaching government-assigned lands. They were also involved in illegal land settlements and such activities brought a bad name to the party, it was alleged.

There were allegations that some TRS leaders indirectly supported Payal Shankar and his illegal activities.

Audio recordings involving Payal Shakar, in which he was heard talking about land dealings, went viral on social media a few days ago. His supporters and some BJP leaders were also heard quarrelling between them.

Payal Shankars opponents in the party are trying to take advantage of this situation and push him out, with the aim of winning the party ticket for the next assembly polls. News is also making the rounds that caste politics is playing a role in the BJP affairs in Adilabad district.
Hyderabad: The BJP Telangana state unit is planning a massive show of strength on May 5 in Mahbubnagar wherein at least one lakh people would attend a public meeting which will be addressed by the party president J.P. Nadda. The public meeting is part of Telangana BJP president Bandi Sanjay Kumars Praja Sangrama Yatra.

On day 18 of his padayatra, Bandi Sanjay met state party leaders where they discussed preparations for the public meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Kumar said there was increasing support for the BJP by the people that he was witnessing during the padayatra. The party was growing in strength and support from the people and this should reflect in the public meeting, Sanjay said.

The party leaders discussed how the focus on one aspect every day during the past 18 days of Sanjays padayatra had been getting public attention, and decided that the same strategy should be continued. The May 5 public meeting would become a big boost for the party, and the padayatra, the leaders felt.

Later, addressing a public meeting at Dhanwada, Sanjay called the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) an ek niranjan (one man show) and urged people to question the TRS leaders about unfulfilled promises by the state. The centre has given 1.5 lakh two-bedroom houses for the state. How many have you got? he asked the crowd. He said the state government was harassing BJP workers and filing cases on them illegally, adding that this should not deter them from holding the state government accountable for its lapses and failures. It is only a few more months until the TRS will be in power. The next government will be that of BJP in the state. None of the promises made by the TRS is being implemented, he said.
Officials said that lands will be accepted in over 60 out of 84 villages that fall under the purview of GO 111.

Hyderabad: After being rebuffed by farmers, HMDA is awaiting guidelines pertaining to Government Order 69, which eases restrictions imposed by GO 111, meant to protect Osmansagar and Himayatsagar, to develop plots.

An official said that once the buffer zones of the water bodies are marked, they would start a land pooling scheme (LPS). The HMDA would develop plots and return 40 per cent of the land to farmers and retain 60 per cent.

The official said that once the HMDA gets land parcels totalling 50 to 100

acres, it would start developing layouts. Those who are allotted the plots

would be free to sell or develop them on their own. The HMDA would sell the

remaining plots in the open market.

Officials said that lands will be accepted in over 60 out of 84 villages that fall under the purview of GO 111.

The LPS has received a lukewarm response from farmers. The HMDA intended to develop 104 acres of agricultural land in Lemoor village in Kandukur mandal of Ranga Reddy district; 219 acres in Bogaram village, Ghatkesar mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri district and 355 acres in Malkapur village, Choutuppal mandal, Yadadri-Bhongir district.

Farmers who initially accepted the proposal backed out at later. Only those who owned assigned lands came forward but the HMDA is not ready to develop those.

A senior official said the HMDA would rework the LPS to make it a win-win for all. He said as of now HMDA officials are awaiting guidelines after the scrapping of GO 111. The official said that leaving the buffer zones, the HMDA would pool patta lands from farmers and develop them.
Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday urged politicians of Maharashtra not to use language bogey or border issue for their political survival, as he made it clear that the state will not give even an inch of its land to the neighbouring state.

Noting that several Kannada speaking areas were in Maharashtra, he said the thinking is on about incorporating them into Karnataka.

He was responding to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's statement on Sunday that they would continue to support the fight of Marathi-speaking people residing in border areas of neighbouring Karnataka to include those places in Maharashtra.

"There is a political crisis in Maharashtra, it is there now, their entire government is on the rock bottom, so they create a language bogey and raise the border issue. To survive politically they do this," Bommai said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, Karnataka's stand on the border issue is very clear, and the state is not going to yield for anything.

"We stand firmly by our decisions, they (Maharashtra) also know it. I strongly urge the politicians of Maharashtra not to use language bogey or border issue for their political survival," he said, adding that there is no question of giving even an inch of Karnataka's land.

Maharashtra claims the border district of Belagavi and nearby areas were part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, but is currently a part of Karnataka, on linguistic grounds.

"While we are celebrating 62 years of formation of Maharashtra, we regret that the Marathi-speaking villages in Bidar, Bhalki, Belgaum, Karwar, Nippani and other places in Karnataka could not be merged with Maharashtra. The citizens of Maharashtra and its government are with their fight to be part of Maharashtra. I assure that we would keep supporting their fight till these villages become part of Maharashtra," Pawar had said on the occasion of Maharashtra's foundation day on Sunday.

The Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES), which has been fighting in the border areas of Belagavi for the merger of 800-odd villages with Maharashtra, had also some time ago submitted a memorandum of their demands to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

On its part as an assertion that Belagavi is an integral part of the state, Karnataka has built the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, modelled on the Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat in Bengaluru, where the legislature session is held once a year.
India Inc is trying to narrow the gender gap in its workforce and become more inclusive by unveiling new benefits such as menstrual leaves, gender-neutral parental offs and even payment for nanny services. It is also retraining its leaders to fight unconscious biases and introducing programmes to create opportunities for women who have taken a career break.

The measures are much needed as Asias No. 3 economy has consistently scored poorly in the World Economic Forums global gender-gap rankings and lagged most of the world on vital metrics such as the female labour force participation rate. Even though women account for about half of Indias population of 1.39 billion, Indias FLFPR is staggeringly low at 18.6%, among the lowest in the world.

To make things worse, more women seem to have dropped out of Indias workforce during the Covid-19 pandemic. Data from the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy showed last week that millions of Indians, particularly women, are leaving the labour force entirely. About 21 million women left the workforce between 2017 and 2022 even as the overall labour participation rate dropped from 46% to 40%.

Also read: Working towards gender parity is smart economic policy

To boost opportunities for women who have taken a career break, IT behemoth Wipro Ltd has launched an initiative called Begin Again and the Indian arm of rival Accenture has a programme named Career Reboot.

From our conversations with those who have joined, we have learnt that they took a career break for different reasons - childcare, eldercare, medical reasons being the more common ones, Wipro Chief Culture Officer Sunita Rebecca Cherian told DH.

The companies acknowledged that just hiring more women wont solve the inclusion problem. Just hiring more women is not enough, we need to build a culture of equality by continuing to invest in their development and creating enabling structures that help women stay in the workforce. This could include benefits like flexi-work options, childcare support and other caregiving enablement, or deliberate efforts to sensitise people managers and other decision makers so as to eliminate any unconscious bias, said Lakshmi C, Managing Director and Lead - HR, Accenture India, which aims to have a gender-balanced workforce by 2025.

Some others such as conglomerate ABB India have introduced a gender-neutral parental programme which allows both parents to be present with their newborn or adoptive child under three years of age.

This also covers LGBTQ couples, cohabiting partners, adoptive and surrogacy-commissioning parents. Each ABB employee, who is a primary caregiver, can avail 26 weeks of parental leave while the secondary caregiver will be entitled to 4 weeks.

Some others such as startup ShareChat have gone a step further and decided to cover their women employees nanny expenses of Rs 7,000 per child up to the age of six. It also provides special leave allowances for childcare, fertility, adoption, and miscarriages.

Department chain Shoppers Stop has introduced a menstrual-leave policy for its customer-care associates, allowing them to take 12 days of annual paid leave over and above their privileged and sick leaves.

Automaker Volvo group is also creating more opportunities for women professionals on a break of one year and more through its Excelher programme.

We also annually audit the hiring data for gender compensation parity, Amit Sharma, Vice President & Head, Volvo Group India told DH.

Some in sectors traditionally dominated by men are also trying to be more inclusive.

Indias largest aluminium producer Vedanta recently welcomed transgender professionals into its workforce. The Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers Association (IMTMA) has started training programmes exclusively for women to increase their number in their companies.

The tech sector is leading the diversity and inclusion race, according to data from Monster.com. It showed that the ITES/BPO (30%) sector and the IT/computers-software (24%) segment currently accounted for the largest chunk of women in the workforce.

Despite the efforts, India still has a long way to go to become truly inclusive.

A Deloitte report showed women hold only 17.1 percent of the board seats in India, almost a decade after the Companies Act, 2013 mandated having one woman member on every board. Only 3.6 percent of the board chairs are women, down by 0.9 percent since 2018.

Female representation, especially in top management roles, is crucial as it paves the way for a more equitable and productive workforce, said Monster.com CEO Sekhar Garisa.

Skilling and nurturing talent at a young age while providing equal opportunities to all lies at the core of creating a gender-inclusive workplace, he said.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin may be forced to give up control of the war in Ukraine for days as he is set for cancer surgery, and will reportedly nominate hardline former FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev to take temporary control of the invasion while he is under the knife, a Kremlin insider has claimed.

Patrushev, the 70-year-old incumbent Secretary of Russia's Security Council, is seen as a key architect of the war strategy so far, and the man who convinced Putin that Kiev is awash with neo-Nazis, said a Daily Mail report.

The extraordinary claims appeared on popular Telegram channel General SVR, which says its source is a well-placed figure in the Kremlin, the report added.

"I don't know for exactly how long (Putin will be incapacitated after the surgery)... I think it'll be for a short time," the insider source was quoted as saying.

Putin was "unlikely to agree to transfer power" but was ready to put in place a "charge d'affaires" to control Russia and the war effort.

"So, while Putin has the operation and comes to his senses, likely two or three days, the actual control of the country passes only to Patrushev," the source added.

Such a move would be surprising since under the Russian constitution, power should pass solely to the Prime Minister, the Daily Mail reported.

General SVR reported that Putin has abdominal cancer and Parkinson's 18 months ago.

He has reportedly delayed surgery, which will now not take place before the Victory Day commemoration of Russia's World War Two victory in Red Square on May 9, Daily Mail reported.

The news comes amid speculation that Putin will launch an all-out war across Ukraine and order mass mobilisation of military-age men, a considerable political risk.

The surgery had been scheduled for the second half of April but was delayed, SVR claimed.

"Putin was recommended to undergo surgery, the date of which is being discussed and agreed," the outlet stated.

"There seems to be no particular urgency, but it cannot be delayed either."

He also suffers from Parkinson's disease and schizoaffective disorder, which carries symptoms of schizophrenia including hallucinations and mania.

The Kremlin has always strongly denied Putin has medical problems and portrays he is in robust health, even as he has been mysteriously absent in recent years, the Daily Mail reported.

In a video detailing General SVR's claims, the outlet's source, supposedly an anonymous former high-ranking Kremlin military figure, said: "Putin has discussed that he will be undergoing medical procedures."

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The Narendra Modi government on Monday did a reshuffle in the top bureaucracy, bringing in senior IAS officer Gyanesh Kumar as the new Cooperation Secretary and moving DoPT Secretary PK Tripathi to Cabinet Secretariat.

The government also appointed retired IAS officer Tarun Kapoor as an Advisor to the Prime Minister and brought in Hari Ranjan Rao, an IAS officer of Madhya Pradesh cadre, and Atosh Chandra, a 1994-batch officer of Bihar cadre, as Additional Secretaries in the Prime Minister's Office.

Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch officer of Kerala cadre, is presently Secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Kumar will replace DK Singh, who has been moved to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) as Secretary-General.

Kumar's entry into the Amit Shah-led Ministry comes at a time the government is moving fast on finalising a new Cooperation Policy. He had earlier worked in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under Shah.

S Radha Chauhan, a 1988-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre officer, will replace Tripathi as Department of Personnel and Training Secretary. She is presently in the cadre.

A Kerala-cadre 1990 batch officer, Alkesh Kumar Sharma will be the new Secretary in the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. He is presently Secretary (Coordination) in the Cabinet Secretariat, which has now been allotted to Tripathi.

Neel Kamal Darbari, Managing Director of Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium has been appointed as Chairperson of the National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention in the rank and pay of Secretary to the government of India.

Sanjay Kumar, a 1990-batch IAS officer currently serving in his cadre state of Bihar, will be Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs.

S K G Rahate, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Power has been promoted as Secretary and given charge of the Department of Justice in the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Watch the latest DH Videos here:
A ruling BJP MLA here took an oath along with others to make India a Hindu Rashtra and "make or take sacrifice for it".

Purported videos of the event have surfaced on social media. The event took place on Sunday.

"We pledge and give the commitment to make Hindustan a Hindu Rashtra and to let it be a Hindu Rashtra," Ambala City MLA Aseem Goel and others are seen saying in the videos.

Also Read | Now, Uttar Pradesh 'Dharm Sansad' calls for 'Hindu Rashtra', Seers say Gandhi not Father of the Nation, Nehru not 'first' PM

"If needed, we will make or take sacrifice for it. But we will declare the country a Hindu Rashtra (nation) at any cost. May our ancestors and deities give us the power to achieve our goal," they said.

A slogan in the favour of a Hindu Rashtra was also raised and the MLA was seen raising both his hands in support along with others present.

When contacted on Monday, Goel said he took the oath along with others at the event being a Hindu and not as a BJP MLA.

"I am proud to be a Hindu," he said.

At the event, Goel also took part in a seminar on the Uniform Civil Code.

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Hindu seers once again spewed venom against a particular religion at a religious meet in Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh town, calling for making India a 'Hindu Rashtra' and exhorting the Hindus to have more number of children and vote in the name of Hinduism, lest the country should turn into an 'Islamic' nation and have a Muslim prime minister.

"There is only one religion in India and that is Sanatan Dharma....Hindus must unite and cast their votes on the basis of their religion," controversial Hindu seer Kalicharan Maharaj said while speaking at the meeting on Sunday.

Kalicharan had earlier been arrested after he had abused Mahatma Gandhi and said that he (Gandhi) was not 'Father of the Nation'. He spent three months in jail and was later released on bail.

He claimed that lakhs of Hindu temples had been demolished during the Muslim rule in the country and thousands of women had been raped. "Our women will not be safe if we do not unite and support the cause of Hinduism," he added and exhorted the people to support prime minister Narendra Modi and UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Another controversial seer Yati Narsimhanand Sarswati, who had hit the headlines after videos of his speech containing highly objectionable remarks on Muslims at a 'Dharm Sansad' (religious gathering) at Haridwar in Uttarakhand went viral last year, also called for making India ' Hindu Rashtra'.

Read | Can Muslims surpass Hindus in population numbers? Experts say practically not possible

"The population of a particular community has been increasing rapidly in the country as part of a well planned conspiracy...it is a very dangerous situation for the country and the Hindus must do everything to counter it," Narsmihanand Sarswati said.

He also cast doubts on the patriotism of Muslims, saying that in the event of a war with Pakistan, they would 'support' the neighbouring country.

Barely a few months back, at a religious gathering in the 'Magh Mela', an annual religious event at 'Sangam' (the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Sarswati rivers) at Prayagraj, the Hindu seers had called for making India a 'Hindu Rashtra' and had refused to recognise Mahatma Gandhi as the 'Father of the Nation' and Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru the first prime minister of the country.

"In a country like India, some one can be Rashtra Putra (so of the nation) but not Rashtra Pita (father of the nation)," a seer had said in his speech. He had also said that Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose should be declared the first prime minister of the country as he (Bose) had the "support of 15 countries". "Bose was already the PM of India when the country had attained freedom," he had aimed.

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday said the Centre accepting the states request to help the people of Sri Lanka, who are reeling under the worst-ever economic crisis, will help in improving the warmth and cordiality between the two nations.

In a tweet, Stalin thanked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for accepting the Tamil Nadu governments request to send food materials, and essential medicines to Sri Lankan during the time of the crisis.

A personal thanks to Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar for accepting TNs request to help the people of SL. Am sure that this humane gesture will be greatly welcomed by all and help to improve the warmth and cordiality between nations. Let the goodwill grow in all spheres, Stalin wrote while sharing a letter Jaishankar sent him on Sunday.

A personal thanks to Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar for accepting TNs request to help the people of SL. Am sure that this humane gesture will be greatly welcomed by all and help to improve the warmth and cordiality between nations. Let the goodwill grow in all spheres. pic.twitter.com/AKgLnfXVmo  M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) May 2, 2022

In the letter, Jaishankar said the relief materials to be supplied by the Tamil Nadu government will be shared with Sri Lanka to be distributed appropriately in the current circumstances. The relief materials -- 40,000 tonnes of rice worth Rs 80 crore, 137 types of life-saving medicines valued at Rs 28 crore, and 500 tonnes of milk powder costing Rs 15 crore -- will be handed over to the Sri Lankan government for distribution among its citizens.

The MEA has also asked the Tamil Nadu government to share details of the nodal point as well as details of the consignment, transport etc. This would enable the HCI in Colombo to make the necessary arrangements for the collection and handing over of relief material to Sri Lanka, Jaishankar said.

Also Read: Tanker strike worsens fuel woes in crisis-hit Sri Lanka

Jaishankars letter came two days after the Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a resolution seeking permission to send food and other essential items, including life-saving medicines, to the people of Sri Lanka.

After Stalins request to Modi last month, Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka, including the influential Tamil National Alliance (TNA), earlier this month appealed to Stalin not to limit the assistance from the state to Tamils but to all citizens of the island nation arguing that everyone is suffering.

Stalin proposed the idea of sending essential supplies to the ethnic and plantation Tamils in Sri Lanka as the number of people fleeing the northern areas of the island to reach Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu is on the rise due to the worst-ever economic crisis. Nearly 100 persons, who fled Sri Lanka, are currently lodged in Mandapam camp in Rameswaram.

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Derry Girls will come to an end with a 45-minute extended episode set at the time of the Good Friday Agreement.

The hit Channel 4 series, about a group of teenagers growing up in Northern Ireland in the 1990s, around the time of the IRA and loyalist ceasefires, is due to end with the third series, which is currently airing.

The extended episode, which will deal with the key moment in Northern Irish history, will air the same week as the series three finale.

The special instalment will return to Derry one year later as Erin (Saoirse-Monica Jackson), her cousin Orla (Louisa Harland) and friends Clare (Nicola Coughlan), Michelle (Jamie-Lee ODonnell) and Michelles English cousin James (Dylan Llewellyn) prepare for their final year of school.

The episode will be set in the week of the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement, threatening to overshadow Erin and Orlas joint 18th birthday party.

Series creator and writer Lisa McGee said: Like all the very best 90s bands, I couldnt resist ending our farewell tour with an encore for our loyal fans.

Im delighted to say well be returning for one extended special  airing in the same week as our final episode.

The special deals with the historic and momentous Good Friday Agreement vote, which coincides with the gangs coming of age, they enter adulthood just as Northern Ireland embarks on a new future.

Im so proud of this show and of our incredible cast and crew and everything weve achieved over the past five years.

What a journey its been. Im so grateful Channel 4 gave me the space to end the stories of these characters that mean so much to me with this special. I really hope the fans love it as much as I do.

Derry people arent great at saying goodbye so I will instead use one of our native expressions Thats us away now.
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.
NALA, a Tanzania-based fintech company, has teamed up with pan-African payments company Cellulant to power remittance payments from the United Kingdom and United States into Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Ghana.

The partners say that, besides official direct assistance (ODA), remittances make up the second-largest source of external resources for sub-Saharan Africa. In 2019, they point out, approximately US$48 billion was remitted in Africa, with Nigeria receiving roughly 50% of this amount, followed by Ghana and Kenya.

However, sub-Saharan Africa is today the most expensive region to transfer money into. The partnership between Cellulant and NALA aims to facilitate seamless cross-border payments and significantly reduce the cost of sending money from the UK and the US into Africa.

Cellulant says it provides a single API payments platform, Tingg, that enables global, regional and local businesses to collect payments online and offline while allowing anyone to pay from their mobile money, local and international cards or directly from their bank. The platform powers payments for 220 million consumers on a single inclusive network, allowing interoperability across Africa.

As David Waithaka, Cellulants Chief Revenue Officer, points out, businesses coming into Africa have to deal with 54-55 different payment providers and multiple currencies, with at least one for each country. He adds, With our presence in 35 countries, we are able to cover all these needs through a single platform, single API, single contract, one web tool and a single point of managing all operations. This partnership complements NALAs fully digital cross-border payment capabilities with the necessary infrastructure to enable them to deliver their services in the continent effectively.

NALA provides an app for Africans living in the United Kingdom and the United States to send money to the continent seamlessly. NALA is currently active in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana and is preparing to join the Nigerian and Ethiopian markets. The company is also looking forward to expanding its services across Africa, the United States, and Canada.
Grab Holdings Limited, and leading communications technology group Singtel have announced that GXS Bank Pte. Ltd, their digital bank joint venture, supported by a consortium of Malaysian investors, is among the companies selected to receive a full digital banking licence in Malaysia.

The other winning applicants for the licences included Boost Holdings, the fintech arm of Axiata, which teamed up with Malaysian banking group RHB Bank for the bid, and a partnership between Sea and YTL Digital Capital.

Grab is said to be Southeast Asias leading superapp based on gross merchandise value (GMV) in 2021 in each of food deliveries, mobility and the e-wallets segment of financial services, according to Euromonitor. The digital bank joint venture between Grab and Singtel was formed in 2020 and selected to be awarded a full digital banking licence in Singapore.

Subject to meeting all of Bank Negara Malaysias (BNM) regulatory conditions, the new company says it aims to redefine banking for the estimated one in two Malaysians who are underserved or unbanked.

The digital bank to be established by the Malaysia digital bank consortium is expected to enable local micro-SMEs and other financially underserved segments such as gig economy workers to access a suite of financial services.

Local news services report that the central bank received a total of 29 applications for the licences and made a total of five awards as companies looked to capitalise on Malaysia's growing fintech sector.

BNM said the winners must undergo a period of operational readiness that will be audited by the central bank before they can commence operations  a process expected to take between 12 to 24 months.
Where to Watch / Stream Chosen Online Theatrical release - Not available on any OTT Platform right now.

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Chosen : Release Date, Trailer, Cast & Songs About Chosen Chosen was released on May 03, 2022 and was directed by Joseph Juhn .This movie is 1 hr 28 min in duration and is available in English language. Chosen is available in Documentary genre.

Chosen - Star Cast And Crew J Joseph Juhn Director

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Disclaimer: All content and media has been sourced from original content streaming platforms, such as Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. Digit Binge is an aggregator of content and does not claim any rights on the content. The copyrights of all the content belongs to their respective original owners and streaming service providers. All content has been linked to respective service provider platforms.This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by

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Where to Watch / Stream Dear Haiti Online Theatrical release - Not available on any OTT Platform right now.

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Dear Haiti : Release Date, Trailer, Cast & Songs About Dear Haiti Dear Haiti was released on May 03, 2022 and was directed by Nelie Diverlus .This movie is 8 min in duration and is available in English language. Dear Haiti is available in Documentary genre.

Dear Haiti - Star Cast And Crew N Nelie Diverlus Director

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Disclaimer: All content and media has been sourced from original content streaming platforms, such as Disney Hotstar, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. Digit Binge is an aggregator of content and does not claim any rights on the content. The copyrights of all the content belongs to their respective original owners and streaming service providers. All content has been linked to respective service provider platforms.This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by

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The government of India has proposed a $10 billion incentive plan for the growth and establishment of semiconductor manufacturing in the country.

Soon after the Indian government announced a $10 billion bet to entice foreign investment in the Indian Semiconductor market, Karnataka bagged a big proposal from the International Semiconductor Consortium (ISMC). It has signed a $3 billion MoU with the said consortium to build a fab on a 150-acre land in the city of Mysuru.

Heres the official announcement of the $3 billion deal by the Karnataka government:

Karnataka will soon be home to Indias first and largest semiconductor fabrication unit! The #Indian #Semiconductor Manufacturing Company ISMC has announced an #investment of Rs. 22,900 crores ($3 billion) - a proud moment for the state.#InvestinKarnataka pic.twitter.com/23p9hQiGOr  Invest in Karnataka (@investkarnataka) May 1, 2022

ISMC Karnataka semiconductor manufacturing details

An Intel chip used for representational purpose.

ISMCs full form is the International Semiconductor Consortium. It is a joint venture between Abu Dhabi-based Next Orbit Ventures and Israel's Tower Semiconductor. The latter is set to be bought by Intel for $5.4 billion. So, if all goes well, the American chip giant could also have a footprint on the Indian semiconductor landscape.

Coming back to the current deal, the MoU has been signed between the state government and the consortium for 3 billion USD. As part of this, ISMC Digital will be setting up a semiconductor fab on a 150-acre land in the Kochanahalli industrial area in Mysuru to develop a 65 nm (nanometer) chip-manufacturing process.

The government is bullish on the prospects, not just in terms of the chip-making contribution, but also in the employment that would be created from this effort. It claims the initiative would generate 1,500 direct jobs as well as 10,000 indirect jobs in Karnataka.

While signing the memorandum in Bengaluru (regarded as the Silicon Valley of India), Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai was present with ISMC director Ajay Jalan, and EV Ramana Reddy, the additional chief secretary, industries, and IT/BT departments.

CM said, Karnataka understands that it is not only incentives or concessions but also a conducive ecosystem that will attract investors.

Well, ISMC is not the first to invest, as both Indian-based Vedanta Group and Singapore-based IGSS have shown interest in the Indian Semiconductor Mission project.

Especially, the conglomerate Vedanta has put forward an investment plan worth $20 billion for establishing semiconductor units in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Telangana.

Just recently speaking at the 3-day SemiconIndia Conference 2022 event in Bengaluru, the Union electronics and information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, First, there are the big silicon fabrication and the display fabrication companies, second is the compound semiconductors and assembly, testing, marking, and packaging category, while the third category is design. The applications for the second and third categories are an ongoing process, while in the first category, the option to take in more applications will be open in the next 5-8 months.

The Indian semiconductor industry is forecasted to grow from $15 billion in 2020 to $63 billion in 2026.

As for other news, reviews, feature stories, buying guides and everything else tech-related, keep reading Digit.in.
The Vi 195 and 319 plans offer up to 31 days validity.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has launched three new prepaid plans in India costing 98, 195, and 319. As you could guess, the allowed benefits under each of them lessen with the lower price tag. So that makes 98, the cheapest of the lot and although it comes with unlimited calls for a small period of time, along with a bit of mobile data, it doesnt come with any outgoing message quota. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the 319 plan with a Binge All Night benefit. Lets see what that entails and have a better look at all the three Vi prepaid recharges.

New Vi prepaid plans: Validity and Benefits

Vi is expanding its 31-day plans with the new 195 and 319 recharge packs. Heres what you get with them:

Vi 319 plan brings 31 days of validity, and in this period, you get to enjoy unlimited calls, 2GB/day data and 100/day SMS. It also features the Binge All Night benefit which means the data used from 12AM to 6AM wont be deducted from the allowed data quota.

Vi Rs. 195 plan, meanwhile, consists of 31-day validity and in this period, you get unlimited calls, 2GB total data, and 300 total SMS.

Then, there is the 98 plan which is the most affordable plan among the three and assures validity of 15 days, along with unlimited calls and 200MB of data quota. However, it doesnt offer outgoing SMS.

As for other news, reviews, feature stories, buying guides and everything else tech-related, keep reading Digit.in.
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SEATTLE  An apartment building at 1105 Fifth Ave. N. sold for over $4.3 million, according to King County records.

The sellers were 216 E Roanoke Apartments LLC & Tudor Apts LLC, which acquired the property in 2017 for about $3.6 million.





. . .
Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in the Kremlin on April 26, 2022. (Kremlin photo)

Analysts fear that the United States and its Western allies could simply nullify all diplomatic efforts by repeatedly providing military assistance to Ukraine.

MOSCOW/KIEV, April 29 (Xinhua) -- While the international community is making diplomatic efforts in hopes of ending Russia-Ukraine hostilities, analysts fear that the United States and its Western allies could simply nullify all such attempts by repeatedly providing military assistance to Ukraine.

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres travelled to Russia and Ukraine this week to mainly explore how the UN could aid in evacuating civilians from the besieged city of Mariupol.

As part of international efforts to help solve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Guterres' visit came at a time when fighting between the two countries has entered the third month and their peace talks have fallen into a stalemate.

DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Guterres in the Kremlin on Tuesday, when he told the UN chief that "despite the ongoing military operation, we still hope that we will be able to reach agreements on the diplomatic track."

Guterres said that the UN is willing, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross, to assess the situation at Mariupol's Azovstal plant in order to evacuate civilians from there.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) meets with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Kiev on April 28, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Office/Handout via Xinhua)

After a meeting with Guterres on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters that his country was ready for urgent talks to evacuate people from Mariupol and hoped that the participation of the UN secretary-general in this mission would facilitate the evacuation efforts.

"We will continue to call for a complete ceasefire, as well as for immediate practical measures to save lives and minimize human suffering," Guterres stressed.

Commenting on Guterres' trip, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that Moscow positively assessed the UN's desire to play a constructive and unbiased role.

Along with many other countries, China has always supported and encouraged all diplomatic efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis and has proposed a six-point initiative on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
A former minister for rural development has said that a proposed cap to exempt communities from any ban on selling turf cannot and will not work.

New measures to ban the sale of smoky fuels are set to come into effect on September 1st.

Several Fine Gael and Fianna Fail TDs have expressed concern about Minister for Environment Eamon Ryans move to clamp down on turf burning at a time when fuel bills are rising sharply.

Speaking to Newstalk, Fine Gael TD Michael Ring said people need turf now and there is no alternative at the moment.

"We want them to be able to continue on at present to be able to cut turf, and anybody that's cutting turf at the moment needs it now and in the future," Mr Ring said.

"There is no alternative for rural Ireland at the moment and this is not the time to be talking about not cutting turf.

"Turf is needed now more than ever, particularly with the cost of fuel, oil, petrol and diesel.

"All kinds of coal, briquettes, they have all gone up substantially over the last couple of months.

"Particularly in many places in rural Ireland, turf is the only thing that they use, turf is what they want, turf is what they cut, and Fine Gael will make sure that these people are protected into the future."

Mr Ring said he hopes to bring in proposals that will help the situation.

In April, Minister for Environment Eamon Ryan floated the idea that communities with up to 500 people may be exempt from any ban on gifting or selling turf to neighbours or friends.

"It's only a number and that number cannot work and will not work," he said.

"[We] cannot have a situation that one townland or one village or one area might have 510 people and the other area might have 498 people.

"And people could be cutting [turf] with the 498 and the 510, they wouldn't be able to cut.

"That's not a workable proposal at all.

"But I have no doubt that we will bring in proposals that will be acceptable to the people of rural Ireland."

The Minister for Environment previously defended the planned restrictions on turf: 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.
Most of a shipment of about 800 pounds of bees, or more than 5 million individual bees, that were being sent to Alaska from Sacramento, California died on a tarmac after being rerouted through Atlanta. The bees, not native to Alaska, were being sent to pollinate orchards and nurseries around the state.

The bees were headed for Anchorage, where they would then be distributed to more than 300 beekeepers throughout Alaska. They were ordered by beekeeper Sarah McElrea, who teaches beekeeping classes and helps order and distribute honey bees to beekeepers around the state.

Delta rerouted the bees from their original flight, instead sending them through Atlanta, Georgia, because they wouldnt fit on the plane. McElrea requested for the bees to be kept in a cooler, as she noted that the honeybees wouldnt fare well in the heat.

The airline moved the bees to a cooler, but overnight, some bees escaped the crates. Delta moved the crates to a storage area on the tarmac, but the temperatures were too high for the bees.

I really panicked when they found they had moved them outside because the pheromones that those honeybees emit are attractive to other honeybees that are native to the area, she said.

According to Backyard Beekeeping, bees may beard when temperatures rise. The bees form clusters outside their hives to both cool themselves off and lower the hives internal temperatures.

As they were bearding, it looked as though more bees were escaping, so Delta did not allow the bees on the flight to Alaska.

McElrea used Facebook to connect with a local beekeeper, Edward Morgan, who went to the airport to check in on the bees. Morgan found crates full of mostly dead bees. While the temperatures were somewhat high, around 80F, Morgan also noted that the bees couldnt reach their food source based on the positioning of the crates.

Morgan reached out to other local beekeepers to help salvage any surviving bees. Several volunteers arrived to help, but it was already deemed disastrous.

Its devastating to see that many dead, Julia Mahood, a Georgia Master Beekeeper and one of the volunteers, told WABE. Just clumps of dead bees that had no chance because they were left outside with no food and basically got lost in Deltas machinery.

With the healthier packages, we will try to establish independent colonies, beekeeper Ellen Ausley told WABE. But for the rest, we hopefully can introduce the worker bees into already successful colonies.

McElreas supplier is replacing the $48,000 shipment, which Delta called an unfortunate situation, as reported by Alaska Public Media. A spokesperson for the airline also said they are taking measures to prevent a similar situation from happening again.

McElrea is also working with local beekeepers in Seattle for an upcoming shipment in case things go awry again.

I will forever be grateful for anything that they were able to salvage, she said of the beekeepers in Atlanta who rescued the surviving bees. They just assembled quickly and efficiency and really are the heroes in this scenario.
Gus is a six-year-old dog with plenty of his own problems. The goldendoodle has cancer, and doctors had to amputate one of his back legs to remove a tumor.

But these challenges didnt stop him from jumping into a frigid Minnesota river to rescue a baby river otter Easter Sunday.

First time swimming with three legs and he comes out of the water with a baby otter in his mouth! Ella Hammerstrand, the granddaughter of Guss owners, told Fox 9.

The rescue took place as Ella and her sister Lucy were visiting with family for Easter. The pair were out doing chores by the St. Croix River with Gus when he suddenly jumped in the water and swam 50 feet. He then returned with the otter and dropped it at the girls feet, WCCO reported.

The otter was covered in sand, so the family washed it off.

I held him for a little while they tried to find his mom, but we couldnt, Lucy told Fox 9.

After failing to find the otters caretaker, the family took the pup to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) of Minnesota in Roseville.

It was kind of a harrowing trip because it was closing at 6 p.m., and we didnt know if we were going to make it, Young told WCCO.

However, made it they did, and the center credited Gus and his owners with saving the otters life.

The otter is much too young to be in the waterit should still be in the den with its mom, the center said in a Facebook post. Having no idea where the den is, how far the little guy traveled, the otter has been admitted for rehabilitation.

Everyone give a shout-out to Gus, the wonderful goldendoodle who, while swimming in the St. Croix River, came across this tiny young River Otter and rescued it.The otter is much too young to be in the water  it should still be in the den with its mom. Having no idea where the den is, how far the little guy traveled, the otter has been admitted for rehabilitation. We were quite concerned the first 36 hours  he was cold to the touch at admit and we didn't know if he'd aspirated water, which could result in pneumonia. The otter turned the corner the other day and is doing well.(add'l photos on our IG page @WRCMN) Kudos to Gus, and his wonderful owners Cleo and John, for saving this young otter's life. Posted by Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRC) on Wednesday, April 20, 2022

The WRC said it was concerned for the otters survival during the first 36 hours of its stay because it was cold to the touch. Workers were worried it had breathed in water, which could cause pneumonia. However, the otters health has since improved, and it was moved to another facility that has the pools it needs to grow, FOX 9 reported.

Kudos to Gus, and his wonderful owners Cleo and John, for saving this young otters life, the WRC said on Facebook.

The hero of the day, Gus, also has his own recovery needs. The dog had already had one tumor removed when University of Minnesota staff found another tumor during a follow-up appointment, leading to the leg amputation, as WCCO reported.

We thought, Oh this is going to be so sad, he isnt going to be able to run again like he used to, but this hasnt slowed him down at all, Young told WCCO.

Gus still has to complete three more chemotherapy sessions. But the good boy also got a reward for his rescue.

I think he (Gus) knew the otter was hurting and something was wrong, Ella told Fox 9. He definitely got a lot of treats afterwards, she added.
Utah needs help understanding its elusive river otters.

The states Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) put out a call Monday asking Utah residents to report any sightings of the animals whose numbers in the state are still unknown.

River otters are important because they are an indicator of how healthy the aquatic environment is around Utah, DWR non-game mammals coordinator Kim Hersey said in Mondays announcement. They have a low tolerance for polluted water and require an abundant prey population. Knowing where they are located around the state is vital to helping us manage this species. Anglers and other river recreationists are on the water a lot and can help us understand the distribution of otters throughout the state by reporting any sightings.

The kind of otter native to Utah is the northern or North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). They have long, sleek, muscular bodies and short legs, according to Smithsonians National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. Their fur is brown to gray, and adult males grow to be 10 to 33 pounds and 2.5 to five feet long.

These riparian mammals originally ranged throughout most of the U.S. and Canada, but they were hunted and trapped for furs in the 19th and 20th centuries, according to the National Wildlife Federation. This rendered them locally extinct in portions of their range, but they have been successfully reintroduced in many places, and their population is considered stable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. That said, they are still at risk from pollution and habitat destruction.

The northern river otters history in Utah has followed a similar pattern. They never lived in high numbers in the state, according to DWR, and this was made worse by excessive trapping by early settlers and habitat change caused by development.

This began to change in 1899, when DWRs precursor classified them as rare and the legislature voted to ban the hunting and trapping of the mammals. In 1989, DWR decided to augment the states otter population by relocating 67 of them and introducing them to the Green River in eastern Utah between 1989 and 1992. In the 2000s, additional otters were reintroduced to the Strawberry, Escalante and Provo rivers.

However, otters old and new are still hard to track down.

Due to their secretive nature, wide ranges, and low densities, otter populations are difficult to monitor and there is not a population estimate, currently, DWR wrote.

The agency is asking anyone who sees an otter or signs of an otter such as tracks and feces to send a photo or video along with a location to utahotters@gmail.com.

The data from these sightings will help us update the state river otter management plan, Hersey said. Before we can plan for the future, we need a good idea of the current status of otters in the state. Based on these reported sightings, we will follow up with targeted surveys to gather additional information on otter populations. It will also help us identify areas without otters that may be candidates for future transplant populations.




Ukraine shipped 763,000 tonnes of grain in April

Ukraine's Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food said the country has exported 763,000 tonnes of grain in April, with a total of 45.709 million tonnes shipped so far in the 2021/22 July-June season, Reuters reported.

Ukraine has resumed publishing grain data. The country exported up to 6 million graind monthly before the Russian invasion.

Denys Shmygal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, said they have agreed with Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Bulgaria, Romania and in parallel currently in discussions to use their ports for shipping Ukrainian goods.

The ministry said Ukraine has exported 18.5 million tonnes of wheat, 21.1 million tonnes of corn and 5.7 million tonnes of barley in the 2021/22 season.

Of the 763,000 tonnes of grains shipped in April, these included 115,000 tonnes of wheat, 622,000 tonnes of corn and 25,000 tonnes of barley.

The ministry did not explain how the grains were exported.

Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine exported goods via sea but they have been forced to export by train through its western border or via its small Danube river ports.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine, said the country has reached an agreement with Bulgaria to export Ukrainian grains via Bulgaria's port of Varna.

A manager from Comvex, a port operator said 71,000 tonnes of corn from Ukraine has completed loading in the Romanian Black Sea port of Constanta, the first since the Russian invasion.

- Reuters
Amazon won't have to contend with two unionized warehouses in the US, at least for the time being. Workers at the company's LDJ5 facility in Staten Island have voted overwhelmingly against unionization. Of the 1,633 employees who were eligible to cast a ballot in the election, 618 said no to unionization and only 380 workers voted in favor of the bid. There were no contested ballots. In the end, 61 percent of eligible workers voted.

Despite todays outcome Im proud of the worker/organizers of LDJ5 they had a tougher challenge after our victory at JFK8.Our leads should be extremely proud to have given their coworkers a right to join a Union @amazonlabor will continue to organize and so should all of you  Christian Smalls (@Shut_downAmazon) May 2, 2022

Were glad that our team at LDJ5 were able to have their voices heard," Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told Engadget following the vote count. "We look forward to continuing to work directly together as we strive to make every day better for our employees.

The failed vote comes after the Amazon Labor Union (ALU), led by former employee Christian Smalls, won a historic victory at the start of the month at JFK8, a facility just across the street from LDJ5. Despite its initial upset victory against the country's second-largest employer, Monday's defeat is likely to slow momentum for the ALU. Going into the election, there was hope a second victory would help build momentum toward a nationwide labor movement, but the union had to overcome some of the same obstacles it ran into at JFK8.

Following that vote, Amazon reportedly intensified its anti-union efforts. The ALU told Motherboard the company mandated daily anti-union meetings at LDJ5 and began distributing literature that attempted to cast the organization in a negative light. Right now, the ALU is trying to come between our relationship with you, Amazon said on a website it launched to discourage workers from voting in favor of unionization. They think they can do a better job advocating for you than you are doing for yourself.

Following the vote, the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency that oversaw the election, said both parties have until May 9th to file objections. The Amazon Labor Union told Vice News it would contest the result. Moving forward, the ALU has a tough road ahead of itself. Amazon recently challenged the JKF8 result, alleging that the group pressured workers into voting to organize. The company has called for a redo of the election.

Update 5:19PM ET: Added comment from Amazon.
Netflix is tightening its purse strings after a drop in subscribers. Deadline reported that the streaming platform canceled production on Pearl, an animated series created by Meghan Markle, before it was even finished. The project was a part of a multi-year production deal that Markle and Prince Harry signed with Netflix back in 2020. The animated family series followed a 12-year girl as she learned about influential women throughout history. The show is only the latest casualty in a recent series of cost-saving measures by the streamer, including firing most of the writing staff for its fan site project and canceling the show Space Force. It also axed two other animated childrens series, Dino Daycare and Boons and Curses, reported People.

Netflix confirmed to CNBC that the cancellation of Pearl is a part of strategic decisions it is making around animated series. The platform has invested heavily in animation since 2018, and was projected by Loup Ventures to spend $5 billion on original animated content this year. But the companys boomtown mentality appears to have shifted, at least for now.

The companys market value dropped a staggering $60 billion after a disappointing first-quarter earnings call last month. The streamer lost roughly 200,000 subscribers in the first few months of 2022, its first decline in nearly a decade. A number of factors led to the drop, including competition from rival platforms like Disney+ and Hulu, halting service to Russia and widespread password sharing.

Deadline reported that a number of projects through Archwell Productions  the production company owned by Markle and Prince Harry  are still in the works, including a docuseries on the Invictus Games.
Weather Alert

...Fire Weather Concerns Across Vermont This Afternoon... A very dry airmass will remain over Vermont today with minimum relative humidity values dropping into the 15 to 25 percent range by midday. The continued dry conditions have allowed fine fuels to completely dry out. Winds will be from the east this morning, then the southeast this afternoon at 5-10 mph, except over Rutland and Windsor Counties where some afternoon gusts 10-20 mph are expected. Fires could quickly grow and get out of control today due to how dry the air will be this afternoon.
Monday, May 2, 2022

Bookpleasures.com welcomes as our guest Frederick Douglass Reynolds, author of BlackWhite And Gray All Over.



Frederick is a retiredBlack LA County Sheriff's homicide sergeant. He was born in RockyMount, Virginia, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan where he became apetty criminal and was involved in gangs.

Frederick worked in theCompton, California police force from 1985 until 2000 and thentransferred to the sheriffs department where he worked anadditional seventeen years, retiring in 2017 with over seventy-fivecommendations.

Norm: Good dayFrederick and thank you for taking part in our interview.





Frederick: Hello,Norm. Its my pleasure. Thanks for having me.

What do you consider tobe your greatest success (or successes) in your career as a policeofficer?

Frederick: Gettingfreeway memorial monuments for Officers Kevin Burrell and JamesMacDonald, who were murdered in the line of duty in 1993, and forOfficer Dess K. Phipps, who was killed in the 1960s during a trafficaccident.

I drafted the resolutionsfor the memorials, drove to the capital, and presented it to theHouse assembly for approval. I then gave the keynote speech at thememorial dedication. Nothing that I did as a police officer, nomatter who I arrested, no matter who I saved, nothing was greaterthan that.

Norm: How many times inyour life have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

Frederick: I haveexperienced rejection more times than I can count, and in everyaspect of my life, both personally and professionally. I havebeen turned down for promotion, fired from jobs, demoted in rank inthe military, turned down for dances at parties, and dumped bygirlfriends.

But I handled everythingin the same way. I used each rejection as fuel for the fire that hasburned in my stomach for as long as I can remember. They shaped me tobe the man that I am today, despite the multiple failures that I haveexperienced. But does not each failure we experience make eachsubsequent success that much sweeter?

Norm: What was one ofyour greatest failures as a police officer, and what did you learnfrom it?

Frederick: Notbeing there when my colleagues were murdered. I was the seniorofficer on the shift that night. For years after, I shouldered theresponsibility of their deaths. I engaged in many drunken,meaningless sexual encounters, and was morally void. I eventuallylearned that running from emotional trauma will never cure it. It hasto met head-on and conquered. I finally came to realize that nothingI could have did that night would have changed the outcome. Ourdestinies are set in stone.

Norm: Do you worryabout the human race?

Frederick: I dontworry about the human race. Mistakes and reconciliation are in ournature. While I was a cop, some days I would see some of the mosthorrendous things ever, and then two days later see something evenworse.

But inevitably, I wouldsee some of the most endearing things, some of the most humaneresponses, and things that would make me celebrate the wonders oflife and the human spirit.



For every act of cowardice, I saw an actof heroism; for every act of barbarism, I saw an act of selflessness;for every tragedy, a triumph. The duality of life will always balanceus out, and that will continue until the human race is no longer. Weare a resilient species, and we will survive until we are notsupposed to. But everything eventually ends.

Norm: Whatdo you think makes a good memoir or biography?

Frederick: Truth. Nomatter how hard it hurts. I have read several memoirs, especiallythose written by former cops, where they literally painted themselvesas superheroes.



I wanted to be as truthful and honest as possible,even at the cost of confronting long dormant issues that I had burieddeep within. I wanted to tell my story as a cop, but more so as aflawed, average man who sometimes did above average things. I wantedmy story to resonate with the everyday person, because that is who Iwas. I just wore a badge.

Norm: If you were achief of police, how would you handle a situation if one of yoursubordinates were to commit a crime?

Frederick: I wouldhandle it as if anyone else committed a crime. Police officers haveto be a cut above. But there are mitigating circumstances, just asthere are aggravating circumstances in everything.



The reputation andbackground of the officer would certainly be a consideration. What heor she did would be another consideration.



Some crimes are soegregious, that there has to be swift punishment no matter who youare, or no matter what your resume is. There are other far lessegregious crimes where an individuals track record should beconsidered when meting out punishment.

Norm: What motivatedyou to write Black White And Gray All Over?



Frederick: Themurders of two of my colleagues in 1993 was certainly one of thebiggest motivators. But while I was working, I just couldnt findthe time to write a book because of job and family commitments.



Iworked as a homicide investigator for the majority of my career, andobviously, that took up a lot of time and energy.



When I retired, Istarted writing, but I still wasnt fully committed, as I wastrying to get used to the transition of everyday, normal life.



Mywhole life perspective changed in 2020, though. In addition to thelife-altering, social and culture transition we are going through,which started in earnest that year, I had a heart attack and almostdied. After the surgery, I lay in my bed and realized that the chanceto finish the book has almost been taken away from me.



When Irecovered, I began writing with a sense of urgency that I did nothave before.

Norm: Where did thetitle of the book come from?

Frederick: I chosethis title because my life has always been about straddling that linebetween good andevil, right and wrong, and black and white. I could never quite getto one side, and the other side I definitely didnt want to get toat all.



So, I stayed in the gray area. And this thought-process werenever truer than when I became a cop.



The law-enforcement professionis riddled with black and white, but I found comfort in the grayarea; the area where I didnt have to take someones freedombecause they were trying to feed their child and got caught stealingfood, the area where I knew that sometimes, doing the wrong thing forthe right reason was the right thing to do. So, I wasnt a crookwhich would have put me in the black area, and I wasnt aninflexible, uncompromising foot soldier, which would have put me inthe white area.



That, coupled with the fact thatpolice cars are black and white in California, and the current racialdivide in the country made this quite an appropriate title.

Norm: Whatwas the most difficult part of writing your book and did you learnanything from writing the book? What was it?

Frederick: I cameface-to-face with my own inadequacies and deficiencies.



There were somany scenes that were difficult to write, starting with my fathersalcoholism, my upbringing, and the contentious relationship betweenmy parents.



I went down a dark path that involved drugs and jailtime, I was homeless for a time, and was working the night two of myfriends were murdered by a street gang member. I often found myselfcrying as I struggled to put my feelings on paper.

Norm: What was thetime-line between the time you decided to write your book andpublication? What were the major events along the way?

Frederick: Probablyabout two to three, solid years altogether. I had been writing offand on and keeping notes and jotting down ideas for about 20-25twenty years.



After I retired, I started putting everything in sometype of order. While I was working, something always seemed to get inthe way; a big case, a death in the family, issues with my kids, etc.But after I had a heart attack in 2020, I realized that I could havedied without finishing my book. After that, when I recovered, Istarted in earnest and finished in early 2021. Rewrites and editingtook about six more months.

Norm: Is there amessage in your book that you want your readers to grasp, and do youbelieve your book is an important one at this time?



Frederick: That copsdont live to fight, or to get in shootings, or vehicle and footpursuits. That most of us actually care about the communities we workin. That we are not cold, uncaring monsters just looking for notchesin our gun handles.



That it takes a special breed to potentially laytheir lives down for someone they never even met or probably wouldnteven like if they knew each other. That every community since thebeginning of time has had its protectors and that will never change,whether those protectors in the future be flesh and blood or metaland fish-eye cameras.



That a just society is reflected in not onlyhow its protectors treat its citizens, but also how its citizenstreat their protectors.

I want us all to continueour quest for unity and equality and freedom for all. Not just whatis written in a yellowing document in the Library of Congress, buttangible freedom, where we all share the belief that if I get a jobor position it is not because I am Black, or female, gay, but becauseI am the right person for the job.



To give someone a job for the samereason you would deny them that same position is not freedom, orequality. It is window-dressing for another form of discrimination.We are all the same. The word love has got to be used more, and therehas got to be some weight behind it. How many times was that wordused by the founding fathers of the United States, even though it isthe single most important thing we as humans have?



The George Floyd incidenthas divided America tremendously, but even an incident as terrible asthat would not have been such a societal nuclear explosion if therehadnt been an ongoing death by a thousand cuts for the previous400 years. Because of the topics that I touch on in the book, Ibelieve if one reads it with an unbiased eye and truly try tounderstand the anger and pain felt from both sides, the world mayjust become a better place. Lofty aspirations, huh?



Everyaccomplishment starts with a dream, though. If I had a magic wand, Iwould change the whole world to Mayberry, RFD. Then the job wouldtake care of itself.

Norm: How were you ableto remember all of the events and names that you recount in yourbook? Did you keep a diary or journal?

Frederick: I wasfortunate enough to work homicide for the majority of my career, so Ialways had access to police reports. I did keep a journal at onepoint, and starting keeping notes on a potential future book manyyears ago.



When I first met my wife almost 30 years ago, I had agreen binder filled with notes. The cover of the binder had a stickeron it that read, Black, White, and Gray All Over.

She asked ifI was writing a book and I sheepishly denied it, because I wasembarrassed. Another way that I was able to remember is by attachingmusic to events. Even now, certain songs prompt me to relive certainevents. But trauma? Memories from traumatic events may as well bevideotapes of your hippocampus.

Norm: Where can ourreaders find out more about you and Black White And Gray AllOver?

Frederick: Frommy WEBSITE. The book hasalso received a fair amount of critical acclaim, which I foundsurprising considering the overall sentiment toward law enforcementin this country at the current time.

Norm: What is next forFrederick Douglass Reynolds?

Frederick: Enjoyingretirement life and my family, while actively promoting my book. Ihad no idea how expense it was, and just how many unscrupulous peopleand organizations there were seeking to take advantage of those whoare ignorant of the whole self-publishing process. I have also beenapproached to ghost-write a book for a former colleague.

Norm: As this interviewcomes to an end, if you could require the President of the USA toread one book, what would it be and why?

Frederick: It wouldbe, Black, White, and Gray All Over; a Black Mans Odysseyin Life and Law Enforcement, because it is a book written by aBlack man who has been on both sides of the law, and who hasexperienced both subtle and overt racism in America. Because thebook seeks to bridge the divide in this country between not onlyBlack and White citizens, but between Law Enforcement and thecommunity as a whole.



When I talked earlier about duality, good andevil are most certainly a part of it and always will be. That beingsaid, there has to be a way to address the evil and to keep the goodamong us safe. Maybe someday in the future, someone much smarter thaneither of us will isolate whatever it is that makes people commitacts of evil, and eradicate it. But until such time, there has to belaw enforcement in place.

Cops have to earn trust inthe community by respecting those in the community.



After all, copsARE the community; they are fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers,aunts and uncles. They are US. And the politicians have to understandthat and support them, and hold them accountable when called forwithout demonizing them.

I believe that anyone reading this book willcome away with an understanding of the dynamics between the boots onthe ground cops and those he/she strives to protect and serve, nomatter their race, religion, gender, or sexual preference.

Follow Here To Read Norm's Review of Black White And Gray All Over


The woman who helped get San Antonios emergency housing assistance program off the ground during the COVID-19 pandemic is leaving the city to work for the federal government, where she will continue to oversee housing relief.

Veronica Sotos last day as the inaugural director of the citys Neighborhood and Housing Services Department is Friday. She first joined the city in 2017, having previously worked for her hometown El Paso.

I could write a book about it, Soto said of her experience in creating the emergency housing assistance program. I could write a book about best practices and how to have the best crisis response.

Federal officials approved of San Antonios housing efforts enough to recruit Soto for the newly formed Office of Recovery Programs in the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Shell be a director overseeing housing programs  mainly the Emergency Rental Assistance program, funded through two separate COVID-19 relief laws and from which San Antonio drew funds.

I love local government because of the direct impact and the difference you make every day, Soto said. But at the federal level, I have a chance to  on a larger stage  continue to make that impact.

Soto came to the city as San Antonio began to use $20 million from the 2017 neighborhood improvements bond program to shore up affordable housing. In her nearly five years with San Antonio, she managed the citys 2018 housing plan. The city then met its own goals fast enough that it adopted a new housing plan with bolder targets late last year.

San Antonios emergency housing assistance program received national recognition for the speed at which it distributed aid to those in urgent need during the pandemic. Other local governments across the country struggled to get relief out fast enough to prevent evictions and foreclosures. San Antonio moved quickly enough that the city was able to recapture funds from elsewhere.

Soto described a certain telenovela-like drama to making swift choices for the housing relief program.

You dont want to do anything thats gonna be wasteful, Soto said. But also (there was) the knowledge that if we didnt make the right decision, peoples lives would suffer.

Its the people Soto trained in the assistance program that shes most proud to leave behind, confident in the work they will continue. She appreciates what she called a can-do attitude in San Antonio.

Soto made a string of difficult decisions early on that she believes helped the housing assistance program succeed. She directed employees to work in person when many others went remote in the early days of the pandemic  and bumped up the salary for temporary employees for taking on a riskier job.

She also asked the city to invest in community groups that helped residents fill out assistance applications as a way to aid those who couldnt apply online themselves. Soto made a point of paying those groups for their time.

Veronica Garcia, deputy director of Neighborhood and Housing Services, will move into the interim director role until City Manager Erik Walsh hires a new permanent director.

Soto didnt rule out returning in the future, though. She acknowledged the role of the Office of Recovery Programs is likely temporary, at least until federal pandemic aid runs out.

Im really going to miss San Antonio as a community, Soto said. Maybe Ill come back.

megan.stringer@express-news.net
Southtown will have a new destination for Spanish-style tapas and wine when Hola! opens May 12.

Chef and owner Rene Fernandez, who also owns Azuca Nuevo Latino in Southtown, said Hola! will feature small plates ranging from charred octopus and tuna poke to Iberico ham and pan con tomate (bread with tomato), with a menu encompassing more than 30 varieties of tapas.
A South Texas snake handler died Saturday after he was bit by a snake during the annual Freer Rattlesnake Roundup event earlier that day, officials said.

Freer police said Eugene De Leon Sr. was handling rattlesnakes in front of a crowd when he was bit in the shoulder at around 1 p.m. Saturday, Corpus Christi news station KIII-TV reported.

De Leon was flown to a Corpus Christi hospital but died later that night. Freer is about 110 miles south of San Antonio.

In a Facebook post, De Leon's family said that he was passionate about snake handling at the Freer festival and "died doing what he loved." According to his family, he had over two decades of experience handling snakes.

The Freer Rattlesnake Roundup is hosted by the city's chamber of commerce every year because it is known as an area where there is a large rattlesnake population. This was the first festival in two years after it was canceled because of the pandemic.

The Freer Chamber of Commerce said it will never forget De Leon's excitement about snake handling.

"The love and dedication he displayed for his community was witnessed every day from being a member of the Freer (Volunteer) Fire Department to being a call away for local residents to assist with removing snakes from their property. He was always ready to help," the chamber said in a statement on social media.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
Fumiko Fujimoto prepares for the arrival of her outpatients at 7 a.m. A half-hour later, she opens the door of the steel shed and starts helping a legion of residents control the citys feral cat population.

A long line of early risers is dropping off free-roaming cats secured in blanket-covered, humane cat traps for spay/neuter surgeries. Workers said the service has also made it accessible to older residents and people with disabilities.

Fujimoto and co-worker Crystal Sewell line up the small crates in the shed at the back of the Animal Care Services campus. The drop-off point is part of the Trap-Neuter-Return program that includes rabies shots, a combination vaccine that protects cats from common feline diseases and a surgical ear clip to identify that the cat has been sterilized.

Fujimoto is the lead coordinator of the community cat program, a role shes had since the service began in 2015. She said nearly 4,000 people have participated in the program, and veterinarians have completed more than 2,124 surgeries this year  almost 28,000 since 2015.

I have a lot of residents who are making a huge difference in San Antonio, she said. I love being a part of it. I never knew so many people cared; it touches me every time I see it.

Many in the animal rescue community know of her work. Across the nation and as far away as Japan, shes known as Miko.

Sam Owens, Staff Photographer / San Antonio Express-News

Other animal rescue organizations around the globe have tapped into her expertise to start or expand their own feral cat programs, Animal Care Services spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said. With Miko, its not just that shes an animal lover. She also wants to give back to her community. This job allows her to engage in both those passions.

People are often surprised to hear her pet isnt a cat but a dog  a lab mix named Pepper.

Her tenure at Animal Care Services began several years ago as a volunteer. Her son, a national junior honor society member, needed community service hours  she suggested helping at the citys animal shelter. She began spending all her spare time at the organization, walking dogs, helping at the foster adoption office, anywhere they needed help.

After volunteering for a year, the leadership at Animal Care Services saw her passion and offered her the first full-time community cat coordinator position. Bethany J. Colonnese, chief operations manager, walked her through the process of teaching people how to use the traps they issued out for free. She called Fujimoto the cornerstone of the program.

She is the driving force of educating San Antonio on community cat issues, providing assistance and running a record-breaking spay and neuter program for five years running, Colonnese said. Miko has established herself in the community and is able to harness the power of local trappers and volunteers.

In the early days of the program, Fujimoto would visit neighborhoods and trap feral cats for residents. Those outings stopped when people began calling her office, more than 40 calls a day, for assistance. Norwood said Fujimoto began offering free advice on how people could engage in humane trapping on their own. Animal Control Services also worked in support of the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition to encourage residents to tap into the nonprofits resources and expertise as well.

Fujimoto said she strives to make a positive impact.

My dad always said if you cant be part of the solution, dont be part of the problem, Fujimoto said. Thats what I try to tell residents when they call. Are you going to be the person who is part of the solution to bring cats in and make a difference in your community?

As a child, Fujimoto saw herself in a career in business. She invested in that pursuit by obtaining a bachelors degree in information systems from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

So why was the woman, who often wears a hat adorned with cat ears and whiskers, drawn to care for cats? She wonders if growing up without a pet increased her desire to join the animal rescue community.

And sometimes she thinks maybe her fate was set years ago in Westland, Michigan, by a possible subliminal message transmitted from her familys TV set.

More Information About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. See More Collapse

When she was 4 years old, she would sit with her mother, who religiously watched The Price is Right with television game show host Bob Barker. She recalled hearing Barker talk about controlling the pet population and the importance of having pets spayed or neutered.

I wonder if, psychologically maybe, that had something to do with it, Fujimoto said. I always wish that someday I could thank him for that. Im sure the cats of San Antonio would like to thank him too.

vtdavis@express-news.net
Noah Grey, a San Antonio internet pioneer who was at risk of losing his home to foreclosure, is seemingly in the clear thanks to an outpouring of financial support.

This has been the craziest, most emotionally overwhelming day of my life, Grey said in a tearful video shared on Twitter on Friday. Oh my God, thank you. It hardly even feels like enough to say the words. But thank you so much  I have never felt so seen. I have never felt embraced by the internet before.

In case you missed it: San Antonio's Noah Grey created the first open-source blogging site. Now he's pleading for help to save his home.

On Friday, the Greymatter founder created a GoFundMe page to help raise $34,000 to prevent a foreclosure on May 3. The financial trouble stemmed from several family tragedies in recent years, he said.

The fundraising effort, which saw an outpouring of support from the likes of actor Whil Wheaton and several tech entrepreneurs, raised $105,185, according to the GoFundMe page. Over 2,000 people donated.

On Twitter, Grey said the GoFundMe fundraiser was so successful that the company is taking several business days to review it. Because of the looming foreclosure deadline, Grey said a friend has loaned him the funds necessary to keep them in the home.

So we *should* be alright, but we wont feel at ease until the nightmare is signed, sealed and done, Grey wrote on Twitter.

In 2000, Grey created the worlds first open-source blogging software. Known as Greymatter, the platform went on to inspire WordPress, which powers more than 40 percent of websites.

In Wheatons book Still Just A Geek, he described Greymatter as the original, primordial blogging platform. Blogs look like they do  because Noah Grey did it first.

On his GoFundMe page, Grey said he and his sister struggled to keep up with bill payments after his mother died in 2020. The familys sole income became Greys social security disability check. Grey is autistic and is physically disabled.

Grey turned to the internet for help, and his plea was retweeted by several notable people who remembered his contribution. Among them were tech entrepreneur Ani Dash as well as the founder of Havards Nieman Lab. Alex Mahan, the brand director of Lockheed Martin, also paid homage.

timothy.fanning@express-news.net
Recent rain and thunderstorms were a reminder to Leon Valley residents of the impact flash flooding has had on their community in the past. In response, the city is working on a proposed plan to reduce the impact of future floods.

The Huebner Creek Flood Mitigation Project would remove several properties from the 100-year floodplain along the creek  by realigning and widening the channel in the creek  and provide for erosion control.

Huebner Creek, which flows through center of the city, is prone to flash flooding. Over past several years, flooding has forced some residents to evacuate their homes, forced road closures in the city and caused damage to property and homes.

On ExpressNews.com: Put fluoride in the water? Leon Valley residents weigh in

Approximately 14 percent of the city is in the 100-year floodplain near Huebner Creek, as designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which includes between 260 to 270 properties.

Widening Huebner Creek

City officials went over details of the Huebner Creek Flood Mitigation Project at the April 19 Leon Valley City Council meeting.

Melinda Moritz, Leon Valley public works director, said the way Huebner Creek is configured creates a bottleneck for water flow coming through the city. She put up an aerial map showing that starting north of the city limits, the channel width of the creek is 440 feet wide. As the creek flows into the city limits, it narrows to 170 feet wide, then to 160 feet wide as it passes the intersection of Evers and Poss roads. It then goes down to 25 feet wide at Raymond Rimkus Park, located at 6440 Evers Road.

The creek then increases to 40 feet wide between the Huebner-Onion Natural Area Park, adjacent to Raymond Rimkus Park, and the historic Huebner-Onion Homestead. As it goes underneath the Bandera Road bridge, the width of the creek increases drastically to 150 feet wide and to 400 feet wide south of the bridge.

Moritz said the Huebner Creek Flood Mitigation Project would alleviate the bottleneck by realigning and widening the creek channel from Bandera Road north to Evers Road.

In the section between Bandera and Evers roads on which the proposed project will focus, there are approximately 76 properties in the 100-year floodplain, Moritz said.

On ExpressNews.com: Leon Valley neighbors want Marshall High traffic fixed

Because of funding limitations, Moritz said the proposed project would be constructed in four segments, with the first segment focused on realigning and widening Huebner Creek from the Bandera Road bridge north to Cherryleaf Street on Poss Road.

Moritz presented the council with four options for the first segment of the project. Option one: Widen the creek channel to a 500-foot bottom width, removing 53 properties from the 100-year floodplain. Option two: Widen the creek channel to a 180-foot bottom width, removing 42 properties from the floodplain. Option three: Widen the creek channel to a 75-foot bottom width, removing 18 properties from the floodplain. And option four: Widen the creek channel to a 50-foot bottom width, removing 18 properties from the floodplain.

Since option one would take out most of Raymond Rimkus Park and Huebner-Onion Natural Area Park, adjacent to the Raymond Rimkus Park, it was opposed by council members.

The remaining three options would remove less acreage from Raymond Rimkus and Huebner-Onion Natural Area parks.

The next steps

After a lengthy discussion, the council consensus was for Moritz and City Engineer Byron Sanderfur to explore the probable costs of option four of the first segment of the project, including figures for engineering and construction.

As part of this option, the creek would be expanded to a 50-foot bottom width in front of Raymond Rimkus Park and then be widened further at the Bandera Road bridge.

Moritz said the city has information from a two-year study conducted on a portion of Huebner Creek and the floodplain by U.S. Army Corp of Engineers. The study, which was completed in July, provided the city with valuable data, including the location of utilities.

We now know all kinds of things about the creek we didnt know before, Moritz said.

On ExpressNews.com: Code violations dog large Leon Valley apartment complex

In addition, the city will need to find out what utilities will need to be relocated or buried should the creek be widened, Moritz said.

Moritz said option four would reduce the potential for the most common floods  two-, five- and 10-year floods.

As for possible funding sources for the project, Moritz said the city could seek a grant or low-coast loan from the Texas Water Development Board or revenue bonds from the citys stormwater fund.

Council, public weigh in

City Manager Crystal Caldera said the council also has the option of doing nothing, especially since the widening of the creek would cause disruption to both Raymond Rimkus and Huebner Natural Area parks and could require the removal of trees.

Trees are sacred here, Caldera said. It always becomes a contentious item.

But, Caldera said, the city doesnt have any other vacant land that would be utilized to address flooding.

If you are trying to address flooding, this is going to be the only section (park area) that youre going to be able to utilize and be able to do that, Caldera said.

During the flood of Oct. 17, 1998, over 6 feet of water from Huebner Creek inundated Raymond Rimkus Park. A sign along the walking trail at the park reminds people of how high the floodwaters got. On May 25, 2013, the city received nearly 10 inches of rain, with water reported in 15 homes. And four years later, in August 2017, eight homes were evacuated due to flooding, and the city closed streets surrounding Raymond Rimkus Park.

Councilman Josh Stevens said the city must do something, especially since development north of the city limits in San Antonio impacts water flow coming into Leon Valley.

Theyre going to shed more water on our city, said Stevens, referring to the developments outside of the Leon Valley city limits.

Evan Bohl, a Leon Valley mayoral candidate, said one of the issues he gets asked about is flooding. He said he favored the citys moving forward with a plan split between options two and three, suggesting an 85-foot width around the park and increasing the channel to a 100- to 120-foot width toward where the natural area is closer to Bandera Road.

I have confidence most of the community could get on board with removing just a portion of the park ... to solve or greatly mitigate flooding, Bohl said. You are taking homes out of the floodplain; everyone would be thankful for that.

Matthew Hodde, a former councilman, said the council should keep an open mind.

This is a safety issue, Hodde said. Dont be afraid to change the park, the way that it operates, the way that its laid out. No, we dont want to tear down heritage trees, but every once in a while, we have to do that for the betterment of everything. Please, Im asking you, look way beyond what you want to do right now.

DDeKunder@express-news.net
The city of Olmos Park used to have a 47,000-pound hand-carved travertine fountain in the middle of a roundabout on McCullough Avenue.

Installed in 2008, the 12-foot-high, 19-foot-wide fountain was meant to spruce up the barren roundabout on a major thoroughfare and accentuate the existing Spanish-style buildings at the intersection of Olmos Drive and El Prado.

You might also like: San Antonio's Noah Grey created the first open-source blogging site. Now he's pleading for help to save his home.

It lasted only four years. During that span, more than 20 motorists, almost all suspected of drunken driving, crashed into it.

In 2012, a fed-up Olmos Park City Council voted to remove the oft-damaged fountain and place it into storage. With the exception of some landscaping and additional safety features, the roundabout remains largely as it was before the fountain arrived.

The fountain sat in the citys public works yard for years before it was moved to Alameda Circle, about a mile from the roundabout in one of the wealthiest enclaves of Olmos Park.

Google Maps

The roundabout was installed at one of the citys most frustrating intersections in the late 1990s as a cheaper, safer alternative to replacing the failing traffic lights at that intersection. In the years that followed, however, the city struggled to beautify the space and reduce the threat of vehicles driving through the center of the circle.

An Olmos Park committee then tapped Michael G. Imber's award-winning architectural firm to sketch a design for the proposed fountain. Over $100,000 was raised for the project in hopes that it would inspire the improvement of the city's commercial district.

In October 2008, more than 150 of the Olmos Park families who contributed financially to the fountain had been set to join the mayor, City Council and others in dedicating the fountain.

The police couldn't even close the intersection for the champagne toast dedication before a distracted motorist plowed into the 47,000-pound structure.

Since that incident in 2008, 23 other motorists  22 suspected of drunken driving  crashed into the travertine fountain.

It is unclear how many crashes have occurred at the roundabout since the fountain was removed in 2012. Police Chief Rene Valenciano did not immediately return a request for comment on Friday.

Olmos Park officials did not believe the actual roundabout was the problem because motorists didn't seem to have issues at a nearby roundabout on Blanco Road and Fulton Avenue.

Only two drivers have ever struck the base of a public art structure installed there and caused some minor cosmetic damage. The same couldnt be said of the Olmos Park fountain.

On Valentine's Day in 2012, a suspected intoxicated motorist driving south at about 60 mph hit a splitter island, going airborne for about 40 feet before crashing into the fountain and a bollard. The car then struck a Shell gas station sign and rolled over, injuring the driver.

The crash was later called the Valentines Day Massacre by a city official.

Many crashes were resolved in settlements, the Express-News reported, and the city has received $48,000 in insurance money. Of that, $32,000 was paid for repairs to the fountain and bollards. The city also spent about $10,300 seeking advice on how to make the intersection safer.

ANITA BACA/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS EDWARD A. ORNELAS/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Olmos Park residents watch the unveiling of the fountain in 2008. Later, in 2012, workers dismantle the roundabout fountain for its move. (Anita Baca and Edward A. Ornelas) Olmos Park residents watch the unveiling of the fountain in 2008. Later, in 2012, workers dismantle the roundabout fountain for its move. (Anita Baca and Edward A. Ornelas)

Since the fountains removal, the city has deployed various methods and mechanisms to help improve motorist and pedestrian safety around the roundabout. Officials are also looking to enhance the roundabouts appearance through landscaping and in other ways.

As for the fountain, you can spot it at the Alameda Circle, which sits on a half acre at the Broadmoor Drive and Hermosa Drive intersections. Water no longer flows from its upper surfaces.

timothy.fanning@express-news.net
In the middle of the San Marcos River, near Texas State University, four aquatic researchers are waist-deep in water, counting endangered little fish.

Led by aquatic ecologist Brad Littrell, they drop a weighted net  attached to a rigid, rectangular, 2-square-meter frame  into the river, and it sinks to the bottom. Then they use a smaller net to sweep for specific aquatic life.

Today, they seek the fountain darter, a tiny freshwater fish found in the San Marcos and Comal rivers. Its one of many species that depend on the Edwards Aquifer for life and habitat, and for years, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed it as endangered because of ongoing development and population growth.

Every fountain darter that they catch is put in a container of freshwater that will go to the reserve population at a center in San Marcos to protect the species from extinction.

One slips through Littrells fingers, but he catches it as it hits the net. He measures it in millimeters.

Sixteen, he calls out for a colleague to record.

William Luther, Staff William Luther, Staff William Luther, Staff William Luther, Staff Scientists from BIO-WEST Inc. count and analyze endangered aquatic species, such as the fountain darter fish, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, near the headwaters of the San Marcos River and where wild-rice grows under the water near Pyramid Park. (William Luther/ Express-News) Scientists from BIO-WEST Inc. count and analyze endangered aquatic species, such as the fountain darter fish, on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, near the headwaters of the San Marcos River and where wild-rice grows under the water near Pyramid Park. (William Luther/ Express-News)

Littrell and his team are contractors from Bio-West, an environmental and planning consulting company in Texas hired by the Edwards Aquifer Authority for the agencys Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan. Its been 10 years since the conservation plan was devised to rehabilitate the San Marcos and Comal rivers and protect the endangered plants and animals in it.

Since then, the aquifer authority has restored some balance in the river, reducing murky sediments and removing invasive species. Counting and collecting endangered animals, such as the fountain darter, is one way to examine trends and protect species in the future  one fish at a time.

Weve seen a lot of change here, said Kristy Kollaus, an environmental scientist with the conservation plan. But were still working at it.

A wild rice comeback

Throughout the San Marcos River, Zizania texana  more commonly known as Texas wild rice  has grown extensively for the past decade.

The species is rare, having been found only in the upper San Marcos River in Hays County. Before the introduction of the Edwards Aquifer Habitat Conservation Plan, this kind of wild rice was overrun by invasive plant species, which kept the native plant from growing at its normal rate and surviving in its natural habitat.

William Luther, Staff

However, from 2013 to 2018, the wild rice experienced a nearly 200 percent increase in coverage, springing up in the river and protected from harvesting in accordance with the conservation plan, Kollaus said.

What used to be a mix of nonnative plants is now long stretches of wild rice, she said. We have the area listed as a state scientific area, which makes it illegal to uproot or trample Texas wild rice.

One way the conservation team improved the wild rices habitat was to strengthen the sides of the river to prevent erosion and sediment from falling into the water. Such sediment clouds the water, keeping the wild rice plants from absorbing sunlight, which they need for healthy growth.

Large landscaping stones known as butter blocks were installed at certain areas to keep the sediment at bay and to create access points for recreational swimming. So far, seven access points have been built under the conservation plan, and the tactic has resulted in clear water for photosynthesis. The butter blocks also prevent the suckermouth armored catfish, which is an invasive species, from burrowing into the banks, which increases erosion.

Meanwhile, the aquifer authority strongly advises that people who swim in the San Marcos River  an activity that will increase as temperatures rise  use these created access points and avoid fenced-off areas. Doing so will help minimize erosion and muddy waters.

Were not entirely sure what this area looked like before development since that first started happening in the mid-1800s, Kollaus said. But we do know we can rehabilitate it to a point where we are getting rid of the invasive species and letting the native plants make a comeback.

In the field

Littrell and the team from Bio-West sweep their smaller net 15 times over the drop net area in the river. After about two hours in the morning, they had caught several fountain darters, putting each one in their bucket. And with a cooler of snacks in their boat, they planned to continue counting fountain darters until about 5 p.m.

Before they ventured into the river, a team surveyor mapped the area, identified the different types of habitats there and randomly pinpointed locations to drop nets. It all helps the team better understand how the fountain darters are doing.

We want to monitor that what were doing with invasive and native plants is not negatively impacting the river species, Kollaus said. We can track and follow the trends and then make changes if we see something that doesnt look right and minimize the impact.

So far, the fountain darter population hasnt changed much. The river is a dynamic system, Littrell said, and conditions appear fairly stable. At the same time, it can be hard to detect changes.

Its some noisy data, he said.

Contractors are also counting the Texas blind salamander at the river and at Spring Lake, in some cases diving with scuba equipment to collect aquatic life.

For the trip to the river, Sarah Valdez, senior STEAM outreach educator at the Edwards Aquifer Authority, brought two coolers to collect native and nonnative species for the agencys new education center. It wants to include endangered species eventually, which requires obtaining a permit.

The hope is to make this last decade of conservation work  such as with the fountain darter and the Texas wild rice  more understandable. The various species will be taken to the education center and displayed with infographics and other explainers regarding their habitats.

Itll be exciting to really see whats there, Valdez said, and what we can learn from it.

Elena Bruess writes for the Express-News through Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. ReportforAmerica.org. elena.bruess@express-news.net
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WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden on Monday was set to meet with the parents of Austin Tice, a Houston journalist who went missing in Syria in 2012.

The White House said the meeting would come as soon as Monday evening. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said administration officials worked to set up the meeting after Debra Tice, Austin Tices mother, was introduced at the White House correspondents dinner over the weekend. Biden said at the event that he planned to meet with her to discuss her son.

What the president will certainly convey... is that we will continue to do everything we can to bring him and, as we do, any American home, Psaki said.

Background: Austin Tices parents push for answers after sons kidnapping

Tices parents have been critical of the White House for not doing more to secure their sons release from Syria.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said he would press for Tices return, but Debra Tice told Houston Public Media last month that she believed the Biden administration was reluctant to engage with Syria.

It breaks my heart to tell you, the Syrians are not the obstacle now, she told Houston Public Media. The obstacle is really in Washington D.C.

Psaki said Biden administration officials, including the presidents national security adviser John Sullivan, have met with the Tices in person on three occasions, including a meeting last week.

We have been very closely engaged with the family, she said.

Tice went missing while covering the civil war in Syria as a freelance reporter for the Washington Post, McClatchy News and other publications. He was last seen being led by armed gunman into a scrubby hillside in a video posted to YouTube in late September that year.

The Tice meeting comes after the Biden administration negotiated the release of Trevor Reed, a Texas Marine who had been detained in Russia since 2019. Reed returned to the U.S. last week.

Glad to have confirmed that negotiations with an unfriendly nation can free hostages, Marc Tice, Austin Tices father, tweeted about the news.

ben.wermund@chron.com
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Tanzania's Kili Paul, a viral internet sensation who is best known for his lip-syncing and dancing videos set to Bollywood songs, was reportedly attacked. The influencer revealed that he was attacked with a knife and beaten with sticks by five people.



In a shocking update, Kili Paul took to his social media to share what happened. On his Instagram stories, he was seen lying on a stretcher with a bandage on his thumb and wounds on his legs. People want me down but God will always take me up. Pray for me," he wrote. The attack left him with five stitches.

I was attacked by 5 people in the movement of defending myself. My right-hand toe was injured by a knife and I got 5 stitches. And I was beaten by sticks and clubs, but thank God, I defended myself. After beating two people. They ran away but I was already injured. Pray for me. This is scary, he wrote in another story while sharing the distressing information. Paul also took to his YouTube channel to offer more information. The identity of the five attackers remains unknown at the moment.

The Tanzanian content creator and his sister Neema often make headlines for their entertaining lip-syncing videos. Kili's videos on tracks like Channa Mereya, Raataan Lambiyan, Kacha Badam and the AajTak theme song put him on the map.

Kili Paul was also honoured by the Indian High Commission this year and he garnered praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His celebrity followers include Ayushmann Khurrana and Richa Chadha.
Top Companies Covered in Anti-Counterfeit Packaging Market are Avery Dennison Corporation, 3M Company and DuPont, CCL Industries, Zebra Technologies Corporation, SATO Holdings, SICPA Holdings SA and Intelligent Label Solutions.

NEWARK, Del., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global anti-counterfeit packaging market is slated to top US$ 137.4 Bn in 2022. With a favourable demand outlook, sales are projected to increase at a robust 11.9% CAGR , pushing the market size to US$ 422.8 Bn by 2032.

To maintain the integrity of the original manufactured product throughout the supply chain, brand owners are adopting anti-counterfeiting packaging solutions. Anti-counterfeit packaging can be applied directly to the product, its container, packaging, or labelling.

It assures that the packaging code applied by the original manufacturer is unchanged and the product is un-tampered. With advancements in technology, manufacturers are integrating innovative solutions with their conventional packaging formats such as product authentication as well as track & trace elements.

Applications of anti-counterfeit packaging technology have become imperative in healthcare, personal care & cosmetics, and food & beverage sectors due to increasing sales of these products via online channels.

Manufacturers need to ensure their authentic products are differentiated from the counterfeit products and therefore, the customers get the desired quality. Furthermore, manufacturers are getting more concerned about integrating security features into the product and packaging.

Get Sample PDF Brochure at https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-14564

Rising investments in the development of sophisticated and effective counterfeit protection solutions are bolstering the anti-counterfeit packaging market.

Counterfeit products are a threat to all businesses across the globe, which creates high economic loss and poses a potential threat to consumers. Pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products remain the most targeted end-use industries by counterfeiters. Counterfeit cosmetic products can cause some serious skin ailments, infections, and allergies.

Multiple stories of such alarming experiences have surfaced on the internet. These fake products have even tested positive for carcinogens such as lead, mercury, arsenic, etc. Manufacturers and brand owners are incorporating anti-counterfeit features into their products to differentiate them from fake ones.

This includes both overt and covert features, which cannot be copied easily. Moreover, packaging manufacturers are also innovating packaging formats and using technologies such as RFID labels, security seals, barcodes, and holograms to prevent counterfeiting.

"Increasing adoption of connective technology-based RFID tags in anti-counterfeit packaging, along with stringent trade regulations regarding material handling and product authentication will create opportunities for growth in the market," says an FMI analyst.

Key Takeaways:

By packaging format, bottles & jars segment is estimated to account for 27% of the total market share by the end of 2027.

Based on technology, the mass serialization segment of the anti-counterfeit packaging market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.9%, reaching US$ 93.7 Bn by 2032.

by 2032. Sales of anti-counterfeit packaging in the healthcare sector will surge at a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period.

Germany will dominate the Europe anti-counterfeit packaging market, accounting for 24% of the total market share by 2032.

will dominate the anti-counterfeit packaging market, accounting for 24% of the total market share by 2032. Total demand in India will account for 57% of the South Asia anti-counterfeit packaging market share by 2032.

By region, East Asia and South Asia are estimated to hold over 53% of the total anti-counterfeit packaging market share in the year 2032.

Browse Detailed Summary of Research Report with TOC at https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/anti-counterfeit-packaging-market

Competition Landscape

Avery Dennison Corporation,

3M Company and

Company and DuPont

CCL Industries,

Zebra Technologies Corporation,

SATO Holdings,

SICPA Holdings SA

Intelligent Label Solutions

Are also some of the key players in the anti-counterfeit packaging market. The Tier 3 players in the market hold 65-75% of the total market share.

Anti-counterfeit Packaging Market by Category

By Packaging Format:

Bottles & Jars

Vials & Ampoules

Blisters

Trays

Pouches & Sachets

Others (Tubes, Syringes, etc.)

By Technology:

RFID

Security Inks & Coatings

Security Seals

Holograms

Mass Encryption

Barcode

Mass Serialization

By End Use:

Food and Beverage

Healthcare

Automotive

Personal care & Cosmetics

Electrical & Electronics

Other Industrial

Anti-counterfeit Packaging Market Report

Future Market Insights, in its new report, offers an unbiased analysis of the global anti-counterfeit packaging market, analyzing historical demand from 2015-2021 and forecast statistics for 2022-2032. The study reveals growth projections on the anti-counterfeit packaging market based on packaging format (bottles & jars, vials & ampoules, blisters, trays, pouches & sachets and others (tubes, syringes, etc.)), technology (RFID, security inks & coatings, security seals, holograms, mass encryption, barcode and mass serialization), end use (food and beverage, healthcare, automotive, personal care & cosmetics, electrical & electronics and other industrial), across seven regions.

Download PDF Brochure athttps://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/brochure/rep-gb-14564

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand Side Trends

1.3. Supply Side Trends

1.4. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Key Market Trends

3.1. Key Trends Impacting the Market

3.2. Technology Innovation / Development Trends

4. Key Success Factors

4.1. Technology Adoption / Usage Analysis

4.2. Technology USPs / Features

4.3. Strategic Promotional Strategies

5. Global Anti-counterfeit Packaging Market Demand Analysis 2015-2021 and Forecast, 2022-2032

5.1. Historical Market Volume (Mn Units) Analysis, 2015-2021

5.2. Current and Future Market Volume (Mn Units) Projections, 2022-2032

5.3. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis

6. Global Anti-counterfeit Packaging Market - Pricing Analysis

6.1. Regional Pricing Analysis By Packaging Format

6.2. Global Average Pricing Analysis Benchmark

TOC continued..!

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NEW YORK CITY (dpa-AFX) - As we step into a new month, it's time to take a look at the biotech companies whose drug candidates are at the FDA altar awaiting the regulatory decision in May.



The FDA has approved 11 novel drugs so far this year (i.e. Jan through April) compared to 18 in the same period last year. For full-year of 2021, fifty novel drugs successfully made it to the finish line.



Will the following drug candidates score the regulatory nod this month?



1. Phathom Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PHAT)



Phathom Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (PHAT) Vonoprazan-based regimens, proposed for treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection, are under FDA review, with a decision expected on May 3.



Helicobacter pylori is a bacterial pathogen that infects approximately 35% of the U.S. population. Chronic inflammation induced by this bacterium is associated with a range of pathologies including dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease, gastric cancer, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Approximately 80% of gastric cancers are caused by H. pylori infection.



Vonoprazan was developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. (TAK), and in May 2019, Phathom Pharma in-licensed its U.S., European, and Canadian rights from Takeda.



Vonoprazan is approved under brand name Takecab in Japan for the treatment of acid-related diseases, including erosive oesophagitis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, peptic ulcer, gastro-oesophageal reflux, reflux oesophagitis and Helicobacter pylori eradication. In 2021, Takecab achieved roughly $850 million in annual net sales in Japan.



PHAT closed Friday's trading at $12.94, down 2.71%.



2. Eton Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ETON)



The FDA decision on Eton Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (ETON) Lamotrigine in suspension formulation is expected to be announced in the month of May. Lamotrigine in oral tablet formulation is one of the most widely used anti-epilepsy drugs.



The Lamotrigine product candidate was sold by Eton to privately-held Azurity Pharmaceuticals in February 2021.



Eton is entitled to receive a $5 million milestone payment upon the approval and launch of Lamotrigine.



ETON closed Friday's trading at $3.53, down 3.02%.



3. Myovant Sciences (MYOV)



Myovant Sciences (MYOV) and Pfizer Inc.'s (PFE) Myfembree is under FDA review for the expanded use in the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis, with a decision expected on May 6.



Myfembree received its initial FDA approval in May 2021 as the first once-daily treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids. The drug is a combination of Relugolix 40 mg, Estradiol 1 mg, and Norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg. It is jointly commercialized in the U.S. by Myovant and Pfizer.



Launched in the U.S. in mid-June, Myfembree generated net revenue $4.1 million for Myovant Sciences in 2021.



MYOV closed Friday's trading at $9.31, down 0.64%.



4. Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA)



Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s (VRCA) VP-102, proposed for the treatment of molluscum contagiosum, which was denied FDA approval twice, is trying its luck for the third time.



VP-102 is a proprietary drug-device combination of Cantharidin administered through the company's single-use precision applicator.



The regulatory agency had refused to approve VP-102 in July 2020 and September 2021.



The company resubmitted the New Drug Application for VP-102 in November 2021 after addressing the FDA's concerns, and now awaits a decision, which is expected on May 24.



Currently, there is no approved treatment for molluscum contagiosum, a non-cancerous, minor skin condition marked by lesions.



VP-102, if approved, could achieve peak sales of about $300 million in the indication of molluscum contagiosum, according to Jefferies analysts.



VRCA closed Friday's trading at $6.57, down 0.90%.



5. PTC Therapeutics Inc. (PTCT)



The FDA decision on Evrysdi in the expanded use to treat pre-symptomatic babies under two months of age with spinal muscular atrophy is expected on May 25.



Evrysdi is developed as part of collaboration between Roche, PTC Therapeutics (PTCT) and the SMA Foundation. The drug received its initial FDA approval in August 2020 for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy for adults and children 2 months and older.



Roche reported Evrysdi full year 2021 sales of roughly CHF 602 million, resulting in full year 2021 royalty revenue of $54.6 million to PTC.



Biogen's Spinraza and Novartis' Zolgensma for the other approved drugs for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy in pediatric and adult patients.



PTCT closed Friday's trading at $35.33, down 2.81%.



6. Bristol Myers Squibb (BMY)



Bristol Myers Squibb's (BMY) proposed regimens of its blockbuster drug Opdivo for yet another indication are being reviewed by the FDA, with a decision expected on May 28.



The proposed regimens are Opdivo in combination with Yervoy and Opdivo in combination with fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy as first-line treatments for adult patients with unresectable advanced, recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.



Opdivo has already been approved by the FDA for the treatment of unresectable advanced, recurring, or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after prior fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-based chemotherapy.



Sales of Opdivo were $7.52 billion in full-year 2021 compared to $6.99 billion in 2020.



BMY closed Friday's trading at $75.27, down 2.50%.



7. Amicus Therapeutics (FOLD)



The FDA decision on Amicus Therapeutics' (FOLD) New Drug Application for Miglustat, one of the two components of AT-GAA, proposed for adult patients with Pompe disease, is slated for May 29.



Cipaglucosidase alfa is the other component of AT-GAA, whose decision date is set for July 29.



Miglustat is available as an oral capsule while Cipaglucosidase which is available as a powder is made up into a solution and administered into the bloodstream by infusion, i.e. given through a vein.



Pompe disease is an inherited Lysosomal Storage Disorder, caused by deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase, which leads to the buildup of a complex sugar called glycogen in the body's cells. This disease is characterized by severe muscle weakness that worsens over time.



It is estimated that Pompe disease affects approximately 5,000 to 10,000 people worldwide.



Sanofi's Lumizyme and Nexviazyme are the approved enzyme replacement therapies for Pompe disease.



FOLD closed Friday's trading at $7.08, down 3.41%.







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BANGKOK, May 2, 2022 - (ACN Newswire) - Thonburi Healthcare Group PCL (SET: THG) Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Tanatip Suppradit (M.D.) discusses the business performance during the Covid-19 pandemic, and the economic outlook in 2022.1. What opportunities did you see from the Covid-19 crisis? And how has the Thonburi Healthcare Group managed to handle the situation?It was a crisis, but the crisis is a lesson, as many of you have seen that THG worked very hard. Last year felt like a 10-year work. Over 6-7 thousand, all the employees worked hard all day and night. And the result was satisfactory. Just vaccination alone is hundreds of thousands of people. Not to mention the medical treatment and field hospital where we provided 4-5 thousand beds during the Delta wave. During the Omicron, we are still active today. After the Songkran festival, the case might double. But we must do it because this is our duty. Our occupation is medical treatment and making Thai people safe and disease-free.2. What was the key to success that makes the turnover of THG business performance in 2021?For the key to success, we are a group of hospitals that help the government and civil society work on Covid-19. Therefore, the key to success is the desire to help protect people from the disease. Next is the personnel. Thank you very much. I talked to many about those new generation doctors and nurses. They fought for life. They are white-robed heroes who are devoted to others. In terms of operating results last year, we did a lot, so we gained a lot. It reflected that any hospitals that provided medical care related to Covid-19 would get good results. But whoever did not do it might lose since ordinary people did not get sick as much. Flu, and diarrhea, are all gone because everyone's hygienics are very good. Wearing a mask makes it almost impossible to catch a cold. Last year I didn't have a cold at all. But for hospitals that offer tertiary care, such as cancer surgery, brain surgery, and heart surgery, the groups of people with serious diseases still exist.3. What's the goal for 2022?In the picture of the first half, the situation is probably the same as the 2-3rd quarter of last year since there are still omicrons. Despite people getting sick, they are more careful. However, will any new Corvids be coming in the 3rd quarter of this year? No one can answer. Supposed if there were no, then it would gradually fade. Instead, it will be a matter of other diseases, which we must adjust as follows. Common conditions such as flu and diarrhea may not occur as much because people are still very good hygienic. The challenge is the loss of purchasing power due to the economy. So, entrepreneurs must adjust how they survive.4. To what extent have you implemented the innovation related to digital technology?We are in the era of global technology transformation from Web 2 to Web 3, where we see telemedicine and home medicine delivery. Therefore, everything integrates between healthcare, technology, and human behavior. Suppose the elderly can't use it, I have an initiative that we will apply technology to Gen Y, but the patient is elderly. It will bring a combination of Generation and Technology. So, Gen Y is not sick, but they are the elderly helpers. We have recently started developing the digital platform, which we expect to launch within 1-2 months. This platform will simplify access to hospital services. Easier and more accurate. It's an interesting year as several things are changing. It occurs in two dimensions at the same time. On the one hand, the resource side, which the doctor and nurse have adjusted. On the other hand, is the patient's side. Covid-19 has forced every stakeholder to adapt to find a mutual point.5. Today we are at Jin Wellbeing County. Can you tell us more about this project?Jin is a prototype project that we aim to make a new standard for the country. The idea started about 7-8 years ago. It took us three years to build, and we finally finished about three and a half years ago. Gradually, householders were coming in, both the elderly and bedridden patients - those in need of a caretaker. Supposed not enough care at home, just stay here. Living here, the elderly will never feel trapped in a confined room. You don't have to be afraid that you will fall somewhere, or it will be dangerous. A whole community featured a well-designed landscape, surrounded by the hospital's CCTV network. And every room has a few alarms, both by the bed and in the bathroom, like hospital standards. When they twitched, a team of doctors and nurses would immediately rush to rescue them.Most importantly, there is also a master key that the doctor can tap and get into the room. The most apparent difference between a hospital and a home is that the rooms are lockable and non-lockable. At Jin, it's a combination of a house and a hospital. Therefore, people have two options. If they have a lot of treasure and don't want to be disturbed, that's okay. Just make it like an ordinary condo. However, despite a lot of glory in the room, you think that life is more vital, then you sign consent for us to hold the master key. Whenever there was an emergency alarm, we perceived you as a patient in a hospital ward.6. What do you see as the major threats these days?This year, I point to three main issues. First is the economy. What to do in an economic situation where the purchasing power of a whole country is gone? Will medical tourism come back? They will come for sure, but how soon?The second is how the Covid goes. Looking at the graph, we suppose the Omicron is at its peak; it's been two years and four months. Usually, according to biology, it runs like a bell shape. Not that tomorrow or next quarter it will disappear or go extinct. It will gradually fade within another year or two. At the same time, people's behavior will change as they get used to it. Thus, the epidemic is another challenge.Third, Multi-Generation and Technology, which is the transition of Webs. From Web 2, which we have been using for 15 years, to Web 3. They call it the "Scarcity of digitization." Before, we contributed digital activities independently. Now it is scarcity like NFT and so on. This change, to some extent, will match healthcare as the scarcity of digitization makes it unique. Healthcare service, such as a patient consulting with a doctor, is one-on-one, not one-on-many. Therefore, if Web 3 technology is unique and private, it will maintain the one-on-one service.Consequently, there will be more healthcare services on the Web 3 platform. Personally, I believe that the "scarcity of digitization" principle will continue to be the birthplace of essential healthcare on Web 3 and will bring about a genuinely viable service. The information base will be more individual. It also includes the issue of safety of practice. As a result, medical procedures will be safer for practitioners like me and the patients. In addition, they will contribute more "Trust" on Web 3.7. What core values do you and your employees adhere to at work?The main principle of THG is, first of all, quality and standard. And based on ethics. We must adhere to this. In the end, the business rewards will follow. We perceive healthcare as planting a perennial plant. We are planting trees that are hundreds of years old. Some of them might grow a bit slow. That's fine. We see this as the core value. The ambiance surrounding, such as Aging society, Digital platforms, products like hemp and marijuana, or Wellness, are just add-ons. In the end, the core is medical treatment.About The Executive Q&A SeriesThe Executive Q&A Series is presented by ShareInvestor, Asia's leading financial internet media and technology company and the largest investor relations network in the region. For more information, email admin.th@shareinvestor.com. Website: www.ShareInvestorThailand.comSource: Thonburi Healthcare Group PCLCopyright 2022 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
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LAUSANNE, Switzerland, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As a centerpiece of Glion Institute of Higher Education 60th Anniversary celebrations this year, the institution is delighted to announce the launch of a free online course dedicated to the luxury industry, with a special focus on the ever-evolving luxury customer relationship.

The course, entitled 'The Luxury Industry: Customers and Luxury Experiences', launches on 16th May. It is led by Dr. Barbara Czyzewska, Academic Dean & Head of Luxury Brand Strategy Specialization.

By making this learning available free of charge Glion aims to give something back to an industry with which the hospitality school has been working so closely throughout the past six decades.

Taught across three modules of three hours' duration each, the course is perfect for luxury professionals looking to deepen their industry knowledge. It is equally suited to individuals with ambitions to switch careers into luxury, as well as anyone interested in discovering more about the luxury business.

The course content will be delivered via the FutureLearn platform, its syllabus includes:

Origins and definitions of luxury

Cultural perspectives of luxury

The value of luxury

The luxury customer experience, including co-creation, personalization, and best practices

The changing face of the luxury customer experience

Using data in the luxury industry

Find out more and register to participate: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/luxury-industry-customers-experiences?utm_campaign=glion_bau&utm_medium=pr&utm_source=news

About Glion Institute of Higher Education

Founded in 1962, Glion Institute of Higher Education is a Swiss institution offering bachelor's and master's degrees in hospitality, luxury and finance to an international student body across three campuses in Switzerland and London, UK.

Glion is ranked among the world's top five higher education institutions for hospitality and leisure management, and in the top three number for employer reputation since its entry in the ranking in 2018. (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2022).

Part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education, Glion is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

For more information, visit glion.edu

Media Contact: media@sommet-education.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1807551/Glion_Institute.jpg
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2022 / Gratomic Inc. ("Gratomic", "GRAT," or the "Company") (TSX-V:GRAT)(OTCQX:CBULF)(FSE:CB82) announces that 1,734.30 m of the 5,000-meter drilling campaign on its Capim Grosso graphite project has been completed. 15 diamond drillholes were completed to date, with two additional holes in progress. The project is located in the Bahia State of Brazil, with the Company holding a 100% controlling interest in the property.

The drilling has been expedited by the introduction of a second drilling rig, which has been onsite since February of 2022 as per this press release dated February 23, 2022.

Table 1: Drillholes completed to date on the Capim Grosso Project in Brazil (WGS84 UTM 24S)

NAME X Y Z AZIMUTH DIP EOH CGD001 391942 8749876 381 45 -58 100.10 CGD002 391867 8749905 382 50 -60 141.20 CGD003 391926 8749863 381 50 -60 120.55 CGD004 391842 8749975 381 50 -60 93.15 CGD005 391775 8750076 378 50 -60 111.00 CGD006 391722 8750171 378 50 -60 120.65 CGD007 391626 8750343 375 50 -60 120.20 CGD008 391755 8750196 376 50 -60 100.05 CGD009 391603 8750328 376 50 -60 120.00 CGD010 391597 8750372 375 50 -60 141.00 CGD011 391574 8750352 376 50 -60 140.05 CGD012 391533 8750454 373 50 -60 134.65 CGD013 391431 8750595 373 50 -60 140.70 CGD014 391392 8750562 376 50 -60 151.00 CGD015 391336 8750756 371 50 -60 206.90

The first batch of its drillhole assays from the Capim Grosso Project has been received from SGS Geosol in Brazil which included the following:

75 assays, which includes three internal Certified Reference Materials

Table 2: Table 2 highlights intervals from the first 8 drill holes on the Capim Grosso Project in Brazil (1 % TGC cut-off grade and 3 % minimum TGC grade used). More detailed information of the assay results from the 8 holes is set out in Table 4 below. Internal QA/QC was performed by Gratomic inserting a Certified Reference Material (CRM) every 20 samples, (OREAS 725) which assayed within 97 % of the expected graphitic carbon value of the CRM. The QP therefore accepts the values of the laboratory assays. The intervals are regarded as true width (or as close as possible to) due to the dip of drillholes being perpendicular on measured dip of geology.

DH_Hole DH_From (m) DH_To (m) Length (m) Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC) (%) CGD001 20.74 31.90 11.16 13.13 37.37 38.55 1.18 10.11 39.60 40.47 0.87 3.33 40.84 41.32 0.48 3.08 CGD002 114.35 114.45 0.10 5.92 130.25 130.69 0.44 8.42 CGD003 71.93 73.53 1.60 6.72 74.80 75.40 0.60 8.24 79.85 81.83 1.98 3.21 CGD004 26.26 27.45 1.19 3.11 63.95 65.01 1.06 3.76 CGD005 38.07 38.64 0.57 13.54 40.00 41.58 1.58 11.13 47.23 48.65 1.42 8.56 79.24 79.56 0.32 9.13 CGD006 67.60 69.35 1.75 3.47 72.55 73.38 0.83 3.91 77.23 81.11 3.88 7.41 CGD007 16.40 17.76 1.36 3.84 23.25 24.70 1.45 10.89 50.25 56.25 6.00 3.95 56.80 58.68 1.88 5.41 64.98 65.91 0.93 6.13 91.40 92.70 1.30 3.54 CGD008 6.20 16.05 9.85 5.00 16.55 18.55 2.00 3.50

SGS Geosol's graphitic carbon assay methods and equipment include the LECO carbon-sulphur analyzer and high temperature combustion infrared detection. During this procedure, the carbon in the sample is converted to carbon dioxide CO2, which is then measured by infrared (IR) detectors.

Once the drilling is complete and all drillholes are assayed, the Company intends to process the obtained data in order to generate a Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") for the Capim Grosso asset, which will be combined with pilot metallurgical testing data and other relevant information in order to generate a Feasibility Study (FS) and fast track the project development.

The tables below present all Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC) (%) assay results obtained so far from the Capim Grosso Property

Table 3: Graphitic carbon assays from the 42 trenches completed on the Capim Grosso Project in Brazil (14 trenches did not intersect graphite). Trenches were sampled according to visual grade estimation in two meter increments in horizontal continuous sections on the pit walls. Where visual grade was regarded as continuous, sampling was completed up to a maximum of 6 m increments. No internal QA/QC was performed by Gratomic, but SGS inserted their own CRMs, which assayed within 90 % of the expected graphitic carbon value of the CRM. The QP therefore accepts the values of the laboratory assays. While the trenches were excavated as close to perpendicular on strike of local litholgies, the dip of each trench cannot be perpendicular on a lithological dip.

TRENCH # FROM (m) TO (m) INTERVAL (m) SAMPLE # TGC (%) CGT001 20 22 2 X6201 21.65 26 28 2 X6202 19.14 CGT002 8 10 2 X6203 27.3 16 18 2 X6204 20.37 23 24 1 X6206 41.79 27 28 1 X6207 7.94 CGT004 14 15 1 X6209 16.2 30 31 1 X6210 3.89 CGT005 35 36 1 X6213 11.39 CGT006 15 16 1 X6215 0.57 16 18 2 X6216 4.58 18 20 2 X6217 8.34 20 22 2 X6218 14.04 32 34 2 X6222 11.74 34 36 2 X6223 9.32 36 38 2 X6224 <0,05 16 22 6 X6225 8.45 32 36 4 X6226 6.4 CGT007 0 2 2 X6227 6.66 2 4 2 X6228 13.33 4 6 2 X6229 25.04 14 16 2 X6230 7.47 16 18 2 X6231 11.18 18 20 2 X6232 7.6 20 22 2 X6233 9.62 CGT008 23 24 1 X6234 15.45 CGT009 3 5 2 X6235 14.29 18 20 2 X6238 9.13 CGT010 20 22 2 X6239 5.57 22 24 2 X6240 7.11 CGT011 4 6 2 X6243 17.15 33 34 1 X6244 18.57 47 49 2 X6245 14.27 CGT012 38 40 2 X6247 15.64 40 42 2 X6248 14.27 49 50 1 X6249 25.08 57 59 2 X6251 19.91 CGT015 10 12 2 X6252 32.63 12 14 2 X6253 31.89 18 19 1 X6255 12.39 CGT018 12 14 2 X6258 12.39 14 16 2 X6259 16.39 16 18 2 X6260 19.43 CGT019 19 21 2 X6261 29.95 CGT021 15.37 16.57 1.2 89681 7.02 CGT022 17.2 18.4 1.2 89682 11.38 CGT023 2.1 3.5 1.4 89683 2.16 CGT027 49 51.2 2.2 89688 7.45 79.4 81.4 2 89687 13.46 81.4 82.9 1.5 89686 6.14 85.9 87.9 2 89685 3.29 87.9 88.9 1 89684 14.22 CGT029 91.7 93.7 2 89689 30.12 93.7 95 1.3 89690 25.91 97.55 98.55 1 89691 6.03 114.55 116.55 2 89692 32.89 116.55 118.95 2.4 89693 3.78 CGT030 25.2 31.9 6.7 89694 5.68 CGT031 26.5 28.5 2 89695 18.57 CGT032 40.05 42.05 2 89696 2.93 42.05 44.05 2 89697 3.53 44.05 46.05 2 89698 3.77 46.05 48.05 2 89699 2.23 48.05 48.9 0.85 89700 1.63 58.1 59.1 1 89608 2.24 67.8 68.7 0.9 89609 2.61 82.5 84.5 2 89610 5.89 84.5 85.6 1.1 89611 2.38 CGT033 26 26.8 0.8 89612 4.01 28.75 30.75 2 89613 2.96 30.75 32.75 2 89614 3.25 32.75 34.75 2 89615 4.55 34.75 36.45 1.7 89616 8.51 50.15 52.15 2 89617 1.53 52.15 54.15 2 89618 1.78 54.15 56.5 2.35 89619 1.76 74.6 75.9 1.3 89620 4.77 CGT034 16.55 17.95 1.4 89621 10.32 CGT035 19.4 19.8 0.4 89622 2.82 30.3 30.8 0.5 89623 3.25 31.6 32.1 0.5 89624 2.48 34.2 36.2 2 89625 7.41 37.85 40 2 89626 8.35 39.85 41.85 2 89627 22.61 41.85 43.85 2 89628 2.3 43.85 45.85 2 89629 2.13 45.85 47.85 2 89630 8.76 47.85 49.05 1.2 89631 7.81 56.8 57.4 0.6 89632 6.8 CGT036 40.05 41.2 1.15 89633 1.4 46.4 47 0.6 89634 6.95 52.8 54.8 2 89635 6.72 67.8 69.8 2 89636 9.9 69.8 71.6 1.8 89637 4.24 73.1 75.1 2 89638 3.43 75.1 77.1 2 89639 5.65 77.1 79.5 2.4 89640 2.92 87.9 89.2 1.3 89641 9.78 CGT040 41.3 43.3 2 89642 13.63 43.3 44.6 1.3 89643 10.5 CGT042 22.6 24.6 2 89644 9.65 24.6 27 2.4 89645 19.73

Table 4: Graphitic carbon assays from 8 of the 15 drillholes completed to date on the Capim Grosso Project in Brazil (all drillholes to date have intersected graphite). Drillcore was halved and samples taken according to visual grade estimation in one meter increments. Where visual grade was regarded as continuous, sampling was completed up to a maximum of 2 m increments. Internal QA/QC was performed by Gratomic inserting a Certified Reference Material (CRM) every 20 samples, (OREAS 725) which assayed within 97 % of the expected graphitic carbon value of the CRM. The QP therefore accepts the values of the laboratory assays. The intervals are regarded as true width (or as close as possible to) due to the dip of drillholes being perpendicular on measured dip of geology.

HOLE FROM (m) TO (m) INTERVAL (m) SAMPLE # TGC (%) CGD001 14.45 15.9 1.45 X6701 2.55 20.74 21.7 0.96 X6702 3.68 21.7 22.7 1 X6703 11.58 22.7 23.7 1 X6704 7.23 23.7 24.9 1.2 X6705 26 24.9 25.8 0.9 X6706 21.76 25.8 27.05 1.25 X6707 17.65 27.05 28.65 1.6 X6708 23.61 28.65 29.65 1 X6709 3.28 29.65 30.65 1 X6710 4.33 30.65 31.9 1.25 X6711 4.8 37.37 38.55 1.18 X6712 10.11 39.6 40.47 0.87 X6713 3.33 40.84 41.32 0.48 X6714 3.08 CGD002 113.76 113.86 0.1 X6716 4.5 114.35 114.45 0.1 X6717 5.92 130.25 130.69 0.44 X6719 8.42 CGD003 71.93 72.33 0.4 X6719 4.41 72.33 73.53 1.2 X6720 7.49 74.8 75.4 0.6 X6721 8.24 79.85 80.2 0.35 X6722 8.86 80.2 81.83 1.63 X6723 2 CGD004 26.26 27.45 1.19 X6724 3.11 59.24 59.43 0.19 X6725 2.66 62.77 62.82 0.05 X6726 37.9 63.95 64.15 0.2 X6727 2.66 64.15 65.01 0.86 X6728 4.02 CGD005 38.07 38.64 0.57 X6729 13.54 38.64 39.64 1 X6730 0.38 39.64 40 0.36 X6731 0.16 40 40.98 0.98 X6732 4.37 40.98 41.58 0.6 X6733 22.16 47.23 47.53 0.3 X6734 2.61 47.53 48.65 1.12 X6735 10.15 49.62 50.95 1.33 X6736 1.05 79.24 79.56 0.32 X6738 9.13 CGD006 67.6 69.35 1.75 X6739 3.47 70.45 70.8 0.35 X6740 0.45 72.55 73.38 0.83 X6741 3.91 73.38 75.39 2.01 X6742 0.69 77.23 78.23 1 X6743 3.62 78.23 78.75 0.52 X6744 6.42 78.75 79.95 1.2 X6745 6.99 79.95 81.11 1.16 X6746 11.56 CGD007 16.4 17.76 1.36 X6747 3.84 23.25 24.7 1.45 X6748 10.89 45.07 45.37 0.3 X6749 1.94 50.25 51.25 1 X6750 3.94 51.25 52.25 1 X6751 3.78 52.25 53.25 1 X6752 4.08 53.25 54.25 1 X6753 5.09 54.25 55.25 1 X6754 4.34 55.25 56.25 1 X6755 2.47 56.25 56.8 0.55 X6756 0.15 56.8 58.05 1.25 X6758 5.2 58.05 58.68 0.63 X6759 5.83 64.98 65.91 0.93 X6760 6.13 91.4 92.7 1.3 X6761 3.54 CGD008 6.2 7.2 1 X6762 4.33 7.2 8.2 1 X6763 1.62 8.2 9.2 1 X6764 3.66 9.2 10.2 1 X6765 7.59 10.2 11.2 1 X6766 8.61 11.2 12.2 1 X6767 10.77 12.2 13.2 1 X6768 2.9 13.2 14.2 1 X6769 2.85 14.2 15.2 1 X6770 2.47 15.2 16.05 0.85 X6771 5.22 16.55 18.55 2 X6772 3.5 20.55 21.75 1.2 X6773 2.16 21.75 22.75 1 X6774 0.89 29.35 29.95 0.6 X6775 1.3

Qualified Persons

Nico Scholtz is a consulting geologist and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Mr. Scholtz is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No. 400299/07). Mr. Scholtz is the Company's "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101.

About Gratomic

Gratomic is a multinational company with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada. The Company is focused on becoming a leading global graphite supplier and aims to secure a strong position in the EV (Electric Vehicle) battery supply chain. With the continued development of its flagship Aukam project and further exploration on the Company's Capim Grosso property, Gratomic sets itself apart by seeking out unique top-quality assets around the world. True to its roots, the Company will continue to explore graphite opportunities displaying potential for development. The Company ranked third place in the top 10 preforming mining stocks on the 2022 TSX Venture 50.

Large quantities of high-quality vein graphite have been shipped for testing to confirm its viability as an anode material. Gratomic is confident that the test results will provide a unique competitive advantage in its desired target markets. The Company will continue to update the public on the status of these tests and will provide results as soon as they become available.

The Company has formed a collaboration agreement with Forge Nano. With its patented ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) coating, this cooperation with Forge Nano is a key element to support Gratomic's strategies towards the value-added phases of production of graphite for anode applications, namely micronization, spheronization and coating, making Gratomic graphite a preferred choice for use in lithium-ion batteries.

For more information: visit the website at www.gratomic.ca or contact:

Arno Brand at abrand@gratomic.ca or (416) 561- 4095

Subscribe at gratomic.ca/contact/ to be added to our email list.

For Marketing and Media information, please email: info@gratomic.ca

"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 Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com)

SOURCE: Gratomic Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699582/Gratomic-Provides-Drilling-Update-on-Capim-Grosso-Graphite-Project
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2022 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY)(OTC PINK:LKMNF)(FRA:LKY) ("Lucky" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has completed targeting for the upcoming drill program at the Wayka epithermal gold discovery at its 100% owned Fortuna Property ("Fortuna") in southern Ecuador.

After a detailed review of the recent high-grade trenching results including 5.24 g/t gold across 14 metres, 8.02 g/t gold over 9 metres, 1.67 g/t gold over 61 metres by company geologists and external consultants a drill hole program layout has been completed. This first phase of drilling will include 3,000 metres of HQ core targeted initially within the area of multiple sub-parallel stacked strongly silicified lenses known as the Discovery Zone (Area of trenches T-5, T-6, T-14, T-17, T-18, T-19 and T-21). Drill holes DDHW-01 to DDHW-4 will be drilled into this zone.

Highlights from the Discovery Zone:

Combined Length of Trench T-5 and T-6: Averages 1.67 g/t gold over 61 metres

(see November 9, 2021 News Release)



(see November 9, 2021 News Release) Trench T-14: Averages 8.02 g/t gold over 9 metres

(see November 18, 2021 News Release)



(see November 18, 2021 News Release) Trench T-21: Averages 5.24 g/t gold across 14 metres

(see April 13, 2022 News Release).

Francois Perron, Lucky's CEO stated, "We are extremely pleased with our progress to date having only discovered the Wayka target last year in March 2021. Over the last 12 months the entire team in Ecuador has worked diligently to get the company to this current moment. It is very exciting to be drilling below the trenches where strong mineralization was sampled at surface. The main goal of the drilling program will be to extend these two-dimensional discoveries into the third dimension. We are hopeful that our understanding of the multiple mineralized structures that appear to be parallel and relatively close at surface will be improved."

The drill program is expected to begin in June. Drill holes DDHW-5 to DDHW-8 will be drilled based on the results of the initial drill hole results.

Drill holes DDHW-9 to DDHW-12 will be drilled into strongly silicified outcrops with alunite and pyrophyllite (known as the Wall Zone). See maps below of the drill hole layout.

The first 4 drill holes will be drilled into the area of multiple sub-parallel stacked strongly silicified lenses that were cut in trenches T-5, T-6, T-14, T-17, T-18 and T-19. See map below.

Map of drill hole layout at Wayka with trench locations in the Discovery and Wall Zones

Map of drill hole layout at Wayka with trench locations in the Discovery and Wall Zones (Alteration Map-left; Mag Map-right)

Current mineralization is interpreted to be controlled by pre-existing vertical faults. This will be tested as proposed drill holes will traverse several alteration zones.

Alteration Map showing interpreted potentially parallel stacked lenses in Discovery Zone

Wayka - Next Steps

Mobilization for drilling campaign (underway)

Drilling (June)

Trenching (ongoing)

Prospecting in other areas to increase understanding of overall Wayka area (ongoing)

QA/QC Protocols

All exploration work is completed following QA/QC protocols and include the insertion of a coarse blank, a standard and duplicate sample on every batch of 25 samples.

Samples are submitted to ALS Chemex Labs in Quito for preparation work, and the analytical work is completed at their lab facility in Lima, Peru. ALS Chemex is an ISO certified and accredited laboratory.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Francois Perron"

Chief Executive Officer

About Lucky

Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property.

The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous, 550 km2 (55,000 Hectares, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador.

Covid-19 Safety Protocols

Lucky has strict rules in place for all workers arriving to and from field sites. All personnel are tested upon arriving and leaving and are tested every two weeks. All personnel are following COVID protocols with permanent disinfection procedures in place and are following correspondent social distancing while being isolated from the surrounding communities.

Qualified Person

Victor Jaramillo, M.Sc.A., P.Geo., Lucky's Exploration Manager and a qualified person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for supervising the exploration

program at the Fortuna Project for Lucky Minerals and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484.

Or by contacting:

Renmark Financial Communications Inc.

Kerry Schacter: kschacter@renmarkfinancial.com

Tel: (416) 644-2020 or (514) 939-3989

www.renmarkfinancial.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related to exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will not update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements unless required by Canadian securities law.

SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699633/Targeting-of-Trenched-Discovery-Zone-Completed-Mobilization-for-Drilling-Begins
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - JetBlue (JBLU), on Monday, enhanced its proposal to the Board of Spirit (SAVE) to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Spirit for $33 cash per share. JetBlue noted that, if necessary, it would agree to divest assets of JetBlue and Spirit up to a material adverse effect on Spirit, with a limited carve-out for actions that would adversely impact JetBlue's Northeast Alliance with American Airlines. JetBlue would offer also a remedy package that includes the divestiture of all Spirit assets in New York and Boston. JetBlue noted that it would provide for a $200 million reverse break-up fee if the transaction is not consummated for antitrust reasons. JetBlue's proposal continues to offer Spirit shareholders $33 in cash per common share. Earlier, Spirit Airlines, Inc. (SAVE) said its Board has unanimously determined that JetBlue's proposal dated April 29, 2022 does not constitute a superior proposal under existing merger deal with Frontier. 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.
PETAH TIKVA (dpa-AFX) - Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc. and Auspex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., U.S. affiliates of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA), have reached an agreement with Lupin to resolve the dispute over Lupin's Abbreviated New Drug Application for a generic deutetrabenazine product. As a result, the litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey will be ended, and Lupin will have a license to sell its generic product beginning April 2033, or earlier under certain circumstances. Teva noted that it will continue to litigate the ongoing patent infringement suit it brought against Aurobindo regarding Aurobindo's ANDA for a generic deutetrabenazine product. 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.
Jakarta, Indonesia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - WIR Group (JK: WIRG), an Indonesia-based metaverse technology company from Indonesia, will reveal a prototype of Indonesian metaverse in November 2022, to coincide with the momentum of the 2022 G20 Indonesia Presidency. With a vision to create 'a liveable world of metaverse for everyone', WIR Group is committed to enrich life experiences for individuals, companies, and societies through digital reality solutions covering Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).





Indonesia becomes one of the fast country adopter for Metaverse



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8690/122314_df7dbaf454759aa4_001full.jpg

The metaverse platform being developed by WIR Group will bridge businesses and consumers. It will be the gateway that lead humans to various digital experiences, and at the same time become a platform that can provide new employment opportunities.

The company has signed a number of MoUs for cross-sector collaboration to join the metaverse, with partners that include Bank Rakyat Indonesia and Bank Negara Indonesia from the financial sector. Most recently, WIR Group signed partnership agreements with various entities including Jakarta Fashion Week (JFW), retail giant Alfamart, FMCG company Kalbe Nutritionals, Indonesian independent music label Sun Eater, property developers Vasanta and Triniti Land, and many others.

WIR Group (WIRG) has officially listed its shares on the Indonesia Stock Exchange on April 4, 2022. Through an IPO, WIR Group released 2.33 billion new shares or 20% of the issued and fully paid capital after the IPO, and an additional 233.7 million shares due to excess orders in the centralized allotment. "The high public enthusiasm for WIR Group, which is reflected in the large number of orders that we received, shows the market's confidence in the company's fundamentals and prospects. We will maintain this trust by continuing to develop innovations to provide technology solutions for businesses in various sectors to help them face the challenges of this borderless digital era," said Michael Budi Wirjatmo, President Director of WIR Group.

Since 2009, WIR Group has completed thousands projects and served clients in over 20 countries including the US, Germany, Spain, Nigeria, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar. WIR Group has received multiple international acknowledgements and accolades, such as the Excellent Communications Design Apps in the 2020 German Design Award, AR Best Campaign at the Augmented World Expo's 7th Annual Auggie Awards 2015 and 2016 at the Silicon Valley, Innovation 40 from The New Economy London on the London Stock Exchange, and Forbes' Metaverse Tech Companies to Watch in 2022.

WIR Overview:

WIR Group is one of the pioneers in the Southeast Asian Augmented Reality (AR) technology industry that has developed solutions for numerous foreign companies by combining immersive technology such as Virtual Reality (VR) & Artificial Intelligence (AI). In its biggest innovation called the Metaverse Indonesia, WIR Group presents the Metaverse world experience by putting forward elements of local wisdom in Indonesian culture. As the metaverse software technology company from Indonesia, WIR Group plans to introduce the Metaverse Indonesia prototype in November 2022.

WIR Group has the vision to create a liveable world of metaverse for everyone towards the Web 3.0 era.

Since 2009, WIR Group has completed thousands of projects and served clients in over 20 countries including the US, Germany, Spain, Nigeria, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar. WIR Group has received multiple international acknowledgements and accolades, such as the Excellent Communications Design Apps in the 2020 German Design Award, AR Best Campaign at the Augmented World Expo's 7th Annual Auggie Awards 2015 and 2016 at the Silicon Valley, Innovation 40 from The New Economy London on the London Stock Exchange, and Metaverse Tech Companies to Watch in 2022 according to Forbes.

For further information:

Kurniati - Marketing Communications Manager

kurniati@wirglobal.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122314


WARSAW (dpa-AFX) - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, leading a Congressional delegation to Poland, met with the country's President Andrzej Duda on Monday, two days after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.



Pelosi is the top ranking political figure in the United Satates to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.



Pelosi said the visit sent 'an unmistakable message to the world: that America stands firmly with our NATO allies in our support for Ukraine.' She promised US support to Ukraine 'until the fight is done'.



She said Congress will move quickly to approve a $33 billion supplemental budget request that President Joe Biden made to Congress to provide security, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine battling Russian invasion.



Rep. Jim McGovern, Chairman of the House Rules Committee; Rep. Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Adam Schiff, Chairman of the Intelligence Committee; Rep. Barbara Lee, Rep. Bill Keating and Rep. Jason Crow accompanied Pelosi as part of the Congressional delegation.



CNN quoted Adam Schiff as saying that he thinks it's only a matter of time before President Biden visits Ukraine.



During the delegation's meeting with Polish President in Warsaw, its members expressed Washington's deep gratitude to the Polish government and Polish people 'for opening their hearts and homes to Ukrainian refugees.' The delegation reaffirmed the U.S. pledge to continue supporting Poland's humanitarian efforts.



Poland is the largest refuge for tens of thousands of Ukrainians who are fleeing the war. More than one million people have left the country since the Russian invasion began on February 24, according to the UN. More than half of them have sought refuge in Poland.



The lawmakers discussed the United States' continued commitment to Ukraine, particularly as the Congress prepares to transform President Biden's new request for additional security, economic and humanitarian assistance into legislation.



'Further informed and deeply moved by our experiences throughout our engagements in Poland, our delegation will return to Washington ready to continue our work until victory is won, and Ukraine has defended Democracy for their nation and the world,' Pelosi said in a statement.







Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



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Solid growth in ESI's focus industries

Growth of +6.6% (5.3% cer) driven by license growth at +7.1% (+5.8% cer)

Double-digit growth in Asia driven by key customers

Regulatory News:

ESI Group (Paris:ESI), Paris, France, (ISIN Code: FR0004110310, Symbol: ESI), today releases its revenues for the first quarter of 2022 (period from January 1st to March 31st) approved by the Board of Directors on May 2nd, 2022.

Cristel de Rouvray, Chief Executive Officer of ESI Group, comments: "As announced in October 2021, Q1 FY22 was the inaugural quarter of our "OneESI 2024 Focus to Grow" 3-year plan. We rolled out a holistic transformation including, for the first time in ESI's history, a streamlined approach to global management of sales. At 6.6% (5.3% cer), Q1 FY22 growth is in line with the guidance issued in early March and constitutes a notable performance, demonstrating our ability to maintain solid growth momentum while conducting ambitious changes. This performance has been achieved in a challenging macroeconomic and geopolitical context, which is further testimony to the strength and resilience of our solutions. I am impressed by our team's energy, resiliency, and commitment to our OneESI plan as we undertake to enhance both growth and profitability to deliver long-term value to our shareholders."

Revenues (m) Q1-2022 Q1-2021 Change Change Constant exchange

rate (cer) Q1 Licenses 53.2 49.6 +7.1% +5.8% Q1 Services 5.1 5.1 +1.7% +0.6% Q1 Total 58.3 54.7 +6.6% +5.3%

ESI Group now presents its revenues pro forma excluding special projects (public grants for R&D projects).

In the first quarter of its fiscal year (January 1, 2022 March 31, 2022), ESI recorded revenues of 58.3m, up to 6.6% (+5.3% constant exchange rate cer); at the upper end of the range of the communicated guidance (+4% to +6%).

Licensing revenue increased by +7.1% (+5.8% cer). The growth was led by the Repeat Business with an increase of +8.5%. Services revenues were stable at +1.7% (+0.6% cer).

ESI experienced growth across nearly all industries over the quarter, with the Automotive industry continuing to be one of the key drivers of ESI Group's performance along with the 3 other focus industries (Aerospace, Heavy Industry, and Energy) which represented more than 90% of the company's revenue.

Geographically, the Asian region led the growth, at +11.5% cer and +11.7% cer for its licenses business. This growth in the Asian region was primarily driven by customers for whom ESI is a key strategic partner, and further growth potential was fostered by ongoing account management initiatives. The EMEA and Americas regions grew respectively at +3.1% cer and +1.2% cer.

General Assembly Meeting information

ESI Group's Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 1:30 pm CET. Participation and document consulting procedures are detailed in the notice of meeting will be made available on the company's website. Shareholders are invited to regularly consult the section dedicated to the Shareholders' Meeting on the Company's website: HERE

Group's new corporate document available for shareholders

2021 Universal Registration Document HERE

Forward-looking statement

At constant exchange rate H12 2022 2023 2024 Revenue Growth Goal

(excluding special

projects3 4% 6% 4% 6% 6% 8% 7% 9% Adjusted EBIT4 Goal 10% 12% 15% 17% 20% 22%

The Group will organize an investor's conference on September 27th, 2022, and will give an update on the plan and extend its guidance to 2025.

In the light of recent events and the Russian aggression against Ukraine over the last weeks, ESI Group has decided to suspend all business development with Russia and Belarus customers, which represents less than 1.5% of revenues in 2021.

These statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those related to the COVID-19 virus and the war in Ukraine and associated further economic and market disruptions; further adverse changes or fluctuations in the global economy; further adverse fluctuations in our industry, foreign exchange fluctuations, changes in the current global trade regulatory environment; fluctuations in customer demands and markets; fluctuations in demand for our products including orders from our large customers; cyber-attacks; expense overruns; and adverse effects of price changes or effective tax rates. The company directs readers to its Universal Registration Document Chapter 3 presenting the risks associated with the company's future performance.

Upcoming events

An nual General Meeting June 28 th , 2022

Half-year results September 7 th , 2022 (5:35 pm CET)

Investor's conference September 27th, 2022

About ESI Group

Founded in 1973, ESI Group envisions a world where Industry commits to bold outcomes, addressing high-stakes concerns environmental impact, safety comfort for consumers and workers, adaptable and sustainable business models. ESI provides reliable and customized solutions anchored on predictive physics modeling and virtual prototyping expertise to allow industries to make the right decisions at the right time while managing their complexity. Acting principally in automotive land transportation, aerospace, defense naval and heavy industry, ESI is present in more than 20 countries, employs 1200 people around the world, and reported 2021 sales of 136.6 million. ESI is headquartered in France and is listed on compartment B of Euronext Paris.

For further information, go to www.esi-group.com.

1 Constant exchange rate

2 Excluding Russian business potential impact on revenue

3 For the 3-year plan, the growth of revenue excludes special projects (public grants for R&D projects)

4 Adjusted EBIT is a non-GAAP indicator based on EBIT (IFRS). Adjusted EBIT corresponds to EBIT before stock-based compensation expenses, restructuring charges, impairment, and amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions, IFRS 16 standard on leases, and other non-recurring items.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005394/en/

Contacts:

ESI Group

Florence Barre

investors@esi-group.com

+33 1 49 78 28 28

Verbatee Press Shareholder Relations

Jerome Goaer, j.goaer@verbatee.com, +33 6 61 61 79 34

Aline Besselievre, a.besselievre@verbatee.com, +33 6 61 85 10 05
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - For the fourth consecutive time, the United Nations Security Council has failed to extend the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for one year
ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands (2 May 2022) - IMCD N.V. (hereafter "IMCD" or the "Company") announces that all resolutions proposed to the shareholders at the Company's Annual General Meeting ("AGM") held today were adopted. This includes the adoption of the financial statements for the year 2021 and approval of the dividend proposal of EUR 1.62 per share in cash. The dividend calendar is as follows:

Wednesday 4 May 2022 - Ex-dividend date

Thursday 5 May 2022 - Dividend record date

Monday 9 May 2022 - Dividend payment date

Piet van der Slikke.

The Shareholders furthermore approved the (re)appointment of Mr. Stephan Nanninga and Mr. Willem Eelman to IMCD's Supervisory Board, respectively for a second and first term of four years, as well as the reappointment of Deloitte Accountants B.V. as external auditor for the financial years 2022 and 2033.

The 2021 Remuneration Report received a strong positive advisory vote (with over 91% of voted casted in favor of the report).

Details of the Annual General Meeting, including the voting results, are available at IMCD's corporate website here.

Attached, please find the full press release in pdf format.

This press release contains information that qualifies as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation and was issued on 2 May 2022, 5:30 p.m. CET.

Attachment
HBM Healthcare Investments AG / Key word(s): Monthly Figures

Key Figures 30.04.2022



02.05.2022 / 17:46



in CHF Performance in % 30.04.2022 MTD FYTD CYTD NAV 278.03 -2.6 -2.6 -17.3 Share Price 235.00 -14.9 -14.9 -30.7 Total Net Assets (in million) 1'934



HBM Healthcare Investments AG

Bundesplatz 1

CH-6300 Zug - Switzerland

Tel. +41 41 710 75 77

Fax +41 41 710 75 78

E-Mail: hbm@hbmhealthcare.com

Web: www.hbmhealthcare.com



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Disclaimer:

This message may contain confidential or privileged Information and is intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you are hereby notified that you must not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or information herein. If you have received this message by error, please advise the sender immediately and delete this message. The publication is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or subscribe for securities. Past performance is not a reliable indicator or guarantee of future results, prices of shares and the income from them may fall as well as rise and investors may not get back the amount originally invested. The investor must be aware of the investment risk and personal risk ability. Some information quoted was obtained from external sources HBM considers to be reliable. HBM cannot guarantee the adequacy, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of or be held responsible or liable for errors of fact regarding such data and information obtained from third parties, and this data may change with market conditions.



End of Media Release


PRESS RELEASE

Paris, 2 May 2022

Opening of the simplified tender offer for CNP Assurances shares

The simplified tender offer ("Offer") filed by La Banque Postale for CNP Assurances shares was declared compliant by the Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF")

The Offer will be open from 2 May 2022 to 31 May 2022 (inclusive)

The Offer price of EUR 20.90 per share (EUR 1 dividend coupon detached) represents a premium of 36% over the pre-announcement share price

The Offer was considered in the interests of CNP Assurances, its shareholders and its employees by the Board of Directors of CNP Assurances

La Banque Postale intends to implement a mandatory squeeze-out procedure in the event that the minority shareholders do not hold more than 10% of the share capital and voting rights following the Offer

Following the obtention of required regulatory approvals, La Banque Postale announces today that the simplified tender offer for CNP Assurances shares that it filed on 16 March 2022 ("Offer") will be open from 2 May 2022 (inclusive) to 31 May 2022 (inclusive).

The Offer was declared compliant by the Autorite des Marches Financiers ("AMF") on 26 April 2022. On 29 April, the AMF published a notice for the opening of the Offer, after having affixed its visa on La Banque Postale's offer document and CNP Assurances' response document, numbered 22-122 and 22-123 respectively, on 26 April. The Offer documentation is also available on the AMF's website (www.amf-france.org).

The Offer price of EUR 20.90 per share (EUR 1 dividend coupon detached) has been established by applying a multi-criteria valuation approach based on valuation methodologies commonly used in the insurance sector and which take into account the specific features of CNP Assurances. This price also takes into account the price paid to BPCE in December 2021 to acquire its block of 16.1% of the share capital of CNP Assurances and represents notably:

a 36% premium over the pre-announcement share price on 28 October 2021.

a 50% premium over the volume-weighted average share price over the 20 days preceding the announcement of the transaction on 28 October 2021.

The Board of Directors of CNP Assurances has set up an ad hoc committee composed solely of independent directors and two directors representing the employees of CNP Assurances. In accordance with the provisions of Article 261-1 of the AMF's General Regulations, Cabinet Ledouble was appointed as an independent expert by the Board of Directors of CNP Assurances on 18 November 2021, with the role of preparing a report on the financial terms of the Offer and of the possible squeeze-out. The independent expert has concluded that the Offer price is fair from a financial point of view for the shareholders tendering their shares to the Offer and in view of a possible squeeze-out.

Having studied the work of the ad hoc committee and the conclusions of the independent expert, the Board of Directors of CNP Assurances has issued a favourable opinion on the Offer, considering that it is in the interest of CNP Assurances, its shareholders and its employees, and therefore recommends to the CNP Assurances shareholders that they tender their shares to the offer.

Prior to the opening of the Offer, La Banque Postale held 85.25% of the share capital and 90.83% of the voting rights of CNP Assurances.

In accordance with the provisions of Articles 237-1 et seq. of the AMF's General Regulations, if, at the end of the Offer, minority shareholders do not represent more than 10% of the share capital and voting rights of CNP Assurances, La Banque Postale has indicated its intention to implement, within three months from the closing of the Offer, a squeeze-out procedure in order to have the CNP Assurances shares not tendered to the Offer transferred to it in compensation for an indemnification equal to the Offer price, i.e. EUR 20.90 euros per CNP Assurances share (EUR 1 dividend coupon detached).

To facilitate shareholder information, a toll-free number is available to CNP Assurances individual shareholders for any questions regarding the Offer during the opening period (2 May 2022 to 31 May 2022): +33 805 38 38 62.

Investor Relations Contacts

Geraldine Lamarque - geraldine.lamarque@labanquepostale.fr - +33 1 41 90 35 41

Estelle Maturell Andino - estelle.maturell-andino@labanquepostale.fr - +33 1 57 75 61 79

Gabriel Beya-Tumba - gabriel.beya@labanquepostale.fr - +33 1 46 62 82 71

Linda Chibah - linda.chibah@labanquepostale.fr - +33 1 57 75 68 27

Media Contact

France Plasse - france.plasse@laposte.fr - +33 6 08 47 75 41

About La Banque Postale

With its subsidiaries, including CNP Assurances, La Banque Postale is a leading European banking and insurance specialist, ranked 10th in the euro zone by balance sheet assets. Its diversified business model enables it to support 20 million individual and corporate customers with a comprehensive range of products accessible to all. A subsidiary of Le Groupe La Poste, La Banque Postale offers local banking services through 17,000 contact points, including 7,300 post offices, throughout France. It is also a leader in sustainable finance, rated among the best in the market by non-financial rating agencies. Its strategic plan, "La Banque Postale 2030", sets the ambition of becoming the favourite bank of the people of France, with an integrated and omnichannel offer of bank and insurance services based on three distinct brands: La Banque Postale, its everyday bank, Ma French Bank, its 100% mobile bank and BPE, its private bank. As a community bank, La Banque Postale is fully focused on shaping a just transition to an economy and a society capable of responding to environmental, social, regional and digital challenges.

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Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-74400-cp-en-lbp-ouverture-opas-cnp-02052022.pdf
STOCKHOLM, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthcare Services has continued to invest for future growth with the acquisitions of Allenort Kliniki Terapii ('Allenort') in Poland and Laurus Medical in Romania.

Allenort is a network of five specialised mental health centres and Poland's first private psychiatric hospital. The centres will be a strong contribution to Medicover's investment and expansion focus in psychiatric care and the newly established brand Mind Health - Mental Health Centres currently operating eight clinics in Poland. The market for such care is estimated at PLN 3.5 billion[1] and to grow by approximately 13 per cent per annum for the next 4 years.

Mental health care is a largely under provided area of health care in Poland and demand from employers, individuals and families is growing strongly. With Allenort integrated into Medicover's offerings this will secure an enhanced resources to help fulfil those needs.

In Romania an agreement to acquire Laurus Medical has been signed and is subject to customary merger control approvals. Laurus Medical adds a national network of ten clinics and expertise particularly in the treatment of disorders of the venous system.

Total purchase price for the two acquisitions is approximately EUR 16 million and is settled in cash.

For further information, please contact:

Hanna Bjellquist, Head of Investor Relations

+46 703 033 272

hanna.bjellquist@medicover.com

[1] Healthcaremarketexperts.com PMR 2021

Medicover is a leading international healthcare and diagnostic services company and was founded in 1995. Medicover operates a large number of ambulatory clinics, hospitals, specialty-care facilities,laboratories and blood-drawing points and the largest markets are Poland and Germany. In 2021, Medicover had revenue of EUR 1,377 million and more than 38,000 employees. For more information, go to www.medicover.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/medicover/r/healthcare-services-continue-to-invest-for-future-growth,c3557909

The following files are available for download:
Spotlight is on How Police in North Texas are Now Using Drone-Based Technology to Save Officers', Civilians' Lives

LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2022 / Cytta Corp (OTCQB:CYCA, the "Company") is pleased to announce that our IGAN (Incident Global Area Network) video integration technology, which empowers the 'DroneClear' police room/building clearing protocol, has been featured recently in a story in DroneLife (DroneLife.com) the magazine of record for the drone industry.

The article by reporter Jim Magill focuses on how the Dallas Police Department Unmanned Aircraft Systems are now using Cytta's new Drone Clear technology to help clear buildings of potential threats before police squads enter a situation. Using IGAN video technology, Drone Clear allows police teams to see the same video that a drone operator sees from drone(s) at an incident, all in real-time.

For the complete article, please see this link: https://dronelife.com/2022/04/28/police-in-north-texas-us-drones-to-save-lives-deploying-drone-clear/

About Us

Cytta Corp (OTCQB:CYCA) develops and distributes proprietary software technology that is designed to shift how video/audio data is integrated, streamed, consumed, transferred, and stored. Cytta's proprietary IGAN Incident Command System (ICS) system integrates in realtime any and all available video and audio streams during emergencies, enabling improved virtual policing. The IGAN ICS introduces real-time video and audio situational awareness, which Cytta believes is useful and valuable for police, firefighters, first responders, emergency medical workers, industry, environmental and emergencies, security, military, and their command centers in an emergency.

Cytta's proprietary SUPR ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) system delivers realtime compression of video streams for surface, airborne and underwater ISR applications including environments, where video streams are transmitted beyond line-of-sight. By utilizing a SUPR-enabled encoder onboard an unmanned system, video can be securely streamed in high definition through an extremely low bandwidth LEO satellite uplink (<22 kbps) with ultra-low latency. Our proprietary Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) technology is built around SUPR, a potent software codec, which is the technology at the core of our realtime video compression products. SUPR is explicitly designed for streaming HD, 4K, and higher resolution video, in bandwidth constrained environments, while reducing required technical resources.

Cytta has created video/audio integration software advanced, video compression, and portable/SaaS hardware/software systems that solve real world problems in large markets. Cytta wants its products to enable and empower the world to consume higher quality video anywhere, anytime. Cytta's ultimate goal is to deliver such high-quality video, in real time, that is not discernible from reality with the naked eye, creating a virtual 'Reality Delivered.'

For more information, please visit Cytta.com and the Cytta Video Channel on YouTube to view Cytta's vision, products, competitive advantages, marketplace, new product utilization, and markets.

About DroneLife Digital Magazine (DroneLife.com)

DroneLife is here to make sure you, the consumer, are up to date on all the latest drone news, product releases, YouTube videos and legal precedents so you can stay informed about the rise of the commercial drone. DRONELIFE also helps companies to get the word out with branding, lead generation, and content. We cover all major players in this industry. Editor In Chief Miriam McNabb

Jim Magill is a Houston-based writer with almost a quarter-century of experience covering technical and economic developments in the oil and gas industry. After retiring in December 2019 as a senior editor with S&P Global Platts, Jim began writing about emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robots and drones, and the ways in which they're contributing to our society. In addition to DroneLife, Jim is a contributor to Forbes.com and his work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, U.S. News & World Report, and Unmanned Systems, a publication of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

Cytta Corp

http://www.cytta.com

info@cytta.com

Gary Campbell, CEO

Direct (702) 900-7022

Gary@cytta.com

Michael Chermak, Chief Administrative Officer

Cell: (619) 977-7203

Chermak@Cytta.com

Forward-Looking Statement:

This document contains forward-looking statements. In addition, our representatives or we may make forward-looking statements orally or in writing from time to time. We base these forward-looking statements on our expectations and projections about future events, which we derive from the available information. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future performance, including our financial performance and projections, our growth in revenue and earnings, and our business prospects and opportunities. You can identify forward-looking statements by those that are not historical in nature, particularly those that use terminology such as "may," "should," "expects," "anticipates," "contemplates," "estimates," "believes," "plans," "projected," "predicts," "potential," or "hopes" or the negative of these or similar terms. In evaluating these forward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including our ability to change the direction of the Company, our ability to keep pace with new technology and evolving market needs, and the competitive environment of our business. These and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements are only predictions. The forward-looking events discussed in this document and other statements made from time to time by our representatives may not occur, and actual events and results may differ materially and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about us. We are not obligated to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this document, and other statements made from time to time by our representatives or us might not occur.

SOURCE: Cytta Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/699771/Cytta-Corps-Drone-Clear-Featured-in-DroneLife
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - Mark Jarvis, CEO of Giga Metals Corp. (TSXV: GIGA) (OTCQX: HNCKF) announced today that the reconnaissance drill program on its 16,858-hectare Corrente property in the state of Piaui, Brazil, has resumed. As previously reported (news release dated December 23, 2021) the drilling program was suspended because northern Brasil experienced a prolonged and higher intensity wet season than normal which commenced in December 2021 and only subsided during April 2022.

Drilling has resumed on hole 4 of the planned 10-hole (1500m combined meterage) programme. Progress and results will be reported in due course. The completed and planned hole locations are presented on the figure below.

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by David Tupper, P.Geo. (British Columbia), a Qualified Person ("QP") within the context of Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101; Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).

South of Piaui Project



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/856/122390_0c177a6d24a96a5c_002full.jpg

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Mark Jarvis"



Mark Jarvis, CEO

GIGA METALS CORPORATION

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.

Suite 203 - 700 West Pender St., Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1G8

T: 604-681-2300 E: info@gigametals.com W: www.gigametals.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122390
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - City View Green Holdings Inc. (CSE: CVGR) (OTCQB: CVGRF) ("City View" or the "Company"), a leading consumer packaged goods company focused on the development of cannabis-infused edibles announces that it has issued 3,250,000 share purchase warrants to an arm's length consultant in partial consideration for consulting advisory services provided to City View for the past three years. The warrants expire on December 31, 2022 and are each exercisable for one common share of the Company at a price of $0.10/share. These warrants, and any underlying common shares issued on exercise thereof, will have a hold period expiring September 2, 2022, in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws.

City View has also negotiated a debt settlement with an arm's length creditor. Pursuant to the debt settlement agreement, the Company has settled aggregate debt of $42,000, in consideration for which it will issue an aggregate of 600,000 common shares at a deemed price of $0.07 per share. All common shares issued in connection with these debt settlements will have a hold period expiring 4 months and 1 day after their date of issuance, in accordance with the policies of the CSE and applicable securities laws.

For further information contact:

City View Green Holdings Inc.

Rob Fia, CEO & President

Email: rob@cityviewgreen.ca

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/cityviewgreen1

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its regulations services accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About City View

City View is a leading consumer packaged goods company focused on the development of cannabis-infused edibles. With the receipt of its Cannabis Act processing licence on April 30, 2021, City View will incorporate cannabis-infused food production at its Brantford, Ontario high-capacity facility. In addition, City View owns a 27.5% stake in Budd Hutt Inc. ("Budd Hutt"), a retail-focused cannabis company with access to cannabis cultivation and production licences in Alberta and other retail opportunities across Canada. Through its relationship with Budd Hutt, the Company anticipates securing shelf space, product placement, and distribution opportunities for our white label partner products. For more information visit: www.cityviewgreen.ca .

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements which are not composed of historical facts. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. There are a number of important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. When relying on the Company's forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, among others, availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, delays in the development of projects, and ability to predict or counteract potential impact of COVID-19 coronavirus on factors relevant to the Company's business. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated 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.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PRESS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122476
Torrey View

Breakthrough Properties, a Los Angeles, CA.based joint venture of Tishman Speyer and Bellco Capital, closed the Breakthrough Life Science Property Fund, at $3 billion.

The venture raised $3 billion in direct capital and co-investments, to scale a global portfolio of ecosystems for dynamic early-, mid-, and late-stage life science companies.

The fund and co-investment capital was raised from a diverse group of institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds and high net worth individuals spanning four continents.

Founded in 2019, Breakthrough will use the newly raised funds to finance its ongoing developments, which are in various stages of design, construction and pre-development, and fuel its pursuit of additional opportunities throughout the United States and Europe.

Through a range of ground-up campus developments, lab conversions and StudioLabs, the companys proprietary flex lab program geared toward hyper-growth startups, Breakthrough provides environments to the full spectrum of life science innovators  ranging from venture-backed discovery companies to established big pharma anchors. It will continue to leverage the market expertise and vast relationship networks of Tishman Speyer, Bellco Capital and its Scientific Advisory Board to create environments for leading biotechnology innovators and offers services to support their long-term business needs.

Led by Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dan Belldegrun, Breakthrough has a portfolio that includes The 105 by Breakthrough in Boston, which is fully leased to CRISPR Therapeutics and will open its doors later this year. In 2021, itbroke ground on its 515,000-square-foot Torrey View by Breakthrough development, a 10-acre research and development campus in San Diego which signed a major prelease with the biosciences arm of global medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company). Its Torrey Plaza campus, an office-to-lab conversion in San Diego, is leased to a range of innovative companies, including Tandem Diabetes Care, Janux Therapeutics and Protego Biopharma, Inc.

FinSMEs

02/05/2022
TeamCentral co-founder Marc Johnson

TeamCentral, a Cincinnati, OH-based provider of low/no-code data integration platform, raised 1.5m in seed funding.

CincyTech led the financing with participation from TC investment partners.

Co-founded by Andy Park and Marc Johnson, TeamCentral provides a low-code software platform that enables connections between applications to be made more quickly by IT professionals, often with less experience. Users are guided by virtual assistants to complete integrations, enabling some tasks to be completed by employees without formal IT training.

The company, which originated from an innovation program at Centric Consulting, an international management consulting firm headquartered in Columbus, OH, has business operations in 13 cities in the United States and in India.

FinSMEs

02/05/2022
Welcome Guest! You Are Here:
Before you get caught up in the singing competition known as Sing 2, take a look back at one of the summers best animated features.

In The Mitchells vs. The Machines, a family has a close encounter with aliens when they head to California to take daughter Katie (Abbi Jacobson) to school. A new version of a tech assistant is about to replace a longstanding one, PAL.

Rather than go quietly, PAL (nicely voiced by Olivia Colman) decides to turn the robots on their humans. Sure enough, its a battle to the finish, particularly since Katies dad Rick (Danny McBride) isnt all that savvy with smartphones.

As the robots march through the world (not unlike Stormtroopers), the Mitchells have to think quickly to thwart PALs game plan. That means everything from dads favorite screwdriver to their dog Monchi will be pressed into service.

Director Michael Rianda does a great job planting seeds of discontent in an early segment that shows how Katie uses technology to foster her passion  filmmaking. We get to see the family members interact, particularly when Monchi is the star of Dog Cop. When trouble meets their sticker-laden car, we have a good idea where its headed.

Rianda tackles all those disconnects between generations and shows how technology can be used for good, not abused for world domination. Like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, this teems with smart writing and a lot of clever visuals. If anything, Mitchells moves too fast for its own good. Just when you get a look at some of the background messaging, its on to something else.

Riandi and company make ample fun of life-controlling devices (and routers), nudge family tropes and use specifics (like little brother Aarons quirks) to show just how alike all families are.

Those goose-stepping robots have personalities, too, and PAL is about as demanding as a teacher who can halt graduation. Mitchells moves much more quickly than dads car and has one of those nail-biting moments thatll make The Incredibles think theyre getting a run for their money.

The Mitchells vs. The Machines features great voice work from the stars and a charming take from Maya Rudolph as mom Linda. When she sees her family is at risk, she puts those yoga moves to good use and makes like Sarah Connor.

An early candidate for Best Animated Film, The Mitchells vs. The Machines may be the best family bonding experience you never thought youd get.

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L'arrivee du mois de mai annonce le renouvellement des offres du cote d'Amazon Prime Gaming. La plateforme de jeux video d'Amazon, heritee de Twitch propose ainsi une serie de jeux gratuits chaque mois, ainsi qu'une large selections de bonus dans divers titres partenaires.

Et ce mois de mai, ce sont a nouveau 6 jeux qui pourront etre recuperes gratuitement par les abonnes. Il suffit d'etre abonne Amazon Prime pour y acceder.

Voici donc la liste des titres accessibles sur le site dedie d'Amazon Prime Gaming :

Dead Space 2 - Isaac Clark fait son retour pour explorer la Station Titan et son environnement Zero G ou les joueurs decouvriront la verite sur le role de lUnitologie dans lepidemie de Necromorphe.

- Isaac Clark fait son retour pour explorer la Station Titan et son environnement Zero G ou les joueurs decouvriront la verite sur le role de lUnitologie dans lepidemie de Necromorphe. The Curse of Monkey Island  Guybrush Threepwood est de retour avec sa lame emoussee et son sarcasme contre linfame demon-pirate LeChuck dans le tres attendu troisieme opus de la populaire serie Monkey Island de LucasArts.

 Guybrush Threepwood est de retour avec sa lame emoussee et son sarcasme contre linfame demon-pirate LeChuck dans le tres attendu troisieme opus de la populaire serie Monkey Island de LucasArts. Out of Line  San se lance dans une quete pour echapper a lUsine dans ce jeu daventure 2D rempli de charmants puzzles.

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NEW YORK, May 01, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues its investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE: ROL) resulting from allegations that Rollins may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Rollins securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=2735 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On October 28, 2020, Rollins disclosed that a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation had been initiated and believed the SECs focus to be how accruals and reserves were established at period ends and their impact on reported earnings going as far back as January 2015.

Then on February 26, 2021, Rollins announced that an internal investigation into the same matters found a significant deficiency in the Companys internal controls relating to the documentation and review of accounting entries for certain reserves and accruals. On this news, Rollins share prices fell $0.87, or 2.5%, to close at $33.17 per share on February 26, 2021, damaging investors.

Then on April 18, 2022, the SEC announced that Rollins agreed to pay $8 million to settle the charges that Rollins made unsupported reductions to its accounting reserves to improperly boost its earnings per share. On this news, Rollins share price fell $0.55, or approximately 1.7%, to close at $34.29 on April 18, 2022, damaging investors.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs Bar. Many of the firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

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Gasunie and Vopak will jointly develop future open access hydrogen import terminal infrastructure





Terminal infrastructure is essential for importing green hydrogen to reach the European Green Deal targets





Groningen / Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 2 May 2022



Gasunie and Vopak today announced that they have entered into a cooperation agreement. The aim is to jointly develop future terminal infrastructure projects that will facilitate the necessary imports of hydrogen into Northwest Europe via Dutch and German ports. Both parties have been working together in the Gate LNG-terminal in the Port of Rotterdam that came into operation in 2011.



Alongside domestic production of hydrogen, large-scale import of green hydrogen will become essential for reaching the European Green Deal and the Fit for 55 targets. Import initiatives are developing rapidly: the first import streams to Germany and the Netherlands are expected by 2025. Global supply chains and logistics infrastructure need to be developed and operated to facilitate the import of green hydrogen required for the energy and feedstock transition.



The cooperation agreement includes import projects for hydrogen through green ammonia, liquid organic hydrogen carriers, and liquid hydrogen technologies. To safely and reliably handle products like hydrogen and ammonia, high quality infrastructure and operations are needed. Vopak and Gasunie will focus on developing import infrastructure related to storage that enables further distribution of hydrogen to end users (e.g. by means of pipeline, vessels, road and rail) and contributes to the security of supply in Northwest Europe. Both parties have a long track record in developing infrastructure and safely storing and handling these types of products.



As independent infrastructure companies Gasunie and Vopak will focus solely on the development as well as safe and reliable operation of open access infrastructure. Open access logistics infrastructure that is available to all market parties is most effective, both from a cost and environmental footprint perspective. It can further accelerate the import and use of green energy to a wide range of end markets. On 11 April 2022, Gasunie, Vopak and HES International announced that they joined forces to develop an import terminal for a hydrogen carrier in the port of Rotterdam, named ACE Terminal.



Ulco Vermeulen, Director Business Development Gasunie: With this agreement, Vopak and Gasunie continue their many years of successful co-operation. Hydrogen is an essential component of the sustainable energy mix of the future. Our joint goal is to enable the international hydrogen value chain by providing the necessary import infrastructure. As a renewable energy infrastructure company, we already function as a linking pin for the energy transition in various public private partnerships in the Netherlands. With this agreement, Vopak and Gasunie can play a role in the transport, storage and import as part of the international hydrogen value chain.



Frits Eulderink, Executive Board Member and COO of Royal Vopak comments: We are delighted to extend our partnership with Gasunie beyond our successful Gate LNG terminal operations in the Port of Rotterdam and jointly develop vital infrastructure supporting the energy transition. We are looking forward to working together with Gasunie in the development of new infrastructure for the future vital products."



Profile Gasunie

Gasunie is a European energy-infrastructure company. Gasunies network is one of the largest high-pressure pipeline networks in Europe, comprising over 17,000 kilometres of pipeline in the Netherlands and northern Germany. Gasunie provides natural and green gas transport services through its subsidiaries, Gasunie Transport Services B.V. (GTS) in the Netherlands and Gasunie Deutschland in Germany. With its cross-border gas infrastructure and services, Gasunie facilitates TTF, which has become the leading European gas trading point. Gasunie also provides other gas infrastructure services, including gas storage and LNG. Gasunie wants to help accelerate the transition to a CO2-neutral energy supply and believes that gas-related innovations, for instance in the form of renewable gases such as hydrogen and green gas, can make an important contribution. Both existing and new gas infrastructure play a key role here. Gasunie also plays an active part in the development of other energy infrastructure to support the energy transition.



Profile Vopak

Royal Vopak is the worlds leading independent tank storage company. We store vital products with care. With over 400 years of history and a focus on sustainability, we ensure safe, clean and efficient storage and handling of bulk liquid products and gases for our customers. By doing so, we enable the delivery of products that are vital to our economy and daily lives, ranging from chemicals, oils, gases and LNG to biofuels and vegoils. We are determined to develop key infrastructure solutions for the worlds changing energy systems, while simultaneously investing in digitalization and innovation. Vopak is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam and is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit www.vopak.com



For more information:

Gasunie - Press

Simon den Haak, Manager Corporate Communications, s.p.den.haak@gasunie.nl, +31 (0)6-4327 2561



Vopak - Press

Liesbeth Lans, Manager External Communication, global.communication@vopak.com

Vopak - Analysts and investors

Fatjona Topciu, Head of Investor Relations, +31(0)10 400 2776, investor.relations@vopak.com

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Dublin, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Facial Recognition Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Component, Application, and Vertical" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Facial Recognition market is projected to reach US$ 12,670.22 million by 2028 from US$ 5,012.71 million in 2021; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2021 to 2028.



The use of facial recognition in law enforcement and non-law enforcement applications is predicted to increase rapidly during the forecast period. Furthermore, facial recognition is often preferred over other biometric technologies, such as voice recognition, skin texture recognition, iris identification, and fingerprint scanning, due to its contactless procedure and easy deployment.

In addition, the "fourth industrial revolution," in the world, Industry 4.0, is characterized by rapid and converging advancements in multiple next-generation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI). The newly developed facial recognition systems use advanced AI features, IP cameras, machine learning algorithms, and cognitive technology to verify a person from a video source or a digital image.

While traditional facial recognition systems have loopholes, advanced AI-based facial recognition systems deliver far superior accuracy. Moreover, many companies are eliminating traditional fingerprinting scanners from their security systems, which is paving the way for the adoption of AI-based facial recognition systems.



Moreover, increasing government initiatives and investments in promoting AI-based facial recognition technologies are propelling the facial recognition market growth. In 2020, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) of the US Department of Defense (DoD) allocated more than US$ 2 billion to fund AI-related research and development over the next five years.

The primary beneficiaries of this investment to Chinese government are increasing AI startups, most for facial recognition. Thus, AI-powered facial recognition technology is bolstering the facial recognition market growth.



The impact of COVID-19 pandemic differed from region to region across the world. The facial recognition attendance software is a real-time and contactless attendance tracking software useful in the current pandemic. Businesses are resuming their on-premises operations to ensure continuous business operation and under such health crisis, employee health and safety are of paramount importance.

Organizations seek ways to provide a safe workspace to employees, and a contactless check-in is the first step towards it. For instance, CyberLink, a world leader in facial recognition and tracking technologies, has been working with a number of physical stores in the US to provide biometric facial recognition with its FaceMe.

Moreover, two companies in China have developed AI-based coronavirus diagnostic software to detect lung problems using CT scans. At least 34 Chinese hospitals used this technology to screen 32,000 suspected cases in February 2020. Hence, the overall impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the market is low to moderate.

Tech5, IDEMIA, Aware Inc., Cognitec Systems GmbH, Ayonix Corporation, Fujitsu Limited, Onfido, NEC Corporation, Thales Group, and Face PHI are among the key players operating in the global facial recognition market and profiled in the market study.

Report Highlights

In 2021, the software segment led the facial recognition market with the largest share.

In 2021, the security & surveillance segment led the market and accounted for the largest market share.

In 2021, the government segment held the largest share of the market.

In 2021, APAC accounted for a significant share in the market.

Key Industry Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Demand from Government and Defense Sectors

Burgeoning Adoption of AI-Based Facial Recognition Systems

Market Restraints

Restricted Adoption due to Technical Drawbacks

Market Opportunities

Adoption of Cloud-Based Facial Recognition Technology

Future Trends

3D Face Recognition Systems

Company Profiles

Tech5

IDEMIA

Aware Inc.

Cognitec Systems GmbH

Ayonix Corporation

Fujitsu Limited

Onfido

NEC Corporation

Thales Group

Face PHI

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vp66tw

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Pune, India, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global hydraulic fracturing market size is projected to touch USD 28.93 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period. The market stood at USD 11.74 billion in 2020 and USD 15.31 billion in 2021. The rising demand for oil, gas, and other petroleum products and the rising demand for advanced hydraulic equipment for exploration may propel market growth. Fortune Business Insights provides this information in its report, titled, Hydraulic Fracturing Market Forecast, 2021-2028.

Prominent Companies Announce Innovative Products to Enhance Brand Image

The prominent companies operating in the market launch innovative products to provide effective extraction services and boost brand image. For example, Halliburton Company launched its Express Fiber optic solution in July 2021. It is an extremely effective solution with a lower impact on existing exploration activities and routine cross-well monitoring. This launch may enable the company to provide effective solutions and boost its brand image globally. Further, the adoption of research and development activities may enable manufacturers to develop effective solutions that eliminate complications during oil and gas reserve exploration and speed up the process. This strategy may enable them to boost their market position.





Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/hydraulic-fracturing-market-100419





Report Highlights:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021-2028 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 9.5% 2028 Value Projection USD 28.93 Billion Base Year 2020 Market Size in 2021 USD 15.31 Billion Historical Data for 2017-2019 No. of Pages 227 Segments covered By Well Type; By Technology; By Application; and By Region Growth Drivers Fluctuating Oil Prices and Closure of Manufacturing Facilities to Hinder Market Progress Rising Awareness Regarding the Potential of Untapped Energy Reserves to Foster Market Growth





Fluctuating Oil Prices and Closure of Manufacturing Facilities to Hinder Market Progress



This market is expected to be negatively affected during the COVID-19 pandemic because of oil price fluctuations and the closure of several manufacturing industries. An alarming spike in COVID-19 infections provoked governments to impose strict lockdown restrictions on extraction and manufacturing. As a result, prices for natural resources such as oil, fuel, and other resources began fluctuating.

Furthermore, the halt on manufacturing and transport led to a lack of raw materials and supply chain disruptions. However, the post relaxation phase is likely to raise the markets position as industries adopt automated production and extraction technologies alongside social distancing. This factor is expected to boost market growth during the pandemic.





Drivers and Restraints:

Rising Awareness Regarding the Potential of Untapped Energy Reserves to Foster Market Growth

The rising awareness regarding the potential and effectiveness of untapped reserves such as tight and shale gas is likely to boost hydraulic fracturings adoption. The rising demand for reliable and sustainable energy reserves is likely to facilitate unconventional gas exploration activities. Nearly one-third of U.S. crude oil is obtained from the Permian, which, in turn, may boost its extraction activities. Furthermore, a rising focus on the productivity of crude oils and other gas is likely to fuel the market development.

The deployment of advanced technologies for oil extraction is expected to enhance productivity and boost hydraulic fracturings adoption. According to the information provided by the American Petroleum Institute, approximately 95 percent of all-natural gas wells shall require hydraulic fracking techniques in the upcoming years. The adoption of automated machinery is likely to enhance oil mining activities and improve the production of petroleum, oil, and gas products. These factors are likely to drive the hydraulic fracturing market growth.

However, strict government environmental protection norms and the growing trend of renewable energy production are likely to hamper the market's growth.





Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this market. Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/hydraulic-fracturing-market-100419





Hydraulic Fracturing Segmentation:

By well type, the market is segmented into vertical and horizontal. As per technology, it is bifurcated into sliding sleeve and plug & perf. Based on application, it is classified into offshore and onshore. Geographically, it is grouped into the U.S., Canada, Argentina, Russia, China, Australia, and the rest of the world.

Highlights of the Report

The report provides a detailed analysis of the top segments and the latest trends in the market. It comprehensively discusses the driving and restraining factors and the impact of COVID-19 on the market. Additionally, it examines the regional developments and the strategies undertaken by the market's key players.

Regional Insights

Incorporation of Government Regulations and Mining Standards to Fuel Growth in U.S.

The U.S. is expected to dominate the hydraulic fracturing market share because of industry standards and favorable federal regulations. The market in the U.S. stood at USD 9.12 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow positively in the upcoming years. Further, the huge potential for oil production, tight gas reserve, shale gas reserve, and natural gas is expected to boost hydraulic fracturings adoption. In addition, consistent investments and upcoming development are expected to boost market development in the U.S.

In China, oil & gas manufacturers actively work on the extraction of natural gas from shale rock formations, which, in turn, may boost hydraulic fracturings adoption. Governments encourage domestic national oil companies (NOCs) to boost their foreign and domestic contribution in the exploration and production (E&P) sector, which, in turn, may boost investments and production. These factors may propel the industry growth in the country.

Countries such as Brazil, the UAE, China, Australia, Russia, Argentina, and Canada adopt hydraulic fracturing to boost the exploration of energy reserves. Government initiatives, policies, regulations, and investments may support the adoption of hydraulic fracturing in countries, thus boosting the market growth.





Quick Buy - Hydraulic Fracturing Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/100419





Industry Development:

December 2020: Schlumberger contributed its onshore fracturing business to Liberty Oilfield Services Inc. in Canada and the U.S. The contribution consisted of pump-down perforating, Permian frac sand business, and pressure pumping.

List of Key Players Profiled in the Hydraulic Fracturing Market Report

Schlumberger (U.S.)

Baker Hughes, a GE Company (U.S.)

Weatherford (U.S.)

Halliburton (U.S.)

FTS International (U.S.)

BJ Services (U.S.)

Cudd Energy Services (U.S.)

ProPetro Holding Corp. (U.S.)

Calfrac Well Services (Canada)

Liberty Oilfield Services (U.S.)

Trican Well Services Ltd. (Canada)

Basic Energy Services (U.S.)

Superior Energy Services (U.S.)

RockPile Energy Services (U.S.)





Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/hydraulic-fracturing-market-100419





Global Hydraulic Fracturing Market Segments Covered :

By Well Type:

Horizontal

Vertical

By Technology:

Plug & Perf

Sliding Sleeve

By Application:

Onshore

Offshore

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)





Get your Customized Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/hydraulic-fracturing-market-100419





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 to 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
Dublin, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Smart Glass Market (2021-2026) by Technology Type, Mode of Control Type, End-Use Type, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Smart Glass Market is estimated to be USD 11.02 Bn in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 14.66 Bn by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.87%.



Market Dynamics

The Global Smart Glass Market is driving due to the growing demand for smart glass in various automobiles, aviation, transportation, constructions, etc. The price reduction of electrochromic materials includes a decrease in maintenance cost with optimal energy saving through smart glass applications that drive the market's growth.

Additionally, increasing government support and mandate regulations for energy-efficient construction solutions are fuelling the market's growth. On the other hand, high costs associated with smart glass, especially in high-end and luxury vehicles, and technical issues may affect the smart glass performance. These are the factors restricting the growth of the market.



Furthermore, the emergence of eco-friendly buildings, growing demand for energy-efficient products, raising solar power generation plants & unconventional power sources, and tapping potential avenues will create opportunities for the market to grow in the forecasted period. Moreover, the high cost associated with an initial investment to perform research and development activities and manufacturing and lack of awareness of the long-term benefits of smart glass are the challenges that may negatively affect the global smart glass market.



Company Profiles

Some of the companies covered in this report are AGC, Inc, Compagnie de Saint-Gobin S.A., Corning Incorporated, Gentex Corporation, Glass Apps LLC, Nuclear Suppliers Group, Pleotint LLC, Research Frontiers, Showa Denko Materials Co Ltd, and View, Inc, etc.



Countries Studied

America (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, United States, Rest of Americas)

Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Rest of Europe)

Middle-East and Africa (Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Rest of MEA)

Asia-Pacific (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes a Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Smart Glass Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's competitive positioning tool.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description



2 Research Methodology

3 Executive Summary



4 Market Influencers

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Growing Demand for Smart Glass in Various Applications

4.1.2 Price Reduction with Optimal Energy Saving

4.1.3 Increasing Government Support and Mandate Legislations

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 High Cost Associated with Smart Glass

4.2.2 Poor Performance Due to Technical Issue

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 The emergence of Eco-Friendly Buildings

4.3.2 Growing Demand for Energy Efficient Products

4.3.3 Rising Solar Power Generation Plants

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 High Cost Associated with Manufacturing and R&D Activities

4.4.2 Lack of Awareness related to Benefits of Smart Glass



5 Market Analysis

5.1 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.2 Impact of COVID-19

5.3 Ansoff Matrix Analysis



6 Global Smart Glass Market, By Technology Type

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Active Glass

6.2.1 Electrochromic Glass

6.2.2 Liquid Crystals (L.C.s)

6.2.3 Polymers Dispersed Liquid Crystals (PDLCs) Glass

6.2.4 Micro-Blinds

6.2.5 Nanocrystals

6.2.6 Suspended Particle Displays (SPD)

6.3 Passive Glass

6.3.1 Photochromic Glass

6.3.2 Thermochromic Glass

6.4 Others

6.4.1 Photovoltaic And OLED Lighting

6.4.2 3D Gorilla Glass

6.4.3 Smart Controls



7 Global Smart Glass Market, By Mode of Control Type

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Dimmer

7.3 Remote

7.4 Switches

7.5 Others



8 Global Smart Glass Market, By End-Use Type

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Architectural

8.2.1 Commercial

8.2.2 Corporate

8.2.3 Educational Buildings

8.2.4 Healthcare and Lab Facilities

8.2.5 Retail

8.2.6 Residential

8.3 Transportation

8.3.1 Automotive

8.3.1.1 Bus/Rail

8.3.1.2 Rear View Mirrors

8.3.1.3 Sunroofs

8.3.1.4 Windows

8.3.1.5 Windshields

8.3.2 Aerospace

8.3.2.1 Dimmable Windows

8.3.2.2 Exit Doors

8.3.3 Marine

8.3.3.1 Windows

8.3.3.2 Skylight

8.3.4 Power Generation Plant (Solar)

8.3.5 Consumer Electronics and Others

8.3.5.1 Museum Artwork Exposition

8.3.5.2 Sunglasses

8.3.5.3 Others



9 Global Smart Glass Market, By Geography

10 Competitive Landscape

10.1 Competitive Quadrant

10.2 Market Share Analysis

10.3 Strategic Initiatives

10.3.1 M&A and Investments

10.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations

10.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements



11 Company Profiles

11.1 AGC, Inc

11.2 AGP America S.A.

11.3 America Insulated Glass, LLC

11.4 Bowers Group

11.5 Central Glass Co Ltd

11.6 ChromeGenics AB

11.7 Chorum Technologies, Inc

11.8 Compagnie de Saint-Gobin S.A.

11.9 Coring Incorporated

11.10 Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co Ltd

11.11 Gauzy Ltd

11.12 Gentex Corporation

11.13 Glass Apps LLC

11.14 Kinestral Technologies, Inc

11.15 Miru Smart Technologies

11.16 Nippon Steel Glass Co Ltd

11.17 Nuclear Suppliers Group

11.18 Pleotint LLC

11.19 PPG Industries, Inc

11.20 PGW Auto Glass, LLC

11.21 RavenWindow

11.22 Research Frontiers

11.23 Scienstry

11.24 Showa Denko Materials Co Ltd

11.25 Smartglass Internationals

11.26 Smart Films International

11.27 SPD Control Systems Corporation

11.28 Taiwan Glass Group

11.29 VELUX Group

11.30 View, Inc

11.31 Vitrum Glass Group

11.32 Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited



12 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uefkai

Attachment
Dublin, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Coco Coir Market (2022-2027) by Products, Application, End-User, Geography, Competitive Analysis and the Impact of Covid-19 with Ansoff Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Global Coco Coir Market is estimated to be USD 382.2 Mn in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 577.35 Mn by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.6%.



Market Dynamics

Market dynamics are forces that impact the prices and behaviors of the Global Coco Coir Market stakeholders. These forces create pricing signals which result from the changes in the supply and demand curves for a given product or service. Forces of Market Dynamics may be related to macro-economic and micro-economic factors. There are dynamic market forces other than price, demand, and supply. Human emotions can also drive decisions, influence the market, and create price signals.



As the market dynamics impact the supply and demand curves, decision-makers aim to determine the best way to use various financial tools to stem various strategies for speeding the growth and reducing the risks.

Company Profiles

The report provides a detailed analysis of the competitors in the market. It covers the financial performance analysis for the publicly listed companies in the market. The report also offers detailed information on the companies' recent development and competitive scenario. Some of the companies covered in this report are Pilipinas Ecofiber Corp, Universal Coco Indonesia, FibreDust LLC, Pelemix Ltd., Argo Real Estate LLC., Selvam Coco Tech, SMS Exporters, RA Coir Exports, Kumaran Fibres, Allwin Coir, Vaighai, Thiraviyam Coco Products, Nelsun Coir (P) ltd, Sri Jayanti Coirs, Eco Coir World, Thuran Coir Mills, Classic Coir,, etc.



Countries Studied

America (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, United States, Rest of - Americas)

Europe (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Rest of - Europe)

Middle-East and Africa (Egypt, Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Rest of MEA.

Asia-Pacific (Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Taiwan, Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Competitive Quadrant

The report includes Competitive Quadrant, a proprietary tool to analyze and evaluate the position of companies based on their Industry Position score and Market Performance score. The tool uses various factors for categorizing the players into four categories. Some of these factors considered for analysis are financial performance over the last 3 years, growth strategies, innovation score, new product launches, investments, growth in market share, etc.

Ansoff Analysis

The report presents a detailed Ansoff matrix analysis for the Global Coco Coir Market. Ansoff Matrix, also known as Product/Market Expansion Grid, is a strategic tool used to design strategies for the growth of the company. The matrix can be used to evaluate approaches in four strategies viz. Market Development, Market Penetration, Product Development and Diversification. The matrix is also used for risk analysis to understand the risk involved with each approach.



The analyst analyses Global Coco Coir Market using the Ansoff Matrix to provide the best approaches a company can take to improve its market position.



Based on the SWOT analysis conducted on the industry and industry players, the analyst has devised suitable strategies for market growth.



Why buy this report?

The report offers a comprehensive evaluation of the Global Coco Coir Market. The report includes in-depth qualitative analysis, verifiable data from authentic sources, and projections about market size. The projections are calculated using proven research methodologies.

The report has been compiled through extensive primary and secondary research. The primary research is done through interviews, surveys, and observation of renowned personnel in the industry.

The report includes an in-depth market analysis using Porter's 5 forces model and the Ansoff Matrix. In addition, the impact of Covid-19 on the market is also featured in the report.

The report also includes the regulatory scenario in the industry, which will help you make a well-informed decision. The report discusses major regulatory bodies and major rules and regulations imposed on this sector across various geographies.

The report also contains the competitive analysis using Positioning Quadrants, the analyst's competitive positioning tool.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Report Description



2 Research Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Market Dynamics

4.1 Drivers

4.1.1 Increase in Demand for Coir in Farming and Geotextile Industry

4.1.2 Government Initiatives to Promote Horticulture

4.1.3 A Surge in Demand for Eco-Friendly Products

4.2 Restraints

4.2.1 Huge Expenditure for Research and Development

4.3 Opportunities

4.3.1 Coco Coir Helps in Preventing Environmental Awareness

4.3.2 Growing Demand for Hydroponic Vegetables & Fruits

4.4 Challenges

4.4.1 Use of Synthetic Based Products



5 Market Analysis

5.1 Regulatory Scenario

5.2 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Ansoff Matrix Analysis



6 Global Coco Coir Market, By Products

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Coco Coir Grow Bags

6.3 Bales

6.4 Coir Material

6.5 Open Tops

6.6 Blends & Loose Substrate

6.7 Others(Fibre, Non-Woven Products, Coir Pith)



7 Global Coco Coir Market, By Application

7.1 Introduction

7.2 Rope and Cordage

7.3 Coco Nets and Twines

7.4 Stitched Mats

7.5 Coconut Meals

7.6 Husk

7.7 Other (Mattings ,Rug)



8 Global Coco Coir Market, By End-User

8.1 Introduction

8.2 Residential

8.3 Commercial

8.3.1 .Agriculture

8.3.2 .Horticulture

8.3.3 .Green House



9 Americas' Coco Coir Market

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Argentina

9.3 Brazil

9.4 Canada

9.5 Chile

9.6 Colombia

9.7 Mexico

9.8 Peru

9.9 United States

9.10 Rest of Americas



10 Europe's Coco Coir Market

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Austria

10.3 Belgium

10.4 Denmark

10.5 Finland

10.6 France

10.7 Germany

10.8 Italy

10.9 Netherlands

10.10 Norway

10.11 Poland

10.12 Russia

10.13 Spain

10.14 Sweden

10.15 Switzerland

10.16 United Kingdom

10.17 Rest of Europe



11 Middle East and Africa's Coco Coir Market

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Egypt

11.3 Israel

11.4 Qatar

11.5 Saudi Arabia

11.6 South Africa

11.7 United Arab Emirates

11.8 Rest of MEA



12 APAC's Coco Coir Market

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Australia

12.3 Bangladesh

12.4 China

12.5 India

12.6 Indonesia

12.7 Japan

12.8 Malaysia

12.9 Philippines

12.10 Singapore

12.11 South Korea

12.12 Sri Lanka

12.13 Thailand

12.14 Taiwan

12.15 Rest of Asia-Pacific



13 Competitive Landscape

13.1 Competitive Quadrant

13.2 Market Share Analysis

13.3 Strategic Initiatives

13.3.1 M&A and Investments

13.3.2 Partnerships and Collaborations

13.3.3 Product Developments and Improvements



14 Company Profiles

14.1 Pilipinas Ecofiber Corp

14.2 Universal Coco Indonesia

14.3 FibreDust LLC

14.4 Pelemix Ltd.

14.5 Argo Real Estate LLC.

14.6 Selvam Coco Tech

14.7 SMS Exporters

14.8 RA Coir Exports

14.9 Kumaran Fibres

14.10 Allwin Coir

14.11 Vaighai

14.12 Thiraviyam Coco Products

14.13 Nelsun Coir (P) ltd

14.14 Sri Jayanti Coirs

14.15 Eco Coir World

14.16 Thuran Coir Mills

14.17 Srimathi Exports

14.18 Natural Coir Industries

14.19 Lima Group Pelemix Ltd.

14.20 Consarc Pvt Ltd.

14.21 Bali Coco Fiber

14.22 Coco Green Pvt Ltd

14.23 Coast Coco

14.24 Geewin Exim

14.25 Sai Cocopeat Export Private Limited

14.26 MS Exporters

14.27 Benlion Coir Industries

14.28 Travancore Cocotuft

14.29 Classic Coir



15 Appendix



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kud8xc

Attachment
Highlights



Shallow high-grade feeder zone drilled at Twin Hills Central (THC) with intercept of 16m @ 3.78g/t within a wider zone of 43m @ 1.65g/t (OKD379)

High-grade feeder zone drilled at Clouds with intercept of 14m @ 3.23g/t within a wider zone of 45m @ 2.30g/t (OKD322B)

Other new results from THC, Bulge and Clouds include:



OKD328: 101m @ 0.82g/t (407-508m) incl. 67m @ 0.97g/t OKD366: 103m @ 0.94g/t (269-372m) incl. 19m @ 1.18g/t and 15m @ 1.98g/t OKD382: 163m @ 0.62g/t (241-404m) incl. 20m @ 1.07g/t OKD393: 101m @ 0.68g/t (367-468m) incl. 22m @ 1.31g/t OKD396: 106m @ 0.86g/t (228-334m) incl. 12m @ 1.65g/t

9,887m of drilling completed since MRE update to convert Inferred to Indicated ounces

Deep drilling at both THC and Clouds confirms that mineralization is present in two offset shoots with the lower shoot becoming wider and higher grade with depth

A grade control orientation block 100 x 50m in extent completed at THC at a drillhole spacing of 12m x 12m to inform on fine scale variability. Assays from this block include:



OKRG011: 42m @ 1.20g/t (15-57m) incl. 8m @ 1.40g/t, 7m @ 2.82g/t and 3m @ 3.78g/t OKRG015: 74m @ 1.02g/t (16-90m) incl. 27m @ 1.74g/t OKRG016: 53m @ 1.20g/t (18-71m) incl. 28m @ 1.72g/t and 3m @ 2.80g/t OKRG033: 42m @ 1.77g/t (50-92m) OKRG037: 90m @ 1.07g/t (39-129m) incl. 9m @ 3.48g/t OKRG040: 68m @ 1.24g/t (19-87m) incl. 31m @ 1.49g/t OKRG047: 46m @ 1.57g/t (41-87m) incl. 7m @ 2.59g/t



VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Osino Resources Corp. (TSXV:OSI) (FSE:RSR1) (OTCQX:OSIIF) ("Osino or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on current infill drilling to convert Inferred resources to Indicated and a block of grade control orientation holes at THC.

Twin Hills is an orogenic-style, sedimentary-hosted, structurally controlled gold project contemplated as an open pit, which Osino is fast-tracking through development. Osino recently published an updated resource estimate dated April 13, 2022, which included 2.1Moz in the Indicated category and 0.62Moz in the Inferred category. This resource is contained in three distinct deposits over a strike length of 6km.

Dave Underwood, Osinos VP Exploration commented: The current resource conversion drill program has produced additional exciting surprises at THC and Clouds with the discovery of high-grade feeder zones at both deposits. The existence of feeder zones has been postulated since the early days of discovery at Twin Hills, but the recent discovery of these two high-grade zones goes a long way to confirming the model. These zones indicate the underground potential for narrow high-grade zones at a later stage of the mine plan and further drilling has been planned to chase the feeders along strike and down plunge. We have also just completed an early and proactive grade control orientation drill program, based on the proposed starter pit at THC. The assay results from this program will be used to determine fine scale variability and test various estimation techniques for selective mining.

Infill Drilling at THC, Clouds and Bulge

Since the cut-off date for drill assays used in the updated mineral resource estimate, a total of 9,887m (6,945m DD and 2,942m RC) has been drilled at THC, Clouds and Bulge. This infill drill program is being carried out on a staggered 50m x 50m pattern resulting in an effective maximum drill spacing of approximately 32m to 35m. This current round of infill drilling is being undertaken with a view to converting a significant portion of the Inferred resource to the Indicated category.

Figure 1 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5a345cc-dca0-4cb3-a25c-865c568ff4f9

Hole OKD379 at THC (Figure 1) intersected a zone of high-grade mineralization from 96m (16m @ 3.78g/t) interpreted to be a feeder zone to the mineralization at THC. The cross section in Figure 2 indicates two en-echelon shoots of mineralization at THC with the feeder in OKD379 near the base of the upper (northern) shoot. This upper shoot pinches out at about 150m depth and the lower (southern) shoot increases in width from here down dip (Figure 2).

These high-grade shoots tend to plunge moderately or steeply, towards the northeast along the intersection lineation of the bedding and prominent northeast structures. Hole OKD355 (news release dated Feb 23, 2022) located 500m to the east of OKD379 intercepted a similar high-grade zone (34m @ 3.65g/t) interpreted to be the feeder for a separate deeper zone of mineralization at THC (Figure 1).

Hole OKD322B at Clouds (Figures 1 and 3) also intersected a high-grade feeder zone (45m @ 2.30g/t incl. 14m @ 3.23g/t) similar in width and tenor to the THC shoots. The Clouds section on Figure 3 also clearly indicates that there are two en-echelon zones of mineralization here as well, although in this section they are separated by a small zone of barren ground. It is also evident that the lower (south) zone is increasing in width down dip.

Figure 2 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7a2925ff-34e2-48a8-8d48-7fe5cc453516

Figure 3 is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8fe523b3-828d-4869-96df-dfc5a31d8245

The infill drilling at Bulge continues to produce typical consistent 100 to 200m wide zones of lower grade mineralization with higher grade internal zones. A high-grade feeder has not been intercepted yet at Bulge but may be present at greater depths.

Grade Control Orientation Drilling

A total of 3,667m from 36 reverse circulation holes were completed for the grade control exercise within a block of 50 x 100m (Figure 1). These holes were drilled on 10-12m spacing and ranged from 50m to 150m in depth. Holes were planned to drill through the shallow mineralisation and were therefore orientated at 160 azimuth and 60 dip to follow the existing drill pattern (Figure 1).

The results of this program have now been received with all holes returning good assays as expected, and also better defining the boundaries of the ore envelope than with the wider spaced drilling. From a total of 36 grade control holes drilled, results of 20 holes contained more than 50 metre x g/t Au (m x g/t is a common shorthand method of displaying drill results by multiplying the length of the intercept with its grade). Detailed variability analysis of this area will be undertaken to inform the grade continuity of mineralisation and therefore the drill spacing needed to convert Indicated resources to the Measured category.

A review of different estimation methods will also be done on the block model and further verified against results from within this block. Ordinary Kriging estimation method is currently being applied to determine the resource at Twin Hills and can produce smoothed assessments in the results of the estimated resource. The conventional non-linear estimation method Uniform Conditioning (UC) estimates the tonnage and grade of mineralisation that can be recovered using the Selective Mining Unit (SMU) at the chosen cut-off value.

The Local Uniform Conditioning (LUC) method enhances the UC approach by calculating the mean grade of the grade class and assigns these mean grades to the SMU size blocks. These methods present the results in a more practical format, particularly for use in mine planning, therefore all these estimation methods and results need to be investigated.

A link to the updated intercept table is provided here

Notes on Drill Assay Reporting:

Total intercepts reported are unconstrained - all combined intercepts above 0.4g/t reported. GM values based on unconstrained intercepts. All reported intercepts are apparent widths rounded to the nearest meter. Included (incl.) intercepts are constrained at 0.4g/t cut-off, minimum 2m wide and no more that 2m internal dilution. True widths are unknown at this stage. Collar positions are in UTM WGS84 surveyed by digital GPS. The GM number indicated in column 8 in the intercept table is a commonly used short-hand method of representing gold grade (g/t) and unconstrained intercept width (m) as a single metric by multiplying the average intercept grade with the intercept width. The borehole collar color-coding in Figure 1 uses the same metric, with different colours according to the GM Class metric indicated in column 9 in intercept table.

Qualified Persons Statement

David Underwood, BSc. (Hons) is Vice President Exploration of Osino Resources Corp. and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release and is a registered Professional Natural Scientist with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Pr. Sci. Nat. No.400323/11) and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

About Osino Resources

Osino is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on the development of our Twin Hills gold discovery in central Namibia. The Twin Hills Gold Project is at an advanced stage of exploration with various advanced development studies underway with the aim of fast-tracking the project.

Osino has a large ground position of approximately 6,700km2 located within Namibias prospective Damara sedimentary mineral belt, mostly in proximity to and along strike of the producing Navachab and Otjikoto Gold Mines. The Company is actively advancing a range of gold prospects and targets along the belt by utilizing a portfolio approach geared towards discovery, targeting gold mineralization that fits the broad orogenic gold model.

Our core projects are favorably located north and north-west of Namibias capital city Windhoek. By virtue of their location, the projects benefit significantly from Namibias well-established infrastructure with paved highways, railway, power and water in close proximity. Namibia is mining-friendly and lauded as one of the continents most politically and socially stable jurisdictions.

Osino continues to evaluate new ground with a view to expanding our Namibian portfolio.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://osinoresources.com/

CONTACT INFORMATION

Osino Resources Corp.

Julia Becker: Investor Relations

Tel: +1 (604) 785 0850

jbecker@osinoresources.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds from the Company's recently completed financings, and the future plans or prospects of the Company, including prospects for economic recoverability of mineral resources. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis which is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Company does not undertake to update any forward- looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.
Pune, India, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The edtech and smart classroom market size was pegged at USD 88.82 billion in 2021. The market is estimated to rise from USD 101.64 billion in 2022 to USD 319.65 billion by 2029 at a 17.8% CAGR during the forecast period. Fortune Business Insights has deep-dived these inputs in its latest research report, titled, EdTech and Smart Classroom Market, 2022-2029.

According to the assessment, bullish investments in digital infrastructure will encourage leading companies to expand their penetration. Smart hardware solutions, such as interactive whiteboards and interactive projects, will gain considerable traction. Industry players are expected to prioritize mobile learning and smart classroom in the ensuing period.

Prominent Industry Development

May 2020  Microsoft Corporation joined hands with Taiwans Ministry of Education (MoE) to provide Office 365 and Microsoft Teams to boost remote learning.





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Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 CAGR 17.8% 2029 Value Projection USD 319.65 Billion Base Year 2021 EdTech and Smart Classroom Market Size in 2021 USD 88.82 Billion Historical Data for 2018 to 2020 No. of Pages 160 Segments covered Instructional Aid, Smart Classroom Hardware, Educational Tool, End-user and Geography EdTech and Smart Classroom Market Growth Drivers End-users Emphasize Mobile Learning to Overcome Coronavirus Challenges Mobile Learning to be Sought-after with Rising Trend for Online Learning Programs Interactive Whiteboards to Gain Traction from the E-learning Trend Learning Management Tools to be Trendier Due to Demand for AI-enabled Capabilities





End-users Emphasize Mobile Learning to Overcome Coronavirus Challenges

Mobile learning gained a notable uptick during the COVID-19 period with curriculum management software and communication platform witnessing a paradigm shift. Moreover, stakeholders have upped investments in education technology to expand the reach among low-income students. To illustrate, in 2020, an Indonesian cellular network operator, Telkomsel expressed contemplation in offering 500,000 smartphones to kids and 30GB of free data per month to users of Ruangguru, a K-12 learning app. Robust policies are likely to help edtech and smart classroom service companies surmount challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.





Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this Market:

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Report Coverage

The report offers a comprehensive perspective of the market size, share, revenue, and volume. It has also delved into Porters Five Force Analysis and SWOT analysis. Quantitative and qualitative assessments have been used to provide a holistic view of the market. The primary interviews validate assumptions, findings, and the prevailing business scenarios. The report also includes secondary resources such as annual reports, press releases, white papers, and journals.

Segments

Mobile Learning to be Sought-after with Rising Trend for Online Learning Programs

In terms of instructional aid, the market is segmented into mobile learning and smart classroom. The mobile learning segment will contribute notably toward the global market share on the back of increasing investments in online learning programs and distance learning programs. End-users will continue to invest in mobile learning owing to investments in advanced technology and internet penetration.













Interactive Whiteboards to Gain Traction from the E-learning Trend

Based on smart classroom hardware, the market is segregated into interactive whiteboards, interactive projectors, and others. The interactive whiteboards segment will account for a significant share due to the rising footfall of e-learning across schools and colleges.

Learning Management Tools to be Trendier Due to Demand for AI-enabled Capabilities

With respect to educational tool, the market is fragmented into administration tools, admission automation tools, learning management tools, placement management tools, alumni management tools, library management tools, and others. The learning management tools segment will grow with the increasing integration of AI-enabled capabilities.

Higher Education Segment to Remain Dominant with Rising Investment in Edtech Technology

On the basis of end-user, the market covers kindergarten, K-12, and higher education. The higher education segment could expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period, partly due to bullish investments in education technology.

On the geographical ground, the market covers North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, South America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Drivers and Restraints

Buoyant Investments in Education Sector to Foster Growth Potentials

Stakeholders expect the edtech and smart classroom market share to gain considerable traction owing to the reduced cost of online learning material and rising investments in the education sector. Exponential growth in mobile penetration, along with a reduced cost of internet data, is poised to boot the investment portfolio. Investments in digital learning platforms will encourage leading companies to bolster their footprint across untapped areas. Prominently, steady demand for distance learning platforms will bode well for the business forecast. That said, soaring infrastructure costs and a potential shortage of technical skills could act as a bottleneck over the next few years.





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Regional Insights

North America to Remain at Helm with Rising Adoption of Technologically Advanced Solutions

North America is likely to provide promising growth opportunities following the expansion of universities and institutions across the U.S. and Canada. Notably, technologically advanced solutions have complemented the surge in mobile users. GSMA Intelligence claims that the number of mobile users in North America will reach 328 million by 2025. North America market size was pegged at USD 38.31 billion in 2021 and will witness a similar trend during the assessment period.

The Asia Pacific edtech and smart classroom market growth will be pronounced in the wake of bullish government policies across China, Japan, Australia, and India. Leading companies are likely to cash in on expanding smart learning platforms. Smart classrooms will continue to gain a footprint with major companies prioritizing interactive learning.

Europe is likely to account for a considerable share of the global market, partly due to the adoption of e-learning solutions. Educational institutions are poised to bank on the expansion of the education sector across the U.K., Russia, Germany, and France. Furthermore, education management tools will be highly sought-after with a rising footfall of AI-enabled devices.

Major Players Profiled in the Report:

SAP SE (Germany)

Apple Inc. (U.S.)

IBM Corporation (U.S.)

Alphabet Inc. (U.S.)

Cisco Systems Inc. (U.S.)

Amazon.com Inc. (U.S.)

Microsoft Corporation (U.S.)

SMART Technologies ULC (Canada)

Dell Inc. (U.S.)

Fujitsu Limited (Japan)





Quick Buy - EdTech and Smart Classroom Market Research Report:

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Major Table of Contents:

Global EdTech and Smart Classroom Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2018-2029 Key Findings By Instructional Aids (USD) Smart Classroom Mobile Learning By Smart Classroom Hardware (USD) Interactive Projectors Interactive Whiteboards Others By Educational Tools (USD) Admission Automation Tools Administration Tools Learning Management Tools Alumni Management Tools Placement Management Tools Library Management Tools Others By End-User (USD) Higher Education K-12 Kindergarten By Region (USD) North America South America Europe Middle East & Africa Asia Pacific

North America EdTech and Smart Classroom Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2018-2029 Key Findings By Instructional Aids (USD) Smart Classroom Mobile Learning By Smart Classroom Hardware (USD) Interactive Projectors Interactive Whiteboards Others By Educational Tools (USD) Admission Automation Tools Administration Tools Learning Management Tools Alumni Management Tools Placement Management Tools Library Management Tools Others By End-User (USD) Higher Education K-12 Kindergarten By Country (USD) United States By End-User Canada By End-User Mexico By End-User

South America EdTech and Smart Classroom Market Size Estimates and Forecasts, By Segments, 2018-2029 Key Findings By Instructional Aids (USD) Smart Classroom Mobile Learning By Smart Classroom Hardware (USD) Interactive Projectors Interactive Whiteboards Others By Educational Tools (USD) Admission Automation Tools Administration Tools Learning Management Tools Alumni Management Tools Placement Management Tools Library Management Tools Others By End-User (USD) Higher Education K-12 Kindergarten By Country (USD) Brazil By End-User Argentina By End-User Rest of South America



TOC Continued!





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HUTCHINSON, Kan., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What started as a small hobby website, CalcuNation.com is now a source of funds for those trying to improve their lives.

Jon Richardson, founder of CalcuNation.com, started the website in 2011. At that time, Jon was traveling a lot for work, and spent many evenings in hotel rooms. To pass the time, he started creating online calculators and put them together as a website. While he admits he's not the best at creating websites, it's an interesting hobby. Now, after 10 years, the website has developed some revenue from ads placed on the site.

With these funds, a scholarship and grant program has been created to help put this money to use. While scholarships for college or vocational schools may seem commonplace, there are also funds available for those recovering from addiction and for teachers looking for help with school supplies.

More information can be found at:

www.calcunation.com/scholarship.php

Email: contact@calcunation.com

Related Images











Image 1: CalcuNation.com Scholarships





Scholarships and grants from CalcuNation.com









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
New York, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Beverage Flavoring System Market Research Report by Ingredient, Beverage Type, Type, Origin, Form, Region - Global Forecast to 2027 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06260965/?utm_source=GNW



The Global Beverage Flavoring System Market size was estimated at USD 4,259.80 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 4,544.67 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a CAGR 6.86% to reach USD 6,344.32 million by 2027.



Market Statistics:

The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR, JPY, GBP, AUD, CAD, and CHF. It helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. In this report, the years 2019 and 2020 are considered historical years, 2021 as the base year, 2022 as the estimated year, and years from 2023 to 2027 are considered the forecast period.



Market Segmentation & Coverage:

This research report categorizes the Beverage Flavoring System to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets:



Based on Ingredient, the market was studied across Flavor Carrier, Flavor Enhancer, and Flavoring Agent.



Based on Beverage Type, the market was studied across Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic. The Non-Alcoholic is further studied across Carbonated Soft Drink, Dairy-Based Beverage, Fruit & Vegetable-Based Juice, and Functional Drink.



Based on Type, the market was studied across Chocolates & Browns, Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables, and Herbs & Botanical.



Based on Origin, the market was studied across Artificial, Natural, and Nature-Identical.



Based on Form, the market was studied across Dry and Liquid.



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 Beverage Flavoring System 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 Beverage Flavoring System 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 Beverage Flavoring System Market, including Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Inc., Dohler, Firmenich, Givaudan, International Flavors and Fragrances, Kerry, MANE, Sensient Technologies, and Tate & Lyle.



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 Beverage Flavoring System Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Beverage Flavoring System Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Beverage Flavoring System Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Beverage Flavoring System Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Beverage Flavoring System Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Beverage Flavoring System Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Beverage Flavoring System Market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06260965/?utm_source=GNW



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ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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Inaugural Board Includes Prominent Business and Technology Executive



BLUE ISLAND, Ill., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovative MedTech, Inc. (the Company) (OTC: IMTH), a provider of health and wellness services, today announced the creation of an external advisory board (the Board) comprised of an initial thought leader in finance and technology, to provide advice and guidance to facilitate growth and innovation at the Company.

The Company also announced that its first advisor appointed to the Board is Ronald Schreiber, a Special Partner in SBNY (SoftBank New York), a venture capital firm.

The Company is incredibly proud and honored to partner with such a highly-respected leader in his field, said Michael Friedman, President of the Company. We believe that as we build our Board, we will find leaders like Mr. Schreiber who have the depth of experience, vision and valuable deal sourcing networks to support our team as we continue to innovate and adapt to changing market needs. We believe that our Board members can bring their years of experience in their respective industries, and challenge our thinking in new ways, as we continue to strive to be an innovator.

Mr. Friedman continued, I am excited about the opportunity ahead of us, especially with our new Board. I believe they will play a key role in accelerating our innovation plans and propelling our growth strategy forward. We are looking to inviting other prominent thought leaders with experience in different sectors onto our Board.

Mr. Schreiber said, I am very interested in the mission of Innovative MedTech, to serve the under-served communities. Developing services that have significant benefits is important and is something that I feel very strongly about and where I am eager to contribute my time and energy. I look forward to advancing the mission of IMTH to the best of my abilities.

Mr. Schreiber was one of the sellers of RX Vitality, Inc., which the Company acquired on or about April 28, 2022.

Ronald Schreiber

Mr. Schreiber is a Special Partner of SBNY (SoftBank New York), a Venture Capital Firm. Mr. Schreiber was also a partner at SoftBank Capital prior to SBNY and has been a Partner for the early stage investing team at SoftBank since 1999. Mr. Schreiber was co-CEO and Chairman of Softbank Services Group which is now SITEL Worldwide. Mr. Schreiber was the founder and CEO of Software Distribution Services, which today is Ingram Micro. Mr. Schreiber serves as Co-Managing Partner of Z80 Labs, a Technology Accelerator Fund and also sits on the 43North Foundation board. Mr. Schreiber serves on the boards of many to the portfolio companies of the various investment funds and early stage incubator activities.

About Innovative MedTech, Inc.

Innovative MedTech, Inc. is a provider of health and wellness services, and has two divisions: RX Vitality digital wallet and health care app under development, and its wholly owned subsidiary SarahCare, an adult day care center franchisor with 2 corporate owned centers and 26 franchise locations across the United States. SarahCare offers seniors daytime care and activities ranging from exercise and medical needs daily to nursing care and salon services. For more information, please visit: https://innovativemedtechinc.com, and https://sarahcare.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are not guarantees of future performance and are based on certain assumptions and reflect management's current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations and are subject to change at any time. Some of these factors include: general global economic conditions; general industry and market conditions, sector changes and growth rates; uncertainty as to whether our strategies and business plans will yield the expected benefits; increasing competition; availability and cost of capital; the ability to identify, develop and achieve commercial success; the level of expenditures necessary to maintain and improve the quality of services; changes in the economy; changes in laws and regulations, including codes and standards, intellectual property rights, and tax matters; or other matters not anticipated; our ability to secure and maintain strategic relationships and distribution agreements. These and other important factors may cause the Companys actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance, achievements or plans expressed or implied by these 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.

Media inquiries:

Michael Friedman

708-925-9424

ir@innovativemedtechinc.com
A girl distributes sweets during Eid al-Fitr in Amman, Jordan on May 2, 2022. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

CAIRO, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Muslims in the Middle East are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important festivals of the year.

Meaning "festival of breaking the fast," Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. The exact date to start Eid al-Fitr depends on a confirmed first sight of the new moon, which may vary from country to country.

During the holiday, Muslims across the Mideast region celebrate with communal prayers, wearing festive clothes, having big meals with families and friends, exchanging gifts, and supporting charity, among others.

Muslims perform Eid al-Fitr prayers in Amman, Jordan on May 2, 2022. (Photo by Mohammad Abu Ghosh/Xinhua)

An Egyptian family enjoys sweets while celebrating the Eid al-Fitr at home in Cairo, Egypt on May 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

Children hold balloons while celebrating the Eid al-Fitr in Cairo, Egypt on May 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

A family celebrates the Muslim fast-breaking festival of Eid al-Fitr in Istanbul, Turkey on May 2, 2022. (Xinhua/Shadati)

A sweet maker arranges sweets for display in Damascus, Syria on April 27, 2022 before the Eid al-Fitr. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)
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Toronto, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Pizza Nova celebrates the start of its 23rd annual Thats Amore Pizza for Kids campaign in support of Variety - The Childrens Charity of Ontario. Fifty cents from each dip purchased in May will be donated to support childrens programming. Longstanding partners  Pizza Nova and Variety Ontario  kicked off their campaign today at Variety Village in Scarborough, Ontario, in the company of some of the charitys brand ambassadors.

Pizza almost always puts a smile on the face of children, said Domenic Primucci, president of Pizza Nova. But were learning that dips are not far behind when it comes to enjoyment and popularity. Were as committed to Variety today as we were when we first connected more than 23 years ago. We encourage everyone to add a dip to their order and support the campaign and ultimately the kids.

Pizza Nova is also launching an exclusive homemade Dill & Chive dip, to support the campaign. Last year, the campaign raised more than $200,000, bringing the total funds donated by Pizza Nova to Variety to well over $2 million.

We could not be more thankful and grateful for Pizza Novas support over the years, said Karen Stintz, President and CEO of Variety. Their support speaks for itself but, beyond that, its the personal commitment that their leadership, franchisees and staff show us each year that leaves us almost speechless.

For more than 70 years, Variety has helped generations of people come together to find support, get healthier and make friends for life. This years event will not only raise funding for programming but will generate awareness on the importance of breaking down barriers to participation and fostering accessibility and inclusiveness for kids and their families across Ontario.

Although many of our activities were restricted over the past few years, the support weve received from Pizza Nova has not stopped  not for a minute, said Stintz.

About Pizza Nova

Founded in 1963, Toronto-based Pizza Nova is a family-operated business and has over 140 locations in Southern Ontario. The first franchised Pizza Nova opened in 1969, and since then, Pizza Nova and the Primucci family have helped hundreds of families own and operate their own Pizza Nova store. Even with a network of over 140 stores, Pizza Nova still operates under the simple mandate of serving the best food possible. We do that by not only sourcing the freshest, locally grown ingredients, but also using the best recipes and traditional preparation methods. We invite you to Taste the Difference. For more information about Pizza Nova, visit pizzanova.com and follow @pizzanova on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

About Variety the Childrens Charity Ontario

For 73 years Variety- The Children's Charity of Ontario has made a significant impact on the lives of children and youth with disabilities and their families in the greater Toronto area at Variety Village and throughout the province. Varietys specialized programs and services have supported its promise to improve the quality of life and integration into society of all children, regardless of ability. Varietys kids are breaking down societal barriers every single day by showcasing their abilities at Variety Village and in their own communities. Visit www.varietyontario.ca

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New York, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New York  The Blinc Group, Inc., the regulatory-focused designer, and provider of premium, customized, and bespoke vaporizer technologies, is pleased to announce that cannabis industry veteran Pete Sahani has joined the companys executive team as their new Chief Operating Officer.

Pete is joining the Blinc Group family at a time when weve had 134% growth in revenue and 77% growth in new clients this past year. Our business has come out of the darkness of the recent pandemic in great form and we needed someone with his passion and foresight to help keep up this tremendous momentum, said Arnaud Dumas de Rauly, CEO and co-founder of the Blinc Group.

This is an organization that focuses on true innovation supported by a robust IP portfolio and its own technical and operations team with Blinc Group China. They have a tremendous opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the cannabis industry. Many in our space talk about innovation but very few actually demonstrate this on a daily basis. Through this endeavor I hope to leave my mark on this industry while building a sustainable legacy, said Pete Sahani, new COO of the Blinc Group.

Sahanis experience in the cannabis industry is deep and varied, beginning with his exposure to the industry while attending college in Humboldt, CA. He has held leadership positions in

operations infrastructure and supply chain functions at leading companies including: VP of Global Sourcing at Greenlane; Director of Operations at a vertically integrated Multi-state Operator (MSO) interim COO at a manufacturer of premium vaporization hardware; and, most recently, Senior Director of Operations & Supply Chain at Calyx Containers.

As Blincs Chief Operating Officer, Sahani brings more than 25 years of global operations management, global supply chain and sourcing expertise, honed while living and working in diverse cultural environments including Japan, China and India.

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About the Blinc Group

Headquartered in New York City, The Blinc Group designs, develops, supplies, and supports premium cannabis vaping hardware. The company offers a curated collection of proven cartridges, batteries, ready to use vaporizers, and complete bespoke device development to major multi-state operators, licensed producers, and brands. Blinc completes the value chain by providing its clients access to a suite of support services ranging from research and development, production, testing, standard operating procedures, training and all the way to go-to-market strategy and brand communications consulting. With full control of the supply chain, the companys unique Powered by Blinc process enables clients to provide innovative, safe, and quality-controlled products to cannabis consumers worldwide.
MCLEAN, Va., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE:HII) has been awarded two tactical training systems contracts by the Naval Air Warfare Center China Lake. The first contract, for aircrew electronic warfare tactical training, is a multiple-award, indefinite quantity/indefinite delivery (IDIQ) contract with a total ceiling value of $249 million. The second contract, for tactical integrated threat/target training systems, is also a multiple-award, IDIQ contract with a total ceiling value of $92 million. Both contracts have a five-year continuous ordering period.



Under these contracts, HII will have the opportunity to bid on task orders to provide research, development, engineering, sustainment, upgrades, integration, testing and cybersecurity for the U.S. Navys tactical and electronic warfare threat systems and tactical threat systems.

For more than 20 years, HII has been dedicated to the Navys training missions, providing expertise in Live, Virtual, Constructive (LVC) cutting edge software, modeling and simulation, engineering, systems integration, networking and virtual technology, as well as large-scale operations and maintenance, said Glenn Goodman, president of LVC Solutions business group within HIIs Mission Technologies division. It is imperative our nations training environments provide real world mission rehearsal support for our warfighters, and we look forward to continuing to provide the Navy with world class support to the mission.





A photo accompanying this news release is available at: https://newsroom.hii.com/releases/hii-awarded-tactical-training-system.

HII has a strong history of developing immersive aviation trainers in support of the Navy, receiving the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Commanders Award for Team Performance and the Naval Air Systems Command Commanders Award in Simulation and Training. HII is the prime contractor on the Navy Integrated Training Environment contract to combine operations of live training ranges with the virtual and constructive environment. HII also provides F-15 fighter jet aircrew training for the U.S. Air National Guard and more recently completed the first ever contractor-owned, contractor-operated aircrew training for U.S. Air Forces in Europe/Air Forces Africa.

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, 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

Greg McCarthy

(202) 302-1202

greg.j.mccarthy@hii-co.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e04ba2ad-c48b-4084-b8a4-070bfab6a1a6
TORONTO, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprott Inc. (NYSE:SII) (TSX:SII) (Sprott) will host a conference call on Friday, May 6, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its 2022 first quarter results. The Company plans to release its financial results at 7:00 a.m. ET the same day.



Conference Call Details

To participate in the call, please dial (855) 458-4215 ten minutes prior to the scheduled start of the call and provide conference ID 54907466. A taped replay of the conference call will be available until Friday, May 13, 2022 by calling (855) 859-2056, reference number 54907466. The conference call will be webcast live at www.sprott.com and https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/g8fqgbqt

About Sprott

Sprott is a global leader in precious metal and real asset investments. We are specialists. Our in-depth knowledge, experience and relationships separate us from the generalists. Our investment strategies include Exchange Listed Products, Managed Equities, Private Strategies and Brokerage. Sprott has offices in Toronto, New York and London and the companys common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol (SII). For more information, please visit www.sprott.com.

Investor contact information: (416) 943-4394 or ir@sprott.com.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The IEOM Society, an international organization of industrial engineers and operation management professionals, will hold its 7th North American Conference in Orlando, Florida, June 12-14, 2022. The venue is the Holiday Inn and Suites across from Universal Studio. The host is Florida Polytechnic University in collaboration with University of Central Florida. The conference chairs are Dr. Shahram Taj, Chair and Professor, Department of Data Science and Business Analytics, Dr. Ahmad Elshennawy, Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, and Dr. Ahad Ali, Associate Professor of LTU and Executive Director of IEOM Society. Some of the featured keynote speakers at the event are Dr. Randy Advent, President, Florida Polytechnic University, Dr. Kay M. Stanney, CEO and Founder, Design Interactive, Inc. Member, National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and Ms. Jessica Ascough, Chief Software Architect, L3 Harris Technologies, IEOM Society President, Dr. Hamid Parsaei said that he was delighted to announce that Amatrol Corporation and its President and CEO, Paul Perkins is sponsoring the Curriculum Innovation Development Award. Dr. Sagit Kedem-Yemini of Safir Academic College, Israel, and Dr. Tali Freed of California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo are the 2022 recipients. They will be recognized at the conference Award Ceremony on June 14.

The 6th IEOM Society North American Conference was held in Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Luz Maria Valdez-de la Rosa of University of Monterrey, Mexico was conference chair and Dr. Jose Benito Flores-Juarez, Dean of School of Engineering and Technologies University of Monterrey, Mexico was the Honorary Chair. Dr. Flores-Juarez is the former President of the American Society of Quality (ASQ). The host of this event is the School of Engineering and Technologies of the University of Monterrey (UDEM). In addition, it has important co-organizers such as UDEMs Business School, School of Accounting and Management (FACPYA) from Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL), Tecnologico de Monterrey, Automotive Cluster of Nuevo Leon (CLAUT), and Latin American Network of Research in Energy and Vehicles (RELIEVE).

The IEOM Society International is a premier organization of professionals who are committed to enhancing the use and implementation of industrial engineering to increase operational effectiveness and productivity around the world. It operates in more than 100 countries of which many are considered underdeveloped. As a student-centered organization, we have nearly 160 chapters in 54 countries. Each year the organization holds conferences in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. IEOM publishes its peer-reviewed International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management with Emerald.





Director of Communications

IEOM Society International

Southfield, Michigan, USA

313-300-4950

donreimer@ieomsociety.org
Washington, DC, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission) issued its Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) Report for Compliance Year 2021 to the D.C. Council. This years report, now available for public review, noted the significant expansion of RPS-certified solar facilities despite challenges stemming from the pandemic and other market fluctuations. Within the compliance year, the Commission approved a total of 2,337 new solar energy systems for the RPS program, including 2,077 District systems of which 82 were community renewable energy facilities (CREFs). The Commission has certified 10,013 solar energy systems in the District, as of year-end 2021, representing 154.7 megawatts of capacity. Of these District solar energy systems, 219 were CREFsan increase of 210 RPS-certified CREFs since 2018. The report notes a total of 12,955 solar energy systems certified for RPS. Other highlights from the report include:

Exceeding the estimated solar capacity of 182.3 MW required to meet the 2.5 percent solar requirement for 2021 with total RPS certified solar capacity of 191.8 MW at year-end 2021;

Assisting the growth of CREFs by finalizing a rulemaking that capped distribution system upgrade cost-sharing to an allocation at $500,000 per year. Subject to availability of funds, individual projects were capped at $25,000, or 50% of the upgrade costs;

Considering distribution system upgrade cost-sharing for non-CREFs in a rulemaking;

Requiring Pepco to stand up and maintain a public interconnection queue to foster transparency, accountability, and overall interconnection process efficiency. This new online feature went live in late February 2022 and allows developers and customers to view information such as facility capacity, fuel type, and status of the application; and

Growth in solar energy facilities certified for the RPS program continued in the first quarter of 2022, with 720 new systems added (including 42 CREFs)

We are proud of progress that has occurred over the past year. The Commission remains committed to working with District leadership, as well as the community, to meet our renewable energy goals. We look forward to continuing to support and enhance the Districts aggressive climate goals, said Interim Chairman Emile C. Thompson. Chairman Thompson recently testified before the Committee on Business and Economic Development where he confirmed the Commissions focus on reduction of greenhouse gas and other harmful emissions in FY2022 and FY2023.

Every year, the Commission is required to provide an update on the status of RPS implementation. The report includes data on the number of renewable energy generators approved by the Commission and the availability of renewable resources in the District. The report also includes the number of renewable energy credits (RECs) retired by the electricity suppliers to meet the RPS requirements. The report also provides data on the compliance fees paid by electricity suppliers that did not acquire enough RECs or solar RECs to meet the RPS requirements. This RPS report fulfills the reporting requirements outlined in the Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard Act as amended by the CleanEnergy DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018.
TORONTO, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Toronto Police Association deputed at the monthly meeting of the Toronto Police Services Board on bail reform and other legislative changes that would help curb gun and gang violence.



Following a report by Chief of Police James Ramer, Toronto Police Association Jon Reid presented three points for legislative change:

The creation of a new criminal code offence specifically for breaching a conditional release because, while the new charges may fall within the criminal code, the breach itself is not considered criminal,





Enhanced reporting mechanisms for our justice system partners in the parole system; specifically, for a supervising entity to be obligated to report breaches of conditional release thereby enhancing offender and institutional accountability, and



Reform to the bail process, specifically the concept of just cause - to ensure attendance in court, the protection or safety of the public, and maintaining confidence in the administration of justice  to be considered as three separate grounds, independent from each other and each sufficient on its own to justify detention.



The presentation to the Police Services Board follows the efforts of the Association in Ottawa the week of April 25, 2022, where Police Associations from across Canada participated in multi-day meetings with Members of Parliament, coordinated by the Canadian Police Association.

The Toronto Police Association supports the efforts of its members in intelligence-led, strategic operations as well as in the various intervention and prevention initiatives, including a comprehensive Gun and Gang Strategy Framework, said Reid. However, the tireless efforts of our members need to be supported by meaningful changes in legislation.

To read the full deputation of the Toronto Police Association, see below.

Toronto Police Association

The Toronto Police Association represents approximately 8,000 full-time and part-time uniform and civilian members of the Toronto Police Service. Our members include frontline police officers, criminal investigators, community response officers, parking enforcement officers, communications operators, court officers, civilian specialists and support staff.

Please visit our website for more information: https://www.tpa.ca

Media Contact

Laura Silver, External Communications

647-984-6136

FULL DEPUTATION

Deputation by Jon Reid, Toronto Police Association President to the Toronto Police Services Board: Opportunities for Bail and Related Reforms to Enhance Community Safety

(Check Against Delivery)

Good morning, Chair Hart, Members of the Board, Chief Ramer and members of the Command Team. As you know, my name is Jon Reid and I am the President of the Toronto Police Association. The Association represents about 8,000 full and part time members in both a uniform and civilian capacity. Our membership includes frontline police officers, criminal investigators, community response officers, court officers, and civilian staff. With an unwavering dedication, all our members are committed to upholding the safety of Torontos residents on a daily basis, often faced with dangerous circumstances, and under the ebbing and flowing criticism of their actions.

My appearance here today, on behalf of our Board of Directors, is to not only support the presentation made by Chief Ramer on this topic but to advocate on behalf of our members and on behalf of the communities we know are deeply impacted by gun and gang violence. As the Chief clearly articulated, the role of police in addressing these issues is only one part of the solution and all parties  including community agencies and all levels of government  have a significant role to play as well.

From a police perspective, the Toronto Police Association supports the efforts of its members in intelligence-led, strategic operations as well as in the various intervention and prevention initiatives. These have included a comprehensive Gun and Gang Strategy Framework, including the expansion of the Neighbourhood Community Officer Program, and support for our frontline through the creation of the Centralized Shooting Response Teams and the Public Safety Response Teams.

However, the tireless efforts of our members need to be supported by meaningful changes in legislation. At the federal level, we have advocated for the creation of a new criminal code offence specifically for breaching a conditional release because, while the new charges may fall within the criminal code, the breach itself is not considered criminal.

We have also supported enhanced reporting mechanisms for our justice system partners in the parole system; specifically, for a supervising entity to be obligated to report breaches of conditional release thereby enhancing offender and institutional accountability.

With respect to bail and sentencing specifically, we believe that significant enhancements are needed to ensure that the process considers the seriousness of gun and gang crimes and keeps violent, often repeat, offenders out of our communities. This position does not overstep the Charter rights guaranteed to every person. The Charter is clear that anyone charged with an offence has the right not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause. The concept of just cause - to ensure attendance in court, the protection or safety of the public, and maintaining confidence in the administration of justice  must be considered as three separate grounds, independent from each other and each sufficient on its own to justify detention. We have seen far too many examples of violent offenders being released back on our streets, and in every case the publics confidence in our justice system is further eroded and the heroic efforts of our members to capture these criminals in the first place is for naught.

Id like to close by saying that we appreciate the opportunity to present to you today. This deputation comes on the heels of our efforts last week in Ottawa, where we along with Police Associations from across Canada, participated in multi-day meetings with Members of Parliament, coordinated by our colleagues at the Canadian Police Association.

I can assure you, Chair and Members of the Board, that police associations across the country are aligned on these issues and are looking to you as our civilian oversight partners to join with us in our quest for safer neighbourhoods.

With the changes proposed today, we believe that Canadian policing will continue to be a global example of progressive and accountable law enforcement, goals that we know align with your Boards objectives. Thank you and I am happy to take any questions you may have.




Washington, D.C., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil liberties group, released a case video today explaining the lawsuit it has brought on behalf of its client, Rhode Island oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Stephen Skoly. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) shut down Dr. Skolys practice because he refused to comply with the states Covid-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers and spoke out against the mandate. Dr. Skoly has a history of Bells Palsy facial paralysis and risked a paralysis recurrence if vaccinated. In addition, Dr. Skoly has naturally acquired immunity to Covid, having recovered from a prior Covid-19 infection. Nonetheless, in October 2021, RIDOH shuttered Dr. Skolys 11-person medical facility, preventing him from providing care to hundreds of private patients, as well as to the states most vulnerable public patientsthe residents of the states psychiatric hospital and prison where Dr. Skoly was employed as the only dental surgeon.

The purpose of the vaccine mandate for health care workers was to protect vulnerable patients from being infected, but Dr. Skolys patients were at no more risk from him than from a vaccinated oral surgeon for two reasons. First, he already has the antibodies to Covid-19 that a vaccine would provide him. Second, he always fully masks when treating his patients. Even though Rhode Island exempted from the mandate hundreds of health care workers (who had other medical reasons to not be vaccinated) and allowed them to work in close physical proximity to patients (so long as the workers wore N95 masks), the state refused to exempt Dr. Skoly. Rhode Island had no rational basis to treat the masked, unvaccinated Dr. Skoly differently from the masked, unvaccinated exempt health care workers, allowing them to be employed, while forcing him to become unemployed. Bizarrely, Rhode Island even allowed vaccinated health care workers with an active Covid-19 infection to treat vulnerable patients so long as the infected worker wore an N95 mask, but it still refused to allow Dr. Skoly to treat anyone.

On Dr. Skolys behalf, NCLA filed a lawsuit against Governor Daniel McKee and Dr. James McDonald, RIDOHs Interim Director, to force Rhode Island to permit Dr. Skoly to resume practice. In March 2022, after over five months of suspension, and three days before a court hearing where medical experts were to testify to the irrationality of Rhode Islands conduct, Rhode Island finally relented. It agreed to treat the N95 masked Dr. Skoly the same as other unvaccinated N95 masked workers. Dr. Skoly was permitted to re-assemble his ten-person dental team and return to practice.

However, Dr. Skolys case is not over. The lawsuit, Skoly v. Daniel McKee and James McDonald, seeks declaratory relief that Rhode Island violated Dr. Skolys constitutional rights, a permanent injunction to prevent Rhode Island from violating his rights again, and damages in part for denying him unemployment insurance during the period of time when he was prevented from practicing. NCLA filed the Second Amended Verified Complaint in Dr. Skolys case this past week, laying out his ongoing claims against Governor McKee and Director McDonald.

Excerpts from the video:

We stayed right through the pandemic.  I caught Covid in December of 2020. But after the appropriate quarantine, we came right back and did what were trained to do, which is what health care workers did around the country. Unfortunately, when the vaccine mandate started, these health care workers, once heroes, were now being criticized for questioning the vaccine status, no matter how legitimate their concerns would be.

 Dr. Stephen Skoly, Plaintiff, Skoly v. Daniel McKee and James McDonald

Dr. Skoly did not fit into the medical exemptions as currently written, although he has very good reason [to not be vaccinated]  . It is a violation of due process to make Dr. Skoly take this risk  . The state made the decision that vaccination and N95 masking is equivalent for the purpose of patient protection. He is a maxillofacial surgeon. He wears an N95 mask, he wears a surgical mask, he wears gloves. When he is in the operating room with the patient, he looks like an astronaut. He engages in so much more to protect the patient [than mere N95 masking.]

 Brian Rosner, Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

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Sergio Perez still feels very much appreciated at Red Bull Racing. The Mexican showed that with a statement during the Grand Prix in Imola by entering the podium together with Max Verstappen. The driver looks back on it personally well, he tells Fox Sports.

The Austrian formation experienced a very successful weekend in Italy. Where Verstappen already managed to take the victory during the sprint race, the Dutchman together with Perez managed to get the first and second final positions respectively a day later.

Read more Verstappen and Perez are closest of all drivers in 2022

Perez asked Verstappen to step onto podium together

It was a special result from Red Bull, as it turned out afterwards. Indeed, it had not been the case since 2016 that the Austrians managed to secure the first two podium positions. Perez decided to take advantage of the opportunity by stepping onto the podium with Verstappen.

"We were about to go out on the podium and I told him to go out together, he said yes," Perez revealed. "We discussed it with Alex (F1 podium organiser) and we went out. It was a good message for the whole team."
The Suzuki men in the Jerez paddock are finishing dismantling the garage, loading the last crates onto the trucks that will take them to Le Mans for the next Grand Prix. They work in silence, their eyes low, no one wants to talk. The news that the Japanese manufacturer will abandon MotoGP at the end of the year came like a bolt from the blue.

During their lunch break, Joan Mir and Alex Mir had talked about setups and tests, about the next evolutions, all that is expected in a quiet day of testing, which was not particularly quiet for them.

Nobody knew what they had decided in Hamamatsu, neither the riders nor the men of the team. Also because Suzuki had just signed, like the rest of the other manufacturers in MotoGP, a new agreement with Dorna for another 5 years. It is now waste paper, but they will probably have to pay a penalty for not honouring it.

In the trucks Livio Suppo and Shinichi Sahara talk about the future. The Italian manager arrived at the beginning of the year, to fill the void left by Davide Brivio, who had moved to Formula 1. His contract was also for more than a year, while now he has to face the decision.

Livio comes out of the truck at around 6.30 pm and approaches us. "No comment. I hope you understand my situation. Have a good evening".

The official press release is expected for tomorrow and will mark the end, for the second time, of Suzuki's adventure in MotoGP. According to what GPOne was able to gather, President Hiroshi Tsuda would have liked to continue with his commitment to racing, but the board of directors was against it, due to the difficult economic situation caused by the war in Ukraine and the recent Covid epidemic.

Suzuki raced for the first time in MotoGP in 2002, only to retire at the end of 2011. In 2015 it came back to the premier class under the leadership of Davide Brivio, managing to conquer the world title with Joan Mir in 2020. This year it has already been two times on the podium with Alex Rins.
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A man was sentenced to more than four years in prison Monday for his role in a theft ring that stole more than $4 million worth of cars, phones and ATMs in dozens of burglaries across Connecticut and New York, according to federal prosecutors.

A federal judge in Hartford ordered Douglas Noble, 28, to serve 54 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, according to Leonard Boyle, the United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Douglas Noble, 28, was part of a five-member theft ring that primarily burglarized businesses in Connecticut and New York. From June 2020 to January 2021, Noble and others stole cell phones, electronics and other merchandise from mobile phone stores in Guilford, Greenwich, Orange, Stamford, Stratford and Westport, according to the indictment.

During this time, the theft ring also broke into car dealerships and took key fobs and vehicles, at one point transporting stolen Jeeps from Milford and Danbury to New York, the indictment states.

Members additionally stole ATMs from check cashing businesses and burglarized video game stores, according to Boyles office.

Boyles office said Noble and his co-conspirators often burglarized multiple locations in one night. They evaded police through high-speed chases that had to be stopped for safety reasons on numerous occasions. Some of Nobles co-conspirators also had firearms.

Noble and four others are suspected of having committed more than 180 burglaries, netting more than $4 million in stolen property in the process, Boyles office said.

Police charged Noble on Long Island, N.Y., on Jan. 3, 2021, after responding to a burglary in progress. At the time, Noble was a passenger in a stolen Chevy Silverado. The driver attempted to flee police and struck two cars before it stopped, according to Boyles office.

In the car, investigators found several stolen iPads, iPhones and a stolen ATM, Boyles office said.

Noble and three co-conspirators were charged in a 13-count indictment on Feb. 16, 2021. A fifth co-conspirator was later charged. Noble was arrested with federal charges on March 22, 2021 and pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property on Feb. 7, 2022.

At the time of his arrest, Noble was living in the Bronx, N.Y. He is currently residing in Brooklyn while released on a $100,000 bond. He is required to report to prison on July 6, Boyles office said.

The others charged in Nobles indictment  Josepher Cartagena, 26, of the Bronx, N.Y.; Alexander Santiago, 27, of the Bronx, N.Y.; and Justin Herrera, 22, of Levittown, N.Y.  have pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property. Santiagos sentencing is scheduled for May 17, Cartagena is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19 and Herrera is scheduled to be sentenced on August 17, according to federal court records.

The fifth co-conspirator, Willie Baines, 46, of the Bronx, N.Y., is awaiting trial, according to Boyles office.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  The nation's most populous state is shrinking.

California's population declined again in 2021 for the second consecutive year, state officials said Monday, the result of a slowdown in births and immigration coupled with an increase in deaths and people leaving the state.

With an estimated 39,185,605 residents, California is still the U.S.'s most populous state, putting it far ahead of second-place Texas and its 29.5 million residents. But after years of strong growth brought California tantalizingly close to the 40 million milestone, the state's population is now roughly back to where it was in 2016 after declining by 117,552 people this year.

California's population growth had been slowing even before the pandemic as baby boomers' aged, younger generations were having fewer children and more people were moving to other states. But the state's natural growth  more births than deaths  and its robust international immigration had been more than enough to offset those losses.

That changed in 2020, when the pandemic killed tens of thousands of people above what would be expected from natural causes, a category demographers refer to as excess deaths. And it prompted a sharp decline in international immigration because of travel restrictions and limited visas from the federal government.

California's population fell for the first time that year. At the time, state officials thought it was a outlier, the result of a pandemic that turned the world upside down. But the new estimate released Monday by the California Department of Finance showed the trend continued in 2021, although the decline was less than it had been in 2020.

State officials pointed specifically to losses in international immigration. California gained 43,300 residents from other countries in 2021. But that was well below the annual average of 140,000 that was common before the pandemic.

Walter Schwarm, California's chief demographer, said he wasn't surprised by the decline because It takes awhile for the machinery of government and others to get back to normal."

I think we will be looking at positive growth when we talk about the year 2022, he said.

Critics point to the steady stream of people leaving California as an indictment on the state's policies, which are set by Democrats in the governor's office and the state Legislature. About 280,000 more people left California for other states than moved here in 2021, continuing a decades-long trend.

It's not because we no longer have good weather, quipped Republican Assemblymember Kevin Kiley, who is running for Congress this year after failing to unseat Gov. Gavin Newsom in last year's recall election.

That problem is not easily fixed. California has been losing population to other states for 30 years, said Eric McGhee, a senior at the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank. It's one reason why he thinks California is in a period of stagnation for the foreseeable future.

California is one of the biggest losers in that calculation. It's hard to see that changing significantly, he said. It says something about how hard it is for people to afford living here.

Impacts of the decline have already been felt, as California lost a seat in Congress for the first time after the U.S. Census showed it did not grow as fast as other states. But the decline hasn't impacted the state's bottom line. California had a record budget surplus last year, and is in line for an even larger one this year of as much as $68 billion  mostly the result of a progressive tax structure and a disproportionate population of billionaires.

That wealth has made it harder for some to live in California, where the median price of an existing single-family home hit a record high of $849,080 in March  a 2.6% increase over the previous record set in August. That's forcing people to flee the picturesque population centers of the coast for the relatively cheaper havens of the Inland Empire and the vast Central Valley.

All but three of California's coastal counties lost population in 2021  including the Southern California behemoths of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego  while most inland counties saw steady growth.

The migration is a manifestation of a lot of the problems that people face," said Wayne Winegarden, a senior fellow with the Pacific Research Institute. It represents an economic kind of stagnation."
WASHINGTON (AP)  You have the right to remain silent. Everyone knows police aren't supposed to question suspects without reading them their Miranda rights.

But what happens when law enforcement officers don't first read suspects their rights? The Supreme Court on Wednesday wrestled with whether a sheriff's deputy can be sued for money damages for violating the rights of a hospital employee who was accused of sexually assaulting a patient.

At issue is whether the familiar Miranda warning, which the court recognized in its Miranda v. Arizona decision in 1966 and reaffirmed 34 years later, is a constitutional right or has a lesser and less-defined status.

The case began when a woman who suffered a stroke said she was assaulted at a Los Angeles hospital and identified hospital worker Terrence Tekoh as her attacker. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy Carlos Vega talked to Tekoh, who signed a statement confessing to the assault.

Both sides agree that Vega did not read Tekoh his rights before their conversation at the hospital. But they disagree about whether Tekoh was coerced into confessing.

Even with the statement used against him at trial, a jury acquitted Tekoh of criminal charges. Tekoh then turned around and sued Vega, who twice prevailed at civil trials over his conduct. But a federal appeals court ruled Tekoh should have another chance.

The deputy appealed to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case.

A federal law known as Section 1983 allows people to sue police officers and other governmental workers for violations of constitutional rights.

Justice Elena Kagan said she fears that if the court rules for Vega, the outcome will undermine Dickerson, the 2000 decision that was written by the late Chief Justice William Rehnquist. He was a critic of the Miranda decision who nevertheless said it had become embedded in American culture.

On the other hand, several justices noted that Rehnquist seemed to choose his words carefully in that opinion. Chief Justice John Roberts, who was a law clerk for Rehnquist more than 40 years ago, said his former boss didnt say Miranda is in the Constitution. He talked about constitutional underpinnings, constitutional basis.

Lawyers for Vega and the Biden administration also argued that civil lawsuits should not be allowed against police officers because they are ultimately not the cause of any rights violations. A defendant's rights are violated only when prosecutors decide to use a statement obtained without a Miranda warning at trial, they argued.

But Justice Department lawyer Vivek Suri said, We think Miranda is a constitutional right.

Paul Hoffman, representing Tekoh, said his client has no other legal option if he can't sue Vega. Im standing here on behalf of Mr. Tekoh, who was acquitted and has absolutely no other remedy than a Section 1983 violation. His life was destroyed by these actions," Hoffman said.

A decision in Vega v. Tekoh, 21-499, is expected by late June.
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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russia resumed pulverizing the Mariupol steel mill that has become the last stronghold of resistance in the bombed-out city, Ukrainian fighters said Monday, after a brief cease-fire over the weekend allowed the first evacuation of civilians from the plant.

Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official warned that Russia is planning to annex large portions of eastern Ukraine this month and recognize the southern city of Kherson as an independent republic.

Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said that those suspected actions are straight out of the Kremlins playbook and will not be recognized by the United States or its allies.

In Mariupol, more than 100 people  including elderly women and mothers with small children  left the rubble-strewn Azovstal steelworks on Sunday and set out in buses and ambulances for the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) to the northwest, according to authorities and video released by the two sides.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive in Zaporizhzhia on Monday as hoped. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

At least some of the civilians were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The Russian military said some chose to stay in separatist areas, while dozens left for Ukrainian-held territory.

In the past, Ukraine has accused Moscows troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas. The Kremlin has denied it.

The Russian bombardment of the sprawling plant by air, tank and ship picked up again after the partial evacuation, Ukraines Azov Battalion, which is helping to defend the mill, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were underway among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on evacuating more people.

The steel-plant evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the southern port city and other places have broken down, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russian forces of shooting and shelling along agreed-on evacuation routes.

Before the weekend evacuation, overseen by the United Nations and the Red Cross, about 1,000 civilians were believed to be in the plant along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. Russia has demanded that the fighters surrender; they have refused.

As many as 100,000 people overall may still be in Mariupol, which had a prewar population of more than 400,000. Russian forces have pounded much of the city into rubble, trapping civilians with little food, water, heat or medicine.

Some Mariupol residents got out of the city on their own, often in damaged private cars.

As sunset approached, Mariupol resident Yaroslav Dmytryshyn rattled up to a reception center in Zaporizhzhia in a car with a back seat full of youngsters and two signs taped to the back window: Children and Little ones.

I cant believe we survived, he said, looking worn but in good spirits after two days on the road.

There is no Mariupol whatsoever,'' he said. Someone needs to rebuild it, and it will take millions of tons of gold. He said they lived just across the railroad tracks from the steel plant. Ruined, he said. The factory is gone completely.

Anastasiia Dembytska, who took advantage of the cease-fire to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog, said she could see the steelworks from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

With most of Mariupol in ruins, a majority of the dozen Russian battalion tactical groups that had been around the city have moved north to other battlefronts in eastern Ukraine, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the Pentagons assessment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had said he hoped more people would be able to leave Mariupol in an organized evacuation on Monday. The city council told residents wanting to leave to gather at a shopping mall to wait for buses.

Zelenskyy told Greek state television that remaining civilians in the steel plant were afraid to board buses because they feared they would be taken to Russia. He said he had been assured by the U.N. that they would be allowed to go to areas his government controls.

Also Monday, Zelenskyy said that at least 220 Ukrainian children have been killed by the Russian army since the war began, and 1,570 educational institutions have been destroyed or damaged.

In other developments, European Union energy ministers met Monday to discuss new sanctions against the Kremlin, which could include restrictions on Russian oil. Some Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc, including Hungary and Slovakia, are wary of taking tough action.

Thwarted in his bid to seize Kyiv, the capital, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted his focus to the Donbas, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Carpenter, the U.S. ambassador to the OSCE, cited information that Russia is planning sham referenda in the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics that would attach the entities to Russia. He also said there were signs that Russia would engineer an independence vote in Kherson.

He noted that local mayors and legislators there have been abducted, that internet and cellphone service had been severed and that a Russian school curriculum is soon to be imposed. Ukraine's government has said Russia also has introduced the ruble as currency there.

Russia said Monday it struck dozens of military targets in the region in the past day. It said it hit concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region, west of the Donbas.

Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow's troops are raining fire indiscriminately, taking a heavy toll on civilians while making only slow progress.

The governor of the Odesa region along the Black Sea Coast, Maksym Marchenko, said on Telegram that a Russian missile strike Monday on an Odesa infrastructure target caused deaths and injuries. He gave no details. Zelenskyy said the attack destroyed a dormitory and killed a 14-year-old boy.

Ukraine said Russia also struck a strategic road and rail bridge west of Odesa. The bridge was heavily damaged in previous Russian strikes, and its destruction would cut a supply route for weapons and other cargo from neighboring Romania.

The attack on Odessa came eight years to the day after deadly clashes between Ukrainian government supporters and protesters calling for autonomy in the country's east. The government supporters in 2014 firebombed a trade union building containing pro-autonomy demonstrators, killing over 40 people.

Also Monday, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea.

Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas, is key to Russia's campaign in the east. Its capture would deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere.

Britains Defense Ministry said it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective  unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

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Varenytsia reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Lolita Baldor in Washington and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The planes take off almost daily from Dover Air Force Base in Delaware  hulking C-17s loaded up with Javelins, Stingers, howitzers and other material being hustled to Eastern Europe to resupply Ukraines military in its fight against Russia.

The game-changing impact of those arms is exactly what President Joe Biden hopes to spotlight as he visits a Lockheed Martin plant in Alabama on Tuesday that builds the portable Javelin anti-tank weapons that have played a crucial role in Ukraine.

But Bidens visit is also drawing attention to a growing concern as the war drags on: Can the U.S. sustain the cadence of shipping vast amounts of arms to Ukraine while maintaining the healthy stockpile it may need if a new conflict erupts with North Korea, Iran or elsewhere?

The U.S. already has provided about 7,000 Javelins, including some that were delivered during the Trump administration, about one-third of its stockpile, to Ukraine, according to an analysis by Mark Cancian, a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies international security program. The Biden administration says it has committed to sending about 5,500 to Ukraine since the Russian invasion more than two months ago.

Analysts also estimate that the United States has sent about one-quarter of its stockpile of shoulder-fired Stinger missiles to Ukraine. Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes told investors last week during a quarterly call that his company, which makes the weapons system, wouldnt be able to ramp up production until next year due to parts shortages.

Could this be a problem? The short answer is, Probably, yes,' said Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and former government specialist on Pentagon budget strategy, war funding and procurement.

He said that Stingers and Javelins were where "were seeing the most significant inventory issues," and production of both weapons systems has been limited in recent years.

The Russian invasion offers the U.S. and European defense industry a big opportunity to bolster profits as lawmakers from Washington to Warsaw are primed to increase defense spending in response to Russian aggression. Defense contractors, however, face the same supply chain and labor shortage challenges that other manufacturers are facing, along with some others that are specific to the industry.

Military spending by the U.S. and around the world was rising even before Russias Feb. 24 invasion. Bidens proposed 2023 budget sought $773 billion for the Pentagon, an annual increase of about 4%.

Globally, total military spending rose 0.7% to more than $2 trillion for the first time in 2021, according to an April report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Russia ranked fifth, as its spending on weapons increased ahead of its invasion of Ukraine.

The war will mean increased sales for some defense contractors, including Raytheon, which makes the Stinger missiles Ukrainian troops have used to knock out Russian aircraft. The company is also part of a joint venture with Lockheed Martin that makes the Javelins.

Biden will visit Lockheed Martin's facility in Troy, Ala., which has the capacity to manufacture about 2,100 Javelins per year. The trip comes as he presses Congress to quickly approve his request for an additional $33 billion in security and economic assistance for Kyiv, Western allies and restocking weapons the U.S. has sent to those countries.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Monday he hoped quick bipartisan agreement on the security package could be reached so the Senate could begin considering it as early as next week."

The president is expected to use his remarks to highlight the importance of the Javelins and other U.S. weaponry in helping Ukraine's military put up a vigorous fight as he makes the case to keep security and economic assistance flowing.

A White House official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity, said the Pentagon is working with defense contractors to evaluate the health of weapons systems production lines and examine bottlenecks in every component and step of the manufacturing process. The administration is also considering a range of options, if needed, to boost production of both Javelins and Stingers, the official said.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Monday that Americas military readiness is not dependent on one system, such as the Javelin. He said that every time the Pentagon develops a package of weapons to send to Ukraine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the department assesses the broader impact.

Its not about counting say Javelins and being able to say that when you reach a certain level then all your readiness is gone, Kirby said. The Javelin is an anti-armor capability, so we judge it all as a conglomerate of whats our ability to meet this particular mission set, realizing that a Javelin isnt the only capability you have against armor.

Cancian, the former government specialist on defense budget strategy, said the fact that Stingers and Javelins were not included in the most recent tranche of weapons the Biden administration announced it was sending to Ukraine could be a sign that Pentagon officials are mindful about inventory as they conduct contingency planning for other possible conflicts.

Theres no question that whatever war plan they're looking at there is risk associated with the depleting levels of Stingers and Javelins, and Im sure that theyre having that discussion at the Pentagon, he said.

The U.S. military effort to move weaponry to Eastern Europe for Ukraines fight has been Herculean. From Dover Air Base in Delaware, U.S. airmen have carried out nearly 70 missions to deliver some 7 million pounds of Javelins, Stingers, 155mm howitzers, helmets and other essentials to Eastern Europe since February. Col. Matt Husemann, commander of the 436th Airlift Wing, described the mission as a whole of government approach thats delivering hope."

It is awesome, said Husemann, after providing AP with a recent tour of the airlift operation.

The lightweight but lethal Javelin has helped the Ukrainians inflict major damage on Russia's larger and better-equipped military. As a result, the weapon has gained almost mythic regard, celebrated with a Javelin song and images of Mary Magdalene carrying a Javelin becoming a meme in Ukraine.

Lockheed Martin CEO James Taiclet said in a recent CNBC interview that demand for the Javelin and other weapon systems would increase broadly over time because of the Russian invasion. He said the company was working to get our supply chain ramped up.

We have the ability to meet current production demands, are investing in increased capacity and are exploring ways to further increase production as needed," Lockheed Martin said in a statement.

Pentagon officials recently sat down with some of the leading defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Boeing, General Dynamics, BAE Systems and Northrop Grumman to discuss efforts to ramp up production.

The big defense contractors face some serious challenges.

Raytheon, for example, cant simply crank out Stingers to replace the 1,400 that the U.S. sent to Ukraine. Hayes, the Raytheon CEO, said in a recent conference call with analysts that the company has only limited supplies of components to make the missile. Only one undisclosed country has been buying them in recent years, and the Pentagon hasnt bought any new ones in nearly 20 years.

Sanctions further complicate the picture. Companies must find new sources of important raw materials such as titanium, a crucial component in aerospace manufacturing that is produced in Russia.

Concerns about the Stinger stockpile have been raised by House Armed Services Committee chairman Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., and the top Republican on the committee, Rep. Mike Rogers of Alabama. The two in March wrote to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, describing the stockpile issue as one of urgency.

Rogers said he remains concerned that the matter hasn't been properly addressed.

Ive been asking the DoD for almost two months for a plan to replenish our Stinger stockpile as well as our Javelin launch units," Rogers said. "I worry that without a readily available replacement or fully active production lines, we could leave Ukraine and our NATO allies in a vulnerable position.

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Reeves reported from Birmingham, Ala., and Huff from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. Associated Press writers Lolita C. Baldor and Alan Fram in Washington contributed to this report.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The number of Wisconsin state lawmakers hanging it up this year is near a modern-day high, and could even exceed the record set during World War II.

The mass exodus comes amid uncertainty over legislative boundaries due to a redistricting fight, an ever-more partisan political environment and years of animosity between majority Republicans and minority Democrats.

Thirty incumbents have announced they will retire, won't seek reelection or are running for another office. That's a quarter of the 118 lawmakers up for reelection. Thirteen Republicans and 10 Democrats in the Assembly are leaving; four Republicans and three Democrats in the Senate are out.

The 30 departures ties with 2014 for the third-highest number of incumbent retirements since at least 1940, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau. Agency data shows 31 incumbents left in 1954 and 32 left in 1942 during the middle of World War II. The LRB's legislative turnover records date back only to 1940.

University of Wisconsin-Madison political scientist Barry Burden said legislative departures are often higher in redistricting years, when the Legislature redraws lawmakers' district lines to reflect population changes. This year's maps were delayed as Democrats and Republicans fought over them in court. The state Supreme Court didn't finalize the maps until earlier this month on the day candidates could pull nomination papers. The districts remained largely unchanged but Burden said the delay likely made it difficult for incumbents to plan.

Burden speculated that Republicans also might be leaving because of internal dissension over election integrity. A vocal faction of the party believes Joe Biden stole the 2020 presidential election from Donald Trump, even though recounts, court decisions and audits have confirmed that Biden defeated Trump by nearly 21,000 votes in Wisconsin.

Republican Sen. Kathy Bernier, a former Chippewa County clerk and chair of the Senate elections committee, is retiring after 12 years in the Legislature. She took intense criticism for defending local clerks' elections performance and questioning Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' decision to hire former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to investigate the election. Gableman called on her to resign.

She said she was ready to quit anyway, but the attacks made her decision easy. She said many Republicans believe as she does but are too afraid to stand up.

"It just seemed to me something had to be said and something had to be done," she said. After getting the slings and arrows from people in my own caucus . . . they came to realize there was nothing they could say or do or no bill that they could write that would make the Trumpians happy. They just decided to keep quiet. They want to move on. I don't know if they can."

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke announced in January that he would not seek reelection. He ran afoul this winter of a faction of Assembly Republicans who demanded the body decertify the 2020 election results. Vos and the rest of the GOP leadership refused, saying it couldnt be done.

Steineke called his decision just good timing after 12 years in Madison, but also said hes been dealing with criticism over his election stance that has at times been irrational.

Somebody called (from) my district frustrated with the 2020 election, Steineke recalled. As we walked through all the issues he believed were wrong in the election, I explained every single one of them and what the reality was. He still couldnt accept that and then inferred elected officials are agents of foreign governments . . . Theres a segment of our citizenry that is incredibly frustrated and looking for an outlet and often times elected officials become an outlet for that frustration.

Hanging over all of the departures is a partisan atmosphere that has grown more bitter, personal and sometimes abusive in recent years.

This generation of lawmakers was on the front lines for the divisive battle over then-Gov. Scott Walker's public union restrictions, a fight that grew so intense that Democratic senators fled to Illinois in a futile effort to prevent passage. The night the Assembly passed the bill Democratic Rep. Gordon Hintz shouted You're dead! at a Republican colleague.

Hintz is not seeking reelection. That leaves Christine Sinicki as the only Assembly Democrat who was present for the floor debate on the bill running again this fall. Senate Democrats never voted on the measure because they had left the state.

The divide deepened after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers defeated Walker in 2018 but Republicans retained control of both legislative houses, leading to gridlock. The rancor has continued in the last two years as Republicans work to tighten voting laws, drawing protests from Democrats who say the GOP is trying to suppress their supporters' votes.

I certainly understand the frustration some legislators on both sides of the aisle have, with the make-up of the Legislature and the tone of the debate, said Democratic Sen. Jon Erpenbach, who is retiring after 23 years. Were not talking about issues that affect districts. Why is Robin Vos spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on something thats not real? I got tired of trying to answer that when theres no answer. Or that the answer is theyre trying to keep the Trump people on board in the Republican Party and thats the only way to do it.

___

Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter at https://twitter.com/trichmond1
Xiaomi India had $725 million from its bank accounts seized by the Enforcement Directorate over the weekend. The state organization said the Indian division of the Chinese manufacturer remitted the equivalent of INR55.5 billion to three foreign-based entities in breach of foreign exchange laws.

Manu Kumar Jain, Xiaomi Global VP

The directorate stated the huge amounts of royalties were remitted (gifted to other parties) by Xiaomi Technology India Private Limited on the instructions of their Chinese parent company. It was done for the ultimate benefit of the Xiaomi group in breach of Rule 4 of the Foreign Exchange Management Act of 1999. It states no person resident in India shall [] transfer any foreign exchange [] situated outside India.

Xiaomi India posted a response, stating all royalty payments and statements to the bank are legit and truthful. The royalty payments, mentioned by the state agency were for in-licensed technologies and intellectual property used in the Indian version of Xiaomi products. It is also commited to working closely with government authorities to clarify any misunderstandings.

Source 1  Source 2 | Via
Editors note: Were offering another feature in our occasional Taste of Home series where we feature a Guam restaurant or food truck located beyond the 671. If you have a suggestion for a place to feature, email life@guampdn.com.

On a sunny morning in the Waikele Premium Outlets parking lot in central Oahu, Kekoa Quenga stood at attention, ready to take orders for a fiesta plate or the special of the day at the food truck his dad owns.

I asked to speak to the owner of the Jeramiahs Island Fusion, and the precocious 11-year-old said, You can talk to me, Im the co-manager.

With take-charge employees like his son, its little wonder Jeremy Jeramiah Quenga has successfully transformed what was a side gig selling lunch plates out of his Ewa Beach home into a full-time job slinging Chamorro Inspired Fusion Dishes.

Our food represents a walk of our journey from Guam, California, and right back here in the 808, Jeremy Quenga said in an Instagram post in January.

He grew up in Yigo but left Guam at 13 years old with his grandparents, Jesus and Julie Quenga of the Piti Quengas. After bouncing between Honolulu and San Jose over the years, he settled back in Honolulu three years ago.

In California, he provided applied behavior analysis therapy in assisted living facilities for autistic children and adults. But after moving to Hawaii, he found another calling.

We started fundraising out of the house and it started growing. It started out with two plates to 50 to 100 to 250  next thing you know we had a bunch of people outside of the house, he said. We knew we had something going on, so we ended up opening a small takeout in  the westside area. We closed that down pre-COVID and decided, Lets get the truck.

With the help of friends and family, he outfitted the food truck, painting it in the same blue as the Guam flag and lettering a large Hafa Adai welcome in the front. He launched his mobile barbecue joint in January 2021, and has been spreading the culinary love at events throughout the island.

At the Waikele event that day, his menu included fiesta plates with barbecue chicken and ribs, and his best seller: the Trust Me plate. Its piled high with barbecue chicken and ribs and his signature buttah steak, and you might have seen it on the Instagram rounds posted by happy diners.

As acknowledged on the trucks name, the flavor profiles reflect the culinary influences in the places hes lived. Youll find Guams shrimp kelaguen in the Shrimp Ceviche Nachos, a plate thats also loaded with two Mexican cheeses, Mexican street corn, fresh cucumbers, onions, cilantro and chipotle sauce on top of crisp corn tortilla chips.

The traditional CHamoru foods are based on his grandparents recipes, using the ingredients available in Hawaii. We cant get no donne sali, the lemons; we make do with what we got . and we try to make it as authentic as we can, Jeremy Quenga said.

Elaine Pechay, 65, came out to Waikele Outlet with her mother, Maria Lizama Duenas, 87, formerly of Dededo. Their family left Guam for Hawaii in 1959, and have continued to make CHamoru dishes at home such as chicken kelaguen.

Her verdict on Jeramiahs fiesta plate?

It was good  we ate everything, she said with a smile.

We get a lot of CHamorus but we also got plenny locals, Jeremy Quenga said. We love serving our people, of course, but one of our main objectives is to introduce our food to other cultures  such as the Samoans, Hawaiians (and) Tongans, to let them know that CHamoru food is one of the best.  Here it is, let me introduce you to our love and our culture.
After leading the Guam Department of Education for the past 10 years, Superintendent Jon Fernandez will resign on July 15.

Its really bittersweet, but its a decision that Ive been mulling over for maybe up to a year, Fernandez said. It really became a reality due to just recent events and having to do with my family. There are so many things that are still left to do, but I really do want to put my family first and decide whats next for us as we look to the future.

Fernandez became superintendent in July 2012 and is the longest-serving superintendent in the departments history.

He is also the longest currently serving chief state school officer in the nation, according to the department.

For his remaining two months as superintendent, Fernandez said he will remain committed to finalizing the pay raise for educators, initiating procurement for the contractor who will build and finance a new Simon Sanchez High School and bringing the current school year to a close.

He also will work with the Board of Education on a smooth transition to the next superintendent.

The board will likely meet to discuss the search for a new superintendent within the next 60 days, according to Chairman Mark Mendiola.

Its a tough position to fill, and we cant just get anybody off the street to come in and fill this position, said Mendiola. This person has to have certain characteristics that is going to be able to lead the department into the next five to 10 years.

With the new state strategic plan in place, Fernandez has the reassurance that whoever fills the job will have a roadmap for the department going forward.

Because he just submitted his resignation on Sunday, Fernandez said the board had yet to make a decision on who will be the interim superintendent.

The education department faced many critical challenges and issues throughout the pandemic, from the continuous changes of the modes of learning to the teachers shortages caused by the omicron variant.

However, Fernandez said these issues were not a factor in his decision to resign.

Its been a trying couple of years, but I dont feel burned out, Fernandez said. I do know that there has been immense pressure and immense stress put on many leaders throughout the country, and our island, certainly within the school system. Ive enjoyed the challenge, but at some point, you also have to realize that there are times where you have to be extra patient in order to get through some of these more difficult situations, he said. But again, the work is fun and its important.

Fernandez said the department did its best to provide as much education as it could for students, having schools continue with face-to-face instruction.

I can say this with a degree of certainty that the superintendent has done his job well, without malice. He did what he thought was in the best interest of our community and the Department of Education, Mendiola said.

Fernandez said he will miss being able to interact and connect with the students.

Its rewarding to me to be able to kind of get out there, especially when youre having a hard day. Nothing beats going out and having lunch with elementary school students when youre having a bad day. So Ill miss that, Fernandez said.  I dont think Ill ever get that back. When you leave education, thats hard to replicate.

Although he said whatever he may decide to do next may not compare to the experiences he had working in the education department, he looks forward to the future.

I dont know what Im going to be doing next, whether it would be education or some other field, but, it definitely wont be as fun as going to a school event, he said. Ive seen our students at their best.
In this August 2021 photo, Jon Fernandez, Guam Department of Education superintendent, explains measures implemented as public schools were prepared for the return of face-to-face learning during a press conference at the agencys headquarters in Tiyan.
A man was charged with criminal sexual conduct in connection to taking a woman to a secluded jungle area and sexually assaulting her in 2017.

A 28-year-old woman accused James Jerry Paulino, a man known to her, of regularly groping her at her workplace without her consent and propositioned her for paid sex, which she declined, according to a magistrates complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam.

During the first incident in November 2017, the woman told police Paulino aggressively grabbed her and used force to sexually assault her while she was not expecting it. When the woman tried to leave, Paulino allegedly grabbed her arm and prevented her from leaving by telling her she was not allowed to leave, the complaint stated.

Another incident, which was also in November 2017, Paulino allegedly forced the woman to accompany him in his vehicle where he drove them to a secluded jungle area around Tanguisson beach. He forced the womans hand onto his private area, according to the complaint.

The woman then tried to leave but Paulino allegedy grabbed her neck and forced her to perform a sexual act, the complaint stated.

Paulino apologized to the woman for his actions and stated he would make things right and begged her not to report him to the police, according to the complaint.

Paulino refused to speak with the police and was later charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct as first-degree felonies.
A man who spent 30 days in prison for defrauding Pandemic Unemployment Assistance last year was charged in connection to cashing forged checks.

George Chambers Jr. was accused of cashing forged checks at a Harmon store after the owner recognized him using bad checks days earlier, charging documents filed in the Superior Court of Guam stated.

After the owner heard Chambers arguing with a cashier, the owner called the police.

The cashier told police that Chambers had previously cashed a bad check and when she confronted him and said he could not return to cash checks, Chambers allegedly became irate and punched the counter while refusing to pay the cashier back, documents state.

The check amounted to $687.74, and police learned it had been previously reported stolen, documents state.

Chambers told police an unknown man outside of a store gave him the check and asked Chambers to cash it for him. When he attempted to cash it at the Harmon store, the cashier told him it was fraudulent. The check was confiscated by the store owner, who told Chambers to pay back the money previously owed, documents state.

Chambers was charged with forgery as a second-degree felony.

Conviction

Last year, Chambers was convicted by a jury of tampering with public records and unsworn falsification of records while attempting to gain PUA benefits.

Chambers was sentenced to 30 days of imprisonment at the Department of Corrections and a two-year term of probation, according to PDN files.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero addresses the audience in CHamoru during the Guam Museum's "Silebra I Kottura-ta yan i Hinanao-ta" event at Skinner Plaza in Hagatna on March 31, 2022. The governor announced indoor mask mandates would be lifted as of May 3, 2022.




Haiti - DR : A kidnapped Dominican diplomat, the 400 Mawozo gang demands 500,000 US$ for his release





The diplomat Carlos Guillen Tatis, agricultural and commercial attache of the Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Haiti (Petion-ville), was kidnapped around noon in the Gautier district (commune of Croix-des-Bouquets) by the Gang "400 Mawazo (according to a source from the Dominican chancellery to AFP), while he was on his way to the Dominican Republic where he was to spend the long May 1st holiday with his family.



The alert was issued on Friday evening after confirmation that Carlos Guillen Tatis had never crossed the border at Jimani as planned and was not answering any phone calls.



In a diplomatic note Faruk Miguel Castillo, the Dominican Ambassador accredited to Haiti informed the Haitian Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the kidnapping of the Dominican diplomat and filed a complaint and made a request for investigation to the Central Directorate of the Judicial Police in Haiti, in accordance with the instructions received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Roberto Alvarez. He also provided, at the request of the Haitian authorities, a screenshot of the last telephone calls made on Guillen Tatis's telephone.



His relatives are very worried, recalling that Guillen Tatis has been an insulin-dependent diabetic for several years, and if he does not take his insulin he risks a diabetic coma and death...



Last minute : According to the Dominican press, the "400 Mawazo" gang demanded a ransom of 500,000 US dollars for the release of the diplomat.



PI/ HaitiLibre


















ON a spring day more than 3,000 years ago, Tutankhamun, the

19-year-old king of Egypt, was buried in Luxor in the southern part of his kingdom.

Robbers broke into the tomb soon afterwards but it remained both largely intact and completely lost to history until 1922.

The news of the finding of Tutankhamuns tomb by a British group led by Howard Carter was a bombshell.

The surprise of the discovery, the splendid completeness of the funerary objects, and the supposed curse, all helped to fuel the craze known as Tutmania. A new exhibition at Oxfords Bodleian Library, drawn from a wealth of material in the Griffith Institute, Oxfords centre for Egyptology, marks the centenary of perhaps the most famous and glamorous archaeological find of all time by Carter and his sponsor, the Earl of Carnarvon.

This exhibition includes maps, diaries, letters, drawings and photographs which chronicle the discovery and recording of the more than 5,000 objects from the four chambers making up the burial site. Their state of preservation was remarkable. On Tutankhamuns face mask was a garland of cornflowers and olive leaves which had survived more than three millennia in the dry underground air.

Similarly, a heap of large white curious oviform boxes was found to contain joints of meat while a linen scarf still draped the neck of an effigy of the jackal god Anubis. Tutmania swept the world, assisted by Carters flair for publicity and the sinister thrill attaching to the idea that the tomb  or at least the opening of it  might be cursed.

True, Lord Carnavon died a few months afterwards but from sepsis produced by an infected mosquito bite and not because he had disturbed the dead. The opening of the tomb coincided with the beginning of Egypts independence and the dead king became the proud symbol of a new, living nation.

In the past, some of the found objects would have become the property of Carters team but new rules  and a sense of fair play  meant that everything from the tomb was retained in Cairo where it is still on display.

This fascinating exhibition, curated by Professor Richard Bruce Parkinson and Dr Daniela Rosenow, focuses on the Egyptian participants in the discovery who have until recently been overlooked and who are often nameless. Prominently placed are photographs of an Egyptian boy, probably of around Tutankhamuns age, wearing a jewelled necklace from the tomb.

Though his name is famous throughout the world, Tutankhamun remains a mystery. No one knows the cause of his death, though it seems to have been premature and unexpected.

There are signs that his burial was arranged in a hurry. One of the most human and revealing is that the gilded foot of the coffin had to be cut away as it was too big to fit inside the lid of the sarcophagus enclosing it.

Just as human and revealing is an item from 3,000 years later.

Howard Carters diary is open at the day of discovery and a single line First steps of tomb found rises up the page.

Philip Gooden
THREE Henley charities are among voluntary organisations to share more than 667,000 in grants awarded by South Oxfordshire District Council.

The Chiltern Centre, which cares for disabled young adults, received 13,048.

Paul Barrett, chairman of trustees, said: We are delighted with the grant and incredibly grateful for the support.

The money will allow us to continue the fine work we do and will help us strengthen our community fundraising.

Riverside Counselling in Northfield End, which provides affordable counselling, was awarded 45,568.

Fundraising manager Amanda Collins said: We are incredibly grateful for the grant.

It will help us to cover our core costs, such as room hire, training and supervision of our counsellors.

We will also use it to help develop our digital fundraising through improving our social media so as to spread our reach as far as possible.

Youth and community project Nomad, which is based at the d:two centre in Market Place, received 15,058.

Youth and family team manager Tim Prior said: The district council has been supporting us for many years and we are delighted that it has chosen to continue this.

The money will be put towards our support programmes, which include our work with schools, parenting support, activities for kids in school holidays and our food bank.

The Millstream Day Centre in Mill Lane, Benson, a charitable organisation that provides support to the elderly and disabled in the community, was awarded 11,517.

Vice-chairman Rob Wadley said: We are delighted to receive this grant. We are trying to become a centre of excellence for the elderly in the community but as we achieve this, the administrative burden gets higher and higher.

The grant will allow us to get someone to handle the day-to-day admin tasks, such as keeping records and managing accounts, freeing up the rest of our team to do the wonderful work they do.

Citizens Advice Oxfordshire South and Vale received 238,444.

Andy Jones, manager of the Citizens Advice branch in Henley, said: We are very grateful.

The support from the council has enabled us to help more than 10,000 residents during the two years of the covid pandemic. Our revenue grant for the next two years represents a 16 per cent reduction on our previous grant.

We are still working out what impact this will have on our client services, especially at a time of rising client demand due to the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine.

We hope that being a predominantly volunteer organisation will allow us to limit the impact on our vulnerable and disadvantaged clients.

The Sue Ryder South Oxfordshire care hub was awarded 16,677.

The funding comes from the councils rcvenue grant scheme, which was launched last year. It offers two years of financial support to organisations working to improve the quality of iife of residents.

Maggie Filipova-Rivers, cabinet member for community wellbeing at the council, said: Were fortunate to be able to support so many organisations with vital funding this year.

All the organisations that have been granted funding from this scheme make such a difference to the lives of residents in our district, especially the most vulnerable.

We recognise the value of the voluntary and community organisations and the work that they do.

This two-year funding will enable organisations to manage their core costs while they can focus on their day-to-day services and look at how they can be more sustainable so that they are able to continue helping those in need for many years to come.

For more information about the grants scheme, visit southoxon.gov.uk/grants
ONE of the last remaining Bletchley Park codebreakers will be guest of honour at Danesfield House Hotel as the former RAF base celebrates its part in the Second World War on the 77th anniversary of VE day.

From 1941 to 1977 the hotel was RAF Medmenham, home to an intelligence section specialising in photographic analysis described as the eyes to Bletchley Parks ears.

Next weekend (May 7 and 8), the hotel is to host a series of events for residents and lunchtime guests. This includes talks from bestselling authors of wartime stories, RAF veterans and volunteers from Bletchley Park.

The highlight will be 99-year-old Charlotte Betty Webb, the last codebreaker from Bletchley Park, who will be part of a question-and-answer panel.

Awarded an MBE and Legion d Honneur, the highest French order of merit, Mrs Webb will also talk about her book Secret Postings.

She said: It will be so good to be in the building which housed the RAF photographic intelligence personnel who played such a vital role in combating our then enemies.

Bletchley Park is said to have shortened the war by two to three years. A coding room museum will be set up for the weekend by the RAF Medmenham Association, and Bletchley Park.

Association chairman Paul Stewart said: Without RAF Medmenham we would have been blind to Nazi Germanys plans.

The intelligence that was produced at Danesfield House was critical to our success in the war.
ABOUT 250 Ukraine refugees have been matched with host families in Wokingham borough, according to the councils leader.

John Halsall said these included about 115 women and 100 children while the number of host households is about 105.

The Ukrainians are all waiting for visas to be granted and so far about 30 refugees have arrived.

Councillor Halsall, who lives in Remenham, said: Our caseworkers are often being asked about SIM cards once their guests arrive. We know a UK phone number is needed to set up a bank account and access other support but our teams dont currently get a direct supply of SIM cards.

At the moment these are only provided to charities to distribute. If anyone needs a SIM for a guest well refer them to our partners at the Citizens Advice Wokingham One Front Door.

Theyll then be able to access these Vodafone SIM cards through some of the charities in our area, which they can get to you directly or via your case worker.

These will be free for six months and include 20GB of data plus free calls and texts. At the moment Vodafone is also offering free calls and texts to Ukraine.

Another option could be to go to a local Three store, which is providing free SIM cards directly to refugees. These would be a free 30-day pay-as-you-go sim with unlimited UK calls, texts and data as well as free calls and texts to Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the councils adult education team is running English as a second language courses in-person and online.

Cllr Halsall said: All Ukrainian adults and their family members supported through the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine scheme are immediately eligible for further education 19+ funding and exempt from the three-year residency requirement.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Berlin on Monday, his first stop in the three-nation visit to Germany, Denmark and France.

Soon after landing in the German capital, Modi tweeted: "Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany."

The bilateral cooperation will be the focal point of the high-level meetings, but the situation in Ukraine may also come up during the discussions, said sources. One of the main agenda during the meeting would also be the post-Covid economic recovery.

Ministry of External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "On his first visit abroad this year, PM @narendramodi arrives to a warm reception in Berlin. Looking forward to reinvigorating the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, advancing our wide-ranging cooperation, and enhancing multilateral coordination."

Before leaving for three-day visit to the three European countries, Modi in a statement said, "I will be visiting Berlin, Germany on May 2, 2022 at the invitation of Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany following which I will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark from May 3-4, 2022 at the invitation of Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark to hold bilateral engagements and also participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit. On the way back to India, I will make a brief stopover in Paris, France for a meeting with Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France."

He also stated that his visit to Berlin will be an opportunity to hold detailed bilateral discussions with Chancellor Scholz, whom he met at G20 last year in his previous capacity as Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister.

"We will co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany. Several Indian ministers will also travel to Germany and hold consultations with their German counterparts.

"The IGC has an early engagement with the new government in Germany, within six months of its formation, which will be helpful to identify our priorities for the medium and long term," he had said.

In 2021, India and Germany commemorated 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and have been strategic partners since 2000. "I look forward to exchanging views with Chancellor Scholz on strategic, regional and global developments that concern us both," he had stated.

The long standing commercial ties between India and Germany form one of the pillars of Strategic Partnership, and Chancellor Scholz and Modi will jointly address a Business Roundtable with the goal of energising industry to industry cooperation, which will help strengthen the post-Covid economic recovery in both countries.


A Mumbai court on Monday will pronounce its order on the bail plea filed by independent MP Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi Rana in connection with the plan to recite Hanuman Chalisa outside the residence of Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray. The court order is expected around 2.45 pm. The lawmaker-couple was arrested on April 23 after they dropped their plan to chant Hanuman Chalisa outside Matoshree, the private residence of the chief minister. They were arrested over several sections of the Indian Penal Code along with sedition charges and promoting enmity between groups. They are currently in judicial custody. Navneet Kaur is in Byculla jail while her husband is currently lodged in Taloja Jail. On April 30, the sessions court had reserved the order on the bail plea of Navneet Rana and her husband. During the hearing, lawyers Rizwan Merchant and Abad Ponda while appearing for the duo argued that they had no intention to spread hatred. However, the state government lawyer had opposed bail plea arguing that the arrest was justified and necessary. Earlier, Navneet Rana in a letter to Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla had alleged inhuman treatment in jail. Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Pandey tweeted a 12-second video clip to rebut the Lok Sabha MP's charges.




Seventeen Kashmiri youths, who returned from Pakistan to Jammu and Kashmir, were killed in recent counter-terror operations, sources in the security set up said.

Some of them had received weapon training, they added.

These students had gone to Pakistan for higher studies and returned with terror training. According to the sources, at least 17 were trained by the terror outfits on the behest of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and became the part of the sleeper cells active in J&K.

A large number of Kashmiri youths have been going to Pakistan on the pretext of higher studies, meeting their relatives or even for marriage purposes since 2015, as per officials in the security agencies in J&K.

They further said that these youths were misguided by the anti-India elements and some of them were also trained by the ISI's handlers.

As per the officials, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) of Jammu and Kashmir Police has already filed a charge sheet against one Hurriyat leader who facilitates admissions for Kashmiri youths in various medical colleges in Pakistan in lieu of money.

The officials also said that the money collected by offering admission in medical colleges, are being used to fund the terror activities in the valley.

Explaining the modus-operandi, the officials further said that a strong lobby of the separatists groups in Kashmir arranges recommendation letters from Hurriyat leaders and also valid travel documents from Pakistan Embassy for these youths. The Pakistani Embassy also extends facilities to these students, they added.

The students or people who visit Pakistan to meet their relatives, are provided all facilities during their stay once they agree to follow their instructions, the sources stated.
The Delhi High Court on Monday allowed the extension of an interim order permitting the reopening of five floors of the mosque premises in the Nizamuddin Markaz till October 14 for offering prayers.

Extending the April 1 interim order, Justice Jasmeet Singh said it will continue till the next date of hearing on October 14.

The Markaz has remained shut since March 3, 2020, following a spurt in Covid-positive cases on the premises.

On March 16, the HC had allowed the opening of the mosque for people with the same terms and conditions in view of the Shab-e-Barat.

The same bench, while allowing the plea of the Delhi Waqf Board seeking to ease restrictions during Ramzan, asked them to ensure the strict follow up of Covid protocols and social distancing norms.

It also made it clear that no lectures can take place on the premises, including "Tablighi activities", and directed that only prayers can be offered. It further directed the management to monitor the crowd with CCTV cameras on each floor.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have asked Markaz's management to re-install the "missing CCTV cameras at the entrance and the exit gates as well as the staircase of each floor".

On March 16, while permitting the worshippers for Shab-e-Barat, the court had said: "Once they say that they will maintain Covid protocol, then it is fine. It should be left to the wisdom of the devotees."

However, as per the Delhi Disaster Management Authority guidelines, only less than a hundred people can be allowed on each floor.
Hampton by Hilton Riga Airport is located minutes away from the largest airport in the Baltics.

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and Apex Alliance Hospitality Management opened Hampton by Hilton Riga Airport on April 11, 2022.

The 189-room property is located approximately as a five-minute drive from Riga Airport, which means that it will be the most convenient hotel for transit passengers and late-night guests to stay, as it can be reached on foot within a few minutes, without having to figure out local public transportation options. There is also a fee-based shuttle service to and from the airport available for guests. The hotel is also conveniently located just 20 minutes away from the historic Riga Old Town - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - where some of the major stores, restaurants and museums can be found. The hotel is located approximately 15 minutes away from the Riga Plaza shopping complex, and 20 minutes from the Baltic Sea beaches of Jurmala.

Besides the bright and comfortable guest rooms, the hotel also features a lounge with a limited all-day dining menu, a 24-hour bar and fitness centre, as well as a business centre, meaning that the vacationing guests have a vast variety of relaxation options, while the guests who have arrived for business have a place to work in a stress-free environment. There is also a parking zone with spaces for 90 cars, including 6 electric car charging spaces utilizing the future-proof EV charging solution.

Guests staying at Hampton by Hilton Riga Airport will enjoy a free hot breakfast, which is always included in the price of the stay, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi. The design of the hotel is similar to other hotels sharing the same brand, therefore the guests who have already stayed in a Hampton by Hilton hotel can unwind in a familiar environment, thus reducing the stress of travelling to an absolute minimum, while first-time guests can fully enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and explore what Hampton by Hilton has to offer.

Hampton by Hilton Riga Airport is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest loyalty program for Hilton's 18 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.

Construction of the hotel began in December 2020 and was carried out by one of the leading construction companies in Latvia - UPB. Hampton by Hilton Riga Airport is operated by Apex Alliance Hotel Management. The operator is currently managing 11 hotels under various brands in four countries. Over 14 million euros have been invested in the development of the hotel by the Lithuanian asset management company "I Asset Management", overseen by the Bank of Lithuania, and "Bigbank Latvija".

Hotel website
Marcus Thomas joins Choice as an Emerging Markets Director, where he will be responsible for driving new development and expansion opportunities for the company's African American, Latin American and Native American emerging market segments. Thomas brings more than 10 years of sales and business consulting experience in the hospitality, technology and real estate industries to the position, most recently serving as a senior consultant for Konica Minolta, a Tokyo-based multinational technology company. Thomas earned a degree in business administration and international business from Sam Houston State University, and is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

Choice

Rockville, Maryland

United States Website
Christine Barnes is a lecturer at Swiss Hotel Management School, the world's third best hospitality school. She graduated from the City University in London with a BSc honors in Business Management. After obtaining her PGCert in Education, she went on to teach. While holding the position of senior lecturer at the University of Derby, she achieved her MA in Tourism Management. Christine began lecturing at SHMS in 2008 while also working as an associate lecturer with The Open University.
Molton Brown is delighted to partner with Japanese beauty brand Sensai to deliver a new turndown collection for hotel guests which provides luxury skincare drawn from the sense and science of Japan.

Sensai, like Molton Brown, is a member of the Kao family and has been a pioneer in luxury skincare for 40 years. Both brands also share a deep passion for using exceptional ingredients and delivering services with a conscious care for the world around them.

At the heart of Sensais skincare collections is the secret of Koishimaru silk, once reserved for the royal family. The House of Sensai discovered that weavers of this silk had youthful and vibrant skin on their hands due to the materials ability to promote the production of hyaluronic acid in the skin,* which is essential to nurturing it and helping it to recover.

Today, Sensai combines this key ingredient with the latest technology to create a ground-breaking anti-ageing experience, coupled with an incomparable skincare philosophy that nurtures the skin leaving it smooth and silky. The brand has already made its mark on the UK domestic market with an exclusive release at Londons premium department store, Harrods.

Two Sensai collections will be released for hotel partners as part of the new turndown service offer. The Extra Intensive Collection delivers immediate and powerful results to revitalise tired or dull-looking skin by helping it to recover elasticity and moisture. The Silky Bronze Collection is designed to defend against and tackle the results of UV rays to leave the user with a beautiful, bronze glow.

Steve Clark, Director of Retail, Molton Brown,says: We are delighted to be bringing Sensai and its decades of experience in providing luxury and cutting-edge skincare to the hotel sector. Sensais exclusive release with Harrods has already established this brand as a major player in the premium skincare market and we are very pleased to be expanding the offer for hotel partners.

Not only will these new collections deliver outstanding skin treatments for guests, but they will also help hotel partners to deliver a premium experience with natural ingredients and a care for the planet at its very heart. Today, those ideals are even more important to the essence of luxury than they have ever been.

The Collections

Extra Intensive Collection

Extra Intensive Essence : This powerful, refreshing essence quickly energises skin for a healthier look and fortifies complexion with a new source of energy.

: This powerful, refreshing essence quickly energises skin for a healthier look and fortifies complexion with a new source of energy. Extra Intensive Cream : A rich formula that luxuriously melts into the skin, specifically designed to address the visible signs of skin ageing.

: A rich formula that luxuriously melts into the skin, specifically designed to address the visible signs of skin ageing. Extra Intensive Eye Cream : An extremely soothing cream that nourishes tired-looking eye areas so they become visibly radiant and firmer over time.

: An extremely soothing cream that nourishes tired-looking eye areas so they become visibly radiant and firmer over time. Extra Intensive Mask: This mask, enriched with natural botanical oil extract from Macadamia nuts, restores lost elasticity to deliver a silky complexion.

Silky Bronze Collection

Cellular Protective Cream for Face SPF50+ : This water and oil-resistant* cream provides UVA and UVB protection and has a luxuriously smooth and silky texture.

: This water and oil-resistant* cream provides UVA and UVB protection and has a luxuriously smooth and silky texture. Cellular Protective Cream for Body SPF30 : Easily absorbed into the skin, this all-over lotion protects against ageing signs and oxidation, with an alluring silky bronze finish.

: Easily absorbed into the skin, this all-over lotion protects against ageing signs and oxidation, with an alluring silky bronze finish. After Sun Glowing Cream: A luminous, shimmering treatment that instantly soothes and hydrates UV-stressed skin while embellishing the tan.

Cellular Performance Advanced Day Cream

This smooth, comforting anti-ageing moisturiser with SPF30 and potent plant-based ingredients. It is designed for everyday use and is infused with a fruity-floral fragrance.

*in vitro tested

About Molton Brown

Born on South Molton Street, London in 1971, Molton Brown is an icon of uniquely British style. Our Eaux de Parfum and Toilette, and Bath, Body, Hair and Home collections have been Made in England since day one  and we're committed to this for our future. Sourcing only the best ingredients in exceptional fragrance concentrations, our quality has awarded us with a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As part of our ever-evolving sustainable journey, we never have and never will test on animals, we run our own manufacturing facility in Elsenham and we champion beauty that's kinder to the environment. Inspired by our progressive home, London, we work side-by-side with our eclectic set of perfumers to empower you with long-lasting, distinctive fragrances you'll love.

Chris Madden

Account Manager
Executive Summary

Climate risk is important for everyone. As professionals in an industry responsible for approximately 30%1 of the worlds greenhouse gas emissions, the commercial real estate industry is beginning to come together globally to address the challenges.

CBRE Econometric Advisors (CBRE EA) recently hosted its Client Forum on Preparing for a Changing Investment Climate. Two panels of experts shared insights on climate risk, net zero and physical and transition risks related to commercial real estate. In this Viewpoint CBRE EA will share some of our views on transition risk.

Transition risk is business-related risk that follows societal and economic shifts toward a low-carbon and more climate-friendly future. Examples include policy, regulation, technology, or reputation.

Stranding Asset Risk And The Journey To Net Zero

There is a limit to the amount of carbon that can be emitted globally before 2050 to ensure that global temperature increases do not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius (or 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit).

To measure carbon risk, real estate professionals have started using the Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CRREM) tool, which originated in Europe and has become more widely adopted worldwide. The tool analyzes greenhouse gas intensity on a per-square-meter basis (convertible to per sq. ft.) annually. The green line in Figure 1 shows a decarbonization pathway that one would need to meet to be aligned with the Paris Agreement2. The pathway varies significantly among property types and countries.

Figure 1: A Theoretical Framework for Transition Risk & Stranded Assets

Source: CBRE Hotels

The dotted line in Figure 1 shows a typical propertys current carbon emissions. With the expectation of future improvements, we include a climate and grid correct asset performance, represented by the black line. When the asset performance is above the decarbonization pathway, a property will theoretically be stranded and prone to a brown discount, or decline in value. In the above figure, by 2038 there will be an asset that no longer meets the carbon reduction intensity pathway and therefore becomes stranded.

Figure 2 shows the reduction in greenhouse gas and carbon intensity that needs to be achieved before 2050 to comply with the Paris Agreement, on which the CRREM tool is based (note: these are equally weighted averages across property types and countries). There are some significant differences among sectors and countries. For example, healthcare and high street are more carbon-intensive than multifamily or industrial warehouses. In France, where the energy grid is powered more heavily by nuclear energy, the required future carbon reduction is much less than in the Netherlands or the United States.

Figure 2: GHG Reduction Pathways by Sector & Country

Source: CBRE Hotels

Quantifying Transition Risk

There are two principal elements influencing how we quantify transition risk, namely retrofit costs to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and technological advances. The costs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are nonlinear. The more energy reduction you want to achieve, the higher the marginal cost will be.

Luckily, technological advances will decrease the high costs over time. Figure 3 shows the intervals at which costs might decline over the next 30 years, and a plotted time curve of costs for energy reductions ranging from 15% to 95%. In the coming years, expect further refinement as more data becomes available with larger usage adoption.

Figure 3: Projected Annual Reduction Rate from the Average Total Project Costs Over Time per Reduction Target (%)

Source: CBRE Hotels

Both property owners and occupiers have power to influence carbon reductions, though property owners have more direct capabilities. Depending on the propertys age and layout, sometimes retrofitting a building is more expensive than tearing it down and starting over, but sometimes simple changes can make a substantial difference. Another consideration is that the process of tearing down an existing building itself releases carbon into the environment.

For reference, to achieve a carbon reduction of 75%, a property owner can expect to pay, on average, approximately $500 per sq. meter, or $46 per sq. ft. However, more environmentally conscious property owners  or those with larger budgets  may choose to retrofit, despite this being more expensive than tearing down a building in most cases.

Another opportunity is to incorporate green leases  a movement in which occupiers agree to share some of the energy use responsibilities and work with property owners to achieve energy reductions. This is a movement that occupiers can help drive. If occupiers are demanding more environmentally conscious spaces and efforts, complying is in property owners interests. According to CBREs most recent Occupier Sentiment Survey, more than 70% of respondents indicated that reducing greenhouse gas emissions is their top priority.

Who Is Leading The Change Around The World

Europe is ahead in some respects but not others, and the U.S. is close behind Europe. Europe has more regulations like the European Union green taxonomy. In January 2020, the U.S. federal government launched the Buildings Coalition for Better Performance, which permits states and cities to avoid financial penalties by committing to achieving certain performance benchmarks. Many U.S. cities, such as Seattle, Denver, Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, Sacramento and others have since made commitments.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also proposed in March 2022 rule changes that would require registrants to include certain climate-related disclosures in their registration statements and periodic reports, including information about climate-related risks that are reasonably likely to have a material impact on their business, results of operations, or financial condition, and certain climate-related financial statement metrics in a note to their audited financial statements. The required information about climate-related risks also would include disclosure of a registrants greenhouse gas emissions, which have become a commonly used metric to assess a registrants exposure to such risks.

Many large U.S. companies are using innovative technology to address climate risk. Between these resources and the relative new vintage of its overall building stock, which are more energy efficient, the U.S. is in a good position to make major progress in the next 30 years.

Canada has committed to achieving net zero by 2050 and has a leaderboard to track its efforts. Canada has been transparent about its efforts, but like others, is struggling with the governance of what net zero means.

A Business Opportunity

When looking to acquire a building or portfolio, many investors are making sure there is a business plan to meet short- and long-term carbon-emission targets that account for both legal and social requirements. Climate conscious investors will typically move forward with an investment if the plan includes capital expenditures (CapEX) for improvements. Investors are driving ESG compliance right now, and this type of unified global drive is expected to triple the amount of global assets with ESG mandates over the next decade. These are real, measurable mitigation measures working toward addressing climate change and represent a huge business opportunity for the industry.

Conclusion

The first step in achieving greenhouse gas reduction is more collaboration among investors, regulators, insurers, occupiers and others within commercial real estate. More data availability and transparency will lead to better informed decisions. Working toward net zero is not elective; climate change will prove disruptive for property owners and occupiers. Those with a plan to mitigate the challenge of rising temperatures will maximize the value of their assets.

1 Sustainable Real Estate Investment  United Nations Environment  Finance Initiative (unepfi.org)

Sustainable Real Estate Investment  United Nations Environment  Finance Initiative (unepfi.org) 2 The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. It was adopted by 196 Parties at COP 21 in Paris, on 12 December 2015 and entered into force on 4 November 2016. Its goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.

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Why do we behave in certain patterns? And how closely linked are they to the cultures in which we are raised?

According to Geert Hofstedethe late Dutch organizational psychologist and expert in intercultural studiesthe correlation is resoundingly clear. We are a direct product of our cultures (which Hofstede defines as The collective programming of the bond that distinguishes the members of one group or category of people from another.)

So, what does that mean for our companies and organizations operating in an ever-increasingly globalized world in which people from diverse backgrounds must work together towards unified goals?

At its best, it results in innovative solutions because of more diverse and inclusive thinking. At its worst, it means working relationships rife with misunderstandings, power struggles, and conflicts of ideology.

I teach Hofstedes cultural dimensions to hospitality students as a lecturer at Swiss Hotel Management School in Caux, Switzerland. Cross-cultural differences are a common theme among our students who reflect nearly 100 nationalities. And its always fascinating to witness the different ways students interact and what attitude they have towards teaching and learning based on the culture in which they were raised.

Here are the 6 core cultural differences Hofstede lays out and how they can affect our workplaces and classrooms:

1. Running your own show...or not

If more individualistic cultures value independence and an individuals ability to choose, a collectivist culture is typically one in which people know where they fit socially within the society and make choices accordingly. They give loyalty to the group in exchange for protection.

Each year, I facilitate focus groups among my students and the results show that students originating from Asian, African, and South American cultures prefer group workwhich is more reflective of collectivist culturesthan students from Western Europe and North America. As one student puts it, I prefer group work. When we work together, we have more people to discuss issues and share research with. Compare this to what a student from an individualistic culture shares, I prefer to work on my own and I earn the grade myself. With group work, I feel as if Im doing all the work and the others are sharing my grade.

In the workplace, it can be challenging for those from individualistic societies to work in an environment which requires a higher level of consensus and collaboration and vice versa.

2. Who's the boss?

Closely linked to individualism and collectivism is a societys relationship to power and how it is distributed among its members. Practically, this means that relations between subordinates and superiors are more formal in high-power distance organizations, as opposed to the more informal relationships youll find in organizations with a flatter organizational chart.

My findings also affirm this notion, with students originating from Asian, South American and African cultures invariably agreeing that their cultures have high-power distance and European and North American students agreeing their cultures have a lower power distance. In the classroom, students from low-power distance cultures tend to contribute to debate more and are more likely to question the teachers input.

One student from a high-power distance culture points out, I dont like speaking up in class, Im a little shy and dont know how to express my ideas or feelings. A student from China adds, In our classes, we dont normally discuss topics with the teacher, the teacher just talks to us and asks questions, and we answer.

In the workplace, we can see this play out as employees from low-power distance cultures come forward more often with questions, suggestions and conversation, while high-power distance employees remain quieter. To low-power distance employees, this can be misunderstood as shy or worse as ignorance. Contrarily, employees from high-power distance cultures often view employees from low-power distance cultures as brash and disrespectful.

3. When life is a competition

Masculine cultures are considered to value competition, and being tough is seen as a strength. There also tends to be a greater divide between gender roles. In more feminine cultures, competition is not highly endorsed and there is more concern for the most vulnerable within society.

Our cultural tendencies towards masculine and feminine can influence what we perceive leadership to look like and the type of workplace cultures we cultivate. Companies from Scandinavian countries, for example, tend to frown upon the competitive behavior that American companies favor in the workplace, and place much more importance on the quality of life outside of work. This is characteristic of a more feminine culture.

4. Come what may

An uncertainty-avoiding culture feels anxious in the face of ambiguity and tries to mitigate it, while an uncertainty-tolerant culture accepts that life comes with its ups and downs.

Our own cultures relationship to risk can affect the way we approach innovation or what we perceive to be possible. For example, if someone from an uncertainty avoidance culture is asked to push the boundaries, innovate, and explore possibilities with no guarantee of success, that could cause stress to the employee who feels more comfortable operating within clear boundaries.

In the classroom this plays out with students from high uncertainty-avoiding cultures (for example Switzerland and Germany) wanting to know all the details of how their work is assessed and being more likely to keep to a work schedule compared to the students with low uncertainty avoidance who will have a go at the assessment and are more likely to leave it until the last minute. Having students from the two extremes in the same group can cause conflict and needs to be managed!

5. The only constant is change

In a long-term oriented culture, one sees the world as ever-changing, and preparation is key to navigating changes when they arise. Short-term oriented cultures, however, see the world as more fixed.

In the workplace, this means an employee from a long-term oriented culture will likely view norms as flexible and accept the need to adapt to the circumstances in which they find themselves. For an employee from a short-term oriented culture, however, norms are unwavering, no matter the circumstances, and believe there is a clear boundary between right and wrong.

6. Free like a bird

Hofstedes final dimension refers to a cultures perception of freedom. To an indulgent culture, being free is valued and following ones impulses is acceptable. In a restrained culture, however, life is accepted as hard, and duty is ones priority.

For an employee working in a more restrained organizational culture, they may feel trapped and like a cog in the wheel, whereas an employee from a restrained culture may feel untethered within a less constricting work environment.

The value in our differences

While some may argue that our cultural differences are being diluted as a result of increased travel, open borders, and the rise of international companies, I believe they are as present today as they were when Hofstede first presented his research in the 1960s. The findings from my student focus groups certainly suggest so.

So, what does that mean for our increasingly globalized world? It means we must all practice self-awareness and take advantage of opportunities to experience other cultures and points of view. I believe there is much value in our differences if we are aware, which we can leverage into collective strengths, and we can certainly learn valuable lessons from each side of the spectrum.

This is what I teach my students at Swiss Hotel Management School, where students get to practice this cross-cultural exchange every day as they live and study together. I see first-hand how beneficial this exposure to different cultures and ways of being is for our students  it challenges them, opens their minds, and is preparing them for international careers in hospitality. The way they embrace one another, I feel we all have much we can learn from this next generation of leaders.
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Since a judge sided with developers of the so-called Ashby high-rise in 2016, the grassy lot at the center of one of the most closely watched land-use battles in Houstons history has sat untouched, surrounded by chain-link fencing.

Now, the owners of the property are resurrecting efforts to build a high-rise residential tower at the corner of Bissonnet and Ashby Street near Rice University. They have brought in a new development team and a scaled-down version of the original plans they hope will win over neighbors who fiercely opposed the earlier iteration.

Hunt Companies of El Paso is partnering with Dallas-based StreetLights Residential to build a 20-story luxury apartment community called The Langley. They plan to break ground in November and complete construction by 2025. The tower is one story lower with 94 fewer units than a 2016 version of the project. The new proposal also features a smaller parking garage at three levels instead of five.

Fewer units mean fewer residents, which the developers hope will ease concerns over traffic on the two-lane streets surrounding the site  a key point of contention for the prior proposal.

The proposed 134-unit building features unusually large two- and three-bedroom apartments, mimicking the spaciousness of a single-family home. The Langleys average unit size is 2,850 square feet, more than double the size of the average 888-square-foot apartment in Houston, according to RentCafe, an apartment search website.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Eye-popping rent growth in Austin, Dallas makes Houston rent spikes seem almost moderate in comparison

StreetLights Residential intends to reproduce the success of a popular luxury high-rise in Dallas called The McKenzie. There, wealthy empty nesters can pay between $3,000 to $20,000 a month for luxury rentals at the 22-story tower overlooking Highland Park, according to data from Houston Association of Realtors. While The McKenzie is not senior housing, the average renter is 57 years old. Tenants cant be under 25.

The resident who lives at The McKenzie, as they will at the Langley, they can live anywhere. They can afford anywhere, and we have to meet the expectations they have, said Stephen Meek, senior vice president with StreetLights Residential. They have fine taste, and they know what elegance is that we have to provide.

When Hunt Companies saw The McKenzie, they liked it so much they brought StreetLights on to the Bissonnet project, Meek said. StreetLights replaces Buckhead Investments as the lead developer, although Buckhead remains a passive investor.

Buckheads earlier proposals were also meant to appeal to affluent seniors who wanted to downsize from larger homes in the neighborhood. The proposal never had a formal name, but residents dubbed it The Ashby. Across the street from the site, a yellow-and-black sign with the Stop Ashby Highrise slogan is pinned to a fence - a reminder of the contentious crusade to halt the project years ago.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Memorial Hermanns 30-story medical office tower is visible from the site, but Texas Medical Centers skyscrapers still feel far away from the neighborhood where live oak trees tower over colonial-style mansions and Georgian homes with flickering lanterns illuminating manicured boxwood bushes.

When Buckhead Investment first announced a project in 2007, it quickly drew the ire of residents who argued a high-rise was out of character for the neighborhood. They worried about traffic congestion and plummeting property values.

The opposition sparked a yearlong battle to squash the project through protests and lawsuits in what became a symbol for fighting Houstons lax zoning. Ultimately a judge sided with Buckhead in clearing the way for the developers to build.

But the legal win for developers came near the bottom of the 2014-to-2016 oil bust, which made it difficult to attract investors to Houston, and the property instead sat undeveloped.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

On HoustonChronicle.com: Investment kicks off major growth plans for Texas build-to-rent developer

Hunt Companies, however, didnt shelve the project. The owners kept their original permits up-to-date with routine inspections and permit renewals every few months, said a spokeswoman for Houston Public Works Department. In a statement, the department said the city's legal team would review an earlier agreement with the project owners to determine how the new proposal might be affected.

The developers have scheduled meetings with the city to determine next steps in the approval process, Meek said.

The prior project was another developer, from another time. Were the right developer for this and were excited to see The Langley come forth, Meek said.

marissa.luck@chron.com
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River Oaks District, a destination for luxury shopping, dining and entertainment, is getting a makeover designed to create more outdoor places for people to connect as several new tenants prepare to open.

A plan envisioned before the pandemic will soon transform the 14-acre mixed-use district at 4444 Westheimer, just inside Loop 610, with a revitalized central plaza, new pocket park, sidewalk improvements, contemporary new landscaping and signs.

Festival Cos., the development manager, leasing agent and property management company for River Oaks District, is handling the project on behalf of owner J.P. Morgan Asset Management. The renovation costs were not disclosed.

Rosalind Schurgin, CEO of the Festival Cos., said existing spaces will be reconfigured to become more open and accessible with a goal of creating better places for gathering and socializing as part of the overall evolution of the District.

Theres a big focus on expanding areas for outside seating, dining, creating a pocket park and kind of connecting the whole place more succinctly with new great open areas, Schurgin said.

Restaurants, which have made River Oaks District a spot for nightlife as well as daytime dining and shopping, will be a bigger part of the picture with the renovations.

RELATED: Retail wrap: Montrose Collective debuts Gorjana jewelry

On the centers west side, a pocket park near the Gray House apartments and Dolce & Gabbana will create areas for restaurants to spill out into the open space, according to Schurgin.

Three new restaurants are expected to open this fall and early winter, according to River Oaks District. Bari, a casual Italian restaurant, will face the new pocket park in a space across the street from French restaurant Toulouse. To the north, Little Hen, a breakfast and brunch spot, will open near Spanish restaurant MAD. Ojo De Agua, a Mexico City-based restaurant with coffee, juice and groceries, plans a location close to Bettis Drive, near Hopdoddy Burger Bar.

When youre in it, youre going to feel like youre in Tulum or some great place in Mexico like that, Schurgin said in reference to Ojo De Agua. Each of these restaurants is adding to our overall restaurant experience, bringing more options for guests.

The new restaurants will join Steak 48, Le Colonial, MAD, Ouzo Bay, Loch Bar and other restaurants in River Oaks District.

Situated between Highland Village and The Galleria, the 670,000-square-foot River Oaks District opened in October 2015 with a concentration of global luxury brands such as Hermes, Dior, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Harry Winston. The mixed-use district, which also has offices and luxury apartments, contains 370,000 square feet of retail with about 60 spots for shops, art galleries, restaurants and the IPIC Theaters. The center attracts visitors across all age groups as well as a mix of local and international shoppers, according to Schurgin.

RELATED: Brookfield starts renovations on downtown, 51-story Fulbright Tower in Houston Center complex

The renovations, which will incorporate a modern architectural aesthetic, will create more opportunities for River Oaks District and retailers to host private and public events, Schurgin said. The work will be done in small areas at a time to minimize disruptions to customers, retailers and restaurants.

Expected to wrap up this fall, the improvements come as several retailers prepare to open stores this summer: Zimmermann, an Australian contemporary womenswear brand; ; Jenni Kayne, a fashion and lifestyle brand; and The Conservatory, a fashion, home and apothecary store with locations in New York and Dallas.

Recently opened stores at River Oaks District include: Assouline, a luxury fashion and lifestyle bookseller La Vie Style House, a luxury caftan designer; Icon Luxury Sound, a Houston-based audio outfitter; LoveShackFancy, a Gilded Age-inspired womenswear line; Lunya, a womenswear sleep and intimates brand; Lahgo, a sleepwear store for men; Teressa Foglia, a bespoke hat designer; and Yellow Korner, an art photography publisher.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban speaks during a press conference following his landslide victory in the April 3 general elections in Budapest, Hungary, April 6, 2022. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Besides Germany, Austria and Hungary were the most strongly opposed to halting Russian oil purchases, as their economies are heavily dependent on Russian oil supplies.

BUDAPEST, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Hungarian government does not support the oil and gas embargo against Russia, a senior official said on Monday.

"The Hungarian position on the oil and gas embargo has not changed: we do not support it!" Zoltan Kovacs, secretary of state for international communications and relations wrote on his Facebook page.

Gas prices are seen at a fuel station in Budapest, Hungary, on March 4, 2022. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Kovacs reacted to a report made by German public television channel ZDF, according to which following a change of position in Germany, all European Union (EU) member states were now willing to support the EU's suspension of Russian oil imports as part of a new crackdown on Russia due to its conflict with Ukraine.

Besides Germany, Austria and Hungary were the most strongly opposed to halting Russian oil purchases, as their economies are heavily dependent on Russian oil supplies.

Photo taken on Feb. 25, 2022 shows diesel and gasoline prices displayed on a screen at a gas station in Frankfurt, Germany. (Photo by Armando Babani/Xinhua)

"The most important thing is for the European Union not to adopt a sanction that will make it impossible to import Russian oil and gas," Gergely Gulyas, head of the prime minister's office, told Hungary's main public radio channel MR1 on Sunday.

Otherwise, Hungary would have to procure these raw materials at a much higher price, without which the price caps on household utilities and the functioning of the Hungarian economy itself cannot be ensured, he added.

"We must not adopt sanctions with which we primarily penalize ourselves instead of those we want to sanction," Gulyas said. 
Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said the incumbent government is considering the suspension of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's conviction order.

"Powers to suspend the conviction lie with the government and the judiciary," The News quoted Sanaullah as saying to a private news channel.

He added that the government had the powers to commute, reduce or suspend anyone's sentence.

If an innocent is wrongly convicted, there is way that the sentence is suspended and they are given a chance to approach the court in a proper way, the Interior Minister said.

Late last month, the government issued a new passport with 10-year-validity to the former premier to return to Pakistan.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo was barred by the Supreme Court in 2017 from holding public office and subsequently went abroad for medical treatment after serving just a few months of a 10-year jail sentence on corruption charges.

He has been living in London for the last two years since being let out of jail.
Houston is famous for having virtually no formal zoning, but there was one major project that put Houston's lax zoning to the test - the so-called Ashby high-rise proposed near Rice University. The proposal unleashed a wave of protests and lawsuits unfolding over the course of nine years between 2007 to 2016. The site has sat mostly untouched over the past six years, but there is a new proposal from a new development team aiming to build a lower density project at the same location.

Here's a look at the background of the contentious former project and what to expect for the new project, The Langley.

Mark Mulligan / Houston Chronicle

What is The Langley?

The Langley is a proposed 20-story luxury apartment tower with 134 residential units planned by Dallas-based StreetLights Residential in partnership with El Paso-based Hunt Companies at 1717 Bissonnet in Houston near Rice University and Rice Village. The luxury apartment tower will feature spacious units with an average size at 2,850 square feet, much larger than standard Houston apartments. The classic, timeless design plus the high-end amenities are expected to attract affluent empty nesters who want to downsize but stay within the neighborhood.

What was the Ashby high-rise project?

The Langley is proposed in the site of a famously contentious land-use battle Houston at the corner of Ashby and Bissonnet in the wealthy Southampton/ Boulevard Oaks neighborhood near Rice Village and Rice University. Although the project never had a formal name, The Ashby was the name that residents gave to proposal. The earlier project was proposed by Houston-based Buckhead Investments in partnership with El Paso-based Hunt Companies.

Cody Duty

Why was the Ashby so controversial?

Buckheads original project  pitched in 2007 at 23 stories  was certainly not the tallest structure in Houston. However, residents worried that a high-rise would be out of place for the low-rise buildings surrounding the site. They also worried that an apartment project would lead to heavy traffic clogging the two-lane streets surrounding the property. They argued the project would be a nuisance that could lower their property values.



For some, The Ashby became a symbol for fighting Houstons lax zoning laws. There were protests, lawsuits, websites and citizen groups formed around trying to halt the project. Opponents created bright yellow and black signs that read Stop Ashby Highrise featuring a menacing-looking caricature of a tower that could be seen in yard signs around the neighborhood.



The real estate community closely watched the battle as a test for whether so-called Not-In-My-Backyard (NIMBY) protests could squash a project that for appeared to follow all the citys permitting requirements. A successful block of the project could have ate away at Houstons pro-development reputation and had a chilling effect on new development, proponents argued.

Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle



What happened with the lawsuits involving the old project?

There were two major lawsuits tied to the old project. The first when Buckhead sued the city in 2010, arguing the city bowed to neighborhood pressure and exceeded its legal authority in denying the developer's application for building permits numerous times. Eventually Buckhead and the city reached a settlement in 2012 to build an altered, smaller version of the project at 21 stories with 228 units, instead of the original plan for 23 stories with 231 units. The settlement resulted in the city and Buckhead forming a restrictive covenant outlining guidelines that the developers agreed to follow to mitigate traffic, noise, light and other concerns tied to the project. The city then granted the developers a permit in 2013.

Residents, unhappy with the citys settlement, filed their own lawsuit in a state district court to try to block the project in 2013. A judge agreed with a 2014 jury verdict that neighbors were owed $1.2 million in damages, but said there was no legal way to stop the project. However, the damages contemplated were based on a building that did not yet exist, which proved to be a challenge later for the plaintiffs. In 2016, a judge in the 14th Court of Appeals reversed the earlier ruling, meaning the developers no longer were required to pay damages. The 2016 ruling also cleared the way for Buckhead to build the tower.

When did the developers get their original permit?

The city approved of the projects initial construction permits in 2013 after the city reached a settlement with the prior developers for a smaller version of the project in 2012. The owners of the real estate have kept their permits active with routine inspections since then, according to Houston Public Works.

Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle



Do the developers need any more permits prior to building?

Because the owners of 1717 Bissonnet kept the permits active over the past nine years, its not clear how much more needs to be done before developers get the green light to break ground. The citys legal team is reviewing the restrictive covenant tied to the project to see how it may impact the proposed changes. As of April 29, the Houston Permitting Center has not received a new application or updated plan for The Langley, a city spokesperson said. City officials said the developers have met with some of the key stakeholders within the community and have shared their new vision for the site, a Houston Public Works spokesperson said in a statement. Developers with StreetLights Residential said they are setting up meetings with city officials soon to review their plan.



Whats different about The Langley plan versus Buckheads earlier plans?

Unlike earlier iterations of a proposed high-rise at the site, The Langley will not feature any retail space, potentially cutting down on traffic. The original 2007 proposal by Buckhead Investments was for a 23-story structure with 231 units. By 2012, that was pared down to a 21-story project with 228 units. Now StreetLights Residential is again downsizing the project to 20 stories with 134 units  which means fewer residents, which developers hope will also reduce traffic concerns. The parking garage on site would also be three stories, not five, and contain 255 parking spaces.

Peter Johnson



Who is behind The Langley?

An entity tied to Hunt Companies still owns the real estate, but this time Hunt has partnered with a new development team with Dallas-based StreetLights Residential. The former developers, Houston-based Buckhead Investments, still have a passive ownership stake in the project but they have no role in the development or decision making. StreetLights Residential said it will follow the parameters outlined in the restrictive covenant the prior developers reached with the city.

StreetLights is familiar with Houston having developed The Carter, a 305-unit apartment project in the Museum District. The developer also partnered with Dallas-based real estate firm Stonelake Capital Partners on two other luxury apartment projects in River Oaks: the 344-unit project, The James, which is connected to the 297-unit project The Ivy.

When would this project be built?

Assuming all goes according to plan for developers, the idea would be to secure construction financing and break ground by November 2022. It would take a few years to build, with some residents moving in 2024 and the final construction completing in 2025.
A third grader at Krahn Elementary in Spring is missing school Monday after her mom says the district "dropped the ball" and suspended her for violating the student code of conduct.

Angela Rose, mother of 9-year-old Amiya Hillary, said the district initially suspended her daughter for three days and ran the risk of being sent to a disciplinary alternative school after eating a THC edible candy that Amiya received from a friend while in class last Thursday.

Rose said the district lowered the suspension to only one day after discovering Amiya ate the candy without knowing it had THC in it. She said the district told her Amiya would face disciplinary actions because students are not allowed to eat outside food or drinks, according to the Klein ISD student code of conduct.

A Chronicle review of the code of conduct found that there is no apparent rule against bringing or eating outside food or drink in the classroom, just on the school bus.

Rose also reviewed the code of conduct and could not find any stated violation for outside food. She said students were allowed to bring candy for Valentine's Day.

"Of course, I tell my child not to eat food from other kids or people, but let's be realistic here," Rose said. "If that is a policy, number one, it wasn't in the code of conduct. And number two, if that is the case, why is the district allowing kids to exchange candy for events?"

In a statement, the district said they are investigating the incident. The district also declined to specify which code of conduct was broken because the investigation is ongoing.

An investigation is underway regarding an incident involving a student bringing a prohibited substance to school and providing it to another student," said Justin Elbert, Kelin ISD executive director of communications, in a statement. "At least one student appears to have intentionally ingested the substance. School administrators contacted all involved families to inform them of the incident, and student discipline in accordance with the student code of conduct is pending.

Candy from a friend

On April 28, Rose received a call from Krahn's nurse's office advising her to pick Amiya up from school because she was throwing up. When Rose got to the school, the nurse informed her that Amiya didn't have a fever but could not go to school the next day if she was vomiting.

The following day, Amiya was well enough to return to school, Rose said. When she went to class, Amiya told her mom that she found the wrapper from the edible she ate the day before. According to Amiya, her classmates informed her that the wrapper was from a "medicated" candy and she wasn't supposed to eat it and to give the wrapper to a teacher.

Amiya told Rose that the teacher told her to "just throw it in the trash."

"The day goes by and Amiya goes to lunch, and by this time all of the kids in her class are discussing it and telling her that's why she was probably sick," Rose said. "One of the kids told a teacher, and that teacher told another teacher, and that's how the school found out she ate it."

Around 5 p.m. Friday, Rose said she got a phone call from the principal trying to find out about Amiya's previous symptoms. After Rose told the principal about the symptoms, Rose said the principal informed her that they had Klein PD with them and found out Amiya ate a piece of candy that had THC in it.

They said Amiya could not come to school for three days and could possibly be sent to an alternative disciplinary school.

"I immediately jumped on the defense," Rose said. "At that point I didn't have my daughter's account of what happened, this was my first time hearing that she had eaten this, and they basically called me just to incriminate me. I told her that was not acceptable."

Rose immediately had Amiya record a video statement detailing what happened. By the time they were finished recording, Rose received another call from the principal, telling her that Amiya's suspension would only be one day, because she ate a piece of food from somebody else.

Afterward, Rose took Amiya to a hospital where she confirmed that Amiya had THC in her system.

Hoping for an apology

Rose said the district made several attempts to make her daughter seem like she did something wrong, despite knowing which student gave her the candy.

"I want either some sort of public apology or some sort of acknowledgment that Amiya is the victim here," Rose said. "And I also want to make sure that her record is free and clear of this incident as far as anything negatively impacting her."

Rose says that the response from the district that Amiya "intentionally" ate the piece of candy makes it sound as if her daughter knew the candy had THC in it.

"I want them to stop trying to make her out to be a bad person," Rose said. "They need to acknowledge that she was a victim."
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Steven Hobbs, one of the longest-serving defendants in the Harris County jail, was sentenced to life in prison Monday after pleading guilty to raping and killing two sex workers.

The 51-year-old former security guard entered his plea on the day a jury was slated to be picked for his trial, effectively allowing the court to avoid days of witness testimony  including from women who accused him in other assaults and survived. Authorities believe the former security guard from Crosby killed a third woman and assaulted several more before his 2011 arrest, prosecutors said. Hobbs has been in custody at the jail ever since.

HOBBS: 3 Harris County defendants no longer to face death penalty prosecutions

Investigators believe he had been targeting sex workers in east Harris County, near where he worked. Prosecutors said he had applied to work at a small police department before his arrest.

We believe that theres at least one more murdered victim and then there are multiple living victims that were sexually assaulted or assaulted physically by him, prosecutor Sarah Seely said.

One of the charges was reduced from capital murder to murder, while others  two counts of aggravated sexual assault, two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated kidnapping  were dismissed as part of the plea deal. Judge Natalia Cornelios sentence includes two consecutive life sentences.

Hobbs previously faced the death penalty but members of a Captial Review Committee with the Harris County District Attorneys Office in 2020 determined that he and two others were not appropriate for the punishment.

More Information in See More Collapse

I think he finally, after 11 years, faced the reality that he was going to have to listen to (the case facts) again. He chose instead to take a plea deal, said Jennifer Meriwether, a second prosecutor on the case.

Hobbs went before Cornelio of 351st District Court in a juvenile courtroom, where the trial was to be held, just before 10 a.m. as his family and several members of the Harris County District Attorneys Office watched. He then entered a guilty plea to killing Patricia Pyatt, 38. Pyatt had last been seen walking from her Crosby home.

Her remains were found in November 2002 in the San Jacinto River beneath the old Beaumont Highway bridge. She had been strangled.

THE TRACK: Open-air sex trade permeates daily life on Houstons outskirts

He also pleaded guilty to the death of Sara Sanford, 48, whose body was found naked. Shes been bound with three handcuffs and shot in the head in October 2010, authorities said. Prosecutors told the judge that DNA from Hobbs was found on her body along with a discarded cigarette.

A sweatshirt with Hobbs DNA was found draped over Sanfords body, authorities said.

The Harris County Sheriffs Office and Pasadena Police Department investigated Hobbs.

Police linked Hobbs to the crimes because of his size. Surviving victims told police their attacker was a very large, tall, red-headed white man who wore a uniform. According to court records, Hobbs is 6-foot-3 and 375 pounds.

In court, Hobbs wore his graying red hair swept back.

Prosecutors arranged for victim impact statements to be heard Friday since some of the families live out of state.

Hobbs had been slated for trial at several points throughout the past decade  first in 2015. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the court postponed another trial date and the pandemic pushed back later dates.

A defense attorney declined to comment while leaving the juvenile courtroom.

At the time of Hobbs 2011 arrest, homicide investigators looked into the deaths of 15 sex workers in eastern Harris County to determine if they were linked to him.

Prosecutors noted that Hobbs was the longest serving inmate at the Harris County Jail following Lucky Ward, sentenced to death in 2020. Ward was held in the county lockup for more than a decade.

Hobbs, who gets 10 years credit for time served, will serve 20 years for the 2002 slaying and 30 years for the 2010 death  making him eligible for parole at 101.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
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When the ambulance door opened, Maria Flores saw her son  his eyes were open.

She rode in the front seat of the ambulance as her 11-year-old son, Josue Flores, was rushed to a hospital on a May 2016 afternoon after he was found brutally stabbed after being attacked on his walk home from school. Paramedics would not allow Flores to sit in the back, she said.

FLORES CASE: DNA from green jacket a key issue in murder trial in death of Josue Flores

When they opened the doors at the hospital, Flores recalled, I thought, My son is already dead. The boys mother took to the witness stand Monday and testified in Spanish, with a courtroom interpreter during the sixth day of Andre Jacksons murder trial.

Her husband, Juan Flores, watched her testimony in the courtroom. Their son would be 18 if he were still alive, she said.

Prosecutors asked Flores about routines for getting the boy to and from school on the Northside. His older sister often walked with him. The mother did the same until Josue asked her to stop.

He felt embarrassed when his mother would kiss him goodbye in front of his school friends, Flores said.

The defense declined to cross-examine Flores. Prosecutors rested their case following her brief testimony. A handful of defense witnesses remain. The jury is expected to begin deliberations later this week.

JUSTICE FOR JOSUE: A 2017 Texas law offers money to help kids get to and from school safely. No districts have applied.

Josue was fatally stabbed nearly 20 times while walking home from a science club party at Marshall Middle School. He was about three blocks from home.

A phone call to Flores that afternoon relayed news of an attack, with the caller at first saying that her son was bleeding and that she needed to meet them immediately about two blocks away, according to testimony.

She implored the caller to elaborate, she recalled for the court.

I asked and I was told my son was stabbed, she continued calmly.

She grabbed her identification and left, she said. The doctors at the hospital, where Josue was taken, told her that he could not be saved.

The testimony followed days of accounts from eyewitnesses in the familys neighborhood, as well as evidence about DNA evidence and the distinctive green jacket that authorities found in Jacksons room at the Salvation Army. Jackson has been held since 2019 in the Harris County Jail, on $500,000 bail, since his re-indictment on the murder charge that had been dropped two years prior.

MORE ON FLORES: Boy's death strikes fear in northside neighborhood

The jury also watched more than a hour of footage of police interrogating Jackson about two weeks after the stabbing. He denied involvement and noted to police that detectives had previously arrested a different man in Pearland.

I feel sorry for this kid, I really do, Jackson said during the interrogation as a detective pleaded with him to divulge anything he knew about the killing. He was charged with murder that day, a charge that was dropped in 2017 because of inconclusive blood and DNA evidence.

The detective concluded the interrogation by saying: This is your opportunity to tell the jury why you did it.

Jackson did not respond.

His second arrest in 2019 followed improved test of the DNA evidence. In the defense's opening statements, court-appointed attorney Jerome Godinich argued that the second round of DNA testing on the jacket  completed by a Florida company  did not turn up any new information.

It just used, he said, a lower threshold for what could be considered conclusive DNA evidence.

nicole.hensley@chron.com
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Congressional members this week are moving one step closer to authorizing a massive, $31-billion-dollar system to block storm surge along Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula and at the mouth of Galveston Bay.

On HoustonChronicle.com: How even the smallest parts of the massive Ike Dike plan will impact Galveston

A proposed draft of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 released Friday suggests the U.S. should carry out the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study, informally known as the Ike Dike.

If approved, the federal government would pick up $19.2 billion of the cost of the multifaceted project that would mean building dunes, flood walls and giant gates to try to protect the most populous stretch of the Texas Gulf Coast.

Texas legislators already created a local government district that is able to impose taxes to help pay for the non-federal share of the cost, which is $11.7 billion.

The U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will review the text of the draft bill on Wednesday. Legislation for these types of projects is written at regular intervals so that work by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can get off the ground.

The U.S. House of Representatives version of the bill hasnt been released. Both measures will need approval from their congressional chambers. Then they will be combined into one bill and put up for a final vote.

Read more: Read the draft bill text here.

Texans have spent more than a decade imagining, designing and working to address the historic events that we have experienced in our recent past, from Hurricane Ike to Hurricane Harvey, with an eye toward the future, Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, a Houston Democrat, told the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earlier this year. The result of that work is the Texas coastal study, and the time to authorize it is now.

The Coastal Texas project is a sweeping proposal, centered on a series of massive gates that would span the entrance to Galveston Bay. Bringing it to fruition would have ramifications on the marine environment and would change how vessels move in and out of the Houston Ship Channel.

The project also wont be able to stop all storm surge: The gates are proposed to block a wall of water as high as 22 feet. Dune systems on Galveston Island and Bolivar Peninsula will need to be maintained as storms wash them away.

Planners previously estimated the cost of the plan at $29 billion. It has increased to $31 billion because of what the Army Corps of Engineers refers to as price leveling, meaning the Corps recalculated the costs for Fiscal Year 2022 factoring in inflation and other variables.

Supporters have said the high cost and impact to habitat and wildlife is necessary in order to protect the region as sea levels rise as a result of climate change. The petrochemical industry and coastal communities are especially vulnerable. Detractors say a more nuanced, nature-based approach should be considered.

Ben Wermund contributed to this report.

emily.foxhall@chron.com
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In explaining the importance of giving in Islam following the end of Ramadan, on Eid al-Fitr Monday, Aisha Siddiqui tells a fable of two devout women with different opportunities to worship. One woman spends all her waking hours praying to Allah, while the other only has time to pray the standard five times per day  she is too busy making sure her neighbors are well fed and adequately clothed.

When the day of judgment comes, its the second woman who reaches paradise first.

That is the Muslim religion, you have to give to others, said Siddiqui, who runs Culture of Health  Advancing Together (CHAT), an advocacy group for immigrants and refugees in Houston.

If mankind is happy with me, than Allah is happy with me, Siddiqui said.

Zakat, the giving of alms to those in need, is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and Muslims who meet a certain threshold of wealth must pay 2.5 percent of their saving in zakat every year. While zakat can be given year round, it is most commonly paid during Ramadan, which ended Sunday night, because Islamic belief specifies that any good deed done during Ramadan is multiplied 70 times over.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Here's what Houston schools are doing to accommodate Muslim students during Ramadan

Locally, many Muslims send funds during Ramadan to the Islamic Society of Greater Houston, which runs 22 Islamic centers across the Houston area which uses the money to pay for rent, utilities or food for about 500 households per month, according to the groups treasurer, Faizan Atiq.

Last year, the Islamic Society of Greater Houston collected about $2.25 million, more than 70 percent of which was donated during Ramadan, Atiq said. Various estimates have the number of Muslims in the Houston area ranging between the tens and hundreds of thousands.

By the time Eid al-Fitr, the celebration of the end of Ramadan, rolled around Monday, Atiq estimated that the group had raised about $1.5 million this year. And thats only a small portion of the money that Muslims in the Bayou City donate to causes in Houston and around the world.

In Islam, we have a strong belief that youre not a believer until you like for your brother what you like for yourself. Its very important that we make sure that not only are we successful, but that were taking care of our community across the city, especially the most vulnerable, Atiq said.

Zakat can be a crucial lifeline for survival as organizations establish themselves within Houstons wide network of nonprofits.

Siddiqui, a Pakistani immigrant who settled in Houston in 1989, started CHAT to improve education, health and wellness outcomes among immigrants and refugees. The group receives grants from the City of Houston and philanthropic groups. But when the group started in 2015, operating out of a single  ground floor apartment in Gulfton  Siddiqui had to rely almost entirely on zakat to stay afloat.

In Houston, there is a huge Muslim community that is very generous, Siddiqui said. If it was not for zakat, we would not have survived.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Eid al-Fitr game: Houston author creates Mad Libs for a Muslim audience

A common theme among organizations collecting zakat is the desire to accommodate the thousands of Afghan refugees that have arrived in Houston since last summer. CHAT is connecting Afghan families with sponsors and offering English as a Second Language classes, while the Islamic Society of Greater Houston is stepping in to pay bills for families whose contracts with resettlement agencies have expired.

The Pakistan Association of Greater Houston, which regularly collects several thousand dollars of zakat, is buying groceries for Afghan families, packing them into meals and dropping them off at their doorsteps.

Every year is different but right now, the refugees that came from Afghanistan really need help, said Muzaffar Siddiqi, the groups Vice President.

sam.kelly@chron.com
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As a child, Becky Vanderslice often visited family near Prairie View, where her relatives had lived for generations. One day while playing, she and her cousin came upon a ledger listing names, ages, skin colors and dollar amounts. The document was part of her familys seldom-discussed history. Her relative, Col. Jared Kirby had owned the Alta Vista Plantation  one of several in the area that belonged to the family  before it later was sold to the state and turned into Prairie View A&M University.

When they saw the names of the people enslaved there, her cousin asked why those people hadnt left. It was just much more complex than that sweetie, is how Vanderslice remembers her great-aunt responding. It was like, OK, well .. then you put the probate list back in the bottom drawer of the desk.

Many years later, shes taken that list  and other family records and stories  out of the drawer and shared them with the university faculty and staff. The result has been a rich new chapter in the history of the place where Texas first institution of higher learning to welcome Black students has stood since shortly after its founding in 1876.

Growing up in Dallas and later Colorado, Vanderslice, whose great-grandmother was the daughter of Kirbys first wife, said she struggled with her familys connection to slavery.

She knew she wanted to share the documents and family lore that detailed life on the plantation but she didnt know how. Once, she drove to Prairie View but turned back. Who would she talk to? Would they really want to hear from her?

The answer, it turns out, is a resounding yes. When she finally did call an archivist at the university, she felt great relief, nearly crying as she recounted the moment with the editorial board in April.

Phyllis Earles, the archivist, remembers the moment, too. Id been waiting or hoping that somebody from the Kirby family would call, she recalls telling Vanderslice. Earles told us could sense Vanderslices hesitation but treated her with empathy. I put myself in her place. For her to have the courage to make that phone call and to continue the conversation is in itself monumental.

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Now, as universities across America are confronting the legacy of slavery on their campuses, Prairie View has embarked upon a different kind of self-reflection.

Thats because its connection to slavery is multi-dimensional  it sits on the site of a former plantation and many who work or even study there can trace their ancestors to the people enslaved there and nearby.

The Kirby familys involvement forms a critical part of the university-wide research projects undertaken ahead of the schools 150th anniversary in 2026. Work on multiple projects from students and professors, including undergraduate Asha Mahamud and history professor Tyler Moore, have added to the new historical understanding and led to more than $650,000 in grants and private support.

Searching archives and census records, Mahamud has tracked down details about several of the people enslaved by Kirby, including Elizabeth Burney, whose recollections recorded in a 1930s dissertation recalled the brutal treatment by Marster Jack and how she received her first pair of shoes only after Emancipation. Before that, enslaved people working in the fields used animal hides to wrap their feet. Mahamud also learned of three enslaved men, John, Dan and Bill, who escaped the plantation and headed for Mexico. Kirby posted a notice in the newspaper, hoping to hunt them down.

I hope they made it, Mahamud said during an April presentation to community members of the ongoing research efforts.

Our purpose is to be truth-seekers and -tellers, Marco Robinson, an assistant professor of history and the assistant director of the schools Ruth J. Simmons Center for Race and Justice, told the crowd gathered to learn about the Centers ongoing research.

By coming forward about her own familys history as slaveholders, Vanderslice and her children Allison and Mara Vanderslice have helped fill in holes in the historic record of a county that was a stronghold of Confederate support, and one that has a long history of intense racial violence and oppression, as well as resistance on the part of the Black community.

There are people right here in the county that dont necessarily want us to talk about that, explained Robinson.

But those stories need to be told. The history of Americas era of slavery includes people who owned slaves and those who didnt, as well as those who were enslaved. Unless more families step forward with the information they have, some stories will be lost, some histories will remain incomplete.

When we cannot get access to their stories, we cannot get access to our own, Melanye Price, a political science professor and director of the Center for Race and Justice, told the audience.

Vanderslices contributions have helped paint a fuller picture of the campus and the more than 1,400 acres it sits on. The work continues. Its a partnership that represents a model other institutions should emulate, with help from all of us.
National Guard members injured or killed on the Texas border stand to get a fraction of the health and death benefits for their families because they were deployed by Gov. Greg Abbott instead of President Joe Biden.

We dont get any of the  or most of the  federal protections and benefits, Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer, leader of the Texas Military Department, told lawmakers at a recent hearing of the Texas House Homeland Security & Public Safety and Defense & Veterans Affairs Committees.

That means that instead of families of soldiers killed in the line of duty getting $100,000 immediately to help with funeral costs and other expenses  as they would on a federal mission  they are left with state workers compensation death benefits, which amount to 75 percent of a soldiers pay from their civilian job, paid out weekly, Suelzer said. So a guard member making $50,000 a year in a civilian job would get up to $37,500 paid out weekly in addition to up to $10,000 in reimbursements for funeral costs, which families have to initially pay out of pocket.

Troops activated by Abbott are also getting less coverage for injuries.

Suelzer said hes working to change those disparities. He told lawmakers hes going to push them in the next Texas legislative session in 2023 to do more to improve death benefits for guard members who are activated by Abbott.

One thing we need to look at, and we fought for in past sessions, is an immediate death gratuity if something happens to you on state active duty, Suelzer said. Because these families do struggle with, How am I going to pay for this funeral, among other things.

Since February, two soldiers assigned to Operation Lone Star have died on duty. Last week, the Texas Military Department confirmed that Spc. Bishop E. Evans, 22 of Arlington, died in Eagle Pass while trying to save migrants crossing the Rio Grande. In February, the Texas Military Department announced that Spc. Dajuan Lester Townes, 19, of Spring, was killed in an accidental shooting in Kinney County.

IN-DEPTH: Costs for two-year Texas border security blitz hit $4 billion

Abbott has deployed more than 10,000 soldiers and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers as part of Operation Lone Star. More than 6,100 soldiers are at the Texas border now. Unlike past deployments for disaster relief and COVID preparation, there is no end in sight for the border mission, which was launched in March 2021.

Abbott says the operation is necessary because the Biden administration is not doing enough to secure the border, forcing Texas to fill in the gaps.

Critics of Operation Lone Star have called it unnecessary political theater, and Biden has so far declined to declare an emergency at the border.

Federal officials say they are now surging personnel and resources to the area. U.S. Customs and Border Protection currently has 23,000 agents and officers working along the U.S. border with Mexico  more than twice as many as last year.

Less injury coverage

Soldiers injured on federal duty get care under Tricare, a health care program for uniformed service members, retirees and their families around the world. For active service members, there is no enrollment fee and no annual deductible. And most out-of-pocket costs are nominal.

But those injured during Operation Lone Star are eligible for benefits only through the states workers compensation program, which is far harder to navigate than most private insurance.

Texas Military Department records show that since 2017, 1 in 4 workers comp claims filed with the department is rejected, leaving soldiers potentially with unpaid medical bills and lost wages. The department holds regular training to teach soldiers the steps of filling out the necessary paperwork.

That applies to soldiers called up on any state order. Suelzer said guard members activated to deal with the aftermath of a tornado or hurricane that hasnt been declared a federal disaster would not be eligible for Tricare and would rely on the same workers comp rules.

You got out and get hurt, you have workmans comp and thats it, Suelzer said.

From 2017 to 2021, state records show 306 soldiers filed claims for workers compensation, with 222 being accepted.

Its all a big frustration for state Rep. James White, a Tyler County Republican who chairs the Homeland Security Committee. He said hes been concerned for years about the disparity of benefits for guard members who might have federal protections on one deployment and then far fewer benefits when they get called up by the governor.

This has long been a problem even before Operation Lone Star started, White said. This deployment has simply magnified the problem.

White said the state needs to work on the issue immediately but that he worries that with the Legislature out of session until 2023, soldiers on the border now are essentially rolling the dice that nothing else bad happens.

White is worried that the situation is only going to get more dangerous as the federal government prepares to end the COVID-19 pandemic restriction, known as Title 42, that has kept migrants in Mexico. With that policy lifting next month, federal officials have begun planning for as many as 18,000 people a day crossing the border.

Suelzer promised lawmakers that improvements have been made to reported delays in paychecks to soldiers, as well as to living conditions on the border.

We have improved our pay accuracy rate to 99 percent, improved the quality of living and conditions at our base camps and increased the distribution of critical equipment to our service members, Suelzer said.

Abbott and DPS Director Steven McCraw have called Operation Lone Star vital in slowing criminal activity. McCraw told lawmakers that theyve fully secured five of 103 zones along the Texas border, which means that nothing and nobody crosses those sections without being detected.

At the end of the day, our directive is that weve got to prevent transnational criminal activity  not just to interdict it and detect it  and the governors clear direction to us is to do everything we can to secure in between the ports of entry, plain and simple, McCraw said.

Federal officials said that starting in April, they intensified their targeting of transnational criminal organization, which has resulted in 2,500 arrests, investigations and disrupting of smuggling operations, such as safe houses.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz is traveling the nation to campaign for candidates in tight GOP primary contests for U.S. Senate, several of whom are pitted against candidates backed by former President Donald Trump.

A week after Cruz campaigned in Nevada for Adam Laxalts U.S. Senate campaign there, the Houston Republican spent much of his May Day weekend in Ohio at rallies in Dayton, Toledo and Columbus trying to boost Josh Mandel in that states primary.

Listen, I think Republican primary voters are tired of rolling the dice and not knowing what theyre going to get, Cruz said in Ohio in an interview with Mandel on Fox News. If you want someone who will be a conservative fighter, the best way to do that is to elect someone who has a record of standing, and leading, and fighting. Thats why Im supporting Josh Mandel.

While Trump has also supported Laxalt in Nevada, the former president held a rally this weekend to support J.D. Vance over Mandel in Tuesdays Ohio Senate primary race.

And in Pennsylvania, Cruz has campaigned for David McCormick in that states May 17 GOP primary. Trump has endorsed McCormicks opponent, Mehmet Oz, in that race and is set to hold a rally with Oz on Friday in western Pennsylvania.

While Cruz and Trump are on opposite sides in Ohio and Pennsylvania, they are on the same side in Nevada and now in North Carolina where both have endorsed Republican Ted Budd for the U.S. Senate in that states May 17 primary.

Cruzs busy campaign schedule comes as speculation surrounding him running for president has grown in recent weeks, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court nomination battle over Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, when Cruz was featured all over conservative media for his opposition to her.

IN-DEPTH: Cruz scores presidential points with his show at the Ketanji Brown Jackson SCOTUS hearings

Cruz continues to express interest in running for president again in 2024 and continues to raise money like few others in the U.S. Senate. Cruz has already raised more than $27 million in his U.S. Senate re-election account  more than all but one other Senate Republican, according to Federal Election Commission records.

When asked directly if he was interested in running for president if Donald Trump doesnt run again, Cruz hasnt shied away.

I am certainly looking at it, Cruz, 51, said during an interview with conservative media outlet Newsmax in July. Ill tell you, 2016 was the most fun Ive ever had in my life. We came incredibly close.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Cruz won 11 states, including defeating Trump in Iowa.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com
WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX

408 PM CDT Sun May 1 2022

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 445 PM CDT

FOR NORTHWESTERN PECOS...EAST CENTRAL REEVES AND CENTRAL WARD

COUNTIES...

At 407 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 17 miles south of

Barstow, or 17 miles southeast of Pecos, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Coyanosa, B F Goodrich Testing Track and Imperial Reservoir.

This includes Interstate 20 between mile markers 58 and 60.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for western and

southwestern Texas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

The National Weather Service in Midland has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...

Northwestern Andrews County in western Texas...

* Until 500 PM CDT.

* At 408 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado

was located 15 miles southeast of Eunice, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and ping pong ball size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.

Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree

damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

northwestern Andrews County, including the following locations...

Frankel City.

TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest

floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a

mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter

and protect yourself from flying debris.

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northeastern Lea County in southeastern New Mexico...

Northwestern Gaines County in western Texas...

* Until 515 PM CDT/415 PM MDT/.

* At 409 PM CDT/309 PM MDT/, a severe thunderstorm was located near

Lovington, moving northeast at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect

considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to

mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

* Locations impacted include...

Hobbs, Lovington, McDonald, Humble City, Knowles, Industrial

Airpark and Higginbotham.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT/900 PM MDT/ for

southeastern New Mexico...and western Texas.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather


President Putin Vladimir Putin may be forced to give up control of the war in Ukraine for days as he is set for cancer surgery, a 'Kremlin insider' has claimed. Reports suggest the Russian President is battling both abdominal cancer and Parkinsons disease. The Russian dictator will reportedly nominate hardline Security Council head and ex-FSB chief Nikolai Patrushev to take control of the invasion while he is under the knife.




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Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition.

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BCC to Host Admissions Info Sessions

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Berkshire Community College (BCC) will host two free virtual information sessions to be held in the month of May: Wednesday, May 4 at 4 pm and Thursday, May 19 at noon.

The 30-minute info sessions, presented by admissions counselors on Zoom, are designed to familiarize prospective students with the application and registration process.

To register for a session, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/openhouse

Information session participants can:

Ask questions about the admissions process: how to apply, register, and choose classes

Learn about BCC's affordability and its financial aid options

Hear from staff about quality programs and student support services

Discover how classes will transfer to hundreds of schools or prepare graduates for an immediate career

For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (413) 236-1636.
Pittsfield Artswalk Returns Friday

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  New indoor and outdoor art exhibits will be on view on May 6 from 5 to 8 pm.

Download the Downtown Pittsfield app in the App Store or on Google Play to follow a virtual walking tour of art.

Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. will also present Indoors Out! Free Kids' Paint & Sip on Friday, May 6, 5:30-7:30 pm, at the parklet and outdoor seating area at The Marketplace Cafe, 53 North Street. This free event is best suited for ages 5 to 12, although older children are welcome. All materials and instruction are provided. Kids will be able to choose to paint Spring Trees or Swirly Flowers. Snacks and juice will also be provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult and masks are required.

The rain location for Indoors Out! Free Kids' Paint & Sip is the Conference Room at 33 Dunham Mall (the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. office). Notice will be made on Facebook (@DowntownPittsfield) if the event is moved to the rain location.

Soma's Aromas, 81 East Street, will present Jennifer Johnson "Shadowboxes" for the month of May. Jennifer's shadowboxes are handmade using found, recycled, refurbished, metal detected, and mudlarked items from around the world, including Scotland, Spain, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, England, and right here in the Berkshires.

There will be a reception with the artist on May 6, 5 to 8 pm, during the First Fridays Artswalk. Hot Plate Brewing Co. will pour samples, and Jennifer will create a shadowbox in real time to show her process.

Hotel on North, 297 North Street, will feature "Rhythm and Hues" by Michael Fabrizio through May 31. There will be a reception with the artist on Friday, May 6, 5 to 8 pm, as part of First Fridays Artswalk.

"My paintings are, despite their abstract nature, representative of the dialogue we all have with living, of the contact between us and our world. They are an art made of many moments of observations of life, long and short, sweet and stinging," said Fabrizio. "They are a collection of impressions, messages from living, and thoughts for the heart. They represent expressions and impressions, of my reaction, wonder and interaction with my world. They are my attempts, as Shakespeare said, to see the sermon in a stone."

NUarts Studios & Gallery at 311 North Street, the largest artist and artisan studio collective in downtown Pittsfield, will host Open Studios on Friday, May 6, 5 to 8 pm during Artswalk. The artists opening their studios for the May 6 Open Studios are Caroline Kelley, Shany Porras, Sally Tiska Rice, and Ilene Richard. These artists will offer artwork and wares for sale and will share information about their art process and inspiration.

Dr. Mark Mellinger will also host Open Studios during the First Fridays Artswalk on May 6, 5 to 8 pm. Visit Dr. Mellinger's studio in the Agricultural Bank Building, 100 North Street, Room 322. While continuing his psychoanalytic practice, Mark paints, does collage, and makes constructions of found objects in his Pittsfield studio.

Two artists from the Guild of Berkshire Artists will show their work during the month of May at TKG Real Estate, 137 North Street. Featured artists are Susan Lynch Smith and Kayla Corby. There will be a reception as part of First Fridays Artswalk on Friday, May 6, 5 to 8 pm. The work will be up during the month of May and can be viewed when TKG Real Estate is open.

The Brothership Building Window at 141 North Street, curated by IS183 Art School of the Berkshires, will feature Winter Study, by Katherine Finkelstein, May 6-30. Katherine Finkelstein is an artist and the founder and director of Motherbox Gallery, an exhibition space she has run out of her Brooklyn apartment since 2016. She teaches photography at the Buxton School in Williamstown.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, 175 Wendell Avenue, will present a show by a husband-wife team, "Valenti and Valenti  An Evening of Art and Poetry," for the month of May. There will be an opening reception on Friday, May 6, 5 to 8 pm, as part of First Fridays Artswalk, and the art will be on display through May 27.

As a special attraction for this event, Dan Valenti will join Poet Jerri Chaplin of Charleston, SC, and author Paul Kocak of Syracuse, NY, as each read from their newly published collaborative book, "Third Person Singular: 33 1/3 Poems Each" (Planet Media Books-2022).

The reading will take place from 6 to 7 pm on Friday, May 6.

Senior AP Art & Design students will present their senior portfolio sustained investigations at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts, 28 Renne Avenue, for the month of May. The exhibit will be on view during First Fridays Artswalk on May 6 from 5 to 8 pm; and there will be an opening reception on Wednesday, May 11, 6 to 7 pm.

Featured artists are Isabella Ameen, Antonia Bedard, Isabelle Berkel, Dale Christiana, Cody Clemons, Charlotte Coco, Shyah Figuero, Kaden Griffin, Lucien Nash, Sophia Nguyen, Mia Powers, Mackenzi Ressler, Paige Webster, and Isabella Witherell.

MCLA Pittsfield at 66 Allen Street will feature an art show by JC Innocence and Delano Mills for the May First Fridays Artswalk. There will be a reception as part of First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 7 pm on May 6.

The Berkshire Museum, 39 South Street, will offer free admission to their newest exhibition, "Project Vaccine: Our Best Defense" ("Proyecto Vacunas: Nuesta mejor defensa") on Friday, May 6, 5 to 8 pm, during First Fridays Artswalk. Learn about vaccines and their development, viral transmission, and the many steps and countless professionals involved in the creation ofand rollout of vaccines. This is a bilingual exhibition.

"Project Vaccine: Our Best Defense" was created by the Museum of Science, Boston, in collaboration with Moment Factory, and was made possible through support provided by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson and the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center.

The Marketplace Cafe, 53 North Street, will present mixed-media portraits by Mollie Kellogg for the month of May. There will be a reception with the artist as part of First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 7 pm on May 6.
Big Y Donates to Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Relief

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.  Big Y World Class Markets added to the collected donations from customers and employees from March 17 through March 30 through their traditional registers, online and myExpress check out for Ukraine Humanitarian Relief.

Community and employee donations along with additional support from Big Y resulted in a donation of $100,000 which will be donated to the global Red Cross network response to provide humanitarian relief to people affected by the crisis in Ukraine.

"We have all witnessed the heartbreaking effects particularly on children and families in Ukraine," Big Y President and CEO Charles L. D'Amour said. "We are grateful to partner with the International Red Cross to provide some measure of support for their innocent victims. Our thanks go out to our entire Big Y Family, including our customers and employees for joining us to support this humanitarian relief."

As the conflict continues, the Red Cross continues to help families impacted by this conflict.

International Red Cross teams are currently on the ground in the region distributing food, delivering medicine and medical supplies, assisting with evacuations, and providing shelter.

"Thanks to Big Y's generous support, the global Red Cross network continues to help families impacted by continued fighting in Ukraine," Said Anne McKeough, Chief Development Officer at the American Red Cross, "We are grateful for partners like Big Y as we work together to help provide critical humanitarian relief response to the Ukraine crisis."
Pam Coley McCann, Associate Professor, Human Services, said partnerships within the college community itself are also critical. Personal counselor Lisa Mattila spoke of the importance of developing partnerships with other organizations. PreviousNext

Mental Health on the College Campus: How BCC Helps Students Overcome Barriers to Succeed

May is National Mental Health Month, a time not only to reflect on the importance of seeking help, but also to remind ourselves that mental health is a critical part of overall health. For college students who struggle with mental health issues  whether occasionally or chronically  academic pressure can be debilitating. Add the anxiety and stress brought on by the pandemic, and mental health challenges in the collegiate world increase significantly.

Colleges and universities across the nation, many of which have reported significant increases in both the frequency and severity of students' mental health needs during the pandemic, have scrambled to make mental health services available by phone and video conferencing when social distancing makes in-person visits impossible. But with this challenge comes a silver lining: a renewed emphasis on mental well-being as a top priority for students as they navigate their academic pursuits and, ultimately, their career choices.

And it isn't just the pandemic that has brought more attention to the topic of students and mental health. In a pre-pandemic 2019 survey of college presidents conducted by the American Council on Education , 80 percent indicated that student mental health had become more of a priority than it was three years prior. Seventy-two percent reported they had reallocated or identified additional funding to address the issue. While anxiety and depression topped the list of mental health concerns, presidents at public two- and four-year institutions were more likely to hear about students facing addiction and food insecurity than presidents at private nonprofit four-year institutions. Notably, presidents at public two- year colleges were twice as likely to hear about housing insecurity than presidents at other types of institutions.

The challenges of a rural campus with a diverse student body

At Berkshire Community College (BCC), like many community colleges, a significant portion of the student population represents historically marginalized communities. That, when combined with the rural setting of the BCC campus, presents a unique set of needs.

"Those in rural areas with mental health needs are indeed an underserved group, and an underexposed source of training for professionals of all kinds," said Emily Fulop, a personal counselor at BCC. "While both urban and rural worlds face significant struggles, rural populations have to grapple with so many different challenges than urban folks. In my observation, resources are more focused on the urban level than the rural one."




iciHaiti - May 1st : Celebrated in the country since 1816





In a note, the Ministry of Communication recalls that "May 1st originated in the struggle of thousands of workers who sacrificed their lives to obtain rights. It is a day of commemoration for those brave men who shed their blood for the dignity of work. This day pays tribute to workers for their role in the socio-economic life of the world.



May 1st is a day of reflection around demands for working in safety, increasing production while strengthening quality and benefiting from social advantages. This day calls for a spirit of solidarity between employers and employees for the well-being of society.



In Haiti, May 1st (National Day) dedicated to the mass of workers, is also dedicated to agriculture. The Feast of Agriculture was retained by the Constitution of 1816, in its Article 34.



It is a tradition to celebrate Labor and Agriculture Day in Haiti with gastronomy and production fairs where social organizations from the agricultural and artisan sectors present their works. The trade union movement also revives during this period the problems encountered, through conference-debates or awareness-raising and mobilization activities. Some schools organize reforestation campaigns. Several civic-minded activities are organized despite certain difficulties [...]"



IH/ iciHaiti


















New Zealand King Salmon Investments Limited is pleased to advise the annual report for the year ended 31 January 2022 is now available.

An electronic copy is attached, and is also available at our website, www.kingsalmon.co.nz/investors

The 2022 financial year has been challenging for the company due to issues with the wider environment, including increased mortalities and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This has caused us to reassess our strategies to create a more secure platform for future expansion. The company is undergoing a capital raise to strengthen its balance sheet and we are initiating structural changes to our farming model to combat rising fish mortalities. We are confident these initiatives will put us on a better footing and we remain positive about the future. 

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LA100B celebrating centenary of Bergen Group of NRRL LA100B is the centenary call sign for the Bergen group of the NRRL and will be used throughout 2022



The group says:



Our usual call sign is LA1B and we also use LN1B in contests.



In 2022, the Bergen group of NRRL celebrates its first 100 years. Our club was founded on 25 November 1922 under the name Bergens Radio Amatr Klub (Bergen Radio Amateur Club). The foundation took place in Hotel Transatlantic in Bryggen (the Wharf). It was only fitting that the club was founded in Hotel Transatlantic, only a few months after the first transatlantic contact between radio amateurs.



After becoming a member of Norsk Radio Rel Liga (Norwegian Radio Relay League, NRRL) when NRRL was founded in 1928, the club's name was changed to "Bergensgruppen av NRRL", in accordance with NRRL's rules.



Centenary operating activities in 2022:



The operating activities will be based in the club station in Totland, Bergen, grid locator JP20RH.



LA100B will be activated throughout the year in many modes and the HF + 6 m bands. We will also use the centenary call sign in contests.



Awards in several classes will be offered for contacts with LA100B.



Information about activities on air, rules and award/diploma download:

https://www.la1b.no/la100b/
This Is a contributed article by Guy Golan, CEO of Performanta.

Over the years, the cybersecurity market has split into two factions  those dedicated to attack prevention, and those who provide solutions for damage mitigation. But as the threat of attack continues to grow, can businesses really afford to favour just one form of protection?

When it comes to our homes, we have locks on our doors to prevent intruder entry, and a burglar alarm to respond swiftly in case of a break in. We would never choose one over the other. Only having attack prevention strategies means it is harder to locate and block adversaries once they get in (which they will), and damage mitigation fails to take the proactive approach altogether to limit the likelihood of attacks in the first place.

As the cost of cybercrime and data breaches continues to rise from a financial and reputational sense, its time to end the debate of which approach is more important. Businesses need to be both proactive and reactive  one fatal blow could bring a company to its knees.

Identify the enemy

Businesses are navigating a minefield when it comes to defending their networks due to the increase in attack vectors, and adversaries getting bolder and more sophisticated over time.

As it stands, ransomware remains the biggest threat to organisations. According to SonicWall, the past year witnessed 623.3 million ransomware attacks across the world, a 105% increase compared to the previous year. The repercussions of such an attack can be huge: financial costs of getting systems back online; the time and money required to recover lost assets; regulatory implications because of compliance failures; and the long-term damage to business reputation for experiencing a breach.

Given the severity of the threats currently darkening our doorways, why is the debate between attack prevention and damage mitigation still ongoing?

The need to lower the risk AND limit the impact

Cybersecurity has significantly evolved over the years, with business networks now extending beyond the four walls of an office. It is no longer enough to rely on endpoint protection and firewalls to defend the organisation.

So naturally, businesses turn to the cyber market to pick out their next solution to add to the security stack. Thanks to the exponential rise in attacks, cyber investment has skyrocketed. The DCMS Annual Cyber Sector report showed that the cyber industry contributed around 5.3 billion to the UK economy in 2021, rising by a third on the previous year.

But despite this increase in investment, attackers are still breaching their targets. And the unfortunate reality is, they will continue to do so. This is why businesses choose to prioritise damage mitigation  if theres no stopping attackers, then limit what they can reach.

While a valid attitude, its unwise for organisations to neglect a prevention approach. Organisations need to proactively monitor for threats, not only to help protect critical business assets, but to harvest invaluable insight into criminal attack trends to feed into future defence strategies.

The next steps

Addressing a businesss cybersecurity is a daunting task, with teams often overwhelmed by the incoming risks and subsequent needs to evolve defences from both a prevention and mitigation standpoint. Here are a few key considerations to get companies started:

Compliance

Compliance is an absolute must, but it does not reflect the level of security that businesses ought to be adopting. Organisations should focus on risk-based security, dedicating efforts to understanding what the business risks are, and how they translate to cyber risks.

Real time data

Teams should work tirelessly to gain real time insight into what their security controls look like, and how theyre functioning. Without this level of knowledge, its impossible to paint a picture of what controls protect which aspects of the network, and which are left defenceless. A real-life example would be a mansion with 50 doors. To achieve complete security, the occupants need to know the exact number of entrances, whether each door is locked, and how many of those are also alarmed. Without this data, security becomes a dangerous guessing game.

Contextualise risk

Breaking down risk into different contextual groups is vital. This includes by time, and relevance to department, people, or data. Businesses need to understand which risks are imminent and which are general, to quantify them in terms of a defence mechanism.

An open culture

Organisations should promote a culture that encourages regular sessions between the CISO and their team with real-time data to take action against each risk. While this can be a tall order for organisations, especially given the extraordinary pressures already on their shoulders, its becoming essential. As technology advances, businesses need to evolve their strategies to get the most out of their systems. Organisations need a unified culture and real-time data to lower the risk and reduce the impact  tackling both ends of cybersecurity.

A double-pronged defence

As the stakes for businesses rise, the pressure to evolve cybersecurity strategies has never been so high. On top of the usual suspects, major organisations  particularly those involved with national critical infrastructure  are becoming more vulnerable to nation-state attacks. The recent warnings of Russian cyberattacks against critical infrastructure is a prime example. And while it is not the responsibility of one organisation to defend their country from national attack, each contribution is invaluable.

There are countless other threats emerging over the horizon that could put todays ransomware attacks to shame. Technologies like Quantum computers will redefine the landscape and open avenues that currently dont seem possible but will become a reality.

Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet for cybersecurity, but there is always room for businesses to improve their security posture. After all, a successful attack is dependent on three factors: a vulnerable network, an accessible device, and a persistent attacker. Organisations have control over two of those elements.

Budget allowing, there are security solutions that could provide the security businesses seek. But the most important aspect of cyber is mindset. Having a complete understanding of the threats towards a business is a powerful asset and should never be underestimated. Technology is just a tool; the real defence lies within the workforce itself.

Guy Golan is the CEO and co-founder of the Performanta Group, and leads the culture vision, strategy and global expansion for the group, pioneering modern cyber security solutions to organisations worldwide. Golan focuses on building sustainable ad mutually beneficial relationships with both customers and partners, giving him a deep understanding of the ever evolving and dynamic needs of the Information security landscape.
Cases of spying on journalists and media workers using sophisticated spyware programs have multiplied in recent years all over the world. To mark World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and all its affiliates urge governments across the world and international bodies to work together with journalists unions to develop strict regulations that ban surveillance of journalists and recognise the inviolability of journalists' communications.

Growing reporting revealing the breadth and extent of the use of spyware to surveil journalists and governments all over the world reveals that surveillance of journalists is one of the main and most worrying threats to press freedom.

From Asia Pacific to Latin America, passing by European and the Middle East, governments have reportedly used sophisticated spyware products designed to fight crime to target independent journalists.

The lack of regulations and control over the use of this kind of spyware, originally designed to fight crime and terrorism, enables a malicious use of it against journalists, politicians, human rights advocates and civil society leaders. In the case of journalists and media workers, this spyware has been widely used to spy on journalists working devices.

By just clicking on an apparently innocent link, a device is infected and allows attackers full access to passwords, accounts, calls, emails, and even encrypted communications. It can also record video, audio, and read messages without users knowing.

With full access to journalists key working tools, governments can uncover sources, undermine research, intimidate media workers and in some cases, stop their reporting.

Spying on journalists: a popular practice among governments all over the world

In recent months, media organizations and international bodies have reported multiple cases of espionage on media professionals. In July 2021, the Forbidden Stories project revealed that 180 journalists smartphones were infected with Pegasus spyware all over the world. But they have not been the only ones.

In El Salvador , an investigation carried out by The Citizen Lab proved that at least 31 media professionals were spied by Israeli spyware Pegasus between June 2020 and November 2021. Many of the spied journalists (22) were working for El Faro digital newspaper, critical to El Salvador president Nayib Bukele.

The same organization revealed that Greek journalist Thanasis Koukakis was allegedly spied on by a new surveillance software named Predator for at least three months, between 12 July and 24 September 2021, while another investigation has recently exposed alleged espionage on Catalan journalists in Spain. In Jordan, freelance journalist Suhair Jaradat's smartphone was hacked with the Pegasus spyware between August 2019 and December 2021.

These are just some of the confirmed cases; the real number of espionages may be more than a few. In the face of the avalanche of new cases of spying on journalists and on the occasion of International Press Freedom Day, the IFJ calls on:

Journalists to redouble efforts to safeguard their own data and devices and on media organizations to promote training on digital safety for journalists.

Governments to enshrine in domestic law the inviolability of journalists communications both abstractly and in the framing of specific laws and regulations such as those on domestic surveillance.

The international community to build a regulatory regime that allows the inspection and regulation of all organisations supplying products that have the capacity to undermine journalists fundamental rights and freedoms.

IFJ President Younes Mjahedsaid: Surveillance brings no security to journalists. Every day a new case of espionage on a journalist is discovered. The digital espionage of journalists is growing and both global and national actions are urgently needed to curb it. The next IFJ Congress in Oman will explore how surveillance can be tackled and we will work with our affiliates to ensure journalists are better equipped to protect themselves from malware attacks.

IFJ affiliates will organise a series of events around 3 May to remind people of the fundamentals of a free press and the core values of journalism.
Hundreds of thousands of dollars spent to no avail. More than 70 rejections from rehabilitation clinics. Even more visits to hospitals, doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and other specialists. One long-Covid diagnosis.

That's been the reality for the Smith family for the past two years and counting, after Jason Smith, a psychologist and professor by trade, contracted long Covid. And it took months for Smith to even receive a definitive diagnosis, according to his twin sister, Fara Smith, who advocates for her brother and oversees his care while also working full time.

"I'm sitting here trying to keep my brother alive while also trying to achieve at work, but I'm just getting doors slammed in my face," says Fara, who works as a global client executive at the Montvale, New Jersey-based Gotham Technology Group, an IT services and consulting firm.

The Smith family's first confrontation with Covid happened when Fara and Jason's mother started exhibiting symptoms at the start of 2020, just before the coronavirus erupted across the globe. But right as their mother started to improve in May 2020, Jason started to get sick and began exhibiting long symptoms around that same timeframe. By October of that year, his symptoms reached a point where his students started to notice them and Jason stepped away from teaching a month later. He taught psychology at Queens College and St. John's University.

The Smith family is typical of those who have had to deal with the complexity of long Covid. Fara says that many medical experts have no idea how to treat her brother, since long Covid is still not well understood. Doctors have turned them away as the family has sought treatment for Jason's neurological and physical issue symptoms, which include exhaustion, palpitations, head sensations, neck pain, and insomnia.

After spending five weeks at four different hospitals around August 2021, doctors reached a diagnosis: autoimmune encephalitis, which one of Jason's doctors believes is a consequence of his long Covid. Before the pandemic, Fara says, her brother was in excellent health.

It's not yet understood what triggers long Covid, or who exactly is more susceptible to the condition. Groups that seem to be more at risk for long Covid include those with previous medical conditions, those who initially present with five or more symptoms during the onset of Covid-19 itself, poorer socioeconomic groups, and women, according to Charles Glassman, a physician and associate medical director at The Standard, an insurance company based in Portland, Oregon.

Covid-19 is a unique beast. The onset of symptoms differs from patient to patient: Some face debilitating fatigue for weeks or months, while others are asymptomatic. There have been more than 80.5 million Covid-19 cases in the U.S., per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's count, although experts believe that case counts are underreported given the uptick in at-home testing.

There is now growing evidence on how widespread long Covid is. A recent meta-analysis published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases estimated that the global prevalence of long Covid was 43 percent among a pool of 31 studies. But taken together, estimates varied from 9 percent to 81 percent given differences in gender, geography, and study populations.

Some suggest that long Covid helps explain labor shortages in the U.S. It's estimated that the amount of long-Covid cases in the U.S. falls in the range of 7.7 million to 23 million, according to the U.S. Government Accountability Office. And the number of long-Covid cases begs the question of, what can be done for those people who are in the workforce and want to, or need to, keep their jobs?

Business owners and bosses need to recognize that long Covid is a real condition, says Dan Jolivet, a workplace possibilities practice consultant at The Standard. "[Long Covid] has very clear impacts on the workplace, even when the employee's condition and symptoms are completely subjective," he says. "Traditionally, managers and supervisors tend to look at subjective symptoms as personal issues."

Take the example of an employee struggling with overwhelming fatigue, one of the most common symptoms. If someone tells their employer that they are completely exhausted, it'd be inappropriate for managers to recommend that the employee go to bed earlier to get more rest, Jolivet says. "HR departments need to be very direct in helping their managers recognize that these are medical conditions," he adds.

There's also the matter of disability benefits. The Family and Medical Leave Act allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave if they're unable to work as a result of a serious health condition.

Long Covid can also qualify as a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act, a law that applies to companies with 15 or more employees. The ADA protects those with disabilities from discrimination, and means that businesses may need to make adjustments to reasonably accommodate employees with long Covid.

"The ADA's three-part definition of disability applies to long Covid-19 in the same way it applies to any other medical condition," says Mariel Smith, an employment attorney at Hall Booth Smith. (Mariel Smith is not related to Jason and Fara Smith.) "If a reasonable accommodation is needed and requested by an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform a job, or enjoy benefits and privileges of employment, the employer must provide it unless it would pose an undue hardship, meaning significant difficulty or expense."

But attaining disability status isn't easy--around 70 percent of Social Security Disability Insurance claims are denied annually. Some Covid "long haulers" have sued after being denied long-term disability benefits. Jason Smith has yet to be granted disability status, according to his sister.

Businesses themselves, however, may be presented with a dilemma if accommodating an employee gets to the point of becoming unfeasible from a business standpoint. The harsh truth is that some businesses won't be able to accommodate Covid long haulers who need to step back from their jobs for a prolonged period of time. "The law measures whether or not the accommodation has an undue hardship," Mariel Smith says. For example, it could be difficult to accommodate a request asking to limit an employee's screen time to no more than 20 percent of the workday if they're a software developer.

If an employee requests accommodations based on a disability, the law requires an employer to engage in an interactive process with that employee and seek further information about the requested accommodation, according to Mariel Smith.

Employers should take care to accommodate their employees as much as possible, though accommodations will largely depend on the symptoms exhibited. Providing ergonomic setups or other accommodations for physical-facing jobs can be very helpful. For example, a business could adjust a facility's temperature or the lights to hedge against triggering certain symptoms such as migraine headaches. Some long haulers have reported sensitivity to light, for instance, a condition known as photophobia.
It's true that teamwork makes the dream work. That's why Jon Kozesky, founder of the Cleveland consulting firm Jon Thomas Consulting and executive director of the Brecksville, Ohio, Chamber of Commerce, finds ways to connect the small businesses in his community. "Your company might be small," he says. "But if we all band together, we can actually begin to compete with some of those bigger organizations."

Forming strategic partnerships with fellow local entrepreneurs allows you to share and get knowledge that helps grow your business, Kozesky adds, and the right partnerships can also help you to expand your customer base. That's why, in his Chamber of Commerce work, Kozesky consistently makes introductions between business owners and suggests creative ways small businesses in his community can work together.

One relationship that developed with Kozesky's help is between Brecksville Florist, a 65-year-old floral shop, and Creekside Restaurant and Bar, a restaurant that sits right next door. "The florist regularly donates flowers for the restaurant's tabletops, and includes information and a discount code on each arrangement for restaurant customers to view," Kozesky says. "And, vice versa, the people coming into the florist shop receive menus for the restaurant next door with a discount code as well." Simple but effective.

More often than not, a partnership can help bring out the best of your small business and encourage growth. Here are a few more ways to take advantage of strategic local partnerships:

Optimize your customers' experience

The best partnerships improve overall customer experience, says Katharine Lau, CEO and co-founder of the Brooklyn-based self-storage company Stuf. After launching her business in 2020, Lau considered partnering with a moving company, since she knew that self-storage and moving go hand in hand. So, she considered it fortuitous when Ashley Graber, co-owner of the New York City moving company Cool Hand Movers, reached out about partnering in the summer of 2021. After getting to know each other (and eventually becoming close friends), the two began referring customers to one another through a handshake deal. It's a casual partnership--neither gets a cut from recommending the other--but a deal that benefits both. "We really want to make sure our customers have a good experience end to end," Lau says. "And it's possible to do that without having to build both a storage company and a moving company at the same time."

Because the two are used to working together, they've perfected the moving and storage process--which can often be complicated, Lau adds. "Moving is so stressful--you can only imagine how much more stressful it is if you can't get access to your storage location, or if the movers don't show up on time," she says. "We manage that coordination and actually talk to each other."

Be prepared to experiment

When Kate De Palma launched her San Jose, California-based candle company, Scented Designs, in 2016, she imagined she'd primarily sell her products directly to consumers. Until, that is, a local boudoir photographer contacted her in 2020 asking if she'd be open to collaborating on a candle, which the photographer would use as client gifts. "We designed a custom label with his information on it, and at first, he just needed a couple--then that turned into dozens," De Palma says. The photographer introduced her to a wedding makeup artist who had a similar request, and then she met a publicist who introduced her to a wider array of clients. To date, De Palma has created custom candle orders for an animal rescue apparel company, yoga studios, spas, real estate agencies, and more small businesses in her area.

About half of De Palma's partnerships come from businesses reaching out directly to her, though as business has picked up, she's learned to advocate for the benefit of her own business, too. "When I'm working with other local businesses, I always want it to feel like a cross-collaboration, so we keep 'Poured by Scented Designs' on the label," she says. "It's made all the difference in the world."

Create complementary offerings

When the pandemic briefly shut down food trucks in Philadelphia in 2020, V'Esther Goode, owner of Boomer's Kitchen and Catering and a Verizon Small Business Digital Ready partner, pivoted her business to focus on catering. So when she received a DM on Instagram from a local craft beer maker, Attic Brewing Company, asking if she'd be interested in doing pop-ups with her food truck, she was excited. "It was a great way for me to get back out there and reach a new audience," she says.

While Goode usually serves American-style food like chicken fingers, burgers, and Philly-inspired cheese steak egg rolls from her truck, she decided to try something different when she planned to pop up at the brewery on May 5, Cinco de Mayo. "We did tacos, and there was literally a line of customers wrapped around the block," she says. "The brewery looked at their numbers for that day and said, 'Why don't we do taco Tuesdays once a month?'"
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ONDC is incorporated as a private non-profit (Section-8) company to establish the public digital infrastructure needed to expand access to Indias e-commerce ecosystem  pegged as a US$200 billion opportunity by 2027. Since ONDC will not be following a platform-centric model, the Indian government hopes it will democratize the countrys online market for all buyers and sellers, irrespective of their size, so that millions of small retailers and mom-and-pop (kirana) stores get an equal opportunity. Various public and private sector banks have already acquired stakes in ONDC. Now in its pilot phase, ONDC has been rolled out in five cities  Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Shillong, and Coimbatore. It will be expanded to 100 cities by October 2022.

India is keen to level the playing field for e-commerce operators and widen the digital market access for millions of small businesses and traders in the country. To this end, the government has established the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) as an alternative to platform aggregators like Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart, who have thus far monopolised Indias e-commerce landscape.

A pilot soft launch of the ONDC was rolled out April 29, in five cities spread across different geographical regions in India  Delhi National Capital Region, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Shillong, and Coimbatore. ONDC is not platform-centric, and its objective is to match the online consumers demand with the nearest available source of supply. Consumers can thus find any seller, product, or service via any compatible application or platform  offering real freedom of choice.

Despite the governments enthusiasm, it remains to be seen how the ONDC will be implemented and whether it will reach its objectives. Leading online retail aggregators are also on wait-and-watch mode to assess whether they can participate on the open source network as well. Bloomberg reports that the Seattle-based Amazon is trying to better understand the [ONDC] model to see if[it] has a role to play.

How does the Open Network for Digital Commerce work?

The ONDC will provide equal opportunities to all marketplace players, including consumers. It is a neutral platform that will set protocols for cataloguing, vendor match, and price discovery on an open source-basis, like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

What this means is that buyers and sellers can transact on ONDC irrespective of whether they are attached to any specific e-commerce portal. For instance, even if a seller X is registered on platform A, while the consumer is registered on platform B, the consumer can directly purchase products of seller X without registering on platform A from the ONDC network.

What does open source mean?

To make a process or a software open source implies that the technology or code deployed for the process is freely made available for everyone to use, redistribute, and modify. For instance, while the operating system of iOS is closed source (it cannot be legally modified or used), the android operating system is open source, making it possible for smartphone manufacturers, such as Samsung, Nokia, Xiaomi, etc., to modify it for their respective hardware.

ONDC aims at fostering open networks developed on open-sourced methodology, using open specifications and network protocols, and independent of any specific platform.

What is the significance of Indias open network for digital commerce?

ONDC is expected to digitize the entire value chain, standardize operations, foster inclusion of suppliers, usher in efficiency in logistics, and augment value for consumers.

Once the ONDC gets implemented and mandated, as is expected by August 2022, all e-commerce companies in India will have to operate using the same processes, akin to android-based mobile devices, irrespective of the brand. This would provide a boost to smaller online retailers as well as new entrants by ushering in discoverability, interoperability, and inclusivity. It will empower suppliers and consumers by breaking the monopoly of giant platforms to drive innovation and transform businesses in sectors like retail, food, and mobility.

Businesses are expected to benefit from transparent rules, lightweight investment, and lower cost of business acquisition. It is also expected that the time-to-market as well as time-to-scale shall also be substantially reduced.

Large e-commerce firms have protested as they have already invested heavily in the R&D as well as deployment of their own processes and technology. Yet, the government likely considers Indias e-commerce market value  estimated to reach US$200 billion by 2027 by Statista  to be significant enough for the participation and engagement of all types of business competitors.

Amazon and Flipkart alone have poured a cumulative US$24 billion to capture 80 percent of the Indian e-commerce market through their aggressive discounts and by promoting preferred sellers. Indian retail giants like Reliance and Tata have also launched retail platforms and shopping apps and super apps.

Currently, online retail accounts for about six percent of Indias overall retail market, but traditional retailers and merchants are aware of how rapidly this could change and do not wish to be locked out or priced out. With 800 million smartphone users, Indias appeal to global retailers is also not easily dismissed. The only other comparative market landscape, by size, is China where local rivals have thrived in an indigenously created ecosystem amid Beijings stringent rulemaking and supervision.

Meanwhile, the Competition Commission of India raided the offices of top sellers on Amazon and Flipkart on April 28, coincidentally a day before the ONDC was launched. The move was reportedly triggered by complaints of local traders who accused the marketplace platforms of predatory pricing, deep discounting, collusion with corporate sellers, and owning the inventory they sold via a network of holding companies.

Who are key stakeholders to the ONDC?

Twenty government and private organizations have confirmed investments worth INR 2.55 billion (US$33.34 million).

Several public and private sector banks, such as HDFC, Kotak Mahindra, Axis Bank, State Bank of India (SBI), and Punjab National Bank (PNB), have picked up stakes in ONDC. Axis Bank, HDFC, SBI, and Kotak Mahindra have acquired a share of 7.84 percent each, by individually investing INR 100 million (US$1.3 million) to purchase 10,00,000 equity shares of face value of INR 100 each. Earlier in November 2021, PNB had announced its plans to buy 9.5 percent share in ONDC.

Around 80 firms are working to integrate market players with the ONDC platform. These firms are making enterprise software and apps for sellers, buyers, logistics platforms, and payment gateways, as reported in The Economic Times.

Nandan Nilekani, technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Infosys, is the most prominent individual associated with the ONDC, which he envisions to be a gamechanger in the e-commerce sector. He has previously worked on developing the Aadhar biometric ID system as a uniform proof of existence (that functions similar to the US social security ID) for people living in India. Nilekani also reportedly assisted with the development of the real-time digital payment system UPI, which surpassed 5 billion transactions in March 2022.

Background

On December 31, 2021, ONDC was incorporated as a private sector, non-profit (Section-8) company to democratize e-commerce in India and offer alternatives to proprietary e-commerce sites. ONDC was incubated by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) at the Quality Council of India.

A nine-member advisory council, including Nandan Nilekani from Infosys and National Health Authority CEO RS Sharma, have counselled the government on the measures required to design and accelerate the adoption of ONDC.

The initiative has been touted as necessary to end the dominance of behemoth platforms like Flipkart and Amazon that have been accused by the government of exercising monopoly, contrary to the law.

This article was first published on October 28, 2021. It was last updated on May 2, 2022.
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Megastar Chiranjeevi has always extended a helping hand to people in need. Be it blood donation or organizing free coronavirus vaccination distribution to movie workers, his philanthropic acts have consistently helped many.

According to a report in News18, Telanganas Minister of Fisheries Talasani Srinivas Yadav has confirmed Chiranjeevis plan to build a hospital.

Twitter

The hospital will cater to the needs of cine workers, including film journalists and their families. The hospital will open its door to diagnose and treat patients for most illnesses for free or at subsidized rates.

Image for representational purpose only.

Whole modalities will be worked out later, and the report confirms that a specialist will visit the hospital regularly. The plans are already in process and will aim to cater to the needs of workers belonging to the 24 crafts in the Telugu film industry.

Chiranjeevi has been scouting for a suitable location in Film Nagar/Jubilee Hills for the project since these areas will be accessible for people working in the film industry.



AFP

Chiranjeevi's philanthropic activities:

Agencies

When the COVID-19 pandemic created a panic situation in 2020, the megastar got involved in delivering supplies to hundreds of families of film workers. During the second wave, he helped set up oxygen plants in Telugu State areas at his own expense.



The actor has also been funding several Tollywood film journalists welfare programs.

Chiranjeevi garu attended May Day Celebrations and he is in the process of building hospital for Cinema workers great Sir You are inspired by so many.. You did so much for Industry MegaStar for a Reason  pic.twitter.com/onJWDxBlXd  LeelaMadhuri (@MadhuCharan2731) May 1, 2022

Chiranjeevi has again spoken about the sacrifices made by the cine workers. He recently pledged to be supportive and show up for the industry's workers.

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He was recently seen in the Telugu movie Acharya on the work front, which failed to attract an audience. For the film, Chiranjeevi had collaborated with successful director Koratala Shiva, with Ram Charan and Pooja Hegde playing key roles.



This film was released on April 29. The film was released on over 2,000 screens worldwide but turned out to be a disappointment in the two Telugu states.



(To get the latest updates from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.)


Kay Kay Menon may not have shirt-tearing fans, but he is highly respected for his craft as an actor. The actor's role as Khurram Mir in 2014's Haider bagged him a Filmfare and IIFA award for Best Supporting Actor. Not just that, he played a very crucial role in The Ghazi Attack as a Naval Captain.

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Kay Kay Menon was recently also seen in Special OPS and Ray and has made a fantastic OTT debut. But these below 9 performances of Kay Kay Menon makes us truly want to see more of him on the silver screen.

If you are a fan of Kay Kay Menon, you ought to watch these movies for sure. Take a look.

1. Life In a Metro

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The movie has multiple storylines but Kay Kay Menon's character stood out. His complicated married life with Shilpa Shetty and professional life where he ends up having an affair with Kangana Ranaut feels real. The film explores the mostly dark side of ambition, lust and power amongst the young lot.

2. Gulaal

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Playing the role of a powerful Rajput, Dukey Bana, strives to bring a new student in law college. Kay Kay Menon delivers one of his best performances especially in his stimulating speeches. The movie is directed by Anurag Kashyap and it is by far called his most amazing an angry film yet.

3. Corporate

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A brilliant underrated movie which captures the insights of the corporate world and how people neglect ethics and morality. It also shows an important part at how money sells morality and how money makes people insensitive. In this movie Kay Kay Menon is seen as passive, to the extent of being a spineless loser while working with Bipasha Basu.

4. Black Friday

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The movie reenacts the tragedy of 1993, a serial bombing episode which left hundreds and thousands of people dead, injured and shattered. With a heart touching story-line and a team of brilliant actors like Kay Kay Menon, Pavan Malhotra and Aditya Srivastava, the movie unfolds the police investigation. DCP Rakesh Maria (Kay Kay Menon) is in charge of the case and is ready to turn the world upside down to find the culprits.

5. Sparsh

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Kay Kay Menon plays the role of a police officer who is on his nightly roundup. After handling a freak accident, he is contacted by a woman whos blaming her cab driver of touching her inappropriately. What seems to be an open and shut case unravels into an interesting journey of revenge and redemption.

6. The Stoneman Murders

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The Stoneman Murders has a fairly gripping plot and a class act by Kay Kay Menon. The film sees Menon portraying the role of a suspended officer named Sanjay who has been given the responsibility of investing a murder. The crime thriller is a must watch.

7. Sarkar

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The movie follows the story of the family of Sarkar, a powerful 'Bhai' of Mumbai who runs his own law. Kay Kay Menon does an excellent job in portraying as the bad son. There are three distinct shots where the camera focuses on Kaykay's face, and one shows only his eyes. The fact that this man does such few movies and so far apart makes his performance much more valued.

8. Honeymoon travels

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The movie with the most underrated casting. Kay Kay Menon is especially good playing husband of Raima Sen's character. The two are brilliant as the Bengali couple whose equation changes as their honeymoon progresses. The movie shows the element of an older man married to a much young woman and the trials they face.

9. Haider

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Macbeth, Othello, and then Hamlet. Vishal Bharadwaj did it again, by re-imagining Shakespeare in a very gritty Indian milieu. Like Omkara's dark horses, Saif Ali Khan & Deepak Dobriyal : Haider has its very own dark horse - Kay Kay Menon & his gripping rendition of Khurram Meer / King Claudius.
Recently China condemned the United States after it sent a naval warship through the strategically sensitive Taiwan strait. Taiwan strait is a 180-kilometre-wide strait that separates Taiwan from mainland China. The US has been conducting similar sailings roughly once a month, enraging China. China sees US incursion as a show of support for Taiwan, a democratically controlled island that Beijing considers to be Chinese territory.

For China, US involvement in the Indo-pacific, simply disturbs the peace and security of the region. Yet on the other hand, the U.S. 7th Fleet spokesperson Nicholas Lingo said in a statement that "The ship's transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific." So, what is this geopolitical tussle that is going on between Taiwan and the United States?



Understanding Taiwan Issue In Its Historical Context

The Civil war in China, long featured as a confrontation between Communists and nationalists, came to an end in 1949 when the nationalist forces were defeated. While the victorious communists, under Mao Zedong, started to rule from mainland China, the defeated nationalists led by young general, Chiang Kai-shek, marched to an island south of China and established their seat of governance, what is today called Taiwan.

Ever since then, Taiwan, officially calling itself the Republic of China (ROC), has been governed independently of the mainland, which is People's Republic of China (PRC). Consequently there arose a confusion even as the two administrations began to call themselves China, PRC and ROC respectively. In a diplomatic statement aimed at clearing the confusionn off, Beijing asserted that there is only one China and that Taiwan is part of it. It views the PRC as the only legitimate government of China.

And any country that aspires to cultivate a warm relationship with Beijing should do away all the diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The United States, for instance, closed her embassy in Taiwan when it recognized this one China principle in 1979 under Carter administration. The one China principle also comes with a goal. By 2049, which marks the 100th anniversary of communist revolution, mainland China wants to integrate or unify Taiwan into the mainland. Beijing, thus, sees Taiwan as a breakaway province, formally destined for reconciliation one day.

Chinese Interests In Taiwan

In terms of economy, Taiwan is one of the significant trading partners. Taiwan is also a home to one of the world's largest semiconductor industry. With a market capitalization of $600 billion, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Firm (TSMC) is the world's largest contract chip producer and Asia's most valuable listed company. This reason increasingly make China not want to lose Taiwan. Geographically speaking, Taiwan is in close proximity with China; it is China's neighbour.

AP/Representational image

China longs to see Taiwan a part of it because of its strategic significance. If China allows Taiwan to become independent, as is the expectation of the US, it won't take long before the United States establishes her military bases and naval presence in Taiwan. Such a scenario would endanger the security of China. It therefore cannot afford to lose Taiwan, for it would jeopardise the super power status of China in the great power conflict of the 21st century; it effectively paralyses China to expand her sphere of influence into Asia-pacific.



Taiwan as a Prospective Battleground for the Great Power Struggle

The Taiwan Issue is a global flashpoint of the 21st century's great power rivalry between China and the United States. For United States, at this point, perhaps nothing is a greater strategic weapon than the democratic Taiwan to contain China and to pose a threat to her hegemony in her own neighbourhood. Though United States recognized the One China Principle, it has an unofficial relationship with the island and continues to sell defence weapons to the country's military.

Reuters

Beijing has frequently pushed the US to stop sending weapons to Taiwan and to cut the ties with the country. Under Donald Trump's administration the relations between Taiwan and United States had reached a high point. The US had sold $18 billion in armaments to the military and erected a $250 million facility for its de facto embassy in Taipei. The Taiwanese president Tsai and Trump spoke by phone before Trump's inauguration. This was considered to be the greatest degree of engagement between the two since 1979. Under Biden a different trajectory hasn't emerged. He was in fact the first U.S. president to invite Taiwanese representatives to attend the presidential inauguration. Given China's ever increasing military and economic capabilities, an imminent geopolitical confrontation between the two states cannot be ruled out.



What will be the Implications of China's invasion of Taiwan?

A prospective Chinese invasion of Taiwan should mean an end of the era of US dominance in the region. It shall, in all likelihood, create in the region a "new distribution of capabilities," to use the expression of the 20th century international relations theorist Kenneth Waltz. Today, the Ukrainian Crisis is already challenging America's global leadership and its ability to affect the outcomes around the world.

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Even as the world is preoccupied with the ongoing Ukrainian crisis, imminently, Taiwan in the Indo-Pacific may turn out to be yet another challenge to the US leadership. The American politician and the US representative for Wisconsin, Mike Gallagher acutely observed that if the United States fails to stand with its democratic allies when they are threatened by an authoritarian adversary, then it will seriously undermine its own credibility and influence, leading to the end of the United States superpower status and the corresponding guarantees of prosperity, freedom, and human rights that have come with it.



References

China angered as US sends destroyer through Taiwan Strait. (2022, April 27). Al Jazeera. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from Aljazeera

China condemns latest U.S. sailing through Taiwan Strait. (2022, April 27). Reuters. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from Reuters

Could China invade Taiwan and what would that lead to? (2022, March 28). The Indian Express. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from Indian Express

Maizland, L., Blackwill, R. D., Auth, K., & Moss, T. (2021, May 10). Why China-Taiwan Relations Are So Tense. Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from CFR

What is the 'One China' policy? (2021, October 6). BBC. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from BBC
A case under stringent blasphemy laws was registered against Pakistans ousted premier Imran Khan and 150 others, including some members of his former cabinet, in connection with the hounding of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation at Masjid-e-Nabwi in Saudi Arabia.

Video clips circulating on social media showed some pilgrims  apparently supporters of Khan  shouting chor (thief) and gaddar (traitor) as soon as Sharif and other members of his delegation arrived at the Prophets Mosque in Madina last Thursday.

The Pakistani pilgrims also used abusive language against the delegation members. Madina police claim to have arrested five Pakistanis involved in the sloganeering.

File Photo

Punjab police on Saturday night registered an FIR against Khan, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and 150 others, including former federal ministers Fawad Chaudhry and Sheikh Rasheed, a former adviser to the prime minister Shahbaz Gul, former deputy speaker of the National Assembly Qasim Suri, and Khans close aides in London, Anil Musarrat and Sahibzada Jehangir, officials said.

The case has been registered in a police station in Faisalabad, around 180 km from Lahore, on the complaint of local resident Naeem Bhatti on the charges of desecration of the Prophets mosque in Madina, hooliganism, and hurting the sentiments of Muslims, they said.

The FIR has been registered under different sections, including 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

According to the FIR, over 100 supporters of Khan were sent to Saudi Arabia from Pakistan and the UK to carry out the mission of targeting Sharif and his delegation at Masjid-e-Nabwi in Madina. Khan and other nominated leaders of the PTI had given directions to party workers in this regard, it said.

AFP

Faisalabad police said action against those named in the FIR would be taken in accordance with the law.

Khan distances himself from the incident

Khan in a TV interview on Saturday had distanced himself from the pilgrims who hounded and chanted slogans against Sharif, saying he could not even imagine of asking anyone to carry out sloganeering at the sacred place. There has been widespread condemnation of the incident.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has said that former prime minister Khan will be arrested for allegedly ordering hooliganism and sloganeering against Prime Minister Sharif and his delegation within the premises of Masjid-e-Nabawi (PBUH).

They will not be forgiven at all for what they did. Imran Khan will be arrested definitely, Sanaullah was quoted as saying by The News.

Sanaullah said that the hooliganism at the holy mosque was pre-planned and people had been provoked to take part in it.





For more on news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.




Floridas governor has said he plans to call a special legislative session for some time in May, aimed at the property insurance crisis in the state. But some in the industry, while welcoming the gathering, said it may come too late for struggling insurers facing a June 1 reinsurance renewal deadline.

Thats the question, even if they do something and make the changes needed, will it be in time? said William Stander, director of the Florida Property and Casualty Association.

Others said that any reform effort is welcomed in the wake of six carrier insolvencies in the last three years, spiking homeowner premiums, and a continuing rise in claims litigation.

I applaud Gov. DeSantis for calling a special session to address problems in Floridas property insurance market, said well-known insurance defense and regulatory attorney Fred Karlinsky, with the Greenberg Traurig firm. Reform is necessary to curb the growth of fraudulent insurance claims and frivolous lawsuits, stem insurers financial losses, and provide relief to policyholders, who currently face higher rates and few insurance choices.

He added: The consequences of doing nothing would be far-reaching for the economy and for homeowners.

The timing and substance of the May session will be critical, as reinsurance costs are expected to increase significantly for most carriers.

A recent report by investment analysts with JMP Securities warned that the June 1 Florida reinsurance renewal is likely to be one of the toughest in recent memory, with reinsurance prices that will be out of reach for some under-capitalized companies.

The issue lies in the very structure of the Florida market, the report noted. Many primary insurers rely on the availability and affordability of low layers of reinsurance protection  the very layers that have been destroyed by the recent elevated frequency of loss events, which has led to reinsurers running away from these layers as quickly as possible.

Upcoming price increases will be something a number of property insurers simply cant afford, the report said.

To help insurers avoid the high cost of reinsurance, many industry advocates have urged lawmakers to lower the retention level for the states $11 billion hurricane catastrophe fund. With a lower retention or deductible and lower premiums paid to the cat fund, carriers would be able to access the lower-cost fund sooner and buy less reinsurance.

State Sen. Jeff Brandes said earlier this year that lowering the retention could save homeowners as much as $1 billion a year or roughly $150 per year per policy.

At that legislative committee meeting in January, the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Funds chief operating officer, along with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, pushed back on rapid changes to the funds retention requirements.

Stander and others in the industry said that talk among lawmakers is that the cat fund retention change will be very much on the table for a special session in May.

But to save some companies, the changes may need to be retroactive to cover the current contract year. Some insurers will have to sign reinsurance policy contracts in May, although most payments are not due until August.

The special session is also expected to examine other changes that insurers have asked for, including requiring roof-only deductibles, allowing HO policies to pay actual cash value for damaged roofs, instead of full replacement as is now required for many homes. Other ideas include revisiting ways to limit solicitation by roofers and further limiting attorneys fees and litigation.

A report from CaseGlide, a litigation management software firm, shows that the number of new litigated claims rose again in March. The lawsuits climbed 12% over Februarys numbers for the largest property insurers in Florida, and notices of intent to sue rose 24%.

In the meantime, absent any significant changes by the Legislature earlier this year, Florida regulators have undertaken some changes on their own.

These include proposed new building codes that would help relax the roof-replacement requirement; allowing optional roof deductibles in policies; and allowing policy endorsements that offer arbitration instead of litigation in claims disputes.

Topics Florida
Consumers in Connecticut will be able to know when their personal information is being tracked and how its being used under a wide-ranging data privacy bill thats headed to Gov. Ned Lamonts desk.

The legislation, dubbed a consumer bill of rights, also allows people to access, correct, delete and obtain a copy of their personal data, as well as opt out from having their information used by marketers, retailers and others for various purposes such as targeted advertising. The bipartisan bill easily cleared the House of Representatives on Thursday by a vote of 144-5, about a week after it passed the Senate unanimously.

We live in a digital world and technology moves very fast, said Rep. Mike DAgostino, D-Hamden, co-chair of the General Assemblys General Law Committee. This is our effort to finally get ahead of the curve, at least when it comes to consumer data.

Connecticut joins Colorado, Utah, Virginia and California in passing such legislation, according to DAgostino, who said Connecticuts bill is the most robust and uses some of the best aspects of other states laws while including some additional provisions.

Lawmakers stressed how the legislation attempts to be fair to Connecticut businesses, recognizing they typically use outside vendors that might be collecting customers data. The bill says they will not be held responsible for any violations made by those vendors unless they were aware of the actions in advance.

The legislation applies to individuals and entities that do business in the state or produce products and services which target Connecticut residents and processed personal data of at least 100,000 consumers, among other provisions.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Connecticut
Romanian government websites and other institutions were the target of a cyber attack Friday morning that the nations intelligence agency attributed to a pro-Russian hacking unit.

The hacker group known as Killnet claimed credit for so-called distributed denial-of-service attack, which began at around 4 a.m. local time, the Romanian Intelligence Service said in a statement. Such attacks attempt to overload systems by flooding the target with superfluous requests from multiple sources.

The cyber assault hit the websites of the countrys defense ministry, border police, railway company CFR Calatori and a financial institution, which were not functional for several hours. Killnet had previously targeted institutions in the U.S, Estonia, Poland, the Czech Republic and NATO, the agency said.

Romanias ruling Social Democratic party and parliament speaker Marcel Ciolacu said this week that the eastern nation bordering Ukraine is considering options for potential military aid to Kyiv. Ciolacu commented after a visit to Ukraine with Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, where they pledged more assistance to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion.

Photograph: Government building Victoria Palace, which houses the Romanian Prime Ministers office, in Bucharest, Romania, on Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Photo credit: Andrei Pungovschi/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Cyber Russia
The administrators of NMC Health PLC have filed a lawsuit against EY in the United Kingdom for alleged negligence on the audit work it did for the troubled hospital operator between 2012 to 2018, a spokesperson said.

NMC, which used to be listed in London, ran into trouble in 2020 and went into administration after it disclosed more than $4 billion in hidden debt.

EY and Germanys Finance Minister Blamed for Oversight Failings in Wirecard Collapse UK Watchdog Urges Big 4 Accounting Firms to Challenge Clients as Audit Quality Slides

NMCs troubles began in late 2019 when short-seller Muddy Waters questioned its financials, which led to a sharp fall in its share price.

As part of our wide ranging investigation into the situation, we have looked at the role of the auditors and have now launched formal legal proceedings against EY in the UK for audit negligence with regards to its work with the company between 2012 and 2018, a spokesperson for Alvarez and Marsal, the joint administrators for NMC Health PLC, said in an email.

As administrators, we have an obligation to maximize returns for creditors and this action is part of those wider efforts.

EY said in an email it was aware of the claim submitted to the court by the administrators of NMC Health Plc and will defend the claim vigorously.

The two statements did not disclose the amount of damages Alvarez and Marsal is seeking in the lawsuit, but Sky News reported the claim filed in London was for $2.5 billion.

The core operations of NMC, the largest private healthcare provider in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), come out of administration in Abu Dhabi in March and are now part of a new company.

However, the UK-registered NMC Healthcare PLC and UAE-registered NMC Healthcare Ltd still remain in administration while restructuring and legal issues related to these entities are resolved.

(Reporting by Saeed Azhar; editing by David Clarke)

Photograph: Ernst & Young logo on building in Horsens, Denmark. Photo credit: Bigstock

Topics Lawsuits
A top EU official doesnt expect to have a problem with Elon Musk, who is pursuing a free-speech agenda in his takeover of Twitter Inc., so long as the billionaire follows the regions content rules.

European Commissioner Thierry Breton warned Musk that he will need to police hate speech and harassment on the platform as detailed in the EUs new Digital Services Act. I dont care what hes doing outside of Europe, Breton told Bloomberg Television on Wednesday. You want to enter into Europe? These are our rules.

Tech Giants Could Face Billions in Fines Under EUs New Content Rules

If Musk doesnt comply, Twitter will face fines of as much as 6% of annual sales and could even be banned. We will have to do it for everyone, not only for him, Breton said. Thats our rules to protect our freedom of speech, our democracy, our rule of law.

But Breton doesnt expect to have a problem: The rules will be extremely clear for everyone, including Elon Musk.

The remarks follow Musks agreement Monday to acquire Twitter for $44 billion  a deal that has sparked concerns among some employees and users over what changes may be coming.

His plan to prioritize free speech could face hurdles in Europe as the region imposes the new DSA regulations. Large platforms like Twitter will need to police content like terrorism posts and counterfeit products. If theyre not doing enough, Brussels could require Twitter to make changes, such as tweaking its algorithm.

But in some ways, Musks vision for Twitter aligns with the EUs goals. The Tesla Inc. mogul wants to open up Twitters algorithm, something regulators have sought access to.

Musk also has criticized Twitters move to ban former U.S. President Donald Trump last year. Under the DSA, people will be able to challenge a companys ban.

Photograph: CEO of Tesla Motors Elon Musk. Photo credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Europe
Brown & Brown Inc. announced it has entered an agreement to acquire the general insurance operations of Quinlan Insurance.

Financial details of transaction, which is expected to close in late June 2022, were not disclosed. The deal is subject to certain closing conditions.

With more than 35 years of experience in the insurance advisory business, Patrick Quinlan established Quinlan Insurance in Dublin in 2008 as a boutique-style commercial insurance brokerage, offering professional commercial insurance advice, services and solutions to a wide range of commercial segments.

Today, the 10 insurance advisers on the Quinlan Insurance team specialize in providing property insurance solutions to apartment block management companies and property owners and their agents.

Patrick demonstrated the entrepreneurial spirit valued by Brown & Brown in building his successful agency. We are excited about the capabilities that the Quinlan Insurance team brings to our OLeary Insurances operations and the further growth and enhancement of our presence in Dublin, commented Barrett Brown, president of Brown & Browns Retail segment.

I truly welcome this agreement. It will benefit our customers and our staff and provides certainty in these uncertain times. This opportunity will allow us to continue growing our business and focusing on our customers in partnership with OLeary Insurances and Brown & Brown, said Quinlan.

Launched in 1939, Brown & Brown Inc. is a Daytona Beach, Fla.-based insurance broker that delivers risk management solutions to individuals and businesses. It employs 12,000 people in 350-plus locations across the U.S. and select global markets.

Source: Brown & Brown Inc.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions
Just under 500 seafarers remain stuck onboard 109 ships at Ukrainian ports  skeleton crews who were left on board to enable their crew mates to be evacuated amid the conflict with Russia, shipping officials said on Friday.

Those remaining should be allowed safe passage out too, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) association said.

Two seafarers have been killed and six merchant vessels have been hit by projectiles  which sank two of them  around Ukraines coast since the start of Russias invasion on Feb. 24.

Ships and crews also face multiple perils such as floating mines.

Around 1,500 merchant sailors have been safely evacuated from stranded vessels via humanitarian corridors on land and at sea over the past six weeks, according to data gathered by the ICS in conjunction with UN shipping agency the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

Referring to skeleton crews left behind, Natalie Shaw of the ICS, said, the escape route out of the apocalypse must be open to these seafarers as well.

Separately, the IMO said its maritime safety committee had adopted a resolution this week to take necessary immediate actions in setting up a safe maritime corridor in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov to enable the stranded ships to sail without threat of attack.

The biggest cluster of vessels that have been unable to sail  some 25 ships  are stranded in the port city of Mykolaiv.

Five ships are stuck at the port of Mariupol, which has seen some of the worst destruction in the war, which Russia calls a special operation to disarm Ukraine 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.

The ICS data pinpointed the location of 99 vessels, with the remaining 10 unaccounted for as their tracking transponders were switched off.

Most of the 109 stranded vessels were either bulk carriers or general cargo vessels and other ships include oil tankers, the ICS data showed.

The seafarers who were evacuated and those still stuck come from 27 countries, with the largest number from the Philippines and India. Other nations with crew members holed up included Russia, China, Denmark, Greece and Turkey.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul; editing by Frances Kerry)

Topics Ukraine
Howden, the London-based insurance broker, has worked with Munich Re and Skyline Partners to develop a product that protects the Jamaican Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL) against non-repayment of micro-loans from farmers in the event of extreme weather.

Approximately 100,000 smallholder farmers rely on the Jamaican Co-operative Credit Union League for loans to cover the cost of essentials, such as seeds, day-old chicks and farming equipment. Farming is the main source of income for around 18% of the Jamaican population.

Adverse weather events could lead to farmers being unable to repay their loans, putting the JCCULs ability to continue to offer financial support at risk.

The insurance product, which is based on a parametric trigger, replaces funds lost as a result of farmers defaulting on loans in the event of an extreme hurricane.

Howden said the new parametric insurance product will help stabilize a financial system that is being put under significant stress by the increased frequency and severity of natural disasters.

If farmers cant afford to repay their loans, our ability to remain operational is put at risk. Without loans from credit unions, many farmers in Jamaica simply would not be able to afford to operate, commented Robin Levy, group CEO for JCCUL. This coverage helps to smooth out that volatility and provides them the confidence to continue to deliver the essential financial support that so many people rely upon to make a living.

In a region with low insurance penetration and increasingly frequent and severe weather events, the financial systems across the Caribbean are being put under significant stress, said Howden.

Globally, were seeing an exponential increase in weather-related events versus other non-climate perils, said David Flandro, head of Analytics, Howden.

Storms in the Caribbean are becoming more powerful, with increased rainfall and higher storm surge, and Jamaica has one of the highest physical exposures to tropical cyclones in the region, he added.

Climate change is causing huge changes in the type and scale of risks, especially for developing nations that are both facing the most severe effects, and are least protected by insurance, said Charlie Langdale, head of Climate Risk and Resilience, Howden.

This product demonstrates the potential for parametric insurance to take on risk challenges that dont lend themselves to traditional insurance cover. We look forward to expanding this concept as we work with financial institutions to increase resilience against climate change and natural disasters by combining insurance innovation with technology, according to Laurent Sabatie and Gethin Jones, co-founders and executive directors, Skyline.

Howden said it has contributed to the premium for the first year to support the growth of this proof-of-concept product, which has the potential to increase resilience of communities most exposed to extreme weather events. This is part of its wider agenda to unlock private capital, including donations from individuals, corporates and foundations, to help fund solutions for those who have limited access to traditional insurance products.

Source: Howden

Photograph: Waves, brought by Hurricane Sandy, crash on a house in the Caribbean Terrace neighborhood in eastern Kingston, Jamaica, on Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012. Photo credit: AP Photo/Collin Reid.

Topics Agribusiness
A tornado that barreled through parts of Kansas destroyed or damaged hundreds of homes and buildings, injured several people and left more than 15,000 people without power, officials said Saturday.

In addition to wreckage from the tornado itself, three University of Oklahoma meteorology students traveling back from storm chasing in Kansas were also killed in a crash Friday evening, according to officials.

Nicholas Nair, 20, of Denton, Texas; Gavin Short, 19, of Grayslake, Illinois; and Drake Brooks, 22, of Evansville, Indiana, died in the crash shortly before 11:30 p.m. Friday, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol report.

The three were in a vehicle being driven by Nair southbound on Interstate 35 when the vehicle hydroplaned and was struck by a tractor-trailer rig in Tonkawa, about 85 miles (137 kilometers) north of Oklahoma City, the report said.

A statement released by OU said: The university is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of three students. Each were valued and loved members of our community.

More than 1,000 buildings were affected when a strong twister swept through Andover on Friday evening, according to authorities. In the daylight Saturday, emergency crews found a more widespread path of destruction than was earlier estimated.

We now know that our damage path extended approximately 3 1/2 to 4 miles (5.6 to 6.4 kilometers) to the north of where we believed it to have ended last night, Andover Deputy Fire Chief Mike Roosevelt said at a briefing.

There were no reported fatalities or critical injuries from the tornado itself, despite the widespread destruction. Officials said only a few injuries had been reported. In Sedgwick County, three people were injured, including one woman who sustained serious injuries.

Search and rescue operations continued Saturday with more than 200 emergency responders from 30 agencies. Officials kept volunteers away from the damage until a secondary search of debris is done.

Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell said earlier that some neighborhood homes were completely blown away.

There are homes knocked completely off their foundations and entire neighborhoods wiped out, Russell said.

City Hall, the Andover YMCA and Prairie Creek Elementary School were among buildings heavily damaged.

Field crews from the National Weather Service worked Saturday to determine the extent and strength of the twister, said meteorologist Kevin Darmofal at the Wichita office.

Flor and Aldo Delgado said they prayed in the basement of their Andover home as a tornado passed right above them, destroying their home and cars.

The couple looked out of the window Friday night and saw the tornado beginning to form, so they headed to the basement.

The lights started flickering and eventually went out, and within a minute from that the whole house started shaking and it was so loud. We started feeling water hitting our faces, and there was just dust everywhere. It lasted for what felt like a minute that it was right above us, Aldo Delgado said.

Flor Delgado said she could hear their home being torn apart as they prayed for their safety, the Wichita Eagle reported.

In the moment I realized there is absolutely nothing we could do. I knew my husband felt it too because he was calm and comforting me, but at one point he just starts losing it and crying. I could hear his voice cracking as hes praying, she said.

Once the tornado passed, the couple made it out of the debris with only the clothes on their backs. Their home, cars and personal items are gone.

We didnt even have our wedding rings on at the time, Flor Delgado added.

Gov. Laura Kelly declared a State of Disaster Emergency for the hardest-hit areas. The declaration makes state resources available to help local jurisdictions with response and recovery efforts in areas impacted statewide.

Evergy said about 15,000 customers lost power during the tornado and that work continued to restore electricity. Any broken gas and water lines were shut off and by noon there were no known active leaks.

In addition to the tornadoes, large hail was reported in several towns across the Plains. Hail the size of softballs was spotted near Holbrook, Nebraska, and Enterprise, Kansas, according to the National Weather Service and storm spotters.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Kansas
Federal investigators say a cyber attack on a North Dakota-based company that provides software and billing services for doctors and healthcare professionals affected more than a half-million customers.

Adaptive Health Integrations of Williston was the target of a hacking incident that happened in mid-October, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The data breach was reported to the government earlier this month.

An unauthorized individual may have accessed a limited amount of data stored on our systems, the company said in a release. Upon learning of the issue, we contained the threat by disabling unauthorized access to our network and commenced a prompt and thorough investigation with assistance from external cybersecurity professionals.

The federal government says the security breach affected 510,574 people, KVRR radio reported.

The company said some of the data could have contained personal information such as names, dates of birth, contact information, and Social Security numbers. It does not affect all Adaptive Health Integrations patients and not all information was included for all individuals, the statement said.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber
The tornado that damaged more than more than 1,000 buildings in south-central Kansas generated winds up to 165 mph and carved a path of destruction nearly 13 miles long.

The National Weather Service said the tornado that caused extensive damage Friday mostly in the Wichita suburb of Andover and injured several people rated an EF-3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale it uses to assess tornadoes.

The American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) urged those impacted by the tornado to work with their insurance company.

Insurance adjusters are in the process of helping storm victims and the good news is that most severe weather-related events like tornadoes are covered under a homeowners, renters, automobile or commercial insurance policy, said Hilary Segura, assistant vice president state government affairs for APCIA. Homeowners and renters insurance policies generally provide coverage for additional living expenses if a covered loss makes your home uninhabitable. The additional living expense provision of your policy may help pay for things like temporary housing, laundry services, restaurant meals, and more. Residents should also ask their insurer if their policy has coverage for expenses incurred while they are evacuated. Insurers plan for severe weather and are well prepared to assist homeowners immediately when contacted via their toll-free phone number, app or website.

Andover Fire Chief Chad Russell said that at least 300 to 400 buildings were destroyed by the storm as part of a total of 1,074 buildings that were damaged. The Weather Service said the tornado was on the ground for 21 minutes Friday evening.

Four people, including two firefighters who were responding to a call in Andover, were injured during the storm but their injuries were minor.

Russell said it will take years for Andover to recover from this storm.

The city of Andover will be affected by this for years, he said. We still have scars from 1991 (EF-5 tornado). Im so thankful this tornado was not as bad as that, but we will literally be doing this for years.

By Sunday, utility crews had restored power to nearly all of the more than 15,000 customers who lost power during the storm. Evergy said less than 1,000 people still lacked power in the Wichita area Sunday morning.

In addition to the storm damage, the Oklahoma State Patrol said three University of Oklahoma meteorology students were killed in a car crash about 85 miles north of Oklahoma City in Oklahoma Friday evening as they returned from storm chasing in Kansas.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Kansas
WTW Bolsters Relations Team with 3 Appointments in North America

Global insurance broker Willis Towers Watson recently announced three key appointments: Joe LaRocco has been appointed head of Industry  Broking, North America, to lead the recently established industry broking segment; Krista Cinotti has been appointed head of Middle Market Broking, North America; and James OConnor has been appointed head of Carrier Management, North America.

Prior to this appointment, Cinotti ran the Middle Market Broking East region. In addition to her responsibilities in Middle Market, Cinotti will oversee the Select Broking segment, which manages WTWs small business offerings, and will retain her North America steering committee position on the broking platform.

LaRocco has served as head of Carrier Management for WTW since 2017. LaRoccos newly-created position addresses specialized insurance and intellectual capital services. In his new role, he will lead the corporate risk and broking segment for North American, focusing on insurer distribution channels and overseeing corporate relationships with global insurers. LaRocco will remain a member of the North America corporate risk leadership team.

OConnor rejoins WTW from Dual Group, a division of Howden, where he most recently served as chief executive officer of North America. Based in Atlanta, OConnor will provide leadership across the broking organization, and will be a member of WTWs corporate risk leadership team.

Liberty Mutual Names New Executive Leaders

Liberty Mutual Insurance Global Risk Solutions (GRS) President Neeti Bhalla Johnson announced two newly-created global executive leadership positions and appointments: Matthew Moore as president of Underwriting and Susanne Figueredo Cook as chief operating officer.

Also, Phil Hobbs has been appointed president of Liberty Specialty Markets (LSM), succeeding Moore.

All positions will report to Bhalla Johnson.

Moore, who will continue to be based in London, previously served as president of LSM  GRS global specialty operation  and has 25 years of experience in the industry working for Liberty Mutual for the past two decades. Moore will be responsible for driving 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. Figueredo Cook will be responsible for optimizing GRS global operations and integrated processes in order to to increase efficiency and value for clients and broker partners.

Hobbs has 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 underwriting strategy, and prior to this he was chief actuary for over a decade.

BHSI Names Reid Head of Casualty, North America

Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) has promoted Kathy Reid to head of Casualty, North America.

Reid has 25 years of insurance industry experience. She has been senior vice president at BHSI since 2013. Prior to that, she was with AIG for 16 years.

She will continue to be based in Chicago.

FM Global Appoints Waters as Manager of Climate and Resilience

Jessica Waters has been appointed vice president, manager of climate and structural resilience, at global commercial property insurer FM Global.

Waters joined FM Global more than two decades ago and has served as engineering specialist, account engineer, and operations chief engineer in the companys Boston operations. Most recently she was senior engineering technical specialist, natural hazards and structures.

In her new role, Waters will lead a team of engineering experts focused on fortifying industrial and commercial properties against climate and structural risks and will be based at the companys corporate offices in Johnston, Rhode Island.

Waters succeeds Katherine Klosowski, who retired after 34 years with FM Global.

Mosaic Insurance Builds Global Claims Team with Doroff

Elissa Doroff has joined specialty lines insurer Mosaic Insurance to lead the London companys North American claims handling as it builds out the core division globally.

Based in New York, Doroff has been appointed head of Claims Americas, and over time will expand the units scope to serve a broad geography encompassing the U.S. and Canada.

Doroff has 15 years of industry knowledge and will work with Mosaics brokers and insureds throughout North America across the companys six product lines. She started her insurance career as claims counsel with AIG, and later was cyber and technology product manager at AXA XL. She also has experience on the broker side, including roles at Marsh and Lockton. Prior to 2006, she began her legal career in tax with Deloitte.

Mosaics six specialty lines are cybersecurity, political risk, political violence, transactional liability, financial institutions, and professional liability.

Topics Claims Willis Towers Watson
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. shareholders on Saturday rejected proposals to have an independent chair replace Warren Buffett, and require his company to disclose more about its climate-related risks and efforts to improve diversity.

Shareholders supported letting Buffett keep both the chairman and chief executive roles by a nearly 6-to-1 margin, Berkshire said at its annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.

Buffett, 91, has run Berkshire since 1965.

The National Legal and Policy Center, a Berkshire shareholder, had said it was poor corporate governance for the legendary investor to retain both roles.

Its proposal gained greater attention when Calpers, which invested $460 billion on April 28 and is the largest U.S. public pension fund, expressed support, as it has at other companies.

Berkshires board, however, said Buffett should keep both roles. Buffetts oldest son Howard Buffett, a Berkshire director, is expected to become non-executive chairman when his father is no longer in charge.

By approximately 3-to-1 margins, shareholders also rejected proposals to have the company disclose more about the climate-related risks, greenhouse gas emissions and diversity efforts in its dozens of businesses.

Berkshires board also opposed those proposals, saying its operating businesses already disclosed or appropriately managed environmental risks, and were committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

The proposals faced long odds to pass, given Buffetts control of 32% of Berkshires voting power. He owns approximately 16% of Berkshires stock.

Berkshires slate of 15 people to serve as directors won shareholder approval by an overwhelming margin.
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 wouldnt 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 cant be sued for discrimination under the Affordable Care Act when the harm alleged is emotional, not financial.

The current case began when the woman, Jane Cummings, asked for an ASL interpreter for physical therapy appointments to treat chronic back pain with Premier Rehab Keller, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Cummings communicates primarily in ASL. But Premier Rehab said Cummings could communicate with the therapist using written notes, lip reading, or gesturing, Roberts wrote.

She went elsewhere, but then sued the business, asking for a court order against Premier Rehab and damages for emotional distress. Lower courts dismissed the lawsuit.

Cummings argued that failure to provide an interpreter constituted discrimination on the basis of disability in violation of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Affordable Care Act. Premier Rehab is subject to these statutes, which apply to entities that receive federal financial assistance, because it receives reimbursement through Medicare and Medicaid for the provision of some of its services.

But the court majority wrote that emotional distress damages are not traditionally available in suits for breach of contract and in his case federal funding recipients have no clear notice that they would face such a remedy in private actions brought to enforce the statutes.

Justice Stephen Breyer wrote in dissent that people who suffer discrimination often feel humiliation or embarrassment. 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, Breyer wrote, citing an opinion from his onetime boss, Justice Arthur Goldberg, in a key Civil Rights-era case.

Breyer noted in his opinion that some anti-bias laws, including against workplace discrimination, allow for damages for emotional distress.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Legislation
An official with the U.S. nuclear power regulator has ordered staff to supply documents that could lead to a review of a 2020 approval of a new type of nuclear power reactor after an engineer raised concerns about its ability to withstand earthquakes, documents showed on Wednesday.

Dan Dorman, the executive director for operations at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), reviewed a complaint by John Ma, an engineer at the agency, about its approval of the design of NuScales nuclear power plant.

NuScale, majority owned by construction and engineering company Fluor Corp., which got approval for the design of a 50-megwatt small modular reactor (SMR), is hoping to build the Carbon Free Power Project with multiple reactors at the Idaho National Laboratory, with the first coming online in 2029 and full plant operation in 2030.

Some see SMRs such as NuScales as a way to cut emissions from fossil fuels and to potentially reduce Europes dependency on Russian oil and gas. NuScale also wants to build the plants in Poland and Kazakhstan.

In an internal document Ma wrote to NRC officials soon after the 2020 approval, he alleged the design of the building intended to enclose the reactor units and its spent fuel pool did not provide assurance it could withstand the largest earthquake considered without collapsing and may be vulnerable to smaller earthquakes.

Collapse of the reactor building  could potentially cause an early and large release of radioactive materials into the atmosphere and ground, which could kill people, Ma wrote.

In February, Dorman wrote to Ma that he concluded the NRCs basis for accepting NuScales measure of strength for the reactors building design was not sufficiently documented, documents posted on the NRC website on Wednesday showed.

Dorman ordered the agencys Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation to document its evaluation of NuScales stress averaging approach and, if necessary, to update the application and evaluate whether there are any impacts to the 2020 design approval.

It was uncertain whether the additional actions would affect the projects timeline which has been delayed several times.

Scott Burnell, an NRC spokesperson, downplayed the move saying Dorman wanted staff there to better document their work on the reactors earthquake protection. The bottom line is that the agencys standard design approval remains valid for the NuScale 50 MW/module design, he said in an email.

Dorman did not respond to a request for comment.

Diane Hughes, vice president, marketing and communications at NuScale, said the NRCs consideration of professional opinions such as Mas are an important part of a strong nuclear safety culture.

She said the robustness of NuScale structures is one aspect that makes the NuScale SMR the safest design ever approved by the NRC.

A science advocacy group said the concerns Ma raised were troubling.

NuScales business case is based on its assertion that it is a safer nuclear reactor. Now its time to prove it by addressing these safety concerns, said Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Chris Reese, Kenneth Maxwell and Lisa Shumaker)

Photo: NuScale Power Plant Design. Source: Fluor Corp.

Topics USA
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 last. 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 last 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 states 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 Dollars authorization to do business in the state.

We dont 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.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Arkansas
A Louisiana district court judge last week ordered the liquidation of Lighthouse Property Insurance Co., the troubled homeowners insurer who held policies in Louisiana, Florida, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina.

Judge Richard Chip Moore, III of the 19th Judicial District Court in East Baton Rouge delivered the liquidation order less than a month after the Louisiana Department of Insurance placed Lighthouse into receivership. Moore wrote that further efforts to rehabilitate the insurer and its sister companies would be futile.

The order named Billy Bostick as appointed receiver and Frank W. McNabb as deputy receiver. Texas-based Bostick is partner at Bostick/Crawford Consulting Group, which performs financial and market conduct examinations for insurance regulators and consulting services on insurance receiverships.

Founded in 2008, Lighthouse Property Insurance Co. was inundated with approximately 16,000 Hurricane Ida claims, which followed three major hurricanes in 2020. The carrier possessed $204 million in assets, $160 million in liabilities, and $44 million in capital and surplus in 2020 but reported three straight years of net losses.

Lighthouse and its subsidiary Lighthouse Excalibur had approximately 30,000 policies in Louisiana, covering 3.27% of the states homeowners insurance market. Lighthouse held over 13,000 policies in Florida at the end of 2021, the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation has reported. Lighthouse had 170,000 homes insured in all five states it was admitted in 2020.

The liquidation order authorizes Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon to coordinate operation of the receivership with the guaranty associations of the five states where Lighthouse holds policies. Insurance guaranty funds are non-profit, member-funded associations responsible for paying claims when insurers go insolvent. The Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (LIGA) will pay up to $500,000 per pending claim.

Lighthouse is the fourth Louisiana insurer to go insolvent in the wake of the 2020-21 hurricane seasons. Last December LIGA assessed a $100 million fee on Property & Casualty insurers after the insolvency of Access Home Insurance Co. and State National Fire Insurance Co.

It is the third property insurer serving the Florida market to be deemed insolvent so far this year. The Florida Insurance Guaranty Association announced on its website that the association has been activated to help pay outstanding Florida claims owed by Lighthouse. Corey Neal, executive director of FIGA, said in April that it was too soon to know how much of an assessment FIGA might place on carriers in response to Lighthouses liquidation.

Theres no good indication of what liabilities FIGA might have, Neal told Insurance Journal. Were working through all of that.

In most cases, FIGA is limited to paying no more than $300,000 per claim but an additional $200,000 may be available for structures and contents. Unearned premiums will be returned to policyholders about 45 to 60 days after the liquidation date, FIGA said.

The FIGA board of directors voted last week to borrow $250 million to help the association pay claims left behind by insolvent insurers in the last six months, the News Service of Florida reported. The debt will likely have to be paid by further assessments on insurers.

A Frequently Asked Questions page on Lighthouses website says the insurers receiver, Bostick, has sent out 360+ requests for proposals to homeowner insurance companies who are licensed in the states of Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Texas for the acquisition of the policies of Lighthouse and/or Lighthouse Excalibur.

Lighthouses liquidation followed a series of announcements that indicated the company was running out of time to regain financial footing.

In mid-February, the insurer Lighthouse announced it had stopped writing new policies in Florida. Demotech withdrew its Financial Stability Rating on March 29.

Topics Legislation Louisiana
Kennedy Joins EPICs Vanbridge

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a property and casualty insurance brokerage, announced that James Kennedy has joined the firm as a principal with Vanbridge, its financial services division.

Kennedy will work in the private equity space. He has a background in private equity and mergers and acquisitions, including due diligence, transactional services, advisory, and placement. Kennedy will be based in Birmingham, Alabama, and New York City, but will work with all of EPICs national teams in the financial services space, the company said in a news release.

Branch Insurance Hires Phillips

A Florida insurance regulator has moved into the private insurance sector. Branch Insurance Exchange, based in Columbus, Ohio, announced that Grant Phillips has been named its associate manager of regulatory affairs.

Phillips was previously the deputy director of government affairs for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, according to the Florida Politics news site and Phillips Linkedin page.

Branch is listed as active by the OIR, but the companys website shows it does not operate in Florida at this time. Its unclear if Phillips will work from Florida or move to Ohio. Branch was launched in 2019 by insurance veteran Steve Lekas and tech entrepreneur Joe Emison. It offers home and auto insurance.

Taylor Honored for 70 Years with Agency

The North Carolina Department of Insurance bestowed high honors on Richard Taylor, who has owned and operated an insurance agency in the state for more than 70 years.

Taylor bought the insurance agency in Lumberton, North Carolina, in the 1950s. At age 94, he doesnt come into the office as often as he once did, according to a local news report. In October, Taylor sold the agency to Janis Rozier, but he still maintains an office decorated with years of photographs and awards.

State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey said Taylor was well deserving of the departments Order of the Guardian Award.

Its in recognition of your character, integrity  Causey began at the ceremony.

I got it in spite of that? Taylor interrupted.

Topics Florida
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee declined to sign off on a new law requiring governments and businesses to treat immunity from a previous COVID-19 infection as equal to getting vaccinated in their policies.

The legislation became law Friday without the Republicans signature, taking effect immediately.

The bill requires a letter from a licensed physician or certain lab test results as proof of acquired immunity.

Eric Mayo, a lobbyist on the governors team, expressed concerns about the legislation to a Senate committee last month. Mayo told senators Lee was concerned about businesses being put in the situation where they arent able to make the decisions best for their business.

The bill is one of several that passed this year that block COVID-19 safety requirements.

Last year, lawmakers also passed and Lee signed a sprawling state law that largely bars governments and businesses from requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccinations. In the immediate aftermath, some organizations switched their policies to require either proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. Many of them have since removed requirements altogether.

With Republican supermajorities that can override him, Lee has not vetoed any bills while in office. He at times has returned bills without signing them to show his concerns.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics COVID-19 Tennessee
After Truitt Pace admitted to law enforcement that he beat and shot his wife, her family expected a swift conviction. The 34-year-old mother of threes tiny frame was so bruised and traumatized that the funeral home suggested a closed casket. But as months went by, state prosecutors told Marsha Harbours family they were waiting on a key piece of evidence: the medical examiners autopsy report.

National standards recommend most autopsy reports be completed within 60 days. Prosecutors in Harbours case waited for a year.

Across Mississippi, many families wait even longer. An Associated Press analysis based on state data and documents, as well as dozens of interviews with officials and residents, found that Mississippis system has long operated in violation of national standards for death investigations, accruing a severe backlog of autopsies and reports.

Autopsies that should take days take weeks. Autopsy reports that should take months take a year or longer, as in Harbours case. Too few pathologists are doing too many autopsies. Some cases are transferred hundreds of miles to neighboring states for reports without their familys knowledge.

The Mississippi State Medical Examiners Office was waiting for about 1,300 reports from as far back as 2011, records sent to AP in early April show. Around 800 of those involve homicides  meaning criminal cases are incomplete.

District attorneys have resigned themselves to long waits: Were at a point now where were happy if its only a year, said Luke Williamson, whos been a prosecutor for 14 years in northern Mississippi.

The National Association of Medical Examiners, the office that accredits U.S. death investigations offices, dictates that 90% of autopsy reports should be returned within 60 to 90 days.

Mississippis office has never been accredited. The majority of U.S. medical examiner agencies, which are chronically underfunded and face a shortage of forensic pathologists, are unaccredited. States such as Georgia have raised the alarm about autopsy report delays of up to six months. But nowhere is the issue more severe than in Mississippi.

Mississippis delays are an emergency-level concern, said Dr. James Gill, the associations 2021 president and a leader in the College of American Pathologists. Thats a disaster situation where you need to do something drastic.

Public Safety Commissioner Sean Tindell is a former Mississippi Court of Appeals judge who stepped into his role _ overseeing the state medical examiners office, the highway patrol and other agencies _ in May 2020. He called the backlog unacceptable and said hes made eliminating it the top priority of his administration. He said working as a judge, he saw how trials were delayed while prosecutors awaited reports.

I knew it was bad, he told the AP. I didnt know it was this bad.

Families deserve better. Im sorry that theyve had to experience delays in laying to rest loved ones, to getting closure in these cases, but were going to fix the problem.

Tindell said hes instituted a policy that all reports must be back within 90 days. Using contractor pathologists in other states, the office began working to whittle down the backlog. Tindell said around 500 cases have been completed since summer.

But Tindell, who has hired two new pathologists, started university recruiting efforts and streamlined staff duties, said its been a challenge trying to fix old problems while facing new ones: the pandemic and an unprecedented increase in violent crime.

Mississippi saw 597 homicides in 2021 and 578 in 2020  record numbers for the state of 3 million. Thats compared with 434 in 2019 and 382 in 2018.

Arkansas, with a similar population, had 347 homicides in 2021 and 386 in 2020.

From 2020 to April 2022, Arkansas has employed five to seven pathologists performing autopsies. Mississippi has employed two to three, as people left jobs.

Tindell said both the forensics laboratory and medical examiners office havent been a state priority for funding or staffing in over a decade. The forensic laboratorys budget has essentially remained unchanged since 2008.

But during Mississippis 2022 legislative session, lawmakers approved $4 million that must be used to address backlogged cases.

Like most states, Mississippi does not perform an autopsy  a post-mortem surgical procedure by a forensic pathologist to determine cause of death  for all people. Autopsies are reserved for homicides, suicides, deaths of children and those in correctional facilities, and other unexpected cases. Forensic pathologists are responsible for performing autopsies at Mississippis two medical examiner offices  one in the Jackson metro area, one on the coast.

After the autopsy, pathologists complete a report explaining their findings and results, including an official cause of death. Reports can help determine whether a death was an accident, a suicide or a homicide. They shed light on child deaths, or show whether a person accused of murder acted in self-defense.

In 2017, 93-year-old World War II veteran Durley Bratton died after two employees of a Mississippi veterans home dropped him and put him back in bed without telling anyone. Police began an investigation after a tip from the hospital where Bratton was taken.

Arrests didnt come until 15 months later, after the autopsy report was returned, concluding the veteran died of blunt-force trauma.

In the Harbour case, the autopsy report was the critical piece of evidence after Pace claimed self-defense for shooting his wife.

At the December 2021 trial where Pace was sentenced to life in prison, a medical examiner said Harbour suffered from blunt force trauma wounds consistent with being beaten before she was shot.

Harbour, who helped deliver babies as a surgical technician at a local hospital, had endured months of abuse. She once went to a domestic violence shelter. But she worried for her childrens safety and never went to the police.

Because Pace had no criminal record, he was released on bond days after his arrest.

Harbours stepmother, Denise Spears, said she and her family felt dejected as they went to the mailbox month after month to find notices that the trial was being pushed back. Once the report came in, the trial was delayed further because of the pandemic. Pace didnt stand trial until more than three years after killing his wife.

One of the worst parts was explaining to her grandchildren why the man who killed their mother was able to live free for years, Spears said. More than once, they came to her, afraid theyd run into him.

They couldnt understand it, Spears said. It was hard for me to explain to them, because I couldnt understand it either.

Ben Creekmore, a district attorney in northern Mississippi, said conversations with families about delays are always difficult. He worries about the impact the postponements have on trust in the criminal justice system.

Those things dramatically impact our relationship with people who have suffered loss, he said. It undermines your credibility on everything else.

Beyond effects on criminal cases, the lack of an autopsy report and official death certificate can prevent families from collecting benefits.

Mississippi Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann said hes been contacted by families who cant get insurance payouts without a certificate.

One that contacted us was a mom and two children whose husband died unexpectedly, he said during a fall budget hearing. They couldnt get their life insurance benefits, and thats the only money they had.

More than money, families can also find closure. Rebecca Brown lost her brother unexpectedly in 2018. It wasnt until last June  three years after his death  that his report was completed.

Her brother, in his early 40s, had a history of drug addiction but was in recovery. He lived with his mother, who worried hed started using again and had died of an overdose. When they finally learned the cause of death was a heart attack, Brown said she felt no relief  just anger that it had taken so long. When she showed her mother a photo of the death certificate, she cried.

In my mind, what they did is they called for my mother to grieve harder for three years than she could have, Brown said.

Tindell said the problems wont be fixed until the state is able to hire more pathologists. The National Medical Examiners Association standards recommend that pathologists perform no more than 250 autopsies a year. If pathologists perform more than 325 a year, the office risks losing accreditation.

In 2021, two Mississippi pathologists performed 461 and 421 autopsies. Arkansass six pathologists completed an average of approximately 282 each.

During most of the 1990s and 2000s, Mississippi had no state medical examiner, instead contracting with a private physician, Dr. Steven Hayne, who performed 80% of autopsies in the state. He completed as many as 1,700 autopsies a year.

Haynes work was repeatedly attacked in court as sloppy and scientifically unsound. Verdicts in multiple murder cases in which Hayne testified were overturned by the Mississippi Supreme Court.

In 2011, the state hired Pathologist Dr. Mark LeVaughn as its first chief medical examiner since 1995. During his tenure, LeVaughn spoke publicly repeatedly about a lack of resources, calling his office a critically understaffed public health risk.

Tindell said a substantial number of autopsy reports that are pending are LeVaughns. Because of the departments staff turnover rate, LeVaughn was the only forensic pathologist handling all the autopsies in the state at times and fell behind on paperwork.

He was put in the impossible situation of trying to do all the autopsies for the entire state, and just unfortunately, he was not able to get it all done, Tindell said.

LeVaughn resigned as chief medical examiner in January 2021. He has since been rehired as a pathologist finishing outstanding reports and testifying on them in trials.

Tindell said the office expects an additional pathologist to start late next month, and that hes recruiting to hire another as soon as possible.

In the meantime, to meet demand, the Mississippi Medical Examiners Office has been forced to send bodies to neighboring states such as Arkansas. In 2021, 284 autopsies were completed by contractor pathologists.

The National Medical Examiners Association recommends autopsies be completed within 72 hours. The turnaround time in Mississippi has exceeded three weeks in some cases. The problem is especially severe in north Mississippi, where there is no medical examiners office.

One family in Tupelo waited 24 days. After he was shot and killed in May of last year, Lorenzin Browns body was first brought almost 200 miles away for an autopsy at the Mississippi State Crime Lab in Pearl, the closest state facility that could do it.

Brown lay for two weeks in the morgue before pathologists determined they couldnt get to his case fast enough. They decided he should be transferred to Little Rock _ more than 260 miles (418 kilometers) away _ for an autopsy by a contractor.

His family wasnt notified that he was being transferred or told when hed be returned. Without updates, they struggled to make funeral arrangements. His father wondered if hed be able to see him before he was buried.

To get a call saying that hes been murdered, it was already a tragic enough situation, said Browns uncle, Tim Butler, a pastor who organized the funeral. The grieving process is always bad. Under these circumstances, its made everything that much worse.

His mother, Geisha, said she couldnt work while she waited for his body to be returned and to hold his service. It wasnt until a month and a day after he died that they were able to bury her son.

Clayton Cobler  coroner in Lauderdale County, where Harbour was killed  said families try calling the medical examiners office for answers about the status of autopsies and reports, and they often dont hear back. Each of Mississippis 82 counties has an elected coroner whos responsible for collecting and transporting bodies to the medical examiners office. They end up acting as liaisons with families and answering desperate calls month after month, Cobler said.

Ive got a grandmother that her grandson died in 2017, and she wants to know why, he said. It just breaks my heart every time she calls, because I cant tell her.

Cobler, who has worked in death investigations for decades, said he recently made the difficult decision not to run for reelection.

More and more coroners or long-term coroners are saying, Im done. Im not going to run again, because its just too frustrating, and its too heartbreaking, he said.

Rocky Kennedy, the Lafayette County coroner, said many people who work with families feel the same fatigue.

Its a waiting game, and I think everybodys patience ran out a long time ago, he said. Words without results mean nothing.

Top photo: Denise Spears holds a portrait of her late step-daughter Marsha Harbour, in her Meridian, Miss., office, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. Although Marshas husband, Truitt Pace, admitted killing his wife, he was free on bond while court proceedings were partially held up because the Mississippi Medical Examiners Office autopsy report was delayed for a year, and the trial got held up further because of the pandemic and other factors. Harbour was a victim of domestic violence. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Mississippi
As she exits her hometowns only restaurant clutching an order of cabbage and hush puppies, Carolyn Suggs Bandy pauses to boast about a place that stakes its claim as the oldest town chartered by Black Americans nearly 140 years ago.

It is sacred to me, said Bandy, 65. We got roots in this town.

Yet historic Princeville, on the banks of the Tar River in eastern North Carolina, is one hurricane away from disaster.

With an ever-changing climate, hurricanes are likely to be more intense, and melting glaciers are causing sea levels to rise, making more flooding inevitable.

Princevilles future rests not only on protecting the town from flooding, but also convincing younger generations to make a home in the town. The latest U.S. Census puts the towns population at 1,254, which marks a steep decline from 2010, The median income is $33,325 as of 2020.

Gaining new residents will require providing opportunities that make the move worth it, or convincing young families to stay.

Two-term mayor Bobbie Jones, a full-time school principal who lives in Princeville and commutes one hour each way to his job in Hertford County, says history compels him _ and others _to work for his towns survival.

These are sacred grounds, Jones said. These are sacred African-American grounds.

Princeville was incorporated in 1885 by former slaves on swampy, low-lying land. The town grew from a population of 379 in 1880 to 552 at the turn of the century. It had a school, churches and businesses.

The town has endured racism, bigotry and attempts by white neighbors to erase it from existence.

Today, Princeville features single-family homes interspersed with empty homes that have been boarded up and abandoned as a result of the two latest floods. One church sits with its windows covered in plywood.

Commerce focuses on a small strip where a barber shop and a liquor store flank a convenience store where residents can get snack foods, buy lottery tickets and fill their cars with gasoline. A separate building holds the small sit-down restaurant where Bandy got her food.

Princeville is in a bad spot when it comes to hurricanes because of its position on the Tar River. The town lies 124 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at the edge of North Carolinas Coastal Plain, an area where the biggest threat from tropical weather tends to be rain, not wind. When slow-moving storms come ashore and move inland, drenching rains that can extend far from the core of the storm drain into the rivers and flood towns along the banks.

If its not hurricanes, ocean levels could be a threat, according to a summary of the states climate written by N.C. State University.

Melting glaciers add more water to the ocean, and sea water increases in volume when it warms up, the report says.

Attempts to protect the town from flood waters have been mixed.

In 1967, the Army Corps of Engineers completed an earthen dike along the Tars southern bank. Nearly 3 miles long and up to 49 feet above sea level, the levee surrounds the town on three sides.

For more than 30 years, it held nature at bay. Then, in September 1999, Hurricane Floyd hit.

Swollen by rain, pushed by winds, the Tar surged over, around and even under the dike, washing homes from their foundations and the dead from their graves.

When Floyd came, it seemed like the end of the world, says Navy veteran Alex Noble, 84. It seemed like you just were turned outdoors. You know, everything was wide open.

In the spring of 2016, after years of study, the Corps announced plans to try and prevent another disaster. The levee would be extended, roads would be raised, and gates would be installed in culverts to prevent water passing through the dike.

Just a few months after that announcement, Hurricane Matthew struck, and with it came more devastating flooding.

In response, Congress approved nearly $40 million to better protect the town. The money was appropriated in 2020, but as another hurricane season approaches, nothing has happened.

Despite the delays, Col. Benjamin A. Bennett, commander of the Corps Wilmington district, said Princeville is a priority.

We have a team of engineers every single day and a large part of our district focused on Princeville. We are actively tweaking our design and trying to optimize the engineering, and running models to make sure that we protect Princeville without causing problems somewhere else, Bennett said.

Meanwhile, as Princevilles population ages, young people ultimately will have to succeed them to keep the town moving forward. Without its own industry or significant commercial outlets, it is difficult to keep younger residents in town.

Luring new business into Princeville will likely involve offering incentives such as tax breaks, the kind that are offered by state governments seeking to land a major manufacturer.

Housing is also an issue. While some homes are being elevated, other homeowners have accepted buyouts from the N.C. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.

Despite the many challenges, those who live in Princeville arent ready to give up.

Noble, who came to Princeville with his wife in 1963, thinks of the freed slaves who built Princeville, and what they might say to todays residents.

You know, they always said, `Dont give up. Dont give up, he says. And thats what we got to do. Stick with it.  You know, we didnt come this far to turn around.

Photo: Mayor Bobbie Jones looks out over the Tar River from an earthen levee in Princeville. Jones, a full-time school principal who lives in Princeville and commutes one hour each way to his job in Hertford County, says history compels him, and others, to work for his towns survival. These are sacred grounds, Jones said. These are sacred African-American grounds. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane
Kentucky has become the 21st state to adopt a data security law that will require insurers and larger agencies to beef up measures designed to help prevent cyber attacks and data breaches.

Gov. Andy Beshear in April signed House Bill 474, which was based on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners model data security law. People and organizations licensed under the Kentucky insurance laws who have more than 50 employees, have until Jan. 1, 2024 to comply, according to the law and recent news reports.

The steps that licensees must take include developing a written cybersecurity program; investigating and reporting cyber events within three days to the state insurance commissioner; conducting risk assessments; and designating a person in the company to be responsible for information security.

The NAIC has said the model law was in the works for some time.

In recent years, there have been several major data breaches involving large insurers that have exposed and compromised the sensitive personal information of millions of insurance consumers, reads a legislative brief by the NAIC. As a result, state insurance regulators made reevaluation of the regulations around cybersecurity and consumer data protection a top priority, and in early 2016 the NAIC began drafting the Insurance Data Security Model Law.

Among other steps, Kentuckys law requires insurers to identify reasonably foreseeable internal or external threats that could result in unauthorized access, transmission, disclosure, misuse, alteration, or destruction of nonpublic information, including the security of information systems and nonpublic information that are accessible to, or held by, third-party service providers, the law reads.

Companies must also put controls on information to limit access only to authorized people, along with many other measures.

The NAIC model law would have exempted only those companies with fewer than 10 employees, but Kentucky lawmakers upped that to 50 workers. The law also will not apply to purchasing groups or risk retention groups chartered and licensed outside of Kentucky, as well as companies that act as assuming insurers and are domiciled in other states.

Other states that have adopted similar laws include: Alabama, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi, Delaware, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Maine, and Hawaii. Bills are pending in Illinois, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Washington. New York has its own data privacy requirements, NAIC explained.

Topics Carriers Cyber Kentucky
A jury has awarded nearly $9 million to three families who accused a Colorado fertility doctor of using his own sperm to inseminate three mothers who requested anonymous donors.

The jury found that Dr. Paul B. Jones and his clinic, Womens Health Care of Western Colorado, liable, The Denver Post reported Friday.

A woman who answered a telephone from a reporter at Jones home said they are not supposed to talk. His lawyers did not return telephone messages or an email seeking comment.

The clinic declined to comment on the decision.

The verdict stems from a 2019 lawsuit brought against Jones and his clinic accusing Jones of using his own sperm in seven artificial inseminations from 1979 to 1985. The children grew up and as adults learned through genealogy services that they had a common connection: Jones.

Some families settled with Jones, said Maia Emmons-Boring, one of those who pursued a trial. The Texas resident learned through a home DNA test more than three years ago that the man she has called her father her whole life was not her genetic relative.

Our goal was never the money, she said. It was to see him in court.

The jury award followed a $5 million judgment against a Vermont doctor last month. The two decisions will set a precedent for fertility fraud cases throughout the country, said Jody Madeira, an Indiana University law professor and fertility fraud expert.

These two verdicts side by side establish that the public rejects this standard, Madeira said. They know that was never the standard of care and they find it grotesque.

The Colorado verdict also came days after state lawmakers introduced a bill to give donor-conceived individuals greater protections.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Fraud Colorado
Nashville, TN., May, 02, 2022  Salus Workers Compensation, LLC (Salus), a portfolio of workers compensation companies with the same mission: minimizing the human and financial cost of workplace injuries, announced that their in-house MGA, Method Insurance, has achieved $100 million inforce premium. The result of multiple teams collaborating, this accomplishment serves as proof of the value of Salus comprehensive risk management solution.

When Salus acquired Method in 2019, we set a goal to be at $100 million inforce premium by the end of 2022. Weve hit that mark six months early! shared Methods President, Greg Donsbach.

Salus Board of Directors were quick to acknowledge the tremendous effort, commenting, We recognize that reaching this important milestone took the coordinated effort of each employee. This is a testament to the talent of our associates, valued distribution, and carrier partners. We appreciate the value that each and every one of them create.

Reaching $100M inforce premium is evidence of the strength and stability of our team and the company, said Julie Richt, Methods Executive Vice President of Revenue. She added, We set out to provide policyholders with an exclusive workers compensation product offered through a limited distribution network. To now reach $100M demonstrates that both agents and insureds recognize that our total cost of risk strategy is very much needed and valued. Were honored to work with agency partners who see our vision and believe in the value of Method.

While the company is celebrating such a significant feat, the Salus portfolio of workers comp companies are just getting started. Were making moves while staying disciplined to write profitable business going forward, Donsbach shared while commenting on future plans for the company. Richt added, Well continue growing strategically with our agency partners, both existing and new, to provide excellent service throughout the life of their clients policy. How we onboard new policyholders, how we help them develop effective safety practices, and how we manage claims are all because were invested in their success.

With this milestone realized, the future looks brighter than ever for Salus. We will continue investing in next-level services. Our commitment to excellence will shine through in 2022 with our premium achievements, claims performance, and technological enhancements. We will continue to provide top-of-the-line programs that benefit agents and their clients on our way to our next milestone, shared Richt.

Ultimately, this speaks to the shared purpose of Method Insurance and Salus Claims Management: Salus founder and CEO, Dr. Richard Rehm, expressed the vision this way, Everything we do comes down to benefiting the people we care for. When we efficiently manage the highest quality of care for injured employees, we drive financial benefit for everyone. The fact that weve achieved such a significant goal in such a short time proves that we are providing the quality that weve set out to. Im so proud of what weve built together, not only since our founding in 2018, but what weve been able to accomplish every day since.

About Salus

Founded by pioneers in the occupational medicine industry, Salus mission is to mitigate workplace injuries and deliver exceptional healthcare outcomes for injured workers, in turn expediting a return to work, preserving families economic livelihoods, and enhancing employers productivity. Salus is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee with offices in Austin, Texas; Dallas, Texas; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Omaha, Nebraska. Salus is a WP Global Partners, Inc. portfolio company.

To learn more, visit: https://www.salusworkerscomp.com.

About Method

Method is the managing general agency (MGA) of the Salus family of workplace injury products and services. Method has extensive experience in all aspects of program management and a broad appetite for high-hazard, high-mod, mid-market risks.

To learn more, visit https://www.methodinsurance.com.
Ten thousand euro to print binders full of documents. Years in court to defend lawsuits. Hiring local contractors to lobby small-town bureaucrats. Energy producers say these time-consuming bottlenecks are thwarting Europes push to ditch Russia and be more self-reliant.

European leaders promised to scale up the continents renewable-power capacity while reducing imports of Russian gas, but words move faster than permits.

Builders say fast-tracking the energy transition means unraveling red tape and reconciling lofty, national climate ambitions with the limited capacity of most local authorities to implement them.

According to Henrik Andersen, chief executive officer of Vestas Wind Systems, the worlds largest wind turbine maker:

Theres only one way to accelerate the supply of electricity into the system: Accelerate the permitting.

The EUs plans necessitate a rapid expansion of renewables, particularly onshore wind farms, which tend to be most productive during winter, the peak season for consuming gas.

The EU wants its wind power capacity to reach at least 480 gigawatts by 2030  more than double the current level. But Bloomberg forecasts the EU is set to reach only about two-thirds of that amount.

Pietro Radoia, an analyst at Bloombergm said:

The process is particularly inefficient and theres huge room for improvement  Its only getting worse.

Russias biggest buyer of gas is Germany, where the government vowed to accelerate green-energy development through measures such as increasing the areas available for solar parks, expanding electric grids and adding wind farms at sea.

The 500-page package will help Germany almost double the share of renewables in gross energy consumption within a decade, economy minister Robert Habeck said.

"This is crucial to increase the pace of the expansion," he said.

But the proposed legislation is far from a silver bullet, said Ron Schumann, a political adviser at the German Wind Energy Association. Its unclear to him how the government will follow through on its promises to offer more land or nudge local officials to make faster decisions on permits. Schumann said:

There are some changes that will help boost the wind-energy buildup, but the legislation we have now isnt going to solve all the issues.

Thats because many of the speed bumps are beyond the grasp of federal ministries in Berlin. Theres already an environmental law in Germany that says authorities should decide on applications within 10 months. But that timeline rarely is adhered to by county-level decision makers, builders say.

Some inefficiencies are built into the system  such as a preference for paperwork over digital submissions.

Earlier this year, EnBW Energie Baden-Wuerttemberg spent more than 10,000 to print 36,000 pages for an application to erect three wind turbines in its home state. The binders stretched the length of a conference-room table when placed side-by-side.

At that rate of almost 800 per megawatt of wind turbines, companies would spend about 8m a year just on paperwork if the nation hits its target of adding 10 gigawatts of onshore wind capacity annually by 2030.

It now takes at least four years to get a permit approved by local authorities, a doubling since 2017, said Michael Class, head of generation portfolio development for EnBW.

And once the permit is in hand, opponents often challenge them in court. Those efforts rarely succeed but can add years to the building process, he said.

Sometimes the delay is so long the company must resubmit parts of the application because the turbines it planned to use became obsolete and were taken off the market.

Even so, critics of the inefficiencies recognise that permitting processes are in place for a reason and that officials must balance the need for more renewable energy with the concerns of the local populace.

The key challenge is to make these processes more efficient and more predictable, said Olle Olsson, senior research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute. You dont want to run roughshod over other interests in the vicinity.

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A growing number of English-language students are being forced to sleep on the streets, in cars, or on couches in friends homes because they cannot find rental accommodation after travelling to Ireland.

Some are opting to return home without completing their courses or transferring to other countries because they couldnt find, or afford, a place to live.

One student, who spoke to the Irish Examiner, recently spent two nights sleeping on the streets in Cork city centre because the hostel he had been staying in was booked out for a weekend. Sebastian Carvallo Farina, from Chile, is now couch surfing.

Another student in Dublin bought an old car for 800 to sleep in because it was her only option. She is now sleeping on a couch in the home of an acquaintance.

Students across the third-level sector have been hit by the perfect storm of rising rents, a shortage of accommodation, Covid, and the soaring cost of living, with student welfare groups reporting that hundreds were deferring until next year.

English language student Sebastian Carvallo Farina and four others had to sleep on the streets in Cork last weekend after they could not find accommodation. Picture: Dan Linehan

But the accommodation crisis is hitting international students hardest. A study in February by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) found half of students are sharing a room with three or more people. One in 10 are forced to share a room with six or more people. Only one in 10 had their own room.

The latest rent report from Daft for the first quarter of 2022 found there were fewer than 1,400 properties to rent nationally at the beginning of February. In Dublin, there were just 712 properties available, the lowest level since Dafts records began in 2006.

The number of properties was also at an all-time low in Munster. The average rent on Daft was 1,524 nationally at the end of 2021, a rise of more than 10% over the year.

Read More Complaint lodged with RTB over mouldy, overcrowded international student accommodation

According to the Department of Justice, 11,747 visas were granted last year for courses including secondary level, English language, and third-level courses up to and including PhD. This was up from 7,821 in 2020, when such courses were heavily hit by the pandemic. In 2019, the year prior to the pandemic, 17,217 such visas were granted. Up to the end of March this year, 2,662 visas were granted.

Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy says it is taking people arriving in Ireland by surprise that 'one of the most basic needs of people  the need to have shelter  is not available or affordable'. File picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

In response to a parliamentary question, Justice Minister Helen McEntee said a person seeking a visa to study English is not required to have proof of secure accommodation to make an application.

Social Democrats co-leader and justice spokeswoman Catherine Murphy said finding somewhere to stay is becoming a nightmare for international students:

"We are perceived as a first world country and it is taking people by surprise that one of the most basic needs of people  the need to have shelter  is not available or affordable.

It ends up being a huge nightmare to find somewhere to stay and much more expensive than they would have anticipated.

Once people have made the commitment to come here, they have already made a very large financial commitment and life commitment and it is very difficult to row back from it.

ICOS executive director Laura Harmon said international students are more vulnerable as they often arrive in Ireland with little knowledge of the rental market landscape, meaning they run a higher risk of being scammed or exploited.

Rising rents and a lack of available properties to rent forces many students to live in overcrowded accommodation, said Ms Harmon.

"We urgently need a review and overhaul of current legislation on overcrowding, which dates from 1966 and is no longer fit for purpose. "

English-language schools are appealing for families to come forward to host students, especially during the summer months.

Nico Dowling, owner and director of Atlas English language school in Dublin, said a number of students have transferred to the schools sister college in Malta, where pressures on accommodation are not as severe.

Green Party housing spokesman, and Oireachtas housing committee chairman, Steven Matthews, said the pressures on accommodation here are increasing as a result of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, as we do have an obligation to provide Ukrainian residents with a good quality, longer term accommodation, which will not be an easy task either.
Women are having to deal with a shortage in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) supplies amid the rising demand for such treatment.

Here, we take a look at the issues:

 What is HRT?

According to the HSE, Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medicine-based treatment used to relieve symptoms of menopause.

HRT medicine comes as tablets, skin patches, gels, and vaginal creams, pessaries or rings.

HRT can help relieve most menopausal symptoms, including hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, vaginal dryness and reduced sex drive.

 What is the current situation with supply?

Shortages of some commonly used products, in particular HRT patches, have become a feature of womens healthcare over the past two years.

Pharmaceutical companies have pointed to growing demand as the main cause and do not seem to be able to match this despite increasing deliveries to Ireland.

It is estimated that there are up to 600,000 Irish women who could be affected by peri-menopause or menopause.

 What is the reason for such an increase in demand?

Increased awareness of the benefits of HRT has seen more women seek help for menopause symptoms.

Rebecca Barry, supervising pharmacist of Lloyds Pharmacy in Castletroy, Limerick recently told the Irish Examiner that there has been "a massive increase in the amount of HRT being prescribed."

"Every day, for months now, there are at least two if not more HRT products unavailable," she said.

 What has been the consequence of this higher demand?

Social Democrats spokeswoman on social justice Holly Cairns said some women have not been able to access suitable HRT products at all, while the Irish Examiner has previously reported instances of women having to call multiple pharmacies to source products.

Others are reportedly cutting patches in half to extend coverage or sharing products with others.

The UK government is showing that this issue needs to be prioritised to help resolve it," Ms Cairns said.

"The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, needs to step up and address this issue with a similar commitment."

 What is being done about it?

The Department of Health now plans to deliver six menopause clinics this year, up from an earlier target of four.

They recently confirmed 2.5m of the 10m womens health fund is ring-fenced for the HSE to address menopause, postnatal care, endometritis and providing medical social workers across the maternity system.

Estradot patches, manufactured by Novartis, are currently out of stock until July.

A spokeswoman said there had been "a significant increase in demand, driven by the increased awareness of HRT and the menopause during 2021".

She said the company has significantly increased supply since 2021.

A spokeswoman for Besins Healthcare which makes Oestrogel gel products said they have also increased supply and expected this gel to be restocked around the end of April.

Meanwhile, at the end of April, the British Government announced that Vaccine Taskforce director-general Madelaine McTernan had been appointed to spearhead a new HRT Supply Taskforce.

 What is the HRT taskforce responsible for?

The taskforce will engage with HRT suppliers to ensure there is a good understanding of supply constraints and what is being or can be done to address them in the short and long term.

It will also work with the NHS Business Services Authority to secure access to real-time HRT dispensing data in order to improve understanding of supply, demand and what is driving shortages.
The Russian embassy in Ireland has said that recent Russian TV reports showing the impact a possible nuclear attack against Britain which also devastates Ireland were a matter for the editors concerned.

The embassy said there were no winners in a nuclear war and said it must never be unleashed.

The TV report, circulated on social media, shows Russian TV presenting options for a nuclear attack against Britain.

It says this attack using an underwater nuclear weapon would plunge Britain into the depths of the sea.

The torpedo, fired from a nuclear submarine, would explode in the sea.

The TV graphic shows the device exploding 300km northwest of Co Donegal.

The presenter said the warhead has an explosive capacity of up to 100 megatonnes.

The explosion of this thermonuclear torpedo by Britains coastline will create a gigantic tsunami wave up to 500m high, the report says.

Such a barrage also carries extreme doses of radiation," it adds. "Having passed over the British Isles it will turn whatever might be left of them into a radioactive desert, unfit for anything for a long time.

Discussion on Russian State Television of the impact a Russian Nuclear Device would have if detonated off the Coast of Donegal. Video via Twitter.

Responding to the reports, a statement from the Russia embassy in Dublin said: The views and presentations in the TV show are that of the editors.

The official position of Russia has always been that there can be no winners in a nuclear war and that it must never be unleashed, as once again was reaffirmed in the Joint Statement of the Leaders of the Five Nuclear-Weapons States on Preventing Nuclear War and Avoiding Arms Races, published on January 3, 2022.

In recent weeks, Russian president Vladimir Putin has spoken of his willingness to threaten to use nuclear weapons.

He described last weeks test of the Sarmat hypersonic intercontinental ballistic missile as giving the west food for thought.

He added: We have all the instruments for this [responding to an existential threat to Russia]  ones nobody else can boast of. And we will use them, if we have to.

Reacting on Twitter to the TV reports, Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond said: Casually discussing detonating a nuclear device off the coast of Donegal, a chilling insight into the Russian state mindset, yet we still allow Russias ambassador to spread their state disinformation here from the embassy on Orwell Road.

Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher TD said: I presume someone in Irish government is conveying our absolute disgust at these threats to Ireland.

"There is no free speech in Russia so these statements are being made with Putins approval.

Time to tell Russian government that this wild language is simply unacceptable to us.

Donnacha O Beachain, professor of politics at DCU, said there has been several references made on Russian state television about how it would be easy or even desirable to launch nuclear strikes on western countries, including the UK.

These are sometimes made casually and sometimes forcefully, he said. There is an assumption that either western countries would be unable to respond or an acknowledgement that it would be the end for everyone, but as one TV presenter said a few days after the war began: Why do we need a world if Russia is not in it?."

He said this statement came within hours of Putins announcement that he was placing Russias nuclear deterrence forces on high alert following what the president described as aggressive statements and economic sanctions imposed on Moscow by Nato.

While the statement of TV presenters and panellists does not enjoy the status of an official government statement the fact that they are made on state-controlled television means they are considered within the realm of Kremlin-approved discourse, Prof O Beachain said.

Indeed, the Kremlin has already highlighted its nuclear arsenal on several occasions since invading Ukraine.

These statements are made to deter countries from helping Ukrainians.

Amnesty International has previously said that Russian authorities have unleashed an unprecedented, nationwide crackdown on independent journalism as well as anti-war protests and dissenting voices following its invasion of Ukraine.

The human rights organisation said: For two decades, the Russian authorities have waged a covert war against dissenting voices by arresting journalists, cracking down on independent newsrooms and forcing media owners to impose self-censorship.

Yet, after Russian tanks entered Ukraine, the authorities switched to a scorched-earth strategy that has turned Russias media landscape into a wasteland.
POLITICS in the North is on the cusp of history on Thursday if the latest polling is anything to go by.

For the first time in 100 years, an election in the North may return a nationalist majority.

Sinn Fein looks likely to become the largest party in Stormont in an election that could see Michelle ONeill, the partys leader in the North, become first minister. The latest opinion poll puts Sinn Fein on 26%, seven points ahead of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) on 19%.

The party seems unstoppable in the Republic too, continuing to build on their success in the election of February 2020, and seemingly unstoppable, despite a number of trip-ups since then.

The possibility of Sinn Fein running a government on both sides of the border is a real one and would arguably give Sinn Fein the mandate to call for a border poll.

The partys ultimate goal is to reunify the country and if it is voted in on both sides of the border, it can argue that the polling reflects the public feels the same.

The party is an all-island one and has been accused of having different policies north and south on a number of matters. The Irish Examiner studied the main policy areas where Sinn Fein has been accused of poetry in the South and prose in the North.

Jeffrey Donaldson (centre) at the launch of the DUPs election manifesto last Thursday. His party has hardened its position on the protocol in a bid to retain votes it is at risk of shedding to the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV). Picture: Mark Marlow/PA

HOUSING Housing could be the issue that wins Sinn Fein the election on both sides of the border. However, the party goes about it in different ways north and south. The partys policies in both jurisdictions are mostly identical in their most recent manifestos: Further legislation to protect

private renters from unfair rents, improve housing standards, and ending unfair letting fees. However, there are subtle but important differences. In their Northern manifesto, released this month, the party says it would introduce regulations to deliver fair rents including reducing or freezing rents whereas in the south, the manifesto claimed a Sinn Fein government would reduce and freeze rents for three years. Sinn Fein holds the housing portfolio in Northern Ireland, with Deirdre Hargey currently minister for communities. Its first time holding the office, Sinn Feins housing plan was dubbed the biggest shakeup of the housing system for over 50 years and was well received by most of Stormont. So far, Hargey has introduced legislation, for the duration of the pandemic, to protect private renters which means landlords now have to give tenants a 12-week notice to quit period before seeking a court order to evict and has also limited the amount a landlord can charge for a deposit to no more than one months rent. At local council level, councillors for Sinn Fein have voted very differently. The party chairs and is the largest party on Belfast City Councils planning committee. The party has supported student blocks in the city, despite objections from residents in some instances, while Belfast has seen a regeneration in the last decade with new hotels and office blocks springing up at a breakneck speed. Belfast, unlike Dublin, has no height restriction on its buildings, and Sinn Fein councillors have voted on and approved a number of buildings which would never have seen the light of day in Dublin city. Of the five tallest buildings on the island of Ireland, four are in Belfast and the city has twice as many buildings over 15 floors than its southern counterpart. Build-to-rent is another area where the party seems to differ north and south. Belfast City Council, where Sinn Fein is the largest party, with 18 seats, approved the largest build-to-rent development to date in the city this month  a 117m (140m) apartment complex across three blocks in the Titanic Quarter. Just 20% of the 778 apartments will be housing association-managed, with the rest marketed to investors. Among recent build-to-rent approvals is a 19-storey block which Sinn Fein councillors voted for, next to a busy motorway where residents are looking out at a railway bridge, car parking, and an M3 slip road. Another build-to-rent development in the city, on the Ormeau Rd, markets two-bedroom apartments for 1,500 a month, while the average rent in Northern Ireland is 718 per month. In the Republic, the party has been averse to the build-to-rent model. In January this year, Eoin OBroin said: Some parts of [Dublin] are witnessing planning applications which consist solely of build-to-rent dwellings. These are built of a lower standard than build-to-buy and are far too expensive for most ordinary workers to rent. Of course, delivering build-to-rent apartments is an ideal project for developers due to these lower standards and the higher profit margins.

Party leader Colum Eastwood has seen a resurgence of support for the SDLP in recent years, but it could suffer in Thursdays elections if nationalists coalesce behind Sinn Fein. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA

CLIMATE

The Taoiseach once accused Sinn Fein of making an each-way bet on climate change due to the partys stance on the carbon tax.

A LucidTalk poll in conjunction with the Belfast Telegraph surveyed attitudes to the environment in the North and found that 93% of Sinn Fein voters were concerned about the climate emergency and a majority of the partys voters were in favour of additional carbon tax to tackle the issue, with 53% willing to pay for environmental initiatives.

The party is managing a balancing act between climate and farmers on both sides of the border. In the north, Sinn Fein backed a Green Party bill which commits to net-zero emissions by 2045.

The executive has yet to agree its first climate action plan in line with the bill next year so it remains to be seen if they can maintain north-south consistency.

DUP minister Edwin Poots said the party was abandoning the farmers who are living in the hills and the uplands of Northern Ireland after a report on the bill found that the herd numbers for farms across Northern Ireland would significantly reduce if the bill were to be actioned.

Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan rejected the assertion that Sinn Fein held a different policy in the Republic: Across this island Sinn Fein speak with one voice.

Sinn Feins manifesto for the elections on Thursday claims the party was to the fore in delivering climate legislation for the north that is ambitious, fair and deliverablein line with the rest of Ireland.

The literature also notes the need to develop our abundant solar, tidal, and onshore and offshore wind resources across the island and develop the potential of green hydrogen.

In the south, a Sinn Fein private members bill on wind turbines drafted back in 2016 saw the party attempt to make building wind farms more difficult, amid local opposition in the Midlands at the time. The proposed legislation was quickly withdrawn by whip Padraig MacLochlainn as it appeared to differ from the current policy, and was described by one party source to the Irish Examiner as shite.

When asked previously, party president Mary Lou McDonald refused to commit Sinn Fein to a specific figure for emissions cuts in agriculture.

The party is against the Mercosur trade deal with South American countries and says this should be rejected by the

Government rather than taking issue with the size of the national herd.

The party is opposed to carbon tax, with spokesperson Lynn Boylan saying: Our position on the climate tax is based on evidence ... its nothing to do with populism.

Ms Boylan argued that such taxes have not worked elsewhere in reducing carbon emissions.

There are no such carbon taxes in Northern Ireland.

They have also called for a moratorium on the establishment of new data centres.

Support for the Alliance Party led by Naomi Long has surged at recent elections and opinion polls suggest that rise is set to continue. Picture: Niall Carson/PA ABORTION The North is next read the cardboard sign held aloft by Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle ONeill at Dublin Castle. As the passing of the referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment was announced on a sunny day in 2018, Sinn Fein made it clear that changing laws in the other six counties was next on their agenda. However, with the Assembly collapsed for three years, it took the intervention of the British government to progress and publish details of the new legal framework for abortion services in Northern Ireland which has yet to be fully established. When the issue of abortion came up in the Stormont Assembly last year later, Sinn Fein abstained in an initial vote, sparking criticism and accusations that the party has been speaking out of both sides of their mouths. During the Assembly debate in March 2021, Sinn Fein spoke out strongly against a DUP bill which sought to amend the law in Northern Ireland to prevent abortions in cases of non-fatal disabilities, including Down syndrome. Michelle ONeill claimed the bill was the thin end of the wedge and accused the DUP of attempting to reopen a debate that has already been had. Women are entitled to have compassionate healthcare, she said. But despite the vocal opposition, Sinn Fein members then abstained on the vote, resulting in the bill passing its second stage by 48 votes to 12. Their actions set social media alight, with even the Derry Girls actress Siobhan McSweeney, who plays Sr Michael in the show, directly tweeting at Sinn Fein: By abstaining last night you essentially voted with the DUP. Aontu leader Peadar Toibin, who left Sinn Fein due to his own anti-abortion stance, accused the party of speaking out of both sides of their mouth on the issue. Alliance for Choice co-convener Naomi Connor said Sinn Fein has been on a journey from a party that was not pro-choice, to one in which is now in favour of providing abortion services. However, she said that in the past there has been a lack of clarity as to what that actually means. She said Alliance for Choice has met and heavily lobbied members of Sinn Fein who had been willing to listen. I do believe that Sinn Fein were influenced and took a more progressive stance, she added. Interestingly, the partys general election manifestos both North and South make no reference to either abortion or termination. The pre-election document published ahead of the upcoming Assembly election only states that the party want women to be able to access the safe and legal health services they are entitled to. The only reference to abortion services in the 2020 general election manifesto was a commitment to introduce safe access zones.

WELFARE

Public spending in the North is delivered through three layers of government: Westminster, Stormont, and the 11 local councils.

Sinn Fein currently holds the finance portfolio in the North, with minister Conor Murphy at the helm.

Westminsters autumn budget in 2021 delivered the largest annual funding settlement to Northern Ireland since devolution at 15bn (17.8m).

Conor Murphys proposed budget plan for the next three years would see funding cut to several departments as Mr Murphy sought to prioritise spending on Northern Irelands under-pressure health system by giving it a 10% increase in funding.

Almost 9 in every 10 of public spending in the North flows through Stormont  89% of total spending  while Westminster is responsible for 7%, and local councils the remaining 4%.

Social welfare rates are determined by the chancellor of the exchequer and are uniform throughout the UK.

Therefore, the Northern Ireland Executive, and Mr Murphy do not have any say in welfare rates, including Jobseekers Allowance.

However, under Mr Murphy, Stormont awarded 230 to every household in the North at a cost of 177m for the current cost-of-living crisis and 100 to those on benefits who were previous recipients of the energy payment support scheme at a cost of 27m.

In the south, Sinn Fein advocated back in February for much the same thing in the Republic, with Pearse Doherty saying the payment would be made on top of the Governments proposed 100 energy credit if the party was in power in the Dail.

Sinn Fein unanimously supported legislation

in Stormont which raised the pension age to 66 in 2012.

However, this is no longer the partys position and it advocates the pension age returning to 65 for the entire island.

HUNTING A different type of border fox became the issue when Sinn Fein was accused of having different approaches on hunting north and south. The party was forced to defend its position on hunting, after it opposed a bill that would have banned hunting with dogs in Northern Ireland last year. Many pointed to the fact that party president Mary Lou McDonald had previously indicated that Sinn Fein was against the practice and would vote in favour of a ban at the next opportunity. The bill aimed to bring Northern Ireland into line with Britain, where hunting wild mammals with dogs is outlawed. However, Sinn Fein MLAs were among the 45 Assembly members who voted down the bill, prompting calls on the party to clarify whether its position is consistent in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood tweeted: So Sinn Fein are against fox hunting in the south and for it in the north. Right. What happens if a fox runs across the border? In a statement, Sinn Feins

agriculture spokesperson in the North, Declan McAleer, said his party opposes the unnecessary infliction of cruelty to animals. TD Matt Carthy also defended the move stating that the bill had been a barristers dream, to put it mildly before adding that bans in these instances dont work, what we need to do is work with rural communities, in particular, to ensure that we have regulations in place. He said there are different reasons for hunting with dogs, including protection of biodiversity, including other animal welfare issues, adding that hunting can be used as a form of pest control. Explaining how Sinn Fein policy is arrived at, Mr Carthy told RTE radio: There is no other political party in which the members collectively, including elected representatives and leadership, set political policies. It prompted PBP-Solidarity TD Paul Murphy to tell the Dail that Sinn Feins attempt to ride two horses at once reached its zenith with Deputy Carthys appearance on the radio where he attempted to say that Sinn Fein was opposed to a ban on fox hunting because of biodiversity, which makes no sense whatsoever. He added that animal rights campaigners  and members within Sinn Fein who support a ban on hare coursing  should put pressure on the party leadership and tell them not to be on the wrong side of history on this issue.

Unionism could face a seismic shift in this election

by Lisa O'Carroll

What are the polls saying?

The latest of a series of LucidTalk tracker polls for the Belfast Telegraph put Sinn Fein at 26% of the total vote (up one point), followed by the DUP at 19% (up two points), followed by the centrist Alliance party at 16%.

The unionist vote is splitting three ways  with the DUP followed by the Ulster Unionist party at 13% and the Traditional Unionist Voice party, which offers a more radical anti-protocol policy than the DUP, at 9%.

Why is this significant?

If the projections are realised at the ballot box, Sinn Feins leader in the North, Michelle ONeill, would become first minister  and a party that favours a united Ireland, and that retains a policy of absenteeism in relation to its MPs in Westminster, would lead the government.

The SDLP was flat at 11%. The Greens, People Before Profit, and others, including independents, came in at 2% of the vote each.

Another survey by the Institute of Irish Studies at the University of Liverpool suggests the emergence of a secular unionism among younger voters  people from both Protestant and Catholic traditions fed up with identity politics but supporting the union.

What would it mean for the DUP?

Peter Shirlow, a professor at the Institute of Irish Studies, says that while many unionists fear a united Ireland, a win for Sinn Fein will be a wake-up call for unionism for a different reason.

He said his research over the past decade showed the growth of a secular unionism among people within the Protestant and Catholic heritages who want to stay in the UK but who will not use their vote just to keep the other side out.

It might be a unionist electoral crisis, but not a constitutional crisis, he said. It will be the death throes of Protestant unionism, a rejection, not of the constitutional position but people saying enough, we support the union, but we wont vote for homophobes, we wont vote for misogynists, we wont vote for this never-ending crisis politics.

It doesnt seem that people are seeing this as a big opportunity for nationalism either. Sinn Fein is Sinn Fein but parties like the SDLP are flat as a pancake, he says.

One thing parties have to get away from, and particularly unionist parties, is the misnomer that rights are concessions to the other side, he says.

His tracker panel found that two thirds of nationalists believed that if devolved politics worked better, people would focus less on the constitutional question of whether the North was part of the UK or Ireland.

Governance vying with bread and butter issues

by David Young

NORTHERN IRELAND goes to the polls on Thursday to elect 90 Assembly members to the devolved legislature in Belfast.

The last Assembly election, a snap poll in March 2017, was held as crisis engulfed the powersharing institutions, which had collapsed two months earlier amid a row about a botched green energy scheme.

Fast forward five years to Thursday when voters will cast their ballots with a similar cloud of uncertainty hanging over Stormont.

The ministerial executive imploded in February when the DUP withdrew its first minister Paul Givan in protest at the Northern Ireland protocol  the post-Brexit trading arrangement that has enraged unionists by creating economic barriers between the North and Britain.

Here are some of the main issues and themes that have dominated the election campaign and are set to factor when the votes are counted and efforts to form a new administration begin.

The race for first minister

Somewhat confusingly for outside observers, there is no legal difference or power disparity between Stormonts first and deputy first ministers  their co-equal status is a cornerstone of the regions powersharing structures.

Under current rules, the largest unionist party occupies one of the posts and the largest nationalist party occupies the other, with the first ministers job going to the one that has more seats. A properly functioning ministerial executive cannot be formed without both roles being filled.

Since 1998, when the governance system was devised as part of Northern Irelands historic peace accord, the first minister has always been a unionist.

While Sinn Fein would gain no more authority if it displaces the DUP as the largest party and its Stormont leader Michelle ONeill assumes the first ministers job, it would undoubtedly be a symbolically significant moment in the post-Good Friday Agreement era.

Just how significant has been intensely debated during the campaign.

The DUP has insisted that Sinn Fein would be emboldened to call for a border poll on Irish unity if it emerged as the largest party.

Unionist rivals characterise that as a scare tactic designed to shore up DUP support in the wake of a series of opinion polls that put the party well behind Sinn Fein.

The republican party, for its part, has maintained that it is prioritising the cost-of-living crisis over a push for constitutional change at this election.

Cost of living, waiting lists, and the prospects of a swift return to powersharing

There is the real possibility that Sinn Fein could emerge as the largest party but be prevented from taking up the first ministers post  certainly in the short to medium term  due to a lack of a willing partner in government.

Despite intense media questioning on the issue, neither the DUP or UUP have said they will serve as deputy first minister alongside a Sinn Fein first minister.

Their critics have denounced this stance as undemocratic and it potentially runs the risk of galvanising infuriated nationalist voters to back Sinn Fein in greater numbers.

The DUP and UUP have responded to the criticism by insisting any decision on entering an executive should only be taken with knowledge of what the new administrations proposed programme for government would look like.

Stormonts smaller parties have challenged the DUP and Sinn Fein to defuse the issue by agreeing to change the names to joint first ministers  titles that perhaps more accurately reflect the roles. While Sinn Fein once proposed such a move, the party has now stepped back from that position, insisting that if it was good enough for a nationalist to serve as a deputy first minister it should be good enough for a unionist too.

If nationalist voters do coalesce behind Sinn Fein, the obvious casualty would be the SDLP.

The party has shown signs of resurgence in recent years, as it has sought to promote young talent to its frontline positions, but it always faces the peril of being squeezed in a battle between the DUP and Sinn Fein for top spot.

Not surprisingly, leader Colum Eastwood has dismissed the fuss over the first ministers job as a distraction as he has tried to steer the electorates focus onto bread and butter issues such as soaring living costs and spiralling health service waiting lists.

The SDLP is not alone in concentrating on the real life difficulties facing an increasing number of households in the region.

All parties accept there are too many citizens struggling to heat their homes or waiting years for a consultant-led hospital appointment and addressing those twin concerns has been front and centre of all the main manifestos.

In that context, the DUP has taken plenty of political flak for pulling down the executive at a time of such acute need across society.

It has justified the move by insisting the Northern Ireland protocol is contributing to rising consumer prices and health service pressures and radical action was therefore required to force changes to it.

Aside from the issue of a Sinn Fein first minister, the DUP has made clear it will not re-enter an administration without major changes to the protocol.

While there are parallels with the crisis of 2017  albeit back then Sinn Fein was the party that quit government  there are important differences too.

The major difference is a recent law change that means an executive can trundle on in shadow format for six months without a first and deputy first minister in place.

Before that change, failure to nominate to those positions within a week would have led to full-scale collapse of devolution and would have placed an onus on the UK government to call another election.

With this buffer now in place, and departmental ministers from the last mandate able to continue in their jobs, few Stormont watchers are placing bets on a new executive being formed in the immediate aftermath of the election.

The protocol

Contention over the so-called Irish Sea border has been a source of political and societal tension in the North since it came into place at the start of 2021 under the terms of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

Jointly agreed by the UK and EU as a means to keep the Irish land border free-flowing, it shifted regulatory and customs checks to goods moving between Britain and the North.

Many unionists and loyalists are furious about arrangements they claim are driving a constitutional wedge between the North and the rest of the UK.

The other Stormont parties, which backed Remain in the Brexit referendum and represented a majority overall in the Assembly in the last mandate, acknowledge that changes to the protocol are needed to cut the burden of red tape on businesses.

However, they insist the main thrust of the arrangement  that the North is

afforded special status to

enable its exporters to trade freely across the border into the Republic and further into the EU single market  should be retained.

For these parties, their stance on the protocol is unlikely to make or break their electoral fortunes.

For unionist parties, however, the Irish Sea border will assume much more significance on polling day.

While all unionist MLAs from the last mandate oppose the protocol, they differ on how to bring about changes.

The fallout over the Brexit deal was a key factor in the unprecedented turmoil that engulfed the DUP last year, when two leaders, Arlene Foster and her successor Edwin Poots, were ousted in successive internal revolts that occurred within weeks of each other.

That flux came amid poor polling results and fears within party ranks that the unionist electorate would blame the DUP for the protocol, accusing it of squandering its unprecedented influence in the Brexit process during the two-year confidence-and-supply deal with the Conservatives at Westminster.

The harder line Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) party is hoping to capitalise on the DUPs travails and has adopted a strident anti-protocol approach.

Critics have previously derided the TUV as a one-man band that relies solely on its leader, formidable barrister Jim Allister, for an identity.

While opinion polls suggest the party could be poised for a breakthrough in this election, with the potential to mop up disaffected DUP voters, it still faces a significant challenge translating any increase in overall vote share into physical seats in the keenly-fought five-seat constituencies.

On the other wing of unionism, UUP leader Doug Beattie has been trying to move his party more to the centre ground, insisting that engagement and negotiation rather that protest and government walk-outs are the way to bring about changes to the protocol.

The decorated military veteran is betting that any votes he loses from the ranks of traditional unionism he will make up by attracting more liberal unionists into the UUP fold.

The DUP has undoubtedly hardened its position on the protocol over the last 18 months as it bids to retain votes it was otherwise at risk of shedding to the TUV. This strategy culminated with leader Jeffrey Donaldsons move to withdraw the partys first minister from the executive.

He is now a regular on the podium alongside Mr Allister at anti-protocol rallies organised by loyalist groups. Some of the gatherings have proved controversial and at one  in a clear sign of the tensions within the broader unionist family  a poster of Mr Beattie with a noose around his neck was seen.

The role that outgoing independent unionist MLAs Claire Sugden and Alex Easton, the latter a former DUP representative, could play in final shake-out of results should not be discounted and both will be confident of retaining their seats.

The rise of the others

Sinn Fein had a very good election in 2017, winning 27 seats, and arguably maxed out its potential in several constituencies by capturing three of the five seats available. The DUP, by contrast, spread its 28 seats more broadly, winning more doubles with surplus votes to spare. In theory, that means Sinn Fein would have to do very well to make gains on its 2017 tally, while the DUP could absorb a dip in popular support and still hold on to its seats in multiple constituencies.

It is possible that Sinn Fein could lose a number of seats but still emerge as the largest party, if the DUP loses more. If that scenario plays out, it will likely mean that the Alliance Party has had a very good election.

Support for the cross-community centrist party has surged at recent elections and all opinion polls indicate that rise is set to continue. Alliance has long been the smallest of the five main Stormont parties but a good showing on Thursday could see it leap above the UUP and the SDLP to become the third largest party.

Leader Naomi Long claims a big result for Alliance can herald the end of a political system based on binary division.

Stormont currently uses a community designation method that effectively hands blocs of unionists or nationalists a veto in contentious votes. That means parties that designate as neither, such as Alliance, the Greens and People Before Profit (PBP), cannot influence votes where the results are determined by how many unionists and nationalists support or reject a proposal.

The Greens are confident of retaining their two seats and PBP its single seat in West Belfast. Both parties would need to have a very good day to make gains.

A strong showing overall for the parties that make up the designation known as the others would undoubtedly strengthen the hand of those calling for reforms they claim are needed to reflect adequately the increasing diversity in society in the North.
The announcement last week that Francesca McDonagh was planning to quit Bank of Ireland came as a surprise.

After five years, the first female CEO of a major Irish lender will leave in September to head up a large division at Credit Suisse in Zurich.

No official explanation was given, and with Ms McDonagh saying shed reached her decision with a heavy heart, Irish bank watchers were forgiven for suspecting the exit would mask some new calamity.

Never far from controversy, theres rarely a quiet moment in Irish banking.

Speculation over the departure subsided quickly when it emerged that she was leaving for a job that will likely pay a multiple of her current 950,000 salary.

Bank chiefs have long railed about the pay cap on senior pay and bonuses; it was a sanction the government had imposed in the wake of the banking bailouts that had brought the State to near bankruptcy.

The State still owns majority stakes in AIB and Permanent TSB.

Significantly perhaps, its shareholding in Bank of Ireland will likely have dwindled to zero by the time Bank of Ireland hires, all going well with the recruitment, a new CEO in the autumn.

Appointment of CEO in 2017

Ms McDonaghs appointment in 2017 was hailed as marking a new start for the banking industry here. So, what to make of another departure from one of Irelands dominant lenders? And, frankly, should we care?

Ms McDonagh had arrived at Bank of Ireland after a globe-trotting banking career.

For almost all of her banking career, she had worked for HSBC  one of the worlds largest lenders  in senior jobs in locations that included Indonesia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

She had returned to Britain with the same bank before taking up the Bank of Ireland top job and setting up home in Dublin.

The CEO has spoken in recent years about having been seen as an outsider when she first joined the bank.

Possibly to dispel any impression that Ireland was some sort of career staging post, she took out Irish citizenship.

Insiders speak of her communication skills and hosting staff-wide meetings where she listened to and responded to complaints.

Agenda to change Irish banking

The CEO also set out an agenda to change Irish banking in other ways; she set targets to hire women for 50% of senior leadership jobs.

Outsiders praised her handling of the industry-wide tracker mortgage scandal.

The new chief executive also faced the huge task of overseeing a 1bn-plus investment in digital technology; all the Irish domestic banks had invested scandalously little in IT during the boom years and had scant resources to do much after the crash. Bank of Ireland had more distance to catch up than most.

At her first annual general meeting, the CEO faced a barrage of criticism from elderly and retired bank employee-shareholders over deteriorating levels of service at the branches. She pleaded for time.

Irish lenders now talk about their customers dealing seamlessly with digital services to open accounts and to make loan applications; the reality on the ground appears to be dramatically different.

Experts dealing daily with all the Irish banks say that despite the billions invested that service levels and processes for customers across the industry have, if anything, worsened.

For one reason or another, Bank of Ireland was slower than AIB to act on the politically sensitive issue of shutting branches.

Ms McDonagh went on to announce the axing of over 100 branches across Ireland on the basis that they were the little used.

The Financial Services Union and civic groups had urged the bank to delay the decision making until after the Covid crisis.

At her first AGM, the CEO faced a barrage of criticism from elderly and retired bank employee-shareholders over deteriorating levels of service at the branches. Picture: Gareth Chaney Collins

Bank of Ireland also swooped last year to buy back the bulk of Davy after Irelands largest broker got itself embroiled in a scandal involving, of all things, a transaction in bank bonds of the now liquidated Anglo Irish Bank.

Bank of Ireland had owned Davy before oddly selling it off to management shareholders during the boom years. It has paid a hefty 440m to get the broker back.

Bank staff had expected her to stay to see through the Davy deal, and the other huge transactions that will further bolster Bank of Ireland as rivals, Ulster Bank and KBC bank, prepare to shut their doors in the Republic.

Any mystery surrounding her departure soon evaporated: Banking experts estimate the new job as head of the Europe, Middle East and Africa region at Credit Suisse would likely pay a basic 2.2m before the award of lucrative share-based incentives and annual bonuses beloved of big international banks.

Such is the keen market for senior banking executives across Europe that the compensation will be a multiple of the 950,000 she gets running Bank of Ireland.

Her departure will nonetheless reignite the discussion about the pay of senior bankers in Ireland; pay and bonuses were capped by government in the aftermath of the banking and property collapse.

Ever since, bankers have complained about the constraints the cap has caused in their recruiting senior staff.

The Bank Of Ireland HQ on Mespil Road Dublin; with recruitment going well, a new CEO should be in place in the autumn. Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

In recent times, Bank of Ireland had also lost its chief finance boss. AIB in the past had lost its chief executive, David Duffy, another appointment of an international banker, to Virgin Money in Britain which had been created out of the Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks.

AIB's top pay has been capped at 500,000. Mr Duffys total compensation at Virgin Money has amounted to 2.75m.

The rationale of the banking cap was based on sound ground; huge lending to a small group of property developers had helped inflate the balance sheets of the banks by unimaginable amounts, and the pay and bonuses of the top bosses had also ballooned.

Ms McDonagh had also talked in recent times about the ingrained distrust Irish people feel toward Irish bankers, citing the financial bust and the tracker mortgage scandal.

Bankers will hope their handling of the payment breaks to businesses and households during the Covid crisis will go some way to mending a few fences.

It is unlikely however that the trust will fully return any time soon.

Talking to the owners of small firms emerging from the latest economic crisis and there is little sign of them showing forgiveness.

There is little upside for the Government hurrying to totally lift the pay cap, however, in the case of Bank of Ireland, the selling down of the shareholding points to a way out.

In his announcement last week, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe credited Ms MxcDonagh's leadership during the Covid crisis and for her driving digital investment at the bank. He didnt mention the pay cap.

The reopening of the discussion over pay will likely leave most customers cold.

Other troubling events are unfolding caused by the decisions of Ulster Bank  the third largest general lender in the market  and KBC Bank to quit banking altogether in the Republic.

The two departing lenders had put it up to AIB and Bank of Ireland with competitive mortgage rates.

In the scramble over their loan books, AIB and Bank of Ireland will further tighten their duopoly, while Permanent TSB, by bulking up, will strengthen its hand somewhat too.

Dysfunctional banking market

Many observers say the vista is a dysfunctional banking market commanded by two-and-a-half lenders. And senior observers bluntly say Irish banking is facing a new mess where customers are the perpetual losers.

Last week, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission approved the first of the momentous deals even as it acknowledged the adverse outcomes for customers.

The watchdog gave the green light to AIB securing 3.7bn in commercial and corporate loans from Ulster Bank even as it cited evidence that increased market concentration would likely have adverse outcomes for, in this case, business borrowers.

The watchdog was effectively admitting it was in a bind because there were no other evident buyers for the Ulster and KBC loans.

The following day AIB confirmed plans to acquire 6bn in tracker mortgage loans from Ulster.

The competition watchdog is also investigating an agreement for Bank of Ireland to secure 9bn in mortgage loans from KBC Bank and will likely in time probe the home loans agreement Permanent TSB separately struck with Ulster.

The read across suggests that the watchdog will have little choice but to approve all these customer-unfriendly mortgage transactions too.

Senior observers say the increasing dominance of the big two banks will mean that the Government will have to act to protect customers in a failing banking market.

They are starting to talk about the need for legislation to in some way control costly business and home loans.

The pay cap may be ditched but new caps on the costs of banking services may be required, they argue.

For customers, the departure of Ms McDonagh will likely be the least of their worries over Irish banking.
Around 100 Ukrainian civilians were evacuated from the ruined Azovstal steelworks in the city of Mariupol on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the United Nations confirmed a "safe passage operation" was in progress there.

Cowering in the labyrinth of Soviet-era bunkers far beneath the vast complex, Natalia Usmanova felt her heart would stop she was so terrified as Russian bombs rained down on Mariupol, sprinkling her with concrete dust.

Ms Usmanova, 37, spoke to Reuters on Sunday after being evacuated from the plant, a sprawling complex founded under Josef Stalin and designed with a subterranean network of bunkers and tunnels to withstand attack.

"I feared that the bunker would not withstand it - I had terrible fear," Ms Usmanova said, describing the time sheltering underground.

"When the bunker started to shake, I was hysterical, my husband can vouch for that: I was so worried the bunker would cave in."

"We didn't see the sun for so long," she said, speaking in the village of Bezimenne in an area of Donetsk under the control of Russia-backed separatists around 30 kilometres east of Mariupol.

This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage at the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, Ukraine, Sunday, May 1, 2022. The United Nations said Sunday it was in the process of trying to safely evacuate people from the city. Picture: Planet Labs PBC via AP

She recalled the lack of oxygen in the shelters and the fear that had gripped the people hunkered down there.

Ms Usmanova was among dozens of civilians evacuated from the plant in Mariupol, a southern port city that has been besieged by Russian forces for weeks and left a wasteland.

You just can't imagine what we have been through - the terror

She said she joked with her husband on the bus ride out, in a convoy agreed by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), that they would no longer have to go to the lavatory with a torch.

"You just can't imagine what we have been through - the terror," Ms Usmanova said.

"I lived there, worked there all my life, but what we saw there was just terrible."

Young children were among those evacuated from the plant on Sunday - where people cowered underground, huddling together under blankets in the plant's bunkers and tunnels as the shelling tore their city apart.

Siege of Mariupol

The siege of Mariupol, in which Russian forces have pummelled the port city for nearly two months, has turned it into a wasteland with an unknown death toll and thousands trying to survive without water, sanitation or food.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine, on April 29, 2022. Picture: Satellite image 2022 Maxar Technologies via AP

Russian declared victory in the city on April 21st but hundreds of holdout Ukrainian fighters and civilians took shelter underground in the Azovstal works.

Negotiations to evacuate the civilians had repeatedly broken down in recent weeks, with Russia and Ukraine blaming each other.

But on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the first group of 100 civilians being evacuated from the steelworks would reach the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday.

"Grateful to our team! Now they, together with (United Nations), are working on the evacuation of other civilians from the plant," Zelenskyy tweeted.

Moscow has turned its focus to Ukraine's south and east after failing to capture Kyiv in the early weeks of a war that has flattened cities, killed thousands of civilians and forced more than five million to flee the country.
A highly enterprising four-year-old boy was reunited with his parents unscathed after grabbing his mothers keys and taking her car for an early-morning drive through the streets of Utrecht in the Netherlands, police have said.

The boy, in pyjamas and bare feet, was spotted wandering on a street in the citys Overvecht district early on Saturday morning by bystanders who called emergency services, the North Utrecht police force said on its Instagram account.

After receiving a medical check-up and a cuddly bear from an ambulance crew, the toddler  with no immediate sign of any parents in the vicinity  was taken to the nearest police station and given a mug of hot chocolate, the post said.

Soon afterwards, a police patrol reported that a car had been abandoned in the same neighbourhood, apparently after first colliding with two parked vehicles. A call to the registered owner of the car revealed it to be the boys mother.

She explained that her son was highly enterprising, police said. She spoke to the child on the phone, and we saw him imitate a collision and make a steering movement with his hands. This made us suspect he might have been driving.

Officers accompanied the mother and her son to the abandoned car, where they were joined by the boys father.

"At the car, we asked the child if he could show us how it worked, Utrecht police recounted in their Instagram post.

He opened the car, and put the key in the ignition. He started the car, moved his left foot to the clutch, and hit the accelerator. They concluded that he had been woken up early when his father left to go to work, and decided to go for a drive.

Fortunately, police said in their post  titled New Max Verstappen discovered in Overvecht, in a reference to the 2021 Belgian-Dutch Formula One world champion  this mini boy-racers adventure ended with a fizzle.
The premier of the British Virgin Islands on Monday demanded his immediate release from US custody, saying he is immune from prosecution on cocaine-smuggling charges because he is the elected, constitutional head of government of the British overseas territory.

A lawyer for Andrew Fahie made the request in a filing with Miami federal court.

Fahie, 51, was arrested last week during a US drug enforcement administration sting as he was preparing to board a private jet in Miami.

According to a criminal complaint, Fahie and Oleanvine Maynard, his ports director, had been at the airport to meet people they thought were Mexican drug traffickers but in reality were undercover DEA agents.

In the criminal complaint, Maynard refers to Fahie as a little crook sometimes who would not hesitate to profit from a plan cooked up with the help of self-proclaimed Lebanese Hezbollah operatives to move mass quantities of cocaine and drug proceeds through the Caribbean island.

Andrew Fahie and director of ports Oleanvine Maynard, were arrested at Miami-Opa locka Executive Airport (Marta Lavandier/AP)

The arrest shocked the British Virgin Islands, where Fahie was already facing allegations of widespread corruption, and seemed to bolster calls to suspend the constitution for two years to clean up government and return to home rule by officials from London.

Fahies lawyer did not respond to a request for comment and in her two-page filing did not provide details about her clients immunity claim.

Fahie, who also serves as the finance minister, was said to have travelled to Miami to attend a conference for the cruise industry and ahead of his departure had appointed a deputy to act as premier in his absence.

US prosecutions of foreign officials are rare and going after the British Virgin Islands top elected official would certainly have been approved at the highest levels of the US justice department and state department, given the potential impact.

For example, federal prosecutors in New York waited for Honduras president Juan Orlando Hernandez to step down this year before charging him with drug trafficking that first came to light in the trial of his brother.

The string of islands of 35,000 people east of Puerto Rico is currently under a 2007 constitution giving it limited self-governance.

Governor John Rankin, who is the Queens representative to the islands and its ultimate executive authority, said the arrests prompted him to release, earlier than originally intended, a report by a commission of inquiry launched in January 2021 to investigate allegations of widespread government fraud.

Mr Rankin said the inquiry concluded that millions of dollars were spent on projects, some of them linked to allies of the premier, which were abandoned or found to be of no public benefit.

Some of them were, on their face, false, the governor said.

The commission had concluded that unless the most urgent and drastic steps are taken, the current situation with elected officials deliberately ignoring the tenets of good governance will go on indefinitely, Mr Rankin told a televised news conference.
Burma Intl Humanitarian Aid for Myanmar Shouldn't be Delivered via Regime, Say NUG and Allies

Myanmar migrant workers living in Thailand cross the Moei River to deliver supplies to displaced Karen villagers in December 2021. / The Irrawaddy

The parallel National Unity Government (NUG) and its allied organizations has urged the international community not to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar people via the military regime.

The regime views civilian victims as the enemy. So assistance will not come through the regime, NUG humanitarian minister Dr. Win Myat Aye said in an interview with The Irrawaddy.

The NUGs request was made in April, when United Nations (UN) agencies in Myanmar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were holding talks with the juntas Minister for International Cooperation, U Ko Ko Hlaing, on the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Myanmar people.

ASEAN agreed a peace plan, known as the Five-Point Consensus, with coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Jakarta last year. The plan includes provisions for providing humanitarian assistance, but international aid has yet to reach the Myanmar people. The NUG and its allied organizations has instead called for the provision of cross-border humanitarian assistance through local service providers, and not through the regime.

An independent coordination committee is working together with the NUGs humanitarian affairs and disaster management ministry to channel assistance to displaced people through civil society and community-based organizations. Coordination committee member Ma Mai Mai, an ethnic Chin representative, said relief supplies provided via the junta did not reach civilians.

Many people say that they dont want to receive relief supplies through the regime which they consider unethical. We would like to suggest providing assistance that they can take with dignity, and finding ways that can effectively reach people. We have local organizations across the country that are helping people, she told The Irrawaddy.

Over 550,000 people have been displaced nationwide by fighting since last years coup, with Kayah and Chin states and Sagaing and Magwe regions hit the hardest, according to the NUG.

The NUG said it has only been able to deliver assistance to two-thirds of the affected people. It provided some 1.6 billion kyats, or 62 percent of the cash donations it has received, to Kayah, Karen and Chin states and Sagaing and Magwe regions.

In its efforts to crush the resistance movement, the regime has been targeting villages and using arson attacks as a weapon to demoralize civilians.

By the end of March, over 7,700 houses had been destroyed by regime troops and pro-junta armed groups such as the Pyu Saw Htee militias, according to Data for Myanmar, an independent research organization documenting the regimes atrocities.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been forced from their homes by junta raids. In Chin State alone, nearly 70,000 people have been displaced by fighting.

That figure only represents the people who have remained in Chin State after being displaced. The actual figures are higher considering the people who have fled outside Chin State. If we cant handle the internally displaced person (IDP) problem, the problem could become a regional one affecting neighboring countries and ASEAN, said Ma Mai Mai.

Thousands of people from Kayah State and Karen State in southeast Myanmar have fled to neighboring Thailand. In western Myanmars Chin State, many people have fled to India.

A report released in March by the Karen Human Rights Group reported multiple cases of forced labor and the use of civilians as human shields, as well as torture and beatings and the looting of peoples possessions including food and livestock.

Scores of civilians have been killed or injured by artillery and air strikes, with women and children especially vulnerable, said the report.

Many displaced people have to stay in temporary shelters along the Moei River, which separates Thailand and Myanmar, and are facing food shortages with little humanitarian assistance from the international community, added the report.

In Kayah State, over 1,000 houses have been destroyed by artillery strikes and arson in Loikaw, Demoso and Hpruso townships, and half of the states population has been displaced by the fighting, said Ko Banyar, a representative of the Karenni State Consultative Council.

We have been expecting international assistance. Two-thirds of the population of our state has been forced into the forest. They have lost their livelihoods and have no income now, he added.

The NUG lacks the cash to help the IDPs, many of whom have lost their homes. It has only been able to help them with funds donated by Myanmar nationals at home and abroad.

Dr. Win Myat Aye said: We were empty-handed when we initiated relief efforts. We need funds. We have to rely on the people. The people only have each other.

As many as 14 million people could be going hungry due to growing poverty amid the post-coup political turmoil, said the UN.

Of Myanmars 54 million population, 25 million people are facing poverty in 2022 and 14.4 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. The UN is targeting helping six million of those people.
Burma Karen Commander Killed in Attack on Myanmar Junta Outpost

Karen National Liberation Army Brigade 5s Colonel Saw Htoo Kashaw. / Dawkalu Network Facebook

A commander in the Karen National Union (KNU) died in the clash with Myanmars military in Papun Township, Karen State, on April 28.

Around 100 troops from the Brigade 5 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the KNU, and the Bamar Peoples Liberation Army (BPLA) attacked a junta outpost of around 20 soldiers, including the deputy commander of the Papun-based Light Infantry Battalion 434 on April 28.

Colonel Nay Toe (also known as Saw Htoo Kashaw) died in the five-hour clash.

After five hours they could no longer withstand us and started to retreat. As we chased, the colonel went down to check foxholes and a junta soldier was in one. He was shot in his throat and died immediately, said a KNU officer.

There were reports that four other KNLA fighters died in the clash. The Irrawaddy was unable to reach the KNLA Brigade 5 spokesman for confirmation.

The BPLA said it attacked and occupied the juntas Kyauk Nyet outpost alongside the KNLA.

Maung Saung Kha, a poet turned resistance fighter and a BPLA member, posted on Facebook that the death of Col Saw Htoo Kashaw is a huge loss for the revolution.

He was not only the leader of Brigade 5 but also our leader. It is a great loss, he wrote.

Col Saw Htoo Kawshaw was widely tipped as the next Brigade 5 leader.

The regime also suffered casualties in the fighting.

Junta aircraft dropped bombs on Mae Nu Htar village near the outpost following the fighting, according to KNU sources.
Burma Myanmar Regime Court Skips Legal Procedures in Suu Kyis Corruption Verdict

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in 2020. / The Irrawaddy

A Myanmar regimes court in Naypyitaw did not follow legal procedures when passing a five-year jail sentence to the countrys ousted democratic leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for a corruption case last week, legal sources said.

Detained State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said she was unhappy with the verdict after a junta court sentenced her to five years in prison based on the account of her former colleague on April 27.

Her remark upset Mandalay Region High Court judge U Myint San, who delivered the verdict, according to court sources.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been on trial on a corruption charge for accepting bribes from her Yangon Region chief minister U Phyo Min Thein, who testified in October last year that he gave her seven viss (around 11.4kg) of gold and US$600,000 in 2017 and 2018.

At the trial last week, U Myint San quickly read out the verdict against Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and left the court immediately, according to those present.

The verdict was due on April 26 but was postponed until the next day. He might have been waiting for an instruction from the regime.

At the hearing on the morning of April 26, the judge said the verdict would be delivered that afternoon but then it was put off until the next day.

In other cases verdicts have been postponed.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyis legal team appealed to the Supreme Court in early March against the prosecution. The Supreme Court judges ignored the appeal even though the special Naypyitaw court announced that the verdict was due on April 26.

According to judicial procedures, if the Supreme Court takes over the case, the special court in Naypyitaw cannot pass a verdict, legal sources said.

Only after the Naypyitaw court delivered the verdict on April 27, the Supreme Court said it would hear the appeal on May 4.

The verdict will be quashed if the Supreme Court decides that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should not be prosecuted.

Observers say the Supreme Court wants to avoid handling Daw Aung San Suu Kyis case.

But her legal team will appeal against the verdict which was based only on the testimony of U Phyo Min Thein without any evidence, according to court sources.

He is the only National League for Democracy chief minister not to be jailed since the 2021 coup, apart from the Chin State chief minister, who managed to flee to India.

The regime has imposed a gagging order on Daw Aung San Suu Kyis lawyers.

She faces sentences of more than 100 years from 17 charges filed by the regime. She has so far been given 11 years in prison.

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Burma Over 11,000 Houses Burned Down in Myanmar Junta Attacks Since Coup

Over 200 houses in Than Bo village, Khin-U Township, burned down by regime forces. / Khin-U Township Information Group

Myanmars junta forces had burned down at least 11,417 civilian houses at 296 locations by the end of April with Sagaing Region suffering the heaviest damage, according to the independent research group Data for Myanmar.

There are 10 states and regions where houses have been burned down by regime forces with Sagaing, Magwe, Chin and Kayah suffering the heaviest damage.

Data for Myanmar said approximately 7,503 houses in Sagaing were torched by regime forces from February 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022, as well as 2,131 houses in Magwe Region, 1,147 in Chin State and about 407 in Kayah State and dozens of others in Mandalay, Tanintharyi, Bago, Kayah and Kachin.

Sagaing, Magwe, Chin and Kayah have the most active resistance groups against the junta and troops have increasingly carried out indiscriminate attacks on civilians, including air and artillery strikes, arbitrary killings, massacres, burning people alive, using civilians as human shields, and looting and burning houses.

The research group used reports from the media, rights groups and refugee organizations. However, Data for Myanmar did not include information that has yet to be verified so the actual number of houses burned may be higher than the reported figures.

During April about 2,512 houses were burned down in Sagaing Region, the heaviest damage since the 2021 coup. Within the region, Khin-U Township had the heaviest damage and about 529 houses were burned down.

On April 29, over 120 houses were torched in Inngutto village, Kantbalu Township in the region.

Regime forces were attacked with mines near our village so they came and torched the village. We lost houses, livestock and our agricultural machines, said a villager.

Several villages in Sagaing Region have continued to stage daily anti-regime protests, despite brutal crackdowns and raids.

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Analysis New Envoy to Steer Thailands Response to Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar refugees collect aid on the Thai-Myanmar border in January 2022. / The Irrawaddy

The already long list of governments and blocs to have appointed a special envoy to crisis-torn Myanmar has grown with the Thai Foreign Ministrys designation of Pornpimol Pauline Kanchanalak, an adviser to the Thai foreign minister, as Bangkoks special envoy for relations with Myanmar.

The move sees Thailand follow in the footsteps of China, Japan, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the UN, the latter having named veteran diplomat Noeleen Heyzer of Singapore as its envoy.

It is still unclear what mandate the Thai special envoy has been given. Pornpimol is known to be close to Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Don Pramudwinai and to have gained his confidence and trust.

Last week, Don, who also serves as deputy prime minister, said Pornpimol was given the post in part due to her extensive knowledge of the neighboring country. It is not clear, however, whether she has visited Myanmar recently, and little is known about her knowledge of the countrys complex political situation or the web of ethnic conflicts that has long beset military-ruled Myanmar.

In the past, Pornpimol worked at the Bangkok Post, before moving to Washington to embark on a career as a lobbyist. She later became a key adviser to the Thai Foreign Ministry.

Don told the Bangkok Post that while Pornpimol has already played a key role as a ministry adviser, her ability to join discussions with high-ranking foreign officials has been limited. Her new position will lift those curbs, he said, adding that such appointments are common in the European Union,.

Thailand and its troubled neighbor share a more than 2,000-km-long border, along which hundreds of thousands of refugees live. In addition, millions of Myanmar migrant workers in the kingdom have recently been joined by newly arrived activists and other compatriots fleeing political persecution under the military junta that seized power from Myanmars democratically elected government in 2021.

Myanmar has closed all checkpoints along the Thai border since April 23, when a car bomb exploded near the Myanmar entrance to the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge, in Myawaddy, Karen State, opposite Thailands Mae Sot.

Business owners have cried foul, saying the move could cost them up to 500,000 Thai baht (nearly US$15,000) per day, and have urged the Thai government to coordinate with Myanmar authorities to solve the problem.

According to Dons designation order, Myanmar is strategically important to Thailand in terms of geopolitics, the economy, society and national security. He said Pornpimol would closely monitor the situation in Myanmar and ensure that the ministrys policies on the country are adhered to.

Don visited Myanmar in November but only disclosed the trip after he returned. He said he traveled to Naypyitaw to deliver humanitarian aid and to hold talks with coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

His trip to the Myanmar capital coincided with visits by special envoys from China and Japan.

At the time, Don said the Myanmar crisis was of concern to many countries, telling The Nation, The Thai private sector is concerned about the situation in the neighboring country and has collected essential items and sent them to Myanmar.

According to diplomatic sources, the delegation to Naypyitaw comprised five members, including a senior adviser to the deputy prime minister, his chief of staff and a counselor from his office.

Senior Thai army commanders are known to have close links with the Myanmar military, and the coup leader has visited Thailand 11 times.

In October, Thai academics held a discussion on Thai foreign policy at Chiang Mai Universitys School of Public Policy. Along with former senior Foreign Ministry officials, they said that Thailand, as a frontline state, should lead, and not be led by, ASEAN in dealing with Myanmar.

Sihasak Phuangketkeow, former Thai permanent secretary for foreign affairs, said, We have channels to the military and to the opposition. Why dont we use them? It may not be easy, because the Myanmar military want to hold on to power, but we have to convince and apply pressure.

Since the coup, members of ASEAN have expressed different views on the crisis. Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and to a lesser extent the Philippines have sought to exert pressure on the regime, while Thailand, Cambodia and Laos have shown a willingness to work with it.

In any case, Thailand is a key neighbor of Myanmar and the appointment of Pornpimol could signal that Bangkok is looking to play along with like-minded actors on the complicated Myanmar issue. It will also be playing a key role in distributing humanitarian assistance from the US and other Western countries to Myanmar refugees on the border, as the violence continues to escalate across the frontier and Myanmar continues to descend into chaos and instability.

As it does, it appears likely from Dons comments that he has entrusted Pornpimol to guide his ministrys policies on Myanmar.
Guest Column Chinese Gangs Exploiting Vulnerable People Across Southeast Asia

Men ride motorcycles past a casino in Sihanoukville, Cambodia on Feb. 18, 2020. / AFP

The significant presence of Chinese criminal syndicates in Southeast Asian countries is turning out to be a major problem for law enforcement and other public agencies in the region.

Several Chinese gangs are active in areas on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. The scale of such illegal activities has increased since the emergence of COVID-19, as many organized groups started taking advantage of vulnerable youth rendered unemployed due to the pandemic.

The rise of Chinese-run scam operations is closely linked to the increasing economic integration between China and Southeast Asia over the past decade, which has seen a surge in Chinese investment in the region. As they grow in scale, these operations increasingly resemble an industry. Such operations have been aided by weak legal frameworks and corrupt local elites in parts of the region, providing favorable conditions for illicit activities. The activities are also taking place in territories and special economic zones that exist beyond the effective reach of the host countrys legal apparatus.

This was again confirmed in a recent case in Cambodia. In a cross-border operation on April 10-11, the Thai and Cambodian police rescued 68 Thai workers from Chinese scam gangs that were running call centers in Sihanoukville in western Cambodia, the capital Phnom Penh and Krong Bavet on the border with Vietnam.

Held captive against their will, the workers were forced or tricked into running telephone scams. They were ordered to stay inside a guarded 12-story compound where Chinese bosses laid out their instructions via an interpreter.

The workers were lured through social media with promises of high-paying online sales jobs in Poipet, a Cambodian town on the border with Thailand. As soon as they arrived in Cambodia, their travel documents were seized and they were held and forced by racketeers to make scam calls in their own languages. Instead of online sales, workers were told to make unsolicited phone calls posing as customs officers, policemen or potential investors looking to secure a bank transfer.

Chinese gangsters direct their victims, mostly poor workers, to scam at least 500,000 Thai baht (nearly US$15,000) every month; if they fail to do so, they face the threat of being sold to another gang. Those who refuse are subjected to various forms of violence and mistreatment including being whipped, electrocuted, beaten up or locked in dark rooms without food.

Due to more than two years of pandemic-induced poverty, the workers have been forced to take virtually any work they can find away from their remote, rural villages. In Thailand, it is normal for brokers to travel to poor border villages offering locals jobs, especially once the harvest is over and underemployment is rife.

Media reports from Southeast Asia reveal that hundreds of Malaysians, Filipinos and Indonesians have also been lured to Cambodia by organized crime groups based in and around Sihanoukville, a city notorious for lawlessness, casinos and Chinese criminal gangs. Most of the kingpins are in China but they employ people down the line in neighboring countries to run their wider Chinese transnational criminal activities.

Similar operations have been exposed in the past as well. In November 2021, Cambodian police rescued 99 Thai workers from a building in Phnom Penh where they were held and forced into illegal work by a Chinese gang.

Highlighting the activities of Chinese criminal gangs, 35 civil society groups urged the Cambodian government in mid-March to address a crisis of forced labor, slavery and torture in facilities that it described as slave compounds.

Thai police estimate that over 1,500 Thais are still working in scam call centers in cities like Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville and Poipet, held against their will by the scam gangs. They have already rescued 800 Thai nationals from criminal gangs in Cambodia since October 2021.

The exact workings of these rackets remain unclear, but there is mounting evidence that they are regionally coordinated and linked to other nodes of illicit activities, such as the massive drug-trafficking syndicates that operate in eastern Myanmar. Many see it as a by-product of Chinas economic boom and increasing connectivity to once-remote parts of mainland Southeast Asia. But the biggest cause of such activities is poor law enforcement in border areas, both by Chinese authorities and the host countries.

Yan Naing is the pseudonym of an observer on Myanmar affairs.

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The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is set to peak this month and those who love catching meteor showers should definitely not miss out on it.

To help make sure that that does not happen, here is a handy guide to this year's Eta Aquarid meteor shower:

Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower 2022: What are the Eta Aquarids?

The Eta Aquarid meteors actually move pretty fast so if you are planning on catching them, you cannot just laze around. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), they travel at a speed of around 148,000 mph.

The Eta Aquarids are often associated to Halley's Comet as it is often referred to as the parent comet. However, a report by Space notes that the path of the Eta Aquarids have long separated from Halley's Comet already.

Related Article: Eta Aquarids 2020: Watch Out for the Meteor Shower to Happen 11:00 Tonight; Here's How to Spot

When and Where to Watch the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower 2022

Generally, the Eta Aquarids can be seen from both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, according to NASA. However, the Southern Hemisphere has better chances of catching more meteors as the Northern Hemisphere has a rate of 10 meteors per hour only. However, the report by Space points out that the rate this year could go up to 50 meteors per hour.

The peak of this year's Eta Aquarid meteor shower is during the hours before dawn on May 5. If you are planning to go on an overnight stargazing trip, it is best to go on the evening of May 4 to the early morning hours of May 5.

Specifically, the best hour to look up at the sky is at 2 a.m. local time.

How to Snap Photos During a Meteor Shower

Those who love taking photos of the night sky specifically look forward to meteor showers as they often become opportunities to snap awe-inspiring photos. However, snapping even just one beautiful shot of a meteor shower can be easier said than done.

Luckily, NASA has provided some tips and advice for those who want to photograph a meteor shower.

The space agency recommends that you use wide-angle lens regardless of what camera you plan on using. "A wide-angle lens will capture more of the sky and give you a greater chance of capturing a meteor in your shot, while a telephoto lens captures a smaller area of the sky," it points out. NASA also recommends manually focusing your lens.

NASA likewise recommends using your camera's built-in timer or a shutter release cable. It is also wise to calculate the exposure time by following the so-called 500 Rule. What you have to do is divide 500 by the length of your lense in millimeters. The number you get is actually the length of time in seconds that is ideal for you to keep your shutter open.

Make sure to also aim your camera to the general area where the meteor shower will originate. How exactly does one know that? "Meteor showers get their name based on the point in the sky from which they appear to radiate," NASA explains.

In this case, the constellation Aquarius is the home of the radiant of the Eta Aquarids.

Read Also: SpaceX Rocket Explosion? Spaceship Debris Fall to Earth Like Meteor Shower!
The European Union has taken aim at Apple for its refusal to open its mobile payment system to its rivals, accusing the company of restricting access to the technology used for mobile wallets.

The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, said on Monday it had formed a preliminary view that Apple had abused its dominant position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices. It said these practices dated back to the launch of Apple Pay in 2015.

"By limiting access to a standard technology used for contactless payments with mobile devices in stores (Near-Field Communication (NFC)' or tap and go'), Apple restricts competition in the mobile wallets market on iOS," the EC said in a statement.

It said that this was to the benefit of Apple's own pay service, Apple Pay.

The EU is set to enforce a set of rules known as thenext year, which will force Apple to open up its close ecosystem. Under the DMA, big online platforms can be fined up to 10% of their global turnover if they do not fall in line. The DMA was put in place in March.

The DMA will allow fines of up to 20% of global turnover for repeated infringements.

One Australian company that will be glad to hear of the EC move is Commonwealth Bank, which has tried for a long time to get Apple to give it access to the mobile wallet technology.

Back in November last year, an Australian parliamentary panel told CBA chief executive Matt Comyn it was not convinced that there was any need for regulatory intervention at this time.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services, which was looking at Mobile Payment and Digital Wallet Financial Services, said: "Ultimately, while the committee is concerned that Apples business practices in this respect may have restricted competition and limited some innovation in this space, the committee is not convinced of the need for regulatory intervention at this time."

The EU appears to have a different view. EC executive vice-president Margrethe Vestager, who is in charge of the bloc's competition policy, said: "Mobile payments play a rapidly growing role in our digital economy. It is important for the integration of European Payments markets that consumers benefit from a competitive and innovative payments landscape.

"We have indications that Apple restricted third-party access to key technology necessary to develop rival mobile wallet solutions on Apple's devices.

"In our Statement of Objections, we preliminarily found that Apple may have restricted competition, to the benefit of its own solution Apple Pay. If confirmed, such a conduct would be illegal under our competition rules.

Apple has not made any public statement in response to the EU announcement.
COMPANY NEWS: Privacy Bureaux today announced a strategic extension to its Enterprise Protection Suite aimed at protecting the mid-market by including core components of Comodo's cybersecurity active breach protection technology.

The addition of Comodos privacy and cyber security solutions delivers game changing protection for Privacy Bureaux's mid-market and SME clients, who receive simple, secure and affordable cyber security solutions.

Many businesses looking to choose endpoint cybersecurity protection face a daunting process with a myriad of products to choose from, all with the same or very similar functions. While they may use different terminologies, fundamentally they are all based on the same basic concept of detecting malware or detecting malicious activity post breach.

Unfortunately, in today's regulated environment, this is simply not good enough. By the time a business detects an intruder, some data may have been stolen. Detection is no longer the best solution, said Ronnie Rajendra, Privacy Bureaux's Advisory Board Member.

In Australia alone approximately $5 billion was spent on cybersecurity related products in 2021. Globally in 2022, it is estimated that $170 billion will be spent on security products, yet breaches continue to be reported daily. Businesses need to shift from throwing more money at the problem to understanding the root cause and stopping breaches from occurring.

At Privacy Bureaux, we recognised that a very simple process is needed to stop hackers from infecting endpoints - if you stop all unknown malicious files from writing to the disk, COM Interface or the registry, you stop the breach before the breach occurs, said Rajendra.

No breach equals no damage. The challenge is that this process historically also stops productivity, disrupts users and creates chaos for internal IT teams. This was not sustainable.

Privacy Bureaux partnership with Comodo allows the organisation to stop all unknown files from writing to the disk, COM interface and registry by isolating these writes in a secure virtual (patented) environment.

The combined technology is able to analyse an unknown file in real time to determine if it is safe or malicious, while the user continues to interact with the application as normal, with no impact on productivity or risk of infection.

All writes are contained in a unique secure virtual environment, so the machine is totally protected while the rest of the entire network is protected. No hackers. No malware. No ransomware.

After an extensive market evaluation and offensive security testing, we are ready to include Comodo's revolutionary technology into our Enterprise Protection Suite," said Rajendra.

He added: Privacy Bureaux is dedicated to providing simple, secure and affordable solutions to mid-market and SMEs and we are unique in that we work at the intersection of privacy, security and data governance to protect our customers reputation and maintain their customers trust."

The pandemic has forced employees to work from home, resulting in an enormous amount of sensitive data residing on remote endpoints, which are the easiest breach point for hackers. For Privacy Bureaux's customers the endpoint is the new perimeter and that if the organisation can tighten endpoint security, it removes a major pain point. The Enterprise Protection Suite has been designed specifically to do that.

Privacy Bureaux publishes a weekly figure for the rate of its clients infections, and since 5 October 2020 these have been zero.

While you can never guarantee that in the future you will never be breached, a past track record is a strong indicator of future performance. Does any other cybersecurity vendor publish their rate of infections  we have not found any, said Greg Wyman, VP of Australia and New Zealand at Comodo.

Ronnie Rajendra concluded: "The challenge for most service providers and organisations alike, is that there is no one size fits all solution. At Privacy Bureaux, we take a holistic, pragmatic and methodical approach to help ensuring maximum security and compliance with minimum disruption to business processes at an affordable cost.
Yuan Wanfu talks with his colleagues at a construction site in Nairobi, Kenya, April 23, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Yuan Wanfu checks the flatness of road basement layer at a construction site in Nairobi, Kenya, April 23, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Yuan Wanfu examines an engineering drawing at a construction site in Nairobi, Kenya, April 23, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Yuan Wanfu discusses a construction plan with a head of Kamiti Secondary School near a construction site in Nairobi, Kenya, April 27, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Yuan Wanfu discusses a construction plan with a head of Kamiti Secondary School near a construction site in Nairobi, Kenya, April 27, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Yuan Wanfu talks with a local worker at a construction site in Nairobi, Kenya, April 23, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Yuan Wanfu goes back to his dormitory in Nairobi, Kenya, April 30, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Yuan Wanfu has a video call with his family at his dormitory in Nairobi, Kenya, April 30, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Yuan Wanfu works out at a company gym in Nairobi, Kenya, April 30, 2022.

Yuan Wanfu, 31, has worked with the China Road & Bridge Corporation branch in Kenya since September 2015 and is now the project manager for the East Ring Road expansion project in Nairobi. Yuan works with his Chinese and Kenyan colleagues at the construction site every afternoon to identify and resolve difficulties in the construction process as quickly as possible.

Yuan is also involved in a variety of social welfare programs in addition to everyday work. He and his colleagues made numerous visits to schools and communities along the project, assisting in the construction of infrastructure needed.

Like Yuan Wanfu, many Chinese young people working in Kenya have dedicated themselves to the Belt and Road Initiative. They are donating their knowledge and effort to East Africa's growth. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Manuela Cadd joins Criteo from Verve Group where she served as the Australian country manager and brings over 20 years experience in business development and account management to the company.

After beginning her career in Germany, Cadd has held a range of roles in advertising across Europe and Australia, experience that Criteo says will prove invaluable in the growth of the companys presence in Australia and New Zealand.

Criteo says this recent hire adds to its growing team which has expanded from twelve local employees to 20 since the start of 2021 and there are a number of positions currently open, with Australia identified as a key market for Criteo to test and innovate products with several Beta tests taking place in the country with leading local brands.

The digital advertising industry is in demand as we move towards a future of addressability. Marketers and brands are looking for new ways to reach relevant consumers and we are proud to be at the forefront of that shift. We are excited to have Manuela on board to assist Criteo in providing the high-level services our clients have come to expect from us, Criteo ANZ managing director Colin Barnard.

As working environments continue to evolve, we are offering our employees a choice of working from home with the office space used for collaboration, ideation and the opportunity for teams to come together as and when needed. This allows Criteo to invest in talent across Australia, creating a team with a range of expertise ready to shape the future of advertising.

Criteo says it currently has job opportunities across sales and partner development. To find out more, visit here.
Will Wise: "Its... obvious to the automotive industry that the days of car dealerships are numbered."

Sydney firm Vyro has raised $1 million in a second round of fund-raising to build what it claims will be Australia's first virtual dealership for electric vehicles and says it has a waiting list of 1000 customers.

In a statement, the company said its seed round was led by Antler Australia and Ellerston Capital, along with prominent angel investors including Matthew Browne, managing partner at Black Nova Venture Capital, Quentin Wallace, co-founder and partner at Archangel Ventures and Joshua Payne, co-founder and chief operating officer of Battery Future Acquisition Corporation.

Vyro offers 0% interest finance from fintech lender Plenti, which has $250 million from Westpac for its EV push to compete with players such as Brighte. It sells models from Kia, MG, Hyundai, Mazda and Polestar.

The company said prior to the latest spike in petrol prices, the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia had found that 54% of Australians would consider buying an EV.

The statement said there were three hurdles to be overcome when thinking of buying an EV: the cost, supply and the type of dealership one with which one had to deal.

Vyro claimed that its investors had backed its model because it made buying an EV much easier.

Co-founder and chief executive Will Wise said: "Weve obviously thrilled to have such an amazing group of investors come on board as part of our successful Seed capital raise. Spiking petrol prices are underlining a reality most Australians already see - the future for passenger vehicles in Australia is electric.

"Its also obvious to the automotive industry that the days of car dealerships are numbered. Consumers are sick of the trawling and haggling, just as much as the misleading car financing.

"The team at Vyro believes its time for a smooth, 100% digital electric vehicle buying journey, with affordability and transparency at the forefront of every sale.
Australias first laser fusion energy company HB11 Energy has been awarded a $22 million project to develop the next-generation high-power lasers needed to create a multi-billion dollar nuclear fusion energy industry from Australia, and export this capability to the world.

The project forms part of a $50 million Trailblazer grant awarded to the University of Adelaide and University of New South Wales and comprises a $6 million grant and $16 million in contributions from partners.

HB11 Energy will assist with the proof-of-concept and development of new petawatt laser technology that is suited to generating hydrogen-boron fusion.

Hydrogen-boron reactions provide large-scale power for base-load grid electricity or hydrogen generation, using fuels that are safe and abundant. HB11 Energy says this fusion approach creates insignificant amounts of short-lived waste because it does not generate neutrons in the primary reaction.



The project supports a key element of HB11 Energys technology roadmap towards creating clean, safe, and reliable energy at better prices and in greater abundance than all existing renewable energy sources combined.

HB11 Energy says creating this capability on home soil would also re-establish Australia as a leader in fusion technology, after Australian physicist Sir Mark Oliphant (who coincidentally studied physics at the University of Adelaide in 1919) first experimentally demonstrated nuclear fusion by splitting the atom in 1932.

The $22 million project is of critical importance not just to HB11 Energy, but all industries and companies working on technologies dependent on high-powered lasers: biomedical engineering, quantum computing, semiconductor manufacturing, and proton and related medical therapies.

Nuclear fusion energy, and all of the other industries set to benefit from this laser technology, could create tens of billions of dollars of economic value for Australia, according to HB11 Energy.

Dr Warren McKenzie, Founder & MD of HB11, said: We could not be more pleased with the outcome of this grant, and to have supported the submission made by the University of Adelaide and UNSW.

The nuclear fusion energy industry alone could create billions in economic value for Australia, as long as we continue to see significant investment from Australian investors and governments.

If HB11 Energys research program is successful, it will place Australia at the heart of an industry deploying the only truly safe, scalable, and extremely low-cost future energy.

On this journey, there is also a new multi-billion dollar industry to be built in both manufacturing these lasers and developing their applications in industries such as clean energy, health, manufacturing, quantum computing, and many others. This Trailblazer grant opens a fantastic opportunity for Australia to lead these new industries and capture new advanced manufacturing opportunities that will grow from them.

HB11 Energy notes that earlier this year, the Morrison Government released its ten-year $2.2 billion University Research Commercialisation Action Plan, which focuses Australias considerable research power on National Manufacturing Priorities. The Action plan included an initial $243 million for four Trailblazers.

An additional $119 million was invested for two more Trailblazers through the regional accelerator program announced on Budget night.
Today

Mostly sunny. High 87F. NW winds at 5 to 10 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible.

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low near 55F. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.

Tomorrow

Sunny skies. High 83F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
This anteater, a giant anteater photographed at Brights Zoo in 2017, is similar to the species of anteater that tested positive for rabies last year. The anteater that died in 2021 was a South American collared anteater and part of a species of lesser anteaters. The zoo where the rabid anteater was located was not named by the CDC.
ETSU urges students to make sure they have their financial aid in order for the fall semester


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Iran said it had summoned Swedens ambassador following a request by prosecutors in the Nordic country for life imprisonment for a former Iranian official.

The foreign ministry in Tehran late Sunday strongly condemned the arrest and trial of Hamid Noury, 61, as illegal and called for halting the proceedings and for his release.

Noury, who has been on trial in Stockholm since last August, faces charges including crimes against humanity and war crimes for being involved in what the court heard were the executions of a large number of prisoners in the 1980s.

Lawyers for Noury, who was arrested at Stockholm airport in November 2019, have denied he was present for the alleged killings.

The prosecution said the prisoners were members of the Peoples Mujahedin of Iran (MEK), an exiled opposition organisation which Tehran considers a terrorist group and has banned since 1981.

The MEK were initially supporters of the 1979 Islamic Revolution led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini that ousted the shah. But it rapidly fell out with Tehran, backed Iraqs Saddam Hussein in the Iran-Iraq war and was blamed for a string of attacks in the early 1980s.

Swedish ambassador Mattias Lentz was summoned following a trial session Thursday when prosecutors requested the maximum penalty of life imprisonment for Noury.

The foreign ministry of Sweden in a Twitter post advised its citizens against non-essential travel to the Islamic republic due to the security situation.

Swedish courts are trying Noury under the principle of universal jurisdiction which allows them to handle serious cases such as war crimes regardless of where the offences were committed.
The people murdered were humble peasants, workers, fathers, husbands, brothers, good human beings, Colombian citizens. They were not rebels, they were not terrorists, they were not bandits and they were not delinquents, as we unfortunately made them out to be, said Santiago Herrera, a retired colonel and former commander of the 15th Mobile Brigade of the Colombian Army, in a grave voice. There was a criminal gang within the brigade of which I was aware, but which I neither denounced nor investigated, seconded Ruben Dario Castro, another retired colonel who worked in the same military unit. These were not mistakes; they were not collateral damage as we said. These are not excesses of force. They clearly were assassinations, acknowledged Alvaro Tamayo, also a retired colonel and former leader of the Francisco de Paula Santander 15th Infantry Battalion. It led me to end up becoming a murderer, retired sergeant Sandro Perez, more tersely, put it.

In front of them people listened amidst a silence so overwhelming that from time to time the tolling of the bells at Ocana cathedral, a block and a half away, reached the Francisco de Paula Santander Universitys theatre. Amid the same mutism, the indictees  seven officers, three non-commissioned officers and a civilian  listened to some thirty relatives of the young men aged 25 to 35 who were murdered a decade ago in different parts of the mountainous region of Catatumbo. Many of them, in fact, died a few kilometres away from the auditorium where on April 26-27 the two-day public hearing was taking place, in one of the most tangible achievements so far by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) and the transitional justice system born after the Colombian governments peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 2016.

It was an unprecedented scene in Colombia. The ten former Colombian army officials stood at a lectern and admitted for the first time in front of the victims families that theyd been responsible for murdering 120 civilians and then illegally passing them off as rebels killed in combats that never existed. One by one, they took the microphone to say that they owned up to some of the most reproachful charges in international justice. Those 120 extrajudicial executions, plus 24 forced disappearances and one attempted assassination  all of which occurred between 2007 and 2008 in Catatumbo  were indeed qualified by the JEP as war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Victims heartfelt pleas to their perpetrators

The victims had long awaited this moment. Today is the day to express the feeling that Ive held back for 15, almost 16, years, Soraida Navarro, whose father Jesus Emilio is still missing, told them.

One large group of victims who spoke on the first day hailed from remote villages throughout Catatumbo. Another who did so the following day came from five cities to the very place where years ago many of them had to claim the remains of their sons, some of them tricked from as far away as Soacha, 635 kilometres away, before being killed. United by their tragedy, one that has horrified Colombians for 14 years and is known by the euphemism of false positives, the victims opted for a uniform that day.

They wore black T-shirts, with a yellow illustration in the centre: the mural that the Mothers of False Positives, one of the victims organisations, has positioned as a symbol of their search throughout the country (and often erased from Colombian streets almost as soon as it is painted). It features the stenciled faces of 14 senior army officers from the past two decades, including General Paulino Coronado who was sitting right in front of them that day. In large letters appeared their long-standing slogan, Who gave the order?, along with a number they only adopted as their own last year. It is 6,402, for the amount of civilians who  according to the JEP  were killed by the military following this macro-criminal pattern between 2002 and 2008, during the government of President Alvaro Uribe.

Soraida Navarro, whose father Jesus Emilio is still missing, asks one of the military to correct her fathers name. Hed made a mistake in his last name.  JEP

Some in person, others by video and one even from an exile forced by threats related to this case, the victims respectfully stated their demands. In doing so, they showed them the faces of their relatives, in photos hanging from their chests, on shirts tucked underneath their black ones and, in one case, tattooed on an arm.

Why is the person signalled over the murder of Joselin Jaimes still an active major, asked his daughter Maira. How could they kill a psychiatric patient like his brother Martin, questioned Alvaro Marulanda. Would they go to Congress to stop the promotions of those involved, asked Gloria Martinez, who had to quit her job at a soap factory after the murder of her son Daniel Alexander. Why did so many other state agencies, like the military criminal justice system or the Attorney Generals Office, never suspected anything, asked Jacqueline Castillo, president of the Mothers and sister of Jaime. Could they believe the cruel irony that Yonny Soto had served in the military until just five months before he was killed by colleagues from the same institution, asked his mother Zoraida Munoz.

My heart is purple with grief

One victim after another told them of the sad legacies their actions left, from orphaned children to cemetery debts and mistrust in the state that was meant to protect them.

In one of the most moving moments, Villamir Rodriguez  a peasant and perhaps the only person known to have escaped a false positive  recounted how they left him for dead after shooting him, planting a gun next to him and reporting the death of a subversive over the radio. Pointing to his severed arm, he told them that I cant stand to work a full day because of the damage done to me.

Carmenza Gomez, mother of Victor Fernando, complained that theyd received threats just for speaking out. Claudia Barrientos, sister of Javier, told them that Catatumbo locals could not see them as heroes. And Antonio Pena, brother of Olivo, said his heart was purple with grief.

Almost everyone asked them to name their superiors who were involved. Uncover the heads of those responsible. Dont go down alone, implored Flor Hernandez, mother of Elkin Gustavo Verano. And all, absolutely all the victims who spoke in Ocana, pled for an urgent task: to clear their names and, incidentally, that of their much maligned region.

The Army officials responded, sometimes directly and sometimes obliquely. At times they assumed the full horror of the Machiavellian events we created, as a fourth colonel, Gabriel Rincon, put it, and at times they fell back on euphemisms such as the facts or the actions to speak of premeditated and disguised killings in the midst of an internal armed conflict whose rules of engagement theyd deliberately ignored.

Even if it was a lie, it had to look good

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the public hearing was the language chosen by the 10 defendants. They spoke of an organised criminal apparatus, a criminal structure and a regrettable criminal pact. This was no coincidence. The accusation in which the JEP laid down its charges against them in July last year speaks of criminal organisations embedded within military units. They borrowed many of its terms  or at least some close ones: false combat casualties, illegitimate combats and innocent young men () handed over, murdered and reported as combat kills and operational results.

Likewise, some went from barely answering the JEPs questions three years ago to taking ownership of its indictment, narrating in their own words from the different modus operandi and illustrative cases to the way in which they divided the tasks among themselves.

Corporal Nestor Gutierrez, unique among the group because hed been the only one to approach the courts of his own accord years ago to denounce his deeds and who has been threatened several times for doing so, recounted how he paid a woman who sold marijuana in a brothel to draw up a list of people. Sergeant Perez described how he searched for young men in Soacha, deceiving them with promises of non-existent jobs and withholding their documents so that they could vanish without a trace. Civilian Alexander Carretero complemented him, relaying how these men arrived at his Ocana home, only to be picked up by their executioners. Several pointed out that they planted weapons  from a cache that they never reported according to some, provided by the right-wing paramilitaries said another  to stage the crime scenes.

Major Daladier Rivera told how he forged intelligence reports that accused the victims of being rebels or accomplices, despite the fact that he had never  he admitted  been trained in intelligence. Colonel Rincon explained that his role was to draw up documents that gave a veneer of legality to these false operations, so that no state agency could suspect that they were not real. Major Juan Carlos Chaparro admitted that he only cared that his documentation on military operations, even if it was a lie, looked good.

A validation of JEPs findings

Colonel Castro recounted how he allowed reserved army expenses to pay for false reports by informants and admitted that, although he was in meetings where anomalies were raised, he did not sound any alarms. Colonel Herrera detailed the pressures and motivations he used, including holidays, commissions abroad and flying courses to negative resume annotations.

Some responded to specific questions from victims. Corporal Gutierrez admitted to Sandra Barbosa that he had called other soldiers to take her brother Javier Penuela from a shop one day that he had gone down to the village to have a doctor pull a tooth.

There were particularly cruel tales. Gutierrez told of having shot a trustful Wilfredo Quintero in the back, while his colleagues fired rounds into the air to simulate a supposed combat. Colonel Tamayo, who was a former aide-de-camp to ex-President Uribe, stressed that his responsibility was for failing in his duties as commander, but at one point explained that I agreed to this proposal and I gave my approval for murders then presented as fake combats.

Their stories, with their emphases and blind spots, translated for Colombian society  and validated  the already ground-breaking findings of the JEP on what it termed fictitious operational results, increasingly sophisticated cover-ups and a division of criminal labour.

On 27 and 28 April, in Ocana (northern Colombia), 10 soldiers admitted to the murders of 120 civilians in front of the victims families, in a major and powerful hearing of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).  JEP

Judge Arbours advice

Ultimately, after four years of investigation, the Colombian special tribunal is finally showing that it may have an answer to one of the long-standing dilemmas that transitional justice and international criminal justice mechanisms often face: how to get defendants to acknowledge not just their crimes, but also their victims suffering.

We spent a lot of time trying to prove the guilt of those responsible: we succeeded and convicted them, but then they went out and said they were innocent and that re-victimised the victims, Canadian judge Louise Arbour told the governments peace negotiators a few years ago, when they were in the midst of talks with the FARC. Arbour had been a prosecutor at the international tribunals set up by the UN for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. And she also had a possible answer: Create incentives for acknowledgment, she urged them.

Her Colombian interlocutors heeded her advice and the result is a two-track transitional justice system. If those accused of serious crimes own up to their responsibility, in addition to providing truth and personally redressing victims, they can receive 5-to-8-year sentences in a non-prison setting. If they fail to do so, their case is transferred to an adversarial proceeding and, if found guilty, would face 15 to 20 years in prison.

Ocana marked the first time that one of the big JEP cases has reached the public hearing stage. Thus the military became the first to assume their responsibility, not only in writing as they did at the end of last year, but orally too. These acknowledgements, the justices explained to them, had to incorporate three elements. A legal one, fulfilled by stating the exact charges and indicating that they accept them. A factual one, which involves recounting some of those murders or behaviours, including specifics on time, manner and place. And a restorative one, for which there was no script but which had to show an understanding of victims losses, of the pain caused by taking away their family members, and of the long-term impacts of those crimes.

All of this, of course, had to be done in an empathetic and respectful tone. We are looking for explanations, not justifications, warned Catalina Diaz, one of the three justices leading the case and the one in charge of the Catatumbo investigation.

When catharsis coexists with defiance

Even though all the indictees in the Catatumbo case accepted the charges  unlike the other sub-case of false positives in the Caribbean, in which three of the 15 accused officials have rejected the JEPs findings  the Ocana hearing showed that not all are fully willing to own up to their role or the failings in their command. And that oftentimes in these restorative scenarios, catharsis coexists with defiance.

On the first day, Sergeant Rafael Urbano made a convoluted intervention in which, despite accepting his responsibility, he tried to muddy one of the first soldiers to denounce the false positives and even insinuated to Villamir Rodriguez, the survivor, that he had helped him get out of the hospital. After a reprimand for not providing concrete details, the three magistrates asked him incisive questions about four murders in which he was involved and to which he had to admit. I am a murderer, it is not my pride to say so, he was finally nudged to reply.

Even more disconcerting was when General Paulino Coronado, the highest ranking official so far to accept the JEP charges and the last speaker, launched into a 40-minute speech  twice his allotted time  in which he placed more emphasis on his ignorance of the murders and the measures he put in place after learning of them than on the crimes committed by his men or the grief of the families present that day. The justices finally interrupted him and a brief adversarial scuffle ensued. They questioned him about a December 2007 meeting at a theatre in Ocana, which several human rights organisations convened to tell him about a series of human rights violations, including several extrajudicial executions. That meeting was one of the pieces of evidence the JEP used to argue that Coronado had known about and failed to act, as well as the breaking point where, according to the tribunal, soldiers stationed in that region went from killing local peasants to murdering young people from other places, some of them with mental illnesses or problematic drug use.

After a recess, the magistrates warned him that they would have to assess whether his acknowledgement was satisfactory and that they might ask him to extend it. A day later, in an interview with El Espectador, Coronado  now without the moustache that characterised him during his military years  nuanced his words, underscoring that memory is fragile and that he accepts whatever victims say.

Those two interventions were however more the exception than the rule. After meeting with the victims twice in private, all of their colleagues emphasised their suffering, the traumas left by those murders and the disproportionate burden placed on women, who have been both seekers and carers.

I recognise in you, Colonel Tamayo told them, that tortuous road full of suffering as you searched while constantly pleading for justice, and that in each journey you undertook you were re-victimised not only by us, your perpetrators, but also by the ordinary justice that didnt believe in your desperate claims about the disappearance of your loved ones.

This sets a high bar for the seven former FARC leaders who on May 31st, and over three days, will have to face  and apologise to  the victims of 21,396 kidnappings carried out by that rebel group over two decades, which the JEP also deemed war crimes and crimes against humanity.

I dreamt of this moment

I never thought Id see them saying Yes, I gave the order. It was so-and-so who executed him, said Maria Amparo Suarez, whose son Luis Alberto Sandoval  killed at the age of 21  was working on a cocoa plantation in order to continue studying criminology. It has been very satisfying. Several victims felt that their relatives names were vindicated. What makes me happiest is that my brother Jaime Estiven Valencias name has been cleared, Anderson Rodriguez, a calisthenics athlete, told me as he stretched his muscles to prepare his speech. It was a surprise for me that they named my dad, Leidy Jaimes confided to me.

I dreamt of this moment. That they stood up and told the whole of Colombia and the world that our boys were not rebels or subversives, Blanca Nubia Monroy told me, as she motioned to a tapestry hanging on the wall of the theatre in Ocana where, with scraps of cloth, she had woven the story of her son Julian Oviedo, taken from Soacha and killed in March 2008.

She pointed at it with her left arm, on which the small tattoo of a scale could be seen. They werent the scales of justice, but a copy of her sons tattoo. But they might as well be.

Recommended reading Colombia: 25 Army officials charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity
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Patrick Brown announces his candidacy for the federal Conservative Leadership at a rally in Brampton, Ont., on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Conservative party has confirmed that six candidates have been verified as leadership contenders. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
While winters chill is lingering too long over southeastern Wisconsin, warmer days are soon to come and the roar of lawnmowers will return.

But not in some communities.

The big buzz this Spring has been over an initiative called No Mow May, an effort to provide a food source for bees and other insects by keeping the lawn mowers in the garage until June so that dandelions, violets, clover and creeping Charlie can flower and help out the declining populations of bees in the country  bees which are essential to pollinate many agricultural crops in the U.S.

Surprisingly, at least to us, the No Mow May initiative has gotten a sign-on from more than 20 communities across Wisconsin, according to a recent story in the Appleton Post-Crescent. Appleton was the original No Mow city three years ago.

This year Green Bay, Oshkosh, Stevens Point, Wausau, Greenfield, Sun Prairie, Fort Atkinson, Superior, La Crosse and 10 other state communities are on the bee-friendly list.

And we have no doubt that soon one or another Kenosha County community will give it a try.

Under the bee-helping plan, communities suspend enforcement of their grass cutting ordinances until June 1. While it varies by community, many municipalities have ordinances restricting the length of grass to eight inches on residential and commercial properties.

If there is a complaint, the municipality usually notifies the owner and if the lawn is not mowed it can result in a fine. In some cases there is still no compliance, the municipality will send a crew out to mow the persons lawn and then bill for it.

We know that the bee populations in the U.S. have seen some huge declines in recent years and they are important to agriculture  the production of crops that depend on pollinators generates an estimated $50 billion each year. Commercial honeybee operations which move bee colonies from one site to another pollinate $15 billion worth of crops in the U.S. each year.

So, yes, bees are important to all of us. Here in Wisconsin the apple crop and cherry crop especially are dependent on working bees.

A leading advocate for the No Mow May initiative, Del Toro, an assistant biology professor at Lawrence University, told the Post-Crescent, the increase in community participation was outstanding.

Im happy to see that a lot of suburbs around major cities like Milwaukee and Madison are starting to pick it up. Hopefully in future years , the larger cities will jump on board when they see the success in the surrounding communities.

Initial samplings and comparisons of mowed and unmowed areas in Appleton the first year showed a fivefold increase in bee abundance and a tripling of bee diversity.

Del Toro said preliminary results from other samplings suggest somewhere between a seven and tenfold increase in insect abundances. Thats a good thing because insects are the basis of a lot of the food web.

That may also be a bit of the rub  a tenfold increase in insect abundances may well have some residents reaching for a can of Raid or Off! And were sure sufferers from pollen allergies are not going to welcome a big bump in flowering grasses and clover.

But our biggest worry over this bee-friendly effort is that it might aggravate conflicts among neighbors  pitting those with pristine, well-manicured lawns against those with a bumper crop of dandelions and creeping Charlie that show no deference to property lines. A trashy looking yard can trigger some real neighborly resentment.

That could be an issue, so we would urge municipalities in our area to go a little slow before jumping headfirst into No Mow May.

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Theres never been a better time to See the Elephant.

But first, we need to explain. There are no actual elephants involved, nor a zoo or a circus.

This elephant can be found in Kenoshas Civil War Museum and  on Tuesday  visitors can see the elephant free of charge.

Seeing the Elephant is the 360-degree film at the heart of the museums permanent exhibit, The Fiery Trial.

The movie was filmed in 2012 at the Old World Wisconsin outdoor history museum in Eagle.

Seeing the Elephant is the term Civil War soldiers used to describe their first experience with combat.

As film narrator Bill Kurtis explains (yes that Bill Kurtis, the longtime Chicago TV news anchor), seeing an elephant can be exciting but also very dangerous.

The movie is shown at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and then at the top of each hour at the museum. Viewers stand in a circular area, and the movie takes place all around them. (The movie starts at noon on Sundays.)

360-degree experience

Doug Dammann, education manager for the Kenosha Public Museums, advises visitors to let your ears be your guide when watching the film.

Its participatory, he said as the movie started. Thats why we have visitors stand and not sit. We want them to look around.

Indeed, the action moves all around, jumping from front to back and then to the front again.

That 360-degree experience means you can watch the movie again  and again  and notice new things.

The Civil War Museum is one of just a handful of venues that feature 360-degree films, and Dammann said its a popular attraction.

I love that we get seventh-graders in here and, when the film is over, they applaud, he said.

In addition to the visuals  including the screen being obscured by smoke from rifles  the movie makes effective use of sound effects to bring viewers into the Civil War battle unfolding all around them.

The story follows three characters: a young man seeking adventure, a patriotic family man and an abolitionist. We meet them from enlistment to their first taste of combat.

All three face battle together and ultimately deal with the consequences of war.

As Dammann explains, These guys were excited and expecting glory, but when they got to battle they found chaos and mayhem, and they werent too anxious to see the elephant again.

The exhibit

The rest of The Fiery Trial also works to help museum visitors connect to the Civil War era, from the pre-war rhetoric and preparations to soldiers returning home after the fighting ended.

Its an immersive experience, Dammann said. We try to do that with the architecture, flooring and murals to draw people into a sense of being there in that time period.

Thats why youll hear birds singing and people discussing the coming war as you move through The Fiery Trial.

And dont be startled when you sit in a train car and the passenger seated next to you starts chatting.

Local history

When you exit the train, dont miss an American flag hanging near a wall; its an important local artifact.

This is the Kenosha flag, Dammann explains.

The silk flag was given to the Park City Grays, Kenoshas militia, during a send-off celebration before the start of the war.

Its now carefully preserved under glass that shields it from ultraviolet light.

The biggest enemy is light, Dammann said. It makes the flag begin to fade and makes it brittle.

The museum acquired the flag from the Kenosha Unified School District and carefully preserves it.

Preservation  and understanding  of the past is what the Civil War Museum is all about.

The Civil War was an American war, fought on American soil. It shaped the nation for decades after the battles ended and, in some ways, continues to shape our nation today.

And thats something worth learning about.

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I was the first in my family to attend college. It may not surprise you, given I serve as provost of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, that I believe in the value of a college degree. I also think we need to do a better job selling the value of college to citizens in Southeastern Wisconsin and beyond.

A college degree offers convincing returns such as better career prospects, higher earnings, and improved health and well-being over ones lifetime. Yet there is growing debate over the value of college as young people increasingly question whether earning a degree after graduating high school will be more beneficial to their futures than working a full-time job.

College-going rates in southeastern Wisconsin have fallen significantly, and precipitously in our region in the last two years, especially among low-income and students of color. The problem has been worsened by COVID-19, which has created personal and financial challenges for many students and their families. First-generation and marginalized students have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.

With pandemic-induced constraints on the college experience (e.g., more online courses and fewer out-of-class experiences), strong job prospects in our region, and increasing concerns over the cost of tuition and fees, college has become a tougher sell. There is no doubt that some students are rethinking pursuing a four-year-degree.

Nevertheless, there is ample data suggesting that people still value a college degree. For example, a recent study by Gallup and Lumina (The State of Higher Education 2022 Report, https://www.gallup.com/analytics/391829/state-of-higher-education-2022.aspxhttps://www.gallup.com/analytics/391829/state-of-higher-education-2022.aspx), shows that 44 percent of individuals without a college degree report they have considered enrolling in a bachelors or associate degree, or an industry certificate or program in the past two years. Also, 85 percent of those who were recently enrolled in a certificate or degree program, but stopped out during the pandemic, have considered reenrolling.

Experts argue that college remains a wise choice and few investment strategies yield better returns.

Census data show that our region needs to increase the education attainment of its citizens. Only 26% of Kenosha residents and 25% of Racine residents have a college degree compared to 30% for Wisconsin and 32% for the U.S.: https://www.census.gov/acs/www/data/data-tables-and-tools/data-profiles/2019/.

With the proportion of working adults in Wisconsin declining, the number of high school graduates decreasing, and as demand grows for employees with higher education degrees, we realize that the most powerful responsibility we have is to increase education attainment in our region, especially among historically underserved populations. This is why we set the bold goal to increase the number of annual graduates by 50 percent by 2025. As part of our UW-Parkside Strategic Framework, the Bold Goal represents UW-Parksides commitment to providing a significantly greater number of highly valued and well-prepared graduates.

We are making progress! The total number of annual graduates from UW-Parkside has hit historic highs in each of the last two academic years (even during the pandemic)2019-20 (848); 2020-21 (896). Were on track to set another record for the 2021-22 academic year as well. The good news for these graduates is that adults with a bachelors degree earn an average of $2.8 million during their careers, $1.2 million more than the median for workers with a high school diploma, according to a study by Georgetown Universitys Center on Education and the Workforce (https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/collegepayoff2021/).

Whats more, a 2019 report from the American Enterprise Institute (www.aei.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Is-the-University-Next-Door-the-Way-to-Upward-Mobility.pdf?x91208) demonstrates that over half of low-income students enrolled at 307 comprehensive universities reached the two highest earner quintiles by their early 30s.

A college degree does not guarantee that all workers will earn more than those with less education. Other factorsfrom field of study and occupation to gender, race and ethnicity, and location drive differences in earnings, Georgetown researchers found. Still, a postsecondary education, combined with skills and experience, was discovered to be the more reliable path to a high-paying career.

Beyond earning more, college graduates enjoy rich non-monetary benefits including the tendency to be more open-minded, cultured, and rational and to pass on these traits on to subsequent generations, according to research from the Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education at the University of Michigan. Other published research documents a positive relationship between completing a higher education and good health for oneself and ones children.

In just a few weeks, UW-Parkside will confer degrees to another record graduation class. One of the pleasures I take in Commencement is watching students walk across the stage, knowing that they are leaving UW-Parkside well-equipped to succeed in their personal and professional lives. Celebrating their graduation is an important reminder of the vital role higher education plays in fostering economic opportunity and upward mobility for citizens in Southeastern Wisconsin.

Considering the exceptional lifetime and societal benefits of a post-secondary degree, we, at UW-Parkside, are committed to ensuring that more students make it across the finish line to degree completion

Rob Ducoffe is provost and vice chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.

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The next generation of Kilkenny entrepreneurs were lauded for their business efforts when the Local Enterprise Office handed out the Student Enterprise Programme Awards.

The cream of the countys students, together their parents and teachers, were invited to Set Theatre, Kilkenny for the ceremony, which also had Cllr Fidelis Doherty, Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council; Colette Byrne, Chief Executive of Kilkenny County Council.

Invited guests also included Mayor Andrew McGuinness; Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick and Fiona Deegan, Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Kilkenny. The winners of the County Student Enterprise Awards in all categories will be considered for inclusion in the National Finals to be held in The Helix on 18 May 2022.

This enterprise education initiative, which is funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices, is the largest of its kind in the country. The Kilkenny programme featured over 120 students from 14 schools - Castlecomer Community School, Colaiste Cois Siuire, Colaiste Eamann Ris, Colaiste Mhuire Johnstown, Colaiste Pobail Osrai, Duiske College, Grennan College, Kilkenny CBS, Kilkenny College, Loreto Secondary School, Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny Vocational School, St Brigids College and St Kierans College.

In the My Entrepreneurial Journey competition, where students interview and map out the life of an entrepreneur and what is required, Saoirse Walsh (Grennan College) was named the Junior Category winner while Ned OMeara (Colaiste Eamann Ris) was awarded the Intermediate prize. Both will represent Kilkenny at the next stages of the competition.

Creative

In the Most Creative Business Idea competition, senior level students were asked to asked to come up with an inventive business idea based around the theme of fitness and well-being innovations. Maria Salvans (Loreto SS) was declared the winner.

In the Junior category, Ciara Ryan (St Brigids College) will represent Kilkenny in the next stages of the competition with Sew Stylish. Ciaras business creates uniquely designed multifunctional hair scrunchies with a discrete zip pocket that can be used to hide/store money, lip gloss or keys, but can also still be used to tie your hair up.

Twin brothers Adam and Liam Doyle (Colaiste Eamann Ris) earned the intermediate honour with their painting service business Twin Painters will be representing Kilkenny.

In the Senior category of the competition, Aoibhinn Morrissey and Louise Hearne (Presentation SS) will represent Kilkenny with their business Sea Ya later. The students identified a need in the market to develop and sell a natural based tan remover. Runners-up in this category were Jacqueline Wallace and Aisling Dwan, who produced beautiful handmade 100% beeswax candles and lip balm products. Amy Lawless and Emma Lawler, who produced handmade phone charging pockets in a variety of colours and patterns, were third.

The Student Enterprise Programme is a great initiative, said Cllr Doherty. We have seen students react to create businesses that are solving real world problems, whether it be pandemic related or about sustainability.

Our students dont want to just create a business, but a business that makes a difference in the world, the Cathaoirleach added. Thats fantastic to see.

Presentations were also made to a number of category winners. The Best Green Business award went to The Bottler, which was set up by Richard Delaney in Colaiste Eamann Ris while Amy Malone (Presentation SS) received the Best Branding Award for her Tots by Amy enterprise. Molly Burke from Colaiste Pobail Osrai received the Best Commercial Potential Award for Mollys Jewels.

Special merit awards were presented to the following student enterprises: Problem Solving - Simone Nolte, Colaiste Cois Siuire (Puppy Pouch). Teamwork - Sarah Gilchrist, Rebecca Mahon and Aimee Dunne, Duiske College (Bake it Easy). Entrepreneurial Spirit - Diarmuid Langton and Joe Prendergast, St Kierans College (Agrislurry Ltd). Creative Thinking - Lucy Pringle, Kilkenny College (Wonderful Wooden Wreaths). Social Enterprise - Ronan Hackett, St Kierans College (MHM Clothing).

All category winners of the County Student Enterprise Awards will be considered for inclusion in the national finals, which will be held in The Helix on May 18.
A warrant has been issued for the Alabama corrections officer who vanished with an inmate
Oh Jay-hee, left, Korea's first ambassador to Pakistan, speaks with new Pakistani Ambassador to Korea Nabeel Munir after receiving the Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam at the Pakistani ambassador's residence in Yongsan District, Seoul, April 27. Courtesy of Embassy of Pakistan in Korea



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Oh Jay-hee, Korea's first ambassador to Pakistan, received the "Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam" award from the new Pakistani Ambassador to Korea Nabeel Munir, April 27, in recognition of his services in laying the foundations of Korea-Pakistan relations.



Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam is a civil decoration of Pakistan awarded to foreign nationals. Ambassador Munir conferred the medal on behalf of Pakistan President Arif Alvi at his residence in Yongsan District, Seoul.



"To be awarded the Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam of Pakistan, I was grateful to the government of and people of Pakistan in this regard," Oh said after accepting the Pakistani civil award. "This unforgettable occasion leads me to reminiscence about my days in Islamabad for three years in the early 1980s."



Born in 1932, Oh is a graduate of Seoul National University and Columbia University in New York. He was appointed to the Republic of Korea's consul general to Pakistan in 1982 and played a key role in establishing diplomatic relations with Pakistan, a country that had already had diplomatic ties with North Korea since 1971.



When South Korea-Pakistan relations were established, Oh was appointed South Korea's first ambassador to Pakistan. Later, he served as vice minister of foreign affairs and Korea's ambassador to Japan.



Following his retirement, Oh has been continuing to promote relations between Korea and Pakistan and serving as president of the Korea-Pakistan Friendship Association. He has made great contributions to enhancing bilateral political, economic, diplomatic, defense and person-to-person contacts between Pakistan and Korea, according to the embassy.



"During that period, I could witness the establishment of diplomatic relations between my country and Pakistan and I was appointed as my country's first ambassador to Pakistan. Since then, the friendship and cooperation between the two countries has grown rapidly in many fields including trade and economic cooperation as well as human exchanges," Oh said.



"In view of the enormous potentiality of cooperation between the two countries, I have no doubt that the relationship will continue to progress in the years to come, not only bilaterally, but also regionally and globally."



Oh also extended a welcome to Ambassador Munir on behalf of the Korea-Pakistan Friendship Association.



Ambassador Munir said it was an honor and privilege for him to present the award to Oh.



"When you sow a seed and then it becomes a tree, it's a fulfilling feeling. And I'm sure this is exactly the feeling that ambassador (Oh) has right now, because he was the one who sowed that seed. He was the first ambassador. He did so many things and everything that he did was new and first," Ambassador Munir said.



"Now we have this great partnership between our two countries  trade, multilateral relations, military cooperation, political cooperation, economic cooperation, the investment of Korean companies in Pakistan. All of that started with him... I hope that you will continue to further this relationship in any way that you can through the association and through your personal contacts. I will be counting on your support and your advice as I start my journey in Korea."


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Korea and Norway kicked off annual three-day talks on defense industry cooperation in Seoul, Monday, the state arms procurement agency here said, as Seoul seeks to support local companies' efforts to tap into the European country's market.







The two sides began the ninth session of their joint committee on arms industry cooperation, with their agenda including Korea's bid to export K-2 tanks to Norway, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).







Kim Saeng, chief of DAPA's international cooperation bureau, and Morten Tiller, national armaments director at the Norwegian defense ministry, led the session.







During the talks, participants will discuss the possibility of Korea's participation in Norway's tank acquisition project as well as ways to deepen bilateral cooperation through their joint development of key weapons systems or technologies, DAPA said.







In February, Seoul's Defense Minister Suh Wook visited Norway and held talks with his Norwegian counterpart, Odd Roger Enoksen. The talks raised cautious optimism for Korea's bid to export K-2 tanks.







On the sidelines of the committee session, the two sides plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on joint defense research and development, which DAPA says is expected to boost bilateral efforts to find more areas of cooperation. (Yonhap)






Visitors to the Bogota International Book Fair check Korean books at the Korean Pavilion at Corferias in Bogota, Colombia, last week. Korea was invited to the second-largest book fair in Latin America as a guest of honor and Colombia will present its literature as a guest of honor at the Seoul International Book Fair in June in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Courtesy of Bogota International Book Fair



By Kwon Mee-yoo



Korea and Colombia are strengthening ties through literature as the two countries commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.



Seoul was the first to dispatch a group of authors to the 2022 Bogota International Book Fair, which ran from April 19 to May 2, and Colombian writers will attend the Seoul International Book Fair (SIBF) from June 1 to 5 as guests of honor.



Colombian Ambassador to Korea Juan Carlos Caiza said the two countries' relations began in the 1950-53 Korean War, but have since expanded to culture and innovation during a press conference announcing the two countries' book fairs.



"It is a good moment to commemorate the relations between Korea and Colombia in cultural area, which makes us able to get to know each other better and share cultures despite the 15,000 kilometers of distance," Ambassador Caiza said.



The ambassador said the COVID-19 pandemic taught him that despite the physical distance between Colombia and Korea, the two countries have proven that they can be closer through exchanges, especially culture.



"That is why we are participating in two international book fairs in Bogota and Seoul. More Colombians and Latin Americans will learn about Korean culture there and more Koreans will learn about Latin American culture and Spanish language. This exchange is going to be epoch-making in public diplomacy between Colombia and Korea," he said.



Colombia is the guest of honor of the SIBF this year, for the first time as a Latin American country.



Under the theme of "Colombia: Creative, Diverse and Fraternal," a total of 21 Colombian authors, including three living in Korea, will take part in Korea's largest book fair to showcase the multifaceted charms of Colombian literature. All participants have at least one work translated into Korean, reaching out to wider Korean audiences.



The Colombian Pavilion will present an array of Colombian literature and illustration, providing opportunities to know more about the Latin American country.



Some of the works will be translated from Spanish to Korean and unveiled at the SIBF for the first time. Among the first-ever translated works are Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "Journey through Eastern Europe," Fernando Vallejo's "Our Lady of the Assassins," Juan Gabriel Vasquez's "The Shape of the Ruins" and Jose Eustasio Rivera's "The Vortex."





A graphic for Colombia as guest of honor at the Seoul International Book Fair slated for June 1 to 5 / Courtesy of Embassy of Colombia in Korea
By Troy Stangarone





When Yoon Suk-yeol is sworn in on May 10, he will assume the presidency with little political experience. In many cases, his advisers will certainly give him good advice, but as he prepares to take office, President-elect Yoon should take a moment to consider what he can learn from Donald Trump's presidency in the United States.



Any comparison to Trump has the potential to be fraught. He is a highly divisive figure whose supporters can often see no wrong and opponents can often see no right. But from a more objective standpoint, there are potential lessons.



While Yoon and Trump come from different backgrounds, they share certain commonalities. Neither held elective office before ascending to the presidency and both will likely enter office as the least popular president-elects for their respective countries in modern times.



There are differences between Yoon and Trump's situations, but the similarities suggest that Yoon may be able to draw lessons from Trump's experience.



When Trump first announced his candidacy in June of 2015, he was not the dominant figure of the Republican Party that he is today. He won the primary election against the wishes of the Republican establishment and the general election against a high profile Democrat in Hillary Clinton. In essence, Trump did not owe his victory to anyone.



The independence of that victory and Trump's status as an outsider gave him a political advantage that perhaps no president-elect in modern U.S. history had. Unbeholden to anyone, Trump could have taken the approach of supporting the best idea  Republican, Independent, or Democrat  rather than doubling down on the party elites' view of what the Republican base wanted.



However, with Democrats largely inclined to be against him, and specifically his immigration policies, Trump hugged tighter to his core supporters. The need to run for re-election in four years, something Yoon does not face, also pushed Trump to move closer to Republican orthodoxy when he was not pursuing his long-held skepticism of U.S. allies, immigration, and trade that served as the basis of his "America First" policies, which were extremely popular with the Republican base.



Trump's decision to hue closely to his base, however, only limited his opportunities to build broader support for his policies and accelerated the political polarization that had been growing in the United States.



While political polarization is rising in Korea, Yoon may have more space here. The Korean public is less tied to political parties than the public in the United States. Data analyzed by University of California-San Diego political scientist Stephan Haggard also suggests that it is the party faithful that is becoming more polarized, not the Korean public. The majority of the populace holds moderate political views. This could give Yoon more opportunities than Trump to appeal to non-core supporters and avoid deepening political polarization.



There is also a more practical reason why Yoon should work to avoid political polarization. When Trump came to office, Republicans controlled both Houses of Congress making bi-partisanship a luxury that Trump did not need. Yoon, in contrast, will need to build a working relationship with the Democratic Party of Korea, which controls the National Assembly.



This will be important if he wants to achieve lasting political change, which requires bipartisanship and public acceptance. On trade policy, the Biden administration has largely hued to Trump's instincts. In this area, a significant portion of the Democratic Party was already skeptical of trade, along with union voters in key swing states. This made a return to a free trade orientation more difficult for the Biden administration. However, on many policies from immigration to climate change the Biden administration has sought to reverse Trump's policies, much as Trump worked to reverse policies put in place by Barack Obama.



A final insight from the Trump presidency is that party elites and party voters may not share the same views on issues. Trump found that his voters  Republican voters  often did not care about the issues that the party elite cared about. Since Ronald Regan, Republicans have campaigned on limited government and low taxes, especially for the wealthy. What Trump's election revealed is that most of the Republican base supported big government programs  like Social Security and Medicare  that Republicans have long tried to cut or eliminate and that they would be perfectly happy to pay for them with higher taxes on the wealthy.



It can be useful to engage elites, but their agenda may not actually be the agenda of voters. Korea, of course, has its own unique politics and issues that will affect how one learns from Trump's experience, but as a president with little political experience thinking deeper about how Trump approached the U.S. presidency could help Yoon improve his own.





Troy Stangarone (ts@keia.org) is the senior director of congressional affairs and trade at the Korea Economic Institute.






By Daniel Robles



The tide of labor relations is changing as news comes in from our communities and around the country, of wage workers taking on the Amazon and Starbucks corporate commands and demanding labor unions.



This union fever is not just predominant in the corporate sector, as a March Time article "Inside the Capitol Hill Staffers' Effort to Unionize Congress" shows. The need for folks to be respected, have fair wages, and work a fair schedule is a pervasive need across different sectors. This news shows why lessons from the past are so important in how we move our society forward in the face of uncertain circumstances.



We are in the 10-day period between Earth Day and May Day, which has roots in the Chicago Haymarket uprisings. Historically these days were honored separately and unfortunately organized labor, immigrant workers and climate activists were pitted against one another by the wealthy. But this year we refuse to be divided, and unite under a common goal of winning a Green New Deal.



In this last year, we have witnessed worsening climate catastrophes, a growing number of climate refugees, fossil-fuel driven conflict and a pandemic. We've seen the federal government fail to take action on climate change or provide pathways to citizenship for migrant workers, while a partisan divide on public health grows. In the meantime, billion-dollar corporations such as Amazon take home record profits at the expense of its workers and our environment.



Many of our nation's immigrants have been forced to leave their homes by crises of climate and capitalism. I am one of those immigrants. When my father was left jobless after an American factory shut down in Mexico, my family was unable to find work due to the decimation of the local economies and land by colonialism and capitalism.



We migrated to Illinois in search of work to sustain our family. I am a DACA recipient that DREAMs of a future. A future where we value and protect the clean air, water and land, where all workers can have a good union job, and all migrants have a pathway to citizenship. To achieve this we must pass a Green New Deal.



This Earth Day to May Day, we celebrate wins and demand a future. We celebrate the tremendous success of the organizers who forced Chicago to deny an operating permit for a scrap metal shredder on the Southeast Side. We need a future where elected officials protect our right to clean air without months-long hunger strikes. We stand with McKinley Park effort to shut down the MAT Asphalt plant, located between two schools and across from the neighborhood's largest green space.



Across Illinois, many of our working-class communities of color and immigrant communities are experiencing exploitation on the job. These workers and their families also come home to neighborhoods at the fence lines of major polluters, where they experience poor air quality and the resulting public and personal health concerns. When working-class Black, Latino and Asian American communities are hit first and worst by climate crises, environmental justice is a racial justice fight, a workers' rights fight and an immigrant justice fight.



Emissions in communities of color account for about 75 percent of total diesel personal exposure in the country. According to a recent air quality report released by Warehouse Workers for Justice, "Diesel pollution  acts as a compounded burden on top of existing inequities, worsening quality of life and health outcomes for communities.  Not only are people of color living closest to sites of diesel and other kinds of pollution but working-class communities and communities of color are often employed in polluting industries.

Emissions in communities of color account for about 75 percent of total diesel personal exposure in the country. According to a recent air quality report released by Warehouse Workers for Justice, "Diesel pollution  acts as a compounded burden on top of existing inequities, worsening quality of life and health outcomes for communities  Not only are people of color living closest to sites of diesel and other kinds of pollution but working-class communities and communities of color are often employed in polluting industries.



In Illinois, Black and Latino workers account for 85 percent of temporary workers in factories and warehouses despite the state's overall workforce being only 35 percent nonwhite."



Despite these unprecedented environmental justice and worker wins, elected officials and regulatory agencies continue to act as roadblocks. When our government fails to take into account the environmental and labor implications in the procurement process, they disregard public process, land and health. Elected officials and regulatory agencies alike must commit to an immediate and just transition to renewable energy that centers the needs of workers and communities.



We need a future that can only be built together across race, class and sector lines. We need a livable climate, jobs and citizenship now. We need a Green New Deal, because the solution must be as interconnected as the problems.





Daniel Robles is a Chicago volunteer with the Sunrise Movement, a national organization that advocates political action on climate change. This article was produced for the Chicago Tribune and distributed by Tribune Content Agency.




By Nicholas Goldberg





Five Israelis shot dead in Bnai Brak and two more in Tel Aviv. Clashes at the Al Aqsa Mosque, where more than 150 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli riot police. Stabbings in southern Israel and Jerusalem; counterterrorism raids across the West Bank that killed more than a dozen Palestinians. Exchanges of rockets and airstrikes between the Gaza Strip and Israel.



These are headlines from the last month, marking the end of a period of relative calm between Israelis and Palestinians and raising fears of further, graver violence ahead.



They're troubling for sure, but no one would call them unfamiliar. Headlines just like them could have been  and were  bannered across Page 1 while I lived in Jerusalem as a correspondent in the 1990s. An uncountable number of news stories have reported on the dead and the wounded since the Six Day War in 1967, when Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza.



The conventional wisdom has been that this most recent round of troubles was set off by the unusual confluence of Easter, Ramadan and Passover, creating a special moment of tension in the Holy Land. And that indeed may have been the immediate trigger.



But putting it that way obscures the more important fact that the violence is the predictable result of more than a half-century of Israeli military occupation that festers and chafes and inevitably blows up into clashes like these  and worse, into far more deadly confrontations, such as the periodic wars in Gaza in which dozens, hundreds or even thousands are killed.



If that last paragraph seems patently, painfully obvious, excuse me  it needs to be repeated. In recent years too many people in Israel, the U.S. and elsewhere have played down the conflict, shrugged off its underlying causes and hoped that if they just ignore it, it'll go away, or subside to a manageable level. Just maybe, the thinking goes, we can all muddle along with the status quo for another decade or two or three.



"The Palestinian issue has been marginalized," said Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace who advised six secretaries of State on Middle East policy. "It's on the back burner."



There are a lot of reasons why. Most recently, Ukraine has taken up all the bandwidth the world has for crisis.



But even well before that, U.S. policymakers had pivoted to China, Russia, climate change and other pressing issues. U.S. presidents who could have served as mediators between Palestinians and Israelis decided they wouldn't expend their limited political capital trying to solve a conflict that had so utterly frustrated their predecessors.



Add to that Iran's regional ambitions, which are reshaping Middle Eastern alliances, creating a common enemy for Israel and some of its former Sunni Arab antagonists. As relations between Israel and Morocco, Sudan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and other Arab nations warm up, the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict seems less urgent. The unspoken subtext of normalized relations is that resolving the Palestinian situation is not a prerequisite to more stability and cooperation in the region.



Another reason the conflict has moved to the back burner is that the weak post-Netanyahu Israeli governing coalition that came together in 2021 under Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett is too ideologically fractured to make serious decisions about peace, land and the future.



And the Palestinians, too, are in a weakened, deeply divided state. They're ruled half by a Hamas government in Gaza, which is anathema to Israel for understandable reasons, and half by Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah party in the West Bank. Abbas, 87, is highly unpopular. Nearly 80 percent of Palestinians want him to resign.



And what's the cost to Israel of putting the Palestinian problem on indefinite hold? Seemingly, not too much. The "separation barrier" built along the border between Israel and the West Bank has been reasonably effective at keeping terrorists out. The Iron Dome air defense system successfully keeps most rockets from Gaza out. A strong economy has convinced Israelis they can bide their time.



Besides, Israel and the Palestinians remain far apart on the issues that divide them. So perhaps it's no wonder the Palestinian issue has been shunted aside, and negotiations have died out.



But here's the problem. This strategy won't work indefinitely. The status quo is morally untenable and the conflict won't disappear.



Palestinians have lived under a half-century of military occupation. A half-century of middle-of-the-night raids, land confiscations, house demolitions, settlement building, institutionalized discrimination and abusive arrests and detention. Gaza remains under blockade. Palestinians lack the self-determination to which all people are entitled.



Israelis, for their part, live under the constant threat of violence. They too deserve a resolution to this stalemate, one allowing both sides to live independently without fear.



And that means attention must be paid, talks revived, risks taken, trust built.



By all means, discuss a two-state solution, a one (democratic) state solution, a three-state solution. A confederation. Autonomy. Whatever. Put everything on the table. Just get talking.



I don't see a viable path to peace other than the much-maligned plan to create two independent, sovereign states. But if that can't be revived (though it could and should be), then propose alternatives.



World leaders can avert their gaze, and Israel can go about its business as if it were not carrying out an intolerable, indefensible military occupation just across the Green Line. It can build more walls and beat back rocket attacks. But until the roots of the conflict are addressed, the violence won't fade and the headlines will just keep coming.





Nicholas Goldberg is an associate editor and Op-Ed columnist for the Los Angeles Times. This article was distributed by Tribune Content Agency.






Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Vice Chairman Ka Sam-hyun, left, and then Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Sung Yun-mo hold up a construction capacity reservation agreement signed between three Korean shipyards and QatarEnergy at a ceremony in Seoul in this June 2020 file photo. Yonhap



Korean shipbuilders struggle to avoid deterioration in profits



By Park Jae-hyuk



QatarEnergy's previous order for around 100 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers collectively worth $19.2 billion  which had once been regarded as a great win  has become a major headache for Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and Samsung Heavy Industries, according to market analysts, Monday.





The top three Korean shipbuilders are facing growing concerns over the profitability of the orders, as Qatar's state-owned petroleum company has asked them to sell the tanker ships for around $180 million each in accordance with their deeds of agreement signed in 2020, even though soaring global raw material prices have increased the price of one LNG carrier up to $230 million.



Given that domestic steelmakers are set to raise the price of steel plates sharply again during the first half of this year, analysts expect the local shipbuilders to face difficulties in recovering their accumulated losses, if they agree to the Qatar company's price demand.



"Their profitability will be worsened, although they may not suffer losses this year," Daishin Securities analyst Lee Dong-heon said.



The analyst anticipated that the shipbuilders will not be able to sell their ships at the adjusted market price.



"Both buyer and shipbuilders will make compromises during the ongoing negotiations," he said. "The final contracts will be signed in the near future."



In the shipbuilding industry, buyers usually tend to accept requests from shipbuilders to raise contract prices, in the event of a significant rise in construction costs.



QatarEnergy, however, is said to have taken action to block the Korean shipbuilders from raising their prices, taking advantage of a recession in the shipbuilding industry at the time when they signed the confidential agreement.



Although Korea's Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Moon Sung-wook sent a letter recently to the Qatari government asking it to try to resolve the price squabbles, the Middle Eastern country's state-run enterprise has postponed signing the final contracts with the Korean shipbuilders, according to foreign news outlets.



"We are in talks with the buyer, as ship prices have soared since QatarEnergy reserved the slots of Korean shipyards," a DSME spokesman said. "From the viewpoint of the shipbuilders, it is burdensome to sell their ships at the price of two years ago."



The spokesman added that the deal's profitability depends on how many ships the company will ultimately order.



A spokesman from Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), the parent firm of HHI, said that his company is making every effort to reach an agreement with the buyer, although he remained cautious in mentioning details about the confidential agreement.



KSOE also dismissed concerns of a deterioration in profit during a conference call last Thursday on its first-quarter performance, emphasizing that a short-term situation cannot determine the profitability of the long-term project.



"We can overcome this difficulty by coming up with countermeasures for each situation," a KSOE official said.






Plans in China to create an unprecedented nationwide sex offender registry for schools and universities are currently under consideration.

Plans in China to create an unprecedented nationwide sex offender registry for schools and universities are currently under consideration.





The proposed registry is similar to the U.S. national sex offender registration system which imposes legal obligations on convicted sex offenders to register with local police and prevents them from working in positions with young people and minors in jobs such as teaching, tutoring and volunteering.







The proposal would amend China's Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, under a plan to build a national mechanism for halting sexual misconduct on campuses. The proposal came after the first deliberation of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) late last year. On April 18 the NPC held an additional meeting to examine the proposal, currently under public consultation till May 19.







Some have praised the move as a progressive step in protecting women from sexual assault in education institutions, but others have criticized the proposal, which only sets out to identify known offenders and prevent their future employment in education, without suggesting penalties.







If adopted into law it would be only the second amendment to the law since it was enacted in 1992. Previously in 2005 a revision was made that prohibited sexual harassment against women and encouraged victims to lodge formal complaints which was the first-ever law in China dealing with the sexual harassment of women.







The newly proposed amendment calls for the setting up of a registration system for sex offenders to prevent future sexual crimes on campuses and in schools. The system would enable universities and schools to track the histories and movements of past sex offenders.







For prospective job applicants who intend to work with young people and minors, there would be a legal responsibility to prove they have no history of sex crime convictions. Meanwhile, universities and schools would be legally bound to ensure candidates with past sexual assault convictions are not employed in positions working with minors or young people.







Ying Han, a lawyer from Hunan King Zone Lawyers told the South China Morning Post: "Once the amendment becomes law, universities and schools would be bound by a legal responsibility to follow the law, rather than treating it as a voluntary guide."







"More importantly, the law means sex offenders will not be able to hide their pasts when going to a new place to start a new life.







"For it to work, the system will require an extensive national inquiry which will need cooperation among education departments, public security bureaus, and prosecutors. Secondly, authorities shall also need to keep a watch on universities and schools to ensure they are following the new rules. If they find institutions that ignore or breach their responsibilities, they will be able to impose penalties," said Han.







However, some criticized the proposal for being vague and failing to define what constitutes sexual assault and not having clear-cut penalties.







"I reckon it's very positive for prevention, but the fact is that the law has not drawn a clear line on what sexual harassment is, so it would bring challenges in making the system work smoothly," said a former female student surnamed Zeng who studied gender studies at the China Women's University and ACWF Executive Leadership Academy.







"Additionally, what about penalties? If there are none, then the system won't render much of a service."







The proposed law change caught substantial attention on mainland Chinese social media with many on Weibo applauding the proposed changes. However, some expressed concern over gaps between the proposal and its actual execution in practice. One commenter named Rainseph said that he expects to see authorities and schools effectively implement the registration system and ensure no sex offender can slip through the net. Another commenter said the amendment must include penalties for sex crimes in schools and on campuses.






Red Sea Farms, the Saudi Arabia and UAE AgTech business whose one-of-a-kind technology enables sustainable commercial farming, has announced a $18.5 million strategic fund raise.

The proceeds will support Red Sea Farms global and regional expansion plans  including expansion of the fresh produce business in the GCC. Global expansion is focused on technology development, and productisation - with first generation product sales expected by Q4 2022.

The fund raise was co-led by Waed - the venture capital arm of Saudi Aramco and The Savola Group - the leading strategic investment holding group in Mena food and retail, through their corporate venture capital programme.

Impact investing

Kaust Innovation Fund, one of Red Sea Farms original investors, is also participating, along with OlsonUbben LLC, an investment entity owned by Tony Olson and Jeffrey Ubben. Tony Olson is the CEO of Spins, a leading wellness-focused data company and advocate for the Natural Product Industry, and Jeffrey Ubben is the Founder and Managing Partner at Inclusive Capital Partners and a pioneer in impact investing.

Red Sea Farms, which uses low energy, zero freshwater and sustainable climate control, also announced the appointment of a new global COO and regional CEO for the Middle East, Simon Roopchand. The company will leverage Roopchands previous CEO experience with Lorne Stewart and proven track record in leading strategic growth to capitalise on the vast opportunities in the Middle East region.

Operationally, Red Sea Farms has been very active, and announced its expansion into the US in January 2022. It has also completed a new commercial-scale 6-hectare technology retrofit site near Riyadh and an R&D facility at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal  where technologies are delivering results ahead of expectations.

Impressive start to 2022

Dr Ryan Lefers, CEO of Red Sea Farms, said: We are delighted to complete this $18.5 million fund raise and build on our impressive start to 2022. To have such esteemed investors believe in our vision is hugely validating and testament to our business model and strategy. Were excited to continue on our mission to address the reliance on freshwater consumption in food production and improve food security with their support and guidance. The appointment of Simon Roopchand as COO and regional CEO for the Middle East is another key milestone cementing our position as an innovative market leader and maximising our impact across the region.

Fahad Alidi, Managing Director at Waed, commented: Red Sea Farms has developed a truly innovative and sustainable business model that not only addresses a global issue around food security and limited agricultural resources, but one that is also regionally relevant. Waed is proud to be one of the early supporters to back the pioneering team at Red Sea Farms as they tackle an emerging Agtech industry with decades long interdisciplinary research.

Dr Kevin Cullen, Vice President of Kaust Innovation, said:We're incredibly proud to see the rapid development and growth of Red Sea Farms and their impact in the Mena region. Kaust Innovation has been working with Red Sea Farms from its beginnings, confident that their world-class technology would create positive environmental, social and economic impacts. We are delighted to see these ambitions, the technology and the hard work resulting in these impacts becoming a reality.-- TradeArabia News Service
CHICAGO  Two people who died early Saturday after jumping into the Little Calumet River following a pursuit of a car linked to a carjacking in Chicago were identified as Chicago men, officials said.

Curtis Hicks, 21, and Amos Gibson, 26, were pronounced dead at different hospitals after they were pulled from the river near 130th Street and Indiana Avenue by Chicago Police Department Marine Units, authorities said.

Illinois State Police said troopers tracked a beige Rolls-Royce Phantom previously taken in a carjacking in Chicago to the area of 173rd Street and Torrence Avenue in Lansing about 4:40 a.m. Saturday.

Multiple people got out of the Rolls-Royce while it was parked in Lansing and got into a 2022 Infiniti QX60, police said.

The people led troopers on a pursuit to the area of 127th Street and Indiana Avenue, where the car crashed, police said.

Troopers took three people into custody, but a number of people were seen jumping into the river, police said.

Hicks was taken to OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the medical examiner's office said.

Gibson was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 7:40 a.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call Illinois State Police at 847-294-4400 or email ISP.CrimeTips@Illinois.gov. Witnesses may remain anonymous.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail
People walk through the ticket barrier at a metro station in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

Tourists take a sightseeing bus in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

People walk on Via dei Condotti in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

Tourists take photos at Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

Tourists take photos at Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

People take the subway at a metro station in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

A COVID-19 notice board is seen in Galleria Alberto Sordi in Rome, Italy, May 1, 2022. Starting from May 1, people in Italy are no longer required to show green passes when entering bars, restaurants, health centers, gyms, night clubs and other places, while still obligated to wear face masks on public transport and in some indoor venues until at least June 15. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)
Dabrowski Wins UWs 2022 Stewart Family Serviceship Award

Basia Dabrowski

Basia Dabrowski, a first-year doctoral student in the clinical psychology Ph.D. program in the College of Arts and Sciences, is the 2022 recipient of the University of Wyomings Stewart Family Serviceship Award.

She will receive $5,000 to complete her service project on Intervention to Address Social Isolation Among Older Wyoming Residents at Risk for Nursing Placement.

Her project seeks to address social isolation and loneliness, which are prominent public health issues commonly presented in late adulthood. Social isolation and loneliness are associated with increased health risks, including premature mortality, dementia, depression, heightened stress and suicide. These issues are even more common among older adults with chronic medical conditions.

Wyoming state budget cuts eliminated Medicaid funding for Wyomings only Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a care model providing adult day services that include medical, behavioral and social services.

The purpose of this service project is twofold: first, to evaluate the impact of the PACE closure on social isolation, loneliness and health, and identify needs and preferences for interventions to address social isolation among clients who have experienced the closure of the PACE program; second, to develop and pilot an intervention that addresses social isolation and loneliness.

The findings of this project will help us identify needs and concerns relating to social isolation in older adults and provide direction in developing an effective intervention that promotes social engagement throughout Wyoming, Dabrowski says.

Professor Jean Garrison, chair of the Stewart Award Committee, says Dabrowskis project is precisely the kind of project the Stewart Award was created to support -- namely, a project that addresses an important community need and real-world challenge.

At UW, Dabrowski works in the Health and Aging Lab, overseen by Professor Christine McKibbin, which focuses on improving health outcomes for older adults and families, as well as intervention development and testing. Dabrowskis career goal is to be a clinician at a nonprofit aging clinic, developing and leading community programs to address critical needs among older adults.

She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Colorado State University and hails from Colorado Springs, Colo.
UW, Tribes Commit to Further Collaborations

Eastern Shoshone Business Council Chairman John St. Clair, left, poses for a photo with UW President Ed Seidel following the signing of a revised memorandum of understanding between the tribe and the university. (UW Photo)

Revised memoranda of understanding (MOU) between the University of Wyoming and the tribes of the Wind River Indian Reservation have set the stage for new levels of collaboration for the benefit of Native students and communities and the states university.

The agreements were signed by UW President Ed Seidel, Eastern Shoshone Business Council Chairman John St. Clair and Northern Arapaho Business Council Chairman Jordan Dresser during a ceremony at the Wind River Hotel and Casino Wednesday night. The event capped a two-day visit by a UW delegation led by Seidel and Vice President for Student Affairs Kim Chestnut -- also UWs interim vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion -- to meet with leaders and members of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes.

We had a wonderful two days of mostly listening about the needs of these Native communities and how Wyomings university can develop stronger partnerships with them, Seidel says. Were excited about the revised MOUs, which represent an enhanced commitment on the part of UW and of the tribes to work together for the betterment of their people, the university and the state. This is just the beginning of sustained engagement.

This MOU between the Northern Arapaho Tribe and the University of Wyoming is an act of good faith, (with) the idea were going to collaborate for future projects -- and also that were going to help create a path for our students to be successful, says Dresser, a UW graduate and documentary filmmaker.

Overall, its a good agreement between the university and the tribe to develop resources to help our students while theyre in school, says St. Clair, also a UW graduate who helped established the Keepers of the Fire Native student organization as a student in the 1970s.

The memoranda detail the commitment of the university and the tribes to work together on research, education and training programs for Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho students; build resources to assist Native students, tribes, educators and professionals; and conduct research of importance to the tribes. The memoranda also commit to continue programs including UWs Native American and Indigenous Studies Program; the High Plains American Indian Research Institute (HPAIRI); the Native American Summer Institute; and the Native American Education, Research and Cultural Center (NAERCC).

The memoranda also maintain UWs Native American Affairs Advisory Committee, composed of UW faculty, staff and alumni to advise the president on recruitment, retention and graduation of Native students. That group now includes the tribal liaisons from Gov. Mark Gordons office -- Cy Lee (Northern Arapaho) and Lee Tendore (Eastern Shoshone) -- who will serve as a resource between the university and the tribes.

During the visit, UWs delegation met separately with the two tribal business councils; conducted an evening community listening session at Central Wyoming College; and met with K-12 leaders at the Fort Washakie, Wyoming Indian and Arapahoe school districts, as well as St. Stephens Indian School. The trip was coordinated by Reinette Curry, a Northern Arapaho member who is the program director of the NAERCC under UWs Center for Student Involvement and Leadership and also part of UWs Multicultural Affairs team.

A lot of great things were accomplished on this trip to the Wind River reservation, says Curry, a Wyoming Indian High School graduate who holds two degrees from UW and has been instrumental in growing Native student enrollment at the university. We were able to hear our communitys voices. We were able to sit back, listen and take notes as to what we need to work on and things we can do to improve our relationship with the tribes and our tribal communities.

UW officials meet with leaders of Fremont County School District 38 in Arapahoe during last weeks visit to the Wind River reservation. (UW Photo)

Numerous speakers during the meetings said the NAERCC, opened in 2017 on the UW campus, represents a significant increase in support for Native students compared to when the speakers attended UW. They noted the difficulty many Native students face when they leave the reservation and how the center provides a sense of community and belonging. To recruit more Native students to UW, speakers suggested more visits from current UW students; more opportunities for students on the reservation to visit UWs campus; promoting higher education to students at younger ages; more financial assistance; and a mentorship program for students. All speakers stressed the importance of higher education for tribal communities.

UW leaders are making plans to return to the reservation for further discussions on priorities and how to implement changes.

Also representing UW were Ryan ONeil, associate vice president and dean of students; James Trosper, director of HPAIRI; Penelope Shihab, director of UWs Wyoming Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation; Jill Keith, an assistant professor in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; Chad Baldwin, associate vice president for marketing and communications; and videographer Ali Grossman. Student interns from the NAERCC -- Journey Lebeau and Juwan Willow -- helped Curry plan and execute the visit and Wednesdays MOU signing ceremony.

In addition to the business council chairmen, participating in the signing ceremony were Northern Arapaho Business Council members Kim Harjo and Boniface Ridgley and Eastern Shoshone Business Council members Gloria St. Clair, Mike Ute and Starr Weed Jr.
Veteran actor Dharmendra on Sunday said he has returned home after three-four days of hospitalisation due to big muscle pull at the back. The 86-year-old star took to Twitter and posted a video asking his fans and well wishers to not worry about his health. "Friends, don't do anything over. I did it and suffered a big muscle pull at the back. So I had to go to the hospital dor two-four days. It was difficult. Anyway I'm back with your good wishes, his blessings. So don't worry. Now I'll be very careful. Love you all," he said in the video. Dharmendra Health Update: Veteran Actor Discharged From Hospital, Shares A Video Message To All His Fans  WATCH.

Dharmendra, one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, made foray into films with Arjun Hingorani's Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere in 1960. Some of his best performances include classics such as Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Satyakam and Seeta Aur Geeta. Dharmendra Hospitalised; Veteran Actor Moved Out of ICU and Is Recovering  Reports.

Check Out the Tweet Below:

Friends, i have learnt the lesson  pic.twitter.com/F6u8mtnTUl  Dharmendra Deol (@aapkadharam) May 1, 2022

Dharmendra will next be seen in Karan Johar-directed Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, alongside Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh.

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New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): AICC in-charge of Punjab Harish Chaudhary has recommended disciplinary action against former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu, sources said on Monday.

Chaudhary moved a complaint to the Disciplinary Action Committee against Sidhu and requested to take action against him.

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When asked about the complaint, Chaudhary told ANI that the matter is internal to the party.

According to sources, the complaint included Punjab Congress president Raja Warring's note regarding the activities of his predecessor Navjot Singh Sidhu.

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"Having been in-charge of the party's affairs in Punjab from November until now, it has been my observation that Sidhu continuously criticised the functioning of the Congress government terming it corrupt and hand in glove with the Shrimoni Akali Dal," the complaint mentioned.

"As the party was fighting the elections, it was inappropriate for Sidhu to set such a precedent. In spite of my repeated advice to Sidhu to avoid such activities, he continued to speak against the government relentlessly," Chaudhary's complaint said, as per sources.

Chaudhary said Sidhu's actions at the assumption of the office ceremony of Raja Warring were also inexcusable.

According to the complaint, Sidhu simply met and wished the incumbent PCC president and hurriedly left the venue, whereas, the entire state leaders attended the function and presented a united face to the Congress party workers.

"President, Sidhu cannot be allowed to portray himself above the party and to set an example for others to breach the party discipline. It is therefore recommended that an explanation must be sought from Shri Sidhu as to why a disciplinary proceeding should not be initiated against," Chaudhary said in his letter to Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi, as per sources.

Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring took charge as Punjab Congress president last month. Warring succeeded Navjot Singh Sidhu, who resigned from his post on March 16.

After a poll drubbing in five states recently, Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi had asked its state unit chiefs in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, Punjab and Manipur to put down their papers. (ANI)

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Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 2 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday said that the doors of "Yamunotri Dham" dedicated to Goddess Yamuna will open on May 3.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "May 03, the doors of "Yamunotri Dham" dedicated to Goddess Yamuna will open on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. I wish all of you devotees a devotional, smooth and pleasant Chardham Yatra. #ChardhamYatra2022"

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Notably, Yamunotri is a part of Char Dham (along with Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath), the four most revered Hindu pilgrimages in the Himalayas.

Yamunotri Dham attracts thousands of devotees every year and is the commencing point of the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage, which proceeds from Yamunotri to Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath. This temple is dedicated to Yamuna, the second-most sacred river after the Ganga, as per Hindu beliefs. (ANI)

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New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Gujarat legislator Jignesh Mevani enacted a gesture from Telugu movie 'Pushpa - The Rise' and mouthed its dialogue to challenge Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he was released by the Assam Police on Monday.

"Modi ji you are from Gujarat and I am from Gujarat too. You should understand and as my colleague said, 'flower nahin, fire hai, jhukega nahin' (not a flower, but fire, will not bend). It's my challenge to you Prime Minister of India," Mevani told reporters here.

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On Monday, Mevani alleged that "Some Godse bhakts" in the Prime Minister's Office had got FIRs registered against him and termed his arrest by the Assam Police a "pre-planned conspiracy" to destroy him ahead of assembly elections in the state.

The Independent legislator from Vadgam who has pledged his support to the Congress was picked up by the Assam Police from Gujarat on April 19 and taken to the northeastern state after a purported tweet that Modi "considered Godse as God".

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After being released on bail in the case, the Dalit leader was rearrested on charges of assaulting a policewoman. A court in Barpeta granted him bail in the case and urged the Gauhati High Court to consider directing the Assam Police to reform itself to 'prevent registration of false FIR like the present case..."

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UW IMPACT 307 Incubator Business Acquired by Markforged

Teton Simulation Software, an incubator business in IMPACT 307, a University of Wyoming program, was acquired by Markforged last month.

Founded in Wyoming in 2016, Teton Simulation develops software products that enhance the productivity of producing 3D printed parts. Its SmartSlice software technology makes it easy to validate and optimize print settings to produce better parts more quickly and with less materials.

Our team believes in the potential of additive technologies to truly change how we manufacture things, and we have worked tenaciously to design a software offering that enables broader adoption of additive, says Doug Kenik, CEO for Teton Simulation. Joining Markforged integrates our technology into a state-of-the-art solution that will reach a broader customer base and offer resources to scale it. We love the cultural fit with the Markforged team.

Markforged plans to integrate Tetons technology with its own 3D printing software solution, known as Eiger, as a subscription add-on that will offer all manufacturing customers -- including small- and medium-sized businesses -- a streamlined workflow that spans part design, testing, optimization, validation and printing at the point of need, all on a single, cloud-based platform.

The acquisition, which took place April 5, enhances Markforgeds lead in distributed manufacturing by extending its end-to-end platform with fast, automated validation of the most demanding end-use parts and applications. Markforged created the Digital Forge, an integrated metal and carbon fiber additive manufacturing platform.

For Markforged, the acquisition adds strategic functionality to the Digital Forge to give the companys thousands of users the confidence that printed parts will perform as intended, enabling them to replace even more end-use metal parts with validated continuous fiber reinforcement (CFR). This addition to Markforgeds software offerings will help customers take the guesswork out of configuring slicing parameters for end-use requirements, knowing they can estimate part performance without the wasteful and slow process of physical testing.

Software is the core of Markforgeds solution and our competitive edge. The acquisition of Teton Simulation advances our industry leadership in using software to increase process automation and offers our customers an easy way to validate their parts on the same platform they use to print them, says Shai Terem, president and CEO of Markforged. Adding this functionality enables our customers to utilize the Digital Forge deeper into their manufacturing operations.

Tetons integration and fit with Markforgeds tech stack provide the perfect home to develop the next level of additive manufacturing solutions, says Brady Adams, chief technology officer for Teton Simulation. So many elements of the Digital Forge, including CFR, are game changers, and I am so excited to get an opportunity to integrate our advanced simulation technology to help manufacturers all over the world take additive to the next level.

Teton was started by a team of entrepreneurs that had previously spun out of UW within IDES and previous IMPACT 307 client Firehole Technologies, says Fred Schmechel, interim director of IMPACT 307. IDES was ultimately acquired by Underwriters Laboratories, which now has a division housed in Laramie. Firehole was acquired by Autodesk in 2013.

Obviously, this is a big success for Teton, since it was their intellectual property and the hard work of all of their Wyoming-based employees that made this all possible, Schmechel says. Tetons acquisition is naturally an IMPACT 307 success story, but it also is an example of how the ecosystem that we are collectively building here in Wyoming is starting to work faster.

Teton Simulation benefited from improvements in the entrepreneurial ecosystem that UW has had a leading hand in creating since those early companies graduated from the program, Schmechel says.

Teton used the Workforce Development Training Funds Internship Grant to hire a UW College of Engineering and Applied Science student, who then became a full employee when he graduated, Schmechel says. They received some Small Business Innovation Research grant matching dollars through the Wyoming Business Councils Kickstart: Wyoming program. Teton also partnered with Wyoming-centric angel investment group Breakthrough 307, which led their investment round.

The Teton Simulation Laramie team plans to stay with Markforged, Schmechel says. For the foreseeable future, the former Teton Simulation employees will continue to reside in the business incubator as Markforged employees.

Its not common that an incubator client has an acquisition while they are still in the incubator. In nearly every other case, they have graduated first, Schmechel says. In this circumstance, the opportunity felt right for everyone. IMPACT 307 is going to continue to house the company here in Laramie until they figure out the right path forward that keeps the employees here in Laramie.

I am excited to welcome the Teton team to Markforged, as we share the vision of leading the future of distributed manufacturing, Terem says. Together, we continue to strengthen our team and enable our customers to produce mission-critical, end-use parts.

IMPACT 307, with locations in Casper, Cheyenne, Laramie and Sheridan, is a statewide network of innovation-driven business incubators committed to growing and strengthening Wyomings entrepreneurial community by providing resources and support for founders to thrive.

For more information on IMPACT 307s services, call (307) 766-6395 or go to www.IMPACT307.org.
Srinagar, May 2: An airline screening staff found a live hand grenade from the baggage of an army man during the pre-entry checking at Srinagar international airport on Monday.

According to airport sources, the incident was reported at 9 am when an Army man belonging to the Rashtriya Rifle unit was entering the airport premises. The grenade was found when he was at the pre-entry screening for luggage screening.

The staff of Air Asia airlines detected a hand grenade in the Check-in luggage of the passenger. He immediately alerted Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel on duty. Jammu and Kashmir: 17 Kashmiri Youths, Who Returned From Pakistan, Killed in Counter-Terror Operations, Say Sources.

"The Army personnel detained was identified as Balaji Sampath from Tamil Nadu's Vellore. The live grenade recovered from his possession is a high explosive. He was going on leave," said a senior officer to ANI. Senior Army officers have been informed about the incident. The case is under investigation, he added.

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New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma who was appointed as the Convener to lead the Group of Ministers (GoM) on casinos, racecourses and online gaming, held a meeting with other members and officials in Delhi on Monday.

The GoM was constituted by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India to study the GST rates for casinos, racecourses and online gaming.

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"We have been able to move forward to various issues related to rates and valuation on which the rate should be applied. Certain issues of online gaming were discussed in detail. There are few more technical aspects that need to be discussed," Sangma said after the meeting.

He further said the discussions will be finalized and the report will be submitted soon.

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The next meeting will be held in the second week of May.

Other members of the GoM include Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, Gujarat Finance Minister Kanubhai Patel, Goa Transport and Panchayati Raj Minister Mauvin Godinho, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna and Telangana Finance Minister Thanneeru Harish Rao.

Last year, Sangma led the GoM to study GST rates on COVID-related materials. (ANI)

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Chennai, May 2 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday thanked the BJP-led government at the Centre for permitting humanitarian aid to the crisis-hit Sri Lanka and said the move would improve cordiality between the two countries.

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Expressing gratitude to the Centre for accepting the state's plea to dispatch relief material to the island nation, the Chief Minister said this humane gesture would be greatly welcomed by all.

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"This would help to improve the warmth and cordiality between the nations," he said while personally thanking Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for accepting Tamil Nadu's request.

Posting a copy of Jaishankar's letter addressed to him on his Twitter account, the CM said, "Let the goodwill grow in all spheres."

On April 29, the Tamil Nadu Assembly adopted a resolution urging the Centre to positively consider the state government's request to immediately dispatch food and life-saving medicines to crisis-hit Sri Lanka.

Chief Minister M K Stalin who piloted the resolution unanimously passed by the House, including the opposition AIADMK and the BJP, said, "We can't see the development in Sri Lanka as the neighbouring country's internal issue. We need to extend humanitarian aid...help should be prompt, on time."

Also, recalling his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month on the issue, Stalin said he followed it up with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar but there has been no response from the Centre so far. "Hence, I have been constrained to move this resolution," he had said.

Responding to the Assembly resolution, Jaishankar stated that the island nation would accept inclusive relief on government-to-government basis.

"The Foreign Secretary had spoken to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary and highlighted on April 16, that government of Sri Lanka would be open to humanitarian support on government-to-government basis," the Union Minister said in the letter dated May 1.

Jaishankar further said both Lankan government and Tamil leaders there were of the view that humanitarian gesture at this time should be inclusive. "This may be reflected in the distribution of supplies. The matter could therefore be coordinated by our high commission, supplementing assistance already underway," he said in the letter posted by the Chief Minister on his twitter account.

Jaishankar asked Stalin to direct the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to coordinate with the government of India for supply and distribution of humanitarian relief material to the Sri Lankan government.

"The relief material will be shared with government of Sri Lanka to be distributed appropriately in the current circumstances," he said.

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Awantipora (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], May 2 (ANI): Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in the Awantipora area of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, said police.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the blast took place as a joint team of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were conducting an area domination exercise in the Larmoo area of Tral.

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"A joint team of police and CRPF were conducting area domination in 2 BP bankers during which a minor IED blast took place in Larmoo Tral, Awantipora. Two CRPF personnel got minor injuries. Our team retaliating and reinforcement sent along with senior officers," tweeted Kashmir Zone Police while quoting IGP Kashmir.

Meanwhile, an incident of firing happened in the Charso area of Awantipora. The police have cordoned off the area.

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Further details are awaited. (ANI)

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Howrah (West Bengal) [India], May 2 (ANI): The Belur math of Ramkrishna Mission, founded by Swami Vivekananda, celebrated the 125th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Ramakrishna Mission on Sunday.

"A huge number of devotees have arrived in the Belur math. There is great enthusiasm among them," said Swami Satyapriya Nanda, Monk in Belur Math situated in the Howrah district of West Bengal.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also extended her wishes to the monks and devotees attached to the Ramakrishna Mission.

"I convey my best wishes to the monks and devotees of, and all the students' community attached to, the Order of the Ramakrishna Mission on their 125th-year celebrations. May the message of Thakur- Ma- Swamiji continue to inspire us all," tweeted Mamata Banerjee.

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According to the Belur math website, Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math are non-political, non-sectarian spiritual organizations which have been engaged in various forms of humanitarian, and social service activities for more than a century.

The organizations were brought into existence by Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), the great 19th-century saint from Bengal and his chief disciple, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), one of the foremost thinkers and religious leaders of the present age. (ANI)

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New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Korean electronics major Samsung expects to increase its market share to 40 per cent in value terms in the premium mobile segment in the first half of 2022 in India on the growing demand for 5G smartphones, a senior company official said on Monday.

Samsung India senior vice-president Raju Pullan told PTI that Samsung led the Indian smartphone market in March 2022, capturing 22 per cent shipment volume and 27 per cent revenue share.

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"Our smartphone business has seen some very robust growth year-on-year in quarter one on the back of extremely strong demand for the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy A series sales in India.

"The strong growth has helped us consolidate our overall market leadership in India. We exited the first quarter on a very strong note. For H1 (first six months), we have got a clear objective of consolidating our premium leadership to 40 per cent market share," Pullan said.

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The company had a market share of 23 per cent in value terms in the premium segment (priced above Rs 30,000 per cent unit) at the end of the same period a year ago.

"We are going to launch more colours in the S22 series based on customer demands and feedback. In the next couple of days we will launch rose pink," Pullan said.

Launched in mid-March, the Samsung Galaxy S22 series priced in the range of Rs 72,999 to Rs 1,18,999 attracted 1.5 lakh pre-booking orders.

Pullan said that Galaxy A series also received strong demand in India.

"We will overall consolidate leadership in the mid to high segment. We will grow our market share from the current 25 per cent to 40 per cent in H1. In fact March has been one of the best from a performance perspective for Samsung in the last 15 months," he said.

Pullan said that the company expects consumer demand for future-ready products is adding to the sales of 5G smartphones.

"We remain the top 5G selling brand in India for the second consecutive quarter. It will further enhance the overall 5G portfolio as we see strong adoption of 5G products in India. People want future-ready products," he said.

The company sees Samsung Finance Plus to push penetration of its 5G devices in tier 2-3 markets.

"Samsung Finance Plus will play an extremely important role in our growth. It processes about 3 lakh transactions per month worth about Rs 500 crore of which half of the consumers are new to credit," Pullan said.

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Washington, May 2 (AP) More than 1,000 workers at two CNH Industrial plants went on strike on Monday in search of a better deal with the company that makes agriculture and construction equipment.

The United Auto Workers union said Monday the workers in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, went on strike at noon after contract talks faltered. The action follows a spate of strikes in the past year, including a high-profile monthlong strike at Deere & Co. that resulted in 10 per cent raises and improved benefits for 10,000 UAW workers at that equipment maker.

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Our members at CNHi strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules, said Chuck Browning, Vice President and director of the union's Agricultural Implement Department.

The company said in a statement that it is disappointed it couldn't reach an agreement with the union, and it remains committed to the bargaining process.

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We recognise the union's decision creates high anxiety among our represented employees in Burlington and Racine, as well as our other employees, our customers, and our community, said CNH Industrial, which plans to release its first-quarter earnings report on Tuesday.

This is the latest strike by workers who believe they deserve more after keeping plants operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Unions have also been emboldened to take action because they believe the ongoing worker shortages give them an advantage in bargaining.

Besides the Deere strike last fall, another group of UAW-represented workers went on strike last year at a Volvo Trucks plant in Virginia and won improved pay and health benefits after rejecting three tentative agreements with the company.

There have also been strikes at Kellogg's cereal plants across the country, a Frito-Lay plant in Topeka, Kansas and at five Nabisco plants nationwide. And meatpacking workers who were hit hard by the spread of COVID-19 have been winning significant raises when their contracts come up at plants across the country.

Workers have also voted to unionize at an Amazon warehouse in New York and at more than two dozen Starbucks stores across the country. (AP)

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Brussels [Belgium], May 2 (ANI/Sputnik): The employees of the Belgian Embassy in Moscow who have been declared persona non grata left the Russian capital on Sunday, Belgian media reported.

"Twelve embassy employees against whom this measure was taken have already returned to Belgium," a spokesperson of the Belgian Foreign Ministry told the Belga news agency on Sunday.

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The diplomats and their family members left Moscow on a Belgian military transport aircraft since there are currently no regular flights between the two countries.

According to the foreign ministry spokesperson, the Belgian embassy in Moscow will remain open despite the reduction in its personnel.

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In April, Belgian Ambassador to Moscow Mark Michielsen was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry in connection with the decision of Brussels to expel 21 employees of Russian foreign missions in Belgium. In response, Russia declared the employees of the Belgian Embassy in Moscow persona non grata. They were ordered to leave Russia by May 3. (ANI/Sputnik)

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Paris, Apr 2 (AP) Victorious over his far-right rival in last month's presidential vote, centrist Emmanuel Macron now faces a gathering challenge from the left in France's upcoming legislative elections.

A government headed by hard-left veteran politician Jean-Luc Melenchon is hardly a prospect Macron would relish at a time of crisis for the European Union. The French president would have to contend with a prime minister far apart ideologically from himself on crucial issues like France's relationship with the 27-member nation bloc and the supplying of weapons to Ukraine.

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Melenchon, who earned a third place finish in the presidential election, is trying to engineer a stunning comeback as the head of what he hopes will be a coalition of leftist parties who have spent the past five years in the president's large shadow.

Melenchon inched closer toward uniting the shattered and weakened left by striking a deal on Monday with France's Greens to not compete against each other in the legislative polls in June. Melenchon's La France Insoumise (France Unbowed) party is also talking to the Socialist and Communist parties in hopes that they'll also get behind him.

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Still, the fiery orator remains far away from becoming prime minister and potentially limit Macron's room for policy-making. Melenchon's nascent coalition of the left would need to win a majority of the 577 seats in the lower house, the National Assembly, in the elections that will be held over two rounds of voting, on June 12 and 19. With six weeks of campaigning left to go, a Macron-Melenchon power split emerging in June looks unlikely for now.

Here is a look at some of the obstacles that stand in the way of Melenchon's ambitions:

MACRON'S ADVANTAGE:

The president's political movement, La Republique en Marche (The Republic on the Move), and its centrist allies together hold over 300 seats in the outgoing parliament, making him the favorite to again win a majority.

Macron is hoping that having elected him to a second, five-year term, large enough numbers of voters in the 577 districts won't want to tie his hands by saddling him with a parliament largely filled with opponents.

Some Socialist former ministers and other center-left figures have already announced that they support Macron.

He is also expected to get the backing in parliament of lawmakers from a newly created, center-right Horizons party run his former Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.

MELENCHON'S CHALLENGE:

The nearly 8 million votes that Melenchon got nationally in the presidential election are no guarantee that he can secure a legislative majority, in part because the voting system is different. Legislators are elected by district. And voters don't always cast ballots in legislative elections along the same political lines that they chose in the presidential vote.

In the previous presidential election in 2017, Melenchon also got more than 7 million votes, placing fourth. But his party went on to win less than 20 seats in the legislative election that followed.

His third-place finish this time, which earned him 22% of the vote in the first round, gave him leverage in trying to rally other parties on the left behind him for the legislative election.

Under the deal that his party struck on Monday with the Greens, the environmental party will field candidates in 100 districts where Melenchon's party won't run, so they don't compete against each other. The Greens agreed that if the coalition wins a parliamentary majority, then they'd back Melenchon as prime minister.

The Communist and Socialist parties also appear close to a deal with Melenchon's party, although some Socialists have publicly denounced his views that France should disobey EU rules, including free-market regulations.

Melenchon has also expressed opposition to supplying weapons to Ukraine and wants France to leave NATO's military command, ideas which are not acceptable to center-left politicians.

THE FAR-RIGHT:

The far-right goes into this legislative election looking stronger than ever.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen was beaten by Macron in both the first round and the runoff in last month's presidential vote. Still, her scores in both rounds were unprecedented for Le Pen.

Another far-right presidential candidate, Eric Zemmour, also got 7% of the first-round vote, placing fourth. The support they got suggests that political leanings in France may be shifting increasingly to the right.

Yet legislative elections are traditionally difficults for Le Pen's National Rally, in part because other parties often come together to bar the way for its candidates. The National Rally won just eight seats five years ago.

This time, the party hopes to elect at least 15 lawmakers, which under parliamentary rules would give its group more speaking time and more seats on parliamentary commissions.

Le Pen will run for reelection as lawmaker in her working-class stronghold of Henin-Beaumont in northern France.

Zemmour has announced that his party, Reconquest, won't field candidate in places where National Rally members are running. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Berlin [Germany], May 2 (ANI): German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday praised India and shared the information about their discussion during the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations.

After signing the green and sustainable energy partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Scholz said, "During our 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations, we also focussed on global issues and these consultations help us deepen our relationship."

Also Read | Imran Khan Calls Out Joe Bidens Administration for Regime Change Conspiracy in Pakistan.

German Chancellor also expressed his happiness over signing the agreement with the Indian government. He said, "Delighted that the first Inter-Governmental Consultations of this Govt took place with Indian Govt. To me, it's a sign of the special quality of our relationship."

Scholz also said that India is a very important partner of their country in Asia in economic terms, security policy terms, and climate-political terms.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Crisis: Govts Priority Should Be Seeking Financial Aid from India and China, Not Securing Majority in Parliament, Says Ex-PM Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He further said, "India is among our very important partners here. The world can only develop well if we are clear as to the fact that future relations in the world will be characterised and marked by many countries, not by a few powerful countries."

German Chancellor also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G-7 summit in Germany.

"I invited you as our guest to G7 Summit end of June & we look forward to welcoming you back to Germany," he said.

The agreement was signed after the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations, a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany.

IGC is a unique mechanism which brings together several ministers and officials from both sides to engage in bilateral discussions culminating in a plenary session which is chaired by the two leaders.

It reviews cooperation between the two countries across a range of areas as also to identify fresh areas of partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the IGA will encompass a broad spectrum of areas of mutual interest.

Earlier today, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021.

Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.

The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on his arrival in Germany. He arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit and got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Berlin, May 2 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock on Monday and the two leaders reviewed the bilateral cooperation and discussed the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Indo-Pacific.

Jaishankar, who is here as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's delegation, said that he had good conversation with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Baerbock.

Also Read | Sea Levels Rising Twice As Fast as Thought in Some Parts of New Zealand.

Good conversation with FM @ABaerbock. Reviewed our bilateral cooperation. Discussed Ukraine conflict & Indo-Pacific. Signed agreement on direct encrypted connection between the two Foreign Offices. Will be reporting at the Inter-Governmental Consultations Plenary, he tweeted.

Jaishankar also met Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze and discussed climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains, third country partnerships and economic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Also Read | China: Man Declared Dead at Shanghais Elderly Care Centre, Found Alive in Morgue.

Pleasure to meet German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development @SvenjaSchulze68. Discussed climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains, third country partnerships and economic impact of Ukraine conflict.

Signed agreements on Triangular Development Cooperation and Renewable Energy Partnership, he said in a series of tweets.

Germany is India's largest trading partner in Europe with a bilateral trade of over USD 21 billion.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tokyo [Japan], May 2 (ANI/Sputnik): Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will meet with Pope Francis on May 4 during his official working visit to the Vatican, the Kyodo news agency reported, citing the Holy See.

Kishida's trip to the Vatican will mark the first visit of a Japanese prime minister to the country in eight years. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Vatican in 2014.

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Kishida is seeking to enlist the Pope's support for a "world without nuclear weapons," a thesis, to which the head of the Japanese government attaches special importance.

Last Friday, Kishida started his tour of five nations in Southeast Asia and Europe. Following his visits to Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, the Japanese prime minister will fly to Italy on Tuesday. After that, he will travel to the United Kingdom. The purpose of Kishida's tour is strengthening relations with partner countries amid China's growing power and the wide condemnation of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. (ANI/Sputnik)

Also Read | Sri Lanka Crisis: Govts Priority Should Be Seeking Financial Aid from India and China, Not Securing Majority in Parliament, Says Ex-PM Ranil Wickremesinghe.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Berlin, May 2 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday discussed with top executives from Indian and German companies ways to further boost the economic and commercial partnership between the two nations.

Modi arrived in Berlin in the morning on the first leg of his three-nation Europe trip that will also take him to Denmark and France. The visit comes amid the Ukraine crisis, which has united much of Europe against Russia.

Also Read | Imran Khan Calls Out Joe Bidens Administration for Regime Change Conspiracy in Pakistan.

"Building on our business ties. PM @narendramodi and @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz interact with top executives from German and Indian companies.

"Discuss ways to further the vigour and vitality of the Indo-German economic and commercial partnership," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a tweet.

Also Read | Sri Lanka Crisis: Govts Priority Should Be Seeking Financial Aid from India and China, Not Securing Majority in Parliament, Says Ex-PM Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also participated in the meeting.

Earlier, addressing a joint press event with Scholz after co-chairing the 6th inter-governmental consultations between the two nations, Modi said India was concerned over the humanitarian impact of the conflict and had provided aid to Ukraine.

(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, May 2: India on Monday welcomed its 100th unicorn, which is Bengaluru-based neobank platform Open, that raised fresh funds as part of its Series D round, taking its valuation to $1 billion.

The new round was led by Mumbai-based investment firm IIFL and existing investors Tiger Global, Temasek and 3one4 Capital also participated in the round, the company said in a statement.

"We see a lot of synergies with IIFL especially on leveraging the lending book, as we are getting ready to launch innovative products like revenue-based financing, early settlement, working capital loan and business credit cards to SMEs on our platform," said Anish Achuthan, co-founder and chief executive of Open.

The neobank platform is being used by more than 20 lakh businesses in the country, and it processes over $30 billion worth transactions every year. According to the Bengaluru-based management consulting firm Redseer, the $31 billion fintech market in India is set for a disruption with the emergence of neobanks. Elon Musk Could Fire Twitters Chief Censor Vijaya Gadde Who Makes $17M Per Year.

Neobanks are bridging the gap between the services that traditional banks offer and the evolving expectations of customers in the digital age. Open, which has raised about $187 million to date, is aiming to unveil three new products, revenue-based financing Flo, early settlement card offering Settl and working capital lending Capital soon.

The neobank platform startup is aiming to disburse $1 billion through its new products. As the third largest fintech ecosystem in the world after the US and China, the Indian fintech market is poised for further disruption with the emergence of neobanks.

Overall, Indian startups raised more than $10 billion during the first quarter of 2022, up from $5.7 billion in the same period in 2021, according to data from Venture Intelligence. The January-March quarter also saw as many as 14 startups becoming unicorns.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2022 05:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Chandauli, May 2: A young woman died under suspicious circumstances during a police raid here, after which a case of culpable homicide has been registered against six police personnel. Her family members have alleged that she was raped, a charge yet to be confirmed by police.

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav demanded the lodging of a murder case against the accused. Chandauli Superintendent of Police Ankur Agarwal said a team of police had gone to the house of a sand trader in Manragpur village of the Saidraja area on Sunday.

It is alleged police beat up the family of the businessman when he was not found there. Agarwal said the family alleged that a policeman raped the businessman's 24-year-old daughter during the incident and she died due to manhandling by police. The girl was to get married next month, the SP said. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Man Allegedly Gets Wife Raped to Frame Opponents in Budaun.

Agarwal said on getting information about the incident, villagers surrounded the police team and thrashed Constable Mukesh Kumar and Home Guards jawan Chhavinath. As Chhavanath's condition is serious, he was referred to the Trauma Centre in Varanasi. Mukesh is being treated at the district hospital, he said.

A case of culpable homicide has been registered against six people, including SHO Uday Pratap Singh and four policewomen, on the complaint of the brother of the woman. The SHO has been suspended. The SP said the post-mortem of the woman was performed by a panel of doctors and videographed.

As the cause of his death is not clear in the post-mortem report, her viscera has been preserved.

Regarding the allegation of rape, Agarwal said the post-mortem report did not find any external or internal injury on the whole body except a scratch on the throat and minor injury on the left side of the jaw. "Still, the allegation of rape is being probed," he added. Uttar Pradesh Shocker: 33-Year-Old Woman Strangled to Death in Muzaffarnagar for Opposing Husband's Extramarital Affair.

He said the investigation into the matter has been handed over to an additional superintendent of police. A large number of police and PAC personnel have been deployed in the village to maintain law and order. Reacting on the incident, Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Akhilesh Yadav demanded that a murder case be registered against the police personnel, alleging that they acted on caste considerations.
Aviation regulator DGCA says it has instituted multidisciplinary probe into turbulence incident on SpiceJet's Mumbai-Durgapur flight on Sunday that left 15 people injured. Airline says, "Multiple announcements were made by pilots and crew instructing passengers to remain seated." Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 2, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
On Monday, Google paid tribute to Elijah McCoy, an innovative engineer, and inventor with a doodle artwork. McCoy developed 57 patents and helped turn trains into well-oiled machines. The doodle artwork which says 'Celebrating Elijah McCoy' stated, "Todays Doodle celebrates the birthday of Elijah McCoy, a Black Canadian-American engineer and inventor who revolutionized train efficiency with his inventions."

Check tweet:

All aboard todays #GoogleDoodle celebrating innovative engineer and inventor Elijah McCoy. He developed 57 patents and helped turn trains into well-oiled machines Read his story here> https://t.co/VC6p8P8ioF pic.twitter.com/SkOVn8NcEr  Google Doodles (@GoogleDoodles) May 2, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Thousands in Bangladesh rushed to Dhaka's main train station and ferry terminals to return to their hometowns to celebrate Eid-al-Fitr. Millions are expected to leave the capital during the festival pic.twitter.com/WGOVE1MVzy Reuters (@Reuters) May 1, 2022

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter, Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
London, May 2: Russia stoked fears that Moldova may be next in President Vladimir Putin's firing line after blasts rocked part of the tiny nation, Daily Mail reported.

When asked about the risks of war spilling into Ukraine's neighbour after explosions rattled its Transnistria region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, "Moldova should worry about their own future. Because they're being pulled into Nato."

Transnistria is a breakaway region in the east of Moldova where ethnic Ukrainians and Russians outnumber Moldovans. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Unannounced Visit to Kyiv.

The tensions come as UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace predicted that Putin could use Russia's Victory Day to announce an intensification of the Ukrainian onslaught and perhaps an opening of new theatres of war.

Wallace said that the Russian President whose advances in Ukraine are far behind expectations might declare war on the world's Nazis' at the May 9 parade, which sees Moscow mark the Soviet Union's victory over Hitler.

Wallace told LBC Radio: "I would not be surprised... that he is probably going to declare on May Day that "we are now at war with the world's Nazis and we need to mass mobilise the Russian people."

Analysts had predicted that Putin wanted to be in a position where he could declare some form of victory on May 9.

But with Russian progress on the battlefield being less than conclusive, he may now seek to escalate further.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 02, 2022 10:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Seven years after leaving his village in northern India to find work in the bursting metropolis of Mumbai, Sundar Singh Jatav was struggling in a menial job at a video game shop. The $2.50 daily wage was hardly enough with his family back home deep in debt.

So in late 2015, when his boss introduced him to a man who promised to solve his financial problems, Jatav listened  and was shocked.

He suggested I sell my kidney, said Jatav, now 23.

What happened over the next several months would upend his life  and reveal a high-level kidney trafficking network inside one of the most reputed hospitals in Indias financial capital.

At least 14 people, including four doctors and the hospitals chief executive, have been arrested since July when police, acting on information provided by Jatav, stopped a kidney transplant involving a 48-year-old patient who had presented forged documents purporting that the organ donor was his wife.

The ring is part of what one news outlet dubbed the Great Indian Kidney Racket.

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Because the country harvests relatively few organs from people who die in accidents  the most common source of kidneys in the U.S.  the vast majority of transplants here involve living donors who give up one of their two kidneys.

To reduce the chances that money is changing hands, which is illegal in India and almost everywhere else, the law allows, with rare exceptions, only a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent or grandchild to act as a donor.

Sundar Singh Jatav, 23, shows the scar from his kidney operation. (Parth M.N. / For The Times )

For patients who dont have a relative with a suitable kidney or dont want to put a loved one through the small risk that donation entails, there is another option: a shadowy marketplace in which well-off patients can buy organs from strangers. The sellers are often impoverished, recruited from small towns by middlemen and made to present falsified papers  sometimes in collusion with doctors.

This is part of our VIP culture, said Dr. Sanjay Nagral, a surgeon and publisher of the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics. It comes from our larger understanding and our acceptance that if you have money in India, you can buy so many things, so what is so different about buying organs?

No one knows how many of the roughly 8,000 kidney transplants performed in India last year were illegal, but organ scams periodically surface. A month before the Mumbai arrests, a leading hospital in New Delhi was found to have performed at least three kidney transplants based on sham documents.

The case that Jatav exposed involved L.H. Hiranandani Hospital, a private facility in Powai, a prosperous suburb of wide boulevards and expansive apartments. Authorities are investigating at least four transplants at the hospital and have ordered it to temporarily stop carrying out the surgeries.

Obviously, this case is just an indicator of whats going on beneath the surface, Nagral said. We dont know the extent of it, but its very difficult for these kidney sales to be completely stopped.

The trade exists in part because of the large pool of Indians desperate enough to give up a vital organ. Just as surrogacy grew into a booming industry over the last decade, with thousands of childless Indian and foreign couples hiring Indian women to carry their babies, laborers surviving on a few dollars a day are ripe targets for agents who offer thousands for a kidney.

They basically use the poor man as a sacrificial lamb to prolong the life of the rich.  Suresh Gupta, activist with the Indian National Congress party

Jatav, the youngest of four siblings from Uttar Pradesh, is a prime example.

Slender and shy, with barely a fourth-grade education, Jatav had been forced to become the breadwinner: His parents were weakened from old age, his sister had died from an illness, and his two brothers were unable to work because of mental disabilities.

The family was more than $10,000 in debt, and Jatav was the only hope.

In an interview in a cramped Mumbai cafe, he described his role. At first, he declined to sell a kidney. But then the agent, Iqbal Siddiqui, put him in touch with a friendly, sweet-talking man who called himself Sandeep.

Sandeep arranged for him to visit Hiranandani, a sprawling medical complex overlooking a lake. There, the small-town young man sat in a room with three doctors who told him that donating a kidney was no different than giving blood, he recalled.

I trusted them, Jatav said. I thought they were good people wanting to help me with my financial condition.

Sandeep did not offer Jatav a specific price for his kidney, saying only that it would be enough to pay off his familys debt and promising to help him get a better job. To sweeten the deal, Sandeep moved Jatav, who had been sleeping on a mattress in a corner of the video game store, into a small apartment rent-free.

Jatav never saw the donor forms that were submitted on his behalf, which claimed he and the recipient  later revealed to be a 30-year-old woman from New Delhi  were siblings from suburban Mumbai. He was admitted to the hospital March 15 after undergoing blood tests.

Two days later, his kidney was removed. Within a week, he was discharged.

But he had not been paid, and Sandeep was dodging his calls. When they finally spoke, Sandeep was evasive about the money but offered to bring Jatav on as a sort of assistant, tasking him with carrying bags and files.

Jatav can barely read English. But he observed Sandeep meeting with other donors and realized that their documents also were being forged to show a blood relationship with a kidney patient.

Through a friend, Jatav contacted Suresh Gupta, an activist with the Indian National Congress political party, and slipped him two pages of a transplant application. On July 12, two days before Brijkishore Jaiswal, a 48-year-old sari merchant, was to undergo surgery, Jatav called Gupta, who tipped off police.

Jaiswal and the seller, a 42-year-old housekeeper, were arrested just before the operation was to start.

The three doctors who allegedly persuaded Jatav to give up a kidney were arrested and freed on bail. A preliminary inquiry conducted by state health officials and leaked to Indian news media suggests they were complicit in the scam, although a lawyer for the doctors called the allegations nonsense.

Police also arrested the hospitals transplant coordinator, who allegedly arranged phony documents, as well as Siddiqui and Sandeep, whose real name is Bhijendra Bisen.

Bisen, 42, is one of Mumbais most notorious organ traffickers. He was jailed a decade ago for a similar scam and has confessed to involvement in more than 30 kidney transplants over the last four years, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported.

Jaiswal had paid him more than $30,000 for the transplant, his lawyer, Shabnam Khadri, said in an interview. The hospital said it received $7,000. The seller was promised about $3,000. When police raided the transplant coordinators home, they reportedly found $12,000 in cash. It was unclear how the rest was to be distributed.

Gupta, the activist, said agents like Bisen exploit ignorance and vulnerability.

They basically use the poor man as a sacrificial lamb to prolong the life of the rich, he said.

India was once a top destination for transplant tourists  patients from the United States and other wealthy countries who traveled here to receive kidneys because of shortages in their countries. Facing criticism that the system exploited the poor and that the procedures were secretive and often unsafe, India passed a law in 1994 that banned organ sales and allowed only close relatives to serve as donors.

Researchers believe that 220,000 Indians need kidneys, but the nonprofit Indian Transplant Registry estimates that only 8,000 people got one last year.

One reason is that most transplants are performed in private hospitals at a cost of $10,000 or more, and few people have health insurance or the money to pay for it.

Those who can afford a transplant face another obstacle: The lack of a national system to collect organs from cadavers  such as the more than 100,000 Indians who die each year in car accidents  means that kidneys are in short supply.

Only about 15% of Indias transplanted kidneys come from deceased donors, although that figure has been rising steadily. Some eligible living donors are simply afraid to part with an organ, even for a relative, doctors say.

That has helped give rise to the black market for living donors posing as relatives.

Its a supply-and-demand problem, said Sunil Shroff, a urologist who runs the transplant registry. Families are sometimes pushed against the wall when theyre not able to find a solution. In desperation, they can do all kinds of stupid things.

It is unclear why Jatav was never paid. Had he been, it is likely the kidney ring would have remained hidden.

After going public, he said, he received threatening phone calls that prompted him to take his wife back to his village for her safety. Although he agreed to have his story told in an American newspaper, he has not revealed his role in the case to her or other family members.

He remains in Mumbai, where he has asked for police protection and is looking for a job, having quit the video store before the operation. A friend is paying his rent.

He lifted up his white button-down shirt to reveal a foot-long scar across the right side of his torso. His appetite has diminished, he has bouts of dizziness, and he cannot walk for more than a few minutes without fatigue  symptoms he blames on the kidney procedure, even though such complications are rare. He does not have money to see a doctor.

I was the only son who my parents thought could make some money for them, he said. With my health, what options do I have now?

But he is not the only one in this story to suffer.

Before his transplant was foiled, Jaiswal had been surviving on twice-weekly dialysis treatments and was usually nauseated and weak. He turned to the black market for a kidney, his lawyer said, because no one in his family was willing to donate.

After his arrest, he was granted bail because of his declining health and returned home to the neighboring state of Gujarat. He continued to get sicker and on Aug. 31, six weeks after Jatav blew the whistle, died of kidney failure.

Family members took his body to be cremated along the Ganges River in Varanasi, the holiest city in Hinduism, where all ones sins are believed to be absolved upon death.

Parth M.N. is a special correspondent.

shashank.bengali@latimes.com

Follow @SBengali on Twitter for more news from South Asia

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Philly-based indie punk rockers Stud Count announced their spring 2022 U.S. tour. The band is excited to share the next era of their fashion-forward, modern iteration of punk with an album coming out in the summer, singles on the way this Spring, and an appearance at So What?! Music Festival on the horizon.

READ NEXT: RIVALS Announces 'Dark Matter' New Single, Headlining Tour

"We started just before quarantine hit early in 2020, and played a show only weeks before everything shut down that February and March - we've been itching to get out ever since. Getting back out there, making new friends and even playing So What?! Music Festival as a new band is super exciting for us. We can't wait to finally show the world what we've been working on," the band said.

Counting such influences as Wipers, Garbage, and Husker Du, Stud Count is a new Philadelphia-based band featuring familiar faces. The fresh endeavor is composed of current/former members of Drill Sergeant, The Dividing Line, Academy Order, Fluoride, Leashes, and Fixation.

Combining an abrasive post-punk edge with a melodic undercurrent beneath it all, Stud Count features drummer Bret Hart, bassist Jake Beaver, vocalist Norelle Green, Max D'ambra and Matthew Green on guitars.

The group found its beginnings at the tail end of 2019, hanging out in a West Philly apartment. Founding member Matthew Green had written a demo's-worth of '77 style punk songs, seeking to combine the trademark hook-laden proto-punk sound of bands like Buzzcocks and The Undertones with the edge of modern hardcore.

Green and drummer Bret Hart had met earlier that year at a local gig while both of their bands at the time were touring steadily. After some concerted talk, Green and his wife Norelle took a week in the mountains to tighten up a handful of songs with Norelle on main vocals and Matthew on guitar.

Soon after, the band had their first practice, tracked their two song Demonstration (2020), and planned their first performances. In January 2020, they were invited for a live interview and track premiere on Philadelphia's Museum of Punk Radio Show and soon after booked their demo release show alongside Webbed Wing, Gel and Luxe.

Still riding the high of the gig, the group began to demo songs for a full LP. Unsure of when they'd be able to perform again when the pandemic hit, Matthew and Norelle took to the mountains again to distance track songs for the Pleasure Center Promo (2020, released on tape by Convulse) and tighten demos for a full LP. Later that autumn, the band booked studio time with Zach Miller (Gel, Sick Shit, Fluoride, Academy Order), finishing up that December.

Still unsure of if or when shows would come back, they sat on the record until the summer of 2021 until eventually finding their home on Florida's Smartpunk Records. With the world opened up and their debut self-titled LP on the way out, Stud Count stands to have a busy 2022.

Stud Count Spring 2022 Tour Dates:

5/21 Johnson City, TN - Capone's

5/23 Nashville, TN - The End

5/26 Little Rock, AR - White Water Tavern

5/28 Arlington, TX So What?! Music Festival - Choctaw Stadium

5/30 Kansas City, MO - Farewell

6/1 Cincinnati, OH - Junker's

6/2 Chattanooga, TN - The Spot

READ MORE: Metal Girl Band GFM Announces National U.S. Tour Supporting Fozzy
Twenty-three states, including California, are still offering SNAP benefits through the emergency allotment program for their residents this May.

However, the emergency allotment (EA) benefits do not apply to all recipients. Instead, the benefits are used to boost the entitlement of households who would not otherwise be eligible to receive the full amount, AS reported.

Households who had not been receiving EA payments and those whose EA payments were less than $95 per month saw their benefits increase, according to the revised guidance by the Food and Nutrition Service.

The additional payment will be automatically added to eligible recipients' regular monthly allotment. Some of the states implementing the EA program include California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

READ NEXT: SNAP Benefits 2022: Texas, California, Florida, Other States Payment Updates

SNAP Benefits Oregon

Claire Seguin, deputy director of ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs of Oregon, said they know that many rely on additional food benefits to get enough healthy food for themselves and their families.

ODHS noted that those who receive SNAP benefits could expect the allotment on May 11. Households that do not receive the first monthly issuance will receive it on May 28 or June 2, according to KOIN.

Officials noted that the SNAP benefits will directly be issued onto EBT cards and that SNAP recipients do not need to take action to receive the additional benefits.

Seguin said many Oregonians are still struggling to meet their basic needs, urging residents to contact their partners at 211 and the Oregon Food Bank for support.

SNAP Benefits California

CalFresh, which is California's version of the SNAP benefits, is set to distribute the payments over the first 10 days of the month, according to Go Banking Rates.

The date of the release of the payments depends on the recipients' EBT cards' last digit number. If the recipients' case number ends with five, the benefits should be loaded on the fifth of the month, and so on.

SNAP Benefits Texas

SNAP benefits in Texas are deposited in Lone Star Cards. Recipients in Texas can receive their SNAP benefits based on the last digit in their Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number, Go Banking Rates reported.

If your SNAP EDG number ends in 0, then you are scheduled to receive your benefits on May 1. SNAP EDG number ending in 1 will receive their benefits on May 3, while those with a SNAP EDG number ending in 2 will receive their allotments on May 5.

Those EDG numbers in 3 will receive their payments on May 6, while those with numbers ending in 4 will receive them on May 7.

EDG numbers ending in 5 will receive their payments on May 9, while those ending in 6 will receive their benefits on May 11, and ending in 7 will be released on May 12.

SNAP EDG numbers ending in 8 will have their benefits on May 13, while those with SNAP numbers ending in 9 will receive them on May 15.

SNAP Benefits Florida

In Florida, recipients must visit their state's specific SNAP program website to find their particular payment date. Individual states are responsible for managing SNAP schedules and when payments go out, with states usually distributing payments based on the last number of their identification.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture granted waivers, which allowed for emergency supplemental SNAP based on the health declaration amid the pandemic.

READ MORE: SNAP Benefits 2022 Update: Here's How You Can Avail Amazon Prime 50% Discount With Your EBT Card

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Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Food Stamps Extended & Raised in These States | SNAP & EBT Update 2022/2023 - From Credit Viral






Texas Governor Greg Abbott's top lawyers and Texas attorney general, Ken Paxton, have discussed declaring an "invasion" as migrant numbers climbed at the U.S.-Mexico border.

According to The New York Times, declaring an "invasion" could invoke actual war powers to seize broader state authority on the southern border.

The outlet noted that Abbott could officially declare an "invasion" to conform with a clause in the Constitution that said states could not engage in war except when "actually invaded."

The Republican governor has remained open to the move. However, he has concerns about the consequences of the action.

During a recent news conference, Abbott noted that if they use the said strategy, it could expose law enforcement in Texas to being prosecuted. But he added that it was something that they were looking into.

The governor has already mobilized thousands of National Guard troops to sit at border posts and ordered stiffer safety inspections of trucks coming from Mexico, which has caused a disruption to the international trade.

He has also ordered the construction of 20 miles of new border fencing and the repurposing of some state prisons to hold migrants charged with trespassing.

Abbott has also funded border towns for law enforcement and allotted money for buses to take willing migrants from Texas to Washington D.C.

The governor also paid more than $3 billion for border security. On top of that, he approved another $500 million on Friday.

READ NEXT: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Might Be Eyeing a 2024 Presidential Election Run After Sending Illegal Immigrants to D.C. - Analysts

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Wants to Declare 'Invasion' Amid Influx of Migrants at U.S.-Mexico Border

Federal agents recorded around 129,000 crossings into the U.S. border from Mexico in March, with about 11,000 more than during the same month last year.

Greg Abbott wants to declare an "invasion" under the U.S. Constitution and start using state personnel to deport immigrants.

According to Texas Tribune, it has been gaining heat as Texas faces the Title 42 lift, which is the pandemic health rule that immigration authorities have used to quickly expel migrants, including asylum-seekers.

Abbott responded to the revocation of Title 42 by imposing a commercial vehicle policy inspection at the border. It prompted negotiations with border Mexican governors to bring the inspection to an end.

State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, a Democrat from the Rio Grande Valley, said that as long as the administration of President Joe Biden does not implement "proper immigration controls," manpower, and equipment, Abbott will keep pushing on this issue until it reaches the attention of Washington. Hinojosa serves on the Senate Border Security Committee.

Abbott said the issue of a constitutional "invasion" at the border was one he has been studying since he was attorney general over eight years ago. However, he noted that there were several issues that they were looking at that they have been provided no answer on.

"These are people who already have papers to roam freely into the United States... As soon as we drop them off across the border, they would only come right back across the border.... So all we would be doing is creating a revolving door," Abbott said.

U.S. Border With Mexico

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) released a new report Wednesday that showed that around 1.9 million illegal immigrants who entered the U.S. throughout the first year of the Biden presidency were apprehended, The Post Millennial reported.

FAIR wrote in the report that it was an increase of roughly $9.4 billion over the past year, with illegal migrants likely causing a net fiscal burden of at least $143.1 billion.

The leading states by the population of illegal migrants are California with 3.266 million, followed by Texas, Florida, New Jersey, and New York.

READ MORE: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Says He Will Deliver Illegal Immigrants to Washington D.C., Drop Them at Capitol Hill Steps

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WATCH: Video Shows Mass Release of Migrants Into Texas - From Fox News






Meghan Markle's animated series "Pearl" was dropped by the video streaming platform Netflix due to a series of funding cutbacks caused by a drop in the company's subscribers.

"Pearl" has been officially canceled by Netflix on Sunday. The animated show was created through Archewell Productions, according to Daily Mail.

With its working title, the Markle-created show was only in the development stage. Insiders claimed that Netflix remains optimistic about the Archewell deal, with several projects ahead, including the documentary series "Heart of Invictus."

"Pearl" was described as a family series that focuses on the adventures of a 12-year-old girl finding inspiration in various influential women throughout history, Deadline reported.

Meghan Markle earlier said that heroine Pearl, like many girls of her age, was on a journey of self-discovery, trying to overcome life's daily challenges.

She added that she was thrilled that Archewell Productions partnered with Netflix and a line of incredible producers.

READ NEXT: Queen Elizabeth Takes Note of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Daughter Lilibet in Her Christmas Speech

Netflix Is Cutting Its Content Budgets

Netflix has also canceled two other animated series for children last week that were in production. The shows were "Dino Daycare" by Jeff King and the South Asian-inspired adventure "Boons and Curses."

Sources told Deadline that Netflix even before recent events, Netflix was telling producers to take projects still in the development stage elsewhere.

Netflix has reviewed its content expenditures after seeing a significant decrease in its subscribers. Netflix co-CEO and founder Reed Hastings said it lost around 640,000 subscribers in the U.S. and Canada region.

According to LA Mag, the company also hit its lowball goal of 2.5 million subscribers in the year's first quarter. However, it added about a million subscribers in the Asia Pacific market. It projected that the overall loss tally by mid-year is seen to be around two million.

Hastings noted that due to the "dismal first-quarter numbers," the video streaming platform will be issuing a new and cheaper tiered subscription.

Archewell Productions: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Aside from video content, the Archewell Productions has also bagged other content-making mediums, such as its $30 million deal with Spotify.

Spotify has started making productions for the pair, with its first piece of work a 35-minute long "holiday special" podcast, Forbes reported. Its content features Elton John, Deepak Chopra, Tyler Perry, James Corden, and others.

A source familiar with the project told The Sun that Spotify has been waiting "a long time" for some content from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The source added that it now seemed that Spotify had taken the matter into its own hands.

Spotify was reportedly expecting content from The Sussexes in 2021 as their company Archewell Audio hired podcast producer Rebecca Sananes. It also stated that it was looking forward to sharing more content later in the year.

An advert for a senior producer role at Gimlet Projects, Spotify's production arm, said they were currently assembling a show team that will create and launch a new original show with Archewell featuring the voices of high profile women.

READ MORE: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Opt Not to Hold Daughter Lilibet's Christening in U.K. As It's Likely Be in California: Royal Sources

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WATCH: Meghan Markle's Netflix Show Cancelled While Still in Development - From Sky News Australia






President Joe Biden has four children with two different women. He had three children with his wife, Neilia Hunter Biden. He married Neilia in August 1966, according to the Independent.

Joe Biden's Children With Neilia Hunter Biden

Joseph Robinette "Beau" Biden III, Robert Hunter Biden, and Naomi Christina Biden, known as Amy, were Joe Biden's three children with Neilia Hunter Biden.

Biden and Neilia's marriage lasted six-and-a-half years. Neilia got involved in a car accident while driving westbound on rural Valley Road in Hockessin, Delaware on December 18, 1972.

At the time, Neilia was with her three children, Beau, Hunter, and Naomi, in the family station wagon, according to Biography. The family was pulled out from the car wreckage and was rushed to Wilmington General Hospital.

Neilia and her 13-month-old baby, Naomi, were pronounced dead on arrival. On the other hand, Beau sustained a broken leg and Hunter a fractured skull.

READ NEXT: Hunter Biden Net Worth 2022: How Wealthy Is President Joe Biden's Youngest Son?

Joe Biden's Two Sons

Beau Biden was born on February 3, 1969, in Delaware. He then graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991, then went to Syracuse University of College of Law.

Beau worked for the Justice Department between 1995 and 2004 in Philadelphia. He eventually became a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Biden's eldest son got married in 2002 to Hallie Olivere, who gave birth to their daughter, Natalie, in 2004, followed by their son, Robert II, in 2006, who is also known to be called Hunter.

In 2013, Beau was diagnosed with brain cancer after experiencing disorientation and weakness. He had a brain lesion removed in surgery, and radiation and chemotherapy followed.

In 2015, he was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and lost his fight against brain cancer, which went into remission. Beau died at age 46.

Meanwhile, Hunter was born in Delaware on February 4, 1970, Biography reported. He graduated from a private Catholic high school, Archmere Academy, in Claymont, Delaware. It was also his siblings' and father's alma mater, and he got in at Georgetown University in 1988.

In 1992, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and attended Georgetown law. After a year at Georgetown's law school, he was admitted to Yale in 1994 and completed his law degree in 1996.

Hunter is currently facing a federal investigation due to the contents of his laptop and his connection to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma Holdings Limited, wherein he took a paid position in April 2014.

Joe Biden's Child With Jill Biden

Jill Tracy Jacobs Biden was set up with Joe Biden by the president's brother in 1975. Before the president and Jill's marriage in 1977, Biden asked the first lady how she could commit herself to marriage, knowing his feelings for his first wife.

Jill replied that anybody who could love that deeply once could do it again. In 1981, Ashley Blazer Biden was born in Delaware to Biden and Jill. She is the only child from Biden's second marriage.

According to South China Morning Post, Ashley has launched a socially and ethically conscious American-made clothing brand, Livelihood.

The president's youngest child has also managed to stay away from the public eye, keeping her Instagram private. Ashley married Howard Krein in 2012, whom she met through Beau in 2010.

READ MORE: Pres. Joe Biden, a 'Direct Beneficiary' of His Son Hunter Biden's Foreign Deals, Says Head of Government Accountability Institute

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WATCH: Joe Biden's Family: Here's What We Know About America's Next First Family - From USA TODAY
AeroMD celebrates National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day with visit to St. Croixs Good Hope Country Day School
A Laois based pet rescue charity that rescues and rehomes dogs from all over Ireland and beyond, has announced it has temporarily closed.

Cara Rescue Dogs based in Mountmellick, made their announcement on May 1, citing exhaustion by their volunteers as the number of unwanted "pandemic dogs" soars.

"Sadly it has come to this... Without more foster homes and funds we simply cannot take in any more dogs. Every foster home is full and our volunteers are exhausted.

"Please if you have ever considered fostering now is the time. We all knew the pandemic dogs would impact the rescue world. But we genuinely never thought it would be this bad," Cara Rescue Dogs say.

They are also out of funds.

"Its not just people looking to give up their dogs, the amount of injured and sick dogs has also exhausted our funds. And what scares us most is we know it hasn't even peaked yet.

"The volume of unwanted puppies/dogs, the pounds are full, the rescues are full, our hearts are heavy and empty because the words that hurt us most is us saying "no we can't help".

"Please email caraadoptions@hotmail.com for a foster application if you can help save a life.. All food, bedding, toys, leads, vet bills etc will be fully covered by us, all we ask is you temporarily love a dog while we find a forever home for your guest.

Please help us to help them," the group stated.

See more on their website cararescuedogs.com
Kildare TD and Ceann Comhairle of the Dail Sean O Fearghail is to travel to Ukraine later this month, RTE reports.

The TD will be joined by Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Mark Daly on the trip to Kyiv at the invitation of the Ukrainian Parliament.

Senator Daly said on RTE's News at One programme that the pair will travel to Poland where they will be met by Ukrainian security to escort them to Kyiv.

Mr Daly said: "The fact we have been invited is a recognition of the exceptional welcome of the people of Ireland to so many Ukrainian refugees.

Mr Daly said it will be an opportunity to support the Ukrainian government which is continuing to function despite unimaginable difficult circumstances.

He added that they would be visiting the sites of atrocities which have taken place including in Irpin.

He said the visit would serve to keep the attention on the war, RTE reports.

Senator Daly said the Irish embassy in Ukraine, which had moved back to Ireland at the beginning of the war, was looking at "re-establishing" in Kyiv in the near future.
Fraudsters are tricking people into sending them their bank cards in taxis, according to AIB.

In an email to customers, the bank said fraudsters are calling customers and impersonating bank staff.

The email tells the customers that their card details are already in the hands of criminals and ask them to send their card back to the bank via taxi.

Taxi drivers who know nothing about the scam then pick up the cards and deliver them straight into the criminals hands  giving the culprits full access to the customers accounts.

The bank said: While we may call you if we see suspicious activity on your card, we will never ask you for your card back.

We will never send a taxi to collect the card. We will never ask you to click on a link.

The bank is advising any customer that gets a call that sounds strange to just hang up.

Cutomers are reminded they can always call the bank themselves to freeze or cancel a card online.

Gardai also warned the public about the sophisticated smishing scam last month.
Russia's destructive barbarism is trying to wipe Ukraine off the map, but this is also impacting the whole world. The recession and shortages that we have only begun to experience are nothing compared to the famine that is lurking. According to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, the conflict could cause the "collapse of the global food system, a hurricane of hunger."

The war is preventing Ukraine from exporting grain and other foodstuffs that are currently overflowing in silos. At the same time, exports in Russia are hampered by various internal problems and by its own desire to increase its stocks. This is to the detriment of the neighboring Caucasus, which it used to supply, and all the more so, to the detriment of all countries depending on such exports. And yet, Ukraine and Russia together account for 29% of global wheat trade. Ukraine alone provides almost half of the World Food Program's wheat supply. In normal times, Ukraine produces enough food to feed 400 million people worldwide.

The UN has pleaded with Russia to lift the blockade of Ukrainian ports to allow grain to be shipped to countries that really need it. Russia did not even respond. However, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, is perfectly aware of the forthcoming disasters, for autumn and even worse in 2023, if Ukraine cannot export its grain and sow for the next harvest. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, "an additional eight to 13 million people may be undernourished worldwide in 2022-2023. The surge in malnutrition will be particularly marked in Asia-Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa regions." In a statement, the FAO Director-General, Qu Dongyu, added that "Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh and Iran are the top global wheat importers, buying more than 60% of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine, and all of them have outstanding imports. Lebanon, Tunisia, Yemen, Libya and Pakistan also rely heavily on the two countries for their wheat supply."

Ukrainian corn stored in a silo at the Romanian port of Constanta on the Black Sea, April 28, 2022. INQUAM PHOTOS/DANIEL STOENCIU / VIA REUTERS

An assault against the world

The UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, urged Moscow that "the military attacks against Ukraine must be stopped immediately before there are profound global, long-term consequences to everyones food security." He said that "food should never be weaponized and no country in the world should be driven into famine and desperation." He fears that this war will cause significant levels of food insecurity in Ukraine and increase malnutrition in Russia. "Even with war raging, the international community should give special attention to support family-run farms and small-scale farmers in Ukraine. Family-run farms and small-scale farmers are proving to be the most adaptable and resilient in times of crisis."

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MORE than 9,000 potential students attended the first on-campus open day event for undergraduate students at University of Limerick in over two years.

Explore UL, the Universitys first ever Spring open day, proved extremely popular with senior cycle students and had the highest number of attendees to date.

The majority of those in attendance were sixth years  with some from fifth and transition years. A total of 27 counties were represented while hundreds of international students also attended.

Spot yourself or a friend in here?!



We were delighted to welcome over 9,000 senior cycle students to our campus this week for #ExploreUL.



From talks to tours to panels and a few games for good measure, we hope you enjoyed spending time with us. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/DQbWEtsV2l April 28, 2022

UL President Professor Kerstin Mey hailed the inaugural spring open day as a wonderful success.

It was absolutely fantastic to see the campus full of life and buzzing with the excitement of senior cycle students who are considering attending UL, their parents, guidance counsellors and teachers, said Professor Mey.

With the Change of Mind period just around the corner, this event shows students just why UL is the first choice for so many, were very proud of our award winning campus, excellent student supports and outstanding and dedicated lecturing staff, Professor Mey added.

There were talks held across every undergraduate programme on offer at UL, 55 in total, as well as tours, panels, Q&As and opportunities for mingling.

There was also information stands on degrees, supports, sport and accommodation across campus as well as games for attendees to enjoy in the midst of their time on campus.

UL is part of the Limerick Student City campaign  a collaboration between Limerick City and County Council, UL, TUS and MIC - that showcases Limerick as a leading university city.

The thousands of senior cycle students from all over Ireland who attended the UL event is further evidence that Limerick is a top choice for higher and further education study, offering a complete experience and the only location outside of Dublin that can boast three university-level educational institutes.
STAFF at the four-star Limerick Strand Hotel are celebrating after winning a hat-trick of awards in recent months.

The landmark hotel, which is located at the Ennis Road, was given the silver medal in the Hotel and Catering Reviews awards, under the category of Irish cities.

Meanwhile, it also won the title of best retail and hospitality award at the Limerick Chambers regional business awards, which are supported by the Limerick Leader.

And the Irish Accommodation Services institution also gave the hotel a gold medal award for highest accommodation standards.

The Strand Hotel opened in Limerick in September 2008 after the Hilton Hotel left the same premises.

A focal point for business meetings and family gatherings, there are 184 rooms in the complex.

Between full and part-time roles, around 200 staff members are employed.

It is a part of the MHL hotel chain, which has a number of four and five-star hotels in Dublin and Galway.

Here in Limerick, the Strand Hotel is managed by Stephen OConnor.
A DERELICT property in Abbeyfeale needs to be boarded up due to drug dealing taking place inside, claims a local councillor.

Speaking at a Joint Policing Committee meeting of the Newcastle West Municipal District, Cllr Liam Galvin said: A well known drug dealer was seen coming out of the property with students after him.

Cllr Galvin said it is going on in broad daylight in Abbeyfeale.

It was 3pm in the day. This derelict property needs to be boarded up, said Cllr Galvin, who called on the council and gardai to take action.

Cllr Galvin also asked how many anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) have been issued in the town of Abbeyfeale.

Sergeant Noel Barry, one of the gardai in attendance at the meeting, said there was 13 in the Newcastle West Garda District in 2021 with three in Abbeyfeale. An informal chat works a lot of the time. We have very good gardai. ASBOs fit in just above that, said Sgt Barry.

The conversation then turned to a fertiliser heist which was previously highlighted in the Leader.

Detective Sergeant Mike Reidy then returned to the question about drugs. He said the dedicated drugs units in Newcastle West and Bruff districts are working together and there is a competition ongoing to have their own sergeant. Det Sgt Reidy said there are certain individuals being targeted in ongoing operations.

Drugs are a scourge. There are significant inroads being made. A growhouse was discovered outside Abbeyfeale which led to another growhouse in another county and CAB seizures, said Det Sgt Reidy, who listed out a number of seizures in recent times  2,000 worth of cocaine in Abbeyfeale; significant growhouse in Newcastle West; cannabis valued at 5,000; 6,000 in cocaine.

Det Sgt Reidy said they were targeting the sale and supply of drugs as opposed to the people who use it.

The person at the higher echelons doesnt get their hands dirty. They have people doing that for them. We will continue to pick up information and act accordingly. It is an ongoing fight, said Det Sgt Reidy.

In the past, he said people would have to travel to larger towns to purchase narcotics.

Now they are available in every town and village in Ireland unfortunately, said Det Sgt Reidy, who believes GAA clubs could have a part to play in educating young people about the consequences of taking drugs.

Peoples lives are being destroyed, said Det Sgt Reidy. He also stressed that if they get a criminal conviction this would affect them travelling to America.
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Cops are trying to track down a confessed killer and a corrections officer who left a north Alabama jail last Friday and disappeared.

U.S. Marshals are currently offering up to $10,000 for any information that may lead to the capture of the escaped inmate, Casey Cole White, and Vicky White, the assistant director of corrections for Lauderdale County, Alabama. An arrest warrant for Vicky was also issued on a felony charge of facilitating the escape of an inmate.

The exact nature of the relationship between White and White remains unknown, although authorities confirmed early on that the two are not related. Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said on Monday, May 2 (per CNN), that it was likely that Vicky willingly helped Casey, although they were holding onto that last straw of hope that maybe for some reason she was threatened and did this under coercion All of her co-workers are devastated. Weve never had any situation like this with Vicky White. She was a model employee.

Singleton added that, as of yet, theres no evidence to suggest Vicky and Casey had any kind of romantic relationship. Although Singleton did acknowledge its a possibility.

Marty Keely, the U.S. marshal for Northern Alabama, said that Casey is still believed to be a serious threat to the corrections officer and the public.

Reps for the U.S. Marshals and the Lauderdale County Sheriffs Office did not immediately return Rolling Stones requests for comment.

Vicky and Casey disappeared after leaving the jail Friday morning, April 29, with Vicky reportedly saying she was taking Casey to a mental health evaluation at the courthouse. But Singleton said Casey didnt have a mental health evaluation at the courthouse scheduled, and Vicky  a 16-year veteran of the corrections department  was escorting Casey alone, in violation of department policy.

A few more eyebrow-raising details have also emerged. Vicky reportedly told colleagues she had a doctors appointment that morning, and while the doctors office confirmed the appointment, they said Vicky never showed up. And the day of the incident was reportedly Vickys last day on the job: After months of saying she was getting ready to retire and possibly move to the beach, Singleton said Vicky submitted her retirement papers just days before she went missing. (While Vicky wouldnt have access to any money from her retirement pension yet, Singleton noted that shed recently sold her house.)

Upon leaving the jail, Singleton said Vicky drove to a nearby shopping center, with Casey lying down in the back seat to avoid detection. At the shopping center the two switched cars, but surveillance footage of the area didnt offer any evidence as to where they might have gone after. Singleton admitted that the authorities still do not have a vehicle description for whatever vehicle they may have transferred into.

Casey White was serving a 75-year sentence for a series of crimes, including home invasion, carjacking, and a police chase. In 2020, he confessed to a 2015 murder, but later pleaded not guilty when charged with two counts of capital murder.
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The Red Hot Chili Peppers paid tribute to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at Jazz Fest in New Orleans on Sunday while frontman Dave Grohl, Hawkins widow Alison, and other members of the Foo Fighters looked on from the wings, according to reports in nola.com and on social media.

Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, a close friend of Hawkins, had Taylor spelled out on his bass drum, surrounded by a hawk silhouette, similar to one on Hawkins arm.

Foo Fighters were originally scheduled to headline Jazz Fest but canceled all tour dates in the wake of Hawkins death on March 25. Grohls presence in town over the weekend sparked unfounded rumors that he might perform. That did not take place, but toward the end of the groups 90-minute set, Smith walked to the front of the stage, took the microphone and said, We love the Foo Fighters and we love our brother Taylor Hawkins. Its meant a lot to us to be able to play for them.

He then led the crowd in a chant of, We love you, Taylor!

During the set directly before the Peppers, Ivan Nevilles band Dumpstaphunk played the Foo Fighters hit Best of You as a tribute.

Grohl also was at the citys Preservation Hall Saturday for the late-night Midnight Preserves show, during which the Whos Pete Townshend played several songs.

Several days before the performance, the Peppers called their set a celebration of Hawkins life. Smith posted a touching video tribute of their time together a few days after Hawkins death.

Were taking Alison, his wife, with us and its going to be a celebration, Smith told Billboard. Thats what she wants. She doesnt want it to be anything other than, Lets celebrate music, lets celebrate our friends, lets celebrate Taylor. This is what he would want and he would be very happy that you guys are playing and he would want it be nothing but a positive experience. So were going to do all that and shes going to be part of that and Im very honored that we can do that with her.  Were going to play our hearts out.

Hawkins cause of death has not been officially determined, although medical officials in Colombia, where he died before the group was to perform at a festival, said there were multiple drugs in his system at the time of his death.

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Free in-person digital skills classes for older people rollout across the country from Tuesday (3 May 2022), as part of the Hi Digital partnership initiative between Vodafone Ireland Foundation, Active Retirement Ireland and ALONE.

In County Longford, the first class will be held at Moydow Community Centre (N39 YT78) on Wednesday, May 4 at 11am.

A first of its kind, five-year programme, Hi Digital was developed to bridge the worsening digital divide in Ireland and support older people with little or no digital skills to get online.

Gardai arrest two men following Longford row Two men are in garda custody this morning following a row in Longford town yesterday evening that resulted in a man requiring medical treatment.

Active Retirement Irelands in-person classes are now available to book and are open to any person aged 65+ who would like to develop their digital literacy and confidence with guidance and support alongside other older people in their community.

Classes are run by trained ARI digital ambassadors who offer face to face training and guidance so older people can develop their skills in a relaxed and supportive environment.

The Hi Digital training course consists of bite-sized lessons organised around key digital themes including internet basics and how to use online devices, as well as digital apps and features such as social media or video calling that can enhance daily life and combat isolation.

Topics covered include:

Sending emails

Keeping in touch with friends and family through social media or video calling

Online banking and government services online

Looking up information for hobbies or travel

Reading, watching and listening to news online

Online shopping

Using the internet on your phone

Using your phone to take and share pictures or videos

Online safety and more.

Maureen Kavanagh, CEO of Active Retirement Ireland, said: Were so pleased to announce the national rollout of the Hi Digital face-to-face digital skills classes. Through this next stage of the Hi Digital programme, our digital ambassador-led, in-person classes will further support older peoples participation online. This will help ensure they have the appropriate access and skills to engage with digital services, along with expanding the possibilities on offer to them from the digital shift.

The Hi Digital programme is about giving older people in Ireland more choices and empowering them to learn the skills they need if they do want to get online. Classes are free and I encourage any older person who would like to improve their digital skills to get in touch and sign up.

The Hi Digital programme is delivered across the strands: online learning using Vodafone Ireland Foundations Hi Digital online platform, face to face classroom learning run by Active Retirement Ireland, and the upskilling by ALONE of organisations who work to support older people so that they can provide Hi Digital training and guidance to their service users directly.

Anyone wishing to attend a class can book their place by contacting Active Retirement Ireland on 1800 20 30 30, or by emailing hidigital@activeirl.ie
Rising costs are the biggest challenge facing farmers according to an annual Farm Report conducted by ifac, Irelands farming, food and agribusiness specialist professional services firm.

Given that 51% have already seen costs increase due to Brexit, 60% of Irish farmers say the biggest concern for their business for 2022 is increased input costs that are currently impacting all the primary farm inputs including fertiliser, feed and energy.

Ifacs fourth annual Irish farm survey, contained in the report, reveals what is really on the minds of Irish farmers - the opportunities and the challenges they are facing across rural Ireland.

Finding and retaining employees has become a challenge for many  21% say its a big concern, particularly in the dairy sector. 1 in 3 beef farmers are struggling to balance farming with their off-farm job and, across the board, 77% of farmers say they would hire non-EU people with the right skills.

With the UN warning of a climate tipping point on emissions, encouragingly, farmers are not shying away from sustainability or the gravity of the environmental challenges ahead. While some are understandably concerned about the additional cost burden (38%) and even more (40%) believe that other sectors need to play their part too, 94% of farmers believe in the need to reduce greenhouse gas on farms.
Local News, Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: May 02 2022

It is wonderful to see the spirit of volunteerism that sustains our local fire departments remains so strong in our community, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said.

Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D - Glen Cove) recently visited the headquarters of the Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department to support their annual recruitment drive.

It is wonderful to see the spirit of volunteerism that sustains our local fire departments remains so strong in our community, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. Thank you to everyone who came down to Headquarters to learn more about this community service opportunity. I especially encourage high school students to explore joining the Auxiliary to gain valuable life experiences that will serve them well in their pursuit of higher education and professional opportunities.
TOKYO, May 2 (Reuters) - Ryu Ishihara will soon be raising prices on his inexpensive bowls of soba noodles for the first time in nearly a decade, as rising costs and Russia's invasion of Ukraine take an unlikely toll on Japan's beloved buckwheat noodles.

Though seen as one of the most quintessential of Japanese foods - and eaten on New Year's Eve for good luck - a good part of the buckwheat that goes into the noodles comes from Russia, globally the top buckwheat producer.

Russian buckwheat can still be imported, but instability and shipping disruptions have hampered and delayed procurement. That has added to the pain for soba shop owners such as Ishihara who are already suffering as a global surge in commodity prices, coupled with the yen's plunge, has sent prices climbing.

Soy sauce, flour, the vegetables used for tempura toppings and even the fish used for the broth have all risen in cost.

"The suppliers did all they could, but this time the situation's so bad there's no way to avoid raising prices. There are things I'll have to raise by 10 to 15 percent," Ishihara said in his narrow shop, steaming vats of water behind him.

Soba is famous as a cheap meal served cold or hot, often slurped quickly by workers and students in narrow shops that may cut costs by doing without seats. The noodles' low calorie count and nutritious vitamin and mineral content makes them healthy too.

Ishihara's prices run from 290 yen ($2.25) up to 550 yen, with add-ons such as tempura and sets with rice costing more.

"Now, with the war, the cost of importing the buckwheat too has gone up," he said.

Despite soba's iconic status, Japan in 2020 produced only 42% of its buckwheat needs, according to the Japan Soba Association. The gap is filled by imports, with Russia the third-largest source of buckwheat from 2018, according to the Agriculture Ministry.

In 2021, Russia rose to second, displacing China, and up until February it was No. 1.

Then it invaded Ukraine, adding to the surge in commodities prices, while Japan's yen meanwhile plunged to a 20-year low. On top of that, sanctions and crackdowns on the Russian banking system, which have frozen Moscow out of international finance, have made it more difficult to settle some accounts.

The result has been headaches for soba importers and millers like Hua Yue at the purchasing department of Nikkoku Seifun Co Ltd in Matsumoto, a city in the traditional soba-producing area of Nagano.

Her company imports buckwheat seeds from Russia, as well as other nations including China, in 800- to 1,000-tonne sacks, though she declined to give exact amounts or percentages of how much each country provides.

So far, the biggest problems have been delays and a 30% rise in the price of Russian buckwheat over the last six months, though that's partly due to an export stoppage last year that was resolved.

With Russia producing half the world's buckwheat, problems mean demand will shift to second-biggest producer China. But with China cutting buckwheat production every year, prices are likely to rise further.

"So it may become hard to eat soba at low-cost places," she added.

Ishihara's faithful customers, such as Keidai Fukuhara, who comes twice a week, shrug higher prices off. But even they may have their limits.

"It'll still be all right," the 27-year-old office worker said. "That is, if the prices stay around 500 yen." ($1 = 128.65 yen) (Reporting by Akiko Okamoto, Elaine Lies and Shinji Kitamura. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
OSLO, May 2 (Reuters) - Liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Arctic Voyager is set to arrive at Norway's Hammerfest terminal on May 9, Refinitiv Eikon data showed on Monday, ahead of a planned restart of gas production the following week.

Europe's only large-scale LNG plant, at Melkoeya island outside the Arctic town of Hammerfest, is scheduled to resume production on May 17 following a 20-month outage, according to operator Equinor.

"Yes, we are preparing to restart the plant on May 17," a company spokesperson said on Monday, reiterating the scheduled plan for the restart.

The plant, which can process 18 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas per day, has been out of service since September 2020 following a blaze that raised concerns over safety practices.

At Melkoeya, gas is piped in from the offshore Snoehvit field, 160 km (100 miles) away in the Barents Sea. The field was forced to shut as a result of the plant's closure. (Reporting by Nora Buli, Nerijus Adomaitis and Terje Solsvik, editing by Gwladys Fouche)
Tickets on sale NOW via hittouring.com

For ticket holders that are unable to make the rescheduled dates a limited refund window of 1 month is open to get a refund on their already purchased tickets. Please visit hittouring.com for details.

Originally scheduled for 2020, Stormzy's plan to take over New Zealand stages was put on pause due to the outbreak of COVID-19. But the wait is finally over, as fans can get ready for the fierce wordplay from the UK giant, prepared to leave his mark on New Zealand shores with a performance years in the making. All existing tickets purchased are valid for the rescheduled dates, where fans will be able to join Stormzy on his biggest shows to date as he returns to New Zealand shores for the first time in five years.

Stormzys two albums to date; Gang Signs & Prayer and Heavy Is The Head both finished at #1 in the UK album chart and were subsequently nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize.

His remarkable ascent has been accompanied by his honest and relatable character. A true spokesman of black empowerment and social activism, Stormzy is one of the UKs most inspiring figureheads who has consistently stood up for people from all areas of life; encouraging his fans and listeners alike to speak openly about their beliefs and fight for their rights.
Mai FM is stoked to support Diggy Dupe & Friends Presents The Panthers!

Performing a one-off show in Auckland this July as part of Elemental Nights 2022

THURSDAY JULY 28TH

CONCERT CHAMBER, AUCKLAND TOWN HALL

Elemental Nights is your essential winter urban music festival, this year promises to be even bigger and better with a high-hitting international and local line-up of renown and cutting edge artists taking to the stage at Aucklands iconic venues.

2022s concert series will showcase a range of musical genres from neo-soul, R&B, funk, indie, folk, to electronica ensuring all musical tastes are satiated.

Since arriving on the scene with his debut EP K.O.T.I.C (Kids of the City) Diggy Dupe has become a core member of the Auckland hip hop community. In demand as a feature artist, hes appeared on many releases including projects by SWIDT, ChoiceVaughan and Church & AP. The 2019 Vodafone NZ Music Awards finalist for Best Hip Hop Act, Dupes inspiration and stories are always about being a Central Auckland Polynesian  family, his Niuean heritage, gentrification and identity are recurring themes in his music.

Diggy Dupe & Friends Present The Panthers, perform songs from The Panthers soundtrack, a six-part drama series about the rise of the activist group Polynesian Panthers in the 1970s  a powerful melange of 70s vibe, with modern hip-hop and R&B.
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MANISTEE  A Manistee couple was scheduled to arrive at the Ukrainian border on May 2.

Cynthia and Phillip Knapp will be working with refugees in Boratyn, Poland, 12 miles from Ukraine's western border.

Cynthia Knapp is a former emergency physician who has seen areas scarred by battle. She worked in Saudi Arabia for Johns Hopkins before retiring with her husband to their cottage in Manistee.

Phillip Knapp is a carpenter. He will be building a daycare center, and Cynthia Knapp will be working with Doctors Without Borders to treat women and children. She was also working with an organization that is documenting alleged war crimes committed by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian civilians.

On Friday, the Knapps held a packing party in which they had collected around $50,000 worth of both medical equipment and other supplies to go to Ukraine.

Among those helping her pack were other people in the healthcare field, like Cynthia Knapp's friend, Lisa Bigelow-Hoyle, a nurse practitioner in emergency medicine at Ascension Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Bigelow-Hoyle was helping with organizing supplies and getting donations, often from people they know in the healthcare field. Bigelow-Hoyle noted that a physician at the MidMichigan Health Center in Gratiot County, John Noreen, donated a large amount of the equipment that she was helping to pack.

Some of the supplies that the Knapps received were more general and included socks, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and cold medication. Those items are going to the organization that Phillip Knapp will be working with to build a daycare center in Boratyn.

There were also other more specialized items, such as a speculum, which is a medical device that is often used by gynecologists, and will be used to document alleged rapes of Ukrainian women by Russian soldiers.

Fighting for our freedom

Cynthia Knapp believes it is imperative for her to fly to Poland and get directly involved with helping refugees.

"... We saw (the fighting in Ukraine), and we just really wanted to give back because we feel that the people of Ukraine are fighting a battle for our freedom, that we feel that they're sacrificing their lives for us," Knapp said. "So we felt that we really wanted to help them because of that. And we have skills, my husband ... he can build anything and I'm a physician. And I've worked with critical people ... and so that's what we just said, 'let's do it'."

Knapp also noted how she got involved with Doctors Without Borders.

So, what has happened is  I was just going to go over there and see if anybody needed anything. And there's (a) Doctors Without Borders that do rounds at all of the refugee camps in Poland. Two of the doctors got sick and went home, Knapp said.

Doctors Without Borders was in need of more doctors, she said said. The organization "brings medical humanitarian assistance to victims of conflict, natural disasters, epidemics and healthcare exclusion," according to its website.

Knapp also added a moral component, and citing the holocaust, noted what has happened historically when people chose not to help.

 We were in Slovakia, and we saw the (railroad tracks)  and they were headed to Poland to Auschwitz. And I looked at it, and it had a plaque and I asked (myself) what kind of people are we? Are we the kind of people that would have helped? Are we really the kind of people that would have turned our backs. And I think we're the kind of people that would help, she said.

Helping to save a life

Even before her trip to Boratyn, Cynthia Knapp had already been involved in helping Ukrainian refugees. She was asked to consult on a case of a child born in Kyiv, who was born three months premature.

"So, that baby was born in January, and she was supposed to be born in April, (she was) very premature," Knapp said. "Premature babies often have head bleeds. So that baby had a head bleed. And the people in Kyiv had been keeping that baby alive for two months."

Knapp noted that the people taking care of the baby had been going to great lengths to keep her alive.

"They had been pulling out fluid so that she wouldn't die. So, she needed to go somewhere where they could do a shunt," Knapp said.

She explained that the baby was either going to be transferred to Madrid, Spain or England. She was going to go to Kyiv and transfer the baby herself because the people taking care of the baby couldn't receive a medical flight, because it was too dangerous.

Knapp noted that she had been following the babys case.

They finally got a medical flight that would transport the baby, she said, and she helped the people taking care of the baby by walking them through the procedure of putting in a shunt. The baby is now safe in England, according to Knapp.

The left behind

Cynthia Knapp will not only be working with Doctors Without Borders but another non-governmental organization called Fight for Right, which works with Ukrainians who have disabilities.

" ... So many disabled people are in Ukraine, and they're kind of left behind," Knapp said.

NGOs are similar to nonprofit organizations but are often larger in scope. NGOs often "take on large  even international  projects, often focusing on regions of the world in need," according to chron.com.

Knapp noted that Fight for Right helps to move people with disabilities or who have trouble moving because of old age. She talked about older adults who are still in their houses. She said that she would be helping to move people who have difficulties with walking.

"...Anybody who's handicapped ... Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, any of this stuff, they're left behind and they need help moving," she said.

Daycare

For his part, Phillip Knapp will be helping to build a daycare that will serve 250 Ukrainian refugees including parents and children in Boratyn.

Phillip Knapp will be working with the UNITATEM Foundation of Jaroslaw, Poland, which is operating a two-story 24,000 square feet building in nearby Boratyn. They currently have 250 occupants  all Ukrainian parents and children. The space is overcrowded and is short of almost everything except for food, which had been noted by other nonprofit organizations.

There is a 3,000-square-foot undeveloped attic that will be converted into childcare space, which will free up space below for living quarters.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for building supplies and materials. It can be found at gofundme.com/f/Charles-Durrett-housing-for-Ukrainian-refugees.

Fundraising

In addition to the GoFundMe fundraiser set up for the proposed daycare, Cynthia Knapp set up another GoFundMe, in order to raise funds to get medications to Ukrainians.

Knapp wrote on the GoFundMe page she set up, "We are working for free and have paid for our flight over, car rental and stay at an Airbnb. What we need money for are medicine and sanitary products. At the border crossing, there are medical camps, I will be working at one of the camps and at the refugee housing. The medical sites have a need for antibiotics for children and adult medications for high blood pressure and chronic diseases. I am going to buy diapers, adult and baby, sanitary pads, wet wipes, toothbrushes and toothpaste in Warsaw. I am taking medicine and medical supplies with me. Any help would be appreciated."

The GoFundMe page can be found at gofundme.com/f/medication-for-ukraine. So far $8,195 has been raised of a $10,000 goal.

Additional organizations that people can choose to volunteer for include Fight for Right at eng.ffr.org.ua.
Peter Moore, an iconic designer who helped launch the Michael Jordan sneaker brand, died on Friday at the age of 78, according to Business Insider and statements from Nike and Adidas.

Moore is credited for designing the Jumpman logo, the Wings emblem and the Air Jordan 1 sneaker, which is still one of the most relevant shoes in today's culture. There are still no details regarding the caus of death but Nike's Jordan brand vice president Howard "H" White released a statement extending the company's deepest sympathies to the Moore family.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Peter Moore, an iconic designer, whose legacy will forever be connected to Jordan Brand, and the sneaker culture he helped to create," White said. "We extend our deepest sympathies to the Moore family during this time."

Peter Moore, an Adidas legend

After helping Nike co-founder Phil Knight make the Jordan brand what it is today, Moore spent a few years rebranding Adidas. Moore redesigned the Adidas logo to the three-stripe, triangle emblem that currently stands.

"The Adidas family is saddened by the passing of our dear friend Peter Moore," the Adidas company said in a statement. "Our hearts are with Peter's family, friends, and everyone who knew him. Peter was a true legend and icon in our industry, and it is impossible to overstate the impact he has had on Adidas. He will be greatly missed and his legacy will live on forever."

Moore, who was known as a humble and hard-working man, will forever be remembered as a pioneer in the sneaker industry. He retired in 1998 after helping launch Adidas America but continued to create art well into the 2010s.
Kirk Cameron, the "Growing Pains" actor, released a documentary called "Homeschool Aweking" where he criticizes education in U.S. schools, calling it inaccurate and immoral.

Cameron gives a strong point of view about the way children are educated in school, the actor recommends that children could be better educated at home.

"The freedom we had was so worth the small sacrifice it was to teach the kids," one mother explains in the trailer. "Now 12 years later, I realize it wasn't a sacrifice - it was a total gift."

Home schooling is better

One of the firsts of the documentary is to remove the taboo that homeschooling is bad and the people who do it are rare and underdeveloped compared to people who are taught in a regular school.

Cameron has said that in the public system unfortunately does not work with the people, but against them, in his opinion the public school is America's number one enemy. The actor recommends taking the reins of education, because whoever has control of the textbooks controls the future.

The pandemic transformed education

ABC News reported in early April that 18 U.S. states shared data from the current school year; the number of students taking classes at home increased by 63 percent in 2020-2021, then dropped only 17 percent in 2021-2022. This is an indication that for safety and better education, parents have decided not to send their children to school.

The synopsis of Cameron's upcoming documentary:

Families across the nation are experiencing the homeschool awakening, taking advantage of the freedom and opportunities for self-discovery -- with the world as their classroom. Join award-winning actor, Kirk Cameron, as he dives into the adventures of dynamic American families on a mission to put fun and faith back into learning. The Homeschool Awakening explores the ins, outs, and honest answers to homeschooling's most frequently asked questions.

The documentary will only be shown in theaters on June 13 and 14.
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The fourth week of the trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard gets underway this Monday, May 2, following a three-day pause between last Friday and Sunday.

In the first three weeks we have seen Depp give his account of events, while last week saw various witnesses close to Depp offer their opinions on the relationship between the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star and Heard.

As the trial is now at its expected halfway point, it is thought that Heard will begin her testimony at some point this week. Today is likely to see the last of Depp's witnesses, as the judge looks to give each party equal time in the trial.

The reason behind the trial itself is down to a domestic abuse column that Heard wrote in the Washington Post in 2018 - even though she did not mention her ex-husband by name - as Depp filed a lawsuit against her for a sum of 50 million dollars. Heard then countersued for 100 million dollars.

Stay with us in our live blog for the Depp vs Heard trial as we look at some of the key moments so far and today's update from the court in Fairfax, Virginia, as well as what lies ahead.
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Hello and welcome to our American Finances live blog this Monday, May 2, as we take a look at the latest financial news and updates in the United States. In today's blog, you can check back throughout the day to see the latest money-saving tips and benefits programs that are on offer, in addition to which states are sending out money for citizens.

There will be a variety of programs that are placed in the spotlight today, such as the Universal Basic Income program trial in Baltimore, the tax rebate on offer in Colorado, and a whole lot more.

As a result of the rising gas prices in the U.S., there will also be a focus placed on the pre-loaded gas card program in Chicago, and also financial help with transport costs.

There is a lot to discuss in this Monday'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.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (L) and Senegalese President Macky Sall hold talks in the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, May 1, 2022. (Senegalese presidence/Handout via Xinhua)

DAKAR, May 2 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Sunday evening the authorities of Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso to return to "constitutional order" as soon as possible.

During a press conference with Senegalese President Macky Sall, the UN chief said it is important to continue the dialogue with the three countries' authorities to facilitate a swift return to "constitutional order."

He also expressed his worry about the security situation in the Sahel region, and pledged to continue "robust African peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations, implemented by the African Union and supported by the United Nations."

He called on the entire international community to lend support to West African countries so that they can tackle the security challenges from the root.

Guterres arrived in Dakar Saturday evening. He also will visit Niger and Nigeria. 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (L) and Senegalese President Macky Sall hold a press conference in the presidential palace in Dakar, Senegal, May 1, 2022. (Senegalese presidence/Handout via Xinhua)
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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.
A former Michigan sheriff's deputy was arrested on a felony charge for torturing and killing his service dog after the animal allegedly nipped him.

Jacob Wilkinson was apprehended last week and was terminated from his post at the Genesee County Sheriffs Office after the corpse of his dog with its head and limbs duct-taped was discovered in a Saginaw County ditch, according to Genessee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson in a Facebook update on Friday, April 27.

Photo provided/Genesee Co. Sheriff's Office

Wilkinson reportedly killed his service dog, named Habs, sometime between September and October of 2021 because it "nipped at him" as he was cutting the canine's nails, according to Swanson.

"And that guy  thought he had enough control over the dog that youre not gonna do that. So he duct-taped the rear legs of the dog, duct-taped the front legs of the dog, duct-taped the muzzle," Swanson said.

Wilkinson bound Habs, shot him three times and dumped the remains in the ditch. But the gruesome sight wasn't uncovered until spring thaw melted away blanketing snow.

The remains were discovered by road commission workers in March, and authorities were notified.

A necropsy, which is an animal autopsy, found that the dog was shot three times and that it had a microchip ID.

"They used the technology and they tracked that microchip to a resident of Saginaw County  and they tracked that individual to be Jacob Wilkinson," Swanson said.

Photo provided/Humane Society of Macomb Facebook

At the time of his crime, Wilkinson was working for the Michigan Department of Corrections, assigned to the Saginaw area, according to Swanson. Wilkinson had helped train Habs, who was part of a blue star service training program in which inmates within the Michigan Department of Corrections help train service dogs to give to veterans and officers.

When Habs' training was complete, Wilkinson adopted him.

"A service dog that has been trained by people  that is completely innocent," Swanson said. "That dog nipped at him and he tortured it and he killed it and he left it for dead."

Wilkinson applied for the sheriff's office in December of 2021. And he went through the process like anybody else, according to Swanson.

"He never disclosed in his interview that he shot and killed a dog. That he tortured a dog. He never disclosed it to a psychologist when he was sent for a psychological interview before his hiring on the 11th of January 2022."

Wilkinson is in the national guard and he graduated from SVSU with honors, with a minor in psychology. He was an EMT. He worked as a combat medic, according to Swanson.

"Has got a stellar background. But never did we know, or even think he'd torture an animal like that." Swanson went on to say Wilkinson confessed to everything and has been charged with a seven-year felony along with his termination from the Genessee County Sheriff's Office.

"This isn't the first time that we've held our staff here accountable. It's not the first time that we've arrested our own," Swanson said. "I've been elected as the sheriff to hold this office accountable to the people and I'm gonna continue to do that."

Wilkinson was arraigned Tuesday. Bond was set at $10,000, and he was ordered not to possess or purchase a firearm or other dangerous weapon or to have contact with animals, court records show.

His next hearing date is slated for May 9.

The case has alarmed animal advocates. For instance, a group that fights for the rights of the pit bull breed called Stand Up For Pits Foundation, Inc, posted about Wilkinson's crime on Facebook Friday, April 29 to its 127,000 followers.

"The murderers next hearing date is slated for May 9," Stand Up For Pits Foundation stated in the post. "This is call to action to demand he serve the full sentence for this horrific crime against a voiceless helpless being. If someone can please do some research as to who the decision-makers are in this case and send it to info@standupforpits.us we will post this call to action. This story cannot just disappear. It needs to be heard and known and the human who did this needs to suffer consequences."
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ATLANTA (AP)  Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, the state's top election official, accused a fellow Republican at a debate Monday of lying and spreading misinformation about former President Donald Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election. U.S. Rep. Jody Hice shot back that Raffensperger did not adequately investigate the election results and was acting like a Democrat with his attacks.

Hice, who is endorsed by Trump, is challenging Raffensperger in the May 24 Republican primary for secretary of state and continues to cast doubt on Georgia's 2020 presidential election results despite a lack of evidence of widespread fraud or tampering.

He is among a number of Republican candidates for secretary of state around the country who either outright deny that Democrat Joe Biden won the presidency or make unsubstantiated claims that elections are not secure.

This past election was an absolute disaster under the leadership of Brad Raffensperger," said Hice, calling Raffensperger the worst secretary of state perhaps in our nation.

Election security must be protected, and Brad Raffensperger let that ball majorly fall, he said.

Hice cited ballot drop boxes and the mailing of absentee ballot request forms in the 2020 election as openings for fraud.

Raffensperger said the request forms were intended to ensure Republican voters had equal access to absentee voting. Investigators knocked down multiple rumors after the 2020 election, but Hice persisted in spreading them, he said. Hice has maintained that an accurate count of the vote would show a Trump victory.

Jody Hice is lying," Raffensperger said. "If you look at the election of 2020, what happened at the end of the day is that 28,000 Georgians skipped the presidential race, and yet they voted down ballot in other races.

Multiple tallies of Georgias 5 million votes cast for president, including one done by hand, showed Biden won the state. Raffensperger has insisted that Georgias election was accurate and secure. Officials in other states and federal investigators, including Trumps own attorney general, have said there was no evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 contest.

In the weeks after the vote, Raffensperger refused to bend to pressure from Trump to overturn Bidens victory, making him a top target of the former president and other Republicans who have embraced false claims of voter fraud.

Hice  Raffensperger's leading Republican challenger  supported a Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn Bidens victory in Georgia and other states and voted against his Electoral College victory.

He said Monday he would not have certified the election results without proper investigation.

Raffensperger is also facing two other Republican challengers, former Alpharetta Mayor David Belle Isle and former county Probate and Magistrate Judge T.J. Hudson. They also criticized Raffenspergers handling of the 2020 election during the debate Monday.

Despite pushing back on voter fraud claims, Raffensperger has supported new voter identification requirements for absentee ballots and called for an amendment to the state Constitution to say only U.S. citizens can vote in the states elections  a protection that already exists in state law.

He mentioned voting by non-U.S. citizens as a top issue several times during Monday's debate.
House Bill 4842, Revise state liquor wholesale rate detail: Passed 33 to 2 in the Senate

To allow liquor makers to get a higher wholesale price if 40% of the grain they use is grown in Michigan. Under the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, the state government is the sole statewide wholesaler of all distilled liquor and sells to retailers at uniform statewide prices.

Y Kevin Daley (R) Attica, Sen. Dist. 31

Y Kenneth Horn (R) Frankenmuth, Sen. Dist. 32

Y Jim Stamas (R) Midland, Sen. Dist. 36

House Bill 5968, Create state opioid healing and recovery fund: Passed 89 to 10 in the House

To create a segregated state account to hold money extracted from pharmaceutical companies in lawsuits related to their sales of opioid pain killers, and spend it in a manner consistent with the judgment, settlement, or compromise of claims in legal settlements with certain drug producers (called the "Janssen settlement" and the "National Prescription Opiate Litigation").

Y Amos O'Neal (D) Saginaw, Rep. Dist. 95

Y Timothy Beson (R) Bay City, Rep. Dist. 96

Y Jason Wentworth (R) Clare, Rep. Dist. 97

Y Annette Glenn (R) Midland, Rep. Dist. 98

Y Roger Hauck (R) Mount Pleasant, Rep. Dist. 99

Senate Bill 627, Adopt another remonumentation of Michigan-Indiana state line plan: Passed 99 to 0 in the House

To create a Michigan-Indiana state line commission made up of the county surveyors of Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, Branch, and Hillsdale counties, to oversee a survey and remonumentation of the Michigan-Indiana state line. This would be paid for from an existing state account that collects fees on recording deeds. It would be the eighth law passed in the past 20 years related to this task.

Y Amos O'Neal (D) Saginaw, Rep. Dist. 95

Y Timothy Beson (R) Bay City, Rep. Dist. 96

Y Jason Wentworth (R) Clare, Rep. Dist. 97

Y Annette Glenn (R) Midland, Rep. Dist. 98

Y Roger Hauck (R) Mount Pleasant, Rep. Dist. 99

Senate Bill 258, Mandate that newspapers post printed legal notices on free website: Passed 61 to 38 in the House

To require a newspaper in which government legal notices are published to also place these on a section of a website that can be accessed at no charge. Note: Before the internet, even most small communities had daily or weekly newspapers, and state laws required them to publish certain local government notices to the public, for which they were paid. As the 21st century advances, these laws have been modified to reflect changes in technology and the newspaper industry, with some changes opposed by newspapers previously paid to run the notices.

N Amos O'Neal (D) Saginaw, Rep. Dist. 95

N Timothy Beson (R) Bay City, Rep. Dist. 96

Y Jason Wentworth (R) Clare, Rep. Dist. 97

Y Annette Glenn (R) Midland, Rep. Dist. 98

Y Roger Hauck (R) Mount Pleasant, Rep. Dist. 99

House Bill 5512, Resolve medical marijuana law/drug court law conflict: Passed 87 to 16 in the House

To clarify that where there are inconsistencies between the Michigan Medical Marijuana Act and certain parts of the revised judicature act of 1961 related to drug treatment courts, the provisions of the latter are the ones that apply. Because the bill amends an initiated law placed on the ballot by a petition drive, amending it requires a three-fourths majority in the House and Senate. The bill addresses an issue in "drug specialty courts" of judges excluding defendants who use "medical marijuana."

Y Amos O'Neal (D) Saginaw, Rep. Dist. 95

Y Timothy Beson (R) Bay City, Rep. Dist. 96

Y Jason Wentworth (R) Clare, Rep. Dist. 97

Y Annette Glenn (R) Midland, Rep. Dist. 98

Y Roger Hauck (R) Mount Pleasant, Rep. Dist. 99
MIDDLETOWN  The Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce announced that the 25th annual Cruise Night on Main Street will return to downtown streets June 15.

Due to the pandemic, hosts presented Start Your Engines to Sunday Funday Virtual Cruise for the the past two years. This years event is in-person.

Cruise Night on Main Street brings hundreds of classic vehicles that line both sides of scenic Main Street from Washington Street to the South Green from 4:30 to 8 p.m., according to a press release.

As much as we enjoyed Start Your Engines to Sunday Funday Virtual Cruise, and the challenges of putting it together, we are thrilled to be back on Main Street this year, Event Chairman Joe Santaniello said in a prepared statement.

I personally believe that Cruise Night on Main Street is all about the people. Walking down Main Street and talking with someone you have never met as you listen to the story of their car. The feeling you get when you become part of that persons experience is like no other and thats what makes this event so special, he said.

This years sponsors

Title Sponsor: NAPA; Top Gear Sponsors: Downtown Business District, Eli Cannons Tap Room and Key Chevrolet; High Performance Sponsors: Liberty Bank and Victory Church; Super Charged Sponsors: Chi Lash the School, Dunkin, Landmark Architects, Purple Elephant Car Wash, Root Center for Advanced Recovery, The Flood Law Firm, and The Powerwashing Kings; Twin Turbo Sponsors: Absolute Air Services, Firestone Complete Auto Care, Middlesex Educational Services, and Wings Over Middletown; Horsepowered Sponsors: Community Foundation of Middlesex, Middlesex County NAACP 2018, Middlesex Music Academy, Mirabito, Multi-Focus Media, Overhead Door of Middlesex County- Cromwell, Season Federal Credit Union, and William Raveis Real Estate.

Additional supporters include: The Garage Guys Car Club, The Eastern Chapter Over the Hill Gang Car Club, and the Connecticut Military Car Club.

This event brings fun to all ages and will benefit the Middletown Youth Programs, including the Hal Kaplan Middletown Mentor Program, Middletown Recreation Programs and the Middletown Summer Youth Employment Program. There is a suggested donation of $10 for participants.

For information, go to cruisenightonmain.com or contact Haley Stafford at 860-347-6924 or haley@middlesexchamber.com. The rain date is June 22. The delay announcement will be posted on the website, and distributed to media outlets.
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  Certain private sector workers determined to be essential during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic will share $30 million in pandemic bonuses under a one-year, $24.2 billion state budget plan being debated in the Connecticut House of Representatives on Monday evening.

While the late addition of hero pay to the budget bill was welcomed by advocates, the sum is far less than what they had wanted. The AFL-CIO of Connecticut had estimated $750 million was needed to cut checks for tens of thousands of workers across the state, in crucial jobs ranging from nurses in hospitals to clerks at grocery stores.

We're glad that some people are going to get something, said Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. To be clear, this isn't over. The fight for us, it's just the beginning.

Connecticut has been among a number of cities and states that struggled over the past year to determine who among the many workers who braved the raging coronavirus pandemic before vaccines became available should qualify for extra pay, which is allowed under the federal rules for how to spend pandemic relief funds.

It was one of the final issues to be tackled in the budget agreement, first announced last week by Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont and the legislative Democrats, who control the General Assembly. The deal also reduces various taxes by a total of roughly $600 million, according to the Democrats. The list includes continuation of the 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax cut until Dec. 1; creation of a new, one-year $250 child care tax credit; the phase-out of taxes on pension, annuity and 401K income by 2024; a lower cap on local car taxes that applies to 75 communities; and an increased local property tax credit against the personal income tax, from $200 to $300, that applies to more taxpayers.

While Democrats claimed the proposed tax cuts totaled the largest in state history, few if any Republicans were expected to vote for the package. House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, called the one-year cuts gimmicks and argued that lawmakers should have made more systemic changes to the state's tax system. Republicans said there's really only $300 million in tax cuts after taking out the temporary gas tax and one-year child tax credit.

This is a budget thats crafted for November," said Candelora, referring to the upcoming election. Republicans wanted a budget thats crafted for the future. He argued that Connecticut taxpayers want to see permanent reductions in the state's sales and income taxes. Democrats claim federal rules governing how much states can cut taxes after receiving millions in federal pandemic funds would not permit the GOP's cuts.

Besides being underwhelmed by the tax cut proposals in the budget, Candelora said Republicans are also concerned by the significant amounts of spending, which gives everybody pause," especially in future budget years.

The Democratic budget, which updates the second year of the two-year budget passed last year, includes new spending for mental health programs for children and adults, early childhood programs and childcare worker salaries, community centers and nonprofit social service providers, as well as a $3.6 billion payment to help cover unfunded pension liability. Also, $40 million in federal pandemic funds are being used to reduce the estimated $493 million debt in the states unemployment trust fund. That's in addition to $155 million in federal funds deposited last year, in an effort to reduce the burden on businesses that have to cover the cost.

The pandemic bonuses, to be administered by the State Comptroller, will be provided to private sector workers who were on the job during the entire period of Lamont's public health and civil preparedness emergency. Eligible workers would be those included in phases 1a and 1b of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommended rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations. Those workers includes a range of health care personnel and others considered at the highest risk of contracting COVID, such as bus drivers, child care staff and manufacturing personnel.

Eligible full-time workers will receive between $200 to $1,000 from the new Connecticut Premium Pay program, depending on their income, which is capped at $150,000. Eligible part-time workers will receive $500.

Candelora called the initiative problematic," accusing Democrats of pandering to certain groups of people.

Bottom line is, all of Connecticut suffered under this pandemic. So to select certain people and start giving money away isnt the systemic change that we really need, he said.

State workers are not part of this pandemic pay program, but Max Reiss, spokesman for Lamont, said the administration is still working on negotiating any details of pandemic pay for state employees, which receive three years of pay raises in the new budget. The program doesn't apply to federal or municipal workers, some of whom have received pandemic pay from local governments.

Earlier in the day, House legislative leaders said there may be a vote Monday night on a separate bill that would provide state lawmakers with a pay raise. Legislators havent seen an increase in their $28,000 base pay in 21 years, prompting several to announce they're not seeking re-election because they can no longer afford to serve anymore. Connecticut is one of several states where bills were proposed this year to boost salaries.
NEWTOWN - An FBI agent and eight Sandy Hook families that won a defamation lawsuit against Alex Jones in Connecticut have dropped three Jones companies now in bankruptcy from their lawsuit and have asked a federal judge to return their case to trial court.

The families hope is that by dropping three former businesses controlled by Jones that sought bankruptcy protection, a federal bankruptcy judge in Bridgeport will return their case to state court, where a trial to award defamation damages was scheduled to begin in August.

Both Jones and his Free Speech Systems did not file for bankruptcy, but his defamation cases here and in Texas have been removed from state courts while a federal bankruptcy judge in Texas weighs the three bankruptcy cases.

These cases were removed to this (bankruptcy) court to serve one purpose and one purpose only: delay, wrote the families attorneys to federal bankruptcy Judge Julie Manning on Monday. Every day that these cases are frozen on the Connecticut Superior Court docket is a day that Alex Jones avoids accountability and delays trial.

The parents of two boys slain in the Sandy Hook massacre who won two defamation cases against Jones in Texas followed a similar strategy.

Meanwhile on Friday, a federal bankruptcy judge in Texas gave the Sandy Hook families awaiting defamation damages trials here and in and Texas part of what they wanted by agreeing to hear their motions first to dismiss Alex Jones bankruptcies as bad faith filings.

But the judge also gave Jones attorneys part of what they wanted - enough breathing room to prepare an unhurried defense of their plan to pay the Sandy Hook families defamation damages Jones owes without putting his conspiracy platform Infowars out of business.

I get it that no one likes the debtors, but they have a right to defend themselves just like anyone who comes before me. Judge Christopher Lopez told a crowd of 60 attorneys and observers during a livestreamed conference in Southern Texas Bankruptcy Court.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
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MADRID (AP)  The cellphones of Spain's prime minister and defense minister were infected last year with Pegasus spyware, which is available only to countries' government agencies, authorities announced Monday.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs mobile phone was breached twice in May 2021, and Defense Minister Margarita Robles device was targeted once the following month, Cabinet Minister Felix Bolanos said.

The breaches, which resulted in a significant amount of data being obtained, were not authorized by a Spanish judge, which is a legal requirement for national covert operations, Bolanos said at a hastily convened news conference in Madrid.

We have no doubt that this is an illicit, unauthorized intervention, Bolanos said. It comes from outside state organisms and it didnt have judicial authorization.

The Socialist-led government was during those months under intense scrutiny over its handling of a major foreign policy spat with Morocco and gripped by a tense domestic dispute over the release of jailed separatists from Spain's restive Catalonia region.

Bolanos refused to speculate who might have been behind the Pegasus breach, nor what might have prompted it. The National Court opened an investigation into the breach, and a parliamentary committee on intelligence affairs was set to look into it.

In May 2021, more than 8,000 migrants forced their way into Spains North African enclave of Ceuta from Morocco by scaling a border fence or swimming around it. Spain deployed troops and armored vehicles there to stop more migrants getting into its territory.

That crisis came as Rabat and Madrid were at odds over Spain agreeing to provide COVID-19 care to a prominent Sahrawi leader fighting for the independence of Western Sahara, a territory once under Spanish control that Morocco annexed in the 1970s.

Moroccan authorities denied they encouraged mass migration into Ceuta, which came as Spain struggled to cope with tens of thousands of migrants arriving from Africa.

Before Monday's announcement, the government was already under pressure to explain why the cellphones of dozens of people connected to the separatist movement in the northeastern Catalonia region were infected with Pegasus between 2017 and 2020.

The Catalan dispute, with separatists wanting to break away from Spain and activists staging occasionally violent street protests, has dogged Spanish governments for decades.

The spyware revelations  by Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity group of experts affiliated with the University of Toronto  involve at least 65 people, including elected officials, lawyers and activists linked to Catalonia.

They were targeted with the software of two Israeli companies, Candiru and NSO Group, the developer of Pegasus. The spyware silently infiltrates phones or other devices to harvest data and potentially spy on their owners.

The regional Catalan government has accused Spains National Intelligence Center, or CNI, of spying on separatists, and declared that relations with national authorities were on hold until full explanations are offered and those responsible are punished.

The conservative Popular Party, or PP, was in office in 2017, when Catalan separatists declared independence following an unauthorized referendum, although no further action was taken to execute the declaration. The PP remained in power until mid-2018, when they were ousted by Sanchez in a parliamentary vote.

The spying case is disrupting Spanish politics. ERC, the main political party in Catalonia and a crucial ally of the current government, has called for the resignation of Robles, the defense minister. But the spying scandal has left them exposed to the pressure of more radical separatists, who are calling on ending the support for Sanchez's left-to-center coalition in the national parliament.

The central government has attempted to address their concerns with pledges of full transparency, announcements of plans for an internal probe by the countrys intelligence agency, and a separate investigation by Spain's ombudsman.

A special parliamentary commission on state secrets has also been established and the head of CNI is expected to be questioned by lawmakers later this week, although discussions around state security issues are not meant to be publicized.

___

Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, contributed to this story.
The so-called Tesla bill that would allow the electric-vehicle manufacturer and similar startups to sell directly to consumers in Connecticut has run out of time and is unlikely to become law this year, the sponsor of the legislation said Monday.

State Sen. Will Haskell, D-Westport, led the campaign for direct sales of electric vehicles this year as co-chair of the Transportation Committee, but predicted the bills demise with less than three days left before lawmakers adjourn the session Wednesday night.

The legislation had drawn some bi-partisan support, Haskell noted, but faced headwinds from car dealerships and unions representing auto maintenance workers that helped peel off Democratic support.

At every turn, we had Republican supporters saying, What do we have to do to get this over the finish line? Haskell said in an interview Monday. I know well get it done sometime, I just dont think well get it done this year.

After passing out of committee in March, the legislation never made it to a vote on the Senate floor, though Haskell said Monday he believed he had enough votes to have it pass out of the chamber. Even if was passed by the upper chamber, the bill would still have to make it through the House, which has well over 100 other bills remaining on its calendar.

The measure could still find a way forward through the massive budget implementer bill pulled together near the end of every session, though Haskell said it was unlikely that leadership would seek to stir up that debate.

A spokesperson for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

Connecticut, like most states, requires that automakers sell their new vehicles through third-party franchise dealerships that also service and repair the vehicles. Newer manufacturers like Tesla and Rivian, however, have eschewed that model in favor of company-owned stores and showrooms.

Haskells legislation would have exempted electric vehicle manufacturers without an existing franchise partnership in Connecticut from the law, while other automakers like Ford and Toyota would have had to continue under the existing model.

That prompted critics of the bill to accuse supporters of offering special treatment to companies like Tesla, which by some measures is the most valuable car company in the world.

If were looking to make a major change in how we sell cars  its important that its not just a carve-out for some people but a real thoughtful plan for how we move forward with a new model, said state Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, one of the bills opponents.

Unions also weighed in, arguing the bill could jeopardize some of the roughly 14,000 people employed by car dealerships in Connecticut. With the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association, union leaders and lawmakers held a news conference last week, saying the direct-sales model would interfere with competition and hurt consumers.

Supporters of the bill, meanwhile, leveled their own accusations against traditional car dealerships, which they said offered inflated prices and costly financing options to minority customers.

Lobbyists for Tesla, Rivian and Lucid Motors all weighed in to support the bill, as did several environmental groups that argued it would lead to an increase in sales of electric vehicles.

New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts offer limited direct sales of electric vehicles along with more than a dozen other states, according to Axios.

Haskell, who is not running for reelection this year, said he remained optimistic that lawmakers will be able to pass similar legislation allowing for direct-sales in a future legislative session.
When they heard "Space Force," many Americans' first thought wasn't of the two-year-old U.S. Space Force military branch but, rather, a Netflix comedy series of the same name starring actor Steve Carell.

The streaming giant's show parodied military life in the newest service with an ensemble cast and made it difficult for the real Space Force's Guardians to teach and educate the importance of their mission -- protecting the U.S. satellite fleet -- to the public.

But that came to an end this past weekend when it was reported that Netflix's 'Space Force' will be canceled after two seasons of lukewarm reviews by critics. Understandably, many Guardians aren't too upset by the news of the show's death, and some experts believe it may even help the military service's reputation in the long run as it works to grow and expand its culture.

Read Next: A $1.8 Million Home for Space Force's Top Enlisted Leader Is Included in the 2023 Budget Request

One Space Force Guardian, who spoke to Military.com on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, said the real effect of the show was the public's perception of the service.

"I think [the Netflix show] may have impacted how people viewed us on the outside, but on the inside, I don't see an impact," the Guardian told Military.com.

The show "Space Force" wasn't wildly popular and did not break into the overall Nielsen streaming weekly Top 10 ranking, according to a report by Deadline. It did make a brief appearance on the streaming originals Nielsen charts, debuting at No. 8 and eventually rising to No. 7.

The show was talked about and widely anticipated when it debuted in 2020 because of a star-studded cast including Carell, John Malkovich and Ben Schwartz.

But retired Air Force Col. Bill Woolf, the president and founder of the nonprofit Space Force Association, which works to promote public awareness about the service, said that, while the show may have helped inform people of its existence, it ultimately hurt the service.

"The marketing value behind the 'Space Force' show was phenomenal, in that it highlighted that there is actually a new service out there," Woolf said. "Unfortunately, it did not capture the culture accurately at all. In fact, it probably diluted the ability for Americans to actually see the importance of the space superiority mission that the Space Force trains toward."

On the U.S. Space Force's Reddit thread, a poll asks whether the show's cancellation "will improve our public image or will we see no change in overall perception?"

The majority of the 280 votes in the poll, more than 62%, said it was neutral; the remaining votes were essentially tied on whether it had a positive or negative effect on the service's reputation.

The Space Force is the smallest of the military service branches. It has grown to 8,400 Guardians since being created at the behest of former President Donald Trump in 2019 and is expected to grow by 200 new recruits in 2023.

And the Space Force is starting to establish more historic firsts, such as having its inaugural Guardians-only basic military training in Texas this month. Woolf believes moments like this will help the service leave the Netflix show in the past.

"I think right now is an opportunity for the Space Force to start telling its story more often, so that folks can understand the real Space Force versus the made up 'Space Force,'" Woolf said.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: 'Space Force' Gets the Ax After 2 Seasons
The new guns and ammunition the Army just married and is expected to issue to combat arms units within the next decade will require soldiers to carry an even heavier load.

But information on how those weapons should outperform the guns they're replacing -- the justification for troops to shoulder extra weight on top of mountains of gear already injuring soldiers -- is classified.

In April, the Army announced that Sig Sauer will produce replacements for the M4 rifle and M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, or SAW, starting with a trial run of about 40 new guns late next year. Production is expected to ramp up when the Army opens a new ammo plant to produce the new 6.8mm rounds for those weapons around 2026.

Read Next: Hundreds of Sailors Being Moved Off Carrier After Surge of Suicides, Captain Tells Crew

Army officials have touted that the new XM5, the M4's replacement, and XM250, set to replace the SAW, pack a much harder punch and will improve the combat performance of ground troops. But thus far, the service has declined to disclose evidence that those weapons outperform the M4 and SAW, including how far they can shoot accurately. And it's unclear whether the Army has verified the ranges at which those new weapons can engage an enemy before committing to a multimillion-dollar contract.

"During the prototyping phase of the program, the [weapons] demonstrated the ability to significantly outperform the M4A1 and M249 with lethal effects at all ranges," Lt. Col. Brandon Kelley said in a statement. "Following production qualification testing and operational testing, the Army will establish and validate the maximum effective ranges."

Prototyping and the Army's selection of which vendor would supply its new weapons took only 27 months. For comparison, the service spent more than a decade developing its new fitness test.

A spokesperson for Sig Sauer declined to comment, directing Military.com to the Defense Department regarding questions on its weapons.

Information on the maximum distances other Army weapons can engage targets is no secret; it's one of the first things a new recruit learns and is easily searchable online. According to Kelley, the new weapons' capabilities eventually will be disclosed, but there is no clear timetable.

The M4, the Army's current standard-issue rifle used in the post-9/11 wars, can effectively engage targets at 500 meters. The SAW can suppress targets at around 800 meters.

For comparison, the standard-issue rifle for the Chinese military is the QBZ-95, which has a maximum effective range of 400 meters for a target.

Those distances are critical for troops to be able to confront an enemy force accurately, and anything less could alter U.S. soldiers' effectiveness and even require changes to tactics. An Army report in 2009 on U.S. troops' performance in ground combat in Afghanistan found that the average gunfight was well beyond 300 meters and that any training or equipment not built for at least 500 meters would be "inappropriate."

But holding those details close to the chest before weapons are distributed to the force might be done out of fear of the Chinese government getting a sneak peek at the new guns.

"You don't want the Chinese getting it," Kelley told Military.com. "They steal tech all the time. Let's get ahead while we can."

The plan is for the new weapons to be issued only to troops in combat arms units, such as infantrymen and cavalry scouts. The Army plans to buy 107,000 XM5s and 13,000 XM250s for active-duty soldiers and National Guardsmen. But that total purchase could take the rest of the decade. Eventually, the XM5 will be renamed the M5, and the XM250 will be designated the M250.

Yet when soldiers eventually get those new guns, they will carry significantly less ammunition, given the 6.8mm is much heavier than the 5.56mm rounds the M4 and SAW use. The idea is those heavier rounds will be more effective against body armor and light vehicles. However, the Army has not disclosed any evidence on that being the case.

The XM5 weighs 8.38 pounds, or 9.84 pounds with the suppressor, much heavier than the 6.34-pound M4. That new rifle will also use 20-round magazines, smaller than the 30-round magazines troops currently use. A soldier's basic combat load will be seven of those 20-round magazines, a total of 140 rounds, weighing 9.8 pounds altogether.

The M4's combat load, also seven magazines for a total of 210 rounds, is 7.4 pounds. In total, a rifleman with the XM5 will carry roughly four pounds more than today's M4 rifleman.

"Hopefully, these are worth the bang for the buck," one Army infantry sergeant major told Military.com on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press on the subject. "Asking [soldiers] to carry anything more than they already do, and having less ammo, that is a hard pitch."

How ground troops pack is meticulously planned, with even an extra single ounce taken into account as their total load has ballooned in recent decades. Soldiers often carry between 30 and 80 pounds, or possibly more depending on the mission, lugging around batteries, radios, water, food, protective gear and grenades.

"Soldiers will carry less ammunition, but the performance of that ammunition provides an increase in lethality, accuracy and range across a broader range of targets," Kelley added in a statement.

The XM250, however, weighs less, at 14.5 pounds, than the SAW, which weighs 19.2 pounds. That XM250 weight includes its bipod and suppressor.

But like the new rifle, light machine gunners will still carry that heavier 6.8mm ammo, and less of it. That could be a challenge, given a SAW gunner's job is to fire a lot of rounds, quickly, to suppress enemy movement.

A soldier with an XM250 will carry a basic load of four 100-round pouches of ammo, weighing 27.1 pounds. SAW gunners carry three, 200-round pouches, weighing 20.8 pounds.

In total, future light machine gunners will carry 200 fewer rounds of ammunition and about one extra pound when accounting for the weapon and its ammo. It is unclear what the spare barrels for the XM250 weigh.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: It Will Be a Long Time Before Soldiers Get the M4 and SAW Replacements
In the more than two weeks since the USS The Sullivans began to list to its starboard side, stern expressions were common when officials discussed the state of the sinking naval ship.

The news improved significantly Friday, however, as the U.S. Coast Guard and Buffalo Naval Park revealed that more than 33 holes have been plugged and the ship is not listing as much. The holes ranged in size from the diameter of a dime to two and half inches.

"It's the first time in 16 days we've seen a lot of smiles being cracked around this whole situation," said Paul J. Marzello Sr., president and CEO of the Buffalo Naval Park.

Origin APNews

Among the positive developments was that the ship's list, once measured at 20 degrees, had dropped to 4 degrees by Friday's measurement, according to Capt. Lexia Littlejohn, commander of the Buffalo sector of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Because oily waste and water have been pumped from the ship and no further large breaches have occurred, the Sullivans' stern  previously resting on the silt on the bottom of the basin  has begun to float again. As the stern was raised Friday, a diver discovered a hole that was previously blocked from sight. The hole was being evaluated before its repair. The ship's bow still touched the bottom of the Buffalo River.

T&T Salvage, an international recovery organization hired to help guide the Sullivans' rescue, had its plan to refloat the decommissioned U.S. Navy destroyer approved by a U.S. Coast Guard team, Littlejohn said. Twenty-two water pumps were on board on Friday, but not all the pumps would be used at once, Littlejohn said.

Officials noted that the Sullivans' path to recovery could reach a new phase early this week. The emergency operation, which required help from T&T and the U.S. Coast Guard, would conclude and the previously planned repair phase  conducted by the Naval Park and BIDCO Marine Group  would begin. The repair phase, which was planned in 2018, long before the breach 16 days ago, will use two-part epoxy to patch or plug holes in the Sullivans' hull and is expected to take roughly three months.

Several benchmarks need to be met before this phase change, however.

"Once we get the vessel up to an even keel, right up to the point it's stable, we'll conduct another assessment," Littlejohn said. "We'll send divers around the entire vessel and make sure it's stable in a sense to where we can depart the scene and turn it over. "

For Marzello, the head of the Naval Park, Friday's improvement prompted an emotional response.

"The joy of seeing this historic landmark rise out of the water was a very meaningful and poignant time for all of us," he said. "Although we're certainly not going to take a victory lap right now, because there's plenty of work still yet to do, we're very pleased and very excited to be at this particular point in time."

___

(c)2022 The Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.)

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  A first group of civilians trapped for weeks inside a steel plant in Mariupol under Russian siege was expected to reach a Ukrainian-controlled city on Monday, as a new attempt was launched to allow people sheltering elsewhere in the city to leave.

Video posted online Sunday by Ukrainian forces showed elderly women and mothers with small children climbing over a steep pile of rubble from the sprawling Azovstal steel plant and eventually boarding a bus.

The evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the port city on the Sea of Azov and other places have broken down. People fleeing Russian-occupied areas in the past have said their vehicles were fired on, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russian forces of shelling agreed-upon evacuation routes.

At least some of the people evacuated from the plant were apparently taken to a village controlled by Moscow-backed separatists, though Russian state media reported they would be allowed to continue on to Ukrainian-held territory if they wanted to. In the past, Ukrainian officials have accused Moscows troops of forcibly relocating civilians from areas they have captured to Russia; Moscow has said the people wanted to go to Russia.

More than 100 civilians were expected to arrive in Zaporizhzhia on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday.

Today, for the first time in all the days of the war, this vitally needed green corridor has started working, Zelenskyy said in a pre-recorded address published on his Telegram messaging channel.

While official evacuations have often faltered, many people have managed to flee Mariupol under their own steam. Anastasiia Dembytska took advantage of the brief cease-fire around the evacuation of civilians from the steel plant to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog.

She told The Associated Press she could see the steel plant from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

She said she had to navigate many checkpoints on the journey to Zaporizhzhia and waited 18 hours near the city before being allowed to pass.

Like many Mariupol residents, Dembytska and her family survived by cooking on a makeshift stove and drinking well water under near-constant bombardment.

I was scared, then I got used to it, her 14-year-old daughter Vladyslava said.

A defender of the steel plant said Russian forces resumed shelling the plant Sunday as soon as the civilians were evacuated.

Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard, said in a televised interview Sunday night that several hundred civilians are still trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said.

As many as 100,000 people may still be in Mariupol, including an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the sprawling, Soviet-era steel plant  the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

A siege of Mariupol since the early days of the war has trapped civilians with scarce access to food, water, medicine and electricity. A Russian airstrike hit a maternity hospital early in the conflict, and hundreds of people were reported killed when a theater was bombed.

The city, which had a pre-war population of more than 400,000, is a key Russian target because its capture would deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Moscow to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere in the Donbas, now Russia's main focus.

A Ukrainian officer at the steel plant urged groups like the U.N. and the Red Cross to also ensure the evacuation of wounded fighters at the plant, though he acknowledged that reaching some of the injured is difficult.

Theres rubble. We have no special equipment. It's hard for soldiers to pick up slabs weighing tons only with their arms, Sviatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, told the AP in an interview. We hear voices of people who are still alive inside shattered buildings.

U.N. humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu said civilians arriving in Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) northwest of Mariupol, would get immediate support, including psychological services. A Doctors Without Borders team was waiting for the U.N. convoy at a reception center for displaced people in the city.

In his nightly address Sunday, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of waging a war of extermination, saying Russian shelling had hit food, grain and fertilizer warehouses, and residential neighborhoods in the city of Kharkiv, in the Donbas and other regions.

More than 350,000 people have been evacuated from combat zones thanks to humanitarian corridors pre-agreed with Moscow, he said, adding the organization of humanitarian corridors is one of the elements of the negotiation process which is ongoing.

In Zaporizhzhia, residents ignored air raid sirens to visit cemeteries on Sunday, the Orthodox Christian day of the dead.

If our dead could rise and see this, they would say, Its not possible, theyre worse than the Germans, Hennadiy Bondarenko, 61, said while marking the day with his family at a picnic table among the graves. All our dead would join the fighting, including the Cossacks.

Meanwhile, Russian forces embarked on a major military operation to seize the Donbas, Ukraine's eastern industrial heartland, after failing to capture Kyiv.

A full picture of battle unfolding in eastern Ukraine is hard to capture. The fighting makes it dangerous for reporters to move around, and both sides have introduced tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

Western officials say Russia is advancing slowly in its eastern offensive and has captured some villages, but is inflicting heavy civilian casualties through indiscriminate bombing. Ukrainian forces are fighting their offensive village-by-village while civilians flee airstrikes and artillery shelling.

The British Defense Ministry said in a daily briefing Monday that it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective  unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

The British military believes Russia committed over 120 so-called battalion tactical groups into the war since February, which represents 65% of all of Moscows combat strength.

Ukraines military claimed Monday to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea. Drone footage posted online showed what the Ukrainians described as two Russian Raptor boats exploding after being struck by missiles.

The AP could not immediately independently confirm the strikes.

Hundreds of millions of dollars in military assistance has flowed into Ukraine during the war, but Russias vast armories mean Ukraine still needs massive support. Zelenskyy has appealed to the West for more weapons, and tougher economic sanctions on Russia.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other U.S. lawmakers visited Zelenskyy on Saturday to show American support.

European Union energy ministers were meeting Monday to discuss a new set of sanctions, which could include restrictions on Russian oil  though Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc including Hungary and Slovakia are wary of taking tough action.

___

Varenytsia reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.
The U.S. military has been actively working to remove references to the Confederacy and Confederate leaders in recent years, but that hasnt always been the case. Just over 50 years after the end of the Civil War, parts of the United States still embraced that troubled past.

By the time the United States entered World War I, veterans from both sides of the Civil War were largely elderly. An 18-year-old who enlisted in 1861 would be 74 years old in 1917, the year the U.S. entered the Great War.

Even so, the U.S. Army wanted to bring something uniquely American to the trenches of Europe. The commander of a particular southern Army unit wanted his men to use the Confederate Rebel Yell to "instill terror in the hearts of the enemy." And they needed the help of Confederate Civil War veterans to do it.

A 1916 reunion of Confederate Civil War veterans at the Tutwiler Hotel in Birmingham, Alabama.

Fort Gordon near Augusta, Georgia, (named for a Confederate general) was originally known as Camp Gordon. During the build up to World War I, the base was in a different location, closer to Atlanta. It was used as a training camp for many of the 2.8 million men who were drafted to serve in the war.

It was first opened in July 1917 and became the training ground for the 82nd Division, later known as the 82nd Airborne Division, when troopers could actually become airborne. The camp operated from 1917 until 1919 and trained many of the conscripts from Georgia.

The man installed to oversee the training of the 82nd Division at Camp Gordon was Gen. Eben Swift, a veteran of the Spanish-American War and the Pancho Villa Expedition and a former director of the Army War College.

Swift wanted to give the Germans a special surprise when the U.S. Army arrived and began fighting in the trenches. He wanted to teach the 82nd Division the "Rebel Yell," a battle cry used by Confederate soldiers as they charged Union lines during the Civil War.

The U.S. Army 82nd Division in 1917. (U.S. Army)

He met with federal judge William T. Newman of Atlanta, a former Confederate soldier who was still in contact with a company of his fellow veterans in Georgia, to teach the battle cry to new soldiers of the 82nd.

"I want my men taught the Rebel Yell for their use in France," Swift told the Times-Dispatch, a Richmond, Virginia, newspaper in 1917. "I met Judge Newman and suggested the Rebel Yell would not sound badly when we meet the Germans. Our boys will use it when they go over the top."

Although there aren't any recordings of the yell in use during the Civil War era, there are recordings of Confederate veterans performing the cry at reunions years later. The video below is from Smithsonian Magazine:

According to the article, Newman did everything he could to assemble the elderly veterans at Camp Gordon to teach the troops the "blood-stirring" battle cry. Union veterans have remarked that the Rebel Yell was effective on the battlefield, saying "if you claim you heard it and weren't scared, that means you never heard it."

Swift expected the use of the Rebel Yell to catch on in the Army once the 82nd began using it, and that the service would adopt the Confederate tradition for the foreseeable future. Instead, it died out with the last of the Confederacys remaining veterans.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 72% of the goods that are moved in America are carried by truck. Without people to drive those trucks, the U.S. economy starts grinding to a halt. And there is currently a severe shortage of truck drivers.

Hiring Our Heroes, an initiative of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, is stepping in to help put U.S. military veterans in those trucks with its Drive for 500 campaign.

There are 55,500 jobs open in America's trucking industry, an area critical to the daily lives of everyone in the United States. Fixing problems in the supply chain requires increasing those who move goods along that chain, so Drive for 500 is providing free training for veterans to get commercial driver's licenses (CDLs).

A CDL is a requirement to drive large, heavy or hazardous materials for commercial purposes. All classes of CDLs require some kind of written test; some require a road test. But it's worth the effort: The average annual salary of a U.S. truck driver in 2021 was more than $48,000, and some earned more than $100,000.

Due to the huge demand for drivers, wages are only increasing.

Drive for 500 is helping put vets behind the wheel by providing 500 full-ride CDL scholarships to interested veterans with the help of TransForce Group, a CDL training, recruitment and job placement firm.

TransForce Group's Troops Into Transportation Master Driving Program is a full-service initiative that operates regional training centers throughout the country. Veterans learning the skills it takes to be a truck driver would normally have to use their GI Bill benefits to pay for the classes, but Drive for 500 is picking up the tab for a few hundred eligible vets.

The scholarship includes all required instruction and behind-the-wheel training; travel and transportation to training sites; lodging; training materials; and all Department of Transportation physical and testing fees. The only thing veterans will need to pay for are meals and incidentals.

TransForce Group has brought together more than 500 employers who need skilled, qualified and reliable butts in seats to fill those 55,500 trucking jobs. The training company boasts that its graduates make an average of $60,000 per year in their new careers.

Veterans and Reserve or National Guard military personnel must have an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge. They need to be at least 18 years old, pass a drug test and meet the school's admission requirements.

Military spouses are also eligible for the training program.

Anyone interested in learning more about the program or applying for the CDL scholarship should go to the TransForce Group's Drive for 500 information website.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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Alexander Wells was placed on the Orioles 10-day injured list on Friday due to elbow inflammation, but the left-hander is now unfortunately set to miss quite a bit more time. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters (including Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com) today that Wells had suffered a Grade 1 UCL strain, and will miss the next 8-12 weeks while recovering. In some positive news, a Grade 1 is the least serious type of strain, and Hyde said that surgery isnt being considered for now.

Wells will do his rehab work at the Orioles Spring Training facility, and look to get himself back on track in his second Major League season. The Australian made his MLB debut in 2021 and appeared in 11 games for Baltimore, making eight starts and posting a 6.75 ERA. Never a big strikeout pitcher even in the minors, Wells had only a 13.2% strikeout rate in his rookie year, and he allowed 10 homers over his 42 2/3 innings of work.

For a rebuilding team that is desperate for pitching, Wells represents a viable arm for the Os, especially since he delivered some solid numbers while working his way up Baltimores minor league ladder. Despite that lack of missed bats (a 19.63% strikeout rate) over 533 2/3 minor league innings, Wells still delivered a 2.85 ERA, starting 97 of 100 games. While a long-term starting role may not be in the cards, Wells could operate as a spot starter or swingman, or perhaps a bulk pitcher behind an opener.
30.04.2022 LISTEN

Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Former Ashanti Regional Minister in the elsewhere John Dramani Mahama's administration has said the NDC's common enemy is the corrupt administration of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

According to him, the party can only overpower their enemy (NPP) only if they join hands as one people and work towards saving the destiny of this country which is currently bleeding under the vicious hands of the NPP.

Dr. Samuel Sarpong revealed that, it is now an open secret that President John Dramani Mahama is not only an obvious choice to lead NDC to victory in the next elections but an acclaimed popular and competent leader that Ghanaians expect to save the country from NPP's evil hands.

On the basis of this, it is Dr. Sarpong's opinion that there is no need for members of the great NDC to contest John Dramani Mahama, even though as a democratic party, internal contest is highly encouraged at all levels.

The former Kumasi mayor under late Prof. John Evans Atta Mills administration however maintained that, without any prejudice to the rights of persons who may be nurturing any ambition to challenge the former President, John Dramani Mahama, in the party's presidential primaries, it is Dr. Sarpong's candid advice that such resources be reserved to support the campaign of the NDC during the general elections since the obvious and strategic choice for NDC is nobody but John Dramani Mahama.

Dr. Samuel Sarpong made this known yesterday at Anita Hotel in Ejisu -Ashanti Region in an address delivered during the 4TH Annual Summit of The NDC Professionals Forum.

Dr. Sarpong while commending both the old and young professionals gathered at the summit for putting their professional expertise at the disposal of the party, he encourages them to continue to stand firm in defense of the legacies of NDC.

He entreated them to make a solid resolution to join the vast majority of NDC supporters nationwide to protect the ballot boxes from polling centres to the collation centres until NDC is declared winner in fulfilment of the wishes of the Ghanaian voter.

Dr. Samuel Sarpong concluded by preaching unity of purpose among all members of the NDC. He added that the battle in election 2024 elections will be a tough one if the NDC do not confront it with a united front. This is where he wants members to reserve all their arsenals towards the course rather preoccupying themselves with any destructive tendencies during their internal elections.

He therefore sends a strong signal to the NPP that, never again, will the NDC allow the sovereign will of the Ghanaian voter to short changed.

This he said is a promise not open for negotiations, but pure and simple.
Under a scorching sun at a trading post in Malawi, Chikumbutso Chekeni and his wife head to their tobacco sheds to dry their newly harvested leaf.

Nambuma, 35 kilometres (20 miles) northwest of the capital Lilongwe, used to be a thriving farming town, buoyed by vast tobacco farming businesses.

Today, even during harvest season the town is sleepy, leading some farmers to think about switching from tobacco to the newly legalised marijuana.

Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries but a major tobacco producer, ranking first in the world for burley and seventh for overall production.

No other economy is more dependent on the leaf. Government statistics say over 70 percent of the nation's export income comes from tobacco.

"The main challenge we face as farmers is the issue of low pricing, which is really killing us," said Chekeni, who has been farming tobacco for 22 years.

Returns from tobacco, dubbed the 'Malawi's Green Gold', have dwindled over the past decade due to declining global demands driven by anti-smoking campaigns.

Despite the low prices, he sees no other option but to continue farming. This is the only business he knows.

Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries but a major tobacco producer. By Amos Gumulira AFP

This year has particularly been bad. Low volumes and low prices at the auction floors in Lilongwe forced the Tobacco Commission to cut trade to three days a week.

Even on those three days, sales last only an hour.

"The future of tobacco farming is bleak," said grower Yona Mkandawire. "By now we should have a lot of tobacco in the warehouses and more trucks at the receiving bay, but there is a lot of empty space here."

Despite a sharp decline of tobacco earnings over the years, Malawi's government still calls it a "strategic crop" and defends the country's continuing investment in its production.

Last year tobacco earned Malawi $173.5 million, down 27 percent from the year before, the Tobacco Commission said.

'Malawi Gold'

Tobacco Commission chief executive officer Joseph Chidanti Malunga told AFP that this year's harvest will be 50 million kilogrammes short of what the buyers are looking for.

But he insisted Malawi needs tobacco because it's the only crop earning foreign currency.

"We cannot abandon this no matter how," he said. "All we do now is to make sure that we produce tobacco that is compliant with what the customers want."

During the first week of sales, prices were down more than 20 percent from last year, according to local media.

The price drop has seen some farmers try out new crops, including the recently legalised cannabis.

Malawi legalised cannabis farming for medicinal and industrial use in February 2020.

Government statistics say over 70 percent of Malawi's export income comes from tobacco. By Amos Gumulira AFP

Falice Nkhoma, who is part of the Tilitonse Cooperative for Cannabis Growers, has dumped tobacco because of falling prices.

"I have been growing burley tobacco from 2014... but with very little benefit because the prices were always low," said Nkhoma. She has little to show for producing the so-called green gold.

"So this year, when I heard that some people would be growing cannabis, I was really excited. I have bought the seeds, and hopefully cannabis farming will bring me good returns," she said.

It's about time Malawi diversified its economy, said Betchani Tchereni, economics professor at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences.

"We just have to restart the economy. If it's soya, then let's do soya. If it's cannabis, then let's concentrate on cannabis," he said.

But cultivation licences could be prohibitive for some aspiring farmers.

Growers, who operate in groups of around 30, have on average to cough out $10,000 per collective in farming licence fees alone.

Easing the process of obtaining cannabis licences would give farmers an immediate boost.

"It takes just about three months to mature, and then boom, we have the forex," said Tchereni.

Falice Nkhoma, who is part of the Tilitonse Cooperative for Cannabis Growers, hopes cannabis farming will bring 'good returns'. By Amos Gumulira AFP

"Licences can't be this expensive."

Cannabis growing is not new in Malawi, but has yet to develop to industrial scale.

According to a 2011 World Bank report, Malawi's hemp, known locally as 'chamba' or 'Malawi Gold' is among "the best and finest" sativas in the world.
Mobile Money Agents Association of Ghana has called on members to comply with the implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy (E-levy), which starts today, Sunday May 1.

A statement from the Association appealed to members to continue public education on the new tax to "restore confidence in the continuous usage of the platform to facilitate all financial transactions."

The statement said, "Management highly appreciate the longstanding challenges facing agents in the business and taking steps at remedying them as soon as discussions on the e-levy settle."

It said, "agents have no hand in e-levy charges or collection hence customers are not to pay any e-levy charges to agents."

"Members are to note that deposits, withdrawals, cash outs and savings on momo wallet activities will not attract e-levy," the statement added.

The Association said it was in their collective interest to sustain the business, adding, "any acts that over burden the customer must be highly eschewed. We appeal to agents and customers to comply with this."

The implementation of the Electronic Transfer Levy Act, 2022 (Act 1075), Ghana's newly introduced revenue generation mechanism received Presidential Assent on March 31, this year, after it was passed by Parliament on March 29, 2022.

Various banking institutions have sent various text messages on the commence of the e-levy.

GNA
Some mobile money merchants in parts of the Volta region have recorded a high increase in mobile money transactions with withdrawals topping on Saturday.

Scores of queues were seen in Ho, the regional capital and some parts including Akatsi South Municipality, Ketu South and Hohoe.

Long queues build up with a pronounced development being the Mighty Gas Merchant joint near the Ho Teaching Hospital, where beyond 2030 hours people were still transacting business aside queues found at Ahoe Round-About area, Bankoe and SSNIT Flats enclave.

They claimed the ongoing massive withdrawals from several wallets is because of the passage of the Electronic Transaction Levy (E-Levy) in March by Parliament.

At the SSNIT area, there were withdrawals of large sums with clients insisting their transaction went through before the E-Leevy came to effect at midnight with withdrawals and deposits ranging between GHC 3,000 and GHC 1,000.

Some operators at the Central Market Square joints have claimed they do not see how clients would bypass the mobile money platform, saying there are there's no visible signs of clients doing that.

Akpene Akakpo, alleges the people are so addicted to the mobile money platform, and it will be a shocker to see them not patronising it.

They told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that their action was to avoid the deductions on their transactions by either emptying their mobile money wallets or make huge transfers before the implementation date.

A cross section of mobile money users in Akatsi, who spoke to the GNA stated that the move to cash out their monies would help them to dodge the tax deduction.

Mr Nutsugah Agbesi, a businessman, told the GNA the tax is multiplicative and would not be in the best interest of the ordinary citizenry.

Mr Sedinam Dorsey Agozie, owner of Determination Empire, a popular mobile money merchant in Akatsi, disclosed to the GNA hundreds of Momo users were rushing to withdraw thousands of cedis in recent times with only few doing deposits.

Other mobile money operators and I in town have been hit by some form of unusual withdrawals from the general public which is putting pressure on us, he said.

However, some individuals also called for calm as the government continued to put some measures in place for the development.

There was calm at the merchant joints across the region as the implementation kicks in today.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Thursday, March 31, 2022, assented to the Electronic Transaction Levy into law.

The implementation of the levy commences today, Sunday May 1 as announced earlier by Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister for Finance.

Meanwhile, the Ghana Revenue Authority has revealed some digital transactions that would not attract the 1.5 per cent levy to include remittances from Ghanaians abroad, cash-in and csah-out from mobile money accounts.

It said payments of utility bills and purchases of airtime are exemptions provided the utility provider is registered with the GRA for income tax or VAT.

The GRA further noted that withdrawals from ATMs are also exempted from the 1.5% charge.

GNA
Majority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Nsawam/Adoagyiri constituency, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has dropped a hint that the next President of the Republic will be the current Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

According to him, nothing can stop the NPP from winning the 2024 elections with Dr. Bawumia as its leader, hence sending a signal to the NDC to forget 2024 with former President John Mahama.

The New Patriotic Party is currently electing its officers, before holding the Presidential Primaries to elect a Flagbearer.

But the Majority Chief Whip has already declared his support for the Vice President and also declared him as the next President of Ghana.

Frank Annoh-Dompreh said this when addressing the NPP delegates at St. Martins Senior High School Assembly Hall during its conference to elect the constituency officers for the area.

Annoh-Dompreh noted that his intent to declare the next President of Ghana is to send a signal to the former President John Mahama who is coming for the third time to contest the presidential race to forget the Presidency since his time has expired.

We all know the NDC are wild and angry for power, but we want to tell them that, we (NPP) respect former President John Mahama a lot, he has done his bit and occupied all the positions in Ghana. He should forget the 2024 race because the next President will be Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia Annoh-Dompreh said as the delegates hailed him in a wild applause with a vuvuzela.

The Majority Chief Whip told the NPP delegates that the NDC is wild preparing to snatch power from the NPP in the next elections, hence the need for the delegates to elect competent officers who are ready to work and retain the NPP in the next general elections.

The Nsawam/Adoagyiri D

delegates comprise of Polling stations executives, Electoral Area Coordinators, Council of Elders/Patrons among others are currently casting their votes to re-elect new officers.

My fellow delegates, we are here for a serious business, as you can see how we are struggling in Parliament with the number of MPs, we need competent executives to work hard for the party.

When you go to every constituency, from Ashanti Region, the delegates are doing a marvelous job by retaining the current Constituency officers, by giving all MPs 10/10. Thats the same thing Im expecting here today.

He, however, urged the delegates to conduct themselves well and vote wisely.

Daily Guide
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Akufo-Addo government of visiting untold hardship on Ghanaians through several actions and decisions such as the implementation of the 1.5% E-levy.

In a statement to mark the celebration of workers day, the opposition party said it will focus on addressing the pains and suffering of Ghanaian workers when it wins the 2024 elections.

We want to assure them that upon the ascension to power in January, 2025, the pains and sorrow of the workers of Ghana will receive our utmost focus and attention. We know that when workers are happy and satisfied at their workplace and at the end of the month, this country's level of productivity will increase by leaps and bounds, and all our citizens will be the beneficiaries, the NDC said.

The partys statement signed by its National Chairman, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, said it finds it disturbing that the government introduced the new tax on the day meant to celebrate workers.

It said by the introduction of the E-levy, the government has become insensitive to the suffering of the people of Ghana.

We consider it particularly cruel and an affront to the sensitivities of all Ghanaians, that the Akufo-Addo government chose to impose the unpopular e-levy tax on Ghanaians on May Day. We know, from all the surveys conducted on this issue, that about 85%of all Ghanaians are opposed to this obnoxious tax. We now have a government that has not only lost its way, but it is insensitive to the suffering of the people of Ghana, it said.

The NDC further commended Ghanaian workers for their contribution towards the development of the country.

Read the full statement below: NDC MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE WORKERS OF GHANA ON MAY 1ST, 2022

Today is May Day, a day celebrated the world over in solidarity with all workers. Workers are the engine of societies, for it is their toil and sweat that provide all the necessities of life. In the labour of workers lies the fate of every community everywhere in the world.

We in the National Democratic Congress take this opportunity to salute all workers for their tireless and continuous efforts that contribute to the building of our beloved country Ghana. We are especially proud of the special relationship that we have cultivated with workers over the years.

In this vein, we call on the Akufo-Addo government to address the numerous challenges being faced by the workers of Ghana, and, in particular, to ensure that the hardships imposed on all by the incompetence of the government, are ameliorated by prudent measures designed to lessen the cost of living.

We consider it particularly cruel and an affront to the sensitivities of all Ghanaians, that the Akufo-Addo government chose to impose the unpopular e-levy tax on Ghanaians on May Day. We know, from all the surveys conducted on this issue, that about 85%of all Ghanaians are opposed to this obnoxious tax. We now have a government that has not only lost its way, but is insensitive to the suffering of the people of Ghana.

As we join all workers to mark this auspicious day, we want to assure them that upon the accession to power by the NDC in January, 2025, the pains and sorrow of the workers of Ghana will receive our utmost focus and attention. We know that when workers are happy and satisfied at their workplace and at the end of the month, this country's level of productivity will increase by leaps and bounds, and all our citizens will be the beneficiaries.

As we celebrate our workers for their commitment and dedication to duty, we also hail them for their unflinching love for Ghana. Ghana workers,

AYEKOO. LONG LIVE THE WORKERS OF GHANA! LONG LIVE THE NDC! LONG LIVE GHANA!!!

ISSUED ON 1st MAY, 2022

(signed)

(HON SAMUEL OFOSU-AMPOFO) NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
More than 100,000 people marched through cities across France on Sunday as part of the traditional May Day rallies which were given extra piquancy this year coming exactly a week after Emmanuel Macron was voted in for a second term as president.

Trade union leaders as well as left and right wing politicians who failed to reach the second round of polling promoted the nationwide marches as part of the third round of voting.

Jean-Luc Melenchon, who came third in the first round of the presidential election on 10 April, was at the spearhead of an estimated 24,000 people who set off from the Place de la Republique towards Place de la Nation in Paris.

Melenchon, the head of the France Insoumise party, revealed he was close to a deal with leaders from the once powerful Socialist party to form a bloc which would aim to gain enough seats in next month's elections for the National Assembly to thwart Macron's agenda.

Offer

In an interview with the French newspaper Journal du Dimanche, Melenchon called on the leftwing parties to escape what he described as a permanent culture of defeat.

"We offer them a battle to win. It can be unifying," he told the paper. "They must come out of the losses and assume the will to win."

Melenchon later hit out at police chiefs for their handling of the march after a group of demonstrators broke away and smashed up shop signs and cars. A firefighter was attacked as he tried to extinguish a blaze.

"I'm fed up," Melenchon tweeted. "The police prefect knew. Unable to guarantee the right to demonstrate in peace."

France's interior minister Gerald Darmanin said on Sunday night that eight officers had been injured in clashes with demonstrators and 45 people  including the woman who had allegedly attacked the firefighter  had been arrested.

"Mr Melenchon should support the police, firefighters, gendarmes," Darmanin said in response to the tweet.

"I call on everyone to condemn the violence."

Fire brigade chiefs branded the attack on their officer as "savagery".

"That's enough," they added in a tweet. "Incomprehensible this new aggression towards the firefighters of Paris going about their duties, protect people, property of the City and the smooth running of the demonstration."

According to the CGT union, more than 250 rallies were held across France attracting more than 210,000 people. On Sunday night, the Interior Ministry estimated the figure at just over 116,000 protesters.

During the recent presidential campaign, millions of voters for Melenchon and the Green parties complained that Macron and the other second round candidate Marine Le Pen had failed to attribute sufficient importance to issues such as climate change and the environment.

Le Pen, who lost to Macron in the run-off on 24 April, was absent from her party's traditional wreath-laying at the foot of a statue of Joan of Arc in Paris on Sunday.

Jordan Bardella, the interim president of her National Rally party, said: I've come to tell the French that the voting isn't over.

"There is a third round  the legislative elections. It would be unbelievable to leave full power to Emmanuel Macron.
02.05.2022 LISTEN

A former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Ayikoi Otoo has cautioned Ghanaians to hasten slowly in calling for constitutional amendments.

This follows renewed conversation on the need to amend portions of the constitution after the President, Nana Akufo-Addo's speech on the anniversary of the 30 years of the referendum that birthed the 1992 constitution on Thursday, April 29, 2022.

The NPP stalwart, however, thinks some of the demands are untenable.

In an interview with Citi News, Mr. Ayikoi Otoo argued that an amendment should only be occasioned by a need.

As the president said, it is a leading document, and the Supreme Court through its experience has every right to give an interpretation which will shape the faculties in which we find ourselves like the bible, where pastors and priests still apply the bible rules in this modern day.

So, I am against the rush of calls for the amendment of the constitution for the sake of amendment, rather we need to make sure that we really need to amend it.

The president, while delivering his speech on April 28, 2022, made it known that he is open to discussions on the matter of a constitutional review if need be, like 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 assured the general public that his government is taking steps and putting in place the needed measures to address the fuel price hikes in the country.

Since the start of the year, the prices of petroleum products at the local pumps have seen an astronomical increase after breaking the GHS8 mark and subsequently rising to as much as GHS10 per litre at the local pumps.

Delivering an address on Workers Day on Sunday, May 1, 2022, President Akufo-Addo justified why the taxes on petroleum products cannot be removed from the prices of fuel.

He said if such a move is taken by his government, it will lose GHS4 billion which will make it impossible to pay some of the 700,000 Ghanaians on the government payroll.

Removing taxes on petroleum products will reduce Government revenues by some four billion cedis (GH4 billion). At this time, when we are determined to expand Government revenues in order to increase our capacity to finance our own development, can we afford to reduce tax revenues by four billion cedis (GH4 billion)?

Government is currently confronted by very tight financing conditions, in the wake of inadequate domestic revenue mobilisation. Indeed, some of the revenues from these same taxes on petroleum products is what is used to pay some of the salaries of some of the seven hundred thousand (700,000) public sector workers on Governments payroll, President Akufo-Addo said.

According to the president, his government alternatively, is working to stabilize the prices of fuel at the local pumps.

We are addressing the issue of fuel price increases by implementing measures that are succeeding in stabilising the exchange rate, a key determinant of fuel prices, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stressed.

The President added that government is also working hard to ensure reliable supply and availability of petroleum products.
France Unbowed (LFI), the movement of far-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon, has struck a deal with France's green EELV party, as the left seeks to form a joint front against President Emmanuel Macron in upcoming parliamentary elections.

"Historic moment. The deal between LFI and EELV is done," said lawmaker Adrien Quatennens, one of LFI's campaign coordinators.

Manon Aubry, an LFI member of the EU parliament, also told France Info radio: "This is a popular union around a joint programme ... to govern together, because this is the aim."

Opposition parties on the left and right of France's political spectrum are trying to form alliances to beat Macron's La Republique en March party in the June parliamentary vote.

EELV approved a text detailing the deal with LFI on Sunday, calling it the "new popular ecology and social union".

The move comes after Melenchon, who came in third in April's presidential elections and barely missed the runoff behind far-right Marine Le Pen, called on all left-leaning parties to join forces with his movement to "elect (him) prime minister".

Talks with Socialists

The LFI-EELV deal includes aims of lowering the retirement age to 60, raising the minimum wage and capping prices on essential products, said Manon Aubry, adding that agreements with other parties of the left would follow.

Manuel Bompard, a spokesman for Melenchon's campaign, told France Inter radio on Monday that talk with other parties would continue "in the coming hours".

During May Day marches on Sunday, Melenchon was also spotted hugging Olivier Faure, the head of France's Socialist Party, a sign of potential unity after talks between LFI and the Socialists stalled last week.

Former Socialist president Francois Hollande has ruled out his own involvement in any coalition deal.

Melenchon, himself once a member of the Socialists before leaving the party in a spat over its stance on the European Union, has caused a long-lasting feud inside the left. The Socialists are more pro-EU than he is.

LFI and EELV said in a joint statement that both wanted to put an end to the "neoliberal" course of the EU and would instead aim "for a new project serving ecological and social construction".

According to first opinion polls ahead of the parliamentary elections in June, a left-wing alliance would not reach a majority against the bloc that supports Emmanuel Macron.

(with Reuters)
02.05.2022 LISTEN

For the past few weeks, I have spent my mornings at work on a staircase leading to the office space. I see lots of children play around, read their books and explore the mangoes in the location. Looking at the energy these guys put in to get the mangoes and realizing I am not a lover of mango and havent taken mango in the last 15 years, I only smile and say, this is the time for mangoes, let them enjoy. I have also used this time to critically ponder over my life and asked some very pertinent questions about my life, academics and career. The fundamental among all these thoughts are: Am I indeed making the best out of my career? Am I wasting lots of time on less important stuff? Am I progressing in my career? Am I making an impact in my line of work? Am I content with my career? Isnt it time to make a move and take a bold decision? Looking at my ambitions, am I on the right path?

In the last two years, I have had friends, relatives and colleagues ask me some very fundamental questions as well. Even though I admit most are asked out of good faith, I know there are a few questions that are rhetorical and just for the fun but I continue to ponder over them peacefully. Let me share a few ones with you. When are you starting your PhD? When are you joining main stream politics for those who know I am very interested in the politics and development of our country? When will you join the table of men probably due to the fact I enjoy being the best man at weddings. Colleagues and other mentors who are ardent readers of my writings and follow my blog continue to ask, when are you publishing your first book?, And for some mischievous reasons some friends, fellow disappointed seminarians, a few priests and some mothers and uncles from church, always ask when I am going back to the seminary. Anytime, this question comes up, a dear colleague at work will smile and say, these young Catholic men are never sure of their vocation and are always praying for discernment

Well, I probably havent been able to put a definite date to all these and not even sure if I can or even willing to pursue all these paths. Reflecting about them soberly, I continue to ask myself, if the time is right to make such a move. Admitting clearly, all the paths above are areas I have once desired or still desire. I sometimes think I need a little time to grow or probably achieve a height before making the move.

I am not sure my story is entirely different from many young Africans in their twenties and probably early thirties. We are confronted with lots of questions daily. Life continues to give us a reason to ask whether we are on the right path or not. For many of you, you may probably be thinking of when and how to get that academic degree you have always yearned for. Asking whether the time is right to marry or not? Thinking to offer yourself for that leadership position? Thinking of proposing or accepting that gent/ lady for a relationship? Asking whether it is time to switch your career? Asking whether your search for job offers are not enough. Asking when to do so many things. The obvious thing here is about the TIMING, is it the right time? Am I ready to take this bold decision now? What will happen if I try and fail? Will I get the support of family and colleagues to support me in this path?

Around the year, 2010 or 2011, my mother took myself and my siblings, I guess it was only my younger brother since my elder siblings were not around to visit our late maternal grandfather. We had gone on weekends or vacations in Drobo where my Dad worked then. We went on a visit to my village, Atuna, a very sacred land, in the Jaman South Municipality, Bono Region of Ghana. The village is actually a walking distance to a border town to Ivory Coast. I have been told of how my parents, uncles and aunties sometimes walked to neighbouring Ivorian communities for events. Probably, someday, we should go on an exploration to this holy city but lets get the roads Minister and government to fix the road first.

Lets get back to the main story, Well, I am not sure I had seen him prior to that visit in my adult life but I have heard lots of stories about him. I have been told how a disciplinarian he was, how tall he was, life at the barracks when he was in the army and then I was told how he seriously stammers but will always make his point even if it takes him an hour to construct a sentence. Of course, its obvious why stammering runs in the family. On getting to his house, my mum called him, Paapa yaa- ba, to wit, Daddy, we are here in a very typical bono language. Well, until that day, I didnt know she could speak the very typical bono. It took the oldman about 15 seconds to respond clearly though I could hear him stammering and responding from the room. Finally the response came. And in about a minute, I saw a walking stick out of his room first and then an old, tall, fragile man came out. What I noticed first was his broad smile and the moustache around his upper lip (Once a soldier, always a soldier). He sat down and had a chat with us. It was quite difficult hearing him due to his old age and probably because he seriously stammers and spoke the very typical bono not the adulterated ones we speak these days. Along the chat, he switched from my mother and focused on us (grandchildren). The first question he asked was, mo nim me to wit, Do you know me? we responded, aane meaning yes, we know you. He smiled and said, monnim me na emom me din na mate to wit, you dont really know me, you have only been told about me. Well, the oldman was right, if I had met him somewhere alone, I probably may not have identified him as my grandfather. I guess this will be same with most of my cousins. He asked about school and he was delighted to know I was in the University then. It was time for advice and I guess that was why he requested to see his grandchildren. He went back to his room and brought a picture of a tall young man in a uniform. He asked us to examine the picture critically and tell who that person was. After our fruitless guess, he told us that was him some 50 years ago in the army. I was awed and amazed. How can such a healthy looking soldier now look this old, fragile and even unable to walk properly unless with the aid of a walking stick. He noticed the surprise on our faces and with his broad smile, beautiful moustache and stammering uttered these words to us; When I was your age, I was a very healthy soldier and could do anything I wished but look at me now, very old and unable to do so many things. Please make very good use of your youthful age. That is the stage to live your best and accomplish greatness. He looked at us more closely and with his broad smile continued, I have no cocoa farm that you can inherit from me but I was a disciplinarian and trained your mother well. I know you have been trained well too. I was very smart in school and know you will have a portion of my brain in your genes. If you take your studies seriously, you will surely achieve greater heights. Never be interested in quick money, work hard and God himself will bless your efforts Wow, such wisdom!!!. I am sure my cousins who might have visited him before his demise were told the same story. We left later in the day only to return to the holy city in August 2014 for his funeral (May his gentle soul continue to rest in perfect peace). Sadly, I didnt take a picture with him but I guess he had this message not just for his grandchildren but for all of us especially the Youth. My maternal grandfather, Nana JC as we affectionately called him has these words for us all, Make the best out of your youthful years.

Fellow Youth, this is the time to make the best out of our youthful years. The time to take that academic degree you have so wished for is now. The time to start that side business you have always thought of is now. This is surely the time to give that young man/ woman a chance to start a journey of love. This is surely the time to pursue that career you have always wished for. This is surely the time to dare to challenge the world. This is the time to start telling your story. This is the time to take up that leadership position you had always wanted. This is surely the time to switch career if you have had enough at work. And hey, this is surely the time to be conscious of your spiritual and moral uprightness. Surely the time to take your Christian journey seriously. This is surely the time to write that exams you have always postponed. This is surely the time to visit the friend, mentor or relative you havent seen in a while. This is the time to forgive others. This is surely the time to make peace with yourself. This is surely the time to forgive yourself of past mistakes. This is surely the time to start your political adventure. This is surely the time to love. This is surely the time to apologize for your mistakes. This is the time to get your priorities right. This is the time to learn that skill, time to focus about your mental health, time to learn to respect divergent opinions, time to come out of your insecurities and explore... This is surely the time to live your dream. Well, this is the time to start sharing your thought in writing with the world. And this is surely the time to flee from that abusive relationship and live your best.

When you see pictures of 80 year olds celebrating 50 years in marriage, know that, they probably made a bold decision just when they were your age to marry so, you can also make the move. When you attend the silver jubilee of priests and religious, know that, they were either ordained or took their first vow around your age now. When you read about the works of seasoned academics, politicians, journalists, diplomats, medical practitioners, lawyers, traders, farmers, social workers etc. know that they started their career just at this time of your life.

For the politically minded persons who want to take charge in the political future of their country yet unsure due to age, remember President Kufour first appointment as deputy minister for foreign affairs was when he was 31 years in 1969. Note Chairman Rawlings took charge of the country at age 32 and quite recently, the likes of very amazing young politicians like Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa who became a deputy minister at age 28/29. The vociferous Sammy Gyamfi who took over the communication bureau of the NDC when he was less than 30 years. Sammi Awuku, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor, Hon. Felix Kwakye Fosu among many others who have demonstrated competence in the political field at a relatively younger age. These personalities have paved the way.. Never allow yourself to be intimidated due to your age. Get in, shine and help us make Ghana and Africa better.

Start the journey and you will be amazed how beautiful it will turn out to be. And when the going gets tough, soberly reflect on this song, It will be hard we know and the road will be muddy and rough yet we will get there, Heaven knows where we are going, we know we will. Not sure I got the lyrics right though.

A former classmate and a very good friend of mine who is a catholic priest from the diocese of Techiman in my last recollection at the grotto shared with me a topic called SEASONS. He indicated that, there are four stages/ seasons in life i.e. Morning, afternoon, evening and resting stage. The second stage which is the afternoon stage is the execution stage which spans from 26 to 59years largely. That is the stage you need to give to the world, walk in the fullness of your purpose, implement your ideas and make an impact in your society and the lives of people you encounter. We will talk about the other stages some other time but know that, this is surely the time for EXECUTION fellow youth.

In conclusion, as you contemplate to make the bold decision, remember, you are never too old to live your dreams and Everyday provides a perfect opportunity to make things right. For us Christians who believe in the omnipotence of God, remember to align yourself with Gods plan and divinity as a good friend of mine will always say, Heaven indeed has the perfect plan.

Cheers to Greatness

Lets begin the journey to greatness with love

Let Passion, Hard work, Determination (PHD) be our guide.

And hey, 10 years from now, you would have made ten years of progress or will have 10 years of excuses of why you never made the move. The choice is yoursLets make the move.

Vincent Ohene-Ntow

YALI Dream

A Better Ghana

A Brighter Africa

Facebook; Kwame Ohene-Ntow

Email: [email protected]

Personal Blog; mirrorofafrica.blogspot.com

The writer is a Development Practitioner and a Local Government Enthusiast. He holds a Masters degree in Development Policy and Planning from KNUST and a Bachelors degree in Public Administration from the University of Ghana Business School. He is an Alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI, RLC).
02.05.2022 LISTEN

On this important Workers Day, May 1st, 2022, the SJMG wish to extend our fraternal greetings to the working people of Ghana, Africa and the World. Our statement is directed more especially to both the trade unions and all non-unisonised workers.

The sweat of labour produces wealth in any country. Workers deserve a fair and just deal from their labour. In this regard we call on the labour movement of Ghana to continue to struggle for a fair and just society and demand living wage for their work.

Working people must also take into account and fight against the following emerging malice that is infringing on the struggle for social and economic justice in the country.

Firstly, workers must eschew from their struggles the concept of workers neutrality in the governance of the country. In the struggle of working people for economic and social justice there is nothing like neutrality of the actions of government against working people. We however, support workers demands for emulations and other benefits. Following the coup of 24th February 1966 against Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, various ruling elites have always been on the side of foreign interests and the local elites.

Secondly, workers must fight against the introduction of money in the elections of their representatives. When money is introduced into union elections, it is right-wing leaders who are not for the interest of workers but for the interest of privileged classes who get elected. They will represent the interest of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), National Democratic Congress (NDC) and other powerful groups.

Thirdly, workers must fight and struggle against the introduction of payments of thousands of cedis by hard pressed Ghanaians for employment in the government sector. These nebulous acts are either perpetuated by government officials or fraudsters. This is destroying the fabric of the Ghanaian society and increasing corruption as the order of the day.

Finally, we call on workers to join efforts by progressive individuals and organisations who are working for an alternative to the decadent political system maintained by the NPP/NDC. We in the SJMG are working in the Progressive Alliance of Ghana (PAG), an emerging political party with distinct programme committed to replacing the neo-colonial order in the country and to usher in a new democratic and just society that will ensure that the labour of our working people benefit them, not the few international capitalist interests and their local collaborators.

Onwards with social and economic justice. The battle shall be won.

Solidarity with all working people.

For further information contact:

Richard Asueme (Convenor) 0202228991

Nyeya Yen (Convenor) 0542026869

Hillary Adongo 0247483235

Phanuel Yao Ayawli 0559268987

Date: 1st May 2022
02.05.2022 LISTEN

She was a pacesetter and notable figure in recent international relations.

She was the first woman who served as the 64th United States Secretary of State, from 1997 to 2001. She shattered the glass ceiling for women in the diplomatic communities of the United States and, indeed, for women around the world.

She has also been criticized for the documented failures and stonewalling by the Clinton presidency when Albright served as Ambassador to the United Nations - during the Rwanda genocide. I will return that important issue, shortly, in a minute.

Madeleine Jana Korbel Albright, political scientist, reflected and embodied in many ways the fine tradition of stories of many immigrants who fled from suppression, deprivation and dictatorships - in the familiar quests - for better lives and freedoms to the United States.

She was born on May 15, 1937, Smichov, Prague in Czechia, and fled to the United States at the very young age of 11 years.

She achieved the American dream!

No surprises that upon her death at the age of 84, on March 23, 2022, in Washington, D.C., the President Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former First Lady (Hillary Clinton (who also served as the United States Secretary of State) and a lot of the influential persons, her friends and leaders attended on Wednesday, April 27, 2022 a memorial service held at the Washington National Cathedral, in honor of Prof. Albright. There was one noticeable but understandable absence: America's current First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. She could not attend due to prior commitments at Northern Virginia Community College, where she teaches. Commitment, par excellence!

Albright was nominated by then-President Clinton to lead the diplomatic corps as the countrys first female Secretary of State in December 1996 and was unanimously confirmed early in 1997.

President Biden described Albright as a "force of nature" who through qualities of "goodness and grace, humanity and intellect, she turned the tide of history. To Madeline there was no higher mission, no greater honor than to serve this great experiment of freedom known as the United States of America. He said "Freedom endures against all odds in the face of every aggressor because there are always those who will fight for that freedom. And in the 20th and 21st century, freedom had no greater champion than Madeleine Korbel Albright.

"Regarding her versatility, Biden noted: "She can go toe to toe with the toughest dictators, then turn around and literally teach a fellow ambassador how to do the Macarena on the floor of the U.N. Security Council."

The man who appointed her to the historic position as the chief diplomat of the United States, Bill Clinton, one of three persons who delivered a tribute to Albright, recalled that he spoke to her two weeks before she passed away. The former President pointed out that she did not focus on her battle with cancer and that she said: "The only thing that matters is what kind of world we're going to leave to our grandchildren.

On the Rwanda genocides where within 100 days, from April to July of 1994, in approximately 100 days, at leasr 750,000 men, women and children of the minority ethnic group (Tutsis) were killed, and several other thousands were raped, maimed and tortured by mainly their neighbors of the majority Hutus, The Hutus also suffered some casualties and deaths. in 1998, the Organization of African Unity (OAU, now known as the African Union) established an International Panel of Eminent Personalities to Investigate the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda and the Surrounding Events. It stated that:"As the carnage continued, the UN dithered in organizing any kind of response to the ongoing tragedy. The Americans, led by US Ambassador Madeleine Albright, played the key role in blocking more expeditious action by the UN.

I bring the Rwanda issue to the confetti of tributes and commendations being showered on Prof. Albright due to two major reasons. First, as a specialist on United States and Africa contemporary issues, I consider it to be a valuable but critical part of the public record. Second, it expands the historical context, albeit uncomfortable for some, towards the assessments of the late, distinguished, influential Madeleine Albright and the presidency of Bill Clinton and the African continent. I explore those and related issues in my forthcoming 2022 book, MLK, Mandela & Achebe: Power, Leadership and Identity.

On the important lessons of Albrights life, someone who knew her personally, Hillary Clinton, stated, that the late diplomat showed that the United States should:"Stand up to dictators and demagogues from the battlefields of Ukraine to the halls of our own capitol. Defend democracy at home just as vigorously as we do abroad. Let us honor Madeline Albright's life and legacy by being the indispensable nation she loved and served.

Without a doubt, Madeleine Albright made a difference in her communities, her heritage and the entire world!
Health-related interventions undertaken by the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) at some hospitals in the Upper West Region have helped to improve maternal and newborn care as the facilities have started recording improved results.

Whilst maternal deaths have not been recorded at some of the hospitals for some time now, the rate at which it occurs at some of the facilities has reduced.

This came to light when officials from UNICEF visited some of the hospitals in the region to ascertain impact of health-related projects undertaken by UNICEF with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Miss Phoebe Bala, Nadowli-Kaleo District Director of Health, who made a presentation on the health situation of the area at a meeting with officials of UNICEF at Nadowli, said the district used to record high cases of neonatal deaths because there was no newborn care unit at the district hospital to treat babies.

She said So, UNICEF pushed us to get the Assembly to construct a newborn care unit at the Nadowli Government Hospital in 2018. UNICEF, in 2018, then provided us with all the essential things needed to establish a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and brought some equipment to help take care of the babies. UNICEF also supported through capacity training of the health staff on helping babies to breathe.

She added that UNICEF also supported in quality improvement training on hypothermia; how to ensure that newborns temperature remains normal, which is important to prevent neonatal deaths.

She said the support from UNICEF had helped to reduce hypothermia from 65.5 per cent in 2019 to less than five per cent currently adding care for mothers and their babies had improved resulting in reduction in neonatal deaths from about 36 in 2018 to four in 2021.

She said the district had also started quality improvement training on pathograph to ensure its efficient use in the area to save lives of mothers and their babies.

Madam Florence Owusuaa Peprah, Physician Assistant, in-charge of the Urban Health Centre, Wa said In 2020 UNICEF supported us to undergo quality improvement training to follow the right protocols on oxytocin. The training has changed a lot of things.

Madam Peprah said Since the training, we do not record bleeding after delivery, which means that we have not recorded maternal deaths since 2020.

Mr Latif Abdul-Rahaman, Health Information Officer at the Upper West Regional Hospital said UNICEF supported us in provision of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) by donating three ultra-modern comfortable chairs for mothers to sit on to carry their babies, who weigh below 2.5kg or are pre-term babies to support them to gain weight and normalise their temperature.

Mr Abdul-Rahaman added that In 2022, UNICEF also organised KMC trainings, and point of care quality improvement trainings for health staff, which have made the hospital a centre of excellence in providing quality improvement training to other facilities.

He said initiatlly, our KMC to low birth weight and pre-term babies was 39% but this has increased to 91.7% due to the support, which is a very good improvement.

At the community level, the formation of village health committee, mother-to-mother, father-to-father and breast feeding support groups has also been helping to support pregnant women to regularly access antenatal and postnatal care to improve their health and the health of their babies.

At Tabiesi community in the Wa Municipality where such groups are vibrant, the Chief of the area has instituted a fine of GHc100.00 for men, whose wives deliver at home, a situation, which ensured that since 2020, no woman delivered at home.

Mrs Sawudatu Seidu, a nursing mother at Tabiesi, said the health advice she received from the midwife in the area coupled with support from the support groups encouraged her to undertake exclusive breastfeeding for her second child, who is a year old.

She said her second child did not have frequent diarrhea compared to her first child, who did not have exclusive breastfeeding.

Mr Abarry Mohammed, Deputy Director, Clinical Care at the Upper West Regional Health Directorate said exclusive breastfeeding in the region was at 90%.

Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, Upper West Regional Minister thanked UNICEF for supporting the health sector to sustain the gains made in saving lives of newborns in the region.

Dr Tedbabe Degefie Hailegebriel, Senior Advisor, Maternal and Newborn Health, UNICEF, New York lauded the collaboration between village health committees and health facilities at the community level saying this was an important link in ensuring quality health care delivery.

She also lauded the activities of the support groups at the community level saying this was remarkable because First time pregnancy and not going for antenatal care early is one of the factors that contributes to mothers to face complications during birth.

She commended the hospitals for their efforts to identify and treat the common causes of death amongst newborns such as birth asphyxia, pre-term or low birth weight and infections.
Management of the newly established cement plant at Tema; Dzata Cement, has officially opened the companys new depot in the Northern Regional capital, Tamale on Sunday May 1, 2022.

Speaking on behalf of the management to journalists at the ceremony, Alhaji Abdulai said Dzata cement is one of the best in the country and will not be sold at a price higher than the already existing cement prices on the Ghanaian market.

According to him, the depot will be dealing with the wholesalers indicating that any businessman interested in dealing in Dzata cement as a retailer should contact the wholesalers.

He also used the opportunity to caution the general public against persons who engage in fraudulent activities in the name of Dzata cement to swindle unsuspecting people.

Alhaji Abdulai further revealed that the depot will not be dealing with mobile money numbers, but banks in their transactions to enable them avoid situations where scammer dupe their customers.

Today we want to officially announce to the whole Northern Region, especially people who are into construction, that Dzata cement depot is opened for business. We are here 24/7, and anybody who buys Dzata cement a full trailer will have it transported to his destination for free, he told the journalists.

Our cement is made in Ghana. And it is of highest quality. That is why we are encouraging Ghanaians all over to patronize it. But make sure you buy from us directly. Be vigilant and dont engage with fraudulent people to scam you. If anybody wants Dzata cement, the person should come here. Dont deal with faceless people, Alhaji Abdulai warned.

Dzata Cement company is a fully Ghanaian-owned cement processing factory located in Tema.

Construction of the factory began in 2011. It started operations by the first quarter of 2018, which has created 1,200 direct jobs.

Its production capacity is projected to be 2 million tones of cement a year.

The new depot is located along Tamale-Kumasi Road, about 400 metres from the main gate of University for Development Studies (UDS) Dungu campus.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has urged the military juntas in Burkina Faso, Guinea and Mali to hand power back to civilian rule as soon as possible. He also reminded the world to deliver on "climate emergency" promises.

Speaking after meeting Senegalese President Macky Sall in Dakar on Sunday, Guterres said they had agreed on the need to keep talking to the de facto authorities in all three countries so as to get a swift return to "constitutional order".

All three countries, struggling with a jihadist insurgency in the Sahel region, have recently experienced military coups: Mali in August 2020 and May 2021; Guinea in September 2021; and Burkina Faso in January 2022.

Sall is the current chair of the West African bloc ECOWAS, which has suspended all three countries from its membership.

Juntas ignore ECOWAS pressure

ECOWAS imposed heavy sanctions against Mali in January after the regime there rejected a rapid return to civilian rule.

It has threatened similar sanctions against Guinea and Burkina Faso if they fail to enable a swift transition to civilian rule within a "reasonable" timeframe.

However the military regimes in both countries have rejected the timetable set out by ECOWAS.

Last Monday, Ouagadougou said they had no plans to shorten the three-year transition period they had already announced.

On Saturday evening, Guinea's junta leader Colonel Mamady Doumbouya said he would implement a 39-month transition period to civilian rule.

The announcement was roundly condemned by opposition leaders in Guinea on Sunday, including both the party of ousted president Alpha Conde and groups that had opposed him.

The regime in Mali is also continuing to defy ECOWAS pressure.

On 21 April it announced the launch of a two-year transition "process" before elections would be held.

ECOWAS had called for polls within 16 months at the most.

Climate crisis must be tackled

Turning to the issue of global warming, Guterres said "the climate emergency... increases the security risk" on the continent.

Acccording to Guterres, African countries are "often the first victims" of global warming for which they are "not responsible".

Developed countries had pledged to help southern hemisphere countries to finance their "transition towards renewable energies and green jobs" he noted.

"It's time to take action. It's time to keep the promise of $100 billion dollars a year made in Paris," he said, referring to national pledges under the 2015 Paris Agreement aimed at capping global warming below 2Celsius.
President Akufo-Addo, has dismissed calls on the government to reduce taxes on petroleum products.

He said taking such an action will significantly affect the governments revenues.

Addressing the 2022 May Day parade at the Independence Square in Accra, he said the government risks losing about GH4 billion if it makes any such move. He added that it is even more untenable because the government is rather looking for more avenues to raise money.

Removing taxes on petroleum products will reduce government revenues by some GH4 billion. At this time, when we are determined to expand government revenues in order to increase our capacity to finance our own development, can we afford to reduce tax revenues by GH4 billion? he quizzed.

Fuel prices in Ghana have risen sharply in Ghana in the last six months, although they have stayed the same for almost a month.

Amidst the numerous complaints from consumers that the situation is causing a strain on their finances as the cost of goods and services had risen on account of the changing fuel prices, some analysts have called on the government to consider removing some taxes on petroleum products to bring some relief to Ghanaians.

But President Akufo-Addo in a straightforward response to such calls, said the current challenges facing the economy require that the government rather increases its revenue base.

He said the monies raised from taxes such as those on petroleum prices are what is used to pay wages and allowances of workers; hence withdrawing them could affect the payment of salaries.

Government is currently confronted by very tight financing conditions, in the wake of inadequate domestic revenue mobilisation. Indeed, some of the revenues from these same taxes on petroleum products are what we use to pay some of the salaries of some of the seven hundred thousand (700,000) public sector workers on Government's payroll.

Nana Akufo-Addo said despite the governments decision, it is adopting other measures to mitigate the situation, including stabilising the exchange rate, a key determinant of fuel prices.

Government is also working hard to ensure reliable supply and availability of petroleum products, thereby preventing shortages, a phenomenon which is being experienced in some other neighbouring countries, he added, stressing that Ghana being a net importer of petroleum products is exposed to the volatilities on the international market.

Intense efforts are being made to rehabilitate the Tema Oil Refinery, to enable it contribute to stabilising petroleum prices, which should see the light of day very soon. We are also encouraging private companies to establish refineries in the country, one of which is eighty percent (80%) complete, and is expected to be commissioned before the end of this year, he added.

citinewsroom
Commissioner of Police COP Christian Tetteh Yohuno

02.05.2022 LISTEN

The Tema Community Two District Police of the Ghana Police Services gets an ultramodern office complex - a conference hall, kitchen, offices for in-charge and other departments of the Police Service, male, female, and juvenile cells, among others, replaces the old dilapidated one, which was constructed in the 1980s.

The facility was jointly funded by the Tema West Municipal Assembly (TWMA) and Madam Irene Naa Torshie Addo, former Member of Parliament for Tema West, and Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund Secretariat.

Commissioner of Police (COP) Christian Tetteh Yohuno, Director General, Administration of the Ghana Police Service on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) officially received keys to the edifice at a short ceremony which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) at the Teme Community Two District Police Head Office.

COP Yohuno commended the Assembly and Madam Naa Torshie Addo for funding the project and called on others to come on board.

The Director-General, Administration of the Ghana Police Service said in line with measures to enhance 24/7 effective supervision of officers, and men of the service, as well as to relieve the burden on the few police officers.

The police administration has taken steps to enhance the number of commissioned officers to ensure that senior officers at the district level across the country run a shift system.

He said in line with this, 308 Cadet Officers were currently undergoing a revised training module that was designed to improve upon the quality of training.

COP Yohuno added that the model emphasizes more simulation exercises and practical lessons, to churn out competent officers to deliver upon their graduation from the police academy.

He urged police personnel to discharge their duties professionally reminding them that the Service would never entertain indiscipline among its men.

Handing over the structure to the Police Administration, Ms. Anna Adukwei Addo, Tema West Municipal Chief Executive appealed to the Inspector General of Police to equip the Police Stations within the Tema West Municipality with additional personnel to improve upon the manpower capacity and delivery time of security challenges.

She described investing in the Service as a national duty, stressing that security is a collective responsibility.

She said the enhanced structure would impact crime prevention, protection, and response time to threats, adding that the edifice would also motivate the Police Personnel, workers, and staff as the working environment is associated with public confidence.

Ms. Addo said the edifice would therefore go a long way to serve the intended safety requirements of the people of Tema Community Two as they go about their daily activities in a peaceful atmosphere.

She commended parties and stakeholders for providing leadership amidst challenges and prioritizing the completion of the project.
Deputy Minister of Finance, John Kumah, has assured Ghanaians about steps being taken by government to address the initial challenges that have fraught the first day of the implementation of the E-levy.

The new 1.5% value tax that took effect on Sunday May 1, 2022, has been characterised with a number of challenges including the non application of some exemptions from the tax.

Some social media users have complained about the fact that transfers on the same or different networks or banks owned by the same user is attracting the tax although they are not meant to.

However, speaking on the challenges with some media practitioners in the Ashanti Region, Mr. Kumah who doubles as Member of Parliament (MP) for Ejisu said government has taken notice of the challenges and assured that the issues will be resolved.

According to him, I've heard about some challenges [with the E-levy] and with every digital product that you introduce, there are bound to be challenges, but the important thing is that as a government we have built a robust system with all the stakeholders and all the challenges that are being talked about will be addressed in due course.

I have heard about a few people complain about some of the exemptions that were supposed to apply but are not applying. These are things that will be worked on. But generally, it [E-levy] is working, he added.

Mr. Kumah appealed to Ghanaians to be hopeful and positive about the possibility of the E-levy to boost the country's developmental process.

He expressed joy about the roll out of the E-levy which is going to give the government another revenue stream for development.

It is a good day for our country because we have managed to introduce a new tax mandate for our country. Let's continue to hope for the best for this country and especially let's believe that E-levy will come and play a key role in our national development process, he noted.

Touching on supposed injunction by some members of the opposition political party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), he noted the government cant be cited for contempt over the implementation of the E-levy due to processes filed at the Supreme Court by the opposition in parliament against the tax, saying that There is no court order, so we have not breached anything. The fact that you have filed a motion in court does not mean you have an order of the court, he said.

DGN online
Mr Sulemana Braimah, the Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), says the Government needs to pay attention to the demands of members of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association because they "deserve more.

"CLOGSAG needs more. What they take is not good. In terms of fairness, people running local government deserve more...," he said in a media discussion on conditions of service of workers in the country.

Mr Braimah said the demand for neutrality allowance by the Association was not out of place and that what was needed was a 'proper' definition of the allowance.

He, therefore, charged the leadership of the Association to continue to negotiate with Government for what was due them.

Nana Agyekum-Dwamena, Head of Civil Service, at a CLOGSAG May Day Thanksgiving Service, urged the Government to quickly address issues of remuneration of members of the Association to restore industrial harmony.

The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) and the government have been at crossroads for almost two weeks over the former's demand for payment of neutrality allowance and other remunerations.

As a result, CLOGSAG has been on strike since April 21, 2022.

Nana Agyekum-Dwamena said over the years, the Civil and Local Government Staff, and to a large extent, public servants had contributed immensely to the development of the country and must be given what they deserved.

We are one of the organisations that hardly undertake industrial action, one of the organisations that are much more flexible in terms of understanding of issues because we are the centre of government, he said and added that: We are part of the broad processes, we are part of policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation processes, so we clearly understand the challenges of this country and so I want to encourage the people of Ghana to come to a certain understanding ( the role civil servants play in national development).

Some people, including civil society organisations, as well as social and political commentators, have questioned the rationale for the payment of the neutrality allowance.

In response to that, Nana Agyekum-Dwamena entreated Ghanaians to be circumspect in their criticisms against CLOGSAG's demand for neutrality allowance.

He explained that the calculation for the allowance started in 2019, adding that it was a series of allowances numbering about 48, cut down close to eight, which had been harmonised.

So the neutrality is really a representation of a broader lot of allowances, he said.

He added that; I know that, that has been a major concern. People have come out to say that no, that is not what we are supposed to do and all that. You are entitled to your own opinion and that is a fact, but the point still remains that nobody has really contested the fact that civil and local government staff have gone through negotiations, have gone through the processes and let me stress that with recognition of what this country is going through, negotiations are still continuing and even the initial stance to a large extent has been watered down."

He said civil and local government staff were going through many difficulties and challenges and said it was important the citizenry understood their concerns.

He commended CLOGSAG for its continued support of the Service and the development of the country.

I have always said this and I will say it again that since independence the civil and local government services, by extension public services, have held this country together.

We have gone through various political upheavals. You go back even 1966. After the 66 coups, we are the people who managed this country. So, I will always encourage you to be proud, Nana Agyekum-Dwamena said.

Dr Evans A. Dzikum, President of CLOGSAG, thanked members of the Association for showing commitment, duty consciousness and contributing to the government's plans, programmes and activities, despite the poor conditions of service.

Mr Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, assured members of the Association of leadership's commitment to ensure that the government fulfilled its part of the agreement on conditions of service agreed on January 20, 2022.

Mr Thomas Musah, General Secretary, Ghana National Association of Teachers, GNAT, said current salaries could not sustain workers when on retirement.

Dr Yaw Baah, Secretary-General, Trades Union Congress (TUC), said the Congress was not against CLOGSAG's neutrality allowance and said Government must find resources to increase salaries to avoid labour unrest.

GNA
Ethiopian police using tear gas briefly clashed with young Muslims in Addis Ababa on Monday during prayers to mark the end of Ramadan, AFP reporters saw.

The incident occurred outside the international stadium in the heart of the capital, where prayers were scheduled to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of the Muslim holy month.

Unable to gain access because the stadium was full, some worshippers began to pray outside, in Meskel Square.

A member of the Addis Ababa High Council of Islamic Affairs told AFP that the cause of the confrontation was unclear.

A policeman fired tear gas at the crowd but "it was unintentional," the official said, quoting volunteers at the site.

"The policeman was evacuated by other policemen, but people were shocked and some started to chant slogans... the situation became uncontrollable."

Addis police issued a statement saying "a riot" had been caused by a "few individuals" and led to property damage, but order had now been restored.

"Police are calling on the community to remain calm," it said, adding that it would inform the public later about the cause of the disturbance.

AFP journalists said some demonstrators threw stones at police, shouting "Justice for Gondar" and "Don't burn our mosques, don't kill our people."

At least 20 people were killed last month in Gondar, a town in the northwestern region of Amhara, when Muslims were attacked by heavily-armed "extremist Christians," an Islamic group there says.

Thousands of worshippers gathered inside the stadium for the Eid al-Fitr prayers. By Amanuel Sileshi AFP

Stone-throwing demonstrators also smashed windows at a national museum on Meskel Square before calm was restored, AFP journalists said.

The Addis Islamic official told AFP that Eid al-Fitr prayers had taken place in Addis every year since the end of the Marxist-military Derg regime in 1991.

"This is the first time such incidents happen," the official said, adding that the Muslims attending the ceremonies were unarmed, as everyone was searched by police before they entered the venue.

"Muslims want this festival to pass in peace," the official said.

A country with a large mix of ethnicities, Ethiopia is majority Christian -- of whom the most numerous are members of the Orthodox church -- while around 30 percent of the population are Muslim.

strs-ayv/ri/yad
The Postal and Courier Services Regulatory Commission (PCSRC), a regulatory agency of the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation (MOCD), is putting measures in place to register all e-commerce operators to provide them with a secure online profile.

The exercise will be done at no cost and will help the Commission root out e-commerce fraud in the country.

A statement signed by Hamdaratu Zakaria, Executive Secretary, PCSRC, and copied to the Ghana News Agency said a free-to-use electronic portal had already been developed to enable all members of the public to obtain directory information on all registered e-commerce traders and logistics companies (including courier services) in good standing with the PCSRC before doing business with them.

It said the system would be integrated with telecom and corporate registries to close existing loopholes.

Furthermore, the statement said a complaint and business rating system would be centralised so that fraudulent persons and sham businesses no longer hid behind the current anonymity provided by digital technology to dupe unsuspecting members of the public.

They will be blacklisted. This is absolutely necessary to sanitise this rapidly growing sector and provide security for the conduct of genuine online business. All of these efforts are in line with the Government of Ghana's Digitalisation Agenda, it said.

It said the ongoing trade liberalisation regime under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) had complicated domestic regulations since businesses could now trade across national borders using the internet.

The statement said fraudulent operatives took advantage of that to evade local law enforcement authorities by sometimes operating from neighbouring countries.

It said the PCSRC had thus also joined the AfCFTA Hub and Caravan initiatives and successfully integrated its regulatory platform with the continental system.

The statement said going forward, the Commission would work together with other agencies in Ghana and across the region to tighten the noose around digital fraudsters regardless of where they operated.

It said in May 2022, the new regime for regulating digital trading and logistics enterprises would be launched.

GNA
Some residents of Asylum Down in Accra are livid about the perennial flooding of the community and urge government to address the situation and desist from paying lip service.

Residents along the main drain at Asylum Down said they had always been submerged by floodwaters with reports of people losing their lives and said it was time Government fixed the problem.

Mr Kofi Atsu Dogbadzi, a resident, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said Government officials had failed to honour their pledges of fixing the problem after many engagements with the people.

He said the floodwaters usually accumulate from the Mamobi-Nima stretch through Paloma and to Asylum Down, destroying lives and property.

" The big gutter is not able to contain the volume of water here in Asylum Down. The flood breaks the wall and overflows. Besides, the gutter is not that deep and needs proper reconstruction," Mr Dogbadzi said.

"Former Works and Housing Minister Atta Kyea had been here, Zanetor Rawlings, MP for Korle Klottey Constituency had been here and Former Assembly leaders as well. We explained to them but they went and nothing happened till date," Mr Dogbadzi alleged.

He said Madam Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, in her quest to finding solution to the problem, erected parts of the wall destroyed but it got broken again with a heavy flow.

" We are begging the Government! We are Ghanaians and we deserve better than this" Mr Dogbadzi said.

The main drain has two footbridges connecting Nima, Kokomlemle, Paloma and Adabraka.

Residents in these communities complained of the weakness of the bridge and asked for it to be fixed in time.

Madam Deborah Amiorkor Sarpie, a resident of Asylum Down, said parts of the bridge had broken, exposing metals at the sides and the floor.

GNA
Morocco's King Mohammed VI has pardoned 29 people jailed for "terrorism or extremism" offences in a gesture marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

According to Morocco's justice ministry, the 29 prisoners were pardoned "after having officially expressed their attachment to the... sacredness of the nation and to national institutions, revised their ideological orientations and rejected extremism and terrorism."

Of those pardoned, 23 will be freed while the remaining six will have their sentences reduced.

The 29 are part of a total of 958 people sentenced by various courts across the country that King Mohammed VI pardoned to mark the Eid al-Fitr holiday at the end of Ramadan.

Morocco's reconciliation programme

In 2017, Morocco launched a reintegration programme called "Moussalaha", or "Reconciliation", in its prisons, targeting inmates convicted of "terrorism" who were willing to question their beliefs.

Since 2022, the security services have reportedly dismantled more than 2,000 extremist cells and made over 3,500 arrests linked to terrorism.

Morocco has largely been spared jihadist attacks since 2003, when five suicide bombers killed 33 people and wounded scores more in the economic capital Casablanca.

But in 2018, two Scandinavian tourists were murdered by militants linked to the Islamic State armed group during a hiking trip in the High Atlas mountains.
Several members of the Ghana Mine Workers Union (GMWU) on Sunday, May 1, 2022, went home with amazing prizes when the Union gathered at the National Theatre, Accra, to celebrate this years Workers Day.

The day widely referred to as May Day is celebrated all over the world. Its a day borne out of struggle from the past but now marked to celebrate the efforts of workers.

In continuation of an annual tradition that started some years ago, the Ghana Mine Workers Union on Sunday travelled from far and near to laud the efforts of members.

At a very exciting event at the National Theatre, the high point was when a raffle was held for some lucky members of GMWU to win amazing prizes.

Among the many prizes, lucky members of the union went home with giant television sets, multifunctional electric pressure cookers, blenders, microwaves, laptops, and water heaters.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the event, General Secretary for Ghana Mine Workers Union, Mr. Abdul-Moomin Gbana said commemorating Labour Day is important to look back at history and the way forward for workers.

Today workers rights are being respected, today workers can work under very serene environment, there shouldnt lose sight of it. We need to constantly remind ourselves of where we are coming from and then decide where we are going together," he shared.

Mr. Abdul-Moomin Gbana

Mr. Abdul-Moomin Gbana continued, This day as far as the Ghana Mineworkers Union is concerned is to say a very big thank you to our teeming members who have travelled all the way from the various sites to commemorate this special day."

He assured members that the Union will continue to have their interest at heart to ensure their warfare always comes first.

Engaging some winners of the raffle, they expressed their delight whiles applauding the leadership of the Ghana Mine Workers Union for fighting for the interest of members.

Mr. Peter Wilson, a winner and member of the Ghana Mineworkers Union who works with Newmont in Ahafo said the Union has lived up to expectations as far as what they promised is concerned.

Working relationship is perfect, like I said without Union I dont think most of the workers can survive. When you look at the warfare of the workers, the union is doing a very good job, it has been perfect.

We have received a lot of benefits from the union, Mr. Wilson stressed.

On his part, Mr. Shadrach Adjetey Sowah who is Managing Director in charge of Support Services of Golden Star Resources called on employers to take a look at fixed-term employment.

He said it is the new philosophy which should be considered.

I will say that is the new philosophy and that has been the thinking. Its still under discussion, I believe the Ghana Mine Workers Union have taken it up and today it was clear when the general secretary of TUC also mentioned it to the President to step in. But again as I said it has its disadvantage and advantage, Mr. Shadrach Adjetey Sowah told the press.
Her Excellency Imane Ouaadil, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ghana, celebrated the Eid and end of the Holy month of Ramadan with the children and pensioners of the Potter's Village orphanage house in Dodowa, in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana.

The Ambassador of Morocco and her team enjoyed joyful dancing and singing performances by the beautiful children of the Village and handed them story books, puzzles, chess games, and coloring supplies.

The Ambassador of Morocco handed a 7000 Ghana cedis donation consisting of bags of rice, oil, pasta, biscuits, boxes of mackerel and sardines cans, sanitizers, soap, sanitary pads and other personal hygiene items to the house Director Mrs Sophia Naana Myers for the children and pensioners of the Potters Village.

The Potters Village is a charitable organization founded in May 2000, with the aim of providing care and support to women and children who suffer from domestic violence and all forms of abuse.
The family of "Hotel Rwanda" hero Paul Rusesabagina announced at the weekend that they have filed a $400 million lawsuit in the United States over his alleged abduction and torture.

Rusesabagina is currently serving a 25-year prison term on terrorism charges after a trial his supporters say was a sham and riddled with irregularities.

In a statement released by his family's lawyers: "The complaint alleges that the Government of Rwanda and high-ranking Rwandan officials conspired to facilitate and execute an elaborate plot to lure Paul Rusesabagina from his home in Texas to Rwanda, where he would be tortured and illegally detained for the remainder of his life."

The lawsuit was reportedly filed in a Washington DC court on 22 February. It was subsequently served on the Rwandan government on 8 March.

Rusesabagina's family and lawyers are due to hold a press conference in Washington on Tuesday to announce further details of the suit, which is seeking at least $400 million (380 million) in compensation as well as punitive damages.

Open critic of President Kagame

The lawsuit names the government of Rwanda, President Paul Kagame and other figures including the former justice minister and intelligence chief.

Rusesabagina, then a Kigali hotel manager, is credited with saving hundreds of lives during the 1994 genocide and his actions inspired the Hollywood film "Hotel Rwanda".

He used his fame to denounce Kagame as a dictator and has been behind bars since his arrest in August 2020 when a plane he believed was bound for Burundi landed instead in Kigali.

Rusesabagina, who has a US green card as well as Belgian citizenship, was allegdly tricked into travelling from his US home with the promise of work in Burundi.

25 year sentence upheld by Rwandan court

According to his family, Rusesabagina "was drugged and taken to Rwanda where President Paul Kagame's security agents forcibly abducted him, tortured him, and forced him into illegal imprisonment."

The Rwandan government has not commented on the case so far.

In September, Rusesabagina was convicted of involvement in a rebel group blamed for deadly gun, grenade and arson attacks in Rwanda in 2018 and 2019.

His 25-year jail term was upheld by Rwanda's Court of Appeal in April, a ruling his family says is effectively a death sentence for the ailing 67-year-old.
02.05.2022 LISTEN

Is the fight against corruption a mirage or reality? The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) local chapter of Transparency International in response to the question identified factors eroding the gains in the fight against corruption in Ghana, which include excessive partisan politics and a lack of sustained and effective measures to support the fight.

Mr. Michael Boadi, GII Funds Raising Manager said there was also poor coordination among state institutions responsible for the fight against corruption, a lackadaisical approach by the government, and the failure to foster local ownership to ensure that the public actively participates in the formulation and implementation of the laws.

Mr. Boadi was speaking 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, which was monitored by the Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult (CDA Consult) at Tema.

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.

Speaking on the topic: Is the fight against corruption a mirage or reality?" The GII Funds Raising Manager, further said Ghana, was yet to adequately understand the dynamics and complexity of corruption.

Mr. Boadi also said even though Ghana was always among the first five countries to ratify international conventions on issues such as corruption, the country was unable to domesticate them to achieve the needed aims.

He disclosed that GII has launched the Eye on the Corruption app application platform, to help people easily report incidents of corruption either as a victim, or witnesses of corrupt actions.

He said so far GII has received over 800 corruption reports between January and April this year, stressing that by April 01, over 400 the cases were received through the platform.

He stressed that the reports doubled after GII intensified its campaign on the need to report corrupt practices on the Eye on Corruption App.

Mr. Boadi said out of the first 400 reports received, 27 were actual cases of corruption, noting that they had been dealt with.

He added that almost all the cases received were corruption-related, giving the assurance that they were being looked at.

Mr. Boadi stated that GII through a steering committee has resolved at least 80 percent of all reported cases adding that the committee has members from about 14 state institutions including the judicial service, CHRAJ, trade unions, Attorney General Department, and CID among others.

He added that the GII sometimes collaborates with investigative journalists to investigate some of the reports when need be, stating that complainants also receive legal advice and representation to see the case through successfully.

Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency, Tema Regional Manager urged stakeholders in the public service to step up the fight against corruption; as a result of corruption, the government cannot resource most of its institutions to perform their duties efficiently and effectively.

Mr. Ameyibor said the government and other organizations were making several interventions to curb the canker, stressing that the role of the media was critical in promoting good governance and controlling corruption.

He said the fight against corruption will bear little fruit without the media raising the awareness of public officials and the general public about the dangers of corruption and the duty of every citizen to combat corruption.

The media needs to reinforce the work of anti-corruption bodies and strengthen the citizens to resist, condemn, and report corruption. Media houses should be actively involved in the fight against corruption by providing time and space for educating the general public on corruption, its impact on society, and how to address it.

Mr. Ameyibor said the media must 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.
Panic withdrawals ahead of the implementation of the electronic transfer levy on Sunday left agents who operate mobile money business, otherwise known as MoMo, to idle.

When Citi News visited the Nima and Accra Newtown enclaves in the Greater Accra Region, many of the agents confirmed a shortage of cash due to the rush from customers to withdraw their funds.

The controversial electronic transfer levy, known as the e-levy, has finally been implemented.

According to the Ghana Revenue Authority, the 1.5 percent levy is being implemented in phases.

This means that the full remit of implementation will not be experienced right away.

Prior to this, many industry players had warned that the introduction of the levy would erode the gains of the government's digitization agenda.

As of Saturday, April 30, 2022, several commercial banks and all mobile networks had sent messages and emails to customers reminding them of the implementation of the E-levy on Sunday.

The reaction to these reminders, according to some persons who had earlier spoken to Citi News, was the mad rush for people to withdraw funds in their mobile money accounts.

But what has been the situation on the first day of implementation of this controversial tax on electronic transactions?

Felicia Asiamah said, Because we withdrew the money from the bank on Friday, we don't have cash for MoMo withdrawals now. We are able to withdraw the smaller amounts for them, but we can't withdraw GH5,000 for instance for one person. I got here at 10am and I don't have any cash for withdrawals. On a normal day, people would come and deposit as well, so I would have enough cash, but the situation isn't so today.

Ramatu Adam added, Banks will open on Wednesday because of the holidays, so we have no choice but to withdraw cash via the ATM machine. But the ATM charges are outrageous. Yesterday, people came wanting to withdraw GH4,000 and above and I couldn't do it for them because I wouldn't get any profit from that. Any amount above GH1,000 withdrawn from the bank has a GH4 charge on it. So if I should withdraw GH4,000 for a customer and gain a GH4 profit, and I go to the bank and pay GH53 as ATM charge, I would only run at a loss. So the authorities should help us.

These agents however attributed the panic withdrawals to the low level of sensitization by the government and telecommunication companies.

Watch the full video below:

---citinewsroom
02.05.2022 LISTEN

For the first time in the history of Effutu, Aboakyire festival would be celebrated in an environment of culturally enhanced projects done by Hon. Afenyo-Markin, Member of Parliament for Effutu and Deputy Majority leader of Ghana's 8th parliament.

The Osimpam Heritage Centre would better tell the story of Effutu' emancipation, the cultural struggle: the journey from Timbuktu to Simpa the present home.

Effutu as a community was built with the sweat of the fisherfolks with Ofari Nyi Kwagya statue erected at Yepimso to recognise their contribution to the growth of Winneba.

At Akosua City is the city beautification project that acknowledges the efforts of the Ewe community to the development of Effutu.

As a people they must reconcile their differences and unite for accelerated development. At the Winneba junction is the reconciliation roundabout. The historic two of Ghana; Dr JB Danquah and Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

The unity square at the winneba traffic light signifies the spirit of unity of the people that drives development.

This year's Aboakyire will be commemorated with a great essence of promoting culture and tourism in the land of Effutu.

These heights are a reality because of Afenyo-Markin's Effutu Dream.
Former President John Dramani Mahama has accused the ruling government of using what he terms chaotic shouts and insincere tactical analysis to cover up the reality of the hardships in the country.

On Monday, May 2, 2022, the former Ghana President addressed the nation on the theme; "Ghana at a Crossroads."

The address which touched on several issues including how government led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has handled the economy.

In his speech, John Dramani Mahama said instead of accepting the realities on the ground, the government and its officials have decided to use untruths as a means of defense.

He said the Akufo-Addo government while lacking ideas has decided to use name-calling approaches to silence anyone that speaks out.

Interestingly the condescending responses of government officials to public complaints have often accentuated the frustration and anger of the people. A government bereft of ideas has resorted to incarceration of critical voices, name-calling of citizens and unfair categorization of the labour force and huge numbers of unemployed youth as lazy and undeserving, ex-President John Dramani Mahama bemoaned.

The NDC leader continued, Worst of all the government has been using chaotic shouts and insincere tactical analysis leading with dubious comparisons and outright untruths to manage the narrative.

According to Mr. John Dramani Mahama, his fear now is that Ghana is on the verge of bankruptcy all thanks to the economic mismanagement of President Akufo-Addo's government.

He lamented saying, the painful epiphany is that in Ghana today the frustrations of Ghanaian people are at an all-time high.
Former President, John Dramani Mahama has taken a swipe at President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for the unbearable hardship in the country.

He said the President is a 'promise and fail' leader.

Addressing the country on Monday, May 2, 2022, Mr Mahama said although the President promised to transform the country in 18 months, he has ended up subjecting the Ghanaians to excruciating hardships.

He said amid the hardships, the government has also refused to accept responsibility for the mismanagement of the economy.

On the economic front, Nana Akufo-Addo and the NPP pledged to transform Ghana within 18 months, grow our economy at double digits, reduce borrowing, ensure fiscal discipline, bring down the cost of living, lower taxes, and protect the public purse.

They promised also to live Ghana from taxation to production. In effect, none of these has been achieved. Instead, Ghanaians have been subjected to excruciating hardships and deprivation resulting directly from the mismanagement of the economy by a government that lacks the humility to accept responsibility and the capacity to appropriately diagnose the root causes of the challenges that have brought us here, John Dramani Mahama said while speaking on the theme Ghana at a Crossroads.

The 2020 Presidential candidate of the NDC added, Rather they constantly seek to impose on us their version of the economic reality, denying that food prices have gone up insisting that the business climate is very favourable.

In his speech, John Dramani Mahama said the Akufo-Addo government has led Ghana to the verge of bankruptcy and it is likely the country will have to default on debt repayments.

In his view, the painful epiphany is that in Ghana today the frustrations of Ghanaian people are at an all-time high.
May 02, 2022

Ukraine's Army Is In Very Bad Shape - More Fighting Will Only Destroy It

The French news agency AFP has published a report by Daphne Rousseau from near the Ukrainian frontline. It allows us to gain some realistic view of the state of the Ukrainian armed forces.

Exhausted Ukrainian soldiers return from eastern front

Here is a current map of the frontline. Kiev is in the upper left corner.

I will quote the AFP report piecemeal and add my observations:

Packed with exhausted Ukrainian soldiers with clenched jaws, the truck drives away at full speed. The troops from the 81st brigade have just received an order to withdraw from the eastern front where Russian forces advance. The brigade walked 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) Saturday, camouflaged in the woods and under crossfire, until their point of retreat at Sviatoguirsk.

The 81st Airmobile Brigade consists of 3 infantry battalions equipped with BTR-70 armored personnel carriers that can be loaded onto a plane. It also has a strong artillery group with 3 gun and missile battalions, and the usual hodgepodge of support units.

As the Ukrainian troops had to walk 12 kilometers a question arises. Where are their armored carriers? Even when infantry is deployed in dugouts and trenches its transport should always be nearby (~3 km) to be able to quickly pick it up when necessary.

The most likely answer is that those BTR-70, as well as the brigade's artillery, no longer exist. From today's 'clobber list' as published by the Defense Ministry of Russia (emphasis added):

In total, 146 aircraft and 112 helicopters, 683 unmanned aerial vehicles, 281 anti-aircraft missile systems, 2,756 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 316 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,234 field artillery and mortars, as well as 2,563 units of special military vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were destroyed during the operation.

Those numbers will be, like all such counts, somewhat exaggerated. But they do tell a story.

Sviatoguirsk, the extraction point for the troops, is some 10 kilometers southeast of Izium which the Russian forces have taken a while ago.

More from the AFP piece:

For a month, the 81st -- whose motto is "always first" -- battled to push back the Russian advance in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region where Moscow's troops move forward slowly, taking villages one by one. "Everyone understands that we must guard the line here, we cannot let the enemy move closer, we try to hold it with all our force," says lieutenant Yevgen Samoylov, anxious that the unit could be hit by Russian fire at any point. "As you can hear, the enemy is very, very near," he says, pointing to the sky. The line of Russian tanks is on the other side of a hill, around seven kilometres (4.3 miles) away.

The troops walked 12 kilometers and are now on trucks. The enemy is currently 7 kilometers away. Simple math will explain that with a 5 kilometer deep gain by the Russian forces.

At 21 years old, Samoylov, an officer from the Odessa military academy, finds himself managing 130 conscripts, often twice his age. "It's my first war. I was supposed to graduate in four months, but they sent me here," says the baby-faced officer with a short black beard.

What a disaster. 130 conscripts up to age 40+. These ain't well trained warriors but teachers and car mechanics or farmers drafted into the war. With 130 troops the unit has about the size of a company. Infantry companies in the Soviet/Russian/Ukrainian army are relatively big:

[T]he strength of a tank company is 31-40 people, and the number of servicemen of a motorized rifle company ranges from 150 people. Often a company is commanded by an officer with the rank of captain, and only in some units this position is occupied by a major.

The junior lieutenant Samoylov, who did not even finish his officer course, is leading a unit that is usually led by an officer two to three ranks higher than his. Where are the higher officers?

More from AFP:

The unit swung into action on February 23, a day before Russia launched the invasion. At the start of the war, they spent a month defending Izium, which fell on April 1, before joining the fighting around the village of Oleksandrivka. "Some really difficult battles," says the quiet Samoylov.

Izium is at the northern front where Russian force press towards the south. There are several Oleksandrivka (Alexandrovka) named settlements in the Ukraine, three of them in the Donetsk oblast. There may be more unofficial ones with that name. Two of the known ones are in the north west of Donetzk Oblast some 20 kilometer southwest and southeast of Izium respectively.

The map shows Izium in the north, the western Oleksandrivka is on the bottom left. The other Oleksandrivka lies on the west periphery of Kramatorsk city, to which it practically belongs. It is not named on the map.

Neither town is directly on the current frontline which runs about 10 kilometer to the north. Sviatoguirsk, the extraction point, is much nearer to the front. That is where the troops likely were before they walked towards the trucks.

The AFP piece continues:

In this brigade, like the others, they don't say how many people have been killed. When the subject comes up, Samoylov's gaze becomes misty. The pain is raw. A deadly silence takes over the military truck during the drive to the abandoned building where the soldiers will stay during their week of rest.

Samoylov's 130 men are unlikely to be from one original company. They are probably all what is left from a battalion that originally had three companies and more than 400 men.

When the convoy passes a truck loaded with long-range missiles dashing to the front, the soldiers automatically make a "V" sign for victory with their fingers before fixing their gaze once more on their feet or the horizon in silence.

Is there still some morale in these men or is that just a routine gesture? I believe it is the latter.

On arrival at the base, the soldiers unload their weapons, remove their kit and immediately go into one of the dilapidated rooms without electricity where they undergo a medical examination after returning from the front. For the survivors, "there are small injuries on the forehead, those who were buried under the rubble during a bombing have fractures and (injuries) linked to shrapnel," says Vadym Kyrylov, the brigade's doctor. "But we mainly see somatic problems, like hypertension or chronic illnesses that have worsened," the 25-year-old adds.

Each battalion of the 81st brigade should have a doctor with a more senior one serving in the brigade's headquarter company. That a 25 year old one is in the brigade's doctor role again points to a lack of men.

- 'Trench foot' - The men also greatly suffer from "trench foot" syndrome caused by prolonged exposure to moisture, unsanitary conditions or the cold. "For a month they are not able to dry their shoes... so there are many feet-related injuries, mainly fungi and infections," the doctor says.

Military boots should be watertight. During my time in the military we trained in some very muddy areas but I never got my feet wet. One wonders what quality Ukrainian army boots have.

After the medical visit, they all have the same reflex: to isolate and use their phone to call a female partner, a child or a parent. Soldiers cannot use their phones on the front, and any application that requires geolocation is banned.

How strict is the control of those policies? Experience says that if soldiers are allowed to have phones with them they will inevitably use them. That is why Russia prohibits its soldiers to carry phones.

Four soldiers reassemble the rusty metal bed frames and sweep the floor coated with dust to make a semblance of a room.

That does not sound like a fun place for rest and recreation. Are there even mattresses for those metal frames?

"It's the moment for the guys to relax, to take care of their physical and psychological injuries, to regain their strength before returning to battle," Samoylov says. "They'll sleep warm, eat normal food and try to more or less get back on their feet."

Those troops were nine weeks on the frontline and now only get one week of rest in a miserable place. Samoylov is an optimist. None of those injuries, especially not the psychological ones, will heal within a week. It takes years to overcome the cruelties of war and sometimes more than a lifetime.

The Ukrainian army is obviously in a very bad shape as it pushes barely trained conscripts to the frontline where Russian artillery will eat them up. That it is in such a state is not astonishing though.

The Swiss military intelligence officer Jacques Baud has worked in the Ukraine and has written about the current war (here, here and here). He describes the sorry state the Ukrainian military was in from the get-go:

The Ukrainian army was then in a deplorable state. In October 2018, after four years of war, the chief Ukrainian military prosecutor, Anatoly Matios, stated that Ukraine had lost 2,700 men in the Donbass: 891 from illnesses, 318 from road accidents, 177 from other accidents, 175 from poisonings (alcohol, drugs), 172 from careless handling of weapons, 101 from breaches of security regulations, 228 from murders and 615 from suicides. In fact, the army was undermined by the corruption of its cadres and no longer enjoyed the support of the population. According to a British Home Office report, in the March/April 2014 recall of reservists, 70 percent did not show up for the first session, 80 percent for the second, 90 percent for the third, and 95 percent for the fourth. In October/November 2017, 70% of conscripts did not show up for the Fall 2017 recall campaign. This is not counting suicides and desertions (often over to the autonomists), which reached up to 30 percent of the workforce in the ATO area. Young Ukrainians refused to go and fight in the Donbass and preferred emigration, which also explains, at least partially, the demographic deficit of the country. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense then turned to NATO to help make its armed forces more attractive. Having already worked on similar projects within the framework of the United Nations, I was asked by NATO to participate in a program to restore the image of the Ukrainian armed forces. But this is a long-term process and the Ukrainians wanted to move quickly. So, to compensate for the lack of soldiers, the Ukrainian government resorted to paramilitary militias. They are essentially composed of foreign mercenaries, often extreme right-wing militants. In 2020, they constituted about 40 percent of the Ukrainian forces and numbered about 102,000 men, according to Reuters. They were armed, financed and trained by the United States, Great Britain, Canada and France. There were more than 19 nationalitiesincluding Swiss.

The Ukrainian army will not win the war nor will the fascist militias. The country simply has no chance.

'Western' governments are abusing the Ukraine and its soldiers. They want to 'weaken Russia' and do not allow the Ukraine to sue for peace.

That is criminal.

Jacques Baud again:

The Ukraine has lost the war. All the weapons systems the 'west' is now pushing into it are of no use as the Ukraine obviously lacks the men to field them. They will likely get pilfered and in future some of them may well be used against the 'west' itself.

They would do some bloody justice.

Posted by b on May 2, 2022 at 17:32 UTC | Permalink

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Mark Wahlberg and his brothers Donnie and Paul founded the Wahlburgers franchise in 2011, with an American-style menu inspired by the Wahlberg's family kitchen and developed by Paul who plays Head Chef.

Known best for their burgers, Wahlburgers also features adult shakes, sloppy joes, mac & cheese and fried pickles.

According to Newshub, Mark Wahlberg said in a statement that he is "really looking forward" to opening the first Wahlburgers in New Zealand and he hopes to visit "soon". An exact opening date for their Auckland restaurant this year has yet to be announced.
Sometimes, when the world feels a bit scary (looking at you, the last two years) it's nice to indulge in a bit of nostalgia and take a trip down memory lane to a simpler time: childhood.

There are some things that are just quintessential to the experience of being a Kiwi kid - burning your feet on hot sand, having a jandal blowout on mufti day - but growing up in the 90s in Aotearoa brought with it a very specific and special set of experiences.

Here are some of the things all 90s Kiwi kids will remember:

The excitement of a trip to the video store on a Friday night
MADRID, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Garbine Muguruza's unhappy relationship with the Madrid Open continued on Sunday when the No. 7 seed crashed out of the round of 32 after a 6-3, 6-0 defeat to Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina.

Kalinina had already shown she is an effective clay-court player by defeating Sloane Stephens of the United States and she gave Muguruza few options in a match that lasted just 81 minutes. The Spanish player was hampered by a calf problem and especially struggled in the second set with a heavy strapping on her lower leg.

Muguruza wasn't the only seed to go out of the tournament with sixth seed American Danielle Collins suffering a heavy 6-1, 6-1 defeat to Canadian Bianca Andreescu.

Fourth seed Maria Sakkari is also out of the tournament after failing to hold onto a first set lead against Daria Kastakina. After taking the first set 6-3, Sakkari lost the second set 6-3 and was overwhelmed 6-1 in the decisive set.

US Open champion Emma Raducanu of Britain continued her adaptation to clay with a convincing 6-2, 6-1 win over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk.

"I'm definitely very happy with my performance. Marta's a great opponent, we've played several times in the juniors and once last year. I knew it was always going to be a really tough battle so I went out there trying to be really aggressive and it definitely paid off," said Raducanu after her match.

Switzerland's world No. 75 Jil Teichmann produced another minor upset as she enjoyed a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Leylah Fernandez of Canada, who was ranked 17th in Madrid.

Twelfth seed Jessica Pegula qualified for the round of 16 thanks to a straight set 6-3, 6-3 win over Kaia Kanepi from Estonia. 
Gov. Greg Abbott said Friday he is moving another $500 million to fund Operation Lone Star, his border security initiative at the Texas-Mexico border. The move comes three weeks after state military officials said the multibillion-dollar operation was in need of an infusion of cash to keep it afloat through the end of the fiscal year.

Abbott said the money would be taken from the budgets of other Texas agencies, including nearly $210 million from the states Health and Human Services Commission over two years and about $160 million from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Department of State Health Services and Juvenile Justice Department will each see tens of millions of dollars taken from their budgets to fund the border mission, Abbott said.

In a letter to the agencies, Abbott said that this transfer will not affect any agency or program function. The governor's office did not answer whether the agencies would be reimbursed later or would see budget cuts, and instead referred questions back to Abbott's original announcement.

Operation Lone Stars price tag for taxpayers is upwards of $2 billion a year. State officials already transferred another $480 million from other agencies in January to keep the operation running through the spring.

Texas will not sit on the sidelines as President Biden continues turning a blind eye to the crisis at our southern border, Abbott said in his statement. Texans safety and security is our top priority, and we will continue fighting to keep our communities safe. This additional funding ensures the Lone Star State is fully equipped to provide Texans the border security strategy they demand and deserve.

Abbotts Operation Lone Star is a series of policy changes at the border that the governor says is in response to an increase of illegal border crossings under the Biden administration. The project includes the deployment of thousands of state troopers and National Guard soldiers at the border, as well as Abbotts state-funded border wall project.

The increase in funding comes as Abbott has implemented initiatives at the border such as boat blockades and razor wire at border crossings and chartered buses to Washington, D.C., for migrants in Texas. He says he is working to counter the Biden administrations repeal of Title 42, a pandemic-era health order that allowed immigration officials to deny migrants entry to the U.S. because of the coronavirus.

The announcement also comes about one week after a Texas National Guard soldier drowned in Eagle Pass attempting to rescue migrants struggling to swim in the Rio Grande. Days later, it was revealed that the soldier was not properly equipped with a flotation device, The Texas Tribune reported Wednesday. Abbott said $465.3 million of the $500 million will be allocated to the Texas National Guard.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
Tim Fischer/Midland Reporter-Telegram

The city of Midland has confirmed there was an officer-involved shooting Sunday in north Midland.

A city spokesperson stated the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and that as part of our protocol, the investigation is being handled by the Texas Rangers. The city did confirm that the person shot was armed and that the shooting took place at 9:53 p.m. on Castleford Road.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on July 19, 2016.
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More than 1 million people, including nearly 200,000 children, have been taken from Ukraine to Russia in the past two months, Russias Defense Ministry said Monday, according to the state-owned news agency TASS.

Defense Ministry official Mikhail Mizintsev said those included 11,550 people, including 1,847 children, in the previous 24 hours, without the participation of the Ukrainian authorities.

He said those civilians were evacuated to the territory of the Russian Federation from the dangerous regions" of Donetsk, Lugansk and other parts of Ukraine, according to the report. No details were provided on the location or circumstances of the moves.

___

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Evacuation of civilians from Ukrainian steel plant begins

 Israel angered by Lavrovs remarks on Hitler and Nazism

 Push to arm Ukraine strains US weapons stockpile

 Pelosi, in surprise Kyiv trip, vows unbending US support

 Jill Biden to meet Ukrainian refugees in Romania, Slovakia

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

___

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

OTTAWA  Ukraines ambassador-designate to Canada says Russia must be held accountable for its troops committing sex crimes, including against children.

Yulia Kovaliv told a Canadian House of Commons committee Monday that Russia is using sexual violence as a weapon of war and said rape and sexual assault must be investigated as war crimes.

She said Russia also has kidnapped Ukrainian children and taken them to Russian-occupied territories and now Russia itself. Ukraine is working with partners to find the children and bring them back.

Russians, a few days ago, killed a young mother and taped her living child to her body and attached a mine between them, the ambassador said. She said the mine detonated.

All of Russian society, and not just President Vladimir Putin and his proxies, should bear responsibility for the war on Ukraine because more than 70% of Russians support the invasion, Kovaliv said.

___

WASHINGTON  U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived Monday at the Capitol after leading a surprise delegation trip to Ukraine, vowing the U.S. Congress has more to do to help the country fight the Russian invasion.

Pelosi is the highest-ranking elected U.S. official to touch down in Kyiv since the start of the war and she called the congressional delegations meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy informative and it was inspiring.

The trip with Democratic lawmakers comes as Congress is preparing a $33 billion package of military and humanitarian aid, but now some lawmakers also are discussing a Marshall Plan-type effort to eventually help rebuild Ukraine as the U.S. aided Europe after World War II.

Pelosi returned to the Capitol in Washington to sign and send President Joe Biden legislation passed last week by Congress that would update a World War II-era military lend-lease law and streamline the process for sending aid to Ukraine. Biden is expected to sign it into law.

___

GENEVA -- The Union of European Football Associations has kicked Russian soccer teams out of the Womens European Championship, the next mens Champions League and qualifying for the 2023 Womens World Cup.

The latest round of sporting sanctions Monday during Russias war on Ukraine followed UEFA and FIFA suspending Russian national and club teams in February from playing in international competitions, including the mens World Cup playoffs.

The latest expulsions are likely to be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, just as the Russian Football Union has challenged the previous decisions.

UEFA said Portugal will take Russias place in the Womens Euro 2022 being hosted by England in July. Russian Premier League winner Zenit St. Petersburgs place in the next Champions League group stage will go instead to the champion of Scotland, according to UEFAs updated list of allocated entries.

Meanwhile, Finland and Sweden will ban from their national ice hockey teams any players who appear in Russias Kontinental Hockey League next season. Both ice hockey federations announced their decisions on Monday, two days after the Russian leagues season ended.

___

WASHINGTON -- The highest-ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S. has condemned as sickening Russian Foreign minister Sergey Lavrovs antisemitic comments about the Ukraine invasion.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that Russia is fooling no one by trying to justify its brutal invasion of Ukraine with a deranged conspiracy theory against the Jewish people. Schumer, a New York Democrat, is the U.S. Senates first Jewish majority leader.

I have only one word for this: Sickening, Schumer said in the Senate.

Lavrov was asked during an interview over the weekend with an Italian news channel about Russian claims that it invaded Ukraine to denazify the country -- a seemingly confusing position since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish.

Lavrov suggested falsely that Jewish people themselves are the biggest antisemites. Schumer said he condemned Lavrovs comments in the strongest possible way.

Youre fooling no one, Schumer said. The crimes of Russia are as plain as day for the world to see.

___

LONDON  British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is scheduled to address Ukraines parliament, delivering a message that the fight against Russian invasion is Ukraines finest hour.

Johnsons office says the U.K. leader will announce a new 300 million pound ($375 million) package of military aid to Ukraine when he speaks to the legislature by video link on Tuesday. Britain has already sent Ukraine equipment including missiles and missile launchers. The new package includes electronic warfare equipment, a counter battery radar system, GPS jamming equipment and thousands of night vision devices.

In advance extracts of the address released by the prime ministers office, Johnson evokes a 1940 speech by World War II leader Winston Churchill as the U.K. fought attack from Nazi Germany. Johnson will say that the British people showed such unity and resolve that we remember our time of greatest peril as our finest hour. This is Ukraines finest hour, an epic chapter in your national story that will be remembered and recounted for generations to come.

Ukrainian President Volydymyr Zelenskyy addressed Britains Parliament on March 8, and also likened his countrys struggle to Britains fight against the Nazis. Johnson visited Kyiv on April 9.

___

WASHINGTON  A senior U.S. official says the United States believed Russia is planning this month to annex large portions of eastern Ukraine and recognize the southern city of Kherson as an independent republic.

Michael Carpenter, the U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said Monday that the suspected actions are straight out of the Kremlins playbook and will not be recognized by the United States or its partners and allies.

Carpenter said the U.S. and others have information that Russia is planning sham referenda in the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics that would attach the entities to Russia. He also said there were signs that Russia would engineer an independence vote in the city of Kherson.

We believe that the Kremlin may try to hold sham referenda to try to add a veneer of democratic or electoral legitimacy and this is straight out of the Kremlins playbook, he said, adding that the information suggested the votes could come as early as mid-May. Such sham referenda, fabricated votes will not be considered legitimate, nor will any attempts to annex additional Ukrainian territory, he said.

Carpenter did not detail the information that led to the assessment, although there have been public reports that Russia is moving to exert greater control over areas that it already controls and occupies in eastern and southern Ukraine. He pointed to evidence that local mayors and legislators there have been abducted, that internet and cell phone service had been severed and that Russian school curricula is soon to be imposed.

___

ROME  Italian Premier Mario Draghi said that statements made by Russias foreign minister on Italian television regarding Nazism and antisemitism were aberrant and obscene.

Draghi told a press conference Monday that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrovs statements that Adolf Hitler was Jewish is truly obscene.

He also noted that Lavrov comes from a country where there is no freedom of expression. This country permits the free expression of opinions, even when they are clearly false and aberrant. My judgment is that what Minister Lavrov said is aberrant.

Draghi also criticized the TV format, noting that Lavrov was permitted to speak freely without being contradicted. You spoke of an interview, Draghi said. It was really a rally.

The question is if it should be accepted to invite a person to ask to be interviewed without any contradictions for a period of time, not for one minute or two, without any contradiction. That is not great professionally. It brings up strange questions, Draghi said.

Lavrov was interviewed Sunday evening for a program on the private Mediaset network, owned by former Premier Silvio Berlusconi, a long-time friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Berlusconi criticized Putin for the invasion at a rally some six weeks after the invasion was launched.

___

WASHINGTON  The CIA says Russians disaffected by Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine may be trying to get in touch with U.S. intelligence  and it wants them to go to the darknet.

The agency on Monday began a new push to promote its presence on a part of the internet accessible only through specialized tools that provide more anonymity. The CIA has a darknet site that has the same features as its regular homepage but accessible only through the Tor internet browser, which has encryption features not available on most regular browsers.

Instructions in English and Russian on how to access the darknet site appeared Monday on the CIAs social media channels. The agency hopes Russians living abroad can share the instructions with contacts inside the country.

While many Russians appear to support what the Kremlin officially calls a special military operation, longtime Russia watchers think Putins management of the war may push away some powerful people who disagree with him. Even with immense capabilities to capture communications and satellite imagery, it remains critical for Western intelligence agencies to recruit human sources who can offer insight into the Kremlin and conditions inside Russia.

Our global mission demands that individuals can contact us securely from anywhere, the agency said in a statement.

___

LVIV, Ukraine  Authorities say a Russian missile attack struck the Black Sea port of Odesa on Monday evening.

Maksym Marchenko, the governor of the Odesa region in southwestern Ukraine, wrote on the messaging app Telegram that the strike killed and wounded people but didnt specify how many. He added that an infrastructure site was hit, without identifying what it was.

The secretary of Ukraines national security council, Oleksiy Danilov, also said the attack on Odesa took the roof off a church belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox faction loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate.

___

BOSTON  Twenty-four hours after internet service was disconnected to Ukraines Black Sea port of Kherson, which Russian troops seized in early March, it has resumed but is now under Kremlin control, network analysts say.

Someone must have activated a line from Crimea to Kherson, said Doug Madory, director of internet analysis for Kentik Inc. He called the development eerily similar to what occurred after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

The London-based internet monitor Netblocks, like Madory, reported that the Kherson regions traffic had been rerouted as of Sunday evening through Russias state-controlled Rostelecom after a day-long outage.

On Sunday, Ukrainian officials said internet and cellular communications were cut in a large area of the Kherson region and part of the Zaporizhzhia region and blamed Russia. They attributed the outages to breakages in fiber optic backbone cables and a power outage.

The Ukrainian State Service of Special Communication said the Kremlin had falsely claimed Ukraines government had ordered a shutdown.

In a statement, it called the outage another enemy attempt to leave Ukrainians without access to the true information and suggested Moscow was preparing to try to cement political control by introducing the Russian ruble as currency and staging a possible fake referendum.

___

BRUSSELS  Poland urged its European Union partners on Monday to unite and impose sweeping sanctions on Russias oil and natural gas sectors over the war in Ukraine, and not to cave in to pressure to pay for their gas in Russian rubles.

EU ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss their response to Russias decision last week to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. Energy giant Gazprom says the two countries failed to pay their bills in April.

We will call for immediate sanctions on Russian oil and gas. This is the next, and urgent, and absolute step, Polish Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa said. We already have coal. Now its time for oil, and (the) second step is for gas. The best option is take them all together.

Russian energy giant Gazprom cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland last week after President Vladimir Putin said that unfriendly countries must start paying for gas in rubles, Russias currency. Bulgaria and Poland have refused to do so, like most EU countries. More Gazprom bills are due May 20, and the bloc is wary that Russia might turn off more taps then.

The 27 nation EU imports around 40% of the gas it consumes from Russia. But some member countries, notably Hungary and Slovakia, are more heavily dependent on Russian supplies than others, and support for a gradual phasing in of an oil embargo is emerging.

___

Teams of workers strove Monday to repair a bridge in southwestern Russia near the border with Ukraine that was damaged in what a local governor described as an act of sabotage.

The regional administration said it expects the repair work will be completed Wednesday.

Kursk regional Gov. Roman Starovoit said Sunday that the bridge was blown up by unidentified attackers and the Investigative Committee, Russias top state investigative agency, has launched a criminal probe into what it described as a terrorist act.

Officials didnt specify the significance of the bridge for the war, but it sits on a key railway link used to ferry supplies to Russian troops fighting in eastern Ukraine.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the bridge, that follows a series of explosions and fires in western Russia amid the war in Ukraine that has entered a third month.

___

LVIV, Ukraine  U.S. diplomats have made a day trip back into Ukraine amid that countrys grinding war with Russia.

Kristina Kvien, U.S. Embassy charge daffaires, attended a news conference Monday in Lviv to highlight the diplomatic return.

The U.S. pulled out of its Kyiv embassy to Lviv before the war, then pulled out entirely after Russia began its war on Ukraine in February.

In recent days, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited, promising diplomats would return.

Kvien spoke at the Lvivs city council building in front of a Chestnut Briotti tree planted in April 2021 by America. She said America was there to support Ukraine and hoped to return to Kyiv soon.

Andriy Sadovyi, Lvivs mayor, also attended the event. He pledged that Ukraine would kick out the enemy from our land.

___

KYIV, Ukraine  Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod walked the streets of Kyiv suburbs on Monday to view the devastation caused by Russian forces before they withdrew.

He tweeted to say that it was horrible to witness the destruction, which he viewed with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.

Kofod also said that Denmark firmly supports the work to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing civilians in those areas, referring to the International Criminal Courts work in investigating possible war crimes.

Denmarks Embassy in Kyiv reopened Monday after closing earlier in the war. Kofod said he hoisted the Danish flag on the building.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian authorities say the Russian military again has struck a strategic bridge in the countrys southwest.

Odesa region Gov. Maksym Marchenko said that the Russians on Monday hit a bridge across the Dniester Estuary west of Odesa where the Dniester River flows into the Black Sea. The bridge already had been heavily damaged in two previous Russian missile strikes.

The bridge provides the only railway connection and the key highway link to areas west of Odesa. Its destruction cuts access to shipments of weapons and other cargo from neighboring Romania.

The attacks on the bridge followed a claim by a senior Russian military officer that Russia aims to take control of the entire south of Ukraine and build a land corridor to the separatist Transnistria region of Moldova, where tensions have recently escalated.

The region broke away after a short civil war in the early 1990s, and is unrecognized by most countries. An estimated 1,500 Russian soldiers are stationed there. Ukrainian and Western officials have voiced concern that Russia could use the region to open a new front in the war against Ukraine.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukraines Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says his Russian counterparts recent remarks about Adolf Hitler and Jews demonstrate the deeply-rooted antisemitism of the Russian elites.

In an interview with an Italian news channel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures, including President Volodymry Zelenskyy, were Jewish. Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it doesnt mean anything, he said, according to an Italian translation.

Lavrov could not help hiding the deeply rooted antisemitism of the Russian elites, Kuleba said in a tweet Monday. His heinous remarks are offensive to President Zelenskyy, Ukraine, Israel, and the Jewish people. More broadly, they demonstrate that todays Russia is full of hatred towards other nations.
Dominic Genetti

Editor's note: We went one-on-one with Farmersville shooting survivor Chris Smith and broke his interview into a five-part series. You'll see Smith talk about what happened the night of Nov. 24, 2021 and how he's thankful to be here now to tell his story.

Episode 1: Shooting survivor has no recollection of what happened
When Dennis Green was a young farmer starting out in southern Illinois in the 1970s, he did not give a lot of thought to the Soviet Union as a player in world agriculture.

Russia and Ukraine and some other countries were still part of the Soviet Union. In the 1970s, they could not raise enough wheat for their own people, Green said. We would never have thought that a war like we have going on right now would be something that would have an impact on world markets

Russia and Ukraine are large contributors to the world wheat market. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia this spring has rocked global markets, causing shortages, creating uncertainty, and driving up prices for U.S. wheat.

At harvest time in June and July, market watchers expect Illinois wheat prices will hit record highs.

Prices have soared and so have the costs of fertilizing U.S. crops.

According to data from the Fertilizer Institute, Russia is the biggest exporter of fertilizers in the world, producing 23% of ammonia exports, 14% of urea exports, 10% of processed phosphate exports and 21% of potash exports.

Russia is also a major exporter of natural gas, which is used in the manufacture of nitrogen fertilizers. Even before Russian troops began building up on the Ukrainian borders this winter, high natural gas prices had been driving up the cost of fertilizers and other inputs that U.S. farmers depend on.

Western sanctions on Russia have disrupted fertilizer shipments and increased shortages, driving input costs even higher than they were last fall.

So, should Illinois wheat farmers increase the amount of wheat they plant in the fall? Green said it is too soon for him to decide.

The factor that will determine what happens there is what the price of wheat looks like come fall, Green said.

After the corn and soybean crops are harvested, Illinois wheat is planted to overwinter in the same soil where the corn and soybeans were grown.

The soft red winter wheat variety that is grown in Illinois is primarily sold to U.S. factories to be used to make cookies, pretzels, baked goods and flatbreads. It is not used for bread and pasta.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has predicted that the U.S. will produce 1.28 billion bushels of wheat this year.

The soft wheat production  what we produce east of the Mississippi in the Midwest  is less than one-sixth of the total wheat that is grown in this country, Green said.

Green, who farms in Lawrenceville, near the Indiana border, will factor in the timing of his soybean harvest, the weather conditions at planting time and the price of wheat this fall before he decides how much wheat he will plant this year, he said.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Jill Biden said she is heading to Romania and Slovakia later this week to visit with Ukrainian families who fled for their lives after Russia invaded their country in hopes of sending the message, despite language barriers, that their resilience inspires me.

The White House announced late Sunday that the first lady will spend Mother's Day meeting Ukrainian refugees, most of whom are women and children.

The May 8 meeting will take place in Slovakia. Biden is scheduled to depart Washington late Thursday on a five-day trip that will also take her to Romania. Both countries share borders with Ukraine, which has spent the past two months fighting off Russia's military invasion. Romania and Slovakia also are NATO members.

She discussed the trip Monday while touring a costume exhibit at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, saying she would spend the U.S. holiday dedicated to honoring mothers with Ukrainian families who have been displaced by Russian President Vladimir Putin's war.

As a mother myself, I can only imagine the grief families are feeling, said Biden, a mother of three. I know that we might not share a language, but I hope that I can convey, in ways so much greater than words, that their resilience inspires me, that they are not forgotten, and that all Americans stand with them still.

The trip will mark Bidens latest show of solidarity with Ukraine.

Nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded its smaller neighbor on Feb. 24, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Many have resettled in neighboring countries or relocated elsewhere in Europe.

Throughout the trip, Biden will also meet with U.S. service members, U.S. Embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers and educators, the White House said.

After arriving in Romania on Friday, she is scheduled to meet with U.S. service members at Mihail Kogalniceau Air Base, a U.S. military installation near the Black Sea.

The schedule then takes her to the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Saturday to meet with government officials, U.S. Embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers and educators who are helping teach displaced Ukrainian children. The first lady will travel to Slovakia to meet with staff at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, the capital.

On May 8, Biden will travel to Kosice and Vysne Nemecke in Slovakia to meet with refugees, humanitarian aid workers and local Slovakians who are supporting Ukrainian families that have sought refuge in Slovakia.

She plans to meet with members of Slovakia's government on May 9 before returning to the United States.

President Joe Biden visited with Ukrainian refugees during a stop in Poland in March.

The trip will be the first lady's second overseas to represent the United States by herself, following her journey to Tokyo last year for the opening of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games. The trip also will mark her latest gesture of solidarity with Ukraine.

Four days after Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Biden appeared at a White House event wearing a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, Ukraine's national flower.

She also invited Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, to sit with her during President Biden's State of the Union address in March and had a sunflower sewn into the sleeve of the cobalt blue dress she wore for the occasion.

Jill Biden spoke Monday at the Met about fashion as a means of communication. She said she had the sunflower applique sewn onto the cuff of her dress because she knew the only thing that would be written about her for the president's big speech was what she wore.

And that night, sitting next to the Ukrainian ambassador, I knew that I was sending a message without saying a word, that Ukraine was in our hearts and that we stood with them., she said.
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KYIV, Ukraine  Sviastoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov Regiment, which is helping defend the last section of Mariupol not occupied by the Russians, said he was glad evacuations had begun.

Palamar hoped the evacuations from the Azovstal steel mill continue until everyone in the plant, civilians and soldiers, had gotten out. Its been difficult even to reach some of the wounded inside the plant, he told The Associated Press in an interview from Mariupol on Sunday.

Theres rubble. We have no special equipment. It`s hard for soldiers to pick up slabs weighing tons only with their arms, he said.

The Azovstal plant is strewn with mines, rockets, artillery shells and unexploded cluster ordnance, he said.

Along with the Azov regiment, Palamar said, the plant is being defended by the 36th Marine Brigade, police officers, border guards, coast guard and more. Some of them guard the territory, some of them prevent attempted attacks, some of them are responsible for a ceasefire, some of them help to clear the rubble under shelling.

He said the presence of children and civilians makes it harder to fight, and there are many injured people in the plant. Theres not enough water, he said, and the air smells of decomposing bodies.

The fighters in the plant will continue to resist until they receive an order not to, Palamar said.

The best solution in this situation is our evacuation. Does it make a sense to continue carrying this massacre? he asked.

The standoff at the steel plant saved many lives, he believes. Because if we hadnt done this, the front line would be much bigger. The front line would be in another area.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

 Evacuations underway at steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol

 Pelosi leads delegation to Kyiv and Poland; vows US support

 Combat death puts spotlight on Americans fighting in Ukraine

 Wives of Mariupol defenders appeal for soldiers evacuation

 Look for the orange vest: Ukrainians in Romania help others

 Germany vows to stop using Russian oil exports by late summer

 Ukraine admits Ghost of Kyiv fighter pilot is a myth

Follow all AP stories on Russias war on Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

An explosive device damaged a railway bridge Sunday in the Kursk region of Russia, which borders Ukraine, and a criminal investigation has been started. The regions government reported the blast in a post on Telegram.

Recent weeks have seen a number of fires and explosions in Russian regions near the border, including Kursk. An ammunition depot in the Belgorod region burned after explosions were heard, and authorities in the Voronezh region said an air defense system shot down a drone. An oil storage facility in Bryansk was engulfed by fire a week ago.

The explosion Sunday caused a partial collapse of the bridge near the village of Konopelka, on the Sudzha-Sosnovy Bor railway, the report from Kursk said.

It was a sabotage, a criminal case has been opened, said the regions governor, Roman Starovoit, according to TASS. He said there were no casualties, and no effect on the movement of trains.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Four civilians were reported killed and 11 more were injured by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region on Sunday, the Ukrainian regional governor said that evening.

The deaths and seven of the injuries were in the northern city of Lyman, governor Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. One person also died in the city of Bakhmut from injuries received in the Luhansk region, he said.

In the same post, Kyrylenko said that it was impossible to determine the number of victims in the bombed-out port city of Mariupol and the town of Volnovakha, which is controlled by pro-Kremlin separatists.

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LVIV, Ukraine  President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of waging a war of extermination, citing strikes against non-military targets on Sunday.

Zelenskyy said in his nightly address that Russian shelling had hit food, grain and fertilizer warehouses, and residential neighborhoods in the Kharkiv, Donbas and other regions.

The targets they choose prove once again that the war against Ukraine is a war of extermination for the Russian army, he said.

He said Russia will gain nothing from the damage but will further isolate itself from the rest of the world.

What could be Russias strategic success in this war?" Zelenskyy said. "Honestly, I do not know.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukraines president is describing his hourslong weekend meeting with U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in Kyiv as a powerful signal of support in a difficult time.

In a televised address on Sunday evening, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his meeting with Pelosi included discussions of defense supplies to Ukraine, financial support and sanctions against Russia.

Pelosi and a half dozen U.S. lawmakers met with Zelenskyy and his top aides for about three hours late Saturday to voice American solidarity with the besieged nation and get a first-hand assessment as she works to steer a massive new Ukraine aid package through Congress.

Zelenskyy says Ukrainians are grateful to all partners who send such important and powerful signals of support by visiting our capital at such a difficult time.

Additionally, Zelenskyy estimated that more than 350,000 people had been evacuated from combat zones thanks to humanitarian corridors pre-arranged with Moscow since the start of Russias invasion of Ukraine in late February. Many civilians were evacuated Sunday from at a steel plant in the bombed-out city of Mariupol.

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KYIV, Ukraine  A Ukrainian military officer says that Russian forces have resumed their shelling of a steel plant in the war-torn port city Mariupol immediately after the partial evacuation of civilians.

Ukrainian National Guard brigade commander Denys Shlega said Sunday in a televised interview that the shelling began as soon as rescue crews ceased evacuating civilians at the Azovstal steel mill.

Shlega says that at least one more round of evacuations is needed to clear civilians from the plant. He says dozens of small children remain in bunkers below the industrial facilities.

The commander estimates that several hundred civilians still are trapped at the site alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies. The plant is the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

A video published earlier on Sunday by the Russian defense ministry showed people walking out of the steel plant, including a small group of women accompanied by two pet dogs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Sundays evacuations from Mariupol marked the initiation of a vitally need humanitarian corridor.

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BERLIN  Germany says its making progress on weaning itself off Russian fossil fuels and expects to be fully independent of crude oil imports from Russia by late summer.

Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said Sunday that Europes largest economy has reduced its share of Russian energy imports to 12% for oil, 8% for coal and 35% for natural gas.

Habeck says those steps mean increased costs for the economy and for consumers. But he says the changes are necessary if Germany no longer wants to be blackmailed by Russia.

The announcement comes as the European Union considers an embargo on Russian oil. The bloc has already decided to ban Russian coal imports starting in August.

Weaning German off Russian natural gas is a far bigger challenge. Before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, Germany got more than half of its natural gas imports from Russia.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The city council in the bombed-out southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol says Monday is the scheduled start date for a broad, U.N.-backed evacuation of its civilians, other than those sheltering at a steel plant.

The city council also confirmed Sunday in a social media post on Telegram that some civilians were being evacuated Sunday from the Azovstal steelworks that is the last Ukrainian defense stronghold in Mariupol. City officials note the support of the Red Cross and say the wider evacuation of the strategic port city was delayed by security concerns.

As many as 100,000 people are believed to still be in blockaded Mariupol, including up to 1,000 civilians who were hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the Soviet-era steel plant. The plant is the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

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KYIV, Ukraine  The Ukrainian army says that a Russian offensive along a broad front in the countrys east has been stalling amid human and material losses inflicted by Kyivs forces.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Sunday in a Facebook post that Russian troops were trying to advance in the Sloboda, Donetsk and Tauride regions, but were being held back by Ukrainian forces that continue to fight village by village.

Separately, Ukrainian intelligence officials accused Russian forces of destroying medical infrastructure, taking equipment and denying medical care to residents in several occupied cities and towns.

In a Facebook post Sunday, Ukraines Ministry of Defense claims that ventilators and other equipment provided since 2014 by international donors and the government of Ukraine were removed from a hospital at Starobilsk in Ukraines eastern Luhansk region.

The same post alleges that tuberculosis patients were denied medical care in the Kharkiv region at Volchansk while several facilities were used to treat wounded Russian troops.

The accuracy of the claims could not be immediately verified.

Ukrainian officials also said Sunday that internet and cellular communications were cut in a large area in the Russian-occupied Kherson region and part of the Zaporizhzhia region and blamed Russian forces. The London-based internet monitor Netblocks said the Kherson region lost 75% of internet connectivity beginning Saturday evening.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that an evacuation is underway of civilians at a steel plant in the bombed-out city of Mariupol.

Zelenskyy said on social media Sunday that a group of 100 people are on their way from Azovstal steelworks to Ukrainian-controlled territory.

He indicated that plans are underway for a Monday rendezvous with the evacuees at the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia that has previously been a staging post for those fleeing Mariupol. Zaporizhzhia is located about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from Mariupol.

As many as 100,000 people are believed to still be in blockaded Mariupol, including up to 1,000 civilians who were hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the Soviet-era steel plant  the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

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DUSSELDORF, Germany  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pledged to continue to support Ukraine with money, aid and also weapons, saying a pacifist approach to the war is outdated.

Speaking at a May Day rally in Dusseldorf, Scholz said: I respect all pacifism, I respect all attitudes, but it must seem cynical to a citizen of Ukraine to be told to defend himself against Putins aggression without weapons.

The German leader also warned that the war would have consequences for food supply, potentially leading to a worldwide hunger crisis.

Soaring food prices and disruption to supplies coming from Russia and Ukraine have threatened food shortages in countries in the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia.

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The United Nations has confirmed that an operation to evacuate people from a steel plant in the bombed-out Ukrainian city of Mariupol is underway.

U.N. humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu told The Associated Press on Sunday that the effort to bring people out of the sprawling Azovstal steel plant was being done in collaboration with the International Committee for the Red Cross and in coordination with Ukrainian and Russian officials.

He called the situation very complex and would not give further details.

Up to 1,000 civilians are believed to be hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the sprawling Soviet-era steel plant that is the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

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BERLIN  German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has brushed aside criticism that his government is not doing enough to help Ukraine defend itself against Russias invasion.

Even though Germany reversed its policy of not sending weapons to countries at war, Scholz has been accused at home and abroad of being hesitant and slow in coming to Ukraines aid. In an interview published Sunday by newspaper Bild, the Social Democratic leader defended his governments approach.

I make my decisions quickly  and in coordination with our partners, Scholz was quoted as saying. I am suspicious of acting too hastily and Germany going it alone.

Germany broke with tradition after Russias invasion on Feb. 24 to supply anti-tank weapons, surface-to-air missiles and other military equipment to Ukraine. It has since agreed to provide Gepard anti-aircraft guns, but Scholz has faced mounting pressure to send other heavy weapons including tanks and other armored vehicles.

Scholz, who replaced Angela Merkel as chancellor late last year, said he wasnt bothered by opposition claims that hes too hesitant and timid.

It is part of a democracy that you are robustly challenged by the opposition, he said.

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VATICAN CITY  Pope Francis has appealed again for a safe evacuation of Ukrainians trapped in the steel plant of Mariupol, saying he weeps thinking of their suffering and how their city has been barbarously bombed and destroyed.

Speaking Sunday during his traditional noontime prayer, Francis urged all the faithful to pray the Rosary every day in May for peace. He noted that May 1 begins the month Christians dedicate to Mary, the mother of God and for whom Mariupol is named.

He said: Even now, even from here, I renew the request that safe humanitarian corridors be arranged for the people trapped in the steelworks of that city. I suffer and cry thinking of the suffering of the Ukrainian population, especially the weakest, the elderly and children.

He noted the terrible reports of children being expelled and deported and the terrible regression of humanity.

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WARSAW, Poland  Polands armed forces said Sunday that military exercises involving thousands of NATO soldiers have begun. They are regular exercises aimed at improving the security of the alliances eastern flank but come this year with Russias war against Ukraine raging nearby.

Due to those circumstances, Polands military appealed to the public on Sunday not to publish information or photos of the columns of military vehicles expected to move through the country in the coming weeks.

It warned that ill-considered activity could harm the alliances security. Lets be aware of the dangers! the statement said.

The Polish Army said in a statement that 18,000 soldiers from over 20 countries were taking part in the Defender Europe 2022 and Swift Response 2022 exercises that are taking place in Poland and eight other countries.

The exercises are scheduled to run May 1-27.

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RZESZOW, Poland  U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has praised the courage of the Ukrainian people and vowed continued U.S. support to help Ukraine defeat Russia after leading a congressional delegation to Kyiv to assess Ukraines needs for the next phase of the war.

Pelosi, a California Democrat who is next in line to the presidency after the vice president, is the most senior American lawmaker to visit Ukraine since Russias war began more than two months ago.

She and a half-dozen U.S. lawmakers met for three hours Saturday with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his top aides. Speaking to reporters Sunday in Poland, the delegation members were unanimous in praising Ukraines defenses so far and offering continued long-term military, humanitarian and economic support, vowing the United States would stand with Ukraine until it defeated Russia.

This is a time we stand up for democracy or we allow autocracy to rule the day, said Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York.

Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat from Colorado, a veteran and a member of the House intelligence and armed services committee said he came to Ukraine with three areas of focus: Weapons, weapons and weapons.

He said: We have to make sure the Ukrainians have what they need to win. What we have seen in the last two months is their ferocity, their intense pride, their ability to fight and their ability to win if they have the support to do so.

Pelosi said she was dazzled by Zelenskyys expertise of all the issues at hand and described him at their meeting as a remarkable master class of leadership.

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LONDON  Russian cyber soldiers have launched a new offensive against foreign leaders, targeting social media platforms with a large-scale disinformation campaign that seeks to legitimize the invasion of Ukraine, according to research funded by the U.K.

Paid operatives working from a factory in St. Petersburg use the Telegram messaging app to recruit and coordinate supporters who then flood the social media accounts of Kremlin critics with comments supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war in Ukraine, the U.K. Foreign Office said Sunday.

The so-called troll factory has developed new techniques to avoid detection by social media platforms, posting comments and amplifying pro-Kremlin content created by legitimate users rather than creating its own content, the Foreign Office said. Traces of its activity have been found on eight social media platforms, including Telegram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.

The operation has targeted politicians and wider audiences in a number of countries, including the U.K., South Africa and India, the Foreign Office said. It is believed to have links to Yevgeniy Prigozhin, who has been sanctioned by both the U.S. and Britain for financing the Kremlins online influence operations.

We cannot allow the Kremlin and its shady troll farms to invade our online spaces with their lies about Putins illegal war, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in the statement. The U.K. government has alerted international partners and will continue to work closely with allies and media platforms to undermine Russian information operations.

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LVIV, Ukraine  Satellite photos analyzed by The Associated Press show damage to oil depots just across the Ukrainian border in Russia after suspected Ukrainian attacks.

The photos from Saturday show damage at two sites in Bryansk. The blasts damaged multiple tanks, leaving the surrounding grounds charred.

The explosions happened Monday. One hit an oil depot 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.

The second facility is a short distance from the other.

Bryansk is located about 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of the border with Ukraine.

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KYIV, Ukraine  U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has met with Ukraines president.

Footage released early Sunday by President Volodymyr Zelenskyys office showed Pelosi in Kyiv with a Congressional delegation. Those with Pelosi included Reps. Jason Crow, Jim McGovern and Adam Schiff.

Zelenskyy told the delegation: You all are welcome.

Pelosi later said: We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom. We are on a frontier of freedom and your fight is a fight for everyone. Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done.

The visit was not previously announced.

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KYIV, Ukraine  Some women and children were evacuated from a steel plant that is the last defensive stronghold in the bombed-out ruins of the port city of Mariupol, a Ukrainian official and Russian state news organizations said.

But hundreds are believed to remain trapped with little food, water or medicine.

The United Nations was working to broker an evacuation of the up to 1,000 civilians living beneath the sprawling Soviet-era Azovstal plant after numerous previous attempts failed.

Ukraine has not said how many fighters are also in the plant, the only part of Mariupol not occupied by Russian forces, but Russia put the number at about 2,000. An estimated 100,000 civilians remain in the city.

U.N. humanitarian spokesperson Saviano Abreu said the world organization was negotiating with authorities in Moscow and Kyiv, but he could not provide details of the ongoing evacuation effort because of the complexity and fluidity of the operation.

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LVIV, Ukraine  U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says American diplomats are making plans to return to Ukraine as soon as possible.

Blinken made the comment while speaking to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. An overnight statement Sunday said Blinken told Kuleba that America plans to return to Kyiv as soon as possible.

He said diplomats had been making initial visits to Lviv to prepare.

The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Kyiv in February just before Russia launched its war on the country. The U.S. had been bringing diplomats across the Polish border each day to work in Lviv, a city in western Ukraine, before stopping the practice.

Lviv has largely been spared in the conflict, though a missile strike several days ago targeted a railroad facility near the city.

The U.S. is one of Ukraines main backers in the war, providing billions in aid and weaponry.
Americans are well-versed in the pain caused by two years of economic disruption. Despite the ups and downs of the COVID-19 economy, a record number of people are embracing entrepreneurship. This surprising market reality gives President Biden and Congress an opportunity to promote growth in the face of continuing uncertainty. Instead, they have used competition and innovation as a cover to penalize the very business practices they claim to promote.

Biden is operating under the premise that markets are closed and a few big companies monopolize key sectors. That is the rationale behind his Executive Order on Competition along with proposed legislation in Congress targeting big tech.

The data behind new business creation tell a different story. According to the Census Bureau, 5.4 million people filed new business applications in 2021, an increase of 53% from 2019 and the most of any year on record. These applications are across all major industries, reflecting a dynamic and competitive environment that presents new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

But the business application is only the first step in starting a business, and only a fraction of those applying will launch. That is why it is critical that government policy encourages new businesses to fully form, not to dissuade these entrepreneurs through costly regulatory barriers. Out of the 430,411 business applications filed in January, it is estimated that only 7.3% of these businesses will actually form within a year and 9.4% will form within two years, according to the Census Bureau.

A new survey of pandemic startups conducted by SBE Council identified the critical importance of new technologies that allow entrepreneurs to reach new customers. Businesses can easily sell products on various online channels (their website, a marketplace, on social media, and through apps to name a few) and reach consumers far beyond a brick-and-mortar location. And most consumers have increased their use of digital tools to enhance, not replace, their physical shopping trips. However, this survey also came with a warning: 61% are worried that government actions targeting technology companies will undercut their access to consumers, drive their costs higher and harm their operations.

Two new studies by Deloitte found that consumers prefer a mix of options that allow them to combine offline and online shopping seamlessly. One study notes that 55% of respondents who started their most recent shopping trip online ultimately made their purchase in-store.

Moreover, though the pandemic accelerated digital purchases, in-person shopping is hardly dead. Many consumers prefer in-person shopping for most or all of their shopping, and 90% of shoppers who spent more research time in-store end up purchasing in-store. The study also found that in their recent outings, 72% of shoppers visited more than one retailer, 42% shopped at two, and 30% shopped three or more retailers.

Small businesses are also using their physical store to support online sales, with 61% of small businesses offering buy online, pick up in-store and 50% offering curbside pickup. Moreover, 46% of consumers will pay more to pick up an item in-store five minutes from home rather than wait for two-day delivery.

Congress has not grasped the reality that consumers are benefiting from more choice and convenience than ever before. Legislation such as the American Innovation and Choice Online Act would replace what consumers want and like with what politicians and government regulators think would work better. The bill, for example, proposes different sets of rules for online marketplaces above a certain size versus traditional retailers, even though our strong and dynamic retail sector is largely driven by the blending of technology and digital tools to enhance the in-store shopping experience.

The digital tools and platforms entrepreneurs are using have vastly lowered barriers to entry while increasing access to consumers. Lawmakers should not only recognize but also promote this exciting retail dynamic on Main Street. If Congress and Biden administration regulators move forward with punitive, misguided policies aimed at big tech that actually hurt consumers and business owners, they could take down the dreams of many entrepreneurs who are using digital tools to effectively compete with big players across many industry sectors.
Amazon tribes turn the tables on intruders with social media View Photo

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  It was dusk on April 14 when Francisco Kuruaya heard a boat approaching along the river near his village in Brazils Amazon rainforest. He assumed it was the regular delivery boat bringing gasoline for generators and outboard motors to remote settlements like his. Instead, what Kuruaya found was a barge dredging his peoples pristine river in search of gold.

Kuruaya had never seen a dredge operating in this area of the Xipaia peoples territory, let alone one this massive; it resembled a floating factory.

Kuruaya, 47, motored out to the barge, boarded it and confronted the gold miners. They responded in harsh voices and he retreated for fear they were armed. But so was he  with a phone  the first hed ever had. Back in his village Karimaa, his son Thaylewa Xipaia forwarded the photos of the mining boat to the tribes WhatsApp chat groups.

Guys, this is urgent! he said to fellow members of his tribe in an audio message The Associated Press has reviewed. Theres a barge here at Pigeons Island. Its huge and its destroying the whole island. My dad just went there and they almost took his phone.

Several days voyage away, in the nearest city of Altamira, Kuruayas daugher Juma Xipaia received the frantic messages. She recorded her own video with choked voice and watery eyes, warning that armed conflict was imminent  then uploaded it to social media.

In a matter of hours, word was out to the world.

The episode illustrates the advance of the internet into vast, remote rainforest areas that, until recently, had no means of quickly sharing visual evidence of environmental crime. A fast-expanding network of antennae is empowering Indigenous groups to use phones, video cameras and social media to galvanize the public and pressure authorities to respond swiftly to threats from gold miners, landgrabbers and loggers.

Until now Indigenous communities have relied on radio to transmit their distress calls. Environmental and Indigenous rights groups then relayed these to the media and the public. But the non-profits have been maligned by Brazils far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who advocates legalizing mining and land leasing in protected Indigenous territories. He has castigated the organizations as unreliable actors, out of touch with Indigenous peoples true desires and on the payroll of global environmental do-gooders.

Video and photos coming directly from Indigenous people are harder to dismiss and this is forcing authorities as well as the public to reckon with the reality on the ground.

When used properly, technology helps a lot in real-time monitoring and denouncing, said Nara Bare, head of the group Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon, in a telephone interview. The external pressure to make the federal government act in the Xipaia territory was very important. Technology has been the main tool for that.

Connectivity is not only enabling whistle-blowing on social media. Brazils Federal Prosecutors Office has set up a website to register reported crimes and receive uploaded visual material. Previously people in remote communities have had to make the long and expensive trip to the nearest city that has a federal prosecutors office.

Xipaia territory is part of a pristine rainforest area known as Terra do Meio (Middle Earth) that is dotted with dozens of Indigenous and traditional river communities. Internet connection there was rare until mid-2020, when a group of non-profits, including Health in Harmony and the Socio-Environmental Institute, financed installation of 17 antennae throughout the vast region.

Priority was given to communities with either health centers or market hubs for the production and sale of forest products, such as Brazil nuts. Signal can be painfully slow, especially on rainy days, yet it has connected people who were previously off the grid, and is enough for photos and videos to trickle out of the forest.

The strategy was to improve communication and avoid unnecessary trips to the city, said Marcelo Salazar, Health in Harmonys Brazil program coordinator. The internet makes it easier for health, education, and forest economy issues. Fighting environmental crime was an added benefit, he added.

Four out of five Xipaia communities are now connected. Karimaa, the village where the barge was first spotted, has had internet since July 2020. Just three days after installation, when a teenager injured his head, a city doctor was able to assess his condition using photos sent over WhatsApp. That avoided a costly, complicated medevac during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the case of the mining dredge marked the first time the Xipaia used the internet to protect their territory. In addition to sounding the alarm, four villages used WhatsApp to quickly organize a party of warriors to confront the miners. Painted with urucum, a local fruit that produces a red ink, and armed with bows, arrows and hunting rifles, they crammed into a small boat, according to Juma Xipaia. By the time they reached the location where the barge had been, however, it was gone.

Some 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) to the west, in the Amazonian state of Rondonia, internet access enabled the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau people to take classes in photography and video online so they could chronicle deforestation by landgrabbers. The three-day training in 2020 was held via Zoom.

That effort produced the documentary The Territory, which won awards at this years Sundance Film Festival, Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival and others. Throughout its production, American director Alex Pritz relied on WhatsApp to communicate with his newly trained camera operators.

Tangaai Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau is a teacher-turned-cameraman who traveled to the Danish festival and later spoke with the AP via WhatsApp from his remote village. He said the film is changing peoples perception of Brazils indigenous people. In Copenhagen I received many questions. They knew about Brazils natural wonders, but didnt know about Indigenous peoples who fight for their territories.

Elsewhere in the Amazon, the internet has yet to arrive. So when illegal gold miners killed two Yanomami tribe members in June 2020, news of the crime took two weeks to arrive due to the areas remoteness. To avoid a repeat of that, Yanomami organizations have been seeking better connectivity. After Palimiu village along the Uraricoera River suffered a series of attacks committed by miners in May 2021, the Yanomami managed to install an antenna there. Since then, the violence has eased.

Bolsonaros repeated promises to legalize mining and other activities on Indigenous lands have fueled invasions of territories, which are often islands of forest amid sprawling ranches. Indigenous and environmental groups estimate there are some 20,000 illegal miners in Yanomami territory, which is roughly the size of Portugal. Bolsonaros government claims that there are 3,500.

Deforestation in Brazils Amazon surged 76% in 2021 compared to 2018, the year before Bolsonaro took office, according to official data from Brazils space agency, which uses satellites to monitor forest loss.

Most internet connections in the Amazon remain slow, even in mid-sized cities. That may soon change. Last November, Brazils Communications Minister Fabio Faria held a meeting with billionaire Elon Musk to discuss a partnership to improve connectivity in rural areas of the worlds largest tropical rainforest.

The communications ministry, however, says the talks have not evolved and no progress has been made. Musks company SpaceX did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

Some worry that Indigenous groups like the Xipaia wont be the only beneficiaries of greater internet penetration in the Amazon region. Illegal miners often co-opt local Indigenous leaders, communicating surreptitiously on messaging apps. The conversations, sometimes aided by clandestine networks, can enable miners to hide heavy machinery, or tip them off to impending raids by authorities, allowing them to flee.

In Roraima state, which is where most of the Yanomami territory lies, the AP contacted one internet provider that offers wifi to an illegal gold mine for $2,600, plus $690 per month. Clandestine small craft fly the equipment in for installation.

Its a double-edged sword, said Salazar, of Health in Harmony, speaking of increased connectivity.

But for Juma Xipaia, the new connection means added protection and visibility for her people. After she posted her tearful video, it racked up views and was picked up by local and international media. Within two days, an airborne operation involving the Federal Police, the national guard and environmental agencies swooped in. They located the dredge hidden behind vegetation on the banks of the Iriri River with seven miners aboard.

In a country where environmental crime in the Amazon usually goes unchecked, the speedy, successful response underscored the power of Indigenous networks.

After making a lot of calls for help, I decided to do the video. Then it worked. The telephone didnt stop ringing, Juma Xipaia said by phone. It was very fast after the video.

-

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

By FABIANO MAISONNAVE

Associated Press
What to do if theres a mistake on your business taxes

FILE - This April 13, 2014, file photo shows the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) headquarters building in Washington. For small-business owners, preparing an income tax return is far from simple, which can increase the chances of making a mistake. According to two small-business pros, if you catch an error after youve filed your small-business tax return, the first thing to do is confirm theres really an error on the return and make sure to stay calm. (AP Photo/J. David Ake, File) View Photo

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 https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-how-to-set-up-irs-payment-plan

NerdWallet: Form 1040-X, Amended Tax Return: What It Is and How to File One https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-amended-tax-return

NerdWallet: Hit With a Tax Penalty? The IRS Might Give You a Do-Over https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-irs-penalty-first-time-abatement

NerdWallet: A Tax Guide for Small-Business Owners https://bit.ly/nerdwallet-small-business-tax-preparation

By TINA OREM of NerdWallet
Dogs - Archive Image View Photo

Sacramento, CA  Most homeless shelters in California do not accept pets, and state officials say this creates a difficult decision for those with animals.

California implemented a pilot program recently in Southern California that created grants that non-profits could receive to buy things like crates, food, toys and veterinary services for pets of homeless people. Senate Bill 513 would make the program permanent, and expand it statewide. It would cost an estimated $10-million, annually. It is known as the Pet Assistance and Support program.

The bill, authored by Democratic Senator Bob Hertzberg, passed in the state Senate and is now awaiting consideration in the Assembly. Hertzberg estimates that 10-percent of homeless people in California have pets. Officials report the pilot program has helped care for dogs, cats and even a parrot.
2022 Mother Lode Roundup Candidates View Photo

Sonora, CA  After a two-year hiatus, a full slate of Mother Lode Roundup events will be taking place throughout the week.

Coming up this Wednesday at 6pm at Sonora Highs Dunlavy Field will be the Rick Restivo Memorial Band Review. The free concert will feature all of the school bands throughout the county.

This years Mother Lode Roundup Queen contestants are Kyndal Castle, Beaumont Cook, Macy Anne Liotta and Katelyn Rumsey. This past Saturday was the Queen Horsemanship Competition at the Sheriffs Posse Grounds in Jamestown. Typically, the queen coronation ceremony is on the Sunday before the Roundup, but organizers decided to combine it this year with the Calcutta, which is coming up at 5pm on Thursday at the Posse Grounds. Thursdays Calcutta will also feature the traditional calf scramble auction that helps to raise money for local scholarships.

Hundreds of entrants will be taking part in Saturday mornings 10 oclock roundup parade, and thousands will be lining the streets in downtown Sonora.

The two-day rodeo gets underway at two oclock on both Saturday and Sunday at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds (Sunday also features at 12:30pm Kiddie Rodeo). Other weekend events include a Mothers Day Breakfast and Cowboy Church.

More information can be found by clicking here.

To find a 30-minute Mother Lode Views show previewing the roundup, click here.
Sonora City Council Chambers View Photo

Sonora, CA  Tonight the Sonora City Council will vote on whether to spend $50,000 to replace the citys Christmas decorations that were destroyed by the Washington Fire last August.

The specialized decorations, which for example go on the light poles, were in a storage building that was destroyed by the fire. The $50,000 purchase would be with the company Pacific Displays. It takes a 4/5 vote to approve because it would require an unexpected budget adjustment.

The council will also vote on whether to spend $25,000 to replace a sewer line that is damaged at the Public Works Facility.

The council will also decide whether to appoint Mayor Matt Hawkins two picks to join the citys planning commission, Bess Levine and Nathan Morales.

Todays meeting starts at 5pm at City Hall.
GOP Gov Hutchinson says 2024 presidential bid on the table View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Sunday he is weighing a presidential run in 2024 and his decision wont be affected by whether former President Donald Trump decides to join the race.

Hutchinson, a two-term Republican governor who is restricted under Arkansas law from seeking a third term, said it was time for the national GOP to move on from Trump in regards to the candidates hes endorsing in the 2022 midterm elections as well as the direction he wants to take our country.

Asked on CNNs State of the Union if he was mulling a presidential run, Hutchinson replied: I am. But you have got to get through, of course, this year, but thats an option thats on the table.

Making clear he was not aligned with Trump, Hutchinson added: I think he did a lot of good things for our country, but we need to go a different direction. And so thats not a factor in my decision-making process.

Currently the chairman of the National Governors Association, Hutchinson in recent months has become a fixture on cable television  at times drawing the ire of Trump  in defending his veto of legislation targeting transgender youths in the state and warning fellow Republicans about tying their fortunes too closely to the former president. After the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot, which led to Trumps impeachment by the House, Hutchinson said he wanted Trumps administration to end. Hes made it clear since early 2021 that he would not back a Trump 2024 bid and urged public officials to look ahead rather than focus on Trumps false claims of a stolen 2020 election.

Though Trump remains the most popular figure among Republican voters who dominate primary elections, several GOP figures are considering presidential runs on a platform opposing the former president. Beyond Hutchinson, they include Gov. Larry Hogan of Maryland and Reps. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois and Liz Cheney of Wyoming.

Other candidates eyeing possible runs are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, though they have been less clear about their intentions if Trump enters the race. Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador, has said she would stand down on a potential bid if Trump opts to run a second time.

By HOPE YEN

Associated Press
Jill Biden: Resilience of Ukrainian refugees inspires me View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  Jill Biden said she is heading to Romania and Slovakia later this week to visit with Ukrainian families who fled for their lives after Russia invaded their country in hopes of sending the message, despite language barriers, that their resilience inspires me.

The White House announced late Sunday that the first lady will spend Mothers Day meeting Ukrainian refugees, most of whom are women and children.

The May 8 meeting will take place in Slovakia. Biden is scheduled to depart Washington late Thursday on a five-day trip that will also take her to Romania. Both countries share borders with Ukraine, which has spent the past two months fighting off Russias military invasion. Romania and Slovakia also are NATO members.

She discussed the trip Monday while touring a costume exhibit at New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, saying she would spend the U.S. holiday dedicated to honoring mothers with Ukrainian families who have been displaced by Russian President Vladimir Putins war.

As a mother myself, I can only imagine the grief families are feeling, said Biden, a mother of three. I know that we might not share a language, but I hope that I can convey, in ways so much greater than words, that their resilience inspires me, that they are not forgotten, and that all Americans stand with them still.

The trip will mark Bidens latest show of solidarity with Ukraine.

Nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded its smaller neighbor on Feb. 24, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Many have resettled in neighboring countries or relocated elsewhere in Europe.

Throughout the trip, Biden will also meet with U.S. service members, U.S. Embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers and educators, the White House said.

After arriving in Romania on Friday, she is scheduled to meet with U.S. service members at Mihail Kogalniceau Air Base, a U.S. military installation near the Black Sea.

The schedule then takes her to the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Saturday to meet with government officials, U.S. Embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers and educators who are helping teach displaced Ukrainian children. The first lady will travel to Slovakia to meet with staff at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, the capital.

On May 8, Biden will travel to Kosice and Vysne Nemecke in Slovakia to meet with refugees, humanitarian aid workers and local Slovakians who are supporting Ukrainian families that have sought refuge in Slovakia.

She plans to meet with members of Slovakias government on May 9 before returning to the United States.

President Joe Biden visited with Ukrainian refugees during a stop in Poland in March.

The trip will be the first ladys second overseas to represent the United States by herself, following her journey to Tokyo last year for the opening of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games. The trip also will mark her latest gesture of solidarity with Ukraine.

Four days after Russias Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Biden appeared at a White House event wearing a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, Ukraines national flower.

She also invited Ukraines ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, to sit with her during President Bidens State of the Union address in March and had a sunflower sewn into the sleeve of the cobalt blue dress she wore for the occasion.

Jill Biden spoke Monday at the Met about fashion as a means of communication. She said she had the sunflower applique sewn onto the cuff of her dress because she knew the only thing that would be written about her for the presidents big speech was what she wore.

And that night, sitting next to the Ukrainian ambassador, I knew that I was sending a message without saying a word, that Ukraine was in our hearts and that we stood with them., she said.

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A Northern California couple was sentenced Monday to several years each in federal prison for conspiring to force a Guatemalan relative and her two daughters to perform long hours of physically demanding work every day of the week for little or no pay.

Nery Martinez Vasquez was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison and Maura Martinez to three years in prison after pleading guilty in August. They were each fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution.

The couple, both 54 and from Shasta Lake, California, near Redding, are naturalized U.S. citizens originally from Guatemala.

Federal prosecutors said they promised their relative a better life if she came to America in September 2016 with her two daughters, then ages 15 and 8.

But they then forced the three to overstay their visas and work at their restaurant, called Latinos, and at their Redding Carpet Cleaning & Janitorial Services, which served area businesses including multiple car dealerships.

They threatened to have their relatives arrested for overstaying their visas and told the daughters they couldnt go to school because they would be deported, prosecutors said.

They said Martinez Vasquez beat the daughters with a stick that had the childrens names and nicknames written on it along with the phrase what goes up, must come down.

Forced labor, a form of human trafficking, is  difficult to identify and investigate without cooperation of fearful victims who believe escape is not an option because of the lies they have been told by their exploiters, Sean Ragan, special agent in charge of the FBIs Sacramento Field Division, said in a statement. This case highlights how such crimes may occur in public view at a legitimate business yet go unnoticed.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped charges alleging that in 1997 the couple conspired to kidnap a 13-year-old girl from her Las Vegas home, then held her against her will for nearly two years while Martinez Vasquez repeatedly raped and sexually molested the girl.

By DON THOMPSON

Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Gov. Bill Lee paused executions in Tennessee for the rest of the year on Monday after revealing that the state had failed to ensure its lethal injection drugs were properly tested. The oversight forced Lee to abruptly halt the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die last month.

Lee didn't initially disclose the reason for stopping Smith's execution other than to say there was an oversight in the preparation of the lethal injection drugs. Tennessee's execution protocols require any compounded drugs to be independently tested for potency, sterility and endotoxins. In his Monday statement, Lee said the drugs for Smith's execution were tested for potency and sterility, but not endotoxins.

Smith's attorneys had called for a moratorium on executions and independent review of the problems last week. In a Monday statement, Federal Public Defender Kelley Henry said the Republican governor's decision shows great leadership.

The use of compounded drugs in the context of lethal injection is fraught with risk, Henry said. "The failure to test for endotoxins is a violation of the protocol. Governor Lee did the right thing by stopping executions because of this breach.

Lee appointed former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton to review circumstances that led to the failure. He'll also review the clarity of the state's lethal injection manual and look at Tennessee Department of Correction staffing, Lee said in a statement.

I review each death penalty case and believe it is an appropriate punishment for heinous crimes, Lee said. However, the death penalty is an extremely serious matter, and I expect the Tennessee Department of Correction to leave no question that procedures are correctly followed.

The pause will remain in effect through the end of the year to allow time for the review and corrective action, Lee said.

Many states turned to compounded drugs after commercial drug manufacturers began refusing to sell their medications for executions, making the drugs difficult for prison systems to obtain.

Frank Romanelli, professor of pharmacy at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, explained the difference like this: I can go buy a Hersheys chocolate bar, or I can make one at home. They are trying to make one at home, and they have to do testing to check that it is equivalent.

The presence of endotoxins, which usually come from bacteria, could be an indication of problems with the manufacture of the drugs, but the endotoxins themselves likely wouldn't cause a problem in an execution setting, Romanelli said. That's because endotoxins typically are not immediately fatal.

The testing would be done normally by a pharmacy that produces the drugs for a medical setting, and Romanelli suspects Tennessee lifted those guidelines for its execution protocols.

"In their defense, they are probably thinking, 'Let's keep this as clean as possible  as airtight as possible,'" Romanelli said.

In a Monday news conference, Lee said the testing problem was noticed shortly before the execution because there are checklists made on that day to make sure that everything was done correctly. And that process determined that there was a step not followed." He added, We hope that it never happens again, and were going to put in place a process to assure that every step is correctly followed from this day forward.

Henry said last week that the night before the execution, she requested the results of the testing but received no response. Henry believes 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.

Tennessee and many other states have passed exemptions to open records laws in recent years, shrouding the identity of drug suppliers and other information about executions in secrecy.

It was through a public records request that Henry received heavily redacted records from the states last lethal injection execution in 2019. She believes the drugs in that case did not pass the required tests. Drugs are supposed to be tested to United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) standards. Henry said she believes those drugs were tested but using a standard from a different country, likely because they were sourced from overseas.

Lee's statement said he has asked Stanton to review the adherence to testing policies since the state's lethal injection manual was last updated in 2018.

While lethal injection was adopted as a humane alternative to the electric chair, it has been the subject of consistent problems and lawsuits.

Every single time people at my office have raised problems, they've had to make adjustments  whether it's the wrong drug, the wrong potency, or the USP, Henry said at a news conference last week.

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.

___

Reynolds reported from Louisville, Kentucky. Jonathan Mattise contributed from Franklin, Tennessee.
(Bloomberg) -- Mexico Foreign Affairs Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Texas Governor Greg Abbott pressured Mexicos governors to lift border inspections due to long lines, Milenio newspaper reported.

Ebrard commented during a visit to Nuevo Leon state during the weekend, where he accused Abbott of extorting the governors of Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Coahuila and Chihuahua to end border inspections on cargo entering the U.S. from Mexico. The governors have spent the past weeks negotiating individually with Abbott over the inspections, Milenio reported.

It is an extortion, Ebrard said. I close the border and you have to sign what I say, that is not an agreement. An agreement is that you and I agree on something, and the problem of migration is not from Mexico, its decisions that the United States must make, Ebrard said.

A spokesperson for Ebrard confirmed the ministers comments but declined to elaborate on the matter further. Abbotts office didnt immediately return calls seeking comment outside of business hours.

The Texas governor is up for re-election in November and hes focused on the border as his top issue. While he had initially ordered the inspections, Abbott faced pressure to end them due to worsening gridlock, with cargo from Mexico facing waiting times of 24 to 30 hours to cross.

Ebrard is scheduled to visit Washington on Monday to advance cooperation at the Summit of the Americas, which will take place in June in Los Angeles.

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
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NEW DELHI (AP)  An unusually early, record-shattering heat wave in India has reduced wheat yields, raising questions about how the country will balance its domestic needs with ambitions to increase exports and make up for shortfalls due to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Gigantic landfills in India's capital New Delhi have caught fire in recent weeks. Schools in eastern Indian state Odisha have been shut for a week and in neighboring West Bengal, schools are stocking up on oral rehydration salts for kids. On Tuesday, Rajgarh, a city of over 1.5 million people in central India, was the country's hottest, with daytime temperatures peaking at 46.5 degrees Celsius (114.08 Fahrenheit). Temperatures breached the 45 C (113 F) mark in nine other cities.

But it was the heat in March  the hottest in India since records first started being kept in 1901  that stunted crops. Wheat is very sensitive to heat, especially during the final stage when its kernels mature and ripen. Indian farmers time their planting so that this stage coincides with India's usually cooler spring.

Climate change has made Indias heat wave hotter, said Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at the Imperial College of London. She said that before human activities increased global temperatures, heat waves like this year's would have struck India once in about half a century.

But now it is a much more common event  we can expect such high temperatures about once in every four years," she said.

India's vulnerability to extreme heat increased 15% from 1990 to 2019, according to a 2021 report by the medical journal The Lancet. It is among the top five countries where vulnerable people, like the old and the poor, have the highest exposure to heat. It and Brazil have the the highest heat-related mortality in the world, the report said.

Farm workers like Baldev Singh are among the most vulnerable. Singh, a farmer in Sangrur in northern Indias Punjab state, watched his crop shrivel before his eyes as an usually cool spring quickly shifted to unrelenting heat. He lost about a fifth of his yield. Others lost more.

I am afraid the worst is yet to come, Singh said.

Punjab is India's grain bowl" and the government has encouraged cultivation of wheat and rice here since the 1960s. It is typically the biggest contributor to India's national reserves and the government had hoped to buy about a third of this year's stock from the region. But government assessments predict lower yields this year, and Devinder Sharma, an agriculture policy expert in northern Chandigarh city. said he expected to get 25% less.

The story is the same in other major wheat-producing states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Overall, India purchased over 43 million metric tons (47.3 million U.S. tons) of wheat in 2021. Sharma estimates it will instead get 20% to nearly 50% less.

Even though it is the world's second-largest producer of wheat, India exports only a small fraction of its harvest. It had been looking to capitalize on the global disruption to wheat supplies from Russia's war in Ukraine and find new markets for its wheat in Europe, Africa, and Asia.

That looks uncertain given the tricky balance the government must maintain between demand and supply. It needs about 25 million tons (27.5 million U.S. tons) of wheat for the vast food welfare program that usually feeds more than 80 million people.

Before the pandemic, India had vast stocks that far exceeded its domestic needs  a buffer against the risk of famine.

Those reserves have been strained, Sharma said, by distribution of free grain during the pandemic to about 800 million people  vulnerable groups like migrant workers. The program was extended until September but it's unclear if it will continue beyond then.

We are no longer with that kind of a surplus . . . with exports now picking up, there would be a lot of pressure on the domestic availability of wheat, Sharma said.

India's federal agriculture and commerce ministries didn't respond to questions sent to them via email.

Beyond India, other countries are also grappling with poor harvests that hinder their ability to help offset the potential shortfall of supplies from Russia and Ukraine, normally the world's largest and fifth-largest exporters of wheat.

China's agriculture minister, Tang Renjian, said last month that the winter wheat harvest was likely to be poor, hindered by flooding and by delays in planting.

___

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.
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Royalty took the stand on Saturday night to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality.

Golda Rosheuvel, the openly gay actor who plays the illustrious Queen Charlotte on Bridgerton, was presented the Equality Award at this years Human Rights Campaign gala in New York.

Being authentic and true to who I am has been something that Ive championed in my own life, so to be able to get up there tonight and speak my journey is really important, Rosheuvel told Variety before accepting her award. That one person whos struggling might hear it and be confident enough to step [up] in their own life.

The Bridgerton star later went on to tell the crowd, nobody should have to choose between being publicly out and being a successful actor. Rosheuvel recently opened up to Marc Malkin on the Just for Variety podcast about how a lesbian director once advised her to stay in the closet.

A number of political speakers also took the stage to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York.

Schumer vowed to push the U.S. Senate to pass the Equality Act, which would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to add protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

No LGBTQ or queer American should ever face discrimination because of who they are or who they love, Schumer said during his speech. As Senate Majority Leader, Im going to put the bill on the floor and lets see where everyone stands.

The House of Representatives passed the Equality Act in February, but the bill now faces an uphill battle in the Senate. Schumer will need to gain the support of 10 Republican Senators in addition to all 50 Democrats in order to avoid a filibuster in the Senate.

Gov. Hochul criticized certain pieces of legislation backed by Republicans such as Floridas controversial Parental Rights in Education bill.

I want new leadership in Florida thatll change peoples attitudes and make them feel full of love and not hate, Hochul said at the event.

The governor went on to ask, whats wrong with trans kids playing sports? Dont you want them to grow up strong, healthy, competitive and take on lifes challenges? What are you afraid of? Im asking these questions, but Im in a position to do something about it because this is New York. New York always leads.

Another trailblazing celebrity who showed up to support the movement included Nicole Maines, who played Dreamer on Supergirl. She appeared during the final two seasons of The CW series where she made history portraying the first transgender superhero in a live-action comic book adaptation. Maines will continue to build on the legacy of Dreamer as a co-writer on the upcoming Superman: Son of Kal-El series with DC Comics author Tom Taylor.

Superheroes and comic books have always been a vehicle to talk about issues that matter in ways that are relatable and accessible for everybody, Maines told Variety. Were starting to see this class of people who are saying, oh, why are you politicizing superheroes? or go woke, go broke! What people dont understand is that superheroes have always been political.

She continued, [Weve had] Wonder Woman fighting feminist issues, Superman fighting for just inclusion all along, Iron Man fighting during the Cold War and Captain America fighting Nazis! Its always been woke, its just for the first time that fans are finding that theyre on the other side of the heat vision.

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B Kay Richter, For MySA

San Antonio comedy fans take notice. One of the city's few venues for standup comedy has announced its official closure. Last week, Jokesters 22 Pub N' Grub owner Marsha Mahaffey took to Instagram to alert the community that her bar has had its last laugh.

The South Alamo haunt first opened in 2018, when the Coyote Ugly veteran decided to develop space for live music, comedy, food, and drinks. After a four-year-run, Mahaffey revealed in a confessional Instagram video that after experiencing an ayahuasca-motivated spiritual intervention led by shamans, she realized it was time to let the business go.
Bandit BBQ is officially closing. The Texas barbecue restaurant, which launched at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, will close by June, according to a post on Instagram.

"We have fought really hard to come out of the pandemic ahead but it has just been too big of a mountain to climb," the official announcement reads.

Chef and pitmaster Brandon Peterson started the quirky take on Texas barbecue inside the Lone Star Arts District's Freight Building in May 2020. Over the course of two years, it's become a go-to spot for craft 'cue, burgers, and hot dogs for the downtown and Southtown crowds.

"Now it's time to move on," the post continues.

Fans responded to the news, saying they were unaware that the restaurant was closing and lamented not being able to get a fill of the food that had become a "quick" favorite. Owners suggested that their regulars try their new business, Big Animal.

Peterson and his business partner Mark Garcia are preparing to open Big Animal at the former home of Hello Paradise. Garcia, who will be head chef at Big Animal, previously told MySA that Bandit customers can expect the same service at the new concept, but the menu will not be duplicated.

"If they expect quality from Bandit, they can expect quality from Big Animal. But as far as reiterations of the same thing, we have things that are similar, but we're not just going to duplicate the same menu over there," Garcia told MySA in February. "So hopefully, people will be willing to branch out with us."

The Bandit team is aiming to stay open until June with a Friday through Sunday schedule for the remainder of the time. The restaurant is calling on its fans to support and taste the food while they can.
On a warm, overcast Wednesday afternoon in late April, Barton Springs is expected to be bustling. Even though University of Texas and Austin ISD are in session, the spring-fed pool is immensely popular year-round for daily swimmers, polar bear plungers, and lazy waders alike.

But today, when a dip into the 68-degree water might be a cure-all for the pre-summertime blues, groups of swimmers are down in the dumps. One after another, they walk up to the main entrance and look dejected at the locked gate and the lack of splashing in the deep waters below.

"I saw someone swimmin' ... I think," one woman says to another in a different party of bummed-out people. It might be some geese. Could be some fence-jumpers.

Chris O'Connell/MySA

Barton Springs is closed on Wednesdays  and Mondays too  because it doesn't have enough lifeguards to regularly fill the nine chairs that line the pool. The city is facing a lifeguard shortage overall, too. As of Wednesday, April 27, the entire city has 165 lifeguards on staff. With 33 pools, plus Barton Springs, the Austin Parks and Recreation Department anticipates that it needs to hire 585 lifeguards as soon as possible.

They don't have enough lifeguards because, in a rapidly growing city where rents have increased 35% year-over-year and many people have ruled out buying a home, potential hires and former Barton Springs guards have found higher paying gigs. On April 27, when I check out an empty Barton Springs, city lifeguards are making $15 per hour to start.

The only lifeguard outside the facility that day, Scott Cobb, is off duty, and he's in street clothes. Since November, he has led a team of lifeguards in a fight for an increase in pay at the city's most popular pool. When I meet him, he is holding homemade posters and asking folks to sign his petition for a $22 hourly wage and better benefits.

"I know a lot of guards who would come back to Barton Springs right away. And probably, if they started advertising today, within a couple of weeks, this place could be reopened on Mondays and Wednesdays," Cobb says.

Chris O'Connell/MySA

The Parks Department has offered a signing bonus of up to $1,250 for prospective hires, but have not yet increased the hourly wage. That's because the wage increase to $22 requires action by Austin City Council, whereas the signing bonuses do not. Cobb and his fellow lifeguards hope the item makes it onto one of the next two meetings of City Council, before the summer begins.

"I think the city has gotten used to saving money off of the labor of their least powerful employees," Cobb says, of the hesitancy so far to raise wages despite city closures. "Basically, we're subsidizing the budget by being undervalued by our labor, because they're used to that. And they say, well, we can't give you a raise right now."

A couple days after we speak, Cobb is instructed to tell me that he doesn't represent the City of Austin, and that everything he says comes from his personal viewpoint, which he believes is an attempt to deter him and other lifeguards from talking to the media.

To address the hiring shortage, City Council Member Paige Ellis of District 8 is sponsoring a resolution, which includes an increase in hourly pay. However, prior to the May 5 City Council meeting, the Parks and Recreation Department announced that lifeguards would get a $1 increase in hourly pay, meaning they now start at $16 per hour.

Because of our work to pass the resolution addressing the lifeguard shortage back in March, I'm happy that our Parks Department is able to increase their hourly pay rate, offer significant bonuses, waive startup fees, and provide free bus passes," Ellis says, in a statement provided to MySA. "These changes will result in an effective $4-6 per hour increase per hour per employee. Further hourly increases will need to be considered as part of the budget process going forward.

The item to increase pay to $22 is not on the Thursday, May 5 agenda.

However, it does have other supporters among City Council, however. District 2's Vanessa Fuentes recently met with a few of the lifeguards to discuss the shortage and how City Council can address it. She supports a $22 per hour wage for all city employees.

"I believe that Austin City Council has the opportunity that we should be acting immediately, really, because we have to recruit lifeguards at a livable wage," she says, "and quite frankly, in Austin, it's not $15 per hour anymore."

Chris O'Connell/MySA

The lifeguard shortage is not limited to Austin. Public pools and lakes in Chicago, Philadelphia, and the Twin Cities are facing closures this summer. Newsweek reported that a third of public pools across the country could close this summer because of a dearth of lifeguards. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation has addressed hiring issues by raising its hourly wages to $21 per hour, and up to $26 per hour.

"If you to want to go swimming in Massachusetts, you're going to be able to do that whenever you want this summer," Cobb says. "That still is very much in doubt here in Austin, because of a lack of planning by the Parks and Recreation Department. They can still save the summer if they immediately raise it to a $22 wage through additional bonuses or a combination of bonuses and pay raises."

Fuentes knows that other cities have growing pains like Austin does, "but what is different," she says, "is that we are a prosperous city, a growing city, that has some really big challenges. And so it's incumbent on policymakers to take action."

She represents southeast Austin, which includes Del Valle and encompasses Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, where she recently proposed  to no avail  a relocation of proposed the Jet-A fuel storage facility.

"It is important for me, especially as someone who represents, predominantly a community of color, a working class community, and someone who knows that our swimming pools are such vital pieces of our neighborhoods," Fuentes says. "Which is why I hope City Council will take action."

Chris O'Connell/MySA

Barton Springs being closed is one thing. It's a paid-entry facility that is just one understaffed location in the city, with a higher certification bar for lifeguards, and more prestige for hirees. The council member hopes that facilities in her district, like her neighborhood's Dove Springs pool, aren't forgotten.

"When we do get them on board, I hope that they are equitably distributed across our 33 pools so that we can maintain services in an equitable manner," Fuentes says.

For now, lifeguards wait for pay increases and city dwellers staring down imminent 100-degree temperatures pray their pools will open  and open safely.

Chris O'Connell/MySA

Cobb is ready for life at his pool to get back to normal, with full guard-stands and regular operating hours. He also sees this demand as more than a short-term goal. He loves working as a Barton Springs lifeguard, and wants to protect a once-coveted position at the pool.

"We're advocating for us, we're advocating for the lifeguards five years from now," he says. "We want the people of Austin five years from now to be watched over by qualified, professional lifeguards who are not struggling paycheck to paycheck."
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP)  A coyote attacked and seriously injured a girl on Southern California's famed Huntington Beach, police said.

Officers were called to the beach near the Huntington Beach Pier around 9:45 p.m. Thursday and found the girl, police spokesperson Jennifer Carey said in a statement.

She received serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, authorities said.

The girl was with two women and another small child sitting near the waves when she wandered a mere few feet" and was attacked, state Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Patrick Foy said.

The coyote came out of the dark, hit and knocked over the girl and attacked her for 12 seconds before her cry alerted adults and the animal ran off, Foy said.

However, it stayed around, pacing, before finally fleeing, Foy said.

The family did nothing to antagonize the coyote, he added.

Police later shot two coyotes. One was found dead on the sand about a mile (1.6 kilometers) north of the pier Friday morning while the other was spotted Friday afternoon under a mobile home and was euthanized, Foy said.

Officials will check the animals for rabies and will try to determine if their DNA matches to the attack, he said.

Coyotes are found almost everywhere in California, including cities, and authorities have long warned that small children and pets can be at risk. Last year, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife began workshops to help communities deal with coyotes because of an increase in the number conflicts with people.

Foy said coyotes usually are shy and try to avoid humans. He estimated there are only about 10 to 12 attacks per year around the state, mostly involving smaller children but full-grown adults were attacked in a few cases.

Carey said police have conducted increased coyote trapping efforts throughout the city for the past several weeks and asked residents to report coyote sightings.

Huntington Beach, on the Orange County coast, has one of California's classic surf breaks and is known as Surf City USA.

No other information about the girl will be released because she is a juvenile, Carey said.
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ROME (AP)  For travelers heading to Europe, summer vacations just got a whole lot easier.

Italy and Greece relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday before Europe's peak summer tourist season, in a sign that life was increasingly returning to normal.

Greeces civil aviation authority announced that it was lifting all COVID-19 rules for international and domestic flights except for the wearing of face masks during flights and at airports. Previously, air travelers were required to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or a recent recovery from the disease.

As of Sunday, visitors to Italy no longer have to fill out the EU passenger locator form, a complicated online ordeal required at airport check-in.

Italy also did away with the health pass that had been required to enter restaurants, cinemas, gyms and other venues. The green pass, which showed proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus or a recent negative test, is still required to access hospitals and nursing homes.

.Some indoor mask mandates in Italy also ended, including inside supermarkets, workplaces and stores. Masks are still required on public transport, in cinemas and in all health care facilities and nursing homes.

It was needed, said Claudio Civitelli, a Rome resident having his morning coffee at a bar near the Trevi Fountain. Until Sunday, patrons had to wear a mask to enter bars and restaurants, though they could remove them to eat and drink. We have waited more than two years.

At a nearby table, Andrea Bichler, an Italian tourist from Trentino Alto-Adige, sat with friends, all without masks.

Its much better, Bichler said. Lets say its a return to life, a free life.

In Greece, where tourism accounts for about 20% of its GNP, enforcing the rules had already fallen off prior to Sunday. On the tourist island of Mykonos, revelers flooded beaches, bars and restaurant the previous weekend for the Orthodox Easter holiday. Some owners said business was the best they had seen in years and expected that to continue for the long May Day weekend.

Vaccination certificates in Greece were abolished, not permanently, but from May 1 to August 31 and it will be determined in August whether to bring them back. Also suspended were restrictions on the number of customers in indoor spaces. But masks are still required indoors and in vehicles in Greece, and experts recommend using them outdoors in crowded situations like concerts.

Business owners said many unvaccinated people were among those enjoying the end of COVID-19 restrictions.

We saw again old customers whom we hadnt seen since November, when vaccination certificates first became mandatory, Michalis Epitropidis, general secretary of the association of restaurant, cafe and bar owners in Thessaloniki, told the Associated Press. By punishing the unvaccinated, the state was punishing us.

Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, was a hotbed of militant vaccine denialism and protests against COVID-19 restrictions.

Like Italy, Greece saw tourism revenues plunge in 2020 and only partially rebound in 2021. Greece is now hoping for a record tourism year in 2022  and so does neighboring Albania, where restrictions were also lifted Sunday.

Public health officials say masks still remain highly recommended in Italy for all indoor activities, and private companies can still require them.

Given that the virus is still circulating, we should keep up the vaccine campaign, including boosters, and keep up behavior inspired by prudence: wearing masks indoors or in crowded places or wherever theres a risk of contagion, said Dr. Giovanni Rezza, in charge of prevention at the health ministry.

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Nellas reported from Athens, Greece. Francesco Sportelli contributed from Italy, Costas Kantouris from Thessaloniki, Greece and Llazar Semini from Albania.

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Follow APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
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NEW YORK (AP)  Kim Kardashian shut down the Met Gala red carpet Monday in one of Marilyn Monroe's most iconic dresses, a gold-beaded body hugger Monroe wore when she sexily sang happy birthday to President John F. Kennedy 60 years ago.

Kardashian had to lose 16 pounds to fit into the dress, designed by Jean Louis and purchased in 2016 by the Ripley's Believe or Not! museum in Orlando, Florida, for a whopping $4.81 million.

It was such a challenge, she said. I was determined to fit it.

The dress originally cost $12,000. It was so tight Monroe had to be sewn into it when she purred Happy birthday, Mr. president on May 19, 1962, at a Madison Square Garden fundraiser. She died three months later. It has been known as the Happy Birthday, Mr. President dress ever since.

Kardashian, with boyfriend Pete Davidson at her side, paired the dress with Cartier white gold drop diamond earrings and a furry white jacket she kept strategically low to cover her backside. Her hair was platinum and pulled tightly into a bun. But she only wore the fragile original dress for her walk up the Grand Staircase at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, changing into a replica after that, according to Vogue.

Earlier, Blake Lively smiled for the cameras in a grand Atelier Versace gown, with husband Ryan Reynolds in brown velvet, Billie Eilish went with an upcycled green lace-trim dress from Gucci and Cynthia Erivo wore sheer white Louis Vuitton with a matching head piece as the Met Gala returned to its berth on the first Monday in May after years of pandemic upheaval.

The celebration of American design was themed to gilded glamour, sprouting classic black tailed tuxedoes for many of the men and lots of dresses in black and white for the women. Others paid literal homage to New York City, home base for the Gilded Age, and still more shimmered in metallic golds and silver.

Black and white are THE colors for the evening, said Holly Katz, a stylist and host of the Fashion Crimes podcast.

Lively, one of the evening's co-hosts, wore a bronze and rose gold look that transformed into a shimmery layer of baby blue as a large bow was pulled. Her look drew inspiration from the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building and the blue ceiling of Grand Central Station.

Instead of looking to fashion to influence the dress, I looked to New York City architecture, Lively said.

Cardi B, accompanied by Donatella Versace, was an over-the-top golden goddess in a dress of mesh and chains, a fitting birthday for the designer.

Gigi Hadid was more redefined cat woman than golden girl. She wore a tight-as-skin, blood red Latex catsuit with a corseted bodice and huge, heavy quilted coat from Versace. She walked gingerly up the steps.

Lizzo, meanwhile, got the crowd cheering when she played her gold flute for fans watching the parade of fashion outside. She wore a black dress under a stunning gold-embroidered black coat, all by Thom Browne.

Camila Cabello worked a huge white gown with a midriff top, from Prabal Gurung, while Jordan Roth, the theater producer, provided a reveal of his own, removing a black, egg-like shell to a matching bulbous suit, all by Thom Browne. Janelle Monae offered a royal wave in a black and white bedazzled helmet piece and slinky gown with head piece.

Amazing. Im proud to be American. Im proud to be wearing Ralph Lauren. This is gilded glamour from the future, Monae told The Associated Press.

New York Mayor Eric Adams put politics front and center in a tux emblazoned with End Gun Violence on the back. Former presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton was in a Bordeaux-colored gown designed by Joseph Altuzarra with the names of historic women sewn into the hem and neckline. They include Abigail Adams, Shirley Chisolm and Madeleine Albright.

Clinton's last Met Gala was a while ago.

I told Anna I would come every 20 years, she said.

Vogue livestream co-host Vanessa Hudgens made her way up the steps in a vaguely Victorian black sheer lace gown with a long train by Moschino. She was joined by La La Anthony, her fellow Vogue host who wore a deep red look with cut out shoulders from LaQuan Smith.

I'm practically naked, Hudgens joked.

Anthony said: Those stairs are intimidating.

And if the Met Gala's return feels like one of those what, already moments, it is.

It's been just under eight months since the last gala, an annual fundraiser that raises eight-figure sums for the Met's Costume Institute. More than $16.4 million was raised last year. The starry event is the institute's primary budget feeder.

This year's gala coincides with the opening of the second part of a two-part exhibit at the Costume Institute focused on American fashion and style. The evening's dress code was gilded glamour and white tie, a la the Gilded Age, that tumultuous period between the Civil War and the turn of the 20th century known for its robber barons, drama and grandeur.

Some of the stars included extra touches. Gabrielle Union said the red jewels in her hair to go with her silver Versace dress represented the blood shed by people of color during the Gilded Age. The dress included a large red flower embellishment at the waist.

Vogue's Anna Wintour, who has run the gala since 1995, wore feathery Chanel and a jeweled tiara that has been in her family since 1910. She continues as one of the night's honorary co-chairs, along with designer Tom Ford and Instagram's Adam Mosseri. The other official co-chairs for 2022 are Regina King and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Eilish wore a custom Gucci corset look of ivory and duchesse satin with green lace and a padded bustle. Erivos look came with a large train as she held hands with Sarah Jessica Parker, who wore custom Christopher John Rogers, a white and black striped Cinderella ballgown with a towering pink and black feather head piece by Philip Treacy.

Parker's dress was inspired by the work of Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley, the first Black female fashion designer in the White House, a confidante of first lady Mary Todd Lincoln.

Alicia Keys Ralph Lauren dress was inspired by her native New York City, with a cape evoking the New York City skyline outlined in small hand-placed crystals. Her husband, Swizz Beatz, also a native New Yorker, donned a New York sports jacket.

Keys said her dress was meant to represent an empire state of mind and a city of gods here tonight.

Twitters new owner, Elon Musk, showed up with his mother, Maye Musk a former model adorned in Chopard pearls and other jewels. Her son went with a classic tux with tails.

Ariana DeBose was resplendent in golden Moschino by Jeremy Scott.

This guy turned me into a fashion Oscar, she said.

And the gala included a marriage proposal. Former state Assembly candidate Bobby Digi Olisa got down on one knee to pop the question to a stunned Laurie Cumbo, the citys commissioner of cultural affairs.

What's a Met Gala without more than one Kardashian, or six. The entire family showed up, including Kylie Jenner in a white ballgown with a matching hat and big sister Kourtney Kardashian in deconstructed Thom Browne to go with beaux Travis Barker's Thom Browne suit. Kendall Jenner was in black Prada as she played devil and angel with Kylie. Sister Khloe Kardashian was in gold Moschino and matriarch Kris Jenner wore canary yellow from Oscar de la Renta, an ode to Jackie Kennedy Onassis  her hair in a 60s flip.

Megan Thee Stallion was also a golden goddess. Her Moschino shiner had wings at the shoulders. Quannah Chasinghorse wore a beaded blue strapless gown created in partnership with Indigenous designer Lenise Omeasoo.

Sans husband Justin Bieber, Hailey Bieber walked in an elegant Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello slip dress with a feather-trimmed coat in white.

Katy Perry, usually a showstopper as a cheeseburger and other wacky looks over the years, donned understated Oscar de la Renta this time around.

Teyana Taylor wasn't quite on theme but her dramatic Iris Van Herpen gown certainly made a statement, said Claire Sulmers, a fashion writer and pop culture observer who writes The State of Fashion column on Meta's publishing platform Bulletin. It was a breathtaking purple worn with a metal, cage-like piece around her head and face.

The drama and metallic adornment certainly made her one of the best dressed of the night, Sulmers said.

While many wore European brands, the American vibe remained, said Rachel Tashjian, fashion news director for Harpers Bazaar.

Many of the best looks were the most straightforward ones. Kate Moss in a velvet Le Smoking Tuxedo gown, Hailey Bieber in slinky ice-colored silk and marabou feathers, for example. They were both in Saint Laurent, which is of course not an American brand, but the simplicity and directness of their beauty and allure was extraordinarily, well, patriotic, she said.

Todd Snyder, the New York-based designer, appreciated many of the night's interpretations on the white tie dress code.

"Seeing how people pushed beyond the expected interpretation was refreshing this year. I loved Austin Butler in custom Prada swapping the classic bow tie for a silk scarf over a cropped tux jacket. Ryan Reynolds and Rege Jean Page reminded us of the elegance of velvet in a tux. While the era from the outside was opulent, Riz Ahmeds statement of wearing a workwear inspired outfit to represent the immigrant workers that kept the Gilded Age going is a statement that must not be forgotten.

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Associated Press writers Nardos Haile and John Carucci in New York contributed to this story.

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Follow Leanne Italie on Twitter at http://twitter.com/litalie

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For more of APs Met Gala coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/met-gala
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KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP)  Viktor appeared nervous as masked Ukrainian security officers in full riot gear, camouflage and weapons pushed into his cluttered apartment in the northern city of Kharkiv. His hands trembled and he tried to cover his face.

The middle-aged man came to the attention of Ukraines Security Service, the SBU, after what authorities said were his social media posts praising Russian President Vladimir Putin for fighting with the Nazis, calling for regions to secede and labeling the national flag a symbol of death.

Yes, I supported (the Russian invasion of Ukraine) a lot. Im sorry.  I have already changed my mind," said Viktor, his trembling voice showing clear signs of duress in the presence of the Ukrainian security officers.

Get your things and get dressed, an officer said before escorting him out of the apartment. The SBU did not reveal Viktor's last name, citing their investigation.

Viktor was one of nearly 400 people in the Kharkiv region alone who have been detained under anti-collaboration laws enacted quickly by Ukraine's parliament and signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Russia's Feb. 24 invasion.

Offenders face up to 15 years in prison for collaborating with Russian forces, making public denials about Russian aggression or supporting Moscow. Anyone whose actions result in deaths could face life in prison.

Accountability for collaboration is inevitable, and whether it will happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow is another question, Zelenskyy said. The most important thing is that justice will be served inevitably.

Although the Zelenskyy government has broad support, even among many Russian speakers, not all Ukrainians oppose the invasion. Support for Moscow is more common among some Russian-speaking residents of the Donbas, an industrial region in the east. An eight-year conflict there between Moscow-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces had killed over 14,000 people even before this years invasion.

Some businessmen, civic and state officials and members of the military are among those who have gone over to the Russian side, and Ukraines State Bureau of Investigations said more than 200 criminal cases on collaboration have been opened. Zelenskyy has even stripped two SBU generals of their rank, accusing them of treason.

A registry of collaborators is being compiled and will be released to the public, said Oleksiy Danilov, head of Ukraines Security Council. He refused to say how many people were targeted nationwide.

Under martial law, authorities have banned 11 pro-Russian political parties, including the largest one that had 25 seats in the 450-member parliament  the Opposition Platform For Life, which was founded by Viktor Medvedchuk, a jailed oligarch with close ties to Putin.

Authorities say pro-Russian activists in southeastern Ukraine, the scene of active fighting, are acting as spotters to direct shelling.

One of our key goals is to have no one stab our armed forces in the back, said Roman Dudin, head of the Kharkiv branch of the SBU, in an interview with The Associated Press. He spoke in a dark basement where the SBU moved its operations after its building in central Kharkiv was shelled.

The Kharkiv branch has been detaining people who support the invasion, call for secession and claim that Ukrainian forces are shelling their own cities.

Allegations of collaborating with the enemy carry strong historic resonance in Ukraine. During World War II, some in the region welcomed and even cooperated with invading forces from Nazi Germany after years of Stalinist repression that included the Holodomor  a man-made famine believed to have killed more than 3 million Ukrainians. For years afterward, Soviet authorities cited the cooperation of some Ukrainian nationalists with the Nazis as a reason to demonize todays democratically elected leaders of Ukraine.

Human rights advocates know of dozens of detentions of pro-Russian activists in Kyiv alone since the new laws were passed, but how many have been targeted nationwide is unclear, said Volodymyr Yavorskyy, coordinator at the Center for Civil Liberties, one of Ukraine's largest human rights groups.

There is no complete data on the (entire) country, since it is all classified by the SBU, Yavorskyy told AP.

Ukrainian authorities are actively using the practice of Western countries, in particular the U.K., which imposed harsh restrictions on civic liberties in warring Northern Ireland. Some of those restrictions were deemed unjustified by human rights advocates, but others were justified, when people's lives were in danger, he said.

A person in Ukraine can be detained for up to 30 days without a court order, he said, and antiterrorism legislation under martial law allows authorities not to tell defense attorneys about their clients being remanded.

In effect, these people disappear, and for 30 days there's no access to them, Yavorskyy said. In reality, (law enforcement) has powers to take anyone.

The government knows the implications of detaining people over their opinions, including that it risks playing into Moscow's line that Kyiv is repressing Russian speakers. But in wartime, officials say, freedom of speech is only part of the equation.

The debate about the balance of national security and ensuring freedom of speech is endless, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told AP.

Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the U.N. human rights office, said her agency has documented cases of arrests and detention allegedly made by Ukrainian law enforcement authorities, which may involve elements of human rights violations and is following up with the Ukrainian government.

She said her office is looking into eight cases that appear to be disappearances of people considered as pro-Russian, and we have documented two cases of unlawful killings of pro-Russians, along with cases of vigilantism, in which law enforcement and others punish those suspected of being pro-Russian,

In the town of Bucha, now a symbol of horrific violence in the war, Mayor Anatoly Fedoruk said collaborators gave invading troops the names and addresses of pro-Ukrainian activists and officials in the city outside Kyiv, with hundreds of civilians shot to death with their hands tied behind their backs or their bodies burned by Russian forces.

"I saw these execution lists, dictated by the traitors - the Russians knew in advance who theyre going to, at what address, and who lives there, said Fedoruk, who saw his own name on one list. Of course, Ukrainian authorities will search for and punish these people.

In the besieged port city of Mariupol, officials accused collaborators of helping the Russians cut off electricity, running water, gas and communications in much of the city.

Now I understand perfectly why the Russians were carrying out such precise, coordinated strikes on objects of critical infrastructure, knew about all locations and even times when Ukrainian buses evacuating refugees were supposed to depart, said Mayor Vadym Boychenko.

Political analysts say the invasion and the brutality by Russian troops against civilians have turned off many Moscow sympathizers. Still, many such supporters remain.

Russian propaganda took deep roots and many residents of the east who watch Russian TV channels believe absurd claims that its Ukrainians who are shelling them and other myths, Volodymyr Fesenko of the Penta Center think tank told AP. Naturally, Ukrainian authorities in the southeast are afraid of getting stabbed in the back and are forced to tighten security measures.

Unlike Viktor, whose Kharkiv apartment was raided, 86-year-old Volodymir Radnenko didnt seem surprised when Ukrainian security arrived to search his flat Saturday after detaining his son, Ihor. The military said the son was suspected of helping the Russians in shelling of the city  some of which occurred in Radnenko's neighborhood about 15 minutes before the officers showed up, with the smell of smoke lingering. At least two people were killed and 19 others wounded in the region.

He is used to thinking that Russia is all there is, Radnenko told AP after the officers left. I ask him: So who is shelling us? Its not our (people), its your fascists. And he only gets angry at that.

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Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Vasilisa Stepanenko in Kharkiv and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.

-

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
U.S. Coast Guard Heartland

The U.S. Coast Guard recovered the body of the 17-year-old male who went missing while wade fishing near Freeport on Saturday, April 30. On Sunday, May 1, the Coast Guard spotted the teen's body via helicopter in the middle of San Luis Pass, which is on the south-western end of Galveston Island.

A Texas EquuSearch boat crew recovered the body and brought it ashore to await first responders and the individual's family, according to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard. The identity of the missing teen was not revealed.
Pool/Getty Images

Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted from multiple charges in connection to killing two men and wounding another during street protests in Wisconsin in 2020, could become an Aggie. The 18-year-old hinted at the possibility of attending Texas A&M University during a visit.

"ASU has been fun, but becoming an Aggie might be better," Rittenhouse wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday, April 28.
Hyoung Chang/Denver Post via Getty Images

Mike Lindell, founder of MyPillow and serial spreader of election misinformation, rejoined Twitter Sunday, May 1, and quickly racked up over 30,000 followers. Hours later, Mike "Pillow" was banned again.

Lindell rejoined Twitter just days after it was announced that Twitter agreed to Elon Musk's $44 billion purchase of the social media company on April 25. Many of his fans, including many conservatives on Twitter, believed Musk would allow controversial figures to be unbanned from Twitter because of a recent tweet from the billionaire.
Joe McDonald/Getty Images

A Texas rattlesnake handler died this weekend after he was bitten at the largest festival of the year in South Texas on Saturday, April 30. Eugene De Leon Sr. was handling rattlesnakes in front of a crowd when he was bitten on the shoulder, according to KIIITV.

De Leon was at Rattlesnake Roundup in Freer, near the Corpus Christi area. The festival is one of the city's largest events of the year that the Freer Chamber of Commerce puts on.
Courtesy

One of the last remaining Tuskegee Airmen, the all-Black military pilots that fought in World War II, living in the San Antonio area passed away last week, according to the San Antonio Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Before his death, Senior Master Sergeant James Bynum was one of two remaining original Tuskegee Airmen living in San Antonio, the other being Dr. Eugene Derricotte. Bynum passed away peacefully in his sleep on Friday, April 29 at the age of 101.
Jerri-Lynn here. In 2003, during a birding trip to South Africa, our guide, Martin, stopped to pay his respects at a memorial to another guide, whod succumbed, suddenly, to cerebra; malaria at the age of 28. Malaria is an occupational hazard for wildlife guides, especially birding guides, who spend lots of time in wetlands and other places where mosquitoes are prevalent.

Tourists and short-term visitors can take malaria prophylaxis. But there are problems with each of the major options, and residents and long-term visitors usually dont bother. During our trip, my husband and I didnt rely on drugs alone  IIRC, we took malarone  to reduce our malaria risk. Before the trip, wed treated the clothes we planned to wear while birding  including our socks and sun hats  with permethrin. While birding, we smeared lots of mosquito repellent on exposed skin.

South Africa could soon join the list of countries that have relegated malaria to history  although this post highlights the worrying possibility that a spike in malaria cases might soon occur, as a consequence of insecticide resistance. The authors warn against complacency.

This post is a reminder that covid-19 isnt the only disease plaguing Africa. And while South Africa has made great strides in malaria control, alas, in many other African countries, the disease is still prevalent. Ive posted before about ongoing malaria control efforts, including launch of a promising vaccine. But the fight against this disease is far from won.

By Shune Oliver, Medical scientist, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Basil Brooke, Associate Professor at the Wits Research Institute for Malaria in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, and Givemore Munhenga, Senior Medical Scientist, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Originally published at The Conversation

Most South Africans arent worried about malaria even though the disease is endemic in the country. Four of the countrys nine provinces carry malaria risk while 10% of the population is at risk of contracting malaria.

The lack of concern can be attributed to the fact that the country has a relatively low burden of the disease. In 2020, South Africa had 8,126 cases and 38 deaths. This is low when compared to the estimated 10,007,802 cases and 23,766 deathsin Mozambique during the same period.

The low number of cases means that South Africa is a candidate for malaria elimination. To reach this goal the country would need to record no new infections for three years. This goal has recently been achieved by China and El Salvador in 2021, and Argentina and Algeria in 2019.

The region in South Africa most likely to achieve this status is KwaZulu-Natal where the incidence rate is very low. But there are threats to achieving the goal.

In a recent paper we set out our findings on malaria in northern Kwa-Zulu Natal. We found that certain species of malaria-carrying mosquitoes showed resistance to insecticides. Though the resistance levels are low, they nevertheless point to a potentially worrying trend.

This is not the first time that insecticide resistance has been reported in the province. Monitoring resistance is important because it gives an early warning sign of coming danger. The loss of insecticide efficacy can be a major blow to malaria control efforts.

Levels of malaria incidence can change very quickly. This was the case during a epidemic between 1996-2000 which was caused by a combination of insecticide resistance and anti-malarial drug resistance.

Insecticide resistance is a growing threat to malaria control efforts globally. In South Africa, indoor residual spraying is the cornerstone of the malaria elimination efforts. Hence, it is important to keep a close eye on vector mosquito populations in affected areas.

A concerted effort on the part of the government ensured that malaria infection rates were brought down again. Our research suggests there needs to be extra vigilance to ensure there isnt another spike.

Resistance

Our research was done as part of ongoing malaria surveillance in the country. Malaria surveillance is essential for provincial control and elimination programmes. These surveillance activities include collecting mosquitoes, identifying them and testing their sensitivity to insecticides. The aim is to provide important information on vector mosquito populations in affected areas, such as their feeding, breeding and resting behaviours and their susceptibilities to insecticide.

In our paper we looked at Anopheles with special emphasis on Anopheles arabiensis, which is the primary vector of malaria in the northern Kwa-Zulu Natal.

We collected Anopheles specimens from Mamfene, Jozini, northern KwaZulu-Natal between November 2019 and April 2021. We conducted standard insecticide susceptibility tests. These showed resistance to DDT, permethrin, deltamethrin, and bendiocarb, as well as full susceptibility to pirimiphos-methyl. These are classes of insecticides that are approved for indoor residual spraying.

The levels of resistance we detected are still low, with an average survival rate of 12%. But theyre nevertheless concerning.

If insecticide resistance becomes widespread it can result in operational failure. This would mean that the current insecticide-based mosquito control strategies would not be effective. This, in turn, can lead to mosquito numbers growing as parasite densities increase.

It is, therefore, essential that control is maintained and strengthened by adopting suitable strategies to prevent the development of insecticide resistance.

South Africa is aware of the problem, which is why it has adopted malaria control programmes that use at least two different insecticides in a mosaic spraying pattern. This approach has proved highly successful. This is like using a multi-drug approach to combat resistance in bacteria and viruses. It will slow down the development of insecticide resistance compared to using a single insecticide.

No time for complacency

South Africas low number of cases mean that the country is a candidate for malaria elimination. But this is not the time for complacency. The spike in malaria cases in South Africa in 2017shows how quickly the progress can be undone.

Various countries have relegated malaria to history. China is the latest country to achieve this, which is significant due to the size of its population and geographical area.

South Africa could join this list, with KwaZulu-Natal province at the forefront of the charge towards elimination. Yet, the province is also a reminder of what could happen if the country lets its guard down.

Malaria is a dynamic disease, and mosquitoes do not respect borders. The epidemics of 1996-2000 and the spike in cases in 2017 should be a stark warning of what can happen, especially if complacency steps in.
By Jerri-Lynn Scofield, who has worked as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader. She is currently writing a book about textile artisans.

Indian is currently suffering through an unprecedented early heatwave, with temperatures topping 45 degrees Celsius (113 degree Fahrenheit) throughout the country, according to an account in The Hindu, Intense heat broils large swathes of India, IMD says no relief for next 5 days, published last Thursday.

These are the highest temperatures recorded for March since the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) first began recording temperatures 122 years ago. Per The Hindu:

Gurugram logged an all-time high of 45.6 degrees Celsius, breaking the previous record of 44.8 degrees Celsius on April 28, 1979. Its neighbour Delhi saw the hottest April day in 12 years at 43.5 degrees Celsius. The national capital recorded a maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius on April 18, 2010. The intense heatwave scorched Allahabad (45.9 degrees Celsius) in Uttar Pradesh; Khajuraho (45.6 degrees Celsius), Nowgong (45.6 degrees Celsius), and Khargone (45.2 degrees Celsius) in Madhya Pradesh; Akola (45.4 degrees Celsius), Bramhapuri (45.2 degrees Celsius) and Jalgaon (45.6 degrees Celsius) in Maharashtra and Jharkhands Daltonganj (45.8 degrees Celsius).

Now, I should point out that whats unusual isnt these maximum temperatures per se.Instead, its their timing thats causing concern, as theyre occurring at whats only the beginning of the Indian summer. The cooling monsoon rains are still months away and usually arrive in the south of the country in June, and then slowly extend throughout the entire country. According to The Hindu:

A heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature is over 40 degrees Celsius and at least 4.5 notches above normal. A severe heatwave is declared if the departure from normal temperature is more than 6.4 notches, according to the IMD. Based on absolute recorded temperatures, a heatwave is declared when an area logs a maximum temperature of 45 degrees Celsius. A severe heatwave is declared if the maximum temperature crosses the 47-degree mark.

Most Indians, about 65% of the population, still live in rural villages. I know from extensive travels throughout the country that homes are constructed so as to shelter villagers from extreme heat  and rains, when they come. Except for those who dwell in mountainous regions, extreme cold doesnt pose a problem for most Indians and many (if not most) Indian homes lack anything but the most basic heating systems. During the couple of winter months, people don warmer clothes, or make do with space heaters or indoor fires.

Ive often visited the small farming village of Bhatkunda in West Bengal, about an hours ride from Shantiniketan, a university town thats become a popular weekend retreat for people from Calcutta (Kolkata). When I visit this village I stay at the home Rajik Khan shares with his wife and two daughters.

Bhatkunda wouldnt be out of place in a Satyajit Ray film (although most of the classic Pather Panchali was actually filmed in Boral, now subsumed into metropolitan Kolkata (see this account in The Hindustan Times, Revisiting Satyajit Rays Boral, the village from where he started his cinematic journey in Pather Panchali).

Rajik Khan lives in a comfortable, thick-walled house, the largest in town but still rather modest by developed country standards. Im not sure whether his house is made out of rammed earth or concrete; I do know its painted a cheery shade of yellow, with brown trimming, and decorative wrought iron grills. Theres no air-conditioning, although some rooms have ceiling fans. The bathroom has a cold shower. Power cuts are frequent so that the house has been designed to be comfortable even when theres no electricity.

The kitchen is separate from the main house, in another building. Other village houses are also thick-walled and although many of these lack ceiling fans, most everyone has at least a portable fan.

Ive visited Bhatkunda during many months of the year, including June, just prior to the onset of the monsoon, when the summers heat is at its fiercest. During the heat of the day, I remained inside, with doors thrown open to the outside. IIRC, theres no glass in the windows, so air flows easily through the house. I slept comfortably, even when power cuts stopped the overhead fans. The occasional cold shower offered pleasant relief from the heat.

This year, extreme heat has arrived in India much earlier than it should have. Indian government officials warn that people need to be alive to the possible health effects caused by excessive heat. More people die annually from heat exposure in India and Brazil than anywhere else in the world, according to Juan Cole writing in Common Dreams, Climate Emergency: Indias Unprecedented Heatwave Adds to Global Bread Shortages.

Early heatwaves produce the highest mortality rates. According to The Hindu:

Dileep Mavalankar, the director of the Indian Institute of Public Health Gandhinagar (IIPHG), said, People need to watch out for IMD advisories, stay indoors, keep themselves hydrated and rush to the nearest health centre if they feel moderate signs of heat-related illness. Theres a special need to monitor the old and vulnerable just like we did during the COVID-19 waves as they can develop heat strokes even when sitting at home, he said. Mr. Mavalankar said that cities should monitor all-cause mortality data daily along with that of hospital admissions and ambulance calls to compare it with the last five years of data to get a real indication of heat stress on mortality. Early heatwaves have a higher rate of mortality since adaptation and preparedness is low during March and April, he said.

The absence of normal levels of periodic light rainfall has caused the current heatwave, according to The Hindu:

Large parts of India have been recording higher than normal temperatures since the last week of March, with weather experts attributing it to the absence of periodic light rainfall and thundershowers, typical for this time of the year, due to the lack of active western disturbances. Northwest India saw at least four western disturbances in March and April, but they were not strong enough to cause a significant change in weather, said Mahesh Palawat, Vice President (Meteorology and Climate Change), Skymet, a private weather forecasting agency.

This explanation accords with what Indian friends have told me about their countrys shifting weather patterns. One of my closest Indian friends has lived in Calcutta (Kolkata) for most of her life. And shes said that in recent years, the citys typical pre-monsoon summer weather patterns have changed. Formerly, norwesters -kailbaishakhi in Bengali  were not uncommon from the month of Baisakh  April, until the monsoon arrives in northwest India sometime in June (see this wikipedia account, Norwester, No longer, however.

That being said, I just spoke today to two other Kolkata friends. Each told me that it rained over the previous couple of days, although Monday was dry, so the heat situation is somewhat better there than elsewhere in India. Temperatures and humidity are still high; Bengalis are being braised rather than baked.

Effect of the Current Heatwave on Indias Wheat Crop

The present heatwave couldnt arrive at a worse time as far as Indias wheat production is concerned, thus exacerbating the global wheat crisis caused by the war in Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions on Russia. India is the worlds second largest wheat producer, but to date has been an insignificant exporter, with most of its wheat crop directed towards domestic consumption. Until the current heatwave arose, it appeared that India had the potential to increase its wheat production so as to make up some of the current world wheat shortfall, according to Worldgrain.com, Heat wave strikes Indias wheat production. The latest heat surge has imperilled wheat crops:

While recent high temperatures have roasted India for weeks, approaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), it was heat in March that has imperiled wheat during the crucial final stages of maturation. Regions that planted earlier tended to escape the worst impacts on their harvests.

Alas, although many Indians can shelter in their homes during the heat of the day, farmers must toil in the sun. The heat stress situation in Indias prime wheat producing regions is particularly dire and expected to worsen over time. According to Common Dreams:

A recent article by Mariam Zachariah et al. in Geophysical Research Letters finds that: The three states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh in the Indo-Gangetic Plains are the largest wheat producers in India, playing a crucial role in ensuring food security of this densely populated country. Wheat, a winter crop, is reported to be sensitive to heat stress because of rising temperatures and climate change. However, in previous studies, the sensitivity of wheat yield has been mainly explored with respect to the magnitude of temperature. Here, based on statistical analysis of observed temperature and actual wheat production data, we show that the magnitude, frequency, and areal extent of agricultural heat stress events are increasing in Indias wheat belt, with frequency showing the most pronounced trend Under climate change, chances of below-average wheat production rise by 8%27% in the worst-case scenario. So the authors are saying that high-powered modeling shows that not only increased average temperatures in India but also more frequent extreme heatwaves have the potential of reducing wheat yields by as much as 27%. They say this is a worst-case scenario, but at the moment we are heading for the worst case scenario of the climate emergency, since nobody is significantly reducing their carbon dioxide emissions, which jumped up last year.

India certainly doesnt need a drop inits wheat yields at this time  especially as other aspects of the Ukraine crisis such as the global fertiliser shortage  are already increasing the costs of its food production. Until recently, it appeared that in the short-term, an increasing volume of Indian wheat might have been exported so to alleviate world wheat shortfalls somewhat. Per Worldgrain.com

In mid-February, nearly a month before the recent hot spell, the government said India was on course to harvest an all-time high 111.32 million tonnes of the grain, up from the previous years 109.59 million tonnes. The government has yet to formally revise its production estimates, but an official note, seen by Reuters, said the output could fall to 105 million tonnes this year. The heat spell (in March) occurred very fast and also matured the crop at a faster pace, which shriveled the grain size, JDS Gill, the agriculture information officer in the state of Punjab, told India Today. This also resulted in a drop in yield. Even though it is the worlds second-largest producer of wheat with nearly 110 million tonnes last year, India exports only a small fraction of its harvest. Seven consecutive years of record wheat production and good stockpiles had the country looking to ship more wheat overseas to ease the global disruption of wheat supplies caused by Russias war in Ukraine and develop new markets in Europe, Africa, and Asia. India had been projected to set a record for wheat exports in the 2021-22 marketing year at nearly 9 million tonnes and perhaps double that amount in the following season, according to Piyush Goyal, Indias commerce minister. That level now looks uncertain given the smaller potential yield and need to balance domestic needs for its 1.4 billion people.

The current heatwave appears to have dashed optimistic expectations that India might increase its wheat exports. Indias focus must instead remain on meeting its domestic food needs. In no way can the government allow a chase for higher wheat export prices to compromise the food security of ordinary Indians. And over the longer term, the worst case scenario outlined in the Zachariah et al paper suggests that with increased heat stress being an expected part of Indias climate future, lower wheat yields might also soon follow.
(Natural News) CD Media has been leveraging our long-term relationships in Ukraine with intelligence contacts inside the Ukrainian security infrastructure for information on the Biden scandal, the Poroshenko money laundering schemes, and the U.S. State Department disinformation campaign against the Trump candidacy and now against President Trump.

(Article republished from CreativeDestructionMedia.com)

We have reported extensively on these issues and you can find our previous reports on the link below.

We have reported previously on information from sources that do not want to be identified for fear of retribution inside Ukraine, and retribution inside Ukraine typically comes in the form of a car bomb, arson, acid attack, etc.

However, CD Media has been examining the situation with a source who is now willing to come public.

Oleksandr Onyshchenko was elected to the Ukrainian Parliament in 2012. He served From November 2014 until 2016 as the deputy chairman of the Parliament Committee on Fuel and Energy Complex, Nuclear Policy and Nuclear Safety.

He states on his website: However, his political career would be cut short in the summer of 2016 after he was revealed to be an opposition supporter who was secretly helping opposition leader and Former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko and her Fatherland party. A politically-motivated charge of embezzlement was placed against him by then-President Poroshenko and Mr Onyshchenko had to flee the country. On February 6 2017, The German Higher Regional Court of Koblenz issued a decision which ruled out any criminality in the actions of Mr Onyshchenko. Most notably, the State of Ukraine did not give any evidence of Mr Onyshchenkos involvement in criminal activity, and no definitive circumstances were shown.

Onyshchenko currently lives in Western Europe but intends to return to Ukraine to fight the corrupt schemes put in place by former President Poroshenko and to aid the Zelensky administration in such efforts.

In Onyshchenkos former oversight role over Ukrainian energy security, he was in a unique position to acquire information on Burisma and their dealings with the Biden family.

In our extensive discussions with Onyshchenko, CD Media can report that he confirmed Hunter Biden took off the books payments totally millions from Burisma.

There were official and unofficial payments to the Biden family, Onyshchenko stated.

Onyshchenko also confirmed that former FBI agent Karen Greenaway, who oversaw the Obama administrations anti-corruption efforts in Eastern Europe, directed the coverup of the Biden scandal at the time, in concert with the U.S. embassy in Kyiv, and other Deep State American government assets in-country.

There is much more information to be disclosed in this story and CD Media will be releasing more as we become comfortable with its accuracy.

Read more at: CreativeDestructionMedia.com
(Natural News) The Democratic Party machine across the country continues working overtime to bury its 2020 election theft operation to deny Donald Trump a second term and install the most feeble, incapable puppet they could find  Joe Biden  in the White House.

The most recent developments are playing out in Harris County, Texas  home to Houston  following the indictment of Dr. Steve Hotze, a GOP megadonor and election integrity activist who has been working to uncover massive amounts of voter fraud in the Lone Star State, which Dems are working frantically to turn blue.

According to a report from the Texas Tribune, a left-wing outlet that published an extremely biased account:

Conservative activist Steven Hotze on Wednesday was indicted on two felony charges related to his alleged involvement in an air conditioning repairman being held at gunpoint in 2020 during a bizarre search for fraudulent mail ballots that did not exist, according to his attorney, Gary Polland.

There is no question that the 2020 election was stolen and Joe Biden was installed by the leftist deep state to deny Donald Trump another four years to implement his America First agenda. The proof is coming out by the month. Hotzes arrest is just another attempt to suppress the truth.

Sources include:

TexasTribune.com

Trump.news
(Natural News) Heavily-censored social media platform Twitter turned into a free speech party Monday after news broke that maverick billionaire and self-described free speech absolutist Elon Musk had successfully purchased the company for $44 billion.

(Article by Ashley Sadler republished from LifeSiteNews.com)

Amid the return of previously banned conservative accounts including Fox News Tucker Carlson (who was banned for agreeing with a statement that a man who claims to be a woman is still a man), conservative users gleefully tested the waters by posting comments challenging the legitimacy of the 2020 election, slamming public health experts for lying about COVID-19, extolling the virtues of heavily-suppressed coronavirus treatments hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, and debunking transgenderism.

This is a great day to be conservative on Twitter.  Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) April 25, 2022

The Daily Wires Michael Knowles deliberately experimented with the new moderation rules on Musks Twitter by posting a series of tweets expressing mainstream conservative opinions that might have gotten him booted from the platform just a day earlier.

The 2020 presidential election was obviously rigged, Knowles wrote, adding in another tweet, Public health officials lied repeatedly about COVID-19.

Public health officials lied repeatedly about COVID-19.  Michael Knowles ?? (@michaeljknowles) April 25, 2022

Ivermectin is a wonder drug, the author and podcaster also posted, affirming in another that, contrary to the opinions of activists and experts, [t]ransgenderism isnt a real category of being.

Knowles wasnt the only one having fun on the platform following Musks takeover.

Erick Aguilar, a Republican congressional candidate in Florida, said he was testing the Twitter freedom by posting six controversial statements that could have gotten him banned prior to Musks purchase:

Im testing the Twitter freedom.

1. Ivermectin works,

2. Hydroxicloriquine works,

3. Vaccines are ineffective

4. Masks dont work

5. Boosters are killing people.

6. Dr Malone and Joe Rogan are heroes

Lets see if Elon keeps his word Retweet if you agree.  Erick Aguilar for Congress, FL 4th District (@ErickAguilarJAX) April 26, 2022

Republican Arizona state Sen. Wendy Rogers simply wrote: TRUMP WON.

TRUMP WON  Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) April 26, 2022

Meanwhile, The Blazes Sara Gonzales contradicted the official position of the Biden administration by stating the obvious fact that Only women can get pregnant.

Only women can get pregnant.  Sara Gonzales (@SaraGonzalesTX) April 26, 2022

Newly liberated users even got #Ivermectin trending on the social media platform.

Ivermectin is trending its a new day on Twitter. ???  Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) April 26, 2022

The response from the left has been less than enthusiastic, however, as liberals decried the loosening of content moderation rules to open up free speech.

Several weeks before Musk successfully purchased Twitter, author Max Boot opined, For democracy to survive, we need more content moderation, not less.

I am frightened by the impact on society and politics if Elon Musk acquires Twitter. He seems to believe that on social media anything goes. For democracy to survive, we need more content moderation, not less.  Max Boot ?? (@MaxBoot) April 14, 2022

Imagine being mad about being free to say whatever you want? quipped conservative podcaster Benny Johnson.

Imagine being mad about being free to say whatever you want?  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 26, 2022

Other conservative Twitter users have joked about the negative responses from leftists who worry that Musks plan to open up free speech on the platform could lead to the spread of dangerous misinformation.

People who think men can get pregnant are suddenly concerned about misinformation on Twitter, remarked one user.

People who think men can get pregnant are suddenly concerned about misinformation on Twitter. ???  Stephanie ?? (@StephHoover8) April 25, 2022

MSNBC host Ari Melber drew widespread derision and amusement for worrying that under its new ownership, Twitter could secretly ban one partys candidate, or all of its candidates, all of its nominees, or you could just secretly turn down the reach of their stuff and turn up the reach of something else and the rest of us might not even find out about it until after the election.

MSNBC talent suddenly realizes the owners of Twitter can rig the entire site. This is amazing to watch. Does he not realize all of this was already done to Republicans? pic.twitter.com/Gmc0nVx2jF  Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) April 26, 2022

The banning of political figures and censorship of politically damning material have been among the primary reasons Twitter has come under fire from conservatives. For example, the social media company deplatformed former President Donald Trump and squashed the New York Posts story about Hunter Bidens laptop.

There is truly nothing funnier than this MSNBC host ranting about what Elon Musk could do to Twitter, and accidentally giving a perfect description of how Twitter has actually operated for the last five years, remarked Daily Wire Senior Editor Cabot Phillips.

Meanwhile, Tucker Carlson wasnt the only banned personality to return to the platform following the transfer of ownership to Elon Musk.

Anti-lockdown group Truckers For Freedom, which had been banned from Twitter, also returned Monday after the buyout, according to Fox Business.

Many social media users have clamored for the reinstatement of other banned accounts since the transfer of ownership, including the Christian satire site The Babylon Bee and Donald Trump.

Elon Musk should reinstate President Trumps Twitter account.  Nick Adams (@NickAdamsinUSA) April 25, 2022

Trump was permanently banned from the platform while still the sitting president of the United States shortly after the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.

In a decision sure to disappoint many, however, Trump has stated that despite the new ownership he will not be returning to Twitter. Instead, he will remain on Truth Social, the platform he launched last year.

On Tuesday podcaster Benny Johnson suggested that even though Trump doesnt plan to use his Twitter account, Elon Musk should restore it anyway since Free Speech on Twitter starts with righting previous wrongs.

Elon Musk should restore Donald Trumps Twitter account, regardless of whether he plans to use it or not. Free Speech on Twitter starts with righting previous wrongs.  Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) April 26, 2022

Read more at: LifeSiteNews.com
(Natural News) The Department of Homeland Securitys new disinformation unit will be headed by a woman who says free speech makes her shudder and who falsely labeled the Hunter Biden laptop story disinformation.

(Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Summit.news)

Oh dear.

Just two days after it was revealed that Elon Musk had reached an agreement to buy Twitter, DHS chief Alejandro Mayorkas announced the creation of a disinformation governance board.

The new board will focus primarily on misinformation related to homeland security, focused specifically on irregular migration and Russia.

The board will be headed by Nina Jankowicz, a former advisor to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry who oversaw related issued at the National Democratic Institute lobby group.

Cats out of the bag, Jankowicz tweeted. Heres what Ive been up to the past two months, and why Ive been a bit quiet on here.

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

Jankowiczs view of free speech is particularly odious. Free speech apparently makes her physically shudder.

I shudder to think about if free speech absolutists were taking over more platforms, what that would look like for the marginalized communities, which are already shouldering disproportionate amounts of this abuse, she tweeted in response to Musks Twitter takeover.

NEWS: DHS is officially launching its own Ministry of Truth, or the so-called Disinformation Governance Board. Nina Jankowicz will head the board as executive director. Free speech absolutists make her shudder, so everything should be fine. pic.twitter.com/wVc7hEBX11  Young Americans for Liberty (@YALiberty) April 27, 2022

 Nina Jankowicz ???? (@wiczipedia) April 27, 2022

Jankowicz previously called Musk an online abuser, while arguing for more censorship when she asserted, The free speech vs censorship framing is a false dichotomy.

But crucially, the woman handed the role of deciding what constitutes disinformation, previously labeled a completely truthful story disinformation because it was seen to be harmful to Joe Bidens presidential chances.

Jankowicz promoted the actual disinformation that the New York Post Hunter Biden laptop story was a Russian influence op.

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. Trump says Russia, Russia, Russia.  Nina Jankowicz ???? (@wiczipedia) October 23, 2020

She also wrongly asserted that it was a Trump campaign product, while also claiming Trump supporters would show up at the polls with weapons to intimidate voters.

Jankowiczs appointment once again underscores how moral panics about disinformation and misinformation are contrived frauds designed to bury legitimate information harmful to the regimes narrative.

Both the Hunter Biden laptop scandal and the lab leak theory, two of the biggest news stories of 2020, were truthful yet branded disinformation so they could be buried by social media algorithms to prevent their viral spread.

Along with fact checkers, the new DHS disinformation unit is just another branch of the Ministry of Truth, which as in Orwells 1984, serves a primary purpose of hiding and eliminating the truth.

Read more at: Summit.news
(Natural News) When astute journalists like Fox News Tucker Carlson and the folks who run Revolver News pointed out that the FBI and other federal government agencies were involved in helping to create conditions that led to the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol Building, leading political figures in the U.S. and around the world laughed and mocked them for suggesting that any Western government could be capable of conducting false flag operations.

Only enemy governments like Russia and China are capable of such acts.

But when it is convenient for them to do so, politically, Western governments quickly embrace the false flag model of conspiracies, which just happened in France.

Because the U.S.-led NATO security alliance wants the world to believe that Russia is the planetary boogeyman, the French government is now claiming that Russian mercs belonging to the Wagner Group staged a French atrocity in the country of Mali this month.

France24 reports on the incident:

The French military has said it has videos of Russian mercenaries burying bodies near an army base in northern Mali, which it says is part of a smear campaign against the French, who handed the Gossi base over to Malian forces earlier this week.

Satellite images taken by the French military Thursday morning show what appear to be 10 Caucasian soldiers covering approximately a dozen Malian bodies with sand 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) east of the Gossi military base in the countrys north, according to a French military officer.

In the video one of the soldiers appears to be filming the scene. The Caucasian soldiers in the video are believed to be members of the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary force, the officer said.

Not that something didnt happen, but lets be real: Are believed to be is intelligence code speak for, we dont really know so were assigning blame for maximum geopolitical effect.

According to France24, a number of tweets with photos of bodies have allegedly been posted from accounts that either support Russia or are phony accounts created by the Wagner Group, according to the intelligence officer.

One tweet from an account called Dia Diarra, which was supposedly created by the mercenary group, said: This is what the French left behind when they left base at #Gossi. These are excerpts from a video that was taken after they left! We cannot keep silent about this!

Last week, the French army handed over control of a military base at Gossi to Malian soldiers. French military officials said the hand-off was done in an orderly, safe and transparent manner. But later in the day, reportedly, a French sensor observed a dozen Caucasian individuals, most likely belonging to the Wagner Group as well as a detachment from the Malian army arrive at the base and off-load gear, the French military said in a secret report that was leaked to the Associated Press (of course).

This is the first time that the French military is making public such drone or surveillance maybe done by a plane, FRANCE 24 terrorism expert Wassim Nasr said, according to the outlet.

We know that on the 20th [of March], Wednesday afternoon, the French military saw those vehicles, those Chinese-made vehicles that are used by the Malian army, going into and outside of the base of Gossi that the French left on the 19th  and on the same night they got footage that shows us [] that they slept at the base, he added.

We see the Malian soldiers sleeping outside and downstairs we see Russian  French military say Wagner  operatives sleeping in tents, Nasr noted further. And the same night at 10 pm we have the first tweet from a fake Twitter account [] that says look at what we will show you; we will show you the massacre left by French soldiers. [] Then yesterday, so Thursday, at 9:50 pm, French surveillance means saw [] as they say, Wagner military throwing sand on corpses next to the military facility.

Why would Russian mercs (who are aligned with the Kremlin) murder Malian soldiers? What is the purpose of pinning those murders on the French? In the great scheme of things, isnt it more likely that the killers were operating independently in order to assist some sort of Malian resistance movement?

This all seems very convenient, given the long-standing French presence in Mali. But we cant simply take their word for it anymore; weve all been lied to far too often.

Sources include:

France24.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Once upon a time, Googles corporate motto was dont be evil and in fact, the phrase is still included in the tech giants corporate code of conduct.

But its Orwellian because the search and media behemoth doesnt follow it.

There is so much about Google that is truly evil, in fact, it is hard to know where to start when pointing it out, but the latest example involves the companys support for a leading science figure who denies that the COVID-19 virus, wholly manufactured by Communist China, leaked from a lab in Wuhan (or was intentionally released  you be the judge).

EcoHealth Alliance, which was a leading signatory of a controversial letter published in the once-respected scientific journal Lancet, prematurely dismissed the early theory that the virus originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The National Pulse has unearthed the financial ties between Google and EcoHealth Alliance.

The outlet further noted that the newly discovered financial ties come after more than a years worth of big tech censorship (including by Google) of individuals and news reports suggesting the virus was both made at the Chinese lab and then either escaped or was released from there  the so-called lab leak theory. A Google subsidiary, YouTube, was especially involved in censoring and then banning individuals.

The Google-supported researcher, Charles Calisher, took a lead role in helping to cover up the origins of COVID-19 via his involvement with the February 2020 statement published by Lancet  just as the virus began sweeping the globe. The statement claimed that the virus occurred naturally in animals and specifically, bats from a wet market in Wuhan.

The statement was then used by political leaders in the U.S. and around the world, as well as by other scientists and corporate media, to quell any discussions or suggestions of alternative theories such as the lab leak. But in the years since the virus struck, there has been mounting evidence as well as intelligence community accounts that essentially prove that COVID-19 escaped from the Communist Party-linked lab, Chinas only Level 4 viral research facility.

For instance, in August 2021, former Trump Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said that every piece of evidence he had seen, including the most sensitive intelligence, indicates that COVID-19 originated in the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

In an op-ed published by Fox News Digital in which he argued against U.S. participation in the Beijing Olympics, Ratcliffe noted:

I had access to all of the U.S. governments most sensitive intelligence related to the pandemic. My informed opinion is that the lab leak theory isnt just a possibility, at the very least it is more like a probability, if not very close to a certainty.

More than 18 months after the virus first leaked into the world, I still have not seen a single shred of scientific evidence or intelligence that the virus outbreak was a naturally occurring spillover that jumped from an animal to a human, he noted further.

Conversely, although the Chinese Communist Party has gone to great lengths to ensure there is no smoking gun, every piece of evidence I have seen points to the pandemics origin being a leak out of the Wuhan Institute of Virology, he continued.

Quite simply, the lab leak theory is the only one supported by science, intelligence and common sense, he explained, noting that at the same time China has not provided any exculpatory evidence in a crime that had devastating impacts on nearly every person on earth because, in short, they cant.

The Chinese government is singularly responsible for more than 5o8 million cases of COVID-19 globally and more than 6.2 million deaths. The world must come together and find some way to hold the ChiComs responsible and punish them. Ditto for Google, the dont be evil corporation that literally funded evil.

Sources include:

FoxNews.com

TheNationalPulse.com
(Natural News) NASHVILLE, TN  Governor Bill Lee has signed SB 2188 that allows Ivermectin, an award-winning antiviral drug, to be available for the treatment of COVID-19 without a prescription in Tennessee. The states Senate overwhelmingly voted 66-20, and the House voted 22-6 in favor of the bill.

(Article republished from TheDesertReview.com)

The bill states that a pharmacist can provide Ivermectin to a patient, who is 18 years of age or older, pursuant to a valid collaborative pharmacy practice agreement containing a non-patient-specific prescriptive order and standardized procedures developed and executed by one or more authorized prescribers.

That means that adults can explain their symptoms to the pharmacist, fill out a sheet listing any preexisting conditions and other medications they are taking, and the pharmacist can determine the right dosage.

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.



The 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine was awarded to William C. Campbell and Satoshi Omura for their discoveries leading to Ivermectin. Ivermectin is best known for its antiparasitic properties that can help prevent COVID-19 and is especially effectiveas early treatment. The drug also has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and studies have shown that ivermectin helps to lower the viral load by inhibiting replication. According to a June 2020 study published in the Antiviral Research Journal, a single dose of Ivermectin can kill 99.8 percent of the virus within 48 hours. A meta-analysis in the American Journal of Therapeutics showed the drug reduced infection by an average of 86 percent when used preventively.

In another study of 115 patients with COVID-19 who received a single dose of Ivermectin, none of them developed pneumonia or cardiovascular complications, while 11.4 percent of those in the control group did. Fewer Ivermectin patients developed respiratory distress, fewer required oxygen, antibiotics and intensive care. Ivermectin-treated patients tested negative in four days instead of 15 and stayed in the hospital nine days on average instead of 15.

Ivermectin has also been shown to speed recovery, in part by inhibiting inflammation and protecting against organ damage. Additionally, Ivermectin lowers the risk of hospitalizationand death. Furthermore, the drug prevents transmission of SARS-CoV-2 when taken before or after exposure.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, Cheap and effective drugs like Ivermectin are being denied to the public while pharmaceutical companies make money from COVID shots that are neither safe nor effective. Studies and personal testimonies have repeatedly shown the effectiveness of Ivermectin. The focus should always be about helping save lives rather than putting more money in the pockets of Big Pharma. All states should follow Tennessees lead.

Read more at: TheDesertReview.com
(Natural News) Twitters top lawyer, Vijaya Gadde, reportedly broke down in tears during a virtual meeting with the companys policy and legal teams to discuss the ramifications of Elon Musks purchase of the social media platform.

(Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com)

According to Politico, Gadde cried during the meeting as she expressed concerns about how the company could change, and acknowledged that there are significant uncertainties about what the company will look like under Musks leadership.

Having been with Twitter since 2011, Gadde was the key executive in charge of trust and safety, legal and public policy functions  described by Politico as the companys moral authority.

Gadde holds one of the most controversial positions at Twitter: Her teams decide how to moderate content. Thats made her a target of right-wing criticism, particularly when Twitter blocked the distribution of a New York Post article about President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, in 2020. She faced a renewed wave of criticism after multiple reports confirmed she was behind the decision to ban Trump from Twitter. -Politico

In other words, Gadde is likely the exec who signed off on ZeroHedges February 2020 ban for speculating that Covid-19 may have emerged from a Wuhan Lab, and President Trumps January 2021 ban in connection with the capitol riot.

She has shepherded Twitter through some of its most contentious political battles, including the decisions to remove all political advertising and to boot former President Donald Trump from the platform in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on Capitol Hill  a position that has earned her devoted fans within Twitter, as well as a large contingent of right-wing critics. But as news of Musks official takeover broke, policy and legal employees fretted at the meeting about what his leadership could mean for Twitters carefully crafted online speech rules, including its policies against hate speech, misinformation and even political advertising. -Politico

She played a leading role in the negotiation between Twitter and Musk, according to the report.

I think everyone at Twitter, regardless of how they feel about the news, is feeling reflective and emotional, said a Twitter employee. Weve gone through a lot in the past two years and I think its generally instigated a lot of reflection. I think this was more of an acknowledgment of the uncertainty everyone is feeling right now.

As a reminder, Gadde is crying because her new boss is a free speech absolutist, while she wants to silence divergent opinions from her own.

Im often inspired by the vigorous debates on controversial issues that occur on Twitter, but Ive also been seriously troubled by the plight of some of our users who are completely overwhelmed by those who are trying to silence healthy discourse in the name of free expression, Gadde wrote in 2015. At times, this takes the form of hateful speech in tweets directed at women or minority groups; at others, it takes the form of threats aimed to intimidate those who take a stand on issues.

What a crying shame.

Suspending the Twitter account of a major news organization for publishing a truthful story was obviously incredibly inappropriate  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2022

Read more at: ZeroHedge.com
(Natural News) The University of Waterloo in Canada is looking for someone to fill a science position that opened up at the school. But only women, transgenders, non-binaries and two-spirit persons are allowed to apply.

The universitys Faculty of Environment posted an announcement seeking applications for a PhD-level school in geography, earth, and/or environmental science and sustainability, planning or a related discipline who has evidence of an active research program with emphasis on climate and/or climate change science, water science and sustainability, or future cities.

Such a candidate could be anyone, including a white male who is highly qualified. But unless that white male self-identifies as a woman and wears makeup and a wig, he will not even be considered for the position because he is the wrong demographic and gender.

In case you are unfamiliar with what a two-spirit person is, LGBTQ Health in Canada describes it as someone who identifies as having both a masculine and a feminine spirit.

The term was apparently invented back in 1990 by Myra Laramee at the Third Annual Inter-Tribal Native American, First Nations, Gay and Lesbian American conference. (Related: An LGBTQ medical school student in North Carolina was recently caught intentionally harming a patient who misgendered her.)

Two-spirit can also include someone with same-sex attraction and a wide variety of gender variance, including people who might be described in Western culture as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, gender queer, cross-dressers or who have multiple gender identities.

Ontarios Human Rights Code allows for this type of sexist and racist discrimination

Amazingly, the University of Waterloos highly discriminatory requirements for the science position are fully legal under Section 14 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, which exists to relieve hardship or economic disadvantage, help disadvantaged people or groups to achieve, or try to achieve, equal opportunity or help eliminate discrimination.

It is unclear if there are any requirements beyond self-identify that an applicant would need to show in order to qualify. Many people these days self-identify as what they need to in order to attend school or get a job since white people, and especially white males, are discriminated against in virtually every sector of Western life.

Apparently more than one-third of all white students now claim minority status when applying for college. About half of these claim Native American status, which is an easy one.

It turns out that about 77 percent of all students who lie about their race are accepted by the schools to which they apply.

One of the most famous examples of a white person falsely claiming Native American status is Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), who was roasted by former President Donald Trump for lying about being an Indian in order to advance in school and reach her current career status.

Various Native American groups have denounced Warren for lying about her ethnic heritage, and for using a DNA test to lay claim to any connection to the Cherokee Nation or any tribal nation, calling it inappropriate and wrong.

Senator Warren is undermining tribal interests with her continued claims of tribal heritage, one of the groups said.

Canada apparently has the same problem within its schools as faculty members have been caught lying about their indigenous identifications in order to get a job, or keep a job.

When it comes to sexual identity, there is generally no authentication or confirmation required for applicants, wrote Jonathan Turley on his website.

In the comment section, someone wrote that it is high past time to boycott all institutions of higher learning that are doing things like this.

More related news coverage about the sexual perversion that has swept the West can be found at Gender.news.

Sources include:

JonathanTurley.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Based on facts that have now been made public, it is clear that the USA and NATO are gearing up for a massive military counterattack against Russian forces in Ukraine. Based on the idea that it takes a few months to build up logistics, hardware and personnel, the likely timeline for this counterattack appears to be around the July / August time frame.

Keep in mind that the overarching context of all this is the plan to cancel the 2022 mid-terms by placing America into a world war before November, accompanied by a domestic police state / martial law response that now includes an actual Ministry of Truth run by Homeland Security (DHS).

Some of the information supporting the coming counterattack includes the recent revelation that military pilot cadets from Ukraine were secretly moved to the United States in March in order to undergo intensive F-16 fighter pilot training in preparation for deployment against Russia. We understand that Ukrainian military teams are undergoing similar training in artillery and tank command as well. Seasoned military observers would correctly point out that you cant train an effective F-16 fighter pilot in just a few months (nor a tank commander, etc.), yet this only speaks to the desperation of USA / NATO / Ukrainian efforts to try to throw almost anything at the Russians in an effort to stop the seemingly unstoppable, grinding advancement of Russian forces across southern Ukraine.

May 2, 2022 map of Russian control in Ukraine via LiveUAmap.com:

In addition to the above, its also clear that USA / NATO forces are planning to cobble together a false flag operation in Ukraine  likely involving chemical weapons  in order to trigger the internal justification to deploy US troops directly against Russian forces in Ukraine. Congressman Adam Kinzinger has introduced a Ukraine War Resolution that specifies this exact escalation plan, in fact.

The timing of the chemical false flag will likely be sometime in June, allowing the US media to whip up outrage and anti-Russia hatred  as the medias primary job these days is to teach hatred and intolerance to the gullible sheeple  to the point where the American people are screaming for World War III. Falling in line with the engineered outrage, US Senators and House members will call for a declaration of war against Russia, and that will be echoed by the criminal cabal running the fake White House Oval Office sound stage from which fake president Biden declares whatever current state of confusion he is expressing on that particular day.

By July or August, it seems, we will be in a full-blown World War III against Russia, with US troops and weapons deployed in Ukraine, facing off against the far better-equipped Russian forces which have very short supply lines back to Russia, compared to the extremely long supply lines from the USA to Western Ukraine (which involves crossing the Atlantic and all of Western Europe, then somehow navigating Ukraines blown up railroads and destroyed bridges while under heavy fire from Russian air power and missiles).

America will very likely attempt to strike infrastructure targets inside Russia

As the counterattack against Russia gets under way, it is very likely that US and NATO forces will unleash attempted missile strikes, drone strikes or bombing runs targeting infrastructure installations in Russia. The primary objective will be to cut off Russias domestic supply of fuel, steel, ammunition, etc.

But this move would clearly cross the line in Russias mind, forcing Russia to realize that this western war is an existential threat against the very survival of Russia as a nation. This realization is only exacerbated by admissions from US high-level Pentagon officials that they are deliberately trying to weaken Russia and destroy Russias ability to ever wage war again.

Thus, Russia will quickly reach the conclusion that it will need to escalate its retaliatory strikes to something more than mere cruise missiles and artillery. Although we cant read Putins mind, it seems likely that he has already realized that sooner or later, he needs to take out the USAs supply chain in order to stop the flow of weapons (and military training) to Ukraine from the United States.

Interestingly, the USA is now threatening China with economic sanctions if China supplies weapons to Russia. So according to the USA, only Ukraine can be augmented with weapons, but never Russia.

Why Russia will likely prefer an EMP retaliatory strike against the USA and NATO nations

Russia has vastly superior ICBM systems such as the new SARMAT-2 missile with up to 15 MIRVs and hypersonic glide vehicle capability (HGV). This means Russia has the ability to launch a single ICBM that can achieve nuclear strikes on 15 U.S. cities all at once, with little to no risk of interdiction by US defensive forces.

However, an open-air nuclear strike in the northern hemisphere would contaminate the entire hemisphere with radioactive fallout. From Russias point of view, a safer option is to detonate a high-altitude EMP weapon that destroys the US power grid and plunges the United States into chaos and collapse. This sort of EMP strike would utterly disable Americas military supply chain while achieving something on the order of 90% civilian casualties within 1-2 years, according to previous government analysis reports.

Surely Russia knows that Americas power grid is not yet hardened against EMP, and that Americas financial system, food stamps, communications, fuel deliveries and nearly everything else depends on the power grid functioning. Thus, an EMP strike is the most efficient way for Russia to disable America and possibly collapse the nation during a time of war.

Once you realize this, you also realize that EMP weapons might also be used against NATO nations such as the United Kingdom. An EMP strike against London  or Paris, or Berlin  would plunge the entire nation into darkness and collapse.

Thus, we believe that EMP weapons will be the first strike weapon preferred by Russia in retaliation against NATO and US forces striking infrastructure targets inside Russia (should that occur).

We pray this never takes place, but it looks like Biden and his insane handlers are deliberately pushing the United States into this scenario.

Russias secret weapon to hold in reserve: Underwater nuclear drones that could unleash a radioactive tidal wave against the USA or UK

You might think that Russia would never use EMP weapons because they might fear nuclear retaliation from the US or UK. Yet Russia has another secret weapon being held in reserve that could be played as a key leverage point to prevent nuclear retaliation from western nations: The underwater submarine drones with 100+ megaton warheads.

These underwater drones, according to multiple reports, have already been positioned off the coasts of the USA (East Coast) and the UK, awaiting detonation commands via low-frequency satellite comms. These are publicly known to carry 100 Megaton warheads, but Im told that Russia actually has 200 and even 300 Megaton warheads in these units.

Once detonated, these weapons unleash a tidal wave of radioactive ocean water, drenching coastal cities and making the region uninhabitable for at least three centuries. With one detonation, Russia could destroy Washington D.C., New York City (Wall Street), military ports in Virginia and other major cities along the East Coast. In fact, a Russian TV station is now openly bragging about this capability. As ZH reports:

A recent Russian state TV program has stirred outrage and made headlines across the United Kingdom after a television presenter featured a simulated demonstration of how the Russian navys nuclear submarines would take out the UK with ease.

It approaches its target at a depth of 1km at a speed of 200km/h. Theres no way of stopping this underwater drone. The warhead on it has a yield of up to 100 megatons.

The explosion of this thermonuclear torpedo by Britains coastline will cause a gigantic tsunami wave up to 500m high.

He then said the UK could be turned into a radioactive desert in the most provocative moment of the program:

Such a barrage alone also carries extreme doses of radiation. Having passed over the British Isles, it will turn what might be left of them into a radioactive desert.

The thing is, such boastful claims on Russian television are not mere hyperbole. Russia has the weapons to back up such claims, and those weapons are very likely already positioned off the coasts of the US and UK in preparation for precisely such a scenario.

Tit for tat  One possible timeline of how the escalation happens

(Early Feb, 2022) Ukraine prepares a massive military assault against the Donbas region to destroy the self-governance uprising of the pro-Russia regions of southeastern Ukraine.

(Feb 22, 2022) Russia recognizes the independence of those breakaway states and prepares to invade Ukraine to defend those regions against Ukrainian aggression.

(March, 2022) US and NATO begins training Ukrainian military personnel to operate NATO hardware such as F-16 fighter jets. Severe economic weapons of mass destruction unleashed against Russia.

(April, 2022) Russia realizes its all-in and begins push for gaining territory in southern Ukraine, pushing toward Odessa while grinding away the remaining personnel in the Ukrainian military.

(May, 2022) Massive military buildup of troops, tanks, artillery and logistics accelerates in eastern Poland, a staging area for the coming counter assault.

The following are estimates of future events, subject to corrections as reality unfolds

(June, 2022) NATO and the USA pull off a chemical weapons false flag in Ukraine to blame Russia and justify escalation to World War III.

(July or August, 2022) NATO and the USA launch a counteroffensive against Russian forces in Ukraine, but they also unleash bombs and missile strikes against infrastructure targets in Russia (such as oil refineries).

(August or September, 2022) Russia retaliates against NATO strikes by launching EMP weapons against the USA and NATO nations, notably targeting the UK.

(September / October, 2022) Possibility that the USA and Western Europe is plunged into darkness. Total chaos. Military martial law. Elections cancelled. USA responds by threatening nuclear strikes against Russia. Russia counter-threatens with underwater nuclear bomb drones that could unleash a nuclear tidal wave.

(October / November, 2022) Anyones guess what happens here if cooler heads dont prevail, we could be in a global thermonuclear exchange with Russia before the end of 2022. Everybody loses. Because the USA and NATO nations are run by incompetent morons who seem to be part of a global death cult that actually desires a nuclear war.

The US military is no match against Russia

Relevant to all this is the sorry fact that the United States vastly overestimates its military capabilities, morale and readiness. Under the control of libtard Pentagon generals and sissypants soyboy leadership, the very culture of the US military has shifted away from a manly, can-do attitude of rugged fighters to a transgenderfied landscape of gay helicopter crews and cross-dressing snowflakes who are but a shadow of what the US military was just a decade ago.

Now, we have fewer and fewer soldiers and more and more techno-toys (like suicide drones) run by gamers and overweight operators who could barely pass a physical. Once this technology is taken away from US forces  which can be easily accomplished with EMP weapons  the remaining military men and women have vastly reduced effectiveness because they are largely incapable of actually fighting (you know, with rifles and boots on the ground). Although we support our active duty soldiers and veterans, the sad truth is that they cant match the grit and physical capabilities of World War II-era soldiers (and US Marines) who could accomplish almost anything with a rifle and a spotting scope.

Russias soldiers are the real deal: Rugged, determined and now well-experienced in battlefield maneuvers. They dont need advanced technology to be an effective fighting force, which means Russias soldiers can still project power even without tech-heavy weapons. This means Russia has a devastating advantage of resiliency and ruggedness thats simply no longer reflected in the libtard culture of the US Pentagon and its increasingly feminized fighting forces. Meanwhile, the most capable pro-America men in the military are being purged at breakneck speed, eliminating them from military ranks and thereby leaning the remaining forces in the direction of snowflakism and whiny little bitches who are triggered by the very sight of the American flag!

Remember: The Pentagon is run by generals who hate the American flag and everything America stands for. Do you think the forces they control are going to be ready to fight for America and win World War III? Not by a long shot. The libtards all hate America and want to see it fail.

Say what you want about Putin, but Putin doesnt hate Russia. Hes not trying to dismantle the Russian culture. And hes not a sissypants soyboy, either. Unlike Biden, Putin is a cognitive genius, and he is right now out-maneuvering the incompetent, almost mentally retarded US President and his entire regime of America-hating lunatics and sociopaths.

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(Natural News) When Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine in late February, geopolitical analysts quickly noted that he waited until the weakest president in the history of our nation was sitting in the Oval Office.

That observation was quickly followed up by concerns that another world leader with a massive military  Chinese President Xi Jinping  may also be empowered to finally move on Taiwan, which he and most Chinese leaders before him have falsely claimed is not a real country but just a province of the mainland.

And it appears as though those concerns are legitimate.

According to The Wall Street Journal, China has been rapidly expanding its nuclear weapons force while at the same time building dozens of new in-ground silos to house the rapidly expanding ground-based leg of the countrys nuclear triad of land, air, and sea-launched weapons:

The Chinese nuclear effort long predates Russias invasion of Ukraine, but the U.S.s wariness about getting directly involved in the war there has likely reinforced Beijings decision to put greater emphasis on developing nuclear weapons as a deterrent, some of these people say. Chinese leaders see a stronger nuclear arsenal as a way to deter the U.S. from getting directly involved in a potential conflict over Taiwan.

Among recent developments, work has accelerated this year on more than 100 suspected missile silos in Chinas remote western region that could be used to house nuclear-tipped missiles capable of reaching the U.S., according to analysts that study satellite images of the area.

U.S. leaders have noted they are not certain why China is rapidly expanding its nuclear capability after decades of being satisfied with keeping a small arsenal  just enough to deter an enemy from attacking. Independent security experts say they, too, have little understanding about why Beijing is building out its nuclear weapons now after exchanges with Chinese officials have nearly ceased over the past few years.

Those close to Chinas leadership have said Beijing is increasingly concerned about potential efforts by the United States to topple the Communist government following a more hawkish relationship with the Asian powerhouse during then-President Donald Trumps administration, though the Biden regime is said to have been continuing many of Trumps policies, the WSJ suggested.

Those people also said that Chinas leaders are committed to never using nuclear weapons first, but several U.S. military and national security officials say they worry Chinas nuclear weapons buildout could be due to a new willingness to strike first.

That said, the people close to Chinas leaders also note that Beijings Communist government still plans to only build a nuclear capability that is just large enough to ensure the countrys national security interests. They add that Chinas leaders believe the countrys nukes are much too outdated to be much of an effective deterrent against a potential strike by the U.S.

Chinas inferior nuclear capability could only lead to growing U.S. pressure on China, one person close to the leadership told the WSJ.

The WSJ adds: Nervous international reaction to Russian leader Vladimir Putins call for his nuclear forces to be put on alert following his invasion of Ukraine has offered Chinese officials a real-world lesson about the strategic value of nuclear weapons. So did Ukraines decision in 1994 to turn over the nuclear weapons left in the country after the breakup of the Soviet Union in return for security assurances from the U.S. and Russia.

Under provisions of the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, in which the U.S., Britain, and Russia guaranteed Ukraines security, Kiev agreed to give up the nukes in its country that were leftover after the fall of the Soviet Union. If the country had kept them, Ukraine would have become the worlds third-biggest nuclear power after the U.S. and Russia.

Ukraine lost its nuclear deterrence in the past and thats why it got into a situation like this, a retired Chinese military officer who still has links to Beijings nuclear program told the WSJ.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Investigators from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), a government watchdog group, say that more than a dozen top-level employees at both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) manipulated guidance and suppressed findings throughout the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) plandemic.

Political interference is one of the things a whistleblower says occurred with scientific reports from both the CDC and the FDA. And anyone who noticed what was going on was deterred from speaking up about it for fear of retaliation, which created an environment of fear and deception.

A 37-page report from the GAO shows that neither the CDC nor the FDA had any system in place for reporting allegations of political interference. The two agencies also failed to train staff members in how to spot it in the first place, which allowed for all sorts of manipulation to take place. (Related: The plandemic was never actually about saving lives, but rather about controlling them.)

The disease phase of the plandemic has now shifted to the COLLAPSE phase

This and other revelations that expose the whole thing as a sham could be why National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) head Tony Fauci is suddenly backing off on pushing his usual script. He recently appeared on television to declare that the United States is now magically out of the pandemic phase, the suggestion being that we are now in the next phase.

Many have been saying for weeks now that the covid portion of the plandemic has, in fact, ended. Now, the world is being shifted to the war phase and the economic collapse phase of what World Economic Forum (WEF) founder Klaus Schwab infamously called the Great Reset.

Economically speaking, the world is already in collapse mode, though the full impact has yet to manifest. There will also come a food shortage phase followed by a mass starvation phase. All of this was planned out long ago, hence why it is called a plandemic.

The disease phase of the plandemic is now being eclipsed by the collapse phase, which is already in motion. If you thought the death count from covid was bad, just wait until the supply chains hit rock bottom and there is no more food on the shelf at the grocery store.

A few respondents from CDC and [Food and Drug Administration] FDA stated they felt that the potential political interference they observed resulted in the alteration or suppression of scientific findings, the GAO report explains.

Some of these respondents believed that this potential political interference may have resulted in the politically motivated alteration of public health guidance or delayed publication of Covid-related scientific findings.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) also tampered with and lied about the data, as did the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). Both institutions are part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which back in February was dubbed as high risk for fraud, mismanagement and abuse.

In other words, science was not really the determining factor when it came to plandemic guidance. It was politics that drove the narrative, and those politics were unrelenting in pushing maximum tyranny in the form of lockdowns, mask mandates and now vaccine mandates.

Nothing they said made any scientific sense, wrote someone in the comment section at the Daily Mail (UK) about the decisions that came down from the CDC and the FDA.

It was all an attempt to cover up Fauci and his friends involvement in the scheme, and to make more money for the drug industry, of which Fauci also owns a piece.

More news coverage about the failing plandemic narrative can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Whatever platforms Joe Biden ran on during his 2020 basement campaign for president, not once did he or his hapless running mate, Kamala Harris, say they sought to completely change our mode of transportation and neuter the fossil fuel industry.

Yes, they made some mention of green energy, of course, like all Democrats do, but neither Biden nor Harris vowed to conspire against the gas-powered engine in favor of forcing all Americans to rely on expensive electric vehicles. And yet, the next thing we know, one automaker after another is announcing they will either reduce their inventories of vehicles with internal combustion engines (good-bye, American V-8) or stop making gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles altogether.

The result so far has been a tripling of gasoline prices so far (intentional) amid a vow by the Biden regime to raise the minimum gas mileage requirement for new-production vehicles to a nearly unattainable 49 mpg by 2026. Again, Biden and Harris did not campaign on this, so they kept this part of their agenda hidden.

At the same time, woke investors have been moving the country away from reliable, plentiful and inexpensive fossil fuels in their pursuit of renewable energy that is far less reliable and much more expensive to produce, at least for now. These steps are similar to what the Germans have done over the past two decades, with policies that have left the country wholly reliant on Russian fossil fuels for their survival. And these investment groups are now essentially making our energy policy, which is endangering our national security.

As Real Clear Energy notes:

As the West grapples with the energy implications of a hostile Sino-Russian alliance, the steering group of the Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, whose members manage over $10.4 trillion of assets, issued a statement urging Western governments not to sacrifice climate goals for energy security.

The world is still heading for an excess of fossil fuel-based energy use that will vastly exceed the carbon budget needed to meet the 1.5 Celsius Paris agreement goal. This trend must be halted, the United Nations-backed alliance said in its April 8 statement, further stating that the national security argument for accelerating the net-zero transition has strengthened considerably.

Just what is the standing of asset managers to wax on about national security issues, since they have no expertise in this policy field? None, of course, and as RCE notes, these people are also wrong about the economics of energy policy:

The Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance claims that development of new oil and gas reserves will lock in fossil fuel subsidies, exacerbating market distortions. In fact, the International Energy Agency (IEA) in its 2021 net-zero report states that under its net-zero pathway, tax revenues from oil and gas retail sales fall by about 40% over the next twenty years.

In addition, Britains Office of Budget Responsibility estimates that net zero policies will result in the loss of tax receipts representing 1.6 percent of GDP, RCE notes  all of which means that there are no subsidy offsets; if these countries were heavily subsidizing their fossil fuel industries, then those would disappear, not tax revenues.

Whats more, these investors do not have the responsibility for keeping the power grid supplied and ensuring that the heat, air and lights remain on for citizens: That duty falls to politicians. The investors wont get the blame when the grid fails or when people cant heat or cool their homes and businesses due to the intermittency of green energy like wind and solar, which are literally weather-dependent (fossil fuels are not); the politicians will, even though they arent able to exercise full control over energy policy.

The fact is, our most reliable standards of living and modes of transportation are being taken away from us by woke corporate green energy investment firms that have no right or mandate to do so, regardless of their intentions. Its time our political leaders intervened with policies of their own that foster reliable, cheaper fossil fuel energy development instead.

Energy production can and should be multifaceted. We cant completely shun the most reliable form of it, or we put our nation and our people at risk.

Sources include:

RealClearEnergy.org

Electricity.news
(Natural News) U.S. Right to Know (USRTK), a non-profit investigative research group focused on promoting transparency in public health, has dropped another bombshell about the relationship between the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and Galveston National Laboratory in Texas.

According to an April 20 report, the WIV had asked the Galveston lab, which is housed at the University of Texas Medical Branch, to destroy all records of work. The Galveston lab, by the way, was created in part by Tony Fauci at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Based on a contract that was forged between the two entities, the WIV was given leeway to demand at any time that the Galveston lab destroy all evidence on demand  and it apparently did just that, according to unearthed documents.

A memorandum of understanding between the Wuhan lab and the Galveston lab clearly states that at any time the WIV can ask Galveston to destroy all secret files, including communications, documents, data, or equipment resulting from their collaboration.

The party is entitled to ask the other to destroy and / or return the secret files, materials, and equipment without any backups, the memo states.

The memos provisions last for five years and are soon to expire this upcoming October. All documents, it adds, are eligible for destruction because everything is treated as confidential information by the parties.

Government programs cant just let communist China tell them what to do, says attorney

The directors of the Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) lab in Wuhan created this formal agreement with the Texas lab back in 2018. Keep in mind that these are just two among many facilities around the world that tamper with coronaviruses.

The Galveston lab operates with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which directly oversees the NIAID. We now know that the NIH was conducting biosafety training in partnership with the Wuhan lab, which operates under the banner of the Chinese Academy of Science.

The revelation that the Wuhan lab retained the right to call for the destruction of data on U.S. servers funded by U.S. taxpayers comes amid a debate about what sort of investigation is necessary to exculpate the citys coronavirus research from suspicions it sparked the COVID-19 pandemic, reports 100percentfedup.com.

It also raises questions about assurances from Wuhan Institute of Virology senior scientist [Shi Zhengli] that she would never delete sensitive data.

According to Reuben Guttman, a partner at Guttman, Buschner & Brooks PLLC, which specializes in ensuring the integrity of government programs, the revelation does not make the Galveston lab look good.

The clause is quite frankly explosive, Guttman is quoted as saying. Any time I see a public entity, I would be very concerned about destroying records.

You cant just willy-nilly say, well, you know, the Chinese can tell us when to destroy a document. It doesnt work like that, he added. There has to be a whole protocol.

Even private entities are expected to maintain internal records retention and destruction policies. And this is especially true for public institutions like the Galveston lab that have a responsibility and obligation to do this in the public interest to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being properly spent.

These laws include the federal False Claims Act and the Texas Public Information Act, reports explain about the legal requirements to maintain proper records. The Galveston National Laboratory is part of the University of Texas System and receives federal funding.

Another thing the memo potentially interferes with is the ability of Congress to investigate the plandemic. Destroying records constitutions obstruction, so this is another major problem.

The latest news coverage about the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) plandemic can be found at Pandemic.news.

Sources for this article include:

100percentfedup.com

NaturalNews.com
According to information published by the Royal Navy on May 2, 2022, HMS Northumberland has completed four months at the sharp end of naval operations from the Mediterranean to the freezing temperatures of the Arctic Circle.

Follow Navy Recognition on Google News at this link

British Type 23 frigate HMS Northumberland (Picture source: Brian D)

The Type 23 frigate sailed more than 20,000 miles, escorting supply ships across the Baltic with the Joint Expeditionary Force, protecting the integrity of UK waters as the Royal Navys very high readiness warship, and working with NATO allies in the Arctic Circle.

After operating across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Arctic, Baltic, and the Gulf of Finland, the warship returned home to Plymouth.

Northumberland departed in January for anti-submarine warfare tasking around UK waters and the North Atlantic.

She trained with an Astute-class submarine to test her sailors abilities to deal with underwater threats and after a short pit-stop in Faslane, became the Royal Navys Fleet Ready Escort  the warship working at very high readiness to respond to security threats around the UK and anything the British Government required.

Expecting to return to anti-submarine warfare operations, Northumberland was tasked to head to the Baltic Sea in support of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF): a UK-led task force which is held at high readiness to respond to global events, including forces from the UK, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.

In this case, Northumberland helped escort a ferry carrying Danish military equipment through the Baltic en-route to Estonia, through simulated hostile waters and accompanied by the Danish frigate Niels Juel  relishing the opportunity to train alongside her Danish military counterparts.

Next up for the ship was Exercise Cold Response  NATOs largest military exercise in the Arctic for 30 years. In support, Northumberland headed to Norway and joined the Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) - returning to her primary role as an anti-submarine warfare platform in support to the aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales.

Towards the end of her time with NATO, she visited the Estonian capital Tallinn where her Ships Company took full advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a trip ashore.

During this four-month deployment, Northumberland sailed more than 20,000 miles across the Atlantic, Mediterranean, North Sea, Norwegian Sea, Arctic, Baltic, and the Gulf of Finland.

HMS Northumberland is a Type 23 frigate of the Royal Navy. She is named after the Duke of Northumberland. She is the eighth RN ship to bear the name since the first 70-gun frigate in 1679, and the ninth in the class of Type 23 frigates. She is based at Devonport and is part of the Devonport Flotilla.
SUVA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Health recorded last year 151 new cases of HIV (human immune-deficiency virus), or AIDS, the highest number of reported annual HIV infections since the first reported case in 1989.

According to Fiji Broadcasting Corporation on Monday, Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said most infections reported were from late case presentations of HIV.

Fong said the rising number is a cause for concern, citing the potential of many unknown cases out in the community in the country with a population of around 900,000 people.

Of the 151 HIV infections, 82 percent are from the 20-49 age group, 6 percent are adolescents and 6 percent are less than 10 years old.

Of them, 52 percent of the new infections were recorded from the central and eastern parts of the country. About 36 percent came from the western side of the main island Viti Levu and 12 percent from the second largest island in Vanua Levu.

There have been 25 HIV-related deaths including one paediatric death.

Since 1989, a cumulative number of 1,417 HIV cases have been reported in Fiji. 
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 89F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
My professional life has been geared around helping to create a circumstance where everyone can be respected, and everyone can be appreciated for being the human beings that they are," says William Smith, who helped launch the UI's Project 500.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. High 89F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 69F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
AP

Wind-whipped flames are marching across more of New Mexicos tinder-dry mountainsides, forcing the evacuation of area residents and dozens of patients from the state's psychiatric hospital as firefighters scramble to keep new wildfires from growing
By using data representing 80% of the US population, researchers have found that increased vaccination coverage against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be linked to a reduced incidence of cases and deaths. The study was published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and is freely available.

Background

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the first vaccines based on the messenger RNA (mRNA) technology were administered under emergency use authorization in December 2020.

Notwithstanding the exceptional effectiveness of vaccines in clinical trials, real-world situations may be different due to a plethora of practical challenges (such as maintaining cold chains when scaling up immunization programs, logistical challenges when carrying out mass vaccination, and accurate reporting of health outcomes).

Likewise, individual effects on disease risk and progression may also be supplemented with secondary benefits of vaccination, such as slowing the viral spread in the community and hampering onward transmission (with downstream implications for morbidity and mortality).

However, thus far, population-level data has been limited, resulting in rather restricted insights into the large-scale COVID-19 vaccine efficacy. One of the reasons is that reported cases may not always truly represent transmission rates due to notable variation in individual testing.

This recent, wide-reaching, and stringent observational study  led by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, US  utilized national, county-level surveillance data to answer a simple question: what are the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine in the real world?

Using big data to count cases and deaths

In this study, the number of cases and deaths has been disaggregated by county and time using the CDCs case surveillance dataset. County COVID-19 death rates and the incidence of disease were the primary and secondary outcomes of the study, respectively.

Furthermore, the researchers have used incidence rate ratios to compare rates across vaccination coverage levels and estimated the impact of a 10% improvement in county vaccination coverage. The latter was defined as at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine among adults 18 years of age or older.

It has to be emphasized that the study was conducted when Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants of SARS-CoV-2 predominated in the population. The study compared the impact of very low (0-9%), low (10-39%), medium (40-69%), and high (more than 70%) vaccination coverage levels.

Lower rates of COVID-19

The researchers have demonstrated that a 10% improvement in vaccination coverage can be linked to an 8% reduction in mortality rates due to COVID-19, as well as a 7% reduction in disease incidence  both very significant population-level percentage decreases.

The study had also found decreasing trends in deaths and case incidence when higher levels of vaccination were applied during the predominance of both Alpha and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants. This effect did not change when different sensitivity analyses were applied, improving confidence in these findings and prediction capabilities.

Considering certain study limitations, notably unexplored additional markers of disease severity (for example, hospital admissions) and the lack of control for physical distancing, masking, or other potential confounding variables, the study results can be considered rather robust.

Considering population-level impact

Even though the study period did not cover the current predominance of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant, this paper showed how reduced vaccine effectiveness and the significance of staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations might translate to changes in population-level vaccine impact.

Given that community benefits are rooted in individual benefits, for which vaccine effectiveness has been established in countries around the world, these data may be generalizable to other countries, say study authors in this study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Future research may benefit from evaluating macroeconomic effects of improving population health, such as changes in employment rates and gross domestic product resulting from reopening society, they emphasize.

The incidence drop that is going hand in hand with increasing vaccination coverage is rather consistent with ongoing surveillance data elsewhere. Hence, continuous strategic deployment of COVID-19 vaccines should be complemented with public health and social measures in the ongoing viral transmission.
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers evaluated the importance of the P681 residue within the furin cleavage site (FCS) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein in determining the fusogenicity and syncytia formation ability of SARS-CoV-2 strains.

The researchers also assessed the neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 strains by the third dose of Pfizers BNT162b2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine. The SARS-CoV-2 strains assessed were Wuhan-Hu, Delta, Omicron, and Omicron BA.2 strains.

Background

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant has posed a global challenge in controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. mRNA vaccines such as BNT162b2 have been developed based on the S protein of the original Wuhan-Hu strain and thus, their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 strains is questionable.

Studies have reported syncytium formation as the hallmark of several viruses including SARS-CoV-2, which invades the host by the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 S with the host angiotensin-converting enzyme (hACE2). Syncytia facilitate viral replication, dissemination, and immune escape from host neutralizing responses. The syncytia formation and cell fusion in pulmonary tissues of SARS-CoV-2-positive patients have also correlated with the clinical manifestations and severity of COVID-19.

Thus, characterizing the mutations or residues in SARS-CoV-2 S involved in cell fusion and syncytia formation is vital. The PRRAR motif is unique to SARS CoV-2 S and provides an evolutionary advantage to SARS-CoV-2 for entry into the target cells by promoting fusion between the virus and the cell membranes of infected cells.

However, the impact of the 681 PRRAR/SV 687 mutations on SARS-CoV-2 fusogenicity has not been extensively investigated.

About the study

In the present study, researchers assessed the impact of P681 mutations on the fusogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 strains and their neutralization after the third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine.

Serum samples were obtained from 20 fully vaccinated individuals four months post administration of the third dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine to evaluate the neutralization of Wuhan-Hu, Delta, and Omicron single-round pseudoviruses using neutralization assays. Viral neutralization was determined based on the luciferase activity readouts of the human embryonic kidney (HEK)-ACE2 transduced cells, which were used to calculate the 50% inhibitory titers concentration (NT 50 ) values. The p24 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were performed to ensure equal viral loads.

SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron were isolated from the nasopharyngeal swab of a SARS-CoV-2-positive individual residing in Israel. SARS-CoV-2 was cultured in transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2)-expressing VeroE6 (VeroE6/TMPRSS2) cells and observed for cytopathic effects (CPE). The 50% tissue culture infective dose (TCID 50 ) was evaluated. The whole-genome sequences of the viral isolates were confirmed by nanopore sequencing.

The cells were transduced to express hACE2 proteins and subsequently cell fusion experiments were conducted to assess syncytia formation in the cells that expressed S proteins of Wuhan-Hu, Delta, Omicron, and BA.2 S pseudoviruses based on their green fluorescent protein (GFP) and DAPI (4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole) expression, as an indicator of fusogenicity. The assessment was based on examining the cell fusion images of the GFP110- and GFP11-expressing cells using the Scikit-image label algorithm.

The capability of Wuhan-Hu, Omicron, and Delta to induce syncytia formation and cell fusion was also assessed using plaque formation assays that used live viruses to assess the plaques formed by Wuhan-Hu, Delta, Omicron, and BA.2 strains.

The results were statistically analyzed using the students t-test and graphs were obtained using the seaborn, matplotlib, numpy, and pandas image libraries and the GraphPad prism.

Results

In this study, Omicron demonstrated increased infectivity, five-fold higher than the Wuhan-Hu strain, with a remarkable 26-fold decrease in neutralization sensitivity induced by the BNT162b2 vaccine, with a relative 13-fold decrease compared to Delta. Further, while pseudoviruses with S proteins of Wuhan-Hu (P681) strain, Omicron (H681) variant, and Omicron BA.2 subvariant (H681) modestly promoted syncytia formation and cell fusion, Delta S (P681R) demonstrated increased fusogenicity and enhanced ability to form syncytia.

In the live virus plaque assays, the Omicron and Wuhan-Hu formed plaques of similar morphology whereas the plaques formed by Delta were more numerous but smaller with less unification. The introduction of one P681R mutation in Wuhan-Hu S or H681R in Omicron S restored the fusogenicity to levels comparable to that of Delta S, and conversely, the R681P mutation in Delta S significantly diminished the fusogenicity.

Overall, the study findings highlighted the waning of BNT162b2 vaccine efficiency with the inability to neutralize the Omicron variant and the importance of the P681 polybasic position within the SARS-CoV-2 S FCS in dictating syncytia formation and fusogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 strains.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic, has pushed the world towards developing rushed but effective vaccines against the disease. Most currently employed COVID-19 vaccines rely on the principle of virus inactivation, adenoviral vectors, or the use of direct nucleic acids (mRNA/DNA).

In a new study recently published in the journal Viruses, researchers have reported the development of a promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate which is based on SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles (VLPs), derived from the co-expression of the spike (S), membrane (M) and envelope (E) structural proteins in the baculovirus expression system.

In vitro testing confirmed their antigenicity, and viral challenge in VLP-immunized hamsters demonstrated their immunogenicity. Immunization with the SARSCoV2 VLPs could not prevent in vivo replication of the challenge virus; however, the viral titers and disease pathology markers were reduced compared to the control group.

The virus-like particles (VLPs)

VLPs correspond to structures that are similar to the virus; however, they are replication-deficient because of the absence of genomic DNA or RNA. A VLP can also be imagined as an empty virus shell. These can directly interact with antigen-presenting cells (APCs), especially the dendritic cells, which are the most potent APCs.

Coronaviral M and E proteins, if coexpressed in vitro, can result in the formation of VLPs. The membrane-spanning protein-M, the most abundant of the coronavirus-envelope associated proteins, primarily drives the assembly of coronavirus particles. While M oligomerizes to form a lattice that structures the virus envelope's conformation, it also recruits other structural proteins into the nascent viral particles completing the assembly process. The smaller envelope E protein, though incorporated into the nascent virions in very minute quantity, is indispensable for successful virus budding.

The spike S trimeric protein, responsible for interaction with the host receptor ACE2 and facilitating membrane fusion, can also be coexpressed in the cells expressing M and E. S is a highly immunogenic antigen that drives the generation of neutralizing antibodies, blocking the interaction between S1 and ACE2.

As the VLPs mimic the authentic virus structure and express trimeric S protein at multiple sites, they appropriately stimulate the humoral immunity and are amenable to being recognized by the antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to generate a suitable Tcell response. Also, co-administration of an adjuvant is not required due to their multimeric nature.

Several VLP based vaccines for other viruses, produced by the baculovirus insect cell system, are currently in use, proving evidence of scalability and acceptability", the team highlights.

SARS-CoV-2 VLP construction and verification

The team, in the past, had constructed a recombinant baculovirus that expressed S, E, and M structural proteins required for SARSCoV VLP formation. Following a similar strategy, the team in the current study developed a single recombinant baculovirus expressing SARS-CoV-2 S, M and previously used SARS-CoV E protein. The E proteins of SARSCoV and SARSCoV2 are functionally exchangeable for the purposes of VLP production. Therefore, the team used the existing SARS-CoV E gene insert for the new recombinant virus construction.

Western blotting of insect cells infected with the recombinant virus (VLP competent construction) confirmed the expression of both S and M proteins together. Also, the S protein was demonstrated to exist as a trimeric protein (the native form on viral envelope) in the VLP structure. VLPs were purified on sucrose gradient where they form a distinct band at 35% sucrose gradient. Coomassie blue-stained SDSPAGE on the 35% gradient fraction showed 3 prominent bands at 10, 30 and 180 kDa corresponding to E, M and S proteins, respectively.

Therefore, the team successfully produced a single recombinant baculovirus that could express, all by itself, the three structural proteins required for SARSCoV2 VLP formation.

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the fraction showed VLPs assembled as vesicle-like structures of ~100 nm diameter displaying crownlike spikes characteristic of coronavirus particles.

SARS-CoV-2 VLPs are antigenic as well as immunogenic

Convalescent sera were used to probe the VLPs for antigenicity. Multiple convalescent sera reacted strongly with the immobilized VLPs on ELISA, suggesting that VLPs displayed S antigen in a form suitable to bind the antibodies.

A syrian hamster model, which displays a disease pathology and neutralizing antibody response similar to human COVID-19, was used to test the Immunogenicity of the VLPs bearing the SARSCoV 2 S protein. VLP candidate vaccination was administered in two doses 28 days apart to 5 hamsters. No treatment controls were also kept.

Seroconversion and the development of neutralizing antibodies to RBD were observed in 4 out of 5 animals after the first dose and in all VLP immunized animals after the second dose. The control group did not show any antibody activity.

Later, two weeks after the second VLP dose, the hamsters were experimentally infected with an infectious dose of the SARSCoV2 and observed the antibody activity. Neutralizing antibody titers elevated within 4 days of challenge in the VLP immunized animals earlier than the control group.

The team also observed a slower clearance of genomic RNA from the oral swabs of controls compared to the VLP immunized group. The peak virus load on challenge day 2 in oral swabs of the treatment group was much lower than that in the control group, i.e., 1.4  107 and 4.7  107, respectively. However, the difference was not significant. Nasal swabs also showed a similar pattern.

At day 10, the lungs of VLP immunized animals showed lower scores for the markers of inflammation and lesser S positive syncytial cells than the non-vaccinated controls.

All treatment and control animals recovered by day 14 post virus challenge but the immunized animals recovered significantly faster than the controls.

The findings suggested that antibody levels were insufficient to protect from infection but were sufficient to reduce disease severity.

In our study, VLPs were immunogenic in the absence of adjuvant and were produced using a technology that is already in use for both human and animal vaccines offering scalability, an acceptable manufacturing process and an established route to licensure", concludes the team.
(Newser)  Dr. Morton Mower, a cardiologist who helped invent an automatic implantable defibrillator that has helped countless heart patients live longer and healthier lives, has died at age 89 in Colorado, where he moved about a decade ago, the AP reports. Mower and Dr. Michel Mirowski, both colleagues at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, began working in 1969 on developing a miniature defibrillator that could be implanted into a patient. The device would correct a patients over-rapid or inefficient heartbeat with an electric shock to resume its regular rhythm. It was the talk of the whole hospital that these two crazy guys are going to put in an automatic defibrillator, Mower said in a 2015 interview with the Lancet medical journal. If something had gone awry, we would have never lived it down. We were these two crazy guys who wanted to put a time bomb in peoples chests, so to speak.

The physicians had, in a matter of months, a model of an automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator for demonstration. But it wasnt until 1980 that the device was implanted into a human at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the newspaper reported. The US Food and Drug Administration approved the device in 1985. Both doctors shared the patent for the device, the technology of which was sold to pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. Mower later became director of medical research for the Eli Lilly division that produced the implantable cardioverter defibrillator. I think Morty had as much influence successfully finding a treatment for sudden death as anyone in our profession, said Dr. David Cannom, a retired Los Angeles cardiologist and longtime friend.

The device proved that it was better than medication in treating arrhythmia, and they did this against all odds at a small hospital in Baltimore, Cannom added. And for the past 40 years, it has proven that it's reliable" while saving many lives. Mower, a Baltimore native who grew up in Frederick, attended Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He worked at Baltimore hospitals and served in the Army before beginning his professional career at Sinai in 1966 as a co-investigator of its Coronary Drug Project. He was chief or acting chief of cardiology at the hospital for several years in the 1970s and 1980s. Sinai Hospital named a medical office building for him in 2005. Later in his career, he was a consultant or executive for several medical companies. He received many awards, including a 2002 induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and was involved in many Jewish charitable organizations.

(Read more obituary stories.)
(Newser)  The long-awaited effort to evacuate civilians from a steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol was underway Sunday, as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed she visited Ukraine's president to show unflinching American support for the country's defense against Russian aggression. Video posted online by Ukrainian forces showed elderly women and mothers with small children bundled in winter clothing being helped as they climbed up a steep pile of debris from the plants rubble, and then eventually boarding a bus. UN humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu said the operation to bring civilians out of the sprawling Azovstal steel plant was being carried out with the International Committee of the Red Cross and in coordination with Ukrainian and Russian officials, the AP reports. Pelosi, meanwhile, visited Kyiv on Saturday, the most senior American lawmaker to travel to the country since Russia's Feb. 24 invasion.

The steel plant evacuation drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said more than 100 civiliansprimarily women and childrenwere expected to arrive in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday. Today, for the first time in all the days of the war, this vitally needed (humanitarian) corridor has started working, he said in a pre-recorded address published on his Telegram channel. As many as 100,000 people are believed to still be in blockaded Mariupol, including up to 1,000 civilians who were hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the Soviet-era steel plantthe only part of the city not occupied by the Russians. Later Sunday, one of the plants defenders said Russian forces resumed shelling the plant as soon as the evacuation of the group of civilians was completed Sunday.

Denys Shlega, the commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard, said in a televised interview Sunday night that several hundred civilians remain trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies. Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said. We need one or two more rounds of evacuation. The Mariupol City Council said in a post on the Telegram messaging app that evacuation of civilians from other parts of the city would begin Monday morning. People fleeing Russian-occupied areas in the past have described their vehicles being fired on, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russian forces of shelling evacuation routes on which the two sides had agreed. (Increasingly, fires and explosions have occurred in parts of Russia that border Ukraine.)
(Newser)  The US Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that helps them capture Alabama fugitive Casey White. White, who disappeared along with prison official Vicky White (not related) as she escorted him to a courthouse Friday, is charged with two counts of capital murder in a fatal 2015 stabbing, in which he was allegedly paid to murder the victim, per Law and Crime. He had also been incarcerated for a 2015 crime spree including home invasion, animal cruelty, and carjacking, NPR reports. Vicky White told jail officials to prepare Casey White for transport to a mental health evaluation, but the sheriff says no such evaluation had been scheduled, AL.com reports. He also says Vicky White transported Casey White alone, a violation of protocol, but that due to her status as a 25-year law enforcement veteran she was probably not questioned.

Vicky White had turned in her retirement papers the day before the two went missing, the sheriff says, noting that the investigation will look at interactions between the two to "see if something else was going on." "All indications are that Director [Vicky] White was involved and participated in the escape. We are trying to determine was that done willfully, or was she somehow coerced or threatened into participating?" the sheriff says, per WBRC. Either way, he adds, Vicky White is presumed to be in danger. "Casey White is believed to be a serious threat to the corrections officer and the public," a US Marshal says in a statement. "Do not attempt to apprehend this fugitive." Information can be submitted to the USMS Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102, or submitted anonymously via the US Marshals Tip App. (Read more Alabama stories.)
(Newser)  One of the most famous members of the 1960s radical group the Weather Underground has died. Kathy Boudin, who spent decades in prison after a fatal Brink's robbery, died in New York after a battle with cancer at age 78, reports the New York Post. Boudin's life story reads like a movie script, though her exploits helped lead to the deaths of two police officers and a security guard. Her first major brush with the law came in 1970, when an inadvertent explosion ripped through a building where she and others were making bombs in New York City's Greenwich Village, reports the New York Times. Three fellow radicals were killed, and Boudin went underground with a series of aliases and low-paying jobs.

She surfaced in a big way in 1981 when the Weather Underground teamed up with the Black Liberation Army to rob a Brink's armored truck in New York's Rockland County. Boudin wasn't part of the actual robberyin which a guard was shot to deathbut she was in the cab of the U-Haul to which the $1.6 million was transferred. She surrendered at a police roadblock, but two men exited the back of the truck as she did so and fatally shot two officers. Boudin spent two decades in prison after the heist before being paroled in 2003 for good behavior. While imprisoned, Boudin got her master's in adult education and literacy, and mentored other inmates.

During her life underground, Boudin married fellow radical David Gilbert (he also was imprisoned over the heist) and had a son, Chesa Boudin. The latter is now the district attorney in San Francisco. She made it long enough to meet her grandson, and welcome my father home from prison after 40 years," the DA said in a statement, per SFGate. He added this of his mother: "She always ended phone calls with a laugh, a habit acquired during the 22 years of her incarceration, when she wanted to leave every person she spoke with, especially me, with joy and hope. She lived redemption, constantly finding ways to give back to those around her. (Gilbert was pardoned in 2021 by Andrew Cuomo.)
(Newser)  An employee for the Alabama Department of Public Health was killed by a pack of dogs on Friday. According to local KKTV News, police were in the area responding to a call about a suspicious vehicle, which turned out to belong to Jacqueline Beard, the victim, whose body was discovered nearby. As police were investigating, they say the same pack of dogs attacked several nearby residents. Some dogs were euthanized immediately and the rest were captured and later euthanized. The dogs' owner, Brandy Dowdy, was charged with manslaughter. Per KKTV, neighbors said [Dowdy] is a dog advocate and owned about 27 dogs. No information on the dogs' breeds was released by police or media.

AL.com reports that Beard, who had been with the department for 17 years, was doing her job: following up a dog attack earlier in the week, one that left another woman hospitalized with serious injuries. Police say they believe Beard was attacked while attempting to contact the dogs owner. According to the Washington Post, police filed felony charges based on Alabamas Emilys Law of 2018, which gives prosecutors the authority to do so after an attack if a dog owner was aware the animal is a threat. The law is named for Emily Colvin, 24, who died after being attacked by five dogs near her home in 2017. (Read more dog mauling stories.)
(Newser)  MyPillow founder and "Big Lie" proponent Mike Lindell attempted to rejoin Twitter on Sunday, but his new account survived less than four hours. Twitter tells Fox Business it took down the account over its rules on "ban evasion." As in, Lindell was permanently banned in 2021, and he can't get around that simply by creating a new account. As Newsweek reports, Lindell resurfaced on Twitter at 1:25pm Eastern on Sunday. "Hello everybody, I'M BACK ON TWITTER," he wrote. "My only account is @MikeJLindell! Please RT and FOLLOW to SPREAD THE WORD." He had racked up nearly 40,000 followers before the account was taken down about 5pm.

It's a "shame," Lindell tells Insider. "We need to melt down the voting machines and turn them into prison bars," he added, asserting that Twitter co-founder "Jack Dorsey should be first in line for prison!" The reference to voting machines is part of Lindell's narrative that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Trump, a narrative that earned him the original ban. Lindell's attempt to rejoin Twitter comes in the wake of Elon Musk's bid to purchase the platform, which has prompted conservatives including Tucker Carlson and Sen. Marsha Blackburn to start tweeting again. Trump, however, says he's sticking with Truth Social, even if Musk lifts the former president's ban. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk was "dismayed" Trump remained barred from the platform. (Read more Mike Lindell stories.)
(Newser)  It's like those stories about carjackers who fail because they can't drive a stick. In Ukraine, CNN reports that Russian troops stole brand-new tractors and other farming machineryonly to discover they can't turn them on because they've been disabled remotely. The outlet reports that Russian soldiers loaded up about $5 million worth of John Deere equipment onto trucks from a dealership in the Ukraine city of Melitopol. Some of the machinery was tracked via GPS to Chechnya, where it sits unused. "When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," says a source CNN is allowing to remain anonymous.

It's possible the thieves will be able to hack the system to use the equipment, which might be helpful given that John Deere has stopped shipments to Russia in the wake of the invasion. Failing that, the Russians could at least sell the equipment for parts. Still, the incident is providing at least a small measure of satisfaction to Ukrainians. Meanwhile, Vice reports on a different farming-related trend in Ukraine: Images of tractors hauling away Russian military equipment have gone viral on social media as symbols of defiance, even making their way onto T-shirts. (Russian tanks have a design flaw that leave them vulnerable to attacks.)
(Newser)  Jill Biden will spend Mother's Day meeting with Ukrainian mothers and children who have fled the Russian invasion. The Sunday meeting will take place in Slovakia, one of two eastern European countries the first lady plans to visit during a five-day trip that starts Thursday, per the AP. She also will be stopping in Romania. The two nations share borders with Ukraine, and both also are members of NATO. Throughout the trip, Biden also will meet with US service members, embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers, and educators, the White House said.

The trip will be the first lady's second overseas by herself, following her journey to Tokyo last year for the opening of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games. The trip also will mark her latest gesture of solidarity with Ukraine. Four days after Russia's Feb. 24 invasion began, the first lady appeared at a White House event wearing a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, Ukraine's national flower. Nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since the war began, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Many have resettled in neighboring countries or relocated elsewhere in Europe. (UNHCR special envoy Angelina Jolie made a surprise visit over the weekend.)

(Read more Jill Biden stories.)
(Newser)  A man told police he killed American mathematician Scott Johnson in 1988 by pushing the 27-year-old off a Sydney cliff in what prosecutors describe as a gay hate crime, a court heard on Monday. Scott White, 51, appeared in the New South Wales state Supreme Court for a sentencing hearing after he pleaded guilty in January to the murder of the Los Angeles-born Canberra resident, whose death at the base of a North Head cliff was initially dismissed by police as suicide. White will be sentenced by Justice Helen Wilson on Tuesday, per the AP. He faces a potential sentence of life in prison. "I pushed a bloke. He went over the edge," White said in a recorded police interview in 2020 that was played in court.

White said in the interview he lied when he'd earlier told police that he had tried to grab Johnson and prevent his fatal fall. A coroner ruled in 2017 that Johnson "fell from the cliff top as a result of actual or threatened violence by unidentified persons who attacked him because they perceived him to be homosexual." Prosecutor Brett Hatfield said the precise details of the murder weren't known and that White's accounts had varied. White had met Johnson in a nearby bar in suburban Manly and Johnson had stripped naked on the top of the cliff before he died, Hatfield said. He added that the gravity of the murder was elevated because it was motivated by the victim's sexuality.

The coroner also found that gangs of men roamed various Sydney locations in search of gay men to assault. A coroner ruled in 1989 that the openly gay Johnson had taken his own life, while a second coroner in 2012 couldn't explain how he died. Johnson's Boston-based brother, Steve Johnson, maintained pressure for further investigation and offered his own reward of $704,000 for information. White was charged in 2020. In January, he yelled repeatedly in court during a pretrial hearing that he was guilty, having previously denied the crime. Scott Johnson was a doctoral student at Australian National University and lived in Canberra. More here, including his family's victim impact statements.

(Read more hate crimes stories.)
(Newser)  With the Supreme Court widely expect to weaken or outright overturn Roe v. Wade in an upcoming decision, antiabortion activists who have long called for the issue to be left up to the states are now pushing for a nationwide law. Activists and some GOP lawmakers tell the Washington Post that while the movement has had success in spurring GOP-led states to ban abortion after 15 weeks, that only covers a small fraction of abortions and they now plan to push for a nationwide "heartbeat" bill banning abortions after six weeks. Sources say Republican Sen. Joni Ernst plans to introduce a heartbeat bill if the top court rules as expectedthough actually passing such a bill would require a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate and a firmly antiabortion Republican president.

A SCOTUS ruling is expected in June in a case related to Mississippi's 15-week law. Activists say they have been encouraged by the success of Texas' strict antiabortion law and with momentum growing, they aim to make abortion a central issue in upcoming election cycles. "This is a whole new ballgame," Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life Action, tells the Post. "The 50 years of standing at the Supreme Courts door waiting for something to happen is over." The group, one of America's largest antiabortion organizations, plans to send a letter to every Republican in Congress this week calling for a "heartbeat" bill.

Abortion rights groups, meanwhile, say they hope Democratic votes will be galvanized by what amounts to call for a nationwide abortion ban. Some Democratic-led states have responded to the restrictive laws in other states by expanding abortion rights. Connecticut lawmakers have passed a bill that shields residents from being penalized under other states' anti-abortion laws, NPR reports. "This legislation takes action to protect our state from overreaching laws from others," says Democratic state Sen. Steve Cassano. "As other states pass increasingly restrictive bills, we are countering those bills by protecting residents and visitors alike from others seeking to persecute them." (Read more abortion stories.)
(Newser)  After an Amber Alert was issued in Florida, an 8-year-old boy was found safeand his father was charged with three murders. Terrell Lewis, 37, is being held without bond in Jacksonville, WESH reports. Early Friday, neighbors in an apartment complex near Jacksonville University reported fighting and a loud noise. Police later found three adult gunshot victims, all siblings: Johnisha, Jamonica, and Jordan Williams. Johnisha's son with Lewis was reported missing soon after, and police issued the Amber Alert Friday afternoon.

Hours later, an alert citizen spotted the car and called 911. "I was just sitting in my room watching TV and I got an Amber Alert on my phone," she told News4JAX. "[I] usually don't pay much mind to them, but something told me to look." She saw a black car outside and matched the license plate. "We saw some police show up and from there the guy was handcuffed and the child seemed to be safe." Lewis was booked into jail later that night. In a preliminary appearance, he was charged with three counts of second-degree murder and ordered held without bond; his next appearance is scheduled for May 23.

First Coast News reports that Lewis has a history of domestic violence dating at least to 2008. A woman filed for protection against him in 2014, but she petitioned to have the injunction dropped in 2018, telling the court, "Terrell Lewis is a changed man ... he is a great person ... please give [him] another chance." Although she was not named in court records, relatives confirmed to First Coast News that she was among the victims. Action News Jax spoke to the mother of the victims, Kimberley Levens, who is also the eight-year-old's grandmother. "I can't believe my kids are gone, all three of them. All three of them," she said. "They were good kids. They were wonderful." (Read more Florida stories.)
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers changing to rain showers as the day progresses. High around 45F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Low 28F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will allow 2,094 people from Bahrain to perform Hajj this year. Those aged 65 and over will not receive permits.

Bahraini pilgrims should perform Hajj through 59 licenced operators. In total, Saudi Arabia will allow 8,50,000 foreign pilgrims to perform Hajj this year while restricting the number of domestic pilgrims to 1,50,000.

In 2021 the capacity was limited to 60,000 citizens and residents who received the COVID-19 vaccine. The new regulations for this Hajj season make it mandatory for at least five operators to merge.

Only one operator will be in charge of their collective Hajj trip, both in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Bahrain Hajj Mission Chairman Shaikh Adnan bin Abdulla Al Qattan urged operators to comply with the directives of the High Committee for Hajj and Umrah Affairs and the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah to ensure the success of this exceptional pilgrimage season.

He was chairing the annual forum held remotely with operators to discuss the new mandatory regulations this year. The regulation aims to improve services and maintain the cost of Hajj this year in light of the reduction in numbers.

The deadline for completing the Hajj procedures is May 16. Departure to Saudi Arabia will be on Dhu al-Hijjah 4, 1443 AH, while return to Bahrain will be on Dhu al-Hijjah 14.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Police arrested a foreign national for hacking into an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) owned by a Bahraini bank.

The General Directorate of Anti-corruption and Economic and Electronic Security and the Northern Governorate Police Directorate jointly made the arrest.

Officials say they arrested the suspect following a report from the bank saying that an unknown person had placed electronic devices inside its ATM, for, allegedly, stealing the bank's and customers' money.

Police also retrieved the devices placed by the suspect in the ATM.

Legal procedures are initiated for referring the case to the public prosecution.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR) Chairman Ali Ahmed Al Derazi has called for more community partnership to protect the rights of both national and expatriate workers.

Al Derazi made the call as he extended congratulation to all workers in Bahrain on the Labour Day yesterday. He commended their dedicated efforts to serve the comprehensive development march, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and supported by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

Al Derazi stressed workers right to a secure and safe work environment in which all labour rights confirmed by the national legislation and international labour standards are guaranteed to achieve the sustainable development goals of the three production parties.

The NIHR chief hailed the top positions obtained by Bahrain within the reports on human development and womens participation issued by the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and the International Labour Organisation, in recognition of the Kingdoms achievements in the field of labour rights, in general, and the measures taken to safeguard workers rights during the Coronavirus pandemic, in particular, as well as its emphasis on the right to work for all.

He stressed that the NIHR spares no effort in following up on and monitoring the extent of compliance with the international conventions and treaties ratified by the Kingdom regarding the protection of workers rights, calling for commitment in order to preserve those rights.

Al Derazi called for cooperation among the three production parties to strengthen community partnership to safeguard the rights of the workforce.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Human rights activists and civil societies have called for better humane treatment of housemaids and domestic workers as Bahrain marked International Labourers Day yesterday.

They urged the employers of domestic workers to be compassionate to give End of Service Benefits and leave pay in accordance with LMRA Law on Tripartite Domestic Workers.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, Lyn Le Altarejos, Director of Worker Rights Bahrain, said: Domestic workers play a pivotal role in home economics, whose duties are varied in order to make employers family life easier.

They are responsible for undertaking the management of all the household activities with numerous duties that ranged from cleaning bedrooms to opening and closing shutters to dusting, polishing, and cleaning maintenance.

It is a great blessing to a family with dedicated housemaids assisting with domestic chores such as cleaning, cooking, washing clothes, taking care of the kids and car cleaning. She said the responsibilities of domestic workers have never been an easy routine especially for families in fast growing economies.

Managing and taking care of the home with the kids with employers perfect expectation definitely is not an easy job and work over time. Additionally, away from their family back home, emotionally added to their burden.

We call on the employer a mandatory action to give the end of service benefits without condition and leave pay for the domestic workers rights given by the law of the Kingdom.

It is an unlawful act of someone not to pay against the service of a housemaid where the employer definitely benefited from the sweat and their hard work to maintain house cleanliness. Faisal Fulad, Secretary General of Bahrain Human Rights Watch Society (BHRWS), told The Daily Tribune that the well-being of domestic workers and housemaids is a matter of great significance.

Let us be compassionate when it comes to human beings, let us be fair enough to what service they offer for us to meet your daily requirements whether at work or in a business. Also, enough protection to the domestic workers in a bid to ascertain their safety and well-being at all times considering the weight of the burden that takes off their hands.

Last year, the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA), in cooperation with the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) and the Bahrain Insurance Association (BIA), announced the Optional Insurance System for Domestic Workers to protect employers and domestic expatriate workers following any incident that covers for insurance.

The Optional Insurance System for Domestic Workers protects employers and domestic expatriate employees in the event of leaving work in violation of the conditions of the work permit, unfair dismissal, as well as compensation in cases of injury, disability, or death.

In the event of death, insured employees legal heirs will receive compensation, and repatriation costs would be covered. LMRA CEO Jamal Abdulaziz Al Alawi indicated that the LMRA has coordinated with the CBB, the BIA, and insurance companies to develop an integrated plan that guarantees the rights of all parties.

He noted that the employer has the option to insure expatriate employees upon their recruitment. Three insurance packages have been made available for employers to choose from. Prices range between BD40 and BD120 for 12 months and between BD60 and BD180 for 24 months.
Half the respondents in a Kyodo News survey released Monday believe Japan needs to amend the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution to clarify the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces, with the level of support almost unchanged from a year ago despite growing concerns over regional security.

Against a backdrop of increasing calls for an amendment among lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and some other parties following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 50 percent said it is necessary to revise Article 9 while 48 percent said it was not.

The figures compared with 51 percent in favor of an amendment and 45 percent against in a similar poll conducted last year.

The survey was conducted between March 1 and April 11 via mail ahead of Constitution Memorial Day on Tuesday, targeting 3,000 people aged 18 or over, of whom 65.3 percent gave valid answers.

Support among lawmakers for revising the article has gained momentum amid concerns over China pressuring Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island that Beijing views as its own, and renewed threats posed by North Korea's recent missile launches. Some security and political experts fear Russia's invasion of Ukraine could embolden China to attack Taiwan.

But the latest poll shows that Moscow's aggression in Ukraine has not contributed to increasing the momentum in favor of revision among the public.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Food and Drug Administration on Friday set tentative dates in June to publicly review COVID-19 vaccines for the youngest American children, typically the final step before authorizing the shots.

The meeting announcement follows months of frustration from families impatient for a chance to vaccinate their little children, along with complaints from politicians bemoaning the slow pace of the process.

The FDA said it plans to convene its outside panel of vaccine experts on June 8, 21 and 22 to review applications from Moderna and Pfizer for child vaccines. The dates are not final and the FDA said it will provide more details as each company completes its application.

While questions have swirled about whats taking so long, FDA Commissioner Robert Califf emphasized Friday that the agency cant evaluate the vaccines until all the data is submitted.

There will be no delays, Califf told reporters at a health journalism conference. Well review the data, hold an advisory committee meeting and make a decision as quickly as possible once we get the applications.

Currently, only children ages 5 or older can be vaccinated in the U.S. with Pfizers vaccine, leaving 18 million younger tots unprotected.

On Thursday, Moderna submitted some of its data to the FDA that it hopes will prove its two low-dose shots can protect children younger than 6. Moderna has filed FDA applications for older kids, but the FDA hasnt ruled on them. Its not clear if that data children will be considered at the June meetings.

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.

On Monday, a top House Democrat requested a briefing from FDA on the status of vaccines for children after media reports that the FDA was considering delaying its work on Moderna's application to jointly review it with Pfizer's at a later date.

The FDA also set a June 7 meeting to review Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine for adults. The Maryland-based company's shots are authorized in Europe and elsewhere but have been delayed by production problems.

The advisory group will also convene June 28 to discuss whether the current U.S. COVID-19 vaccines should be updated to better target coronavirus variants.

___

AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this story

___

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.
Contributed / Danbury Police Department

DANBURY  A local man has died after being hit by two cars while crossing the street over the weekend, police said.

Danbury police did not identify the victim, but said he was a 26-year-old city resident.
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Bethel American Legion Post 100, SAL will sell Mothes Day flowers beginning this week.

Flowers will be sold from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, as well as from 9 p.m until theyre sold out on Sunday.

The American Legion Post is at 7 Elizabeth St.

Brookfield

Conservation Commission hosts Earth Day event

The Brookfield Conservation Commission recently hosted an Earth Day event at the Eriksen Farm Open Space on Nabby Road in Brookfield.

The event held April 23 featured the planting of a tree, birdhouse building, and information about the local Pollinator Pathway program. The commission also kicked off its No Mow May initiative encouraging residents to not mow a section of their yard throughout the entire month of May to provide a temporary habitat for pollinators before the summer flowers begin to grow.

The highlight of the event was a ceremony unveiling Brookfields first ever barn quilt. Barn quilts are large wooden boards painted in the style of a quilt and hung on local barns. They pay homage to a local areas agrarian past and the actual quilts that are passed down throughout generations of farm families.

Bridget OHara, a local artist, and member of the Brookfield Arts Commission, created the design for the quilt, and then painted the two four- foot- by- eight- foot boards that became the actual quilt.

Danbury

Commission to meet with seniors

A program will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday for residents to meet members of the Commission on Aging.

The goal is to introduce the commission to senior citizens in the city so members can hear their concerns and answer questions. The event will be held at the Danbury Senior Center at 10 Elmwood Place. RVSP by calling 203-797-4686 or emailing s.tomanio@danbury-ct.gov.

Danbury

WCSCU students to present research

Western Connecticut State University is hosting its annual Western Research Days this week when students will present research and other creative projects.

The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday in the universitys Science Building on the Midtown campus at 181 White Street, Danbury. Awards for top presentations will be given at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Keynote speakers include Yanerys Leon, Ph.D., at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, and AmberJean Hansen, M.P.H., at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Leon is a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychology of the University of Miami (ABA Masters Program), among other positions. Her address is entitled Token Economies for Individuals with Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Bridging the Research to Practice Gap and is sponsored by the WCSU Foundation.

Hansen graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and a minor in chemistry. She received a masters degree in public health from the University of New England in 2016, and is a research assistant at the Connecticut Emerging Infections Program at the Yale School of Public Health. Her presentation, sponsored by the WCSU Alumni Association, is entitled It Started Out with Just Ticks, How Did It End Up Like This? Public Health Research in Endemic and Pandemic Times.

For more information, go to https://www.wcsu.edu/wrd/ or contact WCSU Public Relations at pr@wcsu.edu.

Danbury

Company founder to be honored

George Mulvaney, founder of Mulvaney Mechanical, will be honored with the WestConn Society Breakfast for Student Success hosted by the WCSU Foundation in a ceremony on Tuesday.

Mulvaney founded his high technology mechanical contracting company that has done millions of dollars worth of work over its 41 years of operation. The company has been recognized with a Connecticut Subcontractor of the Year award from the General Contractors Association of America.

Mulvaney has made community volunteer work an equal part of his life, having served as director and chair of several important boards in Danbury and Ridgefield, where he lives.

Mulvaney has been recognized previously with several awards from various groups.

To order tickets for the breakfast, go to www.wcsu.edu/giving/events/ or call (203) 837-9820.

New Fairfield

Groovin in New Fairfield to present a coffeehouse show

The Groovin in New Fairfield nonprofit organization is going to present a coffeehouse show at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the New Fairfield Senior Center.

Doors will open at 6:45 p.m.

The organization is welcoming back Toby Walker, a songwriter and roots music fingerstyle guitar virtuoso. Walker will have a special guest in a band, Potters Field.

There will be a moderately priced dinner that will be catered by Brunos Restaurant before the show. The menu choices for the meal will include: Eggplant rollatini, chicken francese, pizza, coffee, tea, hot mulled cider, water, and homemade desserts.

Tickets are $15 and are payable by cash or check made out to Groovin In New Fairfield. Tickets may be purchased at the senior center, or checks or cash may be mailed to Groovin In New Fairfield, c/o New Fairfield Senior Center, 33 Route 37, New Fairfield, CT 06812.

Mail needs to be received no later than Tuesday to ensure attendees reservations.

All sales are final.

More information is available by calling the organization at 203-746-1142, or by emailing grcoffeehouse@gmail.com.

The organization has a website at http://groovininnewfairfield.com/.

New Milford

Shopping mall to host another season of cruise nights

The Litchfield Crossings shopping center in New Milford is hosting another season of its family friendly, and Paradice car club Classic Cruise Nights events.

The series will be held at 5 p.m. to dusk every Tuesday, beginning this week.

More information is available by visiting the car clubs website at paradiceclassiccruisers.org.

New Milford

New Milford Rotary Club to host shredding event

The New Milford Rotary Club will host its community document shredding day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, at the Pettibone Community Center.

The event is back, following the coronavirus pandemic.

No appointment is necessary. The cost is $10 per standard copy paper type box.

There will be no limit to the number boxes that attendees will be able to bring to be shredded. Shredded material will be recycled. The event is open to residents, and businesses from all towns.

All money collected will be donated by the New Milford Rotary Club within the community to help senior citizens, environmental projects and fund scholarships and 0ther local projects. For more information, or if you have a large number of boxes call 860-866-7141, email shredfest@nmrotary.org or visit www.nmrotary.org.

The community center is located at 2 Pickett District Road in New Milford.

Region

Medical Reserves Corps earns $10K grant

Housatonic Valley Medical Reserve Corps has earned a $10,000 award that will go toward the standardization of medical and non-medical volunteers.

This 2022 Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Operational Readiness Award was given by the National Association of County and City Health Officials, which represents the countrys nearly 3,000 local health departments.

These awards, made possible through a cooperative agreement with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Responses Medical Reserve Corps Program Office, will build the operational readiness capabilities of Medical Reserve Corps units to meet the emergency preparedness and response needs of local, regional, and statewide stakeholders. More than $1 million in awards will support 129 units to build Medical Reserve Corps response capabilities (Tier 1) or strengthen Medical Reserve Corps response capabilities (Tier 2). Housatonic Valley Medical Reserve Corps received a Tier 2 award.

Regional

Regional Hospice to honor Womans Club

Regional Hospice will host its annual Danbury/Bethel Giving Circle Breakfast event at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury.

The nonprofit health organization will to honor the Womans Club of Danbury/New Fairfield for all its support to the mission of the Regional Hospice.

Bethel resident Robert Stosser will be the testimonial speaker of the event. Stossers wife, Ann, previously received care from Regional Hospice for close to three years.

More information is available at makingthebestofeveryday.org.

Ridgefield

Parent Circles program series returning to library

The Ridgefield Library is hosting a Parent Circles program series for parents this month.

The series will be titled: Getting Back on Track After the Pandemic: Parenting a Child That's Happy, Confident, Resilient and High-functioning.

The series will also have facilitated discussion groups that will be co-sponsored by the Ridgefield Community Coalition Against Substance Abuse, RCCASA, the Ridgefield Library, and the Ridgefield Council of Parent Teacher Associations, PTAs.

Registration and more information is available by contacting Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Doug Barile at dougbarile@gmail.com.

Ridgefield

Authors to speak at library

The Ridgefield Library and the Books on the Common bookstore, are going to host three authors for events in-person this month in the main program room of the library.

The first of the events will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with author Bill Roorbach, who will present his latest novel, Lucky Turtle.

The second of the events will be at 7 p.m. May 19 with author Rich Cohen, who will talk about his book, The Adventures of Herbie Cohen: Worlds Greatest Negotiator. Herbie is Rich Cohens father.

The third of the events will be at 6:30 p.m. May 24, with co-authors Marc Lamont Hill and Todd Brewster, who will both discuss their new book, Seen and Unseen: Technology, Social Media, and the Fight for Racial Justice. Hill will join the event via Zoom, while Brewster will be in-person.

Registration is available by visiting ridgefieldlibrary.org, or by calling the librarys main phone number at 203-438-2282.

Washington

Experts to discuss war in Ukraine

The Gunn Memorial Library plans to welcome members of the United Nations Association of Connecticut who will present a panel discussion about the historical scholarship, personal engagement and the current situation in Ukraine.

The event will be held virtually via Zoom at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Panel members will include Sergei Kambalov, a retired director of the United Nations, Alex Kuzma, a Ukrainian attorney and educator; Hamish Lutris, a historian and college professor; and Joseph Baxer, president of the United Nations Association of Connecticut and moderator of this discussion.
FORT BENNING, Ga. (AP)  The top commander at Fort Benning plans to retire later this year, and his replacement has already been named, Army officials said.

Maj. Gen. Patrick Donahoe plans to step down in July as commanding general at the base in Georgia, post officials told the Ledger-Enquirer on Friday. Maj. Gen. Curtiss Buzzard, currently the deputy chief of staff for the U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, is set to take his place.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal jury on Monday convicted a New York Police Department veteran of assaulting an officer during the U.S. Capitol riot, rejecting his claim that he was defending himself when he tackled the officer and grabbed his gas mask.

Thomas Webster, a 20-year NYPD veteran, was the first Capitol riot defendant to be tried on an assault charge and the first to present a jury with a self-defense argument.

Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before they convicted Webster of all six counts in his indictment, including a charge that he assaulted Metropolitan Police Department officer Noah Rathbun with a dangerous weapon, a metal flagpole. The assault charge alone is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, although sentencing guidelines likely will recommend a significantly shorter prison term.

Webster, 56, testified that he was trying to protect himself from a rogue cop who punched him in the face. He also accused Rathbun of instigating the confrontation.

Rathbun testified that he didnt punch or pick a fight with Webster as a violent mob attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, disrupting Congress from certifying Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election victory over then-President Donald Trump.

Two jurors who spoke to reporters after the verdict said videos capturing the officer's assault from multiple angles were crucial evidence rebutting Webster's self-defense argument.

I guess we were all surprised that he would even make that defense argument," said a juror who spoke on condition of anonymity. There was no dissention among us at all. We unanimously agreed that there was no self-defense argument here at all.

Another juror, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said Webster's self-defense claim just didn't stack up."

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is scheduled to sentence Webster on Sept. 2.

Websters jury trial was the fourth for a Capitol riot case. The first three defendants to get a jury trial also were convicted of all charges in their respective indictments. A judge decided two other cases without a jury, acquitting one of the defendants and partially acquitting the other.

Webster, who wore a mask in court, showed no obvious reaction to the verdict.

We're disappointed, defense attorney James Monroe said after the verdict, but we recognized from the beginning that folks here (in Washington, D.C.) were quite traumatized by what transpired on Jan. 6. And I think we saw some of this expressed today.

Prosecutors asked for Webster to be detained, but the judge agreed to let him remain free until his sentencing. He'll continue to be monitored with an ankle bracelet. The judge said it was a "close call whether to jail him immediately but noted that he has complied with current conditions of release and doesnt have any prior convictions.

Webster drove alone to Washington from his home near Goshen, New York, on the eve of the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a U.S. Marine Corps flag on a metal pole when he approached the Capitol, after listening to Trump address thousands of supporters.

Webster said he went to the Capitol to petition lawmakers to relook at the results of the 2020 presidential election. But he testified that he didnt intend to interfere with Congress joint session to certify the Electoral College vote.

Rathbuns body camera captured Webster shouting profanities and insults before they made any physical contact. Webster said he was attending his first political protest as a civilian and expressing his free speech rights when he yelled at officers behind a row of bike racks.

The body camera video shows that Webster slammed one of the bike racks at Rathbun before the officer reached out with an open left hand and struck the right side of Websters face. Webster said it felt as though he had been hit by a freight train.

It was a hard hit, and all I wanted to do was defend myself, Webster said.

Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain.

After Rathbun struck his face, Webster swung a metal flag pole at the officer in a downward chopping motion, striking a bike rack. Rathbun grabbed the broken pole from Webster, who charged at the officer, tackled him to the ground and grabbed his gas mask.

Rathbun testified that he started choking as the chin strap on his gas mask pressed against his throat. Webster said he grabbed Rathbun by the gas mask because he wanted the officer to see his hands.

Rathbun reported a hand injury from a separate encounter with a rioter inside the Capitol. 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 faced counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer using a dangerous weapon; civil disorder; entering and remaining in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and engaging in an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.

Webster retired from the NYPD in 2011 after 20 years of service, which 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 more than 245 of them have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. More than 100 officers were injured.

Two other defendants testified at their trials. Dustin Byron Thompson, an Ohio man who was convicted by a jury of obstructing Congress from certifying Bidens presidential victory, said he was following orders from 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.

Two riot defendants didnt testify at their trials before jurors convicted them of all charges, including interfering with officers. One of them, Thomas Robertson, was an off-duty police officer from Rocky Mount, Virginia. The other, Texas resident Guy Wesley Reffitt, also was convicted of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump nominee who acquitted Martin of all charges, also presided over a bench trial for New Mexico elected official Couy Griffin. McFadden convicted Griffin of illegally entering restricted Capitol grounds but acquitted him of engaging in disorderly conduct.
NEW FAIRFIELD  The Housing Opportunities Committee will meet for the first time Tuesday evening to begin the work of reviewing local housing stock, exploring ways to fill housing-related needs and develop strategies to increase affordable housing development in town.

The ad hoc committee, established last August, is part of New Fairfields state-mandated affordable housing plan.

In March, the Board of Selectmen appointed seven New Fairfield residents with diverse backgrounds and experience to serve on the committee, along with three ex-officio members.

The committees regular members are Anita Brown, Kathleen DiTullio, Kathy Hull, Richard Kalinka, the Rev. Liz Yoho, Jim Mandella and Roberta Anderson.

Brown is a retired middle school teacher and current member of New Fairfields Commission on Aging who has been working to address housing issues in town for years, including as chair of the aging commissions housing subcommittee.

DiTullio has been a real estate agent for seven years and involved in commercial, residential and industrial real estate construction and management for over 25 years. She is also a member of the towns Inland Wetlands and Economic Development commissions and serves as secretary of the New Fairfield Housing Trust.

Hull is a 36-year resident of New Fairfield and has been the towns senior services director for the last 31 years. She also serves as the towns municipal agent for the elderly and is a former member of the Commission on Aging.

Kalinka is a New Fairfield resident of 45 years and a longtime member of the towns volunteer fire department.

Yoho has lived in town for more than 30 years and is the pastor of the Congregational Church of New Fairfield. Yoho believes strongly in the strength of a community coming together to help those in need, First Selectman Pat Del Monaco said.

Mandella is a New Fairfield resident with a background in finance, economics and accounting, who believes everyone should be able to afford a place to live and that buying single-family homes should be the only way for people to live in town, according to Del Monaco.

Anderson is a New Fairfield resident of 50 years with 40 years experience working as a real estate broker in the Danbury area, as well as 30 years experience as a landlord in the area. Through her involvement in real estate, Anderson says she sees the need for affordable housing, especially among seniors on fixed incomes and young families, and believes its important that the town look into providing (housing) options while keeping the small town attributes that make New Fairfield an attractive place to call home.

Its a balanced group of people, all of whom believe the time has come for New Fairfield to seriously address this issue, said Selectman Khris Hall, whos been appointed one of the committees three ex-officio members.

The other two ex-officio members are Zoning Commission member Steve Hanrahan and Planning Commission member Cory Neumann.

The Housing Opportunities Committee will be tasked with not only drafting a plan for creating affordable housing in town that addresses residents needs, but coming up with ways to engage the community to be proactive on housing opportunities and producing an annual report that outlines steps the town can take to encourage the development of more housing opportunities.

New Fairfield residents who arent members of the committee are encouraged to still get involved. Meetings will be open to the public, and community engagement and input will be an important part of the process, Hall said.

The committees first meeting on Tuesday will take place via Zoom beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Gustavson brand Index also ranks CAA first in insurance for fifth straight year

OTTAWA, ON, May 2, 2022 /CNW/ - The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) has been named the most trusted brand in Canada for the third year in a row in the annual Gustavson Brand Trust Index, released today.

CAA was the only company to finish in the Gustavson Top Ten across all age groups, and also grabbed first in brand trust among insurance companies for the fifth year running.

"These rankings reinforce the commitment of everyone at CAA to focus on doing our best for our over 6.5 million Members, of all ages, from coast to coast," says Tim Shearman, President and CEO of CAA National.

Brand performance tends to vary by age, but CAA placed among the top 10 for people ages 35 and under, 35 to 55 years of age, and 55 years and older. CAA has been rated one of Canada's top two most trusted brands in the index for six years running.

"CAA is proud of our evolving suite of services, including comprehensive insurance offerings and travel services, one of Canada's leading Rewards programs, and of course our exceptional emergency roadside assistance," Shearman said. "For over a century CAA has also acted as a voice for the travelling public on issues that range from road safety to consumer protection."

Conducted by the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business at the University of Victoria, the eighth annual Gustavson Brand Trust Index asked more than 9,000 consumers to score 412 prominent national and global companies and brands, across 33 industry sectors, on a range of brand value measures.

About CAA

CAA is a federation of eight not-for-profit Clubs providing over 6.5 million Members with exceptional emergency roadside service, complete automotive and travel services, member savings and comprehensive insurance services. CAA also advocates on issues of concern to its members, including road safety, the environment, mobility, infrastructure and consumer protection.

About the Gustavson Brand Index

The Gustavson Brand Trust Index (GBTI) is the only study done by an academic institution that investigates consumer trust, the factors that affect it and the brands that succeed at it. Established in 2015, the GBTI champions responsible management within organizations through its findings, highlighting the increased need for 21st century businesses to contribute positively to their communities. As a school, the Gustavson School of Business is uniquely positioned to both evaluate brand values and educate on their importance to consumer trust in today's society. Comprising top researchers in their fields, the GBTI team measures overall consumer trust in brands and emphasizes the role of brand values in its study of almost 400 brands across Canada.

SOURCE Canadian Automobile Association

For further information: Murielle Pierre, Manager, Public Affairs, 613.698.1201, [email protected]
As he turned the page, political strategist Prashant Kishor said it was time to go to the actual masters, the people, and sparked conjecture about his next political move.

He described his effort to be a meaningful participant in democracy and assist develop pro-people policy as a 10-year roller coaster trip in a tweet. As he turns the page, he adds that it was time to go to the true masters, the people, in order to better grasp the difficulties and the route to the good government for the people. He stated that the project will begin in his home state of Bihar.

My quest to be a meaningful participant in democracy & help shape pro-people policy led to a 10yr rollercoaster ride!



As I turn the page, time to go to the Real Masters, THE PEOPLE,to better understand the issues & the path to  -Peoples Good Governance



 #   Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) May 2, 2022

Kishor, who was in Patna on Sunday evening for a meeting with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, told that he had revealed his plans on May 2. I was unable to attend [Kumars meeting]. Its possible that it was misunderstood.

Kishor, who rejected an invitation to join Congress last week, will meet with political leaders and parties on Monday. His presence in Bihar coincided with a schism between the Janata Dal (United) or JD (U) and the Bhartiya Janata Party, two factions of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) (BJP).

Kishor was removed from the JD (U) in January 2020 for criticizing the partys stance on the Citizenship Amendment Act. He worked briefly for the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar informed that the discussion between the two leaders revolved around climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains and the economic impact of the Ukraine conflict.

India and Germany on Monday signed agreements on triangular development cooperation and renewable energy partnership. External Affairs Ministers S Jaishankar and German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze signed the agreements on behalf of their respective countries. Jaishankar said in a tweet, Signed agreements on Triangular Development Cooperation and Renewable Energy Partnership.

Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar informed that the discussion between the two leaders revolved around climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains and the economic impact of the Ukraine conflict. Pleasure to meet German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development @SvenjaSchulze68. Discussed climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains, third country partnerships and economic impact of Ukraine conflict, tweeted Jaishankar.

Jaishankar also met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and signed an agreement on a direct encrypted connection between the foreign offices of India and Germany. He also said that they discussed the Ukraine conflict and Indo-Pacific.

This signing of agreements comes as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Berlin where he will co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations.






The crowd raised the chants of 'Vande Mataram' and 'Jai Hind' on seeing PM Modi. The Prime Minister arrived at the Berlin-Brandenburg airport in Germany earlier this morning to kick start the first leg of his three-day Europe visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora living in Berlin upon his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski. Modi expressed his joy after meeting people from the Indian diaspora community. Expressing his delight over the gesture by the Indian community, PM Modi said in a tweet, It was early morning in Berlin yet several people from the Indian community came by. Was wonderful connecting with them. India is proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora.

A young Indian-origin boy sang a patriotic song to welcome PM Modi upon his arrival at the hotel. The Prime Minister also interacted with a little girl, Manya, who presented him with a portrait of his picture. He took a picture with Manya who called him her icon and also signed the portrait for her. Manyas mother, while lauding PM Modis model of governance, said,PM Modis visit is like a dream for us Indian people living in Germany. We see how PM Modi is doing development in India and feel proud that our country is not behind any European country. The crowd raised the chants of Vande Mataram and Jai Hind on seeing PM Modi.

Modi arrived at the Berlin-Brandenburg airport in Germany earlier this morning to kick start the first leg of his three-day Europe visit. Upon his arrival, PM Modi also expressed confidence that the visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held his first in-person meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. Expanding India-Germany cooperation. PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Scholz meet in Berlin. @Bundeskanzler, Office of the Prime Minister of India said in a tweet. Ahead of the meeting, Modi received a guard of honour at the Federal Chancellery in the presence of Scholz.

PM Modi arrived in Germany this morning to kick start the first leg of his three-day Europe visit. The second leg of the Europe visit will see Modi hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries in Denmark on Tuesday, along with other high-level interactions. The visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with members of the Indian diaspora living in Berlin upon his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski. Modi expressed his joy after meeting people from the Indian diaspora community. Expressing his delight over the gesture by the Indian community, PM Modi said in a tweet, It was early morning in Berlin yet several people from the Indian community came by. Was wonderful connecting with them. India is proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora.


DANBURY  A plan to build a third self-storage building between two existing facilities near the Bethel border is raising concerns about parking and flooding.

The proposal by 25-year-old Bethel business school graduate Ethan Draper to build a self-storage facility with 470 rental rooms on Great Pasture Road became complicated when the city discovered a contractor had been burning wood for years in an environmentally sensitive area.

[T]he (Planning) Department has determined that significant site work, which includes cutting and filling in the regulated floodplain, has been occurring over the past 15 years, read a memo from the citys Deputy Planning Director, Jennifer Emminger.

As a result, the Drapers had to go back before the citys Environmental Impact Commission and reapply for a wetland permit that the commission had previously approved.

[T]here were questions about activities in the back of the property, said Michael Mazzucco, an engineering consultant for the family business, speaking during an environmental commission hearing earlier this month. [T]here was a guy with a trailer who was burning wood and dumping the ashes and according to (my) client, the pile of ashes has been removed.

At the same time, the Drapers have a hearing open before the citys Planning Commission  where members have asked whether the five parking spaces on the blueprints will be enough for the three-story, 59,000-square-foot building.

I want to move past this issue of parking that keeps coming up, said Ethan Draper during a Planning Commission hearing last week. I thoroughly researched this issue of parking myselfby visiting some self-storage industries. Our proposed facility has more than enough parking.

The Drapers building would be the third self-storage facility on Great Pasture Road. Its part of a growing landscape of self-storage activity across greater Danbury.

There is a rash of self-storage projects and applications  some of them under construction  in the general area, going from New Milford and Brookfield down into Ridgefield. Its amazing how this market is underserved, said Neil Marcus, an attorney representing the Drapers, during a Planning Commission hearing on April 20. A lot of it is a result of the incredible housing market that we are in; self-storage goes hand-in-glove with it.

Ethan Draper said market research showed 10 existing self-storage facilities within three miles of his familys 1.5-acre site. Eight of those facilities are at 100 percent capacity with the remaining two at 95 and 98 percent capacity. The same research said within the submarket of our location, there is 300,000-square-feet of unmet self-storage demand, he said.

On Danburys west end, a Georgia developer of indoor self-storage buildings wants to transform a vacant 3-acre site on Mill Plain Road into its first Connecticut location.

Marcus said self-storage buildings are good for the local economy because they contribute taxes without draining city services.

There was a resistance to the self-storage facilities that were orange and looked like tin cans with garage doors but those are a thing of the past and you dont see much of that anymore, Marcus said. The nature of self-storage now is much different in that they are state-of-the-art, self-sufficient, electronic buildings that look like a cross between office and industrial sites.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
Flowers and trees arent the only things to start budding throughout Connecticut as spring settles into the state. High school and college graduations are also sprouting this time of year, and the University of Bridgeports 2022 commencement began the month by having a famous face usher its blossoming young professionals into the world.

Held at the Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater on May 1, the University of Bridgeports commencement featured actor and activist Danny Glover as the ceremonys guest speaker and honorary degree recipient. Glover received an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the university and delivered the ceremonys keynote address to the schools more than 1,300 graduates, according to a press release.
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MILFORD  The Hair of the Dog restaurant and bar is known for its fun, welcoming vibe and Sandra DeRosa Briggs has done it again, customers say, in a second restaurant brimming with nostalgia for all generations.

I love people walking around and looking at all the nooks and crannies, Briggs said. People walk around and say, Oh my God, I remember this.

Briggs and two investment partners recently opened Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - or WTF, as its known - at 521 New Haven Ave. in the former Tavern on Point restaurant space.

Briggs, who has decades in the industry as a waitress and bartender, worked at Tavern on Point before opening Hair of the Dog in November 2020, and often imagined what she would do with the place if she were the owner.

That visualization came to fruition when the restaurant went up for sale and two friends/customers offered to invest because they had so much confidence in Briggs restaurant talent.

The theme of the restaurant is music, television and movies, with favorite characters and themes from throughout the generations on every wall and in every nook and cranny - even the restrooms.

Theres a Central Perk area with a leather couch where guests can eat and drink among Friends-themed treasures.

Briggs said she had a challenge with the huge dining room and large tables at the restaurant, so she created a menu of shareable platters with catchy menu names such as, Ill have what shes having, - a reference to the iconic scene in the movie, When Harry Met Sally.

Other items include: Yoo Adrian - a pasta dish; Fifty First Dates, assorted seasonal cheeses and meats served with pickled vegetables; The Bird is the Word chicken platter; and the Up in Smoke fajita platter.

They also offer a keto platter called, 99 problems and a carb aint one, as well as a dessert, Its like a box of chocolate.

All the food is fresh and the sauces, dry rubs and dressings are made from scratch, Briggs said.

Customer Mike Russo, who used to work with Briggs, ordered four appetizers for lunch recently and a dessert of fried tequila-soaked pound cake with dipping sauces, including one that was margarita-flavored.

It was delicious, he said.

When we were in there she (Briggs) touched everybody with her personality - I told my wife shes going to be successful, Russo said.

The bar/restaurant has been open two weeks, the restaurant one week, and already there are regulars.

Customer Denise Posey joked that she can be called Norm - a reference to the character from Cheers, because WTF is a place where everyone feels like a regular.

WTF is definitely my new favorite local hangout - it has an atmosphere that is warm and inviting with just the right amount of cheeky nostalgia, Posey said. The menu offers a fresh take on family-style sharing and the food is always on point. Sandra (Briggs) is uniquely talented at treating you like family while simultaneously making you feel like a VIP guest.

Briggs let her creativity roar throughout the restaurant. Every wall has a different theme, she said.

She has a music wall that looks like a concert, another that is a drive-in theater and a TV wall that looks like a living room from the 1960s.

Theres also a wall with images of women who have inspired her, including Princess Diana, Tina Turner, The Golden Girls. The world is angry - I want to make people happy, Briggs said.

In designing the eatery, Briggs said, she took the philosophy of the slogan from an old Kodak commercial, The memories that shape our lives, figuring it would resonate with everyone.

The restrooms have a crush theme, as Briggs calls it. The womans room is s plastered with images of Paul Newman, Brad Pitt, Rob Lowe, James Dean. The mens room features Marilyn Monroe, Pamela Anderson, the famous 1976 poster of Farrah Fawcett in the red bathing suit.

She also has a wall where the background is a painting of Eddie Van Halens guitar, with pictures of 1980s bands.

There are board games everywhere because she wants to give guests the opportunity to engage.

The bar is modeled after a combination of the bar in the sitcom Cheers and the one at the old Knickerbockers in the Connecticut Post Mall.

Im here almost all the time behind the bar, Briggs said.

In of the nook areas are the older heckler Muppets  Statler and Waldorf  on their balcony with a curtain.

On a bar wall is a painted lyrical nod to Billy Joels famous line Id rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, from the hit song, Only the Good Die Young.

I love the details, Briggs said of her ambiance-creating style. I want guests to have fun, relax and know theyre going to be taken care of.

Briggs believes the name Whiskey Tango Foxtrot works on many levels - and all the signs were there.

She likes that whiskey is bar-related and tango and foxtrot are dances. She also likes that the acronym is WTF, as the sentiment is something people can especially relate to these days with all thats going on in the world.

Briggs also likes that Whiskey Tango Foxtrot was a euphemistic way for soldiers to say, WTF? She heard it in military movies for years, Briggs said, and thought it was an official command until someone filled her in.

In addition, her late grandmothers name was Fox and, although she died when Briggs was a toddler, shes been told they are a lot alike.

She said the night before the nail-biting real estate deal had gone through, she saw a fox in her yard for the first time.

Briggs hadnt planned on opening another restaurant soon, she said, but couldnt resist when friends/customers Mark Onofreo and Lisa DiPasquale - neither of whom have been in the restaurant business, offered to invest.
RED BAY, Ala. (AP)  An Alabama sheriff says a public health worker was killed by dogs after she went to a home to follow up on a report about dogs attacking and injuring another person days earlier.

Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver said the dogs' owner, Brandy Dowdy, 39, has been charged with manslaughter and with violating Alabama's dangerous dog law, WTVA-TV reported. Jail records on Sunday did not show whether she is represented by an attorney.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden had lunch Monday with former President Bill Clinton as Democrats are facing long odds to retain their congressional majorities in Novembers midterm elections  a predicament the former president knows only too well from his own time in office.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki declined to say what the pair would discuss, only saying Im sure they will have a broad conversation.
House lawmakers on Monday gave final approval to a multi-million dollar plan to begin replacing the beleaguered Whiting Forensic Hospital in Middletown with a more modern facility.

The bi-partisan effort, which passed by a vote of 147-0, follows years of alleged abuses and inadequate supervision at the maximum-security psychiatric hospital. The effort culminated in the release of a task force report last year, calling for the abolition of the states Psychiatric Security Review Board, which oversees people committed to Whiting for reasons of mental disease or defect.

Lawmakers chose not to go that far, however, instead settling on legislation that begins the process of planning for the construction of a new facility, reforming the process through which patients are granted temporary leave and reestablishing the hospitals oversight board.

The watered-down bill adopted from the task forces recommendations passed out of the Senate unanimously last week. Mondays action sends the bill to Gov. Ned Lamonts desk.

State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, who chairs the Public Health Committee, said investigations into conditions at the facility determined that residents were treated not only poorly, but they effectively were abused.

Lawmakers and advocates began the most recent round of investigations following the revelation that staff were filmed kicking, hitting and taunting resident William Shehadi, a man deemed to have a mental health illness committed to the facility for the death of his father. That incident resulted in disciplinary actions against 35 staff members, 10 of whom were eventually arrested. The Shehadi family later settled a lawsuit against the state for $2.5 million.

This was a horrible chapter in the state of Connecticut, and made it clear that significant action needed to take place, Steinberg said.

Concerns about Whiting Forensic Hospital, however, date back even further.

Several lawmakers on Monday pointed to lingering fears regarding a 1989 incident in which a 9-year-old girl from Wallingford, Jessica Short, was killed while shopping with her mother on Main Street in Middletown by a man who was released from the hospital on a day pass.

An earlier version of the legislation would have allowed staff at Whiting and the nearby Connecticut Valley Hospital to approve the temporary releases for residents without applying to the Psychiatric Security Review Board for approval, before lawmakers objected and removed the provision in the Senate.

That language was unacceptable to the victims families, said state Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford. They did not want to see a repeat of the incident in Middletown that caused a little girl to lose her life.

The amended bill also included provisions requiring the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services to establish a working group to evaluate the PSRB, and report its findings to lawmakers in 2024.

The agency was also tasked with developing the plans for a new facility at Whiting. In March, the State Bond Commission approved $500,000 toward the development of such a plan, with the total cost expected to eventually reach $3 million.

In its notes on the agenda item, the bond commission noted the existing hospital facility is more than 50 years old and is already in need of repairs to its heating and cooling system, roof, sprinkler system and other essential building functions.

An interim report on plans for the new building is due to be completed by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and sent to lawmakers by Jan. 1, 2023.
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NEW HAVEN  As the United States gears up to accept a wave of Ukrainian refugees under a new streamlined humanitarian parole program, around 10 such refugees listened to U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal advocate for increased American aid during an Easter luncheon at New Havens St. Michael Ukrainian Church.

Blumenthal has been a proponent of boosting federal military and humanitarian aid as an embattled Ukraine faces a Russian invasion that has left hundreds of thousands of citizens displaced from the region.

On Sunday during the churchs Easter luncheon, Blumenthal vowed to continue pushing for that aid in Congress, while welcoming four Ukrainian refugee families who have recently moved into host homes in the state.

Sometimes all these world problems seem so big and far away, Blumenthal said. But we should use our freedom of speech, our democracy, all of our rights to tell the American people we should open our arms and hearts to ....everyone who is seeking freedom.

During his remarks, Blumenthal made a renewed push for the U.S. to send war weaponry to Ukraine, including arms, munitions and missiles, he said.

He also voiced support for a new bill making its way through Congress that would speed up a process that allows the U.S. to sell assets seized from Russian oligarchs and use the money to help Ukraine.

But much of the focus on Sunday was not on Congressional measures but on the people affected most by the invasion.

Blumenthals remarks come as the Biden administration recently announced a new streamlined process called Uniting for Ukraine that officials say will provide up to 100,000 Ukrainian citizens with a path to the U.S.

Simon Bobrovskii, 29 and Daria Sakhniuk, 27, are two refugees whose arrival in the United States fell right before the program was announced  they were granted temporary residency on April 16, just days before the Biden administration announced the streamlined process.

Sitting at lunch on Sunday, they said their own journey was filled with legal hurdles that kept them in limbo for weeks before then, unsure of whether or not they would make it into the country.

Bobrovskii and Sakhniuk are married and resided in Ukraine before fighting broke out, but because Bobrovskii is originally from Russia, the process became much more complicated, they said. Multiple attempts to secure temporary residency were thwarted.

The pair then came into contact with Dana Bucin, an immigration attorney based in Hartford. She put in a request to Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who sped the process along for Bobrovskii and Sakhniuk after weeks of delays, Bucin said.

For now, we are safe, Bobrovskii said, adding that they live with a host family in Cromwell. We are very grateful for that.

But, he said, they and many other Ukrainian refugees in the U.S. are still in limbo. Under the humanitarian parole process, they cannot work or have drivers licenses or they face deportation.

Bobrovskii and Sakhniuk want to be able to work to support themselves and send help back to Ukraine, they said.

We just want to be self-sufficient, Bobrovskii said. It would be great if the American government could change the procedure for Ukrainian refugees....we want to start helping ourselves with money, donations, whatever we can do to help. Were ready.
HARTFORD  Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Sunday night that he has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a Twitter post, Bronin said he took an at-home test after feeling congested. He added that his is experiencing some symptoms, but generally feels fine.

Grateful for these at-home tests. Remember that if you need test kits, theyre available at @HPLCT branches, Bronin wrote, pointing residents to the citys local library system.

Bronin, 42, was elected mayor of Connecticuts capital city in 2015. He was reelected in 2019.

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com
HARTFORD  Police are investigating a shooting that left a man in critical condition on Sunday night, officials said.

Officers responded to the 400 block of Park Street shortly after 8 p.m. for a report of gunfire, according to Lt. Aaron Boisvert, a spokesperson for the Hartford Police Department.

Upon arrival, officers located a male in his 30s suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency crews rushed him to a local hospital where he was listed in critical but stable condition.

Boisvert said the departments major crimes and crime scene divisions responded and assumed the investigation. No arrests have been announced in connection to the shooting.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Police ask that anyone with information about the case call the Hartford police tip line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com
HARTFORD  City police are investigating a Sunday evening shooting that left a man injured, officials said.

Police officers were dispatched shortly after 6:45 p.m. to the 200 block of Mather Street due to reported gunfire, according to Lt. Aaron Boisvert, a spokesperson for the Hartford Police Department.

Upon arrival, officers located evidence of gunfire. While investigators canvassed the scene, a victim suffering from gunshot wounds arrived at an area hospital, Boisvert said.

Boisvert said the victim, a male in his 30s, sustained injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. Police have not announced any arrests or named any suspects in connection to the shooting.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Police ask that anyone with information about the case call the department tip line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).

richard.chumney@hearstmediact.com
Contributed Photo / Justin Smith;via New Haven Fire Department

NEW HAVEN  An individual was sent to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening after a fire at an auto body shop Monday, according to a city official.

Firefighters were called to Gillette Auto Body on Middletown Avenue around 11:30 a.m. Monday. The fire was confined to the exhaust duct system, resulting in moderate damage. The blaze did not extend to any other parts of the building, and there was no structural damage, according to Rick Fontana, the citys Emergency Operations Director.
BYRON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP)  The body of a toddler reported missing Sunday morning has been found in a western Michigan creek.

Kent County sheriff's officials said searchers found Noah Jordan's body about 9 a.m. Monday in Byron Township, south of Grand Rapids.

He last was seen about 11:05 a.m. Sunday at a mobile home park about a mile away.

Monday's search was expected to focus on nearby Buck Creek. A water search was suspended about 9 p.m. Sunday due to safety reasons.

Oftentimes, kids just wander away," Sgt. Eric Brunner told WOOD-TV before the body was located. "One minute you see them and one minute you dont, so theres nothing to lead us to believe that there was anything suspicious or criminal in nature.
ATLANTA (AP)  A special grand jury was selected Monday for the investigation into whether former President Donald Trump and others illegally tried to influence the 2020 election in Georgia.

The investigation has been underway since early last year, and Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis took this unusual step of requesting the special grand jury to help it along. She noted in a letter to the chief judge that the special grand jury would be able to issue subpoenas to people who have refused to cooperate otherwise.

The chief judge ordered the special grand jury to be seated for a period of up to a year, beginning Monday. Of the pool of about 200 people called from the county master jury list, 26 were chosen to serve  23 grand jurors and three alternates. Special grand juries focus on investigating a single topic and making recommendations to the district attorney, who then decides whether to seek an indictment from a regular grand jury.

Because of the intense public interest in this case, the court made arrangements for parts of Monday's selection process to be broadcast live. Now that the special grand jury has been selected, however, everything it does will happen in secret.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, whos been tasked with overseeing the special grand jury, told the people summoned to the jury pool that they would not be hearing a trial, but would instead be serving on an investigative special grand jury looking into actions surrounding the 2020 general election.

Now its time for 26 members of our community to participate in that investigation, McBurney said.

Willis has confirmed that her team is looking into a January 2021 phone call in which Trump pushed Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find the votes needed for him to win the state. She has also said they are looking at a November 2020 phone call between U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and Raffensperger, the abrupt resignation of the U.S. attorney in Atlanta on Jan. 4, 2021, and comments made during December 2020 Georgia legislative committee hearings on the election.

It's not clear exactly what charges Willis could choose to pursue against Trump or anyone else. In a letter she sent to top-ranking state officials last year, she said she was looking into potential violations of Georgia law prohibiting the solicitation of election fraud, the making of false statements to state and local government bodies, conspiracy, racketeering, violation of oath of office and any involvement in violence or threats related to the elections administration.

McBurney said the grand jurors won't begin meeting until June and won't meet every week. They will be notified in advance of when they need to be there, and there's some wiggle room if they can't make it to every session as only 16 are needed for a quorum, he said.

McBurney then led the 200 potential grand jurors in swearing an oath to give truthful answers about their qualifications.

He explained that grand jurors must be at least 18, must be U.S. citizens and must have lived in Fulton County for the past six months. Anyone whos an elected official or has been for the last two years, anyone convicted of a felony or anyone whos served on a Fulton County jury or grand jury in the last year is not qualified to serve, McBurney said.

The investigation involves actions surrounding the 2020 general election, and it is important that grand jurors bring an open mind to the process, the judge said. Anyone who is already convinced that a crime did or did not happen should say they have a conflict when asked, McBurney said.

After identifying other potential conflicts  for example, plans to be out of the country for an extended time, having to care for someone after a major surgery  McBurney went through the first 100 potential jurors and asked them individually  addressing them only by number  to say whether they have a conflict. A quarter of the grand jurors said they had a conflict and the judge and prosecutors began questioning them privately to determine whether they could be excused. Then he closed the courtroom so he and prosecutors could speak privately with those selected.

While the district attorney's office will generally be steering the investigation, grand jurors will be able to question witnesses who appear before them. If they believe there are other witnesses they would like to hear from or documents they would like to see, they have the power to issue subpoenas.
Jon Lovette/Getty Images

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Mohegan Sun's Derby Day event kicks off at 10 a.m. at FanDuel Sportsbook, with drink specials including Woodford Reserve bourbon mint juleps and Kendall Jackson Chardonnay. Wear your best hat for the chance to win a $250 food and beverage credit. Wager $50 on the race and receive a free T-shirt (while supplies last.)
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WEST HARTFORD  A week after flyers from a neo-Nazi organization were found in town, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal announced Monday that federal funds are now available in the state to combat hate crimes.

Blumenthal said there would be $26 million in federal funding dedicated to combating hate crimes, including $5 million from the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act available to states and municipalities to improve hate crime reporting. The other $21 million will be allocated to the Department of Justices Community Relations Service, which provides consultation and assistance to communities.

A week ago, West Hartford police said flyers promoting the New England Nationalist Social Club were found in the Whitman Avenue, Fernridge Park, Walton Drive and Braeburn Road neighborhoods. The group is defined by the Anti-Defamation League as a neo-Nazi organization.

It happens to be a neo-Nazi group thats based mostly in Massachusetts and were seeing recent incursions into Connecticut, said Stacey Sobel, the Anti-Defamation League Connecticuts regional director. Many of these white supremacy groups do require that their members perform incidents of stickering and flyering. Were going to see this as these groups gain a foothold. Were going to see more of these incidents.

These kinds of flyers are just the most visible and most recent of the kind of vicious and insidious virus that continues to exist and spread in our society, Blumenthal said. Courage is contagious. We need to stand up to this kind of hatred.

West Hartford Police Chief Vernon Riddick said flyers were strewn about those neighborhoods. Some were thrown out of car windows while others were placed on property, he said. Police are continuing to investigate the incident, and that saying why those neighborhoods were chosen would be speculation.

Our federal partners are involved in this, Riddick said. Its a three-pronged attack. They operate in the darkness. We need the publics help on this. This is the epitome of community policing.

Blumenthal said the physical location of where the flyers were placed is not as important as the content of the flyers.

They degrade and desecrate anybody who is different, anybody who is not white, anybody who is not of their religion, Blumenthal said. Its more than a dog whistle. Its an overt appeal to prejudice and violence. Its a sign of spreading violent extremism in this country.

Sobel said the flyers are an example of the rising trend in antisemitic incidents in Connecticut and the country. A report from the Anti-Defamation League released last week said that antisemitic incidents were up 42 percent in the state in 2021.

When West Hartford woke up last week to find white supremacist flyers...strewn around this beautiful town, there is fear, Sobel said. That is why ADL is so incredibly grateful to Senator Blumenthal for his support of the NO HATE Act and the critical funding that will soon be available to Connecticut to improve monitoring and tracking of hate crimes.

The $5 million from the NO HATE Act will also be used to create hate crime hotlines that help connect victims to services that can support them and provide more training to law enforcement officers in order to better identify and investigate hate crimes.

Sobel said that reporting hate incidents is key to the work they can do, and that underreporting continues to be a problem.

We must first have complete and accurate data to understand the full scope and scale of hate motivated violence, Sobel said. Report incidents to ADL and ADL will work to improve current underreporting. One of the biggest deterrents to reporting hate incidents is fear. People are afraid to come forward and speak out. I know Connecticut is working on a system to improve data collection.

David Warren, the president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, said the rise in antisemitic behavior is alarming.

Never did we imagine the level of bigotry and the expansion of hate groups...and the explosion of hate crimes that we are now witnessing, Warren said. The keys to effectively combating these trends are laws, leadership and education. The measure of a community is not whether hate crimes occur. They will occur. The measure of a community is how it responds. We are committed to ensuring that our community remains inclusive, respectful and united in opposition to all forms of bigotry and hate.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday appraised the security situation in the country, insisting that the Boko Haram insurgency is now fadi...

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday appraised the security situation in the country, insisting that the Boko Haram insurgency is now fading, many suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and the Eastern Security Network, ESN, were arrested and a leader of the Islamic State of the West African Province (ISWAP) was recently killed.

Buhari said this while sending his best wishes to Muslims in Nigeria and all over the world, celebrating the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan as it reaches its end and Muslims mark the Eid.

This was contained in a statement by Buharis spokesman, Garba Shehu.

After a period of fasting and reflection, this year, we have cause to welcome the occasion in hope. The battle waged against terrorists who falsely masquerade under the name of Islam is approaching its conclusion, Buhari said.





The fight has been long and hard. The final victory is within sight. Boko Haram and its offshoots final members are now fading.





Last month, the leader of ISWAP was killed in an airstrike. Since the New Year, thousands of fighters have surrendered to enter rehabilitation programmes. The territories they used to occupy are now seeing the return of those who were forced to flee their barbarity.





With the designation of bandit groups as terrorists, the challenges of banditry and kidnapping are being tackled differently in the North-western and North Central states where the latest military acquisitions and the Armed Forces are being fanned out across the region to thwart acts of terror.





While we are making progress cleaning the environment, some evil people are busy causing more pollution and destruction.





In response to the disturbing rise in criminal attacks targeting law enforcement and public facilities in the South East, concerted military operations to rid the region of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) elements have, in recent weeks, led to the overrunning of IPOB/ESN bases, the seizure of weapons and the arrest of a large number of suspects. Eid Mubarak to all!
Sadiq Abdullahi, son of Ango Abdullahi, convener of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has been released by gunmen who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna...

Sadiq Abdullahi, son of Ango Abdullahi, convener of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has been released by gunmen who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train.

On March 28, a train on its way from Abuja to Kaduna was attacked by gunmen in Kateri-Rijana area of Kaduna state.

The train was said to have been a few minutes away from the Kaduna station when the incident occurred. Following the incident, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed 21 people as missing.

On Monday, a family member confirmed that Abdullahi was released on Friday after spending 31 days in captivity.

The relative, who spoke to The Nation , said the gunmen found out the identity of the NEF conveners son and had decided to negotiate with the family.

You see, thats why we are very careful now. Negotiations between the government and the terrorists for the release of our loved ones has reached an advanced stage, the family member told The Nation

We dont want to jeopardise the process now. We are sure the terrorists found out who Sadik was and later decided to negotiate for his freedom.

As of the time of filing the report, the family is yet to make an official statement regarding the development.
Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is encouraging corruption ...

Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja has said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is encouraging corruption due to the high cost of its expression of interest and nomination form fees.

Ladoja made this disclosure on Monday while addressing journalists shortly after he observed the two Rakah obligatory Eld-Fitri prayers which signifies the end of the one month Ramadan fast.

Recall that the APC had pegged its presidential nomination forms at N100 million.

But Ladoja while addressing journalists at his Bodija Ibadan residence, insisted that the high cost of nomination form would have a negative effect on the nations economy.

Ladoja said the aspirants who spent N100m to purchase the presidential form and those who spent N50m to purchase the gubernatorial form, would be forced to embezzle public funds when they eventually assumed the office.

He maintained that the high cost of nomination forms will further promote corruption among the elected public officeholders. He added that the party is only encouraging candidates to steal after their emergence.

Ladoja said, N100 million nomination form for President and N50 million for governor shows arrogance to the parties.

For the President, you are asked to come and take a form of N100m to seek a job of N56m, a salary of a governor is about seven million in a year, which means you are going to earn N28m for the four years and you are asked to pay N50m to seek a job of 28m.

If other parties can also win elections in some states, the arrogance of the two major political parties will go down, other political parties form is not as high as the two major once.

They should understand that they are not the masters, peoples are the masters, they are just stampeding people thinking that the people would vote for them either they like it or not.

What other plans should I have apart from protecting Ibadan land? I was a Governor of Oyo State. I am now the Osi Olubadan. My interest is about Ibadanland and Oyo State.
Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, says Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo wants to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari to continue with insecur...

Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, says Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo wants to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari to continue with insecurity and poverty.

On April 11, Osinbajo declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During the presidential declaration, the vice-president had said if he is elected president, he will complete the projects started by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on Sunday in an interview on Channels, the Afenifere leader criticised the Buhari-led federal government over its handling of the countrys security challenges.

Adebanjo accused the president of having a private agenda about the country while insisting that Buhari understands how to restructure the country to bring about peace.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo told them that the creation of state police is the solution to the countrys insecurity. Let each state take care of its own security. Let them be armed, the Afenifere leader said.

My view is that it is not that Buhari doesnt know, but he has a private agenda, which everybody does not want to admit.

Asked if he has evidence of the presidents private agenda, the Afenifere leader said the president has not come out to deny the repeated claim of having a private agenda.

I have evidence. When I said he has a private agenda. When has he come to the public to say who is saying I have a private agenda. I mean well. Why should I not create state police?

Since he (referring to the president) has been in office, has he addressed the nation during May Day? When he wants to talk to us, he goes abroad. What is he doing so well?

What is the value of the naira in 2015? What is the value now? How much were we buying petrol in 2015? How much is it now?





The vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, now said he wants to succeed him and continue his works and continue the insecurity and poverty.
Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, on Sunday paid a visit to Yoruba Nation campaigner, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho. Soyinkas med...





Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, on Sunday paid a visit to Yoruba Nation campaigner, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho.





Soyinkas media office in a statement confirmed the visit, with a picture showing Igboho with the Nobel laureate and leader of Yoruba self-determination group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Banji Akintoye.





Details of the meeting could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.





Soyinkas visit is coming weeks after the release of Igboho in Benin Republic.





Recall that Igboho was declared wanted by the Department of State Services (DSS), after the agency allegedly found arms at his residence.





He was arrested by the Interpol at a Benin airport on July 19, 2021, while boarding a flight to Germany after he fled his Ibadan residence.





Igboho was released on health grounds after spending about nine months in a detention facility in Benin Republic.





Igboho is agitating for the actualisation of the Yoruba nation.
Former Governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has urged the leadership, members and teeming supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, ...





Former Governor of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has urged the leadership, members and teeming supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state to consider the larger interest of the party, especially in their utterances and actions on the issues arising from the PDP Ward Congress for the election of a three-man ad hoc delegates in the state.





Ihedioha, who stated this on Monday in a release made available by his media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, informed that efforts are ongoing to resolve all the issues that arose from the Congress.





He said In whatever we do and the interests we are pursuing, we must, without a second thought, ensure that we place the interests of the party above any other considerations or bias. That is the only way to remain a strong and united party.





The former Deputy Speaker reiterated his confidence in the leadership of the National Chairman, Senator Iyorcha Ayu as a man of integrity to dispassionately resolve all the issues.





I am confident that our National Chairman, His Excellency Senator Dr Iyorcha Ayu a man of integrity, fairness and justice look into the issues and address them to the satisfaction of members and in the interest of the party, he said.





Hon. Ihedioha commended the Engr. Charles Ugwu-led Executive Committee of the party for their commitment and untiring efforts to reposition the party and enjoined members to continue to stand with the leadership of the party as they take all necessary steps to restore calm.
The Church of Scientologys Flag Building is pictured on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in downtown Clearwater, Fla. Martha Asencio Rhine/Tampa Bay Times
The Cabildo is one of the stars of New Orleans' architecture. We all know that.

By virtue of its front-and-center locale on Jackson Square, right there between St. Louis Cathedral and the upper Pontalba building.

By virtue of its stately neoclassical style, topped by that iconic cupola and retrofitted mansard roof.

By virtue of the staggering amount of history it has witnessed in its 223 years.

But turn the corner and walk a couple of dozen steps off the square, and youll find an often overlooked but equally fascinating building  one also central to the citys history  hiding in plain sight on St. Peter Street, hard against the Cabildos rear.

A three-story structure also built in the classical style  Greek Revival, to be specific  it is considerably smaller than the Cabildo, but its monolithic in its own right, appearing as if it were carved out of a single block of stone on the site, like New Orleans answer to Petra.

Its facade is dominated by four square pilasters  made, like the rest of the building, of red brick covered in stucco  that stretch up from their granite base to an entablature spanning the width of the building. Over that are three attic windows, two of which are covered by decorative cannons that offer a hint of the buildings place in the citys history.

An additional hint can be found in the form of the main entrance, which consists of two studded, iron-sheathed doors of the kind youd expect to find on a fortress. Wrought-iron lattice protects the three-story windows flanking them.

At the buildings less-formal rear, which abuts Pirate Alley, two additional decorative cannons  crossed, with a pile of cannonballs beneath them and a torch above  are affixed to the wrought-iron railing on a second-floor balcony.

The balcony also bears the initials LL, for Louisiana Legion.

So, given the distinct military flavor woven into its architectural DNA, what was the building at 600 St. Peter St. originally?

It was the old Louisiana Armory, also known simply as the Arsenal, which has been standing stoically as an architectural rear guard for the Cabildo for more than 180 years, since 1839.

It wasnt the first building on the site. Dating back as far as 1728, a French prison stood there previously. Like so many of the citys earliest structures, it burned in the Good Friday fire of 1788. Rebuilt by the Spanish, it burned again in the fire of 1793, and was then rebuilt again.

It was in this last iteration of the so-called Calabozo, or calaboose, that Pierre Lafitte  brother of privateer Jean Lafitte  was said to have been held, and from which he escaped, in 1814, just before helping defend the city in January 1815 in the Battle of New Orleans.

New building, new purpose

The calaboose stood until 1837, when it was razed and, by order of the state Legislature, replaced by a building at least two stories high and so constructed as to contain twenty pieces of artillery, and ten thousand stands of arms; and that the sum of twenty thousand dollars be appropriated for that purpose.

Noted local architect James Dakin earned the contract to design and build it  a job that, conveniently, came in at exactly $20,000 (about $600,000 in 2022). Of that, $500 covered the plans, with $19,500 earmarked for construction, according to the building contract.

Before the Civil War, it was occupied by the Orleans Artillery. By the time hostilities commenced in 1861, it had become the headquarters of Confederate Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard (and a storehouse for military supplies, naturally).

That lasted only until 1862, which is when the city  and the Arsenal  were occupied by Union troops, who, in an unwitting nod to the previous buildings on the site, used it as a military prison, as well as a headquarters building.

Notorious past

Even after the war ended, it still saw action, serving for a time as an arsenal for the Metropolitan Police  the same force that was memorably routed by the White League in 1874s notorious Battle of Liberty Place.

Immediately after the fray, police officers retreated into the Arsenal before eventually being driven out. For three days, the league  White supremacists, as the name suggests  reportedly occupied the Arsenal, along with City Hall and the State House, before scurrying away upon the arrival of federal troops sent to town to restore order.

It was subsequently used as a state arsenal until 1914, when it was transferred to the Louisiana State Museum, where  as a Battle Abbey  it for a time housed a collection of war relics.

Today, the state museum still owns the building, operating it as part of the Cabildo complex for various purposes  including as recently as 2016 as the home of a music stage during Satchmo Summerfest.

No weapons are allowed.

Sources: The Times-Picayune archives; Library of Congress; Historic American Buildings Survey.

Know of a New Orleans building worth profiling in this column, or just curious about one? Contact Mike Scott at moviegoermike@gmail.com.
Antonio Reynoso was a student of Manuel Alvarez-Bravo, arguably the most important Mexican photographer of the 20th century. Like Bravo, Reynoso pursued a style of photography that blended its documentary capacity with its ability to restage moments of the world as surreal, almost haunted fragments of life.

In the 1941 image "El Espirito de Los Vivos (Spirit of the Living)," an offering of candles and flower petals are strewn on the ground, but ones sense of the scale of the place is challenged by the framing, creating a picture that is at once both descriptive and abstract.

Anchored by the titles reference to spirit, the image is also a fitting photograph for Cinco de Mayo, a holiday that commemorates the Mexican armys victory over the larger, and better equipped French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

The holiday has become a symbol of the spirit of the Mexican people, who won despite being outnumbered 2 to 1 by an army that had not been defeated in half a century.

Reynoso was also an important filmmaker, and his interest in the cinematic is apparent even in this still image, which feels like the end, or the beginning of a much longer story.

This photograph, which was acquired recently, is part of the New Orleans Museum of Art's effort to increase its representation of Latinx photography and, in particular, historical images in the permanent collection.

We invite anyone with expertise in the subject to reach out and join the conversation at rlord@noma.org or bpiper@noma.org.

+2 Discovery of extinct bird skeletons was documented in early photo In this image by Daniel Louis Mundy, Julius Haast stands among the skeletal remains of several moa birds that he unearthed. They are on displa

+2 Aviator and photographer chronicled herself in unflinching self-portraits Anne Noggle was an aviator, photographer, curator and professor. She received her pilots license at age 17, and at 21 she was flying missions
The beef daube po-boy at Breakaways R&B in the Marigny couldve come from another era of New Orleans cooking. The crawfish etouffee, buttery and just the right kind of peppery, couldve come off a grandmothers stove after a springtime boil.

The fries are a persuasive demonstration of the powers of persillade, garlicky and irresistibly aromatic.

But perhaps the most remarkable thing is how this all comes through a tavern that just opened this year.

How often can you walk into a brand-spanking-new restaurant and feel immediately like it has been there for ages? New Orleans surely brings more opportunities than most places, given the contours of our old buildings and the shared language around our food.

But its been a long time since anything made such a strong impression in this regard as Breakaways. This is a bar, with suitably late hours and the quirks and characters that bars gather. Its also a showcase for some New Orleans heritage foods and how they relate today.

Its an old-school approach joined with a modern sensibility for how many New Orleans people eat today. That means vegan dishes that arent just an accommodation, but an integral part of the menu.

Breakaways was created by Olivia and Paul Artigues. The address was last known as the Lost Love Lounge, which lasted a decade as a Marigny neighborhood bar before closing in the pandemic.

New take on old school

Artigues has made his name both in New Orleans food and music. As a drummer hes a longtime collaborator with Guitar Lightnin Lee. As a chef, he spent years as the chef/owner of the Green Goddess in the French Quarter. Hurricane Ida proved the last blow through the travails of the pandemic, and Green Goddess closed last fall.

If the global, vegetarian-friendly style at Green Goddess was always hard to pin down, Breakaways is the opposite. It is immediately familiar from the school of New Orleans joints that show little curb appeal but can make magic with the pots and pans.

Too often, I find myself writing about such places because theyre closing, and the pandemic was especially rough. When Averys on Tulane closed, for instance, it spelled the end for a relatively young restaurant working in this old-school style.

Breakaways is an example of a place reviving the ranks, while also moving the style forward a bit.

Creole, with extra garlic

The daube resembles a roast beef po-boy, but it is not the same thing. Its a preparation that merges the braising techniques of the French kitchen with the all-day simmering red sauce of Italian cooking. It is a Creole creation through and through.

The beef is not just falling-apart tender but cooked down to the point where it comes back together as something new  soft, beefy and not even sloppy because of how bound up the gravy is to the meat. It is halfway to a sauce, a ragu, and Breakaways also serves it over noodles and over fries.

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And those fries. Each time a cook carries a plate through the bar, the persillade topping  that commingled might of garlic, parsley and oil  leaves an aromatic trail you can practically see, and can definitely taste. The fries themselves are cooked to a dark done-ness, with variation of size and texture to carry this sauce along.

The same persillade transforms the tofu po-boy into something so tasty I can no longer scoff at the idea of a tofu po-boy. It sticks to fried wedges of tofu stacked up on the loaf with a vegan aioli and a crisp mirliton slaw that brings to mind a banh mi.

The gumbo at Breakaways is a shrimp and okra version that reminds me of the gumbos from certain restaurants in Acadiana that take such pride in the dish they serve different specialized versions. This one is a seafood gumbo, but its as much about the okra as the shrimp and their interplay in a deep, dark roux.

Big salads, boozy sno-balls

Heres a tavern that takes obvious pride in its salads. The citrus salad looks like a flower from the side of a Mardi Gras float, in spectacle and even in proportions. A light citrusy dressing goes over the layers of spinach and pickled ribbons of fennel and onions, with a nice crunch from toasty pecans and puffed rice.

The dining room in back is windowless and feels hidden. The bar up front is more the personality of Breakaways, including its dual role as a straight-up bar for drinks.

There are somewhat better wines than youd expect from a corner bar, and also a specialty in sno-ball cocktails. Artigues often works the sno-ball machine himself, rattling out a cup full of sno, the base for a bubble gum-pink version (called Pretty Baby) with vodka and nectar cream, or a mint julip or a sno-y rendition of the coffee-based cafe brulot.

The jukebox glows in the corner, stocked with CDs, a throwback from the days when a playlist meant someone burned a mix. It unfurls like the best set youve ever heard on WWOZ  lots of Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, the Meters and Irma Thomas.

This taverns name comes from one of Thomas famous hits, Break-A-Way, with the R&B part denoting restaurant and bar.

It also seems apt for a kitchen that is breaking away from trends to bring back something deeply rooted in New Orleans.

Breakaways R&B

2529 Dauphine St., (504) 571-5179

Thu.-Mon., 4 p.m.-midnight (til 1 a.m. Fri., Sat.)

+15 With Creole, Caribbean and cocktails, Afrodisiac brings vibrant new restaurant to Gentilly The barbecue shrimp at Afrodisiac are big, beautiful and buttery. Theyre also spicy, though not in the usual black pepper way of the New Orle

+9 Ian McNulty: This crawfish starts with garlic butter, adds cultural pride, makes statement Crawfish is a Louisiana staple that seems endlessly open for customization. Gather any number of people around a boiling pot and you can have 
A Lafayette, Louisiana parent concerned about Lafayette Public Library book and content limitations wrote the Brooklyn Public Library to seek an eCard for a 13-year-old son. The Brooklyn library system launched a youth cCard program for those 13-21 anywhere to access its large collection.
Hong Kong: COVID-19 daily cases drop to 283

Among the new cases, 11 are imported while the rest are locally infected.

A total of 1,192,162 people have contracted the virus since the onset of the fifth wave of the epidemic, involving 9,105 deaths.

Separately, taking into consideration of the service demand for general out-patient clinics services and the recent development of epidemic situation, the Hospital Authority (HA) today announced that it will resume the services of 10 general out-patient clinics from tomorrow.

The existing 23 HA designated clinics will continue to provide service and support for the COVID-19 confirmed patients in the community especially those in high-risk categories.

Meanwhile, the Government made a restriction-testing declaration to cover Block 4, Serenity Place in Tseung Kwan O, requiring people in the restricted area to undergo compulsory testing before the specified deadline.

Due to a number of positive cases, 40 specified places are included in a compulsory testing notice.

As there were positive sewage test results with relatively high viral loads in several housing estates in Tuen Mun, Kowloon City, Sai Kung, Sham Shui Po, Tsuen Wan and Yau Tsim Mong, the respective district offices will distribute COVID-19 rapid test kits to relevant residents as well as cleaning workers and property management staff working there.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.

This story has been published on: 2022-05-02. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf signs a condolence book for the victims of a terrorist attack, at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, May 1, 2022. On Tuesday, an explosion ripped through a shuttle passenger van of the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi, leaving three Chinese teachers dead, one Chinese teacher injured and causing several Pakistani casualties. (Photo by Ahmad Kamal/Xinhua)

ISLAMABAD, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan will make every effort to fight terrorism and bring the perpetrators of Tuesday's terrorist attack which killed three Chinese teachers to justice, Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said here on Sunday.

He made the remarks during a visit to the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, when he expressed condolences to the Chinese side over the loss of lives in the attack, saying that the National Assembly strongly condemns it.

On Tuesday, an explosion ripped through a shuttle passenger van of the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi, leaving three Chinese teachers dead, one Chinese teacher injured and causing several Pakistani casualties.

Pakistan will spare no effort to arrest the perpetrators of this terrorist attack and ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions in the country, he said, adding that Chinese friends from afar have made important contributions to Pakistan-China friendship, and are very respected guests of the Pakistani people.

He stressed Pakistan does not allow such incidents to damage the Pakistan-China friendship, which is a model of state-to-state relations.

Pang Chunxue, charge d'affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, thanked Ashraf for his visit, noting that China strongly condemns the terrorist attack and has asked the Pakistani side to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

China will work with Pakistan to combat terrorism and further promote bilateral ties, she added. 
Well, the first week of Jazz Fest 2022 is officially in the books. Despite some early rain Sunday, you couldn't have asked for a more beautiful weekend to hang out at the track with tens of thousands of your closest friends listening to amazing music, stuffing your face with delicious food and getting nice and lubricated with lots of cold ones.

If ya couldn't make it over the festival (or you got a little too lubricated on the cold ones and can't quite remember it all), not to worry! We've pulled together all of our daily coverage of the festival year, including our live blogs and wrap stories, a guide to vegetarian feasting at the fest and photo essays made by our incredibly talented cousins in the Times_Picayune photo department. So get ready to feel your FOMO or remember some memories you'd lost to the booze!

Friday April 29

Gambit's Jazz Fest 2022 Live Blog: Friday, April 29 Gambit will be out every day of Jazz Fest 2022. Keep up with our live blog.

+5 Jazz Fest Day One: We Are The World (trying to get back to normal remix) Day one of Jazz Fest 2022 was just like the last three years had never happened. It was so right, so human to be in giant crowds! Classic, per

Saturday April 30

Gambit's Jazz Fest 2022 Live Blog: Saturday, April 30 Jazz Fest is finally happening, y'all! Our staff will be on the ground each day covering it all: We'll be sampling food, checkin' out the art,

Jazz Fest Day Two: Who Are You The Who took the main festival stage at Jazz Fest late Saturday and jumped right into "Who Are You." Pete Townshend threw in a few windmills a

Sunday May 1

Gambit's Jazz Fest 2022 Live Blog: Sunday, May 1 Gambit's staff will be on the ground each day of Jazz Fest, covering it all: We'll be sampling food, checkin' out the art, watching tons of li
Corey Ledet is dedicating his talents to keeping Creole and zydeco traditions alive, and has drawn two Grammy nominations in recent years.

Though raised in Houston, Ledets family is from South Louisiana, and his Creole heritage has always influenced his way of life and music. Hes a talented multi-instrumentalist who plays accordion, drums, washboard, bass and rhythm guitar, and the fiddle  plus he sings in both English and in Kouri-Vini, a distinct Creole dialect of St. Martin Parish. Notable influences include Clifton Chenier, John Delafose and Boozoo Chavis.

Ledet says he hits the road as much as possible to play in New Orleans, two hours away from his home in the tiny town of Parks in St. Martin Parish.

Any time I can get over there, Im there, he says.

The COVID-19 shutdowns and the loss of gigs spurred him to get a day job in an Amazon warehouse, but hes been steadily booking more shows and hopes the momentum will continue long after festival season ends.

Recently, Ledet jammed at French Quarter Fest with Soul Creole, which he describes as an improvisational Francophone group. We dont really practice or rehearse, he says. We kinda just get up there and play whatever pops into our heads.

At Jazz Fest, hes looking forward to playing songs off Corey Ledet Zydeco, which was released last year on Louis Michot's Nouveau Electric Records and was nominated for a 2022 Grammy.

3 p.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, May 5

Sheraton New Orleans Fais-Do-Do Stage
The big stage headliners

All the Louisiana acts

The food  I ate my way through the festival

Just being on the Fair Grounds with friends again

Vote

View Results
A body was found in the Mississippi River early Monday near Crescent Park in New Orleans, according to authorities.

Update: Body is missing 15-year-old boy, Kevin Poole Jr., family says

It wasn't immediately clear if the body belongs to one of the three missing children who were swept away April 23 near Algiers Point. Authorities have been searching for the children for more than a week.

New Orleans police and members of the U.S. Coast Guard were at the scene Monday morning. The Coast Guard assisted with retrieving the body from the river, according to New Orleans Police Department spokesman Reese Harper.

He declined to release more information, including the gender and approximate age.

Search for missing children

The three children were swept away last Saturday night from the Algiers river bank near the Crescent City Connection.

Brandy Wilson, 14, slipped and fell into the water. Her boyfriend, Kevin Poole Jr., 15, and her sister, Ally Berry-Wilson, 8, tried to help her, but they fell in as well.

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Family members have been holding a vigil on the levee, watching silently beneath umbrellas, hoisting framed pictures of the children and releasing balloons.

'Most treacherous bodies of water'

The NOPD, St. Charles Police Department, Cajun Navy and Coast Guard have searched at least 93 miles of the river using boat crews, dive teams, helicopters and underwater sonogram.

Mark Michaud, a retired Slidell police officer who volunteers with agencies to retrieve bodies from the river, has been focusing with other divers on an area about 100 feet away from the bank starting under the westbound span of the Crescent City Connection and stretching downriver about 700 feet. They have been using a high-tech underwater rover owned by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office.

Experts say the Mississippi River is a notoriously dangerous place for those who find themselves in the water. The force of the current, 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.

Reggie Ford, who lives near Crescent Park, said he swam in the Mississippi River when he was a child and that access to public pools and beaches was limited. He came close to drowning once, and he has seen multiple bodies surface near the wharfs since he moved to the area in 1989.

"When they find the bodies, they're usually between here (Crescent Park's Piety Street wharf) and the Governor Nicholls wharf," said Ford, who mounted a weeklong volunteer search effort for the missing children using a friend's boat. "This is the spot. Everything comes here. It could be anybody. Keep your eyes on the water. They've got to come up."

Staff writer Chad Calder contributed to this story.
A man who was killed in a shooting last week in the Irish Channel has been identified by the coroner.

MacArthur Spellman was 24, according to Jason Melancon, the spokesman for the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office.

The shooting was reported to authorities at 11:09 p.m. Thursday in the 500 block of Second Street (map). Spellman was shot multiple times and died at the scene, police said.

An arrest has not been made in the case.

No other details were immediately available, including a possible motive or a description of a shooter. Anyone with information should call NOPD Det. Walter Edmond at (504) 658-5300 or Crimestoppers at (504) 822-1111.
At least four prominent garbage collectors, three locally owned and one national, are competing to take over trash collections for a large swath of New Orleans, after the city closed bids Friday for two long-term contracts.

The group includes two pairs of courtroom combatants who have squared off in bare-knuckled legal spats over the last decade and a half.

Waste Management, a national firm, and River Birch, which owns the areas busiest landfill, in Waggaman, last year settled a bitter, 10-year dispute alleging racketeering on the part of River Birch. Meanwhile, IV Waste and Ramelli Waste are facing one another in a pair of nasty lawsuits stemming from a feud over the trash collection contract in Kenner.

Representatives of those companies confirmed their bids in interviews. Though the proposals are public records, Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration refused to turn over any information about them Monday, so its unclear if there were additional bidders. The contracts split into two the area where Metro Service Group now collects.

The city plans to make its selections by the end of next week.

Metro has been struggling to pick up its routes since before Hurricane Ida blew through in August. Ida exacerbated those struggles, and Cantrells administration eventually hired IV Waste to service about 15% of Metros routes.

Metro did not submit a bid for the new contract. For months, administration officials have publicly deplored the companys performance, making Metro appear a longshot for a renewal.

Richards Disposal, which collects garbage in the upriver half of the city, did not submit a bid either.

Under their existing contracts, Richard's and Metro are each paid about $11 million a year based on the number of units, or addresses, they collect from.

The new deals are structured as professional services contracts, meaning that under public bid laws, the city is not required to choose the company with the lowest price.

River Birch, Ramelli and IV Waste said they put in proposals to take over the western portion of the service area  which includes Lakeview, Gentilly, the 7th Ward, Faubourg Marigny and Bywater. River Birch, Ramelli and Waste Management also submitted a bid for the eastern portion, which includes New Orleans East and the Lower 9th Ward.

IV Waste owner Sidney Torres IV and Robert Ramelli both pointed to their previous experience hauling for the city as evidence that theyre capable of handling the work. River Birch, meanwhile, owns about 200 trucks and holds contracts to collect trash in St. Charles and Lafourche parishes, on the north shore and on the west bank of Jefferson Parish, a spokesman said.

Amid Metros struggles, IV Waste took over about 10 of the companys routes in October. Ramelli has worked as a subcontractor for Richards Disposal.

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Torres earlier company, SDT Waste & Debris, and Ramellis company got started in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, helping to clean up the French Quarter and parts of Kenner.

Ramelli was eventually hired as Kenners long-term hauler, but abruptly lost that work in 2020 to IV Waste. Ramelli filed suit, alleging Torres illegally used Ramellis equipment and attempted to poach some of Ramellis employees. Torres denied those allegations; the suit is still pending in Orleans Parish.

The dispute between River Birch and Waste Management included even more intrigue.

Waste Management, one of the largest garbage companies in North America, more than a decade ago accused River Birch owners Fred Heebe and Jim Ward of paying bribes and using other unfair business practices in an attempt to corner the regional landfill market.

Heebe and Ward denied the allegations. The parties settled a federal lawsuit for an undisclosed amount last June.

The citys bid solicitation asked that firms submit proposals for both once-weekly and twice-weekly collection schedules. The city halved its collections schedule to once a week in the fall, and no one has said if or when collections will return to twice a week.

Solicitation for the contracts had been in the works for months, but the solicitation wasnt released until March 25.

In the meantime, the city has been paying 33% more for garbage services than it was before Ida, while service has been halved.

The additional costs have included IV Wastes emergency contract, which has stretched seven months and climbed above $1 million in paid work.

A bigger factor still has been the citys decision to reopen a waste transfer station in New Orleans East. Overseen by Waste Management, that facility has cost taxpayers $3.1 million since October.

The citys solicitation stipulated the transfer station would remain open, and that haulers would have the option to dump there or at River Birch landfill in Jefferson Parish.

The transfer station, which is much closer than River Birch to most of the neighborhoods in Metros service area, has helped speed up collection. Officials said they hoped that might contribute to lower bids. It was impossible to tell Monday: None of the bidders wanted to discuss specifics of their proposals before city officials and a selection panel pore over them.

Metro had been picking up for the city since 2007, when former Mayor Ray Nagin split the citys trash collection routes  all of which had previously been serviced by Waste Management  into two areas.
And now some headlines: The New Orleans Saints are moving to San Antonio. The price of crawfish dropped below $1 a pound. A new state law bans concealed carry of firearms in public places.

Obviously, none of that is true. But if any of those stories had been reported by local newsrooms last week, the state would still be in an uproar.

Well, real news with immense impact on Louisiana did break last week: Louisianas Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority reported that coastal communities could see $5.5 billion in damages annually from climate change starting next year.

And the reaction from residents was generally: Did you see how much crawfish costs now?

Theres a lot to unpack here, none of it is good news for our state. It involves the steady march of science and the depressing cultural reasons Louisiana refuses to face reality. Both demand quick action for anyone counting on a livable future here beyond the next 30 years.

First, the damage predicted comes from the increasing impacts of global warming already underway: higher storm surge from the combination of larger hurricanes and unrelenting subsidence and sea level rise.

Second, the prediction is based on what would happen if the state immediately ended its Coastal Master Plan. No one expects that to happen, but just six years ago the same metrics predicted only $2.7 billion in annual damages.

What changed? The worlds inability to address the engine driving warming and its impacts: rising greenhouse gas emissions primarily from fossil fuel use. Indeed, CPRA models in 2017 concluded major hurricanes in the Gulf are expected to increase in frequency by 13% to 83% over the next 50 years.

Third, this is another sign that the Coastal Master Plan is due for some serious revisions. When introduced 15 years ago, the plan projected its projects would be rebuilding more wetlands than were being lost in aggregate by 2067.

That promise was withdrawn in the 2017 plan, which concluded by 2067 we will have lost an additional 1,200 to 2,800 square miles of our bottom third  even if all projects were built and working optimally. What changed? Emissions are pushing sea level even higher than anticipated.

Fourth, this news came the same week reporting showed the revamped, risk-based National Flood Insurance Plan might cause premiums to rise by more than 450% in parts of New Orleans and nearly 900% in areas of Covington.

Notice the term risk-based. Last weeks report of $5.5 billion in annual damages is based on the risk drawn from the science. Just how high will premiums have to rise to convince an insurance company to gamble on that kind of risk? And what bank will approve a mortgage for a home or business without flood insurance in an area with such high flooding risk?

Is there a way out?

Not completely.

According to the science, the heat already stored in the oceans will continue to power sea level rise and larger storms for decades.

However, there is still time to take steps to slow the increase of risk and mitigate the damage with adaptations. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  consisting of the smartest people on the planet on this science  estimate the world has about 8 years to reduce current emissions by about 50%.

That can only be done with serious government regulations.

And that brings us back to the lack of concern generated by that real news from the CPRA.

In representative government, determining political responsibility for inaction can be a chicken-and-egg proposition. Should politicians lead or only follow the wishes of their constituents?

But as long as Louisiana voters continue to pay little heed to stories about the science warning of impending disaster and reelect politicians who show the same lack of concern, theres only one conclusion.

There are no eggs in this situation, only chickens.

Bob Marshall, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Louisiana environmental journalist, can be reached at bmarshallenviro@gmail.com, and followed on Twitter @BMarshallEnviro.
Kids in Lafayette can no longer go to the library and find This Book is Gay in the youth section. Both the book and the entire teen nonfiction section were recently moved to adult nonfiction.

A documentary called "Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood can only be checked out by those 17 years of age and older because some Lafayette patrons consider the documentary about same-sex partners in Hollywood to be too risque, controversial and, in the words of one patron, evil."

A few patrons challenged the Ruston-based Lincoln Parish Public Library, saying some books featuring gay and lesbian characters and relationships should not be available. They couldnt stand the idea of people unlike them being represented in the free content offered by their local library. The library leadership decided to keep the content available, but restrict access. Only adults can check it out.

Louisiana is not alone.

According to the American Library Association, books and other library content are challenged and sometimes banned or restricted every year. In 2021, the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom identified 729 library, school and university books and other content challenges involving more than 1,500 books. Not every challenge results in removals or restrictions. But these challenges are monitored by the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom  and theyre watching Louisiana.

Too often too few people want to control where we go, how we gain knowledge and perspective, and what we do with our bodies. They want to control what we  and our kids  read. Though a number of challenges nationally have included such important books as "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison and "The 1619 Project" by Nikole Hannah-Jones, much of the attention has been on LGBTQ materials.

When some people pursue such limitations, they push people to see what all the hubbub is about, driving up sales, digital views and library visits.

The massive Brooklyn Public Library is helping by supporting the ALAs Freedom to Read with words and actions.

Louisiana youth and kids across the nation can access banned and restricted books and other content by asking for a Brooklyn library eCard. Youth ages 13-21 can email a short explanation sharing concerns about their local libraries and why they want access. The Brooklyn library system has 61 libraries, and our youth can access 350,00 e-books, 200,000 audiobooks and more than 100 databases. In addition, several often challenged books are available without holds and with unlimited access. They include the Morrison and Hannah-Jones books, plus "The Black Flamingo" by Dean Atta, "Tomboy" by Liz Prince, "Juliet Takes a Breath" by Gabby Rivera, "On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong and "Lawn Boy" by Jonathan Evison. No parent approval needed.

Since the Brooklyn library launched the program in April, about 3,000 people have requested access, including a number of Louisiana kids and parents who want their children to have access to diverse content.

One Lafayette parent of a 13-year-old boy sought an eCard based on the recent goings-on in that lovely community.

We adore our library system and its terrifying watching it get dismantled, the parent wrote. We really appreciate what the Brooklyn Public Library is doing.

A local 19-year-old wrote with concerns that the Louisiana Legislature might follow Floridas content ban, further limiting access to books and knowledge. The youth said teens at a local library push to include more diverse content.

I would love to have an eBPL card and be able to access books and resources that I wouldnt otherwise be able to, and to share these resources with my friends and peers who are facing similar challenges and obstacles, the youth wrote.

It cost libraries to provide free access to all types of content. The Brooklyn library system can provide this open youth content access because donors are stepping up to push back against book and content bans. They have enough contributions that the program launched and continues, for a limited time.

There are 340 public libraries in our state, including 64 parish libraries and three municipal libraries. Fortunately, only Lafayette and Lincoln Parishes are ALAs radar.

I want kids eager to read, excited to learn and interested in exploring people and characters like them and unlike them.

Im certain there are one, two or three that would love to broaden access and expand reading for our youth. If you or someone you know can help, get it going by contacting your local library or reach out to the ALA so that Louisiana can join the Freedom to Read.
Caverion Corporation Investor news 2 May 2022 at 1.00 p.m. EEST

HELSINKI, Finland , May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Caverion acquires Wind Controller, a Finnish service company in the wind power industry

Caverion has today closed an agreement to acquire the shares of the Finnish service company Wind Controller ("WiCo"). WiCo is the leading technical consultant and service provider for the Finnish wind power industry. Its customer base includes turbine suppliers and wind farm owners, operators and developers. By entering the wind power segment, Caverion widens its offering in the energy sector. The transaction complements Caverion's strong expertise in the energy industry and supports its growth strategy.

WiCo is based in Oulu, Finland and provides technical consulting services for the energy industry in Northern Europe. It has approximately 40 employees and its revenue was EUR 5.1 million in 2021. The purchase price is not disclosed.

Driven by the megatrends of sustainability and carbon neutrality, the rapidly growing wind power capacity in Finland increases the demand for related services. WiCo provides its customers remote monitoring and control services of wind farms, maintenance and repairs of critical safety equipment and inspections for wind turbines and farms.

"In 10 years WiCo has grown into a well-known provider of renewable energy services. Caverion's service network and energy industry capabilities provide us great opportunities to serve our existing customers better, further widen our customer base and scale our operations to respond to the demand created by the growing wind power capacity," says Kari Koivikko, Managing Director of Wind Controller.

"This acquisition is a natural addition to Caverion's energy sector offering that currently includes, for instance, operation and maintenance of power plants, industrial heat pumps and district heating networks as well as construction and maintenance of electricity distribution systems. We are pleased to be able to support our customers even better in the ongoing energy transition and welcome new experts to join us. We also believe that Caverion's existing knowledge and capabilities bring additional value to the acquired business," says Elina Engman, Executive Vice President, Caverion Industry.

CONTACT:

For more information, please contact:

Karoliina Joensuu, Head of Region Energy, Caverion Industry, tel. +358 50 412 0546, karoliina.joensuu@caverion.com

Milena Hggstrom, Head of Investor Relations and External Communications, Caverion Corporation, tel. +358 40 5581 328, milena.haeggstrom@caverion.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/caverion/r/caverion-acquires-wind-controller--a-finnish-service-company-in-the-wind-power-industry,c3558062

The following files are available for download:
NREL Water Power Successes Featured in WPTO Accomplishments Report

From River-Powered Villages to Hydropower Regulations, NREL Projects Earn Spotlight in Water Power Technologies Office 20202021 Accomplishments Report

This year, several of the National Renewable Energy Laboratorys (NREL's) recent water power successes earned spots in the U.S. Department of Energys Water Power Technologies Offices (WPTO) 20202021 Accomplishments Report.

This report highlights numerous achievements and results from WPTO-supported research across our Hydropower and Marine Energy programs, wrote Jennifer Garson, director of WPTO, in a letter introducing the report. Collectively, these efforts are helping our country transition to a clean energy economy while supporting the resilience of communities already experiencing the effects of climate change.

NRELs contributions include novel water power data, tools, and technologies. For example, the laboratorys researchers helped install a device that generates clean energy from river currents for the remote Alaskan village of Igiugig, analyzed challenges posed by the hydropower permitting process, and developed award-winning software so marine energy developers can hone their technology designs.

Hydropower Program

I AM Hydro Prize Winners Use Advanced Manufacturing To Reduce Costs of Hydropower Components

In this NREL-managed competition, 11 winning teams received cash prizes to decrease hydropower construction costs through new manufacturing methods and materials. Competitors concepts included low-cost, customizable, 3D-printed turbines for small hydropower systems, retrofitting of nonpowered dams using 3D-concrete printing, additive manufacturing combined with robotics to improve repairs, artificial intelligence to optimize turbines, antifouling coating for hydropower cost reductions, and magnets to increase generator efficiency and lower energy-production costs.

The Groundbreaking Hydro Prize aims to encourage the development of new ideas to cut the costs, timelines, and risks associated with hydropower development. Graphic by NREL

Groundbreaking Hydro Prize Winners Develop Concepts To Reduce Costs and Time for Building Foundations for Hydropower Projects

In April 2021, WPTO announced the two winners of the Groundbreaking Hydro Prize, an NREL-run competition. The prize challenged innovators to create new solutions to support hydropower project development by starting at square one: the foundation.

New Curricula Pumps Up the Future Hydropower Workforce

The long-established hydropower industry needs to revitalize its workforce and develop high-demand skills to meet growing U.S. energy demand. In 2021, NREL collaborated with the National Energy Education Development Project to create a hydropower curriculum that helps primary, elementary, intermediate, and secondary students learn about the water cycle, kinetic energy transformations, and electricity.

New Report Examines the U.S. Hydropower Permitting Process

A report, titled An Examination of the Hydropower Licensing and Federal Authorization Process, authored by a team from NREL and Oak Ridge National Laboratory, examines the factors that have the greatest impact on the hydropower licensing process. While the report does not propose specific recommendations to improve the hydropower licensing and authorization process, the findings will aid decision makers in identifying potential areas for reform.

A new report could help decision makers identify potential areas for reform in the hydropower licensing process and help speed the development of clean, renewable hydropower projects. Photo from the U.S. Department of Energy

New Study Assesses the Future of Renewables Across North America

An NREL-led multiyear study of the North American power grid found that increasing electricity trade and expanding hydropowers reach could have significant benefits, highlighting opportunities for a coordinated, low-carbon continental grid. The study also shows that a future low-carbon grid can be achieved through multiple pathways that can balance supply and demand using a variety of flexible resources.

Marine Energy Program

Open-Source Wave Energy Software Receives R&D 100 Award and Contributes to Space Exploration

Theoretically, the wave energy flowing through U.S. waters is equivalent to 80% of the countrys electricity needs. Not all of that energy can be practically harnessed, plus the oceans volatile environment can increase uncertainty and costs for developers as they design their technology. Now, the award-winning Wave Energy Converter SIMulator (usually shortened to WEC-Sim), designed in part by NREL researchers, can help developers simulate their early-stage designs to accelerate the development of robust, cost-effective technologies.

Wave-Powered SeaRAY Prepares for First Offshore Trial

Offshore work, like marine research and aquaculture, can require significant amounts of energy. Now, an autonomous, wave-powered, renewable energy devicecalled the SeaRAY autonomous offshore power systemcould power a variety of offshore industries and missions, help protect the oceans, and decrease carbon emissions, too. In 2021, NREL researchers helped get Columbia Power Technologies Inc.s (often called C-Power) SeaRAY ready for its first ocean trial.

National Laboratories Release New Data and Report on the Powerful Potential of U.S. Marine Energy Resources

Understanding the potential for marine energy in the nations oceans requires analysis to detail the theoretical potential of wave, tidal, current, ocean thermal, and river hydrokinetic resources. In 20202021, a team of oceanographers, engineers, and data scientists from NREL and other national laboratories produced a comprehensive report detailing renewable marine energy resources.

Inaugural R&D Showcase Cultivates Awareness of Novel Projects at National Laboratories

During a virtual showcase, NREL and other national laboratory researchers presented the projects they conducted through WPTOs Seedlings Program, which has provided more than 60 smaller funding awards to national laboratory researchersoften junior researchersto explore new projects and creative ideas in marine energy and hydropower.

Tidal Power Turbine Demonstrates Thermoplastic Blades

In collaboration with Verdant Power, NREL researchers constructed and validated the performance and durability of thermoplastic composite blades on tidal turbines in New York Citys East River. These materials have the potential to revolutionize the marine energy industry by improving performance and sustainability and make the manufacturing process faster and more energy efficient.

Working at NREL's Composites Manufacturing Education and Technology Facility, NREL researchers built thermoplastic composite bladeswhich could be recyclable and long-lastingfor tidal turbines in a river in New York. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL

United States Contributes to New International Marine Energy Standards

In 20202021, an NREL-led team contributed to two recent technical specificationswhich are like well-researched design guidesfor testing tidal stream energy systems and assessing mooring systems for marine energy converters. These resources help the most promising marine energy technologies achieve commercialization by providing a foundation for certification; promoting international trade of uniform, high-quality products, and supporting the transfer of expertise from traditional energy systems.

River Currents Power Remote Alaskan Village

For the past 50 years, the Alaskan Native village of Igiugig on the Kvichak River has depended on diesel fuel to power its homes and businesses, making the community dependent on a costly and sometimes unpredictable fuel delivery network. But in 2021, village members partnered with Maine-based Ocean Renewable Power Company to retrieve their most advanced river energy device from the Kvichak River for maintenance and, with support from the U.S. Department of Energys Office of Indian Energy, deployed a second device, marking important progress in the villages goal to quit diesel by 2025. This project is one of the first long-term deployments of an operational river current device in the United States and has resulted in many collaborations between universities and national laboratories, including NREL.

Critical Advancements Made Available in Marine Energy Data-Processing Tool

Researchers from NREL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories made significant advancements to the data processing toolkit known as the Marine and Hydrokinetic Toolkit. Tools and software are essential to help developers and researchers model and validate new technologies during development. The toolkit helps fill this need with tools for data processing, visualization, quality control, and other activities.

Wave Energy Test Facility Nears Subsea Construction Milestone

Construction began in 2021 on PacWave South, the first accredited, grid-connected, open-ocean wave energy testing facility in the United States and one of only a few worldwide. NREL researchers evaluated how wave energy devices could produce reliable, stable energy for the power grid. The laboratorys researchers also supported efforts to earn accreditation for the PacWave facility so it can produce certified test data.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Testing Expertise and Access for marine Energy Research program accelerates the viability of marine renewables by providing access to the nation's best facilities and expertise to solve critical challenges, build knowledge, foster innovation, and drive commercialization. Photo from the University of Maine

Testing Network Grows and Initiates 37 New Technical Support Activities

Navigating new marine energy technologies from idea to commercial viability, with testing and development challenges in between, represents a substantial barrier to the commercialization of these systems. The Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research (or TEAMER) program accelerates the idea-to-market process by providing support for developers seeking access to the nations best marine energy testing facilities and leading marine energy experts. By the end of 2021, NREL hosted 13 of the 62 TEAMER projects.

Online Portal Corrals Broad Range of Marine Energy Data Into a Single Search Engine

In 2021, the Portal and Repository for Information on Marine Renewable Energy (usually shortened to PRIMRE) team, which includes members from NREL, aggregated marine energy information from seven knowledge hubs into a centralized system accessible with a single search engine.

WPTO Hosts Second Marine Energy Collegiate Competition

The NREL-run Marine Energy Collegiate Competition provides college students the opportunity to build real-world experience and professional connections that will help them land jobs in marine energy and the blue economy (providing clean energy for offshore work, like aquaculture, marine research, or even shipping, as well as to coastal and remote island communities).

Community-Centric Program Launched To Accelerate Energy Transition to Clean Energy

In 2021, WPTO selected 11 communities in four states for the first Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project cohort. These community projects help reduce reliance on fossil fuels, increase energy efficiency and resilience, and optimize renewable resources and battery technologies. NREL administers the program and provides technical assistance to communities.

Team members prepare to deploy a preliminary testing device that supports foundational research for small, modular, wave-powered desalination systems in the water at Jennette's Pier in North Carolina. Photo from the Coastal Studies Institute

Waves to Water Prize Concludes Two Stages and Prepares for Final Testing To Demonstrate Wave Energy-Powered Desalination Systems

The Waves to Water Prize seeks to develop sustainable water delivery systems to create clean drinking water in communities that need it the most. In 2021, WPTO and NREL advanced competitors through two stages and selected the finalists. (The year after, in April 2022, one team earned first place after the finalists tested their devices off the coast of North Carolina).

Competitors Advance Marine-Energy-Powered Ocean Observing Platforms

The NREL-managed Ocean Observing Prize challenges innovators to integrate marine renewable energy with ocean observation platforms and develop innovative technologies that can help fill the data gaps that make it difficult to predict the intensity of hurricanes. Accurate forecasting could better protect coastal communities from the disastrous impacts of oncoming storms.

First Foundational R&D Efforts Identified and Launched To Integrate Marine Energy With Blue Economy Applications

In 2021, NREL researchers helped map and implement 10 initial research areas related to fundamental challenges in marine energy. This included market exploration and analysis, design and development of device prototypes, and deployment and testing of marine energy systems.

Download the entire WPTO 20202021 Accomplishments Report to learn more about how NREL, other national laboratories, universities, and industry partners are advancing water power.

To see more NREL water power successes, check out the 10 Significant Water Power Accomplishments From 2021 and sign up for the NREL water power newsletter: The Current.
GARY  Shootings across the city last weekend left three people dead and wounded two others, including a 9-year-old boy, police said.

Cindy Wolf, 40, and Katherine Naglosky, 34, were found shot to death about 2:30 a.m. Saturday after Gary police were called to their home in the 4000 block of Polk Street for a report of an unresponsive woman.

Officers found one of the women after entering the home and discovered a second woman in a bedroom, Cmdr. Jack Hamady said. Both appeared to have been shot in the head.

Detective Sgt. Kris Adams, of the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit, was investigating.

DyLon Collins, 25, of Gary, was found shot to death about 8 a.m. Saturday inside a home in the 2000 block of Ohio Street after police were called for a report of a gunshot wound victim, officials said.

Collins had an apparent gunshot wound to his head, Hamady said.

Detective Sgt. Antwan Jakes, of the Lake County/Gary Metro Homicide Unit, was investigating.

About 8:40 p.m. Saturday, Gary police were dispatched to the 4900 block of West Fifth Avenue for a report about a stolen white Dodge Challenger in the area, Hamady said.

Officers noticed a white Challenger as they arrived and stopped the driver, police said. While on the traffic stop near West Fifth Avenue and Tompkins Street, police heard gunshots to the east.

A short time later, a man pulled up at the traffic stop and asked Sgt. Anthony Hawkins and Officer Martin Garza for help because his 9-year-old son had been shot, Hamady said.

Garza applied pressure to a gunshot wound to the boy's back until Cpl. Anthrice Culp arrived and drove the boy to Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus, police said.

The boy, of Naperville, was visiting with his father, of Chicago, at the father's business in Gary, police said.

Detective Sgt. James Nielsen, of the Violent Crimes Division, was investigating.

About 12:30 a.m. Sunday, a 21-year-old Gary man arrived at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus in Gary with multiple gunshot wounds, Hamady said.

He told police he'd been shot in the 500 block of Chase Street and got a ride to the hospital.

Detective Sgt. Douglas Drummond, of the Violent Crimes Division, was investigating.

Anyone with information about homicides is asked to call detectives at 219-755-3855.

Those with information about nonfatal shootings in Gary are asked to call the Violent Crimes Division at 219-881-1210. To remain anonymous, call 866-CRIME-GP.

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CHICAGO  Two people who died early Saturday after jumping into the Little Calumet River following a pursuit of a car linked to a carjacking in Chicago were identified as Chicago men, officials said.

Curtis Hicks, 21, and Amos Gibson, 26, were pronounced dead at different hospitals after they were pulled from the river near 130th Street and Indiana Avenue by Chicago Police Department Marine Units, authorities said.

Illinois State Police said troopers tracked a beige Rolls-Royce Phantom previously taken in a carjacking in Chicago to the area of 173rd Street and Torrence Avenue in Lansing about 4:40 a.m. Saturday.

Multiple people got out of the Rolls-Royce while it was parked in Lansing and got into a 2022 Infiniti QX60, police said.

The people led troopers on a pursuit to the area of 127th Street and Indiana Avenue, where the car crashed, police said.

Troopers took three people into custody, but a number of people were seen jumping into the river, police said.

Hicks was taken to OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, the medical examiner's office said.

Gibson was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead about 7:40 a.m.

Anyone with information is asked to call Illinois State Police at 847-294-4400 or email ISP.CrimeTips@Illinois.gov. Witnesses may remain anonymous.

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VALPARAISO  Police are met with a myriad of tense situations and unpredictable occurrences that are seemingly impossible to prepare for, however, Hammond police Sgt. Aubrey Thomas does just that.

Thomas has been with the Hammond Police Department for 26 years, where he is in charge of internal affairs. He volunteers as a part-time instructor for courses at the Multi-Agency Academic Cooperative (MAAC) in Valparaiso, including use of force and de-escalation classes.

In the courses, police act out incidents and use the VirTra Simulator, which takes training into the realm of virtual reality. The scenarios are designed to be intense and make officers sweat in order to prepare them for the very real situations they will encounter throughout the Region.

"I have been an instructor for the last 20 years," Thomas said. "I instructed at Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, Northwest Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and I have instructed all of the Hammond police officers. It is awesome to see the difference in the way they train in different tactics. At the MAAC, you get to see everyone come together and see the way everyone is training."

This episode of the "Riding Shotgun with NWI Cops" series gives viewers an inside look at how Region police train to ensure the safety of officers and civilians even in the most tense of situations.

Q: How did you get involved in deescalation training?

A: The Hammond Police Department two years ago decided they wanted to train de-escalation, before the mandate came out. They asked me and I have been teaching it to our officers on the police department for the last two years. That and procedural justice, I think we hit home with the officers.

One of the things that sparked my interest in the de-escalation class was having another tool in our tool belt to help us on calls, and if an officer has more tools it will lessen his chance of getting hurt or someone else getting hurt.

Q: How would you describe de-escalation?

De-escalation is aimed at calming communication, so when you get to a call you have contact the moment you arrive or resolve. Your resolve is going to be taking the person to jail, writing a ticket or sending them on their way. What happens in between is de-escalation.

Q: What kind of different scenarios are used for training?

A: Mostly you get domestic-related calls, which is probably 70 to 80 percent of calls youd answer on the street. We would much rather for our police officers to make a mistake here in training than to do it on the streets and it cost someone injury or civil liability to an agency or officer.

The Hammond police officers are recreating calls they have actually been through before. In one of them, a baby was involved and the guy had a gun in his waistband. The ultimate task was to ask the guy to put the baby down. A lot of times you focus on the gun, which is legal to have in your house, as opposed to getting the baby out of the equation.

Q: What were the scenarios you used in the training classes we watched?

A: The first scenario we went through was two brothers arguing inside of a house. He wanted one to leave the house. They both had a legal right to be there. They were both heated. How do you solve that problem? We had to make them de-escalate and separate the two parties involved and go from there.

We had another where a baby was involved. The brother-in-law came and got into an argument with the dad, and the dad was holding the baby with a gun in his waistband. A police officer had to come and assess the situation and go through whats more needed and not needed. Getting the baby out of the equation was what was needed to first be done and then take the gun.

The other we had was an argument between two roommates and de-escalate that call and separate the parties involved. It was pretty heated.

Q: What are some things you were looking for officers to do in the scenario?

A: In that particular scenario with the baby, the first thing we want to do is separate the two parties involved, which is policing 101, but the baby causes a problem in this scenario. And we can get focused on other things instead of focusing on getting him to put the baby down, so we can focus on talking the situation down. Or taking the gun out of the equation. Its okay for a guy to have a gun in his house, in his waistband. Dont escalate from that point on. Try to de-escalate from that point on.

The scenarios you see are the calls the TV doesnt show you. So these are calls police officers are responding to every day. So we just recreate our calls from the street here and the officers in the scenario have to do the same thing theyd do on the street to be successful on a call.

Q: I was surprised how heated these scenarios get. How far do you guys take it when it comes to playing the part of a destressed or angry person during a police call?

A: Heres the thing, and I noticed this with civilians watching these scenarios play out, theyre thinking these guys are doing it extra. And theres no extra in there, these are actual calls police go to every day. Its just people dont see that part of police work.

So theyre doing the same calls they were on probably twice last week and theyre just building off that and seeing what your reaction is and comfort level. If every time I walk toward you, you grab your gun, I am going to build off that in training. And we see that.

The level of concern grows and then the door of opportunity shuts and closes during these training scenarios, and we build on that. We push it a little bit and then come back. So its awesome watching the different agencies or those with different backgrounds in law enforcement and how they react.

I actually thought the younger guys were going to do not as good as the older senior guys. But to my dismay, the younger guys did a great job. They killed it. Brand new out of the academy and it could be because they are fresh out of the academy, but they did a really good job.

Q: What are different virtual scenarios that are on the VirTra simulator?

A: The virtual scenarios are set up to have different choices on the computer screen. If you act a certain way or you dont act a certain way, we can escalate that call or de-escalate the call.

For example: The guy in the garage, the one with the shotgun, he comes out and I could talk that guy down. If I see the police officer thats on the virtual training and if he is not de-escalating the call, would I escalate the call? When I start to see his de-escalation process, I would pick the choosing on that computer screen to de-escalate the call and it would finish just like that.

Q: How many different combinations of actions can there be in the virtual training scenarios?

A: With the scenario of the guy in the garage, I noticed a lot of police officers in general get tunnel vision. On that one, there was a neighbor watching it in his driveway the whole time. And a lot of police officers never saw him. And we dont know if that neighbor is friend or foe, (or) if hes part of his group. So it gets police officers to not have tunnel vision on that particular person on a call.

Q: Are there times when you are de-escalating several people in one situation?

A: Remember, you got contact, when you come to a call or resolve. Sometimes you go on a call and resolve right away. A person is pushed along, taken to jail or given a ticket. A lot of times you have to still de-escalate people or family members left aside on the street or in the house. So de-escalation just doesnt stop when the police officer is dealing with a particular suspect, you may have to de-escalate the people around you.

Q: Have you found theres more demand for de-escalation training?

A: The state has mandated police departments for de-escalation training, but I will tell you this: Every day, police officers use de-escalation. We use it on calls, we use it in our home we use it on our kids all day. Its the one day you dont use it and a call goes bad, is the time you should have used it. That one time. But we constantly use it so much, a lot of times we dont know we are using it because its drilled in us how to calm a situation.

Q: Have you seen a big pull as making de-escalation a focus in police work?

A: I think police departments right now are more professional than we have ever been. I think that comes along with training. We are using different tools to help us do our jobs.

Q: What are examples you saw firsthand where things got heated and police were able to diffuse a situation?

A: I was on SWAT for 20 years as the team leader of the SWAT team. I constantly saw our negotiators talking people down. People whose job is to communicate, de-escalate, to remove that person from that situation so the police officers dont get hurt or that person doesnt get hurt. So Ive watched them over the years and theyre great at it. Talking a person out of a house thats been barricaded. Those guys do a great job in de-escalation.

Q: What are some things you took away from those experiences?

A: Over the years in SWAT, with the negotiators, the biggest thing I have taken is that there is no time limit on de-escalation. A lot of times we want to get in there and we want to hurry a call up. But sometimes people want to vent. Its a process. Let them vent, and then begin de-escalation.

Q: When it comes to negotiating with someone, how much is it training and how much is connecting with them?

A: Finding a commonality on a call is an easier way to de-escalate. I had an officer tell me one time that every call he went on, he had that same problem. If he was on a domestic call where someone is fighting with their girlfriend, and hed go to the call and hed say, Me too. You got a problem with your kids and he comes to a call, and says, Well, me too. Or the dog died, and hed say, My dog died as well. So hed find a commonality with the calls and hed get a rapport going with the caller, and its easier to bring things down because that person sees you being in the same situation that he or she is in.

Q: Why do you volunteer as an instructor at the MAAC Center?

A: Ive been with the MAAC for years training here. I got started with the SWAT team. The facility here is just great for SWAT team training and it branches out to other departments.

At the Hammond police department, they let us use this facility because its such a great training tool any time we want to come to Valparaiso to train here. I enjoy training my guys in Hammond or other officers throughout the county. Because you learn different people and different training.

I have picked up a lot of good training tips from other departments. Without this facility, I wouldnt be able to train with state police or lets just say Portage. Every week here, if I wanted to train with Portage or state police, or the Northwest Regional SWAT team, I can come here and train with any one of those agencies.

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WHITING  The city has received more federal funds associated with the American Rescue Plan Act.

"We originally received $1,075,816.14, but we recently received an additional $2,036.05," Council President Chris Sarvanidis, D-at-large, said.

Sarvanidis said Mayor Steve Spebar had to resubmit a letter to the City Council indicating what the funds would be used for, and it recently unanimously approved an amended expenditure plan.

The funds are restricted to certain expenditures such as infrastructure and city losses caused by the pandemic.

Sarvanidis said the city still plans to use the money, including the additional amount recently received, for three purposes.

One is to install a new water main that will provide service on 119th Street between New York Avenue and Ohio Avenue.

Funds will also be used to purchase new pumps at a detention basin to assist in the automation of the facility.

The rest of the money will provide reimbursement to the city for lost revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In other news, the city has formally applied for a federal grant in an attempt to secure funds for the installation of an additional license plate reader and surveillance cameras on city streets.

The City Council had previously adopted a resolution in support of the grant application.

The city already has a license plate reader at 129th Street and Indianapolis Boulevard and would like to also install one at 119th Street and Indianapolis Boulevard.

"Also, we applied for an infrastructure grant for sewer lining," Spebar said. "Some sewers in the city will need to be lined sooner rather than later, and we're trying to take advantage of this opportunity that the federal government can pay for 75% of the projects that we will need in the coming years."

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A former Valparaiso resident has been arrested for child molestation after fleeing to Mexico in 2021, according to LaPorte County Sheriff Capt. Derek Allen.

On September 18, 2021, LaPorte County Sheriff Deputy Scott Lanoue responded to a residence in Springfield Township regarding a sex offense involving a juvenile. A follow-up investigation led by Detective Gabe Struss identified the accused as 30-year-old Alexander E. Perez.

On October 20, 2021, an arrest warrant was issued for Perez. The Fugitive Apprehension Street Team, or FAST, which is comprised of Sgts. Brett Swanson and Keith Wilson of the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office and Cpl. Nick Krause of the Michigan City Police Department, launched an investigation into Perez's whereabouts. The team discovered Perez had fled to Mexico.

FAST worked with both U.S.- and Mexico-based federal agencies, and in December of 2021, Perez was arrested in Mexico City. He was then transferred to the San Diego California County Jail.

On April 22, 2022, Perez was extradited back to Indiana and booked into the LaPorte County Jail. He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond through Superior Court I.

The members of FAST are commended for their exhaustive efforts and attention to detail," Allen said in a press release. "Their persistence, coupled with their ongoing productive partnerships with several federal agencies, was instrumental in successfully locating and arresting Perez."

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VALPARAISO  The Porter County Health Department plans to operate a mobile clinic, using a vehicle similar to the countys votemobile.

The department is researching costs, administrator Letty Zepeda told the County Council this week.

Thats a great idea, council Vice President Mike Jessen, R-4th, said.

The van would be 24-25 feet long, not so big that a commercial driver's license is needed for the driver to operate it, Zepeda said.

The mobile clinic would be useful for school physicals as well as vaccinations, Councilman Greg Simms, D-3rd, said.

The county Board of Health and Board of Commissioners would need to approve the purchase as well as the council.

Zepeda, who is retiring this year, received accolades from the council. That you for getting us through COVID, council President Jeremy Rivas, D-2nd, said.

In other business, the council grilled county Surveyor Kevin Breitzke over his request to increase hourly amounts for part-time workers.

If we want to continue having people work for us, Breitzke said, the county will have to pay them more.

This is for seasonal help, mostly college students doing internships, he said. I hope to have them working through several summers.

The workers typically start at $12 to $13 an hour, he said. If they do well, we can move them up in salary, Breitzke said.

Salaries range from as low as $10 an hour to as much as $20, depending on the responsibilities.

I hate to go to the top of the scale if we can get somebody willing to work for $1 or $2 an hour less, Simms said. While he wants to treat workers fairly, he also wants to protect taxpayers, he explained.

Rivas noted the county has a wage study underway.

Were in a very competitive market for employees. Weve got to keep that in mind going forward, he said.

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VALPARAISO  Valparaiso University President Jose Padilla thanked first responders Monday in a letter to alumni regarding the fire that destroyed a campus building Friday.

Valparaiso Fire Department Lt. Robert Schulte said someone inside the Art and Psychology building at 1003 Campus Drive South, reported smelling smoke around 4:30 p.m. Friday. Firefighters battled the blaze until about 2:30 a.m. Saturday. While no injuries have been reported, Schulte said about 80% of the roof collapsed and the interior of the building was destroyed.

Padilla wrote that the immediate response of multiple fire and police departments protected the two adjacent buildings from damage.

While no art classes were scheduled in the building on Friday, the painting studio contained some students' work.

"The Art-Psychology building was not just a building  buildings can be replaced  it was a piece of Valpos history and an incubator of the creative work of our students and faculty; in some cases, their lifes work," Padilla wrote. "We are thankful and blessed that no one was injured in the fire and want to express gratitude to those who helped evacuate the building."

The Valparaiso Fire Department was aided by firefighters from Chesterton, Morgan Township, Washington Township and Union Township, in addition to the Valparaiso Police Department and Valparaiso University police.

Padilla also recalled that the university has recovered from devastating fires in the past. In 1956, the Chapel Auditorium burned to the ground while O.P. Kretzmann was Valparaiso University president. Three years after the Chapel Auditorium burned down, the Chapel of the Resurrection was opened.

"I lean on the wisdom of O.P. Kretzmann, who, in the spirit of hope and resiliency, vowed to continue with established traditions of that time of year despite the loss," Padilla wrote. "As our semester comes to a close, we celebrate and reflect on our work. We, too, must not let this recent loss dampen our spirit."

The university has weathered over a dozen fires throughout its 163-year history. The reconstruction of campus buildings after fires has helped shape the current Valparaiso campus.

The Art Psychology building previously housed the College of Engineering. After World War II, students raised funds and then designed and built a new engineering laboratory building.

Associate Professor of Communication and Visual Arts, Sarah Jantzi, said her father took civil engineering classes in the building. She has taught studio arts there for the past 18 years.

It is an old, well-loved building, and it is our home, not just to me but to decades of amazing students, conversations, and artistic discoveries," Jantzi said. "Our students and faculty hosted countless exhibitions, Lighter Coffeehouses, and Soup Bowl for the Hungry fundraisers in the space. Our students knew it best, loved it, and Im proud of the work they made there."

The Art and Psychology building is permanently closed and Dickmeyer and Kroencke Halls are closed until further notice. The Indiana State Fire Marshal will be investigating the cause of the fire this week.

The university will hold a 20-minute service of remembrance on the lawn east of the Art and Psychology building at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

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Mr. Yan, a native of Fuzhou in eastern China, was his familys breadwinner, she said. He worked such long hours to be able to provide for his children and to make a successful living here, so that his kids can grow up and be whatever they wanted to be. And now his family is just devastated because thats taken away from them.

Sooi Chung, a longtime co-worker, said in a telephone interview that Mr. Yan had worked seven days a week to support his wife and three children, who range in age from 2 to 15. When business was slow, she said, he would help his wife, who works at a nearby laundromat.

Councilwoman Julie Won, who is Korean American, said Mr. Yans death symbolized the perils facing delivery workers, many of whom are Asian American. They have been the target of violent attacks during the coronavirus pandemic, and they have also been failed by public safety and labor systems that leave their lives at risk as they seek to eke out a living, she said.

The Great Wall was closed on Sunday, but more than a dozen customers gathered outside and shared stories about Mr. Yan. Nearly a dozen bouquets were lined up outside the restaurant in the afternoon, and some people left notes to his family on greeting cards.

Among those who came to pay their respects was Andres Villa, 45, a handyman at a Forest Hills building. He remembered Mr. Yan as a hard worker with a cheerful demeanor.

He was always running around no matter what kind of weather we had, Mr. Villa said. Rain and snow, he was always working. He always yelled to everyone, Hello, my friend!

Mr. Villa said he once saw a driver bump into Mr. Yans car, which was full of delivery orders. Mr. Yan didnt get angry, he said. He just said, Dont worry, Ill be back, and went to deliver the food, Mr. Villa said.
There was, indeed, a quintessentially Minnesota nice quality to the event. Eulogists spoke of Mr. Mondales Norwegian stoicism, Midwestern values and dedication to helping others. The marching band from his cherished University of Minnesota played the Battle Hymn of the Republic. Lillian Hochman, a young Minnesota actress, sang Tomorrow from the musical Annie, a Mondale favorite.

Mr. Mondale was among the Democratic senators who encouraged Mr. Biden to take his seat after winning the 1972 election even though the candidates wife and daughter had just died in a tragic auto accident. The two went on to serve together in the Senate for four years and for another four years when Mr. Mondale was vice president under Jimmy Carter. Mr. Mondale and Mr. Biden were both exemplars of a different generation of Washington Democrats that has now mostly passed from the scene.

While serving under Mr. Carter from 1977 to 1981, Mr. Mondale set a standard for the vice presidency that later benefited Mr. Biden. Rather than just an ornamental figure whose main job was checking on the health of the president each morning, as most of his predecessors had been, Mr. Mondale set out to make the vice president a central figure in Mr. Carters administration.

He negotiated to be the first vice president to have an office in the West Wing, just down the hall and around the corner from the Oval Office, and he insisted on having a voice in most of the major issues of the day. His memo to Mr. Carter outlining his expansive view of the job later became a template for most if not all of the vice presidents who followed  including Mr. Biden, who consulted it when he assumed the office under President Barack Obama.

Mr. Mondale also paved the way for the current holder of his old job. During his 1984 campaign for president, he selected Representative Geraldine Ferraro of New York as his running mate, making her the first woman to run on a major-party ticket for vice president, although their bid fell short. Thirty-six years later, Vice President Kamala Harris broke that glass ceiling as part of Mr. Bidens ticket.
Has working with choreographers at L.A. Dance Project influenced you?

Having so many contemporary choreographers come in really opened my eyes. You realize, oh, this is dance and this is dance, and all these ways of finding and coming up with movement are valid, and a means of making your own voice and language new. It seems important and interesting not to get stuck doing the same thing.

You left City Ballet relatively early in your career. Why?

I had an amazing time there. But I felt if I stayed another five years, it would probably be pretty similar in terms of roles, and I had quite a lot of injuries. I suppose I might have hung in longer if Sebastien, who is five years older than me, hadnt been wrapping things up. He had a bad foot injury, and Ben asked if we wanted to join him in L.A. We also knew, although it hadnt been announced, that Ben had the Paris Opera Ballet job and that we would go with him, so that was exciting. [Millepied ran the Paris Opera Ballet for almost two years, from 2014 to 2016.]

Sebastien was a ballet master at the Opera, and I staged several ballets in Europe, for Justin Peck and Benjamin, which I loved. But although I love Paris, living there was hard. When Ben left to go back to L.A., we were ready to go, too.

How did you start dancing again?

Toward the end at City Ballet, I was always worrying about injuries, and it made dancing much less fun. But when I was setting Justin or Bens work on companies, I could just dance without worrying about it. I was teaching the mens parts, too, and showing those steps, and I felt, wow, I am dancing better than I was at the end of my City Ballet time.
Johnny Depps talent manager testified on Monday in the actors defamation trial that Mr. Depp lost a $22.5 million deal to star in a sixth Pirates of the Caribbean movie after his ex-wife, Amber Heard, published an op-ed in which she called herself a public figure representing domestic abuse.

The exact timing of when Mr. Depp was cut from the Pirates franchise has become a pertinent question in the trial because Mr. Depps lawsuit against Ms. Heard claims that her op-ed, published by The Washington Post in December 2018, devastated his reputation and career.

Although the op-ed does not mention Mr. Depp by name, he has argued that it clearly referred to their relationship. Ms. Heard has accused Mr. Depp of assaulting her repeatedly during their relationship, which Mr. Depp denies.

At Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia, the talent manager, Jack Whigham, testified that the actor had a verbal agreement with Disney to reprise his role as Captain Jack Sparrow in a proposed sixth film, but that in early 2019, it became clear that Disney was going in a different direction.
One chapter in Tacky is about Sex and the City, especially the character of Samantha, from whom King learned to indulge her appetites and to appreciate that life was up for grabs: I didnt need a boyfriend just for sex. Sex was all around me! The men are never the right men (one is named Viper), except that they are. Like Samantha, King seems to have popped out of a Christmas cracker.

I was always destined to be consumable, she writes. I was never going to become the sort of person who commands respect. And thats fine. Some days, its even preferable. I pass through mens lives like the taste of cherry Kirsch syrup down the throat. What would I do if I were something meaty and substantive? Grow old with somebody I met in high school, like I once believed I would? Miss out on all this? Id sooner miss out on the sun.

King knew tacky was for her when she was a child and her mother used that term to stigmatize things she thought were awesome. I wanted to become awesome myself, she writes, and tacky was the answer. She became the sort of person who gestures a little too wildly with a cigarette during a conversation about Puddle of Mudd.

King draws a line between tacky and trashy. The latter is closed off and uninviting. Its unpleasant. If tackiness is about joyfully becoming, trashiness has already become, and theres not one joyful thing about the thing it has become. Thats bound to be, in the long run, unless you are Dolly Parton, a difficult fence to straddle.

Tacky was published last fall. Im writing about it now because a) the women Im closest to have been swapping heavily underlined copies for weeks, b) The Times didnt review it and c) Im late to discover that it reads like sequential shots of Fireball Cinnamon Whisky.

King has unfettered access to her mind at 14 or 15. Her Ode to Warm Vanilla Sugar is in league, as coming-of-age essays go, with Nora Ephrons A Few Words About Breasts.
A mass isolation center reopens

Beijing reopened the Xiaotangshan hospital, which has more than 1,000 beds, after recording a few hundred cases in recent weeks. On Monday, officials announced 50 new cases in the city of 22 million, down from the 59 reported on Sunday.

The move appears to be aimed at avoiding the fate of Shanghai, where weeks of confinement have fueled anger and anxiety about the cost of Chinas zero-Covid strategy. Residents who have spent time in mass isolation or quarantine centers there described piles of garbage, nonstop floodlights and a serious lack of shower facilities.

Response: Officials in Beijing, who are under immense pressure to quickly stamp out outbreaks, have placed a temporary ban on dining in restaurants, closed schools indefinitely and ordered residents to show proof of a negative test within the past week to enter public spaces, including public transportation.
The cross-contamination incident is unacceptable, he said, period.

About 60 million additional doses were found to be contaminated in June.

Fuad El-Hibri was born on March 2, 1958, in Hildesheim, Germany, the son of Elizabeth (Trunk) El-Hibri, a homemaker, and Ibrahim El-Hibri, an engineer and entrepreneur. He grew up in Lebanon and Germany and graduated from Stanford University in 1980 with a degree in economics. He received a masters degree in public and private management from the Yale School of Management in 1982.

Mr. El-Hibri began his career with Citicorp in Saudi Arabia and later worked for the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton in Indonesia. After returning to the United States, he started a business that helped national telecom companies upgrade their networks in Russia, Venezuela and El Salvador.

In the 1990s, he advised the Saudi Arabian government on its efforts to buy millions of doses of an anthrax vaccine. That experience seeded the idea for what became Emergent BioSolutions.

He co-founded the company, originally called BioPort, in 1998. He and his partners, including William J. Crowe, a former admiral, soon won a bid to buy a disused government laboratory in Lansing, Mich., and upgrade it to produce anthrax vaccines for the U.S. military.

The company changed its name to Emergent BioSolutions in 2004. It went public in 2006.
One foggy night in December 2018, David Hill was trying to land a helicopter when a beam of light suddenly overwhelmed his night vision goggles.

Mr. Hill, an emergency services pilot, had been called to airlift a teenager who had been badly injured in an all-terrain vehicle crash from a village 35 miles north of Madison, Wis.

But now, Mr. Hill was temporarily blinded.

Flying about 500 feet above the ground, he tried to get his bearings. It was like looking into the sun, and all I can see are bright spots, he recalled.

A person had pointed a laser at his helicopter. From 2010 to 2021, close to 70,000 pilots reported similar episodes, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Last year it recorded more than 9,700 cases, a record high, and a 41 percent increase from 2020.
Reviewing Smash His Camera, a 2010 documentary about Mr. Galella, the critic Roger Ebert articulated the ambivalence many felt toward him, whether or not they knew the name of the photographer behind the memorable pictures he took. I disapproved of him, Mr. Ebert said, and enjoyed his work.

Ronald Edward Galella was born on Jan. 10, 1931, one of five children of Vincenzo and Michelina (Marinaccio) Galella, and grew up in the Bronx. His father made pianos and coffins; his mother was a crochet beader.

After serving as a photographer in the Air Force during the Korean War, Mr. Galella studied photography at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif., and acting and stage direction at the Pasadena Playhouse  lessons he later credited with giving the best of his photographs their dramatic effect.

He married Betty Lou Burke in 1979, and she became his business partner. For many years they made their headquarters in a cramped house in Yonkers, N.Y., built by one of Mr. Galellas brothers. Ms. Galella died in 2017.

Mr. Galella is survived by his brother Vincent and many nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and -nephews.

His relentless pursuit of celebrities made him something of one himself. Mr. Galella put out 22 books in all, some devoted entirely to a single subject, like Donald J. Trump, Michael Jackson and, of course, Mrs. Onassis, and the gallery exhibitions that often accompanied them  each a publicity-generating photographic cavalcade of the famous  would put him at center stage.

He acknowledged that his prime motivation as a photographer was mercenary, with artistic and neurotic reasons thrown in for good measure. He stalked Mrs. Onassis because there was a lucrative market for pictures of her that no other photographer was tapping, he said in a 1983 interview. And because he was obsessed.
Spirit and Frontier, both low-fare airlines, announced a plan to merge in February. Then, JetBlue stepped in with a bigger offer for Spirit, surprising many industry analysts and experts. Both deals would face scrutiny from Biden administration regulators, who have expressed more skepticism about consolidation than their predecessors.

Some analysts contend that Spirit and Frontier are better suited to merge because they operate under similar ultra-low-cost business models but have more extensive flights in different parts of the United States. A JetBlue-Spirit combination could be more difficult to pull off because the airlines business models are quite different. But the deal could allow JetBlue to compete more effectively against the nations four dominant airlines.

JetBlues updated offer added a handful of concessions to address Spirits concerns about regulatory approval, including an offer to divest some assets from both airlines. JetBlue also said it would commit to divesting Spirit assets in New York and Boston, markets at the heart of JetBlues partnership with American, known as the Northeast Alliance, in an effort to win approval from the Justice Department. JetBlue also said it would pay Spirit a $200 million fee if antitrust regulators blocked the deal.

Spirits leadership responded in a letter to JetBlues chief executive on Monday, saying they did not think that the updated offer had a reasonable chance of succeeding. Regulators, Spirit said, were likely to be very concerned with the prospect that JetBlues offer would result in higher costs, and subsequently higher fares for consumers. Spirit said converting its planes, which are densely packed with seats, to JetBlues roomier configuration would result in higher prices, for example.

JetBlue said in response that both its offer and the Frontier deal shared a similar regulatory profile, but that Frontier had not offered to divest assets or pay a breakup fee. JetBlue also said the value of Frontiers cash-and-stock deal had faded because of that airlines falling stock price.
At the European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF), an international art fair held at the Park Avenue Armory this week, oysters are included. Roving teams of shuckers open and serve oysters and Champagne, gratis, so visitors can slurp while they shop. Red Oyster, a New York company, supplies the bivalves and shuckers. The fair, based in Maastricht, the Netherlands, is returning to New York after a two-year Covid hiatus, from Thursday through May 10 (May 5 by invitation only).

TEFAF, Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Avenue (66th Street), May 6, 7 and 9, noon until 8 p.m; May 8 and 10, noon until 6 p.m.; tickets, $55 and $75, $25 for students, tefaf.com.

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Dr. Fryer would eventually get tenure at Temple University, where he built a specialty in bereavement and helped pioneer the hospice movement. After teaching all day and having dinner, he would often see patients until 11 p.m., Dr. Kelly recalled. He sat with many of his patients while they were dying.

He threw big parties, and sometimes his famous friends, like the anthropologist Margaret Mead or the writer Gail Sheehy, would show up. He wore dashikis. Traveling for conferences, hed end up in a tiki restaurant with my cousins, dancing with the hula dancer, Dr. Kelly said.

But a sense of resentment clung to him, said Dr. David Scasta, who got to know Dr. Fryer as a medical resident at Temple University and interviewed him about his life in 2002.

He felt isolated from the gay community, said Dr. Scasta, a past president of the Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists. He never had a long-term relationship. And he always felt that his career was not what it could have been.

There was always a sense of sadness at not being fully accepted, he said. John always felt he was on the fringe.

Decades would pass before historians of gay rights fully understood the significance of the Dr. Anonymous speech, that it had a Stonewall riots kind of importance, Dr. Scasta added. In that case, too, the surge of forward motion was driven by unlikely people.
Leaders in Albany had also initially expressed skepticism, with the Senate majority leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, saying she really, really, really did not like the idea of changing election laws while a campaign was already in progress. Some of her Democratic colleagues in the partys progressive wing chafed at the idea of offering Ms. Hochul political favors after bruising budget negotiations.

But the lawmakers softened over the weekend, with many embracing the idea that it did not serve voters interest to keep someone like Mr. Benjamin, who has no intention of serving, on the ballot.

Theres always that extreme example that leads us to the change. Thats all this is, said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Westchester, a bill sponsor. This is so that voters are voting for someone who intends to serve. This isnt about politics.

Political observers noted, however, that the optics of sharing a ticket with someone who is under federal indictment were obviously less than ideal for Ms. Hochul. Mr. Benjamin has pleaded not guilty.

The governor, who is seeking her first full term, enjoyed broad popularity when she ascended to the states highest office after her predecessor, Andrew M. Cuomo, resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment. Mr. Cuomo has denied wrongdoing.

Ms. Hochul quickly set to work building a campaign that would raise more than $20 million in record time, making her the prohibitive favorite for the Democratic nomination.

But a difficult budget process, in which Ms. Hochul extracted $850 million in funding for a new stadium for the Buffalo Bills, as well as changes to the states bail laws, eroded much of the good will she had with lawmakers. Her standing with voters has also suffered, with a recent Siena College poll showing approval ratings in the mid-40s  though she has only just begun to spend some of her campaign funds on ads highlighting budget achievements.
The commission will have a say on who gets the three new licenses and where the new casinos will be situated, but others will have a voice, too.

The first step is for the commission to fill a five-member Gaming Facility Location Board; its responsibilities include creating and managing the application process for casino developers and recommending the winners. State law requires that at least three members be in place by Oct. 6; once that occurs, the commission will have 90 days to issue requests for applications for the casino licenses.

The applications will then be reviewed by the location board, which will make a final recommendation to the Gaming Commission. The commissions makeup would seem to give Governor Hochul some control: All seven members are appointed directly by the governor, one on the recommendation of the New York State Assembly, and another on the recommendation of the New York State Senate.

But the Gaming Commission cannot overrule the location board, unless it finds a problem with the fitness and character of the applicant, the commission said.

And before any vote is taken, separate six-person community advisory committees will also have a chance to weigh in. In New York City, two of those members will be designated by the governor and the mayor; the other four will be local representatives of the City Council, Assembly, Senate and borough president. Those committees will consider the relevant application, with a two-thirds majority required for passage.

Approval by the community advisory committee is a prerequisite for a license, giving the committee power to quash an application before it ever gets to be considered by the gaming commission.

Hasnt the casino market become oversaturated?

A glut of casinos unquestionably exists in the United States, as well as a wealth of other gambling options, and that has put a damper on economic projections for many new casinos.
The spokesman for the courts, Lucian Chalfen, said last week that the number of scheduled appearances in cases was down 41 percent compared with the first quarter in 2019, and the number of new cases filed was down 62 percent.

He said that a slowdown would accomplish nothing, as new cases would continue to pile up.

Are the legal services providers really all of a sudden going to have an epiphany and be able to provide representation on all of those cases? he said.

The new city law was meant to help tenants like Damian Winns, a security guard, who moved into a one-bedroom apartment in East New York just before the pandemic. At $1,200 a month, it was one of the few places he felt he could afford.

But Mr. Winns, 44, struggled to find work during the pandemic, and missed a few months of rent last year. He thought a pandemic rent relief program paid for the missed months.

Instead, Mr. Winns found himself at a hearing in a courthouse in Downtown Brooklyn last week after his landlord moved to evict him, claiming he still owed the money.

Where else am I supposed to go? Mr. Winns said in an interview.

Although he may have been eligible for a free lawyer, nobody was there to take his case, and a court official told him a legal group should reach out before his next court hearing this month  maybe.

New York Citys housing courts, located in a handful of buildings and offices across the boroughs, were created by the state almost 50 years ago to enforce the housing code and keep homes from deteriorating. But the bulk of cases have nearly always been eviction proceedings over unpaid rent.
A teacher in Rochester, N.Y., was placed on leave and is being investigated after parents said he told students to pick cotton during a lesson on slavery, school district officials said.

Parents of seventh-grade students at the Rochester School of the Arts said last week that Patrick Rausch, a social studies teacher who is white, gave balls of cotton to his students on Tuesday and instructed them to pick the seeds out.

The parents also said Mr. Rausch referred to himself as massah and allowed white students to stop cleaning the cotton when they asked, but not Black students.

This has been going on all year long, Vialma Ramos-ONeal, the mother of a student in Mr. Rauschs class, said in a Facebook post, describing other racist treatment she said her son had experienced in Mr. Rauschs class. Im so angry and hurt for these kids.
The system certainly has its advantages. It more or less guarantees national ownership of European decision-making; every member recognizes its fingerprints on the final agreement. This sense of ownership helps to explain why the union has survived so many crises in recent years: Member states have invested in it, depend on it and, crucially, want it to survive. But the downside to this approach is that by seeking consensus on almost every issue, Europe becomes as strong only as its weakest link. Leaders regularly make half-baked decisions because some countries refuse to go further, with results that do not always meet Europes real needs.

Examples are legion. Hungary, for instance, has blocked several foreign policy statements against Russia or China that all other member states agreed on. Poland, for its part, has single-handedly diluted Europes climate goals. And before the presidential elections in France, the government there delayed a decision on a European oil embargo against Russia, fearing the resulting rise of energy prices could favor Ms. Le Pen in her campaign against Mr. Macron. Often, Europe is the plaything of member states seeking to promote their own narrow interests. Mr. Macron, however pro-European, is no exception.

Thats why elections often cause such headaches. Democracy, to be sure, is Europes strength. It is the unions core value, its beating heart. But democracy is also Europes weakness. Thats because the union is not really European: Instead, it involves 27 separate national democracies. If one of them produces a Eurosceptic government, it can endanger the entire European project, which depends on unanimity. The union is effectively held hostage every time elections are held somewhere  hardly a sustainable way to do things.

The French election, Mr. Macron said, was a referendum on Europe. The problem with Europe is exactly that: Every election is a referendum about Europe, in every corner of the continent. It would be strange if a state election in Montana or Mississippi risked undoing the Republic or derailing its foreign policy. In Europe, this is normal practice. Thats partly why, despite its success as a global economic powerhouse and a beacon of stability, Europe often lacks confidence and looks vulnerable in the mildest headwind.

Yet this paradox neednt be permanent. In a world defined by instability, great power competition and rising prices, Europe must look after itself  and it has the means to do so. A phased embargo on Russian oil, likely to be finalized this week, is just a start. In the wake of the war in Ukraine, collective provision of defense and security is also a must, as is an energy union. Whats more, some kind of fiscal union  augmenting the current monetary union  might also be necessary, to coordinate the serious investments needed to shore up Europes resilience. Recognizing the need for bolstered unity, a group of European intellectuals last week even called for a United States of Europe.

Im not sure the union will ever come to that. But it would be nice if at the policy game in Berlin this year, instead of fretting over worst-case scenarios, we could perhaps let ourselves imagine a bolder, stronger European Union. If we could all allow Europe to stand a little more on its own feet, it would make a world of difference.
The world is awful at the moment. Millions have died of Covid-19. Authoritarianism is on the rise, abroad and at home. And now theres war, with all the death, destruction and dislocation that entails.

In dark times, many people seek refuge in religion. They hold fast to their faith.

But darkness also drives many people away from God. My older son, Rex, is one of them. Hes studying for his bar mitzvah, but he doesnt believe in God. He told me that one day, when we were taking a walk.

Why not? I asked.

If God was real, he wouldnt let all those people die. He was talking about the pandemic, but he could have been talking about the killing of civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha or any number of other atrocities hes been exposed to in his short life.

Why do you say that?

God is supposed to care about us, Rex said. That doesnt seem like something youd let happen if you cared  and could stop it.
To the Editor:

Re Floridas Issue With Math Books Has Zero to Do With Numbers (front page, April 23):

Gov. Ron DeSantis is neither a mathematician nor a mathematics educator. Mathematics learning is not only about getting the right answer, as Mr. DeSantis claimed. It is about developing reasoning strategies for solving problems. It is about, among other things, developing curiosity, conjecturing, making assertions and defending them, following and understanding others ways of thinking, and, yes, making errors and being able to build from them to good solutions.

For far too long, mathematics has been perceived and taught in ways that undercut both the discipline and its learners. We have edged many students out of the subject and given the remainder a narrow notion of mathematics and, often, bad attitudes about themselves and others.

As someone who has taught students, written mathematics textbooks and taught mathematics teachers, I applaud the current effort to integrate social and emotional learning goals. In todays world we need all the support we can get to learn to understand and care about ourselves and others.

Rheta Rubenstein

Ridgefield, Wash.

The writer is professor emerita of mathematics at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
This is an important question to ask at any time, but its a particularly important question to ask now, during this coordinated assault on reproductive rights. For poor women, an unwanted pregnancy can make an already hard life feel impossible.

The longitudinal Turnaway Study, which followed women in 21 states, found that being denied an abortion increased the chance that women were living in poverty, were unemployed, had overdue debt or had experienced bankruptcies or evictions, The New York Times reported last December.

Diana Greene Foster, a demographer at the University of California, San Francisco, who led the study, explained that many women decide whether to continue an unplanned pregnancy by weighing the long-term economic consequences of having a child. If somehow magically every pregnancy was supported and all lives would be rosy, people would be taking that into account, she told The Times. Instead, people are looking at their circumstances and thinking things are going to be really hard. And all the things they think are right, because we see those outcomes among the people who are denied abortions.

Unless youre wealthy, being a parent in this country can be extremely hard. Unpaid help from relatives and friends, if youre lucky enough to have it, goes only so far. You might have backup when a child gets sick and needs to come home from school unexpectedly, but you probably cant count on someone else to pay for the child to go to college. Parents in the United States are largely on their own.

Support can make a huge difference in pregnancy and family outcomes, and not just for poor women. Im not talking about Denmark- or Sweden-level support. Im talking about modest but truly life-changing resources that people in other wealthy countries take for granted. Resources like paid family leave, quality day care and a predictable work schedule (a necessity if day care is to be an option). Strong public schools and affordable higher education. Decent health care, a safe place to live, reliable transportation and healthy food. Surely it goes without saying that nobody  not mothers, not fathers, not one child  should have to sleep under a bridge or go hungry for a single day in a country as wealthy as the United States.
Since Russias war on Ukraine began, press reports have focused on the exodus from Russia of antiwar scientists, engineers and information technology experts. But the vast majority of the Russian people are staying put and rallying behind President Vladimir Putin.

According to Levada, Russias most respected independent pollster, the share of all Russians who said they would like to relocate outside Russia fell in late March to 10 percent, from an average of 19 percent in three earlier polls since 2019.

Even among people with higher education, the percentage who would like to relocate was the same, 10 percent, according to a spreadsheet that Levada sent me. (Some people may have been afraid to tell the pollsters of their dissatisfaction, given Putins crackdown on dissent, but Im betting the numbers are directionally right.)

Why does this matter? Because Putin may be betting that as long as a strong majority of Russians support him, he can afford to lose the malcontents. He may even be glad that some are going. The autocrat is not erecting barriers to keep the intelligentsia from leaving, although he has offered tax breaks, subsidized mortgages and postponement of conscription into the armed forces to keep tech workers at home.
The special grand jury will begin issuing subpoenas for some of the 30 or so witnesses who have refused requests for voluntary interviews. Those initial witnesses will then be served and will start appearing in June. Mr. Trump and those closest to him have a history of rushing to court to fight subpoenas, but they are unlikely to be given the opportunity in this first wave. Careful prosecutors usually start with less controversial witnesses, and Ms. Willis is a careful prosecutor. If Mr. Trump or those closest to him are served, that is when subpoenas are most likely to be challenged in court  but that is probably months away.

If Mr. Trump is charged, it will set off a legal battle. There are substantial legal defenses that Mr. Trump could attempt. He could argue that he has constitutional immunity from prosecution for his acts while president, that his words were protected by the First Amendment or even that he acted in absolute good faith because he genuinely believed that he had won.

The judicial system will ultimately decide if these defenses will work. But soliciting election fraud is not within the scope of official presidential duties protected by immunity, the First Amendment does not protect criminal activity, and a president cannot successfully claim good faith when he was repeatedly told by his own officials that there was no fraud. Still, no one should consider the case a slam-dunk.

The case also in no way diminishes the importance of the House of Representatives Jan. 6 committee. In fact, the committee will most likely aid the Georgia prosecution while going about the business of its own investigation. (Ms. Willis and the committee have reportedly already been in contact.) For example, litigation with Mr. Meadows disclosed key details of the alleged plot to overturn the Georgia election. An email the committee filed from one of the lawyers helping Mr. Trump, Cleta Mitchell, included a detailed 11-point memo about overturning the election. Operating outside Washington, Ms. Willis might have taken years to obtain that email and other evidence like it.

Jury trials, which both of us have tried and supervised, are living events, and success is never assured. But in Georgia, if it reaches that stage, the evidence is strong, the law is favorable, the prosecutor is proven, and the cause  democracy itself  is just.

Norman Eisen, a senior fellow at Brookings and the executive chair at the States United Democracy Center, was special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during the first Trump impeachment and is the author of Overcoming Trumpery. Donald Ayer, a former U.S. attorney in the Reagan administration and deputy attorney general in the George H.W. Bush administration, is an adjunct professor at Georgetown Law and on the advisory board of States United.
CAPRI, Italy  In a location that requires no filter, it was astonishing how many such tools were being used on a springlike April afternoon. The occasion? A fresh start for Emilio Pucci, the Florentine label founded by Marchese Emilio Pucci in 1947, and the first offerings under its new artistic director, Camille Miceli. About 175 guests were taking part in a three-day celebration of nonstop Instagram fodder.

Once upon a time, Slim Aarons would have been the one to capture such beau monde happenings. These days its the likes of Wu Jie, a 21-year-old influencer from Milan. A self-styled cool hunter, she goes by the handle niki_wujie and is from Zhengzhou in central China.

We need curiosity, she said. Otherwise we get bored in a second. Brands must be active now.

Ms. Miceli showed her first collection on this island in the Gulf of Naples, where Emilio Pucci used to spend summers with his high-society friends and clients and which has drawn the fashionable since Roman times. To unveil her new designs, she chose to forgo a traditional runway format. Instead, the island was turned into a backdrop to showcase her designs. That meant a three-day carnival of connected vignettes in which Pucci-clad models intermingled with guests at lively soirees, on the beach and on the dance floor.
For many Americans, encountering a train is merely an inconvenience. Freight trains can block road crossings for long stretches at a time; their loud horns can be heard at all hours of the night; occasionally they even derail in a terrifying fashion. Never mind the fact that many of our consumer goods are moved by rail at some point, or that vital raw materials  steel, lumber, sand, petroleum products  as well as produce and other perishables are commonly transported on our nations freight rail system.

And yet, even to nonenthusiasts, theres something mesmerizing about witnessing this particular locomotive  though I struggle to explain exactly why that is. Perhaps Union Pacific 4014 reminds us of a time when our communities were more connected with one another. During the golden era of railroading, after all, practically every major city and town in the United States was linked by passenger railroad. And in those days a towns train station might have acted as the social hub of the community: It was where the days mail arrived, where telegraph operators sent and received messages from around the world, where loved ones shared teary goodbyes and joyful hugs of reunion, where marching bands escorted parades of fighting men as they marched off to participate in two world wars in as many generations  and where they returned home, both the living and the dead.
Update: After crash inmate Casey White surrendered, and the former officer, Vicky White, fatally shot herself, officials say.

The authorities in Alabama said on Monday that they had issued an arrest warrant for a corrections officer who disappeared with a murder suspect after they left a jail together last week for an appointment that turned out not to exist.

The officer, Vicky White, the assistant director of corrections for Lauderdale County, Ala., left the county jail at 9:41 a.m. on Friday to take the inmate, Casey White, to a mental health evaluation at the county courthouse in Florence, just outside Muscle Shoals. Though Officer White and Mr. White have the same surname, they are not related, officials said.

The Lauderdale County sheriff, Rick Singleton, said at a news conference on Monday that an arrest warrant had been issued for Officer White on a charge of permitting or facilitating an escape in the first degree, though he added that it was possible that she had been coerced or threatened. We know for sure she did participate, he said.
Thomas was unarmed when the last two shots were fired, having discarded the gun about 40 feet away, Mr. Krasner said. Immediately after he fired the final shot at Thomas, who by that time was on the ground, Mr. Mendoza told a fellow officer that the boy had tossed the gun and pointed to its location, Mr. Krasner said.

When Officer Mendoza fired the third and fatal shot, he knew the 12-year-old, five-foot-tall, 111-pound Thomas Siderio no longer had a gun and no ability to harm him, Mr. Krasner said. But he fired a shot through his back nonetheless that killed him.

Thomas was later pronounced dead at a hospital, the authorities said.

When Mr. Mendoza fired the third shot, Mr. Krasner said, he was about half a car length away from Thomas and would have had the opportunity to clearly see him.

After the shooting, Mr. Krasner said, Mr. Mendoza gave an untruthful statement about his position when he fired the final two shots.

When people make untruthful statements about what happened that are crucial to understanding the death of another person, in the law, that can be interpreted to indicate guilty knowledge, a sense that you need to cover something up because you know that what you did is illegal, Mr. Krasner said.

Conor Corcoran, a lawyer representing Thomass father, whose name is also Thomas Siderio, said that he believed there was not conclusive evidence that the boy had fired a gun.

Until all that information comes to light, I still think its very premature and reckless to speculate that my boy even fired a gun to begin with, but well see, Mr. Corcoran said, referring to Thomas.
A former New York City police officer who claimed he was acting in self-defense when he swung a metal flagpole at a fellow officer during the attack on the Capitol last January was convicted on Monday of all charges, including assault.

The former officer, Thomas Webster, was the first person charged in connection with the riot to defend himself at trial by claiming that the officers protecting the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, had used excessive force against the pro-Trump mob that stormed the building. The guilty verdict in the case  returned within two hours on the first full day of deliberations  could give pause to other defendants planning to use similar arguments at their own trials.

Mr. Webster, a former Marine who once served on the protective detail of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York, testified that he had gone to Washington to hear President Donald J. Trump speak near the White House and became upset as he walked toward the Capitol and saw people injured by the violence that had erupted.

As he approached the barricades that surrounded the building, he told the jury, a Metropolitan Police Department officer, Noah Rathbun, provoked him with a brief wave then threw a punch at him that struck him like a freight train.
WASHINGTON  She was once pressed to run for governor of California by President Bill Clinton. She was considered as a running mate to former Vice President Walter F. Mondale. And after the bitter 2008 Democratic primary, it was in her living room that former Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton met to make peace.

These days, however, Senator Dianne Feinstein, the trailblazing Democratic power broker who has served in the Senate for 30 years, is far from the towering presence she once was on the American political stage.

At 88, Ms. Feinstein sometimes struggles to recall the names of colleagues, frequently has little recollection of meetings or telephone conversations, and at times walks around in a state of befuddlement  including about why she is increasingly dogged by questions about whether she is fit to serve in the Senate representing the 40 million residents of California, according to half a dozen lawmakers and aides who spoke about the situation on the condition of anonymity.

On Capitol Hill, it is widely  though always privately  acknowledged that Ms. Feinstein suffers from acute short-term memory issues that on some days are ignorable, but on others raise concern among those who interact with her.
Three men born in American Samoa who live in Utah sued to obtain citizenship, and Judge Clark Waddoups of the Federal District Court in Utah ruled in their favor. He rejected the federal governments argument that the Constitution does not require birthright citizenship for people born in unincorporated territories and that any remedy here must come from Congress, not the federal judiciary.

Judge Waddoups also discounted the views of the government of American Samoa, which said citizenship should not be imposed over the wishes of many residents who fear it would imperil their traditional cultural and religious practices.

The judge instead ruled for the challengers, relying on the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment, which says that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.

A divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit reversed Judge Waddoupss decision, citing the Insular Cases.

Judge Carlos F. Lucero, writing for the majority, acknowledged that the cases have become controversial and are criticized as amounting to a license for further imperial expansion and having been based at least in part on racist ideology.

But Judge Lucero concluded that the Insular Cases supply the correct framework for application of constitutional provisions to the unincorporated territories. Under that framework, he wrote, the plaintiffs were not entitled to citizenship at birth as a constitutional right.

Congress is free to confer birthright citizenship on American Samoa, as it has on people born in Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands. But the Constitution, he wrote, is silent on the matter.
Tennessees governor on Monday ordered a halt to all executions through the end of the year and opened an investigation into why the state had failed to properly test lethal injection drugs that were set to be used on a prisoner last month.

The execution of that prisoner, Oscar F. Smith, was halted about an hour before he was scheduled to be killed because the drugs were not tested for endotoxins, contaminants that could cause unforeseeable side effects if injected. The moratorium will temporarily delay the execution of Mr. Smith and four other men who had been scheduled to die this year.

The failure to test for the toxins, which experts said could cause respiratory failure or other distressing symptoms before death, was the latest in a string of errors and challenges for states seeking to carry out the death penalty while lethal drugs are harder to procure. A judge in Oklahoma is currently weighing whether a drug used during executions in several states, including Oklahoma and Tennessee, is constitutional, and South Carolina is preparing to carry out its first execution by firing squad after saying it could no longer acquire lethal injection drugs.

Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee, a Republican, said on Monday that Ed Stanton, a former federal prosecutor in Tennessee, would lead an investigation into why the drugs used for lethal injection were not tested for the endotoxins.
Judge McBurney told potential jurors to announce that they had a potential conflict if they were convinced that a crime had definitely been committed in regard to the 2020 elections  or if they were convinced that no crimes at all had occurred. Roughly 25 said they had such a conflict.

The special grand jurors will issue subpoenas, hear testimony and review documents. The meetings will be confidential, and jurors will not be allowed to discuss the proceedings outside of their meetings. But the judge noted that witnesses could speak about the proceedings publicly if they so wished.

In January, a majority of the judges in the Fulton County Superior Court system approved Ms. Williss request for the special grand jury, allowing it to meet for up to a year beginning May 2. After the panel makes recommendations regarding criminal prosecutions, it will be up to Ms. Willis, a Democrat, to return to a regular grand jury to seek criminal indictments.

Anthony Michael Kreis, a law professor at Georgia State University, said that impaneling the grand jury was a sign that prosecutors had acknowledged the complexity, sensitivity and unique nature of the case. Among other things, Ms. Willis has raised the possibility that Mr. Trump and his allies violated the states Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO. Like the federal RICO law, which has been used to target the Mafia and other organized crime networks, Georgias state racketeering statute is a tool that can be used to go after a broad range of groups that take part in patterns of criminal conduct. Proving that case would require a deep examination of multiple moving parts.

Among them, potentially, are a call that Mr. Graham made to Mr. Raffensperger asking whether mail-in votes could be discarded in counties with high rates of questionable ballot signatures; a visit Mr. Meadows made to suburban Atlanta to monitor an election audit there; and postelection appearances that Mr. Giuliani made before state legislative committees in which he asked for an alternative pro-Trump slate of electors to be appointed.

Theres a lot more than just the phone call, said Mr. Kreis, who added that the case involved areas of the law that were underdeveloped.
As nuclear power companies seek ways to expand mining and jump-start the enrichment supply chain in the United States, opponents of Pinyon Plain warn it could produce an outcome similar to the hundreds of abandoned uranium mines still emitting dangerous radiation levels on Indigenous lands.

This specific site is sacred for us, dotted with burial places and remains of homes and sweat lodges, said Carletta Tilousi, a former Havasupai Tribal Council member who has been fighting the mine for decades.

Like other uranium projects around the country, activity at the mine was suspended in the 1990s when uranium prices crashed. But the mines owners managed to advance the project, even after the Obama administration announced a 20-year ban in 2012 on new uranium mining around the Grand Canyon.

Owners of the mine, which was grandfathered in before the moratorium, have prevailed in one legal challenge after another. In February, a federal appeals court sided with the U.S. Forest Service in a ruling against the Havasupai and three environmental groups seeking to prevent the mine from operating.

Mr. Chalmers, of Energy Fuels, called the ruling a victory for energy security, contending that the mine had enough uranium to provide the entire state of Arizona with electricity for one year.

Its the highest-grade uranium mine in the United States, said Mr. Chalmers, who has extensive experience in Australia and former Soviet republics.

Eying uranium prices, which have shot up more than 30 percent since the war flared up, he also said that Energy Fuels was close to negotiating contracts to supply uranium to nuclear power plant operators in the United States. At the same time, he argued that the mine would not be harmful to the Havasupai.
Coronavirus cases are surging again in South Africa, and public health experts are monitoring the situation, eager to know whats driving the spike, what it says about immunity from previous infections and what its implications are globally.

South Africa experienced a decline in cases after hitting an Omicron-fueled, pandemic peak in December. But in the past week, cases have tripled, positivity rates are up and hospitalizations have also increased, health officials said. The surge has the country facing a possible fifth wave.

The spike is linked to BA.4 And BA.5, two subvariants that are part of the Omicron family.

Tulio de Oliveira, director of South Africas KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform, said that BA.4 and BA.5 demonstrate how the virus is evolving differently as global immunity increases.
Over nearly two decades, Iryna Abramova and her husband, Oleh, built a life of love and happiness. Now, she says, she wishes the Russian soldiers had shot her, too.

BUCHA, Ukraine  She called him Sunshine. He called her Kitty.

They met nearly 20 years ago when she was working at a hospital and he sauntered through the door, young, muscular and beautiful, to fix the roof.

Iryna Abramova said she made the first move and followed him to where he smoked cigarettes behind a wall. They started talking and fell in love, she said, word by word.

But a few weeks ago, the special connection she had with Oleh, the love of her life, and everything they built together ended in a single cruel gunshot. What follows is difficult for Iryna to describe, she said, because it feels so raw and real but, at the same time, its almost impossible to believe.

On the morning of March 5, Iryna said, Russian soldiers attacked her house. They threw a grenade through the window, which started an enormous fire, and marched her and Oleh outside at gunpoint.
JERUSALEM  The Israeli prime minister, Naftali Bennett, condemned on Monday a recent claim by the Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, that Jews were the biggest antisemites.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry also summoned the Russian ambassador to Israel to explain Mr. Lavrovs remarks, while the Israeli foreign minister, Yair Lapid, demanded an apology.

The backlash followed an interview Mr. Lavrov gave on Sunday to an Italian television journalist who asked him why Russia claimed to be denazifying Ukraine when the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, was Jewish. Mr. Lavrov replied that he thought Hitler himself had Jewish roots, a claim dismissed by historians, and added, For a long time now weve been hearing the wise Jewish people say that the biggest antisemites are the Jews themselves.

Mr. Bennett said that he viewed Mr. Lavrovs remarks with the utmost severity, saying that the comments were untrue and their intentions are wrong.
It had been a sound missing from Ukraines capital for months. Then, on a balmy spring afternoon, the chatter of childrens voices again filled a playground.

In a park beside the sky-blue cathedral of St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery, in central Kyiv, a few young children clambered over a jungle gym and rocked on a seesaw.

Mothers stood idly by, chatting. The scene captured the mood of Kyiv these days, as tension slowly seeps out of a city that for weeks had been in the grips of an almost unimaginable, electric state of alarm.

In the early days of the war, families fled. The thud of artillery echoed through the streets. Countless sandbag checkpoints went up. And looming over the city was the prospect of fighting in the streets or a drawn-out siege.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  Ukrainian civilians evacuated from the ruined city of Mariupol carried with them fresh accounts of survival and terror on Monday as Western nations worked to turn their increasingly expansive promises of aid into action, preparing billions of dollars in military and economic assistance, an oil embargo and other once-unthinkable steps.

Despite early-morning shelling, the halting evacuation, overseen by the Red Cross and the United Nations, was seen as the best and possibly last hope for hundreds of civilians who have been trapped for weeks in bunkers beneath the wreckage of the Azovstal steel plant, and an unknown number who are scattered around the ruins of the mostly abandoned city.

Those who had been trapped in Mariupol outside the steel mill described a fragile existence, subsisting on Russian rations cooked outside on wood fires amid daily shelling that left corpses lying in debris.

Yelena Gibert, a psychologist who reached Ukrainian-held territory with her teenage son on Monday, described hopelessness and despair in Mariupol, and said residents were starting to talk of suicide because theyre stuck in this situation.
This is straight out of the Kremlins playbook, Mr. Carpenter told reporters at the State Department on Monday.

He said it was not certain that Russia would ultimately move to annex any of the regions, much less be successful in doing so, but that this is the planning that we are seeing.

President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia recognized the independence of the so-called Donetsk Peoples Republic and Luhansk Peoples Republic a few days before Russias invasion of Ukraine began in late February. Moscow-backed separatists in the regions have been fighting against Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Mr. Putin annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 just hours after 97 percent of voters in a referendum there approved seceding from Ukraine. The vote was criticized as fraudulent, and much of the world has since refused to recognize Crimea as part of the Russian Federation.

Mr. Carpenter said it was also possible that Russias leaders would try to take over other parts of Ukraine, by imposing puppets and proxies in local governments and forcing out democratically elected officials. He said that this had appeared to be Moscows initial aim in Kyiv  a plan that included installing a new constitution in Ukraine  but that Russian forces had been forced to drop back to the countrys east and south after they were unable to take the capital.
MADRID  Data was downloaded from cellphones used by the prime minister and the defense minister of Spain that were infected with powerful spyware known as Pegasus from an Israeli company, the countrys government said on Monday.

The revelation that Pegasus reached the highest echelons of the Spanish government broadens a scandal over political spying in the country, after a cybersecurity watchdog organization found that Pegasus had been installed on the devices of dozens of politicians from the pro-independence government of Catalonia.

Pegasus is a sophisticated and robust surveillance tool, and while it has been used by dozens of governments to hunt down criminals, terrorists and drug traffickers, the developments in Spain will add to concerns that there are insufficient checks to prevent its abuse.

The hacking represented an illegal and external intrusion into Spanish politics, said Felix Bolanos, a minister in the Spanish government, at a news conference, adding that the use of the spyware attack was alien to any national agencies and had not received any kind of judicial authorization.
Mamadi Doumbouya for The New York Times Talk Why Critics of Angry Woke College Kids Are Missing the Point

The halls of academia may appear to be overrun by battles over academic freedom, free speech, identity politics, cancel culture and overreaching wokeness. But why does it look that way? And what are the real causes? The influential political theorist Wendy Brown has spent her career studying the very ideas  those of identity, freedom and tolerance  that are central to current debates about whats happening on college campuses across the country, as well as to the attacks theyre undergoing from within and without. Were confused today about what campuses are, says Brown, who is 66 and is the UPS Foundation Professor in the School of Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, N.J. Weve lost track of whats personal and public and whats acceptable speech where. That confusion happens in part because boundaries are so blurred everywhere.

When people talk about free speech problems in colleges, its often in the context of woke ideology run amok. Which to me seems like a simplistic understanding of what might be causing changes in discourse on campuses. What do you see as being responsible? Campuses are complicated spaces, because they arent just one kind of space: Theres the classroom, the dorm, the public space that is the campus. Then theres what we could call clubs, support centers  identity based or based on social categories or political interests. Its a terrible mistake to confuse all of these and imagine that the classroom or the public space of the campus is the same as your home. Some of that confusion, and I dont think its limited to the left, is responsible for the effort to regulate or denounce what transpires in public spaces. The other thing is that we are suffering from highly politicized discourse about education  discourse that often doesnt care one whit about actual education. The most recent example is Gov. Ron DeSantiss Florida math-book banning for reasons that he cant explain and that have some vague connection to something he doesnt understand called either critical race theory or social-emotional learning. The politicization of academic environments is unhelpful in being able to understand how we teach and orient ourselves to contesting views. What you need is to have the classroom as a space where were not talking left wing and right wing but offering the learning that students need to be able to come to their own positions and judgments. So there are two problems. One is the loss of distinctions among different spaces on campus. The other is the hyperpoliticization of knowledge and education.

Whos responsible for clarifying those campus distinctions? I want to suggest that the biggest onus is on faculty themselves to think through this problem and teach it in their classrooms. Tell students, These are the different kinds of spaces on a campus, and heres whats appropriate in each. Theres an important set of issues to teach and to understand rather than just being reactive. Administrations for the most part have tried to dodge this issue in two ways. One is by issuing vague civility or time, place and manner codes. When Milo Yiannopoulos or Richard Spencer come to campus, administrations try to throw their time, place and manner codes at the problem, but that doesnt settle it. On the other hand, many administrators try to send out general encomiums about tolerance and respect and civility and responsible speech. But those dont address the deeper problem. We need to orient students differently, not just regulate them. Its quite possible to do. If you ask students to think with you about where they think its appropriate to limit speech and where they dont, and you talk them through the histories, the social theories and laws, the jurisprudence on this, theyre game.

Orient them how? Or, put another way, wheres the most common disagreement between student views on free speech and those of you and your colleagues? Certainly we have had for some time a debate about whether hate speech is free speech or ought to be covered by free speech, and if not, what qualifies as hate speech. There are excellent  I cant believe Im about to use this term  critical race theorists who have written volumes on the question of whether hate speech can be specified, what it means to specify it and whether it can be categorized as an exception to free speech. Thats an important zone and a difficult one. Many students today go quickly to the position that there is such a thing as hate speech, that they know it when they see it that and it ought to be outlawed. For me thats a topic to teach, not to simply honor or denounce. Im revealing myself here as a person whose chords and arpeggios and scales are always the history of political thought: John Stuart Mills On Liberty is the place to start. He says that the line between your freedom and its end is where it impacts on anothers freedom. Thats the question with hate speech: When does it do that? Ill also mention Charles Murray. Thats tricky, because his science has been discredited by his peers, and his conclusions are understood by many as a form of hate speech, because he makes an argument about the racial inferiority of Black people in their capacity to learn and to succeed in this society. It feels terrible to give him a podium and a bunch of students who would sit and imbibe that as the truth. I think if Murray is invited to campus, you can picket him, you can leaflet him, but I dont think it should be canceled. The important thing is for students to be educated and educate others about the bad science, the discrediting of his position, and then ask, Why does he survive in the academy, and why does that bad science keep getting resuscitated? Those are important questions for students to ask and then learn how to answer. Thats whats going to equip them in this political world.

Wendy Brown at a rally at Williams College in 1985, where she was an assistant professor. From Wendy Brown

Questions about whats happening on college campuses keep turning into questions about politics, which happens a lot these days but which maybe also conflates various things. A debate over cancel culture on campus, for example, is a different thing from legislators enacting laws limiting what can be taught in schools. So where are the useful connections and what are the unhelpful conflations as far as politics and on-campus issues? Here I think its time to talk about the very serious right-wing effort to use free speech and freedom more generally as a flag for a political, social and moral project. On campus, for example, the constant harangues about cancel culture and wokeness on the left that you get from the right keep us from seeing enormous amounts of foundation money and use of the state to try to control what is taught, to build institutes and curriculums that comport with a right-wing engine. Guilford College, this little Quaker school in North Carolina takes half a million dollars from a foundation in love with Ayn Rand. Every econ and business major in the college for the next 10 years had to be given a copy of Atlas Shrugged, and at the center of the curriculum there had to be a course in which Atlas Shrugged was the required textbook. This story has been repeated over and over. Then you have colleges and universities not so desperate but nonetheless willing to take large amounts of Koch and other right-wing-foundation money to set up institutes, even hire faculty. All of this is under the aegis of free speech, organized as correcting for wokeness and cancel culture. The right is also mobilizing the state. Not just to cancel math textbooks in Florida but the Dont Say Gay bills, the C.R.T. bills. Its important that we have our eyes wide open about that. Little episodes about cancel culture make great tidbits in newspapers and talk shows, but they dont represent this larger and deeper project of the right of mobilizing state power and corporations for their agenda in schools. They also dont represent the deeper problem with which we began: the confusions and the loss of boundaries between something like academic freedom and free speech. That boundary is just totally messed up.

Where should that boundary be? Academic freedom needs to be appreciated as a collective right of the faculty to be free of interference in determining what we research and teach. Were accountable to our disciplines, our peers. We cant just do anything and have it called quality scholarship or teaching. But the idea of academic freedom is that we are free of external interference. Free speech is different. Its an individual right for the civic and public sphere. Its not about research and teaching. Its not even about the classroom. Its what you can say in public without infringement by others or the state. Now, whats the mess-up? The right today is mobilizing state power and using corporate money to attempt to constrain academic freedom in the name of free speech. Theyre attempting to say what cant be taught in primary and secondary schools, and theyd like to get their hands on the public universities. They dont say were trying to constrict academic freedom. They bring free speech in as the rubric for these constraints or censorship and often bring parental rights as well. Now lets go to the left. The left has permitted a certain moral, political strain to gain a foothold in classrooms where things ought to be more open and contestatory. Thats where I think theres confusion on the part of the left and the right about whether the classroom is that civic space for free speech or whether it ought to be governed by something more like academic freedom, which is, again, a faculty right. Then the question is, What can and should students be able to do there? My own view is that they ought to be able to try out their ideas but not simply have them presented as a political broadside. Thats not what class is for. Thats for civic space.

Brown speaking at a seminar at the Institute for Advanced Study in 2021. Andrea Kane/Institute for Advanced Study

So in your view its a kind of category error to think of an academic classroom as a site for free speech? Yes. Not because there shouldnt be openness for ideas to circulate but because its not a free-speech zone. You cant just say anything. You come into my class on political theory, and were talking about John Stuart Mill or Plato, and you want to begin yelling about the Russians attacking Ukraine, Im going to tell you thats not appropriate. Ive given you a kind of extreme example. To the student who starts denouncing Marx  clearly not having read the text, which is terribly common  Im not going to say, OK, you get your five minutes and the next student gets their five minutes. No, its not a free-speech domain. It should be a domain in which all kinds of concerns that bear on the topic have a place, no doubt about that, but thats not free speech.

I find it difficult to understand the extent to which fears about cancel culture or free-speech issues on campus could be akin to a kind of moral panic. In your own experience are these phenomena more alive and dangerous than they used to be or are people just fixating on them more? I do think that in order to feel effective in a world that makes many politically progressive or socially conscious kids feel extremely impotent, that there may be a little upsurge of righteousness; you try to control the tiny world that youve got. Theres probably some of that, but I agree with you not just that this is a kind of moral panic but also that its basically a right-wing mobilizing trope. Critical race theory, the supposed education of little kids in sexuality and gayness and cancel culture are being used with great effect to convince a base that the left is a totalitarian socialist nightmare and that universities and schools are crawling with this stuff. The analogy I would offer is communists under the bed: Its everywhere; its in the math books; its in every kindergarten; its got to be cleaned out.

Looking specifically at college campuses, though, what do you think are the biggest threats to academic freedom? What worries me is that we cant see the extent to which academic freedom is in serious peril these days from increasing corporate sponsorship of research, which contours that research in a private-enterprise direction and away from research for the public. Also, adjunctification: The phenomenon in universities in this country today in which about 70 percent of teaching is done by non-tenure-track faculty means that 70 percent of those who are teaching basically dont have academic freedom. Technically they have it, but they dont have it in the sense that they dont have job security. Theyre dependent on student evaluations on the one hand and faculty approval on the other. What does that mean? They have to teach in a way that is entertaining. They cant teach anything too challenging. They cant teach the basic literacies that students need to understand the world in a deep way. So adjunctification, corporatization and then the rankings-and-rating systems of programs and faculties and individual academics also mean that we are increasingly constrained by a narrow set of norms in the discipline by which we either rise or fall. Its also important to distinguish between academic life and political life. In a classroom, in a research project, you have to be treating good challenges as something you cherish. The political world, you stake your position and you try to win. A highly politicized academy is a real disaster, because it messes up the importance of more open space for thinking, for undoing something you had arrived at. That needs to happen in any research or seminar or lecture hall. Thats the opposite of political life.

Has the hyperpoliticization that you mentioned earlier changed what students expect to be getting out of university? Which is to say, their willingness to entertain uncomfortable ideas? The immense hurdle is the idea that your future income prospects and investment in those prospects are what youre in college to pursue. The second problem here is that instead of approaching higher education as a place where you expect to be transformed in what you think the world is, what it takes to understand it, that ideal of a higher education  which is essential to developing citizens  has been almost completely displaced by the idea of bits of human capital self-investing to enhance that capital. So political views, social views, are for many students bracketed if not altogether irrelevant to what they expect a university education to be. Whats the implication of this? That those views are treated as something that you just have culturally, religiously, according to family  but not something that you develop, enrich, maybe change. To put it in brief, neoliberalism essentially aims to roll out education as vocational training, and the extreme right essentially aims to turn education into church. What you have in the middle are a bunch of kids earnestly concerned with social justice, climate crisis, police violence, screaming into that context that their views matter, and that their view should hold sway and if not dictate curriculums at least dictate the culture of campus.

How much should students views dictate the culture of a campus? I dont think they should dictate curriculum. I certainly think that in the open public space of campus, what students believe and student disagreements and student political and social aspirations for the world will govern that. If I can add this: We need to appreciate that young left activist outrage about a burning planet and grotesque inequality and murderous racial violence and gendered abuses of power is accompanied by disgust with the systems and the rules of engagement that have brought us here. Young left activists are pulling the emergency brake because it feels as if theres no time for debate and compromise and incrementalism; because many see conventional norms and practices as having brought us to the brink and kept us stupid and inert. I dont think theyre entirely wrong. #MeToo, with its flagrant disregard for due process, did in two years what previous generations of feminists could not pull off, which was to make sexual harassment totally unacceptable in school and workplaces. Black Lives Matter in a summer pushed Americas violent racial history and present into the center of political conversation and transformed the consciousness of a generation. My point here is that if we just focus on this generations political style  and we have to remember youth style always aggravates the elders  we ignore their rage at the world theyve inherited, and their desperation for a more livable and just one, and their critique of our complacency. That is part of what is going on in the streets and on our campuses. But that remains different from educating that rage and helping young people learn not just the deep histories but even the contemporary practices that will make them more powerful thinkers and actors in this world. If theyre right about our complacency, what we still have to offer is knowledge and instruction and some space in a classroom to think.

This interview has been edited and condensed from two conversations.

David Marchese is a staff writer for the magazine and the columnist for Talk. Recently he interviewed Neal Stephenson about portraying a utopian future, Laurie Santos about happiness and Christopher Walken about acting.
An unusual capsule machine in Shinjuku, Tokyo has been getting a lot of attention on social media for dispensing ID photos of total strangers for 300 yen ($2.30).

Gachapon capsule toys are really popular in Japan, so popular that you can find them virtually everywhere, dispensing all kinds of collectibles, from small action figures and dolls to souvenirs. The concept has become so popular that it has been incorporated in the majority of mobile phone games, where users have to pay real money for the chance of receiving a missing character or skin. Capsule machines have been around in Japan for decades, but back in March, one particular such machine in Tokyo went viral on social media for dispensing something very unusual  ID photos of total strangers.

Its hard to explain why someone would pay at least 300 yen ($2.30) for the ID photo of a random person, but according to Japanese news site Nippon.com, thousands of people have done just that over the past couple of months. Some of these people bragged about their weird find on social media, which caused the machine in the Kagurazaka district of Shinjuku to go viral.

Its so interesting. I wonder who it is, one buyer said. I bought it for something to talk about, but now I dont know what to do with it. Ill enjoy showing it to the people at work. I might put it on display there.

I thought it would be fun to stick an ojisan [middle-aged man] photo onto my smartphone, so I came to buy one, a visitor says, adding, As long as its an ojisan, anyone will do.

Installed in March, the unique gachapon machine became so popular that people started coming to Kagurazaka from as far as Osaka just to get one of the 10 possible ID photos. Some even made it their mission to complete their collection.

So whats the deal with this weird capsule machine and its random ID photos? Well, apparently it is the brainchild of a Tokyo entrepreneur by the name of Terai Hiroki, who explained that he came up with the idea after thinking that, in a time when everyone is wearing face masks, it would be nice to look at a random face.

Everyone wears masks in the pandemic as a matter of course, so theres no chance to see other peoples faces, Terai said. ID photos seem to be as close as you can get to seeing their real faces. You can wonder about what job looking theyre for, what kind of people they are, and what their names are. Its fun to imagine all kinds of things.

Terai said that, in order to preserve the authenticity of the project, the 10 photos dispensed by his machine are genuine passport and job resume photos. He asked 10 random people to allow him to sell their photos in a gachapon machine and even accompanied some of them to have their pictures taken.

The young businessman admitted that he was certain his unusual capsule machine idea would sell very poorly, but at the end of April he launched a second round, with even more ID photos of random people. I guess you really can monetize everything, you just have to come up with the right presentation.
An Offaly woman gave a false name and address when stopped by the Gardai at a Garda checkpoint, a recent sitting of Tullamore District Court was told.

Geovana Brandao, formerly of St Mary's Hill, Edenderry and now living in Ballymacaw, Dunmore East, Co Waterford pleaded guilty.

The defending solicitor Donal Farrelly said his client didn't have a driving licence at the time but does have a driving licence now. She was also summonsed for no insurance.

She is 23 years of age and has no previous convictions. She works as a customer adviser and lives with her husband. When she was stopped she was very nervous about the situation and therefore gave a false name and address.

My client has been living in Ireland since 2013. She has done nine driving lessons with the eventual aim of getting a driving licence. Mr Farrelly said she bought the car in November 2020 and was using it to drive to and from work.

Judge John King convicted and fined 100 for giving a false name and address and 300 and two years disqualification for no insurance.
A REMARKABLE woman was buried after her funeral Mass in the graveyard beside St Carthages Church at Killina near Tullamore on Thursday of last week.

Sr Oliver Wrafter was 99 and had been chosen as Offaly Person of the Year in 2006 mainly due to her contribution to education at the Presentation school in Rahan where she was principal at one stage and taught for 44 years. She also started the Rahan Heritage Centre.

She died two days beforehand, on Tuesday of last week, at the Shalom nursing home in Kilcock, where she had been cared for over recent years.

A Presentation nun, her final resting place could hardly be more appropriate as she was credited with bringing secondary education to Rahan with the opening of the Killina Presentation Secondary School there, across from St Carthages church.

Even more remarkably she entered the convent at Rahan in 1940 where she stayed until its closure in 2019, living in the same room and sleeping in the same bed for over 75 years.

The convent had been open for 202 years, since 1817, and is now the Killina Presentation Resource Centre following an agreement reached between local people and the Presentation Sisters.

What people may not know about Sr Oliver is that her (lay) name was Ita, as she would always be known in the Wrafter family. Born on February 5, 1923, she had lost both her parents by the time she was 13. The family was living in Dublin then and she was just 2 when her mother Bridget died giving birth to Josephine, who also died a short time later.

An older sister Eileen [PM1] was born in 1919 and a brother Kevin in 1921. Both have died. Their father Joseph was a stonemason and at one time was head of the Stonemasons guild in Ireland. He died in 1936 aged 54 from a lung disease as a result of his trade.

It was then Ita and her siblings came to live in Tullamore with an elderly uncle and aunt.

Beforehand, in 1916, her father had been involved in what became known as 'the Tullamore Incident' where, it would be claimed later, the first shots of the Easter Rising were fired.

According to a statement by Peadar Barcken, a commanding officer in the Irish Volunteers, in the Bureau of Military History this 'Tullamore Incident' occurred at the Sinn Fein Hall on William Street in Tullamore (also now known as Colmcille Street).

Cumann na mBan members and five or six volunteers were planning a fundraiser to buy arms for the Volunteers when a hostile crowd gathered outside. Joe Wrafter and Peadar Bracken escorted the Cumann na mBan members home and returned to the hall where they were attacked by the crowd who then broke into the hall.

Peadar Bracken fired two shots over the crowds to disperse them. The RIC arrived then and insisted on searching the hall which the volunteers refused to allow, fearing they would lose the few arms and ammunition they had there. A fight broke out and shots were fired injuring an RIC sergeant.

Itas father Joe and three others were arrested that night, but the others escaped and two of them, including Peadar Bracken, took part in the 1916 Rising and survived. Joe Wrafter was held in Tullamore jail and transferred to Richmond barracks in Dublin in May 1916. He was subsequently court-martialled for attempted murder and imprisoned in Kilmainham jail.

The family dont know what involvement he had in the War of Independence after that, but it is almost certain he would have been in Dublin for the Rising had it not been for the Tullamore incident.

Ita was always intensely proud of her father, recalls her first cousin (once removed) Ben Wrafter. Their grandfathers were brothers.

My first memories of Sr Ita were her visits to our family home in Carrick and Shannon in what must have been the early 60s  I was no more than 5 or 6. At the time Sr Ita wore, along with the black habit, a very elaborate white head dress coming down onto her forehead which completely covered her hair and neck with only her face showing. To me it was totally exotic, her face was angelic, and I was sure she was really an angel, he said.

My next real involvement with Sr Ita was in College (UCG) in the early 70s. She was doing a BA and hDip. This came about as a result of the new Department (of Education) policy that schools had to have qualified teachers and Sr Ita was determined that the school would stay open, from what I understand, she had quite a fight to achieve that. I did not have a great deal of contact with her then  it wasnt hip at 17 in College to have nuns as friends, he said.

In more recent decades he became a regular visitor to Sr Oliver/Ita in Rahan where, he said, my head used to swim with cousins, first and second cousins and when she went on about cousins 1st and 2nd removed, I was totally lost.

They started to build a family tree and began visiting graveyards around Rahan and Tullamore, the cemetery in Mucklagh and the old cemetery in Rahan, checking out Wrafter graves. They also started a Facebook page called 'the Wrafter Name' and got in touch with Wrafters in the US, Canada, Australia, and some European countries.

One of Bens favourite stories about Sr Oliver/Ita concerned three sculptures which ended up in the school at Rahan. Eventually. An American lady contacted her about sculptures of the OBriens, who had been patrons of the convent at Rahan in the 1800s. The sculptures were by a reputable Italian sculptor but they had disappeared shortly after being set up in Rahan and were by then 'missing' for over 150 years.

There was some discussion that these might be in the basements of the Pro Cathedral in Dublin so, true to fashion, Sr Oliver decided we should check this out and we headed for the Pro Cathedral  as ever, unannounced. We arrived in the Cathedral and went to see the caretaker or sacristan.

It did not begin well. He spent about 20 minutes politely, adamantly explaining to us that no one could visit the basement without the permission of the Archbishop which would have to be obtained in advance. Needless to say, after another 20 minutes of Sr Oliver/Ita being just as polite and just as adamant the door was unlocked, and we were ushered down into the basement. You know that man never really had a chance.

The basement, Ben recalled as incredible, with old burial vaults and all kinds of items stored and after some time, sure enough, we found the sculptures  the buckle on one of the sculptures had MOB on it so we knew these were the ones.

Sr Ita/Oliver looked up at me with a twinkle in her eye and with the greatest smile of satisfaction you could possibly imagine. Again, that was Sr Ita. Nothing would stop her and, as everyone knows now, the sculptures went back to Rahan school, he said.

For us in the family she was the very best of us, he said. She will be so sadly missed but I know that she is happy now in the place where she has wanted to be for some time past, with the God she devoted her life to and with her father Joe, sister Eileen, brother Kevin and Bridget the mother she never really knew and her sister Josephine who she never really knew either.
Grey-haired executive Igor Volobuyev said when Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine on February 24 he had no choice but to ditch his BMW, give up his savings and fight for his motherland.
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ISLAMABAD, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Ten people were killed and several others injured in separate road accidents on Monday in Pakistan, local media reported.

Seven people were burnt to death after a vehicle fell into a dry canal in Nawabshah district of Pakistan's southern Sindh province, local media said.

The accident occurred when an over-speeding vehicle lost control and crashed into the canal on the national highway, according to the reports.

A fire erupted in the vehicle following the accident, resulting in the death of seven people including two children and four women, police told local media.

Immediately after the incident, police said, locals rushed to the spot and removed the victims from the vehicle, adding that they were shifted to the local hospital.

Police said that the victims belonged to the Moro city of the province.

Separately, three people were killed and several others injured in a collision between a truck and a passenger van on Monday at Tando Muhammd Khan road in Hyderabad city of Sindh, local media reported.

All the victims were shifted to the local hospital, according to local media. 
As Germany looks to ditch Russian oil and gas for good, its domestic energy industry is a key side actor  but can it step up to the plate? We search for clues in the village where Germany's oil sector was born.
Sky News 01 May 2022

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The German opposition leader is set to head to Ukraine's capital  a trip Chancellor Olaf Scholz so far has no plans to make. Scholz's Social Democrats see Merz's move as a PR stunt ahead of important state elections.
Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said Germany has already reduced oil, coal and gas imports. Berlin has been under pressure to reduce its reliance on Russian oil since Moscow invaded Ukraine.
New Zealand welcomed tourists from Canada, the U.S., Britain, Japan and more than 50 other countries for the first time in more than two years Monday after dropping most of its remaining pandemic border restrictions.
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Thomas Webster was found guilty in federal court after assaulting a Washington, D.C., police officer with a metal flagpole during the riot at the Capitol last year.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. (U.S.A) - Harlem Fine Arts Show (HFAS), the largest traveling Diasporic art show in the country, returns to the Nation's Capital on Friday, June 10th through Sunday, June 12th at the Marriott Marquis, 901 Massachusetts Ave NW in Downtown D.C. (U.S.A.). Art lovers will come to enjoy this unprecedented exhibition featuring the best of modern and contemporary African art from around the globe with more than 2,000 works 
LOS ANGELES, CA- April 2022: Immigrants make up 40 million of America's population who come in search of the American Dream. Chuong Lee found her American dream and survival through donuts. Before arriving penniless in America, she recalls the atrocities that she witnessed in her home country of Cambodia during the 1970s and what her family had to go through to come to America. The story ends as an immigrant 
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims.

Sunday, May 1

10:09 p.m. Police responded to the 100 Block of Welch Drive for a general assist.

9:17 p.m. Officers were called to South Saginaw and East Patrick roads for a crash causing property damage.

7:21 p.m. A 41-year-old woman called to report she was having issues with the staff at her assisted living home. She was advised to call her case worker to handle the matter.

7:05 p.m. A deputy spoke with a Homer Township woman who had questions about a child custody matter. The woman stated her children were going to be returned tonight but it was against the agreement she and the father had made. The woman did not want the father contacted. The woman wanted the incident documented.

7:34 p.m. A deputy responded to DNR wildlife complaint that occurred in the City of Midland. A report has been forwarded to the prosecutor for review.

5:12 p.m. A deputy was called to a Homer Township rental house because the landlords had some concerns with possession and property damage. The tenants were gone, and the landlords are aware of the court process.

5:02 p.m. Officers were called to the 4100 block of Elm Court for a general assist.

4:54 p.m. A 65-year-old Warren Township woman reported she was the victim of a fraud. The woman had been contacted by someone she believed to be a friend advising he was in a crash. A "public defender" then called her requesting money for her friend and she provided information for a $300 MoneyPak card. The woman later felt that this was a scam and reported it to police. She also spoke to her friend, and he had not been in a crash.

2:42 p.m. A 30-year-old Lincoln Township man contacted the Sheriff's Office because he wanted to know how to legally trespass his 26-year-old ex-girlfriend and her 22-year-old brother from his property. The Deputy explained the procedures.

2:52 p.m. A 24-year-old Sebewaing woman reporting having a verbal dispute with a 61-year-old Coleman man after her 3-year-old son was disciplined by the man. The deputy contacted both parents of the 3-year-old, the grandmother of the 3-year-old and grandmother's fiance. Everyone was educated on who should be handing-out discipline and what time of discipline is appropriate. The parties separated themselves prior to deputy arrival. The 3-year-old was not hurt and was peacefully sleeping when the deputy arrived.

2:01 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township residence for a verbal argument between a 45-year-old Jerome Township woman and a 43-year-old Jerome Township man. Both parties were separated.

1:30 p.m. Deputies responded to a Lincoln Township residence in reference to a 74-year-old man requesting assistance for his 68-year-old intoxicated female friend. Deputies arrived on scene with EMS and assisted the 68-year-old woman. The woman was transported to the hospital by her 74-year-old friend without further incident.

1:13 p.m. A deputy was dispatched to a Jerome Township property regarding a malicious destruction of property/turfing complaint. The damages are estimated at over $500.

11:15 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township residence for a report of torn up grass from an unknown vehicle. No leads currently.

10:52 a.m. A deputy responded to an Ingersoll Township residence to assist a 36-year-old St. Louis woman with picking up her 15-year-old daughter at a friend's house. The 15-year-old had been staying with her uncle in the City of Midland because she and the mother had relationship issues. The deputy spoke to the uncle who advised his niece was rebellious and it wasn't working out. The girl was then allowed to stay with one of her friends for a few days until her mother found out and wanted to pick her up but the girl didn't want to go. The deputy spoke to the resident and the daughter advising them that the mother had legal custody. The girl left with her mom without incident.

9:59 a.m. Deputies responded to an assisted living facility in Porter Township in reference to a 31-year-old woman reporting being assaulted by a 41-year-old woman. The parties were separated, and no charges were pursued between the parties.

Saturday, April 30

11:28 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township residence reference a verbal between a 45-year-old woman and her 43-year-old brother. Both subjects were highly intoxicated and arguing over the woman losing the dog. Deputies found the dog hiding under the bed. No assault.

10:52 p.m. Officers were called to the 1300 block of East Andrews for a civil dispute.

9:30 p.m. Deputies responded to a Lee Township location for a personal protection order violation. A 36-year-old Lee Township woman advised her 31-year-old estranged Mt Haley Township husband drove by the Lee Township residence she is staying at. The woman had questions about the incident and wanted it documented. The incident was turned over to the prosecuting attorneys office.

12:57 p.m. Deputies responded to a Mills Township residence in reference to a verbal dispute between a 50-year-old man and his 25-year-old son, that resulted in a malicious destruction of property. The parties were separated upon deputies arrival and the incident was further investigated. A report is being sent over to the prosecuting attorneys office for further review.

1:40 a.m. Deputies responded to Ingersoll Township in reference to multiple individuals camping on private property without permission. Deputies spoke with a 39-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman and advised them they were on private property. The individuals left the property without incident and the owner did not need further assistance.

10:22 a.m. A 39-year-old mother called 911 because her 8-year-old son was acting out after he lost a game. The mother was provided with a Midland County help line card. It was suggested she take advantage of the parenting classes offered.

8:17 a.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township gas station for a larceny of gas complaint. There are no known suspects currently.

5:30 p.m. Officers responded to the 600 block of Scenic Drive for a fraud complaint.

4:43 p.m. Police were called for a personal injury accident in the area of Eastman Avenue and the Cinema.

4:38 p.m. Deputies were sent to Lee Township for a report of a vehicle in the ditch and people trying to pull it out. Upon arrival the vehicle was located by no one was around. The vehicle was towed, pending contact with the driver/owner.

1:15 p.m. A deputy assisted Homer Township Fire Department with a small fire in the township.

9:21 a.m. Officers were called to the 3700 block of Sweetbrier Terrace for a general assist.

1:44 a.m. Officers responded to the 4900 block of Eastman Avenue for a general assist.

Friday, April 29

10:12 p.m. A deputy responded to a Lincoln Township neighborhood for a report of speeding vehicles. The deputy checked the area and did not observe any speeding vehicles.

9:01 p.m. A 38-year-old woman reported that someone stole her riding lawn mower from her driveway. She had it parked in the driveway for the rental company to pick up. The mower is valued at $1,500.

9:06 p.m. Deputies, MyMichigan EMS, and Jerome Township Fire Department were dispatched to a Jerome Township highway for a single vehicle injury traffic crash. A 50-year-old Portage man driver sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment. A driver re-evaluation request was submitted to the Secretary of State.

7:04 p.m. Deputies responded to a Mt. Haley Township residence regarding a verbal dispute between a 36-year-old Mt. Haley Township man and a 44-year-old Lee Township man. The Lee Township man left the scene prior to law enforcement arrival. No assaults.

1:27 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a verbal argument between a 60-year-old Lee Township man and his 32-year-old Jerome Township daughter. Both parties were separated.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden met Monday with the parents of American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria nearly 10 years ago, the White House said.

During their meeting, the President reiterated his commitment to continue to work through all available avenues to secure Austins long overdue return to his family, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement summarizing the meeting with Marc and Debra Tice.

She described the encounter as an outgrowth of multiple meetings and conversations between the Tice family and White House national security officials.

Debra Tice was introduced Saturday night as being in attendance at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, where Biden paid tribute in his remarks to journalists who are missing or detained. Biden also said at the event that he wanted to meet with the Tices to speak about their son.

After the president made those comments, obviously we went into action to work to set up the meeting, Psaki said Monday, adding that the White House has been very closely engaged with the family.

Tice, who is from Houston and whose work had been published by The Washington Post, McClatchy newspapers and other outlets, disappeared in August 2012 at a checkpoint in a contested area west of Damascus.

A video released weeks later showed him blindfolded and held by armed men and saying, Oh, Jesus. He has not been heard from since. Syria has never acknowledged holding him.

In the final months of the Trump administration, two U.S. officials  including the government's top hostage negotiator, Roger Carstens  made a secret visit to Damascus to seek information on Tice and other Americans who have disappeared in Syria. It was the highest-level talk in years between the U.S. and the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad, though Syrian officials offered no meaningful information on Tice.

Psaki told reporters earlier in the day that there had been multiple meetings between members of the Tice family and administration officials in the last six months, including one last week.

Debra Tice had previously been critical of her lack of direct White House access, saying at a National Press Club event last December that she had not been able to get a meeting with Biden since he became president and that he had never said Austin's name publicly.

The hurdle I'm having is the White House, she said then, adding, I wonder if he's allowed himself to forget about Austin. I don't have any indication otherwise.

Last week, the U.S. secured the release of Trevor Reed, a U.S. Marine veteran detained in Russia for nearly three years, as part of a prisoner swap. Relatives of Reed and other detained Americans are holding a news conference near the White House on Wednesday to advocate for their loved ones' release.

____

Associated Press writer Chris Megerian contributed to this report.
The motto for Great Valley High School and its 1,400 students in the Pennsylvania borough of Malvern, about 25 miles west of Philadelphia, is Creating a new age of learning.

It may be helping create a new age of conversation, too.

By all accounts, political polarization is growing in the United States, having seeped into schools during the pandemic over what steps were needed  or not  to protect children from COVID-19 and now spreading to issues including Critical Race Theory and gender identity. A survey by the RAND Corporation found that nearly 75% of school leaders around the country worry that political polarization disrupts their ability to teach.

That isn't generally the case at Great Valley High School  especially not in Kim Barbens Advanced Placement United States Government class.

We as a society have become so polarized by partisan politics that it really impedes what we can do as a nation, said Barben, who is celebrating her 20th year as a teacher, during the the past two of which she has taught AP Government at Great Valley. Its important for the kids to understand that once you pull the politics away, you go to the Constitution. Thats really the basis for our government.

With support from the National Constitution Center and its Interactive Constitution initiative, Barben and hundreds of other teachers across the country have the opportunity to demonstrate to students that not everything need be political. They learn how to disagree without being disagreeable.

Its a process that Barbens students have found engaging and useful. Dami Babalola says the class shows how the Constitution still shapes government policy. Safwaan Ahmer says the class draws upon specific passages from the Constitution, which keeps the focus of debates on words and not on disagreements. And Emily De Rezende says she finds the class calming because it seeks answers collaboratively.

So much of the news is like, youre on one side or the other, De Rezende said. Then you come into this class, where its really not about the politics of today. Its more about looking at what the ideals of our founding documents are and trying to apply the best moral standard to those words.

Everyones really just trying to do their best to interpret the Constitution in their own way, she adds.

That reaction is exactly what the National Constitution Center was hoping for when it launched the Interactive Constitution in 2015. Yet its expansion, like so many things during the COVID-19 pandemic, was anything but planned.

It is based on the idea of common ground, and its designed to be Americas leading nonpartisan platform for Constitutional education and debate, said Jeffrey Rosen, the centers president and CEO. It brings together the top liberal and conservative scholars in America, nominated by the conservative Federalist Society and the progressive American Constitution Society, to write about every clause of the Constitution describing what they agree about and what they disagree about.

That means you can read what the conservative Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett of the Supreme Court thinks about The Suspension Clause and where she disagreed with former Acting Solicitor General of the United States Neil Katyal, who served in the Obama administration and is now an MSNBC contributor. What may be more striking in these polarized times is that you can see where the Barrett and Katyal actually agree.

The National Constitution Center expanded the program to schools in 2019, funded by the Bezos Family Foundation, the Charles Koch Institute and the Laura and Gary Lauder Family Venture Philanthropy Fund. But the program really took off once students turned to virtual learning early in the pandemic.

Kerry Sautner, the centers chief learning officer, saw it blossom during a virtual discussion about the First Amendment that included students from the United States and 20 other countries. Some students from abroad were confused about the concept of free speech, while the Americans learned that not every country provides the same freedoms theirs does.

They build these norms together  how we talk to each other, how we give structure to that conversation, Sautner said. They can take these skills and apply them for the rest of their lives. And were seeing that, which is so exciting.

The students soon began sharing their lessons and the videos of classes featuring Constitutional scholars with the adults in their lives, further expanding the reach of the program.

Sarah Ruger, vice president of free expression at the Charles Koch Institute, one of the programs funders, said she hopes the programs success can be scaled for more classrooms across the country.

What gets me really excited about this program is the format that exposes students to a productive discussion of differing ideas, Ruger said. In a democracy as diverse as America is, we cannot  nor would we ever want to  eliminate disagreement. What we have to have is a world where we disagree better and have better-quality conflicts that drive towards innovation and progress and change rather than degrading and polarizing us in a toxic way. And theres nowhere more critically important to do that than at the K-12 level.

___

Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
BIG RAPIDS  Officers with the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety responded to the following calls. All calls may not be reported. All suspects are assumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

 A violation of controlled substance act was reported in the 500 block of Willow Avenue. A juvenile allegedly brought a smoking device into school. Juvenile's parent was contacted and interviewed. Case is under investigation.

 A traffic stop near North State Street and East Grand Traverse Street resulted in the driver being issued an appearance ticket for no insurance.

 A larceny was reported in the 100 block of North Michigan Avenue. The complainant reported the AC condenser unit on the roof of one of his buildings was stolen. Time frame 2014-present.

 A property damage accident was reported near Woodward Avenue and Clark Street.

 A private property damage accident/hit and run was reported in the 700 block of Perry Avenue. Case is under investigation.

 A male was arrested on contempt warrants at Big Rapids Police Department.

 A suspicious situation was reported in the 700 block of Marion Avenue. The caller reported a younger female that has come to her door a few times to sell things. The suspicious younger female was unable to be located.

 A property damage accident was reported in the 700 block of Maple Street.

 A civil issue/harassment was reported in the 300 block of Morrison. Complainant reported he was having issues with his roommate. Male is moving out and was told that the events were civil.

 A personal injury accident was reported in the 1200 block of Perry Avenue. Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash/pin in. Driver and passenger of vehicle one were taken to the ER for non-life-threatening injuries.

 A suspicious situation was reported in the 400 block Finley Avenue. Caller reported she found her deadbolt locked on her door and a window open in her residence. Officers checked the residence and did not find any signs that anyone had entered the residence.

Tuesday, April 26

 A female was found deceased in the 800 block of Country Way. Police report that the death appeared to be natural causes.

 A caller reported a male jumping in front of traffic in the 600 block of South State Street. The male denied doing so.

 A two-vehicle personal injury accident was reported near State and Oak Street.

 A male filed a report stating that an assault reported Oct. 20, 2021, was a false report.

 A civil issue was reported in the 200 block of Hutchinson. Police responded to a dispute over a dog between siblings. One claimed the other beats the dog and would not return it.

 Officers responded to an alarm in the 300 block of South Fourth. The keyholder responded.

 A traffic stop near Fourth and Washington led to male being arrested for operating while intoxicate.

Wednesday, April 27

 A traffic stop near State and South led to driver being cited for no insurance.

 Officers responded to the 600 block of Maple Street; a child called 911 and hung up. Police report that when they arrived on scene, child said he was living in poor conditions and was argumentative with officers. Mother stated her daughter just lost her baby and the child was tired of listening to her. Police observed the living conditions as good.

 Officers responded to a report of a disorderly female in the 200 block of Winter. The female allegedly was pounding on door to have the resident call 911. When officers arrived on scene, she said she and a male were verbally arguing, and he was refusing to let her out the vehicle. Once she was out, she tripped and fell in the roadway. According to police, when the female's ride showed up in the area, she said she was fine and started walking away from officers.

 A hit and run/property damage crash was reported near State and Locust. Suspect vehicle was reported as a silver Ford Focus with minor front end damage.

Thursday, April 28

 Officers were called to the 1300 block of Maple Street while employee was terminated. Police reported no issues.

 A report of breaking and entering was made in the 600 block of Bjornson Avenue. The caller said his house had been broken into between 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. He reported that $5,000 cash and two watches were taken. Case is under investigation.

 Animal control was called to the 700 block of Woodward. A dog that lives nearby allegedly got loose and killed a rabbit belonging to the caller.

 Police responded to the 500 block of South Warren for a report of a suicidal person. A male allegedly placed a pistol that had a cable lock through the slide to his head and pulled the trigger to hear a click. The male was transported to Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital for voluntary evaluation.
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  A man told police he killed American mathematician Scott Johnson in 1988 by pushing the 27-year-old off a Sydney cliff in what prosecutors describe as a gay hate crime, a court heard on Monday.

Scott White, 51, appeared in the New South Wales state Supreme Court for a sentencing hearing after he pleaded guilty in January to the murder of the Los Angeles-born Canberra resident, whose death at the base of a North Head cliff was initially dismissed by police as suicide.

White will be sentenced by Justice Helen Wilson on Tuesday. He faces a potential sentence of life in prison.

I pushed a bloke. He went over the edge, White said in recorded police interview in 2020 that was played in court.

White said in the interview he lied when he had earlier told police that he had tried to grab Johnson and prevent his fatal fall.

A coroner ruled in 2017 that Johnson fell from the clifftop as a result of actual or threatened violence by unidentified persons who attacked him because they perceived him to be homosexual.

The coroner also found that gangs of men roamed various Sydney locations in search of gay men to assault, resulting in the deaths of some victims. Some people were also robbed.

A coroner had ruled in 1989 that the openly gay man had taken his own life, while a second coroner in 2012 could not explain how he died.

His Boston-based brother Steve Johnson maintained pressure for further investigation and offered his own reward of 1 million Australian dollars ($704,000) for information. White was charged in 2020 and police say the reward will likely be collected.

Whites former wife Helen White told the court that her then-husband bragged to their children of beating gay men at the clifftop well-known for gay meetups.

Helen White said she read a newspaper report in 2008 about Johnsons death and asked her husband if he was responsible.

Its not my fault, Scott White allegedly replied. The dumb (expletive) ran off the cliff.

I said, It is if you chased him, Helen White told the court. She said her husband did not reply.

Under cross-examination, Helen White denied she had been aware of a AU$1 million reward for information on Johnsons murder when she reported her former husband to police in 2019. She said she only became aware of a reward when the victims brother, Steve Johnson, doubled the sum in 2020.

Steve Johnson said in his victim impact statement that, With a vicious push, Mr. White took Scott and he vanished.

This man (Scott Johnson) who once told me he could never hurt someone even in self-defense died in terror, the brother added.

Steve Johnson said he appreciated Whites guilty plea.

If he had turned himself in after his violent action, I would have had a little more sympathy. If he had grasped Scotts hand and pulled him to safety, I would owe him everlasting gratitude, the brother said, his voice choked with emotion.

Scott Johnsons sisters Terry and Rebecca Johnson, his partner Michael Noone and Steve Johnsons wife Rosemarie Johnson also gave victim impact statements.

Rosemarie Johnson described the initial police failure to investigate Scott Johnsons death as indefensible and inhumane.

Rebecca Johnson, a younger sister, said the police report of suicide made no sense.

How could a community fail so spectacularly that they created boys capable of such horror? she asked, referring to media reports of gay beatings in Sydney being described as a sport.

Prosecutor Brett Hatfield said the precise details of the murder were not known and that Whites accounts had varied.

White had met Johnson in a nearby bar in suburban Manly and Johnson had stripped naked at the clifftop before he died, Hatfield said. He said the gravity of the murder was significantly elevated because it was motivated by the victims sexuality.

Whites lawyer Belinda Rigg said her client was gay and had been concerned that his homophobic brother would find out.

In January, White yelled repeatedly in court during a pre-trial hearing that he was guilty, having previously denied the crime.

His lawyers will appeal that plea in the Court of Criminal Appeals and hope he will be acquitted at trial.

Scott Johnson was a doctoral student at Australian National University and lived in Canberra. He was staying at Noones parents Sydney home when he died.
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Two firefighters and a homeowner were injured Friday evening in a basement fire in Midland.

Midland firefighters were dispatched to 101 Hunters Ridge following a 911 call. Midland Fire Marshal Tony Lelo said when the firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was coming out of the structure. The fire was in the basement, which he said always makes for a more difficult fight.

When its underground, you have to crawl down and go through the worst of the heat to get to the fire, Lelo said.

Once they knocked the fire down, firefighters had to go through the overhaul, extinguishing any hot spots to avoid a rekindling or further damage. The basement suffered the brunt of the damage. There also was smoke damage to the main floors.

The sole occupant of the house suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to the hospital, Lelo said. Two firefighters were also transported, one for injury and the other for dehydration.

Larkin Township Fire Department assisted Midland Fire Department with the fire.

Lelo said the cause of the fire was accidental.
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LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  Wind-whipped flames raced across more of New Mexicos pine-covered mountainsides on Monday, closing in on a town of 13,000 people where some residents hurried to pack their cars with belongings, others hustled to clear brush from around their homes, and police were called in to help evacuate the state's psychiatric hospital.

Firefighting crews battled on several fronts to keep the fire, the largest burning in the U.S., from pushing into more populated areas as it fed on the states drought-parched landscape. The fire has charred more than 217 square miles (562 square kilometers) and flames could be seen from the small northeastern New Mexico city of Las Vegas just a couple miles away.

Fire officials said they were encouraged by a forecast for Tuesday of improving humidity and shifting winds. Still the blaze is expected to keep growing, putting it on track to possibly be one of the largest and most destructive in the states recorded history.

The sky above the citys historic plaza, made famous as a backdrop in several movies and television series, was a sickly tinge of yellow and gray as thick smoke blotted out the sun. As ash fell around them, Chris Castillo and his cousins were cutting down trees and moving logs away from a family members home.

Were all family here. Were trying to make a fire line," he said

Other family members were driving around with cattle trailers, waiting to help anyone who calls to move livestock.

Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the drought-stricken West and they are moving faster and burning hotter than ever due to climate change, scientists and fire experts say. In the last five years, California for example has experienced the eight largest wildfires in state history, while Colorado saw a destructive blaze tear through suburban neighborhoods last December.

The fire in northern New Mexico  fanned by an extended period of hot, dry and windy conditions  ballooned in size Sunday, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders for the small town of Mora and other villages.

This is a long-term event, and we dont anticipate having control of this fire any time soon, fire officials said in an update Monday.

Residents in some outlying neighborhoods of the town of Las Vegas were told to be ready to leave their homes as the smoke choked the economic hub for the farming and ranching families who have lived for generations in the rural region. Still no evacuations had been ordered within the city as of Monday evening.

Las Vegas is also home to New Mexico Highlands University and is one of the most populated stops along Interstate 25 before the Colorado state line.

Operations Section Chief Todd Abel said crews were busy using bulldozers to build fire lines to keep the flames from pushing into neighborhoods.

Fire information officer Mike De Fries said crews got a bit of a break Monday afternoon as the wind diminished and helicopters were able to make water drops in key locations. Still, flames running along the ridges above town could be seen from the discount store, an empty baseball field and other vantage points.

The county jail, the state's psychiatric hospital and more than 200 students from the United World College have evacuated and what businesses remained open were having a hard time finding workers as more people were forced from their homes.

Were trying to house and feed people with skeleton crews. Hundreds of people have lost their homes. Its an extraordinary tragedy," said Allan Affeldt, a hotelier in Las Vegas. He said most of his staff were evacuated from their homes and he canceled guest reservations to accommodate firefighters and emergency crews.

The 197 patients at the Behavioral Health Institute were being sent to other facilities around the state, with some being transported in secured units and others escorted by police.

State environmental authorities and officials in Las Vegas also were asking people to conserve water to ensure fire crews have enough to fight the blaze.

Across New Mexico, officials and groups were collecting food, water and other supplies for the thousands of people displaced by the fires. Offers of prayers and hope flooded social media as residents posted photos of the flames torching the tops of towering ponderosa pines near their homes. Some of those living close to the fires described the week that the fire has raged nearby as gut wrenching.

On the northern flank of the fire, evacuees streamed uphill Monday out of the Mora River valley over passes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. State Rep. Roger Montoya, from the mountain hamlet of Chacon, said neighbors were putting what they couldn't carry with them into metal containers and leaving them in irrigating fields, hoping the moisture would offer some protection.

Officials have said the northeastern New Mexico fire has damaged or destroyed 172 homes and at least 116 structures.

It merged last week with another blaze that was sparked in early April when a prescribed fire escaped containment after being set by land managers to clear brush and small trees in hopes of reducing the fire danger. The cause of the other fire is still under investigation.

Jesus Romero, the deputy manager of San Miguel County, on Monday was helping family monitor their home amid smoky ash-laden air. He cut down trees around his garage as a fire-prevention measure and talked with other residents who were undecided about whether to leave. He called the situation serious.

Another New Mexico wildfire burning in the mountains near Los Alamos National Laboratory also prompted more evacuations over the weekend and other communities were told to get ready to evacuate if conditions worsen. It has reached the burn scars of wildfires that blackened the region a decade ago when New Mexico had one of its worst and most destructive seasons.

A wildfire in 2000 forced the closure of the laboratory and left about 400 people homeless. The community was threatened again in 2011 when another blaze caused by a downed power line blackened more of the surrounding forest.

In the southern New Mexico community of Ruidoso, two people were killed in a wildfire that destroyed more than 200 homes in April. That mountain community saw similar destruction from a 2012 fire.

And new wildfires were reported over the weekend  three in Texas, two in New Mexico and one each in Oklahoma and Tennessee, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. More than 3,100 wildland firefighters and support personnel are fighting fires across the country, with about one-third of them trying to prevent the big blaze in New Mexico from spreading.

More than 4,400 square miles (11,400 square kilometers) have burned across the U.S. so far this year.

___

Associated Press writers Terry Tang and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix, Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff, Arizona, contributed to this report. Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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 travelers ages 50 and over 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 eight 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.
The Nation's Weather for Tuesday, May 3, 2022

_____

NATIONAL SUMMARY

Rain and thunderstorms will continue to push across the

eastern United States tomorrow as a potent storm tracks

south of the Great Lakes region. Most of New England will

remain dry during the daytime before rain and showers arrive

overnight. Heavy thunderstorms that erupt along the corridor

from Arkansas to Ohio can turn severe tomorrow afternoon and

evening and bring the threat of flooding downpours, hail and

damaging wind gusts. Isolated storms can reach as far west

as central Texas. A separate storm looming over the central

Rockies will spread occasional showers from Idaho to

Colorado. Much of the Southwest will remain dry and areas of

Arizona and New Mexico will face critical fire weather

conditions. A spotty shower can dampen western Washington

and Oregon.

SPECIAL WEATHER

No new information for this time period.

WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS

No new information for this time period.

DAILY EXTREMES

National High Monday 96 at Childress, TX

National Low Monday 10 at Bodie State Park, CA

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Photo: (Photo : PASCAL POCHARD-CASABIANCA/AFP via Getty Images)

For 12 years, a family faked an illness to access care packages from their local council, amassing nearly a million dollars in benefits.

Husband and wife Laura and Philip Borrell, and Frances Noble, Laura's mother, face prison time for conspiring fraud between 2005 to 2018. They pretended that Frances had a neurological condition so they could receive the direct payments care package, totaling $922,895.41 (733,936.20), distributed by the Hertfordshire County Council in the U.K. as support for families with medical needs.

According to The Times, neighbors started getting suspicious of the family because they had Amazon deliveries nearly every day. The family also purchased a new Volvo that they couldn't otherwise afford with their jobs.

Frances also had caregivers who attended to her medical needs and reported their suspicions to the local council. They believe she exaggerated her medical condition.

Read Also: Adoption Scam: California Couple Rushes to Birth Mom in Labor But Was Heartbroken Over Fake Pregnancy

Charges Filed, "Not Guilty" to "Guilty"

Worried about the repercussions, the family moved to Germany, but in 2020, the local court charged Laura, Philip, and Frances for their crimes. According to The Comet, the family initially entered a plea of "not guilty" and were able to bail out. However, they changed their plea to "guilty" Wednesday, April 27, 2022, and will hear their sentence this June.

It is believed that the Borrell couple is back in the U.K.to face the court, but Frances has stayed behind in Germany. She insisted that the guilty plea was only to give closure to the case as they no longer have any funds to pay for their legal issues.

This was not the only serious illness in the family. In 2017, Laura and Philip appeared on "This Morning" to talk about her dementia. Laura, then 39, claimed that she was one of the youngest people diagnosed with the disease.

Laura said that she had to deal with doctors doubting her condition because she was still too young to have dementia, which commonly develops among people above 65 years old. She said that doctors have been rude to her and labeled her as a hysterical white woman. She insisted that her medical condition was why she stopped pursuing her law studies at the University of London.

At that time, the Borrells launched a fundraiser so that they could take a trip to America, allegedly before Laura lost her memory completely. Laura's dementia is not related to her current court case.

Mom Faked Child Illness Gets 16 Years

Meanwhile, in Colorado, a mother was sentenced to prison for 16 years as she faked her daughter's illness. Kelly Turner was guilty of child abuse, which resulted in the death of Olivia Grant, seven years old.

According to the New York Post, the mother lied to doctors about her daughter's medical history. Olivia underwent medications and surgeries due to the mother's insistence. She also made Olivia's struggles public so she could receive donations, ranging from $100,000 to $1 million, from the public and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Olivia's grandparents sued the hospital, which failed to verify and report the abuse.

Related Article: Colorado Mom Kelly Turner, Who Faked Daughter's Illness, Admits Guilt Over Her Death
The Daily Mail is a British daily middle-market newspaper and news website published in London in a tabloid format. On Saturday the publication posted a report about a group of Apple employees who are claiming that ending Work from Home (WFH) is Racist.

According to The Daily Mail, "A group of Apple employees have accused the big-tech giant of racism over its push for corporate workers to return to the office, saying that the shift back to an in-person model will make the company 'younger, whiter, [and] more male-dominated.'

The employees, organized under the newly-formed group Apple Together, petitioned the company on Friday in an open letter after CEO Tim Cook told staffers that they would need to work from the office one day a week starting on April 11, two days per week after three weeks, and three days per week after May 23.

They wrote that the decision to bring employees back to the office was not motivated by a 'need to commune in person,' as Cook wrote in his letter to staff, but rather was driven by the company's 'fear of the future of work, fear of worker autonomy [and] fear of losing control.'

Although Apple will 'likely always find people willing to work here,' the group wrote, the shift back to working in the office will 'change the makeup of [the company's workforce].'

'It will lead to privileges deciding who can work for Apple, not whod be the best fit,' the group wrote.

'Privileges like being born in the the right place so you dont have to relocate, or being young enough to start a new life in a new city/country or having a stay-at-home spouse who will move with you."'

'And privileges like being born into a gender that society doesnt expect the majority of care-work from, so its easy to disappear into an office all day, without doing your fair share of unpaid work in society. Or being rich enough to pay others to do your care-work for you.'

If this subject matter happens to interests you, then read the full report by the Daily Mail.

As a side note: Considering that Apple Legal has been known to attack any company/group logo resembling a fruit, even a pear, it'll be interesting to see if Apple will force the 'Apple Together' group to drop their logo?
Warren Buffett bought the dip in his No. 1 stock Apple during the tech giants sell-off in the first quarter.

Berkshire Hathaways Chairman and CEO told CNBCs Becky Quick that he scooped up $600 million worth of Apple shares following a three-day decline in the stock last quarter. Apple is the conglomerates single largest stock holding with a value of $159.1 billion at the end of March, taking up about 40% of its equity portfolio.

Unfortunately the stock went back up, so I stopped. Otherwise who knows how much we would have bought? the 91-year-old investor told Quick on Sunday after Berkshires annual shareholder meeting.

Berkshire began buying Apple stock in 2016 under the influence of Buffetts investing deputies Todd Combs and Ted Weschler. Berkshire is now Apples largest shareholder, outside of index and exchange-traded fund providers. For more, read the full CNBC report.
The Credibility of Josephus

Did hundreds of Jews really commit suicide at Masada? Historian Shaye Cohen compares Josephus' account with recent archaeological evidence.



From "Masada: Literary Tradition, Archaeological Remains, and the Credibility of Josephus" by Shaye Cohen Journal of Jewish Studies: Essays in honour of Yigael Yadin Vol. XXXIII, pp. 385-405 Spring-Autumn 1982

According to Josephus the death of the 960 inhabitants of Masada and the destruction of the palace and the possessions were the premeditated acts of all the people acting in unison. But the archaeological remains cannot be reconciled with this view. Josephus says that all the possessions were gathered together in one large pile and set on fire but archaeology shows many piles and many fires (in various rooms of the casemate wall in some of the storerooms in the western palace etc.). Josephus says that Eleazar ordered his men to destroy everything except the foodstuffs but archaeology shows that many storerooms which contained provisions were burnt. (In addition Josephus reports that the Romans found arms sufficient for ten thousand men as well as iron brass and lead -- why weren't these valuable commodities destroyed?) Josephus says that the last surviving Jew set fire to the palace but archaeology shows that all the public buildings had been set ablaze. Josephus implies that all the murders took place in the palace (unless the women and children after being killed obliged their menfolk and the narrator by marching to the palace) but the northern palace is too small for an assembly of almost a thousand people.

Professor Yadin discovered three skeletons in the lower terrace of the northern palace and twenty-five in a cave on the southern slope of the cliff. He suggests that the twenty-five skeletons were tossed there "irreverently" by the Romans but this suggestion will not do. If as Josephus says the Romans found 960 corpses in the palace they would not have dragged twenty-five of them across the plateau in order to lower them carefully into a cave located on a slope where one false step meant death. This is not irreverence this is foolishness. The obvious and simple procedure for the Romans was to take the corpses out of the palace and toss them over the nearest cliff. No, the twenty-five skeletons in the cave must be the remains of Jews who attempted to hide from the Romans hut were discovered and killed. (Or did they commit suicide?) At the very least, then, archaeology reveals that Josephus' narrative is incomplete and inaccurate. The skeletons in the cave and the numerous separate fires cast doubt on Josephus' theory of unanimity of purpose and unity of action among the Sicarii in their final hours. Perhaps archaeology confirms other aspects of Josephus' narrative especially his description of the site but on these important points it contradicts him.

But even without the benefit of the archaeological discoveries we would know that something is wrong with Josephus' story. According to the historian, when the Jews saw that the Roman ram was about to breach the wall, they hurriedly built an inner wall out of wood and earth which could absorb the force of the ram. When they broke through the outer wall, the Romans tried the ram on the inner wall but without success. Therefore they set it on fire. So far the narrative is plausible and probably true. The use of soft pliable material to blunt the effects of a ram and the construction of an inner wall to replace an outer one which is about to be destroyed were standard techniques in ancient siege warfare. The fact that the combination of these two techniques (the construction of an inner wall out of pliable material) is not readily paralleled elsewhere is double testimony to its veracity. Josephus cannot be accused of enriching his narrative with a tactic cribbed from a poliorketic manual and the Sicarii are credited with a manoeuvre which befits their inexperience in siege warfare--who builds a wall out of wood? Further confirmation may come from archaeology. Some large wooden beams were stripped from the Herodian palace before its destruction by fire perhaps to be used in the construction of this futile gesture. Confirmed or not the story is at least credible.

But the story soon loses its plausibility. After being blown about by the wind, the fire takes hold of the inner wall. At this point the Roman assault should have begun. The wall was breached, the inner wall was rapidly being consumed, the army was ready. Instead, the Romans withdraw, postponing the assault until the following morning. Their only activity that night was to maintain a careful watch lest any of the Jews escape. This is incredible. Why withdraw when victory was so close? Even if it was late afternoon or evening when the fire finally took to the wall, a point which Josephus does not make clear, Silva could have stormed the fortress by night, just as Vespasian did at Jotapata. Why wait? Furthermore, since the wall was breached, the Romans will have had to maintain a careful guard not only in their camps but especially on the ramp, in order to prevent the Jews from attacking the tower and the other siege machines. And yet, according to Josephus, the Roman soldiers positioned both on the ramp and on the tower, the former only a few feet from the inside of the fortress, the latter able to survey all of Masada, were oblivious to the activities of that eventful night. They did not notice that 960 men, women, and children were slain, and that at least two large fires were set, one destroying the accumulated possessions of the Sicarii, the other destroying the palace and cremating the corpses. They did not hear the shrieks of the women and children or see that the plateau was ablaze or sense that anything unusual was afoot. When the Romans stormed the fortress the next morning, they suspected nothing. They expected a battle but found silence. Very dramatic but utterly incredible.

Drama was not the only reason for Josephus' invention of a premature Roman withdrawal and a careful Roman watch which saw and heard nothing. Josephus wanted Eleazar, the leader of the Sicarii, to make a speech in which he would publicly confess that he and his followers, those who had formented the war, had erred and were now receiving condign punishment from God for their sins. Josephus even has Eleazar declare that God has condemned the "tribe of the Jews" to destruction because he wanted the Jewish readers of the Jewish War to realize that the way of the Sicarii is the way of death and that the theology of the Sicarii leads to renunciation of one of the core doctrines of Judaism, the eternal election of Israel. In order to allow Eleazar to confess his guilt and to display his rhetorical skills, and in order to allow the Sicarii to follow Eleazar's instructions and to destroy themselves in an orderly fashion, Josephus inserted a crucial but inexplicable pause in the Roman assault.

Eleazar made a second speech too. Entitled "On the Immortality of the Soul", it had for its major themes not Israel, God, and sin, but soul, death, and suicide. Its purpose was purely literary, to correspond to the speech which Josephus himself allegedly delivered at Jotapata under similar circumstances. Josephus gives us a logos and an antilogos, a speech in book III condemning suicide and a speech in book VII lauding it. The parallel between the incidents at Jotapata and Masada was developed further by the transference of the lottery motif from the former to the latter. If, as I have attempted to show, the occasion, content, and impact of Eleazar's speeches are fictitious, then the use of lots as described by Josephus must be fictitious too. Perhaps some of the Sicarii slew themselves in accordance with a lottery (see below), but it is most unlikely that all of them did so. They had neither the opportunity nor the unanimity required for such an action. The idea that all of them did so was derived by the historian from his (very suspect) account of the episode at Jotapata.

Josephus needs no apology for these inventions and embellishments since practically all the historians of antiquity did such things. But if an apology were demanded, Josephus could respond that his narrative required inventiveness. If, upon storming the fortress, the Romans had discovered that the Sicarii had slain themselves, neither Josephus nor Flavius Silva nor anyone else could have known exactly what had transpired, since all the participants in the event were dead. Even the seven survivors, who are said to have reported to the Romans "everything that was said and done", could have known little. They were not present (though some might have been eavesdropping) when Eleazar exhibited his oratory--only the "manliest of his comrades" were invited. Before or during the actual killing they hid. Who could have told the Romans about the ten men drawn by lot and about the actions of the last man who set fire to the palace? Certainly not the women, safely ensconced in their cistern. If the Sicarii committed suicide according to Josephus' description, then that description must be a combination of fiction (inspired by literary and polemical motives) and conjecture. Surveying the corpses on the plateau, the Romans deduced that the Sicarii had killed themselves. Josephus, or his Roman informant, advanced more adventurous conjectures too. These conjectures may be true or false--ancient conjectures have no greater likelihood of being true than their modern counterparts--and we have seen already that some of them, at least, are false. The food supplies laid up by Herod the Great were discovered intact. Somebody, perhaps Josephus, believing that the food was still edible, conjectured that the Sicarii had intentionally spared their food from the destruction. Noticing a large pile of destroyed possessions and remembering some of the cases discussed above, someone conjectured that the Sicarii had gathered all their belongings in one place, oblivious to the fact that the fires and the smoke hid the remains of many such piles. The other conjectures can be neither verified nor refuted. Perhaps the Romans, like Professor Yadin, saw lots scattered about and deduced that a sortition played a role in the process of death. In addition to these motivated fictions and historical conjectures, Josephus' account also contains simple mistakes.

Is there any truth at all in this Josephan farrago of fiction, conjecture, and error? Did the Sicarii commit suicide? Did the Romans discover corpses when they arrived at the summit? The twenty-five skeletons in the cave show that Josephus' account is incomplete at best, but our question is whether any of the Sicarii preferred a self- inflicted death to flight, battle, or surrender. We might suggest that the Sicarii were captured by the Romans and massacred, or that they fought the Romans and were killed, and that Josephus, whose fondness for literary commonplaces and types is well known, substituted a collective suicide story for the truth. Perhaps. These conjectures, like those of Josephus himself, can be neither verified nor refuted, but we may readily believe that the Josephan story has a basis in fact. First, it is plausible. Many Jews committed suicide during the crucial moments of the war of 66-70, and, as we have seen above, many non-Jews also committed suicide rather than face their enemies. Second, the Masada story is too complex to be dismissed as a literary topos. It combines motifs from the two major patterns of collective suicide stories with motifs from the Jotapata episode. The whole is enriched with Josephus' own inventions. Finally, why should Josephus have invented such a story? He wished to show that the way of the Sicarii is the way of death, but death comes in many forms, and the Sicarii did not have to commit suicide to make this point clear. Death in battle would have served just as well. Had the Romans massacred the Sicarii, Josephus would have had no reason to disguise this fact. From the Roman point of view, the Sicarii deserved death, since they had participated in the siege of the royal palace in Jerusalem in 66 CE, killing some Roman soldiers. And if Silva refused to take any prisoners, no one could have argued with his wisdom, for who would want a slave who could not be trusted with the kitchen cutlery? From the Jewish point of view, the Sicarii deserved death since they had raided the towns near Masada and had killed 700 women and children in the Jewish town of En Geddi. From Josephus' point of view, the Sicarii were guilty of all sorts of nefarious crimes, not the least of which was the launching of the war against Rome. If the Romans had massacred the Sicarii, Josephus would have been pleased.

The essential historicity of the narrative is confirmed not only by its plausibility but also by its setting. Contrary to the accepted view, it is likely that BJ 1-6 was completed in the reign of Titus (79-81 CE), not Vespasisn, and that BJ 7 was completed early in the reign of Domitian (81-96 CE). One of the two first consuls (consules ordinarii) in 81 CE was none other than Flavius Silva, thus putting him in Rome at the very time Josephus was there writing the final books of the Jewish War. Silva, no doubt, could appreciate rhetorical historiography as much as any educated Roman, but his presence in Rome must have been an incentive for Josephus to restrain his imagination and tell the truth. Of course, it was also an incentive to tilt the narrative in the Romans' favour, but Josephus did not have to tilt it very far to make the Romans look good since, as archaeology demonstrates, Silva did his work efficiently and expertly. In fact, Silva's consulship was his reward for a job well done in Judaea. Since the Temple had already been destroyed and the Roman triumph had already been celebrated, Silva did not have to become another Titus pleading with the Jews to surrender and commiserating with them on their misfortunes.

Josephus did, however, restrain his imagination when writing the Masada narrative. In stark contrast to his descriptions of the falls of Jotapata, Jerusalem, Machaerus, and Jardes forest and in stark contrast to the historiographical tradition concerning collective suicides, Josephus' description of the fall of Masada does not refer to the bravery or military prowess of the defenders. Not a single Roman or Jewish casualty is mentioned. In only one passage does Josephus imply that the Sicarii actually fought against the Romans," and he does not have them employ any of the standard tricks for prolonging a siege, tricks recounted with inflated detail at the siege of Jotapata. The one tactic they adopt was rather ineffective. Josephus certainly did not want the Sicarii to seem as heroic as he claimed to have been at Jotapata, but his silence is remarkable nonetheless. The Romans had no reason to suppress references to the military actions of the Jews--a desperate defence by the Sicarii would have made the Roman victory all the more impressive. The most likely explanation is that the Sicarii did not put up a great resistance to the Romans. They had no catapults or other torsion weaponry. They had little experience in siege warfare, most of them not having participated in the defence of Jerusalem, or in fighting the Romans--they had concentrated their murderous attacks on their fellow-Jews. The only defences available to them were stones and arrows, but the Romans knew how to protect themselves from such projectiles. The failure of the Sicarii to mount an effective defence is not as amazing as Josephus' failure to invent one for them.

I conclude, then, that Josephus attempted to be reasonably accurate in matters which were verifiable by Silva and the Romans. He refrained from inventing glorious military actions for the Sicarii, and, we may assume, had some basis in fact for the ascription of murder-suicide to them. At least some of the Sicarii killed themselves rather than face the Romans. This fact was exaggerated and embellished. Silva could not object--Livy had done worse.

We do not know what happened on the summit of Masada on the fifteenth of Xanthicus in 74 CE. The archaeological discoveries of Professor Yadin show that Masada was besieged by the Romans in the fashion described by Josephus, but they do not tell us how the defenders of Masada were killed. For this and for all the other details of Masada's history, we are dependent upon Josephus alone.

Masada was captured by the Sicarii at the outbreak of the war in 66 CE. Taking arms from Herod's storehouse, Menahem, the leader of the Sicarii, marched on Jerusalem. There he attempted to gain control of the revolt by directing the siege of the royal palace. After his followers had assassinated the high priest Ananias and his brother Ezechias, Menahem himself was killed by Eleazar and the priestly revolutionary party. Some of the Sicarii, including Eleazar ben Yair, fled to Masada. Between the events of 66 CE and 74 CE, Josephus has little to narrate about Masada and its inhabitants. It served as a refuge for Simon bar Giora, fleeing from the priestly party in control of Jerusalem. From their haven at Masada the Sicarii raided the surrounding countryside, once venturing as far north as En Geddi. The objective of these raids was to obtain supplies --who wanted to eat the one-hundred-year-old Herodian food which filled Masada's storerooms?-- and the victims were the Judeans of En Geddi and the Idumeans of the countryside, all of them Jews. The Sicarii could attack these people (over seven hundred women and children were killed at En Geddi, their greatest success) because in their eyes they were wicked and doomed to perdition. Not being members of the sectarian elect, they could be robbed and killed with impunity. This attitude explains the silence of the Sicarii during the siege of Jerusalem. No raids on the Romans from the rear, no feints to distract the Romans and to alleviate the pressure of the siege, no attempt to aid the city in its time of crisis. For the Sicarii, the Jews of Jerusalem (who had killed Mernahem) and the Romans besieging it were different categories of wicked people who would be destroyed when God would inaugurate the End and bring glory to his chosen. True, the Sicarii did accept converts," but their overall attitude is clear.

Finally, in late 73 CE Flavius Silva approached Masada. The Sicarii were still awaiting the End, which they thought would be presaged by heavenly chariots, not Roman legions. It is likely that some Sicarii fled from Masada and the countryside to Egypt when Silva approached, for it is remarkable that immediately after the fall of Masada Josephus tells of Sicarii in Egypt and Cyrene, although he had given no hint of any such agitation there previously. In any case, Flavius Silva arrived and set to work. His siege works, the circumvallation, the camps, and the ramp, remain in a remarkable state of preservation. His troops, mainly the tenth legion, were experienced in this sort of activity, having had plenty of practice during the protracted siege of Jerusalem, and the work seems to have progressed quickly. The Sicarii were unable to mount any serious resistance, having neither the equipment nor the experience required for a defence against seasoned veterans. Finally, all was ready. A tower and a ram were hauled up the ramp. Some of the stones hurled by the ballistae from the tower and the ground below were discovered by Professor Yadin in the western casemate wall. The ram brought down a portion of the wall. The Roman assault was hindered briefly by a second inner wall which had been hastily constructed by the Sicarii, but its wooden framework was easily destroyed by fire.

At this point we know what did not happen. We know that Josephus' account is false. Silva did not order a premature withdrawal, Eleazar did not have an opportunity for two magnificent orations, the Jews did not have a long evening for the leisurely slaughter of their wives and children, the deliberate collection of all their possessions in one pile and the methodical murder of all the remaining men. This scenario is implausible, contradicted by the archaeological discoveries, and motivated in part by Josephus' polemical and literary concerns. What did happen, then? Rather than simply admit ignorance, I offer the following conjectures.

As the Romans were storming through the wall, some of the Jews slew their families, burnt their possessions, and set the public buildings on fire. All(?) the granaries were burnt, except those containing the stale food stored by Herod. In the confusion, the Sicarii either forgot, or were unable, to destroy Herod's armoury, thus granting the Romans a modest reward for their labours. Having destroyed what they could, some Jews killed themselves, some fought to the death, and some attempted to hide and escape. The Romans were in no mood to take prisoners and massacred all whom hey found. After the smoke had cleared, the Romans inspected the fortress and discovered the corpses of those who had committed suicide. They also found two women and five children in one of the cisterns and twenty-five people in a cave on the southern slope. The former were spared (?), the latter killed (or did they commit suicide when discovered?). The corpses on the plateau were probably tossed over the cliff and the site was garrisoned. The battle and the war were over.

The evidence for this reconstruction is uneven. We have no reason to doubt that at least some of the Sicarii killed themselves and their families, even if they did not perform the deed with the deliberation and concord alleged by Josephus. Archaeology shows that portions of all the public buildings on Masada were set ablaze, and since it is unlikely that the Romans would destroy their own loot, we may assume that this was the spontaneous act of the Jews. That some of the Sicarii sought death through battle with the Romans is a suggestion based merely on plausibility. That some of the Sicarii tried to escape is confirmed by the twenty-five skeletons in the cave.

Sitting in his study in Rome, Josephus improved on this story. He wanted Eleazar, the leader of the Sicarii, to take full responsibility for the war, to admit that his policies were wrong, to confess that he and his followers had sinned, and to utter the blasphemous notion that God had not only punished but also had rejected his people. Condemned by his own words, Eleazar and all his followers killed themselves, symbolizing the fate of all those who would follow in their footsteps and resist Rome. This was the work of Josephus the apologist for the Jewish people and the polemicist against Jewish revolutionaries. Josephus the rhetorical historian realized that the murder-suicide of some of the Sicarii at Masada would be far more dramatic and compelling if it became the murder-suicide of all the Sicarii. (Many historians before Josephus had similarly exaggerated collective suicides.) Josephus modeled the Masada narrative in part on his own description of the Jotapata episode, in part on the Greco-Roman historiographical tradition. Inspired by the former, he gave Eleazar a second speech, an antilogos to the speech which he claimed to have himself delivered at Jotapata, and invented (or exaggerated) the use of lots in the suicide process. Inspired by the latter, he had each Jew kill his wife and children (a motif derived from Greco-Roman stories of one pattern) and contribute his possessions to one large pile which was then set ablaze (a motif derived from stories of another pattern). Most important, Josephus learned from the (Greco-Roman tradition that collective suicide was to be an object of amazement, almost admiration, an attitude he failed to reconcile with his condemnation of the Sicarii. Out of these strantis-historical truth, a fertile imagination, a flair for drama and exaggeration, polemic against the Sicarii, and iliterary borrowings from other instances of collective suicide-Josephus created his Masada story.

We do not know whether Flavius Silva, who was in Rome while Josephus was writing the final books of the Jewish War, read or heard this narrative, hut we may he sure that he enjoyed it if he did. After all, some of the Sicarii had committed suicide, and Silva must have known that an historian was entitled to exaggeration and simplification. .Josephus shows clearly that Silva himself and the Roman soldiers performed their task with professionalism and dispatch. Furthermore, the story is wonderfully told. As we read it, we almost forget that these Sicarii had failed to aid their brethren in Jerusalem during the long siege. We almost forget that they had massacred seven hundred Jewish women and children at En Geddi. Even Josephus forgot that he wished to heap opprobrium, not approbation, on them One does not have to be a Jew, a Zionist, or a citizen of the state of Israel to be swept away by the rhetoric which Josephus derived from the classical tradition: "Live free or die!"' The Masada myth does not begin in the twentieth century.

Chart of the fortress at Masada.
The Makers Electronics, one of the fastest-growing retail brands in electronic and home appliances products in Ghana., has been honoured at the 2021 Responsible Business and Leadership Excellence Awards (RBLEA), held at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra on Friday, April 29, 2022.



In barely one year and six months of its operations, The Makers Electronics Company Ltd has 5 branches, three within the Greater Accra Region, and two in Kumasi and Takoradi respectively. The company is still working on extending its branch network to make its services readily available in many parts of the country.



The RBLEA, which covers the areas of banking, aviation, information technology, telecommunication, manufacturing, and retail sectors, mainly recognizes companies and individuals for their performance in the previous year.



The Makers Electronics Company Ltd picked up the Responsible Electronics Retail Company of the year for 2021, and the Responsible Emerging Electronics Brand of the year 2021.



The awards were picked on behalf of the CEO of the company, Mr. Stephen Essoun, by ambassadors of The Makers Electronic brand, namely, Comedian O.B. Amponsah, IBK, musician Fameye, actor Papa Nii, also known as Osophagus, and Fidel Nana Kwabena Essoun, and the Chief Operating Officer, Mrs. Akua Saah Essoun.



About RBLEA



ION Africa Business, organizers of the Responsible Business and Leadership Excellence Awards (RBLEA), say it is aimed at championing the implementation of sound business governance and systems, and also preventing practices that hinder social development.





Project Manager for the RBLEA, Mr. Robert Emmanuel Kaye, said RBLEA also seeks to celebrate and reward innovative solutions that are geared toward the upliftment of society.



"It is both a responsibility and prerequisite for businesses and business leaders to emerge in the current economy, as pioneers in steering forth the creation of inclusive economic growth," he said.



He mentioned that the objective of the award is to create a network of professionals who are committed to furthering the sustainability agenda for businesses while recognizing individuals and organizations that have excelled in business and corporate sustainability leadership.



Criteria



Mr. Kaye noted that the criteria for shortlisting nominees were based on some key performance indicators (KPIs), and a survey by the Market and Consumer Insight, a research company that handled the technical aspects of the awards, and an awarding board that included Prof. Wayne Dunn, Founder and President of the CSR Institute, Dr. Diana Hyemann - Adu, a Senior Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, and Nana Annor Amihere II, National President, Ghana Institute of Safety and Environmental Professionals.



RBLEA



The RBLEA is an empowerment-driven initiative that seeks to distinguish and uphold the achievements of inspiring corporate front-runners of responsible values. It also aims at defining and celebrating vision, achievement, and excellence in business leadership in Ghana.



The Makers Electronics CEO named Young Achiever at 2022 Ghana CEO Vision & Awards





Interestingly, on the same day, the Chief Executive Officer of The Makers Electronics Company Ltd, Stephen Essoun, also picked up another award at the maiden edition of the Ghana CEO Vision and Awards at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, where he was adjudged the 'Young Achiever of the Year', 2022.



The awards' event, organized by Globe Productions, also honoured Ibrahim Mahama, CEO of Engineers and Planners, who was decorated as the CEO Vision Entrepreneur of the year. Vodafone CEO, Patricia Obo-Nai, was named CEO of the year - private sector category, whereas the Chief Executive of Zoomlion, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, picked the CEO of CEOs Award.



Other awardees on the night included Rev. Dr. Joyce Aryee, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award. In all, about forty individuals were awarded at that event. The nominees were shortlisted out of the 113 individuals that had been considered for the awards.



Speaking about his award, the CEO of The Makers Electronics, Stephen Essoun, whose company received the Promising Company of the Year' award at the 2021 Ghana Business Awards, said, "I draw my inspiration from the famous biblical quote: Matthew 5:14, which says, You are the light of the world, a city built on a hill cannot be hidden. The good works will definitely come out one day without a single sweat. My journey as a CEO has never been easy, and I was not expecting it to be easy either. I thank God almighty, the organizers, and my beautiful wife Mrs. Akua Saah Essoun for this award, and I will urge the youth to follow suit and push a healthy agenda for future generations.



Mr. Essoun is also the CEO of Hi-Lynks Communications, an organisation he's run for nearly a decade.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has, on Friday, April 29, 2022, cut the sod for a rubber plantation farm at Assin Nsuta in the Central Region.



The 826-acre rubber plantation, is an initiative of the Anglican Diocese of Accra (ADOA), and supported by the Agric Development Bank (ADB), is expected to create jobs for the youth within the community.



Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, Vice President Bawumia commended the Anglican Diocese of Accra for the initiative, and also highlighted the immense benefits will bring to the local community and the nation as a whole.



"In this day and age when we are all seeking and asking for what they can benefit from the Government instead of what they can contribute, it fills me with great joy and gladness to see the Anglican Church in Ghana, specifically, the Accra Diocese become a change agent. Indeed, this is what practical Bible or Christian doctrine and principles are founded on  That is:



collaboration with the state to help citizens, especially, the poor and vulnerable members of society cope with daily challenges," Dr. Bawumia said of the Anglican Church.



"I am told, a rubber plantation of this magnitude - covering 826 acres of valuable land is the biggest private-owned rubber plantation in the country."



"This will contribute positively to climate change as well as provide jobs for many people especially the teeming unemployed youth in the community and beyond."



"It is even unnecessary to overemphasize the importance of natural rubber whose immense benefits are well known. Natural rubber is harvested in the form of latex which is used for the production of tyres, mattresses, shoe soles, hot water bottles, balloons, rubber boots and seal rings and many more," Dr. Bawumia noted.



"Production of these from raw material that can be sourced right here in our country opens a wide range of opportunities including, exportation for the country.



The Vice expressed gratitude to the Chiefs and people of Assin Nsuta for ceding a large track of their land for this project.



"They indeed deserve our high commendations."



Dr. Bawumia also reiterated government's commitment to prioritizing the agriculture sector, which he stressed plays a significant role in the country's GDP.



"The Agricultural sector as we all know, accounts for one-fifth of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It employs nearly half of the country's workforce and is the main source of livelihood for the majority of the country's poorest households. Hence, the need to focus on policies like the Planting for Food and Jobs to boost our Agricultural Sector."



"Planting for Food and Jobs as we may be well aware has five modules of which, this rubber plantation aligns with four of its key precepts, namely;



Food Crops Production and Job Creation (PFJ): where people work, their status is lifted and their personal economic lives get better and richer.



Planting for exports and Rural Development (PERD): A double edge sword, bringing in revenue to the country and developing Assin Nsuta beyond what it is now.



Greenhouse Technology Villages: Research into methodologies and sophisticated but safe measures of growing our food and living healthy."



The Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Accra, Rt. Rev' Dr. Daniel Syivanus Mensah Torto, said the project is part of the Anglican Church's contribution to the development of the country.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Progressive Peoples Party (PPP) has asked the Government to pay workers a living wage  a minimum income that makes it necessary for workers to meet their basic needs and not minimum wage.



It said paying a living wage would make workers earn enough income for a satisfactory standard of living.



The Party said that would also prevent persistent agitation on the labour front.



The call is in commemoration of the 2022 May Day celebration, otherwise known as Labour Day.



The Day is commemorated annually to celebrate the achievements of workers.



The National Tripartite Committee (NTC) increased the daily minimum wage to GHS12.53 for 2021 and GHS13.53 for 2022.



Prior to this, the daily minimum wage was GHS11.82.



The PPP's statement, issued by Remy Paa Kow Edmundson, National Secretary, said: We believe that the Ghanaian worker deserves a living wage and not a minimum wage in order to improve on their living conditions.



It added that: The Government must endeavour to give the Ghanaian worker adequate compensation and address the inequalities in the pay structure of all workers.



The Party, therefore, asked the Government to use the event to focus on addressing issues of unemployment and deal with the difficulties confronting the worker to have a workforce ready to sacrifice for the development of Ghana.



We know that providing the worker what they deserve will help government to have the needed cooperation from labour to prosecute the agenda of the State, the Party stated.



It said it had observed that the objective of the occasion had not changed, rather: The Government has turned a blind eye to the needs of workers and has not served their interests.



The statement also noted that after several years of celebrating the occasion, the unemployment rate was still high in Ghana, with the Ghanaian worker yet to receive and benefit from the significance of the event.



It said: For instance, to repeat the words of former President John Agyekum Kuffuor: "The government pretends to pay workers and workers pretend to work."



It added that: This situation is hurting the country in several ways, including low productivity, nepotism, clientelism, political patronage, corruption, indiscipline, societal impunity within the labour force and low growth of the countrys economy.



The Party, therefore, called on the Government to institute measures to address the issues affecting Ghanaian workers to enhance productivity and contribute to national development.



The establishment of Labour Day is commonly associated with the commemoration of the achievements of the labour movement and used to call for measures to ensure that the rights of workers are enforced.



It is also to ensure that the poor conditions of service faced by workers such as low salaries and wages, long hours of work, pension, housing, insurance, and unemployment are addressed.

Source: GNA









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The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) in the Central Region has called on government to implement all laws and policies on accessibility of public structures for Persons with Disability (PWDs).



It also warned that it will not hesitate to evoke the powers of the court against government and contractors who failed to comply with the directive enshrined in the Persons with Disability Act 2006 (Act 715).



The act directs that all public offices must be disability friendly after 10 years.



But, Nana George Frimpong, the Central Regional President of GFD, observed that due to the lack of visionary leaders and their negative discriminatory attitudes, the act had not been fully implemented.



In an interview with the Ghana News Agency ahead of the May Day celebration Sunday, he insisted that they had moved from the stage of reasonable accommodation to an era of enforcement.



So, if there is a new public structure that is coming up and that structure is not disability friendly, it is up to us to draw the attention of those putting up building to make it accessible.



If after dialoguing with them and they dont do so, we have every right to take them to the law court to be prosecuted, he said.



He questioned how physically disabled persons were expected to function effectively without a friendly environment at their workplaces.



He recounted that the Federation had confronted some authorities and contractors on several projects and their demands were eventually heeded to.



Most of the contractors said they did not factor that into the original designs of the buildings. But after dialoguing and threatening to take them to court, most of them have modified their designs, he said.



He was, however, quick to acknowledge that many buildings springing up were disability friendly, especially to wheelchair users.



For example, the new administration block of the University of Cape Coast is just two storeys, but they have lifts which are working effectively and efficiently and this is what we are all praying for as Persons with Disability in this Country, he stressed.



May Day, International Workers Day or Labour Day is an annual holiday observed on May 1 of every year in over 80 countries to commemorate the achievements of the labour movement.



This years Workers Day falls today, Sunday and in Ghana, various labour groups across all regions are observing the day with march-pasts and durbars celebrate their efforts.



Nana Frimpong in an interview, called for a major policy to institute sign language interpretation in all public offices.



That, he argued, would enable employees who were deaf to communicate effectively and function efficiently at the highest level.



In view of that, he said efforts must be made to train more people sign language as there were not enough people proficient in the language.



If they are not there, that means the deaf person will always have to be writing on paper to communicate with employers and colleagues. If they are not literate enough, naturally, there will be negative discrimination against them because of the communication barrier, he said.



The Central Regional GFD President also made a strong case for employers to install digital and assistive devices at the office to make PWDs work effectively and efficiently.



He intimated that many employers were unwilling to introduce such devices because of the high cost involved, adding that, the absence of these is militating against our upward growth and development.



Nana Frimpong indicated the Federation had established an IT training centre to train more PWDs to become IT proficient to enable them fit into the job market.















Source: GNA









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said his government has been working to protect jobs and incomes despite the COVID-19 pandemic that hits the world.



Speaking at this years May Day Celebrations, the president explained that it will not be prudent for the government to remove taxes on petroleum products despite many calls for such.



According to him, the removal of taxes on petroleum will cause the government of some GH4 billion cedis in revenue.



At this time, when we are determined to expand Government revenues in order to increase our capacity to finance our own development, can we afford to reduce tax revenues by four billion cedis? he questioned



Indeed, some of the revenues from these same taxes on petroleum products are what is used to pay some of the salaries of the seven hundred thousand public sector workers on governments payroll, he argued.



Prices of petroleum products selling at the pumps have increased significantly since the beginning of the year.



But President Nana Addo has reiterated his government's commitment to mitigating the persistent hikes in fuel prices, cedi depreciation and general cost of living in the country.



Government is also working hard to ensure reliable supply and availability of petroleum products, thereby preventing shortages, a phenomenon which is being experienced in some other neighbouring countries. By the same token, we are keeping the lights on in Ghana, he said.







Protecting Jobs and Incomes in the era of Covid-19 and Beyond. #MayDay2022 1/4 pic.twitter.com/Dt7F0whkuG  Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 1, 2022











Protecting Jobs and Incomes in the era of Covid-19 and Beyond. #MayDay2022 2/4 pic.twitter.com/wOkAe0bnOf  Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 1, 2022







Protecting Jobs and Incomes in the era of Covid-19 and Beyond. #MayDay2022 3/4 pic.twitter.com/GKuMOxqP4h  Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 1, 2022









Protecting Jobs and Incomes in the era of Covid-19 and Beyond. #MayDay2022 4/4 pic.twitter.com/gbtrwxGtom  Nana Akufo-Addo (@NAkufoAddo) May 1, 2022









Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/peacefmonline.com/ghana









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On January 15, 1966, just six years after Nigeria had become independent, a group of young army majors overthrew Nigerias democratic government in a military coup. The leaders of the coup said they were fighting corruption and ethnic rivalry. Those who staged the coup were mostly Christian southerners from the Igbo ethnic group. They killed several northerners including Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa and Northern Region Premier Ahmadu Bello.



Major-General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, an army commander who was an Igbo, was able to bring down the coup but he also seized power. Six months later, a group of northern soldiers staged a counter-coup against the Igbo, causing the Igbo to flee south and later form a breakaway country called Biafra.



But before declaring Biafra a republic, some young men from a minority ethnic group  the Ijaw  had also declared their independence from Nigeria. They were led by a 27-year-old student union leader turned revolutionary fighter Isaac Adaka Boro.



The Ijaw, numbering about 15 million, inhabit Ondo, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom and Rivers state in the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Boro, in February 1966, declared the Niger Delta region where he comes from a sovereign republic and himself the head of state, stating that minority ethnic groups like the Ijaw were being suppressed.



He had condemned the January 1966 coup that killed Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, whom he admired and believed could protect the Ijaw. He, therefore, rejected the new regime led by Igbo leader Aguiyi-Ironsi, proclaiming the first secession from Nigeria at only 27 years old. Boros Niger Delta Republic would only last for 12 days though some believe that his act politically emancipated the Ijaw people.



Born September 10, 1938, in Oloibiri (Bayelsa), the site of Nigerias first commercial oil discovery and first industrial oil well, Boros father Pepple Boro was a school headmaster and this caused the family to move a lot as Pepple Boro was transferred to different schools throughout his teaching career. Boro first followed in his fathers footsteps by going into teaching before later joining the police force.



In 1961, he got a scholarship to study at the University of Nigeria (UNN) where he became Students Union Government President in 1964 after failing to do so twice. He believed that coming from a minority group (the Ijaw) was what led him to fail twice in becoming a student union leader.



In 1965, Boro left UNN and moved to Lagos, where he founded a political movement called the Integrated WXYZ. The movement argued that Ijaw people should be allowed to control and make their own decisions about their natural resources.



Then came the January 1966 coup led by the Igbo. Boro and others believed that the Igbo coup was going to suppress other ethnic groups and impose Igbo domination.



So on February 23, 1966, after having trained scores of young men in a militia camp behind his fathers compound in Kaiama, Boro proclaimed the Niger Delta Republic. Besides condemning the January 1966 coup, Boro argued that the Niger Delta region providing the countrys wealth had suffered for too long.



Today is a great day, not only in your lives but also in the history of the Niger Delta, he said in his declaration speech. Perhaps, it will be the greatest day for a very long time. This is not because we are going to bring the heavens down, but because we are going to demonstrate to the world what and how we feel about oppression.



Remember your 70-year-old grandmother who still farms before she eats; remember also your poverty-stricken people; remember, too, your petroleum which is being pumped out daily from your veins; and then fight for your freedom, Boro told his supporters.



But his republic survived for just 12 days. His armed militia was defeated by the Nigerian forces. On March 7, he and other leaders of his militia group were arrested and charged with treason. Boro and his comrades were sentenced to death but the sentence was commuted to life in jail.



In August 1967, after Ojukwu and his people had declared the Biafran Republic, the Yakubu Gowon-government released Boro and enlisted him in the Nigerian Army to fight in the civil war on the side of the Nigerian government against the Biafra, according to this report. Boro recruited his own force of about 1,000 soldiers and recorded some victories but was killed before the war ended around the age of 30.



In 1982, Nigerias president Shehu Shagari conferred a posthumous national honor on him. The Bayelsa State government also declared May 16 as Isaac Boro day to remember the death of their freedom fighter and hero.



Boro certainly knew that he wasnt going to succeed with his secession but he went ahead with it largely because he wanted the world to know what the Niger Delta was facing and after many decades, Niger Delta communities say not much has changed.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









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The Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana(CLOGSAG) has expressed concern with what they say is the usurpation of their positions by special assistants appointed by politicians at their various offices.



The group has asked the Chief of Staff to disclose the list of these assistants and the scope of their assignments in general for clarity.



According to the group, these special assistants often attend workshops and meetings on behalf of civil and local government staff which affects institutional memory as they are not staff of the offices they represent.



Speaking at this years May Day celebrations and thanksgiving service of the group, Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG recounted instances where promotional avenues are blocked as these personal assistants to top political appointees encumber positions between the civil service and the Local Government services.



For this month of May onwards, may we be spared the excesses of Personal Assistants or Special Assistants to top political appointees in interfering in the day-to-day activities of civil servants, he said.









Source: kasapa fm









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Chief Executive Officer of the National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, has called on the New Patriotic Party to restore unity in the party.



Dr. Bernard Okoe Boye, who is also a former Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku Constituency and former Deputy Health Minister, raised serious concerns over the ongoing constituency executives' elections by the party.



The elections which commenced on Thursday, April 28, 2022, have been characterized by violent incidents.



Some delegates at Okaikoi South constituency protested the elections, claiming hundreds of names have been removed from the party's register.



The situation was controlled by the Police and the elections were peacefully held at the Okaikoi South, however four persons were arrested.



Addressing the issue on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", Dr. Okoe Boye stated emphatically that the NPP is its own biggest threat.



Although, to him, it is a normal practice to find party delegates having their favorites and also sharing dissenting views; their disagreements shouldn't escalate into violence.



He called for immediate resolution of the party's internal politics to prevent the party from jeopardizing their fortunes.



"The biggest threat to the NPP's fortunes in the next elections is not the NDC. The biggest threat is how we manage our internal issues," he said and advised the party members to "act with love".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Seasoned journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has subtly called for a change of name of the countrys only international airport; Kotoka.



Speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'' Friday morning, the Editor-in-Chief of the Insight newspaper argued that Ghanaians tend to celebrate coup heroes but fear coup d'etat.



To him, keeping the name "Kotoka" inspires coup d'etat to happen in Ghana.



"When I return from abroad, I pass through Kotoka International Airport. There are some inconsistencies there. If we don't subscribe to coup, we should boldly say so, but if we want coup, then we want it. How do you tell me you abhor coup but still consider coup makers as national heroes? Just take a stroll around the capital (Accra) and see streets named after coup makers", he told host Kwami Sefa Kayi.



He also alluded to a statement by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressing his admiration for the late Ex-President Jerry John Rawlings, something that Mr. Pratt finds extremely strange.



"...our own President His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has publicly declared that one of his inspirations in politics is a coup maker in the person of Mr. Jerry John Rawlings...So, if in our estimation coups are bad, they are bad but if it is good, then let's accept it!", he said.



Mr. Pratt further questioned Ghana's position on the recurrence of coup d'etat, saying "if we have admitted that something good can come out of coup, then let's accept it".





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Stakeholders in governance have called for the deepening of democratic norms, especially the rule of law, equity and inclusiveness, to build confidence in the governance system and ensure equal opportunities for citizens.



They advocated strong and effective institutional structures to deepen Ghanas democratic process and restore citizens trust in the various arms of government.



At a roundtable on Sustaining Democracy in the Context of Erosion: Lessons from Europe and Africa, the stakeholders said there was the need for Ghana to live up to the accolade of being a beacon of hope in terms of democratic governance and sustenance in Africa.



It was organised by the Institute of Democratic Governance (IDEG), in collaboration with the Centre for Democratic Development, and the Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy (DIPD), in Accra on Friday.



Mr Johnson Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), said among the challenges affecting the countrys democratic practice was the lack of capacity to build public institutions to effectively perform their checks and balances roles.



The manner in which persons elected into the highest offices became dictators and autocratic, thereby manipulating and controlling state actors and institutions, was hindering Africas governance systems and economies, and Ghana was not an exception, he said.



Africa has gone through coups, union governments, party politics. and finally to multiparty democracy, which has been widely accepted as the best option. However, democracy is not a destination in itself but must be nurtured and built upon to ensure sustenance and restore confidence, especially in the youth, Mr Nketia said.



Africa is experiencing emerging youthful populations, who are beginning to question whether the democracy being practised can deliver the goods. Some even think its deceptive as it hardly responded to the needs of the marginalised.



The NDC General Secretary attributed the challenges of governance partly to the winner-takes-all situation, where elected governments appointed public officers, who appeared to satisfy their (governments) interests, to the detriment of the state.



He said he disagreed with the school of thought that traditional authorities should be allowed to participate in active politics, because they held reputation and power, which enabled them to mediate effectively in times of conflict.



The framers of the Constitution discouraged traditional leaders from active politics in order not to allow any person(s) to tarnish their image, since they served as mediators anytime political parties misbehaved, he said.



Dr Emmanuel Bombande, Senior Mediation Advisor to the United Nations, said the increasing violence that had characterised Ghanas elections, in recent times, was worrying as it undermined the progress of the countrys

democratic practice.



He attributed the phenomenon to the lack of political will to equip and empower institutions responsible for educating the populace on violence-free elections, to take control of their organisations and acquire the resources to deliver on their mandate.



To promote good governance, Dr Bombande advocated tolerance of opposing views among political parties, consensus building, and the creation of opportunities to the benefit of the people, especially women and the youth.



Mr Akwasi Osei Adjei, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, noted that the current system of governance seem to empower any elected leader to marginalise the people, even if they have the capacity to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of the State.



He called for the review of the 1992 Constitution to allow everybody, including chiefs, to participate in the governance system to strengthen the democratic principles of the state.



Mr Adjei suggested a Second Chamber of Parliament, composed of chiefs, to serve as checks and balances on the various arms of government.



Ms Lisbeth Pilegaard, the Executive Director, DIPD, said there could not be democratic rule when sections of society felt excluded, adding that all must be supported, especially women and the youth, to participate effectively in democratic governance to erase the perception of exclusion.



Dr Lawrencia Agyepong, a Lecturer at the Ghana Institute of Journalism, said the internal political party wrangling, being witnessed in the country recently, was troubling hence the leadership must ensure the governance structures worked to build confidence in the citizenry.











Source: GNA









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Warren Lance Wise covers retail, real estate and Charleston International Airport for The Post and Courier. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he holds nearly 50 local, state and national awards for journalistic excellence.
The captivating story of 18th century pirate Anne Bonny and her potential connection to Charleston told in a book published in 1724 have led many to memorialize Bonny as an intrepid adventurer, including a Charleston area skincare studio.

Now, a downtown Charleston bar is named after Bonny.

Bonnys Hideaway is now open at 549 King St.

Bonnys owners James Walsh and Jim McCourt are the duo behind popular King Street restaurant and cocktail lounge Prohibition, located next door to the former home of King Street Public House that Bonnys Hideaway now occupies.

After King Street Public House closed, Walsh and McCourt transformed the space into a Christmas-themed pop-up before closing for renovations and eventually opening Bonnys Hideaway at the beginning of April. At Bonny's, cocktails and cuisine from the chefs at Prohibition are served in an elevated atmosphere with a mysterious and intimate vibe conducive of a hideaway.

This mystery extends to the story behind its namesake.

Anne Bonny was arguably the most famous female pirate to sail the Seven Seas, the restaurant noted in its first social media post. Her travels from Ireland through the Caribbean and on to Charleston inspired the concept at Bonnys.

This is the story told in the 298-year-old book A General History of the Pyrates, with the subtitle With the remarkable Actions and Adventures of the two Female Pyrates Mary Read and Anne Bonny.

This book was only partially based on historical facts, but it has shaped how many view Bonny, who joined a pirate gang and was captured near Jamaica, where she was tried in court with her other crew members.

A 2018 report by The Post and Courier titled The true and false stories of Anne Bonny, pirate woman of the Caribbean dispelled some of the myths about Bonny, many of which come from A General History of the Pyrates.

While its unclear where Bonny was born and whether or not she actually lived in Charleston, Walsh and McCourt  both of Irish descent  are leaning into the notion that Bonny was born in Ireland and traveled through the waters near South America, the Caribbean and South Carolina.

Walsh and McCourts nod to Bonny doesnt stop with the bar and restaurants name. Bonnys Hideaways decor, cocktails and food were all influenced by the female pirate.

We wanted to kind of represent a famous Irish person who had some influence on Charleston. We really liked her sense of adventure, McCourt told The Post and Courier. Everybody seems really happy with the concept.

Inspired by Bonny's travels, McCourt developed a beverage menu that utilizes Irish ingredients in classic cocktails and Caribbean-inspired tiki drinks with a twist.

The "Dublin Bay Fog Cutter" with Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, cherry gin sour and "Jungle Bird" with rum, buttered popcorn Campari, gingerbread, lime and pineapple are among the cocktails youll find at Bonnys. The food menu is equally as intriguing, with crab dip, tuna poke tacos, jerk chicken lollipops, chicken fried frog legs, grilled lamb chops and yellow curry cauliflower on offer.

Those who stop by during happy hour (4-7 p.m.) can order discounted Irish tiki drinks, $2 appetizers, $1 oysters and more.

Bonnys Hideaway is now serving customers from 4 p.m.-close Wednesday through Monday. For more information, go to bonnyshideaway.com.

Check out all of our latest news about restaurants and bars around town in our food section.
For millions of people in the United States with eczema, the beginning of springtime can bring welcomed relief, especially if your skin flares in drier seasons.

But some with the condition may find the warmer season is when the condition can be the most unbearable.

Eczema, a chronic skin condition that causes itching and redness, affects over 10 percent of the U.S. population and usually occurs on the hands, inner elbows, knees and around the eyes.

Dr. Lara Wine-Lee, an eczema expert and dermatologist at the Medical University of South Carolina, said a lot of people with the condition have flares with seasonal change. But those flares are dependent on the patient's unique pattern with the condition.

"People that flare in the spring and summer may not have eczema other times of the year, or they might have mild eczema," Wine-Lee said. "But heat can cause any itchy condition to get a lot more itchy."

Understanding your flares

Wine-Lee recommends patients understand when and under what circumstances their eczema is prone to flare so they can begin prevention treatments before a bad flare occurs.

"If you recognize your triggers and start treatment early, it's a much better approach than getting far into your flare and being really miserable and uncomfortable," Wine-Lee said.

Prevention treatments usually include using sensitive cleansing products, moisturizers without fragrance and prescription medications when necessary.

"In general, we recommend creams and ointments over lotions," Wine-Lee said. "So the thicker it is, means that it's going to have more of kind of a moisturizing barrier type effect."

Wine-Lee added that there is no one solution for prevention treatments for the disease.

According to the National Eczema Association, allergens like cigarette smoke, pollen and dust mites, or climate factors like extreme heat, dry or humid conditions and altitude are common triggers for the condition.

Other factors include prolonged exposure to hot water, chlorine, salt water and skin yeast.

"Those triggered by pollen or other allergens to skin may need a quick rinse off, while others may flare when they bathe too frequently and will find a daily rinse off unnecessary," Wine-Lee said.

Wine-Lee added that many people with eczema have a lot of sensitives to chemicals, so it's important to be mindful of fragrances or unnecessary added ingredients when choosing over-the-counter cleansers and moisturizers.

Topical steroids

Common treatments for eczema include prescription anti-inflammatories, topical steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory topical medications.

Topical steroids are medicated creams that are used in addition to moisturizers to reduce skin inflammation. These creams are normally used for a short period to clear up a flare.

If you experience flares in numerous areas of the body like most people with eczema, it can be confusing trying to remember which creams are able to go where.

Wine-Lee said patients are often given different strength prescriptions depending on where their flare is located, such as under the eye and around the mouth. But if used incorrectly or for long periods of time, the skin can develop permanent stretch marks, bruising, discoloration or thin spidery blood vessels.

"It's just a matter of having that conversation with your doctor about what you can use in what location and how long you can use it for," Wine-Lee said.

With rather severe cases of eczema, patients may need to explore other options.

This was the case for Eli Mitchell, a Charleston teenager whose mild eczema turned severe in May 2020 just as temperatures began to rise in the Lowcountry.

"Out of nowhere, my eczema got really bad," Mitchell told The Post and Courier. "It looked like I was sunburnt and my eyes were really red and swollen."

He was also flaring on his legs, arms, stomach and back.

Mitchell was sent to the emergency room soon after visiting his pediatrician where it was determined he was battling a severe eczema flare up. Mitchell's mom, Kristy, said doctors tried nearly every topical steroid but his condition remained stagnant.

She recalls his skin being so inflamed "it was hot to the touch."

It wasn't until doctors tried an oral medication, Rinvoq, normally used for rheumatoid arthritis, that Mitchell finally got some relief.

"It's been nearly two years that we've worked to find success," Kristy said.

Children with eczema

According to the National Eczema Association, the disease also affects nearly 10 million children under the age of 18 and one third have moderate to severe disease.

This was the case for Erica Marie Ferraro, a Charleston mom whose 5 year old son, Sonny, was diagnosed with severe eczema in 2017 at eight months old.

By this time, Ferraro said his condition had gotten so bad, Sonny scratched his skin until he bled through his clothing.

"It was terrible," Ferraro said. "It was all over his entire body."

She immediately rushed Sonny to an emergency room where doctors said his constant scratching had caused a massive staph infection.

Ferraro related Sonny has had a least five staph infections since being diagnosed in 2017.

To calm his skin, doctors advised he wear an eczema body suit, a full length suit which prevents skin irritation for infants with the condition, lathered with Vaseline at least twice a day to manage the condition.

Now, Sonny is part of a pediatric clinical trial, getting injections of Dupixent once a month to treat his eczema under the supervision of Wine-Lee at MUSC.

Ferarro said Sonny has not had any staph infections since starting Dupixent and his scratching is no longer a cause for concern.

"(Sonny) had such a poor quality of life when he was little," Ferraro said. "(Dr. Wine-Lee) has totally turned his life around."
Colorful flowers scattered over the sands: Can you name this week's mystery plant?
Duke Energy celebrates Earth Day with $100,000 in grant funding to improve access to South Carolina parks and trails
Kingstree Highs band was withered by the pandemic as the usual strong band saw its number of members dwindle down to just 15 students, before director of bands James L. Patterson arrived ahead of the 2021-22 school year.

Through his personality, style and some word of mouth advertising, the band has seen its numbers skyrocket back to more than 80 students. With several members of the C.E. Murray band joining after the announcement of the merger of the two schools, the band is now over 100 students.

For his efforts in revitalizing the band, Patterson has been named Teacher of the Year for Kingstree High by his peers.

I do my work because it's what I'm supposed to do. You don't do it to be celebrated, Patterson said. You don't do it to receive handclaps or rewards. You just do your job and you try to do it the best that you possibly can.

Patterson is now also up for district teacher of the year for winning the award at Kingstree. With the honor also comes some responsibility. Patterson will act as the spokesperson and representative for Kingstree teachers at meetings.

Patterson found out via email toward the end of lunch one day with a group of students surrounding him. Erin Mouzon, a senior drum major, said he and the few students left in the band room went crazy.

That day, the band had a lively practice, Mouzon said.

We have a teacher of the year as our director of bands and his energy, he's always positive, Mouzon said. He always gives us the energy we need to help us give a good practice.

While Patterson didnt go into teaching to be celebrated, the award is an affirmation that he made the right choice to stay in teaching after feeling burnt out during the pandemic before he came to the county.

Patterson said it was a conversation with his mother that reinvigorated his desire for teaching. She asked him why he got into teaching in the first place and why he worked so hard to be where he is now.

Part of the reason Patterson won the award was he revived the band.

With just 15 students, Patterson knew for the band to survive, they needed to grow. Patterson grew the band through advertising fun practices, and events the band preforms in. But the real growth came because of Pattersons personality and the trust students have in him.

When trying to recruit people to the band, a selling point Mouzon used what that you could talk to Patterson about anything, and he will not only listen, but offer solutions.

His students always want to come (to the band room) during the changes of classes and come bother him and talk with him, Mouzon said. He's one person where if you're going through anything, you can talk to him about it. He always gives good advice always tells you right from wrong. There's never a dull moment when you come into the band room with Mr. Patterson.

For Patterson, these relationships represent a full-circle moment, and is at the crux of his reasonings for becoming a teacher.

I became a teacher because I wanted to change lives. I became a teacher because I wanted to make a difference. I knew teachers did it for me, Patterson said. I didn't always have the perfect life and I always didn't feel like I was always my best but my teachers saw things in me and they pushed me to do things that I didn't think I could do. And that's what I wanted to do.
Olivia Diaz covers crime, courts and breaking news in the Charleston area. She is a Connecticut native who studied journalism and global affairs at the University of Richmond. ProtonMail: oliviardiaz@protonmail.com.
A woman was killed early May 2 in a fire at a mobile home in Berkeley County.

A volunteer fire crew was dispatched around 4:20 a.m. to a single-wide mobile home on U.S. Highway 52 in the Santee Circle community for reports of a fire, said East Berkeley Fire District Chief Perry Pickering.

One side of the home was engulfed in flames when crews arrived, Pickering said. Firefighters were told that a resident may be inside.

The firefighters aggressively attacked the blaze, locating a 61-year-old woman dead near the back door. Pickering said it appeared she was attempting to escape the residence.

The Berkeley County Coroner's Office has not yet identified the woman.

A firefighter suffered a minor injury, the chief said.

Pickering said the State Law Enforcement Division has been called in to help investigate the woman's death, standard protocol for a fire fatality. The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office will also help investigate the blaze.
Traversing the creek near where Riverside Boulevard meets Ponce De Leon Avenue is a spent and splintered wooden bridge, weathered over time and now bearing the concussion marks of a fallen tree on its northeastern end.

Theres erosion under its span.

Its spurious railings  top boards peeling away  have been braced and trussed.

Theres a bend in its span, however slight.

The tree that fell on it two weeks ago was the second to drop on it over its 24-year history, said Tom Zeaser, engineering and Public Works director for North Augusta.

The Greeneway bridge is original to its 1998 construction and had been part of the Riverside Boulevard improvements the city had undertaken at the time.

Officials for North Augusta had already broached the topic of the bridges condition last year, but it was at last weeks work session that city leaders reviewed preliminary cost estimates and funding mechanisms for either fixing the bridge or replacing it.

The underside of the bridge span is inaccessible to both machinery and personnel, leaving no good way to remediate the erosion there, said Zeaser. The condition of the bridge piers below the creek bed is also unknown.

Still in the first planning stages, the city has made no formal decision on whether to rehab or replace it. But consensus April 25, both among elected officials and administrative staff, pointed to its likely replacement with a prefabricated steel bridge that might in some ways mimic that over Crystal Lake Drive at the entrance to Hammonds Ferry.

Such a bridge would cost around $150,000 with about half of that going toward the prefabricated bridge itself and the remainder evenly split between engineering and construction. Time to complete would be 6-8 months, with the majority of that time being a waiting period after ordering the bridge.

Replacing the bridge with a steel one is by far the most costly of the three options council reviewed on April 25, but the investment would also come with a more than 50-year life expectancy for it, Zeaser said.

Thats compared to the extra 5 years that Zeaser estimated a simple rehabbing of the existing bridge would yield (and at a cost of between $8,000 and $10,000) or the extra 10 years he anticipated that a replacement of just its superstructure  the part of the bridge above its piers  would give it. That option has an estimated cost of $25,000-$30,000.

The cost per year of each option, should it last its full life expectancy, is fairly even at between $2,000 and $3,000.

That fact helped council member Kevin Toole to decide in favor of that costlier option: it offers the greatest longevity and wouldnt have the city back again to re-engineer the bridge in a few years, he said.

Funding for the project, though not assigned yet given that no formal action has yet been taken, is also mostly in hand, even for the bigger ticket steel option.

Left over from a drainage improvements project for Mealing and Buena Vista is $108,000 in Capital Sales Tax I funds that are now sitting unencumbered. The city is also expecting some kind of insurance proceeds from the bridge; those dollars would come to North Augusta through the South Carolina Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund.

All told, city administrator Jim Clifford estimated that 85% to 90% of a prefabricated steel bridge could be covered by these two funding sources with the remainder to be covered either by the city's Capital Projects fund or by money that North Augusta received through ARPA.

Theres not a lot of activity on that bridge compared with the rest of the Greeneway, but with everything thats going to be happening that way, theres going to be, said Mayor Briton Williams, who, like Toole and others on council present for the discussion (Pat Carpenter and Eric Presnell were absent), favored the steel option for its longevity. It would not be a benefit to us to put a Band-Aid on it," he said.

As we look at the long-term viability of that neighborhood  the fact that the Mealing tract is likely going to develop and tie into that Greeneway connection  well see some additional foot traffic on that bridge in the long term, added Clifford.

Zeaser said that design plans for the existing bridge show the city had also considered a steel option at the time of construction 24 years ago but then eventually had opted for the wooden structure.
The London Times is liberal but not insane, except when it comes to Donald Trump. So it is better than nearly all American newspapers. Here, the Sunday Times blows the whistle on the fantasy of green energy:

Addis [Ababa] is just one hub in a global web of Chinese influence, control and money that has arisen as the worlds second largest economy races to secure the minerals needed for the future generations of electric cars, wind turbines and batteries to drive the green revolution. To a great extent, it is a race Beijing has already won. For the past 20 years, China has been buying up valuable resources around the world to supply its vast manufacturing industry. More critically still, even where it does not own the mines outright, it has secured deals that mean nearly 80 per cent of the planets supply of these crucial raw minerals is sent to China for cleaning up and processing into usable metals. From the Chinese refineries, the metals not needed by Chinas own plants are then shipped off to factories in Europe, America and elsewhere. This means that, theoretically at least, in the most important minerals for the future green economy  nickel, cobalt, graphite, lithium and so-called rare earth metals  China could effectively turn on, and turn off, the worlds supply at will.

This is all blindingly obvious, and some commentators have been warning about it for years. But our impending reliance on China for our survival is a deep secret if you depend on American corporate media for your news.

The metals needed for the green revolution include copper, the reddish metal prized for its conductivity; lithium, a silvery metal that is crucial in keeping batteries lightweight; and rare earths, a disparate collection of exotic minerals that contribute to the chemistry of batteries. Demand for these metals is accelerating as sales of electric cars take off; lithium prices are up 500 per cent in the past year alone. This could be the tip of the iceberg: electric cars use six times the amount of battery metals that a conventional car needs, according to the International Energy Agency; an onshore wind farm requires nine times more than a gas plant. For the world to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, the World Bank has estimated that production of these key metals would need to rise by 500 per cent by mid-century.

That probably wont happen, so that the whole green fantasy will come crashing down in disgrace. But demand will rise, and who will benefit? China controls mining and, to an even greater extent, processing of all the key green minerals:

The United States has massive deposits of many of these minerals, including copper, nickel and cobalt. But the same liberals who insist on shutting down the energy sources where the U.S. reigns supremefossil fuelswont let us develop our own minerals, and insist that we remain reliant on China for our future standard of living. To go green is literally to turn our economy over to the Chinese Communist Party.

Liberals are fond of calling those who disagree with them traitors. Usually, and risibly, they apply this epithet to Americans who are obviously patriotic, like Tulsi Gabbard. Butand I mean this seriouslywhat is the correct term for those who work tirelessly to turn control of our economy, our future and our childrens future, over to a hostile power?
While he is publicly seeking the Peoples Democratic Partys presidential ticket, the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, secretly obtained the nomination form and has been cleared to contest in his states governorship primary, PREMIUM TIMES can exclusively report.

Mr Mohammed will serve out his first term as governor of the state in 2023. He is eligible for reelection.

There have been speculations over who will emerge as his successor in 2023 after he declared his intention to run for Nigerias presidency.

One of such speculations suggested that the Secretary to the Government of the state, Ibrahim Kashim, entered a pact to act as placeholder for the governor.

According to the claim, Mr Kashim secretly resigned and obtained the governorship nomination form of the party and would proceed to compete in the primary.

If he wins, and Mr Mohammed is not successful in his bid to be the partys presidential candidate, he will step down and be replaced by Mr Mohammed, those peddling the claim said.

But party insiders with knowledge of the goings-on in the states PDP secretariat have dismissed this speculation as untrue.

They told this newspaper that Mr Mohammed has not only secretly purchased the form for the states gubernatorial primary but has been screened and cleared to compete during the primary.

This revelation gives credence to the allegation by another contestant for the partys presidential ticket, Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers State, that some of his rivals in the contest are not as committed as he is because they have secretly obtained nomination forms for other positions they hoped to fall back on.

Last month, Mr Mohammed and a former senate president, Bukola Saraki, were controversially selected as consensus candidates of the northern region during the partys primary. Other contestants from the region rejected that decision.

The governors spokesperson, Mukhtar Gidado, did not return calls and messages sent to his known mobile telephone number seeking comment for this story.

When reached for comment, the spokesperson for Mr Mohammeds presidential campaign, Udenta Udenta, described Mr Mohammeds clearance to run for the Bauchi PDP gubernatorial primary as a rumour and declined to comment.

I dont comment on mere rumours. What I know is that he had been screened to contest for the presidency and he has joined a long list of other candidates, he said.

But our sources said the purchase of the gubernatorial form by Mr Mohammed is beyond rumours and that he would most likely withdraw from the presidential race before long.
Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka arrived in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on Sunday to meet the Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo (popularly known as Sunday Igboho).

Mr Soyinka, a professor of Comparative Literature, crossed the Seme border around noon into Cotonou.

A crowd mobbed him while he was waiting to complete immigration formalities, repeatedly asking about his destination.

Mr Soyinka responded he was visiting Mr Igboho to break the Moslem fast with him.

He said even though they are both non-Muslims; it made no difference because he wished to see Mr Igboho, to sympathise with him.

Ramadan is as good as any other season to express non-denominational solidarity, he added.

Mr Igboho and his wife, Ropo, were arrested on July 19, 2021, by the International Criminal Police Organisation at the Cadjehoun Airport in Cotonou, the Republic of Benin, on their way to Germany.

Beninoise officials later released his wife but Mr Igboho remained in detention until March this year, when they released him on the condition that he remain in the country for the time being under full security, according to his lawyer, Yomi Alliyu.

Last year, Mr Soyinka joined other Nigerians to condemn the invasion of Mr Igbohos home in Ibadan by armed officials of the State Security Service (SSS).

At least two of Mr Igbohos supporters were killed during the incident.
Two people have died after a three-storey building collapsed in Lagos on Sunday, an official said.

Ibrahim Farinloye, the southwest coordinator for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said on Monday that officials rescued 23 people  22 males and one female.

The incident happened when the residents had gone to bed, he added.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement that they were alerted of the collapse at 9:48 p.m.

The statement added that fire fighters as well as officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency and Lagos State Ambulance Service have mobilised to the site.

The incident happened barely two months after a building undergoing construction at Yaba collapsed killing four and injuring two.
The death toll at the collapsed three-storey building at Ebute-Meta in Lagos has risen to eight, an official has said.

Ibrahim Farinloye, South-west Zonal Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the eight dead persons include five males and three females.

An old three-storey building collapsed at No. 24 Ibadan Street, off Herbert Macaulay Way, Ebute-Meta on Sunday night.

The incident happened when the residents had gone to bed, according to NEMA.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said in a statement that they were alerted of the collapse at 9:48 p.m.

The statement added that firefighters, as well as officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency and Lagos State Ambulance Service, have mobilised to the site.

NAN also reports that officials rescued 23 occupants from the building.

However, rescue operations were ongoing at the site of the incident in search of occupants trapped under the rubble. (NAN)
As debates on the United Kingdom-Rwanda partnership intensify, academics have criticised the new migration policy.

The UK government on April 14 announced a migration partnership with Rwanda that will see the investment of 120 million into the economic development and growth of the East African country.

Priti Patel, UK Home Secretary, said the policy will see migrants who make dangerous or illegal journeys, such as by small boat or hidden in lorries, have their asylum claims processed in Rwanda.

Those whose claims are accepted will then be supported to build a new and prosperous life in one of the fastest-growing economies, recognised globally for its record on welcoming and integrating migrants.

Debate

Jimmy Ogunshakin, a lawyer and academic in the U.K., described the new policy as suspect, because there is an inconsistency in the rules of natural justice in the way the government is applying the rule of law and the rule of natural justice.

According to Mr Ogunshakin, the rule of natural justice wants everyone to be treated fairly and equally regardless of skin colour, characteristics of the UK equality law of 2010, you will expect a level playing field.

Ms Patel in her speech announcing the partnership said the partnership will see those arriving dangerously, illegally or unnecessarily into the UK relocated to have their claims for asylum considered and, if recognised as refugees, to build their lives there.

This will help break the people smugglers business model and prevent loss of life, while ensuring protection for the genuinely vulnerable, she said.

Hanno Brankamp, a lecturer at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, argues that the new policy will lead to migrants looking for alternatives even when they are forcefully sent to Rwanda.

Mr Brankamp describes the mood of the UK population as divided.

There is a large number of people, if not a slight majority that are outraged at this but of course we should not forget that there is also quite a large number of people who have anti-asylum sentiments and who either tolerate the policy or support it.

A big factor is playing to the domestic audience, at this point we are not very clear if this policy will actually materialise. There are some interpretations of the policy that the government is trying to distract people from its internal turmoil and multiple corruption scandals and failings of the government, he added.

According to the UK government, at the heart of this approach is fairness; access to the UKs asylum system must be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers. The demands on the current system, the cost to the taxpayer, and the flagrant abuses are increasing. The British public have rightly had enough.

There is a need to protect the borders like with every other country; there is a need to protect citizens as well but there is a moral code that goes into the rule of law, that goes into the fabric of this country that people be treated equally and fairly especially if they are destitutes, refugees, Mr Ogunshakin said.

We do feel the impact of immigration on the systems here, Mr Ogunshakin agrees, but I will suggest that part of that problem has to do with the EU free trade movement that we have enjoyed for over 40 years, so we cannot boil it down to asylum seekers.

He added that most of the foreign nationals in the UK are often middle class from other countries and as such should not be solely blamed for the burden on infrastructure.

Details

According to the Home Office, the new plan for immigration will improve support for those directly fleeing oppression, persecution and tyranny through safe and legal routes, deter illegal entry, and make it easier to remove those with no right to be in the UK.

I do not believe what the home secretary said because we know that within her government, senior civil servants are not happy with this policy white on white. They do not think it will work and they think it is very expensive, Mr Ogunshakin said.

Although it is not clear who will be sent to Rwanda to get their asylum application processed, Mr Ogunshakin believes it is a law that suits the government when it wants.

I suspect that if you were a high profile political refugee, there would be somewhere in these rules that would welcome you if you already have property in the UK, he said.

For Messrs Ogunshakin and Brankamp, the new policy only reminds the public of the governments apathy for migration which was more hostile with Theresa May as home secretary.

Mr Ogunshakin insists that the new policy cannot be said to be noble, but naive perhaps, disingenuous. Naive because we have a long history of fraught immigration policies in this country which when you look at the effect of them, you get to conclude that they were deliberate, intent and the effect of them is to achieve the top line goal-to reduce migration from a particular part of the world.

Mr Brankamp added the government had been anti-migration and such policies have been in the offing since 2014.

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The government know that this will be met with a lot of legal challenges and will be quite a bumpy ride for them considering that there is so much public outrage and resistance against it and that is partly what the government wants really because they are playing to not just domestic audience but also members of their party who are anti-immigration, he added.

As part of the policy, the military will take operational command of responding to small boats in the Channel, in partnership with the Border Force.

This will happen with immediate effect, and be backed up by 50 million in new funding. This change will deliver new boats, aerial surveillance and expert military personnel. In doing so it will bolster Border Force teams and their existing patrol vessels and provide a Wildcat helicopter, the UK government said.

Rwanda

Meanwhile, the Rwandan Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Vincent Biruta speaking on the partnership said, Rwanda is committed to international cooperation and partnership on migration and the opportunities that a robust protection system, comprehensive human capital investment programme can create, for migrants and for development of the host country. 

According to Mr Biruta, there is a global responsibility to prioritise the safety and well-being of migrants, and Rwanda welcomes this Partnership with the United Kingdom to host asylum seekers and migrants, and offer them legal pathways to residence. This is about ensuring that people are protected, respected, and empowered to further their own ambitions and settle permanently in Rwanda if they choose.

According to the Human Rights Watch 2022 report, dissenting and critical voices have continued to be stifled by the government and those perceived as a threat to the government targeted alongside their family members. The space for political opposition, civil society, and media remained closed.

Several high-profile critics, including opposition members and commentators using social media or YouTube to express themselves, went missing, were arrested or threatened. Arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and torture in official and unofficial detention facilities was commonplace, and fair trial standards were routinely flouted in cases deemed sensitive, the report said.

The Rwandan government and those operating on its behalf continued to exert pressure on Rwandan refugee and diaspora communities, as far afield as Australia and Canada. Refugees who are known critics of the government have been threatened and harassed.

In Africa, HRW documented and received credible reports of Rwandan refugees and asylum seekers being forcibly disappeared and returned to Rwanda, or killed.

While speaking to PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Brankamp raised questions about how the new arrivals to Rwanda will be integrated given the large refugee population in Rwanda.

Archbishop of Canterbury, UNHCR, Refugee Council slam new policy

During his Easter sermon, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury slammed the new migration policy saying it was opposing Gods nature.

Subcontracting out our responsibilities, even to a country that seeks to do well, like Rwanda, is the opposite of the nature of God who himself took responsibility for our failures, Aljazeera quoted the cleric as saying.

Speaking at Canterbury Cathedral in southeast England, Mr Welby said that while the details are for politics and politicians, the principle must stand the judgement of God  and it cannot.

Mr Welby said sending asylum seekers overseas posed serious ethical questions.

The United Nations refugees agency also expressed strong opposition to the policy noting that it is contrary to the Refugee Convention of 1951.

UNHCR remains firmly opposed to arrangements that seek to transfer refugees and asylum seekers to third countries in the absence of sufficient safeguards and standards. Such arrangements simply shift asylum responsibilities, evade international obligations, and are contrary to the letter and spirit of the Refugee Convention, said UNHCRs Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, Gillian Triggs.

As of March 2022, Rwanda hosted a total of 127,585 refugees and asylum seekers.

According to the UNHCR, the East African country has generously provided a safe haven to refugees fleeing conflict and persecution for decades, the majority live in camps with limited access to economic opportunities.

Enver Solomon, CEO UK Refugee Council said, the UK Government is lurching from one inhumane policy to the next in relation to the lives of refugees, none of which address the reason why people take perilous journeys to find safety in the UK.

Mr Solomon noted that the decision to send those seeking sanctuary in our country to Rwanda is cruel and nasty.

Treating people like human cargo by using the force of the military to repel vulnerable people who have already endured extreme human suffering and expelling them to centres in Rwanda, a country with a questionable record on human rights, is dangerous, cruel and inhumane, he added.

Chiamaka Okafor 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.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday joined other Muslim faithful at the parade ground of the Mambila Barracks, Abuja, to perform the Eid-el-Fitr prayer.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian leader, accompanied by some of his family members and personnel aides, arrived at the venue of the event at about 9.00 a.m.

Others at the praying ground included some members of the Federal Executive Council, security chiefs, heads of para-military organisations, and government officials.

The two-rakaat prayer was led by the Chief Imam of the Barracks, Muhammad Dahey-Shuwa, who spoke on the significance and spiritual values of the just-concluded Ramadan fast.

Mr Dahey-Shuwa, in his sermon, also prayed for peace and stability of the country, calling on citizens to continue to pray and support the nations security agencies in their fight against terrorism and violent crimes across the country.

Mr Buhari, who briefly responded to questions after the prayer session, admitted to having sleepless nights over the security situation in parts of the country.

He, however, promised to spare no efforts in dealing decisively and mercilessly with the criminal gangs.

On the forthcoming general elections, the president reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to a free, fair, and transparent process.

The president had, throughout the period of the Ramadan, joined the Muslim faithful at the State House Mosque in interpreting the Quran (Tafsir)

Mr Buhari, who took part in the daily exercise, had also used his evenings to host guests from cross-sections of the country to Iftar (breaking of fast).

The presidents Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Shehu Garba, in a statement in Abuja, said the president used the occasions to practise the values projected by Ramadan.

These, according to him, include the promotion of discipline and personal sacrifice, care, and love for the less fortunate, promotion of national unity and support for the Armed Forces as they strive to end terrorism and other crimes in the country.

Mondays Eid prayer was the first time the president would observe the session outside the Presidential villa since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, two years ago.

(NAN)
Gunmen, on Saturday, killed two soldiers, at an unknown location in Imo State, Nigerias South-east.

The victims, A. M. Linus, said to be a Sergeant of the Nigerian Army, and his unidentified wife, said to be a lance corporal in the Army, were reportedly beheaded after being shot dead by the gunmen.

Their corpses were said to have been dismembered by the gunmen. A gory image of their heads has gone viral on various social media platforms.

A phone conversation with the suspected gunmen, believed to have been initiated by a friend to the slain female soldier, has surfaced online.

In the phone conversation, obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, a suspected gunman admitted that he killed the couple.

The gunman said they were aggrieved that the military has been consistently killing innocent residents in efforts to attack them (gunmen).

Its quite unfortunate that it is this way. I killed both of them yesterday, the suspected gunman was heard saying in the phone conversation.

As the caller burst into tears after hearing that her friend and her husband had been killed by the gunmen, the gunman was heard making a joke of her.

Confirming the attack, Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu told PREMIUM TIMES, Monday, that military authorities have received information about the killing of two of their personnel.

Mr Nwachukwu said the military personnel were travelling for their traditional marriage formalities in Imo State when they were attacked by the gunmen.

This is a very dastardly act unleashed on our personnel by some criminals, he said in a text message in response to PREMIUM TIMES enquiry on the incident.

The army spokesperson said authorities of the Nigerian Army had commenced investigations to unmask and bring to book the criminals behind the murder.

Attacks by gunmen have increased in the South-east in recent times. The attacks often target security agencies and government facilities.

The Nigerian government has accused the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of being responsible for the deadly attacks in the South-east. But the group has repeatedly denied their involvement in the attacks.

The separatist group is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south Nigeria.

The leader of the secessionist group, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for alleged treason.
A 30-year-old man, Haruna Abdullahi, and 45-year-old Adamu Danjummai died in a pit toilet at Aku Village in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State while making efforts to recover a cell phone from a pit toilet.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, on in Kano.

Mr Abdullahi said the incident occurred on Sunday morning.

We received an emergency call from Gaya fire station at about 07:15 a.m. from one Ali Ahmed, that two men had been trapped inside a pit toilet.

The men were trying to bring out a cellphone that fell inside the pit toilet.

We immediately sent our rescue team to the scene at about 07:25 a.m., he said.

He said the victims were, however, brought out of the pit latrine unconscious and later confirmed dead while their corpses were handed over to the village head of Aku, Adamu Isyaku.

The Public Relations Officer said Mr Abdullahi entered inside the toilet with intention to pick his cellphone when he fell inside and got trapped. His brother went inside to rescue him and he too got trapped.

He said the cause of the incident was the use of cellphone in a toilet. (NAN)
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with families of those who died, sustained injuries, and were affected in the building collapse at Ebute Metta area of Lagos State.

A statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, on Monday in Abuja, said the incident pained the president, with search and rescue still ongoing at the site.

Mr Buhari saluted the courage and determination of the first responders, national and sub-national emergency agencies in Lagos State, and compassionate Nigerians.

He noted that their immediate actions following the collapse of the three-storey building led to the rescue of several persons, including many children.

The president regrettably noted that the frequency of building collapses in the country has become increasingly embarrassing.

He, therefore, urged the relevant state authorities to work closely with professional bodies to stop the incidents.

Mr Buhari wished those injured a speedy recovery and prayed for divine assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operations. (NAN)
Gunmen on Sunday morning attacked and burnt the country home of the Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Osisioma Police Division, Abia State, Amanna Nwaogu.

The attack, PREMIUM TIMES gathered, caused tension in Abayi Ogbuligba, Amaitolu Autonomous community in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State, where the house was located.

The gunmen reportedly stormed Mr Nwaogus residence at about 12:34 a.m. with the intention of killing him.

But he managed to escape, forcing the gunmen, who thought he was hiding somewhere in the house, to set it ablaze.

They however stayed back and watched the building completely burnt before leaving at about 3 am.

Apart from burning his house, the arsonists, who held his family at gunpoint, also burnt his SUV parked in the compound.

Luckily, no member of the family sustained any injury.

Mr Nwaogu, who is also the coordinator of all the vigilantes in Osisioma LGA, confirmed the attack.

He said the attackers broke into his house through the back after braking the iron door with an axe.

The PCRC chair lamented the loss of many valuables worth millions in the inferno, including huge amount of cash and property.

He also appealed to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State and public spirited individuals to come to the aid of the family, which has been rendered homeless.

Recalling the incident, he said: I heard a noise on my door around 12:34 a.m., that bang woke us up from the bed. They later broke into my house after using an axe to break the iron door.

They searched the entire house looking for me and after an hour search, when they could not see me, they brought out other members of the family and burnt the entire house including my car and a brand new tricycle parked in the compound to ashes.

Four of them pointed their guns at my children and wife to stop them from making any attempt to come and rescue me.

They stayed back to ensure that nothing including me was saved from the property.

They came by 12:34 a.m. and left by 3:17 a.m. when they believed that they have accomplished their plans.

The gunmen stole everything. They made away with my phone and other valuables they could lay their hands on.

When they left, one of my brothers who rushed to the scene was the one that called the RRS (Rapid Response Squad) who came and took me away from where I had ran for safety while my house was under siege.

According to my wife, they alleged that I give police information about them which is not true.

The gunmen dressed in black and tied red clothes on their head. They told my wife while they were leaving that I am working for the Nigerian Police and other security agencies.

That after burning to ashes, in my next world, I will not accept working with the police.

ALSO READ: Five feared killed as gunmen attack Anambra community

God knows that I have never used my position as the chairman of PCRC or Vigilante group coordinator against anybody.

Instead, I have been ensuring cordial relationship between Osisioma Ngwa communities and security agencies and I can tell you that the reason I didnt die was because that I have never used my position against anyone; my hands are clean. What they want to do is to ensure that I (was) burnt with the house.

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At the moment, I am homeless as we have lost our home and properties. Apart from the clothes my family and I wore to sleep, nothing else came out of that house because they (arsonists) made sure that everything and every room in the house was burnt.

The loss is heavy and the pain is too much for me and my family to bear.

We have no roof over our head. We are begging and calling even on well-meaning Osisioma sons and daughters and other spirited individuals to please come to our aid., he said.

The security in the south-east has continued to deteriorate with attacks on security agencies, high profile individuals and government facilities.

The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) a separatist group in the region has been blamed by the police for the attacks.

IPOB, whose leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is under detention and undergoing prosecution by the federal government for alleged treason and terrorism, has continued to deny responsibility for the attacks.
The International Press Institute (IPI) has documented 356 attacks on journalists, acts of censorship and serious violations of media freedom since the beginning of Russias invasion of Ukraine, according to the latest figures.

Published ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the data from IPIs Ukraine War Press Freedom Tracker underscores the devastating toll the conflict has already taken on independent journalism, media freedom and the safety of journalists in both countries.

Seven journalists and media workers in Ukraine have so far been killed in the line of duty since February 24, according to IPI monitoring. There is evidence at least two more may have been killed by Russian troops in occupied territory in apparent connection to their profession.

IPI has also documented 33 serious cases of domestic and foreign journalists reporting from the frontlines in Ukraine being attacked, shot at, or caught in shelling, with many being hospitalized with serious injuries.

This includes 21 journalists either sustaining gunshot wounds or coming under fire and at least 12 members of reporting crews being injured or caught in shelling and other airstrikes.

At least five journalists have been kidnapped or abducted, with some undergoing torture, beatings and other human rights abuses at the hands of Russian soldiers.

Dozens of regional media outlets have been forced to shut due to threats and newsroom seizures. IPI has documented four confirmed strikes on TV towers and infrastructure in Ukraine.

Overall, Russian state authorities and military forces have been responsible for 76% of all press freedom violations linked to the conflict documented by IPI over the last three months.

Massive repression in Russia

In Russia meanwhile, where the Kremlin has moved to wipe out all remaining sources of independent news and information, at least 114 media and news websites have been blocked by the Roskomnadzor regulator, making up 32% of all recorded violations on IPIs Tracker.

At least 10 major broadcasters or publications have since been shuttered or forced to cease operations altogether, including many of the last bastions of independent news such as Novaya Gazeta, Ekho Moskvy and Dozhd TV.

IPI documented 49 incidents of media professionals being detained as they covered anti-war protests in cities across the country over the last three months. Many were arrested despite being in possession of journalistic identification.

So far, at least eleven journalists have been fined or detained under a restrictive new law criminalizing what authorities deem to be fake news about the armed forces. Hundreds of Russian journalists have reportedly since fled the country fearing prosecution.

Dozens of foreign media have also been forced to close their offices and pull their correspondents out of the country, contributing to a blackout for impartial coverage and leaving citizens increasingly isolated and exposed to pro-Kremlin propaganda.

These figures underscore the devastating toll this war has already taken on the lives of journalists as well as the scale of the human rights abuses and attacks on press freedom, IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said. We honour the courage of all journalists who continue to document the tragic human cost of this war in extremely challenging circumstances.

In Ukraine, journalists reporting from the front lines have lost their lives and other have faced attacks, abductions and torture. In Russia, the Kremlin has moved to systematically cleanse the media ecosystem of all impartial reporting on the war and eradicate what remained of the countrys independent press.

These attacks in both countries cast a dark shadow over this years World Press Freedom Day. They should also refocus the resolve of the international community to provide much needed support to the journalistic community in Ukraine and the independent Russia journalists driven into exile, while also safeguarding press freedoms at home.

As this appalling war continues, IPI will continue to do all we can to document every single attack on journalists and every act of censorship and violence against the press, to ensure a comprehensive record exists of the full scale of these assaults on journalistic freedoms.

Acts of censorship or restrictive regulations on independent journalism accounted for 46% of IPIs documented alerts, with 87% of these violations carried out by Russian authorities.

Arrests and criminal investigations and charges made up a further 25% of all recorded alerts, of which Russian police and security forces were responsible for 94% of cases.

Attacks on journalists and media actors by Russian armed forces account for 14% of all documented alerts, though these include the most serious attacks and killings.

Russian state authorities such as the government, prosecutors and regulators were responsible for an additional 61% of all recorded alerts.

IPIs monitoring includes all violations of press freedom linked to the war in Ukraine.

While the vast majority of alerts were documented in the territory of Ukraine and Russia, the monitoring also covers Belarus and other states around the world.

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Civil servants in Kano State have criticised the state government for failing to pay their April salaries, which they say will dampen the celebration of Eid-el-Fitri festival in the predominantly Muslim state.

The civil servants joined Muslims from around the world to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri on Monday  marking the end of 30 days of the Ramadan fast.

The workers accused Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of being insensitive to their plight.

One civil servant, who asked not to be named for fear of being victimised, said the governor has turned them into corporate beggars, soliciting for financial support from their friends and family members to meet family needs.

We are being owed Aprils salary, and the situation is very disturbing. For instance, I cannot provide Sallah food for my wife and children, the civil servant said.

I know of a colleague who could not get anything after belittling himself asking people for money.

I learnt that the governor (Mr Ganduje) is in Saudi Arabia performing lesser Hajj, without even considering the plight of workers who, as himself, have many children to take care of in this Sallah celebration, the civil servant added.

Another civil servant, a resident of the Fagge council area in Kanos metropolis, told PREMIUM TIMES that workers are starving.

It is not easy for us. The Sallah celebrations are bleak for all of us, the distraught worker said. He said he could not afford to get Sallah clothes for his children.

He said the painful part about the delay in the payment of salaries was that the government did not deem it fit to inform workers of the reason they did not pay their salaries.

The states Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, did not respond to calls and messages seeking comments.

The states chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kabiru Minjibir, could not be immediately reached for comments through his known phone number.
Nigerias military chiefs on Monday in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, urged troops to be ruthless in the battle against terrorists who have been attacking swathes of the country in recent years.

The military chiefs had joined frontline troops in celebrating the end of Ramadan.

Chief of Army Staff, Farouq Yahaya, a Lieutenant General and the Chief of Air Staff, Isiyaka Amao, an Air Marshal, had hosted both serving and injured troops in celebrating the Eid.

The two military chiefs usually host their respective service troops at the frontlines to separate celebrations during festive periods.

But to underscore their new commitment in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency, the two military commanders decided to have a common celebration with the troops.

Impressed

Mr Yahaya said he was impressed with the recent outings of the troops, both of Operation Hadin Kai and MNJTF around Lake Chad and the fringes of Sambisa Forest.

He said he still maintained his earlier order to deal with the terrorists and bandits ruthlessly.

Mr Yahaya said the military would be deploying more war platforms that would enable the troops maintain their superiority over all outlawed groups that have picked up arms against the state.

We shall continue to provide your needs and other enablers for your optimal performance.

The Sallah gift I expect from our troops is the neutralisation of all enemies of our nation to make the country safer, he said.

The chief of air staff had earlier said the military command chose to celebrate the Eid el-Fitri with the troops because of its symbolism and enduring message of sacrifice, selflessness and commitment.

We are drawn to reflect on the significance of the messages of Ramadan, especially for our troops on the frontlines that make sacrifices to ensure the security of our dear nation. Maintaining this level of efficiency in the frontlines while away from your loved one during festive seasons like this demonstrate your nobility of placing service before yourself.

He assured the troops of the nations commitment to continuously provide the needed supports to sustain land, maritime and air operations against terrorism.

The CAS acknowledged the recent heart-warming successes in the Operations Lake Sanity and Desert Sanity, hoping that sanity would soon be restored in the Sambisa forests, Mandara Mountains, Timbuktu triangles and Lake Chad regions.

He called on the troops to maintain the highest level of vigilance and combat readiness to guarantee improved security.

He also said the Nigerian airforce remains committed to providing the air component with the necessary equipment to support the joint operation to ensure peace in the region.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Kadafur, who was a special guest of honour at the Eid el-Kabir luncheon that took place at the Nigeria Air Force Base Maiduguri, commended the military for the good job theyve been doing in restoring security in Borno State.

Mr Kadafur, who represented his principal, Governor Babagana Zulum noted that we have seen a lot of progress in terms of security in the northeast, especially here in Borno State.

He commended the two components of the military for their spirit of synergy which he said has brought a lot of progress in the war against insurgency.

Unending battles

Nigeria is currently facing increasing terrorism and criminal activities across the country especially in its northern fridges where insurgents, bandits and roving gangs have laid siege on communities.

The South-east has also seen bloody conflicts between the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and security operatives. Kidnappers across the nation also regularly abduct citizens at will as security forces battle to maintain order.

This has led to criticisms against the Muhammadu Buhari government.

One of the three campaign points of Mr Buhari, a retired General, when he campaigned in 2015 was to curb insecurity. The other two were improved economy and war on corruption.

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Mr Buhari, who will be completing his second and final tenure in 2023, has consistently said his government is doing all it can to end insecurity.
A court in Finland has acquitted Gibril Massaquoi, the former Revolutionary United Front commander in Sierra Leone, of all the charges in his year-long trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity during Liberias civil war between 1999-2003.

In an 850-page ruling judges of the District Court in the city of Tampere said prosecutors had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Massaquoi, 52, committed the crimes of rape, ritual murder, torture and recruitment of child soldiers during the war.

Kaarle Gummerus, Massaquois lawyer, said his was extremely relieved by the judgement and is now waiting to see whether the prosecution decides to appeal the decision.

Well wait a month to see what decision the prosecutor makes with this case and then well be able to see what the next six months will be like, he told AFP.

The ruling is a blow to the prosecution team and Finnish police investigators who spent years and more than a $US million building the case.

Tom Laitinen, chief prosecutor in the trial, defended his teams actions in a WhatsApp message.

My initial reaction is that despite the outcome, the trial in itself is an achievement for us and for justice. The next step for us is to read the judgement thoroughly to see if we can share the conclusions of the court, Laitinen said, referring to the voluminous verdict.

Laitinen said after digesting the ruling, the team will make a determination on the question of an appeal.

Under Finnish law, the prosecution must lodge an appeal within a week of the verdict and then complete the appeal process within three weeks later.

Fridays verdict came more than two months after the court released Massaquoi from pretrial detentiona decision that raised eyebrows within the human rights community and many saw as a sign the court would acquit.

The outcome is also a setback for the two human rights groups that brought the initial evidence against Massaquoi to Finnish investigators, Swiss based Civitas Maxima and its Liberian counterpart, the Global Justice and Research Project.

The two groups have worked together to gather evidence in more than a dozen cases against accused Liberian warlords in six countries in the last decade including successful prosecutions of Charles Taylors number two Thomas Woewiyu and ULIMO commanders Alieu Kosiah and Mohammed Jabbateh.

This is the first case bought by the two groups that has ended in the acquittal.

Defence teams in all cases have tried to undermine the credibility of the two organisations, particularly Hassan Billity, the Liberian justice activist who heads GJRP.

The groups have been the targets of a disinformation campaign apparently coordinated by some of the people they have brought evidence against.

This was the first trial in which Billity himself testified that he had been a victim of the accused.

The Massaquoi trial saw three witnesses come forward to claim that Billity had offered them bribes to testify.

The witnesses provided no evidence and their claims were undermined when Milton Blahyi, another former warlord allegedly offered a bribe by Billity, rejected the accusation.

It also emerged that Alan White, the chief prosecutor of the Special Court, had called all three witnesses prior to their testimony. Had Massaquoi been found guilty, the Special Courts witness protection program and even some of its convictions, may have faced heavy scrutiny.

In a statement the two groups defended their actions.

Civitas Maxima and the Global Justice and Research Project believe the testimonies of the victims. This has been a peculiar trial for both organisations: Hassan Bility, director of GJRP, had already given evidence during the Charles Taylor trial in January 2009 implicating Gibril Massaquoi in the acts of torture he suffered in 2002. He testified again about those events at the Gibril Massaquoi trial. Both Civitas Maxima and the GJRP firmly support Hassan Bility, who for years has tirelessly worked towards justice and accountability.

Special court safehouse security under scrutiny

Massaquoi was a top commander in the Sierra Leonean rebel group the Revolutionary United Front which was found to have committed widespread human rights violations, including murder and rape by the countrys Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Massaquoi was said to be a key informant in the conviction of former Liberian President Charles Taylor and other former RUF leaders in the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone.

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Convicted of aiding and abetting the RUF in Sierra Leones civil war, Taylor, is serving a 50-year sentence in a United Kingdom prison for his role.

Massqauoi and some family members moved to Finland in 2008 under a deal with the Special Court that did not involve immunity from prosecution.

READ ALSO: Court hears how Massaquoi butchered pregnant woman to settle bet

He was arrested there in March 2020 after Civitas Maxima and GJRP presented what they said was evidence that he committed war crimes in Liberia to Finnish prosecutors.

Massaquoi denied the charges.

His trial formally began in Feburary 2021 in Finland and the court spent 6 months in Liberia and Sierra Leone hearing testimony from dozens of witnesses.

The Liberian witnesses mostly linked Massaquoi to the crimes, including ordering the torching of houses full of civilians in villages in Lofa County and killings, torture and rape at Waterside Market in Monrovia.

The trial took a dramatic turn in September 2021 when the defence presented evidence that Billity and his team had bribed witnesses compelling the court to return to Liberia to hear from additional witnesses.

The dates of the original indictment also need to changed after it became clear the witnesses had been referencing events that took place in Liberia between June and August in 2003 when Massaquoi was in a UN monitored safe house in Freetown.

The prosecution was compelled to make the difficult case that security at the safehouse was so lax that Massaquoi could have escaped and crossed into Liberia to commit war crimes on behalf of Taylor, the very man against whom he was informing to the Special Court.

Inconsistencies

In the end the inconsistencies were too great for the judges to rule that Massaquoi had committed the crimes beyond the legal burden of a reasonable doubt.

Civitas Maxima and GJRP insisted the trial has made some impact on the transitional justice process, despite Massaquois acquittal.

A complex case of intertwined conflicts with a former insider witness of an international court, the Massaquoi trial will surely become an important reference on the concrete challenges of universal jurisdiction, said the two groups in the statement. And the Finnish experience will be an important case study for other countries who are committed to the principle.

Activists say trial underscores need for national court

The large cost of the trial was criticised by many people in Finland according to media reports there.

The acquittal will likely bring more scrutiny to the governments decision to prosecute the case. Prosecution teams in other countries will be looking closely at the outcome.

READ ALSO: Massaquoi lawyer confident of acquittal in war crimes trial

In Liberia, it reignited the public debate about the need for the establishment of a war crimes court for Liberia, to prosecute those accused of bearing the greatest responsibility for the countrys civil wars.

At the moment, the future of a bill establishing the court is under a cloud, with the Legislature, which has the sole constitutional authority to set up the court, unable to reach a decision on the matter.

The House of Representatives has asked its members to consult their constituents on the issue, while the Senate has asked President Weah to appoint a traditional justice commission to review recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissiona request rights activists have dismissed as an attempt to undermine the credibility of the report, as well as the Independent National Commission of Human Rights, which should ensure that the government implements the TRC recommendations.

President Weah has backpaddled over his earlier support for the court before he became president, asking the Legislature to advise him on the matter.

Court supporters allege President Weah is resisting a court to appease Prince Johnson, the powerful Nimba senator who would be one of the first to be tried by a war crimes court for his alleged actions in the first war.

Johnsons support in Nimba could be key to the presidents re-election bid in 2023, although his (Johnsons) popularity has dwindled during recent elections.

Civitas Maxima and GJRP repeated their assertion that a Liberian war crimes court is essential to ensure Liberian citizens see justice delivered for the wars that left about 250,000 people dead and set Liberias development back decades.

The Gibril Massaquoi trial reminds us that national jurisdictions play a critical role in ensuring that war crimes and crimes against humanity are prosecuted, regardless of the nationality of the victims, and the time since these were allegedly committed.

This story was a collaboration with New Narratives as part of its West African Justice Reporting Project.
It is no longer surprising that Nigerians hear or read about insecurity in various parts of the country. We have become so narcotised and insensitive to the news of insecurity that when kidnappings, bombings or attacks on villagers by bandits, terrorists, or other non-state actors happen, unless people are killed, maimed, or taken hostage in their hundreds, it hardly makes news; and if at all it does, it will be back burner or minor news with little significance. Neither does it shock us nor cause moral panic, as it did in the past. These days, we have priced insecurity into our daily lives that it is almost becoming uncommonly common.

Nigerian citizens have no place to hide, and they have no actors to look up to for protection and solace. The state seems to have failed in its primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of the Nigerian people, and worse still, we live in limbo without any hope. Bandits and terrorists attack at will, destroy lives and properties, and cart away unlucky victims into exile, with little or no consequences. People are resorting to self-help to protect themselves and their loved ones, and gradually Nigeria is snowballing into a Hobbesian state of war, and of every man against every man. Events prove that we are on a precipice, waiting for a slight push into the abyss, each passing day. It is frightening that those whose responsibility it is to salvage the situation are playing Russian Roulette with our collective existence.

It has been a slippery slope to damnation. Nothing much has changed, from the kidnapping of Chibok girls that shocked the world to the recent attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train. The Nigerian state has not risen to its responsibility of protecting and defending its citizens. Some of the Chibok girls are still in captivity, and so are some other victims of heinous crimes against humanity, with no definite action from the Nigerian state.

It is deplorable that 35 days after the terrible train incident, over 168 persons, including pregnant women, who were abducted, and their families, are still crying for action from the state to help release the victims and bring justice to the perpetrators. The train hostages are not the first and may not be the last set of hostages, which presents the Nigerian state as helpless and hapless in combating insecurity within its territory.

Statistics reveal the growing trend in kidnapping since 2013 and ranks Nigeria among the top five countries known for kidnapping for ransom. In analysing data collected through the Nigeria Security Tracker (NST) between 2015 and June 2021, HumAngle observed a growing trend in the number of mass abductions and the total number of victims of kidnapping in Nigeria. While in 2017 there were 484 kidnap victims, the figure grew to 987 the following year, then 1,386 in 2019 and 2,860 in 2020.

Between January 1 and June 30, 2021, at least 2,944 people had already been kidnapped  making 2021 the worst year yet on the basis of this security index. These number will be higher if communities along the border areas in Cameroon, Chad, and the Niger Republic are considered. We can easily speculate that data for 2022 will even be worse than 2021.

Furthermore, political induced conflict , citizen alienation, terrorism and violence define the Nigerian insecurity scene. According to the Global Peace Index, Nigeria is included among the countries with the least peace globally, and it is the 17th unpeaceful state in the world. Besides, the Global Terrorism Index reports that Nigeria is the third country most affected by terrorism. Same report says there is a substantial risk of mass killing or genocide in Nigeria, and Nigeria is the second country in Africa with the highest risk of genocide and the sixth worldwide.

This risk is influenced by over two hundred million people, a high child mortality rate, ongoing battle-related deaths, a history of mass killing, and ethnic agitation . These disturbing facts are apparent, yet we do not see serious actions from the state to change the narrative and stem the decent to anarchy we are witnessing daily. Nigeria seems to have failed its citizens and is watching while insecurity becomes a permanent feature of our country. Nigerians are screaming for more effective and efficient tangible actions to radically reduce or eliminate our lands insecurity.

In a recent statement, John Campbell, a former US Ambassador to Nigeria, notes that the inability of the Nigerian government to keep its citizens safe and secure is one of the signs of a weak or a failing state. The states inability to defend citizens against robbery, natural adversity, and economic vagaries is a symptom of failure, and worst is its failure to protect its citizens from non-state actors from within and outside the country.

Going by Ambassador Campbells statement and other definitions of failure of the state in its responsibility to citizens, the question to ask is, has the Nigerian state failed its 168 citizens kidnapped in the last 35 days ago? To these 168 Nigerians, Nigeria has happened to them  a statement that characterises the rising hopelessness and an uncanny acceptance that Nigeria connotes terrible things, and when it happens to you, it is the worst thing you can face.

Nigeria has happened to one of the kidnapped women who had the unfortunate situation of having her baby in a dungeon amidst terrorists and kidnappers. What a way to enter the world for the new baby! This incident makes a mockery of the many excuses of the state. The terrorists and kidnappers brought doctors and medical supplies into the forest to get the baby delivered. Yet our security operatives have not managed to fish them out. The kidnappers successfully managed labour delivery, contacted the family, broke the deliverys news, and sent photos of the new baby to the womans family and the world.

Where are our intelligence operatives with all these happening? If the kidnappers interact within the community, why cant the intelligence operative track them through those means? The state must take this issue of insecurity more serious than it does now. The minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, claims that the states actions to release the kidnapped victims are confidential. He expects Nigerians to trust the government and believe that the victims will be released soon. But history is not kind to such expectations. Similar past events have shown that such hope in the government may be misguided. Once beaten, twice shy.

The average Nigerian citizen has expectations of the government  that it will secure citizens lives and properties in most cases. This expectation aligns with all citizens social contract with the state and expects the state to abide by that creed. The situations where non-state actors cross boundaries and attack unarmed civilians in their villages are unacceptable. Similarly, when citizens going about their regular businesses are terrorised and kidnapped by internal non-state actors, and 35 days later, nothing meaningful seems to have been done by the state is against decency and good taste.

Nigerians have the right to demand security and safety of their lives and property, and the state must act quickly to fulfil that. Erosion of trust in the state to protect citizens will lead to anarchy and mayhem.

The international community has expectations of the government too. It expects the government to maintain and protect its territorial integrity and monopolise control of all instruments of coercion within its territory. Nigeria is a regional power and has a history of keeping regional peace in the sub- Saharan region. This history earned it the respect of the world in the past. How the giant of Africa faltered to the point that non-state actors are constantly challenging and sometimes outmanoeuvring it beggars belief.

Security-wise, Nigeria is almost becoming the butt of jokes among countries within the region who hitherto rely on it for security. This anomaly must be contained very quickly. The Nigerian state has no business competing for control of territory with non-state actors, and where this is the case, it must do whatever it takes to restore its control over all its parts and deal decisively with all forms of local banditry, terrorism, and secessionist rebellion with its might.

Nigerians and the international community have been expecting this for a long time, and this is the time to make it happen. The pertinent question here is, how can Nigeria solve the insecurity crises facing it?

Among the many apparent solutions to the problem of insecurity is the most practical one  the state must rein in its security forces and give them everything they need to succeed. It is crucial to empower the security forces and provide them with the mandate with clear deadlines to wipe out bandits and insurgents. Adopting effective kinetics and non-kinetic approaches in tackling criminals will improve the situation.This is time for action and not statements or declarations.

The state should optimise intelligence and involve the people in intelligence gathering. By the way, the bandits are humans and live and interact within communities. Good intelligence gathering will help the security forces efficiently deal with insurgencies, including banditry and kidnappings.

The insurmountable nature of insecurity in Nigeria is heart-breaking. It is time for a change in thinking in tackling insecurity. There is no sense in doing the same thing repeatedly that gives the same results. We need to change tactics and resolve to deal a decisive blow to non-state actors terrorising the citizens and our way of life. We should start with the perpetrators of the train bombing last month. Government must make it a duty that it owes Nigerians and the victims of the train terror attack to rescue the 168 victims of the ordeal, plus the new baby, and bring to justice, the criminals who committed the crime. It is now or never!

Dakuku Peterside is a policy and leadership expert.
The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, on Monday, pardoned 90 prisoners across Kano Correctional Centres, as a goodwill gesture to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitri.

The governors spokesperson, Abba Anwar, in a statement, said the freed inmates will be registered for skill acquisition programmes.

The governor, who visited the Goron-Dutse correctional facility, said more inmates would be pardoned during the Eid-Kabir celebration.

Some of you have been pardoned because of ill-health, some because of age, some because of their inability to pay for fines placed on them and some were even on death row.

Though many of you were given training in one skills or the other, for those of you who need further training should immediately go and register with the government for another round of skills acquisition , the governor said.

Governor Ganduje reminded them that the pardon was not only meant to decongest Correctional Centres, but to also give them another chance to be of good character.
Firefighters work after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

MANILA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning.

Quoting Bureau of Fire Protection officials, local radio DzBB reported the victims were trapped in their homes when the fire broke out at around 5 a.m. local time inside the University of the Philippines compound in the Quezon City suburb. Six of the deaths, including children, were found in one house.

According to the report, the blaze burned down an estimated 80 houses and affected around 250 families. Some residents were reportedly injured after jumping out of their burning homes to escape the raging fire.

Firefighters extinguished the fire after almost two hours.

The bureau has yet to issue an official statement on the cause of the blaze. According to the local media, many of the houses in the community were made out of "light materials." 

Residents are seen on the roof of their homes after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Residents look for belongings from charred homes after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Firefighters work after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Firefighters work after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Firefighters work after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

A resident looks for belongings from charred homes after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Residents look for belongings from charred homes after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Residents look for belongings from charred homes after a fire destroyed a residential area in Quezon City, Metro Manila, the Philippines on May 2, 2022. At least eight people were killed in a fire that engulfed a residential area on the state university campus in Metro Manila early Monday morning. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
As workers across the world celebrate International Workers Day, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State chapter, has decried the 39 months arrears of pensions the Abia State Government allegedly owes retirees in the state.

In a statement signed by the chairman of the party in the state, Kingsley Ononogbu, on Monday, the party lamented that the PDP-controlled administration in the state has refused to pay senior citizens their pensions and gratuities after serving the state meritoriously.

The party, however, felicitated workers in the state on the occasion of this years Workers Day just as it praised them for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice.

The statement noted that the efforts of workers across the country are largely responsible for the growth and prosperity of the country.

For over 30 months now, Abia senior citizens have continued to groan under the weight of hunger and want, and the continued neglect and refusal of the state government to pay their pensions and gratuities. The state government has completely ignored them while seeking to be reelected to power in the next elections.

The disdain, aversion, contempt, derision and hatred the Abia government has for workers is very loud with this ugly situation.

Due to this, our retirees are dying in numbers without collecting their entitlements to care for themselves or their families, many of them are now involved in menial hard work too tedious for them in order to survive.

Current workers are also not that hopeful that they would be receiving their entitlements as and when due upon retirement. This is a sorry situation against men and women who have diligently served the state for the most productive part of their lives. Indeed, they are treated like second-class citizens by their own state government, a part of the statement read.

The party said it has come with a new message to build a new Abia of our dreams, and this is hinged on leadership with a human face, where every Abian, worker or artisan is identified and his or her welfare is number one in the order of priorities.

The party also urged workers in the state to decide as the next election nears, whether they will continue to work in hunger, or whether they prefer to receive every naira they have earned, and in good time. Every Abia worker must decide whether he or she prefers to be appreciated by the government he or she serves, or be neglected and held in derision.

One thing we are promising Ndi Abia this time is that we will not let you down. But for now, celebrate your day.

Happy Workers Day to you all! the statement read.
The mother of a 25-year-old man, Tunde Alimi, allegedly killed by officers of the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun Corps in Ogun State has appealed to the state government to avenge the death of her son.

Monsurat Alimi told journalists on Sunday that she saw the lifeless body of her son on Facebook where they tagged him a cultist and an armed robber.

He is not a cultist. They did not inform us that he had been killed, it was on Facebook that we saw it, said Mrs Alimi, 49.

Operatives of the Amotekun Corps had stormed a compound in Sokori, Abeokuta, last week and shot Mr Alimi after he allegedly tried to escape.

A statement issued by Amotekun, afterward, said Mr Alimi and his gang engaged the corps in a gun duel which eventually led to his death.

The statement was titled Death of notorious Eiye cultist and armed robber.

The statement quoted the Amotekun commander, David Akinremi, as saying that his men engaged a group of cultists and robbers in a gun duel during an operation in the state.

Mr Akinremi said Mr Alimi, whom he identified as the leader of the group, opened fire on the operatives. The operatives, to disarm Mr Alimi, shot him on the arm.

The suspect immediately ran into the nearby bush along with his other cohorts, dropping a locally made pistol which was recovered by the operatives.

A painstaking search was conducted in the bush where he escaped into during which he was arrested while others escaped.

Mr Akinremi said they rushed Mr Alimi to Ijaye General Hospital where he was confirmed dead shortly on arrival.

His death was sad as his being alive would have availed security agencies veritable information that would have helped in stemming the tides of this menace, he added.

Vulcaniser, not cultist

Mrs Alimi said her son was a vulcaniser and not a cultist as claimed by Amotekun.

She said he left behind a wife and a son.

ALSO READ: Amotekun nab two suspected ritualists in Ogun

It was on Saturday when they called me and said he was at the junction of his workshop and that was where they apprehended him, said Mrs Alimi.

They said he was shot by the Amotekun the moment he tried to escape from the riverbank.

When I got to the place where he was shot, all those that were present said he knew nothing about what he was killed for.

I was told that while he was being taken away, he was begging them that he was not a cultist nor an armed robber.

Mrs Alimi said after they shot her son, they did not allow her to see him until she saw the announcement of his death on Facebook with a gun placed on his chest, claiming they found it on him. It is a lie.

She urged the government to help facilitate the release of Mr Alimis corpse to the family.

We want the government to find out what led to the killing of my son. Please help me, they want to cheat me. They want to use power to cheat me. They killed my son and seized his corpse.
The police in Ogun State have arrested four suspected cultists in connection with the murder of one Segun Onifade.

Mr Onifade was killed about two weeks ago, in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

Police arrested the suspects on Sunday upon intelligence that some members of the Aiye cult group were holding their meeting in their hideout.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, the police spokesperson in the state, said in a statement on Monday that the suspects were involved in Mr Onifades death.

Mr Oyeyemi said the suspects had been on the wanted list of the command for a while.

The suspects were holding a nocturnal meeting at a hideout behind Eleja Primary School, Igbo-Ewe area of Ilaro.

Upon the information, the DPO of the Ilaro division, Olayemi Jacob, a chief superintendent of police, mobilised his men to the scene where the suspects were arrested.

Those arrested include Samson Jacob (a.k.a Cyborg), Iyanu Kazeem Akande (a.k.a Omo Iyami), Adebayo Adeoluwa (a.k.a Dudu), and Yusuf Adelakun.

Mr Abimbola said they caught the suspects with two locally-made pistols, four live cartridges, one battle axe and five phones.

Other exhibits allegedly found on them include assorted charms, Indian hemp, and one unregistered red Bajaj motorcycle.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the transfer of the case to the anti-cultism unit of the State Criminal and Investigative Intelligent Department, CIID, for further investigation.
Avacc 3 has significant advantages over existing whooping cough vaccines

Second major OMV platform licensing agreement with pharmaceutical company

Over 24 million cases of whooping cough per year world-wide

BILTHOVEN, Netherlands, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Intravacc B.V., a world leader in translational research and development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines, today announced the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement with Beijing Zhifei Lvzhu Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd ("Zhifei Lvzhu") in China for Avacc 3 an OMV-based whooping cough vaccine.

Under the terms of this agreement Zhifei Lvzhu will receive an exclusive license for the Chinese territory and non-exclusive for Africa, South America and selected Asian countries. Under the agreement Intravacc will receive milestone and upfront payments and royalties over net sales. Both parties will continue to collaborate to tailor the Avacc 3 concept vaccine for the respective territories, including upscaling, toxicology and clinical trials.

Current vaccines against whooping cough have disadvantages. Inactivated whole cell vaccines are relatively reactogenic, resulting in reduced use in vaccination programs. Subunit vaccines, on the other hand, have limited efficacy. This results in outbreaks of whooping cough, even in vaccinated populations. Asymptomatic carriage facilitates spreading of the bacteria and a vaccine that prevents this, could contribute to herd protection. Intravacc's Avacc 3, a homologous Bordetella pertussis candidate vaccine based on Intravacc's OMV platform, induces a strong systemic immune response. When administrated intranasally, it induces both a strong systemic and a strong mucosal immune response.

Dr. Jan Groen, Intravacc's CEO, said:

"We are very pleased to partner with Zhifei helping to improve the prevention of whooping cough in China. This is Intravacc's second OMV-based licensing agreement with a pharmaceutical company, thereby expanding the global reach of our proprietary OMV platform technology."

Bordetella pertussis

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is caused by the Gram- negative bacterium Bordetella pertussis and transmitted through Flugges droplets. It is a strictly human pathogen and all age groups can be infected. However, infants are the main risk group. Worldwide, there are an estimated 24 million cases of pertussis and about 160,000 deaths per year. Diagnosis of pertussis is often difficult in the early stage with only a mild cough, and fever is uncommon. Later, the severity of the disease increases with pneumonia, vomiting and increased coughing, which in infants can lead to death.

About Intravacc's OMV platform technology

For the development of vaccines, Intravacc has designed and developed a platform based on outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) - spherical particles with intrinsic adjuvant properties. The OMVs can be rigged with immunogenic peptides and/or proteins that stimulate effective adaptive immunity. The OMV carrier has been optimized to induce a more effective immune response against these newly introduced antigens. Intravacc has also developed genetic tools to increase the yield of the OMVs, reduce the toxicity and achieve the desired antigenic composition. Intravacc's OMV platform is fully scalable and allows rapid and efficient modification of the antigen composition, either through genetic modification of the bacterial host or by associating antigens with stored OMVs.

About Intravacc B.V.

Intravacc, located at Utrecht Science Park Bilthoven in the Netherlands, is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) of innovative vaccines against infectious diseases. As an established independent CDMO with over 100 years of experience in the development and optimization of vaccines and vaccine technologies, Intravacc has transferred its technology related to polio vaccines, measles vaccines, DPT vaccines, Hib vaccines and influenza vaccines around the world. Around 40% of childhood disease vaccines are based on Intravacc's proprietary technology. Intravacc offers a wide range of expertise to develop vaccine from concept to Phase I/II clinical studies for partners around the world, including universities, public health organizations (WHO, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), biotech and pharmaceutical companies. For more information, please visit www.intravacc.nl.

About Beijing Zhifei Lvzhu Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Beijing Zhifei Lvzhu Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd is one of the largest vaccine companies in China which specializes in the R&D, manufacturing and marketing of human vaccines targeting meningitis, pneumonia, Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP) & DTP contained vaccines, diarrhea (Shigellosis), etc. Since 2008, over 110 million doses of vaccines produced by Zhifei Lvzhu have being given to people needed worldwide.

Zhifei Lvzhu is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co., Ltd. (SZSE: 300122, "Zhifei" for short), a leading vaccine supplier and service provider globally. The company has 6 self-developed vaccines and biological products currently on the market, including the Recombinant COVID-19 Vaccine (CHO cell) (Zifivax), with over 290 million doses distributed globally, making a positive contribution to the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information, please visit www.zhifeishengwu.com.

Contact info

Intravacc

Dr. Jan Groen, CEO

P: +31 30 7920 454

Mirjam Hartman, Media relations

P: +31 6 115 969 94

E: press.office@intravacc.nl

LifeSpring Life Sciences Communication, Amsterdam

Leon Melens

P: +31 6 538 16427

E: lmelens@lifespring.nl

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1334670/Intravacc_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Intravacc
DUBAI, UAE, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most important jobs of a parent is to help their children achieve their potential.

Residency by investment allows people to obtain a second residency by investing in a country's economy, usually through buying real estate or bonds. However, the definition of investment here is much wider than one may assume, as the investment is not just in a tangible asset such as an apartment or block of land, but rather in something much more important  in your children's future.

By obtaining a second residency in another country, you (at least) double the opportunities and tools your children have. Depending on the country you choose, your children will be able to pursue their passion and obtain all the means they need to succeed. But what if they could obtain an infinite amount of opportunities?

The Golden Visa & Education

Now, if you were to obtain a residence in the United Kingdom, for example, your children would have the chance to study and learn in one of the world's best education systems. However, the UK is not the only nation with an outstanding education, and students remain within its realm.

The EU, on the other hand, is an entirely different prospect. Housing 28 different member states, it offers students something much larger, and much more diverse, while maintaining the high standard (if not even going above) of education found in the United Kingdom.

Obtaining an EU residence means unlocking the entirety of the Union's opportunities. With global education powerhouses such as Germany, Spain, Finland, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, Greece, Malta, and many more, your children will be spoiled for choice.

The good news is; obtaining a residency in the EU has never been easier. Through Residency by Investment Programs, dubbed golden visas, a person can obtain a residence permit for themselves and their family by purchasing property in Portugal, Spain, Greece or Malta.

But how does it work? And what are the real advantages?

How Golden Visas Lead to Better Education

Gaining a golden visa is easy; buy a property and obtain your residence permit. However, when it comes to unlocking the entire EU's education system, it goes a bit further than that.

For a student to be considered an EU domestic student, they either need to have a permanent residency in an EU country or have obtained EU citizenship. The latter, of course, opens more doors and provides greater advantages.

Golden visas offered in the nations of Greece and Spain, all provide their holders with residence permits with no fast track to citizenship. A person wishing to obtain citizenship in Latvia must reside five (5) continuous years there, while Greece requires a stay of seven (7) years, and Spain has the highest period of ten (10) years.

But it is in Portugal and Malta where things get interesting. Both residency by investment programs have fast tracks to citizenship. Malta requires a residence of one (1) or three (3) full years on the beautiful island, depending on the investment amount, to obtain Maltese citizenship.

Portugal, on the other hand, requires golden visa holders to live just seven (7) days a year for five (5) years in Portugal to apply for citizenship. Portugal also has a lower investment threshold than Malta, making it one of the best options for those looking to easily and quickly get an EU citizenship.

The country also allows the addition of all financially dependent children of the applicant, making it much more holistic in nature. Once a child obtains EU citizenship, he has the opportunity to pursue their passion throughout any of the 28 member states without any obstacles whatsoever.

Advantages In Terms Of Education

Obtaining a golden visa allows your children to study in the nation of residence as domestic students, giving them greater opportunities and chances to succeed. However, if they become citizens, the advantages are much more wholesome.

More Diversity

EU citizens can choose which EU country they want to study in, and that gives them a wider array of options. An EU citizen is treated the same everywhere throughout the Union, as, for example, a Portuguese national can pursue education in Germany as a German national would.

This means that children can choose the programs and majors that suit them best. Portugal universities are known for their focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Germany boasts outstanding engineering and medical programs, while Spain has one of the best art education systems in the world.

Greece is home to one of the best healthcare systems globally, and that reflects within its universities, while Ireland, which is becoming a major global hub for business, excels in offering management and entrepreneurial courses. The options are limitless, and children can choose what and where they want to study.

Tuitions & Scholarships

Any EU citizen is considered a domestic student, which means they can pay lower tuition than if they were to study as international students. Domestic students pay tuition that is sometimes as low as 50% of that of their international counterparts, but sometimes they may not even need to pay anything.

Some countries, like Germany and Finland, do not charge any tuition, regardless of the student's nationality. Others, like Ireland and Sweden, however, are free to EU nationals, meaning a child with an EU passport has a greater chance of obtaining free education.

Children with EU passports can also apply for a wide range of scholarships available to EU citizens only. But it isn't just about the money; these scholarships give children an insider chance to attend certain programs at specific universities, which come with even greater benefits going forward.

Greater Experience

Education is just the stepping stone for children, as they will then have to hone their crafts. The EU offers endless opportunities in that regard, as, unlike the UK, for example, students in the EU are free to roam 28 countries looking for internships and employment.

Children can also choose where they want to learn, be it in bustling cities such as Berlin or Madrid or more eco-friendly areas such as the French Riviera or Porto.

The EU allows students to choose their major and find the best place to master their craft. Whether they go into medicine, engineering, IT, agriculture, arts, business, or otherwise, the Union offers great opportunities to all.

Invest In Your Children Today

To obtain a golden visa all you need to do is contact us today to book a free, comprehensive consultation with one of our veteran immigration consultants. They will analyze your case and help you find the best options that suit your needs, budget, objective, and which map out the best future for your children.

Savory & Partners is an accredited agent for multiple governments where citizenship by investment is offered. Founded in 1797, the agency has evolved from pharmaceuticals to family assets and legacy protection through second citizenship and residency. The company's professional, multinational staff is made up of expert advisors who have guided thousands of clients, including many North African investors, on their journey to find the most suitable CBI program for them. The Savory & Partners team will be happy to answer your enquiries in English, Arabic and French.

For more information, please send an email to contact@savoryandpartners.com. You can also call +971 04 430 1717 or send a WhatsApp message to +971 54 440 2955.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1738007/Savory_and_Partners_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Savory & Partners
New hires include CFO & Head of Compliance

Expansion fosters partnership with Abu Dhabi Global Market

Deutsche Borse among ACX's investors

SINGAPORE, LONDON and ABU DHABI, UAE, April 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AirCarbon Exchange (ACX) is expanding its MENA hub with three senior hires and the addition of four key tech developers in Abu Dhabi, as its growth accelerates. ACX is partnering with Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) to create the world's first fully-regulated carbon trading exchange and carbon clearing house.

Ingo Kleinschmidt has been appointed Chief Financial Officer; Tim Alltimes has joined as Chief Compliance Officer and Ashwin Ambudkar is the new Head of Market Supervision. They join at a key stage of growth for ACX, which is launching the world's first fully-regulated carbon exchange, based in Abu Dhabi.

"We are at a critical time in the formation of global carbon markets," said Kevin B. Iwanaga, ACX COO for the MENA Region. "ACX continues to execute on its strategic growth plans as a leading force in scaling global carbon and environmental markets."

Ingo Kleinschmidt brings over 15 years of experience in strategic business planning & governance, having held senior finance roles at a number of international corporations, including ABN Amro.

Tim Alltimes, a senior regulatory compliance expert specialised in commodity derivative and digital asset exchanges, previously held senior positions with financial regulators in both Abu Dhabi and the United Kingdom. He also has extensive experience in commodities trading with Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and Lehman Brothers.

Ashwin Ambudkar, with a remit to monitor all transactions and trades, brings over 13 years of expertise in compliance and exchanges, having worked with Credit Suisse, Citi Corp, Nomura and the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The new additions will further accelerate ACX's expansion, following its recently-announced collaboration with AGDM and partnerships with CarbonX, Bolsa Verde Rio, Tembici, BlockC and Deutsche Borse.

"As the world's first fully digital carbon exchange, ACX remains an innovative market leader and continues to break new ground," said Iwanaga. "ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) is set to become the first financial regulator in the world to develop a framework to recognize and support carbon as an investment grade commodity financial asset."

"The proposed new 'Emissions Instrument' will pave the way for corporates and investors to trade and finance carbon credits like conventional financial assets on balance sheet," Iwanaga explained.

With technology innovation key to its core strategy, ACX is also strengthening its global tech team based out of Abu Dhabi. It has recently hired 4 senior full stack and blockchain developers and a Vice President of engineering in order to accelerate its efforts as a leading innovator in environmental product development.

"ACX's market-leading technology is a direct result of our investment in technical talent as well as our internal processes, which are centred around continuous improvement, education, collaboration and learning," said ACX CTO Dominic Morris. "We are able to deliver world-class technical solutions entirely because of the calibre of our team, and their professionalism," he continued. "I am deeply proud of our people and what we have achieved to-date and look forward to continuing to innovate. We welcome the opportunities presented to us by Abu Dhabi and FSRA regulation of our platform."

Besides Abu Dhabi, ACX has a presence in Singapore, Canada, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Indonesia, with other locations to be announced in the coming months.

About AirCarbon Pte. Ltd .

AirCarbon Exchange ("ACX") is a global exchange revolutionizing the voluntary carbon market. The Exchange's client base comprises corporate entities, financial traders, carbon project developers and other industry stakeholders. ACX provides its clients with an efficient and transparent trading platform which is easy to use, frictionless and with the lowest commission fees available on the market. Its underlying technology will allow the carbon market to scale efficiently to meet global ambitions of Net Zero.

Launched in 2019, the Exchange is a hybrid platform with a traditional central order book architecture that will be familiar to all experienced traders. The Exchange also utilizes the speed and efficiency of the blockchain to achieve atomic T-0 trade execution, clearing and settlement. The Exchange's core matching engine can currently match trades in the order ~10k per second.

As of May 2021, ACX is the world's first carbon negative exchange, having offset its carbon emissions 12 months into the future (to May 2022) through the Onil Stoves Guatemala Uspantan project. ACX is committed to continuing to offset all of its emissions 12 months forward.

For more information or to trade carbon, please reach out to [email protected] or visit https://www.aircarbon.co.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Sun Jie-Ling

AirCarbon Pte. Ltd.

Tel: +65 8168 4248

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE AirCarbon Exchange
"Having served in a reserve component of our military, I understand the challenges faced by our citizen soldiers, reflects Marci. "As an employer, we must provide support to those on our team who continue to sacrifice for our country."

Matthew Macri was nominated by Army Reservist and Amerijet First Officer, Jack Vaughn. In his nomination, he said, "Amerijet ensured I was taken care of and provided job security during multiple activations and demobilizations. I feel they encompass what a civilian soldier supporter is all about."

ESGR was created by the Department of Defense to promote cooperation and understanding between citizen warriors and their employers.

"Amerijet is thrilled to receive this recognition, but the real heroes are the men and women who serve our country and the families that support them. We will continue to do our part and are honored to help our service members, said COO, Craig Bentley.

About Amerijet

With more than 45 years of experience in the air cargo industry, Amerijet operates its own dedicated fleet of freighters from its primary hub at the Miami International Airport to destinations throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, South America and Europe. Amerijet's portfolio of worldwide scheduled, longterm and shortterm ACMI and CMI charter services provide seamless and transparent transportation solutions for customers shipping time-sensitive, valuable, hazardous material, temperature-controlled and other commodity types.

More information about Amerijet can be accessed at www.amerijet.com.

SOURCE Amerijet International, Inc.
The artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market in Japan is fragmented due to the presence of several vendors. Technavio identifies Alphabet Inc., General Electric Co., Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., NVIDIA Corp., RapidMiner Inc., Salesforce.com Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Siemens AG as some of the major market participants.

Although the demand for automation to improve productivity, rise in investments and research and development in AI startups, and evolving industrial IoT and big data integration will offer immense growth opportunities, the shortage of AI technology experts will challenge the growth of the market participants. To make the most of the opportunities, market vendors should focus more on the growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments.

Buy our full report to gain access to vendor profiles, key products offered, and successful business strategies adopted by leading vendors. Read Our Report Sample Before Purchasing

Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Market in Japan 2022-2026: Segmentation

The artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market in Japan is segmented as below:

End-user

Automotive



Aerospace



Building Construction



Chemical



Others

Type

Software



Hardware



Other Services

The automotive industry is the prime end-user in the market. The increase in the production and sales of automobiles globally is driving the growth of the segment. The market growth in the segment will be significant during the forecast period. Similarly, by type, the software segment will have the largest share of the market during the forecast period.

Technavio presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. Our artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market report covers the following areas:

Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Market in Japan 2022-2026: Vendor Analysis

We provide a detailed analysis of around 25 vendors operating in the artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market. Backed with competitive intelligence and benchmarking, our research report on the artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market is designed to provide entry support, customer profile, and M&As as well as go-to-market strategy support.

Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Market 2022-2026 in Japan: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2022-2026

Detailed information on factors that will assist artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and supply chain market vendors

Related Reports:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market in Retail Sector Market by Application and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Artificial Intelligence in Supply Chain Market in China by End-user and Component - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026

Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Market in Japan: Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 13.27% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 1.79 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 12.25 Regional analysis APAC Performing market contribution Japan at 100% Key consumer countries Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Alphabet Inc., General Electric Co., Intel Corp., International Business Machines Corp., Microsoft Corp., NVIDIA Corp., RapidMiner Inc., Salesforce.com Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., and Siemens AG Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table Of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 01: Parent market



Exhibit 02: Market characteristics

2.2 Value chain analysis

Exhibit 03: Value chain analysis: Systems Software

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 04: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 05: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021 - 2026

Exhibit 06: Japan - Market size and forecast 2021 - 2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021 - 2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 07: Japan market: Year-over-year growth 2021 - 2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 08: Five forces analysis 2021 & 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 09: Bargaining power of buyers

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 10: Bargaining power of suppliers

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 11: Threat of new entrants

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 12: Threat of substitutes

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 13: Threat of rivalry

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 14: Market condition - Five forces 2021

5 Market Segmentation by End-user

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: End-user - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by End-user

Exhibit 16: Comparison by End-user

5.3 Automotive - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 17: Automotive - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 18: Automotive - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Aerospace - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 19: Aerospace - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 20: Aerospace - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Building construction - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 21: Building construction - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 22: Building construction - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.6 Chemical - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 23: Chemical - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 24: Chemical - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 25: Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 26: Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.8 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 27: Market opportunity by End-user

6 Market Segmentation by Type

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 28: Type - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Type

Exhibit 29: Comparison by Type

6.3 Software - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 30: Software - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Software - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Hardware - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 32: Hardware - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: Hardware - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Others services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 34: Others services - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Others services - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.6 Market opportunity by Type

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by Type

7 Customer landscape

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 38: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Vendor Landscape

Exhibit 39: Vendor landscape

9.2 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 40: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 41: Industry risks

9.3 Competitive scenario

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 42: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 43: Market positioning of vendors

10.3 Alphabet Inc.

Exhibit 44: Alphabet Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 45: Alphabet Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 46: Alphabet Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 47: Alphabet Inc. - Segment focus

10.4 General Electric Co.

Exhibit 48: General Electric Co. - Overview



Exhibit 49: General Electric Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 50: General Electric Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 51: General Electric Co. - Segment focus

10.5 Intel Corp.

Exhibit 52: Intel Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 53: Intel Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 54: Intel Corp - Key news



Exhibit 55: Intel Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 56: Intel Corp. - Segment focus

10.6 International Business Machines Corp.

10.7 Microsoft Corp.

Exhibit 61: Microsoft Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 62: Microsoft Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 63: Microsoft Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 64: Microsoft Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 65: Microsoft Corp. - Segment focus

10.8 NVIDIA Corp.

Exhibit 66: NVIDIA Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 67: NVIDIA Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 68: NVIDIA Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 69: NVIDIA Corp. - Segment focus

10.9 RapidMiner Inc.

Exhibit 70: RapidMiner Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 71: RapidMiner Inc. - Product and service



Exhibit 72: RapidMiner Inc. - Key offerings

10.10 Salesforce.com Inc.

Exhibit 73: Salesforce.com Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 74: Salesforce.com Inc. - Product and service



Exhibit 75: Salesforce.com Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 76: Salesforce.com Inc. - Key offerings

10.11 Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Exhibit 77: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 78: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 79: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 80: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. - Segment focus

10.12 Siemens AG

Exhibit 81: Siemens AG - Overview



Exhibit 82: Siemens AG - Business segments



Exhibit 83: Siemens AG - Key offerings



Exhibit 84: Siemens AG - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 85: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 86: Research Methodology



Exhibit 87: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 88: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 89: 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
This week, ApexBrasil and its partner organizations sponsor more than 40 Brazilian oil & gas companies at the annual global Offshore Technology Conference

HOUSTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ApexBrasil, the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency, will partner with Brazil's Energy Research Office (EPE), The Brazilian Petroleum and Gas Institute (IBP), The Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Biofuels (ANP), Petrobras, and the Federation of the Industries of Rio De Janeiro State (FIRJAN) to highlight the country's burgeoning leadership in the sector at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas. As one of the largest tradeshows held annually in the U.S., OTC offers industry professionals the valuable opportunity to develop long-lasting business partnerships and learn about the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities in the oil and gas sector.

"Brazil is already one of the top 10 largest oil producers/exporters in the world and, during OTC 2022, the country will highlight a broad range of opportunities it sees for growth across the areas of exploration and production," said Adalberto Netto, Chief Investment Officer for ApexBrasil. "Of particular interest to foreign direct investors will be Brazil's diversified energy mix, with renewable energy accounting for 48% of the country's energy structure, as well as auctions in the coming months and years for Brazil's unique pre-salt layer. In fact, we predict that 50 billion barrels of high-quality crude oil can be extracted from the pre-salt layers alone, which is a volume four times greater than the current national reserves. Brazil is an up-and-coming oil and gas powerhouse that has put government-level measures in place to further encourage partnerships in a well-rounded portfolio of natural gas, downstream infrastructure projects (ports, refineries, etc.), and supply chain opportunities."

Thousands of attendees from more than 130 countries, including industry thought leaders, investors, buyers, and entrepreneurs, will have the opportunity to visit the Brazilian Pavilion (Booths 917, 933, 1032, 1114, and 1129) at the NRG Center from May 2-5, and learn about the unique and innovative products produced by the 42 Brazilian oil and gas companies that will be exhibiting onsite. From smart artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring solutions and other digital solutions for offshore energy companies, to innovative technological repairs for addressing corrosion, to advanced geological analysis and petrophysics, some of the companies in attendance include but are not limited to:

Altave : Altave provides real-time monitoring through video surveillance and AI.

Altave provides real-time monitoring through video surveillance and AI. Biosolvit : Biosolvit is a biotechnology company focused on sustainability. The company is focused on three main areas, including: research and development of new materials, industrialization of products for the preservation of flora, and industrialization of products for the preservation of water.

: Biosolvit is a biotechnology company focused on sustainability. The company is focused on three main areas, including: research and development of new materials, industrialization of products for the preservation of flora, and industrialization of products for the preservation of water. Endserv : EndServ specializes in the development of technological solutions for repairs in pipes that move a variety of chemical fluids.

EndServ specializes in the development of technological solutions for repairs in pipes that move a variety of chemical fluids. Geowellex : Geowellex offers solutions in geological monitoring, mud logging, and formation assessment.

Geowellex offers solutions in geological monitoring, mud logging, and formation assessment. Intelie : Intelie's LIVE, Operational Intelligence software combines cutting-edge AI with human intelligence to transform data into results.

Intelie's LIVE, Operational Intelligence software combines cutting-edge AI with human intelligence to transform data into results. Phdsoft : Phdsoft's flagship product, PhDC4D, stands alone as a robust solution that accurately predicts the degradation and corrosion of complex assets over time.

Phdsoft's flagship product, PhDC4D, stands alone as a robust solution that accurately predicts the degradation and corrosion of complex assets over time. R1 Engineering : R1 Engineering offers integrated solutions for the lifecycle management of industrial physical assets, from visual inspections in the field, drones, and NDTs to cutting-edge simulation technologies.

R1 Engineering offers integrated solutions for the lifecycle management of industrial physical assets, from visual inspections in the field, drones, and NDTs to cutting-edge simulation technologies. Rio Analytics : Rio Analytics is a technology company focused on the development of AI applications to predict failures of industrial assets.

Rio Analytics is a technology company focused on the development of AI applications to predict failures of industrial assets. The Insight: The Insight develops AI solutions to ensure greater operational efficiency and optimize costs for power and gas companies.

ApexBrasil works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad, and to attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. Oil and gas is a key priority area for ApexBrasil and Brazil as a country. Consider the measures Brazil's oil and gas ministry and governing bodies have put in place to maximize the 149 state and federal auctions and concessions available to foreign investors this year, which represent more than USD $47 billion in value  such as the introduction of the Open Acreage process, which is a special way of acquiring exploratory blocks and mature fields to ensure continuous exploration of blocks and areas. Additionally, the establishment of the Brazilian Petroleum Partnerships (BPP) program fosters partnerships between Brazilian and foreign oil & gas companies, promoting the integration of Brazil into the global supply chain. To learn more about other trade sectors ApexBrasil supports, visit: http://www.apexbrasil.com.br/en/trade-sectors.

About ApexBrasil

The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad, and to attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. ApexBrasil organizes several initiatives aiming to promote Brazilian exports abroad. The Agency's efforts comprise trade and prospective missions, business rounds, support for the participation of Brazilian companies in major international trade fairs, arrangement of technical visits of buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, and other select activities designed to strengthen the country's branding abroad. ApexBrasil also plays a leading role in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil, by working to identify business opportunities, promoting strategic events and lending support to foreign investors willing to allocate resources in Brazil. ApexBrasil is an agency linked to the Brazilian Foreign Ministry (Itamaraty).

Media Contact

Savanna Fuller

Ruder Finn  PR on behalf of ApexBrasil in the U.S.

[email protected]

+1-808-317-8758

SOURCE ApexBrasil
World's largest cruise company honored for fourth consecutive year on Forbes' annual ranking of Best Employers for Diversity, representing the top 2% of U.S. companies with over 1,000 employees

MIAMI, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL;NYSE: CUK), the world's largest cruise company, today announced it was named for the fourth consecutive year as one of the Best Employers for Diversity for 2022 by Forbes, a leading source of business news worldwide.

Presented by Forbes and Statista Inc., a leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, the prestigious annual listing honors the top 500 U.S. employers for diversity from over 20 major industries, including travel and leisure. In Forbes' fourth annual survey, Carnival Corporation  whose nine popular cruise line brands include Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn in the U.S. along with AIDA Cruises, Cunard, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises UK and P&O Cruises Australia was ranked among the top 15 employers in travel and leisure. The full list of Best Employers for Diversity for 2022 is available on the Forbes website.

"At Carnival Corporation, diversity of thinking is a business imperative and we fully embrace the importance of fostering a diverse workforce at all levels, driving innovation and an inclusive and supportive work environment for all of our colleagues," said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. "We are honored to again be recognized by Forbes as a top employer for diversity in the U.S., as it underscores our highest responsibility and top priority, which is compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we visit, and our shipboard and shoreside personnel."

The Forbes Best Employers for Diversity list was determined through an independent survey of over 60,000 U.S. workers at companies with at least 1,000 employees in their U.S. operations. Participants were asked to anonymously give their opinions on a series of statements regarding age, gender, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQIA+ and general diversity in their current workplace.

Respondents of minority groups were also given the chance to evaluate other employers in their respective industries that stand out either positively or negatively with regard to diversity. Based on these direct and indirect employee recommendations, and an evaluation of company diversity among top executives and the board, along with diversity engagement indicators, Forbes recognized only the top 500 companies out of thousands of organizations, representing the top 2% of all U.S. companies with over 1,000 employees.

This recognition as a top employer for diversity in the U.S. builds on a series of recognitions Carnival Corporation has earned for its companywide operations and dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion. Most recently, Carnival Corporation was honored as one of the Best Companies for Latinos by Latino Leaders Magazine for 2022 and earned a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2022 Corporate Equality Index, designating the company as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality for the sixth consecutive year.

The company was also recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the World's Top Female-Friendly Companies in 2021, in addition to being named a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award Winner honoring the best 100 U.S. places to work. Also in 2021, Carnival Corporation was named as one of America's Most Responsible Companies for its commitment to corporate social responsibility leadership by Newsweek.

About Carnival Corporation & plc

Carnival Corporation & plc is one of the world's largest leisure travel companies with a portfolio of nine of the world's leading cruise lines sailing to all seven continents. With operations in North America, Australia, Europe and Asia, its portfolio features Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.

Additional information can be found on www.carnivalcorp.com, www.carnival.com, www.princess.com, www.hollandamerica.com, www.seabourn.com, www.pocruises.com.au, www.costacruise.com, www.aida.de, www.pocruises.com and www.cunard.com.

SOURCE Carnival Corporation & plc
Ownership of ErisX provides Cboe with entry to digital asset spot and derivatives markets, including clearing and settlement

Opportunity to build comprehensive digital asset market data offering, create indices and explore further derivative products

Network of industry partners, intermediaries and market participants of all types expected to contribute to ongoing development of client-driven solutions to increase adoption of digital assets and further mature the market

CHICAGO, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of global market infrastructure and tradable products, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Eris Digital Holdings, LLC (ErisX), an operator of a U.S. based digital asset spot market, a regulated futures exchange and a regulated clearinghouse. Ownership of ErisX allows Cboe to enter the digital asset spot and derivatives marketplaces through a digital-first platform developed with industry partners to focus on robust regulatory compliance, data and transparency.

ErisX, a Cboe Global Markets company

"Adding ErisX to the Cboe network is another exciting chapter in Cboe's growth story. We see enormous potential in the digital asset market and are excited to apply our blueprint of success to this burgeoning asset class," said Ed Tilly, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cboe Global Markets. "Tom Chippas and the entire ErisX team have made significant progress bringing the regulatory framework and transparency of traditional markets to the digital asset space, and I look forward to working together, with our industry partners, to grow the digital asset market on a global scale."

Cboe plans to operate the ErisX business as a subsidiary with Thomas Chippas, Chief Executive Officer of ErisX, remaining as head of the digital asset business, reporting to Chris Isaacson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cboe. In addition to operating the existing spot, derivative and clearing platforms, Cboe also intends to develop and distribute a range of digital asset data products1. Using robust market data based fundamentally on actionable bid and offer prices from the spot crypto market, Cboe Digital plans to develop a benchmark data stream to help market participants evaluate the appropriateness of crypto execution prices.

"I am incredibly proud of the ErisX team for their relentless pursuit of innovation in the digital asset space. From the beginning, our vision was to advance the digital asset spot, data, derivatives and clearing ecosystem by making regulatory compliance and operational integrity the foundation of the ErisX business," said Thomas Chippas, Chief Executive Officer of ErisX. "I couldn't be more excited for the future as we join forces with Cboe and our industry partners to leverage their collective market expertise and global resources to not only grow ErisX, but also to develop global regulatory and compliance standards that have a lasting impact on the entire digital asset space."

With Cboe, ErisX aims to be a digital asset market rooted in the exchange principles of transparency and regulatory compliance, supported by a network of intermediaries, providing client-driven solutions that help institutions fully embrace this emerging asset class. Digital assets are globally recognized and are expected to continue to benefit from a regulated derivatives market and central clearing to help mitigate counterparty riskproviding more efficient price formation, additional hedging tools, enhanced transparency, and deeper liquidity. Cboe believes meeting the demand for trading digital assets with the advantages of exchange trading is beneficial for all investors, and intermediaries have a key role to play in the ongoing development of Cboe Digital spot and derivatives markets.

"Increased retail participation has fueled record trading across equities, derivatives and digital assets, demonstrating how investors of all types want access to sustainable financial solutions," said Chris Isaacson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cboe Global Markets. "Cboe is uniquely positioned to help the growing segment of retail investors access traditional and new financial markets through product innovation, education and collaboration with our industry partners and intermediariesand now we can leverage the regulatory framework, transparency, infrastructure and data solutions of those trusted markets to further mature and expand digital asset trading and clearing for a broader user base."

Market participants, including a growing number of institutional firms, have continued to request exposure to digital assets. The ErisX platform was built with the traditional exchange principles of transparency, price discovery and regulatory controls, laying the foundation for institutional trading of digital assets. ErisX's intermediary-friendly model has brought resiliency and security to the digital asset space with physically delivered futures contracts traded at and cleared through a CFTC regulated Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO). ErisX futures contracts trade alongside its spot market on an innovative and unified platform, bringing price transparency and collateral efficiency.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, however the company noted that the purchase price is not material from a financial perspective. ErisX is positioned to be a long-term leader as regulation is expected to play an increasingly prominent role in digital assets, and Cboe plans to make the early investments necessary to help maximize revenue growth potential over the medium and long term. Cboe anticipates ErisX will reach EBITDA profitability within two to three years, benefiting from a diversified stream of revenue drivers.

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives and FX, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

About ErisX

ErisX Futures are offered through Eris Exchange, LLC, a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) registered Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Eris Clearing, LLC, a registered Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO). The CFTC does not have regulatory oversight authority over virtual currency products including spot market trading of virtual currencies. ErisX Spot Market is not licensed, approved or registered with the CFTC and transactions on the ErisX Spot Market are not subject to CFTC rules, regulations or regulatory oversight. ErisX Spot Market is offered through Eris Clearing, LLC, which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services and holds licenses in other U.S. states and territories. https://www.Erisx.com/disclaimer/

ErisX offers individuals and institutions a single, innovative platform to access crypto spot and futures markets. By combining professional tools, advanced technology, sophisticated regulatory oversight, and a diverse product set, ErisX offers compliant, capital markets friendly workflows to digital market participants. Backed by some of the world's largest trading firms and financial institutions, ErisX brings transparency and reliability to the digital asset class. ErisX, Eris Exchange, and the ErisX and Eris Exchange logos are trademarks of the Eris Exchange group of companies.

Cboe Media Contact ErisX Media Contact Cboe Analyst Contact Angela Tu Jessica Darmoni Kenneth Hill, CFA +1-646-856-8734 +1-312-756-8716 +1-312-786-7559 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

CBOE-C

CBOE-OE

Cboe, Cboe Global Markets, Cboe Volatility Index, and VIX are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the loss of our right to exclusively list and trade certain index options and futures products; economic, political and market conditions; compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; price competition and consolidation in our industry; decreases in trading or clearing volumes, market data fees or a shift in the mix of products traded on our exchanges; legislative or regulatory changes or changes in tax regimes; our ability to protect our systems and communication networks from security risks, cybersecurity risks, insider threats and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; our ability to attract and retain skilled management and other personnel; increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities; our dependence on and exposure to risk from third parties; fluctuations to currency exchange rates; factors that impact the quality and integrity of our indices; the impact of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic; our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others and the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights; our ability to minimize the risks, including our credit and default risks, associated with operating a European clearinghouse; our ability to accommodate trading and clearing volume and transaction traffic, including significant increases, without failure or degradation of performance of our systems; misconduct by those who use our markets or our products or for whom we clear transactions; challenges to our use of open source software code; our ability to meet our compliance obligations, including managing potential conflicts between our regulatory responsibilities and our for-profit status; our ability to maintain BIDS Trading as an independently managed and operated trading venue, separate from and not integrated with our registered national securities exchanges; damage to our reputation; the ability of our compliance and risk management methods to effectively monitor and manage our risks; our ability to manage our growth and strategic acquisitions or alliances effectively; restrictions imposed by our debt obligations and our ability to make payments on or refinance our debt obligations; our ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; impairment of our goodwill, long-lived assets, investments or intangible assets; the accuracy of our estimates and expectations; litigation risks and other liabilities; and operating a digital asset business. More detailed information about factors that may affect our actual results to differ may be found in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other filings made from time to time with the SEC.

We do not undertake, and we expressly disclaim, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

1 Subject to regulatory approval

SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
MINNEAPOLIS, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Centerspace (NYSE: CSR) announced today its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The tables below show Net Income, Funds from Operations ("FFO")1, and Core FFO1, all on a per share basis, for the three months ended March 31, 2022; Same-Store Revenues, Expenses, and Net Operating Income ("NOI")1 over comparable periods; and Same-Store Weighted-Average Occupancy for each of the three months ended March 31, 2022, December 31, 2021, and March 31, 2021.





Three Months Ended March 31, Per Share

2022

2021 Net Income - diluted

$ (0.68)

$ (0.49) FFO - diluted

$ 1.01

$ 0.92 Core FFO - diluted

$ 0.98

$ 0.95





Year-Over-Year Comparison

Sequential Comparison Same-Store Results

Q1 2022 vs. Q1 2021

Q1 2022 vs. Q4 2021 Revenues

8.6%

(0.2)% Expenses

9.6%

4.2% NOI

7.8%

(3.0)%





Three months ended Same-Store Results

March 31, 2022

December 31, 2021

March 31, 2021 Weighted Average Occupancy

93.9%

93.4%

94.7%





(1) NOI, FFO, Core FFO, and same-store results are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information on their usage and presentation, and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, refer to "Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations" below.

Highlights

Net Loss was $(0.68) per diluted share for the first quarter of 2022, compared to a Net Loss of $(0.49) per diluted share for the same period of 2021;

per diluted share for the first quarter of 2022, compared to a Net Loss of per diluted share for the same period of 2021; Core FFO increased 3.2% to $0.98 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 , compared to $0.95 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 ;

per diluted share for the three months ended , compared to for the three months ended ; Same-store revenues increased by 8.6% for the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021;

Same-store new lease rates were 6.9% for the first quarter of 2022, compared to 0.7% in the same period the prior year. Same-store renewal lease over lease rates were 9.6% for the first quarter of 2022, compared to 4.0% in the same period the prior year. Same-store blended lease over lease rates were 7.9% for the first quarter of 2022, compared to 2.0% for the same period the prior year;

Continued to grow the portfolio through the addition of 4 communities totaling 397 homes in the Minneapolis, Minnesota region; and

region; and Continued to strengthen the balance sheet by issuing 321,000 common shares under the ATM program for net proceeds of $31.7 million .

Acquisitions and Dispositions

During the quarter, Centerspace acquired a portfolio of three communities in the Minneapolis, Minnesota region totaling 267 apartment homes for an aggregate purchase price of $68.1 million. The company also acquired Noko Apartments in Minneapolis for an aggregate purchase price of $46.4 million. The company previously financed the construction and mezzanine loan.

Subsequent Events

Following the end of the quarter, Centerspace paid off $22.3 million in mortgages. The Company does not have significant debt maturities over the next three years with only 5% of total debt maturing through the first quarter of 2025.

Balance Sheet

At the end of the first quarter, Centerspace had $223.3 million of total liquidity on its balance sheet, consisting of $210.0 million available under the lines of credit and cash and cash equivalents of $13.3 million.

Revised 2022 Financial Outlook

Centerspace revised its 2022 financial outlook and affirms its Core FFO guidance. For additional information, see S-14 of the Supplemental Financial and Operating Data for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 included at the end of this release. These ranges should be considered in their entirety. The revised outlook is:



Previous Outlook for 2022 Updated Outlook for 2022

Low High Low High Earnings per Share  diluted $ (0.41) $ (0.16) $ (0.37) $ (0.11) Same-Store Revenue 6.0% 8.0% 7.0% 9.0% Same-Store Expenses 3.5% 5.0% 5.5% 7.5% Same-Store NOI 8.0% 10.0% 8.0% 10.0% FFO per Share  diluted $ 4.25 $ 4.50 $ 4.26 $ 4.52 Core FFO per Share  diluted $ 4.33 $ 4.57 $ 4.33 $ 4.57

Upcoming Events

On May 17, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. CDT, Centerspace will be holding its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders live via the Internet. Shareholders can participate in and/or vote at the Annual Meeting via live webcast over the internet at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CSR2022. Shareholders must enter their 16-digit control number found in their proxy materials, either on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, the proxy card, or in the instructions that accompanied the proxy materials to enter the 2022 Annual Meeting. The company urges the shareholders to vote and submit proxies in advance of the Annual Meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting webcast will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. CDT. On the day of the Annual Meeting, the company recommends that you log into its virtual meeting at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to ensure you can access the meeting.

Earnings Call

Live webcast and replay: https://ir.centerspacehomes.com





Live Conference Call

Conference Call Replay Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at 10:00 AM ET

Replay available until May 17, 2022 USA Toll Free Number 1-844-200-6205

USA Toll Free Number 1-866-813-9403 International Toll Free Number 1-929-526-1599

International Toll Free Number 44-204-525-0658 Canada Toll Free Number 1-833-950-0062

Canada Toll Free Number 1-226-828-7578 Conference Number 273559

Conference Number 099828

Supplemental Information

Supplemental Operating and Financial Data for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 included herein ("Supplemental Information"), is available in the Investors section on Centerspace's website at www.centerspacehomes.com or by calling Investor Relations at 701-837-7104. Non-GAAP financial measures and other capitalized terms, as used in this earnings release, are defined and reconciled in the Supplemental Financial and Operating Data, which accompanies this earnings release.

About Centerspace

Centerspace is an owner and operator of apartment communities committed to providing great homes by focusing on integrity and serving others. Founded in 1970, as of March 31, 2022, Centerspace owned 83 apartment communities consisting of 14,838 apartment homes located in Colorado, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Centerspace was named a Top Workplace for 2021 by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. For more information, please visit www.centerspacehomes.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release and the accompanying Supplemental Operating and Financial Data are based on the company's current expectations and assumptions, and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results of operations, financial conditions, or plans expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Although the company believes the expectations reflected in its forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that the expectations will be achieved. Such risks, uncertainties, and other factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to those risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Centerspace's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, in its subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and in other public reports. The company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue due to subsequent events.

Contact Information

Investor Relations

Emily Miller

Phone: 701-837-7104

[email protected]

Marketing & Media

Kelly Weber

Phone: 701-837-7104

[email protected]

Common Share Data (NYSE: CSR)





1st Quarter

4th Quarter

3rd Quarter

2nd Quarter

1st Quarter



2022

2021

2021

2021

2021 High closing price

$ 108.27

$ 111.26

$ 105.42

$ 79.71

$ 73.42 Low closing price

$ 89.01

$ 96.58

$ 78.42

$ 67.28

$ 68.00 Average closing price

$ 97.15

$ 103.29

$ 94.10

$ 71.99

$ 71.37 Closing price at end of quarter

$ 98.12

$ 110.90

$ 94.50

$ 78.90

$ 68.00 Common share distributions  annualized

$ 2.92

$ 2.88

$ 2.88

$ 2.80

$ 2.80 Closing dividend yield  annualized

3.0%

2.6%

3.1%

3.6%

4.1% Closing common shares outstanding (thousands)

15,365

15,016

14,281

14,045

13,220 Closing limited partnership units outstanding (thousands)

997

832

845

881

950 Closing Series E preferred units outstanding, as converted (thousands)

2,186

2,186

2,186



 Closing market value of outstanding common shares, plus imputed closing market value of outstanding limited partnership units (thousands)

$ 1,819,930

$ 1,999,971

$ 1,635,984

$ 1,177,661

$ 963,560

CENTERSPACE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (in thousands)





Three Months Ended



3/31/2022

12/31/2021

9/30/2021

6/30/2021

3/31/2021 REVENUE

$ 60,314

$ 57,988

$ 50,413

$ 46,656

$ 46,648 EXPENSES



















Property operating expenses, excluding real estate taxes

19,014

16,852

14,434

13,018

13,449 Real estate taxes

6,859

6,654

5,916

5,742

5,792 Property management expense

2,253

2,697

2,203

2,085

1,767 Casualty (gain) loss

598

280

(10)

(27)

101 Depreciation/amortization

31,001

30,418

22,447

19,308

19,992 General and administrative expenses

4,500

4,231

4,279

3,797

3,906 TOTAL EXPENSES

$ 64,225

$ 61,132

$ 49,269

$ 43,923

$ 45,007 Gain (loss) on sale of real estate and other investments



678



26,840

 Operating income (loss)

(3,911)

(2,466)

1,144

29,573

1,641 Interest expense

(7,715)

(7,456)

(7,302)

(7,089)

(7,231) Interest and other income (loss)

1,063

1,117

(5,082)

619

431 Net income (loss)

$ (10,563)

$ (8,805)

$ (11,240)

$ 23,103

$ (5,159) Dividends to Series D preferred unitholders

(160)

(160)

(160)

(160)

(160) Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interest  Operating Partnership and Series E preferred units

2,157

1,793

1,930

(1,386)

469 Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests  consolidated real estate entities

(23)

(36)

(22)

(19)

(17) Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests

(8,589)

(7,208)

(9,492)

21,538

(4,867) Dividends to preferred shareholders

(1,607)

(1,607)

(1,607)

(1,607)

(1,607) NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

$ (10,196)

$ (8,815)

$ (11,099)

$ 19,931

$ (6,474)





















Per Share Data - Basic



















Net earnings (loss) per common share  basic

$ (0.68)

$ (0.61)

$ (0.79)

$ 1.49

$ (0.49)





















Per Share Data - Diluted



















Net earnings (loss) per common share  diluted

$ (0.68)

$ (0.61)

$ (0.79)

$ 1.48

$ (0.49)

CENTERSPACE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (in thousands)





3/31/2022

12/31/2021

9/30/2021

6/30/2021

3/31/2021 ASSETS



















Real estate investments



















Property owned

$ 2,390,952

$ 2,271,170

$ 2,203,606

$ 1,838,837

$ 1,883,407 Less accumulated depreciation

(465,752)

(443,592)

(426,926)

(407,400)

(408,014)



1,925,200

1,827,578

1,776,680

1,431,437

1,475,393 Mortgage loans receivable



43,276

42,160

37,457

30,107 Total real estate investments

1,925,200

1,870,854

1,818,840

1,468,894

1,505,500 Cash and cash equivalents

13,313

31,267

20,816

5,194

10,816 Restricted cash

2,409

7,358

2,376

8,444

1,610 Other assets

24,651

30,582

34,919

17,218

18,427 TOTAL ASSETS

$ 1,965,573

$ 1,940,061

$ 1,876,951

$ 1,499,750

$ 1,536,353





















LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY, AND EQUITY



















LIABILITIES



















Accounts payable and accrued expenses

$ 50,360

$ 62,403

$ 58,092

$ 52,413

$ 53,852 Revolving line of credit

46,000

76,000

57,000

87,000

181,544 Notes payable, net of loan costs

299,359

299,344

299,454

319,286

319,236 Mortgages payable, net of loan costs

521,536

480,703

489,140

287,143

293,709 TOTAL LIABILITIES

$ 917,255

$ 918,450

$ 903,686

$ 745,842

$ 848,341





















SERIES D PREFERRED UNITS

$ 22,412

$ 25,331

$ 21,585

$ 18,022

$ 16,560 EQUITY



















Series C Preferred Shares of Beneficial Interest

93,530

93,530

93,530

93,530

93,530 Common Shares of Beneficial Interest

1,203,685

1,157,255

1,092,130

1,033,940

980,453 Accumulated distributions in excess of net income

(495,732)

(474,318)

(454,691)

(433,310)

(443,409) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

(2,550)

(4,435)

(5,784)

(12,064)

(12,798) Total shareholders' equity

$ 798,933

$ 772,032

$ 725,185

$ 682,096

$ 617,776 Noncontrolling interests  Operating Partnership and Series E preferred units

226,302

223,600

225,850

53,133

53,007 Noncontrolling interests  consolidated real estate entities

671

648

645

657

669 Total equity

$ 1,025,906

$ 996,280

$ 951,680

$ 735,886

$ 671,452 TOTAL LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY, AND EQUITY

$ 1,965,573

$ 1,940,061

$ 1,876,951

$ 1,499,750

$ 1,536,353

CENTERSPACE

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND RECONCILIATIONS (unaudited)

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The definitions and calculations of these non-GAAP financial measures, as calculated by us, may not be comparable to non-GAAP financial measures reported by other REITs that do not define each of the non-GAAP financial measures exactly as Centerspace does.

The company provides certain information on a same-store and non-same-store basis. Same-store apartment communities are owned or in service for substantially all of the periods being compared, and, in the case of newly-constructed properties, have achieved a target level of physical occupancy of 90%. On the first day of each calendar year, Centerspace determines the composition of its same-store pool for that year as well as adjusts the previous year, which allows us to evaluate full period-over-period operating comparisons for existing apartment communities and their contribution to net income. The company believes that measuring performance on a same-store basis is useful to investors because it enables evaluation of how a fixed pool of its communities are performing year-over-year. Centerspace uses this measure to assess whether or not the company has been successful in increasing NOI, renewing the leases on existing residents, controlling operating costs, and making prudent capital improvements.

Reconciliation of Operating Income (Loss) to Net Operating Income

Net operating income, or NOI, is a non-GAAP financial measure which the company defines as total real estate revenues less property operating expenses, including real estate taxes. Centerspace believes that NOI is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for real estate because it provides a measure of operations that is unaffected by depreciation, amortization, financing, property management overhead, casualty losses, and general and administrative expenses. NOI does not represent cash generated by operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income, net income available for common shareholders, or cash flow from operating activities as a measure of financial performance.



(in thousands, except percentages)

Three Months Ended



Sequential

Year-Over-Year

3/31/2022

12/31/2021

3/31/2021



$ Change

% Change

$ Change

% Change Operating income (loss) $ (3,911)

$ (2,466)

$ 1,641



$ (1,445)

58.6%

$ (5,552)

(338.3)% Adjustments:



























Property management expenses 2,253

2,697

1,767



(444)

(16.5)%

486

27.5% Casualty (gain) loss 598

280

101



318

113.6%

497

492.1% Depreciation and amortization 31,001

30,418

19,992



583

1.9%

11,009

55.1% General and administrative expenses 4,500

4,231

3,906



269

6.4%

594

15.2% (Gain) loss on sale of real estate and other investments 

(678)





678

(100.0)%

$ 

 Net operating income $ 34,441

$ 34,482

$ 27,407



$ (41)

(0.1)%

$ 7,034

25.7%





























Revenue



























Same-store $ 46,891

$ 46,980

$ 43,194



$ (89)

(0.2)%

$ 3,697

8.6% Non-same-store 12,507

10,198

1,047



2,309

22.6%

11,460

1,094.6% Other properties 916

810

668



106

13.1%

248

37.1% Dispositions 



1,739







(1,739)

(100.0)% Total 60,314

57,988

46,648



2,326

4.0%

13,666

29.3% Property operating expenses, including real estate taxes



























Same-store 19,215

18,436

17,529



779

4.2%

1,686

9.6% Non-same-store 6,329

4,753

345



1,576

33.2%

5,984

1,734.5% Other properties 329

312

264



17

5.4%

65

24.6% Dispositions 

5

1,103



(5)

(100.0)%

(1,103)

(100.0)% Total 25,873

23,506

19,241



2,367

10.1%

6,632

34.5% Net operating income



























Same-store 27,676

28,544

25,665



(868)

(3.0)%

2,011

7.8% Non-same-store 6,178

5,445

702



733

13.5%

5,476

780.1% Other properties 587

498

404



89

17.9%

183

45.3% Dispositions 

(5)

636



5

(100.0)%

(636)

(100.0)% Total $ 34,441

$ 34,482

$ 27,407



$ (41)

(0.1)%

$ 7,034

25.7%

Reconciliation of Same-Store Controllable Expenses to Total Property Operating Expenses, Including Real Estate Taxes

Same-store controllable expenses exclude real estate taxes and insurance, in order to provide a measure of expenses that are within management's control, and is used for the purposes of budgeting, business planning, and performance evaluation. This is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered an alternative to total expenses or total property operating expenses.



(in thousands, except percentages)

Three Months Ended March 31,

2022

2021

$ Change

% Change















Controllable expenses













On-site compensation(1) $ 4,745

$ 4,522

$ 223

4.9% Repairs and maintenance 2,572

2,196

376

17.1% Utilities 3,946

3,159

787

24.9% Administrative and marketing 1,046

933

113

12.1% Total $ 12,309

$ 10,810

$ 1,499

13.9%















Non-controllable expenses













Real estate taxes $ 5,242

$ 5,350

$ (108)

(2.0)% Insurance 1,664

1,369

295

21.5% Total $ 6,906

$ 6,719

$ 187

2.8%















Property operating expenses, including real estate taxes - non-same-store $ 6,329

$ 345

$ 5,984

1,734.5% Property operating expenses, including real estate taxes - other properties 329

264

65

24.6% Property operating expenses, including real estate taxes - dispositions 

1,103

(1,103)

(100.0)% Total property operating expenses, including real estate taxes $ 25,873

$ 19,241

$ 6,632

34.5%











(1) On-site compensation for administration, leasing, and maintenance personnel.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders to Funds From Operations and Core Funds From Operations

Centerspace believes that FFO, which is a non-GAAP financial measure used as a standard supplemental measure for equity real estate investment trusts, is helpful to investors in understanding its operating performance, primarily because its calculation does not assume that the value of real estate assets diminishes predictably over time, as implied by the historical cost convention of GAAP and the recording of depreciation.

Centerspace uses the definition of FFO adopted by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, Inc. ("Nareit"). Nareit defines FFO as net income or loss calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding:

depreciation and amortization related to real estate;

gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets; and

impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity.

The exclusion in Nareit's definition of FFO of gains and losses from the sale of real estate assets and impairment write-downs helps to identify the operating results of the long-term assets that form the base of the company's investments, and assists management and investors in comparing those operating results between periods.

Due to the limitations of the Nareit FFO definition, Centerspace has made certain interpretations in applying this definition. The company believes that all such interpretations not specifically identified in the Nareit definition are consistent with this definition. Nareit's FFO White Paper 2018 Restatement clarified that impairment write-downs of land related to a REIT's main business are excluded from FFO and a REIT has the option to exclude impairment write-downs of assets that are incidental to its main business.

While FFO is widely used by Centerspace as a primary performance metric, not all real estate companies use the same definition of FFO or calculate FFO in the same way. Accordingly, FFO presented here is not necessarily comparable to FFO presented by other real estate companies. FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other GAAP measurement of performance, but rather should be considered as an additional, supplemental measure. FFO also does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund all cash flow needs, including the ability to service indebtedness or make distributions to shareholders.

Core Funds from Operations ("Core FFO") is FFO as adjusted for non-routine items or items not considered core to business operations. By further adjusting for items that are not considered part of core business operations, the company believes that Core FFO provides investors with additional information to compare core operating and financial performance between periods. Core FFO should not be considered as an alternative to net income, or any other GAAP measurement of performance, but rather should be considered an additional supplemental measure. Core FFO also does not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund the company's cash needs, including its ability to service indebtedness or make distributions to shareholders. Core FFO is a non-GAAP and non-standardized financial measure that may be calculated differently by other REITs and should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP.





(in thousands, except per share amounts)



Three Months Ended



3/31/2022

12/31/2021

9/30/2021

6/30/2021

3/31/2021 Funds From Operations



















Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$ (10,196)

$ (8,815)

$ (11,099)

$ 19,931

$ (6,474) Adjustments:



















Noncontrolling interests  Operating Partnership

(2,157)

(1,793)

(1,930)

1,386

(469) Depreciation and amortization

31,001

30,418

22,447

19,308

19,992 Less depreciation  non real estate

(101)

(101)

(80)

(87)

(98) Less depreciation  partially owned entities

(21)

(21)

(24)

(24)

(24) (Gain) loss on sale of real estate



(678)



(26,840)

 FFO applicable to common shares and Units

$ 18,526

$ 19,010

$ 9,314

$ 13,674

$ 12,927





















Adjustments to Core FFO:



















Non-cash casualty (gain) loss

25







 Loss on extinguishment of debt



2

530

3

 Technology implementation costs

103

535

625

447

413 Commercial lease termination proceeds





(450)



 Acquisition related costs



90

140



 Interest rate swap termination, amortization, and mark-to-market

(613)

(411)

5,353



 Amortization of assumed debt

(115)

(26)

(27)



 Other miscellaneous items

(4)

(61)

(3)



 Core FFO applicable to common shares and Units

$ 17,922

$ 19,139

$ 15,482

$ 14,124

$ 13,340





















Funds from operations applicable to common shares and Units

$ 18,526

$ 19,010

$ 9,314

$ 13,674

$ 12,927 Dividends to preferred unitholders

160

160

160

160

160 Funds from operations applicable to common shares and Units - diluted

$ 18,686

$ 19,170

$ 9,474

$ 13,834

$ 13,087





















Core funds from operations applicable to common shares and Units

$ 17,922

$ 19,139

$ 15,482

$ 14,124

$ 13,340 Dividends to preferred unitholders

160

160

160

160

160 Core funds from operations applicable to common shares and Units - diluted

$ 18,082

$ 19,299

$ 15,642

$ 14,284

$ 13,500





















Per Share Data



















Earnings (loss) per share and Unit - diluted

$ (0.68)

$ (0.61)

$ (0.81)

$ 1.48

$ (0.49) FFO per share and Unit - diluted

$ 1.01

$ 1.07

$ 0.60

$ 0.95

$ 0.92 Core FFO per share and Unit - diluted

$ 0.98

$ 1.08

$ 0.98

$ 0.98

$ 0.95





















Weighted average shares and Units - diluted

18,542

17,868

15,922

14,514

14,282

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, gain/loss on sale of real estate and other investments, impairment of real estate investments, gain/loss on extinguishment of debt, gain/loss from involuntary conversion; and other non-routine items or items not considered core to business operations. The company considers Adjusted EBITDA to be an appropriate supplemental performance measure because it permits investors to view income from operations without the effect of depreciation, the cost of debt, or non-operating gains and losses. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP.





(in thousands)



Three Months Ended



3/31/2022

12/31/2021

9/30/2021

6/30/2021

3/31/2021 Adjusted EBITDA



















Net income (loss) available to common shareholders

$ (8,589)

$ (7,208)

$ (9,492)

$ 21,538

$ (4,867) Adjustments:



















Dividends to preferred unitholders

160

160

160

160

160 Noncontrolling interests  Operating Partnership

(2,157)

(1,793)

(1,930)

1,386

(469) Income (loss) before noncontrolling interests  Operating Partnership

$ (10,586)

$ (8,841)

$ (11,262)

$ 23,084

$ (5,176) Adjustments:



















Interest expense

7,700

7,440

7,287

7,075

7,216 Loss on extinguishment of debt



2

530

3

 Depreciation/amortization related to real estate investments

30,980

30,397

22,423

19,284

19,969 Non-cash casualty (gain) loss

25







 Interest income

(464)

(644)

(769)

(583)

(407) (Gain) loss on sale of real estate and other investments



(678)



(26,840)

 Technology implementation costs

103

534

625

447

413 Commercial lease termination proceeds





(450)



 Acquisition related costs



90

140



 Interest rate swap termination and mark-to-market

(582)

(359)

5,361



 Other miscellaneous items

(4)

(61)

(3)



 Adjusted EBITDA

$ 27,172

$ 27,880

$ 23,882

$ 22,470

$ 22,015

CENTERSPACE DEBT ANALYSIS (in thousands)

Debt Maturity Schedule Annual Expirations





Future Maturities of Debt



Secured Fixed Debt

Unsecured Fixed Debt

Unsecured

Variable

Debt

Total Debt

% of Total Debt

Weighted Average Interest

Rate(1) 2022 (remainder)

$ 22,254

$ 

$ 

$ 22,254

2.6%

3.92% 2023

42,305





42,305

4.9%

4.02% 2024











 2025

31,907



46,000

77,907

8.9%

3.03% 2026

53,125





53,125

6.1%

3.74% Thereafter

375,372

300,000



675,372

77.5%

3.21% Total debt

$ 524,963

$ 300,000

$ 46,000

$ 870,963

100.0%

3.29%











(1) Weighted average interest rate of debt that matures during the year.





3/31/2022

12/31/2021

9/30/2021

6/30/2021

3/31/2021 Debt Balances Outstanding



















Secured fixed rate - other mortgages

$ 326,113

$ 284,934

$ 293,547

$ 288,363

$ 295,001 Secured fixed rate - Fannie Mae credit facility

198,850

198,850

198,850



 Unsecured fixed rate line of credit(1)



75,000

57,000

50,000

50,000 Unsecured variable rate line of credit

46,000

1,000



37,000

131,544 Unsecured term loans







145,000

145,000 Unsecured senior notes

300,000

300,000

300,000

175,000

175,000 Debt total

$ 870,963

$ 859,784

$ 849,397

$ 695,363

$ 796,545





















Other mortgages rate

3.85%

3.81%

3.83%

3.90%

3.92% Fannie Mae Credit Facility rate

2.78%

2.78%

2.78%



 Lines of credit rate (rate with swap)

2.56%

4.22%

2.79%

2.24%

2.18% Term loan rate (rate with swap)







4.19%

4.11% Senior notes rate

3.12%

3.12%

3.12%

3.47%

3.47% Total debt

3.29%

3.26%

3.23%

3.70%

3.37%















(1) The current rate on our line of credit is LIBOR plus 150 basis points. The LIBOR exposure on the line of credit was hedged using an interest rate swap with a notional of $75.0 million and a fixed rate of 2.81%. The interest rate swap was terminated in February 2022.

CENTERSPACE CAPITAL ANALYSIS (in thousands, except per share and unit amounts)





Three Months Ended



3/31/2022

12/31/2021

9/30/2021

6/30/2021

3/31/2021 Equity Capitalization



















Common shares outstanding

15,365

15,016

14,281

14,045

13,220 Operating partnership units outstanding

997

832

845

881

950 Series E preferred units (as converted)

2,186

2,186

2,186



 Total common shares and units outstanding

18,548

18,034

17,312

14,926

14,170 Market price per common share (closing price at end of period)

$ 98.12

$ 110.90

$ 94.50

$ 78.90

$ 68.00 Equity capitalization-common shares and units

$ 1,819,930

$ 1,999,971

$ 1,635,984

$ 1,177,661

$ 963,560 Recorded book value of preferred shares

$ 93,530

$ 93,530

$ 93,530

$ 93,530

$ 93,530 Total equity capitalization

$ 1,913,460

$ 2,093,501

$ 1,729,514

$ 1,271,191

$ 1,057,090





















Series D Preferred Units

$ 22,412

$ 25,331

$ 21,585

$ 18,022

$ 16,560





















Debt Capitalization



















Total debt

$ 870,963

$ 859,784

$ 849,397

$ 695,363

$ 796,545 Total capitalization

$ 2,806,835

$ 2,978,616

$ 2,600,496

$ 1,984,576

$ 1,870,195





















Total debt to total capitalization(1)

31.0%

28.9%

33.1%

35.0%

43.1%















(1) Total debt to total market capitalization is total debt from the balance sheet divided by the sum of total debt from the balance sheet, market value of common shares and operating partnership units, and book value of Series C preferred shares and Series D preferred units outstanding at the end of the period.





Three Months Ended



3/31/2022

12/31/2021

9/30/2021

6/30/2021

3/31/2021 Debt service coverage ratio(1)

2.93 x

3.17 x

2.75 x

2.62 x

2.53 x Adjusted EBITDA/Interest expense plus preferred distributions and principal amortization

2.50 x

2.68 x

2.32 x

2.21 x

2.14 x Net debt/Adjusted EBITDA(2)

7.89 x

7.43 x

8.67 x

7.68 x

8.92 x Net debt and preferred equity/Adjusted EBITDA(2)

8.96 x

8.50 x

9.88 x

8.92 x

10.17 x





















Distribution Data



















Common shares and Units outstanding at record date

16,363

15,848

15,126

14,926

14,171 Total common distribution declared

$ 11,944

$ 11,411

$ 10,890

$ 10,448

$ 9,919 Common distribution per share and Unit

$ 0.73

$ 0.72

$ 0.72

$ 0.70

$ 0.70 Payout ratio (Core FFO per diluted share and unit basis)(3)

74.5%

66.7%

73.5%

71.4%

73.7%















(1) Debt service coverage ratio is computed by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by interest expense and principal amortization. This term is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP. Refer to the Adjusted EBITDA definition included within the Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations section. (2) Net debt is the total debt balance less cash and cash equivalents and net tax deferred exchange proceeds (included within restricted cash). Adjusted EBITDA is annualized for periods less than one year. Net debt and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP. Refer to the Adjusted EBITDA definition included within the Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations section. (3) Payout ratio (Core FFO per diluted share and unit basis) is the ratio of the current quarterly or annual distribution rate per common share and unit divided by quarterly or annual Core FFO per diluted share and unit. This term is a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered a substitute for operating results determined in accordance with GAAP.

CENTERSPACE SAME-STORE FIRST QUARTER COMPARISONS (in thousands, except property data amounts and percentages)





Apartment

Homes

Included

Revenues

Expenses

NOI Regions



Q1 2022

Q1 2021

% Change

Q1 2022

Q1 2021

% Change

Q1 2022

Q1 2021

% Change Denver, CO

1,457

$ 8,458

$ 7,665

10.3%

$ 2,468

$ 2,570

(4.0)%

$ 5,990

$ 5,095

17.6% Minneapolis, MN

2,537

12,391

11,402

8.7%

5,398

4,880

10.6%

6,993

6,522

7.2% North Dakota

2,421

8,157

7,949

2.6%

3,653

3,271

11.7%

4,504

4,678

(3.7)% Omaha, NE

1,370

4,363

4,026

8.4%

1,898

1,762

7.7%

2,465

2,264

8.9% Rochester, MN

1,121

5,003

4,643

7.8%

2,096

1,986

5.5%

2,907

2,657

9.4% St. Cloud, MN

1,192

4,165

3,656

13.9%

2,084

1,635

27.5%

2,081

2,021

3.0% Other Mountain West

1,221

4,354

3,853

13.0%

1,618

1,425

13.5%

2,736

2,428

12.7% Same-Store Total

11,319

$ 46,891

$ 43,194

8.6%

$ 19,215

$ 17,529

9.6%

$ 27,676

$ 25,665

7.8%





% of NOI

Contribution

Weighted Average Occupancy (1)

Average Monthly

Rental Rate (2)

Average Monthly

Revenue per Occupied Home (3) Regions



Q1 2022

Q1 2021

Growth

Q1 2022

Q1 2021

% Change

Q1 2022

Q1 2021

% Change Denver, CO

21.6%

94.3%

93.7%

0.6%

$ 1,819

$ 1,683

8.1%

$ 2,052

$ 1,872

9.6% Minneapolis, MN

25.3%

93.3%

93.0%

0.3%

1,583

1,503

5.3%

1,744

1,611

8.3% North Dakota

16.3%

94.8%

96.2%

(1.4)%

1,103

1,061

4.0%

1,185

1,138

4.1% Omaha, NE

8.9%

94.9%

95.1%

(0.2)%

1,000

912

9.6%

1,118

1,030

8.5% Rochester, MN

10.5%

92.9%

95.5%

(2.6)%

1,518

1,376

10.3%

1,601

1,446

10.7% St. Cloud, MN

7.5%

93.0%

94.6%

(1.6)%

1,120

970

15.5%

1,252

1,081

15.8% Other Mountain West

9.9%

94.0%

97.7%

(3.7)%

1,155

987

17.0%

1,264

1,077

17.4% Same-Store Total

100.0%

93.9%

94.7%

(0.8)%

$ 1,339

$ 1,236

8.3%

$ 1,471

$ 1,343

9.5%















(1) Weighted average occupancy is defined as the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental revenue by scheduled rent. Scheduled rental revenue represents the value of all apartment homes, with occupied apartment homes valued at contractual rates pursuant to leases and vacant apartment homes valued at estimated market rents. When calculating actual rents for occupied apartment homes and market rents for vacant homes, delinquencies and concessions are not taken into account. Market rates are determined using the currently offered effective rates on new leases at the community and are used as the starting point in determination of the market rates of vacant apartment homes. (2) Average monthly rental rate is scheduled rent divided by the total number of apartment homes. (3) Average monthly revenue per occupied home is defined as total rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied apartment homes for the period.

CENTERSPACE SAME-STORE SEQUENTIAL QUARTER COMPARISONS (in thousands, except property data amounts and percentages)





Apartment

Homes

Included

Revenues

Expenses

NOI Regions



Q1 2022

Q4 2021

% Change

Q1 2022

Q4 2021

% Change

Q1 2022

Q4 2021

% Change Denver, CO

1,457

$ 8,458

$ 8,163

3.6%

$ 2,468

$ 2,657

(7.1)%

$ 5,990

$ 5,506

0.4% Minneapolis, MN

2,537

12,391

12,572

(1.4)%

5,398

5,145

4.9%

6,993

7,427

(5.8)% North Dakota

2,421

8,157

8,155



3,653

3,273

11.6%

4,504

4,882

(7.7)% Omaha, NE

1,370

4,363

4,222

3.3%

1,898

1,888

0.5%

2,465

2,334

5.6% Rochester, MN

1,121

5,003

4,996

0.1%

2,096

2,174

(3.6)%

2,907

2,822

3.0% St. Cloud, MN

1,192

4,165

4,576

(9.0)%

2,084

1,820

14.5%

2,081

2,756

(24.5)% Other Mountain West

1,221

4,354

4,296

1.4%

1,618

1,479

9.4%

2,736

2,817

(2.9)% Same-Store Total

11,319

$ 46,891

$ 46,980

(0.2)%

$ 19,215

$ 18,436

4.2%

$ 27,676

$ 28,544

(3.0)%





% of NOI

Contribution

Weighted Average Occupancy

Average Monthly Rental Rate

Average Monthly Revenue per Occupied Home Regions



Q1 2022

Q4 2021

Growth

Q1 2022

Q4 2021

% Change

Q1 2022

Q4 2021

% Change Denver, CO

21.6%

94.3%

93.5%

0.8%

$ 1,819

$ 1,797

1.2%

$ 2,052

$ 1,997

2.8% Minneapolis, MN

25.3%

93.3%

92.6%

0.7%

1,583

1,593

(0.6)%

1,744

1,807

(3.5)% North Dakota

16.3%

94.8%

95.3%

(0.5)%

1,103

1,107

(0.4)%

1,185

1,178

0.6% Omaha, NE

8.9%

94.9%

93.9%

1.0%

1,000

996

0.4%

1,118

1,094

2.2% Rochester, MN

10.5%

92.9%

91.7%

1.2%

1,518

1,515

0.2%

1,601

1,620

(1.2)% St. Cloud, MN

7.5%

93.0%

91.9%

1.1%

1,120

1,106

1.3%

1,252

1,392

(10.1)% Other Mountain West

9.9%

94.0%

94.5%

(0.5)%

1,155

1,133

1.9%

1,264

1,241

1.9% Same-Store Total

100.0%

93.9%

93.4%

0.5%

$ 1,339

$ 1,334

0.4%

$ 1,471

$ 1,487

(1.1)%

CENTERSPACE PORTFOLIO SUMMARY(1)





Three Months Ended



3/31/2022

12/31/2021

9/30/2021

6/30/2021

3/31/2021 Number of Apartment Homes at Period End



















Same-Store

11,319

10,672

10,676

10,676

11,265 Non-Same-Store

3,519

3,769

3,599

903

903 All Communities

14,838

14,441

14,275

11,579

12,168





















Average Monthly Rental Rate(2)



















Same-Store

$ 1,339

$ 1,314

$ 1,279

$ 1,233

$ 1,200 Non-Same-Store

1,218

1,225

1,506

1,617

1,584 All Communities

$ 1,292

$ 1,291

$ 1,293

$ 1,263

$ 1,229





















Average Monthly Revenue per Occupied Apartment Home(3)



















Same-Store

$ 1,471

$ 1,463

$ 1,392

$ 1,333

$ 1,302 Non-Same-Store

1,271

1,306

1,606

1,739

1,705 All Communities

$ 1,424

$ 1,423

$ 1,397

$ 1,365

$ 1,332





















Weighted Average Occupancy(4)



















Same-Store

93.9%

93.4%

94.3%

94.9%

94.9% Non-Same-Store

94.5%

94.7%

95.1%

94.2%

91.8% All Communities

94.0%

93.7%

94.4%

94.8%

94.6%





















Operating Expenses as a % of Scheduled Rent



















Same-Store

41.0%

39.5%

41.8%

41.9%

42.9% Non-Same-Store

50.6%

44.1%

39.9%

32.9%

34.9% All Communities

43.0%

40.6%

41.6%

41.0%

42.1%





















Capital Expenditures



















Total Capital Expenditures per Apartment Home  Same-Store

$ 145

$ 369

$ 255

$ 159

$ 131















(1) Previously reported amounts are not revised for changes in the composition of the same-store properties pool. (2) Average monthly rental rate is scheduled rent divided by the total number of apartment homes. Scheduled rental revenue represents the value of all apartment homes, with occupied apartment homes valued at contractual rates pursuant to leases and vacant apartment homes valued at estimated market rents. When calculating actual rents for occupied apartment homes and market rents for vacant homes, delinquencies and concessions are not taken into account. Market rates are determined using the currently offered effective rates on new leases at the community and are used as the starting point in determination of the market rates of vacant apartment homes. (3) Average monthly revenue per occupied home is defined as total rental revenues divided by the weighted average occupied apartment homes for the period. (4) Weighted average occupancy is the percentage resulting from dividing actual rental revenue by scheduled rent. The company believes that weighted average occupancy is a meaningful measure of occupancy because it considers the value of each vacant unit at its estimated market rate. Weighted average occupancy may not completely reflect short-term trends in physical occupancy and the calculation of weighted average occupancy may not be comparable to that disclosed by other REITs.

CENTERSPACE CAPITAL EXPENDITURES ($ in thousands, except per home amounts)





Three Months Ended Same Store Capital Expenditures

3/31/2022

3/31/2021 Total Same-Store Apartment Homes

11,319

11,319









Building - Exterior

$ 527

$ 484 Building - Interior



92 Mechanical, Electrical, & Plumbing

270

147 Furniture & Equipment

80

65 Landscaping & Grounds

92

67 Turnover

667

535 Capital Expenditures - Same-Store

$ 1,636

$ 1,390 Capital Expenditures per Apartment Home - Same-Store

$ 145

$ 123









Value Add

$ 5,570

$ 2,631 Total Capital Spend - Same-Store

$ 7,206

$ 4,021 Total Capital Spend per Apartment Home - Same-Store

$ 637

$ 355













Three Months Ended Capital Expenditures - All Properties

3/31/2022

3/31/2021 All Properties - Weighted Average Apartment Homes

14,839

11,575









Capital Expenditures

$ 1,841

$ 1,555 Capital Expenditures per Apartment Home

$ 124

$ 134









Value Add

5,570

2,631 Acquisition Capital

1,589

558 Total Capital Spend

9,000

4,744 Total Capital Spend per Apartment Home

$ 607

$ 410























Three Months Ended Value Add Capital Expenditures

3/31/2022

3/31/2021 Interior - Units







Same-Store

$ 2,637

$ 1,691 Non-Same-Store



 Total Interior Units

$ 2,637

$ 1,691









Common Areas and Exteriors







Same-Store

$ 2,933

$ 940 Non-Same-Store



 Total Common Areas and Exteriors

$ 2,933

$ 940









Total Value-Add Capital Expenditures







Same-Store

$ 5,570

$ 2,631 Non-Same-Store



 Total Portfolio Value-Add

$ 5,570

$ 2,631



CENTERSPACE 2022 Financial Outlook (in thousands, except per share and per home amounts)

Centerspace revised its outlook for 2022 in the table below.



Three Months Ended

2022 Previous Outlook Range

2022 Revised Outlook Range

March 31, 2022

Low

High

Low

High

YTD Actual

Amount

Amount

Amount

Amount Same-store growth

















Revenue $ 46,891

6.0%

8.0%

7.0%

9.0% Controllable expenses 12,309

3.8%

5.3%

7.0%

9.0% Non-controllable expenses 6,906

3.0%

4.5%

3.0%

4.5% Total Expenses $ 19,215

3.5%

5.0%

5.5%

7.5% Same-store NOI $ 27,676

8.0%

10.0%

8.0%

10.0%



















Components of NOI

















Same-store NOI $ 27,676

$ 115,600

$ 118,100

$ 115,850

$ 118,150 Non-same-store NOI (1) 6,178

30,300

30,800

29,200

29,900 Other Commercial NOI 587

1,800

1,900

2,100

2,300 Total NOI $ 34,441

$ 147,700

$ 150,800

$ 147,150

$ 150,350



















(1) Previous outlook range was adjusted to reclassify NOI from non-same-store to other commercial.



















Interest expense $ (7,715)

(32,200)

(31,700)

(32,200)

(31,700) Preferred dividends $ (1,607)

(6,400)

(6,400)

(6,400)

(6,400)



















Recurring income and expenses

















Interest and other income $ 1,040

$ 660

$ 700

$ 1,580

$ 1,750 General and administrative and property management (6,753)

(27,800)

(27,100)

(27,625)

(26,975) Casualty losses (598)

(2,000)

(1,700)

(1,900)

(1,600) Non-real estate depreciation and amortization (101)

(430)

(390)

(375)

(325) Non-controlling interest (21)

(70)

(90)

(110)

(100) Total recurring income and expenses $ (6,433)

$ (29,640)

$ (28,580)

$ (28,430)

$ (27,250) FFO $ 18,686

$ 79,460

$ 84,120

$ 80,120

$ 85,000



















Non-core income and expenses

















Casualty loss $ 25

$ 600

$ 500

$ 500

$ 350 Technology implementation costs 103

990

890

950

850 Interest rate swap termination, amortization, and mark-to-market (613)





200

200 Other miscellaneous items (119)





(300)

(400) Total non-core income and expenses $ (604)

$ 1,590

$ 1,390

$ 1,350

$ 1,000 Core FFO $ 18,082

$ 81,050

$ 85,510

$ 81,470

$ 86,000



















EPS - Diluted $ (0.68)

$ (0.41)

$ (0.16)

$ (0.37)

$ (0.11) FFO per diluted share $ 1.01

$ 4.25

$ 4.50

$ 4.26

$ 4.52 Core FFO per diluted share $ 0.98

$ 4.33

$ 4.57

$ 4.33

$ 4.57 Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted 18,542

18,700

18,700

18,800

18,800



















Additional Assumptions

















Same-store capital expenditures (per home) $ 145

$ 925

$ 975

$ 925

975 Value-add expenditures $ 5,570

$ 21,000

$ 24,000

$ 21,000

$ 24,000 Investments $ 116,874

$ 116,874

$ 116,874

$ 116,874

$ 116,874

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Shareholders to FFO and Core FFO

The following table presents reconciliations of Net income (loss) available to common shareholders to FFO and Core FFO, which are non-GAAP financial measures described in greater detail under "Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations." They should not be considered as alternatives to net income or any other GAAP measurement of performance, but rather should be considered as an additional, supplemental measure. FFO and Core FFO also do not represent cash generated from operating activities in accordance with GAAP, nor are they indicative of funds available to fund all cash needs, including the ability to service indebtedness or make distributions to shareholders. The outlook and projections provided below are based on current expectations and are forward-looking.







Previous Outlook

Revised Outlook

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

12 Months Ended December 31, 2022

12 Months Ended December 31, 2022

Actual

Low

High

Low

High Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ (10,196)

$ 282

$ 4,922

$ 927

$ 5,747 Noncontrolling interests - Operating Partnership and Series E preferred units (2,157)

(7,885)

(7,885)

(7,885)

(7,885) Depreciation and amortization 31,001

86,923

86,923

86,923

86,923 Less depreciation - non real estate (101)

(430)

(390)

(375)

(325) Less depreciation - partially owned entities (21)

(70)

(90)

(110)

(100) Dividends to preferred unitholders 160

640

640

640

640 FFO applicable to common shares and Units $ 18,686

$ 79,460

$ 84,120

$ 80,120

$ 85,000



















Adjustments to Core FFO:

















Casualty loss write off 25

600

500

500

350 Technology implementation costs 103

990

890

950

850 Interest rate swap termination and amortization (613)





200

200 Other miscellaneous items (119)





(300)

(400) Core FFO applicable to common shares and Units $ 18,082

$ 81,050

$ 85,510

$ 81,470

$ 86,000



















Earnings per share - diluted $ (0.68)

$ (0.41)

$ (0.16)

$ (0.37)

$ (0.11) FFO per share - diluted $ 1.01

$ 4.25

$ 4.50

$ 4.26

$ 4.52 Core FFO per share - diluted $ 0.98

$ 4.33

$ 4.57

$ 4.33

$ 4.57

Reconciliation of Operating Income to Net Operating Income

Net operating income, or NOI, is a non-GAAP financial measure which the company defines as total real estate revenues less property operating expenses, including real estate taxes. Centerspace believes that NOI is an important supplemental measure of operating performance for real estate because it provides a measure of operations that is unaffected by depreciation, amortization, financing, property management overhead, casualty losses, and general and administrative expenses. NOI does not represent cash generated by operating activities in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to net income, net income available for common shareholders, or cash flow from operating activities as a measure of financial performance.







Previous Outlook

Revised Outlook

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

12 Months Ended December 31, 2021

12 Months Ended December 31, 2021

Actual

Low

High

Low

High Operating income $ (3,911)

$ 30,977

$ 35,077

$ 30,702

$ 34,852 Adjustments:

















General and administrative and property management expenses 6,753

27,800

27,100

27,625

26,975 Casualty loss 598

2,000

1,700

1,900

1,600 Depreciation and amortization 31,001

86,923

86,923

86,923

86,923 Net operating income $ 34,441

$ 147,700

$ 150,800

$ 147,150

$ 150,350

SOURCE Centerspace
TSX.V: DME

U.S. OTC: DMEHF

Frankfurt: QM01

VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: DME) (OTC: DMEHF) (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company.

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. (DME) is pleased to announce that it has completed cased hole work on Wells 5 and 6. Completion work on Well 7 is anticipated to be completed later this week. Bottom hole pressures were within the expected values and the initial flow test and sampling for gaseous analysis have been completed. The Company made the decision to test the zones of interest, for future production within the McCauley Helium Field and on other DME properties. These lowest zones were then shut off and our main zones of interest for primary helium production were then perforated and tested with gas samples being sent via ground transportation to an independent lab for analysis.

"These 3 wells are expected to go online along with Wells 2 and 4," says Desert Mountain Energy Corp. CEO, Robert Rohlfing. "Results from Wells 5, 6 and 7 will be released as soon the laboratory test results are received. The Company is planning on drilling another wildcat well before summer, hoping to add another helium field to our current portfolio."

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. has set 350,000 options for officers, directors and consultants at a price of $3.30 for a term of 3 years.

ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded resource company primarily focused on exploration, development and production of helium, hydrogen and noble gases. The Company is primarily looking for elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries.

We seek safe harbor

"Robert Rohlfing"

Robert Rohlfing

Exec Chairman & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in the future the planned exploration activities, receipt of positive results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing and results of various activities.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks due to helium prices, operating or technical difficulties in exploration and development activities; risks and hazards and the speculative nature of resource exploration and related development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Company's exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend to, and nor does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Desert Mountain Energy Corp.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per Zion Market Research study, The global Healthcare IT Outsourcing market was worth around USD 66.1 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow to about USD 96.9 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.60 percent over the forecast period. The report analyzes the Healthcare IT Outsourcing market's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the Healthcare IT Outsourcing market.

Key Industry Insights & Finding of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 6.60% (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market was valued approximately USD 66.1 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach to roughly USD 96.9 Billion by 2028.

Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach to roughly Billion by 2028. The astounding growth of the IT industry in Asia Pacific emerging economies such as China , India , Singapore , and Indonesia .

emerging economies such as , , , and . Asia Pacific market for healthcare IT outsourcing's growth prospects in the coming years.

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled as "Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market By Application (Global Provider Outsourcing Market (Electronic Health Records, Revenue Cycle Management System, Laboratory Information And Management System, Pharmacy Information And Management System An Others), Global Payer Outsourcing Market (Customer Relationship Management System, Claim Processing Management System, Billing System, Fraud And Detection System And Other), Global Life Science Outsourcing Market (Enterprise Resource Planning, Clinical Trial Management System, Clinical Database Management System, Research And Development IT Services And Others), Global Operational Outsourcing Market (Supply Chain Management, Business Process Management And Others) And Global Infrastructure Outsourcing Market (Infrastructure Management Services, Cloud Computing And Others)), By Industry (Healthcare System, Healthcare Insurance Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry, Clinical Research Organization, Biotechnology And Others), And By Region  Global Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data And Forecasts 2022  2028." into their research database.

Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market: Overview

In the field of healthcare information technology, outsourcing is becoming more popular. It's a selection procedure in which a company chooses the most efficient third-party service provider to run its management and administrative unit. In the healthcare industry, outsourcing IT solutions has emerged as a cost-effective way to combat rising healthcare expenses while also meeting the growing need for high-quality care. The trend of healthcare IT outsourcing solutions has developed dramatically among large firms over the years, and it has also attracted mid-sized businesses. Only critical application services such as EMR, CRM, and billing system deployment are outsourced in certain circumstances, while in others, the full information management system is outsourced.

The expanding requirement to control cash flow in back-office administration and IT management systems of healthcare providers, payers, and the life science segment are fueling the growth of the healthcare IT outsourcing market. However, constraints such as the fragmented nature of the healthcare system and the HCIT outsourcing industry, the need for high investment in outsourcing IT solutions, rising data security concerns, and cultural and language hurdles are limiting the market's growth.

Get a Free Sample Report with All Related Graphs & Charts (with COVID 19 Impact Analysis): https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/healthcare-it-outsourcing-market

Our Free Sample Report Includes:

2022 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis

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Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Request

2022 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends

Includes Updated List of tables & figures

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Zion Market Research methodology

Industry Dynamics:

Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market: Growth Dynamics

Drivers

During the projected period, the shortage of in-house IT expertise, lower operational costs, and improved quality of care and clinical results are the primary factors driving the growth of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market. Another factor driving the growth of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market during the forecast period is the increased need from healthcare sectors to integrate healthcare IT solutions into responsible healthcare organizations in order to improve quality of care and clinical outcomes.

Restraint

Factors such as the fragmented nature of the healthcare system and the HCIT outsourcing market, the need for high investment in outsourcing IT solutions, growing concern for data security, and cultural and language barriers all limit market growth.

Opportunities

The loss of confidentiality and the breakdown of administrative controls are expected to limit the growth of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market. Furthermore, the expansion of the service portfolio and the use of ICD-10 standards for the diagnosis of several new diseases are expected to provide significant opportunities for the growth of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market.

Challenges

Miscommunication is hampered by cultural differences and linguistic obstacles, which are impeding the expansion of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market. The growth of standard IT platforms is limited by a fragmented end-user market, which is projected to stifle market growth in the coming years.

Directly Purchase a Copy of the Report @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/buynow/su/healthcare-it-outsourcing-market

Recent Developments

In July 2018 , Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center has signed a long-term contract with Phoenix Health Systems, the leading independent provider of hospital IT outsourcing and consulting services, for IT department management as well as software and infrastructure maintenance.

Global Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market: Segmentation

The global Healthcare IT Outsourcing market is segregated based on application and industry.

Based on application, the market is segmented into Global Provider Outsourcing Market (Electronic Health Records, Revenue Cycle Management System, Laboratory Information and Management System, Pharmacy Information and Management System an Others), Global Payer Outsourcing Market (Customer Relationship Management System, Claim Processing Management System, Billing System, Fraud and Detection System and Other), Global Life Science Outsourcing Market (Enterprise Resource Planning, Clinical Trial Management System, Clinical Database Management System, Research and Development IT services and Others), Global Operational Outsourcing Market (Supply Chain Management, Business Process Management and Others) and Global Infrastructure Outsourcing Market (Infrastructure Management Services, Cloud Computing and Others). Due to significant growth, the payers HCIT outsourcing segment is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period "There have been no significant changes in the healthcare landscape. Most healthcare is becoming more expensive as a result of regulatory changes and rising costs "rms embraced new technologies and business models based on outsourcing.

By industry, the market is segmented into Healthcare System, Healthcare Insurance Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry, Clinical Research Organization, Biotechnology and Others. Healthcare insurance payers are streamlining their processes in an effort to reduce costs while providing high-quality patient care. The steady increase in the number of people purchasing insurance, as well as technological advancements, have paved the way for an increase in healthcare payer services.

Get More Insight before Buying @: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/healthcare-it-outsourcing-market

List of Key Players of Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market:

Accenture Plc. ( Ireland )

) Accretive Health Inc. (U.S.)

Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. (U.S.)

Anthelio Healthcare Solutions (U.S.)

Cognizant Technology Solutions (U.S.)

Dell Inc. (U.S.)

HCL Technologies ( India )

) Hewlett-Packard Company (U.S.)

International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation (U.S.)

Infosys Limited ( India )

) McKesson Corporation (U.S.)

Siemens Healthcare ( Germany )

) Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. ( India )

) Wipro Ltd. ( India )

) Xerox Corporation (U.S.)

Epic System (U.S.)

Computer Sciences Corporation (U.S.).

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market Industry?

What segments does the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 66.1 Billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 96.9 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 6.60% 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016 - 2021 Forecast Years 2022 - 2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, and By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Accenture Plc. (Ireland), Accretive Health, Inc. (U.S.), Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Inc. (U.S.), Anthelio Healthcare Solutions (U.S.), Cognizant Technology Solutions (U.S.), Dell, Inc. (U.S.), HCL Technologies (India), Hewlett-Packard Company (U.S.), International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation (U.S.), Infosys Limited (India), McKesson Corporation (U.S.), Siemens Healthcare (Germany), Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. (India), Wipro Ltd. (India), Xerox Corporation (U.S.), Epic System (U.S.), and Computer Sciences Corporation (U.S.). Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/2630

Free Brochure: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/healthcare-it-outsourcing-market

Regional Dominance:

Asia Pacific market for healthcare IT outsourcing's growth prospects in the coming years.

North America currently dominates the anastomosis device market in terms of market share and revenue, and this dominance is expected to remain during the projected period. This is due to the presence of superior information technology. Asia-Pacific, on the other hand, is expected to increase at the fastest rate throughout the projection period, owing to rising government healthcare spending and rising personal disposable income.

The astounding growth of the IT industry in Asia Pacific emerging economies such as China, India, Singapore, and Indonesia is expected to open up new opportunities for stakeholders in the healthcare IT outsourcing market. Furthermore, significantly lower labour costs, manpower, and highly skilled IT resources will boost the Asia Pacific market for healthcare IT outsourcing's growth prospects in the coming years.

Global Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market is segmented as follows:

Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market: By Application Outlook (2022-2028)

Global Provider Outsourcing Market

Electronic Health Records

Revenue Cycle Management System

Laboratory Information and Management System

Pharmacy Information and Management System

Others

Global Payer Outsourcing Market

Customer Relationship Management System

Claim Processing Management System

Billing System

Fraud and Detection System

Other

Global Life Science Outsourcing Market

Enterprise Resource Planning

Clinical Trial Management System

Clinical Database Management System

Research and Development IT services

Others

Global Operational Outsourcing Market

Supply Chain Management

Business Process Management

Others

Global Infrastructure Outsourcing Market

Infrastructure Management Services

Cloud Computing

Others

Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market: By Industry Outlook (2022-2028)

Healthcare System

Healthcare Insurance Industry

Pharmaceutical Industry

Clinical Research Organization

Biotechnology

Others

Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

Press Release For Healthcare IT Outsourcing Market: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/news/global-healthcare-it-outsourcing-market

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Immuno-Oncology Clinical Trials Market - Global Industry Analysis : The global Immuno-Oncology Clinical Trials Market accrued earnings worth approximately 5.4 (USD Billion) in 2020 and is predicted to gain revenue of about 15.6 (USD Billion) by 2028, is set to record a CAGR of nearly 13.7% over the period from 2021 to 2028.

Orthopedic Soft Tissue Repair Market - Global Industry Analysis : The global Orthopedic Soft Tissue Repair Market accrued earnings worth approximately 5.7 (USD Billion) in 2020 and is predicted to gain revenue of about 11.2 (USD Billion) by 2028, is set to record a CAGR of nearly 6.4% over the period from 2021 to 2028.

The global Orthopedic Soft Tissue Repair Market accrued earnings worth approximately 5.7 (USD Billion) in 2020 and is predicted to gain revenue of about 11.2 (USD Billion) by 2028, is set to record a CAGR of nearly 6.4% over the period from 2021 to 2028. AI-based Clinical Trials Solution Provider Market - Global Industry Analysis: AI-based Clinical Trials Solution Provider Market accrued earnings worth approximately 1.32 (USD Billion) in 2020 and is predicted to gain revenue of about 5.53(USD Billion) by 2028, is set to record a CAGR of nearly 22.1% over the period from 2021 to 2028.

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SOURCE Zion Market Research
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, HelpPetShelters.com announced the Debra Joseph Diamond Grant Program to support the work of local animal shelters in the United States. Beginning with an initial $100,000, the program will provide multiyear support to help animals in shelters.

Debra Joseph Diamond, Ph.D. was a Wall Street money manager, author, medium, and animal lover. Following a high-profile career on Wall Street, Debra transitioned to a life of purpose and spirituality after discovering she was a natural psychic/medium and medical intuitive. She authored several books focusing on spirituality and has been featured in the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and other major publications. She also served as an Adjunct Professor at Johns Hopkins University. Debra provided remarkable insights for her clients who sought guidance in healing and personal growth.

Throughout her life, Debra always had a passion for animals, and it was her wish to have significant funds allocated to furthering the mission of improving the lives and welfare of animals.

The program is possible thanks to support from the Charitable Fundraising Council, a 501(c)(3) organization that promotes giving to efficient charities.

"Local pet shelters are underfunded and rarely receive money from wealthy national animal groups," remarked Hailey Braun, Outreach Director for Help Pet Shelters. "The work of local shelters directly impacts the lives and welfare of desperate animals and deserves far greater support and awareness."

To date, Help Pet Shelters has given over $100,000 to help local shelters across the country. Help Pet Shelters is known for its "95% Promise"95% of the funds it raises are given directly to local pet shelters with only 5% allocated to program administration.

Applicants to the program can apply at HelpPetShelters.com . Requests for more information or other inquiries can be made to [email protected].

SOURCE HelpPetShelters.com
LIMA, Peru, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunt Oil Company of Peru L.L.C., Sucursal del Peru ("HOCP") announced today that it has received the consents necessary to effect the Amendments (as described below) to the indenture (the "Indenture") governing its 6.375% Trust Enhanced Senior Notes due 2028 (CUSIP Nos.: Rule 144A: 445640 AB1, Regulation S: P5300P AB9), (ISINs: Rule 144A: US445640AB18, Regulation S: USP5300PAB96) (the "Notes"). The Notes were originally issued in an aggregate principal amount of US$600,000,000 (the "Original Principal Amount"). Following the scheduled repayment of 4.2% of the Original Principal Amount on December 1, 2021, as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 15, 2022 (the "Record Date"), US$574,800,000 in principal amount of the Notes remained Outstanding (the "Outstanding Principal Amount").

The Amendments, once effective, will modify the Indenture related to the incurrence of indebtedness to permit (i) an increase in a working capital facility from US$30 million to up to US$100 million and (ii) the incurrence of debt not to exceed 5% of the consolidated net tangible assets of the Company calculated as of the date of such incurrence (the "Amendments").

Full details of the terms and conditions of the consent solicitation, including the Amendments, were included in the consent solicitation statement, dated April 18, 2022.

HOCP received the consents of holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes on or prior to 11:59 p.m., New York City time, on April 29, 2022 (the "Expiration Date"). As a result, HOCP and Citibank, N.A., as trustee, registrar, paying agent and transfer agent, have entered into the supplemental indenture, dated as of April 29, 2022, which effects the Amendments (the "Supplemental Indenture"). The Amendments will become operative upon payment of the Consent Payment (as described below).

HOCP will make or cause to be made to each consenting holder of record as of the Record Date who validly delivered its consent prior to the Expiration Date a cash payment of US$2.50 for each US$1,000 of the Original Principal Amount of Notes (which corresponds to approximately US$2.39 for each US$1,000 of the Outstanding Principal Amount of Notes). The Consent Payment is expected to be paid no later than on May 9, 2022.

HOCP engaged BofA Securities, Inc. to act as solicitation agent and Global Bondholder Services Corporation to act as the information and tabulation agent in connection with the consent solicitation.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is for informational purposes only and is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any Notes or any other securities. This press release is also not a solicitation of consents with respect to the Amendments or any securities. The solicitation of consents is not being made in any jurisdiction in which, or to or from any person to or from whom, it is unlawful to make such solicitation under applicable state or foreign securities or "blue sky" laws.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to: statements regarding the expected payment of the Consent Payment. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "driving," "estimate," "expect," "goal," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "seek," "should," "will," "would," and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About HOCP

Hunt Oil Company of Peru L.L.C., Sucursal del Peru ("HOCP") is part of the Camisea Consortium and holds a 25.2% interest in the License Contracts related to the largest natural gas producing fields in Peru, the Camisea Fields; which include Block 88 and Block 56 in the Ucayali Basin of Peru. Block 88 is the largest source of natural gas production in Peru and also contains the largest number of Proved Reserves, while Block 56 is the second largest in Peru in terms of natural gas production and Proved Reserves. As a result of its 25.2% interest in the Camisea Consortium, it also holds a 25.2% interest in each of the facilities related to the Camisea Fields, including the Malvinas Plant, a natural gas processing plant near the Camisea Fields and the Pisco Plant, a liquids fractionation facility near Pisco, Peru on the Pacific coast.

SOURCE Hunt Oil Company of Peru L.L.C.
Outdoor retailer going "off the grid," unplugging from social media for Mental Health Awareness Month

FREEPORT, Maine, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month this May, outdoor retailer L.L.Bean is going "off the grid" and going back to where it all started: the outdoors. Beginning May 2, the company will pause posting across all social channels for the full month, and will wipe its Instagram clean, leaving behind a few resources encouraging people to get outside  however, wherever and whenever they can.

As part of the initiative L.L.Bean also announced a $500,000 grant and two-year partnership with Mental Health America. This partnership will help reach people through community-based, mental health programs, research and multimedia campaigns aimed at creating connection and inclusion in the outdoors and uncovering the benefits of time spent outside on mental wellbeing.

Studies have shown spending time in nature has significant benefits, including greater creativity, lower levels of stress, increased self-esteem and reduced anxiety. Spending time in green spaces, such as a park or other natural environment, for as little as two hours per week, has been shown to have a significant positive impact on both physical and psychological health.

"For more than a century, L.L.Bean has helped enable people to get outside, based on the belief that experiences in nature help bring out the best in us," said Shawn Gorman, L.L.Bean Executive Chairman and great-grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean. "Now, research confirms what we have always felt intuitively: Going outside is critical for our individual and collective well-being. We are so enthusiastic to partner with Mental Health America to help more people experience the restorative power of the outdoors in their daily lives."

According to Mental Health America's President and Chief Executive Officer Schroeder Stribling, reprioritizing time in the outdoors is a simple, powerful act. "Even a simple walk outside can lower your risk of depression, strengthen cognitive function and increase focus. All of these effects improve our mental health and well-being at a time when we need it most," Stribling said. He added, "Our busy schedules can make it seem impossible to find a few minutes for the outdoors. The good news is that it does not take much to reap the benefits  ten minutes outside here and there will add up over time and lead to better mental health."

Gorman added, "For those who want to focus on their well-being, spring is a great time to explore the power and beauty of natural life around us. Whether reengaging with nature by having lunch outside, taking a walk around the neighborhood or hiking up a mountain, L.L.Bean invites everyone to take time to head into 'the great open spaces' this May and beyond to see what nature can teach us all."

For additional information on Mental Health Month and to explore Mental Health America's resources visit www.mhanational.org/may. For more information on L.L.Bean's partnership with Mental Health America visit Inside L.L.Bean.

About L.L. Bean, Inc.

L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In 2021, L.L.Bean donated $6.2 million to outdoor and community-enriching organizations focused on increasing access to and inclusivity in the outdoors. L.L.Bean operates 56 stores in 19 states across the United States, along with 24 stores in Japan and eight stores in Canada in partnership with Jaytex Group. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.

About Mental Health America

Mental Health America (MHA) is the nation's leading community-based nonprofit dedicated to addressing the needs of those living with mental illness and promoting the overall mental health of all. MHA's work is driven by its commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness, including prevention services for all; early identification and intervention for those at risk; integrated care, services, and supports for those who need them; with recovery as the goal. Learn more at MHAnational.org.

SOURCE L.L.Bean
Key hire expands investment depth as part of firm's strategic growth plan

CHICAGO , May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC ("Kovitz"), a value-based wealth management firm headquartered in Chicago, is pleased to announce the hiring of Matt Hayner, CFA, as part of the firm's strategic growth plan.

With 20 years of industry experience, Hayner joins the Core Equity Strategy investment team as a Portfolio Manager in Chicago, expanding the tight-knit team of tenured senior investment professionals. Hayner joins Mitchell Kovitz, CPA, CFA, Joel Hirsh, CFA, Bryan Engler, CFA, Jason M. Petitte, CFA, and Jonathan Shapiro, CFA

The Core Equity Strategy, which was launched in 1997, focuses on achieving superior risk-adjusted returns by implementing a private owner investment philosophy with a multi-year time horizon. The Core Equity Strategy investment team believes it is only possible to have a high degree of confidence in investment decisions if each team member's incentives are aligned with those of their clients, resulting in the vast majority of the team's liquid net worth being invested in Kovitz strategies.

"We are thrilled to have Matt join our team in Chicago. His extensive investment and asset management experience will help support our clients' growing portfolio needs to identify long-term equity investments and achieve their financial goals," said Hirsh.

Earlier this year, Kovitz named four new principals  including Engler to the role of portfolio manager  and promoted six others within the firm. Over the past year, Kovitz has made 21 hires to bolster its wealth management and asset management services to clients nationwide.

"I'm honored and excited to join the investment team at Kovitz. I've long admired the investment-centric culture and people at Kovitz, and I am eager to contribute to the momentum the firm is experiencing," said Hayner.

Hayner is the seventh firm hire this year, with additional team growth expected.

A North Shore of Chicago resident, he is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree in chemistry. He received his MBA in finance from the University of St. Thomas.

About Kovitz

Kovitz is an independently-managed, registered investment adviser, providing advisory services since 2003. Based in Chicago, Ill., with offices in Madison, Wis., and Orange County, Calif., Kovitz connects high-net-worth individuals, institutions, and financial professionals to sound asset management and financial advisory strategies. The firm manages approximately $7.7 billion in client assets, as of March 31, 2022. https://www.kovitz.com/

Media Contact:

Jay Scott

[email protected]

484-695-3774

SOURCE Kovitz Investment Group Partners
INDIAN HARBOUR BEACH, Fla., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NewSat a leading Command, Control, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) provider, announced today they have been awarded a Global Tactical Advanced Communication Systems II (GTACS II) Task Order (TO) by U.S. Army Contracting Command  Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG) on behalf of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Security Assistance Management Directorate (SAMD).

Under this multi-million-dollar Foreign Military Sales (FMS) TO, NewSat will provide a system-wide upgrade for the Jordanian Border Security Program (JBSP) to addresses obsolescence issues and enhancing the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) capabilities to detect, interdict, and deter illegal border crossing attempts while maintaining the existing system architecture, whenever and wherever possible.

"NewSat has supported the US Army and Foreign Military Sales since our inception", said Andrew Williams, Program Director of NewSat. "This new award further expands our global reach and is further evidence of the confidence that the U.S Government has in our ability to provide our Allies mission critical support in austere environments".

About NewSat:

NewSat North America, LLC is a privately held, end-to-end communications company. Based in Indian Harbour Beach, Florida, NewSat North America provides Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems and services primarily to United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD) and other Federal customers.

SOURCE NewSat North America
While 50% of physicians do not think there will ever be a cure for AD, the surveys indicate that physicians and American adults are optimistic that a new generation of therapies and diagnostics for the disease will improve patient care. In fact, more than 3 in 4 physicians (77%) believe new therapies will transform AD into a chronic, manageable diseaseand 84% say testing for early risk of the disease will lead to earlier and improved disease management. Among U.S. adults, 9 in 10 (90%) say they are hopeful that new therapies will cure AD, and 86% believe blood tests for the early detection of AD risk will increasingly become a regular part of preventative care.

Based on insights from online surveys of 501 primary care providers (PCPs) and 2,052 Americans aged 18 years and older, the report also highlights the important role diagnostics may play in the next era of AD healthcare. Quest Diagnostics commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct the surveys in March 2022.

The report suggests cost concerns could impede the adoption of blood tests for AD: more than 8 in 10 physicians (85%) say the value of a blood test for the early detection of AD risk will depend on how widely it is reimbursed. However, 94% of physicians say blood tests would be more cost effective for the healthcare system compared to more invasive methods of detection (e.g., lumbar puncture, imaging studies).

"We are on the cusp of a new generation of therapies for Alzheimer's disease, but the important role of diagnostics has been missing from the conversation. Patients today are typically screened for Alzheimer's disease only after signs of cognitive impairment emerge and often by expensive methods, such as brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid taps, which only specialists can perform. As new, efficacious therapies come to the forefront, the need for scalable, less invasive and more cost-effective diagnostics, including in primary care settings, will grow," said Michael K. Racke, M.D., Neurology Medical Director, Quest Diagnostics. "Our goal for this report is to help prepare the medical community and engaged patients and caregivers for the transformational healthcare shifts that must occur to unleash the full potential of future treatment and diagnostic innovations to improve outcomes for patients with Alzheimer's disease."

The new Quest report follows the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' decision in April to limit coverage of the AD drug aducanumab to patients who receive it as participants in a clinical trial. The Food and Drug Administration's approval of the drug in June 2021 marked the first authorization of a treatment designed to target AD pathophysiology. In addition, the identification of biomarkers for AD has led to new avenues of pharmaceutical drug research and development. More than 100 disease-modifying therapies are now in clinical trialsnearly 20 in phase 3.i

To prepare for the treatments of the future, American adults call for earlier evaluation, want more education; physicians foresee surge in demand

U.S. adults want to be evaluated for dementia, including AD, earlier than current medical practice. While physicians say they begin evaluating patients for AD at about age 66 (mean), adults want to be evaluated for dementia, including AD, at about age 57 (mean)a difference of nearly 10 years. And while 86% of adults have some fear about receiving an AD diagnosis, nearly the same proportion (83%) would agree to take a blood test for early detection of AD risk if their results might help researchers develop better treatments for the disease. More than 8 in 10 adults (83%) agree that they want more education about when they should be proactively evaluated for signs of AD and other forms of dementia.

The large majority of physicians (84%) say testing for early risk of AD will lead to earlier and improved disease management, yet an even greater number (92%) say that blood tests for AD will lead to a surge in diagnoses, with 60% saying the current healthcare system/workforce would not be able to handle a surge in diagnoses. The vast majority of physicians (95%) note that the value of a blood test depends on the quality of education around it.

Quest introduces QUEST AD-Detect Amyloid Beta 42/40 Ratio; physicians believe blood tests will become standard of care

Quest Diagnostics is introducing the QUEST AD-Detect Amyloid Beta 42/40 Ratio, a new analytically validated blood test that aids in assessing the risk of AD.ii iii The laboratory-developed test is designed to be used by a healthcare provider to help assess the risk of AD in a patient. It evaluates the ratio of two peptides of amyloid beta, A42 and A40, in plasma sourced from a single blood test and is designed to monitor A42/40 changes over time to assess the risk potential of AD progression. QUEST AD-Detect is a high-precision assay of a type shown in a recently published study to be as effective as traditional methods.iv

With a physician's order, patients may supply a blood specimen at a Quest Diagnostics patient service center for testing with QUEST AD-Detect Quest Diagnostics operates a national network of more than 2,100 patient service centers, for convenient patient access. In addition to providing accessible insights into the risk of AD, QUEST AD-Detect blood-based biomarker testing may also help identify patients who are candidates for early antibody treatment.v

"As scientists work to develop treatments for Alzheimer's disease, Quest Diagnostics is also developing laboratory innovations, such as AD-Detect, that have the potential to help physicians more reliably identify patients at risk for the disease, even before symptoms manifest, as well as monitor progression," said Chris Scotto DiVetta, Vice President and General Manager of Neurology and Pharma Services, Quest Diagnostics. "AD-Detect may also help biopharmaceutical companies seeking better methods of screening patients for participation in trials for AD therapies."

According to the survey, nearly 9 in 10 (87%) physicians believe that blood tests for the early detection of AD risk will increasingly become the standard of care. Further, 96% of physicians say blood tests will help identify patients who may be appropriate for clinical trials for AD treatments, and 85% say blood tests will improve the quality and speed of clinical trials.

QUEST AD-Detect test is the latest example of how Quest Diagnostics is innovating within the AD landscape. Quest AD-Detect is based on a CSF test for aiding AD assessment developed by Quest Diagnostics in 2017. In addition, Quest has a long-standing history of advancing science in the field of dementia through academic research and other collaborations. More information is available at www.QuestForTheCure.com.

Study Methodology

On behalf of Quest Diagnostics, The Harris Poll conducted two online surveys in March 2022: one among 501 U.S. duly licensed primary care providers (PCPs) with a patient load of two or more, and another among 2,052 Americans aged 18 and older. Data for the PCP survey were weighted where necessary by age, gender and specialty to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. Data for the general population survey were weighted where necessary by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income and propensity to be online, to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. For more information, contact Kim Gorode, [email protected] or Ellen Murphy, [email protected].

About Alzheimer's Disease

More than 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, a number that is projected to more than double by 2050.vi As case numbers steadily rise, so is the disease's economic impact with related costs predicted to reach $1.1 trillion.vii But the greatest burden is experienced by the people living with Alzheimer'sboth patients and their caregivers. Currently, more than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias. With no available cure and limited treatment options, patients and their loved ones experience a devastating yet unstoppable disease progression.viii

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world's largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors, and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. Learn more at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

i 2021 Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Report | https://www.alzdiscovery.org/uploads/media/ADDF-CTR-2021-06-singles.pdf. Accessed April 10, 2022.

ii Data on file. Quest Diagnostics; 2022.

iii Burnham SC, Fandos N, Fowler C, et al. Longitudinal evaluation of the natural history of amyloid- in plasma and brain. Brain Commun. 2020;2(1)fcaa041. doi:10.1093/braincomms/fcaa041

iv Li Y, Schindler SE, Bollinger, J, et al. Validation of plasma amyloid- 42/40 for detecting alzheimer disease amyloid plaques. Neurology. Online ahead of print, December 14, 2021.doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000013211

v Cummings J, Lee G, Zhong K, et al. Alzheimer's disease drug development pipeline: 2021. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2021;7(1):e12179. doi:10.1002/trc2.12179

vi Alzheimer's Association. 2021 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures | https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimersfacts-and-figures.pdf. Accessed December 7, 2021.

vii Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures | https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures#:~:text=years%20of%20diagnosis.-,Prevalence,living%20with%20Alzheimer's%20in%202022. Accessed April 11, 2022.

viii Special Report: More Than Normal Aging: Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment | https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf. Accessed April 11, 2022.

SOURCE Quest Diagnostics
Key Market Dynamics:

Market Driver - The deteriorating quality of water resources leading to water-related diseases is one of the key drivers supporting the portable water purifier market growth. Today, around 10% of the population has no access to safe and clean drinking water due to increasing water pollution. There are many unacceptable habits followed by the various industries which lead to contamination of water. For instance, dumping toxic and unrecyclable waste into water bodies. Such activities threaten the health and life of the population across the globe. Such concerns are pushing consumers toward bottled drinking water and water purifiers, which provide clean, purified, bacteria-free, and safe drinking water. Significantly, various brands of bottled drinking water and water purifiers are trying to meet the standards set by governments and regulatory bodies for providing clean and pure drinking water to the population across the globe. Thus, this increasing contamination of the water of bodies across the globe is leading to rising levels of water stress, which is positively influencing the growth of the global portable water purifier market.

- The is one of the key drivers supporting the portable water purifier market growth. Today, around 10% of the population has no access to safe and clean drinking water due to increasing water pollution. There are many unacceptable habits followed by the various industries which lead to contamination of water. For instance, dumping toxic and unrecyclable waste into water bodies. Such activities threaten the health and life of the population across the globe. Such concerns are pushing consumers toward bottled drinking water and water purifiers, which provide clean, purified, bacteria-free, and safe drinking water. Significantly, various brands of bottled drinking water and water purifiers are trying to meet the standards set by governments and regulatory bodies for providing clean and pure drinking water to the population across the globe. Thus, this increasing contamination of the water of bodies across the globe is leading to rising levels of water stress, which is positively influencing the growth of the global portable water purifier market. Market Challenges - Low safety compared to boiled water is one of the factors hindering the portable water purifier market growth. Boiling water seems to be an easy task, but several factors are taken into consideration before it is used for consumption. The process involves heating the water up to a boiling point and then allowing it to cool down before drinking it. In addition, boiling water results in a flat taste and has some limitations, such as the inability to remove physical impurities like dirt, dust, mud, pesticides, and particles of rust. These impurities can be easily removed by filtering the boiled water. However, chemical impurities such as lead, arsenic, calcium and magnesium salts, and nitrates cannot be removed from water by boiling or filtering. Regardless of all the factors, the limitations and higher costs associated with portable water filters make the systems a less preferred filtration device over other methods such as boiling. Thus, the high costs associated with portable water filters is hindering the market growth.

To learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges- Download our Sample Report right now!

Segmentation Analysis:

The portable water purifier market report is segmented by Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), Application (Outdoor adventure, Tourism and leisure, Military, Emergency rescue, and Others), Product (Extrusion water purifier, Pump water purifier, Suction water purifier, and UV pen purifier), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa).

The portable water purifier market share growth in the distribution section by the offline segment will be significant for revenue generation. The offline distribution channel includes physical or brick-and mortar-stores of vendors, distributors, and specialty stores. Specialty stores offer a pleasant shopping experience by offering products of a certain category of products related to that category. Moreover, to fuel the sales through offline channels, players are expanding their stores in local and regional markets. Retailers introduce new businesses and retail strategies, such as competitive pricing and wide assortments, to survive the intense competition and draw customers to offline shopping. Thus, the surge in retail channels across regions drives awareness of the different types of portable water purifiers among end-users. It is expected to increase the global sales of portable water purifiers during the forecast period.

Download our sample report for additional insights into the contribution of all the segments

Some Companies Mentioned

The portable water purifier market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as technology, CAPEX, and R and D to compete in the market.

3M Corp.

Corp.

A. O. Smith Corp.



Aquamira Technologies Inc.



Berkey Filters



Berkshire Hathaway Inc.



Cascade Designs Inc.



Clearbrook



Helen of Troy Ltd.



Katadyn Products Inc.



KENT RO Systems Ltd.



LIFESTRAW SARL



Pall Corp.



Pentair Plc



Sawyer Products Inc.



Shapoorji Pallonji And Co. Pvt. Ltd.



Sofina SA



Survivor Filter



Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.



The Procter and Gamble Co.



WATERisLIFE

To gain access to more vendor profiles with their key offerings available with Technavio, Click Here

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Portable Water Purifier Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2021 Forecast period 2022-2026 Growth momentum & CAGR Decelerate at a CAGR of 10.1% Market growth 2022-2026 USD 149.39 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 12.36 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 34% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Germany, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled 3M Corp., A. O. Smith Corp., Aquamira Technologies Inc., Berkey Filters, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Cascade Designs Inc., Clearbrook, Helen of Troy Ltd., Katadyn Products Inc., KENT RO Systems Ltd., LIFESTRAW SARL, Pall Corp., Pentair Plc, Sawyer Products Inc., Shapoorji Pallonji And Co. Pvt. Ltd., Sofina SA, Survivor Filter, Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd., The Procter and Gamble Co., and WATERisLIFE Market Dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and future consumer dynamics, market condition analysis for forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

1.1 Market overview

Exhibit 01: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Overview



Exhibit 02: Executive Summary  Data Table on Market Overview



Exhibit 03: Executive Summary  Chart on Global Market Characteristics



Exhibit 04: Executive Summary  Chart on Market by Geography



Exhibit 05: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 06: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Application



Exhibit 07: Executive Summary  Chart on Market Segmentation by Product



Exhibit 08: Executive Summary  Chart on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 09: Executive Summary  Data Table on Incremental Growth



Exhibit 10: Executive Summary  Chart on Vendor Market Positioning

2 Market Landscape

2.1 Market ecosystem

Exhibit 11: Parent market



Exhibit 12: Market Characteristics

3 Market Sizing

3.1 Market definition

Exhibit 13: Offerings of vendors included in the market definition

3.2 Market segment analysis

Exhibit 14: Market segments

3.3 Market size 2021

3.4 Market outlook: Forecast for 2021-2026

Exhibit 15: Chart on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 16: Data Table on Global - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 17: Chart on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 18: Data Table on Global Market: Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

4 Five Forces Analysis

4.1 Five forces summary

Exhibit 19: Five forces analysis - Comparison between2021 and 2026

4.2 Bargaining power of buyers

Exhibit 20: Chart on Bargaining power of buyers  Impact of key factors 2021 and 2026

4.3 Bargaining power of suppliers

Exhibit 21: Bargaining power of suppliers  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.4 Threat of new entrants

Exhibit 22: Threat of new entrants  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.5 Threat of substitutes

Exhibit 23: Threat of substitutes  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.6 Threat of rivalry

Exhibit 24: Threat of rivalry  Impact of key factors in 2021 and 2026

4.7 Market condition

Exhibit 25: Chart on Market condition - Five forces 2021 and 2026

5 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 26: Chart on Distribution Channel - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 27: Data Table on Distribution Channel - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 28: Chart on Comparison by Distribution Channel



Exhibit 29: Data Table on Comparison by Distribution Channel

5.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 30: Chart on Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 31: Data Table on Offline - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 32: Chart on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 33: Data Table on Offline - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 34: Chart on Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 35: Data Table on Online - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 36: Chart on Online - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 37: Data Table on Online - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Distribution Channel

Exhibit 38: Market opportunity by Distribution Channel ($ million)

6 Market Segmentation by Application

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 39: Chart on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 40: Data Table on Application - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Application

Exhibit 41: Chart on Comparison by Application



Exhibit 42: Data Table on Comparison by Application

6.3 Outdoor adventure - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 43: Chart on Outdoor adventure - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 44: Data Table on Outdoor adventure - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 45: Chart on Outdoor adventure - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 46: Data Table on Outdoor adventure - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.4 Tourism and leisure - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 47: Chart on Tourism and leisure - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 48: Data Table on Tourism and leisure - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 49: Chart on Tourism and leisure - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 50: Data Table on Tourism and leisure - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.5 Military - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 51: Chart on Military - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 52: Data Table on Military - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 53: Chart on Military - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 54: Data Table on Military - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.6 Emergency rescue - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 55: Chart on Emergency rescue - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 56: Data Table on Emergency rescue - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 57: Chart on Emergency rescue - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 58: Data Table on Emergency rescue - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 59: Chart on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 60: Data Table on Others - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 61: Chart on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 62: Data Table on Others - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

6.8 Market opportunity by Application

Exhibit 63: Market opportunity by Application ($ million)

7 Market Segmentation by Product

7.1 Market segments

Exhibit 64: Chart on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 65: Data Table on Product - Market share 2021-2026 (%)

7.2 Comparison by Product

Exhibit 66: Chart on Comparison by Product



Exhibit 67: Data Table on Comparison by Product

7.3 Extrusion water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 68: Chart on Extrusion water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 69: Data Table on Extrusion water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 70: Chart on Extrusion water purifier - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 71: Data Table on Extrusion water purifier - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.4 Pump water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 72: Chart on Pump water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 73: Data Table on Pump water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 74: Chart on Pump water purifier - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 75: Data Table on Pump water purifier - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.5 Suction water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 76: Chart on Suction water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 77: Data Table on Suction water purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 78: Chart on Suction water purifier - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 79: Data Table on Suction water purifier - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.6 UV pen purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 80: Chart on UV pen purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 81: Data Table on UV pen purifier - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 82: Chart on UV pen purifier - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 83: Data Table on UV pen purifier - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

7.7 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 84: Market opportunity by Product ($ million)

8 Customer Landscape

8.1 Customer landscape overview

Exhibit 85: Analysis of price sensitivity, lifecycle, customer purchase basket, adoption rates, and purchase criteria

9 Geographic Landscape

9.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 86: Chart on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 87: Data Table on Market share by geography 2021-2026 (%)

9.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 88: Chart on Geographic comparison



Exhibit 89: Data Table on Geographic comparison

9.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 90: Chart on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 91: Data Table on North America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 92: Chart on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 93: Data Table on North America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.4 Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 94: Chart on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 95: Data Table on Europe - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 96: Chart on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 97: Data Table on Europe - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 98: Chart on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 99: Data Table on APAC - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 100: Chart on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 101: Data Table on APAC - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 102: Chart on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 103: Data Table on South America - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 104: Chart on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 105: Data Table on South America - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.7 Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 106: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 107: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

and - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 108: Chart on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

and - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 109: Data Table on Middle East and Africa - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.8 US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 110: Chart on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 111: Data Table on US - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 112: Chart on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 113: Data Table on US - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.9 UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

Exhibit 114: Chart on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 115: Data Table on UK - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)



Exhibit 116: Chart on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)



Exhibit 117: Data Table on UK - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.10 China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 118: Chart on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 119: Data Table on China - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 120: Chart on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 121: Data Table on China - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.11 Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 122: Chart on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 123: Data Table on Germany - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 124: Chart on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 125: Data Table on Germany - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.12 France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 Exhibit 126: Chart on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 127: Data Table on France - Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2021-2026 ($ million)

Exhibit 128: Chart on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

- Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

Exhibit 129: Data Table on France - Year-over-year growth 2021-2026 (%)

9.13 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 130: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

10.1 Market drivers

10.2 Market challenges

10.3 Impact of drivers and challenges

Exhibit 131: Impact of drivers and challenges in 2021 and 2026

10.4 Market trends

11 Vendor Landscape

11.1 Overview

11.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 132: Overview on Criticality of inputs and Factors of differentiation

11.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 133: Overview on factors of disruption

11.4 Industry risks

Exhibit 134: Impact of key risks on business

12 Vendor Analysis

12.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 135: Vendors covered

12.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 136: Matrix on vendor position and classification

12.3 Aquamira Technologies Inc.

Exhibit 137: Aquamira Technologies Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 138: Aquamira Technologies Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 139: Aquamira Technologies Inc. - Key offerings

12.4 Berkey Filters

Exhibit 140: Berkey Filters - Overview



Exhibit 141: Berkey Filters - Product / Service



Exhibit 142: Berkey Filters - Key offerings

12.5 Cascade Designs Inc.

Exhibit 143: Cascade Designs Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 144: Cascade Designs Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 145: Cascade Designs Inc. - Key offerings

12.6 Clearbrook

Exhibit 146: Clearbrook - Overview



Exhibit 147: Clearbrook - Product / Service



Exhibit 148: Clearbrook - Key offerings

12.7 Helen of Troy Ltd.

Exhibit 149: Helen of Troy Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 150: Helen of Troy Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 151: Helen of Troy Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 152: Helen of Troy Ltd. - Segment focus

12.8 Katadyn Products Inc.

Exhibit 153: Katadyn Products Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 154: Katadyn Products Inc. - Product / Service



Exhibit 155: Katadyn Products Inc. - Key offerings

12.9 LIFESTRAW SARL

Exhibit 156: LIFESTRAW SARL - Overview



Exhibit 157: LIFESTRAW SARL - Product / Service



Exhibit 158: LIFESTRAW SARL - Key offerings

12.10 Survivor Filter

Exhibit 159: Survivor Filter - Overview



Exhibit 160: Survivor Filter - Product / Service



Exhibit 161: Survivor Filter - Key offerings

12.11 The Procter and Gamble Co.

Exhibit 162: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Overview



Exhibit 163: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 164: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 165: The Procter and Gamble Co. - Segment focus

12.12 WATERisLIFE

Exhibit 166: WATERisLIFE - Overview



Exhibit 167: WATERisLIFE - Product / Service



Exhibit 168: WATERisLIFE - Key offerings

13 Appendix

13.1 Scope of the report

13.2 Inclusions and exclusions checklist

Exhibit 169: Inclusions checklist



Exhibit 170: Exclusions checklist

13.3 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 171: Currency conversion rates for US$

13.4 Research methodology

Exhibit 172: Research methodology



Exhibit 173: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 174: Information sources

13.5 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 175: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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SOURCE Technavio
SKAL World President Burcin Turkkan officially welcomed the executive board and international council members to their meetings and a final joint meeting between the board and Council. International Council president Julie Dabaly joined the Executive Board in their meetings and led the Council in three days of agenda-packed meetings where several local government officials attended to support the organization.

"As an organization, we are constantly searching for updating and optimizing ourselves for the benefit of our membership," said worldwide president Burcin Turkkan as they discussed the industry's challenges in post-pandemic times.

"Together we are stronger as One" is president Turkkan's theme for the year as she calls for all members and industry partners to work jointly towards the full recovery of the tourism industry.

Skal Day was also celebrated during the 3-day meetings, and a live message was delivered on two time zones by president Turkkan and her entire board together with the International Council. She also participated live via zoom-in celebrations and new membership inductions held in other parts of the world, sharing her message of unity.

Skal International strongly advocates for safe global tourism, focused on its benefits "happiness, good health, friendship, and long life." Since its inception in 1934, Skal International has been the leading organization of tourism professionals worldwide, promoting global tourism through friendship and uniting all travel and tourism industry sectors.

For more information, please visit www.skal.org.

Press release contact:

Annette Cardenas, Director

Public Relations, Communications and Social Media

Skal International

[email protected]

[email protected]

SOURCE Skal International
ORLANDO, Fla., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- VacationVIP, LLC, a subsidiary of Envie Holdings , LLC, recently announced the expansion of its call center operations in Orlando, FL; Bogota, Colombia; and Mexico City, Mexico; resulting in a tripling of its call center capacity.

VacationVIP delivers volume, quality prospects and tours to the vacation ownership industry via consumer focused, technology-driven timeshare tour booking and reservation services. Working collaboratively with its sister company, Seychelle Media, VacationVIP is the trusted provider of quality tours to many of the industry's most respected brands, both public companies and private companies. VacationVIP leverages the scope and depth of Seychelle Media's power player data relationships to access highly targeted tour prospects, yielding above-average sales efficiency measured as volume per tour (VPT) for VacationVIP's resort developer clients. VacationVIP, ranked No. 641 on 2021's Inc. 5000.

Brad McDonald, Chief Operating Officer, VacationVIP, stated, "Due to VacationVIP's partnership with its sister company, Seychelle Media, we are experiencing unprecedented call volumes and sales. In this post COVID-19 world, we have engineered the rapid expansion of all functional areas of our call center operations including sales, reservations, upgrades, and customer service. As a result, we recently doubled our number of team members in our Orlando call center to over sixty members, and doubled our team members in Mexico City to twenty agents. In addition, next month we are opening a call center in Bogota, Colombia, with an initial twenty team members in phase one of that operation."

McDonald continued, "We remain committed to delivering high quality and highly satisfied customers to our resort developer clients. We realize scaling brings with it a fair share of challenges, but we are fastidious in our focus when it comes to management-by-KPI's, including call waiting time, abandonment rate, conversion rates, net promoter scores, and service levels, to name but a few. Our focus on customer service and the generation of qualified prospects has a direct and positive correlation with the high volume per tour (VPT's) being experienced across our resort developer clients."

About VacationVIP, LLC.

Located in Orlando, Florida, and a subsidiary of Envie Holdings, vacation ownership's digital growth engine, VacationVIP delivers volume, quality prospects and tours to the vacation ownership industry via consumer focused, technology-driven timeshare tour booking and reservation services.

SOURCE VacationVIP, LLC
CHICAGO, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the new market research report "Variable Frequency Drive Market by Type (AC, DC, Servo), Application (Pumps, Fans, Compressors, Conveyors), End User (Industrial, Infrastructure, Oil & Gas, Power), Power Rating (Micro, Low, Medium, High), Voltage and Region - Global Forecast to 2027", published by MarketsandMarkets, the Variable Frequency Drive Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period, from an estimated USD 21.2 billion in 2022 to USD 26.8 billion in 2027. Variable frequency drives are increasingly being used in the industrial and infrastructure sectors. Major industries that use variable frequency drives are cement, chemical, petrochemical, mining, oil & gas, pulp & paper, and water & wastewater treatment. Variable frequency drives find applications in conveyors, fans, utility pumps, process pumps, fans, blowers, air compressors, process compressors, coolers, cooling tower fans, grinders, crushers, and chippers. These factors would drive the demand for variable frequency drive.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=878

The AC Drive segment, by type, is expected to be the most significant Variable Frequency Drive Market during the forecast period

The Variable Frequency Drive Market for the AC drive segment is estimated to account for the highest share of the overall market in 2021. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the growing use of AC drives in variable torque applications in various industries, such as oil & gas, water & wastewater, and mining, as they require less maintenance.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Variable Frequency Drive Market"

182  Tables

60  Figures

253  Pages

View Detailed Table of Content Here: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/variable-frequency-drive-market-878.html

The low voltage segment is anticipated to be the fastest-growing Variable Frequency Drive Market by voltage type, during the forecast period

The Variable Frequency Drive Market for the low voltage segment is expected to dominate the overall market during the review period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the increasing demand for low voltage variable frequency drives in various process industries, such as pulp & paper, power generation, water & wastewater treatment, and oil & gas.

Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the global Variable Frequency Drive Market during the forecast period

In this report, the Variable Frequency Drive Market has been analyzed for 6 regions, namely Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and South America. Asia Pacific is expected to lead the market during the forecast period.

The Variable Frequency Drive Market in Asia Pacific is witnessing significant developments in the in the power generation and manufacturing sector due to industrialization, which has supported the demand for variable frequency drives across countries of the region. The industrial sector in China contributes more than 50% of its GDP, and the growth of this sector has tremendously increased power production and consumption in the country. These factors have made China one of the most lucrative markets for the power industry. Moreover, the chemicals and petrochemical sectors are also well-established in the region and are expected to contribute to the growth of the Variable Frequency Drive Market.

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To enable an in-depth understanding of the competitive landscape, the report includes the profiles of some of the top players in the Variable Frequency Drive Market. These include ABB (Switzerland), Siemens (Germany), Schneider Electric (France), Danfoss (Denmark), and Rockwell Automation (US). The leading players are trying to establish themselves in the markets of developed countries and are adopting various strategies to increase their respective market shares.

Browse Adjacent Markets: Energy and Power Market Research Reports & Consulting

Browse Related Reports:

Marine VFD Market by Type (AC Drive, DC Drive), Voltage (Low Voltage, Medium Voltage), Application (Pump, Fan, Compressor, Propeller (With Shaft Generator, Without Shaft Generator), Crane & Hoist), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026

Europe VFDs Market by Application (Pump, Fan, Compressor, Conveyor, Extruder), Power Rating (00.5, 0.520, 2050, 50200, >200kW), Voltage (Low and Medium) And Countries (Germany, Russia, UK, France, Italy, Spain) - Global Forecast to 2024

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.

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The modular construction industry's largest and longest-running event drew professionals from around the world.

The event featured more than 50 breakout sessions focused on a range of topics such as manufacturing efficiencies; emergency preparedness; engineering and design of modular buildings; legal, insurance, and regulatory issues; case studies; and business development topics. A digital experience was also offered for those who could not travel.

"It's been spectacular," says Mike Wilmot, president and founder of Wilmot Modular and newly-elected chair of MBI's board of directors. "We've seen so many industry experts. The industry is changing greatly and I believe that we're going to be able to do wonderful things. Great, great convention and wonderful people!"

"World of Modular has been great, says Krzysztof Droszcz, founder and owner of Poland-based iQ Module. "The perfect place to be. We've refreshed a lot of friendships and started professional relationships with some new companies as well. We have achieved exactly what we have come for. It's been great."

In addition to the breakout sessions, three keynote addresses were given featuring economic trends expert and industry-favorite Anirban Basu, nationally-recognized branding and workforce trends expert Karen McCullough, and Matt Smith, business development director at Factory_OS.

The World of Modular exhibit hall, one of the event's central attractions, was busier than ever.

"The exhibit hall was an amazing experience," says Krista Short, director of marketing for Falcon Structures. "It was a packed hall, well attended. I think anyone who was exhibiting there got to talk to a plethora of people that are going to benefit their business."

MBI recognized Andy Berube, vice president of Stack Modular, as Volunteer of the Year for his long-standing commitment to the industry and his reliable service as part of MBI's public relations committee.

Mike Rhodes, founder of Silver Creek Industries, was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award which recognizes an individual's commitment to MBI and the commercial modular building industry.

MBI also inducted Ralph Tavares, founder of R&S Tavares Associates, into its Hall of Fame for his decades of service to the modular construction industry.

The Awards of Distinction contest highlighted over 140 modular projects with winning entries from the U.S., Canada, China, Brazil, Chile, Poland, and Australia.

Plans are already underway for next year's World of Modular conference to be held at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, from March 29 through April 1, 2023. The 2023 event will also celebrate MBI's 40th anniversary.

"The 2023 World of Modular is going to be like nothing else," says MBI marketing director John McMullen. "I can't wait."

About the Modular Building Institute

The Modular Building Institute (MBI) is the international non-profit trade association serving the commercial modular construction industry for over thirty-five years. As the Voice of Commercial Modular Construction, MBI promotes the advantages of modular construction while advocating for the removal of barriers that limit growth opportunities. Through its long-standing relationships with member companies, policy makers, developers, architects, and contractors, MBI is the trusted source of information for the commercial modular construction industry. For more information on MBI and World of Modular, please visit its website: http://modular.org/

Media Contact:

John McMullen

[email protected]

SOURCE Modular Building Institute
DENTON, Texas, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- America's 50 states excel in education, with each state boasting top colleges & universities. But too often, the focus is on national rankings. This leaves out many excellent schools that would otherwise appeal to students seeking the benefits of an in-state higher education.

Discover the very best colleges & universities in America's 50 states, D.C, and Puerto Rico in AcademicInfluence.com's comprehensive rankings for 2022 (Image credit: US States Flags by FotografiaBasica, Canva Pro License)

For this reason, AcademicInfluence.com updates its series "The Best Colleges & Universities in the USA" for 2022 with the leading schools in each state as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This revision includes the latest rankings, covering multiple categories of higher education institutions in each state:

Best Colleges & Universities in Each State for 2022

Students can access a number of category rankings for in-state colleges & universities, including:

Affordable Colleges (below national average of $16k /yr)

/yr) Christian Colleges & Universities

Community Colleges

Graduate Schools

Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities

Online Colleges

Private Colleges & Universities

Public Colleges & Universities

Research Universities

Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)

At the link above, students can use the search function to browse exclusive rankings for every state.

Why do students continue to look in-state for the best colleges & universities? For many, attending an in-state school continues to provide tuition benefits. The cost advantages they receive from attending a school in their state may be the deciding factor in pursuing a college degree. The convenience of a school within driving distance also factors into costs by providing locals with commuting as an alternative to expensive on-campus housing. And college can be a stressful time for many students, so staying in-state allows them to be closer to family, friends, and familiar, comforting places.

"Students today want more value from their college choices, which is why choosing an in-state education continues to be attractive. Rising costs are a staple of daily news stories. We want to shift the focus off expensive out-of-state schools and onto the best in-state schools each state has to offer its students," says Dr. Jed Macosko, academic director of AcademicInfluence.com and professor of physics at Wake Forest University.

In addition to comprehensive state rankings, AcademicInfluence.com also provides students with updated U.S. and World rankings for colleges & universities:

The 50 Best Universities in the United States for 2022

The 100 Best Colleges in the World for 2022

For even greater customization, students can filter results to meet 24 personalized criteria through the Custom College Rankings at the AcademicInfluence.com site .

Rankings from AcademicInfluence.com outperform those from other ranking sites because of the proprietary InfluenceRanking Engineinnovative machine-learning technology that measures a school's influence through its students, faculty, staff, and alumni. By analyzing massive data sources such as Wikipedia, Crossref, and Semantic Scholar, the InfluenceRanking Engine creates a map of academic influence that provides students with reliable ranking results. See the AcademicInfluence.com About page for further details on the unique capabilities and advantages of this advanced technology.

"At a time when college rankings are under increasing scrutiny, AcademicInfluence.com stands behind our tech-driven rankings. Unlike some ranking sites, we're not dependent on older, more subjective, and more game-able processes. We've pioneered better rankings for a better education," says Macosko. "Not only will students find our rankings superior, but they'll also benefit from our many helpful guides and our college selection tools. This collection of best-in-class resources is why students from around the world come to AcademicInfluence.com to find answers to their college-search questions."

AcademicInfluence.com is the preeminent, technology-driven, academic rankings site dedicated to students, researchers, and inquirers from high school through college and beyond. AcademicInfluence.com is a part of the EducationAccess group, a family of sites dedicated to lifelong learning and personal growth.

Image credit: US States Flags by FotografiaBasica, Canva Pro License

Contact:

Jed Macosko, Ph.D.

Academic Director

AcademicInfluence.com

[email protected]

(502) 517-7040

SOURCE AcademicInfluence.com
Advanced Battery Concepts receives the 2022 BCI Innovation Award for their Home Emergency Energy Storage System Tweet this

Dr, Edward Shaffer II is founder and CEO of the company located in Clare, Michigan. It was Dr. Shaffer and his ABC team that, created solutions to the complicated bipolar battery that was discovered in the 1930's and led a 'technology quest' that drained millions-of-dollars in search of successful commercial manufacturing. This stellar outcome led to the introduction of Advanced Battery Concepts' GreenSeal batteries embodying vast innovative technologies enabling better performing, lower cost energy storage solutions. ABC's batteries provide a high value that address the power reliability and resiliency deficit in Michigan and across the nation.

"This Innovation Award marks a milestone in our company's progress in creating, or at least enhancing, technologies to store and reuse electricity in ways that are socially, economically and environmentally superior to everything that has preceded them. This is what all the members of the Battery Council International strive to do. I am proud that ABC is a member", said Dr. Edward Shaffer.

Titled: "Advanced Battery Concepts Home Emergency Energy Storage System" and subtitled: "Responsibly Commercialized Innovation", the company's application sought to solve a specific problem: Michigan's ranking in the U.S. Top Five States for power outages and outage duration.

A recent study conducted by the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business MAP (Multidisciplinary Action Projects) Team framed the problem: "Homeowners are seeking a safe, silent, affordable and touch-free backup emergency power solution with a small environmental impact footprint".

In September, 2021, ABC introduced its Home Emergency Energy System (HEES) to conform to the parameters and constraints outlined in the University of Michigan study.

GreenSeal technology and the resulting GreenSeal batteries have been refined, advanced and commercialized including the perfection of unique and innovative core manufacturing processes and equipment to introduce the most efficient lead battery today. When coupled with an industry-leading power conversion system integrated into a homeowner friendly package, the innovative content inside the HEES system provides affordable unfailing security against power loss from weather, aging infrastructure, excessive consumer demand or lack of sufficient supply. Launched for Beta testing within Michigan, initially, the HEES introduction carries an industry standard warranty.

The HEES system relies on critical technology built into the GreenSeal bipolar battery which holds 18kWh of energy available to be delivered at up to 6.8kW continuous power for home energy supply in the absence of stable continuous grid power. Available energy can be expanded by adding additional storage enclosures up to 36kWh of total energy available.

The HEES system is attractive and functional in addition to providing seamless power transition in the event of a grid power disruption. No noise, no fumes, no maintenance and no on-going consumable costs make the Home Emergency Energy Storage system from Advanced Battery Concepts a consumer-friendly reliable power backup. Taking up minimal floor space and fitting in almost any available area in the home, the HEES system can be placed in the garage, attic, basement, utility room or even in a living space.

ABC is leading the way into the stationary, long duration energy storage markets with proprietary, safe, low cost and responsible energy storage systems leveraging the benefits of bi-polar battery technology. The HEES system is a first step in a multi-year product rollout by ABC that responds to the growing demand for economically viable energy storage solutions as fossil fuels give way to alternative sources of energy most notably renewable wind and solar.

The HEES system with its proprietary GreenSeal batteries as the energy storage component truly represents one of the most innovative energy storage systems available and worthy of the honor bestowed on Advanced Battery Concepts by the Battery Council International (BCI).

About Advanced Battery Concepts

As a global leader in bi-polar battery invention and manufacturing, the company has developed an extensive portfolio of patents and trade secrets, benefitting its licensees and other customers, termed GreenSeal Technology. This technology delivers improved battery performance at lower production costs for traditional lead batteries while also enabling application to other advanced chemistries.

https://advancedbatteryconcepts.com

SOURCE Advanced Battery Concepts
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Jewish American Heritage month in the United States, and Israeli Independence Day, Yom Ha'atzmaut, American Jewish Committee (AJC) has designated May as #JewishandProud Month.

"Amid rising antisemitism and a wave of deadly terror attacks on Israel, we're calling on all Jews and all allies to celebrate Jewish identity and unite against all forms of Jew-hatred," said Belle Etra Yoeli, AJC Chief Advocacy Officer.

AJC, the leading global Jewish advocacy organization, first introduced #JewishandProud at the "No Hate, No Fear" Rally in New York City, in January 2020, where over 25,000 Jews and allies marched together against antisemitism. The hashtag went viral on social media, with Jews, allies of all backgrounds, and civil society leaders, expressing their Jewish pride or showing support for the Jewish community.

Throughout the month of May, AJC is encouraging Jews and all people of goodwill to exhibit their pride by:

Wearing and proudly displaying Judaica, like a kippah or Star of David, when in public.

Downloading and taking a picture with the #JewishandProud sign, and posting a photo of it on social media and using the hashtag #JewishandProud!

Sharing one's own #JewishandProud story. A collection of testimonials from Jews around the world will be shared on AJC's social media accounts and website.

Joining AJC in urging the White House to convene a taskforce to develop a national action plan to fight antisemitism. Sign the petition here.

Allies of the Jewish community are encouraged to participate by downloading a #JewishandProud Ally sign and posting a selfie with it on social media with the hashtag #JewishandProud.

Learn more at AJC.org/JewishandProudMonth.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Skin Association has announced the names of the two awardees receiving the coveted research grant under the ASA Milstein Research Scholar Awards program. This year Angel Byrd, MD, PhD of the Howard University College of Medicine, and Jennifer Gill, MD, PhD of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center were selected to receive the ASA Milstein Research Scholar Award for Melanoma/Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Grants.

Another sought-after grant includes the ASA Daneen & Charles Stiefel Investigative Scientist Award in Melanoma Research. Nicholas Gulati, MD, PhD of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai was selected to receive the award. Over the years, the Stiefel Familylongtime supporters of ASAhas generously contributed $600,000 to support grants for melanoma research. This funding aims to support emerging leaders in dermatology, who are focused on understanding melanoma better, in hopes of finding a cure.

In addition, 5 other research grantsmade possible through the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporationswere also announced.

For thirty-five years, in advancement of its vital mission to serve the more than 100 million Americans afflicted with skin disorders, ASA and its affiliates have funded over $50 million in grants. ASA's primary goal is to enhance treatments and continue working towards cures for melanoma, vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other skin diseases.

"These grants in support of cutting-edge dermatological research are crucial in furthering ASA's goal of defeating skin cancers like melanoma. Although the skin is our largest and perhaps most exposed organ, dermatological research remains one of the most underfunded areas of medicine. ASA's support will improve the chances of finding the long sought-after cure and bringing hope to the millions suffering from devastating skin cancer and other skin diseases," said ASA Chairman, Howard P. Milstein.

ASA's grant program is run by its Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), comprised of leading scientists and physicians who volunteer their time to oversee the annual grant process. Through their leadership, ASA's grant program has supported the work of over 300 investigators, ranging from talented researchers in the early phases of their careers to recognized leaders in the field of dermatology.

"ASA's Medical Advisory Committee is excited to announce the 2022 awards. This year's awardees indicate the growing power of research in basic, translational, and clinical Dermatology. Never before have advances in basic research so quickly led to new treatment approaches. New treatments for vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, melanoma, and other types of skin cancer are just around the corner, fueled by important funding contributions by the ASA," said ASA President and MAC Co-Chair, Dr. David A. Norris.

ASA provides significant research awards to established investigators and medical students studying melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, and other skin diseases. Through these grants, ASA has promoted the early careers of many gifted young investigators and has had a profound influence both on dermatology research and clinical care of dermatologic disease. Over the years, ASA-funded researchers have had an extensive impact on the understanding of melanoma by improving our insight into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. With an exclusive focus on skin disease research, ASA has helped open new frontiers in skin science by producing results that will change how we understand and treat these diseases.

The following are the recipients of the 2022 Investigative Scientist Award, Research Scholar Awards, Research Grants, and Medical Student Grants:

2022 ASA Daneen & Charles Stiefel Investigative Scientist Award for Melanoma Research

Nicholas Gulati, MD, PhD

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Project Title : Use of Topical Diphencyprone to Improve Efficacy of Checkpoint Inhibition in Melanoma Patients.

2022 ASA Milstein Research Scholar Award for Melanoma/Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Angel Byrd, MD, PhD

Howard University College of Medicine

Project Title : Examining Gene Expression in Mycosis Fungoides in Skin of Color.

2022 ASA Milstein Research Scholar Award for Melanoma/Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Jennifer Gill, MD, PhD

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Project Title : Characterizing the Role of GAPDHS As a Metastatic Suppressor in Human Melanoma.

2022 ASA Calder Research Scholar Award in Vitiligo/Pigment Cell Disorders

Jessica Shiu, MD, PhD

University of California Irvine

Project Title : Investigating the Role of Keratinocyte-derived Signaling Networks in Vitiligo Initiation.

2022 ASA Mulvaney Family Foundation Research Grant in Vitiligo/Pigment Cell Disorders

Ahmad Aleisa, MD, FAAD

Medical University of South Carolina

Project Title : Daily Topical Rapamycin (Sirolimus)Therapy for the Treatment of Vitiligo.

2022 ASA Castle Biosciences Research Grant for Melanoma

Goran Micevic, MD, PhD

Yale School of Medicine

Project Title : Epigenetic Regulation of Slamf6 as a Therapeutic Strategy in Melanoma Immunotherapy.

2022 ASA Medical Student Grant Targeting Melanoma and Skin Cancer

Ms. Anngela Adams

University of Arizona College of Medicine  Phoenix

Project Title : Novel Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Model to Investigate Tumor-specific T Cell Responses.

2022 ASA Medical Student Grant Targeting Melanoma and Skin Cancer

Ms. Victoria Mroz

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Project Title: Role of ETS Transcription Factors in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Heterogeneity.

ABOUT AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION

A unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians, and scientists, ASA has evolved over thirty-five years as a leading force in efforts to defeat melanoma, vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other skin diseases. Established to serve the now more than 100 million Americans  one-third of the U.S. population  afflicted with skin disorders, the organization's mission remains to: advance research, champion skin health, particularly among children, and drive public awareness about skin disease. ASA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, visit americanskin.org.

American Skin Association has earned Candid's Seal of Platinum Transparency.

SOURCE American Skin Association
Michael Hogeland, co-founder WOAH, stated, "We have a passion for sustainable horticulture, and as one of the first licensed hemp cultivators in the state of Florida and a Fresh from Florida certified nursery, our intentions are to make it possible for the ordinary person to experience the healing and life changing effects of our wild, organic, ancient knowledge and plant based products in the same way it has for our friends and family. We are striving to reshape Florida's mindset on hemp, bringing positive benefits throughout this sunshine state and are filled with excitement to join forces with APRU!"

Nathan Brazeau, co-founder WOAH, commented, "I have an unquenchable passion for permanent agriculture using proven methods for overall crop quality and yield. We strive to find the balance between sustainability and reality. Teaming up with APRU is an exciting step for us all over here on the Nature Coast! The potential to maneuver into the recreational cannabis space with Tony and the APRU distribution facility allows us to expand beyond just Florida in the future. Let's grow together!"

Growing sustainable hemp that revitalizes soils and puts balanced nutrition into the ground provides APRU a unique opportunity to help the earth. "APRU, with a complete team of professional farmers growing hemp, will deliver excellent growth opportunities for us in the future. Sign up for updates at http://aprubrands.com/contact/ and enter to win sample products from APRU. Only forms with complete, accurate information will be entered. We will be announcing several new products and packaging soon, utilizing our own raw materials," continued Tony.

About The Apple Rush Company, Inc.

The Apple Rush Company, Inc., through its subsidiary APRU, LLC, is a distributor of CPG products under the trademarked Apple Rush brand, Element Brands and other labels. The Apple Rush brand has almost 49 years of existence in the natural beverage industry. As a historical leader in the organic and natural beverage sector our goal is to now become a leader in the distribution of anhydrous hemp oil products nationwide. For more information, please go to www.applerush.com , www.aprubrands.com, https://woahnursery.com, and www.element-brands.com with our expanded product portfolio.

Safe Harbor Act: Forward-Looking Statements are included within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategy, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations including words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and similar expressions are forward-looking statements and involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations Contact:

Tony Torgerud 888-741-3777

SOURCE Apple Rush Co., Inc.
BASEL, Switzerland, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascensia Diabetes Care, a global diabetes care company, maker of CONTOUR blood glucose monitoring (BGM) system portfolio and distributor of the Eversense continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system, announces a new study demonstrating that people who use the connected CONTOUR BGM systems (BGMS) and CONTOURDIABETES App (CDA) for at least six months can see a reduced frequency of hypoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic blood glucose readings (BGRs). BGRs in these out-of-target ranges can lead to serious health complications, suggesting a key benefit of using Ascensia's connected CONTOUR BGMS and CDA together (the CDA system). Real-world data from this study were presented at the International Conference on Advanced Technologies & Treatments for Diabetes (ATTD) 2022.

The study, which assessed data from 7,047 CDA system users in Australia, demonstrated a reduction in frequency of BGRs within both hypoglycaemic (low) and hyperglycaemic (high) ranges. After six months, the estimated frequency of BGRs in high and very high ranges in people using the CDA system fell by more than 6.5-times and 5.6-times, respectively, compared to baseline. This decrease was more prominent among users who reported the use of oral antidiabetic medications, at 7.37-times less than baseline. The decrease of BGRs in the low range was modest at 1.2-times in the entire assessed population, and at 1.38-times in CDA system users who were treated with insulin and are more prone to hypoglycaemic events. These data suggest improved glycaemic control when using the CDA system for at least six months and, more generally, a key benefit in using connected BGMS, including apps, to support the management of diabetes.

The majority of CDA system users in the assessed group were people with type 2 diabetes (66.9%), for whom improvement of glycaemic control is associated with the reduced progression of diabetes-related complications[1]. As diabetes apps continue to permeate clinical care, these findings offer the potential to explore how connected BGMS with visibility and accessibility of blood glucose readings can support self-management for people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Frank Held, Head BGM Marketing and Strategy at Ascensia Diabetes Care, said: "We're pleased to see results from the study showcasing that our CDA system is helping people with diabetes to manage their condition. While many diabetes apps support people with diabetes in managing their condition, they don't all provide alerts or guidance for hypoglycaemic or hyperglycaemic events, like the CONTOURDIABETES App does. Failure to properly address these events can result in serious health complications, so it is crucial that monitoring systems and connected apps facilitate the detection of high and low blood glucose levels."

Before this study, there were limited data assessing the impact of diabetes apps in Australia, particularly in a 'real world' setting. In addition, while evidence suggests that there are hundreds of diabetes apps that support people with diabetes in managing their blood glucose, only a third of these apps have alerts or guidance for hypoglycaemic and or hyperglycaemic events[2]. If these events are not addressed, they can become severe and lead to serious complications[3], so it is of utmost importance that monitoring tools help people with diabetes to manage these events.

The poster featuring this research, titled 'Assessment of Blood Glucose Readings of People with Diabetes in Australia who were using the connected CONTOURBGMS and CONTOURDIABETES App,' was presented from a study led by Wendy Mak PhD, Scott Pardo PhD, PStat, and Rimma Shaginian, MD, MPH. ATTD 2022 took place in Barcelona, Spain from April 27-30, 2022.

1. Stratton, IM, et al. Association of glycaemia with macrovascular and microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes (UKPD 35); prospective observational study. BMJ 2000; 321: 205-412.

2. Lum E, Jimenez G, Huang Z et al (2019) Decision support and alerts of apps for self-management of blood glucose for type 2 diabetes. JAMA 321(15):1530 15301532. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.1644.

3. Mayo Clinic. 2022. Hyperglycemia in diabetes - Symptoms and causes. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperglycemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20373631 [Accessed April 2022].

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/749389/Ascensia_Diabetes_Care_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Ascensia Diabetes Care
Bringing more than three decades of experience in the information technology field, Mr. Holman has led the IT strategy, development and operations for public and private companies in the consulting, telecommunications and financial services industries.

During his notable career, Mr. Holman has gained industry recognition as a leading authority in information technology. Those achievements include the Austin chapter of the Society for Information Management naming him as the public sector IT executive of the year in 2017.

Additionally, industry publications Computerworld and InformationWeek magazines recognized Mr. Holman for his contributions to the IT industry. He also co-authored a book on data visualization and analysis software.

Prior to joining BBG, Mr. Holman served as Chief Information and Infrastructure Officer at St. David's Foundation in Austin.

Mr. Holman received a masters' degree in information security and assurance from Western Governor's University and a bachelors' degree in mechanical engineering from Southern Methodist University. He also holds a number of industry security certifications.

BBG CEO Chris Roach, MAI, CCIM, commented on Mr. Holman's appointment: "BBG has always embraced technology as a key differentiator to gain a competitive advantage. To that end, BBG has a strong track record of utilizing advanced technology and hiring highly accomplished IT experts to help create the best client outcomes possible as well as achieve our goals for strategic growth. We are extremely fortunate to have someone as talented and well-respected as Blake who will play a pivotal role in taking our technology leadership to the next level."

Mr. Holman commented on his new position: "I am thrilled to be part of the BBG team. BBG's deep commitment to employing cutting-edge latest technology has given the firm a significant edge in this rapidly changing business environment. I look forward to leveraging my IT experience to contribute toward BBG's continued success as a market-leading, independent due diligence firm.

About BBG

BBG offers comprehensive due diligence services including valuation, advisory, assessment, desktop evaluation, energy services, cost segregation, zoning, and ALTA surveys. Headquartered in Dallas, the firm has 48 offices in key US markets and serves more than 2,800 clients. As one of the Big Five national commercial real estate valuation firms, BBG has achieved a reputation for personal attention, on-time delivery and deep expertise in multi-family, office, retail and industrial sectors. For more information about BBG, please visit www.bbgres.com.

Media Contact

Marc Weinstein

Ascent Communications

[email protected]

(908) 967-9958

SOURCE BBG
VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global blue hydrogen market size reached USD 1.02 Billion in 2021 and is expected to register a significantly steady revenue CAGR during the forecast period, according to latest analysis by Emergen Research. Rising investment in research & development of cleaner energy alternatives and increasing government initiatives to shift towards clean energy sources are some major factors expected to drive market revenue growth during the forecast period.

Drivers:

Rising investment in research & development of cleaner energy alternatives is an important factor expected to increase demand for blue hydrogen. Rapid increase in pollution due to burning of fossil fuels and other human activities has deteriorated the quality of air and led to rapid rise in global temperature. Governments of developed countries are making significant investments in developing environment-friendly alternative power generation sources, along with substantial financial contributions to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The Green Climate Fund is the world's largest climate fund, mandated to guide and support developing countries to increase and realize their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) objectives in the direction of low-emissions and weather-resilient pathways. This is expected to make significant contribution to revenue growth of the global market.

Request Free Sample Copy (To Understand the Complete Structure of this Report [Summary + TOC]) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-sample/347

Additionally, increasing government initiatives to shift towards clean energy sources is driving revenue growth of the global blue hydrogen market. Growing awareness about climate change, increasing global warming, and decrease in agricultural productivity are leading to increase in government initiatives to promote clean and sustainable energy sources, which is expected to have a major impact on the global blue hydrogen market.

Restraints:

Presence of the greenhouse gas methane in natural gas is a significant factor hindering market revenue growth, as leakage of methane during the production of blue hydrogen is contributing to global warming. In addition, combustion of natural gas to produce large amounts of energy required for manufacturing blue hydrogen causes carbon dioxide emissions, which is also restricting revenue growth of the global blue hydrogen market.

Growth Projections:

The global blue hydrogen market is expected to register a CAGR of 14.8% over the forecast period, and market revenue is expected to increase from USD 1.02 billion in 2021 to USD 3.43 billion in 2030. Rising investment in research & development of cleaner energy alternatives and government initiatives to promote clean energy sources are expected to drive market revenue growth.

Browse Full Report Description + Research Methodology + Table of Content + [email protected] https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/blue-hydrogen-market

COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to downsizing of various businesses, thereby significantly limiting revenue growth of the global blue hydrogen market. Resources required for production of blue hydrogen were directed towards supporting health institutions and other initiatives to contain spread of the pandemic. The complete lockdown imposed to contain spread of the virus led to shutting down of various plants and manufacturing facilities, which negatively impacted productivity. However, after the withdrawal of lockdowns and resumption of economic activities, the market is expected to recover and register a signfcantly faster revenue growth rate over the forecast perod.

Current Trends and Innovations:

Rising awareness about clean energy is one of the major factors driving demand for blue hydrogen. Rising demand for vehicles is causing rapid increase in air pollution and consequently, numerous health problems and a deterioration of quality of life. In addition, it is leading to rise in global atmospheric temperature, due to release of greenhouse gases formed as by-products in the combustion of fossil fuels. This is increasing awareness and global activism for cleaner and sustainable energy sources, which is expected to contribute significantly to research & development of blue hydrogen as an alternative source of fuel, and thereby support revenue growth of the market.

Geographical Outlook:

The Asia-Pacific market is expected to register a significantly steady growth rate during the forecast period. Rapid Increase in population in countries in the region is leading to significant rise in pollution and subsequently, various government initiatives for pollution control. Japan, for instance, is a world leader in funding research on hydrogen technology, and the total federal budget support for hydrogen in 2021 was approximately USD 650.0 million. The Japanese government will build a commercial hydrogen fuel supply chain and use hydrogen in solid fuel cell and fuel cell vehicles, and in power generation, as part of the basic hydrogen strategy announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in 2017.

Emergen Research is Offering Limited Time Discount (Grab a Copy at Discounted Price Now) @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-discount/347

Similarly, the Government of China aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. According to the New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan (2021  35) released by China's State Council, China is currently focusing on expanding the utilization of hydrogen as a fuel in heavy transportation and developing infrastructure to support such expansion. These factors are expected to drive revenue growth of the Asia-Pacific market.

Strategic Initiatives:

Some major companies included in the market report are Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Linde plc, Air Products Inc., Cummins Inc., Siemens Energy (Siemens AG), Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corp., Equinor ASA, CertifHy Canada Inc., Xebec Adsorption Inc., and Uniper SE.

In September 2019 , Cummins Inc. closed its acquisition of fuel cell and hydrogen production technologies provider Hydrogenics Corporation. The acquisition will enable Cummins to acquire expertise and an innovative approach, and is expected to strengthen its fuel cell capabilities. It is further expected to accelerate Cummins' ability to further innovate and scale hydrogen fuel cell technologies across a range of commercial markets.

For this study, Emergen Research has segmented the global blue hydrogen market on the basis of technology, end-use, and region:

Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, Volume, Metric Ton; 20192030)

Steam Methane Reforming (SMR)



Autothermal Reforming (ATR)



Gas Partial Oxidation

End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, Volume, Metric Ton; 20192030)

Power Generation



Chemical Industries



Petroleum Refinery



Others

Custom Requirements can be requested for this Report [Customization Available] @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/request-for-customization/347

Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, Volume, Metric Ton; 20192030)

North America



U.S.





Canada





Mexico



Europe



Germany





France





U.K.





Italy





Spain





BENELUX





Rest of Europe



Asia-Pacific



China





India





Japan





South Korea





Rest of APAC



Latin America



Brazil





Rest of LATAM



Middle East & Africa

&

Saudi Arabia





UAE





South Africa





Turkey





Rest of MEA

Read Latest Blog Articles Published by Emergen Research:

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Multiple Sclerosis Drugs Market  Driven by Increasing Research on Discovering Novel MS Therapeutic Targets and Advancements in Clinical Development of MS Therapeutic Agents

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About Emergen Research

Emergen Research is a market research and consulting company that provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. Our solutions purely focus on your purpose to locate, target, and analyze consumer behavior shifts across demographics, across industries, and help clients make smarter business decisions. We offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across multiple industries, including Healthcare, Touch Points, Chemicals, Types, and Energy. We consistently update our research offerings to ensure our clients are aware of the latest trend's existent in the market. Emergen Research has a strong base of experienced analysts from varied areas of expertise. Our industry experience and ability to develop a concrete solution to any research problems provides our clients with the ability to secure an edge over their respective competitors.

Contact Us:

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Corporate Sales Specialist

Emergen Research | Web: www.emergenresearch.com

Direct Line: +1 (604) 757-9756

E-mail: [email protected]

Emergen Research Media Citations: https://www.emergenresearch.com/media-citations

Visit for More Insights: https://www.emergenresearch.com/insights

Explore Our Custom Intelligence services | Growth Consulting Services

Press Release Available @ https://www.emergenresearch.com/press-release/global-blue-hydrogen-market

SOURCE Emergen Research
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bureau Veritas, a world leader in testing, inspection and certification (TIC) services, today announced the opening of its third US microbiology laboratory located in Reno, Nevada. The new laboratory offers rapid pathogen testing as well as microbiology indicator analyses to ensure the safety of food and agriculture commodities.

The facility is an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory, ensuring the laboratory is technically proficient and that the data it produces is both accurate and precise. Bureau Veritas' Reno laboratory is a part of its broader network of agri-food accredited microbiology and chemistry laboratories in North America. These laboratory activities support the agri-food market in combination with other services such as agriculture commodities inspection, grading and testing, as well as its suite of GFSI certification and training services.

"Our newest food laboratory in Reno, Nevada continues our expansion in the US and supports our commitment to servicing our customers consistently across North America," said Waylon Sharp, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Food and Agri North America, Bureau Veritas. "We remain committed to expanding our geographic scope and offering unique services to the agri-food market to support their demand for reliable food product verification".

Whether customers are involved in catering, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, processing, or producingBureau Veritas' testing and certification services support regulatory compliance, safety, and quality across the full food chain, shaping a world of trust for communities. Learn more about Bureau Veritas' Food and Agri services at: https://www.bvna.com/food-agriculture.

About Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has close to 80,000 employees located in nearly 1,600 offices and laboratories around the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its 400,000 clients improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.

Bureau Veritas is listed on Euronext Paris and belongs to the CAC 40 ESG, CAC Next 20 and SBF 120 indices.

Compartment A, ISIN code FR 0006174348, stock symbol: BVI.For more information, visit www.bvna.com, and follow us on Twitter (@bureauveritasNA) and LinkedIn.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Theresa Anderson

+1 917 344 4593

[email protected]

SOURCE Bureau Veritas
Top doggy day care and boarding franchise shares record systemwide sales, other industry-beating stats in new Franchise Disclosure Document

WESTMINSTER, Colo., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Camp Bow Wow, North America's largest pet care franchise, has released its new Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), reporting strong numbers that include record systemwide sales and an industry-beating average annual revenue growth rate.

According to the new FDD, from 2017 to 2021, the $160+ million company recorded a 14% average annual revenue growth rate1, which is seven times more than the annual growth of the economy and nearly twice the annual growth rate of the boarding and grooming sector of the $120+ billion pet care industry.

Additional system performance highlights in 2021 include:

The top 25% of Camps achieved an impressive 21% of owners' discretionary income, with all Camps averaging 19% 2

Annual gross revenue per Camp reached $880,558 , with $1,304,404 on average for the top 25% of Camps and $2,141,520 as the system high 3

, with on average for the top 25% of Camps and as the system high Camp Bow Wow welcomed Campers for 4.4 million dog visits and achieved record-breaking customer acquisition that amounted to a 20% increase over 2019

Camp Bow Wow opened its 200th location last month in Lexington, Kentucky, achieving an open unit count that less than 10% of franchised brands ever reach, according to FRANData, and solidifying its position as the leading pet care franchise. The brand has 60 total units in the development pipeline and anticipates increasing unit count by over 30% in the next three years.

Growth is being driven by a huge rise in pet adoption. According to the ASPCA, nearly one in five households  an estimated 23 million  adopted a pet during the pandemic, bringing the total percentage of U.S. households with a dog to 54% per the American Pet Products Association (APPA). That trend has resulted in increased demand for boarding, doggy day care and enrichment services as pet parents return to work and travel.

"Our strong partnership with franchise owners has created a tremendous period of growth and success for the Camp Bow Wow brand," said Julie Turner, president of Camp Bow Wow. "As the leading doggy day care and boarding franchise, we have been able to enrich the lives of hundreds of thousands of dogs as we fulfill our mission of 'Making Dogs Happy.'"

The strength of the brand's franchise offering has been recognized in recent industry listings and awards, including:

Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 (ranked for 11 consecutive years)

Franchise Times Top 400

Franchise Update Media's Most Innovative Franchisee Support and Best Social Media Campaign

The Association of National Advertisers In-House Excellence Awards

In 2022, the company is focusing on further enhancing and leveraging technology to improve operational efficiency and the customer experience to help franchise owners grow and improve their business while continuing to expand the well-rounded Camp Bow Wow experience that helps dogs thrive.

Information on startup costs, fees and requirements is available at https://www.campbowwow.com/franchising/ .

About Camp Bow Wow

Westminster, Colorado-based Camp Bow Wow is North America's largest pet care franchise, with 200 locations in 40 states and Canada. Since 2000, the Camp concept has provided the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its Campers and peace of mind for their parents.

Dogs romp together in an open-play environment, and pricing is all-inclusive. In addition to day care and overnight boarding, the company also offers personalized enrichment opportunities, grooming services and a rewards-based dog training program. The Camp Bow Wow brand family also includes The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing urgent medical care funds to dogs who are either homeless or whose parents cannot afford to pay their veterinary bills. Camp Bow Wow, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated, since 2017, has been ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list for 11 consecutive years. For more information, go to www.campbowwow.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ashley Lennington or Macey Reed

[email protected]

[email protected]

817-329-3257

1 Figure represents the average aggregate increase in annual gross revenue for all locations that were open and operating for any length of time during 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. The financial performance representation contained in Item 19 of our 2022 Franchise Disclosure Document also includes: (1) annual unit-level gross revenue; and (2) select expenses for expense reporting franchises. Figures include franchisor-owned locations.

2 For 2021, the Top 25% of Expense-Reporting Franchises consists of 44 Camps. Of those, 19 (43%) exceeded the Average Annual Owner's Discretionary Income of $269,431 and 22 (50%) exceeded the Median Annual Owner's Discretionary Income of $232,528. Average percentages in this Chart represent the average percent of revenue and are calculated by dividing Owner's Discretionary Income by annual Gross Revenue for each Expense-Reporting Franchise, adding the percentages for all Expense-Reporting Franchises, and dividing the total by the number of Expense-Reporting Franchises.

3 For 2021, of the 177 Revenue-Reporting Franchises, 78 (44%) exceeded the Average Annual Gross Revenue of $880,558 and 88 (50%) exceeded the Median Annual Gross Revenue of $840,138. For 2021, the Top 25% of Revenue-Reporting Franchises consists of 44 Camps. Of those, 13 (30%) exceeded the Average Annual Gross Revenue of $1,304,404 and 22 (50%) exceeded the Median Annual Gross Revenue of $1,190,028.

SOURCE Camp Bow Wow
"We ended 2021 on a high note with record fourth quarter results, and our momentum has carried into the first quarter of 2022," said CEO Robert Beasley. "We have grown revenue sequentially every month between October 2021 and March 2022 due to both cultivation improvements across our facilities in Florida as well as new capacity coming online in December and February. We are now harvesting double the biomass per week compared to last year. The recent 4/20 holiday was also our strongest day of sales in company history, further reflecting our continued momentum into Q2. I cannot thank our team enough for their hard work over the past year to help us reach this inflection point.

"Although our results are dramatically improving, we are disappointed to report that our auditors require more time to complete their audit procedures, delaying the filing of our 2021 audited financial statements. We understand the frustration this will cause with our shareholders, and we are equally frustrated as our auditors previously communicated that our required filings would be completed by today's deadline. We have provided all the required information for the auditors to complete their review and expect to have our various filings completed soon.

"Despite this frustration over the audit process, we expect another strong year of growth highlighted by new store openings, continued new patient acquisition, ramping new cultivation and further improving our flower quality. For the first time, we now have an adequate level of supply for our 27-store footprint in Florida, and our results over the past couple months validate that our stores can thrive with more product to sell. Our management team is highly motivated by the dramatic uptrend in sales and the morale within the company is at an all-time high."

Q4 2021 Preliminary Financial Highlights (vs. Q4 2020)

Revenue increased 13% to $16.5 million compared to $14.7 million .

compared to . Expected Operating loss decreased to $(1.6) million compared to $(9.7) million .

compared to . Expected Adjusted EBITDA increased 55% to $5.1 million or 31.0% of revenue, compared to $3.3 million or 22.5% of revenue.

FY 2021 Preliminary Financial Highlights (vs. FY 2020)

Revenue increased 22% to $63.7 million compared to $52.4 million .

compared to . Expected Operating loss decreased to $(2.4) million compared to $(8.4) million .

compared to . Expected Adjusted EBITDA increased 90% to $19.6 million or 30.8% of revenue, compared to $10.3 million or 19.6% of revenue.

Q1 2022 Preliminary Results & Recent Highlights

Revenue increased 33% year-over-year to $20.1 million compared to $15.1 million .

compared to . In Florida , average biomass harvested per week has increased approximately 100% in Q1 2022 compared to Q4 2021 due to new cultivation ramping.

, average biomass harvested per week has increased approximately 100% in Q1 2022 compared to Q4 2021 due to new cultivation ramping. Inventory shipped in Florida increased 75% in March 2022 compared to December 2021 , reflecting the highest levels of inventory in company history.

increased 75% in compared to , reflecting the highest levels of inventory in company history. Sales in milligrams ("mgs") of THC increased by 173%, from 5.6 million mgs in the first week of Q1 2022 to 15.4 million mgs in the 16th week of 2022.

New patient acquisition in Florida increased approximately 16% in Q1 2022 compared to Q4 2021 due to increased community outreach engagement, competitive pricing and fully stocked inventories.

increased approximately 16% in Q1 2022 compared to Q4 2021 due to increased community outreach engagement, competitive pricing and fully stocked inventories. In late April, the Company opened its third dispensary in Pennsylvania in Annville .

2022 Outlook

The Company expects revenue in 2022 to range between $90-$95 million, reflecting an approximate 45% increase from 2021 at the midpoint. Cansortium also expects adjusted EBITDA in 2022 to range between $25-$28 million, reflecting an approximate 35% increase from 2021.

Delayed Filing of Audited Annual Financial Statements and Related Materials

As a result of additional time required by the Company's auditors to complete their remaining audit procedures, Cansortium will not be filing its periodic disclosure documents (the "Annual Filings") by the filing deadline of May 2, 2022. The Company has sought from, and is in communication with, the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") concerning the availability of a management cease trade order in respect of the missed deadline for the Annual Filings.

If an MCTO is granted, it is expected that the general investing public will continue to be able to trade in the Company's listed common shares, however, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will not be able to trade in the Company's common shares. The Company confirms it will comply with the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under National Policy 12-203  Management Cease Trade Orders for so long as an MCTO remains in effect.

The Company has been actively engaged in discussions with its auditors over the past two weeks and was only recently informed that they would not complete the filings ahead of the deadline.

The causes of the delay are not material to the Company nor its operations. Notwithstanding the delay, the Company continues to operate normally without disruption and is working diligently and expeditiously with its auditors to complete the Annual Filings as soon as possible.

The Company is not currently subject to any insolvency proceedings. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this press release.

The Company will advise, by way of press release, if the MCTO is granted. If the MCTO is not granted, it is expected that the OSC will issue a failure-to-file cease trade order. If a failure-to-file cease trade order is made, the Company will advise, by way of press release, setting out the particulars thereof and will comply with its related obligations.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call and live audio webcast today at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss its preliminary financial results, operational highlights and the delayed filing, followed by a question-and-answer period.

Toll-free dial-in number: (800) 319-4610

International dial-in number: (604) 638-5340

Conference ID: 10018936

Link: Cansortium Conference Call

Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Elevate IR at (720) 330-2829.

The conference call will also be available for replay via the News & Events section of the Company's investor relations website at https://investors.getfluent.com/.

About Cansortium Inc.

Cansortium is a vertically-integrated cannabis company with licenses and operations in Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Texas. The Company operates under the Fluent brand and is dedicated to being one of the highest quality cannabis companies for the communities it serves. This is driven by Cansortium's unrelenting commitment to operational excellence in cultivation, production, distribution and retail. The Company is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

Cansortium Inc.'s common shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "TIUM.U" and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol "CNTMF." For more information about the Company, please visit www.getfluent.com.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to the Annual Filings, whether the Company will receive an MCTO rather than the CTO, and if issued whether the MCTO or CTO can be timely lifted or limited in scope.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on many opinions, assumptions, and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in the public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

For further information: www.getfluent.com

SOURCE Cansortium Inc
BANGALORE, India, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Cell Isolation Market is Segmented by Product (Instruments and Consumables), Technology (Gradient Centrifugation, Surface Markers Separation, and Filtration Based Separation), Application (Oncology Research, Neuroscience Research, Stem Cell Research, Microbiology, Immunology Research and Other Application) and End User (Research Laboratories & Institutes, Biotechnology & Bio-pharmaceutical Companies and Cell Banks): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2020-2027. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Pharmaceuticals & Biotech Category.

The global cell isolation market size was valued at USD 8,639.20 Million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 28,766.14 Million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 15.4% from 2020 to 2027.

Major factors driving the growth of the cell isolation market:

The increase in the number of patients suffering from chronic diseases, as well as technological advancements in cell technologies, are driving the global cell separation technologies market forward. Furthermore, there is a greater emphasis on personalized medicines for early disease detection, appropriate treatment selection, and therapy prognosis determination.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GLOBAL CELL ISOLATION MARKET

In biological research and clinical testing, separating one or more cell types from other cells is a crucial step. Furthermore, from stem cell and oncology research to routine clinical diagnosis, cell separation is an important part of many life sciences. The cell isolation market is expected to grow as a result of these factors. Cell isolation technologies are also widely used by pharmaceutical companies to improve drug discovery and develop drugs with higher efficacies. In line with this, the Cell Isolation Market expansion is being aided by the growing demand for personalized medicines.

Cell separation technology is also preferred over pathological treatments and traditional diagnostic procedures. This factor is expected to drive the growth of the Cell Isolation Market. The root cause of any disease can be predicted using the cell separation technique. Treatment is then provided on the same basis. The technique aims to eradicate disease at the cellular level, leaving no trace of disease recurrence in the future. Because the majority of these diseases can be treated with cell-based therapies, the cell isolation market is expected to grow even faster as a result of this.

Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has created a lucrative opportunity for researchers to study and comprehend this new infectious virus, as well as develop treatments and diagnostic tools. This factor is expected to influence the growth of the Cell Isolation Market. Isolated cells are used by researchers to learn more about their biology and develop new cell therapies and other cell-based treatments. Because of its importance, various government bodies around the world have increased their support for the expansion of such research activities.

The cell isolation market is expected to grow strongly in emerging countries, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. The high growth of the cell isolation market in these countries is due to increasing investments in cell biology research and the growing presence of market players in emerging regions. The adoption of several advanced equipment and methodologies is expected to increase in the country as a result of increased R&D activities in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, with the goal of increasing productivity.

Browse The Table Of Contents And List Of Figures At: https://reports.valuates.com/reports/ALLI-Auto-1R429/cell-separation-technologies

CELL ISOLATION MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Based on product, the consumables segment is expected to be the most lucrative segment. Isolated cells are used by researchers to learn more about their biology and develop new cell therapies and other cell-based treatments. Because of its importance, various government bodies around the world have increased their support for the expansion of such research activities.

Based on technology, the surface markers separation segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. Because fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) technology is highly versatile and has a high throughput, fluorescence-activated cell sorting technology is now the standard in many clinical and research labs.

Based on region, Asia-Pacific is expected to be the most lucrative region during the forecast period. Asian governments are investing in the development of healthcare infrastructure to support ongoing stem cell and targeted therapy research, as well as an increase in medical tourism.

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Key Players:

Alfa Laval Corporate AB,

Becton,

Dickinson and Company,

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.,

Corning Incorporated,

Danaher Corporation,

Merck KGaA,

Miltenyi Biotec Inc.,

Pluriselect GmbH,

Stemcell Technologies Inc.,

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Akadeum Life Sciences,

Cytiva Lifesciences,

Terumo,

10X Genomics,

Zeiss,

PerkinElmer.

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SIMILAR REPORTS:

- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Organ-on-a-Chip market size is estimated to be worth USD 80 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 581.2 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 39.1% during the review period.

- The global cell therapy market accounted for USD 7,754.89 Million in 2019, and is expected to reach USD 48,115.40 Million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 25.6% from 2020 to 2027.

- The global next generation sequencing market size was valued at USD 4,533 Million in 2018, and is estimated to reach USD 18,565 Million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 19.2% from 2019 to 2026.

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- The Global Bioinformatics Market Size is USD 8,614.29 Million in 2019, and is projected to reach USD 24,731.61 Million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2020 to 2027.

- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Nanocellulose market size is estimated to be worth USD 225.7 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 452.6 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 12.3% during the review period.

- The global cell culture market accounted for USD 16,107.7 Million in 2019 and is expected to reach USD 36,926.8 Million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 10.9% from 2020 to 2027.

- The global Genomics market size is projected to reach USD 31240 Million by 2027, from USD 15120 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 10.8% during 2021-2027.

- The genetic testing market accounted for USD 12,682 Million in 2019, and is expected to reach USD 21,260 Million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 10.1% from 2020 to 2027.

- The global Bioinformatics Services market size is projected to reach USD 2967.1 Million by 2027, from USD 1468.2 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 10.1% during 2021-2027.

- The global Nutrigenomics market size is projected to reach USD 20990 Million by 2027, from USD 10770 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 9.5% during 2021-2027.

- The global digital polymerase chain reaction market generated USD 508.8 Million in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 1,139.9 Million by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2021 to 2028.

- In 2020, the global Micro Bioreactors market size was USD 123.4 Million and it is expected to reach USD 224.6 Million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 9.0% during 2021-2027.

- The global Cell Analysis market size is projected to reach USD 25610 Million by 2027, from USD 19740 Million in 2020, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.7% during 2021-2027.

- The Live Cell Imaging Market is anticipated to grow at the rate of 8.9% CAGR by 2027.

- The Laboratory Informatics Market is estimated to grow at the rate of 7.4% CAGR by 2026.

- Global Cell Separation Bead Market Insights, Forecast to 2028

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Click here to see related reports on Cell Isolation Market

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SOURCE Valuates Reports
New investment will progress treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a rare condition which causes high blood pressure in the blood vessels that supply the lungs and can lead to heart failure.

Current approved medications mainly address the symptoms of this rare condition. This novel approach aims to address the underlying causes of the disease.

PARMA, Italy, and CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A. (Chiesi Group), the international research-focused pharmaceutical and healthcare group, announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Allinaire Therapeutic, LLC, a company founded by BioMotiv, to acquire the worldwide rights to a portfolio of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP II) for the potential treatment of PAH.

EMAP II is a non-classical cytokine which impacts apoptosis, cell injury, endothelial cell function and inflammation. Based on the pioneering work by the scientific founders, Matthias Clauss, PhD and Irina Petrache, MD, and their colleagues at Indiana University and National Jewish Health, Allinaire and their network, have demonstrated a pivotal pathogenic role of EMAP II in cardiopulmonary diseases, including PAH, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and viral-induced acute lung injury1,2. They developed anti-EMAP II mAbs which are currently being progressed in early phases as a potential treatment for PAH.

PAH is a rare disease with an incidence of 25 per million adults3. Current approved medications mainly address the symptoms of this rare condition and there is an unmet medical need for novel approaches that could delay, or reverse, the disease progression.

"This agreement is further evidence of Chiesi's commitment to seek out novel treatments for conditions with a high unmet medical need such as PAH" commented Thomas Eichholtz, Head of Global R&D of Chiesi Group. "We believe that an anti-EMAP II mAb is a promising novel approach for the treatment and slowing of disease progression for patients with PAH".

According to Douglas W.P. Hay, CEO and CSO of Allinaire, "We have made excellent progress in our anti-EMAP II mAb program at Allinaire, working with a multi-disciplinary team of experts in EMAP II science, biologics, and cardiopulmonary disease therapeutics. We are extremely excited to be partnering with Chiesi to advance this novel class of medicines".

Allinaire will receive an upfront payment, future milestone payments and net sales royalties.

1 Allinaire unpublished data on file.

2 Clauss M, et al. Lung endothelial monocyte-activating protein 2 is a mediator of cigarette smoke-induced emphysema in mice. J. Clin. Invest., 2011; 121: 2470-2479.

3 Hoeper MM, et al. Review. A global view of pulmonary hypertension. The Lancet, Respir. Med., 2016; 4 (4): 306-322.

SOURCE Chiesi
DALLAS, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Comerica Bank announced it has appointed Sineria Ordonez as National Hispanic Business Development Manager to support its ongoing commitment to strengthening relationships with Hispanic business leaders, entrepreneurs and communities across its five primary markets of California, Texas, Michigan, Arizona and Florida. These responsibilities are an extension of Ordonez's current role as Vice President, External Affairs Market Manager  South Texas.

In her role, Ordonez will work closely with Comerica's Hispanic Business Resource Groups, Chief Diversity Officer Nate Bennett, and Chief Community Officer Irvin Ashford, Jr. to strengthen ongoing relationship with current Hispanic nonprofit organizations and community partners, while also fostering new relationships across the bank's national footprint.

"Comerica's relationship-first approach aligns with the strengths Sineria brings to our team," said Ashford. "Her experience and dedication to building and developing relationships with businesses and community partners will enhance our efforts in delivering support and services to diverse communities."

Ordonez joined Comerica in September 2021 where she currently facilitates the bank's community programing and manages community relationships across South Texas. She continues to demonstrate her passion for serving the community as she currently serves as a board member for DiscoverU and SuperGirls Shine Foundation, and also serves on the Project Management Advisory Board for Houston Community College.

"I'm excited to work with the Hispanic communities and business leaders across Comerica's footprint to create new opportunities," said Ordonez. "The Hispanic demographic continues to expand, and I look forward to serving as a champion in helping create meaningful relationships that can make a difference."

Fluent in both English and Spanish, Ordonez graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, and also earned a Master of Science in Project Management from St. Edward's University.

Ordonez is the newest Business Development Manager to assist in Comerica's efforts to serve diverse communities. Last year, Comerica named three colleagues to National Business Development Manager positions which included Summer Faussette, African American Business Development Manager; Sonya Trac, Asian American Business Development Manager; and Hassan Melhem, Middle Eastern American Business Development Manager.

Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. Comerica reported total assets of $89.2 billion as of March 31, 2022.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/73848/comerica_bank_logo.jpg

SOURCE Comerica Bank
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a proven treatment option for wounds, infections, or injuries that have not responded to standard treatment. There are currently fourteen indications for HBOT recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other third-party payors. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is most commonly used for the treatment of diabetic ulcers of lower extremities, radiation injury to bone or tissue, compromised grafts and flaps, and chronic refractory osteomyelitis.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment for wounds, infections, or injuries that have not responded to standard care.

Hyperbaric Awareness USA designated May Hyperbaric Awareness Month. Throughout this month (and beyond), the Hyperbaric Aware campaign aims to promote hyperbaric oxygen therapy benefits, which will help people prolong lives, reduce amputations, and reduce the cost of care while improving quality of life.

There are more than eight million people in the United States who are living with chronic wounds. Twenty-five percent of the 34 million people in the US with Diabetes will develop a foot ulcer, possibly leading to amputation. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy provides necessary oxygenation, which is critical in preventing amputation.

In the US, almost half of the 17 million people diagnosed with cancer will receive radiation therapy, and 10-15% will experience late effects of radiation. Many patients who undergo radiation therapy discover a hidden complication that may not come to light until years after they complete treatments. Radiation therapy can restrict oxygen in the body's healthy tissue which is needed for the tissue to thrive. If there is a break in the integrity of the tissue, infection and non-healing wounds can occur. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a treatment option for patients who suffer from late radiation tissue injury stimulating the growth of new blood vessels following radiation-induced damage.

CutisCare Board Chairman and CEO Jim Patrick said, "As an industry leader, we are addressing the lack of awareness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a critical modality for chronic wound healing and limb preservation."

The Hyperbaric Aware website, in collaboration with the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) and physician leaders, will share articles, latest research, and expert insight for physicians, patients, and the general public.

About CutisCare

Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, CutisCare works with hospitals, academic medical centers, hospital systems, and physicians to design customized outpatient wound care and hyperbaric oxygen (HBOT) solutions. With more than 25 years of management experience, a commitment to research, and driven by ethics and a culture of compliance, CutisCare collaborates with its partners to reach and heal people with chronic wounds.

For more information, visit https://cutiscareusa.com and htpps://hyperbaricaware.com

Follow us CutisCare LLC | LinkedIn and Hyperbaric Aware|LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Kelly Caceres

[email protected]

904-446-0708

SOURCE CutisCare LLC
"We are excited to be crossing over such an incredible milestone..." Tweet this

Founded in 1973 by Ron Breckner, Data Sales Co. grew from a home office in Burnsville, MN to a nationwide finance, technology leasing and IT equipment provider with an international presence.

What started as a company brokering IBM mainframe equipment, expanded into a full-service dealer providing reconfigured, recertified systems and parts while offering technical, financial and transportation services with its fleet of local and over-the-road trucks. In addition to the 200,000 square feet of office-warehouse located in Burnsville MN, Data Sales also operates out of Scottsdale, Arizona. The Scottsdale facility is going through an exciting remodel during the 50th year.

Today, Data Sales provides a specialized lease finance product that focuses on young, fast-growing companies requiring large amounts of IT hardware. Customers include those providing services over the internet such as Hosting, Cloud, and Managed Services across the globe.

In addition, Data Sales is an ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certified company providing an IT Disposition Service (ITAD) solution for business looking for a secure, confident partner to recycle IT hardware.

According to Paul Breckner (CEO):

"We are excited to be crossing over such an incredible milestone, recognizing that it is a significant achievement to reach 50 years. Our industry has changed over the past many decades and Data Sales has changed with it, providing more services in different areas with flexibility at its core. We would like to thank our customers and partners  some who have been with us for over 40 years! Our dedicated employees work hard every day to deliver a quality product and service.

We look forward to many more years of stewarding the business and for future generations of family members to continue the legacy."

www.datasales.com.

Media Contact:

Heather Seurer

Data Sales Co.

[email protected]

1-800-328-2730

SOURCE Data Sales Co., Inc.
LAS VEGAS and No-Headquarters/BOZEMAN, Mont., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dell Technologies World -- Dell Technologies (NYSE: DELL) and Snowflake (NYSE: SNOW), the Data Cloud company, will work together to connect data from Dell's industry leading enterprise storage portfolio1 with the Snowflake Data Cloud . A first of its kind, this collaboration will help customers have greater flexibility operating in multi-cloud environments, meet data sovereignty requirements, and easily turn data into insights.

Once available, Dell and Snowflake customers will be able to use on-premises data stored on Dell object storage with the Snowflake Data Cloud while keeping their data local or seamlessly copying it to public clouds. The companies will pursue product integrations and joint go-to-market efforts in the second half of 2022.

"As the industry leader in data storage, Dell Technologies provides customers with the tools needed to derive insights from their data wherever it resides," said Jeff Boudreau, president, Dell Technologies Infrastructure Solutions Group. "With the industry's first collaboration between on-premises storage systems and the Snowflake Data Cloud, we are able to expand Dell's SaaS provider ecosystem for data insights on-premises and in public clouds."

"Snowflake's mission is to mobilize the world's data by empowering organizations to eliminate silos and bring data together to unlock more value and deeper insights," said Christian Kleinerman, Snowflake senior vice president of product. "This collaboration with Dell will allow organizations to gain more value from their on-premises data while leveraging the performance and simplicity of Snowflake's platform and the powerful collaboration capabilities of the Snowflake Data Cloud."

About Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work, live and play. The company provides customers with the industry's broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the data era.

About Snowflake

Snowflake enables every organization to mobilize 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 January 31, 2022, use Snowflake Data Cloud to power their businesses. Learn more at snowflake.com.

1 IDC Worldwide Quarterly Enterprise Storage Systems Tracker, 2021Q4, March 22, 2022

Copyright  2022 Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. All Rights Reserved. Dell Technologies and Dell are trademarks of Dell Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other trademarks may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Dell Technologies
Dell, Computer Aid, Intel and Microsoft to launch 25 solar-powered community hubs across three continents

Hubs built with Dell technology-enabled solutions to meet communities' unique needs

First hub in Boa Esperanca, Brazil aims to help community address local deforestation

Full story

Dell Technologies (NYSE:Dell), in partnership with Computer Aid, Intel and Microsoft, announced its Solar Community Hubs strategy, marking an evolution in its established Solar Learning Labs program. Moving beyond technology access for education alone, the hubs improve access to technology, healthcare and workforce skills for communities in remote areas around the world.

The Solar Community Hubs will be built with Dell technology-enabled solutions and look to introduce 5G, edge computing and other services. Each hub will be managed by the community and will offer services based on each community's unique needs. The hubs will provide communities with access to water and electricity, healthcare and resources for environmental preservation. Community members can also access technical skills training, entrepreneurship support, education and career guidance, and revenue-generating services to support job creation and financial sustainability.

"Research shows that the greatest impact starts with empowering local communities," said Cassandra Garber, VP of Environmental and Social Governance, Dell Technologies. "By introducing the Solar Community Hubs, communities will have access to resources and infrastructure to address their most pressing issues. This evolution puts community needs at the center, and we are eager to see  and be a part of  the impact these community partnerships will have around the globe."

Digitizing the Amazon to Support Sustainability

Dell Technologies recently introduced the first Solar Community Hub in Boa Esperanca, Brazil, in partnership with the Foundation for Amazon Sustainability (FAS), bringing digital tools like Latitude Rugged, desktops, servers, projectors and Wi-Fi to community members in a dozen outlying riverside communities and Indigenous tribes in the Amazon. Community members, who previously traveled far for modern services and school, can now continue their education, take vocational courses, start college and prepare for the job market  in their own community.

The hub is also designed with circularity at its core, using repurposed shipping containers, sustainably sourced wood and furniture, and solar panels so devices run primarily on renewable energy.

Participants in the project are part of FAS' Bolsa Floresta program, a government initiative of the State of Amazonas introduced in 2008 to decrease deforestation through community building. The hubs help improve the lives of people living in the Amazon who then cultivate a more sustainable relationship between the rainforest and its residents.

Power in Partnership

Dell currently collaborates with approximately 60 strategic partners globally, including Computer Aid, Dell's nonprofit partner for Solar Community Hub development. Computer Aid helps identify the locations and local partners who can help make the hub a reality.

Since 2011, Dell and Computer Aid have partnered to support 24 Solar Learning Labs, which reach 18,000 students and community members per year in countries including Brazil, Colombia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.

Dell also works with customers, partners like Intel and Microsoft - and other stakeholders to bring additional resources and capabilities to the communities based on local needs. Partners and customers can now join Dell Technologies and Computer Aid in supporting the roll out of the Solar Community Hubs over the coming years.

Additional quotes

"By working together with the community of Boa Esperanca Dell Technologies, Intel, Microsoft and FAS, we're creating a model for a sustainable community that is preserving the Amazon," said Alejandro Espinosa Llano , Solar Community Hub Program Manager at Computer Aid International. "The Solar Community Hub will provide the much-needed access to technology and telemedicine that these true conservation heroes deserve, reducing inequalities and enabling them to reap the benefits of technology. It's a small contribution to a commitment to a better world for all."

, Solar Community Hub Program Manager at Computer Aid International. "The Solar Community Hub will provide the much-needed access to technology and telemedicine that these true conservation heroes deserve, reducing inequalities and enabling them to reap the benefits of technology. It's a small contribution to a commitment to a better world for all." "This project is benefiting many young people with the opportunity to participate in higher education and vocational courses and preparing them for the job market."  Luziete Mar Hipy, Director of the Boa Esperanca Solar Community Hub

Whenever we implement a hub, we have kids coming to us every 10 seconds wanting to look inside or ask questions. It's a nice feeling to see what we can achieve when we put the technology and people together."  Ruan Malheclient, Solutions Technologist at Dell Technologies

Additional resources

About Dell Technologies

Dell Technologies (NYSE:DELL) helps organizations and individuals build their digital future and transform how they work, live and play. The company provides customers with the industry's broadest and most innovative technology and services portfolio for the data era.

About Computer Aid

Computer Aid International is a non-profit organization with 25 years of experience supporting eLearning and promoting access to technology in developing and remote areas throughout the world. They are also pioneers in their circular economy approach offering IT asset disposal and data wiping for companies and organizations globally.

SOURCE Dell Technologies
Company delivered 41.4 gigawatt-hours of energy in 2021

Electric vehicle miles driven exceeds 145 million in 2021

EV drivers avoided the use of roughly 5.7 million gallons of gas

RESTON, Va., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrify America provided 1.45 million customer electric vehicle (EV) charging sessions in 2021 which highlights the rapid deployment of it charging stations across the United States. By comparison, the company recorded 268,000 customer EV charging session in 2020.

Electrify America estimates that EV drivers avoided the use of 5.7 million gallons of gas while travelling more than 145 million electric vehicle miles. The company dispensed 41.4 gigawatt-hours of energy to power customer's electric vehicles in 2021.

"The combination of our rapidly expanding charging network, plus the growth and availability of all-new electric vehicles, is accelerating the transition to eMobility," said Robert Barrosa, senior director of Business Development & Marketing of Electric America. "Electrify America is working with automotive manufacturers to smooth the transition from gas to electric by offering integrated access on the Electrify America network. We are seeing this positively impact vehicle adoption as first quarter battery electric vehicle sales reached a record 5.2% market share of new vehicle sales in the US."

Electrify America has 800 EV charging stations and about 3,500 individual chargers open or with construction completed. The largest, open ultra-fast DC charging network features up to 150 kilowatts (kW) and 350 kW chargers, some of the fastest speeds available today.

"More and more commuters are discovering the benefits of electric vehicle transportation as seen in the remarkable growth of charging sessions at our stations," Barrosa added

Electrify America expects to have more than 1,800 total charging stations with over 10,000 chargers in the United States and Canada by 2026.

For a peek at Electrify America's vision for the charging stations of the future click here

About Electrify America

Electrify America LLC, the largest open DC fast charging network in the U.S., is investing $2 billion over 10 years in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, education and access. The investment will enable millions of Americans to discover the benefits of electric driving and support the build-out of a nationwide network of workplace, community and highway chargers that are convenient and reliable. Electrify America expects to have more than 1,800 total charging stations with over 10,000 chargers in the United States and Canada by 2026. During this period, the company will be expanding to 49 states and the District of Columbia, delivering on its commitment to support increased ZEV adoption with a network that is comprehensive, technologically advanced and customer friendly.

Electrify America earned the 2020 and "2021 EV Charging Infrastructure Best-in-Test" award from umlaut, an infrastructure and benchmarking specialist, now part of Accenture, as published in Charged Electric Vehicles Magazine. Electrify America's Electrify Home offers home charging solutions for consumers with flexible installation options. Electrify Commercial provides expert solutions for businesses looking to develop electric vehicle charging programs. For more information, visit www.electrifyamerica.com and media.electrifyamerica.com.

SOURCE Electrify America, LLC
BANGALORE, India , May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Electronic Toll Collection market is segmented by Type (Rfid-Based ETC Systems, Dsrc-Based ETC Systems, Video Analytic-Based ETC Systems, Gnss/Gps-Based ETC Systems) and by Application (Highway Tolling, Urban Tolling): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20222028. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Computers & Electronics Category.

The global Electronic Toll Collection market size is estimated to be worth USD 5033.8 Million in 2022 and is forecast to be a readjusted size of USD 6254.6 Million by 2028 with a CAGR of 3.7%.

Major factors driving the growth of the Electronic Toll Collection Market :

Factors expected to propel the global electronic toll collection market include government initiatives for cashless transactions and increased government funds for road safety and control in various countries.

Since it reduces transaction costs for government agencies and brings transparency, electronic toll collection is a cost-effective alternative to a staffed booth. This factor is expected to boost the electronic toll collection market.

Furthermore, benefits such as reduced wait times increased safety, and improved traffic is expected to boost the adoption of Electronic Toll Collection booths, propelling the Electronic Toll Collection Market forward

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF ELECTRONIC TOLL COLLECTION MARKET

The future of tolling is cashless tolling, which has already been implemented on a number of toll roads and bridges. The public can benefit from the system in a variety of ways. Cashless tolling, in particular, allows for faster and more seamless travel because drivers do not have to slow down or stop to pay their toll at a physical booth. Reduced engine idling, less wasted fuel, and fewer toll plaza accidents are all advantages. The electronic toll collection market is expected to grow as a result of these factors.

The ETC is being implemented by governments in various regions as part of their road safety and control plans. During the forecast period, this factor is expected to drive the growth of the Electronic Toll Collection Market. The surge in demand for effective traffic management at toll collection centers is attributed to the increasing adoption by governments across regions. Traffic management that is both efficient and effective ensures a smooth flow of traffic and saves time at the toll booth. Congestion at toll plazas is exacerbated by rising traffic on national highways, resulting in lost time and fuel. This system allows for seamless passage through toll booths for payment, reducing traffic congestion.

ETC is cost-effective because it allows for ticket elimination and reduced manpower costs, as well as savings from reduced fuel consumption and reduced travel time. Furthermore, ETC systems provide indirect benefits such as reduced air pollution and environmental effects, which result in a healthier environment and lower hygienic costs. These factors are expected to bolster the electronic toll collection market's growth.

ETC systems are difficult to implement by a single stakeholder; they necessitate the cooperation of a number of parties, including telecom operators, infrastructure providers, manufacturers, service providers, government agencies, and user groups. As a result, the public-private partnership (PPP) model may be critical to the integrated ETC system's success.

Browse The Table Of Contents And List Of Figures At: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-14K2384/global-electronic-toll-collection

Electronic Toll Collection Market SHARE ANALYSIS:

Based on type, RFID-Based ETC Systems is the largest segment. This is because RFID technology has a broader range of applications, is easier to integrate, and has lower capital and operational costs.

Based on application, the highways segment is expected to be the most lucrative segment. The adoption of electronic toll collection for highways is driving the market, especially in developing countries. Strong government initiatives are expected to add electronic toll collection options to existing toll plazas on highways, resulting in massive growth opportunities for the ETC market for highway applications.

Based on region, North America is expected to be the most lucrative region. The United States and Canada are the key North American countries with the most vehicles per person, which is one of the most important factors driving the electronic toll collection market forward. Furthermore, both countries have the world's largest networks of interstate and state highways, with advanced toll collection systems installed in numerous locations and several toll installation projects underway for high-traffic lanes.

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Toshiba

Mitsubishi

MIFARE

Shutoko

Xerox

Kapsch Trafficom AG

Q-Free

Hitachi

Illinois Tollway

Metro Infrasys

Conduent Transportation

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SIMILAR REPORTS:

- The global LPR Cameras market was valued at US$ 381 million in 2020 and it is expected to reach US$ 682 million by the end of 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.5%

- The global Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) market size is projected to reach USD 1610.8 Million by 2028, from USD 901.4 Million in 2021, at a CAGR of 8.2%

- The global Parking Management market size is projected to reach US$ 947.4 million by 2028, from US$ 565 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 7.6% during 2022-2028.

- The global Traffic Sensor market size is estimated to be worth US$ 224.9 million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 341.3 million by 2028 with a CAGR of 7.2%

- The global Intelligent Traffic Systems market size is projected to reach US$ 37210 million by 2028, from US$ 28610 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 3.8%.

- The global Road Safety marke t size is projected to reach USD 6037.1 million by 2028, from USD 3979.3 million in 2021, at a CAGR of 5.7% during 2022-2028.

- Global Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)Systems Market Insights, Forecast to 2028

- Global Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) Software Market Insights, Forecast to 2028

- Global Automotive Pay As You Go (PAYG) Road Charging Market Insights, Forecast to 2028

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Click here to see related reports on Electronic Toll Collection Market

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NEWTOWN, Pa., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM), a leading digital transformation services and product engineering company, will host an Investor & Analyst Day for financial analysts and institutional investors on May 19, 2022, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Advanced registration is required for all attendees. Investment professionals interested in attending the event, virtually or in-person, can register here.

A webcast of the event will be available at https://investors.epam.com.

About EPAM Systems

Since 1993, EPAM Systems, Inc. (NYSE: EPAM) has leveraged its advanced software engineering heritage to become the foremost global digital transformation services provider  leading the industry in digital and physical product development and digital platform engineering services. Through its innovative strategy; integrated advisory, consulting, and design capabilities; and unique 'Engineering DNA,' EPAM's globally deployed hybrid teams help make the future real for clients and communities around the world by powering better enterprise, education and health platforms that connect people, optimize experiences, and improve people's lives. In 2021, EPAM was added to the S&P 500 and included among the list of Forbes Global 2000 companies.

Selected by Newsweek as a 2021 Most Loved Workplace, EPAM's global multi-disciplinary teams serve customers in more than 40 countries across five continents. As a recognized leader, EPAM is listed among the top 15 companies in Information Technology Services on the Fortune 1000 and ranked as the top IT services company on Fortune's 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list for the last three consecutive years. EPAM is also listed among Ad Age's top 25 World's Largest Agency Companies for three consecutive years, and Consulting Magazine named EPAM Continuum a top 20 Fastest-Growing Firm.

Learn more at www.epam.comand follow EPAM on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes estimates and statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Our estimates and forward-looking statements are mainly based on our current expectations and estimates of future events and trends, which affect or may affect our business and operations. These statements may include words such as "may," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate" or similar expressions. Those future events and trends may relate to, among other things, developments relating to on-going hostilities in Ukraine, political and civil unrest or military action in the geographies where we conduct business and operate, developments relating to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, and the effect that they may have on our revenues, operations, access to capital, profitability and customer demand. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions, the risk factors discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly under the headings "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Risk Factors" and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Although we believe that these estimates and forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, they are subject to several risks and uncertainties and are made in light of information currently available to us. EPAM undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities law.

SOURCE EPAM Systems, Inc.
Boston-based firm is empowering enterprises to utilize Artificial Intelligence to solve critical business challenges

BOSTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Findability Sciences the 2022 Microenterprise Business of the Year for Massachusetts. The Massachusetts District Small Business Administration announced its list of honorees, with Findability Sciences among the list of highly esteemed small businesses. There are approximately 32.5 million small firms in the USA, comprising 99.9% of the firms in the country. These enterprises drive significant economic progress for the nation.

Anand Mahurkar, Founder & CEO, Findability Sciences Anand Mahurkar, Founder & CEO, Findability Sciences is proud to announce the Small Business Administration (SBA) has named Findability Sciences the 2022 Microenterprise Business of the Year for Massachusetts.

Findability Sciences earned the recognition as a global provider of enterprise Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, demonstrating exponential sales growth in sectors such as manufacturing, telecom, retail, professional services, financial services, and government.

"As a first-generation immigrant entrepreneur, Mr. Anand Mahurkar has demonstrated an inspirational spirit to succeed," said District Director Robert Nelson. "Through persistence, hard work and expertise with technology and innovation  Anand's story is a remarkable example of the entrepreneurial spirit."

Hailing from a small town in India, CEO and Founder Anand Mahurkar founded Findability Sciences to enable traditional enterprises the ability to harnesses the power of data, cognitive computing and AI to solve complex and critical business challenges. The company's proprietary offering, the Findability.ai Platform, enables organizations from diverse geographies and industries, to build their own intellectual property (IP) and data science capabilities while executing strategically to derive real financial return on investment.

"I am happy, humbled, and excited to receive this award on behalf of Findability Sciences," said Mahurkar. "The win for Findability Sciences further showcases the power of AI and its ability to help organizations remain relevant and profitable as the technology arms race heats up. Also, I am so proud of the entire Findability Sciences team  a group of innovative and creative professionals who have been instrumental in fostering the success of our company."

An expert in big data and contextual data technologies, Mahurkar has built a well-respected 30-year career in the innovation and technology sector. As a first-generation entrepreneur and immigrant to the United States, Mahurkar has been determined to build his own venture in advanced technology. His entrepreneurial spirit, persistence, and consistency helped him establish Findability Science and in 2017, Mahurkar led the company into a joint venture with Softbank K.K. Soon thereafter, Findability Sciences announced series A funding by Softbank K. K. to address the growing needs of the Japanese market.

Over the years, Mahurkar has received many awards and accolades. In 2014, he served on the IBM Watson Ecosystem Partner Advisory Board and was named a Big Data Hero for IBM Big Data Magazine. Mahurkar has also served as a member of the Forbes Technology Council  an invitation-only community of leading Tech Visionaries who contribute to thought leadership content in Forbes magazine. Additionally, Financial Times recognized Findability Sciences as one of the fastest-growing companies in the U.S. in 2021.

Currently, Mahurkar is a Charter Member of TiE  Boston, where he is responsible for mentoring budding entrepreneurs. In December 2021, Mahurkar was honored with the International Achiever Award at Indian Achiever's Forum and was recognized for his outstanding and professional achievements in technology on the global level.

Mahurkar and Findability Sciences will be honored at the annual SBA Massachusetts Small Business Week Awards event on Thursday, May 5th, 2022 at the Newton Marriott.

About Findability Sciences

An award-winning Enterprise AI company that harnesses the power of data, cognitive computing and AI to drive digital transformation in traditional enterprises by making them data superpowers. The company's proprietary offering, Findability.ai Platform, enables customers to build their own IP and data science capabilities while executing strategically to derive real financial ROI. Customized solutions have driven critical projects such as: Conversational Computing, Advertisement Efficacy Analyzer, Assessing Propensity to Pay, Forecasting apartment rentals and occupancy, supply chain optimization, and more.

Findability Science has been a Softbank KK Portfolio Company and JV Partner since 2018. As a leader in Enterprise AI, Findability Sciences's IP holdings include multi-modeling, low code prediction algorithms, NLP and Computer Vision among others. Headquartered in Boston, MA, with offices across the United States, Japan, Canada, India and the UK, the company has been serving global customers across Manufacturing, Telecom, Retail, Professional Services, Financial Services and the Government. https://findability.ai

Media Contacts:

Michele Nachum

Firecracker PR for Findability Sciences

[email protected]

+1-425-698-7477

Kavita Rao

Chief Marketing Officer

[email protected]

+91-95021-53653

SOURCE Findability Sciences
Optical retailer provides discounts, job opportunities, and supports military families in need

DALLAS, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- May is Military Appreciation Month, a time to honor veterans, uniformed service members, and their families. To mark the occasion, national optical retailer Eyemart Express is offering exclusive 20% discounts to the men and women who serve our country. The offer extends to veterans and military families.

The discount comes in addition to the optical retailer's already affordable prices on 2,000 high-quality glasses and prescription sunglasses. On-site labs in Eyemart Express stores can deliver glasses in as little as 30 minutes, helping shoppers see clearly faster. Military customers simply need to present a valid military, dependent, retiree, or DD214 card at the time of purchase to receive the discount. For more details about the everyday discount program, visit https://www.eyemartexpress.com/Military.

"Veterans and military families make so many sacrifices for our country," says Katy Hanson, Eyemart Express CMO. "Helping them see better is just one small way for us to thank these extraordinary men and women."

In addition, Eyemart Express is investing in the future of veterans and military spouses by offering job opportunities at the 238 Eyemart Express locations across the country. Eyemart Express has also partnered with the U.S. Army's Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) that guarantees soldiers a job interview. Working in the optical profession requires attention to detail and dedicationskills honed from military service. Eyemart Express provides extensive training that can lead to long and successful career paths within the optical industry.

"Military families are not always recognized, but they are the ones who maintain normalcy at home," says Hanson. "That is why we make it easy for military family members who relocate to keep their jobs once they are employed at Eyemart Express."

Eyemart Express also understands the additional challenges that veterans, service members, and their families face. The optical retailer has partnered with veteran service nonprofit Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for the last four years as the organization's exclusive eye care partner. With that partnership, Eyemart Express has helped nearly 50 military families through the veteran organization's Unmet Needs Fund, which relieves the financial burdens for military families in need. Eyemart Express encourages others to support the nonprofit's program this month to expand support to military families at https://www.vfw.org/assistance/financial-grants.

About Eyemart Express

Eyemart Express (EyemartExpress.com) is a national optical retailer known for providing high-quality prescription eyewear with a focus on affordability and convenience. Eyemart Express ranks among the top 10 optical retailers in the country with its family of brands: Vision 4 Less, Visionmart Express, and Eyewear Express. The company is based in Farmers Branch, Texas, and has 238 stores in 42 states. Eyemart Express offers a robust frame selection for the whole family with more than 2,000 frames from brands such as Ray-Ban, Coach, Nike, and Disney. On-site lens labs and skilled lab technicians can deliver high-quality glasses in as little as 30 minutes.

SOURCE Eyemart Express
Digital personal finance company Freedom Financial Network recognized for its efforts to promote employees' mental and physical health.

SAN MATEO, Calif., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Freedom Financial Network (FFN), a leading digital personal finance company, announced today it has been named to the Phoenix Business Journal's 2022 Healthiest Employers list in the large company category. The annual award program, presented by the Phoenix Business Journal, honors employers that motivate their employees to achieve and maintain wellness through a strong emphasis on mental and physical health.

"Freedom Financial Network takes pride in thoughtfully engaging our employees and proactively offering and promoting our wellness programs to enhance their experience with the Company," said Linda Luman, executive vice president of human resources. "We are honored by this distinction, and we are committed to uplifting employees with our ongoing health and wellness initiatives and welcoming new employees who will help us continue to build our great culture."

From benefits fairs and blood drives to free flu shots, mobile mammograms and other programs, FFN has a number of health and wellness initiatives to help employees stay healthy. In addition, FFN offers these benefits to its employees:

Comprehensive medical, dental and vision programs

Paid time off (PTO), including PTO for your birthday and sick days

Parental leave

Pet insurance

PTO for volunteer work

401(k) with employer match

Virgin Pulse and Ginger apps

Employee Assistance Program

FFN was named to the annual award program's large company category, which recognizes organizations with 1,500 to 4,499 employees. Approximately 2,000 of FFN's over 2,500 employees are based in the digital personal finance company's Tempe, Ariz., offices. FFN has been named to the Phoenix Business Journal 's annual "Best Places to Work" list 11 times, including winning first place in the extra-large company category in 2021. FFN has also been named one of "Arizona's Most Admired Companies" by AZBigMedia and a "Top Workplace" by the Arizona Republic.

Visit our careers page for more information about positions at Freedom Financial Network.

For the full list of Phoenix Business Journal's 2022 Healthiest Employers winners, visit:

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/subscriber-only/2022/04/29/arizonas-healthiest-employers-large-cos.html

About Freedom Financial Network

Freedom Financial Network is a leading digital personal finance company. We do what traditional banks don't: Put people first. Our solutions help everyday people get on, and stay on, the path to a brighter financial future, with innovative technology and personalized support. By leveraging proprietary data and analytics, our solutions are tailored for each step of a consumer's financial journey and include personal loans ( FreedomPlus ), home equity loans ( Lendage ), help with debt ( Freedom Debt Relief ), and even financial tools and education ( Bills.com ). Freedom Financial Network has more than 2,300 dedicated employees across California, Arizona and Texas and is recognized as a Best Place to Work .

For information on career opportunities at Freedom Financial Network, visit: https://jobs.freedomfinancialnetwork.com/

SOURCE Freedom Financial Network
The e-learning market is expected to surpass USD 1 trillion by 2028, as reported in a research study by Global Market Insights Inc . The industry growth can be attributed to the increasing content digitization of various courses.

The rising demand from the healthcare sector for online education programs will drive the content provider market. Students in this field are looking for interactive online sessions for a better understanding of their courses. To cater to the rising demand, companies are emphasizing on introducing digital learning resources. For instance, in December 2021, Manipal Global Education Services unveiled the Manipal MedAce, a digital assessment & learning resource for MBBS students. The availability of industry-specific online content will boost the demand for e-learning solutions.

Request for a sample of this research report @ https://www.gminsights.com/request-sample/detail/215

The application of e-learning solutions will increase across government institutes through 2028. Governing authorities are offering online courses to different departments to upskill their workforce at a rapid pace. The availability of cloud based LMS software enables them to monitor the progress of individuals/divisions from a single platform. For instance, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Training Education and Development offers free training sessions to local, state, tribal & territorial regulatory partners. Individuals can directly visit their Pathlore LMS portal to view the different types of courses available. The resource scalability offered by e-learning platforms has encouraged government bodies to focus on online courses.

The MEA e-learning market revenue will witness growth stimulated by rising investments in start-ups across the industry. For instance, in December 2021, Englease.com raised about USD 3.4 million in a seed funding round led by LearnStart and LearnCapital. Through this investment, the company plans to accelerate the development of its live class technology and expand its market presence across different countries. The development of SMBs in the market will fuel competition across the industry. This will propel technological advancements, improve affordability, and increase accessibility of the online course to a wide set of individuals & corporates, thus driving the market growth.

Some major findings of the e-learning market report are:

The increasing number of government initiatives for the digital transformation of the education sector will spur market growth. Through this, authorities are focusing on delivering educational courses to a large set of students.

A growing focus on R&D activities to introduce new technologies in the sector will foster the industry growth. Companies are focusing on expanding their solution & service offerings to strengthen their positioning in the industry.

Developing IT & telecom infrastructures across the globe are resulting in the growing access to affordable and secure internet connections, which will create growth opportunities for the market. The availability of internet services will allow people to use e-learning platforms for completing their degrees & courses.

The increasing demand from the corporate sector for upskilling their employees will augment the adoption of e-learning platforms across SMBs and large enterprises. These platforms support companies in keeping track of their workers' training process and store information more efficiently.

The rising demand for online English courses from countries, such as China , India , South Korea , & Taiwan , will enhance the market growth. Individuals from developing countries are learning the language to clear the standardized test and gain a seat in foreign universities for higher education.

Request for customization of this research report at https://www.gminsights.com/roc/215

Partial chapters of report table of contents (TOC):

Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 E-learning industry 360 synopsis, 2018  2028

2.1.1 Business trends

2.1.2 Regional trends

2.1.3 Technology trends

2.1.4 Providers trends

2.1.5 Application trends

Chapter 3 E-learning Industry Insights

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

3.3 Ukraine-Russia war impact

3.4 Industry ecosystem analysis

3.5 Technology & innovation landscape

3.6 Investment landscape

3.7 Regulatory landscape

3.8 Industry impact forces

3.8.1 Growth drivers

3.8.1.1 North America & Europe

3.8.1.1.1 Increasing demand from the healthcare sector

3.8.1.1.2 Rise in content digitization

3.8.1.1.3 LMS switching to cloud-based systems

3.8.1.2 Asia Pacific & Latin America

3.8.1.2.1 Growth in higher education sectors

3.8.1.2.2 Corporates upgrading their training programs

3.8.1.2.3 Growing demand for online English courses

3.8.1.3 Middle East & Africa (MEA)

3.8.1.3.1 Rising government programs and initiatives

3.8.1.3.2 Rising penetration of internet and mobile learning

3.8.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges

3.8.2.1 Lack of peer-to-peer interaction

3.8.2.2 Slow internet connection and poor network

3.8.2.3 Adaptability issues

3.9 Growth potential analysis

3.10 Porter's analysis

3.11 PESTEL analysis

About Global Market Insights

Global Market Insights Inc., headquartered in Delaware, U.S., is a global market research and consulting service provider; offering syndicated and custom research reports along with growth consulting services. Our business intelligence and industry research reports offer clients with penetrative insights and actionable market data specially designed and presented to aid strategic decision making. These exhaustive reports are designed via a proprietary research methodology and are available for key industries such as chemicals, advanced materials, technology, renewable energy and biotechnology.

Contact Us:

Arun Hegde

Corporate Sales, USA

Global Market Insights Inc.

Phone: 1-302-846-7766

Toll Free: 1-888-689-0688

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Global Market Insights Inc.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Polaris Market Research recently published a research report on "Liquid Crystal Polymer Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Type (Thermotropic, Lyotropic), By Application (Electrical and Electronics, Industrial Machinery, Consumer goods, Lighting, Medical, Others); By Region; Segment Forecast, 2022 - 2030" in its research database.

According to recent research study published by Polaris Market Research, the global liquid crystal polymer market size and share is expected to register a CAGR of 8.0% growth and industry revenue is expected to increase from USD 1.25 Billion in 2021 to reach USD 2.43 Billion by 2030.

What is Liquid Crystal Polymers? How Big is Liquid Crystal Polymer Market Share?

Overview

Liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) are the class of polymers that contains properties such as highly ordered solid crystallinity. They have inherent flame retardancy, flexibility, and weatherability. They act well in harsh environments as they have the ability to tolerate excessive heat conditions as well as resist strong chemicals. These properties enhance the utilization of LCPs in the miniaturization of elements in telecommunications, information technology, and diagnostic instruments.

LCPs are also used in electrical and mechanical parts, food containers, and several other applications. Due to their superior properties such as low relative dielectric constants, and low dissipation factors, they can be utilized in automotive ignition system components and heaters. These applications have been driving the notable growth in liquid crystal polymers consumption. The expanding automobile and transport industries are both anticipated to boost the growth of the global economy during the projected time frame.

Request Sample Copy of Liquid Crystal Polymer Market Research Report @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/liquid-crystal-polymer-market/request-for-sample

Key Highlights of The Report:

Information on the historical and current market size and the future potential

Key drivers of growth and challenges of the key industry players.

Provides sizes of key regional market

Extensive research on the competitive landscape of the global liquid crystal polymer market

Analysis of the different market segments such as type, size, applications, and end-users.

A descriptive analysis of demand-supply chaining in the global liquid crystal polymer market.

A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the current trends, dynamics, and estimations

Potential and niche segments/regions exhibiting promising growth

Top Market Players in Liquid Crystal Polymer Market Are:

Asia International Enterprise (HK) Limited

Celanese Corporation

Kuraray Co. Ltd

PolyOne Corporation

Polyplastics Co. Ltd.

Rogers Corporation

RTP Company

Shanghai Pret Composites Co. Ltd.

Solvay SA

Sumitomo Chemicals Co. Ltd.

Toray Industries Inc.

Ueno Fine Chemicals Industry Limited

Request for Discount on this Report Before Purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/liquid-crystal-polymer-market/request-for-discount-pricing

Liquid Crystal Polymer Market: Driving Factors

The rapidly growing demand for liquid crystal polymers with different applications such as electrical & electronics and automotive to consumer goods, sports, leisure, and medical devices are driving the growth of the market. LCPs are widely used in the automotive industry as they possess properties like high strength, low weight, and abrasion resistance properties. Due to these factors, the demand for LCPs is increasing in the automotive industry, thereby fueling the market growth over the forecast period. Also, the rise in demand for engineering resins to produce ultra-thin electrical components is another key factor expected to positively favor the liquid-crystal polymers market. Further, developments in technologies such as 5G communication and 3D printing are also accelerating market growth. Moreover, growing investment to develop products for niche applications is expected to create lucrative opportunities for industry participants.

Directly Purchase a copy of report with TOC @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/checkouts/12421

Liquid Crystal Polymer Market: Report Scope

Report Attribute Details Market Outlook for 2030 USD 2.43 Billion Market Size 2021 Value USD 1.25 billion Expected CAGR Growth 8.0% from 2022 - 2030 Base Year 2021 Forecast Year 2022 - 2030 Top Market Players Asia International Enterprise (HK) Limited, Celanese Corporation, Kuraray Co. Ltd, PolyOne Corporation, Polyplastics Co. Ltd., Rogers Corporation, RTP Company, Shanghai Pret Composites Co., Ltd., Solvay SA, Sumitomo Chemicals Co. Ltd., Toray Industries, Inc., and Ueno Fine Chemicals Industry Limited. Segments Covered By Type, By Application, By Region Customization Options Customized purchase options are available to meet any research needs. Explore customized purchase options

Liquid Crystal Polymer Market: Report Segmentation

Insight by Application

Based on application, the electrical and electronics segment accounted for the largest market share in the global liquid crystal polymer industry in 2021. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for CP from the growing electrical & electronics industry worldwide. The growing demand for miniaturization from the electronics industry is anticipated to boost the application segment growth in the market. In addition, rising demand for micro injection molding along with high-temperature resistance & flow properties are other key factors expected to boost the growth of electronics and electrical applications. The overall growth of the electrical & electronics industry across the globe is further projected to create lucrative growth opportunities for the segment. Moreover, the medical segment of the market is expected to generate a progressive CAGR in the industry due to the increasing utilization of LCPs across the medical sector.

Enquire more about this report before purchase @ https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/liquid-crystal-polymer-market/inquire-before-buying

Geographic Overview: Liquid Crystal Polymer Market

Based on geography, Asia Pacific witnessed the largest market share in the global liquid crystal polymer industry in 2021 and is anticipated to continue its dominance during the forecasted period. This progress can be attributed to the increasing demand from end-user industries across the developing countries including India, China, and Japan, among others. Also, growing investments in R&D and a surge in the number of new manufacturing capabilities are expected to drive the global liquid crystal polymers market growth in the region. China is one of the largest producers of electronics globally.

Moreover, North America is anticipated to show progressive growth over the projected years owing to the growing activities toward new products and technologies. The adoption of innovative technologies such as 5G and 3D printing is expected to create tremendous growth opportunities in the liquid crystal polymer market.

Browse the Detail Report "Liquid Crystal Polymer Market Share, Size, Trends, Industry Analysis Report, By Type (Thermotropic, Lyotropic), By Application (Electrical and Electronics, Industrial Machinery, Consumer goods, Lighting, Medical, Others); By Region; Segment Forecast, 2022 - 2030" with in-depth TOC: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/liquid-crystal-polymer-market

For Additional Information OR Media Enquiry, Please Mail At: [email protected]

Key Questions Answered By The Report

What are the top strategies that players are expected to adopt in the coming years?

What are the trends in this liquid crystal polymer market?

How will the competitive landscape change in the future?

What will be the liquid crystal polymer market size during this estimated period?

What are the challenges for this liquid crystal polymer market?

What are the market opportunities and overview?

What are the key drivers and challenges of the global market?

How is the global liquid crystal polymer market segmented by product type?

What will be the growth rate of the market in 2022 for the forecast period?

Browse More Related Reports:

Polaris Market Research has segmented the liquid crystal polymer market report on the basis of type, application, and region:

Liquid Crystal Polymer Market: By Type Outlook

Thermotropic

Lyotropic

Liquid Crystal Polymer Market: By Application Outlook

Electrical and Electronics

Industrial Machinery

Consumer goods

Lighting

Medical

Others

About Polaris Market Research

Polaris Market Research is a global market research and consulting company. The company specializes in providing exceptional market intelligence and in-depth business research services for PMR's clientele spread across different enterprises. present across the industries of healthcare, technology, semi-conductors and chemicals among various other industries present around the world. We strive to provide PMR's customers with updated information on innovative technologies, high growth markets, emerging business environments and latest business-centric applications, thereby helping them always to make informed decisions and leverage new opportunities. Adept with a highly competent, experienced and extremely qualified team of experts comprising SMEs, analysts and consultants, we at Polaris endeavor to deliver value-added business solutions to PMR's customers.

Contact:

Likhil G

30 Wall Street

8th Floor,

New York City, NY 10005,

United States

Phone: +1-929 297-9727

Email: [email protected]

Web: https://www.polarismarketresearch.com

Follow US: LinkedIn | twitter

SOURCE Polaris Market Research
Commercial Real Estate Investment Firm Graceada Partners Now a Signatory of the United Nations-Supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) Network

MODESTO, Calif., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Graceada Partners, a California-based real estate private equity firm, has become a signatory of the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). They join an exclusive group of corporations from more than 130 countries around the world who pledge to incorporate ESG initiatives into their investment decision-making.

"As one of the smallest firms to have become a signatory, it is a privilege to be a part of this socially-conscious network," said Joe Muratore, Modesto, California-based co-founder and co-CEO of Graceada Partners. "Upholding ethical and responsible investing practices aligns with our core values of doing the right thing and being positive, caring, and humble. Taking the PRI pledge is a logical next step on our firm's growth path."

Graceada Partners joins a select group of PRI signatories, which includes Blackstone, Prudential PLC, Harvard University Endowment, the City of Vancouver and others. Launched in 2006, PRI has grown over the past decade and a half, bringing organizations together to conduct ethical business practices. PRI is independent, but works with global policymakers. It is supported by, but not part of, the United Nations.

There are six principles for responsible investment, which Graceada Partners and other organizations, pledge to uphold. These principles include:

Incorporation of ESG values into the organization's investment analysis Incorporation of ESG values into the organization's policy decisions Seeking ESG values in the places where the organization invests Promotion of the values within the organization's industry Collaborating to enhance the effectiveness of speaking these values Having a commitment towards reporting the progress of ethical implementation

"Graceada Partners believes that understanding ESG is essential to building a resilient portfolio and achieving long-term performance," said Ryan Swehla, co-founder and co-CEO of Graceada Partners. "We are committed to implementing energy efficiency measures across our portfolio. We also focus on creating value for our investors, tenants, communities, and employees by embedding sustainable practices company-wide."

For more information about Graceada Partners' commitment to ESG and sustainability, visit: https://www.graceadapartners.com/esg-standards

ABOUT GRACEADA PARTNERS

Graceada Partners is a vertically integrated real estate private equity firm focused on institutionalizing secondary & tertiary markets from within  a combination of entrenched market knowledge and institutional expertise. Founded in 2008, the firm has $0.5 billion AUM and employs a team of 50+ professionals to source, capitalize, manage, renovate, lease and sell properties.

The firm's leadership team has decades of combined experience adding value to over $10 billion in assets across office, retail, multifamily and industrial properties. Born in 2008 in the heart of the Global Financial Crisis, Graceada Partners is a seasoned expert with looming economic uncertainties, which has allowed the firm to turn market dislocation into successful investments.

Learn more at http://GraceadaPartners.com .

GRACEADA CONTACT

Graceada Partners

Ryan Swehla

209-576-2240

[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACT

Bob Spoerl

Bear Icebox Communications

773-453-2444

[email protected]

SOURCE Graceada Partners
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- hireEZ , the leading AI-powered outbound recruiting platform, has taken home a Gold Stevie Award for Best New Product in the Talent Management Solution category in The 20th Annual American Business Awards.

The American Business Awards are the world's most premier business awards, honoring outstanding achievements from organizations and individuals with the coveted Stevie award recognition program. The 2022 Stevie Awards had more than 3,700 nominations with more than 230 professional judges participating worldwide to select this year's winners. Gold Award winners were determined based on the highest average score given across all submissions.

Comments on hireEZ's Gold Award-winning entry from the Talent Management Solution panel included:

"As a recruiting leader myself, I was impressed with hireEZ's technology and proposition in making sourcing, engagement, integration, collaboration, and security/compliance effective. It is fascinating to hear how easily it integrates and pulls data through deep data analysis, and as a user of LinkedIn, I'm excited to hear that there is a far more efficient/effective tool for candidate sourcing."

"Excellent product solution to solve current issues with talent shortages and high company turnover. The world is slightly shifted from what it used to be. Finding the right talent for the job can be challenging and hireEZ's solution can help businesses save more time and resources."

The Gold Award win signifies the need for more powerful recruiting approaches to help enterprises and recruiters scale in a time where there are more jobs than people. With the hireEZ platform, hiring teams get access to over 800M candidates from over 45 open web platforms and the help of AI to source talent with highly-targeted criteria based on candidate skills and background.

"We're focused on developing our technology to help companies proactively find top talent by making the shift to an outbound recruiting strategy," said Steven Jiang, founder and CEO at hireEZ. "Today, recruiters and hiring managers play a more critical role, and they need the right tools to help their organization scale effectively and succeed. Winning a Gold Stevie Award validates the value that outbound recruiting is delivering to our customers."

The awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Monday, June 13.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA .

About hireEZ

hireEZ (formerly Hiretual) is the #1 AI-powered outbound recruiting platform with access to 800M+ candidates from 45+ open web platforms, market insights to build strategic recruiting campaigns and candidate engagement capabilities to make outbound recruiting easy. With hireEZ, you can execute a strategically scalable approach to build your workforce of the future. For additional information, please visit hireez.com.

SOURCE hireEZ
Cruise Ship Westerdam to Explore New Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia on Fall 2022 Cruises Tweet this

"The pent-up demand for cruises to Australia and New Zealand led us to the decision that it would be valuable to have Westerdam sail these unique itineraries that include some uncommon ports for us," said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer of Holland America Line. "We have the utmost optimism that the entire region will be back to cruising come fall, and our guests have been waiting two years to take their dream cruise. These new itineraries give guests a lot to choose from as they explore this part of the world."

Goodbye, Alaska! Hello, Australia and New Zealand

Holland America Line added a seven-day Alaska cruise roundtrip from Seattle, Washington, departing Sept. 25, extending Westerdam's season by a week. The ship will then spend 36 days weaving among the enchanting isles of the South Pacific en route to Australia's southern and eastern regions, and the North and South islands of New Zealand. The cruise departs Seattle Oct. 2 and arrives at Sydney Nov. 8. Along the way, the ship makes 14 calls on the islands of Hawaii, Samoa, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea, and finishes with three Australia visits.

Starting Nov. 8, Westerdam will explore Australia and New Zealand on four cruises that range from 13 to 15 days. The port-intensive itineraries ensure guests can deeply explore the region and get a variety of experiences ashore that showcase the country's culture, culinary expertise and popular wine scene. Scenic cruising takes guests into the vistas of Fiordland National Park with its ice-tipped mountains and sprawling fjords.

In January, the ship will sail from Sydney to Singapore to reposition for a drydock. The 16-day voyage includes two days of scenic cruising in Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef  a stunningly diverse ecosystem that is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Following the ship's refurbishment, Westerdam will cruise two new departures in February before assuming its previously published itineraries in Asia.

Highlights of the new itineraries:

Nov. 8 : 15 days, roundtrip from Sydney . Ports include Port Chalmers ( Dunedin ), Lyttelton ( Christchurch ), Kaikoura, Wellington , Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga (Rotorua), Auckland and Waitangi, all in New Zealand , with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.

: 15 days, roundtrip from . Ports include Port Chalmers ( ), Lyttelton ( ), Kaikoura, , Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga (Rotorua), and Waitangi, all in , with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park. Nov. 23 : 13 days, roundtrip from Sydney . Ports include Eden, Port Arthur, Hobart (overnight), Adelaide (overnight), Penneshaw, Melbourne and Phillip Island , all in Australia .

: 13 days, roundtrip from . Ports include Eden, Port Arthur, Hobart (overnight), (overnight), Penneshaw, and , all in . Dec. 6 : 14 days, Sydney to Auckland . Australian ports include Melbourne and Hobart; New Zealand ports include Port Chalmers ( Dunedin ), Lyttelton ( Christchurch ), Kaikoura, Wellington , Napier and Tauranga (Rotorua), with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.

: 14 days, to . Australian ports include and Hobart; ports include Port Chalmers ( ), Lyttelton ( ), Kaikoura, , Napier and Tauranga (Rotorua), with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park. Dec. 20 Holiday Cruise: 14 days, Auckland to Sydney . Ports include Tauranga (Rotorua), Napier, Kaikoura, Lyttelton ( Christchurch ), Port Chalmers ( Dunedin ), Hobart and Melbourne , with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park.

14 days, to . Ports include Tauranga (Rotorua), Napier, Kaikoura, Lyttelton ( ), Port Chalmers ( ), Hobart and , with scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park. Jan. 3 : 16 days, Sydney to Singapore . Ports include Newcastle , Airlie Beach , Cairns and Darwin, Australia ; Komodo Island, home to the infamous Komodo Dragon; and Lembar, Lombok, and Benoa, Bali , both in Indonesia . A highlight of this voyage is two days spent scenic cruising in Australia's Great Barrier Reef where guests can marvel in the coral cays and sun-soaked islands above the surface, along with the thousands of reef systems below water.

: 16 days, to . Ports include , , Cairns and Darwin, ; Komodo Island, home to the infamous Komodo Dragon; and Lembar, Lombok, and Benoa, , both in . A highlight of this voyage is two days spent scenic cruising in Great Barrier Reef where guests can marvel in the coral cays and sun-soaked islands above the surface, along with the thousands of reef systems below water. Feb. 3 : 11 days, roundtrip Singapore . Ports include Phuket, Thailand (overnight); Port Blair, Andaman Islands, India ; and the Malaysian ports of Porto Malai, Langkawi; Georgetown , Penang ; Malacca and Port Klang ( Kuala Lumpur ).

: 11 days, roundtrip . Ports include (overnight); Port Blair, Andaman Islands, ; and the Malaysian ports of Porto Malai, Langkawi; , ; and Port Klang ( ). Feb. 14 : 13 days, roundtrip Singapore . Ports include Tanjung Priok ( Jakarta ), Probolinggo, Surabaya and Semarang (Borobudur), on Java, in Indonesia ; Komodo Island; Benoa and Celukan on Bali ; ending with an overnight at Singapore .

: 13 days, roundtrip . Ports include Tanjung Priok ( ), Probolinggo, and Semarang (Borobudur), on Java, in ; Komodo Island; Benoa and Celukan on ; ending with an overnight at . Feb. 27 : 14 days, Singapore to Yokohama ( Tokyo ), Japan . Ports include Puerto Princesa , Boracay and Manila, Philippines ; Kaohsiung and Keelung ( Taipei ), Taiwan ; and Ishigaki, Naha and Kochi, Japan .

Book Back-to-Back Cruises with a Collectors' Voyage

Ranging from 24 to 51 days, Collectors' Voyages are perfect for avid explorers seeking a more extensive cruise experience. The voyages combine back-to-back, nonrepeating itineraries and represent the best per-day value for guests.

Book With Have It All Premium Cruise Package

Australia and New Zealand cruise pricing starts at a "Have it All" premium package rate of $1,848 per person, double occupancy for the 13-day sailing, which includes four high-value amenities: one shore excursion, a Signature Beverage Package, one night specialty dining and a Wi-Fi Surf Package to stay connected throughout the cruise. Cruise-only standard fares start at $1,329 per person, double. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.

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 Elvejord PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: [email protected]

SOURCE Holland America Line
In-Scope:

Surface cleaners:

The household cleaning products market share growth by the surface cleaners segment will be significant during the forecast period. The increasing per capita consumption in developing regions such as South America and APAC is the major driver for this product segment. In addition, the changing lifestyle of consumers has favorably impacted the sales of surface cleaners.

Out-of-Scope:

Dishwashing products



Toilet cleaners



Other cleaning agents (bleach)

Download sample to gain further insights on the market contribution of various segments

Moreover, the report also provides Value Chain Analysis which helps companies gain a competitive advantage in the market. The Value Chain of the Household Cleaning Products Market includes the following core components:

Inputs

Inbound logistics

Operations

Outbound logistics

Services

Highlights-

Segmentation- The report extensively covers market segmentation by Product (surface cleaners, dishwashing products, toilet cleaners, and other cleaning agents (bleach)), Distribution channel (offline and online), and Geography (APAC, North America , Europe , South America , and MEA)

The report extensively covers market segmentation by Product (surface cleaners, dishwashing products, toilet cleaners, and other cleaning agents (bleach)), Distribution channel (offline and online), and Geography (APAC, , , , and MEA) Key Companies- Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Godrej Consumer Products Ltd., Henkel AG, and Co. KGaA, Kao Corp., Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, S. C. Johnson and Son Inc., The Clorox Co., The Procter and Gamble Co., and Unilever Group among others

Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Godrej Consumer Products Ltd., Henkel AG, and Co. KGaA, Kao Corp., Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, S. C. Johnson and Son Inc., The Clorox Co., The Procter and Gamble Co., and Unilever Group among others Driver- Product innovation and portfolio extension to drive the market

Product innovation and portfolio extension to drive the market Trend- Growth in online retailing of home care products and aggressive marketing to be the latest trend of the market

Download Sample: for more additional information about the Household cleaning Products

Vendor Insights-

The household cleaning products market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying various organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market.

Kao Corp.  In April 2021 , the company launched hair salon brand ORIBE in Japan through its subsidiary, Kao Salon Japan

In , the company launched hair salon brand ORIBE in through its subsidiary, Kao Salon Japan Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. - In December 2020 , the company launched Godrej ProClean, a brand that provides surface cleaning and disinfecting solutions. The products offered under the brand include ProClean Toilet Cleaner, ProClean Bathroom Cleaner, and ProClean Floor Cleaner

In , the company launched Godrej ProClean, a brand that provides surface cleaning and disinfecting solutions. The products offered under the brand include ProClean Toilet Cleaner, ProClean Bathroom Cleaner, and ProClean Floor Cleaner The Procter and Gamble Co. - In April 2021 , the company's brand, Old Spice, announced its first deodorant stick with 0% plastic packaging in the UK.

Download Sample Report to find additional highlights on the vendors and their product offerings.

Learn More about Key Driver & Trends of the Market-

Household Cleaning Products Market Driver:

Product innovation and portfolio extension:

Innovations are often based on functionality, pricing, new ingredients, packaging, and fragrances. Vendors have introduced surface cleaners that protect surfaces from soil buildup and eliminate the need to clean every day. Vendors are considering changing consumer preferences and introducing new fragrances such as citrus and nature-identical deodorizers and fresheners. Manufacturers are implementing technological advancements, such as using automated rapid prototyping machines, implementing refilling technology, and introducing a spray form of products during product processing and packaging stages.

Household Cleaning Products Market Trend:

Growth in online retailing of home care products and aggressive marketing:

In addition to the e-retailers and vendor's online sales platforms, the market witnessed the introduction of various online and app-based grocery sellers and suppliers that offer a range of products at discounted prices. The online channel imparts increased visibility to the products offered by vendors. Increased product visibility and the availability of a wide product portfolio contribute to the growth of the online retail channel. Factors such as increased Internet connectivity, growing adoption of mobile internet devices, and rising consumer awareness account for the growth of the global household cleaning products market.

Download sample report to find additional information about various other market Drivers, Trends, & Challenges

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Houseware Market by Product, Distribution Channel, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The houseware market share is expected to increase by USD 86.90 billion from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 4.61%. To get more exclusive research insights: Download Free Sample Report

Water Bottles with Filters Market by Distribution Channel and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025: The water bottles with filters market share is expected to increase by USD 207.55 million from 2020 to 2025, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 14.62%. To get more exclusive research insights: Download Free Sample Report

Household Cleaning Products Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.86% Market growth 2021-2025 $ 14.44 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 4.37 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution APAC at 43% Key consumer countries US, China, UK, Japan, and France Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Church and Dwight Co. Inc., Colgate-Palmolive Co., Godrej Consumer Products Ltd., Henkel AG and Co. KGaA, Kao Corp., Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, S. C. Johnson and Son Inc., The Clorox Co., The Procter and Gamble Co., and Unilever Group 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 preview 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

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Product

Market segments

Comparison by Product

Surface cleaners - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Dishwashing products - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Toilet cleaners - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Other cleaning agents (bleach) - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Product

Market Segmentation by Distribution channel

Market segments

Comparison by Distribution channel

Offline - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Online - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Distribution channel

Customer landscape

Geographic Landscape

Geographic segmentation

Geographic comparison

APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Key leading countries

Market opportunity by geography

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Vendor landscape

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Church and Dwight Co. Inc.

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

Henkel AG and Co. KGaA

Kao Corp.

Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc

S. C. Johnson and Son Inc.

The Clorox Co.

The Procter and Gamble Co.

Unilever Group

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US$

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

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Technavio Research

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Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
"I feel strongly that we hold a corporate responsibility to give back to the very community which allows us the opportunity to operate a successful business," Said Matt Fitch , Founder and CEO of iHaulJunk. "I chose SAFE because their work is geared towards helping some of the most vulnerable in our community, and their cause is one that I have a very close personal connection to."

"As a kid I experienced some pretty significant trauma myself. I held onto it for over 25 years before I ever told the first person about what happened to me, and I've spent the last 12 years processing it. My connection to The SAFE Alliance is an extension of my own therapy, so I've come to realize."

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) states, {on average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men experience severe intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner contact sexual violence, and/or intimate partner stalking with impacts such as injury, fearfulness, post-traumatic stress disorder, use of victim services, contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, etc.}

1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. This includes a range of behaviors (e.g. slapping, shoving, pushing) and in some cases might not be considered "domestic violence." (Article found: here)

"I guess it's in my blood. I was raised by a single mother who dedicated her life to the very same cause. For nearly the last 40 years my mother, Melody Fitch has served numerous leadership and executive roles during her career as an advocate for battered women and children, and she's still working in the field to this day. Heck my sister does the same thing, it's just our thing I suppose," added Fitch.

iHaulJunk, Inc. (Originally iHaul Austin) was just an idea back in 2013 when Matt was, at the time mowing lawns and training to be an arborist.

As a new entrepreneur, Matt got stretched too thin starting out, trying to do a little bit of everything. It was during a moment of clarity, sitting alone on his front porch, in Cedar Park Texas when he made the commitment to go all-in with his idea to start a Junk Removal Business.

With no industry experience, limited capital resources and a beat up pickup truck, Matt went right to work hauling junk in 2015. He said goodbye to The Grass Whisperer and introduced Central Texans to iHaulAustin - Extremely Professional Junk Removal!

Fast forward almost 10 years and iHaulJunk is now a nationwide network of over 30 Independent Haulers operating in major cities from Atlanta to Los Angeles.

"Over the next couple of years iHaulJunk will be establishing partnerships with other non-profit organizations similar to SAFE but in the other cities we operate out of. For now we are focusing all our effort on our partnership in Austin with The SAFE Alliance, this is home base for us," added Fitch.

"I'm doing this to encourage other business owners, philanthropists and even our local celebrities to join the effort to help end Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse. With all of the nonsense out there that's dividing us now, this needs to be something we can all come together on," said Matt Fitch.

If you'd like to contribute, please make a secure donation to The SAFE Alliance Fundraiser HERE.

iHaulJunk serves several areas throughout the greater Austin Metropolitan area, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Westlake, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Spicewood, Rollingwood and Manor, Texas.

For more information, visit https://ihauljunk.com/junk-removal-in-austin-tx or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact:

Matt Fitch

[email protected]

512-866-2907

SOURCE iHaulJunk, Inc.
BANGALORE, India, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --South India's diversified Sona Group has forged a 50:50 joint venture with Australia's Mycelium Biotechnology Group to set up a state-of-the art Mycelium research and production facility in Salem.

Mycelium Biotechnology is an Australian group known for pioneering innovative solutions to optimise human and planetary health, using mycelium and other extracts from Mushrooms, an abundantly available and sustainable natural resource. As a global mushroom biotechnology group, Mycelium Biotechnology is engaged in mushroom growing, global distribution and offering biotechnology and nutraceuticals solutions through global partners.

According to Mr Chocko Valliappa, Vice Chairman of The Sona group, "We are happy to forge the Mycelium Sona Biotech joint venture with Australia's Mycelium Biotechnology, a research focused world leader in Mycelium based products and solution provider. The partnership will leverage Sona Group's research and innovation framework to add to the vast range of IP and patentable technologies."

The JV named as Mycelium Sona Biotech (MSB) has set up a research facility at Salem to focus on Nanotech Research, IP development, Extract Manufacturing, Milling, Bottling and eCommerce. Billed as one of the largest mushrooms laboratories in India at Salem with best Global Manufacturing Practices, MSB laboratory will research and grow high end mushrooms, extract Mushroom and Mycelium compounds, produce nutraceuticals that conform to FSSAI and FDA certification.

"We see great opportunity in the Indian market moving forward. Sona's background in health tech and research development is a perfect partnership for us to further advance our nano compound extraction IP. The launch of the first MSB facility in Salem comes at the most opportune time soon after signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and India" says Mr William Scott, Chairman of Mycelium Biotechnology group.

With R&D, Business and Distribution centres located across Australia's East Coast as well as manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin (USA), Mycelium Biotechnology owns scores of IP. The bulk of this IP relates to cultivation methods and associated medium formulations for nearly 20 mushroom species, extraction processes of mushroom and mycelium biomass and formulations of mushroom extracts.

Some of the key portfolio companies expanding through the joint-venture include the following:

REMbiotics, one of the divisions of Mycelium Biotechnology, addresses the global issue of depression (MDD, TRD, PTSD) using specific mushroom mycelium bioactive compounds combined with Australian native bush foods for a beneficial and synergistic effect. Shroompac focuses on mushroom and mycelium-derived sustainable eco-packaging materials for industrial and consumer applications. Preotica is an evolutionary life sciences company that has been focusing on enhancing animal immunity and microbial health. Utilising mycelium biotechnology extraction processes, the Preotica product has been able to produce some remarkable results, specifically in the poultry industry, aquaculture industry and for beekeepers across Australia .

The medicinal mushroom industry is expected to grow exponentially as more and more of the 5.1 million mushroom species are researched. The global fungi industry is forecast to exceed USD $86B by 2025, up from $53.7B in 2019. Growth will be powered in part by culinary demand, but an even larger driver will be rising adoption by the pharmaceutical industry. Varieties such as Chaga, not ever seen on a dinner plate, are now in the supplement spotlight.[1]

www.preotica.com

www.rembiotics.com

www.thesonagroup.com

References

1 https://trends.co/signal/mushrooms-moment/

SOURCE Mycelium Sona Biotech Pte Ltd
NOIDA, India, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- A comprehensive overview of the India mental health market is recently added by UnivDatos Market Insights to its humongous database. The India mental health market report has been aggregated by collecting informative data on various dynamics such as market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. This innovative report makes use of several analyses to get a closer outlook on the mental health market. The mental health market report offers a detailed analysis of the latest industry developments and trending factors in the market that are influencing the market growth. Furthermore, this statistical market research repository examines and estimates the mental health market at the regional levels. The India Mental health Market is expected to grow at a substantial CAGR of 15% from 2022-2028.

Request Sample Copy of this Report @ https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=19456

Market Overview

The India mental health market is expected to grow on account of the higher prevalence of mental disorders in states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, among others. Tamil Nadu, being one of the States in the high socio-demographic index group, accounted for a high prevalence of depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. These rising depressive and anxiety disorders across South India have led to an increase in suicide cases. Also, in India, the state holds second place in the number of suicides, as per the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), with at least 36 people taking the extreme decision every day in the state. In 2019, a total of 13,493 people killed themselves in Tamil Nadu, giving it a 9.7% share. Topping the list is Maharashtra with 18,916 and in third place in West Bengal with 12,665. Owing to these facts, the government in various states of India has been implementing various mental health policies which in turn is propelling the mental health market in the country.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided tremendous research resources while also highlighting the threat of deadly epidemic-prone diseases worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the mental health market. This is because many people are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults as well as in children. Thereby, fostering the demand for mental health services.

Ask for Price & Discounts @ https://univdatos.com/get-a-free-sample-form-php/?product_id=19456

India's mental health market report is studied thoroughly with several aspects that would help stakeholders in making their decisions more curated.

By Disorders, the market is primarily fragmented into

Schizophrenia

Alcohol Use Disorders

Bipolar Disorder

Depression

Anxiety

Eating Disorders

Other Disorders

Amongst Disorders, the India mental health market is segmented into schizophrenia, alcohol use disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other disorders. In 2020, the depression segment grabbed the major market share and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period owing to the increase in the number of people suffering from depression in India. For instance, according to the estimation by the World Health Organization, 56 million Indians suffer from depression and another 38 million Indians suffer from anxiety disorders. Further, the growing awareness regarding depression and rising acceptance of its treatment are also some of the other factors contributing to the growth of this market.

By Services, the market is primarily segmented into

Emergency Mental Health Services

Home-based Treatment Services

Inpatient Hospital Treatment Services

Other Services

By services, the India Mental Health Market is divided into emergency mental health services, outpatient counseling, home-based treatment services, inpatient hospital treatment services, and other services. The inpatient hospital treatment services segment occupied the major share of the India Mental Health market in 2020 and it is expected to grow with a substantial CAGR in the upcoming years. The growth of this segment is attributed to the increasing patient pool and an ample number of patients deploying mental health solutions to enhance self-care.

By Age Group, the market is primarily segmented into

Pediatric

Adult

Geriatric

By age group, the market is divided into pediatric, adult, and geriatric. The adult segment grabbed a considerable market share in 2020 and is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the growing popularity of various mental health services among the 18+ age group. This can be due to the hectic work schedules leading to increased stress among the adult population coupled with the growing prevalence of mental health disorders among adults. For instance, In the United States, almost half of adults (46.4%) will experience a mental illness during their lifetime and 5% of adults (18+) experience a mental disorder in any one year, which is equivalent to 43.8 million people, as per the national council for mental well-being.

Mental health Market Geographical Segmentation Includes:

North India

South India

West India

East India

Geographically, the South India region dominated the mental health market with almost US$ XX million in revenue in 2020 owing to the growing prevalence of mental health illnesses in the region.

Ask for Report Customization @ https://univdatos.com/report/india-mental-health-market/

The major players targeting the market include

Wysa

Innerhour

Juno Clinic

YourDOST

ePsyClinic

Trijog

Headspace

Mind.fit

Mindhouse

Calm

Competitive Landscape

The degree of competition among prominent companies has been elaborated by analyzing several leading key players operating in the country. The specialist team of research analysts sheds light on various traits such as market competition, market share, most recent industry advancements, innovative product launches, partnerships, mergers, or acquisitions by leading companies in the India mental health market. The major players have been analyzed by using research methodologies for getting insight views on competition.

Key questions resolved through this analytical market research report include:

What are the latest trends, new patterns, and technological advancements in the India mental health market?

mental health market? Which factors are influencing the India mental health market over the forecast period?

mental health market over the forecast period? What are the challenges, threats, and risks in the India mental health market?

mental health market? Which factors are propelling and restraining the India mental health market?

mental health market? What are the demanding regions of the India mental health market?

mental health market? What will be the market size in the upcoming years?

What are the crucial market acquisition strategies and policies applied by companies?

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature and geography. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

For more informative information, please visit us @ https://univdatos.com/report/india-mental-health-market/

We understand the requirement of different businesses, regions, and countries, we offer customized reports as per your requirements of business nature. Please let us know If you have any custom needs.

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About UnivDatos Market Insights

UnivDatos Market Insights (UMI) is a passionate market research firm and a subsidiary of Universal Data Solutions. We believe in delivering insights through Market Intelligence Reports, Customized Business Research, and Primary Research. Our research studies are spread across topics across the world, we cover markets in over 100 countries using smart research techniques and agile methodologies. We offer in-depth studies, detailed analysis, and customized reports that help shape winning business strategies for our clients.

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SOURCE UnivDatos Market Insights Pvt. Ltd.
GETTYSBURG, Pa., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OPEN MINDS has announced that Dr. Hossam Mahmoud, Regional Chief Medical Officer, Beacon Heal Options, Dr. Douglas Nemecek, Chief Medical Officer, Evernorth, Tonya Copeland, Vice President, Strategic Solutions, UnitedHealthcare Community & State, Eric Keen, General Partner, Council Capital, CJ Burnes, General Partner, Windrose Health Investors, and Matthew Pettit, Founding Partner, Seven Hills Capital will headline The 2022 OPEN MINDS Strategy & Innovation Institute , kicking off on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. The institute features dynamic educational case studies and sessions, inspiring keynote addresses and executive panels, and numerous networking opportunities. This is the only executive event focused on moving innovation to action and sustainable strategies for organizations serving consumers with complex conditions in the "next normal."

"Learning about emerging innovations will be the key to success for future growth," says Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer at OPEN MINDS. "It is imperative to gain the practical knowledge on how to design a transformational strategy and make it a reality."

Tuesday, June 14th Institute Highlights:

The institute kicks off with four special events. The 2022 OPEN MINDS I/DD Executive Summit features several innovative case studies and speakers throughout the day. This all-day summit begins with "For I/DD Services, "Managed Care" Is Not A Bad Word: How United Healthcare Is Expanding Services To Meet This Growing Need," a keynote presentation by Tonya Copeland, Vice President, United Healthcare Community & State.

Following the keynote address will be the timely topics featuring in-depth case studies:

Care Coordination Models For The Most Complex Consumers With I/DD featuring Jeff Klimaski , The Columbus Organization, and Melissa Covert , CareSource

featuring , The Columbus Organization, and , CareSource Designing A Service Delivery System For Consumers With I/DD & Complex Medical Needs featuring Karen Lindgren , The Bancroft Group, and Mark Treat and Dr. Anul Kaul, Upward Health

featuring , The Bancroft Group, and and Dr. Anul Kaul, Upward Health The Corrections System & The Consumer With I/DD  Innovative Programs featuring Amy Gaddor and Sarah Louer , Mountain Lake Services, and Wayne Young , The Harris Center

featuring and , Mountain Lake Services, and , The Harris Center Innovative Approaches To Managed Care & I/DD Services

Attendees are anticipating The 2022 Mergers, Acquisitions & Affiliations Summit beginning with a plenary panel entitled "The Investor Perspective  The Trends & Future Of Investment In The Complex Consumer Market Space" featuring private equity investors in the health and human services space including Eric Keen, General Partner, Council Capital, CJ Burnes, General Partner, Windrose Health Investors, and Matthew Pettit, Founding Partner, Seven Hills Capital.

This will be followed by three additional case studies and panels examining the following:

National Specialty Provider Organizations  Current Developments & Future Trends featuring Darren Hodgdon , Beacon Specialized Living and Charles McLister , Elwyn

featuring , Beacon Specialized Living and , Affiliation Without A Merger  Perspectives From Executives Who Are Making It Work featuring Tine Hansen-Turton , Woods Services, Roy Leitstein , Legacy Treatment Services, Lori Plunkett , Brian's House, Karen Coleman , Tabor, George Richards , Archway Programs, and Guy Signor , Journey Health System

featuring , Woods Services, , Legacy Treatment Services, , Brian's House, , Tabor, , Archway Programs, and , Journey Health System Making Mergers & Acquisitions Work  Perspectives From Executives Post-Mergers featuring Nicholas Riehl , ncgCARE, Joe Dan Beavers & Eric Embry , LifeSkills

featuring , ncgCARE, & , LifeSkills The Break Down  10 Things Not To Do When Thinking About MA&A

We are pleased to announce that we also will be offering two executive seminars on Tuesday, June 14, to help incorporate these proven OPEN MINDS best practices into your strategic plan:

Wednesday, June 15th Institute Highlights:

Monica E. Oss, CEO, OPEN MINDS will open the day with the results from The 2022 OPEN MINDS National Innovation Survey: Innovation Adoption Among Specialty Provider Organizations. Directly following her remarks, Hossam Mahmoud, M.D., Regional Chief Medical Officer, Beacon Health Options, will deliver his keynote address, "From Obscurity Into The SpotlightTelehealth's Evolutionary Path In Behavioral Health & How Beacon Continues To Light The Way." Dr. Mahmoud and Ms. Oss, will engage in further questions and a deeper conversation in the thought leader forum following the keynote session.

Join as we converse over the pros and cons of examining care at home for our roundtable session with Mark Treat of Upward Health, and representatives from WellSky and Unity Point, "Do Complex Care Needs Require An Inpatient Stay? Evaluating Skilled Nursing Facility-At-Home Models."

E.J. Rickey and Adam Roberts will discuss the importance of marketing strategy as they share lessons from the field during the case study, "Telling Your Story To Inform Your ROI: The Diversus Health Case Study On Building Marketing Infrastructure."

In the afternoon we will highlight the growing list of provider groups that are turning to integrated behavioral and physical health in the case study, "Models For Integration Of Primary Care & Specialty Provider Organizations  Evaluating The Options" featuring speakers Tracy Rawls, Loree Elahee-Lee, and Benedict Njoku, M.D. of eXclusive Services, and Joseph Reis, ARNP of Peninsula Behavioral Health.

Join our best practice session on evaluating the question of organizational size and scale in, "How Big Is Big Enough? Is Your Organization The Wrong Size?"

Continuing our 2022 series on developments in the California market and adoption and roll-out of Medi-Cal/CalAIM, will be our in-depth executive seminar featuring speakers, Dr. George Orras, Graham Johnson, and Sylvia Garcia from Bayless Integrated Healthcare, and our Vice President, Western Region, OPEN MINDS, Richard Louis III, "Preparing For CalAIM  Developing A Strategy For Sustainability & Success For Specialty Care & Primary Care In a Changing Medi-Cal Market."

"Integrating Consumer Apps Into Your Service Delivery System: A Case Study In Success" takes a look at how technology can be incorporated into your overall strategic plan and strategy.

"Developing A Hybrid Service Delivery Model  Planning For Virtual, In-Clinic & In-Home Services" becomes a necessary competency in the "next normal."

The day will close with the plenary panel, "How Retail Medicine Innovation Practices Are Informing Partnership Opportunities," as our executives discuss how low-cost, high-quality service provided by retail clinics are disrupting the industry, and where the opportunities lie for specialty provider organizations to partner. This panel features Nate Bronstein, Chief Clinical Officer, Convenient Care Association, Tine Hansen-Turton, Executive Administrator, Convenient Care Association, Michael Clark, Director of Government Relations, Convenient Care Association, Angela Patterson, Vice President & Chief Nurse Practitioner Officer, CVS Health, CVS Minute Clinics, Marc Watkins, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, The Kroger Co. and Kroger Health, Monica Rhyme, Senior Manager of Learning and Development For Health and Wellness, Walmart Care Clinics, Cathy Kuhn, President, Health In Motion, and Peter Nordeen, Senior Sales Executive, Bellin Health FastCare.

Thursday, June 16th Institute Highlights:

Douglas Nemecek, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Evernorth, opens the final day of the institute with his keynote address, "Filling In the Gaps: How Evernorth Is Driving Better Health For Complex Consumers" where he will discuss the role Evernorth hopes to play in creating a comprehensive health system, in partnership with specialty provider groups. Dr. Nemecek will join institute chair, and Senior Associate, Joseph Naughton-Travers, OPEN MINDS, for a post-keynote thought leader discussion.

Our breakout case study session, "Emerging Models For Addiction Treatment" will examine emerging addiction treatment models that are incorporating hybrid models to look at whole-person care, and features a representative from The Caron Foundation, as well as, Tracy Rawls, Loree Elahee-Lee, and Dr. Benedict Njoku, all from eXclusive Services.

As part of our CFO Consortium series, we are joined by OPEN MINDS, Senior Associate, Ken Carr leading a session, "The CFO As Innovator  Strategies & Tools For Improving The Financial Performance Of A Service Line."

"A Reflection On The Past & A Look To The Future Of The Health & Human Services Market" knowledge partner session will feature Madeline Shurtleff, from Otsuka Pharmaceutical Development & Commercialization, Inc.

Join Alexis Chamberlin, and Jesus Parra from The Children's Institute, after lunch, as we dive into "The New Workforce Landscape  A Playbook For Optimizing Workforce Recruitment Performance" and how The Children's Institute is tackling this tricky subject.

"Technology For Innovation: How Do You Know What You Need?" aims to examine how provider groups answered this very question with case study presentations.

Hear how organizations are utilizing quality measures and key performance indicators in the roundtable discussion, "Metrics Matter  Utilizing Quality Measures & Key Outcomes As Performance Drivers." This session features Isamu Pant of Aurora Mental Health Center, Tammy Pearson of Center of Excellence For Recovery, Marshall University, and Dominick DiSalvo of KidsPeace.

"Social Media & Health Care: A Look At The Health Care 'Presence' On Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, & TikTok" examines the benefits, challenges, and overall role social media plays in health care.

Finally, to close our institute, please join OPEN MINDS' CEO, Monica E. Oss, as she gives her closing keynote remarks in "The Sustainability Challenge  Strategies For Capitalizing On Emerging Market Opportunities For Serving High-Needs Consumers."

There will be ample opportunities to network and connect with your peers and colleagues throughout the institute. To view the full agenda, all faculty, and for more information about the institute, visit: https://strategy.openminds.com/agenda/ .

For executives who can't make the institute in person, keynotes, seminars, and select sessions will be available to live stream during the event. Additionally, all sessions will be recorded and available as podcasts with presentation materials available post-event. Note that executives that want to take part in the livestream sessions or listen to the podcasts must register for the institute.

Premier Partners include: Akili Interactive, Core Solutions, NephU, Netsmart, NextGen Healthcare, PsychU, and Qualifacts.

Partners include: Otsuka Market Access, Genoa Healthcare, Streamline Healthcare Solutions, ContinuumCloud, Health Information Management Systems (HiMS), and Terrapin Pharmacy.

Affiliate Partners include: Cantata Health Solutions, Carenodes, Dr. First, Eccovia, Ensoftek, Field Worker AI, Foresight, Humana, i2i Population Health, Iris Telehealth, Integrative, iCANotes, Koa Health, Kiriworks, Liberty Healthcare, Millin Associates, Owl, VSS Medical Technologies, Relias, Tridiuum, CapGrow Partners, CCNY Inc., and Silvercloud.

Inperium, iCentrix, Innovatel, and RHA Health Services will also exhibit at the institute.

Registration for this exclusive institute is now available at: https://openminds.com/register-now-sii2/ . All registration fees are included for all Elite-level subscribers to OPEN MINDS Circle. For more information on the program, sponsorship opportunities, or media inquiries, contact the Executive Education & Events team, at 877-350-6463 or [email protected].

ABOUT OPEN MINDS

OPEN MINDS is a national market intelligence, management consulting, and marketing services firm specializing exclusively in the markets of the health and human service field that serve consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs. OPEN MINDS' mission is to provide payers, service provider organizations, and technology and scientific firms that serve these consumers with the market and management knowledge needed to improve their organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

Contact: Stacey Fox, [email protected]

SOURCE OPEN MINDS
First Quarter GAAP Revenue of $113.5 Million Grows 21% year over year

First Quarter Loss from Operations of $3.7 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $43.6 Million

SALT LAKE CITY, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Instructure Holdings, Inc. (Instructure) (NYSE: INST), the makers of the Canvas Learning Management System, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2022.

"Instructure delivered a combination of strong, double-digit top line growth and record margins during the first quarter," said Steve Daly, Instructure CEO. "Canvas continues to displace legacy LMS solutions worldwide and our Instructure Learning Platform strategy gained further traction during the quarter, with especially strong growth across our assessments portfolio. More recently, we welcomed the Concentric Sky team to Instructure as we work to help educational institutions better serve the non-traditional online market, an estimated $5 billion opportunity for Instructure. We look forward to the opportunity to bring more value to our clients, partners and shareholders in the months and years ahead."

Financial Highlights:

GAAP Revenue of $113.5 million , an increase of 21% year over year, or 26% year over year normalizing for the Bridge divestiture

, an increase of 21% year over year, or 26% year over year normalizing for the Bridge divestiture Allocated Combined Receipts*, or ACR, of $114.0 million , an increase of 15% year over year, or 20% year over year normalizing for the Bridge divestiture

, an increase of 15% year over year, or 20% year over year normalizing for the Bridge divestiture Operating loss of $3.7 million , or negative 3.2% of revenue, and Non-GAAP operating income* of $42.5 million , or 37.3% of ACR

, or negative 3.2% of revenue, and Non-GAAP operating income* of , or 37.3% of ACR GAAP net loss of $5.5 million and Adjusted EBITDA* of $43.6 million , or 38.2% of ACR

and Adjusted EBITDA* of , or 38.2% of ACR Cash flow from operations of negative $65.9 million and Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow* of negative $60.3 million

and Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow* of negative For the twelve months ended March 31, 2022 , cash flow from operations of $97.9 million and Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow* of $143.1 million

*See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for information regarding the Company's use of non-GAAP financial measures as well as reconciliations to the most closely comparable GAAP measures in this press release.

Business and Operating Highlights:

Beginning in the first quarter, all 23 California State University ( CSU ) institutions, with a combined enrollment of over 485,000 students, had selected Instructure as their LMS provider. We now provide CSU universities with Canvas LMS as well as a number of additional Instructure Learning Platform solutions, including Studio, Impact, and Pathways.



( ) institutions, with a combined enrollment of over 485,000 students, had selected Instructure as their LMS provider. We now provide universities with Canvas LMS as well as a number of additional Instructure Learning Platform solutions, including Studio, Impact, and Pathways. Prince George's Community College (PGCC) in Maryland selected Canvas to replace the legacy LMS incumbent. PGCC wanted to ensure a seamless transition for students first entering college, especially first-generation students. As the leading provider of K-12 and higher education solutions, Canvas was uniquely positioned to serve PGCC's needs.



College (PGCC) in selected Canvas to replace the legacy LMS incumbent. PGCC wanted to ensure a seamless transition for students first entering college, especially first-generation students. As the leading provider of K-12 and higher education solutions, Canvas was uniquely positioned to serve PGCC's needs. Spring Branch Independent School District in Houston chose Canvas to serve the 33,000 students enrolled across its 47-school district. For Spring Branch Independent School District, continuity with regional higher education institutions, as well as Canvas's strong reputation in the wider Texas education community, were key factors in its decision to go with Canvas.



chose Canvas to serve the 33,000 students enrolled across its 47-school district. For Spring Branch Independent School District, continuity with regional higher education institutions, as well as Canvas's strong reputation in the wider education community, were key factors in its decision to go with Canvas. We signed an agreement with Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie for Canvas to replace their open source solution as their next-generation LMS. After 14 years with the incumbent, Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie chose Canvas because it met their need for a modern platform with an intuitive user experience across both desktop and mobile that would allow them to remain EdTech leaders in the Brazilian higher education market.



In April, we announced the acquisition of Concentric Sky, whose Badgr technology serves as the default micro-credentialing tool within Canvas LMS. Badgr's stackable digital credentialing technology enables millions of non-traditional learners to demonstrate to potential employers the skills and achievements they have earned from over 25,000 organizations in 160 countries. We expect our rebranded Canvas Badges and Canvas Credentials offerings to advance our strategy to address the $5 billion non-traditional online market opportunity.

Business Outlook

Based on information as of today, May 2, 2022, the Company is issuing the following financial guidance.

Second Quarter Fiscal 2022:

Revenue is expected to be in the range of $110.2 million to $111.2 million

to ACR is expected to be in the range of $110.5 million to $111.5 million

to Non-GAAP operating income* is expected to be in the range of $35.8 million to $36.8 million

to Adjusted EBITDA* is expected to be in the range of $37.0 million to $38.0 million

to Non-GAAP net income* is expected to be in the range of $30.9 million to $31.9 million

Full Year 2022:

Revenue is expected to be in the range of $460.9 million to $464.9 million

to ACR is expected to be in the range of $461.8 million to $465.8 million

to Non-GAAP operating income* is expected to be in the range of $160.1 million to $164.1 million

to Adjusted EBITDA* is expected to be in the range of $164.8 million to $168.8 million

to Non-GAAP net income* is expected to be in the range of $143.5 million to $147.5 million

to Adjusted unlevered free cash flow* is expected to be in the range of $185.0 million to $189.0 million

*ACR, Non-GAAP operating income, Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and adjusted unlevered free cash flow are non-GAAP measures. See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" for a reconciliation of ACR to the most closely comparable GAAP measure. Instructure is unable to provide guidance, or a reconciliation, for operating loss and net loss, the most closely comparable GAAP measures with respect to non-GAAP operating income, Adjusted EBITDA, non-GAAP net income and adjusted unlevered free cash flow because Instructure cannot provide a meaningful or accurate calculation or estimation of certain reconciling items without unreasonable effort. This is due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying certain amounts that are necessary for such reconciliation, including stock-based compensation and amortization of acquisition related intangibles. Thus, Instructure is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of non-GAAP guidance to GAAP guidance because such information is not available.

Conference Call Information

Instructure's management team will hold a conference call to discuss our first quarter results today, May 2, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET. The conference call can be accessed by dialing (888) 330-2384 from the United States and Canada or (240) 789-2701 internationally with conference ID 1348899. A live webcast and replay of the conference call can be accessed from the investor relations page of Instructure's website at ir.instructure.com. An archived replay of the webcast will be available following the conclusion of the call.

About Instructure

Instructure (NYSE: INST) is an education technology company dedicated to elevating student success, amplifying the power of teaching, and inspiring everyone to learn together. Today the Instructure Learning Platform supports more than 30 million educators and learners around the world. Learn more at www.instructure.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Instructure has provided in this press release financial information that has not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). In addition to Instructure's results determined in accordance with GAAP, Instructure believes the following non-GAAP measures are useful in evaluating its operating performance and liquidity. Instructure believes that non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance and assists in comparisons with other companies, some of which use similar non-GAAP financial information to supplement their GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with GAAP, and may be different from similarly-titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies.

A reconciliation of Instructure's historical non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures has been provided in the financial statement tables included in this press release, and investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation.

ACR. We define ACR as the combined receipts of our Company and companies that we have acquired allocated to the period of service delivery. We calculate ACR as the sum of (i) revenue and (ii) the impact of fair value adjustments to acquired unearned revenue related to Thoma Bravo's acquisition of Instructure (the "Take-Private Transaction") and the Certica Holdings, LLC ("Certica"), Eesysoft Software International B.V. (which was rebranded to "Impact by Instructure" or "Impact" subsequent to acquisition), and Kimono LLC (which was rebranded to "Elevate Data Sync" subsequent to acquisition) acquisitions where we do not believe such adjustments are reflective of our ongoing operations. Management uses this measure to evaluate organic growth of the business period over period, as if the Company had operated as a single entity and excluding the impact of acquisitions or adjustments due to purchase accounting.



Non-GAAP Operating Income. We define non-GAAP operating income as loss from operations excluding the impact of stock-based compensation, restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, and the impact of fair value adjustments to acquired unearned revenue relating to the Take-Private Transaction and the Certica, Impact and Elevate Data Sync acquisitions that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations. We believe non-GAAP operating income is useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry, as this metric generally eliminates the effects of certain items that may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance.



Non-GAAP Net Income. We define non-GAAP net income as net loss excluding the impact of stock-based compensation, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, the impact of fair value adjustments to acquired unearned revenue relating to the Take-Private Transaction and the Certica, Impact and Elevate Data Sync acquisitions, restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations. We believe Non-GAAP net income is useful in evaluating our operating performance compared to that of other companies in our industry, as this metric generally eliminates the effects of certain items that may vary for different companies for reasons unrelated to overall operating performance. Basic non-GAAP net income per common share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing non-GAAP net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted non-GAAP net income per common share attributable to common stockholders is computed by giving effect to all potential dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding for the period.

Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA is defined as earnings before debt-related costs, including interest and loss on debt extinguishment, benefit for taxes, depreciation, and amortization. We further adjust EBITDA to exclude certain items of a significant or unusual nature, including stock-based compensation, restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, and the impact of fair value adjustments to acquired unearned revenue relating to the Take-Private Transaction and the Certica, Impact and Elevate Data Sync acquisitions. Although we exclude the amortization of acquisition-related intangibles from this non-GAAP measure, management believes that it is important for investors to understand that such intangible assets were recorded as part of purchase accounting and contribute to revenue generation.

Free Cash Flow, Unlevered Free Cash Flow and Adjusted Unlevered Free Cash Flow. We define free cash flow as net cash used in operating activities less purchases of property and equipment and intangible assets, net of proceeds from disposals of property and equipment. We define unlevered free cash flow as free cash flow adjusted for cash paid for interest on outstanding debt and cash settled stock-based compensation. We define adjusted unlevered free cash flow as unlevered free cash flow adjusted for restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs paid in cash. We believe free cash flow and adjusted unlevered free cash flow facilitate period-to-period comparisons of liquidity. We consider free cash flow and adjusted unlevered free cash flow to be important measures because they measure the amount of cash we generate and reflect changes in working capital.

Non-GAAP Cost of Revenue and Non-GAAP Operating Expenses. We define non-GAAP cost of revenue and non-GAAP operating expenses as GAAP cost of revenue and GAAP operating expenses, respectively, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation, restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs, and amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations.

Non-GAAP Gross Profit. We define non-GAAP gross profit as gross profit excluding the impact of stock-based compensation, restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, and fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting, that we do not believe are reflective of our ongoing operations.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, and statements made during the above referenced conference call will contain, "forward-looking" statements, which are subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the Company's financial guidance for the second quarter of 2022 and for the full year ending December 31, 2022, the Company's growth, customer demand and application adoption, the Company's research and development efforts and future application releases, and the Company's expectations regarding future revenue, expenses, cash flows and net income or loss.

These statements are not guarantees of future performance, but are based on management's expectations as of the date of this press release and assumptions that are inherently subject to uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements include the following: risks associated with future stimulus packages approved by the U.S. federal government; failure to continue our recent growth rates; our ability to acquire new customers and successfully retain existing customers; the effects of increased usage of, or interruptions or performance problems associated with, our learning platform; the impact on our business and prospects from the effects of the current COVID-19 pandemic; our history of losses and expectation that we will not be profitable for the foreseeable future; the impact of adverse general and industry-specific economic and market conditions; and changes in the spending policies or budget priorities for government funding of Higher Education and K-12 institutions.

These and other important risk factors are described more fully in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and could cause actual results to vary from expectations. All information provided in this press release and in the conference call is as of the date hereof and Instructure undertakes no duty to update this information except as required by law.

INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except per share data)









March 31,

2022



December 31,

2021

Assets

(unaudited)







Current assets:











Cash and cash equivalents

$ 100,854



$ 164,928

Accounts receivablenet



36,606





51,607

Prepaid expenses



51,078





15,475

Deferred commissions



11,729





11,418

Other current assets



2,759





3,384

Total current assets



203,026





246,812

Property and equipment, net



11,115





10,792

Right-of-use assets



16,978





18,175

Goodwill



1,194,221





1,194,221

Intangible assets, net



596,005





629,746

Noncurrent prepaid expenses



1,404





1,553

Deferred commissions, net of current portion



19,490





20,105

Deferred tax assets



7,927





6,477

Other assets



5,979





5,901

Total assets

$ 2,056,145



$ 2,133,782

Liabilities and stockholders' equity











Current liabilities:











Accounts payable

$ 11,881



$ 18,324

Accrued liabilities



23,069





28,408

Lease liabilities



6,880





6,666

Long-term debt, current



4,013





2,763

Deferred revenue



175,203





240,936

Total current liabilities



221,046





297,097

Long-term debt, net of current portion



489,497





490,500

Deferred revenue, net of current portion



13,772





14,740

Lease liabilities, net of current portion



21,996





23,678

Deferred tax liabilities



27,890





29,851

Other long-term liabilities



2,418





3,531

Total liabilities



776,619





859,397

Stockholders' equity:











Accumulated deficit



1,413





1,407

Additional paid-in capital



1,550,318





1,539,638

Accumulated deficit



(272,205)





(266,660)

Total stockholders' equity



1,279,526





1,274,385

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 2,056,145



$ 2,133,782



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands, except per share data)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021





(unaudited)

Revenue:











Subscription and support

$ 103,492



$ 86,354

Professional services and other



9,970





7,626

Total revenue



113,462





93,980

Cost of revenue:











Subscription and support



35,546





39,884

Professional services and other



5,465





5,750

Total cost of revenue



41,011





45,634

Gross profit



72,451





48,346

Operating expenses:











Sales and marketing



43,321





41,222

Research and development



17,201





17,089

General and administrative



15,616





13,351

Impairment on disposal group









1,218

Total operating expenses



76,138





72,880

Loss from operations



(3,687)





(24,534)

Other income (expense):











Interest income



36





27

Interest expense



(4,553)





(17,271)

Other income (expense), net



306





(634)

Total other income (expense), net



(4,211)





(17,878)

Loss before income taxes



(7,898)





(42,412)

Income tax benefit



2,353





9,341

Net loss and comprehensive loss

$ (5,545)



$ (33,071)

Net loss per common share, basic and diluted

$ (0.04)



$ (0.26)

Weighted-average common shares used in computing basic and diluted net loss per common

share attributable to common stockholders



140,952





126,117



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021





(unaudited)

Operating Activities:











Net loss

$ (5,545)



$ (33,071)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:











Depreciation of property and equipment



1,004





939

Amortization of intangible assets



33,741





33,365

Amortization of deferred financing costs



294





609

Impairment on disposal group









1,218

Stock-based compensation



7,813





2,633

Deferred income taxes



(3,411)





(9,380)

Other



(360)





1,321

Changes in assets and liabilities:











Accounts receivable, net



14,779





16,906

Prepaid expenses and other assets



(34,733)





(18,921)

Deferred commissions



304





(52)

Right-of-use assets



1,197





5,242

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities



(11,746)





(8,633)

Deferred revenue



(66,701)





(50,486)

Lease liabilities



(1,468)





(1,643)

Other liabilities



(1,113)





1,221

Net cash used in operating activities



(65,945)





(58,732)

Investing Activities:











Purchases of property and equipment



(1,333)





(411)

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment



22





9

Proceeds from sale of Bridge









46,018

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities



(1,311)





45,616

Financing Activities:











Proceeds from issuance of common stock from employee equity plans



4,076







Shares repurchased for tax withholdings on vesting of restricted stock units



(1,263)







Repurchase of TopCo units









(563)

Repayments of long-term debt









(49,542)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities



2,813





(50,105)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash



590







Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash



(63,853)





(63,221)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period



169,152





150,953

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$ 105,299



$ 87,732

Supplemental cash flow disclosure:











Cash paid for taxes

$ 69



$ 77

Interest paid

$ 1,424



$ 16,672

Non-cash investing and financing activities:











Capital expenditures incurred but not yet paid

$ 119



$ 17



RECONCILIATIONS OF NON-GAAP MEASURES TO GAAP MEASURES









INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP ALLOCATED COMBINED RECEIPTS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021

Revenue

$ 113,462



$ 93,980

Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting



499





4,758

Allocated combined receipts

$ 113,961



$ 98,738



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING INCOME

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021

Loss from operations

$ (3,687)



$ (24,534)

Stock-based compensation



9,476





5,585

Restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs



2,470





13,057

Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles



33,739





33,361

Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting



499





4,758

Non-GAAP operating income

$ 42,497



$ 32,227



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP ADJUSTED EBITDA

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021

Net loss

$ (5,545)



$ (33,071)

Interest on outstanding debt and loss on debt extinguishment



4,553





17,270

Benefit for taxes



(2,353)





(9,341)

Depreciation



1,004





939

Amortization



2





2

Stock-based compensation



9,476





5,585

Restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs



2,178





13,057

Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles



33,739





33,361

Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting



499





4,758

Adjusted EBITDA

$ 43,553



$ 32,560



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF FREE CASH FLOW, UNLEVERED FREE CASH FLOW & ADJUSTED UNLEVERED FREE CASH FLOW

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021















Net cash used in operating activities

$ (65,945)



$ (58,732)

Purchases of property and equipment



(1,333)





(411)

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment



22





9

Free cash flow

$ (67,256)



$ (59,134)

Cash paid for interest on outstanding debt



1,424





16,672

Cash settled stock-based compensation



1,664





2,919

Unlevered free cash flow

$ (64,168)



$ (39,543)

Restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs paid in cash



3,878





4,804

Adjusted unlevered free cash flow

$ (60,290)



$ (34,739)



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP NET INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021

Net loss

$ (5,545)



$ (33,071)

Stock-based compensation



9,476





5,585

Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles



33,739





33,361

Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting



499





4,758

Restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs



2,178





13,057

Non-GAAP net income

$ 40,347



$ 23,690

Non-GAAP net income per common share, basic

$ 0.29



$ 0.19

Non-GAAP net income per common share, diluted

$ 0.28



$ 0.19

Weighted average common shares used in computing basic Non-GAAP net income per

common share



140,952





126,117

Weighted average common shares used in computing diluted Non-GAAP net income per

common share



142,710





126,117







INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP GROSS PROFIT

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021

Gross profit

$ 72,451



$ 48,346

Stock-based compensation



658





401

Restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs



63





2,770

Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles



15,690





15,415

Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting



499





4,758

Non-GAAP gross profit

$ 89,361



$ 71,690















GAAP gross margin



63.9 %



51.4 % Non-GAAP gross margin



78.4 %



72.6 %

INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF ACR NORMALIZED FOR BRIDGE DIVESTITURE

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





Three months

ended March 31,





2022



2021

Revenue

$ 113,462



$ 93,980

Bridge revenue - Subscription and support







$ (3,332)

Bridge revenue - Professional services and other









(330)

Revenue normalized for Bridge divestiture

$ 113,462



$ 90,318

Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting



499





4,758

Fair value adjustments to Bridge deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting -

Subscription and support









(206)

Fair value adjustments to Bridge deferred revenue in connection with purchase accounting -

Professional services and other









(20)

Allocated combined receipts normalized for Bridge divestiture

$ 113,961



$ 94,850



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF FREE CASH FLOW, UNLEVERED FREE CASH FLOW & ADJUSTED UNLEVERED FREE CASH FLOW

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





Successor



Predecessor





Three months

ended March 31,

Three months

ended December 31,

Three months

ended September 30,

Three months

ended June 30,

Three months

ended March 31,

Three months

ended December 31,

Three months

ended September 30,

Three months

ended June 30,



Three months

ended March 31,





2022

2021

2021

2021

2021

2020

2020

2020



2020











































Net cash used in operating activities

$ (65,945)

$ (3,673)

$ 161,183

$ 6,365

$ (58,732)

$ (5,076)

$ 100,285

$ (58,325)



$ (57,058)

Purchases of property and equipment

(1,333)

(1,459)

(1,193)

(1,196)

(411)

(776)

(807)

(51)



(732)

Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment

22

13

16

15

9

14

38

29



19

Free cash flow

$ (67,256)

$ (5,119)

$ 160,006

$ 5,184

$ (59,134)

$ (5,838)

$ 99,516

$ (58,347)



$ (57,771)

Cash paid for interest on outstanding debt

1,424

5,756

10,553

15,077

16,672

16,472

17,060

17,389



-

Cash settled stock-based compensation

1,664

1,522

1,651

1,524

2,919

4,003

4,105

33,328



-

Unlevered free cash flow

$ (64,168)

$ 2,159

$ 172,210

$ 21,785

$ (39,543)

$ 14,637

$ 120,681

$ (7,630)



$ (57,771)

Restructuring, transaction and sponsor related costs paid in cash

3,878

1,884

2,115

3,282

4,804

6,306

2,680

12,758



8,058

Adjusted unlevered free cash flow

$ (60,290)

$ 4,043

$ 174,325

$ 25,067

$ (34,739)

$ 20,943

$ 123,361

$ 5,128



$ (49,713)



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP COST OF REVENUE

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





GAAP



Stock-based

compensation

expense



Restructuring,

transaction and

sponsor related

costs



Amortization of

acquired

intangibles



Non-GAAP

Cost of Revenue:





























Subscription and support

$ 35,546





(282)





(9)





(15,690)



$ 19,565

Professional services and other



5,465





(376)





(54)











5,035

Total cost of revenue

$ 41,011





(658)





(63)





(15,690)



$ 24,600



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP COST OF REVENUE

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





GAAP



Stock-based

compensation

expense



Restructuring,

transaction and

sponsor related

costs



Amortization of

acquired

intangibles



Non-GAAP

Cost of Revenue:





























Subscription and support

$ 39,884





(224)





(1,921)





(15,415)



$ 22,324

Professional services and other



5,750





(177)





(849)











4,724

Total cost of revenue

$ 45,634





(401)





(2,770)





(15,415)



$ 27,048



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES

Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





GAAP



Stock-based

compensation

expense



Restructuring,

transaction and

sponsor related

costs



Amortization of

acquired

intangibles



Non-GAAP

Operating expenses:





























Sales and marketing

$ 43,321





(2,577)





(280)





(18,049)



$ 22,415

Research and development



17,201





(2,540)





(290)











14,371

General and administrative



15,616





(3,701)





(1,837)











10,078

Total operating expenses

$ 76,138





(8,818)





(2,407)





(18,049)



$ 46,864



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP OPERATING EXPENSES

Three Months Ended March 31, 2021

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





GAAP



Stock-based

compensation

expense



Restructuring,

transaction and

sponsor related

costs



Amortization of

acquired

intangibles



Non-GAAP

Operating expenses:





























Sales and marketing

$ 41,222





(1,582)





(2,251)





(17,946)



$ 19,443

Research and development



17,089





(1,670)





(2,551)











12,868

General and administrative



13,351





(1,932)





(4,267)











7,152

Impairment on disposal group



1,218











(1,218)













Total operating expenses

$ 72,880



$ (5,184)



$ (10,287)



$ (17,946)



$ 39,463



INSTRUCTURE HOLDINGS, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP ALLOCATED COMBINED RECEIPTS GUIDANCE

(in thousands)

(unaudited)





Three Months

Ending June 30, 2022



Full Year

Ending December 31, 2022





LOW



HIGH



LOW



HIGH

Revenue

$ 110,200



$ 111,200



$ 460,900



$ 464,900

Fair value adjustments to deferred revenue in connection with purchase

accounting



300





300





900





900

Allocated combined receipts

$ 110,500



$ 111,500



$ 461,800



$ 465,800



For More Information:

Media Relations:

Brian Watkins

Corporate Communications

Instructure

(801) 610-9722

[email protected]

Investor Relations:

Denise Garcia

Alex Liloia

Hayflower Partners

(646) 918-4041

[email protected]

SOURCE Instructure Holdings, Inc.
New approach replaces jetting to deepen structural casing based on fracture gradient; builds on proven, casing-drilling technology, and creates a more favorable wellbore geometry to more frequently meet well objectives.

HOUSTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Subsea Drive Corporation, in conjunction with Blade Energy Partners and Frontier Oil Tools, is proposing a Joint Industry Project (JIP), to initiate development and commercialization of a new approach to deepwater casing design.

"We felt the optimal approach for introducing this technology to deepwater operators was a JIP presenting the technology to the key players at a single venue," said Steve Rosenberg, Subsea Drive chief technology officer. "Over the past decade, we have authored several papers and industry articles receiving positive feedback from deepwater experts. We see the potential to completely replace a traditional process with something far more effective, efficient, and safer."

This approach eliminates a major deficiency of deepwater well design: shallow setting depth of structural casing, being restrained by jetting technical limitations.

Subsea Drive uses proven casing-drilling technology to replace jetting taking advantage of the rapid increase in the shallow fracture gradient. They are building a 36-in. casing-drive to enable drilling in a full string of 36-in. casing, or a tapered 36 x 28-in. string, to depths based on the fracture gradient, of 1,500 ft or more below the mudline. "This single-trip casing drilling system will eliminate one or two riserless casings, mitigate shallow hazards, push the high-pressure wellhead casing deeper, and enable favorable well geometry for expansion of the drilling operating pressure windows at deeper depths, providing a better opportunity for a successful outcome," added Jim Wakefield, Subsea Drive VP of engineering and well construction.

A meeting of prospective candidate participants, including E&P operators, drilling contractors, OEM equipment suppliers, service companies, regulatory organizations, and industry societies will be held June 29, 2022 at the Norris Conference Center, at City Centre, Houston, Texas. Contact Subsea Drive for event and registration details.

About Subsea Drive Corporation:

Subsea Drive Corporation was formed in 2021 to commercialize innovative well engineering and drilling technology concepts created by a core team of oil and gas industry experts with many years of broad and deep upstream experience.

For more information, contact:

Steve Rosenberg

[email protected]

713-449-4211

SOURCE Subsea Drive Corporation
HOUSTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) today announced that it has embarked on a series of electric aircraft test flights for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to assess the feasibility of environmentally friendly alternatives to current military aircraft, through its Affinity Capital Works Limited Joint Venture with Elbit Systems UK.

The concept of trialing zero emissions aircraft was brought to the MoD through Affinity  demonstrating its commitment to providing innovative solutions for the UK Armed Forces and addressing the needs of the future to help realize net-zero ambitions in line with the MoD's green transformation.

The test flights will help the Royal Air Force (RAF) assess the technology of electric aircraft, determine its effectiveness as an impactful pilot training capability, and explore the implications on functional areas like aircraft and airfield operations on the ground and while flying, logistics support and infrastructure, as well as safety.

The flights will use a fully certified two-seater pilot training aircraft, the Velis Electro. Flight and safety assurances were developed during the summer of 2021, which was organized and delivered through Affinity, in partnership with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.

The program began with test flights in December 2021 ahead of the aircraft joining Affinity's existing fleet at RAF Cranwell, where up to twenty additional pilots will fly the sustainable, eco-friendly aircraft in the months ahead.

"We are tremendously proud to support this initiative. The project builds on KBR's proud history of pioneering new technologies and aligns with our vision to deliver solutions that help customers accomplish their most critical objectives in a safer and more sustainable way," said Andrew Barrie, President, KBR Government Solutions EMEA.

KBR has been instrumental to the UK military flying training program since 2016, helping procure nearly 50 aircraft and supporting over 100 staff across three RAF bases in the UK through its Affinity Joint Venture with Elbit Systems UK.

About KBR

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 28,000 people performing diverse, complex and mission critical roles in 34 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long- term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

Visit www.kbr.com

Forward Looking Statement

The statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding future financial performance, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the significant adverse impacts on economic and market conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic and the company's ability to respond to the resulting challenges and business disruption; the recent dislocation of the global energy market; the company's ability to manage its liquidity; the outcome of and the publicity surrounding audits and investigations by domestic and foreign government agencies and legislative bodies; potential adverse proceedings by such agencies and potential adverse results and consequences from such proceedings; changes in capital spending by the company's customers; the company's ability to obtain contracts from existing and new customers and perform under those contracts; structural changes in the industries in which the company operates; escalating costs associated with and the performance of fixed-fee projects and the company's ability to control its cost under its contracts; claims negotiations and contract disputes with the company's customers; changes in the demand for or price of oil and/or natural gas; protection of intellectual property rights; compliance with environmental laws; changes in government regulations and regulatory requirements; compliance with laws related to income taxes; unsettled political conditions, war and the effects of terrorism; foreign operations and foreign exchange rates and controls; the development and installation of financial systems; the possibility of cyber and malware attacks; increased competition for employees; the ability to successfully complete and integrate acquisitions; and operations of joint ventures, including joint ventures that are not controlled by the company.

The company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Form 10-Qs and 8-Ks, and other U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss some of the important risk factors that the company has identified that may affect its business, results of operations and financial condition. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.

SOURCE KBR, Inc.
The company said its board decided on the early redemption in April 2022, ahead of the maturity date of July 12, 2022 as part of its wider financial strategy. Kedrion described the move, made in consultation with its new investment partner Permira, as part of a set of steps which will see the company focused on keeping its debt exposure at moderate levels while aiming for international growth.

Paolo Marcucci, Kedrion's Executive Chairman, said he was pleased with recent developments in the group, and with the Marcucci family's new partnership with Permira. "Together we are poised for growth, we are committed to future investment, and we look forward to significant international expansion in the near future, especially in North America." Marcucci added: "I am pleased that Kedrion is moving in the right direction. With a strong balance sheet and an array of new growth opportunities before us, we are ready for our next phase as a global player in the biopharmaceuticals sector."

Last January, Permira, the global private equity firm, said that funds advised by Permira had entered into a partnership agreement with Kedrion's existing shareholders (the Marcucci family) to jointly acquire and combine Kedrion and BPL into one group. The combination will create a global player for medicines derived from human blood plasma, to treat patients with rare and life threatening conditions.

Kedrion, headquartered in Tuscany, Italy, brings an extensive portfolio of 21 products and over 600 marketing authorizations around the world. Kedrion was established in 2001 but has roots in the Italian pharmaceutical industry dating back to the 1960s. Under the leadership of multiple generations of the Marcucci family, Kedrion has evolved from its deep Italian heritage to become a global vertically integrated platform with a commercial footprint reaching over 100 countries, of which 80% is through direct sales.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1808003/Kedrion_Biopharma.jpg

Logo- https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1662083/Kedrion_Biopharma_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kedrion Biopharma
NEWPORT, Calif., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Hittelman Strunk Law Firm, a securities law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. f/k/a Novus Capital Corporation II (NYSE: NRGV, NRGV-WT) resulting from allegations that Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Hittelman Strunk Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://www.hittelmanstrunk.com/ or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: SPACs, or special purpose acquisition companies, are commonly known as "blank check" shell companies. SPACs provide an alternative to the traditional IPO process and serve the primary purpose of raising investor proceeds to eventually acquire a private company.

While SPAC investors have the potential to realize significant gains, they are also much more vulnerable to market volatility and other types of fraud. According to the Wall Street Journal, the SPAC process isn't subject to the same rules about disclosure and marketing practices as standard initial public offerings, and may give companies like Energy Vault Holdings, Inc. more leeway to attract investors with projections of future revenue and profit that may not hold up.

Investors may be vulnerable to a variety of SPAC fraud by sponsors, including:

Misrepresenting material facts related to the SPAC or the company to be acquired;

Failing to properly investigate or conduct due diligence on the company to be acquired; or

Engaging in self-dealing or failing to disclose conflicts of interest with the acquisition company.

SPACs have recently come under SEC scrutiny and investor lawsuits against SPACs are on the rise. According to MarketWatch, many of these lawsuits allege SPAC directors failed to disclose sufficient information about the companies they intended to merge with. As of April 2022, the SEC has proposed new disclosure requirements for SPACs to mitigate these concerns. The Wall Street Journal states that the proposals, if implemented, "would make it harder for SPACs to raise money from investors and execute mergers."

WHY HITTELMAN STRUNK LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Hittelman Strunk Law Firm represents investors and concentrates its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation.

Contact

Hittelman Stunk LLP

[email protected]

SOURCE Hittelman Strunk
Jumpstart a healthy lifestyle

BALTIMORE, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- May marks the start of Women's Health Month, a time dedicated to the health and wellness of women throughout the world. The Urology Care Foundation, the official Foundation of the American Urological Association and the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation, utilizes the month of May to educate and raise awareness of urology-related conditions and diseases that affect women, such as overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, incontinence, interstitial cystitis and bladder cancer.

The Urology Care Foundation is celebrating Women's Health Month in May!

This month, the Urology Care Foundation is focusing on awareness of early detection and treatment of disease as well as techniques to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Women are encouraged to focus on self-care within these four topics:

Week 1: Go to the Bathroom. Holding your urine for too long can weaken the bladder muscles over time. This can lead to problems like incontinence and not being able to fully empty your bladder. Try to urinate every 3-4 hours during the day.

Week 2: Hydrate. Becoming dehydrated can lead to concentrated urine which can irritate your bladder. Adults should drink 6-8 oz. of water a day for a healthy bladder.

Week 3: Go for a walk. Physical activity can help prevent bladder problems and helps maintain a healthy weight. Aim for 30 minutes of walking a day.

Week 4: Relax. Some research suggests that mindful meditation can reduce the frequency and urgency of overactive bladder episodes. Meditation can help calm the body and mind.

"Women's Health Month reminds women to take control of their own health," said Harris M. Nagler, MD, president of the Urology Care Foundation. "The Urology Care Foundation serves as a source of trusted resources to help empower women to improve their urologic health, and therefore, their overall health. We offer podcasts, downloadable brochures and other information spanning all urologic diseases and conditions."

To learn more about the urology-related conditions and diseases that affect women, visit the Urology Care Foundation's Women's Health Info Center at www.UrologyHealth.org/womenshealth.

About the Urology Care Foundation: The Urology Care Foundation is the world's leading nonprofit urological health foundation, and the official foundation of the American Urological Association. Collaborating with physicians, researchers, patients and the public, the Foundation supports and improves urologic clinical care by funding research, developing patient education and pursuing philanthropic support. To learn more about the Urology Care Foundation and its programs visit: www.urologyhealth.org.

Contact: Caitlin Lukacs

410-689-4081

[email protected]

SOURCE Urology Care Foundation
68% of AAPI women who participated in the NYC survey agree that talking to a mental health professional would positively impact their lives. Still, only 27% of Asian women strongly agree that they feel supported by family and friends, compared to 35% of the general New York women population. 69% of Asian women said they knew they could speak with a family doctor about their mental health, compared to 80% of women in the general NYC population. Moreover, only 35% of Asian women know a local community-based organization providing mental health services in their preferred language, compared to 49% of women in the general population in New York City.

There are also generational differences at play among the AAPI women. While Gen Z women who were surveyed report feeling more stressed than Baby Boomers (40% vs. 9% strongly agree), they also are more likely to encourage their friends and family members to seek professional mental health services (32% vs. 13%), prefer speaking with a professional who speaks their language (33% vs. 3%), and feel they do not prioritize their mental health enough (22% vs. 3%).

Lack of understanding about mental illness and the taint associated with mental health issues can lead to denial or neglect of mental health challenges.

"The key barrier to seeking help is often what you absorbed yourself  you feel stigmatized, shame, and part of the problem is that you may not feel as comfortable talking about mental health issues as you are talking about physical problems," said Dr. Sanjiv Shah, Chief Medical Officer of MetroPlusHealth. "We need to do a much better job to remove the stigma surrounding mental illness."

According to a recent analysis by the NYC Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), AAPI immigrants are "one of the most diverse racial groups in the City, representing more than 30 different ethnic groups and speaking more than 50 languages" with a high poverty rate. The analysis also states, "there have been increased incidents of discrimination and violence against AAPI individuals, rooted in the long history of racism, stereotyping, and scapegoating of immigrant communities in the United States."

Culturally sensitive and fluent in more than 40 languages, MetroPlusHealth staff is as diverse as the great City we serve. In August, MetroPlusHealth opened a new flagship office in Flushing, Queens, and partners with local community-based organizations. The Flushing office reflects MetroPlusHealth's commitment to being more than a health plan for its members and communities.

"In traditional Asian culture, mental health is rarely spoken about," said Dr. Eric Wei, Senior Vice President and Chief Quality Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals. "But each generation is seeing more and more benefits from seeking mental health services and are trying to convince their parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents that it is okay.

To improve the AAPI community's awareness of mental health support, MetroPlusHealth is hosting its first-ever campaign for Mental Health Talk on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday, May 18th, from 11 AM  12 PM. On May 25th, MetroPlusHealth will also host a virtual Town Hall focused on AAPI Mental Health.

Members of the public can register to attend the virtual Town Hall at

https://aapimentalhealth.eventbrite.com .

To learn about MetroPlusHealth's behavioral health programs, visit

https://www.metroplus.org/member/behavioral-health .

About MetroPlusHealth

Since 1985, MetroPlusHealth Plan has built a reputation for providing access to affordable, quality health care to residents across New York City. MetroPlusHealth is the plan of choice for over 600,000 New Yorkers and has a five-star rating based on the State's 2020 Consumer's Guide to Medicaid and Child Health Plus Managed Care Plans in New York City. The health plan's robust network of primary care doctors and specialists includes many independent community providers. Culturally sensitive, and fluent in more than 40 languages, MetroPlusHealth's staff is as diverse as the great City it serves. For more information about MetroPlusHealth plans, benefits, and services, visit www.metroplus.org and join the conversation at facebook.com/metroplushealth and twitter @metroplushealth. MetroPlusHealth is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NYC Health + Hospitals, the nation's largest public health system.

Research Methodology

The 2022 AAPI Survey of Mental Health Among Women in NYC was conducted April 7 - 15, 2022, and consists of two distinct studies with the Geo-CARAVAN survey conducted by ENGINE INSIGHTS. The Asian women study was among 302 Asian women in the New York City DMA 18 years of age and older, and the NYC general pop survey was among 505 residents in the New York City DMA 18 years of age and older.

About Engine Insights

ENGINE INSIGHTS is a collaborative and consultative research partner to hundreds of organizations around the globe. We possess a wide variety of resources, tools, and technologies to collect and analyze information for our clients. As a member of the Insights Association and ESOMAR (the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research), ENGINE INSIGHTS adheres to industry ethics and best practices, including maintaining the anonymity of our respondents.

CONTACT:

Divendra Jaffar

212-908-3380/646-952-3243

[email protected]

SOURCE MetroPlusHealth
Positioned for Market Recovery Maintained Market Share

HONG KONG, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM China Holdings Limited ("MGM China" or the "Company"; SEHK Stock Code: 2282) today announced the selected unaudited financial data of the Company and its subsidiaries (the "Group") for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (the "Period").

Macau and Greater China continued to be under the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. We saw demand pick up during the Chinese New Year (CNY). Visitation to Macau increased 26% year-on-year during the six-day holiday period. MGM saw growth of rated mass player count and table volume across both properties while hotel occupancy reached 93% for MGM MACAU and 72% for MGM COTAI.

and continued to be under the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022. We saw demand pick up during the Chinese New Year (CNY). Visitation to increased 26% year-on-year during the six-day holiday period. MGM saw growth of rated mass player count and table volume across both properties while hotel occupancy reached 93% for MGM and 72% for MGM COTAI. However, with the widening pandemic outbreaks in mainland China during the quarter, many Chinese provinces have imposed lockdown measures as well as enhanced travel and border controls. Macau had also tightened requirements for inbound travelers. These all resulted in a decline of Macau's gross gaming revenue (GGR).

during the quarter, many Chinese provinces have imposed lockdown measures as well as enhanced travel and border controls. had also tightened requirements for inbound travelers. These all resulted in a decline of gross gaming revenue (GGR). First-quarter market-wide GGR was down by 25% year-over-year to MOP17.8 billion. Daily GGR was at 25% of 2019 fourth-quarter pre-pandemic level.

MGM China saw first-quarter daily GGR at 35% of 19Q4 level, outperforming the market with our meticulous focus on service and product coupled with our strength in the premium segment. In the same period, we grew our market share to 13.3% compared to 11.5% a year ago.

For the Period, MGM China recorded total revenue of approximately HK$2.1 billion (21Q1: HK$2.3 billion ). It had an adjusted EBITDA of approximately $46 million (21Q1: HK$84 million ).

(21Q1: ). It had an adjusted EBITDA of approximately (21Q1: ). MGM MACAU recorded revenue of HK$1.2 billion (21Q1: HK$1.3 billion ) and an adjusted EBTIDA of HK$153 million (21Q1: HK$170 million ). It is by far the best performing mass gaming property on the Peninsula, boasting the highest mass table win since May 2021 . Hotel occupancy was at 73% for the Period.

recorded revenue of (21Q1: ) and an adjusted EBTIDA of (21Q1: ). It is by far the best performing mass gaming property on the Peninsula, boasting the highest mass table win since . Hotel occupancy was at 73% for the Period. MGM COTAI recorded revenue of HK$914 million (21Q1: HK$981 million ) and a negative adjusted EBITDA of HK$108 million (21Q1: - HK$86 million ). Hotel occupancy was 39% for the Period.

(21Q1: ) and a negative adjusted EBITDA of (21Q1: - ). Hotel occupancy was 39% for the Period. The Group maintained a healthy financial position. As of March 31, 2022 , the Group had total liquidity of approximately HK$12 billion , comprised of cash and cash equivalents and undrawn revolver.

On March 3, the Macau Government announced their intention to extend the term of Macau's six concession and sub-concession contracts for six months until December 31, 2022 and invited the concessionaires and sub-concessionaires to submit a formal request for the extension. On March 11, MGM submitted its request for the extension along with a commitment to pay the premium to the Macau Government.

Kenneth Feng, President, Strategic & Chief Financial Officer of MGM China said: "We will continue to work with the government on retendering as Macau is an important part of our future. We look forward to further promoting the long-term development of Macau's gaming industry and supporting the government's tourism and diversification goals for the region."

The Group will maintain focus on understanding and addressing the needs of our customers. "We strive for ongoing improvements over our gaming floors, product offering and services. We believe that once demand returns, we are well-positioned for growth, particularly in our premium mass and mass segments," said Kenneth Feng.

About MGM China Holdings Limited

MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions/sub-concessions to run casino games in Macau. MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and MGM COTAI, a contemporary luxury integrated resort in Cotai, which opened in early 2018 and more than doubles our presence in Macau.

MGM China is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com.

SOURCE MGM China
Mixed-Use Community Will Add 292 Homes, Retail to Downtown Orlando

ORLANDO, Fla., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Mill Creek Residential, a leading developer, owner-operator and investment manager specializing in premier rental housing across the U.S., today announced the start of preleasing at Modera Creative Village, a contemporary mixed-use apartment community in the emerging Creative Village district of Downtown Orlando.

The eight-story midrise, which includes 292 apartment homes and approximately 10,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, sits adjacent to newly built Luminary Park and is part of a master development effort to transform the former Amway Arena area into a vibrant, multidimensional mixed-use destination. Move-ins will begin on May 19.

"We're excited to be a part of an up-and-coming neighborhood that has immediately become one of the most attractive destinations in the city," said Damon Kolb, managing director of development in North Florida for Mill Creek Residential. "We're prepared to offer a vibrant living experience that will match the charismatic area, and we're eager to welcome our first resident base to this smart and sophisticated community."

Situated at 505 Chatham Avenue, Modera Creative Village is minutes from popular Lake Eola Park and within one block of Valencia College and the University of Central Florida's downtown campus. The community also is within walking distance of Exploria Stadium, Lynx Central Station and is conveniently located next to Interstate 4, one of the area's primary thoroughfares. The site boasts a Walk Score of 80considered "very walkable"and is labeled a biker's paradise with a superb Bike Score of 90.

Residents will have access to a wide variety of attractions within Downtown Orlando, including a diverse range of museums, restaurants, boutique shops, nightlife options and public parks. This includes Bob Carr Theatre, Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, several art galleries and a thriving employment sector anchored by the region's top employers and healthcare facilities.

Modera Creative Village offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom homes with various layouts and design elements. Community amenities include a resort-style pool with fire pit and outdoor games, social lounge with HDTV, club-quality 24-hour fitness center with cardio and weight stations, Echelon mirrors, expansive clubroom, pet spa, outdoor courtyards and an outdoor chef-inspired kitchen with a dining area. Residents will also have access to co-working spaces with multiple seating areas, digital package lockers, dedicated bike storage, controlled guest access and electric vehicle charging stations.

Apartment interiors are equipped with two distinct color themes, 42-inch custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, tile backsplashes, stainless steel appliances, plank-style flooring, stackable washers and dryers, designer fixtures, smart thermostats and backlit bathroom mirrors. Select homes will include movable kitchen islands.

About Mill Creek Residential

Mill Creek Residential Trust LLC is a national rental housing company focused on the development, acquisition and operation of both multifamily and build-to-rent single-family communities in targeted markets nationwide. The national company, headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida proactively develops, acquires, constructs and operates communities through its seasoned team of real estate professionals in offices across the United States. Mill Creek is building its portfolio in many of the nation's most desirable markets in Seattle, Portland, the San Francisco Bay area, Southern California, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Austin, Houston, South Florida, Tampa, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, Raleigh, Washington, D.C., New Jersey, New York, and Boston. As of December 31, 2021, the company's portfolio is comprised of 119 communities representing over 32,500 rental homes that are operating and/or under construction. For more information, please visit www.MillCreekPlaces.com.

Media Contact

Stephen Ursery

LinnellTaylor Marketing

[email protected]

303.682.3945

SOURCE Mill Creek Residential
VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Montage Gold Corp. ("Montage" or the "Company") (TSXV: MAU) (OTCPK: MAUTF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Anu Dhir to the Company's Board of Directors effective immediately. Ms. Dhir, who is based in Toronto, Canada, is co-founder of Wshingwell, a for-profit community relationship platform that allows individuals, communities and organizations to micro-fundraise around experiences and events. Prior to starting Wshingwell, Ms. Dhir spent 20 years in the resources sector; most recently, as a co-founder and executive of ZinQ Mining, a private base and precious metals company that focuses on the Latin American Region. Prior to ZinQ Mining, Ms. Dhir was Vice President, Corporate Development and Corporate Secretary at Katanga Mining Limited. Ms. Dhir currently serves as a non-executive director on the Boards of Taseko Mines Limited and Lomiko Metals Inc. Ms. Dhir is a graduate of the General Management Program (GMP) at Harvard Business School and has a law degree (Juris Doctor) from Quinnipiac University and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Toronto.

The Company also announces that, effective immediately, Richard P. Clark is stepping down as non-executive Chair of the Board but will continue to serve as a member of the Board. Peter C. Mitchell, who currently serves as a director of the Company, will assume the role of non-executive Chair.

Mr. Hugh Stuart, Chief Executive Officer commented, "I am very pleased to welcome Ms. Dhir to Montage. Ms. Dhir joins the Company at an important stage of the Company's development as we continue to advance our Kone Gold Project through permitting, financing, and exploration milestones. Ms. Dhir's depth of experience in the mining industry, particularly in African countries, combined with her legal expertise, enhances and compliments the skillsets currently represented on our Board of Directors.

I would also like to thank Mr. Clark for his leadership as Chair of the Board since the Company's inception in 2019 and look forward to his continued contribution and guidance in his continuing role as a director of Montage."

The Company also announces that it has granted an aggregate of 300,000 incentive stock options to Ms. Dhir. The options are exercisable, subject to vesting provisions, over a period of three years at a price of C$0.81 per share.

ABOUT MONTAGE GOLD CORP.

Montage is a Canadian-based precious metals exploration and development company focused on opportunities in Cote d'Ivoire. The Company's flagship property is the Kone Gold Project, located in northwest Cote d'Ivoire, which currently hosts a Probable Mineral Reserve of 161.1Mt grading 0.66g/t for 3.42M ounces of gold. The Company released the results of a DFS on the Kone Gold Project on February 14, 2022, outlining a 15-year gold project producing 3.06M ounces with average annual production of 207koz, and peak production of 320koz. Montage has a management team and Board with significant experience in discovering and developing gold deposits in Africa.

TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE

The technical disclosure contained in this press release have been approved by Hugh Stuart, BSc, MSc, a Qualified Person pursuant to NI 43-101. Mr. Stuart is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a Chartered Geologist and a Fellow of the Geological Society of London. Mr. Stuart is not independent of Montage as he is an officer, director and shareholder of Montage.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "Forward-looking Statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, constitute Forward-looking Statements. Words such as "will", "intends", "proposed" and "expects" or similar expressions are intended to identify Forward-looking Statements. Forward looking Statements in this press release include statements that imply the Company will obtain sufficient or any project financing to permit the Project to be developed as expected, and also includes those related to the Company's mineral reserve and resource estimates; the timing and amount of future production from the Kone Gold Project; expectations with respect to the IRR, NPV, payback and costs of the Kone Gold Project; anticipated mining and processing methods of the Kone Gold Project; anticipated mine life of the Kone Gold Project; expected recoveries and grades of the Kone Gold Project; timing for the DFS; and timing for permits and concessions. Forward-looking Statements involve various risks and uncertainties and are based on certain factors and assumptions. 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 Company's expectations include uncertainties inherent in the preparation of mineral reserve and resource estimates and definitive feasibility studies such as the mineral reserve and resource estimates and the DFS, including but not limited to, assumptions underlying the production estimates not being realized, incorrect cost assumptions, unexpected variations in quantity of mineralized material, grade or recovery rates, unexpected changes to geotechnical or hydrogeological considerations, unexpected failures of plant, equipment or processes, unexpected changes to availability of power or the power rates, failure to maintain permits and licenses, higher than expected interest or tax rates, adverse changes in project parameters, unanticipated delays and costs of consulting and accommodating rights of local communities, environmental risks inherent in the Cote d'Ivoire, title risks, including failure to renew concessions, unanticipated commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to COVID-19, delays in or failure to receive access agreements or amended permits, the impact and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and other risk factors set forth in the Company's annual information form under the heading "Risk Factors". The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any Forward-looking Statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Montage to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any Forward-looking Statement. Any Forward-looking Statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Montage Gold Corp
Franchise with Contemporary, Fun and Easy Approach to Eye Care Will Serve Optical Needs of the Community at New Locations

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- My Eyelab , a leading optical retailer offering accessible and affordable eye care and eyewear, will open its newest locations in Birmingham late May and late June, with another to follow later in 2022. Located at 1711 Montgomery Highway in the Riverchase area and 5413 Highway 280, Suite 103 at the Cahaba Market, the two stores opening mark My Eyelab's debut in Alabama.

Franchise owners Zain Attawala and Sagar Panjawani are optimistic about the expansion. "Moving into the Birmingham area with these three new locations gives us a lot of opportunity for growth and to capitalize on the optical market here," says Attawala.

Under the leadership of founder and CEO Daniel Stanton, My Eyelab is a retail brand of Now Optics, which also includes Stanton Optical. My Eyelab has led the optical industry in ocular telehealth by leveraging proprietary innovative telehealth technology to provide patients with affordable eye exams, eyeglasses, and contact lenses. Tapping into its network of affiliated doctors, to date the company has conducted over 2 million telehealth eye exams, something no other optical retailer can offer in the Birmingham area. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has not hindered My Eyelab's success, as its proprietary telehealth technology minimizes the risk without compromising quality eye care.

By combining their industry-leading telehealth technology and various monthly payment options through third party vendors, My Eyelab is delivering on their promise of modernizing the eyecare experience for all that's more affordable and accessible than ever before.

On top of that, an assortment of over 1,000 frames and top contact lens brands to fit both style and budgets allows consumers the ultimate freedom to experiment with unique, stylish designs that fit their personal style. For convenience, the new My Eyelab stores around Birmingham accept both same day appointments and walk-ins for your eye exams and eyewear needs.

Hours for the Hoover Riverchase and Cahaba Market stores are Monday  Saturday 9 am to 7 pm. For more information or to schedule an appointment go to www.myeyelab.com or call 1-800-EYE TEST.

ABOUT NOW OPTICS:

Now Optics is a leader in the eye care industry. Its retail brands, My Eyelab and Stanton Optical, are among the nation's fastest growing, full-service retail optical centers. The company continues to expand its retail footprint with over 250 corporate and franchise locations in 28 states while delivering affordable eye health solutions. The company consistently ranks among the largest optical retailers in the country by Vision Monday and was ranked #3 on Entrepreneur's list of Top New Franchises in 2021. Visit myeyelab.com or stantonoptical.com for more information. Find details about franchise opportunities at myeyelabfranchise.com .

SOURCE Now Optics
WASHINGTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

News Advisory:

Event: Digital event with panel to discuss World Press Freedom 2022 coming from the studios of the National Press Club. The webcast will be available at this address:

https://www.press.org/events/world-press-freedom-day

When: 10a.m.-11:30a.m. (Eastern)

Who: -- Jen Judson, 115th President of the National Press Club and Land Warfare Reporter for Defense News;

-- Jason Rezaian, Washington Post Global Opinions writer. Author of the book: "Prisoner" and producer of the popular podcast "544 Days" on Spotify;

-- Kathy Kiely, Lee Hills Professor of Press Freedom Studies at the University of Missouri and former reporter for USA Today, Bloomberg, Philadelphia Daily News and others;

-- Bill McCarren, Executive Director of the National Press Club and board member of Reporters Without Borders US.

-- Zaki Daryabi, Publisher of Etilaatroz, an independent Afghan news organization

-- Mohammad Mosaed, a journalist who fled Iran and is now working in IT at NPC.

DETAILS:

The panel will discuss significant developments in press freedom during the past year focusing cases where the National Press Club is particularly involved including: Austin Tice and Emilio Gutierrez-Soto. There will be special emphasis on some of the most dangerous places in the world for working journalist including: Ukraine, Mexico, Afghanistan and China. Daryabi will join the panel to discuss Afghanistan and there may be other special guests. In 2011, the only year when World Press Freedom Day was based in the United States, the activities and events were hosted at the National Press Club.

Editors Note: Daryabi fled Afghanistan last fall and was briefly in Doha before settling in Maryland. He and his team continue to produce daily editions of Etilaatroz from remote locations. On World Press Freedom Day, the Press Club has invited him to do his work from the Club itself and he will be onsite working when not on the panel.

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a strong voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.

Media Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club

SOURCE National Press Club
The program has been a lifeline for many across the nation who continue to experience the impact of the pandemic. A shining example of the progress that grant recipients in 11 other cities have made with the BRA's support, Vaucresson Sausage Co.  which has operated throughout three generations in the historic 7 th Ward since 1899 and is the last remaining food vendor to have served the inaugural New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival  will launch Vaucresson Creole Cafe & Deli . This business expansion breathes new life into a century and a quarter of New Orleans' Creole tradition. Fellow Louisiana establishments include Addis Nola, Beaucoup Eats, Ray's on The Avenue and Taste & See Personal Chef Services . Nationwide, 100 restaurateurs used the $10,000 grants to:

Save more than 60 jobs and hire staff

Expand their businesses by opening new locations

Grow their businesses with by taking actions like upgrading or procuring delivery vehicles, investing in kitchen equipment, setting up outdoor seating amid COVID regulations, launching marketing efforts including digital platforms to reach more consumers

In addition to supporting 100 restaurants with grants, 400 additional Black-owned restaurants were provided with support including:

1,150 counseling and 1,185 training sessions to provide resources needed to grow their businesses

Approximately $1.6 million of financing and contract opportunities

of financing and contract opportunities Creating 14 new business ventures

"Black-owned businesses are the beating heart of our communities. We've supported small businesses for decades and watched how they create jobs, inspire new enterprises, and establish legacies for generations," said Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League. "While the pandemic has deepened disparities that hinder our communities, the impact of this program is a testament to the resilience we can foster when we provide the right support. And we need other members of the business community and policymakers to step up, join us and act with urgency to ensure these entrepreneurs have equitable access to critical resources."

The pandemic hit Black-owned businesses the hardest, with 58 percent already facing financial distress. According to a University of California, Santa Cruz study, 41% of Black-owned businesses have shuttered since February 2020 compared to just 17% of white-owned businesses.[1] In New Orleans, many had to make difficult decisions about the future of businesses that have been in their families for generations.

"Investing to ensure Black-owned restaurants survive is critical to enabling communities to thrive," said C.D. Glin, Vice President of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Philanthropy, PepsiCo. "Our partnership with the National Urban League and its Entrepreneurship Centers provides comprehensive support in that it provides more than just access to capital but also essential support services that help them reimagine their businesses and make them sustainable for generations."

"As we welcome back tourists against the backdrop of the cultural events returning to the city, it's essential to preserve institutions like the Black-owned restaurants," said Judy Reese Morse, President & CEO, Urban League of Louisiana. "The Black Restaurant Accelerator is key to addressing some of the historical challenges and turning the tides as we seek to preserve the businesses that feed the soul of New Orleans."

As one of the world's leading convenient food and beverage companies, PepsiCo recognizes the importance of combatting deep-rooted inequity and creating long-term economic opportunities for Black communities. In 2020, PepsiCo launched its Racial Equality Journey, which focuses on three pillars: People, Business, and Communities. More information can be found here.

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.

About The PepsiCo Foundation

Established in 1962, The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we're focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and workcollaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsico.com/sustainability/philanthropy.

About National Urban League

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 90 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague.

[1] University of California, Santa Cruz, 2020

SOURCE PepsiCo Foundation
Louisville, KY: 5/3-5/6, 12pm-5pm, at the Jefferson Mall (4801 Outer Loop, Louisville, KY 40219)

Lexington, KY: 5/10 & 5/13, 11am-5pm, and 5/11 & 5/12, 11am-6pm, at the Transylvania University (469 North Broadway, Lexington, KY 40508)

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The All of Us Research Program's Journey mobile exhibit is traveling across the country to engage communities that have been historically underrepresented in medical research. All of Us is inviting one million or more people to help build one of the most diverse health databases of its kind and advance precision medicine.

Since the program launched in 2018, the mobile exhibit has visited more than 100 cities in over 40 states. In Kentucky, the Journey will be available to educate and register new participants for the program. With more enrollment and representation from area residents, researchers can help better address health issues that are prevalent in the community.

EVENT DETAILS:

All of Us tour managers will be available for interviews before the event or at the event via Zoom or phone.

tour managers will be available for interviews before the event or at the event via Zoom or phone. Journalists are welcome to shoot B-roll and take photos at the event.

The mobile exhibit features hands-on activities to learn more about the program, including a digital gaming hub, an augmented reality experience, and more.

Only adults aged 18+ are able to register for the program at this time.

COVID-19 safety guidelines:

All staff are vaccinated against COVID-19.



Staff and attendees are required to wear masks, social distance, sanitize hands, and complete temperature screenings and digital tracing forms.

to wear masks, social distance, sanitize hands, and complete temperature screenings and digital tracing forms.

All surfaces are cleaned pre-, during, and post-event to reduce any possible contamination.

ABOUT ALL OF US:

More than 320,000 people nationwide have enrolled and completed the initial steps, and over 80% of these participants belong to communities that have been historically underrepresented in biomedical research, including 50% from racial and ethnic minority groups. Researchers will use the data participants contribute to learn how biology, lifestyle, and environment affect health. This may one day help them find more tailored ways to treat and prevent disease.

For more information, visit allofus.nih.gov . | To sign up, visit joinallofus.org .

SOURCE All of Us Journey
RED BANK, N.J., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- OpenLocker Inc. has launched the OpenStable marketplace, a fan-friendly blockchain platform to engage the next generation of thoroughbred racing fans. The first limited edition series in the Legendary Racing Prospects Collection of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) includes Epicenter, Echo Zulu and Cocktail Moments. Other horses will be released this week.

Ownership of an NFT allows entry into an exclusive community with access to information, memorabilia and experiences so fans can follow a horse over the course of its career. The OpenStable platform makes buying a digital collectible easy and accepts credit/debit cards along with cryptocurrency. To connect the digital technology to the physical world, a "Platinum Card" will be sent to all NFT holders. This metal wallet-size card will be hand signed by the connections of the horse.

For purchases made prior to race day, NFT holders will also receive a $2 tote ticket from Churchill Downs and have the opportunity to enter a drawing to win paddock passes. The perks and privileges will continue throughout the year and include winner's circle invitations, barn visits, horse shoes, exclusive information platform and digital rewards.

"Racing fans will be able to access real life experiences with digital collectibles and receive authenticated physical tokens for a fully immersive journey," said Brian Klatsky, President of OpenLocker.

OpenLocker has established a media partnership with Horse Races Now which has a free easy-to-use App and website that allows users to follow their favorite horses, trainers, racetracks, and jockeys.

"We are excited to partner with OpenStable to make horse racing more accessible and engaging to younger fans of the sport who are interested in being part of the community," said Kenny McPeek, founder of Horse Races Now and trainer of Smile Happy and Cocktail Moments.

A collection of NFTs featuring jockeys and trainers will be released this summer. For more information, visit openstable.io.

About OpenLocker, Inc. and OpenStable

OpenLocker is developing a user-friendly NFT platform for athletes to monetize their fan engagement with innovative digital collectibles. OpenStable is dedicated to empowering the next generation of racing fans with access to their favorite equine athletes and the best experience that the racing industry has to offer with innovative digital collectibles.

SOURCE OpenLocker
Alsana credits its Adaptive Care Model and compassionate team of eating recovery caregivers with overwhelmingly positive 2021 client perception of care results.

ST. LOUIS, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alsana is an eating disorder treatment provider and community offering in-person programs in Missouri, Alabama, and California and virtual PHP/IOP programs serving clients throughout the United States. 2021 client Perception of Care (PoC) data outlined in this year's Outcomes Report (available to download here) reveal clients' 2021 perception of care was overwhelmingly favorable.

Alsana surveys all clients about their care experiences, administering PoC surveys each time a client transitions to a new level of care and when they leave treatment, regardless of discharge type. This aids in identifying growth opportunities while inviting clients to reflect on their treatment experiences. In 2021, 92 percent of PoC responses (1,371) said clients "would recommend Alsana to others."

Alsana also gathers data specific to LGBTQ+-identifying clients and virtual PHP/IOP clients, gaining valuable insights that help ensure quality care delivery for populations with unique needs and concerns.

2021 LGBTQ+ perception of care survey results showed:

96% describe Alsana as offering an accepting and affirming treatment environment.

95% felt they could show up authentically and be respected in their treatment program.

94% said their gender identity was respected and affirmed in treatment.

99% said their sexual identity was respected and affirmed in treatment.

Finally, 91% of PoC survey responses received from LGBTQ+ clients in 2021 said they would recommend Alsana to others in need of eating disorder care.

"Alsana in-person and virtual programs are safe and holistic. We feel it is equally important that they be inclusive, affirming, and welcoming for adult clients of all genders and sexual identities," said Heather Russo, LMFT, CEDS-S, Chief Clinical Officer for Alsana. "We're honored to care for our LGBTQ+ community members and committed to continually improving our care approaches to better serve this and every client population."

The COVID-19 pandemic created an abundance of circumstances in which virtual services made the most sense for many Alsana clients with the appropriate medical acuity to receive care remotely. Virtual PHP/IOP programs are also suitable for some clients stepping down their level of care after leaving their residential program.

2021 virtual PHP/IOP perception of care survey results reported:

89% felt engaged in treatment delivered virtually.

93% said virtual services fit their schedule and personal needs better than an in-person program.

93% indicated virtual services were able to deliver comprehensive and adaptive care.

94% felt supported by their virtual team.

94% felt they could communicate well with their treatment team in a virtual setting.

92% would recommend Alsana's virtual programs to other individuals needing eating disorder treatment.

"Virtual care options provide greater flexibility, without which some clients would face substantial barriers to accessing care," said Margherita Mascolo, MD, CEDS-S, Chief Medical Officer for Alsana. "Perception of Care results tell a big part of our story as an eating recovery community; we aim to meet each client where they are in their recovery and help create community with and around them as they heal- regardless of care level or treatment method."

Alsana Westlake Alumna Tabitha, 31 (she/her), expresses gratitude for her treatment team and the impact her care experience has had on her recovery and overall wellbeing. "There were times I wanted so badly to quit, but I will never forget the people who helped me help myself, the staff that walked alongside me when things were hard. They saved my life."

Media Contact

Jordan Watson

[email protected]

866-977-3416

About Alsana

Alsana is an eating recovery community and treatment provider with in-person Residential and PHP/IOP programs in Alabama (Birmingham and Huntsville), California (Monterey, Santa Barbara, Westlake Village, and Thousand Oaks), and Missouri (St. Louis), and Virtual PHP/IOP offerings across the United States. Their approach to eating disorder treatment is compassionate, evidence-based, and designed in alignment with the Adaptive Care Model. This holistic method seeks to address healing in all areas of clients' lives by integrating medical, nutritional, and therapeutic care with movement and relational therapies. Alsana serves adult clients of all genders and sexual identities struggling with a broad spectrum of eating, feeding, and co-occurring disorders. Their programs accommodate the unique needs of vegan clients and individuals struggling with ED-DMT1, also known as "diabulimia."

Learn more at alsana.com, visit alsanareviews.com, or engage on social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

SOURCE Alsana
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2021, the global pharmacogenomics market was worth $5,527.2 million, which is set to reach $10,505.3 million, rising at a CAGR of 7.4% from 2021 to 2030, according to P&S Intelligence. The growing use of pharmacogenomics in the development and discovery of medicines, increasing rate of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), shift from reactive to preventive care, and growing prevalence of cancers and infectious diseases are the key drivers for market growth.

Therefore, key players are extensively involved in seeking approvals and product launches to remain competitive. They include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Myriad Genetics Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Admera Health LLC, QIAGEN N.V., Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, 23andMe Inc., Exact Sciences Corporation, and Mesa Laboratories Inc.

Get the sample pages of this report at: https://www.psmarketresearch.com/market-analysis/pharmacogenomics-market/report-sample

Key Findings of Pharmacogenomics Market Report

The sequencing category is expected to experience the highest CAGR due to the growing emphasis on sequencing analysis for various genetic patterns. Furthermore, sequencing approaches have had a significant influence on healthcare by revolutionizing treatment techniques, as genetic information has become more prominent in diagnosis.

Genotyping services hold the largest share in the pharmacogenomics market due to the acquisition of individual genomics profiles by health providers, to offer better services.

due to the acquisition of individual genomics profiles by health providers, to offer better services. Moreover, the United States Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) and FDA have been at the forefront of developing effective and acceptable recommendations and regulations, to encourage end users to employ pharmacogenomic tests.

Thus, North America dominated the global pharmacogenomics market in 2021, and it is expected to maintain its dominance in the next years. The government's attempts to incorporate targeted medicine techniques into the mainstream healthcare sector are driving the use of pharmacogenomic procedures in the region.

dominated the global pharmacogenomics market in 2021, and it is expected to maintain its dominance in the next years. The government's attempts to incorporate targeted medicine techniques into the mainstream healthcare sector are driving the use of pharmacogenomic procedures in the region. A key solution provider, Foundation Medicine Inc. gained the FDA clearance for its FoundationOne CDx in December 2021 , which will be used as a companion diagnostic (CDx) for two sets of future and existing FDA-approved melanoma treatments.

, which will be used as a companion diagnostic (CDx) for two sets of future and existing FDA-approved melanoma treatments. Similarly, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. released the latest version of SeqStudio Flex Series Genetic Analyzer in March 2022 , allowing researchers to conduct research on infectious disease diagnostics and gene editing. The SeqStudio Flex Series Genetic Analyzer features a more-efficient workflow, improved accuracy, and multiple applications.

Diagnostic facilities are expected to grow at the highest pharmacogenomics market CAGR in the coming years. Diagnostic centers account for the majority of these items in use, owing to the considerable research, which has resulted in highly complex tests and systems. Furthermore, technological improvements have transformed the services offered by diagnostic centers, thus resulting in higher patient traffic.

Browse detailed report on Pharmacogenomics Market Size and Demand Forecast Through 2030

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) tests are in vitro diagnostic (IVD) tests that are sold directly to consumers without the involvement of healthcare practitioners. The user is often asked to take a specimen (saliva, urine, or other) and send it straight to the corporation for analysis and testing. The number of people who may now obtain genetic information on themselves is growing because of DTC testing, which offers opportunities to market players.

Pharmacogenomics Market Segmentation Analysis

By Service

Genotyping

SNP Identification

Pharmacogenetic Testing

By Technology

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Microarray

Sequencing

By Application

Oncology

Infectious Diseases

Neurology

Cardiovascular Diseases

By End User

Research Organizations

Pharmaceutical Companies

Diagnostic Centers

By Region

North America

U.S.



Canada

Europe

Germany



France



U.K.



Italy



Spain

Asia-Pacific (APAC)

(APAC) China



India



Japan

Latin America (LATAM)

(LATAM) Brazil



Mexico

Middle East and Africa (MEA)

and (MEA) Saudi Arabia



South Africa

Browse Other Related Reports

Global Genomics Market Growth Forecast Report

Global In Vitro Diagnostic Market Growth Forecast Report

Global AI in Genomics Market Growth Forecast Report

Global Gene Therapy Market Growth Forecast Report

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: [email protected]

Web: https://www.psmarketresearch.com

Follow Us: LinkedIn Twitter

SOURCE P&S Intelligence
LA-based cybersecurity and threat intelligence company is among the country's fastest-growing companies with a 150% CAGR

LOS ANGELES, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Resecurity, a Los Angeles-based cybersecurity company providing managed threat detection & response, was recently recognized by Financial Times as one of the top 500 fastest-growing companies in the Americas. Resecurity claimed a spot in the top 100 fastest-growing companies achieving 150% CAGR and 1,462% AGR between 2017 and 2020, crediting their global expansion and R&D investments over the past several years.

The global pandemic, digitalization and geopolitical tensions have led to record numbers of cyber incidents, resulting in exponential growth in the cybersecurity market. The global cybersecurity market was valued at USD 181.12 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach $307.70 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 11.2%.[1] Organizational security needs, government regulations and market innovations including artificial intelligence, SaaS solutions and machine learning are expected to fuel this rapid growth.

Resecurity provides a unified SaaS-based cybersecurity platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and threat intelligence for enterprises and government agencies. The innovative platform allows administrators to reduce potential blind spots and security gaps by quickly seeing in-depth analysis and specific artifacts obtained through the dark web, botnets activity, network intelligence and high-quality threat intelligence data. Resecurity also works with cybersecurity research partners to help understand, analyze and combat the latest online threats targeting individuals and organizations.

"Resecurity's ranking as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas validates our business strategy and R&D investments into SaaS-delivered solutions in the past several years, but the critical role cybersecurity will continue to play in today's market," said Gene Yoo, CEO of Resecurity. "Now more than ever, organizations and governments need the latest cybersecurity data and threat intelligence at their fingertips. Resecurity is dedicated to providing the cutting-edge and actionable cyber risk management and threat intelligence solutions they need to secure their most important assets and data."

Resecurity was ranked No. 60 in FT's 2022 fastest-growing companies list alongside fellow technology leaders including Zoom, Lyft, Pinterest and CloudBolt. The recognition follows recent recognition by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. and by the 2022 Cyber Excellence Awards as a Gold winner for the Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) Platform and solutions for Digital Risk Management (DRM).

The FT list was compiled with Statista, a research company, ranking 500 companies in the Americas that have the highest growth in publicly disclosed revenues between 2017 and 2020.[2] To qualify, the company must have: revenue of at least $100,000 generated in 2017, revenue of at least $1.5mn generated in 2020, revenue growth between 2017 and 2020 that was primarily organic, headquartered in one of 20 American countries and serve as an independent entity.

To learn more about Resecurity, visit https://resecurity.com/.

About Resecurity

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence. Known for providing best-of-breed data-driven intelligence solutions, Resecurity's services and platforms focus on early-warning identification of data breaches and comprehensive protection against cybersecurity risks. Founded in 2016, it has been globally recognized as one of the world's most innovative cybersecurity companies with the sole mission of enabling organizations to combat cyber threats regardless of how sophisticated they are. Most recently, Resecurity was named one of the Top 10 fastest-growing private cybersecurity companies in Los Angeles, California by Inc. Magazine. An official member of Infragard, AFCEA, NDIA, SIA and FS-ISAC. To learn more about Resecurity, visit https://resecurity.com.

[1] Accessed on 4/30/2022: https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/cybersecurity-global-market-report

[2] Accessed on 4/30/22: https://www.ft.com/content/6ee8f978-a2e0-4644-b7c7-0718a334adb7

SOURCE Resecurity
New Leadership Appointed to Lead Information Technology, Quality Assurance and Finance

PEACHTREE CITY, Ga., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Rinnai America Corporation, manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America, recently announced the appointment of three senior positions in efforts to drive growth and strengthen its vertical segments. Bernard Beyer joins as Vice President of Information Technology; Sean Boyer joins as Vice President of Quality Assurance; and Buster Kennett joins as Vice President of Finance.

"As we look to expand Rinnai's global footprint, our North American region promises to serve as a critical growth engine for the company," said Frank Windsor, President, North America. "As such, it is imperative to have a strong management team in place to achieve our brand promise of Creating a healthier way of living and to realize the company's full potential in the market."

Bernard Beyer, Vice President of Information Technology is a transformative leader with a broad range of experience in large, complex organizations. Most recently, he was Assistant Chief Information Officer and Director of Information Technology at Butterball LLC, leading a team of business analysts and developers to support the largest U.S. producer of turkey products. He also worked closely with Butterball's executive leadership team to identify business process improvement opportunities and implement strategic initiatives. At Rinnai, Bernard will lead the expansion of the company's IT infrastructure, application landscape and data security.

Sean Boyer, Vice President of Quality Assurance, brings Rinnai an impressive record of leading premier global organizations in various industries. His prior position was with LG Electronics as the Senior Director of Operations, where he catapulted LG's sales growth and expanded its online presence and user engagement. He was also a member of the executive management team that shaped and implemented high-priority programs to align with LG's overall business strategy. Sean will bring his expertise to Rinnai, directing world-class delivery of all customer-facing, pre-and post-sales support activities through employees in customer care, technical support, field service, technical training and quality assurance.

Buster Kennett, Vice President of Finance, has many years of finance and business transformation experience driving sustainable growth and profitability in manufacturing, logistics and branded consumer products. Having worked as CFO of CHEP, the world's largest pallet supplier, and prior to this, as CFO of Sara Lee's global coffee business, he delivered significant improvements to both forecasting and cash delivery, while maintaining a clear focus on technology to drive simplification and standardization of processes and systems. Buster will leverage his external experience to help Rinnai's finance across the business, accelerating growth to achieve the company's long-term goals.

ABOUT RINNAI

Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan, was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Ga. Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the number-one selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada. Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.2 billion. With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living. For more information about Rinnai's entire product line, visit www.rinnai.us.

Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Rinnai and Creating a healthier way of living are the registered trademarks of Rinnai Corporation used under license by Rinnai America Corporation.

SOURCE Rinnai America Corporation
Sell Tether (USDT) in Dubai for cash like USD or AED with Coinsfera. Making cryptocurrency exchange process as simple as possible for customers in UAE.

Dubai, UAE, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Now you can sell Tether USDT in Dubai for cash of your choosing at Coinsfera local cryptocurrency shop. Coinsfera is a cryptocurrency exchange that enables you to sell Tether in Dubai easily and quickly.

It's safe and easy to sell Tether in Dubai all you have to do is come to Coinsfera cryptocurrency shop with your ID, calculate the required cryptocurrency you want to exchange, and confirm the order. It will hardly take 5 minutes to cash out your Tether USDT into USD or AED. Coinsfera strives to make sales procedures as efficient as possible.

Only way to Sell Tether in Dubai is Coinsfera

As you know that Coinsfera is a well-known OTC Bitcoin exchange in Dubai, where you can swiftly and safely sell Tether in Dubai with cash along with free cryptocurrency consultation. Today is the best time to sell Tether in Dubai for the currency of your choice! Selling Tether is simple and uncomplicated with Coinsfera.

A closer look into Coinsfera and its projects indicates that its creative staff is well-versed in blockchain technology while also being acutely aware of end-user needs by providing the fastest local crypto exchange services and helping customers understand the technology and exchange procedures.

The Best and Safest way to Exchange USDT to USD with Coinsfera

The Coinsfera Cryptocurrency OTC exchange makes it simple and secure to buy and sell USDT in Dubai along with other cryptocurrencies. Exchange USDT to USD at the best possible rate, based on the genuine market rate with no hidden costs. Anyone can use Coinsfera to exchange USDT for USD and get a free cryptocurrency guide.

The Coinsfera team will walk you through the process of trading USDT for USD in Dubai. Thousands of our happy customers might also be able to help you, check Coinsfera Dubai reviews .

Easiest way to Exchange Tether (USDT) to AED now with Coinsfera

You can also exchange USDT to AED at Coinsfera OTC cryptocurrency shop. Customers who are looking to trade their Tether (USDT) with dirhams can sell Tether in Dubai for AED at Coinsfera. We take care of our customers by providing them with free cryptocurrency consultation and guiding them on how they can store their digital assets, safely.

https://www.coinsfera.com/sell-tether-in-dubai/

Company Name: Coinsfera

Email: [email protected]

Phone. +971 58 535 0505

Address. Jumeirah Lake Towers, Cluster F, Indigo-Icon tower, Office # 501, 5th floor  Dubai, UAE

About Coinsfera

Coinsfera is an OTC cryptocurrency exchange shop where you can securely buy and sell any cryptocurrency with cash in Dubai, Istanbul, London and Kosovo.

PRESS CONTACT

NAME

Coinsfera

PHONE

+971585350505

WEBSITE

https://www.coinsfera.com

SOURCE Coinsfera
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP, a class action law firm dedicated to representing shareholders nationwide, is investigating a potential breach of fiduciary duty claim involving the board of directors of Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. (NYSE: MCB).

If you are a shareholder of Metropolitan Bank Holding Corp. and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding this investigation, free of charge, please visit us at:

http://pjlfirm.com/metropolitan-bank-holding-corp/

You may also contact Robert H. Lefkowitz, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at 212-725-1000. One of our attorneys will personally speak with you about the case at no cost or obligation.

Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP is a law firm exclusively committed to representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other types of corporate misconduct. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit http://pjlfirm.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

SOURCE Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP
Rise in demand for silicone rubber from the automotive industry is generating business prospects in the market

Increase in use of VR in the construction industry is driving the silicone rubber market

ALBANY, N.Y., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The silicone rubber market in Europe is estimated to register growth at a CAGR of 5.52% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2031, notes a research report by Transparency Market Research (TMR).

In the automotive industry, silicone rubber is utilized in varied applications such as tire additives, foam padding, navigation displays, and engine gaskets. One of the key reasons for this rise in use of silicone rubber is its improved consistency, which allows it to sustain in harsh operating situations in different automotive components and systems. Hence, the expansion of the automotive industry is resulting in lucrative opportunities for companies operating in the global silicone rubber market.

Companies operating in the silicone rubber market are developing advanced silicone rubber intended for varied automotive applications. These products are gaining popularity, owing to their ability to offer best combination of compression and tear resistance set at high temperatures.

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In recent years, the trend of using 3 dimensional (3D) blueprints of construction projects is increasing around the world. Moreover, the popularity of computer aided design (CAD) outlines of buildings is resulting in rise in apartment sales. These trends are estimated to favor the growth of the silicone rubber market in the upcoming years. Companies in the construction industry are increasing the adoption of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in providing actual look & feel of apartments in order to attract more buyers. These factors are boosting sales in the silicone rubber market.

Europe Silicone Rubber Market: Key Findings

Silicone rubber is gaining impetus among companies from a wide range of end-use industries, owing to their several advantages such as versatility and ability to advance the performance in varied final products while stimulating innovation. In the recent years, there has been a surge in the adoption of electric vehicles. Moreover, people around the world are inclining toward using safer autonomous vehicles. These factors are creating profitable opportunities in the silicone rubber market.

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Government authorities of several nations such as European Union are imposing regulations due to which, organizations are required to use low-emission and effective materials in various end-use industries. This factor is resulting in lucrative avenues in the global silicone rubber market.

Many developed & developing nations around the world are increasing their investments toward the development of green building programs, notes a study on the silicone rubber market. Moreover, the demand for silicone rubber is increasing across the globe, owing to their increased use in concrete decks, slabs, and in many interior parts such as doors and baseboards. Hence, the expansion of the construction industry is driving the demand in the silicone rubber market.

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Europe Silicone Rubber Market: Growth Boosters

Rise in product use in transportation and automobile sectors is driving sales in the silicone rubber market

Increase in investments in R&Ds in order to develop innovative liquid silicone rubbers is propelling the market

Surge in sales of marine vessels, automobiles, and aircraft is boosting growth avenues in the global market

Transformation of railways is estimated to help in growth of the silicone rubber market

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Europe Silicone Rubber Market: Key Players

Some of the key players profiled in the report are:

Momentive Performance Materials

KCC Corporation

Dow Inc.

Zhejiang Xinan Chemical Industrial Group

Simtec Silicone Parts

Wacker Chemie AG

Elkem Silicones

Adopol

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co

MESGO S.p.A.

Shenzhen Inno Silica Co., Ltd.

Reiss Manufacturing, Inc.

Zhongshan Tinhou Plastic Industrial Co., Ltd

Stockwell Elastomerics, Inc.

Innovative Silicones

Silicone Rubber Market Segmentation

Type

Liquid Silicone Rubber

High Temperature Vulcanized

Room Temperature Vulcanized

Fluorosilicone Rubber

Application

Gasket & Seals

Adhesives &Sealants

Coatings

Encapsulants

Catheters & Tubing

End-use industry

Electronics

Aerospace

Construction

Medical

Automotive

Consumer Products

Region

Germany

U.K.

France

Italy

Spain

Russia & CIS

& CIS Rest of Europe

Chemicals & Materials Industry battles Tangible Impact of Economic and Cultural changes, Explore Transparency Market Research's award-winning coverage of the global Chemicals & Materials:

Denatonium Benzoate Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/denatonium-benzoate-market.html

Cyclopentylamine Market - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/cyclopentylamine-market.html

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research is a global market intelligence company, providing global business information reports and services. Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. Our experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyse information.



Our data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts, so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in developing distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.

For More Research Insights on Leading Industries, Visit our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8e-z-g23-TdDMuODiL8BKQ

Contact

Rohit Bhisey

Transparency Market Research

State Tower,

90 State Street,

Suite 700,

Albany NY - 12207

United States

USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Press Release Source: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/pressrelease/europe-silicone-rubber-market.htm

SOURCE Transparency Market Research
Investment to be used to improve pipeline safety and allow for the transportation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide

HOUSTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Smartpipe Technologies announced today that Enbridge Inc. has invested US$6.6 million in Smartpipe's innovative pipeline technology, designed to improve the safety and versatility of existing pipeline infrastructure.

With Smartpipe's patented technology, a high-strength, composite internal pipeline liner is pulled through an existing pipeline to increase its structural integrity and allow for improved monitoring through the use of an embedded fiber optics line that allows for instant pipeline monitoring and leak detection. Smartpipe's non-metallic construction delivers a high degree of improved safety and reliability, with engineered safety factors exceeding twice those of new standard steel pipelines. In addition to improving safety, Smartpipe's technology can support hydrogen and carbon dioxide energy infrastructure needed in the energy transition.

Due to the technology's trenchless installation method, an important application will likely be in upgrading existing aging steel pipelines currently in use, particularly in hard to access locations where excavation activities may be disruptive to landowners or the surrounding community.

"Enbridge has been a solid partner in the development of this technology," said Gary Littlestar, Smartpipe Technologies' CEO. "Public safety and environmental security have been our foundation from inception, and these core values align perfectly with our partner, Enbridge."

Smartpipe's strategy is to support pipeline companies as they shift to transporting more sustainable forms of energy in the future throughout their existing pipeline infrastructure.

"This is a very exciting technology that can improve the safety of existing pipelines and support the transportation of low carbon energy sources such as hydrogen, demonstrating how our assets can be a bridge to a cleaner energy future," said Caitlin Tessin, Enbridge's Vice President of Strategy and Market Innovation. "Enbridge is always interested in investing in technology that build on its safety leadership and improve the sustainability of its existing pipeline system. This investment is an excellent example of how we are doing just that."

Together, the teams at Smartpipe and Enbridge have already developed a high-pressure composite line pipe of 16" in diameter, which Enbridge funded with a US$9.5 million investment between 2013 to 2015. The two companies will now begin work on an up to 24" diameter Smartpipe.

Smartpipe is currently working with several companies to test this technology and assess its suitability for use within their existing pipeline systems.

About Smartpipe Technologies

Smartpipe Technologies is an emerging technology company, based in Houston, Texas, delivering the largest diameter, patented, state of the art non-metallic pipeline systems for the energy industry. Smartpipe's embedded real-time fiber-optic monitoring and multi-sensor inline inspection systems, unique to Smartpipe, deliver on the promise of environmental security and public safety in the operation of every Smartpipe installation. Smartpipe Technologies is privately owned and funded. For more information, visit www.smart-pipe.com or contact us at [email protected].

About Enbridge Inc.

Enbridge Inc. is a leading North American energy infrastructure company. We safely and reliably deliver the energy people need and want to fuel quality of life. Our core businesses include Liquids Pipelines, which transports approximately 30 percent of the crude oil produced in North America; Gas Transmission and Midstream, which transports approximately 20 percent of the natural gas consumed in the U.S.; Gas Distribution and Storage, which serves approximately 3.9 million retail customers in Ontario and Quebec; and Renewable Power Generation, which owns approximately 1,766 MW (net) in renewable power capacity in North America and Europe. The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol ENB. For more information, visit www.enbridge.com.

For more information, please contact:

Smartpipe Technologies

Phone: 281-945-5700

Email: [email protected]

Enbridge Media

Phone: (888) 992-0997

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Smartpipe Technologies
Revenue Jumps 612% to $357.8 million

Gross Profit Improves 62.1% to $21.1 million

Mining Operations Begin Transitioning to the U.S.

QINGDAO,China, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SOS Limited ("SOS" or the "Company") (NYSE: SOS) today reported its full year financial results for the twelve-months ended December 31, 2021.

Revenue was $357.8 million, 612% over the twelve-months ended December 31, 2020. Gross Profit increased to $21.1 million from $13.0 million, over the same period.

Results from Operations

Revenue

Net revenue was $357.8 million, up 612% over the prior period. The robust growth of revenue demonstrated the strong and effective execution of the Company's strategy, mainly due to rapid market expansion and the addition of crypto-mining and commodity trading operations. Growth was driven by taking advantage of our block-chain expertise.

Audited condensed consolidated Statements of comprehensive of loss (US$ thousands, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted)

Twelve months ended

31-Dec-20

31-Dec-21

$

$ Revenue 50,317

358,042 Business taxes and surcharges (28)

(221) Net revenue 50,289

357,821 Operating costs (37,295)

(336,752) Gross profit 12,994

21,070 Gross profit ratio 25.8%

5.9%

As of December 31, 2021, SOS focused on six product lines including insurance marketing, telecom call centers, bank call center, SaaS services, cryptocurrency mining and commodity trading.

Revenue by products FY2021 FY2020 Product lines $"000" Percentage $"000" Percentage Commodity trading 275,363 77.0% - 0.0% Insurance marketing 65,880 18.4% 49,234 97.9% Cryptocurrency mining 15,427 4.3% - 0.0% Telecom call center 338 0.1% 920 1.8% Bank call center - 0.0% 76 0.2% SaaS 813 0.2% 58 0.1% Total net revenue 357,821 100.0% 50,289 100.0%

Our traditional business of insurance marketing increased 34% to $65.9 million year over year, as a result of rapid market expansion from regional to national customer base in China. We added commodity trading to our product mix during the year. We buy and sell commodity products such as sesame, sulfur, asphalt and circuit modular units. Our trading business recorded revenue of $275.4 million, which represents 77.0% of total sales. We booked revenue of $15.4 million from our cryptocurrency mining business from a partial year of operation. We started generating revenue from our mining pools in February 2021 and mined 174.28 units of BTC and 2,770.09 units of ETH by the end of the second quarter. In July 2021, due to the Chinese government's ban on certain types of cryptocurrency mining activities, we shut down our mining operations in China and began transitioning our crypto mining operations to the U.S. The Company launched its U.S. mining operations in Wisconsin this April.

Operating Costs

Operating costs increased to $336.8 million for the period ended December 31, 2021, compared to operating costs of $37.3 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. The increase in operating costs and expenses was driven primarily from the growth in our commodity trading inventory and data acquisition costs for our insurance marketing businesses and a share-based compensation plan. We also saw an increase from depreciation on cryptocurrency mining equipment, consulting and legal fees.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $62.4 million for the period ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of approximately 21.5 times compared to general and administrative expenses of $2.9 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. The increase in general and administrative expenses was mainly associated with employee and management's share-based compensation expenses of $33.5 million, professional and consultancy fee of $17.1 million, wages & salary expenses of $5.3 million, $1.2 million of bad debt expense and significant increases in legal expenses related to class action lawsuit against the Company and its management.

GAAP Operating Loss and EPS

Our net loss for the period ended December 31, 2021 was $43.9 million according to GAAP, compared to profit of $4.9 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. The loss resulted from increased expenses related to increased operating expenses, legal and consulting fees and share-based compensation expenses. Gross margin dropped to 6% in FY 2021 from 26% in the prior year driven by the significant growth in the lower margin commodity trading business, increased operating expenses and the interruption of crypto-mining operations.

GAAP EPS Basic was $(0.020) per share for the period ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $0.0135 per share for the period ended December 31, 2020.

GAAP EPS Diluted was $(0.018) per share for the period ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $0.0090 per share for the period ended December 31, 2020.

Income Tax

The company incurred $0.74 million in corporate income tax for the current period.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $338.0 million, compared to $3.7 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. The net increase in cash flow was mainly due to its financing activity through registered direct offerings. The Company believes that its cash resources are adequate to fund its current operations and short-term growth initiatives. The Company, through its subsidiary, SOS International Trading Co., Ltd. purchased commodity for trading inventory of $96.1 million.

Cash Flow Used For Investment Activities

The Company, through its subsidiaries, SOS Information Technology New York Inc. and China SOS Ltd., acquired BTC and ETH mining equipment for an aggregate cost of approximately $31 0 million

Financing Activities

The Company received aggregate net proceeds of US$585.8 million from registered direct offerings during the year.

Audited condensed consolidated statement of cash flow (US$ thousands, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted)





31-Dec-20

31-Dec-21 Cash flows from operating activities:



US$"000"

US$"000" Net (loss)



4,404

(49,251) Adjustments:









Depreciation and amortization



2

5,203 Share-based compensation



506

33,537 Depreciation of ROU







843 Accretion of finance leases







152 Allowance for doubtful accounts-accounts receivable



1

963 Allowance for doubtful accounts-Other receivable



158

269 Impairment of cryptocurrencies







925 Loss on acquisition



5,679

- Income from disposal of discountined operations



(63)



Inventory



-

(96,071) Changes in operating assets and liabilities:









Accounts receivables



(2,065)

(15,894) Ohter receivables



(36,019)

(125,861) Amount due from related parties



(2,871)

(4,146) crptocurrencies



-

(14,502) Accrued liabilities



-

19,815 Accounts payable



(11,940)

28,409 Tax payable



292

(8,371) Other payables



1,484

5,003 Amount due to related parties



(3,666)

868











Contract liability



546

(454) Lease liabilities









Net cash used inin generating from operating activities:



(43,552)

(218,563) Cash flows from investing activities:









Purchase of property, equipment and software



(501)

(33,034) Investment in equity



-

0 Disposition of assets



3,500

-











Net cash (used in)generated from investing activities



2,999

(33,034) Cash flows from financing activities:









Repayment of principle portion of lease liabilities







(1,764.00) Proceeds from share issuance, net of issuance costs



3,578

585,839 Proceeds from private equity placement,net of issuance costs



39,973

- Net cash generated from(used in) financing activities



43,551

584,075 Effect of exchange rates on cash



683

1,825 Net increase/(decrease), effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalent



3,680

334,303 Cash and cash equivalent at beginning of the period



42

3,722 Cash and cash equivalent at end of the period



3,722

338,026

Yandai Wang, the CEO comments that "In the past year, we have provided technical services through artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies by leveraging data-driven marketing, digital based commodity trading, digital supercomputer and emergency rescue technology. Through this we were able to realize revenue of $357.8 million as of December 31,2021, which represents 661% growth. over 2020.

In our data marketing business, we rely on artificial intelligence technology & comprehensive intelligent screening to acquire customers more effectively; we also utilize blockchain technology to solve the information security problems to provide customers with one-stop benchmark customer acquisition services; In our digital-based commodity trading segmentt, we make full use of the accurate traceability of blockchain technology, product quality assurance, smart contracts, Intelligent trading matching technology to provides a one-stop trust trading platform for customer trading; in emergency rescue, we team up with some industry experts to invest and design emergency rescue watches, Emergency rescue amphibious rescue boat.

We believe we are well-positioned to grow our business in all segments. Within China we are focused on data-driven insurance marketing, and commodity trading. In U.S. we have launched our supercomputing hosting center in Wisconsin.

Mainland China, as one of the world's largest markets, demands huge amount of raw material products and food commodities to sustain its long -term growth. In 2020 we established our commodity trading business to bridge supply and demand by providing seamless trading exchange through our block-chain technology and plat-form. We started from green field and are proud to report that our commodity trading business generated revenue of $275million during the twelve -month period ended December 31,2021.

Our aspiration is to expand beyond China especially in North America. We are in the process of building a leading supercomputer center in North America which will provide customers with cryptocurrency mining capacity & hosting service.

One of the tools we used to accelerate this goal is the innovative mobile container data center. We believe it will improve user experience and be attractive to small to medium size customers. Our plans continue to proceed as we have secured a renewable energy supply of 25 MW at its facility in Price County Wisconsin, which is expected to be increased to 37MW.

We look forward to continued growth and expansion in both China and U.S.

About SOS Limited

SOS is an emerging blockchain-based and big data-driven marketing solution providerSOS is also engaged in blockchain and cryptocurrency operations, which currently include cryptocurrency mining and maybe expand into cryptocurrency security and insurance in the future Since April 2021, we launched commodity trading via our subsidiary SOS International Trading Co. Ltd, The core infrastructure of SOS' marketing data, technology and solutions to insurance and emergency rescue services is built on big data, blockchain-based technology, cloud computing, AI, satellite, and 5G network, etc. SOS has created a cloud "software as a service (SaaS)" platform for emergency rescue services, with three major product categories: basic cloud, cooperative cloud, and information cloud. This system provides innovative marketing solutions to clients such as insurance companies, financial institutions, medical institutions, healthcare providers, auto manufacturers, security providers, senior living assistance providers, and other service providers in the emergency rescue services industry. For more information, please visit: http://www.sosyun.com/ .

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, our expectations for future financial performance, business strategies or expectations for our business. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. SOS cautions that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Words such as "may," "can," "should," "will," "estimate," "plan," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "seek," "target," "look" or similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Specifically, forward-looking statements may include statements relating to the Company's:

ability to execute its business plan;

changes in the market for SOS' products and services; and

expansion plans and opportunities.

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release and our management's current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

These risks and uncertainties include, but not are limited to, the risk factors described by SOS in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These risk factors and those identified elsewhere in this press release, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from historical performance and include, but are not limited to:

US government' s policies and regulatory oversight of crypto currency mining operation and our other operations;

s policies and regulatory oversight of crypto currency mining operation and our other operations; SOS's cryptocurrency mining, commodity trading and marketing solutions businesses are still under development, with many uncertainties in integration of these various business segments;

Failure to manage the newly launched commodities trading business effectively;

Loss of key customers in the commodity trading business;

failure to access a large quantity of power at reasonable costs could significantly increase SOS operating expenses and adversely affect our demand for SOS's mining activities;

shortages in, or rises in the prices of mining machines may adversely affect the Company's business;

any significant or prolonged failure in the data warehouse facilities and data mining facilities that SOS operates or services it provides, including events beyond its control, would lead to significant costs and disruptions and would reduce the attractiveness of its facilities, harm its business reputation and have a material adverse effect on its results of operation;

security breaches or alleged security breaches of our data warehouses could disrupt SOS operations and have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operation; and

other risks and uncertainties indicated in SOS's SEC reports or documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by SOS.

Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements in deciding whether to invest in our securities. We do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

SOURCE SOS Limited
WINDSOR, Ontario, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --

Announcement supports company's long-term strategy to invest $45 billion CAD in electrification and software globally

CAD in electrification and software globally Represents transformation in Canadian operations to achieve electrified future

Brings company's total investment in Canada to $8.6 billion CAD, including recently announced Stellantis-LG Energy Solutions EV battery plant

to CAD, including recently announced Stellantis-LG Energy Solutions EV battery plant Windsor Assembly to add all-new, flexible multi-energy vehicle architecture in addition to current product portfolio

Brampton Assembly to introduce all-new, flexible architecture and build at least one all-new electric model

Assembly plants expected to return to three-shift operations

ARDC to house first Stellantis battery lab in North America , expand expertise in product development engineering to support growth in electrification

, expand expertise in product development engineering to support growth in electrification Announcement doubles Canadian investment outlined in 2020 Unifor Collective Bargaining Agreement

Stellantis today announced plans to invest $3.6 billion CAD ($2.8 billion USD) to secure the future of its Windsor and Brampton (Ontario) Assembly Plants and to expand its Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC) to accelerate the company's move to a sustainable future. This announcement also supports the company's long-term electrification strategy to invest $45 billion CAD ($35 billion USD) through 2025 in electrification and software globally.

Stellantis North America Chief Operating Officer Mark Stewart, alongside Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, made the announcement during an event at the ARDC, which was also attended by Ontario Premier Doug Ford; Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne; Ontario Minister of Economic Development Vic Fedeli; and Unifor Assistant to the National President Shane Wark, as well as other elected officials and community leaders.

"These investments reaffirm our long-term commitment to Canada and represent an important step as we move toward zero-emission vehicles that deliver on our customers' desire for innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility," said Stewart. "We're grateful to both the federal and provincial governments for their shared vision to create a sustainable future. And, to Unifor and our workforce for their support in helping ensure the viability of our Canadian operations for the long-term."

Today's announcement increases the company's overall investment in Ontario to $8.6 billion CAD when combined with the Stellantis-LG Energy Solution joint venture battery plant, which will create 2,500 new jobs in the province. It also doubles the investment commitment of $1.5 billion CAD made during the 2020 contract talks.

"Today's deal on made-in-Canada electric vehicles is yet another investment in our workers and in our future," said Prime Minister Trudeau. "We're building a world-class Canadian auto industry, an innovative economy and a clean, strong future for everyone. This is what a healthy environment and a healthy economy looks like."

"Today is yet another example that our plan to build Ontario is delivering huge wins for workers and communities all over this province," said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. "Ontario has everything it needs to be North America's auto manufacturing powerhouse once again. Where other governments stood by and watched jobs flee this province, we are getting it done and ensuring that cars of the future are made in Ontario by Ontario workers."

Facility Investments

The Windsor Assembly Plant will be transformed to support production of a new multi-energy vehicle (MEV) architecture that will provide battery-electric (BEV) capability for multiple models. The plant will have maximum flexibility to adjust production volumes as needed to meet changing market demand over the next decade. Retooling is expected to begin in 2023.

The Brampton Assembly Plant will be retooled and fully modernized, beginning in 2024. When production resumes in 2025, the plant will introduce an all-new, flexible architecture to support the company's electrification plans.

With this announcement, both Ontario assembly plants are expected to return to three shift operations in order to support the demand for these new products. The company will announce product allocation at a later date.

The Windsor-based ARDC will expand its talent pool by adding more than 650 highly skilled engineering jobs in various areas to support Stellantis' growth in electrification. It will expand North American capability related to the transition to EV with a focus on core technology areas: electrified propulsion systems, including batteries, power electronics, electric machines, motor controls, energy management and embedded software.

The ARDC also will become the first battery lab in North America, following the company's announcement to establish a similar centre in Turin, Italy. The Battery Lab will be a state-of-the-art technology centre for the development and validation of advanced BEV, PHEV and HEV cells, modules and battery packs. This in-house capability will rapidly accelerate Stellantis' EV best-in-class performance. The new 100,000-square-foot facility will be added to the existing building with completion expected by the end of 2023.

In March, Stellantis and LG Energy Solution announced the formation of a joint venture company to establish the first large-scale, domestic, electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Windsor to support the company's electric battery development. With an investment of $5 billion CAD ($4.1 billion USD) and the creation of an estimated 2,500 new jobs, the joint venture company will produce leading edge lithium-ion battery cells and modules to meet a significant portion of Stellantis' vehicle production requirements in North America.

Stellantis North America

Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) is one of the world's leading automakers and a mobility provider. In North America, it's best known for producing and selling vehicles in a portfolio of iconic and award-winning brands such as Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Alfa Romeo and Fiat. Powered by its diversity, Stellantis leads the way the region and the world move  aspiring to become the greatest sustainable mobility tech company, not the biggest, while creating added value for all stakeholders as well as the communities in which it operates. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com.

Follow company news and video on:

Company blog: http://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Media website: http://media.stellantisnorthamerica.com

Company website: www.stellantis.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/Stellantis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StellantisNA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stellantisna

Twitter: @StellantisNA

YouTube: http://youtube.com/StellantisNA

SOURCE Stellantis
In November 2014, SFFA filed federal lawsuits against Harvard, the nation's oldest private college, and the University of North Carolina, the nation's oldest public university, alleging that both schools were engaged in unfair, polarizing, and illegal racial discrimination in their admissions policies.

Furthermore, SFFA petitioned the justices to overrule Grutter v. Bollinger, and hold that all institutions of higher education cannot use racial or ethnic classifications and preferences as factors in admissions.

Regarding Harvard, SFFA notes that the college is violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by penalizing Asian-American applicants, engaging in racial balancing, overemphasizing race, and rejecting workable race-neutral alternatives. Harvard's demerits of Asian-American applicant's personalities are particularly scandalous and inexcusable. Harvard penalizes them because, according to its admissions office, they lack leadership and confidence and are less likable and kind.

Regarding the University of North Carolina, SFFA notes that the university is violating the U. S. Constitution and Title VI by illegally rejecting a race-neutral alternative to racial admissions preferences because the composition of its student body would change, without proving that the alternative would cause a dramatic sacrifice in academic quality or the educational benefits of overall student-body diversity. UNC rejects any race-neutral alternative, even if those alternatives would improve overall student body diversity.

While Harvard and UNC have breached the current legal boundaries that narrowly permit racial classifications and preferences in college admissions, the legal opinion in Grutter allowing these policies was wrong on the day it was decided on June 23, 2003.

Grutter is also internally contradictory. It claims that racial preferences improve diversity because race is a proxy for certain views and experiences. Then it claims that racial preferences break down stereotypes because race is not a proxy for any views or experiences. The latter is, of course, true: A person's skin color says nothing about who they are, what they think, or where they've been. Yet this is a "lesson of life" learned by most at an early age. And if a student's views aren't tied to his or her race, then why would the racial makeup of a class predictably change what students learn or discuss? Grutter has no answers.

No one is under any illusions that we live in a post-racial society, or that racial discrimination is a thing of the past. But when our most elite universities place high-schoolers on racial registers and tell the world that their skin color affects what they think and know, what they like and don't like, they are hurting, not helping.

Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions said, "Recent surveys (2022) by the Pew Research Center reveal that 74% of all Americans do not believe a student's race should be a factor in college admissions." The Pew Research report noted:

About eight-in-ten White adults (79%) say race or ethnicity should not factor into admission decisions. By comparison, 68% of Hispanic adults say this, as do about six-in-ten Asian American (63%) and Black (59%) adults. And while 87% of Republicans say race or ethnicity should not be a factor in admissions, that share falls to 62% among Democrats.

Blum added, "In a multi-racial, multi-ethnic nation like ours, the college admissions bar cannot be raised for some races and ethnic groups but lowered for others. Our nation cannot remedy past discrimination and racial preferences with new discrimination and different racial preferences."

Blum noted, "These two cases now at the U.S. Supreme Court are rescue missions for the colorblind legal principles that hold together Americans of all races and ethnicities.

Blum concluded, "The ancient faith that gave birth to our nation's civil rights laws is the principle that an individual's race should not be used to help or harm them in their life's endeavors. It is the hope of the vast majority of all Americans that the justices end these polarizing admissions policies."

Students for Fair Admissions

2200 Wilson Blvd. #102-13

Arlington, VA 22201

StudentsForFairAdmissions.org

703-505-1922

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Edward Blum

703-505-1922

[email protected]

SOURCE Students for Fair Admissions
Experienced Business Professional Brings Expertise to Tigard Market

TIGARD, Ore., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --- NerdsToGo, a leading provider of IT Solutions for Business and Home, opened a brand new location in Tigard, Oregon. The newest location (12540 SW Main Street, Suite 110) is under the direction of owner and operator Rory Dunnaback.

Dunnaback, along with his father John Dunnaback, opened a Milwaukie NerdsToGo in 2018. A Portland resident, Rory saw a geographical competitive advantage to opening a store in Tigard, which is west of Portland. The Tigard launch serves a growing need in metro areas for tech services as the reliance on such services becomes more important than ever post-pandemic.

"A lot had to do with geography," he said. The location fits with his marketing strategy and goal of having more exposure with locations east and west of Portland.

The Tigard location offers even greater brand exposure due to the retail storefront and strong downtown community surrounding it. This store location on Tigard's main street brings great visibility. It's also the first store in the U.S. to initiate the recent brand refresh. Dunnaback's first location is in downtown Milwaukie on Main Streetthose in the area might have seen the signature yellow Nerd vans around town or have worked with the friendly, approachable Nerds as they help make technology less intimidating.

As local economies begin to come back to main streets, this is great for business and brand recognition in the heart of the downtown area, Dunnaback said.

"I'm really proud to have both of my businesses on main streets," he said. "It's very small-town America." Dunnaback was named Franchisee of the Year and won the Nerdy Award earlier this year, which recognizes an individual that excels in helping customers and employees achieve their full potential.

As a managed service provider, NerdsToGo offers a variety of services for small to medium sized businesses including: Server and PC Monitoring, Data Back-up and Disaster Recovery, Cloud Hosting and Microsoft Office Support. NerdAssure, a proprietary bundle of IT services scaled and priced for small businesses, is created for small companies who don't have the resources to employ full time IT specialists. Home services tailored to the individual include Computer Repair, Internet trouble-shooting and cybersecurity solutions.

Dunnaback's interest in opening NerdsToGo began with a desire to open a family business with his dad. Yet, he's long been involved with IT solutions, as well as the role technology plays in people's lives since majoring in information technology at Michigan State and then establishing a career in healthcare technology. In addition to operating NerdsToGo franchises, Rory is an involved member of his community, serving as President of the Downtown Milwaukie Business Association.

Rory is also a member of the Westside Professional Business Association that has been around since the late 1970s. He is also on the board of the North Clackamas Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Tigard Chamber of Commerce and a Chair of the North Clackamas Education Foundation.

Dunnaback will host a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting on May 5th at 2pm.

For more information and to see the services offered visit www.nerdstogo.com.

About NerdsToGo

NerdsToGo is a growing IT services franchise brand that provides a simple path to overcoming the pain points and complexities of technology. Friendly and approachable Nerds offer solutions for efficiency and security for small to medium-sized businesses, as well as the individual who needs help with personal computers, devices and home networks. As a Managed Services Provider for business, the Nerds can assess, design and support IT networks while providing remote support and vendor management.

Propelled Brands is the multi-brand franchisor for NerdsToGo, recognized for its top-rated franchisee satisfaction in Franchise Business Review's 2021 Top 100 Culture list. With a focus on business-to-business franchises including FASTSIGNS, SIGNWAVE in Australia, MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza brands, Propelled Brands helps each franchise confidently navigate forward based on their unique position, momentum and purpose.

To learn more, visit NerdsToGo.com . Follow the brand on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/nerdstogo/ , or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NerdsToGoComputerService/ . For information about the NerdsToGo franchise opportunity, contact Mark Jameson ([email protected] or call 214.346.5679).

SOURCE NerdsToGo, Inc.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In the mission to spread "hidden regional tastes" of Japan, TGAL has proudly built an unorthodox combination model Japanese restaurant that incorporates notable local establishments in a single New York location, including "Fukuyoshi" Torokeru-style hamburger steak restaurant of Sagamihara city, "Jinbou Town Feef" roast beef restaurant of Tokyo, "tonkatsu kagura" of Tochigi prefecture, and more.

TGAL Inc. TGAL Inc.

J's Kitchen provides the enjoyment of experiencing signature regional tastes from all over Japan. We plan to cycle through different specialty brands. Our strength is a business model that nimbly responds to market trends based on customer tastes.

TGAL established J's Kitchen New York as our united states flagship to fulfill the vision of spreading Japanese regional tastes globally. TGAL leads Japan's food delivery industry as the largest food-tech company in Japan. Utilizing our unique food delivery model, we successfully led over 100 brands, 100 franchise stores, and 1,400 virtual restaurants in expanding.

J's Kitchen New York is our model restaurant to demonstrate the specialty dishes of our regional partners in Japan. By demonstrating our menu offerings and supply model, we will continue our vision of expanding worldwide.

Media Contact:

Atsushi Yoneda

9172620434

[email protected]

https://tgal.jp/

SOURCE TGAL Inc.
Week One of Building Safety Month Explores Planning for a Safe and Sustainable Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Code Council is excited to announce the beginning of the 42nd annual Building Safety Month. The campaign is led by the Code Council and its members and partners every May to raise awareness about the importance of building codes and the role of building safety professionals in ensuring our communities remain safe, sustainable and resilient. This year's Building Safety Month theme is "Safety for All: Building Codes in Action."

Week one of the campaign highlights how building science, innovation and energy efficiency are leveraged to create safe and sustainable construction within our communities. Week one also explores how energy codes and standards are an essential component to increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The first of four free, educational webinars will take place on May 3 from 3  4 pm ET. "Tiny Homes: How Thinking Small Might Help Solve Housing Affordability" will explore how new housing types, like tiny homes, are helping meet the need for affordable housing and what prospective homeowners and policymakers should look for to ensure they are safe and sustainable. You can register for the webinar here.

Each subsequent week of Building Safety Month will focus on a specific theme that is critical to building safety including "Exploring Careers in Building Safety" (week two), "Understanding the Four Phases of Emergency Management" (week three) and "Creating a Safe and Abundant Water Supply" (week four). Throughout the month-long campaign, a series of free virtual events will take place including:

Building Your Future: Career Paths for Military Veterans , May 10 , 2-3 pm ET : This webinar will uncover the challenges, opportunities and resources available for military veterans considering a career in building safety.

, : This webinar will uncover the challenges, opportunities and resources available for military veterans considering a career in building safety. Facebook Live , May 10 , 1 pm ET : The Facebook Live event will feature Matthew Winn , the Code Council's Senior Vice President of Training and Education, exploring careers in building safety and the importance of training and education for building safety professionals.

, : The Facebook Live event will feature , the Code Council's Senior Vice President of Training and Education, exploring careers in building safety and the importance of training and education for building safety professionals. Backflow Basics: Repair, Testing and Maintenance , May 24 , 2-3:30 pm ET : This roundtable discussion and Q&A webinar will highlight repair, testing, maintenance and inspections method and assemblies used to protect potable water.

, : This roundtable discussion and Q&A webinar will highlight repair, testing, maintenance and inspections method and assemblies used to protect potable water. Pool Owner Safety 101, May 25 , 2-3 pm ET : This webinar, co-sponsored by the Code Council and the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, is a must for new pool owners or those considering a swimming pool to ensure that pools are both safe and enjoyable for many years to come.

Register for these events and more on the Building Safety Month events page.

"It is inspiring to see the dedication and passion of Code Council members and building safety professionals to go above and beyond to spread the message of Building Safety Month," said Code Council Board of Directors President Cindy Davis, CBO. "As week one kicks-off, we are proud to celebrate the entire building safety community and to educate individuals around the world about the importance of the model codes and standards that keep our communities safe and resilient."

This year's Building Safety Month Foundational Sponsor is the American Gas Association. Week one sponsors include the National Multifamily Housing Council, American Concrete Institute and the Gypsum Association. To see the full list of sponsors, click here.

Jurisdictions and organizations have begun to issue their proclamations declaring May 2022 as Building Safety Month. View the proclamations or submit your own here.

To participate in Building Safety Month:

View this year's Building Safety Month campaign video.

Check out our campaign promotion guides, including how to host a webinar and run a social media campaign.

Download campaign images, including the campaign poster, web banners, social media graphics and video call backgrounds.

Join us on social media to share about Building Safety Month using the hashtag #BuildingSafety365.

About the International Code Council

The International Code Council is the leading global source of model codes and standards and building safety solutions. Code Council codes, standards and solutions are used to ensure safe, affordable and sustainable communities and buildings worldwide.

SOURCE International Code Council
NEW YORK and TORONTO, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The INX Digital Company, Inc. (NEO: INXD) (the "Company"), the owner of digital asset trading platforms, a broker-dealer and an inter-dealer broker, announced today that the annual report on Form 20-F of INX Limited. (INXATS: INX), containing audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 2, 2022.

Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Highlights

Raised $83.6 million in the first-ever registered security IPO on the blockchain

in the first-ever registered security IPO on the blockchain Completed Reverse Take Over (RTO) of Valdy Investments with a further equity raise of $39.6 Million CAD/ $29.4 US Million and listed INX's parent company on Canada's NEO Exchange

CAD/ US Million and listed INX's parent company on NEO Exchange Listed the INX Token on the INX Securities ATS.

Announced Board approval of $5 million buy-back of tokens and/or shares

buy-back of tokens and/or shares Acquired interdealer-broker ILS Brokers and broker-dealer/ATS Openfinance

Qualified to operate as a money transmitter in thirty-eight (38) US states plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico

and Grew employees from 15 to 87

2021 was a pivotal year for INX, as the company completed the world's first ever IPO of a registered security on the blockchain. The IPO raised $83.6MM from 7,250 retail and institutional investors across 73 countries. The INX token is now listed on the INX Securities ATS (formerly Openfinance).

INX simultaneously completed a reverse takeover of Valdy Investments in Canada, raising a further $39.6MM CAD from selling equity and resulting in the listing of its equity on Canada's NEO exchange.

In building out our 'nose-to-tail' solution for digital assets, INX purchased ILS Brokers, an NFA regulated interdealer broker with 20 years of history trading with 50+ tier 1 and tier 2 banks, transacting over $95 billion in trade volume per year. The company also completed the purchase of the Openfinance broker/dealer and ATS, renaming them as INX Securities.

The purchases enable INX to aid companies seeking to raise capital from their own communities through the minting and distribution of digital securities, which are then able to be listed on the INX Securities ATS.

On the headline, INX reports a cumulative loss of $215MM. However this number includes a marked-to-market accounting liability to INX token holders of $161.2MM and token warrant liability of $19.8MM. It also includes one-time significant costs associated with the initial token offering (ended April 2021) and Reverse Take Over Transaction which listed the Company's on the NEO Canadian Exchange (listed on Jan 24th 2022 NEO: INXD ), of $6.8MM. In addition, the amount includes a $10.9MM of share-based payments.

Therefore, our adjusted net loss, which is calculated by subtracting from our net loss these liabilities and expenses, is $16.3MM. Adjusted net loss is a non-IFRS measure.

"2021 was an exciting time for our company as we completed two significant financings and listed two separate publicly traded instruments in two separate jurisdictions. The INX community has grown significantly as both token and equity holders share our vision of the digital future. In 2021 we laid the table for the inevitable migration of assets onto the blockchain and in 2022 we look to execute. With considerable updates to our technology and capabilities, we will begin to fire on all cylinders - attracting new users through our soon to be released app, and introducing them to exciting public and private offerings that will join with us their own significant communities." reported Shy Datika, CEO.

About The INX Digital Company, Inc.

The Company is the holding company for the INX Group, which includes regulated trading platforms for digital securities and cryptocurrencies, combining traditional markets expertise and an innovative fintech approach. The INX Group's vision is to be the preferred global regulated hub for digital assets on the blockchain. The INX Group's overall mission is to bring communities together and empower them with financial innovation. Our journey started with our initial public token offering of the INX Token in which it raised US$83 million. The INX Group is shaping the blockchain asset industry through its willingness to work in a regulated environment with oversight from regulators like the SEC and FINRA.

In addition to operating two regulated trading platforms for blockchain assets, the Company's interdealer broker, I.L.S. Brokers, plans to offer non-deliverable cryptocurrency forwards to Tier-1 banks in the future. For more information, please visit the INX Group website here .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Other Disclosures

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" ("forward-looking information") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the NCIB and the terms of the NCIB, including the price and number of common shares that may be purchased. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking information and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information. In disclosing the forward-looking information contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions, including with respect to: the development of the digital asset industry. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking information will prove to be correct. 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 information. Such factors include, but are not limited to regulatory developments and general economic conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward- looking information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking information or otherwise.

All information contained in this press release with respect to the corporate entities referenced herein was supplied, for inclusion herein, by the respective parties and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party.

The NEO Exchange is not responsible for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.



This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the 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.

For further information

Contact:

The INX Digital Company, Inc.

Investor Relations

+1 855 657 2314

Email: [email protected]

Douglas Borthwick

Chief Business Officer

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE The INX Digital Company, Inc.
Members to Contact Legislators and Address Issues and Solutions Vital To Military Spouses

LORTON, Va., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Military Spouse Network (NMSN), the premiere organization supporting the professional growth and development of the nation's military spouses, has set May 6, Military Spouse Appreciation Day, for its annual "NMSN National Day of Advocacy (#NMSNAdvocacy)" initiative to raise awareness among legislators about important issues affecting the nation's military spouses. This is a hybrid event, where NMSN members can meet both on-site on Capitol Hill, in local legislative offices, and virtually with their congressional representatives and staff.

Among the chief topics this year is H.R. 2974, aka, the Military Spouse Hiring Act, a universally popular and bipartisan bill designed to address the stubbornly high military spouse unemployment rate that remains way above the overall U.S. rate. The legislation would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit to include military spouses as a target group and currently has 109 bi-partisan cosponsors. New this year is a Senate companion bill, S 3909.

Members also will discuss the findings of the 2022 National Military Spouse Network White Paper presented by USAA. The latest report, "The Military Spouse Employment Dilemma: The Multi-Million Dollar Question That No One Is AskingUntil Now", redefines the problem of military spouse unemployment from merely finding spouses a job to helping them secure a career they can grow into and keep. The White Paper offers five actionable recommendations to address challenges to military spouse employment.

WHY: Military spouses face limited professional work opportunities due to frequent moves, relocation to remote locations where work opportunities are scarce and don't meet their professional needs, as well as a range of federal restrictions on their employment options.

Other issues of interest include financial vesting programs

Expanding the State Department's Domestic Employees Teleworking Overseas (DETO) Program

Creating a Military Spouse Small Business Administration (SBA) Small-Business Concern classification to cover self-employed spouses

Developing a military spouse experience map that ensures employment benefits/resources are accessible to military spouses through each military lifecycle

WHO: Military spouses, employers, advocates, and allies working in the military spouse employment space

WHEN: Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Friday, May 6, 2022. While registration is now closed, military spouse advocates around the country should contact their legislators on this day to thank them for their support and encourage they renew their commitment to the military community.

MORE: FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) included a recommendation for a study on military spouse employment resulting from the input and expertise of NMSN. Section 567 in the NDAA authorized the study and culminated NMSN's years-long effort to effect positive change for career-minded and entrepreneurial military spouses whose unemployment rate remains far above the U.S. rate.

Through NMSN Founder and President Sue Hoppin's leadership, NMSN continues to advocate for military spouses in the U.S. and across the globe, giving voice to the challenges faced by career-minded military spouses and the important issues that would enhance their work opportunities. Interviews are available with Hoppin.

About National Military Spouse Network

Founded in 2010, the National Military Spouse Network (NMSN) delivers ongoing personal and professional development for military spouses by providing quality content, mentoring, networking opportunities and resources, including a monthly newsletter and free bi-annual digital magazine. NMSN creates a community of military spouse professionals, businesses, academics, and media to share expertise and craft innovative solutions on both balancing a viable career with the military lifestyle and laying the foundation for a successful career post military life. For more information on NMSN, visit www.nationalmilitaryspousenetwork.org. Follow NMSN on Twitter at @NMSNetwork or join the Facebook community at www.facebook.com/NMSNetwork.

Press Contacts:

Laura Liebeck, 845-440-7974, [email protected]

Gabrielle Torello, [email protected]

SOURCE NMSN
TEL AVIV, Israel, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd (TASE: TASE) is pleased to announce that its financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2022 will be published on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, after market close.

In addition, the Company is pleased to announce that at 8:00 PM (Israeli time) on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, a conference call will take place, in English, in which the Company's financial statements for the first Quarter of 2022 will be reviewed before the Company's investors.

The Company's CEO, Mr. Ittai Ben-Zeev, and its CFO, Mr. Yehuda van der Walde, will host the call followed by Q&A.

Conference Call Dial-in Details (on passcode required):

Israel: 03-9180609

US: 1-888-744-5399 (toll free)

Canada: 1-888-604-5839 (toll free)

UK: 0-800-917-5108 (toll free)

All other Locations: + 972-3-9180609

The conference call will be held in English and will be accompanied by a presentation, which will be reported, in both Hebrew and English, on the Israeli Securities Authority website (MAGNA) and on the MAYA website, shortly before the conference call and, subsequently, also on the Company's website, under Investor Relations, whose address is: https://ir.tase.co.il/en

A day after the call, a recording of the English conference call will be uploaded to the Company's website, under Investor Relations.

The conference call is not a substitute for perusing the Company's interim financial statements for the period ended March 31, 2022 in which full and precise information is presented.

https://maya.tase.co.il/en/reports/details/1447314

Contact:

Orna Goren

Head of Communication and Public Relations Unit

Tel: +972 76 8160405

[email protected]

SOURCE Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd
Greg has a proven track record in building consumer marketplaces and leading large-scale growth efforts. He spent nearly 19 years at Amazon, where he served in a variety of leadership positions across many of Amazon's consumer businesses, including leading Amazon's Global Prime program, which grew to over 100 million paid members during his tenure. During the past eighteen months, Greg served as President and COO of Opentrons, a high-growth life sciences startup that launched the Pandemic Response Lab to provide millions of people low-cost Covid-19 testing. Before that, he served as President of Airbnb, where he oversaw the company's $30 billion-plus Homes business.

Greg Greeley said, "I'm incredibly excited to be joining Thrasio at this time. Over this last decade, millions of entrepreneurs have leveraged online marketplaces to introduce an extraordinary number of new products and inventions. Just four years ago, the innovative team at Thrasio created an entirely new way for this community of entrepreneurs to achieve their business goals and see the reach of their products expand  and Thrasio continues to blaze the trail. It's been truly remarkable  and it's still early in a marketplace with nearly $400 billion in total third-party sales in 2021 and trillions more in the broader retail ecosystem. I look forward to partnering with the outstanding team at Thrasio and this vast seller community to continue to enable the world's most loved seller products to become available to everyone."

Carlos Cashman said, "Since co-founding Thrasio in 2018, I have been passionate about bringing products people love to the world and about the talented people who are making this vision a reality. As we continue to take the right steps to evolve the company and position it to continue to scale, innovate, and grow in the years ahead, and as I transition to focus on my role on the Board, I believe there is nobody more qualified than Greg Greeley to lead the company in its next chapter. On behalf of the Board and the Thrasio team, I couldn't be more excited to welcome Greg as our next leader."

Greg Greeley Biography

Greg Greeley is a seasoned executive with decades of experience leading and investing in fast-growing companies at the intersection of media, ecommerce, and technology, with a focus on building thriving marketplaces and online communities. He joins Thrasio from Opentrons, an open-source lab automation company where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer.

Previously, Greg was president at Airbnb during a period of dynamic acceleration, where he oversaw the company's $30-billion plus Homes business, with hosts in over 100,000 cities and 194 countries.

Prior to Airbnb, Greg had a distinguished nearly two-decade career at Amazon, where he made his mark early on with the inception and launch of Prime, expanding the media marketplace globally, and introducing dozens of new physical and digital products and categories. He resided in Europe for nearly six years while managing Amazon's various European consumer businesses, and subsequently helped launch Amazon's eCommerce websites in Italy, Spain, India, and Brazil. Ultimately, he came full circle to lead Amazon's global Prime program, growing subscriptions to more than 100 million members while introducing dozens of new member benefits across the Amazon ecosystem. Before Amazon, Greg held leadership positions at Sun Microsystems, United Airlines, McDonnell Douglas, and Boeing.

Greg received a BS in Engineering from the University of Washington, an MS in Systems Management from the University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, and an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. He also serves as an advisor to Wheels Up, TCV, and Tapas Capital.

About Thrasio

Thrasio is the next-generation consumer goods company reimagining how the world's most-loved products become accessible to everyone. We use a deep understanding of rankings, ratings, and reviews to identify and acquire quality brands selling beloved goods. Then we apply data science, logistical expertise, marketing smarts, and more to expand product lines and help them reach customers around the globe. With every brand we grow, item listing we improve, or product we develop, our goal is to help people everywhere make the most of every moment. We estimate that 1 in 6 US homes has purchased a Thrasio product. Our portfolio includes Angry Orange pet deodorizers and stain removers, Wise Owl camping and outdoor gear, and more than 200 other Amazon and ecommerce brands. In an internet-sized sea of choices, we ensure what gets delivered to your door delivers. Thrasio was founded in 2018 by Joshua Silberstein and Carlos Cashman. thrasio.com. How Goods Become Great

SOURCE Thrasio
Crowdfunding partnership with Kiva provides accelerated access to capital for entrepreneurs across Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho

PORTLAND, Ore., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Individuals or organizations interested in helping minority and women entrepreneurs secure a microloan to launch or grow a business can do so this Small Business Week (May 2-6) through the Umpqua Bank Loan Fund, a crowdfunding program with the nonprofit Kiva that will multiply every dollar contributed 10 times for eligible entrepreneurs in Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho. Donations vary in size starting at $25, and anyone interested in contributing can visit www.kiva.org/team/umpquabank to learn more and donate.

Umpqua established its $1 million loan fund with Kiva earlier this year to accelerate the ability of underserved entrepreneurs to access no-cost microloans. Any entrepreneur with "social capital"the support of family, friends or communitycan qualify to set a funding goal and raise contributions on Kiva's platform. Kiva then combines total contributions into a 0% interest loan up to $15,000 that's paid back to funders over time.

According to Umpqua's Chief Marketing Communications Officer Eve Callahan, who oversees the bank's partnership with Kiva, Umpqua is leveraging Kiva's innovative crowdfunding platform and focus on storytelling to create deeper connections between aspiring entrepreneurs and ordinary people that ultimately lead to diversified community investment and prosperity.

"Umpqua recognized a unique opportunity to partner with Kiva to combine community and capital. Through the Umpqua Bank Loan Fund, we're creating a platform for entrepreneurs to share their stories and connect directly with people looking for opportunities to contribute to economic opportunity and justice," said Callahan. "Recognizing the incredible importance of small businesses to our local communities and economies, we're increasing our match to celebrate Small Business Week. We hope others will join us in helping entrepreneurs across the West Coast continue to grow by contributing any amount, small or large, that we'll match 10 times."

Since launching earlier this year, the Umpqua Bank Loan Fund has matched community members' contributions 3:1, resulting in more than $400,000 in microloans that have fully financed the needs of more than 80 BIPOC or women entrepreneurs.

Umpqua Loan Fund Open to Entrepreneurs

Eligible entrepreneurs in Oregon, Washington, California, and Idaho can apply for Umpqua's matching program by visiting the Umpqua-Kiva partnership page . The initial application process typically takes between 20 and 30 minutes.

The Fund in Action

Umpqua's loan fund has already provided microloan funding to entrepreneurs across the West Coast, including:

In Oregon , it equipped an immigrant family business that buys and sells artisanal goods from Mexico to diversify and expand its inventory.

, it equipped an that buys and sells artisanal goods from to diversify and expand its inventory. In California , it helped a women owned clothing business gain access to the quality inventory needed to sustain and relaunch the brand, as well financed a non-profit helping youth avoid gun violence through positive alternatives and programs.

, it helped a women owned clothing business gain access to the quality inventory needed to sustain and relaunch the brand, as well financed a non-profit helping youth avoid gun violence through positive alternatives and programs. In Washington , it provided a creative wedding photographer with the funding needed to purchase equipment and space to expand his business.

Entrepreneurs across Umpqua's footprint continue actively seeking funding through the bank's loan fund for accelerated access to crowdfunded microloans of varying amounts. Their stories and how they will use the capital to launch a business or add new products, equipment, and jobs in local communities can be found at www.kiva.org/team/umpquabank/loans .

About Umpqua Bank

Umpqua Bank , headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, and has locations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for eight years in a row on FORTUNE magazine's list of the country's "100 Best Companies to Work For," and was recently named by The Portland Business Journal the Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon for the 17th consecutive year. In addition to its retail banking presence, Umpqua Bank also owns Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., a nationally recognized commercial finance company that provides equipment leases to businesses.

About Kiva

Kiva is a global nonprofit that brings people together to invest in lasting impact. Kiva connects individuals, institutional investors, and corporations with global opportunities to invest in humanitywhen and where it will make the greatest collective impact. With as little as $25, you can help women, refugees and small businesses across the globe build a better future for individuals, their families and communities. Join two million people who have invested $1.7 billion in real dreams and real opportunity around the world.

SOURCE Umpqua Bank
The new micro metals product offers TradeStation Securities clients lower margin requirements, diversification, and flexibility.

PLANTATION, Fla., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- TradeStation Securities, Inc. ("TradeStation Securities"), an award-winning*, self-clearing online brokerage for trading stocks, ETFs, options, and futures, now offers its clients the ability to trade Micro Copper Futures from CME Group. With Micro Copper Futures, TradeStation Securities continues to expand its suite of over 450 futures and futures options products . TradeStation Securities has continued to see micro products grow in popularity with more retail clients trading in the futures market.

"We're excited to offer a new micro metals futures product to meet the needs of our customers while continuing our longstanding relationship with CME Group," said John Bartleman, President and Chief Executive Officer of TradeStation Securities' parent company, TradeStation Group, Inc. Mr. Bartleman added, "Over the past few years, we've seen a growing interest in futures, especially from younger investors who are becoming more advanced and educated on the market."

These micro-sized futures will provide a variety of market participants, from institutions to sophisticated individual traders, with greater access to the transparency and liquidity of CME Group's Copper markets. Micro products have lower margin requirements, due to their smaller notional size, making them more accessible to retail traders looking for diversification and flexibility as they trade commodity futures. Micro Copper Futures will be one-tenth the size of a standard-sized copper futures contract and will be cash-settled.

Clients can trade Micro Copper Futures contracts through the TradeStation desktop platform, web, and mobile applications which provide advanced visualization and powerful analysis tools. Whichever way clients choose to trade, they'll have access to educational resources, free-market data, and experienced client support, including trade-desk specialists.

In addition to offering the new Micro Copper Futures product, TradeStation Securities is offering a pricing promotion cutting per-contract futures fees in half when qualifying customers open an account between now and July 31, 2022, and use the code: FUTRAFZT.**

To speak with an account executive, to learn more, or to open an account call 954.652.7677 or 800.770.4049 or visit TradeStation.com.

About TradeStation Securities, Inc.

TradeStation Securities, Inc. (Member NYSE, FINRA, SIPC, NSCC, DTC, OCC, NFA & CME) is a subsidiary of TradeStation Group, Inc. that offers self-clearing equities, options, futures, and futures options brokerage services as a licensed securities broker-dealer and futures commission merchant (FCM) and is a member of major equities and futures exchanges in the United States.

About TradeStation Group, Inc.

TradeStation Group companies have, for decades, provided innovative fintech decision-support analysis and order-placement tools that support self-directed traders and investors in their journey to claim their financial edge. TradeStation provides award-winning* trading and analysis platforms and self-clearing online brokerage services for stocks, ETFs, equity and index options, commodity and financial futures, futures options, and cryptocurrencies. These trading platforms are accessible on desktop, web, and mobile, as well as via API technologies which seamlessly provide access to TradeStation's brokerage environment through third-party platforms. TradeStation's offerings also include deep and growing learning content designed to build confidence among those new to investing and hone the skills of seasoned traders. In 2022, TradeStation commissioned the Miami Bull, an 11-foot, 3,000-pound statue, presented in Miami to both honor the city and champion the latest fintech technologies that have emerged around the world, including the emergence of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and decentralized finance.

* Visit TradeStation.com/Awards for more information.

Security futures are not suitable for all investors. To obtain a copy of the security futures risk disclosure statement visit Investment and Trading Disclosures Booklet  Futures.

**Promotional rates on futures products: (1) micro futures: $0 commission + $0.25 per contract, per side and (2) futures: $0 commission + $0.75 per contract per side ("Promo Rates"). Promo Rates are not applicable to any futures products bought or sold on the FuturesPlus platform. Only Entity (non-Institutional), IRAs, Individual or Joint futures accounts are eligible for Promo Rates. To qualify for Promo Rates, you must be a customer who does not have an existing futures account, opens a futures account with TradeStation Securities, Inc. by July 31, 2022, and enters promotion code FUTRAFZT on your new account application. Your account will be considered and approved or disapproved based on all relevant factors, including your financial situation and trading experience. Additional restrictions may apply. Prices, fees, and costs are subject to change. This promotion may not be transferred to any other individual and has no monetary value that may be redeemed. The offer cannot be used in combination with another offer unless expressly stated. Service fees, Exchange Fees, Clearing Fees and NFA Fees (as applicable), market data fees, premium service fees, and other fees and charges may apply. Please visit the service fees section for more information.

TradeStation reserves the right to terminate this offer or change the terms and conditions at any time. No offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities, securities derivative or futures products or account types of any kind, or any type of trading or investment advice, recommendation, or strategy, is made, given, or in any manner endorsed by any TradeStation affiliate, and the information made available on this website is not an offer or solicitation of any kind in any jurisdiction where any TradeStation affiliate is not authorized to do business.

CME Group is not affiliated with TradeStation Group Inc. or its affiliates. TradeStation Securities, Inc., TradeStation Crypto, Inc., and TradeStation Technologies, Inc. are each wholly owned subsidiaries of TradeStation Group, Inc., all operating, and providing products and services, under the TradeStation brand and trademark. When applying for or purchasing, accounts, subscriptions, products, and services it is important that you know which company you will be dealing with. Please click here for further important information explaining what this means.

Trading involves risks. Past performance, whether actual or indicated by historical tests of strategies, is no guarantee of future performance or success. There is a possibility that you may sustain a loss equal to or greater than your entire investment regardless of which asset class you trade (equities, options, futures, or digital assets); therefore, you should not invest or risk money that you cannot afford to lose. Before trading any asset class, first read the relevant risk disclosure statements on the Important Documents page, found here: www.tradestation.com/important-information . Diversification and asset allocation do not ensure future performance, success, or a guarantee against loss.

SOURCE TradeStation Securities, Inc.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Troutman Pepper announced today the following appointments to the role of office managing partner (OMP) in five of its offices: Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Princeton, and San Francisco. The positions were effective May 1, 2022.

"We are grateful to these attorneys for their willingness to take on this important leadership role in addition to the demands of their busy practices," said Tom Cole, Troutman Pepper Managing Partner. "We also want to thank those partners who are transitioning out of these positions," he continued. "They have served the firm well during a transformational merger and a pandemic."

The new OMPs are:

Miranda Hooker , Boston , Health Sciences Litigation . Hooker is a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial attorney who advises clients in internal and government investigations and enforcement matters.

. Hooker is a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial attorney who advises clients in internal and government investigations and enforcement matters. Susan Charles , Chicago , Environmental and Natural Resources . Charles counsels clients on all aspects of environmental law including regulatory compliance, risk assessment, enforcement defense, and environmental litigation

. Charles counsels clients on all aspects of environmental law including regulatory compliance, risk assessment, enforcement defense, and environmental litigation Tambry Bradford , Los Angeles , Business Litigation. Bradford serves as lead trial counsel for individuals and public and private companies facing high-stakes litigation.

Bradford serves as lead trial counsel for individuals and public and private companies facing high-stakes litigation. Delia Donahue , Princeton , Finance and Restructuring. Donahue guides borrowers and lenders through corporate finance decisions and helps them manage complex commercial lending transactions, restructurings, and workouts.

Donahue guides borrowers and lenders through corporate finance decisions and helps them manage complex commercial lending transactions, restructurings, and workouts. Kalama Lui-Kwan , San Francisco , Consumer Financial Services. Lui-Kwan represents parties in complex commercial disputes arising out of M&A deals and represents consumer-facing companies in class actions and regulatory investigations.

"As our firm continues to expand and grow, these individuals, along with all of our OMPs across the country, will play key roles in ensuring we have the teams and operations in place to best serve our clients while also championing our efforts to improve the communities in which we work and live," said Cole.

About Troutman Pepper

Troutman Pepper is a national law firm with more than 1,200 attorneys strategically located in 23 U.S. cities. The firm's litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices advise a diverse client base, from start-ups to multinational enterprises. The firm provides sophisticated legal solutions to clients' most pressing business challenges, with depth across industry sectors, including energy, financial services, health sciences, insurance, and private equity, among others. Learn more at troutman.com.

SOURCE Troutman Pepper
CENTENNIAL, Colo., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) have accepted the company's new three-year contract offer. This concludes the 2022 contract negotiation process that began several weeks ago.

The new contract covers more than 600 bargaining unit employees from District Lodges #75 and #166, which includes Locals #44, #610 and #2786 performing work on the Atlas V, Delta IV and Vulcan Centaur product lines at both East and West Coast ULA launch sites and the Decatur, Alabama, manufacturing facility. The contract became effective at 12:01 a.m. on

May 2. Negotiations on the new contract officially started April 11 and ended April 21, and the May 1 ratification vote was held in all geographical locations covered by this contract.

"We are pleased that the IAM represented employees have ratified this agreement that is so critical to continuing ULA's success," said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO. "The represented employees' contributions have propelled ULA forward in delivering critical capabilities for our nation and our customers. The future is bright at ULA. Our employees build the best, most reliable rockets flying today and the missions we launch save lives, explore the universe, connect the world and help humankind unlock its potential in space."

"With the recent announcement of future Vulcan launches, we have a healthy launch backlog with more than 70 Vulcan launches on the manifest. This three-year contract helps secure our place as the go-to provider for launching unique missions on extremely complex trajectories as well as missions that will shape the future of the launch industry. We are excited and proud to work as a single and engaged team that is setting the standard for innovation and excellence in the space industry," Bruno added.

Leveraging a legacy of 100 percent mission success launching over 145 missions to explore, protect and enhance our world, ULA is the nation's most experienced and reliable launch service provider with world-leading reliability, schedule confidence, and mission optimization. The technologies we launch protect our country and troops in the battlefield, enable search and rescue, aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, deliver cutting-edge commercial services, and expand our understanding of the Earth. We deliver value unmatched by any launch services company in the industry, a tireless drive to improve, and commitment to the extraordinary.

For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com. Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch, twitter.com/ulalaunch, and instagram.com/ulalaunch.

SOURCE United Launch Alliance (ULA)
Major Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services Trends in the Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services Procurement Market

The pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants has resulted in the moderate bargaining power of suppliers. This makes it extremely important to get the pricing and pricing model right. Buyers should align their preferred pricing models for Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services with the wider industry and identify the cost-saving potential.

The most widely adopted Pricing Models in the Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services Market

in the Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services Market Time and Material pricing model



Management fee pricing model

Download our free sample report to know more about the latest Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services trends and various pricing models

Will there be an Increase in the Spend Growth for Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services Procurement?

The Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services market will register an incremental spend of about USD 84 billion 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 volume drivers that are driving the adoption of the category across regions.

Download the FREE sample report

Subscribe to our "Free Limited Period Starter Procurement Plan" to get the following:

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This procurement report answers help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their Oil and Gas Specialty Maintenance Services Market requirements following questions:

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?

Get the Details That You Are Looking for:

Buy our detailed market analysis report to uncover:

Changing market landscape with yearly forecast till 2025.

Analyze the market's competitive and vendor landscape.

How much marketing budget to set aside for geographical market expansion?

Understanding the most adopted procurement strategies by buyers across industries.

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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
West Shore Home specializes in window, door, and bath remodeling and replacement, with most projects completed in just one day. Its vision is to become America's Most Admired Home Remodeling Brand. This is its ninth acquisition in just over three years.

"We are thrilled to welcome StormFitters to the West Shore Home team," said B.J. Werzyn, President and CEO, West Shore Home. "They have been an established presence in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area for decades and we are proud we can now serve their customers with the fastest, most convenient home remodeling services in the market."

With a mission to Bring Happiness to Every Home, the company strives to make home improvement convenient and hassle-free. Its technology enabled platform allows it to efficiently serve its customers, from the first phone call to the project design phase, and through the day of installation.

Founded in 2006, West Shore Home has grown from a locally based home remodeling company to a national brand with over 30 operational locations in 15 states. They include Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia. It has continued national expansion plans.

About West Shore Home

West Shore Home, headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA., is a leading technology-enabled home remodeling services provider with an expanding national footprint. Founded in 2006, West Shore Home's national brand promise is Bringing Happiness to Every Home by delivering a fast, easy and convenient home remodeling experience. From the first phone call to the final installation, customers have a streamlined experience and associate the West Shore Home brand with consistent high quality, transparency, and trust. For additional information visit westshorehome.com.

SOURCE West Shore Home
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Americans were asked how concerned they were about Russia's military invasion of Ukraine. 89% of respondents said they were somewhat or very concerned. 93% of Democrats, 87% of Republicans, and 86% of Independents/Other said they were somewhat or very concerned.

WHERE AMERICANS STAND ON THE THREAT OF RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE

Americans were asked if they believed that Russia's military invasion of Ukraine is a threat to neighboring countries in the NATO security alliance of North America and Europe. 73% of Americans said yes. 80% of Democrats said yes. 74% of Republicans said yes. 67% of Independents/Other said yes.

Americans were asked if they believed that Russia's military invasion of Ukraine is a threat to the United States. 55% of Americans said yes. 63% of Democrats said yes. 55% of Republicans said yes. 48% of Independents/Other said yes.

81% OF AMERICANS SAID THEY ARE FOLLOWING NEWS COVERAGE ON RUSSIA'S MILITARY INVASION OF UKRAINE

Americans were asked how closely they were following news coverage on Russia's military invasion of Ukraine. 81% of respondents said they were somewhat or very much following news coverage. 86% of Democrats, 80% of Republicans, and 78% of Independents/Other said they were somewhat or very much following news coverage.

11% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT THE WORST OF RUSSIA'S MILITARY INVASION OF UKRAINE IS OVER

Respondents were asked if they believed the worst of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine is over. 11% of Americans said yes. 16% of Republicans, 11% of Democrats, and 7% of Independents/Other said yes.

WHERE AMERICANS STAND ON THE POSSIBILITY OF A WORLD WAR

Respondents were asked if they believe Russia's invasion of Ukraine will escalate to a world war. 26% of Americans said yes, 25% of Americans said no, and 49% of Americans said they were unsure or had no answer. 30% of Republicans, 29% of Democrats, and 22% of Independents/Other said yes.

9% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT RUSSIA'S MILITARY INVASION OF UKRAINE IS JUSTIFIED

Respondents were asked if they believed Russia's military invasion of Ukraine was justified. 9% of Americans said yes. 10% of Democrats, 15% of Republicans, and 5% of Independents/Other said yes.

79% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT RUSSIA'S MILITARY IS TARGETING CIVILIANS

Respondents were asked if they believed Russia's military invasion was targeting civilians. 79% of Americans said yes. 86% of Democrats, 80% of Republicans, and 73% of Independents/Other said yes.

80% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS COMMITTED WAR CRIMES

Respondents were asked if they believed Russia's president Vladimir Putin has committed war crimes. 80% of Americans said yes. 89% of Democrats, 79% of Republicans, and 74% of Independents/Other said yes.

71% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT U.S. MEMBERSHIP IN THE NATO SECURITY ALLIANCE OF NORTH AMERICA AND EUROPE

Respondents were asked if they support the United States' membership in the NATO security alliance of North America and Europe. 71% of Americans said yes. 82% of Democrats, 67% of Republicans, and 63% of Independents/Other said yes.

RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE CONDEMNED BY NATO AND THE UNITED STATES

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formally condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The United States is a member of NATO which is a defensive alliance of 30 countries across North America and Europe protecting one billion citizens that "provides a security guarantee that an attack on one of them is an attack on all of them" according to NATO. On April 28, 2022, the White House Called on Congress to provide more support for Ukraine "to help ensure Ukraine's democracy prevails over Putin's aggression." Although Ukraine is not a formal NATO member, NATO considers Ukraine an "independent, peaceful and democratic country, and a close NATO partner."

METHODOLOGY

This Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis online poll was conducted through SurveyMonkey from April 21  22, 2022 among a national sample of 1,584 adults ages 18 and up. Respondents for this survey were selected from over 2.5 million people who take surveys on the SurveyMonkey platform each day. Data for this week have been weighted for age and gender using the Census Bureau's American Community Survey to reflect the demographic composition of the United States. The modeled error estimate for this survey is plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

ABOUT THE LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY STEVEN S. HORNSTEIN CENTER FOR POLICY, POLLING, AND ANALYSIS

The Long Island University Steven S. Hornstein Center for Policy, Polling, and Analysis conducts independent polling, empirical research, and analysis on a wide range of public issues. Our studies inform the public and policy makers about critical issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the world. Visit liu.edu/Hornstein for more information and results from this national poll.

ABOUT LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY

Long Island University, founded in 1926, continues to redefine higher education, providing high quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, LIU has a network of over 285,000 alumni, including industry leaders and entrepreneurs around the globe. Visit liu.edu for more information. Visit liu.edu for more information.

SOURCE Long Island University
She will perform for the Hungarian Summit on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 in Daytona Beach. Her rendition of "America The Beautiful" is this year's official anthem.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Hungarians have a rich culture of making music with the violin. One name that stands out above the rest is Bernadett Nyari. Bernadett is a world-class concert violinist, who offers an incredible array of musical styles. Her recent original single release, "Redemption" even reached The UK iTunes Pop charts. She was born in Budapest, Hungary, to a musical family, and she has graced concert stages in more than 90 countries.

Bernadett live on stage Bernadett Nyari

On Saturday, May 14th, 2022, Bernadett will put her impressive talents on display with a free concert at the largest US-based Hungarian event, the Hungarian Summit. Bernadett's rendition of "America The Beautiful" was chosen as the 2022 Summit's official anthem. Her performance will take place at 3pm, at the Daytona Beach Museum of Arts and Sciences. You may register for the event and make a donation at https://whova.com/portal/registration/hunga_202205/ .

Any person making a donation will receive a "fast pass" ticket which will allow the holder into the event earlier. A portion of these donations will go to the Ukrainian refugees in Transcarpathia and the Early Learning Coalition Flagler and Volusia.

Watch "America The Beautiful" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB2sghJ2i8U .

ABOUT HUNGARIAN SUMMIT: Brought to you by HungarianHub.com, this monumental event celebrates community, education, business, sport and culture by building a bridge between Europe and the U.S. https://hungariansummit.com/

ABOUT BERNADETT: Bernadett's career has taken her across the world, performing in 90 countries since the age of 18. Inspired by her grandfather, the famous Hungarian violinist, Jozsef B. Suha, Bernadett has set out on the same path, bringing joy and happiness to her listeners, wherever they may be in the world. More recently, Bernadett moved to the USA, a place her grandfather never had the chance to perform. Her music has been streamed over 85K times on Spotify. http://bernadettofficial.com/

https://www.youtube.com/QodeInteractiveVideos

https://www.instagram.com/bernadett_official/

https://www.facebook.com/bernadettofficial

CONTACT:

Michael Stover

MTS Management Group

[email protected]

www.mtsmanagementgroup.com

412-445-5282

SOURCE Bernadett Nyari
America's Baby Boomers are Choosing to Age in Place as the Most Cost-Effective and Enjoyable Way to Spend their Golden Years

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Zemplee, a technology platform that utilizes attentive Artificial Intelligence (AI) and passive sensors to help the elderly age in place, today published its "2022 Top 10 U.S. Cities to Age in Place" white paper and senior living guide that ranks cities based on affordability, healthcare, and quality of life. This report conforms with surveys*, that reveal 77 percent of American adults 50 and older want to remain in their homes for the long term.

"At Zemplee, we understand that being at home with the right support system provides the elderly with an independence and lifestyle that are in their best long-term interest, notes Aparna Pujar, CEO of Zemplee. "Our technology allows seniors to age in place gracefully, providing an economic, health and emotional boost to their lives."

The Zemplee guide curates and ranks a list of the best 10 cities to age in place using baseline factors including local taxes, property values, quality of healthcare and size of senior population. The list also considers other relevant criteria associated with aging, such as home health aides per capita and quality of support for caregivers.

Top 10 U.S. Cities for Seniors to Age in Place

Winchester, Virginia Sarasota, Florida Raleigh Hills , Oregon Grand Junction, Colorado Sebastian- Vero Beach, Florida San Antonio, Texas Asheville, North Carolina Bellingham, Washington Portsmouth, New Hampshire Athens, Georgia

A recent study conducted by an MIT Economist on senior citizens across the U.S points out that where you live matters and can add years to your life. The study revealed that a 65-year-old who moves to a metro area ranked in the top tier of "enhanced longevity" saw a life expectancy bump of 6% in terms of additional years lived.**

*Binette, J. (2021, November 1). 2021 AARP Home and Community Preferences Survey. AARP. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/community/info-2021/2021-home-community-preferences.html

**Peter Dizikes | MIT News Office. (n.d.). Comparing seniors who relocate long-distance shows where you live affects your longevity. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved April 25, 2022, from https://news.mit.edu/2021/seniors-relocate-longevity-0901

SOURCE Zemplee
Tehran, May 2 : A top Iranian commander has said that the US has no place in the Gulf as regional countries can ensure their own security, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

The remarks were made by Alireza Tangsiri, naval commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), who also warned that any country seeking to jeopardise Iran's interests in the Gulf will receive "a crushing and regretting response", Xinhua news agency reported.

"Iran has repeatedly conveyed its message of peace and friendship to its southern neighbors that the region is capable of guaranteeing its security," he said.

The IRGC Navy forces are constantly, actively and effectively present in the Strait of Hormuz and northern part of the Gulf and, in view of their full intelligence dominance, are monitoring all movements in the region, the Iranian commander noted.
Chandauli, May 2 : Violence erupted in Manrajpur village under the limits of Saiyyedraja police station in Chandauli district late on Sunday night after a 21-year-old girl Nisha Yadav died due to alleged thrashing by police during a raid.

The incident led to violent protests by villagers who indulged in brick batting and tried to block national highway-2 after damaging an ambulance.

Nisha was grievously injured during a raid to nab her father and history-sheeter Kanhaiya Yadav.

Her sister also suffered grave injuries as she tried to cut the veins of her wrist.

SP Chandauli Ankur Agrawal said that Station Officer (SO) of Saiyyedraja has been suspended in this connection and process is underway to lodge FIR on a complaint from the family of Nisha.

IG Varanasi range K. Satyanarayan, who also took stock of incident site and met injured girl in district hospital, said on Monday that appropriate action was being taken after receiving complaint.

The condition of injured girl is stable, he said.

Reports stated that a team of police led by SO Saiyyedraja had raided the place of Kanhaiya Yadav. IG said that an externment order was issued against Kanhaiya having criminal history with police. Following issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him police had gone to search him.

However, Kanhaiya was not found after which cops tried to take his brother with them. Nisha opposed this bid of cops when she was allegedly thrashed by SO Saiyyedraja and died. Her sister also tried to cut her veins.

Meanwhile, scores of villagers gathered there and attacked police team in which several cops also suffered injuries. More unruly scenes were created by the angry mob of locals when the cops tried to take the body of Nisha for further action.
Seoul, May 2 : South Korea's top envoy to Ukraine and some other embassy staff have returned to Kiev to restart operations there, according to Seoul's foreign ministry.

South Korean embassy officials had evacuated from the capital and worked at a temporary office in the Ukrainian city of Chernivtsi since March following Russia's invasion of the country, Yonhap news agency reported.

Amb. Kim Hyung-tae and some embassy staff have returned to Kiev in preparation for work there starting Monday, the ministry said, adding it is considering the phased return of the remaining staff.

"(They) plan to carry out tasks on diplomatic affairs and protecting (South Korean) nationals under closer cooperation with the Ukrainian government," it said.

During his visit to Ukraine last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a gradual return of American diplomats to Kiev.
Seoul, May 2 : China's top nuclear envoy arrived in Seoul for talks with his South Korean counterpart, amid lingering tensions caused by North Korean missile launches.

Liu Xiaoming, special representative on Korean Peninsula affairs, told reporters late Sunday that he will meet officials of the incumbent and incoming governments to discuss "political solutions" for Korean peninsula issues, reports Yonhap News Agency.

Touching on pending issues related to North Korea, the envoy said that said that it was up to the US and North Korea to resolve issues on the Peninsula, not China.

Asked about his stance about the North's nuclear threats, he said: "Although we are in support of denuclearization, I believe each country's security should also be taken into consideration. (We will discuss) not only the phenomena that has emerged outwardly, but also their root causes.

"We object to any hostile act which will escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula. We hope we will find ways to lower tensions in Korean peninsula issues through consultations with the South." Liu will hold talks with Noh Kyu-duk, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, on Tuesday to share their assessments on the recent grave security situation on the peninsula and discuss ways to cooperate for the stable management of the situation.

He is also expected to meet with senior officials from the foreign affairs and unification ministries, as well as the National Security Council.
Washington, May 2 : US President Joe Biden travelled to Minneapolis, Minnesota to attend the memorial service of late Vice President Walter Mondale.

During the service on Sunday, Biden recalled his decades-long friendship with Mondale during the memorial service at the University of Minnesota, reports Xinhua news agency.

Mondale died at age 93 in April 2021, but his funeral was delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He served as Vice President between 1977 and 1981 under Jimmy Carter after representing Minnesota in the Senate for two terms.

He was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 1984 presidential election but lost to Republican Ronald Reagan.

During Bill Clinton's presidency, Mondale was the US Ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1996.
New Delhi, May 2 : Meta-owned WhatsApp on Monday said that it banned over 18 lakh bad accounts in India in the month of March in compliance with the new IT Rules 2021.

The platform had banned over 14 lakh such accounts in the country in February.

The company said that it also received 597 grievance reports in the same month from the country, and the accounts "actioned" were 74.

"In accordance with the IT Rules 2021, we've published our report for the month of March 2022. This user-safety report contains details of the user complaints received and the corresponding action taken by WhatsApp, as well as WhatsApp's own preventive actions to combat abuse on our platform," a WhatsApp spokesperson said in a statement.

"WhatsApp banned over 1.8 million (1,805,000) accounts in the month of March," the spokesperson added.

The company said that data shared highlights the number of Indian accounts banned by WhatsApp between March 1-31 using the abuse detection approach, which also includes action taken in furtherance to negative feedback received from users via its "Report" feature.

"Over the years, we have consistently invested in Artificial Intelligence and other state of the art technology, data scientists and experts, and in processes, in order to keep our users safe on our platform," the company added.

Under the new IT Rules 2021, big digital and social media platforms, with more than 5 million users, have to publish monthly compliance reports.
Kiev, May 2 : Ukrainian authorities will on Monday the evacuation of people stranded in the besieged city of Mariupol which began the previous day, head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said.

In the first stage on Sunday, 100 women, children and elders were evacuated from Mariupol, Yermak said in a social media post, adding that they were due to arrive in the southern city of Zaporizhzhya.

He thanked the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their support for the evacuation efforts, reports Xinhua news agency.

According to Petro Andryushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, the evacuation began at 4 p.m. on Sunday.

The evacuation from Mariupol was the centre-piece of talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on April 28.

In an announcement on Sunday night, Zelensky said that an evacuation was underway from inside the Azovstal plant, the last stronghold of the Ukrainian troops in Mariupol.

"The first group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area," he said, adding that they will also arrive in Zaporizhzhya on Monday.

At least 20 persons were evacuated on April 30, becoming the first group to leave the plant since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the vast industrial area sealed off a week ago.

Mariupol, a key Azov Sea port city in eastern Ukraine, has witnessed one of the worst bouts of violence in the ongoing war.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Berlin :Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Germany on the first leg of his visit to three European nations. PM Modi will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz & co-chair 6th India-Germany Inter-overnmental Consultations in Berlin on Monday, May 02, Image Source: IANS News

Berlin :Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Germany on the first leg of his visit to three European nations. PM Modi will meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz & co-chair 6th India-Germany Inter-overnmental Consultations in Berlin on Monday, May 02, Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, May 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Berlin on Monday, his first stop in the three-nation visit to Germany, Denmark and France.

Soon after landing in the German capital, Modi tweeted: "Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany." The bilateral cooperation will be the focal point of the high-level meetings, but the situation in Ukraine may also come up during the discussions, said sources. One of the main agenda during the meeting would also be the post-Covid economic recovery.

Ministry of External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "On his first visit abroad this year, PM @narendramodi arrives to a warm reception in Berlin. Looking forward to reinvigorating the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, advancing our wide-ranging cooperation, and enhancing multilateral coordination." Before leaving for three-day visit to the three European countries, Modi in a statement said, "I will be visiting Berlin, Germany on May 2, 2022 at the invitation of Olaf Scholz, Federal Chancellor of Germany following which I will travel to Copenhagen, Denmark from May 3-4, 2022 at the invitation of Mette Frederiksen, Prime Minister of Denmark to hold bilateral engagements and also participate in the Second India-Nordic Summit. On the way back to India, I will make a brief stopover in Paris, France for a meeting with Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France." He also stated that his visit to Berlin will be an opportunity to hold detailed bilateral discussions with Chancellor Scholz, whom he met at G20 last year in his previous capacity as Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister.

"We will co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany. Several Indian ministers will also travel to Germany and hold consultations with their German counterparts.

"The IGC has an early engagement with the new government in Germany, within six months of its formation, which will be helpful to identify our priorities for the medium and long term," he had said.

In 2021, India and Germany commemorated 70 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations and have been strategic partners since 2000. "I look forward to exchanging views with Chancellor Scholz on strategic, regional and global developments that concern us both," he had stated.

The long standing commercial ties between India and Germany form one of the pillars of Strategic Partnership, and Chancellor Scholz and Modi will jointly address a Business Roundtable with the goal of energising industry to industry cooperation, which will help strengthen the post-Covid economic recovery in both countries.
San Francisco, May 2 : E-commerce giant Amazon has stopped seven days of paid time off (PTO) for frontline employees who contracted Covid-19.

Starting from Monday, Amazon will offer up to five days of "unpaid, excused leave", reports CNBC.

Amazon initially offered 14 days of paid time off to Covid-infected workers at the start of the pandemic.

In a fresh notice, Amazon said that the workers with "confirmed" Covid-19 cases can submit a request for paid time off per its "standard sick leave policy", regardless of vaccination status.

"Amazon will also stop giving workers excused time off when waiting for their COVID-19 test results, citing the wide availability of rapid tests," the report noted, citing the notice.

Amazon is also discontinuing its vaccine incentive programme that paid workers $40 for every jab they received.

The company will also no longer notify entire workplaces of positive Covid-19 cases "unless required by law".

"The sustained easing of the pandemic, ongoing availability of Covid-19 vaccines and treatments, and updated guidance from public health authorities, all signal we can continue to safely adjust to our pre-Covid policies," according to the company.

The decision may invite a backlash from pro-union workers fighting for better working conditions and improved benefits at its facilities.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Thiruvananthapuram, May 2 : The Kerala Police is likely to challenge granting of conditional bail to senior politician P.C. George arrested over a hate speech, sources said here on Monday.

Also, the absence of Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) when the seven-time legislator was being granted bail by a local court here on Sunday, has stirred a controversy.

State Law Minister P.Rajeev said on Monday that he is looking into the details of the incident and will act accordingly.

George was produced before the local court here on Sunday afternoon and was granted a bail despite the police opposing it. The absence of the APP for the prosecution is being questioned.

While granting him bail, the court warned the veteran leader against indulging in hate speeches and influencing the witness.

After coming out of the Magistrate's chamber, the seven-time legislator told mediapersons: "The Judiciary in India is for justice and the Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, and his police had arrested me as a Ramzan gift to Islamic terror groups." George had lost in the 2021 Assembly elections from his home constituency Poonjar.

He was arrested on Sunday early morning after the Muslim Youth League and the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI-M, protested and demanded his arrest.

There were several protest marches for and against George while he was being brought from his residence in Kottayam district to Thiruvananthapuram.

While the BJP workers raised slogans in support of George near Thiruvananthapuram, DYFI workers threw eggs at his vehicle.

Earlier, the police prevented Union Minister V. Muraleedharan from meeting George who was at the Armed Reserve camp, Peroorkada.

The Union minister while speaking to the media outside the Armed Reserve camp, said: "Kerala Police is having dual stands -- they prevent a Union minister from meeting an accused, but are very quick in taking action on a complaint filed by Youth League."
New Delhi, May 2 : The Supreme Court on Monday said that no individual can be forced to get vaccinated and added that the current Covid-19 vaccine policy of the government is not arbitrary.

A bench comprising Justices L. Nageswara Rao and B.R. Gavai said that restrictions imposed on the unvaccinated people by different organisations, institutions, and governments is not proportional. The bench suggested till numbers are low, state governments must remove such restrictions.

The bench noted that bodily autonomy/bodily integrity is a constitutional right, therefore no individual can be forced to get vaccinated. It also said that the current Covid-19 policy of the government is not arbitrary.

The top court further directed the Centre to make public the data on adverse events of Covid-19 vaccination.

The top court noted that the governments did not bring on record any data to establish that unvaccinated people spread virus more than vaccinated people, and also people who have not been vaccinated should not be barred from accessing public places. The detailed judgment will be uploaded later.

The top court's judgment came on a petition filed by Jacob Puliyel, a former member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, seeking the data of clinical trials and adverse effects of Covid vaccines and also challenging the vaccine mandates issued by some state governments. Puliyel was represented by advocate Prashant Bhushan.

During the hearing, the Centre had told the top court that as on March 13, over 180 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered and "adverse incidents", which were periodically recorded, were 77,314 as on March 12, which is 0.004 per cent of the total vaccination. The Centre emphasised that segregated clinical data cannot be demanded by anyone under the garb of filing of public interest litigation Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati made submissions on behalf of the Centre.

Bharat Biotech International Ltd, represented by advocate Vipin Nair, had told the Supreme Court that Covaxin has undergone all necessary clinical trials and the phase 3 efficacy trials revealed it is 77.8 per cent effective against Covid. The vaccine manufacturer said it has extensively published the findings of clinical trials in publicly available reputed peer reviewed journals and on its website.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Delhi High Court has stayed a March 25 order of the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which imposed a Rs 1 lakh fine on Snapdeal and directed a recall of non-standard pressure cookers which were listed for sale on the platform.

Issuing a notice to the respondents, Justice Yashwant Varma said there shall be a stay of the order till the next date of listing, and slated the matter for July 26.

"The Court takes on board the undertaking of the petitioner that in case the present challenge ultimately fails, the amounts as due and payable in terms thereof shall be duly refunded," read the order dated April 12.

The ambit of the CCPA's action was based on an assumption that the absence of information at the point of sale on the platform as to whether the said products conform to the Indian Standard IS 2347: 2017 (for pressure cookers) meant that the products were defective and that this was an actionable wrong against the platform under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.

Snapdeal was represented by Fidus Law Chambers in this matter and was led by Senior Advocate Jayant Mehta.

The Court has taken note of the submissions made by the counsel for Snapdeal that due process was not followed by CCPA in arriving at its decision.

Snapdeal argued that due process was not followed by CCPA in that the vendors who ought to be liable for any infractions under the Consumer Protection Act and the BIS regulations, were not even party to the proceedings and the liability was pinned entirely on the platform which is not the seller of the products but a marketplace where the goods were listed for sale by the respective sellers.

This is contrary to the Consumer Protection Act under which orders can be passed against manufacturers, endorsers, advertiser, publisher, and traders.

The Court noted the contention that Snapdeal is merely an intermediary and only provides a platform to manufacturers and sellers to sell their products and therefore could not have been saddled with penalty and compliance of the directions by CCPA.

It also noted the arguments of Snapdeal that the articles in question did in fact enjoy the requisite BIS certification.

The court noted that the contentions raised by the counsel for Snapdeal required further consideration.
New Delhi, May 2 : As a goodwill gesture, the Border Security Force (BSF) has handed over two Bangladeshi nationals to its counterpart Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

According to BSF officials of the South Bengal Frontiers, two Bangladeshi nationals who crossed the International border illegally on Sunday, were nabbed by the troopers at two different Border Out Posts at Ranaghat and Hakimpur. Of the two, one was a Bangladeshi woman who was lured by the touts for better livelihood in India.

On April 29 too, the BSF had apprehended two Bangladeshi women at BOP Jeetpur who had entered into Indian Territory without the valid documents and handed them over to BGB in a goodwill gesture.

The BSF now hands over the illegal immigrants from Bangladesh to BGB unless the nabbed persons don't have any criminal records in India. These Bangladeshi nationals illegally cross into India in search of better livelihood.

According to a report, at least 4,896 Bangladeshi nationals were nabbed while trying to cross over to India between January 1, 2019 and April 28,2022.

The report also said that the maximum number of illegal immigrants entering or leaving India is from the South Bengal Frontiers.

The officials also admitted that the maximum number of illegal immigrants entering or leaving India take place in the southern part of Bengal because of the some unfenced parts and reverine borders.

India shares 4,096 km long boundary with Bangladesh, out of which South Bengal Frontiers shares nearly 913.32 kms. Under the South Bengal Frontiers of BSF, around 50 per cent of the area is either unfenced or reverine belt and in certain sections, the villages are situated very close to the International Border on both sides and that makes the detection of illegal immigrants a difficult task, the Force officials said.
New Delhi, May 2: Amid rising economic challenges and slowing economic growth, Chinese President Xi Jinping has tried to reach out to the countrys private sector. The urgency to realign with the private enterprises appears to have peaked on account of this year's 20th Party congress.

Party congresses are mega once- in- five-year events when China's leadership can change. Also, this is a time of reflection when basic policy changes take place, setting on course a fresh direction that China would take for the next half-a decade.

During the 20th party congress, Xi, who is also the powerful General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the chairman of the Central Military Commission hopes to control the reins of power for another five years. But in order to do so, he needs the support of the private sector, which he has alienated because of his attempt to cut to size influential private entrepreneurs, including the Alibaba group chief Jack Ma. He has perceptibly curbed Pony Ma, the head of the Tencent empire, and declared war on the private real estate sector.

But with a critical mass seemingly developing against him because many of the corporate icons' influence in anti-Xi factions in the CPC, the leader apparently has changed course.

At a recently held Politburo meeting, Xi underlined the importance of the private capital in shouldering the economic development of the country. However, Xi added that the private sector companies must strictly adhere to the regulatory framework and follow the Communist Party's framework of "common prosperity." The private sector has typically accounted for more than half of China's tax revenue.

"By its nature, capital pursues profits, and if it is not regulated and restrained, it will bring immeasurable harm to economic and social development," Xi said at a Politburo meeting.

The stringent crackdown on the private sector last year along with the clarion call for 'common prosperity' have not only dampened sentiments, but wiped off "hundreds of billions of dollars from the market capitalization of some of the largest private companies in China," Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) said in a report. Though the report also said that the perception that China's private sector is imperilled is overblown, two analysts told India Narrative that the crackdown has affected sentiments.

"The private sector in China has played a critical role in the growth story. But the latest crackdowns have not only dampened sentiments but uncertainty has risen," one of them said.

The private sector has been generating about 80 per cent of the country's non-government employment.

For China, one of the main concerns will be employment generation. About 10.76 million students graduating this year will enter China's job market. "It is impossible for China to create so many jobs without the support of the private sector," the analyst said.

The jobless rate among those between the age of 16 and 24, representing graduates from schools and colleges, stood at 14.3 per cent in December.

But the resurgence of Covid 19 infections leading to lockdowns in several parts of the country including Shanghai and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have now added to the problem.

China registered an economic growth of 4.8 per cent in the January-March quarter of the current financial year. However, the Covid 19 induced restrictions are set to significantly impact growth in the second quarter.

According to CNN, Larry Hu, chief economist for Greater China at Macquarie Group wrote that "economic data in April are set to worsen further." The full year's growth rate could be around 5 per cent though the target set is 5.5 per cent.

The International Monetary Fund has revised down the country's growth rate further from the earlier projection of 4.8 per cent to 4.4 per cent for 2022.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, May 2: Nearly five days after Shari Baloch, the first female Baloch suicide bomber, blew herself up and killed three Chinese including the director of the Confucius Institute, Shari was trending in Pakistan as #ShariTheLegend.

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which had claimed responsibility for the daring attack, released a video message by Shari on Saturday night where she says that she took the decision to blow herself to achieve freedom for the Baloch nation. She shares her views about Pakistan and Balochistan, mentioning hatred against slavery, avenging the brutalities against the Baloch.

In the eight-minute video, Shari looks confident and emotional as she urges: "We can do politics, lead protests, attain education, and sit on roads for the recovery of our loved ones, then we also can take part in this war of liberation for Balochistan".

Talking about her personal life, Shari says: "I lead a very happy and prosperous life. I have a job. There is no lack of anything in my life. I have two lovely children. But this is a path we have to take...". She reinforces her message, saying: "I don't need to do this as I have a prosperous life and two young children, but I am still taking this decision, and I have no regrets".

The video shows Shari urging Baloch women to join the menfolk in the war of liberation. She thanks her colleagues in the Majeed Brigade for giving her the opportunity to become the first Baloch female suicide bomber.

The video ends with Shari's slogans--"Long Live Balochistan", "Long Live BLA" and "Long Live Majeed Brigade".

Shari's suicide bombing against the Chinese has sent Baloch pride soaring. Despite the fact that Shari's attack is not in line with the secular trends in Balochistan liberation movement, it has been approved and accepted by the Baloch people for its daring and nationalist sentiment.

The Baloch community is naming its newborn daughters after the first Baloch fidayeen.

Shari's act has elicited support from other communities in Pakistan. Even the Sindh separatists have voiced their support for Shari Baloch and have been sharing her photographs and videos on Twitter. People in Sindh too have a long-running insurgency seeking separation from Pakistan. Some of the Sindhi organisations have links with Baloch groups.

Towards the end, the BLA video also shows Shari saying: "They are coming" as she points towards the van ferrying the Chinese academicians. She moves closer to the slowing van and detonates herself, killing three Chinese and the Pakistani driver of the van.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative
New Delhi, May 2 : India on Monday welcomed its 100th unicorn, which is Bengaluru-based neobank platform Open, that raised fresh funds as part of its Series D round, taking its valuation to $1 billion.

The new round was led by Mumbai-based investment firm IIFL and existing investors Tiger Global, Temasek and 3one4 Capital also participated in the round, the company said in a statement.

"We see a lot of synergies with IIFL especially on leveraging the lending book, as we are getting ready to launch innovative products like revenue-based financing, early settlement, working capital loan and business credit cards to SMEs on our platform," said Anish Achuthan, co-founder and chief executive of Open.

The neobank platform is being used by more than 20 lakh businesses in the country, and it processes over $30 billion worth transactions every year.

According to the Bengaluru-based management consulting firm Redseer, the $31 billion fintech market in India is set for a disruption with the emergence of neobanks.

Neobanks are bridging the gap between the services that traditional banks offer and the evolving expectations of customers in the digital age.

Open, which has raised about $187 million to date, is aiming to unveil three new products, revenue-based financing Flo, early settlement card offering Settl and working capital lending Capital soon.

The neobank platform startup is aiming to disburse $1 billion through its new products.

As the third largest fintech ecosystem in the world after the US and China, the Indian fintech market is poised for further disruption with the emergence of neobanks.

Overall, Indian startups raised more than $10 billion during the first quarter of 2022, up from $5.7 billion in the same period in 2021, according to data from Venture Intelligence.

The January-March quarter also saw as many as 14 startups becoming unicorns.
Lucknow :Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today in Lucknow at his official residence on Monday, May 02, 2022.(Photo:Instagram) Image Source: IANS News

Lucknow :Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today in Lucknow at his official residence on Monday, May 02, 2022.(Photo:Instagram) Image Source: IANS News

Mumbai, May 2 : Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow and said that she feel "humbled, honoured and inspired" after meeting him.

Kangana shared two pictures from her meet with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister on Instagram on Sunday evening and captioned: "Today I had the great fortune of meeting maharaj @myogi_adityanath ji after his tremendous victory in recent elections... It was a wonderful evening maharaj ji's compassion, concerns and deep sense of involvement never ceases to amaze me. I feel humbled, honoured and inspired." This is not the first time the actress has met Yogi Adityanath. The two met last year on October 2.

On the work front, Kangana is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film 'Dhaakad'. The action entertainer also is directed by Razneesh Ghai, also starring Arjun Rampal, Divya Dutta, Saswata Chatterjee among others.

'Dhakkad' releases in theatres on May 20.
London, May 2 : Russian state media has urged President Vladimir Putin to wipe the UK off the map using his most-powerful nuclear weapons.

Dmitry Kiselyov, a man often known as "Putin's mouthpiece", used his Sunday night show to call for attacks on the UK with a Poseidon underwater drone that he said would trigger a 1,600ft radioactive tidal wave and "plunge Britain to the depths of the ocean", The Daily Mail reported.

The drone "has capacity for a warhead of up to 100 megatonne", Kiselyov claimed and added that it also has several thousand times the strength of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, which would "raise a giant wave, a tsunami, up to 1,640ft high" enough to reach halfway up Scafell Pike, the tallest point in England.

Speaking against a background graphic showing the UK being erased from the world map, Kiselyov added: "This tidal wave is also a carrier of extremely high doses of radiation. Surging over Britain, it will turn whatever is left of them into radioactive desert, unusable for anything. How do you like this prospect?" Kiselyov also threatened the UK with an attack by Sarmat 2, Russia's latest nuclear missile which was tested by Putin a fortnight ago, which he claimed could also completely destroy the country with just a single impact.

"(Their) island is so small that one Sarmat missile is enough to drown it once and for all," he said.

"(It) is capable of destroying an area the size of Texas or England. A single launch, Boris, and there is no England anymore', the Daily Mail quoted Kiselyov as saying.

Kiselyov's remarks follow a pattern that has developed on Russian state media in recent days of threatening Britain with nuclear holocaust, based on the false premise that Prime Minister Boris Johnson has threatened to carry out a nuclear strike on Russia without consulting NATO.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Kolkata, May 2 : Despite poll strategist Prashant Kishor's hint about floating his own political party and beginning the journey in Bihar, the Trinamool Congress is hoping that the party's association with the Kishor-floated Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) will continue at least in West Bengal.

Trinamool Congress state vice president Jaiprakash Majumdar said that recently West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, told the media that Prashant Kishor or PK has assured her of his cooperation in West Bengal.

"PK himself has said that his relationship with Mamata Banerjee is extremely strong and he views her as a national leader. His cooperation with Trinamool Congress will continue as before. Apart from that what he would do is his personal decision and his democratic right," Majumdar said.

Trinamool Congress's hope for continuation of the association with I-PAC stems from the fact that although I-PAC was founded by Prashant Kishor, officially he does not hold any position in the organization. Hence in that case, PK does not have any bar over continuing with his own future political plans starting with Bihar, while I-PAC continues its association with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal. I-PAC has already entered into an agreement with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for drawing up the blueprint for the latter for the 2023 Telangana assembly polls.

However, political strategist Rajagopal Dhar Chakraborty feels that although such an option is quite possible but in that case the credibility of PK might be in question. "I do not know whether the vote strategist can afford that,' he said.

The BJP, Congress and the Left Front leaders have ridiculed PK's Twitter message dropping a hint of floating his own political party. They feel that fighting the polls directly and drawing up election blueprints for established political parties are two entirely different things. They pointed out that although PK is popular among some political parties because of his packaged strategies, at the personal level he has no mass appeal.
New Delhi, May 2 : , The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday said that they have lodged a new case against fugitive businessman Mehul Choksi and his company Gitanjali Gems for allegedly defrauding the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) to the tune Rs 22 crore between 2014-18.

Choksi, who is wanted in India by the CBI and the ED in the Rs 13,500 crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, had gone missing from Dominica on May 23, last year sparking a massive manhunt.

He was captured in Dominica on May 26.

A Dominican court had restrained his deportation after hearing a habeas corpus filed by Choksi's lawyers.

Choksi has been residing in Antigua and Barbuda since January 4, 2018, days before the CBI registered the case of bank fraud against him and his nephew, absconding diamantaire Nirav Modi Nirav Modi, among several others.

The CBI and ED, which have filed separate charge sheets in the case, are trying for his extradition.

On April 11, Subhash Shankar, a close aide of Nirav Modi has been deported to Mumbai from Cairo by the CBI in connection with the PNB fraud case.

Shankar was DGM Finance in Nirav Modi's company. A red corner notice was issued against him.
New Delhi, May 2 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will visit Kerala on May 15 to participate in the annual function of the Twenty20 political Party.

The Twenty20 Political Party is an organisation of non-traditional political parties which was started as a CSR organisation. The organisation had invited the Delhi CM to attend their annual function as their chief guest.

It was a political start-up which made its first mark by winning the Kizhakkambalam gram panchayat in Kerala. Currently, Twenty20 is in power in four neighbouring panchayats, and has been ruling the local bodies with a clear majority.

"I am grateful to Arvind Kejriwal for graciously accepting our invitation. Like the AAP, Twenty20 believes in grassroots level strengthening of Indian political systems. AAP has shown parties like us a way to thrive and garner electoral success", said Twenty20 Founder Sabu Jacob.

He said that AAP's models of governance in both Delhi and Punjab have gained praise internationally and presented lessons worth adopting to Indian politicians.
Chennai, May 2 : Coimbatore based sugar major Sakthi Sugars Ltd on Monday said it will sell its sugar and distillery units in Odisha and the soya factory in Tamil Nadu.

The company's board approved the sale of these two plants at its meeting.

The decision to sell the plants is taken to reduce the company's debt levels.

Sakthi Sugars acquired the Odisha sugar unit several decades back.

The company is into production of sugar, power, industrial alcohol and soya.
Bengaluru, May 2 : The Karnataka state BJP is witnessing heavy political activity as Union Home Minister Amit Shah is arriving here Monday late night.

The visit has assumed importance in the backdrop of Shah coming with a specific mission of finalising the decision on cabinet expansion or reshuffle. He would also hold talks regarding the various happenings in the state and strategise for the state Assembly elections in 2023.

Amit Shah is also expected to clear the air regarding the leadership change issue, which has come to the forefront after the statement by party National General Secretary B.L. Santhosh. He had stated that change of leadership is the strength of BJP. The experiment had yielded good results in Punjab and Gujarat, he added.

Former Chief Minister, senior BJP leader B.S. Yediyurappa stated on Monday that he would be meeting Shah. "He is visiting the state in the backdrop of the developments in the state as we have entered the election year," he said.

Yediyurappa further stated that Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi would focus more on Karnataka now. They would give suggestions and directions towards winning 150 seats in the upcoming Assembly elections. "We will discuss with them," he said.

"It is the responsibility of the central leaders to decide on the tickets for the Assembly elections to the sitting MLA's," he said.

Yediyurappa maintained that there will be "no change of leadership in the state BJP" as per his knowledge. "Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai is doing a good job," he said.

Shah is going to finalise on the long pending issue of cabinet reshuffle or expansion. He is expected to take the crucial decision on the accommodation of B.Y. Vijayendra, son of Yediyurappa in the cabinet. He will also decide on the inclusion of Ramesh Jarkiholi, who had lost the cabinet berth after alleged sex-CD scandal came to the surface, sources said.

The party intends to introduce 10 new faces in the cabinet and there was a proposal to drop non-performing senior ministers, sources indicated. Amit Shah is also going to discuss the aggressive Hindutva approach by the ruling BJP in Karnataka and the present unrest type situation in the state.

Meanwhile, the core committee meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday at the party headquarters in Malleshwaram in Bengaluru has been shifted to a private hotel. The change has been done after a security check by the SPG.

Amit Shah will arrive in Bengaluru on Monday late night. He will stay in a private star hotel on the Race Course Road. On Tuesday, he is holding a meeting in a private hotel.

He will attend a luncheon hosted by Chief Minister Bommai at his residence and later engage in the core committee meeting. The visit of Amit Shah is expected to create ripples in the state politics according to sources in the BJP.
London, May 2 : Billionaire Bill Gates has warned that Covid pandemic is far from over, with the worst remaining yet to unfold.

Stressing on the need for increasing global surveillance, the Microsoft founder and philanthropist warned of the likelihood of an even more fatal and transmissive variant of Covid, the Financial Times reported.

Gates stated that even though he does not want to sound gloomy, yet the risk of a more virulent variant is more than 5 per cent.

"We're still at risk of this pandemic generating a variant that would be even more transmissive and even more fatal," he was quoted as saying.

"It's not likely, I don't want to be a voice of doom and gloom, but it's way above a 5 per cent risk that this pandemic, we haven't even seen the worst of it," he added.

This is not the first time that Gates warned of a potential global threat posed by viruses.

In 2015, he first cautioned publicly that the "world was not ready for the inevitable next pandemic" and that viruses, not war, pose the greatest risk of "global catastrophe".

Gates also called for renewed efforts with greater investments into global surveillance of viruses, which has been paused by a number of countries in the wake of decline in Covid cases. Gates has also written a book on How to Prevent the Next Pandemic.

He has urged for the creation of a team of international experts ranging from epidemiologists to computer modellers to quickly spot global health threats and improve coordination between the countries. According to him, this would cost around $1bn, which would be managed by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the report said.

Amid the war between Russia and Ukraine, Gates urged global leaders not to lose sight of the health crisis. He called for greater investment to prevent future pandemics. He also argued for an urgent need for longer-lasting vaccines that blocked infection, stressing that the current pandemic still posed a threat.
Chennai, May 2 : Simran, who was one of the top heroines in the Tamil film industry a few years ago, has thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for accepting a request by the film industry and renaming a road after one of Tamil cinema's finest comedians, late actor Vivek.

Recently, members from the Tamil Nadu film fraternity had made a request to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, urging him to rename the road leading to the residence of the great actor after him.

Accepting the request, the Tamil Nadu government has chosen to rename the road as Chinna Kalaivanar Vivek Road.

Posting a picture of this new name board put up by the Greater Chennai Corporation, actress Simran tweeted, "It's a fitting tribute to Late Shri. Vivek sir. Thank you M K Stalin sir. An actor par excellence, an environmentalist, a great human being and a caring friend. Though short, he left us great memories and responsibilities to fulfill." Vivek, apart from being a brilliant comedian, was also known to be a big environmentalist and a follower of late president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. On Kalam's advice, he embarked on a mission to plant one crore saplings to fight global warming.

The actor went out of his way to promote planting of trees. By the time he passed away last year, he had managed to plant 33.23 lakh tree saplings.
New Delhi, May 2 : Congress is reaching out to sulking Haryana leader Kuldeep Bishnoi as he is upset over denial of state presidentship of the party in the state, Bishnoi has let his anger public and said that he will seek a response from the party.

The internal rift in the Haryana Congress has widened after Congress General Secretary Randeep Surjewala came out openly in support of Kuldeep Bishnoi.

Since the appointment of Udai Bhan a know Hooda supporter has been appointed as party chief Kuldeep Bishnoi has been upset but Surjewala who is close to Rahul Gandhi stoked a controversy by saying that Bishnoi could have been good President.

Surjewala had said that "party has decided to appoint Udai Bhan I wish him good luck but individually I think that Kuldeep Bishnoi could have been good President as he is capable and is talented, party needs leaders like Bishnoi. I hope that Congress leadership talks to him and responsibility will be given to him." Bishnoi had on Tuesday tweeted, "Friends, I have been reading your comments on social media. I am extremely emotional receiving your immense love, and I am as much angry as you all are. But I pray to all of you that until I get a reply from Rahulji, we should not take any step. If you love me, then please be patient." He was one of the top claimants for the top position in Haryana and was assured of either getting the state party President or the Leader of Opposition portfolio but Hooda played spoilsport.

Bishnoi had met the Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, too, but the decision ultimately favoured the Hooda camp. Congress on Wednesday appointed Udai Bhan, who is said to be a close loyalist of Bhupinder Singh Hooda, as its new Haryana party Chief, while also naming four state unit working Presidents.

The decision comes after hectic parleys between the Congress and Bhupinder Singh Hooda and finally the latter had his way in the appointment.

Now both the Congress Legislature Party and State Party President's posts have gone to Hooda's camp.

Though Udai Bhan is also a Scheduled Caste as outgoing state Party President Kumari Selja but the party has tried to strike a balance between various communities, especially the Jats.

Therefore, it has appointed former MP Shruti Choudhry, who is from the Jat community, as one of the State unit Working Presidents. The others are Ram Kishan Gujjar, Suresh Gupta and Jitender Kumar Bhardwaj.

In Haryana, the Congress was witnessing an internal rift and as a result, the district committees were not formed. Ahead of its internal elections, the party wants to put its house in order.
Patna, May 2 : A man was killed while his wife was critically injured after two robbers attacked them inside their house in Patna, an official said.

The incident took place at the Karbala locality under Phulwarisharif police station in the wee hours of Monday.

The robbers repeatedly smashed a pressure cooker on the head of Mohammad Jafruddin (35) until his death during the robbery bid. They also attacked his wife Shahnaz Parveen.

Jaffaruddin was an engineer with a private firm in New Delhi. He had returned home with his wife and two children on Sunday morning to celebrate EID.

"We were asleep when the robbers entered the house. During the robbery, my husband woke up and saw two people inside the house. He immediately resisted their act, leading to a scuffle. The robbers overpowered him and smashed a pressure cooker on his head," Parveen said.

"I rushed to save him but failed as they smashed the pressure cooker on my head as well. When my husband collapsed on the floor, they repeatedly smashed the cooker on his head, leading to his death," she said.

"The accused also took away my gold chain and other valuables from the house," she said.

Ekrar Ahmed, the SHO of Phulwarisharif, said: "We have visited the spot and recovered the dead body. We have also recovered the pressure cooker used in the commission of crime. The identification of the accused is underway and we will nab them very soon."
New Delhi, May 2 : Former Petroleum Secretary Tarun Kapoor has been appointed as Advisor in the Prime Minister's Office while IAS officers Hari Ranjan Rao and Atish Chandra have been appointed as Additional Secretaries.

According to the notification issued by the Appointment Committee of the Cabinet, Kapoor, a Himachal Pradesh cadre IAS officer of the 1987 batch, has been appointed as Advisor in the ranks and scale of Secretary to the Government of India, initially for the period of two years from the date of his joining or until further orders, whichever is earlier, as per the usual terms and conditions.

Rao, an IAS officer of 1994 batch from Madhya Pradesh cadre and currently, administrator in the Universal Services Obligation Fund, under the Department of Telecommunication, has been appointed as Additional Secretary in PMO for the balance tenure of his Central deputation or till further orders, whichever is earlier.

Similarly, Atish Chandra, IAS officer of 1994 batch from Bihar cadre and currently working as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Food Corporation of India under the Department of Food and Public Distribution, will be in the PMO as Additional Secretary for the balance part of his central deputation or till further orders.
New Delhi, May 2 : Riding on its successful Galaxy S22 series and a strong uptake of Galaxy A series, Samsung India said on Monday that it topped the Indian smartphone market in March, capturing 22 per cent market share (by volume) and 27 per cent share (by revenue).

Raju Pullan, Senior Vice President, MX Business, Samsung India, said that the growth in the month of March points to a stronger double-digit growth for Samsung in the ongoing April-June quarter (Q2).

"Our recent launches - the flagship Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy A series - have witnessed strong demand from consumers, making March a record month for us. Samsung is also looking to consolidate its market leadership in the premium segment in India to 40 per cent by H1 (first half) of this year," Pullan told IANS.

The growth in the India market suggests that Samsung appears to have overcome component shortages that affected most of the rival smartphone brands.

"This growth is commendable considering the entire industry is facing supply chain constraints whereas Samsung leveraging its vertical integrated supply chain expertise and scale could navigate the shortages better," said Neil Shah, Vice President of Research, Counterpoint Research.

Galaxy S22 series became the company's best-selling flagship smartphone in India within a month of its launch.

"In the first quarter, Samsung's smartphone business registered 9 per cent value growth over the same period last year," said Pullan.

According to him, timely portfolio expansion with 5G capability down to Galaxy M, F and A series and strong uptake of the Galaxy S22 and foldable flagship series helped Samsung grow back to the leadership position in the country.

Samsung also launched five Galaxy A series devices in March - Galaxy A13, Galaxy A23, Galaxy A33 5G, Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A73 5G.

"These five smartphones will strengthen Samsung's portfolio in the mid and high, where the company is targeting to increase its market share to 40 per cent by H1, 202," Pullan told IANS.
Chennai, May 2 : The Madurai Medical College student council has said that it had organised the "white coat oath ceremony" for freshers and that the college authorities were not aware of it.

The student council leaders, in a press conference, said that they had preferred the Maharishi 'Charak Shapath' instead of the traditional 'Hippocratic Oath' as the National Medical Commission (NMC) had recommended it.

Jothis Kumaravel, the president of the student council, said: "It was the decision of the student council of the Madurai Medical College to conduct a Maharshi Charak Shapath' instead of Hippocratic Oath as it was recommended by the National Medical Commission." He also said that the college authorities were in no way involved in the oath-taking of the fresh students.

It may be noted that the Dean of Madurai medical college, Dr A. Ratnavel was put on a "Vacancy Reserve".

Jothis Kumaravel further said that since his batch of students were following the competency-based medical education of the MNC since 2019, they tried to follow the NMC guidelines, dated March 31 on the oath.

He also explained that there was no specific order from the state government making Hippocratic oath mandatory or banning Maharshi Charak Shapath.

The Madurai Medical college student council president also said that the Medical education directorate issued a circular only on Sunday that the Hippocratic Oath should be taken in all medical colleges of the state and not the Charak Shapath.

The students told media that they had taken the oath in English and not in Sanskrit as made out in a section of the media.

Jothis Kumaralingam also said that the students were not aware of which oath was taken in other medical colleges in the state.
Thiruvananthapuram, May 2 : Two Kerala Ministers were caught on the wrong foot on Monday over the Hema Committee report which went into the various issues plaguing the Malayalam film industry when their statements was refuted by the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC), leaving them red-faced.

National Women's Commission chairperson Rekha Sharma on Monday joined issue and wrote to Chief Secretary V.P. Joy to see that appropriate action was taken on the Hema Committee report and give file report in 15 days.

The Justice (rtd) Hema Committee looked into the issues plaguing the film industry mostly from an actress's perspective and submitted its report to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in 2019. Since then it had been lying in cold storage.

It cost the state exchequer Rs 1.50 crore and took two years after the Hema committee spoke to various stakeholders in the industry.

Trouble began when State Industries Minister P. Rajeev stated that the WCC did not want the Hema committee report to be published and that is what they told him when they had a meeting in January this year.

"They (WCC) said that the report need not be published, instead the government should ensure that all the recommendations in the report are implemented," said Rajeev.

State Minister for Cinema, Saji Cherian went a step ahead and said the decision whether to publish the report or not lies with the state government.

"Even the person who prepared the report said this report should not be published, then how can the report be made a public document," asked Cherian.

When the ministers' statement came out the WCC went into a huddle and after an online meeting they made their stand public when they published their letter given to Rajeev in January, which spilled the beans.

They released the letter on their social media page. It said: "WCC has taken very seriously the Hema Committee and the report it has submitted. When we observed that in spite of so much money, time and effort spent on the report there was no action, WCC approached various government agencies. We raised our voices and concerns regarding the silence from the side of the government. It is not enough to produce recommendations without the context of the findings. The case studies (removing the names and other details of the survivors) which have led to these recommendations must be known. Setting up committees and discussions on the recommendations is not enough. The public needs to know the basis on which these recommendations have been made. It is also important that we know if the Hema Committee has endorsed these recommendations." They said they will be participating in the meeting called by Cherian on Wednesday to discuss various issues of the Malayalam film industry and present on the occasion will be all the stakeholders in the industry.

But things appear to have taken a turn for the worse for the two ministers when Sharma on Monday told the media in Delhi that it was mandatory for reports to be published.

"For long the WCC too have been demanding the same. There is a law with regard to such things and it's not what individuals ( ministers) say. In 15 days the chief secretary will have to let us know what has happened. Appropriate action will be there also," said Sharma.

All eyes are on the contents of the report as an actress had said that if the report is published then a lot of skeletons will tumble out from the cupboards of some people who are adored in Kerala.
Mumbai, May 2 : In a surprise move, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena President Raj Thackeray on Monday said Muslims will not be disturbed from celebrating Ramzan Eid on Tuesday.

"Tomorrow is Ramzan Eid. Muslims must celebrate this festival with joy. As per the pre-decided programmes of Akshaya Trittiya, do not perform 'aartis' tomorrow," he appealed to all his partymen.

Raj Thackeray made it clear that the MNS shall not create problems for celebrating any festival, as the issue of loudspeakers is not a religious one but a social cause.

On the loudspeakers matter, he said he would announce his plan of action on Tuesday via social media.

The development came a day after he breathed fire at loudspeakers on mosques at his huge rally in Aurangabad, earning the ire of most political parties in the state, especially the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi.

At the Sunday night rally, he reiterated his ultimatum of yanking off loudspeakers from all religious places, particularly mosques, by Wednesday failing which his party workers would blare out Hanuman Chalisa at double decibel levels in the state.

Raj Thackeray came in for massive criticism from the Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress, Samajwadi Party, Sambhaji Brigade, Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and other top leaders for his utterances laced with hidden threats.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Supreme Court on Monday gave two months to the Centre to decide on the mercy plea of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was sentenced to death for his role in the assassination of then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995.

A bench, headed by Justice U.U. Lalit and comprising Justices S. Ravindra Bhat and P.S. Narasimha, said the decision by the Centre should be taken as early as possible, "preferably within two months from today".

Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, representing the Centre, submitted that the mercy petition cannot be considered as it has been filed by another organisation and not by the convict.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also argued that the mercy petition cannot be decided until the appeals filed by other convicts in the case before the apex court are not disposed of. Also, Rajoana has not challenged his conviction or sentence, either before the high court or the Supreme Court.

However, the bench noted that the fact that another organisation has filed the mercy petition is not an obstruction to the consideration of the matter, telling the Centre's counsel that it had decided in September 2019 to commute the death penalty of Rajoana to a life sentence on the special occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev.

It further added that more than two years have passed but a decision has not been taken in the matter.

Nataraj did not agree that in 2019, a final decision was taken to commute Rajoana's death sentence. He added that it was decided that the proposal for commutation of death sentence, has to be processed under Article 72.

As he submitted that Rajoana had given a statement to the trial court that he had no faith in the judiciary and the Constitution, Justice Lalit observed: "They are all citizens of this country...need to deal with compassion..." The bench pointed out that the Centre's communication had directed the state to grant remission to other convicts. As Nataraj replied that states have their independent power under Article 161, the bench said: "Show us the orders which show states have decided independently of this communication......either this communication was made without rational application or it was an empty exercise." The bench told Nataraj that when the Centre has to take a decision in the matter, how would the state government process the matter under Article 161? "It is something to be processed...what have you done in these years on this," it asked.

Justice Lalit asked Nataraj if this would have to be taken as a populist announcement with no follow up action? Citing his instructions, Nataraj said only four out of the other eight persons were given remission.

The bench observed, this is a writ petition under Article 32 and the court can take it that Rajoana has endorsed the mercy petition.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing the petitioner, argued that mercy petitions have been filed by several organisations on Rajoana's behalf, and when it was inquired from government what has happened, the government replied that mercy petitions are under consideration. He pointed out that the top court has also held that the non-consideration of mercy petition is a ground to commute death penalty.

Justice Lalit said: "We will certainly consider your prayer that delay will entitle you for commutation from this court. But, before that we will put the ball once again to them......" Concluding the hearing, the top court gave two months to the Centre to take a decision in the matter, and fixed the matter for further hearing in July.

The top court had noted that pending appeals of co-convicts would not come in the way of deciding Rajoana's plea to commute his death sentence.

In March, the top court had directed the Centre to immediately take a decision on granting pardon to Rajoana and asked it to file an action taken report on the decision and scheduled the matter for hearing on May 2.

In the previous hearing, the top court had expressed displeasure over the government not taking any clear stand despite being given time by the court to do so. The Supreme Court had questioned the Centre over delay in sending proposal to the President for commuting Rajoana's death penalty.

The top court was hearing a plea -- filed two years ago -- seeking implementation of a decision taken by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in September 2019 to commute Rajoana's death sentence to life.

Rajoana has been in jail for 25 years awaiting his execution. In 2007, he was sentenced to death by a special court. His mercy petition has been hanging fire for more than eight years. The plea contended that inordinate delay has caused agony and adversely affected his mental and physical health. The plea also cited Devender Pal Singh Bhullar's case and claimed that delay caused by circumstances beyond the prisoners' control mandates commutation of death sentence.
New Delhi/Shillong, May 2 : The Group of Ministers (GoM) on casinos, race courses and online gaming, on Monday, discussed various aspects, including the possible GST rates and technicalities, in regard to this activities.

After the meeting, held at North Block in Delhi, GoM Convener and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said that the members have been able to move forward to a large extent on issues related to rates, valuation on which the rate should be applied, and certain issues of online gaming were discussed in detail.

Sangma, who had led the GoM to study GST rates on Covid-related materials last year, said that the Monday's meeting also discussed whether there be a common or different GST rates on online gaming.

"Governments, several industries, stakeholders and the societies are to be involved in the operation of the casinos, race courses, and online gaming. Keeping all aspects in mind and considering the views of all stakeholders, we would decide the rates and other related matters," he told the media.

According to Sangma, the annual turnover of online gaming only is around Rs 30,000 crores and the annual growth is 25 to 30 per cent. Few more technical aspects need to be discussed and the next meeting of the GoM would be held in the second week of May, he said.

Other members of the GoM include Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the Finance portfolio, state Finance Ministers Chandrima Bhattacharya (West Bengal), Kanubhai Patel (Gujarat), Dr Palanivel Thiaga Rajan (Tamil Nadu), Suresh Kumar Khanna (Uttar Pradesh) and T. Harish Rao (Telangana), and Goa Transport and Panchayati Raj Minister Mauvin Godinho.

The Meghalaya government has decided to legalise gambling and online betting for only the tourists coming to the state. State Law and Taxation Minister, James P.K. Sangma, had recently announced that the state government is considering introducing casinos and online gambling for tourists 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 and the Meghalaya Regulation of Gaming Ordinance, 2021 approved.

However, various organisations, including the influential Meghalaya United Christian Forum (MUCF), voiced "apprehension and shock" over the state government's decision.
New York, May 2 : Omicron's latest subvariant BA.2.12.1, responsible for about one-fourth of Covid-19 cases in the US, shows that the virus is not showing any signs of decline even over two years after it was first detected in humans.

BA.2.12.1 has also been detected in Australia and New Zealand.

Preliminary research suggests it is about 25 per cent more transmissible than the BA.2 subvariant that is currently dominant nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to virologists, although the SARS-CoV-2 virus has repeatedly changed its structure and chemistry, it still has abundant evolutionary space to explore, Washington Post reported.

While existing vaccination can still reduce the risk of severe Covid disease, the variants can evade many of the neutralising antibodies that are the immune system's front line of defence.

"It's evolving at a fairly rapid rate. I do think we need to aggressively consider whether we should update vaccines, and do it soon," Jesse Bloom, a computational biologist at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle was quoted as saying.

"The evolution is much more rapid and expansive than we initially estimated," added Michael Osterholm, infectious-disease expert at the University of Minnesota.

"Every day I wake up, I fear there will be a new subvariant that we will have to consider. . . We're seeing sub-variants of sub-variants," he added.

Other mutations include BA.4 and BA.5, recently identified by scientists in South Africa. It has led to a fresh wave of Covid in the country.

Besides South Africa, the sub variants have also been detected in more than 20 countries including Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, Israel, Denmark, France, Germany, Pakistan, UK, US and Switzerland.

Apart from mutation, the virus has another trick up its sleeve: recombination. It happens when two distinct strains infect a single host simultaneously and their genes become entangled, the Post reported.

The recombination process is the origin of what's known as Omicron XE. That recombinant probably emerged from a person co-infected with the original Omicron variant and the BA.2 subvariant.

It was always possible in theory, but the identification of actual recombinants provides "proof of concept," Jeremy Luban, a virologist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School was quoted as saying.

The worst-case scenario would be the emergence of a variant or recombinant that renders current vaccines largely ineffective at blocking severe disease. But so far, that hasn't happened. And no "recombinant" has spread like Omicron or other recent variants and sub-variants, the report said.
Chennai, May 2 : Planning to grow its retail loan business non-banking finance company while reducing exposures to some sectors, L&T Finance Holdings Ltd is looking at bringing in promoters for real estate projects to complete some projects, Managing Director and CEO Dinanath Dubhashi said on Monday.

He also said the company will look to bring in equity partners in the case of infrastructure projects.

Speaking to the media, Dubhashi noted that over the last two years, the focus was on completing the real estate projects.

The company explores options like bringing in a new promoter to complete a project if the existing promoter is not able to finish the project.

Dubhashi said the company has an exposure of about Rs 11,000 crore in the real estate sector.

In respect of infrastructure projects, L&T Finance Holdings will be looking at bringing in fresh outside equity while not funding from its own cash chest, he said.

Dubhashi said the infrastructure platform is valuable but funding of the same will be limited.

The idea is to go for an asset light model, he remarked.

On growing the retail portfolio, Dubhashi said apart from growing it organically, the company will look at inorganic growth like buying retail loan portfolios from others.

"We will not securitise our portfolio. But we will buy retail portfolios from others," he said.

According to him, by the year 2026, the retail loan portfolio of the company will be about 80 per cent through cross selling and upselling of products to customers.

The company has gathered the data of its customers and through analytics further products will be sold to them.

At the end of last fiscal, the company's retail loan book size was Rs 45,084 crore out of total book size of Rs 88,341 crore.

Dubhashi said L&T Finance Holdings has set up a goal of being a top-notch retail finance company by 2026, with growth originating from a "customer-focused" approach, consisting of both native as well open market borrowers.

"This will be built on our strong digital and analytical abilities, allowing us to identify need of the customer and fulfilling them through our product offerings, which will multiply multifold in the near future," he said.
New Delhi, May 2: Russia said on Monday that its armed forces continue to strike important military infrastructure of Ukraine with high-precision missiles, including the Iskander-M which destroys air and missile defence systems as well as other important objects at a distance of up to 500 km.

Releasing a video on the operation today, the Russian Defence Ministry showed how the Iskander-M operational-tactical missile system destroys an entire battery of Smerch multiple launch rocket systems of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with a high-precision strike.

"Intelligence calculated the positions of the rocket artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the sky, an unmanned aerial vehicle controls the target. At a distance of hundreds of kilometers from the enemy, 'Iskander-M' hits the enemy in the heart. In place of the explosion, a sea of fire and a column of smoke. Dozens of destroyed strategic facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have already been accounted for by such complexes," said the ministry.

Iskander, claims Russia, is the only operational tactical missile system in the world that uses both ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. It is capable of flying at the lowest possible altitude along the trajectory set by the operator and can bend around the terrain, which makes it invisible to enemy air defences.

"Not a single modern air defence system is capable of repelling our missile attack. The complex is not afraid of enemy electronic warfare and it is almost impossible to intercept the Iskander missile," said the head of Iskander-M Operational-Tactical Missile System (OTRK) crew.

Highlighting the success of its strikes in the course of the 'special military operation' in Ukraine, Russia said that the system has no analogues in the world as the forces are able to hit targets in the tactical depth of the enemy.

"The crew copes with the fulfillment of the assigned combat mission of hitting critical enemy targets such as warehouses of artillery and missile weapons, fuels and lubricants, command posts and headquarters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The mobility of this complex helps to quickly change its location, which does not allow the enemy to calculate our location in time and strike back," the crew chief added.

Moscow had on Sunday also said that its another high-precision missile 'Onyx' had destroyed in the region of Odessa a hangar with weapons in a military airfield which stored ammunition received from the United States and European countries. A newly-constructed runway was also bombed.

"High-precision air-based missiles of the Russian Aerospace Forces hit seven military facilities in Ukraine. Among them: four areas of concentration of manpower and military equipment, as well as three depots of rocket and artillery weapons and ammunition in the areas of the settlements of Beryozovoe of the Donetsk People's Republic, Slation and Barvenkovo of the Kharkiv region," said the Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson during his daily briefing.

Russia also said that it has rescued 80 civilians, including women and children, who were held by Ukrainian nationalists, at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol.

"Civilians evacuated by Russian servicemen from the Azovstal plant who wished to leave for areas controlled by the Kyiv regime were transferred to representatives of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross," said the Russian Defence Ministry.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
London, May 2 : Ukraine's fighter pilots are vastly outnumbered by the Russians, and have become legendary -- thanks in part to the story of an alleged flying ace called the "Ghost of Kiev", BBC reported.

This hero is said to have downed as many as 40 enemy planes -- an incredible feat in an arena where Russia controls the skies.

But now the Ukraine Air Force Command has warned on Facebook that the "Ghost of Kiev is a superhero-legend whose character was created by Ukrainians!", BBC reported.

"We ask the Ukrainian community not to neglect the basic rules of information hygiene," the message said, urging people to "check the sources of information, before spreading them".

Earlier, reports had named the ace pilot as Major Stepan Tarabalka, 29. The authorities confirmed that he was killed in combat on March 13 and honoured with a Hero of Ukraine medal posthumously.

Now, the air force stresses that "Tarabalka was not 'Ghost of Kiev', and he did not hit 40 planes".

It describes the "Ghost of Kiev" as "a collective image of pilots of the Air Force's 40th tactical aviation brigade, who defend the sky over the capital", rather than a single man's combat record.

For weeks, Ukrainians did not have a name to go with the "Ghost of Kiev", but that did not stop the story from going viral on social media, BBC reported.

Military experts told the BBC they doubted that one pilot could have downed as many as 40 Russian planes.

Ukrainian military historian Mikhail Zhirohov described the Ghost of Kiev story as "propaganda for raising morale".

Speaking to the BBC from Chernihiv, he said that early on in the war, the Russians dominated the Ukrainian airspace, so a Ukrainian pilot "could only shoot down two or three".

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Mumbai, May 2 : Veteran Bollywood star Mithun Chakraborty's latest pictures, which surfaced on the Internet, showed him battling ill health.

The actor was recently rushed to a Bengaluru hospital following complaints of severe stomach ache, fever and similar symptoms.

According to media reports, the senior actor had health issues arising from kidney stone. But now, he has been discharged from the hospital after he made a full recovery, said his elder son Mahaakshay Chakraborty, also known as Mimoh Chakraborty.

Mithun, who was most recently seen in 'The Kashmir Files', made his acting debut with the art house drama 'Mrigayaa', for which he won his first National Film Award for Best Actor. He played Jimmy in the 1982 film 'Disco Dancer', which turned out to be a blockbuster.

In the past few years, the actor shifted his focus to television where he often makes an appearance as judge of dance reality shows.
Chandigarh, May 2 : Newly elected Rajya Sabha member Ashok Mittal, who took oath of office on Monday, called for making higher education more inclusive and equitable for a sustainable global future.

"Besides holding new assigned parliamentary duties, I will keep on propagating the National Education Policy 2020 by working on innovative ideas to address the pressing problems of society and revolutionise the educational scenario in the country," Mittal told IANS.

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu administered oath to the three newly-elected Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MPs in New Delhi.

Besides Mittal, the Chancellor of Lovely Professional University (LPU), others who were elected in the recently concluded biennial election from Punjab are businessman Sanjeev Arora and AAP Punjab co in-charge Raghav Chadha.

Thanking the Centre for the responsibility entrusted to him, Mittal said: "It is an honour to accept the responsibilities laid upon me at the Upper House of the Parliament. I will make every possible effort towards progress and development of the country and its people." The university faculty members and students witnessed the swearing-in ceremony live on the wide screen at the university's Shanti Devi Mittal Auditorium in Jalandhar city.
New Delhi, May 2 : LIC manages assets of Rs 39 lakh crores, or more money than the entire mutual fund industry combined.

As per a note by GEPL Capital on the LIC IPO, LIC invests these funds across stocks and bonds. They own 4 per cent of all listed stocks in India and more government bonds than the RBI.

The note said that LIC is the leading insurance provider company in India and fifth largest global insurer by GWP.

Among the challenges, the note states that LIC has poor new policy growth as they continue losing market share to private insurance players, especially in urban areas.

In addition, the margin in insurance plus investment products is low. It's very difficult to value LIC as the business model is unlike any other company. LIC collects money upfront and then promises to compensate policyholders at a later stage. The premiums they collect (part insurance and part investment) cannot be recognised as revenue.

The embedded value for LIC is Rs 5,39,686 crore and its post issue implied market capitalisation is Rs 6,00,242 crore which is 11.2 per cent premium to its IEV.

"The Mcap to EV ratio for its listed peers it in the range of 1.5x to 2.5x , Hence we believe Valuations of LIC with its majestic size are priced reasonably," the note said.

As data suggest, its business is largely driven by agent based model (90 per cent plus), hence a larger digital on boarding of its network will be needed to pursue growth ahead.

"However, with Rs 6 lakh cr market cap on a PAT of Rs 3,000 crore makes a PE ratio of 200x. In our view PE ratio is not comparable with private players as LIC's distribution policy is now changed and higher allocation towards shareholders account in upcoming future to rise and thereby cool-off in earnings multiple.

"With its majestic networks and expected double digit growth the industry complied with attractive valuation compared with peers makes LIC IPO a lucrative investment," the note said.
New Delhi, May 2 : India is facing massive heat wave conditions while at other times, different extreme climatic conditions have had an adverse impact. Also, air pollution is no longer restricted to Delhi-NCR.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is making efforts to address these issues, but at the same time, environmentalists allege that there are efforts at dilution in environmental norms.

In an interview with IANS, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav answered questions related to all such issues.

Here are the excerpts from the interview: Q: The recent report by the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned of dire consequences for the world, especially for South Asia, in view of the extreme climatic conditions. Our climate action plans are from the 2010s. What is the government doing to update these? A: The IPCC report has vindicated India's position; it has validated all that India has been saying all along. India has the least per capita consumption in the world. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modiji has emphasised on people having an environment-friendly lifestyle. The AR6 report underscores exactly this need.

We feel the fight against climate change is a collective one, and all countries need to contribute to it. The developed countries should live up to their promises of climate finance and technology transfer. All countries should get a level playing field for mitigation and adaptation.

In view of this, our NDCs (Nationally Determined Contributions) as part of the Paris Agreement, 2015 have been tapped (as part of national action plan). New NDCs are being discussed and a central committee and a task force are working on it. We are also working on upgradation.

Q: You have declared a total ban on single use plastic (SUP) from July 1. How do you plan to deal with the ban? What kind of preparations are being made and what is the strategy for producers, traders and consumers? A: We have conducted meetings with various associations about the notification (to ban SUP) for bringing more and more clarity about it. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has brought out an app regarding this; there is also a provision of day-time monitoring.

First, the notification, the information about it; second, stakeholder consultation for preparing them for the ban; and third, future monitoring system after June 30. Artificial Intelligence would be used for monitoring, therefore there would be lot of focus on app/s.

Plus, the Environment Ministry has started carrying out awareness drives, especially among the youth.

Q: Air pollution has continued to affect more and more cities and for a longer duration, not just in winters, and beyond Delhi-NCR. Government programmes such as National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) or Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi NCR and Surrounding Areas (CAQM) seem to be making no difference. Why so? A: We have almost worked out the whole plan for the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). We held a regional conference for four states in Mumbai. In Delhi-NCR, we held a two-day meeting as part of the CAQM with multiple stakeholders and worked out an action plan. Just last week, I reviewed the action plan. Soon we are planning to put it into action.

The Union Budget this year mentioned air pollution caused by vehicles and industries, among others. The Environment Ministry is coordinating with other ministries on this. We are soon going to hold other regional events under the National Clean Air Programme.

Q: The Environment Ministry recently released river rejuvenation DPRs for 13 rivers. Can you tell us more about it? Which is the first project that would be taken up? A: It was not the Ministry, but it was prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research & Education (ICFRE), Dehradun. It is about rejuvenating non-glacier fed 13 rivers - going beyond the river Ganga - with forestry interventions. Some other ministries would also be involved in this.

We recently held a review meeting at Amarkantak, the origin of Narmada river. The Minister of State for the Jal Shakti Ministry and the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister were there. We had also invited several NGOs. The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to stop all new construction in the catchment of the tributaries feeding the Narmada.

These non-glacier fed rivers need a holistic approach - preserving the natural catchment for water; adaptation of better practices in the agriculture belt along the river and in the urban areas, the STPs to ensure no sewage is dumped into the rivers. We are taking the 'whole of the government' approach in collaboration with the states.

There are about 250 big and small rivers originating in our tiger reserves. In this time of 'Amritkaal', our Prime Minister has given a call for 'Amrit Sarovar' in each district. It is going to be an unprecedented work in the field of water conservation.

We already have 49 Ramsar sites in India and we have sent applications for 20 more. We hope to have 75 wetlands designated as Ramsar Sites.

Q: There have been multiple amendments to the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification of 2006 over the last few months, some proposed, some already done. Environmentalists have accused the ministry of diluting the provisions. Why is the government on this spree, that too without public notice and going to the Parliament? A: We have not carried out any such change that will need a public hearing. But there were certain OMs (office memorandum) that were issued by the ministry under the EIA system. If you ask me about a specific OM, I can tell you why we did what we did.

We are currently working on the upgrading of the Parivesh portal (online status of environment clearance, forest clearance and also that under National Board for Wildlife for any project). Once it is done, all these laws that work parallel to each other, all the amendments or OMs, all these should be streamlined into a particular format so that there is a balance of environment and development.

Also, this work would be done with more transparency. Plus, it can be monitored better in a digital manner. When this is done, we will share the details.

(Nivedita Khandekar can be reached at Nivedita.k@ians.in)
New Delhi, May 2 : President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday appealed to people to "rededicate" themselves to the "service of humanity and to improve the lives of the poor and the needy" on the auspicious occasion of Eid.

Extending his greetings to all the fellow citizens, "especially Muslim brothers and sisters", for Eid-ul-Fitr, the President said: "During the holy month of Ramadan, devotees observe Roza and offer special prayers. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated as the month of Ramadan ends.

"Special importance is given to distribution of food and food-grains among the poor on this occasion. This festival inspires people to strive for building a harmonious, peaceful and prosperous society." "On the auspicious occasion of Eid, let us resolve to rededicate ourselves to the service of humanity and to improve the lives of the poor and needy."
New Delhi, May 2 : A man, possessing both Indian and Nepalese citizenship certificates of Indian and Nepal, has been held at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport here, officials said on Monday.

The accused was identified as Pradeep Chhetri.

A CISF official said that CISF nd intelligence staff intercepted a passenger on noticing his suspicious activities while roaming in the check-in area near Departure Gate No.5.

"He was intercepted and on enquiry, he revealed his identity as Pradip Chhetri. He had to board a flight bound for Zagreb (Croatia) via Dubai by Fly Dubai flight. On suspicion, he was taken to the random checking point of departure area for thorough search. On examining of mobile, it was found that he was carrying a soft copy of Nepali citizenship documents in the name of Pradip Baniya," the official said.

The passenger was then handed over to Immigration officials for further action.

The initial investigation revealed that the passenger had fraudulently arranged an Indian passport.

"The passenger was offloaded by the Immigration officials and handed over to Delhi Police for further legal action," an official said.
New Delhi, May 2 : Gearing up for the Rajasthan assembly polls next year, the BJP has started reaching out to people from the state residing in other parts of the country.

As part of an outreach programme, Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia has started meeting people from Rajasthan living in other states through the 'Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan'. Such programmes have been held in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and will be held in other states also where people from Rajasthan reside.

"Through these outreach programmes, we are not only reaching 'pravasi' but they are also able to get an opportunity to connect with their roots back home in Rajasthan. They also get an opportunity to understand the BJP's plan for the state. The programme also provides an opportunity to raise their concerns and demands if any as a community," a Rajasthan BJP leader said.

A senior BJP functionary told IANS that a sizable Rajasthani population is present in many states of the country and a large number of them still have their name enrolled in the electoral lists in Rajasthan.

"Large population of people from the state living in other parts of the country and majority of them who shifted base in recent time are enrolled in the electoral rolls in Rajasthan. At the time of election, they come back to exercise their franchise. The idea is to reach out to people from Rajasthan living in other states and to their families back home and encourage them to vote for the BJP in next year's assembly polls," a party insider said.

The Rajasthan assembly polls will be held at the end of 2023.

Another senior functionary explained that the party has started working for next year's assembly polls in Rajasthan on several fronts.

"On one front, the party leadership is working on plugging loopholes in the organisation or has hit the streets against the mis-governance of the Ashok Gehlot government. On the other hand, it started reaching out to voters with its agenda in and outside Rajasthan," a senior party leader said.

A top party leader in Rajasthan claimed that the BJP is the first party to reach out to people staying outside the state. "No other party from Rajasthan ever tried to reach out to our people staying in different parts of the country. BJP is first to reach out to them. Through 'Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan', BJP will reach out to Rajasthanis living across the country," he said.
Kolkata, May 2 : Is Arjun Singh, BJP's heavyweight Lok Sabha member from Barrackpore in West Bengal, distancing himself from the party activities? Speculations on this count were making the rounds for the last few days after Singh demanded a rollback of the Centre's decision to cap the price of raw jute at Rs 6,500 per quintal.

And they gained further ground on Monday afternoon after Singh skipped BJP's mega rally in Kolkata, organised to protest against the state government on various issues.

Arjun Singh had recently gone to New Delhi where he met Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goel, and all expected that the rift between Singh and his party was over. Singh even posted a picture of his meeting with Goyel on social media.

However, his absence from BJP's mega rally on Monday caused more embarrassment for the party, especially before Union Home Minister Amit Shah's three-day visit to the state from May 4 to 6.

Strict instruction was issued to all BJP MPs and MLAs from the state to attend the rally. While all the others were present, Singh's absence raised quite a few eyebrows.

BJP sources said that the party's state unit chief Sukanata Majumdar tried to contact Singh a number of times before the rally started on Monday afternoon. However, Singh's phone was switched off.

Majumdar refused to make any comment on this issue till the time this report was filed. Several attempts made by IANS to contact Singh for his comments failed as his mobile phone remained switched off even an hour after the rally ended.

Other top leaders of the party, including the party's national vice-president and MP Dilip Ghosh and leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari were present at the rally.

Last year on this day, the results of the Assembly elections were declared, in whcih Trinamool Congress was voted to power for the third consecutive term.

The state BJP chose this date to organise the protest rally, which the saffron camp described as the "first anniversary of deteriorating law & order situation, rape of women, corruption and post-poll violence".

Singh was a four-time Trinamool Congress legislator from Bhatpara Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district. However, before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he left the Trinamool and joined the BJP.

He contested from Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 and got elected by defeating Trinamool candidate Dinesh Trivedi by a margin of around 15,000 votes.
Patna, May 2 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday slammed Prashant Kishor after the election strategist dropped hints about launching his own political party.

RJD spokesperson Ejaj Ahmed said Kishor should reveal the relationship between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar first, and then talk about Jan-Suraaj in the state.

On Monday morning, Prashant Kishor tweeted: "My quest to be a meaningful participation in democracy and help shape pro people policy led to a 10 years rollercoaster ride." "As I turn this page, time to go to the Real Masters. The people to better understand the issues and the path to Jan Suraaj - People's good governance starting from Bihar," he tweeted.

"When JD-U sacked Prashant Kishor, Nitish Kumar said that he had included him on the recommendation of Amit Shah before the 2015 assembly election of Bihar. Now, he should clarify whether his relations with Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar are the same or not. So far, Prashant Kishor has not given any clarification on this matter," Ahmed said.

The JD-U had expelled Prashant Kishor in January 2020.

"As far as Jan-Suraaj is concerned, first he should establish relations with the people of Bihar over common issues and then talk about Jan-Suraaj," he said.

"He had talked about the same issue in 2020 but left it soon as he was concerned about the commercial interest of his I-PAC more than the interest of the people of Bihar," Ahmed said.

Nikhil Anand, national general secretary of the BJP's OBC wing, said: "PK is a political broker and his new party will be a political shop." "Kishor is not a sociologist or an economist or a social psychologist or a political scientist, a journalist or a psephologist. He has a private firm which works for various political parties with the expertise of image making and political propaganda works with Facebook, Twitter, and social media handling. He is purely a political broker who provides different types of services to different political parties and their leaders by taking money," Anand said.

"He has political ambitions for which he has met leaders from all over the country but after being disappointed, he is now going to launch a political party. It seems that some political parties and their leaders want to promote Prashant Kishor to launch his political party so that he can help them by establishing his existence in the role of 'vote katwa' (vote cutter)," Anand said.

"BJP is a party based on organisation, ideology, struggle and we have an army of more struggling, capable, knowledgeable workers on the streets and booths, who are far better than PK, due to which BJP is the largest political party in the world today. We don't take serious notice of political touts and politics shops," he said.

Jan Adhikar Party president Rajesh Ranjan a.k.a. Pappu Yadav, however, welcomed PK launching a political party in Bihar.
New Delhi, May 2 : Despite the presence of several Omicron sub variants and even the recombinant XE variant, the number of fresh Covid infections in India are relatively low with most states reporting less than 1,000 new cases per week. Immunity from vaccination and previous infections are acting as a major deterrent, said experts here on Monday.

India on Monday reported 3,157 new Covid-19 cases, a decline from the 3,324 infections registered the previous day, according to the Union Health Ministry.

"Covid numbers are high so can't say it is not spreading, but fortunately it is mostly mild cases," Dr Mrinal Sircar, Director & HOD - Pulmonology & Critical Care, Fortis Hospital, Noida, told IANS.

"Wide coverage with vaccines in India along with immunity provided by prior infection (second and third wave) is providing protection from infections and severe disease," she added.

In the week between April 24 and May 1, India reported 22,200 fresh cases, up 41 per cent from the previous week of 15,800.

States with an increase in Covid cases include Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Telangana. However, cases appeared to flatten in Kerala, Maharashtra.

While the rise in case numbers was indicative of a fourth wave, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) denied this, calling it a "local spike".

"Some surges have been observed at district levels. This is called a blip... Blips are confined to certain geographical regions of the country," Samiran Panda, Additional Director General of the ICMR, had said in an exclusive interview to IANS.

He explained that the surge has been found at some local levels which is due to the testing ratio and thus one cannot say that entire states are under the grip of Covid. Further, he noted that there is no increase in the hospital admission across the country.

According to Dr Viny Kantroo, Consultant, Respiratory, Critical Care and Sleep Sciences at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, many people are getting "asymptomatic" infections and those with infections present mild conditions such as cold, cough, upper respiratory infections, which in majority cases "gets better on the third day".

"The other thing is that there might be a lot of home tests that might be happening and people might not be reporting their infections," Kantroo told IANS.

"During the last wave also we had the BA2 variant where a considerable population got infected and so that may be the reason that the newer variants which have already mutated to a level which are milder infections may not cause a lot of problems," she added.

However, the experts warned not to "lower the guard".

Even with mild infections we can "spread it to those who have comorbidities, hence we need to be careful". They urged people to take the booster dose of vaccines and continue with preventive measures like masks.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Srinagar, May 2 : Jammu and Kashmir police along with security forces busted an inter-district narcro-terror module by arresting two terrorist associates in Baramulla, and recovered heroin -- valued at Rs 1.5 crore, and arms and ammunition from their possession, officials said on Monday.

Police said Baramulla Police and Army (52RR) during routine checking at Chenad crossing, Baramulla intercepted a vehicle (Tipper) with two persons on board.

"During checking, 800 grams of heroin like substance was recovered from the vehicle," the police said.

Both the persons have been identified as Nisar Ahmad Khan, a resident of Khahmoh Rafiabad, Baramulla and Mohd Rafiq Khan, a resident of Lountha Tanghdhar, Kupwara.

"They have been arrested and shifted to police station where they remain in custody. The vehicle used in the commission of crime has also been seized," police said.

"During questioning, they admitted that they are working with proscribed terror outfit LeT and were in close contact with handlers of the LeT from across besides, working with LeT associates/ OGWs. Upon their disclosure, one AK-47 Magazine, 15 live rounds of AK-47 and one Chinese grenade have also been recovered from the stepney which they had concealed inside," police said.

"It is pertinent to mention here that both the terrorist associates were given task to sell the contraband and the money so realized was supposed to be used for funding terror activities." A case has been registered and investigation set in motion.
Hyderabad, May 2 : Eight kg cocaine valued at Rs 80 crore has been seized from two passengers at Hyderabad International Airport by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), an official said on Monday.

The contraband was seized in two separate cases. A male Tanzanian national, travelling from Cape Town to Hyderabad on a business visa and a lady passenger from Angola, with itinerary Angola - Mozambique - Lusaka - Dubai - Hyderabad on a tourist Visa were arrested.

Acting on specific intelligence, the officers of DRI unravelled two cases in a late night operation on May 1.

A total of 8 kg of cocaine, each passenger carrying 4 kg, were seized from the passengers from the packets concealed in the false bottom of their trolley bags. The estimated value of the seized cocaine in the illicit market is Rs 80 crore.

According to the DRI, the instances of smuggling drugs through air have increased with easing restrictions on air travel and increased passenger traffic.

While Indian Customs have facilitated the clearances smoothly, the alert officers have busted the drug smuggling syndicates and nabbed carriers on multiple occasions across the country. Ingenious ways of transporting the contraband have been noticed by way of laminating drugs finely into their baggage which are almost invisible to the naked eye or by concealment in shampoos and food items or at times the passenger becomes body carrier by ingesting drugs in laminated capsules.

Multiple cases involving seizure of cocaine concealed in the form of pills ingested by air passengers have been booked by the DRI in the last four months. In two such cases booked in Mumbai during March and April, a total of 2.42 kg of cocaine was found concealed in pills ingested by two passengers.

In April, 1.15 kg of cocaine concealed in pills ingested by a passenger was seized at Hyderabad, and in another case one kg of cocaine was seized at Bengaluru in August 2021. Apart from Mumbai and Hyderabad, seizures of cocaine have also been affected at other airports also.

Sustained efforts of DRI has led to seizure of more than 350 kg of cocaine, estimated to be worth Rs 3,500 crore in illicit market, across the country after January, 2021. This includes a big haul of about 303 kg of cocaine, seized from a containerised cargo at Tuticorin Port.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Election Commission on Monday announced by-elections to three assembly constituencies in Odisha, Kerala, and Uttarakhand will be held on May 31, and counting on June 3.

The three Assembly constituencies are Brajrajnagar in Odisha, Thrikkakara in Kerala, and Champawat in Uttarakhand.

The Model Code of Conduct shall come into immediate effect in the districts which the whole or any part of the Assembly constituencies going for bye election fall, it said.

According to the EC notification, the date of issue of gazette notification will be May 4, the last date of nomination will be May 11, date of scrutiny of nominations will be done on May 12, last date of the withdrawal of candidature will be May 16 while the date of withdrawing the candidature for Brajrajnagar and Champawat will be May 17 because of May 16 being a public holiday (Buddh Purnima).

The poll process in all three constituencies will be completed before June 5, it said.

The ECI said that the published electoral roll for these bye polls with effect from January 1, 2022 will be used and the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and VVPATs will be used in all polling stations and the district administrations have been provided with EVMS VVPAT machine.

The Commission also said that Election Photo-Identity Card (EPIC) shall be the main document of identification of a voter. However, the Aadhaar card, MNREGA job card, passbook with photograph issued by the bank or post office, Health Insurance Smart Cards issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour, driving license, PAN card, and other identity documents issued by the government may be used for identification purposes.

All election related activities will be strictly complied as per the Covid-19 guidelines issued by competent authorities. Social distancing and use of mask, sanitisers, thermal scanning, face shield, hand gloves, as per Covid-19 protocol, have to be complied with.
Hyderabad, May 2 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao said on Monday that his state stands a role model in strengthening the secular fabric and religious tolerance in the country.

He said despite facing hurdles, the state government was safeguarding religious tolerance in the state. KCR, as the leader is popularly known, reiterated that his government will act tough on the "anti-secular forces".

On the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr on Tuesday, the Chief Minister extended greetings to the Muslim citizens.

He wished that Muslims celebrate Eid with full of happiness and perform prayers for almighty Allah's blessings.

In his message, KCR said that regular fasting and prayers during the holy month of Ramzan makes for a better disciplined lifestyle and spiritual life.

"The holy month of Ramzan spreads the message of service to the entire mankind," he said.

Stating that Telangana is a symbol of 'Ganga Jamuni Tehzeeb', he said that the state government is striving with utmost commitment to the wellbeing of the Muslim community. The government is earmarking huge funds and implementing a slew of welfare and development programmes. The state government is helping out the poor families of brides by extending Rs 1,00,116 financial assistance under the Shaadi Mubarak scheme. The government is also creating self-employment opportunities by extending special training to the youth.

The Chief Minister also said that the government has opened Gurukul educational institutions for minority students and offered international standard quality education to them. It also created an avenue for minority students to pursue higher education in the foreign countries by extending overseas scholarships.

Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan has also extended warm greetings and good wishes to all Muslim brothers and sisters.

The festival of Ramzan signifies the spirit of charity, brotherhood, compassion, love, and peace, she said.

"I wish this holy occasion of Ramzan ushers in good health, prosperity, and peace in the lives of people all over the world.

"The holy Ramzan is a reminder to us of the purpose of life as ordained by God and that only through rigorous self-discipline, it will be possible to realise eternal life," she added.
Srinagar, May 2 : Two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers were injured in a militant attack in J&K's Pulwama district on Monday, police said.

IGP, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, said that a joint team of the police and the CRPF were conducting area domination in a bullet-proof vehicle in Larmoo area of Pulwama's Tral tehsil when militants attacked them with explosives.

"Two CRPF jawans suffered minor injuries. Our team also retaliated. More reinforcements, along with senior officers, have rushed towards the spot. More details will be shared later," police said.

The area has been cordoned off for searches, police sources added.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday, requesting him postpone the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET PG 2022) scheduled for May 21.

The doctors urged the minister to postpone the NEET PG 2022 for a reasonable period of time so that the current NEET PG 2021 aspirants get sufficient time to prepare for the same.

"MCC announced on April 30 that the provisional stray vacancy round of NEET PG counselling, the results of which had been previously announced on April 29, was made NULL & VOID, and the final result of the stray vacancy will be released on Tuesday. As soon as this is completed, the state governments can conduct a mop-up round. Several states have already released dates for the same, most of which revolve around the middle of May," read the letter.

In the wake of so many barriers to overcome, the candidates of NEET PG 2021 deserve a fair chance to participate in the ongoing counselling process and also get adequate time to prepare for the upcoming NEET PG 2022, the letter added.

"Since the NEET PG 2022 date is May 21, we urge the concerned authorities to look into this matter urgently and further postpone the NEET PG 2022 for a reasonable period of time so that the current NEET PG 2021 aspirants have sufficient time to prepare for the same," the letter concluded.

Talking to IANS, FIAMA President Rohan Krishnan said that the concern is very genuine as NEET PG is one of the toughest exams a doctor has to go face.

"Preparations do take around a year and the last two-three weeks before the exam are more crucial. We cannot expect them to attend the counselling and at the same time prepare for the exam," he added.
New Delhi, May 2 : As one of the deliverables of the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), India and Germany on Monday signed -- virtually -- a joint declaration on Forest Landscape Restoration and on agro-ecology and sustainable management of natural resources.

The Joint Declaration of Intent on Forest Landscape Restoration was signed -- virtually -- between India's Environment Minister, Bhupender Yadav and Germany's Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation, Steffi Lemke.

It will provide the platform to further advance the partnership between the two countries and support in areas such as conservation and restoration, climate protection and conservation of bio-diversity, the government said.

On the other hand, India's Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar and Germany's Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze signed the declaration, again, in a virtual mode, with regards to agro-ecology and sustainable management of natural resources.

Under this initiative, Germany intends to provide up to 300 million euros by the year 2025 for financial and technical cooperation for projects.

For the changing agenda of agro-ecology, the two countries envisage the establishment of a joint research centre supported by financial cooperation to develop and share cutting edge knowledge with practitioners from India, Germany and other countries, while facilitating value-added technology and scientific transfer, officials said.

A working group will be set up with the ministries concerned, namely, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the NITI Aayog to oversee the implementation.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia, on Monday alleged that the BJP has put government officials on the job to collect funds for an NGO run by close associates of Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta.

"An NGO -- 'Drop in Ocean' -- was set up by BJP leaders to pocket crores of rupees in the name of digital classrooms," said Sisodia in a statement released by the Aam Admi Party (AAP).

He alleged that the BJP signed an MoU with the NGO run by its own people to rob the MCD and the people of Delhi in its 'last days' in the corporation.

"The BJP is finding innovative ways of corruption in the MCD in the penultimate month of its 17-year misrule," he said.

Sisodia further said, "MCD signed an MoU with an NGO to digitilise the classrooms. The MoU stated that the NGO will raise funds for digitalisation of classrooms through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Instead of adhering to the MoU, the BJP has directed high-ranking officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to seek funds for the NGO from businessmen." Sisodia added that receiving CSR funds for schools is not new, but deputing corporation officials to arrange CSR money for an NGO is a first of its kind in the country.

"The corporation has formed a committee comprising its top executives to raise CSR funds for this NGO from firms," he alleged, adding that all eight members of the NGO are from the core team of Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta, as per the information available with the Registrar's office.
New Delhi, May 2 : The International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, to be held from Wednesday, will present a critical discourse on the approach to put people at the centre of infrastructure development and resilience with an emphasis on ensuring the resilience of transitioning infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks, the organisers announced on Monday.

Kamal Kishore, member secretary, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and co-chair, India, of the Executive Committee of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) addressed a media conference here ahead of the hybrid three-day conference.

"Infrastructure is built to provide reliable, sustainable, predictable, and high-quality services to people. The conference will present a critical discourse on the approach to put people at the centre of infrastructure development and resilience with an emphasis on ensuring the resilience of transitioning infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks," Kishore said.

CDRI was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Climate Action Summit in New York in 2019 and is a multi-stakeholder global partnership of national governments, UN agencies and programmes, multilateral development banks, the private sector, academic and knowledge institutions.

Veena Reddy, Mission Director, US AID, India, said, "Engaging the global community is the only way we will tackle the climate crisis. We expect the ICDRI 2022 not only to demonstrate the urgency of the challenges we face, but to inspire action on disaster-resilient infrastructure around the world." The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the US Agency for International Development (US AID) will together host the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 2022.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Supreme Court on Monday expressed its discontent with a Madras High Court order, which declined to entertain former Tamil Nadu Minister S.P. Velumani's plea seeking a copy of the preliminary report in a corruption case.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana said: "I don't want to use the word but, regime revenge! See your government.. Persons will come and go, governments will continue." The bench, also comprising Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli, said the investigation agencies have to be fair, whichever may the party is in power.

The top court said that it does not agree with the objection of the Tamil Nadu government in connection with providing a report to the former minister. It pointed out this is what happens, when political scores are permitted to be settled in courts and added that the high court was wrong.

Counsel, representing the petitioner, a former Municipal Administration Minister, submitted an FIR was filed against his client only because of a change in the regime.

The bench, however, noted that the inquiry was conducted at the instance of the high court and the report was submitted after that. It said suppose tomorrow an inquiry is ordered and the agency submits a report, and says that it should be kept in sealed cover.

"If the high court accepted the PIL, ordered an inquiry.. a report is submitted, how can the high court say this," noted the bench.

Counsel for the Tamil Nadu government contended that the high court had kept the inquiry report in a sealed cover.

The top court reserved the order on an appeal filed by Velumani against the high court order, which declined his request for a copy of the preliminary inquiry report.

In November last year,the high court had directed the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) to complete its investigation on the corruption allegations against the former minister and file the final report within 10 weeks.

The court had passed directions on two petitions, one of which was filed by R.S. Bharathi of the ruling DMK.
Patna, May 2 : Nine persons sustained burns, including five who were seriously injured after fire broke out in a paan shop in Bihar's Munger on Monday, police said.

Police said that the seriously injured have been admitted to the Sadar hospital.

The accident took place at Rani Talab locality under Haveli Kharagpur police station, as pan shop vendor Pankaj Bind was illegally selling petrol in bottles, police said.

While some children were playing around the paan vend, they accidentally set one bottle afire and the blaze engulfed the entire vend while also spreading to adjoining houses.

While local residents managed to douse the flame, many people, including the pan vendor, and seven members of a family trapped inside their house, were badly injured.
New Delhi, May 2 : The peak power demand in Delhi on Monday rose to 6,194 MW, setting a new record for the first week of May.

The peak power demand was recorded at 6,194 MW at 3.34 p.m. on Monday, as per the realtime data of State Load Dispatch Centre, Delhi. The peak power demand was 6,048 MW on Sunday.

The peak power demand had gone up to 6,197 MW in April, which was also an all-time high for the month under review.

Intense heatwave in several parts of the country has led to an unprecedented rise in power demand this year.

Union Power Minister R.K. Singh on Saturday reviewed the coal stock situation in different thermal power plants, including those supplying power to the distribution companies in Delhi, and directed the concerned officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

Last week, Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain had held an emergency meeting over the coal crisis in Delhi. He also wrote to the Centre requesting it to ensure adequate coal availability in the power plants supplying electricity to Delhi.
Kolkata, May 2 : Hours after his absence from BJP's mega rally in Kolkata on Monday created ripples in the political circles of West Bengal, Arjun Singh, BJP's heavyweight Lok Sabha member from Barrackpore, returned to Kolkata from New Delhi and explained the reasons behind his nonappearance in the rally.

"I was in New Delhi for a meeting with Union Textiles Minister Piyush Goyal on jute price capping. The previous meeting was not that positive. But now it seems that the process is taking a positive turn. My absence from the rally had nothing to do with the speculations about me distancing myself from the BJP.

"I had a meeting with the Union Textiles Minister for which I could not attend the rally. The party's top leadership is aware of it," Singh told mediapersons late on Monday evening at the Kolkata airport.

Incidentally, Singh had met Goyal on April 30 as well and even posted a picture of the meeting on social media. While many thoguht Singh's differences with the Textiles Ministry over jute price capping was over, speculations were rife about Singh deserting the party after his absence from the rally on Moonday, which was attended by all senior BJP leaders, including MPs and MLAs, from the state.

Last year on this day, the results of the Assembly elections were declared, in which Trinamool Congress was voted to power for the third consecutive term.

The state BJP chose this date to organise the protest rally, which the saffron camp described as the "first anniversary of deteriorating law & order situation, rape of women, corruption and post-poll violence".

Singh was a four-time Trinamool Congress legislator from Bhatpara Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district. However, before the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, he left the Trinamool and joined the BJP.

He contested from Barrackpore Lok Sabha constituency in 2019 and got elected by defeating Trinamool candidate Dinesh Trivedi by a margin of around 15,000 votes.
Guwahati/New Delhi, May 2 : The Gauhati High Court on Monday stayed some observations made by the Barpeta District and Sessions Court on the Assam Police while granting bail to Gujarat's Independent MLA Jignesh Mevani on Friday.

High Court Judge Devashis Baruah passed an order on Monday after the Assam government had challenged the Barpeta District and Sessions Court order, both the bail as well as the observations made by the judge about the Assam Police.

The High Court ordered that the state of Assam through its public prosecutor shall be at liberty to challenge the Barpeta District and Sessions Court order in an appropriate proceedings, if so advised.

"....District judge.... has made certain observations and remarks as regards the entire Police force of Assam, which not only demoralises the police force but also casts aspersions upon the police force. These observations were made without there being any materials on record, on the basis of which the learned Judge could have made such observations and consequently, this Court stays the... observations until further orders. These findings are also prima facie beyond the exercise of the jurisdiction of the Sessions Court in a proceeding under Section 439 Cr.P.C. and accordingly the said observation is also stayed," the High Court order said.

In Delhi, Mevani on Monday while talking to the media targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed his arrest by Assam police as "conspiracy".

"I can describe this 56-inches of cowardice, using a woman to frame me in a false case... the Prime Minister's Office was involved in this conspiracy," he said.

He said that the Assam government should be "ashamed" as the Barpeta District and Sessions Court made strong remarks while granting him bail.

"On April 19, the FIR was registered. The Assam Police team travelled over 2,500 km on the same day to arrest me. It is clear that my arrest was a pre-planned conspiracy to malign and harass me," said Mevani, who is also the Convener of Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch.

The District Sessions court in Assam's Barpeta on Friday granted bail to Mevani, who was first arrested by the Assam police on April 20 in Gujarat in connection with an "objectionable" tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 41-year-old legislator, who was elected from the Vadgam Assembly constituency, was taken to Kokrajhar district the next day.

The Barpeta police arrested him again on April 25 soon after the Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Kokrajhar district granted him bail.

Mevani was sent to a 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".

The Congress has organised a series of demonstrations across Assam since the "undemocratic arrest" of Mevani, who had earlier pledged outside support to the party.

The Gujarat legislator was arrested in his home state on April 20 following a complaint filed against him by an Assam BJP leader seeking action against Mevani under the IT Act.

Mevani had earlier alleged that his arrest is a deep-rooted conspiracy by the BJP and RSS.

"They (BJP and RSS) are doing this to tarnish my image and are doing this systematically. They did it to Rohit Vemula, they did it to Chandrasekhar Azad, and now they are targeting me," he had told the media.
New Delhi, May 2 : The Supreme Court on Monday sought reply from the Centre and others on a plea against Lakshadweep Administration's decision to remove meat products from the menu of midday meals for school children, and also closure of dairy farms.

A bench of Justices Indira Banerjee and A.S. Bopanna issued notice to the Centre, Union Territory of Lakshadweep, and others on an appeal challenging the Kerala High Court order, which declined to entertain a PIL against the Lakshadweep Administration's decision.

"Issue notice, returnable in two weeks after the ensuing summer vacation. In the meanwhile, the interim order passed by the High Court on June 22, 2021 shall continue", it said.

The PIL filed by Ajmal Ahmed, a Kavaratti native, alleged that Praful Khoda Patel, after taking charge as the UT Administrator, prioritised closing down the farms run by the Animal Husbandry Department. The plea challenged the May last year order of the Director of Animal Husbandry, which directed immediate closure of all the dairy farms. The plea claimed that it was done to implement the proposed Animal Preservation (Regulation), 2021, which bans the slaughter of cows, calves, and bulls.

The petitioner also challenged the decision of the administration to remove chicken and other meat items from the menu of midday meals for school children in Lakshadweep, alleging that it was an attack on the food habits of the islanders.

The division bench of the high court dismissed this plea in September last year.

Citing the direction, the petitioner claimed the sale and purchase of beef and beef products would be banned by closing down the farms. As a result, the islanders' will be forced to purchase milk products originating from Gujarat.
Mumbai, May 3 : Skipper Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh figured in crucial partnerships after a clinical bowling performance as Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in Match 47 of IPL 2022 at the Wankhede Stadium here on Monday.

KKR thus bounced back from five successive losses to register a victory in IPL 2022.

After Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers made full use of the conditions, bowled good line and length and restricted Rajasthan Royals to a modest 152/5 in 20 overs, skipper Iyer (34 off 32), Rana (48 not out off 37) and Rinku Singh (42 not out off 23) batted sensibly in the low-scoring match to seal a fine win.

Rajasthan Royals could manage a below-par 152/5 in 20 overs thanks mainly to a half-century by skipper Sanju Samson (54) and a breezy cameo by Shimron Hetmyer (27 off 13).

Iyer and Rana Shared a 60-run partnership for the third wicket and Rana then added 66 runs for the fourth wicket stand with Rinku Singh as Kolkata Knight Riders reached 158/3 in 19.1 overs to register a comfortable win.

The win took KKR to eight points from 10 matches as they occupy the seventh position, hanging on to slim hopes of making it to the play-offs. Rajasthan Royals remained in the third position with 12 points from 10 games, still in a good position to battle it out for a place in the next stage.

Chasing a target of 153, Kolkata never looked in trouble thanks to the well-controlled innings by skipper Shreyas Iyer and Nitish Rana, who shared a 60-run partnership for the second wicket off 43 deliveries that kept their hopes alive.

They had got together after KKR had stumbled to 32/2 in the power-play, losing Aaron Finch (4), playing on to get bowled once again, this time off young Kuldeep Sen, and his new partner Baba Indrajith (15 off 16) early.

Iyer and Rana took their time to build the innings, though they managed to keep the run rate in control. Anyway, they didn't had a lot to chase and they managed that by hitting timely fours. Iyer blasted spinner Yuzvendra Chahal for a bit six in the 12th over to bring up fifty of the partnership.

He had started off by hitting Kuldeep Sen for a four off the first ball he faced but later played without any hurry to build a platform from which Rana and Rinku Singh could lead the team to victory.

Rana top-scored for Knight Riders with an unbeaten 48 off 37 deliveries and along with Rinku Singh figured in an unfinished 66-run partnership for the fourth wicket to help Knight Riders romp home to victory with five deliveries to spare.

Rana and Rinku Singh 17 runs off the 19th over bowled by Prasidh Krishna to make things further easier for KKR.

Earlier, asked to bat first, the Royals struggled to maintain a good pace on a pitch that was hosting its second match after Sunday's afternoon clash between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings.

Though the pitch looked dry and firm, it was slow and did help the spinners a bit, and Rajasthan Royals batters barring Samson and Hetmyer failed to get going. They struggled to stitch together partnerships, barring minor ones between Buttler and Samson and minors ones involving Samson -Karun Nair and Hetmyer and R Ashwin.

Rajasthan could manage only 38/1 in the powerplay, 67/2 in the middle and just 47/2 in the death overs, thus ending up with a poor score.

Samson anchored the innings after Rajasthan lost Devdutt Padikkal in the third over and added 48 runs for the second wicket with Jos Buttler.

The England batter failed to get going on Monday and was out for 22 and though Samson went on to complete a well-deserved half-century off 38 balls, his rate of scoring dipped after that as Karun Nair and Riyan Parag did not stay long at the wicket.

Hetmyer struck some lusty blows, including back-to-back sixes off Tim Southee in the 19th over as he remained unbeaten on 27 of 13 deliveries as Rajasthan posted a total that they may find difficult to defend.

Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 152/5 in 20 overs (Jos Buttler 22, Sanju Samson 54, Shimron Hetmyer 27 not out; Tim Southee 2/46) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 158/3 in 19.1 overs (Shreyas Iyer 34, Nitish Rana 48 not out, Rinku Singh 42 not out; Kuldeep Sen 1/28, Trent Boult 1/25) by seven wickets.

Latest updates on IPL 2022
The Disunne Virtual Call Lobby When everyone is equal and can communicate online safely, we can finally be vulnerable to explore our own ideas and virtual identities, and true connection and community can be built.

As part of Birdcalls Virtual Real Estate Group holdings, they have launched their first metaverse offering; The Disunne, a virtual community space stylized as a luxury hotel.

Webcam-upgrading your call by providing state-of-the-art encryption within a minimal knowledge architecture, BirdCalls Group re-centers user privacy and security as priorities in the new metaverse. "When everyone is equal and can communicate online safely, we can finally be vulnerable to explore our own ideas and virtual identities, and true connection and community can be built," a spokesperson for the company said.

With privacy and security being the basis of their virtual space, the Birdcalls Group returns to the original goals of the internet to be a place of creativity and refuge. Innovation and kinship can only happen when every participant feels safe, which is growing harder and harder in digital landscapes in which user data is the primary currency. When the few and powerful are in charge of building the metaverses of tomorrow, vulnerable groups or digital minorities are at risk of being left out of the march towards progress.

The Disunne is designed with the trappings and visual layout of a high-end hotel. Signs reminiscent of "Do Not Disturb" door hangers and posts cautioning users that this is a space of "digital luxury" playfully contrasts precise knowledge about security protocols and digital awareness with a sense of indulgence and relaxation. A four word key phrase is all that is needed to use the service, making it easy for even the most technologically challenged to feel confident in the hotel meeting rooms. The metaverse should be enjoyable for new actors in the space, not intimidating, and the team at the Birdcalls Group hope that the playful and familiar nature of the hotel will help users feel relaxed, pampered, and empowered through upgraded webcam tech. The Disunne digital hotel is one where digital pioneers can reevaluate relationships with technology, and reclaim power over their virtual spaces.
The billboard on Route 1 is a centerpiece of the campaign sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks "We experienced a shocking 93% increase in antisemitic incidents in Mercer County in 2020. Its time to make a bold statement."Mark Merkovitz, Executive Director, Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks

Antisemitism which has been spiking across the United States reached new heights in 2021 according to an April 26 report [1] from the Anti-Defamation League, and New Jerseys Mercer County has been rated in the top five state counties for most documented antisemitic incidents [2] in 2020. Tackling this issue, the nonprofit Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks has announced its leadership of an intensive effort to combat antisemitism locally and help create a safer environment for Jewish individuals living in the greater Mercer, New Jersey region.

The Jewish Federation, in partnership with JewBelong, is bringing their bright-pink awareness campaign using pithy, thought-provoking messaging to the central New Jersey county. JewBelong, a nonprofit organization known for antisemitism awareness, has launched major visibility campaigns in U.S. cities from New York, Philadelphia, and Boston to Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and most recently Miami.

The Mercer County campaign will launch with its own outdoor, print and online advertising spree on Monday, May 2, and running through May 29. The campaign includes a Jewish American Heritage Festival event scheduled for 2pm to 5pm on May 15 in Princetons Palmer Square, featuring Kosher food trucks and musical performances by the Maccabeats and Princeton Universitys Jewish a cappella group Koleinu.

The campaigns creative centers on short, thought-provoking statements, such as one roadway sign reading, Can a billboard end antisemitism? No, it answers, underscoring the importance of individual action: But youre not a billboard.

Other bus wraps and print and digital ads offer powerful affirmations such as, I promise to love being Jewish 10x more than anyone hates me for it. Another challenges doubters to walk a mile in another persons shoes: Heres an idea: Lets ask everyone whos wondering if Jew hate is real to wear a yarmulke for a week, and report back. According to the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, advertisements have been secured in varied media, including:



A prominent billboard on Route 1

Five New Jersey Transit buses and shuttles with routes through Mercer County

Half-page advertisements in all local Mercer County newspapers.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, and we cant think of any better moment to create awareness of the antisemitism Jews across our county face, especially our youth who have experienced hate through social media and bias at school, says Daniel Herscovici, President of the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, a group with roots dating to the middle 1800s. Our wish is that Jews across New Jersey and nationwide hold their heads high and be proud of who they are.

Says Mark Merkovitz, Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, Our trustees and members are actively supporting this special and timely campaign to combat creeping antisemitism in our region. We experienced a shocking 93% increase in antisemitic incidents in Mercer County in 2020 along with rising distribution of white supremacist propaganda. Its time to make a bold statement against these dangerous trends.

Merkovitz adds that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has reported that nationwide, antisemitic incidents remain at historically high levels with thousands of reported occurrences. Last year, in fact, followed the third-highest year for antisemitic incidents both in New Jersey and across the nation.[3]

Antisemitism has become tolerated and normalized in far too many circles across North America, says the cofounder of JewBelong, Archie Gottesman. The type of hate leveled against Jews followed by the deafening silence from supposedly good people should be abhorrent to anyone who stands for justice. You dont have to be a historian to know that being quiet about hate doesnt stop the haters  it emboldens them. The time when Jewish people would remain silent in hopes that the hate would disappear has long passed.

The Jewish Federation is committed to addressing antisemitic occurrences vocally and respectfully in the Greater Mercer community, to advocate for those who fear retaliation and for those who are growing and exploring their Jewish identity.

For interviews, images and more information on the Jewish Federation of Princeton Mercer Bucks, please contact C.C. Sullivan at 914-462-2096 or Larisa Leffel, Director of Marketing, lleffel@jewishpmb.org.
Stratevi Logo I am very excited to join a talented, thoughtful, and experienced team of HEOR practitioners and market access specialists.

Stratevi, LLC, a boutique health economics, outcomes research and market access firm, announced the appointment of Matt Sussman, MA, to the newly created position of Chief Research Officer. Mr. Sussman will help drive Stratevis business expansion and provide thought leadership. He will be based in Boston, Massachusetts and report to Josh Epstein, PhD, Chief Executive Officer.

Stratevi has grown consistently since its formation, and we are thrilled to add Matt as a leader within our expanding team said Dr. Epstein. Matt has a wealth of experience that will help us provide even greater value to our current and future biopharma partners.

Mr. Sussman added that I am very excited to join a talented, thoughtful, and experienced team of HEOR practitioners and market access specialists. I deeply admire Stratevis concerted focus on research quality and client centricity as well as the depth of its research solutions, including a host of innovative branded offerings. I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute to the companys ongoing growth and expansion, and look forward to a very bright future ahead!

Mr. Sussman has over 22 years of business-to-business consulting experience, including nearly 16 years of experience in HEOR, most recently serving as VP of Modeling & Strategy Services at a premier consulting firm. He has provided manufacturers with forward-thinking, strategic insights into the value of treatment interventions across therapeutic and disease areas, utilizing a wide array of HEOR methodologies (e.g., health economic models, burden-of-illness analyses, retrospective database analyses, systematic literature reviews). He has a deep knowledge of ICERs value assessment framework, best practices, and evaluations, and has led numerous strategic initiatives revolving around ICER assessments. He has extensively published his work in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, has frequently blogged on industry trends and salient issues, and has been an executive committee member of the ISPOR Boston chapter since 2014. He received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and a graduate degree in economics from Boston University.

About Stratevi

Stratevi is a boutique professional services firm that partners with pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device manufacturers to strategically generate and creatively communicate evidence of product value to ensure optimal access to therapy and enhance health outcomes. Stratevi has developed several differentiated products and services, including StrateLaunch, StratePulse, StrateReview, StrateVision and StratePlay. Stratevi has offices in both Santa Monica, CA and Boston, MA. To learn more, please visit http://www.stratevi.com or connect via LinkedIn
Handtevy, the nations leader in pediatric emergency technology, has partnered with the Alaska Department of Healths Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program to provide the groundbreaking Handtevy resuscitation system to all licensed, ground-based, 911-responding Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the State.

This new technology will enable Alaskas EMS clinicians to deliver consistent and safe pediatric emergency care with the greatest confidence, while also reducing the inherent stress of pediatric calls. To get the most out of the system and the latest in lifesaving techniques, the rollout will be paired with Handtevys educational courses, which have undergone a lengthy review by the EMSC program. The Handtevy Pre-hospital Courses are highly sought after and provide a one-of-a-kind hands-on experience that tackles the most critical aspects of pediatric emergency care in the field.

"We are excited to partner with Handtevy to provide their customized mobile application to all licensed, ground-based, 911-responding EMS agencies in the State. Pediatric patients are some of the toughest calls clinicians face and having the right tools in the field is paramount, Renee Escamilla, EMSC Program Manager.

The core technologic solution, known as Handtevy Mobile, will also be deployed on mobile devices, such as tablets and cell phones in the EMS units, putting crucial, lifesaving technology at the EMS teams fingertips. Handtevy Mobile allows EMS, and other emergency healthcare professionals, to obtain accurate medication dosing for pediatric emergencies in seconds. Every medication listed in the application is customized around the EMS agencys unique formulary and tailored to the exact dosages listed in the medical protocol. A recent peer-reviewed publication demonstrated a significant reduction in pediatric medication errors using Handtevy compared to the legacy system.

One award-winning feature inside Handtevy Mobile is CPR Assist, which provides high-performance EMS teams an accurate way to perform CPR, defibrillate, and administer accurate medications and equipment with speed, consistency, and real-time documentation. New for 2022 is a full integration of Protocols and Checklists which allows clinicians to immediately access agency specific protocols and associated checklists. The new feature allows medications and equipment for a particular protocol to be displayed in one location, further enhancing patient safety and overall user experience. Added together, this unique suite of features offers a complete toolkit to the EMS professionals who have the greatest opportunity to impact outcomes.

Handtevy was founded by Dr. Peter Antevy, a nationally recognized expert in the field of pre-hospital pediatrics. He is passionate about improving both adult and pediatric pre-hospital care and evaluating and improving upon currently accepted medical practice. He is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital and serves as the EMS Medical Director for Davie Fire-Rescue, Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department, Southwest Ranches Fire Rescue and MCT Express. Dr. Antevy is also the Associate Medical Director for Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and serves as the President of the Greater Broward EMS Medical Directors Association, an organization whose providers serve the 1.5 million residents of Broward County, Florida. For his efforts, Dr. Antevy was awarded the prestigious Raymond H. Alexander EMS Medical Director of the Year Award in 2014 and in 2015 he was named a Top Ten Innovator in EMS by JEMS. In 2018 he was selected as the National EMS Medical Director by the NAEMT and received a lifetime achievement award in 2019. In 2021, Dr. Antevy was named Educator of the Year by the Florida Department of Health.

For more information on the Handtevy System contact info@handtevy.com or visit http://www.handtevy.com
Active Web Group, a leading digital marketing agency headquartered in Hauppauge, NY, announced today that it is expanding its client services to include customized videos and animations for their clients websites. This personalization may be used to outline and promote their enterprise, products, and/or capabilities, thereby providing their customers and prospects with a unique, enhanced user experience. Additionally, the new program allows online businesses greater flexibility to both reach their stated demographic as well as to attract and influence new audiences.

We are excited to offer this powerful marketing service to our clients to support and grow their brands, says Scott Forde, President of Active Web Group. Studies show that about 55% of consumers are seeking more video website content from brands they support. This is because they are known to skim or skip over other forms of site content such as text or audio-yet can absorb 50% more information through videos, Forde notes. Active Web Groups clients who opt for our customized video animations are seeing both increased site traffic as well as revenue, clear indicators of a positive user experience.

According to Cisco, consumption of video content has been on the rise over the past five years. In fact, it is believed that over 95% of site visitors turn to videos to learn more about a product or service. This enables viewers to absorb brand messaging throughout the buyers journey. Clearly, videos are quickly becoming the preferred form of digital communication to reach existing audiences and to convert prospects across numerous online media platforms.

That is one reason why Active Web Groups video/animation customizations can take several forms including social media GIFs, short or full-length corporate videos defining terms, describing products, and/or services, and more. Additionally, these videos can be hosted by unique characters representing corporate officers or a brand mascot. Here is another solid reason for the new service: Google describes videos as indispensable so it became imperative that Active Web Group expand our video services as part of our digital marketing strategy to offer a value-add that will enable our client businesses to not only keep pace with their competitors but also to grow and thrive, Forde concludes.

About Active Web Group

A full-service Digital Marketing agency, Active Web Group also has extensive experience in Web Design and Development, Digital Media, Programming (all proficiencies including PHP, ASP, and ASP.NET), Search Engine Optimization, Email Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Pay-Per-Click Marketing, Graphic Design, eCommerce, Magento eCommerce, WordPress eCommerce, and custom solutions.
The 2022 Cottonwood Emerging Artist Program finalist and scholarship recipients. It is truly a great honor to support the Cottonwood Art Festival Emerging Artist program, said Neighborhood CU Associate Vice President of Marketing, Rachel Pigman. We have been proud sponsors for about 10 years now, so we are thrilled to continue this partnership.

Neighborhood Credit Union proudly sponsors the Cottonwood Art Festival Emerging Artist program and has presented five young artists with scholarships for the 10th year.

Recipients of Emerging Artist Scholarships: Summaiyah K. (Best of Show), Emma P. (2nd Place), Caroline S. (3rd Place), Melody T. (Honorable Mention), and Amanda G. (Honorable Mention). The Scholarship amount ranges from $750 to $200 and will go towards college expenses.

We are extremely grateful to have a partnership with Neighborhood Credit Union, the official sponsor for the Emerging Artist program, said Festival Director Serri Ayers. Tonight truly would not happen if it were not for the support or donation of scholarship money from Neighborhood Credit Union. They also give each emerging artist the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work at the Cottonwood Art Festival.

Thank you all so much for having us tonight. It is truly a great honor to support the Cottonwood Art Festival Emerging Artist program, said Neighborhood CU Associate Vice President of Marketing, Rachel Pigman. Congratulations to all the artists. We have been proud sponsors for about 10 years now, just as long as our Richardson Branch has been in the community, so we are thrilled to continue this partnership.

For twenty years, the Cottonwood Art Festival Emerging Artist program has worked to recognize young artists within the Richardson Independent School District. This year the submissions came from Richardson High School and J. J. Pearce High School, where those accepted in the program have the honor to display their artwork at the Charles W. Eiseman Center throughout the month of April. Artists may also sell their artwork if desired while on display at the internationally award-winning Cottonwood Arts Festival.

About Cottonwood Arts Festival Emerging Artist Program: Cottonwood Art Festival Emerging Artist program is only available for Richardson Independent School District high school seniors. To participate in the program, each student develops an art concept, an artists statement, and produces images of their work. After review by their art instructor, student artwork is submitted to members of the Cottonwood Art Festival jury for further selection.

About Neighborhood Credit Union: As an active part of the community for 92 years, Neighborhood Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial organization serving the state of Texas with branch locations in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, and Tarrant counties. With assets topping $1 billion, Neighborhood Credit Union has a continuously growing membership of 59,000. For more information, call (214) 748-9393 or visit our homepage.
smarTours

A new survey from, smarTours, a leading provider of affordable trips to bucket list destinations around the world, of 695 travelers found that Americans' interest in international travel is picking up. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of surveyed travelers are planning to go abroad this year. Interest in traveling to Western Europe has not been significantly impacted by the war in Ukraine. 47% of surveyed travelers felt safe traveling to Western Europe. In contrast, travelers do not feel safe going to Eastern Europe this year. Only 6% of surveyed travelers said they felt safe visiting this region.

Travelers are ready to break out the Euros, says Christine Petersen, smarTours CEO. Travelers understand the geographical realities of the war in Ukraine and that is not keeping them from visiting Europe this summer. Travelers are eager to get back to the joy of travel by either visiting their favorite European destination or checking a new destination off their bucket list.

Return Covid-19 testing to re-enter the U.S. is the driving reason travelers are not going abroad this year. For those not traveling internationally this year, more than half (52%) reported that the fear of having to quarantine abroad is the leading reason. Travelers are also still profoundly confused about country re-entry guidelines. 74% of travelers reported that they either moderately to not at all understood country entry guidelines. Travelers expressed irritation at trying to understand Covid-19 guidelines for travel. So much so, 30% of travelers surveyed found going to the dentist more enjoyable and 27% found jury duty more enjoyable.

Many travelers will be happy with the recent mask mandate being overturned. 53% of travelers surveyed reported that the loosening of Covid-19 requirements made them more willing to travel. In addition, many travelers are indifferent about masks affecting their decision to travel. 26% of travelers surveyed said they were neutral about the decision to lift Covid-19 restrictions affecting their decision to travel.

To find out more about upcoming smarTours tours that are available to U.S. travelers please visit: https://smartours.com/find-a-tour/

Methodology: Findings are based on a survey fielded to hundreds of travelers from February 26th, 2022- to March 6th, 2022.

About smarTours:

smarTours is a leading provider of affordable trips to bucket list destinations worldwide. The company currently offers more than 50 guided tours. All smarTours trips include international airfare, hotels in convenient locations, knowledgeable English-speaking local guides, in-depth excursions and sightseeing, and many meals. More than 250,000 bucket list trips have been taken since the founding of the company in 1996.
The online SAT tutoring company, SoFlo Tutors, has released 2,684 videos explaining the questions and answers of 23 SAT Practice Tests and publicly released SAT tests. In the videos, professional SAT tutors guide students through each question focusing on the testing strategies and core concepts behind each question. The videos are available on their website http://www.soflotutors.com for free.

In concise 2-4 minute videos, the tutors use a digital whiteboard to show students why an answer is correct and why others are wrong. This helps students gain an understanding of core concepts while teaching testing strategies that can be applied to future test questions.

The content of each video is transcribed which allows for all questions and answers of the 23 tests to be found in search engines without needing to search for the specific question to find the answer. Hosting these materials without a paywall or subscription provides helpful resources for underserved students without access to private SAT prep programs or tutoring.

The focus is to create and give away resources for self-studying students that are more in-depth than TikTok explanations and easier to navigate than long YouTube explanations. We spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours building this platform and carefully thought through many details to ensure a great student experience, says Adam Shlomi, founder of SoFlo Tutors.

Other online SAT prep resources are often text-based, assembled in one long video, or are only available for purchase. The comprehensive video explanations provided by SoFlo Tutors offer a professional alternative to lengthy YouTube videos and brief TikTok explanations that students can find easily.

SoFlo Tutors seeks to help underserved students raise their SAT scores through this free video library and their SAT scholarship program. The higher a student's SAT score, the more opportunities they will have.
The Barry Epling Scholarship for Young Entrepreneurs is a recently launched scholarship program by the namesake sponsor. This scholarship program aims to provide $1000 to all students who are aspiring entrepreneurs. It is open to students who are either already taking up a course in university to help them with starting their own business after graduation or high school students who are about to graduate and plan on doing the same thing.

Choosing to become an entrepreneur is one of the most exciting career paths you can take in the future. Barry Epling is a prime example of an entrepreneur as he has found success in multiple industries and fields ranging from simple telecommunications all the way to stem cell therapy. Being an entrepreneur himself he has had the opportunity to venture around the world which is attributed to his success in the field.

Becoming an entrepreneur like Barry charts you in a full course track filled with difficulties and risks. An entrepreneur is an extremely fulfilling job filled with a myriad of risks that you have to properly take care of to find success. Barry, himself, understands the nature of the risks an entrepreneur has to undertake as well as the significant contribution that education brings to mitigate these risks. He understands that through education, any aspiring young entrepreneur can find success like him as it is an essential thing to have as it helps you make the right decisions in the toughest scenarios.

Despite the significant advantage that a good education provides to any young entrepreneur, not everyone can have the opportunity to attend university and be prepared with the necessary skills and knowledge. The cost of high-quality education continues to rise as does its quality making it harder for families without a stable source of income to get over the financial hurdle it imposes. Barry understands this and the struggles of parents who want to give their children the best education possible and has recently launched his scholarship program as a way to lend a fair helping hand to students and families who might need financial assistance.

Barry wishes that his scholarship can open the avenue for future generations of entrepreneurs. He hopes that the can nurture someone who can find success in the field the same way he found it. Additional details and information like the application process and requirements can be found on barryeplingscholarship.com where you can also have the opportunity to get to know more about Barry.
We look forward to helping the Government of Senegal continue to develop its capacity to improve the wellbeing of its people on various fronts, from health to education, said Allyson Bear, acting senior vice president, international development.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded an Abt team a five-year, $16 million operations contract to accelerate and sustain development gains in Senegal. Government to Government Operations (G2G Ops) will help USAID and the Government of Senegal execute this shared vision by reinforcing the stewardship role of the national government, providing incentives for domestic resource mobilization, and strengthening local capacity to manage health, education, water, and sanitation resources.

Abt will implement G2G Ops with Senegalese partners Association Council for Action, African Resources Group, and Conseil des Organisations Non Gouvernementales dAppui au Developpement. The contract is a follow-on and scale up of the five-year, Abt-led GoTAP project, which ended in 2021.

Our stellar performance on GoTAP was a driver of USAID's decision to have us continue our work for Senegal, said Allyson Bear, acting senior vice president, international development. We look forward to helping the Government of Senegal continue to develop its capacity to improve the wellbeing of its people on various fronts, from health to education.

About Abt Associates

Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that combines data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people's lives. We partner with clients and communities to advance equity and innovationfrom creating scalable digital solutions and combatting infectious disease, to mitigating climate change and evaluating programs for measurable social impactand more.

http://www.abtassociates.com
Acclaimed AVIE! Medspa and Laser Center in Loudoun County, Virginia is celebrating their 13-year anniversary with a celebration event on May 19. As a small, women-owned business, it brings the AVIE! team such joy and honor to be able to serve the Loudoun County community for 13 years and counting.

The team at AVIE! Medspa and Laser Center is thrilled to be celebrating 13 years of aesthetic and wellness success as a women-owned business  and everyone is invited! Here are the event details for those who would like to attend:

13th Anniversary Celebration!



Where: DC Prime Steakhouse, 20120 Lakeview Center Plaza, Ashburn, VA 20147

When: Thursday, May 19, 2022, 5 - 9 p.m.

What: Wine, Beer and Avie!

Call AVIE! at 703.737.0197 by May 16 to RSVP

Guests will enjoy a signature cocktail, appetizers, event-only specials, demonstrations, goodie bags and gift with purchase (while supplies last).

As a small, women-owned business, it brings the AVIE! team such joy and honor to be able to serve the Loudoun County community for 13 years and counting. They are committed to providing the very best treatments available, along with top-quality training, care and client experience.

To learn more, schedule a consultation or RSVP for the event by May 16, please call 703.737.0197 or visit http://www.aviemedspa.com today.

About AVIE! Medspa & Laser Center

AVIE! Medspa & Laser Center has been offering the latest in cosmetic medical spa treatments in a relaxing spa environment in Leesburg, Virginia since opening in March 2009. Owner and Master Aesthetician Kim Marinetto, RN, in conjunction with Medical Director Khalique Zahir, MD, and their highly skilled team of nurses, nurse practitioners and aestheticians, provide specialized cosmetic and aesthetic programs so each of their clients needs are addressed on an individual basis with personalized follow-ups.

Aesthetic treatments at AVIE! have minimal to no downtime. Services include EMSCULPT, EMSCULPT NEO, EMTONE, Halo, microneedling, VirtueRF microneedling, Emsella, CoolSculpting, Ultherapy, Botox, Juvederm Ultra XC, Juvederm Ultra Plus XC, Vollure XC, Voluma XC, Volbella XC, chemical peels, MicroLaserPeel, BBL photofacials, MOXI, HydraFacial Syndeo, dermaplaning, skin tightening, ProFractional Skin Resurfacing, laser hair removal, professional skin analysis, PRP, PRFM, vitamin B12 shots and blepharoplasty by Dr. Zahir. AVIE! has performed over 315,000 Botox and dermal filler treatments since 2009. AVIE! also carries physician-level skin care. Consultations are complimentary and financing is available. For more information, please call 703-870-3844 or visit http://www.aviemedspa.com.

About Kim Marinetto, RN & Master Aesthetician

Kim Marinetto has over 33 years of experience as a registered nurse. In the past 15 years, she has focused her practice on cosmetic medicine, adding to her credentials a Medical Aesthetician Certification in 2006, along with additional certifications in Botox Cosmetic, facial fillers, sclerotherapy and various advanced laser systems. Kim is a Master Aesthetician in the state of Virginia. Additionally, Kim is an Aesthetic Provider Council member for Alastin Skincare USA. She has done extensive training on laser technology and her coursework is recognized by the AMA.

About Khalique Zahir, MD

Dr. Khalique Zahir, medical director of AVIE! Medspa and Laser Center, graduated from West Virginia School of Medicine and is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and The American Board of Surgery. Dr. Zahir practiced general surgery from 19921999 at West Virginia University and St. Marys Hospital, then cosmetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 19992001. Dr. Zahir also holds a Virginia Medical License and a Maryland Medical License. He has written over 20 articles published in national health journals and is an assistant clinical professor of surgery at VCU School of Medicine.
The British Virgin Islands International Arbitration Centre is pleased to welcome these 14 outstanding women and eight distinguished men to the Arbitration Committee, said Francois Lassalle, the Centres Chief Executive Officer. They bring a wealth of experience and cultural diversity."

The British Virgin Islands International Arbitration Centre (BVI IAC), an independent not-for-profit institution serving the demands for dispute resolution in the international business community, today announced the constitution of its Arbitration Committee per Annex D of the 2021 BVI IAC Arbitration Rules.

The 22-member committee represents five different regions of the globe: Caribbean, Americas, Europe, Africa & Middle East, and Asia, complementing the skillset and diversity of the BVI International Arbitration Centre Panel. The newly formed committee key roles include providing recommendation of arbitrators for appointment, deciding on challenges of arbitrators and requests for joinder and consolidation. The Arbitration Committee will oversee the consistent application of the 2021 BVI IAC Arbitration Rules.

I am honoured and delighted to have been appointed President of the British Virgin Island International Arbitration Centre, Arbitration Committee, said Shan Greer, President of the Arbitration Committee. I want to thank Francois Lassalle and his team for placing their faith in me. As a Caribbean arbitration professional, I am fortunate to have witnessed the growth of the Centre from its inception. Over the past five years, it has played a key role in both developing arbitration in the Caribbean and profiling the British Virgin Islands as a seat for international arbitration. I look forward to playing my part in its continued development as an emerging player in the arbitration market.

The British Virgin Islands International Arbitration Centre is pleased to welcome these 14 outstanding women and eight distinguished men to the Arbitration Committee, said Francois Lassalle, the Centres Chief Executive Officer. They bring a wealth of experience and the cultural diversity and nuance needed by an arbitration centre operating globally.

The 22-member Arbitration Committee of the BVI International Arbitration Centre are:



Prof. Albert Fiadjoe, Member

Angeline Welsh, Member

Apoorva J. Patel, Member

Bertha Cooper-Rousseau, Member

Christian Albanesi, Member

Christine Artero, Vice-President

Dancia Penn OBE QC, Vice-President

Emilia Onyema, Member

Funke Adekoya, Member

Dr. Jane Fedotova, Member

Dr. Karim Youssef, Member

Katharine Menendez de la Cuesta, Member

Loretta Malintoppi, Member

Maria Irene Perruccio, Member

Nhu-Hoang Tran Thang, Member

Peter Ferrer, Member

Shan Greer, President

Sherlin Tung, Member

Tanaania Small Davis QC, Member

Thomas Granier, Vice-President

Timur Aitkulov, Member

Victor Bonnin Reynes, Member

About the British Virgin Islands International Arbitration Centre

The BVI IAC was established to meet the rapidly evolving dispute resolution needs of arbitration users worldwide. The Centre meets the demands of the international business community for a neutral, impartial, efficient, and reliable dispute resolution institution in the Caribbean, Latin America and at the cross-roads of the Americas. The BVI offers a quality legal framework and a stable political environment as a British Overseas Territory Party to the New York Convention. Users of the BVI IAC arbitration clause benefit from arbitration-friendly legislations that improve ease of business and support. The BVI IAC Panel includes arbitrators from over 40 countries, speaking more than 20 languages, and is one of the most gender-diverse panels in the world. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and the flexibility to meet the unique requirements of any virtual arbitration, BVI IAC offers world-class facilities for conducting arbitral hearings. For more information, please visit http://www.bviiac.org.
Georgia Association of Educators Endorses Lisa Campbell GA HD 35 As the daughter and granddaughter of public school teachers, I am especially thrilled to receive this endorsement from GAE. I look forward to working together to fully fund public education every year, and support our teachers and staff." Lisa Campbell, Candidate, GA HD35

Today, Ga. House District 35 candidate Lisa Campbell was endorsed by the Georgia Association of Educators for her commitment to public education.

As the daughter and granddaughter of public school teachers, I am especially thrilled to receive this endorsement from the Georgia Association of Educators. said Campbell. I look forward to working together to fully fund public education every year, support our teachers and staff, and address the inequities currently experienced by many of our students. I believe in our Georgia public schools and I am committed to the success of every student. Together, with parents, educators and communities, I know we can further our shared goal for a great public school education for all Georgia learners.

A graduate of Cobb County public schools and a long-time community advocate, Campbell cites fully-funding public schools as a top priority. She pledges to advocate for the educational opportunities of all Georgia students, as well as increased support and funding for schools, teachers and staff.

Every child deserves the opportunity for success, emphasized Campbell. Im dedicated to working towards policies that will strengthen our public schools and give learners of all ages the educational and economic opportunities we all need to thrive and achieve our goals.

About Lisa Campbell

A longtime Georgian, Lisa Campbell is a respected business owner and community volunteer with more than 30 years of professional experience. She has worked as a strategic business consultant, holding leadership roles in global marketing and technology organizations, and is ready to put her professional skills to work to create a better Georgia for all.

Campbell is a graduate of Cobb County Public Schools and the University of Georgia. Campbell has served as a volunteer and worked for organizations like Hands On Atlanta, InCommunity, The United Way, Atlanta History Center and Georgia Conservancy.

Campbell is running to champion issues important to District 35 including expanding healthcare, empowering educators, protecting voting rights, building a sustainable environment, protecting reproductive freedom and womens rights, creating economic opportunities, and promoting unity, inclusivity and opportunity for all Georgians.

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Safety Week 2022 "I'm proud of the work we've done as an industry to encourage safety through this event," said Ken Aldridge, 2022 Safety Week Committee Chair. "I am looking forward to seeing how firms across the industry celebrate this week."

Gilbane Building Company joins our construction industry peers in celebrating Construction Safety Week. The annual industrywide education and awareness event originally hosted in 2014, kicks off at construction sites across U.S and Canada on May 2.

This year's theme is "Connected. Supported. Safe." This reflects the enduring connection workers and leaders have to each other across the industry. Being connected builds strength because it means individual workers are not alone in building a stronger, safer industry and creating a safe, supportive environment for everyone.

The event also focuses on mental health issues among workers. Issues like substance abuse or depression can cause even the best worker to put others at risk. And less noticeable things like prolonged stress, anxiety, financial concerns, or tension with a family member can cause workers to lose focus. If we connect with and support one another, we can conquer these challenges together.

New for this year, Construction Safety Week encourages all contractors and workers to begin using safety helmets with an integrated chinstrap and lateral protection, such as those made by Kask and other manufacturers. This simple change can significantly decrease the frequency and severity of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Construction Safety Week leaders encourage all construction companies to participate in this important industry initiative. Firms can visit ConstructionSafetyWeek.com for free planning resources, including:



Safety Week promotional materials, including job-site banners, PowerPoint templates, a planning playbook, and more.

Daily topics, videos, and Toolbox Talks.

Toolkits to help promote Safety Week internally and externally.

New this year: a Mental Wellness Field Guide to print and distribute on job sites during Safety Week to your teams and subcontractors. It includes information on mental wellness and where to turn for help or support.

Activities for workers and their families to do at home.

Materials translated into Spanish and French.

Industry workers, families and companies are invited to share a photo representing how they stay connected, supported and safe every day, and submit their short story for a chance to win $1,000 prize. Details are available on the Safety Week website.

"I'm proud of the work we've done as an industry to encourage safety through this event," said Ken Aldridge, 2022 Safety Week Committee Chair. "I am looking forward to seeing how firms across the industry celebrate this week."

About Safety Week

Construction Safety Week is an annual event designed to raise the awareness of the industry's ongoing commitment to building a culture of safety through sharing best practices, tools and resources at job sites and offices across the U.S. and Canada. Safety Week was founded by members of The Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) and the Incident & Injury Free Executive Forum (IIF) and now includes 70 of the top contractors in the industry, representing thousands of workers. Additional support comes from Safety Week sponsors, partners and advocates. For a complete list and more information, visit http://www.constructionsafetyweek.com

Safety Week 2022 members:

Aecom, Alberici, Aldridge Electric, Allan Myers, Ames Construction, APi Group, Arco, Atkinson Construction, Austin Industries, Baker Concrete, Balfour Beatty, Barnard, Barton Malow Company, Black & Veatch, BMWC Constructors, Boh Brothers, Brasfield & Gorrie, BrightView, Burns & McDonnell, Caddell Construction Co., Cashman Dredging and Marine, Cianbro, Clark Construction Group, Commercial Contracting Corporation, Doka USA, DPR Construction, Eldeco, Inc., Flintco, LLC, Fluor, Gaylor Electric, Gilbane Building Company, Graham, Granite, Great Lakes Dredge & Dock, Hensel Phelps Construction, Herzog, Hitt, Hoffman, Hunter Roberts Construction Group, J.F. Shea, Kiewit Corporation, Lane Construction, Limbach, M.J. Electric, Manson Construction, Massman Construction Co., McCarthy, Middlesex Corporation, Mortenson, PC Construction, PCL Construction, Phillips and Jordan Inc, Rodgers Builders, Rosendin Electric, Schimenti, Skanska, Stacy and Witbeck, Structural Group, Suffolk Construction, Sukut Construction, Sundt Construction, Superior Construction, Terracon, Traylor, Turner, Walsh, Webcor Concrete, Weeks Marine, Yates, Zachry.

Safety Week 2022 sponsors:

Signature Sponsor: AGC of America, Aon, Beavers, Chubb (ACE American Holdings), CNA (Insurance), Construction Industry Roundtable (CIRT), Dr. Sally (Sally Spencer Thomas), GPRS (Ground Penetrating Radar System), Gray Construction, iHeart Radio, JMJ Consultants, John Moriarty & Associates of Virginia, LLC, Kask Helmets, Milwaukee Tool, National Academy of Construction (NAC), Stanley Black & Decker (Dewalt), Stantec, The Moles, Travelers, Triax, Zurich.

About Gilbane Building Company

Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services  from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services  for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. Since 1978, Gilbane has delivered innovative construction solutions in Chicago for clients across multiple market sectors, including healthcare, higher education, K-12, and public sector, corporate and interiors, developer, residential, life sciences, and industrial. For more information visit http://www.gilbaneco.com.
Ian C. Ballon and Susan L. Heller, shareholders of global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, have been recognized by the Daily Journal among its Top Intellectual Property Lawyers of California for 2022. Ballon and Heller are consistently named to the prestigious annual list, which honors attorneys who provide creative, innovative, and winning strategies for clients intellectual property matters, according to the Daily Journal.

The Daily Journals Top Intellectual Property Lawyers are selected from hundreds of nominees from law firms, public agencies, nonprofits, and universities, honoring attorneys on the cutting edge of intellectual property work, according to the publication.

Ballon, who is based in the Greenberg Traurigs Silicon Valley and Los Angeles offices, is co-chair of the firms global Intellectual Property & Technology Practice and represents clients in internet- and mobile- related intellectual property and technology litigation  including copyright, trademark, and patent infringement litigation, trade secret and right of publicity litigation, and matters involving database protection, screen scraping, and artificial intelligence  and in the defense of data privacy and cybersecurity class action suits.

He is also the author of the leading treatise on internet and mobile law, E-Commerce and Internet Law: Treatise with Forms 2nd edition, the 5-volume set published by West (http://www.IanBallon.net), which includes extensive coverage of intellectual property law issues. He also serves as executive director of Stanford University Law Schools Center for the Digital Economy, which hosts the annual Digital Economy Best Practices Conference where lawyers, scholars, and judges are regularly featured and interact. (See https://law.stanford.edu/center-for-digital-economy/#slsnav-contact)

Ballon was named Lawyer of the Year for Information Technology Law in the 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, and 2013 editions of Best Lawyers in America. In 2019, he was selected as one of the top 20 Cybersecurity lawyers in California and, in 2018, one of the Top Cybersecurity/Artificial Intelligence lawyers in California by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal. Ballon received the 2017 Trailblazer Award, Intellectual Property from The National Law Journal and he has been recognized as a Groundbreaker in The Recorders 2017 Litigation Departments of the Year Awards. He was also the recipient of the California State Bar Intellectual Property Law section's Vanguard Award for significant contributions to the development of intellectual property law. Ballon is an elected member of the American Law Institute and served as an advisor to its international intellectual property jurisdiction project and a member of the consultative group for the American Law Institutes Data Privacy Principles of Law project.

Heller is co-managing shareholder of Greenberg Traurigs Orange County office, co-chair of the firm's Global Trademark & Brand Management Group, and senior advisor to the firms Womens Initiative. Heller is consistently recognized by numerous publications and organizations as having one of the preeminent and most innovative international trademark practices in the country and for being a game-changer. When the stakes are high and critical brands are at risk, Fortune 500 companies, world champion athletes, high-net-worth individuals, A-list celebrities, and highly visible pre-initial public offering companies turn to Heller for her strategic thought leadership and counsel, honed by her three decades of experience. At the forefront of global strategic management and monetization of big-name brands on a worldwide level, she is known for developing cutting-edge branding strategies, most notably in "bet-the-brand," high stakes trademark cases. She works directly with CEOs and senior executives, in and out of corporate boardrooms. Her practice has spanned over 30 years across virtually every industry and in most jurisdictions throughout the world.

In 2020, Heller was selected to be a member of the prestigious United Nations Artificial Intelligence Initiative (AI For Good), joining an elite team of law firm leaders, international business executives, university deans, and UN thought leaders. She also serves on the Board of Visitors at the University of California, Irvine School of Law, the Deans Advisory Board of the University of California Irvines Business School, and on the Board of Human Options, an organization whose mission is dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence.

The National Diversity Council named Heller one of the Top 50 Women Lawyers in the United States and she was honored with the 2020 Client Choice Award for Intellectual Property  Trademarks Category in California (voted for exclusively by corporate counsel). Euromoney twice named her the winner of its Americas Women in Business Law Awards Best in Trademark, and Best Lawyers in America on two separate occasions named her Lawyer of the Year in Trademark Law for Los Angeles. Heller was twice selected as Trademark Lawyer of the Year by Finance Monthly Global Awards, is a three-time winner of the Lawyer of the Year for Intellectual Property by Lawyer Monthly, and is a WIPR Leader by World Intellectual Property Review. She was honored by her alma mater, Cornell University, which named her a Distinguished Classmate. She also serves on the highly regarded Presidents Council of Cornell Women.

About Greenberg Traurigs Intellectual Property & Technology Practice: With more than 225 intellectual property attorneys and patent agents in the United States, Asia, and Europe, Greenberg Traurig provides a broad range of patent, trademark and copyright protection and strategic counseling. Greenberg Traurig was named Law Firm of the Year for Trademark Law and a National Tier 1 Law Firm for IP Litigation, Patent Law and Litigation, Copyright Law, Technology Law, and Information Technology Law by U.S. News and Best Lawyers, 2022 Best Law Firms."

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.
These obligations dont stop and end with a securities transaction. They stand at all timesunlike Reg BI, which only applies at the time a recommendation is made to a client.

Featured April 27th 2022 in FinancialAdvisor Magazine independent broker dealer recruiter Jon Henschens "Whose Fiduciary Standard Are You Using?" outlines whether advisors are following a CFP standard or a Reg BI standard, there are conflicts that often fall through the cracksthings the advisors often miss. He goes in detail to examine four conflicts that are often overlooked: proprietary advisory platforms, forgivable transition notes, advisory administration fees and markups on third-party money managers management fees.

Henschen opens his discussion with, "The Securities and Exchange Commissions Regulation Best Interest is not only confusing to clients. Its confusing to financial advisors as well. One advisor told me that he now adheres to a fiduciary standard because of this regulation. While the regulation requires advisors to put clients interests ahead of their own at the time of a securities transaction, a true fiduciary standard asks you to put clients ahead at all times. Its not limited to the time and date of a particular trade."

Henschen also notes that those holding the designation of CFP mark holders have three core duties:

1. The duty of care.

2. The duty of loyalty.

4. The duty to follow client instructions.

He says, "These obligations dont stop and end with a securities transaction. They stand at all timesunlike Reg BI, which only applies at the time a recommendation is made to a client. The CFP code of standards goes beyond, covering all financial assetsas well as to other aspects of a clients financial world, like tax strategies and insurance recommendations, that Reg BI has no interest in. But whether the advisors are following a CFP standard or a Reg BI standard, there are conflicts that often fall through the cracksthings the advisors often miss. Here were going to examine four conflicts that are often overlooked: proprietary advisory platforms, forgivable transition notes, advisory administration fees and markups on third-party money managers management fees."

Proprietary advisory platforms, Henschen explains, both broker-dealer RIAs and large producer groups offering their own proprietary managed advisory programs. These are their primary profit centers. Yet if you give an advisor a 100% payout for a product that comes from your firms proprietary platformwhile paying less for something from another advisory platformthats a conflict of interest. Broker-dealer RIAs do this. So do some independent RIAs.

Broker-dealers use markups on third-party manager fees to help themselves pay for their large forgivable transition notes. But this can cost clients dearly. The markup (which the firm may refer to as a marketing reallowance) can overrun the original managers charge by as much as 10 to 50 basis points. Advisory departments may claim the charge is for ongoing due diligence on the money manager, but the reality is that its all profit. The markup, is not charged on the firms proprietary asset management platformsonly on non-proprietary ones. And thats a conflict of interest. Not all broker-dealer RIAs do it, but an increasing number have added the fees, which are more pronounced at larger broker-dealer RIAs.

Henschen shows that its hard to adhere to a fiduciary standard when dealing with such opaque costs. "You dont know what the large checks being waved in your face representsince how they are being paid for is muddled at best. You dont know what your alternative options are in the marketplace. But its imperative to know what the conflicts are if you want to adhere to the standard, especially if you are a CFP with a legal obligation. That standard has been required by the CFP Board for client investments since June 2020, and those who run afoul of it risk disciplinary action by the board. In the future, you must be hypervigilant about these conflicts and the better options available to you and your clients."

Jon Henschen is founder of http://www.henschenassoc.com, an independent recruiting firm focused on independent broker dealers and RIAs based in Marine on St. Croix, MN. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Jon is a staunch advocate for independent financial advisors, and is widely sought after by both advisors, broker dealers and RIAs for his expertise and insight on industry topics. He is frequently published and quoted in a variety of industry sources, including Wealth Management, ThinkAdvisor, Investment Advisor Magazine, Wealth Management Magazine, Financial Advisor IQ, Financial Advisor Magazine, Investment News and others.
The Rescue of Europa: an engaging collection of three short stories that explore a series of thought-provoking themes. The Rescue of Europa is the creation of published author Karon Pollonais Osborne, a loving wife, mother of six, and dedicated grandmother who grew up on the southernmost island of the Caribbean called Trinidad and Tobago before moving to the United States while pregnant with her third child.

Osborne shares, The allegory The Rescue of Europa is a collection of three inspiring stories that is a response to old Greek writings called the Rape of Europa. In ancient Greek mythology, a god named Zeus desires the affection of a beautiful young maiden. By changing himself into a white bull, he deceives the young girl, carries her away on his back, and steals her innocence and purity as her friends look on helplessly. In The Rescue of Europa, the maiden encounters a love that is strong in the face of her impending death. The Red Ribbon and The Hungry Giant is the continuation of a potentially dangerous journey of two young maidens. Follow the author as she is caught up in describing three vivid dream encounters from three decades ago that describe the character of true love, the power of temptation, and the power of choice.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Karon Pollonais Osbornes new book is a compelling exploration of classical themes.

Osborne presents articulate narratives that illuminate the true love of God displayed in scripture, and admonishes young adult readers on how to live soberly in response to Gods affectionate love. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:10-11 ESV

Consumers can purchase The Rescue of Europa at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Rescue of Europa, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
"We are continually expanding our IP practice with the addition of stellar professionals that have a broad range of experience and advanced technical degrees in scientific fields that support innovation," said Kate Tompkins, the leader of Lathrop GPMs Intellectual Property Practice Group.

Lathrop GPM is pleased to welcome Ricardo Ochoa and Pamela Smith-Victor to the firms Boston office. Both are joining the firms Intellectual Property Practice Group where they will provide clients with patent and trademark support.

We are excited to welcome Patent Attorney Ricardo Ochoa and Patent Specialist Pamela Smith-Victor to Lathrop GPM, said Kate Tompkins, the leader of Lathrop GPMs Intellectual Property Practice Group. We are continually expanding our IP practice with the addition of stellar professionals that have a broad range of experience and advanced technical degrees in scientific fields that support innovation. And by doing so, we significantly enhance the value we provide to our clients.

Ochoa joins Lathrop GPM as Counsel on the firms High Tech Electrical and Mechanical team. He has significant experience advising clients on patent applications, patent prosecution, and trademark prosecution, and he has concentrated his practice on computer science, semiconductors, telecommunications, and wireless technologies. In addition, he has worked with a range of other technologies including data encryption and storage, circuitry and electromechanical devices, nanotechnology, and optical systems, among others.

I am honored to join Lathrop GPM, said Ochoa. The firm is well-known and respected for its IP legal services, and I look forward to applying my knowledge in a variety of technological industries to serve our clients.

Ochoa received his J.D. and an M.S. in computer science from the University of Denver. He holds a bachelors degree in physics and a bachelors degree in astrophysics from Michigan State University.

Smith-Victor joins Lathrop GPM as a Patent Specialist on the firms Life Sciences team. She will focus on IDS support. Previously, Pam was a legal secretary at Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Boston where she worked in the corporate department. Before that, Pam spent six years at McCarter & English as an IP Patent Specialist where she worked on foreign and U.S. patent cases.

I am proud to be part of Lathrop GPMs Life Sciences practice, said Smith-Victor. I look forward to working with the teams excellent intellectual property attorneys to provide exceptional service for our clients nationwide.

About Lathrop GPM LLP

Lathrop GPM is a full-service, Am Law 200 law firm with offices in Boston, Boulder, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Jefferson City, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Overland Park, St. Cloud, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. Our attorneys help businesses, organizations and individuals grow and succeed, anticipate trends, plan for challenges and bring their visions to life. For more information, visit http://www.lathropgpm.com.
Mari + Gold

Today, Mari + Gold, a full-service creative marketing agency with expertise in the hospitality, tourism and lifestyle industries, announces its official launch. Mari + Gold  a sister agency to San Diego-based creative marketing agency, Raindrop  will begin servicing many of Raindrops clients, in addition to other brands within these industries. Clients include: Jazzercise, Inc., Del Mar Racetrack, T S Restaurants, the San Diego Symphony, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Brigantine Restaurants, Rubio's and more. Mari + Gold ownership includes Raindrop CEO Jacques Spitzer, COO Adam Wagner and CCO Carrie Jones.

We're thrilled to now offer a holistic and specialized agency partner for hospitality, tourism and lifestyle clients," said Carrie Jones, Mari + Gold co-founder. "After years of diversifying clientele and services at Raindrop, we created Mari + Gold to deliver a tailored client experience by our team of talented experts who live and breathe these industries. We're excited for the opportunities this new chapter brings for Mari + Gold's passionate, dedicated team to help clients in these industries thrive in today's market."

As a full-service marketing agency, Mari + Gold service lines include brand planning and development, website development, design and management, public relations, organic social media management, vertical video creation, influencer marketing, design, photography, email marketing and media planning and buying. With its robust offerings, Mari + Gold approaches each client as a holistic partner, strategically guiding each brand to its unique version of success. Mari + Gold is launching with a full team of nearly 20 employees, all with specialized interest and experience within hospitality, tourism and lifestyle industries, many of whom are coming from Raindrop Agency. Mari + Gold will be led by its President, Nicole Bushnell, a hospitality industry marketing leader and former Raindrop client.

"In my years as a Chief Marketing Officer, Raindrop was my agency of choice. The team's passion, partnership and quality of work is unmatched," said Bushnell. "I'm thrilled to bring my industry experience and client perspective to Mari + Gold and offer the highest level of creative marketing and agency partnership to brands across the country."

"Mari" is "sea" in latin, which is powerful, calming, inviting and regal. "Gold" inspires feelings of sun, warmth, joy and luxury. The name Mari + Gold is meant to evoke vacation feelings and represent all things joyous, fun and sophisticated about its home city of San Diego and the industries in which the agency will specialize.

As a member of the Raindrop Brands family, Mari + Gold will uphold the high standard of innovative and creative marketing that Raindrop set over the past decade. The new agency will also maintain the core values and people-first culture that have attracted top talent to Raindrop from across the nation. For more information about Raindrop Brands and Mari + Gold visit https://raindrop.agency and https://mariandgold.com.

About Mari + Gold: Mari + Gold is a creative marketing agency that lives and breathes hospitality, tourism and lifestyle industries. Mari + Gold approaches every client as a holistic partner, strategically guiding brands to their unique version of next-level success. With every partnership, Mari + Gold will deliver a tailored experience from a team of experts with extensive industry experience and a track-record for award winning creative. As a member of the Raindrop Brands family, Mari + Gold is guided by a people-first mentality, a sincere love of marketing and an affinity for fun that, when combined, makes for creative output and client experience unlike any other. For more information visit https://mariandgold.com, @mariandgoldagency on Instagram and Facebook and @mariandgoldagcy on Twitter.

About Raindrop Brands: Raindrop Brands is a collective of like-minded brands and people creating marketing people love, comprised of creative marketing Raindrop Agency and sister hospitality, tourism and lifestyle agency, Mari + Gold. Both agencies maintain an ethos centered in people-first company cultures, passion for marketing and the desire to build something great. For more information visit https://raindrop.agency and https://mariandgold.com
Our theme for the 2022 event is Spark Action, and weve designed it to encourage, inspire, and empower women to reach their most ambitious goals in their banking and finance careers" - Jennifer Tyler, Council of Professional Women in Banking and Finance Advisory Board Chair

On Thursday, May 5, the Maryland Bankers Associations (MBA) Council of Professional Women in Banking and Finance will host its 10th Annual Conference at the Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park. Each year, the conference brings together women professionals in the banking and finance industry from across the state.

Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to distinguished experts discuss the opportunities and challenges women face in the banking industry today as well as share the best strategies for advancing their careers. Guests will also be able to participate in a special networking session and take advantage of complimentary headshots.

This years speakers include:



Debbie Peterson, Business Keynote Speaker and Career Growth Strategist. Debbie will discuss the best tips, tricks, strategies, and questions to ask to build a solid roadmap for career success.

Toni Cunningham, Owner and Founder of Image Anu, LLC. Toni will speak on the best strategies for women to increase their confidence and ensure that they have a seat at the table.

Jocelyn Moore, Senior Managing Director of Corporate Affairs at Pretium. Jocelyn will discuss current opportunities and challenges women face in corporate America with MBA President and CEO Ramon Looby in a fireside chat-style conversation.

Melanie Spring, International Keynote Speaker and Chief Visionary at Confidancia. In her keynote presentation, Melanie will discuss the importance of defining and establishing a personal brand.

In between presentations, MBA will also host a special networking session, where attendees will participate in and listen to discussions around topics like advocacy in the workplace, talent management, work-life balance, and the importance of mentoring in empowering women.

Our theme for the 2022 event is Spark Action, and weve designed it to encourage, inspire, and empower women to reach their most ambitious goals in their banking and finance careers, said Jennifer Tyler, VP Commercial Loan Officer at FCB Bank, a division of ACNB Bank, and Council of Professional Women in Banking and Finance Advisory Board Chair. I am confident that our innovative programs, activities, professional development, and networking opportunities will serve as a great resource to the hundreds of women leaders attending this years conference.

MBA President and CEO Ramon Looby added: This years Council of Professional Women in Banking and Finance Conference has a spectacular lineup of inspirational and impactful speakers. Im looking forward to convening with some of our industrys top female leaders.

For additional information about the Council of Professional Women in Banking and Finances 2022 Conference, click here.

About the Council of Professional Women in Banking Conference

Since 2013, the Maryland Bankers Association has hosted the Council of Professional Women in Banking Conference to provide an opportunity for women in banking to connect with other industry professionals and hear invigorating and inspirational presentations from nationally acclaimed speakers and professionals. This event attracts women professionals in the banking and finance industry from across the state. For 2022, the conference will be held at the Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, 7777 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740. To register for the event or for additional information, please reach out to adevilbiss@mdbankers.com.

About the Maryland Bankers Association

Founded in 1896, the Maryland Bankers Association (MBA) is the only Maryland-based trade group representing banks in the state. MBAs member banks employ 28,266 banking professionals in nearly 1,490 branch offices across the state. To find out more information, please visit https://www.mdbankers.com/.
The cohort study from Mount Sinai follows women through pregnancy and birth to study if a SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus that causes COVID-19, is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes.

Paper Title: The influence of structural racism, pandemic stress, and SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy with adverse birth outcomes

Journal: American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine, April 2022

Authors: Teresa Janevic, PhD, MPH, Co-Director of the Blavatnik Family Womens Health Research Institute and Associate Professor of Population Health Science and Policy; Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Science; and Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and other coauthors.

Bottom Line: The cohort study follows women through pregnancy and birth to study if a SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus that causes COVID-19, is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. In this part of the study, Mount Sinai researchers specifically examined how existing structures of racism and socioeconomic inequity, as well as pandemic-related social and economic stressors, influence COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes.

Results: The study concluded that structural racism is associated with both increased risk of COVID-19 infection and preterm births. The researchers say their study is the first to show this using antibody test resultsa very reliable measure of infectioninstead of COVID-19 testing data.

Women in mostly Black, low-income neighborhoods had nearly three times the risk of COVID-19 infection as those in White, wealthy neighborhoods. Among birthing people in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods: 94% were non-White, 50% had public insurance, 41% were obese, 32% had COVID-19 antibodies, 11% delivered preterm, and 12% delivered an infant small-for-gestational-age. In contrast, birthing people in neighborhoods with the lowest structural disadvantages were: 38% were White, 17% had public insurance, 15% were obese, 9% had COVID-19 antibodies, and 6% delivered preterm. Their analysis found that structural racism and community unemployment were associated with both COVID-19 infection and preterm births.

The researchers also found that communities with the highest increases in unemployment in the first wave of the pandemic experienced 60% higher increased risk of preterm birth, compared to those with the lowest increase. This study is among the first to demonstrate a link between the COVID-19-related unemployment crisis and preterm birth. However, the team found no links between COVID-19 infection, coupled with structural racism or socioeconomic stress, on birth outcomes.

How: The researchers analyzed data for nearly 1,000 patients from a cohort of pregnant persons treated at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City, comprised of White (38%), Black (17%), Latina (30%), Asian (9%), and unknown (5%) race and ethnicity backgrounds. The researchers evaluated structural racism (social structural disadvantage and racial-economic segregation) and pandemic-related stress (community COVID-19 mortality and community unemployment rate increase) in quartiles by zip code. They also examined medical records to determine if patients experienced preterm birth or delivered a newborn small-for-gestational-age, and reviewed blood test results that measured COVID- 19 antibodies.

Why the Research Is Interesting: Given that social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are associated with an increased risk of preterm birthespecially among communities of colorpolicy makers are encouraged to consider this latest data when considering measures to mitigate structural racism and inequities. Physicians should also consider these findings when developing a plan of care for patients from communities that face high pandemic-related unemployment and stressors, and thus, an increased risk of preterm births.

Said Mount Sinai's Dr. Teresa Janevic of the research:

In our study of pregnant persons in New York City, the same neighborhoods most affected by structural racism and pandemic stress experienced the highest risk of preterm birth. Nonetheless, our study, demonstrates that pregnant persons of color are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 infection and pandemic-related community stressors. Future interventions on mitigating structural racism and socioeconomic inequity could reduce the impact of the pandemic on pregnant persons.

View the full paper here. To schedule an interview with the researcher, please contact the Mount Sinai Press Office at stacy.anderson@mountsinai.org or 347-346-3390.
Today, NinjaOne, the first unified IT operations platform for MSPs and IT leaders, announced that it will join the Canadian Channel Partners (CCP) Conference 2022 as a Gold sponsor. Taking place in the Toronto area, NinjaOne will be on-site to meet Canadian customers and other MSPs eager to learn more about the benefits of a unified management platform. Additionally, NinjaOnes Director of Customer and Product Marketing, Peter Bretton, will discuss how to deliver on the fundamentals of security with nothing more than your RMM in a keynote address at this years conference.

NinjaOnes unified IT operations platform combines one of the channels most popular RMMs with cloud backup, ticketing, and documentation into a single, easy-to-use solution. Canadian customers have routinely seen greater outcomes when it comes to everyday IT headaches like patch management, software deployments, or restoring backups, as well as more complex challenges, like migrating legacy systems to the cloud or securing end-user devices. Now supporting hundreds of Canadian customers, NinjaOne is committed to deepening its roots and connections to the Canadian channel ecosystem.

Canadian MSPs, VARs, and other channel leaders are an incredibly important part of our growth plan and were seeing explosive demand in this region, said NinjaOne Vice President of Global Marketing, Rachel Spatz. Were excited to attend this years CCP Conference and meet our customers and show them all the great things we have in store for the year.

At the conference, customers will have the chance to take a demo and learn more about NinjaOnes upcoming 5.3.2 platform update. In the update, NinjaOne will release major improvements to its patching capabilities with the new ability to extract more data before, during, and after a patch is installed. Mac users will also now have the ability to perform file and folder backups, and new management and quality of life updates will come to Ninja Ticketing and Ninja Documentation. More information can be found on NinjaOnes public roadmap.

For more information on NinjaOne, visit the website and sign up for a free trial: http://www.ninjaone.com/freetrialform

About NinjaOne

NinjaOne is a leading unified IT operations platform that simplifies the way IT teams work. With NinjaOne, MSPs and IT departments can automate, manage, and remediate all their endpoint management tasks within one fast, modern, intuitive platform, improving technician efficiency and user satisfaction. NinjaOne supports over 7,000 customers around the world, and is consistently ranked #1 for its world-class customer support. NinjaOne has been recognized as the best-rated software in its category on G2 and Gartner Digital Markets for the past 3 years. Sign up for a free trial to demo the product and learn more

About Canadian Channel Partners Conference

The Canadian channel partners often get overlooked at any US-focused conference. Xeo recognized the need for an event dedicated solely to the Canadians where global technology providers can connect and engage exclusively with Canadian channel partners. With that in mind, Xeo launched Canadian Channel Partners that connects the entire Canadian IT & Telecom Channel Partner ecosystem  MSPs, MSSPs, VARs, ISPs, Distributors, Technology Service Providers, SISO & Telcos.

Media Contact

Kodie Dower

kodie.dower@ninjarmm.com
God had inspired me to write a second book about How He made me into a soldier for His army. It was the Lord who pushed me to write the book to help others with a blueprint and battle plan to defeat the devil.

Author Martha Thompson shows Gods recruits how to be most effective in the war against darkness in A Made Soldier Armed and Armored by God ($17.99, paperback, 9781662843433; $7.99, e-book, 9781662843440).

In the struggle between Satan and his demons and God and His angels, God has made provision for His children. Thompson guides readers in the application of His armor, as explained by the apostle Paul, and motivates them to join the fight as effective soldiers in Gods army.

God had inspired me to write a second book about How He made me into a soldier for His army. It was the Lord who pushed me to write the book to help others with a blueprint and battle plan to defeat the devil, said Thompson.

Prophetess Martha Thompson is a pastors wife, mother and grandmother who loves God and His Word.

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Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. A Made Soldier Armed and Armored by God is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.
I became completely engulfed in the story line as I was writing it.

Author Ryan D. Patterson, Sr. provides readers with an entertaining and thought-provoking fictional read in Financial Stay of Execution ($15.99, paperback, 9781662847554; $24.99, hardcover, 9781662847561; $7.99, e-book, 9781662847578).

In Ryan D. Patterson, Sr.s tale, readers will follow Judge Paytons journey to go way out of his jurisdiction to save a man. You see, his job as a judge is to carry out the necessary sentence even if it means Death Row for an inmate. However, sending six young men under the age of twenty-five to death row within five years, has changed him. He is on a desperate search find a way to give these condemned men a second chance to redeem themselves. In particular, he is looking to help a young man, Charles Williams, who is found guilty on four counts of first-degree murder and heading towards the same fate. Judge Payton attempts to save the man with a Financial Stay of Execution order. This uncommon law could be the loophole to give Charles Williams another chance to live. Will this approach get Williams a second chance at redemption or will the man be put to death?

When asked what inspired him to write this book, Patterson said, I just love to write. I became completely engulfed in the story line as I was writing it.

Ryan D. Patterson, Sr. is from Bunkie, Louisiana. He now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Writing has been his passion since high school and throughout his military career. Patterson is also the author of Whose Fault?. He spends time traveling and enjoying life with his wife Kenya and their adult children and grandchildren. He stays in shape by playing tournament softball.

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Mill City Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is a leader in the general market division of self-publishing. Financial Stay of Execution is available online through amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com.
Pacific Mobile values the Accelerated Modular Concepts team and, as a larger organization, will be able to provide them with additional personal growth opportunities.

Pacific Mobile Structures has acquired Accelerated Modular Concepts, a fellow family-owned modular building company out of Victorville, California. The announcement comes after Garth Haakenson, President and CEO of Pacific Mobile Structures, and Ramon Garza, President of Accelerated Modular Concepts, have personally gotten to know one another over the past few years. For Garza, the timing was right for his family to make a change.

"Over the last few years, I have gotten to know the owner of Pacific Mobile personally, and when the timing was right for my family to make a change, it was comforting to know that we shared similar values, and I knew that my customers would be well taken care of during this new ownership transition. No other company even compared," said Garza.

As a Pacific Mobile-owned company, Accelerated Modular Concepts will continue to run as Accelerated Modular Concepts for the next several months for a smooth transition. This acquisition will offer many benefits to their existing customer base, including:



Increased sales and estimating support

Access to cooperative purchasing contracts

Increased flexibility in leasing and financing options

Additional project management to expand complete on-site construction services

Further investment into the company to improve the customer experience

Garza will remain with Pacific Mobile Structures and step into his new role as VP of Major Projects Sales, and the Accelerated Modular Concepts team that customers are accustomed to working with will join Pacific Mobile Structures as full-time employees.

"I'm excited to be a part of this larger team. When I met with the Pacific Mobile Sales Team, the employees seemed like they were a part of a family at Pacific Mobile. At that moment, I called my team and knew this was the right fit for us," said Garza.

Pacific Mobile values the Accelerated Modular Concepts team and, as a larger organization, will be able to provide them with additional personal growth opportunities.

"Pacific Mobile Structures is excited for the Accelerated Modular Concepts team to join our family. I'm looking forward to the possibilities that lie ahead as a result of this acquisition. Pacific Mobile Structures is a values-based company, and Accelerated Modular Concepts aligns with our values from the inside out. It couldn't be a more perfect fit," said Haakenson.

ABOUT PACIFIC MOBILE STRUCTURES

Since 1983, Pacific Mobile Structures has provided superior mobile office space to thousands of jobsites. Family-owned for two generations and with multiple locations throughout Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California, Texas, and Arizona, Pacific Mobile Structures is known for delivering the highest-quality mobile offices, permanent modular construction, educational facilities, and government services, with a commitment to customer service excellence built on the cornerstones of experience, quality, flexibility, and dedication.
Riya Chaudhari

Philadelphia IP law firm Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is pleased to announce that Riya Chaudhari has joined the firm as a Summer Associate.

Chaudhari is currently a law student at Baylor University School of Law. She has served as a registered patent agent for Quarles and Brady, where she conducted patent searches and assisted intellectual property clients with drafting and prosecution of domestic and foreign patent applications.

She has also served as a research assistant at the Medical College of Wisconsin and the University of Chicago, where she constructed algorithms to assist with cancer detection and conducted research regarding image reconstruction techniques.

Chaudhari earned her bachelors degree in biomedical engineering, with honors, from the Milwaukee School of Engineering.

About Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP  Panitch Schwarze Belisario & Nadel LLP is a boutique intellectual property law firm with offices in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The firms IP law practitioners provide strategic litigation, licensing and counseling service relating to patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, domain names and internet issues domestically and internationally. The firms long-standing relationships with a network of associates worldwide enable its attorneys and advisors to provide clients with global intellectual property advice and protection.


Statistics show there are 2.5 million online retailersa.k.a. e-tailersin the United States and 9.1 million of them globally. Whether its your own or someone elses money, a savvy entrepreneur will make sure every single cent is spent where it needs to and will keep an eye on the expenditures. And regardless of how well versed they may be in matters of finance, everybody could use a little help.

Statistics show there are 2.5 million online retailersa.k.a. e-tailersin the United States and 9.1 million of them globally;(1) thats a lot of competition. Although there is no fixed average on the initial investment, it could run anywhere from $1,000 for a small, basic online store to $1,000,000 or more for an enterprise company.(2) Moreover, to launch an online store, there are a myriad number of steps an entrepreneur must go through, and the slightest miscalculationmonetary or otherwisecould spell doom. Regardless of size, all online stores have one thing in common: funding.

Whether its your own or someone elses money, a savvy entrepreneur will make sure every single cent is spent where it needs to and will keep an eye on the expenditures. And regardless of how well versed they may be in matters of finance, everybody could use a little help, says Mikel Lindsaar, CEO and Founder of StoreConnect.

E-tailers, explains Lindsaar, need to maximize their valuable time and assets in order to rise above the cacophony and be able to compete against the big stores. In 2021, retail e-commerce sales passed $4.9 trillion worldwide, and online sales are predicted to grow to more than $5.5 trillion by the end of 2022.(3) How can an etailer get a leg up and stand head and shoulders above all the competition? Many e-tailers have turned to software to help them with running the show; specifically, Salesforce. However, using the worlds #1 CRM program is not enough; entrepreneurs still need an edge. Thats where the combined forces of StoreConnect and AFDigital come into play.

StoreConnect is disrupting the online SMB industry by taking SalesForce and enhancing it, thus helping e-tailers focus on the business and not on the technicalities of their website. StoreConnect is an e-commerce AppExchange package created exclusively for Salesforce.

For their part, AFDigital recognizes the need for e-tailers to put their customers at the center of their world. They too are tailor-made for use with Salesforce. They guide clients toward a smarter customer journey that enhances the customers experience. AFDigital emphasizes their clients social media marketing, customer journey automation, training and digital marketing operations.

Together, these partners are disrupting the online SMB arena by helping e-tailers to maximize their time and assets and have the necessary tools to do what they do best: growing their business. Enhancing the best-selling and most widely used sales program gives online storeowners a single platform from where to manage content, point of sales, appointments and bookings, subscriptions, shipping and inventory, customer service and much more. In the end, joining forces with other liked-minded leaders, such as AFDigital, StoreConnect guides entrepreneurs to lead the way. That is the edge e-tailers need.

No one wants to be bogged down and busied up with minutiae. E-tailers need a powerful, configurable business solution to manage their website, online sales, provide amazing customer service, run all their digital marketing campaigns and have up-to-date detailed metrics. Running a business is not easy, but with the right tools and help, it becomes more manageable, says Lindsaar.

AFDigitals CEO, Robin Leonard added, With StoreConnect, we dont need to consider integration costs, nor install 3rd-party plugins to meet specific requirements. It is simple to set up, requires no development skills and we can launch our client sites rapidly. The only maintenance required is ongoing content optimization, allowing our clients to focus on what matters, not the tech behind it.

About StoreConnect

Mikel Lindsaar, CEO and Founder of StoreConnect, is an experienced technology entrepreneur who wants to infuse small and medium sized businesses with the power to be successful in eCommerce and grow to the Nth degree. Small businesses cant waste time setting up their business on a platform only to repeat the process by changing platforms when they want to scale, nor do they want to waste time figuring out how to integrate multiple platforms. StoreConnect (built on the World's Number 1 CRM, Salesforce), gives clients a complete, powerful, configurable eCommerce and CRM solution where they can manage their website, online and in-store sales, provide amazing customer service, run all their digital marketing campaigns and have up-to-date detailed metrics, reporting and full understanding of their customer. They were awarded Salesforces 2021 International Partner Innovation Award of the year for the Retail sector and are changing the ease with which small businesses are run  with a manageable price tag. StoreConnect is Time. Well Spent. Visit https://getstoreconnect.com/

Sources:

1. Landing page; How many etailers are in the US?; 2021 etailinsights; Accessed 18 April 2022; etailinsights.com/online-retailer-market-size#:

2. Storm, Macy; How Much Does It Cost to Have an Online Store? [Guide]; 26 Oct 2020; WebFx; webfx.com/blog/internet/how-much-does-it-cost-to-have-an-online-store/#:

3. Barber, Robin; Online Shopping Statistics & Trends in 2022; Cloudwards; 18 March 2022; cloudwards.net/online-shopping-statistics/
Penn Medicine Becker ENT & Allergy New South Street Office

Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy is pleased to announce the opening of its newest location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In addition to its locations across New Jersey, Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy expands to meet the needs of patients residing in Philadelphia and surrounding areas. Individuals can now receive specialized, high-quality care in Yardley and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Expanding upon the practices Walnut Street office, Becker ENT and Allergy opens the doors of its newest location on South Street. Regardless of a patients chosen location, Becker ENT and Allergy has an excellent reputation for employing the best physicians and providing a wide range of treatment options to meet all of its patient's complex and unique needs.

In congruence with Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergys previous locations, the South Street office delivers cutting-edge ear, nose, and throat (ENT) care. At the South Street location, a team of highly-trained specialists treats adults and children of all ages. Individuals can receive comprehensive care for diseases and disorders related to thyroid problems, sinus disease, sleep disorders, hearing loss, allergies, voice issues, throat or neck cancer, and more. The South Street team remains at the forefront of their respective fields through scientific research, vast experience, and innovative technology. Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy South Street is uniquely positioned to address all ENT and Allergy conditions.

Dr. Daniel Becker founded the Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy Center to improve the quality of life of his patients through patient-focused care that exceeds expectations. Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy employs otolaryngologists, facial plastic surgeons, allergists, immunologists, audiologists, and speech-language pathologists to meet its patients' needs. Patients confidently choose Becker ENT and Allergy based on the compassion, kindness, and personalized care plans they are accustomed to receiving. The elite team of medical professionals at Becker ENT and Allergy South Street address patients concerns by coming alongside each individual to discuss various treatment options. Patients are thoroughly supported throughout the processes of diagnosing and treating to achieve optimal outcomes.

Penn Medicine Becker ENT and Allergy is thrilled to begin serving the Philadelphia community with top-notch otolaryngology, allergy, and hearing loss services. To meet all of the spectrums of care, Becker ENT and Allergy physicians at the South Street office are associated with the well-known Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Becker and his team look forward to building lifelong relationships with patients and their families. For more information about the new South Street office, please visit https://www.beckerentandallergy.com/locations/philadelphia-pa-ent-doctor. To schedule an appointment, patients can call (215) 315-3677 to speak with a friendly patient concierge or visit https://www.beckerentandallergy.com/contact.

For further information, please contact Dr. Samuel S. Becker.

P: (215) 315-3677

E: https://www.beckerentandallergy.com/contact

1740 South Street, Suite 401

Philadelphia, PA 19146
Say Cheese, a pioneering, heartfelt film directed and produced by two Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) students, took home the top prize in the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films (CCRF) program announced during the final night of CinemaCon in Las Vegas late Thursday. The authentic, cross-cultural project featured the combined creative efforts of students, faculty, and staff in RITs School of Film and Animation (SoFA) and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).

Co-written by Anna McClanahan, a film and animation: production option student, and Gabriel Ponte-Fleary, a film and animation MFA student, who is Deaf, Say Cheese is partly based on McClanahans experiences at RIT, including her performances in joint hearing, deaf and hard-of-hearing productions for NTIDs Department of Performing Arts. The university is home to NTID, the worlds first and largest technological college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

The commercial portrays a meet-cute story about Chrisa male, hearing college studentattempting to ask his female, deaf classmate named Jessie to the movies. Chris, an American Sign Language novice, clumsily signs a visually similar sequence of words, instead asking her if she wants to go to a cheese. This wins Jessie over and the two head to the theater for their first date.

The prestigious CCRF program invites film students across the United States to submit a script for a 60-second branded spot celebrating the movie-going experience. Say Cheese was among four finalists selected from 41 universities across the country. Winning for its first-ever CCRF entry, RIT was the sole East Coast university among the final four, joined by UCLA, Chapman University, and California Institute of the Arts.

Say Cheese and the other three finalist commercials were judged by a Red Ribbon Panel comprised of industry experts including studios and leadership from Coca-Cola, Cinemark Theatres, and AMC Theatres.

McClanahan said she was thrilled upon learning of the win. I think it resonated because it told a whole human story, said the California resident and the films director. While it was a collaborative production between the Deaf and hearing communities, the human connection conveyed in the film is applicable to everyones lives and relationships. Its just a wholesome tale.

Ponte-Fleary, affectionately known as Gabo on and off the set, quipped this big guy literally cried like a baby upon learning Say Cheese took the top prize.

Its a big milestone thats the result of many sacrifices and hard work from everyone involved, said the native of Venezuela who served as the films producer. He also is a 2018 visual media alumnus and videographer/designer for the Department of Access Services (DAS) in NTID.

Shanti Thakur, SoFAs school director and the movies pre-production supervisor, called the CCRF win a gold star for our program, adding, it really represents what we stand for at RIT, which is students and faculty working together and supporting diversity.

Its finding commonality across cross-cultural communication for a sweet story that goes straight to the heart, said Thakur, noting that the film kicked off the second day of SoFAs end-of-semester screenings on Friday afternoon.

McClanahan and Ponte-Fleary received an $18,000 production budget, along with access to high-end production gear and post production color resources, courtesy of the program and its technical partners, RED, ZEISS, and Company 3. Say Cheese will begin screening in movie theaters nationwide later this year, including Cinemark and AMC Theatres.

In addition to having their film screened, McClanahan and Ponte-Fleary will receive a RED KOMODO camera package and a ZEISS lens kit to help jump start their careers, according to Aviva Kleiner, CCRF program director.

The two RIT students managed a cast and crew of nearly 100 animation and NTID students, faculty, alumni, and cast, including hearing, deaf, and hard-of-hearing people during two overnight film shoots at the Pittsford Community Library and Cinemark Tinseltown movie theater. Each edited and prepared the film for professional color session with Company 3. McClanahan and Ponte-Fleary managed the projects logistics, production, and editing to successful completion.

The faculty providing expertise and guidance on the film included Jack Beck (faculty supervisor), Don Casper (post-production supervisor) Luane Davis Haggerty (casting director) Frank Deese (script advisor), Dave Sluberski (sound advisor), Thakur, and Munjal Yagnik (director of photography).

Victoria Pon 21 (psychology), who played Jessie, was among the deaf and hard-of-hearing cast and crew. Weston Young portrayed Chris in the film. Interpreters from NTID worked tirelessly to ensure effective communication across the entire team, according to Thakur. In-kind support for the project was provided by the School of Film and Animation, the College of Art and Design (CAD), and NTID.

We had so many incredibly talented people on set, McClanahan observed.

Thakur agreed, citing the incredible teamwork across two colleges, including the support of CAD Dean Todd Jokl and Gerry Buckley, NTID president and RIT vice president and dean. Im so incredibly proud of everyones hard work, determination, creativity, and collaboration, she said. The faculty, staff, and interpreters were so amazingly generous and supportive.

We are positioned in a very specific way in this country, which is we have a fabulous film program combined with the amazing work done at NTID, Thakur observed. Its a win seeing more diverse voices in the theater, and thats a win for everyone.

McClanahan was philosophical about the films success. If you have an idea, just run with it! she said. You never know where it will take you, or the connections youll make in the process. Everyone is deserving of having their story told or being able to tell their story.

Ponte-Fleary hopes people who see the film will be inspired to learn American Sign Language and see Deaf people as equals.

We can do anything, except hear, he said.

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Established by the U.S. Congress in 1965, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf is the first and largest technological college in the world for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. NTID offers associate degree programs for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and provides support and access services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students who study in the other eight colleges of RIT. NTID also offers a certificate in healthcare interpretation, bachelors degree programs in sign language interpreting, and community development and inclusive leadership, and masters degrees in healthcare interpretation and secondary education for individuals interested in teaching deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students come from all over the United States and around the world to take advantage of the opportunities available to them at RIT/NTID. Go to http://www.rit.edu/ntid

Rochester Institute of Technology is home to leading creators, entrepreneurs, innovators and researchers. Founded in 1829, RIT enrolls 19,700 students in more than 200 career-oriented and professional programs, making it among the largest private universities in the U.S.

The university is internationally recognized and ranked for academic leadership in business, computing, engineering, imaging science, liberal arts, sustainability, and fine and applied arts. RIT also offers unparalleled support services for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The cooperative education program is one of the oldest and largest in the nation. Global partnerships include campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai and Kosovo.

For news, photos and videos, go to http://www.rit.edu/news.

To follow RIT on social media, go to http://www.rit.edu/socialmedia.

Follow the Coca-Cola Refreshing Films program on Instagram or visit the programs website at http://www.CocaColaRefreshingFilms.com
The MoC was signed by EUROCAE Director General Anna von Groote and SAE International Senior Director of Standards David Alexander. "The cooperation of global aviation stakeholders is an increasingly vital part of ensuring safety while facilitating innovation"

During the EUROCAE Symposium, on April 28, 2022, in Warsaw, Poland, representatives from global standards organizations SAE International and EUROCAE signed an updated Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC).

The agreement fosters information exchange and cooperation in the aviation and aerospace sectors aiming to harness expertise of stakeholders and promote the harmonization and interoperability in advancing technical solutions in global aviation.

The MoC was signed by EUROCAE Director General Anna von Groote and SAE International Senior Director of Standards David Alexander.

Anna von Groote expressed her appreciation of the collaboration and added that consensus standards play an extremely important role in aviation. We are excited to strengthen our partnership with SAE International and look forward to the work we will perform together in support of the global aviation community.

The cooperation of global aviation stakeholders is an increasingly vital part of ensuring safety while facilitating innovation. As we support the community in advancing aviation technology and ensuring a sustainable future of flight, we value our productive and important partnership with EUROCAE and look forward to growing our cooperation, noted David Alexander.

SAE International and EUROCAE have a long-standing partnership for the joint development of standards in support of global interoperability and aviation solutions. This updated MoC builds on the fruitful collaboration between SAE International and EUROCAE and provides further clarification of the framework for joint standards development to the working groups and technical committees as well as to the organizations.

About SAE International

SAE International is a global organization committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts, and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World In Motion and the Collegiate Design Series. More at http://www.sae.org.

About EUROCAE

EUROCAE develops high-quality aviation standards, which are built upon the expertise of more than 4500 highly skilled experts nominated by EUROCAEs 400+ European and global members. EUROCAE standards are referenced by all major European and international regulators and are therefore actively contributing to a safe, efficient and sustainable aviation.

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Media Contacts:

SAE International Media Contact: Jeff Laskowski, pr@sae.org

EUROCAE Media Contact: Samy Belkadi, samy.belkadi@eurocae.net
On any given day, over 1 billion children head to school. The United Nations has called Climate Change the biggest threat modern humans have ever faced. Climate education for all students is a crucial strategy in tackling our environmental crisis. So whats been done with curriculum in global school systems so far?

UNESCOs Alexander Leicht, Chief of the Section of Education for Sustainable Development, tells youth climate activist Sofia Lana in a NET ZERO exclusive that addressing climate change is about rethinking everything we do, changing our lifestyles and the way we think and act. He stresses the urgent need for climate change to be a core curriculum in schools across the world, emphasizing that education must fundamentally transform itself to address the climate crisis. We need a multidisciplinary cross curriculum integration of climate change and sustainability that teaches students how to become climate activists who can engage in the political process to push for better legislation.

NET ZERO is an acclaimed new video and podcast series that features 24 young climate activists from the Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement, in association with Planet Classroom, who ask global environmental thought leaders the key questions as to how their nations are progressing towards their 2050 Net Zero pledges since their commitments at COP26.

Watch the Show

About the Protect Our Planet Movement

The Protect Our Planet (POP) Movement is an initiative designed to address the urgent need to share information and knowledge with the youth on solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the UN, mitigate climate change, and adapt to its growing impacts. Intended to ultimately reach the size, scale, and momentum to become a global movement, POP mobilizes the youth worldwide to take collective action needed to mitigate climate change and protect threatened ecosystems.

About the Planet Classroom Network

The Planet Classroom Network, organized by CMRubinWorld, brings together musicians, dancers, video game creators, filmmakers, activists, learning innovators and emerging technologists from around the world to entertain, educate and engage youth, and to provide a rich cultural experience for all. Content showcased for youth and by youth on the Planet Classroom Network is provided by 29 cultural organizations from around the world. Young people globally played a significant role in conceptualizing, creating, and producing the networks vision and programming.

For more information on CMRubinWorld

Follow @CMRubinWorld on Twitter

Contact Information:

David Wine

David(at)cmrubinworld(dot)com


(Word of God) Sermon Outlines: a scholarly study of effective ministry tactics. (Word of God) Sermon Outlines is the creation of published author Victor Cruz, a loving husband and father who was ordained into the Gospel ministry as a pastor in 1966. Cruz has pastored in Florida for fifty years and has done evangelistic work for five years.

Cruz shares, The eagle is a symbol of strength and endurance. It is unlike any other bird that God created, and it commands a prominent place in the Word of God.

Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies. (Psalm 103:2-4)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6&7)

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changedin a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1Corrinthians 15:51&52)

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Victor Cruzs new book will encourage and guide religious leaders looking for inspiration for constructing effective sermons.

Cruz draws from decades of ministry to offer a helpful resource for those called by God to minister to His flock.

Consumers can purchase (Word of God) Sermon Outlines at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about (Word of God) Sermon Outlines, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Geospatial science has shifted its focus to resilience and how companies like Woolpert can partner with state and federal agencies to combat the disastrous impacts of climate change.

Woolpert has hired Rick Householder as a geospatial program director to advance multiple topographic, bathymetric and hydrographic mapping and surveying efforts in Florida. Householder is an award-winning GIS leader who has spent nearly three decades advancing Floridas geospatial capabilities.

Householder worked as a scientist, geographer and geospatial section leader for the South Florida Water Management District from 1996-2022. He was responsible for GIS mapping, remote sensing and helping develop a drone program and geospatial applications to support the mission of SFWMD, which covers 16 counties and is the states largest water management district. In 2016, Householder and his team won the Esri Special Achievement in GIS Award for bringing together GIS information and staff to make one integrated and powerful unit.

Collaboration was a constant throughout Householders tenure at SFWMD, where he adopted geospatial tools, technologies and protocols, and worked with local, state and federal government officials to improve everything from emergency response and regulatory enforcement to tracking python infestations in the Everglades and creating web-based and mobile applications to evaluate blue-green algae and sea level rise.

Geospatial science has shifted its focus to resilience and how companies like Woolpert can partner with state and federal agencies to combat the disastrous impacts of climate change, Householder said. When governments have precise and up-to-date topo-bathy lidar and hydrographic data, they can make the kinds of decisions that will save lives and livelihoods. Everything we do in engineering and science relies on accurate measurements and modeling. I wanted to join Woolpert because the firm is established, professional and known for its extreme accuracyso much so that its staff has been integral to the development of geospatial data standards.

Householder said he became interested in remote sensing, aerial mapping and geology during his first job as an airship electronic technician and environmental specialist aboard the Goodyear Blimp, where he observed various landforms and features from the air while covering sporting events across the country. He earned his bachelors degree in geology and masters degree in geography and GIS. Householder has advanced the geospatial industry professionally and in the classroom by teaching GIS, remote sensing and environmental science at Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State College and Nova Southeastern University over the last 23 years. He said helping students become informed colleagues has been enormously rewarding.

Nobody has to twist your arm to go into the geospatial industryits an exciting field that develops and integrates futuristic technologies, he said. Less than 20 years ago, Google Maps was science fiction, and just 10 years ago mapping areas and features with drones was not even on the horizon. Now we are mapping the seafloor with lasers and collecting hyperspectral imagery and lidar data via drones around the world. I love it, and I love sharing the immense value and limitless applications of this data with my students.

Woolpert Vice President Darius Hensley said Householder is an invaluable addition to Woolperts geospatial team in Florida, where current, high-resolution elevation data are imperative to disaster preparedness and mitigation.

We have worked with Rick for many years, and we have seen his ability to utilize geospatial data in Florida for flood-risk management, coastal resilience efforts, habitat conservation and so much more, Hensley said. He knows firsthand how the region has grown and how that affects land use and land cover, impacting floodplains, evacuation routes, etc. Were excited to work with him and to provide the resources needed to protect people, infrastructure and investments throughout the state.

About Woolpert

Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, has earned six straight Great Place to Work certifications and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been Americas fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has 1,900 employees and more than 60 offices on four continents. For more, visit woolpert.com.
The sheer speed of technological change necessitates an entrepreneurial spirit for success in much of the modern workplaceand certainly in much psychological research as well. These two realms intersect uniquely in a highlight of the upcoming 2022 APS Annual Convention: the Psychological Science and Entrepreneurship Poster Award. Exploring the benefits of an experimental mindset and solutions to reduce job turnover, respectively, Lining Sun of the National University of Singapore and Heather Han of Northern Kentucky University will each receive a $1,500 award for their posters, along with free registration to the convention in Chicago.

Supported by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Psychological Science and Entrepreneurship Poster Award is intended to stimulate research in entrepreneurship, defined as the capacity and willingness to develop, organize, and manage a business venture, along with its risks, in the pursuit of opportunity and innovation. The award is open to APS members who are either current undergraduate or graduate students or early-career scholars (having received their PhD in 2014 or more recently). The judges, APS Fellow Berrin Erdogan (Portland State University) and Regan Stevenson (Indiana University Kelly School of Business), selected one early-career winner and one student winner based on two award criteria:

Relevance to the broad study of psychological science and entrepreneurship

Scholarly contribution to existing knowledge, application, or practice

APS asked Sun and Han three simple questions about their work. Their responses, lightly edited for publication, follow.

APS Convention 2022 Suns and Hans posters, along with hundreds of other posters covering entrepreneurship research as well as many other areas of study, will be presented and discussed at the upcoming APS event. To see the posters and meet with the researchers, register online by May 6.

Early-Career Winner

Lining Sun, National University of Singapore

Treat Life as an Experiment: An Experimental Mindset Predicts the Navigation of an Uncertain Job Market

An experimental mindset is an orientation toward approaching challenging or unfamiliar situations through iterative experimenting. This novel mindset predicts adaptive reactions to an uncertain job market, including the willingness to embrace uncertain work tasks and positive feelings toward and willingness to start over in a brand-new field when facing retrenchment.

Lining Sun, National University of Singapore

What drew you to this entrepreneurship research?

My line of research focuses on how to help people thrive in an uncertain world. With modern technology constantly evolving, traditional jobs are disappearing while new ones are emerging. To thrive in such a world, everyone will need to become an entrepreneurmeaning they will have to pave their own professional journeys instead of adhering to existing yet likely disappearing career paths. I wondered: What can help people achieve this?

Leveraging my previous experience as an entrepreneur, my team and I proposed that an experimental mindseta mindset that orients people toward approaching unfamiliar challenges through iterative experimentingmay instill an entrepreneurial spirit in people. This is because entrepreneurs are a group that embodies this mindset: They are constantly exploring solutions to brand-new situations. Hence, we predicted that an experimental mindset may benefit people by facilitating their navigation of an uncertain world.

What did the research reveal that you didnt already know?

The experimental mindset is theoretically novel. Hence, while we had some predictions, we did not know anything for sure before our studies. So far, we have devised a scale to measure this mindset and found that it is distinct from existing mindsets. Our studies showed that an experimental mindset predicts a slew of adaptive reactions to an uncertain job market, including the willingness to take on uncertain tasks at work, self-perceptions of internal and external marketability, more positive and less negative emotional reactions to a brand-new job, the propensity to actively search for job skills valued by the market, and the willingness to learn new skills and start over in a brand-new field when facing potential career disruptions. We also have preliminary evidence that this mindset predicts self-regulated learning, positive attitudes toward failures, and resilience.

What are your plans to continue your research in entrepreneurship?

There are many things I want to know about how we can help people become entrepreneurs of their own lives and thrive in an uncertain world. The next step of the current project is to explore a possible causal relationship between an experimental mindset and adaptive reactions to adversity and career uncertainty. Importantly, I also consider it critical to instill an experimental mindset and entrepreneurship in children and adolescents. This group is likely to face an increasingly turbulent future. To address this, in a related line of work, I investigate what educators and parents can do to help young students be better at embracing and managing uncertainty.

Student Winner

Heather Han, Northern Kentucky University

Craving Work? Development and Preliminary Validation of the Work Passion Scale

Heather Han, Northern Kentucky University

This research integrates theoretical distinctions in definitions of work passion to describe initial efforts to develop and validate a generalizable, multidimensional measure. To evaluate construct validity, Han examines work passions internal structure and reports its factor relations with existing measures of positive affect, grit, conscientiousness, work effort, work engagement, and burnout.

What drew you to this entrepreneurship research?

Ever since taking a course in workplace motivation, I have been interested in the topics of turnover and the business side of psychological science. For my capstone project in my industrial-organizational psychology program, my team decided to work on a project that can potentially predict turnover and use the information to find solutions to lower turnover for specific groups of people. We found ties between workplace passion, motivation, and turnover, which can ultimately help support entrepreneurship research.

What did the research reveal that you didnt already know?

The results of this research revealed that workplace passion comprises two factors: enthusiasm and intensity. The findings also show that there are positive relations of passion with positive affect, work engagement, work effort, conscientiousness, and grit and a negative relation with burnout. From this, entrepreneurs can build models or programs to predict the engagement and effort of an organizations members to develop an action plan accordingly.

What are your plans to continue your research in entrepreneurship?

I plan to continue studying turnover and motivation, as my thesis project topic is on turnover. I am also studying organizational change and development, where I am learning to closely examine the factors that play a role in an organizations development and how to develop solutions for any issues that arise during organizational change and development, which I believe are closely related to entrepreneurship research.

To see these and hundreds of other posters and meet with many of the researchers, register for the 2022 APS Annual Convention by May 6.
Independent Bookstore Day was held this past Saturday in both the U.S. and Canada. Booksellers were delighted with the return of the annual holiday celebrating bookselling and turn out was vigorous. PW collected anecdotes from various booksellers around the Midwest, in Seattle and Texas  where our correspondents live-- recounting their experience this year.

Sydne Conant, a bookseller at A Room of Ones Own in Madison, Wis., related that the first customer of the day asked them for help filling up a box with banned books. She spent over $300 on mostly YA, Conant said.

Lynn Mooney, the co-owner of Women & Children First in Chicago, was one of 40 indies participating in the Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl on IBD when customers visiting 10 stores received a 10% discount on purchases for the next year and customers to 15 stores received a 15% discount for the next year. She wrote, It was epic--it might go down as one of our biggest days ever. The line at the cash register at various times went back into the kids' section (and at one point wound over into our second room!), but the mood was light and no one seemed to mind waiting.

Besides a run on the IBD merch, Mooney reported that fiction was hot: The Memory Librarian by Janelle Monae, The Candy House by Jennifer Egan, and Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake were the day's three top sellers. There were also pop-ups outside the store, including a family selling hot chocolate as a fundraiser for Ukraine and the owners of a new, theatre-focused bookstore, the Understudy Bookshop, providing a preview of their wares, as the store is opening nearby this summer.

Gretchen West, manager at Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, Minn., a Twin Cities suburb said, IBD was busy all day despite the dreary weather. One of the booksellers commented it was similar to a Saturday during the holiday season.

Bob Dobrow, the owner of Zenith Bookstore in Duluth, Minn. said that it was the stores best IBD sales day ever. The IBD exclusive merch sold well, as did Gichigami Hearts by Linda LeGarde Grover and The Family Camp Cookbook by Emily Vikre (since we had Linda and Emily signing). In terms of genres, the strongest sections were children's books (including YA and Young Readers) and sci-fi/fantasy. We've sold over 400 copies of Gichigami Hearts since it came out and it may soon top Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer as our overall top seller.

Carrie Koepke, manager of Skylark Bookshop in Columbia, Mo. said, Great day that included customers introducing us to their new puppies. One of the many things that reminded us we are more than a bookshop.

Sarah Bagby , owner of Watermark Books & Cafe in Wichita, Kan., reported, "We sold everything. Some big sellers including Viola by Viola Davis, French Braid by Anne Tyler, The Art of Living by Grant Snider, and for kids, The Knight Owl. There was lots of customer love." Watermark is also celebrating its 45th anniversary.

Out West

On Seattle Independent Bookstore Day, 24 indie stores featured a bookstore day passport. Customers who collected a unique stamp on their passport from every store, no purchase required, received a one-time 25% discount at each store, good through Independent Bookstore Day 2023. (Customers have until May 9 to collect all 24 stamps.)

At Island Books on Mercer Island, Wash., owner Laurie Raisys and bookseller Cindy Corujo handed out giveaway ARCs in blind-date-with-a-book wrappers with every $20 purchase. Island Books set up four of their many vintage typewriters for visitors, and supplied snacks too: We had coffee and donuts this morning, and now were waiting for the pizza, said Raisys.

At Phinney Books in Seattles Phinney Ridge, owner Tom Nissley wore a shirt celebrating local bookseller Christina Gilbreaths new store, The Wise Owl Books and Music, which opened in December in the Tangletown neighborhood.

He actually came in and bought a shirt, said Gilbreath, busily showing visitors around and stamping IBD passports with an owl insignia. Its not just Seattleeverywhere, you find bookstores are really supportive of each other. At the Wise Owl, Gilbreath (wearing a Shop Local Book Stores shirt) had invited small local businesses to join her in Independent Bookstore Day: Weve got pop-ups and a DJ, she said. Visitors could grab a book along with a potted plant from Little Orchid Annies, a smoothie from Tio Levis, or a pet portrait by Leah Lucid.

Billie Swift, owner of Open Books: A Poem Emporium, welcomed readers and writers to the venerable shops new space in historic Pioneer Square. We opened two weeks ago, she said, perfect timing to join the two dozen Seattle shops on the IBD passport. On the shelves readers found copies of Ocean Vuongs Time Is a Mother, Shin Yu Pais mixed-media Enso, and selected prose like the 50th anniversary edition of Diane Di Primas Revolutionary Letters.

Ingrid Miller, co-owner (with husband Tim Miller) of Three Trees Books in Seahurst, Wash., greeted visitors with a bookstore-day passport and an Indie Bookstores Are My Jam mug. Outside the shop, Couture Tarot creator Megan Skinner gave 15-minute tarot readings as an IBD bonus sponsored by the shop.

In California and Texas

Julie Slavinsky, event director at Warwicks Bookstore in La Jolla, Calif., said that the indie was part of the 12-store San Diego Book Crawl and incorporated a St. Jordi's Day celebration as well. The store purchased 360 red roses and gave away a rose to every customer who bought at least one book, and we did a Knight & Dragon Storytime. The store was packed!"

McKenna Jordan, Store Owner at Murder By The Book in Houston, Tex., hosted live session of staff picks that drew several dozen people, including many viewers online. The shop was was busy throughout the day and offered a 20% discount on recommended staff favorites, which included The Song Is You by Megan Abbott and In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes. IBD swag was selling too, especially the box of Blackwing pencils. "We sold 30 boxes last year, but this year were only able to get seven," remarked John McDougall, event coordinator for the store.

Brazos Bookstore, just down the street in Houston, was busy as well, though they opted to forgo selling swag and set up a tie-dye T-shirt station where shoppers could buy a bookstore shirt and turn it into a bit of summer fun. All in all, it was a typical, busy Saturday. "We've been selling a lot of books," said bookseller Mark Haber, who was also promoting his own just-released novel, St. Sebastian's Abyss, and offering to sign copies for fans. "We sell books and books and books. It's what we do!"
Nanjing. It has been the seat of numerous dynasties and kingdoms since the third century, making it one of the four ancient Chinese capitals. Famous Tang and Song poets and writers congregated, lived, and honed their craft in this city, which saw the establishment of Chinas first literary academy in 438 and the completion of the worlds largest encyclopedia, Yongle Dadian, in 1408. Nanjing was Chinas most important publishing center, providing European readers with the first translations of the Confucian canon some five centuries ago.

Largely considered the inspiration for the classic work of literature Dream of the Red Chamber, Nanjing also featured prominently in Pearl S. Bucks The Good Earth. In fact, over 10,000 literary works have been created in, or written about, Nanjingmore than any other Chinese city. This continuous 1,800-year literary tradition prompted its designation as a UNESCO City of Literature in 2019.

Now the capital of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing is home to Phoenix Publishing and Media Group (PPMG), which ranked ninth on the 2021 Global 50 publishing list. So it is most appropriate that PPMGs first volume of Jiangsu Translated Literature, a new series launched in December 2021, pays homage to the citys rich history and culture with the inclusion of Ye Zhaoyans Nanjing: The Story of a Chinese City. This 588-page nonfiction work is now published in English, Malaysian, Russian, Thai, and Vietnamese.

A versatile third-generation writer who has penned 28 books, including a seven-volume set of collected works, Ye has a unique understanding of Nanjing derived from writing about the city for over 40 years. His work ranges from historical fiction to detective stories and avant-garde literature, with many of his books translated into English, including Nanjing 1937: A Love Story, published by Columbia University Press, and A Flowers Shade, How Stubborn Our Hearts, and Other Peoples Love, published by Simon & Schuster.

For Nanjing: The Story of a Chinese City, Ye mined Chinas historical records and looked at China through the lens of Nanjing in different eras. So when he wrote about the city during the Tang dynasty, for instance, poet Li Bais influence and romantic mission to get the dynastys capital moved from Changan to Nanjing was a part of the story. Ye sought the answers to questions such as: How has Nanjing developed since 211? What is the historical significance of the ancient names of sites such as Moling, Jianye, Stone City, and Jiankang? How did the urban system evolve from bamboo fences to the Ming city wall? What kind of legacies and legends did figures such as emperor Sun Quan, poet Li Bai, Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci, and statesman Sun Yat-sen leave behind in Nanjing?

In the course of translating the book into English, Fernando Arrieta says that he had the opportunity to learn a great deal about the long history of the city of Nanjing. What impressed me the most about Yes work was the great human perspective that he put into his writing and the great concern one sees for the common people, for the perseverance of the common people, and for what the common people value the most, which are peace and prosperity.

The book, says editor-in-chief Chris Robyn of California-based Long River Press, is the story of a Chinese city and it is also the story of China, which has undergone a constant cycle of rise, decline, and rebirth. Ye provides an intimate and revealing look into the ancient origins of Nanjing after a century of conflict. With great patience and a grand vision, Yes portrait of Nanjing is not only of a place frozen in time but also a grand vision of the Chinese experience writ large. For anyone interested in Chinese history, this book is a must-read.

Aside from Yes nonfiction, PPMG also offers several one-of-a-kind titles focused on the city. A Handbook of Nanjing: Architectural Gems of the Early 1900s, for instance, is an illustrated guidebook featuring 600 historic buildings accompanied by a starred visit recommendation index, suggested routes, and neighborhood maps. Then there is The History of Nanjing City, a compilation of nearly 50 maps of past dynasties, 20 pictures of cultural relics, 45 ancient paintings, and 100 images old and contemporary, providing a visual history of the citys urban growth and change over time.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Leaders in defense research will assemble at Purdue University for the 2022 Breakthrough Energetics Conference as the invasion of Ukraine and the shadow of a wider conflict underscore the need for improved domestic supply chains for innovative energetic materials. Purdue University and its Purdue Energetics Research Center (PERC), a national leader in research and in educating domestic professionals in energetic materials  propellants, pyrotechnics and explosives  will host the conference Wednesday and Thursday (May 4-5). The conference is organized by the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), in partnership with the NDIA Emerging Technologies Institute (ETI), the Energetics Technology Center (ETC) and Purdue.

U.S. national security depends on energetic materials developed decades ago, some of which are produced using offshore sources that are increasingly unreliable, as detailed in a recent article written by ETI and ETC leaders. As with several emerging technologies central to defense, the article notes, peer competitors have the potential to move ahead of the United States. But unlike some technologies central to defense, such as microelectronics, for which there is a vibrant commercial market, the federal government is the largest single driver in the market for energetic materials.

At this pivotal moment, its critical we invest in developing technologies to ensure our country continues to lead the world, our military remains second-to-none, and we cultivate a high-skilled domestic workforce that meets the needs of our warfighters and broader economy, said Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana.

An aging industrial base and fragile supply chains jeopardize the United States ability to maintain superiority in a conflict. Congressional action, including the American Competes Act of 2022 and the House Armed Services Committee Future of Defense Task Force Report 2020, recognizes and seeks to reverse this growing concern. At Purdue, PERC works with nearly every agency within the U.S. national security sector on comprehensive energetic materials research from molecules to munitions.

As a nation, weve backed ourselves a little bit into a corner by losing domestic workforce capacity. Purdue and our partners in the research laboratories of the Department of Defense, such as the Army Research Laboratory, as well as laboratories in the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security and industry, are focused on growing talent in this space, said Jeff Rhoads, professor of mechanical engineering and lead of the Air Force Research Laboratory Regional Research Hub-Midwest at Purdue.

Breakthrough Energetics 2022 is built around the recommendations of a congressionally mandated study conducted by the ETC, and co-authored by Theresa Mayer, Purdue executive vice president for research and partnerships; Marcus Jones, professor at the U.S. Naval Academy; and Robert Kavetsky, CEO of the Energetics Technology Center. Those recommendations roughly correspond to three conference themes needed to rebuild American capabilities in energetic materials.

Priming the pipeline refers to the need for innovative ideas and a skilled domestic workforce to produce energetic materials. Science and technology challenges speaks to overhauling the hierarchy of research decision-making to prioritize innovation. And Reimagining technical requirements acknowledges a need to alter the incentive structure in military contracts to emphasize revolutionary innovation over incremental improvements.

We now know the obstacles to improving the pipeline of energetic materials, but to overcome those obstacles, we need the government, industry and higher education to work in concert, said Mayer, who is also a member of NDIAs board of directors. The Breakthrough Energetics Conference is one piece of that coordinated effort, and I expect that the benefits of these discussions will resonate through the next steps; taking us from the incremental progress that we have to the revolutionary progress that we need.

The conference has drawn leading voices in defense, including Harry Harris, former commander, U.S. Pacific Command and a former U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea, who will deliver the keynote address on the importance of advancing energetics. Three leaders within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment will offer direct commentary from the Department of Defense. Christopher C. ODonnell, the acting principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for acquisition , who advises the assistant secretary of defense for acquisition on matters relating to the Department of Defense Acquisition System; Steven G. Wax, principal deputy director of defense research and engineering for research and technology, who champions the Department of Defense Science and Technology Enterprise, will speak to the path forward; and Christine Michienzi, chief technology officer for the deputy assistant secretary of defense for industrial policy and for the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, will discuss acquisition requirements.

As a lead institution for advancing U.S. energetics R&D, Purdue is a natural gathering place for the event. Purdue invests in energetic materials research and workforce development through its Next Moves initiatives, a set of strategic focus areas that are advancing the universitys position among the worlds top research and teaching institutions. PERC educates as many as 150 undergraduate and graduate students in energetic materials at any given time, the largest single source of domestic talent in the field.

Steven Beaudoin, PERC director, said Purdue is uniquely positioned to drive the field because the university has a deep talent pool in synthesis, process engineering and characterization, three areas needed to invent new energetic materials, develop advanced manufacturing processes and ensure the quality of resultant products.

The university also benefits from statewide support, with nearly 30% of U.S. munitions stored in southern Indiana, and a strong partnership with the Crane Army Ammunition Activity and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, in Crane, Indiana.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last four years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu

Writer: Mary Martialay
Microelectronics are the focus of Purdue faculty working with universities and government entities to prepare a workforce in the U.S. that is ready to handle growing industry demands. (Photo by Rawpixel)

What is the intense demand for microchips today? Looking for the latest in microelectronics research? Need someone to simply explain the difference between a microchip and a semiconductor? A variety of Purdues leadership, expertise and innovation in semiconductors and microelectronics is highlighted in this round-up.

If you have any questions or would like to speak to someone, contact Brian Huchel, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Peter Bermel, the Elmore Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue, is focused on rapidly developing workforce need in microelectronics for the future.

The demand for microelectronics, which include microchips and semiconductors, increased by 26.2% in 2021.

Peter Bermel and Purdue faculty are working with universities and government to prepare a workforce establishing the U.S. as a global power in microelectronics.

Mung Chiang, executive vice president for strategic initiatives, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering and the Roscoe H. George Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue, talks about entering the critical years of the U.S. semiconductor industry in a column for Forbes.

New innovations required to deal with the expanding use of microchips in multiple aspects of everyday life.

Purdue partnership with the Semiconductor Research Corp. pairs academia with industry to further microelectronics research.

Purdue is promoting interest now, working with students to show career possibilities and build a highly trained workforce.

Peter Bermel talks about the unrealized necessity of microelectronics in peoples lives now and in the future. The small electronic circuits are essential in a growing number of devices, including communications and global positioning systems (GPS) in the area of national security.

Mark Lundstrom, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Purdue, breaks down the recent microchip shortage and explores solutions. The U.S. consumes about half of the chips produced worldwide, but only manufactures 10% of them.

Its expected that as many as 100,000 workers will be required to meet the needs of the microelectronics industry in the U.S. in the next decade.

As a national leader, Purdue is focused on U.S. improvement in microelectronics, including CHIRPs creation of future innovative platforms allowing chip integration from potentially different companies.

Development in the SCALE workforce program will feature enhancing existing programs and hands-on training as well as adding tools such as semiconductor degrees.

AFRL Regional Research Hub  Midwest will be headquartered at Purdue.

Program will further research and development in the increasingly complex national security landscape, including secure microelectronics and hypersonic research.

Hub will develop a science and technology ecosystem across 15 states  from Ohio, west to Kansas and Nebraska and north to North Dakota.

Purdue microelectronics in the news:

Purdue committed to support microchip-manufacturing workforce

Inside Indiana Business

Purdue partners with industry for next-gen microelectronics

Government Technology

House Science debates how to boost U.S. microelectronics

Politico Morning Tech newsletter

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last four years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.
Ricky Gervais used satire in an official clip released Monday for his stand-up special, SuperNature, to air on Netflix on May 24.

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The satire he used in the clip, making fun of a sexist stereotype that women aren't funny, was part of his "take on the rules of comedy," according to Netflix, and he will also joke about, "spoiling his cats and how super actual nature is," in the stand-up special.

Gervais' first standup comedy special on Netflix, Humanity, where he discussed "aging, becoming spoiled, his perspective on having kids and more," aired in 2018.

The Emmy- and Golden Globe Award winner is known co-creating the original British version of The Office along with Stephen Merchant. Gervais is also known for Derek and Extras.

Gervais also hosted the Golden Globe Awards ceremony several times.

The new stand-up special follows his role as Tony Johnson, a small town newspaper man struggling with grief after the death of his wife Lisa (Kerry Godliman) from cancer in the Netflix series, After Life, recently coming to an end with the airing of its third and final season.
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With music and the smell of food filling the air, people pop in and out of different booths that dot the land at the outdoor Brattleboro Area Farmers Market that opened for the season on Saturday, May 7, 2022, and will run every Saturday until Oct. 29.
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About 100 people turned out for the Westminster Town Meeting Saturday on the lawn of the Westminster Institute.
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YEREVAN, Armenia (AP)  Police in Armenia's capital on Monday detained 180 anti-government demonstrators that were blocking streets to protest against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Protests demanding that Pashinyan step down reignited in Armenia last month, after he spoke in the country's parliament about the need to sign a peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a decades-old conflict over the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is part of Azerbaijan but has been under Armenian control since early 1990s. In a six-week war in the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan was able to reclaim control over large swaths of land in and around the region before signing a Russia-brokered truce with Armenia. Pashinyan has faced backlash at home for agreeing to the deal.

As Armenia and Azerbaijan edged closer to reaching a proper peace agreement this year, opposition forces in Armenia have resumed protests against Pashinyan. Rallies in the capital, Yerevan, are being held almost daily since April 17.

On Sunday, demonstrators in the center of Yerevan set up tents for a round-the-clock protest and said they wouldn't leave until Pashinyan and his team step down. The Interfax news agency reported that barricades were erected from garbage cans and street benches, and that traffic on France Square, a major road connecting four main avenues of the Armenian capital, stopped.

Demonstrators  including opposition lawmakers  chanted Armenia without Nikol! Protest leader and deputy parliamentary speaker Ishkhan Sagatelyan told reporters that protesters would clear the streets by Monday afternoon, so that another rally could gather on the square in the evening.

Some of the detentions on Monday were carried out with the use of force, and journalists covering the protests were reported to have been pushed around by the police. Police spokespeople told Interfax the demonstrators were detained on charges of refusing to obey police officers.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  A federal judge in Kentucky has extended a temporary ban on the enforcement of a new state law that effectively ended abortions because the state's two clinics said they can't comply with all its requirements.

U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings is giving the clinics more time to explain their objections to the law. Jennings extended a temporary restraining order until May 19, after the existing one expires Thursday. Jennings said, however, some parts of the law not in dispute by the two clinics and state officials would go into effect.

I think there are pieces of this legislation that can be complied with right now, Jennings said. The judge is planning an order on those parameters this week.

Lawyers for the clinics, Planned Parenthood and the EMW Women's Surgical Center, were in court Monday to ask for a preliminary injunction on the law, which would be an extended ban.

Attorneys for the clinics went through line-by-line objections to Kentucky's new law during the four-hour hearing in Louisville's federal courthouse. Lawyers with Attorney General Daniel Cameron's office, which is defending the new law, argued throughout the hearing that the clinics need to provide facts on why they can't comply with the law.

We maintain that there is no reason this law should be stopped from taking effect, Cameron said in a prepared statement Monday.

Lawyers for the clinics argued the law is complicated and the state has not yet set up the guidelines for them to comply with.

We are hopeful the judge will take into consideration the arguments made today and prevent the state from enforcing these impossible requirements on abortion providers in the state of Kentucky, Julie Murray, a lawyer for Planned Parenthood, said after the hearing.

Kentucky's Republican-led legislature passed the new law in March and then overrode Democratic Gov. Andy Beshears veto of the measure in April. Both of the clinics resumed abortion services after Jennings temporarily halted the law last month.

The new law bans abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy and requires women to be examined by a doctor before receiving abortion pills. It contains new restrictions and reporting requirements, and enforcement of that compliance with stiff fines, felony penalties and revocation of physician and facility licenses.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Three more House Republicans received requests Monday to voluntarily appear before the congressional committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection and answer questions about their involvement in the effort to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election loss.

The committee sent letters to GOP Reps. Mo Brooks of Alabama, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Ronny Jackson of Texas  three members of the ultra-right House Freedom Caucus that have in recent years aligned themselves with Trump. Jackson and Biggs quickly ruled out cooperating and accused the committee of sending the requests to the media before them.

The nine-member panel is asking for the members of Congress to testify about their involvement in meetings at the White House, direct conversations with then-President Trump as he sought to challenge his loss in the 2020 presidential election, and the planning and coordination of rallies on and before Jan. 6, 2021.

The Select Committee has learned that several of our colleagues have information relevant to our investigation into the facts, circumstances, and causes of January 6th," committee chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and vice-chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., said in a statement. "We urge our colleagues to join the hundreds of individuals who have shared information with the Select Committee to get to the bottom of what happened on January 6th.

Since launching its investigation last summer, the Jan. 6 panel has been slowly gaining new details about what lawmakers said and did in the weeks before the insurrection. Members have already asked three GOP lawmakers  Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California  to testify voluntarily. All have refused.

So far, the Jan. 6 committee has refrained from issuing subpoenas to lawmakers, fearing the repercussions of such an extraordinary step. But in recent days, Thompson and other committee members have hinted that subpoenaing their colleagues may not be completely off the table.

The decision to ask for Brooks cooperation comes weeks after the Alabama Republican accused Trump of dropping an endorsement for him for a Senate seat after he rebuffed the former presidents entreaties to help overturn the 2020 election.

Trump wanted the election rescinded and a do-over, Brooks told reporters in March. But theres no legal way to do it.

Brooks spoke at the rally that day before Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, telling them, Today is the day that American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass. He has since become more critical of the former president, and the committee believes his insight into Trump's effort to involve members of Congress will be helpful to their investigation.

The committee's interest in Biggs is on the heels of an April 22 court filing in which lawmakers accused him of being an active participant in White House meetings after the 2020 election, where he and other Republicans brainstormed ways to keep Trump in power. Biggs is also accused of encouraging protesters to come to Washington on Jan. 6 as well as persuading state legislators and officials that the election was stolen.

The panel also said it has recent information from former White House personnel that identified an effort by certain House GOP lawmakers to seek a presidential pardon for activities related to Trumps efforts to overturn the election. Your name was identified as a potential participant in that effort, the committee wrote to Biggs.

Biggs responded late Monday that he will not be cooperating with the panel and called the investigation a witch hunt."

The panel also wants to question Jackson about his efforts, along with other GOP lawmakers, to barricade the doors of the House as rioters tried to breakthrough.

The Committee has video evidence of how close the rioters came to breaching the House Chamber at that point in time, Thompson and Cheney wrote. We wish to record your firsthand observations of that period, including the reactions and statements of other members of Congress to the violence at that moment.

Additionally, Jackson, a former White House physician to two presidents, was mentioned in texts, retrieved by the committee, between members of the Oath Keepers as they and the rest of the violent mob descended on the Capitol building.

In one text, a member of the far-right militia group texted their leader, Stewart Rhodes, saying Jackson required their protection because he has critical data to protect.

The exchanges above raise several specific questions for you, the committee wrote to Jackson. Why would these individuals have an interest in your specific location? Why would they believe you have critical data to protect? Why would they direct their members to protect your personal safety?

In a statement Monday, Jackson said, I do not know, nor did I have contact with, those who exchanged text messages about me on January 6. In fact, I was proud to help defend the House Floor from those who posed a threat to my colleagues.

He added that he will not cooperate with what he called the committee's "ruthless crusade against President Trump and his allies.

Rhodes and 10 other members or associates tied to the group have since been charged with seditious conspiracy in the Justice Department's investigation of the attack.

During the Trump administration, Jackson had emerged as a vocal ally, but his nomination as Veterans Affairs secretary was withdrawn amid allegations that he created a hostile work environment and improperly distributed prescription drugs. Jackson strenuously denied those claims, and went on to run for Congress from Texas.

Requests for comment Monday from Biggs and Brooks were not immediately returned.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Biggs is a lawmaker from Arizona, not Wisconsin.

___

AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
NEW HARTFORD  Officials announced that West Hill Road at Pioneer Drive, which was closed May 3-4, will remain closed to all traffic Thursday, May 5, from 8:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.

The road will be completely closed at Pioneer Drive to the Torrington town line, for cross pipe installation, according to a statement. Drivers should find an alternate route, officials said.
TORRINGTON  A local man has been charged early Monday with a hate crime after police say he admitted to setting fire to a vehicle because he disliked the owners Mormon faith.

Torrington police charged 22-year-old Samuel Vandeusen with deprivation of rights under a state statute and third-degree arson, the department said in a news release Monday. He was also charged with first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree breach of peace.
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CHAPLIN  State police are asking for the publics help in locating a person of interest wanted in a Sunday homicide.

Troopers discovered the deceased man after they were dispatched around 6:12 a.m. to a residence on Miller Road for a report of an assault victim with life-threatening injuries, according to state police. His name and age were not made public.
Multiple crashes involving motorcycles were reported across Connecticut over the last several days as the state saw a run of sunny weather and temperatures reaching nearly 70 degrees.

The crashes included two reported fatalities, claiming the lives of a 20-year-old in Milford and a 22-year-old in New Milford Saturday evening and Sunday morning less than 24 hours apart.

Statewide, 87 people were involved in motorcycle crashes in April of this year, according to figures compiled in the University of Connecticuts crash data repository. Three were killed, while nine suffered a suspected serious injury, according to the data. The statistics show a slight decrease from April of 2021, when 293 people were involved in motorcycle accidents, six of whom were fatally injured and 28 seriously injured.

Last month also saw five motorcycles involved in a single crash in Woodstock that left several people seriously hurt. The an organizer said the group ride had been coming back from Rhode Island when they were struck by another vehicle.

The spike in deaths last year came as demand for bikes surged during the pandemic. State lawmakers this year once again proposed reinstating the states helmet law for adults - the original helmet law was repealed in 1976, but the proposal was dropped in late March due to lack of support.

Other local rules have been aimed at riders of dirt bikes and ATVs on public roads, which legally are only supposed to be ridden off-road. Officials at Bridgeport have considered a rule similar to one already in effect in New Haven that would punish gas stations that sell riders fuel.

The wave of recent motorcycle accidents started as early as last Monday, when a dirt bike rider in Canterbury traveling along a road veered off the roadway, striking a tree, according to state police. The rider was airlifted to Hartford Hospital.

Then on Saturday, police Milford were called to the area of Boston Post Road and Cedarhurst Lane around 7:20 p.m. after a BMW motorcycle collided with a Lexus SUV. The rider, 20-year-old Austin Micha, was killed, according to police.

The following morning, police in New Milford were called to the area of 254 Danbury Road around 11:20 a.m. after a motorcycle crashed into a pickup truck turning into a parking lot, authorities said. The operator, Brandon Forlastro, 22, was pronounced dead at the scene while his female passenger was transported to the hospital in critical condition.

Two other motorcycle crashes were reported later that night, both involving injuries.

Around 6:31 p.m., state police in Brooklyn were called to the scene of a crash on Providence Road near Day Street. State police said a 46-year-old rider of a Suzuki motorcycle lost control. He and his 60-year-old female passenger, both residents of Rhode Island, were hospitalized with suspected serious injuries, according to state police.

Then around 7:13 p.m., Troopers out of Troop H in Hartford were called to the Exit 45 ramp on the northbound side of Interstate 91 in East Windsor for another motorcycle crash. State police said the rider and the passenger both sustained minor injuries after they were ejected from the bike during the crash.

They were taken to local hospitals by paramedics, according to state police.
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HOLON, Israel (AP)  Five-year-old Karina Andreiko wasn't hurt in the war in Ukraine. In some ways, she was saved because of it.

Stressed by the long search for why her daughter was smaller than other kids  and by the war with Russia  Karina's mother last month sought help from an Israeli field hospital about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the family's home near the Ukrainian-Polish border. A doctor there listened to Karina's heart, heard a murmur and conducted an ultrasound. The diagnosis was a congenital defect between Karina's heart chambers treatable with a simple procedure available in Israel, but not in Ukraine, doctors said.

Save a Child's Heart, an Israeli nonprofit, agreed to transport Karina to Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, near Tel Aviv, for treatment. Passports were secured, a plan was made, and on Monday, two weeks after Karina's mother approached the field hospital, doctors in Israel treated Karina with the catheterization expected to allow her to live a normal life.

I am happy that I came to Israel for my child to have an operation here, said Karina's mother, Iryna Andreiko. On the one hand, I am very worried about her, but I think everything will be fine.

Fearful of Russia, Israel has tried to strike a cautious posture toward the Russian invasion of Ukraine, even as the West lined up against President Vladimir Putin.

While Israel has not imposed sanctions on Russia or provided arms to Ukraine, it has criticized the invasion and provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine's embattled populace, including planeloads of supplies.

With Karina's father fighting in the war, Karina's mother turned for help to Sheba Medical Center's Shining Star field hospital near the family's home in Hostyntseve. The central idea of the hospital, now closed, had been to treat civilian victims of Russian attacks.

Karina had not been wounded in the conflict. Still, her case has added some unexpected good to the field hospital's accomplishments, which included treating 6,000 people during the six weeks it was open. The effort is now shifting toward Israeli doctors training their Ukrainian counterparts.

Karina was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, a hole in the heart between the upper chambers that does not close and can cause heart failure later in life if left untreated. Karina is a twin, smaller than her sibling and most other kids in kindergarten.

In the past, the condition would have been treated by open heart surgery, said Dr. Alona Raucher Sternfeld, head of pediatric cardiology at Wolfson.

During the procedure, her doctors inserted a catheter into Karina's leg and threaded it to her heart and inserted a device that plugged the hole. In time, the heart tissue would grow around the device, Karina's doctors said. The medical center performs more than 250 such procedures on children a year. Typically, patients are out of bed the next day and they go home healthy, Raucher Sternfeld said.

The fact that there is a war going on, which is definitely a negative thing, brought her a better life, Dr. Sagi Assa, who leads Wolfsons Invasive Pediatric Cardiology department, told reporters.
Authorities in Shanghai on announced punishments for five officials in the city's Putuo district after an elderly man was found alive in a body bag en route between a care home and a morgue.



"Five people in Putuo District, Shanghai were held accountable for wrongly transferring an elderly person from a care home," the city's Putuo district government said in an announcement on its official Weibo account.

"On the afternoon of May 1, reports were posted online that a so-called dead body being transferred from the Shanghai New Long March Care Home was found to show signs of life," it said. "Putuo district government ... launched an immediate investigation and sent the elderly man to receive treatment in hospital, where he is currently stable." It said Putuo civil affairs bureau chief Zhang Jiandong, section chief Liu Yinghua and social development director Wu Youcheng had been fired pending a ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) disciplinary case against them.



Meanwhile, a doctor surnamed Tian had been struck off for signing the man's death certificate, and is currently under police investigation, it said.



A team has been sent from the civil affairs bureau to carry out further supervision at the care home, which has also been subjected to an administrative punishment, the statement said.



The move came after a video clip saw staff load, then unload, a yellow body bag from a vehicle outside the care home.



"The care home said the person is dead, but the people from the funeral home said they're still alive; they're moving," a person behind the camera says. "They're not even dead, yet they're declared dead."



"Now they're discussing what to do. Get them out of there; what else can you do? What you're doing is immoral."



"They're not even dead, and they're put in a van to go to the funeral home," the man's voice says.



Widespread anger It said Putuo civil affairs bureau chief Zhang Jiandong, section chief Liu Yinghua and social development director Wu Youcheng had been fired pending a ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) disciplinary case against them.Meanwhile, a doctor surnamed Tian had been struck off for signing the man's death certificate, and is currently under police investigation, it said.A team has been sent from the civil affairs bureau to carry out further supervision at the care home, which has also been subjected to an administrative punishment, the statement said.The move came after a video clip saw staff load, then unload, a yellow body bag from a vehicle outside the care home."The care home said the person is dead, but the people from the funeral home said they're still alive; they're moving," a person behind the camera says. "They're not even dead, yet they're declared dead.""Now they're discussing what to do. Get them out of there; what else can you do? What you're doing is immoral.""They're not even dead, and they're put in a van to go to the funeral home," the man's voice says.

The staff then push the gurney back into the care home courtyard with the zip partially unfastened and leave.



The care home later apologized, but online comments showed widespread anger, as Shanghai's 25 million residents continued into a fifth week of COVID-19 lockdown that has brought havoc to the city.



Some 400 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported in care homes, amid growing suspicion that the figure is being under-reported, in a city where only 62 percent of over-60s have been fully vaccinated, and just 15 percent of those over 80 have received two shots.



The average age of deaths is 84, according to the government.



Vice mayor Liu Duo said the city's disease control and prevention efforts were "stable and improving," however.



"Disease control and prevention work has entered a critical phase," Liu told reporters. "Effective disinfection measures can play a positive role in cutting off transmission routes."



Liu made no mention of the New Long March incident.



Current affairs commentator Fang Yuan said the huge amount of political pressure on staff and officials during lockdown has led to "chaotic actions."



"The disease prevention and control regulations are too aggressive," Fang told RFA. "This kind of chaotic action is worse than inaction."



'Total chaos'

He said it could also be a way to show those higher up how the system is failing to function under CCP leader Xi Jinping's zero-COVID policy.



"It's also a form of passive resistance," Fang said. "Better to cause incidents through the chaos and get the attention of those higher up, because only then will order return."



Fang said the incident had generated huge amounts of public anger in a city where people are regularly banging pots and pans from apartments in a muted form of mass protest.



"They want to deal with these kinds of incidents in as low-key a manner as possible, but there is huge pressure from public opinion," Fang said. "It's not okay to ignore it."



A Shanghai resident surnamed Chen said the authorities have restarted mass PCR testing in several districts of the city in recent days, but that he has refused to take part, as others have done, fearing being transported out of their homes where they are more likely to catch the virus.



"I didn't go; I'm not doing it," Chen said. "The whole thing is total chaos; they can't control it."



"The highways are all blocked, and there's nowhere to run," he said. "There's a lot of tension all over the country."



Beijing municipal health commission spokesman Li Ang has ordered restaurants in the city to stop allowing customers to eat in for four days, in a bid to stem rising cases over the May holiday break.



The city is also starting to build makeshift hospitals to isolate those who test positive for the virus, in a sign that the capital will keep going with Xi's favored approach to managing COVID-19 risk.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Despite asking for public input ahead of a key party congress later this year, Chinese authorities appear to be stepping up its clampdown on public dissent amid a growing cult of personality around ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping.



Retired writer and member of the Independent Chinese PEN Association Tian Qizhuang is apparently incommunicado after he submitted an "opinion" opposing the Xi personality cult, saying it was in breach of the CCP charter.



In an open letter to CCP disciplinary chief Zhao Leji, Tian accused Guangxi regional party secretary Liu Ning of "serious violations" of the party charter in a speech he made in a recent communique.



"We must work hard to forge our party spirit and loyalty to core [leader Xi Jinping] with a high degree of political awareness," the communique read, after the regional party CCP conference elected Xi as a delegate after he was nominated by the CCP Central Committee, in an exercise aimed at requiring and demonstrating loyalty to Xi.



"[We must] always support our leader, defend our leader and follow our leader," the communique said.



In his letter, Tian argued that the communique was in breach of a clause added to the CCP charter at the 12th Party Congress in 1982, forbidding personality cults around Chinese leaders.



"The key point about cults of personality is that they privilege personal power over the constitution and the law, violating the republican principle that everyone is equal before the law," Tian wrote.



"The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region party committee has blatantly issued this communique in violation of the CCP charter," he said.



"This denial of the basic policy of sticking to the rule of law also shows that the cult of personality [around Xi] has already reached a dangerous level," Tian wrote, calling on the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) to "investigate and deal with the matter promptly, and make the results and punishment known to the whole party ... to prevent such corrupt thoughts and culture from making a comeback."



The CCP, instructed by Xi, has said it is soliciting online opinions and suggestions ahead of the party congress from through , in a bid to "brainstorm and promote democracy."



But several days after the letter was published, Tian received a visit from local state security police, who swept his home for "evidence," confiscating his cell phone and computer.



Paeans to Xi

The Guangxi communique came after outgoing Shenzhen party secretary Wang Weizhong lauded Xi to the skies in his valedictory speech, listing five of the leader's attributes for which he would remain "eternally grateful."



Current affair commentator Wei Xin said paeans to Xi are likely to become even more frequent in the run-up to the 20th CCP National Congress later this year.



"On the one hand, we have a wave of populism, accompanied on the other by structural changes in the highest echelons of the CCP Central Committee, which is inclining itself more and more towards individual totalitarianism," Wei told RFA.



"The party constitution isn't enough to rein in the cult of personality or the centralization of power in one individual in the face of those changes," he said.



"[These tendencies within] the CCP will get stronger and stronger in the next six months as we approach the 20th party congress, and will likely peak in the fall."



Wei's warning harks back to a 2010 essay by Chengdu party school professor Liu Yifei titled "Never forget to oppose personality cults."



In it, Liu warns that a lack of clear understanding in party ranks of the dangers led to disaster in the absence of strong institutional constraints, resulting in "a leader who couldn't be curbed" by his own party: late supreme leader Mao Zedong.



Feng Chongyi, a professor of Chinese Studies at the Sydney University of Technology in Australia, said the emerging personality cult around Xi is linked to the CCP leader's successful removal of presidential term limits via China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress (NPC), in 2018.



"After the Cultural Revolution [1966-1976] ended, the party line was against individual autocracy, and the abolition of lifelong leadership was part of that," Feng said. "No leader from Hu Yaobang, to Zhao Ziyang, to Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, served more than two terms in office, but he is now breaking that rule and bringing back lifelong tenure."



"To achieve that, he needs a deification campaign and a personality cult; it's all part of the same operation," he said.



Distractions from bad news

Feng said there is plenty of bad news from which Xi needs to distract people through populism.



"There is trouble at home and abroad, with a constantly weakening economy, and worsening confrontation with developed countries," he said. "This has created a lot of dissatisfaction within party ranks, but China doesn't have ... democratic elections or any political process."



"So, as long as they can suppress people like this writer, he will get his re-election," Feng said.



Tian's silence came as online platforms including Weibo, Douyin and WeChat began requiring users to supply their IP address, making it easier to locate people when they comment or post.



WeChat said it will begin displaying the location of users when they publish content, using their IP address, with domestic accounts showing the user's province, autonomous region or directly governed municipality, and overseas accounts showing their country.



Hebei-based political scientist Wei Qing said the move feeds into the growing use of "grid management," which divides localities up into grids, giving officials responsibility for the actions of anyone living in their square.



"The goal is grid management, which is central government policy, and the Cyberspace Administration is implementing that central policy," Wei said. "Controlling the movement of people is the biggest characteristic of an autocratic society."



"Now that China is heading back to the Cultural Revolution, the movements of people both in physical space and in cyberspace, will be one of the most important goals."



He said local officials' knowledge of who is posting from where will likely be far more finely tuned than simply knowing a person's province or city, however.



"It's not just about displaying your IP, but also about being including in grid management," Wei said. "Whatever you say online will be deemed the the responsibility of your local police station."



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The Philippines, which holds a presidential election next weekend, hasnt responded to the moratorium.

China has once again announced a unilateral fishing moratorium in the South China Sea, to vigorous protests by Vietnam but the Philippines has so far not reacted.

The three-and-half-month ban began on Sunday and covers the waters north of 12 degrees north latitude in the South China Sea which Vietnam and the Philippines also call their traditional fishing grounds.

Hanoi spoke up against the fishing ban, calling it a violation of Vietnams sovereignty and territorial jurisdiction.

The moratorium applies to part of the Gulf of Tonkin, and the Paracel Islands claimed by both China and Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministrys spokeswoman said: Vietnam requests China to respect Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracel Islands, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its maritime zones when taking measures to conserve biological resources in the East Sea (South China Sea), without complicating the situation towards maintaining peace, stability and order in the East Sea."

Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said Vietnam's stance on China's fishing ban "is consistent and well established over the years."

Meanwhile the Philippines, which holds a presidential election next weekend, hasnt responded to the moratorium.

In the past, Manila has repeatedly protested and even called on Filipino fishermen to ignore the Chinese ban and continue their activities in the waters also known as the West Philippine Sea.

Vietnamese foreign ministry spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang speaks at a news conference in Hanoi, Vietnam July 25, 2019. Credit: Reuters. Risks of overfishing

China has imposed the annual summer fishing ban since 1999 as part of the country's efforts to promote sustainable marine fishery development and improve marine ecology, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported.

A collapse of fishery stocks in the South China Sea due to overfishing and climate change could fuel serious tensions and even armed conflict, experts said.

Overfishing is the norm in open-access fisheries, so restrictions on fishing represent a sensible policy, said John Quiggin, professor of economics at the University of Queensland in Australia.

But China's decision to impose such restrictions implies a claim of territorial control which other nations are contesting, Quiggin told RFA.

The best outcome would be an interim agreement to limit over-fishing, until boundary disputes are resolved, if that ever happens, he added.

Chinas fishing ban in the South China Sea is expected to end on Aug. 16. It also covers the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea, with a later end-date.

Chinese media said this week that the South China Sea branch of the Coast Guard and local authorities will patrol major fishing grounds and ports to ensure that the ban will be well observed.

At the end of last year, Beijing issued a new regulation threatening hefty fines of up to tens of thousands of dollars on activities of foreign fishermen in Chinas jurisdictional waters.

The self-claimed jurisdictional waters extend to most of the South China Sea but the claims are disputed by Chinas neighbors and have been rejected by an international tribunal.

Rashid Sumaila, a professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada and author of a 2021 report on the fishery industry in the East and South China Seas, said in an interview with RFA that the simmering conflict that we see in the South China Sea is mostly because of fish even though countries dont say it out loud.

Fishery is one of the reasons Chinas entangled in disputes with its neighbors in the South China Sea, Sumaila said.

A file photo showing Chinese fishing boats docked in Jiaoshan fishing port in Wenling city in eastern China's Zhejiang province on July 12 2013. Credit: AP. Distant-water fishing

Meanwhile, Chinas distant-water fishing causes serious concerns across the world, mainly because of the size of the Chinese fleet and its illegal behavior, according to a recent report.

The report released in March by the Environmental Justice Foundation, a U.K. non-profit organization, traces Chinas vast, opaque and, at times illegal global fisheries footprint, using mainly Chinas own data.

It found that Chinas distant-fishing fleet that operates on the high seas and beyond its exclusive economic zone is by far the largest in the world.

The number of Chinese distant-water fishing boats is unknown, but could be around 2,700, according to some estimates.

China is responsible for 38 percent of the distant-water fishing activities of the worlds 10 largest fleets in other countries waters, the report said.

Chinese fishing vessels operate across the globe in both areas beyond national jurisdiction and in the EEZs of coastal states.

Researchers who worked on the report have identified high instances of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, destructive practises such as bottom trawling and the use of forced, bonded and slave labour and trafficked crew, alongside the widespread abuse of migrant crewmembers.
The armed opposition says income from the project will support the juntas repression of the people.

Myanmars junta has vowed to defend a suspended Chinese copper mine, seen as a key source of revenue for the military regime, after the countrys armed opposition threatened to destroy the project if owners resume operations.

The Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaings Salingyi township is a joint venture between Chinas state-owned Wanbao Co. and the military-owned Myanmar Economic Holding Limited (MEHL) company. Following the militarys Feb. 1, 2021 coup, employees walked off the job to join the anti-junta Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), reducing the mines operating capacity by more than 80 percent.

In early April, junta Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in eastern Chinas Anhui province in what analysts said signaled Myanmars desire for deeper economic ties to its northern ally. Not long after the trip, residents of Salingyi reported that workers were being called back to the mine to restart the project after more than a year of downtime, prompting threats from anti-junta Peoples Defense Force (PDF) paramilitaries.

Late last week, junta Deputy Information Minister Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun told RFAs Myanmar Service that the military would deploy troops to protect the mine in the event of an attack.

As a government, we have a responsibility to protect all investments in the country, both legally and on the ground, and we must work to provide security for them, he said, adding that the junta is working to get things back on track at Letpadaung.

Zaw Min Tun didnt provide details on the status of the mine or whether any other foreign projects had come under threat.

His comments came in response to an April 21 joint statement from 16 PDF groups from Salingyi and nearby Yinmarbin townships threatening to destroy the mine if Wanbao brought it back online.

A spokesman from the NRF, one of the PDF groups that issued the warning, told RFA that Chinese and other foreign-owned assets in Myanmar qualify as fair game for the armed opposition if they are generating income for the junta.

If the military can purchase weapons with that money, the people will suffer further persecution, he said, calling the statement a warning to other foreign companies in Myanmar earning money that will be used [by the junta] to buy bullets to kill people.

Sit Naing, a spokesperson from the Salingyi PDF, clarified that the groups dont have a plan to attack foreigners, but said if foreign companies keep working with the military and take part in persecuting the people, we will have to attack them, without fail.

Zin Mar Aung, foreign minister for Myanmars shadow National Unity Government (NUG), to which the prodemocaracy PDF has pledged its loyalty, expressed disappointment with China for its support of the junta in a recent statement.

An excavator works on a section of the Letpadaung copper mine site in Sagaing region's Salingyi township, in a file photo. Credit: RFA Resident protests

Reports that operators are restarting the 60-year-old Letpadaung copper mine project  which has already faced criticism for appropriating land from 26 area villages and damaging the environment with chemical waste and dust  have also prompted opposition from Myanmars civilian population.

Residents of Letpadaung have held daily protests demanding that Beijing respect the wishes of the people of Myanmar by shutting the mine down, and on April 25, nearly 560 prodemocracy groups sent an open letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping urging him to stop supporting the junta through the mine and other China-backed development projects.

In an interview with RFA, a member of the CDM in Salingyi called on all copper mine staff to remain in the movement, even if they are called back to work by Wanbao.

As the project is directly affiliated with the junta, we are urging staff to hold out and refuse to return to work to resume operations, no matter how much incentive the company offers, the CDM member said.

We ask that they go back to work only when the country is liberated.

Other sources were more direct in their condemnation of China, including a Salingyi township protest organizer who noted that Beijing has been backing the junta for much of the 15 months since the militarys coup.

They dont give priority to the people, and they are prioritizing our enemy the militarys leader [Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing], so China is our common enemy, she said.

I want to appeal the workers to stand with the people. No matter how many incentives or extra salary they offer, dont consider working for the enemy.

Reassessing control in Myanmar

In response to an RFA email seeking comment on the situation in Salingyi, Chinas embassy in Yangon said that Chinese projects in Myanmar are meant to benefit Myanmar's economic development, bilateral interests, and the livelihoods of the local people.

Attempts by RFA to contact Wanbao and Letpadaung copper mine officials went unanswered, as did calls to junta Deputy Minister of Information Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun.

According to Myanmars Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, 32 Chinese garment factories were set on fire in the early months of the coup, while PDF attacks on Chinese projects have damaged the water supply pipeline to the Letpadaung project, as well as a gas pipeline and nickel plant in Mandalay region.

A Myanmar-based analyst on China-Myanmar relations, who declined to be named, said the NUGs statement was a warning to China, emboldening local PDF groups.

The PDFs are trying to make China reconsider whether the junta can effectively protect its interests, after it offered support to the junta, the analyst said.

China should reassess who is really in control on the ground  We will have to wait and see if they decide to negotiate with the NUG after they do so.

Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung and Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
The Facebook page of a group called 'Keeping company with Force 47,' which was identified by Vietnamese state media as being controlled by 'Force 47' cyber troops, is displayed on a computer monitor, July 6, 2021.

Vietnamese opinion workers who promote the Communist Party and protect its image on social media now have a new role: spreading fake or misleading reports that support Russias invasion of Ukraine on Facebook.

Facebook groups like on vi Tac chien Mang (Cyber CombatUnit), Truy quet Phan ong (Elimination of Reactionary Forces), Bo Tu lenh Tac chien (Combat Command), and Trung oan 47 (Regiment 47) that have worked to counter criticism of the Communist Party all now post information in favor of Russia.

For example, Trung oan 47, which is believed to be part of a cyber combat force in the Vietnam Peoples Army, posted this justification for the invasion: Mr. Putin said: Moscow has done everything it can to maintain Ukraines territorial integrity as well as protect the interests of Donetsk and Lugansks people but Kiev had blocked Donbas, suppressing local residents and shelling Donbas.

on vi Tac chien Mang posts fake news on a nearly daily basis. One video clip shows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meeting with members of his Cabinet and a close-up shot of a handful of white powder on his desk that looks like heroin.

on vi Tac chien Mang claimed that Zelensky posted this video on his website before it was quickly deleted.

Facebook attached an alert on the video to let viewers know it is an altered recording, though it is still available.

Even wider of the mark has been coverage of the massacre in Bucha, a town outside the capital Kyiv where hundreds of Ukrainians were killed by Russian soldiers. The torture and murder of Bucha residents apparently carried out by Russian soldiers before Ukrainian forces retook the town has drawn international calls to bring perpetrators to justice for war crimes.

But Don Vi Tac Chien Mang said the atrocities were faked by Ukraine officials and soldiers, who, the Facebook group claimed, transported the corpses to Bucha from another location.

RFA sent evidence to prove the video was fake to Meta, Facebooks parent company, asking for comment as to why the social media platform had not yet identified it as such.

A team representative said a response would be forthcoming within 24 hours, but RFA did not receive a reply.

It cannot discourage me

The pro-Russian disinformation comes from a force of tens of thousands of cyber troops created by the Hanoi regime to watch and attack people online for posting information seen as detrimental to the Vietnamese Communist Party.

Targets include individual netizens like Phan Chau Thanh, a Vietnamese businessman living in Poland who along with his friends began to organize the delivery of relief aid to Ukraine refugees in Poland right after the war broke out.

I find this war extremely unjustifiable, Thanh said. How can Russia carry out an invasion of another country right in the middle of Europe in the 21st century? Therefore, I want to provide Vietnamese people with updates about the war through the eyes of a person living in Europe.

Posts from his Facebook account garner thousands of views among Vietnamese, including government officials and the army of official influencers.

Since the war started, or over the past 60 days, my Facebook account has been blocked four times, he said, due to reports accusing him of violating Facebooks community standards. In December 2021, Meta, Facebooks parent, announced that it had removed from the site a network of users who attacked political dissidents in Vietnam through similar methods.

Thanh said he has also received a flurry of obscene and nasty comments, a typical tactic of Vietnamese cyber troops.

Of course, it makes me feel down, but it cannot discourage me, he said. It irritates me, but in many cases it gives me stronger determination to keep going.

RFA sent Facebook a message containing Phan Chau Thanhs complaints but did not receive a response.

In many cases, Vietnamese opinion workers are amplifying fake news created by Russian propagandists.

Their influence could be seen recently when a video of four Ukrainian men ripping apart Vietnamese flags went viral on Facebook, passed on as evidence of the Ukrainian governments hostile view toward the Southeast Asian nation.

The video fueled a wave of criticism against Ukraine and served to support the Vietnamese governments decision to maintain neutrality in the face of Russias brutal attack.

It turned out the flag-tearing incident occurred in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv 16 years ago.

Fallout from the video

Oleksandr Gaman, Ukraines ambassador to Vietnam, was forced to address the fallout from the video on the embassys Facebook page.

The information war, part of the burning war in Ukraine, has come to Vietnam. Russia is making every effort to create frictions between Ukrainian and Vietnamese people, Gaman said in a video speech posted on April 19, adding that old videos and photos and fake facts were being presented as the official position of Ukraine.

A representative from the Ukrainian Embassy in Hanoi told RFA that Russia also has a large army of fake newsmakers.

Natalia Zhynkina, the embassys temporary charge daffaires, said Russia was taking advantage of the image of the former Soviet Union, a country that supported Vietnam during its war with the United States, to make its propaganda appealing to the Vietnamese.

But she questioned the effectiveness of Russias tactics.

A question should be asked about the effectiveness of Russias communication attempts in Vietnam, she told RFA. I believe that the information created by Russia has failed to attract the attention of young people. A communication campaign based on hostility and a war will never succeed.

Despite Russias efforts, many Vietnamese have shown support for Ukraine in various ways. Hundreds of people in Hanoi have taken part in events at the Ukrainian Embassy and fundraising events to raise money for those affected by the armed conflict.

Translated by Anna Vu for RFA's Vietnamese Service. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
For all of Dina Bajraktarevic's adult life, Bosnia-Herzegovina has had a law in place banning discrimination, including based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

But the 25-year-old native of Tuzla, in northeastern Bosnia, has never felt protected, particularly when she was at her most vulnerable.

On a visit to the gynecologist, for instance, after responding to a question about sexual activity or potential pregnancy, she made reference to being a lesbian. "My whole examination then came down to the question of my sexual orientation," she told RFE/RL's Balkan Service. In the end, the medical staff wrote in her file "that I 'felt like a man,' although I never said that."

"It was only later that I realized that this was unequal treatment of me as a member of the LGBT community," she said.

Wherever Bajraktarevic went, she said, discrimination followed, creeping into nearly every aspect of life.

In her work as a speech therapist, "almost none of the parents wanted to leave their children with me, and when they noticed I was in the room, would slam the door and leave."

After her first trip with her volleyball team, the club told her that, as a lesbian, she either had to quit or change in the men's locker rooms. "I left the club because I didn't want anyone to perceive me as a predator. It was a total moment of segregation," said Bajraktarevic, who has since become an activist for LGBT causes.

She and other members of Bosnia's LGBT community have spent more than a decade being disappointed by the lack of progress despite the enactment of the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination in 2009.

But a landmark verdict by a court in the Bosnian capital could signal a shift toward greater protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex individuals.

'People Like This'

The Sarajevo Municipal Court in April ruled in favor of activists who sued on behalf of the LGBT community against a former assemblywoman who publicly urged state officials to keep "people like this" away from the rest of society.

The verdict in the three-year-long case "prohibits any further action" by the defendant "or similar actions that violate or may violate the right to equal treatment of members of the LGBTIQ community."

It is the first acknowledgement by a Bosnian court of discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, advances the fight against hate speech, and could augur well for aggrieved Bosnians' hopes of seeking protection from state and local institutions.

The verdict is still subject to appeal.

Darko Pandurevic of the Sarajevo Open Center, the NGO that filed the case and provides legal counsel to advance women's and LGBT people's rights, calls it a "historic" verdict. "It's been a long time -- almost 13 years since the [antidiscrimination] law was passed -- for such a verdict against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or sexual characteristics," he said.

Pandurevic says it's also a reminder that "freedom of speech is not absolute, and people must be aware of the messages they broadcast to the public, as well as the repercussions of those messages."

The Sarajevo Open Center said it was pursuing "multiple" other lawsuits in the Bosnian courts. "From a legal standpoint, it is critical to develop case law and strengthen legal standards concerning discrimination and hate speech," Pandurevic said in a statement.

Viral Facebook Post

Although same-sex relationships are not banned in Bosnia, they enjoy none of the legal guarantees afforded to their mixed counterparts.

When Sarajevo hosted its first Pride march, in 2019, a heavy police presence highlighted the ongoing threats of violence and other intimidation targeting openly LGBT people in the heavily divided Balkan country of nearly 4 million people, half of them Muslim and another one-third Orthodox.

The event took place without any major incidents.

Around the same time that organizers were gearing up for that pioneering Pride event three years ago, Samra Cosovic Hajdarevic, a member of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, posted a diatribe on Facebook addressed to the "State!" that went viral.

Hajdarevic lashed out at "so-called Pride marches aimed at destroying the state and its people."

"Everyone has the right to live their lives as they like, but we also have the right to choose who we want to live with," said Hajdarevic, who is no longer an assembly member and could not be located by RFE/RL's Balkan Service following news of the verdict. "I want people like this to be isolated and kept away from our children and society. Let them go somewhere else and make a city, a state, and a law for themselves and their own rights that no one will dispute.

"But NOT here!" she added.

In addition to ruling that Hajdarevic's words were discriminatory, the court took a key step by characterizing her statements as hate speech.

Bosnia has few instances of final verdicts assigning responsibility for alleged hate speech, according to the head of the Bosnian Human Rights Ombudsman's department for eliminating all forms of discrimination, Predrag Raosavljevic.

It is especially important, he says, in raising the bar for acceptable speech from holders of public office and punishing hate speech that's spread through social media like Facebook, where instigators may be cloaked in anonymity. "This verdict against Cosovic Hajdarevic established responsibility for discrimination against the LGBTIQ community," he said, although he stressed either side's right to appeal.

He said April's verdict "can be an encouragement for others endangered and put in an unequal position, to use legally prescribed mechanisms, such as reporting to the police or prosecutor's office, but also sending a complaint to the Ombudsman, the central institution for protection against discrimination."

Bosnia's Ombudsman warned in a report last year that no clear progress had been made toward real equality for LGBT individuals since 2017.

Organizers have announced plans for a Pride parade in Sarajevo on June 25.

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Balkan Service fellow Mirnes Bakija
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
Tehran says it summoned Sweden's ambassador over "baseless and false allegations" made against a former Iranian official, Hamid Nouri, at a trial relating to the mass killings ordered by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1988.

Swedish prosecutors have requested a life sentence for Nouri, , who has been charged with international war crimes and human rights abuses relating to the murders of more than 100 people.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on May 2 that it had summoned Swedish Ambassador Mattias Lentz a day earlier "to convey the Islamic republics strong protest at the baseless and false allegations leveled by the Swedish prosecutor against Iran during his comments" to the court.

Scores of survivors and victims' family members have given testimony in the ongoing trial in Stockholm's District Court that marks the first time a member of the Iranian regime has formally faced criminal charges relating to the mass killings ordered by Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic republic.

Witnesses say Nouri was essentially a henchman whose job was to help determine which prisoners would enter the "corridor of death."

Nouri has denied the allegations against him, casting himself as a small fish -- an employee of the Tehran Islamic Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office who was stationed at a different prison from 1982-93 and was on leave when the 1988 killings took place.

But since the trial started in August, multiple witnesses have testified that Nouri was a decision-maker who was, in fact, the deputy to the prison's lead prosecutor, Mohammad Moghiseh, known in Iran as the "hanging judge."

The trial is being held in Sweden under the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows the handling of serious cases such as war crimes regardless of where the offenses were committed.
With no end to Moscows devastating war on Ukraine in sight, a related battle that is bloodless but potentially painful for both sides is now under way. It pits Russia, the worlds largest natural-gas exporter, against the European Union, the world's third-largest economy -- and it could get worse before its over.

The EU has made it clear it plans to end its historical dependence on Russian energy -- an effort to stop funding an unprovoked assault that has killed thousands of people and generated growing evidence of war crimes, and to remove a powerful lever of influence from President Vladimir Putins hands.

Putin wants to try to convince Europe of the consequences -- to show that Europe is going to pay for their support of Ukraine."

The bloc has already announced a ban on Russian coal, effective this August, and this week may announce a ban on Russian oil starting in January 2023.

With natural gas, its not that simple.

While some EU officials have called for a ban on Russian gas, the issue is a lot more contentious because -- unlike oil and coal -- the 27-nation bloc cannot replace it in the short-term without damaging its economy, experts say.



Putin, unwilling to let Russias largest gas customer end the dependence on its own schedule and leave his country with a shattered economy, appears to be seeking to seize on that vulnerability.

'Europe Is Going To Pay'

Last week, Russia announced it was halting gas supplies to EU member states Poland and Bulgaria, in what European officials and analysts say is an attempt by Putin to divide the EU and send a warning to the rest of the bloc.

Putin wants to try to convince Europe of the consequences -- to show that Europe is going to pay for their support of Ukraine, said Will Pomeranz, the acting director of the Wilson Centers Kennan Institute in Washington.

If the economy suffers and people suffer, [it's possible] that European nations -- Germany or France or some other nations -- would say, This isn't worth it, he said.

Some in Europe are already saying it.

Days before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Germany shelved Nord Stream 2, a $10.5 billion pipeline built to bring Russian gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. But in April, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner resisted calls for an EU embargo on Russian gas imports in the short term, saying it would inflict more damage on ourselves than on them."

Germany is Russias largest natural-gas client in the EU, accounting for nearly a third of the imports -- which totaled 155 billion cubic meters (bcm) last year, including 140 bcm by pipeline. That amounted to roughly 40 percent of the EUs gas consumption in 2021, making Russia the largest supplier to the bloc.

For decades, Russia has been a major source of gas used to heat homes, schools, and hospitals, generate power, and fuel industrial facilities in Europe. With Russian-EU ties increasingly strained and critics accusing Putin of using energy as a weapon, the mutual reliance has grown increasingly awkward in recent years.

With its unbridled aggression and evidence of atrocities some believed were unthinkable in Europe in the 21st century, Russias unprovoked war on Ukraine has given the EU a powerful incentive to break off what looks like an increasingly risky relationship as soon as reasonably possible.

'A Bit Challenging'

The European Commission said in March that the bloc could cut Russian gas imports by as much as two-thirds this year -- or roughly 100 bcm -- and fully end deliveries well before 2030.

Is that possible?

The commissions calculation includes acquiring an additional 50 bcm of super-chilled liquefied natural gas, or LNG, and 10 bcm of piped gas from non-Russian sources, as well as reducing needs by 20 bcm through new solar and wind projects coming online this year and by 14 bcm from efficiency improvements.

Carlos Diaz, an analyst at Oslo-based research firm Rystad Energy, called the 2022 target a bit challenging due to a potential decrease in power generation from existing nuclear and hydroelectric power plants.

Maybe they can get close, but theres limited capability of substituting for gas in the power sector, he told RFE/RL.

Diaz said the EU has the capacity to import even more LNG than the 50 bcm the European Commission is targeting for the year, but the problem is finding it at an affordable price.

LNG supply will only grow by about 25 bcm this year, meaning Europe will need to take volumes from Asia -- the largest LNG market -- to meet its needs, he said.

European LNG prices have surged over the past year to record highs and now surpass Asian prices, making the EU a more attractive destination for exporters, especially those in the United States.

The LNG market will remain tight until the middle of the decade, when the United States and Qatar are expected to significantly boost supply, Diaz said, meaning that Europe may struggle to increase LNG imports further in 2023.

Rethinking Plans

Though Europe has been investing heavily in alternative energy over the past decade to cut demand for fossil fuels, its domestic gas production has been falling sharply.

EU members, including Germany, had turned to Russia to fill the void.

Now, European nations are reconsidering their production plans amid the crisis.

Norway, which is not an EU member, plans to increase gas production this year to meet the blocs growing need for non-Russian energy. The second-largest supplier to the EU after Russia, the Scandinavian country plans to complete a new 10 bcm pipeline to Poland via Denmark later this year.

The Netherlands announced in January that it would nearly double production at Groningen, once Europes largest natural-gas field, to about 7.6 bcm this year from an earlier estimate of 3.9 bcm.

Production has fallen sharply at the field in recent years due to tremors that have damaged property, and the government had planned to shut it in 2023. But following Russias invasion of Ukraine, local residents are in favor of raising production at the field to 12 bcm, a level considered safe.

Thierry Bros, an energy expert and professor at the research university Sciences Po Paris, told RFE/RL that if European natural-gas prices start skyrocketing, the Dutch government may rethink their own policy and boost production even more than planned.

Seeking Sources

Romania, the second-largest natural gas producer in the EU after the Netherlands, has the potential to increase output by 10 bcm annually from fields in the Black Sea, but disputes over offshore taxation have repeatedly delayed projects.

Even if it's going to be difficult, that's what war is all about. You don't fight a war by just walking and shopping."

Romania may now try to speed up these developments due to the crisis, Diaz said.

Looking beyond Europe, the EU could receive more gas this year from countries in North Africa, including Algeria, its third-largest supplier after Russia and Norway. Italy earlier this month signed a deal with Algeria to increase imports starting in the autumn. The agreement calls for up to an additional 9 bcm in 2023-24.

Azerbaijan may be able to increase gas exports to the EU this year by 2 bcm, and the Caspian Sea state could further ramp up exports later in the decade if pipeline capacity is expanded.



The Trans Adriatic Pipeline, which carries Azerbaijani gas to Europe, said it could potentially double capacity to 20 bcm in stages over several years.

Meanwhile In Moscow

Russia is taking its own measures in the mounting confrontation over energy supplies.

After the EU imposed new sanctions on the Russian economy following the invasion of Ukraine, Putin demanded that unfriendly European countries pay for Russian natural gas in rubles -- or, more precisely, pay hard currency at an account at Gazprombank and then convert the sum into rubles.

The ruble scheme is a potential violation of sanctions and some EU countries, including Poland and Bulgaria, have refused to bend to the demand. The two countries combined consume about 12 bcm of Russian natural gas and had planned to let their contracts expire at the end of the year.

Poland will start receiving gas directly from Norway once the new pipeline via Denmark is completed, while Bulgaria will start receiving Azerbaijani gas this year when an inter-connector pipeline from Greece is completed.

Russia's Dilemma

Russia will be in a very tight spot economically if the EU meets its goals for 2022 and beyond.

Russia supplied the EU with 140 bcm of natural gas via pipelines from fields in western Siberia and has no alternative export route. Moscow has described plans to build a pipeline to connect the western Siberian fields with an export pipeline to China, but industry analysts say that is years away, at best.

A complete cutoff of Russian gas supplies to Europe, initiated by either side, would cost Russia tens of billions of dollars a year in lost revenue.

The Price That Must Be Paid?

Whatever happens, the showdown over gas supplies could have major legal ramifications. Russia has long-term contacts with more than 20 European nations that extend for varying periods -- as far as 2040, in the case of Austria.

As Russia needed to invest billions of dollars upfront to develop the fields and pipelines to carry the gas to Europe, it has demanded sales guarantees. These so-called "take-or-pay" contracts require European companies to pay for a minimum amount of gas each year, even if they dont take it.

The EU will have to analyze whether it is breaching any contracts as it seeks to end Russian gas imports, because there could be very big legal implications, Diaz said.

Likewise, European countries could sue Russia if they are cut off by the Kremlin, Bros pointed out.

It's going to be a hefty price to pay on any side, he said, adding that claims could reach the hundreds of billions of dollars.

As for the efforts to reduce reliance, Bros said the EU should announce a ban on Russian gas to take effect by the end of the year, in order to drive efficiency improvements, increase investment in alternatives, and build infrastructure such as LNG re-gasification plants.

While that could hurt European industry, Bros believes its the price that must be paid to stop Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Even if it's going to be difficult, that's what war is all about. You don't fight a war by just walking and shopping, he said. We have to take steps ourselves, like energy efficiency, demand reduction, and some demand destruction.
On March 12, Ukrainian journalist Oleh Baturin got a phone call from an acquaintance asking for a meeting.

When he got to the place they had agreed upon, his acquaintance wasn't there -- "but there was a car with Russian soldiers," Baturin told RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, ahead of World Press Freedom Day on May 3. "They jumped out of the car and began beating me. They put me in handcuffs, dragged me into the car, and took me to the city of Nova Kakhovka."

The abduction marked the beginning of an eight-day ordeal of captivity for Baturin, a correspondent with the Noviy Den media outlet in Ukraine's southern Kherson region, which has been largely occupied by Russian forces since the early days of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Since the war began on February 24, at least seven journalists have been killed and several others injured, according to Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Project Journalists. The National Union of Journalists of Ukraine said last month that at least 20 media professionals had been killed.

Many others, like Baturin, have been detained, tortured, and interrogated by occupying Russian forces and their proxies in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine.

"They told me: 'You know, this is martial law. There is a war going on, and we can try you just like in a war. We'll just summon a tribunal and sentence you to be shot,'" Baturin said. "They began to threaten me, to describe in detail how they were going to skin me with a knife so that I would die slowly in agony, how they were going to pull out my eyes, cut off my ears and limbs."

Baturin said he was taken to the municipal government building in Nova Kakhovka, where he was interrogated by Volodymyr Leontyev, a pro-Russian Ukrainian who had been appointed as the administrator of the occupied city.

"He spoke to me in Russian," Baturin recalled. "'Do you recognize me? You dared to publish photographs of me in a Nazi uniform?' He spoke extremely roughly. It was just a flood of swearing."

Earlier, Baturin had written articles about Leontyev's cooperation with the invading forces and the likelihood that he would be named the city's administrator. The articles were illustrated with photographs of Leontyev wearing a Nazi uniform while participating in a historical reenactment.

"That's when I realized who had ordered my abduction," Baturin said, adding that there were also a large number of armed Russian soldiers in the room. "All of the threats I heard had to be taken seriously. I was completely at their mercy."

Baturin said he was severely beaten during the initial hours of his captivity.

"They beat me when they detained me," he told RFE/RL in April, speaking from Odesa. "They beat me while they were taking me to Nova Kakhovka. They beat me while I was at the police station in Nova Kakhovka. While I was being questioned in the office of the mayor, they beat me there, too."

A medical examination later revealed that Baturin had suffered four broken ribs.

"They let me know clearly that I shouldn't write anymore," he said. "They let me know that they were avenging me for my articles. Particularly Leontyev, regarding the publications with those photographs. He was very angry that those photographs from a decade ago where he's wearing a Nazi uniform cropped up now."

After more than a day in the custody of the occupation administration in Nova Kakhovka, Baturin was transferred to the custody of Russian forces and taken to Kherson, the regional capital, where he was held under appalling conditions.

It doesn't matter," one Russian soldier said. "We'll capture Mykolayiv and then make it to Odesa, and then we'll take care of all these people once and for all. They won't be conducting any more demonstrations.'"

"There was nothing in the cell except a bench that was quite uncomfortable to sleep on," he said. "The first days it was very cold, because the weather was freezing. There was a tap with water, which was good because we could drink as much as we wanted."

"There was a hole in the floor that was a toilet," he continued. "But there was no toilet paperno soap to wash your hands with."

Only cold food was served, once or twice a day. His coat served as blanket and pillow.

"I was very glad I had been wearing a coat when they abducted me," he said. "Because of that, I didn't freeze or get sick."

In Russian custody, Baturin was asked more generic questions, such as to provide the names of "Ukrainian fascists" or "Belarusian journalists and activists who might be in Kherson Oblast."

"For instance, they asked me who is behind various Telegram channels in the Kherson Oblast and to provide the names of active, pro-Ukrainian journalists[or] the names of activists organizing protests in Kherson," he said.

The protests of local residents against the occupation of Kherson seemed to have rattled the Russians, who couldn't understand that people might spontaneously take to the streets, Baturin said.

He quoted one Russian interrogator as saying: "'It doesn't matter. We'll capture Mykolayiv and then make it to Odesa, and then we'll take care of all these people once and for all. They won't be conducting any more demonstrations.'"

"They are trying to establish their own order," Baturin said. "They want to completely suppress any manifestation of public activity. They told me openly at the first interrogation that they intend to completely suppress journalism and simply prevent journalists from fulfilling their professional obligations. They are showing through their actions that they consider that territory to be theirs. They believe they will be there forever."

After eight days of captivity, Baturin was released. He was told to stay in his home for an additional five days.

"It is clear to me that they were relatively gentle with me, particularly in comparison with prisoners who had been fighting against them," Baturin said. Those prisoners were "constantly being tortured."

"That treatment and the fact that they released me indicates that the abduction was a warning that I should watch out," he said.

Shortly thereafter, Baturin left the region and made the dangerous trip through the front lines to government-controlled territory, fearing that if the Russians came for him again, "the consequences would be completely different."

"I still remember that first night, the first 24 hours as a prisoner," he recalled. "I don't want to think about it again, but it is constantly in my mind."

Robert Coalson contributed to this story.
The evacuation of civilians from Ukraine's devastated southern port city of Mariupol has stalled as Russia resumed shelling the Azovstal steel plant where hundreds remain holed up a day after a first group left the underground bunkers.

A group of around 100 Ukrainian civilians left the Mariupol on May 2 for the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhya, some 230 kilometers away, according to the authorities and video released by the two sides.

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.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive on May 2 as hoped. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were under way among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on more evacuations.

If successful, the evacuation would mark rare progress in easing the plight of the Mariupol civilians. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the besieged Sea of Azov port and other places have broken down.

Mariupol's strategic location near the Crimea Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, has made it a target for Russian bombardments that have turned the city, which had a prewar population of some 400,000, into ruins.

A maternity hospital was hit in a Russian air strike in the first days of the invasion, and hundreds of people were reportedly killed in the bombing of a theater.

As many as 100,000 people may still be in Mariupol, including an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the sprawling Azovstal complex, the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

Thousands are believed to have been killed and those still holed up in the besieged Azovstal complex were running out of water, food, and medicine.

"The situation has become a sign of a real humanitarian catastrophe," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.

Since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion on February 24, its troops have failed to completely take over any major Ukrainian city.

On the battle front, a British intelligence estimate said on May 2 that Russia's elite forces have suffered such large casualties that it will take years to replenish them. It said more than 25 percent of Russia's invading force has been disabled since the start of the conflict.

In its daily bulletin, Britain's Defense Ministry said that at the start of the invasion on February 24, Russia had committed more than 120 battalions representing some 65 percent of its entire ground-combat capabilities.

"It is likely that more than a quarter of these units have now been rendered combat ineffective," it said, adding that some of its best units, including its airborne forces, have suffered the highest casualties.

"It will probably take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces," the British intelligence report said.

Ukraine, meanwhile, announced the temporary closure of its four main seaports after losing control of them to Russian forces or having them blockaded.

The Agriculture Ministry said in a statement on May 2 that the seaports of Berdyansk, Mariupol, Skadovsk, and Kherson will be closed "until Ukraine regains control over" them.

After encountering surprisingly staunch resistance in the north around the regions of Kyiv and Chernihiv, Russia withdrew its forces to redeploy them in the south and east where fighting has intensified in recent days.

Ukraine's east and south are seen as key strategic goals for Russia, allowing it a land link to Crimea, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014.

Moscow raised fears those goals may stretch further, to Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniester, which is backed by Russia and borders Ukraine to the southwest along the Dniester River. Moldova also borders NATO-member Romania.

Early on May 2, authorities said a Russian rocket strike hit a main bridge across the Dniester estuary just west of the port city of Odesa.

European Union ministers met in Brussels to discuss a response to Russia cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria and plans for a possible oil embargo to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine.

But the ministers also discussed a potential embargo of Russian oil while acknowledging the economic impact of such a move. EU diplomats have said that the bloc is leaning toward a ban on Russian oil by the end of the year as part of a sixth package of sanctions against Russia.

In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz again appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his war against Ukraine.

"Stop this war, stop the senseless killing, withdraw your troops from Ukraine," he said on May 2 after meeting in Berlin with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Scholz also said that Putin will not see sanctions lifted without reaching a peace agreement with Ukraine, adding that the aim must be that Russia's readiness to use violence does not succeed.

Modi said dialogue was the only way to a reach a solution.

"We believe that there will be no winner in this war, everyone will lose. We are in favor of peace," said Modi, who did not take questions after reading from prepared statements.

Modi, whose government procures most of its military hardware from Russia, has called for a cease-fire but resisted Western calls to condemn the Kremlin's actions.

U.S. First Lady Jill Biden will visit Romania and Slovakia on May 5-9 to meet U.S. service members and embassy personnel, Ukrainian refugees, humanitarian aid workers, and teachers, her office said on May 2.

NATO and EU members Romania and Slovakia have taken in hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.

The UN's refugee agency reported on May 2 that more than 5.5 million people had fled Ukraine since the war began on February 24.

On the diplomatic front, Israel on May 2 summoned Russia's ambassador and demanded an apology from Moscow after Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested that Adolf Hitler had Jewish roots.

Lavrov was asked during an interview with an Italian television channel on May 1 how Russia could claim that it needed to "de-Nazify" Ukraine when the country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was Jewish.

"When they say, 'What sort of Nazification is this if we are Jews,' well, I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it does not mean anything," Lavrov told Italy's Rete 4, speaking through an Italian interpreter.

Israeli Foreign Ministry Yair Lapid said the Russian ambassador would be summoned for "a tough talk" over the comments, which he called "unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error.

With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, BBC, and dpa
With Russia causing devastation in Ukraine that echoes World War II and preparing to celebrate the anniversary of Nazi Germany's defeat 77 years ago, are major developments likely in Ukraine  and in Russia itself? Kadri Liik, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, joins host Steve Gutterman to discuss.
Gold is a reliable wealth preservation tool in crises

The role and place of gold in the world monetary system

Gold has been known to people from the earliest times. Since it occurs in nature in a free (native) state, and not only in the form of compounds, perhaps, gold can be considered one of the first metals discovered by people.

In different periods of the development of the world economy and monetary relations, the role of gold changed. However, its function as a reliable means of wealth preservation remained unchanged.

There are 4 stages in the evolution of the place of gold in the global monetary system:

1. In the period of the gold standard, from 1867 to 1914, this precious metal was the only form of world money;

2. From 1922 to 1939, the time of the gold exchange standard, when banknotes could be exchanged for foreign currencies of other countries (US dollar and pound sterling), which could then be exchanged for gold;

3. In the period from 1944 to 1971, the Bretton Woods monetary system was in effect. Along with gold, the US dollar became an international reserve currency and the only national currency formally convertible into gold. The official price of gold was $35 per troy ounce.

4. From 1976 to the present day, the Jamaican currency system has been and is still operating, within which the gold standard and gold parities (pegging the currencies to gold in domestic and international transactions) have been cancelled.

As one can see, the national currencies of most states should have been backed by 100% gold at the initial stage. However, the leading role of the precious metal has been progressively weakened, and the functions of the world reserve currency were performed, first by the British pound, and later by the US dollar. Nevertheless, it is gold that people pay attention in crises, uncertainties, tense international situations and wars.

World demand for gold

As of 2020, gold ranked sixth as a traded commodity in the world. In 2021, as the global economy recovered, the global demand for this metal amounted to 4.021 thousand tonnes (up 10%) compared to 3.759 thousand tonnes in the previous year. This was the minimum value since 2009, when this figure first fell below 4 thousand tonnes. The decline in the global demand for gold in 2020 was due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, global demand for gold is recovering. Its structure is as follows: 53% is for jewellery; 28% for bars and coins; 11% for central banks, and 8% for technologies.

Diagram 1

The structure of the global demand for gold, %





Captures: Blue - Jewellery. Red - Bars and coins. Green - Central banks. Violet - Technologies.

In 2021, demand for jewellery increased by 67%, for investments in bars and coins by 31%, for gold used in technologies by 9%. Central banks have stockpiled 463 tonnes of gold, up 82% compared to 2020, pushing global reserves to near a 30-year high level.

Leading countries in terms of gold reserves and production

The undisputed global leader in terms of gold reserves is Australia, with 11,000 tonnes of gold (20.3% of the worlds reserves) concentrated in the depths of the country. It is followed by Russia with its 6,800 tonnes, South Africa - 5,000 tonnes, the USA - 3,000 tonnes, and China - 2,600 tonnes. The 10 largest countries account for about 71.5% of the global reserves of this metal.

According to preliminary data provided by the US Geological Survey, China will rank first in the world in the gold production in the amount of 370 tonnes by the end of 2021. The top five gold mining countries include Australia with its 330 tonnes, Russia - 300 tonnes, the USA - 180 tonnes, and Canada - 170 tonnes.

For a long time, South Africa was the largest gold miner. Since 1920, about 50,000 tonnes of this metal have been extracted in the country, which is almost one third of all the gold mined in the world. In 1993, South Africa accounted for 30% of world gold production, or 619 tonnes, a record volume in the history of gold mining.

Over time, this figure started to decline. In 2007, South Africa yielded the palm to China, where 275 tonnes of gold were mined compared to 252 tonnes in South Africa. In 2010, Russia outstripped South Africa for the first time and produced 192 tonnes compared to South Africas 189 tonnes, and since then, Russia has been constantly increasing its production volumes.

In 2020, only 96 tonnes of this metal were mined in South Africa, which is explained by the excessively harsh, in my opinion, restrictive measures introduced by the South African government in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minerals Council of South Africa (formerly the Chamber of Mines) estimates that 75% of the countrys gold mines are unprofitable or barely profitable. From 2016 to 2017, the cost of gold production rose by 18% to $1,010 an ounce, well above the global average of $878 an ounce.

Gold importing countries

Global gold imports in 2020 amounted to $375 bn, up $79 bn from 2016, when the figure was estimated at nearly $296 bn.

Five of the worlds largest gold importers (Great Britain, Switzerland, the USA, Turkey, and India) bought more than two thirds (68.8%) of the global volume of the precious metal.

Diagram 2

The share of the importing countries in the global gold imports, %





Captures (from top to bottom): Great Britain, Switzerland, the USA, Turkey, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, the UAE, Italy, Canada, Germany, Australia, Thailand, Austria, and Others.

Diagram 2 lists those 15 countries that purchased 94.8% of all the gold imported in 2020. Among the above countries, the fastest growing gold markets since 2019 were the US (+258.1%), Austria (+193.1%), Turkey (+123.5%), and Italy (+86.4%).

Among the countries that reduced gold imports were China (-74%), the United Arab Emirates (-68.7%), India (-29.7%), and Thailand (-28.1%).

From a geographical point of view, European countries bought the largest amount of gold in 2020, for $202 bn (53.9% of global purchases). Asian importers ranked second with their 32%, while North America accounted for 11.6% of international gold purchases. The smallest gold volumes were imported by Oceania (1.7%), Africa (0.7%), and Latin America (0.04%)1.

Gold exporting countries

In 2020, global gold sales amounted to $417 bn. This is almost $90 bn more than in 2016 when global gold supplies were estimated at $327 bn.

The 5 largest exporters of gold (Switzerland, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, and the USA) accounted for 44.2% of the world exports of this metal. Russia ranked sixth in the world in terms of gold sales in international markets, and the value of the Russian gold exports increased by 222.9% from 2019 to 2020.

Diagram 3

The share of the importing countries in the global gold exports, %





Captures (from top to bottom): Switzerland, Hong Kong, the UAE, Great Britain, the USA, Russia, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, Germany, Japan, Guinea, Iraq, South Africa, and Others.

Diagram 3 shows those 15 countries that shipped 73.3% of global gold exports in 2020 by value.

From 2019 to 2020, the fastest growing gold exporters were Russia (+222.9%), Iraq (+214.2%), Guinea (+187.2%), and Thailand (+75.7%).

The only country to decline in gold export sales was the United Kingdom, which saw a year-on-year decline of minus 8%.

Meanwhile, it is quite remarkable that two countries, Great Britain and Switzerland, take key positions in the world gold trade. In 2020, they accounted for 22.3% of global gold exports and 46.9% of global gold imports.

In the case of Switzerland, this is explained by the fact that this country is a kind of a transit point, a global centre for gold trading. Part of the gold (several tens of tonnes and sometimes hundreds of tonnes annually) ends up in Swiss banks.

One of the most important reasons for the large scale of export-import operations with gold in Switzerland is that there are gold refineries in the country used by many countries mining this precious metal. Four of the worlds five major refineries are located in Switzerland such as Valcambi, PAMP, Argor-Heraeus, and Metalor. It is here that about 70% of the worlds gold, on average, is processed per year.

As for the UK, it is characterized by a steady and significant excess of gold imports over gold exports. At the same time, London is the world centre for exchange trading in gold. There are powerful gold vaults in Great Britain. Many banks in London offer opening accounts of both non-cash and cash (physical) gold to their clients from around the world. It is also noteworthy that England accounted for over 90% of all gold exports from Russia for the period from 2019 to 2020.

Six countries with the largest gold reserves

Worldwide, there are 35,218.6 tonnes of gold in the vaults of central banks, of which 10,772.2 tonnes are within the Eurozone. At the same time, the Eurozone states as a whole own a significant share of gold reserves in their total reserves, up to 59.1%.

1. According to official data as of April 2022, the United States has the largest gold reserves in the world. There are 8,133.5 tonnes of gold in the US Gold Reserve Vault at the Fort Knox military base, as well as in the FRS vault. This represents 78.6% of their total reserves, the highest proportion among any country in terms of foreign exchange reserves.

2. Gold reserves in Germany amount to 3,358.5 tonnes, a share of gold in its total reserves is high and makes 78.2%.

3. Italy has the third largest gold reserves in the world equal to 2,451.8 tonnes. This is 70.8% of all its reserves.

4. France has 2,436.5 tonnes of gold reserves, which is 66.1% of all its reserves.

5. Since 2012, Russia has increased its gold reserves to 2,298.5 tonnes. However, this accounts for 21.5% of its foreign exchange reserves only. As you can see, this is much less than in the US and EU countries. This indicator is several times inferior even to that in the states that have smaller volumes of gold than our country has. For example, the share of gold in the international reserves of Portugal (382.6 tonnes2) and the Netherlands (612.5 tonnes) is 79% and 69%, respectively.

6. Gold reserves in China are 1,948.3 tonnes. This is only 3.3% of its total reserves. But with China, not everything is so simple ...

China and its gold reserves

The fact is that today, the Peoples Republic of China is the largest gold producer taking the lead in this industry since 2007. At the same time, China is constantly increasing its imports of this precious metal. Therefore, there is every reason to believe that the largest reserves of the yellow precious metal are currently accumulated in China.

In 2019, with an average gold price of about $1,393 per troy ounce, Chinas imports of the precious metal (in physical terms) amounted to 915 tonnes. This is more than 3 times the volume of the Chinas domestic gold production. It turns out that in 2019, the increase in the Chinas gold reserves was 1,295 tonnes (380 tonnes (mining) + 915 tonnes (imports)).

According to the most conservative estimates, if we sum up production and official imports, there are at least 10,000 tonnes of this precious metal in the countrys vaults. In recent years, all import operations have been carried out through Hong Kong. In 2015, more than 1,300 tonnes were imported. If we sum up all imports since 2010, more than 5,000 tonnes of this precious metal have been imported into China. Gold imports to this country have increased by 750% since 2010, which is evidence that China is actively accumulating this metal.

Gold is not exported from China. This means that all gold bars, coins, and jewellery that enter the country or are produced in China remain at the disposal of the Chinese citizens and the government. At the same time, national banks are actively buying bars and coins on world markets. Thus, the figure of the gold and foreign exchange reserves announced above are just the figures of official statistics for the world community, hiding Chinas huge gold reserves.

Gold in crises is a strategic resource

Gold trading is concentrated in three most important centres such as the London Bullion Market, the US COMEX, and the Shanghai Gold Exchange. Over 90% of the global gold trading sessions are carried out in these centres. There are also local centres of the secondary market, both non-exchange and exchange ones.

As the history of gold pricing shows, it adds up in price in the periods of upheavals and disasters, when investors, still considering gold the most reliable asset for investment, increase demand for it. That is why when predicting prices for this precious metal, first of all, macroeconomic factors and the international situation are taken into account.

Table 1

The average gold price, 2000 to 2022, $





Captures:  - Price.  - Years.

Gold is considered one of the most stable assets in terms of volatility both during crises and in the context of an revival of the economy. This is clearly confirmed by the current situation, when in a time of uncertainty and a special military operation, the price of gold shows a positive trend.

Today, gold costs almost twice as much as platinum ($1,975.9 compared to $1,010.9 per troy ounce3). And this is despite the expansion of sanctions against Russia; Russia ranks second in the world in the platinum production after South Africa. Western restrictions are spurring an increase in global demand for platinum, which is used in the oil refining and chemical industries, as well as in the production of catalysts, due to fears that Russian mineral companies will find it difficult to supply abroad.

Moreover, from 2000 to 2021, the average gold price per ounce was $1,060.0. For comparison, the cost of platinum for the same period was about $1,141.0 per ounce. So far, the average price ratio is in favour of platinum. But there is every reason to believe that gold price will remain good and gold will not be inferior to platinum in value since the tense international situation will continue, and new packages of sanctions imposed on Russia lead to a break in established trade, economic relations and logistics chains and may lead to the disruptions in supply of both energy carriers and other resources significant for the global economy.

Margarita Obraztsova for Rough&Polished





1 excluding Mexico but including the Caribbean.

2 The volume of gold reserves in countries.

3 as of April 19, 2022.
Lior Krolewicz is the founder and CEO of Yael Consulting, a marketing consulting company. Ive known Lior from when he was based in Israel, he spoke at a previous SMX Israel event back in the day. We spoke about his history in the space, he has been doing this for all over a decade. Lior told us about his experience in the IDF, Israel Defense Forces, he was special forces, he was in the high performance teams. His time in the IDF did help him build his company, mostly around building the right teams. He even shared some stories about his time in the IDF.

Lior is very big into the paid search side, specifically Google Ads. We spoke a bit about the evolution of paid search over the years. Lior said you have a lot less control, it is easier to lose money these days, and Google is pushing more for automation. He said generally, the Google reps who give the bad advice are the smaller accounts but the larger accounts get some good Google Ads reps to help them.

Learn more about Lior Krolewicz on LinkedIn, @yaelconsulting or at YaelConsulting.com.

You can subscribe to our YouTube channel by clicking here so you don't miss the next vlog where I interviews. I do have a nice lineup of interviews scheduled with SEOs and SEMS, many of which you don't want to miss - and I promise to continue to make these vlogs better over time. If you want to be interviewed, please fill out this form with your details.

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Gavin Newsom is leaning into his pandemic record with his first ad in the governors race.

The 60-second spot features the Democratic governor walking through a redwood forest, describing the iconic California trees as a symbol for the state because of their resilience through devastating wildfires.

In recent years our people have also faced some of our toughest challenges, and Ive been inspired by the courage and resilience of Californias health workers, teachers, parents and kids, Newsom says in the ad, alluding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whatever challenges come our way, I will always lead the California way, based on compassion, common sense, telling the truth, following science, treasuring our diversity, defending our democracy, protecting our planet and always planting seeds for the future.

The ad also features Newsoms new campaign slogan: Courage through crisis.

The ad signals that Newsom plans to continue running on his pandemic record, which he made a centerpiece of his campaign against the effort to recall him from office. Newsom rose to national prominence during the pandemic, becoming the first governor to lock down a state in March 2020. Although opposition to his pandemic restrictions fueled the effort to remove him from office, on the campaign trail Newsom highlighted his mask and vaccine mandates.

In October, Newsom defeated the recall by double digits.

The redwoods ad is the first to run in a multimillion dollar campaign on television and online leading up to Californias primary election in June, spokesperson Nathan Click said. Following the primary, the governors total ad spending will probably rise into the tens of millions as he seeks re-election to a second four-year term, Click said.

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Newsom has a massive cash advantage over his opponents in the race, making the former San Francisco mayor well positioned to coast to re-election. He has more than $25 million in his campaign account.

The next highest fundraiser is Sen. Brian Dahle, R-Bieber, who has less than $500,000 in the bank. In contrast to Newsom, Dahle has not made COVID-19 policies a centerpiece of his campaign, although he has publicly criticized Newsom for recklessly spending state money to fund pandemic response.

Sophia Bollag is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophia.bollag@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophiaBollag
The grim toll of drug dealing in San Franciscos Tenderloin does not give the city legal authority to ban four suspected dealers from a 50-square-block area of the neighborhood, says a state appeals court.

Then-City Attorney Dennis Herrera filed suit in September 2020 seeking stay-away orders against 28 people from a large area of the Tenderloin, the center of the narcotics trade in San Francisco. Police said there were 600 drug-dealing arrests in the Tenderloin in 2020 and crime rates there were three times the citys overall rate. Out of 699 drug overdose deaths in San Francisco in 2020, more than 40% were in the Tenderloin and South of Market, officials said.

The injunction would prohibit the named individuals from entering the area except while passing through by bus or subway, or walking a short distance to a court hearing. Violations would be punishable by fines of up to $8,500.

The citys first attempt to enforce the ban, against four Oakland residents who had been separately arrested on suspicion of illegal possession and sale of drugs, was blocked last May by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman. He said state law did not appear to authorize a court to prohibit someone from entering a geographic area  but even if it did, the proposed order was so broad that it would violate the constitutional right to travel.

On Friday, the states First District Court of Appeal said a local government may be entitled to issue narrowly targeted stay-away orders to wrongdoers in some circumstances, but not one that was this broad.

We do not minimize the serious and pervasive harm caused by the flood of street-level drug sales in the Tenderloin, Justice Marla Miller wrote in the 3-0 ruling. We are mindful of, and sympathetic to, the challenges faced by the city in addressing the issues of illegal drug sales, drug use, and the drug-related health crisis and its effects on the people who live and work in the neighborhood.

Miller said, however, that although the city contends these defendants have no reason to ever even be in the 50-square-block Tenderloin neighborhood except to sell drugs there was evidence that many community resources and government agencies are located in the Tenderloin. She said Schulman was entitled to believe the four peoples statements that they were interested in taking advantage of the employment, treatment, housing, and health services available in the 50-square-block neighborhood.

The citys lawyers cited a ruling by the state Supreme Court in 2016 upholding a judges order requiring a defendant who had been convicted of robbing a Home Depot store to stay away from all of the appliance chains outlets in California. But Miller said the order did not interfere with the right to travel because the defendant was still allowed to go anywhere else in the area.

In this case, she said, each of the four defendants was accused of crimes in a relatively small area, and one has two daughters who live in the Tenderloin.

Herrera left the city attorneys office in November to become head of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission and was succeeded by David Chiu, a former state Assembly member. Chius spokesperson, Jen Kwart, said Monday the office was disappointed by the ruling and had not decided whether to appeal.

Still, we are pleased the Court of Appeal agreed that we can continue to pursue creative remedies in similar public nuisance cases, Kwart said, referring to the state law against private actions that harm public health. We are currently evaluating potential next steps, and we will continue to look for ways to use civil law to promote and increase public safety in the Tenderloin.

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But Chessie Thacher of the American Civil Liberties Union, a lawyer for the four defendants, noted the courts observation that, under the law, human beings do not constitute nuisances in themselves.

The city should pursue remedies, but not on the backs of these individuals, Thacher said.

And San Francisco Public Defender Mano Raju, whose office represents some of the defendants in their criminal cases, said on Twitter Monday that the proposed stay-away order came from the playbook of the racist war on drugs which has only harmed low-income communities of color without any positive impact on public health.

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
San Francisco officials are reviving a ballot measure that would create an oversight commission for the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, a direct response to a Chronicle investigation that exposed extensive issues within the citys housing stock for thousands of vulnerable homeless people.

Mayor London Breed  who staunchly opposed a similar effort in 2019  is open to supporting the proposal, her office said. This marks a stunning reversal by the mayor, who told The Chronicle last month that a commission over the homelessness department, or HSH, would add more bureaucracy and make it difficult for us to try and do the work that were here to do.

Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson for the mayor, said Friday, A commission doesnt always make government more efficient. But this might be an opportunity here.

Supervisor Ahsha Safai, who represents neighborhoods like the Excelsior and Outer Mission, said that he plans to officially introduce the proposal at Tuesdays Board of Supervisors meeting. The measure will need six votes to qualify for the November ballot.

Supervisors Hillary Ronen and Shamann Walton said they will likely vote yes, while Supervisors Dean Preston, Rafael Mandelman and Aaron Peskin said they support the idea but want to see the legislation before making a decision. The rest of the supervisors either declined to comment or did not respond to phone calls.

Safai was one of seven supervisors in 2019 to effectively kill a similar proposal by Supervisor Matt Haney to create a commission over HSH, the largest city agency without such an oversight body. But Safai said he changed his mind after learning of The Chronicle investigations findings.

Its not a silver bullet, Safai said of the oversight commission. I dont know if it would solve all the problems that (The Chronicle) highlighted, but it might have anticipated them or seen them a lot sooner than an investigative report.

The Chronicle investigation published last week documented squalid conditions and crime within the citys single-room occupancy hotels, or SROs, the cornerstone of San Franciscos $160 million permanent supportive housing program. Reporters found that HSH, which reports directly to Breed, has failed to adequately fund many of the buildings or to meaningfully provide oversight of the nonprofit providers who run the hotels.

A review of tens of thousands of pages of incident reports, inspection records and public data revealed that police sometimes respond to hotels multiple times each day, broken elevators confine elderly and disabled people in their rooms, and vermin infestations overwhelm the buildings. Reporters found that at least 166 people died in city-funded SROs of drug overdoses between 2020 and 2021  14% of all overdose deaths in San Francisco.

In 2016, then-Mayor Ed Lee created HSH by consolidating several city agencies that dealt with homelessness in San Francisco. A large chunk of HSHs record $1.1 billion budget goes toward supportive housing, yet The Chronicle found that many buildings are still chronically underfunded and suffer from severe staffing shortages.

The investigation was a reminder that, as a city, we have to get right everything we do, Ronen said. The bottom line is that there is just not proper oversight, and Im thrilled Safai is planning on bringing that ordinance back.

Safai said Monday that he was still working out the details of the proposal. But he said, if approved, the commission would have the authority to approve or decline most supportive housing contracts before sending them to the Board of Supervisors for a final vote. The commission would also be able to vote on how HSH spends its budget and funds certain programs.

It would have the authority to investigate the departments activities, and even fire its director if it saw fit, as well as serve as a central forum for the public to raise issues and advocate for policies, Safai said.

Currently, HSH has several advisory committees, but they are limited to policy suggestions and cannot govern the agency.

Breed has been calling for more oversight of HSH and the nonprofits it contracts with to run SROs since she ran for mayor in 2018. Shortly after she was elected, Breed said San Franciscans deserve accountability, promising to look closely at the citys massive investment in homeless services.

HSH has promised to develop comprehensive performance measures for all of its nonprofit contractors since 2017. But the department has pushed its self-imposed deadlines back twice, and Breed has allowed the delays. Today, the agency has only limited guidelines to determine how effective its programs are, a 2020 audit and The Chronicle investigation found.

In an interview this month, Shireen McSpadden, director of HSH, said the department plans to have detailed goals and requirements folded into all new contracts by June 2023. Her department did not immediately respond to a request for comment about whether it would support Safais proposal.

When interviewed last month for The Chronicles yearlong investigation, the mayor largely blamed the nonprofit operators for issues in the SROs, calling for more oversight and scrutiny of their spending.

Its important that we make sure that the resources were providing are being used for the purpose that theyre intended to be used for, Breed said.

Yet when Haney attempted to create an oversight commission for HSH in 2019, Breed spent months lobbying his colleagues against it. Seven supervisors voted to delay the measure until a future election, and Haney  who was elected to the California Assembly last month  never revived it. He said he did not have enough support from his colleagues. The pandemic, which struck a few months later, distracted the board with other priorities, he said.

The commission definitely can play a key role in investigating and responding to the shameful failures in oversight that were recently brought to light by The Chronicle, Haney said Monday. Im disappointed it was voted down by the board when I first authored it, but its important that it comes back this year.

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Cretan, the mayors spokesperson, said Breed is open to the current proposal, noting differences from the 2019 iteration: Unlike the previous proposal, which gave the mayor control of three appointments to a seven-member commission, Breed would be able to pick the majority of its members. Safais proposal also folds the existing advisory committees into the commission.

The mayor supports oversight, Cretan said. But it needs to consolidate the existing oversight so its more efficient and effective.

Mandelman, who voted to delay the measure in 2019, said he was generally supportive of the idea of an extra oversight body, but the devil is in the details.

It will not solve the problems, he said. But it will be a place where the problems will be identified and raised and where different parts of the community have a clear voice.

The bulk of HSHs budget comes from a 2018 business tax called Proposition C, which may be spent only on new homelessness services. The Chronicles investigation found that less than 2% of the current homelessness budget will go toward boosting services in existing supportive housing sites.

The Prop. C funds  which raise about an extra $300 million a year  are overseen by the Our City, Our Home Committee, which offers recommendations on how to spend the money.

Last week, HSH asked to pull $24.5 million from Prop. C to boost staffing and bolster services in the citys permanent supportive housing SROs. Although the committee rejected the request, saying Prop. C funds should be spent only on new services, Breed and the Board of Supervisors have final say on how the money is spent.

If the commission is approved, Safai said it would work with the Prop. C committee on a spending plan.

One of the biggest criticisms we hear is that people arent able to point to how things are being overseen within the department in an accountable manner, Safai said. Having more transparency and oversight is a good thing and will allow for there to be more robust conversations around these really important issues.

Trisha Thadani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tthadani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TrishaThadani
The strike at Stanford and Lucile Packard Childrens hospitals ended Monday, with nurses overwhelmingly approving new contracts that provide higher pay, more mental health support and what they describe as safer staffing for patients.

About 83% of the 5,000 nurses who had been on strike since April 25 approved the three-year deal that provides a 7% pay hike during the first year, and 5% increases in each of the following two years, the nurses union announced Monday.

Nurses also cheered improvements to retiree medical benefits, new student loan assistance and better access to mental health care  a key concern, particularly after Stanford nurse Michael Odell took his own life in January, they said.

Nurses working in areas with the most severely ill patients, which are often difficult to staff, will receive incentive pay and assurances from the hospitals that their patients will be covered when nurses need to take a rest break or eat a meal, according to the Committee for Recognition of Nursing Achievement, the nurses union known as CRONA.

The hospitals have recognized the importance of their nurses, the unions president, Colleen Borges, a pediatric nurse at Packard, said Monday.

Stanford and Packard hospital administrators said Monday that they were pleased to reach the agreements with the union.

The result reflects our shared priorities and enhances existing benefits supporting our nurses health, well-being, and ongoing professional development, said Lisa Kim, a spokesperson for Stanford Health Care.

Nurses were expected to return to work on Tuesday.

The last CRONA strike, in 2000, lasted 51 days and cost the hospitals nearly $43 million, much of it going to pay for high-priced replacement nurses, the hospitals chief financial officer said at the time.

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It was not clear how much the hospitals lost in the strike that began last week.

The new settlement comes as nurses across California say the stress of their jobs has significantly increased as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and has not eased, because so many of their colleagues no longer want to work in hospitals.

Many hospital nurses say they are deeply frustrated about being overworked and understaffed that they receive relentless requests to work overtime and that they get little time to even use the restroom or take a needed break. Californias hospitals are short the equivalent of more than 40,000 full-time nurses, a UCSF study reported in August 2021, nearly 14% less than needed.

Nurses statewide are increasingly airing these complaints publicly as several hospital systems  including Sutter, the University of California and Tenet  are also negotiating new labor contracts.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
Oakland school board member Shanthi Gonzales unexpectedly stepped down Monday and penned a scathing resignation letter that criticized the school board for a lack of focus and accused the teachers union and its allies of harassment and acts of intimidation.

Gonzales and several other school board members had faced personal attacks and accusations of white supremacy and racism over their support for the districts plan to close or merge schools amid a budget crisis.

Her departure comes amid a turbulent time for the East Bay school district and just three days after a one-day teacher strike over the school closures. Years of consistent overspending resulted in state and county intervention in Oakland Unified School District, which is at risk of not being able to pay the bills in the coming years.

Gonzales, who served just over seven years on the board, said she is moving to Humboldt County within the week. She was not expected to run for re-election in November.

I need to be in a place where people treat each other better, she told The Chronicle in an exclusive interview. Frankly, it is traumatic to be an elected official in Oakland, and I need time to recover from that.

The school board, now with six members, has 60 days to appoint a replacement. If it fails to do that, the county superintendent must choose someone to fill the seat.

The board voted in February to close or merge 11 schools over the next two years, which prompted protests, an 18-day hunger strike by two teachers and vandalism at school board member homes.

Board President Gary Yee said he would miss Gonzales dedication, courage, and effectiveness as a colleague and leader.

Shanthi was here to make a difference for our kids, he said. She did not shy away from making the difficult but necessary decisions to ensure the fiscal vitality and academic success of OUSD. She always thoughtfully considered every option before she voted.

While deeply supporting labor and the role of labor unions, Gonzales said she had become increasingly concerned about the Oakland Education Association, which represents about 2,700 educators. She said the leadership and their supporters have been resistant to change and have attempted to silence critics, including board members.

Those critics try to shut down debate, including over school closures, by accusing district officials of being racist or anti-Black, Gonzales said.

It is irresponsible and intellectually lazy to call leaders racist due to disagreement, she said in her resignation letter. This is a cheap attempt to stifle the reasoned debate that is necessary in a functioning democracy and avoid discussion of the substantive issues in question.

Gonzales said people have demonstrated in front of her house after dark, told her neighbors that she is a racist and white supremacist, and put flyers on cars. She said activists contacted her employer to ask that she be condemned for supporting school closures.

Other board members who voted for school closures have also suffered harassment, including activists denigrating board members at their houses of worship.

Gonzales said she has received emails that threatened, You wont be safe anywhere.

She stopped attending board meetings last month when the panel resumed in-person attendance with the public, saying she feared for her safety.

Oakland is such an amazing city in so many ways, she said. It doesnt feel like the best place for physical and mental health.

Keith Brown, president of the Oakland teachers union, said in a statement that Director Gonzales will not be missed.

We hope the next director will listen to, and keep their commitments to, District 6 students and families rather than closing their schools, he said.

Board member Mike Hutchinson, who has been critical of Gonzales, said her resignation took him by surprise.

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Its very disappointing that we should have an elected official resign like that, he said. She stayed on the board through March to vote to close schools, including Parker, which is in her district. I wont put the words in print that I feel about that.

Hutchinson challenged Gonzales characterization of the Oakland community in her letter, dismissing her concerns related to intimidation, vandalism and other harassment.

I reject the details of her resignation letter, he said.

Gonzales criticized how the school board has conducted business in recent years, saying the focus should be on student achievement, but meetings are often hours of debate over anything but literacy and academics.

The bottom line is that we need to spend more of our time on how students are doing because that is our primary purpose, she said. OUSD is not a jobs program, or a social justice organization, or a small business incubator, or a housing organization, although those things are important. However, I believe that as long as we are struggling to ensure that students can read at grade level, it is a disservice to our students and families to spend so much time on issues that are not central to our core mission.

The resignation could have long-term implications for the political leanings on the board, with the current majority supporting action to prevent financial collapse, including closing schools. Other board members, currently in the minority, say they dont believe Oakland Unified has a budget problem, despite state and county assertions, and that there is no need to close schools or take other drastic actions.

So in closing, I ask you, is that what you want for Oakland? Sycophantic leaders who are dishonest about the challenges we are facing and who tell people only what they want to hear? How can we tackle problems if leaders dont feel safe being honest about the problems we are facing? Gonzales said in her missive.

I believe we need leaders who are willing to take responsibility for solving the challenges facing the district, and who are responsible in their speech and actions.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker
As part of our ongoing reporting on the closures of local restaurants, here is a list of Bay Area establishments that closed in April 2022. Notable shutterings include Aliotos Restaurant on San Franciscos Fishermans Wharf, colorful Napa eatery Gran Electrica and Oaklands farm-to-table institution Oliveto. See March 2022s list of closings here.

Aliotos Restaurant, a Sicilian seafood staple on San Franciscos Fishermans Wharf, is permanently closed. The restaurant ended its 66-year lease with the Port of San Francisco early, one of several tenants hit hard by the pandemic, according to port officials. A notice on Aliotos website about its then-temporary closure in 2020 reads: In light of recent events we will be closed until further notice. Stay safe and healthy.

Gran Electrica in Napa closed almost three months after temporarily shuttering for an extended winter break. Owners Tamer Hamawi and Blaire Scheibal said staffing struggles and wildfires contributed to its April 1 closure. Its sister location in Brooklyn, N.Y., will remain open.

Brunch spot Early to Rise closed its doors April 3. Located in San Franciscos Nob Hill, the restaurant served breakfast classics including doughnuts, bagels and rotating specials such as shrimp and grits. Early to Rise plans to come back as a full-service restaurant, according to its Facebook page.

Courtesy Brandon Nguyen

Albany pop-up Randys Best Ice Cream shut down for good on April 23, exactly one year after launching. The weekends-only ice cream cart, with owner Brandon Nguyen in a retro soda-jerk hat, sold inventive flavors such as popcorn salted caramel and banana milk. I am walking away because I have been thinking about what my life looks like in 5, 10, and 15 years, and the ice cream doesnt fit into it, Nguyen wrote on Instagram.

Inner Sunset favorite Tart to Tart and Mexican Grill, the coffee shop-restaurant hybrid, has closed. The business operated for 45 years on Irving Street, but employees told Eater SF, which first reported on the closure, that rising rent and the impact of the pandemic were factors in its closing. Tart to Tart is reportedly looking to reopen nearby.

San Francisco Chinatown institution Washington Bakery & Restaurant shuttered its doors on April 23 after 27 years in business. The cafe, located near Portsmouth Square, served Hong Kong-style dishes such as preserved egg and pork porridge and baked pork chop and rice, and popular baked goods such as pineapple buns, almond red bean buns and hot dog buns.

Berkeleys Brewed Awakening, a 35-year-old coffee shop near the UC Berkeley campus, has closed. Cafe manager Soosh Nassar, the son of owners Samir and Juju Nassar, told SFGATE that the family was unable to reach an affordable lease agreement after COVID-19 decimated its foot traffic. (SFGATE and The San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently.) The cafe was a popular working spot for Cal students and staff, and served coffee, fruit smoothies and food.

Janelle Bitker/The Chronicle

Oliveto, a farm-to-table institution in Oaklands Rockridge neighborhood, has closed. Co-owners Bob and Maggie Klein initially announced the closure of the Cal-Italian restaurant in December but decided to keep it open longer while their landlord sought a new tenant for the coveted space. It takes its toll, Bob Klein told The Chronicle of running the restaurant for the past 35 years. We are in our 70s, and we had been thinking about retiring for several years.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

After nine years, Noir Lounge in S.F.s Hayes Valley has closed. The bar and restaurants last night was April 16, according to its social media accounts. We have loved every last customer and we thank each and every one of you that graced our lounge over the years, Noir Lounge wrote on Instagram.

Lupulandia Brewery in San Franciscos Mission District has closed, according to Mission Local. The bar opened in 2019 but shut down just months later due to the pandemic. It received some COVID relief funds but continued to struggle even as the city slowly came back to life. Co-owner Anthony Lavias Beauty Bar will continue to operate a few blocks away, and its sister restaurant in Tijuana is still up and running.

Gwendolyn Wu (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com
Hi, I'm associate critic Cesar Hernandez and I'm taking the wheel, just like drift king Jesus Christ, for Soleil this week.

Hearing about NFTs these days is like dealing with a buzzing insect incessantly flying past your ear. Annoying, but easy enough to ignore. At least that was true for me until last month, when an NFT restaurant pop-up called Bored & Hungry opened in Long Beach.

OK, I know that might sound like a difficult concept to understand, so let me break it down for you: An NFT restaurant isnt a jpeg of the Krusty Krab, nor is it a media file stored on the block chain. Rather, its a restaurant that uses the intellectual property of NFTs to sell food.

Whats an NFT? NFT stands for non-fungible token, which essentially means it is a file type  image, video or song  stored on a server, aka the blockchain. The non-fungible aspect refers to the individuality of each file: unique, just like your car with the bumper ding from when you backed into a pole while wolfing down a burger. But whereas a car is a tangible thing, an NFT exists only on the blockchain, but the owner also owns its intellectual property.

So in the case of Bored & Hungry, co-owner Andy Nguyen, known for starting Afters Ice Cream, is using NFTs he purchased of Bored Ape Yacht Club and Mutant Ape (two of the most popular and expensive NFTs) as a marketing device to sell cheeseburgers. This is where the NFT restaurant categorization gets a little confusing, since its more NFT-themed. Bored & Hungry doesnt actually sell NFTs, just burgers, but they use the popular NFT imagery to attract customers. It also advertises that you can pay for the food using cryptocurrency, but all the prices are listed in cash.

What are the benefits of using an NFT as a marketing tool? Well his ape illustrations attracted 1,500 people to the Long Beach pop-up, on its April 9th grand opening. The wait time was over two hours for a smashburger. The lines have died down since its debut, however; I was able to order without waiting in line.

Hows the burger, you may ask? As much as I hoped to hate it, its actually solid  not one Id seek out but one I might consider if I was in the area. The burgers are made by Trill Burgers, a pop-up thats a collab between Nguyen and rapper Bun B. My suggestion: Skip the burger and instead listen to Bun Bs verse on Intl Players Anthem.



Initially Bored & Hungry was supposed to be just a 90-day pop-up, but it was announced this week its here to stay. So those apes are now permanently loose in the real world, not just on the internet, sort of like a gorilla-sized albatross reminding you that the future is now and youre getting old.

Its marketing ploy aside, my real gripe with the restaurant is that while its clearly capitalizing on a cultural moment, its trying to disguise it as a movement with a humanitarian mission. Its next phase is reportedly an NFT restaurant group called the Food Fighters Universe, which is set to launch 10,000 NFTs and says it hopes to save the restaurant industry. Though its not clear exactly what that means; in an interview he claims that the utility of NFTs could help with staffing problems and wages.

Sorry, but it sounds like the same old song and dance, a claim that this new thing will fix a problem in an industry thats already suffering. And it highlights one of the biggest issues surrounding NFTs: the market rewards those who act fast, and that often means those with ready and sufficient capital, often celebrities and early adopters.

Nguyen spent $267,000 for one of the Bored Ape NFTs that he uses to market Bored & Hungry. His NFTs probably wont cost as much; it seems as though hes using Bored & Hungry as a trial run for using NFT IP as a way to market restaurants. That appears to amount to nothing more than suggesting restaurants add a digital art budget. Yeah dude, that sounds like a really good solution.

Whats most infuriating to me is that this restaurant model inspires the same hollow dread as some ghost kitchens. Its a soulless attempt to capture the zeitgeist, combining pop culture with food trends. Its got the same energy as a so-called corporate activation, except you have to pay for it.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

I reached out to a few smashburger-makers to ask their opinions of the beefy-blockchain pairing. Some, like Vic Donado of Bay Area smashburger pop-up Smish Smash, believes it's really, really smart.

It's all about exclusivity right now, too. I feel like everyone's trying to be on that next wave, says Donado. The idea of hype and scarcity are baked into the ideology that surrounds NFTs. Using FOMO effectively, it essentially says that if you dont jump in now, the future will leave you behind.

One chef who preferred to stay anonymous, so as to not poke the beehive of ape enthusiasts, believes theyre poaching our audience. Theyre capitalizing on the hard-core supporter culture and community that surrounds food pop-ups and small artists.

Aaron Lopez of Love Hour in Los Angeles has complicated feelings about it. Growing up, I didnt have the luxury of extra money to invest.  Im invested in the people of my community and making those people feel good, Lopez says. Crypto may be the future, but burgers are forever.

During my visit to Bored & Hungry, I asked the cashier what he knew about NFTs. He looked at me with a puzzled expression. Not much, I just got hired to work here.
Yet another mutation of the omicron variant is spreading fast in California. All Bay Area counties now have returned to the "high" level of transmission as measured by CDC metrics. San Francisco's wealthy neighborhoods now are seeing higher case rates than less-wealthy ones, in contrast to earlier phases of the pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom is leaning into his COVID-19 pandemic record with his first re-election ad. UCSF's Dr. Bob Wachter says he's masking up again given the escalating case rates in San Francisco.

Latest updates:

Biden hosts Olympic athletes: President Biden will host the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team at the White House on Wednesday, in an in-person celebration that was delayed due to the pandemic. The event for those who participated in the Japan games will be outside on the South Lawn, the White House said. First lady Jill Biden went to Tokyo for the Games in July  though access remained restricted because of the pandemic.

Late night host Jimmy Kimmel tests positive for COVID-19: Jimmy Kimmel has tested positive for COVID-19. Our daughter brought us COVID (even though we specifically asked her not to), Kimmel tweeted on Monday. All feeling fine, I am double vaxxed and boosted but the show must not go on. He added that comedian Mike Birbiglia would guest host ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live starting Tuesday.

Children's COVID cases rise for the fourth week: Reported COVID-19 cases among children numbered 53,217 in the U.S. last week, rising for the fourth week in a row. Children represented 16.4% of all the weekly reported cases nationally, according to data published Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Childrens Hospital Association. Pediatric COVID cases dropped to their lowest point this year in the first week of April, with 25,915 cases reported, but have been trending up since then.

S.F.'s 7.9% virus positive rate is more than double the state's: San Francisco's coronavirus test positive rate reached 7.9%, city health department data shows. The data posted Monday had a five-day reporting lag. The rate is more than double the 3.1% test positive rate for California as a whole, and above the 5% threshold public health experts consider acceptable for controlling the spread of the virus. The increase comes as the BA.2.12.1 omicron subvariant gains a foothold and following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.

Airbnb nixes COVID-related refunds: Airbnb guests who cancel a reservation because of a COVID-19 infection soon won't be able to get refunds, the vacation rental website announced. San Francisco-based Airbnb said in a company blog post Friday that more than two years into the pandemic, it would be updating its Extenuating Circumstances policy to no longer cover COVID-19-related circumstances as cause for a refund. Read the full story.

BA.4 and BA.5 detected in the U.S.: A handful of cases of the BA.4 and BA.5 coronavirus sublineages -- which are driving up infection in South Africa -- have been identified in the U.S., according to data collected by Scripps Research. Ten cases of BA.4 and four cases of BA.5 have been sequenced nationally as of Friday. The sublineages appear to be more transmissible than the dominant BA.2 subvariant and may spark another wave of COVID-19 infections, researchers say. It is not known if they cause more severe illness, although preliminary studies show they may be better at eluding antibodies from prior infection.

Kamala Harris cleared from COVID isolation: Vice President Kamala Harris will be leaving isolation after testing negative for the coronavirus on a rapid test Monday, her office announced. Shell return to work in person Tuesday and wear a mask around others until the 10-day mark after her initial positive test, following CDC guidelines. Harris tested positive for COVID last Tuesday upon her return to Washington after a week in California. She did not experience symptoms, her office said.

UCSF's Wachter masking up again: Dr. Bob Wachter, UCSF chair of medicine and a prominent voice on pandemic issues, said Monday he is resuming rigorous masking as coronavirus cases spike in San Francisco. He said the city's asymptomatic test positive rate, a reliable proxy for community prevalence given the downturn in citywide testing, shows cases are surging. About 1 in 30 San Franciscans may have COVID-19 without knowing it, he said. "If you've decided you're OK getting COVID ... then fine to keep mask off in crowded indoor spaces," he tweeted. "If you'd prefer to avoid COVID & have become less cautious, it's time to re-think.." Wachter cited his concerns about long COVID and other virus-related risks ("heart/neuro/diabetes"). For masking: "I'll now do 100% N95 in crowded indoor spaces." People should keep their "eyes open" because "there's a lot of COVID out there," he warned.

Previous omicron infection does not protect against BA.4, BA.5 sublineages, study finds: Two recently discovered sublineages of the omicron coronavirus variant can elude antibodies from a previous infection, according to a new study by the Africa Health Research Institute. Scientists in South Africa found the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants in blood samples of people who were infected with omicron earlier this year. The researchers said even though vaccines stand up better to the sublineages, they may drive another surge of infections.

Newsom touts pandemic record: Gov. Gavin Newsom is leaning into his COVID-19 pandemic record with his first re-election ad. The 60-second spot features the Democratic governor in a redwood forest talking about the trees' resilience. In recent years our people have also faced some of our toughest challenges and Ive been inspired by the courage and resilience of Californias health workers, teachers, parents and kids," he says. "Whatever challenges come our way, I will always lead the California way, based on compassion, common sense, telling the truth, following science, treasuring our diversity, defending our democracy, protecting our planet and always planting seeds for the future. Read the full story.

Amazon ends paid leave for workers with COVID: Amazon is no longer providing paid time off for frontline U.S. workers who test positive for the coronavirus. As of Monday, any U.S. Amazon worker with a COVID-19 diagnosis will instead get five days of unpaid leave, the company said in a bulletin to workers that was obtained by CNBC. Those waiting for a test result will not qualify for the excused leave, Amazon said, citing the wide availability of at-home rapid tests. The company will also no longer notify employees of cases at its facilities unless required by law. The sustained easing of the pandemic, ongoing availability COVID-19 vaccines and treatments, and updated guidance from public health authorities, all signal we can continue to safely adjust to our pre-COVID policies, the company said in the notice.



All Bay Area counties back to 'high' level of community transmission, per CDC: All 9 Bay Area counties fall under the "high" level of coronavirus transmission, according to metrics published Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means each county has reported over 100 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 7 days. Statewide coronavirus cases have risen by about 30% in the same time, with San Francisco, San Mateo and Los Angeles counties recording the biggest uptick in 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.

Infections rising fast in California: Coronavirus cases have climbed about 70% in California since the beginning of April, and theyve increased 155% in the Bay Area over the same time period. Health experts believe the recent increases are largely because of the more infectious variants now circulating, including the fast-moving BA.2 subvariant and its offspring. BA.2 is thought to be about 1.5 times more infectious than the original omicron variant, and BA.2.12.1 may be 20% to 30% more infectious than BA.2. Neither subvariant appears to cause more serious illness than its predecessor, and hospitalizations, though creeping up, remained low Monday in California. Read more here from The Chronicle's Erin Allday.

NYC risk level rises: New York City entered a higher risk level for the virus on Monday in a reminder that the pandemic is still chugging along and can harm people. The city moved into the medium, or yellow, risk category for virus transmission, according to measuring metrics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The shift triggered speculation about whether public health restrictions might return, the New York Times reported. New York is seeing nearly 2,500 new cases per day, up from about 600 daily cases in early March, with the spike fueled by the BA.2 omicron subvariant. The level is still less than during the winter omicron surge.

Will rich people now feel the hardest hit?: As COVID-19 case rates once more begin to climb in San Francisco, wealthy neighborhoods are seeing higher case rates than less-wealthy ones  a rare occurrence in a pandemic that has most deeply impacted lower-income people of color. Public health experts say theres a chance this latest wave could be the first to hit wealthy people harder  thanks both to pandemic fatigue within the demographic, and its relatively lower rates of natural immunity from prior infections. Read more from The Chronicle's analysis of health and census data.

Fancy D.C. press event returns from pandemic hiatus: After two years of pandemic absence, the White House press corps fancy gala returned Saturday night with President Biden attending long enough to make comedic remarks and to hear himself roasted. The White House Correspondents Association dinner featured Biden as the first president in six years to attend. Donald Trump shunned the event as president. Noting the 6-year gap, Biden quipped, Its understandable. We had a horrible plague followed by two years of COVID.

Travel to Europe gets easier: Italy and Greece relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday, bringing hopes that Europes summer tourist season could return closer to normal. Greece announced it was lifting all COVID-19 rules for international and domestic flights except for the wearing of face masks during flights and at airports. Previously, air travelers were required to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or a recent recovery from the disease. As of Sunday, visitors to Italy no longer have to fill out the EU passenger locator form, a complicated online ordeal required at airport check-in.

New subvariant spreading fast: Yet another omicron offspring, once again more infectious than its predecessors, is climbing rapidly in California. Officials say it is on the cusp of making up half of new cases. Its not known if BA.2.12.1  will hasten the rising swell of cases across the state, including in the Bay Area. But its believed to be driving a surge in the New York region and other parts of the Northeast. Read the full story here.

Broadway shows without a shot: Some Broadway theaters are ending the policy of requiring customers to show proof of vaccination. The Broadway League said as of beginning Sunday, the owners and operators of all 41 Broadway theaters are extending the mask requirement at least through the end of May but many will no longer check for vaccination status. An update on masking policies for June will come this month.

Ruby Princess again arrives with infected passengers: The Ruby Princess cruise ship docked in San Francisco on April 23 with 37 coronavirus cases aboard, the latest in a string of its arrivals with infected passengers and crew. The Ruby Princess is under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The vast majority of infected people experienced mild or no symptoms, according to the city public health department. A week earlier the arriving ship carried143 people who had tested positive onboard; a month before that another 73 were positive when it docked; and in January, it carred a dozen infected people into San Francisco..

Another U.S. senator positive: Sen. Michael Bennet, D- Colo., announced Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. A statement from Bennet said he was infected despite being vaccinated and boosted, and had just minor, cold-like symptoms. Cases among other senators and Vice President Kamala Harris delayed some Senate business last week, as high profile politicians continue becoming infected.
As COVID-19 case rates once more begin to climb in San Francisco, wealthy neighborhoods are seeing higher case rates than less-wealthy ones  a rare occurrence in a pandemic that has most deeply impacted lower-income people of color.

But unlike the omicron wave last December, which started in wealthy neighborhoods and then quickly migrated to lower-income ones, public health experts say theres a chance this latest wave could be the first to hit wealthy people harder  thanks both to pandemic fatigue within the demographic, and its relatively lower rates of natural immunity from prior infections.

Using data from the San Francisco Department of Public Health and the U.S. Census Bureau, the Chronicle sorted the citys neighborhoods into three groups based on their median household incomes, then calculated those groups recent COVID-19 case rates.

From mid-February to April 23, the latest date with confirmed data available, the neighborhoods in the wealthiest group  including Noe Valley, Haight-Ashbury and the Marina  experienced higher average case rates than the lowest-income neighborhoods, including Bayview, Chinatown and the Tenderloin. Test-positivity rates, defined as the share of tests that return positive results, are also higher in wealthy neighborhoods right now.

Not all waves are created equal: While cases may have soared several months ago and are climbing once again now, deaths remain low in San Francisco. The number of deaths during the omicron wave, and this latest surge, are far below that of the winter surge of 2021.

The Chronicle previously reported that the omicron wave began with a swell of cases in wealthy and white-majority neighborhoods  for instance, the Marinas case rate in late December was nearly three times higher than that of the Bayview, which has had the highest cumulative case rate of any neighborhood in the city since the pandemic began.

But in a matter of days, case rates in lower-income neighborhoods overtook those of wealthier ones. The omicron wave then swept through such neighborhoods at far higher rates, once again burdening lower-income San Franciscans  particularly Black and brown ones  with the brunt of the disease.

George Rutherford, a pediatrician and epidemiologist at UCSF, said that this latest surge might spread differently than the last one, though. Thats because in this springtime surge, wealthier neighborhoods higher case rates are being driven by two factors working in tandem: increased exposure, and less immunity (relative to lower-income neighborhoods).

In earlier pandemic waves, when case rates in lower-income neighborhoods were higher than wealthy ones from the outset, Rutherford said that higher-income people were going to great lengths to shield themselves from exposure  mostly because they could afford to. They could work from home, order takeout and socially distance much more than people in lower-income neighborhoods, who disproportionately worked essential jobs in industries like food service that require in-person labor.

But now, he said, wealthy people are taking fewer pains to shield themselves, and getting exposed to COVID more.

You have people who are more affluent saying, Oh, I think were on the backside of this, we can go out to dinner and all that stuff, he said.

Additionally, because the latest uptick began so soon after Januarys infection tidal wave, lower-income neighborhoods hit hard by that wave have a higher degree of natural or acquired immunity to COVID-19. Nobody knows for sure how long a person stays immune to COVID-19 after getting infected, but studies suggest that having antibodies from a past infection can lead to heightened protection for at least three to six months.

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.

Lower-income neighborhoods heightened immunity could be protecting them more this time around  and if trends continue, its a distinct possibility this wave could be the first that infects wealthy people more than the less-wealthy, Rutherford said.

Rutherford added that the gap between rich and poor neighborhoods case rates is probably bigger than the current data shows. Thats because people in wealthy neighborhoods have better access to at-home test kits, which are not counted as cases by the Department of Public Health unless the person then confirms their positive result with a lab test.

But Rutherford acknowledged that his beliefs about what is happening are, by necessity, conjecture. That is, nobody knows for sure where the latest wave will go from here.

Its still possible that lower-income neighborhoods will get more infections than wealthy areas in this wave, too: In the last several days worth of confirmed data, middle-income neighborhoods (a group that includes Bernal Heights and the Inner Sunset) have overtaken higher-income neighborhoods, and it appears that lower-income neighborhoods might do the same.

Susie Neilson (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: susan.neilson@sfchronicle.com
Two Santa Clara County supervisors are seeking up to $3 million in county funding for Planned Parenthood to boost services for women from states where abortion access is curtailed.

We know that abortion rights are more fragile than they have been in decades in this country, Supervisor Cindy Chavez, who co-authored a proposal to the Board of Supervisors, said at a briefing on Monday. In states other than California, lawmakers are increasingly passing strict bans on abortion as the Supreme Court reconsiders the scope and existence of this constitutional right.

She said the money would be used to strengthen access to reproductive and health care for local residents and those who need abortion services but cannot get them in their state because of growing restrictions.

The proposal, which was co-authored by Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, would provide funding to Planned Parenthood Mar Monte facilities in San Jose, which have provided health care services to 80 women from outside of California since July 21.

The supervisors anticipate the clinics will take in more patients as California becomes a sanctuary for women seeking abortions.

The supervisors announced the proposal just hours before Politico reported that it had obtained an initial draft majority opinion showing the Supreme Court already has voted to strike down the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision guaranteeing the right to abortion. Politico wrote that the draft is a full-throated, unflinching repudiation of the 1973 decision ... and a subsequent 1992 decision  Planned Parenthood v. Casey  that largely maintained the right. Politico noted that justices opinions and votes could change and that the holding will not be final until it is published, likely in the next two months.

The Santa Clara County proposal would put the money toward improvements and the purchase of laboratory and medical equipment at Planned Parenthood Mar Monte on Tully Road and expansion of the Blossom Hill Health Center. It will also provide for additional staffing and telehealth services.

Chavez and Ellenberg plan to bring the matter up for a vote at Tuesdays board meeting.

We know taking away the legal right to abortion doesnt minimize abortions, but it does have the potential to increase maternal deaths in this country by more than 20%, Ellenberg said at the briefing. She noted that more than two dozen states are poised to severely limit access to safe abortions in anticipation of potential Supreme Court action to gut Roe vs. Wade in coming months.

These services and investments in critical infrastructure are more important now as reproductive rights are challenged across the United States, Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, said in a letter of support to the supervisors. The demand for facilities continuing to provide quality care will only increase as options narrow for women.

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.

Oklahoma became the latest state Thursday to prohibit abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. Abortion rights advocates predict such new laws are likely to accelerate the wave of people traveling to California to find care.

This current landscape is why Planned Parenthood Mar Monte needs to expand in both size and services, Stacy M. Cross, CEO of Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, said at Mondays briefing. This is a critical time for us, and its a critical time for women across the country.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte describes itself as the largest Planned Parenthood affiliate in the country, with services at over 30 health center locations in California and northern Nevada.

Aidin Vaziri is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com
Why should you need a high school degree to go to a university in California?

In 2020, the states public schools ditched their students, shutting down K-12 campuses for over a year and providing irregular and ineffective online lessons. Since then, educational leaders have often failed to acknowledge, and done too little to compensate for, all the learning loss  which is why average California eighth-graders now do math at a fifth-grade level.

And with public schools just trying to survive chronic absenteeism, political controversy and historic enrollment declines, theres little chance of restoring the system and its standards.

Rather than confront this historic educational failure, the state of California has covered it up  by eliminating testing, turning Ds and Fs into passing grades, and reducing graduation requirements, already among the countrys most meager in the country (we only require two years of math).

Add it all up (if you have the math skills), and a California high school diploma no longer means much of anything.

Which is why our state university systems should stop requiring them for admission.

You read that right. The University of California and California State University systems should drop their admission requirement that students graduate high school  for at least a decade. Anyone who attended school in California during the pandemic should get a university seat, regardless of high school completion.

The notion is not novel. You can attend California community colleges without a diploma. Some colleges, including Harvard, admit students without high school degrees.

But, unfortunately, UC and CSU are putting more emphasis than ever on the grades and work students do in the states failing high schools. CSU is considering adding a required quantitative course and raising their standards to 16 required high school courses, while 11 of the 13 factors UC considers in reviewing applications are tied to high school performance.

This shift is part of Californias self-righteous rush to eliminate standardized testing in education. By eliminating the SAT and the high school exit exam, the universities claim to be promoting inclusion, since standardized test results often are biased. But you dont have to be a cynic to see the cynicism. Without testing to check on how students are doing, the educational system is avoiding accountability, protecting itself and shifting the costs of its failures onto pandemic-era students.

The education system also hasnt kept close enough tabs on students to provide a full and accurate picture of pandemic-era damage. But one near-certain truth is that the most vulnerable students  homeless students, students with disabilities and students who are children of immigrants, or of color, or from poorer places  have been the most likely to be left behind in the past two years.

So, if equity is to mean anything in California education, those students deserve the right to walk into any public university they wish, regardless of how they did in high school.

Giving those students a real chance to stick in our universities will be hard. It will demand new ways of assessing high school dropouts to see if they would fit better at UC or CSU. It will require more kinds of support, more counseling and more resources to keep them there. (CSUs Graduation Initiative, which has had some success in keeping students in schools, could be the foundation of such a model.)

It also may require the federal government to step in and exempt California from requirements that tie federal financial aid to high school degrees. And it will force the state to shift fiscal priorities, forgoing one-time giveaways like gas tax rebates and embracing the type of longer-term educational investments that are challenging under our complicated budget system.

But if more students whose educations were disrupted by the pandemic can get to college, and get through college, they wont be the only winners. Colleges, suffering declines in enrollment during the pandemic, will see more students. And California as a whole will also be better off.

Indeed, decoupling high school graduation from college attendance could prove to be more than a short-term experiment. California has been producing far fewer college graduates than its economy requires. A new policy of opening universities to high school dropouts, combined with more financial support and more robust online programs, could help address those problems.

If California wanted to be more ambitious, it could combine a no high school degree, no problem policy with a larger program to help the millions of adults who have dropped out of college to return and get their degrees.

This approach is what real fairness would look like  especially for the young Californians our education system has left in the lurch.

Joe Mathews writes the Connecting California column for Zocalo Public Square.
The core principle underlying the First Amendment is that government cannot punish speech because it disagrees with its viewpoint. But that is exactly what Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have done to the Disney corporation for having dared to oppose legislation limiting discussion of gay issues in Floridas public schools.

We think the Supreme Court was wrong in Citizens United when it granted full free speech rights to corporations like Disney. Nor are we fans of delegating government powers to profit-driven corporations. But, as long as corporations continue to function as powerful First Amendment speakers, the worst thing we could do is empower an all-powerful regulatory state to turn corporate speakers into mouthpieces for the government by punishing them for failing to toe the party-line. Thats how Vladimir Putin rules Russia.

Gov. DeSantis and Florida state lawmakers have revoked a 55-year-old arrangement that allowed the Walt Disney Co. to self-govern its 25,000-acre Disney World complex. Stripping Disney of its local governmental powers was done for just one reason, and DeSantis was explicit about it: Disney CEO Bob Chapek had criticized Floridas recently adopted law prohibiting classroom discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in certain elementary school classrooms. DeSantis and the Florida Legislature were simply retaliating for Chapeks criticism of the dont say gay law.

It was once the law that government could condition the grant of a so-called privilege, like Disneys authority to exercise delegated local government power, on any terms it wished. But over a half century ago, the Supreme Court rejected that approach and repeatedly has held that the regulatory state may not condition the continued enjoyment of a government-granted benefit on the recipients waiver of its First Amendment rights. Under settled First Amendment principles, the Florida Legislature could not provide that a persons license to practice medicine or law, or their eligibility to receive welfare benefits, could be made contingent on supporting government policy.

Simply put, the government cannot condition the discretionary grant of a benefit on a recipients waiver of a constitutional right. The Supreme Court, applying its unconstitutional condition doctrine, has struck down efforts to condition government funding of public television stations on a waiver of the stations First Amendment right to use privately raised funds to support news programs. Similarly, the court has invalidated efforts to condition the payment of the salaries of federally funded Legal Services Corp. lawyers on a waiver of the lawyers First Amendment rights to challenge the constitutionality of congressional legislation. More recently, the court held that the government cannot condition U.S. Agency for International Development funding to American health care organizations working abroad on a recipients willingness to endorse the governments position advocating the criminalization of prostitution.

Floridas effort to condition Disneys continued exercise of local government authority on its support for the governors anti-gay bill is no different. DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have unconstitutionally conditioned Disneys ability to exercise local government benefits on the companys silence.

There is a temptation to dismiss Floridas action as political grandstanding by a governor who wants to run for president and is seeking issues that play to his base. Going after Disney for being too supportive of gays received just the headlines DeSantis wanted. But if DeSantis and the Florida Republicans can get away with this, there will be no stopping their power to use the machinery of government to punish and silence their critics  corporate or otherwise. If DeSantis gets away with punishing Disney for its speech, any corporation, indeed any person receiving a benefit from a government will risk losing it unless they toe the party line. The potential for government manipulation of corporate  and other  speech is enormous.

It is for this reason that we must not ignore what DeSantis and Florida Republicans have done. By using the enormous power of the government to punish Disney for the speech of its officials, the Florida law strikes at the very heart of the First Amendments protection of open and robust debate about government policies. A court should rule against this power play by DeSantis and should emphatically reaffirm what should be clear to all: The government cannot punish speech because it does not like the views expressed.

Burt Neuborne is the Norman Dorsen Professor Emeritus of Civil Liberties at New York University Law School. Erwin Chemerinsky is the dean and Jesse H. Choper Distinguished Professor of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law.
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Kathy Boudin, a former member of the radical Weather Underground who took part in a robbery that killed three people, an act that sent her to prison for 22 years and left behind a young son who would become the district attorney of San Francisco, died Sunday at 78.

Her son, Chesa Boudin, speaking to The Chronicle on Sunday, said he took a red-eye flight to New York overnight and was able to say his final goodbyes. In a statement, he said that my mom fought cancer for seven years in her unshakably optimistic and courageous way. She made it long enough to meet her grandson, and welcome my father home from prison after 40 years.

Kathy Boudin was released from prison in 2003 and went on to earn her doctoral degree and become a Columbia University professor of social work who focused on criminal justice reform.

Kathy Boudin, along with Chesas father, David Gilbert, were members of the Weather Underground, a violent militant group that coalesced around Black Power causes and opposition to the Vietnam War.

On Oct. 20, 1981, the pair joined members of the Black Liberation Army in the botched robbery of a Brinks armored truck in New York. A Washington Post article from the time described the crime as part of an effort to create a new Republic of New Afrika in the southern United States.

Other members of the group shot and killed a Brinks guard, Peter Paige, before killing two Nyack, N.Y. police officers, Waverly Brown and Edward OGrady.

Gilbert and Kathy Boudin, acting as the unarmed driver and passenger in the getaway van, were each charged and convicted under New Yorks felony murder law, which allows all participants in a felony that leads to a death to be charged with murder, even if they were not directly responsible for the killings.

Chesa Boudin, who was 14 months old at the time of the fatal robbery and was left with a babysitter, was raised in Chicago by the leaders of the Weather Underground, Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers.

While Kathy Boudin took a plea deal that allowed her to be paroled in 2003, Gilbert refused counsel, took the case to trial and was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison.

During her parole hearing, Kathy Boudin told commissioners that she had a completely distorted and disturbed view when she agreed to take part in the robbery, according to a 2003 piece in the New York Times. Her actions, she said, were motivated by guilt for being white and from a privileged background, and because she felt she hadnt done enough to help support poor Black neighborhoods.

Kathy Boudin told the commissioners she accepted full responsibility for the deaths.

I think that I was completely out of touch with what were ways to help communities and people. I think it was completely wrong, Kathy Boudin said in a WNYC interview shortly before her parole.

Kathy Boudin was a fugitive when she was arrested for the Brinks robbery. Shed fled from an explosion in 1970 at a Manhattan town house where the Weathermen made bombs. The daughter of left-wing civil liberties lawyer Leonard Boudin, Kathy Boudin had grown up in a home in which law and politics were debated.

While imprisoned, she taught literacy programs, helped gather funding for college programming in the jail, worked with fellow inmates who were HIV-positive, and earned her masters degree in adult education.

She always ended phone calls with a laugh, a habit acquired during the 22 years of her incarceration, when she wanted to leave every person she spoke with, especially me, with joy and hope, Chesa Boudin said. She lived redemption, constantly finding ways to give back to those around her.

Supporters argued for her release, saying she had expressed remorse and worked to give back to society. Letty Cottin Pogrebin, a founding editor of Ms. magazine, told the New York Times in 2003 when Kathy Boudin was released that she paid a very heavy price for a very foolish move when she was young and idealistic, and she had deep remorse. ... She has suffered enormously and has been a model prisoner.

But others, including law enforcement groups and the relatives of those who were killed, fought her release over the years.

Former state Assembly Member Alexander Gromack, a Rockland County Republican, said in 2001 after she was denied parole, While she may not have pulled the trigger herself, the blood of those three men still stains her hands.

Edward OGradys widow, Diane, told the New York Post in 2003, after Kathy Boudin was denied parole earlier, that justice prevailed, adding she played a very pivotal part in that crime. Nine children were left without their fathers. We want her to serve life.

Upon her release, Kathy Boudin accepted a job with the St. Lukes Hospital HIV/AIDS Center, where she helped create programs for women.

Gilbert was granted clemency last year by outgoing New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and was released from prison on parole in November.

Kathy Boudin and Gilbert reunited immediately after Gilberts release, Chesa Boudin 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.

My dad was here with her every day, Chesa Boudin said.

After more than two decades of incarceration, Kathy Boudin became the co-director and co-founder of Columbia Universitys Center for Justice, where her work focused on the criminal justice system and the harm caused by mass incarceration.

At a San Francisco rally on Sunday, longtime political activist Angela Davis called Kathy Boudin one of my oldest friends.

Davis said the two had worked against the prison industrial complex since Kathy was released from prison.

I think it is in a way symbolic that she decided to depart on this day, Davis said, referring to May Day.

Geraldine Downey, director of Columbias Center for Justice, said seven formerly incarcerated students will celebrate their graduations this month as a fitting tribute to Kathys effort to ensure college access to people with a criminal conviction.

Her influence will be felt for years to come in our work and the efforts of so many others, Downey said in a statement.

Chesa Boudin, who is facing a potential recall on June 7, has frequently talked about how his experience growing up with incarcerated parents shaped his view of the criminal justice system. Hes pledged to work on ending mass incarceration and on diverting more people into treatment programs. Opponents have argued hes been too lenient and mismanaged the District Attorneys Office.

My earliest memories are going through prison gates to visit my parents, Boudin said in a 2019 interview with The Chronicle. Its something thats dramatically and profoundly shaped really every moment of my life.

Kathy Boudin is also survived by her brother, Michael Boudin; daughter-in-law, Valerie Block; grandson, Aiden Block Boudin; and Chesa Boudins brothers, Zayd and Malik Dohrn, and their families.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
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San Franciscos Great Highway reopened its northbound lanes to drivers Monday morning after the roadway was closed in both directions by a surfeit of drifting sand.

City crews cleared the small sand dunes from the northbound lanes between Sloat Boulevard and Lincoln Way  a 2-mile stretch  shortly after 10 a.m., but the southbound lanes remain closed indefinitely, said Rachel Gordon, a spokesperson for San Francisco Public Works.

Winter and spring winds blew sand from Ocean Beach across the Great Highway, where it piles up and makes most of the roadway impassible to cars and, in places, to bicycles, scooter riders and people who dont want to trek through sand.

Its the same issue we have always this time of year where there are frequent closures due to big buildups of sand driven by the wind, Gordon said.

The problem is worse this year, she said, because of the drought, which means fewer rain storms to dampen the sand and also brings changes in wind patterns.

Last week, the sand buildup shut down the southbound lanes and, while crews worked on clearing them, the winds picked up in the middle of last week and closed tthe northbound lanes, which remained under sand until Monday morning.

The city doesnt have crews solely dedicated to sand removal, Gordon said, but workers are out there regularly removing the sand, often using trucks, backhoes and other heavy equipment.

Its a very labor-intensive operation, she said.

When winds blowing onshore surpass 18 mph, crews cease sand clearing operations, she said. Theyre also halted over the weekends when the Recreation and Parks Department closes the highway to cars and turns it over to recreational uses between noon on Friday and 6 a.m. on Monday.

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.

During the peak of the pandemic, with most people staying home, the Great Highway was restricted to bike riders and pedestrians to give residents safer places to get exercise and gather. Last August, under pressure from west side motorists who say the closure of the Great Highway has caused traffic congestion, speeding and difficulties driving through the area, Mayor London Breed opened the highway on weekdays.

John F. Kennedy Drive through Golden Gate Park was similarly closed during the pandemic, and last week the Board of Supervisors approved Mayor London Breeds plan to permanently close the east end of the parks main road. The future of the Great Highway isnt expected to be decided until next year.

Meanwhile, San Franciscos battle with the sand will continue. In addition to the intermittent sand removal efforts, Public Works annually engages in a sand relocation effort that attempts to reduce the problem. This years effort hasnt been scheduled yet  it typically takes place in June  but last year workers closed southbound lanes for about a week while they moved about 30,000 cubic yards of sand from the side of the roadway closer to the ocean.

Michael Cabanatuan (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mcabanatuan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ctuan
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More than 1,000 workers at two CNH Industrial plants went on strike Monday in search of a better deal with the company that makes agriculture and construction equipment.

The United Auto Workers union said the workers in Racine, Wisconsin, and Burlington, Iowa, went on strike at noon after contract talks faltered. The action follows a spate of strikes in the past year, including a high-profile monthlong strike at Deere & Co. that resulted in 10% raises and improved benefits for 10,000 UAW workers at that equipment maker.

Our members at CNHi strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules, said Chuck Browning, vice president and director of the union's Agricultural Implement Department.

The company, which is based in the United Kingdom, said in a statement that it is disappointed it couldn't reach an agreement with the union, and it remains committed to the bargaining process. CNH Industrial has more than 37,000 employees total.

We recognize the unions decision creates high anxiety among our represented employees in Burlington and Racine, as well as our other employees, our customers, and our community, said CNH Industrial, which plans to release its first-quarter earnings report on Tuesday.

This is the latest strike by workers who believe they deserve more after keeping plants operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Unions have also been emboldened to take action because they believe the ongoing worker shortages give them an advantage in bargaining.

Besides the Deere strike last fall, another group of UAW-represented workers went on strike last year at a Volvo Trucks plant in Virginia and won improved pay and health benefits after rejecting three tentative agreements with the company.

There have also been strikes at Kellogg's cereal plants across the country, a Frito-Lay plant in Topeka, Kansas, and at five Nabisco plants nationwide. And meatpacking workers who were hit hard by the spread of COVID-19 have been winning significant raises when their contracts come up at plants across the country.

Workers have also voted to unionize at an Amazon warehouse in New York and at more than two dozen Starbucks stores across the country. Workers at another Amazon warehouse on New York's Staten Island, however, rejected a union bid on Monday.
Actor Bill Murray said that a movie in which he was set to star was suspended because an attempt at humor had been taken amiss by a female co-star, addressing publicly for the first time an episode that has gotten widespread attention.

I did something I thought was funny, and it wasnt taken that way, Murray said in an interview Saturday with CNBCs Becky Quick during coverage of Berkshire Hathaways annual shareholders meeting.

Murray, who is 71, labeled the episode a difference of opinion and did not apologize. While limiting his discussion of what happened to generalities and without going into detail, he spoke contritely about unwittingly insensitive behavior.

Ive been doing not much else but thinking about it for the last week or two, he said. The worlds different than it was when I was a little kid. What I always thought was funny as a little kid isnt necessarily the same as whats funny now.

The movie, Being Mortal, based on a 2014 book of the same title by writer and surgeon Atul Gawande, is being made by Searchlight Pictures, which Murray said is conducting an investigation into the episode.

Murray was the movies intended lead, and it was also to star Aziz Ansari, who had been directing it and who wrote the script. Seth Rogen and Keke Palmer had also been cast in the film.

The episode involving Murray happened April 15. Production was halted that day, someone working on the movie told The New York Times on the condition of anonymity, because details of the matter were being kept confidential.

Murray did not name the female colleague who had objected to his behavior, but he said the two of them were in touch and that he felt optimistic about resolving the issue.

We like each others work, and we like each other, I think, he said. What would make me the happiest would be to put my boots on and for both of us to go back into work.

Searchlight sent the cast and crew a letter, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, that attributed the suspension of filming to a complaint but did not identify its nature or who made it. The person working on the movie said the cause was an allegation of inappropriate behavior.

Murray is known for playing gruff but lovable characters in blockbuster comedies like Caddyshack and Ghostbusters, and he is a member of a troupe of actors associated with director Wes Anderson, having been the lead in Andersons 2004 film, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

The suspension of the filming of Being Mortal has brought attention to past criticisms of Murrays on-set behavior.

Actress Lucy Liu has described Murray insulting her during the filming of Charlies Angels (2000), and actor Richard Dreyfuss has said Murray threw an ashtray at him when they worked on What About Bob?(1991).

In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Anderson said Murray developed strong chemistry with a range of fellow actors.

In the CNBC interview, Murray said, If we cant really get along and trust each other, theres no point in going further working together. But, he added, I think thats a sad puppy that cant learn anymore. I dont want to be that sad dog, and I have no intention of it.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP)  Johnny Depp's agent testified Monday that his ex-wife's 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post describing herself as a victim of domestic abuse was catastrophic to his career and coincided with the loss of a $23 million deal for a Pirates of the Caribbean sequel.

Amber Heard's lawyers pushed back aggressively against the agent's assertion on cross-examination, suggesting that the article was inconsequential amid a stream of bad publicity for Depp brought on by his own bad behavior.

Depp is suing Heard for libel in Fairfax County Circuit Court, saying her article defamed him when she described herself as a public figure representing domestic abuse. The article never mentions Depp by name, but Depp's lawyers say he was defamed nevertheless because it's a clear reference to abuse allegations Heard levied in 2016.

In testimony Monday, agent Jack Whigham said Depp was still able to work after the initial allegations made against him in 2016. He was paid $8 million for City Of Lies," $10 million for Murder on the Orient Express and $13.5 million for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, all of which shot in 2017, albeit under contracts reached prior to the allegations made against him.

But he said The Washington Post piece was uniquely damaging to Depp's career.

It was a first-person account, extremely impactful, Whigham said of the op-ed.

After that, he said Depp struggled to get any kind of work. He had to take a pay cut  down to $3 million  to do the independent film Minimata," and a $22.5 million verbal deal he had with Disney for a sixth Pirates film was scuttled, Whigham said.

On cross-examination, though, Heard's lawyers asked whether the Pirates deal had already gone south by the time Heard's article was published. Whigham acknowledged he never had a written deal for Depp to appear in a sixth Pirates" film." And while he said Pirates producer Jerry Bruckheimer talked favorably throughout 2018 about Depp coming back to the franchise, Disney executives were noncommittal at best.

By early 2019  weeks after Heard's op-ed  Whigham said it was clear that Depp's role in any Pirates film was scuttled and that producers were instead looking to move ahead with Margot Robbie in a lead role.

Heard's lawyers have cited a variety of factors  including reports of heavy drug and alcohol use, a lawsuit by a crew member in July 2018 who says he was punched on set by Depp, and a separate libel lawsuit Depp filed against a British newspaper in 2018  as things that damaged Depp's image more than the Post article.

For Depp's Virginia lawsuit to be successful, he not only needs to show that he was falsely accused, but he also needs to show that the op-ed piece  not Heard's abuse allegations in 2016 when she filed for divorce and obtained a temporary restraining order  is what caused the damage.

Depp's lawyers also presented testimony from an intellectual property expert who testified about the negative turn in Depp's reputation. But his own data, showing trend lines from Google searches, showed negative spikes occurring after the 2016 abuse allegations, but negligible or nonexistent changes after the Post article.

The trial has now entered its fourth week. Much of the testimony during the first three weeks centered on the volatile relationship between Depp and Heard. Depp says he has never struck Heard. Her lawyers said during the trial's opening statements that she was physically and sexually abused by Depp on multiple occasions.

Heard is expected to testify later this week.
With the push of a few buttons on ones smartphone, people can get a driver to pick them up, reserve a hotel or have food delivered to them. And now, a local service will now provide lawn care maintenance in the same fashion.

GreenPal is a company that has been in existence since 2012, but it recently launched operations to the Laredo area. The Gateway City was one of the first markets in which the company launched its service this spring, and one of the co-founders of the organization reports success in the area.

GreenPal has been described as Uber for lawn care, as it is the easiest way for homeowners to find, schedule and pay their lawn care, GreenPal Co-Founder Gene Caballero said. I have been in landscaping my own entire life  as I did it in high school, college, post-college  and knew that there had to be a better way for homeowners to connect with landscaping professionals.

Caballero states that his first job was in sales, and he learned as he used Uber services and Airbnb services that one day somebody had to develop a company that would use a similar tactic of getting people to find somebody to do their yard work, just like people trust a stranger based on reviews and ratings to drive them via Uber and other similar apps. Knowing that this idea was soon going to be developed, he began working the mechanics to make this a reality in 2012. Now 10 years later, he brought his company to the Laredo area.

Caballero states that choosing the Laredo market for their business was a no-brainer considering the potential that such a service could have in and around the community.

The Laredo market is so unique because it is almost all year round, as there are some states where there are only about three months of mowing. I say that there is probably a good 12 months, or at least 10 months of the lawn mowing season, in Laredo, Caballero said. I think that both the homeowners and vendors sides are going to benefit from using an app like this.

Although the company just launched in the Laredo area last week, Caballero states that there are already trends showing that the market is responding very positively to the services arrival.

How we know that a market is going to be successful is when we have homeowners signing up organically and if vendors are signing up organically, Caballero said. We launched in a few other markets in Texas, and so what typically happens is a little bit of word of mouth starts going around, and when we kind of see homeowners sign up and vendors signing up then we know that it is something we need to launch as soon as possible.

For users interested in using the services, all they have to do is go to the GreenPal website or download the free apps associated with the service and fill in the address of the home or property they want the service and the date they want the work done. Once this is done, the vendors in the area will be alerted, and they will bid based on the details offered and pictures of the property as to how much they will charge for the service.

Once several bids have been made, these will go to the homeowner, and then the homeowner can pick on who they want to work based on the prices of the bids and ratings and reviews of the vendors offering their services.

Although anyone in and around the city can be a vendor through the app and offer lawn services, Caballero states that there are some guidelines that the vendors must follow. To be a vendor, they must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid drivers license and social security number, have a valid bank account, submit pictures of professional lawn care equipment and photos of previous work.

We want to make sure that the vendors who are joining the GreenPal platform are professional and know what they are doing, and they are who they say they are, Caballero said.

As for payment, customers enter credit card information once they are presented with a quote and choose one. However, their money is safeguarded by GreenPal until the job is done by the lawnmower professional and the homeowner approves of the work after seeing it firsthand.

GreenPal takes 5% of the transaction but that is charged from the bid and no extra payment has to be done by the homeowner. There are also no fees for homeowners, and vendors to sign up to offer their services via the app.

Just like with any relatively new company opening to new markets, Caballero states that the company has received complaints from customers, but says they have tried to stay on top of them and fix them.

There are always complaints, even though we wish that they werent, Caballero said. What typically happens is that lets say a vendor comes out and forgets to mow the backyard, the homeowner then has 24 hours to file a dispute. When that dispute is filed, the vendor is notified that there is an issue with this lawn, and that he needs to go back and fix it, the vendor has 25 hours to fix it. Once he fixes it, he uploads another picture and goes to the homeowner for approval, and once the homeowner approves it, then the money is released.

In the case that if a vendor does not report back to fix the lawn or for whatever reason the vendor never answers back to the dispute, then the homeowner does not pay anything.

Even though the company is still relatively new, Caballero states that they are progressing well with their efforts to perform on-demand lawn mowing.

The co-founder of the company states that during the height of the pandemic, their services were of great convenience as the property owners did not need direct contact with those servicing them.

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A new pizza restaurant is coming to downtown San Francisco. Local cafe chain The Grove is opening a New York-style pizza joint called Empire Pizza, according to the San Francisco Business Times.

Empire Pizza will be located at 688 Mission St.  the former downtown San Francisco Pizzeria Delfina space, which also happens to be right next door to The Grove's Yerba Buena location. The Grove co-owner Kenneth Zankel told the SF Business Times that Empire Pizza was inspired by the pizza he grew up eating in New York City, with "Empire" referring to the Empire State Building.
KALISPELL, Mont. (AP)  A single-engine airplane built from a kit crashed in a field northwest of Kalispell over the weekend, killing both people on board, Flathead County officials said.

An area resident reported the crash at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sheriff Brian Heino said.
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RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  It was dusk on April 14 when Francisco Kuruaya heard a boat approaching along the river near his village in Brazils Amazon rainforest. He assumed it was the regular delivery boat bringing gasoline for generators and outboard motors to remote settlements like his. Instead, what Kuruaya found was a barge dredging his people's pristine river in search of gold.

Kuruaya had never seen a dredge operating in this area of the Xipaia people's territory, let alone one this massive; it resembled a floating factory.

Kuruaya, 47, motored out to the barge, boarded it and confronted the gold miners. They responded in harsh voices and he retreated for fear they were armed. But so was he  with a phone  the first he'd ever had. Back in his village Karimaa, his son Thaylewa Xipaia forwarded the photos of the mining boat to the tribe's WhatsApp chat groups.

Guys, this is urgent!" he said to fellow members of his tribe in an audio message The Associated Press has reviewed. There's a barge here at Pigeons Island. It's huge and it's destroying the whole island. My dad just went there and they almost took his phone."

Several days' voyage away, in the nearest city of Altamira, Kuruaya's daugher Juma Xipaia received the frantic messages. She recorded her own video with choked voice and watery eyes, warning that armed conflict was imminent -- then uploaded it to social media.

In a matter of hours, word was out to the world.

The episode illustrates the advance of the internet into vast, remote rainforest areas that, until recently, had no means of quickly sharing visual evidence of environmental crime. A fast-expanding network of antennae is empowering Indigenous groups to use phones, video cameras and social media to galvanize the public and pressure authorities to respond swiftly to threats from gold miners, landgrabbers and loggers.

Until now Indigenous communities have relied on radio to transmit their distress calls. Environmental and Indigenous rights groups then relayed these to the media and the public. But the non-profits have been maligned by Brazil's far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who advocates legalizing mining and land leasing in protected Indigenous territories. He has castigated the organizations as unreliable actors, out of touch with Indigenous peoples true desires and on the payroll of global environmental do-gooders.

Video and photos coming directly from Indigenous people are harder to dismiss and this is forcing authorities as well as the public to reckon with the reality on the ground.

When used properly, technology helps a lot in real-time monitoring and denouncing, said Nara Bare, head of the group Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon, in a telephone interview. The external pressure to make the federal government act in the Xipaia territory was very important. Technology has been the main tool for that.

Connectivity is not only enabling whistle-blowing on social media. Brazil's Federal Prosecutor's Office has set up a website to register reported crimes and receive uploaded visual material. Previously people in remote communities have had to make the long and expensive trip to the nearest city that has a federal prosecutor's office.

Xipaia territory is part of a pristine rainforest area known as Terra do Meio (Middle Earth) that is dotted with dozens of Indigenous and traditional river communities. Internet connection there was rare until mid-2020, when a group of non-profits, including Health in Harmony and the Socio-Environmental Institute, financed installation of 17 antennae throughout the vast region.

Priority was given to communities with either health centers or market hubs for the production and sale of forest products, such as Brazil nuts. Signal can be painfully slow, especially on rainy days, yet it has connected people who were previously off the grid, and is enough for photos and videos to trickle out of the forest.

The strategy was to improve communication and avoid unnecessary trips to the city, said Marcelo Salazar, Health in Harmony's Brazil program coordinator. The internet makes it easier for health, education, and forest economy issues." Fighting environmental crime was an added benefit, he added.

Four out of five Xipaia communities are now connected. Karimaa, the village where the barge was first spotted, has had internet since July 2020. Just three days after installation, when a teenager injured his head, a city doctor was able to assess his condition using photos sent over WhatsApp. That avoided a costly, complicated medevac during the COVID-19 pandemic.

But the case of the mining dredge marked the first time the Xipaia used the internet to protect their territory. In addition to sounding the alarm, four villages used WhatsApp to quickly organize a party of warriors to confront the miners. Painted with urucum, a local fruit that produces a red ink, and armed with bows, arrows and hunting rifles, they crammed into a small boat, according to Juma Xipaia. By the time they reached the location where the barge had been, however, it was gone.

Some 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) to the west, in the Amazonian state of Rondonia, internet access enabled the Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau people to take classes in photography and video online so they could chronicle deforestation by landgrabbers. The three-day training in 2020 was held via Zoom.

That effort produced the documentary The Territory, which won awards at this year's Sundance Film Festival, Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival and others. Throughout its production, American director Alex Pritz relied on WhatsApp to communicate with his newly trained camera operators.

Tangaai Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau is a teacher-turned-cameraman who traveled to the Danish festival and later spoke with the AP via WhatsApp from his remote village. He said the film is changing people's perception of Brazil's indigenous people. "In Copenhagen... I received many questions. They knew about Brazils natural wonders, but didnt know about Indigenous peoples who fight for their territories.

Elsewhere in the Amazon, the internet has yet to arrive. So when illegal gold miners killed two Yanomami tribe members in June 2020, news of the crime took two weeks to arrive due to the area's remoteness. To avoid a repeat of that, Yanomami organizations have been seeking better connectivity. After Palimiu village along the Uraricoera River suffered a series of attacks committed by miners in May 2021, the Yanomami managed to install an antenna there. Since then, the violence has eased.

Bolsonaro's repeated promises to legalize mining and other activities on Indigenous lands have fueled invasions of territories, which are often islands of forest amid sprawling ranches. Indigenous and environmental groups estimate there are some 20,000 illegal miners in Yanomami territory, which is roughly the size of Portugal. Bolsonaros government claims that there are 3,500.

Deforestation in Brazil's Amazon surged 76% in 2021 compared to 2018, the year before Bolsonaro took office, according to official data from Brazils space agency, which uses satellites to monitor forest loss.

Most internet connections in the Amazon remain slow, even in mid-sized cities. That may soon change. Last November, Brazil's Communications Minister Fabio Faria held a meeting with billionaire Elon Musk to discuss a partnership to improve connectivity in rural areas of the world's largest tropical rainforest.

The communications ministry, however, says the talks have not evolved and no progress has been made. Musk's company SpaceX did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

Some worry that Indigenous groups like the Xipaia won't be the only beneficiaries of greater internet penetration in the Amazon region. Illegal miners often co-opt local Indigenous leaders, communicating surreptitiously on messaging apps. The conversations, sometimes aided by clandestine networks, can enable miners to hide heavy machinery, or tip them off to impending raids by authorities, allowing them to flee.

In Roraima state, which is where most of the Yanomami territory lies, the AP contacted one internet provider that offers wifi to an illegal gold mine for $2,600, plus $690 per month. Clandestine small craft fly the equipment in for installation.

It's a double-edged sword, said Salazar, of Health in Harmony, speaking of increased connectivity.

But for Juma Xipaia, the new connection means added protection and visibility for her people. After she posted her tearful video, it racked up views and was picked up by local and international media. Within two days, an airborne operation involving the Federal Police, the national guard and environmental agencies swooped in. They located the dredge hidden behind vegetation on the banks of the Iriri River with seven miners aboard.

In a country where environmental crime in the Amazon usually goes unchecked, the speedy, successful response underscored the power of Indigenous networks.

After making a lot of calls for help, I decided to do the video. Then it worked. The telephone didnt stop ringing," Juma Xipaia said by phone. "It was very fast after the video.

-

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
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TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  The Taliban members who killed her activist husband offered Zahra Husseini a deal: Marry one of us, and you'll be safe.

Husseini, 31, decided to flee. Through swaths of lawless flatlands she and her two small children trekked by foot, motorcycle and truck until reaching Iran.

As Afghanistan plunged into economic crisis after the United States withdrew troops and the Taliban seized power, the 960-kilometer (572-mile) long border with Iran became a lifeline for Afghans who piled into smugglers pickups in desperate search of money and work.

But in recent weeks the desert crossing, long a dangerous corner of the world, has become a growing source of tension as an estimated 5,000 Afghans traverse it each day and the neighbors  erstwhile enemies that trade fuel, share water and have a tortured history  navigate an increasingly charged relationship.

In past weeks, skirmishes erupted between Taliban and Iranian border guards. Afghans in three cities rallied against Iran. Demonstrators hurled stones and set fires outside an Iranian Consulate. A fatal stabbing spree, allegedly by an Afghan migrant, at Iran's holiest shrine sent shockwaves through the country.

Political analysts say even as both nations do not want an escalation, long-smoldering hostilities risk spiraling out of control.

You have one of the worlds worst-simmering refugee crises just chugging along on a daily pace and historical enmity, said Andrew Watkins, senior Afghanistan expert at the United States Institute of Peace. Earthquakes will happen."

The perils are personal for Afghans slipping across the border like Husseini. Since the Taliban takeover, Iran has escalated its deportations of Afghan migrants, according to the U.N. migration agency, warning that its sanctions-hit economy cannot handle the influx.

In the first three months of this year, Iran's deportations jumped 60% each month, said Ashley Carl, deputy chief of the agency's Afghanistan mission. Many of the 251,000 returned from Iran this year bear the wounds and scars of the arduous trip, he said, surviving car accidents, gunshots and other travails.

Roshangol Hakimi, a 35-year-old who fled to Iran after the Taliban takeover, said smugglers held her and her 9-year-old daughter hostage over a week until her relatives paid ransom.

"They would feed us with polluted water and hard, stale bread, she said. We were dying.

The lucky ones land in the jumble of Tehran, squeezing into dank and crowded alleyways. Iran estimates at least a million Afghans have sought refuge in the country over the last eight months.

Like many, Husseini lives in legal limbo, vulnerable to harassment and exploitation. Her boss at the tailors shop refuses to pay her salary. Her landlord threatens to kick her out. She can barely cobble together enough cash to feed her children.

We have nothing and nowhere to go, she said from a cramped room in southern Tehran, furnished with just a donated gas heater, chairs and a few velour blankets.

As more Afghans arrive, helping them gets harder. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh lamented last month that waves of displaced Afghans cannot continue to Iran because Irans capacities are limited. Iran's youth unemployment hovers over 23%. Irans currency, the rial, has shriveled to less than 50% of its value since 2018.

The biggest challenge is that Iran is not ready for the new situation of refugees," Tehran-based political analyst Rea Ghobeishavi said of the increasing friction between Afghans and Iranians.

Iran has grown more anxious as a string of bloody attacks in Afghanistan targeting the country's minority Hazara Shiites makes clear that extremist threats proliferate despite Taliban promises to provide security.

There are reports that some extremists are entering Iran easily with refugees, said Abbas Husseini, a prominent Afghan journalist in Tehran, describing mounting paranoia in Iran.

Last month, Irans most sacred Shiite shrine in the northeastern city of Mashhad turned into a scene of carnage when an assailant stabbed three clerics, killing two  a rare act of violence at the compound. The attacker was identified in media as an Afghan national of Uzbek ethnicity.

In the following days, a surge of videos agitating against Afghan refugees flooded Iranian social media. Impossible to authenticate, the grainy clips  footage showing Iranians insulting and beating up Afghans  have been dismissed as misleading in Iran but in Afghanistan have dominated headlines, stoking public fury.

Demonstrators attacked the Iranian Consulate in the western city of Herat with stones and protested at Iran's Embassy in Kabul. Stop killing Afghans," pleaded protesters in the Afghan capital. Death to Iran," chanted crowds in Herat and the southeastern Khost province. Iran suspended all of its diplomatic missions in Afghanistan for 10 days.

Even as the gate of its consulate smoldered, Irans special envoy for Afghanistan deflected. Hassan Kazemi Qomi blamed the escalating tensions on a vague enemy" seeking to subvert the nations' relations. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi raised his concerns with the Iranian ambassador.

The ill-treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran adversely affects relations between the two countries ... allowing antagonists to conspire, Muttaqi was quoted as saying.

His careful tone betrays a troubled history.

In 1998, Iran nearly went to war against the Taliban after 10 of its diplomats were killed when their consulate was stormed in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. But after the U.S.-led invasion, Tehran's Shiite leaders grew wary of the American military presence on their doorstep and took a more pragmatic stance toward the Sunni militant group.

Now, analysts say, with both nations severed from the global banking system and starved for cash, they have come to depend on each other. Neither wants to see tensions mount further.

Through neighbors, Iran can sanctions-bust, exchange currency, barter and keep its economy alive, said Sanam Vakil, deputy director of Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa Program.

But the neighbors nearly came to blows last week when Taliban guards tried to pave a new road across the border. Iranian guards went on high alert. The vital crossing closed.

Aware of the stakes, the countries are vigorously pursuing diplomacy. Last week, Khatibzadeh promised Tehran would accredit Taliban diplomats for the first time to help process the mountains of consular cases. Taliban officials visited the capital to discuss Iran's treatment of Afghan refugees.

Many of those refugees fleeing Afghanistan's repression and destitution harbor humble dreams: of scraping by as construction laborers, factory workers and farmhands in Iran.

Others, like Hakimi's 9-year-old daughter Yasmin, hope to continue on to Europe. She fantasizes about Germany. Her father, a police officer killed by the Taliban in Logar province, instilled in her the importance of an education, she said.

We dont want to have a bad future, Yasmin said from her dilapidated Tehran apartment. We want to become literate people, like my father.

___

DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
BEATRICE, Neb. (AP)  A southeastern Nebraska police officer shot and wounded a man in a confrontation in which police say the man yelled he had a gun and reached for his waistband, according to officials.

The shooting happened late Saturday night following a high-speed chase in Gage County, radio station KWBE reported. Beatrice Police Chief Bruce Lang said the incident began when a Gage County sheriffs deputy tried to pull the mans car over, and a chase of more than 100 mph at times ensued.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A Northern California couple was sentenced Monday to several years each in federal prison for conspiring to force a Guatemalan relative and her two daughters to perform long hours of physically demanding work every day of the week for little or no pay.

Nery Martinez Vasquez was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison and Maura Martinez to three years in prison after pleading guilty in August. They were each fined $25,000 and ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution.

The couple, both 54 and from Shasta Lake, California, near Redding, are naturalized U.S. citizens originally from Guatemala.

Federal prosecutors said they promised their relative a better life if she came to America in September 2016 with her two daughters, then ages 15 and 8.

But they then forced the three to overstay their visas and work at their restaurant, called Latinos, and at their Redding Carpet Cleaning & Janitorial Services, which served area businesses including multiple car dealerships.

They threatened to have their relatives arrested for overstaying their visas and told the daughters they couldnt go to school because they would be deported, prosecutors said.

They said Martinez Vasquez beat the daughters with a stick that had the childrens names and nicknames written on it along with the phrase what goes up, must come down.

Forced labor, a form of human trafficking, is ... difficult to identify and investigate without cooperation of fearful victims who believe escape is not an option because of the lies they have been told by their exploiters," Sean Ragan, special agent in charge of the FBI's Sacramento Field Division, said in a statement. This case highlights how such crimes may occur in public view at a legitimate business yet go unnoticed.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors dropped charges alleging that in 1997 the couple conspired to kidnap a 13-year-old girl from her Las Vegas home, then held her against her will for nearly two years while Martinez Vasquez repeatedly raped and sexually molested the girl.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A Bismarck company that sells wholesale electricity announced Monday that it has purchased North Dakotas largest coal-fired power plant from a Minnesota company that had intended to close the facility if no buyer could be found.

Rainbow Energy Center LLC announced last year that it had reached an agreement to acquire the Coal Creek Station in west-central North Dakota from Great River Energy based in Maple Grove, Minnesota. The acquisition also includes associated transmission lines that run from central North Dakota to Minnesota by Nexus Line LLC, an affiliate of Rainbow Energy.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, though the state provided a bond of up to $150 million to help finance the transmission line, officials said.

Great River Energy announced two years ago it would close the plant in the second half of 2022 and use wind farms in Minnesota to produce most of its energy. The plant employs 260 workers and has operated for more than 40 years.

The potential closure of Coal Creek had also threatened North American Coals Falkirk Mine, which supplies lignite to the power plant and employs several hundred workers.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum attended the ceremony Monday in Underwood, near Coal Creek Station, to mark the completion of the sale. He cheered the news of the sales completion.

This is truly a landmark day and a huge win for the 650 workers here at Coal Creek and Falkirk Mine, for the residents of McLean County, for the entire state of North Dakota and for U.S. energy security and electrical grid reliability, Burgum said.

In January, Minnesota regulators approved the transfer to Rainbow Energy of the permit associated with the power line that carries electricity from Coal Creek Station to energy providers in Minnesota.

Great River said the decision to offload the plant was driven by economics. The company also planned to convert its Spiritwood Station plant near Jamestown from lignite coal to natural gas, meaning 95% of the power it produces would be free of the carbon dioxide that is blamed for global warming.

Great River supplies electricity to 28 rural Minnesota cooperatives, serving about 1.7 million people. Energy provided by the plant will be fully replaced by wind energy by the end of 2023, after a $1.2 billion investment, the company said.

Rainbow Energy buys surplus power from utilities and resells the electricity to other companies. It previously did not own electric wires, power stations or other utility infrastructure.

Rainbow is a subsidiary of Bismarck-based United Energy Corp, which also is involved in oil and gas production and exploration.
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP)  A U.S. Coast Guard crew rescued nine pepole when their pontoon overturned near off the Florida Keys, officials said.

A call came in to Station Key West on Sunday afternoon that people without lifejackets were in the water near Boca Chica Channel, the Coast Guard said in a news release.
KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP)  The outskirts of Kharkiv have the feel of an open-air morgue, where the dead lie unclaimed and unexplained, sometimes for weeks on end, as Ukrainian and Russian forces fight for control of slivers of land.

There is the charred body of a man, unidentifiable, propped on an anti-tank barrier made of crossed I-beams outside a town that has been under the control of both sides in recent days. There are the dead soldiers, apparently Russian, four of them arranged in a Z like the military symbol found on Russian armored vehicles, visible to the Russian drones that continuously buzz overhead. The door to an apartment opens to three bodies inside.

Precisely how any of this happened will likely never be known.

Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, has been under sustained Russian attack since the beginning of the war in late February. With the Russian offensive intensifying in the east, the Russian onslaught has grown fiercer.

Considered a strategic and industrial prize, territory on the eastern citys outskirts has gone back and forth between Russian and Ukrainian forces for weeks now as the fighting shifts from village to village. Many, but by no means all, of Kharkivs 1 million residents have fled.

Associated Press journalists saw the bodies formed into a Z, wearing the white arm bands commonly used by Russian soldiers, and with some Russian medical kits alongside them. They were found on a front line where fighting had been taking place for days. They, along with the burned man, were taken to a morgue on Monday. There was no explanation for the Z formation  a symbol of the Russian invasion  nor the burned body propped on the barrier. Either could be considered a war crime, for disrespecting the dignity of the dead.

Next will come the investigation into their identities, maybe an attempt to notify family.

But even that is hard to untangle. The body of a man with Ukrainian insignia turned out to have the identity papers of a Russian soldier. The apartment where the three bodies were found had been badly shelled, but it wasn't clear what killed them.

Shelling and airstrikes are a daily threat everywhere here, to everyone. And, as long as that remains true, death can come at anytime, without anyone around to answer why.

It was a rare glimpse into the death and atrocities of the war. Getting a full picture of the unfolding battle in eastern Ukraine has been difficult because airstrikes and artillery barrages have made it extremely dangerous for journalists to move around. Russia has severely restricted reporting in the combat zone; Ukraine's government has imposed fewer limits, mostly on how quickly material can be published or about military installations.

In Washington on Monday, a senior U.S. defense official said Ukrainian forces had over the last 48 hours succeeded in pushing Russian forces further away from Kharkiv, even as it came under Russian aerial bombardment. The Russians have now been pushed some 40 kilometers (25 miles) to the east of the city, further into the Donbas region, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the U.S. military assessment.

According to the Red Cross, mutilating dead bodies in international armed conflicts is covered by the war crime of committing outrages upon personal dignity under the Statute of the International Criminal Court, which according to the Elements of Crimes also applies to dead persons.

___

Associated Press Pentagon Writer Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this report.
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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Food-delivery drivers protesting wage cuts and grueling working conditions went on an extremely rare strike in Dubai over the weekend  a mass walkout that paralyzed one of the countrys main delivery apps and revived concerns about labor conditions in the emirate.

The strike started late Saturday and ended early Monday, when London-based Deliveroo agreed in a letter to riders to restore workers pay to $2.79 per delivery instead of the proposed rate of $2.38 that had ignited the work stoppage as the company tried to cut costs amid surging fuel prices.

The Amazon-backed firm also backtracked on its plan to extend working shifts to 14 hours a day.

It is clear that some of our original intentions have not been clear and we are listening to riders, Deliveroo said in a statement to The Associated Press. We have therefore currently paused all changes and will be working with our agency riders to ensure we have a structure that works for everyone and has our agency riders best interest at heart.

Strikes remain illegal in the United Arab Emirates, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms that bans unions and criminalizes dissent. The Dubai government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strike.

Delivery workers in Dubai, who became a mainstay in the financial hub as demand boomed during the pandemic, have few protections.

To reduce cost, companies like Deliveroo outsource bikes, logistics and responsibility to contracting agencies  a labor pipeline that prevails across Gulf Arab states and can lead to mistreatment. Many impoverished migrants are plunged into debt paying their contractors exorbitant visa fees to secure their jobs.

The British food delivery service is valued at over $8 billion.

News of the pay cut at Deliveroo  announced internally last week as the cost of fuel soars amid fallout from the war in Ukraine and continuing supply chain chokeholds  was devastating for 30-year-old driver Mohammadou Labarang.

Already, he was paying for the UAE's record fuel prices out of his own pocket and barely scraping by, he said, with a wife and 7-month-old son back in Cameroon to support.

When Labarang logged onto social media, he found he was far from alone. Soon, he said, hundreds of Deliveroo drivers were organizing on Telegram and WhatsApp.

Dozens of drivers parked their bikes by various Deliveroo warehouses in protest, according to footage widely shared on social media. Some shut down their apps. Others rested at their accommodations. Others went to restaurants and urged fellow couriers to stop mid-shift.

All around Dubai we saw food getting cold on restaurant counters, Labarang said. It grew far beyond what anybody thought possible."

As a result, the Deliveroo app  one of the most popular delivery apps in the country, particularly during the final days of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan  was largely down over the weekend.

Some drivers shared WhatsApp voice messages with the AP from their managers at contracting agencies demanding that they return to work immediately and don't involve yourself in any illegal activity.

Aware they risk detention and expulsion for protesting, drivers were quick to stress their strike was in no way political.

We know the rules, we know it's sensitive, this is not against the UAE, said a 30-year-old Pakistani driver named Mohammed, who declined to give his last name for fear of reprisals.

But he said he also risks his life each day, zipping around Dubai's dangerous roads without accident insurance.

We are human, he said as he mounted his motorbike, returning to the grind in downtown Dubai, where delivery workers rushed in and out of restaurants and apartment towers in the languid Gulf heat. We are not robots.
METHUEN, Mass. (AP)  A former student at a Massachusetts high school was stabbed by a current student during an on-campus confrontation late Monday morning, police said.

The 16-year-old male suspect is in custody and facing several charges including assault with intent to murder, Methuen police Chief Scott McNamara said at a news conference. Police also recovered a knife with a 4-inch (10-centimeter) blade, he said.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  Greek authorities on Monday arrested a man suspected of enticing a kitten with food at a restaurant where he was dining and then kicking it into the sea, the country's minister for the police said.

Minister Takis Theodorikakos voiced shock at the incident, which triggered outrage in Greek social media Sunday after a video of it was posted online, apparently by one of the suspect's dining companions.
JERUSALEM (AP)  The Palestinian militant group Hamas claimed responsibility Monday for a deadly shooting that left an Israeli security guard dead at the entrance of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank last week.

It was the first time Hamas has claimed such an attack targeting Israelis in the occupied West Bank since 2018. Friday evening's attack was the latest in a long string of incidents in recent weeks. Tensions have mounted after deadly attacks on Israelis by Palestinian assailants, an Israeli military crackdown in the West Bank, and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at a flashpoint Jerusalem holy site.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The city of Jackson is liable for the wrongful death of a woman who was killed after she called 911 and the operator did not tell her to remain on the line, the Mississippi Supreme Court said in affirming part of a jury's verdict.

Justices issued the decision Thursday, nearly eight years after Ruth Helen Harrion, 67, was killed after calling about a prowler outside her home, WLBT-TV reported.

The 911 dispatcher did not tell Harrion to stay on the phone, court records show. After the call ended, the prowler entered the home and raped and killed her.

Justices found the city must pay Harrion's family $500,000 because, under the Mississippi Tort Claims Act, it was liable for the 911 dispatcher's actions.

However, justices reversed part of the jury's verdict that awarded her family $1 million after finding the city violated Harrions constitutional rights.

The city had previously said it should not be held liable for the actions of its employees.

The Supreme Court upheld a lower courts findings that the dispatchers failure to ask Ruth Harrion to remain on the telephone violated written procedures, and that if the victim had remained on the line the officers would have known that the prowler had gotten into the house and could have ... saved Ruth Harrion.

Harrion called 911 after 3 a.m. on July 16, 2014, and a Jackson Police Department shift supervisor, Debra Goldman, answered. Court records indicate after Goldman took Harrions name and told her police would be sent, the call disconnected.

It is disputed which party hung up first. Undisputed and likewise shown by a recording of the call is that Goldman made no attempt to keep ... Harrion on the line, the court wrote. Nor did she attempt to determine the prowlers location or whether Harrion had seen or heard the prowler.

Two officers, Tammie Heard and Derrick Evans, were sent to the home.

After they checked around the house and observed no signs of forced entry, they knocked on the front door, but no one answered, and they heard nothing out of the ordinary," the court wrote.

The officers told dispatch to call Harrion, who never answered. One officer heard the phone ringing from outside the house. They knocked on the door, but no one answered.

At the time, a man was holding Harrion hostage and her body was found later that day outside the home," according to court records.
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BANGKOK (AP)  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Monday with his Thai counterpart, Prayuth Chan-ocha, for talks about economic, security and geopolitical issues, including political upheaval in Myanmar and Russias war in Ukraine.

The two leaders also oversaw the signing of three agreements covering financial cooperation, the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and support for a COVID-19 emergency response.

Kishida is in the middle of a five-nation overseas trip. He earlier visited Indonesia and Vietnam and will travel to Italy and the United Kingdom after Thailand.

Japan has long been a major economic investor in Thailand, and at a post-meeting news conference Prayuth said the two nations are drafting a five-year strategic plan for an economic partnership.

He said he and Kishida agreed on the importance of supply chain connectivity to enhance development of smart agriculture, 5G communication technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and electric vehicles and components.

Prayuth also said they were pleased with their countries close defense and security cooperation, but did not elaborate. The United States has traditionally been Thailands closest security partner, but ties have loosened in the past decade as China has extended its influence in Southeast Asia. Japan, a strategic rival of China, is keen to offset Beijings ascendancy.

The war in Ukraine has figured prominently in Kishidas talks during his trip, and he and Prayuth both said they were concerned about escalating tensions there and urged an end to all hostilities.

Prayuth said he proposed a new approach to ending the confrontation by focusing on humanitarian considerations, and that a similar approach might be useful in restoring peace in Thailand's neighbor, military-ruled Myanmar.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power last year from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover was met with massive public resistance, and the country is now embroiled in what some experts characterize as a civil war. Several governments have imposed sanctions against Myanmars military rulers, and some Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Singapore have condemned their actions.

Thailand and Japan share a softer approach and have been less critical of the ruling military. Thailand has significant economic interests in Myanmar and has its own past history of army rule. Japan has historically had friendly ties with the military governments that have ruled Myanmar most of the past six decades.
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Kathy Boudin, a former Weather Underground radical who served more than two decades behind bars for her role in a fatal 1981 armored truck robbery and spent the latter part of her life helping people who had been imprisoned, has died at age 78, according to her family.

Boudin, who lived in New York City, died of cancer Sunday surrounded by family, including her life partner David Gilbert, who was released from prison last year for his own role in the infamous Brink's armored truck robbery.

Boudin had expressed remorse for the robbery, in which a guard and two police officers were killed north of New York City. Behind bars, the former 60s radical was described as a model prisoner. She was released on parole in 2003, a move that infuriated some relatives and friends of the three men slain in the botched Brink's robbery. Boudin kept a low profile after her release and continued to work on behalf of inmates and former inmates.

Her son with Gilbert, Chesa Boudin, said his mother devoted herself to others well after her cancer diagnosis in 2015.

She, as a mother, offered not only unconditional love and pride, but also a model of how to live redemption and own responsibility for horrific mistakes without allowing them to entirely define her life, Chesa Boudin, the district attorney of San Francisco, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Kathy Boudin was the daughter of civil rights attorney Leonard Boudin and became a radical activist in the 1960s, joining the Weather Underground. The group helped define the radical anti-Vietnam War movement with its violent protests and bombings. Boudin was once seen fleeing naked from a 1970 explosion of a Greenwich Village townhouse police said was used by radicals as a bomb factory.

She and Gilbert joined members of the Black Liberation Army in the Oct. 20, 1981, robbery, stealing $1.6 million in cash from an armored car outside the Nanuet Mall near the Hudson River community of Nyack.

Brinks guard Peter Paige was killed in the robbery and two police officers, Sgt. Edward OGrady and Officer Waverly Brown, were killed when a getaway truck was stopped at a roadblock and gunmen burst from the back with weapons firing.

Boudin, who had been in the trucks passenger seat, was apprehended as she fled. She pleaded guilty in 1984 to murder and robbery, while maintaining that her role in the crimes was limited and that she was unarmed.

I feel terrible about the lives that were lost as a result of this incident, Boudin said in court, standing next to her father. I have led a life committed to political principles. I believe I can be true to these principles in various ways without engaging in violent acts.

She was sentenced to 20 years to life. In prison, she developed a program on parenting behind bars and helped write a handbook for inmates whose children are in foster care. She earned a masters degree and worked to help inmates with AIDS.

After her release, she founded a program that provides health care for people returning from incarceration and co-founded the Center for Justice at Columbia University, which seeks alternatives to mass incarceration. She earned a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College and taught at the Columbia School of Social Work, according to the Center for Justice.

Gilbert, who did not plead guilty, was sentenced to 75 years to life. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo granted clemency to Gilbert just before the Democrat resigned last summer.

Boudin and Gilbert were married after their arrests and later divorced in prison, but remained close and had been spending their days together since Gilbert's release, Chesa Boudin said.

The prosecutor, who ran on a progressive platform, was 14 months old when his parents were imprisoned. He was raised by Kathy Boudin and Gilbert's Weather Underground compatriots, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, but kept in close contact with his biological parents.

I have boxes and boxes of letters that she sent me from prison, Chesa Boudin said of his mother. We spent countless hours every month on the phone.
Kathy Boudin, a radical leftist convicted in the fatal Brink's robbery who went on to help former inmates, and the mother of San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, died Sunday afternoon at her home in New York, according to a statement from the district attorney's office, and reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and other news outlets. She was 78 years old.

Chesa Boudin told the Chronicle, which was first to report the news, that his mother had been battling with cancer for seven years. (SFGATE and the San Francisco Chronicle are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.) He said he took a red-eye flight to New York to say goodbye and to see her one last time, describing her nature as unshakably optimistic and courageous.

She made it long enough to meet her grandson, and welcome my father home from prison after 40 years," Boudin said in a statement his office shared with SFGATE. "She always ended phone calls with a laugh, a habit acquired during the 22 years of her incarceration, when she wanted to leave every person she spoke with, especially me, with joy and hope. She lived redemption, constantly finding ways to give back to those around her.

Born on May 19, 1943, Kathy Boudin was raised by civil rights lawyer and left-wing activist Leonard Boudin and poet Jean (Roisman) Boudin while growing up in New York Citys Greenwich Village. She went on to attend Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania, majoring in Russian studies, and was valedictorian of her class in 1965. She "was soon radicalized by the growing anti-war and racial justice movements of the '60s," the district attorney's office said, leading her to become an active member of radical leftist organization the Weather Underground. Kathy Boudin married David Gilbert in 1970, the same year she fled from an explosion at a Manhattan townhouse where the organization had been crafting bombs allegedly intended for the Fort Dix army base in New Jersey, and later went into hiding, giving birth to their son, Chesa, in 1980.

In October of the following year, Kathy Boudin, Gilbert and other members of the organization worked in conjunction with the Revolutionary Armed Task Force and the Black Liberation Army to partake in a robbery of $1.6 million in a Brinks armored car at the Nanuet Mall in New York. A Brinks guard was killed by one of their accomplices in the holdup, and two New York police officers were killed by the group during a shootout in the escape. Kathy Boudin and Gilbert were charged and convicted of felony murder because they were involved as the unarmed driver and passenger of the getaway vehicle  Boudin herself also served as a decoy.

Weather Underground members Bill Ayers and his wife, Bernardine Dohrn took Chesa Boudin into their care when he was 14 months old. Kathy Boudin pleaded guilty in 1984 and entered Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in exchange for her release on parole in 2003, while Gilbert took the case to trial and was eventually sentenced to 75 years to life in prison. He received a grant of clemency from Governor Andrew Cuomo on Aug. 23, 2021 before he was granted parole and then released on Nov. 4, 2021, reuniting with his wife.

During her incarceration, Kathy Boudin published articles in the Harvard Educational Review, among other publications, taught literacy classes and pushed to bring college courses back to Bedford Hills after Pell Grants had been terminated. She obtained her masters degree in adult education and literacy at Norwich College, becoming the first woman to do so while in a New York state prison, the statement from the district attorney's office said.

Kathy Boudin advocated for her fellow inmates and fought for the reunification of imprisoned women and their children. She also co-authored The Foster Care Handbook for Incarcerated Parents" and wrote and published poetry, going on to win an International PEN Prize.

She felt "remorse for her role in the deadly robbery, and [had] serious questions about the role of violence in political movements and the consequences of her political choices," a statement from the district attorney's office said, adding that she had regular visits with her son for 22 years.

Ralf-Finn Hestoft/Corbis via Getty Images

After her release, she worked for the St. Luke's Hospital HIV/AIDS Center and continued to support former inmates, helping to prepare them as they transitioned to life on the outside, according to the New York Times. She earned a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College in 2007 and went on to co-found the Center for Justice at Columbia, focusing on the causes and consequences of mass incarceration.

Kathys legacy, mission and lifetime commitment to advancing social justice, supporting disadvantaged communities and reforming the criminal legal system will never be forgotten, especially by those whose lives she touched," Jarrell E. Daniels, a staff member at Columbias Center for Justice and a formerly incarcerated person, said in a statement. "For so many of us, Kathy was a legend that defied odds and broke through the boundaries. She will never be forgotten.

Kathy Boudin is survived by her brother Michael Boudin, her life partner Gilbert and their son Chesa Boudin, as well as her daughter-in-law Valerie Block, the district attorney's office said.
FLATWOODS, Ky. (AP)  A Kentucky police officer was hospitalized Monday after being shot while investigating a report of a suspicious person near a home, authorities said.

The Flatwoods police officer was shot in the neck when he approached a suspect at Bayberry Townhomes, Kentucky State Police spokesperson Shane Goodall told news outlets. He was in stable condition after having emergency surgery.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  Little Rock's police chief is retiring this month after a rocky three years leading Arkansas' capital police force that's been marked by lawsuits and public clashes with officers.

Mayor Frank Scott on Monday announced Chief Keith Humphrey submitted a letter stating his intent to retire, effective May 20. Scott said a national search will be conducted for Humphrey's replacement and Assistant Chief Crystal Young-Haskins will serve as interim chief starting May 21.

Chief Humphrey brought meaningful reform to our police department and a renewed focus on community policing during his tenure as chief, Scott said in a statement. He remained loyal to his officers and to this city in the midst of adversity and challenging times."

Humphrey, who was hired in April 2019, clashed with the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police and he has been sued by several current and former officers over promotions, disciplinary cases and other issues.

A federal judge in September dismissed Humphrey's lawsuit against the local police union and several current and former officers that accused them of conspiring to force him out of his job.

The public fight centered around Humphrey's response to the fatal shooting in 2019 of a Black motorist by a white police officer.

Humphrey's retirement also comes months after he was briefly placed on paid leave after shooting at a woman who allegedly shot another woman on New Years Eve. Humphrey did not strike the woman.

Humphrey had previously served as police chief in Norman, Oklahoma, and Lancaster, Texas.
A Connecticut man has been charged with a hate crime after telling police he set a vehicle on fire because he didn't like the owner's Mormon faith.

The fire, which destroyed a 2022 Chevy Equinox, started just before 4 a.m. Monday outside a multifamily home in Torrington, police said.
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP)  A bystander was fatally shot when a fight broke out among juveniles at a Southern California community festival and a 17-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder, police said Monday.

The shooting occurred just after 10 p.m. Sunday at La Palma Park, site of the city of Anaheim's annual Cinco de Mayor festival, a police statement said.
RIGA, Latvia - In his two-bedroom Moscow apartment, 35-year-old start-up wizard Pavel Telitchenko spent years mulling a move from Russia, fearing the gradual rise of a police state. Then, three days after the Kremlin's tanks rolled into Ukraine, he made the hard choice - packing up his young family, along with his prized vinyl-record collection, and joining a historic exodus that includes a massive outflow of Russia's best and brightest minds in tech.

"I did not want to make an emotional decision, but I could not raise my son in a country like that," said Telitchenko, who resettled in neighboring Latvia in March with his wife and 3-year-old son. He spoke in their comfortable Riga two-story walk-up, standing near a high shelf with a white Santa Claus statue from his childhood - a reminder of what he had left behind.

"The war made me realize that Russia will not change," he said.

Western attention is focused on the millions of refugees who have fled Ukraine since the Russian assault began on Feb. 24. But Russia is also in the midst of an emigration wave that is upending its spheres of arts and journalism, and especially the world of tech.

The Russian Association for Electronic Communications told the lower house of Russia's parliament last month that 50,000 to 70,000 tech workers have fled the country, with 100,000 more expected to leave over the next month - for a total of about 10 percent of the sector's workforce. Ok Russians, a new nonprofit group helping emigres, used a sampling of data from neighboring nations and social media surveys to estimate that nearly 300,000 Russians overall had left since the war began.

Mitya Aleshkovskiy, co-founder of Ok Russians, said some of those leaving are opposition activists, artists and journalists - people whom President Vladimir Putin is probably happy to see go, and whose departure could reduce active dissent within Russia. But nearly half of those leaving hail from tech - a highly transient, globally in-demand workforce that includes many who fear Russia's global isolation, newly adverse business climate and near-total authoritarianism.

The Russian government is "really scared and shocked," Aleshkovskiy said. "The prime minister of Russia has been begging these guys to stay. He's telling them, 'Don't worry that Apple leaves, we will build our own Apple Store. Please don't go.' . . . But I would say that the best people are leaving right now. . . . The highly skilled, highly educated, highly paid specialists."

Thousands of Russians who left, intially fearing that Putin would seal Russia's borders, have gone back in recent weeks. But at least some are expected to leave again, as experts predict a fresh wave of departures in the coming weeks and months. Experts on global migration and Russian population are calling the current exodus Russia's single fastest since the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, when millions of intellectuals and economic elites fled the rise of the Soviet Union.

"In some ways, this is a first," said Jeanne Batalova, a global migration expert at the Migration Policy Institute. "We're talking about a lot of people in a very condensed period, a matter of weeks. In 1917, Russia was in the midst of a civil war. But this is happening at time when there is no war within Russia itself."

The departure of so much talent threatens to undermine a host of Russian sectors, from the state media to aerospace and aviation industries already reeling from Western sanctions. The tech and start-up ecosystem was already withering under escalating government interference and censorship.

Desperate to stem the tide, the Russian government passed an unprecedented incentive package offering IT firms tax breaks and reduced regulation. IT workers, meanwhile, are being promised subsidized housing, salary bumps, and no income tax for the next three years. Notably, the decree signed by Putin also grants IT workers an exemption from conscription into military service, something many young Russians have sought to avoid by fleeing the country.

Mikhail Mizhinsky, who runs Relocode, a London-based company helping tech firms relocate, said his Russian clients have surged to more than 200 since the war, a 20-fold increase. The largest are looking to move 1,000 employees. Most are relocating 100 to 200 staffers.

"We've never seen anything like this," he said.

The tech exodus is also due to Western sanctions and the curtailing or ending of operations by Western companies including IBM, Intel and Microsoft. Smaller, Russian tech companies, or companies headed by international Russians, are also leaving. Meanwhile, major Russian tech players like Yandex, often called "the Russian Google," have scrambled to hold on to employees who are fleeing Russia.

A person close to Yandex who spoke on the condition of anonymity to disclose internal discussions said the company was studying the creation of new or expanded offices in Armenia, Georgia, and Turkey, where "many" of its engineers have recently moved.

The company has also been trying to figure out ways to overcome logistical challenges - including paying relocated staff, given that Western sanctions have largely cut Russian bank cards off from the international financial system. In March, Yandex gave a one-time cash bonus for employee retention, and has started offering its staff psychological counseling.

"The question is, shall we as a company maybe create local offices to support those engineers who left Russia, because brain drain is considered to be a big problem?' " the person said. "Russian engineers are kind of great, and it's not a big problem for them to get into Facebook or Google, so we need to compete with those tech companies."

Interviews with logistics firms and tech workers themselves suggest they are overrepresented in the outflow because they rank among the few workers in Russia who can easily leave. International remote work, especially in the pandemic age, was already common in the sector, while foreign demand for their skills makes them good candidates for work visas outside Russia.

Many are also younger, recent university graduates who faced risks if they stayed.

"I thought I could be sent to war in the Ukraine," said Maxim Nemkevich, a product manager at a major Russian IT firm who fled to Turkey in March after being asked by his university, where he was a consultant, to fill out a form with the "skills" he could offer the military.

"And then I thought, [Putin] would start to block IT specialists from leaving Russia, because so many of us are leaving and they need us. That convinced me it was time to leave."

Russian tech workers, he said, are now "everywhere" in Istanbul. Temporary office spaces, restaurants and sidewalks are "filled with people speaking Russian. So many Russians are here." He said he planned to remain in Turkey as long as possible and apply to graduate programs elsewhere in Europe.

"I'm afraid that Russia will become like North Korea. The national course will be self-isolation, and it will close all connection to the Western world, and be closely connected to China," Nemkevich said. "I don't not want to live in that kind of country."

Russia was running a deficit in skilled IT workers even before its invasion of Ukraine. The Russian Ministry of Digital Development last year placed the country's shortage of tech workers between 500,000 and a million, with a deficit of 2 million projected by 2027.

And many of the Russians leaving - like Telitchenko - had contemplated emigration long before the invasion. After starting a Moscow-based platform in 2019 for large online conferences, he legally established a new company in Latvia in 2021, and obtained a resident's visa. His longer-term plan was to commute between Moscow and Riga, but he had no immediate plan to move.

Then came the war. He was alarmed by what he described as a herd mentality of people unquestionably accepting the invasion. Others, he said, were too afraid to voice dissent. He recalled an encounter with an employee at a co-working space he rented in Moscow.

"I could see in her eyes that something was wrong," he said. When he asked how she was, she burst into tears, confiding her fears about the invasion.

With bans on flights between Russia and the European Union, getting to Riga meant flying first to St. Petersburg, then riding 14 hours on a bus. Then, as for so many Russians emigres, renting an apartment was an ordeal, in part because Western sanctions made it difficult for him to withdraw money or set up a bank account.

His mother back home fretted that everyone in Latvia - a former Soviet republic that is now a member of the European Union and NATO, and whose government is fiercely anti-Putin - would "hate Russians." But instead, Telitchenko said, he and his family have found a warm reception among a people who lived under Moscow's yoke in Soviet times.

"The Latvians understand," he said.

- - -

The Washington Post's Mary Ilyushina contributed to this report.
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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  When New York Gov. Kathy Hochul took office last year after her predecessor resigned in a sexual harassment scandal, one of her first big decisions was appointing a lieutenant governor who could help restore trust in government.

Her choice  and attempt at a reset  imploded last month when her pick, Brian Benjamin, resigned after his arrest on corruption charges.

Now the Democrat is hoping to try again, vetting candidates for a new partner as legislative allies changed state law Monday in a way that gets Benjamin off the ballot in the primary election and allows Hochul to campaign with a new, yet-to-be named running mate.

Hochul's choice for a job that normally fades into the background is now a high-stakes decision that could make it tougher to shake off two primary challengers and weigh her down in the general election in November.

If she gets the wrong person, it gives the Republicans an issue, Democratic political consultant Hank Sheinkopf said. The question of this choice is being used against her to question her capacity to govern and to make decisions."

Hochul has said Benjamin's April 12 arrest surprised her. She dismissed questions Monday about how carefully she vetted Benjamin, a former state senator, pointing to the tight timeframe she had to find a second-in-command after then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned in August and she took his place.

We had to get someone. It was not a situation that was desirable. Can we do it all over again differently? Yes, and we will do it very differently, she said.

Her decision of a new partner is expected in the coming days. But in order to take her new pick on the campaign trail, she first needed lawmakers to allow her to remove Benjamin from the June primary ticket.

Existing elections law had said a candidate can only get off the ballot in case of death, moving out of state or running for another office.

The state Senate and Assembly approved legislation Monday to allow candidates to decline their spot on the ballot if theyve since been charged with or convicted of crimes.

Hochul told reporters earlier Monday that the bill is about ending dysfunction in Albany. She denied that it was solely focused on her gubernatorial bid.

When you think about it, every time I talk to a voter, they cant believe that that was even the law, she said. So why not fix it now since this came to light? They know that a governor deserves to have a running mate of her choosing.

With the legislation passed, Benjamin can decline his partys nomination and remove himself from the June primary ballot, something he said Monday he intends to do.

I am innocent of these unsubstantiated charges. However, I would be unable to serve under these circumstances, Benjamin said in a statement posted to Twitter.

The Democratic Party and its committee on vacancies will be able to fill Benjamins spot with a candidate of party leaders choosing, according to a summary of the bill.

Republicans, as well as some Democrats, blasted the bill as an unfair changing of election rules at the last minute.

Instead of working to lower crime and taxes, Kathy Hochul is more focused on salvaging her political future by desperately working to change state law to cover up that she put a known-corrupt LG on her ticket, Suozzi said.

Hochuls office didnt immediately provide answers to questions Monday about when she will announce her new running mate.

Hochul, who is white and from Buffalo in western New York, has been pressured to select a person of color who has ties to New York City.

That was a consideration she made when choosing Benjamin, a former state lawmaker who hails from Harlem and was the second Black man to hold the job.

Hochul could also potentially tap one of two lieutenant governor candidates already on the ballot: immigration advocate Ana Maria Archila, and former New York City council member Diana Reyna. Both are running in hopes of serving alongside progressive Jumaane Williams and centrist Tom Suozzi, respectively.

Luis Miranda, a New York political consultant and board chair of the progressive political group Latino Victory, is among those who've publicly called on Hochul to appoint New York's first Hispanic lieutenant governor, a symbolic choice in a state that prizes diversity.

Latinos make up roughly one-fifth of the population but have not yet been elected to statewide office in New York or citywide office in New York City.

It will make a difference and it will be noticeable and great for the Latino community, and quite frankly, good politics," Miranda said.
Oleg Y. Tinkov was worth more than $9 billion in November, renowned as one of Russias few self-made business tycoons after building his fortune outside the energy and minerals industries that were the playgrounds of Russian kleptocracy.

Then, last month, Tinkov, the founder of one of Russias biggest banks, criticized the war in Ukraine in a post on Instagram. The next day, he said, President Vladimir Putins administration contacted his executives and threatened to nationalize his bank if it did not cut ties with him. Last week, he sold his 35% stake to a Russian mining billionaire in what he describes as a desperate sale, a fire sale that was forced on him by the Kremlin.

I couldnt discuss the price, Tinkov said. It was like a hostage  you take what you are offered. I couldnt negotiate.

Tinkov, 54, spoke to The New York Times by phone Sunday, from a location he would not disclose, in his first interview since Putin invaded Ukraine. He said he had hired bodyguards after friends with contacts in the Russian security services told him he should fear for his life, and quipped that while he had survived leukemia, perhaps the Kremlin will kill me.

It was a swift and jarring turn of fortune for a longtime billionaire who for years had avoided running afoul of Putin while portraying himself as independent of the Kremlin. His downfall underscores the consequences facing those in the Russian elite who dare to cross their president, and helps explain why there has been little but silence from business leaders who, according to Tinkov, are worried about the impact of the war on their lifestyles and their wallets.

Indeed, Tinkov claimed that many of his acquaintances in the business and government elite told him privately that they agreed with him, but they are all afraid.

In the interview, Tinkov spoke out more forcefully against the war than has any other major Russian business leader.

Ive realized that Russia, as a country, no longer exists, Tinkov said, predicting that Putin would stay in power a long time. I believed that the Putin regime was bad. But of course, I had no idea that it would take on such catastrophic scale.

The Kremlin did not respond to a request for comment.

Tinkoff, the bank Tinkov started in 2006, denied his characterization of events and said there had been no threats of any kind against the banks leadership. The bank, which announced last Thursday that Tinkov had sold his entire stake in the company to a firm run by Vladimir Potanin, a mining magnate close to Putin, appeared to be distancing itself from its founder.

Oleg has not been in Moscow for many years, did not participate in the life of the company and was not involved in any matters, Tinkoff said in a statement.

Tinkov has also run into trouble in the West. He agreed to pay $507 million last year to settle a tax fraud case in the United States. In March, Britain included him on a list of sanctions against the Russian business elite.

These oligarchs, businesses and hired thugs are complicit in the murder of innocent civilians and it is right that they pay the price, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said at the time.

Tinkov is nevertheless widely seen as a rare Russian business pioneer, modeling his maverick capitalism on Richard Branson and morphing from irreverent beer brewer to founder of one of the worlds most sophisticated online banks. He says he has never set foot in the Kremlin, and he has occasionally criticized Putin.

But unlike Russian tycoons who years ago broke with Putin and now live in exile, such as former oil magnate Mikhail B. Khodorkovsky or tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov, Tinkov found a way to coexist with the Kremlin and make billions  at least until April 19.

That is when Tinkov published an emotional anti-war post on Instagram, calling the invasion crazy and deriding Russias military: Why would we have a good army, he asked, if everything else in the country is dysfunctional and mired in nepotism, servility and subservience?

Pro-war Russians posted photos of their shredded Tinkoff debit cards on social media. Vladimir Solovyov, a prominent state television host, delivered a tirade against him, declaring, Your conscience is rotten.

Tinkov was already outside Russia at that point, having departed in 2019 to receive treatment for leukemia. He later stepped down and ceded control of Tinkoff, but kept a 35% stake in the company, which was valued at more than $20 billion on the London stock exchange last year.

A day after the April 19 post, Tinkov said Sunday, the Kremlin contacted the banks senior executives and told them that any association with their founder was now a major problem.

They said: The statement of your shareholder is not welcomed, and we will nationalize your bank if he doesnt sell it and the owner doesnt change, and if you dont change the name, Tinkov said, citing sources at Tinkoff he declined to identify.

On April 22, Tinkoff announced it would change its name this year, a step it claims was long planned. Behind the scenes, Tinkov says, he was scrambling to sell his stake  one that had already been devalued by Western sanctions against Russias financial system.

Tinkov said he was thankful to Potanin, the mining magnate, for allowing him to salvage at least some money from his company; he said that he could not disclose a price, but that he had sold at 3% of what he believed to be his stakes true value.

They made me sell it because of my pronouncements, Tinkov said. I sold it for kopecks.

He had been considering selling his stake anyway, Tinkov said, because as long as Putin is alive, I doubt anything will change.

I dont believe in Russias future, he said. Most importantly, I am not prepared to associate my brand and my name with a country that attacks its neighbors without any reason at all.

Tinkov is concerned that a foundation he started that is dedicated to improving blood cancer treatment in Russia could also become a casualty of his financial trouble.

He denied that he was speaking out in the hopes of getting the U.K. sanctions against him lifted, although he said he hoped the British government would eventually correct this mistake.

He said that his illness  he is now suffering from graft-versus-host disease, a stem-cell transplant complication, he said  might have made him more courageous about speaking out than other Russian business leaders and senior officials. Members of the elite, he claimed, are in shock about the war and have called him in great numbers to offer support.

They understand that they are tied to the West, that they are part of the global market, and so on, Tinkov said. Theyre fast, fast being turned into Iran. But they dont like it. They want their kids to spend their summer holidays in Sardinia.

Tinkov said that no one from the Kremlin had ever contacted him directly, but that in addition to the pressure on his company, he heard from friends with security service contacts that he could be in physical danger.

They told me: The decision regarding you has been made,  he said. Whether that means that on top of everything theyre going to kill me, I dont know. I dont rule it out.

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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WARSAW, Poland (AP)  A top-level U.S. congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in Warsaw on Monday to express gratitude to Poland for their humanitarian and other support for Ukraine.

Pelosi and a half dozen U.S. lawmakers met with President Andrzej Duda and Polish lawmakers in Warsaw. The visit followed a weekend visit to Kyiv where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pledging to support his country until it defeats Russia.

In a statement after the meeting with Duda, Pelosi called him a valued partner in supporting the people of Ukraine in the face of Putins brutal and unprovoked war.

She said that during their meeting the members of her delegation expressed Americas deep gratitude to the Polish government and Polish people for opening their hearts and homes to Ukrainian refugees, and we reaffirmed our nations pledge to continue supporting Polands humanitarian efforts.

Russians invasion of Ukraine has sparked a refugee crisis, with more than 5.5 million people fleeing the country. The largest group by far  more than 3 million people  have arrived in Poland, and many of them have remained.

Regular Polish people have taken Ukrainians into their homes, while the government and volunteers have mobilized to help in countless ways.

The trip came two days after U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for $33 billion to bolster Ukraines fight against Russia, more than twice the size of the initial $13.6 billion aid measure that now is almost drained. The measure is designed to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that U.S. weaponry and other forms of assistance arent going away.

During a news conference on Sunday in Rzeszow, Poland, the members of the congressional delegation were unanimous in praising Ukraines defenses, in painting the battle of one as good against evil and in assuring continued long-term U.S. military, humanitarian and economic support.

___

More AP coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
PHOENIX (AP)  Phoenix police say a man was shot after charging at an officer while wielding a machete.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon in south Phoenix near the intersection of 19th and Southern avenues.

Officers were actually in the area on an unrelated call when they received reports of a man with a machete in an open field.

They located him and ordered him to put the machete down. However, they were not able to communicate with him because the man only spoke Spanish.

Officers say he then walked into traffic.

An officer used a stunbag shotgun several times but the man was not affected. They say an officer then fired on him with a handgun when he began advancing toward him.

Officers administered first aid until firefighters arrived.

The man was taken to the hospital where he remains in critical but stable condition. No others were injured.

Police have not identified him. The police shooting is under investigation.
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP)  A gunfight among moving vehicles has killed a 13-year-old girl who was inside a house, Louisiana authorities said.

Landry Anglin died at a hospital Sunday afternoon, less than 90 minutes after a bullet hit her, the Caddo Parish Coroners Office said in a news release.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP)  A 12-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting his classmate in a South Carolina middle school hallway should be tried as an adult on a murder charge, prosecutors told a judge Monday.

The prosecutors' request to move the case out of Family Court did not include any explanation regarding why the boy should be charged as an adult. Murder carries a sentence of 30 years to life in prison in South Carolina. If he is convicted as a juvenile, he couldn't be kept in jail after he turns 22.
Teams of workers strove Monday to repair a bridge in southwestern Russia near the border with Ukraine that was damaged in what a local governor described as an act of sabotage.

The regional administration said it expects the repair work will be completed Wednesday.

Kursk regional Gov. Roman Starovoit said Sunday that the bridge was blown up by unidentified attackers and the Investigative Committee, Russia's top state investigative agency, has launched a criminal probe into what it described as a terrorist act.

Officials didnt specify the significance of the bridge for the war, but it sits on a key railway link used to ferry supplies to Russian troops fighting in eastern Ukraine

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the bridge, that follows a series of explosions and fires in western Russia amid the war in Ukraine that has entered a third month.

On April 1, two Ukrainian helicopter gunships struck an oil depot in Belgorod, according to Russian officials, causing a massive fire.

A week ago, a massive blaze erupted at an oil depot in the western city of Bryansk owned by Transneft-Druzhba, a subsidiary of the Russian state-controlled company Transneft that operates the western-bound Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline carrying crude to Europe. The fire didn't cause any disruption in oil deliveries.

On the same day, another oil storage facility in Bryansk also caught fire.

And on Wednesday, several explosions rocked a huge ammunition depot in the Belgorod region, sparking a huge fire.

Ukraine hasnt officially taken responsibility for the incidents, and the Russian officials also havent publicly ascribed those to Ukrainian attacks, apart from the April 1 incident.

The frequency of explosions in Russia and their targeting speaks better than any words about who benefits from it. But Ukraine does not want to take responsibility for the sabotage and remains silent, Nikolai Sungurovsky, a military analyst at Ukraines Razumkov Center, told AP.

For all the obviousness of the situation, it is extremely unprofitable for Ukraine to take responsibility for sabotage and explosions in Russia, because then Kyiv risks losing the status of a victim of aggression and this will create difficulties in international courts, Vladimir Fesenko, an analyst at the Penta Center, told AP. Ukrainian lawyers are already preparing multi-volume materials for international courts in order to demand multibillion-dollar compensation from Russia for damage from aggression

Last week, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak hinted at Ukraine's involvement although he stopped short of claiming responsibility. He noted in a messaging app post that the Belgorod, Voronezh and Kursk regions that border Ukraine hosted depots serving the invasion and adding that karma is a harsh thing.

If you, Russians, decided to massively attack another country, massively kill everyone there, massively crush civilians with tanks and use warehouses in your regions to provide for these killings, then sooner or later the debts will have to be repaid, Podolyak wrote Wednesday. Given the intensity and scale of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, it will not be possible to sit it out."

Explosions were frequently heard in Russian regions bordering Ukraine, drawing a stream of gleeful comments on social platforms in Ukraine.

Earlier Monday, Belgorod region Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said that loud bangs heard in the region overnight came from a Russian airstrike in Ukraine, not by something that flew to us from Ukrainian territory.
The pattern was almost identical.

Between July and August 2019, sex worker Angelina Barini met with her clients at motels in New York City before giving them dangerous doses of drugs that incapacitated them. Then, she would rob the men and leave with their personal belongings.

Four of them, including a prominent Italian chef, died of overdoses from the drugs, court records state.

In August, Barini pleaded guilty to distributing drugs that killed her clients, including fentanyl and gamma-butyrolactone, known for causing irrational behavior, severe illness, coma and death.

Last week, a judge sentenced the 43-year-old Barini to 30 years in prison.

"The defendant drugged and killed multiple people for a few quick dollars," Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, said in a news release. "She stole their personal belongings while they lay unconscious dying from the lethal drugs she gave them."

Attorneys representing Barini did not respond to a message from The Washington Post.

Barini met her first victim at a motel in Astoria, Queens, on July 4, 2019. There, she gave the man fentanyl-laced drugs and left the room. Police found him dead hours later, court records state.

A week later, on July 11, Barini had an encounter with another man at a motel in Woodside, Queens, where she gave him fentanyl-laced drugs. The man also died of a drug overdose, a complaint states.

The next month, on Aug. 5, Barini met her third victim in College Point, Queens, and again gave him fentanyl-laced drugs that led to a fatal overdose, prosecutors said.

Later that month, on Aug. 18, Barini met her last known victim, Andrea Zamperoni - a chef for the high-end restaurant chain Cipriani - inside an Elmhurst, Queens, motel room, where she drugged him with gamma-butyrolactone, commonly known as a "date rape" drug. The man died shortly afterward.

That day, court records state, Barini repeatedly tried to dispose of the victim's body. Barini wrapped Zamperoni's body in bleach-stained sheets and placed it inside a trash bin, according to prosecutors. Zamperoni was reported missing on Aug. 21, prosecutors said. That same day, the New York City Police Department found the man's body in the motel room.

According to court records, when authorities knocked on the room's door, Barini opened and swiftly shut it. Once investigators made it into the room, they noticed a strong odor - that of a decomposing body and burning incense, the complaint states.

Barini told investigators that "she did not do it," but also that her "pimp" made her do it. Inside the motel room, authorities found several items, including a credit card belonging to Zamperoni and a glass pipe used to smoke drugs, court records state.

When authorities later interrogated her, Barini said Zamperoni had agreed to pay her for sex. When she woke up, Barini said, he was unresponsive and bleeding from the nose and mouth. Her pimp, she added, would not let her call the police.

Fernando Dallorso, the general manager of Cipriani in New York, told the New York Times that Zamperoni was a "dedicated hard worker" who cooked six days a week and "never missed a day of work."

The kitchen staff mourned the loss, Dallorso told the Times.

"Everyone in the kitchen right now is heartbroken, from the dishwasher to the chef," Dallorso said.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to halt the upcoming execution of Missouri inmate Carman Deck, and Republican Gov. Mike Parson said he will not grant clemency.

Deck, 56, is scheduled to die by injection at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre for killing a couple while robbing their rural home in July 1996.

"Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed, Parson said in a statement. The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Decks sentence according to the Courts order and deliver justice.

Deck's attorney, Elizabeth Unger Carlyle, declined to comment.

Only four executions have been carried out in the U.S. so far in 2022, and the 11 last year were the fewest since 1988. Earlier Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee paused executions for the rest of the year to enable a review of the state's lethal injection procedures. That decision came after a testing oversight forced the state to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die on April 21.

Deck, of the St. Louis area, admitted that he killed James Long, 69, and his 67-year-old wife, Zelma, while robbing them at their home in the eastern Missouri town of De Soto in July 1996.

Deck's death sentence was thrown out three times due to procedural errors before a federal appeals court panel restored it in 2020.

The clemency petition on behalf of Deck cited abuse he suffered as a child, including sexual abuse and beatings. It also said he and his siblings often were left alone without food.

The number of executions in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with a decline in public support for capital punishment that has fallen from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021, according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition to capital punishment has risen from under 20% to about 45%.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  A unanimous Supreme Court ruled Monday that Boston violated the free speech rights of a conservative activist when it refused his request to fly a Christian flag on a flagpole outside City Hall.

Justice Stephen Breyer wrote for the court that the city discriminated against the activist, Harold Shurtleff, because of his religious viewpoint, even though it had routinely approved applications for the use of one of the three flagpoles outside City Hall that fly the U.S., Massachusetts and Boston flags.

Occasionally, the city takes down its own pennant and temporarily hoists another flag.

Shurtleff and his Camp Constitution wanted to fly a white banner with a red cross on a blue background in the upper left corner, called the Christian flag, to mark Constitution Day, Sept. 17, in 2017.

The city had approved 284 consecutive applications to fly flags, usually those of other nations, before it rejected Shurtleff's because it was a Christian flag. The city said he could fly a different banner, but Shurtleff refused, and lower courts upheld the city's decision.

But the high court said the lower courts and the city were wrong. The case hinged on whether the flag-flying is an act of the government, in which case Boston can do whatever it wants, or private parties like Shurtleff, Breyer wrote.

Finally, we look at the extent to which Boston actively controlled these flag raisings and shaped the messages the flags sent. The answer, it seems, is not at all. And that is the most salient feature of this case, Breyer wrote in an opinion that also riffed on the brutalist architectural style of Boston's City Hall and the Siena, Italy-inspired 7-acre plaza on which it sits.

Breyer wrote that the citys lack of meaningful involvement in the selection of flags or the crafting of their messages leads us to classify the flag raisings as private, not government, speechthough nothing prevents Boston from changing its policies going forward.

The city has said that in the event of a loss at the Supreme Court it probably will change its policy to take more control of what flags can fly.

Shurtleff is a former organizer with the John Birch Society and has used his Camp Constitution website to question the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the outcome of the 2020 election that put President Joe Biden in office, the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and even who was behind the Sept. 11 attacks.

None of that was at issue at the high court.

The case is Shurtleff v. Boston, 20-1800.
Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-N.C., is far from the only House lawmaker to invite controversy. But lawmakers typically tend to close ranks around their own when controversy erupts. (See House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after audio caught him in a lie about whether he was going to ask Donald Trump to resign after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. Republicans are largely behind him.)

Not so much for Cawthorn, whose words and actions have spurred some Washington Republicans to try to oust him from his deep-red seat in a May primary. (Trump, notably, has stood by Cawthorn.)

So what did he do to draw the ire of so many in his party? Here's a running list.

First, who is Cawthorn? At 26, he is the youngest member of Congress. He got elected in 2020 to a very conservative seat in North Carolina after emulating Trump's politics.

Cawthorn has repeatedly lied about his personal history, saying he was accepted into the U.S. Naval Academy when he was not and misrepresenting details of the car accident that left him in a wheelchair. Multiple women have accused him of sexual misconduct.

During his campaign, Cawthorn traveled to the border with Mexico and said without any evidence that children were being sold "on a sex slave market." On social media, he shared photos of himself featuring symbols associated with such far-right groups as the Oath Keepers.

In Congress, he has closely aligned himself with the right wing of the party, protesting House mask mandates alongside Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.

Here are the major controversies he has been involved in, roughly in order of what has been most offensive to Republicans.

1. He accused Washington Republicans of hosting orgies and using cocaine.

In a March podcast, Cawthorn said people he "looked up to" in Washington used cocaine and invited him to orgies: "I mean, being kind of a young guy in Washington, where the average age is probably 60 or 70 - you know, I look at all these people, a lot of them that I've always looked up to through my life, always paid attention to politics, guys that, you know. Then all of the sudden you get invited to, like, 'Oh, hey, we're going to have kind of a sexual get-together at one of our homes. You should come."

This, more than anything else, seems to have broken Republicans from Cawthorn: Without naming names or providing any proof, Cawthorn cast his colleagues as characters out of "House of Cards." Some Republicans said they heard from constituents wondering whether their lawmaker had participated in these alleged gatherings. House GOP leaders met with Cawthorn to address his remarks.

"He's got a lot of members very upset," McCarthy said, publicly lecturing him and calling Cawthorn's claims a lie. McCarthy indicated Cawthorn acknowledged he was exaggerating, but Cawthorn has yet to publicly walk back his comments.

2. He called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "thug."

"Remember that Zelensky is a thug. Remember that the Ukrainian government is incredibly corrupt, and it is incredibly evil, and it has been pushing woke ideologies," Cawthorn told supporters in North Carolina in March.

Zelensky addressed a joint session of Congress in March and received bipartisan applause. Republicans in Congress regularly push the Biden administration to offer Zelensky more military assistance.

Cawthorn's comments irritated Republicans: "It's not the time to toss accusations around like that," Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, told CNN.

3. He tried to carry a gun onto a plane, twice.

Last week, Cawthorn was cited by Charlotte police for trying to bring a loaded gun - in the photo above - onto a plane. He had the gun in his carry-on bag, and Transportation Security Administration agents caught it. This was the second time in recent months that Cawthorn has tried to do this.

Democrats have asked the TSA for more details and pushed the TSA to punish repeat offenders.

Cawthorn has also claimed that he had a weapon in the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, during the insurrection, though it is unclear whether this broke any rules.

4. He has been cited for driving without a license, twice.

In March, police pulled Cawthorn over in rural North Carolina and found he was driving with a revoked license. He was charged with the same thing in 2017, reports the Asheville Citizen Times.

5. He's been recently cited for speeding, twice.

It's not clear why his license had been revoked. But we do know he's been cited twice for speeding in recent months (and other times in past years). He was cited in October for speeding - driving 89 mph in a 65-mph zone - and in January for going 87 mph in a 70-mph zone.

He faces a Friday court date for driving without a license; he has a June court date for speeding. State troopers just released footage of them pulling over Cawthorn and taking his license: "Is that so?" he says, after police tell him it had previously been revoked.

6. His colleague is calling for an investigation into potential insider trading.

One of Cawthorn's biggest critics has been from his own state: Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. Tillis called on the House Ethics Committee last week to investigate Cawthorn over an allegation of insider trading. The Washington Examiner published a photo of Cawthorn from December with the creator of a cryptocurrency that Cawthorn owns and reported that in an Instagram comment the next day, he predicted the currency would "go to the moon." It did, raising questions of whether Cawthorn illegally used his knowledge and connections to make money.

7. A former aide filed a workplace complaint against him.

She alleges that Cawthorn refused to let her take leave during a family medical crisis, which included her husband having a heart attack. A PAC trying to oust Cawthorn has leaked audio of this former employee saying he is "just a bad person," Smoky Mountain News reports.

8. He allegedly lied to bring a friend onto the House floor.

The House of Representatives has strict rules about who can be on the House floor - limiting it mostly to the lawmakers themselves. But in December, Cawthorn brought someone running for Congress on the floor. The Hill reports Cawthorn lied to security and said this person was a staffer. It rankled at least one Republican lawmaker, who told The Hill that they were caught off guard to see someone running for Congress trying to chat with them.

9. Some of his own voters sued him to try to stop him from serving in Congress.

The voters, led by a campaign finance group, called Free Speech for People, argued in court that Cawthorn and Greene are ineligible for office because they had violated a Civil War-era rule that says a member of Congress can't serve if they "engaged in insurrection or rebellion."

Cawthorn attended the rally that preceded the Jan. 6 riot and has endorsed Trump's false voter-fraud claims. He has denied any involvement in planning the rally, either by him or his aides.

A federal judge sided with Cawthorn on a technicality but didn't offer a judgment whether there was a reasonable suspicion that he helped the insurrection. (A federal judge let Greene's case proceed, and she had to testify in court last week.)
NEBRASKA CITY, Neb. - Former president Donald Trump made a closing pitch Sunday for a Republican gubernatorial candidate who has been accused of sexually assaulting multiple women, stepping deeper into a primary that has divided Republicans in this staunchly conservative state.

Trump appeared at rally in Greenwood with Charles Herbster, a businessman who has advised the former president on agricultural policy and has donated to his campaigns. The visit came after a recent Nebraska Examiner report in which eight women, including a state senator speaking on the record, accused Herbster of touching them inappropriately. Last week, another one of the eight women alleged on the record that Herbster had groped her. He has denied the accusations.

According to state Sen. Julie Slama, R, Herbster reached up her skirt without her consent and touched her inappropriately as she walked by during a local Republican fundraiser in a crowded ballroom in 2019. Elizabeth Todsen, a former aide to a state senator, said Herbster grabbed her buttocks after stopping to greet her table at the same event. Multiple women told the Nebraska Examiner that Herbster touched them inappropriately when they greeted him or posed for a photo.

Both Trump and Herbster sought to dismiss the allegations on Sunday, taking a defiant posture without discussing the accusations in specific terms. The former president called Herbster a "very good man" who had been "maligned." Trump said Herbster was "innocent" of what he called "despicable charges."

"I defend people when I know they're good," Trump said. "A lot of people, they look at you and say: You don't have to do it, sir. I defend my friends."

The former president invited Herbster onstage during his remarks. The gubernatorial candidate used his time to talk about being one of Trump's earliest supporters in 2016.

Trump, who has faced and denied multiple allegations ranging from sexual harassment to rape, has backed other candidates who have been accused of sexual misconduct or domestic violence and denied the allegations.

They include Herschel Walker, a U.S. Senate candidate in Georgia who has been accused of threatening the lives of two women, as well as Sean Parnell, who ended his U.S. Senate campaign in Pennsylvania last year amid domestic abuse allegations, and Roy Moore, a 2017 candidate for U.S. Senate in Alabama who was accused by two women of initiating unwanted sexual encounters when Moore was in his 30s and they were 16 and 14.

Speaking onstage before Trump spoke, Herbster briefly and obliquely addressed the allegations, saying that the "political establishment" didn't want him to win. "They are trying to scare me out of this race, and it's not going to happen," Herbster said. "We are going to take back Nebraska."

He compared his vision for "making Nebraska great again" to Trump's approach to the presidency, rolling up his sleeves to take on illegal immigration and defend religious freedom. "This is my show," Herbster added.

Trump's presence in the Nebraska race has pitted him against outgoing Gov. Pete Ricketts, R, who has said that Herbster would be a "terrible governor" and supports a rival candidate, University of Nebraska regent Jim Pillen.

The sexual assault allegations against Herbster have become a contentious topic in the primary. Herbster has suggested that Ricketts was behind them, which the governor has denied. Taking a stance similar to Trump, Herbster has argued that both of them were falsely accused for political reasons.

"It's a playbook from the past," Herbster told former Trump adviser Steve Bannon on his "War Room" podcast. "Look what they did to Clarence Thomas. Look what they did to Donald J. Trump. Look what they did to Brett M. Kavanaugh. Now, it's Charles W. Herbster."

Trump hinted at a personal reason for campaigning with Herbster - trying to prove, once again, that the candidates he endorsed were winners. He mentioned his preferred candidates in other states including Ohio, which is holding a closely-watched Republican Senate primary Tuesday. Trump recently endorsed author and venture capitalist J.D. Vance but on Sunday appeared to momentarily conflate his name with Josh Mandel, a rival Republican candidate.

"We've endorsed J.P., right? J.D. Mandel," said Trump, who in the same rally mocked President Joe Biden for stumbling over his words.

After telling the crowd about how many of his preferred candidates had won their primaries, Trump pointed to slides produced by his pollster, McLaughlin & Associates, lingering on numbers that showed more than 60% of his voters "strongly" supported him.

Herbster tapped former top Trump White House official Kellyanne Conway to help with his campaign last year, along with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. In December, he parted ways with Lewandowski, when the adviser was accused of sexual harassment.

Trump had been scheduled to rally with Herbster on Friday but the outdoor event was delayed due to heavy wind and rain. The Sunday rally included two conservative activists who have falsely claimed that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump: MyPillow chief executive Mike Lindell and Republican activist David Bossie, the producer of a new documentary titled "Rigged."

Trump endorsed Herbster last year, stoking tensions among local Republicans, starting with Ricketts, who had urged the former president not to get behind the candidate. In January, the governor endorsed Pillen. "I respect many accomplishments President Trump had," Ricketts said. "But on this issue we're going to disagree."

The allegations against Herbster threw more uncertainty into what pollsters see as a three-way race between him, Pillen, and state Sen. Brett Lindstrom, R, with state Sen. Theresa Thibodeau, R, not far behind. While Trump won Nebraska by 19 points in 2020, and remained overwhelmingly popular with Republicans in the state, some primary voters said that they were not sold on supporting Herbster.

The Herbster campaign, which did not respond to a request for comment, has had other problems. Last July, his initial running mate, Thibodeau, quit the ticket, saying that the candidate was "chaotic and disorganized" and not ready for the top state job.

"I never saw that there was any real desire to learn Nebraska or learn Nebraska policy," Thibodeau, who went on to enter the gubernatorial primary, said in an interview. "Those leadership characteristics just aren't there."

Herbster, who has spent $5 million of his own wealth on his campaign, was seen to be leading a tight race when Slama accused him of groping her in 2019. Herbster sued for defamation, saying that the "false accusations and attacks on my character" had been "part of a greater scheme" to defeat him.

"We will show this lawsuit for what it is: a frivolous and bad faith attempt to bully a sexual assault victim into silence," an attorney for Slama said in a statement provided to The Washington Post.

At a parade here in Nebraska City on Saturday, celebrating the 150th annual Arbor Day, Herbster raced back and forth across the route, shaking hands and telling one family not to "believe all the crap" they were hearing.

Some voters grabbed signs for the Herbster campaign, with the words "Trump endorsed" under his name. Many were skeptical of the allegations Herbster is facing.

"He's the best suited for the job," said Terry Coen, 36. "I don't really think it matters. I don't think there's any body to it." His wife Summer, 43, said, "People are going to say whatever they're going to say, no matter who it is."

Republican opponents have not called on Herbster to quit the race, but they have criticized his response to the allegations. In a brief interview, Pillen dismissed his rival's suggestion that he is simply the latest in a line of conservatives to face false accusations. "Since I'm a veterinarian and pig farmer," said Pillen, "I'd call that hogwash."

Lindstrom said that he did not believe in a "rush to judgment" but was "disgusted" by the accusations. He knew and trusted the two identified accusers, Slama and Todsen, he added.

"When I look at the people who've come out, I tend to take their word for it," he said after speaking to supporters on Saturday. "Personally, having daughters and being in the political world, it's a little disheartening to hear that someone who's running for governor would, or could have, engaged in that kind of activity."

The rival candidates are not alone in questioning his defense or explanations. When the allegations were first reported, all 13 women in the Nebraska Senate signed a letter that called the allegations "disqualifying" and "completely unacceptable."

"Sexual assault is despicable and damaging," they wrote, including state Sen. Carol Blood, D, who is running unopposed for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. "This is not a question of politics. It is an issue of character and basic human decency."

Herbster has released a television ad both denying the accusations and noting that Slama once worked for Ricketts. In a news conference this week, Herbster explained that he had "taken the route of attorneys to protect my name and my reputation."

"I respect all women, all females across this land," Herbster said. "The number of calls and text messages and prayers coming in to me has been absolutely overwhelming."

On Tuesday, four Republican state senators, all women, launched a Herbster Victim Witness Legal Defense Fund. In a joint statement, they accused Herbster of trying to "wield the judicial system as a weapon to silence his victims" and avoid accountability, adding that "survivors of sexual assault and witnesses should be free to come forward and tell the truth." Two said they received letters from Herbster's legal representatives.

Arlene Osantowski, 81, had traveled nearly two hours to attend the Trump rally on Friday. When it was postponed, she and her sister-in-law headed to a Thibodeau rally nearby, both saying that they planned to support her. Herbster had business interests outside the state, there were questions about his taxes, and they were uncomfortably replacing the wealthy Ricketts with another multimillionaire governor, they said.

At Sunday's rally, Trump sought to convince voters that his backing could propel his endorsed candidates to victory. After bringing Herbster onstage, Trump showed the crowd slides produced by his pollster and lingered on data that showed a majority of Republicans "strongly" support him.

"Strongly support means you can do almost anything, and they'll support you," Trump said.
On social media, the Ghost of Kyiv was a military hero, an ace fighter pilot hailed for supposedly shooting down multiple Russian planes. The tales began just days into the war and circulated for months, bolstered by official Ukrainian accounts.

But on Saturday, Ukrainian authorities admitted that the legendary pilot was a myth.

The Ghost of Kyiv is a super-hero legend whose character was created by Ukrainians! Ukraines air force said in Ukrainian on Facebook.

The statement came after multiple media outlets published stories wrongly identifying Major Stepan Tarabalka as the man behind the moniker. Tarabalka was a real pilot who died on March 13 during air combat and was posthumously awarded the title Hero of Ukraine, Ukraines air force said last month.

But he was not the Ghost of Kyiv, the force said in Saturdays statement.

The information about the death of the The Ghost of #Kyiv is incorrect, Ukraines air force wrote in a separate post Saturday on Twitter. The #GhostOfKyiv is alive, it embodies the collective spirit of the highly qualified pilots of the Tactical Aviation Brigade who are successfully defending #Kyiv and the region.

The legend emerged just a day after Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, as social media users began to spread claims, without evidence, of an anonymous fighter pilot who had single-handedly taken down multiple Russian planes.

Memes, unrelated photos, and even footage from a flight simulator video game circulated on social media, claiming to show the Ghost of Kyiv during combat.

On Feb. 25, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko tweeted a photo that Ukraines Ministry of Defense had shared three years earlier, falsely claiming it showed the Ghost of Kyiv who had taken down six Russian pilots.

Two days later, Ukraine's official Twitter account shared a video including the same picture, along with footage of fighter jets in combat, set to pulsating music, with the caption: People call him the Ghost of Kyiv. And rightly so  this UAF ace dominates the skies over our capital and country, and has already become a nightmare for invading Russian aircrafts.

That same day, Ukraines Security Service, the SBU, shared the same old photo on Telegram  but now claiming he had shot down 10 occupying planes.

By the time news outlets, including the Times of London, falsely identified the pilot as Tarabalka on Friday, reports had increased the ghosts toll to 40 planes. The Times later updated its story to reflect the air forces new position on the Ghost of Kyiv.
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP)  Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a bill Monday that had given unanimous preliminary approval last week by both the House and Senate to reform the states pension system.

In a sharply worded veto message on Monday, Vermont's Republican governor said he felt the legislation did not include enough structural change to solve the enormous unfunded liability problems the state faces.

Scott said he felt it was unfortunate his veto will likely be easily overridden because he felt Vermont taxpayers and State employees who will bear the burden in the future.

The measure was given unanimous preliminary last week by both the House and Senate. Final approval in both chambers was done on voice votes.

Last week Democratic House Speaker Jill Krowinski said the legislation would gives teachers and state employees the peace of mind that they will have their hard-earned pension when they retire, and will save millions of dollars for Vermont taxpayers in the future.

The pension reform plan was negotiated over months by a task force.

The legislation outlines a series of steps to fully fund the retirement system, including having future retirees pay more into the system and invests more into the system now.

Scott had called for making it possible for new state employees to opt into a defined contribution pension program that would enable those employees to take the retirement package with them if they left state government.

In a statement, Don Tinney, the president of the Vermont-NEA teachers union called the governor's veto unfortunate.

Todays veto is an affront to teachers, an affront to state employees, and an affront to (state police) troopers who all worked with lawmakers and a high-ranking member of the governors own cabinet to craft this bill in months of open  and publicly available  meetings over the last year," Tinney said.
BRISTOL, Va. (AP)  The Virginia Lottery Board recently granted a license for the state's first casino, which developers intend to open in Bristol in 2024.

According to a presentation to the board last week, the $400 million project is expected to include a 300-room hotel, five restaurants, four bars or lounges and a concert venue. Developers expect to employ over 1,200 people, TV station WJHL reported. Gambling options will include slots, tables and a sportsbook.
FRONT ROYAL, Va. (AP)  A 77-year-old Virginia man has died after he hit his head following his arrest by sheriff's deputies, and an investigation is underway into his death, officials said.

Virginia State Police are investigating whether Warren County deputies properly handled the arrest of Ralph Ennis and if the injuries he sustained during the encounter with deputies led to his death. The Warren County Sheriff's Office also said it has contacted the Commonwealth Attorneys office and requested a special prosecutor to help the state police investigation.

Maj. Jeffrey Driskill also said in a news release Monday that the sheriff's office will convene a board of inquiry to review the use of force related to Ennis' arrest.

The sheriffs office said in a news release that deputies began following Ralph Ennis early on April 2 after he was observed speeding and driving erratically. Initially failing to stop during a chase that covered nearly 4 miles (6 kilometers), Ennis drove and parked his truck at a convenience store near Front Royal, the news release said.

Ennis got out of the truck but refused a deputy's command to drop the truck keys he was holding, the news release said. A deputy approached the man from behind to try to control and arrest him, and while trying to restrain Ennis, the sheriff's office said he and two deputies fell over a trailer hitch on his pickup truck.

According to the news release, Ennis suffered a cut to the right ring finger and a cut above his right eyebrow. While being treated at a hospital, the sheriff's office reported he showed signs of a hemorrhage in his head and he was taken to a second hospital, where he exhibited signs of having cognitive issues consistent with dementia or Alzheimers, the sheriff's office said.

Conversations with his family revealed Ennis had a history of mental illness and dementia, and that his wife, Linda, had reported him missing March 11, the news release said.

Ennis died April 15, the sheriff's office said. WRC reported that Linda Ennis said her husband was a Navy veteran and worked for years in Northern Virginia as a bricklayer and that his death left her with many questions.

Yeah, of course I worry he was mistreated. You hear it all the time. Im not down on the police. Im all for the guys in blue.  He was older and they could definitely tell that. Just looking at the man, you could tell he was an older gentleman, she said from her home in Breezewood, Pennsylvania.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed legislation that would have required voter registration applications to include a statement that the applicant understands it is a felony to try to vote more than once in the same election.

Her office announced the veto late Friday, after business hours, saying the bill was part of a larger package of election measures that was not negotiated and aims to restrict or chill access to the ballot.

The Democratic governor has blocked a number of Republican-sponsored election bills over the past seven months, saying they would have perpetuated falsehoods to discredit the 2020 presidential election or made it harder to vote.

Michigan's voter registration application must include information such as the person's name, address, date of birth and, if available, driver's license or state ID number. It also must include provisions including that the elector is a U.S. citizen, will be 18 by next election and will have established residence for at least 30 days in the city or township. The applicant signs and certifies to the truth of the statements on the application, attesting that they may be fined or jailed for providing false information.

The bill was approved by mostly party-line votes in the GOP-controlled Legislature, with some Democrats in support.

The sponsor, Republican Sen. Kim LaSata of Niles, said clerks who administer elections supported her legislation.

It would simply require individuals registering to vote to confirm they understand there are consequences if they break the law, she said Monday. "This legislation in no way shape or form prevented someone from, or even slightly hindered someone, from voting.

Whitmer said she would sign bills to establish a permanent absentee voter list, let voters serving overseas and their spouses vote electronically, and give clerks sufficient time to process absentee ballots before Election Day.

Two days after vetoing the bill, the governor directed state department and agency leaders to identify and assess potential opportunities to expand people's ability to register to vote and access voting information. Reports are due within 60 days, after which Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will review if state offices that provide public assistance or offer services to disabled people are providing voter registration services in compliance with the National Voter Registration Act.

To the extent that the Department of State recommends additional offices be designated as voter registration agencies to comply with the NVRA, I expect to take appropriate action expeditiously, she wrote in the directive that was issued Sunday.

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Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
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MISSION, Kan. (AP)  A school system in suburban Kansas City is eliminating over 100 jobs, including kindergarten aides and library clerks. Oakland, California, is closing seven schools. Other districts around the country are merging classrooms, selling buildings and leaving teaching positions unfilled in order to close budget gaps.

Public school systems are beginning to feel the pinch from enrollment losses tied to the coronavirus pandemic.

Money for schools is driven partly by student headcounts, and emergency provisions in many states allowed schools to maintain funding at pre-pandemic levels. But like the billions of dollars of federal relief money that have helped schools weather the crisis, those measures were not meant to last forever.

In Olathe, Kansas, where the school system is cutting 140 jobs, Deputy Superintendent John Hutchison said the extra federal money merely put off the inevitable.

Now it is trimming millions of dollars from its budgets because enrollment, having peaked at more than 30,000 students in fall 2019, fell by around 900 in the first full school year of the pandemic. Less than 100 of those students have returned.

Where did those kids go? Hutchison asked during a recent public meeting. Where are they? They didnt come back this year. Thats whats laying on that additional reduction in our funding.

Families opting for homeschooling, private schools and other options sent enrollment down sharply in the first full school year of the pandemic, and generally it has been slow to recover.

In Houston, the largest district in Texas, enrollment tumbled by more than 22,000 to around 183,000 in fall 2021 and only about half of those students have returned. The district was shielded from making cuts in the first two years of the pandemic by what are known as hold harmless provisions, but those protections are expected to end. Superintendent Millard House has asked departments to cut $60 million from next years budget.

Among other states that took steps to protect school budgets, Delaware provided $9.3 million in one-time funding in the fiscal year that ended in summer 2021 to school districts and charter schools to prevent layoffs over enrollment declines, and North Carolina lawmakers decided to allow schools to use pre-pandemic attendance levels.

More districts will be making cuts in coming years, said Alex Spurrier, an associate partner at Bellwether Education Partners, a think tank. The last of the federal aid must be spent by 2024.

Once the federal funding dries up, it will put a lot more districts in a lot more difficult position if theyre kind of kicking the can down the road of making the adjustments that theyll need if they are going to be serving smaller student populations in the years to come, he said.

Some districts have struggled to explain the need for cuts. Albuquerque Public Schools announced this spring that it anticipates a budget shortfall of about $25 million.

That might sound crazy, the district wrote in a blog post, acknowledging the influx of federal aid. But it explained that enrollment declines have accelerated amid the pandemic, with the student population falling to 73,000 from 85,000 in just six years. The district hasnt released a cost-cutting plan but legislative analysts say it will require layoffs and school closures.

Amid the upheaval, some states have gained students. Florida was among the leaders, according to the data-tracking site Burbio. And some districts headcounts benefited from new families, including some who moved to less costly areas as work went virtual.

In California, which announced this month that enrollment had fallen by an additional 110,283 students, Oakland's planned school closures are leading to protests. The ACLU filed a complaint this month alleging that they disproportionately affect Black students and families.

Further complicating the situation is a tight labor market and demands for teacher and staff raises.

In Minneapolis Public Schools, where a nearly three-week long teacher strike ended with a new contract, the district said it needed to make $27.1 million in budget cuts in the upcoming school year to pay for it. Federal relief money helped cover the $53.5 million price tag for the more lucrative contract for teachers and support staff for the current school year. Since the pandemic began, the district also has lost more than 4,000 students, along with the state funding they generate.

School officials in the city of Lawrence  home to the main University of Kansas campus  are creating multi-grade level elementary classrooms, which will allow the district to get by with fewer teachers. It is part of an effort to close a budget shortfall brought on by declining enrollment and to free up money for raises.

You cant cut close to $7 million and not change how you do business, Lawrence Superintendent Anthony Lewis acknowledged at a meeting this month.

In Iowa, the Des Moines district canceled a conference, sold a building and isnt replacing some retiring teachers as it cuts $9.4 million in spending for the upcoming school year. The cuts were needed partially because the districts enrollment has fallen by 1,600 students since the pandemic began.

The district, which is the states largest with 31,000 students, anticipates that it will need to make even deeper cuts next year.

I think its fair to say, the federal aid helped offset some of the financial challenges, said Phil Roeder, a spokesman for the district. It did help to get us through whats been a historically bad moment in history. But it was a temporary, stopgap, not a long-term solution for school districts.

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Cedar Attanasio reported from Santa Few, New Mexico. He 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.

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Ma, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, writes about education and equity for APs Race and Ethnicity team. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/anniema15

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The Associated Press reporting around issues of race and ethnicity is supported in part by the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Open Homes Photography for Sotheby's International Realty

Even glimpsed through the hazy cinematic filter of movie cameras filming "The Matrix: Resurrections" in San Francisco, we can still see our beloved local landmarks from this Vallajo Street cul-de-sac: the Bay Bridge, the Transamerica Pyramid, Treasure Island. Now these views, minus the film crew, can be yours. 1039 Vallejo Street is for sale, asking $4.2 million.

Open Homes Photography for Sotheby's International Realty

Open Homes Photography for Sotheby's International Realty

The unit, one of many San Francisco locations for the Matrix sequel shot last year, is impressive even without the Hollywood connection.
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Amarillo TX

802 PM CDT Sun May 1 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTH CENTRAL OLDHAM COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for

the Panhandle of Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN HARTLEY COUNTY...

At 802 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southwest of

Hartley, or 15 miles south of Dalhart, moving northeast 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...

Channing.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature's leading

killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to

be struck by lightning.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR BORDEN...NORTHEASTERN

MARTIN...NORTHERN HOWARD AND SOUTHEASTERN DAWSON COUNTIES IS

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe

limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.

Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for western

Texas.

The National Weather Service in Lubbock Texas has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southwestern Lynn County in northwestern Texas...

Southeastern Terry County in northwestern Texas...

* Until 830 PM CDT.

* At 803 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over New Moore, or

16 miles southeast of Brownfield, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

O'donnell and New Moore.

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ARMSTRONG BAILEY BRISCOE

CARSON CASTRO CHILDRESS

COCHRAN COLLINGSWORTH COTTLE

CROSBY DALLAM DEAF SMITH

DICKENS DONLEY FLOYD

GARZA GRAY HALE

HALL HANSFORD HARTLEY

HEMPHILL HOCKLEY HUTCHINSON

KENT KING LAMB

LIPSCOMB LUBBOCK LYNN

MOORE MOTLEY OCHILTREE

OLDHAM PARMER POTTER

RANDALL ROBERTS SHERMAN

STONEWALL SWISHER TERRY

WHEELER YOAKUM

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM CDT

FOR EASTERN SCURRY COUNTY...

At 803 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Hobbs, or 15

miles east of Snyder, moving east at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Two inch hail and 70 mph wind gusts.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect

considerable tree damage. Wind damage is also likely to

mobile homes, roofs, and outbuildings.

Snyder, Inadale, Dunn and Hermleigh.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Carson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southwestern Gray County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 1100 PM CDT.

* At 1016 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles south of

Panhandle, 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...

Groom.

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 1100 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN ROBERTS AND SOUTHWESTERN HEMPHILL COUNTIES...

At 1018 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 4 miles northwest

of Lora, or 7 miles north of Miami, moving east 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...

Miami and Lora.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR SOUTHEASTERN POTTER COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for

the Panhandle of Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1045 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHWESTERN CARSON COUNTY...

At 1019 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles west of

Panhandle, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and nickel size hail.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible.

Panhandle.

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Central Hutchinson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 145 AM CDT.

* At 1258 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Stinnett, or

12 miles northwest of Borger, moving east 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...

Stinnett.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Val

Verde County through 145 AM CDT...

At 1258 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 7

miles south of Amistad Acres, or 17 miles west of Del Rio, moving

east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Del Rio, Lake View, Amistad Village, Black Brush Point, Laughlin AFB,

Val Verde Park, Diablo East, Cienegas Terrace, Long Point, Governors

Landing, 277 South Boat Ramp, San Pedro Canyon, 277 North Campground,

Rough Canyon Recreation Area, Spur 406 Campground, Rock Quarry

Campground, Escondido Estates, Salem Point and Lake Ridge Ranch.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to

localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded

roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 2968 10070 2934 10071 2932 10075 2928 10074

2925 10075 2926 10082 2927 10082 2928 10087

2931 10089 2933 10094 2935 10095 2937 10101

2946 10106 2947 10115 2950 10117 2951 10117

TIME...MOT...LOC 0558Z 259DEG 20KT 2942 10116

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The National Weather Service in Corpus Christi has issued a

Northwestern Webb County in south central Texas...

* At 100 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 8 miles south of

Chupadera Ranch Airport, or 32 miles south of El Indio, moving east

at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

Chupadera Ranch Airport.

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Hemphill County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 215 AM CDT.

* At 145 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles northwest

of Allison, or 18 miles southeast of Canadian, moving east at 40

mph.

HAZARD...Quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Damage to vehicles is expected.

* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

southeastern Hemphill County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southern Dimmit

County through 230 AM CDT...

At 146 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Gilson Groves, or 16 miles south of Carrizo Springs, moving northeast

at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Asherton, Chaparral Wildlife Management Area, Gilson Groves,

Catarina, Light and Las Vegas.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to

localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded

roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

LAT...LON 2836 9998 2860 9940 2821 9940 2820 9994

TIME...MOT...LOC 0646Z 242DEG 32KT 2829 9983

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN

MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

The National Weather Service in Austin San Antonio has issued a

Western Kinney County in south central Texas...

Southeastern Val Verde County in south central Texas...

* Until 245 AM CDT.

* At 149 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Val Verde

Park, or over Del Rio, moving east at 20 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Del Rio, Brackettville, Lake View, Black Brush Point, Amanda,

Laughlin AFB, Val Verde Park, Standart, Cienegas Terrace, 277 South

Boat Ramp, San Pedro Canyon, Escondido Estates, Lake Ridge Ranch,

Laughlin AFB Aux Field, Fort Clark Springs and Kickapoo Cavern

State Park.

Large hail, damaging winds, and continuous cloud to ground lightning

are occurring with this storm. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is

one of nature's leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder,

you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Hutchinson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

West central Roberts County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 230 AM CDT.

* At 158 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles east of

Stinnett, or 9 miles northeast of Borger, moving east 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...

Borger.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of La Salle and

northern McMullen Counties through 245 AM CDT...

At 159 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking an area of strong

thunderstorm near Zella, or 19 miles east of Dilley, moving east at

20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...

Zella around 210 AM CDT.

Cross around 245 AM CDT.

This includes Interstate 35 between mile markers 51 and 82.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

LAT...LON 2864 9834 2840 9834 2822 9880 2820 9939

2864 9940

TIME...MOT...LOC 0659Z 251DEG 19KT 2857 9887

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN

MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM CDT EARLY THIS MORNING...

* WHAT...Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive

rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of north central Texas, including the following

county, Denton.

* WHEN...Until 400 AM CDT.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. This

will likely cause urban and small stream flooding. Low lying

and/or poor drainage areas will experience minor flooding in

the advisory area. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have

fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are

possible.

- Some locations that will experience flooding include...

Denton, Cross Roads, Krum, Sanger, Interstate 35W near

Denton, and Interstate 35E near Denton.

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the

dangers of flooding.

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

TORNADO WATCH

WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION FOR WATCH 168

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO TX

957 PM CDT SUN MAY 1 2022

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE WILL ALLOW TORNADO WATCH 168 TO

EXPIRE AT 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN TEXAS THIS ALLOWS TO EXPIRE 1 COUNTY

IN SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS

VAL VERDE

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF DEL RIO.

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Roberts County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southwestern Hemphill County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 1100 PM CDT.

* At 957 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 9 miles northwest

of Codman, or 11 miles northwest of Miami, moving east at 20 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...

Miami and Lora.

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 1045 PM CDT

FOR EAST CENTRAL LYNN AND SOUTHERN GARZA COUNTIES...

At 959 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 6 miles east of

Grassland, or 7 miles southwest of Post, moving northeast at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Post, Lake Alan Henry and Justiceburg.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AUSTIN/SAN ANTONIO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

Special Weather Statement

National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio TX

104 AM CDT Mon May 2 2022

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern

Maverick and western Dimmit Counties through 145 AM CDT...

At 104 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Chupadera Ranch Airport, or 21 miles southeast of El Indio, moving

east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Locations impacted include...

Carrizo Springs, Gilson Groves and Carrizo Hill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to

localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded

roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe

shelter inside a building or vehicle.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 2820 10021 2823 10022 2824 10024 2838 10026

2858 9983 2820 9973

TIME...MOT...LOC 0604Z 256DEG 26KT 2824 10014

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN

MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO CORPUS CHRISTI Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX

136 AM CDT Mon May 2 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN WEBB COUNTY WILL

EXPIRE AT 145 AM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe

limits, and no longer poses an immediate threat to life or property.

Therefore, the warning will be allowed to expire.

To report severe weather, contact your nearest law enforcement

agency. They will relay your report to the National Weather Service

Corpus Christi.

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Hutchinson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Central Roberts County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 230 AM CDT.

* At 138 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 17 miles north of

Skellytown, or 18 miles northeast of Borger, moving east at 40 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.

* This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

southeastern Hutchinson and central Roberts Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO DALLAS / FT. WORTH Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Monday, May 2, 2022

_____

TORNADO WARNING

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Tornado Warning for...

Southwestern Parker County in north central Texas...

Northwestern Hood County in north central Texas...

* Until 245 AM CDT.

* At 215 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado

was located near Lipan, or 15 miles northwest of Granbury, moving

east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Tornado and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated rotation.

IMPACT...Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without

shelter. Mobile homes will be damaged or destroyed.

Damage to roofs, windows, and vehicles will occur. Tree

damage is likely.

* This tornadic thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

southwestern Parker and northwestern Hood Counties.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Tornadoes are extremely difficult to see and confirm at night. Do not

wait to see or hear the tornado. TAKE COVER NOW!

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 230 AM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN HUTCHINSON AND WEST CENTRAL ROBERTS COUNTIES...

At 215 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 15 miles east of

Stinnett, or 17 miles northeast of Borger, moving east 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.

This severe thunderstorm will remain over mainly rural areas of

southeastern Hutchinson and west central Roberts Counties.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO SAN ANGELO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

Severe Weather Statement

National Weather Service San Angelo TX

926 PM CDT Sun May 1 2022

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN FISHER COUNTY IS

CANCELLED...

The severe thunderstorm which prompted the warning has moved out of

the warned area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for west central

Texas.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 200 AM CDT for

west central Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 945 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHWESTERN HASKELL AND NORTHERN JONES COUNTIES...

At 925 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Neinda, moving

east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage to

roofs, siding, and trees.

This severe storm will be near...

Anson around 940 PM CDT.

Other locations impacted by this severe thunderstorm include Funston,

Truby, Tuxedo and The Intersection Of Us-180 And Ranch Road 126.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR NORTHWESTERN BORDEN AND

NORTHEASTERN DAWSON COUNTIES WILL EXPIRE AT 930 PM CDT...

The storm which prompted the warning has weakened below severe

limits, and has exited the warned area. Therefore, the warning will

be allowed to expire.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for western

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1000 PM CDT

FOR SOUTHEASTERN HOCKLEY COUNTY...

At 928 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 5 miles northwest of

Locketville, or 7 miles south of Levelland, moving east at 30 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Locations impacted include...

Levelland, Smyer and Ropesville.

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Armstrong and

southeastern Randall Counties through 1000 PM CDT...

At 928 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near

Palo Duro Canyon, or 15 miles east of Canyon, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and half inch hail.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around

unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is

possible.

Claude, Wayside, Palo Duro Canyon and Goodnight.

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

This storm may intensify, so be certain to monitor local radio

stations and available television stations for additional information

and possible warnings from the National Weather Service.

LAT...LON 3475 10171 3500 10176 3505 10168 3511 10161

3518 10140 3518 10109 3475 10109

TIME...MOT...LOC 0228Z 256DEG 21KT 3490 10166

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN

MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Roberts and south

central Ochiltree Counties through 1000 PM CDT...

At 930 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 14

miles northwest of Codman, or 15 miles north of Pampa, moving east at

30 mph.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of Roberts and south

central Ochiltree Counties.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 1100 PM CDT for

the Panhandle of Texas.

LAT...LON 3563 10104 3572 10109 3586 10109 3615 10081

3576 10054 3575 10054

TIME...MOT...LOC 0230Z 249DEG 26KT 3578 10095

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Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
The model of hydroponic vegetable production in the laboratory of the University of Natural Sciences. (Photo: SGGP)

Lack of conditions for trial production



Assoc. Prof. - Dr. Le Thi Kim Phung, Sustainable Process Engineering Group of the HCMC University of Technology under the VNUHCMC, said that the agricultural sector had contributed greatly to the economy and export. Especially, agriculture plays an important role in national food security. However, this industry has been facing many challenges, such as pesticide overuse, problems with seedlings, and low application of high technologies to production, leading to losses and waste of up to US$3.9 billion per year.



Meanwhile, the research by the institute and the university are only carried out in small laboratories. There is not enough space for experimental production. For example, the Sustainable Process Engineering Group has researched many drugs and organic fertilizers but lacks the facilities to commercialize them in large quantities to meet the market demand. While in the market, imported goods are extremely expensive, making them difficult for farmers to access.



Dr. Nguyen Huu Hoang, Center for Research and Application of High Technology in Agriculture of the University of Natural Sciences under the VNUHCMC, said that the agricultural industry faced many challenges, such as low labor productivity due to unstable market, lack of strategic direction, lack of capital and basis technology, lack of highly-qualified human resources, small production scale, and loose legal background. Therefore, the application of high technology in agricultural research and production is an urgent matter.



Dr. Nguyen Huu Hoang cited that cantaloupe farmers face the situation that, when their melons are about to be ready for harvest, they contract a disease that causes rot and damage to both the fruit and vine. It is because high technology has not yet been applied to cantaloupe production. Using scientific and technical advances will help farmers avoid these diseases because the main cause is too much sun and too high temperatures. From this fact, the center proposed that there should be a high-tech agricultural center to train qualified human resources, associate with enterprises, and conduct research on seedlings, breeding stocks, and molecular pathology of plants to serve the agriculture in particular and the community in general.



According to Assoc. Prof. - Dr. Nguyen Phuong Thao, International University under the VNUHCMC, currently, the policy is to develop sustainable agriculture and circular agriculture to adapt to climate change. Therefore, the application of plant biotechnology to improve the quality and yield of plants and animals is necessary. However, due to the lack of linkages between scientists, farmers, and enterprises, the application of scientific and technical advances to agricultural production is difficult. Therefore, it is essential to build an area specializing in research, production, and commercialization of seed products, biological plant protection drugs, and biological fertilizers to serve businesses and farmers.



We have not thought about big problems like gene research and new varieties. However, in the meantime, there must be a place for scientists to research and businesses to associate in solving the pressing needs of agriculture, emphasized Assoc. Prof. - Dr. Nguyen Phuong Thao.



Effectively using investment capital



Assoc. Prof. - Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Director of VNUHCMC, said that based on the recommendations of scientists and enterprises and the reality of the agriculture, the university would assign the Science and Technology Department to develop a project to establish a high-tech agricultural incubator in the Urban Area of the VNUHCMC. From 2023 to 2025, VNUHCMC will spend VND1.2 trillion (US$51.93 million) to invest in specialized laboratories, promote research, and cooperate with businesses to deploy applications and commercialize researched products. Specifically, the high-tech agricultural incubator will be established and developed following the international model - conducting training and research, collaborating with enterprises for trial production, transfer, and commercialization of products, and serving agricultural production.



It is a national strategic task, so when deciding to invest, we must commit to using it effectively to avoid wasting investment from the budget, affirmed Assoc. Prof. - Dr. Vu Hai Quan.



According to Assoc. Prof. - Dr. Lam Quang Vinh, Head of Science and Technology Department under the VNUHCMC, there are currently 26 proposals from research groups with a total area of 7.6ha. Based on these proposals, the Science and Technology Department will develop a project to build a high-tech agricultural incubator following a model combining training, research, and association with enterprises and localities to apply to production. At the same time, it will cooperate with a project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to sponsor more than US$9 million to develop highly-qualified agricultural human resources for the Mekong Delta region.



As a member university of VNUHCMC since 2019, Assoc. Prof. - Dr. Vo Van Thang, Rector of An Giang University, acknowledged that the matter of sustainable agricultural development had received attention and drastic direction of the Party and State. As a university located in the Mekong Delta, the task of researching to serve local agriculture is extremely important.





According to Assoc. Prof. - Dr. Vu Hai Quan, the High-tech Agricultural Incubator project must meet two requirements. Specifically, the research must accompany farmers and businesses in actual production and follow the guidelines and policies of the State on sustainable agricultural development. Research must lead, solve current pressing problems, and predict future requirements. Especially, the project must take into account the matter of spending on people and how to operate and exploit effectively projects.

By Thanh Hung  Translated by Gia Bao
What is your main purpose when you open a business account? It is recommended in Europe and Romania to have separate accounts for personal and company life. It is easier to pay taxes this way, transfer money, and do all other necessary transactions as it is described here: https://genome.eu/business-account/

However, these are not the only reasons to open a business account, especially to create it as an online account. This latter option has become very popular recently thanks to the numerous advantages that the owner of such a business account gets. Let us discuss them in detail.

Open a Business Account and Enjoy the Advantages

Almost everything in the modern world has moved online, and the possibility of opening a business account this way is not an exception. According to genome.eu, it provides the client with zero bureaucracy. Thus, everything is done quickly via any device that has a stable Internet connection.

Moreover, this is only the beginning of the exciting journey. If we take Genome Account as an example, the benefits of such an online account are as follows.

Transfer money instantly

Money, which you can store in GBP, EUR, and USD, could be transferred via SEPA and SWIFT. In addition to international transfers, there is an option of instant internal transfers for Genome users.

If you need to repeat payments again and again, just save the template and schedule the transaction. Money will be sent in time and to the needed person or company.

Enjoy service for business

Open a business account to generate statements and get full reports and in-depth analytics. Moreover, you can share access to the online account and enjoy all the benefits of team management. There are different roles that you can assign to your employees as you are doing it in the real world.

Use a corporate card

When you open a business account, you may still need a card. There is no problem with its ordering and activation through your online account. Virtual and physical cards are available.

Stay secure

One of the main things to worry about is securing your sensitive information and money. Genome Account utilizes Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and guarantees the highest level of safety for clients.

Join the referral program

After some period of using Genome Account, do not hesitate to recommend it to your friends and partners. When they create a business account, you will get bonuses for the invitation.

It is just a brief overview of what is waiting for you when you open a business account. Keep in mind that there are affordable and transparent pricing and favorable tariffs. You can transfer money in EUR, GBP, and USD and exchange them. Money is going to be safe, and the company will benefit as well as you.

Open a Business Account: Sep by Step

If you are ready to try the most modern features of online banking, open a business account in a reliable financial institution that operates via the Internet. For this purpose:

Register and sign up with the website of the vendor. Provide proof of your identity. Give the data about your company and corresponding documents.

All these steps can be done from home or another place with a stable Internet connection. After their completion, you need to wait no more than 72 hours, and your business account will become available for operation.

It is all that you need to do to open a business account. You will save both time and money this way.

It is worth noting that companies usually provide you with the web browser version and a mobile app. Therefore, you can always have access to the business account no matter where you are. All the transactions will be available, so you can transfer money or receive the payments via a merchant account immediately.

Open a business account to enjoy all the preferences of modern financial insinuations. This approach will save your time and provide you with useful instruments to develop your business. If you have been thinking about opening a business account, it is high time to make a choice and join the online financial world.
As Indias premier luxury lifestyle platform, Tata CLiQ Luxury marks another milestone in its effort to offer the best luxury brands and experiences to its customers with the introduction of fine jewellery on its platform with the launch of De Beers Forevermark.

With this launch, Tata CLiQ Luxury is strengthening its luxury jewellery category further by offering consumers a global diamond brand who has a legacy of diamond expertise spanning over 133 years. Nine trending collections will be available on the platform across various product categories, including rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants, nose pins and cufflinks. The collections available on the platform include theAvaanti Collection, Icon Collection, theCapricci nose pin collection, the stackable ring Tribute Collection apart from others. In addition, the exquisite ForevermarkArtemis Collection created by renowned New York based fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra, will also be offered on the platform.a

Jewellery marks a special moment in ones life, it symbolises a memory and helps stop time. Each De Beers Forevermarkcollection tells a story, and each diamond is hand selected for its beauty. For example, The ForevermarkAvaanti collection embodies the spirit of possibility, and the Forevermark Icon collection is inspired by the stars in the South African sky.

Less than 1% of the worlds diamonds can carry the unique De BeersForevermark inscription, proof that they are beautiful, rare, natural and responsibly sourced. The diamond jewellery is accompanied by a De Beers ForevermarkInscription Card, Grading Certificate and a De Beers Forevermark Diamond Jewellery Report from the state-of-the-art De Beers Institute of Diamonds.

Commenting on the launch, Gitanjali Saxena, Business Head  Global Luxury, Tata CLiQ Luxury said, We are delighted to introduce our fine jewellery portfolio with the launch of De Beers Forevermark on Tata CLiQ Luxury. With a 130-year legacy of diamond expertise, the brand is synonymous with luxury, exquisite designs, and timeless jewellery. Every De Beers Forevermark inscribed diamond is natural, hand-picked, and comes with a promise that is beautiful, rare, and responsibly sourced. We look forward to offering this iconic brand to our discerning customers and will continue to enhance their overall online luxury shopping experience.

We are delighted to offer De Beers Forevermark jewellery on TataCLiQLuxury.This partnership has enabled us to reach consumers across the country who are looking at purchasing natural, genuine diamonds. Just like Tata CLiQ Luxury focusses on sustainable business practices, we at De Beers are committed to providing responsibly sourced diamonds by ensuring that every diamond discovered creates a lasting positive impact for the people and places where it is found. We look forward to this association and hope that Tata CLiQ Luxury consumers appreciate our offering. Stated Sachin Jain, MD, De Beers India.

Browse through the stunning engagement rings, decorative bracelets, everyday wear earrings, and other stunning jewellery, each designed to showcase the brilliance of a De Beers Forevermark diamond. Whether it's for a special gift or celebrating a milestone for yourself, discover the beautiful collection of diamond jewellery that is now available on Tata CLiQ Luxury.
The announcement for the coveted position was made by Director William J Burns on social media. According to the CIA, Mulchandani has over 25 years of expertise working in Silicon Valley

FREMONT, CA: Nand Mulchandani, an Indian-American Silicon Valley IT professional who attended a Delhi school, has been named the first-ever Chief Technology Officer of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Director William J Burns announced the coveted position on social media. Mulchandani has over 25 years of experience working in Silicon Valley, according to the CIA. According to a tweet from the CIA, Mr. Mulchandani would ensure that the Agency is exploiting cutting-edge ideas to promote the CIAs mission.

The Central Intelligence Agency remarked that Mr. Mulchandani brings extensive private sector, startup, and government knowledge to the CIA. Mr. Mulchandani has more than 25 years of experience working in Silicon Valley and in the Department of Defense (DoD). Director Burns opinioned that since his confirmation, he has prioritized focusing on technology, and the new CTO job has been a critical component of that endeavor. He also expressed his gladness about Nand joining the team and expects to bring significant experience to this crucial new job.

Mr. Mulchandani expressed his honor to join the CIA in this role and is looking forward to working with the Agencys incredible team of technologists and domain experts who already deliver world-class intelligence and capabilities to help build a comprehensive technology strategy that delivers exciting capabilities in collaboration with industry and partners. Mulchandani was most recently the CTO and Acting Director of the Department of Defense's Joint Artificial Intelligence Center before joining the CIA. He has co-founded and served as CEO of several successful firms, including Oblix (which was acquired by Oracle), Determina (which was acquired by VMWare), OpenDNS (which was acquired by Cisco), and ScaleXtreme (which was acquired by Cisco). He holds a bachelor's degree in computer science and mathematics from Cornell University, a master's degree in management from Stanford University, and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University.
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Australia is fast becoming an uninsurable nation, according to new modelling released by the Climate Council. One in 25 Australian properties will be effectively uninsurable in just eight years, with figures as high as nine out of 10 in the worst affected suburbs.

Skyrocketing costs or flat-out insurance ineligibility are becoming more widespread as climate change hits home.

Skyrocketing costs or flat out insurance ineligibility are becoming more widespread as climate change hits home. Credit:Dan Peled

The Victorian electorate of Nicholls, which covers Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Moira, and parts of Strathbogie and Mitchell, took the unenviable title of the most at-risk electorate in Australia.

Here, communities are faced with potentially one in four properties being uninsurable by 2030. Then you have some suburbs, such as Shepparton, which are facing a staggering 90 per cent uninsurability rate in the next eight years, with riverine flooding posing the biggest risk.
The former wife of the man convicted of killing Scott Johnson in a murder said to be motivated by anti-gay hate has told a NSW Supreme Court sentence hearing her then husband told her the only good poofter is a dead poofter.

But the court also heard that the convicted murderer, Scott White, was himself gay  and claimed he and Johnson came to blows on North Head before the 27-year-old US mathematician fell to his death from a 60-metre cliff on December 8, 1988.

On Monday, Johnsons loved ones, including his brother Steve, looked his killer in the eyes for the first time. White  dressed in prison greens, with a shaved head  looked back, at times nodding as they read tearful victim impact statements to the court.

Becca Johnson told the court she was no mathematician like her late older brother, but had calculated it was 33 years, 4 months and 22 days since he died  almost six years longer than he was alive.

During that time, she said, White had the opportunity to breathe, to hike mountains, to solve problems, to go for long runs in the sunshine, to love deeply, to have a family, to give back to the world. Those are years and opportunities that were extinguished for Scott.
NSW education authorities are investigating how they can endorse high school teachers as subject specialists even if they do not have university qualifications in that discipline amid shortages of qualified teachers, particularly in maths and science.

However, the union warns that the move will compromise standards, and principals say formal qualifications are key to ensuring the quality of teachers hired from interstate and overseas who are being targeted to boost the numbers of STEM teachers.

A ministerial briefing, written in late January and marked sensitive, discusses alternatives to a requirement for high school teachers to have university qualifications in the subject they teach  such as maths or English  as well as an education degree. The alternatives could include vocational study or workforce experience in their discipline.

It said the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) was working with the state Education Department and universities to develop defendable recognised prior learning to support the departments teacher recruitment strategy.

But the document  obtained by the NSW Teachers Federation under freedom of information laws  acknowledges the proposal would be contentious. Stakeholders such as the [Teachers Federation] and secondary principals, as well as many teachers themselves, would be greatly concerned by an apparent dismantling of the expectation that teachers have a subject major, it said.
Qantas planning to fly direct to Europe from 2025

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Former chief executive of the embattled Star casino Matt Bekier has blamed his senior executive team for letting him down and giving way to the dark art of VIP gambling, but said the casinos failings were ultimately his responsibility.

Less than two months after resigning amid revelations of money laundering, criminal infiltration and fraud at the casino, Bekier said he was proud of what he had achieved in more than seven years as chief executive.

In his first day of evidence to the royal commission-style inquiry examining The Stars casino licence, Bekier said he believed the culture of the company at large was good, but there was a subculture that has let us down.

Matt Bekier giving evidence on May 2.

Its essentially dealing with VIP customers ... because it seemed like a bit of a dark art, we didnt challenge them. I didnt challenge them, he said.
Scott Morrison delivered sweets to hordes of children at an Eid celebration in western Sydney on Monday morning, but Kevin Rudd brought the sauce.

The current and former prime ministers each chalked up a competitive tally of selfies, but it was Rudd and Labors Parramatta candidate, Andrew Charlton, who lingered the longest as they greeted people from Sydneys Islamic community to mark the end of Ramadan.

Former Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd meets members of western Sydneys Muslim community at Eid celebrations in Parramatta. Credit:James Brickwood

Morrison approached Rudd for a warm handshake before the prayer service at Parramatta Park began, the leaders taking seats in different rows in front of hundreds of people. He then approached the lectern, telling those gathered, Australia is like a rope with many different strands that together make us strong.

Once the service broke, Morrison was mobbed, with parents pulling their children towards the front to receive a bag of gifts from the PM: lollies, chips, a balloon, and a bubble wand.
Taipei: Chinas lockdowns to control the spread of COVID-19 are cruel and Taiwans Premier Su Tseng-chang vows the island will not follow suit.

Having controlled the pandemic with tough border controls and quarantines, Taiwan has been dealing with a surge in domestic infections since the start of this year, with some 75,000 infections driven by the Omicron variant.

But with high vaccination levels after take-up surged in the wake of last years outbreak, more than 99 per cent of those diagnosed have mild or no symptoms and there have only been a handful of deaths so far. Rather than locking down to stamp out the virus, the Taiwanese government has moved to ease restrictions as it seeks normalcy and to gradually reopen the island of 23 million people to the outside world.

Even as COVID numbers take off in Taiwan, the government continues to wind back restrictions. Credit:AP

Taiwans giant neighbour China, by contrast, has enacted tough lockdowns in Shanghai and tightened controls in capital Beijing, closing schools and restaurants.
London: A cameraman from New Zealand has been reported missing in the UK, with his fiancee and friends fearing he has been seriously hurt or fallen victim to foul play.

Joseph Day, 31 from Auckland, moved to the UK with his fiancee of five years, Kelsey Mulcahy, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Former TVNZ cameraman Joseph Day has gone missing in the UK city of Bristol.

Day was a cameraman for TVNZ, New Zealands leading broadcaster, but changed to building work when he moved to the UK to take a break from the media industry.

His last known location was at his home in Clifton, an upmarket suburb of Bristol, on Saturday night, April 30, (BST) when Mulcahy went to London with friends.
Washington: The first person tried on charges of assaulting a police officer in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by a pro-Trump mob has been convicted on all counts after a federal jury deliberated about three hours and found retired New York Police Department officer Thomas Webster guilty of six counts.

Webster, 56, of Goshen, New York, assaulted DC police officer Noah Rathbun with an aluminum Marine Corps flagpole, jurors found. The panel of eight women and four men also found Webster guilty of interfering with police in a riot and trespassing, disorderly and violent conduct while carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon on Capitol grounds.

This still from a police body camera video shows Thomas Webster, in red jacket, at a barricade line at on the west front of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Credit:Metropolitan Police Department via AP

Webster, who previously served on the protective security detail of former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg, was the first of about 150 defendants charged with assaulting an officer to take his case to a jury and the first to argue self-defence.

Federal juries in Washington have now found all four defendants who have gone to trial on felony charges guilty in the rioting that began after then-President Donald Trump urged supporters to go to the Capitol where Congress was confirming Joe Bidens 2020 election victory.
Commodity stocks still have room for improvement

In contrast to recent years, commodity-related shares seem to be in particularly high demand at present.

The commodities sector has been through a lot in the past. Just think of 2015, when U.S. producers overinvested in shale oil production, or when China pulled out of massive overinvestment in infrastructure. So, investment in the commodity sector went down. Then there was the net zero emissions thing. The low investment then subsequently caused commodity prices to go up. These are now benefiting commodity producers. Looking at mining stocks, there has been an increase of over 120 percent since the February 2020 low. Expected earnings have risen around 144 percent. Here, the profit forecasts are mainly based on supply and demand as they were before the Ukraine war. And this situation still exists now. Industry experts assume a favorable valuation for the shares with commodity participation.

The fact that the price of some commodities has currently fallen is due to the lockdown in Shanghai and the impending lockdown in Beijing. These are slowing down the economy. Nevertheless, the big picture remains, demand for commodities will pick up again in China and elsewhere. This applies, for example, to copper, the economic metal par excellence. China\-s announcement of support for the economy comes at just the right time. Incidentally, in March China exported more copper than at any time since 1916, at very high copper prices, and thus melted down previously cheaply purchased inventories. For investors, companies that own gold and copper in the projects should be particularly attractive. Gold stands for value retention and copper is a raw material of the future.

For example, Torq Resources  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=934MixLRGB4  owns both commodities in the Margarita, Santa Cecilia and Andrea projects in Chile.

Aztec Minerals  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjshm6V9WJo  owns the Cervantes porphyry gold-copper project in Mexico and interests in the historic Tombstone Silver District in Arizona.

Current corporate information and press releases from Torq Resources (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/torq-resources-inc/ -).

In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998  312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/
The mining industry faces challenges

The most important issue moving the global mining sector has three letters: ESG.

For the past 12 years, KPMG has surveyed global risks and opportunities in the mining sector. After commodity risk topped the list of respondents each year, climate-related risks, environmental risks and regulations have become number one in 2022. In the 2022 Global Mining Outlook, commodity price risk was relegated to second place for the first time. In third place are social license to operate and community relations. Seventy-two percent of executives surveyed see major changes in the industry over the next three years due to environment social governance (ESG). Environment, social and governance are important, not just success in the financial sense of the term, but a closer look at the stakeholders involved.

The survey was conducted before Russia\-s invasion. And so, the risks of political instability and nationalization came in fourth place. The global trade conflict made it to fifth place. A new risk was also added this year, the so-called talent crisis. Technical skills to cope with climate change and expertise in markets are particularly in demand, he said. So, mining companies increasingly need to consider challenges that affect the environment and social issues. Australians saw commodity prices as the number one risk, while Canadians see community relations and social license to operate as the biggest risk. The good news is that the mining industry is well capitalized and well funded to address issues.

One mining company that is very concerned about ESG is Sibanye-Stillwater  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq9yX508m9s . It continuously pursues a sustainability strategy (path to CO2 neutrality, human rights, etc.). Sibanye-Stillwater is a major palladium, platinum and gold producer and is also involved in battery metals. The area of operations is in South Africa, Zimbabwe and the USA.

Tier One Silver  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehXXANrBHsQ -, for example, also strives for safe, socially and environmentally sustainable working practices. The company is active in Peru (Curibaya project) in the field of silver.

Latest corporate information and press releases from Tier One Silver (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/tier-one-silver-inc/ -) and Sibanye-Stillwater (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/sibanye-stillwater-ltd/ -).

In accordance with A34 WpHG I would like to point out that partners, authors and employees may hold shares in the respective companies addressed and thus a possible conflict of interest exists. No guarantee for the translation into English. Only the German version of this news is valid.

Disclaimer: The information provided does not represent any form of recommendation or advice. Express reference is made to the risks in securities trading. No liability can be accepted for any damage arising from the use of this blog. I would like to point out that shares and especially warrant investments are always associated with risk. The total loss of the invested capital cannot be excluded. All information and sources are carefully researched. However, no guarantee is given for the correctness of all contents. Despite the greatest care, I expressly reserve the right to make errors, especially with regard to figures and prices. The information contained herein is taken from sources believed to be reliable, but in no way claims to be accurate or complete. Due to court decisions, the contents of linked external sites are also co-responsible (e.g. Landgericht Hamburg, in the decision of 12.05.1998  312 O 85/98), as long as there is no explicit dissociation from them. Despite careful control of the content, I do not assume liability for the content of linked external pages. The respective operators are exclusively responsible for their content. The disclaimer of Swiss Resource Capital AG also applies: https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/disclaimer/
Hannan announces US$2m Jogmec JV annual budget at San Martin, Peru

Highlights:

JOGMEC has confirmed a US$2M budget from April 2022 through to March 2023 for the 714 sq km San Martin (aJoint Venturea) JV project as part of the Third Base Earn-in Period. Under the JV Agreement, JOGMEC has the option to earn up to a 75% beneficial interest in the project by spending up to US$35,000,000 to deliver to the joint venture a feasibility study;

The primary focus will be drill testing the target at Tabalosos East (aDIA1a) where a diamond drill program is planned of up to 3,500 metres at Tabalosos East. The aim is to test for continuity of the surface mineralization mapped and sampled over 9 kilometres long and 1 kilometre at Tabalosos East, and focus on shallow dipping and sub-horizontal zones;

The second objective will be to expand known mineralization within and outside the Tabalosos East area by systematic field work and to initiate field activities at the Gera target.

Michael Hudson, CEO, states: aWe are again thankful for JOGMECa?s continued support for the San Martin JV sediment-hosted copper-silver project in Peru. This budget year has the potential to be transformatoryfor the project, with our maiden drill program planned to commence on approval of our Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental (aDIAa) or Environmental Impact Statement.A During the last year we have demonstrated width and grade (average 0.9 metre @ 1.9 % copper and 27 g/t silver) from 105 channel surface samples (lower cut 0.5% copper), within an area about 9 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide at Tabalosos East, that compare with those found during the initial modern-day drill discovery of the KupferschieferA copper-silver deposits. Detailed stratigraphic mapping demonstrates that copper mineralization is hosted by defined and mappable organic rich shale facies within an approximately 10 metre thick bleached and altered copper anomalous package of shaly siltstones. Social work is ongoing with successful engagement with all key stakeholders from local communities to provincial leadership, over the large area.a

The San Martin JV Project is in north-eastern Peru.A Project access is excellent via a proximal paved highway, while the altitude ranges from 400 metres to 1,600 metres in a region of high rainfall and predominantly forest cover.A Hannan has staked a total of 98 mineral concessions for a total of 714 sq km within the project area, covering multiple trends within a 120 km of combined strike for sedimentary-hosted copper-silver mineralization.A A total of 62 granted mining concessions for 441 sq km have been granted, while the remainder remain under application.

Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property.

Field and social teams are actively engaged in the area, with Hannana?s policy to undertakeA explorationA activities only within areas where full support from local stakeholders exists.A Hannan aims to have a transparent approach prior to, during and after technical field work.A Hannan speaks to all stakeholders to gain authorization to conduct surface exploration.A The Company has a dedicated social team and has hired local representatives and used local radio to inform a wider audience on the Companya?s plans.

About the San Martin JOGMEC JV Agreement (Copper-Silver, Peru, 98 mining concessions for 714sq km)

On November 30, 2020 Hannan announced that it had signed a binding letter agreement for a significant Option and Joint Venture Agreement (the aAgreementa) with JOGMEC.A Under the Agreement, JOGMEC has the option to earn up to a 75% beneficial interest in the San Martin Project by spending up to US$35,000,000 to deliver to the joint venture (aJVa) a feasibility study.

The Agreement grants JOGMEC the option to earn an initial 51% ownership interest by funding US$8,000,000 in project expenditures at San Martin over a four-year period, subject to acceleration at JOGMECa?s discretion.A JOGMEC, at its election, can then earn:

an additional 16% interest for a total 67% ownership interest by achieving either a prefeasibility study or funding a further US$12,000,000 in project expenditures in amounts of at least US$1,000,000 per annum (for a US$20,000,000 total expenditure); and,

subject to owning a 67% interest, a further 8% interest for a total 75% ownershipA interest by achieving either a feasibility study or funding a further US$15,000,000 in project expenditures in amounts of at least US$1,000,000 per annum (for a US$35,000,000 total expenditure).

Should JOGMEC not proceed to a prefeasibility study or spend US$20,000,000 in total, Hannan shall have the right to purchase from JOGMEC for the sum of US$1, a two percent (2%) Participating Interest, whereby Hannana?s Participating Interest will be increased to fifty-one percent (51%) and JOGMECa?s Participating Interest will be reduced to forty-nine percent (49%).A At the completion of a feasibility study, JOGMEC has the right to either:

purchase up to an additional ten percent (10%) Participating Interest from Hannan Metals (for a total 85% maximum capped Participating Interest) at fair value as determined in accordance with internationally recognized professional standards by an agreed upon independent third-party valuator; or

receive up to an additional ten percent (10%) Participating Interest from Hannan (for a total 85% maximum capped Participating Interest) in consideration of JOGMECa?s agreement to fund development of the project, by loan carrying Hannan until the San Martin Project generates positive cash flow.

After US$35,000,000 has been spent by JOGMEC and before a feasibility study has been achieved, both parties will fund expenditures pro rata or dilute via a standard industry dilution formula.A If the Participating Interest in the Joint Venture of any party is diluted to less than 5% then that partya?s Participating Interest will be automatically converted to a 2.0% net smelter royalty (aNSRa), and the other party may at any time purchase 1.0% of the 2.0% NSR for a cash payment of US$1,000,000. Hannan will manage exploration at least until JOGMEC earns a 51% interest, after which the majority participant interest holder will be entitled to act as the operator of the joint venture.A Initial exploration activities will focus on the collection of the geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets in the JV project areas.

Sediment-hosted stratiform copper-silver deposits are among the two most important copper sources in the world, the other being copper porphyries.A They are also a major producer of silver.A According to the World Silver Survey 2020 KGHM Polska Miedza?s (aKGHMa) three copper-silver sediment-hosted mines in Poland are the leading silver producer in the world with 40.2Moz produced in 2019.A This is almost twice the production of the second largest producing mine. The Polish mines are also the sixth largest global copper miner and in 2018, KGHM produced 30.3 Mt of ore at a grade of 1.49% copper and 48.6 g/t silver from a mineralized zone that averages 0.4 to 5.5 metres thickness.

About Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC)

JOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which among other things seeks to secure stable resource supply for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic partner in mineral projects globally. The mandated areas of responsibilities within JOGMEC relate to oil and natural gas, metals, coal and geothermal energy. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private companies to secure supply of natural resources for the benefit of the country\-s economic development.

About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN) (OTCPK: HANNF)A A A A A A A A A

Hannan Metals LimitedA is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan holds 2,093 square kilometers of granted mineral concessions and applications in Peru making it a top ten in-country explorer by area.

Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannana?s Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain disclosure contained in this news release, including the Companya?s expectations regarding the Agreement and the payments and earn-in upon the successful completion of certain milestones, the Companya?s future plans, the projected proceeds from the exercise of Warrants and the use of procceds from any such exercises, may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company\-s public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company\-s current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. A These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19 on the Companya?s business.A Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and 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 required by law.A

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
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I was on a panel at a Leadership Danbury event hosted by the Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce Wednesday morning and trying to sort out in my head precisely what felt a little off.

Ahh, thats it. Its because were in Bethel.

As I later commented to Stamford Chamber of Commerce President Heather Cavanagh, I cant imagine speaking at a Stamford chamber event in Greenwich, or vice-versa.

I turned to my left and asked Danbury chamber President P.J. Prunty how many towns fall under the umbrella of Greater Danbury.

Ten.

I addressed the audience of roughly 30.

So Im curious, who here is not from Danbury?

Several hands went up.

Where are you from?

New Milford.

Bethel.

Ridgefield.

Brookfield.

OK, youre going to be surprised: South Windsor.

Brewster, New York.

Poughkeepsie ...

I was suddenly distracted by the 110-mile distance between South Windsor and Poughkeepsie. I referenced a line from that days editorial that Connecticut tends to be allergic to regionalism. I shared how my years working in Greenwich and Stamford taught me you just cant color outside the lines when it comes to a lot of local news coverage there. Ive explained it to a lot of new staffers over the years, but you have to be an eyewitness to appreciate it. I didnt have to translate this for the Bethel audience, as an audience member did that for me.

I work for a nonprofit. Every time we talk about fundraising ... recruitment or retention, we say internally that Well, Fairfield Country is different. What works in Hartford doesnt necessarily work in Greenwich. I do community outreach in Danbury, Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich. Then you go to Bridgeport and its a totally different story. Lower Fairfield Country is just a ...

She took a hesitant pause.

Its a weird place. It works really different.

Shes not wrong. I was covering a monthly event in the fall that was moved from Greenwich to Stamford. Organizers warned me that many participants avoided Connecticuts most successful city. Sure enough, many confessed they never crossed the border into Stamford. Little seemed to have changed since I was the rookie introduced to the phenomenon in the 80s.

Prunty transitioned to how Danbury & Co. are different.

Were sort of our own sustaining ecosystem here in Western Connecticut, he said. Its a different feel. Towns support each other because people live in Brookfield and work in Danbury or work in Danbury and live in Brookfield.

Danbury Chamber Events and Membership Director Helen Brickfield described it well after the event: The borders are porous here.

Almost on cue, Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito walked by, a reminder of the controversy over his living in Brookfield when he ran for the office last year. The porous concept is not lost to me. After three decades of living in Stamford, I now reside in Newtown. I know my way around, but half the time I dont know what town Im in. I always know if Im in Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, New Canaan or Darien.

Stamford is the anomaly among city chambers in Connecticut. The Hartford Chamber of Commerce promotes the region. The Greater New Haven Chamber represents 15 communities. Even the Norwalk chamber embraces the Greater tag, enveloping Wilton, Weston and Westport as well as New Canaan and Darien. Norwalks website even reminds visitors that Darien was originally part of Stamford.

But Stamford is not a hub city like Danbury. Not only is Norwalk right there, but  Im just going to say it  the Town of Greenwich is really a city (cue to release the hate mail).

Not that any of these individual towns throughout the state dont have their own chambers, or that they dont collaborate.

Cavanagh came to the Stamford helm having previously guided the Darien and Westport-Weston chambers. When the Stamford chamber hosted the mayoral debate last fall, it was just over the Darien border at the Waters Edge at Giovannis. And the Greenwich, Stamford and Norwalk chambers reliably unite for expos at UConn-Stamford.

Yeah, its a weird place. People in Connecticut cling fiercely to local identity. Before I started writing this column nine years ago, our former editor David McCumber suggested I name it Out My Back Door, as a nod to my predilection for exploring different parts of the state. A reminder to people that its OK to cross borders.

Prunty wrapped things up Wednesday morning with a clever epilogue to my discourse on the definition of local.

Tip ONeill said all politics is local. Well, all news is local. What Im coming away with right now is how important it is to keep that local identity, Prunty announced in his best Anderson Cooper tone. John, Im going to put you on the spot with one last question:

Onions or no onions on your cheeseburger from Greasy Nicks?

Silence from the Connecticut crowd that didnt get the reference.

Shock and awe from me.

HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT?

Prunty enjoyed a well-earned chuckle.

My parents were high school sweethearts from New Rochelle, he revealed. You said you were from New Rochelle.

Greasy Nicks is the ideal Im from New Rochelle shorthand. I summarized how I grew up thinking my grandfathers references were to a bar before discovering the shoreline shack on my own, complete with corn doing the backstroke in butter, steamers, etc. And in case anyone is inclined to make the drive, know that its real name is Lenos Clam Bar (it was founded by Jay Lenos uncle).

My father is obsessed with this place, Prunty explained. If a story would run he would frame it.

I challenged the audience to name their local version of Greasy Nicks.

Denmos (in Southbury).

JKs (in Danbury).

Sycamore (in Bethel).

Ive been to all of them. Because it is good to explore.

But its local flavor that makes us feel we are home.

John Breunig is editorial page editor of the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time. jbreunig@scni.com; twitter.com/johnbreunig.
A Bristol woman has pleaded guilty to a federal charge after law enforcement alleges she bought nearly a dozen guns for other people in a straw purchasing scheme, the U.S. attorneys office said.

Leah Boucher, 30, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of making a false statement to a firearms dealer before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in a video conference appearance.

On Aug. 9, 2021, authorities searched the home of Tyrone Brown, a convicted felon, in New Haven, the office said. The search turned up a 9mm handgun, which allegedly was registered to Bouchers family member.

Because of the past convictions, Brown was prohibited from possessing a gun or ammunition and was arrested. He pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon on April 25 and is awaiting sentencing, the office said.

Prosecutors alleged that Boucher had bought 10 other guns from several stores in Connecticut between March and July 2021.

When investigators interviewed Boucher on August 26, 2021, Boucher admitted that she had purchased firearms for other individuals, and that she was no longer in possession of any of the 10 firearms that were registered to her, the release said.

She was charged on a federal criminal complaint on Oct. 15.

Bouchers sentencing is scheduled for July 25 in New Haven. She faces up to 10 years in prison on the charge, the U.S. attorneys office said. Boucher has been in custody since February 23, 2022, when her bond was revoked.
Connecticut is one of the most expensive states for health care, and with those costs continuing to rise, patients have ever-more reasons to understand how the care they get will hit their pocketbooks.

So in a months long effort Hearst Connecticut Media Group compiled and analyzed millions of rows of recently-disclosed data from hospitals detailing what different insurance plans will pay for thousands of different medical procedures.

Here are five key takeaways:

1. Once secret data disclosed after rule change

Hospitals were required by a federal rule change to begin sharing this data in January 2021.

Compliance with the federal rule was slow to start, but according to the newspaper groups review, all acute hospitals in the state have shared at least some prices.

The information is scattered across their websites, in ranging formats. Hearst Connecticut Media gathered data from about 30 hospitals in Connecticut and brought it into one place.

You can explore a sample of the data for yourself more here and review the data in more detailed format here.

2. What the data shows

What insurers have agreed to pay hospitals for services can range wildly.

For example, if a woman with an Anthem health insurance plan gives birth by C-section at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, her insurer would pay the hospital $10,988.

But if she instead chose Bridgeport Hospital just three miles away, the rate her insurance company has agreed to pay for the same procedure would be less than half that amount.

The data shows these kinds of variations are common, leaving patients with a heavy burden to make sure they shop for the best price.

Whats more, the analysis from Hearst Connecticut Media also found many instances where it could be cheaper to pay for a service in cash than to use insurance.

3. The real costs for patients

While the new price information disclosed by hospitals provides some insight, the picture can remain confusing for patients. Thats because the negotiated rates hospitals now must disclose are unlikely to be the same as what people see on their final bill.

Instead, how much a patient must pay depends on specific circumstances unique to them. For example, If the patient hasnt met their deductible, it could be as much as the full amount, said Keith Ericson, a PhD health economist at Boston University.

4. Pushback from some hospitals, insurers

The transparency rule has faced resistance.

For example, Connecticut Childrens Medical Center, the last hospital in the state to post price information online said the regulations are burdensome, and it waited a year to comply to see how others responded.

"These types of regulations place a burden that impacts the few remaining independent hospitals such as Connecticut Childrens exponentially," Justin Rozen, senior director for revenue and reimbursement for Connecticut Childrens, said in a statement. "Our only concern is that we believe in providing meaningful information to our patients that can be effectively used."

Not all agree that forcing hospitals and insurers to share their rates publicly is the best tactic to address the problem of rising health care costs.

Hospitals and insurers have maintained that other options, including online tools that estimate actual costs patients would incur based upon their insurance coverage and other circumstances, are more useful for patients.

Those tools do not allow for broad comparison across insurance plans and hospitals, however.

Wendell Potter, a health care advocate and former executive at the health insurer Cigna, said even if prices are available online somewhere, patients cant be expected to check prices before using a hospital under many circumstances.

5. Whats being done

Despite the pushback from some, more transparency measures are moving forward. All insurance companies nationwide will have to start disclosing similar data beginning in July. Experts say this information should be even more enlightening.

This week, Connecticut senators will decide whether to pass a bill that would seek to reign in the growing costs of health care, including at the states hospitals, by creating spending benchmarks. The bill aims to place more focus on primary care, which is lower-cost, and would also require hospitals and insurers alike to submit data reports to the states Office of Health Strategy.

That offices executive director, Vicki Veltri, who is a key proponent of the bill, said her office works to bring as much health care pricing data as possible to policymakers, so they can craft policies aimed at controlling costs and making the state healthier.

If you don't shine a light on these costs then nothing can get done, she said.
Connecticuts domestic violence organizations are concerned about an influx of children seeking their services coming out of the pandemic, which led to a rise in domestic violence with many stuck at home in abusive situations. Lawmakers at the state Capitol have stepped in to help.

The state House gave final approval last week to a bill that would fund 18 child advocates across the state to provide services to children and families experiencing domestic violence.

With Senate approval earlier in the week, the bill, which seeks to prevent abuse and violence on online dating sites, in the workplace, and at home, goes to Gov. Ned Lamonts desk.

At a time when people may have seen their homes as a safe haven in the midst of a pandemic, far too many people found themselves dealing with an even more dangerous situation in that home, Sen. Mae Flexer, D-Windham, said during the Senate debate. This bill is a strong response to that, and more.

From 2017 to 2021, an average of 4,313 children were served annually by domestic violence organizations in the state, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

The state doesnt provide funding for the advocates who perform these services. Federal funding only supports 2.26 hours of service to each child per year, according to data provided in testimony on the bill by Liza Andrews, director of public policy and communication for CCADV. The bill would fund 18 child advocate positions, one for each domestic violence agency in the state, at a cost of $1.44 million annually.

The pandemic has brought a lot of percolating problems in our state to the fore and nows the time to jump on them, put in the resources, put in the effort, Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, said during the Senate debate.

The bill also provides employment protections for victims of family violence, including requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodations to victims so that divorce proceedings, temporary homelessness and financial difficulties, among other issues, don't prevent them from maintaining their employment.

In a 2018 national survey of domestic violence survivors by the Institute for Womens Policy Research, 83 percent of respondents reported that their abusive partners disrupted their ability to work, and 53 percent said they lost a job because of the abuse.

State employees would also be required to complete an hour of training and education on domestic violence, including information about resources available to victims.

If the bill becomes law, it will have a profound impact on the mission to end domestic violence in Connecticut today, and help break generational cycles of abuse for future generations, Suzanne Adam, executive director of the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, said in a statement Friday.

By providing access to trauma-informed counseling and support services for the most vulnerable  children who witness domestic violence in the home, SB 5 lays a strong foundation for individuals and families to heal from past trauma and begin to build safer, healthier lives free from violence," Adam said.

The bill also seeks to target abuse occurring online, which also spiked the pandemic by creating a new program to help people identify, report and prevent online harassment.

Separately, dating app operators will be required to advise users whether they conduct background checks. A previous version of the bill wouldve required dating apps to conduct comprehensive identity checks on users.

A provision to create a working group to develop recommendations regarding new laws on child grooming, in which a minor is coerced into child pornography, prostitution or trafficking, was stripped from the bill before the House vote. That issue is being addressed in a separate bill passed by the House last week, which would establish a new crime of harmful communication with a minor.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
Hundreds of Muslims gathered in prayer during the Eid al-Fitr ceremony at the Hilton Hotel and Executive Meeting Center in Stamford on Monday. Presented by the Stamford Islamic Center, those in attendance gathered to break the fast and mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
MILFORD  One person was killed Saturday night in a crash involving a motorcycle, police said.

Officers were called to the crash in the area of Boston Post Road and Cedarhurst Lane at 7:20 p.m. Police said that a BMW motorcycle collided with a Lexus SUV as it was leaving a driveway on Boston Post Road.

The driver of the motorcycle, 20-year-old Austin Micha, was killed in the crash.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Officer Dan Hemperly at 203-783-4792.
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Bob Stefanowski, the presumptive Republican candidate for governor in the upcoming election, is attempting to usurp control of a third party away from the partys leadership in order to obtain a second line on the ballot, party leaders said.

The Independent Party is the states third-largest political party, with 31,015 registered members, according to data from the Secretary of the States office.

A cross-endorsement from that party would mean Stefanowskis name would appear on the ballot twice, once as a Republican and also as a member of the Independent Party.

While the Independent Party did cross-endorse Stefanowski when he ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Ned Lamont in 2018, party chairman Mike Telesca said he is fighting to keep the integrity of the party.

We have slowly built up the party, he said. We worked very very hard to develop the name Independent, to promote candidates who basically do not necessarily have access to the ballot.

Of the 650,138 votes cast for Stefanowski in 2018, only 4 percent  25,388 votes  were cast on the Independent Party line.

Lamont also had a second ballot line in 2018, though it garnered an even smaller return. Of the 694,510 cast for Lamont, 17,861 were on the Working Families Party line, 2.57 percent of the total.

Lamont won the race by 3.2 percentage points, 49.4 percent of the total vote to Stefanowskis 46.2 percent. Oz Griebel, who has since died after being struck by a car in Pennsylvania, garnered 3.9 percent of the total vote.

Telesca said Lamont and Stefanowski have approached the party seeking a cross-endorsement.

Both camps have reached out. Both have inquired about our caucus system, Telesca said, replying to both parties that such decisions would be made by state committee members and decided at the partys convention.

The Democrats have respected that. I've told them if for some reason we find ourselves without a candidate, we will open it up, he said. Bob Stefanowski, in particular, has not. He has said thats not fair to him, he wants access to my state central committee members to plead his case. Hes finding out who they are and trying to pigeonhole them.

Stefanowski said hes hoping to once again gain the partys endorsement, and expressed confidence in its chairman.

I was honored to have the Independent Party endorsement last election and have received support from several senior party members this time around, he said in a prepared statement. I am confident my support within the party is strong, and I look forward to the same open process we had last time, and trust the chairman will keep it that way.

But Telesca said it is an attempt to subvert the party. What his plans are at this point is to garner enough support in the Independent Party to win the caucus.

The problem with minor parties is most of the people in minor parties are used to being ignored, he said. They can be easily swayed by vague promises.

Exactly what is a seat at the table? he mused.

John Fahan, the Independent Party treasurer and formerly a Democratic member of Stamfords Board of Representatives, said he received a call from Stefanowski, though he said, it was not a productive conversation.

Im not interested in cross-endorsing him, Fahan said, though he confirmed that, That was his intention.

Though its not yet official, Telesca and Fahan said they have a third-party candidate they are excited to endorse.

Rob Hotaling, from Cheshire, formally submitted paperwork last week to enter the race.

Hotaling said hes a registered Independent Party member.

In my 20s, I was part of the Democratic Party, he said. In my late 30s, early 40s, I was part of the Republican Party.

He said hed like the opportunity to present my ideas.

Its sad to me to see the limiting of options before I even get on the ballot, Hotaling said. Thats part of the problem in politics.

Hotaling said hed rather see candidates winning on ideas, not winning on backroom deals, if thats whats going on. Thats unfair to voters.

Born in East Africa, Hotaling grew up in Rhode Island. He said he does not have the personal resources of either Stefanowski or Lamont.

All I can run on is my character, my ideas, my reputation, he said. I dont have $10 million in disposable income to go around calling folks.

Though Hotaling is not yet the official Independent Party candidate  that will be decided at the partys nominating convention that has not yet been scheduled  Fahan said Hotaling is a breath of fresh air, a problem-solver.

Im excited about his prospects, Fahan said of Hotaling. He has a lot of new, fresh ideas.

Telesca also said he does not want it to be perceived that the party hes led since 2003 is lock-step with Republicans.

We want to run up the middle, offer people something different than the two major parties, which is two very rich white guys, he said.

Telesca is also aware that his party does not necessarily draw from the right, and he wants to respect that diversity within his own party. Hes trying to avoid the reputation that we always cross-endorse Republicans.

We pull equally from both sides of the political spectrum, he said.
General Assembly agrees to optional municipal virtual meetings

Its hard to believe the Connecticut General Assemblys legislative session ends this week. Since its an abbreviated springtime session and it is state election season, lawmakers will be doing the critical things that matter this time of year: fundraising and campaigning. But there have been a number of bills the General Assembly has recently considered, especially the budget and tax deal to extend and create certain state tax cuts.

A likely overlooked bill that our state Legislature recently approved is House Bill 5269, which allows public entities to decide to continue with virtual meetings. Because of the pandemic, various agencies, including at the local level, conducted online public meetings. Ultimately, municipal boards and commissions would get to decide this option through this legislation.

Some may consider direct democracy (or residents engaging in the decision-making process) should be solely in-person. Its a traditional approach, especially since New Englanders cherish having their voice heard in local matters. Partaking in community issues can make a difference, but the ways of doing so varies by municipality and approach. Because Connecticut has 169 localities, some have a public comment hour before a local legislative body. Others restrict or do not allow for direct participation while some municipalities have representative town meetings.

Attending public meetings, especially local hearings and workshops, should be a priority for constituents. Officials need to know and hear from residents about their concerns on pending proposals. Most importantly, direct democracy in New England, demands participation in various forms. Attending meetings in-person and now online is a start. Petitioning, lobbying, testifying and writing correspondences to public officials are additional forms of direct engagement, as well.

But there should be no question that having so many municipal meetings online during the pandemic transformed the overall participation process in our modern era. Some municipalities saw an increase of residents listening and engaging in local boards and commission meetings. In fact, the Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations discovered that 90-percent of residents polled were supportive of virtual and hybrid meetings so they can choose to watch virtually or attend in-person.

For the Journal of Civic Information, I had the opportunity to study with my colleague Professor Jodie Gil about the effects of online local meetings. Connecticuts towns and cities varied about conducting their public sessions and hearings. A number of officials and constituents wanted some virtual aspect for their local legislative meetings. Some stressed that even having a hybrid option could be impactful for public participation purposes.

Too often many of these public sessions and hearings are held at night and few residents are able to attend because of work and family obligations. Political scientist Frank Bryan offered in his New England case study about Vermonts direct democracy that few mothers were able to participate in evening meetings because childcare coverage can be challenging.

Theres also some concern that not everyone has online access or they do not have the technology to participate remotely. Many municipalities may also not have the most ideal conditions for virtual meetings. Bridgeport, for example, is only having in-person meetings because of their council chambers acoustics.

But if local boards and commissions can decide the option that best suits their meetings, its an additional step to more engagement. House Bill 5269 allows municipalities to do so and it passed the state Senate 25-11 and the state House of Representatives 101-40.

Hopefully local boards and commissions will remain innovative about hybrid considerations for their meetings. The more constituents are involved in the policymaking process, the better  especially for New England democracys sake.

Jonathan L. Wharton is the School of Graduate and Professional Studies associate dean and teaches political science at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.
WFO HOUSTON/GALVESTON Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in League City has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Central Montgomery County in southeastern Texas...

Southwestern San Jacinto County in southeastern Texas...

Southeastern Walker County in southeastern Texas...

* Until 400 PM CDT.

* At 332 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Woodloch, or

near Conroe, moving north at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Conroe, Willis, Panorama Village, Cut And Shoot, New Waverly and

Woodloch.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, May 1, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Midland has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Southeastern Lea County in southeastern New Mexico...

Western Andrews County in western Texas...

Southwestern Gaines County in western Texas...

* Until 400 PM CDT/300 PM MDT/.

* At 315 PM CDT/215 PM MDT/, a severe thunderstorm was located 8

miles southeast of Eunice, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Expect wind damage

to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Hobbs, Eunice, Nadine, Gaines County Airport, Eunice Airport,

Frankel City, Lea County Regional Airport and Oil Center.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT/900 PM MDT/ for

southeastern New Mexico...and western Texas.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

South central Brewster County in southwestern Texas...

* Until 415 PM CDT.

* At 317 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located 7 miles southeast

of Castolon, or 21 miles southwest of Panther Junction, moving

north at 15 mph. This will affect Big Bend National Park. Seek

shelter immediately.

HAZARD...Ping pong ball size hail and 60 mph wind gusts.

IMPACT...People and animals outdoors will be injured. Expect hail

damage to roofs, siding, windows, and vehicles. Expect

wind damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park and Chisos Basin.

A Tornado Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM CDT for southwestern

Texas.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
The situation in Romania is stable in terms of natural gas supply, as we do not have direct contracts with Gazprom, and we have already identified alternative sources and routes of gas supply to reduce dependence on imports from Russia, but for our country it is important to operationalize and operate at full capacity the Vertical Gas Corridor and the Trans-Balkan Gas Supply Corridor, says the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu.

"Today I attended the extraordinary meeting of the Energy Council convened urgently in Brussels on the subject of ensuring energy security at European level in the context of Gazprom's recent actions to stop gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria. The situation in Romania is stable as our country does not have direct contracts with Gazprom. However, it is necessary to start ahead of time the steps for filling the natural gas deposits for next winter. In this context, I welcome the European Commission's initiative to set up the European Energy Platform for the joint procurement of natural gas, which will have the role of aggregating demand from member states and concluding supply contracts with third countries other than Russia. On May 5, I will attend a first meeting in Sofia of the regional working group dedicated to operationalizing the platform in the south-eastern region of Europe, together with my counterparts from neighboring countries," the minister wrote on his Facebook page on Monday evening, Agerpres.ro informs.

He stressed the importance of the Vertical Gas Corridor and the Trans-Balkan Gas Supply Corridor to ensure the flow of gas from LNG terminals as well as from Azerbaijan.

"Romania has already identified alternative sources and routes of gas supply to reduce dependence on imports from Russia. From this perspective, I conveyed to the European Commission that it is important for Romania to operate at full capacity the Vertical Gas Corridor and the Trans-Balkan Gas Supply Corridor. These corridors are particularly important to ensure the flow of gas from LNG-type terminals, as well as from Azerbaijan, having in this regard discussions with the Azerbaijani authorities to identify available gas volumes", Virgil Popescu mentioned on the social page.

The minister also added that he informed the European Commission, in the bilateral dialogues he had with the European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, and with the Director General Ditte Juul Jorgensen, on Romania's efforts to exploit the potential of deep onshore and offshore natural gas in the Black Sea, stating that it wants a speedy adoption of the Offshore Law by the Parliament, in order to operationalize this project.

"In the medium and long term, Romania is firmly committed to decarbonization by significant investment in renewable sources and hydrogen, while ensuring energy independence by maintaining a diversified energy mix. In this regard, it is necessary to accelerate nuclear projects by building Units 3 and 4 of Cernavoda nuclear power plant and the refurbishment of Unit 1, the development of small modular reactors in Romania, the construction of new natural gas-powered electricity generation capacities and the development of the related infrastructure, as well as the extension of coal use for a period of time. We need to harness the potential of the indigenous crisis, create jobs through new energy projects and reduce our dependence on imports. Ensuring an affordable price for consumers and maintaining the competitiveness of domestic industries are particularly important for the economic recovery of Romania and the EU", pointed out Virgil Popescu.
The First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, will pay a visit to Romania and Slovakia on May 5-9 to meet with members of the US military and diplomatic staff, with Ukrainian refugees, humanitarian workers and teachers, the First Lady's office informed on Monday, as reported by Reuters.

President Joe Biden's wife will meet with U.S. military at southeastern Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Force Base on May 6, after which she will travel to Bucharest, where she will meet with Romanian government officials, members of the US embassy, humanitarian workers and teachers working with Ukrainian refugee children.

Jill Biden's visit is the latest signal of support from high-ranking US representatives for Ukraine and neighboring countries helping Ukrainian refugees.

As of April 27, more than 3 million Ukrainians had crossed the border into Poland, about 817,000 into Romania and nearly 372,000 into Slovakia, out of a total of nearly 5.5 million refugees, according to UN figures.

AGERPRES
Romania's President Klaus Iohannis on May 4 will welcome President of the Federal Republic of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier as part of the latter's official visit to Romania at the invitation of Iohannis. Special attention will be paid to the recent developments in regional, European and Euro-Atlantic security generated by the unprovoked aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Steinmeier's visit also marks the 30th anniversary of the signing, on April 21, 1992, of a treaty between Romania and Germany on friendly co-operation and partnership in Europe, an emblematic framework document in the contemporary history of bilateral relations, according to the Romanian Presidential Administration.

Talks between the Romanian and German presidents will focus on actual ways of developing and deepening the Romanian-German relationship of a strategic nature defined by a very active political and diplomatic dialogue, growing economic dynamics and special interpersonal contacts facilitated by the German minority in Romania and a growing Romanian community in Germany, Agerpres.ro informs.

The two chiefs of state will also address prospects for strengthening economic co-operation between the two countries, given that Germany is Romania's largest trading partner, with economic exchanges in excess of 35 billion euros in 2021, and the third largest investor in the Romanian economy. At the same time, boosting mutual investment and deepening sectoral co-operation will also be discussed.

Special attention will be paid to recent developments in regional, European and Euro-Atlantic security caused by the Russian Federation's unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. The two heads of state will address support for Ukraine and Ukraine refugees, energy security, measures to strengthen NATO's deterrence and defence posture, coordinating European positions and preparations for the incoming NATO summit in Madrid.

Also featuring on the agenda is active and comprehensive support that the EU's neighbouring countries - Moldova, Georgia and the Western Balkans in particular - require, including support for their European integration, according to the Presidential Administration.
Several multinational exercises of the Special Operations Forces will take place in Romania, until May 13, the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) announced in a press release on Monday.

According to the same source, the exercises will take place in the training facilities of the Romanian Army and in the area near Targu Mures, Sangiorgiu de Mures, Reghin, Lunca de Sus, Jigodin, Comanesti, Mangalia, Mihail Kogalniceanu and Cincu, Agerpres.ro informs.

"The Trojan Footprint 22 exercise is planned and coordinated by the United States Command for Special Operations in Europe (SOCEUR) and will provide the units involved with the opportunity to test and demonstrate tactics, techniques and "multi-domain" type of procedures, involving sets of professional skills of troops in the land, air and naval Special Operation Forces," reads the press release.

Trojan Footprint 22 runs simultaneously in Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Romania.

The Ministry of National Defence states that the Junction Strike 22 drill is the most important multinational and inter-institutional exercise, organized and carried out annually by the Special Operations Forces Command (CFOS) of the Romanian Army, with the aim of testing the level of training achieved by command and execution personnel from the Special Operations Forces structure subordinated to CFOS.

Thus, for two weeks, more than 700 Romanian troops, with about 100 land, air and naval devices, and about 100 foreign soldiers from allied or partner countries, UK, the United States of America, Turkey and Hungary, will be trained on the basis of a fictitious scenario, but adjusted to the possible operational threats, within some structures of operative and tactical level, in multinational and inter-institutional format.

"The exercises also aim at developing interoperability among the participating structures, by planning and carrying out specific joint missions and operations, harmonizing working procedures in the multinational environment, all with the aim of increasing regional security, specially in the Black Sea area," mentions the MApN press release.
The number of Ukrainian nationals who entered Romania on Sunday was 27.6 percent lower compared to the previous day, the General Border Police Inspectorate (IGPF) reports on Monday.

As many as 107,432 travelers of whom 7,648 Ukrainian nationals entered Romania on May 1 (down 27.6 pct from the previous day), with 3,880 Ukrainian nationals crossing into Romania at the border with Ukraine (36.7 pct less), and 1,797 entering the country at the border with Moldova (26.2 pct less), IGPF said.

As many as 836,521 Ukrainian nationals had entered Romania as of May 1 at 24:00 hrs since the start of the military conflict in the neighboring country, Agerpres.ro informs.

Measures to strengthen check and increase surveillance have been put in place at the land border, with additional crews carrying out missions in their areas of responsibility and integrated action being taken with other organisations in charge for an efficient exchange of data and information, as well as for a joint response to manage cases as they emerge, the Border Police said.
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca sends a message on the occasion of the National Youth Day, congratulating new generations for their civic spirit and solidarity.

"You are a real source of inspiration, optimism and the main resource of our country and the society we are all part of. I encourage you to design a future for yourselves in Romania and use your courage, perseverance and creativity to reach your aspirations here, in country," said Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca.

He emphasized that youth represent the present, the future and the hope of Romania. Furthermore, he thanked youths for ideas, initiatives and implication.

"A European Year of Youth, 2022 offers the occasion to mobilize our energies at the level of the entire Union, which gives us a chance to study, work and travel in full freedom. The first thing I notice when I work with youths is the strong motivation to come with simple and innovative solutions to the problems we all face, either in society or administration, at the job or in various life situations," the Prime Minister added.

AGERPRES
Romania will participate on May 5, in Sofia, in the first regional working group, part of the European Union's Energy Platform for natural gas procurement, in which security solutions will be discussed in the energy supply, the Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu announced on Monday.

"Romania will participate in the first regional working group, as part of the EU Energy Platform for Joint Gas Procurement, which will take place in Sofia on May 5, to discuss solutions with Bulgaria and our partners in the region for security of energy supply," the minister wrote on his Facebook page.

While in Brussels, the minister had a working meeting on the sidelines of the Energy Council meeting with Ditte Juul Jorgensen, Director General of DG ENER within the European Commission, with whom he discussed concrete energy infrastructure projects, prospects for putting into operation deep onshore natural gas exploitation as well as offshore in the Black Sea that can bring energy security benefits to Romania and the region.

Earlier, Virgil Popescu had a working meeting with Kadri Simson, the European Commissioner for Energy. The topics addressed focused on the situation of energy security at EU level, diversification of sources and supply routes, investments planned by Romania in the sector, including from the perspective of capitalizing on the potential of offshore reserves in the Black Sea, Agerpres.ro informs.

"Also, in the context of the current discussions on reducing energy dependence on Russia, we discussed concrete ways of coordinating future action at European level and, in parallel, launching regional projects aimed at identifying alternative energy supply solutions," the energy minister stressed.
As many as 528 new cases of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 were recorded in the last 24 hours in Romania, down 36 from the previous day, with over 11,000 RT-PCR and rapid antigenic tests performed, the Health Ministry informed on Monday.

Of the new cases, 65 were in re-infected patients, who tested positive more than 90 days after the first time they recovered from the disease, Agerpres.ro informs.

Most of the newly confirmed COVID-19 cases in Romania since the previous reporting were recorded in Bucharest City - 119 and in the counties of Maramures - 35, Cluj - 31, and Brasov - 26.

As of Sunday, 2,894,896 cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus were confirmed in Romania.

- Hospitalisations -

As many as 1,242 people with COVID-19, up 35 from the previous reporting, including 77 children, are hospitalised in Romania at specialist care facilities.

Out of the total number of hospitalised patients, 191 patients are in intensive care, the same as the previous day, no minors.

Of the 191 patients admitted to ICU, 166 are unvaccinated against COVID-19.

- Deaths -

According to the ministry, another three Romanians infected with SARS-CoV-2 - two men and one woman - are reported dead in the last 24 hours.

Out of the total three patients who died, two were unvaccinated and 1 fully vaccinated. The vaccinated patient was between 70-79 years old, and had comorbidities.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 65,496 people diagnosed with the SARS-CoV-2 infection have died in Romania.
Six other Ukrainian men were discovered by the border policemen after entering Romania illegally, asking for asylum, the spokesman for the County Committee for Emergency Situations Dan Buca reported on Monday.

"The border guards discovered six people who crossed the 'green' border between Ukraine and Romania, in the area of responsibility of the Sighetu Marmatiei Border Police Sector, the Sarasau Border Police Sector and the Valea Viseaului Border Police Sector. They asked for a form of protection from the Romanian state, for which specific procedures have been initiated, " the representative of the Maramures County Committee for Emergency Situations specified, Agerpres.ro informs.

Also, the Maramures firefighters transported 11 people with the special vehicle, accompanied by volunteers, from the Sighetu Marmatiei Border Crossing Point to the CFR Station (National Railway Company Station), from where they left by train to Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest.

At the same time, three other people were transported, accompanied by a gendarme, from the Sighetu Marmatiei Border Crossing Point to the Maramures Regional Centre for Accommodation and Asylum Seekers in Somcuta Mare.

"Currently there are no people accommodated in the camp operated by the Maramures firefighters in Sighetu Marmatiei. Ther are 160 beds provided for accommodation, which can be supplemented depending on the situation," Dan Buca added.

According to the same source, the local police, the gendarmes and the policemen are present in the border area to ensure that people from Ukraine are not exposed to victimization. In support of the Maramures gendarmes, there are also members of the Mobile Gendarmes Group in Brasov deployed at the border.
Romania's representative to the 2022 Eurovision, wrs, has left for Turin on Monday, where the European song contest will take place.

wrs, who will participate with the "Llamame" song, declared that he feels ready, that he rehearsed until the last moment and has the feeling that "what will happen there will be beautiful".

"We are very prepared. I rehearsed until the last minute, we had our last rehearsal in the dance room. What is happening is very beautiful and I have the feeling that what will happen there will be beautiful. We will get straight to business as of tomorrow. We will wake up at 08:00 in the morning, we'll have our first rehearsals, we will meet with the press, with the Eurovision team. I am nervous, but it is constructive. I can't wait to see the stage there and I am feeling quite challenged by what is happening. I do not feel intimidated, I feel challenged, that is what I am feeling now," the artist said, Agerpres.ro informs.

He received encouragements from Romanian artists, such as Carla's Dreams, Inna or The Motans.

The artist also said that he wishes to finish the contest on a good position and to make a "beautiful figure".

"We had a three week promoting tour and we arrived in many places in Europe. Somehow I am glad that I took part in this promoting tour, because I sang on big stages already, in Tel Aviv, in Amsterdam, and tens of thousands of people sang along with me, and somehow I got used to the people's warmth before the big event. (...) In Spain I sang in Barcelona and Madrid. The people were singing, tens of thousands. I sang a cappella with them and they knew the lyrics. It was extraordinary. The internet reactions and on You Tube were also very friendly," wrs confessed.

The head of the Romanian delegation, Iuliana Marciuc, declared that the entire team that is traveling to Turin is ready.

Romania will enter the competition on May 12, during the second semi-final. Romania's representative will enter the contest with the participation number 13.
ST. LOUIS  Companies affiliated with a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency startup program will show off their tech, progress and future plans to the public this week.

The NGA Accelerator Showcase will feature companies that took part in the 13-week program, which helped the startups with early funding, office space, mentoring and other perks.

The program is billed as a first-of-its-kind partnership among the NGA, the state's Missouri Technology Corp. and venture capital firm Capital Innovators to help grow geospatial startups.

The showcase will be held from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at The Pageant. Attendees can RSVP here.

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ST. LOUIS  Ameren is buying some of the hottest electric vehicles on the market.

The St. Louis-based power utility has pre-ordered seven Rivian pickup trucks, one of the automotive industrys most sought-after electric models, and expects delivery soon.

The purchases are part of a push to ramp up electrification of the companys vehicle fleet  a campaign that coincides with its broader, multidecade efforts to build more solar and wind generation, retire coal-fired power plants, and ultimately achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The utility said it already has some electric passenger vehicles from companies like Ford, Nissan and Chevrolet  but what it really needs is a truck.

And Rivian was the first to the table with something that could potentially be used for work, said Pat Justis, Ameren Missouris manager of efficient electrification development.

Today, Ameren Missouris fleet is 5% electric, including hybrid vehicles, the company said. But Ameren aims to have 35% of its entire vehicle fleet  from cars to trucks to forklifts  electrified by 2030. And by that date, the company says all of the light-duty vehicles it purchases will be electric.

In addition to its Rivian order, the company also plans to get 25 more electric vehicles from other manufacturers this year, including additional trucks.

The company cites a range of benefits of electrified transportation:

It swaps out gas costs with the far cheaper price of charging vehicles with electricity, which generally costs about a dollar-per-gallon equivalent, Justis said.

Emissions will also drop. And, even better, the carbon footprint of the new vehicles stands to improve with time, as more renewable energy is added to the electric grid that supplies their power.

Theyre not just cleaner today, but theyre getting cleaner over time, said Justis.

Ameren also argues that acquainting itself with electric vehicles will better inform the companys insight and dialogue with customers about the new technology.

We want to get experience with them, said Justis. Doing so, he added, gives us more knowledge as we have conversations engaging with customers who want to know more about these vehicles.

As an added bonus, Ameren said it was glad to buy trucks that are made relatively close by, at a Rivian production facility in Normal, Illinois, about a 170 miles north of St. Louis.

The Rivians, however, have not been a quick purchase.

Ameren pre-ordered them more than two years ago.

But Rivians truck  called the R1T, which starts at $67,500  has been a hot commodity. The company attracted backing from powerhouses like Amazon and Ford. And upon its initial public offering in November, Rivian stock prices soared, vaulting the company to a greater valuation than traditional automotive giants.

The company has since run into production issues and supply chain troubles, and its stock has fallen back to earth. (After hitting an early high of more than $170 each, shares are now trading at about $30.)

Still, finally, a delivery date is on the horizon.

Like it does with other equipment, Ameren said it will add the costs of the vehicles to its operational expenses that are passed to customers for an allowed return.

Ameren expects to pick up the trucks in the next few months.

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Martin McDonagh is best known these days as writer-director of films including Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and In Bruges. But McDonagh started out as a playwright, known for darkly comic works set against an Irish backdrop. Among them is The Lonesome West, onstage at Union Avenue Christian Church in a brilliantly acted, astonishingly hilarious and hugely entertaining West End Players Guild production. The four-character comedy-drama is directed by Robert Ashton.

The action centers on Coleman Connor (Jason Meyers) and his brother Valene (Jeff Kargus), who like nothing better than to taunt each other  and arent above getting into fights that test the floorboards of their ramshackle home.

Their mutual animosity troubles Father Welsh (Ted Drury), a priest who insists that hes not an alcoholic but simply likes to drink a lot. Also dropping by occasionally is a tough young woman called Girleen (Hannah Geisz).

Regardless of Welshs concerns, the brothers battle on  with Valenes newly acquired stove proving to be an irresistible target of Colemans wrath. The two also seem oddly unmoved by the recent death of their father. But at what cost to their souls?

Throughout The Lonesome West, the audience is kept exhilaratingly off-balance, wondering just what kind of outrageousness will emerge from the mouths of the characters. Yet McDonagh also seems to be addressing the ways in which unspoken resentments can prompt unreasonable but perhaps inevitable behavior. And underneath the humor lies a muted despair.

Meyers and Kargus get into their roles with gusto, delivering a masterclass in comic timing and injecting the play with an antic energy. The brothers relationship is somewhat reminiscent of the dynamic in Sam Shepards True West, in which the potential for irrevocable harm looms large.

In a performance thats significantly quieter yet every bit as impactful, Drury imbues the priest with a heartbreaking blend of wit, sadness and resignation. Particularly memorable is a monologue that comes across as nothing less than a cry from the heart.

Ashton delivers an experience thats at once boldly irreverent and unexpectedly suspenseful. And the set design by Brad Slavik and lighting design by Tony Anselmo persuasively situate the characters in a world in which the thrill of verbal dexterity and the threat of violence amicably coexist.

The Lonesome West is part of McDonaghs Connemara Trilogy, named for a region in Ireland and also including The Beauty Queen of Leenane and A Skull in Connemara. His offbeat sensibility, which positions murder and mayhem as essential to the human experience, may not be for everyone. But adventurous theatergoers will find much to enjoy.

'The Lonesome West' When  Through May 8; performances at 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, with additional performance at 8 p.m. May 5 Where  Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union Boulevard How much  $20-$25 More info  westendplayers.org

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Washington University has announced the lineup for its 2023 Great Artist Series. The four concerts offer classical music enthusiasts an all-too-rare opportunity to hear some of todays finest musicians in recital.

The 2022 series concluded Sunday night with a performance by pianist Seong-Jin Cho.

The 2023 season, held in the E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall of the 560 Music Center in University City, will feature mezzo-soprano JNai Bridges on Jan. 29; the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with cellist Johannes Moser on March 4; pianist Emanuel Ax on March 26; and violinist Augustin Hadelich on April 16.

The musical programs for each of the concerts have yet to be determined.

Bridges recently performed with the Washington National Opera, the National Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony. She made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Nefertiti in Philip Glass Akhnaten, a production that won the 2022 Grammy Award for best opera recording. She was also featured in Richard Danielpours oratorio The Passion of Yeshua with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, which won the 2021 Grammy for best choral performance.

Renowned for its fresh interpretations of the worlds greatest orchestral music, the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is currently led by violin virtuoso Joshua Bell. It will be joined on the program by acclaimed cellist Johannes Moser, who has performed with a number of leading orchestras and recorded concertos by Dvorak, Lalo, Elgar and Tchaikovsky.

Ax, of course, is familiar to St. Louis audiences, having performed many times with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. In collaboration with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Leonidas Kavakos, the Grammy-winning Ax released Beethoven for Three: Symphonies Nos. 2 and 5 in March.

Regarded as one of the great violinists of our time, Hadelich is a Grammy winner and in 2018 was named Instrumentalist of the Year by Musical America. Born in Italy to German parents, hes now an American citizen. Hadelichs most recent recording is 2021s Bach  Sonatas & Partitas.

Subscription orders for the series will be available beginning May 23. The cost is $120, which includes premier reserved seating, ticketing fees and, when available, post-concert receptions with the artists. Single tickets go on sale Sept. 6, priced at $40, $32 for Washington U. faculty and staff, and $15 for students and children.

For more information, visit edison.wustl.edu, or call 314-935-6543.
MONDAY, May 2, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- There could be far fewer U.S. doctors trained to provide an abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court in a decision that is expected by the end of June, researchers report.

That's because nearly 45% of 286 obstetrics and gynecology residency programs across the United States are in the 26 states certain or likely to ban abortion if the court overturns Roe v. Wade.

The researchers' analysis of ob-gyn residency programs nationwide also showed that nearly 44% of just over 6,000 residents accredited in ob-gyn programs in 2020 are in states certain or likely to ban abortion, according to the study published April 28 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

"In 2020, 92% of obstetrics and gynecology residents reported having access to some level of abortion training," the authors wrote. "We predict that, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, this would plummet to, at most, 56%."

They noted that their study likely underestimates the reduction in abortion training because it did not include family medicine and other medical specialties where residents also receive abortion training.

"Decimating abortion training in half the country will have far-reaching impacts," said study senior author Dr. Jody Steinauer, director of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health at the University of California, San Francisco.

"It could affect the care of future patients of clinicians who trained in these states wherever they go on to practice. We need to develop new and innovative ways to train ob-gyns and other clinicians to provide this essential care," Steinauer said in a university news release.

Abortion training also provides residents with a range of other important skills such as counseling, trauma-informed care, miscarriage management and uterine evacuation, according to study first author Dr. Kavita Vinekar, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Los Angeles' School of Medicine.

"Those are the skills I got in my abortion training that I use every single day in all of the non-abortion care that I do," she said in the release.

To prepare for the sharp drop in abortion training if Roe v. Wade is overturned, medical residency programs should plan out-of-state travel rotations, patient-centered early pregnancy loss training, and abortion simulation courses, the study authors suggested.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on abortion.

SOURCE: University of California, San Francisco, news release, April 28, 2022

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to halt the upcoming execution of Missouri inmate Carman Deck, and Republican Gov. Mike Parson said he will not grant clemency.

Deck, 56, is scheduled to die by injection at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre for killing a couple at their Jefferson County home in July 1996.

In a two-sentence order, the Supreme Court denied a stay of execution for Deck.

Earlier in the day, the governor said he wouldn't commute Deck's sentence to life in prison.

Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed, Parson said in a statement. The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Decks sentence according to the Courts order and deliver justice.

Decks lawyer, Elizabeth Unger Carlyle, declined to comment on Monday.

Deck, of south St. Louis County, admitted that he killed James Long, 69, and his 67-year-old wife, Zelma Long, after robbing them at their home near De Soto on July 8, 1996.

Deck was sentenced to death three times, and each time the penalty was overturned on appeal. However, a three-judge panel reinstated Decks death sentence in October 2020.

Decks lawyers, in their clemency petition submitted to Parson last week, said Deck was abused as a child and he and his siblings were left alone often without food. The failure of the Missouri system to protect Mr. Deck as a child is a primary reason his life took the tragic path that it did, his lawyers told the governor.

Carlyle, Decks lawyer, declined to make Deck available for an interview with the Post-Dispatch. Deck would be the fifth man to die by lethal injection in Missouri in nearly 5 years.

So far in 2022, four executions have been carried out in the United States, and the 11 last year were the fewest since 1988.

Earlier Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee paused executions for the rest of the year to enable a review of the states lethal injection procedures. That decision came after a testing oversight forced the state to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die on April 21.

The number of executions in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with a decline in public support for capital punishment that has fallen from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021, according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition to capital punishment has risen from under 20% to about 45%.

To read more about the background of Carman Deck and the couple he killed, click here.

The Associated Press and Post-Dispatch staff writer Kim Bell contributed to this report.

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ST. LOUIS  A lawsuit filed over the 2020 death of a St. Charles jail inmate is in the process of being settled for $1.5 million, court records show.

Joshua Landherr was booked into the jail on Sept. 15, 2020, and died at a hospital a day later. A 2021 lawsuit said Landherr died of a drug overdose because his jailers were negligent and ignored his pleas for help.

The settlement, signed but not yet approved by a federal judge, says St. Charles officials continue to deny the lawsuit's claims. As part of the confidential settlement, both sides are restricted from discussing it. At an April 19 hearing, Portia C. Kayser, a lawyer for St. Charles, sought to seal the settlement from public view, as well as the a document detailing the distribution of the proceeds.

Kayser told U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp that despite the fact that the settlement agreement was available via Missouri's "Sunshine," or open records act, she wanted it sealed to prevent easy online access to the amounts being paid on behalf of the city and officers Michael Tiemann and Jason Franklin.

Schelp balked, however, and told Kayser to file a formal request to seal the documents. The settlement documents were instead publicly filed in U.S. District Court in St. Louis Friday.

At the hearing, Schelp said he would approve the settlement once all the documents were filed.

The original lawsuit says after Landherr was booked into the jail , he was placed in a holding cell around 7:30 p.m. Landherr was "unable to care for himself," the suit says, and was "acting violently and erratically." He tried to seek help for himself, the suit says, and jailers had a video and audio feed into the cell.

His jailers believed him to be on drugs, and despite seeing him lying on the floor at 1:57 a.m., did not summon EMS until around 2:21 a.m., the suit says.

Jail staff began to offer Landherr assistance at 2:24 a.m., and paramedics took over at 2:28 a.m., the suit says.

The lawsuit said Landherr's jailers were indifferent to his medical needs. The suit also said jail policy was to let inmates suspected of overdosing "come down" or sleep it off on their own rather than receive medical treatment.

After legal fees, about 5% of the money will go to Landherr's estranged wife. Of the remainder, roughly 75% would go to his son, Aaron Landherr, now 19. The rest goes to his mother, Andrea Wimmer.

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CLAYTON  The St. Louis County Council may soon ask voters to do what they couldnt: give county employees who report wrongdoing additional protections against potential retaliation.

A bipartisan majority  four of the seven council members whove been critics of County Executive Sam Page  voted for a whistleblower protection measure last year. But Page vetoed it, saying it was too broad and would have unintended consequences, such as leaving the county powerless to stop politically motivated subpoenas from the Missouri Legislature.

Supporters couldnt get the fifth necessary council vote to override the veto.

Council Chair Rita Days, D-1st District, said the criticism from Page and his supporters is an excuse to not adopt a reform she argues would prevent discrimination and retaliation lawsuits.

Its not rocket science as far as Im concerned; I think its a matter of simply protecting the employees, she said.

Her proposal, up for a final vote Tuesday, would pitch the four-page bill to voters in the form of a one-paragraph ballot question. Ballot initiatives cant be vetoed.

Spokesman Doug Moore said the administration is hopeful Days will delay the vote to negotiate with Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, D-5th District, who has introduced a competing bill he said hews closer to the 2017 state whistleblower law.

We remain hopeful that the council can reach a compromise, he said.

The current ordinance, last updated in 1997, forbids supervisors from prohibiting employees from talking about the operations with the County Council or County Auditor or taking any disciplinary action whatsoever against an employee for reporting allegations of illegal activity, misuse of public funds, or a threat to public health or safety, and gives employees 10 days to file a complaint with the Civil Service Commission.

Days bill would expand the protections to volunteers and interns and protect them for whistleblowing to an individual County Council member, the news media, any law enforcement officer or state officials such as the auditor, the attorney general and members of the General Assembly  including under legislative subpoena.

It would bar any act to warn of, recommend, cause or approve dismissal or other discipline by any county officer; adds conflict of interest, or unlawful discrimination, to the list of protected allegations; and gives employees alleging retaliation 30 days to file a complaint.

The council first voted 4-3 on Oct. 26 to approve the bill. Page, in his veto letter, criticized language in the bill specifying the county cant prevent employees from testifying in front of the Missouri Legislature under subpoena, nor discipline an employee for doing so. The Legislature is controlled by Republicans; Page is a Democrat.

Page also said the council majority was seeking to address workplace discrimination complaints from police officers, which are supposed to be handled by the Board of Police Commissioners. And he pointed to an argument by Councilman Ernie Trakas, R-6th District, who said the bill would have unintended consequences by forbidding the county from disciplining employees who release information such as health records of other county workers or jail inmates. Trakas is an attorney.

Days, in a rebuttal letter, said her bill made no substantive changes, and urged a veto override. But the council majority  Days, Councilwoman Shalonda Webb, D-4th District, Councilman Tim Fitch, R-3rd District, and Councilman Mark Harder, D-7th District  have lacked a fifth vote in two attempts to overturn it. An override would have required support from at least one of Pages council allies: Clancy, Trakas, or Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway, D-2nd District.

Clancy introduced a bill in January that also would protect volunteers and interns who blow the whistle to any county officials, news media and the public, and give employees a year to file a complaint. But it does not protect whistleblowing to state officials and included fewer expanded definitions. It also includes a provision specifying that an employee could face discipline for revealing information protected by law or otherwise privileged, giving the county some discretion.

Clancy said at a March 22 hearing that she wanted to grant anonymity to whistleblowers and look at creating a route for non-merit employees to file complaints.

Employee lawsuits

Days maintains her bill would prevent discrimination lawsuits against the county, citing a $20 million verdict awarded to police Sgt. Keith Wildhaber, who alleged he was denied promotion to lieutenant because he is gay. The case was later settled for $10.25 million.

And it includes a high-profile lawsuit by the late Hazel Erby, Days predecessor on the council and former county diversity director. Page had fired Erby from the position, which he created for her, after which Days broke with other Democrats on the council to become one of the executives fiercest critics.

Erby sued the county in late 2020 alleging Page fired her for publicly complaining about minority exclusion in county contracts, in violation of Missouris whistleblower statute. Erbys former deputy has also filed suit.

Police lieutenants Ray Rice and James Morgan, who are Black, filed suits against the county in November 2020, alleging they were victims of discrimination and retaliation. And Lt. Col. Troy Doyle sued the county in February 2021 for racial discrimination alleging Page had lined him up to succeed Chief Jon Belmar, but reneged on the decision after wealthy white donors protested.

In December, a former county animal shelter manager sued the county alleging she was fired for opposing a plan to contract a third-party operator of the facility.

Rice and Morgan were active with the Ethical Society of Police, a group representing Black and nonwhite officers that has been outspoken about allegations of misconduct and racism within county and city of St. Louis police.

Former officer Shanette Hall, vice president of ESOP, has been a vocal supporter of Days whistleblower bill, telling the council as early as October that it was necessary to address complaints within the police department by officers who feel they cant come forward due to possible retaliation.

Hall resigned from the department this month and sued the county Wednesday, alleging she was transferred out of her role in human resources recruiting minority officers in retaliation for speaking out and reporting racist behavior by other officers.

Doyle said in a tweet Wednesday that Employees ability to report fraud, waste, abuse and corruption without fear of retribution is an important component to government oversight, accountability and transparency.

Im in support of legislation that protects All County employees in that manner.

Im bringing this to a close

Page, in his veto letter, had referred Days to the Board of Police Commissioners and the Human Relations Commission, a citizen panel that advises the county on diversity and equity policies.

But the commission hasnt reached a consensus amid an apparent disagreement over the bills between Hall, vice chair of the panel, and Karen Aroesty, the panels chair. Page hired Aroesty in January as acting director of administration.

Days alleged Pages request was an effort to delay her bill. She wrote a public letter inviting formal input from the Board of Police Commissioners, but said she didnt hear back.

Ive asked for this for over a year, Days said. Im bringing this to a close.

Aroesty said in an interview that she had been back and forth with Days over questions about the bill, including a line forbidding the county from refusal to consider an employment application of a former county employee who was otherwise qualified.

That seems to me to be more about failure to hire and potential discrimination, she said.

Aroesty, co-chair of the U.S. Attorneys Hate Crimes Task Force and a former longtime regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, said discrimination and retaliation are separate categories also protected by law. Whistleblowing, a separate category, is already protected, she said.

These cases are very fact-specific, they are very unique to their facts each and every time, and they deserve that kind of review, Aroesty said. But she would support an update to the countys current ordinances with more education about the law and what it means, she said.

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ST. LOUIS  The city on Monday began its planned removal of homeless encampments. But, by mid-afternoon, only one or two people had been removed, according to advocates and city officials.

The city had posted notices at four homeless encampments advising residents that they had 10 days to vacate, with a deadline of Monday. The sites included an encampment under a pavilion along the Mississippi River, referred to as the Riverfront Community, and three sites near the Interstate 44 overpass by Cole Street.

But the riverfront group received a reprieve on Friday, when the city said it would delay its eviction. The city said it had shelter beds available for the Riverfront Communitys 15 to 20 residents, but that it would delay the sites closure until it had options that are not in group settings.

In total, two encampments under Interstate 44 were cleared on Monday, according to a city official. City workers found one person staying at one of them, and the other was vacant. City workers collected and tagged some items that homeless individuals may claim, and then the area was cleared by the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Robert Johnson, 53, said he was told to pack up and leave his spot Monday morning.

Im just going to do the best I can, he said. Stay warm. Stay safe. And find something to eat.

There is a third encampment under I-44 where four or five people have been staying, and which also received a notice to vacate by Monday. But the encampment was still there as of early Monday afternoon. The residents were packing up their belongings, and K.B. Doman, a volunteer from Tent Mission STL, said she and other volunteers planned to help them move elsewhere.

Ive been moved four times, said a man who gave his name as Decky, 53. I just keep moving.

Later Monday afternoon, the city official said there are no immediate plans to evict that site.

St. Louis police Maj. Renee Kriesmann, commander of the patrol division that covers the downtown area, said the encampments under I-44 posed public health and safety risks. Kriesmann also said officers make multiple arrests weekly for drug dealing in that area.

A group of protesters marched from the riverfront to City Hall on Monday morning to voice disapproval of the citys push to empty the encampments.

Trina Scott, 43, who identified herself as the mayor of the Riverfront Community, was among those who marched.

We need a stable place to call home, she said.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The number of Wisconsin state lawmakers hanging it up this year is near a modern-day high, and could even exceed the record set during World War II.

The mass exodus comes amid uncertainty over legislative boundaries due to a redistricting fight, an ever-more partisan political environment and years of animosity between majority Republicans and minority Democrats.

Thirty incumbents have announced they will retire, won't seek reelection or are running for another office. That's a quarter of the 118 lawmakers up for reelection. Thirteen Republicans and 10 Democrats in the Assembly are leaving; four Republicans and three Democrats in the Senate are out.

The 30 departures ties with 2014 for the third-highest number of incumbent retirements since at least 1940, according to the Legislative Reference Bureau. Agency data shows 31 incumbents left in 1954 and 32 left in 1942 during the middle of World War II. The LRB's legislative turnover records date back only to 1940.

University of Wisconsin-Madison political scientist Barry Burden said legislative departures are often higher in redistricting years, when the Legislature redraws lawmakers' district lines to reflect population changes. This year's maps were delayed as Democrats and Republicans fought over them in court. The state Supreme Court didn't finalize the maps until earlier this month on the day candidates could pull nomination papers. The districts remained largely unchanged but Burden said the delay likely made it difficult for incumbents to plan.

Burden speculated that Republicans also might be leaving because of internal dissension over election integrity. A vocal faction of the party believes Joe Biden stole the 2020 presidential election from Donald Trump, even though recounts, court decisions and audits have confirmed that Biden defeated Trump by nearly 21,000 votes in Wisconsin.

Republican Sen. Kathy Bernier, a former Chippewa County clerk and chair of the Senate elections committee, is retiring after 12 years in the Legislature. She took intense criticism for defending local clerks' elections performance and questioning Assembly Speaker Robin Vos' decision to hire former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman to investigate the election. Gableman called on her to resign.

She said she was ready to quit anyway, but the attacks made her decision easy. She said many Republicans believe as she does but are too afraid to stand up.

"It just seemed to me something had to be said and something had to be done," she said. After getting the slings and arrows from people in my own caucus . . . they came to realize there was nothing they could say or do or no bill that they could write that would make the Trumpians happy. They just decided to keep quiet. They want to move on. I don't know if they can."

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke announced in January that he would not seek reelection. He ran afoul this winter of a faction of Assembly Republicans who demanded the body decertify the 2020 election results. Vos and the rest of the GOP leadership refused, saying it couldnt be done.

Steineke called his decision just good timing after 12 years in Madison, but also said hes been dealing with criticism over his election stance that has at times been irrational.

Somebody called (from) my district frustrated with the 2020 election, Steineke recalled. As we walked through all the issues he believed were wrong in the election, I explained every single one of them and what the reality was. He still couldnt accept that and then inferred elected officials are agents of foreign governments . . . Theres a segment of our citizenry that is incredibly frustrated and looking for an outlet and often times elected officials become an outlet for that frustration.

Hanging over all of the departures is a partisan atmosphere that has grown more bitter, personal and sometimes abusive in recent years.

This generation of lawmakers was on the front lines for the divisive battle over then-Gov. Scott Walker's public union restrictions, a fight that grew so intense that Democratic senators fled to Illinois in a futile effort to prevent passage. The night the Assembly passed the bill Democratic Rep. Gordon Hintz shouted You're dead! at a Republican colleague.

Hintz is not seeking reelection. That leaves Christine Sinicki as the only Assembly Democrat who was present for the floor debate on the bill running again this fall. Senate Democrats never voted on the measure because they had left the state.

The divide deepened after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers defeated Walker in 2018 but Republicans retained control of both legislative houses, leading to gridlock. The rancor has continued in the last two years as Republicans work to tighten voting laws, drawing protests from Democrats who say the GOP is trying to suppress their supporters' votes.

I certainly understand the frustration some legislators on both sides of the aisle have, with the make-up of the Legislature and the tone of the debate, said Democratic Sen. Jon Erpenbach, who is retiring after 23 years. Were not talking about issues that affect districts. Why is Robin Vos spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on something thats not real? I got tired of trying to answer that when theres no answer. Or that the answer is theyre trying to keep the Trump people on board in the Republican Party and thats the only way to do it.

Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter at https://twitter.com/trichmond1

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
As I think any teenager would probably agree, we arent given that much freedom. Its a common struggle between teens and their parents  how much freedom teens should have. A bit less common is the struggle between teens and their state legislature, specifically the parental involvement laws that force teens to notify and, in Missouri, receive consent from a parent in order to obtain an abortion.

The movie UnPregnant, a fictional Hulu program about a girl traveling across the country to get an abortion because of the parental involvement laws in her home-state of Missouri, prompted me to do more research into the reproductive laws in Missouri, which I discovered, to no ones surprise, are extremely limiting.

Missouri is one of the 37 states with parental-involvement laws. However, Missouris are among the most restrictive laws in the country. In Missouri, one parent must consent to a daughters abortion and notify any other custodial parent or guardian that the minor is having an abortion. What makes Missouri even more restrictive, however, is that it is only one of two states where there are no exceptions to the parental-involvement law in the case of medical emergency, abuse, assault, incest or neglect, making it especially difficult and dangerous for minors seeking an abortion in the state. It is clear that this law can very easily harm minors and put them in unnecessarily dangerous situations.

Parental involvement laws in general can very easily harm a minors relationship with her parents and put her safety and wellbeing in danger. A study looking at data from an abortion clinic found that nearly two-thirds of minors (64%) voluntarily notified a parent about their abortion despite no parental involvement law forcing them to do so. This shows that, when it is safe to do so, many minors might be inclined to notify their parents about their abortion.

When minors are not given exceptions to this law in any cases, such as medical emergency, abuse, assault, incest or neglect, it simply makes it more dangerous for them. This opens the door to harmful parental control over a minor, even if it is obvious that the minor is in a dangerous family situation and experiencing abuse, assault or something similar from her parents.

The only way to avoid parental consent in Missouri is through the judicial-bypass process, where a minor can request court approval for an abortion without her parents consent or notification. Through this process, the teen must prove to a judge that she is well-informed and mature enough to make this decision, or that parental involvement is not in her best interest. However, the judicial bypass process is often unattainable for minors given their lack of resources and knowledge of the process, thereby leaving them with no alternative.

Parental involvement laws put many minors seeking abortions in a dangerous and vulnerable situation where their safety, wellbeing and relationships can be damaged. Teenagers are among the most vulnerable segments of the population, often lacking many rights. We are a relatively powerless group with fewer resources than adults, making it harder for us to be heard by political leaders. When it comes to reproductive freedom, teenagers are lost in the argument and the chaos. Were easily forgotten about, despite having some of the most restrictive rights on our bodies.

Its time for that to change; laws that impact teens must ensure teens are also in the rooms and conversations where these are being discussed and enacted. Were way beyond (or at least we should be) the time of letting legislators and policymakers pass laws without hearing from or considering the people who those laws largely impact. While we may still have curfews, we may not all be able to vote, and we may still be in school and learning, we also all have voices, we have opinions, and when we feel our states laws are harming us and our peers, its important for our voices to be heard.

Sophie Maniscalco, born and raised in St. Louis, is the author of Supergirls: The women who rise above social stigmas to code, build, and dominate tech and is a first-year student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
France has sent several of its truck-mounted 155mm Caesar systems to Ukraine along with ammunition and some accessories. More are on the way. Ukrainian artillery crews arrived in France on April 22nd for training on how to operate Caesar.

A French firm developed Caesar in the 1990s and it entered service in 2003. In 2009 France sent eight Caesars to Afghanistan. The roads in Afghanistan are pretty bad, and wheeled combat vehicles have a hard time of it. Caesar was built to handle cross country operations as well as bad roads. Caesar was also light enough to be flown to a combat zone in a tactical transport like the C-130. Afghanistan was the first time Caesar has served in combat and the truck-mounted howitzer was successful. Nearly 300 Caesar systems have been delivered or are on order. The French Army has ordered about a hundred and the rest went to export customers. Those donated to Ukraine come from the French military and will probably be replaced by future French Caesar purchases. The Ukrainians know of Caesars combat record and believe it will be successful against the Russians, who are the best armed and trained force the French system has faced so far. Caesar is effective at handling enemy artillery (counterbattery operations) and can shoot and scoot. That means it takes Caesar less than a minute to halt, put the gun in firing position, fire a shell or two and be moving again.

Caesar is the lightest of the truck-mounted 155mm howitzers, weighing 18 tons. Other nations have built heavier (20-30 ton) systems, usually on a 6x6 or 8x8 heavy truck chassis. China recently introduced a vehicle of this type while Israel and South Africa introduced similar models at about the same time Caesar appeared.

One of the latest customers, the Czech Republic, ordered 52 Caesar systems, each mounted on the heavier 30-ton 8x8 Tatra truck chassis. This provides the Caesar crew of five or six with better armored protection than the standard 6x6 version and it carries more ammunition, up to 30 rounds compared to 18 in the original 18-ton Caesar. The Tatra version has an autoloading system that increases rate of fire to six rounds per minute and it can be operated by only 3 men instead of four on the original French version. The Czechs purchased Caesar because it was NATO compliant and some of the components (Tatra chassis and autoloader) are built locally.

The Czechs were one of the first Eastern European nations to join NATO in 1999. Being in NATO meant they had to replace military equipment with NATO standard versions. Until 1989 the Czechs were ruled by a communist dictatorship imposed by Russia and enforced by Russian troops. Once independent, a nationwide referendum approved dividing Czechoslovakia into the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This was something the Czechs and Slovaks had been trying to do for over a century. Slovakia joined NATO in 2004. Both nations had to obtain NATO compatible equipment and because both nations were industrialized and major producers of weapons for nearly a century, both often built their own NATO compatible gear. The Czech Republic chose Caesar as the most cost-effective to replace their 152mm communist era DANA 8x8 wheeled 29-ton artillery vehicles. DANA was a Czechoslovakia-era firm based in Slovakia. The Czechs sold Ukraine 26 of their used DANA-M2 8x8 armored self-propelled 152mm artillery vehicles for $1.54 million each. Ukraine got these in 2021 and they were heavily used against the Russian invaders in 2022. The Slovaks developed an updated version of the DANA-M2 as the 155mm NATO compliant Zuzana -2 and Ukraine is seeking to obtain some of these as well.

Caesar is one of the latest truck-mounted 155mm artillery systems. The Israeli ATMOS was the first truck-mounted 155mm artillery vehicle to enter service, even though France and South Africa were developing the concept before Israeli firm Soltam produced ATMOS. The Israelis have a knack for developing hybrid weapons and doing it first and better than anyone else. Even before Israel became a nation, they had to improvise sufficient numbers of effective weapons to survive. Carrying artillery on a truck is nothing new. It allows the artillery to be moved around faster and with less wear and tear than towing it behind a truck. Artillery carried on a truck takes longer to unload and prepare to fire. At first the only ready-to-fire vehicular artillery were armored vehicles similar to tanks, but armed with indirect-fire artillery guns and howitzers rather than the smaller caliber direct-fire guns used by tanks. Tanks and, until recently self-propelled artillery traveled on tracks, which are more expensive, wear out more quickly and must be replaced more frequently than tires.

Although Israel did not need something like ATMOS itself, its defense firms were accustomed to improvising to provide export customers with innovative weapons they needed. Israel applied some modern tech to the truck-mounted artillery demand and came up with the first of several workable designs. On the rear of ATMOS is a mechanism that is placed on the ground to brace the gun, which can then be elevated or swerved as needed to aim the gun at the target.

The current version of ATMOS 2000 uses a 22-ton 6x6 cross-country truck that carries 27 rounds of 155mm ammo as well as the 155mm gun and six or more personnel. ATMOS requires a minimum of four men to emplace and operate the gun, which can fire shells at the rate of four to six a minute. Normally an ATMOS crew is six men, to make it easier to maintain and emplace the gun and deal with crewmen being lost to combat or non-combat causes. Like all Soltam artillery and mortar systems, ATMOS has a very capable and easy to use fire control system. The loading and aiming mechanism is equally efficient allowing the gun to be aimed, loaded, and fired with a small crew.

Over 70 ATMOS systems have been sold so far, including some modified and built under license in Romania and Poland. The Israeli army only recently ordered some ATMOS 2000 vehicles to replace elderly M109 self-propelled armored 155mm guns.

China recently developed the PCL-181, which is a 25- ton 6x6 truck carrying a gun crew of eight and a truck-bed mounted 155mm howitzer. PCL-181 will replace current towed howitzers. PCL-181 can be carried in heavy transport aircraft China recently introduced, and builds on the experience of similar systems built by other nations since the 1990s. China plans to offer an export version and these will compete with the earlier and very similar, SH-1 system that was developed just for the export market and introduced in 2006.
COEUR D'ALENE, ID / ACCESSWIRE / May 2, 2022 / Timberline Resources Corporation (OTCQB: TLRS)(TSX-V:TBR) ("Timberline" or the "Company") announces that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering"). Under the Offering, the Company issued 18,933,705 common shares at a price of US$0.25 for total consideration of US$4,733,426. Proceeds of the Offering will be used for exploration on the Company's Nevada gold projects, primarily its flagship Eureka Project on the Battle Mountain Eureka Trend, and for general corporate purposes.

The private placement was led by orders from entities managed by the Jupiter Gold & Silver Fund ("Jupiter") and Crescat Capital. Jupiter is a differentiated fund based in Ireland that invests in companies engaged in activities related to the exploration for, development of, and production of gold and silver as well as exchange-traded funds that reflect the movement price of gold or silver.

The Offering was completed under Rule 506(b) of Regulation D promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), solely to persons who qualify as accredited investors and in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Finders' fees in the amount of US $254,005 and 1,016,022 warrants having an exercise price of US$0.25 for a term of 18-months have been paid to licensed brokers and consultants in association with the Offering.

One insider of the Company subscribed for 2,000,000 common shares of the Offering. Participation by an insider constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. Because neither the fair market value of the shares issued to, nor the consideration paid by, related parties exceeds 25% of the Company's market capitalization, the issuance of securities is exempt from the formal valuation requirements of Section 5.4 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 and exempt from the minority shareholder approval requirements of Section 5.6 of MI 61-101 pursuant to Subsection 5.7(a) of MI 61-101.

The securities offered in the Offering have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any state of the United States and may not be offered or sold absent such registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities nor shall there be any sale of the securities referenced herein in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted. The securities referenced herein have not been approved or disapproved by any regulatory authority.

This press release is issued for informational purposes pursuant to Rule 135c of the Securities Act and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The shares issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities legislation, including resale restrictions expiring four months and one day following closing pursuant to applicable Canadian securities legislation.

About Timberline Resources:

Timberline Resources Corp. is listed on the OTCQB where it trades under the symbol "TLRS" and on the TSX Venture Exchange where it trades under the symbol "TBR".

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Patrick Highsmith"

President, CEO, and Director

Contact:

Tel: +1-208-664-4859

E-mail: [email protected]

Forward-looking Statements:

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as within the meaning of the phrase forward-looking information' in the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations. Forward-looking statements are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR and EDGAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

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: Timberline Resources Corp.

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PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Air Liquide (Paris: AI):

Air Liquide Korea and Lotte Chemical entered a joint venture to scale-up the hydrogen supply chain for mobility markets in South Korea. The companies will co-invest through the joint venture in a new generation of large scale hydrogen filling centers in Daesan and Ulsan. They also expect multiple synergies and envision the development of several opportunities to foster the rise of the hydrogen economy in Korea.

Air Liquide joins forces with Lotte, one of the largest groups in South Korea, to co-invest in a new generation of large scale hydrogen filling centers in South Korea. The first two units will be strategically located in the industrial basins of Daesan and Ulsan to serve the densely populated regions of Seoul metropolitan area and Gyeonggi province in the Northwest, and Ulsan/Daegu/Busan metropolitan areas and Gyeongsang provinces in the southeast.

Each actor will bring their complementary strengths. Air Liquide will bring its expertise in design, manufacturing and operation of key hydrogen technologies including for hydrogen conditioning and distribution, and hydrogen refueling stations. Lotte Chemical will bring its access to large quantities of hydrogen, from its own off-gas sources located in South Korea's main industrial basins of Daesan and Ulsan. These sites are strategically located to host the conditioning hubs and refueling stations, and leverage demand in hydrogen for its own fleet of trucks group wide. The joint venture will be established with Air Liquide Korea and Lotte Chemical investing 60% and 40% in this entity respectively.

Supported by a strong political commitment, implemented through its Hydrogen Economy Roadmap, South Korea is a frontrunner in the shift towards a hydrogen economy and clean mobility. The demand for hydrogen dedicated to mobility in South Korea is expected to reach 100 tonnes per day by 2025 and over 1,000 tonnes per day by 2030.

Francois Abrial, Member of the Air Liquide Groups Executive Committee supervising Asia Pacific, said: We are pleased to enter into this strategic alliance with Lotte Chemical, a major industrial player, to join forces and accelerate the development of the hydrogen sector in South Korea. Air Liquide is committed to actively contribute and invest across the entire hydrogen chain, from production to storage, as well as distribution and application developments for end usages. In line with its sustainability objectives, which include reaching carbon neutrality by 2050, Air Liquides ambition is to contribute actively to the emergence of a low-carbon society.

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 Liquides scientific territory and have been at the core of the companys activities since its creation in 1902.

Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquides strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transitionparticularly with hydrogenand takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies.

Air Liquides 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/20220501005018/en/

Corporate Communications

[email protected]

Investor Relations

[email protected]

Source: Air Liquide
PUTEAUX, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

ORPEA (Paris: ORP):

Appointment of Laurent Guillot

ORPEA's Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Laurent Guillot as Chief Executive Officer of ORPEA, effective July 1st. He will be responsible for developing and implementing the improvement and transformation plan to build the New ORPEA. His appointment to the Board of Directors will be proposed to the General Meeting scheduled for July 28. Laurent Guillot will act as advisor to the Chairman and CEO until he takes up his position.

Philippe Charrier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said:

The appointment of Laurent Guillot as Chief Executive Officer will enable the Group to begin a new stage and launch the in-depth transformation process that will lay the foundations for the New ORPEA. This will allow it to respond better than ever to the current and future challenges in supporting elderly and long-term care. As I promised, ORPEA has done its utmostin full transparencyto shed light on the allegations brought against it and to put in place the corrective measures that are required as quickly as possible.

Other changes in the Group's governance

The appointment of at least three new directors will be proposed to the General Meeting.

The Board of Directors has also started to consider the transformation of ORPEA into a entreprise a mission.

Continuation of the independent investigation led by Grant Thornton and Alvarez & Marsal and initial corrective measures

Following the IGAS-IGF report, the independent investigation that was begun at the request of the Board of Directors will continue its investigations. The progress report published on 26 April 2022, after three months of in-depth investigations, shows that no organised system to mistreat residents exists but the report does raise some failures that require changes.

The Group has already implemented initial corrective measures, such as establishing a listening unit for families and a mediation unit, as well as strengthening the whistleblowing system for employees.

Following the signing of an international agreement on employment ethics, dialogue, collective bargaining and union rights with UNI Global Union, the Group has started negotiations to improve labour relations and to build closer relationships with facility staff representative bodies.

Etats Generaux du Grand Age

As announced, the organisation of roundtable talks on the elderly throughout France from mid-May 2022 will allow the doors of our facilities to be opened to all stakeholders, fostering reflection on accommodation and care of residents and on the nursing homes of tomorrow.

Filing of a complaint against X

ORPEA has filed a complaint with the public prosecutor against unnamed persons for past events and operations that are unrelated to accommodation and care conditions for residents but that are likely to raise questions with regard to ORPEA's social interest and were discovered as a result of internal investigations.

Several people have already left the company; investigations are continuing and may lead to further departures.

Laurent Guillot, Biography

Laurent Guillot started his career within the government as a technical advisor in the office of the Minister for Equipment, Transport and Housing. In 2002, he joined Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, where he managed various activities in France and internationally until 2009. Following this, he became Group Chief Financial Officer and then Deputy CEO. In 2016, he was made CEO of High-Performance Materials and then CEO of High-Performance Solutions. He is an independent Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee at Safran.

About ORPEA (www.orpea-corp.com)

Founded in 1989, ORPEA is one of the world leaders in Dependency care (nursing homes, assisted living, post-acute and rehabilitation hospitals, mental health hospitals, home care services)

ORPEA is listed on Euronext Paris (ISIN code: FR0000184798) and is a member of the SBF 120, STOXX 600 Europe, MSCI Small Cap Europe and CAC Mid 60 indices.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220501005041/en/

Investor Relations

ORPEA

Steve Grobet

EVP Communication and Investor Relations

[email protected]

Benoit Lesieur

Investor Relations Director

[email protected]

Investor Relations

NewCap

Dusan Oresansky

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

[email protected]

Media Relations

Image 7

Caroline Simon

Tel.: +33 (0)6 89 87 61 24

[email protected]

Source: ORPEA
NEWCASTLE & HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TechnipFMC (NYSE: FTI) has been awarded an additional contract and received notice to proceed by ExxonMobil (NYSE: EOM) affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited for its Yellowtail development in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

The newly announced significant(1) flexibles contract covers six risers which are qualified for high pressure and high temperature.

The Company has also been given full notice to proceed with the previously announced contract for the subsea production system (SPS), following ExxonMobils final investment decision in April. The initial award of the large(2) contract was announced in November 2021. TechnipFMC will provide project management, engineering, manufacturing and testing capabilities for the subsea production system, which includes 51 enhanced vertical deepwater trees (EVDT) and associated tooling, as well as 12 manifolds and associated controls and tie-in equipment.

The majority of the total contract awards will be included in the Companys second quarter inbound orders.

Jonathan Landes, President, Subsea at TechnipFMC, commented: We are thrilled that our partnership with the Stabroek Block operator continues to grow. We have an established presence in Guyana to accommodate the level of activity there and were committed to further developing local capabilities.

TechnipFMC currently employs 70 Guyanese, and expects to continue to hire and train additional local staff in support of these awards.

(1) For TechnipFMC, a significant contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

(2) For TechnipFMC, a large contract is between $500 million and $1 billion.

Important Information for Investors and Securityholders

Forward-Looking Statement

This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The words expect, believe, estimated, and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Such forward-looking statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. For information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected results, please see our risk factors set forth in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which include our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries, delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments  Subsea and Surface Technologies  we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 20,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

TechnipFMC uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. To learn more about how we are driving change in the industry, go to www.TechnipFMC.com and follow us on Twitter @TechnipFMC.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005554/en/

Investor relations

Matt Seinsheimer

Vice President, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: Matt Seinsheimer

James Davis

Senior Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: James Davis

Media relations

Nicola Cameron

Vice President, Corporate Communications

Tel: +44 1383 742297

Email: Nicola Cameron

Catie Tuley

Director, Public Relations

Tel: +1 713 876 7296

Email: Catie Tuley

Source: TechnipFMC plc
Storage tanks are seen at Marathon Petroleum's Los Angeles Refinery, which processes domestic & imported crude oil into California Air Resources Board (CARB), gasoline, diesel fuel, and other petroleum products, in Carson, California, U.S., March 11, 2022

By Laura Sanicola

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Oil prices reversed course to settle in positive territory on Monday on a rally in the diesel market and fears that supply might be crimped by a potential European Union ban on Russian crude.

Brent crude futures gained 44 cents, or 0.4%, to settle at $107.58 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 48 cents to settle at $105.17 a barrel.

Diesel futures continued to rally after rolling over to the June contract on Monday, rising 5% to $4.0172 per gallon as a low supply of inventories globally put pressure on WTI and Brent prices.

"The main item was a further strengthening in the diesel market that acted to pull the rest of the complex higher," said Jim Ritterbusch, president of Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Illinois.

Both benchmarks fell by more than $2.00 earlier in the session on news that the European Commission may spare Hungary and Slovakia from a Russian oil embargo as it prepares to finalize its next batch of sanctions on Russia on Tuesday.

The EU is leaning toward banning Russian oil imports by the end of the year, according to two EU diplomats, after talks between the European Commission and EU member states over the weekend.

Hungary will not vote for any measures prepared by the European Union that could endanger the security of its oil or gas supply, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, reiterating the country's position on Monday to RTL television.

Around half of Russia's 4.7 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude exports go to the EU, supplying about a quarter of the bloc's oil imports in 2020.

On the demand side, U.S. factory activity grew at its slowest pace in nearly two years in April, according to a survey from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) on Monday. The ISM's index of national factory activity fell to a reading of 55.4 last month, which is still considered to be a mark of expansion.

"U.S. economic data still indicated expansion in the manufacturing sector, far from a recessionary number," said Phil Flynn, market analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago.

Markets in Japan, Britain, India and across Southeast Asia were closed for public holidays on Monday.

China released data on Saturday showing that factory activity in the world's second-largest economy contracted for a second straight month to its lowest level since February 2020 because of COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdowns.

"A slowing to that extent, when China is already suffering from a property bust and worries about its (until recently) increased regulation, is potentially a major issue for commodity markets and the world economy," Tobin Gorey, a Commonwealth Bank commodities analyst, said in a note.

(This story corrects Brent settlement price in paragraph 2)

(Reporting by Laura Sanicola; Additional reporting by Noah Browning and Sonali Paul; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Mark Potter, Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Will Dunham and Paul Simao)
SOS Limited ("SOS" or the "Company") (NYSE: SOS) today reported its full year financial results for the twelve-months ended December 31, 2021.

Revenue was $357.8 million, 612% over the twelve-months ended December 31, 2020. Gross Profit increased to $21.1 million from $13.0 million, over the same period.

Results from Operations

Revenue

Net revenue was $357.8 million, up 612% over the prior period. The robust growth of revenue demonstrated the strong and effective execution of the Company's strategy, mainly due to rapid market expansion and the addition of crypto-mining and commodity trading operations. Growth was driven by taking advantage of our block-chain expertise.

Audited condensed consolidated Statements of comprehensive of loss (US$ thousands, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted) Twelve months ended 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-21 $ $ Revenue 50,317 358,042 Business taxes and surcharges (28) (221) Net revenue 50,289 357,821 Operating costs (37,295) (336,752) Gross profit 12,994 21,070 Gross profit ratio 25.8% 5.9%

As of December 31, 2021, SOS focused on six product lines including insurance marketing, telecom call centers, bank call center, SaaS services, cryptocurrency mining and commodity trading.

Revenue by products FY2021 FY2020 Product lines $"000" Percentage $"000" Percentage Commodity trading 275,363 77.0% - 0.0% Insurance marketing 65,880 18.4% 49,234 97.9% Cryptocurrency mining 15,427 4.3% - 0.0% Telecom call center 338 0.1% 920 1.8% Bank call center - 0.0% 76 0.2% SaaS 813 0.2% 58 0.1% Total net revenue 357,821 100.0% 50,289 100.0%

Our traditional business of insurance marketing increased 34% to $65.9 million year over year, as a result of rapid market expansion from regional to national customer base in China. We added commodity trading to our product mix during the year. We buy and sell commodity products such as sesame, sulfur, asphalt and circuit modular units. Our trading business recorded revenue of $275.4 million, which represents 77.0% of total sales. We booked revenue of $15.4 million from our cryptocurrency mining business from a partial year of operation. We started generating revenue from our mining pools in February 2021 and mined 174.28 units of BTC and 2,770.09 units of ETH by the end of the second quarter. In July 2021, due to the Chinese government's ban on certain types of cryptocurrency mining activities, we shut down our mining operations in China and began transitioning our crypto mining operations to the U.S. The Company launched its U.S. mining operations in Wisconsin this April.

Operating Costs

Operating costs increased to $336.8 million for the period ended December 31, 2021, compared to operating costs of $37.3 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. The increase in operating costs and expenses was driven primarily from the growth in our commodity trading inventory and data acquisition costs for our insurance marketing businesses and a share-based compensation plan. We also saw an increase from depreciation on cryptocurrency mining equipment, consulting and legal fees.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses were $62.4 million for the period ended December 31, 2021, representing an increase of approximately 21.5 times compared to general and administrative expenses of $2.9 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. The increase in general and administrative expenses was mainly associated with employee and management's share-based compensation expenses of $33.5 million, professional and consultancy fee of $17.1 million, wages & salary expenses of $5.3 million, $1.2 million of bad debt expense and significant increases in legal expenses related to class action lawsuit against the Company and its management.

GAAP Operating Loss and EPS

Our net loss for the period ended December 31, 2021 was $43.9 million according to GAAP, compared to profit of $4.9 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. The loss resulted from increased expenses related to increased operating expenses, legal and consulting fees and share-based compensation expenses. Gross margin dropped to 6% in FY 2021 from 26% in the prior year driven by the significant growth in the lower margin commodity trading business, increased operating expenses and the interruption of crypto-mining operations.

GAAP EPS Basic was $(0.020) per share for the period ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $0.0135 per share for the period ended December 31, 2020.

GAAP EPS Diluted was $(0.018) per share for the period ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $0.0090 per share for the period ended December 31, 2020.

Income Tax

The company incurred $0.74 million in corporate income tax for the current period.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $338.0 million, compared to $3.7 million for the period ended December 31, 2020. The net increase in cash flow was mainly due to its financing activity through registered direct offerings. The Company believes that its cash resources are adequate to fund its current operations and short-term growth initiatives. The Company, through its subsidiary, SOS International Trading Co., Ltd. purchased commodity for trading inventory of $96.1 million.

Cash Flow Used For Investment Activities

The Company, through its subsidiaries, SOS Information Technology New York Inc. and China SOS Ltd., acquired BTC and ETH mining equipment for an aggregate cost of approximately $31 0 million

Financing Activities

The Company received aggregate net proceeds of US$585.8 million from registered direct offerings during the year.

Audited condensed consolidated statement of cash flow (US$ thousands, except share data and per share data, or otherwise noted) 31-Dec-20 31-Dec-21 Cash flows from operating activities: US$"000" US$"000" Net (loss) 4,404 (49,251) Adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 2 5,203 Share-based compensation 506 33,537 Depreciation of ROU 843 Accretion of finance leases 152 Allowance for doubtful accounts-accounts receivable 1 963 Allowance for doubtful accounts-Other receivable 158 269 Impairment of cryptocurrencies 925 Loss on acquisition 5,679 - Income from disposal of discountined operations (63) Inventory - (96,071) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivables (2,065) (15,894) Ohter receivables (36,019) (125,861) Amount due from related parties (2,871) (4,146) crptocurrencies - (14,502) Accrued liabilities - 19,815 Accounts payable (11,940) 28,409 Tax payable 292 (8,371) Other payables 1,484 5,003 Amount due to related parties (3,666) 868 Contract liability 546 (454) Lease liabilities Net cash used inin generating from operating activities: (43,552) (218,563) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property, equipment and software (501) (33,034) Investment in equity - 0 Disposition of assets 3,500 - Net cash (used in)generated from investing activities 2,999 (33,034) Cash flows from financing activities: Repayment of principle portion of lease liabilities (1,764.00) Proceeds from share issuance, net of issuance costs 3,578 585,839 Proceeds from private equity placement,net of issuance costs 39,973 - Net cash generated from(used in) financing activities 43,551 584,075 Effect of exchange rates on cash 683 1,825 Net increase/(decrease), effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalent 3,680 334,303 Cash and cash equivalent at beginning of the period 42 3,722 Cash and cash equivalent at end of the period 3,722 338,026

Yandai Wang, the CEO comments that "In the past year, we have provided technical services through artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies by leveraging data-driven marketing, digital based commodity trading, digital supercomputer and emergency rescue technology. Through this we were able to realize revenue of $357.8 million as of December 31,2021, which represents 661% growth. over 2020.

In our data marketing business, we rely on artificial intelligence technology & comprehensive intelligent screening to acquire customers more effectively; we also utilize blockchain technology to solve the information security problems to provide customers with one-stop benchmark customer acquisition services; In our digital-based commodity trading segmentt, we make full use of the accurate traceability of blockchain technology, product quality assurance, smart contracts, Intelligent trading matching technology to provides a one-stop trust trading platform for customer trading; in emergency rescue, we team up with some industry experts to invest and design emergency rescue watches, Emergency rescue amphibious rescue boat.

We believe we are well-positioned to grow our business in all segments. Within China we are focused on data-driven insurance marketing, and commodity trading. In U.S. we have launched our supercomputing hosting center in Wisconsin.

Mainland China, as one of the world's largest markets, demands huge amount of raw material products and food commodities to sustain its long -term growth. In 2020 we established our commodity trading business to bridge supply and demand by providing seamless trading exchange through our block-chain technology and plat-form. We started from green field and are proud to report that our commodity trading business generated revenue of $275million during the twelve -month period ended December 31,2021.

Our aspiration is to expand beyond China especially in North America. We are in the process of building a leading supercomputer center in North America which will provide customers with cryptocurrency mining capacity & hosting service.

One of the tools we used to accelerate this goal is the innovative mobile container data center. We believe it will improve user experience and be attractive to small to medium size customers. Our plans continue to proceed as we have secured a renewable energy supply of 25 MW at its facility in Price County Wisconsin, which is expected to be increased to 37MW.

We look forward to continued growth and expansion in both China and U.S.
Tokyo, Japan, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bored Boneheads is a collection of 3D animated avatars or PFP (Profile Pictures) featuring skull designs. The series has a limited number of digital artworks, a scarcity that should increase the NFTs value and demand. A part of the proceeds from their sales will support an international organization helping children in crisis.

Satoshi Uzumaki believes that NFT projects should aim to be more than materialistic possessions. The substantial funds circulating in the Metaverse could help alleviate some of the problems in the real world. The artist said:

If everyone commits small acts of kindness and the recipient of the kind acts pays it forward, it would have an exponential effect on humanity. If this happens, Bored Boneheads NFT would have achieved its roadmap objective, to heal the world through kindness. Bored Boneheads owners itself would become a unique community in both the metaverse and in the real world.

About Bored Boneheads

The exact identity of Satoshi Uzumaki is unknown, with many sources referring to the NFT creator as a mysterious Asian artist. Nevertheless, OpenSea, the most prominent NFT marketplace in the industry, validates Uzumakis credentials by hosting their collection.

The Bored Boneheads collection is currently available on OpenSea at a floor price of 1.1 ETH.

For more information about Satoshi Uzumaki, please follow these links: Twitter| OpenSea|

Source: Bored Boneheads
FILE PHOTO: Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett rides on a golf cart through the exhibition hall as investors and guests arrive for the first in-person annual meeting since 2019 of Berkshire Hathaway Inc in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. April 29, 2022. REUTERS

By Jonathan Stempel and Carolina Mandl

OMAHA, Neb. (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway Inc shareholders face a question that Warren Buffett sought to tackle at the company's annual meeting: How will Berkshire fare when he's no longer around?

Buffett, perhaps the world's greatest investor, and with the star power to draw fans from around the world, is 91. His longtime vice chairman, Charlie Munger, is 98.

Shareholders who watched them speak for hours at the CHI Health Center arena in Berkshire's hometown of Omaha, Nebraska face the reality they are in the twilight of their careers.

Still, Buffett's loyal investors say they will still stick with Berkshire, citing the honesty, humility, integrity and trust they believe his company and its leadership, current and future, embody.

"The company is more than Mr. Buffett," said Ernesto Medina, a 61-year-old pastor from Omaha. "It really is about people that agree on a certain set of values and ethics. And those don't change. You know--or at least I hope."

Berkshire, whose dozens of businesses include the BNSF railroad, Geico car insurance, and many energy, manufacturing and retailing companies, has a succession plan in place.

Greg Abel, 59, a vice chairman overseeing non-insurance operations, would replace Buffett as chief executive when the need arose, while Vice Chairman Ajit Jain, 70, would likely continue leading insurance operations.

Buffett's oldest son Howard would become non-executive chairman. And Buffett's portfolio managers Todd Combs and Ted Weschler would take over investments.

Asked by a shareholder how Berkshire might change over time, Buffett said its building blocks will survive him.

"You've got a board of directors that understands our culture is 99.9% of running the business," he said. "If we have the same culture, we will be here in 100 years."

Buffett pledged that Berkshire would preserve its "special relationship" with shareholders, and was built to last.

"There is no finish point," he said. "Nobody is waiting to retire or have their option vested or thinking about 'I'll take another job.' People are doing what they want to do."

ARTISTIC LICENSE

Buffett acknowledged there could be changes in how Berkshire operates, noting his own autonomy to make major decisions.

"In a crazy way I look at Berkshire as a painting, and it's unlimited in size," Buffett said. "It's got an ever-expanding canvas, and I get to paint what I want."

Buffett said Abel, in contrast, could face more questions and restrictions from other board members because they know him less well.

"They don't need to, but they'll feel they have to," Buffett said.

Berkshire could also face more pressure to do better on environmental and diversity issues, and corporate governance.

Buffett has fiercely resisted shareholders' calls for improvements, a battle that some analysts see as easier to win in a post-Buffett era.

That's because Buffett still controls 32% of Berkshire's voting power, despite owning just 16% of its shares. He has already given away half his Berkshire stock to philanthropy.

On Saturday, shareholders rejected proposals to improve disclosure of climate-related risks and diversity efforts, and install an independent chair to replace Buffett in that role.

END OF THE PILGRIMAGE?

Clark Nowlin, who founded the Golden Ratio coffee company in Austin, Texas, and got to the arena three hours before doors opened at 7 a.m. CDT. He was glad to see his heroes, Buffett and Munger.

"Every time you say, it's probably the last year, and they set another record in human achievement," he said.

Yet while Abel and Jain joined Buffett and Munger on stage to answer some shareholder questions, and draw wide praise from Berkshire managers and investors, neither has their magnetism.

Shareholders attending this year's meeting were unsure whether to keep making the pilgrimage after the eventual change at the top. Amanda Greenfield, a media strategist from New York who went with her husband, said "obviously the financial community is still going to come," and other shareholders may want to keep their camaraderie alive.

"But people like us may not feel the need to come every year," she said.

This year's shareholder weekend, the first since 2019, was a scaled-back affair, likely because of the pandemic. Buffett said about 12,000 people attended the Friday shareholder shopping day for discounts from Berkshire-owned businesses, down from the 16,188 reported by the Omaha World-Herald for 2019.

The shareholder reception at Borsheims jewelry was confined to the store, shorn of the parking lot tent with live music and a buffet. And even Saturday's annual meeting, normally full, appeared to have a couple of thousand empty seats when it began.

Sue Leuschen, an operations analyst from Omaha, said she was confident in Berkshire's choice of Abel to succeed Buffett, and urged him to keep the weekend going. "We want people to come to Omaha," she said. "He'll still do the 5-K runs, he'll still do all that stuff, because that's what brings people here."

(Reporting by Carolina Mandl and Jonathan Stempel in Omaha, Nebraska; editing by Megan Davies and Diane Craft)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - Getchell Gold Corp. (CSE: GTCH) (OTCQB: GGLDF) ("Getchell" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the 2022 drill program at the Fondaway Canyon gold project in Nevada has commenced.

Key Highlights

2022 drill program at Fondaway Canyon is initially following up on last year's high-grade gold discovery reporting 10.4 g/t Au over 25.0m within a broader zone grading 6.3 g/t Au over 50.7m ;

The broader drill plan is to continue expanding on the substantive zones of mineralization discovered during the previous two years of drilling; and

The Central Area zone of gold mineralization has been traced 600m along strike and 800m down dip from surface and remains open in most directions.

"The last drill hole of 2021 far exceeded expectations, reporting our best gold intercept to date and likely represents a newly-discovered highly-mineralized structural zone," states Mike Sieb, President, Getchell Gold Corp. "I look forward with great anticipation to the first series of drill holes that will be bracketing this zone."

2022 Drill Program

The Company has secured two drill rigs for 2022. The first rig has commenced drilling at the Fondaway Canyon gold project while the second rig is scheduled to commence a maiden drill program at the Star high-grade Cu-Au-Ag project situated 60 km to the north in two to three weeks.

The rig slotted for Fondaway Canyon has initially been tasked with delineating the high-grade gold discovery intersected by the last hole, FCG21-16, of the 2021 drill program (Figure 1).

FCG21-16 encountered a high-grade gold interval grading 6.3 g/t Au over 50.7m (117.5-168.2m) that includes 10.4 g/t Au over 25.0m (139.9-164.9m). This latter interval contained 12 samples reporting >10 g/t Au revealing strong internal high-grade gold consistency (Figure 2). Marking how truly exceptional this is, the FCG21-16 interval returned the greatest 'gold grade x thickness' value in the 40+ year history of gold exploration and mining at the Project and likely represents a major conduit for the gold mineralizing system at Fondaway Canyon.

The first hole of the 2022 drill program, FCG22-17, is collared on the canyon floor on the same drill pad as hole FCG21-16. FCG22-17 is designed to target the North Fork mineralized zone as a 30m step out to the northwest from the high-grade intercept encountered in FCG21-16. Follow-up drill holes will continue to bracket and expand upon the North Fork mineralization.

To date, the North Fork zone drilling has consistently produced impressive grades and thicknesses of gold mineralization. The near surface mineralization of the Half Moon shear vein has been the historical focus of interest while the North Fork zone has only recently been discovered, remains underexplored, is open along strike and down dip, and has significant upside potential.





Figure 1: Fondaway Canyon North Fork 3D section, 150m wide, looking northwest with an artificial -15 plunge applied, highlighting the 2020 and 2021 drilling.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/122353_f8d85c45c4f41831_001full.jpg

Drilling to expand and infill the North Fork zone is only one of a number of equally important and promising priority gold zones at Fondaway Canyon that will be drilled this year.

To watch a recent video that provides a detailed look at the latest discovery, plus an overall summary of the 2021 exploration highlights at Fondaway Canyon, click here: https://youtu.be/q6Nebxwf1q0





Figure 2: FCG21-16 drill hole trace on section showing gold samples and significant intervals.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3941/122353_f8d85c45c4f41831_002full.jpg

Scott Frostad, P.Geo., is the Qualified Person (as defined in NI 43-101) who reviewed and approved the content and scientific and technical information in the news release.

The Fondaway Canyon 2021 drill core was processed using the same methods as the 2020 drill program. The core is cut at Bureau Veritas Laboratories' ("BVL") facilities in Sparks, Nevada, with the samples analyzed for gold and multi-element analysis in BVL's Sparks, Nevada and Vancouver, BC laboratories respectively. Gold values are produced by fire assay with an Atomic Absorption finish on a 30-gram sample (BV code FA430) with over limits re-analyzed using method FA530 (30g Fire Assay with gravimetric finish). The multi-element analyses are performed by ICP-MS following aqua regia digestion on a 30g sample (BV code AQ250). Quality control measures in the field include the systematic insertion of standards and blanks.

Highlighted drill intervals are based on a 0.25 g/t Au cut-off, minimum interval lengths of 3.3 metres (10 feet), and a maximum of 3.3 metres of internal dilution, with no top cut applied. All intervals are reported as downhole drill lengths and additional work is required to determine the true width.

About Getchell Gold Corp.

The Company is a Nevada focused gold and copper exploration company trading on the CSE: GTCH and OTCQB: GGLDF. Getchell Gold is primarily directing its efforts on its most advanced stage asset, Fondaway Canyon, a past gold producer with a significant in-the-ground historic resource estimate. Complementing Getchell's asset portfolio is Dixie Comstock, a past gold producer with a historic resource and two earlier stage exploration projects, Star (Cu-Au-Ag) and Hot Springs Peak (Au). Getchell has the option to acquire 100% of the Fondaway Canyon and Dixie Comstock properties, Churchill County, Nevada.

The Company reiterates that its near-term strategy to advance its assets is not impacted by the COVID-19 Corona virus. The Company continues to monitor the situation and is in compliance with all government guidelines.

For further information please visit the Company's website at www.getchellgold.com or contact the Company at [email protected] or at +1 647 249-4798.

Mr. William Wagener, Chairman & CEO

Getchell Gold Corp.



The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or dissemination in the United States.

Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the private placement and the completion thereof and the use of proceeds. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including: the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, use of proceeds from the financing, capital expenditures and other costs, and financing and additional capital requirements. Although management of Getchell have 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. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122353
SEN. BONG GO LABOR DAY MESSAGE

I salute our hardworking Filipinos, especially our overseas Filipino workers, healthcare workers and economic frontliners, as we celebrate Labor Day today.

Your sacrifices, dedication and love of family and country deserve continued improvement of government programs and services.

As a senator, I reiterate my commitment to continue fighting for your rights and advancing your welfare, both inside and outside the hallowed halls of the Senate.

At sa ating muling pagbangon mula sa kasalukuyang pandemya, mas lalo akong magsisikap upang masiguro nating walang pamilyang Pilipino ang maiiwan.

Maraming salamat at isang makabuluhang Araw ng Paggawa!
Company to become the only significant North American(1) and third largest non Chinese natural graphite producer

Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - Northern Graphite Corporation (TSXV: NGC) (OTCQB: NGPHF) (FSE: 0NG) (XSTU: ONG) (the "Company" or "Northern") announces that it has closed its previously announced acquisition (December 2, 2021) of the producing Lac des Iles graphite mine ("LDI") in Quebec from a subsidiary of Imerys SA (Imerys and its subsidiaries, "Imerys") and the Okanjande graphite deposit/Okorusu processing plant in Namibia from a subsidiary of Imerys and its joint venture partner (collectively, the "Acquisition"). The Acquisition was financed through US$36 million in debt, royalty and stream financing provided by funds managed by Sprott Resource Streaming and Royalty Corp. (collectively, "Sprott") and a CDN$23 million equity offering lead by Sprott Capital Partners LP. Sprott invested CDN$3.75 million in the equity offering and Imerys has received US$4 million in equity, on the same terms as the equity offering, as partial payment of the purchase price.

Gregory Bowes, CEO commented: "Northern is now well positioned to benefit from the growth in electric vehicle ("EV") sales and recent announcements by governments in the US, Canada and Europe regarding plans to support critical mineral development and processing. Northern will be one of very few significant western graphite producers and looks forward to executing the second part of its business strategy which is to rapidly expand production and develop the capacity to produce anode material for use in EVs/batteries in both North America and Europe."

Transaction Highlights

The Company is now the only significant North American natural graphite producer 1 and has acquired an established customer base and market share

and has acquired an established customer base and market share Northern has acquired 40-50,000 tonnes per year ("tpy") of graphite production capacity in Quebec and Namibia, which will make it the third largest non Chinese natural graphite producing company

The Company also has two large scale development projects, Bissett Creek in Ontario and an expansion of Okanjande in Namibia, which it intends to build to meet growing EV demand

Bissett Creek has been independently rated as the highest margin graphite project in the world

The Okanjande deposit has large measured and indicated resources and the Company intends to assess building a new processing plant with 100-150,000 tpy of production capacity

The LDI, Bissett Creek and Okanjande deposits are all located close to infrastructure in politically stable countries with high ESG standards

All deposits have high quality flake graphite that is suitable for all battery and industrial applications

The Acquisition has been completed in a very capital efficient manner that minimizes shareholder dilution. Common shares outstanding have increased from approximately 80 million to slightly less than 120 million

1. As per Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Acquisition Summary

As consideration for the acquisition of LDI, which was completed through the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary Graphite Nordique Inc., the Company paid Imerys approximately CDN$17.8 million in cash and issued to Imerys US$4 million worth of units. The units each consisted of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant and had the same CDN$0.75 price and other terms as the equity offering described below, resulting in the issuance to Imerys of 6,841,600 common shares and 3,420,800 warrants. The common shares, warrants and common shares issuable on exercise of the warrants are subject to a four month resale restrictions under Canadian securities laws expiring on August 30, 2022.

The LDI mine has been in operation for over 20 years and is the only significant graphite producer in North America. LDI will produce up to 15,000 tpy of graphite concentrate over the next two to three years. A technical report with respect to LDI prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR. The Company believes there are opportunities to expand production and extend the mine life. An option has already been secured on the Mousseau West project in Quebec (see press release here), which the Company believes will provide a source of graphite mineralization to supply LDI.

As consideration for the acquisition of the Okanjande graphite deposit and a processing facility located 78 km away at the Okorusu Fluorspar Mine, the Company paid Imerys and its joint venture partner US$15.8 million in cash. The Company also paid the owner of the lands on which the Okorusu plant is located EUR2.2 million in lease payments for use of the land and buildings. The Okorusu plant was retrofitted to produce graphite and has been on care and maintenance since November 2018.

The balance of the financing proceeds will be used to fund the restart of operations in Namibia and for working capital purposes. Northern intends to invest approximately US$14 million to build a new tailings facility and to further modify the Okorusu processing plant to increase throughput and recovery and improve the flake size distribution. The operation, which is based on processing weathered resources, is expected to be back in production at a rate of approximately 30,000 tpy in nine to twelve months. A technical report with respect to the mineral resources contained in the Okanjande deposit has been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and will be filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR. The Company also intends to file a Preliminary Economic Assessment, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101, with respect to the proposed mining operations at the Okanjande deposit and processing at the Okorusu plant within 45 days from the date hereof.

Northern intends to evaluate building a new processing plant adjacent to the Okanjande deposit based on its large measured and indicated hard rock resources in order to produce 100-150,000 tpy of graphite concentrate to meet rapidly growing EV and battery demand. Namibia is one of the best jurisdictions in Africa in which to operate, Okanjande graphite is of the highest quality, the operation has access to grid power and it is five hours over good roads from the deep water port of Walvis Bay which provides ready access to European and North American markets. These attributes, plus a much shorter time to market, provide a competitive advantage over other African graphite projects.

Northern's existing Bissett Creek project is an advanced stage project with a full Feasibility Study. It is located in the southern part of Canada with ready access to labour, supplies, equipment, natural gas, green hydro-electric power and markets. An independent study estimates that Bissett Creek will have the highest margin of any existing or proposed graphite deposit due to it having the highest quality concentrates, a very favorable location and simple metallurgy. The Company plans to start production at 25,000 to 40,000 tpy and to expand production to 80,000-100,000 tpy as the EV/battery markets grow (based on measured and indicated resources only).

Financing Summary

The acquisition was funded through a combination of equity, debt and the sale of a royalty and stream on the assets being acquired, and issuing securities of the Company to Imerys as partial payment for the acquisition.

The Company has obtained a senior secured loan from Sprott in the amount of US$12 million, made at a 2% discount, which matures in 48 months. The loan bears interest at 9% plus the greater of the three month SOFR or 1%. At Northern's option, interest payable during the initial 12 months can be capitalized and added to the principal. As partial consideration for providing the loan, the Company has issued 4,800,000 warrants to Sprott, each of which is exercisable to purchase one common share of Northern at an exercise price of CDN$1.01 for a period of two years. The warrants and underlying common shares are subject to four month resale restrictions under Canadian securities laws expiring on August 30, 2022.

A 9% royalty on graphite concentrate sales revenue from LDI has been granted to Sprott for gross proceeds of US$4 million. As partial consideration for purchasing the royalty, the Company has issued 1,200,000 warrants to Sprott, each of which is exercisable to purchase one common share of Northern at an exercise price of CDN$1.01 for a period of two years. Sprott has also been granted a right of first refusal with respect to any proposed grant of a stream, royalty or similar transaction on the Company's Bissett Creek project. The warrants and underlying common shares are subject to four month resale restrictions under Canadian securities laws expiring on August 30, 2022.

In exchange for an upfront deposit of US$20 million, the Company has entered into a commodity purchase (stream) agreement with Sprott for 11.25% of the graphite produced by the Namibian project until 350,000 tonnes of contained graphite in concentrate have been produced and delivered, at which time, at the option of Sprott, the stream may convert into a 1% royalty for the remaining life of the Okanjande deposit. The stream is secured by the same security package as the secured loan. Sprott has also been granted a right of first refusal with respect to any proposed grant of a stream, royalty or similar transaction on the Okanjande deposit. As partial consideration for entering into the stream, the Company has issued 4,500,000 warrants to Sprott, each of which is exercisable to purchase one common share of Northern at an exercise price of CDN$1.01 for a period of two years. The warrants and underlying common shares are subject to four month resale restrictions under Canadian securities laws expiring on August 30, 2022. The Company will have the option, subject to any consents or approvals required under the secured loan, to reduce the stream percentage by up to 50% upon payment of US$15.25 million in 2024 or US$17.5 million in 2025. This option will be exercisable in whole or in part on a pro rata basis.

The Company also completed a brokered private placement of 30,762,500 subscription receipts issued at a price of CDN$0.75 for gross proceeds of approximately CDN$23.1 million through a syndicate of agents led by Sprott Capital Partners LP. In addition to the previously announced initial closing of the private placement (February 10, 2022) in which the Company issued 25,762,500 subscription receipts for gross proceeds of approximately CDN$19.3 million, the Company completed a final closing of the private placement on April 27, 2022 in which Sprott purchased 5,000,000 subscription receipts for gross proceeds of CDN$3.75 million. With the closing of the LDI and Okanjande acquisitions, each subscription receipt automatically converted into one unit of Northern, with each unit being comprised of one common share and one-half of one share purchase warrant of Northern. Each whole warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of Northern at an exercise price of CDN$1.10 per Common Share for a period of 24 months. The common shares, warrants and common shares issuable on exercise of the warrants are subject to four month resale restrictions under Canadian securities laws expiring on June 11, 2022 in respect of securities issued in connection with the first closing of the private placement and August 28, 2022 with respect to the second private placement.

In connection with the final closing of the private placement, the agents received a cash fee from the Company equal to 6% of the aggregate gross proceeds of the closing and a number of compensation warrants equal to 6% of the number of subscription receipts issued under the closing. Each agent's warrant is exercisable for one common share at an exercise price of CND$0.75 per share for a period of two years. The private placement remains subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. A finder's fee is payable in connection with the acquisition to an arm's length investment advisory firm based in London, United Kingdom, in the amount of 1.5% of the acquisition cost.

About Northern Graphite

Northern Graphite is a Canadian company, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, that is focussed on becoming a world leading natural graphite mining and processing company by rapidly expanding production and upgrading mine concentrates into high value products critical to the green energy revolution including electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells and graphene.

About Imerys Group

Imerys is the world leader in mineral-based specialty solutions for industry, with 4.4 billion in 2021 revenues and 17,000 employees, Imerys delivers high value-added, functional solutions to a diversified set of industrial sectors, from processing industries to consumer goods. The Group draws on its knowledge of applications, technological expertise and its material science know-how to deliver solutions based on beneficiation of its mineral resources, synthetic minerals and formulations. These contribute essential properties to customers' products and performance, including refractoriness, hardness, conductivity, opacity, durability, purity, lightness, filtration, absorption and repellency. Imerys is determined to develop responsibly, in particular by fostering the emergence of environmentally friendly products and processes.

Qualified Person

Gregory Bowes, B.Sc. MBA, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and is responsible for the technical information in this news release.

For additional information

Please visit the Company's website at http://www.northerngraphite.com/investors/presentation/, the Company's profile on www.sedar.com, contact Gregory Bowes, CEO (613) 241-9959 or visit our Social Channels.

LinkedIn

YouTube

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This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding, among others; economic and technical studies, graphite prices, project economics, permitting, the development timeline and the graphite market. All such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and analyses made by management based on their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors they believe are appropriate in the circumstances. However, these statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected including, but not limited to, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of other parties to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure and the failure of ongoing and contemplated studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued studies, development or operations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on what management believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release.

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/122367
Ms. Swindell provides decades of government, military, and corporate leadership experience

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 2, 2022) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Swindell to its board of directors.

With over 25 years of strategic business development and risk assessment experience, Ms. Swindell last served as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Perspecta's Trusted Solutions Group, where she led corporate strategic initiatives and provided life-cycle security services support for U.S. government agencies within the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security. Previously, she worked for Booz Allen Hamilton for 19 years, rising from Associate to Senior Vice President in increasingly larger roles serving Defense, Homeland Security and Law enforcement agencies. Ms. Swindell also served in the U.S. Navy as a Special Operations Officer.

Ms. Swindell currently serves as an advisory board member for Toffler Associates, Inc. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Wesleyan University, an MBA from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, and attended Executive Education classes in Strategy and Innovation at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Sloan School of Business.

"We are excited to announce that Jennifer Swindell, who is a seasoned business development executive that has worked with or served in the U.S. government and military, has joined Plurilock's board of directors," said Robert Kiesman, Chairman of PlurilockTM. "Her extensive experience in scaling high impact teams at the intersection of government and commercial national security interests is a key addition to the Plurilock board. Jennifer brings a successful track record of more than 25 years of transformational leadership experience, and we will benefit from her guidance as we further grow the Plurilock family of companies to become a leader in the zero trust identity space."

Grant of Stock Options

Plurilock has granted an option for Ms. Swindell to purchase an aggregate of 300,000 common shares at an exercise price of $0.26 per share, which will vest over three years from the grant date. The stock options are granted for a ten-year term from April 29, 2022.

Non-binding Letter of Intent

On April 4, 2022, the Company's subsidiary, Aurora Systems Consulting Inc., entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire all net assets from a regional USA-based IT & cybersecurity company (the "Asset Acquisition"). Closing of the Asset Acquisition is subject to the negotiation and entering into of a definitive agreement, the receipt of all applicable approvals (including the TSX Venture Exchange) and the satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions. There can be no assurance that the Asset Acquisition will be completed.

About Plurilock

Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely while reducing cybersecurity friction. Plurilock offers world-class IT and cybersecurity solutions through its Solutions Division, paired with proprietary, AI-driven and cloud-friendly security through its Technology Division. Together, the Plurilock family of companies delivers persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Ian L. Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

416.800.1566

Roland Sartorius

Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

Prit Singh

Investor Relations

[email protected]

905.510.7636

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no 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 may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/122347
NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- American Skin Association has announced the names of the two awardees receiving the coveted research grant under the ASA Milstein Research Scholar Awards program. This year Angel Byrd, MD, PhD of the Howard University College of Medicine, and Jennifer Gill, MD, PhD of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center were selected to receive the ASA Milstein Research Scholar Award for Melanoma/Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Grants.

Another sought-after grant includes the ASA Daneen & Charles Stiefel Investigative Scientist Award in Melanoma Research. Nicholas Gulati, MD, PhD of Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai was selected to receive the award. Over the years, the Stiefel Familylongtime supporters of ASAhas generously contributed $600,000 to support grants for melanoma research. This funding aims to support emerging leaders in dermatology, who are focused on understanding melanoma better, in hopes of finding a cure.

In addition, 5 other research grantsmade possible through the generosity of individuals, foundations, and corporationswere also announced.

For thirty-five years, in advancement of its vital mission to serve the more than 100 million Americans afflicted with skin disorders, ASA and its affiliates have funded over $50 million in grants. ASA's primary goal is to enhance treatments and continue working towards cures for melanoma, vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other skin diseases.

"These grants in support of cutting-edge dermatological research are crucial in furthering ASA's goal of defeating skin cancers like melanoma. Although the skin is our largest and perhaps most exposed organ, dermatological research remains one of the most underfunded areas of medicine. ASA's support will improve the chances of finding the long sought-after cure and bringing hope to the millions suffering from devastating skin cancer and other skin diseases," said ASA Chairman, Howard P. Milstein.

ASA's grant program is run by its Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), comprised of leading scientists and physicians who volunteer their time to oversee the annual grant process. Through their leadership, ASA's grant program has supported the work of over 300 investigators, ranging from talented researchers in the early phases of their careers to recognized leaders in the field of dermatology.

"ASA's Medical Advisory Committee is excited to announce the 2022 awards. This year's awardees indicate the growing power of research in basic, translational, and clinical Dermatology. Never before have advances in basic research so quickly led to new treatment approaches. New treatments for vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, melanoma, and other types of skin cancer are just around the corner, fueled by important funding contributions by the ASA," said ASA President and MAC Co-Chair, Dr. David A. Norris.

ASA provides significant research awards to established investigators and medical students studying melanoma, non-melanoma skin cancer, and other skin diseases. Through these grants, ASA has promoted the early careers of many gifted young investigators and has had a profound influence both on dermatology research and clinical care of dermatologic disease. Over the years, ASA-funded researchers have had an extensive impact on the understanding of melanoma by improving our insight into the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. With an exclusive focus on skin disease research, ASA has helped open new frontiers in skin science by producing results that will change how we understand and treat these diseases.

The following are the recipients of the 2022 Investigative Scientist Award, Research Scholar Awards, Research Grants, and Medical Student Grants:

2022 ASA Daneen & Charles Stiefel Investigative Scientist Award for Melanoma ResearchNicholas Gulati, MD, PhDIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Project Title: Use of Topical Diphencyprone to Improve Efficacy of Checkpoint Inhibition in Melanoma Patients.

2022 ASA Milstein Research Scholar Award for Melanoma/Non-Melanoma Skin CancerAngel Byrd, MD, PhDHoward University College of MedicineProject Title: Examining Gene Expression in Mycosis Fungoides in Skin of Color.

2022 ASA Milstein Research Scholar Award for Melanoma/Non-Melanoma Skin CancerJennifer Gill, MD, PhDUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterProject Title: Characterizing the Role of GAPDHS As a Metastatic Suppressor in Human Melanoma.

2022 ASA Calder Research Scholar Award in Vitiligo/Pigment Cell DisordersJessica Shiu, MD, PhDUniversity of California IrvineProject Title: Investigating the Role of Keratinocyte-derived Signaling Networks in Vitiligo Initiation.

2022 ASA Mulvaney Family Foundation Research Grant in Vitiligo/Pigment Cell DisordersAhmad Aleisa, MD, FAADMedical University of South CarolinaProject Title: Daily Topical Rapamycin (Sirolimus)Therapy for the Treatment of Vitiligo.

2022 ASA Castle Biosciences Research Grant for MelanomaGoran Micevic, MD, PhDYale School of MedicineProject Title: Epigenetic Regulation of Slamf6 as a Therapeutic Strategy in Melanoma Immunotherapy.

2022 ASA Medical Student Grant Targeting Melanoma and Skin CancerMs. Anngela AdamsUniversity of Arizona College of Medicine  PhoenixProject Title: Novel Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Model to Investigate Tumor-specific T Cell Responses.

2022 ASA Medical Student Grant Targeting Melanoma and Skin CancerMs. Victoria MrozIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiProject Title: Role of ETS Transcription Factors in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Heterogeneity.

ABOUT AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION

A unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians, and scientists, ASA has evolved over thirty-five years as a leading force in efforts to defeat melanoma, vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other skin diseases. Established to serve the now more than 100 million Americans  one-third of the U.S. population  afflicted with skin disorders, the organization's mission remains to: advance research, champion skin health, particularly among children, and drive public awareness about skin disease. ASA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, visit americanskin.org.

American Skin Association has earned Candid's Seal of Platinum Transparency.

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SOURCE American Skin Association
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of Teacher Appreciation Month, 25 inspirational educators from across the country have been named finalists in eDynamic Learning's annual Career Compass Teacher Awards. eDynamic Learning is the largest provider of Career Technical Education (CTE) and elective digital curriculum in North America for grades 6-12. The awards were open to any United States certified teacher currently teaching eDynamic Learning courses or using Knowledge Matters simulations in their public, private, virtual, or charter school program. Among the many prizes, teachers have the opportunity to earn a curriculum grant, complimentary professional development, and much more. The finalists span the nation from Florida to Alaska, and will be recognized live at a virtual ceremony on Saturday, May 21st, 2022.

A no-cost professional development event for teachers will take place before and after the ceremony. All districts are welcome to attend to learn more about eDynamic Learning and Knowledge Matters curriculum for in-class instruction, blended learning, online learning, or best practices for utilizing digital curriculum and resources. With many schools having little time for professional development this year, the May 21st Streamline Instruction Professional Development event will provide an opportunity for teachers to learn best practices to save time, streamline their instruction, and meet the needs of all learners.

Kicking off the event is keynote speaker, Miquel Lopez, a former high school student and now a business and marketing executive, who will share the impact his teacher and CTE had on his life and career. Miquel began his career at Wieden+Kennedy, where he touched various brands, including TurboTax, Old Spice, Secret, Chiquita, Visa, and many others.

"Our mission is to help teachers guide their students in career discovery through our digital curriculum to match their skills and interests to a rewarding and successful career. We know that a teacher's ability to impact the world is profound and we are excited to honor and recognize their hard work and dedication at our professional development event this year!" said Tyler Wood, Vice President of Marketing & Professional Development for eDynamic Learning.

Finalists using eDynamic Learning digital curriculum include:

Susannah Azzaro, Pennsylvania Distance Learning Charter School, Pennsylvania Jennifer Badeaux, Orange County Virtual School, FloridaSummer Highfill, Oregon Charter Academy, Oregon Terry Kass, Lake County High Schools Tech Campus, Illinois Rebekah Kitchin, Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District, AlaskaJennifer Lewis, DeSales High School, KentuckyPaula Life, Proximity Learning, Texas David Marks, Lake County High Schools Tech Campus, Illinois Nancy Ortner, Visions in Education, CaliforniaNatalie O'Meara, Orange County Virtual School, FloridaSheryl Prather, Azle High School, TexasGlenna Rutan, Orange County Virtual School, FloridaKimberly Schor, Branson School Online, ColoradoCarrie Woods, Orange County Virtual School, Florida

Finalists using Knowledge Matters simulations from eDynamic Learning include:

Bryan Bernacki, Portage High School, IndianaYoelin Cabrera-Fernandez, Southwest Miami High School, FloridaLou DiCesare, West Irondequoit Central School District, New York Ryan Dockter, Griggs County Central School District, North DakotaWendy Grote, Divide County High School, North DakotaNoureddine Lalami, Freedom High School, CaliforniaMichelle Le, Panther Creek High School, North CarolinaLeslie McBride, Colonial Heights High School, Virginia Halee Porter, Northside High School, TexasRenee Rouleau White, Washington High School, WashingtonAmy Sullivan, Cedar Crest High School, Pennsylvania

About eDynamic Learning

With offices in Southlake, Texas and Kelowna, BC, Canada, eDynamic Learning is a teacher-founded company with a mission of helping students find their passion through CTE and career-focused elective curriculum. Offering nearly 250 digital courses for grades 6-12, eDynamic Learning courseware is comprehensive and includes lessons, discussions, assessments and activities, and is often used as a textbook replacement. Courses work continuously in any instructional model, run on all devices, and are compatible with nearly all Learning Management Systems. Courses also meet WCAG 2.0AA guidelines and offer translations and literacy support tools.

About Knowledge Matters, an eDynamic Learning Company

Knowledge Matters is the leading provider of simulation-based educational content with over one-third of all U.S. high schools using the Virtual Business line of simulations. Popular with Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), Knowledge Matters' simulations are used in business, marketing, personal finance, fashion, and hospitality classes. The simulations put students in charge of businesses - learning valuable concepts and applying their problem solving and decision making skills in an interactive, risk-free environment that allows them to see the impact of their choices immediately. To develop the simulations, Knowledge Matters partnered with leading organizations such as the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation and the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/finalists-announced-in-edynamic-learnings-2022-teacher-awards-301536757.html

SOURCE eDynamic Learning
Global technology leader reaffirms commitment to the future of manufacturing in European region

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. and KARLSRHUE, Germany, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Revalize, the worldwide leader in revenue operations software for manufacturers, their distributors, and their specifiers, announced today that Marc Maurer will join the organization as the Managing Director for EMEA. In this role, he will be responsible for all revenue-related activities, leading the EMEA team, and driving overall culture and productivity.

Revalize is growing at an accelerated pace, and supporting a global market of more than 15,000 customers worldwide. With the expanded offerings and reach, Revalize aims to enhance its market position as the worldwide leader in Design, PLM, and CPQ solutions for manufacturers, and the only global, at-scale provider of manufacturing software solutions.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Revalize team," states Marc Maurer. "The company has already proven itself as the premier revenue platform for thousands of organizations across the globe. Moreover, Revalize has significantly expanded and strengthened its portfolio in Europe through several large acquisitions that build on our capabilities to address the challenges our customers are facing. The rapid uptake on digitalization by manufacturers makes this an exciting time in our industry, and I'm looking forward to leading the EMEA team to further growth and our customers to success."

Maurer has a strong technology background, and experience implementing software best practices to professionalize operations of European-based software companies so that they can better serve their customers. His appointment further expands Revalize's capabilities to support end-to-end, idea-to-cash workflows and strengthens the brand's operational presence in Europe at a critical time for the company.

"Europe now accounts for nearly half of our business worldwide and by appointing Marc as our Managing Director EMEA, we aim to further strengthen our position," says Jim Contardi, CEO of Revalize. "Thanks to his leadership capabilities and extensive experience in enterprise software, Marc is the right person to bring our brand to the next level and make us an even better partner for our European customers."

In his previous role as Portfolio Manager for Constellation Software Inc., Maurer acquired, integrated, and operated several highly specialized B2B software companies in the DACH region. Prior to Constellation, he held sales leadership positions at SAP, SAS Institute, and Nokia. Marc earned a PhD from the University of Zurich and enjoys hiking in the Swiss mountains.

Learn more about Revalize and its solutions, as well as employment opportunities globally, at www.revalizesoftware.com.

About Revalize

Revalize is the global leader in sector-specific software that helps manufacturers optimize revenue operations through design applications, engineering simulations, product selection, CPQ, PLM, visualization, and data analytics. Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, the company serves over 15,000 customers across the globe. Revalize is a portfolio company of TA Associates and Hg. Learn more at www.revalizesoftware.com.

Contact: [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/revalize-appoints-marc-maurer-as-managing-director-emea-301536609.html

SOURCE Revalize
Guests wearing their favorite Star Wars clothing on any May 4 flight will enjoy priority boarding

SEATTLE, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Attention all Star Wars fans: If you have a flight on Alaska Airlines on May 4, 2022, you might want to break out your vintage Luke Skywalker T-shirt, way too cool BB-8 ballcap or even that Darth Vader cape. To celebrate the Star Wars fan day of "May the Fourth (be with you)," we're offering guests who wear their favorite Star Wars gear the chance to board early.

"Everybody in the galaxy loves Star Wars, so we had to celebrate this epic day the Alaska way," said Natalie Bowman, managing director of marketing and advertising for Alaska Airlines. "Whether you're traveling near  or far, far away  on May 4th, we hope to see you at our gates ready to board early in your favorite Star Wars gear. It will truly be a star-studded event!"

The one-day priority boarding promotion can be enjoyed by all guests on any Alaska Airlines flight throughout our network on Wednesday, May 4. When a guest wears any clothing item Star Wars-related, they'll be able to board their flight just after Group B (which could stand for, say, Boba Fett). Guests should listen closely to the announcements by gate agents.

Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With our highly acclaimed Mileage Plan program, our guests can earn and redeem miles to more than 1,000 destinations on 23 airlines that are oneworld members and our additional airline partners.

About Alaska Airlines Alaska Airlines and our regional partners serve more than 120 destinations across the United States, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica and Mexico. We emphasize providing low fares for our guests, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. Alaska is a member of the oneworld global alliance. With the alliance and our additional airline partners, guests can travel to more than 1,000 destinations on 23 airlines while earning and redeeming miles on flights to locations around the world. Learn more about Alaska at news.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/show-your-star-wars-spirit-on-alaska-airlines-and-board-early-this-may-the-fourth-301536951.html

SOURCE Alaska Airlines
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  U.S. Marines from Okinawa were observers recently at an evacuation drill held annually to mark a tsunami that killed thousands in the most remote part of Japan.

During the drill on April 24, CH-47J helicopters of the Japan Air and Ground Self-Defense Forces airlifted 30 people from Taketomi Island and the northern part of Ishigaki Island to higher ground, a spokesman for Ishigaki citys Disaster Prevention and Crisis Management department told Stars and Stripes in an email Thursday.

The drill is a rehearsal for the day another natural disaster strikes the islands.

The scenario assumed that a large-scale earthquake had struck Ishigaki, causing a tsunami that isolated some residents who needed relief, a spokesman for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces 15th Brigade told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

Ishigaki city authorities organized the evacuation practice. One of the Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki is 266 miles southwest of Okinawa and 206 miles east of Taiwan.

Taketomi is approximately 2 square miles in size and is 2  miles from the bigger island of Ishigaki. Both islands are part of the Okinawa prefecture.

U.S. Marines attended the drill because of the U.S. cooperation in past relief efforts, according to the brigade spokesman.

Japan received cooperation from the U.S. military after the Great East Japan earthquake and the Kumamoto earthquake, so we aimed to strengthen the Japan-U.S. cooperation and to improve the disaster relief capability, the brigade spokesman said.

Five personnel, including U.S. Marine Col. Jason Perry, the assistant division commander of 3rd Marine Division, came to observe the drill for the first time, wrote the Ishigaki city spokesman.

The 15th Brigade sent 130 personnel and the Air Self-Defense Force sent nine, according to the spokesman from Ishigaki city.

The event is held every year on the date of the Great Yaeyama Tsunami of 1771, although it was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to concerns from COVID-19 pandemic.

An earthquake in 1771 caused a tsunami that came ashore as a wave more than 20 feet high in places, according to Okinawa prefecture. More than 9,000 people in the islands died, or better than a third of the total population.

Four boulders that washed ashore on Ishigaki with the tsunami are still in place today and deemed natural monuments by the Japanese government.
Sailors at the Navys only active-duty cargo-wrangling unit, at Cheatham Annex in Yorktown, keep their go-bags packed. Theyre ready  on 72 hours notice  to embark on a mission that can take them to the ends of the Earth.

And over the past few months, they did:

To Iceland for the first U.S.-led Northern Viking exercise, drilling on securing the strategic Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom gap, the high Arctic route Russian submarines use.

To Antarctica, unloading supplies for this years research teams scattered across the icy continent.

It was cold! ... Youre sitting down right on the asphalt, said Seaman Stanton Smith, one of the half-dozen sailors who teamed up with Marines to run a refueling operation for Navy planes on anti-submarine patrols.

Though it was summer in Antarctica when 32 shipmates from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion One arrived at McMurdo Station a few weeks earlier, it didnt feel that way.

It snowed every day we worked ... sometimes, coming in sideways, said Boatswains Mate 1st Class Robin Westfall, a hatch captain responsible for the night shift team of sailors moving cargo with one of the giant cranes on the supply ship MV Ocean Giant.

All in all, the Cheatham Annex sailors moved nearly 7 million pounds of supplies  some 503 pieces of cargo including containers, vehicles, construction materials, electronics equipment, and also a modular building. They loaded the ship with ice cores to return to the U.S. for study, as well as trash and other items the Antarctic researchers no longer need.

Driving the crane  heftier than those at Cheatham Annex on which shes been training  Seaman Vannessa Carbajal was in constant walkie-talkie contact with Westfall and the rest of her team.

She had a good feel for compensating for the list and rocking of the MV Ocean Giant moored to an ice pier at McMurdo because she could compare to operating a land-anchored crane at Cheatham Annex. Westfall and Lt. Elizabeth Flanary fed her regular readings on the wind  and there were plenty of times Flanary had to call a halt to the operation.

The sun barely sets, but the weather changes at night, the wind really picks up, she said.

All of them, meanwhile, were keeping a sharp eye out for the team of Seamen Dustin Branum and Danny Drayton, the line handlers, down on the Ocean Giants deck.

Their job was to pull or loosen up on lines attached to the semi-truck-trailer-sized containers to guide them into place and to make sure they didnt start swinging dangerously in the wind.

Its a job that means carefully watching one another for any sign the movement of a container is getting to be too much for a partner.

If I see its swinging and he needs to haul in, Ill loosen some slack; sometimes, Ill have to hold on and hell give me some slack, Branum said.

They had to do their job through that sideways-blowing snow, which made the Ocean Giants deck slick. I dont know how many times I fell down, Drayton said.

The cold also meant the pineapples  the twist locks that secure containers to a deck or to one another  froze hard. After trying everything else, Drayton needed a blow torch to thaw the pineapples so they could be unlocked.

Hot water just doesnt work, Branum said.

Watching out for one another the way the stevedore team did was key for the sailors running the refueling operation in Iceland for Northern Viking as well.

Once Smith, Constructionman Austin Leisure and Construction Mechanic 2nd Class Michael Provenzano connected all the 50-foot sections of flexible hose for the fueling station, they rotated through all the jobs of running a refueling field station.

Thats testing the fuel, operating the pump on the combat-hardened tanker truck, line-walking  monitoring meters measuring the flow of fuel through the hose  operating the nozzle to fill the P-8 Poseidon patrol planes fuel tanks and standing by with a fire bottle of flame suppressant to douse any spills.

Its noisy on a flight line, so they coordinate with hand signals: the line walkers finger pointed up and circling tells the sailor at the pump to step up the pace. Sometimes, thats not the problem; usually, the answer to a slowing flow is that the planes fuel tank is nearly full, which the sailor at the nozzle can tell by watching a fuel gauge on the planes wing.

The nozzle operators finger circling  this time, pointing down  can tell the sailor at the pump to slow the flow. The line walker can check if the filters in the hose are the problem by looking at a differential pressure sensor.

If it goes over the red bar, thats the problem, Provenzano said.

But they cant get started refueling a plane until theyve tested the fuel.

Dry fuel is good fuel, Provenzano said.

While it was cold in Iceland, its even colder at the altitudes P-8s hit, and if theres any water in the fuel, it can freeze. The team tests for water, as well as dirt and other particles. They also test that theres enough de-icing FSII  pronounced Fizzy for fuel system icing inhibitor.

In the end, said Seaman Austin Leisure, you have to trust your training  the regular practice at Cheatham Annex  to do the finicky tests, even out in the cold by the side of a taxiway in Iceland, and get the right result.

And then, the teams chief and commanding officer  along with the pilots and squadron commander  have to trust the sailor doing the tests.

Ive been in (the Navy) for two years, Leisure said. But we train a lot.

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A Navy officer accused of shoving his drugged wife out the window of their seventh-floor apartment in Belgium in late 2015 has been convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

A U.S. military court in Belgium sentenced Lt. Craig R. Becker on Saturday after finding him guilty of premeditated murder, assault consummated by a battery and two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Comer, a spokesman for Navy Region Europe Africa Central.

Becker was accused of killing his 32-year-old wife, Johanna Hove-Becker, who died Oct. 8, 2015. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, along with dismissal from the Navy, Comer said.

The verdict and sentencing ended a lengthy legal process that included an order by former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis that the Navy take over the case in 2018 after years of deferring.

Before that, the case had been left to Belgian authorities despite the NATO Status of Forces Agreement, which gives the Navy primary jurisdiction. Navy officials at the time expressed concerns to lawmakers that a military court might not be able to use evidence collected by Belgian investigators.

Becker was an explosive ordnance disposal technician serving at a NATO command near Mons, the Navy Times reported in 2019.

He was arraigned at Naval Base San Diego in February 2019, but the case was postponed while the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals considered two appeals of a ruling that statements by Hove-Becker before her death could not be used by prosecutors.

In February 2021, the appeals court ultimately found for the government and allowed the statements. Throughout that time, Becker maintained his innocence, saying that his wife was an alcoholic who had mental health problems and that she had died by suicide.

Court records show that Becker was accused of beating and choking his wife in August 2013 in a U.S. Army hotel in Belgium. During a subsequent investigation, she said Becker had been physically abusive with increasing severity, court records show.

The couple reconciled and the investigation was dropped. But in September 2015 the couple signed a separation agreement. Hove-Becker was preparing to move into her own apartment when she was killed, according to court records.

Becker told police his wife had jumped from the window of their apartment after drinking wine and taking medication, court records show. Her death initially was ruled a suicide by Belgian police.

But toxicology results revealed that at the time she died, Hove-Becker hadnt consumed alcohol. However, a morphine-based pain reliever and a high level of a sedative were in her system, according to court records.

Hove-Becker was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and immigrated with her parents to the U.S. in 1989, according to her obituary at Legacy.com.

She earned bachelors and masters degrees in psychology and became a licensed psychologist. She worked for several years in Norfolk, Va., as a court adviser in psychological assessments and started her own company in 2011, the obituary states.
(Tribune News Service)  The four destroyers from Norfolk and Mayport that sailed east this winter as tensions between Russia and Ukraine mounted proved a couple of key points about the newly reestablished, Norfolk-based 2nd Fleet, said Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, its commanding officer.

The first, he said, is that formal boundary lines for the various Navy fleets dont get in the way when ships need to go into action  those four destroyers operated under the command and control of 2nd Fleet while in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Baltic, which are formally the turf of 6th Fleet.

The second, that East Coast-based warships just back from deployment and before going into a yard for maintenance work  in what the Navy calls a sustainment period  can move fast when called on for a surge deployment

The four-month mission of Norfolk-based USS Forrest Sherman and USS Mitscher and Mayports USS The Sullivans and USS Donald Cook marked the first time since 2nd Fleets reactivation in 2018 that it  in the person of Dwyer and staff, on board USS Mount Whitney  exercised operational command and control of deployed ships.

They operated with ships from NATO allies Italy, Great Britain, Denmark, Germany, France and Poland, as well as Sweden, which has since said it is considering joining NATO.

We train to a high level, we train our ships for any mission set ... off the Virginia capes, Dwyer said. But to actually sail alongside the naval vessels from one of our NATO allies and one of our partners  you just cant do that in training ... that live interaction, actually coming up on bridge to bridge and having that communication, then discussing how theyre going to execute a mission together, you just cant replicate that.

The deployment allowed 6th Fleet to concentrate on the Mediterranean, he said. The Norfolk-based USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group has been there, operating under 6th Fleet, as it conducts air policing and other operations.

The deployment also meant the four destroyers sailors got a taste of some of the roughest and coldest waters around: crossing the North Atlantic in the middle of winter, escorting the Italian carrier Garibaldi through the notoriously turbulent North Sea and operating with a Swedish ship and NATO allies in the narrow waters of the Baltic.

The message is clear. The U.S. Navy deploys ready, trained naval forces and can operate anywhere, any time, at the point of need, Dwyer said.

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One of the Navys newest and most advanced destroyers is moving to Spain, where it will join four others based at Naval Station Rota.

The USS Paul Ignatius left its homeport in Mayport, Fla., on Wednesday for an inaugural patrol in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, which includes Europe and Africa, the Navy announced in a statement.

After its patrol, the Paul Ignatius will be homeported at Rota in Spains south, alongside USS Arleigh Burke, USS Roosevelt, USS Porter and USS Ross.

The move is one of several planned homeport shifts in a long-term strategy to rotate the Rota-based destroyers gradually, the Navy said.

The Paul Ignatius is the second of eight planned Flight IIA technology insertion ships, which contain planned elements of the next-generation Flight III ships.

The technology upgrade adds air and missile defense capability, enabling the ships to simultaneously perform anti-air warfare and ballistic missile defense, according to the statement. The improvement addresses a critical need, the Navy said.

Together with our embarked helicopter detachment, we are bringing a lot of capability to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, said Cmdr. Aaron Arky, the ships commanding officer.

Deployment of the Paul Ignatius follows the return April 24 of the destroyer USS Donald Cook to its homeport in Mayport after a three-month rapid deployment to 6th Fleet.

The Donald Cook was one of four destroyers hurriedly deployed in January after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group to remain in the Mediterranean Sea amid rising tensions in central and Eastern Europe.

The tensions were sparked by the vast military buildup by Russia that preceded a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.

Officials have said that the increased Navy presence is meant as a sign of U.S. commitment to NATO defense and as reassurance to allies and partners.

Two ships that were in the strike group, USS The Sullivans and USS Mitscher, returned to their homeports in mid-April. The USS Gonzalez remains in the Mediterranean as part of the Truman carrier strike group.
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan  Into every celebration rain sometimes falls but it failed Friday to dampen the celebratory spirit of Yokota High Schools class of 2022.

The annual Decision Day observance marked its third year on this Air Force airlift hub in western Tokyo, not with the usual parade of poster-bedecked cars and trucks, but with a pandemic-era staple instead, a Facebook event.

The parade idea originally came out of trying to ensure seniors could signal their decisions to the community during the era of muted celebrations in the COVID-19 era, Yokota High principal Rebecca Villagomez told Stars and Stripes on Friday. Students typically drove on designated streets past assembled teachers, school staff, friends and family to advertise their post-high school intentions.

May 1 has come to be known as College Decision Day, the day when most colleges and universities expect high school seniors to either accept or decline their admission offers. Its become an opportunity for ritual that is not limited strictly to college decisions, but plans to enlist or pursue a vocation, too.

It's to help celebrate what theyre going to do and allows for a day so that students can make that decision towards whatever they want to do after high school, Villagomez said.

Afternoon rain prompted the principal to move Fridays event indoors and online.

We decided to still celebrate it, but we decided to do it on Facebook Live instead, Villagomez said.

About 60 seniors out of the 290 students at Yokota High took part in the abbreviated ceremony in the school auditorium.

They lined up and one at a time grabbed a microphone to announce their plans during the event that parents and underclassmen could view online.

Many of the seniors are college-bound and will attend schools such as Penn State University, University of California Berkeley, University of Florida and Boston College, among others.

Other students plan to serve their country.

We have a senior attending the Naval Academy, and we have students enlisting in the Navy and Air Force, Rene Kelley, an undergraduate counselor, told Stars and Stripes in an email Friday.

Saying their intentions out loud made the future more certain for some.

I dont really know how I feel, it hasnt really hit me that I am going to be graduating, going to college and living on my own soon, but it does make me a little excited seeing everyone so excited about it, Micaya Boyd, 17, told Stars and Stripes on Friday. She will attend Washington State University.

Last year, Yokota High held its graduation ceremony in a hangar on the base flight line, another pandemic precautionary measure. This year, the graduation is scheduled June 2 at the Taiyo Community Center on the base.

With graduation day around the corner, another senior was also anxious to get going. Carson Brown, 18, is bound for San Diego Mesa College.

I am excited for the next chapter, to be over with school, he said. Made a lot of great memories, but I got a whole life ahead of me.
OKINAWA, Japan  Okinawans born in 1972 are often referred to as "reversion children," as their birth year coincided with the return of Okinawa to Japan after 27 years of U.S. rule. Half a century later, a number of such people are working on a documentary film featuring testimonies from people who survived the Battle of Okinawa. The film is an attempt to preserve for posterity the words and thoughts of people who lived through the war, and, in particular, the fierce battle that took place on remote Ie Island.

The project is spearheaded by general incorporated association Yui 515, headed by Seiya Higa, president of a video production company in Nakagusuku, Okinawa Prefecture, in Japan, and closely aided by his friend Hiroki Kawata, of the comedy duo Garage Sale. Yui 515 comprises more than 300 people, who help provide food assistance to needy families.

The project was triggered two years ago following a request sent to Higa's company asking for materials aimed at peace education. As part of the project, the company recorded a video interview with 84-year-old Kamekichi Uchima, who experienced the fighting on Ie Island.

It is thought about 1,500 island residents died during the six days of fighting that occurred after U.S. forces landed on the island in April 1945.

Uchima explained how about 25 of his relatives  12 of whom died in a poison gas attack  had huddled for safety inside large stone tombs. Uchima spoke haltingly to the camera, detailing how the adults had discussed ways to commit suicide, and the devastating effects such events had on his young mind.

"I think the world is a happy place now, so why do so many people still commit suicide?" he said. In response to these words, Higa felt the need to record similar testimonies of war survivors to convey the value of life to today's young children.

With the 50th anniversary of Japan's reversion approaching, Higa recalled thinking, "We, the reversion children, must convey [the survivors' messages]." When he told Kawata of his desire to make a film, Kawata agreed, saying, "We don't have that much time to listen to the voices of our grandparents."

Last year, Higa and Kawata traveled to the island to talk with Uchima and other survivors. They also held a roundtable discussion and gathered testimonies from eight people. As filming proceeded, Higa decided to use a documentary format to capture testimonies simply, believing that survivors' words would have more gravitas if recorded without any kind of direction.

Higa is set to revisit the island on May 15, the date of the reversion. He plans to speak with survivors and show excerpts from the film at a commemorative online event marking the connection between the island and the Okinawan capital, Naha.

The film, titled "Yui Du Takara" (Connection is treasure), is scheduled to be completed around summer; part of the proceeds will be donated to an organization that works to combat child poverty in the prefecture.

"I believe this is the year to express our gratitude to the elderly people to whom we are connected, and to pledge to bequeath a bright Okinawa future for children 100 years from now."

According to the Okinawa prefectural government, 20,871 people were born in the prefecture in 1972. Okinawans born during the April 1972 to March 1973 school year also are known as reversion children. As they were born after the United States' 27 years of rule, such people have recently been attracting attention as symbolic, key players in opening up a bright future for Okinawa.
LVIV, Ukraine  Hollywood actress and U.N. humanitarian Angelina Jolie made a surprise visit to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Saturday, the Lviv regional governor said on Telegram.

According to Maksym Kozytskyy, Jolie  who has been a UNHCR Special Envoy for Refugees since 2011  had come to speak with displaced people who have found refuge in Lviv, including children undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the missile strike on the Kramatorsk railway station in early April.

The attack in the eastern Ukrainian city appeared to deliberately target a crowd of mostly women and children trying to flee a looming Russian offensive, killing at least 52 and wounding dozens more.

"She was very moved by (the children's) stories," Kozytskyy wrote. "One girl was even able to privately tell Ms. Jolie about a dream she'd had."

He said Jolie also visited a boarding school, talk with students and took photos with them, adding "she promised she would come again."

According to Kozytskyy, Jolie also met with evacuees arriving at Lviv's central railway station, as well as with Ukrainian volunteers providing the new arrivals with medical help and counseling,

"The visit was a surprise to us all," he wrote. "Plenty of people who saw Ms. Jolie in the Lviv region could not believe that it was really her. But since Feb. 24, Ukraine has shown the entire world that there are plenty of incredible things here."
A Russian spy plane violated NATO airspace in recent days, prompting the Kremlins ambassador to Denmark to be summoned over the incident, the top Danish diplomat announced.

Sweden, a non-NATO country that is strongly considering submitting an application for alliance membership soon, also accused the aircraft of crossing into its territory.

This is completely unacceptable and particularly worrying in the current situation, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said Sunday in a statement.

The Russian aircraft entered Danish airspace Friday in the vicinity of the island of Bornholm, Kofod said. The AN-30 propeller aircraft was followed and photographed after violating Swedish airspace, the Swedish Defense Ministry said in a statement, as quoted by TheLocal.se.

Kofod said the Russian ambassador would be summoned Monday because of the new Russian violation of Danish airspace.

Sweden is following suit. Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist called the violation unacceptable and unprofessional, Reuters reported Sunday.

The airspace intrusions come at a time of high tension over Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war, which has prompted Sweden and neighboring Finland to give serious consideration to NATO membership. Moscow has lashed out at the idea, warning the Nordic states against such a move.

While intercepts of Russian aircraft flying near NATO airspace are relatively commonplace, it is rarer for Russian planes to violate allied airspace.

In 2020, a Russian fighter jet followed a U.S. B-52 bomber over Denmark, which allies described at the time as a significant violation of NATO airspace. That intrusion also occurred near Bornholm.
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  Russia resumed pulverizing the Mariupol steel mill that has become the last stronghold of resistance in the bombed-out city, Ukrainian fighters said Monday, after a brief cease-fire over the weekend allowed the first evacuation of civilians from the plant.

Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official warned that Russia is planning to annex large portions of eastern Ukraine this month and recognize the southern city of Kherson as an independent republic.

Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said that those suspected actions are straight out of the Kremlins playbook and will not be recognized by the United States or its allies.

In Mariupol, more than 100 people  including elderly women and mothers with small children  left the rubble-strewn Azovstal steelworks on Sunday and set out in buses and ambulances for the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) to the northwest, according to authorities and video released by the two sides.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive in Zaporizhzhia on Monday as hoped. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

At least some of the civilians were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The Russian military said some chose to stay in separatist areas, while dozens left for Ukrainian-held territory.

In the past, Ukraine has accused Moscows troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas. The Kremlin has denied it.

The Russian bombardment of the sprawling plant by air, tank and ship picked up again after the partial evacuation, Ukraines Azov Battalion, which is helping to defend the mill, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were underway among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on evacuating more people.

The steel-plant evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the southern port city and other places have broken down, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russian forces of shooting and shelling along agreed-on evacuation routes.

Before the weekend evacuation, overseen by the United Nations and the Red Cross, about 1,000 civilians were believed to be in the plant along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. Russia has demanded that the fighters surrender; they have refused.

As many as 100,000 people overall may still be in Mariupol, which had a prewar population of more than 400,000. Russian forces have pounded much of the city into rubble, trapping civilians with little food, water, heat or medicine.

Some Mariupol residents got out of the city on their own, often in damaged private cars.

As sunset approached, Mariupol resident Yaroslav Dmytryshyn rattled up to a reception center in Zaporizhzhia in a car with a back seat full of youngsters and two signs taped to the back window: Children and Little ones.

I cant believe we survived, he said, looking worn but in good spirits after two days on the road.

There is no Mariupol whatsoever,'' he said. Someone needs to rebuild it, and it will take millions of tons of gold. He said they lived just across the railroad tracks from the steel plant. Ruined, he said. The factory is gone completely.

Anastasiia Dembytska, who took advantage of the cease-fire to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog, said she could see the steelworks from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

With most of Mariupol in ruins, a majority of the dozen Russian battalion tactical groups that had been around the city have moved north to other battlefronts in eastern Ukraine, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the Pentagons assessment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had said he hoped more people would be able to leave Mariupol in an organized evacuation on Monday. The city council told residents wanting to leave to gather at a shopping mall to wait for buses.

Zelenskyy told Greek state television that remaining civilians in the steel plant were afraid to board buses because they feared they would be taken to Russia. He said he had been assured by the U.N. that they would be allowed to go to areas his government controls.

Also Monday, Zelenskyy said that at least 220 Ukrainian children have been killed by the Russian army since the war began, and 1,570 educational institutions have been destroyed or damaged.

In other developments, European Union energy ministers met Monday to discuss new sanctions against the Kremlin, which could include restrictions on Russian oil. Some Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc, including Hungary and Slovakia, are wary of taking tough action.

Thwarted in his bid to seize Kyiv, the capital, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted his focus to the Donbas, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Carpenter, the U.S. ambassador to the OSCE, cited information that Russia is planning sham referenda in the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics that would attach the entities to Russia. He also said there were signs that Russia would engineer an independence vote in Kherson.

He noted that local mayors and legislators there have been abducted, that internet and cellphone service had been severed and that a Russian school curriculum is soon to be imposed. Ukraine's government has said Russia also has introduced the ruble as currency there.

Russia said Monday it struck dozens of military targets in the region in the past day. It said it hit concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region, west of the Donbas.

Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow's troops are raining fire indiscriminately, taking a heavy toll on civilians while making only slow progress.

The governor of the Odesa region along the Black Sea Coast, Maksym Marchenko, said on Telegram that a Russian missile strike Monday on an Odesa infrastructure target caused deaths and injuries. He gave no details. Zelenskyy said the attack destroyed a dormitory and killed a 14-year-old boy.

Ukraine said Russia also struck a strategic road and rail bridge west of Odesa. The bridge was heavily damaged in previous Russian strikes, and its destruction would cut a supply route for weapons and other cargo from neighboring Romania.

The attack on Odessa came eight years to the day after deadly clashes between Ukrainian government supporters and protesters calling for autonomy in the country's east. The government supporters in 2014 firebombed a trade union building containing pro-autonomy demonstrators, killing over 40 people.

Also Monday, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea.

Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas, is key to Russia's campaign in the east. Its capture would deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere.

Britains Defense Ministry said it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective  unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

___

Varenytsia reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Lolita Baldor in Washington and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz plans to invite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as special guest to a Group of Seven leaders' summit next month as part of an effort to forge a broader international alliance against Russia.

Germany, which currently holds the rotating G-7 presidency, will also welcome the leaders of Indonesia, South Africa and Senegal to the gathering in the Bavarian Alps June 26 to June 28, Scholz's spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, said Monday at a regular news conference in Berlin, confirming a Bloomberg report published Sunday. The German leader is hosting Modi for talks in Berlin later on Monday and there will also be a joint German-Indian cabinet meeting.

Despite concerns over the prime minister's reluctance to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and a recent jump in India's fossil-fuel imports from Russia, Scholz decided the G-7 should court India, according to people familiar with the matter.

Given India's growing population and long democratic tradition, Germany sees the country as a potentially valuable partner in efforts to isolate Russia, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are confidential. Scholz also sees an opportunity to work closely with Modi in other policy areas such as climate change and defense.

The German government wants to strengthen bilateral ties with India in the coming years and also supports the European Union's efforts to embrace the country by offering economic incentives, which could help it rethink its ties to Russia, the people added.

In their meeting on Monday, Scholz and Modi will discuss how to further ease immigration rules for skilled workers from India to tackle labor shortages in Europe's largest economy, and how to accelerate technology transfer to India in the push to reduce climate-damaging carbon emissions.

In the medium term, Germany also wants European defense companies to offer India an alternative to Russian weapons deliveries, as a way to reduce its reliance on Moscow.

German business is skeptical about dealmaking with India. The country's neutral stance on Russia complicates Scholz's efforts to strengthen economic and political ties, said Wolfgang Niedermark, board member of Germany's powerful BDI industry association.

"The West must reckon that India will not align itself with any camp in an increasingly bipolar world order," he said, adding that the EU and Germany should make offers to India without betraying their own interests.

Germany and India should both reduce dependencies on Russia. "This applies to European energy imports as well as to Russian-Indian military cooperation," Niedermark said.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Scholz is looking to deepen connections with other democratic countries. That's why the 63-year-old Social Democrat picked Japan for his first trip to Asia as chancellor last week, instead of following recent tradition and traveling to China with a business delegation.

India was among the more than 50 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council in April. It hasn't imposed sanctions on Moscow over the war in Ukraine and instead is boosting energy imports. India is also a significant buyer of Russian weapons.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said in a media briefing on Sunday that Modi will "exchange perspectives" on the war in Ukraine during his visit to Germany, France and Denmark.

Germany and its G-7 allies, including the U.S., U.K., France, Italy, Japan and Canada, have imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, but few other countries have joined those efforts  and many governments in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East remain reluctant to do so.

The seven governments have been coordinating efforts to engage key countries, and India is high on that list. The EU last month relaunched trade negotiations in the hope of providing it with a viable alternative to diversify away from Russia.
BRUSSELS  Poland urged its European Union partners on Monday to unite and impose sweeping sanctions on Russias oil and natural gas sectors over the war in Ukraine, and not to cave in to pressure to pay for their gas in Russian rubles.

The appeal came as EU ministers met in Brussels to discuss their response to Russias decision last week to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. Energy giant Gazprom says the two countries failed to pay their bills in April.

We will call for immediate sanctions on Russian oil and gas. This is the next, and urgent, and absolute step, Polish Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa said. We already have coal. Now its time for oil, and (the) second step is for gas. The best option is take them all together.

The EU has hit Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, companies and other organizations with rafts of sanctions since Moscow ordered an invasion of Ukraine in February. The commission is working on a sixth round of measures, possibly including oil restrictions, and could announce them this week.

The measures would have to be approved by the member countries, which could take several days.

In a move last week branded in Europe as blackmail, Russian energy giant Gazprom cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. It came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that unfriendly countries must start paying for gas in rubles, Russias currency.

Bulgaria and Poland have refused to do so, like most EU countries. More Gazprom bills are due on May 20, and the bloc is wary that Russia might turn off more taps then. Russia rejects the claims of blackmail.

Both countries informed the ministers that consumers and industry face no immediate supply risk.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson warned that Gazproms action clearly shows that they are not reliable suppliers and that means all the member states have to have plans in place for full disruption to their supplies.

The 27-nation EU imports around 40% of the gas it consumes from Russia. But some member countries, notably Hungary and Slovakia, are more heavily dependent on Russian supplies than others, and support for a gradual phasing in of an oil embargo is emerging.

Germany believes it could cope if supplies of Russian oil were cut off by Moscow. Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Russian oil now accounts for 12% of total imports, down from 35% before the war, and most of it goes to the Schwedt refinery near Berlin.

Germany is not against an oil ban from Russia. Of course it is a heavy load to bear, but we are ready to do that, Habeck told reporters. He said that a few more weeks or months to find oil transporting ships, and to better prepare harbors and pipelines would be useful.

Time is helpful but I think other countries have bigger problems, and as I have asked for solidarity or understanding of the German situation, I am also of course willing to understand the maybe more difficult situation for other countries, he said.

The bulk of Mondays meeting focused on shoring up gas supplies and not giving in to Putins demand that companies pay for gas in rubles. Around 97% of European contracts have been concluded in euros or dollars.

The EUs executive branch, the European Commission, has warned that companies ceding to pressure to convert euros to rubles through two accounts at Gazprombank would be in contravention of the blocs sanctions.

French Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili, whose country holds the EUs rotating presidency until the end of next month, said all countries agreed that we should implement the sanctions and respect the contracts. And the contracts clearly say payment in euros.

Despite the pressure, Europe does have some leverage in the dispute since it pays Russia $400 million a day for gas, a huge dent in Moscows coffers should it opt for a complete cutoff.

Frank Jordans in Berlin and Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report.
TEHRAN, Iran  The Taliban members who killed her activist husband offered Zahra Husseini a deal: Marry one of us, and you'll be safe.

Husseini, 31, decided to flee. Through swaths of lawless flatlands she and her two small children trekked by foot, motorcycle and truck until reaching Iran.

As Afghanistan plunged into economic crisis after the United States withdrew troops and the Taliban seized power, the 572-mile long border with Iran became a lifeline for Afghans who piled into smugglers' pickups in desperate search of money and work.

But in recent weeks the desert crossing, long a dangerous corner of the world, has become a growing source of tension as an estimated 5,000 Afghans traverse it each day and the neighbors  erstwhile enemies that trade fuel, share water and have a tortured history  navigate an increasingly charged relationship.

In past weeks, skirmishes erupted between Taliban and Iranian border guards. Afghans in three cities rallied against Iran. Demonstrators hurled stones and set fires outside an Iranian Consulate. A fatal stabbing spree, allegedly by an Afghan migrant, at Iran's holiest shrine sent shockwaves through the country.

Political analysts say even as both nations do not want an escalation, long-smoldering hostilities risk spiraling out of control.

"You have one of the world's worst-simmering refugee crises just chugging along on a daily pace and historical enmity," said Andrew Watkins, senior Afghanistan expert at the United States Institute of Peace. "Earthquakes will happen."

The perils are personal for Afghans slipping across the border like Husseini. Since the Taliban takeover, Iran has escalated its deportations of Afghan migrants, according to the U.N. migration agency, warning that its sanctions-hit economy cannot handle the influx.

In the first three months of this year, Iran's deportations jumped 60% each month, said Ashley Carl, deputy chief of the agency's Afghanistan mission. Many of the 251,000 returned from Iran this year bear the wounds and scars of the arduous trip, he said, surviving car accidents, gunshots and other travails.

Roshangol Hakimi, a 35-year-old who fled to Iran after the Taliban takeover, said smugglers held her and her 9-year-old daughter hostage over a week until her relatives paid ransom.

"They would feed us with polluted water and hard, stale bread," she said. "We were dying."

The lucky ones land in the jumble of Tehran, squeezing into dank and crowded alleyways. Iran estimates at least a million Afghans have sought refuge in the country over the last eight months.

Like many, Husseini lives in legal limbo, vulnerable to harassment and exploitation. Her boss at the tailor's shop refuses to pay her salary. Her landlord threatens to kick her out. She can barely cobble together enough cash to feed her children.

"We have nothing and nowhere to go," she said from a cramped room in southern Tehran, furnished with just a donated gas heater, chairs and a few velour blankets.

As more Afghans arrive, helping them gets harder. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh lamented last month that "waves of displaced Afghans cannot continue to Iran" because Iran's "capacities are limited." Iran's youth unemployment hovers over 23%. Iran's currency, the rial, has shriveled to less than 50% of its value since 2018.

"The biggest challenge is that Iran is not ready for the new situation of refugees," Tehran-based political analyst Rea Ghobeishavi said of the increasing friction between Afghans and Iranians.

Iran has grown more anxious as a string of bloody attacks in Afghanistan targeting the country's minority Hazara Shiites makes clear that extremist threats proliferate despite Taliban promises to provide security.

"There are reports that some extremists are entering Iran easily with refugees," said Abbas Husseini, a prominent Afghan journalist in Tehran, describing mounting paranoia in Iran.

Last month, Iran's most sacred Shiite shrine in the northeastern city of Mashhad turned into a scene of carnage when an assailant stabbed three clerics, killing two  a rare act of violence at the compound. The attacker was identified in media as an Afghan national of Uzbek ethnicity.

In the following days, a surge of videos agitating against Afghan refugees flooded Iranian social media. Impossible to authenticate, the grainy clips  footage showing Iranians insulting and beating up Afghans  have been dismissed as misleading in Iran but in Afghanistan have dominated headlines, stoking public fury.

Demonstrators attacked the Iranian Consulate in the western city of Herat with stones and protested at Iran's Embassy in Kabul. "Stop killing Afghans," pleaded protesters in the Afghan capital. "Death to Iran," chanted crowds in Herat and the southeastern Khost province. Iran suspended all of its diplomatic missions in Afghanistan for 10 days.

Even as the gate of its consulate smoldered, Iran's special envoy for Afghanistan deflected. Hassan Kazemi Qomi blamed the escalating tensions on a vague "enemy" seeking to subvert the nations' relations. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi raised his concerns with the Iranian ambassador.

"The ill-treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran adversely affects relations between the two countries ... allowing antagonists to conspire," Muttaqi was quoted as saying.

His careful tone betrays a troubled history.

In 1998, Iran nearly went to war against the Taliban after 10 of its diplomats were killed when their consulate was stormed in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. But after the U.S.-led invasion, Tehran's Shiite leaders grew wary of the American military presence on their doorstep and took a more pragmatic stance toward the Sunni militant group.

Now, analysts say, with both nations severed from the global banking system and starved for cash, they have come to depend on each other. Neither wants to see tensions mount further.

"Through neighbors, Iran can sanctions-bust, exchange currency, barter and keep its economy alive," said Sanam Vakil, deputy director of Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Program.

But the neighbors nearly came to blows last week when Taliban guards tried to pave a new road across the border. Iranian guards went on high alert. The vital crossing closed.

Aware of the stakes, the countries are vigorously pursuing diplomacy. Last week, Khatibzadeh promised Tehran would accredit Taliban diplomats for the first time to help process the mountains of consular cases. Taliban officials visited the capital to discuss Iran's treatment of Afghan refugees.

Many of those refugees fleeing Afghanistan's repression and destitution harbor humble dreams: of scraping by as construction laborers, factory workers and farmhands in Iran.

Others, like Hakimi's 9-year-old daughter Yasmin, hope to continue on to Europe. She fantasizes about Germany. Her father, a police officer killed by the Taliban in Logar province, instilled in her the importance of an education, she said.

"We don't want to have a bad future," Yasmin said from her dilapidated Tehran apartment. "We want to become literate people, like my father."

DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
TEL AVIV, Israel  Israel on Monday lashed out at Russia over "unforgivable" comments by its foreign minister about Nazism and antisemitism  including claims that Adolf Hitler was Jewish. Israel, which summoned the Russian ambassador in response, said the remarks blamed Jews for their own murder in the Holocaust.

It was a steep decline in the ties between the two countries at a time when Israel has sought to stake out a cautious position between Russia and Ukraine and remain in Russia's good stead for its security needs in the Middle East.

Asked in an interview with an Italian news channel about Russian claims that it invaded Ukraine to "denazify" the country, Sergey Lavrov said that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures, including the country's president, were Jewish.

"So when they say 'How can Nazification exist if we're Jewish?' In my opinion, Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it doesn't mean absolutely anything. For some time we have heard from the Jewish people that the biggest antisemites were Jewish," he said, speaking to the station in Russian, dubbed over by an Italian translation.

In some of the harshest remarks since the start of the war in Ukraine, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called Lavrov's statement "unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error."

"The Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust," said Lapid, the son of a Holocaust survivor. "The lowest level of racism against Jews is to blame Jews themselves for antisemitism."

Later, Lapid said Israel makes "every effort" to have good relations with Russia. "But there's a limit and this limit has been crossed this time. The government of Russia needs to apologize to us and to the Jewish people," he said.

An Israeli official confirmed late Monday that Russia's ambassador, Anatoly Viktorov, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a diplomatic matter, said that Israel "stated its position" and that the sides agreed not to elaborate.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who has been more measured in his criticism of Russia's invasion, also condemned Lavrov's comments.

"His words are untrue and their intentions are wrong," he said. "Using the Holocaust of the Jewish people as a political tool must cease immediately."

Israel's Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem called the remarks "absurd, delusional, dangerous and deserving of condemnation."

"Lavrov is propagating the inversion of the Holocaust  turning the victims into the criminals on the basis of promoting a completely unfounded claim that Hitler was of Jewish descent," it said in a statement.

"Equally serious is calling the Ukrainians in general, and President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy in particular, Nazis. This, among other things, is a complete distortion of the history and an affront to the victims of Nazism."

In Germany, government spokesman Steffen Hebstreit said the Russian government's "propaganda" efforts weren't worthy of comment, calling them "absurd."

Nazism has featured prominently in Russia's war aims and narrative as it fights in Ukraine. In his bid to legitimize the war to Russian citizens, President Vladimir Putin has portrayed the battle as a struggle against Nazis in Ukraine, even though the country has a democratically elected government and a Jewish president whose relatives were killed in the Holocaust.

Ukraine also condemned Lavrov's remarks.

"By trying to rewrite history, Moscow is simply looking for arguments to justify the mass murders of Ukrainians," Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Lavrov's remarks exposed the "deeply-rooted antisemitism of the Russian elites."

World War II, in which the Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people and helped defeat Nazi Germany, is a linchpin of Russia's national identity. Repeatedly reaching for the historical narrative that places Russia as a savior against evil forces has helped the Kremlin rally Russians around the war.

Israel gained independence in the wake of the Holocaust and has served as a refuge for the world's Jews. Over 70 years later, the Holocaust remains central to its national ethos and it has positioned itself at the center of global efforts to remember the Holocaust and combat antisemitism. Israel is home to a shrinking population of 165,000 Holocaust survivors, most in their 80s and 90s, and last week the country marked its annual Holocaust memorial day.

But those aims sometimes clash with its other national interests. Russia has a military presence in neighboring Syria, and Israel, which carries out frequent strikes on enemy targets in the country, relies on Russia for security coordination to prevent their forces from coming into conflict with one another. That has forced Israel to tread lightly in its criticism of the war in Ukraine.

While it has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and expressed support for its people, Israel has been measured in its criticism of Russia. It has not joined international sanctions against Russia or provided military aid to Ukraine.

That paved the way for Bennett to be able to try to mediate between the sides, an effort which appears to have stalled as Israel deals with its own internal unrest.

The Holocaust and the constant manipulation of its history during the conflict has sparked outrage in Israel before.

In a speech to Israeli legislators in March, Zelenskyy compared Russia's invasion of his country to the actions of Nazi Germany, accusing Putin of trying to carry out a "final solution" against Ukraine. The comparisons drew an angry condemnation from Yad Vashem, which said Zelenskyy was trivializing the Holocaust.

Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
BAKWA, Afghanistan  Afghanistan's fastest-growing drug industry operates from desert outposts in plain view.

One of its most bustling hubs, some five hours west of Kandahar, can only be reached by miles of dirt tracks that lead to a row of dusty shops topped with Taliban flags. Wholesalers like Abdulwadood work openly here, moving dozens of kilos of methamphetamine every week.

In the middle of his crowded shop, he casually tosses a half-kilo bag of long glassy shards onto the carpet. Its street value in Europe is tens of thousands of dollars. Abdulwadood will sell it for about $250.

"Every year, sales and production just increase and increase," he said, speaking on the condition that only his first name be used to discuss the illicit drug industry. Behind him the rest of his stock was piled in a corner. He expected to sell the roughly 20 kilos of shisha  the Afghan term for meth  in just a few days.

For decades, the country has been a global hub for opium production, estimated to supply 80% of the world's opiate users. Now its meth industry is growing at breakneck speed, stoking fears among Western experts and officials that, under the Taliban, Afghanistan could become a major supplier as demand rises globally.

Hundreds of meth labs have appeared in Afghanistan over the past six years, according to independent experts, former government officials and drug traders. And more are being built each month as the country's economic crisis forces Afghans to find new sources of income. The vast majority of meth produced is for export, but an increasing number of Afghans are turning to it as their drug of choice.

The sudden boom in meth production came after drug traffickers discovered a potential bonanza in a native plant called ephedra  known here as oman  which grows wild and is a natural source of the drug's key ingredient.

"These labs have been extremely busy these last few months, as a consequence of the sheer amount of ephedra that passed through," said David Mansfield, an expert on Afghanistan's illicit economy who has produced reports for the World Bank and European Commission, drawing from on-the-ground investigators, aerial imagery and other sources.

Sellers at the meth bazaar in rural western Afghanistan have long been free to ply their trade. The previous government largely turned a blind eye, said Abdulwadood, and the Taliban have taken the same approach since coming to power. Though Taliban fighters sometimes inspect the market, they have not tried to shut it down.

"The only reason we are in this business is because there are no other jobs," Abdulwadood said. "Of course, if the economy gets worse, more people will start producing shisha."

The Taliban issued its first formal ban on the growing, production and distribution of illicit drugs several weeks ago. Yet there is widespread skepticism that the new leadership will eliminate a source of hard cash at a time when the country is almost entirely cut off from the global financial system.

"A significant part of the Taliban's revenue comes from taxing illicit commodities, and drugs is one of those," said Andrew Cunningham, who heads the drug markets, crime and supply reduction branch at the E.U.'s European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction.

"It's impossible to provide even the most basic of services unless there's money coming into the government coffers," Cunningham noted. "So, for them to do something about a drug trade that creates some of those revenues is something we see as quite unlikely, at least at present."

The country's new deputy minister for counternarcotics insists otherwise. Before taking control, Abdul Haq Hamkar said in an interview, the Taliban did not have the resources to stop the drug trade as well as fight U.S. and Afghan government forces. (According to a United Nations study, money from the opium trade helped fund that fight, generating up to $113 million in annual tax revenue for the Taliban and its allies in 2019 alone.)

"Let me be clear that from now on," Hamkar said, "no one in any part of the country will be allowed to cultivate or produce either oman, or heroin, or hashish, or opium."

  

During nearly 20 years of war, U.S.- and NATO-led efforts to eradicate opium production in Afghanistan were found to be some of the least effective and most wasteful operations, according to a number of internal reports, including by the independent U.S. watchdog, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

Many opium exporters are now moving meth, using existing infrastructure, routes and bribery schemes to reach neighboring Iran and Pakistan.

"They use the same trucks and the same routes," said a businessman at the bazaar in Bakwa about the men who come to collect his product. He spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the trade.

Cooking meth with harvested ephedra in Afghanistan  while labor-intensive and dangerous  costs a fraction of the price as making the same drug with ephedra extracted from pharmaceuticals, the process used to produce the vast majority of the world's meth.

Afghan meth once struggled to compete globally. "But then all this ephedra was discovered, growing wild in the mountains," said Sara Hakimi, a former Foreign Ministry official specializing in counternarcotics. "You could just take it, dry it and sell it."

Seizures of meth here reflect the lucrative shift: Between 2018 and 2019, U.N. data shows they increased over 600%.

Drug enforcement agencies in Europe fear cut-rate Afghan meth could flood their capitals given the drug's growing popularity, Cunningham said: "We're quite concerned in Europe, because crystal meth, like heroin and crack, is one of the really harmful drugs that you especially want to avoid."

  

Afghanistan's meth production was on the rise even before the collapse of the U.S.-backed government last August.

Ghousaddin is a farmer in western Afghanistan, in the same stretch of desert as the Bakwa bazaar. In 2019, he was approached by Iranian businessmen about building a meth lab on the edge of his fields. The men offered to teach him the process and provide the needed chemicals and the dried ephedra plant in exchange for a large cut of his profits. Years of little rainfall had left him struggling to support his family. So he agreed.

His makeshift lab consists of a simple grain thresher beside a row of mud sheds. After the ephedra is ground and sifted into a fine dust, it's mixed in waist-high vats of chemicals before being boiled down over an open flame, laid out to dry in the sun, then mixed with another chemical compound that changes the white powder into glasslike crystals.

Ghousaddin's income from meth has allowed him to keep food on the table and save for his sons' future marriages. He believes there was no other way to survive. "Even poppy wouldn't grow here," he said, kicking at the dusty earth.

The amount of raw materials sent to him increases every year, as more and more people are drawn to harvesting ephedra.

"Everyone was up in the mountains for the ephedra harvest in August and September  ex-army people, ex-police, everyone  because it is the only source of income in some of these highland areas," said Mansfield, the expert on Afghanistan's illicit economy.

Money from drug production may help some families endure difficult economic times, but the methamphetamine surge ultimately means more hardship for the Afghan people.

The country already had some of the highest rates of opiate addiction in the world, according to the latest U.N. data.

Many addicts use openly in central Kabul, in narrow median strips along busy streets or in alleyways. But the main place to buy and use drugs is in the city's west, beneath a bridge in a dried-out riverbed.

When the Taliban took power, they cleared hundreds of people from the area. The users and dealers eventually returned, and today doctors at Afghan drug treatment centers say their overwhelmed facilities are receiving more and more meth patients.

Kabul's largest rehab center is a cluster of stark warehouselike buildings. The facility is caring for nearly twice as many people as it was designed to treat. Doctors often run out of the medication needed to help addicts detox.

Jamal Abdulnai Nasiri, 60, has worked in drug rehabilitation for more than two decades. "We probably receive three times as many meth addicts now than three years ago," he said. "We are doing our best with what we have."

A few dozen patients, rail-thin from years of drug abuse, loitered outside after lunch. They began telling their stories.

Muhammad Faqiri said he started using meth after he lost his job as a translator for U.S.-led forces and began driving a taxi in Kabul to support his family.

"I noticed my friend was smoking this thing that allowed him to drive really fast," he said. Initially, meth helped Faqiri work long hours, but addiction cost him his job. Then his family kicked him out.

"I just want to go home," he said.

Nasiri consoled him, telling him he would be free to leave soon. Once out of earshot, though, the doctor lamented that those discharged rarely remain away for long.

"Almost all of them," he said, "return over and over."

The Washington Post's Aziz Tassal in Houston contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. will not be able to build a productive relationship with Russia until its current autocratic regime is dismantled, a Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee said Monday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not fit to serve, said Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and any opportunity to restore ties with Russia will need to be predicated on the next leader of the country. Tilliss comments at an Atlantic Council event Monday follow a declaration from President Joe Biden in March that Putin cannot remain in power.

I do believe at some point, for the good of the Russian people and for world order, that there needs to be a change of regime in Russia, Tillis said. Hopefully [its to] someone who works more on democratization and working and behaving properly in his neighborhood.

The White House quickly walked back Bidens off-the-cuff remark, which the president added to the end of a speech during his recent trip to Poland. But Tillis said Monday that Putins decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February showed Russias longtime ruler cannot be trusted and will not negotiate in good faith.

Hes exposed himself greatly with his actions in Ukraine, he said. I think hes arguably guilty of war crimes.

Putin has also demonstrated an inability to govern his own people, Tillis argued, by choosing to spend billions to fund the war in Ukraine while people in Russias poorest regions starve.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., on Monday outlined a more assertive policy toward Russia going forward. Speaking alongside Tillis, Murphy said the U.S. needs to pour resources into aggressively combating Russian propaganda and corruption and supporting countries seeking independence from Russian energy.

Clearly the most important thing is to get the Ukraine fight right. But we should also use this moment to re-resource ourselves in and around Russia when it comes to all the nonmilitary ways that they have utilized to destabilize countries on their periphery, Murphy said. That, to me, should be at the heart of a new Russia policy.

Murphy said the U.S. had badly mis-resourced its approach to Russia and should have been more serious about supporting independent journalism in Russia and its neighboring countries and fighting Russian-funded corruption, bribery and intimidation. The U.S. should have also spent more money to help nations wean themselves off Russian gas and oil, he said.

We have the opportunity right now to work with our European partners and others on Russias periphery to permanently cut off Russias energy flows to neighbors, Murphy said. That makes the world more stable, and it gives Russia less opportunity to punish neighbors for supporting Ukraine.

Murphy and Tillis called for bolstering U.S. presence in the Balkans, where they traveled with a congressional delegation last month. The region remains fragile despite the ascension of several countries into the European Union and the NATO military alliance, Tillis said.

Murphy expressed concern about the recently reelected Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, who has cozied up to Putin and made very dangerous overtones to carve up neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. The U.N. Security Council is expected to decide this month whether to extend the deployment of a multinational stabilization force that includes U.S. troops in Bosnia and Herzegovina past November.

This is not a region of the world that gets headlines, its not a place that gets lots of attention from Congress but if we dont get our policy right, if we dont increase our security footprint in the Balkans  particularly in Bosnia  we could be dealing with another violent crisis sooner than we had anticipated, Murphy said.

The Balkans could become a prime target for Putin as he gets backed into a corner in Ukraine and looks for other places in the region to make trouble for the U.S., he said. Congress must be able to walk and chew gum at the same time when it comes to arming Ukraine against Russia while weakening Putins ability to meddle in other areas, Murphy added.

The $33 billion supplemental aid package that the White House requested for Ukraine last week will go a long way toward that goal, the senators said. They want to see the money spent largely on weapons and humanitarian aid but also economic assistance to prop up the leadership of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and make certain his government survives.

The Biden administration is answering the call for the moment and hopefully Congress will step up in the next few days, Murphy said.
Daniel Hutchinson

From The Hutch

Im not sure if anyone else is feeling the same way, but the High Court decision on the legality of the MIQ process seems just a tad bit late.

Refusing Kiwis entry into their own country always seemed like a tenuous legal prospect, highlighted by the ridiculous situation with pregnant journalist Charlotte Bellis  stuck in Afghanistan, of all places, and unable to win the MIQ lottery.

New Zealand citizens are this countrys responsibility and leaving them to languish in other countries seems a bit like a sentence without a trial. If you have outstayed your welcome in someone elses country, what option have you got but to return home?

Nevertheless, after two years of quarantines, the muddled MIQ method is now a thing of the past  an irritating memory for many travellers and a thing of nightmares for others.

It had its place, but it was batty as a badger by the end.

Sucking lemons

So, Justice Jillian Mallons decision this week would have been met with some wry faces from those most affected. Nice to know youre right, but not much help now.

Justice Mallon found that although MIQ was an important part of the Governments elimination strategy, the virtual lobby and tight emergency criteria may have infringed on some New Zealanders rights to enter their country.

I guess the decision is better late than never because it will hopefully help if the situation ever repeats itself, which it may well do.

But the other expression that springs to mind is one that was popularised by US Rear Admiral and computer scientist Grace Hopper and seems to have been incorporated into politics these days.

I always tell young people: Go ahead and do it.

You can always apologise later.

Dr Hopper had some brilliant one-liners, which also seem to have got incorporated into the MIQ doctrine.

The glass is neither half empty nor half full. Its simply larger than it needs to be.

If you do something once, people will call it an accident. If you do it twice, they call it a coincidence. But do it a third time and youve just proven a natural law!

And one that obviously wasnt used was: If it isnt bolted down, bring it home.

Taking aim

Speaking of rules that rile people up, Bay of Plenty gun club members are fair fizzing at the bolt hole over new regulations put forward for consultation by the NZ Police this month.

In a joint statement, eight clubs around the region say the rules amount to a lot of extra compliance cost and threaten the very existence of the smaller clubs. One rule would require even the person making the tea to have a firearm licence, because every member of a club must have one  whether they shoot or not.

This sounds a bit crazy but I actually knew someone who was such a bad aim with the hot water that they missed the tea cup entirely and poured the water straight onto their bare foot.

It was a nasty burn that took ages to heal, so I can kind of see where the authorities are going with that.

A shot in the dark

However, gun club members are not amused at the plethora of new rules  which are supposed to make life safer for everyone following the mosque shootings.

Eight Bay of Plenty clubs have stated: if adopted, the new rules and compliance costs could force smaller clubs and those unable to pass on the extra costs to its members to permanently close their ranges and disband.

The clubs argue that people go there because shooting ranges are a safe and controlled environment in which to learn how to safely use their firearms, improve their skills and to sight-in their rifles.

Obviously, the safest thing to hit is your target when you are out hunting. The alternative is to go stumbling through the bush and hopefully pick it up as you go along.

Making new rules like these requires a fair amount of consultation, otherwise they could end up having the opposite effect.

Six weeks of consultation during the height of the hunting season  The Roar  seems a bit light given the seriousness of the subject.

Its not one of those things you want to be asking for forgiveness for, after the fact.
An encouraging start is how Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council is describing the progress it is making towards reducing corporate greenhouse gas emissions during the past two years.

For Toi Moana, total CO2 emissions are under 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide for 2020/21, 4 per cent lower than last years total emissions.

Since signing up to the Toitu carbon reduce certification in 2019, the organisation has reduced its corporate emissions by 15 per cent - but knows theres still a way to go on its reduction journey.

Toi Moanas Customer Contact Manager Rachael Burgess says the council is working towards being carbon neutral by 2050, so being able to understand its emissions profile, which signing up to the certification enables them to do, is critical.

Climate change is at the heart of everything we do. It is built into our decision making, planning and policy so it makes sense that we look internally to ensure were accountable for our own carbon footprint, says Rachael.

New Zealand is at a turning point, close to releasing an emissions reduction plan that will set ambitious policies to decarbonise all sectors. We want to be leaders for this change.

Toi Moanas main source of corporate emissions come from diesel, followed by electricity use and waste.

We are slowly electrifying our vehicle fleet as and when theyre due to be replaced, we now have 17 electric vehicles, with six more on the way. This step alone saves about three tonnes of CO2 emissions per vehicle per year, she says. The Regional Council plans to have all light motor vehicles move to electric in the next three years.

Our electric fleet is currently receiving a make-over, transforming the vehicles into roving narratives, telling the story of our region, sub regions and mahi. We want our electric vehicles to inspire change within our community, and making the move to electric transport will be a key step in global emissions reduction, says Rachael.

Reducing our energy consumption is also a big focus as, combined, energy is our second-largest contributor to carbon emissions for the organisation. Our office buildings feature energy reduction technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and LED lighting throughout.

As a driving force for sustainability and environment protection we want to be at the forefront for change. Leading by example we hope to inspire other organisations and businesses to look at their own carbon footprint, says Rachael.

We dont want to rely on off-setting measures, such as the planting of trees, so this is about seeing where we as a council emit most emissions and work to reduce these where we can, she says.

Toi Moanas Corporate Sustainability Officer, Adam Macfarlane-Hill is driving internal behaviour change with the Staff Travel Plan.

After a great result with the Aotearoa Bike Challenge, and receiving feedback from staff, weve upgraded the bike storage facilities at our Tauranga office, and are exploring options to install repair and maintenance equipment," says Adam.

We are also in the process of restarting our internal e-Bike discount and loan scheme after much success in previous years. This scheme assists staff to purchase an e-Bike via salary deductions, reducing the cost barrier often faced when considering this option.

"Internal efforts that help inspire long lasting behaviour change for our staff and community will be key to overall regional emission reductions, says Adam.

For more information on the work Regional Council is doing to understand and plan for climate change click here.
The Ministry of Health is today reporting 6,636 new community cases of Covid-19, 480 hospitalisations and seven deaths.

There are 215 new community cases in Bay of Plenty, and 105 in Lakes. Across New Zealand there are 12 people in ICU.

There are 26 people in Bay of Plenty hospitals and one in a Lakes hospital.

Covid-19 deaths

Today we are sadly reporting the deaths of seven people with Covid-19. The deaths being reported today include people who have died over the previous two days, says a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

These deaths take the total number of publicly reported deaths with Covid-19 to 757 and the seven-day rolling average of reported deaths is 11.

Of the people whose deaths we are reporting today, three people were from Auckland; one from Waikato; one from Bay of Plenty; one from Wairarapa and one from Canterbury.

One person was in their 40s; one in their 50s; three in their 80s and two were aged over 90. Of these people, one was a woman and six were men.

Out of respect, we will be making no further comment.

Todays seven-day rolling average of case numbers is 7,553  last Monday it was 8,355.

Border case with Omicron BA.4 variant

A second person who has travelled from overseas to New Zealand has been confirmed as having the BA.4 variant of Omicron.

Both identified cases are currently isolating at their homes.

BA.4 has been reported in southern Africa and Europe, and in New South Wales. The arrival of this sub-variant in New Zealand is not unexpected. At this stage, the public health settings already in place to manage other Omicron variants are assessed to be appropriate for managing BA.4 and no changes are required.

Vaccinations administered in New Zealand

Vaccines administered to date: 4,026,626 first doses; 3,977,986 second doses; 31,789 third primary doses; 2,630,828 booster doses: 261,619 paediatric first doses and 116,510 paediatric second doses

Vaccines administered yesterday: 19 first doses; 15 second doses; 0 third primary doses; 458 booster doses; 31 paediatric first doses and 337 paediatric second doses

People vaccinated

All Ethnicities (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 4,056,287 first dose (96.4%); 4,007,035 second dose (95.2%), 2,626,808 boosted (70.9% of those eligible)

Maori (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 521,019 first dose (91.2%); 504,047 second dose (88.3%), 234,581 boosted (54.6% of those eligible)

Pacific Peoples (percentage of eligible people aged 12+): 281,873 first dose (98.3%); 276,987 second dose (96.6%), 139,928 boosted (56.9% of those eligible)

5 to 11-year-olds all ethnicities: 258,827 first dose (54.3%); 113,756 second dose (23.9%)

5 to 11-year-olds - Maori: 40,807 first dose (35.3%); 12,915 second dose (11.2%)

5 to 11-year-olds - Pacific Peoples: 23,492 first dose (47.6%); 6,512 second dose (13.2%).

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 (67.6%)

Auckland DHB: first dose (99.2%); second dose (98.3%); boosted (72.9%)

Counties Manukau DHB: first dose (96.2%); second dose (95%); boosted (65.8%)

Waitemata DHB: first dose (96.5%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (70.7%)

Waikato DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.6%); boosted (66.5%)

Bay of Plenty DHB: first dose (95.1%); second dose (93.4%); boosted (65.8%)

Lakes DHB: first dose (93.2%); second dose (91.4%); boosted (66.2%)

MidCentral DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (72%)

Tairawhiti DHB: first dose (93.1%); second dose (91%); boosted (65.8%)

Whanganui DHB: first dose (91.9%); second dose (90.4%); boosted (71.4%)

Hawkes Bay DHB: first dose (97.2%); second dose (95.6%); boosted (69.6%)

Taranaki DHB: first dose (94.6%); second dose (93.3%); boosted (68%)

Wairarapa DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95%); boosted (72.8%)

Capital & Coast DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.8%); boosted (79.3%)

Hutt Valley DHB: first dose (96.6%); second dose (95.7%); boosted (74.8%)

Nelson Marlborough DHB: first dose (96.4%); second dose (95.2%); boosted (73.2%)

West Coast DHB: first dose (92.7%); second dose (91.3%); boosted (71.4%)

Canterbury DHB: first dose (99.7%); second dose (98.9%); boosted (74.3%)

South Canterbury DHB: first dose (94.7%); second dose (93.7%); boosted (74.3%)

Southern DHB: first dose (98.5%); second dose (97.4%); boosted (73.1%)

*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 or 16 and 17 year olds who have become eligible 6 months after having their second dose.

Hospitalisations

Cases in hospital: total number 480: Northland: 27; Waitemata: 78; Counties Manukau: 64; Auckland: 90; Waikato: 35; Bay of Plenty: 26; Lakes: 1; Tairawhiti: 3; Hawkes Bay: 11; Taranaki: 4; Whanganui: 2; MidCentral: 9; Wairarapa: 2; Hutt Valley: 6; Capital and Coast: 11; Nelson Marlborough: 8; Canterbury: 74; South Canterbury: 4; West Coast: 1; Southern: 24

*Average age of current hospitalisations: 59

Cases in ICU or HDU: 12

Vaccination status of current hospitalisations (Northern Region only, excluding Emergency Departments): Unvaccinated or not eligible (41 cases / 16%); partially immunised <7 days from second dose or have only received one dose (7 cases / 3%); double vaccinated at least 7 days before being reported as a case (73 cases / 29%); Received booster at least 7 days before being reported as a case (125 cases / 50%); unknown (5 cases / 2%)

*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: 7,553

Seven day rolling average (as at same day last week): 8,355

Number of new community cases: 6,636

Number of new community cases (PCR): 161

Number of new community cases (RAT): 6,475

Location of new community cases (PCR & RAT): Northland (141), Auckland (1,956), Waikato (423), Bay of Plenty (215), Lakes (105), Hawkes Bay (167), MidCentral (266), Whanganui (68), Taranaki (206), Tairawhiti (77), Wairarapa (71), Capital and Coast (419), Hutt Valley (179), Nelson Marlborough (275), Canterbury (1,120), South Canterbury (98), Southern (784), West Coast (63), Unknown (3)

Number of new cases identified at the border: 90

Number of active community cases (total): 52,860 (cases identified in the past 7 days and not yet classified as recovered)

Confirmed cases (total): 940,151

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
Supporting preparations for a potential Alpine Fault rupture on the West Coast is one of several grass roots initiatives benefitting from a Government funding package to strengthen community resilience to emergencies.

Due to its isolation, its topography, and its proximity, the West Coast is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of an Alpine Fault rupture, says Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan.

Recent research shows there is a 75 per cent chance of the Alpine Fault rupturing in the next fifty years, and an 82 percent chance that such an earthquake would be magnitude 8 or higher.

A boost of $340,000 through the Resilience Fund will enable better access to emergency fuel and power supplies, and will bolster local emergency communication options.

This is a practical and vital investment that will help to build on the outstanding work done by the AF8 project, another of the nine regional initiatives receiving a total of $879,000 from the fund.

Other successful initiatives are a project to improve resilience to rain events in Tairawhiti; a Chinese small business resilience conference in Auckland; multilingual childrens storybooks about storms and floods; earthquake education kits in Hawkes Bay; a regional resilience analysis for Marlborough; a Coastal Community Resilience Guide for the Chatham Islands; and the continuation of a programme in Nelson-Tasman and Marlborough to bring together the eight manawhenua to strengthen Maori planning and preparation for emergencies.

Yesterdays release of new data on sea level rise is a timely reminder of why the Government is turning its mind to these issues, and why the proposed National Adaptation plan, which looks to support communities adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change, is so important, says Allan.

Each of the initiatives are strongly focused on future-proofing regional emergency management arrangements, making resilience more inclusive for diverse businesses and communities, and increasing the participation of Maori in emergency management planning.

The Resilience Fund taps into the rich knowledge and expertise of our frontline emergency management practitioners in the regions, making it possible to progress smart new initiatives and test innovative ideas.

It has made possible a number of valuable projects in recent years, such as the AF8 Alpine Fault earthquake response plan, East Coast LAB (Life at the Boundary) and the Marae Preparedness Toolkit, reflecting the Governments commitment to bolstering New Zealands emergency management system, says Allan.

Applications were considered by a panel against criteria with emphasis on improved collaboration, improved resilience locally and regionally, and consistent approaches.

The Resilience Fund is distributed on an annual basis. For full details on the successful applicants, visit: http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/cdem-sector/cdem-resilience-fund/#current
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has today announced further sanctions on Russian politicians and defence entities supporting Putins actions in Ukraine, as part of the Governments ongoing response to the war.

Through these sanctions, we are demonstrating our intention to continue going after those who are responsible for Russias invasion of Ukraine," says Mahuta.

As President Putins war machine continues its illegal attacks and as further revelations of atrocities come to light, we are determined to impose costs on those involved.

We support the people of Ukraine, and we are committed to holding President Putin and his cadre of warmongers to account, says Mahuta.

The latest round of sanctions targets the 170 members of the upper house of Russias parliament, known as the Federation Council, as well as six companies and organisations in the defence sector which have contributed to the assault on Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.

New Zealand has also extended the full suite of its prohibitions to over 400 people who are captured by previously implemented travel bans.

This will further prohibit those we have already sanctioned from carrying out activity in New Zealand, and prevent New Zealand from becoming a financial safe haven for those involved with Russias illegal activities in Ukraine, says Mahuta.

These sanctions join a number of other measures New Zealand has taken in response to the ongoing aggression, including trade measures and humanitarian contributions.

Further information on sanctions taken under the Russia Sanctions Act 2022 can be found on the MFAT website: www.mfat.govt.nz/Russia-Sanctions

To date the Government has announced the following support in response to the war in Ukraine:

Banned exports to Russian military and security forces

Suspended foreign ministry consultations with Russia

Passed the historic Russia Sanctions Act under which NZ has:

 (Including those announced today) Passed sanctions targeting:

o Vladimir Putin and his senior leadership on his Security Council

o 170 members of the Federation Council, as well as over 450 other political and military leaders, and people of influence.

o 24 entities including weapons makers, Donbas militia groups etc.

o 36 oligarchs and close family with close ties and influence with the Russian Government

o 19 financial institutions in total

 Banned all Russian Government aircraft and vessels from New Zealand waters

 Announced a 35 per cent tariff on all Russian imports to New Zealand which came into force on April 25

 Extended the export ban to include industrial products of strategic importance

Provided direct support for Ukraines self-defence:

o $5m of non-lethal military assistance to support Ukraine via the NATO Trust Fund and communications equipment procured from TAIT.

o Surplus NZDF equipment also sent to Ukraine. 1066 x Body Armour Plates, 473 x Helmets, 571 x Camouflage Vests/Harness Webbing.

o Deployment of 17 defence force personnel to the United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany, to support our partners in intelligence and engagement work, and logistical coordination.

o Deployment of NZDF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and 50 support personnel to Europe

o $7.5m to contribute to weapons and ammunition procurement by the United Kingdom

o $4.1m to support commercial satellite access for the Ukrainian Defence Intelligence

Provided $6 million in humanitarian assistance to be distributed by the ICRC and UNHCR to support both refugees and those still inside Ukraine.

Establishment of a special Ukraine visa for family members of Ukrainian New Zealanders plus other visa changes.

o Immigration NZ had received 798 Expressions of Interest to apply, and of those it has invited 18 people to submit an application

o As a result of the invitations to apply, 725 applications have been made and Immigration NZ had approved 488 of them so far.
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What just happened? Russian soldiers in the occupied city of Melitopol have stolen almost $5 million worth of farm equipment from a John Deere dealership and shipped it more than 700 miles to Chechnya. But the entire operation was in vain: all the equipment was unusable as it had been locked remotely.

CNN reports that in addition to looting residences, Russian troops have increasingly been stealing farm equipment, hundreds of thousands of tons of grain, and building materials in Ukraine.

One incident in Melitopol saw a Russian military transport used as part of a heist on a John Deere dealership: a flatbed truck with the letter Z painted on the side. The symbol has been used to show support for the invasion and was why a Russian pro Dota 2 player was dropped from his team over the weekend.

Among the list of stolen items were two combine harvesters valued at $300,000 each. There were also 27 pieces of farm machinery, including other types of tractors and seeders. The total value of all the products was close to $5 million.

Some of the equipment was taken to a nearby village, but the rest ended up 700 miles away in Chechnya. Much of the machinery is equipped with GPS tracking systems and can be controlled remotely, which means they can also be disabled and locked remotely.

"When the invaders drove the stolen harvesters to Chechnya, they realized that they could not even turn them on, because the harvesters were locked remotely," CNN's contact said.

The equipment is now said to be sitting on a farm near Grozny as consultants in Moscow try to bypass the remote locks. If they are unsuccessful, the only option would be to sell the machines for spare parts.

We've heard on several occasions about how technology is playing a big part in the Russia/Ukraine conflict, from DJI suspending its drone sales to the US targeting Russian Bitcoin miners.

Masthead image credit: Darla Hueske, middle image: Ben Seymour
Bottom line: It looks like Square Enix is selling off its Western studios after seeing more value in the franchises produced by its Japanese studios. As part of an agreement worth $300 million, the Embracer Group will add three of Square Enix's studios to a roster that now includes over 120 developers, big and small.

Today, the Embracer Group announced it has acquired three of Square Enix's development studios in a deal valued at $300 million. While it may look small next to recent deals like Microsoft's $68.7 billion Activision Blizzard acquisition or Sony's $3.6 billion purchase of Bungie, it's still a significant change in the gaming industry's landscape.

The agreement will see Embracer get a hold of Square Enix Montreal, Eidos Montreal, and Crystal Dynamics. Square Enix Montreal is known for mobile titles like Deus Ex Go, Hitman Go, and Lara Croft Go. Eidos Montreal was responsible for developing Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, which was well received by gamers and reviewers but fell short of Square Enix's expectations in terms of sales. Crystal Dynamics recently said it was working on the next Tomb Raider game using Epic's Unreal Engine 5.

Along with those three studios, Embracer will gain access to high-value intellectual property such as Deus Ex, Thief, Tomb Raider, Legacy of Kain, and over 50 back catalog games. Phil Rogers, who is CEO of Square Enix America and Europe, noted in a press statement that "Embracer is the best-kept secret in gaming: a massive, decentralized collection of entrepreneurs whom we are thrilled to become a part of today."

The Embracer Group was born of the original Nordic Games, which became THQ Nordic AB after acquiring what was left from the ashes of troubled American game publisher THQ. The Swedish video game and media holding group also owns other well-known developers like Deep Silver, Gearbox, Koch Media, and Saber Interactive.

Moving forward, Square Enix says its remaining studios will continue to work on franchises like Just Cause, Life is Strange, and Outriders.
Amazon is no longer offering its paid leave for workers despite those catching COVID-19 from the warehouses or its offices. Previously, it extended the paid leave for customers by up to five days, and it gives them lead time to stay at home and rest while also getting their salaries. Now, workers see five unpaid sick days, and the rest would be marked as absent.

Amazon Ends COVID-19 Paid Leave for Workers

(Photo : Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Amazon workers in the United States are no longer getting paid for the five days they will stay at home when testing positive for COVID-19, reports CNBC. It goes against the company's previous policy that extends help to pay for the days they avoid work and recover from getting the virus.

Workers are not getting any compensation for the days they miss work despite getting it from the workplace.

Additionally, workers will no longer have the five days of time off that they previously got on waiting for the results of their tests, despite the past setup in the company. The reason for this is that there are rapid tests available now that can get results in an instant.

Many health changes are coming to Amazon, alongside the gradual return to the normal situations happening in the country.

Read Also: Amazon Lifts Cell Phone Ban on Warehouses, Workers Can Now Carry Their Phones With Them

Unpaid Leave for Workers with COVID-19

Engadget reports that there is a memo sent out to its workers, and it now details what is happening in the company when dealing with COVID-19-related issues. It said that workers will still get five days of leaves, but it will not be covered by the company and remain unpaid for the days they are not at work and is staying at home to recover.

Amazon and its COVID-19 Response

Amazon's COVID-19 response saw a mixed reaction from the public as many reports saw the company's efforts regarding this previous pandemic, especially when it was at its peak. One of the many notable cases in Amazon's operations is the delay in shipments due to COVID-19, and this is despite the company hiring 100,000 new workers during the start of the pandemic.

Each Big Tech company has been under microscopic eyes to watch their COVID-19 response. Many people and entities expect actions from them regarding the pandemic, with their resources and many capabilities to deliver. However, there was a case in Amazon where its warehouses hid the total number of workers with positive issues at one point.

Early this year, Amazon already cut off the paid leave for workers by half for the five days they will be away to deal with their positive case of COVID-19. Despite the recommended number of quarantine days being 14, as per many health organizations.

Now, it is entirely cutting off the paid leave, and it would no longer consider it for those catching the virus during these times.

Related Article: Amazon Alexa Voice Data Tracking Might Lead To Privacy Issues; How To Prevent It?

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
After Twitter's initial ban on him last year for spreading misinformation about the 2020 US presidential elections, MyPillow CEO and avid Donald Trump supporter Mike Lindell was once again banned from the social media platform after making a return.

(Photo : Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

DELAWARE, OH - APRIL 23: Mike Lindell, political activist and CEO of MyPillow, attends a rally hosted by former President Donald Trump at the Delaware County Fairgrounds on April 23, 2022 in Delaware, Ohio.

The ban, according to BusinessInsider, is due to Twitter's "ban evasion" policies. He created a new account and posted this message:

"Hello everybody, I'M BACK ON TWITTER. My only account is @MikeJLindell! Please RT and FOLLOW to SPREAD THE WORD."

Aside from the message, Lindell's tweet also apparently included a video proving that it is, in fact, him who owned the account. Here's what he said in the video."

"All those other ones are fake accounts and they've been using my name out there, so we started this account. Please share with everybody you know, let everybody you know, so we can get the word out at Twitter in case they do take it down. Thanks a lot for helping out."

But around three and a half hours after posting the tweet, the MyPillow CEO's new account was suspended permanently. As previously mentioned, him creating a new account was a violation of Twitter's rules on ban evasion.

Those rules state that nobody can circumvent permanent suspensions in any way, due to their "severe" violations of the platform's rules. This includes Twitter having the right to permanently suspend any other account that they believe is the same owner or entity who created it in violation of the social media platform's earlier suspension.

Lindell has been permanently banned from Twitter since January 2021. His ban was due to continuously spreading false claims of election fraud since November 2020. He's also reportedly used his account to ask former president Trump to do things like "impose martial law," or calling the victory of current president Joe Biden the "biggest election fraud in history," as reported by Vox.

Months after getting banned, he attempted to launch his own social media platform called "Frank" which has still not taken off to this day.

Read Also: Twitter is Working on Unmentioning Feature That Allows Users to Remove Themselves From Conversations

The Reasons For Lindell's Brief Return To Twitter

It is now known whether Lindell was well-aware of Twitter's ban evasion policy. But as the original Business Insider report says, he decided to rejoin the platform because there were other accounts pretending to be him.

He says that he put up the new account to let people know that none of the other accounts using his name are legitimate. Aside from that, he also mentioned that he's still working on his own platform, Frank Social, which as of April 2021 is not really working as intended according to CNET.

Either way, this latest high-profile Twitter ban is the first since the social media giant was purchased by Elon Musk for $44 billion. With the purchase, Musk plans to take Twitter private - meaning its shares will no longer be traded on any stock exchange moving forward.

Related Article: Twitter 2022: How to Delete Your Twitter Account

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
When Elon Musk decided he wanted to buy Twitter, he had grand plans for its future. One of these is the desire to authenticate all human users on the platform (i.e., give every single user a blue check beside their name). However, one American journalist thinks this is a bad idea.

(Photo : JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Elon Musk pauses and looks down as he speaks during a press conference at SpaceX's Starbase facility near Boca Chica Village in South Texas on February 10, 2022.

Columbia University's Bruce Shapiro (who serves as the executive director of the university's Dart Center for Journalism) says that Musk's take on free speech is a "primitive libertarian notion" of it. He, of course, refers to the Tesla CEO's plan to make Twitter the world's "digital town square where matters vital to the future of humanity are debated," as reported by ZDNet.

Shapiro furthers by saying that the Tesla CEO's idea of free speech is giving freedom to anyone who has the loudest voice and the resources/drive to shut everybody else up. He claims that this is more of a "bullying model" which ends up turning Twitter into a place for "jeering culture wars," as well as one that suppresses "more reasoned voices."

The aforementioned journalist made these claims in a recent guesting on ABC Radio.

But Shapiro is not the only one who has a horse in the race. As per the original ZDNet report, authenticating all humans on Twitter is something similar to the Australian government's plan to combat trolling with the so-called Anti-Trolling Bill.

With every human user on Twitter authenticated, nobody will be truly anonymous. You can basically sue anybody who you deem has defamed you in any way, because their real identity is bared out there for all to see due to the blue check mark.

Even Twitter itself has raised concerns about the Australian bill, saying that it could have troubling effects on user privacy and would be terrible for minority communities, specifically the LGBTQIA who use anonymity to raise concerns about important matters (via ZDNet).

Elon Musk has not commented on this issue yet.

Read Also: Elon Musk's Twitter Plan To Charge Companies for Embedded Tweets | Shares Opinion About Far-Left People

Why Does Elon Musk Want To Authenticate Human Twitter Users In The First Place?

In a report by Fortune, the multi-billionaire's reason for wanting this is simple: get rid of bots and spam accounts that have been plaguing the platform for years. By doing so, this will discourage anyone who might want to build a bot or troll army for any reason.

(Photo : ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP via Getty Images)

The Twitter logo is seen on a phone in this photo illustration in Washington, DC, on July 10, 2019.

But then again, critics like Bruce Shapiro are sounding the alarm regarding the implications of this ruling. They say it contradicts the Tesla CEO's desire to make Twitter a free speech haven by forcing anonymous whistleblowers to reveal their identity, which can endanger their lives. This is even more pronounced if the said whistleblower lives under an authoritarian regime, among others.

Another potential reason is stopping bots from doing things like monitoring crypto tweets to steal the contents of crypto wallets. Either way, the polarizing business mogul's plans for the social media giant are laid bare for all the world to see.

Related Article: Twitter Mass Deactivation Creates Follower Count Fluctuations

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Written by RJ Pierce

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
While the skies will still be dusky and waiting for dawn to unfold, streaks of shooting stars will light up the sky that even the casual observer will be able to witness its full glory.

(Photo : SERGEI GAPON/AFP via Getty Images)

A long exposure picture shows a Perseid meteor crossing the night sky and stars trails above the ruins of a medieval castle in the village of Kreva, some 100 km northwest of Minsk, on August 12, 2019.

The Eta Aquarid meteor shower offers a spectacular meteor shower for the month of May. It will be particularly visible before dawn on May 5, according to Bill Cooke, who heads NASA's Meteoroid Environment Office.

The skies could witness up to 50 meteors per hour during its peak, Cooke told Space.com. This spectacular display will be of medium brightness but the darker the skies, the brighter they will be.

If stargazers want to bask the shower in its full peak, they will be required to stay overnight on May 4 and May 5 and for better viewing, they have to be in an open field where they are away from the city lights that can disrupt the view.

Read Also: Space Events 2022: NASA Missions, Meteor Showers, and More You Need to Watch Out

All About the Spring Meteor Shower

This spring meteor shower occurs every year in May, it is only one of the two annual showers caused by pieces of Halley's Comet. The second one is the Orionid meteor shower which is displayed in the sky during October.

The Eta Aquarids are named after their radiant point in the constellation Aquarius, which is near the vicinity on one of its brightest stars called Eta Aquarii.

However, Space.com noted that the meteors did not came from Aquarius, the placement of the radiant there was only an orbital coincidence and only guides observers to the appropriate point in the sky.

The meteors are remnants of litter left behind by Comet Halley, the most famous periodic comet that passes by every 76 years.

This comet's history traces back to at least 273 B.C., based on the information provided by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Halley's Comet also holds historical significance since it arrived in 43 B.C., a year after Julius Caesar was infamously murdered in Rome.

It is worth noting that the Eta Aquarids do not produce as many meteors per hours compared to the Perseid meteor in August that usually shows 50-100 meteors, this also happens to be the most anticipated shower display every year.

However, scientists note that Aquarids are still bright, if not brighter. According to Cooke, the meteoroids or the bright dust grains themselves are only about a millimeter across and it will have no probability of touching the ground.

How and Where to Witness the Display?

Since the meteors will come from Eta Aquarii, viewers from mid-northern latitudes will not witness that much radiance in the sky. Hence, they need a dark-sky site with a relatively clear southern horizon to fully enjoy the display.

If the skywatcher is located near the equator, they will have the best views because the Aquarius constellation is more present in the Southern sky. Observers from Miami will have a better view that those in New York or San Francisco.

Observers from the Southern Hemisphere will also revel in the full glory of the Aquarids since its radiance will be prominent in the North. While watchers from the Northern Hemisphere have to look lower on the southeastern horizon to witness the display.

To locate the constellation with accuracy and ensure better viewing, here are some of the apps that can guide you:

Cooke recommends the viewer to lie flat on their back and look straight up to enjoy the widest view in the sky.

Related Article: James Webb Space Telescope Shows Never-Before-Seen Images of the Cosmos

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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The web3 company Yuga Lubs, which founded the Bored Ape Yacht Club, just rocked the whole Ethereum blockchain after many users flooded to purchase the NFTS representing virtual plots of land for its upcoming metaverse project called Otherside.

(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 09: Images are displayed on the roof at the grand opening of the Bored & Hungry pop-up burger restaurant, which uses NFT art for its branding, on April 9, 2022 in Long Beach, California.

Read Also: Latest Bored Ape NFT Heist Nets Hackers $3 MILLION In Tokens

A Historical NFT Mint

Over 55,000 Otherdeeds were sold at a flat price of 305 ApeCoin, which costs around $5,800 during the time of purchase, according to data provided by Coin Telegraph. The project collected about $320 million and logged the "largest NFT mint in history." However, the gas fees costed millions in fees.

The Otherdeeds are minted in BAYC's native ApeCoin, which is the Yuga Labs' cryptocurrency, however, it still requires Ethereum for gas fees.

These fees are paid for the transaction on the Ethereum blockchain and they usually increase when the network gets heightened traffic, since it would mean more work to process a transaction.

Since there was a flood of transactions during the Otherdeed mint, this meant that gas fees were up as well. In a report by Coin Telegraph, they cited Reddit user u/johnfintech who noted that some buyers shelled out from a range of 2.6 ETH or $6,500 to 5 ETh or $14,000 that were solely spent in gas fees.

This means that the gas fees were more than twice the value of some Otherdeed NFTs. In total, buyers paid about $123 million to enable their transactions on the Ethereum blockchain.

"Turning Off the Lights on Etherium"

When the mint ended, Yuga Labs took to Twitter to apologize for the delays in their transactions and increased gas fees.

"We're sorry for turning off the lights on Ethereum for a while. It seems abundantly clear that ApeCoin will need to migrate to its own chain in order to properly scale. We'd like to encourage the DAO to start thinking in this direction," the company wrote.

They added that they were "aware [that] some users had failed transactions due to the incredible demand being forced through Ethereum's bottleneck. For those of you affected, we appreciate your willingness to build alongside us - know that we've got your back and will be refunding your gas."

Due to the disruption, it caused the transactions on Ethereum-linked services to be slower and ultimately caused the Ethereum transaction tracker, Etherscan, to crash. The failed transactions caused several minters to lose thousands of dollars to gas fees but Yuga Labs promised that they will refund the money that they have lost.

The company also noted that this has been the largest NFT mint in history and acknowledged that the gas prices were attributed to a high demand beyond anyone's "wildest expectations," which they did not expect at all.

Yuga Labs reported raising $450 million in funding for the Otherside in March, which is a decentralized metaverse that consists of components of gamification. There is still no clear prospect about this project but the mint showed that users were willing and excited to invest in the project.

Related Article: Bored Ape Yacht Club NFT Sells for Record-BREAKING $2.9 Million-Beating SoTheBy's Recent Auction

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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
[Pick] I thought I was going to have an accident Why was he found not guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol?
Scott Wester, center, former chief executive officer for Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, speaks at The Advocate's 2020 Economic Outlook Summit, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020 at the Manship Theatre. Wester, who spent 14 years as OLOLs president and CEO before stepping down in February, has accepted the same position with Memorial Healthcare System in Florida, one of the largest public hospital systems in the United States.
Some retired teachers would be allowed to return to work for double the current rate under a bill that won House approval Monday 96-0.

The measure, House Bill 22, next faces action in the Senate, which approved a measure last month 33-0 that would allow select teachers to return and retain their full retirement benefits.

That plan, Senate Bill 434, is awaiting action in the House Retirement Committee.

Retired teachers who return to classrooms could see double pay under this bill A bill that would double what retired public school teachers could earn if they return to the classroom breezed through the House Retirement C

Under current rules, former teachers can return to the classroom and collect 25% of their final average compensation.

The House-passed bill would raise that to 50%.

"We have a critical teacher shortage that has arrived at our doorstep," said Rep. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge and sponsor of the legislation.

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Rep. Larry Bagley, R-Stonewall, who said he may be the lone retired teacher in the Legislature, asked Edmonds why he limited the pay ceiling to 50%.

How to tackle teacher shortage? Some lawmakers say retirees could ease the problem Louisiana's teacher shortage is growing more urgent, and some state lawmakers want to try to lure retired teachers back to the classroom by of

Edmonds said he concluded that was the highest amount likely to win final approval in the Legislature.

Officials have said that, if the bill becomes law, teachers who pursue the opportunity will likely work select hours to extend their value before they reach their salary ceiling.

The House added an amendment offered by Edmonds that would narrow the list of eligible teachers to those certified to teach math, science, English language arts and any teacher's aide.

The bill would be in effect for three years and apply those who retired before Dec. 31, 2021.
Forget the hand-wringing over preferences in under-threat Liberal seats including Tim Wilsons Goldstein and Josh Frydenbergs Kooyong. Higgins MP and potential future frontbencher Katie Allen has been forced to execute a monumental backflip after issuing how-to-vote cards preferencing a United Australia Party candidate who has since gone bad. Very bad.

After last weeks ballot draw, Allens office reported UAP candidate Ingram Spencer to the federal police for allegedly acting aggressively towards people and scaring everyone. Days later, he was arrested for allegedly using a carriage service to harass someone and placed behind bars ahead of a first court hearing later this week.

Katie Allen in her Tesla, specially branded for the campaign. Credit:Katie Allen Twitter account

So imagine the surprise among Higgins Liberal members and broader constituents when tens of thousands of them received Liberal how-to-vote cards instructing them to preference Spencer, a QAnon-following Vladimir Putin admirer, ahead of Labor and the Greens.

Allen, a paediatric allergies specialist, called Labors candidate for Higgins, infectious diseases doctor Michelle Ananda-Rajah, a national disgrace for questioning the efficacy of AstraZeneca in February 2021. No doubt she would also have strong opinions on Spencers social media postings.
The Drovers Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson 

(MA) 108 minutes

Leah Purcell has been living with Molly Johnson for a long time. She took up residence in Purcells imagination when Henry Lawsons short story The Drovers Wife was read to her in childhood.

She drew heavily on Lawsons creation for her 2016 play about Molly, winning a clutch of drama awards for its production at the Belvoir. Then came a novel and this film with Purcell as director and star.

The Drovers Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson is a passion project for Leah Purcell, who also wrote and directed the film.

Its a raw slice of colonial life that stands alongside Jennifer Kents The Nightingale, another film that looks at Australian history from a female perspective. Although the violence here is less extreme, both films revolve around a woman who forms an unlikely alliance with an Indigenous man in her efforts to withstand white injustice. In The Nightingale, hes an Aboriginal tracker. In The Drovers Wife, hes on the run from the authorities, who accuse him of murdering a white family.
Well, the red carpet is over, the celebs are locked inside and I assume everyones being forced to listen to Lin-Manuel Miranda rap about the industrial revolution.

If youre just coming to the blog now and wondering what you missed, the answer is Kim Kardashian. She completely eclipsed everyone by wearing the iconic dress that Marilyn Monroe wore when singing Happy Birthday to JFK. Its an inspired choice and a pretty exhilarating moment in pop culture history that, truly, no one else could pull off.

The other talking points of the red carpet include a surprise cameo from Hillary Clinton (her first Met Gala appearance in 21 years), a huge entrance from Lizzo, and a deeply unsettling appearance from Amy Schumer in which she yelled about vibrators (I would explain this further if I could).

Sadly, Rihanna was a no-show but hey  there is far more upsetting news in the world right now. In its final moments, the hype around the Met Gala was severely undercut with leaked news coming down the Supreme Court has privately voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that protects abortion rights.

Theres a real dissonance on peoples social media feeds right now between this and the light-hearted discussion of celebrity fashion and, to be honest, its surreally on brand for the gilded age theme.

Inside, the wealthy celebs are having a big beautiful party. Outside, everyone else is scrambling for their basic rights. Yikes.
A Melbourne-led team of researchers has uncovered crucial biological signs that indicate when a child has developed life-threatening complications from COVID-19.

The discovery will help aid the development of early diagnostic tests and global treatment for rare but serious complications that can occur in children soon after they have been infected with coronavirus.

Lead researcher Conor McCafferty, a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, said until now it had remained unclear what caused some children to develop serious complications after they were infected with coronavirus. Credit:Wayne Taylor

The research focused on understanding the blood-clotting and immune system triggers for paediatric multi-system inflammatory syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The former, commonly known as MIS-C or PIMS-TS, can cause dangerous inflammation of organs including the heart and brain in children, while the latter causes severe lung disease.
A serving Special Air Service soldier supporting war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith in his defamation case has said he drank from a prosthetic leg trophy taken from a dead Afghan man because it appeared to be the done thing.

Person 27, who described himself as a good friend of Roberts-Smith, gave evidence in the Federal Court on Monday about a key mission in Afghanistan in 2009 during which the leg was souvenired by Australian soldiers and subsequently mounted in their unofficial bar, the Fat Ladys Arms.

Ben Roberts-Smith outside the Federal Court last week. Credit:Oscar Colman

Roberts-Smith is suing The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Canberra Times for defamation over a series of articles in 2018 that he says portray him as a war criminal who was involved in the unlawful killing of Afghan prisoners.

The newspapers are seeking to rely on a defence of truth and allege Roberts-Smith was involved in six unlawful killings of Afghan prisoners including two during the 2009 mission. Under the rules of engagement that bound the SAS, prisoners could not be killed.
A senior Deakin University lecturer has faced court charged with one count of murder following the death of his wife on Saturday night.

Prominent media and communications academic Dr Adam Brown was taken into custody on Saturday after the death of his partner in Croydon North on Saturday night.

Emergency services were called to the Patrick Avenue address about 10.15pm after reports of an assault.

Paramedics treated the 35-year-old woman at the scene, but she succumbed to her injuries and died shortly after. Brown was taken into custody and charged with murder on Monday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out holding a referendum on enshrining an Indigenous Voice to parliament in the Constitution if he is re-elected, declaring it is not his governments policy.

Morrison was quick to shut down the prospect of a national vote as an Indigenous-led campaign to make the referendum an election issue was launched with the backing of corporates and philanthropists around the country.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison shut down the prospect of a referendum on an Indigenous Voice while campaigning at a retirement village in the seat of Corangamite, south-west of Melbourne, on Monday. Credit:James Brickwood

Its not our policy to have a referendum on the Voice, so why would I be doing that? Morrison asked while campaigning at a retirement village in the seat of Corangamite, south-west of Melbourne, on Monday.

The Voice to parliament would be a body enshrined in the Constitution that enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide advice on policies that affects their lives. It emerged from the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart as Indigenous Australians preferred form of constitutional recognition, which John Howard first promised during his 2007 election campaign.
Victorias election-year state budget will be handed down on Tuesday by Treasurer Tim Pallas, with $250 in cash to ease the cost of living for every home and a fix for the health crisis to be announced.

So far, we know the government will splash $250 for every household that compares energy deals in what is expected to save seven-in-10 households an average $330 a year in bills.

The rebate, announced on Monday and available from July 1, is designed to encourage people to find a cheaper deal online or by phone and is expected to cost $250 million.

This is a key cost-of-living measure. Its practical, its common sense, Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday. Lets help people shop around and get the best deal, and lets incentivise them to do so.
LABOR GROUPS RAISE HAND OF HONTIVEROS

Labor groups raised the hands of Team Robredo-Pangilinan (TROPA) at Araneta Coliseum on Labor Day, one week before the elections.

Sentro, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Nagkaisa, Partido Manggagawa, Workers for Leni comprised of Alliance of Labor Leaders for Leni (ALL4LENI), National Trade Union Congress, and BPO Workers for Leni came together on Labor Day to support the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Francis Pangilinan and their Senatorial slate.

Moreover, the ALL4LENI alliance is composed of various labor groups such as Federation of Free Workers, Filipino American Human Rights Alliance (FAHRA), National Union of Bank Employees, National Union of Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry in the Philippines, and the Unified Filipino Service Workers.

Hontiveros has been a longtime ally of these groups. Their partnership and support has been key to passing legislation like the Expanded Maternity Leave Act that increased the number of paid maternity leave days from 60 days to 105 days.

Should she be re-elected, Hontiveros says she will prioritize labor legislation under her advocacy of 'Healthy Buhay at Hanapbuhay', to aid in the recovery of the workforce after the pandemic. Hontiveros added that with the leadership of VP Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan in Malacanang, age-old labor and wage issues can finally be tackled head on.
Undated file photo showing a group of people thought to be illegal immigrants in Dover, Kent, England. (Gareth Fuller/PA Media)

254 Illegal Immigrants Arrive in Dover After 11-Day Pause in English Channel Crossings

Following an apparent pause of 11 days, more than 250 people entered the UK illegally on Sunday by crossing the English Channel in small boats.

The UKs Ministry of Defence confirmed that seven boats and 254 people were detected crossing the channel during the day.

The figure includes boats and people that landed in the UK and those intercepted at sea by British authorities and brought into the UK.

It doesnt include people intercepted by French authorities while attempting to cross the Channel.

There is believed to have been an 11-day break in activity around the Channel from April 20 to 30, when no crossings were recorded amid reports of strong winds and choppy seas.

By Sunday, at least 6,947 people had reached the UK this year after navigating busy shipping lanes from France in small boats, according to data compiled by the PA news agency.

That is more than three times the amount recorded this time last year (2,004) and over six times the figure for the same period in 2020 (1,006).

Typically there can be periods of several days or weeks without illegal immigrant crossings throughout the year, often depending on weather conditions.

The longest period without any crossings so far in 2022 was 16 days, between Jan. 27 and Feb. 11, PA analysis of government figures shows.

More people believed to be illegal immigrants were seen onboard a Border Force vessel on Monday morning.

A group of people thought to be illegal immigrants onboard a Border Force vessel are brought in to Dover, Kent, England, on May 2, 2022. (Gareth Fuller/PA Media)

On Thursday, the UKs Nationality and Borders Bill became law, making it a criminal offence to knowingly enter the UK illegally, punishable by up to four years of imprisonment.

People smugglers facilitating illegal entries can face life imprisonment, and those who arrive illegally in the UK who could have claimed asylum in another safe country can be considered inadmissible to the UK asylum system.

The new law also includes powers to process asylum seekers overseas. On April 14, the government unveiled a new deal with Rwanda, which would see illegal immigrants relocated to the African nation for processing, in a bid to deter illegal entry into the UK.

A government spokesperson said: The rise in dangerous Channel crossings is unacceptable. Not only are they an overt abuse of our immigration laws but they also impact on the UK taxpayer, risk lives, and our ability to help refugees come to the UK via safe and legal routes.

Speaking on the campaign trail ahead of the local elections, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said, Nobody wants to see anybody making that perilous journey across the Channel and everybody wants to crack down on the criminal gangs that are driving this, adding, The best way to do that is to have an international coordinated criminal response.

PA Media contributed to this report.
American Lawyer Appeals to Hong Kongs Top Court After Serving Jail Time and Deportation

U.S. lawyer Samuel Bickett Vows to Never Give Up on Overturning Wrongful Conviction

An American corporate lawyer who was deported from Hong Kong after serving prison time for assaulting a plainclothes police officer during the 2019 protests said he has applied to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal to continue challenging his conviction.

Samuel Phillip Bickett, 38, a former compliance director at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, was charged with assaulting a police officer during the Anti-Extradition Law Movement in 2019 and was sentenced to four and a half months in prison.

Although Bickett completed his prison sentence, he maintains his innocence and said the prosecution was politically motivated. Even after being deported to the United States in late March, he says he intends to challenge his conviction up to the Court of Final Appeal.

On April 24, Bickett said on Twitter that he had officially applied to the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal to appeal [his] wrongful 2021 conviction. Although not optimistic, he said that it would be the first Court of Final Appeal hearing directly addressing police abuses during the 2019 unrest.

Meanwhile, he encourages donations to his cause as the appeal could cost up to $89,000.

Some may wonder why I am bothering to appeal now. I have already completed my prison sentence, the Hong Kong authorities have expelled me from the city, and the citys justice system is in shambles. But as a lawyer and advocate for the rule of law, I am determined to fight using every means possible to hold those responsible for my mistreatment accountable for their actions. This appeal is the next step in that effort, Bickett explained in his statement on Twitter.

Bickett: Defendants Point of View Not Considered by the Courts

The appeal documents (pdf) raised many questions and pointed out procedural anomalies during his hearing. For example, neither the trial court nor the Court of First Instance considered the rationality of self-defense from the defendants perspective, but instead focused on the motives of off-duty police officer Yu Shu-sang. Also, the courts appeared biased in many instances.

Bickett, the former compliance director at Bank of America Securities, was on his way to dinner in late 2019 when he saw a man hitting a teenager with an extendable baton and stopped to intervene. The assailant turned out to be an off-duty police officer but did not identify himself as such when repeatedly asked, the Washington Post reported.

The man in the altercation with the teenager was later identified as Yu Shu-sang. Footage shows him later lunging at Bickett, the defendant, with his baton in his right hand before falling over a railing. Bickett then attempts to wrestle Yus baton away, pinning and hitting him in what Bickett said was an act of self-defense. Yu never produced a warrant card and identified himself as a police officer only after arresting Bickett, according to the report.

Bicketts Sentence

Bickett served more than six weeks behind bars before the High Court granted him bail last August pending his appeal, but he returned to jail in February to serve the remainder of his sentence after the court dismissed his appeal, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

Following the courts decision, Bickett served another six weeks before he applied for early release on the grounds of good behavior, successfully reducing his original 4 and a half month sentence by one-third.

The High Court rejected Bicketts self-defense claim. Instead, the judge found it entirely natural and appropriate for the officer to strike the defendant with the metal rod to stop the latter from snatching the weapon, especially when he was overpowered and outnumbered by a hostile crowd, according to SCMP.
A protester throws a projectile at a window of Edifice Viger during a May Day march in Montreal on May 5, 2022. (Courtesy of Joshua Gariepy)

Anti-Capitalist Protesters in Montreal Commit Vandalism, Attack Police During May Day March

Black-clad Antifa-type protesters taking part in a May Day demonstration in Montreal smashed windows, scrawled graffiti, and attacked police in what has grown to be customary for this yearly event.

Anti-capitalist protesters gathered at Canada Place around 5 p.m. in the downtown area and started their march at 5:45 pm. Fifteen minutes later, the demonstration started turning ugly with acts of vandalism and rocks thrown at police, reported La Presse.

Notice to the crowd: due to many offences committed during the demonstration, the SPVM is ordering people to disperse immediately, wrote the Montreal police service on Twitter.

The event was organized by the far-left group Convergence of Anti-capitalist struggles (CLAC) under the theme Colonial and ecocidal, capitalism is war!

The group defended the vandalism in a statement posted on its website.

Protesters legitimately targeted symbols of capitalism and colonialism like Google, the Palais des congres [Convention centre], and many banks. Together, we have proven to them that theyre the ones who should now be fearful, the statement said.

A video posted on Twitter shows protesters throwing objects at Edifice Viger near Old Montreal and attempting to prevent the holder of the camera from filming.

Police deployed tear gas to break up the demonstration, while the CLAC complained the police action was disproportionate and prevented them from completing their route.

SPVM spokesperson Mariane Allaire Morin said that 12 criminal offences related to the protest are under investigation, including seven counts of mischief, four armed assaults against police, and one assault against police. One arrest has been made for armed assault against police.

Two police officers and one bystander also sustained minor injuries, Allaire Morin said.

Another event for the International Workers Day in Montreal organized by labour unions and community groups took place without issue.

Previous years May Day events organized by the CLAC have seen similar scenes in Montreal with protesters attacking businesses and law enforcement.

In 2021, the protesters marched in residential areas far from downtown, but police broke up the demonstration when it became unruly, with nails being placed in the street to pierce the tires of police vehicles, reported La Presse.

Similar violent events involving like-minded protesters also took place this year in Berlin and Paris.
Apple Accused of Breaking EU Competition Laws Over Digital Wallets

European Union regulators have accused Apple of breaking the law by stifling competition in markets for mobile wallets, a move that could lead to billions of dollars in fines.

The European Commission (EC) said in a May 2 statement that it had sent a charge sheet known as a statement of objections to Apple, alleging that the tech giant had abused its dominant position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices, restricting rivals access to the detriment of consumer choice.

We have indications that Apple restricted third-party access to key technology necessary to develop rival mobile wallet solutions on Apples devices, EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said, noting that a preliminary finding determined that Apple may have restricted competition to the benefit of Apple Pay, the companys own mobile wallet solution.

If confirmed, such a conduct would be illegal under our competition rules.

Less Choice for Consumers

The EC said in its statement that its initial findings were that Apple had abused its dominant market position for mobile wallets on iOS by reserving access to NFC technology to Apple Pay.

This has an exclusionary effect on competitors and leads to less innovation and less choice for consumers for mobile wallets on iPhones, the statement reads.

While the regulators didnt specify what penalty they would seek for Apple if the preliminary findings of the anti-trust probe are confirmed, it made clear that Apples actions could amount to a violation of EU antitrust laws, with a potentially hefty fine.

Breaches of the EU competition rules could lead to a fine amounting to 10 percent of Apples total global turnover, which in 2021 was $365.8 billion, meaning Apple could be hit with a fine of roughly $36.6 billion.

Apple didnt respond to a request for comment by press time, but the company has previously stated that it limits third-party access to its contactless payment technology in order to bolster security.

Vestager rejected Apples security argument, however.

Our investigation to date did not reveal any evidence that would point to such a higher security risk, she told a press conference in Brussels. On the contrary, evidence on our file indicates that Apples conduct cannot be justified by security concerns.

European Union competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager speaks at a press conference in Brussels on May 2, 2022. (Virginia Mayo/AP Photo)

Apple told The Associated Press in a statement that it will continue to engage with the Commission to ensure European consumers have access to the payment option of their choice in a safe and secure environment.

The company also told AP that its digital wallet service is one of many payment solutions available to EU consumers and that it has ensured equal access to its NFC technology.

Apple will now have the opportunity to review the documents in the ECs digital wallet anti-trust probe and can request an oral hearing before regulators to present its comments on the case.

The development marks the second EU charge against Apple after regulators last year accused the company of distorting competition in the market for music streaming.
A customer holds the new green-colored Apple iPhone 13 Pro inside the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue in the Manhattan borough of New York City on March 18, 2022. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

Apples Supply Chain Issues Are Investor Distraction Vortex and Blown Out of Proportion: Analyst

Problems with Apple Inc.s supply chain have been blown out of proportion according to Gene Munster, Apple analyst and co-founder and managing partner at Loup Funds.

Munster said in a note published on April 29 that the tech giants supply chain issues are in fact an investor distraction vortex after the company predicted a decline in performance for its third quarter of fiscal 2022, ending in June.

The company based the forecast on persistent global supply chain disruptions.

We believe our year-over-year revenue performance during the June quarter will be impacted by a number of factors. Supply constraints caused by COVID-related disruptions and industrywide silicon shortages are impacting our ability to meet customer demand for our products, Luca Maestri, chief financial officer at Apple Inc., said during an April 28 earnings call detailing the companys second-quarter results.

The company said it expects supply constraints to impact sales by $4 billion to $8 billion, noting that this is substantially more than it experienced during the March quarter.

Apple CEO Tim Cook noted that the majority of the supply constraints are centered around its corridors in Chinas financial hub of Shanghai, which has been hit with strict COVID-19 lockdowns, and that this applies to most of the companys product categories.

The COVID-related disruptions are also having some impact on customer demand in China, Maestri said.

However, Munster said he believes the topic has been blown out of proportion, despite phone manufacturers experiencing shortages of components sourced in China.

The conversation of supply chain is important because it masks the pace of intrinsic growth, making it difficult to discern the health of the business, Munster wrote. I believe the topic has been blown out of proportion, now somewhat of an investor distraction vortex, as is evidenced by the number of times Apple has mentioned supply chain on earnings calls.

The analyst pointed to the impact that supply chain issues have had on the tech giants revenues since the June quarter of 2021, noting that the supply chain headwind has a pendulum effect.

Munster said supply chain issues will often improve, only to worsen in a subsequent quarter.

Over the past year, the supply chain has delayed about $27B in revenue or about 6 percent of total sales, he wrote.

Munster believes that Apple makes the best consumer tech products in the world and that its customers are willing to wait to get their hands on them or wait for upgrades, as opposed to looking elsewhere for competing products.

This, Munster says, is why Apples growth revenue for the second quarter ending March 26 was at $97.3 billion, up 9 percent from the same period in 2021, despite global economic uncertainty. That figure was also higher than Wall Streets expectations of 4 percent.

Apples global phone sales revenue was at $50.6 billion for the second quarter, a record for that period and a year-over-year growth of 5 percent, although iPad revenue fell 2 percent.

The companys revenue from wearables, home, and accessory products also increased by 12 percent to reach a March quarter record of $8.8 billion.

As long as Apple continues with its mission to create the worlds best consumer tech products, the supply chain topic isnt going away anytime soon, Munster said.
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson Open to 2024 Presidential Bid

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson admitted in a recent interview that he is considering running for president even if Trump enters the race.

Youve got to get through, of course, this year. But thats an option thats on the table, Hutchinson told CNN on May 1 when questioned about the possibility of a 2024 presidential run. When asked whether he would still campaign if Trump runs, the Arkansas governor insisted that the former presidents candidacy is not a factor in his decision-making process.

Ive made it clear: I think we ought to have a different direction in the future  I think he did a lot of good things for our country, but we need to go a different direction.

Trump has yet to announce whether he will run for a second term at the White House but has indicated toward it. Hutchinson, who is also the chairman of the National Governors Association, has been at odds with Trump on several issues.

Last April, Hutchinson vetoed a bill that aimed to block gender reassignment surgeries. The Arkansas governor justified his decision by stating that the bill was the first law in the nation that invoked the state between medical decisions, parents who consent to that, and the decision of the patient. The veto drew strong criticism from Trump.

The governor just vetoed a bill that banned the chemical castration of children. Bye-bye Asa, thats the end of him! Trump said. Fortunately for the Great State of Arkansas, Sarah Huckabee Sanders will do a fantastic job as your next Governor!

After the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, Hutchinson said that he wanted the Trump administration to end even though he didnt join calls for the former presidents resignation. He also warned that if Trump is the issue in the 2022 midterms, the GOP would lose the elections.

Hes not on the ballot and we have to be the party of ideas and principles that are relevant to whats happening in our country today. We cant be revisiting what happened last election and we cant relitigate that, Hutchinson told The Associated Press.

In addition to Hutchinson, several other GOP members are also considering running for the 2024 presidential elections. This includes Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is also considering running for the post. However, Haley has said that she would stand down if Trump joins the race.

In the CNN interview, Hutchinson took a jab at DeSantis, stating that he opposes the Florida governors push to punish Disney after the corporation opposed the states law that bans teachers from discussing sexual orientation and gender identity among school kids from kindergarten to third grade. Last month, DeSantis ended Disneys special tax status in the state.

I dont believe that government should be punitive against private businesses because we disagree with them, Hutchinson said. To me, thats the old Republican principle of having restrained government.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a Liberal Party rally on Day 13 of the 2022 federal election campaign, at Tumbi Umbi, on the NSW Central Coast, Australia, on April 23, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Australian PM Criticised for Support of Abortion Laws That Have Seen Born-Alive Babies Die

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been criticised for stating he is proud that Australia is globally recognised for its current sexual and reproductive health laws, which allows late term abortions without protections for babies born alive from the procedure.

George Christensen, a former member of the Australian House of Representatives, on Saturday published a letter Morrison sent to him in March 2021 regarding Christensens proposal for a Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill.

At the time, South Australia had just become the last state in the country to partially decriminalise abortion, making the procedure legal in late term pregnancy if doctors believe certain conditions are met, such as psychological, physical, or social factors such as the inability to afford more children or domestic violence.

Citing 237 incidents of babies being born alive during late term abortions in Queensland and Victoria, the Children Born Alive Protection Bill sought to require medical practitioners to take action to save such babies or face significant financial penalties and probable deregistration.

Responding to Christensens bill, Morrison wrote that he recognised the depth of the concern raised, but noted that access to abortion services is the responsibility of states and territories and subject to their respective legislation.

This access is an important element of the reproductive and sexual health services the Commonwealth Government supports for Australian women, and we continue to work with states and territories on the availability of safe and legal abortion Australia-wide, the letter read.

Morrison added that his government is committed to protecting and promoting the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls, without acknowledging the rights of dying babies to life-saving medical care.

I am proud that Australia is globally recognised in this spaceit is a core part of our foreign policy and aid program, and we advocate on these issues in international fora.

It was not the first time that Morrison, who identifies as a Pentecostal Christian, distanced himself from the controversial issue. In the 2019 election, Morrison declared that he holds conservative views on abortion, but refused to enter the debate in New South Wales about decriminalising abortions.

The letter has sparked disappointment among conservatives, with political activist and former managing director of the Australian Christian Lobby Lyle Shelton decrying Morrisons support for the killing of unborn babies, saying the position is incompatible with the Christian idea that humans are created in the image and likeness of God.

This is why Christians have fought for the voiceless and the right to life from conception to natural death, he wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

It comes following a pro-life rally in Brisbane on Saturday, which attracted about 2,000 Queenslanders and included notable guests such as Liberal National Party Senators Amanda Stoker and Matt Canavan, One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts, and Christensen.

Speaking at the event, Stoker said that many women are pressured into having abortions from fearful messaging, and having no other easily accessible options for support.

We should be providing care and support for those women, so they know that terminating their pregnancy is not their only option, she said.

It is just wrong that our society seems to be more ready to condemn cruelty against a dog or a cat than it is a human child, even one that is old enough to be capable of life outside the womb.

The opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) did not offer much point of difference on its abortion policies in terms of safeguards to protect the rights of the unborn, revealing in early April that its health policies will not be the same as those taken to the election in 2019, when it backed a plan to make taxpayer-funded abortion services available nation-wide.

However, during the ALPs Special Platform conference in 2021, Labor declared it commits to expanding access to contraception and termination, and that the party recognises that there are unique barriers to access these services.

Labor will work to improve sexual and reproductive health for all Australians and supports the rights of individuals to make decisions regarding their reproductive health, particularly the right to choose appropriate contraceptives and termination or to continue with their pregnancy.

The Epoch Times has contacted Albanese office for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.

The Pauline Hanson-led One Nation Party, however, advocates a pro-life policy, such as reigning in the gestational limit for abortions, banning sex-selective abortion, implementing counselling and other safeguards for women considering an abortion, banning the use of aborted baby organs, and requiring medical care for babies born alive during an abortion.

On its website, the conservative party stated it acknowledges the scientific fact that a human beings life begins in the womb and that they were horrified when state governments passed legislation which legalised abortion up until birth for any reason.

This law is one of the most extreme in the western world, it added.

Australia has decriminalised abortion in all jurisdictions, with NSW and South Australia legalising the practice in 2019 and 2021 respectively.

In NSW and South Australia, abortion is accessible up to 22 weeks, and after 22 weeks if through a specialist medical practitioner given certain circumstances. Tasmania limits on-demand abortions to 16 weeks of gestation.

In Victoria, a woman can access abortions on demand up to a gestational limit of 24 weeks. Beyond 24 weeks, two medical practitioners are required to approve that the procedure is appropriate given the circumstances.
Baby Kidnapped by Authorities Over Missed Medical Appointment, Attorney Says

Baby Cyrus was taken away from his parents by authorities on the same day his mother canceled a childs periodic medical checkup appointment because she was not feeling well, said Diego Rodriguez, grandfather of baby Cyrus.

The baby was returned to his parents after seven days in state custody, thanks to the irresistibly strong support of people, organizations, and some lawmakers, Rodriguez told on EpochTVs Crossroads program.

Baby Cyrus, raised by Rodriguezs daughter Marissa and her husband, had been exclusively breastfed until he reached about seven and a half months, at which point the parents started introducing him to solid foods, Rodriguez said.

The baby did not tolerate solid foods well and started throwing up, the grandfather continued, so the parents started seeing different doctors and specialists to diagnose the babys digestive problem.

At one point, the baby was hospitalized and the hospital performed all kinds of lab tests on the baby trying to figure out the cause of this food intolerance, but could not find anything wrong, Rodriguez said.

[The hospital] even said by their own admission that as far as the lab tests are concerned and a blood test, hes one of the healthiest babies theyve ever seen.

The hospital then discharged the baby with a clean bill of health and wanted to do some reviews on him, Rodriguez said. Cyrus was dismissed from the hospital on Friday and the following Monday visited the Functional Medicine of Idaho for the reviews recommended by the hospital, the grandfather continued the story.

The review went fine and the next visit was scheduled for Thursday, he said. However on Wednesday, Cyrus got sick again and threw up, so on Thursday the nurse practitioner who was doing the review determined that baby Cyrus had lost 35 grams, which is like 1.23 ounces, Rodriguez said, adding that the nurse ordered Marissa to bring the baby again for a weight check the next day and the mother agreed.

The next day, Marissa was feeling a little under the weather when she woke up, so she called the medical office to cancel her babys appointment scheduled at 10 a.m., the grandfather said. The medical office called her later but she did not answer the call because she was sleeping, he added.

At 10:20 a.m. on March 11, the nurse practitioner notified Child Protective Services (CPS). The CPS contacted the mother via a text message and sent two police cars to escort her with the baby to a center for victims of abuse, but the father of baby Cyrus refused to go there, Rodriguez explained.

Since the mother started feeling better, she wanted to visit the familys friend who was a former police officer to talk to him about this unexpected turn of events, Rodriguez said. She was obviously rattled by this point.

The family had dinner with their friend at his house but when they left, they realized that their truck was followed by the police into a gas station around the corner, Rodriguez said.

You can see on the video at that point of time, [the police] take my son in law, they pull them out of the truck, slammed them up against a truck, handcuffed them, take them off, arrest my other daughter sitting in the front seat  you can see in the video exactly how they mistreated her, abused her, falsely accused her, and then arrested her for no reason whatsoever.

Miranda Chavoya, Marissas sister said on EpochTVs Crossroads program that the police tried to arrest her first because they mistakenly took her for Cyrus mother.

When she asked the police what crime she had committed and refused to step out of the truck, policemen forcibly dragged her outside, Chavoya said. After the policemen realized their mistake they still arrested her for resisting and obstruction, she added.

People at the gas station started filming the police action, Rodriguez said, adding that he was also filming.

Marissa was asked to enter the ambulance with baby Cyrus and was promised that she would not be separated from her baby, the grandfather said. Once the mother entered the ambulance, the EMT officer demanded she give Cyrus to the EMT and threatened her with arrest if she did not comply, Rodriguez explained, adding that the scene inside the ambulance was also recorded on video.

The EMT officer told Marissa inside the ambulance according to the video: You have one option at this point. You need to give him [baby Cyrus] to the EMT and you can go on your merry way with your friends and your family.  Or I remove him from you and you go to jail. You need to make that decision.

I wont let him go, Marissa answered and the officer took away her baby, according to the video.

They cant do these things in front of the cameras, the grandfather said. Theyre not afraid of breaking the Constitution, theyre not afraid of harming people  theyre afraid of cameras, Rodriguez noted.

After they forcibly ripped baby Cyrus out of her hands, they handcuffed her and took her outside where they humiliated and groped her, which was also filmed, Rodriguez said. Male officers patted her whole body down, putting their hands up her shirt, her blouse, down her pants, and rubbing around.

The Epoch Times reached out to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the Functional Medicine of Idaho for comment.

Baby Cyrus Reunited With Parents

On the same night, Ammon Bundy, a good friend of Rodriguezs family, went with other people to the hospital where the baby was being held to protest the kidnapping of Cyrus, Rodriguez said.

Bundya well-known activist who is running for governor of Idaho as an independentdemanded from the hospital to give baby Cyrus back, but he was arrested there for trespassing, the grandfather said, claiming that Bundys arrest was illegal based on a video recording of that event.

Bundys arrest became national news and so did the baby Cyrus story, Rodriguez said. The next morning, we send out alerts to everybody we know. We have a fairly visible following here with some political action that weve already done here before.

The next morning, there were over 400 people at the hospital protesting, and they protested every single day nonstop for seven days, the grandfather said.

The hospital was inundated with phone calls and thousands of emails from concerned people. Legislators whose hearts were involved were talking behind the scenes to the hospital administration and the Department of Health and Welfare, and national interest groups were spreading the information about the kidnapping and also contacted the hospital.

Due to negative publicity nationwide and even worldwide, baby Cyrus was moved out of the hospital into the Department of Health and Welfare, Rodriguez said.

Due to the overwhelming number of phone calls, emails, and hundreds of protesters outside, the institution said that they could not operate as normal and gave back baby Cyrus to the parents after seven days, Rodriguez said. But he is technically the legal property of the state of Idaho, simply under the current care of his parents until the next adjudicatory hearing, which is on April 8.

Chavoya said that the support they received at that time gave our family so much strength to get through everything happening that week [and helped] everybody to maintain clarity of mind, because [kidnapping Cyrus] was just a shock.

Legal Aspects of Removing a Child from Parents

Cyrus parents were placed under a gag order so they could not speak about their childs case. Attorney Colton Boyles, the familys lawyer, said on EpochTVs Crossroads program that this law in Idaho is supposed to protect the parents and the childrens privacy. So if the parents want to waive their and their childrens privacy, Boyles said, then he is not aware of any other legal argument preventing the parents from speaking about the case in public.

Rodriguez said that based on his findings medical kidnapping by the state is truly state-subsidized child trafficking. Child trafficking is defined as the forceful taking of a child from his parents or family and putting [it] into the hands of somebody else for profit, he explained.

What weve determined the reason why this happens is because every state in the union, all 50 states get paid by the federal government when a child is taken out of the custody of his parents by the state.  Once they place that child into foster care, they get a secondary payment.

If the child is kept in foster care, the state gets paid every month, Rodriguez clarified further.

What foster care parents get from the government is only a small percentage of the amount of money the state gets from the federal government for that child care, he added.

Boyles said that he would agree with Rodriguezs assessment under certain circumstances and added: I would go so far as to say its a state and federal funded kidnapping system.

The attorney emphasized, however, that it is medical kidnapping, not trafficking. Its a subsidized medical kidnap, which could lead to trafficking.

We need to have a system to police it because we know theres vulnerable people there, Boyles said.

There is a Ninth Circuit Court precedent long-standing for 20 to 30 years that does not permit law enforcement to remove a child from parents without a court order unless serious bodily harm is imminent, Boyles said.

To prove that the child is safe should be the responsibility of the law enforcement, not the parents, Boyles explained. This has long-term, traumatic potential for this family, both the parents and the children. So I really just feel like innocent until presumed guilty should be the standard here and not the other way around.

Ella Kietlinska Reporter Follow Ella Kietlinska is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on U.S. and world politics.
Back to the Sedition Act of 1798

Commentary

For years, we were told that social media is privately owned so its curation cant be called censorship; its just management. Then, we found out that they were working hand-in-glove with government, so the problem became murkier.

Now the next step is in place: the federal government has created a Disinformation Governance Board operating out of the mega-bureaucracy Department of Homeland Security and headed by an ideological fanatic who loves lockdowns and loathes free speech.

Will the office be political? Thats the whole point. We know this from U.S. history.

The U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1789, complete with a First Amendment to guarantee the right of free speech. You might think that would be the end of the story. In fact, only nine years later, the very idea of free speech got its first test with the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798.

For all the tendencies these days to celebrate (or condemn) the Framers devotion to human liberty, there were always splits and splits within them. It proved too tempting even for many among them to use violence to crush dissent with brazen attacks on free speech.

Under the guise of stopping enemies and shoring up the authority of the federal government, the Sedition Act in particular said:

And be it farther enacted, That if any person shall write, print, utter or publish, or shall cause or procure to be written, printed, uttered or published, or shall knowingly and willingly assist or aid in writing, printing, uttering or publishing any false, scandalous and malicious writing or writings against the government of the United States, or either house of the Congress of the United States, or the President of the United States, with intent to defame the said government, or either house of the said Congress, or the said President, or to bring them, or either of them, into contempt or disrepute; or to excite against them, or either or any of them, the hatred of the good people of the United States, or to stir up sedition within the United States, or to excite any unlawful combinations therein, for opposing or resisting any law of the United States, or any act of the President of the United States, done in pursuance of any such law, or of the powers in him vested by the constitution of the United States, or to resist, oppose, or defeat any such law or act, or to aid, encourage or abet any hostile designs of any foreign nation against United States, their people or government, then such person, being thereof convicted before any court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding two thousand dollars, and by imprisonment not exceeding two years.

Two years in prison for criticizing the president? It happened. It was the law. You might have thought that such an action would be impossible given how fresh were the words of the First Amendment. But the impulse of people in power to crack down and stop the free flow of ideas is endemic to statecraft.

Do you notice that the law doesnt make it illegal to criticize the vice president? Thats because he was Thomas Jefferson, the biggest critic of the Federalists.

The law also provoked public fury that ended up in a surprise victory for Jefferson as president in 1800. The laws were allowed to expire. And the anti-Federalists who were more friendly to trade and limits on government came to power while the centralists and speech controllers were held at bay for another 60 years, until the new challenge came. Then another and another. A new Sedition Act was imposed in 1918 during wartime, and so on it goes.

Under this 1798 law today, probably most of social media would be illegal. Most books on politics wouldnt be published at all. And yet it happened anyway. And yes, people were prosecuted, almost entirely consisting of newspapers opposed to the ruling party (attacks on free speech are always a partisan matter).

Most of us were raised to believe that free speech is one of the most settled principles of law and public policy. We have recoiled at censorships of the past. We acknowledge the freedom to speak as an essential human right. We are taught the legend and lore of the struggle for it in all our years in school.

And all of this is fine  until it is actually exercised, as it is today, thanks to the mass distribution of communication technology. We are finally getting what we always wantedthe universal right and opportunity to reach the universe of humanity in an instant with thoughts of our own choosing.

And it turns out lots of people dont like it.

Its utterly bizarre but true that vast numbers have lost the conviction that freedom for all is better than the attempt to control. We once believed that freedom creates conditions under which truth stands a chance to emerge from the clamor, while the attempt to control ends up politicizing what we are and arent permitted to hear. Yes, freedom doesnt guarantee any particular result, but it does give good results a fighting chance while reinforcing other important things, such as human rights.

These days, thats not good enough for some people.

Whats so striking about these debates is that censorship has never been less viable than it is today. Try to suppress access in one venue and it immediately pops up in another one. Make it clear that some ideas arent welcome here, and you inspire an invisible army of champions of that idea to build yet another venue. You can block, ban, and exclude through known technologies only to have the same pop up in another technology you didnt know about.

And herein lies the brilliance of a decentralized and highly competitive system of information-sharing and distribution. Consider this: From the end of World War II through the Reagan presidency, there prevailed only three television networks. The government itself exercised the primary influence over the content. These networks began to think of themselves as public utilities, a ruling class, a protected elite, and they dispensed canons of the civic religion on a daily basis.

All of that was blown up in the 1990s. The cartel crumbled, creating an avalanche of speech that only grows in power today despite every attempt to crush it. Now the mainstream big media take up only a small percentage of peoples attention relative to the millions of other possible venues. Not even totalitarian regimes have successfully stopped it.

A certain group out there continues to believe that the free-wheeling world of information is the cause of the astonishing election results of 2016. Following 18 full months of dismissing and denouncing the eventual winner, while predicting the certainty of an outcome that didnt happen, the public credibility of the old-line establishment news source hit new lows.

The revanchists in our midst still want to settle scores and are prepared to do that by shredding the First Amendment. The takeover of Twitter by Elon Musk, not to mention the multiplicity of alternative venues, threatens that scheme. Also, its very possible that the latest and most brazen attempts to shut down debate will lead to a public backlash, as they did in 1800.

John Stuart Mill was as correct about free speech as he was about pandemic controls. No authority can substitute for the activity, creativity, and adaptability of the human mind. We need systems that celebrate that, and not attempt surreptitious methods for imposing Orwellian-style thought control.

Ideas are more powerful than armies, and the urge to censor is an implicit recognition of that. Still, it didnt work in 1798, and it surely cannot work in 2022.

From the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
King Mswati III of Eswatini speaks during the 74th Session of the General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept. 25, 2019. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

Beijing Revives Its Coup Against the King of Eswatini

Commentary

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has used the Russia-Ukraine war as a cover to undertake new initiatives in the Indo-Pacific. Still, it has also used the distraction to revive its plan to overthrow the government of Eswatini in Southern Africa.

The elements began coming together again in late April 2022.

Beijing is once again in a position to move against the king of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) now that Eswatinis army was effectively neutralized on April 22 and King Mswati IIIs major defenders removed from positions of power. A successful coup that removes Taiwans most important alliance in Africa would help revive the CCP on the continent.

The CCPs failure to force all remaining states that still recognized Taiwan to shift recognition to China by the end of 2019 was taken by CCP General-Secretary Xi Jinping as a significant insult.

The CCPs intelligence arms, spearheaded by the Ministry of State Security (Guoanbu), working primarily through the Chinese Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, have gradually penetrated the Eswatini Parliament as well as members of the royal family, exploiting their long-term dissatisfaction with the way King Mswati III has reigned. A number of these officials have been identified but have not been prosecuted because of their links to the Crown, although some were retired.

More officials have yet to be identified in the pro-Beijing coup group, which is supported by key elements of neighboring South Africas governing African National Congress (ANC) party, particularly the Youth Wing. Not insignificantly, the anti-monarchy factions in Eswatini have at various stages been known to, and encouraged by, the U.S. Embassy and the United Kingdoms High Commission.

The CCP was thwarted in its attempt in late 2019 to overthrow the monarchyin fact, specifically to assassinate King Mswatiand create a republic that would renounce Eswatinis diplomatic relations with Taiwan (the Republic of China: ROC) in favor of China. However, Beijing subsequently was able to engineer the resignation of the key official who thwarted the coup attempt, the then-commander of the Umbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF), Gen. Jeffrey Tshabalala, and have him replaced by an inexperienced political appointee.

That coup attempt in late 2019 and early 2020 had reached the stage where armed, mostly Lebanese and Israeli mercenaries hired by the CCP had already entered Eswatini while the king was in his annual seclusion. A running operation, spearheaded by the UEDF commanding officer, Gen. Tshabalala, thwarted the operation.

At that point, Eswatini was the only nation-state in Africa that still recognized the ROC. Xi had determined that, by 2019s close, all states recognizing Taiwan around the world would have switched their allegiance to Beijing. Tshabalalas actions thwarted that.

By 2019s end, in fact, there were still several states around the world that recognized Taiwan. And in 2021, another African state, the Republic of Somaliland (albeit not formally recognized by the international community but strategically placed in the Horn of Africa) had opened diplomatic recognition of the ROC.

Swaziland absolute Monarch King Mswati III (L) poses with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen after awarding her with the Order of the Elephant during her visit to the Kingdom of Swaziland at an official ceremony in Lozitha Palace, Manzini, on April 18, 2018. (Mongi Zulu/AFP via Getty Images)

Swaziland News (published, in fact, by opposition elements in South Africa) in early October 2020 published a report that Mashikilisane Fakudze had allegedly held a secret meeting with Prince Lindani at Nkoyoyo where a plot to oust Army Commander Tshabalala was discussed at length.

Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala stretched her traditional powers when she forcefully appointed Fakudze as acting commander of the EUDF. The queen mother is legally the co-regent of Eswatini with her son, the king, and is known as the Indlovukazi (a title roughly corresponding to queen mother, literally translated as Great She-Elephant).

The king, however, has traditionally been the key executive authority, so it was significant that Chinese and South African interests combined their efforts with anti-Mswati elements in Mbabane, the Eswatini capital, to bypass the king in removing Tshabalala. They also worked together to create a scandal to publicly embarrass Tshabalala, causing him to resign to avoid being a political liability to the king.

Lt.-Gen. Fakudze was, in August 2021, then named acting commander of the UEDF after the resignation of Tshabalala. The transition, authorized by King Mswati, was announced by Prince Hlangusempi, the national chief defense officer. It followed significant internal dissent from the group close to the former UEDF commander.

Fakudze, who had no military experience or education (other than as a military lawyer), immediately began moving personnel to break up the efficient apparatus built up by Tshabalala.

It took eight months, but King Mswati, on April 22, was forced to confirm Fakudze as EUDF commander. Fakudze had acted, upon taking acting command, in ways that were criticized by other senior army officers. But for Beijing, Fakudze was perfect, significantly weakening the UEDF and, more importantly, ensuring that Tshabalala was sidelined.

CCP intelligence and political officials, often working through the ANC, have constantly attempted to covertly recruit Eswatini officials and diplomats. At least one senior Swati diplomat, who later was promoted to the key position of secretary of the foreign ministry, was recruited by Chinas Guoanbu, apparently in Singapore. He only recently retired from the foreign ministry and has not been prosecuted.

Several Eswatini members of ParliamentLutfo Dlamini, Marwick Khumalo (Lobamba Lomdzala MP), Victor Malambe (Mhlume MP), Robert Magongo (Motshane MP), and Senator Sylvia Mthethwawere brought to China as official guests of the CCP, as was Senator Prince Magudvulela (a chief at Ntfonjeni in the northern Hhohho region and a member of the large royal family).

An online report in November 2021 said that the chief [Prince Magudvulela] has been given millions of Emalangeni [Swati currency] that are coming from Mainland China to use as bait to the chiefs for them to turn against the king.

The prince denied that he had attempted to stir other chiefs into opposition to the Crown, and there was no subsequent evidence that any chiefs of the Swati had agreed to oppose the king.

The Eswatini Observer, on Nov. 28, 2021, noted the following:

The [online] article mentioned that Khumalo and Magongo were openly supporting the revolt while Malambe and Mthethwa have suffered a change of heart and were keeping a distance from the activities related to the undermining of the countrys authorities. It was also mentioned that Prince Magudvulela had been chosen to try and influence the chiefs because he was also a chief, responsible for the Ludzibini Chiefdom in Northern Hhohho Region.

According to the [online] article, Prince Magudvulela is also promising the chiefs that they will be paid a monthly salary if they do go against the countrys authorities. Magudvulela is telling the chiefs that he will have a very prominent role in the government that will be set up by Mainland China and will therefore make sure that the promises made to the chiefs are kept.

Prince Magudvulela was part of the pro-change faction, which attended a meeting in late 2021 with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) team led by South African President Cyril Ramaphosas special envoy, Jeff Radebe.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, speaks during a panel discussion at the 2022 Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb. 18, 2022. (Alexandra Beier/Getty Images)

Bill Gates Proposes Global Surveillance Pact With WHO to Spot Pandemic Threats

Former worlds richest man Bill Gates called for a global surveillance team headed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to spot pandemic threats.

Speaking to the Financial Times over the past weekend, the Microsoft co-founder said that more money is needed to prevent a future pandemic from emerging. At the same time, Gates claimed that he believes WHO is the only organization that can run such an operation.

Gates warned that as the conflict in Ukraine dominates international policies, leaders shouldnt lose focus on COVID-19, the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

It seems wild to me that we could fail to look at this tragedy and not, on behalf of the citizens of the world, make these investments, Gates told the paper. The amount of money involved is very small compared to the benefit and it will be a test: can global institutions take on new responsibilities in an excellent way, even in a time period where U.S.-China [relations are] tough, U.S.-Russia is extremely tough? he also asked.

Gates then claimed that less [sic] than 10 full-time people are working on pandemic preparedness at WHO, saying that those people are distracted with many other activities.

The current WHO funding is not at all serious about pandemics, added Gates, who is due to release a book titled How to Prevent the Next Pandemic.

Since the start of the pandemic, Gates has repeatedly touted vaccines. But in February 2022, the billionaire asserted that the Omicron COVID-19 variant moved faster than vaccines in creating a higher level of natural immunity.

Sadly, the virus itself, particularly, the variant called omicron, is a type of vaccine, that is, it creates both B-cell and T-cell immunity, and its done a better job getting out to the world population than we have with vaccines, he said at the time. That means the chance of severe disease, which is mainly associated with being elderly and having obesity or diabetes, those risks are now dramatically reduced because of that infection, exposure.

In 2020, former President Donald Trump said the United States would halt funding to WHO and said that the U.N. health organization failed in its basic duty and it must be held accountable. WHO, he added at the time, promoted the CCPs disinformation about COVID-19, which likely led to a more significant outbreak than would have otherwise occurred amid reports that WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has a cozy relationship with the Chinese regime.

Later, WHO again courted controversy after it blamed animals for the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan, China, amid allegations that the virus may have emerged from a top-security bioresearch laboratory located in the city. The WHO largely based its reports conclusion on the organizations own investigative efforts in January and February 2021 as critics noted that the CCP played a role in the probe.

The Epoch Times has contacted WHO for comment.
Melina Abdullah speaks during the BLD PWR and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles final march to the polls in Los Angeles on Oct. 28, 2020. (Rich Fury/Getty Images)

Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Removed from LA Mayoral Debate

LOS ANGELESA Black Lives Matter chapter co-founder and Los Angeles professor was removed by campus police from a Los Angeles mayoral debate on May 1 for not having a ticket to the event.

Melina Abdullah was forcibly removed from the debate, co-hosted by the Pat Brown Institute and the Los Angeles League of Women Voters at California State UniversityLA, for entering the venue without a ticket and declining requests from officers to leave.

In videos uploaded to Twitter, Abdullah can be seen not responding to officers requests for her to leave the venue.

Youre hurting me, youre hurting me, Abdullah can be heard saying. Karen Bass, Kevin de Leon, Mike Feuertheyre hurting me. This is a public university.

Another voice can be heard saying: Why arent people being let in?

Though passes to the debate were not sold, it was hosted live on ABC7.

Shame on you, shame on you, Abdullah yelled to the candidates on the stage. Others began chanting as well.

Other videos show police removing her from the venue and being met outside with 20 to 30 protesters from a progressive activist groupknown as The Peoples City Councildemanding Abdullah be let go and attempting to block officers from walking forward.

This is the city of Los Angeles version of public safety. There was no disruption and four cops picked up Melina and pulled her out. All of this for a mayoral debate, the group wrote on Twitter.

Abdullah took to Twitter, claiming a host of the event had called the police.

Today I attempted to watch the mayoral debate held on the campus where Ive taught for 20 years. As I waited for it to start, the white @PBI [Pat Brown Institute] director called the police on me, Abduallah wrote on Twitter. He and each of the candidates watched as I was brutally removed.

This isnt the first time a mayoral debate has been disrupted by activists. During the first debate on Feb. 22 at Loyola Marymount University, protesters disrupted the event with one charging to the stage before being forcibly removed.

Another mayoral debate on homelessness, which took place at a Jewish temple in LA March 21, ended early due to hecklers entering the temple and screaming at candidates before being removed by security.

Executive Director of Cal State LAs Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs Raphael Sonenshein, the Los Angeles League of Women Voters, Cal State LA, and campus police did not respond to a request for comment by press deadline.
Bruce Pardy: Canadas Charter Was Naive From the Beginning

Commentary

I was having lunch with a friend. She was complaining about the man in her life. He wont take charge in the relationship, she lamented, And when he does, he does it wrong.

Forty years ago, when Canada enacted the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, it asked the courts to take charge of our fundamental rights. They have done so, but they have done it wrong. And unlike my friend, we cannot get out of the relationship.

The Canadian legal system, derived from the British, is based in part upon the principle of legislative supremacy. Parliament and provincial legislatures can generally enact any laws within their jurisdictions as they wish. Before 1982, our constitution included only a few restrictions on those powers. Courts infrequently declared statutes to be unconstitutional, and when they did, usually it was because Parliament or a province had stepped on the others toes. For the most part, courts were limited in their powers and restrained in their approach, and legislative supremacy prevailed.

That changed when the Constitution Act of 1982, including the Charter, was enacted. The Charter contains the nub of a good idea: that some individual rights and freedoms are so important that not even an elected legislature may trample upon them. The Charter was a roster of liberal freedoms, meaning that they protected the autonomy of individuals from the group, as embodied by the state.

These freedoms were largely negative rights, meaning that they prohibited governments from interfering in peoples lives, rather than positive rights, which require governments to take action to provide resources, access, procedures, or the like. Under the Charter, everyone has the freedoms of conscience, religion, thought, belief, opinion, expression, assembly, and association; the right to life, liberty, and security of the person; the right to equal treatment under the law; and more. Legislatures and governments may not infringe these rights unless they are proven to be reasonable limits under Section 1.

But the text of the Charter is vague. What does freedom of expression mean? It might seem simple enough: no laws can limit what you say or write. Except that sometimes they can. If you threaten to beat up your neighbour, your statement is speech but also an assault, for which you can be prosecuted. If you falsely claim that your ex-business partner cheats on his taxes, your statement is defamatory, for which you can be sued. What the Charter appears to say in black and white is not what the Charter means, which lies somewhere in the grey. The vague text does not identify where the line is to be drawn. That task belongs to the courts, which means that courts and not legislatures are now supreme.

Had courts limited themselves to discerning, as best they could, the boundaries of rights in accordance with the original intent of the document, things might have turned out fine. Instead, since 1982 the Supreme Court of Canada has taken for itself the mandate of fashioning social policy. It has done so largely through a progressive lens, slowly transforming what was drafted as a roster of autonomy rights into a mandate for collective values and the priorities of the managerial state.

As reported in the Toronto Star, in his first press conference as the Supreme Courts chief justice in 2018, Richard Wagner agreed that the court was the most progressive in the world, of which he was very proud. In an op-ed published in the Globe and Mail when she was still on the bench, Supreme Court Justice Rosalie Abella wrote that supreme courts are the final arbiters of which contested values in society should triumph. The Constitution is a living tree, the court has frequently asserted, whose meaning it can adjust in accordance with changing circumstances.

In Canada, under the courts reign, freedom of expression does not mean that you may speak your mind, but that the state may prohibit you from discriminating in your speech; equality does not mean that all are subject to the same rules, but that different rules should apply to different identity groups so as to produce equal outcomes; and the Section 1 reasonable limits clause does not mean that rights may only be breached in extreme situations, but that governments may commit proportional infringements whenever the social cause is worthy (in the eyes of the court). Indeed, the court has held that government agencies are entitled to violate Charter rights if they do so in the same of equity.

Courts cannot be overruled except by higher courts and no court is higher than the Supreme Court of Canada. In February, in a Globe column condemning truckers and other Canadians for seeking freedom from vaccine mandates, former Supreme Court chief justice Beverley McLachlin suggested that the only alternative to existing mechanisms of accountability (meaning the courts as they presently exist) is anarchy.

The Charters nothwithstanding clause, rarely used, is no solution to all of this. The clause, which allows Parliament and provincial legislatures to get around certain Charter rights, is a last vestige of legislative supremacy in the Charter context. But legislatures are not reliable champions of freedom either, which was the point of the Charter to begin with. Checks and balances do not protect individual rights when legislatures and courts fundamentally agree that other things are more important.

No mainstream political party disapproves of the constitutional status quo. Trying to amend the Charter is a fools errand subject to the 7/50 formula, which requires resolutions of the House of Commons and Senate and of the legislatures of at least seven of the provinces that together have at least half the population. Even if such a prospect existed, given the current state of Canadian politics, opening the constitutional can of worms would be as likely to make things worse. Canada needs a better constitution, but getting there from here is not presently in the cards.

In retrospect, the Charter seems almost naive. Once someone else has the wheel, where they go is up to them.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Crime Surge in US Is a Direct Consequence of Demoralization of Police: Experts

The dramatic surge in violent crime in many U.S. cities is a consequence of wary and tentative policing in the wake of the summer of 2020 unrest following the death of George Floyd and the efforts of progressive district attorneys to deemphasize enforcement and aggressive prosecution, according to criminologists and experts.

The rise in crime has been particularly pronounced in the nations largest cities. New York Police Department (NYPD) statistics for January indicate that overall crime was up by 38.5 percent compared to January 2021, with some of the highest increases in categories such as shootings (31.6 percent), robberies (33.1 percent), and grand larceny (58.1 percent).

These figures come on the heels of a particularly violent year in 2021. On a national level, murders increased by 5 percent for all of 2021 compared to 2020, and the overall rate was 44 percent higher than in 2019, according to figures from the Council on Criminal Justice.

To be sure, there are many theories as to what drives the surge in crime, and not all experts concur about the scope of the increase. Some criminologists say its necessary to weigh the perceptions of a public shaken by headlines versus the reality of crime figures.

Violent crime in big U.S. cities has unmistakably increased, but the rate of this increase appears to have slowed down. Much of the increased public concern has resulted from the very real increase in murders and other violent crimes in the big cities such as Chicago and New York City, said Heath Grant, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

As is always the case with such coverage, there is a corresponding increase in fear of crime. It is important to remember that the violent crime numbers, including murder, are about half of what they were in the early 1990s, when the country began its very substantial and sustained crime decline.

Other experts dont agree that public perceptions of a sharp rise in crime are misplaced. Heather Mac Donald, an author and fellow at the Manhattan Institute think tank, says that this is a statistical reality, not a perception.

[The year] 2020 saw the largest increase in homicide in this nations historya 29 percent increase over 2019. A nearly 30 percent increase in anything in a year is almost unprecedented, Mac Donald said.

Mac Donald described the rise in crime as occurring in distinct phases. In 2020, the first four to five months saw a rise in violence, an increase that shot up with the George Floyd protests in the summer. She contrasted the crime patterns of that year with 2021 and the first few months of 2022, describing this period as one of full post-George Floyd social breakdown and policing breakdown, with some of the highest homicide rates ever recorded ravaging cities such as Chicago, St. Louis, Louisville, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington.

Mac Donald cited the example of Chicago, where carjackings have grown so common that last year, city officials decided to launch Operation Safe Pump, which set aside certain periods of time for getting gasoline under the protection of private security forces.

So this is by no means a question of perception. The mainstream media have done everything they possibly can to pretend this crime increase is not going on. To the extent people are aware of [the issue], it is not from reporting; its from lived experience, she said.

Crime Victim Demographics

An overwhelming number of the victims of the rise in violent crime are the racial minorities, Mac Donald noted. In 2020 alone, 50 black children were gunned down in drive-by shootings. While some outlets in the mainstream media might seek to portray law and order as a code used to enforce policies favored by Trump voters, it isnt the latter who bear the brunt of the surge in crime.

Because these black kids are being gunned down by other blacks, Black Lives Matter activists dont care, the media dont care, Mac Donald said.

Concurrent with the spike in violent crime, quality-of-life offenses and minor thefts have surged, prompting many retail store chains to lock up their products behind plexiglass barriers or, in some cases, to shut down stores that are vulnerable to crime.

Besides disagreements over the extent of the crime surge, theres a marked lack of consensus among some experts as to what may be pushing crime upward. While some have suggested that progressive measures such as bail reform play a role, others find this explanation wanting.

It is unlikely that these increases are due to progressive policies, although the data are still out on the impact of bail reform, Grant said. For bail reform to be linked to increases in gun crime after the miracle crime drop in New York City, it would have to be shown that it is dangerous offenders, who are not being jailed, are the ones committing these offenses while out and awaiting the completion of their case.

I just have not seen conclusive evidence of this yet.

Grant said myriad risk factors play a role in the increase, such as income insecurity, access to firearms, and gang activity. Pandemic stress, and the anxiety and trauma bound up with it, are additional factors, he said. Lack of support for at-risk youth on the part of schools can also be a factor.

But others categorically reject these explanations and blame the crime crisis on anti-police rhetoric and the stance of some public prosecutors who explicitly reject the tough-on-crime, broken windows approach to policing.

Defund the Police

Michael Alcazar, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and former New York police officer, said it isnt a coincidence that crime has risen sharply in cities where defund the police rhetoric has grown pervasive. In Alcazars view, New York County District Attorney Alvin Bragg is more inclined to work for lawbreakers than for the citizens who elected him.

It sends the wrong message. It definitely emboldens the criminal element, and it also demoralizes police officers. Theyre trying to clean up the city, theyre trying to make those arrests, only to have progressive DAs release criminals without bail. Theyve made a decision not to prosecute minor crimes, and its not working for New York City, Alcazar said.

He noted that he knows police officers who have resigned because of either COVID-19 or the defund the police rhetoric. With the doctrine of qualified immunity, which has long shielded from prosecution police officers who have had to exercise force against lawbreakers, now under attack, many cops are unsure they will be indemnified even if their actions are lawful and reasonable.

They might come under investigation; they might be terminated, fired, reprimanded, or suspended. When police officers are suspended, they lose their health benefits and their pay, Alcazar said, noting that this is particularly problematic for officers struggling to support families while COVID-19 lingers.

The leadership is partly to blame, but you also have this anti-police sentiment, and people dont feel that they can trust the police and rely on the police.

Alcazar said a number of his students have come to him for advice about their career choices, and hes reluctant to advise them to pursue police work in the current climate.

Representatives from Braggs office didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

In Mac Donalds view, the increasingly accepted doctrine of disparate impact, which holds that its necessary not just to consider the objective soundness and fairness of a law or policy, but to look at how its enforcement affects various demographics and sectors of society, has done much to render law enforcement weak and ineffectual.

Thats why were not enforcing the law; thats why were not incarcerating people; its all to avoid disparate impact on racial minorities, she said.

The doctrine turns people away from pursuing policies that may seem objectively sound.

Any neutral, colorblind law enforcement is going to have a disparate impact. You can either enforce the law in a colorblind, constitutional manner and save lives, or you can avoid disparate impact, stop enforcing the law, and live with the consequences of crime increases, Mac Donald said.

She concurred with Alcazar about the effect of the reigning doctrines on law enforcement. Not only are officers leaving the profession in large numbers, but recruitment has become a challenge because no one wants to be branded as a racist on the first day on the job, she said. Police officers have grown passive and tend to limit their actions to responding to 911 calls after a crime has been committed.

When they get out of a car now, theyre surrounded by hostile, jeering crowds putting smartphones in their faces. And weve seen that the threat of riots hangs over every jury. Then you have the progressive prosecutors who have announced, You can shoplift, you can loot, you can resist arrest, and were not going to prosecute you, Mac Donald said.
Defendants Seek Acquittal From Whitmer Kidnap Conspiracy Charges

Two of the men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 have filed a motion for acquittal following a federal jurys failure to reach a verdict against them.

The motions from Adam Fox and Barry Croft Jr. follow a federal jurys April 8 decision to find Wolverine Watchmen Daniel Harris and Brandon Caserta not guilty of conspiring to kidnap Whitmer. Jurors failed to reach a verdict on Fox and Croft.

Prosecutors immediately announced their intention to retry Fox and Croft, but those men filed motions on April 22 for U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker to grant them a judgment of acquittal.

In their separate motions, Fox and Croft reiterated arguments theyve made since their October 2020 arreststhat they were entrapped into the conspiracy by federal law enforcement. Foxs attorney, Christopher Gibbons, said testimony from undercover informants during the trial provided further evidence of entrapment.

[FBI informant Dan Chappel] admitted that he had suggested looking for the Governors vacation house on August 9, 2020, and that he had invited Adam Fox to go along on the ride. Dan also admitted that he had the realtor app on his phone to find the Governors address, not Fox. Dan admitted that he had provided the paper and pen to Fox on which Fox drew the infamous map,' he said.

Dan also admitted that Adam Fox did not keep the map and that he had personally taken the map and given it to the FBI.

Gibbons also argued that the government had failed to prove its case against his client.

During the trial, the government produced evidence that Adam Fox was prone to speaking offensively, making objectively anti-government statements, and juvenile remarks casually advocating violence, he said.

All of this evidence was intended to create the inference that Adam Fox was engaged in a sophisticated, paramilitary exercise designed to kidnap the Governor. The Government did not provide any evidence that Fox was even communicating with any of the other Defendants to agree, plan, or otherwise pursue the kidnapping of the Governor. The evidence presented by the Government was insufficient.

Crofts attorney, Josh Blanchard, said another trial would violate the double jeopardy clause, which is the principle that government shouldnt be allowed to make repeated attempts to convict an individual for an alleged offense.

He also argued that the governments case against his client was further diminished by the not-guilty verdict of Harris, who was alleged to have conspired with Croft about blowing up a bridge as part of the plot. Since Harris has been acquitted of possessing an explosive device, then Croft should be, too, Blanchard said.

In acquitting Mr. Harris, the jury necessarily determined that either the device was not a destructive device or that Mr. Harris did not know that the device was a destructive device,' he said.

If the conclusion was that the device was not a destructive device, the government should be precluded from relitigating that issue, and Mr. Croft is entitled to an acquittal. If, however  the jury determined Mr. Harris did not know the object was a destructive device, Mr. Croft is still entitled to an acquittal because the government failed to present any more evidence regarding Mr. Crofts knowledge of the status of the device as compared to Mr. Harris.

Prosecutors havent responded to the defendants, nor has Jonker set a date for the motions to be heard. A sentencing hearing for Kaleb Franks, who pleaded guilty to the charges in February, is scheduled for June 8.

The federal trial is separate from a state case involving defendants Joseph Morrison, Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar, who are accused of providing material support to the kidnap plotters. Their trial is set to begin in September.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at The Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 24, 2022. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

DeSantis Says He Wont Encourage Twitter to Move to Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is not interested in Twitter moving to Florida because it would increase the cost of living for other Floridians, he told reporters on May 2.

DeSantis said even though Florida has done very well, over the last few years he is only interested in attracting businesses that are producing things.

Importing some tech company from San Francisco has not been high on our list, DeSantis said in Jacksonville. When technology companies like Twitter relocate, they drive up the cost of living for existing residents, and the state is instead focused on attracting industrial and manufacturing businesses.

The Florida governor made the comments after the states Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis advocated the move on social media and in an April 5 letter to Elon Musk, and Jacksonvilles Mayor Lenny Curry also called on Musk to relocate his newly acquired company to the Sunshine State.

I think it would be a great landing spot, Curry said on April 28 to reporters. Were really on the map of a lot of companies representing a lot of employees. A lot of access to talent in the area. So again, come on Elon.

Florida Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis addresses the media in Ponte Vedra Beach on March 31, 2022. (Screen Shot, Courtesy of The Florida Channel)

Patronis wrote in his letter that he would introduce Musk to the states business development arm and help him find the perfect place to start relocating Twitter headquarters to Florida and also tweeted out a Florida sunset inviting Musk to the state.

However, Florida is not the only region courting Musk to move jobs out of California, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott publicly urged Musk to move Twitter to the Lone Star State.

@elonmusk. Bring Twitter to Texas to join Tesla, SpaceX and the Boring Company, the Texas governor posted on the social network.

DeSantis said he is supportive of what Musk is doing for Twitter and said that it would benefit the states retirement system which owns Twitter stock.

He also said it was a good move in that the Twitter platform has been used as a tool to enforce narratives and stifle dissent.

He said the social media outlet was born to be an open platform.

Im very supportive of what Elon Musk is doing, DeSantis said. He will make that company more valuable; I have no doubt about it, but I dont want to import that necessarily into the state of Florida.

DeSantis said that he is looking to attract more industry rather than tech firms.

Id rather have more jobs that will actually be rooted in this state, he said.

Were working on some good stuffsome good manufacturing and weve done very well with aerospace  and Elon has been a part of that.
(L) U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks on banning stock trades for members of Congress at news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 7, 2022. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (R) 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)

Elon Musk Tells Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Stop Hitting on Me After She Takes Swipe at Billionaire on Twitter

Elon Musk told Democratic lawmaker Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) to stop hitting on me on Friday after she took aim at what she called a billionaire with an ego problem.

The representative for New York took to Twitter where she took a swipe at a billionaire who she said controls a massive communication platform but stopped short of specifically naming Musk, who is acquiring the social media site for $44 billion.

Twitters board of directors accepted Musks proposal of $54.20 per share in cash last week after previously resisting the offer, paving the way for the businessman to embrace his vision for freedom of speech and expression within the law on the social media platform.

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.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 26, 2022

Tired of having to collectively stress about what explosion of hate crimes is happening bc [sic] some billionaire with an ego problem unilaterally controls a massive communication platform and skews it because Tucker Carlson or Peter Thiel took him to dinner and made him feel special, Ocasio-Cortez wrote.

In response, billionaire Musk wrote: Stop hitting on me, Im really shy, alongside a smiley face.

Ocasio-Cortez then responded to the Tesla CEOs comment in a now-deleted post, writing, I was talking about Zuckerberg but ok.

The Epoch Times has contacted Ocasio-Cortez for comment.

Tesla CEO Musks response to Ocasio-Cortez appeared to be in reference to a string of posts she shared on Twitter back in December in which she claimed that her Republican critics were mad because they wanted to date her.

If Republicans are mad they cant date me they can just say that instead of projecting their sexual frustrations onto my boyfriends feet, the lawmaker wrote in the post alongside a photo of her and her boyfriend enjoying a drink outside an establishment in an unknown location.

Her comment was in response to former Trump advisor Steve Cortes, who shared the photo of the lawmaker and her partner while noting that she had gone on vacation to Florida and was seen without a mask covering despite urging people to wear them to help protect against COVID-19.

Ya creepy weirdos, she added to the post.

The exchange between Musk and the democratic lawmaker came after it was revealed that Musk sold nearly $4 billion worth of Tesla shares last week shortly after agreeing to purchase Twitter.

According to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Musk got rid of roughly 4.4 million shares of the electric vehicle company for about $3.9 billion.

The majority of the share sales occurred on April 26 and 27, just days after Twitter accepted his offer, and sales prices ranged between about $872 and $999 per share.

Musk later revealed on Twitter, shortly after the filings were made public, that he had no further TSLA sales planned after today but did not provide further details as to why he sold the shares.

However, his deal to purchase Twitteralthough it still needs to be approved by regulatorsultimately requires cash.

According to Musk, he has so far secured $46.5 billion in funding commitments to finance the takeover, including $25.5 billion in debt financing through Morgan Stanley and other financial firms. He has also committed to providing $21 billion in equity financing.
Elon Musks Twitter Gambit and What It Means to the Clique in Power

Commentary

Elon Musks bid to take over Twitter and turn it into a private company has apparently been successful. Now the real action begins. Musks buyout exposes the Big Digital media complex to unwanted and unwonted competition, while threatening to loosen its near-total control of information and opinion. Twitter has represented a vital component in an information configuration that has barred competitors and participants from the digital sphere by means of progressive criteria, including wokeness, political fealty, and obedience to official state dictates and narratives.

The response to the Twitter takeover by the arbiters of acceptable expression has been as hysterical as it has been swift. The New York Times, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Media Matters for America, members of the establishment professoriate, and other experts have rushed to fortify the defensive forces against free speech.

Angelo Carusone, president of Media Matters, described the sale of Twitter to Mr. Musk as

a victory for disinformation and the people who peddle it. Musk could unleash a wave of toxicity and harassment and undo Twitters efforts to increase quality engagement and make its platform safer for users . This potential deal is about much more than the future of Twitter. A sale to Elon Musk without any conditions will pollute the entire information ecosystem by opening the floodgate of hate and lies. Twitters board needs to take this into account now before the deal is done.

Despite the special pleading for safe spaces, Carusone is right about one thing. The deal is about more than the future of Twitter. As if it wasnt already obvious, the Twitter boards earlier attempt to foil Musks seizure of the company with a poison pill betrayed the true nature of the Big Tech cartel member. It has not operated as a for-profit, free-market competitor but rather as a vital component in a carefully curated monopolistic information bubble that it has helped to cultivate and maintain, and within which it has not needed to compete.

Musks commitment to free speech has raised the hackles of the establishment gatekeepers, who ironically figure free speech as a threat to democracy. Alluding to Twitters state functions, California State East Bay professor of communication and history Nolan Higdon said that Musks acquisition makes democracy less and less likely to work as its designed. Democracy here does not mean equal representation in the public sphere but rather the preordained domination of a particular democratic ideology. This ideology is defined by the imperatives of diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are expressed in terms of acceptable and protected identities and politics.

Human rights groups fret that Musks commitment to free speech will endanger supposedly beleaguered identity groups, who will be harmed by other peoples speech given the possibility that Twitters restrictive algorithms will be overwritten. Regardless of who owns Twitter, wrote digital rights researcher and advocate at Human Rights Watch Deborah Brown, the company has human rights responsibilities to respect the rights of people around the world who rely on the platform. Changes to its policies, features, and algorithms, big and small, can have disproportionate and sometimes devastating impacts.

The claim that speech can harm others of its own accord is by now the typical pretense of the special snowflake totalitarian for shutting down the speech of those deemed intolerable. Meanwhile, the New York Times relentlessly smears Musk and with FT has announced a timely expose on the automobile mogul. And rumor has it that woke advertisers may orchestrate a full-scale boycott of Twitter.

But much more is at stake than reining in errant opinion or disciplining a supposedly renegade capitalist like Musk. Big Digital companies like Twitter have assumed oversight and control functions formerly accorded governments. These functions have been delegated to such corporate assets as Twitter, Facebook, Google, YouTube, and others, thus deputizing them as state agents while augmenting the power and penetration of the state. These governmental functions include shaping the political field itself.[1]

Twitter has operated as a political-state apparatusa propaganda, censorship, and (dis)information agent for the state, the state defined by Henry Hazlitt as the clique in power. Allowing one of these major assets to fall into the wrong hands jeopardizes those functions and casts new doubt on the regimes ability to squash dissent and control the population.

Note:

1. The term political field, defined by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, refers to a particular kind of social terrain: a bounded space of struggle over political power that is structured by rules of access, where resources are differentially distributed among players and the set of legitimate positions on questions of government is constrainedthat is, some political positions are beyond the boundaries of legitimate discourse. (Stephanie Lee Mudge, THE STATE OF THE ART: What Is Neo-liberalism?, Socio-economic Review 6 (2008): 70331, esp. 707.)

From Mises.org

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen testifies during a hearing before the Communications and Technology Subcommittee of House Energy and Commerce Committee, on Capitol Hill in Washington, on Dec. 1, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Facebook Whistleblower Optimistic About Musks Twitter Move, Says He Can Take Feedback Better Than Zuckerberg

Meta Platforms Inc Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, who leaked Facebook documents last year, has said that she is cautiously optimistic about Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musks Twitter Inc acquisition.

During a recent interview, Haugen said that Musks plans to take Twitter private could give him the chance to change up the companys business model and prioritizes user safety.

She said Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has surrounded himself with people who tell him what he wants to hear. But in comparison, she believes Musk is better able to take hard feedback and make meaningful changes.

Also Read: Former Facebook Product Manager Warns Of Potential Perils Of Meta-Sponsored Metaverse

Haugen also said that the number one thing Musk can do to improve Twitter is institute real transparency.

Musk has said he wants to open source Twitters algorithm, which will make it more transparent to people outside the company.

The Tesla CEO has also said he wants to emphasize free speech on Twitter.

One of the key parts about a system as critical as Twitter for our democratic processes is whether or not people trust that the system is fair. And right now, I would say that trust in Twitter is a little bit in flux, Haugen said.

Here are some of Haugens recent tweet on the Twitter takeover and Musks views on it.

Removing it from the public markets gives us new options that arent censorship. https://t.co/zyhbeukRJR  Frances Haugen (@FrancesHaugen) April 26, 2022

Ad biz = Twitter had to weigh every product safety change vs small declines in usage or user numbers. Ex bots are the most dangerous disinformation factor  they retweet and amplify disinformation Removing bots = fewer users,  wall streets perceived value of Twitter  Frances Haugen (@FrancesHaugen) April 26, 2022

Also Read: Facebook Whistleblower Says She is Fine Financially Because Of Buying Crypto At The Right Time

Photo: Heinrich-Boll-Stiftung on flickr

By Bibhu Pattnaik

 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
FDA to Discuss Child COVID-19 Vaccine in June; Moderna, Pfizer Request Emergency Use Authorization

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced tentative June dates for the meeting of its advisory committee to discuss authorizing COVID-19 vaccines for young children below the age of 5.

FDA has set aside June 8, 21, and 22 for virtual meetings of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. The agency will discuss updates on Modernas and Pfizers requests for Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for their COVID-19 vaccines targeting younger populations, the FDA said in an April 29 statement.

At present, children 5 and up can be vaccinated in the United States, leaving 18 million children below the age of 5 who arent approved for a COVID-19 vaccine.

The agency is committed to a thorough and transparent process that considers the input of our independent advisors and provides insight into our review of the COVID-19 vaccines, said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. We intend to move quickly with any authorizations that are appropriate once our work is completed.

The FDA announcement comes after Moderna asked the agency to grant an EUA for its COVID-19 vaccine for children as young as 6 months old.

The EUA submission is for two COVID-19 doses of 25 micrograms each for age groups 6 months to 2 years and 2 years to 6 years. However, in the case of Moderna, vaccine efficacy for the 6-months to 2-years group was only 51 percent, with the other group showing an efficacy rate of just 37 percent.

As the company has acknowledged, they still need to submit additional data to complete its request, an FDA spokesperson previously told The Epoch Times. 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.

Vaccinating children against COVID-19 is a hotly debated topic, with some strongly arguing against it, since the demographic is the least affected by the pandemic.

Natural immunity provides a much more durable and broader protection for children than vaccines, Dr. Liz Mumper, a pediatrician and former medical director of the Autism Research Institute, said in an interview with the nonprofit organization Childrens Health Defense.

If a child contracts COVID-19, they not only dont need the vaccine but also might be at higher risk of adverse effects if they are subjected to them, the doctor warned.

If kids dont need the vaccines, we do not want to give them the vaccines because we do not have long-term studies on the side effects, and the short-term information we have is actually quite a bit concerning to me, Mumper said. The interview host pointed out that the COVID-19 survival rate among children is 99.98 percent.
Firefighters respond to an industrial fire that threatened a Perdue Farms facility in Virginia on April 30, 2022. (Chesapeake, Virginia Fire Department)

Firefighters Respond to Industrial Fire at Perdue Farms Food Processing Facility

First responders responded to an industrial fire that threatened a Perdue Farms facility in Virginia over the past weekend, according to a local fire department.

Chesapeake firefighters battled an industrial fire this evening at Perdue Farms in the South Norfolk area. Plant operators reported a fire in [a] large soybean processing tank, said the Chesapeake Fire Department in a social media post on Saturday. Water was applied and the fire brought under control in approximately one hour.

It added that there is much work that remains to be done in dumping materials from the tank. Officials told WTKR-TV that the damage caused by the fire will have little impact on the Perdue plants operations.

The fire comes in the midst of heightened awareness about fires and explosions reported at food processing plants across the United States, which were notably highlighted in a Tucker Carlson segment last month.

On April 14, a fire destroyed a food processing plant in the agricultural hub of Salinas, California, officials confirmed. City officials said at the time that an ammonia-triggered explosion sparked the fire at the Taylor Farms Processing Facility.

The most recent fire occurred on April 21 in Georgia, when a plane crashed into a General Mills plant just east of Atlanta, killing two people in the crash, officials told local media outlets. Officials said the plane took off from a nearby airport and appeared to suffer a mechanical failure before crashing into an isolated area of the plant where tractors are located.

Days before that, a fire destroyed parts of the Azure Standard Headquarters in Oregon, local media outlets reported.

While the HQ facility is a total loss, and a few product lines will be affected for the short term, other Azure Standard facilities are operating as close to normal as possible, Azure Standard CEO David Stelzer said in a statement after the fire.

The National Fire Protection Association has said in a report that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 1,210 fires on warehouse properties each year. Fires that were intentionally set and fires caused by electrical and lighting equipment account for about 18 percent of the total warehouse fires, the group stated.

So far, at least 16 food processing plants in the United States have been damaged or destroyed by fires since November 2021.

Matt McKinney, a spokesman for the Food Industry Association, said told The Epoch Times that the U.S. 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 said. 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.
The Goldman Sachs company logo on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on July 13, 2021. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Goldman Sachs Slashes Credit Exposure to Russia

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. reduced its total credit exposure to Russia to $260 million in March from $650 million at the end of 2021, the bank said in a regulatory filing on Monday.

The bank said market exposure tied to Russia and total exposure to Ukraine were not material.

In March, Goldman Sachs became the first major U.S. bank to announce it was retreating from Russia after the country invaded Ukraine.

In a post-earnings call last month, Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Officer David Solomon said the Ukraine conflict had resulted in a net loss of $300 million for the bank in the first quarter.

By Niket Nishant
They could see the flames as soon as the deputies arrived at the three-story Isle of East Millenia apartments in Orlando, Florida, in the early morning hours of April 23. They were just doing their job, but one deputys actions that day saw him hailed as a hero.

And it was caught on camera, for as the officers ran to the blaze and spotted a woman on the third-floor balcony with her 1-year-old daughter, deputy William Puzynski removed his ballistic vests, which had his bodycam fixed to it, and began scaling the building.

His bodycam happened to catch the whole, harrowing rescue.

(Courtesy of Orange County Sheriffs Office, Florida)

Deputy Puzynski managed to climb to the second-floor balcony, stand on the rail, and reach up to the mother, who handed him her young daughter before he scaled back down and handed the baby to his colleague standing on the ground.

She and her grandmother were then brought down to the ground by ladder, courtesy of the Orange County Fire Rescue Department.

The hair-raising footage was later posted on the Orange County Sheriffs Offices Facebook page, where it went viral.

Thankfully, no one was hurt in the fire, nor were any officers injured.

The sheriffs office stated that mother Barbara Elenuss home was destroyed by the fire.

Speaking after the incident, she said, He saved me and my kids, he did, he saved us. And she wanted to thank Puzynski and his fellow officers for their heroism.

On April 27, she, her daughter, and three other children stopped by the Orange County Sheriffs Office to surprise, and hug, the men who saved their lives. The officers presented her and her kids with plenty of toys and supplies.

Some days you come to work and then you go home and you dont really know if you made a difference, said Puzynski. In a situation like this, you definitely feel it.

Humbly, he added that he doesnt consider himself a hero.

He acted in the highest tradition of law enforcement, stated Sergeant Neil Clarke. He put his own safety and life aside in order to save this child and her family.

Barbara and her children are currently staying in a hotel while they recover from the fire.

Deputy William Puzynski reunites with the baby girl he rescued. (Courtesy of Orange County Sheriffs Office, Florida)

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Harvard Repatriations and the Responsibility of Guilt

Commentary

Harvard University is the latest of Americas elite colleges to establish a fund to redress the burden of guilt it says it bears for the legacy of slavery. In doing so, it joins a consortium of 50 other colleges that pledged to address the stain of slavery and the role it played in the lives of their institutions. These colleges clearly believe that because some very bad things happened in the pastsuch as slaverywe remain somehow responsible for the bad actions of our forebears.

The past we have is the past weve got, and we have a duty to understand why things happened as they did. However, while we can learn from the past, we can never go back and undo the past.

Studying history is an important way of coming to terms with the past and understanding why events occurred as and when they did. But to rage against what happened in the past and insist that past wrongs must be redressed today is a mistake.

The Harvard fund was established following recommendations of a new report, Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery, which says not only did slavery comprise a vital part of the New England economy in the 17th and 18th centuries; it was also a practice from which Harvard University, founded in 1636, benefited and accrued substantial wealth until slavery was ended in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1783. It was another 100 years before slavery was abolished in the United States overall.

The report also states the legacy of slavery persisted, both at the university and in American society, well into the 20th century. It urges the university to support descendants of enslaved people, to memorialise them through research and teaching, and thereby to make amends for the wrongs of slavery.

Certainly, the moral stain of slavery is so deep that it is almost indelible. After all, nothing can ever undo the wickedness and harm perpetrated for profit against those who were enslaved and denied fundamental rights and protections. And questions of racism and racial reconciliation continue to be very contentious issues in the United States. Payment of reparations was one of the demands made by Black Lives Matter protesters and also featured as one of the policy themes in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.

Voting rights activists participate in a Freedom Friday March protest as they march toward Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Memorial Bridge in Washington, on Aug. 6, 2021. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Not surprisingly, opinion in the U.S. divides sharply over whether or not it is appropriate to pay reparations to the descendants of slaves. According to a 2020 poll for The Washington Post, 63 percent of Americans opposed paying reparations to the descendants of slaves. Support for reparations was much higher amongst Black Americans (82 percent) than it was among White Americans (25 percent).

But on what basis should reparations be paid in the first place?

Reparations commonly take the form of payments to make amends for injury or harm. Advocates for reparations argue that descendants of slaves continue to endure severe social and economic disadvantages for which they are entitled to be compensated.

However, opponents of reparations say that the real victimsthe slaves, themselvesare no longer living and that no one alive today can be held responsible for what happened. They say it is impossible to assess modern monetary consequences of long-ago iniquities and systems.

There is no question that Harvard University, as an institution some centuries ago, benefited in various ways from slavery when it was legal in Massachusetts. But those who lead the college today obviously had no personal involvement in the practice. Since institutions, as entities, are not moral actors themselves, moral responsibility can be attributed only to individuals.

However, by imposing on todays generation the burden of paying compensation for wrongs committed by past generations, we separate the idea of guilt from the specific actions of the wrongdoer.

Instead, guilt becomes heritable from one generation to another and thereby impossible to discharge. The past must be reckoned with, and this also recognises that the principles we affirm today were not equally admired by our ancestors. But it also means renewing a commitment to address todays causes of social and economic injustice rather than continuing to condemn the wrongs of past ages.

Slavery does persist in parts of the world as an illegal and criminal practice. The United Nations estimates there are some 40 million people held in enslavement todaymany more times the number of those transported from Africa when the slave trade prevailed.

However, as an economic and social institution, slavery is neither practised nor endorsed by any modern liberal society. It is inconceivable that any descendant of those responsible for slavery in the past would endorse the actions of their slave-owning or slave-trading ancestors, and so it makes no sense to lay the burden of guilt and the burden of compensation on the innocent shoulders of those descendants.

What was done in the past is done.

Learning lessons from the past does not mean passing from one generation to the next an ineradicable burden of guilt which can only lead to frustration and resentment.

Rather, those lessons must compel us to ensure that wrongs committed by our forebears are not repeated in the societies in which we live today. When we fail to act today to eradicate the continuing practices from the past we have condemned, not only should we expect to be held responsible; we are responsible and should expect to bear an appropriate burden of guilt.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Peter Kurti Follow Peter Kurti is an adjunct associate professor of law at the University of Notre Dame, Australia, and has written extensively on issues of religion, liberty, and civil society.
Hong Kong No Longer A Safe Place for Free Speech, Scholar Left Hong Kong for UK

Chung Kim-wah, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI), announced on April 24 that he was leaving Hong Kong for the UK. He posted on social media: I Dont want to be a deserter, but I have to avoid tyranny. Before leaving Hong Kong, Chung Kim-wah and HKPORI were repeatedly pressured by the Hong Kong Government and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) s mouthpiece media. He was repeatedly summoned by the police under the Hong Kong National Security Law and was followed by unidentified vehicles.

After arriving in the UK, Chung Kim-wah accepted an interview with The Epoch Timess Precious Dialogues program on April 25. He said he decided to leave Hong Kong in February this year because he could no longer speak safely and had to leave before being accused of some wrongdoing by the regime. I dont want to lose my freedom to think and speak, I dont want my elderly parents to worry about unfortunate events that may happen to me, or to visit me in a detention center, these are the hardest thing for me to bear.

He pointed out that the overall environment in Hong Kong is becoming more and more unsafe. Even the veteran media person Allan Au was arrested. Two girls from a milk tea shop were arrested for posting a call for no vaccinations on Facebook, and were not allowed bail. He said that this year, on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the handover of sovereignty that occurred on July 1, 1997, In May and June, Hong Kongs minded people and the national security police may do a lot more outrageous things.

Chung Kim-wah said frankly: Actually I couldnt bear to leave Hong Kong, and previously had never thought of immigration. I cried until I was dizzy. I wrote a few poems at the airport yesterday. I wrote with tears. I wrote my Facebook articles on the plane, tears after tears until getting off the plane.

The article he posted on Facebook was titled I dont want to be a deserter, but I have to avoid tyranny. He wrote that he had never planned to immigrate, My lifetime ambition and responsibility are all in Hong Kong. But at present, there is no space for sincere words, only lies and lies. For those of us who are still a bit turbulent, Hong Kong may not be a place where we can live normally without intimidation.

Chung Kim-wah also revealed that he had been interviewed by the National Security Department three times and asked to assist in investigations. The first time was in 2020. When HKPORI conducted a poll for the Pro-democracy primaries, the HKPORI office was raided by the police. The most recent incident occurred in March this year, when a CCP mouthpiece media quoted a fake questionnaire, claiming the HKPORIs investigation on Hong Kong peoples opinions on the Ukraine-Russia war violated the National Security Law. Chung Kim-wah emphasized that he was neither charged nor admonished by the police, and was by no means absconding in fear of crime, but it was undeniable that frequent interviews by the police were one of the reasons he considered leaving. He also mentioned that he was being followed by two unidentified vehicles while driving his car a few months ago.

For many years Chung Kim-wah taught at the university, and currently serves as the Deputy Chief Executive of HKPORI, a well-known polling organization in Hong Kong. Its predecessor was the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong, established in 1991.

In recent years, HKPORI has been repeatedly attacked by the pro-communist camp. In 2020, HKPORI conducted polls for the Pro-democracy primaries, and the office was raided by the police. The 47 people who organized and participated in the primary election were later charged with conspiracy to subvert state power under the National Security Law.

In November last year, before the first Legislative Council election after the CCP changed Hong Kongs electoral system, HKPORI conducted a poll on citizens voting intentions. The poll options included blank votes and no votes. The authorities said the poll incited others to leave their vote blank or to not vote at all, violating the newly revised Election Regulations. At the same time, the Peoples Daily, the mouthpiece of the CCP, also published an article slandering HKPORI for anti-China disruptors in Hong Kong and incitement with academic cloak.

Last month, HKPORI investigated the Hong Kong peoples views on the Russia-Ukraine war, but the CCP mouthpiece media quoted a fake questionnaire to discredit it, claiming that HKPORI violated the Hong Kong National Security Law, and HKPORI was forced to cancel publication of the poll result.

Chung Ting-yiu, Chief Executive Officer of HKPORI, responded to the Epoch Timess inquiry by email on April 25, saying that HKPORI is currently operating as usual, and Chung Kim-wah will continue to serve as Deputy CEO until the end of April, and he will personally respond to the matter of leaving Hong Kong later. Chung Kim-wah said on the program Precious Dialogues that after the end of his contract with HKPORI at the end of April, he will serve as the Honorary Director of HKPORI as a volunteer and continue to assist HKPORI.

Chung Kim-wah is also an active commentator on current affairs, writing columns in various media and often appearing on current affairs programs. However, freedom of speech in Hong Kong has been suppressed, and media people have been arrested. Allan Au, a senior media person and a professional consultant at the School of Journalism and Communication of CUHK (Chinese University of Hong Kong), was arrested by the police on April 11 on suspicion of conspiracy to publish seditious publications. Chung Kim-wah said in an earlier interview with the program Precious Dialogues that Allan Au is a moderate person, and he does not participate in any political parties. If even he was arrested, then no one in Hong Kong will be safe.

After Hong Kongs National Security Law landed, scholars who study social issues have left Hong Kong or been silenced one after another, especially after the arrests of Apple Daily and Position News employees last year, which had a chilling effect. Chan Kin-man, one of the founders of the Occupy Central and a former associate professor of the Department of Sociology at CUHK, went to teach at the National Chengchi University in Taiwan in July last year. In December 2021 Leung Kai-chi, a former visiting lecturer at the School of Journalism and Communication at CUHK, also went to National Taiwan University as a visiting scholar. Ma Ngok, associate professor of the Department of Politics and Administration at CUHK, and Choy Chi-keung, senior lecturer, also announced in December last year that they would withdraw from election research and current affairs commentary.

The Hong Kong Chief Executive election will be held on May 8. The only candidate, Lee Ka-chiu, a former police officer, said that after taking office, he will implement National Security for legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law, causing citizens to worry that Hong Kongs free space will continue to be compressed. Chung Kim-wah said during the Precious Dialogues program interview earlier, that if the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) chooses Lee Ka-chiu as the Chief Executive, the CCPs policies toward Hong Kong will continue to focus on political suppression in the next few years.
Hunter Biden arrives to the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, 2021. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Hunter Biden Probe Needs Independent Counsel: Peter Schweizer

Author and investigative journalist Peter Schweizer has called for a special counsel to take on the investigation into Hunter Biden thats being conducted in Delaware to avoid conflicts of interest.

Schweizer raised concern about the potential influence of Biden-appointed Attorney General Merrick Garland on the U.S. Attorney for Delaware who is taking charge of the inquiry.

This is a tailor-made case for an independent counsel. Its an investigation involving the family and the President of the United States, Schweizer told Fox News Life, Liberty & Levin on April 29.

The Attorney General is of course appointed by the President of the United States, and he is the one whos going to direct this US attorney that has this grand jury in Delaware, Schweizer, author of Secret Empires: How the American Political Class Hides Corruption and Enriches Family and Friends added.

Schweizers appeal came days after Garland pledged that the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation would proceed without political interference.

Garland told a Congressional panel on April 26 that the attorney in charge of the probe David Weiss was appointed by former President Donald Trump, and therefore, There will not be interference of any political or improper kind.

The DOJ investigation into Hunter Bidens tax affairs is reportedly looking into whether the younger Biden violated money laundering, tax, and foreign lobbying laws. President Joe Biden has maintained that his son has done nothing wrong and that he has never discussed with Hunter his business dealings, a claim that has drawn increasing skepticism from Republican lawmakers.

Garland last week declined to say whether the department has or is considering appointing a special counsel, though he noted that special counsels are also employees of the Department of Justice.

But, in Schweizers opinion, the probe should be treated with special scrutiny as Hunters business dealings involved U.S. rivals like China.

Its very clear that Hunter Biden collected funds from overseas, particularly from China. Theres lots of evidence on the laptop and elsewhere, that some of that money ended up with Joe Biden, the money was fungible and moved around. It went to James Biden [Joe Bidens brother] and others. he said.

Entities connected to Hunter Biden in 2017 and 2018 received millions from Chinese energy giant CEFC China Energy and firms tied to the company, according to bank records revealed by senators in March.

Further, Schweizer believed that without an independent counsel, the case could be settled secretly without the publics knowledge.

An independent counsel would give us a report and allow the American people to look at the evidence and the information just separate from whether theres a prosecution and what the charges might be, he said.
Guests gather to check out Xiaomi's newly launched products at an event in Bangalore, India, on Sept. 17, 2019. (Aijaz Rahi/AP Photo)

India Seizes $725 Million Chinas Xiaomi Over Remittances

NEW DELHIIndian authorities on Saturday seized $725 million from Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi, accusing it of breaking the countrys foreign exchange laws by making illegal remittances abroad, officials said.

The Enforcement Directorate, Indias financial investigation agency, tweeted that it had seized the amount from Xiaomis local unit. The move comes after an investigation was launched by the federal agency in February over concerns of illegal remittances, local media reported.

The agency said the smartphone maker had transferred $725 million to three foreign based entities under the guise of royalty payments, according to a statement quoted by the Press Trust of India. Earlier this month, the agency had also questioned Xiaomis global vice president, Manu Kumar Jain, at the companys regional office in the southern city of Bengaluru, PTI reported.

The smartphone company said it complied with local laws and added that its royalty payments and statements were legit and truthful. It said it is committed to working closely with the government to clarify any misunderstandings.

These royalty payments that Xiaomi India made were for in-licensed technologies and IPs used in our Indian version products. It is a legitimate commercial arrangement for Xiaomi India to make such royalty payments, the statement said.

Two years ago, India banned over 100 Chinese-owned apps as tensions between the countries soared over border clashes. In June 2020, Indian and Chinese troops fought with clubs, stones and fists along a disputed section of their border, leaving 20 Indian and at least four Chinese soldiers dead.

Since February last year, both countries have withdrawn troops from some sites, but they still maintain a presence. In March, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi traveled to New Delhi to discuss expediting the disengagement of troops and the possibility of deescalating the situation.
A building of Shiretoko Pleasure Cruise, the boat's operator of " Kazu I " is seen in Shari, Hokkaido, northern Japan, on April 27, 2022. (Kyodo News via AP)

Investigators Raid Japan Boat Companys Office After Sinking

TOKYOCoast guard officials searched the office of a Japanese tour boat operator Monday as part of a criminal investigation into suspicions that professional negligence caused the sinking of a vessel carrying 26 people in a national park last month.

The Kazu 1 sightseeing boat started the tour in Shiretoko National Park on the northeastern side of Hokkaido, Japans northernmost main island, on April 23 despite forecast rough seas and warnings from other tour operators. It made a distress call that afternoon saying it was sinking.

The Japanese coast guard said investigators were raiding unidentified locations related to the tour boat operator. Footage on NHK public television showed uniformed coast guard officials entering the tour boat operators office and the house of the sunken boats captain.

Separately, the coast guard plans to use a remote-controlled submersible camera to look inside of the sunken boat in hopes of finding bodies possibly trapped inside. The operation was delayed Monday due to bad weather.

A helicopter searches for missing people aboard the missing tour boat Kazu 1 off the Shiretoko Peninsula in Shari, Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, on April 25, 2022. (Kyodo via Reuters)

The boat carried two crew members and 24 passengers, including two children. Fourteen bodies have been recovered.

The hull of the boat with its name on it was found near Kashuni Falls, where the boat made the distress call. It was upside down on the seabed about 115 meters (377 feet) deep.

The operator, Shiretoko Pleasure Cruiser, had two accidents last year, including one that involved the captain of the sunken boat, Noriyuki Toyoda, the transport ministry said earlier.

Seiichi Katsurada, the head of the company, said last week that he approved the trip despite a broken communication device and forecasts of rough weather. The boat also lacked a satellite phone, he said. Media reports say the captains cell phone had no signal and the crew borrowed one from a passenger to call the office.

Katsurada said waters at their home port were calm when the boat departed and the captain could have changed the tour plans if the weather worsened.

By Mari Yamaguchi
Is the Narrative Around COVID-19 Vaccines Misleading?

Commentary

Since the beginning of 2021, the official narrative with regards to the COVID-19 vaccines has maintained that they are safe, efficacious, and working well. For example, Premier Mark McGowan of Western Australia confidently stated that by getting to higher levels of third dose vaccination were going to save lots of lives.

However, in succeeding months, there were indications that this official narrative, fanatically promoted by governments and health bureaucracies, is misleading at best, and even negligent, in the light of the demonstrable side-effects of the vaccines.

These side effects have been noted, and sometimes denied, by the medical fraternity, which itself is hopelessly divided as to the benefits that these vaccines may offer to people.

Moreover, governments around the world ruthlessly imposed vaccine mandates on people. The American President, Joe Biden, even disingenuously called it a pandemic of the unvaccinated. This claim is patently untrue, as demonstrated by both the science and the statistics.

Writing in the prestigious medical journal, The Lancet, Carlos Franco-Paredes, associate professor of infectious diseases at the University of Colorado, points out that the demonstration of COVID-19 breakthrough infections among fully vaccinated health-care workers (HCW) in Israel, who in turn may transmit this infection to their patients, requires a reassessment of compulsory vaccination policies.

Hence, it is worth noting, that, if vaccination does not prevent COVID infection and transmission, then there is not the slightest reason to force anyone to get vaccinated.

To illustrate this, on Jan. 15, six people died of COVID in Queenslandand all were vaccinated. The Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr John Gerrard, reported: Sadly, we have six deaths to report today  All of these people had, in fact, received the vaccine. It is a reminder that even the vaccinated can get a severe disease, particularly if you have underlying medical issues.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Brisbane, Australia, on Feb. 18, 2022. (AAP Image/Darren England)

A recently published book gives an insight into the thinking of many doctors in the United States. The book, Vaxlit: Vaccinated from Truth, is authored by The Pharmaceutical Rep, who has 20 years of experience working for a Big Pharma company that produces the vaccines. He has been privy to and has overheard interesting and revealing pieces of information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines.

However, when authoring the book, he sought to remain anonymous because those who question the official version regarding the safety and efficacy of the vaccines are often subject to dismissal. But in his book, the author courageously provides valuable information for the public and facilitates an understanding of the hidden insalubrious story of the vaccines.

Specifically, the author shares sobering information released by a research group at the John Hopkins University on Feb. 1. Addressing the efficacy of lockdowns, they point out that the lockdowns during the first COVID-19 wave in the spring of 2020 only reduced COVID-19 mortality by 0.2 percent in the United States and Europe. But although lockdowns have no public health benefits, they were relentlessly enforced by politicised police forces, inflicting immense misery on people and devastating the economic landscape. The researchers concluded that lockdown policies are ill-founded and should be rejected as a pandemic policy instrument.

The author of Vaxlit recalls the disastrous promotion of vaccination of children, even infants, not knowing what the medical consequences might be in the future.

Especially egregious is the constant threat to dismiss doctors who prescribe ivermectin to alleviate the COVID-19 symptoms. In this context, it is interesting to note that Pfizer is now producing Paxlovid, the use of which is likely to be allowed in the fight against the coronavirus. Unlike ivermectin, which is no longer protected by patent legislation, Big Pharma stands to make copious amounts of money by producing Paxlovid.

Center for Popular Democracy advocates stage a street theatre simulated heist to call for equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines and treatments outside Pfizers New York headquarters on April 25, 2022. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)

Relevantly, the author of Vaxlit notes that between 1996 to 2021, only 15 deaths were attributed to the use of ivermectin. In contrast, as of Jan. 7, there have been 21,745 documented deaths associated with the use of the COVID-19 vaccines as reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). But some speculate that the death toll is much higher.

He concludes that we are being gaslit about the safety and efficacy of the COVID vaccines. There are clearly valid reasons to be sceptical of the vaccines (efficacy being just one of them), and those who refuse to be vaccinated should not be described, using the inflammatory language of Premier McGowan, as people who need to grow a brain.

The evidence presented by the author of Vaxlit is compelling. Hence, there is little doubt that the governments official narrative is deceptive and misleading. Moreover, the suspicion that people have been misled about the safety of the vaccines is fuelled by the fact that, in the United States, the FDA is under considerable pressure to release its safety and efficacy data on COVID-19 vaccines.

Epidemiologists note that the FDA has generated more confusion than clarity by withholding the vaccine data. The fact that the data in the FDAs possession has remained behind an FDA firewall for more than 18 months is appalling, Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.) wrote to Commissioner Robert Califf, noting the FDA had even asked the court to release Pfizer vaccine data over 75 years.

Following unsuccessful attempts to immediately extract data on the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines, a group of concerned scientists in the United States filed a lawsuit in September in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, seeking expedited access to the records. They argued that releasing the information could help reassure the vaccine is indeed safe and effective and, thus, increase confidence in the Pfizer vaccine.

In Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison initially wanted the COVID vaccines to be as mandatory as you can possibly make it.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison at a news conference in Paris, France, on June 15, 2021. (Pascal Rossignol/Reuters)

However, evidence continues to mount that these vaccines do not deserve the continuing provisional approval given to them by the Australian governments Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

Concerning injuries caused by the COVID-19 vaccines, as of Nov. 15, 2021, over 10,000 Australians have lodged injury claims under the Governments COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme. Doubtless, the number of claimants is now, five months later, much higher. As of Jan. 30, the TGA had received 106,173 reports of adverse effects from the current vaccines.

Curiously, the official narrative, which seeks to placate peoples concern about the safety of the vaccines, has financially benefited Big Pharma, with the Pfizer stock price soaring. So, the question should be asked whether governments and the media are colluding to ensure an increase in Big Pharmas corporate profits, which however, do not appear to prioritise the protection of health.

It is also ironic that the My Body, My Choice slogan, so frequently heard in the United States, only appears to be promoted by the proponents of abortion. In introducing vaccine mandates, governments and compliant businesses disregard the slogan when they advocate, or demand, the injection of a potentially dangerous substance into the bodies of as many people as possible.

Ultimately, we live in an insane world, which the author of Vaxlit defines as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The unmistakable message of this fascinating and revealing book is that current COVID-19 vaccines may not be fit for purpose.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Gabriel Moens Follow Gabriel A. Moens AM is an emeritus professor of law at the University of Queensland, and served as pro vice-chancellor and dean at Murdoch University. In 2003, Moens was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal by the prime minister for services to education. He has taught extensively across Australia, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Moens has recently published two novels A Twisted Choice (Boolarong Press, 2020) and The Coincidence (Connor Court Publishing, 2021). Website
Israeli soldiers take positions during clashes with Palestinian in village of Azzun in the north of the occupied West Bank after the funeral of Yahya Adwan, who was killed during an overnight Israeli army operation, on April 30, 2022. (Jaafar Ashtiyeh/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel Arrests Palestinian Attackers Who Killed Guard

JERUSALEMThe Israeli military on Saturday said it has arrested a pair of Palestinian assailants who allegedly shot and killed a security guard at the entrance of a Jewish settlement in the West Bank, in what the Israeli military described as an attack by terrorists.

The detention followed a manhunt that was launched shortly after the attack late Friday. Israeli soldiers, special forces, and border police took part in the detention and seizure of weapons from the two suspects, who it said were seized in the village of Qarawat Bani Hassan.

The security guard was shot outside Ariel, a major settlement in the northern West Bank, late Friday night by a pair of assailants in a car, the army said. It said the guard stood in front of another guard who was with him, saving her life.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett expressed condolences to the family of the security guard. In a statement after the arrest of the suspects, he said no terrorist can evade us.

In Gaza, the leader of the territorys Hamas terrorist group Yehiyeh Sinwar called for stepping up attacks against Israeli targets in the West Bank, saying the real battle arena is there. In a speech, he saluted the attackers who killed the guard.

Israeli forces on Saturday set up checkpoints and were conducting searches for the attackers in the area, the army said. It said it arrested two purported members of Hamas, but there was no immediate indication that the men were involved in the attack. Hamas praised the killing of the guard but stopped short of claiming responsibility for the shooting.
Italian Surgeon Accused of Assaulting Patients Through Pioneering Windpipe Transplants Goes on Trial

The trial of a former Italian surgeon accused of assaulting patients by carrying out pioneering yet experimental windpipe transplants began in Sweden on April 27.

Dr. Paolo Macchiarini, a stem cell scientist, is charged with aggravated assault against three of his patients for performing the procedure in which he created the worlds first windpipe partially made from a patients own stem cells.

Macchiarini, 63, was credited as a pioneer for creating the worlds first synthetic trachea in 2011 while he was a surgeon at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden.

The trachea was made of a biocompatible material and partly from stem cells from the patient, and was hailed as a breakthrough in regenerative medicine at the time.

However, Macchiarini is alleged to have caused the deaths of three people on whom he operated between 2011 and 2013, Swedish broadcaster SVT reported. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing.

The surgeon appeared at the Solna District Court on April 27 but is first expected to be a witness on May 6.

According to local reports, Macchiarini was recruited as a visiting professor at Karolinska Institutet in 2010 before also becoming chief physician and surgeon at Karolinska University Hospital later that year.

He performed his pioneering windpipe transplant surgery in 2011 on a cancer patient and it appeared at first to be successful.

However, the patient later suffered from an array of complications and died a year-and-a-half later.

Between 2011 and 2013, the surgeon went on to perform a total of eight similar transplants on various patients in Sweden, Russia, and the United States but seven of those patients later passed away, while the eighth patient had the artificial trachea removed. That patient is still alive, according to SVT.

None of the deaths have been directly linked to the operations.

Karolinska Institute stopped procedures using the synthetic trachea in 2013 and simultaneously announced it would not be extending Macchiarinis employment as a surgeon.

In 2016, the institute fired Macchiarini from his position as a researcher for allegedly breaching medical ethics after a number of doctors accused him of falsifying his resume and misrepresenting his work, claiming that research regarding the transplanted trachea procedure was embellished and described by him in an overly beneficial way. Allegations were also made that he fabricated descriptions of his patients conditions.

An independent commission in Sweden also found numerous problems in Macchiarinis work, while Swedish prosecutors launched an investigation into the surgeon on suspicion of gross criminal negligence causing bodily harm or death relating to three patients.

The doctor denied the accusations, saying they were false and no charges were bought against him.

But in 2018, the investigation into the three cases was reopened and additional written evidence and interviews were obtained from individuals in Sweden, Belgium, Britain, the United States, and Spain, where he had also operated on patients.

In 2019, an Italian court sentenced Macchiarini to 16 months in prison for forging documents and abuse of office.

Macchiarinis lawyer believes the Karolinska Institutet, should be held responsible. The university chairman Lars Leijonborg announced in 2016 that he was resigning from his position in light of the scandal, according to local reports.

Macchiarinis hearing is expected to end on May 23.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Jack Dorsey Says This Was His Biggest Failing at Twitter

Twitter, Inc.s co-founder Jack Dorsey, who gave up his chief executive officer role at the social media platform late last year, shared his insights into what it would take to reinvigorate the platform.

Owning Up Responsibility: Twitter has always tried to do its best, given the information it had, Dorsey said in a series of tweets. The former CEO owned up responsibility for every decision that was made during his tenure. He also noted that whenever the company was wrong or went too far, it admitted and worked toward correcting it.

The comments come as Tesla, Inc. CEO Elon Musk took potshots at a Twitter executive for censorship.

Related Link: IM BACK: Donald Trump Returns Online On TRUTH Social, Sends Digital World SPAC Stock Soaring

Biggest Failing: For fixing the platform, it is important to get critical feedback in all forms, Dorsey said. He added that Twitter should get the space and time to address its issues, and that it should be done publicly.

A transparent system, both in policy and operations, is the right way to earn trust, Dorsey said.

What matters for a service is how it works and acts and how quickly it learns and improves, the Twitter co-founder said. He conceded that his biggest failing was the quickness part. Although he noted that at least this problem is being addressed now and will be fixed.

Related Link: Twitter Founding Team Member: Elon Musks Free Speech Approach Very Naive And Unserious

Permanent Ban Isnt Right: Dorsey said he doesnt believe any permanent ban, with the exception of illegal activity, is right or should be allowed. Therefore, a protocol that is resilient to the layers above is essential, he added.

Twitter closed Fridays session down 0.18 percent at $49.02, according to Benzinga Pro data.

By Shanthi Rexaline

 2022 The Epoch Times. The Epoch Times does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a rally in Delaware, Ohio on April 23, 2022. (Gaelen Morse/Reuters)

Judge Rejects Trump Bid to Purge Contempt Ruling

Trump's affidavit didn't sway judge

Former President Donald Trumps affidavit saying he doesnt have documents sought by New York prosecutors has been rejected by a judge.

Trump and two of his lawyers said in affidavits filed with the New York Supreme Court on April 29 that searches of inventories uncovered none of the documents that New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks in her investigation of the Trump Organization.

That included searches of paper files maintained by Trumps executive assistants and of files stored at an off-site location, Alina Habba, one of the lawyers, told the court. Habba also emphasized that she spoke to Trump personally and asked whether he had any of the documents.

Based on the searches and interviews, I determined that respondent was not in possession of any documents responsive to the subpoena, Habba said.

Trumps affidavit says that to the best of his knowledge, he doesnt have the documents requested in the subpoena, and that if there are any documents responsive to the subpoena, he thinks the Trump Organization would have them.

At all relevant times, I have authorized, and continue to authorize, the release of a responsive document to the office of the attorney general, he added.

James, a Democrat, filed the subpoena in December 2021 as part of an investigation of potential misconduct by the Trump Organization.

New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron said the subpoena was legitimate. On April 25, the judge said Trump failed to prove he adequately responded to the subpoena, and he found Trump in contempt.

While the contempt ruling is in place, Trump must pay a fine of $10,000 per day.

In appealing the ruling, Trumps lawyers filed a trio of affidavits as they attempt to get the ruling purged, which the judge has said will happen once Trump proves his compliance.

The sworn statements failed to convince the judge.

The lawyers statements fail to specify who searched for each respective request, at what time, where, and using what search protocols, the judge said in a denial issued after a virtual conference, adding that the lawyers didnt affirm that Trumps electronic devices were searched.

Furthermore, Mr. Trumps personal affidavit is completely devoid of any useful detail. Notably, it fails to state where he kept his files, how his files were stored in the regular course of business, who had access to such files, what, if any, the retention policy was for such files, and, importantly, where he believes such files are currently located, Engoron said.

The denial was made without prejudice, meaning Trumps team can seek to purge the contempt status in the future.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, during a panel hearing in Washington on July 27, 2021. (Oliver Contreras/Pool/Getty Images)

Judge Upholds Jan. 6 Committee Subpoena for Republican National Committee Records

A federal judge ruled on May 1 that a subpoena that the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach issued to a Republican National Committee (RNC) vendor for reams of data is legitimate.

The subpoena was for documents and testimony from Salesforce, which the RNC and former President Donald Trumps 2020 campaign used to send hundreds of emails, including delivery metrics dating as far back as Nov. 3, 2020.

The subpoena was sent as part of an effort to see whether the campaign used Salesforces platform to disseminate false statements about the 2020 election in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 6 attack, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) said in February when it was issued.

The RNC recently sued the panel and its members over the subpoena, arguing it violated the Constitution. But U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Trump appointee, sided with the defendants.

Kelly dismissed the claims against members of the House, saying they were immune under the Constitutions speech or debate clause. He also tossed claims against Salesforce, ruling that the claims came up short  given the highly deferential review the court must give Congresss investigative power and the nature of the materials at issue.

In his ruling, Kelly also ruled that the subpoena has a valid legislative purpose, noting that the authorizing resolution states that the panel will investigate the causes of the Jan. 6 breach, including how technology  may have factored into the motivation for the attack. And the judge found that the panel is legitimately authorized, despite it lacking the 13 members that the authorizing resolution said shall be appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

There are only nine members at present. Seven are Democrats. Pelosi rejected members picked by House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and chose the only two Republicans on the committee.

While the RNC raised important First Amendment issues, some of the information the panel seeks is already in the public realm, while for the confidential data, the strength of the select committees interest in this information outweighs any actual burdens imposed by its disclosure to the select committee, Kelly said.

The judge said the panel may make the RNC data public, which could reveal some of its strategic decisions, but also said any harm that may befall the RNC was too speculative to outweigh the panels interest.

The only area Kelly was poised to rule in favor of the plaintiff, the allegation that the subpoena violated the Stored Communications Act, was settled when the panel agreed to not seek communications covered by the act.

The RNC and the panel didnt respond to requests for comment.

Republicans had argued that the subpoena was unconstitutional.

The select committees fishing expedition would only serve to chill the RNCs and its supporters First Amendment rights, while providing their political opponents with an all-access pass to confidential RNC political strategies and the personal information of millions of its supporters. Worryingly, the information targeted is universally for persons opposed to the political party in control of the U.S. House of Representatives and the select committee, the RNC said in its complaint.

Some of the data being sought by the Democrat-dominated panel was confidential and sensitive, the RNC noted, before arguing that the subpoena wasnt limited to information related to the events of Jan. 6.

To be sure, this lawsuit is not intended to circumscribe Congress legislative power to address the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Rather, the RNC has been forced to bring this lawsuit in order to ensure that the events of that day are not used as a pretense to indiscriminately rifle through the internal affairs and deliberations of one of the countrys two major political parties by an irregularly composed select committee dominated by members of the other, the complaint reads.

In their opposition brief, the defendants said the details they sought didnt include individual-specific information and that going back to as early as November 2020 was crucial for their thorough investigation of the January 6th attack.

Kelly, the judge, temporarily blocked the subpoena from being enforced, so the RNC can seek an injunction pending appeal.
In an image from video, former New York police officer Thomas Webster swings a flag pole at law enforcement officers in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021. (Metropolitan Police Department via AP)

Jury Finds Former Police Officer Guilty of Assaulting Cop on Jan. 6

Former New York police officer Thomas Webster was convicted on May 2 on six charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Jurors found Webster, 56, guilty of assaulting law enforcement officers, civil disorder, and engaging in physical violence on Capitol grounds, among other counts.

The most serious charges carry up to 20 years in prison.

Webster is the fourth Jan. 6 defendant to have his or her fate decided by a jury; all four have been convicted on all charges.

By contrast, the defendants who chose bench trials have secured partial or full acquittals.

Were disappointed, but we recognized at the beginning that folks here in D.C. were quite traumatized by what transpired on Jan. 6, and I think we saw some of this expressed today, a lawyer for the defendant told reporters outside federal court in Washington.

Webster, who worked 20 years for the New York Police Department before retiring in 2011, claimed he was acting in self-defense when he hit Noah Rathbun, a Metropolitan Police Department officer, outside the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Webster testified that felt like he was hit with a hammer or a freight train when Rathbun struck him.

It was painful, and I was seeing stars, Webster said. It was a hard hit, and all I wanted to do was defend myself.

Video footage from Rathbuns body camera showed he used force against Webster after the New York man pushed a bike rack toward him. Rathbun testified that he was trying to move Webster away from a security perimeter. After Rathbun used force, Webster swung a metal flag pole at him but missed. When Rathbun grabbed the pole, Webster charged and tackled the Washington officer.

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.

Rathbun told the court that he began choking when Webster grabbed his gas mask.

We had a video that depicted what exactly, what transpired here, including the officer punching Tom at a time when it wasnt necessary, James Monroe, Websters lawyer, told reporters after the verdict was announced. Because of jurors thoughts about the Jan. 6 breach, it was difficult for them to keep an open mind, he claimed, adding that an appeal might be lodged.

One juror told a reporter that the jury experienced no dissension and unanimously agreed. Another said the verdict was very quick and obvious and said the self-defense claim wasnt compelling.

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, an Obama appointee, had denied an attempt to shift the trial to another location, ruling that Webster didnt provide that jurors would be prejudiced against him.

During the trials closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Kelly urged jurors to reject the self-defense argument.

Dont let the defendant off the hook for what he did that day, Kelly said.

Monroe countered that Webster had a right to defend himself against a bad cop who was using excessive force.

Get behind the truth. And Im talking about the whole truth, he told jurors.

Webster, who wasnt accused of entering the Capitol, is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 2.

Prosecutors asked for Webster to be detained pending sentencing, but the judge agreed to let him remain free until that hearing. Hell be monitored with an ankle bracelet. The judge said it was a close call whether to jail him immediately but noted that he has complied with current conditions of release and doesnt have any prior convictions.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un acknowledges the officers and soldiers who took part in a military parade, in North Korea, on April 27, 2022. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Kim Jong Un Warns North Korea Could Preemptively Use Nuclear Weapons

SEOUL, South KoreaNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned again that the North could preemptively use its nuclear weapons if threatened, as he praised his top army officials for a massive military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, last week.

Kim expressed firm will to continue developing his nuclear-armed military so that it could preemptively and thoroughly contain and frustrate all dangerous attempts and threatening moves, including ever-escalating nuclear threats from hostile forces, if necessary, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday.

KCNA said Kim called his military officials to praise their work during the April 25 parade, where the North showcased the biggest weapons in its nuclear arsenal, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that could potentially reach the U.S. homeland. The North also rolled out a variety of shorter-range solid-fuel missiles designed to be fired from land vehicles or submarines, which pose a growing threat to South Korea and Japan.

KCNA didnt say when Kims meeting with military brass took place.

The parade marking the 90th anniversary of North Koreas army came as Kim revives nuclear brinkmanship aimed at forcing the United States to accept the idea of his regime as a nuclear power and remove crippling economic sanctions.

Speaking to thousands of troops and spectators mobilized for the parade, Kim vowed to develop his nuclear forces at the fastest possible speed and threatened to use them if provoked. He said his nuclear weapons would never be confined to the single mission of war deterrent in situations where the North faces external threats to its fundamental interests.

Kims comments suggested he would continue a provocative run in weapons testing to dial up the pressure on Washington and Seoul. South Korea will inaugurate a new conservative government in May that could take a harder line on Pyongyang following the engagement polices of outgoing liberal President Moon Jae-in that produced few results.

Kims threat to use his nuclear forces to protect North Koreas ambiguously defined fundamental interests possibly portends an escalatory nuclear doctrine that could pose greater concern for South Korea, Japan, and the United States, experts say.

North Korea has conducted 13 rounds of weapons launches so far this year, including its first full-range test of an ICBM since 2017, while Kim exploits a favorable environment to push forward its weapons program as the U.N. Security Council remains divided and effectively paralyzed over Russias war in Ukraine.

There are also signs that North Korea is rebuilding tunnels at a nuclear testing ground that was last active in 2017. Some experts say the North may try to conduct a new test sometime between the inauguration of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol on May 10 and his planned summit with U.S. President Joe Biden on May 21 to maximize its political effect.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter said the United States was aware of reports that North Korea could be preparing to conduct a nuclear test, which she said would be deeply destabilizing for the region and undermine the global non-proliferation regime,

We urge the DPRK to refrain from further destabilizing activity and instead engage in serious and sustained dialogue, she said, referring to North Korea by its formal name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Kims recent remarks followed a fiery statement released by his powerful sister earlier April in which she criticized South Koreas defense minister for touting preemptive strike capabilities against the North. She said her countrys nuclear forces would annihilate the Souths conventional forces if provoked.

Yoon, during his campaign, also talked about enhancing the Souths preemptive strike capabilities and missile defenses. He also vowed to strengthen South Koreas defense in conjunction with its alliance with the United States.

While Kims collection of ICBMs has grabbed much international attention, North Korea since 2019 has also been expanding its arsenal of short-range solid-fuel missiles threatening South Korea.

The North describes some of those missiles as tactical weapons, which experts say communicates a threat to arm them with smaller battlefield nuclear bombs and proactively use them during conventional warfare to blunt the stronger conventional forces of South Korea and the United States. About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in the South.

North Korea may use its next nuclear test to claim that it has acquired the ability to build a small nuclear warhead to fit on those missiles or other weapons it recently tested, including a purported hypersonic missile and a long-range cruise missile, analysts say. Smaller warheads would also be necessary for the Norths pursuit of a multi-warhead ICBM.

Solid-fueled missiles are easier to hide, move and launch quickly, making them less vulnerable to a preemptive strike, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Seouls Ewha Womans University.

Taken together with ambitions for tactical nuclear warheads, submarine-based launch capabilities, and more sophisticated ICBMs, Pyongyang is not simply looking to deter an attack. Its goals extend to outrunning South Korea in an arms race and coercing the United States to reduce sanctions enforcement and security cooperation with Seoul, Easley added.

Nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang have been stalled since 2019 because of disagreements over a potential easing of U.S.-led sanctions in exchange for North Korean disarmament steps.

Kim has stuck to his goals of simultaneously developing nuclear weapons and the countrys dismal economy in the face of international pressure and has shown no willingness to fully surrender a nuclear arsenal he sees as his biggest guarantee of survival.

By Kim Tong-Hyung
Major Parties Peddling Short Term Solutions on Housing Affordability: Economist

Both major parties are dealing with Australias housing affordability issues with short term responses that will only drive up the cost of homes, according to the chief economist at the Centre for Independent Studies, Peter Tulip.

Tulips comments come after the federal opposition Labor Party announced its housing affordability strategy on May 1.

The centre-left Labor Party will assist 10,000 eligible Australians with buying newly built homes by bankrolling 40 percent of the cost in exchange for an equity stake; for existing homes, the government will pay 30 percent. Once the mortgage is paid off, the homeowner will choose to either sell off the property or acquire the stake from the government.

Homebuyers will need to have a two percent deposit, qualify for a home loan, and will not need to pay Lenders Mortgage Insurance (potentially saving over $30,000).

The Help to Buy program is not limited to first home buyers and will cost the government $329 million (US$232 million) over the three-year forward estimates period.

The Labor Party has placed a cap on the amount it will help fund, depending on location. For example, in Sydney or other major population centres in New South Wales, the program will only be eligible for homes costing under $950,000, with the government funding a maximum of $380,000.

Table of the Australian Labor Partys Help to Buy housing affordability program that will see the government pay for a portion of a property (in exchange for equity) for 10,000 Australians.

Note  Regional centres include Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Illawarra, Central Coast, North Coast of NSW, Geelong, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. (Supplied/Australian Labor Party).

After nine long years in government, housing affordability has only got worse under the Liberal-National Government, federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese said in a statement. Help to Buy is part of Labors plan to tackle the housing crisis.

Jim Chalmers, the shadow treasurer of the Labor Party, said there was a housing crisis in Australia.

Many people on modest incomes have been forced to give up the Australian dream. Help to Buy will address this, he said.

Yet, Tulip called the policy a subsidised loan for new home buyers and will have little impact on the millions of other Australians entering the housing market each year.

They are symbolic gestures to give an impression that the politicians care, Tulip said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Demand-side subsidies like this help the lucky 10,000 recipients. But they will use this money to bid up the price of houses, he added.

Tulip said the incumbent centre-right Coalition governments policy had similar problems.

In late April, the federal government announced its Home Guarantee Schemewith bipartisan supportthat will see the government pay 15 percent of a deposit of a home for 50,000 Australians, with only five percent needing to be paid by the prospective homeowner. The 50,000 slots have already been filled.

Again, this adds heat to the market, making housing less affordable for everyone else. It also encourages risky lending, amplifying future housing bubbles, Tulip said.

The economist called for longer-term solutions, including boosting supply and increasing density limits in parts of the capital cities.

Expert report after expert report finds that planning restrictions are limiting supply, which forces up prices, he said, which according to a 2020 paper authored by Tulip, has driven up average house prices in Sydney by 73 percent, Melbourne by 69 percent, Brisbane by 42 percent, and Perth by 54 percent.

The Labor announcement also did include re-establishing the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council, a body of experts in urban planning, finance, and construction, to set targets for land supply and collect data on housing supply. Labor will also double fees for foreign investors, which it estimates will raise around $445 million over the forward estimates.

While Master Builders Australia said the initiatives did lay the groundwork for tackling housing affordability, more work was needed to be done in coordinating between state and federal governments.

Our members tell us that supply issues, that are a state and territory government responsibility, need federal government leadership to facilitate and incentivise the resolution of this long-standing problem, Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia, said in a statement. Putting housing into the federal infrastructure department brings together key infrastructure levers into the one Department, will support a better implementation effort.
Mayorkas Claims Disinformation Governance Board Misrepresented, Not About Speech, But Violence

Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has admitted that he fared poorly in communicating the purpose of the departments newly created Disinformation Governance Board, which critics have lambasted as a threat to free speech.

The board has been created to address disinformation which poses a security threat to the homeland, Mayorkas said in a recent interview with Fox News. Such disinformation comes from countries like China, Iran, and Russia and also from the cartels. The boards work will not infringe on free speech, civil liberties, or civil rights, he stressed.

Its not about speech, its about the connectivity to violence. That is what we need to address. You know, an individual has the free speech right to spew anti-Semitic rhetoric. What they dont have the right to do is take hostages in a synagogue, and thats where we get involved, Mayorkas said.

The Disinformation Governance Board was announced by Mayorkas on April 27, stating that it is aimed at preventing the spread of online misinformation among minority communities, especially during the upcoming midterm elections.

Several lawmakers and experts had criticized the creation of the board, with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) warning that the boards sole purpose might be to marshal the power of the federal government to censor conservative and dissenting speech.

Mayorkas also called the controversial head of the Disinformation Board Nina Jankowicz a renowned expert and someone who is eminently qualified to lead the board. He also claimed that the disinformation head was neutral. In his Fox interview, the DHS secretary said that he does not question her objectivity.

There are people in the department who have a diverse range of views, and theyre incredibly dedicated to the mission. Were not the opinion police. She has testified before Congress a number of times, shes recognized as a tremendous authority, and were very fortunate to have her.

However, Jankowicz has been shown to take a clear political stance, for instance, when she publically went against former President Donald Trump several times. In the past, she has praised the British spy who was behind the now-debunked Russia dossier which alleged that the Trump campaign had ties with Moscow.

Jankowicz also claimed Trumps presidency would embolden ISIS. She has also insisted that the Hunter Biden laptop story was a Russian disinformation plot.

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. Trump says Russia, Russia, Russia, Jankowicz said in an Oct. 23, 2020, tweet.

According to Hawley, Jankowicz has criticized the First Amendment and free speech rights in the past, making her a suspect choice for heading Washingtons disinformation board. She has called people who opposed speech codes on social media as first amendment zealots.

In an interview with NPR last month, Jankowicz said that she shudders while thinking about free speech absolutists taking over more platforms. This might be harmful to marginalized communities all around the world who she said were already shouldering so much online abuse.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki also defended Jankowicz during an April 29 press briefing. She insisted that Jankowicz is an expert on online disinformation. Any hiring decisions are up to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but this is a person with extensive qualifications, Psaki said.
Mayorkas Says DHS Preparing for Surge in Immigrants After Title 42 Ends, Warns Do Not Come

Says there could be as many as 18,000 migrants day when Title 42 is lifted

Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said on Sunday that his agency is preparing for a possible flood of immigrants attempting to enter the United States through its southern border when Title 42 border restrictions are lifted later this month.

The Trump-era Title 42 policy allowed Border Patrol agents to turn illegal aliens back to Mexico immediately if they were deemed to pose a health threat amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the Biden administration announced in April that the emergency order would be terminated in May, citing an increase in tools used to combat the spread of the virus such as vaccinations.

This has prompted fears among some lawmakers, border officers, local residents, and officials that law enforcement will now see a surge in illegal immigrants allowed to enter from the southern border in the coming months, at a time when the United States is already experiencing a border crisis.

Mayorkas appeared on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday where he warned immigrants not to attempt to enter via the southern border, while noting that his department is prepared for an influx in migrants.

Because our border is not open, Mayorkas said. What happens now is individuals are either expelled under the Title 42 authority or they are placed in immigration enforcement proceedings. And they are removed if they do not have a valid claim under our law to remain.

When asked what message he has for immigrants considering entering the U.S. illegally at the border, the secretary replied: Do not come.

Mayorkas also stressed that DHS is prepared for a surge in immigrants at the border, citing a 20-page memorandum released last week which contains six pillars that officials are already putting into place ahead of the expected surge in migrants.

It is our responsibility to be prepared for different scenarios, and that is what we are doing, and we have incredibly talented and dedicated people, the DHS secretary said.

That is why the plan we have prepared calls for a number of different actions, not just in the domestic arena but also with our partners in the south, he added.

Read More Journalist Says UN Migrant Camp in Panama Being Expanded

However, Mayorkas acknowledged that if a record-breaking number of migrants are encountered on the U.S.-Mexico border dailywhich DHS estimated could be 18,000 by the time the powers are terminated, up from 13,000 in early 2021this would put a strain on the system.

There is no question that if we reach that number, that is going to be an extraordinary strain on our system, but we are preparing for it, Mayorkas said.

Mayorkas was previously asked by lawmakers on Wednesday during hearings on Capitol Hill in Washington if he believes it is time to end the controversial Title 42 restrictions.

Our responsibility in the Department of Homeland Security is to implement the Title 42 authority of the CDC at our border and to implement it effectively and judiciously according to the law, he said. We are mindful that there can be an increase in migratory flows encountered at our southern border should Title 42 come to an end, as the CDC has determined it needs to do by May 23. Our responsibility, therefore, is to prepare and plan for that eventuality.

Mayorkas latest remarks come after a federal judge on April 27 temporarily blocked the Biden administration from lifting Title 42, at the request of 21 states, including Arizona and Missouri.

U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays, a Trump appointee, said in a temporary restraining order that the plaintiffs 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.

The block remains in place for two weeks, unless it is further extended by the judge.
An experimental COVID-19 treatment pill called molnupiravir being developed by Merck & Co. Inc. and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, is seen in this undated photo obtained by Reuters on May 17, 2021. (Merck & Co. Inc./Handout via Reuters)

Mercks Antiviral COVID-19 Pill Approved in Singapore

Singapore has approved a second oral antiviral drug for treating COVID-19.

Molnupiravir, branded as Lagevrio, was granted interim authorization under the Pandemic Special Access Route (PSAR) by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) on April 19.

The medicine was approved for treating mild to moderate COVID-19 patients aged 18 and above, who are at risk of developing severe illness or hospitalization, and in whom alternative COVID-19 treatment options are not clinically appropriate, according to the HSA.

Lagevrio should be taken within five days of experiencing symptoms for a duration of five days.

It will be prescribed and prioritized to those at higher risk of severe disease, as directed by the Ministry of Health, said the authority.

Earlier in January, Singapore approved Pfizers Paxlovid tablet under the PSAR for treating adult COVID-19 patients to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death.

Introduced in 2020, the PSAR helps expedite early access to vaccines, medicines, and medical devices during the pandemic.

With the interim authorization, Merck, also known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, is required to submit updated data from ongoing clinical studies for continual assessment of the benefits and risks of Lagevrio.

The interim authorization may also be terminated at any time if the benefits no longer outweigh the risks.

The Merck logo is seen at a gate to the Merck & Co. campus in Rahway, N.J., on July 12, 2018. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)

Efficacy

HSAs review of the drug was based on clinical trial results which showed that it had a 30 percent relative reduction in the risk of hospitalization and death.

The efficacy analysis was based on 709 participants who received Lagevrio and 699 participants who received a placebo. All participants were aged between 18 and 90 with several risk factors of developing severe disease.

Common risk factors include obesity, older age, diabetes, and heart disease, according to Merck.

The Lagevrio group had a 6.8 percent rate of hospitalization or death. The rate for the placebo group was 9.7 percent.

As of the latest data cut-off date, there were 48 hospitalizations with two subsequent deaths in the Lagevrio arm, and 68 hospitalizations with 12 subsequent deaths in the placebo arm, said the HSA in its press release.

The 30 percent efficacy rate is lower than the earlier reported 50 percent according to the interim results released last October.

Nicholas Kartsonis, senior vice president of clinical research for infectious diseases and vaccines at Merck, said that there was no clear explanation for the difference in results, during a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee on Nov. 30, 2021 (pdf).

The committee narrowly voted to recommend the FDA grant emergency use authorization (EUA) for the drug on the same day, agreeing with the idea that the drugs benefits outweigh its potential risks.

Despite the lower efficacy of Lagevrio compared to other authorized COVID-19 treatments, it may have a place in therapy for patients who are at risk of progressing to severe COVID-19, and in whom current available treatment options are clinically inappropriate, said Singapores HSA.

Clinicians must carefully assess that the potential benefits outweigh the risks in the patient before initiating Lagevrio treatment.

The earlier-approved Pfizers Paxlovid had a relative hospitalization and death risk reduction of 88.9 percent compared to the placebo group when participating patients took it within three days of experiencing symptoms, according to clinical study results. The efficacy dropped to 87.8 percent when the treatment was given within five days of experiencing symptoms.

Although having a higher efficacy rate, Paxlovid may interact with several medications, including those for irregular heart rate, migraine, and cholesterol, which could cause serious adverse events, said the HSA.

Risks

A higher proportion of 3.7 percent of participants in the group who took Lagevrio had progressed to hospitalization or death, compared to 1.4 percent in the placebo arm, in a subgroup analysis of participants who had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at baseline.

The subgroup analysis would be a clinically relevant consideration in Singapore given that most people have been fully vaccinated and would have the antibodies, according to the HSA.

Commenting on the results, Dr. Asok Kurup from Mount Elizabeth Hospital told local outlet TODAY that patients with antibodies may have received vaccination, or they may have been infected before, among other possibilities.

As we begin to understand the impact transposed to the vaccinated population, I think we have to be judicious in how we use it, said Kurup.

The common side effects of Lagevrio identified in clinical trials include diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness, which the HSA said were generally mild in intensity.

Lagevrio is not recommended for pregnant women, lactating mothers, and people below 18 years old.

As findings from animal-based studies suggest that Lagevrio may affect fetal growth, bone and cartilage development, and DNA, women with childbearing potential and men with partners of childbearing potential should use reliable contraceptive methods during treatment.

After the last dose of Lagevrio, women should continue to use contraceptive methods for another four days, while men need to use contraceptive methods for at least three months, according to the HSA.

Mimi Nguyen Ly contributed to this report.
Michael Taube: Why Political Ideology Still Matters in Canada

Commentary

Does political ideology still matter in Canada?

A popular sentiment among academics, columnists, commentators, and intellectuals in recent years is that political ideology is less important than it used to be. They obviously acknowledge differences between Conservatives, Liberals, Socialists, and others still exist. Yet they believe the race to the political centre and shifts in generational thinking have watered down the ideological underpinnings of parties, leaders, and movements.

Heres an example.

Sean Speer, editor-at-large of The Hub and senior fellow at the University of Torontos Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, suggested in a March 23 National Post column that historical differences between left-leaning Red Tories and right-leaning Blue Tories are no longer relevant. Focusing on the Conservative leadership race, he suggested the most significant difference between the two leading candidates, Pierre Poilievre and Jean Charest, is actually generational and can be described as a battle between the late boomers and geriatric millennials.

Meanwhile, Speer discounts the common yet false notion that party members still identify with the legacy partiesthe Progressive Conservative Party and the Canadian Allianceand that these identities are useful heuristics for understanding Conservative politics. With respect to younger Conservatives, he wrote that the Conservative party is their only source of political identity.  Old intra-conservative conflicts arent part of their political awareness. Theyve never known anything but party unity.

When it comes to older Conservatives [who] tend to think of the partys supporters along a regional and ideological axis, Speer believes this interpretation fails to understand founding leader Stephen Harpers key insight in establishing the Conservative party as something of an ideological party. His goal was to replace the old, regionalized anti-Liberal coalition that was mired in opposition and prone to explosive breakups with a new, durable centre-right political vehicle that could consistently compete for power.

As one of the older Conservatives whos been directly involved in this discussion for more than a quarter century, I respectfully disagree with Speer and other like-minded thinkers.

Suggestions that a Conservative is a Conservative is a Conservative should be the prevailing view of the party and movement are nice but ill-advised. If this were the case, you wouldnt theoretically need to properly distinguish between leadership candidates like Poilievre (top choice of Blue Tories) and Charest (top choice of Red Tories)or even Charest and Patrick Brown on the Red Tory side. You could simply express admiration for a kumbaya-like atmosphere in the dog-eat-dog world of politics, and promote party unity as an impenetrable force.

Thats not how the rich history of party politics has ever existed or operated, however.

Ideological purity is impossible for any leader, candidate, party member, or thinker to properly achieve. Political groups and camps exist in every party and cant be avoided. The political winds shift as leaders, parties, and ideas come and go. Differences of opinion should always be encouraged. Intellectual discourse and spirited debate often lead to healthy exchanges and, at times, the introduction of new policy ideas and directions. When it comes to choosing a party leader, its important to weigh the positives and negatives for each candidate to make an informed decision (although many dont).

Yes, the old, festering ideological wounds from the Reform/Alliance vs. PC battles have dissipated from the public consciousness. Political, philosophical, and ideological differences still exist in the Conservative Party, however. Much the same way they still exist in other right-leaning and left-leaning parties at home and abroad.

Moreover, young and old Conservatives alike still recognize that Red Toryism and Blue Toryism represent identifiable ideas, policies, and political positions. The left-right axis doesnt disappear because the general taste for rock-ribbed ideology is slightly more stale than it used to be. The same principle exists for regional differences. Most Atlantic Canadian and Western Canadian Conservatives think differently about the role of government, public spending, free markets, and personal liberty. They openly admit this and are able to work together, which speaks to the partys ability to find common ideological ground.

This brings us to Harper. His successful strategy of incremental conservatism established a proper balance of fiscal and social conservative policies. It appealed to party members as well as Canadians who were concerned about high taxes, big government, family values, and individual rights and freedoms. It didnt displace the regional and ideological axis that Speer alluded to, but rather championed ways to transform these existing (and everlasting) differences into a constructive political platform. Its up to Conservatives to ensure Harpers ideological contribution is preserved and protected.

In summation, political ideology still exists, still matters, and is still an important piece of the electoral puzzle. Not just for grey-haired veterans, but future party activists and the intellectually curious.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge are seen before Earth Hour in Sydney on March 26, 2022. (Photo by Steven Saphore/AFP via Getty Images)

More National Standards Needed to Ensure Australias Development: Report

Australia is facing new challenges as the country currently lacks the standards to deal with issues in five critical areas, including cyber security, natural disasters, the environment, and emerging technology.

A new report (pdf) from Standards Australia, the primary non-government standards development body in the country, stated that Australia would need up to 4,000 new standards in the next ten years to cope with energy challenges, digital threats and natural disasters.

From the first Australian standard established in 1922 that specified the type of bolts used for constructing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the country has developed around 10,000 benchmarks over the past century.

Those standards have helped design and protect important infrastructure and national icons, including the Sydney Opera House, Melbournes tram system, Brisbanes Suncorp Stadium and Parliament House in Canberra.

Many Australians may not realise how many of our most treasured national icons are underpinned by Australian standards, Standards Australia chief executive Adrian OConnell said.

The pace and scope of change is accelerating, brought about by the digitisation of the global economy, innovation, scientific breakthroughs and evolving societal tastes.

In addition, he mentioned that the 4,000 new standards would allow Australia to speed up the transition to a digital economy, enhance cyber security systems, reduce the impact of natural disasters and hasten the adoption of alternative energy.

Without the right national standards in these areas, we risk falling behind the rest of the world in terms of best-safety practice, OConnell said.

This will require the collaboration of experts and the support of governments, industry and civic leaders.

A general view of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, on May 28, 2020. (Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Standards Australia said that there was a cyber attack every eight minutes, causing the Australian economy to lose around $33 billion (US$23.3 billion) each year.

Additionally, it is expected that natural disasters would cause $39 billion in damage by 2050, almost doubling the current figure of $20 billion.

The standard organisation also said it was currently working with authorities to develop standards to protect the environment and ensure that Australia stayed at the forefront of emerging digital technologies, including 5G, quantum computing and data and digital landscape.

Meanwhile, the report provided details on how standards had helped ensure the stable operation of Australias $1.8 trillion economy.

The majority of the established benchmarks were designed by teams of experts with the advances in science and technology.

However, a small number were developed by learning from unforeseen catastrophes such as the 1970 Westgate Bridge collapse in Melbourne, the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, the 1997 Thredbo landslide and the 2011 Brisbane floods.
Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, speaks during a rally on the National Mall in Washington on Dec. 12, 2020. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell Rejoins Twitter, Suspended Again Hours Later

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announced that he rejoined Twitter Sunday after his account was banned last year, but he was quickly reported and banned from the platform.

Hello, everyone at Twitter. This is Mike Lindell, Lindell said in a Twitter video published on Sunday. Im here to tell you about my new account here, @MikeJLindell. Thats the only account over here at Twitter that Im using.

He added: So we started this account  Please share it with everybody you know. Let everybody you know so we can get the word out over here at Twitter in case they do take it down.

A Twitter spokesperson told news outlets Sunday that the account was banned. The Epoch Times has contacted the firm for comment.

The account you referenced was permanently suspended for violating the Twitter Rules on ban evasion, a Twitter spokesperson told the Daily Beast website. Lindell also confirmed to the left-wing publication that his recently created account was suspended, calling it a shame, adding that former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey should be first in line for prison!

Screenshots of the new account showed that Lindell had amassed more than 30,000 followers in a few hours after it was created Sunday.

The MyPillow CEO added to Business Insider that he decided to create a new account because there were numerous fake accounts pretending to be him.

I put up the Twitter account today to let the public know that none of the fake Mike Lindell accounts on Twitter are mine, Lindell remarked.

About a week ago, Twitter and Elon Musk announced that the Telsa CEO would purchase the social media platform for $44 billion and take it private, giving Musk sole ownership. The deal has not yet been closed, and Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal and other executives are still in charge of the company.

Lindells original Twitter account was banned in January 2021 amid posts that he believed former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election. Twitter alleged that repeated violations of its policies led to Lindells suspension.

Before the TwitterMusk preliminary deal was announced last week, Musk often criticized Twitters content moderation policies, suggesting they are akin to censorship. The worlds richest man also said in a statement that he believes the platform should foster a pro-free speech policy with more neutral content moderation practices.

As for Trump, who was also banned in January 2021, the former president told outlets last week that he does not wish to return to Twitter and instead promoted his own platform, Truth Social.
Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, attends the Athletics Competition during day two of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 at Zuiderpark in The Hague, Netherlands, on April 17, 2022. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

Netflix Drops Development of Meghan Markles Animated Series, Citing Strategic Decisions

Netflix said on Sunday that it has canceled the development of an animated series created by Meghan Markle as part of strategic decisions the streaming giant is making.

A Netflix spokesperson confirmed the decision to CNBC, noting that Pearl was one of several projects to be dropped by the company.

However, the California-headquartered streamer said it will continue its work with Archewell Productionsthe company formed by the Duke and Duchess of Sussexon other projects, including a documentary series called Heart of Invictus.

Archewell Productions signed a multiyear deal with Netflix in 2020 to make documentaries, docuseries, feature films, scripted shows, and childrens programming for an undisclosed figure.

The Epoch Times has contacted spokespersons for Netflix and Archewell Productions for comment.

Archewell Productions announced last year that Pearl was to be centered on the adventures of a 12-year-old girl who is inspired by influential women from history.

The company said that Markle would be an executive producer of the animated show alongside Canadian filmmaker David Furnish.

Like many girls her age, our heroine Pearl is on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to overcome lifes daily challenges, Markle said in a statement at the time. Im thrilled that Archewell Productions, partnered with the powerhouse platform of Netflix and these incredible producers, will together bring you this new animated series, which celebrates extraordinary women throughout history. David Furnish and I have been eager to bring this special series to light, and I am delighted we are able to announce it today.

Earlier this month, Netflix revealed it has lost subscribers for the first time since October 2011.

In a letter to shareholders, the company said the losses were driven by an array of factors including increased competition, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and account sharing across non-paying households.

The streaming giant told investors that it lost 200,000 members globally in the first three months of the year, adding that it anticipated further losses in the next three months to July.

Previously, the subscription-based service forecast it would add 2.5 million paying customers. However, it told investors on April 19 that it expects to lose 2 million global subscribers in the current quarter.

Netflix also cited macroeconomic weakness and changes to its prices as reasons for the decline in membership.

The announcement came after the production company earlier this year said it would be raising its U.S. monthly subscription prices by $1 to $2 per month depending on the plan.

In March, the company said it will be rolling out a new feature aimed at preventing different households from sharing their account passwords by charging them additional fees.
A passenger is greeted after arriving on a flight from Sydney at Wellington International Airport in Wellington, New Zealand, on April 13, 2022. (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

New Zealand Borders Open to International Visitors After Almost 800 Days

Hundreds of people flying from the United States have touched down in New Zealand on the first day of its border reopening to citizens from visa-waivered countries.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash said the nation was back on the world map for tourism and business travellers on May 2, with isolation requirements being removed for people who are vaccinated.

We are currently seeing around 33,000 arrivals per week, and we know todays changes will further boost arrivals as interest in travel to New Zealand remains high, Nash said on May 2. International flight searches to NZ are running 19 percent higher than pre-COVID (MarchApril 2019).

New Zealand had already opened its borders to vaccinated Australians on April 13.

Air NZs first three flights into the country will be carrying almost 1,000 people, with two flights from the United States and one from Fiji.

[The flights] are filled to the brim with overseas visitors and returning Kiwis thrilled to land on New Zealand shores once again as they reconnect with family, start their studies, or build their businesses, Air NZ Chief Customer and Sales Officer Leanne Geraghty said on May 1.

Geraghty said demand for flights has exceeded expectations, with services filling up across both domestic and international networks.

This is welcome news for the New Zealand tourism industry, who has weathered a difficult storm over the past 800 days, she said.

Mapua is a small town on New Zealands South Island, situated at the conjoining of Waimea Estuary and Tasman Bay; the name means abundance or prolific in the Maori language. (Linda_K/Shutterstock)

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) said the industry was feeling hopeful as the border reopening plan moved to the next phase, with many operators being excited to report forward bookings.

David Gatward-Fergusson from Nomad Safaris Queenstown said the industry was delighted that there was progress and that at some point things would return to normal.

Air NZ CEO Greg Foran said the airline only had four weeks to restart operations after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly announced that the reopening would be brought forward by six months.

So capacity isnt running at what it was, but thats gradually increasing, and were able to get customers, by and large, where they need to get to on time, with everything intact, Foran told the AM show.

However, he said he was keen for the pre-departure testing policy to be removed, at least for people returning back into the country, saying it added friction for some customers planning to travel.

There is no doubt that at the right time, and this a decision that the government will need to make, we would much prefer if we didnt have pre-departure testing, Foran said.

Travellers are currently required to do both a pre-departure and arrival test for COVID-19.
Of Mules and Donkeys

Commentary

Today, I release a new documentary film called 2000 Mules.

The film releases in 300 theaters on May 2 and May 4, and theres an in-home virtual premiere on May 7. After that, it will be available for digital download, but only on two uncancellable platforms: the Rumble-owned platform Locals and the Salem Media platform SalemNow. Ive made six documentaries, but in an age of censorship, you have to create a novel way of distributing them.

Here I want to talk about mules and donkeys. Strictly speaking, of course, a mule is a cross between a horse and a donkey. A few months after I came to the United States as an exchange student from India, my host parent in Arizona took me to the Grand Canyon.

We can try to walk down, they told me, or we can ride a mule.

We chose to walk, but on the way down we saw mules carrying tourists and sure-footedly making their way down the treacherous pathways to the bottom of the canyon.

The term mule is now commonly used in drug trafficking and sex trafficking. The mule is the middleman, the guy who makes the transport. My friend Catherine Engelbrecht, who runs the election intelligence organization True the Vote, borrowed this term to apply it to the paid political operatives who engage in ballot trafficking. Mules are professional deliverymen and women who are hired by left-wing organizations to deliver fraudulent and illegal ballots to mail-in dropboxes.

Now lets turn to the evidence in the movie that was assembled by True the Vote. The organization purchased 10 trillion pings of cellphone data. Basically, they bought the data covering all cellphone movements in key urban areas of the five swing states in which the 2020 election was decided. True the Vote then ran a search algorithm seeking to ferret out mules who picked up stashes of ballots from left-wing organizations embedded in those cities and then made delivery drops of those ballots to 10 or more drop boxes.

The point of this high bar was to avoid false positives and only capture the most industrious mules. After all, there might be some reason why a person might stop by a local activist organization and then go to, say, two drop boxes. Perhaps he dropped off his ballot at the first and then had to tie his shoelace, causing him to stop at the second. But can anyone think of a rational reason for someone to go to 10 mail-in drop boxes? The only conceivable reason is to dump illegal ballots.

Since each of our cellphones has a distinct ID, True the Vote has the cellphone IDs of more than 2,000 mules hired by left-wing organizations to do ballot trafficking in Atlanta, Phoenix, Detroit, Milwaukee, and the greater Philadelphia area. These mules alone generated approximately 400,000 illegal ballots. When you break down the fraud state by state, you see that it was more than enough fraud to tip the balance in the presidential election. Trump should have won, not Biden.

The geotracking evidence is corroborated by video evidence, and Im talking about the official surveillance video taken by the states themselves. True the Vote obtained more than 4 million minutes of video, and the movie shows mule after mule after mule stuffing illegal ballots into the drop boxes.

Typically, this occurred in the middle of the night. In many cases, you can see the mules stuffing in multiple ballots. Some mules wear gloves, so as not to leave fingerprints. Mules typically take photos of the ballots going into the boxes, evidently to confirm that theyre performing the work so that they can get paid.

All of this is flatly illegal. To understand this, we must make an important distinction between vote harvestinglegal in some statesand paid ballot harvestingillegal in all states. In Georgia, for example, its legal to give your absentee ballot to a family member or caregiver to drop off. In no state, however, can money change hands, whether its money paid to a voter or money paid to a mule or other type of delivery man.

Whos deploying the mules? I believe the answer is the donkeys. By donkeys, I obviously mean the Democratsthe party of the donkey. Donkeys are the recognized experts at election fraud. Theyve been doing it since the 19th century. In the Tammany Hall days, for instance, Democrats would greet immigrants coming right off the boat, ask them to sign ballots that the Democrats would later fill out on their behalf, and give them in exchange a bottle of alcohol or a reference for someplace where they might find work.

This fraud operation was ramped up in the 2020 election, largely because of the changes in the rules instituted under the pretext of COVID-19. Suddenly, mail-in ballots were dispatched by the tens of millions. Suddenly, mail-in drop boxes proliferated, especially in the major donkey strongholds. No wonder the fraudsters saw their opportunity to escalate their operationsand they did.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Propelled by an endorsement from former president Donald Trump, J.D. Vance continued his push to win the GOP primary at a town hall in West Chester, Ohio, on April 30. (Courtesy of Everitt Townsend)

Ohio GOP Senate Candidates Make Final Push Before May 3 Primary

A wife and a mother of three, Lisa would only disclose her first name as she stood outside Victory Christian Church in Kettering, Ohio, on April 29 following a Faith and Freedom rally where GOP U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel was joined by Sen. Ted Cruz (RTexas).

I want to tell you what I think, but Im hesitant to use my full name because there is so much emotion among people, said Lisa, who lives in Warren County, a region in southwest Ohio that is mostly conservative.

You would think that you could have your own opinion about who you support in your own party, but thats not the case. Im either voting for Josh Mandel or J.D. Vance. Im still not sure.

Lisas comments reflect a common theme among Republican voters as the May 3 GOP U.S. Senate primary is hours away. Ohioans are divided, and many are undecided.

Vance, the Hillbilly Elegy author and venture capitalist; and Mandel, a former Ohio state treasurer and state representative; are in a crowded field that also includes Cleveland investment banker Mike Gibbons, Ohio state senator Matt Dolan, former Ohio Republican Party chairwoman Jane Timken, central Ohio entrepreneur and activist Mark Pukita, and Columbus businessman Neil Patel.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Rep. Matt Gaetz joined J.D. Vance on campaign stops in Ohio on April 30. (Courtesy of Everitt Townsend)

Polling over the past month illustrates the uncertainty.

On April 15, the Trafalgar Group released a survey that found Mandel leading with 28 percent, followed by Vance (22.6 percent), Gibbons (14.3 percent), Dolan (11.6 percent), Timken (7.5 percent), central Ohio entrepreneur Mark Pukita (2.1 percent), Columbus businessman Neil Patel (0.8 percent), and 13.1 percent undecided.

The poll also showed that 54.9 percent of respondents, who are likely GOP primary voters, are either more likely or much more likely to vote for a candidate endorsed by Trump, who announced he was backing Vance hours later.

On April 27, Fox News published the first independent poll since Trumps endorsement of Vance. In that poll, Vance claimed a five-point lead at 23 percent compared to Mandels 18 percent.

Gibbons (13 percent), Dolan (11 percent), and Timken (6 percent) finished in the distance with 25 percent of the respondents saying they are undecided.

On April 28, a poll conducted by Fabrizio, Lee & Associates and commissioned by pro-Vance PAC Protect Ohio Values showed Vance in first place with 39 percent followed by Mandel (17 percent), Dolan (14 percent), Gibbons (11 percent), and Timken (7 percent).

On May 1, Emerson College released a survey conducted from April 28 to April 29 that found Vance leading with 26 percent followed by Mandel at 24 percent, Dolan at 21 percent, and Gibbons at 17 percent.

The Trafalgar Group revealed its newest poll, conducted April 29 to May 1. Vance sits atop the field with 26.2 percent followed by Dolan (22 percent), Mandel (20.8 percent), Gibbons (13.1 percent), Timken (5.7 percent), Pukita (1.9 percent), and Patel (1.7 percent) with 8.6 percent undecided.

Mandel led in the polls for several months, and then Gibbons campaign gained momentum. For a short time, he was even with Mandel ahead of the rest of the field. Then Gibbons and Mandel engaged in a heated on-stage altercation during a debate on March 18. That is when Vances campaign picked up steam.

Former President Donald Trump endorsed Vance on April 15, citing the conduct of Gibbons and Mandel on March 18, and Vances chances of defeating likely Democratic party primary winner Tim Ryan in the general election.

Ive studied this race closely and I think J.D. is the most likely to take out the weak, but dangerous, Democrat opponentdangerous because they will have so much money to spend. However, J.D. will destroy him in the debates and will fight for the MAGA movement in the Senate, Trump wrote in a statement.

Its time for the entire MAGA movement, the greatest in the history of our country, to unite behind J.D.s campaign because, unlike so many other pretenders and wannabes, he will put America first, Trump added. In other words, J.D. Vance has my complete and total endorsement.

Former president Donald Trump (L) listens as J.D. Vance, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Ohio, speaks during a rally hosted by the former president at the Delaware County Fairgrounds in Ohio on April 23, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Lawrence and Karen, a married couple from Greene County, stood in line after Mandels rally in Kettering to ask the candidate some questions. They are contemplating voting for Vance or Mandel.

Were Trump supporters, and we didnt like what J.D. Vance said about Trump in the past, but were also concerned that Josh Mandel has received so much support from (conservative PAC) Club for Growth and that J.D. Vance is funded by Peter Thiel, Lawrence said. Will that money and support have strings attached?

For months, the pro-Mandel Club for Growth has drawn from its multi-million dollar chest to fund attack ads against Vance, focusing on the disparaging remarks he made about Trump in 2016.

Thiel, who is the co-founder of PayPal and Facebooks first outside investor, has contributed $13.5 million to the pro-Vance Protect Ohio Values PAC.

Different Backgrounds

Mandel and Vance have different backgrounds.

A Cleveland area native, Mandel earned a law degree from Case Western Reserve University and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two tours in Iraq. The 44-year-old father of three entered politics on the Lyndhurst City Council before serving two terms as a state representative and then state treasurer from 2011 to 2019.

Mandel ran for the U.S. Senate in 2012 and was defeated by Democrat Sherrod Brown in the general election. He sought to unseat Brown in 2018 but eventually dropped out in a GOP primary won by former congressman and current Ohio GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Renacci, who lost to Brown that November.

Vance was raised in Middletown, Ohio, and graduated from Ohio State University and Yale Law School. He is also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

Unlike Mandel, this is Vances first bid for a political office. His resume includes working for Thiels fund Mithril Capital in San Francisco before launching Narya Capital, an Ohio-based company partly funded by Thiel.

Vance became a recognizable name in 2016 when Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis was published. The book depicts Vances familys struggles in Appalachian Kentucky and his mothers addiction during his childhood in Middletown.

Hillbilly Elegy shot to the top of the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. It was adapted into a Netflix movie that was directed by Ron Howard and nominated for two Academy Awards. The paperback, audio, and e-book versions are still widely sold and read.

While Vance has traversed Ohio with his No BS town hall forums, Mandel has centered his campaign on Faith and Freedom rallies at churches.

In March, a group of 114 clergy members wrote an open letter endorsing him.

A group of pastors pray with Ohio Republican U.S. Senate candidate Josh Mandel at a Faith and Freedom rally in Mansfield, Ohio in early March. (Photo courtesy of Josh Mandel Twitter)

The mantra of our campaign is pastors over politicians, Mandel said. Im more interested in earning the support and endorsements of pastors, Christian activists, and citizens who are Christians than getting approval from politicians.

Mandel is endorsed by Cruz, former Trump national security adviser Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn and Utah Sen. Mike Lee along with organizations like Ohio Value Voters, the Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio, National Association for Gun Rights.

Vance has picked up the support of former president Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (RGa.), Rep. Matt Gaetz (RFla.), Josh Hawley (RMo.), and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk along with Ohio Right to Life and Penny Nance, the president of Concerned Women for America.

Mandel and Vance have similar stances on multiple issues. They both advocate for ending abortion, finishing Trumps wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, eradicating Critical Race Theory, restoring Americas manufacturing base, dismantling big tech censorship, reforming election processes and establishing an election day, and protecting Second Amendment rights.

They have spoken out against COVID-19 mandates, and both believe the 2020 presidential election was stolen from Trump, though Mandel is more direct on that stance.

Let me say it very clear: I believe this election was stolen from Donald Trump, Mandel firmly exclaims at every campaign stop.

Mandel has advocated for a European-led no-fly zone in Ukraine while Vance believes only humanitarian aid and weapons should be sent to support Ukraines military, and that a stronger emphasis should be directed to the border crisis.

Regardless of whether you get into the weeds of whats going on in Ukraine or whats going on in Russia, it is not in our vital national security interest, Vance said at a town hall in Centerville, Ohio, last week.

I think its disgusting that for four years Donald Trump could not get $4 billion out of the Republican Congress to build a wall at the southern border. Meanwhile, Joe Biden got $14 billion in a week to send to Ukraine.

J.D. Vance and Donald Trump Jr. answer questions from reporters after a campaign stop on April 25 in West Chester, Ohio. (Courtesy of Everitt Townsend)

While Mandel has remained in first placeor at least among the leaders in the polls since entering the race last yearand Vance saw a surge amid his strong debate performances and the April 15 endorsement from Trump, Dolans presence near the top of The Trafalgar Group survey shows a rapid rise.

A state senator whose family owns the team formerly known as the Cleveland Indians, Dolan is the lone GOP candidate who has not openly sought Trumps endorsement.

From Day One, I have said this race needs to be about Ohio, Dolan said after Trump announced he was backing Vance.

Jane Timken, Josh Mandel, Mike Gibbons and J.D. Vance have instead embraced lies and undermined the Constitution to go all-in for one endorsement.

They cheapened their candidacies and the integrity of the office they wish to attain with campaigns that are now in chaos as ballots are being cast. Make no mistake, this is how they will serve if handed power.

Dolan Gains Momentum

Unlike his opponents, Dolan has said he believes businesses should have the right to implement vaccine mandates, and that Joe Biden is the duly-elected president.

He has also supported Ohio Gov. Mike DeWines handling of the COVID-19 crisis, and he has praised retiring Sen. Rob Portman, a moderate Republican who has drawn the ire of Mandel, Vance, Gibbons, and Pukita.

Ohio Republicans want somebody whos talking about their financial security, their neighborhood security, their border security, international security, Dolan said.

President Trump was a Republican president who did some Republican ideas and executed on them. And our country was stronger. Our economy was better, he added.

Voters want to look forward. Im not looking backwards. Im focusing on stopping the Biden agenda and preparing for tomorrows opportunities where we set a Republican agenda.

Dolans father, Paul Dolan, decided to change the moniker of the Cleveland Indians to the Guardians, a move that went into effect after the 2021 season ended.

Trump criticized Dolan for his familys decision.

Anybody that changes the name of the once-storied Cleveland Indians to the Cleveland Guardians should not be running for the United States Senate representing the great people of Ohio, Trump said when Dolan entered the race last September.

The Atlanta Braves and the Florida State Seminoles, Trump noted, have not changed their nicknames.

Despite this, a man named Matt Dolan, the son of the owner of the team, said he is against Cancel Culture. Do those two things really work together? Trump wrote.

In any event, I know of at least one person in the race who I wont be endorsing. The Republican Party has too many RINOs! he added, referring to Republicans in name only.

In a recent radio interview, Dolan chose to focus on his platform to improve Ohio.

We have outsiders. We have Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz coming into Ohio to tell Ohioans how they should vote for J.D. Vance, Dolan said. Ohioans dont even know, so now we have to rely on outsiders? Josh is closing with Ted Cruz coming in. This is about Ohio.

While Dolan appears to be peaking, Gibbons campaign has waned since the March 18 debate when he went nose-to-nose with Mandel.

On the stage in suburban Columbus, Mandel claimed that Gibbons had shipped American jobs overseas and questioned his alleged investments in Chinese companies.

Gibbons responded by telling Mandel he had never worked in the private sector. Mandel sprung from his chair, went nose-to-nose with Gibbons, and the pair exchanged heated words before they were separated by the moderator.

Mike Gibbons and Josh Mandel were the leading candidates in the Ohio GOP U.S. Senate race. They became engulfed in an on-stage altercation that seems to have hit their popularity. (Courtesy of FreedomWorks)

At the time, Gibbons had caught Mandel in the polls and two were deadlocked. While Mandel has remained near the top of several polls since, Gibbons has seen his numbers decline.

The affable Gibbons, who is 70, grew up in working class Parma, a Cleveland suburb. He serves as senior managing director of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company, an international investment bank and financial advisory firm that he created in 1989 above a dentists office with a desk and a phone.

Im A Businessman

Gibbons platform is similar to what Mandel and Vance believe, but he believes that his negotiating skills cultivated by decades in investment banking differentiate him from his opponents.

Im a businessman, not a politician, Gibbons says at his campaign stops.

My success is built on ideas and solutions, and gaining the trust of executives to incorporate those ideas and solutions, he added.

I can help generate a positive impact for the country in the Senate at a time when it is challenging to accomplish what is needed to restore American principles and values.

Ohio GOP Senate candidate Mike Gibbons talks to voters at a meet and greet in February. (Courtesy of Mike Gibbons Facebook page)

Gibbons ran against Renacci in the 2018 GOP Senate primary and lost. A pro-Trump candidate, he has poured more than $12 million of his own money into his current senate campaign.

Gibbons expressed disappointment after not gaining Trumps endorsement, but like Mandel, he said that he would gladly accept Trumps backing in the general election.

While Mandel was joined by Cruz over the weekend, and Vance was traveling around Ohio with Greene and Gaetz, Gibbons continued a bus tour that has reached all of Ohios 88 counties.

We had a lot of people that came up and said we voted for you, were going to for you,' Gibbons said on May 1 in northwest Ohio. Its what we felt all over the state. We have a lot of support and this elections not over.

Perhaps the candidate most affected by Trumps decision to endorse Vance is Timken.

During debates and campaign stops, she says that Trump endorsed her to become the Ohio Republican Party chairwoman in 2017, and she helped deliver Ohio for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. Trump won Ohio by eight points in both elections.

Timkens campaign was focused on Trumpuntil the former president gave Vance his stamp of approval on April 15.

While I was traveling over 150,000 miles across Ohio doing that important work for the America First agenda, J.D. Vance was in Silicon Valley and cable news studios trashing President Trump, calling him an idiot, noxious, and publicly considering voting for Hillary Clinton to stop Trump, Timken said after learning of Trumps decision.

Ohio voters want someone who has fought and delivered for the America First movementand wont support an elitist who insulted their intelligence and then pretended to be MAGA when it suited his political ambitions.

Timken is endorsed by Portman, former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem.

Over the weekend, she was in Lima making one final push for an improbable victory on May 3.

Jane Timken, chair of the Ohio Republican Party, speaks at a Make America Great Again rally in Lewis Center, Ohio, on Aug. 4, 2018. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

I have been in the trenches fighting for those American-first policies when we had had energy independence, strong and secure border. America was strong in the world we need to get back to those days, Timken said.

The question is who do you trust to fight for you and your family. I have been in the trenches fighting for Ohioans, I am going to continue that fight in the U.S. Senate.

Citizens Candidate

While his opponents talk about their backing from Trump allies, Pukita is a self-described citizens candidate.

He jokingly says that he is endorsed by my mother, and he dismisses the validity of endorsements, pointing out that there are always strings attached.

Pukita is rarely included in polls, and when he is, his numbers are below two percent. He has not been included in most debates, though he points out he was the only candidate to step up and run against Rob Portman before the current senator decided to retire when his term expires at the end of 2022.

A central Ohio resident, Pukita earned a degree in electrical engineering from the Ohio State University. With $1,000, he founded an IT staffing firm called Fast Switch in 1996 and sold it to employees in 2019.

Instead of retiring, or moving on to another venture, he chose to run against Portman, who never did what he was sent to Washington to do. He rolled over and became part of the swamp.

The outspoken Pukita is running for a Senate seat while also serving as an activist who attends rallies against COVID-19 mandates, addresses the Ohio Board of Education against CRT, and holds events designed to bring attention to changing the corrupt Ohio Republican Party.

Pukita understands it is an uphill battle to defeat opponents who are funded by PACS and endorsed by high-profile figures, yet he believes his grassroots campaign is already seeing a positive impact.

I am doing two jobs at the same time. Everyone else is just running their campaigns, reacting with comments to current events, and claiming what they will do if they get elected, Pukita said.

I am running my campaign, emphasizing a detailed platform, and demonstrating that I put words into actions by working as an activist. I am the only true fighter in this race, and what I am doing shows that.

Early voting ends in Ohio on May 2 and the primary will take place on May 3.
Pennsylvania Parents: Drag Queens in Thongs Too Cheeky for School Children

A drag show at a Pennsylvania high school went too far, parents say, when professional drag queens performed sexually provocative dance moves in skimpy spandex thongs at an after-school student event. Parents say they were not informed of the drag show and no parental permission was sought.

The Gay Sexuality Alliance club (GSA) of Hempfield School District hosted its third annual drag show on Monday, April 25, 2022, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., right after school.

Club members were urged to bring tip money to pay the drag queens, who traveled across the state from Pittsburgh to the Lancaster County school, according to a post by the GSA adviser on Schoology, an app used to communicate with students. The post was provided by the school parents Facebook page Lets Talk Hempfield.

The event was promoted in the schools morning announcements and all students were invited to attend.

A student posted parts of the performance on social media, showing four transgender dancers moving to dance club music in clothing that revealed their buttocks and, as one parent noted, definitely did not meet the schools dress code standards. Soon, parents were discussing the event on social media and within days, the Hempfield School District issued an apology.

The administration team apologizes to students, parents, and the community on behalf of those involved in this event. We are appalled at what took place and in no way condone this type of activity in our schools. Neither the dress of the invited guests nor the performance was appropriate in our school setting, the statement said.

It is important to district administrators that the district has the trust and confidence of the community, and we realize that an incident such as this completely undermines that trust. We commit to completing a thorough investigation and holding those involved accountable, up to and including disciplinary action that is commensurate with any findings. Currently, an individual has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Since this is a personnel issue, there will be certain information the district is unable to share with the public, the statement said. The district has not responded to requests for further comment.

The individual placed on leave is a teacher who is one of two advisers of the GSA, parents say.

Meridith Hilt, a parent of two Hempfield students and administrator of the Lets Talk Hempfield parents Facebook page told The Epoch Times that the adviser made a very big error in judgment, but just because parents are upset about the content of this event, doesnt mean they are opposed to the LGBT community or the GSA club.

I want to be clear that were not going after the club, but the club has gone too far, Hilt said. We would have been just as upset if it would have been women from Hooters, strippers, or literally any half-naked adult doing that in front of kids. It is wrong and it has nothing to do with LGBT anything. Its an unfair way to classify our feelings on this like, Oh, you just hate us. Thats not true at all. The behaviors that we saw in the video were clearly inappropriate and indecent for minors.

Richard Boyer, a father of two teens in the district echoed that sentiment.

Its one thing for it to be a drag queen fashion show, Boyer told The Epoch Times. But the type of drag queen show it was borderlines on [a] strip show. With the dancing and the sexual innuendo, thats not fitting to be on school grounds. This has absolutely nothing to do with the LGBTQ community. This is not an attack on them. Theres no hate towards them. Its about the level of appropriateness for an event like that to take place on school grounds in front of children.

There are clear boundaries that have been crossed and so theres some things that that that need to get dialed back, Boyer said.

Parents predict a full house at the May 10 school board meeting. They want to know if the drag queens were paid and if they had completed child abuse background checks that are required in Pennsylvania for anyone working with minors.

The National GSA Network did not respond to a request for comment in this story. Founded in San Francisco in 1998, GSA was originally called the Gay Straight Alliance. Many schools across the nation have a GSA club, but the organization changed its name in 2016 to the Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network.

Once more of a support group, the organization has become more political in recent years.
Leon Cooper, a WWII, Navy landing craft officer, landed assault troops on six Japanese island strongholds. To this day, Mr. Cooper feels a debt to the thousands of US soldiers who died during battles in Europe and in the Pacific (80,000) who lie where they fell, in unmarked graves, and are listed as missing-in-action. (MIA) He recognizes that there are thousands of families who are still affected by the lack of closure that results when a loved one is declared MIA.

Coopers initial battle became the subject of his first documentary, Return to Tarawa, The Leon Cooper Story. Coopers focus is on spurring increased efforts to recover and identify, the remains of men who died in the battle, and whose remains were never recovered denying closure to the thousands of families who mourn for them. Now, at 94 years old, Mr. Coopers risks his health and safety to go to the Philippines, where 70 years earlier he participated in their liberation in 1942.

Upon his arrival in Manila, he was amazed to learn that both the JPAC representative in Manila and the Ambassador refused to meet him.. Undeterred by this strange, thoughtless behavior by all concerned, Mr. Cooper and his documentary film crew spoke to Filipino Scouts and guerrillas. Through these interviews, Leon discovered the essential role they played, providing information essential to the success of General MacArthur in his Return, and the high price the Filipino people paid, ( more than one million killed ) in remaining loyal to the US, and resisting the Japanese invasion and occupation.

Director: Matthew Hausle

Writer: Jay Miracle



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Putins Propaganda Problem

Commentary

It might seem that Vladimir Putin doesnt have a propaganda problem, at least at home. George Orwell presented a vision of the totalitarian futurebased on what Stalins Russia was already likein his 1949 dystopian novel 1984. Its a world where opposition cant even be thought.

In Orwells fictional world, Big Brother sees everything; all media and education are state-controlled and promote the same message. Everyone is under close and constant surveillance. People convince themselves that what theyre told is true; theyre reduced, not simply to silence, but to open avowal of falsehood. They live by lies.

Putin has in place the apparatus and techniques of a totalitarian state. No one in Russia is allowed to call Putins war in Ukraine a warat least until he declares one. They cant discuss, even if they hear about the devastating setbacks, the loss of men and military equipment in such a short time. The first sinking of a Russian flagship since 1905 is officially a mistake, the result of an accidental fire. The factory where the Ukrainian Neptune missiles that, according to the Russian narrative, did not strike the ship was bombed in a furious response to this accident.

Putin has also adopted the Stalin-esque practice of installing political commissars in government workplaces to ensure that no dissent develops and to report back to the Kremlin on employee morale. Textbook publishers are being told to remove references to Ukraine from their books, as if the country didnt exist (a sinister kind of curricular genocide?)

Hows It Working?

So far, despite catastrophic losses, Putin seems to have wide Russian public support for his war. According to one poll by the independent Levada Center, 81 percent of respondents supported the special operation.

But to prosecute a real war, an unprovoked war of choice aimed at the territorial integrity and sovereignty, if not the very existence, of Ukraine, another European state and fellow member of the United Nations, the regime needed more than passive acquiescence. It required the turning of citizens into haters.

Attractive, smiling television news announcers became cheerleaders of death, relishing the death and destruction being wrought on Ukrainian cities and citizens. As Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said from prison when he learned about Bucha, Propagandists create the kind of public opinion that no longer simply allows Putin to commit war crimes, but demands them of him.

The denazification of which the propaganda speaks becomes in practice the mass murder of unarmed civilians, local officials, and politicians identified by pro-Russia Ukrainian collaborators. Many of the dead had been executed in Stalinist style with hands tied behind their backs and a bullet in the back of the head. The Wall Street Journal describes a four-story office building in Bucha that became a center of the Russian militarys systematic use of torture, execution, and imprisonment.

Ukrainian authorities have named and accused 10 individual soldiersthe despicable 10of taking civilians hostage and mistreating them in Buchathe first such move by prosecutors investigating possible war crimes by Moscows forces.

Moscow, meanwhile, has denied any crimes were committed in Bucha, and Putin has awarded the Russian brigade that was occupying Bucha an honorary titlerecognizing what he says was mass heroism and valor, tenacity and courage.

The failure of the initial attack on Kyiv and the continued leadership of the courageous and persuasive Ukrainian government there, with its many virtual (and some in-person) meetings with leaders and legislators across the world, changed Russias propaganda needs. The failures and the missed deadlines, when they could no longer be ignored or denied, were blamed on a bigger, better-armed force, that of NATO. Russia was confronting not just Ukrainian Nazis but the Nazis of the whole world. Blaming Nazis, who are present in both Ukraine and Russia but dont run either, is important to Russian propaganda. It appeals to the memory of the Great Patriotic War (World War II).

The Russian military, though huge, is poorly led and trained. It became bogged down around Kyiv, suffering heavy losses in men and materiel. There have been pro-Russian collaborators, but local people, even in Russian-speaking cities, didnt welcome the occupiers. The special military operation has flattened the cities they were supposed to liberate from Nazis. The worst hit, such as Kharkiv and Mariupol, have been cities with Russian-speaking majorities. Where Russian troops have occupied areas, theres mounting evidence, not of fraternization and wide support, but of torture, rape, pillage, and murder on a large scale.

The Propaganda Challenge

The Russian failures, incompetence, and atrocities create a problem for Russian propaganda. Responses include increased suppression of dissent (fines, prison, encouraging children to report their own teachers and parents), denial, projection, paranoia and playing the victim, bullying, and saber-rattling. All have their dangers and limitations.

Russia isnt a tomb society, lifeless and hermetically sealed from outside information and news unwelcome to the government. The government doesnt publish news of failures or casualty rates, but word slips out, and the deaths of Russian soldiers, seemingly around 20,000 in two months, are very high and hard to keep from the mothers whose young sons have died. Russian mothers of soldiers were a potent political force in the Afghanistan conflict and have shown signs already in this war of becoming a problem for the regime.

In contrast, wealthy and privileged socialites, media stars, and influencers who make a display of angrily chopping up their expensive Chanel bags cut a pathetic and ridiculous figure. They complain that European sanctions caused by Russophobia have interrupted the supply of such bags. This morbid fear of Russiansin the paranoid world of Putin propagandaresults from the worlds Nazis with whom Russia is now at war. As a New York Post headline ironically put it, Wealthy Russian socialites enraged as Chanel blocks them from shopping. The bags retail for some $5,000 to $6,000 and up.

The cheerleaders of death on Russian TV are continuing to whip up war fever and rage, with calls to destroy the Ukrainian state completely and extirpate the very idea of a Ukrainian nation as a Nazi fiction. Francis Scarr, who monitors Russian TV for a living, reports that the propaganda is changing. Its becoming even more belligerent and wider in scope. The new rhetoric is of a war against the West and the elimination of Ukraine as a sovereign country of any size. Even ahead of an announcement by Putin (now referred to mainly as the Supreme Commander-in-Chief), threats of nuclear weapons or talk of World War III are now an almost daily occurrence.

Russias slide toward totalitarianism has costs for the regime itself. As the independent Russian journalist Andrei Kolesnikov put it, A significant proportion of Russiansthose who support the operation and Putinhave become haters who do not listen to arguments that destroy their deathblind vision of the world.

Putin, urged on by his army chiefs, appears to be on the point of dropping talk of a special military operation and announcing the mass mobilization of the whole country, declaring that we are now at war with the worlds Nazis and we need to mass mobilize the Russian people, according to the UK defense secretary. No more special military operation, but a world war against Nazis. Not only did the Cold War never end, it seems, neither did World War II.

Believing Their Own Propaganda

There are three dangers from all this for the Russian regime. One is that such heavy-handed, top-down authoritarianism makes it hard for the man at the top, the despot, to learn whats actually going on. All the way up the chain of command and control, those lower down lie and tell those above them what they think their superiors want to hear. The second is that the regime starts to believe its own propaganda, bizarre as it may be. It lives by the lies it makes others live by, deaf and blind to reality. And the belligerent propaganda along with aggressive policies may incentivize rather than deter other countries from joining or allying with NATO.

One aim of Putins war of choice against Ukraine is to deter anyone else from moving closer to the West, putting a stop once and for all to NATO expansion and encirclement.

The belligerent propaganda may be effective for a while at home but still have the opposite of the intended result abroad. Ukraine fell victim to Russian aggression because it wasnt a member of NATO and not assured of its protection. The invasion isnt deterring previously neutral Finland and Sweden from joining NATO but showing them that in order to protect themselves from Russias aggression and imperial ambitions, they need to join as soon as possible.

Russias intransigence and refusal to countenance any kind of diplomatic solution that doesnt reward its aggression with Ukrainian territory and surrender of its sovereignty is reflected in its increasingly belligerent propaganda. The West in turn has toughened its stance as the extent of Russias imperial ambition becomes unmistakable.

The result has been a key new war aim openly stated by Britain, the United States, and others. That aim is to weaken the Russian military so it will be deterred from launching future wars against its neighbors. As U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin said, We want to see Russia weakened to the degree that it cant do the kinds of things that it has done in invading Ukraine.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
An arriving Qantas Airbus A330 aircraft taxis at Auckland international airport in Auckland, New Zealand on Feb. 28, 2022. (David Rowland/AFP via Getty Images)

Qantas Offers Non-Stop 20 Hour Flights To Australia From London, New York

Passengers who want to fly non-stop from London or New York to Sydney will be able to do so from 2025, as Qantas announced new direct services.

The Australian airline has ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000 jets which are capable of flying for vast distances without the need to refuel.

The new London to Sydney route will take around 20 hours, three hours longer than the service Qantas already provides from the British capital to the city of Perth in Western Australia.

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce called the new routes the final fix for the tyranny of distance.

Joyce pointed out the new Airbuses would also reduce emissions by at least 15 percent if running on fossil fuels, and significantly better when run on sustainable aviation fuel and he added: This order brings us closer to our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

When planes first started flying from London to Sydney in 1947, it took a total of 58 hours and required seven stops en route.

Currently, most London to Sydney flights land in Bangkok, Singapore, or Dubai.

The New York to Sydney route will avoid the current stopovers in Los Angeles or Vancouver.

Qantas said the planes, which would be delivered between 2025 and 2028, would carry 238 passengers each, with 40 percent of the cabin being given over to premium seating.

It gave no indication as to how much tickets would be, but said travellers would be able to access a wellbeing zone in the centre of the plane with a snack bar and a space for stretching and movement.

In 2001, Emma Christofferson, 28, died after developing a blood clot after flying from Australia to London and it was claimed at the time that deaths from deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were linked to long flights.

But subsequent research, such as a 2009 paper by the German Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, found the risk had been over-estimated and healthy travellers were in no great danger from DVT.

The national secretary of Australias Transport Workers Union, Michael Kaine, criticised Qantas for spending money on new planes when it had laid off 2,000 ground workers, a decision that an Australian federal court ruled last year was not legal.

Kaine said: While many illegally outsourced workers are still struggling to make ends meet and passengers are suffering long delays and lost luggage, we see Qantas splashing the cash on new planes and flight routes.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) speaks to the press after Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) was ousted from her leadership role in the House Republican Conference at U.S. Capitol in Washington, on May 12, 2021. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades/AP Photo)

Rep. Kinzinger-Sponsored Bill Would Grant Sweeping New War Powers to Biden

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) on Monday introduced legislation that would give President Joe Biden sweeping new powers to conduct and manage U.S. aid to Ukraine as the Russian invasion of the country moves into its ninth week of fighting.

Kinzingers Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), if passed, would grant Biden congressional approval to deploy U.S. ground troops if Russian President Vladimir Putin uses chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons.

Im introducing this AUMF as a clear redline so the Administration can take appropriate action should Russia use chemical, biological, and/or nuclear weapons. We must stand up for humanity and we must stand with our allies, Kinzinger said of the bill.

As the President of the United States has said, Putin must be stopped, he said, echoing a common refrain from the White House. Accordingly, the Commander in Chief to the worlds greatest military should have the authority and means to take the necessary actions to do so.

The AUMF would end once the president certifies to Congress that the territorial integrity of Ukraine has been restored.

Words matter, but so do our actions. Im introducing this AUMF as a clear redline so @POTUS can take appropriate action if Russia uses chemical, biological, and/or nuclear weapons, Kinzinger said in a May 1 tweet announcing the bill. We must stand up for humanity and we must stand with our allies.

Kinzinger has long pushed for a more active U.S. presence in the region, leading to open spats with conservative commentators like Tucker Carlson who have pushed for the United States to stay out.

In a bill introduced earlier this year, Kinzinger proposed a bill promising the nation of Georgia financial and military support if Russia attempted to invade.

Russias aggression on a sovereign nation isnt new, Kinzinger wrote in an April 29 tweet. We saw it in 2008 when they invaded Georgia. As Putins failed campaign in Ukraine continues, we must show we stand with our allies. This week the House did so by passing my bill with @GerryConnolly, the Georgia Support Act.

Prior to his wide-reaching AUMF bill, Kinzinger pushed the administration to send high-powered MiG fighter jets to the region, a proposal that some other lawmakers worried could cause the conflict to escalate.

We cannot allow Ukraine sovereignty to be walked over by a ruthless authoritarian, Kinzinger wrote in a March 17 tweet. We know Putin will do anything for power; using any means necessary to break the Ukrainian spirit. Standing with Ukraine has to be more than just words. We must send the MiGs now.

Kinzingers more interventionist approach to the Ukraine conflicts highlights an ongoing split among Republicans, some of whom have called for a more active role in the conflict, while others have called for the United States to focus on its own domestic issues instead.

In the weeks leading up to and following the invasion of Ukraine, many in the GOP old guard called for debilitating sanctions on Russia, supplies and monetary assistance to Ukraine, and U.S. boots on the groundone lawmaker, Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), even suggested that the United States shouldnt rule out a nuclear first strike against Russia.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who voted in favor of the Iraq War and has maintained a strongly interventionist attitude toward foreign relations, called for massive sanctions on Russia, echoing the sentiments of many senators on both sides of the aisle.

Another side of the Republican Party, generally younger, newer faces on the political scene, have called for the United States to stay out of the conflict.

In an interview J.D. Vance, a Trump-backed GOP contender for outgoing Sen. Rob Portmans (R-Ohio) seat, gave a significantly different answer on how the United States should respond to the Russian invasion.

I gotta be honest with you, I dont really care what happens to Ukraine one way or another, said Vance. Im sick of Joe Biden focusing on the border of a country I dont care about while he lets the border of his own country become a total war zone.

Candace Owens, a black conservative woman who has been pegged as a potential candidate for public office in the future, went a step further than Vance, blaming the crisis on the United States and NATO.

I suggest every American who wants to know whats actually going on in Russia and Ukraine, read this transcript of Putins address. As Ive said for month[s]NATO (under direction from the United States) is violating previous agreements and expanding eastward. WE are at fault, Owens said in a Tuesday tweet.

In a separate tweet, she added, If you think America has never been the aggressor in waryou are not pro-American you are pro-ignorance.

It remains unclear how other lawmakers will respond to Kinzingers resolution, which could lead to a significant escalation in the conflict if passed.

During a May 1 visit to Ukraine, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) promised Ukrainians that support is on the way, suggesting that she may be in favor of bringing Kinzingers bill to the floor for a vote.
Soldiers with a multinational force transport troops to clear Boko Haram enclaves on Lake Chad in April 2022. (Courtesy of Col. Muhammad Dole)

Roads Into Abuja Facing New Threat of Hidden Bombs: Nigerian Authorities

Roadside bombs, jihadists asymmetric game-changer in the northeast of the country, now threaten Nigerian roads and rails across the countrys northern states, security officials said on April 26.

The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby draws public attention to plans by criminal elements to return the country to the pre-2015 era reminiscent of IED attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country, the agency, which functions similarly to the FBI, said in a statement.

The statement alludes to the frequent use of suicide bombers and vehicular-borne explosive devices by the terrorist group Boko Haram from 2011 to 2015.

Boko Haram first attacked a Western government in a vehicle bomb attack on the U.N. headquarters in Abuja, Nigerias capital city, on Aug. 26, 2011, killing 23 people and wounding more than 80.

The DSS warning comes a month after a group of bandits used an improvised explosive device (IED) to derail a passenger train on March 28 from Abuja on its way to Kaduna city, killing eight passengers. Another 165 passengers were kidnapped for ransom.

The sophistication of the attack sent shockwaves across Nigeria.

That was no ordinary kidnapping attack, said Murtala Rufai, a professor at Usmanu Danfodiyo University.

Rufai is an expert on the large bandit gangs that terrorize Nigerias five northwestern states.

Government spokesmen have said that bandit gangs in the northwest have made some kind of alliance with jihadist terrorists, which until recently had been confined to the northeastern region of the country.

Though there are already reported cases of such incidents in some areas, the service has uncovered a plot by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance among themselves with a view to launching further attacks on critical infrastructure and other frequented public places like worship and relaxation centers, especially during and after the holidays and festive celebrations, the DSS statement reads.

Although IEDs increasingly have been deployed by elements of Boko Haram and the ISIS of West Africa Province (ISWAP) which are under attack by the multinational military units in the Lake Chad region, they havent been used frequently in Nigerias northwest.

However, should the new alliance of jihadists and bandits make widespread use [of] roadside bombs and vehicular bombs, the bombs could have a major effect, retired Brig. Gen. Ernie Audino told The Epoch Times. The IED is an asymmetric capability. An IED costs almost nothing to create, but its employment can have grossly disproportionate effect.

For example, once they are used on road networks, no one wants to use those roads anymore. The widespread use of IEDs in the populous areas of Nigeria could have major effect on the economy of the nation.

A man walks past a train of the newly completed AbujaKaduna night railway line in Abuja, on July 21, 2016. (Stringer/AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. military has decades of experience and acquired skills to defeat the users of IEDs.

Every bomb-making factory in Iraq had its unique signature. The coalition forces in Iraq tracked and targeted the factories based on their unique characteristics, and we learned how to attack the networks that supplied the explosives and parts for them, too, Audino said. Its in the United States interest to help the Nigerians address this threat.

The Nigerian military claimed victories on April 25 in the Lake Chad campaign, known as Operation Lake Sanity, which killed more than 100 terrorists and set free 50 women and children who were hostages.

However, IEDs are increasingly cited as a killer of Nigerian soldiers and civilians.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Musa, a top commander of the operation against Boko Haram insurgents still sheltering in the southern part of the Lake Chad basin, has said that the detection and disarming of IEDs are major challenges, according to media outlet reports.

Nigerian army and multinational forces in several locations of Borno state were hit by 81 roadside bombs in recent months, according to EmergencyDigest.com.

During the March clearing operations, the army found 21 concealed IEDs on a 100-mile stretch of road leading into the vast Sambisa Forest where insurgents shelter in underground complexes.

The locally made improvised explosive devices are accounting for more than half of the fatalities recorded in the ongoing counter-insurgency campaign in the northeast, security expert Zagazola Makama said, citing army sources.

IED bomb-making facilities were among the prizes taken by a multinational force dislodging terrorist enclaves during March and April.

Sophisticated weapons of different calibers were either destroyed or captured, including a 105-millimeter artillery piece, several canoes, boats, motorcycles, bicycles, other terrorists equipment. Several IED making factories and bunkers were destroyed, Multinational Force spokesman Col. Muhammed Dole said in a statement.

Makama said: The insurgents have now fully resorted to the use of IEDs.

Terrorists have continued to perfect means of improvising components used to make explosives and ways of camouflaging their detection. Several of these improvised explosives have been seen across the northeast theater by explosive ordnance disposal teams.

For more than a year, terrorists aligned with Boko Haram have fled to northwestern Nigerian states as the rival ISWAP group has gained ascendency in the northeast, according to David Otto, a London-based defense consultant.

Some terrorist criminal groups have relocated to the northwestern states to escape lethal infighting between ISWAP and the die-hard Boko Haram loyalists after the death of their leader a year ago.

David Otto, a West African security expert based in London.

Infighting and hunting of rival leaders has disrupted the unity of ISWAP jihadist forcing rival groups to escape the Lake Chad enclave, Otto wrote.

Some ended up captured by security forces; some experienced top commanders have escaped to other locations for their safety or to neighboring countries for sanctuary; others have forged alliances with criminal networks in the northwest.
Canadian military veteran Daryl Smith speaks during a Veterans for Freedom event at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on April 30, 2022. (Limin Zhou/The Epoch Times)

Rolling Thunder Veterans Event Was About Healing, Says Co-Organizer

A new veterans freedom group that held a ceremony at the National War Memorial alongside the Rolling Thunder convoy event in Ottawa over the May 1 weekend says they hoped to restore honour to the memorial and help veterans heal.

This weekend was about healing, says Daryl Smith, a 21-year veteran of the Canadian Forces who co-founded the group Veterans 4 Freedom (V4F) which organized the event.

He says the event was needed after some of the veterans who joined the Freedom Convoy in solidarity with the truckers to simply open channels of dialogue with the [Prime Minister], were beaten and arrested for simply standing up for freedom, Smith told The Epoch Times.

This weekend was about laying a wreath at the National War Memorial where the police violently removed peaceful, non-compliant veterans from.

The authorities had also erected a fence around the memorial during the Freedom Convoy protest, which veterans later took down out of their own volition.

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, said a V4F press release for the April 30 event at the memorial.

Veterans and supporters gathered for the event, and before the laying of the wreath, some veterans gave speeches, including retired military chaplain Harold Ristau, who led the group in prayer.

I feel honoured to be here with this peaceful community who have taken the time to gather here in this beautiful patriotic effort, Ristau said. It takes a lot of courage in light of the partisan media and government narrative that continues to paint us even, sadly, as terrorists.

While being part of the movement advocating freedom that has sprung up in recent months, V4F also took a stance against displays of signs that include an expletive to criticize Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Theres a lot of the F Trudeau flags and shirts and that sort of thing. If you guys can maybe just put that away, said V4F co-founder Andrew MacGillivray at the beginning of the April 30 event.

With Vets 4 Freedom [] were going to try and put an end to that sort of stuff because we want to be an example for young people, and having that on their flags and their shirts is not the way were going to be moving forward.

The nascent organization has established a code of conduct for its members that includes elements of military ethos such as honour, integrity, and discipline, and also a commitment to non-violence.

Growing Numbers

V4F, which seeks to restore fundamental freedoms for all Canadians, is seeing rapid growth says Smith, with a huge influx of veterans joining.

He says V4F was formed in concept after police removed the Freedom Convoy protest in February, and the organization was formally established in March.

I assure you our recruiting numbers are out-matching the [Canadian Armed Forces] right now, Smith quipped, referring to the militarys struggle to enlist new recruits amid a culture overhaul.

He says the group was processing over 500 applications before the Rolling Thunder event.

The group is also associating with well-known voices in the freedom movement.

Military regiments typically have an honourary colonel, and Smith says former Newfoundland premier Brian Peckford will be filling that role for V4F.

Peckford is the last surviving architect of the countrys Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He attended and was a speaker at the Freedom Convoy protest, and he is suing the federal government over its vaccine mandate for travel by air, rail, and some marine vessels.

V4F has also teamed up with veteran James Topp who is currently walking from Vancouver to Ottawa to advocate for freedom and protest the vaccine mandates. Topp is expected to arrive in Ottawa in late June, and V4F is currently planning for that event.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov move to their seats before their meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on Jan. 21, 2022. (Alex Brandon/AP Photo)

Russia Accuses US of Trying to Split the Entire Architecture of the World

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has accused the United States of trying to shatter the existing world order via the manipulation of international bodies and alliances.

Speaking on Russian state televisions Channel 1, Lavrov on April 26 accused the Biden administration and the West of no longer recognizing international law or the key provision of the sovereign equality of all states, despite Russias recent invasion of Ukraines sovereign territory.

They are trying to split the entire architecture that has been taking shape for many decades and based on consensus, the participation of all the main, major players, including the United States, Russia, India, Japan, China, Australia, he said.

They openly declare that they will be in charge, that NATO has every right to do what it wants, the Russian foreign minister said. Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg can declare that NATO bears a global responsibility for security throughout the world, including in the Indo-Pacific region.

The remarks from Lavrov come after North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) announced in early April that it would begin engaging in the Indo-Pacific region both practically and politically in light of Beijings growing influence and coercion, and its unwillingness to condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg speaks during a media conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 24, 2022. (Virginia Mayo/AP Photo)

Speaking following the meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs on April 7, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the global implications of the Ukrainian conflict had propelled the organization to step up its engagement with Indo-Pacific partners for the first time.

We have seen that China is unwilling to condemn Russias aggression. And Beijing has joined Moscow in questioning the right of nations to choose their own path, Stoltenberg said. This is a serious challenge to us all. And it makes it even more important that we stand together to protect our values.

NATOs Asia-Pacific partners include Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea.

Which Ideas Will Rule the World?

The change in NATOs stance toward the Pacific comes amidst a background of Chinas ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) pushing its 100-year ambition of ruling a global hegemony with its socialist system that it inherited from the former Soviet Union, and which has since been in competition with the U.S.-modelled democratic world order.

Chinas ambitions are also the reason why middle powers like Australia and Japan are becoming regional powerhouses in the Asia-Pacific, argues international security expert Prof. John Blaxland, who is a professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies and former Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University.

Blaxland told The Epoch Times that as the world has shifted to a more multipower structure, the United States in the past few years has been shying away from leading in the international forums, which he argues has led other powers to attempt to fill the void.

Ive been concerned about what I call Americas transactional retreat from ideation or leadership, Blaxland said. Particularly, this is the kind of shying away from leadership in international forums, and the shying away from leadership on international economic and trade-related matters.

This pullback, he believes, has led to the United States conceding ground in regions like the Indo-Pacific to belligerent countries like China. [And] its very unnerving for countries like Korea, Japan, Australia, Philippines and others, including Thailand.

But on the other hand, Blaxland said, the U.S. withdrawal from ideational leadership has seen other countries step forward to lead their regions in the face of rising threats from nations like China.

QUAD has become more and more important, particularly the role of Japan and Australia, contributing to keeping the United States maintaining its resolve and assuring the United States of being a welcome security partner in this part of the Indo-Pacific, he said.

(L-R) Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women Marise Payne, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Hayashi Yoshimasa and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at Melbourne Commonwealth Parliament Office in Melbourne, Australia, on Feb. 11, 2022. (David Crosling/APP)

Likewise, he notes, Australia has become incredibly crucial to the U.S. military and political response to China in the Pacific.

Geostrategically, and as a backup to the United States, Australias become more significant than ever for Americas plans and contingencies, Blaxland said.

An Alliance of Convenience

Demonstrating the strengthening alliance between the Russian government and the Chinese communist regime, Lavrov also accused the United States and its democratic allies of trying to undermine Beijing and disrespecting the sovereignty and rights of China and Russia.

They demand from the whole world blindly, step by step, to follow them and the already built allies. They do not fulfill the obligation to respect the sovereign equality of states. In fact, this equality is blatantly violated, forcing everyone to follow their own rules, he said.

The comments from Lavrov echo sentiments of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which on April 28 and 29 accused NATO of being an organization that constantly creates confrontation and is seeking to mess up the Asia-Pacific region, according to the CCPs view of what the region should look like.

Read More Global Security With Chinese Characteristics

The impact of NATOs eastward expansion on the long-term peace and stability of Europe is worth reflecting upon. NATO has messed up Europe. Is it now trying to mess up the Asia-Pacific and even the world? Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.

Meanwhile, another foreign ministry spokesperson for China Zhao Lijian on April 29 announced that China and Russia would continue to collaborate on global affairs and had committed themselves to create a new model of international relations that will be formulated around the ideas of non-alliance, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of third countries.

An honor guard holds a Russian flag during preparations for a welcome ceremony for Russian President Vladimir Putin outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on June 8, 2018. (Jason Lee/Reuters)

Blaxland, though, believes Russia and Chinas alliance will not last.

Its an alliance of convenience, he said. Its not one of the trust.

Comparing that alliance to the Five Eyes alliance between the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand, he said that the CCP and Russia cannot replicate such alliances.

Were part of a trusted network that goes back generations and its not to be taken lightly. It is a very serious, profound relationship between five countries that have a degree of commonality in their values and an overlap in their interests, Blaxland said.
The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking, on Oct. 4, 2018. (NASA/Roscosmos/Handout via Reuters)

Russia Says It Decided to Quit International Space Station Amid Economic Sanctions

Russias space agency Roscosmos intends to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) amid Western sanctions designed to cripple Moscows economy, the head of the space program confirmed.

Dmitry Rogozin, the chief of Roscosmos, said in an April 30 interview with Rossiya-24 TV channel that the decision and timing of Russia ending its participation in the ISS have already been taken.

Rogozin noted that the agency doesnt feel obligated to provide an exact date of its withdrawal, but confirmed it will warn partners on the space station within the stipulated one-year notice period.

The decision has already been made, we are not obliged to speak about it publicly. I can only say one thing: in accordance with our obligations, we will warn our partners a year in advance about the end of work on the ISS, he told the Russian state-owned TV channel.

In March, Rogozin announced in a storm of since-deleted posts on Twitter that Roscosmos would suspend all cooperation with international partners on joint projects like the ISS with NASA and the European Space Agency, citing Western economic sanctions imposed on Russia over its attack on Ukraine.

I believe that the restoration of normal relations between partners in the International Space Station and other joint projects is possible only with the complete and unconditional lifting of illegal sanctions, he said at the time.

Following Russias invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a special military operation to disarm its neighbor and topple its government, Western allies imposed sweeping sanctions, including export bans on key technologies.

President Joe Biden ordered high-tech export restrictions against Moscow that he said were designed to degrade Russias aerospace industry, which includes its space program.

The ISS was launched in 1998 and NASA currently plans to keep it in operation through 2030. Rogozin said at a meeting with State Duma deputies colossal funds would be required to expand operations until 2030, otherwise the station will fall apart, TASS reported.

Back dropped by planet Earth the International Space Station (ISS) is seen from NASA space shuttle Endeavour after the station and shuttle began their post-undocking relative separation in space, on May 29, 2011. (NASA via Getty Images)

Russias work on the ISS is determined by the government, but the Roscosmos chief hinted that he believes Moscow will continue to work on the ISS until 2024.

This work will be largely related [to] our readiness to deploy the Russian Orbital Service Station  which will be multifunctional, work on it is already underway, the preliminary design is being developed by the Energia corporation, Rogozin said at the meeting.

When it is presented and protected, after that we will already begin to create this smart iron and prepare its launch into space, the deployment of the station, he added.

Last year, Russia already announced plans it wants to halt operations on the ISS, citing concerns about the stations aging structure. Around the same time, Moscow claimed it is working on a new space station named the Russian Orbital Space Station, which is set to be operated entirely by Roscosmos.

From NTD News
The first Ukrainian dog transported by the San Diego Humane Society is playing in the nonprofit's dog yard in San Diego on May 1, 2022. (Courtesy of San Diego Humane Society)

San Diego Nonprofit, CDC Partner to Help Ukrainian Pets Cross Border

SAN DIEGOThe San Diego Humane Society and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on May 2 they have partnered to allow Ukrainian refugees crossing the U.S.-Mexico border to bring their pets with them.

The nonprofit transported the first dog from Ukraine across the border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry on April 30, and humane officers are available to transfer more dogs as needed.

The dog was taken to San Diego Humane Society late on April 30. The next day, the organizations veterinary team performed an exam on the dog and administered vaccines and flea medication.

The first Ukrainian dog transported by the San Diego Humane Society arrives in San Diego on April 30, 2022. (Courtesy of San Diego Humane Society)

According to the veterinarians, overall, the dog is in good health. She will now be cared for at the organizations Behavior Center for enrichment and socialization, while on a 28-day rabies quarantine, before she can be reunited with her family.

Pets are family, and families should never be forced apart, said Dr. Gary Weitzman, San Diego Humane Society president and CEO. As soon as the war broke out in Ukraine, we began looking for ways to support people with pets and the animals left behind by this tragedy.

When we heard that Ukrainian pets were getting stopped at the borderright in our own backyardwe immediately wanted to help, he said. Our goal is to get these animals safely across the border and back to their families as quickly as possible. Well do whatever we can to help the animals and people impacted by this tragic crisis.

A photo of the first Ukrainian dog transported by the San Diego Humane Society under examination in San Diego on May 1, 2022. (Courtesy of San Diego Humane Society)

Last month, Weitzman deployed with Greater Good Charities to Poland on a mission to provide veterinary care and help the International Fund for Animal Welfare set up a border crossing veterinary clinic to support pets impacted by the war in Ukraine.

The organization said it will continue to work with the CDC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to transport and quarantine Ukrainian pets as needed.

The first Ukrainian dog transported by the San Diego Humane Society is playing in the nonprofits dog yard in San Diego on May 1, 2022. (Courtesy of San Diego Humane Society)
A helicopter flies by Serbian Army soldiers performing during military exercises on a military airport near Belgrade, Serbia, on April 30, 2022. (Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo)

Serbia Displays Chinese Missiles Amid Concerns in Balkans

BELGRADE, SerbiaSerbia on Saturday publicly displayed a recently delivered Chinese anti-aircraft missile system, raising concerns in the West and among some of Serbias neighbors that an arms buildup in the Balkans could threaten fragile peace in the region.

The sophisticated HQ-22 surface-to-air system was delivered last month by a dozen Chinese Air Force Y-20 transport planes in what was believed to be the largest-ever airlift delivery of Chinese arms to Europe.

Although Serbia officially seeks membership in the European Union, it has been arming itself mostly with Russian and Chinese weapons, including T-72 battle tanks, MiG-29 fighter jets, Mi-35 attack helicopters ,and drones.

Back in 2020, U.S. officials warned Belgrade against purchasing HQ-22 missile systems, whose export version is known as FK-3. They said that if Serbia really wants to join the EU and other Western alliances, it must align its military equipment with Western standards.

HQ-22 anti-aircraft systems, whose export version is known as FK-3, during the military exercises on a military airport near Belgrade, Serbia, on April 30, 2022. (Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo)

The Chinese missile system has been widely compared to the American Patriot and the Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems although it has a shorter range than more advanced S-300s. Serbia is the first operator of the Chinese missiles in Europe.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said at the end of the arms display at a military airport near Belgrade that the Chinese missiles, as well as other recently delivered military hardware, are not a threat to anyone and only represent a powerful deterrent against potential attackers.

We will no longer allow to be a punching bag for anyone, Vucic said, apparently referring to NATOs 78-day bombardment of Serbia for its crackdown against Kosovo Albanian separatists in 1999.

Serbia, which was at war with its neighbors in the 1990s, does not recognize Kosovos independence declared in 2008. It still has frosty relations with NATO-members Croatia and Montenegro as well as Bosnia, whose separatist Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik attended the military drill on Saturday.

Vucic said Serbia is also negotiating a purchase of French multi-purpose Dessault Rafale jets, as well as British Eurofighter Typhoon fighters. He said that only political hurdles could prevent the purchase of the Western aircraft.

Although Serbia has voted in favor of U.N. resolutions that condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it has refused to join international sanctions against its allies in Moscow or outright criticize Russia.
Setback for Shanghais COVID-19 Battle; Beijing Focus on Mass Testing

SHANGHAI/BEIJINGChinas commercial capital of Shanghai was dealt a blow on Monday as authorities reported new COVID-19 cases outside quarantine areas while Beijing pressed on with testing millions of its people.

Tough coronavirus measures in Shanghai have stirred rare public anger, with millions of the citys 25 million people confined indoors for more than a month, some sealed inside fenced off residential compounds, and many struggling to secure daily necessities.

Shanghai residents breathed a sigh of relief at the weekend on news that no cases had been confirmed outside quarantine areas for two days, but bad news came on Monday with the report of the 58 new infections.

China reported 7,822 new COVID-19 cases and 32 new deaths on Sunday, the National Health Commission said on Monday. All of Chinas 32 new deaths were in Shanghai.

The actual number of COVID-19 cases and deaths may be much higher. Chinas COVID-19 data is difficult to verify, as the Chinese regime routinely suppresses or alters information.

New Focus on Beijing

Chinas COVID-19 policy looks increasingly bizarre to much of the outside world, where many governments have eased restrictions, or thrown them off altogether, in a bid to live with COVID.

The Chinese regime has given no hint of deviating from its zero-COVID policy despite a mounting toll on the economy, and the ripples of disruption traveling out through global supply chains.

In the capital, home to 22 million people, authorities tighten COVID-19 restrictions over the five-day Labor Day holiday that runs through Wednesday, traditionally one the busiest tourist seasons.

Beijing, with dozens of daily infections in an outbreak now entering two weeks, has not locked down, instead relying, at least for now, on mass testing to locate and isolate infections.

Beijings restaurants are closed for dining in and some apartment blocks are sealed shut. The streets are quiet and the residents who do venture out have to show negative coronavirus tests to enter most public venues.

Authorities are tracking down close contacts of confirmed cases, warning them to stay at home and contact authorities, and calling on everyone to abide by lockdown rules.

Anger in Shanghai

Shanghais citywide lockdown since early April has caused worries about food and concern about being taken to crowded quarantine centers should they catch the virus.

Extreme measures taken to seal up residential compounds, including fencing up entrances of buildings, have prompted outrage.

Some residents have turned to social media to vent their frustration, some clanged pots and pans outside their windows, and others clashed with public health workers.

The song Do you hear the people sing? from the musical Les Miserables has become a popular protest anthem. On Saturday, an online video of a Chinese orchestra playing the song, with the musicians performing from their respective homes, went viral with nearly 19,000 shares before it was blocked.
Michelle Donelan, UK Minister for Higher and Further Education, addresses delegates during the Conservative Party Spring Conference, in Blackpool, northwest England, on March 18, 2022. (Paul Ellis /AFP via Getty Images)

Setting Quotas for Female Election Candidates Demeaning: UK Minister

A female British minister has rejected calls for the Conservative Party to have an all-women shortlist for an upcoming by-election, calling such moves demeaning.

A by-election will be held to replace Neil Parish, the Conservative MP for Tiverton and Honiton, who resigned on April 30 after admitting to watching pornography on his mobile phone in the House of Commons.

Some Conservativesincluding Caroline Nokes, the chairwoman of the Commons Women and Equalities Committeehave called on the party to ensure its candidate in the by-election is a woman.

Party chairman Oliver Dowden also said at the weekend he wanted the Conservatives to ensure more female MPs were elected so that the party in Parliament reflects the wider country.

But Michelle Donelan, the universities minister, said she did not support all-women shortlists, adding that the best way to get more women into Parliament was by encouragement and breaking down barriers.

We dont do it by putting in quotas which I find quite demeaning to women. Women can get there on merit, she told Sky News, citing the examples set by former Conservative prime ministers Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.

She added that current Home Secretary Priti Patel and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss are both female leaders who got there on merit.

The revelations of Parishs inappropriate actions sparked renewed calls for a clampdown on unacceptable behaviour in Parliament, particularly toward women.

Donelan said that while she had not been subjected to sexist treatment herself during her seven years as an MP, it was horrific and alarming to see so many reports.

This is not the majority of members of Parliament, this is a minority. These are misogynistic dinosaurs. They do not represent the majority of members of Parliament, she said.

Over the weekend, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle called for a radical reform of working practices in the Houses of Parliament.

In an attempt to address a series of serious allegations of bullying and misconduct, he suggested staff should no longer be employed by the parliamentarians they work for, and should instead be employed by a new outside body.

Others have called for action to tackle a drinking culture in Parliament, where alcohol is widely available at its numerous bars and restaurants.

Donelan, however, said this should not be considered an excuse for unacceptable behaviour.

Are we literally saying that people cant go and have a drink and then behave themselves? Because that is a damning indictment, she told Times Radio.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare inspect honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

Solomon Islands: Going After Chinese Juice

Commentary

The Americans went to the Solomon Islands almost two weeks ago. It was a high-power delegation that included Bidens National Security Council Indo-Pacific Asia Czar Kurt Campbell, the State Departments Asia-Pacific head Daniel Kritenbrink, and senior officials from USAID and USINDOPACOM.

But there was an air of desperation to it allgiven that the Solomon Islands government had just signed an agreement with China that potentially allows unfettered Chinese military access to the Solomons. This is the first such military deal Beijing has signed with a Pacific nation.

The U.S. team met with Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and expressed concerns about the deal with the Chinese. That ship has sailed, however.

Sogavare will gladly take whatever goodies the Americans have to offer. But he wont be persuaded or paid to revoke the Chinese deal. And a handsome aid and development package wont change his mind. Indeed, it might even bolster his standing in certain quartersas the guy who got the Americans to pay attention to the Solomon Islandsand to pay up.

Sogavare has cast his lot with Beijing and might be counting on the Chinese to keep him in power since he and the SolomonsChina deal are widely unpopular with large parts of the public, including the important western and Malaita provinces.

Sogavare would probably lose the next electionscheduled for 2023and so its feared he will try to postpone it.

U.S. National Security Councils Indo-Pacific coordinator Kurt Campbell (L) leaves after a meeting with the Solomon Islands opposition leader Matthew Wale in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on April 22, 2022. (Mavis Podokolo/AFP via Getty Images)

So Whats Coming?

Theres a real risk of the Solomon Islands becoming a one-party state run by a corrupt regime that keeps power by violence and a Chinese presence. And this will mean civil war once again in the Solomonswith all attendant misery for the citizenry.

Theres only a short window to avoid this.

The American visitors told Sogavare that the United States will have significant concerns and would respond accordingly if China sets up a permanent military presence, power-projection capabilities, or a military installation.

Sogavare might be forgiven for thinking that Washingtons respond accordingly means a furrow-browed expression of serious concern.

And Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who has staked his prestige on the Solomons deal, might think so.

But the United States has a few options. For starters, it might do what it should have done a long time ago. Pay attention to the Solomon Islands (and the other Pacific Island nations), and dont outsource things to the Australians and the New Zealanders.

That means having a real presence. The United States closed its embassy in Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands, in 1993 but has promised to reestablish an embassy and fast-track the process. It should probably fast-track it some more. In State Department terms, fast-track can mean within the decade.

Washington should immediately get diplomats on the ground. And not just any foreign service officers who happen to be available and willing to go. Instead, select gifted officers able to influence and who understand political warfare. Require them to producenot just write cables and host delegations from Washington.

Next, get to know the locals and listen to them. The Solomons are more than just Sogavare and his cronies. There are opposition politicians, provincial leaders, religious organizations, and womens groups. All are immensely important domestically, and all are distressed with what Sogavare is doingespecially given that as the opposition, they are likely targets for any repression he and Beijing have planned.

The aftermath of a looted street in Honiaras Chinatown, Solomon Islands, on Nov. 27, 2021. Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavares regime revealed on March 24, 2022, that it had signed a policing cooperation agreement with China, raising the alarm in nearby Australia and beyond. (Piringi Charley/AP Photo)

Giving attention to these leaders and groups encourages them, adds to their power and influence, and provides some protection from Sogavares coercion.

To its credit, the U.S. delegation that came through did meet with opposition leaders and citizen groups. But theres something even more useful the Americans and their friends can do: go after the bribery and corruption that juices communist Chinas subversion and influence efforts in the Solomons and the rest of the Pacific.

It works for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) because its rarely exposed.

Whats needed is an aggressive, focused intelligence effort to uncover and expose the bribes and hidden inducements the CCP and Chinese commercial entities give to Solomon Islands leaders and their cronies, and to make sure everybody everywhere in the Solomons, the region, and the Pacific know about it.

Every deal signed with a Chinese or other foreign company in the Solomons should be exposed to public scrutiny.

Besides undercutting Beijings subversion efforts, transparency and revealing corrupt activities bolster local politicians and groups that want honest and consensual government and oppose CCP domination.

What Does This Corruption Look Like?

The following are just a few examples of Beijings modus operandi: building houses and providing prestige vehicles for politicians and officials; providing study trips to China for local politicians and family members with an envelope of cash on arrival; paying bribes to obtain licenses and permits for Chinese companiesparticularly fishing and logging companies; bribing officials to put Western companies out of business so Chinese companies can take over their operations; and under-the-table payments to foreign policy decisions, such as changing political recognition from Taiwan to China or supporting Beijings position in a regional organization.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare (3rd L) of the Solomon Islands meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping (2nd R) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, on Oct. 9, 2019. (Parker Song-Pool/Getty Images)

And there are kickbacks from construction and real estate projects, and payoffs to allow illegal Chinese immigrants into the country and to overlook foreign exchange and labor regulations.

The only limit is the extent of ones criminal mindedness.

This means that there is a bright red criminal line tying the corrupt back to the CCPmaking them and their patrons vulnerable to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law. Cutting that line cuts the country free from Beijing. Its essential to track officials and their cronies overseas real estate holdings and bank accountsand freeze them, seize them, and return the money for the benefit of Solomon Islanders.

Go after the aiders and abettorsthe foreign banks, attorneys, real estate agents, and even certain politicians and think-tankers that excuse it all. Expose, sanction, seize, arrest, and imprison as applicable. And publicize it to high heaven.

But isnt this approach too harsh?

No. Have no illusions about Sogavare and his cronies.

He knows he will probably lose the 2023 elections; if he cant rig them, he will try to postpone them. In the meantime, he will dig inusing Chinese money and bought politicians, paid thugs, crooked police, increased surveillance, corrupt judges and prosecutors to intimidate, imprison, and, if necessary, kill the opposition.

Indeed, he brings to mind Zimbabwes former President Robert Mugabe, as he installed himself into power and then looted and ran the country into the ground for 37 years. The Americans (and the British) thought they could moderate Mugabe through engagement and turned a blind eye to what he was doingnot least murder, corruption, and rigged elections. The claim was, It will make things worse if we say something, and he was elected, after all. Yes, once and sort of.

Theres something condescending about this approach. As if the locals deserved nothing betterand didnt really mind corrupt, repressive rule.

Keep in mind that the Biden administration launched an anti-corruption initiative late last year. This was going to be the touchstone of U.S. foreign policy. The Solomon Islands is a splendid opportunity for Team Biden to show it meant what it said.

The Americans should also pay attention to the rest of the Pacific, where theres plenty of concern over the recent Solomon IslandsChina deal.

One Easy Way to Show the Entire Pacific Matters to Washington

Renew the COFA agreements with Palau, Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands tomorrow. And immediately settle the outstanding nuclear testing claims for the Marshall Islanders.

But get to work in the Solomons. Work with the Australians and the Japanesebut dont wait around for them.

And keep score every six months.

Of course, Chinese juice is just as plentiful and effective in Washington, Tokyo, London, Canberra, Ottawa, and any number of so-called first-world places. But thats another story and even less excusable.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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)

Solomon Islands Playing US, China Off Against Each Other: Diplomacy Expert

The contentious security deal between the Solomon Islands and Beijing is a sign that the Pacific nation is exploiting Great Power competition between China and democratic allies in the region, according to a diplomacy expert.

Joseph Siracusa, adjunct professor of international diplomacy at Curtin University, said smaller nations will play small power politics when wedged between bigger countries attempting to gain influence over a region.

At the same time, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been leveraging its Belt and Road Initiative to carve out a stake in the South Pacific by offering infrastructure deals to many developing countries.

What the Chinese are doing is classic British diplomacy in the 19th century and the United States in the early 20th century between Britain and France, Siracusa told The Epoch Times. Its about leveraging money and finances to get a foothold.

One of the most famous examples of the Great Power competition was the Great Game, which occurred in Afghanistan and Central Asia during the 1800s between the British and Russian Empireboth countries manoeuvred diplomatically and politically for more than a century to fend off a possible invasion from the other.

According to Siracusa, the same scenario is playing out in the Solomon Islands.

All this changed when the leadership in Honiara withdrew its support from Taipei in favour of Beijing; thats the constant here, he said. If it hadnt switched leaders or loyalties, Im sure Beijing would not have come calling with their chequebook.

Embattled Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has been defiant in his decision to sign the security deal while also giving assurances to Australian and U.S. delegations that the security deal wont result in a military base being established in the region.

When Australia signed up to AUKUS, we did not become theatrical or hysterical about the implications this would have for us, Sogavare said in a fiery address to the Solomon Islands Parliament on April 29. We respected Australias decision.

According to a leaked draft of the Security Cooperation between the Solomon Islands and the Peoples Republic of China (PRC), Beijing would be able to dispatch police, troops, weapons, and even naval shipswith the consent of the Solomon Islandsto protect the safety of Chinese personnel and major projects in the Solomon Islands.

Experts have said a fully implemented security deal would lead to geopolitical tensions akin to the South China Sea.

The Solomon Islands was the site of extensive fighting during World War IIresulting in more than 7,000 casualties to the Allied forcesbecause of its critical position and influence over vital sea lanes.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned of the challenges of competing with Beijing for influence in the region.

There are 20 Pacific Island foreign nations.  There are 20 areas which were looking to ensure we counter that (CCP) influence, Morrison told Radio 2GB on April 26.

Were the only country in the world to have an embassy in every single one of those Pacific island nations. So its an area which is tightly contested, and weve always been heavily forward-leaning. But were dealing with the Chinese government that doesnt play by the same rules.
Supreme Court to Look at Whether One Spouse Can Be Held Liable for the Others Fraud in Bankruptcy

The Supreme Court agreed on May 2 to take a case about whether a bankrupt debtor can escape liability for a debt arising out of someone elses fraudulent act.

Kate Bartenwerfer, who filed for bankruptcy after an ill-fated real estate deal, appealed after the often-reversed U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit ruled she cant get away from a debt that is nondischargeable in bankruptcy, even though she maintains she had nothing to do with her husbands fraudulent conduct in the sale of their San Francisco home.

The couple had purchased and renovated the house. They moved out, and the husband took care of the sale of the house with his wifes permission but without any substantial involvement on her part. Without the wifes knowledge, the husband allegedly made false representations to the buyer, the respondent Kieran Buckley.

The wifes attorney, Iain Angus Macdonald of Macdonald Fernandez LLP, didnt reply by press time to requests by The Epoch Times for comment.

But Macdonald told Bloomberg Law that the more modern, enlightened approach is not to hold the innocent spouse liable in these situations.

One spouse should not bear the burden of the flaws of the other spouse, the lawyer reportedly said.

The case is Bartenwerfer v. Buckley, court file 21-908. As is their practice, the justices didnt indicate why they granted the petition. The case may be heard as soon as the fall when the court begins a new term.

Buckley sued Bartenwerfer and her husband, David, after finding structural defects in the house. The Bartenwerfers both declared bankruptcy after a jury sided with Buckley in 2012.

The 9th Circuit ruling last year worsened an intractable split among federal courts of appeal, the wife stated in her petition (pdf) to the Supreme Court.

Buckley, on the other hand, praised the 9th Circuit for getting it right in his opinion. Bankruptcy law excepts from discharge all debts for money that was obtained by actual fraud, without regard to the debtors involvement in, or state of mind as to, the underlying fraud itself, he stated in a brief.

Even though the Bartenwerfers attested in legal documents involved in the transaction that they made an effort to fully disclose all material facts relating to the property, several significant problems werent disclosed.

Buckley sued in California state court, alleging defects in the house. He sued the Bartenwerfers for breach of contract, negligence, nondisclosure of material facts, negligent misrepresentation, and intentional misrepresentation. A jury awarded Buckley damages, finding for him regarding breach of contract, negligence, and nondisclosure of material facts, but against him on his remaining claims. The Bartenwerfers filed for bankruptcy.

In bankruptcy court, Buckley tried to pursue his judgment by initiating an adversary proceeding against the Bartenwerfers, arguing that the state court judgment against the couple couldnt be discharged in bankruptcy under federal law, which provides that a debtor cant discharge debt that was obtained through fraud. The bankruptcy court found that the Bartenwerfers intended to deceive Buckley and that the portion of the judgment related to Buckleys nondisclosure claim was nondischargeable.

That court found that because the husband had knowledge of the false representations made to Buckley that the husbands fraudulent conduct could be imputed onto his wife because of their partnership relationship.

The 9th Circuits Bankruptcy Appellate Panel affirmed the bankruptcy courts ruling but adopted the 8th Circuits knew or should have known standard from Walker v. Citizens State Bank, a 1984 ruling by the 8th Circuit. The panel directed the bankruptcy court to determine whether the wife knew or should have known about the husbands fraud. On remand, after an evidentiary hearing, the bankruptcy court held that the husbands fraud could not be imputed onto the wife because she did not know of the fraud. The panel affirmed, and Buckley appealed the bankruptcy courts nondischargeability judgment in favor of the wife. The 9th Circuit affirmed in part and reversed in part.

Buckleys attorneys, Zachary D. Tripp and Janet Marie Brayer, didnt respond by press time to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee delivers his State of the State address in the House Chamber of the Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., on Jan. 31, 2022. (Mark Zaleski/AP Photo)

Tennessee Governor Suspends All Executions, Launches Probe

Tennessees governor on May 2 said he was suspending all executions scheduled to take place in 2022.

Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, said the move was being made because of questions that were raised regarding testing of lethal injections during preparation for executing Oscar Franklin Smith, one of the inmates on death row in Tennessee.

Smith, 72, convicted of killing his estranged wife and her two teenage sons in Nashville in 1989, had received his final meal and was slated to be put to death when Lee issued a temporary reprieve in April.

Lee attributed the reprievewhich happened just two days after he denied Smiths request for clemencyto an oversight in preparation for lethal injection, with no further details disclosed.

On Monday, the governor said that the chemical cocktail that was to be administered to Smith was tested for potency and sterility, but not endotoxins.

Lee announced the state is retaining former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton, an Obama appointee, to lead a third-party probe into what happened.

I review each death penalty case and believe it is an appropriate punishment for heinous crimes. However, the death penalty is an extremely serious matter, and I expect the Tennessee Department of Correction to leave no question that procedures are correctly followed, Lee said in a statement. An investigation by a respected third-party will ensure any operational failures at TDOC are thoroughly addressed. We will pause scheduled executions through the end of 2022 in order to allow for the review and corrective action to be put in place.

This undated photograph shows inmate Oscar Smith. (Tennessee Department of Correction via AP)

TDOC stands for the Tennessee Department of Correction.

The department declined to comment.

Amy Harwell, a public defender representing Smith, previously told WBIR-TV that they wanted an independent probe launched.

We really appreciate what the TDOC has done in terms of reporting things and hopefully preserving all the evidence, she said. But the investigation at this point needs to be outside of that agency to see what happened and so that the public can be aware of and that we can all be sure that any future executions would be carried out properly.

Smith is one of 47 inmates on death row in Tennessee, where executions were paused in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Death row inmates in Tennessee can choose whether to die by electric chair or lethal injection. Of the four executions the department has carried out since 2019, three were by electric chair.

The Tennessee Supreme Court will decide when the inmates slated to die in 2022 will be executed.
Texas Mother Shoots and Kills Home Invader While 3 Children Were Inside: Officials

A Texas mother shot and killed a man as her three children were inside the home at around 10 p.m., San Antonio police officials said.

Authorities said the unnamed woman heard a man trying to break into her home on Thursday night. The man went into her home via the laundry room, which is adjacent to the South Side Lions Park, officials told News 4 San Antonio.

The woman, said to be her in 30s, grabbed a gun and shot the intruder twice in the chest, police said. He was taken to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead, they said, adding that no other injuries were reported.

The Bexar County Medical Examiners office identified the man as Roman Rodriguez, 41, saying he died from gunshot wounds, according to KSAT-TV. When police were called, they found him sitting on a chair outside bleeding from the wounds, according to officials.

Local residents told local media outlets that they heard two gunshots.

The first thing we heard was a gunshot and it was one, one unnamed neighbor told ABC12. And then maybe within a minute, a second one popped up.

The homeowner reportedly wont be facing charges due to the states castle doctrine, which allows the use of deadly force against an individual who unlawfully enters with force or attempts to enter a home, workplace, or vehicle.

According to state law, A person in lawful possession of land or tangible, movable property is justified in using force against another when and to the degree the actor reasonably believes the force is immediately necessary to prevent or terminate the others trespass on the land or unlawful interference with the property.

In November 2020, a Democrat state lawmaker, Rep. Terry Meza, attempted to change the law to require a homeowner to exhaust the potential of safely retreating into their habitation before deadly force in defense of themselves or their property, adding that the current law emboldens individuals to take justice into their own hands.

At the time, Gov. Greg Abbott wrote that Texass castle doctrine law will not be reduced, adding that we wont force Texas homeowners to retreat. The Republican governor then described the proposal as akin to the 2020 calls to defund the police.

Last month, a sheriff in Florida, Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson called on homeowners to get firearm training to deal with possible home invaders, noting that if somebodys breaking into your house, youre more than welcome to shoot them in Santa Rosa County. He then joked: We prefer that you do actually.
The Battle for Control of Your Mind

Commentary

In his classic dystopian novel 1984, George Orwell famously wrote, If you want a picture of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human faceforever. This striking image served as a potent symbol for totalitarianism in the 20th century.

But as Caylan Ford recently observed, with the advent of digital health passports in the emerging biomedical security state, the new symbol of totalitarian repression is not a boot, but an algorithm in the cloud: emotionless, impervious to appeal, silently shaping the biomass.

The new forms of repression will be no less real for being virtual rather than physical.

These new digital surveillance and control mechanisms will be no less oppressive for being virtual rather than physical. Contact tracing apps, for example, have proliferated with at least 120 different apps in used in 71 different states, and 60 other digital contact-tracing measures have been used across 38 countries. There is currently no evidence that contact tracing apps or other methods of digital surveillance have helped to slow the spread of COVID; but as with so many of our pandemic policies, this doesnt seem to have deterred their use.

Other advanced technologies were deployed in what one writer has called, with a nod to Orwell, the stomp reflex, to describe governments propensity to abuse emergency powers. Twenty-two countries used surveillance drones to monitor their populations for COVID rule-breakers, others deployed facial recognition technologies, 28 countries used internet censorship, and 13 resorted to internet shutdowns to manage populations during COVID. A total of 32 countries have used militaries or military ordnance to enforce rules, which has included casualties. In Angola, for example, police shot and killed several citizens while imposing a lockdown.

Orwell explored the power of language to shape our thinking, including the power of sloppy or degraded language to distort thought. He articulated these concerns not only in his novels Animal Farm and 1984, but in his classic essay, Politics and the English Language, in which he argues that if thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.

The totalitarian regime depicted in 1984 requires citizens to communicate in Newspeak, a carefully controlled language of simplified grammar and restricted vocabulary designed to limit the individuals ability to think or articulate subversive concepts such as personal identity, self-expression, and free will. With this bastardization of language, complete thoughts are reduced to simple terms conveying only simplistic meaning.

Newspeak eliminates the possibility of nuance, rendering impossible consideration and communication of shades of meaning. The Party also intends with Newspeaks short words to make speech physically automatic and thereby make speech largely unconscious, which further diminishes the possibility of genuinely critical thought.

In the novel, the character Syme discusses his editorial work on the latest edition of the Newspeak Dictionary:

By 2050earlier, probablyall real knowledge of Oldspeak [standard English] will have disappeared. The whole literature of the past will have been destroyed. Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Byrontheyll exist only in Newspeak versions, not merely changed into something different, but actually contradictory of what they used to be. Even the literature of The Party will change. Even the slogans will change. How could you have a slogan like Freedom is Slavery when the concept of freedom has been abolished? The whole climate of thought will be different. In fact, there will be no thought, as we understand it now. Orthodoxy means not thinkingnot needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness.

Several terms of disparagement were repeatedly deployed during the pandemic, phrases whose only function was to halt the possibility of critical thought. These included, among others, COVID denier, anti-vax, and conspiracy theorist. Some commentators will doubtless mischaracterize this book, and particularly this chapter, using these and similar termsready-made shortcuts that save critics the trouble of reading the book or critically engaging my evidence or arguments.

A brief comment on each of these may be helpful in illustrating how they function. The first term, COVID denier, requires little attention. Those who sling this charge at any critic of our pandemic response recklessly equate COVID with the Holocaust, which suggests that antisemitism continues to infect discourse on both the right and the left. We need not detain ourselves with more commentary on this phrase.

The epithet anti-vax, deployed to characterize anyone who raises questions about the mass vaccination campaign or the safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines, functions similarly as a conversation stopper rather than an accurately descriptive label. When people ask me whether I am anti-vax for challenging vaccine mandates, I can only respond that the question makes about as much sense to me as the question, Dr. Kheriaty, are you pro-medication or anti-medication?

The answer is obviously contingent and nuanced: which medication, for which patient or patient population, under what circumstances, and for what indications? There is clearly no such thing as a medication, or a vaccine for that matter, thats always good for everyone in every circumstance and all the time.

Regarding the term conspiracy theorist, Italian philosopher Giorgio Agamben notes that its indiscriminate deployment demonstrates a surprising historical ignorance. For anyone familiar with history knows that the stories historians recount retrace and reconstruct the actions of individuals, groups, and factions working in common purpose to achieve their goals using all available means. He mentions three examples from among thousands in the historical record.

In 415 B.C., Alcibiades deployed his influence and money to convince the Athenians to embark on an expedition to Sicily, a venture that turned out disastrously and marked the end of Athenian supremacy. In retaliation, Alcibiadess enemies hired false witnesses and conspired against him to condemn him to death.

In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte violated his oath of fidelity to the Republics Constitution, overthrowing the directory in a coup, assuming full powers, and ending the Revolution. Days prior, he had met with co-conspirators to fine-tune their strategy against the anticipated opposition of the Council of Five Hundred.

Closer to our own day, he mentions the March on Rome by 25,000 Italian fascists in October 1922. Leading up to this event, Mussolini prepared the march with three collaborators and initiated contacts with the prime minister and powerful figures from the business world (some even maintain that Mussolini secretly met with the king to explore possible allegiances). The fascists rehearsed their occupation of Rome with a military occupation of Ancona two months prior.

Countless other examples, from the murder of Julius Caesar to the Bolshevik revolution, will occur to any student of history. In all these cases, individuals gather in groups or parties to strategize goals and tactics, anticipate obstacles, then act resolutely to achieve their aims. Agamben acknowledges that this doesnt mean it is always necessary to aver to conspiracies to explain historical events.

But anyone who labeled a historical who tried to reconstruct in detail the plots that triggered such events as a conspiracy theorist would most definitely be demonstrating their own ignorance, if not idiocy.

Anyone who mentioned The Great Reset in 2019 was accused of buying into a conspiracy theorythat is, until World Economic Forum founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab published a book in 2020 laying out the WEF agenda with the helpful title, COVID-19: The Great Reset. Following new revelations about the lab leak hypothesis, U.S. funding of gain-of-function research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, vaccine safety issues willfully suppressed, and coordinated media censorship and government smear campaigns against dissident voices, it seems the only difference between a conspiracy theory and credible news was about six months.

Originally published on the authors Substack, reposted from the Brownstone Institute

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Jay Alan Riseman of Arizona on April 19 was one of many volunteers at Project C.U.R.E. Phoenix, which is providing humanitarian medical assistance following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

The Need Is Great: Project CURE Volunteers Helping With Urgent Medical Aid For Ukraine

PHOENIX, Ariz.Over the past 30 years, retired surgeon Jay Alan Riseman has been to 11 countries as a medical volunteer, but never has he seen a greater need than in Ukraine.

Much greater, said Riseman as he prepared boxes of donated surgical instruments at Project CUREs (Commission on Urgent Relief and Equipment) Phoenix location, where he and his wife Mary are regular volunteers.

Two, sometimes three days a week, the Risemans volunteer at the Phoenix warehouse in any way they can.

Their sense of urgency is also great.

I feel like were helping to change the world. The world can be a cruel place [and] weve seen some horrible areas. If we can give back, we want to give back what we can, Riseman said.

The Risemans have been doing medical missions since 1992, hoping to put a lifetime of experience to work.

We had a bunch of surgical instruments in our garage. So we came in and donated themabout two or three boxesto Project CURE. We were here volunteering the next week, Riseman said.

That was in January 2021.

Since the Russians invaded Ukraine in February, Project CURE and other United States-based charitable nonprofits have worked to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraines civilian population.

Project CURE will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine and will be on standby to assist with any requests we receive for assistance, according to Project CUREs website.

As of April 19, the organization had shipped 230 pallets of medical supplies to Ukraine from its seven distribution facilities in the United States.

Special equipment containing a cardiac ultrasound to a childrens hospital in Ukraine was among these items. Large quantities of trauma and surgical supplies are currently awaiting shipment from Denver, Houston, and Kansas City locations.

Requests have shifted from field trauma supplies to a surgical-specific focus [which] will be the primary focus for upcoming medical relief deliveries, the organization stated.

Ruth Sanchez, executive director of the Phoenix location, said there is no shortage of donations despite some items being short supply.

Inside the 40,000-square-foot warehouse, volunteers worked diligently on April 19 packing boxes of bio-medical equipment, ensuring quality, and checking for expiration dates. Millions of dollars worth of vital supplies.

Everyone that comes into our warehouse is a volunteer, Sanchez said. Before COVID-19, we probably had 8,000 just in Arizona25,000 across the seven chapters. Were always looking for more.

Two volunteers prepare medical supplies for shipment to Ukraine on April 19 at Project CURE Phoenix in Arizona. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

Many items are bound for Ukraine. The organization also ships to 137 other countries and has 36 projects in motion.

Ukraine is its primary mission.

I think with Ukraine and whats happening with the war, a lot of our partners, like hospitals, are giving us even more supplies, Sanchez said.

I tell my other projects, dont worry, were focused on you. Your container did not become not important. We have to juggle to make sure the needs are taken care of. Theres a lot of sufferinga lot of suffering.

Following the Russian invasion, Project CURE Phoenix made two or three shipments by air freight. The organization is working with multiple Ukrainian partners to ensure the delivery of future shipments.

Our multiple partners have said [to] give us 100 beds, 200 beds, Sanchez said, adding that the organization is down to 4,000 beds from 22,500 it had before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other disaster relief nonprofits are also raising money and humanitarian assistance to help displaced Ukrainians living in and near the war zone.

UNICEF, for example, said it needs $10 million to support families with children in the eastern region of Ukraine where much of the fighting is taking place.

Nova Ukraine, another charitable nonprofit, reported raising $20 million as of April 26 while serving 960,000 meals and over 106,000 aid packages for Ukrainian civilians.

A semi-trailer waits to be filled with humanitarian aid at Project CURE Phoenix in Arizona. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

The Global Empowerment Mission said it placed 2,143 individuals in temporary housing since the war began and delivered $840,000 worth of medical supplies.

Ukraine is the biggest need right now, Sanchez said of Project CUREs global mission. I would say [its] very urgent. Were dealing with personal, tragic stories from people saying their son is in the army and if I dont get a call from him, I panic. They dont have access to even the hospital because it was bombed.

Other items currently en route to Ukraine include boxes of surgical instruments and syringes, incubators, baby warmerseven anesthesia machines donated by local hospitals.

So, we hear first-hand a lot of what is happening out there [in Ukraine]. Weve been sending containers for over 10 years to Ukraine and to that region, which includes Kosovo and Poland, Sanchez said.

Founded in 1987, Project CURE delivers four to six semi-truck-sized containers packed with medical equipment to locations each week.

Its not that we had to learn how to do this. We already knew how to do this. So we were ready to jump in when the Ukraine crisis erupted, Sanchez said.

Volunteers are an integral part of the organizations work, with over 146,000 hours donated annually.

My volunteer volume has tripled. Theres a lot of people that want to help, said a Project CURE Phoenix employee, who wished to remain anonymous.

She said that many items now in high demand include tourniquets and special equipment to treat bone fractures and field-related injuries.

These items will prove crucial as the war enters its next phase in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, which is why Sanchez said volunteers arrive daily, wanting to work with anything Ukraine.

When youre in this calling, you have a big humanitarian heart. When I think of Ukraine, I think of how can we do morebut its a big burden.
Luminalt solar installers Pam Quan (R) and Walter Morales install solar panels on the roof of a home in San Francisco, on May 9, 2018. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Theyre Paneling Paradise to Put Up SolarA Lot

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 percent 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 themones 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 farmswhich 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 energyand 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.

Demonstrators from the Sierra Club, Workers For Progress, Our Revolution, and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network picket in front of the office of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito as part of the Thrive National Day of Action in Morgantown, West Va., on June 3, 2021. (Jeff Swensen/Getty Images for Green New Deal Network)

Large solar energy groups are taking a page from Big Oil, she added. These big companies come inand some of the time they are also part of the big oil companiesand 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 Clubwhose foundation has had several board members with direct ties to Big Solar over the yearsdid not respond to an interview request.

More worrying to some is the speed with which these farmsfenced off tracts of land protected by barbed wireare 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 its 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 Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System in the Mojave Desert in Calif., near Primm, Nev., on Feb. 20, 2014. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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 projectand others like it in the futurethe 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.

Native Americans join others in a ceremony to mark the first Indigenous Peoples Day, in place of previously celebrated Columbus Day in Los Angeles, on Oct. 8, 2018. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

Residents in Ohio and Nebraska are also fighting large solar projects. A protest in Virginia lost out to Fortune 500 company AES Corporationworth an estimated $10.9 billionwhich 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.

This article was written by Steve Miller for RealClearInvestigations.
Although Cinco de Mayo isnt considered a major holiday in Mexico, in the United States its a day when many take time to celebrate Mexican culture (especially in areas with a large Mexican-American population). If youre looking for a way to spend the holiday  beyond the simple margarita and tacos combo, as delicious as it is  tres leches, a traditional Mexcian cake, will add a bit of sweetness to the event.

If you have an aversion to dairy, tres leches is not the dessert for you. The treat uses up a lot of milk, three different types to be exact. Its a trifecta that consists of condensed milk, evaporated milk and whipping cream. Instead of using the milks during the baking process, tres leches require you to soak the already prepared cake in the milk mixture for about 30 minutes. But dont think that this leads to a soggy dessert. When the milks are blended together they create a mixture thats the perfect level of sweetness and thickness, giving the cake a richness that should be sought after in any dessert.

The history of tres leches is a little murky but most historians believe the cakes recipe actually came from Nicaragua  perhaps on the back of an evaporated or condensed milk can. The dessert is still popular in parts of Latin America today, in countries like Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guatemala. But no matter where or how the dessert came to be, youll likely be able to find it at some of the best Mexican restaurants in America. Or you can go really pro and try making it from scratch along with more of our best Mexican recipes, from appetizers to dessert.

Tres Leches

Ingredients

For the Cake:

6 eggs

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

8 ounces Cool Whip

For the Milk Mixture:

14 ounces condensed milk

24 ounces evaporated milk

8 ounces whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

For the Cake:

Step 1: Separate the egg whites and egg yolks.

Step 2: Whip egg whites at high speed using a hand or standing mixer until fluffy.

Step 3: Slowly add the sugar.

Step 4: One at a time add the milk, vanilla and egg yolks.

Step 5: Slowly add the baking powder and flour to the mixture.

Step 6: Pour in a greased 13 by 9 inch pan.

Step 7: Bake at 350F for 45 to 50 minutes.

For the Milk Mixture

Step 1: Blend half of the evaporated milk (one can), the condensed milk and whipping cream in a blender.

Step 2: Once thoroughly mixed transfer the milk mixture to a separate bowl.

Step 3: Add the final half of the evaporated milk and mix using a hand mixer.

Step 4: Pull the finished cake from the oven.

Step 5: While still hot, use a chopstick, skewer or the round end of your hand mixer attachment to poke holes over the entire top of the cake.

Step 6: The more holes the milkier the cake.

Step 7: Pour the milk mixture over the top of the cake.

Step 8: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 9: Cover the chilled cake in Cool Whip and serve.

 2021 Tribune Publishing; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Undated photo showing Lady Justice statue on top of the Central Criminal Court of England and Wales, commonly referred to as the Old Bailey, in central London. (Clara Molden/PA)

UK Doubles Magistrates Sentencing Powers to Tackle Backlog Caused by Pandemic

The UK government has doubled the sentencing powers of magistrates in a bid to reduce the backlog in the criminal justice system that has been caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Magistrates across England and Wales can now issue prison sentences of 12 months for a single offence, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said on May 2, adding that the move is expected to free up around 1,700 extra days of Crown Court time each year.

Magistrates are volunteers who hear cases in courts in their community. Each case is usually heard by three magistrates, including a magistrate who is trained to act as a chairperson. A legal adviser in the court gives advice on the law and makes sure the magistrates follow the right procedures.

All criminal cases begin in a magistrates court, which passes the most serious crimes such as murder, rape, and robbery to the Crown Court.

Previously, magistrates could only issue a maximum of six months in prison. Doubling their sentencing powers allows more cases to be sentenced in the magistrates courts, meaning Crown Courts can focus resources on getting through more serious, complicated cases, the MoJ said.

The ministry said magistrates and legal advisers have been provided with training ahead of the change to ensure they know how best to use the new powers.

Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said: We are doing everything in our power to bring down the court backlog, and doubling the sentencing powers of magistrates will create more capacity in the Crown Court to hear the most serious cases.

Together with an extra 30 Nightingale courtrooms currently open, digital hearings, and allowing the Crown Court to hear as many cases as possible for another financial year, we will deliver swifter and more effective justice for victims.

Bev Higgs, National Chair of the Magistrates Association, welcomed the move, which she said can only benefit all court usersdefendants, complainants, and witnesses.

But the move has been heavily criticised by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), which represents practising barristers across England and Wales.

Jo Sidhu QC, chair of the organisation, said: Keeping back more cases in the magistrates may in any event only trigger more appeals to the Crown Court, adding to the growing lists of outstanding cases and diverting criminal advocates from tackling the pre-existing pile-up of trials.

The CBA said one of the biggest issues contributing to the backlog is the number of outstanding Crown Court trials, which are unaffected by any change to the sentencing powers of magistrates.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Edinburgh University students protest against the false promise of "hybrid learning" to new and returning students in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Oct. 24, 2020. (Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

UK Universities Face Fines If They Fail to Resume Face-to-Face Teaching: Minister

British universities could face financial penalties if they fail to return to face-to-face teaching, a government minister has warned.

As all CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus restrictions have been lifted in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and most such curbs have been scrapped in Wales, the government has advised universities to stop online learning and return to face-to-face lectures and lessons, but some universities have failed to do so.

In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, Universities Minister Michelle Donelan said it is really wrong for some universities to refuse to return to pre-pandemic levels of in-person learning despite the complete reopening of other sectors of society.

She said, Students and lecturers will be going to the pub, going out for meals, theyll be going to parties, going to weddings, probably concerts, so it doesnt actually make sense that they cant then be in a lecture theatre.

Ive not heard a reasonable rationale for why we would want students to be on a second track to the rest of the population. In fact, I think it is really wrong, she added.

The minister said universities that have failed to return to pre-pandemic levels of face-to-face teaching could potentially be fined or could even lose the ability to access money from the student loan system.

Donelan said in January that there had been tens of thousands of refunds issued to students by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator during the pandemic and students should absolutely apply for refunds if they are unsatisfied with their education.

Weve got to get back to pre-pandemic life. Risk assessments cant be used as an excuse not to host face-to-face teaching, she told The Daily Telegraph at the time.

Also in January, Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said universities would have to tell students exactly how much face-to-face teaching they will get, before they start their degrees.

He told The Times of London that there was no longer any excuse for teaching remotely and that online lectures should be scrapped.

In March, the Office for Students (OfS), the UKs higher education watchdog, launched a review of blended-learninga combination of in-person and online delivery of the courses.

OfS said the review came amid concerns that the poor quality of the online experience for some students during the CCP virus pandemic has undermined the positive potential of the blended-learning model.

The watchdog said that many universities had continued to deliver some elements of their courses online despite the fact there were no longer legal restrictions preventing them from fully returning to in-person teaching.

Lily Zhou contributed to this report.
A vessel claimed to be a Russian Raptor boat is destroyed with use of a Ukrainian-operated drone in the Black Sea on May 2, 2022. (Ukrainian Armed Forces)

Ukraine Claims It Sank Two Russian Naval Boats

Ukrainian officials on Monday claimed their forces sank two Russian naval boats with drone strikes in the Black Sea.

In social media posts, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said the Russian ships were Raptor-class assault boats and were struck near Snake Island, an island that was captured by Russian forces early on in the war and is located about 70 nautical miles from Odesa in the Black Sea. The agency released footage, dated May 2, that purported to show the strikes.

Two Russian Raptor boats were destroyed at dawn today near Snake Island, Ukrainian General Valery Zaluzhny said via social media. The Bayraktars are working, Zaluzhny said, referring to Turkish-manufactured drones.

The footage suggested that both boats appeared to have been struck by explosions, but its not clear whether they sank. The Epoch Times could not immediately verify the claims, and Russian officials have not issued public comments on Ukraines latest claims. Also unclear is whether there were any casualties.

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  ! pic.twitter.com/3wxlwjDtdx  Defence of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 2, 2022

The Raptor boats are capable of carrying 20 people each and can patrol coastal waters, engage with air targets, and intercept small vessels.

Two weeks ago, the Russian naval ship Moskva, a guided-missile cruiser, sunk in the Black Sea. Ukrainian officials claimed that their forces sunk the ship, while Moscow said that a fire on board caused an ammunition explosion. The Kyiv government also said it sunk a Russian landing ship several weeks before that, posting video footage of a fire and explosion at the Russian-occupied Berdyansk port in the Sea of Azov.

On Monday, video footage released by both Ukraine and Russia showed civilians being evacuated from a bombed-out steel plant in Zaporizhzhia near Mariupol, according to The Associated Press.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive on Monday as hoped for. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

At least some of the evacuees were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The Russian military said that some chose to stay in separatist areas, while dozens left for Ukrainian-held territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped more people would be able to leave Mariupol in an organized evacuation on Monday. The city council told residents wanting to leave to gather at a shopping mall to wait for buses.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
An oil pumpjack works at dawn in Andrews, Texas, in the Permian Basin on Jan. 20, 2016. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

US Natural Gas Production Declines as Europe Searches for New Suppliers

Natural gas production in the United States is declining even as several countries, especially in Europe, are looking for alternative sources while they attempt to cut back dependence on Russian gas supplies.

The two areas that contribute the most to U.S. natural gas output, West Texas and the Appalachian region, are seeing slowing growth. Growth has slowed in Appalachiawhich supplied about 37 percent of domestic gas in 2021as energy companies are finding it increasingly difficult to build pipes to move gas out of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, according to Reuters.

Pipelines in the Permian Basinthe second-biggest source of gas in the country, which contributed 19 percent of Americas gas supply in 2021are quickly filling up. As such, the basin, located in Texas and New Mexico, could see slower production growth in 2023 unless new pipelines are built.

Multiple pipeline projects have also been canceled or stalled.

The proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would have crossed under the Appalachian Trail through West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina, was canceled in 2020 after it became clear that costs would surge to $8 billion from the earlier maximum estimate of $6.5 billion. Developers announced in March 2022 that the project would resume and should be completed by summer 2023.

The $6.2 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline, which would move gas between West Virginia and Virginia, is yet to be completed as the project remains entangled in lawsuits.

This project may be the last large greenfield natural gas pipeline to go into service east of the Mississippi River for some time, analysts at ClearView Energy Partners said, according to Reuters, while adding that the Mountain Valley Pipeline should come into service by mid-2023.

Appalachias gas output has grown at an average of 36 percent per year between 2010 and 2019. In the case of the Permian Basin, gas output grew by an average of 17 percent per year between 2012 and 2020, declining to 8 percent in 2021.

In Europe, the rush to find alternative gas suppliers has become urgent after Russian energy firm Gazprom cut off natural gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, triggering fears that Moscow might take such measures against other countries in the region. The European Union imports about 40 percent of its natural gas from Russia.

We are working hand in hand with our Member States to secure alternative gas supply from other partners, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on April 27, according to CNBC.

Earlier in 2022, the EU signed an agreement with the United States in which America will supply at least 15 billion cubic meters (529 billion cubic feet) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the region in 2022.

The biggest European economies import about 18.3 billion cubic feet per day (cfd) of gas from Russia. The United States has the capacity to export about 9.8 billion cfd of LNG.

Over the long term, the Energy Information Administration expects U.S. natural gas production to decline 4.6 percent by 2050 if no additional interstate pipelines are built. In such a scenario, natural gas consumption is expected to decline by 4.3 percent.
Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews speaks to the media in Melbourne, Australia, on Nov. 18, 2021. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images)

Victoria Labor Announces Payments to Save on Energy Bills

The Victorian Labor Government has announced a new $250 (US$176.4) one-off payment for all Victorian households as part of the new Power Saving Bonus program for energy bills.

This is a great opportunity for Victorians to save money, ease the cost of living, and cut their energy bills, the Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews said.

Under this $250 million (US$176.4 million) program, all Victorian households will be eligible to apply for a $250 bill slashing bonus if they seek out a better energy deal on the Victorian Energy Compare website.

Big power companies rely on people not having the time, information or knowledge to save money. But we know better deals are out thereand were helping Victorian families find them, he said on May 2.

The new program came as part of Victorias 2022 budget and will be open for submissions from July 1.

According to the Victorian Government, seven out of 10 Victorians will be able to save money after switching energy offers, with a typical $330 (US$232.8) in savings annually in the first year of making switches.

Additionally, the states previous $250 Power Saving Bonus program for concession cardholders and pensioners has also had its application date extended to June 30 making it possible for some Victorian households to potentially save up to $580 annually under both programs.

This one-off $250 payment provides immediate financial relief for those struggling to pay their power billswhile also helping Victorians find a better energy deal, said Lily DAmbrosio, the Victorian Minister for Energy.

Victorias financial handouts come as the Coalitions $250 Cost of Living Payments began its first rollout on April 27.

On March 29, Australian federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced the 2022 federal budget with $250 funding for 6 million low-income Australians to assist in daily living as part of the announcement.

The payment announcement, along with the implementation of short-term fuel tax cuts for six months was promptly attacked by Labor Leader Anthony Albanese on March 30 as handing out cash stapled to how-to-vote, on Network Ten.

Albanese said the major implementations were all a tactic for the Coalition to get themselves re-elected.

The spending is all aimed at what happens on May 14 or May 21. I mean, theres one-off payments in April. They may as well have stapled cash to their how-to-votes, he said on ABC Radio on March 30.

Victoria Labors payment announcement comes timely during election season with the federal election expected to be held on May 21, 2022.
SpaceX owner and Tesla CEO Elon Musk arrives on the red carpet for the Axel Springer Award ceremony in Berlin on Dec. 1, 2020. (Hannibal Hanschke/Reuters)

Wall Street Journal Claims Shadow Crew of Billionaires Urged Musk to Buy Twitter

Elon Musk responded on May 1 to a report from The Wall Street Journal, based on anonymous sources, that said the worlds richest man had been persuaded to buy Twitter by a shadow crew.

Marc Andreessen, general partner of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, shared a screenshot of the story on Twitter, prompting a response from Musk.

My Shadow Crew is sickkk! Also, who are they again? Musk wrote on Twitter.

Sell Shadow Crew merch to buy Twitter? Musk later asked in the same thread.

Musk has been highly critical of Twitters content moderation policies for months. He has taken to the social media platform to lambast the companys performance, from censorship claims to shadowbans. At the end of March 2022, Musk polled his followers: Free speech is essential to a functioning democracy. Do you believe Twitter rigorously adheres to this principle?

Most respondents replied no.

The Journal report claimed that many people had nudged the Tesla CEO to get involved in the struggling tech firm. The newspaper referred to this group as a shadow crew that includes Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, billionaire investor Peter Thiel, entrepreneur David Sacks, and early Tesla investor and venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson. Musks brother, Kimbal Musk, also advocated for Musk to purchase a stake in the microblogging website, the report claims.

Musk declined to be interviewed for the story, and the Journal conceded early in its report that it isnt clear whether he took any of their advice to heart or merely followed his own gut.

Musk couldnt be reached by The Epoch Times for comment.

In March, according to the article, Musk contacted Seth Dillon, the CEO of conservative satirical news outlet The Babylon Bee. Musk had inquired whether the publication had been suspended from Twitter following a tweet that referred to the U.S. assistant secretary for health, a transgender woman, as Man of the Year.

Musk had reportedly quipped to Dillon that he might need to purchase Twitter.

Elon Musk, founder and chief engineer of SpaceX, speaks at the 2020 Satellite Conference and Exhibition in Washington on March 9, 2020. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Musk had ostensibly kept his decision close to the vest until the day before his intentions were revealed.

Over dinner in a private dining room at a local restaurant, Mr. Musk didnt show much interest in talking about Twitter, one attendee said. Instead, he asked those at the table to share their theories about the meaning of life, the Journal reported. The next day, Mr. Musk disclosed that he was seeking to take over Twitter.

There is a discussion in the public town square of what Musk means by free speech.

Musk restated his views on free speech in an April 26 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, he wrote.

The Response to Free Speech on Twitter

The reaction to Musk acquiring Twitter has been mixed, with both sides either cheering or jeering. In the aftermath of Musks Twitter takeover, the company identified fluctuations in follower counts that included mass deactivations, reactivations, and new account creations.

On Capitol Hill, Republican lawmakers have congratulated Musk.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) labeled it as the most important development for free speech in decades.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) requested that Musk urge the San Francisco-based company to investigate internal efforts to suspend users and downrank stories pertaining to Hunter Bidens laptop.

The left doesnt want you to speak. If you dont agree with them, youre not allowed to talk, Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), told Fox News Sean Hannity. That all changes today with Elon Musk owning Twitter.

Some Democrats are considering calling for hearings on Musks plans for Twitter, citing the websites role in public discourse. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, revealed to Bloomberg that were thinking about it.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the commerce committee, said a hearing with Musk is crucial.

Its a technology which is central to democracy and our economy and it is important for the representatives of the American people to hear what the new owners intend on using that technology to accomplish, he told Bloomberg. We have to understand the censorship or lack thereof, content moderation or not, that is going to be the policy for the new owner.

In terms of what the values are that this company is going to be creating for the new Elon Musk Twitter world, I think thats actually a necessary role for Congress to play.

In response to a series of tweets about the ideological shift in U.S. politics, Musk acknowledged his support for former President Barack Obama.

I strongly supported Obama for President, but todays Democratic Party has been hijacked by extremists, he wrote.

Musk has also complained about the far left and far right, urging less hate and more love.

A plurality of Americans believes Musks Twitter takeover will lead to greater free speech on the platform.

According to a new Ipsos poll (pdf), 39 percent of overall Twitter users believe Musk will improve the platform. Twenty-eight percent of nonusers say he will enhance the website.

Among heavy users, 52 percent think Musks involvement will improve the quality of dialogue, while 29 percent believe it will get worse.

Seventy-three percent of all survey participants support removing posts that are considered false information. But there is a divergence on deleting political posts: 47 percent support taking down tweets that champion political action, and 40 percent are against the practice.

Compared with our survey results in early April, views toward the role of social media platforms in removing certain types of content remain unchanged, the polling firm wrote.

Elon Musks agreement with Twitter hasnt been finalized and could take several months to close. Twitter will be required to pay a termination fee of $1 billion under certain circumstances if it ends the agreement; Musk also will be subject to the same fee if he ends the deal.
GreenScreen certification examines foodware for PFAS, BPA, and thousands of other concerning chemicalsbut transparency on chemical replacements remains elusive.

Heres a secret about single-use foodware: brands and manufacturers dont have to tell whats in it, and in some cases, they dont even know.

This presents a challenge for safety-conscious consumers of takeout containers, disposable cups, and similar materials who are hoping to avoid chemicals like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenols, phthalates, and other less high-profile compounds.

But the nonprofit organizations Clean Production Action, based in Massachusetts, and Center for Environmental Health, based in California, both advocates of chemical safety in consumer products, believe they have a solution: the first-ever independent, third-party chemical screening and certification program for disposable foodware. Private consumers and institutional buyers can use the program to inform purchasing decisions.

Launched last November, the GreenScreen Certified Standard for Food Service Ware is a subset of the larger GreenScreen brand, operated by Clean Production Action since 2007. The brand also includes certifications for firefighting foams, textiles, furniture, fabrics, cleaners, and degreasers.

Manufacturers of single-use foodware seeking certification can apply at one of three levels, with increasingly fewer chemicals allowed and individual chemicals assessed with stricter criteria at each level. Even at the lowest level, Silver, full disclosure to GreenScreen of all intentionally added ingredients is required, and more than 2,000 chemicals of concern are prohibited. These include endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols, phthalates, parabens, and organotin compounds; chemical classes including PFAS, organohalogens, and polycyclic aromatic amines; compounds of cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, and mercury; and antimicrobials and nanomaterials.

Certified foodware must also undergo product-level testing at an approved lab for a variety of chemicals and classes including fluorine, an indicator of PFAS. There is mounting evidence that many products are unintentionally contaminated with PFAS during manufacturing, even if the chemicals are not meant to go into the product.

These standards are more stringent than those enforced by any government agency or regulatory body in the worldbut they still keep consumers in the dark as to which chemicals are actually being used.
What to Do About China

Originally published by Gatestone Institute

Commentary

All the conditions for historys next great war are in place. Jim Holmes, the J.C. Wylie chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College, actually talks about this period as being 1937.

That was the year in which if you were in Europe or America, you could sense the trouble. If you were in Asia in 1937, you would be even more worried, because that year saw Japans second invasion of China that decade.

No matter where you lived, however, you couldnt be sure that the worst would happen, that great armies and navies around the world would clash. There was still hope that the situation could be managed. As we now know, the worst did happen. In fact, what happened was worse than what anyone thought at the time.

We are now, thanks to China, back to 1937.

We will begin our discussion in Afghanistan. Beijing has had longstanding relations with the Afghan Taliban, going back before 9/11, and continuing through that event.

After the United States drove the Taliban from power and while it was conducting an insurgency, China was selling the group arms, including antiaircraft missiles, that were used to kill American and NATO forces.

Chinas support for killing Americans has continued to today. In December 2020, Indian Intelligence was instrumental in Afghanistan in breaking up a ring of Chinese spies and members of the Haqqani Network. The Trump administration believed that the Chinese portion of that ring was actually paying cash for killing Americans.

What can happen next? We shouldnt be surprised if China gives the Taliban an atomic weapon to be used against an American city. Would they be that vicious?

We have to remember that China purposefully, over the course of decades, proliferated its nuclear weapons technology to Pakistan and then helped Pakistan sell that Chinese technology around the world to regimes such as those in Iran and North Korea.

Today, China supports the Taliban. We know this because China has kept open its embassy in Kabul. China is also running interference for the Taliban in the United Nations Security Council. Its urging countries to support that insurgent group with aid. It looks as if the Talibans main financial backers these days are the Chinese.

Beijing is hoping to cash in on its relationship in Central Asia. Unfortunately, theres a man named Biden who is helping them.

In early August, Biden issued an executive order setting a goal that by 2030, half of all American vehicles should be electricpowered. To be electricpowered, we need rare earth minerals, we need lithium. As many people have said, Afghanistan is the Saudi Arabia of rare earths and lithium.

If Beijing can mine this, it makes the United States even more dependent on China. It certainly helps the Taliban immeasurably.

Unfortunately, Beijing has more than just Afghanistan in mind. The Chinese want to take away our sovereignty, and that of other nations, and rule the world. They actually even want to rule the near parts of the solar system. Yes, that does sound farfetched, but, no, Im not exaggerating. Chinese leader Xi Jinping would like to end the current international system.

On July 1, in a landmark speech, in connection with the centennial of Chinas ruling organization, he said this: The Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, with their bravery and tenacity, solemnly proclaim to the world that the Chinese people are not only good at taking down the old world, but also good in building a new one.

By that, Chinas leader means ending the international system, the Westphalian international system. It means he wants to impose Chinas imperialera notions of governance, where Chinese emperors believed they not only had the Mandate of Heaven over tianxia, or all under Heaven, but that Heaven actually compelled the Chinese to rule the entire world.

Xi has been using tianxia themes for decades, and so have his subordinates, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who in September 2017 wrote an article in Study Times, the Central Party Schools influential newspaper.

In that article, Wang wrote that Xis thought on diplomacya thought in Communist Party lingo is an important body of ideological workWang wrote that Xis thought on diplomacy made innovations on and transcended the traditional theories of Western international relations of the past 300 years.

Take 2017, subtract 300 years, and you almost get to 1648, which means Wang, with his time reference, was pointing to the Treaty of Westphalia of 1648, which established the current system of sovereign states.

When Wang writes that Xi wants to transcend that system, hes really telling us that Chinas leader doesnt want sovereign states, or at least no more of them than China. This means that when Biden says, Oh, the Chinese just want to compete with us, hes wrong. They do not want to compete within the international system. They dont even want to change that system so its more to their liking. They want to overthrow it altogether, period.

China is also revolutionary with regard to the solar system. Since about 2018, Chinese officials have been talking about the moon and Mars as sovereign Chinese territory. In other words, as part of the Peoples Republic of China. This means that China considers those heavenly bodies to be like the South China Sea: theirs and theirs alone.

This also means China will exclude other nations from going to the moon and Mars if they have the capability to do so. We dont have to speculate about that: Chinese officials say thats what theyre going to do.

Let us return to April 2021. Beijing announced the name of its Mars rover. We are naming the Mars rover Zhurong, the Chinese said, because Zhurong was the god of fire in Chinese mythology. How nice. Yes, Zhurong is the god of fire. What Beijing didnt tell us is that Zhurong is also the god of warand the god of the South China Sea.

Is Xi really that bold or that desperate to start another war? Two points. First, China considers the United States to be its enemy. The second point is that the United States is no longer deterring China. China feels it has a big green light to do whatever it wants.

On the first point, about our enemy status, we have to go back to May 2019. Peoples Daily, the most authoritative publication in China, actually carried a piece that declared a peoples war on the United States. This was not just some isolated thought.

On Aug. 29, 2021, Peoples Daily came out with a landmark piece that accused the United States of committing barbaric acts against China. Again, this was during a month of hostile propaganda blasts from China.

On Aug. 29, Global Times, which is controlled by Peoples Daily, came right out and also said that the United States was an enemy or like an enemy.

We Americans dont pay attention to propaganda. The question is, should we be concerned about what China is saying? After all, these are just words.

At this particular time, these words are significant. The strident antiAmericanism suggests to me that China is laying the justification for a strike on the United States. We keep ignoring what Beijing is saying. We kept ignoring what Osama bin Laden was saying.

We have to remember that the Chinese regime, unlike the Japanese, always warns its adversaries about what its going to do. Jim Lilley, our great ambassador to Beijing during the Tiananmen massacre, actually said that China always telegraphs its punches. At this moment, China is telegraphing a punch.

That hostility, unfortunately, is not something we can do very much about. The Chinese Communist regime inherently idealizes struggle, and it demands that others show subservience to it.

The second reason war is coming is that Americas deterrence of China is breaking down. Thats evident from what the Chinese are saying.

In March of 2021, China sent its top two diplomats, Yang Jiechi and Wang, to Anchorage to meet our top officials, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Yang, in chilling words, said the United States could no longer talk to China from a position of strength.

We saw the same theme during the fall of Kabul. China then was saying, Look, those Americans, they cant deal with the insurgent Taliban. How can they hope to counter us magnificent Chinese? Global Times actually came out with a piece referring to Americans: They cant win wars anymore.

We also saw propaganda at that same time directed at Taiwan. Global Times was saying, again, in an editorial, an important signal of official Chinese thinking, When we decide to invade, Taiwan will fall within hours and the US will not come to help.

It is probably no coincidence that this propaganda came at the time of incursions into Taiwans air-defense identification zone.

We need to be concerned with more than just the intensity and the frequency of these flights, however. We have to be concerned that China was sending H6K bombers; they are nuclearcapable.

Something is wrong. Global Times recently came out with an editorial with the title Time to Warn Taiwan Secessionists and Their Fomenters: War Is Real.

Beijing is at this moment saying things heard before historys great conflicts. The Chinese regime right now seems to be feeling incredibly arrogant. We heard this on Nov. 28, 2020, when Di Dongsheng, an academic in Beijing, gave a lecture livestreamed to China.

Di showed the arrogance of the Chinese elite. More importantly, he was showing that the Chinese elite no longer wanted to hide how they felt. Di, for instance, openly stated that China could determine outcomes at the highest levels of the American political system.

Dis message was that with cash, China can do anything it wants, and that all Americans would take cash. He mentioned two words in this regard: Hunter Biden.

Unfortunately, President Joe Biden is reinforcing this notion. China, for instance, has so far killed nearly one million Americans with a disease that it deliberately spread beyond its borders. Yet what happened? Nothing.

We know that China was able to spread this disease because of its close relationship with the World Health Organization. President Trump, in July of 2020, took us out of the WHO. What did Biden do? In his first hours in office, on Jan. 20, 2021, he put us back into the WHO.

In February, he had a twohour phone call with Xi. By Bidens own admission, he didnt raise the issue of the origins of COVID19 even once. If you are Xi, after you put down the receiver, your first thought is, I just got away with killing hundreds of thousands of Americans.

Then theres somebody named John Kerry. Our republic is not safe when John Kerry carries a diplomatic passport, as he now does. Hes willing to make almost any deal to get China to sign an enhanced climate arrangement.

Kerry gave a revealing interview to David Westin of Bloomberg on Sept. 22, 2021. Westin asked him, What is the process by which one trades off climate against human rights? Climate against human rights?

Kerry came back and said, Well, life is always full of tough choices in the relationship between nations. Tough choices? We Americans need to ask, What is Kerry willing to give up to get his climate deal?

Democracies tend to deal with each other in the way that Kerry says. If we are nice to a democracy, that will lead to warm relations; warm relations will lead to deals, longstanding ties. Kerry thinks the Chinese communists think that way. Unfortunately, they do not.

We know this because Kerrys successor as Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, in February 2009, said in public, Im not going to press the Chinese on human rights because Ive got bigger fish to fry. She then went to Beijing a day after saying that and got no cooperation from the Chinese.

Even worse, just weeks after that, China felt so bold that it attacked an unarmed U.S. Navy reconnaissance vessel in the South China Sea. The attack was so serious that it constituted an act of war. The Chinese simply dont think the way Kerry believes they do.

All of this, when you put it together, means the risk of war is much higher than we tend to think. Conflict with todays aggressor is going to be more destructive than it was in the 1930s. We have news that China is building something like 345 missile silos in three locations: in Gansu, Xinjiang, and in Inner Mongolia.

These silos are clearly built to accommodate the DF41. The DF41 has a range of about 9,300 miles, which means it can reach any part of the United States. The DF41 carries 10 warheads. This means China could, in about two years, as some experts think, have a bigger arsenal than ours.

China has built decoy silos before. Were not sure they are going to put all 345 missiles into these facilities, but we have to assume the worst because Chinese leaders and Chinese generals, on occasion, unprovoked, have made threats to nuke American cities.

This, of course, calls into question their official nofirstuse policy, and also a lot of other things. China will not talk to us about arms control. We have to be concerned that China and Russia, which already are already coordinating their military activities, would gang up against us with their arsenals.

In July 2021, China tested a hypersonic glide warhead that circled the world. This signals that China intends to violate the Outer Space Treaty, to which China is a party. It also shows that in hypersonic technology, which was developed by Americans, China is now at least a decade ahead of us in fielding a weapon.

Why is China doing all this now? The country is coming apart at the seams. There is, for instance, a debt crisis. Evergrande and other property developers have started to default. Its more than just a crisis of companies. China is basically now having its 2008.

Even more important than that, it has an economy that is stumbling and a food crisis that is worsening year to year. They know their environment is exhausted. Of course, theyre also suffering from a continuing COVID19 epidemic.

To make matters worse, all of this is occurring while China is on the edge of the steepest demographic decline in history in the absence of war or disease.

Two Chinese demographers recently said Chinas population would probably halve in 45 years. If you run that projection out, it means that by the end of the century, China would be about a third of its current size, with basically about the same number of people as the United States.

These developments are roiling the political system. Xi is being blamed for these debacles. We know he has a low threshold of risk. Xi now has all the incentive in the world to deflect popular and regime discontent by lashing out.

In 1966, Mao Zedong, the founder of the Peoples Republic, was sidelined in Beijing. What did he do about it? He started the Cultural Revolution. He tried to use the Chinese people against his political enemies. That created a decade of chaos.

Xi is trying to do the same thing with his common prosperity program. The difference is that Mao didnt have the means to plunge the world into war. Xi, with his shiny new military, clearly does have that ability.

So heres a 1930s scenario to consider. The next time China starts a conflict, whether accidentally or on purpose, we might see that Chinas friendsRussia, North Korea, Iran, Pakistaneither in coordination with China or just taking advantage of the situation, move against their enemies.

That would be Ukraine in the case of Russia, South Korea in the case of North Korea, Israel in the case of Iran, India in the case of Pakistan, and Morocco in the case of Algeria. We could see crises at both ends of the European landmass and in Africa at the same time.

This is how world wars start.

* * *

Question: Why do you believe China attacked the world with coronavirus?

Chang: I believe that SARSCoV2, the pathogen that causes COVID19, is not natural. There are, for example, unnatural arrangements of amino acids, like the doubleCGG sequence, that do not occur in nature.

We do not have a hundred percent assurance on where this pathogen came from. We do, however, have a hundred percent assurance on something else: that for about five weeks, maybe even five months, Chinese leaders knew that this disease was highly transmissible, from one human to the next, but they told the world that it was not.

At the same time as they were locking down their own countryXi by locking down was indicating that he thought this was an effective way of stopping the diseasehe was pressuring other countries not to impose travel restrictions and quarantines on arrivals from China. It was those arrivals from China that turned what should have been an epidemic confined to the central part of China, into a global pandemic. As of today, more than eight million people have died outside China. What happened? No one imposed costs on China.

For at least a halfdecade, maybe a little bit longer, Chinese military researchers have been openly writing about a new type of biological warfare. This was, for instance, in the 2017 edition of The Science of Military Strategy, the authoritative publication of Chinas National Defense University.

They talk about a new type of biological warfare of specific ethnic genetic attacks. In other words, pathogens that will leave the Chinese immune but sicken and kill everybody else, which means that the next disease from China can be a civilization killer.

Remember, Xi must be thinking, I just got away with killing eight million people. Why wouldnt I unleash a biological attack on the United States? Look what the virus has done not only to kill Americans but also to divide American society.

A lot of military analysts talk about how the first seconds of a war with China are going to be fought in outer space. They are going to blind our satellites, take them down, do all sorts of stuff. Those statements are wrong.

The first day of war against the United States occurs about six months earlier, when they release pathogens in the United States. Then we are going to have that day in space. The war starts here, with a pathogena virus, a microbe, a bug of some kind. That is where it begins.

Question: You mentioned 1939. Taiwan is the Poland of today. We get mixed signals: Biden invites the Taiwanese foreign minister to his inauguration, but then we hear Ned Price, his State Department spokesman, say that America will always respect the OneChina policy. Meaning, were sidelining defending Taiwan?

Chang: The OneChina policy is something many people misunderstand. Probably because Beijing uses propaganda to try to fuzzy up the issue. China has a OneChina principle: that Taiwan is part of the Peoples Republic of China, full stop.

We have a OneChina policy, which is different. We recognize Beijing as the legitimate government of China. We also say that the status of Taiwan is unresolved. Then, the third part of our OneChina policy is that the resolution of the status of Taiwan must be with the consent of people on both sides of the Strait. In other words, that is code for peace, a peaceful resolution.

Our policies are defined by the OneChina policy, the Three Communiques, Reagans Six Assurances, and the Taiwan Relations Act.

Our policy is difficult for someone named Joe Biden to articulate, because he came back from a campaign trip to Michigan, and he was asked by a reporter about Taiwan, and Biden said, Dont worry about this. We got it covered. I had a phone call with Xi and he agreed to abide by the Taiwan agreement.

In official U.S. discourse, there is no such thing as a Taiwan agreement. Some reporter then asked Ned Price what did Biden mean by the Taiwan agreement. Ned Price said, The Taiwan agreement means the Three Communiques the Six Assurances, the Taiwan Relations Act, and the OneChina policy.

Ned Price could not have been telling the truth because Xi did not agree to Americas position on Taiwan. That is clear. There is complete fuzziness or outright lying in the Biden administration about this.

Bidens policies on Taiwan are not horrible, but they are also not appropriate for this time. decades, we have had this policy of strategic ambiguity, where we do not tell either side what we would do in the face of imminent conflict. That worked in a benign period. We are no longer in a benign period. We are in one of the most dangerous periods in history.

We need a policy of strategic clarity, where we tell China that we will defend Taiwan. We also say we will extend a mutual defense treaty to Taiwan if it wants it, and we will put American troops on the island as a tripwire.

Question: You think he is not saying that because he has no intention of actually doing it, so in a way, he is telling the truth?

Chang: The mind of Biden is difficult to understand. We do not know what the administration would do. We have never known, after Allen Dulles, what any administration would do, with regard to Taiwan. We knew what Dulles would have done. We have got to be really concerned because there are voices in the administration that would give Taiwan, and give other parts of the world, to China. It would probably start with John Kerry; that is only a guess.

Question: You mentioned earlier the growing Chinese economic problems. Would you use taking action on the enormous trade deficits we run with China to contribute to that problem?

Chang: Yes, we should absolutely do that. Go back to a day which, in my mind, lives in infamy, which is January 15th, 2020, when President Trump signed the Phase One trade deal, which I think was a mistake. In that Phase One trade deal, it was very easy for China to comply, because there were specific targets that China had to meet in buying U.S. goods and services. This was managed trade.

China has not met its obligations. As of a few months ago, China had met about 62 percent of its commitments. That means, they have dishonored this deal in a material and significant way. If nothing else, China has failed to meet its Phase One trade deal commitments.

We should be increasing the tariffs that President Trump imposed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. Remember, those tariffs are meant to be a remedy for the theft of U.S. intellectual property. China has continued to steal U.S. IP. As matter of fact, it has gotten worse: for instance, these Chinese antilawsuit injunctions, which they have started to institute.

We need to do something: China steals somewhere between $300 to $600 billion worth of U.S. intellectual property each year. That is a grievous wound on the U.S. economy, it is a grievous wound on our society in general. We need to do something about it.

Question: As a followup on that, Japan commenced World War II because of the tariffs Roosevelt was strapping on oil imports into Japan, do you think that might well have the same effect on China, where we do begin to impose stiffer tariffs on American imports?

Chang: That is a really important question, to which nobody has an answer. I do not think that China would start a war over tariffs. Let me answer this question in a different way. We are Americans. We naturally assume that there are solutions, and good solutions, to every problem. After three decades of truly misguided China policy, there are no good solutions. There are no solutions that are undangerous.

Every solution, going forward, carries great risk. The current trend of policy is unsustainable. There will be no American republic if we continue to do what we are currently doing and if we continue to allow China to do what it does.

I do not think that enforcing a trade deal will start World War III. The point is, we have no choice right now. First, I dont think the Chinese were ever going to honor the Phase One agreement . This was not a deal where there were some fuzzy requirements. This deal was very clear: China buys these amounts of agricultural products by such and such date, China buys so many manufactured products by such and such date. This was not rocket science. China purposefully decided not to honor it.

There are also other issues regarding the trade deal do not think that we should be trying to foster integration of Wall Street into Chinas markets, which is what the Phase One deal also contemplated. Goldman Sachs ran away like a bandit on that. There are lot of objections to it. I do not think we should be trading with China, for a lot of reasons. The Phase One trade deal, in my mind, was a great mistake. Do not take it from me, just look at their failure to comply with very simple, easytocomply-with requirements. It was a mistake.

Question: Concerning cybersecurity, as we saw in the recent departure of a Pentagon official, ringing the alarm on how we are completely vulnerable to Chinas cyberattacks. From your perspective, what would an attack look like on China that would hurt them? What particular institutions would be the most vulnerable? Is it exposing their secrets? Is it something on their financial system? Is it something on their medical system or critical infrastructure? What does the best way look like to damage them?

Also, regarding what you mentioned about Afghanistan, we know that China has been making inroads into Pakistan as a check on American hegemony in relationships with India and Afghanistan.

Now that the Afghanistan domino is down, what do you see in the future for Pakistans nuclear capability, in conjunction with Chinese backing, to move ever further westward towards Afghanistan, and endangering Middle East security?

Chang: Right now, India has been disheartened by what happened, because India was one of the main backers of the Afghan government. What we did in New Delhi was delegitimize our friends, so that now the proRussian, the proChinese elements in the Indian national security establishment are basically setting the tone. This is terrible.

What has happened, though, in Pakistan itself, is not an unmitigated disaster for us, because China has suffered blowback there. There is an Afghan Taliban, and there is a Pakistani Taliban. They have diametricallyopposed policies on China. The Afghan Taliban is an ally of China; the Pakistani Taliban kill Chinese.

They do that because they want to destabilize Pakistans capital, Islamabad. Beijing supports Islamabad. The calculation on part of the Pakistani Taliban is, We kill Chinese, we destabilize Islamabad, we then get to set up the caliphate in Pakistan. What has happened is, with this incredible success of the Afghan Taliban, that the Pakistani Taliban has been reenergizednot good news for China.

China has something called the ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor, part of their Belt and Road Initiative. Ultimately that is going to be something like $62 billion of investment into Pakistani roads, airports, electric power plants, utilities, all the rest of it.

I am very happy that China is in Pakistan, because they are now dealing with a situation that they have no solutions to. Its like Winston Churchill on Italy, Its now your turn.

We should never have had good relations with Pakistan. That was always a shortterm compromise that, even in the short term, undermined American interests. The point is that China is now having troubles in Pakistan because of their success in Afghanistan.

Pakistan is important to China for a number of reasons. One of them is, they want it as an outlet to the Indian Ocean that bypasses the Malacca Straita choke point that the U.S. Navyin their viewcould easily close off, which is correct.

They want to bypass that, but their port in Gwadar is a failure in many respects. Gwadar is in Pakistans Baluchistan. The Baluchs are one of the most oppressed minorities on earth. They have now taken to violence against the Chinese, and they have been effective. Pakistan is a failure for China.

The best response would be if we hit them with everything at once because China right now is weak. If we were going to pick the number one thing to do, I would think trade.

Trade is really what they need right now. Their economy is stalling. There are three parts to the Chinese economy, as there are to all economies: consumption, investment, and net exports. Their consumption right now is extremely weak from indicators that we have. The question is can they invest?

China now has a debt crisis, so they are not going to invest their way out of this crisis, which means the only way they can save their economy is net exports. We should stop buying their stuff.

We have extraordinary supply chain disruptions right now. It should be pretty easy for us to make the case that we must become selfsufficient on a number of items. Hit them on trade. Hit them on investment, publicize the bank account details of Chinese leaders. All these things that we do, we do it all at the same time. We can maybe get rid of these guys.

Question: In the Solomon Islands, they published Chinas under-the-table payments to political figures. Should we do the same thing with Chinas leaders?

Chang: Yes. There is now a contest for the Solomon Islands, which includes Guadalcanal. China has bought the political establishment in the Solomon Islands, except for one brave man named David Suidani. Recently, somebody got the bright idea of publishing all of the specific payments that Beijing has made to Solomon Islands politicians. This was really good news. We should be doing this with payments to American politicians, we should be doing this across the board.

Why dont we publish their payments to politicians around the world? Lets expose these guys, lets go after them. Lets root out Chinese influence, because they are subverting our political system.

Similarly, we should also be publishing the bank account details of all these Chinese leaders, because they are corrupt as hell.

Question: Could you comment, please, on what you think is the nature of the personal relationships between Hunter Biden, his father, and Chinese financial institutions. How has it, if at all, affected American foreign policy towards China, and how will it affect that policy?

Chang: There are two things here. There are the financial ties. Hunter Biden has connections with Chinese institutions, which you cannot explain in the absence of corruption.

For instance, he has a relationship with Bohai Harvest Partners, BHR. China puts a lot of money into the care of foreign investment managers. The two billion, or whatever the number is, is not that large, but they only put money with people who have a track record in managing investments. Hunter Biden only has a track record of being the son of Joe Biden.

There are three investigations of Hunter Biden right now. There is the Wilmington U.S. Attorneys Office, the FBII dont place very much hope in either of thesebut the third one might actually bear some fruit: the IRS investigation of Hunter Biden.

Let us say, for the moment, that Biden is able to corrupt all three of these investigations. Yet money always leaves a trail. We are going to find out one way or another. Peter Schweizer, for instance, is working on a book on the Biden cash. Eventually, we are going to know about that.

What worries me is not so much the money trailand of course, theres the art sales, a subject in itself, because we will find out.

What worries me is that Hunter Biden, by his own admission, is a troubled individual.

He has been to China a number of times. He has probably committed some embarrassing act there, which means that the Ministry of State Security has audio and video recordings of this. Those are the things that can be used for blackmail. We Americans would never know about it, because blackmail does not necessarily leave a trail. This is what we should be most concerned about.

Biden has now had two long phone calls with Xi. The February call, plus also one a few months ago. We do not know what was said. I would be very worried that when Xi wants to say something, there will be a phone call to Biden, and it would be Xi doing the talking without note takers.

Question: Please tell us about the China desk over the 30 years, the influence of the bureaucracy on politics; what can they affect?

Chang: I do not agree with our China policy establishment in Washington, in general, and specifically the State Department and NSC.

This a complicated issue. First, there is this notion after the end of the Cold War, that the nature of governments did not matter. You could trade with them, you could strengthen them, and it would not have national security implications. That was wrong for a number of reasons, as we are now seeing.

What bothers me is that, although their assumptions about China have demonstrably been proven wrong, American policymakers still continue with the same policies. There is, in some peoples mind, an unbreakable view that we have to cooperate with China.

You hear this from Blinken all the time: Weve got to cooperate where we can. It is this formulation which is tired, and which has not produced the types of policies that are necessary to defend our republic. That is the unfortunate thing.

This is what people learn in international relations school when they go to Georgetown, and they become totally stupid. We Americans should be upset because we have a political class that is not defending us. They are not defending us because they have these notions of China. George Kennan understood the nature of the Soviet Union. I do not understand why we cannot understand the true nature of the Chinese regime.

Part of it is because we have Wall Street, we have Walmart, and they carry Chinas water. There are more of us than there are of them in this country. We have to exercise our vote to make sure that we implement China policies that actually protect us.

Policies that protect us are going to be drastic and they will be extreme, but absolutely, we have now dug ourselves into such a hole after three decades of truly misguided views on China, that I dont know what else to say. This is not some partisan complaint. Liberals and conservatives, Republicans and Democrats, all have truly misguided China policies.

I do not know what it takes to break this view, except maybe for the deaths of American servicemen and women.

Question: Is the big obstacle American businesses which, in donations to Biden, are the ones stopping decoupling of commerce, and saying, Do not have war; we would rather earn money?

Chang: It is. You have, for instance, Nike. There are a number of different companies, but Nike comes to mind right now, because they love to lecture us about racism.

For years they were operating a factory in Qingdao, in the northeastern part of China, that resembled a concentration camp. The laborers were Uighur and Kazakh women, brought there on cattle cars and forced to work.

This factory, technically, was operated by a South Korean subcontractor, but that contractor had a threedecade relationship with Nike. Nike had to know what was going on. This was forced labor, perhaps even slave labor.

Clearly, Nike and Apple and other companies are now, at this very moment, trying to prevent Congress from enacting toughened rules on the importation of forcedlabor products into our country.

One of the good things Trump did was, towards the end of his four years, he started to vigorously enforce the statutes that are already on the books, about products that are made with forced and slave labor. Biden, to his credit, has continued tougher enforcement.

Right now, the big struggle is not the enforcement, but enhancing those rules. Apple and all of these companies are now very much trying to prevent amendment of those laws. Its business, but its also immoral.

Question: It is not just big Wall Street firms. There are companies that print the Bible. Most Bibles are now printed in China.

When President Trump imposed the tariffs, a lot of the Bible printers who depended on China actually went to Trump and said, You cannot put those tariffs in because then the cost of Bibles will go up.

Chang: Most everyone lobbies for China. We have to take away their incentive to do so.

Question: What are the chances that Chinas going to invade Taiwan?

Chang: There is no clear answer.

There are a number of factors that promote stability. One of them is that, for China to invade Taiwan, Xi has to give some general or admiral basically total control over the Chinese military. That makes this flag officer the most powerful person in China. Xi is not about to do that.

Moreover, the Chinese regime is even more casualtyadverse than we are. Even if Beijing thinks it can take Taiwan by force, it is probably not going to invade because it knows an invasion would be unpopular with most people in China. It is not going to risk hundreds of thousands of casualties that would result from an invasion.

The reason we have to be concerned is because it is not just a question of Xi waking up one morning and saying, I want to invade Taiwan. The danger is the risk of accidental contact, in the skies or on the seas, around Taiwan.

We know that China has been engaging in hostile conduct, and this is not just the incursions into Taiwans air-defense identification zone. There are also dangerous intercepts of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force in the global commons. One of those accidents could spiral out of control.

We saw this on April 1st, 2001, with the EP3, where a Chinese jet clipped the wing of that slowmoving propeller plane of the U.S. Navy. The only reason we got through it was that George W. Bush, to his eternal shame, paid China a sum that was essentially a ransom.

He allowed our crew to be held for 11 days. He allowed the Chinese to strip that plane. This was wrong. This was the worst incident in U.S. diplomatic history, but Bushs craven response did get us through it. Unfortunately, by getting through it we taught the Chinese that they can without cost engage in these dangerous maneuvers of intercepting our planes and our ships.

That is the problem: because as we have taught the Chinese to be more aggressive, they have been. One of these incidents will go wrong. The law of averages says that. Then we have to really worry.

Question: You dont think Xi thinks, Oh well, we can sacrifice a few million Chinese?

Chang: On the night of June 15th, 2020, there was a clash between Chinese and Indian soldiers in Ladakh, in the Galwan Valley. That was a Chinese sneak attack on Indian-controlled territory. That night, 20 Indian soldiers were killed. China did not admit to any casualties. The Indians were saying that they killed about 45 Chinese soldiers that night.

Remember, this was June 15th of 2020. It took until February of 2021 for China to admit that four Chinese soldiers died. TASS, the Russian news agency, recently issued a story reporting that 45 Chinese soldiers actually died that night.

This incident shows you how riskaverse and casualtyaverse the Chinese Communist Party is. They are willing to intimidate, they are willing to do all sorts of things. They are, however, loath to fight sustained engagements. Remember, that the number one goal of Chinese foreign policy is not to take over Taiwan. The number one goal of Chinese foreign policy is to preserve Communist Party rule.

If the Communist Party feels that the Chinese people are not on board with an invasion of Taiwan, they will not do it even if they think they will be successful. Right now, the Chinese people are not in any mood for a fullscale invasion of Taiwan.

On the other hand, Xi has a very low threshold of risk.

He took a consensual political system where no Chinese leader got too much blame or too much credit, because everybody shared in decisions, and Xi took power from everybody, which means, he ended up with full accountability, which meanshe is now fully responsible.

In 2017, when everything was going Chinas way, this was great for Xi because he got all the credit. Now in 2021, where things are not going Chinas way, he is getting all the blame.

The other thing, is that Xi has raised the cost of losing a political struggle in China. In the Deng Xiaoping era, Deng reduced the cost of losing a struggle. In the Maoist era, if you lost a struggle, you potentially lost your life. In Dengs era, if you lost a struggle, you got a nice house, a comfortable life.

Xi has reversed that. Now the cost of losing a political struggle in China is very high. So there is now a combination of these two developments. Xi has full accountability. He knows that if he is thrown out of power, he loses not just power. He loses his freedom, his assets, potentially his life.

If he has nothing to lose, however, it means that he can start a war, either accidentally or on purpose. He could be thinking, Im dying anyway, so why dont I just roll the dice and see if I can get out of this?

That is the reason why this moment is so exceedingly risky. When you look at the internal dynamics inside China right now, we are dealing with a system in crisis.

Question: China has a conference coming up in a year or so. What does Chairman Xi want to do to make sure he gets through that conference with triumph?

Chang: The Communist Party has recently been holding its National Congresses once every five years. If the pattern followsand that is an ifthe 20th National Congress of the Communist Party will be held either October or November of next year.

This is an important Congress, more so than most of them because Xi is looking for an unprecedented third term as general secretary of the Communist Party.

If you go back six months ago, maybe a year, everyone was saying, Oh, Xi Jinping. No problem. Hes president for life. Hes going to get his third term. He will get his fourth term. He will get his fifth term, as long as he lives. This guy is there forever. Right now, that assumption is no longer valid. We do not know whats going to happen because he is being blamed for everything.

Remember, as we get close to the 20th National Congress, Xi knows he has to show success. Showing success could very well mean killing some more Indians or killing Americans or killing Japanese or something. We just dont know what is going to happen.

Prior to the National Congress, there is the sixth plenum of the 19th Congress. Who knows what is going to happen there. The Communist Party calendar, as you point out, does dictate the way Xi interacts with the world.

Question: Going back to the wing-clip incident, what should Bush have done?

Chang: What Bush should have done is immediately demand the return of that plane. What he should have done was to impose trade sanctions, investment sanctions, whatever, to get our plane back.

We were fortunate, in the sense that our aviators were returned, but they were returned in a way that has made relations with China worse, because we taught the Chinese regime to be more aggressive and more belligerent. We created the problems of today and of tomorrow.

I would have imposed sanction after sanction after sanction, and just demand that they return the plane and the pilots. Remember, that at some point, it was in Chinas interests to return our aviators. The costs would have been too high for the Chinese to keep them. We did not use that leverage on them.

While we are on this topic, we should have made it clear to the Chinese leadership that they cannot kill Americans without cost. Hundreds of thousands Americans have been killed by a disease that China deliberately spread.

In one year, from 2020 to 2021, nearly 80,000 Americans died from fentanyl, which China has purposefully, as a matter of state and Communist Party policysold to Americans. China is killing us. We have to do something different. Im not saying that we have good solutions; we dont. But we have to change course.

Question: Biden is continuing this hostage thing with Huawei, returning the CFO of Huawei in exchange for two Canadians. Have we taught the Chinese that they can grab more hostages?

Chang: President Trump was right to seek the extradition of Meng Wanzhou, the chief financial officer of Huawei Technologies. Biden, in a deal, released her. She did not even have to plead guilty to any Federal crime. She signed a statement, which I hope well be able to use against Huawei.

As soon as Meng was released, China released the two Michaels, the two Canadians who were grabbed within days of our seeking extradition of Meng Wanzhou. In other words, the two Michaels were hostages.

We have taught China that any time that we try to enforce our own laws, they can just grab Americans. They have grabbed Americans as hostages before, but this case is high profile. They grabbed Americans, and then they grabbed Canadians, and they got away with it. They are going to do it again.

We are creating the incentives for Beijing to act even more dangerously and lawlessly and criminally in the future. This has to stop.

Question: On the off-chance that the current leader does not maintain his position, what are your thoughts on the leaders that we should keep an eye on?

Chang: There is no one who stands out among the members of the Politburo Standing Committee. That is purposeful. Xi has made sure that there is nobody who can be considered a successor; that is the last thing he wants.

If there is a change in leadership, the new leader probably will come from Jiang Zemins Shanghai Gang faction. Jiang was Chinas leader before Hu Jintao, and Hu came before Xi.

There is now a lot of factional infighting. Most of the reporting shows that Jiang has been trying to unseat Xi because Xi has been putting Jiangs allies in jail.

Remember, the Communist Party is not a monolith. It has a lot of factions. Jiangs faction is not the only one. There is something called the Communist Youth League of Hu Jintao. It could, therefore, be anybody.

Question: Double question: You did not talk about Hong Kong. Is Hong Kong lost forever to the Chinese Communist Party? Second question, if you could, what are the three policies that you would change right away?

Chang: Hong Kong is not lost forever. In Hong Kong, there is an insurgency. We know from the history of insurgencies that they die awayand they come back. We have seen this in Hong Kong. The big protests in Hong Kong, remember, 2003, 2014, 2019. In those interim periods, everyone said, Oh, the protest movement is gone. It wasnt.

China has been very effective with its national security law, but there is still resistance in Hong Kong. There is still a lot of fight there. It may not manifest itself for quite some time, but this struggle is not over, especially if the United States stands behind the people there. Biden, although he campaigned on helping Hong Kong, has done nothing.

On the second question, I would close Chinas four remaining consulates. I would also strip the Chinese embassy down to the ambassador and his personal staff. The thousands who are in Washington, D.C., they would be out.

I would also raise tariffs to 3,600 percent, or whatever. This is a good time to do it. We have supply chain disruptions. We are not getting products from China anyway. We can actually start to do this sort of stuff.

The third thing, I would do what Pompeo did, just hammer those guys all the time verbally. People may think, Those are just words. For communists, words are really important, because they are an insecure regime where propaganda is absolutely critical.

I would be going after the Communists on human rights, I would be going after them on occupying the South China Sea, on Taiwan, unrelentinglybecause I would want to show the world that the United States is no longer afraid of China.

We have taught the world that we are afraid of dealing with the Chinese. State Department people, they are frightened. We need to say to the Chinese regime, like Dulles, Im not afraid of you. Im going after you, and Im going to win.

This article is based on a recent address to Gatestone Institute.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
On Nov. 2, 2021 British Medical Journal (BMJ) published an article that revealed three big issues in Pfizers vaccine trial based on interview with a whistleblower.

The whistle blower, Brook Jackson, was a regional director of one of Pfizers vaccine trial companies, Ventavia Research Group in Texas.

Beginning the fall of 2020, there were 153 institutes, including Ventavia, that assisted Pfizers vaccine clinical trial. Per Ventavias website, the company is the largest private clinical research company in Texas. Jackson found out the management of the clinical trial in the company was not organized. She reported this to the administrative level of the company, but received no response from the company. Then she reported this to the FDA.

However, after she emailed the FDA, she was fired that same afternoon. Jackson said this was the first time she was fired from her job in her 20-year career.

Finally, she contacted the international well-known journalBMJ. She exposed 3 major issues she observed in Ventavia for Pfizers vaccine clinical trial.

1. Falsifying the data

2. Early unblinding of the trial, affecting the accuracy of the results

3. Very slow to respond to adverse events, and not paying attention to the safety of participants

We spoke with Dr. Sean Lin, phD, former toxicology lab director of Walter Reed Military Medical Center to discuss these issues. The interview below has been edited for brevity and clarity.

Issue 1: During the Trials, There Was Data Falsified

Health 1+1: Per Jackson, in one document dated as August 2020, before Jacksons hiring, a Ventavia executive revealed that three site staff members were requested to go over e-diary issues and falsifying data, etc. One of them was verbally questioned for changing data and not informing the late data entry.

Jackson and Ventavia executives discussed multiple times the possibilities of an FDA inspection of their company. Another former Ventavia employee also stated that the company worried the FDA would audit the process of their companys Pfizers vaccine clinical trials.

Dr. Lin: When any new vaccine or new medication goes through clinical trials, the accuracy of the data is very important.

For example, in clinical trials, to inject vaccine to a volunteer, there must be 2 people in addition to the volunteer on site. One person does the injection; the second person takes notes and watches the injection. The reason for having two people is if only one person does it, if there is any mistake in recording the procedure, or if the person changes data, the accuracy of the database will be affected significantly.

In cases where any data needs to be modified, these drug companies usually have strict procedures. First, upper management and an executive of the drug company need to be notified and approve, then the person is authorized to enter the database and modify the data. The person must record the time of modification and the reason. They need to explain that an error occurred while entering the data, or if there are other reasons. Only with strict rules can these companies guarantee that what is in the database wont be falsified.

So by contrast, it is unbelievable that an employee at Ventavia can have the right to modify the database without permission. This can cause big problems.

Pfizer published their clinical trial report on NEJM (New England Journal of Medicine). In the report, there were 8 people infected COVID after vaccination, but there were 162 people infected COVID after placebo. So, it is easily to change the protection rate from 90% to 60% if there are wrong data on dozens of people.

Ventavias trial site had 1,000 volunteers participate in the COVID vaccine trials. If there are mistakes in just 50 of them, the results will be significantly different.

Issue 2: Early Unblinding of Trial Participants

Health 1+1: Based on the photos and information provided by Jackson, documents related to the clinical trials were randomly displayed, including vaccine packaging materials with clinical trial participants information and drug assignment confirmation labels, all these were accessible to blinded personnel. The above errors can lead the participants and the staff members to know ahead of time who would get vaccine, before the procedures were done. The errors were corrected two months after the trial started. It may have been a large range of unblinding.

Dr. Lin: Generally, people who participate in clinical trials are divided into two groups. One group would receive vaccine and the other group would receive placebo, like normal saline. None of the participants will know which they were given, otherwise it would affect the objectivity of the trial. This is called blinding.

Vaccine trials routinely use blind trials. This is because in medical field, it is well known that the mental effect plays a key role. For example, if someone knew he or she was given real medicine, they may have very positive mood which improves their immune system, and the results would not truly reflect the effect of medicine only. On the other hand, if people knew they were given placebo, they may not feel any hope, and that may also affect the results.

Besides the volunteer participants, other people who involved in the trials like physicians, nurses, and people who man database are also not allowed to know the true information regarding the distribution of the vaccine injection. This is to avoid bias. For example, if the nurse knew the participants receiving vaccine, the nurse may pay more attention to the person. This will affect the end results.

So the clinical trials are randomly assigned by computer for who receives the vaccine and who receives the placebo, and the information will be encrypted.

For early unblinding, it was not only a lapse in responsibility on Ventavias part, but showed problems related to Pfizers design and management of these COVID vaccine clinical trials. This made it so that the testing groups learned who was getting the vaccine too early. If lower level staff have authority or opportunity to unblind trials, it affects the objectivity of the data.

Issue 3: Slow Response to Adverse Events, Not Prioritizing Participant Safety

Health 1+1: Jackson pointed out that Ventavia did not pay attention to the safety of the participants during the vaccine trials. They did not contact or take care the participants who developed side effects. One email sent by the contract research organization to Ventavia mentioned that over 100 cases with issues where participants were not contacted for more than three days, including including two participants who had developed severe symptoms. The expectation for vaccine trials is that that all issues need to be addressed within 24 hours. Jackson also mentioned that participants were placed in a hallway after injection with no clinical staff observation.

Besides Jackson, a formal Ventavia employee also told the BMJ that the company doesnt have enough staff to take samples from participants who developed COVID symptoms. FDA documents showed that across all clinical trials, there were 477 people who had symptoms but did not receive a PCR test for COVID. Jackson said in the 40-plus clinical trials shes been involved with, including several large scale trials, she had never seen as much chaos as the environment she worked in under Ventavia.

In a recording of a meeting in September 2020 between Jackson and two Ventavia company directors, the company expressed they could not confirm how many types of issues had occurred because of the high volume of issues, nor could they confirm the number of errors that had occurred because there was something new everyday.

Dr. Lin: In clinical trials, the risk of the medication given to participants is unknown, and as such there needs to be enough staff to watch for side effects that could occur.

Usually, participants stay onsite, whether that is a hospital or nearby hotel, for the first 24 hours after the vaccine injection, and they are accompanied by clinical staff. If a severe side effect occurs, it needs to be addressed right away. It is dangerous if no one is observing the participants after injection. This suggests the trial was not properly staffed.

In the past, there were clinical trials for certain medications that took a very long time before they could even begin. First you need to have enough test sites, then the standard data criterion needs to be set up to ensure the data integrity and security, among other things. If you have contractors with the capacity to test 500 people, but you sign them for contracts to test 1000 people, obviously they will have staffing and staff training issues. Theres a standard protocol that accompanies each step of these clinical trials and no short cuts can be taken, even if a pharmaceutical company wants to speed up the testing period. In this case specifically, Pfizer would have needed to monitor these testing sites, in order to ensure all these trials are using their designed process.

Ventavias situation implies additional risks, like the possibility of other sites having similar issues, and whether Pfizer has been correcting these in a timely manner. If the vaccine data contains errors, then wouldnt the vaccines protection rate need to be reevaluated?

During the pandemic, many large pharmaceutical companies received protection from government. The entire vaccine development bill was footed by the government, as was the production and promotion costs. And even if there were problems in the process, the media was not investigating these steps and exposing the details to the public.

Pfizers vaccine has been so important in the US market and stricter monitoring should have been in place, rather than blanket protections.

FDAs Poor Oversight

Health 1+1: Jackson reported the issue to the administrative level of Ventavia and received no response. Then on Sept. 25, 2020, she contacted the FDA. After sending the email, she was fired from the company. A few days later, the FDA contacted Jackson to discuss her report. There was no further communication between Jackson and the FDA after this call. In August 2021, the FDA approved Pfizers COVID vaccine and listed 9 of the 153 clinical trial sites, not including Ventavia.

Jackson raised several problems in her report:

1) Participants were not monitored after receiving injections

2) There was no timely follow-up of patients with adverse side effects

3) Errors occurred during testing, and people would not report the errors

4) The vaccines were not stored at proper temperatures

5) Mislabeled laboratory specimens

6) Staff who reported these types of problems received retaliation

7) FDA told her no further information could be provided to her and ceased communications, and only nine of 153 test sites were inspected by the FDA, not including Ventavia, despite Jacksons report

This exposes the oversight issues on the FDAs part. In Ventavia case, FDA should have communicated with Jackson, Pfizer, and Ventavia. It stands that the FDA should have inquired about Pfizers trial procedures, and whether these three parties were on the same page regarding those procedures. And the public should have been made aware, because this affects human lives.

Dr. Lin: Its more than an issue of corporate liability, theres a matter of individual responsibility here as well. This whistleblowers report showed that it wasnt just Ventavia in the wrong, but Pfizer and the FDA as well. But I think the key issue is still the individual, because you have to remember that these are individuals doing all the research.

Many people think that science is noble, and all the people who work in the scientific field are pursuing truth. But in reality, in modern society, science is an industry. Especially the medical field, its become a large industry that involves huge profits. So in the process, the issue of how to keep research and clinical trials reliable and trustworthy has become a big challenge.

During the pandemic, the public had hope that pharmaceutical companies would develop medicine that could save lives. Theres a big profit opportunity here for the companies, especially because the government will help cover costs and also promote the products. With an upside this big, no company wants to miss out. With these conditions, its easy to risk the integrity of the company. Especially under the current PREP regulations, the company doesnt take any responsibility. Pfizer and Moderna are free of responsibility involving this vaccine. People with adverse side effects from these injects can seek compensation through CICP, but it is not easy to do.

According to a Nov. 10, 2021 report from USA Today, 3,100 people developed side effects after vaccine injection during clinical trials. Following the CICP system, they filed for reimbursement, and none of them have thus far received compensation.

The government pays for production and protection, and the companies dont need to pay out any losses from side effects. Big profits with small investments. Under these conditions how can one guarantee the integrity of the test? It in fact motivates the companies to rush their clinical trials. These are complicated procedures with many factors that can cause issues. Pharmaceutical companies should be following the basic principle of do no harm. Without this principle, the medical field is in peril.

Both the government and pharmaceutical companies have been focusing on the benefit rather than the drawbacks. This is a problem, because it means that something that could put someones life at risk can be ignored. This is irresponsible to the public.

On one hand, during a pandemic, ordinary people would of course wish that medical companies could develop medicine to save the world. Can pharmaceutical companies keep a high level of integrity through the process? I think this is a test for humanity arranged by God.

If humanity handles this test well, God creates miracles to help humanity.

If, under what is deemed an emergency condition, in the name of saving people at large a government decides to risk some peoples lives in trade, that is not right. Just like in China, the regime is behind the operation of organ harvesting ordinary citizens to make a profit. If a surgeon in China claims he saved a life through organ transplantation but had to kill another human being to do so, that is totally wrong.

Whether a physician or pharmaceutical expert, whether you can maintain morality and integrity during this pandemic is a test from God. As COVID spread across the entire world, its become a test not only to the medical field but all human beings.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
May Xu was as busy as anyone Saturday with dozens of people lining up to check out a West Hartford house the broker is listing for sale.

Across Connecticut, the spring real estate market is hitting its stride with buyers seeking new listings that might meet their needs and price points. And when they find one, they are bidding aggressively, according to Xu, a broker in the West Hartford office of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties.

Some people, they just pay cash, Xu said. They show you their statements to prove they can.

In March, Hartford County had the most Connecticut single-family home sales above asking prices, according to the SmartMLS multiple listing service. Buyers paid an average of 4.6 percent above listing prices in Hartford County in March, the data showed.

That helped nudge average Hartford County prices up to around $342,000  a 10 percent increase from March 2021, the data showed.

In March, Hartford County houses sold in just 33 days, one week faster than in New Haven County, according to the data.

On average, about 16 prospective buyers showed up in March for every house listed for sale in Bridgeport and lower Fairfield County, according to monthly data tabulated by Zillow subsidiary ShowingTime, whose online appointment booking platform is popular among brokerages.

That ranked in the top-10 hottest markets nationally. Of the top 25, only Burlington, Vt., and Fort Collins, Colo., had bigger increases in the ratio of March showings to listings from a year earlier.

With the list including greater Hartford and the New Haven-Milford area, Connecticut was among three states  along with Colorado and Ohio  to have three regions on the ShowingTime top-25 list for March.

Bridgeport and lower Fairfield County have been fixtures on the ShowingTime list in each of the first three months of 2022. In addition to southwest Connecticut, only Rochester, N.Y., Trenton, N.J., and Virginia Beach, Va., have seen the ratio of showings to listings increase in each of the first three months of the year.

Determining how hot a particular real estate market is depends on the data set.

Realtor.com has several variables on its own monthly list, including how many views a property draws on its website. In March, New Haven ranked as the 16th-hottest market in the nation on the Realtor.com ranking of 300 locales. Hartford was also in the top-50, but the Greenwich-Bridgeport area ranked in the bottom half.

The ShowingTime list captures an extra dimension in the buyers who take the time to visit properties  though as an average it does not reveal the extremes.

Heading into the weekend in West Hartford, the Hilltop Drive house listed by Xu had scheduled the most showings in Connecticut among properties listed for sale by Berkshire Hathaway. As of Friday morning, nearly three dozen buyers had registered to see the three-bedroom house on a small lot priced at $350,000. Xu cited the local elementary school and proximity to downtown West Hartford as contributing to the appeal.

I dont know how high it will go, Xu said.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
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NORWALK  Connecticuts tax commissioner  and self-proclaimed czar on how to spend federal infrastructure dollars coming to the state  is promoting a fix for the T-bone terminus of the Route 7 expressway, as a developer looks to build a new apartment district in the area.

Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton indicated on social media last week that he spoke with the CEO of Building & Land Technology about the Route 7 expressway, which runs north from Interstate 95 in Norwalk to Grist Mill Road. BLT recently completed The Curb apartment complex on nearby Glover Avenue, and is now looking for city approval to expand with the larger North Seven development.

Boughton told Hearst Connecticut Media Group that he met last week with BLT CEO Carl Kuehner III, as part of conversations he is having statewide on how to spend billions in federal dollars earmarked for transportation improvements via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The package includes nearly $5.4 billion for roadways.

Considering the scope, traffic and road infrastructure capacity is one of the items that we have spent a considerable amount of time evaluating, said Steve Kleppin, director of planning and zoning for Norwalk. I would anticipate certain phases of the application being contingent on certain roadway improvements being completed.

Norwalk is already contemplating the reconstruction of interchanges between the Merritt Parkway and Route 7, where traffic often slows as drivers attempt to negotiate sharp turns off the parkway or accelerate to merge onto the roadway.

It is one of several major projects on the books for the state Department of Transportation, with others including improvements at the junction of Route 7 and I-84 in Danbury; and continuing work on I-95 in Fairfield County and east of New Haven to the Rhode Island border.

We have a full, I might say overfull, transportation program  a number of very large projects in there, said Francis Pickering, executive director of the Western Connecticut Council of Governments. We dont want to push anything further down the list because we already have more needs than we can realistically fund.

The Route 7 expressway was originally intended to feed into a larger Super 7 highway, connecting Norwalk and Danbury. Connecticut abandoned the idea in the 1990s amid concerns for cost and impact on the environment.

In Norwalk, the expressway portion of Route 7 comes to an abrupt end at Grist Mill Road. Drivers heading north to Danbury face a gauntlet of more than 30 traffic lights on the 15-mile route.

A BLT spokesperson did not provide details on how the Stamford company wants the highway terminus reconstructed to ease traffic on and off the Route 7 connector. Crews are also framing a reconstructed Metro-North commuter rail station nearby on Glover Avenue.

In cities and towns across Connecticut, there is plenty of jockeying to get projects fast-tracked with the infusion of IIJA funding. The General Assembly is weighing a bill that would create a legislative task force to weigh in on how projects are prioritized. Gov. Ned Lamonts transportation chief testified in March against the idea due to concerns imposing an additional layer of review could delay projects.

Legislative input may not always align with the shovel-ready projects or the guiding federal rules and regulations, Joseph Giulietti, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, said in March testimony to the Transportation Committee of the Connecticut General Assembly. Prioritizing and programming transportation investments is a complex process that is prescribed by federal regulations and constrained by the need to closely match capital needs to the appropriate federal funding.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
Press Release

May 2, 2022 De Lima on Ragos's retraction: 'Justice will still be served, no matter how late' Re-electionist Senator Leila M. de Lima welcomed the move of former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) officer-in-charge Rafael Ragos to finally admit that his testimony against her before the court in relation to illegal drugs is nothing but pure lies and invention. De Lima, the most prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, said the retraction of Ragos of his allegations against her should help get her trumped-up drug case dismissed. "I did not expect, at least at this stage, former NBI Deputy Director and BuCor OIC Rafael Ragos to retract his statements and testimonies implicating me in the Bilibid drug trade. After all, he played along with my persecutors in the Duterte Administration for so long I no longer hoped that he still had any remaining ounce of integrity in himself. "In fact, it was his testimony in court that was used by the judge to deny my demurrer or motion to dismiss in one of the fabricated drug cases filed against me by the DOJ," she said. "His fabricated testimony, which he is now retracting, is the main, if not the sole, reason why that case was not dismissed and why I am still detained as the trial continues," she added. Ragos is a principal witness in one of two cases against De Lima pending at the Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court. He was one of the Senator's co-accused in one case before the government prosecution filed an Amended Information that changed the crime imputed against De Lima from "illegal drug trading" to "conspiracy to trade illegal drugs, and excluded him from the case in exchange for his false testimony against the Senator." In his affidavit, notarized on April 30, 2022 in Pasig, Ragos retracted his previous statements, affidavits, and court testimonies that he delivered money to De Lima and her former aide Ronnie Dayan. "As far as I know and based on my professional relationship with Sec. De Lima, she is incapable of doing anything illegal, much less engage in the illegal drug trade or accept money from Bilibid inmates. All of my allegations to the contrary in my affidavits and House and court testimonies are all fiction, false, and fabricated," he said. Ragos said that he was threatened by then Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre into making false allegations against De Lima, explaining that he followed Aguirre's order due to threats of being detained himself on a crime he claimed he did not commit. De Lima said the inclusion of Aguirre, who was the leading instigator of the fabricated cases against her after Duterte and NBI Deputy Director Reynaldo Esmeralda who has an axe to grind against her, did also not come as a surprise. The other names, however, were new to her. "The others, like former NBI Director Dante Gierran, DOJ Usec Raymund Mecate, Danny Yang, Roland Argabioso, and PAO lawyers Rigel Salvador and Demi Huerta, are new to me," she said. Meanwhile, De Lima said that she has always suspected that the DOJ Panel of Prosecutors would have known that Ragos was lying on the witness stand but his retraction "only confirms that they did and that, all along, they were guilty of suborning false testimony." In his affidavit, it can be noted that Ragos admitted that there was a time that he met with the prosecutors handling De Lima's case wherein he told them that the allegations against the Senator "never happened." Prior to Ragos' retraction, self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa also recanted all of his allegations against De Lima in relation to illegal drug trade in a counter-affidavit filed at the DOJ on April 28. "With Espinosa's and Ragos's retractions, I hope it is now clear to the Filipino people that the false charges for illegal drug trading filed against me by the DOJ were the product of a long-standing conspiracy," De Lima said. The lady Senator from Bicol believes that it is only a matter of time before the rest are identified by other false witnesses, mostly convicted inmates of the Bilibid, who were either bribed or coerced to make up stories about her supposed involvement in the Bilibid drug trade. "This is only expected as the mastermind of this despicable enterprise exits Malacanang at the end of his calamitous term. It appears, after all, that justice will still be served, no matter how late. Five years too late. But indeed, Truth often bides its time. It patiently waits and is never vanquished," she said. In a separate statement posted on Twitter, De Lima stated: "Five years too late but still appreciated. Sana makonsensya na rin lahat ng nasangkot sa gawa-gawang kaso laban sa akin. Patuloy po ang laban natin para sa hustisya. "Nagpapasalamat ako sa lalong pagtibay at paglabas ng katotohanan na ako ay inosente, at kung sino ang mga nagsabwatan para ako'y siraan, gipitin at patahimikin." De Lima has consistently and firmly asserted her innocence in the cases filed against her. Due to lack of evidence, one of the three trumped-up drug charges against her has already been dismissed, which she called a "moral victory." The two other cases are still pending. #FREELEILANOW #HUSTISYA
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BERLIN (AP)  Germany and India signed a series of bilateral agreements Monday focused on sustainable development that will see the South Asian nation receive 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion) in aid by 2030 to boost the use of clean energy.

The accords were signed during a visit to Berlin by India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seeking to elicit India's support for the tough stance taken by Europe and the United States toward Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Modi reiterated his call to both Russia and Ukraine to end the fighting, saying: "We believe that no party can emerge victorious in this war.

But unlike Scholz  who accused Russia of undermining "fundamental principles of international law  Modi refrained from any overt criticism of Moscow. Russia, a major supplier of arms to India, has previously praised Modi's government for its neutral stance on the conflict.

Reporters were not permitted to ask questions after the two leaders spoke  an unusual arrangement at the German chancellery where at least four questions are routinely permitted during high-level visits. The decision was taken at the insistence of the Indian delegation, said a German official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The agreements covered issues ranging from technical assistance to increase the use of renewable energy and hydrogen, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity and improving agricultural land use.

The environmental group Germanwatch welcomed the accords, describing India as swing state for global efforts to tackle climate change.

Accelerating the energy transition there is a vital contribution to staying within the 1.5-degree limit, said its policy director Christoph Bals, referring to the warming threshold set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. He urged other members of the Group of Seven major industrialized economies to reach similar agreements with India.

Scholz has invited India, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to attend the next G-7 summit in Germany at the end of June.

Other areas of cooperation agreed between the two countries Monday center on migration, nuclear research and the establishment of secure communications channels between the two governments.
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  A jury on Monday gave a sweeping win to the Kardashian family in former reality TV star Blac Chynas lawsuit against them.

The Los Angeles jury found that none of the members defamed Chyna, nor did any interfere with her contract by convincing the E! network to cancel her reality show Rob & Chyna.

The four Kardashian defendants  Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner  attended nearly the entire trial, but when the verdict was read all were in New York at the Met Gala, where this years theme was Gilded Glamour.

Chyna was in court for the verdict. She had no visible reaction.

After about 10 hours of deliberations, the jurors decided on the long jury form that the Kardashians often acted in bad faith, finding that they were not justified in telling the executives and producers of "Rob & Chyna" that Chyna abused their son and brother Rob Kardashian. But they found that it had no substantial effect on Chyna's contract or the fate of the show, and she was awarded no damages.

Executives from the E! network, which aired the show, testified that Rob & Chyna ended because the relationship ended, not because of the defendants' actions.

Kardashian attorney Michael G. Rhodes said the family was exuberant when he called them with the news.

Theyre very pleased, Rhodes said. I hope they enjoy their gala in New York.

Chyna's attorney Lynne Ciani said that based on her reading of the verdict, the jury found that Chyna had not physically abused Rob Kardashian, and the jury found that all four defendants had intentionally interfered with her contract with the E! Network.

We will appeal on the remaining questions, she added.

The jury was twice sent back to deliberate further when it was found that on some questions in the case against Kylie Jenner the vote had been 8-4 when at least 9-3 was required in the civil case, but they quickly returned with 9-3 votes and the result remained unchanged.

Jurors were considering the defamation case against Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, after a judge threw out the part of the lawsuit against Kim Kardashian in the middle of deliberations.

All four of the women testified during the nine-day trial.

The trial focused largely on allegations that Chyna violently attacked her then-fiance and reality TV co-star Rob Kardashian on a night and morning in December 2016. He testified that she twice held a gun to his head, wrapped a phone-charging cord around his neck and beat him with a metal rod. She testified that she had put the cord around his neck and held the gun playfully as the two celebrated the renewal of their reality show, and when the celebration turned into a dispute, she was never violent against him.

But the legal questions the jury considered were all about the aftermath of that fight. Jurors had to decide whether each of the defendants knowingly lied about the abuse when they talked about it with the producers and executives overseeing Rob & Chyna, or spread word about it with reckless disregard for the truth. And they had to decide for each defendant whether those communications were an illegal interference with Chynas contract to appear on the show.

In her closing argument, Ciani argued that it was unreasonable for the four women to have believed that her client violently attacked her former fiance Rob Kardashian.

He didnt have a mark on him, Ciani told jurors. There was no call to the police, no trip to the hospital, not even a Band-Aid.

Rhodes argued during his closing that the women had every reason to believe the accounts of the attack from Rob Kardashian and from Kris Jenners longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble, who arrived at the scene and broke up the dispute.

Do you remember how Rob looked on the stand? His pain was real, Rhodes said. This is a real family. Yeah, theyre famous, but theyre real people. He got really badly hurt here.

It appeared during the trial that Gamble would prove to be the key witness for the defense. But the television executives and producers whose testimony was often technical, and utterly without drama, would prove more important in the jury's findings, which rendered the women's stories of abuse largely irrelevant.

Jurors were free to make it a split decision  finding against some of the Kardashians but not others.

They gave the family a clean sweep instead, and gave Chyna nothing.

She had sought as much as $108 million in the lawsuit. A punitive damages phase that would have been triggered by a plaintiff victory will not happen now.

The 5-year-old lawsuit overcame many obstacles  including motions to dismiss and settlement talks between the two sides  and was a longshot to even get to trial.

But the final obstacle, convincing a jury, proved too much to overcome.

The case isnt entirely over for Chyna, though. Separate allegations in the lawsuit against Rob Kardashian, with him as the lone defendant, were split into a separate trial that will likely begin in about a week.

___

Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton
NORWALK  Virtual reality will become a reality for students at three of the citys middle schools that are receiving a grant for new Verizon Innovative Learning Lab programs.

The multi-million dollar grant will allow Norwalk Public Schools to outfit Nathan Hale, Ponus Ridge and West Rocks middle schools with custom-designed labs that will give students access to cutting-edge technology such as virtual and augmented reality, along with 3D modeling and printing.

It allows us to improve and build a state-of-the-art facility that is thinking in a future-forward way about how teaching and learning will evolve over time, Superintendent Alexandra Estrella told Board of Education members during their meeting on April 27.

According to Estrella, only one school per district is usually chosen to implement the program. Norwalk was one of the few awarded three labs. Roton Middle School did not qualify for the program based on criteria set by Verizon.

I was a little bit shocked, Estrella said. I told Ralph (Valenzisi), when he said all three schools, I said, I think its a typo, check again, because thats never happened before.

The learning lab program is part of a partnership between Verizon, Arizona State University, and the nonprofit organization Heart of America. The board unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between the district and Arizona State University to start implementing the program.

Verizon leads the overall program design while ASU, through the J. Orin Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute, is responsible for the curriculum development and program implementation. Hearst of American is responsible for the space design and transformation in the individual schools.

The grant will cover the cost of all the renovations and components that come with implementing the program, according to Ralph Valenzisi, the assistant superintendent for digital learning and innovation. The only cost to the district will be asbestos abatement, which will take place this summer.

This is a great opportunity to provide an upgrade in facilities that really need it, Estrella said, specifically citing the improvements needed for Nathan Hales library space.

Valenzisi expects all three labs to be completed by Dec. 31. The rooms will be closed through the fall then reopen in January 2023. The equipment will start arriving in spring 2023, and teachers and other staff will start receiving their training that spring and summer.

The schools must implement the elective courses for two full academic years starting in fall 2023 with the goal to enroll 150 students in the course each school year. Verizon encourages schools to engage all students with the labs technology and use it across multiple subject areas. Each school will designate one staff member to serve as the Verizon Innovative Learning Lab Mentor.

Each lab space will be outfitted with four technology kits including immersive media (virtual reality and augmented reality), digital product innovations (3D modeling and printing), smart solutions (electronics and wearables), and artificial intelligence (coding).

Verizon Innovative Learning, an education initiative from Verizon dedicated to addressing barriers in digital inclusion, awarded the same Norwalk middle schools with new Chromebooks earlier this school year that can equipped with four-year data plans. The devices allow students to access the internet at home or anywhere where this is Verizon 5G access.

Now having these labs as well as the additional training for our personnel I think is a big added bonus and getting it in three schools is unheard of, Estrella said.

emily.morgan@hearstmediact.com
File photo / Patrick Sikes / For Hearst Connecticut Media

NORWALK  The city is inviting residents to a virtual public meeting next week to unveil a proposed zoning plan for the urban waterfront.

The two-hour meeting will be held over Zoom at 6 p.m. on Monday, according to Steve Kleppin, the citys planning and zoning director.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP)  Supporters of recreational marijuana legalization in Ohio have sued state legislative leaders in an anticipated dispute over whether a legalization referendum can appear on this November's ballot.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in Columbus in a belief that Ohio's Republican legislative leaders will argue petitions gathered by the pro-marijuana group weren't submitted in time to allow a November vote.
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Inside a cavernous stone fortress in downtown Pittsburgh, attorney Robin Frank defends parents at one of their lowest points  when they risk losing their children.

The job is never easy, but in the past she knew what she was up against when squaring off against child protective services in family court. Now, she worries shes fighting something she cant see: an opaque algorithm whose statistical calculations help social workers decide which families should be investigated in the first place.

A lot of people dont know that its even being used, Frank said. Families should have the right to have all of the information in their file.

From Los Angeles to Colorado and throughout Oregon, as child welfare agencies use or consider tools similar to the one in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, an Associated Press review has identified a number of concerns about the technology, including questions about its reliability and its potential to harden racial disparities in the child welfare system. Related issues have already torpedoed some jurisdictions plans to use predictive models, such as the tool notably dropped by the state of Illinois.

According to new research from a Carnegie Mellon University team obtained exclusively by AP, Alleghenys algorithm in its first years of operation showed a pattern of flagging a disproportionate number of Black children for a mandatory neglect investigation, when compared with white children. The independent researchers, who received data from the county, also found that social workers disagreed with the risk scores the algorithm produced about one-third of the time.

County officials said that social workers can always override the tool, and called the research hypothetical.

Child welfare officials in Allegheny County, the cradle of Mister Rogers TV neighborhood and the icons child-centric innovations, say the cutting-edge tool  which is capturing attention around the country  uses data to support agency workers as they try to protect children from neglect. That nuanced term can include everything from inadequate housing to poor hygiene, but is a different category from physical or sexual abuse, which is investigated separately in Pennsylvania and is not subject to the algorithm.

Workers, whoever they are, shouldnt be asked to make, in a given year, 14, 15, 16,000 of these kinds of decisions with incredibly imperfect information, said Erin Dalton, director of the countys Department of Human Services and a pioneer in implementing the predictive child welfare algorithm.

____

This story, supported by the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting, is part of an ongoing Associated Press series, Tracked, that investigates the power and consequences of decisions driven by algorithms on peoples everyday lives.

____

Critics say it gives a program powered by data mostly collected about poor people an outsized role in deciding families fates, and they warn against local officials growing reliance on artificial intelligence tools.

If the tool had acted on its own to screen in a comparable rate of calls, it would have recommended that two-thirds of Black children be investigated, compared with about half of all other children reported, according to another study published last month and co-authored by a researcher who audited the countys algorithm.

Advocates worry that if similar tools are used in other child welfare systems with minimal or no human interventionakin to how algorithms have been used to make decisions in the criminal justice systemthey could reinforce existing racial disparities in the child welfare system.

Its not decreasing the impact among Black families, said Logan Stapleton, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University. On the point of accuracy and disparity, (the county is) making strong statements that I think are misleading.

Because family court hearings are closed to the public and the records are sealed, AP wasnt able to identify first-hand any families who the algorithm recommended be mandatorily investigated for child neglect, nor any cases that resulted in a child being sent to foster care. Families and their attorneys can never be sure of the algorithms role in their lives either because they arent allowed to know the scores.

SAFER, FASTER

Incidents of potential neglect are reported to Allegheny Countys child protection hotline. The reports go through a screening process where the algorithm calculates the childs potential risk and assigns a score. Social workers then use their discretion to decide whether to investigate.

The Allegheny Family Screening Tool is specifically designed to predict the risk that a child will be placed in foster care in the two years after they are investigated. Using a trove of detailed personal data collected from birth, Medicaid, substance abuse, mental health, jail and probation records, among other government data sets, the algorithm calculates a risk score of 1 to 20: The higher the number, the greater the risk.

Given the high stakes  skipping a report of neglect could end with a childs death but scrutinizing a familys life could set them up for separation  the county and developers have suggested their tool can help course correct and make the agencys work more thorough and efficient by weeding out meritless reports so that social workers can focus on children who truly need protection.

The developers have described using such tools as a moral imperative, saying child welfare officials should use whatever they have at their disposal to make sure children arent neglected.

There are children in our communities who need protection, said Emily Putnam-Hornstein, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hills School of Social Work who helped develop the Allegheny tool, speaking at a virtual panel held by New York University in November.

Dalton said algorithms and other predictive technologies also provide a scientific check on call center workers personal biases because they see the risk score when deciding if the case merits an investigation. If the case is escalated, Dalton said the full investigation is carried out by a different social worker who probes in person, decides if the allegations are true and helps determine if the children should be placed in foster care.

CMU researchers found that from August 2016 to May 2018, the tool calculated scores that suggested 32.5% of Black children reported as being neglected should be subject to a mandatory investigation, compared with 20.8% of white children.

In addition, the county confirmed to the AP that for more than two years, a technical glitch in the tool sometimes presented social workers with the wrong scores, either underestimating or overestimating a childs risk. County officials said the problem has since been fixed.

The county didnt challenge the CMU researchers figures, but Dalton said the research paper represented a hypothetical scenario that is so removed from the manner in which this tool has been implemented to support our workforce.

The CMU research found no difference in the percentage of Black families investigated after the algorithm was adopted. The study found the workers were able to reduce this disparity produced by the algorithm.

The county says that social workers are always in the loop and are ultimately responsible for deciding which families are investigated because they can override the algorithm, even if it flags a case for mandatory investigation. Dalton said the tool would never be used on its own in Allegheny, and doubted any county would allow for completely automated decision-making about families lives.

Of course, they could do that, she said. I think that they are less likely to, because it doesnt make any actual sense to do that.

Despite what the county describes as safeguards, one child welfare expert who worked for an Allegheny county contractor says there is still cause for concern.

When you have technology designed by humans, the bias is going to show up in the algorithms, said NicoLee Biddle, who has worked for nearly a decade in child welfare, including as a family therapist and foster care placement specialist in Allegheny County. If they designed a perfect tool, it really doesnt matter, because its designed from very imperfect data systems.

Biddle is a former foster care kid turned therapist, social worker and policy advocate. In 2020, she quit, largely due to her growing frustrations with the child welfare system. She also said officials dismissed her concerns when she asked why families were originally referred for investigation.

We could see the report and that decision, but we were never able to see the actual tool, she said. I would be met with  What does that have to do with now?

In recent years, movements to reshape  or dismantle  child protective services have grown, as generations of dire foster care outcomes have been shown to be rooted in racism.

In a memo last year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services cited racial disparities at nearly every major decision-making point of the child welfare system, an issue Aysha Schomburg, the associate commissioner of the U.S. Childrens Bureau said leads more than half of all Black children nationwide to be investigated by social workers. Over surveillance leads to mass family separation, Schomburg wrote in a recent blog post.

With discussions about race and equity looming large in child welfare circles, Putnam-Hornstein last fall took part in a roundtable of experts convened by the conservative American Enterprise Institute and co-authored a paper that slammed advocates who believe child welfare systems are inherently racist.

She said she collaborated with the group that suggested there are racial disparities in the incidence of maltreatment because she sees the need for reforms, and believes that the adoption of algorithmic decision aids can help guard against subjectivity and bias.

Some researchers worry that as other government agencies implement similar tools, the algorithms could be allowed to make some decisions on their own.

We know there are many other child welfare agencies that are looking into using risk assessment tools and their decisions about how much fully to automate really vary, said Stapleton. Had Allegheny County used it as a fully automated tool, we would have seen a much higher racial disparity in the proportion of kids who are investigated.

LAB RATS

A decade ago, the developers of Alleghenys tool  Putnam-Hornstein and Rhema Vaithianathan, a professor of health economics at New Zealands Auckland University of Technology  began collaborating on a project to design a predictive risk model for New Zealands child welfare system.

Vaithianathan and colleagues prototyped a new child abuse screening model that proposed using national data to predict the risk that the child protection system would confirm allegations that a child had been mistreated by age 5. The plan was scrapped after documents revealed the Ministry of Social Developments head sharply opposed the project, declaring: These are children, not lab rats.

The minister wasnt the only one concerned. Emily Keddell, a professor of social work at Otago University in New Zealand who analyzed the tool in the peer-reviewed Critical Social Policy journal, found that it would likely have resulted in more Maori families being tagged for investigation, reinforcing existing structural inequalities by contributing to the ongoing stigmatisation of this population.

In response, Vaithianathan said that she and her collaborators are open to community criticism and committed to showing their work, even if jurisdictions decide against it. She added that she has worked extensively with Indigenous Maori researchers.

We encourage agencies to listen to those critical voices and to make leadership decisions themselves, she said.

Vaithianathan and Putnam-Hornstein said they have since expanded their work to at least half a dozen cities and counties across the United States and have explored building tools in Chile and Australia.

Brian Chor, a clinical psychologist and child welfare researcher at the University of Chicagos Chapin Hall, said the pair are respected for confronting ethical and racial concerns in creating the tool. He also said that Pittsburgh was the perfect place to create a model algorithm for other public welfare agencies.

Allegheny County is probably an early adopter where the stars seem to be aligned, where they have the data, Chor said. They have a solid recipe that I think is replicable.

In several public presentations and media interviews, Vaithianathan and Putnam-Hornstein said they want to use public data to help families in need.

Were researchers and were trying to model what good, good approaches look like in this field, Vaithianathan said in an interview. The developers also noted in a document sent to Pennsylvanias Department of Human Services last year that demand for their tools had increased due to the pandemic, as the state weighed a proposal for a statewide tool that would cost $520,000 to develop and implement.

Vaithianathan has said the tool ultimately can help address racial bias, and has pointed to a 2019 Stanford University evaluation commissioned by Allegheny County that suggests it may have had a modest impact on some disparities.

Ive always felt that these are tools that have the opportunity to improve the quality of decision making, Vaithianathan said at a November panel. To the extent that they are used with careful guardrails around them, I think they also offer an opportunity for us to try and address some of those systemic biases.

But when AP asked county officials to address Carnegie Mellons findings on the tools pattern of flagging a disproportionate number of Black children for a mandatory child neglect investigation, Allegheny County questioned the researchers methodology by saying they relied on old data.

The researchers reran the analysis using newer data to address the countys concerns and reached many of the same conclusions.

In response to AP, Allegheny County provided research that acknowledges the tool has not helped with combating disparities in the rates at which Black and white child neglect cases are investigated. A recent unpublished analysis written by the developers themselves determined no statistically significant effect of the algorithm on this disparity.

We dont frame the entire decision-making process around race, though clearly its an important thing that we think about, Dalton said.

Dalton said her team wants to keep improving the tool and is considering new updates, including adding available private insurance data to capture more information about middle class and upper income families, as well as exploring other ways to avoid needless interventions.

Dalton also downplayed the algorithms role in neglect investigations.

If it goes into court, then theres attorneys on both sides and a judge, Dalton said. They have evidence, right?

Chor said Alleghenys tool is applied at the most important point of the child welfare system.

The very front end of child protection decision-making is understandably the most impactful decision that you can make on a childs life, because once you come into contact with the hotline, with an investigator, then your chance of being removed, of course, is increased, Chor said.

The latest version of the tool excludes information about whether a family has received welfare dollars or food stamps, data that was initially included in calculating risk scores. It also stopped predicting whether a child would be reported again to the county in the two years that followed. However, much of the current algorithms design remains the same, according to American Civil Liberties Union researchers who have studied both versions.

The county initially considered including race as a variable in its predictions about a familys relative risk but ultimately decided not to, according to a 2017 document. Critics say even if race is not measured outright, data from government programs used by many communities of color can be a proxy for race. In the document, the developers themselves urged continuing monitoring with regard to racial disparities.

If over a million dollars have been spent creating and maintaining this tool, only for call screeners to disagree with it, for racial disparities to stay essentially level, and for screen-ins to continue at unreasonably high rates, is that the best use of Allegheny Countys resources? asked Kath Xu, an attorney at the ACLU.

Child welfare agencies in at least 26 states and Washington, D.C., have considered using algorithmic tools, and at least 11 have deployed them, according to a recent ACLU white paper by Xu and colleagues.

LITTLE TRANSPARENCY, GROWING INFLUENCE

Family law attorney Frank says shes always worried about the lack of due process and secrecy surrounding Allegheny Countys child welfare algorithm. Some of her clients have asked if the system was surveilling them because they used public assistance or community programs, but she cant answer.

I just dont understand why its something thats kept in secret, Frank said.

Once, Frank recalled, a judge demanded to know a familys score, but the county resisted, claiming it didnt want to influence the legal proceeding with the numbers spat out by the algorithm.

Bruce Noel, who oversees call screeners using Alleghenys tool, said that while the risk score advises their decision on whether to launch an investigation, he is torn about sharing that information with families because of the tools complexity. He added that he is cognizant of the racial disparities in the underlying data, and said his team didnt have much input into development.

Given that our data is drawn from public records and involvement with public systems, we know that our population is going to garner scores that are higher than other demographics, such as white middle class folks who dont have as much involvement with public systems, Noel said.

Dalton said she personally doesnt support giving parents their score because she worries it could discourage people from seeking services when they need them.

I do think there are risks and I want the community to also be on board with  the risks and benefits of transparency, Dalton said.

Other counties using algorithms are taking a different approach. Larimer County, Colorado, home to Fort Collins, is now testing a tool modeled on Alleghenys and plans to share scores with families if it moves forward with the program.

Its their life and their history, said Thad Paul, a manager with the countys Child, Youth & Family Services. We want to minimize the power differential that comes with being involved in child welfare  we just really think it is unethical not to share the score with families.

In the suburbs south of Denver, officials in Douglas County, Colorado, are using a similar tool and say they will share scores with families who request it.

Oregon does not share risk score numbers from its statewide screening tool, which was first implemented in 2018 and inspired by Alleghenys algorithm. The Oregon Department of Human Services  currently preparing to hire its eighth new child welfare director in six years  explored at least four other algorithms while the agency was under scrutiny by a crisis oversight board ordered by the governor.

It recently paused a pilot algorithm built to help decide when foster care children can be reunified with their families. Oregon also explored three other tools  predictive models to assess a childs risk for death and severe injury, whether children should be placed in foster care and if so, where.

For years, California explored data-driven approaches to the statewide child welfare system before abandoning a proposal to use a predictive risk modeling tool Putnam-Hornsteins team developed in 2019. The states Department of Social Services spent $195,273 on a two-year grant to develop the concept.

During the project, the state also explored concerns about how the tool may impact racial equity. These findings resulted in the state ceasing exploration, department spokesman Scott Murray said in an email.

Putnam-Hornsteins team is currently working with one of the nations largest local child welfare systems in Los Angeles County as it pilots a related tool.

The embattled agency is being audited following high-profile child deaths, and is currently seeking a new director after its previous one stepped down late last year. The complex-risk algorithm helps to isolate the highest-risk cases that are being investigated, according to the countys Department of Children and Family Services.

So far, the experiment has been limited to the Belvedere, Lancaster, and Santa Fe Springs offices, the agency said. The tool also has allowed the agency to generate and review reports about cases involving Black children and families who were deemed low-risk, but were still investigated and didnt result in any conclusive or substantiated allegations, the county said.

In the Mojave Desert city of Lancaster, U.S. Census shows 22% of the citys child population is Black. In the first few months that social workers started using the tool, county data shows that Black children were the subject of nearly half of all the investigations flagged for additional scrutiny.

The county did not immediately say why, but said it will decide whether to expand the tool later this year.

Back in Pittsburgh, family law attorney Frank is still trying to untangle how, exactly, the countys algorithm is impacting each client she shepherds through the system.

To find strength on the brutal days, she keeps a birthday calendar for the children shes helped and sends them handwritten cards to remember times when things went right.

Shes still haunted by a case in which she says she heard a social worker discuss a mothers risk score in court around 2018. The case ultimately escalated to foster care, but Frank has never been able to understand how that number influenced the familys outcome.

County officials said they could not imagine how a risk score could end up in court.

Theres no way to prove it  thats the problem, Frank said.

___

Associated Press reporter Camille Fassett contributed to this report.

___

Follow Sally Ho and Garance Burke on Twitter at @_sallyho and @garanceburke.

___

Contact APs global investigative team at Investigative@ap.org or https://www.ap.org/tips/
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A baby tree kangaroo was born at the Bronx Zoo for the first time since 2008, zoo officials announced Friday. \

In a news release, the zoo said the birth of the Matschie's tree kangaroo is "an exciting birth for the Bronx Zoo and a unique opportunity for people to observe one of nature's most intriguing evolutionary adaptations."

The Matschie's tree kangaroo, native to Papua New Guinea, is listed as endangered by the Internation Union for Conservation of Nature. The kangaroo lives in mountain rainforests and is much smaller than the more well-known red kangaroo of Australia. The 14 different species of tree kangaroos are found only in areas of Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia.

The birth is a result of the Bronx Zoo's participation in a cooperative breeding program administered by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the zoo stated in a press release. The birth is therefore significant as the AZA attempts to maintain genetic diversity and demographic stability in zoo populations.

The joey is about the size of a human thumbnail at birth, zoo officials stated. The joey crawls through the mother's fur to enter her pouch and emerges after about seven months.

"At this stage of development, the joey will spend a lot of time in his moms pouch with just its head sticking out," Jim Breheny, director of the zoo, said in a statement. "As it matures it will begin to explore its environment and start spending short periods of time outside the pouch."

It is estimated that fewer than 2,500 Matschie's tree kangaroos remain in the wild, due to habitat destruction, hunting and other human activities.
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Edwardsville senior Zoey Picker had never been to a school dance.

That is, until prom on Saturday night, in which Picker not only attended but was on the prom committee to help organize and prepare Edwardsville High School's Dancing through the Storm themed prom at the Gateway Convention Center.

The theme was picked to highlight the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, with decorations meant to simulate skies and clouds on a stormy night.

Pickers change of mind came after a bicycle accident in August left her with a fractured skull. The incident gave her a new outlook on life.

A lot of seniors now didnt go to prom last year, Picker said, so everyones excited. Im finally ready to not see my friends dressed in pajamas all the time.

Since last years prom was held in the parking lot, the roughly 200 in attendance took a more casual approach. The prom committee estimated that over 900 students would attend the event this year, with a more formal style of dress.

Picker, along with Abbie Jordan, Elizabeth Tossey, and EHS teacher Sairee Knabe, started planning the prom at the start of the second semester.

Its so much to set up, Jordan said. But I was excited because I grew up watching 'High School Musical' and the third movie is about them getting ready for prom.

Its cool setting up and being a part of something, especially after COVID since we were all separated, Tossey said.

The committee started decorating after school on Friday.

These kids are phenomenal, Knabe said. Theyre so easy to work with and they make it fun. I couldnt do it without them.

About 20 EHS teachers volunteered as chaperones for the night.

Im so glad because this feels like normal again, Knabe said. This is something thats an end-of-the-year event and a high-end event where its not at the school. Its so great to be out of the school environment and to see everybody like this.

Knabe added, this is the fun part about being in school.

There was no prom king and queen this year, as EHS places an emphasis on homecoming king and queen instead.
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency announced the issuance of $182,222,203 in water infrastructure loans to local governments and sanitary districts for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2022, from January to March.

Included in this round of funding were projects in Madison County, including the City of Highland, which will install Cured-In-Place pipelining in sewers, and received more than $2.2 million, with $336,916 in principal forgiveness. The Village of Maryville will install sewer mains and manholes, abandoning an existing pup station. The village received $820,984 for the project.

In Sangamon County, the Village of Dawson will construct an iron removal water treatment plant aimed to ensure the village has a safe drinking water supply and will receive more than $5.3 million with $400,000 in principal forgiveness.

The Illinois EPA State Revolving Fund (SRF) Program provides low-interest loans, which fund wastewater, stormwater, and drinking water projects. Of the 33 loans, 20 qualified for a total of $8,571,149.62 in Disadvantaged Community Principal Forgiveness, providing additional benefits to those recipients meeting the loan rules for either the Small Community Rate or Hardship Rate.

These projects are in addition to more than $9.6 million of funding and principal forgiveness already announced for lead service line replacement projects issued by Illinois EPA in the third quarter.

"Through our robust State Revolving Fund, Illinois EPA continues to meet the needs of communities and water districts that rely on this funding to address the ongoing challenges of deteriorating infrastructure," IEPA Director John J. Kim said in a statement. "The Illinois EPA remains committed to assisting loan recipients, especially disadvantaged communities, with funding that will address their wastewater and drinking water needs while protecting public health and the environment."

Illinois EPAs SRF includes two loan programs, the Water Pollution Control Loan Program (WPCLP) which funds both wastewater and stormwater projects and the Public Water Supply Loan Program (PWSLP) for drinking water projects. The programs receive federal capitalization funding annually, which is combined with state matching funds, interest earnings, repayment money, and the sale of bonds, to form the source of financing for these infrastructure projects.

The state matching funds for FY2020-2024 are being provided through the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan thus increasing the funding capacity of both loan programs.
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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.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Louisianas House of Representatives voted Monday to officially remove Robert E. Lee Day and Confederate Memorial Day from a list of state holidays.

The bill by Rep. Matthew Willard, a New Orleans Democrat, goes next to the state Senate.

Neither Confederate Memorial Day nor the day honoring the Confederate general have been observed in Louisiana for years. They are among a list of holidays a governor can proclaim in addition to other, permanent holidays that include Christmas and Independence Day. That list also includes Washington's Birthday, National Memorial Day and Huey P. Long Day, which honors the populist Louisiana politician who was assassinated in 1935 inside the state Capitol.

Willards bill has drawn little opposition. His bill removing the holidays from state law had passed the House Judiciary Committee 12-0 last month. It passed in the House by a vote of 62-20 with 23 members absent or not voting.
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After a two-year absence, the YMCA Preschool Circus at the Edwardsville YMCA Niebur Center returned on Friday for its 56th year.

The circus is free and typically open to the public, but this year was limited to just the parents of the performers.

The preschool program has a rich history of many generations, Niebur Center branch director Monica Snook said.

The Intelligencers very own Matt Kamp was in the YMCA circus when he was in preschool and was the self-proclaimed best elephant there ever was.

The circus starts preparing weeks in advance, with rehearsals taking place the morning of the event.

Were just completely excited to offer this to the community, preschool director LeAnn Ford said. Were thrilled were able to do this. It was very sad for us, the children and the families to not be able to do it the past two years.

Clowns were played by a combination of parent volunteers and preschool staff members.

People who are brand new to the community hear about the program and want their children in the environment, Snook said. Its a safe and fun learning environment, that promotes creativity. Its great to see the community members come back.

Although admission to the circus is free, the YMCA does ask for donations of any amount. Donations benefit the YMCA campaign, which supports the financial assistance program.

More Information YMCA Preschool Circus performers Amazing Acrobats played by Mabel Bahr and Blair Sharp. Snake and Snake Charmer played by Jack Joiner and Chase Kipfer. Felines played by Damon Foreshee, Adalee Cook, Barrett Reynolds, Jack DeYoung and Murphy Arnold. Lion Tamer played by Hattie Schumacher. Magician and Rabbit played by Augie Walden and Ezra Hudson. Gorillas played by Max Greenwood and Isaac Kim. Dalmatians played by Millie Harvath, Hollyn Wegman and Brad Borgholthaus. Bareback Riders played by Willow Hill and Iris Picker. Daredevils played by Andrew Bennett, Ethan Brown, Annie Pettus, Bram Counts and Weston Marcinek. Tightrope Walkers played by Kelly Cadigan, Paisley Gibson and Violet Jennings. Strong People played by Garrison Merrel, Memphis Dannels and Sameer Abraham. Elephants played by Rylan Estes and Liam Graber. Cowgirls and Cow played by Hayden Hasquin, Blaykli Gaulding and Nolan Bahr. Human Cannonball played by Ezra Hudson. See More Collapse

The financial assistance program also supports the Interaction program, which works with adults who have disabilities and gives their caretakers a night out. Its the first Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m. starting in September.

Its dear to my heart, Snook said.

For anyone wanting to volunteer with the YMCA programs, you can contact Snook by calling the Niebur Center at 618-656-0436.
That release could not be found.
Since the beginning of democratic dispensation in Ebonyi State, politics has been largely a game of brawn and brain. Beyond the congnitive and psychomotor traits of Ebonyi politics, it is bereft of affective content. Consequently, prospective players of Ebonyi politics hone only their cognitive and psychomotor arsenals without paying attention to the affective ingredients of politics. This was why the only power rotation agreement in the history of Ebonyi State reached in January, 1996 at by a broad spectrum of Ebonyi founding fathers like Eze (Dr.) Agom Eze, Chiefs Martin Elechi, Felix Mgbada, Chris Nwankwo and Anthony Eko, Dr. Peter Nwankwo among others was rendered stillborn by people of Ebonyi North using military connection. That the host of the meeting where the power rotation agreement or Ebonyi charter of equity was reached participated in its violation in 1999 speaks volumes on the lack of affective content in Ebonyi politics!

With that unwholesome foundation in 1999, Ebonyi politics became a theartre of the absurd. The six gubernatorial elections so far conducted in the history of Ebonyi State had all the trappings of fratricidal wars: Each was extremely contested by all the senatorial districts in Ebonyi State. Severe violence with human and material casualties characterized all the elections. Contestants craved extraneous neo-colonial influences, mortgaged the state through pre-election concessions of Ebonyi collective patrimony. Thugs were bred and nurtured into critical stakeholders in Ebonyi politics. Many of thugs have been goaded, unprepared, into sensitive political aspirations like the 2023 gubernatorial election by selfish and malevolent godfathers. That these thuggish aspirants have neither plans nor visions for Ebonyi people does not matter to their sponsors who take no interest in the wellbeing of Ebonyi people. All these culminated into the present democratic irony where Ebonyi demoracy has become autocratic in substance. This is further compounded by executive deceits and denials of the daily pains which Ebonyi people experience and the profession of the comfort that Ebonyi people lack.

However, within the disordered desert which Ebonyi political milieu has become, an oasis of an orderly, prosperous and peaceful Ebonyi State is not only in the offing but within view and feasible. The harbinger of this new Ebonyi State which Ebonyi people have long craved for is the Anayo Edwin 2023 Gubernatorial project otherwise known as Rescue Ebonyi 2023 or Ikuku Ndu. Political pundits marvel at the unending infectious acceptance which trail Iku Ndu 2023 Gubernatorial project Ebonyi State. One is often asked: What is the magic driving the foracious Anayo Edwin 2023 Ebonyi Gubernatorial project also known as Ikuku Ndu (Breathe of Fresh Air)?

The cardinal force behind Ikuku Ndu is God's grace. Anayo Edwin is was conceived, born and nurtured in grace. Having matured, he is not departing from it. His faith in God moves mountains; while his humility qualifies him for the manifestation of God's ever sufficient grace. In Luke 1:57, the Lord put down the proud and mighty; and exalted the humble! God is the magic in and behind Anayo Edwin's gubernatorial project!

At the human level, Anayo Edwin embodies a number of rare qualities which endear him to people: Anayo Edwin is about the only guber aspirant with a coherent, feasible and elaborate Economic Development Masterplan, EDM, for Ebonyi State. It is not the usual assemblage of foreign templates. Rather, Edwin's Ebonyi EDM is an autochthonous plan made for existing prospects and challenges in Ebonyi State. It is realizable and Edwin is urging Ebonyi people to hold his anticipated administration, when it begins, to account on it.

Another magic driving Anayo Edwin's gubernatorial project is the overflowing affective content of his character and style of politics: He follows all men including his rivals and their supporters with peace and charity. He plays his politics without bitterness and violence. He has been honoured by Ebonyi youths and Southeast chapter of Association of Political Science Students, respectively, for his non-violent political career in Ebonyi State. His Ebonyi 2023 gubernatorial project is markedly peaceful and diplomatic. Unlike many public office-holders, Anayo Edwin is neither greedy nor selfish. Contentment and generousity run in his blood. He happily maintains his lane in the radar of life, congratulating those above him, cheering those in his status and encouraging those below him with ideas and his personal resources to ensure that they progress. Over the years, Anayo Edwin has proved to be an excellent manager of public trust, a radical investor in humanity and an open book.

A personification of pristine humility, Anayo Edwin wants to lead Ebonyi State, not because he knows it all. Rather, he seeks a partnership with Ebonyi people to sincerely harness the rich human and natural resources of Ebonyi State and change Ebonyi State's present status of the poverty capital of Southeastern Nigeria to the most prosperous state in Nigeria.

A follower of the amazingly infectious traffic of support for the unassuming Anayo Edwin 2023 Ebonyi gubernatorial project as currently revealed by the ongoing local government tour of the Ikuku Ndu team has described Anayo Edwin as the political "earthworm" of Ebonyi State. The earthworm is armless and invertebrate, but with grace, it burrows into the earth unaided. Anayo Edwin is new, untainted, unassuming; and with almighty God as his father and Ebonyi masses as his endorsers. Anayo Edwin personfies a vista of enthralling opportunities. He represents a new and ordered beginning in Ebonyi politics. Anayo Edwin is the breath of reinvigorating fresh air (Ikuku Ndu) that Ebonyi people have long craved.
The focus on Oil and Gas reserves have shifted back to Africa, world mother of all wealth and less on Russia. When it comes to addiction to cheap petroleum prices at gas pumps, Africans and the rest of the world have that in common. Americans have dethroned and elected leaders based on promises of cheaper petroleum prices. Everyone agrees that people living in oil producing countries must benefit from their resources. But most Africans dont drive two or more cars and luxurious imports. So who benefits from the billions of dollars paid to contractors as subsidies?

Regardless, in Africa, transporters just increase their fare. The working class and the rich pay the same price at the pump just as food in the market. When governments are called upon to reduce or remove petrol taxes, it is the working class and the poor that lose since the taxes support them in most Western countries. Oil prices almost caused a constitutional crisis in Canada. It came to a point when Premier Lougheed of Alberta was willing to sell oil to Canadians at the same international price sold to Americans.

Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau insisted on reduced local oil prices for all Canadians. On the other hand, petroleum price tax that is used to help the poor in the Western countries, is used as subsidies for the rich in African oil producing countries. Instead of buying locally produced crude oil for local refineries, they subsidize cronies to buy at the international market and sell at local reduced prices. Of course, this encouraged sabotaging their local refineries.

Buhari asked Obasanjo where is the power he had spent billions on? Under the same Buhari as leader, the contractors have sabotaged local refineries so that they can keep on getting subsidies to import refined petroleum products. Actually, a couple of them and the Government built refineries outside the country for importation. Nobody knows the loopholes of Africa's petroleum industry better than Buhari.

The present leader of Nigeria, Buhari was a Petroleum Minister. Abacha the Military leader had put him in charge of the Petroleum Fund to manage the windfall from the increase of local price before Buhari became the Head of State for the second time. He understood the sabotage and strain on the economy from the cost of imported refined gas price. So he promised to stop importing refined petroleum products and maximize the production in local refineries.

Buhari Government has spent 12 Trillion on refineries in 7 years for contractors fuel subsidy, maintenance and rehabilitation of refineries. Yet, the Buhari Government has little to show. It is enough to build more than a brand new refinery as Dangote. He continued to enrich the same cronies he campaigned against. https://dailytrust.com/investigation-n12trn-spent-on-subsidy-refineries-in-7-years-enough-for-new-plant

Ghana and other African oil producing countries, must learn from the self-inflicted wounds. Can Dangote Refinery bleed like those of Government refineries? Nigeria Government's excuse is; we produced 20 per cent less crude oil than capacity due to oil bunkering and other criminal activities. As if, full production of crude oil could be used to import refined petroleum products. Expecting raw materials to buy imported refined goods! Haba, mirror for gold. Government business is nobody's business.

Who loves Nigeria? We are talking about a deranged accumulation mentality that has gone haywire. If Nigerian leaders can borrow money using their citizens' children and grandchildren as collateral to pay outrageous salaries, the highest in the world, anything could happen. They launder the oil income back, outside Africa on vanities with high luxury foreign tax. They hoard food stuff for campaigns while prices soar beyond the reach of the poor.

We cannot input blame on others for our own criminal activities. African leaders, Pastors and Imams would use God, Jerusalem and Mecca visits as testimony of sanctity as if their avarice is blessed and holy. It is no longer if their gullible followers believe them but nursing the hope of emulating their footsteps. If we put the fox in charge of the hen house, no matter what they promised during elections, they will satisfy their selfish ends.

Look behind the stereotypes that Blacks cannot rule themselves, you will discover the big boys throwing monkey wrench. When big privileged criminals, looters and oil subsidies launderers get away in Africa but are caught and punished outside, they blame Africans. This has created poverty, divisions, unrest and civil wars in African countries.

The leaders spend hard earned African income to buy weapons from foreign manufacturers to quell unrest. The manufacturers of weapons and drugs are the biggest suppliers of guns and drugs in any African communities. The most famous AK-47, opium and cocaine are distributed and used by countries outside Africa. But only the small retail distributors get maximum punishment in the Black communities.

Either way, African countries lose vital resources needed to prevent crimes and develop their own countries. Indeed, World powers are invited to send Armies to take sides in order to quell internal conflicts. What is obvious here is a vicious circle where cause and blame become muddled.

The irony of their projection on Africa and Blacks is that the toughest laws and correctional facilities are reserved mostly for Blacks while they get away with murders in the Court of Law. It has become an empirical fact Africans have known all through history. If anything, Africans are tougher on crimes, when overwhelmed in their communities.

Nevertheless, we must not lose sight of the initial cause in order to put out the fire. Until the gas is turned off, all efforts to fight the flame are temporary. While gun violence, drugs and crimes in the pursuit of turfs and money empower some members of the community, they devastate the majority of the people, they destroy our environment at home and in Diaspora.

Martins Aresa @oomoaeesa


YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian community of Istanbul is alarmed by rumors that soon they might face obstructions in holding elections of the board at the Surp Pirgic (Holy Saviour) Armenian Hospital, thus losing the 188-year-old landmark national institution of the community.

Surp Pirgic (Holy Saviour) Armenian Hospital in Yedikule, Istanbul is technically regulated as a foundation.

In 2013, the Turkish government abolished the regulations governing the elections at foundations of national minorities, and new regulations have not been approved since then.

Bagrat Estukian, an editor-in-chief at the Istanbul-based Armenian Agos newspaper, says there are rumors circulating in the community that the authorities will soon introduce the new regulation, but the community is concerned that this wont solve the issue.

Very concerning developments are taking place. Its about the 2013 abolition of the regulation, which they said was taking place because a new charter was being prepared. Back then, the elections were indefinitely delayed at the Surp Pirgic Armenian Hospital, which has a status of a foundation. They couldnt prepare a new charter until now. Now there are rumors that a new charter will be introduced but nevertheless we wont be able to hold elections of the executive board of the hospital. This could be an attempt to capture our biggest institution. Its about an 188-year-old institution that is considered to be a national hospital in the community. It also has an elderly care component, Estukian said.

Estukian warns that if the Armenian community would be unable to hold elections of the board then they could possibly lose the hospital as an Armenian institution.

All Armenians of Turkey go and elect the current board of trustees of the hospital in the status of a foundation. Now, if we get deprived from this right, this would mean that this isnt an Armenian hospital anymore, he said.

The Armenian community recently organized an online petition against any charter or regulation that would potentially prevent them from taking part in the electoral process.

Moreover, Estukian added that this problem concerns all other national minorities of Turkey as well.

Asked whether or not national minorities could come together and join efforts against the regulation, Estukian said there are no developments like that yet.

Anna Gziryan
There is no denying the fact that the quote attributed to Roger Caras, a photographer and writer, that says Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole, aptly captures the usefulness of dog, or dogs in some cases, in to man.

There is no denying the fact that dogs have always held a special place in the hearts of their human companions. Their diverse roles among humans were collectively utilitarian until the 18th century, when the term "man's best friend" came into the lexicon. Despite that their working roles are reduced today, but their importance at home has unarguably increased. Appreciated as pets to sporting companions to service dogs, they no doubt add measurable degree of quality to the worlds of the humans they share their lives with.

First among the roles dogs provide to man is companionship and company. They can be a source of comfort to people who crave unconditional interaction with another living being. As gathered from a research carried out by Vanderbilt University, dogs can decrease levels of human loneliness and give humans a sense of purpose as they care for their animal companions. This can be especially beneficial for people who live alone, don't socialize much, and are empty-nesters or recently experienced a major change of life, such as the loss of a close human companion to death or divorce.

In a similar vein, dogs can help reduce stress levels in human beings and are often used for therapeutic purposes in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices in civilized countries. Playing with a dog, exercising, walking or running can help human beings reduce stress levels and increase their health and well-being. Studies by Harvard University and Kansas State show that dogs interaction with humans can help combat challenges associated with some form of heart disease and autism.

In this part of the world, dogs provide a sense of security for human companions. Trained watchdogs can provide a high degree of security, while even small house dogs can offer a sense of protection by alerting their owners to approaching strangers or unusual circumstances in the home. Not only that, dogs employed by government agencies and police organizations sniff out contraband in places likes airports and large public venues to ensure public security.

At this juncture, you might have been asking, Since when has the importance of dogs become topical? The answer to your question cannot be farfetched as a lady, known as Veegodess was recently seen in a viral TikTok video claiming she slept with a dog for N1.7million but later came out to tackle critics saying that she was merely catching cruise,

Since the sex-tape leaked on virtual platform, the lady who is the TikTok user ID @Veegodess has been trending on social media after saying there was no big deal about bestiality. She claimed that contrary to what people think about sleeping with a dog, she had never contracted any disease.

What is the big deal there? I only slept with a dog, I didnt kill somebody. You, in your life, you have done worse and besides, have you seen N1.7million before?

As if its a big deal. And mind you Im not infected or anything. Stop dying on the matter, Im enjoying the money, she stated to the consternation of many that watched the trending video; including yours sincerely.

But following backlashes from Nigerians who condemned her for the act, the lady recanted.

Without any iota of exaggeration, questions on the condemnable level of immorality that is inherent in the bestial act have intermittently been popping up in my mind, threatening to crack my ribs with laughter due to her naive response to critics on the issue of having sex with dogs. Laughable enough, she struggled to justify her involvement in such a reprehensible act. In fact, the question that I have been obsessed with since then is, Could having sex with animals ever be right even with her justification? The answer is capital NO!

At this juncture, it is expedient for this writer to confess that this subject matter has been disturbing as it deals with zoophilia, which is the sexual relations between people and animals. In fact, since the last few days that I started drawing inspiration from the bestial quirk to express my view on the issue, I have tried as much as possible to avoid graphic language and vulgar descriptions as the issue itself is lewd, and diametrically opposed to African culture and traditions. Against the foregoing, it suffices to say that the story that follows is one of the most disturbing and shocking cultural phenomena that need to be arrested before gullible youths latch on it to boost their trend on internet.

However, it is interesting to know, and germane to say that the Nigeria Police have reacted to the alarming trend of ladies allegedly sleeping with dogs for money.

Reacting to the development, Force spokesman, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi cited the Criminal code Act 1990 which states that its an offence for anyone to have carnal knowledge of an animal.

His tweet read: Can you see this? Read it, so that we tell them oh because they all accept the dirty business. The law condemns it, our tradition condemns it, all the practicable religions condemn it so what are we saying.

Part of our duties as a responsible institution is to educate our people, Nigerians, on the dos and donts as stipulated by our laws. That is why I have uploaded this portion of the law here.

In a similar vein, it is also in the news that the Nigeria Police has declared the lady involve wanted. Given the latest development concerning the move to arrest the lady, it is expedient to offer advice to the Police that the so called matchmakers of gullible young ladies and dogs should be tracked and punished to serve as deterrent to others who may be planning to do the same. This is as most people have started guesstimating that ritual killing may be at the heart of the matter.

The need to arrest the matchmakers cannot be dismissed with mere wave of the hands as an African proverb says If the disease that is stunting a tree is to be eliminated, it is better to dig down the roots than trimming the leaves.
A chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a former commissioner of Information in Edo State and , Prince Kassim Afegbua, has urged the United States Government to extradite PDP presidential aspirant and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to face charges on an alleged corruption.

Afegbua, who called on the US Government to take expedite action on this matter in the interest of rule of law, justice and transparency, said he has received threats to his life since he started opposing Atikus presidential aspiration.

The former commissioner, who worked for Atiku in 2019, has since become a major critic of his 2023 bid for the office.

Afegbua, in a statement dared Atiku to visit the US to resolve his lingering corruption allegations, which have led Senator Jefferson to jail, rather than seek election under the umbrella of the PDP in 2023.

The Edo PDP chieftain said the outcome of an investigation against Atiku and his former wife, Jennifer, revealed a lot of underhand transactions bordering on money laundering and other financial malfeasance.

The onerous thing to do was for him to visit the United States of America to answer to those weighty allegations which were the outcome of the comprehensive investigations carried out by the United States Congress, he said.

Afegbua added that during the 2019 presidential campaigns, several news reports and compelling demands were made on Atiku, as PDP candidate, to visit America over the matter, he was reportedly granted waiver by the US Consular office in Lagos to enable him visit the US with the then Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki.

He added that after that visit, Atiku has not been able to visit America again ostensibly on the stretch of those weighty allegations which have not been dispensed with.

The entire report of the US Congress copiously indicted Alhaji Atiku Abubakar on issues concerning money laundering. It will make judicious sense if the United States Government is able to treat this pending matter once and for all, by way of extraditing the former Vice President to answer those lingering queries on financial impropriety.

Afegbua, who challenged the US government to help Nigerias democracy with regards to openness in government, said As an alumnus of the Les Aspin School of Government and Good Governance, Washington DC, who was exposed to the rudiments of anti-corruption studies in 2004 and sponsored by the United States Government, I feel patriotically disturbed that those who should be cooling off in jail, are still walking the streets as free men and even trying to run for the highest office in the land.

The report of the United States Congress on the investigation are too damning to be ignored, if we truly want to sustain the ethics of a transparent leadership and positive governance. I am therefore calling on the United States Government to commence the process of inviting Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to the United States to face those charges without further delay. I am aware of the threats to my life over my strong position against the aspiration of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other northern aspirants, who are running against the run of play.

I am therefore, using this opportunity to plead that the United States Government takes expedite action on this matter in the interest of rule of law, justice and transparency. The United States of America should please take deliberate steps to help Nigeria grow her anti-corruption initiative, deepen her democracy and provide the opportunity for a robust economy that will benefit majority and not a select and privileged few. It will help consolidate both private and public sector effort at reducing the incidents of corruption and financial malfeasance.

The earlier Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is made to face the full wrath of the law, the better for our anti-corruption crusade, and the best for our fledgling democracy, he said.
American shark expert differs on Phuket barracuda blame

PHUKET: A shark expert American expat living in Phuket has examined images of the bite marks on the 8-year-old boy bitten at Kamala Beach yesterday, and believes the bites were inflicted by a small shark.

tourismmarineSafety

By The Phuket News

Monday 2 May 2022, 06:21PM

The boy, Naphat, suffered deep lacerations to his lower right leg. He was swimming in the water in front of Kamala Police Station when he was bitten.

Naphat was rushed first to Patong Hospital, then referred to Bangkok Hospital Phuket, said a report by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department (PR Phuket).

Reporters today (May 2) consulted with resident shark expert David Martin, an underwater photographer and American shark expert who lives in Phuket, said the report.

Mr Martin said the bite wounds were more commensurate with those of a small bull shark or even a baby blue shark*, the report noted.

(* Later clarified to have said black fin shark)

Early reports marked that the bite was too small and the wrong shape to be from a shark, and instead postulated the bites were inflicted by a barracuda.

Mr Martin explained that the bite wounds indicated snatching or flicking by the animal when inflicting the bites, a trait he attributed more commonly to bull sharks.

This is different from the bites of other marine creatures, he said, according to the report.

Small bull sharks have been known to infrequently inhabit Phuket waters, and have been believed to have been the culprit in previous bite incidents, which are very rare in Phuket.

An adult bull shark grows to three meters in length. While the bull shark is not a vicious shark or known to specifically harm humans, they sometimes mistake people as prey that can be eaten as food, Mr Martin explained.

In nature, bull sharks feed on smaller aquatic animals such as squid, shrimp, sea urchins and sea turtles. Bull sharks can swim in coastal areas or in murky waters. Although they have poor sight, they have a radar at the tip of the nose that can recognises the movement of something in front of it very well, he said.

Mr Martin noted how rare such bite incidents in Phuket have been. Kamala Beach and other beaches in Phuket are safe from sharks or other dangerous marine animals, he said.

Regardless, Kathu District Chief Siwat Rawangkul and other officials, namely from Kamala Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor), were at Kamala Beach to follow up on the incident with people at the beach and local residents.

Naphat was in water that was about one metre deep when he was bitten. It was also low tide at the time he was bitten, Mr Siwat said.

Local resident Abhisit Anan, who works at the beach, said that barracudas have been known to bite people at the beach before, noting an incident two years ago when Chinese tourists were bitten, said the PR Phuket report.

Barracudas can be found along the coast. At Kamala beach you used to see them when you went diving just offshore, Mr Abhisit said.

They grow to about 13 kilograms in size. They will come to eat small fish that eat aquatic plants in this area. So something like this might happen again, he warned.

Officers from Kamala OrBorTor said they will install signs warning beach-goers of the potential danger.

The signs are to alert tourists swimming in the area to please be careful of the dangers of other marine life, Mr Siwat said.
Barracuda blamed for biting child at Phuket beach

PHUKET: Local marine life experts suspect a barracuda bit an 8-year-old boy at Kamala Beach yesterday (May 1), inflicting serious wounds on the child.

tourismSafetymarinepolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 2 May 2022, 01:47PM

Young Naphat had suffered serious bites to his lower right leg. Photo: Kamala OrBorTor rescue workers

Young Naphat had suffered serious bites to his lower right leg. Photo: Kamala OrBorTor rescue workers

Young Naphat had suffered serious bites to his lower right leg. Photo: Kamala OrBorTor rescue workers

Young Naphat had suffered serious bites to his lower right leg. Photo: Kamala OrBorTor rescue workers

Young Naphat with his family after receiving hospital treatment for the serious bites. Photo: Phuket Tourist Police

The boy was bitten on his lower right leg, leaving large bite wounds that were bleeding profusely, reported Phuket Tourist Police.

Phuket Tourist Police named the child as Naphat Chaiyarak Khrystenko, a Thai child with a Ukrainian father.

Naphat had come to the beach to swim with his father, the officers explained.

The boy was swimming in the water in front of Kamala Police Station when he was bitten, the officers noted.

Rescue workers were called and performed first aid on Naphat before taking him to Bangkok Hospital Phuket for treatment as the wounds continued to bleed heavily.

At last report Naphat had received the proper treatment and was recovering from his injuries.

After examining the wounds, doctors were informed that the animal that most likely inflicted the bite was a barracuda, Tourist Police reported.

One marine expert had explained that the wound was quite wide and that the barracuda was estimated to be 80-120cm long.

The barracuda was likely a female, and barracudas are currently in their breeding season, the marine life expert also said, according to police.

Tourists visiting the beach were urged to remain vigilant while swimming in the area, and to call for help if they are bitten.
Norwegian expat, 76, rescued from Phuket house fire

PHUKET: A 76-year-old Norwegian expat was rescued from a house fire at the Phuket Villa Chaofah 2 housing estate in Wichit in the early hours of this morning (May 2).

constructionSafety

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 2 May 2022, 11:48AM

Lt Col Supotpong Chuaidu of Wichit Police was informed of the fire, in Soi 3/2 of Phase 2 at the housing estate, at 4:30am.

Wichit Municipality firefighters and emergency medical units quickly arrived to find thick smoke billowing out of the home.

They were told by local residents that one person, Norwegian man Knut Olsen, was still trapped in the house. Local residents had tried to rescue him but were unable to due to the thick smoke throughout the home.

Rescue workers entered the home and safely brought Mr Olsen out to safety. He was unconscious but breathing unassisted. Firefighters believe Mr Olsen was rendered unconscious by the smoke while he was still sleeping alone in the home.

Mr Olsen was administered emergency first aid at the scene then transported to Dibuk Hospital.

Firefighters found Mr Olsens full-grown poodle, a female, inside the home. The dog, which neighbours said Mr Olsen was very fond of, had died from smoke inhalation.

Firefighters used a fan to blow the thick smoke out of the home before entering the house to inspect the cause of the fire.

It appeared that the fire started from the air-conditioning unit, then spread to the ceiling of the home, causing the thick smoke, firefighters reported.

Local resident Phawika Prasert, 39, said that neighbours were alerted to the fire by a loud noise believed to have come from the air-conditioning unit.

The house was thick with smoke, but there were no flames, Ms Phawika said.

There was only smoke and I could hear the air conditioner loud all the time. Even though the power was off, it was still loud, for probably about 10 minutes or so, she explained.

Neighbours had rushed into the home to try to get Mr Olsen to safety, Ms Phawika said.

But we did not know which room he was in because the smoke was so thick, she added.

Police are continuing their investigation to confirm the cause of the fire.
Phuket taxi driver under investigation for inappropriately touching Australian tourist girl, 15

PHUKET: A Phuket taxi driver has been called in for questioning for inappropriately touching the thigh of a 15-year-old Australian girl at a popular shopping mall in central Phuket.

tourismtransportSafetypolice

By Eakkapop Thongtub

Monday 2 May 2022, 10:31AM

Police searched the taxi of the driver called in for questioning last night (May 1). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Police searched the taxi of the driver called in for questioning last night (May 1). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

Police searched the taxi of the driver called in for questioning last night (May 1). Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub

The girls father filed a complaint at Cherng Talay Police Station on Saturday, officers confirmed.

The incident occurred at the parking lot of Central Festival shopping mall in Wichit on Friday (Apr 29), said the complaint.

The girl and her father were staying at a resort in Cherng Talay, but had to fly home to Australia on Saturday (Apr 30).

The daughter was unable to remember the taxis licence plates, but officers called in one driver for questioning at Cherng Talay Police Station last night (May 1).

No details of the driver have been released, but police have confirmed that no charges have been pressed as yet while police continue their investigation.

Tourist Police are assisting with the investigation, officers confirmed.
Romance scam sets world record

BANGKOK: In late 2019 Essilor International discovered fraudulent fund transfers totalling B6.3 billion at its Thai unit, Essilor Manufacturing (Thailand).

crimepolicetechnology

By Bangkok Post

Monday 2 May 2022, 12:22PM

Central Investigation Bureau commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej. Photo: Bangkok Post

Chamanan Phetporee, chief finance officer of Essilor Manufacturing (Thailand), was arrested and charged with multiple crimes including theft, reports the Bangkok Post.

As the investigation into fraudulent transactions unfolded, police found themselves looking into one of the biggest romance scams in the history of the crime, according to Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) commissioner Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej.

He said Ms Chamanan was duped by a gang of criminals who invented Andrew Chang, an American medical officer based in Afghanistan who inherited large amounts of money and wanted to transfer those funds to Thailand.

Through lies and manipulation, Ms Chamanan ended up stealing from her company and over six months from July-December 2019, she made over 250 fund transfers to 128 accounts at 70 banks in 17 countries.

The romance scam was the start of fraudulent financial activity. Initially she intended to transfer US$300 million [some B10.17bn] and eventually managed to move B6.22bn. These scammers invented stories to trick her, he said.

According to the CIB chief, the funds were moved from the companys accounts at JPMorgan Chase Bank in Bangkok and New York. In Thailand, police discovered seven mule accounts with 11 transactions totalling B67mn.

Sakchai Boonsuya, another senior staff member at Essilor Manufacturing (Thailand), was also arrested and charged in connection with theft as he co-signed fund transfers, he said.

Mr Sakchai denied attempting to commit theft and claimed he co-signed the transfers as part of the company procedure without knowing that they were fraudulent transactions, said the CIB chief.

Lt Gen Jirabhop said the investigation was separated into three cases  the theft of B6.3bn involving Ms Chamanan and Mr Sakchai, the romance fraud and the involvement of a transnational syndicate.

In the romance scam, police arrested 21 Thais and two Nigerian suspects who were nabbed in Malaysia pending an extradition to face charges here.

He said police believe that four more Nigerians responsible for the swindle remain in hiding in Malaysia and his team continues to liaise closely with Malaysian authorities.

Authorities managed to trace the stolen funds and recover more than B243,000 from the scammers, he said.

It is a large-scale fraud involving a transnational company and also thought to be the costliest romance scam ever committed, said the CIB commissioner.

He said police suspected Ms Chamanan kept some of the funds for herself but could not trace any of the cash to accounts linked to her. The stolen funds ended up in accounts linked to fraudsters, he said.

As for the third case involving a transnational crime syndicate, warrants were issued for the arrests of 80 Thais and Nigerian nationals, said Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop.

A source said Ms Chamanan travelled to Malaysia a couple of times to meet a lawyer of the American medical officer but never met the person.

As for the fictitious Andrew Chang, the scammers had used photos from the Facebook page of a Malaysian man to make up the profile. A complaint had been lodged by the victim of identity theft, said the source.

This case must have been one in a million. We found out Ms Chamanan agreed to purchase a B30mn house and paid a deposit of B1.5mn out of her own pocket. The scammers drained her accounts and started inventing stories to get more, said the source.

Essilor Manufacturing (Thailand) hired legal teams to trace the stolen funds using findings from the investigation and the company had recovered some including US$10mn which landed in accounts in Tonga.

According to The Wall Street Journal, EssilorLuxottica SA recently sued JPMorgan Chase & Co for allegedly failing to notice that criminals transferred more than US$272mn out of one of its bank accounts in 2019.

Based on the report, the bank stands accused of failing to monitor the account properly or notice a highly suspicious pattern of fraudulent transactions. This allowed thieves to blow through a daily withdrawal limit of $10 million at least nine times over several months.

The money was also transferred to companies with names which suggested that they were not in the eyecare business, according to the report.

JPMorgan denied the allegations in the lawsuit, which was filed with the US District Court in Manhattan last month.
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YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. On the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide, Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan sent congratulatory letters to the President and the Prime Minister of Egypt, the President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, the King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Emir of Kuwait, the President and the Prime Minister of Syria, the President of Tunisia, the Prime Minister of Iraq, the Prime Minister of Lebanon, the Emir and the President of the Council of Ministers of Qatar, the Armenian PMs Office said.

In his congratulatory letters the Armenian PM wished those leaders good health and happiness, and their peoples  lasting peace and welfare.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian military denies Azerbaijani accusations on opening fire at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has again released a false statement accusing the Armenian military units in opening fire from small arms and grenade launchers on May 1 in the direction of Azerbaijani military positions deployed in the eastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, the Armenian Ministry of Defense said, adding that the situation at the border is relatively stable and is under the Armenian militarys control.
Peter Gay is the executive director of North Attleborough Community Television Inc.  North TV. The views expressed in his column are not necessarily those of North TV. Reach him at pgay@ northtv.net .
EDWARDSVILLE  A Belleville man has been indicted by a Madison County grand jury for weapons-related crimes from a March 30 incident in Venice.

Leon McClendon IV, 20, of Belleville, was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, a Class X felony, and aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony. The case was originally presented by the Venice Police Department.

According to court documents, on March 30, McClendon allegedly shot a person in the stomach. He then fired in the direction of another person in a 2008 Ford Focus.

Other indictments issued April 28 include:

 Kendrick M. Moore, 30, of Cahokia Heights, was indicted for unlawful delivery or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class X felony, and aggravated unlawful use of weapons, a Class 4 felony. Charges were originally filed March 8, and the case was presented by the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois. According to court documents, on Sept. 20, 2020, Moore allegedly had 15-100 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded and accessible Smith & Wesson SD40 VE .40 caliber pistol.

 Lacy A. Saunders-Robertson, 30, of East Carondolet, was indicted for unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Class 1 felony. Charges were originally filed Feb. 17 and the case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. According to court documents, on May 19 Saunders-Robertson allegedly had 5-15 grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.

 David Solis, 38, of Collinsville, was indicted for aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony. The case was originally presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. According to court documents, on Sept. 5 Solis allegedly was driving a vehicle when he attempted to flee from a Madison County sheriffs deputy, reaching speeds in excess of 21 miles above the posted speed limit.

 James D. Hughes, 57, of Bethalto, was indicted for harassing and stalking a potential witness in a court case in which he allegedly victimized her during an October aggravated battery incident. He was charged April 28 with harassment of a witness, a Class 2 felony, and aggravated stalking, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On April 26 he allegedly communicated with a woman who is expected to be a witness in a criminal case against him, calling her six separate times and leaving voicemails as well as violating the terms of an order of protection by the victim. Bail was set at $50,000. On Oct. 4 he was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, for allegedly strangling a man and grabbing the arm of a woman, the victim in the April incident.

 Terence D. Johnson Jr., 21, of Madison, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony; and resisting a peace officer, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On April 27 Johnson allegedly hit a senior citizen in the head with a closed fist and resisted a Pontoon Beach police officer attempting to arrest him. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Brittany A. Molloy, 27, of Alton, was charged with three counts of aggravated battery, one Class 2 and two Class 3 felonies. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On March 31 Molloy allegedly attacked a St. Anthonys Health Center security officer and two nurses. Bail was set at $25,000.

 Justin N. Prestito, 32, of Highland, was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm with revoked Firearm Owners ID Card, a Class 3 felony, and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. The case was presented by the Highland Police Department. On April 26 Prestito allegedly had a Springfield Armory .40 caliber handgun and a Taurus .357 caliber revolver while having a revoked FOID card; he also allegedly grabbed a household or family member by the neck, causing injury. Bail was set at $40,000.

 Elena L. Pedrero, 27, of Alton, was charged with criminal damage to property over $500, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Alton Police Department. On March 28 Pedrero allegedly caused more than $500 damage to a mattress and metal window frame at Alton Memorial Hospital. Bail was set at $25,000.
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TOKYO (AP)  Coast guard officials searched the office of a Japanese tour boat operator on Monday as part of a criminal investigation into suspicions that professional negligence caused the sinking of a vessel carrying 26 people in a national park last month.

The Kazu 1 sightseeing boat conducted the tour in Shiretoko National Park on the northeastern side of Hokkaido, Japans northernmost main island, on April 23 despite forecast rough seas and warnings from other tour operators. It made a distress call that afternoon saying it was sinking.

Japan's coast guard said investigators raided locations related to the tour boat operator. NHK public television showed uniformed coast guard officials entering the tour boat operator's office and the house of the boats captain and said the company president's house was also searched.

Separately, the coast guard planned to use a remote-controlled submersible camera to look inside the sunken boat in hopes of locating bodies possibly trapped inside. The operation was delayed Monday due to bad weather.

The boat carried two crew members and 24 passengers, including two children. Fourteen bodies have been recovered.

The hull of the boat with its name on it was found near Kashuni Falls, where the boat made the distress call. It was sitting on the seabed at a depth of about 115 meters (377 feet).

The operator, Shiretoko Pleasure Cruiser, had two accidents last year, including one that involved the captain of the sunken boat, Noriyuki Toyoda, the transport ministry said earlier.

Seiichi Katsurada, the head of the company, said last week that he approved the trip despite a broken communication device and forecasts of rough weather. The boat also lacked a satellite phone, he said. The crew carried cellphones that had no signals and apparently had to borrow one from a passenger to make an emergency call, the coast guard said.

Katsurada said waters at their home port were calm when the boat departed and the captain could have changed the tour plans if the weather worsened.

___

This story corrects that the boat was sitting with its hull on seabed, not upside down.
GODFREY  Select Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) students will receive free credit monitoring following a cyber attack last fall.

On Nov. 23, 2021, a ransomware attack was made on the college's computer network. A ransomware attack usually is a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.

The school was closed about 10 days to address the security breach. An investigation that concluded in March determined the computer hack may have obtained students' information, including their addresses, driver's license numbers, facial photographs, health insurance information, medical information, Social Security numbers and student identification numbers.

"Our investigation identified a limited number of individuals' data may have been at risk during the incident," LCCC President Ken Trzaska said. "Any individual with personal information to be at risk has or will be notified."

In a letter to the affected students, LCCC stated it is unaware of any misuse of the students' information, but is working to help students protect their information.

"There is no evidence that your information was individually accessed or misused," LCCC told the affected students. "Nevertheless, we are providing this notification out of an abundance of caution."

LCCC is working with Experian IdentityWorks to provide one year of credit monitoring at the college's expense. According to Trzaska, this offer is being extended to any students whose data might have been affected. The exact number of students affected is unknown, he said.

"It's an unfortunate situation that this happened to the college," he said. "We're just looking forward to moving forward and helping anyway we can."

The LCCC attack was discovered two days before Thanksgiving when the school's IT director detected suspicious activity and proactively took systems offline. A ransom note from hackers demanded a payment, though Trzaska has declined to reveal the sum or identify the suspected culprits.

The credit monitoring offer will be available to students until July 13. Students with questions or seeking assistance are advised to call 877-288-8057.
ALTON  Pavement restoration work is set to start Tuesday on 6th Street in Alton.

More than six miles of sanitary sewer main are being installed in Alton. Work kicked off in February and will continue until 2023.

When Illinois American Water acquired the Alton Regional Wastewater system in 2019, the company pledged it would address requirements set forth by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to remedy combined sewer overflows.

In the Piasa Valley area project, pavement restoration is set to start this week on 6th Street between Alby and George streets, as well as Alby Street between 6th Street north to 12th Street.

During this time, the pavement milling operations will be going on. After the milling operations are completed, the road will be closed to all traffic during paving operations. Local residents are advised to plan to park on side streets adjacent to these two roads during that time.

Also, 12th Street is closed east to Georg Street. A common detour of using 13th Street and Alton Street will not be allowed, and traffic will need to use Blair Avenue east to Henry Street during the closure.

Additionally, 10th Street is closed between Alby and George streets. Brick pavement restoration is currently happening on 8th Street.

In the Turner Tract and Shields Valley areas, sewer separation work has been completed and street pavement restoration is finished.

A copy of the long term control plan can be read online at https://www.amwater.com/ilaw/resources/PDF/Water-Quality/ILAW_ALTON_CSO_LTCP_REV.pdf .

Customers with questions are asked to call 800-422-2782.
The Republican National Committee voted unanimously to cancel its participation in the non-partisan Commission on Presidential Debates which has hosted the Presidential debates since 1987.

Citing reasons that sound like schoolyard whines of no fair, the RNC announced its anticipated decision. Remember, this is the same RNC that called the January 6th insurrection legitimate political discourse.

Joining a growing number of Republican candidates across the country who have refused to debate primary opponents, the RNC is attempting to remove the traditional debate forum from the decision making process. Said another way, Republicans dont want you to know what they stand for or what they intend to do if they are elected. They really dont want you to know that many important issues for you and your family will remain unaddressed or undermined by GOP governance.

Care about climate change and efforts to forestall environmental disasters? Want greater control and universal background checks for gun ownership? Do you believe the federal minimum wage should be increased? How about increasing taxes on the uberwealthy and making sure corporations pay their share? Want to extend the child tax credit to lift millions of families out of poverty? Looking to protect your union job? Tired of people bashing LGBTQ folks for political gain? Believe that there should be reasonable means for a woman to make birth choices, particularly in cases of rape and incest? Are you against voter suppression and in favor of democracy?

If one or two or more of these issues motivate you to the polls, it is important for you to know some things. First, the GOP doesnt want you to know that they dont agree with you on any of these issues. There is not one of those issues that receive positive treatment by Republicans in Congress or state legislatures.

If elected your Republican representative will vote to reduce taxes on the wealthy and corporations, restrict union formation and operations, end child tax credits, end womens health rights, stigmatize LBGTQ members, hold firm on the federal minimum wage, make voting more difficult so as to exclude persons of color, and increase gun availability to all. They just dont want you to know this in advance of election day.

The truth is that Republicans are afraid to debate their policy positions. They know darn well that over half the American public does not agree with their positions. And nothing sheds more light on unpopular positions than a good ol fashioned political debate.

Instead they want to distract voters with their brand of bull. Illinois Representative Bost recently called for President Biden to bring down the price of gas for everyone and fertilizer for farmers. Little problem: President Biden does not possess the authority to do either and since Bost is in favor of small government, why does he want the President to control the marketplace? Hes preaching nonsense and Bost knows it.

So why does Representative Bost do it at the collective behest of the GOP? Because Republicans prefer pointing fingers to lending a hand to the American people, and they are willing to sacrifice democracy for power. Bost, like others, is willing to forego his personal character for craven means of hoodwinking voters.

The truth is that for all their bluster, Republicans are actually quivering columns of governmental goo when it comes to truthful debate. They lack the courage of their convictions and prefer power to leadership. And heaven help them if they are forced to represent the will of the American people.

In kind recognition of their cowardice, we may wish to limit their requirement for office to express their position (yes or no) on only a few issues: Ask them, do you believe that President Biden won the presidential election and rightfully serves? Do you believe that the January 6th rioters and their Congressional enablers should be prosecuted? Do you believe that it should be made more difficult to vote? Do you believe in separation of church and state? Do you believe that any American citizen, including Donald Trump, is above the law? And, if reelected, do you pledge to vote in accord with your answers given?

Ill bet you had no trouble answering these questions for yourself with simple yes or no responses. Then ask, why do Republicans have so much trouble? They duck, refuse to answer, obfuscate, distract, walk away, run scared from the debate stage and generally hide like chickens from the wolf of truth.

Time to change the color scheme of the Republican Party from red to yellow.
ALTON  Four pop-up stops featuring Traveler, the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureaus new mobile visitor center, are planned May 4-6.

Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau said, said the bureau sees National Travel & Tourism Week as a great way to start the summer travel season.

"Travel benefits and supports the local economies and reconnects us to each other and the world," he said. "Thats one of the driving forces behind the industry, and we are proud to be part of the #Future of Travel.

Traveler is planning four stops:

 Wednesday, May 4: 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Kruta Bakery, 300 St. Louis Rd., Collinsville

 Wednesday, May 4: 1-3 p.m., Litchfield Museum and Route 66 Welcome Center, 334 N. Old Route 66, Litchfield

 Thursday, May 5: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Global Brew Tap House, 2329 Plum St., Edwardsville

 Friday, May 6: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Old Bakery Beer Company, 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton.

Tourism bureau staff members will be available to answer questions and encourage people to sign up for a $250 gas card sweepstakes at each stop. A QR code only available during the events will direct people to an online sign-up form. The gas cards will be given away following each stop; winners will be contacted by phone or email.

This week University of Illinois Extension also is focusing on tourism, specifically rural outdoor activities following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

Tourism can be an engine of economic growth for rural communities, says Sharon Zou, assistant professor in the Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism. Many people traveled to rural destinations with low population densities during the pandemic, allowing communities to re-imagine their potential for tourism development."

The I-Rural project, funded by Extension and Illinois Office of the Provost Investment for Growth Program, is creating a model to guide rural tourism development across the state. Grafton  along with Havana, Savanna and Galena  is piloting the project.

The project team met with local officials, business owners and residents in all four communities, according to Joelle Soulard, Department of Recreation, Sport, and Tourism assistant professor. Each community identified its challenges and opportunities; now researchers hope to identify tourists motivations and constraints.

We encourage communities to adopt a bigger-pie mindset, working together as a team to reach shared goals, Soulard said. Instead of viewing other businesses as competitors, the bigger-pie mindset believes that if more options are available, people are more likely to come to communities.

They understand they have a shared destiny; they are in it together, Soulard says. The tide is rising, so everyone is benefiting from it.

Jennifer Russell, Extension community and economic development educator, serves communities and businesses in western Illinois.

Grafton has always been doing tourism work to some degree," said Russell. "But this opportunity gave them a chance to come together, get re-energized, and prioritize their next projects. The area combines a natural beauty with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic.

Following an I-Rural listening session, the Grafton team updated its streetscape plan and applied for grant funding, Russell said. Community leaders acknowledged the collective benefit of organizing more annual events and initiating new collaborations to develop family-friendly events and festivals.

The group also recognized the need to create more digital marketing and host grant-writing workshops, as well as develop one unified message for the community. Russell said the Grafton team identified a need to diversify dining options and add more kid-friendly food and themed items, such as bluff bites and Mississippi Mud fudge.

In the second year of the grant, the I-Rural team will help develop marketing resources based on the researchers' findings which will be made available through Extension to all Illinois communities.

This work is going to form a smorgasbord, if you will, of tactics and strategies which will be available for folks across the state to choose from and learn from without having to do the work themselves, said Mike Delany, Extension community and economic development educator.

Zou said it usually takes researchers years to build rapport and trust in communities to get quality data, but by collaborating with Extension, the effort has made "great strides in one year.
A friend of mine recently called me up and said he finally found a way to become rich.

Hey, Joe, Ive finally found a way to become wealthy.

Youve decided to outlive your filthy rich parents?

No, Ive decided to start a business. It will be some sort of non-profit. I will solicit people to donate to it, pay myself a handsome salary and sit back and relax.

What will your business do?

Do?

Yes, what will it make?

Why, money of course. Lots of it! Ill pull in donors with lots of cash. Something like 99% will go for me and the other 1% will go to the business. And thats what they call a non-profit. And I can even offer you a job.

"Doing what?

You will be in charge of Excellence.

And what exactly is that?

You will manage your people and their subordinates and do some nonsensical thing like develop a company strategy over and over again. If you dont like that job, I can put you in charge of Success.

Whats the difference between Excellence and Success?

Not really sure. You might consult the person in charge of Opportunity.

How do you tell them apart? They sound so similar.

Yes, its an old trick Hitler pulled. He made all his cronies jobs so vague they had trouble distinguishing their duties from the others.

"They were so busy trying to figure out their lane in the road and fighting with each other over who had authority over this and that, they never had time to oust him in a coup.

What will I be doing?

Why making up work for you and your staff and substantiating your existence. How good are you at producing justifications out of thin air?

Well, I used to work for the government. Do you have someone in charge of Ethics?

Yes, but we had to fire him. He was asking too many weird questions like What does this person do? Why do we have so much staff? Can I get a look at our budget? What is our mission? So you see, he just had to go. We even got rid of the Ethics Department with him. If you want, you can start next week. Youll begin at the bottom with a 6 figure salary and work your way up from there. Youll get 5 months paid vacation and 3 months sick leave and your own slush fund. Of course youll get all state and federal holidays and with a company car or two and no chance of getting laid off or fired. Did I mention the fat pension? Youll also get a huge tax deferred retirement account that well keep in some cushy off-shore island nation.

Hmmmm, keep talking.

Once we get the company running, Ill go on a speaking tour of how I started my successful business from scratch and became a self-made man. Then Ill have someone ghostwrite a book for me detailing the long, slow, painful path to success and how my path was strewn with boulders. Ill tell how I had to struggle to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and how my mistresses stood by me, believed in me and helped me make it happen.

I can recommend a good fiction writer.

Ill need that. Ill even change my name to make it sound more foreign and learn to speak with an accent. Then I can talk about all the xenophobia and racism I endured along the way and how it made me even stronger.

Sounds like a blueprint for success."

Where you got the whole idea to do this?

Thats easy. Hollywood and American universities.
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

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YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan chaired a consultation today, during which the draft of a new model on assessing the functionality of a person was discussed.

The draft has been submitted by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.

The meeting firstly touched upon the current system of the assessment of a persons functionality, the existing problems and shortcomings, the disability examination process, the services provided, the guarantees and the social protection.

It was reported that the new model of changing the disability policy aims at showing a more targeted approach to persons with disabilities, taking also into account the opportunities and capacities of families. Additionally, it is also planned to increase the number of current common social services from 34 to 49, improve their infrastructure and engage new professional capacities.

Thereafter, the meeting participants discussed the roadmap for the introduction of this new model, as well as the results expected from the new system. It was reported that the model has been developed taking into account the international experience.

Summing up the discussions, PM Pashinyan highlighted taking constant steps and providing targeted support to engage disabled people into public life. He tasked to include the proposals and ideas made today into the draft.
Financial abuse is a mentally scarring and a destructive form of control over your life, according to money and charity experts.

It is hard to gauge the extent of the problem, but research estimating one in five women and one in seven men has had some experience of this type of abuse was cited by the Financial Conduct Authority last year.

We explain how to spot the warning signs in your relationship or that of someone close to you, what steps you can take to get free of a perpetrator, and where to turn for help.

Financial abuse: Behaviour someone outside a relationship might see immediately is abusive can feel more reasonable to someone in it after a long, slow escalation from a fair sounding request

What is financial abuse?

'Anyone can be at risk, because no one sets out to enter a relationship where financial abuse is the outcome,' says Menna Cule, financial planner at wealth manager Brewin Dolphin.

She explains the different forms it might take.

- 'Coercive, controlling behaviour within a relationship when one person deliberately restricts access to, or solely controls all their partner's finances leaving them with no money for basic essentials.'

This is often just one form of manipulative behaviour in a relationship, and according to Women's Aid there is a financial abuse element in nearly a third of domestic abuse cases, says Cule.

- 'When one partner perilously restricts or risks their partner's or family's ability to financially look after themselves through financially irresponsible behaviour such as reckless spending on addictions such as gambling, alcohol or shopping.'

- 'The perpetrator is privy to someone's private financial details and then uses it to exploit them and fraudulently gain access to their money.'

What are the warning signs to look out for?

Your own relationship

'Spotting financial abuse within a relationship isn't always easy, because abusers tend to start with small and subtle steps, and build them gradually,' says Sarah Coles, senior personal finance analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.

'This may come alongside other kinds of behaviour that make it difficult to challenge, such as emotional or physical abuse. Again, this can start small and escalate.'

Coles explains this means behaviour someone outside the relationship might see immediately is abusive can feel more reasonable to someone in it after a long, slow escalation from a perfectly fair sounding request.

'The early signs of financial abuse aren't always enormously different from the actions of a concerned partner.

'If you were to tell someone that you and your partner work to a tight budget, and need to talk about any additional expense before you make it, you could be describing a huge range of behaviours. The key difference is about control.'

Coles says a couple deciding on an approach together and sharing financial decisions as equal partners is very different from a situation where one partner imposes a measure and wields all the power in the discussion.

If I didn't have enough cash to pay for what he wanted, he would give me an ultimatum  what would cost more: to buy him what he wanted or the cost of the damage he would do when he smashed everything in sight. So I got my credit card out and ended up with 3,000 worth of debt Survivor of economic abuse, speaking to the charity SEA

She lists the following warning signs.

- Stopping you from studying or working

- By contrast, forcing you to work while they refuse to

- Insisting you hand over your salary and any benefits

- Taking control of your bank account

- Forcing you to ask for money for household expenses

- Insisting on seeing receipts for every expense

- Paying a household allowance that forces you into hardship

- Not allowing you to spend money on yourself or your children

- Paying for things and expecting something in return

- Denying access to information about the household finances

- Applying for credit in your name

- Withholding child maintenance payments.

Cule says tell-tale signs can be overt like being prevented from having your own bank cards, discouraged from having a job, forced to have a joint bank account  with little to no access to it - money being restricted and only given as if it were pocket money, and passwords to joint bank accounts being changed.

More subtle clues are post and bank statements in particular being hidden, and secretive behaviour and calls on the mobile, she adds.

The organisation Surviving Economic Abuse explains how to identify the signs of economic abuse here.

It says if a current or former partner has interfered with your money or other economic resources in some way to limit your choices, it has tools to help here.

Menna Cule: 'Anyone can be at risk, because no one sets out to enter a relationship where financial abuse is the outcome'

A friend or family member

If you're worried about someone else, Coles suggests some red flags to look out below - and says if they come up it's worth asking questions of the person at risk.

'If you spot them, open up a conversation in a quiet and safe space. They may just be desperate for you to do so.'

- Starting to spend less, despite no change in their circumstances

- 'Forgetting' their wallet when they come out with you

- Stopping coming out with you altogether when money is being spent

- Asking to borrow money from you, without any noticeable change in their earnings

- Showing anxiety around anything that involves spending money

- Being unwilling to talk about money

- Changing their attitude to money in a way that stops matching their circumstances ('We're all tightening our belts right now, but watch out for someone who is dramatically restricting their spending,' says Coles.)

- Spending appears to differ significantly from that of their partner

- Changing language around spending decisions, so they may talk about getting permission for things, or being allowed to spend on certain things

- Altering their working or studying arrangements without being able to explain why.

What can you do if you suspect financial abuse?

'If you're a victim of financial abuse, it can feel too humiliating to admit to friends and family and ask for help,' says Coles.

'But it's not your fault. You're the victim of someone who used all your best and kindest instincts against you. It can be difficult for people outside the relationship to understand, but those who love you will help you get out and rebuild.

'A long time ago I was the victim of financial abuse, and it was only when I faced up to it, and asked my family for help, that I escaped.'

Below are some steps you can take. However, their suitability depends on the nature of the situation and whether you feel in danger.

Sarah Coles: 'If you're a victim of financial abuse, it can feel too humiliating to admit to friends and family and ask for help'

And Coles cautions that if you are concerned that making plans to leave will put you at risk, it's much more important to stay safe.

'In many cases, the abuse makes all these things impossible. But this doesn't mean you cannot leave.'

Cultivate openness and honesty: 'Ensure that regardless of whose responsibility various aspects of the household finances are, keep fully abreast of how much money there is and where it is, even if it means regular household meetings,' says Menna Cule of Brewin Dolphin.

'Educate yourself on your financial position both independently and as a family unit. There should be financial honesty in any partnership or family.

'If you do suspect your partner of being fiscally irresponsible, invite them to speak openly to you about what's going on rather than being confrontational, because if they are in trouble, the situation could spiral.

'If you are too combative, they are likely to become defensive and potentially hide the problem even more.'

Ask people you trust for help: 'Speak to someone. Once a fear is out in the open it can often feel easier to deal with,' says Cule.

It's important to speak to family and friends, stresses Cole. 'The right help at the right time can help you start again.'

Save an emergency fund: 'Because the abuser will often leave you without money, it's a good idea to save a small emergency fund, and possibly get a family member or friend to look after it for you,' says Coles.

'It helps to gain a picture of your finances, any joint accounts and any debts in your name. It can also make things far less stressful if you have key financial documents.'

Cule says: 'Aim to have access to your own money. Try to build up two to three months' worth of savings as a safety net should you need to remove yourself from the household.'

Get outside help: Domestic abuse charities such as Women's Aid, Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline can help, says Coles. (Find contact details below.)

'They may also be able to find you space in a refuge, where you will get more help in finding your feet.

'If you have the money to do so, it can be incredibly valuable to contact a solicitor. They will push to ensure your rights are upheld and can establish court orders to keep you safe.

Contact the police: It can be difficult to break away from abuse without help, says Coles.

'Depending on the threat posed by the abuser, this may mean contacting the police: coercive or controlling behaviour within a family relationship became a criminal offence in 2015.

'Even if you plan to leave without police intervention, you can still call on their help later. They can take legal action to force your partner to leave your home, and not come within a certain distance.'

She says that if you have been forced to flee without your belongings, the police can accompany you home to fetch essential items.

How do you rebuild your finances after suffering abuse?

If you have left, Sarah Coles suggests the following steps.

- 'You should freeze joint accounts, to prevent them doing more financial harm. On 'joint' credit cards, check if you are the primary or secondary account holder.

'The primary account holder is responsible for all the debts, so if you are the secondary holder you can just have yourself removed. If you are the primary account holder, you should have your ex removed, but then you will need to repay the debts.

- 'If you have moved out of the family house, contact the service providers  including phone, media, broadband, water, gas and electricity  and tell them the date you left. This will make it harder for your ex to run up big bills in your name.'

- 'If your partner has put you into financial difficulties, someone like Citizen's Advice Bureau can get in touch with organisations you owe money to and explain you are a vulnerable customer, and need additional support.'

'If you are struggling to, for example, explain to lenders that loans were taken out in your name by someone else, CAB can speak to them on your behalf.

'The charity Stepchange has debt advisers who can provide guidance and help you find solutions. They also have benefit specialists who will help you claim everything you're entitled to.'

What do abuse experts say?

'We know that economic abuse is a significant barrier to leaving an abuser,' says Farah Nazeer, chief executive at Women's Aid.

Farah Nazeer: 'Economic abuse is a significant barrier to leaving an abuser'

'The manipulation of money and other resources limits women's actions and freedom of choice, and deprives them of the material means needed for independence and escape.

'The effects of this abuse can be devastating- leaving women with no money for basic essentials such as food and clothing, without access to their own bank accounts, or with debts that have been built up by abusive partners set against their names.

'Everyone has the right to feel safe and happy in their relationship, and you should never feel as though you are being controlled by your partner.

'If you are worried about your relationship or that of a loved one, you can use our live chat for confidential expert advice and support.'

Christina Govier, head of support to financial services at Surviving Economic Abuse, says: 'This week marks one year since the landmark Domestic Abuse Act was given Royal Assent and became law.

'For the first time, economic abuse is now recognised in law as part of the statutory definition of domestic abuse. If you are worried that you, or someone you know, may be experiencing economic abuse there are organisations that can help.'

Govier warns: 'Economic abuse rarely happens in isolation; it normally happens alongside other forms of domestic abuse.'

Where can you go for help?

If you are in immediate danger, contact the police.

If you are not in immediate danger but are concerned about your safety, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is on 0808 2000 247 and open 24 hours a day.

Surviving Economic Abuse's financial support line, run in partnership with Money Advice Plus, offers specialist advice to people experiencing domestic abuse who are in financial difficulty. SEA says the advice may help you to regain control of your finances.

Women's Aid has help and advice here, including a live chat service for confidential expert advice and support.

It runs a Rail to Refuge scheme, a joint initiative with rail companies where operators cover the cost of train tickets for women, men and children escaping domestic abuse travelling to refuge accommodation.

You can find out how to access it here, and the Rail Delivery group explains more here.
British politicians have been permissive to the point of naivete in their attitudes to Chinese raids on UK national assets.

Until recently, ministers were extremely relaxed about China's involvement in such key sectors as nuclear power, communications and energy supply.

The issue has come to the fore this weekend at HSBC, the UK's biggest bank. Its leading shareholder, a Chinese insurance company part-owned by the Communist state, has demanded HSBC dismember itself, by splitting off its Asian business.

Time we woke up: Until recently, ministers were extremely relaxed about China's involvement in such key sectors as nuclear power, communications and energy supply

In comparison with a multi-billion pound international finance powerhouse like HSBC, the fate of Newport Wafer Fab, a microchip factory based in Wales, may seem a niche interest.

Certainly, in City terms, the 63million deal to sell NWF to a Chinese-owned rival is small beer. But it will be the first big test for the new National Security and Investment Act, brought in this year to safeguard the country's strategic interests.

The decision Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng takes on NWF will have a huge impact on the prosperity of the UK for decades to come.

Unfortunately, the situation is already a mess. NWF has been sold to Nexperia, a Dutch company whose parent is the Chinese group Wingtech. That should never have been permitted. However, courtesy of the new Act, that sale can still be unpicked, which is exactly what should happen.

NWF ran into difficulty during Covid because it fell through the Government safety nets. This, according to observers, gave Nexperia an opening to strong-arm it into a takeover.

The decision Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng takes on NWF will have a huge impact on the prosperity of the UK for decades to come

Be that as it may, it is astounding that the deal was waved through. It raises competition concerns, since it gives the Chinese, who via Nexperia own another facility in Manchester, control of around 65 per cent of large-scale UK power chip manufacture. A third plant in Greenock, near Glasgow, is owned by a US company.

That leaves the UK in a parlous situation for sovereign chip production at a time when every other major economy is ramping up, not selling off.

Wisely so, given chips are used in everything from smart phones to washing machines and electric cars.

Some fear that Wingtech's acquisition of NWF is an opportunistic, short-term move to tide it over until a new facility is opened in Shanghai in a couple of years. That is speculation but the stakes are very high.

Before the takeover, NWF was engaged in research in sensitive areas including defence cybersecurity, 5G telecoms and robotics. It was also the only independent open-access facility of any scale in the UK.

The handling of the deal has been shambolic. Boris Johnson last year asked national security adviser Sir Stephen Lovegrove to examine the transaction. But MPs on the foreign affairs committee said so few details had been provided that they were 'left with the unfortunate conclusion that no review has taken place'. That is truly shocking.

A report last month claimed Lovegrove believed it did not merit intervention. The Government says it has made no decisions.

In the Cameron years, China was courted as an investor. Under Theresa May and then Johnson, the climate chilled. Even so, ministers welcomed Jingye of China when it bought British Steel in 2019.

The UK tends to see takeovers such as that of NWF through a commercial lens, sometimes clouded by greed or expediency. But in Beijing, opportunities to pounce on western companies or to finance infrastructure projects are seized upon, as a way of advancing political interests.
The effort by Chinese controlled insurer Ping An to marshal support for a break-up of UK-based and regulated HSBC is no ordinary demonstration of shareholder activism.

Everything involving corporations directly falling under the influence of Beijing has to be seen strategically and not as a case of a key investor seeking to release value.

It was not just the geopolitics of Nato which changed when Russia invaded Ukraine. It was the moment the West woke up to the idea that trade and economic co-operation, the underpinnings of globalisation, could never be the same again.

Threat: Chinese controlled insurer Ping An, which has a 9.2bn stake in the 100bn HSBC, is pushing for a break-up of the UK-based and regulated bank

Severing ties with Russia is hard enough given Europes dependence on its energy, as this weekends divisions in the EU over cutting off Moscows oil has shown.

But severing relations with the worlds second-largest economy, China  if it comes to that  would be infinitely more complicated. It can be no coincidence that Ping An, with a 9.2billion stake in the 100billion HSBC, decided to go public in its ambitions over the May Day weekend sacred to socialists.

At the same time as Ping An was issuing its challenge to chairman Mark Tucker of HSBC, the Chinese government was hosting an emergency meeting in Beijing with domestic and international banks.

Top of the agenda was how banks and financial institutions operating in China could best protect the Peoples Republic from swingeing financial sanctions should there be some kind of strategic rift.

There already is anger and resentment in the West over Chinas clampdown on political freedom.

The suppression of basic rights such as free expression has led to a slow erosion of commerce in Hong Kong and the exodus of 89,000 holders of UK overseas passports to Britain.

At the Beijing gathering of banks  including HSBC  discussion largely focused on how to immunise China against similar asset seizures.

Further toughening of controls over Hong Kong and its free-wheeling capitalism or Chinese attempts to intimidate Taiwan could spur US/Western sanctions.

Another flashpoint could be more tangible steps by President Xi Jinping to support Vladimir Putin with money and arms, undermining efforts to isolate Moscow.

China is concerned about the fate of its 2.6trillion of foreign currency reserves, of which about half are held overseas. It saw how swiftly Nato countries froze Russian holdings.

Since its foundation in 1865, HSBC has managed to steer a course through the tumult of South Asian politics, spanning the 19th century opium wars, the Communist revolution, Chairman Maos Great Leap Forward of 1958, bloodshed in 1989 at Tiananmen Square and recent suppression in Hong Kong.

HSBC may have earned two-thirds of its 14.6billion of 2020-21 earnings in Asia but its trust in the region stems from its UK base and regulation by the Bank of England.

Splitting off its Asian operations would expose it to less credible Hong Kong and Beijing control. It also might mean sacrificing its role as the main conduit of large financial transfers to New York.

There is no such thing as benign Chinese capitalism. Very little has been heard from Chinas greatest entrepreneur of the online age, Jack Ma, creator of Alibaba, since he clashed with Beijing.

Ping Am is the fox seeking to get inside the HSBC chicken coop. It is up to the banks board, UK regulators and the other 90 per cent of shareholders to make sure Beijing influence is kept at arms length.
The boss of British Airways is under mounting pressure as its parent company prepares for another quarter of bruising losses.

Directors at International Airlines Group are said to have already discussed the possibility of removing BA chief Sean Doyle over a string of failures, including the recent cancellation of hundreds of flights.

IAG executives could be quizzed on Doyle's future when the company reports first-quarter results on Friday.

Flying into turbulence: Directors at International Airlines Group are said to have already discussed the possibility of removing BA chief Sean Doyle over a string of failures

City analysts are expecting the airline group, which also owns Aer Lingus and Iberia, to post a loss of 462m for the first three months of 2022.

Soaring jet fuel costs and severe flight disruption have led to brokers at Peel Hunt halving IAG's annual profit forecasts from 839m to 416m. There have also been warnings that BA's problems could lead to passengers booking else where. Analyst Chris Tarry said the pressure facing Doyle is 'huge': 'We're moving to a stage where BA's reputation is continuing to decline.

'You look at the short notice of cancellations and it is very disruptive. It is easier and costs less to retain a passenger than to win them back.'

Friday's figures are likely to raise questions about the recent crises at BA  and Doyle's role.

Doubt has been cast on the chief executive after sources said the IAG board discussed the possibility of removing him at its most recent meeting.

BA has suffered a string of IT meltdowns and a lack of investment in new systems was said to be one of directors' main concerns.

Analysts have said the technical blunders are not something IAG's competitors are facing. When Doyle took over in October 2020 he vowed that BA would 'stand for excellence' and again become a stand-out premium airline.

However, he was recently forced to cancel more flights for the next two months due to staff shortages. This comes after BA scrapped more than 1,500 flights in April.

John Strickland, who heads aviation consultancy JLS, said Doyle had been 'passed the baton when the industry is at its roughest', adding that he should be given time.

'He inherited a brief when nobody wished to deal with the challenges,' he said. 'He is painfully aware of the need to put things right.'

Doyle informed staff last month that the airline would cut schedules until the end of June. An IAG spokesman said: 'The IAG Board and its CEO fully support Sean Doyle.'
Blackrock has been slammed after increasing its stake in Glencore despite a previous pledge to scale down investment in coal producers.

Two years ago, Blackrock chief executive, Larry Fink, promised to put sustainability at the heart of investment decisions at the worlds largest asset manager.

His firm highlighted coal producers as a concern because they are carbon intensive, becoming less and less economically viable, and highly exposed to regulation because of environmental impacts.

Broken pledge: Two years ago, Blackrock chief executive Larry Fink promised to put sustainability at the heart of investment decisions at the worlds largest asset manager

But Glencores company records show that Blackrocks holding has grown by more than 300million shares since January 2020.

This is an increase in value of 1.5billion given the latest share price, prompting calls of climate hypocrisy.

Blackrock now holds more than 1billion shares in Glencore, around 8 per cent, worth 5billion. That makes it the second-biggest shareholder. Only Glencores former chief, Ivan Glasenberg, now has a larger holding.

Glencore is a major global player in coal with 26 mines in Australia, Colombia and South Africa. In 2020, Blackrock said it would reduce assets in firms that generate more than 25 per cent of their revenues from coal.

Insiders say Glencores 8.7billion revenue from coal last year was less than a quarter of its turnover. But last Thursday Glencore was attacked as almost 24pc of shareholders voted against its climate progress report at the annual shareholder meeting.

Giuseppe Bivona, of activist investor Bluebell Capital, urged Blackrock to support the protest vote, which he believes it failed to do, he told The Mail on Sunday. Bivona said he was sick and tired of Blackrocks lack of action.

He added: If you are preaching about sustainability and do the opposite then some serious questions need to be asked. What they do matters and what they dont do matters even more.

Glencore bought a coal mine in Colombia last year, which is set to boost its coal production by 17pc in 2022.

Bivona said: Glencore needs to come to the realisation that we need to get coal out of this business. The Glencore board doesnt understand where the right side of history is.

Blackrock declined to comment when asked about the annual meeting.

A Glencore spokesperson said: We will continue to engage with shareholders on our climate transition action plan so as to ensure their views are fully understood.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. Justice Minister of Armenia Karen Andreasyan met with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Garibashvili during his official visit in Tbilisi, the ministry said in a news release.

The Georgian PM conveyed his warm greetings to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, highlighting the firm partnering relations with Pashinyan.

During the meeting the importance of the cooperation memorandum signed between the Armenian and Georgian ministries of justice this year in January was emphasized. The Georgian PM highlighted the agreement reached between the justice ministers of the two countries to strengthen the cooperation in justice, human rights and public services field.

Minister Andreasyan introduced the Georgian PM on the cooperation between the two countries in justice sector. The importance of preserving peace and stability in the region and jointly fighting the current challenges was emphasized.

The Georgian PMs initiative Peaceful Neighborhood in South Caucasus was also discussed during the meeting. In this context the Georgian side affirmed its readiness to contribute to the strengthening of peace in the region.
A group of capital punishment protesters prays on the grounds of Riverbend Maximum Security Institution before the scheduled execution of inmate Oscar Smith, Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee issued a statement Thursday saying he was granting a temporary reprieve to Smith, a 72-year-old inmate.
YEREVAN, 2 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 2 May, USD exchange rate down by 3.61 drams to 449.65 drams. EUR exchange rate down by 5.65 drams to 473.26 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate down by 0.06 drams to 6.34 drams. GBP exchange rate down by 4.62 drams to 565.17 drams.

The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals.

Gold price up by 110.42 drams to 27630.86 drams. Silver price up by 1.43 drams to 338.93 drams. Platinum price stood at 16414.1 drams.
This anteater, a giant anteater photographed at Brights Zoo in 2017, is similar to the species of anteater that tested positive for rabies last year. The anteater that died in 2021 was a South American collared anteater and part of a species of lesser anteaters. The zoo the rabid anteater was at was not named by the CDC.
Campaign signs, candidates and their supporters lined the roadway leading to the Heritage Center, where the first day of early voting was taking place. Pictured here (starting left) are Will Pippin, Allison Rasnake, Vince Walters and Tammy Cloyd.
Brazilian right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro and his main rival, former leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, staged competing rallies on Sunday that were expected to become previews of their campaigns for presidential elections in October.

Supporters of Bolsonaro had called during the week protests against the Supreme Court, after he pardoned a congressman sentenced to eight years in prison for threatening judges.

The pardoned congressman, Daniel Silveira, said in a rally in Niteroi, in Rio de Janeiro state, that his arrest last year was unconstitutional.

Silveira thanked fellow congressmen that helped him during his months in prison last year. He was freed in November, but the Supreme Court last month sentenced him to more than eight years of jail. Bolsonaro decided to pardon him.

Bolsonaro went to a rally protesting against the Supreme Court in Brasilia on Sunday. In a video stream from one of his social media accounts, Bolsonaro said the demonstrations were pacific, to defend the constitution, democracy and freedom.

In Sao Paulo, there were simultaneous demonstrations to support the president and Lula.

In a 15-minute speech, Lula promised to supporters, including many union leaders, that he would resume negotiations to get workers rights respected again if elected. Lula said he was speaking before becoming an official candidate, with the announcement expected for May 7.

The former president cited the recent U.N. human rights committee finding that Brazil graft investigators violated due

process in bringing a case against Lula that led to his imprisonment and barred him from running for office in 2018.

SOURCE: REUTERS
shl.dk/rockettigerli

It is 2022 and when we think of skyscrapers, images of imposing buildings built with rock and metal come to mind. Works like the impressive Burj Khalifa with its 828 meters high in Dubai. But in the small town of Winterthur, Switzerland, another type of great building is being built: it is a wooden skyscraper that aims to become the tallest of its kind in the entire world.

The so-called Rocket&Tigeli will be more than 100 meters tall and will tower over the Mjstarnet tower in Brumunddal, Norway, by 14.6 meters. The building will be constructed by the Danish architectural firm, Schmidt Hammer Lassen , using reinforced timber. Wood is cheaper than concrete and has less impact on the environment , since more trees can always be planted to reforest.
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Update: The State Liquor Authority suspends Gaffney's liquor license

SARATOGA SPRINGS  City Hall ordered popular nightclub and bar Gaffney's to close Monday, at least temporarily.

City Commissioner of Public Safety James Montagnino said on Monday afternoon that the citys code enforcement officer signed a notice informing its owner and management that Gaffneys must cease all operations immediately  until you have obtained the proper license.

Montagnino said the notice was issued after two checks from Gaffneys  one for fire inspection and another for its eating, drinking and cabaret license  bounced at City Hall. The two checks, written to the Commissioner of Finance, totaled $435, he said.

Gaffney's owner, Justin Manfro, disputes that the checks bounced. Manfro said in an email to the Times Union that he asked his bookkeeper about it, and the bookkeeper said both were paid and the checks cleared in March.

All this comes at the same time that Gaffney's has a hearing Thursday before the state Liquor Authority. The proceeding was called after city police reported Gaffney's to the authority in November, alleging the bar has five violations including "a continued pattern of noise and disturbance at the premises."

The night club is also being accused of being the site of an alleged stabbing early Sunday morning.

According to Montagnino, six men got into a dispute at about 2:20 a.m. that ended with one allegedly getting stabbed several times, including the abdomen.

The argument turned into a fist fight, he said. The bouncer grabbed one of the guys to take him off another guy and while he was holding him, somebody punched the guy being held. It turned into a melee that spilled into the street.

However, before the fight continued outside, Montagnino said, one of the people in the fight was allegedly stabbed in the bar. Saratoga Springs police broke up the fighting in the streets and one of the officers sustained an injury to his elbow, Montagnino said.

The commissioner said the stabbing victim was transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. He also said the police arrested three people for disorderly conduct. One had the additional charge of obstructing governmental administration. He said an arrest has not yet taken place for the assault, but believes one is coming shortly.

The Saratoga Springs police arrest blotter shows three men in their 20s were charged from a May 1 incident on Caroline Street.

The victim is cooperating, Montagnino said.

As covered in a previous Times Union story, a long-time employee of Gaffneys sent numerous videos of recent fights outside a number of bars in the Caroline Street neighborhood, which is where Gaffney's is located and is the hub of the citys night life. He claimed the videos show that Gaffneys is not the only bar with fights and that police are hyper-focused on Gaffney's.

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 state Liquor Authority said Gaffney's will face a hearing with an administrative law judge on Thursday. Gaffney's has pleaded not guilty to the violations.

In addition to the five violations from November, Gaffneys is also accused of availing their license to an undisclosed person, on Dec. 16, 2021, which the authority says is a serious violation. "Availing" is when a person who was not disclosed to the authority has an ownership or other financial/controlling interest in a licensed business.

Also, Saratoga Springs police referred Gaffneys to the authority again on March 15 noting four violations of operating a disorderly premise.

The authority is also looking into two alleged stabbings at Gaffneys, including the one on Sunday morning.

The SLA opened an investigation following the reports of a stabbing  at Gaffneys and we are working closely with the Saratoga Police Department to obtain all necessary reports regarding this incident, SLA spokesman Joshua Heller said. The SLAs investigation into this matter is ongoing.

The authority also noted that it only imposes discipline on a licensee "after charges have been filed and the licensee is afforded due process."

The state authority may impose a civil fine of up to $10,000 per violation and/or a cancellation or revocation of the license. If a license is revoked, the holder of the license cannot have a license anywhere in the state for two years.
YEREVAN, MAY 2, ARMENPRESS. On May 2, Foreign Minister of Armenia Ararat Mirzoyan, who is on a working visit in Washington, held a meeting with the Director of USAID Samantha Power, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

The interlocutors commended the consistent development of the Armenian-US relations based on common democratic values.

Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized USAID's support in the reform initiatives of the Government of Armenia in a number of spheres, particularly in the fight against corruption, judiciary and patrol police. Reference was also made to the innovative, sustainable development programs implemented by USAID in Armenia within the framework of Armenia-US cooperation aimed at promoting democratic development, economic growth, and strengthening energy security, as well as implementing reforms in the social spheres in the country.

The sides also discussed the perspectives of expanding the cooperation and implementing new joint programs.

During the meeting, Minister Mirzoyan presented to the interlocutor the humanitarian issues resulting from the 44-day war. In this context, the need for the repatriation of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held by Azerbaijan was especially emphasized.
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ALBANY  Albany Center Gallery will open its newly renovated space across from its current gallery location on June 1. The expansion and renovations come while the gallery is celebrating its 45th year anniversary.

Its unreal to be able to expand because it is something based on our current location, we kind of outgrew it, said Tony Iadicicco, executive director of Albany Center Gallery. So its nice to be able to envision what the next few years will be like, as far as the expansion in the projects and programs well have.

The gallery received a $25,000 grant from the Carl E. Touhey Foundation last month. The grant will support the gallery for three years, and provides funds to rent the space and develop programs there.

That grant helped make this project possible. Without that, we wouldnt be having this conversation, Iadicicco said. The purpose is about trying to create more accessibility and programs and community spaces for arts and activities.

The gallery was given another $25,000 grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to help increase the amount of youth programming.

The idea is to have it be a really creative space or a creative hub where people have ideas or initiatives and theyre looking for a place to try to do a pilot program, Iadicicco said.

The gallery has held programs and workshops for students for many years  including the youth art series called LOOK! and has recently held several collaborations that will continue once the expansion is complete.

Expressing the need in Albany for more collaborations and access to art for youth, Iadicicco added, After all of those initiatives and kinds of projects, we keep seeing the need and demand for it. So were trying to help do all of those things and to have a consistent schedule, in addition to going outside of the galleries.

After the expansion is complete, the gallery will partner with the RED Bookshelf, a nonprofit community literacy program, to host monthly youth art workshops every second Saturday.

Im super-excited because what Albany lacks is enough dedicated spaces for young people to do activities, said Paul Collins-Hackett, executive director of the RED Bookshelf. Now, community efforts to make dedicated spaces for kids to work are very much appreciated.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Their goal of the collaboration is to combine the worlds of art and literacy to teach youth how they connect and can help them express themselves in their daily lives. They will also be given books and art supplies to take home with them after attending workshops so they can keep making art on their own.

The RED Bookshelf has been a great partner with us for the past few years. Weve worked with them on different parts and literacy initiatives, Iadicicco said.

The gallery's 45th year has already been a busy one for the organization. Recently, the gallery collaborated with the Empowering Arts service-learning program from Albany Medical College for a mural painting event free to the public. There are several more mural events planned for the good-weather months. Plus, it has been hosting its usual slate of exhibits, including the recent 23rd Annual High School Regional Juried Exhibition and several pop-up exhibits. Currently, they are hosting the 2022 Mohawk-Hudson Regional Invitational exhibition.
BRUSSELS (AP)  Poland urged its European Union partners on Monday to unite and impose sweeping sanctions on Russia's oil and natural gas sectors over the war in Ukraine, and not to cave in to pressure to pay for their gas in Russian rubles.

The appeal came as EU ministers met in Brussels to discuss their response to Russias decision last week to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. Energy giant Gazprom says the two countries failed to pay their bills in April.

We will call for immediate sanctions on Russian oil and gas. This is the next, and urgent, and absolute step," Polish Climate and Environment Minister Anna Moskwa said. We already have coal. Now its time for oil, and (the) second step is for gas. The best option is take them all together.

The EU has hit Russian officials, oligarchs, banks, companies and other organizations with rafts of sanctions since Moscow ordered an invasion of Ukraine in February. The commission is working on a sixth round of measures, possibly including oil restrictions, and could announce them this week.

The measures would have to be approved by the member countries, which could take several days.

In a move last week branded in Europe as blackmail, Russian energy giant Gazprom cut supplies to Bulgaria and Poland. It came after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that unfriendly countries must start paying for gas in rubles, Russias currency.

Bulgaria and Poland have refused to do so, like most EU countries. More Gazprom bills are due on May 20, and the bloc is wary that Russia might turn off more taps then. Russia rejects the claims of blackmail.

Both countries informed the ministers that consumers and industry face no immediate supply risk.

EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson warned that Gazproms action clearly shows that they are not reliable suppliers and that means all the member states have to have plans in place for full disruption to their supplies.

The 27-nation EU imports around 40% of the gas it consumes from Russia. But some member countries, notably Hungary and Slovakia, are more heavily dependent on Russian supplies than others, and support for a gradual phasing in of an oil embargo is emerging.

Germany believes it could cope if supplies of Russian oil were cut off by Moscow. Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that Russian oil now accounts for 12% of total imports, down from 35% before the war, and most of it goes to the Schwedt refinery near Berlin.

Germany is not against an oil ban from Russia. Of course it is a heavy load to bear, but we are ready to do that," Habeck told reporters. He said that a few more weeks or months to find oil transporting ships, and to better prepare harbors and pipelines would be useful.

Time is helpful but I think other countries have bigger problems, and as I have asked for solidarity or understanding of the German situation, I am also of course willing to understand the maybe more difficult situation for other countries," he said.

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 bulk of Monday's meeting focused on shoring up gas supplies and not giving in to Putin's demand that companies pay for gas in rubles. Around 97% of European contracts have been concluded in euros or dollars.

The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, has warned that companies ceding to pressure to convert euros to rubles through two accounts at Gazprombank would be in contravention of the blocs sanctions.

French Ecological Transition Minister Barbara Pompili, whose country holds the EUs rotating presidency until the end of next month, said all countries agreed that we should implement the sanctions and respect the contracts. And the contracts clearly say payment in euros.

Despite the pressure, Europe does have some leverage in the dispute since it pays Russia $400 million a day for gas, a huge dent in Moscow's coffers should it opt for a complete cutoff.

___

Frank Jordans in Berlin and Mike Corder in The Hague contributed to this report.

___

Follow the APs coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
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ALBANY  A former Cobleskill man pleaded not guilty Monday to a one-count indictment charging him with the April 13 stabbing death of 35-year-old Philip L. Rabadi, the man who married the defendants former girlfriend last September.

Jacob L. Klein, 40, of Virginia, a former area physician assistant who grew up in Schoharie County, faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder, the sole count handed up last week by an Albany County grand jury.

Rabadi, who worked as a surgical physician assistant at St. Peters Hospital in Albany, was discovered in his New Scotland home by his wife, Elana Radin, father, Shaw Rabadi, and an Albany County sheriff's deputy. They went to the home at 120 Miller Road after Rabadi did not show up for work, leading his wife to call 911. She also works as a physicians assistant at St. Peters.

On Monday, Klein pleaded not guilty before County Court Judge William Little, who ordered the defendant held in the Albany County jail without bail.

Kleins Manhattan-based attorney, Mark A. Bederow, did not oppose his clients detainment Monday but reserved the right to file a request for his client to have bail set.

Bederow, a former prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office, stressed that his client maintains a presumption of innocence.

"Theyre very serious allegations but we have to vet the evidence ourselves and make sure it is what it is," Bederow told the Times Union. "Theres been a lot of information thats come out by law enforcement sources. ... People should take that for what it is."

Klein, who graduated from Albany Academy and Clarkson University in Potdsam, rented a white Dodge pickup truck in Albany two days before the slaying. Law enforcement sources have told the Times Union that Klein rented an Airbnb on a street off New Scotland Avenue, within walking distance of St. Peter's Hospital. They have said they believe Klein visited the hospital while allegedly spying on the couple.

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 Times Union previously reported that a truck that Klein had rented was photographed by a license-plate reader traveling on Route 85 toward Rabadi's home on the morning of the homicide. Police suspect Klein entered Rabadi's home, tied the victim's hands behind his back, slashed and mutilated him, dragged him into the garage and left.

Klein was arrested on April 15 as he drove across the Virginia border from Tennessee.

The case is being prosecuted by assistant district attorneys Alexander Scher and Michael Wetmore, the latter of whom sought detention for Klein on Monday.

The next court date is set for June 3.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Jill Biden said she is heading to Romania and Slovakia later this week to visit with Ukrainian families who fled for their lives after Russia invaded their country in hopes of sending the message, despite language barriers, that their resilience inspires me.

The White House announced late Sunday that the first lady will spend Mother's Day meeting Ukrainian refugees, most of whom are women and children.

The May 8 meeting will take place in Slovakia. Biden is scheduled to depart Washington late Thursday on a five-day trip that will also take her to Romania. Both countries share borders with Ukraine, which has spent the past two months fighting off Russia's military invasion. Romania and Slovakia also are NATO members.

She discussed the trip Monday while touring a costume exhibit at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, saying she would spend the U.S. holiday dedicated to honoring mothers with Ukrainian families who have been displaced by Russian President Vladimir Putin's war.

As a mother myself, I can only imagine the grief families are feeling, said Biden, a mother of three. I know that we might not share a language, but I hope that I can convey, in ways so much greater than words, that their resilience inspires me, that they are not forgotten, and that all Americans stand with them still.

The trip will mark Bidens latest show of solidarity with Ukraine.

Nearly 5.5 million Ukrainians, mostly women and children, have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded its smaller neighbor on Feb. 24, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Many have resettled in neighboring countries or relocated elsewhere in Europe.

Throughout the trip, Biden will also meet with U.S. service members, U.S. Embassy personnel, humanitarian aid workers and educators, the White House said.

After arriving in Romania on Friday, she is scheduled to meet with U.S. service members at Mihail Kogalniceau Air Base, a U.S. military installation near the Black Sea.

The schedule then takes her to the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Saturday to meet with government officials, U.S. Embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers and educators who are helping teach displaced Ukrainian children. The first lady will travel to Slovakia to meet with staff at the U.S. Embassy in Bratislava, the capital.

On May 8, Biden will travel to Kosice and Vysne Nemecke in Slovakia to meet with refugees, humanitarian aid workers and local Slovakians who are supporting Ukrainian families that have sought refuge in Slovakia.

She plans to meet with members of Slovakia's government on May 9 before returning to the United States.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

President Joe Biden visited with Ukrainian refugees during a stop in Poland in March.

The trip will be the first lady's second overseas to represent the United States by herself, following her journey to Tokyo last year for the opening of the delayed 2020 Olympic Games. The trip also will mark her latest gesture of solidarity with Ukraine.

Four days after Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Biden appeared at a White House event wearing a face mask embroidered with a sunflower, Ukraine's national flower.

She also invited Ukraine's ambassador to the United States, Oksana Markarova, to sit with her during President Biden's State of the Union address in March and had a sunflower sewn into the sleeve of the cobalt blue dress she wore for the occasion.

Jill Biden spoke Monday at the Met about fashion as a means of communication. She said she had the sunflower applique sewn onto the cuff of her dress because she knew the only thing that would be written about her for the president's big speech was what she wore.

And that night, sitting next to the Ukrainian ambassador, I knew that I was sending a message without saying a word, that Ukraine was in our hearts and that we stood with them., she said.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal jury on Monday convicted a New York Police Department veteran of assaulting an officer during the U.S. Capitol riot, rejecting his claim that he was defending himself when he tackled the officer and grabbed his gas mask.

Thomas Webster, a 20-year NYPD veteran, was the first Capitol riot defendant to be tried on an assault charge and the first to present a jury with a self-defense argument.

Jurors deliberated for less than three hours before they convicted Webster of all six counts in his indictment, including a charge that he assaulted Metropolitan Police Department officer Noah Rathbun with a dangerous weapon, a metal flagpole. The assault charge alone is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, although sentencing guidelines likely will recommend a significantly shorter prison term.

Webster, 56, testified that he was trying to protect himself from a rogue cop who punched him in the face. He also accused Rathbun of instigating the confrontation.

Rathbun testified that he didnt punch or pick a fight with Webster as a violent mob attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, disrupting Congress from certifying Joe Bidens 2020 presidential election victory over then-President Donald Trump.

Two jurors who spoke to reporters after the verdict said videos capturing the officer's assault from multiple angles were crucial evidence rebutting Webster's self-defense argument.

I guess we were all surprised that he would even make that defense argument," said a juror who spoke on condition of anonymity. There was no dissention among us at all. We unanimously agreed that there was no self-defense argument here at all.

Another juror, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said Webster's self-defense claim just didn't stack up."

U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is scheduled to sentence Webster on Sept. 2.

Websters jury trial was the fourth for a Capitol riot case. The first three defendants to get a jury trial also were convicted of all charges in their respective indictments. A judge decided two other cases without a jury, acquitting one of the defendants and partially acquitting the other.

Webster, who wore a mask in court, showed no obvious reaction to the verdict.

We're disappointed, defense attorney James Monroe said after the verdict, but we recognized from the beginning that folks here (in Washington, D.C.) were quite traumatized by what transpired on Jan. 6. And I think we saw some of this expressed today.

Prosecutors asked for Webster to be detained, but the judge agreed to let him remain free until his sentencing. He'll continue to be monitored with an ankle bracelet. The judge said it was a "close call whether to jail him immediately but noted that he has complied with current conditions of release and doesnt have any prior convictions.

Webster drove alone to Washington from his home near Goshen, New York, on the eve of the Jan. 6 Stop the Steal rally. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a U.S. Marine Corps flag on a metal pole when he approached the Capitol, after listening to Trump address thousands of supporters.

Webster said he went to the Capitol to petition lawmakers to relook at the results of the 2020 presidential election. But he testified that he didnt intend to interfere with Congress joint session to certify the Electoral College vote.

Rathbuns body camera captured Webster shouting profanities and insults before they made any physical contact. Webster said he was attending his first political protest as a civilian and expressing his free speech rights when he yelled at officers behind a row of bike racks.

The body camera video shows that Webster slammed one of the bike racks at Rathbun before the officer reached out with an open left hand and struck the right side of Websters face. Webster said it felt as though he had been hit by a freight train.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

It was a hard hit, and all I wanted to do was defend myself, Webster said.

Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain.

After Rathbun struck his face, Webster swung a metal flag pole at the officer in a downward chopping motion, striking a bike rack. Rathbun grabbed the broken pole from Webster, who charged at the officer, tackled him to the ground and grabbed his gas mask.

Rathbun testified that he started choking as the chin strap on his gas mask pressed against his throat. Webster said he grabbed Rathbun by the gas mask because he wanted the officer to see his hands.

Rathbun reported a hand injury from a separate encounter with a rioter inside the Capitol. 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 faced counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer using a dangerous weapon; civil disorder; entering and remaining in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and engaging in an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.

Webster retired from the NYPD in 2011 after 20 years of service, which 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 more than 245 of them have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. More than 100 officers were injured.

Two other defendants testified at their trials. Dustin Byron Thompson, an Ohio man who was convicted by a jury of obstructing Congress from certifying Bidens presidential victory, said he was following orders from 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.

Two riot defendants didnt testify at their trials before jurors convicted them of all charges, including interfering with officers. One of them, Thomas Robertson, was an off-duty police officer from Rocky Mount, Virginia. The other, Texas resident Guy Wesley Reffitt, also was convicted of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun.

U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden, a Trump nominee who acquitted Martin of all charges, also presided over a bench trial for New Mexico elected official Couy Griffin. McFadden convicted Griffin of illegally entering restricted Capitol grounds but acquitted him of engaging in disorderly conduct.
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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.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The U.N. special envoy for Syria announced Tuesday that he has sent invitations to the Syrian government and the opposition for an eighth round of talks starting in late May, aimed at revising the constitution of the conflict-torn country.

Geir Pedersen told the U.N. Security Council that agreement on a revised constitution could contribute to a political solution of the 11-year conflict.

He said the seventh session of the Syrian Constitutional Committee ended on March 25, with delegations offering at least some revisions to some of the texts presented.

Pedersen said deputy special envoy Khawla Matar visited Damascus and Istanbul afterward for further discussions with the committees co-chairs and he had issued invitations for the eighth session Tuesday from May 28 to June 3 in Geneva.

He stressed that the drafting process will only move forward if the committees work is governed by a sense of compromise and constructive engagement aimed at reaching general agreement of its members.

A 2012 U.N. road map to peace in Syria approved by representatives of the United Nations, Arab League, European Union, Turkey and all five permanent Security Council members calls for the drafting of a new constitution. It ends with U.N.-supervised elections with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate. A Security Council resolution adopted in December 2015 unanimously endorsed the road map.

At a Russia-hosted Syrian peace conference in January 2018, an agreement was reached to form a 150-member committee to draft a new constitution. A smaller, 45-member body would do the actual drafting, including 15 members each from the government, opposition and civil society. It took until September 2019 for the committee to be formed and little progress has been achieved so far.

Pedersen stressed to the council in a video briefing that Syria is a hot conflict, not a frozen one.

He said airstrikes have increased in the northwest, there have been intensified clashes around Afrin and the northeast, and continued exchanges of rocket fire and shelling across all frontlines as well as improvised explosive devices, car bombs and other security incidents.

Pedersen urged the council to focus on Syria.

The current strategic stalemate on the ground and Syrias absence from the headlines should not mislead anyone into thinking that the conflict needs less attention or fewer resources, or that a political settlement is not urgent, he said. Indeed, a conflict of this scale requires a comprehensive solution in line with the 2012 road map.

While the war in Ukraine is quickly catching up, Pedersen said Syria remains the biggest displacement crisis in the world with 6.8 million refugees and 6.2 million people displaced in the country -- half the pre-war population.

Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya also warned that as the world turns to other conflicts Syria is on the verge of becoming yet another forgotten crisis.

Yet millions of Syrians struggle each month to survive, to feed their families and to provide a future for their children, she said. For many, their situation has never been more dire since violence erupted in 2011.

The results are in See the winners of each category of the 2022 Best of the Capital Region contest, as determined by popular vote.

Msuya said a staggering 4.1 million people in rebel-held northwest Syria need humanitarian aid, with almost a million people, mainly women and children, living in tents, half of which are beyond their normal lifespan.

In early July 2020, China and Russia vetoed a U.N. resolution that would have maintained two border crossing points from Turkey to deliver humanitarian aid to Syrias northwest Idlib. Days later, the council authorized the delivery of aid through just one of those crossings, Bab al-Hawa. That one-year mandate was extended for a year on July 9, 2021.

Msuya told the council that last year the U.N. sent some 800 trucks of cross-border aid to the northwest each month, consistently reaching 2.4 million people.

Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia has said aid should be controlled by the Syrian government, its ally, and delivered across conflict lines.

Msuya said three cross-line convoys have been sent to the northwest but they cannot substitute for cross-border aid deliveries at this point.

Nebenzia called this mere unwillingness to solve the problem of humanitarian deliveries from Damascus to Idlib.

Let me be frank, in such circumstances, we can hardly see any reason why the cross-border resolution should be renewed again, he said.
ALBANY  Former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo could enter the race for governor this year if the gubernatorial primaries scheduled for June are moved to August under new challenges being waged in state Supreme Court to the political boundaries that had been established by the state Legislature's Democratic majority.

The boundaries for Senate and congressional districts were thrown out last week as a result of a Court of Appeals ruling that found the redistricting process had been unconstitutional and polluted with partisan politics that favored Democratic candidates.

The ruling  which upheld two lower court decisions  did not directly disrupt the political boundaries established using the same process for state Assembly and statewide offices, including the gubernatorial primary scheduled for June 28. But new court challenges this week are aimed at having those thrown out as well, with the potential for the primaries for those races moved to August. Some lawmakers also have questioned whether having the state Senate and Assembly primaries in different months is a disservice to voters.

A key to Cuomo's entry into the governor's race would depend on his political will as well as what the courts decide regarding the ballot-petition process and whether that would be reopened for gubernatorial primaries.

Election law experts who studied the Court of Appeals' decision told the Times Union last week that while they didn't expect the ruling to impact the June 28 gubernatorial primary, they noted the petitions for that race had been gathered based on the congressional district boundaries that were thrown out by the ruling.

Cuomo has used campaign funds to finance an advertising blitz seeking to restore his image in the wake of sexual harassment allegations and other scandals. He has not said publicly whether he would consider entering the governor's race. Richard Azzopardi, a spokesman for the ex-governor, declined to comment.

There is also a possibility that he could enter the race by running on an independent line.

"If (former) Gov. Cuomo was interested in running in the Democratic primary he would have filed petitions weeks ago," a source close to the governor said. "It's much more likely that he would run against the extremists that have taken over both parties as an independent."

Cuomo, who still holds a formidable campaign war chest, has cited recent polls that indicate sagging voter support for candidates in the crowded gubernatorial field, including Democrats.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, seeking her first full term after taking office in the wake of Cuomo's resignation in August, is facing primary challenges from Democrats Jumaane Williams, the New York City public advocate, and U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi, D-Long Island.

A Siena College poll released in late March found that in a three-way Democratic gubernatorial primary, Hochul maintained a 40-point lead among registered Democrats over both challengers.

But a poll released by Siena last week indicated that nearly 60 percent of registered voters were not happy with Hochul's job performance, although her favorability rating remained steady with about 44 percent of voters. And just last month, Hochul lost her running mate, former Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin, who resigned in the wake of his indictment on federal corruption charges.

The March poll indicated Cuomo, who has hinted at a desire to return to politics, had the support of 30 percent of Democrats compared to 38 percent for Hochul and 10 percent for Suozzi, with Williams trailing at 7 percent.

That poll also indicated Cuomo had an overall 32 to 60 percent favorability deficit, while Hochul had a 45 to 35 percent favorability rating. Both had much stronger favorability ratings among Democrats.

The Court of Appeals' searing rebuke of the process used by the Democrat-led state Senate to redraw New York's political boundaries noted that assigning a state Supreme Court justice to redo the maps could be done swiftly and in time to "develop a schedule to facilitate an August primary election ... (and) completion of the petitioning process." An independent expert called a "special master" will assist the state Supreme Court justice in creating new political boundaries.

Gary Greenberg, a Greene County resident and former state Senate candidate, said he will file a petition Tuesday in state Supreme Court in Steuben County  where a judge initially struck down the Democrats' gerrymandered maps  in order to seek to have the maps of other political offices thrown out, including the Assembly and statewide offices. Greenberg said the primaries should all take place in August and not be bifurcated, which is currently the plan.

"Im doing this as a voter and a citizen of New York state whos tired of the corruption and wants to see change brought to the election system in New York," Greenberg said. "The laws are archaic and the elected officials refuse to even follow the laws. ... They only have themselves to blame, the Democrats. ... They overplayed their cards and now they should pay for that."

Greenberg said his petition will be filed as a separate case from the one pending in Steuben County.

Aaron S. Foldenauer, a former New York City mayoral candidate and attorney who specializes in election and campaign finance matters, joined the fray on Sunday when he filed a motion to intervene in the Steuben County case on behalf of Gavin Wax, the head of the New York Young Republican Club.

Foldenauer's motion notes that the lower court judge had previously also thrown out the Assembly maps, but that portion of the decision was not challenged on appeal, in part, because Assembly Republicans have said the maps created for their districts were not of concern.

The Court of Appeals' majority decision, which stunned many Democrats who believed the state's highest court would reverse the adverse lower court rulings, upended the political calendar and may require many candidates to obtain new petitions to get on the ballot as district lines are shifted. (The candidates had submitted petitions based on the political districts created by the Senate maps which have been thrown out.)

The possible opening for Cuomo, who resigned midway through his third term as governor, comes as he and his attorneys have been waging a crusade to clear his name of the sexual harassment allegations that led to his downfall. Cuomo has also stated publicly that he regretted resigning.

Cuomo's return to the public stage in recent months has included delivering speeches at Black congregations and other gatherings, as he and his attorney Rita Glavin have assailed the thoroughness of the state attorney general's investigation last year that concluded he had sexually harassed or acted inappropriately with multiple women.

Glavin also has sought to pressure the state attorney general's office to reopen its investigation because, she contends, the investigators' findings that Cuomo had been a serial sexual harasser were unsubstantiated. She also claims the investigation was biased and ignored evidence or conflicting testimony of alleged victims that should have shifted the final report.

But Cuomo also has faced other controversies, including his administration's manipulation of data during the pandemic to lower the number of deaths in New York's nursing homes attributed to COVID-19. In addition, he has faced investigations over whether state employees who helped produce a book he wrote about his administration's handling of the pandemic were volunteers or did the work on government time.

In February, Cuomo, who had about $14 million in his campaign account at the last filing, launched the advertising blitz specifically targeting the conclusions of investigations that found he had sexually harassed or engaged in misconduct with multiple women.

Several women's groups assailed the ads, accusing the former governor of "using campaign money to spread misinformation about the credibility of women who bravely came forward to report his abuses."
Japanese PM concludes successful visit to Vietnam

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and the high-level delegation of Japan left Hanoi on May 1 afternoon, concluding an official visit to Vietnam from April 30-May 1.













Prime Ministers Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Kishida Fumio at the joint press conference following their talks in Hanoi on May 1 (Photo: VNA)

During the visit, PM Kishida paid respect to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum, held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh, attended the exchange of cooperation documents, co-chaired a press conference with PM Chinh, participated in a seminar on Vietnam-Japan cooperation in technology renovation, digital transformation and supply chain diversification.



He also paid courtesy visits to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and had a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.



During his reception for the Japanese guest, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong laid stress on the great potential for bilateral cooperation. He welcomed the two countries building of plans to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship in 2023 so as to create durable foundation for the substantial, effective and practical ties in the future.



Meanwhile, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmed in his reception for PM Kishida that Japan is a reliable partner of top importance of Vietnam, and among the top priorities in Vietnams external policy.



At his meeting with NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, the Japanese PM shared that he has been a member of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance for more than 20 years, and so always value the exchange between the two parliaments. He asked Chairman Hue to continue contributing to bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially between the two law making bodies.



During their talks, the two PMs agreed on the major orientations and measures to further deepen cooperation across the fields, opening up a new period of development for the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.



They reached consensus on further enhancing political trust through maintaining high-level visits and contact, and improving the effectiveness of cooperative and dialogue mechanisms.



They welcomed the great strides in implementing outcomes of PM Chinhs visit to Japan last November, and agreed to intensify collaboration in post-pandemic economic recovery, and to work together to hold activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.



Following the talks, the two PMs witnessed the exchange of 22 cooperative documents between ministries, agencies, localities and enterprises of the two countries.



They co-chaired a joint press conference to announce the main outcomes of their talks, stressing that the two sides agreed to coordinate closely to promote their extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia for the sake of the two peoples interests, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.



Addressing the Vietnam-Japan seminar on cooperation in technology renovation, digital transformation and supply chain diversification, PM Kishida said cooperation possibilities between Japan and Vietnam are limitless, noting that the two countries have been promoting cooperation towards the post-COVID-19 period.



The visit by PM Kishida took place when the Vietnam-Japan ties are at their best ever. It contributed to deepening the bilateral relationship, implementing the outcomes of PM Chinhs visit to Japan last November, enhancing political trust between the two countries and good relations between their leaders and strengthening result-oriented in all fields, meeting the interests and aspiration of the two peoples.
Press Release

May 2, 2022 Dispatch from Crame No. 1256:

Sen. Leila M. de Lima on Rafael Ragos' retraction 5/2/22 I did not expect, at least at this stage, former NBI Deputy Director and BuCor OIC Rafael Ragos to retract his statements and testimonies implicating me in the Bilibid drug trade. After all, he played along with my persecutors in the Duterte Administration for so long I no longer hoped that he still had any remaining ounce of integrity in himself. In fact, it was his testimony in court that was used by the judge to deny my demurrer or motion to dismiss in one of the fabricated drug cases filed against me by the DOJ. His fabricated testimony, which he is now retracting, is the main, if not the sole, reason why that case was not dismissed and why I am still detained as the trial continues. Nevertheless, now that Ragos has mustered enough courage and conscience to own up to bearing false witness against an innocent person, I am glad that he did. It appears now that his participation in that conspiracy of lies was an involuntary one. I am grateful to him for identifying the personalities behind the conspiracy to destroy my reputation and put me in jail. I always knew that former DOJ Sec. Vitaliano Aguirre II was the leading instigator of the fabricated cases against me, after Duterte. So his name appearing in Ragos's affidavit of retraction did not come as a surprise. The mention of former NBI Deputy Director Reynaldo Esmeralda also came as no surprise. He has an axe to grind against me. The others, like former NBI Director Dante Gierran, DOJ Usec Raymund Mecate, Danny Yang, Roland Argabioso, and PAO lawyers Rigel Salvador and Demi Huerta, are new to me. I have also always suspected that the DOJ Panel of Prosecutors, or some of them, would have known that Ragos was lying on the witness stand. Ragos's retraction only confirms that they did and that, all along, they were guilty of suborning false testimony. With Kerwin Espinosa's and Ragos's retractions, I hope that it is now clear to the Filipino people that the false charges for illegal drug trading filed against me by the DOJ were the product of a long-standing conspiracy that started all the way back in September 2016 in the House of Representatives and the Senate, involving high government officials from the legislative and executive branches. At least, for the part of Ragos, the names of those conspirators are now known. It is only a matter of time before the rest are identified by other false witnesses, mostly convicted inmates of the Bilibid, who were either bribed or coerced to make up stories about my supposed involvement in the Bilibid drug trade. This is only expected as the mastermind of this despicable enterprise exits Malacanang at the end of his calamitous term. It appears, after all, that justice will still be served, no matter how late. Five years too late. But indeed, Truth often bides its time. It patiently waits and is never vanquished.### ((Access the handwritten version of Dispatch from Crame No. 1256, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_1256)
The Armenian military denies Azerbaijani accusations on opening fire at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

May 2, 2022, 11:52 Armenian military denies Azerbaijani accusations on border shelling

STEPANAKERT, MAY 2, ARTSAKHPRESS: The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense has released a false statement accusing the Armenian military units in opening fire from small arms and grenade launchers on May 1 in the direction of Azerbaijani military positions deployed in the eastern part of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The situation at the border is relatively stable and is under the Armenian militarys control the Armenian Ministry of Defense said.
A previously unknown enclosure was discovered last week in the townland of Garryard by volunteer OpenStreetMap contributor, Anne-Karoline Distel.

The archaeological monument was discovered near Cashel.

OpenStreetMap is an OpenSource map which works like Wikipedia in that anyone can edit it.

Anne was working on OpenStreetMap Irelands project to add all buildings to Irelands map using satellite imagery, when she spotted a circular crop mark in the townland of Garryard.

Being just as passionate about Irish heritage as she is about mapping, her interest was triggered.

Checking against older maps, she established that it was not recorded anywhere and reported her find to Jean Farrelly at the National Monuments Service.

The verdict arrived promptly with Jean calling it a lovely find and attributing a Sites and Monuments Record number to the structure: TS053-102.

Without further archaeological investigations, the structure was classified as an enclosure which could refer to an animal enclosure, but it could also be a ringfort where a farmers family would have lived and worked the surrounding fields.

Both Anne and Jean noticed a tree line south of the structure following the curvature of the crop mark.

This could indicate an old boundary surrounding a much larger (c. 120m diameter) structure around the possible ringfort.

This tree line is part of the townland boundary between Garryard and Garranmore, suggesting that this part of the townland boundary goes back to a time when the possible ringfort was settled.

Anne, who comes from an area in central Germany which is incidentally also called the Golden Vale and who has no formal background in archaeology, was thrilled about her find.

She said: Even though there are numerous ringforts already recorded in this area due to the fertile nature, I am excited to have found another one, especially with the added intrigue of the townland boundary following its curvature. It shows how meaningful and rewarding citizen science can be.

Anne, who lives in Kilkenny and works as a tour guide in Rothe House, has combined her passions for mapping and Irish heritage by starting a YouTube channel called OSM for History Buffs where she presents tutorials on how to map historical features like ringforts, field names, holy wells and creameries, to name but a few.
A top European Union official says the EU wants to start formal membership talks with North Macedonia by early this summer and renew efforts to address objections from neighboring Bulgaria
Mower, co-inventor of implantable defibrillator, dies at 89

A cardiologist who helped invent an automatic implantable defibrillator that has helped countless heart patients live longer and healthier has died
Officials say a truck that crashed on a remote highway spilled 2,000 gallons of hot asphalt binder in a Northern California forest last week and the driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI
A school bus driver for a central Virginia school district was charged with driving under the influence following what police call a hit-and-run crash and a brief chase
Alaskas largest school district has updated its policy to allow students to wear items that are expressive of their cultural heritage and identity during graduation
Scores of recently arrived migrants have been waiting for an appointment with federal immigration officials outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in central Florida, continuing days of delays by federal workers in processing them for their required check-ins
Health spending will be a centrepiece of the Victorian budget, setting the scene for an election stoush on the issue after two pandemic-plagued years.

Premier Daniel Andrews described the 2022/23 state budget, the eighth to be handed down by Treasurer Tim Pallas on Tuesday, as a pandemic repair plan.

"The centrepiece will be ... a massive investment in health and hospitals to repair the damage that the pandemic has done," he told reporters on Monday.

"This is all about making sure we've got more staff to treat more patients to catch up on some of the care that had to be deferred for safety's sake."

Although scant on details, Mr Andrews alluded to changes to encourage Victorians to see a GP for specialist referral sooner, ensuring fewer end up in the public hospitals.

"These are the legacies of a one-in-100-year event and the best way to deal with those is to invest," Mr Andrews said.

"Some would urge us to cut. That's not what we do."

The opposition has flagged health will be a key election plank, previously promising to build a $750 million hospital in Mildura and fix the state's embattled triple zero call service if it wins office in November.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said the premier has had eight years to remedy the health system crisis, which he says pre-dates COVID-19.

"He's out of time, he's out of ideas and out of money," he said.

With inflation soaring and interest rates predicted to rise, the Victorian government is also making a pitch to households to reduce cost of living pressures with a new $250 energy payment.

Under the $250 million budget commitment, the bonus will be open to all Victorian households who compare their energy deal online from July 1 to mid-2023.

There are about 2.5 million Victorian households and hundreds of thousands are expected to apply for the one-off payment, which is not means tested.

Mr Andrews said the scheme would not allow multiple members of the same household to double dip as the bonus is linked to each home's energy meter, but Victorians can re-apply for the payment if they move house.

Story continues

It is one of less than a handful of pre-announced measures in this year's budget, including $55 million to bring Crown Casino into line with royal commission recommendations and a tax hike on its pokies.

Crown Resorts on Monday warned shareholders the proposed changes could cost between $35 million to $40 million a year, based on its 2019 financial year earnings.

In comparison to previous years, 27 initiatives were unveiled before the 2021/22 budget and 38 in the budget before the last state election in 2018.

Victoria was forecast to post a $19.5 billion deficit this financial year after spending billions on health and business pandemic support, fuelling a predicted rise in net debt to $162.7 billion by mid-2025.

After lowering the state's credit rating last year, Moody's is warning Victoria faces "downgrade pressure" if its policy response to economic and fiscal shocks results in a larger and more pervasive rise in current debt forecasts.

John Manning, vice president of Moody's investors service, said the state's debt burden will rise significantly in the foreseeable future due mostly to its infrastructure works programs.

The rating agency is watching the budget to see what measures, if any, are implemented to narrow deficits.

"If there is a rapid and sustained increase in that debt burden, we think it's going to constrain the operating profile over time," Mr Manning told AAP.
A report from KCTV5 leads the local news with a powerful glimpse at cowtown real estate agents gone mad.

None of it really makes any financial sense . . .

Irrational exuberance, panic buying at the threat of a bubble bursting have created a sense of mania in the market. Even worse, real estate agents are hoping to capitalize on this trend to push buyers into making bad decisions.



Take a peek . . .



Its Insanity, said realtor Sherri Hines. Theres just a frenzy that you cant describe. The tension level with buyers and agents and lenders and inspectors--theres just a stress level across the board that is hard to even explain. You can blame supply and demand, but its more than that. One expert we talked with said that even if half of all the buyers in Kansas City just gave up and quit looking, wed still be a sellers market. We have this perfect mix where everyone now wants housing, and there isnt very much housing, said Realtor Michael Pierce. It takes a long time to build up new construction in order to get to a more balanced market again.



A lot of people are blaming outside investors. And there are plenty of people speculating on Kansas Citys real estate market. It includes institutional buyers who want to single-family dwelling to rent. Some are hedge funds. Its unclear just how many are speculating in Kansas city because no one is keeping track of the numbers. But they are making their presence known in the market. Realtors told us they see these all cash offers from big companies they didnt see five years ago.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Sorry, but so much red state tough talk that we hear from Kansas conservatives didn't really ring true this week.

If anything, the Kansas Republicans looked rudderless, uninspired, and beaten down by culture war push back from progressive activists.



HOWEVER . . .

Look for a more energized GOP at the end of the month and a few more fights ahead that INCLUDE DEBATE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA.



Here are the basics . . .



"The Kansas Statehouse was a flurry of activity during last week's veto session, with major legislation passed and two high-profile vdeo overried attempts falling short. Lawmakers will be back May 23."



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Crunch Time: Kansas Legislature churns through bills, override attempts Hide Transcript Show Transcript INTO OVERTIME TSHI PAST WEEK IN TOPEKA MAKING MAJOR MOVES ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES WE'VE DISCUSS ED IN LENGTH HERE ON OUR PROGRAM EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

Kansas lawmakers work at fast and furious pace during veto session. Here's what happened. Kansas lawmakers left Topeka on Friday after a week of veto session, passing several big pieces of legislation while falling short on a pair of controversial veto override attempts. Republican legislators had success overriding some of the bills vetoed by Gov.

Developing . . .
Live debates are sometimes the only chance residents get to see political candidates answer questions in public before ballots are cast.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, during which time communities raise awareness for mental illness through public education, fighting stigma and showing support for people struggling with mental health disorders. The Cayuga County Mental Health Task Force of the Community Services Board invites community members to participate in planned events and activities that acknowledge ongoing mental health struggles and promote mental wellness for all. The past two years have been challenging for many in different ways, and they highlighted the ongoing need to address the mental health needs in our community openly and honestly as we recover from a global pandemic.

What is mental health?

The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

How prevalent is mental illness?

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports the following sobering statistics:

 One in five U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year, but fewer than half get treatment.

 One in six U.S. youth experiences a mental health condition each year, but only half of them get treatment.

 Fifty percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.

 Suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34, and the 10th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and prevention reports:

 The number of adults reporting symptoms of anxiety tripled from 2019 to 2020.

 Symptoms of depression increased four times in adults in 2020 compared to 2019.

Locally, the Cayuga County Community Mental Health Center has served 3,150 residents in 2021, a 10% increase since 2019, totaling 31,485 visits last year. Accidental overdoses, including alcohol, over-the-counter and prescription medications, have increased by 56% since 2019 and suicides have more than doubled over the last two years. These developments demonstrate why support for mental health is needed more than ever.

What local events are planned?

Several events are planned throughout the month of May where you can show your support and solidarity for people with mental illness:

 Noon to 1 p.m. Friday, May 6: Walk Out for Mental Health Appreciation

Kick off Mental Health Awareness Month by walking out and walking over to the New York State Equal Heritage Center in downtown Auburn. This event is sponsored by the Auburn YMCA-WEIU in partnership with the Cayuga County Mental Health Task Force and features Lauren Walsh, director of community services and Cayuga County Mental Health, as a guest speaker.

 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 17: Tim Durant Recovery Walk

Meet at the Exchange Street Mall in downtown Auburn when Mayor Michael Quill will proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Month and National Drug Court Month. The proclamation will be followed by a walk to Clymer Street and back. This event is sponsored by Lifeworks of Cayuga County, NAMI, Auburn Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court, Auburn Behavioral Health Court, Cayuga County Felony Treatment Court, Unity House of Cayuga County/Grace House, and Nicks Ride 4 Friends.

The Auburn YMCA-WEIU is also planning a mental health panel event with date and speakers to be determined. Stay tuned for more information on this additional event.

What can you do to show your support?

Lime green ribbons represent mental health awareness to signify new life, new growth and new beginnings. The Cayuga County Families Access to Services Team is challenging community members, businesses and organizations to paint the community green during May.

 Participate in one or all of the listed community events and wear green.

 Decorate your office windows, storefronts or bulletin boards with green ribbons in recognition and celebration of mental health. Share your pictures on Instagram with the hashtag #paintcayugagreen and tag @cayugacofast and @mentalhealthgforcayugacounty.

How can you help someone who is struggling?

It may be hard to know what to say when you are suspecting a loved one or friend is struggling with mental illness. Here are a few suggestions on how to start the conversation with empathy:

 "I am worried about you. Do you want to talk about whats going on?"

 "I see that you are suffering and I am here for you."

 "It seems like you are going through a difficult time. How can I help you find help?"

 "I care about you no matter what. We are going to get through this together."

Normalizing the conversation around mental health is crucial to reduce the stigma still associated with it. It may encourage someone to reach out and seek help. The messages are Its OK not to be OK and you are not alone"  not just in May but all year long.

Timothy Donovan, of Auburn, is an observer of the Cayuga County Mental Health Subcommittee and a member of the subcommittees Mental Health Task Force. He is also a Cayuga County mental health advocate. He can be reached at timmy5710@yahoo.com.

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May 2, 1997

AUBURN  After more than 80 years in the city, SL Auburn is leaving town.

The company's assets were sold Thursday to Cooper Industries of Houston, Texas. The company is the owner of Champion spark plugs.

SL Auburn, formerly the Auburn Spark Plug Company, makes aircraft sparkplugs, aircraft ignition and screw machine products, industrial igniters, liquid level electrodes and motor terminals.

SL Auburn was formed in 1910 by the merger of the Auburn Ignition Company and the New York Mica and Manufacturing Company.

In 1971, the company was sold to SL Industries, based in Mt. Laurel, N.J.

The current York Street facility employs about 104, many of whom are represented by the United Paperworkers International Union local 8707.

"This is very sad, it's been a rough day," said Stephen Smith, company president.

Within six months, Cooper plans to move all of the equipment to another location.

 Compiled by David Wilcox

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German car brands facing urgency to shift to renewable energy sources for their operations in the wake of the energy-sector related disruption caused by Russia-Ukraine war.

German auto manufacturers have been facing an uphill struggle as they are increasingly focusing on shifting to greener powertrain technologies. A Reuters analysis claims that the automakers' dependence lays bare the hurdles they face in transforming their own energy consumption while moving the transport sector, which is responsible for around 30 per cent of German energy consumption, towards electromobility.

(Also read: BMW to build the world's first CO2-free vehicle plant in Hungary: Details here)

For example, Volkswagen depends on non-renewable energy sources for around 80 per cent of its needs, while for BMW the figure is well over 60 per cent, as revealed by 2021 Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) data, based on 2020 figures provided by the companies.

In order to reduce their dependence on fossil-fuel driven energy, the automakers are increasingly focusing on renewable energy sources. For example, Mercedes-Benz's most energy-efficient factory in Sindelfingen sources 30 per cent of its energy through solar panels on the roof. The automaker said in early April that renewables covered 45-50 per cent of its energy needs at present and that it aims for 15 per cent to be met through on-site renewable power generators by 2030. BMW's Leipzig plant, which makes the electric i3, generates 20 per cent of the energy it needs for production from four on-site windmills, as it revealed.

With these, the renewable power generators of the automakers in Germany cover only a minuscule amount of their global energy appetite, which is around one per cent for Volkswagen and even less for Mercedes-Benz and BMW, claims the report.

The recent Russian invasion in Ukraine and the energy sector-related disruption that emerged from that has expedited the urgency of shifting to renewable energy sources for the automakers' own power consumption.

First Published Date:
Until recently, a Russian spy had been working at the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, the enemy aide was exposed and detained by the Ukrainian security service.

Thats according to Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to the head of the President's Office, who spoke in an interview with Feygin Live, Ukrinform reports.

According to the official, in addition to the enemy asset in the General Staff, several other persons were exposed, who had no connection to military headquarters.

"One of the Russian spies is an employee of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The others had been tasked f shooting down a passenger plane over Russia or Belarus. After that, they (Russia - ed.) would blame the Ukrainian side," Arestovych said.

He added that this false-flag attack was allegedly supposed to be carried out using Ukrainian weapons - portable anti-aircraft missile systems. The spies planned to obtain the weapons, used by our troops, through volunteers. To this end, they had been trying to win trust of the latter, giving them real data on the movement of Russian troops, giving away the coordinates of Ramzan Kadyrovs ethnic Chechen unit.

"There are three components to this story that describe everything thats happening in the Russian army now. The first is shooting down a passenger plane, the second is deceiving their leadership, and the third is setting up the Kadyrovites," Arestovych concluded.

As reported earlier, on February 24, Russia launched a new phase of the eight-year war against Ukraine - a full-scale offensive. The enemy has been massively shelling and bombing peaceful towns and villages. The Armed Forces, the Territorial Defense Forces, and the entire Ukrainian nation have put up fierce resistance to the Russian onslaught, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.
Russian troops are creating conditions and making preparations for the offensive on Sloviansk and Sievierodonetsk.

The relevant statement was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

Russia continues to carry out a large-scale armed aggression against Ukraine and offensive operations within the East Operational Zone.

In particular, Russian troops in the direction of Popasna enhanced their ranks with one battalion tactical group deployed from Mariupol.

In the Popasna direction, the enemy attempted to improve its tactical positions near Popasna. One battalion tactical group was deployed from the Mariupol direction to enhance Russian troops, the report states.

In the Slobozhanskyi direction, Russian invaders continued to shell the city of Kharkiv and such settlements as Udy and Prudianka. In the Izium direction, the enemy conducted offensive operations in the Izium-Barvinnkove and Izium-Sloviansk directions. Russian troops were firing at Ukrainian positions.

In the Donetsk direction, Russian occupation forces were conducting offensive operations all over the contact line. In the Lyman direction, the enemy opened fire on the positions of Ukrainian forces on the Lyman-Siversk border to push them back and create conditions for the offensive on Sloviansk.

In the Sievierodonetsk direction, the enemy focused efforts to gain full control over Rubizhne and make preparations for the offensive on Sloviansk.

In order to increase the air-defense system, Russian troops deployed additional anti-aircraft missile systems within the temporarily captured and occupied areas of Luhansk Region and Zaporizhzhia Region.

In the Tavriiskyi and Southern Bug directions, the enemy attempted to improve its tactical positions and opened fire. In the Tavriiskyi direction, Russian troops are regrouping, accumulating fire damage systems, hardening positions, replenishing ammunition and fuel stocks.

In the Southern Bug direction, Russian invaders are attempting to reach the administrative borders of Kherson Region, seeking weak spots in the Ukrainian defense lines. In the direction of Mykolaiv, the enemy conducted air reconnaissance, using three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Russian troops launched artillery strikes on Ukrainian positions.

In the Volyn and Polissia directions, the separate units of the Belarusian Armed Forces continue to cover the Ukrainian-Belarusian state border in Brest Region and Gomel Region. The threat of missile strikes from the territory of Belarus is persisting.

In the Siverskyi direction, the enemy opened mortar fire on Ukrainian positions near Senkivky, Chernihiv Region.

The enhanced administrative-police and counter-intelligence regimes were introduced within the border areas in Russias Bryansk Region. Checkpoints were placed on roads and near settlements.

Over the past day, the Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense units have hit ten Orlan-10 UAVs. Ukrainian defenders repulsed 10 enemy attacks in Donetsk Region and Luhansk Region, having destroyed two Russian tanks, 17 artillery systems, 38 armored vehicles and 10 motor vehicles.

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In the area of Izium and in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, the enemy is attempting to attack the defensive positions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces every day. However, the Ukrainian military is in control of the situation.

That's according to the Telegram channel Operational ZSU, which cites the Commander of the Ukrainian Joint Forces, Serhiy Nayev, Ukrinform reports.

"The situation in the territories where the fighting is taking place is difficult. In particular, in the Izium direction, in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions, as well as in the area of Velyka Novosilka, the enemy is trying to assault defensive positions with battalion tactical groups every day. The enemy supports its offensive with air and missile strikes, multiple rocket launchers, artillery fire of all calibers and mortars. The situation is difficult, but it is controlled by the Armed Forces," Nayev said.

He noted that he was personally convinced of the numerous feats that Ukrainian defenders perform every day.

"I am confident in our service members, from soldiers to generals, who each in their place perform tasks to deter enemy attacks," Nayev said.

He added that work to reinforce each grouping repelling enemy attacks is carried out every day.

Earlier reports said that from February 24 to May 2, the Armed Forces of Ukraine killed about 23,800 Russian servicemen.
The Russian Federation is apparently preparing for the cholera epidemic in the regions bordering Ukraine.

This was reported by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

According to Ukraines intelligence, Russia's chief state sanitary doctor Anna Popova signed a resolution "On additional measures to prevent cholera." It focuses on additional prevention measures in the regions bordering Ukraine: Bryansk, Kursk, Belgorod, Voronezh, Rostov regions, Krasnodar Krai, as well as the occupied Crimea.

At the same time, the heads of the territorial departments of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) were instructed to prepare laboratories for cholera research by May 15, strengthen control over trade facilities, and crowded sites to raise awareness among the population about disease prevention measures. In addition, by June 1, they must ensure that medical institutions be ready to implement anti-epidemic measures and calculate the amount of medication needed.

In this regard, the intelligence agency suggests that in late May or early June, Russia's leadership may resort to provocations in areas bordering Ukraine, to traditionally shift responsibility onto Kyiv, accusing Ukraine of "using biological weapons."
After discovering gas deposits on the bottom of the Black Sea and starting work on its extraction and transportation, Turkey expects to start using this gas as early as next year.

This was stated by Turkeys Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Donmez, Takvim reports, according to Ukrinform.

"In a year, we will be able to use our own gas at home, if all goes well. When you brew tea on a stove, you will do it on gas extracted from 1000 meters deep in the Black Sea," the Minister said, addressing the countrys youths.

According to Donmez, Turkey intends to make full use of underground resources and attract them to its own economy, also already paying significant attention to clean energy.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, in August 2020, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey had discovered in the Black Sea the largest natural gas deposit in its history, with a capacity of 320 billion cubic meters. The works were carried out in the Sakarya area on the Danube-1 section.

In June 2021, the Turkish drilling vessel Fatih discovered new natural gas deposits in the Black Sea with a capacity of 135 bcm. Further exploration works were resumed in February 2022.

Photo: takvim.com.tr
Russia must be deprived of the funds it is using to finance its armed aggression against Ukraine, while any possibility of circumventing western sanctions must be ruled out. The assets seized from Russian oligarchs should be allocated for Ukraine's recovery.

This was stated during a press conference in Warsaw on Monday by Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawe Jabonski, Ukrinform reports.

"Massive funds  hundreds of billions of reserves in foreign currency, Russian oligarchs stocks, accumulated in the banks of Europe and around the world  must be seized in order to bring Russia to justice, to prevent them from fighting now and make them pay for this war," said Jabonski.

He added that these funds would be used to finance the reconstruction of Ukraine and the recovery of European economies.

The Deputy Minister stressed that the sanctions imposed on Russia so far are a very important but insufficient step, as Russia is actively seeking ways and loopholes to circumvent them.

Jabonski called the biggest problem that Russia has not yet been cut off from profits from oil and gas.

"And these are the main sources of income that allow Putin to finance this war. We emphasize that this embargo should be implemented as soon as possible," said the Polish senior diplomat.

According to him, if some countries arent ready to introduce them immediately, transitional mechanisms should be applied, such as the introduction of customs duties on energy.

He noted that some governments, including Hungary, Germany, and Austria, remain unwilling to impose an embargo on Russian energy. However, they need to be convinced of the need to take the step. Jabonski stressed that if this fails to be done, Putin will continue to manipulate energy prices and increase the impact on European economies.

Russia has been waging a large-scale war against Ukraine since February 24.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Jeppe Kofod will personally reopen the embassy in Kyiv on Monday after it was temporarily closed due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

"It's a very strong symbol of the Danish support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people that today we are reopening the doors to the Danish embassy," Foreign Minister Kofod told Danish broadcaster DR, Reuters reports.

As reported, more than 20 embassies have already been reopened in Kyiv, including those of the EU, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

During his visit to Ukraine on April 24, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the gradual movement of American diplomats to Kyiv.

On February 24, Russia launched a new phase of the eight-year war against Ukraine  a full-scale offensive. The enemy massively shells and bombs peaceful Ukrainian cities, towns, and villages. The Armed Forces, the Territorial Defense Forces and the entire Ukrainian people effectively resist Russian troops and inflict heavy losses on them.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov could not hide the antisemitism of the Russian elites and his words show that today's Russia is full of hatred towards other nations, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

According to Ukrinform, he said this on Twitter.

"FM Lavrov could not help hiding the deeply-rooted antisemitism of the Russian elites. His heinous remarks are offensive to President Zelensky, Ukraine, Israel, and the Jewish people. More broadly, they demonstrate that today's Russia is full of hatred towards other nations," Kuleba wrote.

In an interview with Italy's Mediaset broadcaster, Lavrov said that Adolf Hitler had Jewish blood, and the most ardent anti-Semites were usually Jews. Israel expressed outrage at such a statement.

Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, noted that Lavrov compares Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Hitler who killed six million Jews.

"This is how Russia is trying to explain its nonsense about 'denazification', in fact questioning the existence not only of the Ukrainian nation but also of the Holocaust," he said.

Berlin described Lavrov's latest statements as so absurd that they should not even be commented on, according to German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit.

Photo: President's Office
Electric scooter owners in Italy are facing a growing menace, the thieves are targeting the batteries of these EVs, reports Moto.It. The report claims that recently 12 people have been recently arrested in Milan in Italy for stealing the batteries of electric scooters. It also reveals that shared vehicles such as electric bicycles and e-scooters are the most affected. The thieves claimed to dismantle the cells and sell them on the black market or in the reconditioned second-hand market, most of the time to the buyers looking for replacement batteries for their own electric vehicles and oblivious to the fact that the batteries they are buying are stolen ones.

(Also Read: Ola Electric beats Hero Electric, becomes India's top electric two-wheeler brand)

The report claims that around 700 battery packs from electric vehicles have been stolen in the country between 2020 and 2021. One of the most popular electric scooter sharing companies in Italy, City Scoot has reported a high number of battery theft in 2020. The company reported around 600 batteries have been stolen, which cost around 600,000 Euros, as each battery pack costs around 1,000 Euros.

With the electric vehicles' demands and popularity rising, especially in the two-wheeler segment, chances are that the theft of battery packs is going to see a rise in numbers. The increase of battery swapping technology in order to keep the ownership cost of electric vehicles affordable is another factor that is drawing the attention of battery thieves.

Vehicle theft and vehicle parts theft have always been menace in the global automotive industry. Now with the change in the powertrain technology, the focus has shifted from petrol or diesel-powered internal combustion engines to electric motors and battery packs.

First Published Date:
Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba visited the town of Irpin in the Kyiv region where the Russian army committed atrocities.

According to Ukrinform, Kuleba said this on Twitter.

"We started Jeppe Kofod's trip to Ukraine with visiting Irpin. Russian army committed unspeakable atrocities here and in other towns of the Kyiv region. My Danish friend could see it all with his own eyes. We are both committed to bringing those responsible to justice," Kuleba wrote.

Kofod, in turn, tweeted: "Horrible to witness the destructions here in the suburbs of Kyiv. Denmark firmly supports the work to investigate and prosecute those responsible of these attacks."

Horrible to witness the destructions here in the suburbs of Kyiv. Denmark firmly supports the work to investigate and prosecute those responsible of these attacks. #ICC #Slavaukraini #dkpol pic.twitter.com/9NS9LUMNvD  Jeppe Kofod (@JeppeKofod) May 2, 2022

Earlier, Kofod raised the flag at the Danish embassy that resumed its operations in the Ukrainian capital.

Main photo: Dmytro Kuleba, Twitter
Ukraine, together with Moldova and the whole of Europe, will deter the escalation of the situation in Transnistria in order to prevent Russia from creating another front line there.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said this at a joint briefing with his Danish counterpart Jeppe Kofod in Kyiv on Monday, answering a question from an Ukrinform correspondent.

He noted that Ukraine would continue to support Moldova's sovereignty and territorial integrity and cooperate with the country in this area, "despite the fact that, frankly speaking, we expected a better response from Moldova to our requests for support at the beginning of the Russian invasion."

"Moldova does not need another front line in Transnistria, Ukraine does not need this front line. I am convinced that Europe does not need it either. Therefore, we will jointly restrain the escalation and keep the situation under control," Kuleba said.

According to the British newspaper The Times, citing Ukrainian military sources, there are a "number of indicators" pointing to an attack in the near future on Moldova.

A certain activity is already being observed in the airport of Tiraspol, the capital of the unrecognized republic of Transnistria. Russians may try to transfer its troops on Il-76 planes and helicopters taking off the occupied Crimea. At the same time, protests and riots are to be set up in Moldova's capital Chisinau.
The world must do everything possible to prevent the use of nuclear weapons by Russia. In particular, the UN General Assembly must adopt a resolution saying that a Russian nuclear attack on Ukraine would be regarded as a declaration of war on humanity.

This was stated in a comment to Guildhall by former Commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, MEP, Lieutenant General Riho Terras.

The use of nuclear weapons will yield no desired results to Russia, so I dont believe that they will strike. At the same time, I am convinced that we must do everything to ensure that this doesnt happen, the politician said.

That is why I support the initiative that the UN General Assembly should adopt a resolution that the use of nuclear weapons by Russia against Ukraine will be accepted as a declaration of war on all mankind, the MEP believes.

As for intentions to use nuclear weapons and statements in this regard, yes, I think that this is already enough to exclude Russia from the UN Security Council. At the same time, the position of China is important on the issue, but an attempt by the Russians to use nuclear weapons can change their position, Riho Terras concluded.

Ex-Minister of Defense of Lithuania, MEP Rasa Jukneviciene, shares the idea that Russias use of nuclear weapons would mean theyre at war with the whole world.

If the Russians reach the point of using nuclear weapons, it doesnt matter if it is London, Paris, Berlin or one of the cities of Ukraine, it will be considered a war against the whole world, against the entire planet, the former Lithuanian Defense Minister said.

These threats are not new to us, the Russian regime has been practicing such intimidation since 2009. Today, in the face of the heroic resistance of Ukraine and the failure of the Russians on the battlefield, they look like a cornered rat, hence such statements. The main thing for us is not to get intimidated, said Rasa Jukneviciene

When asked whether confirmation of the intentions of Russian officials to use nuclear weapons is enough to expel Russia from the UN Security Council, the MEP answered in the affirmative.

"Certainly. At the same time, the procedure that developed after World War 2 makes it difficult to do this because of Russias veto power. Today we are discussing the issue of creating an alternative structure to ensure global security. The UN has good initiatives in other areas, in particular in humanitarian terms, but the UN just doesnt work on security issues, Rasa Jukneviciene said.

We must help Ukraine even more, unite, and close Russia to stew in its own juice: they are like the USSR, they have no future, the politician summed up.

Also, the head of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Latvian Parliament, Atis Lejins, supported the initiative on the need for the said UN resolution to be adopted.

I support the voiced initiative that the UN General Assembly should adopt an appropriate resolution  if the Russian Federation uses nuclear weapons, this will be regarded as a declaration of war on humanity, the politician said.

At the same time, we must see the text of the resolution itself. It must be elaborately drafted, it must be innovative. But the essence of the initiative is very correct, said Atis Lejins.

As reported earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indirectly suggested that Russia could use nuclear weapons against Ukraine.

Also earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that the world should prepare for a nuclear strike by the aggressor power.

On the air of the Russia 1 TV channel, Russian propagandist Olga Skabeeva and MP Alexei Zhuravlev discussed how many seconds it would take for the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile to reach the capitals of Great Britain, Germany, and France  the nations supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Earlier, the head of the Center for Defense Reforms, coordinator of the interagency platform for countering hybrid threats, which operates within the framework of Ukraine-NATO cooperation, Oleksandr Danyliuk also stated that, in response to confirmation of intentions to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine, Russia should be excluded from the UN Security Council, and the UN General Assembly should immediately adopt a resolution that such a step on the part of the Russian Federation would be a declaration of war on humanity.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has discussed with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod Denmarks participation in the reconstruction of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian prime minister said this in a Telegram prost following the meeting with Kofod in Kyiv, Ukrinform reports.

I thanked for the decision to take part in reconstruction of Mykolaiv city together with other international partners. In addition, in the coming days, as promised by Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Ukraine will receive equipment and machinery that will help rebuild the liberated cities, Shmyhal wrote.

He also discussed with the Danish foreign minister the supply of military equipment, the strengthening of sanctions against Russia and refusal to import Russian energy sources. Shmyhal raised an issue of diversification of gas supply sources, as well as the supply from Denmark of petroleum products and raw materials necessary for farmers.

"I thanked Denmark for its strong political and financial support. We also count on its support for Ukraine in gaining the status of a candidate for EU membership and the European Commission's approval decision to suspend import duties on all Ukrainian exports for a year, Shmyhal stressed.

As reported, on May 2, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod arrived in Kyiv, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian president assured that Ukraine appreciates Denmark's support at this difficult time.

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The evacuation of people from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol does not concern the military and the wounded, because the United Nations, which facilitates the process, does not assume such responsibility.

"We continue to call for the evacuation of our people. Several tracks are being worked on. Now one of the tracks is proposed by the United Nations. I know that this evacuation, unfortunately, does not concern the military or the wounded. They do not assume such a responsibility. The UN is only ready to help evacuate civilians. We have already taken a certain number of people out of Mariupol when Russia did not block [the routes]. Now we are talking about civilians [who hide] at Azovstal. There are people there who are afraid of going outside because they are being killed. Now we talk about this. We work on this track," Zelensky told Greek newspaper EPT News in an interview, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

The issue of evacuating people from Azovstal is very difficult, the President noted. According to him, now everything depends on the Russian side which Ukraine does not trust.

At the same time, he assured that the Ukrainian authorities do not forget anyone and try to organize evacuation from the blocked city whenever it is possible.

As reported, more than 100 civilians were evacuated from Mariupol on May 1.

On April 30, twenty civilians  women and children  were evacuated from the Azovstal plant destroyed by Russian shelling.

About 1,000 civilians and Ukrainian servicemen, including about 600 wounded, still stay in the plants territory.

Mariupol experiences one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes caused by Russian aggression. The invaders bomb unarmed residents, block the delivery of humanitarian aid, and deport Ukrainian citizens to the depressed regions of Russia.

Soldiers of the Azov Regiment, marines, and motorized riflemen continue to defend Mariupol.

ol
Ukraine will work tirelessly to ensure that the lives of Ukrainian defenders in Mariupol, including the wounded, are not left to the discretion of the Russian army.

This was stated by Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, who spoke at a joint briefing with Denmark's top diplomat Jeppe Kofod, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In particular, Dmytro Kuleba praised the tireless efforts of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross contributing to the successful evacuation, adding that the situation was very fragile and the arrangements could fall apart at any moment.

At the same time, Id to emphasize that this evacuation concerns only civilians. We still have Ukrainian defenders, including the wounded, badly wounded Ukrainian soldiers, and their lives should not be left to the discretion of the Russian army, which continues to bomb their positions, said the Ukrainian foreign minister.

He stressed that Ukraine would work tirelessly to ensure that the as many lives as possible are saved in Mariupol.

As reported, more than 100 civilians were evacuated from Mariupol under the Evacuation Azovstal operation on May 1. On April 30, the command of the Azov Regiment, the Ukrainian unit defending Mariupol, reported that 20 women and children had been evacuated from the plant bunkers.

There are about 1,000 civilians and Ukrainian servicemen at the Azovstal steel plant, including about 600 wounded soldiers.

Russia's aggression caused one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes in Mariupol.
MISSOULA  A recent University of Montana survey found state residents still generally support tourism. However, there are growing worries about overcrowding, quality of life and newcomers flooding the state due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 1992, UMs Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research has conducted annual surveys of Montana residents on their attitudes toward tourism within the state. This study is conducted from October to December to track perceptions of the tourism industry in Montana.

In addition to a standard set of questions about their attitudes toward tourism in 2021, residents were asked about the economic benefits of tourism, travelers and travel behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A large majority of Montanans (71%) still agree that the overall benefits of tourism outweigh the negative impacts. Similarly, more than eight out of 10 residents agree that tourism promotion by the state benefits their communities economically.

That question, however, saw a great deal of variation in its level of agreement when different travel regions of the state were compared. For example, the areas with the highest level of agreement are closest to Yellowstone National Park, with the lowest level of agreement being in the Missouri River travel region in northeast Montana.

When it comes to a sense of overcrowding due to visitors in 2021, residents expressed the highest level of agreement since the start of the annual survey nearly 30 years ago, with 56% of residents agreeing that the state is becoming overcrowded because of more tourists. This is the first time more residents have agreed than disagreed with this statement. When compared to pre-pandemic levels, this represents a 75% increase since 2019. The residents who live closest to Montanas two national parks had the highest levels of agreement regarding crowding.

When it comes to quality of life for Montana residents, more respondents than ever expressed concern, with just under 40% agreeing that quality of life would improve if tourism increased. When looking at trend data for this statement, sentiment began to shift toward disagreement before COVID-19 began  only to be exacerbated by pandemic conditions.

For the second year in a row, residents were asked questions related to COVID-19 and travel. Less than half of Montana residents stated they are concerned about visitors in their community, and just under half agreed they were more likely to travel within Montana than out of state due to the pandemic.

Compared to 2020 data, residents in 2021 were less concerned about visitors in their community and were more likely to leave Montana for travel  showing some easing of pandemic worries.

Finally, residents had the chance to share comments with surveyors, and many noted that the crowding they perceive is not necessarily from tourism and visitors, but from those who chose to move to Montana during COVID-19. These residents also expressed the sentiment that tourism within the state is good economically, but the influx of new residents is having an impact on housing costs and affordability for locals.

For the full report, visit https://scholarworks.umt.edu/itrr_pubs/428/. All ITRR reports are available online at http://itrr.umt.edu/.

###

Contact: Jeremy Sage, economist and interim director, UM Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, 406-243-5552, jeremy.sage@umontana.edu; Carter Bermingham, ITRR social scientist and research associate, 406-243-2872, carter.bermingham@umontana.edu.
LOS ANGELESAdult industry mental health nonprofit Pineapple Support has appointed Eve Batelle and Sabien DeMonia as brand ambassadors. The adult personalities join the eight other ambassadors who represent Pineapple Support, helping to extend support to performers and increase the organizations reach within the adult community.



Batelle, an adult industry veteran and content creator, and DeMonia, an up-and-coming performer and fellow creator, will be points of contact for talent in the industry who want to know more about the organization and how to receive support.



Our brand ambassadors are very passionate about the well-being of our community, and actively look for those who may need our support, while helping to raise awareness of Pineapple Support within the adult industry, says Leya Tanit, CEO and founder of Pineapple Support. They uphold Pineapples values of equality and kindness and work to spread positivity, supporting those in need. Im thankful to both Eva and Sabien for helping to champion mental health in the community.



Tanit founded Pineapple Support in 2018, after a string of losses in the adult industry from depression and other mental illnesses. The organization, which is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization in the United States, has so far connected over 5,000 adult performers to mental health services, including free and low-cost therapy, counseling and emotional support.



For more information and to become a member of Pineapples United, the membership club for members of the adult industry, visit Pineapplesupport.org/ Pineapples-United. If you have a business and would like to find out how to become an official sponsor of Pineapple Support, view the available packages by visiting Pineapplesupport.org/ sponsorship.
PHOENIX  Entrenue on Monday announced it has been named exclusive U.S. distributor of a line of fragrances created by a collaboration between Eye of Love and "Millionaire Matchmaker" Patti Stanger. The Matchmaker collection consists of four unique formulas made to attract with potent blends of pheromones and fragrances.

Human pheromones are said to send subconscious scent signals to certain sexes and can trigger powerful sexual responses, and the Matchmaker collection is customized with that in mind. Packaged in striking glass diamond bottles, each scent is designed with a specific purpose. Shoppers simply choose their favorite scent, and then choose who they wish to attract:

Red Diamond is a sensual blend of jasmine, grapefruit, and amber with a touch of citrus. Red Diamond is available in two formulas: one for those looking to attract men and another for those who wish to attract women.

Black Diamond is a bold blend of cedar, black currant, and lemon. Undertones of oak, white amber, and musk. Black Diamond is available in two formulas: one for men looking to attract women and another for those who wish to attract men.

We just love the Eye of Love products, and our customers certainly appreciate their clever products, Entrenue Senior Sales and Buyer Kim Maty said. These scents are totally new, and the packaging is just stunning. Pheromone body care is always intriguing to customers and these beautiful diamond bottles are sure to turn heads in stores. Eye of Love has consistently done well for our retailers, and with the additional fanfare from their collab with reality TVs 'Millionaire Matchmaker,' the Matchmaker collection makes it fun for shoppers to add some pheromone magic to their self-care.

In addition to the exciting Matchmaker collection, Entrenue is also offering Eye of Loves luxurious new Natural collection of pheromone-infused body oil, hair oil, and beard oil. Each is made with all natural ingredients and available in Attract Her and Attract Him formulas.

To view Eye of Love scents and the rest of Entrenues newest catalog, log into your account at entrenue.com to start browsing.

To place an order, call (800) 368-7268, email [email protected] or visit Entrenue.com.
Madrid, May 2 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2022 ) :An injured Naomi Osaka made a second round exit from the Madrid Open on Sunday, falling 6-3, 6-1 to home favourite Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Four-time major champion Osaka revealed she sustained an Achilles injury after her opening win against Anastasia Potapova and that it limited her performance against the tireless Spaniard.

It was the Japanese star's second consecutive loss to Sorribes Tormo, who advanced to a last-16 showdown with Russia's Daria Kasatkina.

Osaka, playing with tape on her left lower leg, dropped serve in game three as Sorribes Tormo extended the rallies to draw the errors from her 24-year-old opponent. But the Spaniard's lead did not last as Osaka retaliated immediately to draw level for 2-2.

Sorribes Tormo took four of the next five games though to grab the opening set on the 49-minute mark.

Osaka was broken early in the second and called for the doctor, who gave her Ibuprofen for the pain.

The 25-year-old Sorribes Tormo breezed through the second set and the contest was over in under 90 minutes.

Osaka is not too concerned about the Achilles problem but admits she could have managed the injury better by taking painkillers sooner than she did.

"I feel like I couldn't play the way that I wanted to play, like I was limited. So there are various things I thought I could do better from the match previously, but I just couldn't do it," Osaka explained.

Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu played a near flawless match to dismiss Ukrainian teenager Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-1 and reach the last-16 of a WTA 1000 tournament for the first time.

US Open champion Raducanu, who is playing just the second tour-level clay-court event of her career, committed just five unforced errors and dropped a mere three points behind her first serve en route to a 64-minute victory.

"I'm definitely very happy with my performance today. Marta is a great opponent," said Raducanu of her fellow 19-year-old Kostyuk.

"We've played several times in the juniors and then once last year.

"I knew it was always going to be a really tough battle so I went out there trying to be really aggressive.

"It's pretty funny because it's my first clay-court season and I'm really enjoying it. Madrid is such a cool city and it's got such a great vibe about it so I definitely want to try and stay here for as long as possible." Raducanu will square off with another Ukrainian in the next round in the form of world number 37 Anhelina Kalinina, who posted the first top-10 victory of her career on Sunday by upsetting home favourite and world number nine Garbine Muguruza 6-3, 6-0 in 81 minutes.

Earlier in the day, Canadian Bianca Andreescu claimed her first top-10 victory on clay, and first on any surface since the 2019 US Open final, by upsetting world number eight Danielle Collins 6-1, 6-1 in second round action.

Andreescu, who spent six months away from the sport citing mental health reasons, is competing in just her second tournament back and surprised herself by being so dominant in her 69-minute win over Collins, who made the Australian Open final a few months ago.

"I did not expect for it to go like that at all but I stuck to my game plan and it worked so I'm very happy," said the 21-year-old Andreescu, who is a former world number four but is currently down to 111 in the rankings.

"(The performance gives me) a lot of confidence because I've been trying to find my way back and we were talking the other day how I hope it doesn't take too many matches and I'm just so happy that I was able to get in that zone again," added Andreescu, who next faces American world number 14 Jessica Pegula.
Baghdad, May 1 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2022 ) :Iraq on Sunday was yet again covered in a thick sheet of orange as it suffered the latest in a series of dust storms that have become increasingly common.

Dozens were hospitalised with respiratory problems in the centre and the west of the country.

A thick layer of orange dust settled across streets and vehicles, seeping into people's homes in the capital Baghdad.

Flights were grounded due to poor visibility at airports serving Baghdad and Najaf, with the phenomenon expected to continue into Monday, according to the weather service.

"Flights have been interrupted at the airports of Baghdad and Najaf due to the dust storm," the spokesman for the civil aviation authority, Jihad al-Diwan, told AFP.

Visibility was cited at less than 500 metres (550 yards), with flights expected to resume once weather improves.

Hospitals in Najaf received 63 people suffering from respiratory problems as a result of the storm, a health official said, adding that the majority had left after receiving appropriate treatment.

Another 30 hospitalisations were reported in the mostly-desert province of Anbar in the west of the country.

Iraq was hammered by a series of such storms in April, grounding flights in Baghdad, Najaf and Arbil and leaving dozens hospitalised.

Amer al-Jabri, of Iraq's meteorological office, previously told AFP that the weather phenomenon is expected to become increasingly frequent "due to drought, desertification and declining rainfall".

Iraq is particularly vulnerable to climate change, having already witnessed record low rainfall and high temperatures in recent years.
MONTREALMariskaX, in partnership with Your Paysite Partner, has launched new niche website ComeInside.com.

Commented MariskaX owner and namesake Mariska, "Due to COVID restrictions these past couple of years, our production team had a lot of catching up to continue delivering exclusive content to our providers. Once things got back on track, we had an idea to branch out with a new brand and site concept. We knew cream pie to be a popular niche, and with my circle of horny friends and actors, plus Your Paysite Partner once again on board, ComeInside was born!

The new site features a fresh update every day of the week with solo scenes, behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and the signature cream pie scenes to which its title refers, both vaginal and anal.

A company rep stated that while Mariska will be featured in some of the content, she is more hands-on behind the camera as a producer and working closely with her editing team.

We have been thrilled working with Your Paysite Partner on my signature site MariskaX.com. After talking to them about ComeInside, we knew that they would be the perfect fit for us once again," Mariska added. "Partnering with them takes the worry out of many things, so we can really focus and have fun producing the content while their team handles everything else."

ComeInside is now available to promote at RadicalCash.com.

Follow Mariska and ComeInside on Twitter @Mariskaxxxxxxx and @ComeInsidecom, respectively.

For more information, contact [email protected] yourpaysitepartner.com.
The Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Tuesday with religious fervor in Balochistan including its provincial capital

QUETTA, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2022 ) :The Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Tuesday with religious fervor in Balochistan including its provincial capital.

In this regard, Eid-ul-Fitr prayers will be offered at 7:30 am in the Governor House lawn.

Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjarani, Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Chief Secretary Balochistan will offer Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at Governor House Lawn on Tuesday at 7.30 am while Acting Governor Balochistan Mir Jan Muhammad Jamali will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in his hometown.
(@Abdulla99267510)

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan have agreed to build partnerships and accelerate cooperation in the areas of investment, economic development, energy, infrastructure and agriculture.

Abu Dhabi: ( UrduPoint/ UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-May 2nd, 2022) Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed the commitment to further strengthen their economic and trade relations.

The understanding was reached during a meeting the other day between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

The two leaders agreed to build partnerships and accelerate cooperation in the areas of investment, economic development, energy, infrastructure and agriculture.

Discussing the regional and international matters of mutual interests, the two leaders decided to maintain close contact for a united stand at international forums including the United Nations and the OIC.

The Crown Prince assured collective and effective efforts to strengthen bilateral relationship in the interest of future generations of two countries.

He recognized the contributions made by Pakistani community in the development of the UAE.

Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said both the UAE and Pakistan have always stood by each other in difficult times and they will continue to extend cooperation in the future as well. He underlined the need for greater people to people contacts between the two fraternal countries.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his gratitude to the UAE for its consistent support to Pakistan at bilateral level and the international forums.
(@FahadShabbir)

Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to the United States from May 2 - 6 to meet with government officials and participate in a bilateral strategic dialogue session, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said on Monday

YEREVAN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2022) Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will pay a working visit to the United States from May 2 - 6 to meet with government officials and participate in a bilateral strategic dialogue session, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said on Monday.

"Mirzoyan will arrive in the United States on a working visit to participate in Armenia-US strategic dialogue meeting. In Washington, Mirzoyan will hold meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, Special Assistant to the President Amanda Sloat and other counterparts," the ministry said in a statement.

Meetings with senior US Congress officials and a speech at the Atlantic Council think tank are also on the diplomat's agenda.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin has wished Muslims across the world a happy Eid ul Fitr, a celebration marking the end of the Holy month of Ramazan

BEIJING, May 2 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd May, 2022 ) :Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin has wished Muslims across the world a happy Eid ul Fitr, a celebration marking the end of the Holy month of Ramazan.

"Eid Mubarak! On this day of Eid ul Fitr, I wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters around the world, a peaceful and joyful Eid," he said in a video message here on Monday.

In Pakistan, the Eid ul Fitr will be celebrated as per announcement of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Tuesday.

However, Eid ul Fitr is being celebrated in Saudi Arabia, UAE and other Arab countries and United Kingdom (UK) today.
Georgia extradited two Lebanese citizens to the United States to face charges linked to an alleged international money laundering conspiracy, the US Justice Department said on Monday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2022) Georgia extradited two Lebanese citizens to the United States to face charges linked to an alleged international money laundering conspiracy, the US Justice Department said on Monday.

Georgia extradited Mohamad Yassine and Hassan Rahman to the United States on Saturday, where they face charges for allegedly participating in a Lebanon-based money laundering group between June 2017 and March 2018, the Justice Department said in a press release.

The organization is accused of laundering illicit funds, including narcotics proceeds, all around the world using a system of cash mules and wire transfers, the release said.

"The defendants operated a sophisticated money laundering conspiracy that used the international banking system to move bulk cash by sending wire transfers for criminals throughout the world," US Attorney Breon Peace said in a release. "This Office is committed to working with our international partners to dismantle the money laundering networks upon which drug traffickers and other criminals rely."

Yassine, 51, and Rahman, 38, face up to 40 years in prison if found guilty on the charges brought against them, the release added.

The two are expected to be arraigned at a Federal courthouse in Brooklyn on Monday by Judge Sankey Bulsara, according to the release.
TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2022) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is unlikely to attend the inauguration ceremony of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, Japanese media report.

The inauguration ceremony, scheduled for May 10, will likely be attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Kyodo news agency said on Monday, explaining that unresolved historic issues, such as the so-called "comfort women" system, remain between the two countries.

In April, Yoon Suk-yeol invited South Korea's former president Park Geun-hye to attend the May 10 inauguration ceremony.

Park was dislodged in 2017 due to a political scandal involving her friend, Choi Soon-sil, who was accused of interfering in South Korean politics by influencing Park's decisions. The ex-president was also charged with accepting bribes worth 3.5 billion won ($2.7 million) from three former chiefs of the National Intelligence Service in 2013-2016 and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2018.

In December 2021, Park Geun-hye was granted a special pardon as part of the new year amnesty.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2022) Moscow was forced to develop hypersonic weapons, knowing that the US missile defense system would be directed against Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday.

"We were forced to develop hypersonic weapons, because we knew very well that the US missile defense system would be directed not at North Korea and Iran, but against Russia and subsequently China," the minister told Italian broadcaster Mediaset.

According to Lavrov, Russia needed weapons capable to overcome this anti-missile defense.

"Otherwise, the country possessing missile defense and offensive weapons may be tempted to strike a first blow in the hope that a retaliatory strike will be suppressed by missile defense systems," the minister explained.
(@FahadShabbir)

The governor of Russia's Belgorod Region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has said that two powerful explosions occurred in the region, which borders Ukraine, with no damage or casualties reported

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2022) The governor of Russia's Belgorod Region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, has said that two powerful explosions occurred in the region, which borders Ukraine, with no damage or casualties reported.

"Thirty minutes ago I woke up because of two strong blasts. According to the operational headquarters, there is no damage or destruction. There were no casualties. Footage of flashes in the sky has already appeared on social networks. Most importantly, there were no casualties or damage. I'll try to get more information in the morning," Gladkov said on Telegram on Sunday night.

The governor specified later in the day that the blasts had not been caused by any incoming attack from Ukraine.

"Our (Russian) military aviation was carrying out combat missions as part of the special military operation. Nothing threatened the security of local residents," Gladkov said on Telegram.

Early in April, a fire broke out at an oil depot in the Russian city of Belgorod, located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of the Ukrainian border. Gladkov said that the fire was caused by airstrikes carried out by two Ukrainian military helicopters that had entered the Russian airspace at low altitude.

Ukraine has carried out several attacks on the Russian regions along its border amid Moscow's special military operation.
(@FahadShabbir)

The United States is forced to delay weapons supply to Taiwan until 2026, given the country's overloaded defense industry, the Taiwanese defense ministry said on Monday

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 02nd May, 2022) The United States is forced to delay weapons supply to Taiwan until 2026, given the country's overloaded defense industry, the Taiwanese defense ministry said on Monday.

In August 2021, the US State Department approved a $750 million arms sale of artillery systems to Taiwan, with the delivery of 40 M109A6 Paladin medium self-propelled howitzer systems scheduled for 2023.

"The production line is crowded out," the ministry said in a statement, as quoted by the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post.

The US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a legislation allowing the Biden administration to engage in lend-lease deals for military equipment with Ukraine and other Eastern European countries.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is seeking alternative ways to receive the howitzers amid the delay, the country's defense ministry said.

"The defense ministry is currently reviewing alternative plans," the statement said.

Last Friday, the Chinese embassy in Washington said that the US should stop selling weapons to Taiwan, as China reserves the right to respond to any foreign meddling.

The Taiwan issue contributes to exacerbating relations between China and the US. Washington continues to sell weapons to the island, maintain official and military contacts with Taipei. Beijing calls on the US to stop such provocations.

Official relations between Beijing and Taipei broke down in 1949 after the Kuomintang forces led by Chiang Kai-shek defeated by the Chinese Communist Party in the civil war moved to Taiwan. business and informal contacts between the island and China resumed in the late 1980s. Since the early 1990s, the two sides have been in contact through nongovernmental organizations, including the Beijing Association for the Advancement of Relations across the Taiwan Strait and the Taipei Cross-Strait Exchange Foundation.
A panel of social workers and social welfare organizational leaders from a variety of organizations in the community shared stories of their professional journeys with students in the USF School of Social Work. The panelists discussed the type of work they presently conduct and the observed trends in the populations they serve. They also highlighted the current demands of the field, hiring needs their respective organizations are experiencing, and the types of jobs that will be available for graduates now and in the future.

The room was filled with students eager to gain advice from current social work professionals.

Panelists included Jen Fletcher, social services manager at the Pace Center for Girls, Hernando; Charlotte McHenry, president/CEO of the Senior Connection Center; Rosa Contreras, chief program officer of The Spring of Tampa Bay; Larry Cooper, chief of prevention and intervention services of Childrens Home Network; Jacob Glover, intake/pre-release specialist at Abe Brown Ministries, Ready 4 Work Hillsborough; and Mark Cardillo, program director of HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital.

Left to right: Jen Fletcher, Charlotte McHenry, Rosa Contreras, Larry Cooper, Jacob Glover, and Mark Cardillo
One of the more interesting streaming stories recently isnt about particular content or even a particular streaming platform, but an unlikely alliance on the streaming devices consumers use to access those platforms. NBCUniversal parent Comcast has been developing and selling their own Flex streaming devices and XClass smart televisions for some time now, and last week, cable rival Charter (Spectrums parent company) announced theyre joining Comcasts project in a 50/50 venture rather than developing their own. Alex Sherman has more on the implications of that at CNBC:

Comcast and Charter said they had developed a 50/50 venture to push Comcasts Flex streaming platform into more homes across America. Comcast will license Flex to Charter, giving Charters Spectrum subscribers access to the interface. Comcast also will contribute its smart TV business (XClass) and free ad-supported streaming service Xumo to the venture. Charter, in turn, will make an initial contribution of $900 million to fund expenses and expansion. In addition, Charter will offer Flex-operated devices and associated voice-controlled remotes, beginning in 2023. While Flex isnt a new product, the partnership nearly doubles the devices potential install footprint. Nearly every person or family that moves into a new house or apartment needs to set up home broadband. Comcast and Charter are the largest home high-speed broadband connectors in the country. Hundreds of millions of U.S. households already use a streaming device and may not feel a desire to switch. But Comcast and Charter service more than 200 million people in U.S. households combined. Comcast CEO Brian Roberts and Charter CEO Tom Rutledge can be united on a strategy to tell their broadband technicians to connect Flex devices when they hook up homes across the country with Internet.

As Sherman notes, Comcast and Charter are behind companies that have been offering streaming devices and smart TVs for some time, including Roku, Amazon, and Samsung (which research firm Conviva cited as the three leaders, in that order, on global share of big screen viewing time, counting both streaming devices and smart TVs, in a Q4 2021 report). They also have some disadvantages compared to those companies: Rokus advantage is that theyre strictly a streaming/smart TV company, so all their focus is there, while Amazon can pair their TVs and Fire sticks with Prime Video, the Alexa voice assistant, and other aspects of their commerce portal, and Samsung has a long history as a popular TV manufacturer. But Comcast and Charter have the advantage of all those internet subscribers, and a partnership like this between them should significantly boost the name recognition and market penetration of Flex.

This partnership is perhaps particularly intriguing from Charters side. For Comcast, this makes a lot of obvious sense; they keep doing what theyre doing, and Charter gives them $900 million initially to join in, with more to come later, and helps boost the profile of Flex and XClass significantly along the way. The main downsides for them would seem to be that this removes a differentiator between them and Charter, but a. Flex doesnt seem prominent enough right now for that to matter much, and b. direct competition for internet customers is often limited, with only certain companies having the infrastructure to offer service in certain areas.

For Charter, this is saying theyre going to join Comcasts streaming project rather than launch their own, and that has the downside of not having full control. But it has the upside of joining something already in play rather than starting from scratch. And these two companies together have scale that should help Flex gain some brand awareness and market penetration, which could be especially important in the next few years as streaming continues to grow; getting new streaming signups to use your devices or TVs at this point could be critical to having them stick around with your brand. And on that front, one quote Sherman relays from Charter CEO Rutledge is perhaps especially notable:

Rutledge added during Charters earnings conference call that its only a matter of time before almost all of the companys customers will get streamed video rather than cable-connected TV. I expect that incrementally most of our customer base will be all [Internet protocol], he said.

Some areas have been trending towards that, including with DirecTV launching its last satellite in 2018 and shifting even its conventional TV service to streaming set-top boxes (rather than boxes receiving programming straight from satellites). And most of our customer base on internet protocol doesnt necessarily mean theyll all be going away from the conventional TV packages Charter offers; some of this is about a change in distribution technology, not a change in content. But its notable to hear Charters CEO talk about where he sees their customer base going, and that helps reinforce why they made this deal with Comcast to expand their first-party streaming device presence.

The other point of note in Shermans article is about the long-term potential this could bring for bundling of over-the-top streaming services in packages for those with Flex devices or XClass TVs. Comcast already offers a $5/month discount on Peacock for Flex and XClass customers, so that will presumably now open up to the upcoming Charter Flex/XClass customers as well (and that should boost Peacocks subscriber numbers). But theres also a possibility of eventual bundles of OTT streaming services from different companies. And as Sherman notes, cable companies like Charter and Comcast have a long history of successfully selling bundles. And this team-up between them boosts their scale and makes them a more appealing connected TV/smart TV partner to work with. Nothing seems imminent there right now, but OTT streaming service bundling certainly could happen in the longer term, and this deal may set Charter and Comcast up to play a larger role if it does.

[CNBC; Xfinity Flex image from HighSpeedInternet.com]
CBCS students were recognized at the 2022 Student Research Award Luncheon, held in Discovery Hall in USF Research Park last Monday. Among those honored were students from Undergraduate Research, Graduate Studies, the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Undergraduate and Graduate Sigma Xi Inductees, and students sponsored by the Florida High Tech Corridor.

Four undergraduate students were presented the 2022 USF Undergraduate Research Scholar Award from the Office of Undergraduate Studies. This award recognizes a students commitment to their development as a researcher during their time as an undergraduate student. Lena Bayyat, Jade Brown, and Iman Elkolalli represented the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, while Jacqueline Houston represented the School of Social Work. Lena Bayyat was also recognized during the award ceremony for having received the Global Citizens Award and the Audience Choice Award at this year's Undergraduate Research Showcase for her poster entitled, "The Relationship Between the Perceptual Accessibility of Vocabulary and K-3 Students' Narrative and Expository Language." Megan Kirby, MEd, who served as a mentor for this study, was also recognized at the luncheon for receiving honorable mention for the Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduate Research Award.

Lena Bayyat and Nataly Innamorato were honored for their achievements.

CBCS students Samruddhi Shinde and Nataly Innamorato were inducted into Sigma Xi, the largest general research honor society. Samruddhi Shinde is an undergraduate student majoring in behavioral healthcare. Nataly Innamorato is a graduate student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and an award recipient for the Graduate Student Research Symposium in the category of Social and Behavioral Sciences (including Education). She received this award for her poster entitled, "Bilingual Needs in Telehealth: SLP Perspectives and Considerations."

Nataly Innamorato is a graduate student in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate student Angkana (Greet) Lertpoompunya was recognized for winning the Graduate Student Research Symposium Award in the category of Health and Life Sciences.

Angkana Lertpoompunya works in the Auditory and Speech Sciences Laboratory.

Callie Hill, a graduate student in the Department of Child and Family Studies, was also honored for receiving the People's Choice Award in the category of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Graduate Student Research Symposium.

Callie Hill is a graduate assistant in the Rehabilitation & Mental Health Counseling Program.

Four Criminology students were recognized for their research project entitled, "Turn Your Life Around (TYLA)." Katherine Holman, Rebecca Ruiz, and Emily Walker are graduate students in the Criminology program at the Sarasota-Manatee campus, and Emily Walsh is an undergraduate student in the program.

Emily Walker is a researcher in the Trafficking in Persons - Risk to Resilience Lab.

Congratulations to all of the students who presented their research this semester! Find the full list of awardees from the 2022 Student Research Award Luncheon here.
The University of South Florida awarded more than 6,400 degrees during spring commencement. The ceremonies included recipients of approximately 4,843 undergraduate, 1,295 masters and 297 doctoral degrees.

The group featured 95 undergraduate students earning a perfect 4.0 GPA, 224 student veterans and includes graduates from 50 states and 100 nations. At 18 years old, the youngest graduate earned a bachelors degree in psychology. The oldest graduate, who is 68 years old, received a bachelors degree in nursing.

USF President Rhea Law presided over all ceremonies, which were held at the Yuengling Center on the Tampa campus.

Tyra Brown

BS in Social Work In 2015, Tyra Brown suffered a traumatic brain injury from a car accident and had to relearn everything from breathing to walking and eating. Once she recovered, Brown challenged herself further by adding writing and studying to her list. Led by her spirit and determination to make a difference in the community, Brown decided to pursue a degree that would lead to a career in social work. Shes most satisfied with outreach work and takes pride in doing everything possible to help whoever is in need. Brown interned at Camelot Community Care, working with teens aging out of foster care. She will pursue a career working with the elderly and continue to learn from their wisdom.

Alexander Mercier

BA in Mathematics and BS in Microbiology Alexander Mercier is the recipient of this years Outstanding Graduate Award. Mercier made USF history as the first Rhodes Scholarship Finalist for his academic achievements and well-rounded interests. As a student in the Judy Genshaft Honors College, Merciers skillset is notable. He is a talented visual artist and pianist. He believes art and math are great conceptual partners because creativity is necessary to know how to apply math. He was impressed by USFs commitment to student success, which is why he chose USF. His undergraduate studies led him straight into epidemiology research with the integrative biology research department. He was first intrigued by the study of diseases when he was seven years old and his mother suffered from an undiagnosed illness which was later identified as Lyme disease. As a student leader, Mercier was president of the USF chapter of Mathematical Association of America and the USF Russia Culture and Language Association. Mercier plans to attend Harvard in the fall where he will pursue a doctoral degree in public health science with a concentration in epidemiology. Jataya Jackson

BS in Biomedical Sciences & Public Health Jataya Jackson learned from her mother how important it was for patients to feel heard. This inspired her to pursue a career in medicine as an obstetrics and gynecology specialist with the goal of advocating for Black women and making sure they feel heard. Jackson completed concurrent degrees in biomedical sciences and public health as a student in the Judy Genshaft Honors College. In 2019, Jackson took part in a Bulls Service Break trip to Miami to learn about human trafficking prevention and visited Thailand on a study abroad trip. Her passion for education and advocacy inspired her to join the Backstage Pass to Health Professionals course where she connected leaders from USF Health with other undergraduate honors students. She recently received one of the highest honors for USF students, the Golden Bull Award, for her commitment to service and leadership. Jackson is also a member of the Dean's Students Leadership Society, the Order of the Golden Brahman, the College of Public Health Scholars cohort, fundraising chair for the Black Student Union and an Honors Ambassador. After graduating, Jackson will prepare for the MCAT exams and work at the USF Health Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation as a simulation operations specialist.

Adriana Ladera

BS in Computer Science and Physics minor Adriana Ladera was born in New Zealand and moved to Florida when she was four years old. Her family settled in Pinellas County where Ladera grew up. At first, Ladera signed up as a pre-medical student but later discovered her true passion in algorithms. She chose USF because she loved the research opportunities and wanted to stay close to home. While at USF, Ladera began developing an interest in building efficient simulation algorithms. Ladera was just awarded a 2022 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship and will pursue her studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As a passionate computer scientist, her goal is to help shape the next generation of scientists and inspire diversity in STEM through her research, leadership and identity as a bisexual woman of color.

Alexander Morris

BA in Economics Alexander Morris was one of three high-achieving students selected to participate in USFs Emerging Scholars program, an award given to students from Pinellas County schools with outstanding leadership potential that includes a tuition scholarship and mentorship opportunities. As part of the program, Morris was matched with a mentor, Officer Kevin DeLoatch from the University Police Department. Morris said he really benefited from DeLoatchs guidance, especially when he was a freshman and needed help managing his time. He graduates this spring from the USF St. Petersburg campus with a degree in economics. Inspired by his uncle, a prominent defense attorney in Philadelphia, Morris is currently working at a law firm and plans to take the Law School Admission Test and apply to law school. Charlene Barnes

BS in Nursing Before attending USF, Charlene Barnes led a full career as an information technology professional in finance. In 2015, her son contracted meningococcal disease and died within 24 hours of his first symptoms. Haunted by the experience, Barnes, 68, set out to better understand the disease and dedicated herself to trying to make a difference. After almost 45 years since graduating with a bachelors degree in management science from the University of California San Diego, Barnes enrolled in the USF Sarasota-Manatee campuss Accelerated Second Bachelors Degree program to become a registered nurse. She immediately appreciated the difference of being an older student. Barnes also enjoyed the hands-on experience of working intimately with patients throughout the 16-month program at Manatee Memorial Hospital and then at the HCA Blake Medical Center. After graduating, Barnes plans to pursue epidemiology research and hopes to volunteer for the Manatee County Health Department.

Carter Bedinghaus

BS in Marketing Outgoing and confident, Carter Bedinghaus admits to being a bit nervous when preparing for college. But the the USF Sarasota-Manatee campuss close-knit community inspired Bedinghaus to immediately get involved. Four years later, Bedinghaus says hes loved every single second of college, especially giving back to peers as an orientation leader and USF Ambassador. In 2021-2022, he received a Campus Involvement and Leadership Award, and this spring he was named to the Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 list. Bedinghaus also received the Golden Bull Award, one of USFs highest student honors. As a sophomore, Bedinghaus was elected president of the Student Senate, later serving as vice-chair of the Campus Council  finding Student Government a gratifying way to develop leadership skills and serve his community. While the Manatee County native can imagine a future run for political office, his immediate plans are to pursue a career in dentistry, a unique path for a marketing major. But hes excited to apply his business and leadership skills to a career that will allow him work closely with patients of all ages. Like many teens, Bedinghaus wore braces for several years, and its a positive experience he wants to share with others. This fall he will attend the LECOM School of Dental Medicine. Wren Kasper Orteneau

BA in Psychology Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wren Kasper Orteneau completed her first year at USF solely online. She transferred to the USF St. Petersburg campus as a junior psychology major after simultaneously graduating from high school and earning her associate in arts degree at 16 years old. Eager to experience college life, Orteneau, 18, moved on campus for her senior year and was pleasantly reminded why she had chosen USF. She loved the campus beach setting and the water. As a competitive Highland dancer and young academic high-achiever, Ortenaeus speedy transition from high school gave her a special perspective about mental health. Her coursework, which includes a certification in dance medicine and science, helped her understand the relationship between anxiety and stress. Orteneau conducted research to learn more about performance anxieties in competitive dancers. She plans to earn a masters degree in occupational therapy and wants to apply her experience with dance, fitness and mental health to work with children.

Darcy Williams

BS in Finance and Accounting minor When it came to deciding what university to attend, USF was a clear choice for Darcy Williams. As a Tampa native, Williams was well aware of the metropolitan areas business growth and wanted to be part of it. She began building her business network as a resident student with the Bulls Business Community and then branched out to other areas. During her freshman year, Williams was vice president of recruitment for Phi Chi Theta, a business fraternity, and helped the chapter grow more than 90 percent by her senior year. She worked at what is now the Muma College of Business Bellini Center for Talent Development as a peer mentor. She also held five internships throughout her time at USF, one of which led to her thesis research on the effects of COVID-19 in commercial real estate business and her 2-year employment with Raymond James. After receiving three job offers, Williams decided to take a position as an institutional sales analyst with the investment firm Barings in North Carolina.

Meghana Nelluri

BS in Accounting and BS in Business Analytics & Information Systems Meghana Nelluri had her pick of universities but chose USF thanks in part to the universitys emphasis on interdisciplinary study  a focus that has allowed her to not only work toward an accounting degree but add a second major and two minors. As a first-generation American, Nelluri has tried to take advantage of every opportunity. She has served in leadership roles within the Judy Genshaft Honors College Student Council, worked as a resident assistant and is on track to graduate in three years as part of the Provosts Scholar program. While juggling an intensive course load, Nelluri also completed a competitive internship with Deloitte and accepted a full-time position to stay with the company after graduation. She will also pursue her interest in non-profit work at the Human Society of Tampa Bay.

Jamie Warner

BS in Biomedical Sciences Jamie Warner loved USFs proximity to her parents and the diversity of the campus community. Warners father was sick and passed away during her freshman year, which significantly impacted her approach to medicine. Shes carefully working to mold herself into the best, most compassionate future physician she could be. She earned her emergency medical technician certificate after her freshman year and administered over 1,000 COVID-19 vaccines in the summer of 2021. Warner volunteered with the interventional radiology team at Moffitt Cancer Center and scouted for physicians with the best bedside manner to shadow. She also volunteered at the Judeo-Christian Health Clinic while she studied for her MCAT to remind herself why she wants to be a doctor. She has also mentored students wanting to pursue medicine, particularly students of color, and worked with an interdisciplinary research team focused on building resilience in underserved communities. She was recently awarded the Golden Bull Award, one of the universitys highest honors for students. After graduation, Warner will join the USF School of Social Work in Spain to study the impacts of socio-cultural contexts on health. She plans to then pursue her medical degree at the University of Florida College of Medicine in the fall.
New demands to free Philippine opposition Senator Leila de Lima, a staunch critic of President Rodrigo Duterte, escalated after the governments star witness recanted his statements, saying the police pressured him to lie.

De Lima has been languishing in jail for five years over what human rights groups believe to be fabricated charges meant to silence her after she launched an investigation into Dutertes war on drugs in 2016. She is seeking reelection from a custodial center of the Philippine police.

In 2014, De Lima was the late President Benigno Aquino IIIs justice secretary when she led a crackdown that exposed the luxurious lifestyle of convicted drug lords in the countrys most-secure prison.

But the narrative flipped when De Lima caught the ire of Duterte for investigating his war on drugs and his involvement in the extrajudicial killings in Davao City, his hometown. Before becoming president, Duterte served as mayor of Davao City for decades.

Self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, who was arrested in Abu Dhabi in 2016, has alleged he paid De Lima drug money and contributed to her senatorial campaign in 2016.

But five years later, Espinosa apologized to De Lima in a court document made public Thursday. He said he had no choice but to invent stories as he was coerced by the police.

[A]ny and all of his statements given during the Senate hearings, or in the form of sworn written affidavits, against Senator Leila De Lima are not true. He has no dealings with Sen. De Lima and has not given her any money at any given time, a counter-affidavit signed by Espinosa read.

Any statement he made against the Senator are [sic] false and was 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.

De Lima said she has forgiven those who were used by the government to pin her down, and she urged others to follow Espinosas example.

I am urging everyone who took part in the cruelty against me to follow suit and reveal all they know. The truth is coming out. Justice is getting close. My wish: To make those behind this accountable, she said in a dispatch Friday from her detention cell.

Brazen injustice

Her supporters said the recantation highlights the grave injustice suffered by De Lima under Duterte. They are drumming up calls from local and international rights organizations to release the jailed senator.

Antonio La Vina, a constitutional law professor and legal adviser to De Lima, said the recent development was good for De Lima, as she could be released in a matter of time, but he was sad for the countrys justice system.

We should learn a lesson from this. Don't use politics. Don't use the law. Don't weaponize the law for political reasons. Why is De Lima in prison, detained? Because President Duterte got mad at her for investigating the war against drugs, La Vina told VOA.

He said De Lima could have done Duterte a favor if the Senate hearings on the war on drugs continued. Duterte faces a crimes against humanity complaint before the International Criminal Court for thousands of Filipinos killed in a crackdown that he allegedly sanctioned.

Free De Lima

Despite the recantation, which critics said proved Dutertes vindictiveness, his office maintains it wont affect the pending charges against De Lima.

While Kerwin Espinosa appears to have recanted his allegations against Senator Leila de Lima, his recantation will not have any effect on the pending criminal cases against the lady senator, Martin Andanar, acting spokesperson for Duterte, said.

De Lima is still facing two drug charges after she won one of the cases in February last year.

Butch Olano, Philippine director of Amnesty International, said De Lima is a victim of political persecution.

Following this retraction, the government must immediately and unconditionally release her and hold accountable those responsible for her unjust detention and the various human rights violations she has had to endure, Olano said in a statement.

The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR), a group of Southeast Asian lawmakers who advance human rights and democracy, has launched a social media campaign urging Philippine presidential candidates to immediately and unconditionally drop all the trumped-up charges against Senator De Lima.

There cannot be any doubt of Senator De Limas innocence, as well as her commitment to democracy and human rights. Releasing her should be one of the first priorities of the next president if they want to restore a modicum of justice and rule of law in the government of the country, Charles Santiago, a member of APHR said.

Candidates in the upcoming national elections are echoing calls to release De Lima. They include presidential candidate Ka Leody de Guzman, vice presidential candidate and Senator Francis Pangilinan, human rights lawyer and senatorial candidate Chel Diokno, and Senator Risa Hontiveros, who is seeking a reelection.

Presidential candidate and Vice President Leni Robredo, who picked De Lima in her senatorial slate, has previously called for her release.

Reelection

Despite being incarcerated, De Lima has exercised her duties as a legislator. She has authored bills and resolutions from her detention cell in Manila, though she has been prevented from conducting live hearings.

De Lima has consistently voiced opposition against Duterte through regular dispatches from her cell.

In next months election, she is seeking reelection and has largely campaigned through pre-recorded video campaign messages played at Vice President Leni Robredos rallies, as a life-size printed standee is placed by her staff on stage.

I think it will bolster her chances, seeing just in the last couple of days they've realized how bad, how terrible the injustice has been done, La Vina said, adding that De Lima is one of the best lawyers in the country.

Opinion polls do not indicate De Lima will win reelection.
Once again, The New York Times (NYT) betrayed its ignorance of China.

In a recent report on the COVID-19 fight in Shanghai, the American newspaper jumped to a conclusion that the legitimacy of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is being tested, because residents in Shanghai are volunteering to help each other out during "lockdown" in recent weeks. Such an argument is as ridiculous as it is malicious.

In a stunningly far-fetched manner, the article tried to equate natural and warm-hearted mutual assistance with some kind of expression of discontent towards the CPC. Apparently, its authors were hardly touched by the love and care expressed by ordinary Chinese towards one another in their hours of difficulties. Perhaps that is because of U.S. media's die-hard habit of smearing China in every possible way.

Indeed, Shanghai has been experiencing its most severe COVID-19 wave in the past two years. Its residents' life and work have been impacted by strict measures to contain the highly contagious Omicron variant. And at the early stage of the outbreak, some people encountered various kinds of inconveniences to get food supply and medical treatments.

After all, meeting the daily needs of more than 25 million residents in China's biggest city in highly restricted conditions with no precedent to follow has posed a strenuous challenge. That is why the local authorities have on many occasions acknowledged their problems, and vowed repeatedly to improve their services.

And instead of hurting the CPC's legitimacy, the fact that hundreds of thousands of local citizens volunteer to lend each other help and support testifies to the strength of the Party.

In fact, many of the volunteers are either organized by the local authorities or working closely with neighborhood committees. And among those tens of thousands of volunteers the NYT mentioned, a large portion of them are CPC members.

"Wherever there is a need, there must be a Party member," the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee said in a recent open letter to CPC members in Shanghai. "Our Party members must go deep into the community and the masses, stand by and work with cadres and the people in the front line."

Official statistics show that more than 700,000 Party members in Shanghai have registered to join the city's anti-COVID fight, and a large number of CPC members have been working as volunteers in districts, towns and villages. In some communities, 90 percent of community volunteers are Party members.

Anyone with some basic knowledge of the CPC's history would know that mobilizing the public to work with the Party in joint efforts to tide through hard times is both a tradition and a strength of the CPC, as the CPC has pledged that "everything is for the people and everything relies on the people."

Today, there are more than 95 million Party members from all walks of life across China. They are both members of the big Chinese family and representatives of their fellow countrymen. According to a report by Harvard University, the Chinese people's overall satisfaction toward the central government has been above 90 percent for years. Any attempt to sow discord between the Chinese people and the CPC would be futile. The NYT's attack on China's dynamic zero-COVID policy would be no different.

At the moment, the dynamic zero-COVID approach to containing the virus remains the most optimal choice for China.

"If we are not firm about the dynamic zero-COVID policy, China may miss the best time to stem the resurgence of cases, which may lead to higher costs and unbearable consequences," said China's leading epidemiologist Liang Wannian.

As China's economic center and an important link of the global supply chains, Shanghai can only minimize the impact of the pandemic on China and the global economy by putting the resurgence of COVID-19 cases under control and returning to normal as soon as possible. It is the broadest consensus shared by the general public in China.

And from a global perspective, by strictly enforcing the dynamic zero-COVID policy, China is making a huge sacrifice to ensure the long-term economic viability of Shanghai in global trade and commerce, which would inject more certainty into the world economy.

What also should be noted is that by citing people's self-reliance as evidence of public frustration, the NYT actually exposed America's monumental failure in battling the pandemic. Over the past more than two years, Washington has largely failed to shoulder its responsibility in leading the anti-COVID-19 fight, and left the American people to fend for themselves.

The NYT should quit its biased coverage on China, and try to understand the country and its ruling party better.

In 1936, when the prospect of the CPC-led social revolution was still unclear, Edgar Snow, an American journalist, ventured to north of China's Shaanxi Province, where the CPC and its military "the Red Army" were based and surrounded by resourceful and powerful enemies. Through comprehensive interviews and objective analysis, Snow made an accurate and foresighted judgment in his report that the social revolution "would eventually win."

In a cave dwelling on the Loess Plateau, Snow asked then 43-year-old Mao Zedong: the enemies' "economic resources many times surpassed ours, and they received material assistance from the outside. Why, then, has the Red Army scored success after success ... and not only survived still today but increased its power?"

"The explanation is that the Red Army and the (CPC-established) Soviet Government had created among all people within their areas a rocklike solidarity, because everyone ... was voluntarily and consciously fighting for his own interests and what he believed to be right," Mao replied.

Eighty-six years later, Snow's professionalism and Mao's words about the CPC's successes can still offer some clues about how the Western mainstream media, including the NYT, can tell their stories of China and the CPC. (Source:Xinhua)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned again that the North could preemptively use its nuclear weapons if threatened, as he praised his top army officials for a massive military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, this week.

Kim expressed "firm will" to continue developing his nuclear-armed military so that it could "preemptively and thoroughly contain and frustrate all dangerous attempts and threatening moves, including ever-escalating nuclear threats from hostile forces, if necessary," the North's official Korean Central News Agency said Saturday.

KCNA said Kim called his military officials to praise their work during Monday's parade, where the North showcased the biggest weapons in its nuclear arsenal, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that could potentially reach the U.S. homeland. The North also rolled out a variety of shorter-range solid-fuel missiles designed to be fired from land vehicles or submarines, which pose a growing threat to South Korea and Japan.

KCNA didn't say when Kim's meeting with military brass took place.

Army anniversary

The parade marking the 90th anniversary of North Korea's army came as Kim revives nuclear brinkmanship aimed at forcing the United States to accept the idea of his country as a nuclear power and remove crippling economic sanctions.

Speaking to thousands of troops and spectators mobilized for the parade, Kim vowed to develop his nuclear forces at the "fastest possible speed" and threatened to use them if provoked. He said his nuclear weapons would "never be confined to the single mission of war deterrent" in situations where the North faces external threats to its "fundamental interests."

Kim's comments suggested he would continue a provocative run of weapons testing to dial up the pressure on Washington and Seoul. South Korea will inaugurate a new conservative government in May that could take a harder line on Pyongyang following the engagement polices of outgoing liberal President Moon Jae-in that produced few results.

North Korea has conducted 13 rounds of weapons launches so far this year, including its first full-range test of an ICBM since 2017, while Kim exploits a favorable environment to push forward its weapons program as the U.N. Security Council remains divided and effectively paralyzed over Russia's war in Ukraine.

May events

There are also signs that North Korea is rebuilding tunnels at a nuclear testing ground that was last active in 2017. Some experts say the North may try to conduct a new test sometime between the inauguration of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol on May 10 and his planned summit with U.S. President Joe Biden on May 21 to maximize its political effect.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter said the United States was aware of reports that North Korea could be preparing to conduct a nuclear test, which she said would be deeply destabilizing for the region and undermine the global non-proliferation regime,

"We urge the DPRK to refrain from further destabilizing activity and instead engage in serious and sustained dialogue," she said, referring to North Korea by its formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Kim's recent remarks followed a fiery statement released by his powerful sister earlier this month in which she blasted South Korea's defense minister for touting preemptive strike capabilities against the North.

Expanding arsenal

While Kim's collection of ICBMs has grabbed much international attention, North Korea since 2019 has also been expanding its arsenal of short-range solid-fuel missiles threatening South Korea.

The North describes some of those missiles as "tactical" weapons, which experts say communicates a threat to arm them with smaller battlefield nuclear bombs and proactively use them during conventional warfare to blunt the stronger conventional forces of South Korea and the United States. About 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in the South.

North Korea may use its next nuclear test to claim that it has acquired the ability to build a small nuclear warhead to fit on those missiles or other weapons it recently tested, including a purported hypersonic missile and a long-range cruise missile, analysts say. Smaller warheads would also be necessary for the North's pursuit of a multi-warhead ICBM.

"Solid-fueled missiles are easier to hide, move and launch quickly, making them less vulnerable to a preemptive strike," said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Seoul's Ewha Womans University.

"Taken together with ambitions for tactical nuclear warheads, submarine-based launch capabilities, and more sophisticated ICBMs, Pyongyang is not simply looking to deter an attack. Its goals extend to outrunning South Korea in an arms race and coercing the United States to reduce sanctions enforcement and security cooperation with Seoul," Easley added.
China's lockdowns to control the spread of COVID-19 are "cruel" and Taiwan will not follow suit, Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Sunday.

Having controlled the pandemic with tough border controls and quarantines, Taiwan has been dealing with a surge in domestic infections since the start of this year, with some 75,000 infections driven by the omicron variant.

But with more than 99% of those having mild or no symptoms, a handful of deaths so far and high vaccination levels, the government has moved to ease restrictions as it seeks normalcy and to gradually reopen the island of 23 million people to the outside world.

Taiwan's giant neighbor China, by contrast, has enacted tough lockdowns in Shanghai and tightened controls in capital Beijing.

Speaking during a visit to Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control, Su said their pandemic-containment measures had been "praised by the world."

"We will not lock down the country and cities as cruelly as China," he said, adding Taiwan's methods were "gradual."

"We have a plan, and there is a rhythm to it."

China claims democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, and the two have rarely missed an opportunity to exchange barbs during the pandemic.

Last week, China's Taiwan Affairs Office said Taiwan's new model of handling the pandemic would lead to many deaths.

Life has continued mostly as normal in Taiwan, though there has been disruption to some schools, and the government is eyeing further easing of quarantine rules.

All arrivals into Taiwan have to isolate for 10 days, rules that large parts of Asia have already ditched.
The White House is signaling that a decision by Indonesia  who holds this year's Group of 20 presidency  to invite Ukraine to the November summit in Bali is not enough to ensure the attendance of U.S. President Joe Biden  unless Russian President Vladimir Putin is excluded from the gathering.

"Our understanding, and of course you could confirm this with the Indonesians, as we have reached out to them privately, is that they did invite them [Russia] before the invasion.  We've conveyed our view that we don't think they [Russia] should be a part of it," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Friday.

Earlier Friday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced that he had invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the economic forum's summit.

"We understand the G-20 has a catalyst role in global economic recovery, and when we speak of global economic recovery, there are two important factors right now: COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine," Widodo said in a video remark, outlining the rationale of his invitation to Zelenskyy.

Widodo said he had extended the invitation during a call with Zelenskyy on Wednesday, during which Widodo turned down a request for weapons but offered humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. He said that he had spoken to Putin on Thursday and that the Russian president informed him that he would be attending the summit.

"Indonesia wants to unite G-20," Widodo said. "Peace and stability are the keys to global economic recovery and growth."

That may be a tall order amid Western leaders' demands to kick Russia out of the group of the world's 20 largest economies. Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, among others, have raised concerns about Putin's participation in the summit and signaled they will not attend if Putin is there.

No diplomatic off-ramp expected

Psaki noted that while the administration welcomed Jakarta's move to invite Ukraine, it was pessimistic that Moscow would take a diplomatic off-ramp from the war ahead of the G-20 summit.

"We certainly haven't seen an indication to date of Russia's plan to participate in diplomatic talks constructively," Psaki said. "Our hope certainly is that will change, because obviously diplomatic talks and conversations is the way to bring an end to this conflict, and President Putin could end this tomorrow, could end this right now."

It was Biden who suggested that Kyiv attend G-20 meetings should other members disagree to kick Russia out. He made the point following a meeting with NATO members and European allies in Brussels last month, where, he said, they discussed expelling Putin from the G-20.

With China supporting Moscow to remain in the group, analysts point out that Widodo is in a tough position. Ultimately, his government may have to decide whether it is willing to trade Putin's attendance for several Western leaders' absence.

"I think the perfect solution for Indonesia would be, they invite Zelenskyy, and then the Russians say that Putin decided not to come, and then Jokowi doesn't have to make this decision," Gregory Poling told VOA, referring to Widodo's nickname. Poling researches U.S. foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration signaled it wants the G-20 to discuss the international economic repercussions of the Russian invasion and potentially Ukraine's reconstruction.

That idea will likely create further rifts in the economic forum. Middle-power G-20 members, such as India, Brazil, South Africa, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and others, have centered their own agenda around post-pandemic recovery, which does not align with the West's focus of isolating Putin and helping Ukraine.

Jakarta has set three pillars for its G-20 presidency: global health architecture, sustainable energy transition and digital transformation. It has chosen "Recover Together, Recover Stronger" as the theme of this year's summit  a proposal that could unravel amid new geopolitical rivalries triggered by Putin's war.

Eva Mazrieva and Virginia Gunawan contributed to this report.
Coming Up on Africa News Tonight:  Muslims across the globe Monday marked the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the Eid al Fitr festivities; As the world prepares for Press Freedom Day, Ugandan media practitioners are condemning Ugandan authorities for persecuting media that airs critical views of President Yoweri Museveni and his family.  For this and more, stay tuned to Africa News Tonight !
Australian airline Qantas has announced plans for record-breaking direct flights from its biggest city, Sydney, to London and New York. Experts say the ultra-long-haul flights are one of modern aviations last great challenges.

At more than 17,000 kilometers, Sydney to London would be the worlds longest commercial flight. The chief executive of Australian airline Qantas, Alan Joyce, described it as the last frontier for international travel. The non-stop journey would take about 20 hours.

Joyce added that aircraft cabins would be specially designed for maximum comfort in all classes.

There would even be wellness zones for exercise on board the planes that will also fly from Sydney to New York, a distance of about 16,000 kilometers.

The ultra-long-haul services are expected to begin in late 2025. Tickets for the long-haul jets are likely be more expensive than current flights, that stopover in cities such as Dubai, Singapore, and Los Angeles.

Professor Greg Bamber from Monash Universitys Business School said demand for the services is likely to be mixed because of the popularity of video conferencing technology, although other passengers will want to complete their trip as soon as possible.

There is likely to be, on the one hand, increased demand for this kind of flight given that there are more concerns about infectious diseases, like COVID, about wars, as we have got in Ukraine at the moment. But on the other hand, there may be less demand because people have got used to using Zoom; businesspeople, for example, have been able to have meetings over Zoom for the last couple of years during the pandemic, said Bamber.

Qantas has ordered 12 aircraft from the European manufacturer Airbus in a multi-billion dollar deal to service the new routes.

Experts say the announcement is a sign that global air travel is recovering from the pandemic faster than expected.

Qantas started direct flights between Perth and London in 2018. Those services were suspended because of COVID-19 border restrictions in Western Australia and the non-stop flights now operate out of the Australian city of Darwin.


President Joe Biden saluted his "friend of five decades" Walter Mondale on Sunday, traveling to the University of Minnesota to remember the former vice president and Democratic Party elder whose memorial service was delayed for a year due to the pandemic.

Mondale died in April 2021 at age 93. He is credited with transforming the office of the vice presidency  which Biden himself held for eight years under President Barack Obama  expanding its responsibilities and making himself a key adviser to President Jimmy Carter.

Mondale "was a giant in American political history," Biden said of Mondale, known to friends as "Fritz." He added that Mondale was one of the "toughest, smartest men I've ever worked with" both as Senate colleagues and as a mentor when Biden was Obama's No. 2 and then later as president.

Biden emphasized Mondale's empathy, recalling his own promise during the 2020 presidential campaign to unite the country. That's something the president has strayed from a bit in recent weeks, as he seeks to draw a starker contrast between his administration and congressional Republicans who have opposed it on nearly every major issue.

"It was Fritz who lit the way." Biden said. "Everybody is to be treated with dignity. Everybody."

Biden added of Mondale: "He united people sharing the light, the same hopes  even when we disagreed, he thought that was important."

"It's up to each of us to reflect that light that Fritz was all about."

The invitation-only, 90-minute service Sunday inside a stately campus auditorium featured plentiful organ music. Biden, who received a standing ovation, said he spoke with Mondale's family beforehand and "got emotional" himself.

Democratic Sen. Tina Smith called Mondale a "bona fide political celebrity" who still dedicated time to races large and small back in their home state. Minnesota civil rights icon Josie Johnson spoke of what a good listener Mondale was and how he championed inclusiveness.

Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar described once being an intern who climbed under chairs and a table to carry out a furniture inventory when Mondale was vice president.

"That was my first job in Washington. And, thanks to Walter Mondale, this was my second," Klobuchar said of being a senator, noting that Mondale encouraged her to run and taught "the pundits in Washington how to say my name."

Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said Minnesota may be better known as Mondale's home state than its moniker "The Land of 10,000 Lakes," and praised Mondale's intellect, humility, humor and optimism.

"He embodied a sense of joy. He lived his life every single day," Walz said. "At 91, he was still fishing for walleye. Unlike me, he was catching some."

A booklet given to attendees for the "afternoon of remembrance and reflection" quoted from Mondale's 2010 book, "The Good Fight": "I believe that the values of the American people  our fundamental decency, our sense of justice and fairness, our love of freedom  are the country's greatest assets, and that steering by their lodestar is the only true course forward."

Its back cover showed Mondale's face next to the slogan, "We told the truth. We obeyed the law. We kept the peace," which Klobuchar described as being memorialized after the then-vice president said them at the end of the Carter administration.

Mondale was a graduate of the University of Minnesota and its law school, which has a building named after him. During Sunday's remembrance, Biden wiped his eyes as a performance of "Tomorrow" from the musical "Annie" played, and the service closed with the university's marching band, which sent people away with the "Minnesota Rouser" fight song.

Mondale followed a trail blazed by his political mentor, Hubert H. Humphrey, serving as Minnesota attorney general before replacing Humphrey in the Senate. He was Carter's vice president from 1977 to 1981.

Mondale also lost one of the most lopsided presidential elections ever, to Ronald Reagan in 1984. He carried only Minnesota and the District of Columbia after bluntly telling voters to expect a tax increase if he won. But he made history in that race by picking Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, of New York, as his running mate, becoming the first major-party nominee to put a woman on the ticket.

Mondale remained an important Democratic voice for decades afterward, and went on to serve as ambassador to Japan under President Bill Clinton. In 2002, at 74, he was drafted to run for the Senate again after Sen. Paul Wellstone was killed in a plane crash shortly before the election. Mondale lost the abbreviated race to Republican Norm Coleman.
Chad's military government has announced it is postponing the start of landmark national talks with opposition forces and rebels, as preparatory negotiations between the two sides drag out in Qatar.

The landlocked African nation was thrown into turmoil after long-time leader Idriss Deby died fighting rebels last April.

His son Mahamat Idriss Deby seized control but promised free elections this year.

Ahead of these, he had wanted a national dialogue to start on May 10.

Before that dialogue, the government and more than 40 opposition groups have sent delegations to Doha for preliminary talks.

But they have spent much of the time in luxury hotels and have yet to meet face-to-face, as the Qatari mediators seek to establish enough common ground for the two sides to begin full talks.

On Sunday, the Chadian Foreign Ministry said it had agreed "to postpone the inclusive national dialogue to a later date to be decided, after consultations with the relevant institutions and political actors."

Earlier, Doha had called for the postponement, saying its mediation was making "tangible" progress at "a good pace."

The national talks had already been pushed back from February.

Qatar said a new delay would "give the participating parties more time to reach a peace agreement, in preparation for the convening of the comprehensive national dialogue."

Doha had originally only wanted to host talks and was reluctant to become a full mediator.

But the Foreign Ministry reaffirmed Qatar's "full support for Chad's efforts in this political process, in order to achieve the aspirations of its people for peace, security and stability."

Opposition groups have accused Deby's administration of deliberately dragging out the Doha talks.

Deby, a 38-year-old general, came to power just over one year ago after his father was fatally wounded in battle.

Opposition groups are demanding that Deby rule himself out of the elections, and also want safety guarantees to allow opposition leaders, who are mostly in exile in neighboring Libya and Sudan, as well as in Europe, to return to Chad.

Qatar has previously helped in peace efforts for Yemen, Lebanon, Sudan and between the Afghan Taliban and U.S. government.
A three-story mainly residential building has collapsed in Nigeria's commercial capital of Lagos, killing eight people and injuring 23 who were rescued and taken to hospitals, emergency services said Monday.

Building collapses are common in Africa's most populous nation, where millions live in dilapidated structures and construction standards are often flouted.

The building in Lagos collapsed around 9:30 p.m. Sunday in the Ebute-Metta area of the sprawling city of more than 20 million people, Ibrahim Farinloye of the National Emergency Management Agency told AFP. Farinloye said the lower parts of the building were used as a warehouse while the second and third floors were residential.

"We have recovered eight dead bodies," he said, "while 23 others were rescued with various degrees of injuries. They are receiving treatment in the hospitals."

Farinloye said rescue efforts were ongoing. "We have been working since last night to clear the rubble in search of more victims, he said.

He said an investigation was under way to determine the cause of the collapse.

In January, three people, including two children, were killed and another 18 rescued when a church collapsed in a southern Delta state.

Building standards have been in the spotlight since a high-rise building under construction collapsed in Lagos in November last year, killing at least 45 people.

Bad workmanship, low-quality materials, and corruption to bypass official oversight are often blamed for Nigerian building disasters.

Since 2005, at least 152 buildings have collapsed in Lagos, according to a South African university researcher.

One of those incidents that sparked widespread anger was in 2014 when dozens of people died in a church collapse in Lagos.
Mondays ministerial meeting in Brussels comes after Russia cut off gas supplies to European Union members Bulgaria and Poland and warned that other so-called unfriendly nations risked the same fate if they didnt pay in rubles. Most EU contracts with Russian supplier Gazprom are in euros and dollars.

A number of European companies face gas payment deadlines to Russia this month. Some are reportedly looking for workarounds. European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson ruled out any conversion to rubles as violating EU sanctions, even as she called for joint action.

"The decision by Gazprom to suspend gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria marks another turning point in the current crisis, Simson said. "It is an unjustified breach of existing contracts and a warning that any member states could be next. It is also an attempt to divide the EU, to which we respond by reinforcing our unity and solidarity."

The EU is preparing a possible sixth set of sanctions against Moscow in the near future and has called for becoming energy independent from Russian by 2030. Last month, the 27-member bloc approved a coal embargo. This latest sanctions package may include oil.

Polands climate and environment minister, Anna Moskwa, says her country wants a total Russia energy ban.

"We will support full sanctions on all fossil fuels," Moskwa said. "We already have coal. Now its time for oil, and second step is for gas. The best option is to take them altogether."

Not all EU member states agree. Poland has been weaning itself off Russian supplies for years. Nearby Hungary is highly dependent on Russian energy and says it will oppose oil sanctions.

Still there appears to be progress. Once-hesitant Germany now says it will back immediate oil sanctions.

Transportation and Environment Minister Eamon Ryan of Ireland said sanctions alone are not enough.

"An oil embargo would be an example of further raising of the sanctions bar," Ryan said. "Well have to see. One of the things that we need to do, if we do it, is we need to also push efficiency measures at the same time. Because what that would do is protect our customers, our householders as well."

EU energy sanctions aim to deprive Russia of billions of dollars in revenue it can use to pay for its war in Ukraine, but they could also translate into higher prices for European consumers. Meanwhile, Moscow may find other customers for its supplies.
For full coverage of the crisis in Ukraine, visit Flashpoint Ukraine.

Recap of May 2

FIGHTING

* Two explosions took place in the early hours in Belgorod, the southern Russian region bordering Ukraine, according to the regions governor.

* Teams of workers strove to repair a bridge in southwestern Russia near the border with Ukraine that was damaged in what a local governor described as an act of sabotage.

* Moscow wont set artificial timeframes for its military operation in Ukraine in order to complete it by Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, Russias official TASS news agency reported.

* A Russian rocket strike hit a strategically important bridge across the Dniester estuary in the Odesa region of southwest Ukraine.

HUMANITARIAN

* Efforts to evacuate more civilians from the devastated Ukrainian port city of Mariupol ran into delays and hundreds of people remained trapped in the Azovstal steel works.

* Relatives of people killed in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha are trying to identify and retrieve the bodies of family members.

* Ukraines Prosecutor General said on Twitter that the first suspect in the murders of civilians in Bucha has been identified.

* The U.N. human rights office (OHCHR) said the death toll of civilians killed in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24 had exceeded 3,000 people.

* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that half a million Ukrainians have been illegally taken to Russia, or other places, against their will."

ECONOMY

* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is blocking ships from going in and out of its Black Sea ports.

* Ukraine has announced the temporary closure of its four main seaports after losing control of them to Russian forces.

DIPLOMACY

* House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement Monday at the conclusion of a visit by a Congressional delegation to Poland and Ukraine.

* The U.S. embassy hopes to return to Kyiv by the end of May if conditions permit.

* Sweden will on Wednesday reopen its embassy in Kyiv.

* Hungary has moved its embassy in Ukraine back to Kyiv from Lviv as the security situation in the capital keeps improving.

SANCTIONS

* Poland urged its European Union partners to unite and impose sweeping sanctions on Russias oil and gas sectors over the war in Ukraine, and not to cave in to pressure to pay for their gas in Russian rubles.

* A large bipartisan majority of U.S. citizens say they support sanctions on Russia as well as military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll released.

* Germany would be able to weather an E.U. embargo on Russian oil imports by the end of this year even though a stoppage could result in shortages, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

* The European Commission may spare Hungary and Slovakia from an embargo on buying Russian oil, two EU officials said.

NUCLEAR

* The International Atomic Energy Agency said new transmission channels installed last week at the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine are once again beginning to remotely transfer data on safeguards back to IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria.

* Finnish group Fennovoima says it has canceled a contract on cooperating with Russian state-owned nuclear power giant Rosatom to supply a nuclear power plant, saying Moscow's war in Ukraine has "worsened" risks for the project.



MEDIA

* Twenty-four hours after internet service was disconnected to Ukraines Black Sea port of Kherson, which Russian troops seized in early March, it has resumed but it is now under Kremlin control.

* Legal action and threats are becoming the new normal for those in Russia who defy the strict censorship around the war in Ukraine.

* Ukraines government-run Media Center will host a panel discussion with leading media figures in the country on World Press Freedom Day on Tuesday.

* Since the war began on February 24, at least seven journalists have been killed and several others injured.

The latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. All times EDT:

8:35 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Monday, "We expect a new package from the European Union soon. This package should include clear steps to block Russia's revenues from energy resources."

7:14 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Greek state television Monday that the civilians who are remaining in a steel plant in Mariupol were afraid to board buses because they believe they would be taken to Russia.

5:42 p.m.: Ukrainian soldiers defending the village of New York, near Donetsk, say they repelled several attacks as Russian forces tried to outflank their positions. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty correspondent Maryan Kushnir spent time with them recently as the sound of explosions and small-arms fire echoed across the landscape.

5:16 p.m.: The sanctions imposed on Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine will not be lifted until Moscow reaches a peace agreement with Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said, adding that it was for Ukraine to decide what peace it wanted. Interviewed on ZDF public television, Scholz said Putin had miscalculated if he had anticipated that he might be able to gain territory from Ukraine, declare an end to hostilities and see Western countries drop sanctions.

4:27 p.m.: An 87-year-old Ukrainian woman who survived the Holocaust and Nazi siege of Leningrad says the destruction of Mariupol by Russian forces is worse than what she experienced during World War II. Elvira Borts and her 94-year-old husband endured a month of constant shelling before being able to escape the besieged Ukrainian port city. Borts' interview with Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Ukrainian Service was the last story produced by journalist Vira Hyrych before she was killed in an April 28 Russian missile strike on her apartment building in Kyiv.

3:24 p.m.: VOA national security correspondent Jeff Seldin reports that CIA urging disgruntled Russian to reach out on the darknet.

2:59 p.m.: State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the U.S. hopes to see American diplomats return to Kyiv "as soon as possible" or "within the coming weeks," but it will depend on "a regular assessment of the security situation in our ability to operate safely and responsibly" in Kyiv, VOA State Department Bureau Chief Nike Ching reports. Price also said U.S. diplomats have been making day trips to Lviv from Poland (where they are currently based) consistently, while "not every day" in the past week.

2:30 p.m.: A Ukrainian fighter holed up the city of Mariupol said on Monday that up to 200 civilians remained trapped inside bunkers in the Azovstal steel works after an evacuation operation led by the United Nations to save civilians from the site. Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, 39, a deputy commander of Ukraines Azov Regiment, told Reuters that his fighters could hear the voices of people trapped in bunkers of the vast industrial complex. He said they were women, children and elderly people, but that the Ukrainian forces there did not have the mechanized equipment needed to dislodge the rubble, he said. Reuters was unable to independently verify his comments.

2:13 p.m.: The CIA says Russians disaffected by Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine may be trying to get in touch with U.S. intelligence  and it wants them to go to the darknet, The Associated Press reported. The agency on Monday began a new push to promote its presence on a part of the internet accessible only through specialized tools that provide more anonymity. The CIA has a darknet site that has the same features as its regular homepage but accessible only through the Tor internet browser, which has encryption features not available on most regular browsers. Instructions in English and Russian on how to access the darknet site appeared Monday on the CIAs social media channels. The agency hopes Russians living abroad can share the instructions with contacts inside the country.

2:02 p.m.: Since the war began on February 24, at least seven journalists have been killed and several others injured, according to Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists. The National Union of Journalists in Ukraine said last month that at least 20 media professionals had been killed. Many others have been detained, tortured, and interrogated by occupying Russian forces and their proxies in parts of eastern and southern Ukraine. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has the story of Ukrainian journalist Oleh Baturin, who recounted his brutal week as a Russian prisoner.

1:26 p.m.: A rocket strike hit the Black Sea port city of Odesa in southwestern Ukraine on Monday evening, causing deaths and injuries, the local governor, Maksym Marchenko, said on the Telgram messaging app. No further details were immediately available. Separately, Ukraine's public broadcaster Suspilne quoted the southern military command as saying that the strike had damaged a religious building, Reuters reported.

1:05 p.m.: Relatives of people killed in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha are trying to identify and retrieve the bodies of family members. Ukraine says more than 1,000 bodies have been discovered in or around Bucha since Russian forces withdrew in April, with many showing signs of torture. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this story.

12:52 p.m.: Twenty-four hours after internet service was disconnected to Ukraines Black Sea port of Kherson, which Russian troops seized in early March, it has resumed but it is now under Kremlin control, The Associated Press reported. Someone must have activated a line from Crimea to Kherson, said Doug Madory, director of internet analysis for Kentik Inc. He called the development eerily similar to what occurred after Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. The London-based internet monitor Netblocks, like Madory, reported that the Kherson regions traffic had been rerouted as of Sunday evening through Russias state-controlled Rostelecom after a day-long outage.



12:38 p.m.: The United States believes that the Russian military's Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, visited Ukraine's Donbas region last week but cannot confirm media reports that he was wounded during fighting, a U.S. defense official said on Monday. "We can confirm he was in the Donbas," the senior U.S. official told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The senior defense official also said Russians are not holding their gains in Donbas. Theyll move in, declare victory, and then pull out, allowing the Ukrainians to take it back, he said. VOAs National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin monitored the briefing and shared more details on Twitter.

12:13 p.m.: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi released a statement Monday at the conclusion of a visit by a Congressional delegation to Poland and Ukraine, saying, in part, I am proud that the Members of our delegation served as strong representatives of the American commitment to the NATO alliance and to Ukraine. Our delegation returns to Washington with further insight and deeply inspired from our engagements, as we continue to work to further support Ukraine, so that Democracy triumphs over dictatorship.

11:56 a.m.: Ukraines Prosecutor General said on Twitter Monday that the first suspect in the murders of civilians in Bucha has been identified.

11:50 a.m.: Sweden will on Wednesday re-open its embassy in Kyiv after it closed temporarily following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Swedish foreign minister said on Twitter on Monday. "Sweden will continue to #StandWithUkraine, and is delighted that @SwedeninUA 's diplomatic presence will be back where it belongs," Foreign Minister Ann Linde wrote on the social media platform, Reuters reported.

11:27 a.m.: The International Atomic Energy Agency said Monday that new transmission channels installed last week at the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine are once again beginning to remotely transfer data on safeguards back to IAEA headquarters in Vienna, Austria. The transmission from Chernobyl had been interrupted for two months, the IAEA said in a statement. Last week IAEA technicians visited Chernobyl and upgraded the unattended monitoring systems and deployed new transmission channels based on satellite technologies, it said.

11:13 a.m.: Legal action and threats are becoming the new normal for those in Russia who defy the strict censorship around the war in Ukraine. Moscow in March passed a law to limit coverage of the military and invasion, and a mix of fines and website blocks has resulted in most independent news outlets being forced out. VOAs Alexey Gorbachev has this report.

10:57 a.m.:

10:51 a.m.: Striking photos from Victory Day rehearsals show uniformed Russians wearing armbands reminiscent of Nazi outfits, but most online commenters omitted a key detail: many of the photos that caused an outcry online are several years old, and photographic archives show that Russia has employed the same armbands since at least 2012. Armbands with numbers are worn only during rehearsals and do not feature during the annual parade to mark victory over Nazi Germany, observed on May 9. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report.

10:46 a.m.:



10:44 a.m.: Teams of workers strove Monday to repair a bridge in southwestern Russia near the border with Ukraine that was damaged in what a local governor described as an act of sabotage, The Associated Press reported. The regional administration said it expects the repair work will be completed Wednesday. Kursk regional Governor Roman Starovoit said Sunday the bridge was blown up by unidentified attackers and the Investigative Committee, Russias top state investigative agency, has launched a criminal probe into what it described as a terrorist act. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack on the bridge, which follows a series of explosions and fires in western Russia amid the war in Ukraine.

10:43 a.m.: Up to 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the war so far, the Kyiv Independent quoted Ukraines president as saying.

10:33 a.m.: Hungary has moved its embassy in Ukraine back to Kyiv from Lviv as the security situation in the capital keeps improving, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Monday. In a Facebook video, Szijjarto said the move was finished over the weekend and the embassy in Kyiv was already operating, Reuters reported.

10:12 a.m.: Poland urged its European Union partners on Monday to unite and impose sweeping sanctions on Russias oil and gas sectors over the war in Ukraine, and not to cave in to pressure to pay for their gas in Russian rubles, The Associated Press reported. EU ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss their response to Russias decision last week to cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland.

9:46 a.m.: Moscow wont set artificial timeframes for its military operation in Ukraine in order to complete it by Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, Russias official TASS news agency reported Monday. "Our troops wont artificially base their activities on a specific date, including Victory Day," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italys Mediaset broadcaster, TASS reported. "We will solemnly celebrate May 9 the way we always do," Lavrov added. The pace of Russias special military operation in Ukraine first and foremost depends "on the need to mitigate risks for civilians and Russian troops," TASS quoted Lavrov as saying.

9:27 a.m.: Ukraines Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba on Monday took Denmarks visiting foreign minister to Irpin, a town near the capital Kyiv which had been occupied by Russian forces until recently.

9:13 a.m.: Ukraines government-run Media Center will host a panel discussion with leading media figures in the country on World Press Freedom Day on May 3, according to a statement posted on its website. The topic for the discussion panel is Coverage of the war in Ukraine: security and freedom of speech and the event will bring together journalists who can talk about how they cover the war, it said. They will discuss how the media can do their job safely during the war, and will mention colleagues who (died in) the war, the statement said.

8:59 a.m.:



8:42 a.m.: The U.N. human rights office (OHCHR) said on Monday that the death toll of civilians killed in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24 had exceeded 3,000 people. The toll of 3,153 killed so far represents an increase of 254 from Friday. OHCHR said that the real toll was likely to be considerably higher, citing access difficulties and ongoing corroboration efforts. Most of the victims were killed by explosive weapons with a wide impact area, such as missile strikes and air strikes, the rights office said, without attributing responsibility, Reuters reported.

8:35 a.m.:

8:21 a.m.: Efforts to evacuate more civilians from the devastated Ukrainian port city of Mariupol ran into delays on Monday and hundreds of people remained trapped in the Azovstal steel works, the last stronghold of resistance to the Russian siege, Reuters reported. A first group of evacuees from Mariupol had been due to arrive in the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday. But the city council said the buses had not yet reached the agreed pickup point, contradicting an earlier report that they had already left. The council urged the evacuees to remain in place. The civilians in question are from the city itself, not from the Azovstal steel works.

8:17 a.m.: Finnish group Fennovoima says it has canceled a contract on cooperating with Russian state-owned nuclear power giant Rosatom to supply a nuclear power plant, saying Moscow's war in Ukraine has "worsened" risks for the project. Fennovoima said in a statement on Monday that the planned Hanhikivi plant has encountered significant delays in recent years and that because of the situation in Ukraine, "cooperation with [Rosatom] is terminated with immediate effect and both the design and licensing work and works at the Hanhikivi 1 site with [Rosatom] end." Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report.

8:03 a.m.: A large bipartisan majority of U.S. citizens say they support sanctions on Russia as well as military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll released Monday. Some 72 percent are against the U.S. taking direct military action against Russia, while 21 percent say they would support such action, the Washington Post reported.

7:56 a.m.: The U.S. embassy hopes to return to Kyiv by the end of May if conditions permit, its charge daffaires said on Monday. U.S. diplomats departed the Kyiv embassy nearly two weeks before Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, moving some functions to the western city of Lviv before eventually relocating to neighboring Poland. We listen to the security professionals, and when they tell us we can go back we will go back, the charge daffaires, Kristina Kvien, told a news briefing. Some Western countries have already moved their embassies back to Kyiv as the main focus of fighting in Ukraine has moved away from the capital to the east and south of the country, Reuters reported.

7:24 a.m.: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Russia to investigate three incidents during which Russian forces opened fire on civilian vehicles in Ukraine after the start of Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, killing six Ukrainians and wounding three. HRW said that international humanitarian law and the laws of war forbid deliberately targeting civilians and that anyone who orders or deliberately commits such acts, or aids and abets them, is responsible for war crimes. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

7:21 a.m.: Russia's Bolshoi Theatre has upset opera and ballet fans by abruptly cancelling a series of shows this week by directors who have spoken out against the war in Ukraine. The theatre gave no reason for dropping Timofey Kuliabin's production of the opera "Don Pasquale" and Kirill Serebrennikov's ballet "Nureyev," Reuters reported. Kuliabin has used his Instagram account to express solidarity with Ukraine and ridicule Russia's description of its actions there. In one post, he showed a mocked-up version of the cover of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace," replacing the first word of the title with "Special Operation" - the term used by the Kremlin to describe the invasion. Serebrennikov told France 24 in an interview last month that "it's quite obvious that Russia started the war," and that it was breaking his heart. Both directors are currently outside Russia.

7:11 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says that half a million Ukrainians have been illegally taken to Russia, or other places, against their will, The Associated Press reported. Speaking to Greek state TV ERT, Zalenskyy said the remaining civilians in the Azovstal factory in the city of Mariupol are afraid to board buses because they believe they will be taken to Russia. The United Nations has begun evacuating civilians from the factory. Zelenskyy said U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres assured him that those evacuated would end up in an area controlled by the government of Ukraine. We want to believe this, the Ukrainian leader said.

6:59 a.m.: People fleeing besieged Mariupol described weeks of bombardments and deprivations as they arrived Monday in Ukrainian-held territory, where relief workers awaited the first group of civilians freed from a steel plant that is the last redoubt of Ukrainian fighters in the port city. While official evacuations have often faltered, many people have managed to flee Mariupol under their own steam in recent weeks. Others are unable to escape. The Associated Press has this story.

6:52 a.m.: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's comments to Italian television in which he suggested that Adolf Hitler had Jewish origins are "absurd" propaganda, a German government spokesperson said on Monday. During an interview with Rete 4 channel on Sunday, Lavrov was asked how Russia could say it needed to "denazify" Ukraine, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was Jewish. "I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it means nothing," Lavrov said via an interpreter, in comments that were met with sharp criticism from Israel, Reuters reported.

6:33 a.m.: A top-level U.S. congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was in Warsaw on Monday to express gratitude to Poland for its humanitarian and other support for Ukraine, The Associated Press reported. Pelosi and a half dozen U.S. lawmakers met with President Andrzej Duda and Polish lawmakers in Warsaw. The visit followed a weekend visit to Kyiv where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, pledging to support his country until it defeats Russia. In a statement after the meeting with Duda, Pelosi called him a valued partner in supporting the people of Ukraine in the face of Putins brutal and unprovoked war.

6:28 a.m.: A Russian rocket strike hit a strategically important bridge across the Dniester estuary in the Odesa region of southwest Ukraine on Monday, local authorities said. The bridge, which has already been hit twice by Russian forces, provides the only road and rail link on Ukrainian territory to a large southern section of the Odesa region. Serhiy Bratchuk, the Odesa regional administrations spokesman, reported the strike on the Telegram messaging app but gave no further details, Reuters reported.

6:12 a.m.:

6:04 a.m.: Ukraine has announced the temporary closure of its four main seaports after losing control of them to Russian forces. On Monday, the country's Agriculture Ministry said in a statement that the seaports of Berdyansk, Mariupol, Skadovsk, and Kherson will be closed "until Ukraine regains control over" them. "This measure has been caused by an inability to service ships and passengers, cargo, transport, and other related economic activities so as to ensure an adequate level of shipping safety and compliance with international treaties," the ministry said. The announcement is mainly a formality since Russia has blockaded or captured the seaports since launching its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.



5:54 a.m.: Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday sent holiday greetings to Muslims celebrating Eid al-Fitr in Ukraine and elsewhere.

5:48 a.m.: Germany would be able to weather an EU embargo on Russian oil imports by the end of this year even though a stoppage could result in shortages, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Monday, appearing to throw his weight behind a ban. Two European Union diplomats earlier said the bloc is leaning toward a ban on imports of Russian oil by the end of the year as part of a sixth package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. EU energy ministers will discuss the proposed oil ban in Brussels later on Monday. We have managed to reach a situation where Germany is able to bear an oil embargo, Habeck told a news conference, according to Reuters.

5:46 a.m.: The European Commission may spare Hungary and Slovakia from an embargo on buying Russian oil, two EU officials said on Monday, according to Reuters. The Commission is expected to finalise on Tuesday work on the next, and sixth package of EU sanctions against Russia over its actions in Ukraine, which would include a ban on buying Russian oil, exports of which are a major source of Moscow's revenue. Hungary, heavily dependent on Russian oil, has repeatedly said it would not sign up to sanctions involving energy. Slovakia is also one of the EU countries most reliant on Russian fossil fuels. To keep the 27-nation bloc united, the Commission might offer Slovakia and Hungary "an exemption or a long transition period," one of the officials said.

5:42 a.m.:

5:39 a.m.: The first evacuees from the ruins of Mariupol's Azovstal steel works were expected to reach the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday after cowering in underground bunkers from Russian shelling for weeks, Reuters reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that around 100 civilians would arrive in Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine on Monday. "For the first time, we had two days of a ceasefire on this territory, and we managed to take out more than 100 civilians - women, children," he said. Some evacuees who had not been holed up in the steel works also arrived in Zaporizhzhia on Monday morning after traveling from Mariupol independently.



5:35 a.m.:

5:32 a.m.: With no end to Moscows devastating war on Ukraine in sight, a related battle that is bloodless but potentially painful for both sides is now under way. It pits Russia, the worlds largest natural-gas exporter, against the European Union, the world's third-largest economy -- and it could get worse before its over. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has this report.

5:30 a.m.: Israel has summoned the Russian ambassador over comments made by the Russian foreign minister about Nazism and antisemitism, The Associated Press reported. Sergey Lavrov claimed in an interview with an Italian news channel that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures, including the countrys president were Jewish, saying Hitler also had Jewish origins.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called the remarks unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error. Lapids stern reaction came in a statement on Monday. It stands in contrast to Israels position on the war in Ukraine, where it has tried to maintain a semblance of neutrality, the AP reported.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Lavrov could not help hiding the deeply-rooted antisemitism of the Russian elites and that his comments demonstrate that todays Russia is full of hatred towards other nations.

4:30 a.m.: Finland will decide to apply for NATO membership on May 12, Finnish newspaper Iltalehti reported late on Sunday, citing anonymous government sources.

The decision to join will come in two steps on that day, with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto first announcing his approval for the Nordic neighbor of Russia to join the Western defense alliance, followed by parliamentary groups giving their approval for the application, the paper reported.

Russias invasion of Ukraine has pushed Finland and Sweden to the verge of applying for NATO membership and abandoning a belief held for decades that peace was best kept by not publicly choosing sides. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the details provided by Iltalehti.

Under the Finnish constitution, the president leads Finlands foreign and security policy in cooperation with the government. The decision will be confirmed in a meeting between the President and the governments key ministers after the Presidents and the Parliaments initial announcements, the paper reported. Russia, with which Finland shares a 1,300-km (810-mile) border and a pre-1945 history of conflict, has warned it will deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles in its Baltic coast enclave of Kaliningrad if Finland and Sweden decide to join the U.S.-led NATO alliance.

Additionally, Finnish consortium Fennovoima said Monday it had terminated its contract with Russias state-owned nuclear power supplier Rosatom for the delivery of a planned nuclear power plant in Finland, Reuters reported.

The planned Hanhikivi plant was commissioned by Fennovoima, a Finnish-Russian consortium, in which Finnish stakeholders including Outokumpu OUT1V.HE, Fortum FORTUM.HE and SSAB SSABa.ST own two thirds and Rosatoms subsidiary RAOS Voima holds the rest.

4:00 a.m.: About 5.5 million refugees have left Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in late February, according to the United Nations, with more than 3 million of them going to Poland. Romania has taken in the second most with more than 800,000.

3:30 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Russia is blocking ships from going in and out of its Black Sea ports, triggering a food crisis that will affect Europe, Asia and Africa, Reuters reported. Zelenskyy said Ukraine can lose tens of millions of tons of grain as a result. Russia wants to completely block our countrys economy, he told the Australian news program 60 Minutes.

2:10 a.m.: Reuters reported that two explosions took place in the early hours on Monday in Belgorod, the southern Russian region bordering Ukraine, Vyacheslav Gladkov, the regions governor wrote in a social media post.

There were no casualties or damage, Gladkov wrote.

1:45 a.m.: Ukrainian officials said they expect more civilians will be able to evacuate from the besieged city of Mariupol on Monday.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message late Sunday that more than 100 civilians were able to leave Sunday, and that they were due to arrive Monday in Zaporizhzhia, about 200 kilometers away.

With Russian troops taking control of the rest of Mariupol, hundreds of civilians and an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian troops have been holed up at the Azovstal steel works. Multiple earlier attempts to evacuate civilians from the site fell apart with Ukraine accusing Russia of shelling evacuation routes. For the first time, there were two days of real cease-fire on this territory, Zelenskyy said.

1:15 a.m.: Britains defense ministry said more than one-fourth of the 120 battalion tactical groups Russia committed at the start of the conflict in Ukraine have likely been rendered combat ineffective. The ministry added that some of the most elite Russian units have suffered the highest levels of attrition.

12:15 a.m.: The White House announced first lady Jill Biden will begin a trip Thursday to Romania and Slovakia that will include meeting with Ukrainians displaced by Russias invasion. Biden will also meet with aid workers, local families supporting Ukrainian refugees and also educators who are helping Ukrainian children continue schooling.

12:01 a.m.: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi became the highest-ranking elected official to visit Ukraines president in Kyiv. She led a U.S. congressional delegation that promised more support for Ukraine and unwavering solidarity in its fight against Russian aggression. VOAs Arash Arabasadi has more.

Some information came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Following a delicious lunch, Master of Ceremonies, Marian Shaw, guided the celebration beginning with The Pledge of Allegiance and the Opening Ritual. The announcement of the 2022-2023 theme from International, presented by Nancy Baker, will be Friends at Your Fingertips. The Chapter Year in Review was given by Alnora Daubendiek from Torchbearer Beta Chapter and Cheryl Smith from Torchbearer Zeta Chapter. The 2022 Woman of The Year from Torchbearer Beta Chapter was Sue Jedlicka written by Marilyn Coffin and presented by Linda McCall. The 2022 Woman of The Year from Torchbearer Zeta Chapter was Chari Stanley presented by Trudy Wattier. The Exemplar Degree was given to Dora Redwine from Torchbearer Beta Chapter and The Order of the Rose was given to Rowien Kumm from Torchbearer Zeta Chapter. The Golden Circle Ritual, for 50 years of membership, was given to Marsha Young and Chari Stanley from Torchbearer Zeta Chapter. The festivities were completed with the Closing Ritual and joining hands for the Mizpah.
Free speech advocates in Malawi have condemned the arrest of a nurse for insulting President Lazarus Chakwera during a WhatsApp debate on governance.

Malawi police said 39-year-old Chidawawa Mainje was charged with cyber harassment and faces up to five years in prison and a fine of $2,500 if found guilty.

Mainje was arrested after using an expletive on the instant messaging service about how the president has done nothing to change the lives of people who voted for him.

Police say Mainjes arrest is in line with the Electronic Transactions and Cyber Security Act 2016, which prohibits insulting someone online.

Harry Namwaza is the deputy spokesperson for the Malawi Police Service.

You cant enjoy your freedom or your rights while at the same time you are infringing the rights of others. It doesnt work like that. There should be a responsibility. So, its a criminal offense. Thats why we have arrested him, Namwaza said.

The nurses arrest comes a week after police in the capital, Lilongwe, arrested a 51-year-old man for allegedly insulting the minister of labor in his WhatsApp group post.

Michael Kayiyatsa is the executive director for the rights group, Center for Human Rights and Rehabilitation.

He said the arrest is a violation of freedom of expression.

The guy who was arrested was expressing an opinion which was not favorable to the president. But its within his right to express such views, and he is protected by Section 35 of our constitution," Kayiyatsa said. "So, the best that police should have done is simply to provide advice, but this is somebody expressing their views.

Kayiyatsa said there is a need for cybercrime legislation to be reviewed and at the same time clarified in some sections, adding that politicians could use the measure to silence dissenting views.

Especially Section 86, which is talking about offensive communication that needs to be reviewed," Kayiyatsa said. "And also, there is need for clarity, because in the absence of clarity, such provisions can be abused to target online users, which is worrisome.

According to Kayiyatsa, more than 15 people have been arrested for contravening the legislation by speaking ill of government officials and associates since Chakwera took power two years ago.

Another human rights activist, Billy Banda of Malawi Watch, said he feels the police are now being used to help shield the current administration from public criticism.

The police are not entitled in any way to sound like they are protecting one particular individual," Banda said. "Are the police able to look back? We had the former president, professor Peter Mutharika. He was insulted. He never in any way arrested or directed anybody to be arrested.

Namwaza said authorities are just reinforcing the law, regardless of one's status in society.

Of course, people may have different opinions, but we are bound to ensure that laws are being respected, laws are being enforced," Namwaza said. "So, we are just doing our job.

The National Organization of Nurses and Midwives in Malawi warned on Sunday that it would stage a nationwide strike if the police did not release Mainje unconditionally.

The leader of the organization, however, announced later that the group reversed its position, saying it observed that Mainje was making the remarks in his personal capacity and not on behalf of the organization.

In the meantime, police said Mainje is expected to appear in court Wednesday.
Officials in Pakistan confirmed Sunday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with 150 others, had been booked under the countrys blasphemy law, a move that drew condemnation of the government for using religion as a tool to intimidate political rivals.

The disputed blasphemy charges stemmed from heckling of new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation by some Pakistani pilgrims during an official visit last week to Saudi Arabia.

The hecklers were allegedly linked to Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party. Several videos circulating on social media have shown people chanting traitors and thieves on Thursday as Sharifs team members visited the holy mosque built by Islamic Prophet Mohammad in Medina.

Saudi authorities confirmed Friday they arrested several Pakistanis for their alleged involvement in the incident.

Rana Sanaullah, the Pakistani interior minister, in a tweet Sunday defended the blasphemy charges levelled against Khan in a police complaint, promising to bring to justice those behind the incident in Saudi Arabia. No one will be spared in this matter and law will take its course, the minister told a local television channel.

Sanaullah added that the former prime minister and his aides could be arrested if evidence linked them to the incident.

Khan and his aides have rejected the charges as ridiculous and an outcome of public pressure building on the new government in the wake of the deepening economic and energy crises facing Pakistan.

Last month, a parliamentary no-confidence vote ousted Khans nearly four-year-old government and Sharif replaced him as the head of a coalition.

Fawad Hussain, a former minister and central member of Khans party, drew the attention of international human rights groups to alleged misuse of the blasphemy law by the Sharif government.

Pakistan Interior minister in his statements has accepted the use of blasphemy laws as a tool to charge political opponents, he wrote on Twitter.



"Probably first time in the history of Pakistan, [a] government is using Blasphemy laws against opposition earlier private sects and extremists weaponised these sections to avenge personal vendetta but today.[the] interior minister triumphantly claimed victimisation as success, Hussain said in a subsequent tweet.



Rights activists have also dismissed the blasphemy charges as political victimization, saying they are meant to deter Khan from organizing anti-government protests.



The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan demanded the cases against the PTI leadership be withdrawn immediately. No government or political party can afford to allow allegations of blasphemy to be weaponised against its rivals, the rights watchdog said on Twitter.

The blasphemy provision used in the police complaint specifically states that offensive remarks made against the Islamic prophet would only be treated as blasphemous. Additionally, law experts noted that Pakistans legal framework does not allow registration of cases in criminal acts committed on a foreign land.

Critics have long called for reforming Pakistans blasphemy law, saying it is often abused by influential members of society and religious fanatics to intimidate religious minorities and pressure opponents into settling personal feuds.

Insulting the Prophet Mohammad can carry a death penalty in Pakistan but no one has been executed to date because higher courts often overturn lower court convictions in blasphemy-related cases.

Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in the predominantly Muslim Pakistan where suspects are often attacked and sometimes lynched by mobs.

This is the public reaction because they are angry," Khan told the private ARY news channel while responding to the heckling incident. How they connected us with what happened in Medina, he asked in the interview the channel will broadcast Monday.

On Sunday, Khan told reporters that anyone who loves the prophet cannot even think of asking people to chant slogans at the sacred place (of worship in Medina).

The deposed Pakistani leader alleges the United States sponsored the no-confidence vote against him as punishment for a visit he made to Moscow against Washingtons advice. Khan visited President Vladimir Putin on the day the Russian leader ordered troops to invade Ukraine.

Khan has organized mass rallies across major cities in recent days against the Sharif administration, dismissing it as an imported government imposed by the United States.

Washington rejects the accusations as untrue.

Khan is demanding the government announce early elections and has called on his supporters to march on Islamabad in the last week of May and stage a sit-in protest until the demand is met.

Government officials have dismissed the demand, saying the elections will be held next year as scheduled.

Sharif took the oath of office April 11 on a day when he was due to be indicted and sent to jail in a massive money laundering case. He is the younger brother of three-time former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was convicted in a corruption case and imprisoned.

The Khan government allowed the elder Sharif to leave the jail and go to London for six weeks to seek urgent medical treatment in 2019. He has not returned to Pakistan.
Pope Francis on Sunday paid tribute to journalists who have died or been jailed in the line of duty, defending a free press and praising those in the media who courageously report on "humanity's wounds."

Speaking to thousands in St. Peter's Square for his weekly address and blessing, Francis noted that May 3 will be the United Nations World Press Freedom Day.

"I render homage to journalists who pay in person for this right," he said, citing statistics that 47 journalists were killed and more than 350 jailed last year.

That is a lower number than tabulated by UNESCO, the U.N. organization that sponsors World Press Freedom Day, which said earlier this year that 55 journalists and media workers were killed in 2021.

"A special thanks to those who, with courage, keep us informed about humanity's wounds," the pope said.

Last month, Francis honored journalists killed while covering the Russia-Ukraine war, saying he hoped God would reward them for serving the common good.

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists says it has confirmed that at least seven journalists have died while covering the war in Ukraine and is investigating whether others were killed because of their work.

Reporters Without Borders, which is based in Paris, says it has documented a number of attacks directly targeting journalists wearing "Press" arm bands in Ukraine.

Vira Hyrych, a producer for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was killed when a Russian airstrike hit her apartment building in Kyiv on April 28.

RFE/RL is a Russian and Ukrainian language network of the taxpayer-funded U.S. Agency for Global Media, which includes Voice of America.


Qantas announced Monday it will launch the world's first non-stop commercial flights from Sydney to London and New York by the end of 2025, finally conquering the "tyranny of distance.

After five years of planning, the airline said it was ordering 12 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to operate the "Project Sunrise" flights to cities including London and New York.

Non-stop flights will start from Sydney by the end of 2025, it said, with the long-haul flights later planned to include Melbourne.

"New types of aircraft make new things possible," said Qantas chairman Alan Joyce, according to a statement.

"The A350 and Project Sunrise will make any city just one flight away from Australia," he said. "It's the final frontier and the final fix for the tyrany of distance."

Qantas operated research flights for long-haul flights in 2019, including a trial London-Sydney flight of 17,750 kilometers (11,030 miles) that took 19 hours and 19 minutes.

The airline already operates a 14,498-kilometre Perth-London trip that takes 17 hours.

"As you'd expect, the cabin is being specially designed for maximum comfort for long-haul flying," Joyce said.

Qantas said the new A350 aircraft would be configured for 238 passengers in total with first-class suites offering a separate bed, recliner chair and wardrobe.

It promised spacier economy sections and a "well-being zone" designed for "movement, stretching and hydration.

Singapore Airlines currently operates the world's longest nonstop commercial flight from Singapore to New York, clocking in a time of about 19 hours.

At the same time, Qantas confirmed it was also ordering 40 A321 XLR and A220 aircraft from Airbus. In addition, it bought options for another 94 of these planes until the end of 2034.

"The A320s and A220s will become the backbone of our domestic fleet for the next 20 years, helping to keep this country moving," Joyce said.

The newer aircraft would reduce emissions by at least 15% if running on fossil fuels, and more if using sustainable aviation fuel, he said.

"We have come through the other side of the pandemic a structurally different company," the airline boss said. "Our domestic market share is higher and the demand for direct international flights is even stronger than it was before COVID. The business case for Project Sunrise has an internal rate of return in the mid-teens."

Qantas said the total cost of the deal was a matter of commercial confidence, though it indicated it had obtained a significant discount on the standard price of the aircraft.

The A350-1000 planes will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 turbofan engines, designed to be 25% more fuel efficient than the previous generation of aircraft, Qantas said.
The pandemic and Chinas zero-COVID-19 policy has caused ripple effects throughout the global supply chain. The fruit industry in Southeast Asia has been feeling the impact. VOAs video journalists talked to the people involved, from farmers to truck drivers. This is their story. VOAs Vietnamese, Cambodian and Thai Services contributed to this story.
Russia launched new assaults on Ukraine's southwestern port city of Odesa on Monday as the European Union prepared for a new round of sanctions on Russian oil.

Odesa's City Council said Monday a Russian strike hit a residential building in the city, killing a 15-year-old boy and hospitalizing a girl. Regional governor Maksym Marchenko said a Russian missile also hit a strategically important bridge in the area.

The European Union is expected as soon as Tuesday to propose a new package of sanctions on Russia, including limits to Russian oil. German officials indicated Monday the country could support a full EU embargo of Russian oil.

"We have managed to reach a situation where Germany is able to bear an oil embargo," German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address Monday, "We expect a new package from the European Union soon. This package should include clear steps to block Russia's revenues from energy resources."

Evacuation of Mariupol

Earlier Monday, Ukraine's foreign minister said the evacuation of civilians from the besieged city of Mariupol remained "very fragile" after the first group was able to leave a bombed-out steel plant.

Dmytro Kuleba told reporters in Kyiv Monday that "things can fall apart at any given moment, so it's better to wait until the evacuation is over."

Zelenskyy said in a video message that more than 100 civilians were able to leave Sunday, and that they were headed to Zaporizhzhia, about 200 kilometers away, although their progress was reported as slow. Kuleba said Monday the evacuation, conducted by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, was still "underway" and declined to give more details until it was complete.

With Russian troops taking control of the rest of Mariupol, hundreds of civilians and an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian troops have been holed up at the Azovstal iron and steel works. Multiple earlier attempts to evacuate civilians from the site fell apart, with Ukraine accusing Russia of shelling evacuation routes.

Video footage posted by Ukrainian forces showed elderly women and mothers with small children climbing over a steep pile of rubble near the mammoth plant and eventually boarding a bus.

Kuleba said Monday that only civilians had so far been able to leave the plant and that Ukraine's government was continuing to work to negotiate an evacuation for soldiers holed up inside.

Russia's military said Monday that 69 people who came out of the steel mill chose to be evacuated to Ukraine-controlled territories, while 57 others asked to stay in areas controlled by Russia.

Ukraine has previously accused Russia of taking Ukrainians against their will to Russia, a charge Moscow denies.

Zelenskyy told Greek state television Monday that the remaining civilians in the steel plant had been afraid to board buses because they believed they would be taken to Russia.

Meanwhile in Washington, the CIA released instructions on social media explaining how Russians disaffected by the war could get in touch with U.S. intelligence.

"We are providing Russian-language instructions on how to safely contact the CIA  via our dark web site or a reputable VPN  for those who feel compelled to reach us because of the Russian government's unjust war," a CIA spokesperson said.

A senior U.S. defense official described continuing problems for Russia's military, including poor command and control issues and low morale in many units.

"We continue to see minimal at best progress by the Russians" in capturing the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine," the official said, adding, "They'll move in, declare victory and then pull out, allowing the Ukrainians to take it back."

The official described Russia's advances as "very cautious, very tepid, very uneven," adding that "in some places, quite frankly, the best word to describe it would be 'anemic.'"

US House speaker visits

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who, along with six other Democratic lawmakers, made an unannounced visit Saturday to Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy, held talks Monday in Poland with President Andrzej Duda as Pelosi pledged support for NATO allies in their efforts to bolster Ukraine against Russia.

Pelosi told VOA that Russia had "done enough to justify the strongest possible military response, the strongest sanctions, to make the case that this is not tolerable."

"We shouldn't do anything less because of a threat from Russia," Pelosi said. "They have already delivered on their threat. They've killed children and families and civilians and the rest. And as I said yesterday, we don't respond to a bully."

More than 5.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in late February, according to the United Nations, with more than 3 million of them going to Poland. Romania has taken in the second most, with more than 800,000.

The White House announced Monday that first lady Jill Biden would begin a trip Thursday to Romania and Slovakia and that it would include meeting with Ukrainians displaced by Russia's invasion. Biden would also meet with aid workers, local families supporting Ukrainian refugees and educators who are helping Ukrainian children continue schooling.

Pelosi was the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Ukraine since February 24, the start of the Russian invasion that has killed thousands of fighters on both sides and thousands of Ukrainian civilians.

State Department spokesman Ned Price said Pelosi's visit "sends a clear message that the United States stands with Ukraine and underscores the strong bipartisan commitment of the American people to supporting the brave people of Ukraine."

In other developments Monday, Israel denounced statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who, when asked by an Italian news channel about Russia's stated aim to "denazify" Ukraine when the country's president is Jewish, said, "Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it doesn't mean anything."

"Foreign Minister Lavrov's remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error. Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust," Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid tweeted. "The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of antisemitism."

Kuleba said Lavrov's comments were offensive to Zelenskyy, Ukraine, Israel and the Jewish people.

"More broadly, they demonstrate that today's Russia is full of hatred towards other nations," Kuleba tweeted.

VOA's Myroslava Gongadze, Jeff Seldin and Nike Ching contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Press and Reuters.
BRINC, a company based in Seattle, Washington, is producing special drones to assist Ukraine's armed forces. The drones are used in search and rescue missions and can provide eyes in places where it's too dangerous to send people. Khrystyna Shevchenko has the story, narrated by Anna Rice. Videographer: Khrystyna Shevchenko
U.S. President Joe Biden called for religious tolerance as he hosted a reception Monday to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Biden praised the contributions of Muslim Americans, saying, "Muslims make our nation stronger every single day, even as they still face real challenges and threats in our society, including targeted violence and Islamophobia."

Biden, who is Catholic, told attendees at the event in the White House's East Room, "There's a lot of similarities between all the three major religions."

He said, "For the first time in decades, three Abrahamic faiths all celebrate their holy days at the same time," listing Ramadan, Passover and Easter.

Muslims celebrate the three-day Eid al-Fitr holiday at the conclusion of Ramadan, a holy month in which Muslims typically engage in daylong fasts.

"Through their fast, Muslims demonstrate empathy for the suffering of others, strengthening and renewing their resolve to give generously and to make the world a better place, better for all who suffer," Biden said.

The president was joined at the White House event by his wife, Jill Biden, and Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris.

Harris could not attend because she has been in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 last week. Her office said Monday that she had tested negative for the virus and would be back to work on Tuesday.

In a statement issued ahead of the event, the Bidens said, "The tradition of religious freedom for all strengthens our country, and we will continue to work with Americans of all beliefs and backgrounds to safeguard and deepen our collective commitment to this fundamental principle.

"This year, we will resume the tradition of celebrating Eid at the White House, and of honoring the inspiring Muslim Americans who are leading efforts to build greater understanding and unity across our nation."

Last year's White House Eid celebration was held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Bidens also highlighted the "millions of displaced persons and refugees around the globe who are spending this sacred holiday separated from their families and unsure of their future." They said the nation must "uphold our commitment to serving as a beacon of hope for oppressed people around the world."

Some information in this report came from Reuters.
The United Nations said Sunday it is conducting a safe passage operation to get as many as 1,000 Ukrainian civilians out of the steel plant blockaded by Russian forces in the war-ravaged southern port city of Mariupol.

The operation, being coordinated by the International Committee of the Red Cross along with Russian and Ukrainian officials, began at the Azovstal steel works Saturday. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs offered no other details so as not to jeopardize the safety of the rescue operation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted, The 1st group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area. Tomorrow well meet them in Zaporizhzhia.

Grateful to our team! he said. Now they, together with (the U.N.) are working on the evacuation of other civilians from the plant.

Officials believe another 2,000 Ukrainian fighters remain in the plant, where they are holed up in the massive complexs labyrinth of tunnels and passageways surrounded by Russian forces. As many as 100,000 other Ukrainian civilians may still be in the city on the northern coast of the Sea of Azov that is controlled by Russia after a two-month bombing campaign that has all but leveled it.

Initially, the Russian Defense Ministry said 46 people, a group of 25 and another totaling 21, were evacuated, while the Azov Regiment, the Ukrainian unit defending the steelworks, said 20 women and children were among those evacuated.

The U.N. operation came as U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and six other Democratic lawmakers made an unannounced visit Saturday to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for a three-hour meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Pelosi was the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the war-torn country since the February 24 Russian invasion that has killed thousands of fighters on both sides and thousands of Ukrainian civilians.

Later, speaking from Poland after leaving Kyiv, Pelosi said she had vowed to Zelenskyy, We are with you until this fight is won.

She said the congressional delegation brought him "a message of appreciation from the American people for his leadership" in fighting back against the Russian invasion. Pelosi has promised quick House passage of the new $33 billion Ukraine aid request U.S. President Joe Biden sent to Congress last week.

Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, the lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told ABCs This Week show that he too expects Congress to approve the new arms and humanitarian aid package, more than double the $13.6 billion in assistance Congress had already approved.

After early predictions by some military analysts that Russia would quickly overrun Ukraine and topple Zelenskyy, McCaul said he now believes Ukraine can win it. That should be the goal.

I think the fighting spirit of the Ukrainians is far superior to that of the Russians, McCaul said.

Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, told ABC, None of [the Russians] objectives are met. They are trying to scare Ukrainians. We have to win and we will. She described Pelosis visit to Kyiv as yet another sign of the very strong support from the United States.

Meanwhile, Russia launched new assaults on coastal southern Ukraine and the country's eastern industrial heartland. Fighting was occurring village by village.

Zelenskyy, in his nightly video address late Saturday, warned that Russia was "gathering additional forces for new attacks against our military in the east of the country." He implored Russian troops not to fight in Ukraine, arguing that even their generals expect that thousands more of them will die.

"But why do the Russian soldiers need this? Why do their families need this?" Zelenskyy said in Russian.

The British Defense Ministry said early Sunday that Russia is trying to legitimize its control of Kherson, in southern Ukraine, through installing a pro-Russian administration.

That administration has declared a return to Ukrainian control for the city and surrounding area "impossible" and announced that the Russian ruble will be used in Kherson beginning Sunday.

The ministry said that Russian control of Kherson and its transport links will help sustain Russias efforts to advance to the west and north and improve Russias control over the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized in 2014.

Some information in this report came from The Associated Press and Reuters.
Ukrainian officials said they expect more civilians will be able to evacuate from the besieged city of Mariupol on Monday.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video message late Sunday that more than 100 civilians were able to leave Sunday, and that they were due to arrive Monday in Zaporizhzhia, about 200 kilometers away.

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With Russian troops taking control of the rest of Mariupol, hundreds of civilians and an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian troops have been holed up at the Azovstal steel works. Multiple earlier attempts to evacuate civilians from the site fell apart with Ukraine accusing Russia of shelling evacuation routes.

"For the first time, there were two days of real cease-fire on this territory," Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk called the situation at Azovstal "a real humanitarian catastrophe" with people running low on food, water and medicine.

The United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross conducted Sunday's evacuations, calling it a "safe passage operation."

As many as 100,000 other Ukrainian civilians may still be in Mariupol, located on the northern coast of the Sea of Azov, after a two-month bombing campaign that has all but leveled it.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who along with six other Democratic lawmakers made an unannounced visit Saturday to Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy, held talks Monday in Poland with President Andrzej Duda as she pledges support for NATO allies in their efforts to bolster Ukraine.

"Our meetings will be focused on further strengthening our partnership, offering our gratitude for Poland's humanitarian leadership, and discussing how we can further work together to support Ukraine," Pelosi said in a statement Sunday.

Duda said at the start of their meeting that they would discuss "the situation in Ukraine, how to help them, what kind of support they need." He added that this is a "crucial" and "very difficult moment."

About 5.5 million refugees have left Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in late February, according to the United Nations, with more than 3 million of them going to Poland.

Romania has taken in the second most with more than 800,000.

The White House announced Monday that first lady Jill Biden will begin a trip Thursday to Romania and Slovakia that will include meeting with Ukrainians displaced by Russia's invasion. Biden will also meet with aid workers, local families supporting Ukrainian refugees and educators who are helping Ukrainian children continue schooling.

Pelosi was the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit Ukraine since the February 24 Russian invasion that has killed thousands of fighters on both sides and thousands of Ukrainian civilians.

Speaking from Poland after leaving Kyiv, Pelosi said she had vowed to Zelenskyy, "We are with you until this fight is won."

She said the congressional delegation brought him "message of appreciation from the American people for his leadership" in fighting back against the Russian invasion. Pelosi has promised quick House passage of the new $33 billion aid request for Ukraine U.S. President Joe Biden sent to Congress last week.

Republican Congressman Michael McCaul, the lead Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told ABC's "This Week" show that he too expects Congress to approve the new arms and humanitarian aid package, more than double the $13.6 billion in assistance Congress had already approved.

After early predictions by some military analysts that Russia would quickly overrun Ukraine and topple Zelenskyy, McCaul said he now believes Ukraine "can win it. That should be the goal."

"I think the fighting spirit of the Ukrainians is far superior to that of the Russians," McCaul said.

Oksana Markarova, the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, told ABC, "None of (the Russians') objectives are met. They are trying to scare Ukrainians. We have to win and we will." She described Pelosi's visit to Kyiv as "yet another sign of the very strong support from the United States."

Britain's defense ministry said more than one-fourth of the 120 battalion tactical groups Russia committed at the start of the conflict in Ukraine have likely "been rendered combat ineffective." The ministry added that some of the most elite Russian units "have suffered the highest levels of attrition."

The Associated Press, Agence France-Press and Reuters provided some information in this report.
A high-speed pursuit through Gage County Saturday evening ended with a suspect being shot by Beatrice Police in the area of downtown Beatrice.

The pursuit started north of the Pickrell turn on Highway 77 at around 10:30 p.m. when a deputy spotted a vehicle traveling south toward Beatrice with a headlight out. The deputy attempted a traffic stop and the vehicle accelerated to speeds of more than 100 mph.

With the threat of public safety, the BPD officers sent two spike strips and deployed them at Sixth and Industrial and Sixth and Dorsey streets, Beatrice Police Chief Bruce Lang said during a press conference.

The vehicle continued with four flat tires and eventually came to a stop near Second and Ella streets, where the driver fled on foot.

Police attempted a Taser deployment, but were unsuccessful.

The driver had made statements to the officers, I have a gun dont make me use it, and reached hands into waistband, Lang said. When the individual reached into his waistband a Beatrice Police Officer fired multiple shots at the suspect, striking him. Officers then rendered first aid to him and he was transported to Bryan West where he is in critical but stable condition in the ICU.

The suspect was identified Monday morning as 36-year-old Bradley Allen.

Lang added there were active warrants for the suspect from Nebraska and Kansas, which police suspect is the reason he fled.

He said as of Saturday night, a weapon had not been recovered from the suspect.

A female passenger remained with the vehicle when it stopped, and was not arrested by police.

The officer who fired the shots, Kelly Byrne, has been placed on administrative assignment pending the investigation, which Lang said is standard procedure. The Nebraska State Patrol is heading the investigation. Byrne has been employed by the department since December 2018.

Lang, who is retiring as police chief in June after 30 years, said this is the second officer-involved shooting in Beatrice during his career.

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The wife of the late Elvis Nyathi, who was brutally murdered by a vigilante group in South Africa last month in the violence-prone Diepsloot township, has been asked by the police to return to Johannesburg to identify people that were recently arrested in connection with his death.

Nomusa Tshuma, a mother of four children, says she is scared of going back to South Africa, noting that she may be killed as well by some locals.

"I fear that they will kill me like my husband if I go back there and try to identify people who killed him. His death is haunting me. I'm heartbroken and the people are now calling me saying I should go to Johannesburg to identify suspects in a parade. I can't do this."

Nomusa says she cant identify any of the suspects, who doused Nyathi with fuel and used vehicle tyres to burn him to death.

"It will be difficult for me to identify anyone because they beat me up as well. While they were beating up my husband, they also use a whip to beat me. They were demanding money while causing mayhem at home. I just saw one guy who was dark, short and had some beard but I can't identify him now because I was harassed and beaten up and did not have time to look at the assailants."

She is still struggling to come to terms with Nyathis death while living with her in-laws in Zimbabwe.

Nomusa is appealing for help to raise her children and construct a house in Ntabazinduna area where Nyathi has an undeveloped stand.

Nyathi was manhandled, doused with petrol and burnt beyond recognition with vehicle tyres tied to his body.

He was laid to rest in Bulawayo three weeks ago.
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The 2022 Met Gala organizers must be Carrie Coon stans. The annual benefit for the Mets Costume Institute has a dress code of gilded glamour, per Vogue. Guests are encouraged to dress in finery reminiscent of the Gilded Age. So, like, corsets, Gibson-girl hair, and giant Titanic-ass hats. But really any outfit that emphasizes the wealth disparity in America (which is actually worse than it was during the Gilded Age) will be on theme. The Met Gala is back in its traditional spot on the calendar: the first Monday in May. The red carpet will be streamed live on Vogues various social-media accounts, hosted by Vanessa Hudgens, La La Anthony, and Hamish Bowles.

This years Met Gala is part two of an American fashion retrospective. Last years exhibit was In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, and this years is In America: An Anthology of Fashion. Presumably next years show will be Proud to Be an American, USA A-OK, or Ameri-I-Can.

This years Met Gala will also be a Meg Gala. Page Six is reporting that Megan Thee Stallion will be attending in Moschino. Katy Perry is also confirmed, and reported to be dialing it back a little bit. One celeb who always nails the theme, Zendaya, will not be attending this year because shes too booked and busy. Im sorry to disappoint my fans here but I will be working, she said at the Euphoria FYC event. Your girls gotta work and make some movies. So I wish everyone the best.
There are a lot of things that happen in Pinot You Didnt, but none of that matters when we finally get to see Ari take an entire glass of wine to the face. Ari and Binis reintroduction on 90 Day Fiance simplified a lot of the issues they had in The Other Way. It wasnt just that Ari took their kid back to America and forced Bini to leave his friends and family in Ethiopia for Kenya; it was her deep jealousy and insecurities that made all of that happen! Ari constantly believed Bini was cheating or doing bad things when he just seemed like a guy willing to do anything to keep his son in his life!

Ari was the villain of The Other Way, and it doesnt look as if she plans on changing just because she got her way. From the very beginning, it never seems as though Ari seriously wants to stay in Africa with Bini. She is always creating problems to find reasons to go back to America. Bini is wrong to tell his family last minute, but I dont know why Ari even goes with him when she knows his friends and family hate her now! So you can feel the tension rise when Ari starts on her whole Im not marrying Binis family; Im marrying Bini thing. Binis parents died when he was young  his sisters raised him, and he wants them in his sons life! Once again, Ari is being completely disrespectful.

But this time, this glorious time, Binis sisters decide they dont have to be polite to keep Ari from running off with their nephew. Binis sister throws a full glass of wine directly into Aris face, and it is, frankly, the most beautiful and cathartic moment in 90 Day history. Before that, Binis sisters do try to make Ari feel welcome! They take her to the spa with them, and she complains the entire time. They try to be there for her when she has issues with Bini, but she accuses them of spying on her. So after all of that, for Ari to act like they didnt even try to be nice to her  well, yeah, that deserves a glass of wine to the face.

And to her credit, Wish does an excellent job with this throw. Her skills should be studied in Reality-TV Wine-Throwing 101. She makes sure the glass is full, and she pulls back to get full momentum. Her aim is perfect, with Aris entire face getting covered. Wish focused on her target and didnt get a drop on anyone next to Ari  no, she directed all of that rage right at Aris rude little face. Sadly, none of it matters: Ari leverages their son to get her way, and they are off to America.

Ari and Bini take over most of this episode, but we also get more insight into Yvette and Mohameds relationship. Basically every red flag we saw last week comes true. Mohamed has made his way to America and immediately describes his ideal woman, which is his mother. He says he loves Yvette because she treats him like a child and takes care of him. Hes upset that Yvette didnt set up her bidet before he got there, and Im genuinely concerned that he might not know how to wipe his ass without his mommy.

It looks like Yvette enjoys being a caretaker, but I imagine that at some point she will want a man and husband who can help her in life, not another son. Mohamed doesnt seem willing to compromise on some of their cultural differences, and I think Yvette will realize her friends were right. At the same time, I love Yvette and want nothing but her happiness! Mohameds six-pack is just not that happiness, though.

If youd like to see what happiness looks like, take a peek at Shaeeda after Bilal reveals his real house and car. Shaeeda turns into a totally different person. She shows the gratitude Bilal was so concerned about. She cries when she sees the yoga room Bilal made for her, and its even more annoying that Bilal put her through any of this. I absolutely love that Shaeeda seemed to totally miss Bilals lesson, though. She was just like, Oh, youre not poor? Great. Moving on.

90 Day Notes

 Shaeedas mom roasting America was hilarious: Thats America for you!!

 We all know Ari is going to continue to be a horror in America. I hated when she made Bini feed her. Also, the videos of Bini turning their place into a studio and just dancing while Ari accuses him of evil is why she is the worst. Also, the way she acted like she was right about Kenya when its clear that Bini just went to be with his son was so annoying!

 At least Miona appreciated the shoes Jibri got her, even if she didnt appreciate his yelling and shouting. These two didnt have much going on this week, but I think Jibri will be more of a problem than Miona in that house.

 Emily really didnt consider that Kobe wouldnt like being the only Black person somewhere. But she also didnt consider that this man would want to meet his son for the first time. Clearly Kobe is someone who enjoys diverse cultures, so it makes sense that hed want his kid to grow up somewhere with more than two Black people.

 It is so hypocritical that Ari was like, Im not marrying your family, but I can bring my family into all of our issues.
Photo: Billy & Hells

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The scene opens on a kid named Milton. He lives in a poor neighborhood near the coast of Veracruz, Mexico, where theres a gang that strikes such fear into civilians that they refer to its members only as aquellos, or them. One night, a group of gang members abducts Milton from in front of his home and interrogates him with electric shocks until he pees himself. Then they give the terrified kid clean clothes and send him out on his first job as a professional killer.

But first, they need a car. So one of the sicarios hails a taxi, puts a gun to the drivers head, and throws him into the trunk. Four guys pile in, and they start driving, knocking delivery drivers off their motorbikes, making off with the bikes one by one until only Milton and the boss, El Sapo, are left in the cab. They pull onto an unpaved road at the edge of the city, drag the taxi driver out of the trunk, and throw him to the ground. Flick the safety off, El Sapo says to Milton, his pistol trained on the kid even while hes handing him another pistol from his waistband. The driver has his face to the ground, and hes praying: Dios te salve, reina y madre de misericordia. Milton completes the prayer in his head: Vida, dulzura y esperanza nuestra. He fires off four shots  his first murder.

This is one of the most shocking sequences in Fernanda Melchors latest novel, Paradais. Its also partly true. Melchor, who grew up in Veracruz, says she heard the story from a friend, who heard it from a taxi driver  which is typical for this friend, whom Melchor calls the taxi psychologist. (He gets in the cab, asks a question, and the driver starts going off.) The main difference between reality and Melchors version is that in Paradais, the taxi driver doesnt live to tell the tale. Im a story collector, she tells me. A lot of what I do is go to Veracruz and listen to what people are saying. There are a million things worth writing just based on that.

As we speak, Melchor is in Berlin on a fellowship, but shes usually based in the city of Puebla, Mexico. Over the past few years, she has steamrollered her way to the top of that countrys literary scene with harrowing but compassionate depictions of true-crime stories. Whereas some novels (say, American Dirt) populate Mexicos post-drug-war period with ruthless criminals and the innocent villagers they terrorize, Melchors books feature characters who are more than victims and villains. Writing in Spanish, she avoids the sensational, even when depicting violence in extreme detail. She shows instead how ordinary these episodes have become  and that makes them even scarier.

Her breakthrough novel, Hurricane Season, was published in English translation in 2020 and opens with a group of children discovering the gas-bloated corpse of a witch lying in an irrigation canal before working backward to uncover the small-town drama that led to this. On May 10, Melchor publishes the English-language version of Paradais, which is set primarily in a world she knows intimately: a Veracruz luxury development insulated from its surroundings by barbed wire and security guards. The writer, who grew up in a middle-class family, reconstructed the setting from memories of birthday parties and after-school hangouts with wealthier friends from her private high school  the kind of people whose parents owned hotels. But theres nothing distinctly Mexican about a gated community. Its a universal feature of any place with a distended wealth gap.

Melchor has a ventriloquists flair for dialogue that makes her characters crackle and pop. (This carries through in English as well, thanks to translator Sophie Hughes.) She writes in a close third person, in paragraph-long sentences and chapter-long paragraphs, in a voice that shifts subtly to match the character shes trained on at any given moment. As a result, it feels like youre simultaneously inside and outside a characters head, experiencing in high definition the pathos that drives each (usually bad) decision and the chain reaction set off as a result.

Francisco Goldman, a New Yorker contributor and author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, first met Melchor at the Guadalajara Book Fair. He was struck by her choice to live in Puebla  a laudable distance from the literary world  and by her magnetism. You read her, and it feels like youre in a thunder-and-lightning storm, says Goldman. You know how people say, That person has talent to burn? Well, its like she just burns and burns and burns and never runs out. Shes relentless.

It all started with an essay contest. In 2003, the Mexico City newspaper La Jornada published a call for young journalists to submit essays on the subject of vigilante justice with a promise to print the winning entries. Melchor was 19 and in her second year of journalism school at the University of Veracruz, frustrated by her professors who never sent students into the field. In Mexico, journalism is something you only learn by doing it, she says. I wanted to get out there.

At the time, she imagined herself as a writer of cronica, a Latin American nonfiction genre that draws on the interpretative storytelling of literature, theater, and memoir. Shed always loved chisme, the kind of gossip that gives you a birds-eye view of whats happening in the proverbial town square. As Melchor contemplated what to submit to the essay contest, she was reminded of an incident that had happened six years prior in a remote village near the Veracruz-Oaxaca border: Residents of Tatahuicapan (population 236) had accused a man of attempting to rape and then murdering a woman, his neighbor, in broad daylight. Rather than turn to the legal authorities, the womans friends and family members tied the man to a tree, tortured him until he confessed, then doused him with gasoline and set him on fire. The townspeople didnt see this as a lynching: Theyd formed their own sentencing committee, collecting nearly 200 signatures from neighbors in favor of this punishment. They even taped the process with a VHS camcorder, and the video ended up in the morning news on the national network TV Azteca.

Melchor thought the story was terrifying, fascinating, and kind of beautiful. On the one hand, only the state is supposed to prosecute people. But in Mexico, where the overwhelming majority of femicides go unpunished, the episode looked like a blow against impunity. Melchor wanted to report it out, Truman Capote style. Shed never actually done any reporting, though, so she called up an older journalism student, who offered to show her the ropes. Of course, what the guy really wanted was to sleep with me, she says, but we ended up doing great work. Her story won second place in the contest.

I go to Veracruz and listen to what people are saying. There are a million things worth writing just based on that.

A reedited version of that piece appears in Melchors 2011 collection Aqui No Es Miami (This Is Not Miami), her only strictly nonfiction book. In the books prologue, she stresses that although the work is based on vigorous reporting, she doesnt see it as journalism. In Mexico, journalism is still tied to this old-school fantasy that journalists can be fully objective, as if you could become this floating eye with no body, no past, and no ideology of your own, she says now. To me, it seems ridiculous. What you have to do is use your subjectivity and take advantage of it. For years, Melchor haunted the cantinas and drug dens of Veracruz, where dock workers would regale her with local lore. She kept a file of stories that might serve as writing prompts  first as a binder of clippings, now as a folder on her computer. She had always written fiction, even before she started reporting. Soon she decided to return to it: In 2013 she published her first novel, Falsa Liebre.

Her next book, Hurricane Season, was inspired by a story from the nota roja, Mexicos shameless crime tabloids. The news story was about a man who murdered someone he believed was a witch; he was convinced the witch had cast a spell on his wife. That detail for me was like, Whoa! she says. The story wasnt just the putrefied corpse with its throat slitthats the least interesting part  but the love triangle behind it. The novel she wrote takes place within the bounds of one mosquito-bitten Veracruz village, charged with an atmosphere of misogyny and homophobia, and is narrated in the shockingly vulgar, rhythmically baroque street slang of jarochos, as Veracruz residents are called. In Spanish, Melchors sentences are packed with regionalisms. Theres a scene where one prisoner taunts another, Orale, pinche mayate, o te caes con los cacles o te lleva la verga. Hughess English translation: Cocksucker, give me your fucking shoes or Ill fuck your ass so hard you wont know what day it is.

Working backward from the books climactic murder, Melchor reveals the mind-warping effects of living in a toxic miasma. We learn that the witch who was killed was trans and a folk healer; she lived alone in a house rumored to hide priceless treasure. The books characters face both crushing deprivation and constant reproach at not behaving as a real man, or a real woman, should. To write it, Melchor reproduced the language of machismo shes been hearing her whole life. When I found out they were going to translate Hurricane Season to English, I thought, Uh oh. In this politically correct culture, what if people read this book and think that Im the misogynist, racist, classist one? she says.

I feel quite adamant that there is no poverty porn in this book, Hughes says of Hurricane Season. Heres an author whos trying to show us where violence might stem from, how the kernels of hatred begin in a particular setting. Shes the one whos going to the effort to try and unpick the seeds that come in to the lives of these people. To me, its an act of generosity. Writing this way takes its toll. After Melchor finished that novel, she started going to therapy. It was like swatting a hornets nest, she says. It detonated a series of emotions and conflicts inside me that I wasnt ready to feel or even admit to myself.

Having exploded on the scene with a book in which violence and poverty are linked, Melchor wanted to write about how evil transcends class. Thats how she arrived at Paradais, an upstairs-downstairs novel told from the perspective of two teenagers, whom Melchor jokingly referred to as tropical Beavis and Butt-head: Franco, an emotionally stunted porn addict who lives in the upscale housing development, and Polo, a high-school dropout who works there. They have nothing in common except that Polos old enough to buy booze and Francos got money to pay for it. At nights, they drink themselves blind in an abandoned mansion  one inspired by a house that a teenage Fernanda and her friends used to call the Casa del Diablo, where they would take mushrooms and dance to techno until dawn. In the book, the boys believe its haunted by the Bloody Countess, a colonial aristocrat killed as revenge for kidnapping and torturing enslaved boys and men.

Paradais is, in part, an homage to one of Mexicos most widely read novels: Jose Emilio Pachecos Battles in the Desert, from 1981, about a Mexico City teen who falls in love with his best friends mother. Whereas Pacheco only alludes to carnal desire, Melchor makes it her books engine. Franco, who spends his days locked in his air-conditioned room, farting and watching porn on his new laptop, becomes obsessed with his married next-door neighbor, Senora Marian; he thinks she makes his favorite porn star seem like your average crack whore by comparison. Meanwhile, Polo is stuck sleeping on a straw mat in a house he shares with his mother and his older female cousin, and he wants to get far away from it all. So the two hatch a cockamamie plan to get what they each want.

Melchor spent a lot of her teenage years around boys like these. She would have once compared herself to Beverly Marsh, from Stephen Kings novels, or Eleven from Stranger Things  the one girl who hangs out with the guys. This had once been her way of finding acceptance and to escape the stigma of being a tomboy. As she grew up, however, she began to question why she always gravitated toward men, why they were the mystery she was trying to solve. The stakes of that question became much higher several years ago, when she became the stepmother to her partners young daughter. I never saw how we reproduce verbal violence from one generation to the next without realizing it, so for me this was an opportunity to break the cycle, she says. I grew up thinking I was a second-class citizen, and I didnt want her to grow up like that. I had to confront my own discourse.

In Paradais, Senora Marian and the Bloody Countess represent what she sees as the two faces of patriarchy: desire and fear. Its a primitive fear, atavistic even, toward women and their reproductive capacity, she says. Its like that dumb joke: How can you trust anything that bleeds for five days and doesnt die?  The book envisions a nightmare scenario of what could happen when those forces are allowed to build until they burst. Melchor worried that it could become pornographic; she scrapped the end of the book twice before she nailed it, drinking while she wrote to make herself confront it. Shes already thinking about the kind of story she might tell next time. I want to write a tragedy that doesnt necessarily resolve as a tragedy. Maybe, she says, something a little more hopeful.

Hair and makeup by Felix Stoer for Basics Berlin.

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A large group of supporters weathered the storms to attend Sheepgates annual Evening of Impact on Friday at Christ Community Church in Beatrice.

Sheepgate, a division of Adult and Teen Challenge of the Midlands, is a Womens Recovery Program west of Beatrice.

The name of the program changed recently changed, explained Curtis Barnes, Executive Director of the Beatrice program. We felt we could make a stronger connection to our Christ-centered roots with a fresh name and brand identity.

The name was inspired by the intertwining stories of the historical healing waters at our Colfax, Iowa facility and the healing waters located near the Sheep Gate mentioned in John 5:2. The Sheep Gate is the location where Jesus miraculously healed a paralyzed man at the Pool of Bethesda.

Lt. Governor Mike Foley attended the Evening of Impact and spoke on behalf of the recovery center.

I remember very well being at the grand opening of this ministry five years ago. I remember being so impressed with the passion of those involved, said Foley. Willa Cather once said Where there is great love, there are always miracles. The Beatrice Womens Center generates miracles in the lives of so many."

A video of three women who had graduated from the center played for the audience. The women talked about their definition of freedom before they entered the recovery program and their current perspective on freedom.

Bailey Beauchamp said before coming to Beatrice she thought freedom meant not being accountable to anyone and not having consequences.

My idea of freedom cost me everything in my addiction, but my key to success was in submission to God, said Beauchamp.

Other graduates or current students of the Sheepgate Recovery Program offered their stories and how they found freedom from their addictions to alcohol and illegal drugs.

When I hear these stories, I ask myself how can this change happen in these beautiful peoples lives? It is something that no human being can explain. It is a spiritual mystery, said Teressa Barnes, Executive Director of the Beatrice Sheepgate program. My goal tonight was to paint a picture of three things. First I wanted you to see how often we think freedom is something that it is not. Second I wanted to give you a little window of the price our students pay for freedom and finally, how that freedom affects not just our students and their families, but also our community."

Barnes shared examples of women who have completed the program and continue to live, work and contribute to the community.

Freedom is not the absence of something. It is the presence of someone. We can only find freedom in Jesus, said Barnes.

The fundraising event is held annually in Beatrice for the Womens Recovery Program. More information on Sheepgate can be found at mysheepgate.org .

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Hello, I'm a 21 year old girl, born and raised in Rome with an American mom so I speak fluently both Italian and English and have double citizenship.

I just finished my first year at the Design Academy in Eindhoven, Holland, and will be returning to Rome for the months of July and August.

I love being in contact with people, I'm still very in touch with my "child side" and love spending time with kids and have been tutoring in English for the past few years.

I offer babysitting/conversation/tutoring/helping with homework in either English or Italian for any age range.

Lessons on grammar, writing, reading, conversation

Areas of: Monteverde, Trastevere, Testaccio, Centro Storico.
An Oklahoma couple visiting in Hettinger County died Sunday afternoon when their pickup truck was washed into the Cannonball River.

Patrick Blake and Joan Blake, both 74, were attempting to cross at a low crossing near 96th Avenue Southwest and 71st Street Southwest between Mott and Regent, according to the Hettinger County Sheriffs Office. Water at the crossing was 3-4 feet deep and pushed their Ford F-250 into the river.

Joan Blake in a 911 call shortly after 1 p.m. told authorities the pickup was in the river and the water was up to the doors. They were trapped and unable to get out, according to the sheriffs office. The Arcadia, Oklahoma, couple have family in the area and were out for a drive, the agency said.

First responders could not immediately locate the pickup. Crews started a recovery mission and contacted the Dickinson Dive Team. Searchers found the pickup at 6:30 p.m. in 15 feet of water about a quarter mile east of the crossing. Western North Dakota received heavy precipitation from three storms in the last half of April. Authorities say the river was running at 600-800 cubic feet per second.

Mott Fire and Rescue, Mott Ambulance, Regent Fire and Rescue, North Dakota Highway Patrol, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, North Dakota Game and Fish, and the Stark County Sheriff's Office also responded to the scene.

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Fines of up to 450 for dip in Rome fountains.

Rome has seen a flurry of headlines in recent weeks about foreign tourists disrespecting the city's cultural heritage, from crashing drones into landmark buildings to jumping into historic fountains.

The latest incident occurred on Friday afternoon when police caught a tourist in the waters of Bernini 's Fountain of the Four Rivers in Piazza Navona

In addition to receiving a fine, which can be up to 450, the tourist was handed a 'daspo' temporary ban from the area, reports Rome online newspaper RomaToday.

Also last week a man was filmed taking a midday dip in Bernini's Fountain of Triton in Piazza Barberini, without being caught by police, and two Dutch tourists were fined after getting into the Trevi Fountain.

Two weeks ago another incident made the news in Rome when a young female tourist - American according to some reports - stripped off and walked around Piazza Testaccio, sunbathing naked before cooling off in the Fontana delle Anfore. It is not clear whether the police intervened in this case.

The capital has not seen such a spate of fountain-related offences since before the covid pandemic when the then mayor Virginia Raggi lashed out against the "unacceptable" behaviour of " barbarian tourists " in 2019, warning: "Our monuments must be respected and Rome's historic fountains are not swimming pools."

Photo credit: The Art of Pics / Shutterstock.com.
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When it finally took place on April 29, the much-heralded showdown at the annual general meeting of Assicurazioni Generali SpA, Italys largest insurer, did not produce fireworks or much drama. Shareholders voted to give a third term to Chief Executive Officer Philippe Donnet, a Frenchman who has led the company since 2016. It was a relatively easy victory over dissidents led by two of the countrys most famous tycoons: Francesco Caltagirone, 79, who presides over an enormous construction empire, and Leonardo del Vecchio, 86, founder of Luxottica, the biggest eyewear maker in the world (including the Ray-Ban and Oakley brands).

But the significance of the results should not be discounted. It is a victory for transparent corporate governance in Italy. That is to be celebrated because it means there might be more reforms to come.

One striking takeaway from the squabble is that it signals that global institutional investors now have the upper hand in Italy. According to a breakdown of voting, institutional investors overwhelmingly voted for Generalis Donnet and the existing board. Among them: Norges Bank Investment Management, one of the main institutional investors in Generali with a stake of around 1.4%; ISS Special Situations Research; and Glass Lewis. Overcoming Italys wealthy clique of investors is crucial. It signals a tidal change in the countrys business status quo.

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Generali has been at the apex of Italian crony capitalism for decades. Board after board has been unsettled by decades of parlor games and cloak-and-dagger infighting  the kind of instability inherent in the Italian sistema of cross-shareholding and clubby influence that has discouraged institutional investors from committing to the euro-zones third largest economy. It has kept the most talented executives from even considering taking a job in Italy, or sticking with it.

Generali was one of the many chess pieces in the provincial world of Italian finance centered on Milan. And because of that, its been relegated to provincial importance in the world of finance. Today, the insurers 29 billion-euro ($30.56 billion) market capitalization is half of Frances Axa and just about a third of Germanys Allianz SE. Two decades, ago it was a close rival of both.

Caltagirone and Del Vecchio, were right in complaining Generali under Donnet had missed opportunities. But the ego-driven opera buffa way of business, which these score-settling dramas ultimately resemble as they play out in the press, is part of the problem. The latest wrangle involved months of off-the-record briefings and unattributed leaks about a boardroom bust-up as various operatives in the company took sides in the feud between Donnet and the dissidents.

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A decade ago, Caltagirone and Del Vecchio were caught up on the ouster of Generali President Cesare Geronzi and another CEO, Giovanni Perissinotto. Mario Greco, who is considered the most capable CEO of Generali in recent years, served only one term because he became irritated by the jockeying for influence over him by big shareholders. Greco is now the boss of Zurich Insurance Group AG.

Given the outsize egos involved, the drama could move on to another stage: Mediobanca Banca di Credito Finanziario SpA, which owns a major part of Generali. Del Vecchio is Mediobancas biggest shareholder and he may just turn his focus to its management and, specifically, its stake in Generali. Caltagirone may have a supporting role in the next opera buffa: he has about 3% of the bank, too.

All that might just lead to the transformation of Mediobanca, itself an established player in Milan. Its 11% stake in Generali is a potent reminder of its central role in the web of cross-shareholdings meant to protect Italian companies from foreign takeover after World War II. If Mediobanca were to cut that stake, it would extricate Generali even more from the internecine strife of Milanese finance.

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In any event, Italys cozy, cliquey capitalism is finally playing itself out.

More from This Writer and Others at Bloomberg Opinion:



No More Time for Extend and Pretend on Monte Paschi: Rachel Sanderson



When $1 Billion Tech Unicorns Start to Look Like Ponies: Lionel Laurent

 John Paulsons Piano Man Gig Pays Off With Steinway IPO: Chris Bryant

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Rachel Sanderson was Milan correspondent for the Financial Times from 2010 to 2020. She has also written about Italy for the Economist and reported for Reuters and Reuters TV from Rome, Paris and London.

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Arcturus Therapeutics, a San Diego biotech company, may have just laid out a template for how to make vaccines for the next pandemic. Its new vaccine, which uses self-copying mRNA, appears to work well against current strains of Covid. Its just that the product is coming in too late to matter in the current pandemic.

But data from a large clinical trial suggest the technology should be explored for the next one  and it may have many other uses, too.

In a study that enrolled more than 16,000 people, Arcturuss self-amplifying mRNA vaccine was 95% protective against severe disease and death and about 55% effective in preventing symptomatic Covid. That last result that might sound low, but its reasonably comparable to the current efficacy of the Pfizer and Moderna shots. Those vaccines seemed more effective at first, because they were tested against the original, less contagious strain of the virus.

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Arcturuss stock was down 20% on the release of its data, probably because, barring a new trial with outstanding data on the vaccines value as a booster against Covid-19, it wont soon make inroads in the U.S. vaccine market.

But Arcturus is smart to be refining a next-generation technology that promise vaccines that are faster to make and distribute than existing mRNA shots.

Like Modernas and Pfizers mRNA vaccines, Arcturuss saRNA shot carries the genetic code for the coronaviruss spike protein, which human cells are tricked into making so that the immune system can learn to fend off the virus. But saRNA also includes the code for the viruss replication machinery, the enzymes that can make copies of that code. This means that as the cell churns out a spike protein, it is being fed copies of the recipe for making more of it.

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This self-amplifying (some companies say self-replicating) quality provides a few key advantages. Doses of saRNA vaccines can be much smaller than whats required for an mRNA vaccine. Modernas and Pfizers mRNA shots are 100 and 30 micrograms, respectively, whereas Arcturuss shots are just 5 micrograms. In an emergency  a future coronavirus or flu pandemic, say  significantly smaller doses could mean many more available to quickly vaccinate more people, ideally at a lower cost. Arcturuss technology also enables the vaccine to be freeze-dried, so it would be easier to send around the world than Pfizers and Modernas, which currently need to be stored at subzero temperatures.

And because these vaccines stick around in the body longer than conventional mRNA vaccines do, they expose the immune system to an antigen for longer. Those extra days of target practice should lead to longer-lasting, broader immune-memory response. In theory, that could translate into more time between boosters, says Deborah Fuller, a professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.

But thats only a theory for now. The efficacy data from Arcturuss study, conducted in Vietnam, extends only two months post-vaccination. Thats not enough time to observe the vaccines memory-cell response. An ongoing booster trial should give a better idea of the duration of protection, Arcturus says.

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This vaccine has downsides, too. The strands of RNA needed to encode both a protein and the replication machinery are roughly three times longer than those in an mRNA vaccine. Correctly stringing together 15,000 bases and then squeezing that big ball of genetic yarn into a lipid nanoparticle isnt a trivial challenge.

But Arcturuss results demonstrate that its feasible. The saRNA vaccines developed for Covid are described by industry insiders as a bit rough and ready. None of the players testing the technology in the pandemic had previously focused on self-amplifying techniques. Arcturuss expertise, for example, had been in packaging various types of RNA into lipid nanoparticles. While delivery is a critical component to its success, the biotechs ability to scale up its vaccine suggests making it might not be as daunting as many had thought.

The Arcturus data also suggest that the technology could be extended against many other viruses, says Robin Shattock, head of mucosal infection and immunity at Imperial College London. And because it can use low doses, it may offer a better way to combine vaccines against various viruses into a single shot.

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Still more exciting is the prospect of one day using mRNA as a drug.

A decade ago, when Moderna was created as an mRNA biotech, it was selling the promise of mRNA therapeutics, not vaccines. Its goal was to use mRNA to turn human cells into drug factories, capable of churning out missing or beneficial proteins. Vaccines do this for a day or two  just long enough to dangle a viral protein in front of the immune system. But mRNA drug therapies would need to stick around longer and generate more proteins. So far, that has been much harder to achieve.

Creating a drug that is potent and longer-lasting might be easier with saRNA than with conventional mRNA technology. In the past year, several biotech companies, including Strand Therapeutics and Replicate Bioscience, have attracted sizable investments from venture capital and pharma companies to push saRNA-based drugs into the clinic. Big pharma seems to be evaluating the technology, too: Shattock of Imperial College founded VaxEquity, a biotech that is working with AstraZeneca on saRNA treatments for a wide range of diseases.

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Data on the first saRNA therapies arent expected for another year or more.

Of course, saRNA should not be the only technology being readied for a future pandemic. But its reassuring to see what a strong option it might be  and to see money flowing into its potential to fight everyday diseases.

More from Bloomberg Opinion:

 Covid Breath Tests Will Make Crowd Screening Easy: Lisa Jarvis

 We Need Better Booster Shots Than Pfizer and Moderna: Faye Flam

 Misinformation About Misinformation Is Rampant: Tyler Cowen

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Lisa Jarvis, the former executive editor of Chemical & Engineering News, writes about biotech, drug discovery and the pharmaceutical industry for Bloomberg Opinion.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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In the world according to Gina Raimondo, corporate America is most successful when every household has health insurance, day care, early child education, broadband, job training and access to a growing supply of semiconductors made in the U.S. The former Rhode Island governor, treasurer and venture capitalist, who became the 40th secretary of Commerce a year ago in March at the age of 50, bristles when data shows these investments in American productivity are misjudged as social programs.

Although the national unemployment rate is hovering at a 53-year low of 3.6%, the labor force participation rate is still below its pre-pandemic levels at 62.4% and remains far off the peak of 67.3% in 2000. We as a nation need to get really serious about child care, public pre-K, job training and basic supports, so people who are not now in the labor force can participate, Raimondo said during a recent interview at the Commerce Departments eight-acre Herbert C. Hoover Federal Building in Washington.

The only way were going to be able to help CEOs, many of whom agree with me, is figuring out how to get women, people of color, people without college degrees and people with lower incomes, who have dropped out, back into the labor force. Our greatest strength as a nation is our diversity, which means weve got to empower everybody to participate in this economy.

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Raimondo surprised her colleagues at Commerce when she launched a competition called the good jobs challenge, investing half a billion dollars in a nationwide skill training initiative, all with public-private partnerships, she said. People looked at me a little funny and said, Were the Commerce Department, not the Labor Department, and I said, No, no, no, you have to start with business. We get businesses to the table, committing to hire.

As the first woman elected and re-elected chief executive officer of her native Rhode Island, Raimondo wound up mending a pension system on the brink of collapse, fixing the states crumbling transportation infrastructure, forgiving student-loan debt, tripling the number of pre-kindergarten classes and guaranteeing that every child can attend all-day kindergarten. She recruited more than 30 companies to Rhode Island, where the unemployment rate plummeted to a record low 3.4%, or 3.1 percentage points below its 30-year average, from 6.6% when she took office in 2015.

Raimondos affinity for public-private partnerships derives from an education steeped in economics (a bachelors degree from Harvard), sociology (masters and doctorate degrees at Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar) and personal experience working in housing and poverty clinics, prompting her legal training (Juris Doctor degree from Yale). She was valedictorian in high school, graduated magna cum laude from Harvard and founded Rhode Islands first venture-capital firm, Point Judith Capital.

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Although the U.S. job market recouped much of its early losses from the pandemic, women and Black people still lag behind, mostly from a combination of inadequate skills, and inaccessible child and medical care. The 10 states doing the most in providing child care, measured by cost, quality and availability, experienced superior job growth with non-farm employment expanding 4.9%, or 0.7 percentage point more than the national average since 2021, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The 10 states with the worst ranking in child care produced an inferior average growth rate of 4.1%.

States that embraced the Medicaid expansion of the Affordable Care Act, giving people access to health care who otherwise couldnt afford it, similarly outperformed the states that continue to reject the expansion. Since April 2020, when the U.S. job market started to recover, the average employment growth for 38 states and the District of Columbia is 14.9%, compared with 12.9% for the holdout states, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The same disparity exists for personal income, with states embracing the Medicaid expansion showing an average gain of more than 10%, compared with 9.6% for the holdouts.

Corporate America shows a similar dichotomy. The more than 1,700 companies in the Russell 3000 Index that disclose specific improvements in employee health and safety show a superior 66% total return and lower volatility during the past two years and 203% over five years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That compares with 48% and 163% to go along with higher volatility for the companies that make no annual disclosures about the health and safety of their employees.

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Raimondo isnt surprised because the CEOs making these decisions are probably making other smart decisions that are contributing to less volatility and better performance, she said. I bet the bottom states also have low marginal tax rates because anyone who says all you have to do is cut taxes and youll get good job creation is belied by the data that shows the opposite.

Sure enough, nine of the 10 best states for child care are the states with higher tax rates, while seven of the 10 worst are states with lower tax rates, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. It turns out if you invest in children, you can have a good economy, said Raimondo. States and companies that commit to child care, health and safety of their workers have to make these investments in this knowledge-based economy if they want to thrive, she said.

When Raimondo sees data showing the worlds largest maker of semiconductors, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., reporting the biggest increase in sales to the U.S. since 2013, she also isnt surprised. Were making progress but its really slow, she said. No one predicted the spike that were seeing in demand for semiconductors because as the whole world went virtual, that requires chips at an unprecedented level. As the whole world is becoming more sophisticated with digital, artificial intelligence, cloud computing -- all of these innovations are massive consumers of chips and the world just isnt producing enough.

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The challenge, she said, is were asking Congress for $50 billion so we can incentivize domestic chip production here in America when Chinas done $160 billion and you see the results in your data: China is becoming less dependent on the U.S. and Taiwan, which is China industrial policy.

Yet, for all that and the increasing polarization of American politics, Raimondo is more optimistic than Ive ever been because true to her own experience in government, she asks, Okay, how do we meet in the middle and get something passed? It should happen and Im hopeful.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Matthew A. Winkler is Co-founder of Bloomberg News (1990) and Editor-in-Chief Emeritus; Bloomberg Opinion Columnist since 2015; Co-founder of Bloomberg Business Journalism Diversity Program in 2017. During his 25 years as Editor-in-Chief, Bloomberg News was a three-time finalist and winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting and received numerous George Polk, Gerald Loeb, Overseas Press Club and Society of Professional Journalists and Editors (Sabew) awards.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com/opinion

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When I was a kid, you heard Good job quite a lot. Successful double in little league? Good job! 93% on a math test? Good job! In contrast, the phrase Good effort was reserved for  lesser things. You struck out but  you tried hard. Thats a good effort, but not a good job.

The world of child praise has, however, shifted dramatically. Saying Good job has approached taboo status. The social media accounts of parenting experts are rife with advice to avoid this type of praise, in all its forms  no Amazing! or Youre so smart. Instead, were encouraged to applaud effort, not achievement: Its great to hear you worked hard on that. Often, parents are told that its better to say nothing at all.

This advice is well-meant, but it can become yet another for parents to feel like were failing. It can also be paralyzing. A couple of months ago, my daughter told me how she did on a math test. Worried about saying the wrong thing, I just said OK. Which didnt feel quite right either.

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The underlying reason for the praise shift is, more or less, based on data. Perhaps the most famous and widely cited paper is Praise for intelligence can undermine childrens motivation and performance published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology in 1998. In this paper, Carol Dweck and Claudia Mueller report the results of a number of experiments with fifth graders in which students attempted various tasks and were praised for either their intelligence or for their effort. In general, they found that those who were praised for their effort were more interested in pursuing harder problems, and more likely to feel they could improve.

Based on this and related research, Dweck introduced the world to the idea of the growth mindset. Its broader than this one element, but a key aspect is the idea of focusing on kids efforts, rather than their ability.

This research is interesting and compelling. It makes a strong case for encouraging a growth mindset in school and helping children see the value of perseverance. What it doesnt do  at least not directly  is suggest that you should never tell your child Good job! That leap  from interesting research to parenting polemic  that is a leap that the parenting-industrial complex has made all on our own.

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The parenting industrial complex has a long track record of this type of overreaction. Think about the advice to talk to your baby all the time. It stems largely from the work of two academics in the mid-1990s. They worked with 72 families in Kansas across the income spectrum and found that the number of words children heard by age 3 differed widely  by perhaps 30 million words  across the socioeconomic spectrum. They, and others, argued that this exposure to language was key to academic and social development.

These are extremely interesting findings, and they may suggest avenues for why we may see inequality arise even early in life. Its obviously extremely hard to separate correlation from causality here  there are other differences across families  but this evidence is certainly suggestive that talking regularly to our kids is important. What this research doesnt say is that you should narrate every diaper change. And it definitely doesnt say that quieter parents are doing something wrong.

I am, in general, a huge fan of the use of data in parenting. There are situations in which good data are tremendously valuable. An example is early allergen introduction. Within the last decade, new research on the question of how to best reduce allergies has made it clear that introducing common allergens  peanuts, eggs, dairy  at very young ages dramatic reduces the risk of allergy development. Exposing children to peanut products at 4 to 6 months, rather than waiting until 12 months, lowers the risk of developing a peanut allergy by perhaps 70%.

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This is an example where the effects are important, convincing, and large. But there are many places where the data are just less helpful. Theyre suggestive, but not conclusive. Or the impact is minuscule. The size of the possible benefit to your child from narrating diaper changes is vanishingly small.

Despite this, so much data-driven parenting advice fails to differentiate between things that could make a big difference and things that should be determined by our preferences, our constraints, and whether we actually want to discuss poop with our infant. The result is that parents feel pressure to do things that could never have more than an extremely tiny benefit.

Sometimes, our desire to use data  to overuse it, really  is further confronted with the reality that the data can be simply wrong. Remember the study that suggested listening to Mozart helped students perform better on tests? How many people played classical music to their womb, or bought Baby Mozart videos? How many parents played Bach in the car when they would rather have had the Beatles?

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Even if the findings had been replicated, this was an overreaction. And, in the end, the study didnt hold up. It turns out that music might improve test results a bit  perhaps because it relaxes students before a test  but it doesnt matter if its classical or not.

So, we sometimes over-interpret data. So what? We skip the Beatles, talk more than we want, occasionally find ourselves at a loss for words in response to a math test. But, really, those are small impacts.

Where I think they become larger is when we start to distrust ourselves, when data-driven advice generates anxiety. We all want to be good parents, and we dont want to mess up our kids. Following the data seems to extend a reassuring hand. But as parents hear more dos and donts, there is more pressure, more ways to fail.

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Parents dont need more ways to feel like failures. Sometimes, we just need to hear Good job.

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 The Biggest Mistake of the Pandemic Is Still Haunting Us: Faye Flam

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Emily Oster is a professor of economics at Brown University. She is the author of Cribsheet and Expecting Better.

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For many years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was known as the worlds preeminent public-health agency. No longer. During the pandemic, the CDC stumbled repeatedly. Accused of incompetence, overreach and muddled messaging, it is now in need of repair. Director Rochelle Walensky was right to order a review of the agencys operations in early April. She shouldnt shrink from significant reforms.

To be sure, some of the CDCs troubles have resulted from political interference. Donald Trumps White House sought to undermine the agency by second-guessing its guidance and advice. Political operatives pushed to revise some of its publications and revoked its authority to gather hospital Covid data from the states. Although President Joe Biden has shown greater respect for the CDCs expertise, he has kept White House personnel involved in Covid communications and thereby helped to muddle the message and confuse the public.

Its true, too, that Covid has been inherently bewildering. From the start, researchers have struggled to understand how the virus spreads and how best to hold it at bay. As public-health leaders strained to keep up with changing conditions and emerging bits of evidence  on masks, mutations and more  their updated guidance often came across (fairly or not) as self-contradictory.

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But the CDC also made unforced errors. Starting in February of 2020, it distributed faulty and contaminated Covid test kits, which stymied the governments response in the crucial early phases of the pandemic. It was initially slow to share real-time data on Covids spread with other health agencies, and it waited months after the evidence came in to acknowledge that the coronavirus spreads mainly via airborne particles, not droplets left on surfaces.

At other times, the CDC has seemed to act too abruptly. In December, it suddenly halved the recommended isolation period for people testing positive for Covid  leaving the impression that it was only pushing to get people, especially health-care workers, back on the job.

What changes might prevent such mistakes in the future?

First, a thorough review of laboratory operations is needed. Systems and standards must be improved to prevent the kind of bungling that undermined the first test kits. Federal red tape, which compounded the problem by restricting the use of alternative tests, should be cleared away where possible.

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To guard against political meddling, the CDCs Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report should be made part of the federal statistical system, which includes the National Center for Health Statistics and other agencies that gather and report essential data. Such a designation should guarantee its independence and protect it from further interference.

Next, the agency needs to speed up all disease data collection and report it without delay. Restoring its responsibility for state hospital data collection would help. Agency leaders should also work with state health officials to streamline their efforts and ensure that all states report case and hospital data in a standardized format.

With such reforms in place, it would make sense to put the CDC back solely in charge of public communications about the pandemic. Recall how, during the Ebola scare in 2014 and 2015, the CDC director held regular press briefings to keep Americans informed and answer questions. Doing the same with Covid-19 would help keep people up to date on the viruss spread and informed about the continuing need for vaccines and treatments, booster shots, and other precautionary measures.

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Although the CDC lacks the national regulatory powers that its counterparts in other countries have, it can still provide crucial data, expertise and advice to health officials and the public alike. First, though, it needs to rebuild the trust that it had long taken for granted.

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Why the First Covid Breath Test Matters: Lisa Jarvis

The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

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The recent history of business has been an increasingly desperate search for popular legitimacy, most notably in the United States. The management sage Michael Porter talks about shared value capitalism. The hyper-connected Lynn de Rothschild advocates inclusive capitalism. A phalanx of leading business people talk about conscious capitalism (John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods), compassionate capitalism (Marc Benioff, CEO of Sales Force) and JUST capitalism (hedge fund billionaire Paul Tudor Jones). The epithets may change, but the underlying fear is the same: that capitalism will lose its license to operate unless it embraces far-reaching corporate change.

Corporate change means two things in practice: growing a social conscience and giving more power to stakeholders. Leading CEOs have supported progressive positions on a widening range of polarizing social issues such as public restrooms, immigration, high-capacity rifle magazines, voting by mail, Black Lives Matter, transgender identity, and, when it comes both to internal management and public philosophy, diversity, inclusion and equity. In 2019, the Business Roundtable (BR) issued a landmark statement arguing that businesses should pay attention to all business constituencies rather than just focusing on maximizing shareholder value.

Of course, not all businesspeople have been transformed into woke warriors. Most Fortune 500 executives and directors likely still favor Republicans over Democrats. Plenty of family business owners, particularly in the South, wear their MAGA hats with pride. But the new paradigm has the Big Business guns on its side. The CEOs represented by the BR collectively employ 20 million people, generate annual revenues of $9 trillion and have a stock market capitalization of about $18 trillion. BlackRock Inc.s CEO Larry Fink insists that successful companies must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how to make a positive contribution to society. The elite business schools that are training the next generation of business leaders and the consultancies that advise leading businesses all preach the same gospel of corporate social responsibility. Amplify this near-religious zeal and you have the making of a corporate revolution: In April 2021, Yale School of Management dean Jeffrey Sonnenfeld described his success in getting 90 CEOs of prominent U.S. companies to create a common front against Georgias legislation on voting as the start of a spiritual new awakening akin to Americas previous Great Awakenings.

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The Walt Disney Co.s current problems in Florida suggest that the great awakening will take the form of earthly discord rather than heavenly harmony. Disney CEO Bob Chapeks reluctance to get involved in the question of Floridas Parental Rights in Education Bill, prohibiting teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation to children in kindergarten through third grade, was understandable given the subjects radioactive nature. But it was also foolhardy given the pronouncements by CEOs in recent years on everything from bathrooms to critical race theory. Activist employees treated Chapeks initial silence as an implicit endorsement of the legislation  and his subsequent volte face acted as a red rag to the Republican bull.

The result was not the win-win of progressive corporate lore but lose-lose and yet more lose. Chapek has lost the support of many of his employees. Disney has lost 10% of its share value (though to be fair, its share price was shaky before the ruckus). And the state legislature has revoked the special self-governing status that Disney World has enjoyed in Orlando for more than 50 years. A company that grew rich by embracing traditional family values is now on the minority side of some of the most controversial issues of our time. (Polls consistently show that a majority of respondents support the main provisions of the Florida legislation.) Conservative talk show hosts are firing up their audiences by playing a leaked video/recording of a senior Disney executive producer boasting about her not-at-all-secret gay agenda of adding queerness into childrens programs whenever possible. And shareholder activists are circling: On April 5, Reed Rubinstein, former deputy associate attorney general in the Trump administration, wrote a letter to the Disney board on behalf of shareholders demanding an investigation into the CEOs wastage of corporate assets and accusing the company of systemic discrimination against religious believers.

True, the capitalist reformers do have a powerful story to tell. Capitalism has lost much of its legitimacy since the 2008 financial crisis, when the government stepped in to rescue the very people who had created the crisis in the first place. Both Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party can agree on that. And capitalism is undoubtedly having trouble winning over the younger generation. Some 40% of Americans under 40 years of age claim that they would prefer some form of socialism.

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Reforming CEOs think that they have no chance of winning over younger workers and consumers if they dont embrace progressive causes. I didnt become all of a sudden this activist CEO, Benioff has said. I got kind of pushed by my employees. And they worry that social problems will simply be left to fester if they dont step in, because the government is too paralyzed and polarized to act.

But the problem with corporate progressivism is that it is destined to be as counterproductive as it is windy. How can you renew businesss license to operate if you are alienating the conservative half of the country? Michael Jordans famous observation that Republicans buy sneakers, too, needs to be modified in the light of todays corporate antics: Republicans have values too. The more businesses endorse the left side of the culture war, the more they will motivate the other side. The Boardroom Initiative, a shareholder coalition led by former McDonalds CEO Ed Rensi, has demanded a civil rights audit at Bank of America following reports that the bank is making its staff undergo a race-based training program.

Moreover, moving left on culture is no guarantee that you will overcome the lefts long-standing anti-business bias: Witness three new hit series about rogue entrepreneurs  Elizabeth Holmes (The Dropout), Adam Neumann (We Crashed) and Travis Kalanick (Super Pumped)  which give the impression not just that business is open to rogues just like any other walk of life, but that capitalism is more or less synonymous with cheating, fakery, egomania, self-indulgence, white privilege, sex mania and general loutishness.

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And how can you restore faith in business if you go about promising far more than you can possibly deliver? Getting kind of pushed by your employees is hardly an exercise in leadership. Corporate progressives like to chide Milton Friedman and his supporters for short-termism. But what could be more short-termist than winning easy applause by promising to solve the worlds most pressing problems? Rebecca Henderson, a Harvard Business School professor and one of the leading gurus of the new paradigm, called one of her books Reimagining Capitalism in a World on Fire. Corporate progressives, however, are fighting fire with gasoline.

The BRs stakeholder rhetoric contains an implicit promise that companies will be kinder to their stakeholders (variously defined as anything from the companys employees and suppliers to the entire planet). Making such a promise is unwise at the best of times, when you dont have to make many trade-offs. In difficult times when the trade-offs multiply, it is idiotic. For in making these trade-offs, companies will almost certainly come down on the side of shareholders because that is what the signals that CEOs value most highly tell them to do: boards of directors selected for their expertise in serving shareholders, financial auditors who focus on financial returns, activist investors who can profit from share price increases, equity analysts who call out decisions that dont increase shareholder value, executive compensation systems tied to share price, a liberal market in corporate control, and omnipresent stock markets. The greatest legacy of the stakeholder value movement may well be to add woke-washing to the list of corporate crimes.

So, how should we address the very real problem of corporate legitimacy? Companies should start by sticking to their knitting rather than sprawling all over the place. The best way a CEO can advance the social good is to produce better goods and services at lower prices, not accept implicit responsibility for social problems that are out of their control. Market-friendly commentators should point out that many of the structural injustices that are blamed on capitalism, not least Americas troubled K-12 education system, are the result of government failure. And, finally, great philanthropists, of whom America has a wonderful abundance, should do what they have done throughout the countrys history: Use their private wealth (as opposed to corporate money) to provide innovative solutions to the countrys manifold problems  starting, I hope, with its broken ladder of educational opportunity.

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More from Bloomberg Opinion:

 Why Does the Tech Workforce Lean Left?: Tyler Cowen

 Unilever Should Know That Purpose Isnt Strategy: Chris Hughes

 Kanye Wests Latest Outburst Is a Painful Lesson for Gap: Andrea Felsted

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Adrian Wooldridge is the global business columnist for Bloomberg Opinion. He was previously a writer at the Economist. His latest book is The Aristocracy of Talent: How Meritocracy Made the Modern World.

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Its hard to gloss over the record of Filipino dictator Ferdinand Marcos, a man with film-star looks who manipulated the political machine, plundered the state to the tune of $10 billion, and was responsible for the deaths of thousands of his opponents and the torture of tens of thousands more. His wife Imelda, with her shoe collection  not to mention 888 handbags, 71 pairs of sunglasses and 65 parasols  became a byword for autocratic excess.

And yet, less than four decades after Marcos was forced to flee Manila in a U.S. Air Force plane, his son appears to be on his way back to the Malacanang Palace. Despite surveys last year suggesting an overwhelming popular preference for incumbent Rodrigo Dutertes daughter Sara, she agreed to instead contest the separate vice presidential race, leaving Ferdinand Marcos Jr., known as Bongbong, a freer run at for the top spot. Now campaigning in tandem with the younger Duterte, polls put the Marcos family scion ahead across the country, with a near-unassailable lead over his nearest rival, opposition icon and the current vice president, Leni Robredo.

Even in a country known for its dynasties, the prospect of a Marcos victory isnt politics as usual. Its the culmination of a decades-long effort by the family of a deposed kleptocrat to nurture a fantasy, and of their willful distortion of collective memory. It helps that a majority of voters are between 18 and 40, but its also the result of the broken promises of 1986s peaceful uprising that have left economic and political power still staggeringly concentrated. And, in more ways than one, its the natural conclusion to the six-year presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, a supposed man of the people who forged alliances with old-school elites, eroded civil liberties and talked up martial law.

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An already fragile democracy and an economy struggling to recover from the impacts of Covid-19 will bear the cost.

Political clans are the building blocks of power in the Philippines, thanks to a system of weak parties where privilege is entrenched and local fiefdoms  Ilocos Norte for the Marcoses  are tightly held. Clans have accounted for an average of 70% of legislators elected to the lower house from 1987 to 2016. Many of those families have hung on to economic and political power through generations of colonial regimes and republics. Despite a provision in the 1987 constitution that sought to limit the holding of multiple positions in one family, no enabling law was passed.

But Marcos likely victory is more than that. Its the prize the family has sought from the days of exile. Retaining substantial wealth and influence, they rapidly regained political primacy once they returned to the Philippines. Bongbong was elected to congress in 1992, three years after his fathers death, and the family has held a raft of positions since. Theyve consistently played up the Marcos myth, leaning on matriarch Imeldas continued appeal and mixing the past with the present, as with their insistence on the return of the autocrats body to the Philippines and on his burial in the Heroes Cemetery in Manila, allowed by Duterte shortly after he took office in 2016.

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Sons should not be held responsible for the sins of their fathers. But the younger Marcos entire presidential campaign has been notable for only two things. First, a lack of substance that political scientist Aries Arugay, visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, explains as a strategy to defend a lead in polls that can only be eroded by providing policy specifics; and second, its reliance on a glorified past. Where Robredo has emphasized her experience and competence, Marcos drive has used the slogan Sama-sama tayong babangon muli (Together we will rise again), churned out glossy official minifilms featuring reminiscences against tinkling music and black-and-white footage of the glory years, and promoted martial-law-era songs jazzed up for the TikTok generation.

With that comes a troubling selective memory. Marcos refers to the high growth rates of the early 1970s and perceptions of low crime  but not the crumbling mid-1980s, high external debt, import restrictions and unemployment. He has repeatedly failed to acknowledge the brutal side of a regime that, according to Amnesty International, imprisoned some 70,000 people during the nine years of martial law, tortured 34,000 and killed over 3,200. Will I say sorry for the thousands and thousands of kilometers [of roads] that were built? Marcos asked in 2015. What am I to say sorry about?

How has this failure  with worrying implications for other nations wrestling with the errors of the past, condemned to repeat them  been possible? For one, teaching history in Filipino schools has tended to gloss over the martial law period, and recent education reforms have allowed students to drop the subject in high school. As sociologist Gretchen Abuso points out, theres no official mechanism compelling appropriate remembrance of the past, something other post-authoritarian states have put in place. None of this is helped by the failure of post-Marcos governments to hold the family to account. Alibaba is gone, but the 40 thieves remain, as Cardinal Jaime Sin, the late archbishop of Manila,(1) once put it.

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Then theres social media, where a canny Marcos image-building campaign has enabled the revisionist narrative to fill the gap left by poor education. Filipinos spend more time on social media than almost any other nation on earth, and they heavily depend on online influencers for their opinions. While on average about a fifth of respondents globally said they used influencers as a source of information, more than half of Filipinos did. Perception is real, as Imelda says in a 2019 documentary about her, and the truth is not.

All of this thrives on fertile terrain, given that so few Filipinos, especially outside Manila, feel like democracy has brought much economic or political change. Similar families are in charge. Society remains deeply unequal, and is now also bruised by a pandemic that battered livelihoods and punished the youngest, kept out of in-person school for virtually two years.

More reason, of course, to look forward to a leader who can guarantee openness and, with a coherent vision, bring investment and positive economic change. Filipinos are choosing to look backward instead.

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There is nothing in [the Marcos-Duterte] tandem that suggests they will address the democratic deficit. You cant say they are different to their fathers, because they see nothing wrong with the way their fathers acted, Arugay told me. Worse, they have neither the competence nor the charisma of the fathers. There will be a sequel, but like all sequels, it will be worse than the original.More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:

 Pandemic Shows the Limits of Dutertismo: Clara Ferreira Marques

 Pacquiao Isnt the Hero the Philippines Needs: Matthew Brooker

 The Philippines Is a Flashpoint In the New Cold War: Hal Brands

(1) Quoted in Jon Quah, Combatting Corruption, in Routledge Handbook of the Contemporary Philippines, 2018

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Clara Ferreira Marques is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and member of the editorial board covering commodities and environmental, social and governance issues. Previously, she was an associate editor for Reuters Breakingviews, and editor and correspondent for Reuters in Singapore, India, the U.K., Italy and Russia.

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An outbreak of acute hepatitis -- an inflammation of the liver -- in children has killed at least four 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 had been detected, the WHO said. Most of them -- 114 -- were in the U.K., with cases also found in Spain, Israel, 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 had confirmed or suspected cases. On April 28, Japans health ministry said it found two more probable cases, taking the nations tally to three. Singapores health ministry on April 30 confirmed a case of acute hepatitis in a 10-month-old baby, while Indonesia said three children died from the disease last month.

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2. How serious is it?

The affected children were one month to 16 years old, with many 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.

4. Whats causing it?

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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. U.S. officials have expressed doubt about any connection with Covid, saying all the patients in the initial Alabama cluster tested negative at the hospital and had no history of previous infection.

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 The WHO report also noted the vast majority of children affected hadnt received any vaccine for Covid, making hypotheses about possible side effects from the shots unlikely.

 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.

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.

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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.

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BALTIMORE  Baltimores federal delegation and Mayor Brandon Scott are taking a tough-on-crime stance, announcing at a news conference Friday nearly $8 million in federal funds meant to boost public safety. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The federal funds are Baltimores first in Congresss revived earmarks program  the allocation of federal dollars for specific projects  and are meant to stem crime and help the Baltimore Police Department comply with its federal consent decree.

Scott and Police Commissioner Michael Harrison said the federal funding will help police do their jobs better at a time when gun violence is rampant.

Rep. Kweisi Mfume, a Democrat representing most of Baltimore City, said the funding would help free up officers to put more boots on the ground in neighborhoods, which would rebuild community trust and curb crime.

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If we do not make crime our number one priority, every day, every night and in every way, the peril will take place and we will see ourselves treading water, Mfume said.

The police department will receive about $5.3 million for four projects: a 911 diversion program, updating the records management system, increasing community collaboration with police and helping to develop neighborhood policing plans.

The records management system was updated in 2020  before that, all police reports and records were kept on paper  and the $2 million earmarked for the program is meant to offset some of the upfront costs the city incurred when it digitized the system, police department spokesperson Lindsey Eldridge said.

The 911 diversion program is meant to funnel calls about mental health crises and drug use away from police and toward other service providers to lessen the number of people exposed to the criminal justice system. The other three programs are mandated by the consent decree.

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A U.S. Department of Justice investigation found a pattern of unconstitutional policing, particularly in poor, predominantly Black neighborhoods, leading to the consent decree. Among other things, the settlement calls for enhanced civilian oversight and transparency.

Baltimore has recorded at least 300 homicides every year since 2015, but Sen. Ben Cardin, a Democrat, said that all of Baltimores federal delegation believe in Scotts ability to get a handle on things and that the earmarks are proof.

Weve helped to make sure that those funds are directed to Baltimore City, because we have confidence in the leadership of Baltimore and we have confidence that working together we can deliver for the people of Baltimore City, Cardin said.

In addition to the money for the department, the delegation is sending about $2.6 million to five nonprofit groups that work to prevent violence in the city. The Living Classrooms Foundations Crisis Management System will receive $750,000; Lifebridge Health Community Violence Cessation will receive $600,000; the University of Maryland Medical Center Shock Trauma Violence Prevention Program will receive $497,000; Roca Baltimore will get $400,000 to start a pilot program in South Baltimore aimed at reducing violence; and Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence will get $376,000.

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Commonly referred to as pork, the earmark program was ended a decade ago after lawmakers repeatedly used federal funds for pet projects. Congressional leadership revived the program in 2021 and the allocations are subject to more oversight than in years past, Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said.

Members of Baltimores all-Democratic federal delegation met with Scott after the news conference to discuss future earmarks as preventing crime remains top of mind.

Weve got to just admit one thing: We are still a very violent city, Mfume said. And the only way to deal with that is to acknowledge it and to work like hell to do something about it.

 Baltimore Sun

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Montana-Dakota Utilities over the weekend finished restoring electricity to all of its customers in western North Dakota who lost power during a devastating late-April blizzard.

A few thousand rural electric cooperative customers still remained without power on Monday, however, and eastern North Dakota continued to deal with flooding caused by recent snowmelt and rains.

MDU is a major power supplier in western North Dakota and eastern Montana and at one point had about 18,000 customers in the dark following the April 22-24 storm. Most of them were back online by late last week, but MDU had expected a couple of northwestern North Dakota towns to remain without power well into this week. The company updated the timeline on Saturday, however, and eventually reported that all power had been restored by that evening.

"MDU crews will remain in the area to continue work on damage to power lines that currently arent in service, but are necessary for system reliability," Hanson said. "That work will continue for the next couple of weeks."

There were still an estimated 3,200 outages in the region on Monday, according to state Emergency Services spokesman Eric Jensen.

The blizzard two weekends ago brought heavy snow, freezing rain and strong winds to the region. The storm downed an estimated 4,000 power poles, according to the North Dakota Association of Rural Electric Cooperatives. At one point an estimated 19,000 people in western North Dakota were without power.

The restoration effort has included dozens of ground crews with regular equipment and also tracked vehicles to help pull them through the mud, along with airplanes and drones. Crews "have been working around the clock, making progress every day," REC Executive Vice President and General Manager Josh Kramer said in a statement.

"We are thankful for the outpouring of kindness, patience and acts of generosity -- the farmer who pulled a line crew out of the mud or ditch, the snowplow operator who opened a road, and those who shared food with crews," Kramer said.

Gov. Doug Burgum has declared a statewide emergency and a statewide disaster in the wake of recent storms, and he plans to request presidential disaster declarations to unlock federal aid.

Burgum's disaster declaration is for areas impacted by record snowfall during a three-day blizzard earlier in April. The emergency is related to the widespread damage to electrical infrastructure in the west and the flooding in the east.

Moderate to major flooding is continuing in the Red River Basin, according to the National Weather Service, which has issued a flood warning for much of that region. Some highways remained closed in northeastern North Dakota on Monday, along with two bridges connecting Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Load restrictions are in place in the region to protect soft roads.

The Associated Press on Monday reported that authorities asked some residents of Cavalier to evacuate their homes due to flooding following as much as 2 inches of rain in the region over the weekend. The Pembina County Sheriff's Office said some areas will become inundated, and residents may be unable to leave due to flooded streets.

About 1,100 people live in Cavalier, which is about 80 miles northwest of Grand Forks. Cavalier Mayor Lacey Hinkle said Monday that a few people left their homes and moved to higher ground, and that sandbagging continued around local businesses.

Neche, with a population of about 380, has become an island and might remain that way for several days to a week, according to Pembina County Emergency Management spokeswoman Rebecca Flanders.

In Pembina, water is touching Interstate 29 but has not covered the road, according to AP. Sand is being delivered to the area, and high school students will be volunteering to fill sandbags on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The weather service's state forecast calls for no precipitation through the rest of the workweek. Bismarck-Mandan could see high temperatures in the 70s later in the week.

Reach News Editor Blake Nicholson at 701-250-8266 or blake.nicholson@bismarcktribune.com.

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Obituaries of residents from the District, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Arnold Nachmanoff, federal employee Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Arnold Nachmanoff, 85, who retired from the Treasury Department in 1981 as deputy assistant secretary for developing nations, died April 19 at his home in Arlington, Va. The cause was complications from a stroke, said his son Michael Nachmanoff. Mr. Nachmanoff was born in the Bronx and settled in the Washington area in 1962. He joined the Foreign Service in the early 1960s, then served as a budget examiner with what is now the Office of Management and Budget and on the staff of the National Security Council. After his government career, he worked for the British investment bank S.G. Warburg.

William Cox, magazine co-founder

William Cox, 79, co-founder and chief executive of the magazine Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and its companion website, diverseeducation.com, died March 21 at his home in Clifton, Va. The cause was corticobasal degeneration, a neurological disorder, said his son, Will Cox.

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Dr. Cox was born in Pensacola, Fla., and raised in Bay Minette, Ala. Before co-founding the magazine in 1984  then known as Black Issues in Higher Education  he was a supervisor of continuing education, counseling and training programs for the Air Force Department. The publication was renamed in 2005 as coverage came to include other minority groups. Dr. Cox received many professional honors.

Edwin McCaffrey, NOAA officer

Edwin McCaffrey, 92, a member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Commissioned Officer Corps from 1952 to 1982 and who held the rank of captain, died April 19 at the home of a daughter in Gales Ferry, Conn. The cause was complications from Parkinsons disease, said a son, Robert McCaffrey.

Capt. McCaffrey was born in Leominster, Mass. At NOAA, he commanded ships and was involved in helping map the Pacific Ocean floor. His final job was with the National Ocean Survey as special assistant for engineering responsible for analysis of engineering support requirements for NOAAs fleet. After his NOAA retirement, he was a systems engineer for government contractor OAO Corp., working on the lens of the Hubble Space Telescope, his family said. A few years ago, he moved to Wolfeboro, N.H., from Wheaton, Md.

 From staff reports

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On the morning of March 6, 1970, Kathy Boudin had just finished showering when a shrapnel-packed dynamite bomb fashioned by her radical colleagues in the militant left-wing Weathermen group accidentally detonated in the basement of the Greenwich Village townhouse where they were staying. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Their plan had been to attack an officers club dance at an Army post in New Jersey, part of the Weathermens effort to bring home the war in Vietnam.

The explosion left three Weathermen dead and the townhouse at 18 West 11th Street in ruins, and Ms. Boudin staggered naked out of the rubble, along with another uninjured woman. A neighbor gave clothes to Ms. Boudin, who fled amid the chaos.

Ms. Boudin  a descendant of prominent leftist intellectuals and five years out of the elite womens college Bryn Mawr  became one of the countrys most-wanted outlaws. She spent the next 11 years in hiding with other militants, by then calling themselves the Weather Underground, in urban safe houses and remote farmsteads.

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Using aliases and stolen credit cards, they periodically surfaced to plant bombs at government and corporate buildings. They hit nearly two dozen targets, including a bathroom in the U.S. Capitol in 1971 and another in the Pentagon in 1972.

After the townhouse disaster, the Weather leadership sought to dial back the violence, and no one was injured or killed in the subsequent bombings, which were carried out at night largely as symbolic acts against recognized superior forces.

Ms. Boudins life as a fugitive came to an end on Oct. 20, 1981, with her arrest in a botched $1.6 million robbery of a Brinks armored truck in suburban New York. Two police officers and a Brinks guard were killed in shootouts with violent Black nationalists she had joined.

Ms. Boudin, who pleaded guilty in 1984 to murder and robbery charges in the incident, was paroled in 2003 and later became a criminal justice scholar at Columbia University. She died May 1 in New York at the age of 78. The cause was cancer, said Rachel Marshall, a spokeswoman for Ms. Boudins son, Chesa Boudin, the San Francisco district attorney.

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While acknowledging the terrible consequences of the townhouse explosion and the Brinks robbery and killings, Ms. Boudin contended that she was only peripherally involved in both.

She said she never engaged in bombmaking at the townhouse, although Boudin family biographer Susan Braudy reported that Ms. Boudin had checked out a library book on the chemistry of explosives shortly before the fatal blast.

In the Brinks case, she said, she was only a passenger in a getaway vehicle. But during her 2003 parole hearing, she said she had fully supported the robbery  a statement that victims relatives viewed as a cynical ploy to curry favor with the parole board by showing that she was taking responsibility for her actions.

Kathy Boudin (pronounced boo-DEEN) was born in Manhattan on May 19, 1943, and grew up in an elite social milieu. The familys 19th-century brownstone played host to a salon of the citys leftist intellectuals, and she attended liberal Greenwich Village schools and dined at home with noted writers and political activists.

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Her father, Leonard Boudin, was a civil-liberties lawyer whose client roster included entertainer Paul Robeson, among other figures called before the House Un-American Activities Committee during anti-communist witch hunts of the 1950s. He later represented the government of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, civil rights activist Julian Bond, anti-Vietnam War protest leader Benjamin Spock and Pentagon Papers leaker Daniel Ellsberg. Her uncle I.F. Stone was a famed muckraking journalist.

The Boudin household was emotionally turbulent. Kathys mother, poet Jean Roisman, twice attempted suicide and spent years in psychiatric hospitals. Leonard was a serial womanizer not above assignations with Kathys friends.

The Boudins privileged daughter began to rebel. She protested air-raid drills in high school and agitated in favor of wage hikes for the Black campus maids at Bryn Mawr. (The latter activity backfired when the school phased out the maids jobs.)

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She studied abroad in the city then known as Leningrad and graduated from Bryn Mawr in 1965 with a major in Russian literature. Then she immersed herself in the rat-infested squalor of a Cleveland slum as a community organizer for an offshoot of the leftist group Students for a Democratic Society.

It was thrilling, she told the New Yorker in 2001. I felt like I was learning about the realities of class, of poverty. It was the discovery that there was a whole other world that I was living next to, part of, and didnt really know about.

Along with other SDS activists who rejected the peaceful, mainstream anti-Vietnam War movement as ineffectual, Ms. Boudin sided with the more violence-prone Weathermen faction when it split from the group in 1969. The new organization took its name from a lyric in the Bob Dylan song Subterranean Homesick Blues: You dont need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

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Ms. Boudin helped organize and participated in the October 1969 Days of Rage action, in which scores of helmeted militants smashed the windows of cars and store fronts in downtown Chicago. She and other Weathermen allied themselves with the Black Panthers and other groups that law enforcement authorities considered subversive.

Although the Weathermen movement began to implode after the Vietnam War ended, Ms. Boudin declined for years to surface.

The very status of being underground was an identity for me, she told the New Yorker. It was a moral statement. Three years, five years, eight years, ten years, eleven years  that was who I was. . . . In the world we live in, you make a difference in a small way, but it feels like you are doing something. But I was making a difference in no way, so then I elevated to great importance the fact that I was underground.

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After another sectarian split within the Weather Underground, she sided with the May 19th Communist faction, which then joined forces with the Black Liberation Army, itself an armed offshoot of the Black Panthers.

During the 1981 robbery of the Brinks armored truck in Nanuet, N.Y., Ms. Boudin and her boyfriend, David Gilbert, waited in a nearby getaway truck while two other May 19th participants sat in a second vehicle. BLA members then attacked the armored truck, setting off shootouts with Brinks guards and then with police.

The bandits loaded cash from the armored truck into the getaway vehicles but were stopped moments later by additional police. Ms. Boudin and others were arrested at the scene. Several BLA members slipped away, but they were caught days or weeks later.

Ms. Boudin pleaded guilty to robbery and a single count of felony murder in an agreement carefully fashioned by her father and her attorneys, including civil rights lawyer William Kunstler and her fathers law partner Leonard Weinglass.

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Under New York law, a participant in a felony  the armored truck robbery  can be held responsible for any deaths that result. Her attorneys successfully argued that Ms. Boudin had surrendered before the two police officers were killed and thus could be considered responsible only in the death of the Brinks guard.

She was sentenced to 20 years to life, while other defendants, including Gilbert, received much longer terms. At the time of the robbery, she and Gilbert had a 14-month-old son, Chesa. When Ms. Boudin went to prison, she turned Chesa over to Weather leaders Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers.

Dohrn and Ayers moved to Chicago, embarking on a conventional life in academia and raising Chesa with their own two children. He completed law school, moved to California, where he entered political life, and was elected district attorney of San Francisco in 2019.

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In addition to her son, survivors include Gilbert, described in a statement as her life partner; six grandchildren; Chesas two brothers, Zayd and Malik Dohrn; and her brother, Michael Boudin, a lawyer who, breaking with family tradition, is an outspoken conservative. Michael Boudin served in President Ronald Reagans Justice Department and was appointed to the federal appellate bench by President George H.W. Bush in 1992.

In prison, Ms. Boudin received a masters degree in adult education from Norwich University in Vermont and taught in a prisoner literacy program. After her parole, she received a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College in 2007, and a year later, she was appointed an adjunct professor at Columbias School of Social Work. Her parole and her academic advancement stirred resentment among the slain officers relatives and others. Critics referred to her as Columbias pet terrorist and accused her of indoctrinating students with leftist propaganda.

At Columbia, she co-founded the Center for Justice, whose goals included developing ways to ease inmate transition to life outside prison.

Explaining the decision to hire Ms. Boudin, the university cited her expressions of remorse for her role in the Brinks case and newspaper interviews in which students applauded her unusual teaching perspective.

Ms. Boudin, a published essayist and poet, once composed this declaration for a writing workshop in prison: If only there were a place where the living and the dead could meet, to tell their tales, to weep, I would reach for you  not so that you could forgive me, but so that you could know that I have no pride for what I have done, only the wisdom and regret that came too late.

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BANGKOK  Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met Monday with his Thai counterpart, Prayuth Chan-ocha, for talks about economic, security and geopolitical issues, including political upheaval in Myanmar and Russias war in Ukraine. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The two leaders also oversaw the signing of three agreements covering financial cooperation, the transfer of defense equipment and technology, and support for a COVID-19 emergency response.

Kishida is in the middle of a five-nation overseas trip. He earlier visited Indonesia and Vietnam and will travel to Italy and the United Kingdom after Thailand.

Japan has long been a major economic investor in Thailand, and at a post-meeting news conference Prayuth said the two nations are drafting a five-year strategic plan for an economic partnership.

He said he and Kishida agreed on the importance of supply chain connectivity to enhance development of smart agriculture, 5G communication technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, and electric vehicles and components.

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Prayuth also said they were pleased with their countries close defense and security cooperation, but did not elaborate. The United States has traditionally been Thailands closest security partner, but ties have loosened in the past decade as China has extended its influence in Southeast Asia. Japan, a strategic rival of China, is keen to offset Beijings ascendancy.

The war in Ukraine has figured prominently in Kishidas talks during his trip, and he and Prayuth both said they were concerned about escalating tensions there and urged an end to all hostilities.

Prayuth said he proposed a new approach to ending the confrontation by focusing on humanitarian considerations, and that a similar approach might be useful in restoring peace in Thailands neighbor, military-ruled Myanmar.

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the army seized power last year from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. The takeover was met with massive public resistance, and the country is now embroiled in what some experts characterize as a civil war. Several governments have imposed sanctions against Myanmars military rulers, and some Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia and Singapore have condemned their actions.

Thailand and Japan share a softer approach and have been less critical of the ruling military. Thailand has significant economic interests in Myanmar and has its own past history of army rule. Japan has historically had friendly ties with the military governments that have ruled Myanmar most of the past six decades.

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CANBERRA, Australia  An Australian man was sentenced to 12 years and seven months in prison Tuesday for the 1988 murder of an American who fell off a Sydney cliff that was known as a gay meeting place. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The death of mathematician Scott Johnson was initially called a suicide, but his family pressed for further investigation. A coroner in 2017 found a number of assaults, some fatal, where the victims had been targeted because they were thought to be gay.

Scott White, 51, pleaded guilty in January and could have been sentenced to up to life in prison.

Justice Helen Wilson said she did not find beyond reasonable doubt that the murder was a gay hate crime, an aggravating factor that would have led to a longer sentence. She also said she applied more lenient sentencing patterns in place in New South Wales state in the late 1980s.

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He must serve at least eight years and three months in prison before he can be considered for parole.

White was 18 and homeless when he met 27-year-old Los Angeles-born Johnson at a bar in suburban Manly in December 1988 and went with him to a nearby cliff top at North Head.

Whites former wife Helen White told police in 2019 that her then-husband had bragged about beating gay men and had said the only good gay man was a dead gay man.

She told the court on Monday that her husband had told her Johnson had run off the cliff. Scott White told police that he was himself gay and frightened that his homophobic brother would find out.

Wilson said it was not possible to draw any conclusions beyond a reasonable doubt about what had happened at the clifftop.

The offender hit Dr. Johnson, causing him to stumble backwards and leave the cliff edge, Wilson said.

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In those seconds when he must have realized what was happening to him, Dr. Johnson must have been terrified, aware that he would strike the rocks below and conscious of his fate, Wilson added. It was a terrible death.

Wilson did not accept the defense lawyers argument that Helen White had been motivated to report him to police by a reward.

Under cross-examination on Monday, Helen White denied she had been aware of a 1 million Australian dollar ($704,000) reward for information on Johnsons murder when she went to police in 2019. She said she only became aware of a reward when the victims brother, Steve Johnson, doubled the sum in 2020.

Outside court, Boston resident Steve Johnson thanked prosecutors and the judicial system for ensuring White was sent to prison.

We didnt get compensation for Scott this week but what Scott got was dignity, the older sibling told reporters.

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Younger sister Rebecca Johnson said she was satisfied with the sentence.

Today I feel like weve had answers and weve had justice, and thats for our brother and thats for gay men who were bashed or killed in that era, she said.

White had a record of violent crime before and after the murder but had not committed any offense since 2008.

It should be understood that the court is not sentencing a violent and reckless young man for a targeted attack on a gay man, Wilson said.

Because of the lapse of time, the offender is no longer the same angry young man who raised his fists to another on the edge of a cliff. Neither is the court imposing a sentence for a crime motivated by hatred for a particular sector of society. The evidence is too slender to support that, Wilson added.

She said a sentence for the same crime today would be much higher.

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Whites lawyers have appealed his conviction and hope he will be acquitted of the murder charge in a jury trial.

A coroner ruled in 2017 that Johnson fell from the clifftop as a result of actual or threatened violence by unidentified persons who attacked him because they perceived him to be homosexual.

The coroner also found that gangs of men roamed various Sydney locations in search of gay men to assault, resulting in the deaths of some victims. Some men were also robbed.

A coroner had ruled in 1989 that Johnson had taken his own life, while a second coroner in 2012 could not explain how he died.

Johnson studied at universities in California and at Cambridge in Britain before moving to Australia in 1986 to live with his Australian partner Michael Noone.

They lived in Canberra where Johnson studied at the Australian National University which posthumously awarded him a Ph.D. He was staying a Noones parents Sydney home when he died.

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North Dakota Poet Laureate and award-winning author Larry Woiwode died Thursday. He was 80.

Woiwode was a Sykeston native and author of numerous books, including the 1969 bestseller "What I'm Going To Do, I Think" and 1975's "Beyond the Bedroom Wall," a National Book Award nominee.

He also wrote short stories, poetry and nonfiction, and garnered accolades including the John Dos Passos Prize, William Faulkner Foundation Award and Medal of Merit from the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Woiwode's most recent book, "A Legacy of Passion" about the Scheel family and store franchise, was published two weeks before he died.

Gov. George Sinner in 1992 presented Woiwode with the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award, the state's highest honor. His portrait hangs in the North Dakota Hall of Fame in the state Capitol.

The 1995 Legislature appointed Woiwode as the state's poet laureate. He said in 2019 he had "dedicated 24 years to this office, reached thousands of North Dakota students and probably that many community members, also."

He lived on a farm with his family near Mott.

Woiwode was writer in residence at the University of Jamestown from 2007-20.

University President Polly Peterson said in a statement, Larry was a student favorite. He shared his passionate love for writing in a way that made it fun for all learners. He believed that every student had talent, and as much as anything, he had a way of encouraging them to believe in their own unique talents. Many went on to graduate school because of his inspiration.

Among his books was "The Dignity of Grace," about the life of Sister Thomas Welder, a longtime president of the University of Mary in Bismarck.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Woiwode family. He will be dearly missed by the University of Mary," school spokesman Tom Ackerman said.

Gov. Doug Burgum in a statement said Woiwode "inspired and mentored countless writers during his long and distinguished career.

"Through it all, he always remembered his North Dakota roots, from serving as our states poet laureate since 1995 to conducting many classes and workshops for aspiring writers in his home state," Burgum said. "His award-winning work earned widespread praise and instilled immense pride in his fellow North Dakotans. (First lady) Kathryn and I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and all who found joy and inspiration in his writing.

Services are set for 11 a.m. Tuesday at New Hope Lutheran Church in Jamestown.

Reach Jack Dura at 701-250-8225 or jack.dura@bismarcktribune.com.

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Media buyers expect Netflix to become a significant force in the local advertising market if it adopts cheaper, ad-supported subscriptions, flagging the potential for the global streaming giant to bring interactive products used in Asia to the Australian market.

Following its first drop in users in over a decade, which triggered a steep fall in its share price, Netflix last month said it was exploring cheaper subscription offerings that would force users to submit to viewing advertisements. Netflix had previously ruled out ever allowing advertisements on the platform. Think of us as quite open to offering even lower prices with advertising as a consumer choice, co-chief executive Reed Hastings told investors.

Earlier this month Netflix signalled it would explore lower subscription fees through advertising. Credit:Bloomberg

Joe Frazer, managing partner and head of growth at media agency Half Dome, which focuses on digital ad placement, said advertisers would likely flock to Netflix due to its large audience base and its strong reputation among consumers.

[Advertisers] are falling over themselves about Netflix, he said. Video-based advertising is just the biggest growth area at the moment, based on audiences shifting their consumption of content from linear to [broadcast video on demand (BVOD)] and streaming platforms.
The fight for Treasurer Josh Frydenbergs storied seat of Kooyong turned ugly after his campaign launch on Sunday, when challenger Monique Ryan accused the treasurer of misquoting her frail 87-year-old mother-in-law in an attempt to embarrass the teal independent.

Frydenberg rejected Ryans claim, saying he had quoted the elderly woman word for word.

Josh Frydenberg is surrounded by supporters at his campaign launch on Sunday. Credit:Chris Hopkins

At the high-energy launch, where Frydenberg acknowledged his seat was in danger and implored his supporters to harness the power of the dark blue to win, he told a story of running into a woman near a cafe who said she was voting for him. The woman was Ryans mother-in-law. When he asked why, Frydenberg claimed the woman said: Because you know what youre doing and youre a nice person.

The treasurers recounting of the conversation, which he also delivered at a private function days earlier, drew laughter from the crowd but angered Ryan.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce quietly appointed the head of a Liberal Party fundraising body to a plum job on a taxpayer-funded board in the 46th parliaments final days amid a flurry of other government gigs handed out before Scott Morrison called the election.

Ryan Arrold, who chairs the Hume Forum, which raises funds for Energy Minister Angus Taylor and the Liberals, was made a non-executive director of the Australian Rail Track Corporation on March 30  the day after the federal budget.

Barnaby Joyce on the campaign trail. Credit:James Brickwood

Joyce did not announce the appointment in a press release or other statement, but Arrolds name and biography appeared on the company website. The taxpayer-funded job pays $83,150 a year, and there are typically eight board meetings annually.

The ARTC is a federal government-owned corporation that owns and maintains an 8500-kilometre railway network across five states. Its current chair is former deputy prime minister Warren Truss, who was appointed to the job in 2018 by then deputy prime minister Michael McCormack, and reappointed last year.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese is promising voters a government that wants their wages to go up as unions say his plan will deliver more money in peoples pockets and an economist says the oppositions gender pay equity plan is promising.

Labors industrial relations spokesman Tony Burke said a Labor government would change the Fair Work Act to include gender equity as Prime Minister Scott Morrison highlighted the governments record of delivering the lowest unemployment rate in nearly 50 years.

One day after making a commitment to higher wages and secure work, Albanese used a speech at a Labour Day march in Brisbane to urge hundreds of union members and families to campaign hard for Labor by polling day, telling workers they deserve a government that wants to increase their pay.

Labor leader Anthony Albanese, right, with Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at a labour day march in Brisbane, told workers they deserved a government that would lift wages. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

I say this to the workers here  you deserve more than thanks, Albanese told a crowd at the Brisbane showgrounds. You deserve a government that cares about secure work. You deserve a government that wants to increase your pay.
As Moscow this week cut off gas supplies to two European Union members, Poland and Bulgaria, fears have again been raised about the future of the blocs energy supplies. The suspensions were the first since Russian President Vladimir Putin said last month that unfriendly foreign buyers would have to pay in roubles instead of other currencies. The demands have weaponised gas supplies and challenge the EUs ability to maintain a united front against Moscow. A man attempts to cool himself down at a fountain in Aci Trezza, Sicily, where temperatures hit a new European record. Credit:AP Italy imports 95 per cent of the gas it uses and 40 per cent of that comes from Russia. Draghi, an economist and president of the European Central Bank for the past decade, has made the energy transition among his top priorities since he became prime minister in February last year. His government has been seeking alternatives since Russias invasion of Ukraine on February 24 including new deals to import gas from Angola, Algeria and the Republic of Congo.

Draghi now believes Italy can end its reliance within 18 months after previously stating it could take up to two years. He is also confident the nations gas needs are covered until October, even if Moscow turns off the tap. Diversification is possible and can be implemented in a relatively short amount of time  quicker than we imagined just a month ago, he said in a recent interview. The government is also evaluating the inclusion of a rule to limit the number of street lamps lit and the hours of lighting. While Europe, like other Western nations, has spent the past few months imposing sanctions on Russia  from travel bans to asset freeze, they had convenient not addressed the elephant in the room  gas. Russia is Europes largest natural gas supplier, meeting 33 per cent of the regions demand in 2021, up from 25 per cent in 2009. It also relies heavily on revenues from oil and natural gas, which in 2021 made up 45 per cent of Russias federal budget. But now the EU has announced that it plans to slash gas imports by two-thirds by 2023 in response to the war.

But Italys approach has its critics. Public Administration Minister Renato Brunetta took them on this week in an interview with Milans daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, saying it was also an important educational measure. It is understandable that any community, in the face of a similar sequence, has selfish deviations and that some say enough, we cant take it any more, he said. [But] it reminds me of my mother who told me when you leave the room, turn off the light. I intend to do much more by putting solar panels on the roofs of a million public buildings, with particular reference to schools. It would not solve the dependence on Russian gas, but it would have enormous educational value. The International Energy Agency says the growing use of air conditioners in homes and offices will be one of the top drivers of global electricity demand over the next three decades.

Using air conditioners and electric fans to stay cool already accounts for about a fifth of the total electricity used in buildings around the world  or 10 per cent of global electricity consumption. Loading And demand from air conditioners is expected to triple by 2050, requiring new electricity capacity the equivalent to the combined electricity capacity of the United States, the EU and Japan. Less than a third of global households own an air conditioner, but in countries such as Australia, the United States and Japan, more than 75 per cent of households have air conditioning, compared to just 8 per cent of the 2.8 billion people living in the hottest parts of the world. The issue is particularly sensitive in the fastest-growing nations, with the biggest increases coming in hot countries such as India  where the share of AC in peak electricity load could reach 45 per cent in 2050, up from 13 per cent today.

IEA executive director Fatih Birol said this week that faced with the horrendous scenes of human suffering following Russias invasion of Ukraine, people in Europe want to take action. Using less energy is a concrete way to help the Ukrainian people  and to help ourselves, he said. With little or no discomfort on our part [we] can reduce the flow of money to Russias military and help put us on a path to a cleaner and more sustainable planet. He estimated turning down the thermostat by just 1 degree would save around 7 per cent of the energy used for heating, while setting an air conditioner 1 degree warmer could reduce the amount of electricity used by up to 10 per cent. The action against Russia could fast-track the aims of European leaders to shift away from fossil fuels in the coming years, as part of international climate targets which aim to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial levels. Critics of net zero policies have called for them to be revised post the Ukraine war and rising prices, but this week 100 EU cities  including Barcelona, Munich, Stockholm, Lisbon, Budapest and Rome committed to hitting that target by the end of the decade.

As of April 1, it is now illegal for French cafes, bars, restaurants and other establishments to operate heated terraces. The French environment ministry estimated that the countrys outdoor heating produced 500,000 tonnes of CO2 annually  the equivalent to the average yearly emissions from 300,000 cars. Loading Brussels, Edinburgh and Milan have also used car-free Sundays to promote public health, community-oriented spaces and cultural events, with motorists told that leaving their car at home every Sunday could save households on average 100 a year. Birrol says Russias invasion of Ukraine has fuelled an unnecessary cost-of-living crisis thats being felt most painfully by those who can afford it least, especially in developing economies. At the same time, we cannot lose sight of the climate crisis that, left unchecked, will bring even greater disruption and suffering, he said.
Fighting Republican authoritarianism means sometimes delaying political gratification.

The Utah Democratic Party did something extraordinary last week: They threw their support behind a Republican. Well, a former Republican, anyway. Evan McMullin, who ran for president as an independent in 2016, is now seeking to unseat Sen. Mike Lee.

At the Democratic Party convention, held at Cottonwood High School in Murray (don't you love democracy?), some delegates were uncomfortable. One told the Deseret News that he "never imagined my fellow Democrats would disenfranchise me," adding that "Democrats need to be on the ballot." But most delegates were swayed by the arguments of former Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams, who vouched for McMullin's integrity and urged that he would help "heal the divide" in Washington. Besides, he said, McMullin has a real path to victory. The Democrats agreed and, with 57% voting in favor, elected to join a coalition that also includes the United Utah Party to endorse McMullin.

Now, cards on the table, it isn't as if any Democratic nominee would stand a ghost of a chance. Utah hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate in more than 50 years, and Republicans outnumber Democrats in the state 5-to-1. But McMullin is a political unicorn -- a former Republican, CIA veteran and conservative who garnered 21% of the vote in Utah when he made his quixotic presidential bid in 2016.

Lee was swept into office by the Tea Party wave of 2010. He defeated incumbent Republican Bob Bennett in the primary by arguing that Bennett had lost his edge after years in Washington. Lee claimed that he, by contrast, was a "constitutional conservative." His website boasts that he has "spent his career defending the fundamental liberties of all Americans and advocating for America's founding constitutional principles."

Unless those principles conflict with his personal ambitions. Maybe that's in the small print.

Lee was among the last holdouts at the GOP convention in 2016, hoping to deploy procedural rules to deny Trump the nomination. In July of that year, adverting to Trump's "authoritarian" tendencies, he shot back at a MAGA radio host, "Don't sit here and tell me that I have no reason to be concerned about Donald Trump. ... I mean we can get into the fact that he accused my best friend's father of conspiring to kill JFK."

Over the following years, like every other leading Republican except those you can list on two hands, Lee immolated his constitutional principles on a pyre. As Amanda Carpenter itemized, the recently revealed text messages to Donald Trump's White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows reveal a senator not only willing to overlook a little authoritarianism now and again but also an active participant in a behind-the-scenes effort to overturn a free and fair election. On Dec. 8, 2020, for example, Lee texted to Meadows that "If a very small handful of states were to have their legislatures appoint alternative slates of delegates, there could be a path." Lee, you see, wanted the coup to be by the book. If the states (only the ones Trump lost, of course) submitted alternate slates of electors, why, then, according to the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act (which Democrats should have repealed and replaced by now), the MAGA forces could stall and possibly prevent the certification of Biden's victory. Lee later texted to Meadows that he was on the phone "14 hours a day" discussing whether state legislators were going to submit "clean" slates for Trump. After the texts leaked, he told the Deseret News that "At no point in any of those was I engaging in advocacy. I wasn't in any way encouraging them to do that. I just asked them a yes or no question."

It didn't occur to Mr. Constitutional Conservative that phone calls from a United States senator to state legislators asking questions might be interpreted as signals or even possibly as threats? He certainly knew that Trump was engaging in every possible ploy to overturn the election. What business did a Utah senator have even calling legislators from Pennsylvania or Michigan? And he wasn't troubled by the utter fallaciousness of the election fraud claims, rejected by something like 63 courts, that would be the foundation of any effort to submit alternative slates? That's the nub of it. It was a lie -- a blatant, stinking lie.

In October 2020, Lee famously tweeted "We're not a democracy." It's a familiar conservative talking point. We are a republic. True. A democratic republic. Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution that Lee claims to revere guarantees to each state a "republican form of government." A republican form of government depends utterly on votes being counted legally and properly. Otherwise, the Constitution's guarantee becomes a dead letter, rather like the sham elections in Russia or Cuba. It seems that Lee wanted to use the Constitution as a fig leaf for a naked power grab. Yes, he ultimately voted to certify Biden's victory, but only after granting the coup plot legitimacy with his backroom maneuvering.

The Utah Democratic Party has demonstrated flexibility, too rare a trait in today's politics. Utahans now have a rare opportunity to strike a blow for democracy and the Constitution. A McMullin victory would signal that there are consequences for betraying your oath and making a mockery of appeals to the Constitution.

Mona Charen is a syndicated columnist.

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This is Up and Down, where we give a brief thumbs up or thumbs down on the issues from the past week.

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If theres a bright side to the stormy last half of April, its that drought is disappearing from the North Dakota countryside and wildfires have become few and far between. The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor map shows about 37% of North Dakota as being in some state of drought, down from 54% two weeks earlier and 86% at the start of the year. Burleigh County and eastern Morton County are no longer in any form of drought. And there have been only 27 wildfires in North Dakota so far this spring, burning 133 acres. That compares with a whopping 333 fires burning about 47,400 acres last year by this time. Its an abrupt change from last spring, and, despite all the problems that have resulted from the recent precipitation, a welcome one.

Down

Rob and Melani Walton, of the Walmart fortune, gave $15 million to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library project near Medora, and Melani Walton served on the board of trustees until leaving after her term ended. Library CEO Ed O'Keefe says the Waltons "will occupy a significant place" in the story of the library once it's built. That's undoubtedly true. But the couple haven't explained why they pledged $50 million but then gave 70% less. O'Keefe referred to it as "the loss of $35 million." Philanthropists have every right to give whatever amount they please. But in this case an explanation seems in order.

Up

The North Dakota Stockmen's Association and its Foundation have launched a disaster relief fund for western ranchers who were hit hard by weather last month. It's the middle of calving season, and ranchers endured two blizzards in less than two weeks, with an Easter Sunday snowstorm sandwiched in between. The Stockmen's Association believes livestock losses to be widespread. The group and its foundation have put $40,000 into the Hope After Haley Disaster Relief Fund and are asking for others to contribute. It's the least that North Dakotans can do to help the industry that has spent the last year dealing with a different kind of weather problem -- drought.

Down

Hundreds of people in northwestern North Dakota are likely to remain without electricity well into this week. Power restoration crews have worked long hours to get the lights back on after the most recent blizzard, but the infrastructure damage was extreme, and some rural areas are hard to reach. Conditions for the workers have been less than ideal. Montana-Dakota Utilities has brought in tracked equipment just to pull bucket trucks through the wet, muddy conditions. The rain that fell this weekend isn't likely to help.

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1. Flying Eagle 



https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Eagle-Foxconn-Answered-Manufacturing/dp/B09TV571CF/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1651466749&refinements=p_27%3AAlan+Yeung&s=books&sr=1-1

2. Alan Yeung

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Yeung attended Salesian School, a Catholic school, for his primary and secondary education before coming to the U.S. at the age of 17. A first-generation college graduate in his family, Yeung received his Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering from UW-Madison in 1984, and his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 1989. While working full-time, Yeung enrolled in the University of California at Berkeley and received in his MBA (Finance) in 1995.

In 2017, Yeung rejoined Foxconn to lead Project FLYING EAGLE to reshore electronics manufacturing back to America. Working with Terry Gou and Louis Woo, Yeung successfully partnered with the Trump White House and negotiated a $3 billion tax incentive package with the State of Wisconsin. Together they reached a multimillion-dollar deal to launch the Wisconn Valley Science and Technology Park in the Village of Mount Pleasant, Racine County, Wisconsin. While at Foxconn, Yeung built Foxconns North American headquarters in Milwaukee, co-sponsored a $100 million early-stage venture capital fund, and built infrastructure and strategic initiatives including Smart Cities Smart Futures competition.

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U.S. Academy Award-winning film director Oliver Stone denounced America's addiction to endless wars and notorious record of interference in other countries' internal affairs.

RELATED: Chaos, Poverty and Hunger - The US Legacy in Afghanistan

"I've talked to a lot of Afghan and Iraq veterans, and there's a tremendous disturbance here going on. The suicide rate is so much higher than ordinary, normal (wars)," Stone, a Vietnam War veteran, said.

He noted that U.S. veterans returning from the Middle East have expressed strong discontent over their country's obsession with endless wars, adding they "know subconsciously or consciously" that they were fed with lies and were sent to Iraq and Afghanistan for "selfish interests," out of mere political considerations.

Stone blasted the U.S. for recently stoking military tensions with Russia over Ukraine, accusing Washington of violating its promise not to expand eastward the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). He also lashed out at the U.S. military buildup targeting China, which he observed has accelerated since the U.S. "pivot to Asia" strategy in 2012, and at its arms sales to Taiwan.

Besides being a historian, Oliver Stone is world-renowned for directing movies such as Platoon, Wall Street, and Born on the Fourth of July. In his latest documentary, "JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass," he delved into the unanswered mysterious behind the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

"I'm not sure I'm in charge of this entire government because they're doing things off the shelf... nobody bucks them (the intelligence agencies and the military), nobody challenges them, nobody," the filmmaker said, quoting Kennedy's words.

In his eyes, the country's economy is heavily reliant on its military-industrial complex, and its politics lies in the hands of intelligence agencies and the military. This is due to "the military Keynesian policies coming up right after World War II," which kept U.S. administrations "militarizing the economy, pumping money into weapons" to sustain the economy.

"America has always prepared for war," he said, adding that the United States avoids war only when "there's more money in preparing for war than going to war."
The Raid series is one of the most visionary martial arts film franchises created in the last 20 years. Focusing on the Indonesian combative art known as Pencak silat, The Raid brought a unique intensity to the world of martial arts cinema. After the second film, director Gareth Evans promised fans a third entry into the franchise. However, after several years, it's starting to look like the explosive series will remain a duology.

While creating The Raid with Iko Uwais and Yayan Ruhian, Gareth Evans lived in Indonesia- which is also where the film takes place. After moving back to his native Wales, Evans became content to leave The Raid franchise behind as well.

Whether it was a conscious decision or not, moving back to UK felt like a closing chapter on that franchise  we ended the story pretty neatly (I feel) in Part 2. I'm aware there's an interest for it, and genuinely it is incredibly touching to see people still dropping messages my way asking for it. So never say never, but it's unlikely to happen anytime soon. https://web.archive.org/web/20161122183224/http://www.impactonline.co/film/12859-gareth-evans-apostle/

Since it looks like we're not going to get another installment of Evan's dynamic fight sequences any time soon, this short film he created in 2016 will have to serve as our last glimpse at his stunning work in the world of martial arts filmmaking. The clip featured above is short but masterful in its execution.
The CTV comedy series Acting Good, starring Anishinaabe standup comedian Paul Rabliauskas, has put out the call for hundreds of Indigenous extras  male and female ages 16-90 years old  to play in various scenes throughout the shoot.

The CTV comedy series Acting Good, starring Anishinaabe standup comedian Paul Rabliauskas, has put out the call for hundreds of Indigenous extras  male and female ages 16-90 years old  to play in various scenes throughout the shoot.

The 10-episode series has already begun filming in Winnipeg and surrounding areas and is expected to continue into June.

Rabliauskas plays Paul, a comic who returns home to the fictional remote fly-in community of Grouse Lake First Nation after a botched attempt to move to the big city. Grouse Lake was inspired by Rabliauskass own home community of Poplar River First Nation.

Also in the cast is actor, comedian, and series co-showrunner Pat Thornton (of the under-appreciated shot-in-Manitoba series Sunnyside), who stars as Brady, the only white guy on the rez.

The cast and crew also features Billy Merasty as radio DJ Roger Laughingstick, the voice of the rez, and Roseanne Supernault as reformed bad girl and band councillor Jo. Gabriel Daniels plays the big-hearted Dean, and series producer Tina Keeper does double duty playing the family matriarch Agnes.

In their debut acting roles, Avery Claudia Sutherland stars as Jos rebellious daughter Chickadee, comedian Cheyenna Sapp is Pauls on-again-off-again girlfriend, Rose, Jason Mason is overzealous band constable Lips, and writer-broadcaster-playwright Rosanna Deerchild plays Deedee, the First Nation Grouse Lake chief.

Award-winning actor, director and choreographer Michael Greyeyes is set to direct five episodes of the series, which is being produced by Keepers company Kistikan Pictures.

The extras casting department is hoping to reach out to the local Indigenous community, as the series will require hundreds of Indigenous extras to play in various roles. Extras are only expected to commit one or two days here and there throughout the filming dates and will get paid $13.50 per hour when hired, no previous experience necessary.

An application form is available online at karicasting.ca.

  

A second TV series with Indigenous themes is already underway. The six-part limited series Little Bird is produced by Rezolution Pictures and Original Pictures, for Bells Crave service. The show is about an Indigenous woman (local Cree-Saulteaux actress-playwright Darla Contois, who premiered her drama The War Being Waged at Prairie Theatre Exchange in December) on a journey to find her birth family.

Removed from her home in Long Pine Reserve in Saskatchewan, Bezhig Little Bird is adopted into a Montreal Jewish family at the age of five, to become Esther Rosenblum. In her 20s, Bezhig begins a search for the family she lost, taking her to the Canadian Prairies, where she comes to learn the truth of the racist government policy now known as the 60s Scoop.

Joining Contois are actors Ellyn Jade (Letterkenny), Eric Schweig, Michelle Thrush, Osawa Muskwa, Joshua Odjick, Imajyn Cardinal and Mathew Strongeagle.

Actress-director Elle-Maija Tailfeathers (The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open) and Zoe Hopkins (Run Woman Run) will each direct three episodes, with Hopkins writing three of the episodes.

The show was created by writer-actress Jennifer Podemski and playwright Hannah Moscovitch, who will reportedly serve as executive producers alongside Jeremy Podeswa (Game of Thrones).

  

The newly announced horror feature Felix is set to film in Manitoba in May and June, and has cast actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the role of a father trying to save his son from the influence of an evil ventriloquist dummy.

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The film will be directed by John Kissack (whose credits include horror thriller Everfall) from a screenplay by Casey Giltner.

Morgan should feel at home in the horror genre as a veteran of The Walking Dead and the 2012 film The Possession. Playing Morgans son is young British actor Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (Son of a Critch), who will be very familiar with Manitoba, as he has been working here on another thriller, All Fun and Games, opposite Asa Butterfield and Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things), which is set to wrap next week.

That latter film includes horror vet Keith David, who survived to the end of John Carpenters The Thing and participated in a memorable sustained fight scene in Carpenters They Live with the late former Winnipegger Roddy Piper.

All Fun and Games also stars Annabeth Gish, who recently starred in the Netflix series Midnight Mass.

Ainsworth wrapped work on a high-profile project, Disneys live-action production of Pinocchio starring Tom Hanks and directed by Robert Zemeckis.

A third thriller is in the works, the long-delayed Elevator Game, with director Rebekah McKendry attached.

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In what is likely the largest religious gathering since the pandemic started, thousands of Muslims expect to gather at the convention centre Monday morning for Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic festival that marks the end of 30 days of fasting during Ramadan.

In what is likely the largest religious gathering since the pandemic started, thousands of Muslims expect to gather at the convention centre Monday morning for Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic festival that marks the end of 30 days of fasting during Ramadan.

"It makes me feel elated to meet everyone and see everyone for the first time in two years," said university student Abdul Ahad of the celebration.

JESSICA LEE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS University of Manitoba student Abdul Ahad, president of Muslim Students Association.

"This will be the biggest reunion for the community at large for three years."

Manitobas Muslims last met for Eid prayers and celebrations at the convention centre in 2019. Events in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to lockdowns or public health restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

"This will be a huge gathering that we havent had for three years," explained Ismael Mukhtar, author of a recent history book on Manitobas Muslim community.

"Weve had a number of newcomers (to Winnipeg since then) and this will be a new experience for them."

Doors open an hour before prayers begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a short sermon, said Tasneem Vali, vice-president of the Manitoba Islamic Association. The event includes goodie bags for children and a photo booth, as well as time for socializing after the prayers.

Although the 2019 Eid celebration attracted about 9,000, Vali said fewer people may attend this year, due to Monday being a workday and some people remaining cautious about large indoor gatherings.

Instead of praying shoulder-to-shoulder as is the custom in congregational prayers, people with safety concerns can move to the back of the large meeting room for more space, suggested Vali.

"Were telling people to be vigilant. Stay home if youre sick or vulnerable," she said, adding the prayers will be livestreamed on the associations Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Thats exactly what Shahina Siddiqui plans to do. With a young grandchild not yet eligible for vaccination, Siddiqui and her multi-generational household plan to celebrate Eid at home, just as theyve done for the past two years.

"Its been a different experience," said the executive director of Islamic Social Services Association about celebrating with family members who prayed and fasted alongside her.

"Its so much more soul satisfying."

That caution is echoed by Sumera Sahar, who plans to attend the Eid prayers downtown, but has friends who have chosen to celebrate in smaller circles.

"We have taken the approach that as a family we take as many precautions as reasonable while still maintaining normal life," she wrote in an email message.

"We are all triple-vaccinated and maintain physical distancing and masking in public spaces."

Convention centre staff continually monitor air quality and levels of carbon dioxide to ensure the expansive venue with its 10-metre-high ceilings remains as safe as possible, said president and CEO Drew Fisher.

"As soon as carbon dioxide levels rise, fresh air is automatically introduced into the space," he said.

Although events have resumed at the convention centre, Fisher said attendance is down about 40 per cent from pre-pandemic levels.

"Theres a little bit more caution in people getting back to public places," he said.

But there is also joy alongside that caution, said Mukhtar, since Eid is one of the biggest religious and social gatherings in Islam, and Winnipegs event displays the multicultural character of the provinces Muslim community.

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"Everyone and their family attends and it will be an exciting moment for everyone," he said.

"Its the largest gathering of the community."

For some international students, Mondays celebrations will mark the first time theyve celebrated Eid with Muslims outside of university, said Ahad, president of the University of Manitoba Muslim Students Association.

"The community is our family here," said Ahad, an economics student from Bangladesh.

"We have such a strong bond."

brenda.suderman@freepress.mb.ca
LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  Wind-whipped flames raced across more of New Mexicos pine-covered mountainsides on Monday, closing in on a town of 13,000 people where some residents hurried to pack their cars with belongings, others hustled to clear brush from around their homes, and police were called in to help evacuate the state's psychiatric hospital.

LAS VEGAS, N.M. (AP)  Wind-whipped flames raced across more of New Mexicos pine-covered mountainsides on Monday, closing in on a town of 13,000 people where some residents hurried to pack their cars with belongings, others hustled to clear brush from around their homes, and police were called in to help evacuate the state's psychiatric hospital.

Firefighting crews battled on several fronts to keep the fire, the largest burning in the U.S., from pushing into more populated areas as it fed on the states drought-parched landscape. The fire has charred more than 217 square miles (562 square kilometers) and flames could be seen from the small northeastern New Mexico city of Las Vegas just a couple miles away.

In this photo provided by the New Mexico National Guard, New Mexico National Guard Aviation soldiers execute water drops as part of firefighting efforts, dropping thousands of gallons of water from a UH-60 Black Hawks with Bambi buckets on the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire in northern New Mexico Sunday, May, 1, 2022. Thousands of firefighters are battling destructive wildfires in the Southwest as more residents are preparing to evacuate. (New Mexico National Guard via AP)

Fire officials said they were encouraged by a forecast for Tuesday of improving humidity and shifting winds. Still the blaze is expected to keep growing, putting it on track to possibly be one of the largest and most destructive in the states recorded history.

The sky above the citys historic plaza, made famous as a backdrop in several movies and television series, was a sickly tinge of yellow and gray as thick smoke blotted out the sun. As ash fell around them, Chris Castillo and his cousins were cutting down trees and moving logs away from a family members home.

Were all family here. Were trying to make a fire line," he said

Other family members were driving around with cattle trailers, waiting to help anyone who calls to move livestock.

Wildfires have become a year-round threat in the drought-stricken West and they are moving faster and burning hotter than ever due to climate change, scientists and fire experts say. In the last five years, California for example has experienced the eight largest wildfires in state history, while Colorado saw a destructive blaze tear through suburban neighborhoods last December.

In this photo provided by the New Mexico National Guard, a New Mexico National Guard truck is ready to deliver potable water to communities in response to the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire in northern New Mexico on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Thousands of firefighters battled destructive wildfires in the Southwest as more residents prepared to evacuate in northern New Mexico where strong winds and dangerously dry conditions have made the blazes hard to contain. (New Mexico National Guard via AP)

The fire in northern New Mexico  fanned by an extended period of hot, dry and windy conditions  ballooned in size Sunday, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders for the small town of Mora and other villages.

This is a long-term event, and we dont anticipate having control of this fire any time soon, fire officials said in an update Monday.

Residents in some outlying neighborhoods of the town of Las Vegas were told to be ready to leave their homes as the smoke choked the economic hub for the farming and ranching families who have lived for generations in the rural region. Still no evacuations had been ordered within the city as of Monday evening.

Las Vegas is also home to New Mexico Highlands University and is one of the most populated stops along Interstate 25 before the Colorado state line.

In this photo provided by the New Mexico National Guard, a New Mexico National Guard truck is ready to deliver potable water to communities in response to the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire in northern New Mexico on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Thousands of firefighters battled destructive wildfires in the Southwest as more residents prepared to evacuate Friday into the weekend in northern New Mexico where strong winds and dangerously dry conditions have made the blazes hard to contain. (New Mexico National Guard via AP)

Operations Section Chief Todd Abel said crews were busy using bulldozers to build fire lines to keep the flames from pushing into neighborhoods.

Fire information officer Mike De Fries said crews got a bit of a break Monday afternoon as the wind diminished and helicopters were able to make water drops in key locations. Still, flames running along the ridges above town could be seen from the discount store, an empty baseball field and other vantage points.

The county jail, the state's psychiatric hospital and more than 200 students from the United World College have evacuated and what businesses remained open were having a hard time finding workers as more people were forced from their homes.

Were trying to house and feed people with skeleton crews. Hundreds of people have lost their homes. Its an extraordinary tragedy," said Allan Affeldt, a hotelier in Las Vegas. He said most of his staff were evacuated from their homes and he canceled guest reservations to accommodate firefighters and emergency crews.

In this photo provided by the New Mexico National Guard, New Mexico National Guard soldiers on the ground deliver potable water to communities in response to the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire in northern New Mexico on Sunday, May 1, 2022. Thousands of firefighters battled destructive wildfires in the Southwest as more residents prepared to evacuate Friday into the weekend in northern New Mexico where strong winds and dangerously dry conditions have made the blazes hard to contain. (New Mexico National Guard via AP)

The 197 patients at the Behavioral Health Institute were being sent to other facilities around the state, with some being transported in secured units and others escorted by police.

State environmental authorities and officials in Las Vegas also were asking people to conserve water to ensure fire crews have enough to fight the blaze.

Across New Mexico, officials and groups were collecting food, water and other supplies for the thousands of people displaced by the fires. Offers of prayers and hope flooded social media as residents posted photos of the flames torching the tops of towering ponderosa pines near their homes. Some of those living close to the fires described the week that the fire has raged nearby as gut wrenching.

On the northern flank of the fire, evacuees streamed uphill Monday out of the Mora River valley over passes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. State Rep. Roger Montoya, from the mountain hamlet of Chacon, said neighbors were putting what they couldn't carry with them into metal containers and leaving them in irrigating fields, hoping the moisture would offer some protection.

A New Mexico State Police vehicle drives by the New Mexico State Hospital in Las Vegas, N.M., a mental care facility, which was evacuated, Monday, May 2, 2022. Wind-whipped flames are marching across more of New Mexico's tinder-dry mountainsides, forcing the evacuation of area residents and dozens of patients from the state's psychiatric hospital as firefighters scramble to keep new wildfires from growing. (AP Photo/Cedar Attanasio)

Officials have said the northeastern New Mexico fire has damaged or destroyed 172 homes and at least 116 structures.

It merged last week with another blaze that was sparked in early April when a prescribed fire escaped containment after being set by land managers to clear brush and small trees in hopes of reducing the fire danger. The cause of the other fire is still under investigation.

Jesus Romero, the deputy manager of San Miguel County, on Monday was helping family monitor their home amid smoky ash-laden air. He cut down trees around his garage as a fire-prevention measure and talked with other residents who were undecided about whether to leave. He called the situation serious.

Another New Mexico wildfire burning in the mountains near Los Alamos National Laboratory also prompted more evacuations over the weekend and other communities were told to get ready to evacuate if conditions worsen. It has reached the burn scars of wildfires that blackened the region a decade ago when New Mexico had one of its worst and most destructive seasons.

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A wildfire in 2000 forced the closure of the laboratory and left about 400 people homeless. The community was threatened again in 2011 when another blaze caused by a downed power line blackened more of the surrounding forest.

In the southern New Mexico community of Ruidoso, two people were killed in a wildfire that destroyed more than 200 homes in April. That mountain community saw similar destruction from a 2012 fire.

And new wildfires were reported over the weekend  three in Texas, two in New Mexico and one each in Oklahoma and Tennessee, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. More than 3,100 wildland firefighters and support personnel are fighting fires across the country, with about one-third of them trying to prevent the big blaze in New Mexico from spreading.

More than 4,400 square miles (11,400 square kilometers) have burned across the U.S. so far this year.

___

Associated Press writers Terry Tang and Jacques Billeaud in Phoenix, Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Felicia Fonseca in Flagstaff, Arizona, contributed to this report. Montoya Bryan reported from Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra closed its 2021/22 Masterworks season with a bang Saturday night, seemingly shaking its collective fist at the pandemic fates that demanded nearly all concerts to be presented online last season, while reminding 1015 listeners  not that we needed it  of the raw, visceral power of live music.

The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra closed its 2021/22 Masterworks season with a bang Saturday night, seemingly shaking its collective fist at the pandemic fates that demanded nearly all concerts to be presented online last season, while reminding 1015 listeners  not that we needed it  of the raw, visceral power of live music.

Click to Expand Classical Music Review Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (A)bsolute Classics Saturday, April 30 Centennial Concert Hall Attendance: 1015 Four and a half stars out of five

The final offering in its (A)bsolute Classics series, Dvorak and Tchaikovsky 4, led by Daniel Raiskin featured internationally renowned Czech pianist Lukas Vondracek marking his WSO debut with music from his homeland: Dvoraks lesser-heard Concerto in G minor for Piano and Orchestra, so clearly in his blood and bones.

Its also taken 19 long years for local audiences to hear the composers sole piano concerto, with the maestro noting during his introductory remarks that its originally planned performance for 2003 was abruptly cancelled due to its then indisposed soloist, quipping that Vondracek  and his close personal friend  had "shown up" and thus we would finally get to hear this long-awaited WSO premiere.

After Raiskin set a relatively brisk tempo that instilled lightness and elegant grace into the opening movement, "Allegro agitato," the pianist immediately got down to the matter at hand, displaying his bravura as well as crisp attack during its opening theme. His remarkable palette of tonal colour included artfully voiced chords, matched equally by a rhythmic acuity as precise as a bulls-eye, as he performed the three-movement work with conviction. His deep trust between himself and maestro, the latter cueing the orchestral tutti sections flawlessly became palpable.

A particular highlight proved to be Vondraceks luminous, introspective slow movement, "Andante sostenuto," bringing delicacy to its lines, while projecting even his most pianississimo tones in his uppermost register that rang like crystalline bells.

He then unleashed his full arsenal of pyrotechnics, including tossing off Dvoraks  a violinist/violist by trade who reportedly struggled with writing for piano  rapid-fire double thirds like childs play, with take-no-prisoners scalar passages.

As expected, the artist received a rousing standing ovation with a demand for three curtain calls, leading to a perfect, lyrical encore of Chopin.

Among Canadas finest composers is Winnipeg-born Jocelyn Morlock; a Brandon University music alumnus now based in Vancouver, B.C. The composer, whose music frequently pops up on the annual Winnipeg New Music Festival stage, notably became appointed the Vancouver Symphony Orchestras inaugural composer-in-residence by the VSOs then maestro and former WSO music director, Bramwell Tovey in 2014.

Based on the tragic death and courage of Canadian teenager, Amanda Todd who took her own life after being cyber-bullied, My Name is Amanda Todd displayed Morlocks keen ear for orchestration, evoking the works of Messiaen with her sensitive writing for winds, including bird-like, flute chirps and gossamer light embellishments. The shorter tone poem that notably garnered a 2018 Juno award for Best Classical Composition ends on a hopeful note, as a call-to-arms to the global community to continue waging war against the internets darker forces.

The 135-minute program (including intermission) closed with Tchaikovskys "Symphony No. 4 in F minor, Op. 36," a.k.a. the Russian composers "Fate"symphony for its bristling fanfare that opens the tempestuous work.

Admittedly, it took a while for this performance to find its "groove," at times feeling uneven during the opening movement, including overly zealous, even strident brass seemingly chomping at the bit for their moment to shine during the rafter-raising finale.

Kudos to principal oboist Beverly Wang for her expressive solo that launches the second movement, "Andantino in modo di canzona," delivered with singing tone, before the subsequent "Scherzo," the latter featuring a tightly cohesive, entire string section in pizzicato. Then the heavens opened with "Allegro con fuoco," with the St. Petersburg-born maestro  even literally shaking his fist at one point  and his players holding nothing back, proving that "Russian soul," despite efforts to ostensibly censor these iconic works in light of the current crisis in Ukraine, is alive and very well indeed, given its most potent voice in music from the Motherland, and the passionate artists that make it.

For further information or a link to the concert available online on demand, visit the WSO website.

holly.harris@shaw.ca
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russia resumed pulverizing the Mariupol steel mill that has become the last stronghold of resistance in the bombed-out city, Ukrainian fighters said Monday, after a brief cease-fire over the weekend allowed the first evacuation of civilians from the plant.

Vera Velakanova, left, and Lyudmila Vondarenko eat some food at the Kapustyanyy cemetery during the day that Ukrainians mark as the day of the dead, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Sunday, May 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russia resumed pulverizing the Mariupol steel mill that has become the last stronghold of resistance in the bombed-out city, Ukrainian fighters said Monday, after a brief cease-fire over the weekend allowed the first evacuation of civilians from the plant.

Meanwhile, a senior U.S. official warned that Russia is planning to annex large portions of eastern Ukraine this month and recognize the southern city of Kherson as an independent republic.

Michael Carpenter, U.S. ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said that those suspected actions are straight out of the Kremlins playbook and will not be recognized by the United States or its allies.

A man fishes in the Dnieper River as it flows through Kyiv, on Sunday, May 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

In Mariupol, more than 100 people  including elderly women and mothers with small children  left the rubble-strewn Azovstal steelworks on Sunday and set out in buses and ambulances for the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) to the northwest, according to authorities and video released by the two sides.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive in Zaporizhzhia on Monday as hoped. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

At least some of the civilians were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The Russian military said some chose to stay in separatist areas, while dozens left for Ukrainian-held territory.

In the past, Ukraine has accused Moscows troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas. The Kremlin has denied it.

In this image provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross, a Red Cross official waves a white flag while approaching the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, Ukraine, Sunday, May 1, 2022. A long-awaited effort to evacuate civilians from the steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol was underway Sunday. (International Committee of the Red Cross via AP)

The Russian bombardment of the sprawling plant by air, tank and ship picked up again after the partial evacuation, Ukraines Azov Battalion, which is helping to defend the mill, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were underway among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on evacuating more people.

The steel-plant evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the southern port city and other places have broken down, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russian forces of shooting and shelling along agreed-on evacuation routes.

Before the weekend evacuation, overseen by the United Nations and the Red Cross, about 1,000 civilians were believed to be in the plant along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. Russia has demanded that the fighters surrender; they have refused.

A man feeds a child as they arrive by bus at a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Monday, May 2, 2022. Thousands of Ukrainian continue to leave Russian occupied areas. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

As many as 100,000 people overall may still be in Mariupol, which had a prewar population of more than 400,000. Russian forces have pounded much of the city into rubble, trapping civilians with little food, water, heat or medicine.

Some Mariupol residents got out of the city on their own, often in damaged private cars.

As sunset approached, Mariupol resident Yaroslav Dmytryshyn rattled up to a reception center in Zaporizhzhia in a car with a back seat full of youngsters and two signs taped to the back window: Children and Little ones.

I cant believe we survived, he said, looking worn but in good spirits after two days on the road.

A child plays with the steering wheel of a car as his family waits to be processed upon their arrival from Mariupol at a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Monday, May 2, 2022. Thousands of Ukrainian continue to leave Russian occupied areas. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

There is no Mariupol whatsoever,'' he said. Someone needs to rebuild it, and it will take millions of tons of gold. He said they lived just across the railroad tracks from the steel plant. Ruined, he said. The factory is gone completely.

Anastasiia Dembytska, who took advantage of the cease-fire to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog, said she could see the steelworks from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

With most of Mariupol in ruins, a majority of the dozen Russian battalion tactical groups that had been around the city have moved north to other battlefronts in eastern Ukraine, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the Pentagons assessment.

A child looks through a car windshield as his family waits to be processed upon their arrival from Vasylivka at a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Monday, May 2, 2022. Thousands of Ukrainian continue to leave Russian occupied areas. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had said he hoped more people would be able to leave Mariupol in an organized evacuation on Monday. The city council told residents wanting to leave to gather at a shopping mall to wait for buses.

Zelenskyy told Greek state television that remaining civilians in the steel plant were afraid to board buses because they feared they would be taken to Russia. He said he had been assured by the U.N. that they would be allowed to go to areas his government controls.

Also Monday, Zelenskyy said that at least 220 Ukrainian children have been killed by the Russian army since the war began, and 1,570 educational institutions have been destroyed or damaged.

In other developments, European Union energy ministers met Monday to discuss new sanctions against the Kremlin, which could include restrictions on Russian oil. Some Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc, including Hungary and Slovakia, are wary of taking tough action.

A woman waits in a bus to be processed as she arrives to a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Monday, May 2, 2022. Thousands of Ukrainian continue to leave Russian occupied areas. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Thwarted in his bid to seize Kyiv, the capital, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted his focus to the Donbas, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Carpenter, the U.S. ambassador to the OSCE, cited information that Russia is planning sham referenda in the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk peoples republics that would attach the entities to Russia. He also said there were signs that Russia would engineer an independence vote in Kherson.

He noted that local mayors and legislators there have been abducted, that internet and cellphone service had been severed and that a Russian school curriculum is soon to be imposed. Ukraine's government has said Russia also has introduced the ruble as currency there.

Russia said Monday it struck dozens of military targets in the region in the past day. It said it hit concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region, west of the Donbas.

Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow's troops are raining fire indiscriminately, taking a heavy toll on civilians while making only slow progress.

The governor of the Odesa region along the Black Sea Coast, Maksym Marchenko, said on Telegram that a Russian missile strike Monday on an Odesa infrastructure target caused deaths and injuries. He gave no details. Zelenskyy said the attack destroyed a dormitory and killed a 14-year-old boy.

Ukraine said Russia also struck a strategic road and rail bridge west of Odesa. The bridge was heavily damaged in previous Russian strikes, and its destruction would cut a supply route for weapons and other cargo from neighboring Romania.

The attack on Odessa came eight years to the day after deadly clashes between Ukrainian government supporters and protesters calling for autonomy in the country's east. The government supporters in 2014 firebombed a trade union building containing pro-autonomy demonstrators, killing over 40 people.

Also Monday, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea.

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Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas, is key to Russia's campaign in the east. Its capture would deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere.

Britains Defense Ministry said it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective  unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

___

Varenytsia reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Lolita Baldor in Washington and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
BERLIN (AP)  Germany and India signed a series of bilateral agreements Monday focused on sustainable development that will see the South Asian nation receive 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion) in aid by 2030 to boost the use of clean energy.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, left, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and various members of the cabinets of both countries arrive for a family photo as part of a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Monday, May 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

BERLIN (AP)  Germany and India signed a series of bilateral agreements Monday focused on sustainable development that will see the South Asian nation receive 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion) in aid by 2030 to boost the use of clean energy.

The accords were signed during a visit to Berlin by India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz is seeking to elicit India's support for the tough stance taken by Europe and the United States toward Russia over the war in Ukraine.

Modi reiterated his call to both Russia and Ukraine to end the fighting, saying: "We believe that no party can emerge victorious in this war.

But unlike Scholz  who accused Russia of undermining "fundamental principles of international law  Modi refrained from any overt criticism of Moscow. Russia, a major supplier of arms to India, has previously praised Modi's government for its neutral stance on the conflict.

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Reporters were not permitted to ask questions after the two leaders spoke  an unusual arrangement at the German chancellery where at least four questions are routinely permitted during high-level visits. The decision was taken at the insistence of the Indian delegation, said a German official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addresses the media during a joint press stratement as part of a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Monday, May 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

The agreements covered issues ranging from technical assistance to increase the use of renewable energy and hydrogen, to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting biodiversity and improving agricultural land use.

The environmental group Germanwatch welcomed the accords, describing India as swing state for global efforts to tackle climate change.

Accelerating the energy transition there is a vital contribution to staying within the 1.5-degree limit, said its policy director Christoph Bals, referring to the warming threshold set in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. He urged other members of the Group of Seven major industrialized economies to reach similar agreements with India.

Scholz has invited India, Indonesia, Senegal and South Africa to attend the next G-7 summit in Germany at the end of June.

Other areas of cooperation agreed between the two countries Monday center on migration, nuclear research and the establishment of secure communications channels between the two governments.
HALIFAX - Ian McGrath has made it clear to his bosses: If the company forces staff to return to the office, he'll tender his resignation.

People cross the street in downtown Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. As pandemic restrictions are lifted and cases ease, some companies want workers back in the office five days a week. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

HALIFAX - Ian McGrath has made it clear to his bosses: If the company forces staff to return to the office, he'll tender his resignation.

The Halifax-area tech worker says he's thriving working from home. His productivity has soared, his last annual review exceeded expectations and he's now one of the company's top performers.

"I've also achieved a much better work-life balance," McGrath said. "Im healthier, happier and more productive."

Businesses are issuing return-to-office plans across the country, calling white-collar workers back to their cubicles after two years of working from home.

As pandemic restrictions are lifted and case numbers ease, some companies want workers back in the office five days a week. On the other side of the spectrum, others are vacating pricey leases in prime downtown areas and asking employees to work remotely for good.

Many others are adopting a hybrid model, varying from a flexible come-when-you-want approach to mandating specific days workers must report to the office for duty.

Yet after more than two years of Zoom calls and Slack chats from home, wearing comfy "soft" pants and having more time for kids or exercise or reading, employees may be resistant to returning to the office.

"Some employers just want to flip a switch and turn back time to how things were," said Catherine Connelly, human resources and management professor at McMaster University's DeGroote School of Business.

"It's wishful thinking," she said. "If you look at any other past pandemic ... behaviours just did not reset to how things were."

A return to the office doesn't affect all workers equally, said Connelly, also Canada Research Chair in organizational behaviour.

Multiple factors can influence how employees respond to the revival of office life, from the comfort of their home working conditions and personality type to their workplace culture and office set up.

"If you've got a nice big office with a door that closes and maybe a dedicated parking space, that's very different than someone being asked to work from a noisy cubicle with a lot of interruptions," she said.

The key to a successful return-to-office plan is flexibility and taking it slow, experts say.

If workers feel like they are being coerced into returning to the office, they'll push back.

"If people perceive it as control being taken away from them, you're going to get resistance," said Paula Allen, global leader and senior vice-president of research and total well-being at LifeWorks.

"Two years is a long time for habits to become ingrained and people don't like change," she said. "It won't change overnight."

Some tech companies, previously known for workplace perks such as free office fitness classes and nap rooms, are again turning to incentives to help lure workers back to the office.

ServiceNow Canada, an enterprise software company with offices in Montreal and Toronto and plans to open a Calgary location soon, is hoping to entice employees with free meals and team-building events.

"Were starting to put on some events to say, 'Were here, come on down and have some fun,'" said Marc LeCuyer, vice-president and general manager of ServiceNow Canada.

The tech company has held a Taco Tuesday lunch, a pop-up from a local bakery and a pizza making event, he said.

"We want to get back to this mindset where human connection is valuable and healthy," Lecuyer said. "We want to set the stage for a return to the office in a very positive way."

The company doesn't plan to mandate a return to the office, he said.

"We're providing people with choice," Lecuyer said. "If you're working for an employer who is forcing you to do something that you don't want to do, there's no path to positive experience."

The desire to attract employees back to offices with perks such as free food has been a boon for startups like Hungerhub, a corporate catering tech platform that delivers lunches to workplaces from local restaurants.

Sari Abdo, co-founder and CEO of the Toronto-based startup, said the corporate lunch program eases some of the burden of returning to an office.

"I think we're seeing a carrot-and-stick approach to getting employees back in the office and this is a carrot," he said. "Companies are saying, 'Don't worry about food, don't worry about meal planning, just come on in.'"

While a free lunch is a nice gesture, companies do have the right to call workers back into the office  no incentive required, said employment lawyer Hermie Abraham.

"This is the employer's legal right and decision as to how they wish to implement return-to-work plans," she said. "People may feel like they should have the right to continue working from home but unless there's a human rights consideration, they don't."

Many workers going into the office for the first time in years are groaning about a lengthy commute, expensive parking and the soaring cost of lunch.

But from a legal standpoint, Abraham said it's largely "too bad, so sad."

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"You may have realized gains during COVID because you didn't have to pay for those things, but that's not your employer's problem," she said. "This is the job you signed up for when you originally were hired."

Still, Abraham said a best practice would be to allow a gradual return to the office  particularly given the current red hot labour market.

"There is going to be a war for talent in some positions and the more accommodating and flexible you are as an employer, the greater chances that you'll win."

Halifax-area tech worker Ian McGrath said he's aware of the low unemployment rate and competition for talent in many industries, including his.

"I know what the market looks like right now," he said. "I know that I could leave my job for somewhere else and make more money."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 2, 2022.
'National Enquirer'

"Joe Biden Dementia Crisis!" screams the 'Enquirer' cover story.

The President is allegedly suffering "bizarre hallucinations," "shocking memory loss," and is "dazed & easily confused."

Sounds just like every Republican who hallucinated that the January 6 insurrection never happened, and who don't remember a thing about it when questioned.

Of course, the 'Enquirer' calls denials of Biden's mental health problems a "White House cover-up."

"Julia Roberts Trashes Hollywood!"

No, she doesn't. She simply said in a recent interview she hasn't appeared in a rom-com in 20 years because she couldn't find a script she liked. Though it went unsaid, it's probably also because most rom-com leads are offered to actresses 20 years her junior.

"Mick's Ex Can't Get No Satisfaction From Al."

Al Pacino is reportedly failing to satisfy his 28-year-old girlfriend, former Mick Jagger flame Noor Alfallah.

But there's nothing in the story to say that Alfallah isn't happy with Pacino, aged 82. It's just the 'Enquirer' frowning sanctimoniously at the couple's age difference, and quoting unnamed sources who warn "to not expect things to work out."

Where's Nostradamus when you really need him?

"Harry Kicks William & Charles Again."

It's billed as an "Enquirer Exclusive," which is a bit rich for a story based on quotes taken from Harry's interview with NBC's Today show host Hoda Kotb. Harry claimed to be "protecting" the Queen, which is interpreted as a slap in the face (or a kick) to his father Prince Charles and brother Prince William, who actually do that job full-time.

"Escort Service Got Phil's Ex Easy Lover."

I had to read this headline five times before finally figuring out what it was trying to say. Rocker Phil Collins' ex-wife Orianne Cevey allegedly "shopped for her estranged toyboy husband on an escort website" before moving him into Collins' Miami Beach mansion, according to legal documents.

It all makes sense now.

"All Foxed Up!"

I think that's supposed to be a play on words by the literary genius sub-editors at the 'Enquirer.' In a "world exclusive" the rag claims that Fox stars Tucker Carlson, Jesse Watters and Greg Gutfeld are "caught in sex and drugs nightmares."

How the worm has turned.

"New Bio-Lab Leak Ravaging China!"

Residents of Shanghai and other major Chinese cities are under Covid lockdown, but the 'Enquirer,' with its mastery of geopolitical reporting and sources inside the highest levels of the Chinese government, claims that a "weaponised virus is the REAL reason" for the crackdown. Because the 'Enquirer' would know.

"New Pentagon UFO Cover-Up Exposed!"

Not exactly. The Pentagon investigates UFOs: unidentified, but not necessarily extra-terrestrial phenomena. This reportedly includes crop circles, alleged alien abductions, an "unaccounted pregnancy" and reports of sexual encounters with aliens.

While the Pentagon looks into these events, for obvious reasons it doesn't make its findings public  because most are batshit crazy. So when some of these bizarre close encounters of the third kind emerged in a cache of newly released documents from 2007 to 2012, of course the 'Enquirer' blames a government "cover-up."

Can use expect them to soon offer readers' advice on how to cover their heads with aluminium foil?

'Globe'

They've been reporting on the Queen's impending demise for years now, and sooner or later they're bound to get it right  though not necessarily with this week's cover story:'"Frail Queen's Final Farewell."

Just turned 96, the Queen is reportedly "in seclusion & fighting for life."

Despite her alleged frailty, Her Royal Highness has also reportedly issued a "stern warning for rebels Harry & Meghan," passed along her "tragic deathbed wish" to Duchess Kate, and revealed "family secrets" to Charles and William.

Not bad going for a nonagenarian allegedly on her last legs.

What was the Queen's warning to Harry & Meghan? The 'Globe' never says.

The Queen's final wish? "To save the monarchy at all costs".

And the Royal family secret she shared?

"The dying queen told the future kings forgiveness is the Windsor family's secret for survival."

Seventy years heading the British Empire, and that's the best she can come up with?

"Clothes Horse Meghan Puts On The Dog!"

The Duchess of Sussex, painted as a "woke anti-poverty crusader," reportedly "flaunts $48G wardrobe on three-day trip."

Because obviously any anti-poverty crusader worth her salt would be living in a cardboard box and wear only sack-cloth and ashes.

Celebrity brothers are being dumped and dismissed en masse in this week's 'Globe.'

"Angie Cuts her Brother Dead!" reports the rag, claiming that Angelina Jolie "has now turned her back" on brother James.

And Sharon Stone's "Stone-Cold Heartbreak!" Is reported, claiming that the actress is making a documentary with her older brother Michael Stone, who "plunged into a nightmare world of drugs and addiction" while she was enjoying "screen stardom." How thoughtless of her.

"Teen Gorilla Addicted To Smartphone!"

Who the heck is he calling?

The 'Globe' claims that 420-pound gorilla Amare at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo is "hooked on taking selfies". This is why you should never give your pet its own Instagram page.

'People'

Dame Helen Mirren, aged 76, is the cover girl in 'People' magazine's annual "Beautiful Issue." There's page after page of beautiful women of all ages  men have their own issue later in the year, though the mag deems them "sexy" rather than "beautiful"  because what could be more important than a woman's appearance?

"Don't Call it Beauty, Call it Swagger!" Says Mirren, who 'People' mag proclaim a "Hot Dame!" After ten pages of Mirren readers are treated to "beautiful" women including, but not limited to, Sandra Bullock, Reese Witherspoon, Zendaya, Olivia Rodrigo, Adele, Jung Ho-Yeon, Julia Garner, Zoe Kravitz, Lily James, Viola Davis, Carrie Coon, Andie MacDowell,, Jennifer Connelly, Juno Temple, Selena Gomez, Jessica Chastain . . . and the list goes on and on, through 34 pages of "beautiful" people.

The mag also features a new photo of the Queen standing between two snow-white Fell ponies at Windsor Castle. Doesn't this woman know she's supposed to be in isolation on her deathbed and incapable of standing unaided? She really needs to get with the program.

'Us Weekly'

After the Academy Awards "slap heard around the world," this week's cover story was inevitable:

"Jada & Will  It's All Falling Apart."

Following Will Smith's assault on Chris Rock at the Oscars, the Smiths are reportedly "Fighting nonstop & secretly talking divorce."

Sure they are. Just like 'Us Weekly' has reported time and again over the years.

"Angelina jolie  Suing the FBI?"

The rag claims that Jolie has anonymously sued the FBI "to find out why its agents didn't arrest [Brad] Pitt, 58, after they investigated the 2016 plane incident where he allegedly got physical with their son Maddox."

No bad blood between those exes, apparently. But can one actually sue a government agency anonymously? And can one sue because their investigation failed to lead to criminal charges? It all seems rather dubious, to say the least.

Thankfully we have the crack investigative team at 'Us Weekly' to tell us that Vanessa Hudgens wore it best, that Drew Barrymore "can pick things up with my toes," and that the stars are just like us: they eat pizza by the slice, enjoy healthy smoothies, soak up the sun, and chat on their cell phones.

Illuminating, as always.

Onwards and downwards . . .
BANGKOK (AP)  Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to talk with his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha about economic matters, upheaval in Myanmar and Russia's war in Ukraine when they meet Monday in the middle of his five-nation overseas tour.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shake hands in Hanoi, Vietnam Sunday, May 1, 2022. (AP Photo/ Hoang Minh)

BANGKOK (AP)  Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to talk with his Thai counterpart Prayuth Chan-ocha about economic matters, upheaval in Myanmar and Russia's war in Ukraine when they meet Monday in the middle of his five-nation overseas tour.

Kishida arrived in Thailand on Sunday after visits to Indonesia and Vietnam. He is scheduled to go to Italy and the United Kingdom after Thailand.

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Japanese economic investments have been key to Thailand's industrialization over the past six decades, especially in the automotive industry, which now seeks to expand in the electric vehicles sector.

Also likely to be on their agenda is the violent conflict in Thailand's neighbor, Myanmar, which some experts characterize as a civil war. Several governments have imposed sanctions against Myanmar's military for the takeover last year, and other Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Singapore have condemned its abuses.

Thailand and Japan share a softer approach and have been less critical of the ruling military. Thailand has significant economic interests in Myanmar and has its own past history of army rule. Japan has historically had friendly ties with the military governments that have ruled Myanmar most of the past six decades.

Japanese officials have said Kishida would also discuss a possible Reciprocal Access Agreement with Thailand, aimed at deepening their defense cooperation. The agreement would allow for joint exercises, training and stationing of their militaries on each others territory.

Kishida discussed the war in Ukraine with Vietnamese leaders on Sunday and said they agreed on the respect for international law and rejection of the use of force.

Japan has condemned Russias invasion and joined Western nations in imposing sanctions against Moscow. Vietnam, like most other Southeast Asian nations, has avoided directly criticizing Russia and has called for restraint, the respect of the U.N. charter and dialogue to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.
MADRID (AP)  Spanish officials said Monday that the cellphones of the prime minister and the defense minister were infected last year with Pegasus spyware that is only available to government agencies in an unauthorized operation.

MADRID (AP)  Spanish officials said Monday that the cellphones of the prime minister and the defense minister were infected last year with Pegasus spyware that is only available to government agencies in an unauthorized operation.

Prime Minister Pedro Sanchezs mobile phone was breached twice in May 2021, and Defense Minister Margarita Robles device was targeted once the following month, Presidency Minister Felix Bolanos said Monday in a hastily convened news conference.

He said the breaches resulted in a significant amount of data being obtained, and that reports detailing the hacking have been transferred to Spains National Court for further investigation.

We have no doubt that this is an illicit, unauthorized intervention, Bolanos said. It comes from outside state organisms and it didnt have judicial authorization.

Spains Socialist-led government is under pressure to explain why the cellphones of dozens of people connected to the separatist movement in the northeastern Catalonia region were infected with Pegasus between 2017 and 2020, according to Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity group of experts affiliated with the University of Toronto.

The revelations involve at least 65 people, including elected officials, lawyers and activists, targeted with the software of two Israeli companies, Candiru and NSO Group, the developer of Pegasus.

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The spyware silently infiltrates phones or other devices to harvest data and potentially spy on their owners.

The regional Catalan government has accused Spains National Intelligence Center, or CNI, of spying on separatists, and declared that relations with national authorities were on hold until full explanations are offered and those responsible are punished.

The conservative Popular Party, or PP, was in office in 2017, when Catalan separatists declared independence following an unauthorized referendum, although no further action was taken to execute the declaration. PP remained in power until mid-2018, when they were ousted by Sanchez in a parliamentary vote.

ERC, the main political party in Catalonia and a crucial ally of the government has called for the resignation of Robles, the defense minister. But the spying scandal has left them exposed to the pressure of more radical separatists, who are calling on ending the support for Sanchez's left-to-center coalition in the national parliament.

The central government has attempted to temper their concerns with pledges of full transparency, announcements of plans for an internal probe by the countrys intelligence agency, and a separate investigation by Spain's ombudsman.

A special parliamentary commission on state secrets has also been established and the head of CNI is expected to be questioned by lawmakers later this week, although discussions around state security issues are not meant to be publicized.
More than 1,000 residents of Peguis First Nation have been forced to flee their homes amid severe flooding, with the worst still to come in Manitoba communities combating overflowing streams.

More than 1,000 residents of Peguis First Nation have been forced to flee their homes amid severe flooding, with the worst still to come in Manitoba communities combating overflowing streams.

Peguis Chief Glenn Hudson said he was still waiting for a response Monday after asking Ottawa to send in the military to help the overwhelmed First Nation, about 170 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg.

"The water levels are the highest ever that weve had in our community," Hudson said. "People themselves have every emotion, from sadness to anger in terms of having to leave their homes."

Hudson said he was working with Indigenous Services Canada and the communitys member of Parliament, Niki Ashton, on the request for military aid.

Almost 1,000 residents of Peguis First Nation have been forced to flee their homes amid flooding. (Albert Stevenson via The Canadian Press)

Ashton (ChurchillKeewatinook Aski) raised the matter during question period, but Ottawa gave no indication it will send troops to the flood zone.

Vance Badawey, the parliamentary secretary to Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu, said the federal government will work with Peguis "to ensure that they have the resources and supports that they need."

There appeared to be confusion over the protocol to request military help.

ISC spokesman Matthew Gutsch said the federal government will "carefully review" any requests for military assistance if local resources arent sufficient.

He said some homes in Fisher River, Kinonjeoshtegon and Long Plain First Nations have been evacuated due to flooding.

A Canadian Armed Forces spokesperson said the province would have to make a formal request for assistance to Public Safety Canada.

Flood of 2022 Flooding on Peguis First Nation on May 4. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press) The Peguis First Nation Search and Rescue vehicle heads out to help on May 4. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press) - CP Flooding on Peguis First Nation on May 4. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press) - CP Volunteers prepare sandbags in Peguis on May 4. (David Lipnowski / The Canadian Press) - The Arborg area is dealing with flooding caused by recent rainfall and the Icelandic River spilling its banks. (RCMP) - This photo taken by a drone shows tractors pumping floodwater over Highway 68 about a kilometre west of Arborg on May 4. (North-East Interlake Emergency Measures Board) - Nick Frechette wades through flood waters on his dads property north of St. Adolphe on May 4. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press) - The Red River has run over its banks on May 3, cutting off access to Red River Drive about five kilometres south of the Turnbull Drive and Pembina Highway intersection (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) - Red River Drive is submerged by the Red River on May 3. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) - Crews work on May 3 on collecting clay for a dike that will be built across Red River Drive to help protect homeowners. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) - Crews work on building a dike across Red River Drive on May 3 to help protect homeowners. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) - On the outskirts of Morris on May 3. (Morris RCMP) - Outside of Morris on May 3. (Morris RCMP) - Jennifer Lim poses in her yard, which is partially flooded by an overflowing retention pond, in Winnipeg on May 3. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) - Backyards partially flooded by an overflowing retention pond in Winnipeg on May 3. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) - High water levels in Elie on May 2 are threatening some homes. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) - The high school in Elie is surrounded by water on May 2. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) - Sandbags are made in preparation for flooding at the RM of Cartier facility in Elie on May 2. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) - Sandbags are made in preparation for flooding at the RM of Cartier facility in Elie on May 2. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) - A homeowner has put down some sandbags on May 2 in response to high water in Elie. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) - A truck crosses a high La Salle River in Elie on May 2. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press) - The swollen Icelandic River in Arborg on May 2. (Doug Anderson photo) - Flooding in the Peguis First Nation is shown in a handout photo taken with a drone on MAy 1. (Albert Stevenson / The Canadian Press) - Flooding in the Peguis First Nation is shown in a handout photo taken with a drone on May 1. (Albert Stevenson / The Canadian Press) - David Sutherland, Ron Sutherland and brother-in-law Garry Willis work on putting sandbags in front of Rons house, close to Sutherland Road and Highway 8, on April 26. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) - In Altona, crews erected a Tiger Dam  large tubes filled with water to act as a flood barrier  in a vulnerable area of the town on April 29. (Supplied) - PR 200, north of St. Adolfe, with water from the Red River spilling across the roadway slowing traffic down to one lane. (Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press) - A 55+ complex in Selkirks Creekside subdivision flooded after water from a nearby creek started rising in the area on April 23. (Supplied) - A 55+ complex in Selkirks Creekside subdivision flooded after water from a nearby creek started rising in the area on April 23. (Supplied) -

However, a spokesman for the province said it "does not play a part in that request and is not involved in its authorization."

"ISC, as the entity responsible, needs to make such a request directly to Public Safety Canada," the spokesperson said. "The military therefore deploys in Manitoba First Nations without a provincial request for assistance. This happened numerous times during COVID."

Public Safety Canada did not respond to a request for comment.

Communities in peril Click to Expand Aside from Peguis, states of local emergency have been declared in these 18 municipalities as of Monday afternoon, according to the province:  RM of Cartier  RM of Morris  RM of Ritchot  RM of Fisher  RM of Montcalm  City of Morden  Town of Winnipeg Beach  Municipality of Pembina  Town of Arborg  RM of Armstrong  RM of Dufferin  Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton  RM of Grey  RM of Headingley  RM of Thompson  RM of West Interlake  RM of St. Laurent  RM of Grahamdale

Peguis is under a local state of emergency and a mandatory evacuation order after heavy rain and ice jams caused the Fisher River to spill its banks, said Hudson.

The water level is already higher than the previous record flood of 2011, he said.

Evacuees from Peguis are staying in hotels in Winnipeg, Selkirk and Gimli, but some residents have stayed behind even though their homes have been flooded.

Cindy Sutherland, 46, said she and her husband and their 18-year-old son were pumping water out of their basement, where it was ankle deep, to try to save their house.

"Its coming in through the basement windows. We tried covering them with sandbags," said Sutherland. "Outside, you need hip-waders to get to us. You cant get to us in a regular truck because the water is so deep and the current is so strong. Were on our own."

Sutherland assumed they will be forced to leave at some point.

"Once our pumps go out and we run out of gas, our whole house will be underwater," she said. "Its a bad situation were in right now. Its like one big lake across most of (Peguis). People have lost their homes already."

Sutherland said the community was caught off guard.

A post on the First Nations Facebook page last Wednesday said river levels were decreasing, and community officials were not expecting a flood.

Hudson said the provinces forecast predicted "low to no flooding," but ice jams caused the river to back up and inundate part of the community.

"The river is right up. Its full."  Arborg Deputy Mayor Ron Johnston

He said staff are working around the clock to set up flood-protection measures such as sandbag dikes and dams that use water-filled tubes, and theyre exhausted.

The Canadian Red Cross in Manitoba is helping residents to ensure they have a place to stay, food and basic essentials such as hygiene products, said spokesman Jason Small.

Many communities in southern and central Manitoba are dealing with overland, river or creek flooding following a series of Colorado low weather systems that hit the region with snow and rain over the past month.

The swollen Icelandic River in Arborg, where sandbag dikes were built at about 20 properties to protect them from floodwater. (Doug Anderson photo)

The latest dumped about 40 to 50 millimetres of rain in the Red River Basin over the weekend. Between 30 and 50 millimetres fell across the Interlake and areas east of Lake Winnipeg.

In Arborg, staff and volunteers in the Interlake town have built sandbag dikes at 15 to 20 properties to protect them from the swollen Icelandic River.

"The river is right up. Its full," said Deputy Mayor Ron Johnston. "Were monitoring it right now and filling sandbags and getting ready. Everybodys pretty secure. Weve received tremendous help from volunteers."

As of Monday afternoon, 18 communities, not including Peguis, have declared states of local emergency.

"By and large, this allows them to access private property with flood-protection equipment," said Johanu Botha, assistant deputy minister responsible for emergency management and Manitoba EMO.

He expects Manitoba to be in "flood response mode" until early June.

The province was preparing to close Highway 75 on the south side of Morris at 8 p.m. Monday to protect the town, after sealing the north side of its ring dike April 29.

Flooding in the Peguis First Nation is shown in a handout photo taken with a drone on Sunday. (Albert Stevenson / The Canadian Press)

South of Winnipeg, provincial flood forecasters expect the Red River to peak between Emerson and the floodway inlet at levels similar to 2009 during the second week of May.

In the Municipality of Ritchot, evacuation notices have been distributed to more than 110 homes, said Mayor Chris Ewen.

He said crews were preparing to close St. Adolphes east dike as early as Monday night.

At least 27 homes in the Rural Municipality of Montcalm have been ordered to evacuate, a news release stated.

In the Red River Valley, community ring dikes and most individual properties are protected against 1997 flood levels plus two feet.

The floodway and Portage Diversion remain in operation to reduce water levels in Winnipeg. A flood warning for Sturgeon Creek is still in effect.

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The Colorado low that hit over the weekend was the third to dump rain and/or snow on Manitoba in as many weeks.

Forecasters are predicting dry and sunny conditions over the coming days, with daytime highs of about 20 C between Thursday and Saturday in southern Manitoba.

"It should be the warmest week so far this year," said Scott Kehler, president and chief scientist of Weatherlogics.

However, more rain is expected Friday and Saturday, and another Colorado low could hit Manitoba early next week. The storms track and potential rainfall amounts are still unclear.

"Even though most models are forecasting a low-pressure system, its not necessarily written in stone just yet," said Environment Canada meteorologist Sara Hoffman.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @chriskitching
Though much of Manitoba is free from the recent storm, the finish line is not yet in sight for communities across southern parts of the province that continue to combat overflowing rivers, swollen ditches and washed-out roads.

Though much of Manitoba is free from the recent storm, the finish line is not yet in sight for communities across southern parts of the province that continue to combat overflowing rivers, swollen ditches and washed-out roads.

Severe flooding in the Fisher River, almost 200 kilometres north of Winnipeg, has triggered major evacuations in Peguis First Nation. Roughly a quarter of the communitys homes have been impacted by flooding, Chief Glenn Hudson of Peguis First Nation said Sunday afternoon.

"The fact is the water is starting to take over the community," Hudson said. "Its all about evacuation right now."

Peguis First Nation had evacuated 150 residents to hotels in Gimli and Winnipeg as of Sunday morning. Though the community has managed the flooding on its own until now, Hudson says he is strongly considering calling on the military for support if conditions dont stabilize soon.

"Its that bad," Hudson said.

The Fisher River has breached Provincial Road 224  the main route through the community  in four locations. The river has also overtaken sections of another primary roadway on the west side of the reserve.

The community has rallied to install aqua dams and sandbags. So far, workers and volunteers have flood-proofed roughly 10 homes.

"One of the major issues is there were no predictions listed by the province, who are in control of water stewardship," Hudson said. "And because of no predictions on flooding, we didnt get the support early that we needed to prepare."

He added that the province notified the community Friday that the Fisher River was at risk of flooding  one day after Peguis First Nation declared a state of emergency due to the same concerns.

"Thats Friday," Hudson said. "We could have probably started (preparing) last weekend if there were flood predictions forecasted."

Hudson pegs this flooding as on par with that of 2011. That year saw 890 residents evacuated and 485 homes impacted, he said.

The rural municipality of Dufferin is one of the latest to join a ballooning list of communities that have declared a state of emergency.

"The Boyne River is flooding very seriously. Ive lived along the river all my life, and Ive never seen so much water coming so fast," said 76-year-old George Gray, reeve for the rural municipality of Dufferin.

Gray said about half a dozen families living west of Carman outside the diversion voluntarily evacuated their homes by Sunday.

"We have not got the crest of the Boyne River yet. Were probably looking at least three to four days of high water," Gray said. "Were just trying to keep ahead of it."

All properties situated within the Carman diversion continue to be protected, Gray said.

The heavy volume of water gushing down the hills of the Pembina Escarpment into the Roseisle River has put the village of Roseisle at risk of flooding, Gray said. Declaring a state of emergency allowed the rural municipality of Dufferin to temporarily cut away a road to expedite the flow of water, he added.

"Im recommending that anybody thats driving around take caution. Please dont go anywhere unless you have to until this is over," Gray said.

This new wave of precipitation also triggered some local governments near Lake Winnipeg to jump into action.

Winnipeg Beach declared a state of emergency Saturday to get the provincial governments permission to remove two culverts in the Boundary Creek area. Ditch water had overwhelmed the "huge" culverts, putting nearby roads and homes at risk, Mayor Tony Pimentel said Sunday morning.

Crews got to work that same day to clear away the culverts. As a result, the water now flows into Lake Winnipeg with ease.

"That has helped tremendously," Pimentel said. He added that the town plans to work with the province to prevent future flooding at this spot.

Winnipeg Beachs state of emergency also allows the community to bring in more flood protection equipment in short order if needed, Pimentel said.

A boil water advisory was declared for Morden early Sunday morning.

A failure in the citys water treatment and monitoring system caused poorly treated water to enter the network, the provinces Medical Officer of Health said in a statement Sunday.

Until further notice, all water used for consumption should be brought to a boiling boil for at least one minute. However, its not necessary to boil water for other household tasks, such as laundry or washing dishes.

No timeline has been provided for when the advisory will end.

Forecasters report that southern Manitoba can expect warmer, sunnier weather in the coming days.

All rainfall warnings for Manitoba have been lifted, though some snowfall warnings remain in effect for northeastern parts of the province, Dan Fulton, meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada, said Sunday.

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Areas near Island Lake could see snowfall amounts in the range of 10 cm to 20 cm into Monday afternoon.

Fulton forecasts parts of southern Manitoba could see slightly above normal temperatures as next weekend approaches.

"Itll be a nice change," Fulton said.

Winnipeg just experienced its second-wettest April in recorded history, reports Rob Paola, retired Environment Canada meteorologist. According to data compiled by Paola, April saw 118.2 mm of precipitation  almost four times the average for this month.

The wettest April on record was 1896 with 143.3 mm of precipitation.

city.desk@freepress.mb.ca
A former Metis community once forced by the city to relocate will now be honoured at a local park.

A former Metis community once forced by the city to relocate will now be honoured at a local park.

Winnipeg city council has approved a recommendation to rename Pan Am Pool Park, located at Grant Avenue and Cambridge Street, to Rooster Town Park.

The proposed change aims to honour those displaced from the Grant Park area by the early 1960s.

The citys website notes families settled on the land after being pushed out of their Red River homes. By 1911, 42 families lived in the area.

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In 1951, the city sought to develop the area and worked to displace the residents, with the last homes bulldozed and destroyed by 1960.

Meanwhile, council also approved a call to rename Singh Trail Park (located at 80 Singh Trail) to Komagata Maru Park. A sign or other new permanent marker is also expected to give an Indigenous land acknowledgement and explain "Canadas broader colonial policy of exclusion," pending funding approval.

A city report notes Komagata Maru was the name of a ship that sailed to Vancouver from Hong Kong in 1914. Most of its passengers were Sikh men, who were challenging Canadas former practices of excluding immigrants from India, the report notes.

In a news release, a spokesperson for the Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society, said the new name should raise awareness of that history.

"Renaming Singh Trail Park to Komagata Maru Park will help educate the community and remind us of Winnipegs unique and diverse population. We are all richer when we remember how special it is to have so many different ethnic communities living together," said Raj Singh Toor.

Both changes were approved last week through the Welcoming Winnipeg: Reconciling our History process. That policy primarily aims to address names that negatively impact the Indigenous community, while handling additional naming requests.
OTTAWA  A Winnipeg MP has convinced her peers to launch hearings on the role of resource development in violence against Indigenous women, which might shed more light on sexual violence at remote Manitoba Hydro sites.

OTTAWA  A Winnipeg MP has convinced her peers to launch hearings on the role of resource development in violence against Indigenous women, which might shed more light on sexual violence at remote Manitoba Hydro sites.

"The discussion about the dehumanization of Indigenous women is really critical," Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan said during a meeting last week of the House committee on the status of women.

The discussion about the dehumanization of Indigenous women is really critical, Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan said during a meeting last week of the House committee on the status of women. (Sasha Sefter / Winnipeg Free Press files)

"The reason we suffer from poverty is from development in the absence of lifting up human rights."

The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls had heard from witnesses about transient workers in so-called "man camps" sexually assaulting local Indigenous women.

The inquiry had pointed to men with high incomes, few recreational activities and workplaces that seem to turn a blind eye to drug use and prostitution.

MPs are looking into two of the inquirys 231 calls to action, which called for "further inquiries and studies in order to better understand the relationship between resource extraction and" gender-based violence.

That included "a public inquiry into the sexual violence and racism at hydroelectric projects in northern Manitoba," a reference to allegations dating to 2018, as well as the 1960s surrounding assaults and sexual abuse by Hydro workers involved in northern dam projects.

Diane Redsky, head of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, testified this sort of violence is commonplace at work sites across Western Canada.

"Man camps are breeding grounds for predators to have full access to victimize Indigenous women and girls, not to mention the unique vulnerabilities of our relatives who are two-spirit," she told the committee.

Any time there are men with money who are transient, youre going to have sexual exploitation of women and girls," said Diane Redsky, head of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre. (Jesse Boily / WInnipeg Free Press files)

Redsky said this is caused by "harmful stereotypes that Indigenous women will do anything for money," combined with a sense of impunity and entitlement.

"Any time there are men with money who are transient, youre going to have sexual exploitation of women and girls."

Pamela Palmater, chairwoman of Indigenous governance at the Toronto Metropolitan University, called for an inquiry into the link between resource projects and violence against Indigenous women, including in provincial realms such as hydroelectricity.

"It is not a defence in international law to say, Well, the provinces are responsible for this," she said. "All of these human rights obligations vest in the state, regardless of our constitutional makeup."

Palmater argued perpetrators know they wont get prosecuted, and said companies wont stop violence unless Ottawa makes it so these incidents put their projects at risk of cancellation.

"Its one of those things that happens right in plain sight. Youve got human trafficking happening at truck stops near the man camps," she said.

"Everybody knows about it. Police know about it; the managers know about it, and that doesnt ever get addressed."

Meanwhile, Redsky and other guests said the 2018 widespread service reduction by bus company Greyhound has left Indigenous women more reliant on hitchhiking, along routes where predators have kidnapped women. Groups floated the idea of resource companies helping to subsidize Indigenous-run shuttles in those areas.

Redsky said resource companies should work with governments and Indigenous leaders to come up with proactive solutions, such as criminal-record and child-abuse checks, and mandatory training.

She noted at least one company flies family members up to resource extraction sites, so the men working there arent as isolated.

The Edmonton-based Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation said some companies such as energy giant Enbridge have helped raise awareness about violence, by hiring Indigenous women to train workers on spotting and stopping exploitation.

"We can do all the great, preventive education in our communities and in our own ways. At the same time, we (must be) looking at the structural injustices," said group head Kathleen Quinn.

The study has not been roundly welcomed.

A Conservative party member accidentally forwarded an internal caucus email to the NDP, revealing Calgary MP Stephanie Kusie found the entire testimony "disgraceful," as "disadvantaged groups will never get ahead while the collective left limit their prosperity."

Kusie, who doesnt sit on the womens committee, had suggested the Tories find First Nations-owned companies to talk about how resource projects help with economic development.

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In the hearings so far, her Conservative peers have focused on whether economic development in communities means less family violence, a link activists and researchers said was unproven.

The Tories also pointed out while Canada-based mining companies abroad make up a large portion of alleged rape cases, its also the top country where global mining companies are headquartered.

The Conservatives also called for more public awareness and enforcement of existing laws.

The committee will have at least two more meetings on the topic, and is taking written submission until May 9.

The next meeting, on Tuesday, will feature Hilda Anderson-Pyrz, a Winnipeg-based expert on gender-based violence against Indigenous women and girls, who chairs the National Family and Survivors Circle.

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
A 17-year-old Steinbach student accused of taking a BB-firing replica handgun and bear spray to school Monday is facing weapons charges.

A 17-year-old Steinbach student accused of taking a BB-firing replica handgun and bear spray to school Monday is facing weapons charges.

Steinbach Regional Secondary School staff called RCMP at about 9:40 a.m. after they were told a student was armed.

The youth allegedly used the pepper spray away from school premises in front of other students but no one was hurt, police said, adding both the BB gun and spray were seized.

"The incident was handled immediately and with professionalism by SRSS Staff and attending RCMP officers," an emailed letter to parents from Hanover School Division superintendent Shelly Amos said.

The boy is charged with carrying a concealed weapon and two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, RCMP said. He cant be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

School staff had an "immediate and appropriate response to the incident," police said.

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There is a zero-tolerance policy for weapons of any kind in any Hanover school, Amos said.

"The safety of our students and staff is of utmost importance, and we are thankful for the assistance of the RCMP in ensuring our schools are safe for all," the letter read.

No other Steinbach schools locked down during the incident, RCMP spokeswoman Tara Seel said.

The Hanover School Division did not respond to requests for comment by phone and email.

 Staff
Opinion

The most interesting aspect of Rolling Thunder was that nobody was quite sure what the rally was all about, writes columnist Dan Lett. (Sean Kilpatrick / The Canadian Press files)

Apparently, Im a libtard.

When I opened an email earlier this week and found this word pointed accusingly at me, I was not shocked. Particularly toxic readers who like to lash out at me for a wide variety of subjects are quick to use the term.

While I shudder at the mere use of a word that melds "liberal" and "retard" to attack someone theyve never personally met, I understand why theyre doing it.

These are the radical libertarian readers who are angry and disillusioned that their world is changing. They hate  I mean, really hate with a lusty, visceral force  anyone who supports the notion of change.

Youll notice I said "libertarian" and not "conservative." I dont think "conservative" is an insult, and personally I do not believe most hardcore conservatives are resistant to change.

There was a time in this country not so long ago where the collision of the words "progressive" and "conservative" was still intellectually defensible. Even now, as libertarian notions work their way into mainstream politics, I still know many militant conservatives who acknowledge the need for, and value of, progressive change.

You can bet anyone that regularly uses the word libtard does not fall into that category of conservative.

The most recent allegation flung in my direction came from someone named Todd (which may or may not be a real name) who was upset about a column in which I lamented the slow uptake of COVID-19 booster shots. Todd lashed out at me for fear-mongering, and not letting people live their lives without unfounded threats from infectious diseases.

When I pushed back a little, he pulled libtard from his quiver of toxic insults.

I dont know if this single word defines a specific political constituency and if so, whether its a significant constituency. I think not.

More likely, its the calling card for a small but vocal minority with a narcissistic personality disorder  a verified mental condition defined by an inflated sense of self-importance, an obsessive need for attention and (here it comes) a lack of empathy for others.

It hasnt gone unnoticed in the land of the libtards the people who are most opposed to pandemic restrictions and vaccine boosters are also the least empathetic: "I dont care if social distancing/masks/vaccines saves lives, you cant make me!"

Todd seems blissfully unconcerned despite the fact COVID-19 continues to cull generations of elderly citizens from the population and saddle millions more with long-term health effects, provincial governments allow us to move about unfettered, unvaccinated and unmasked.

In lashing out at anyone with the temerity to advocate for some modest restrictions, Todd is revealing himself as either a narcissist of the worst variety, or he no longer has a nana and simply doesnt care what happens to other peoples grandparents.

The "I dont care about how my actions impact others" philosophy was in full force this past weekend as the "rolling thunder" motorcycle rally descended on Ottawa, an event at which the term libtard was no doubt frequently tossed about.

No one expected this rally, an echo of the original so-called "freedom convoy" that occupied downtown Ottawa for 32 days in January and February, would be as big, and it wasnt. It was mostly peaceful although hundreds of tickets were handed out for parking violations and "encumbering a highway." Several people were arrested.

However, the most interesting aspect of Rolling Thunder was that nobody was quite sure what the rally was all about.

Dan Lett | Not for Attribution A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world that is sent every Tuesday. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

Organizers said it was to pay tribute to military veterans. However, the tone was pure Freedom Convoy, yet another rage-against-pandemic-restrictions protest. "Theres something wrong with our country," organizer Neil Sheard told protesters on Saturday. "Its something to do with fearing everybody, fearing anything. So, to people out there that are fearful, take a good look at yourself. Look around. Not everybodys afraid."

Ah yes, being afraid is most definitely a libtard trait. Good old Todd accused me of being unduly afraid, and trying to trigger fear in others, in his original eloquent email. You see, advocating for restrictions, even those that dont really inconvenience people, is tantamount to fear mongering.

Thats an odd bit of logic at the (we hope) tail end of a pandemic that claimed nearly 40,000 lives. The "live free or die" types will tell you that 40,000 isnt that much, and that more people die from influenza. And although thats not really true, its also not the point: this wasnt 40,000 deaths "instead" of the flu; this was 40,000 ADDITIONAL deaths that did not need to happen.

Like many libtards, Im growing weary of having to explain the threat of COVID-19 to people who continue to think that concepts like collective security, compassion and empathy are signs of weakness. Regardless of what you want to call us, Ill thankfully count myself among the people who are willing to make sacrifices to save lives.

For the moment, however, I will be spending much less time raging against anyone who calls me a libtard. Largely because when you start to think about all the qualities that guys like Todd and the Rolling Thunder folks think define a libtard, you quickly realize its not an insult. Its actually a compliment.

dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca
Together in prayer, at last.

Together in prayer, at last.

After 30 days of fasting, thousands of Muslims gathered Monday morning in the heart of downtown Winnipeg to observe Eid al-Fitr, an Islamic celebration marking the end of Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr translates from Arabic as "festival of the breaking of the fast."

The 2022 event at the RBC Convention Centre drew roughly 10,500 people  a 1,500 jump in attendance from 2019, the last year the venue hosted the event before the COVID-19 pandemic brought a halt to large-scale gatherings.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Manitoba Islamic Association hosted Eid al-Fitr prayers and celebrations each year at the convention centre until the pandemic hit.

"This year was excellent  it was amazing," said Tasneem Vali, vice-chairwoman of the Manitoba Islamic Association. "The community kind of grew during COVID."

This Eid al-Fitr was extra special for Vali. For the first time, she was joined in prayer by her brother and sister  among thousands of others observing their faith  at the local yearly event. Valis siblings moved from New Zealand and Dubai, respectively, amid the pandemic.

"You celebrate as a family," Vali said, adding following Eid al-Fitr events, those participating will often go out for family meals or visit each others homes to cap off the day.

The Manitoba Islamic Association hosted Eid al-Fitr prayers and celebrations each year at the convention centre until the pandemic hit. While Winnipeg mosques resumed in-person worship once the province lifted capacity restrictions, Monday marked the communitys return to large-scale events.

Scores of volunteers arrived at the RBC Convention Centre at 2 a.m. Monday to prepare the space. Tasks included marking rows on the floors so worshippers could pray in the direction of Mecca, setting up a photo booth, and organizing gift bags for the children.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Scores of volunteers arrived at the RBC Convention Centre at 2 a.m. Monday to prepare the space. Tasks included marking rows on the floors so worshippers could pray in the direction of Mecca, setting up a photo booth, and organizing gift bags for the children.

"We could not have done this  at all  without our dedicated volunteers and staff," Vali said.

She estimates nearly 150 volunteers donated their time over the past month to power the associations Eid food hamper program and fundraisers.

Two prayer sessions took place at the convention centre Monday  the first began at 8:30 a.m.  to give all visitors a chance to partake. Some guests were lined up by 7:45 a.m. to secure their spot in the hall, Vali said.

The space quickly reached capacity for the first prayer. Worshippers traveled from as far away as Morden, Winkler, Altona and Morris to attend the celebration.

"This is the one time that everyone gets to meet each other," Vali said.

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Worshippers traveled from as far away as Morden, Winkler, Altona and Morris to attend the celebration.

Despite this years Eid al-Fitr taking place on a workday morning, turnout was also strong at a scaled-down event in St. Vital.

"Our turnout was better than what we expected," Shahzaib Zia, a lead facilitator for Dawat-e-Islami mosques in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. "We had four prayers instead of the usual two We had 500 people-plus attend, maybe more."

The 21-year-old, who joined the first Dawat-e-Islami mosque to open in Manitoba in 2013, led the Eid al-Fitr prayers Monday morning at the hall on St. Annes Road. This was Zias first time tackling the role.

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"I was a little nervous at first," he said.

As with the convention centre event, worshippers also traveled to attend Dawat-e-Islami Winnipegs Eid al-Fitr. Zia noted plenty of new faces in the crowd.

"Sometimes, people are traveling to other provinces, so if they get the chance, they stop by our centre," Zia said. "Its like a whole community."

Zia and his staff at Dawat-e-Islami Winnipeg are overseeing the creation of a second mosque scheduled to open at 509 St. Marys Rd. in the coming months.

A livestream of the 2022 Eid al-Fitr at the convention centre is available through the Manitoba Islamic Associations YouTube channel.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
IF the two years of the pandemic have taught us anything, they have shown that many of us can do our jobs remotely and on a schedule that conforms to our responsibilities and lifestyles. Now that a number of companies are requiring their workers to return to the office, they should realize that happy workers are productive workers and would be wise to listen to their employees feedback.

Opinion

IF the two years of the pandemic have taught us anything, they have shown that many of us can do our jobs remotely and on a schedule that conforms to our responsibilities and lifestyles. Now that a number of companies are requiring their workers to return to the office, they should realize that happy workers are productive workers and would be wise to listen to their employees feedback.

This could especially benefit single parents, who can save a lot of money on child care and spend more time with their children if allowed flexibility with not only where they work, but also when they work.

Flextime has long been a human-resources buzzword, but more and more, it is becoming a reality for workers who are demanding more options where possible. Surveys by Morning Consult and Owl Labs found that 30 to 40 per cent of American workers would consider quitting if their employers required them to return to the office full time.

More and more, workers are taking that a step further and asking to also work on their own schedule instead of a traditional 8-to-5 schedule.

For many, especially single parents, being able to work remotely and during the hours that suit them best would give them more time to be with their children at home and allow them to attend their childs extracurricular activities and spend less money on child care and fuel costs. These benefits would make them happier and more productive employees.

Many companies have discovered how a flexible work situation also helps them: It allows them to downsize office space and save money on rent and utilities.

Of course, there are some jobs that by their nature do not allow for remote work or flexible hours. In my profession, most solo attorneys cannot take depositions or litigate remotely with maximum effectiveness. Obviously, those in service jobs such as restaurant servers must be present at their place of work.

The same holds true for medical workers, factory workers and several other occupations. However, more and more, our economy is made up of jobs that can be done remotely and at hours that work best for the employee.

Adaptations to the pandemic has proved that many jobs can be done remotely  and many workers seem to have grown accustomed to it. Among Americans with jobs that can be done remotely, 59 per cent say they still are working from home much or all of the time, according to a Pew Research Center survey released in February.

And for working parents with kids younger than 18, Pew found one-third cited lack of child care as a reason for continuing to work from home, while 15 per cent said there are restrictions on access to their workplace.

In terms of productivity, 44 per cent say remote work has made it easier for them to get work done and meet deadlines.

This seems to make many employees happier  and that translates to more productivity. A report in Forbes last year cited a study by Oxford Universitys Said Business School that found that happy workers were 13 per cent more productive.

So, the question Id pose to many businesses is: what could your business do if every single team member was 13 per cent more productive without having to pay them a penny more?

Of course, there are some drawbacks. Many workers have conceded that remote work makes them feel less connected to colleagues. However, one way to resolve this is for employers and employees to compromise. Perhaps going in a couple of days a week would suffice.

As for flexible hours, this is another way to make many employees happier  and in turn, more productive. Flexible hours allow workers to devote their most energetic hours  mornings for early risers and afternoons or evenings for night people  to their work tasks.

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Employees who are parents, especially single parents, could more easily attend their childrens sporting events or recitals, experiences that are priceless. This would foster a sense of pride in and loyalty toward their employer.

Companies may want to set some mandatory core hours to foster collaboration among workers who otherwise might be on different schedules.

The bottom line is that the last two years have changed the workplace for good  and that may indeed be for the better. These changes will not work for every employer and employee. But employees should voice their concerns and preferences.

In turn, companies that listen to the desires of their employees and allow for flexibility, in terms of where and when employees work, will be the ones that benefit the most.

Jeffery Leving is founder and president of the Law Offices of Jeffery Leving. He is the author of Divorce Wars and How to be a Good Divorced Dad.

 Chicago Tribune
Rhode Island State Representative Carlos E. Tobon has proposed an interesting solution to the state's housing crisis that would, allegedly, also help to address climate change: inventing a new cryptocurrency. H8152, the Green Housing Public-Private Partnership Act, is intended to incentivize the construction of more LEED-certified properties by crediting developers for whatever emissions they manage to reduce. And that would come in the form of a cryptocurrency that I guess would be regulated by the state of Rhode Island but also on the blockchain? Unclear. Here's the relevant text:

a) The public utility commission shall issue an annual report detailing the reduction in utility costs realized by a housing project under this chapter as a result of the construction standards set pursuant to  34-37.2-4 and any ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Any reduction amount of utility costs attributable to any housing construction project pursuant to this chapter shall be assigned a credit amount which credit shall be eligible for redemption in by way of crypto currency in the form of a green coin to be issued by the department to the property owner. (b) Any revenue generated by the state pursuant to this section because of its status as a twenty-five percent (25%) interest owner, shall be deposited in a restricted receipt account for the purposes of funding future projects under this chapter.

This plan also involves the establishment of a green housing fund using money donated from Rhode Island private banking institutions. I think the Housing Newsletter summarized my concerns pretty well:

First, it's entirely unclear why Ocean State banks would be willing to "donate" $500 million to the green housing fund the bill proposes to create. Second, it's very clear that the state is on the hook for $125 millionwhich will be immediately handed over to developers to build housing projects in the form of what will doubtless be loans on very easy terms. Third, any housing project so built that basically causes state utilities to burn less carbon by being very energy efficient (in terms of both construction and operation) will be "assigned a credit amount" by the state. Finally, and quixotically, the credit will be issued in some kind of supposedly "green" cryptocurrencyand since the state owns a quarter of the stake in every housing project built, a quarter of any "profit realized" will go into the green housing fund to build more housing. But as with the Underpants Gnomes, an enterprising reporter like myself must ask: How is the new cryptocurrency called for in the bill supposed to generate a profit once issued?

I guess the cryptocurrency is supposed to incentivize the banks to donate the money? Maybe? And then that cryptocurrency would miraculously increase in value just like Bitcoin because it would somehow become desirable because  reasons? Again, unclear. The only thing I know for certain is that the only thing worse than a nonsense scheme to solve climate change and housing crises with cryptocurrency is to regulate that whole scheme through government (which is also sort of antithetical to the whole point of a decentralized cryptocurrency in the first place?).

'Green Coin': Rhode Island lawmakers introduce housing bill leveraging blockchain tech [Wahid Pessarlay / CoinGeek]

R.I. legislator would use cryptocurrency as part of 'green housing' program [Edward Fitzpatrick / The Boston Globe]

Image: Bestbudbrian / Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA 3.0)
WASHINGTON (AP)  Three more House Republicans received requests Monday to voluntarily appear before the congressional committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection and answer questions about their involvement in the effort to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election loss.

Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, questions Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday April 28, 2022, to review the U.S. Department of State's foreign policy priorities and fiscal year 2023 budget request. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Three more House Republicans received requests Monday to voluntarily appear before the congressional committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection and answer questions about their involvement in the effort to overturn Donald Trump's 2020 election loss.

The committee sent letters to GOP Reps. Mo Brooks of Alabama, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Ronny Jackson of Texas  three members of the ultra-right House Freedom Caucus that have in recent years aligned themselves with Trump.

The nine-member panel is asking for the members of Congress to testify about their involvement in meetings at the White House, direct conversations with then-President Trump as he sought to challenge his loss in the 2020 presidential election, and the planning and coordination of rallies on and before Jan. 6, 2021.

The Select Committee has learned that several of our colleagues have information relevant to our investigation into the facts, circumstances, and causes of January 6th," committee chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and vice-chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., said in a statement. "We urge our colleagues to join the hundreds of individuals who have shared information with the Select Committee to get to the bottom of what happened on January 6th.

Since launching its investigation last summer, the Jan. 6 panel has been slowly gaining new details about what lawmakers said and did in the weeks before the insurrection. Members have already asked three GOP lawmakers  Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California  to testify voluntarily. All have refused.

FILE - Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, speaks at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, July 29, 2021. The congressional committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection has requested for three more House Republicans to come in and testify. The requests to Reps. Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson come weeks after investigators revealed new evidence of their involvement in former President Donald Trumps desperate attempt to stay in power. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

So far, the Jan. 6 committee has refrained from issuing subpoenas to lawmakers, fearing the repercussions of such an extraordinary step. But in recent days, Thompson and other committee members have hinted that subpoenaing their colleagues may not be completely off the table.

The decision to ask for Brooks cooperation comes weeks after the Alabama Republican accused Trump of dropping an endorsement for him for a Senate seat after he rebuffed the former presidents entreaties to help overturn the 2020 election.

Trump wanted the election rescinded and a do-over, Brooks told reporters in March. But theres no legal way to do it.

Brooks spoke at the rally that day before Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, telling them, Today is the day that American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass. He has since become more critical of the former president, and the committee believes his insight into Trump's effort to involve members of Congress will be helpful to their investigation.

The committee's interest in Biggs is on the heels of an April 22 court filing in which lawmakers accused him of being an active participant in White House meetings after the 2020 election, where he and other Republicans brainstormed ways to keep Trump in power. Biggs is also accused of encouraging protesters to come to Washington on Jan. 6 as well as persuading state legislators and officials that the election was stolen.

The panel also said it has recent information from former White House personnel that identified an effort by certain House GOP lawmakers to seek a presidential pardon for activities related to Trumps efforts to overturn the election. Your name was identified as a potential participant in that effort, the committee wrote to Biggs.

FILE - Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, questions Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 28, 2022. The congressional committee investigating the U.S. Capitol insurrection has requested for three more House Republicans to come in and testify. The requests to Reps. Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson come weeks after investigators revealed new evidence of their involvement in former President Donald Trumps desperate attempt to stay in power. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

In an interview last week, Biggs didnt deny his public efforts to challenge the election results but called the recent reports about his deep involvement untrue. Ive seen my name. There were three articles today, and they were filled with untruths, he told The Associated Press.

The panel also wants to question Jackson about his efforts, along with other GOP lawmakers, to barricade the doors of the House as rioters tried to breakthrough.

The Committee has video evidence of how close the rioters came to breaching the House Chamber at that point in time, Thompson and Cheney wrote. We wish to record your firsthand observations of that period, including the reactions and statements of other members of Congress to the violence at that moment.

Additionally, Jackson, a former White House physician to two presidents, was mentioned in texts, retrieved by the committee, between members of the Oath Keepers as they and the rest of the violent mob descended on the Capitol building.

In one text, a member of the far-right militia group texted their leader, Stewart Rhodes, saying Jackson required their protection because he has critical data to protect.

The exchanges above raise several specific questions for you, the committee wrote to Jackson. Why would these individuals have an interest in your specific location? Why would they believe you have critical data to protect? Why would they direct their members to protect your personal safety?

Rhodes and 10 other members or associates tied to the group have since been charged with seditious conspiracy in the Justice Department's investigation of the attack.

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During the Trump administration, Jackson had emerged as a vocal ally, but his nomination as Veterans Affairs secretary was withdrawn amid allegations that he created a hostile work environment and improperly distributed prescription drugs. Jackson strenuously denied those claims, and went on to run for Congress from Texas.

Requests for comment Monday from Biggs, Jackson and Brooks were not immediately returned.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Biggs is a lawmaker from Arizona, not Wisconsin.

___

Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.
A 33-year-old Alma woman was arrested after allegedly driving drunk and speeding with a 3-year-old passenger.

Tracy Katrina Danielson was referred to the Buffalo County District Attorney for drunk driving with a passenger under 16, recklessly endangering safety, disorderly conduct, resisting an officer and battery to a law enforcement officer. She was also issued citations for speeding and open intoxicants in a vehicle.

According to the Buffalo County Sheriff's Office, police observed a white 2008 Suzuki traveling 92 mph in a 55 mph zone on Hwy. 35 in the town of Belvidere on Friday. A sheriff's deputy was unable to catch up with the vehicle and requested assistance from the Alma Police Department.

An Alma police officer was able to stop the vehicle, which had reportedly reached a speed of 100 mph.

A court date for Danielson hasn't been set.

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A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources volunteer discovered a plant in Sauk County that has not been documented in the area for nearly a century.

The maidenhair spleenwort  a fern that grows on cliffs  is a rare plant species that has not officially been seen in the Baraboo Range area since the 1930s, according to Kevin Doyle, Wisconsin DNR Natural Heritage Conservation Botanist and Rare Plant Monitoring Program Coordinator. This changed when Ben Redding, who volunteers with the Rare Plant Monitoring Program, his sons, and their dog went hiking in the area and discovered the plant.

This plant, the maidenhair spleenwort, is listed as special concern in Wisconsin, Doyle said. Rare plants are listed as endangered, threatened or special concern. Its known from like three or four distinct, separated areas in Wisconsin. Ben Redding had done a number of rare plant surveys for us and had gotten familiar with some of the sites in the Baraboo Hills (Baraboo Range), but on this particular day, they were just kind of poking around and, sure enough, they got to one area and found this fern.

Two days after discovering the maidenhair spleenwort, which has the scientific name Asplenium trichomanes, Redding emailed Doyle regarding his finding. Doyle subsequently discovered that the plant had last been reported in the area roughly 90 years prior.

These discoveries are very exciting. They help increase our understanding of the number and locations of rare plant species to better monitor and protect them, said Doyle in a DNR release about the discovery. Volunteers also revisit known locations, another super important part of the conservation process. If we dont check up on these populations, we wont know when they are in trouble.

The DNR announced the discovery, which occurred last summer, in a release on Friday. Attempts to reach Redding for comment Monday were unsuccessful.

According to Doyle and the DNR website, the maidenhair spleenwort has also been identified near Wisconsin Dells. The plant is mainly found on cool, shaded cliffs in hardwood forests, but has also been seen on dolomite, sandstone, basalt and other related rocks, according to the website.

In the last five years, it has been seen in a handful of other spots, said Doyle. This particular population hadnt been seen in 90 years.

Doyle added that the DNR gauges its actions with rare species by tracking them over time after discovering them. The DNR gets updates from volunteers and others to monitor different factors, including invasive species, climate change and flooding.

Even though other populations have been seen, its important to get updates on other ones, said Doyle. To get a 90-year update on a population, its great. It basically brings that population back into the fold of our assessments. Were considering that a viable population now in a way that we werent doing before Bens survey. Its almost like a new population was found.

Doyle said the maidenhair spleenwort and other cliff/rock-residing species are unique because of their decreased susceptibility to invasive species as opposed to plants on the forest floor or in prairies. He said bigger threats to cliff plants are rock climbing and flooding and subsequent cliff erosion.

The site where the plants were found is already a state natural area, said Doyle. The site itself is preserved in terms of development, pressure, or mining or big logging operations and stuff like that.

Doyle added that the areas other than South Central Wisconsin where the fern has been spotted are the Door County area and the north central portion of the state (Iron and Ashland counties in particular).

Other plants on the DNRs list of 336 rare plants that reside in the Baraboo/Wisconsin Dells area include: Shorts rock cress (Boechera dentata), Rocky Mountain sedge (Carex backii), and rope dodder (Cuscuta glomerata). All of these fall under the special concern category, similar to the maidenhair spleenwort.
JUNEAU  A 31-year-old Beaver Dam man was found guilty of amended misdemeanor counts on Monday after originally being charged a felony for allegedly threatening and falsely imprisoning his former girlfriend last December.

Christopher French entered into a plea agreement with prosecution. Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Martin De Vries agreed to the plea agreement, which amended the charge to three misdemeanor counts: Two counts of disorderly conduct and one count of intentionally pointing a firearm at a person. French entered no contest pleas to all three counts.

Martin found French guilty of the two counts of disorderly conduct, but approved the deferred prosecuting agreement for count three. The addendum for the deferred prosecuting agreement is sealed.

French was sentenced to 90 days in jail, which he has already served since his arrest. If his deferred prosecuting agreement is revoked, he will be given 16 days credit for the term he has already spent in jail.

French was originally charged with felony counts of threats to injure with use of a dangerous weapon and false imprisonment, along with misdemeanor charges of battery and disorderly conduct.

According to the criminal complaint:

The womans grandfather contacted police Dec. 3 for a welfare check on his granddaughter. The man said the woman was trying to leave a relationship with French. When police arrived, the woman was in the home that she shared with French. Family members who were helping her move out also were there.

The woman said she had moved in with French in October. The two became engaged in mid-November. According to the criminal complaint, the woman said French had gotten upset at her when she was apprehensive about moving in with him and agreed to do so because she felt guilty about upsetting him. While living together, French became upset about messages on her phone and physically assaulted her while questioning her about the messages, the complaint said.

According to the complaint, French put a knife to her throat at one point in late November before getting up and retrieving a revolver. The woman said French straddled her and pointed the gun at her left temple and said if she left him he would kill her, the complaint said. The woman said in the complaint that he also said, If I dont get a chance to kill you, I will hunt you for the rest of my life.

The woman said she was too scared to get help because she thought French would kill her, according to the complaint, and the woman said she was not allowed to say no when French wanted sex.

Around Dec. 2, the woman said French hit her about 20 times. On Dec. 3, the womans grandfather told her to call the police because if she waited another day it might be too late.

According to the complaint, French displayed odd behavior, including believing he was speaking directly to God and getting energy from God. He told the woman she could not see her grandmother because the grandmothers husband was black, the complaint said. The woman said he insisted on having her social media password, because he allegedly considered her property.

Follow Terri Pederson on Twitter @tlp53916 or contact her at 920-356-6760.

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Thousands of people will benefit from a gift of $100,000 to the YMCA of Dodge County that was recently given by John B. McKinstry in support of the Bea Bonner McKinstry Begin to Swim program.

Dirk Langfoss, CEO of the YMCA of Dodge County, said the McKinstry support of the YMCA goes back decades.

John has shared stories that during the 1940s and 1950s, when the Y was struggling financially, his mother Bea Bonner McKinstry would provide support, ensuring the Y was available for the community, Langfoss said.

Bea Bonner McKinstry is the inspiration for the namesake swimming program. On June 24, 1927, the then-Bea Bonner and two friends were boating on Fox Lake when an unexpected storm struck.

Two men in another boat attempted a rescue but one of the men and Bonners two friends drowned. Bonners strong swimming ability allowed her to survive.

In 1989, to help celebrate Bonner McKinstrys 80th birthday, her husband Randall and son John set up an endowment fund to cover the costs of offering a free program (The Bea Bonner McKinstry Begin to Swim Program) to teach local children the basics of water safety. Bonner McKinstry died in 2004 at the age of 95.

This summer will be the 33rd anniversary of the Bea Bonner McKinstry Begin to Swim Program, Langfoss said. Essentially, this gift will ensure this program will go on in perpetuity. To date, over 3,000 kids have been positively impacted by this program. This gift ensures thousands more will learn to swim because of the Bea Bonner McKinstry Begin to Swim Program. We are so blessed to have a John B. McKinstry who has the vision and the passion for our community.

The program is open to people of all ages but limited to 25 people for each time slot. It will be held this year in the evening during the week of May 31 to June 3 with people able to sign up for different levels.

Studies have shown that an individuals risk of drowning goes down by 88% if they have taken swim lessons, Langfoss said. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every day about 10 people die from unintentional drowning. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States.

Langfoss cited several other statistics supported by the CDC including:

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children up to age four and second leading cause of death in children ages 5 to 14 years old.

Boys are four times more likely to drown than girls.

From 2005 to 2016, there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States.

For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries.

Learning to swim is important for everyone, Langfoss said. Nationally, the Y is Americas Swim Instructor. Group lessons were invented at the Y in 1909, and each year, more than 1 million children (and many adults!) learn to swim in YMCA-sponsored classes.

The YMCA also has a philosophy not to turn anyone away due to financial inability to pay.

We also believe that everyone should know how to swim, Langfoss said. The bottom line, we work with families to make sure the finances do not get in the way of learning to swim.

Those wanting to sign up for the Bea Bonner McKinstry Begin to Swim Program may get more information or register by visiting the website at www.theydc.org. You can also call the Y at 920-887-8811.

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MAYVILLE  A plan to reorganize Mayville schools picks up speed this month as the district looks to sell its administration building.

The Mayville School Board approved Cardinals on the Move at its April 4 meeting to be put in place for the 2022-23 school year. Formed by an internal committee with district-wide representation, the continuous improvement plan is expected to offer immediate cost savings and benefits to students and staff.

Superintendent Scott Sabol said the first step in lean practices is the sale of the district office. He expects the sale to happen quickly, noting multiple parties have expressed interest and were given tours of the site at N8210 State Highway 28, Mayville. Proposals for the purchase of the building and adjacent real estate are due by 4 p.m. on Monday.

The sale of the property will generate all of the revenue and then some to cover the expenses associated with the district reorganization, he said.

The shuffling of students, staff and administration into different school buildings is a strategic move by the district.

Were not closing buildings, were trying to maximize the efficiency in how we use them. Thats really what it comes down to, Sabol said. It comes down to programs and opportunities for our students.

Mayvilles three school buildings currently house grades 4K-2 at Parkview, grades 3-8 at Mayville Middle School and grades 9-12 at Mayville High School.

The four-member district team will move from the district administration building to Parkview and it will become known as Parkview Early Learning Center & District Office.

Beginning in fall, all district-offered 4K, as well as enhanced special education programs, will be located in the Parkview building. This district will also be partnering with Jaimes Clubhouse to offer onsite before- and after-school child care for students in grades 4K-6, summer care, and wrap-around care for 4K opposite their morning or afternoon classes. Jaimes Clubhouse will set the child care rates.

Students in kindergarten and first and second grade will move to what is now the middle school for the creation of a true elementary school. Grades 3, 4, 5 and 6 will remain, making Mayville Elementary a 5K-6 building with a new playground scheduled for installation in July.

In 2019, renovations at Mayville High School were completed resulting in state-of-the-art learning spaces. A science, technology, engineering, art/agriculture and math (STEAM) addition now stands where a bus port once was located.

The high school project was the largest component of the $24.5 million referendum that voters narrowly approved in April 2017.

The additional space allows the district to move its junior high students (grades 7-8) to a dedicated wing on the lower level so they can take advantage of course offerings, electives and shared staff. The building will take on the new name of Mayville Junior/Senior High.

Cardinals on the Move has been in the planning stages for a number of years as enrollment declined somewhat, but was put on hold when the coronavirus pandemic entered the picture. The district enrolled 1,045 students for the current school year.

You dont reorganize when you need to be 6 feet apart, said Sabol.

District Communication Specialist Samantha Teeters said the last day of school for students has been moved from June 2 to May 26, in order to get a jump on the move. Instructional hours will still be met and staff will be given time to pack and set up their new classrooms prior to summer break.

On May 12, kids who will be in grades 5K-6 next fall will have a chance to explore the soon-to-be Mayville Elementary with their families and meet their new teachers.

And on June 2, Mayville Junior/Senior High students are invited to learn the schools lay-out.

All the teachers will be in their new spaces by that time, said Teeters. It affords us kind of a cool opportunity to welcome the seventh and eighth graders who we anticipate may be the ones having the most anxiety prior to school starting.

More information regarding the open houses will be communicated with district families soon.

In other news, Mayville School Board candidates who won in the spring election took the oath of office April 25. Incumbents Norbert Dornfeldt and Andy Shoemaker were elected to a three-year term. Shannon Wild, who was appointed March 7 to fill a vacancy, was elected as a write-in candidate to a one-year term.

Follow Kelly Simon on Twitter @KSchmidSimon or contact her at 920-356-6757.

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COLUMBUS  A 36-year-old Columbus man is currently in Columbia County Jail after being arrested Friday for several felony counts against him following a drug investigation.

According to a press release from Columbus Police Chief Dennis Weiner, the Columbus Police Department executed a drug- and firearm-related search warrant in the 300 block of West School Street on Friday.

As a result of this search warrant, Michael J. Wagener, 36, was arrested for felon in possession of a firearm, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and four counts of felony bail jumping, the release said. Wagener has a previous open felony case in Columbia County Circuit Court.

A firearm, drugs, drug paraphernalia, electronics and cash were seized from the residence, according to the release.

The Columbus Police Department was assisted by the Columbia County Sheriffs Office, Fall River Police Department K9 unit, Rio Police Department, and Columbia County Health and Human Services.

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April 19, 1951April 28, 2022

BEAVER DAMRobert Bob Walter Haase, 71, of Beaver Dam, died unexpectedly on April 28, 2022, at UW Hospital.

There will be a memorial gathering for Bob at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Wednesday, May 4, 2022, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Bob was born on April 19, 1951, to Ralph and Jacquelyn (Hendry) Haase. A graduate of Beaver Dam High School and Michigan State University, he settled in South Beaver Dam in 1974, and started two businesses, Pine Hill Farms and Pine Hills Trucking, raised his family and impacted the lives of many. He was united in marriage to Sharon Cramer at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Clyman on November 11, 1972.

Bob will be sadly missed by generations of people. Described as a man who led by example, he was looked upon as a father figure to many through the years, always taking people into his home when needed, or hiring them on in his businesses to teach and give them experience, and for many, a fresh start. He was the man whose teenage sons friends could work out their detentions or debts by picking rocks in the fields, cutting wood or clearing line fences. He was like a gentle grizzly, always working hard along side of those around him, and never stopped until the day he died.

Having done more than his fair share of chores, through the years he raised many animals: hogs, steers, loose-housing veal, sheep, horses, turkeys and more. An avid dog lover, he always had at least two close furry friends around him. He deeply loved to work the land, each year planting thousands of acres of crops. He was never alone, for someone would always find him and wanted to ride along in his tractor or combinefrom mothers with babies to old folks. Every year at the Dodge County fair, he bought many animals to support the youth animal sale. A man of many talents, he built his own house and several farm buildings, fixed on his own trucks and machinery and was always the man to call by relatives, friends and neighbors in need. If a neighbors silo auger was stuck, or a tree went down on a building, Bob would make it a priority to help.

Bobs favorite hobbies included deer hunting with his children, and especially elk hunting in the Colorado and Montana Mountains. He enjoyed an annual winter trip to the Caribbean with his wife, camping in the summer; and, unfortunately, got only a year to enjoy time at his cabin in Northern Wisconsin. A loving husband and father, his wife and children learned so much from him. In his later years, his greatest joy was always finding and sharing a unique and special bond with each of his grandchildren, who were the only ones who could get away with giving him a rough time!

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, David Haase; and one sister, Nancy Hoffman; as well as in-laws: Leon Gentz, Robert Cramer, Judy and Al Koscka, Tom and Bonnie Cramer, Mike Cramer, Pat Cramer, Barb Seiler, and Charlie Kelm. He is survived by his wife; two sons: Ryan (Josie) of Beaver Dam, Christopher (Jill) of Columbus; and one daughter, Erin (John) Lambert of Columbus, along with their children: Megan, Aubri, Riley, Alexia, Addison, Cypress, Legend, Charlee and Carter. He is further survived by one brother, Tim (Dianne) Haase of Miamisburg, OH; and two sisters, Debra Hupf of Hazelhurst, WI, and Diane (Laine) Stowell of Winter, WI; and in-laws: Carol Gentz, Lois Cramer, Audrey and George Goesch, Marge Cramer, Rick and Patti Cramer, Karen and Dan Banes, Susan Kelm, Sandy and Gordon Arneson, Alan and Jean Cramer, and Jerry Hoffman; as well as many other close relatives and friends.

The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com.
Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, had a brilliant plan for explaining why Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy is both Jewish and a Nazi: just claim, on Holocaust Memorial Day, that Jews themselves are the worst anti-semites and that Hitler himself had Jewish blood.

Unfortunately for Russia, the plan has not survived contact with anything, let alone the enemy.

When asked how Russia can claim that it is fighting to "de-Nazify" Ukraine when President Volodymyr Zelensky is himself Jewish, Mr Lavrov said: "I could be wrong, but Hitler also had Jewish blood. [That Zelensky is Jewish] means absolutely nothing. Wise Jewish people say that the most ardent anti-Semites are usually Jews."  Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said: "Such lies are meant to blame the Jews themselves for the most terrible crimes in history and thus free the oppressors of the Jews from their responsibility.

Haaretz's Ofer Aderet explains one origin of the conspiracy theory, rooted in the mystery of Hitler's paternal grandfather's identity (as summarized below on Wikipedia). There is no credible evidence he (and therefore Hitler) had significant Jewish ancestry.
Caitlin Dolt emerges from the rabbit hole to cry Io triumphe!

Caitlin Dolt with Principia Caitlin Dolt 22 looks over William & Mary's first edition of Isaac Newton's Principia. The book was annotated in Latin by a hand unknown, until Dolt started detective work. Stephen Salpukas Photo - of - Hide Caption

It didnt look like the entrance to a rabbit hole at first; it was just a guest lecturer in a physics class.

It was Caitlin Dolts sophomore year at William & Mary and Josh Erlich was walking her physics class through a derivation.

We were comparing our results, and Professor Erlich writes CF on the board, Dolt said. And a friend of mine, Michael Parker, raises his hand and says I don't know what that stands for. Is that a variable?

Erlich explained that CF is used to invite comparison between two things  then he admitted that he didnt know why CF was used.

Caitlin Dolt knew why. She was fresh from a Latin class with Chancellor Professor of Classics Lily Panoussi, a class in which this very word had been discussed 10 minutes earlier.

I didn't even raise my hand. I just spoke out of turn, she said. I was like, well, CF stands for conferatur. It's the passive form of the Latin verb confer  to compare.

Erlich, a physics professor who sometimes wears a Darth Vader outfit to class, gazed at her steadily for a few seconds, Dolt recalled. Then he asked her to stop into his office after class.

And I was like, Oh, my God! Why did I just do that? Why did I just speak out of turn? Why? What was I.? What necessity? What? Why would I do that? she remembered. And so, the rest of the lecture, I'm just sitting there, like, Oh, my God, I'm in trouble. Oh, no, no.

Dolt had no cause for worry. Rather than delivering a stern lecture on classroom etiquette and academic deportment, Erlich wondered if she was interested in taking on a research project. She was.

The two of them met the next day, and Erlich introduced Dolt to the Principia. To be precise, they discussed William & Marys copy of the first edition of Isaac Newtons Philosophi Naturalis Principia Mathematica. The Principia is the crown jewel of W&M Libraries Special Collection Research Center. It was printed in 1687, in Latin, the common language among learned people in that time.

Erlich had, for a few years, been at the center of a rotating group of faculty and students who were trying to figure out the identity of the scholar who made annotations and corrections  also in Latin in the margins of the book. Dolts CF outburst outed her as a Latin-literate physics major, therefore a likely recruit to the cause. In a matter of days (and not very many), she was immersed in a centuries-old whodunit and continent-spanning paper chase.

I talk about how I fell into a rabbit hole, and I cannot possibly put enough emphasis on that, Dolt said. I'm sitting there on the floor of my sophomore dorm, and I have like, two laptops with 50 tabs open. Screenshots and pictures and leaflets  piles of paper. I am in the trenches.

She was able to answer the main question and identify the Annotator in less than two weeks. It was Thomas Staughton Savage, a physician-clergyman who donated his copy of the Principia to William & Mary in 1869. Intense comparison of the annotations with known correspondence of Savage clinched it. Dolt said Savage penned particularly distinctive lowercase ps and ds.

But the Principia held more mysteries for Dolt, enough to make it the subject of her physics thesis. For one thing, there was a secret code, as well as some annotations that didnt tie to Savage, most intriguingly the appearances of the word dico, Latin for I say.

Those dicos brought to mind the possibility that they were written by Gottfried Leibniz, a German contemporary of Newton. Leibniz and Newton both had strong claims for being the inventor of calculus and there was no love lost between the two. Its easy to imagine Leibniz reading the work of his rival and angrily dico-ing passages that he thought he might have stated prior to Newton.

A Principia peppered with dicos that could be definitively attributed to Leibniz would be huge news in the history-of-science world, as it would go a long way toward settling (or rekindling) the who invented calculus debate.

It looked promising, for a time. Dolt found some scans of Leibnitzs handwriting online and saw that they shared some of the same characteristics as the dicos in the Principia margins.

And at this point, Jack Martin points out that every time that there's a dico written in the margins, there's a dico written in the printed text, she said, adding that theres no evidence that the W&M Principia was ever in Leibnitzs hands. So, I figured maybe theyre not that important.

Martin is the Chancellor Professor of English and Linguistics. Dolt and Erlich had consulted him about aspects of the Principia, notably the annotations in what they were calling the secret code. Dolt had already made significant progress in cracking the code.

She had reasoned that as the most prevalent verbs in English were forms of am and are, so it made sense that the most common combination of symbols in the code would be verbs of being in Latin. She believed she had puzzled out the symbols representing S, N & T.

I found myself on more than one occasion, knee deep in binders of the Principia, sticky notes, Latin textbooks and tables of secret codes, Dolt said. Im sitting cross-legged on my couch, glaring at the pages of a book that will not reveal its secrets to me.

I am more stubborn than you, she informed the universitys priceless first edition of Isaac Newtons masterwork. Were going to have to work together whether you like it or not.

Somewhere along the line, the Principia achieved something like roommate status, as Dolt began to refer to the book as she and her. And, in the tradition of tight-lipped roommates, the Principia finally revealed a bit of herself.

I was sitting right here, in my kitchen island, Dolt said. In the right chair, right in front of my wall of pictures of my best friends. I was sitting right here when I made this discovery.

She said she had just got off the phone with her grandparents and had resumed staring at the Principia.

And all of a sudden, it just appeared, Dolt said. And everything fell into place.

She was able to piece together an alphabet working from the glyphs representing S, N and T  used together to represent the Latin word sunt, or they are. Martin informed Dolt and Erlich that the secret code was known as an abjab writing system, one that contains only consonants.

And the symbols were part of a shorthand system, rather than a code. Dolt found correspondence in which Thomas Staughton Savage references using a shorthand system, pointing to Savage as the code-shorthand annotator.

In late April, she was back in the trenches, finishing up her Principia-based thesis. She had an internship with the tech company Equinix over the summer and continues doing work for the firm. Shell join Equinix full time after graduation as a solutions architect.

I was able to market myself with this identity of a translator, both from Latin to English, but also between highly technical people and people that maybe get scared when they see derivatives and integrals on the chalkboard, Dolt said.

Dolt said her Equinix job interview consisted substantially of her relating her work with the Principia. Her work has garnered substantial attention, including a segment on Virginia Humanities radio program With Good Reason.

I just kind of poured myself into it. And it's been without a doubt the most rewarding experience of my time at William & Mary, if not my entire life. It's just been so wonderful to have a space where I can ask questions, and I get to discover without really any pressure with it, she said. It's been a really special space for me to grow as both a scholar but also just as a human being.
A screenshot included in the federal criminal complaint against Thomas Webster shows him participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
On Saturday night, to close the proceedings for the 2022 White House Correspondents Dinner, host Trevor Noah (The Daily Show) got serious for a moment.

If you ever begin to doubt your responsibilities, if you ever begin to doubt how meaningful it is, look no further than what's happening in Ukraine. Look at what's happening there.

Journalists are risking and even losing their lives to show the world what is happening. You realize how amazing that is? In America, you have the right to seek the truth and speak the truth, even if it makes people in power uncomfortable. Even if it makes your viewers or readers uncomfortable. You understand how amazing that is?

Ask yourself this question: If Russian journalists who are losing their livelihoods and their freedom.. for daring to report on what their own government is doing  If they had the freedom to write any words, to show any stories, or to ask any questions, if they had, basically, what you have, would they be using it in the same way that you do?

See the full closing remarks here:

I've always respected @Trevornoah so much but this closing speech from the White House correspondents' dinner is particularly spectacular. pic.twitter.com/k8GmBOAoYB  Mike Birbiglia (@birbigs) May 1, 2022

Image: Screengrab
As the NATO proxy war against Russia rages in eastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian government is carrying out a campaign of domestic repression against alleged collaborators and traitors in order to bolster its pro-war agenda and eliminate any opposition that may favor a negotiated peace with Moscow to end the war.

Last week the Kyiv Independent reported that a hunt for alleged collaborators is underway in recaptured parts of the country. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) along with the national and local police, territorial defense units and the State Emergency Service, are leading the hunt for suspects.

A Ukrainian soldier stands near an apartment ruined from Russian shelling in Borodyanka, Ukraine, Wednesday, Apr. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

According to the Kyiv Independent, the SBU had already arrested 33 suspects in Kiev by April 7, and by April 15, over 300 alleged collaborators had been arrested.

It is unclear how the SBU is able to deduce exactly who collaborated with the Russian forces other than relying on the testimony of neighbors.

Such an approach leaves the door wide open for the settling of petty grievances between neighbors and the arrest and jailingor perhaps worseof innocent Ukrainians who are not enthusiastic supporters of a NATO-backed war that is destroying large parts of an already impoverished country.

The report comes on the heels of the revelation that Kiev was supplied with advanced face-scanning technology by the American firm Clearview AI and that such technology was already being used to identify dead Russian soldiers and scan the faces of Ukrainian citizens in order to find traitors.

In a government-dictated hunt for potential traitors, misidentification is also far from impossible as Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of the Surveillance Technology Oversight Project told Reuters.

Were going to see well-intentioned technology backfiring and harming the very people its supposed to help, Cahn said.

A street-level campaign of vigilante lynchings is already being carried out with the support of Ukraines Armed Forces who are either direct participants or observers in the attacks on Ukrainian civilians.

The Kyiv Independent also reported approvingly on the arrest of leading pro-Russian political figure Viktor Medvedchuk, who was apprehended on April 12. He had attempted to disguise himself as a member of Ukraines Armed Forces and has now been charged with treason.

Medvedchuk, an oligarch and friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was previously arrested for high treason in May 2021 and placed under house arrest. He then fled at the onset of Russias invasion. His capture was celebrated by the Kiev government as a propaganda victory against Russia.

Western capitalist press outlets such as Newsweek reported on Medvedchuks capture simply as the justified arrest of a pro-Putin ally, purposely obscuring the fact that Medvedchuk led Ukraine's second largest political party by parliamentary seats that had begun to poll close to or was even ahead of Zelenskys ruling Servant of the People party in pre-invasion political polls.

Moreover, no evidence has been published, indicating how exactly Medvedchuk supposedly collaborated with the Russians. Nor has it been explained why he remained in Kiev days after the attack, putting his life in certain danger, if he really did know of the impending invasion beforehand.

Medvedchuks party, the Opposition PlatformFor Life, was banned in March by Zelensky along with 10 other opposition and left-wing parties. These parties had denounced the Russian attack but were also calling for immediate negotiations to end the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly offered Moscow to exchange Medvedchuk for captured Ukrainian soldiers. So far, Moscow has refused to publicly discuss the exchange of its supposed stalwart collaborator.

Anatoly Shariy, a popular YouTube blogger who is critical of the Kiev regime and its various right-wing nationalist militias, has likewise been targeted by Zelensky and the SBU since the beginning of the war. Speaking with MPN News, Shariy reported recently being made aware of an assassination attempt by the SBU after receiving an obviously staged email from a friend looking to pin down Shariys daily whereabouts. Despite living abroad since 2012, Shariys address and personal details were even published on the Myrotvorets (Peacemaker) online database with names of supposed enemies of the state. Since the beginning of the war, Shariy has been subject to protests and harassment by right-wing thugs outside his home in Spain.

A former supporter of Zelensky during his presidential campaign against former President Petro Poroshenko, Shariy has also been accused of treason and had his political party, the Shariy party, banned by Zelenskys order in March.

What all of these persecuted political figures have in common is support for a negotiated settlement to end the disastrous proxy war between NATO and Russia that is being waged in Ukraine and that has already cost the lives of tens of thousands.

Meanwhile, the imperialist powers and the Zelensky government continue to offer their full support to Ukraines neo-Nazi militias, such as the Azov Battalion who are being hailed as heroes for continuing to occupy the Azovstal factory in Mariupol despite the destruction of the entire surrounding city. On Thursday, it was revealed that Ukraines other prominent neo-Nazi militia, the Right Sector, had been fully integrated into Ukraines Armed Forces as part of its Special Operations Forces.
Police said the accident occurred about 3:30 p.m. A witness told police that the vehicle drifted toward the center median and collided with the concrete pier of the bridge. The victim's next of kin has been notified, though his identity was not released. Police observed that the vehicle had massive front-end damage on the driver's side.
25 years ago: Clinton visits Mexico

On May 5, 1997, US President Bill Clinton flew to Mexico for the first time in his presidency for a three-day visit, followed by stops in Costa Rica and Barbados.

Such trips were a standard feature of Washingtons relationship with Mexico going back to the days of the dictator Porfirio Diaz at the beginning of the century. They were briefly interrupted only by the revolution of 1911-1920 and then the expropriation of foreign oil facilities under President Lazaro Cardenas in 1938.

Clinton addressed only carefully selected audiences of businessmen and government officials. Both the Mexican government and his own advisers felt it necessary to seal the US president off from the workers, peasants, unemployed and impoverished people who make up the great bulk of the countrys population of 90 million.

The visit occasioned the most intense security operation in Mexico City since the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre, when troops shot down student demonstrators in the center of the capital. The city was placed under a virtual state of siege with soldiers occupying the streets. Basic democratic rights were suspended during the US presidents visit. Some opponents of the government were arrested on the eve of Clintons arrival to prevent them from organizing protests. Several demonstrations were broken up. Street peddlers, homeless people and street children were rounded up in a number of areas to prevent their presence from disturbing Clintons visit.

Clinton

The extreme precautions expressed the concern that the Clinton visit could become the target of popular discontent. Ever since the outbreak of the Mexican debt crisis in 1982, the relation between US economic interests and social misery in Mexico became increasingly obvious.

In 1997, President Ernesto Zedillos economic social policies were determined by the dictates of the International Monetary Fund and Wall Street banks. That connection became even more direct following the 1994 peso crisis and subsequent rescue plan put together by the Clinton administration, as well as the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

The impact of these policies was a drastic social polarization. The 1994 crisis wiped out over 1 million jobs, wages fell by 40 percent, so that by 1997 the average wage was just $1.21 an hour. This impoverishment served as a magnet for multinational corporations, which flocked to reap the benefits of cheap labor, turning the US-Mexico border into one of the fastest growing economic zones in the world.

50 years ago: Nixon launches escalation of Vietnam War

On May 4, 1972, the United States and its puppet government in South Vietnam pulled out of the Paris Peace Accords in preparation for a major escalation of the war against North Vietnam. Within days it launched Operation Linebacker and Operation Pocket Money, massive bombing and mining campaigns targeting Vietnamese infrastructure.

Linebacker claimed to focus on military targets, but its main effect was to wipe out civilian infrastructure, devastating transportation, energy, irrigation and industrial systems. Several thousand civilians died in 20,000-30,000 American and South Vietnamese sorties over several months. Pocket Money mined North Vietnams harbors. The North received 85 percent of its imports, mainly from the Soviet Union and China, through its ports. The measure had been discussed by the White House and military planners previously in the war, but it was ruled out as it came with the danger of triggering a wider war.

Nixon calculated that his detente strategy of normalizing relations with the Chinese and reducing tensions with the Soviets would allow the escalation without provoking a response: correctly, as it turned out. The rival Stalinists cliques in Moscow and Beijing valued the deals they cut with Nixon more than supporting the Vietnamese revolution. The mining effort forced the closure of the port of Haiphong for 300 days, while Linebacker annihilated road and train links with China.

Linebacker was a homicidal terror bombing campaign. Writing for the Bulletin, the US predecessor to the World Socialist Web Site, David North noted, The intensified bombing of the population centers, as well as the irrigation system, will yield little military profit. However, it is clearly the intention of Nixon to intimidate the workers and peasants of Vietnam with the threat of mass murder.

A US B-52 carpet-bombing Vietnam

This assessment was later vindicated when Nixons presidential tapes were made public. Were not going to go out whimpering, Nixon raged. Were going to take out the power plants. Were going to take out Haiphong, were gonna level that goddamn country.

Nixons murderous last-ditch efforts were aimed at forcing a settlement with the North that would leave the South Vietnamese puppet government in power after the US troop withdrawal. But this too proved to be a fantasy. The working masses of Vietnam were preparing to sweep Washingtons stooges out alongside the remaining American forces.

75 years ago: New York City concludes successful mass vaccination campaign against smallpox

On May 2, 1947, New York City authorities brought to an end a massive campaign of vaccination in response to an outbreak of the virulent and deadly smallpox disease. In the space of a month, the unprecedented public health campaign had seen the inoculation of 6,350,000 people.

The outbreak had begun in late February, when Eugene Le Bar, a rug merchant, and his wife returned to the city from a vacation in Mexico. Le Bar was hospitalized in early March, though his symptoms, including fever and a rash, were initially misdiagnosed, and he quickly died.

Two other patients at the Willard Parker Hospital, where Le Bar had been treated, one of them a 22-month-old baby girl, developed similar symptoms. When biopsies found that they had Guarnieri bodies, cellular features associated with smallpox, Le Bars autopsy was reexamined, and he was discovered to also have indications of the disease.

Smallpox had been one of the deadliest diseases in modern history, claiming some 300 million lives in the 20th century. Its lethality among those infected had been estimated at 30 percent, with an even higher mortality rate among children. Survivors can be left with a series of debilitating conditions, including blindness, sterility and serious skin lesions.

Once the infections were identified, the city moved rapidly to identify those potentially exposed, eventually identifying 10 cases in total. On April 4, 1947, New York City Mayor William O'Dwyer and Commissioner of Health Israel Weinstein informed the public of the infection and explained the necessity for a universal vaccination campaign aimed at protecting the population and ending the outbreak.

New Yorkers lining up for smallpox vaccinations in 1947

At that point, the city only possessed some 250,000 vaccines. The authorities moved rapidly to establish arrangements for the pharmaceutical corporations to produce the required doses. A public campaign, outlining the crucial importance of inoculation, was accompanied by the establishment of vaccination centers in communities throughout the city. The successful effort was the subject of a 1950 film, The Killer That Stalked New York, reviewed by the WSWS earlier this year in the context of the disastrous, profit-driven response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

100 years ago: Estonian government executes Communist leader

On May 4, 1922, the government of the new Baltic state of Estonia executed Viktor Kingissepp, a leading figure in the Communist Party of Estonia. Kingissepp was arrested a day earlier by the Estonian internal security services in the aftermath of a May Day rally and sentenced to death by court martial.

Kingissepp had joined the Bolshevik faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party in 1906 during the 1905 Russian Revolution and organized the party in St. Petersburg and Reval (later Tallinn). After the overthrow of the tsar in March 1917, he helped to organize the Bolshevik Party and Red Guards in Estonia. After the October Revolution, he led the disbanding of the bourgeois Estonian Provincial Assembly.

Viktor Kingissepp

He left Estonia during the German occupation of 1918 and worked in Petrograd for the Extraordinary Commission for the Suppression of Counterrevolution and Sabotage (the Cheka) and participated in the arrest of Fanny Kaplan, the woman who attempted to assassinate Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin in 1918.

Kingissepp returned to Estonia later that year and conducted underground work, primarily in Tallinn, the capital, and helped to organize the illegal Estonian Communist Party after the Tartu Peace Treaty of 1920 between the recently established bourgeois state of Estonia and the Soviet Republic. He authored dozens of leaflets and pamphlets and played a significant role in organizing the 1919 trade union congress, whose leaders were later deported or shot by the Estonian government.
Washington continued at full tilt into an all-out war with Russia over the weekend, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Kiev, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger proposed to send US troops to Ukraine, and Republican Congressman Michael McCaul raised the prospect of the United States using nuclear weapons against Russia.

Over the weekend, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi traveled in secret to Kiev, an active war zone, to pledge the USs support to Ukraine until victory is won.

Pelosi, second in the presidential order of succession, was the highest-ranking US official to visit Kiev, in a sign of how deeply committed the United States is to a conflict that is rapidly escalating into a third world war.

In this image released by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office on Sunday, May 1, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, right, awards the Order of Princess Olga, the third grade, to Nancy Pelosi, US House Speaker. [AP Photo/Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP]

Pelosi met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, pledging the United States will be there for you until the fight is done. Given that it is the official doctrine of Ukraines government to retake Crimea by military means, Pelosis statement had vast and sweeping implications.

She added, Our delegation traveled to Kyiv to send an unmistakable and resounding message to the entire world: America stands firmly with Ukraine We stand with Ukraine until victory is won. And we stand with NATO.

She concluded, Do not be bullied by bullies. If theyre making threats, you cannot back down. Were there for the fight, and you cannot fold to a bully.

Pelosi traveled with six other Democratic members of the House of Representatives: Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks, Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, as well as Barbara Lee, Bill Keating and Jason Crow.

The seven Democrats declared in a statement, Our Members were proud to deliver the message that additional American support is on the way, as we work to transform President Bidens strong funding request into a legislative package.

Democratic representative Jason Crow, a former paratrooper and Army Ranger, one of the CIA Democrats elected in 2018, declared, We have to make sure the Ukrainians have what they need to win The United States of America is in this to win, and we will stand with Ukraine until victory is won.

The visit by the congressional delegation followed the visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last Sunday, where Austin declared the United States is in a fight with Russia, and aimed to weaken it.

All of the members of the congressional delegation were Democrats. The prosecution of Ukraines hot war against Russia has been central to the program of the Democratic party. In 2019, the Democrats impeached former president Donald Trump over claims that he withheld military aid to Ukraine.

In the present crisis, however, significant sections of the Republican Party have been just as bellicose as the Democrats.

On Sunday, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger announced that he has introduced an Authorization for Use of Military Force that would allow president Biden to deploy US troops in a full-scale war with Russia.

Appearing on CBSs Face the Nation, Kinzinger announced, I just introduced an AUMF, an Authorization for the Use of Military Force, giving the president basically congressional leverage or permission to use it if WMDs, nuclear, biological or chemical are used in Ukraine.

Kinzinger continued, It gives him, you know, a better flexibility, but also it is a deterrent to Vladimir Putin.

He continued, there may be a point that we have to recognize, you know, look, this isworld warprior to World War II, there were moments nobody ever wanted to get involved and eventually came to realize they had to.

Kinzingers Authorization for Use of Military force states:

the President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as the President determines to be necessary and appropriate in order toprotect the national security interests of the United States with respect to Ukraine; and assist in defending and restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said on ABCs This Week that Congress would swiftly pass Bidens $33 billion spending package for the war with Russia, declaring, Time is of the essence. The next two to three weeks are going to be very pivotal and very decisive in this war. And I dont think we have a lot of time to waste.

In perhaps the most striking moment in all the Sunday talk shows, McCaul raised the prospect of a US nuclear attack on Russian troops.

Asked by host George Stephanopoulous, What would happen if a chemical weapon was dropped on Ukraine and/or a short-range tactical nuke?... What would wewhat should we do?

To this, McCaul replied, That crosses a red line. And I think, if that happens, we would have to respond in kind.

In an exchange on Face the Nation on CBS, Senator Tim Kaine, Hillary Clintons running mate in 2016, refused to rule out sending US troops to Ukraine.

Kaine was asked by moderator Margaret Brennan, Your Democratic colleague Senator Coons was on this program a few weeks ago, and he said there at least needs to be a conversation about when the United States would use force potentially in Ukraine.

To this, Kaine replied, So, right now, the status quo is, we are providing massive amounts of aid to Ukraine, both the US and NATO allies and others. If there were to be an invasion of a NATO country, a kinetic or even a cyberattack, or if there were to be use of chemical or nuclear weapons in Ukraine, that would change the equation.

The US press, meanwhile, is braying for escalation. In an editorial headlined, Defeating Putin will require larger U.S. commitmentsand risks, the Washington Post declares, Mr. Putins war aim is not merely to conquer Ukraine but to overthrow the international order itself. Its worth accepting costs and taking risks to make sure that Russia failsand emerges from the conflict unable to wage such aggression again.

The statements made by dominant sections of the US political establishment over the weekend must be taken as a major warning that Washington is preparing to massively escalate US involvement in the war, including directly sending troops or even using nuclear weapons against Russia.
After receiving 22 percent of the vote in the first round of the French presidential elections, Jean-Luc Melenchons Unsubmissive France (LFI) party is opening talks with the Socialist Party (PS). This turn to a discredited big-business party, which has always repudiated in deeds the cynical references to socialism that it made in its election propaganda, is a warning: Melenchon is not trying to mobilize his voters, but to push them to the right and into a dead end.

Last Tuesday, LFI and the PS met at LFI headquarters to try to reach an accord on the June 12-19 French legislative elections. The PS National Council had suitably adopted a resolution calling for unity of all left forces, before announcing it was temporarily suspending talks with LFI on Friday. As for LFI, it is negotiating with the PS while calling to build a Popular Union with Europe Ecology-The Greens (EELV), a party that openly supported President Emmanuel Macron, but also the Stalinist French Communist Party (PCF) and the Pabloite New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA).

LFIs decision to seek an alliance with the PS again exposes the unprincipled character of Melenchons maneuvers. In the run-up to the April 24 presidential runoff between Macron and neo-fascist candidate Marine Le Pen, the Parti de legalite socialiste (PES), the French section of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI), campaigned for workers and youth to boycott a fraudulent election between these two extreme-right candidates. The PES explained that only an irreconcilable rejection of both candidates would prepare workers for the struggles to come against the next president.

Melenchon already declared himself ready, before the April 24 second round, to serve as prime minister under either Macron or Le Pen. I ask the French people to elect me as prime minister by electing an LFI majority in the legislative elections, he told BFM-TV on April 19. Asked whether he would serve either under Macron or the neo-fascist Le Pen, Melenchon replied that this matter was of secondary importance.

LFI is turning its back on millions of its voters in the working class and youth to instead maneuver with the PS, which has responded by suspending negotiations with LFI and denouncing it as a threat to the European Union.

Former PS President Francois Hollande, who was so hated after five years in office that he did not dare run for a second term in 2017, criticized the planned LFI-PS alliance. The PS must be true to its own history, he claimed, criticizing LFIs program: This places in question the very history of socialism.

Hollande indicated that any PS-LFI alliance would be founded on a repudiation of the promises of social reforms LFI made in its program. If programs are designed to be put in practice, Hollande said, this would mean that the next government would ... disobey European treaties? A next government, were it to be formed, if it had a majority, would it leave NATO? Would it no longer aid the Ukrainians by giving them military equipment?

Former PS Prime Minister Lionel Jospin, who retired from public life after being eliminated from the second round of the 2002 presidential election by neo-fascist candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen, adopted a more conciliatory position, speaking to Le Parisien. Jospin said Melenchons duty is to build an alliance, but that he is not sure that certain themes and the style of LFI will build a majority on the left. Nevertheless, Jospin proposed that the PS find an electoral accord with the entire left.

Jospin stressed his concern over the 2022 election collapse of the PS and the Gaullists, the two tendencies that dominated official French politics in the period after the May 1968 French general strike. PS candidate Anne Hidalgo and Valerie Pecresse, the candidate of the Gaullist The Republicans (LR) party, were both eliminated with less than 5 percent of the vote.

Emmanuel Macron built behind him a heterogeneous conglomerate without any clear identity. He did everything to set up another confrontation with the far right, which he considered easier to beat, Jospin said, stressing his fear of the disintegration of our political system. He added, Abstention is considerable, and the far right has grown even further. The two parties that, on the right and the left, controlled the democratic debate of earlier times and offered political alternatives to the country, have been marginalized.

Jospin laid out the cynical calculations of a layer in the PS that aims to use LFIs presidential vote to give itself a new face and stabilize an unpopular political establishment. Indeed, PS Party Secretary Olivier Faure made similar arguments. Criticized Tuesday night at a PS national committee by a PS minority critical of allying with LFI, Faure said such an alliance was the only way to prevent the PS from being absorbed into Macrons party, The Republic on the March (LRM).

Faure said, If you think the PS is dead, that there is nothing to be done, that you no longer are on the left, then leave. Join LRM. Otherwise, stay and struggle together with us. It will transform us.

Faures arguments are lies coming from a party that, over four decades, has imposed austerity and war on the workers. He aims to make voters forget, among other things, the reactionary presidency of Hollande, the anti-worker labor decrees of its El Khomri law, its anti-democratic state of emergency, and its pillaging of society in the interests of the banks. The question that is truly posed by the proposed LFI-PS alliance is not what the reactionary PS is trying to do but, rather: why is LFI negotiating with it?

The PES has explained that LFI is objectively in a powerful position. Having won the working class districts of major cities, it could mobilize masses of workers in strikes against an unpopular president who was elected only because he was facing an even more unpopular, neo-fascist rival; against surging prices that are ruining workers; and against NATO war targeting Russia. Such strikes could not only shut down the French economy, but also initiate a struggle of the international working class against capitalism and imperialist war.

But LFI, a petty-bourgeois party based in layers of academics and trade union bureaucrats, is hostile to launching a struggle against imperialism. It rejects the Trotskyist perspective advanced by the PES, preferring its nationalist conception of a citizens revolution in a new era of the people, which entails a parliamentary deal with the reactionary PS. Instead of mobilizing its voters against war and austerity, LFI presses them to take as good coin the cynical promises of the PS.

Manuel Bompard, LFIs representative in talks with the PS, hailed positive discussions with PS spokesman Pierre Jouvet. We did not feel we were speaking with the same PS as two-three years ago, Bompard said, adding that there is no problem arising in discussions that seems insurmountable with the PS, including on pensions or the European question.

Bompard made clear that the PS aims to make the French people forget the policies it carried out in power: It clearly has a desire to present the appearance of a break with the PS of Francois Hollande; they had no difficulty to promise to abrogate their El Khomri law, to build a new Sixth Republic, to block price increases, which for us are critical issues.

LFI lawmaker Mathilde Panot speaking to Sud Radio stressed that such alliances were at the heart of LFIs strategy in the legislative elections: We can use these legislative elections which, by the way, are a way to also overthrow the presidential monarchy in which we live, to make Jean-Luc Melenchon prime minister, not only to place Melenchon in the Matignon palace, but to really put our program in action.

The conception promoted by LFI that it can put a progressive program into practice under a Macron or Le Pen presidency is another political lie. The argument, which lulls workers to sleep amid the danger of war and far-right dictatorship, aims above all to regroup all of the current or former allies of the old PS-PCF Union of the Left formed in 1972, to block a movement of workers and youth to the left.

Jospin and Melenchon have long sought to unify Stalinist and social-democratic forces and their political satellites to build capitalist governments and attack the workers.

Both men began their political careers in the Organisation communiste internationaliste (OCI) as it broke with the ICFI, whose section today is the PES. After splitting the ICFI and repudiating Trotskyism in 1971, the OCI backed the Union of the Left. Jospin and Melenchon both were members of the OCI and the PS, ultimately working closely with PS President Francois Mitterrand. Jospin became prime minister and Melenchon a minister in the PS-led Plural Left government of 1997-2002, whose unpopularity led Jospin to be eliminated in the 2002 presidential election.

A clear and unambiguous warning must be made about the Popular Union Melenchon is seeking to build with the PS. It is not a revolutionary, socialist or working class movement, but an unprincipled petty-bourgeois bloc aiming to stabilize the Macron government. For workers and youth, the urgent task is to break with petty-bourgeois pseudo-left parties like LFI, and to build the PES as the Trotskyist alternative to the drive of the bourgeoisie towards war, far-right dictatorship and austerity.
The interview conducted by right-wing Sydney radio host, Ray Hadley, often referred to as a shock jock, with Labor leader Anthony Albanese on April 26 cast a revealing light on the Labor agenda should it win power at the May 21 election.

2GBs Ray Hadley and Labor leader Anthony Albanese

Hadley began by saying he liked Albanese as an individual but not the people around him.

Albanese insisted he was proud of his team and that he aimed to present a mainstream forward agenda for a better future.

As Albanese put in his budget reply speech, as he sought to distance himself from the very limited measures offered under Bill Shorten in 2019, the agenda isnt radical and Labor was promising renewal not revolution.

The use of the term mainstream is politically significant. It is not determined by the needs of ordinary working people but is the translation by the corporate media into the sphere of politics of the demands of the corporations, finance capital and the dominant power, US imperialism.

Of course, this cannot be said directly and must be obscured by professions of concerns for the needs and interests of ordinary people.

Accordingly, at the start of the interview Albanese told Hadley: I want to deal with the challenges that are out there.

Hadleys listeners, he said, were doing it tough and knew that the price of everything is going up except wages.

But he provided no answers, except to mention the need for better childcare. This is not a plan to increase wages. It is directed to ensuring that more women are available to the workforce and the increased income they bring to the family may help to alleviate cost of living pressures.

Of course, well-funded childcare facilities are a necessity in modern life.

But the Labor plan is not to lift wages but to ensure that employers have a greater pool of labour to draw upon and that any family can spend more hours at work, making more profit for their employer, as they struggle to make ends meet or to provide improvements in their living standards.

It is very much in line with Labors insistence that the key economic issue is to boost productivitya phrase Albanese used seven times in his budget reply speech. Within the framework of the capitalist profit system increasing productivity has a very specific meaning.

It signifies that every hour worked lifts the amount that is used for profit accumulation by the employer.

Labor has always sought to promote nationalism in all areas of policy and Albanese pulled out the nationalist card on the economy. He said he wanted more things made here and that I want a future made in Australia.

The pandemic, he said, had shown that we have to stand on our own two feet and not continue to operate at the end of a global supply chain.

Albaneses nationalist pitch is directedas with all right-wing nationalist populist tendenciesat promoting the illusion among workers that the mounting problems they confront are the result of the globalisation of production and can be overcome by turning back the clock to some mythical past.

However, history shows that Australian capitalism has never been some nationalist exception but has always been subject to global processesits involvement in two world wars, the effects of the Great Depression, among the most severe of any countrydemonstrates that fact.

The globalisation of production is an historically progressive development that has increased the productivity of labour, on the basis of tremendous technological developments.

But, like every development of the productive forces under capitalism, it is a two-edged sword. When machinery was introduced into capitalist production in the 19th century, the reaction of the working class was to initially oppose it and call for a return to previous times.

But the advanced sections of the working class, through bitter struggles, came to learn that the problem was not the machine as such but the private ownership of these means of production, and technological advance provided the basis for advancement of civilisation if freed from the grip of private profit.

Those lessons, derived by socialist-minded workers in the past, must be relearnt today.

The task is not to overturn globalisation and turn back to the national hearth but to recognise where the essential problem lies.

Globalisation of production, while it is utilised by capital to batter down living standards, at the same time provides the material basis for the development of humanity if it is controlled and organised by the international working class, the producers of all wealth.

This is why the Socialist Equality Party opposes all the reactionary nationalist nostrums which Albanese sought to revive in his remarks to Hadley.

The vicious character of this nationalisma stock-in-trade of the Labor party from its very originswas revealed in Albaneses response to Hadley on the question of refugees.

Anyone still harbouring even the vague hope that a Labor government would take a different stance on the current refugee policyone of the most inhumane in the world that became the model for other governments, including in the UKwould have been disabused of that illusion.

Albanese was at pains to point out that the policy of refusing entry to refugees, in defiance of international law, had been initiated under the Rudd-Gillard governments in which he was a minister.

The previous Labor government had determined that if you come to Australia by boat you will not get in, he told Hadley.

We support turn back the boats, we support offshore processing, we support settlement in third countries, he insisted, and the policy overseen by Morrison in the Abbott government, Operation Sovereign Borders, would apply. There was no equivocation, not even the suggestion of mitigation.

On the issue of climate change, Hadley pressed repeatedly to extract from Albanese a commitment there would be no significant measures to deal with it.

This took the form of an insistence he repeated, so it was on the record, that there would be no carbon tax under a Labor government.

Both of them would have recognised that much more was involved. It was a commitment that nothing essentially different from the Morrison governments policy on climate change would be carried out under Labor.

The only significant area in which Albanese and the Labor Party have sought to differentiate themselves from the Morrison government is on the question of the Solomons and the agreement between the Sogavare government with China. Labor has denounced it as the worst foreign policy failure in the post-war period.

Albanese trotted out the now well-rehearsed line that the Morrison government had failed to intervene at a sufficiently high-level.

Hadley repeated over and over that Sogavare and members of his government were in the pay of China and preparing to make off with their ill-gotten gains placed in Swiss bank accountsan assertion that, significantly, Albanese did not object to.

Sticking to the script, he pointed out that the US had sent one of its top State Department officials, Kurt Campbell, to the Solomons and there had been no comparable response by Australia.

But after noting Campbells intervention had not turned the situation, Hadley asked what Labor would do if a military base were establishedsomething the Sogavare government has insisted will not take place.

Albaneses reply made clear the direction of Labor policy, not only on the Solomons but on every issue as the US steps up its war drive against China.

We will respond with our partners in United States and our other partners. We will be about stopping it, stopping it. We will do whats necessary to stop it, he said.

A statement issued by the White House during Campbells visit to the Solomons makes clear what is involved.

If steps are taken to establish a de facto permanent [Chinese] military presence, power-protection capabilities, or a military installation, the delegation noted that the United States would then have significant concerns and would respond accordingly, it said.

Under conditions where the Sogavare government has been destabilised by a right-wing separatist movement in the Malaita province, promoted by Washington, this is a threat to carry out a regime-change operation.

Albaneses response to Hadley made clear that a Labor government will be directly involved in it.

The interview as a whole underscored that, as the SEP has insisted, the Labor party is not advancing a program which in anyway meets the needs of working people. Rather it is presenting itself as the best option for the ruling class as it imposes the effects of the deepening economic and social crisis and aligns itself completely with the US war drive.



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.
Laurent Lafrance is a special-needs educator living in Quebec and the national convenor of the Cross-Canada Educators Rank-and-File Committee.

* * *

On Tuesday, April 19, my youngest son tested positive for COVID-19. The next day, the rest of the family also tested positive for the debilitating and potentially fatal disease.

The following Tuesday, day 7 of my infection, I had to return to work, despite still testing positive and having obvious symptoms. Because school authorities have failed to provide us with N95 masks, I had to wear the blue Level-1 surgical mask issued to school workers.

Teachers at Montreal high school protest against Quebec government's reopening of schools in January 2021, amid the pandemic's second wave. (Photo Credit: Robert Green)

These masks are insufficient to filter out aerosols, the main mode of transmission of the virus.

When my students, some as young as eight-years old, learned that I still had COVID, all of them without exception looked at me dumbfounded. Why are you at school? they asked. I didn't know what to tell them other than, You'll have to ask [Quebec] Premier Legault. It was an unsettling day for me and the children.

Quebec schools COVID-19 rules have changed a lot. It is little-known among the general public that school workers are forced back to work on day 5 of their being infected. That is, while they are still contagious. They are thus madeperhaps unbeknownst to themselvesinto potential mass spreaders of COVID-19.

As elsewhere in Canada and around the world, the CAQ (Coalition Avenir Quebec) provincial government, led by Premier Francois Legault, took advantage of the emergence of the highly-infectious Omicron variant last December to eliminate the remaining limited measures to curb the pandemic, under the pretext that we must learn to live with the virus. This led to mass infection, including a sharp increase in childhood hospitalizations during the Omicron wave.

In my own case, this was the second time that COVID made its way into the family home. The first was at the very beginning of the second wave, in October 2020, shortly after all schools in Quebec were reopened. Significantly, I was not officially stricken with the virus at that time, although I had not and could not isolate myself from my infected spouse and children. At least, my test results were all negative, although I did find it strange that I was experiencing unusual headaches. This time, however, it was clear: I had Omicron. And I was the most severely impacted in the family.

In October 2020, I was removed from my position as a special-needs teacher for 24 days due to my potentially being a COVID carrier. Public Health officials then considered that it could take up to 10 days for the virus to be transmitted to a person living in the same household, and up to 14 more days after transmission for the infection to occur. At that time, in response to public concern, the Legault government had to follow, at least partially, expert recommendations on curbing community transmission. But it quickly set these aside, forcing a premature reopening of schools and non-essential workplaces.

A year and a half later, governments across Canada, with the encouragement of the trade union-backed federal Liberal government, and around the world have completely abandoned all efforts to combat the pandemic.

Responding to the demands of the banks, big business and the wealthy to get workers back to work at any cost so that profits can continue to flow, governments have imposed a criminal live with the virus policy on the population.

In many countries, governments have abandoned all anti-COVID public health regulations. In Canada, in most provinces, even masking in the most packed indoor settings has been dropped. In Quebec, where public concern over another spike in COVID cases compelled the health authorities to postpone until May 15 their plan to abolish the mask mandate, what prevails is the governments pursuit of herd immunitythe pseudo-scientific pretext for rejecting any serious effort to stop the virus spread.

It is intolerable that because of this homicidal government policy that puts profits before lives, people, both old and young, are dying prematurely, tens of thousands of innocent people are getting sick and children are developing long-term health problems.

In unionized workplaces, workers have been completely abandoned by the unions during the pandemic, and in fact for years prior. As a result, workers rightly view it a waste of their time and energy to contact and try to pressure these bureaucratic apparatuses to act on their behalf.

In order to protect ourselves, our families and the children we teach, and to fight for a science-based strategy to eliminate the pandemic, Canadian school workers, including myself, have built our own committee, the Cross-Canada Educators Rank-and-File Committee (CERSC), that is completely independent of the corporatist trade unions. I call on all teachers and educators in Canada to contact and join our committee.

For information on setting up a rank-and-file safety committee in your school, contact the CERSC at cersc.csppb@gmail.com.
The WSWS has on a number of occasions commented on the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents Association (WHCA), which brings together thousands of corporate journalists, politicians and Hollywood and Wall Street figures in an annual celebration of the subordination of the media to the CIA and capitalist politics.

As a rule, the event is one of utter conformity, but on infrequent occasions reality breaks through and the millionaire pundits and news anchors are confronted with some criticism of their subservience to the war criminals in the White House. As a rule, this happens only when the war criminal is a Republican.

In 2006, Stephen Colbert delivered a pointed attack on both President George W. Bush and the media apologists for the Iraq warwith Bush himself glowering within a few feet of him. We noted both the cold response in the media coverage of the event and the shift the following year, when the WHCA brought in the impersonator Rich Little as the entertainer, assured that his bland performance would arouse no ire in the White House.

In later years, we noted the complete subordination of the assembled press corps to the Obama White House, even as Obama carried out the most intense crackdown on leaks to the media of any administration in US history, including the prosecution of several journalists.

When comedian Michelle Wolf skewered both the Trump administration and the media with some effectiveness in 2018, declaring, you pretend like you hate him, but I think you love him, we noted the hostile press response. There were even suggestions that in branding Trump aide Kellyanne Conway and White House press secretary Sara Huckabee Sanders as liars, Wolf had somehow committed an assault on the female sex.

A year later, we commented on the utter hypocrisy of the claims that the corporate media defends press freedom, when the assembled journalists were silent on the imprisonment of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning, the army private who leaked devastating information about US war crimes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

These tendencies of conformity, hypocrisy and subservience to the Democratic Party and the capitalist state were on full display Saturday at the 2022 edition of the White House Correspondents Association dinner, with the added feature that it was the first to be held in three years because of interruptions forced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was also the first to be attended by the US president in six years, because Donald Trump boycotted the event throughout his term in office, denouncing the media as the enemy of the people and the purveyor of fake news. With a Democrat in the White House, presidential participation was resumed, and the assembled media pundits were predisposed to provide a sympathetic audience.

President Joe Biden takes his seat after speaking at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner, Saturday, April 30, 2022, in Washington. [AP Photo/Patrick Semansky]

In his opening remarks, a relatively brief recitation of lame jokes prepared by White House speechwriters, President Joe Biden remarked, Weve come here to answer an important question on everyones mind: Why in hell are we still doing this? He was referring to the danger of infection after last months Gridiron Club dinner, a similar but smaller Washington event, resulted in 10 percent of those attending being infected with COVID-19.

Comedian Trevor Noah, the evenings host, raised the same issue. It is my great honor to be speaking tonight at the nations most distinguished superspreader event, he said, adding, No, for real, people: What are we doing here?

If the Gridiron Club precedent holds, the WHCA gala, attended by 2,600 people, will result in close to 300 COVID infections. But despite the question marks by Noah and Biden, the likelihood of mass infection is actually considered a positive feature of the event, not a defect.

The assembled millionaire journalists and their multi-millionaire and billionaire bosses have access to the best health care money can buy, including expensive therapeutic drugs. They can assume that they are in no real danger even if they contract the infection, which is nonetheless deadly to the broader population, which cannot afford such treatment. They will, of course, spread the virus far and wide if they do contract it, causing untold suffering and possible death to others.

The Biden administration and the US ruling class as a whole have declared that the pandemic is over. They have shut down even the most timid efforts at mitigating the impact of the virus. All schools and workplaces have been reopened so that the process of extracting surplus value and profit from the working class can be resumed full blast.

The White House Correspondents Association dinner was meant to underscore that there is to be no further concern with a pandemic that has already infected 80 million Americans and taken more than a million lives. This under conditions of a fresh surge in infections across most of the country from a new, more infectious and more virulent variant of SARS-CoV-2.

In this case, the message of indifference to the pandemic is aimed not at the American public, which pays little attention to this Washington gala, but at the media elitea means of reinforcing the instructions they have already received to stop covering the pandemic as an ongoing threat.

Biden tried to have it both ways. He did not attend the dinner itself, supposedly to avoid exposure to the crowd, who could not be masked while eating. But he sat at the head table throughout the after-dinner activities, without a mask, for 90 minutes of skits, jokes, speeches and award presentations, in front of a crowd that was similarly unmasked.

The brief portion of Bidens remarks that was serious consisted of hailing the free press because it has lined up and saluted the US war drive against Russia in Ukraine. There is not a single dissenting voice in official Washington, and there was none in Saturday nights crowd. Not one media pundit has raised the danger of nuclear war brought on by the massive arms shipments from the NATO countries in response to the Russian invasion.

The most cynical moment of the night came in Bidens conclusion, when he introduced Trevor Noah as the evenings host, with the words, Now you get to roast the president, and unlike in Moscow, you wont go to jail.

This from the head of a government that is pursuing the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with the aim of imprisoning him for life. Unlike the assembled stenographers for the CIA and Pentagon, who take dictation from the military-intelligence apparatus and transform it into newspaper articles and television coverage aimed at mobilizing public opinion behind the crimes of American imperialism, Assange is an actual journalist.

He has courageously exposed the crimes of American imperialism, and for that he has been subject to a decade of isolation followed by three years of imprisonment in a maximum-security British prison hellhole. He now faces imminent extradition to the United States, where the Biden administration plans to put him on trial for alleged violations of the Espionage Act that carry a prison sentence of up to 175 years.

The American corporate media has dropped even the most perfunctory expressions of concern about the precedent being set by the persecution of Assange, but his prosecution, conviction and imprisonment in the United States would amount to a death sentence for press freedom.

Of course, as far as the media is concerned, Assange has violated one of their cardinal principles. It is the right NOT to publish when asked by the CIA, Pentagon or White House to withhold information from the American people that relates to national security, i.e., the ongoing conspiracies and crimes of the military-intelligence apparatus.

The rest of Bidens remarks can be summed up briefly. He made a joke out of the pandemic, which has taken 20 million lives internationally. He made a joke out of the January 6, 2021 attempt by Donald Trump to overturn the results of the presidential election and maintain himself in power. And he made a joke about the role of Fox News and other ultra-right media, which are fomenting the emergence of a fascist movement in the United States, with Trump at its head.

None of this offended his audience, which shares both his unseriousness and his desire to prevent the American people from having access to truthful information about the implications of the pandemic, the ongoing disintegration of American democracy, and the threat of nuclear war.

Around the dinner itself, a major feature of the weekend was the endless round of parties and galas hosted by various media moguls, billionaires and Washington socialites. It is worth citing those in attendance at one dinner, hosted by David and Katherine Bradley, multi-millionaire former owners of the Atlantic and other media properties, and Laurene Powell Jobs, the billionaire widow of Apple founder Steve Jobs, who bought the Atlantic from them.

Those spotted there by Politico included an array of national security officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, CIA Director Bill Burns, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and homeland security adviser Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall, along with White House press secretary Jen Psaki and several other cabinet officials. Those joining them from the media included Judy Woodruff, Jake Tapper, Wolf Blitzer, Jonathan Capehart, Katty Kay, John Dickerson, Jeffrey Goldberg, David Frum, arch-warmonger Anne Applebaum and dozens of others.

This list gives the flavor of the entire affair, in which the CIA, its political advocates in the Democratic Party and their media courtiers join hands in an obscene celebration of what passes for democracy in America.
On Thursday, the US Drug Enforcement Agency arrested Andrew Fahie, prime minister of the British Virgin Islands (BVI), in Florida charging him with drug trafficking and money laundering after undercover agents caught him in a sting operation set in motion last October. Also arrested were BVI port authority director Oleanvine Maynard, and his son Kadeem in a separate operation.

Andrew Fahie (Credit: Government of the Virgin Islands)

The arrests expose the financial skullduggery of not only the BVI, one of the worlds premier tax havens, but Britain, which retains overall control of the islands. Far from serving as a check on criminal activities, Britain stands exposed as the ringleader.

US law enforcement officials lured the pair into Miamis Opa-Locka Executive Airport with the promise of $700,000 in cash in designer shopping bags in return for help in enabling drug shipments. Earlier this month, Fahie had agreed a 12 percent commission on a three-ton shipment for cocaine smuggled via the BVI. According to court filings, Fahie had complained that the British did not pay him much.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss struck an outraged pose, saying she was appalled by the arrest and associated revelations. The BVI has long been known to be the centre of a major drug trafficking route, with shipments of cocaine routed from Colombia to the US through the islands. In November 2020, the authorities seized more than two tons of cocaine at a property on the islands belonging to a serving police officer. Truss immediately dispatched Amanda Milling, the minister for overseas territories, to the British Virgin Islands for talks.

Fahie, widely described as a flamboyant character, was first investigated in 2003 in relation to money laundering, allegations he denied as 'outdated, unproven, and unsubstantiated,' but the investigation resulted in no action being taken against him.

So rife were the allegations of drug smuggling, corruption, nepotism, jury intimidation and the misuse of public funds that in January 2021 Britains then governor of the islands, Gus Jaspert, who once served as private secretary to former Prime Minister David Cameronhimself a beneficiary of BVIs tax haven status, was forced to set up a Commission of Inquiry into mis-governance in the British overseas territory.

However, as the present governor John Rankin pointed out, The remit of the Commission of Inquiry focused on governance and corruption and was not a criminal investigation into the illegal drug trade. He failed to explain why it did not deal with the serious claims of high-level collusion with drug trafficking.

The Commission, due to report last January, conveniently published its 943-page long report the day after Fahies arrest. Headed by retired judge Sir Gary Hickinbottom, it found that almost everywhere the principles of good governance are ignored but concluded it was highly likely that serious dishonesty had taken place. It recommended imposing direct rule from London by the BVIs governor, tantamount to putting the mafia boss in direct charge.

The recommendation to suspend the elected government and impose direct rule comes just months after Barbados dumped the Queen as head of state and Prince William and Kates visit to Jamaica prompted similar calls, amid protests calling for apologies and reparations over slavery and historical mistreatment.

The lawyer hired to defend Fahies administration is former attorney-general, Sir Geoffrey Cox, widely criticized for taking on highly lucrative legal work when being a Conservative MP is supposed to be a full-time job. He earned more than 1 million in 2021 from his non-parliamentary work for the international law firm Withers. During his visits to the BVI, he stayed in a luxury villa that costs $7,100 a week to rent during the low season, paid for by the BVI government.

Locator map of British Virgin Islands (Credit: Creative Commons-UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

The 50 or more islands that comprise the British Virgin Islands are situated to the east of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands and have a population of just 30,000. After capturing the islands in 1672, the British introduced sugar cane production and brought slaves from Africa to work on the plantations. In the years that followed the Abolition of Slavery in the British Empire in 1833, the BVI, like its counterparts throughout the Caribbean, was never able to overcome British imperialisms legacy of underdevelopment, dependency and economic hardship.

On gaining notional independence from Britain in 1960, when few people had access to electricity, the BVI diversified away from its traditionally agriculture-based economy in favour of tourism and financial services for the worlds corporations and kleptocrats that use the islands as a tax haven. Since the 1980s, the BVI has become synonymous with the tax avoidance industry, hosting the brass plates of 370,000 companies that control an estimated $1.5 trillion of assets, and is now one of the wealthiest areas in the Caribbean.

The scale of its transactions is enormous. By 2012, according to the Financial Times, the British Virgin Islands was the fifth largest recipient of foreign direct investment globally, with inflows at $72 billion, higher than those of the UK, which has an economy almost 3,000 times larger. Despite the enormous wealth controlled by BVIs corporations, little remains in the BVI, with BVIs entire banking system holding just $2.5 billion.

The money, often of dubious origin, and the financial services industry that provides the necessary legal cover is channeled through these tax havens that offer their owners both anonymity and tax-free status. The money is then funneled through to businesses and banks in the City of London that then pay little or no tax on their operations, while at the same time underpinning Londons position as a major financial centre as it laundered the worlds dirty money. Such is the sordid status today of what was the worlds first major capitalist state.

This is likely why the US launched the sting operation: to undermine Londons position and shore up New Yorks. It comes as the City of London is still reeling from sanctions imposed in the wake of the US/NATO provoked war in Ukraine on Russian oligarchs who have parked their money in Britains capital.

The latest scandal follows the release of the Panama papers in 2016, and later the Paradise Papers in 2017 and the Pandora Papers in 2021, by International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). The Pandora Papers analysis identified 956 companies specializing in offshore tax havens with ties to 336 high-level politicians and public officials, including country leaders, cabinet ministers, ambassadors and others. More than two-thirds of the companies identified were set up in the British Virgin Islands.

The BVI is one of the 15 British Overseas Territories, a collection of islands strategically located around the world. Most of them function as tax havens and military bases for British imperialism, with Britain responsible for their criminal justice system, defence and foreign relations. To put it another way, their governments have no more powers than local authorities in Britain. The British government can issue instructions to the BVI, declare a state of emergency as the previous governor Jaspert did after Hurricane Irma caused devastation on the islands in 2017, and even assume overall control of the islands.

Thus, Britain plays a crucial role in enabling the tax havens that protect the wealth of the worlds kleptocrats and depriving the worlds governments of nearly half a trillion dollars through tax abuse by multinationals and the super-rich, according to the State of Tax Justice 2021 published jointly by the Tax Justice Network (TJN), the Global Alliance for Tax Justice and the global union federation Public Services International last November. It found that estimated tax losses had risen from $427 billion in 2020 to $483 billion in 2021, although these figures were likely the tip of the iceberg, with the UK alone responsible for almost 40 percent of the total. These losses must be recouped through savage cuts and ramping up the taxation and, above all, exploitation of the working class.

For decades successive British Chancellors of the Exchequer have lyingly protested their helplessness in the face of tax havens, even as the governor of the BVI, and the governors of Britains other tax havens, has for decades and by right attended and presided over the BVIs cabinet, and is thus intimately involved in the formulation and implementation of its financial policy.

Fahies arrest come as British politicians, many of whom benefit from Britains offshore tax havens, insist there is no money to pay for the most essential social services. They allow the worlds financial elite and its bribed political stooges to dodge taxes by stashing their wealth in secretive locations right under the noses of the so-called financial regulators, while the working class is told it must accept ever worsening poverty and deprivation.

The whole disgusting episode illustrates the basic reality that criminality, corruption and misrule are not the result of a few bad apples but flow inexorably from the essential nature of the capitalist system. Clearing out the billionaire oligarchs, corrupt politicians and criminal CEOs who are today plotting wars of plunder requires the building of a socialist movement of the working class in opposition to the present social order.
Two days prior to the scheduled beginning of the trial of the right-wing extremist professor Jorg Baberowski for bodily injury and property damage, which had been scheduled for months, the Berlin District Court announced it was shutting down the proceedings. The decision included Baberowskis agreement to make a 4,000 payment to the non-profit organization KINDerLEBEN. Even though the payment by Baberowski amounts to an admission of guilt, the immediate consequence is a devastating political signal that declares violence against dissenting students by a right-wing extremist professor to be a trivial offence.

Baberowski, who teaches Eastern European history at Humboldt University in Berlin, destroyed large quantities of student campaign material from the International Youth and Students for Social Equality on January 30, 2020, physically attacked student Sven Wurm, and threatened him: Should I punch you in the face? The vandalism, the threat and the act of violence are documented on video and have never been called into question.

Jorg Baberowski at the Frankfurter Buchmesse in 2014 (Photo: Ordercrazy/Wikipedia)

The prosecutor's office had already issued a penalty order for bodily injury and property damage in June last year on the basis of the clear facts, but Baberowski challenged this, resulting in the hearing being scheduled for April 27. The public prosecutor's office repeatedly refused to close the case, most recently in February of this year, because it was a clear case and a serious attack on the democratic rights of the student body.

Baberowski is a central figure within the far-right milieu. He spreads xenophobic hate speech, downplays violence against refugees and relativizes the crimes of the Nazis. In February 2014, he claimed in Der Spiegel that Hitler was not vicious and that the Holocaust was comparable to shootings during the Russian Civil War.

Baberowski has tried twice to silence his critics in court, but he failed each time. The Cologne Regional Court found that his statements offered a sufficient basis to describe him as a right-wing extremist, a racist and glorifying violence. The District Court of Hamburg ruled that describing Baberowskis statements about Hitler as a falsification of history was permissible.

After his legal failures, Baberowski became increasingly aggressive towards dissidents. In 2020, two student senators denounced him for publicly defaming them as left-wing radical fanatics and incredibly stupid after they had made factual criticisms of his proposed Center for Research on dictatorship.

When professors at Humboldt University criticized the head of the Lit publishing house for his support for the anti-refugee Declaration 2018, Baberowski cursed them as denunciators and compared their behaviour to the Nazi boycott of Jews, saying he was reminded of dark times. Baberowski wrote that his critics were saying, Do not buy from the outcast! Finally, he threatened them with the words: The humiliated and excluded will remember who put them in the pillory.

Baberowski also repeatedly clashed with students from the university group of the IYSSE. He insulted them, among other things, as dirty denunciators, fascists and mentally ill people. His attacks culminated in the violent act in question. This was not a spur-of-the-moment action, but a systematic attack on his critics.

Baberowski tore down several IYSSE posters for the student parliament elections from a board for student notices. The video shows that when he is caught in the act, he slaps the mobile phone out of the hand of student parliament deputy Sven Wurm, who studies at Baberowskis history institute, and threatens him. This act of violence was aimed at intimidating students and preventing them from exercising their democratic right to promote their political views.

The fact that this attack will not result in further punishment is not only a slap in the face for the victim, but an attack on all student critics who objectively criticize the right-wing radical positions of their professors. Violence against dissenting students by right-wing professors is in effect being declared a petty crime that is not worthy of criminal prosecution.

The fact that this is a political and not a legal decision is already evident from the decision by the public prosecutors office to reject a halting of proceedings in February. The 180-degree turn only came a few days before the scheduled court date, and after Wurm had engaged a lawyer and requested to be considered a co-plaintiff on March 28 of this year.

Clearly, the prosecution wanted to avoid a process in which political issues were addressed. In response to a request from the WSWS, the Berlin Public Prosecutors Office has not yet been able to provide any other reason for its decision.

There is no doubt that this about-face was due to political influence. The Social Democrat/Left Party/Green state government in Berlin, like the university administration, repeatedly backed the right-wing extremist professor.

Sabine Kunst (SPD), the longstanding president of Humboldt University, even described Baberowskis violent outburst against Wurm as understandable in a human sense. An official complaint against Baberowski, which Wurm already filed on February 5, 2020, was simply ignored by Kunst.

Wurm then filed a complaint against Kunst with the then mayor of Berlin, Michael Muller, and the state secretary for education. In the explanatory statement, he referred not only to the support for Baberowskis violent act, but also to a long list of previous incidents in which Baberowski had threatened students and colleagues, and where Kunst had backed the right-wing extremist professor.

Wurm also mentioned that he had drawn the attention of the HU President to the fact that a close collaborator of Baberowskis was a neo-Nazi in his youth, known in Hanover, who, together with right-wing terrorists, participated in a demonstration against the Wehrmacht exhibition. Kunst did not do anything to protect us students from such teachers, Wurm wrote, summing up:

There is no harmless explanation for this clear chronology. Ms. Kunst systematically covered up Baberowskis repeated verbal and physical violence against students and suppressed necessary criticism of the right-wing extremist professor. She is thus responsible for a climate of intimidation in which students are prevented from criticising the right-wing views of professors. This is incompatible with a democratic university.

The state government also refused to comment on the administrative complaint and forwarded it to Edelgard Bulmahn (Social Democratic Party, SPD), who chairs the HU Board of Trustees. Bulmahn brushed aside all accusations and blandly declared that there is no official misconduct by the President of the HU. With regard to the unanswered supervisory complaint, she referred to the fact that the criminal proceedings against Baberowski were still ongoing and that it would therefore be inappropriate for the university to handle a supervisory complaint against Baberowski.

Despite Baberowski's fully documented crime, the SPD/Left Party/Green state government, together with university management, backed the right-wing extremist professor. This scandalous trivialisation of right-wing violence is now also reflected in the shutting down of the proceedings at the district court. The shift of the prosecutors office must be seen against this background.

We therefore call on all students to protest against this decision and to support the work of the IYSSE, explained Wurm. The question is whether universities remain places of scholarship and democratic exchange or will they be transformed into right-wing centres and forges for a militaristic cadre. If right-wing violence is covered up and supported, there can be no more talk of a democratic university.
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) in Sri Lanka held a lively online meeting on April 24 entitled A socialist program for the mass struggles.

Prior to the meeting, SEP/IYSSE members and supporters campaigned among workers, students and youth active in the wave of anti-government protests and on April 21 held their own 150-strong demonstration in downtown Colombo.

The online event, which was addressed by SEP General Secretary Wije Dias, Assistant National Secretary Deepal Jayasekera and several SEP Political Committee members, was watched by about 70 people on ZOOM and several dozen others on the partys Facebook page. The video has so far been viewed by over 1,500 people with 200 others sharing it.

SEP Political Committee member Pani Wijesiriwardena, who chaired the meeting, began by explaining the global context of the escalating economic and political crisis in Sri Lanka. The intolerable increases in the cost of living triggered by the US/NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, he said, had produced a massive wave of working-class protests throughout the world.

The SEP fully supports the ongoing mass protest movement against President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and his government but going further, we are advancing a socialist program of action for the working class to defend its social and democratic rights, he said.

Wijesiriwardena initiated the discussion by asking SEP speakers various questions about the partys political perspective and program.

SEP Assistant National Secretary Deepal Jayasekera answered the first question, which was about the government and opposition responses to the mass nationwide protests.

Jayasekera explained that the government, the opposition parties and the pseudo-lefts organisations were all terrified of the growing popular uprising against the Rajapakse government. They all fear that this will grow into a movement that challenges bourgeois rule as a whole, he said.

Jayasekera referred to the recent violent police repression against thousands of people in Rambukkana protesting fuel price hikes. The attack which killed one protester, he said, was to assure the IMF and global bankers that the government is ready to implement the harsh austerity being dictated in the recent negotiations and brutally suppressing any popular opposition.

The speaker explained how the opposition partiesthe Samagi Jana Balavegaya, the United National Party (UNP) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)were attempting to dismantle this growing mass movement by attempting to divert it into an alternative capitalist regime in the form of an interim government.

The response of the government and other bourgeois parties to this mass uprising indicates the serious dangers now confronting the mass movement amid preparations for repression being made by the bourgeois state. The lack of a clear political perspective and program in this movement to fight the Rajapakse government intensifies this danger, the speaker said.

The next speaker, Saman Gunadasa, elaborated on the partys call for the nationalisation of the major economic centres, seizure of the wealth of the billionaires and repudiation of foreign debt as a necessary socialist response to the economic crisis.

Gunadasa pointed out how bourgeois governments have paid billions of dollars, created through export of goods produced by workers, on loan installments to global bankers. This transfer of wealth extracted from the working class into the pockets of billionaires, he said, has led to huge social inequality where the ten wealthiest billionaires on the planet now owned more wealth than the poorest 3.1 billion people in the world.

This directly points to the necessity for the nationalisation of all large plantations, the major corporations and the banks under workers control, seizure of the wealth of the richest, and refusal of paying the foreign debt for which the working class is not responsible.

Speaking next, Prageeth Aravinda explained the SEPs political program now required to take forward the mass anti-government uprising.

The bourgeoisie in Sri Lanka had completely failed to meet any of the burning social needs of workers and the poor, and will not risk any loss in profits, he said. They are not prepared to meet the demands of the working class and will not change course, irrespective of pressure from workers or the oppressed, he said.

Aravinda said that the working class could only fight for its own interests by forming its own organizationsaction committeesindependent of all sections of the bourgeoisie and the trade unions and the pseudo-left. He ended his contribution by referencing the basic demands elaborated in the SEPs April 7 statement.

Vilani Peiris explained why the SEP called for the cancellation of all the debts of poor and marginal farmers and small-business holders, and for the reinstatement of all subsidies, including fertilizer.

Farmers have had to face unprecedented difficulties as a result of the Rajapakse governments import ban on chemical fertilizer and agricultural chemicals, she said. The farmers are continuing their struggles and are now accompanied by the struggles of workers, youths and other oppressed.

Peiris explained that only the working class had the historic potential to resolve the problems facing farmers and other small business holders, adding: The working class needs to take the lead in building a workers and peasants government on an international socialist program.

Kapila Fernando pointed out why the SEP demanded guaranteed jobs for all, with decent and safe working conditions and the indexing of wages to the cost of living.

The IMFs forthcoming dictates will trigger a sharp collapse in employment and working conditions in both the public and private sectors, he said, and referred to the government and company cuts to wages and jobs in response to COVID-19.

These attacks, he explained, were fully supported by the unions, which will play a similar reactionary role in implementing IMF austerity measures. The workers major task in countering these attacks is to break from the trade unions, form their own action committees and fight for the international unity of the working class, he said.

SEP General Secretary Wije Dias made the concluding remarks to the meeting, pointing out that the mass protests against the Rajapakse government were not an accident. This struggle is a result of a social crisis, which has been historically prepared and reached the level of an explosion, he said.

SEP (Sri Lanka) General Secretary Wije Dias

These eruptions, whether in Sri Lanka, India, or Tunisia in North Africa, or Peru in Latin America, Dias continued, are a vindication of the ICFI analysis that 2020 opened a decade of socialist revolution.

Dias pointed out that the meeting had attracted participants from around the world, including those who did not understand Sinhala or Tamil.

He referred to a quote from Lenin posted in the meeting chat by a participant from Norway. It is not enough to be a revolutionary and an adherent of socialism or a communist in general. You must be able at each particular moment to find the particular link in the chain which you must grasp with all your might in order to hold the whole chain and to prepare firmly for the transition to the next link.

The participant then asked: What is the particular link in the chain that should be grasped today?

Dias answered by explaining that the mass struggles that had emerged in Sri Lanka over shortages and skyrocketing prices of essentials is the particular link we must grasp at this moment.

The SEP, he continued, has been continuously explaining very decisive political issues in relation to that link through our April 7 party statement and further elaborated in articles published in the WSWS on a daily basis.

The essential content of the main political slogans in the mass protestsGota go and the government go, End to the curse of 74-year rule, Abolition of executive presidency and No to all 225 members in the parliamentis that the capitalist system must be abolished, Dias said.

There was, however, he continued, a lack of understanding within the popular movement about the crucial political issuesthe nature of the capitalist system as a world system, the alternative to bourgeois rule and the parliamentary system, and international character of the solution to this crisis.

The entire efforts by the SEP and the IYSSE, including at this meeting, he said, are taking these issues as the link to be grasped in this popular struggle and developing a discussion among workers, youths and intellectuals on the solution for these questions.

Dias stressed that workers and youth had to draw on the historical lessons of the class struggle. He speaker provided a brief overview of so-called independence in Sri Lanka in 1948, including principled position taken by the then-Trotskyist Bolshevik Leninist Party of India (BLPI) against the formation of a bourgeois state and parliamentary system in 194748. These principles, he said, were betrayed by adapting to nationalism and parliamentarianism.

Dias explained that restoration of these Trotskyist foundations was established in founding of the Revolutionary Communist League, the forerunner of the SEP, in 1968 as the Sri Lankan section of the International Committee of the Fourth International. The SEP, he said, embodies the fundamental lessons of the last centurys class struggles, including the 74-year experiences on this island with the capitalist system, which is now being cursed by workers, youths, students, artists, peasantry, minorities and other oppressed people.

Dias concluded his remarks by appealing to all participants to join the SEP and take forward the fight to build it as the revolutionary leadership of the working class.
Four Florida Corrections officers were arrested last week and charged with murder for the February 14 death of an inmate who was allegedly beaten to death after being removed from his cell. The inmates tragic death at the hands of a violent assault at the south Florida facility is one of many examples of rampant abuse and fatal incidents that occur in prisons throughout the US.

Cameras inside the Dade Correctional Facility capture officers escorting the inmate, Ronald Gene Ingram, from his cell to the transport van, prosecutors said.

The victim has been identified as 60-year-old Ronald Ingram, an inmate who was in the process of being transferred out of Dade Correctional Institution in Miami-Dade County and moved to a different prison in North Florida. Ingrams cell was in the prisons mental health unit. The four officers arrested on Thursday and FridayRonald Connor, 24, Christopher Rolon, 29, Kirk Walton, 34, and Jeremy Godbolt, 28reportedly put Ingram in handcuffs and took him from his cell, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Although Ingram was in handcuffs and compliant with officer commands, the officers began to beat him. Before he was removed from his cell, he reportedly threw urine on one of the officers, FDLE said.

The inmate was beaten so badly he had to be carried to the transport van, the department said, adding he was placed in a secure compartment alone. In a surveillance video shown at the news conference Friday, Ingram can be seen walking from his cell to the transportation area with corrections officers. The group is out of sight of the camera for a period, and it is during that time authorities believed Ingram was beaten. When the group comes back into view of the camera, Ingram appears to no longer be able to walk unassisted.

The van Ingram was placed in made a stop in Ocala, Florida, where the prisoner was found lying on a bench. According to the arrest warrant, the medical examiner determined the cause of death to be from blunt-force trauma to Ingrams upper body during an assault, resulting in broken ribs, a punctured right lung, and the internal bleeding which followed that eventually killed him. Ingram had also acquired bruises all across his face and torso.

Three of the correctional officers thus far, Connor, Rolon and Walton, are facing charges of second-degree murder, cruel treatment of a detainee and aggravated abuse of an elderly person. Despite complaints from Waltons attorney, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Mindy Glazer determined there was probable cause to imprison all three men without bond. The three are expected to make their first appearance in court on Friday morning.

Dade Correctional Institution possesses one of the largest psych wards of any of the states prisons and is also one of a handful of institutions that cater to inmates with psychological issues.

While the exact nature of Ingrams psychological state remain unclear, the admission that the victim was placed in a mental health unit before being killed is also a testament to the problems of mental illness that plagues the prison system, which experts call the new asylums. In a 2016 study performed by the Treatment Advocacy Center on mental illness prevalence in correctional institutions, researchers found that a jail or prison holds more mentally ill individuals than the largest remaining state psychiatric hospital in 44 states.

The Los Angeles County Jail, Chicagos Cook County Jail and New Yorks Rikers Island Jail each hold more mentally ill inmates than any psychiatric hospital in the United States. Approximately 20 percent of inmates in jails and 15 percent of inmates in state prisons are now estimated to have a serious mental illness. Based on the total inmate population, this means approximately 383,000 individuals with severe psychiatric disease were behind bars in the United States in 2014, or nearly 10 times the number of patients remaining in the nations state mental hospitals.

In fact, US prisons and jails have widely taken on the role of de facto mental health facilities for the most exploited and impoverished sections of workers and youth who are unable to afford psychiatric treatment and residential mental health programs and resources. This is coupled with the scarcity of community-based programs, bound up with decades of severe cuts to public health and mental health services.

According to one estimate highlighted in the report, correctional facilities confine at least 360,000 men and women with serious conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression. In a federal survey, 15 percent of state prisoners and 24 percent of jail inmates acknowledged symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations or delusions.

In addition to mental problems among inmates going widely untreated, correctional staff are notorious for responding with violence when prisoners engage in behavior that is symptomatic of their mental health problems, even if it is minor and nonthreatening. In a detailed report from Human Rights Watch in 2015 titled Callous and Cruel, researchers noted staffers would use violent force in the absence of any emergency, and without first making serious attempts to secure the inmates compliance through other means. There is no national data on the prevalence of staff use of force in the more than 5,000 jails and prisons in the United States, with widespread abuse going unreported.

Florida State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle told the press, We all recognize that misconduct, abuse or criminal behavior have no place in Floridas correctional system. She added, Individuals who are sentenced to incarceration by our criminal courts have lost their freedom but not their basic rights. They should not be subjected to forms of back alley justice, which are actions that violate Florida law.

Florida Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon professed his absolute disappointment in the staff members allegedly involved in the incident. Based on the facts presented today, these men violated public trust, and they violated the trust of those that work alongside them, Dixon said before saying a number of changes to the institutions practices would be made following Ingrams death, including moving the warden who was in charge of the facility, but adding that he held complete confidence in him.

Notwithstanding the remarks of authorities, one can be certain no serious changes will made to significantly curtail the horrific and deadly atmosphere that characterizes the American corrections system, the largest in the entire world, where more than 2.3 million people every year are jammed like animals in a network of state and federal prisons, local jails and immigration detention camps. Nearly 7 million Americans, including those on probation or parole, pass through the countrys so-called criminal justice system annually.

This is also not the first time that Dade Correctional Institution has been at the center of an investigation into a horrific detainee death. In 2012, inmate Darren Rainey died after guards placed him in a scalding hot shower and locked him inside for several hours as punishment, with no way to control the water temperature himself. The 50-year-old inmate, who reportedly suffered from severe schizophrenia, died after suffering from severe burns that stripped the skin from his body. One inmate witness said Rainey was taunted by staff as he begged for mercy. Despite the ghastly killing, the state attorneys office declined to even file charges against the officers responsible.

Ryan Andrews, a civil attorney who has represented prisoners who were the victims of high-profile beatings, expressed doubts on the claims of authorities that charges would be brought against officers accountable for beatings. Andrews noted the disturbingly high number of beatings that go entirely unaddressed in the states prisons. DOC had the opportunity to do this for so many other inmate beatings and deaths, and they didnt do jack, Andrews told the Miami Herald. In that regard, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

The problems of physical and sexual abuse have been rampant across Floridas jails and prisons for years, with little to no changes in the barbaric conditions inmates face on a daily basis. In 2014, the Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) was placed under federal and state investigations after a large number of inmates died under suspicious circumstances within a period of months. The share of homicides had increased from 1.4 percent of all deaths in 2001 to 2.1 percent by 2011, as more than 200 deaths in the states prisons were put under investigation.

In October of 2014, 36-year-old Latandra Ellington, a mother of four children who was being held at the Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Florida, died after being placed in solitary confinement and physically confronted by a guard. Ellington reported the guard threatened to beat me to death and mess me like a dog. A doctor hired by Ellingtons family who performed a private autopsy on the young woman revealed her death was the result of hemorrhaging caused by blunt force trauma consistent with kicking or punches to the lower abdomen. This report was greatly at odds with the autopsy performed by the prison medical examiner, who found no identifiable trauma anywhere in the body.

Andrews also represents Cheryl Weimar, a 52-year-old former prisoner at Lowell Correctional Institution who was suffering from mental health issues and was beaten and left paralyzed during her stay in 2019. The FDOC settled a federal lawsuit with Weimar for about $4.65 million, after the victim sued both the agency and two Lowell corrections officers who she said violated her federal rights by nearly beating her to death. The lawsuit alleged the officers attacked her after she requested a different work assignment because of a physical disability.

Weimar told the officers she was having a medical emergency and a psychological emergency, but they ignored her complaints. She had severe anxiety as well as bipolar disorder and other mental disabilities. According to the lawsuit, the officers broke her neck, and then dragged her like a rag doll across the prison compound to continue beating her in a location not covered by surveillance cameras. No criminal charges against the officers were filed.

Lowell Correctional is infamous for abuse against its detainees. The all-womens facility was the subject of a two-year-long investigation by the US Department of Justice that resulted in 34 pages of accounts of abuse. The DOJ released a report in December of 2020 detailing how corrections officers raped, sodomized, beat and choked female inmates at Lowell. The investigation found the prison violated incarcerated womens Eighth Amendment rights and failed to protect them from sexual abuse, while also revealing that higher-ups at Florida Department of Corrections and Lowell failed to take timely action to resolve the systemic problems of abuse, enabling staff to continue assaulting Lowell prisoners.
The State Legislature passed an unprecedented law Monday evening allowing an indicted candidate for office to leave the ballot, just in time for Gov. Kathy Hochul to address the political crisis surrounding her own running mate.

The State Senate, which acted first on the measure, passed it by a narrow margin, 33-29. The Assembly completed its vote two hours later, giving its approval, 82-57.

In turn, the Capitol maneuvering ignited its own political firestorm as Hochul's primary and general election opponents accused her of manipulating the system when saddled with Brian A. Benjamin, the former appointed lieutenant governor who resigned in April after his arrest on bribery and campaign finance charges.

Faced with the possibility of voters electing someone facing felony charges, or their potential preference for running mates of two challengers in the June 28 Democratic primary, Hochul supporters in the Legislature  Sen. Liz Krueger of Manhattan and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin of Scarsdale  sought to ease her dilemma. Their bills expand the previously limited means for leaving the ballot by adding indictment, arrest and other criminal classifications as ways to opt out of a candidate designation.

Benjamin said late Monday he will submit paperwork authorized by the bill to leave the ballot.

"I am innocent of these unsubstantiated charges," he said on Twitter. "However, I would be unable to serve under these circumstances."

Hochul signed the measure right away, and allies including State Sen. Sean M. Ryan, D-Buffalo, say it ranks as a "common sense" approach to the problem caused by Benjamin's arrest, indictment and resignation.

"This was not serving the public interest in any way," Ryan said, referring to previous ballot exit remedies like death or moving out of state. "It does not do much for voter confidence to keep on the ballot someone who is indicted and does not want to be on the ballot."

With lieutenant governor out, Hochul's rivals in Democratic primary shift to attack mode Democrats and Republicans alike launched a new, "post-Benjamin" phase of their campaigns, casting Gov. Kathy Hochul alternately as "incompetent" for selecting the former state senator now facing charges, or as another in a long line of politicians touched by Albany corruption.

But the move also opened a new angle for Democratic challengers such as Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi of Nassau County, who appeared energized Monday in his criticism of Hochul. Suozzi told statewide reporters that his running mate, former New York City Council Member Diana Reyna, and the lieutenant governor candidate running with gubernatorial candidate Jumaane D. Williams, Ana Maria Archila, both "earned" their ballot spots by obtaining the required signatures on designating petitions.

Now, Suozzi said, Hochul and her allies are trying to change the law in the midst of the process for her own benefit.

"Her handpicked lieutenant governor candidate gets arrested and resigns and she tries to change the rules to ensure her own political future," he said.

Reyna echoed much of Suozzi's previous criticism of the governor as "inept" and too inexperienced to be governor of New York.

"When people are desperate, people make mistakes," she said. "This is another example of Kathy Hochul's lack of judgment.

Analysis: It gets harder for Hochul Politics has become real over the past few weeks for Gov. Kathy Hochul.

"No Democratic governor should be able to change the law or circumvent the law when convenient," she added.

Archila, running with Williams  the New York City public advocate  also weighed in.

"It is wrong for Gov. Hochul to try to change the rules in the middle of the election to further stack the deck," she tweeted. "The bills sole purpose is to let her name a replacement on the ballot & put millions of her billionaire donors money behind that person."

Suozzi, meanwhile, pointed to a recent Siena College Research Institute poll indicating slippage in Hochul's support, adding that maneuvers like Monday's change in election law only hands an issue to Republicans in November.

"A vote for Kathy Hochul in the primary is a vote to hand over our state to a Trump Republican," he said, adding he is not opposed to the new legislation's principle.

Analysis: Hochul 'honeymoon' crashes following lieutenant governor's resignation Even before Brian Benjamin ended one of the shortest lieutenant governor tenures in state history, Gov. Kathy Hochul's opponents began pouncing after authorities arrested him on charges of trading political favors for campaign contributions

"There's no question it's common sense language," he said. "The question is its timing. Would they have done this if it happened to my running mate or Jumaane Williams' running mate?"

Hochul has yet to name a new running mate. But it is clear she was not interested in pairing with the second spot choices of either of her intraparty rivals.

For days, Republicans have also been lambasting the new legislation. Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt of North Tonawanda noted his Democratic colleagues not long ago were praising Hochul's selection of Benjamin.

"Now, days after having their gerrymandered district lines thrown out by New Yorks highest court, they want to change the rules to allow Kathy Hochul to dump him from her ticket to protect their political interests," he said.

The often influential Working Families Party, at this point supporting Williams, noted the need for a more comprehensive reform of state election law.

The bill to address Brian Benjamins presence on the primary ballot is not dealing with a state emergency, of which we have plenty, but rather a response to a political embarrassment," said party director Sochie Nnaemeka. "And the Legislature is diminishing itself by changing the rules  in the middle of an election  solely to clean up this mess.

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The NATO powers are preparing mass repression against anti-war protests at NATOs Madrid summit on June 29-30. The summits host, Spains Socialist Party (PSOE)-Podemos government, is to spend 37 million and deploy tens of thousands of police to turn downtown Madrid into a fortress. This makes a mockery of NATOs claim to be defending human rights and democracy by waging war against Russia in Ukraine.

The Madrid summit is particularly important for NATO. It will approve NATOs next Strategic Concept, outlining its mission in the coming decade. The worlds largest military organization, led by Washington, responsible for millions of deaths and the devastation of countries including Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and Libya, is set to lay out war plans targeting nuclear-armed Russia and China.

Anti-riot police fires a rubber projectile towards protesters during a strike organized by metal workers in Cadiz, southern Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. [AP Photo/Javier Fergo]

Earlier this month, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the summit will guide the Alliance as we adapt to a new security reality. It will address the implications of Russias aggressive actions, and our future relationship with Moscow. For the first time, it will also need to take account of Chinas growing influence and coercive policies on the global stage, which pose a systemic challenge to our security, and to our democracies.

Fifty delegations will attend, including from non-NATO-member states like Ukraine, and Sweden and Finland, which are already serving as unofficial NATO proxies against Russia. The ruling elites in both Scandinavian countries, which maintained formal neutrality after World War II, have seized on the war in Ukraine to join NATO. Also attending will be Japan, a non-NATO member, now at the center of US-NATOs anti-China partnerships in the Asia-Pacific.

Last October, when it was announced Madrid would host the summit to mark the 40th anniversary of Spains entry into NATO, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Madrid would have all the capabilities to guarantee security at a historic moment for NATO.

In reality, besides plotting war against major nuclear-armed powers, the Madrid summit will mainly be a show of force targeting domestic opposition to war.

El Mundo reports: For several days there will be many traffic cuts and exclusive itineraries and lanes will be enabled for the transfer of diplomatic delegations, some of them with up to 1,500 members. Security will be another of the challenges of the meeting, as 30 international leaders will come to the capital to stay in the citys most luxurious hotels and will be fully shielded during those days.

Moreover, it added, NATO is designing air security plans, cybersecurity plans against possible digital and computer attacks by hackers and special plans in response to the call for massive protests by groups and organizations.

The Spanish Interior Ministry will deploy 12,000 police officers to Madrid, who will join another 12,000 officers from the capital region and 1,000 city police. In total, Madrid will be a fortress with 25,000 cops.

A de facto state of exception in Madrid is being prepared against mass protests. Madrid citys Department of Public Safety and Traffic will deploy 50 tow trucks, 100 patrol cars and 500 motorized agents to check the streets through which the delegations will pass. Any car that hinders the path of visitors will be removed, municipal sources told El Mundo.

A Spanish Interior Ministry report calls for emergency purchases of security equipment, indicating: The security of the event will be one of the most delicate and important points, as several organizations and social groups are already announcing protests, as happened in previous summits.

Spain is to buy 6,000 tasers, each firing four to six shots. In addition, the government plans to buy security equipment valued in 1.9 million, including 100 metal detector arches, 10 parcel inspection scanners, 1,050 personal cameras and 40 CCTVs.

The preparations to suppress opposition to war underscores the class character of NATOs imperialist war against Russia. As NATO intensifies a horrific conflict with Russia, that threatens to escalate into nuclear war, it is also preparing to repress social opposition at home. The war is intensifying the social and economic crisis in every country and has already provoked mass protests and strikes internationally, including across Europe.

Earlier this month, workers at the Greek railway company TrainOSE in Thessaloniki refused to transport NATO armored vehicles to the Ukrainian border. The vehicles had arrived on US cargo ships at Alexandroupolis port in northern Greece. They were to be sent via Romania and Poland to Ukraine. TrainOSE threatened to sack workers, but they could not get agreement to move the train. Ultimately, the company had to recruit scabs to move the train, and eight strikers were arrested.

Polls show two-thirds of Greeks say that shipping war material to Ukraine puts Greece at risk of war with Russia.

In Italy, workers have protested the transfer of arms and ammunition to Ukraine from Italian seaports and airports disguised as humanitarian aid to Ukraine. On March 14, cargo workers at Pisa airport refused to load ammunition and weapons delivered under boxes tagged as humanitarian cargo. Airport workers then refused to send the weapons to Ukraine via Poland. The following day, nearly 2,000 people marched in protest in Pisa.

On March 31, dock workers of the Italian port of Genoa organized a 24-hour strike against the usage of the port for weapons shipments.

In the face of a tidal wave of government and media propaganda demonizing Russia, surveys show 61 percent of Italians oppose raising defense spending. According to an Ipsos poll, 40 percent believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not the only one to blame for the conflict.

In Spain, tens of thousands of truck drivers went on a 20-day strike over fuel price hikes amid the NATO war drive targeting Russia and its energy exports. Despite similar mass anti-Russian propaganda in Spain, one poll found that 47 percent of Spaniards oppose the PSOE-Podemos governments plan to more than double the defense budget from 10 billion to 24 billion. Only 45 percent said they supported the planned increase.

Growing working class opposition to imperialist war must now be unified into a powerful international movement. This opposition, however, must be developed independently of and in opposition to pseudo-left parties such as Spains ruling Podemos party and their political and trade union allies internationally.

This week, the spokeswoman for Podemos, Isa Serra, cynically questioned the huge budget destined to NATOs summit, saying There are many important challenges at this time, such as social rights, equality and the fight against climate change for which we believe we should host a summit, rather than a militaristic summit like this. The representative of a party which has implemented savage austerity then added, Faced with the war in Ukraine, at this time, the Government and our country could do much more if we were to host a summit for peace.

In fact, Spains government has moved aggressively against Russia, stationing 800 troops in Eastern Europe against Russia, including a detachment of 130 airmen and four Eurofighters; three warships in the Black Sea; and sent weapons to the Ukrainian army, including to the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion. Just days before Serras comments, Sanchez flew to Kiev to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. There, Sanchez promised a new batch of 200 tons of ammunition and military supplies to Ukraine.
X Biography Brad Mcdonald

Brad McDonald is Deputy Chief for Trade Policy in the IMF External Policies Division, where he is responsible for IMF-wide policy and guidance on global trade policy issues and advises IMF country teams. Among other projects, he was the IMF lead on joint IMF-WB-WTO policy papers in 2017 (Making Trade an Engine of Growth for All) and 2018 (Reinvigorating Trade and Inclusive Growth), and the recent joint IMF-OECD-WB-WTO paper (Subsidies, Trade, and International Cooperation). Since joining the IMF in 1997, he has also served on various IMF country teams in Europe, central Asia, and Africa; reviewed IMF lending programs for low-income countries; and served as IMF Representative to the WTO and Head of the IMFs Geneva Office.

As a member of the U.S. Government Senior Executive Service from 2013-16, Brad led the U.S. Treasurys Office of Trade Policy and Financial Services Negotiations and represented Treasury on the inter-agency U.S. Trade Policy Staff Committee. He received Treasurys Meritorious Service Award for contributions to the negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and to the 2015 renewal of Trade Promotion Authority.

Before joining the IMF, Brad was a Trade Policy Analyst in the GATT and WTO Secretariat (1993-96), where he prepared Trade Policy Reviews and contributed to the Secretariats numerical analysis of the effects of the Uruguay Round. He was previously an agricultural economist in the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Agricultural Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
A Buffalo man has been charged in the January 2021 strangulation death of 22-year-old Tiara Lott, whose body was found alongside railroad tracks near Wex Avenue in Buffalo on Feb. 13, 2021.

Andre C. Whigham, 28, who is also known as "Dro," was arraigned Monday afternoon on one count of second-degree murder before Erie County Court Judge Susan Eagan, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said.

Whigham, identified as the boyfriend of the victim, is accused of intentionally causing Lott's death by strangling her with his hands on or about Jan. 29, 2021, inside of an upstairs apartment on Gold Street in the city's Lovejoy neighborhood.

Flynn was joined by Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown at a news conference Monday afternoon in the District Attorney's Office, where the indictment was announced.

"When it comes to homicides in the City of Buffalo, the Buffalo Police Department never, ever stops looking ... for those responsible for these crimes," Brown said.

Law enforcement officers publicly announced in June 2021 that they were searching for Whigham for questioning about Lott's death.

"One we got indication that the defendant left town, we got the U.S. Marshals involved and the U.S. Marshals have been on this case for over a year trying to locate Mr. Whigham ... and he did turn himself in this morning," said Flynn.

The District Attorney also credited Crime Stopper of Western New York for its assistance in trying to locate Whigham.

A year after Lott disappeared, a group of nearly 40 relatives, neighbors and friends gathered to demand justice for her.

Pastor Tim Newkirk, who organized the vigil, said he was at the arraignment on Monday and was grateful to know that Whigham was behind bars.

"We are going all the way with this case. No justice, no peace," Newkirk said in a private Facebook message.

Whigham was remanded without bail Monday. A return court date has not been scheduled at this time, Flynn said.

If convicted of the felony charge against, Whigham faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

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John Fenner is in jail again. But he believes this time will be his last.

In November, Fenner ended up in the Erie County Holding Center after scuffling with police officers who were trying to arrest him. He was offered the opportunity to participate in a pilot program called Project Blue operated by the Erie County Sheriff's Office with Peaceprints of WNY to help people transition from incarceration to the community  and then stay out of the criminal justice system.

Project Blue pairs inmates with counselors who work with them on everything from mental health and substance abuse to eventually finding housing and employment once they are released.

Last week, the Sheriff's Office announced that the program is expanding so that it can include everyone being held at the Holding Center, in a bid to keep people out of jail.

The Sheriff's Office Jail Management Division has been working to reduce their high recidivism rate. A 2018 assessment by the Council of State Governments Justice Center found that in 2016, 81.6% of people who were booked at Erie Countys jail had previous involvement in the jail system, worse than the national average of 67%. The 2018 report also found one in five who were booked at the county jail were likely to return to jail four or more times within three years.

But for Project Blue participants, the recidivism rate so far is dramatically lower  just 10%.

Fenner signed up and he believes he's learning the skills he needs to get his life back on track.

"I spent my whole life right where I am right now," he said in a phone interview from the Holding Center in downtown Buffalo. "It's kind of pathetic ... Now I want to live a simple, clean and sober life."

Fenner, 46, recently graduated from a Project Blue workshop called Ready, Set, Work  a one week, 20-hour program that prepares incarcerated people for reentering the workforce. They learn how to look for jobs, including ways to find employers who are open to hiring people with prior records, as well as how to fill out applications, how to handle an interview, what to wear and how to keep a job.

"They really focused on not giving up," Fenner said of the workshop. "That you can't expect to get out of jail and the first day to land a job. That's not reality ... but if you continue to look for work and you're consistent and adamant, you will."

The workshop brought in speakers, including those who had spent time in the criminal justice system. Fenner said he was especially inspired by one speaker who spent 10 years in prison before starting a painting business. "He got out of jail and he owns his own business," he said. "He gives you hope."

Fenner acknowledged that it has taken him a long time to get to a point where he's ready to take control of his life.

He grew up in Arcade and graduated from Pioneer High School. He used to work as a truck driver and was a certified milk inspector. He also had a two-year degree in welding. He had a supportive family and a daughter.

He also has an addiction to cocaine.

"I've been battling addiction for over 25 years," he said.

Fenner spoke frankly about his substance use disorder, his mental health and his criminal history. He said that his counseling in jail has taught him "rigorous honesty."

"If you want to get your life together, you don't mind your name and your face being out there," he said.

Fenner said he has been through rehab and had periods of sobriety but he would always relapse.

In the fall, Fenner said he was supposed to drive a truck to Ohio to pick up a load. "I never made it past Buffalo," he said. Fenner said he parked the truck on Niagara Street, called his boss and told him he had relapsed. Then he took all of his belongings and ended up living on the street  by the train tracks that cross Delaware Avenue in North Buffalo.

"When you're out on the street, it's a real lonely, dark place," he said. "You're not wanted. You're not needed. Nobody wants to be around you." That included his daughter, who he hasn't seen in two decades, he said.

His addiction to crack cocaine grew worse. "When the addiction takes over, you do stupid things ... I was on the sidewalk and there were a couple of cops walking by and they recognized me. They stopped and it went from there," he said. Fenner had failed to appear on a previous petit larceny charge. But now he also was in trouble for allegedly assaulting a police officer.

"So here I am in jail," he said.

But he said he was ready to change. He signed up with Project Blue and with a 12-step program to help him with his addiction. He began counseling and realized that his addiction is a symptom of a deeper problem. He was diagnosed with bipolar depression and he began taking medication for that. He took part in the Ready, Set, Work workshop and was selected to be the speaker at the graduation ceremony. Now, he's working with his case manager from Peaceprints on getting his truck driving license restored for when he gets out of jail.

"While you're in here you can learn and they provide that hope," he said.

Fenner said he hopes that, like the painter who spoke to his workshop, he, too, can be an example for others.

"Me doing this right now?" he said of the phone interview. "This is against the grain. But you know what? It makes me proud. Maybe I can help someone else."

Project Blue started in 2018 through a $1 million federal grant. It's grown since. In 2020, the program received a $258,800 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to include people who are awaiting trial but aren't behind bars, often due to changes in bail laws. "It's to connect with people you still need to support," said Cindi McEachon, executive director of Peaceprints of WNY.

Last week, Sheriff John Garcia announced that Project Blue will include all of the inmates at the Holding Center starting this fall, a population of between 300 to 350 people depending on the day.

Previously, the program was focused on repeat offenders and could take on about about 125 to 150 people at a time.

"Now we're growing and expanding and working with everybody," McEachon said.

It remains voluntary but is open to everyone who is spending time in the jails, said Thomas Diina, chief of community integration and former jails superintendent.

The expansion will focus on workforce development.

"People are hurting for employees," Diina said, noting that he has three meetings set up with employers interested in bringing on people who go through the Project Blue program.

"The desire is there for folks who enroll in the program and for those who need workers," he said.

Many studies show, he said, that when incarcerated people are connected with services before and right after their time behind bars, and they have employment, they are far less likely to end up back in jail.

"It's about linking the two," he said.

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Through 30 years of talk about redeveloping the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Terminal at the foot of Main Street, planners have envisioned a bustling public space and transit hub on a resurrected Buffalo waterfront.

They forecast shops, bars, restaurants, meeting spaces and business incubators thriving in a historic trainshed that stands as an attraction in itself.

But nobody ever provided the key ingredient to make it happen: money.

Now the new state budget provides $30 million  sought by State Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy and others  for the project, enough to turn all the talk into the reality of a revived DL&W by 2025. It allows Samuel J. Savarino, CEO of Savarino Cos. and the project developer chosen by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, to pronounce that the recent influx of state and federal funds means the project will happen.

"It really is an investment in the building to get it in shape to accept occupancy," he said, listing a host of restorative projects to ready the structure for the business and programming to come.

"It will be a very hospitable and salubrious public place," he added. "Our intention is to restore that."

In Buffalo to tout state budget, Kathy Hochul defends stadium deal: 'We got the job done' "We have a large state with a lot of different interests, and I know this is important to the identity of Western New York," she said. "It's a small market team, and it's really hard to keep a team ... here, and we got the job done."

The new funds are among a torrent of state money flowing into Western New York announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week. She specifically mentioned the DL&W project during a Kleinhans Music Hall event touting the benefits of New York's new $221 billion state budget.

"The old DL&W, let's get that done once and for all, $30 million to get that revitalized," she said at Kleinhans. "I think that has such potential to be another anchor down on our beautiful waterfront."

The new state money accompanies $2 million announced in March by U.S. Sens. Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand, along with Rep. Brian Higgins, for building a new skywalk from the terminal into KeyBank Center. That money arrived after the NFTA, which owns the DL&W, failed on three previous tries to secure federal funds for the project.

Built in 1917, the building has housed Metro Rail's Yard and Shops complex on the first floor since 1984. This summer, the NFTA will begin construction of a new Metro Rail station on the first floor along the Buffalo River side, which will serve KeyBank Center and generate foot traffic for development planned on the second floor. The authority also is finishing a $46 million state-sponsored project realigning Metro Rail tracks in the yard to accommodate the new station.

Now Savarino (the only developer to submit a proposal) and the NFTA are forging ahead, noting the attraction of the building itself, which once covered the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad's passenger platforms before the last train departed in 1962. Designed by railroad architect Abraham Bush in a style unique to the then-Lackawanna Railroad, it features expansive skylight systems and operable vaulted windows waiting to be reclaimed  still covered in soot from steam locomotives and hidden through the years.

Savarino says the prospect of a space filled with natural light during the day and glowing with light from within at night proves compelling.

Utility conduits will also be installed in the track beds beside platforms still on the second floor, and structural re-enforcements are planned. That will include some sort of exterior access system to serve the activities inside.

In 2021, Savarino hired the Project for Public Space consulting firm, which conducted an extensive survey and public meetings to gauge the community's vision for the DL&W. The firm heard from 45 stakeholders and received 900 responses after a cross section of the community participated in interviews and focus groups that expressed a strong preference for preserving and enhancing the terminal.

"The DL&W Terminal is poised to become Buffalo's next transformative destination," it said in a report issued last fall. "With the right programming, management and design, the Terminal can become an inclusive place where the arts, food and music bring people together in a unique multi-use gathering place for the region."

The report also introduced a much heftier price tag. Where Savarino originally estimated $10 million to resurrect its 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space, the report estimated $20 million or $30 million. Now the money is in hand, allowing Savarino to oversee the necessary preparatory work.

New report envisions DL&W Terminal as 'compelling public space' if properly restored A report issued by the Project for Public Spaces, based on input from throughout the area, foresees a facility with no single purpose, like shopping mall or food court, but a multi-use community asset with a "sense of place."

Significant tweaking in design may lie ahead. Tim Tielman, executive director of the Campaign for Greater Buffalo History, Architecture and Culture, said his group suggests revising plans to connect the DL&W to KeyBank Arena via a skywalk near the intersection of Main Street and South Park Avenue. Tielman questions the use of public funds to support a private business like the Buffalo Sabres, thinks the enclosed passage is unnecessary, in the wrong place, and architecturally incompatible with the terminal.

"We view the trainshed as a historic structure, and the design the NFTA has developed really does harm to the structure," he said.

Tielman suggests Savarino and the authority locate a skywalk at Illinois Street and South Park Avenue to serve an existing parking ramp, where a stair tower and elevator are already planned. He also discounts the need for an enclosed skywalk, suggesting a more open structure incorporating design of the balustrade bordering the terminal all along South Park.

"This is not a once in a generation project, but a three-generational opportunity to do something right," Tielman said, calling current skywalk proposals unwise from architectural, functional and historic preservation perspectives.

The group also suggests some type of "intuitive" ramp access inviting Canalside visitors to the DL&W, without having to figure out access from the new rail station.

Savarino and the NFTA say they are open to Tielman's suggestions.

"It's an important thing," NFTA spokeswoman Helen Tederous said. "Let's do it right."

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If you dont have Lil Nas X tickets yet, now is the time to get them while prices are still cheap and under $60 for many seats and dates.

Lil Nas X announced his first headlining tour, the Long Live Montero Tour, in April 2022. The 20-date tour is set to start at The Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan, on September 6, 2022, and ends at Sant Jordi Club in Barcelona, Spain, on November 17, 2022. The tour is Lil Nas Xs first solo concert tour and promotes his 2021 album, Montero, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 charts and features Billboard Hot 100 number one hits like Montero (Call Me by Your Name) and Industry Baby with Jack Harlow.

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WELCOME, LONG LIVE MONTERO TOUR!  Lil Nas X captioned an Instagram video of his past performances in April 2022, announcing the Long Live Montero Tour. He continued in a second post, and u better come. or dont idc lol.. jk i do care please come ok? deal? In an interview with NPR in 2021, Lil Nas X explained how his fans led him to become more honest in his music. As soon as I moved into my new house I spent the entire day writing  Im still getting used to writing personal stuff in songs, and being open to people about things happening in my private life. But I really want to be honest with fans, remind people that Im a human being and we all have the same situations in different forms, he said. He continued, I thought about the people I look up to the most  Kanye, or Drake, or Nicki  what really connects is when theyre saying the things that are happening internally. Theyre letting you get a peek into their life, [which] humanizes them. People a lot of the time see celebrities or anyone famous as just a being existing.

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Back to Lil Nas X tickets. If you dont have seats to the Long Live Montero Tour yet, dont worry because Lil Nas X tickets are still on sale and we have the secret to score a massive discount.

Click here to read the full article.

Image: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello/

Where to buy Lil Nas X tickets

Where can fans buy Lil Nas X tickets to the Long Live Montero Tour? Lil Nas X announced the Long Live Montero Tourhis first headlining tourin April 2022. The tour includes 20 dates and starts at The Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan, on September 6, 2022, and ends at Sant Jordi Club in Barcelona, Spain, on November 17, 2022. WELCOME, LONG LIVE MONTERO TOUR! , Lil Nas X captioned an Instagram video of his past performances at the time. and u better come. or dont idc lol.. jk i do care please come ok? deal? he continued in a second Instagram post. Lil Nas X tickets to the Long Live Montero Tour went on sale in April 2022 and sold out almost immediately, which led him to add more dates to cities like New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Toronto and Los Angeles.

While many dates sold out soon after the tour was announced, there are still Lil Nas X tickets available on trusted resale sites like Stub Hub and Vivid Seats, which offers $15 off of orders of $125 or more with the code SC15a 12 percent savings. Read on for how to buy Lil Nas X tickets before the Long Live Montero Tour comes to your city.





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Visit Stubhub.com and search for Lil Nas X Sort by Date, Distance and Price Select the Event Date of your choice To filter your options, check off fields for Sort By Lowest Price, Best Value and Best Seats in the sidebar Create or sign into your account, check out and enjoy Lil Nas Xs Long Live Montero Tour!





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Visit Vividseats.com and search for Lil Nas X Filter by City to find performance dates in your area Select Find Tickets To sort by price, click either Sort by Price in the top bar or toggle the price scale to the range you want to buy from. For $15 off of $125 or more, use the code SC15 at checkout Create or sign into your account, check out and enjoy Lil Nas Xs Long Live Montero Tour!

Image: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP.

What are Lil Nas Xs Long Live Montero Tour dates?

Tue Sep 06  Detroit, MI  The Fillmore

Sat Sep 10  Chicago, IL  Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

Thu Sep 15  Toronto, ON  HISTORY

Sun Sep 18  Boston, MA  MGM Music Hall at Fenway

Tue Sep 20  New York, NY  Radio City Music Hall

Thu Sep 22  Philadelphia, PA  The Met

Sun Sep 25  Washington, DC  The Anthem

Tue Sep 27  Atlanta, GA  Coca-Cola Roxy

Sat Oct 01  Nashville, TN  Nashville Municipal Auditorium

Mon Oct 03  Orlando, FL  Hard Rock Live

Tue Oct 04  Miami, FL  James L Knight Center

Tue Oct 18  Los Angeles, CA  YouTube Theater

Fri Oct 21  Phoenix, AZ  Arizona Federal Theatre

Sun Oct 23  San Francisco, CA  Bill Graham Civic Auditorium

Lil Nas X Long Live Montero European Tour Dates:

Tue Nov 08  Amsterdam, Netherlands  AFAS Live

Wed Nov 09  Berlin, Germany  Max-Schmeling Halle

Thu Nov 10  Hamburg, Germany  Sporthalle

Sat Nov 12  London, UK  Eventim Apollo

Mon Nov 14  Paris, France  Zenith

Tue Nov 15  Brussels, Belgium  Palais 12

Thu Nov 17  Barcelona, Spain  Sant Jordi Clu

What is Lil Nas Xs Long Live Montero Tour set list?

Lil Nas Xs Long Live Montero Tour set list wont be known until his first concert at The Fillmore in Detroit, Michigan, on September 6, 2022. However, its assumed that the set list will mostly include songs from Lil Nas Xs debut album, Montero, which was released in September 2021 and consists of 15 songs, including lead single Montero (Call Me by Your Name) and collaborations Industry Baby with Jack Harlow; Scoop with Doja Cat; One of Me with Elton John; Dolla Sign Slime with Megan Thee Stallion; and Am I Dreaming with Miley Cyrus. The set list is also likely to include songs from Lil Nas Xs debut EP, 7, which was released in June 2019 and Old Town Road with Billy Ray Cyrus; F9mily (You & Me) with Travis Barker; and Rodeo with Cardi B.

In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1 in September 2021, Lil Nas X explained how Montero was a representation of where he was in life. I feel like with this album, I know what I wantedI know where I wanna be in lifeand I know thats gonna take me being more open and bringing out of myself no matter how much it hurts or feels uncomfortable to say things that I need to say, and thats even with more of the songs on the sexual side. With Call Me By Your Name, in the studio with my friends saying this on a song, that was super-uncomfortable to the point where it was just like, tryna awkwardly laugh it away, he said.

He also explained how the sound of his album came together. I was really just making music. A lot of things would start just melody runs. Were just doing a bunch of different melodies over an instrumental or a loop that Im in love with, or liking a lot, and seeing, Okay, where can we take this?' he said. And then from there, with just the melodies, I was like, I already know what this song is about. Let me fill in these with words. and it worked almost every time, and we chopped down more and more and more until I got the ones I felt were the most important for the album.

Lil Nas X also told Apple Music about why he chose Am I Dreaming, his duet with Miley Cyrus, to end Montero. It represents the ending. The song is basicallylets say youre on a sinking ship; everything is going down and youre dying, basically, and youre having all these thoughts about what everybodys gonna feel, he said. You cant even settle in your own death; your mind is like, Whats everybody gonna think? Am I gonna be remembered? Am I gonna be loved? and then at the end, its like death. Its the end of the album. And once you see the album cover, its a continuous cycle because I feel like once were gone here, were doing something next, somewhere else.

Who are Lil Nas Xs Long Live Montero Tour opening acts?

Lil Nas X hasnt announced his opening acts for the Long Live Montero Tour. However, guests on his tour could include past collaborators like Billy Ray Cyrus. Cardi B, Nas, Jack Harlow, Travis Barker, Doja Cat, Elton John, Megan Thee Stallion and Miley Cyrus.

Lil Nas X tickets to the Long Live Montero Tour are still available on VividSeats.com and StubHub.com. Use code SC15 on Vivid Seats for $15 off.





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Met Gala Glam! See How Stars Are Getting Ready for Fashion's Biggest Night

It's Met Monday!

But Met Gala prep begins way before the industry's biggest stars hit the Metropolitan Museum of Art's iconic steps on the first Monday in May to show support for the Costume Institute's annual benefit. The top names in fashion, film, music and more spend months collaborating with leading fashion houses on their custom red carpet looks. Then comes all the beauty prep.

This year, guests are invited to interpret a "Gilded Glamour" white-tie dress code. Channeling the time period between 1870 to 1890, the event "will ask its attendees to embody the grandeurand perhaps the dichotomyof Gilded Age New York," according to Vogue.

The 2022 Met Gala theme is "In America: An Anthology of Fashion," serving as a part two to last year's "A Lexicon of Fashion" and paying homage to the diversity of American fashion. The official exhibit will be on display across 13 of the American period rooms in the historic museum from May 7 through Sept. 5.

For more on the Met Gala, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

And alongside the high-fashion parade of outfits at the Met Gala comes super-glam beauty moments. Below, see how stars are getting ready for their Met carpet close-ups.

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union shows off her makeup-free complexion post facial as she gets ready for the 2022 Met Gala

Gabrielle Union/Instagram

She's got the glow! Gabrielle Union stopped by London-based brand 111Skin's NYC pop-up for a pre-carpet facial using the brand's best-selling products, including the Y Theorem Bio Cellulose facial mask, which help supports a "brighter, plumper and calmer complexion."

"Fresh from my @111skin facial and feeling good," the Cheaper by the Dozen star captioned a make-up free, smiling selfie on her Instagram story Sunday, showing off her gorgeous complexion.

Other products the 111Skin pros are using to prep attendees for the Met Gala include the Y Theorem Repair Serum and Y Theorem Day Cream, both created by 111Skin's founder, plastic surgeon Dr. Yannis Alexandrides, who developed the "hero ingredient" NAC Y2, which he originally created to help treat trauma and scarring after surgery. The compound reduced redness and soothed irritated skin so well that it was later perfected and included in a range of everyday products that promote enhanced collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production for a more youthful complexion.

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RELATED: Everything to Know About the 2022 Met Gala

Lily James

celeb facialist joanna czech gives lily james a facial before the 2022 met gala - Instagram Story snap

Actress Lily James visited skincare guru Joanna Czech for her pre-Met Gala glow-up.

Czech shared a behind-the-scenes peek at James' cryo facial using Cle De Peau Beaute's Intensive Brightening Face Masks, a key getting ready product for celebrities before red carpet events.

The esthetician added that she "loved" seeing the Pam & Tommy star ahead of the event.

RELATED: The Best Met Gala Looks of All Time

Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling shows Met Gala 2022 red carpet prep on her Instagram Stories

Mindy Kaling/Instagram

Mindy Kaling appears to be taking matters into her own hands with an at-home red light facial, but she did make sure to tag her esthetician, the celeb-praised Joanna Vargas.

The multi-hyphenate star also posted a shot of Vargas' studio space, so she might be pulling some double duty with in-office and at-home treatments.

RELATED: 'Gilded Glamour:' The 2022 Met Gala Dress Code and Theme Explained

Laura Harrier

Laura Harrier shows off her pre Met Gala facial by the beauty sandwich on instagram stories

Laura Harrier/Instagram

Laura Harrier made sure to set up a session with renowned celebrity facialist Ivan Pol of The Beauty Sandwich, who is known for his non-invasive, radio frequency-based techniques and also works with celebs including Zoe Kravitz and Karlie Kloss.

In an interview with W Magazine last year, Pol opened up about his approach and what The Beauty Sandwich method entails.

"I would say sculpted skin, not glowing skin, is the goal," he told W. "My method doesn't change depending on the time of day. Remember, Beauty Sandwich is not a traditional facial with extractions or masks, etc. it's a high-tech skincare method I developed to enhance facial features, tighten the skin and help with wrinkle reduction."

And his clients definitely show the love.

"Obsessed with you," Harrier captioned an Instagram story dedicated to Pol and her glowing complexion.

Laura Harrier Shares her room service meal on Instagram stories ahead of the 2022 Met Gala

Laura Harrier/Instagram

The actress also proved she's all about balance, ordering some chicken fingers and french fries from room service and captioning the photo, "Met prep."

RELATED: My First Met Gala! See These Stars' Amazing Red Carpet Debuts

Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr gets a facial by the beauty sandwich ahead of the 2022 Met Gala - Instagram story snap

Miranda Kerr/Instagram

Another Beauty Sandwich devotee, Miranda Kerr posted a photo of her radio frequency facial with Pol on Instagram, also tagging Chanel Beauty who collaborated with the facialist on his pop-up pre-Met skincare shop.

Be sure to check out all of PEOPLE's Met Gala coverage to get the latest news on fashion's biggest night.

Miranda Kerr shows off her pre Met Gala facial routine on Instagram stories

Miranda Kerr/Instagram

But because one facial is never enough, Kerr then stopped by famed esthetician Ildi Pekar's NYC wellness studio for some more detoxing.

"Can't get enough," the Kora Organics founder shared on her Instagram story.

Miranda Kerr shares reiki facial photo pre 2022 Met Gala on her Instagram Story

Miranda Kerr/Instagram

And then Kerr finished off her pre-carpet glowathon with a reiki facial by celebrity skincare specialist Nurse Nousha. Yes that's three, count 'em, three red carpet facials in 24 hours.

Ariana DeBose

Ariana Debose

Ariana Debose/Instagram

Actress Ariana DeBose is getting ready for the Met Gala in style!

The West Side Story star shared a photo of a luxurious Moschino bathrobe to her Instagram story, writing "A moment in the making for quite some time."

Ariana Debose

Ariana Debose/Instagram

DeBose also posted a picture of her hotel bathtub, writing "the calm before the storm," tagging the Italian fashion house.

Winnie Harlow

Winnie Harlow

Winnie Harlow/Instagram

Ahead of the festivities, model Winnie Harlow treated herself from head-to-toe.

The Cay Skin founder visited the Vanessa Marc Spa to indulge in a pink custom mask (applies to her face) and an enzyme mask (applied to the decolletage).

"LOL I look like I'm getting a mold made on my face," she captioned a selfie of her in the "hilarious" mask on her Instagram story.

She also got a laser hair removal treatment. In a video shared on her Instagram story, Harlow is seen laughing and puffing as she went through the process. "I'm a punk when it comes to laser hair removal," she joked.

Camila Mendes

Camila Mendes

Camila Mendes/Instagram

For her pre-event facial, Riverdale star Camila Mendes visited famed esthetician Tracie Martyn.

The actress posted a selfie of herself receiving her facial in the Ruby Ray light-bed on her Instagram story. A relaxing emoji summed up her mood.

The esthetician later posted a picture of Mendes post-treatment writing, "That glow and snatched face after the Red Carpet Facial."

Kourtney Kardashian

Kourtney Kardashian

Kourtney Kardashian/Instagram

After spending a day out in New York City with fiance Travis Barker, Kourtney Kardashian got her glow on.

The Poosh Founder took to her Instagram stories to share her pre-Met Gala skincare routine. In the video, Kardashian is seen relaxing while esthetician Joanna Czech spritzes toner onto her face. "Facials with @joannaczechofficial make me happy" Kardahsian captioned the story.

Irina Shayk

Irina Shayk

Irina Shayk/Instagram

Irina Shayk achieved her Met Gala glow with the help of esthetician Mimi Luzon, who is known for her gold facial treatments.

The model shared a photo of Luzon to her Instagram story, writing "My golden girl."
A Hartford man who was shot Sunday, one of two separate shootings in the city, died Monday, police said.

Javier Hernandez-Jiminian, 34, of 5 Mary Shepard Place, was found shot in the area of 493 Park St. at about 8 p.m. Hernandez-Jiminian was taken to an area hospital, where he later died, police said.

The other shooting was reported at about 6:47 p.m. at 256 Mather St. Officers found evidence of gunfire, and while they were at the scene, a man in his 30s arrived at an area hospital suffering from gunshot wounds, which police said were not life-threatening.

The shootings are not related, police spokesman Lt. Aaron Boisvert said Monday.

Detectives are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call the department tip line at 860-722-TIPS (8477).

In the first four months of 2022, 11 people were fatally shot in the city  up 22% from this time in 2021 and 2020 when nine people were killed by gunfire by the end of April, according to police.

The number of non-fatal shootings recorded between January and April each year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has stayed about the same. There were 35 in the first four months of 2022 and 36 in the first four months of 202, according to police data. However, the spike in homicides in the years since the start of the pandemic is evident.

In 2019, the city had 147 shootings, 21 of them fatal. In 2020, when Connecticut residents spent months in state-ordered lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of shootings rose dramatically, with 232 shootings, 25 of them fatal.

According to studies by the Council for Criminal Justice, which analyzed data from police departments in 34 American cities to take a hard look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on crime rates, the number of homicides spiked significantly in 2020, as did the number of gun assaults. Homicide rates were 30% higher than in 2019 across the cities.

Information from the Courants Taylor Hartz was used in this report.

Jesse Leavenworth can be reached at jleavenworth@courant.com
Russia has reportedly resumed shelling of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol following the evacuation of dozens of civilians from the site, a Ukrainian official said.

The United Nations had conducted a safe passage operation for civilians in the steelworks, which was serving as the last-remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the city of Mariupol.

Up to 1,000 civilians are thought to have been stuck underneath the Azovstal plant with minimal supplies alongside hundreds of fighters  some said to be suffering with festering wounds  after Vladimir Putin told Russian troops to blockade the area last week so that a fly cant get through.

The first groups of civilians, totalling around 50 people so far, reportedly including children, were photographed by a Reuters journalist arriving to the relative safety of a temporary accommodation centre in the nearby Donetsk village of Bezimenne on Sunday.

Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky appeared to indicate he would meet with an initial group of 100 evacuees in the town of Zaporizhzhia on Monday.

Key points

First groups of civilians evacuated from near Mariupol steelworks

Zelensky urges Russian soldiers not to perish on our land'

Russias infowar being waged from inside an old gun factory'

At least 20 civilians leave besieged Mariupol steelworks

Nancy Pelosi meets Volodymyr Zelensky in surprise trip to Kyiv

Watch: Ukrainians denounce dire conditions in Mariupol bunkers

11:45 , Holly Bancroft

Our resources are extremely limited. Men are literally dying before our eyes, says a doctor from one of Mariupol bunkers.

Soldiers and wounded there are slowly running out of supplies and many are in desperate need of medical attention.

Watch the full video article here:

Russian rocket strike hits bridge in southwest Ukraine - reports

11:20 , Holly Bancroft

A Russian rocket strike has hit a strategically important bridge in southwest Ukraine, local authorities have said.

The bridge, which runs across the Bniester estuary in the Odesa region, had already been hit twice, Reuters reported.

Story continues

It provides the only road and rail link on Ukrainian territory to a large southern section of the Odesa region.

The strike was reported by Serhiy Bratchuk, the Odesa regional administrations spokesperson.

Watch: Civilians emerge from Mariupol steelworks

10:54 , Holly Bancroft

Civilians emerging from underground af the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol today. Its hard to imagine what these people have been through over the past two months. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/ysvgIVeyNe  John Reed   (@JohnReedwrites) May 1, 2022

Russia resumed shelling of steelworks after evacuation - mayors aide says

10:32 , Holly Bancroft

Russia reportedly resumed shelling of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol after dozens of civilans were evacuated from the site, an aide to the citys mayor has said.

Petro Andryushchenko told Ukrainian television: Yesterday, as soon as the buses left Azovstal with the evacuees, new shelling began immediately.

Buses evacuating more civilians from the city left on Monday morning, however they were not from the steelworks.

An unknown number of civilians and fighters reportedly remain trapped at Azovstal.

Israel hits out at Russia over Lavrovs Nazism remarks about Zelensky

10:17 , Holly Bancroft

Israel has condemned the Russian foreign ministers comments about Nazism and antisemitism as unforgiveable.

Israel has summoned the Russian ambassador in response and said that the remarks blamed Jews for their own murder in the Holocaust.

Mr Lavrov had justified Vladimir Putins call to denazify Ukraine by arguing that Volodymyr Zelensky could still be a Nazi even though he had jewish ancestry.

So what if Zelensky is Jewish?, he said. The fact does not negate the Nazi elements in Ukraine. I believe that Hitler also had Jewish blood. Some of the worst antisemites are Jews.

Israels foreign minister Yair Lapid called the comments unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error.

The Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust, he said.

The lowest level of racism against Jews is to blame Jews themselves for antisemitism.

Holocause memorial Yad Vashem said in a statement: Lavrov is propagating the inversion of the Holocaust - turning the victims into the criminals on the basis of promoting a completely unfounded claim that Hitler was of Jewish descent.

Equally serious is calling the Ukrainians in general, and president Zelensky in particular, Nazis. This, among other things, is a complete distortion of the history and an affront to the victims of Nazism.

(AP)

Russia trying to block Ukraines economy - Zelensky said

10:01 , Holly Bancroft

Ukraine could lose tens of millions of tonnes of grain due to Russias blockade of its Black Sea ports, Reuters has reported.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday: Russia does not let ships come in or go out, it is controlling the Black Sea. Russia wants to completely block our countrys economy.

Ukraine is a major exporter of grain and a blockage could trigger a food crisis in parts of Africa, Asia and Europe.

(SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Hitler also had Jewish blood, says Russias foreign minister in horrific attack on Zelensky

09:45 , Holly Bancroft

Justifying Vladimir Putins call to denazify Ukraine, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has argued that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskys Jewish ancestry does not matter, writes Alisha Rahaman Sarkar.

So what if Zelensky is Jewish? The fact does not negate the Nazi elements in Ukraine. I believe that Hitler also had Jewish blood, Mr Lavrov said in an interview with an Italian television on Sunday. Some of the worst antisemites are Jews.

Read the full story here:

So what if Zelensky is Jewish, even Hitler had Jewish blood: Russian foreign minister

Hungary opposes any EU embargo on Russian oil and gas

09:30 , Holly Bancroft

Hungary has reiterated its opposition to any European Union embargo on Russian oil and gas imports.

A spokesperson for the Hungarian government, Zoltan Kovacs, said on Monday: The Hungarian stance regarding any oil and gas embargo has not changed: we do not support them.

The comments come as the European Union leans towards a ban on imports of Russian oil by the end of the year.

Denmark to reopen embassy in Ukraines capital Kyiv

09:10 , Holly Bancroft

Denmark will reopen its embassy in Ukraine today following its closure immediately after Russias invasion of Ukraine, the Danish foreign ministry have said.

Foreign minister Jeppe Kofod told the Danish broadcaster DR: Its a very strong symbol of the Danish support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people that today we are reopening the doors to the Danish embassy.

France, the US and the UK have already announced that they are moving their embassies back to the capital.

Finland will decide on Nato membership on 12 May - reports

08:45 , Holly Bancroft

Finland will decide whether or not to apply for Nato membership on 12 May, accordingn to Finnish newspaper Iltalehti.

Citing anonymous government sources, the paper reported that the decision to join the defensive alliance will come in two steps on the day.

First, Finnish president Sauli Niinisto will announce his approval for the country joining Nato, the paper reported.

Then parliamentary groups will reportedly give their approval for the application.

Sanna Marin, Finlands prime minister (AP)

Mariupol civilians evacuated from Azovstal steel works

08:21 , Holly Bancroft

In case you missed it..

Civilians have been evacuated from the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol and are expected to head to both Russia-controlled and Ukraine-controlled territory after weeks under seige.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said a large group is heading to Zaporizhzia, which Ukraine is mainly in control of.

He tweeted: The first group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area. Tomorrow [Monday] well meet them in Zaporizhzia. Grateful to our team! Now they, together with the UN, are working on the evacuation of other civilians from the plant.

Russia said dozens of civilians have arrived in a village that it controls.

(VIA REUTERS)

(VIA REUTERS)

Russia wants to completely block Ukraines economy - Zelensky

08:00 , Arpan Rai

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of wanting to stall the besieged countrys economy by imposing a blockade in the Black Sea.

Ukraine could lose tens of millions of tonnes of grain due to Russias Black Sea blockade. Russian wants to completely block our countrys economy, Mr Zelensky said on Monday.

Ukrainian woman gives birth to twins early after husband killed in war

07:50 , Arpan Rai

A Ukrainian woman gave birth to twin boys prematurely a day after learning her husband was killed by a Russian sniper, according to a news report.

The 34-year-old mother, Viktoria Nazarenko, started having contractions after she was informed of the death of her husband, sergeant Bogdan Nazarenko, when he had already been buried.

Its all I have left from him - my babies and my memories, which will never be erased, Ms Nazarenko told Sky News.

Ms Nazarenko said her family found out about her husbands death some three weeks earlier but kept it secret, fearing the impact the bad news would have on her. She was 35 weeks pregnant when she was finally informed.

He did nothing wrong. He didnt even get to see his babies. He didnt take them in his arms, the woman said.

Her husband was shot dead on 14 March in the Chernihiv region, while he was on a mission with the state border guards service, Sky reported.

Missile threat from Belarus remains, says Ukraine

06:52 , Arpan Rai

The Ukrainian armed forces on Monday said that a continuous threat of missile strikes from Belarus looms.

The threat of missile strikes on military and civilian infrastructure from the territory of the republic of Belarus by the Russian enemy remains, the armed forces said in a statement, adding that Russian forces have continued with full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine and offensive operations in the eastern operational zone.

Intensified administrative-police and counter-intelligence regimes have been established in the Russian Bryansk region bordering Ukraine, the forces said.

Shelling continued in the city of Kharkiv and settlements of Uda and Prudyanka.

Russias most elite units suffered massive attrition, claims UK

06:23 , Arpan Rai

Assessing Russias depleted military strength, the British defence ministry on Monday said that more than 40 battalion tactical groups sent by Moscow are now combat ineffective.

At the start of the conflict, Russia committed over 120 battalion tactical groups, approximately 65 per cent of its entire ground combat strength. It is likely that more than a quarter of these units have now been rendered combat ineffective, the ministry said in its latest intelligence update.

Some of Russias most elite units, including the VDV Airborne Forces, have suffered the highest levels of attrition. It will probably take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces, the ministry said.

'Real concern' Putin may resort to WMD if Ukraine keeps winning

05:48 , Arpan Rai

Ukraines continued military success against Russian troops could increase the chances of Vladimir Putin using nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction in the conflict, says Bob Menendez, chair of the US Senates foreign relations committee.

Well, one of my concerns is that ironically, the more success that the Ukrainians have, the greater the risk that Putin will do something because hes losing and has to save face at home, the senator said.

And so the potential of a chemical, biological or tactical nuclear weapon may grow as a result of that.

Mr Menendez called the threat of Russian weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)  particularly Moscows chemical weapons stockpiles  a real concern because Mr Putin has shown no qualms about using such weapons in the past.

Read the full report here:

Senator Menendez: Real concern Ukrainian success could raise chance of nuke attack

Ghost of Kyiv fighter pilot a myth, says Ukraine

05:37 , Arpan Rai

The tales surrounding the Ghost of Kyiv were put to rest over the weekend after the Ukrainian authorities admitted that the military figure was a mythical creation.

The Ghost of Kyiv is a super-hero legend whose character was created by Ukrainians! Ukraines air force said on Facebook.

Legends of the Ghost of Kyiv started surfacing within days of the Russian invasion, with social media users claiming an anonymous fighter pilot was taking down multiple Russian air targets single-handedly.

Reports later wrongly identified major Stepan Tarabalka as the Ghost of Kyiv but said he had died on 13 March during air combat.Tarabalka was awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine, the besieged countrys air force said last month.

The information about the death of the The Ghost of (hashtag)Kyiv is incorrect. The (hashtag)GhostOfKyiv is alive, it embodies the collective spirit of the highly qualified pilots of the Tactical Aviation Brigade who are successfully defending Kyiv and the region, the Ukrainian air force said on Twitter.

Shady troll farm waging pro-Russia infowar from old arms factory, UK-funded research alleges

05:30 , Emily Atkinson

Online trolls are being ordered to spread information in support of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine from an old arms factory in Russia, new research funded by the UK government suggests.

The new study details how the Russian presidents regime is using openly-recruited trolls to post pro-Moscow messages on social media and in the comment sections of news websites.

The social media accounts targeted by the trolls include those of British prime minister Boris Johnson, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the researchers said.

My colleague Lamiat Sabin has the story:

Shady troll farm waging pro-Russia infowar from old arms factory, research alleges

Jill Biden to meet Ukrainian refugees this week in Romania and Slovakia

05:12 , Arpan Rai

First lady Jill Biden will meet with US service members and embassy personnel, Ukrainian civilians who have been displaced in the invasion, humanitarian aid workers and teachers on her visit to Romania and Slovakia from 5-9 May.

She will be meeting the US military service members in Romanias Mihail Kogalniceau Airbase on 6 May before setting out for Bucharest where she will meet Romanian government officials, US embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers and teachers working with displaced Ukrainian children, her office said.

Marking Mothers Day on Sunday, the first lady will meet Ukrainian mothers and children who fled their homes in Ukraine after Russia launched a full-scale invasion in the country.

Ms Biden will also visit the Slovakian cities of Bratislava, Kosice and Vysne Nemecke, where she will meet with government officials, refugees and aid workers.

First evacuees from Mariupol steel plant to arrive in Zaporizhzhia today

05:00 , Arpan Rai

The first group of civilians evacuated from Mariupols Azovstal steel plant will reach southeastern Ukraines Zaporizhzhia this morning, president Volodymyr Zelensky said as he welcomed the functioning of a corridor to safety.

Today, for the first time in all the days of the war, this vital corridor has started working. For the first time there were two days of real ceasefire on this territory. More than a hundred civilians have already been evacuated - women and children first of all. Who were fleeing hostilities there. At Azovstal, Mr Zelensky said in a video message on late Sunday.

He added: Given all the complexities of the process, the first evacuees will arrive in Zaporizhzhia tomorrow morning. Hopefully this doesnt fail. Our team will meet them there.

I hope that tomorrow all the necessary conditions will be met to continue the evacuation of people from Mariupol. We plan to start at 8am, the Ukrainian president said.

Ukrainian commander welcomes evacuations from Azovstal steel plant

04:40 , Arpan Rai

The deputy commander of the Azov regiment, Sviastoslav Palamar, said he was glad that evacuations from the last section of Mariupol had begun as it did not make sense to continue carrying on this massacre.

The best solution in this situation is our evacuation. Does it make a sense to continue carrying on this massacre? Palamar said.

The sprawling steel plant represents the last major section of battered Mariupol not held by the Russian forces who are otherwise occupying the port city.

Evacuations of around 100 civilians were carried out on Sunday and the deputy commander said he is hoping the operations would continue till everyone  including soldiers  is evacuated from the plant.

It had been a challenge to reach some of the wounded inside the plant, he said.

Theres rubble. We have no special equipment. Its hard for soldiers to pick up slabs weighing tons only with their arms, he said. Mines, rockets, artillery shells and unexploded cluster ordnance cover the the Azovstal plant, he said.

Watch: Civilians evacuated from Azovstal plant in Ukraines Mariupol

04:30 , Emily Atkinson

Four civilians dead in Donetsk region, says governor

03:30 , Emily Atkinson

Four civilians have been killed and another 11 people have been injured by Russian shelling in Donetsk, a Ukrainian regional governor has said.

Reuters adds:The deaths and seven of the injuries were in the northern city of Lyman, governor Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote in a Telegram post. One person also died in the city of Bakhmut from injuries received in the Luhansk region, he said.

In the same post, Kyrylenko said that it was impossible to determine the number of victims in the bombed-out port city of Mariupol and the town of Volnovakha, which is controlled by pro-Kremlin separatists.

02:30 , Emily Atkinson

Here are some images of the partial evacuation of civilians out of the Azostal steel plant in Mariupol on Sunday:

(VIA REUTERS)

(VIA REUTERS)

(VIA REUTERS)

Germany: Quitting Russian oil by late summer is 'realistic'

01:30 , Emily Atkinson

Germany says its making progress on weaning itself off Russian fossil fuels and expects to be fully independent of Russian crude oil imports by late summer.

Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said Sunday that Europes largest economy has reduced the share of Russian energy imports to 12% for oil, 8% for coal and 35% for natural gas. Germany has been under strong pressure from Ukraine and other nations in Europe to cut energy imports from Russia that are worth billions of euros, which help fill Russian President Vladimir Putins war chest.

All these steps that we are taking require an enormous joint effort from all actors and they also mean costs that are felt by both the economy and consumers, Habeck said in a statement. But they are necessary if we no longer want to be blackmailed by Russia.

Germany: Quitting Russian oil by late summer is 'realistic'

Russia waging war of extermination, Zelensky insists

Monday 2 May 2022 00:30 , Emily Atkinson

President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Moscow of waging a war of extermination, saying Russian shelling had hit food, grain and fertilizer warehouses, and residential neighborhoods in the Kharkiv, Donbas and other regions.

He said: What could be Russias strategic success in this war? Honestly, I do not know. The ruined lives of people and the burned or stolen property will give nothing to Russia.

Watch: Nancy Pelosi meets Ukraines Zelensky in Kyiv

Sunday 1 May 2022 23:30 , Emily Atkinson

Zelensky calls US visit 'powerful' signal

Sunday 1 May 2022 22:43 , Emily Atkinson

President Volodymyr Zelensky has described his meeting with US house speaker Nancy Pelosi in Kyiv as a powerful signal of support in a difficult time.

Speaking during his nightly address on Sunday night, Zelensky said Ukrainians are grateful to all partners who send such important and powerful signals of support by visiting our capital at such a difficult time.

Evacuation under way for civilians trapped at Mariupol steelworks, UN says

Sunday 1 May 2022 22:31 , Emily Atkinson

The UN has said it is attempting to evacuate civilians holed up in the besieged Azovstal steelworks in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol.

The organisations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed on Sunday that the safe passage operation had begun on Friday, with a team arriving in the beleaguered port city on Saturday.

An OCHA spokesperson added that further details could not be given, as doing so could jeopardise the safety of evacuees and of its own personnel.

My colleague Rory Sullivan has more:

Evacuation under way for civilians trapped at Mariupol steelworks, UN says

Finland to apply for Nato membership quite surely, says Swedens foreign minister

Sunday 1 May 2022 22:09 , Emily Atkinson

Swedens foreign minister has claimed that Finland will almost certainly apply for Nato membership in the wake of Russias fierce military operations in Ukraine.

Anne Linde told the Swedish broadcaster SVT: We know more or less that they (Finland) will apply for Nato membership. And that changes the whole balance... If one of our countries join, we know that tensions would increase.

Asked whether she thinks Finland will join the military alliance, Linde said: I think you can say that quite surely.

Lavrov says Victory Day not a relevant date for Ukraine operations

Sunday 1 May 2022 21:50 , Emily Atkinson

Russias upcoming Victory Day - a parade in celebration of the end of World War II - will have no bearing on the invasion of Ukraine, Sergei Lavrov has said.

In seeking payback for Moscows losses, it was reported earlier this week that top army officials were imploring president Vladimir Putin to replace his special military operation tagline with a cry of all-out war - which would permit the Kremlin to drum up the mass-mobilisation of its population.

UK Defence secretary Ben Wallace lent his voice to warnings that the parade on 9 May could be used to declare war.

But, speaking Russian through an Italian interpreter today, the Russian foreign minister said: Our soldiers wont base their actions on a specific date.

Well commemorate our victory in a solemn manner but the timing and speed of what is happening in Ukraine will hinge on the need to minimise risks for civilians and Russian solders.

Russia has never halted efforts to avoid nuclear war, says Lavrov

Sunday 1 May 2022 21:32 , Emily Atkinson

Russias foreign minister has insisted that Western media misrepresents Moscows threats and that the country is committed to working to prevent a nuclear war ever happening.

Sergei Lavrov said: Russia has never interrupted efforts to reach agreements that guarantee that a nuclear war never develops.

Russia's forces resumed shelling of Azovstal plant immediately after evacuation

Sunday 1 May 2022 21:20 , Emily Atkinson

Russian forces have resumed shelling a vast Mariupol steel plan almost immediately after a partial evacuation of civilians earlier today, a Ukrainian military officer has said.

Denys Shlega, a National Guard brigade commander, said that the shelling began as soon as rescue crews ceased evacuating civilians from the sprawling Azovstal steel mill.

The Azovstal steel plant is pictured on 29 April, 2022 (EPA)

At least one more round of evacuations is needed to clear civilians from the plant, Mr Shlega added - including dozens of small children in bunkers below the industrial facilities.

He estimated that some several hundred civilians still are trapped at besieged plant, alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies.

Why did Russia invade Ukraine? The conflict explained

Sunday 1 May 2022 21:00 , Thomas Kingsley

As the war in Ukraine passes day 67, we look back at why Russia started its special military operation in the nation:

Read the full story below by our reporters, Thomas Kingsley and Joe Sommerlad:

Why did Russia invade Ukraine? The conflict explained

How likely is it that Russia will launch a nuclear attack?

Sunday 1 May 2022 20:45 , Thomas Kingsley

Vladimir Putin placed Russias strategic nuclear weapons forces on high alert during the first weekend of his war with Ukraine, prompting fears around the world over what could happen next.

The Russian president blamed unfriendly actions in the economic sphere, a reference to the punitive economic sanctions imposed on his country by the Western allies, and claimed leading Nato members had made aggressive statements, forcing his hand.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov duly blamed the increase in tensions on remarks made by UK foreign secretary Liz Truss, an ally of whom in turn hit back and denied that anything she had said across a series of Sunday morning interviews warrants that sort of escalation.

Read the full story below:

How likely is it that Russia will launch a nuclear attack?

You cant imagine what weve been through, says Mariupol steel plant evacuee

Sunday 1 May 2022 20:30 , Thomas Kingsley

Usmanova, 37, spoke to Reuters on Sunday after being evacuated from the plant, a sprawling complex founded under Josef Stalin and designed with a subterranean network of bunkers and tunnels to withstand attack.

I feared that the bunker would not withstand it - I had terrible fear, Usmanova said, describing the time sheltering underground.

When the bunker started to shake, I was hysterical, my husband can vouch for that: I was so worried the bunker would cave in.

We didn't see the sun for so long, she said, speaking in the village of Bezimenne in an area of Donetsk under the control of Russia-backed separatists around 30 km (20 miles) east of Mariupol.

She recalled the lack of oxygen in the shelters and the fear that had gripped the lives of people hunkered down there.

Usmanova was among dozens of civilians evacuated from the plant in Mariupol, a southern port city that has been besieged by Russian forces for weeks and left a wasteland.

Usmanova said she joked with her husband on the bus ride out, in a convoy agreed by the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), that they would no longer have to go to the lavatory with a torch.

You just can't imagine what we have been through - the terror, Usmanova said. I lived there, worked there all my life, but what we saw there was just terrible.

(REUTERS)

Nadal, Djokovic slam Wimbledon ban on Russian players

Sunday 1 May 2022 20:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic criticized Wimbledon's decision to exclude Russian and Belarus players from this year's tournament following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The two tennis greats said Sunday that Wimbledon had acted unfairly.

I think it's very unfair of (on) my Russian tennis mates, my colleagues ... it's not their fault what's happening in this moment with the war," Nadal, a 21-time Grand Slam winner, said in Spain where both he and Djokovic are preparing to play in the Madrid Open.

I'm sorry for them, Nadal said. Wimbledon just took their decision ... the government didn't force them to do it.

Nadal added: Let's see what happens in the next weeks, if the players will take some kind of decision in that regard.

The ATP and WTA tennis tours have both publicly criticized the All England Club's decision which was announced 20 April.

Wimbledon starts on 27 June.

Pictured: Civilians arrive in a temporary camp after being evacuated from Mariupol

Sunday 1 May 2022 19:57 , Thomas Kingsley

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Sweden claims Russian military plane violated airspace

Sunday 1 May 2022 19:37 , Thomas Kingsley

Sweden said a Russian military plane violated Swedish airspace. The incident happened late on Friday in the Baltic Sea near the island of Bornholm.

In a statement on Saturday, the Swedish Armed Forces said a Russian AN-30 propeller plane flew toward Swedish airspace and briefly entered it before leaving the area.

The Swedish Air Force scrambled fighter jets which photographed the Russian plane.

Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist told Swedish public radio that the violation was unacceptable and unprofessional.

In a similar incident in early March four Russian warplanes violated Swedish airspace over the Baltic Sea.

ICYMI: Shady troll farm waging pro-Russia infowar from old arms factory, UK-funded research alleges

Sunday 1 May 2022 19:15 , Thomas Kingsley

Online trolls are being ordered to spread information in support of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine from an old arms factory in Russia, new research funded by the UK government suggests.

The new study details how the Russian presidents regime is using openly-recruited trolls to post pro-Moscow messages on social media and in the comment sections of news websites.

The social media accounts targeted by the trolls include those of British prime minister Boris Johnson, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the researchers said.

Read the full story here

Watch: Civilians evacuated from Azovstal plant in Ukraines Mariupol

Sunday 1 May 2022 19:00 , Thomas Kingsley

Germany: Quitting Russian oil by late summer is 'realistic'

Sunday 1 May 2022 18:45 , Thomas Kingsley

Germany says its making progress on weaning itself off Russian fossil fuels and expects to be fully independent of Russian crude oil imports by late summer.

Economy and Climate Minister Robert Habeck said Sunday that Europes largest economy has reduced the share of Russian energy imports to 12 per cent for oil, 8 per cent for coal and 35 per cent for natural gas. Germany has been under strong pressure from Ukraine and other nations in Europe to cut energy imports from Russia that are worth billions of euros, which help fill Russian President Vladimir Putin's war chest.

All these steps that we are taking require an enormous joint effort from all actors and they also mean costs that are felt by both the economy and consumers, Habeck said in a statement. But they are necessary if we no longer want to be blackmailed by Russia.

Read the full story below:

Germany: Quitting Russian oil by late summer is 'realistic'

Pictured: Civilians board a bus after being rescued from Mariupol steel works

Sunday 1 May 2022 18:33 , Thomas Kingsley

(AP)

(AP)

(AP)

(AP)

Ukraine postpones evacuations from other parts of Mariupol to Monday

Sunday 1 May 2022 18:15 , Thomas Kingsley

A plan to evacuate civilians from areas of the devastated Ukrainian city of Mariupol outside of the Azovstal steel works has been postponed to 5am on Monday, Mariupol's city council said.

80 civilians evacuated from Azovstal - Russian defence ministry

Sunday 1 May 2022 17:55 , Thomas Kingsley

Russias defence ministry said on Sunday that 80 civilians had been evacuated from the vast Azovstal plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday.

Those evacuees who wanted to go to Ukrainian-controlled regions have been handed over to representatives of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the ministry was cited as saying.

(EPA)

Schumer to target Russian oligarchs with provisions in $33 billion Ukraine aid bill

Sunday 1 May 2022 17:40 , Thomas Kingsley

US senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Sunday he will add provisions to the $33 billion Ukraine aid package that will allow the United States to seize Russian oligarchs' assets and send money derived from them to Ukraine.

Ukraine needs all the help it can get and, at the same time, we need all the assets we can put together to give Ukraine the aid it needs, Mr Schumer said.

Full story: Senator Bob Menendez says real concern Ukrainian military success could increase chance Putin will turn to nukes

Sunday 1 May 2022 17:25 , Thomas Kingsley

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez warned that Ukraines continued military success against Russias invasion could increase the chance that Vladimir Putin could turn to nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction.

Although Mr Putin and his advisers had reportedly expected Russias military to quickly overwhelm Ukrainian defence forces, Nato officials now estimate roughly 40,000 Russian soldiers have been killed, wounded, or captured since the invasion began in late February.

Speaking to anchor Brett Baier on Fox News Sunday, Mr Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, said he fears Mr Putin could turn to nuclear weapons to maintain his own standing at home if Ukrainian forces continue to inflict losses upon Russia.

Read the full story below:

Senator Menendez: Real concern Ukrainian success could raise chance of nuke attack

Watch: Real concern Putin could use nukes if Ukraine keeps winning, US senator Bob Menendez says

Sunday 1 May 2022 17:10 , Thomas Kingsley

Volunteers risk lives to save hundreds of pets from Ukraine since start of war

Sunday 1 May 2022 16:55 , Thomas Kingsley

Volunteers have risked their lives to rescue hundreds of pets from Ukraine since Vladimir Putins invasion started. Animal Rescue Ukraine, which was founded in early March, is one of the organisations bringing animals to safety in neighbouring countries. So far, it has transported 550 animals to a sanctuary in western Poland, where they await adoption.

The pets come from shelters across Ukraine and are found via telephone tip-offs or social media inquiries. Despite focusing on animals, the small outfit, which works in collaboration with a larger foundation called Centaurus, has also evacuated more than 3,000 people from Ukraine, including those in need of urgent medical attention.

Our reporter, Rory Sullivan, has the full story below:

Volunteers risk lives to save hundreds of pets from Ukraine since start of war

Asda chairman warns of knock-on effect on food prices as Ukraine war impacts wheat and oil supplies

Sunday 1 May 2022 16:40 , Thomas Kingsley

Asda chairman Lord Rose would not predict how much food prices could increase but said "there is knock-on effect" due to the cost of raw materials and the impact of inflation.

Sunflower oil, wheat and oil prices have been affected by the war in Ukraine.

Lord Rose told the BBC Sunday Morning show: "We don't know what will happen to gas prices and whatever else and clearly that will be dictated by however long this war goes on for, but I am afraid there is knock-on effect for all raw materials.

"There is going to be a new level of costs for these raw materials and they won't go down. It is a new high and that is something that people are going to have to accommodate.

"What we are now going to have to think about is, is that going to have a long-term effect on inflation because then will we have a wage spiral, or won't we?

"The converse side of that is we could end up, if we have no growth in the business, having stagflation.

"They are both evil and the Government has got a very difficult and tricky road to navigate."

Greens still seek UKs exit from Nato despite Ukraine war, says leader

Sunday 1 May 2022 16:25 , Thomas Kingsley

The Green Party would seek to move the UK out of Nato in the long-term once the conflict in Ukraine is over, its co-leader has said.

Adrian Ramsay told Sky News he did not want to "change structures in the middle of a conflict", but believes the UK should leave the military alliance in the future.

Asked on Sky News whether the Greens' position on Nato has changed as a result of the Ukraine conflict, Mr Ramsay confirmed it has not.

He said: "We have a long-term policy about reviewing what structures we need to have to build peace in the world and we have to remember this conflict has happened at a time when we are part of Nato, when we are still seeing nuclear weapons dominate.

"Of course we are not about changing structures in the middle of conflict and what we need to do at the moment is focus on how Ukraine can be supported in a wide variety of ways."

Mr Ramsay suggested the UK needs to focus on "peacekeeping and getting the parties to the table" as well as "stronger economic action".

Russia Ukraine War (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Zelensky indicates he will meet first Azovstal evacuees tomorrow

Sunday 1 May 2022 16:08 , Andy Gregory

A first group of 100 Ukrainian civilians being evacuated from Mariupols Azovstal steel works will reach the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

Evacuation of civilians from Azovstal began. The 1st group of about 100 people is already heading to the controlled area. Tomorrow well meet them in Zaporizhzhia. Grateful to our team! Now they, together with #UN, are working on the evacuation of other civilians from the plant.    (@ZelenskyyUa) May 1, 2022

Everyone here is kind and respectful: The Ukrainian family sheltering a Yemeni student

Sunday 1 May 2022 15:54 , Andy Gregory

Koshmanivka village in Poltava Oblast is a far cry from the seaport city of Mukalla in eastern Yemens Hadhramout, reports Charlene Rodrigues.

It is the village where Yemeni aviation engineering student Khalid Bin Jaah, 29, is sheltering with a Ukrainian family after fleeing Russias bombings in central Kharkiv  a city which he loved and made his second home  after escaping Yemens brutal war in 2015.

Days before the Russian invasion, Mr Bin Jaah met a Ukrainian lady Halyna Kovalenko at the immigration centre in Sumy and after learning about his immigration situation they exchanged details.

When the war started on 24 February she told him to visit her mother in Koshmanivka village if he needed to find somewhere safe. Here is the full report about his time so far in Ms Kovalenkos family home:

Meet the Ukrainian family sheltering a Yemeni student

Another group evacuated from near Mariupol steelworks'

Sunday 1 May 2022 15:08 , Andy Gregory

A group of 14 more people have arrived at a temporary accommodation centre after leaving the area around the Azovstal steel plant in Ukraine's Mariupol, Reuters reports, citing one of its photojournalists.

Reuters photographs showed earlier on Sunday around 40 civilians arriving at the centre in the Donetsk village of Bezimenne.

Civilians who left the area near Azovstal at a temporary accommodation centre in Bezimenne (REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)

One injured in fire at Russian defence facility

Sunday 1 May 2022 15:00 , Andy Gregory

One person has been injured in a fire on a defence ministry facility in Russias southern Belgorod region, its governor has said.

Vyacheslav Gladkov said a local resident suffered minor injuries and his life was not in danger. There were no immediate comments from the Russian defence ministry.

Russia last month accused Ukraine of a helicopter attack on a fuel depot in Belgorod, for which Kyiv denied responsibility, as well as shelling villages and firing missiles at an ammunition depot.

Other Russian regions that share a border with Ukraine have also reported cross-border shelling incidents since Vladimir Putins invasion, amid some claims that Moscow could be planning false-flag attacks.

UN conducting safe passage operation for civilians at Mariupol steelworks

Sunday 1 May 2022 14:47 , Andy Gregory

In a long-awaited humanitarian mission, the United Nations is conducting a safe passage operation for civilians from the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said.

The operation began on Friday before arriving at the steelworks on Saturday morning, and is being coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross, Russia and Ukraine, the spokesperson told Reuters.

He said that no further details could be released so as not to jeopardise the safety of evacuees and the convoy.

Last Thursday, Vladimir Putin told Russian troops to blockade the area so that a fly cant get through

Fire at defence ministry facility in Russia, officials say

Sunday 1 May 2022 14:29 , Andy Gregory

A Russian defence ministry facility in the countrys southern Belgorod region has caught fire, officials have said.

There was no immediate information about damage or casualties, the regional governor said in a post on Telegram.

Images posted to social media showed a large funnel of smoke rising above the ground.

Looks like something is on fire in Belgorod. https://t.co/IqO7geGV4b pic.twitter.com/axtaKJQVWA  Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 1, 2022

Angelina Jolie taken to safety as air-raid siren sounds during Lviv visit

Sunday 1 May 2022 14:21 , Andy Gregory

Hollywood actor and UN special envoy Angelina Jolie was yesterday spotted in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

Regional governor Maksym Kozytsky said Jolie had come to speak with displaced people who have found refuge in Lviv, including children undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the missile strike on the Kramatorsk railway station in early April.

Here is the moment she was taken to safety after an air-raid siren sounded during a visit to a refuge:

My colleague Ellie Harrison has more details here:

Angelina Jolie taken to safety amid air-raid siren in Lviv, Ukraine

UK hunger striker describes surreal reunion with Ukrainian best friend

Sunday 1 May 2022 13:55 , PA

A hunger striker who secured a visa for her Ukrainian best friend has spoken of her relief after their reunion in the UK.

Kristina Korniiuk, 34, of Kyiv, was granted a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme and arrived at the Cambridge home of Rend Platings on Sunday, after a journey which took more than 24 hours.

Mother-of-one Ms Platings, whose house is painted in the colours of the Ukraine flag, said it is both "wonderful" and "surreal" to have her friend by her side.

Ms Platings, who went on hunger strike for 21 days after the visa application was made for her friend, said their reunion was "amazing".

Rend Platings (right) and her daughter Samantha embrace her Ukrainian best friend Kristina Korniiuk (Jacob King/PA Wires)

Civilians arrive at temporary camp after two groups allowed to leave area of Mariupol steelworks

Sunday 1 May 2022 13:38 , Andy Gregory

Russias defence ministry has now said that two groups of civilians were able to evacuate properties adjacent to the steelworks in Mariupol yesterday, where up to 1,000 civilians are seeking refuge with limited supplies alongside hundreds of Ukrainian fighters  some thought to be suffering with festering wounds.

According to the Tass news agency, the ministry said an initial group of 25 local residents left residential buildings near the Azovstal plant yesterday afternoon, followed by a second group of 21 people who left with the onset of darkness and were taken to the Donetsk village of Bezimenne.

Separately, Reuters is reporting that  according to one of its photojournalists  a group of around 40 civilians arrived today at a temporary accommodation centre in Bezimenne on buses with Ukrainian number plates, in a convoy with Russian forces and vehicles with UN symbols.

Civilians who left homes near the Azovstal plant in Mariupol walk with UN staff at a temporary accommodation centre in Bezimenne (REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko)

Inside Gazprom, the state within a state: The Russian energy giant that extends Putins power

Sunday 1 May 2022 13:20 , Andy Gregory

This week Gazproms outsized role in European affairs was highlighted after it cut off gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria, following their refusal to abide by Vladmir Putins demand that they pay their bills in Russian roubles.

Conspiracy theorists  frequently boosted by Kremlin media outlets  often attribute major world events to the secret machinations of giant energy companies seeking to build pipelines and maximise profits.

But there is perhaps no better example in world history of an energy company seeking to influence political power than Gazprom, a sprawling state-controlled holding company with dozens of subsidiaries, half-a-million employees, and tentacles across the world.

In this report on the Russian energy giant, The Independents international correspondent Borzou Daragahi hears of the moment one American diplomat learned the extent of Moscows willingness to bully other countries, during an attempt to convince an eastern European leader to forego gas from Gazprom in favour of an American-backed option.

Here is the full report:

Inside Gazprom, the Russian energy giant that extends Putins power

Pope brands Putins war a macabre regression of humanity'

Sunday 1 May 2022 13:03 , Andy Gregory

Pope Francis has described Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine as a macabre regression of humanity that makes him suffer and cry.

Speaking to thousands of people in St Peters Square for his noon blessing, Francis again implicitly criticised Russia, and called for humanitarian corridors to evacuate people trapped in the Mariupol steelworks.

My thoughts go immediately to the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, the city of Mary, barbarously bombarded and destroyed, he said of the mostly Russian-controlled southeastern port city, which is named after Mother Mary  to whom the month of May is dedicated in Roman Catholicism.

I suffer and cry thinking of the suffering of the Ukrainian population, in particular the weakest, the elderly, the children, he said.

Pope Francis waves prior to his Sunday Regina Coeli prayer from the window of his study in the Vatican on Sunday (Vincenzo Pinto/AFP via Getty Images)

Pelosi says Zelensky gave remarkable masterclass of leadership at Kyiv meeting

Sunday 1 May 2022 12:44 , Andy Gregory

Nancy Pelosi has praised a meeting in Kyiv with Volodymr Zelensky as a remarkable masterclass of leadership by the Ukrainian president.

Speaking to reporters in Poland on Sunday, the US House Speaker said she had been dazzled by the Ukrainian presidents expertise of all the issues at hand during their three-hour meeting on Saturday.

Kharkiv residents urged to remain in shelters due to intense Russian shelling

Sunday 1 May 2022 12:28 , Andy Gregory

Residents in parts of Ukraines second-largest city have been urged not to leave shelters as a result of intense shelling.

Governor Oleh Synyehubov said on Telegram: In connection with the intense shelling, we urge residents of the northern and eastern districts of Kharkiv, in particular Saltivka, not to leave the shelter during the day without urgency.

He warned that they should remain in shelters even in the absence of air raid sirens.

A person rings the bell outside a burning building in Kharkiv on Saturday, following Russian shelling (REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes)

Ukraine to attempt Mariupol evacuation today

Sunday 1 May 2022 12:11 , Andy Gregory

An evacuation of civilians from the mostly Russian-controlled city of Mariupol could be possible today, local officials have said.

Mariupols city council and the local governor told residents who wished to leave for the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia to gather at an evacuation point at 4 pm local time.

As many as 100,000 people are believed to still be in the port city, including up to 1,000 civilians hunkered down with hundreds of Ukrainian fighters beneath a Soviet-era steelworks, which is the only part of the city not occupied by Vladimir Putins troops.

Zelensky aide hits out at Lavrov peace talk claims, says its time for Russia to face the truth'

Sunday 1 May 2022 11:57 , Andy Gregory

A presidential aide to Volodymr Zelensky has hit out at Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrovs claims yesterday that an end to Western sanctions is being discussed in Moscow-Kyiv peace talks.

Dismissing this, Mykhailo Podolyak, claimed that minister Lavrov often comments on things he isnt personally involved in, adding that, as Russias occupation and violation of Ukraines territorial integrity continues, sanctions against Moscow will only increase.

Apparently referring to Mr Lavrovs comments, made to Chinese state news agency Xinhua, that denazification and the status of the Russian language are also on the negotiating agenda, Mr Podolyak accused Moscow of having forever inscribed these two terms in world history with the blood of peaceful Ukrainians in Bucha, Hostomel, Kharkiv, Mariupol and other cities.

Now they are synonymous with Russian war crimes. It's time for them to face the truth, Mr Podolyak said.

But Russians forever inscribed denazification and the Russian language in world history with the blood of peaceful Ukrainians in Bucha, Hostomel, Kharkiv, Mariupol and other cities. Now they are synonymous with Russian war crimes. It's time for them to face the truth. (2/2)    (@Podolyak_M) April 30, 2022

Nancy Pelosi hails Ukrainian courage at news conference in Poland

Sunday 1 May 2022 11:09 , Andy Gregory

Nancy Pelosi has applauded the courage of the Ukrainian people during a visit to Poland, hours after meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

We are on a frontier of freedom and your fight is a fight for everyone. Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done, Ms Pelosi said.

The US House Speaker, who is second in line to the presidency, made the surprise trip to Kyiv alongside other members of congress, before travelling to Warsaw where she is meeting with president Andrzej Duda.

At a news conference in Poland, Ms Pelosi said the delegation brought Mr Zelensky a message of appreciation from the American people for his leadership.

US Representative Jim McGovern warned that Russias war could have disastrous effects on the worlds food supply and consequently for poor people across the globe, calling Vladimir Putins invasion a war against the worlds most vulnerable.

I don't think that Putin cares if he starves the world, Mr McGovern added.

Volodymyr Zelensky meets Nancy Pelosi and other members of the US congress in Kyiv on Sunday (EPA)

Enablers of oligarchs should be legally obliged to share info on suspected dirty money, expert says

Sunday 1 May 2022 10:54 , Andy Gregory

In an interview with The Independent, Bill Browder  who campaigned for the Magnitsky human rights sanctions  has warned that the UK is still the world leader of attracting dirty money.

The governments Economic Crime Bill was rushed through parliament last month in a bid to flush out illicitly-obtained wealth, but Mr Browder is among anti-corruption campaigners who say the legislation contains several loopholes.

Home secretary Priti Patel has promised a second follow on bill  which Mr Browder says must put clear legal obligations on the enabler community of lawyers and accountants suspected of helping kleptocrats protect their assets to share information about their clients potentially illicit wealth.

At the moment there is only reward and no risk, he said. If they risk paying fines or even going to jail they are less likely to assist [oligarchs] and more likely come forward with information.

Our political reporter Adam Forrest has the full, exclusive report:

UK remains world leader in hiding dirty money, says top sanctions expert

Satellite images show extent of damage to Azovstal steelworks

Sunday 1 May 2022 10:38 , Andy Gregory

Satellite footage belonging to Maxar Technologies appears to show the state of the Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol, under which hundreds of civilians are thought to be seeking shelter.

#Satelliteimagery provides a detailed visual perspective of the devastation seen in the industrial parts of Mariupol, Ukraine. The Azovstal steel plant, site of the Ukrainians last military holdout, is also serving as a civilian shelter. #Maxarimagery is from April 29, 2022. pic.twitter.com/rswKMNPOAu  Maxar Technologies (@Maxar) April 30, 2022

Russia said that 25 civilians had left the plant yesterday, with roughly 1,000 civilians thought to remain with minimal supplies alongside hundreds of fighters, some of whom are claimed to be suffering with rotting wounds.

Russia claims to have struck at weapons supplied by US

Sunday 1 May 2022 10:19 , Andy Gregory

Russia's defence ministry has claimed to have struck at weapons supplied to Ukraine by the US and European countries, according to Reuters.

The ministry said it used high-precision Onyx missiles to attack a military airfield near Odesa, after Ukraine accused Moscow of destroying a newly-constructed runway at the citys main airport.

Odesa regional governor Maksym Marchenko said Russia had used a Bastion missile, launched from Crimea.

Russia's defence ministry also said its air defence systems had shot down two Ukrainian Su-24m bombers over the Kharkiv region overnight.

Boris Johnson more committed than ever to ensuring Putin fails, No 10 says

Sunday 1 May 2022 09:55 , Andy Gregory

Boris Johnson has told Volodymyr Zelensky that he is more committed than ever to reinforcing Ukraine and ensuring Putin fails, according to Downing Street.

In a talk on Saturday, the prime minister told the Ukrainian president that the UK will continue to provide additional military aid to give the Ukrainians the equipment they needed to defend themselves, No 10 said.

The two leaders also discussed the progress of the UN effort to evacuate people from the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol, and Mr Johnson offered the UKs continued economic and humanitarian support.

The UN has been attempting to broker an evacuation in the port city where some 100,000 civilians remain and up to 2,000 civilians and fighters are living beneath a Soviet-era steel plant.

UK ambassador comfortable returning to Kyiv

Sunday 1 May 2022 09:35 , Andy Gregory

The UKs ambassador to Ukraine has said she feels comfortable returning to Kyiv, despite Moscows threats of a proportional response against British backing for Ukrainian strikes behind Russian lines  hinting at possible strikes at British sites in the capital.

Melinda Simmons arrived in Kyiv late on Friday, following the announcement last month that the UK would be reopening its embassy in the city.

Ms Simmons told The Observer that while she was well aware of the risk of returning to the capital, it absolutely feels like the right place to be, adding: I'm not minimising [the risk]. I'm not discounting it. You have to take it into account, but Im still here.

There are 27 ambassadors in Kyiv, she said, adding: So that's quite a lot of diplomats to target. I am here with a heightened level of security protection and bearing in mind that potential risk, but for now I feel comfortable working under those circumstances.

The UK and Nato flags flying on Britains Kyiv embassy on 24 January (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian Red Cross office bombed in Donetsk

Sunday 1 May 2022 09:13 , Andy Gregory

An office of the Ukrainian Red Cross in Donetsk has been bombed, the organisation has said.

It is said to be the eighth time one of its offices has been damaged or destroyed since Russias invasion began.

Our office in Dobropillia (Donetska oblast) was bombed today. It was in one of 6 residential buildings that were damaged.

Since February 24, 2022 it is the 8th office of @RedCrossUkraine, which has been damaged or destroyed. pic.twitter.com/bBt3K49r8E  Ukrainian Red Cross (@RedCrossUkraine) April 30, 2022

Germanys Scholz rejects criticism of Ukraine weapons strategy

Sunday 1 May 2022 09:05 , Andy Gregory

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected criticism that Germany has not shown leadership in western efforts to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons to repel Russia's invasion.

Mr Scholz is under pressure at home and abroad to supply Ukraine with heavy arms such as tanks and howitzers and support an immediate EU embargo on Russian energy imports.

I take my decisions fast and in concert with our partners, Mr Scholz told the Bild am Sonntag newspaper. I find hasty actions and maverick German efforts questionable.

In a U-turn this week, Germany approved the delivery of Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine, a step polling suggests are backed by 55 per cent of Germans.

However, the decision did not help reverse public perception of Mr Scholz as being indecisive and lacking leadership, with a poll published in Bild am Sonntag finding that 54 per cent were unsatisfied with Mr Scholzs handling of the crisis.

Exclusive: UK remains world leader in hiding dirty money, says top sanctions expert

Sunday 1 May 2022 08:49 , Andy Gregory

Britain remains the world leader in hiding dirty money despite recent efforts to crack down on oligarchs illicit wealth, a leading sanctions expert has told The Independent.

Bill Browder urged Boris Johnsons government to get to grips with the enabler community of lawyers and accountants in London suspected of helping kleptocrats from Russia and elsewhere protect their assets.

The Vladimir Putin critic  who campaigned for the Magnitsky human rights sanctions introduced by many western governments  said the UK government must now force so-called enablers to share more information with the authorities.

The UK is still the world leader of attracting dirty money, said Mr Browder. The UK has a chance to close up a major, glaring loophole which attracts everyone to London to launder money.

Our political reporter Adam Forrest has the full, exclusive report here:

UK remains world leader in hiding dirty money, says top sanctions expert

At least half of Donetsk town abandoned in face of Russian shelling

Sunday 1 May 2022 08:39 , Andy Gregory

In the town of Lyman in the Donetsk region, where at least half the population has fled Russian shelling, around 20 elderly people and children clutching bags, some accompanied by pet dogs and cats, boarded a minivan marked with a sign reading evacuation of children in Ukrainian, the Associated Press reports.

The liberators have come and have freed us from what? Our lives? Nina Mihaylenko, a professor of Russian language and literature, told the news agency, in reference to the invading Russian forces.

Ms Zuev and her husband Aleksander reportedly opted to stay in Lyman, unwilling to leave the place theyd spent their entire lives.

I am living not so well. There is a war here. They are shelling all the time. The windows have been smashed in our house. The missiles are in the yards, the 68-year-old said. It is frightening.

The van reportedly sped off toward the city of Dnipro as explosions were heard in the distance.

Debris hangs on the branches of a blossomed tree after a house was hit by a shelling in Lyman (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP via Getty Images)

Nancy Pelosi meets with Zelensky in Kyiv

Sunday 1 May 2022 08:17 , Andy Gregory

Nancy Pelosi has become the highest-ranking American leader to visit Kyiv, with a surprise trip in which she met with president Volodymyr Zelensky.

We believe that we are visiting you to say thank you for your fight for freedom, the US House Speaker said in footage shared by Mr Zelensky. Your fight is a fight for everyone. Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done.

Mr Zelensky conveyed the need for continued security, economic and humanitarian assistance from the US, Ms Pelosi said, adding that her congressional delegation delivered the message that additional American support is on the way.

The group from Washington will next head to Poland, where they will meet with president Andrzej Duda.

Russia should confiscate assets of businesses from unfriendly countries, Duma chair says

Sunday 1 May 2022 07:47 , Andy Gregory

Russia should respond symmetrically to the freezing of Russian assets by some unfriendly countries, the chair of Russias state Duma, the lower house of parliament, has said.

It is right to take mirror measures towards businesses in Russia whose owners come from unfriendly countries, where such measures were taken: confiscate these assets, said Vyacheslav Volodin.

Civilians permitted to leave Mariupol steelworks, Russia and Ukraine say

Sunday 1 May 2022 07:38 , Andy Gregory

Kremlin-backed media has reported that 25 civilians  including six children under the age of 14  have been permitted to leave the besieged Mariupol steelworks being used as a last Ukrainian stronghold in the city devastated by Russian attacks.

Ukrainian soldiers inside the steelworks put the number at 20 women and children. According to Russia, there are some 2,000 people still within the plant.

My colleague Lamiat Sabin has more details here:

Civilians leave besieged Mariupol steelworks

Russia intends to exert strong political and economic influence in Kherson, says British military

Sunday 1 May 2022 07:00 , Shweta Sharma

In its latest intelligence update, the Ministry of Defence said Russia intends to exert strong political and economic influence in Kherson over the long term by announcing a transition to the rouble starting Sunday.

The MoD said Russia is trying to install a friendly administration in Kherson after it seized control of the city in March.

Recent statements from this administration include declaring a return to Ukrainian control impossible and announcing a four-month currency transition from the Ukrainian hryvnia to the Russian rouble. The Russian rouble is due to be used in Kherson from today, it said.

Enduring control over Kherson and its transport links will increase Russias ability to sustain its advance to the north and west and improve the security of Russias control over Crimea, it added.

(4/5) These statements are likely indicative of Russian intent to exert strong political and economic influence in Kherson over the long term.  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) May 1, 2022

Biden praises Ukraines free press during White House press dinner

Sunday 1 May 2022 06:31 , Shweta Sharma

US president Joe Biden on Saturday night praised journalists covering the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as the red carpet was rolled out to resume the annual White House Correspondents Association dinner.

As Mr Biden cracked jokes about its lower approval ratings, his age and his predecessor Donald Trumps dislike for media, he said he respected all the journalists reporting from the war zone.

Ive always had respect for the press, but I cant tell you how much respect I have watching them in these zones where theyre under fire, he said.

Imagine if we werent getting that information, the president added. It would be a different world.

The event was attended by journalists, media executives, administration officials and celebrities - including Kim Kardashian and comedian Pete Davidson.

He said: A poison is running through our democracy... with disinformation massively on the rise. You, the free press, matter more than you ever did in the last century. I really mean it.

Ive always had respect for the press, but I cant say enough about how much respect I have after their reporting in Ukraine. Theyre risking their lives every single day to make sure the world hears the truth. pic.twitter.com/ckRcEk3Q5D  President Biden (@POTUS) April 30, 2022

Russias infowar being waged from inside an old gun factory'

Sunday 1 May 2022 06:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Online trolls are being ordered to spread information in support of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine from an old arms factory in Russia, new research funded by the UK government suggests.

The new study details how the Russian presidents regime is using openly-recruited trolls to post pro-Moscow messages on social media and in the comment sections of news websites.

The social media accounts targeted by the trolls include those of British prime minister Boris Johnson, German chancellor Olaf Scholz and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, the researchers said.

Read more about this story here

Shady troll farm waging pro-Russia infowar from old arms factory, research alleges

Russia says it killed 200 Ukrainian troops on Saturday

Sunday 1 May 2022 05:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Russias armed forces claimed to have killed 200 Ukrainian troops and hit 17 Ukrainian military facilities with high-precision missiles on Saturday.

It also destroyed a command post and a warehouse used to store rockets and artillery, Vladimir Putins military also said.

Air force strikes during the day destroyed 23 armoured vehicles, the Russian defence ministry also said in an online post.

The post made no mention of an attack on Odesa airport which the local governor said had been hit by a Russian missile, putting the runway out of action.

Zelensky says Russia is preparing refrigerator trucks for their fallen soldiers bodies

Sunday 1 May 2022 04:54 , Shweta Sharma

In a nighttime address, the Ukrainian president urged Russian troops to save their lives and give up fighting in war as Russian commanders are lying to them and already have refrigerator trucks prepared to store bodies.

The Russian commanders are lying to their soldiers when they tell them they can expect to be held seriously responsible for refusing to fight and then also dont tell them, for example, that the Russian army is preparing additional refrigerator trucks for storing the bodies, Mr Zelensky said late on Saturday.

They dont tell them about the new losses the generals expect. Every Russian soldier can still save his own life. Its better for you to survive in Russia than to perish on our land.

He said Russia has been recruiting new troops with little motivation and little combat experience for the units that were gutted during the early weeks of the war so these units can be thrown back into battle.

The president said Russian commanders fully understand that thousands of them will die and thousands more will be wounded in the coming weeks.

Liz Truss says Russias shady troll factory is spreading disinformation

Sunday 1 May 2022 04:37 , Shweta Sharma

The British Foreign Office on Sunday said Russia is churning out disinformation about the war in Ukraine on social media through its troll factory and targeting politicians across the countries.

It cited UK-funded expert research, saying it exposed how Kremlims disinformation campaign was designed to manipulate international public opinion.

"We cannot allow the Kremlin and its shady troll farms to invade our online spaces with their lies about Putins illegal war," foreign secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

"The UK Government has alerted international partners and will continue to work closely with allies and media platforms to undermine Russian information operations."

The foreign office said that research showed Russia was using messaging application Telegram to recruit and coordinate new supporters who then target the social media profiles of Kremlin critics, and span them with comments.

The targets of Russias campaign, it said, have been senior British ministers and other world leaders.

It said traces of the campaign have been detected across eight social media platforms including Telegram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok.

Ukraine proposes China acts as guarantor to end the war

Sunday 1 May 2022 04:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Ukraine has proposed that China act as one of the guarantors of security to end the war with Russia, Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview for Chinese state news agency Xinhua.

Dmytro Kuleba (Francisco Seco/AP)

He said: We used to consider the Budapest Memorandum an important security agreement for Ukraine, but unfortunately it did not bring real security to Ukraine.

Now Ukraine is exploring the possibility of obtaining security guarantees from permanent members of the UN Security Council and other major powers, including China.

Our suggestion for China to be one of the guarantors of Ukraines security, is a sign of our respect for and trust in the Peoples Republic of China.

Civilians leave besieged Mariupol steelworks

Sunday 1 May 2022 02:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Up to 25 civilians have fled a besieged steel factory in Mariupol where hundreds of civilians are reportedly still trapped inside.

The Azovstal steelworks, in southern Ukraine, is the only part of Mariupol that has still not fallen to the control of Vladimir Putin's troops.

On 20 April, it was reported that the site was heavily bombarded by Russian troops. Since then, people have been trapped under the rubble.

Kremlin-backed media reported that 25 civilians -- including six children under the age of 14 -- had left the plant, but reports did not state where they went to. Ukrainian soldiers inside the steelworks put the number at 20 women and children.

Elderly people were reportedly also among those that left.

Read the full story here

Civilians leave besieged Mariupol steelworks

Ukraine became integral part of a united Europe - Zelensky

Sunday 1 May 2022 01:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined the conversations he has had with European leaders recently, claiming that Ukraine has become an integral part of a united Europe.

In his nightly address to Ukrainians, he detailed talks he has had with heads of state including Boris Johnson.

Volodymyr Zelensky (John Moore/Getty Images)

He said: I spoke today with President of France Emmanuel Macron. On various areas of cooperation between Ukraine and France, especially on defense. Also  on cooperation on Ukraine's path to the European Union.

We are moving towards the political formalization of what is already a fact: Ukraine has become an integral part of a united Europe.

I also spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. On defense support for Ukraine and other efforts necessary to end the war.

I informed Boris about the current situation on the battlefield in the areas of active clashes and in detail about the situation in our east, in Mariupol, in the south of the country.

All the leaders of the free world know what Russia has done to Mariupol. And Russia will not go unpunished for this.

... I held talks with President of Switzerland Cassis. Thanked for the humanitarian support of Ukraine and Ukrainians. The mediating role of Switzerland in helping Ukrainians who found themselves in Russia was discussed.

Preparations for the conference on postwar reconstruction of our state were also discussed.

Kherson region has no phone data and patchy call coverage'

Sunday 1 May 2022 00:01 , Lamiat Sabin

Mobile internet has been unavailable and call coverage is patchy in the Kherson region of southern Ukraine.

Kherson on the map (Google)

Kherson council wrote on Telegram: In the Kherson region mobile communication and the Internet of all operators disappeared.

There is no connection in Kherson, Kakhovka district, Novotroitsk and Chaplin communities.

One of the leading specialists of the mobile operator Vodafone in Kherson [said] that this is unfortunately not an accident.

Watch: Angelina Jolie visits medical centre in Ukraine

Saturday 30 April 2022 22:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Earlier, we reported that Angelina Jolie has been spotted in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

The American actress and filmmaker was seen visiting a coffee shop in a residential neighbourhood.

Ms Jolie is a special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

A video shows her at a medical institution in Lviv, where she talked to staff and local officials about the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on their lives.

She also met children caught up in the Russian missile strike on the railway station near Kramatorsk that took place at the beginning of April and killed over 50 people, according to the head of Lviv regional state administration.

Ukraine regains control of four Kharkiv settlements'

Saturday 30 April 2022 21:40 , Lamiat Sabin

Ukrainian forces have regained control of four settlements in Kharkiv, according to the army.

The settlements in northeast Ukraine are Verkhnia Rohanka, Ruska Lozova, Slobidske and Prylesne.

But Russian occupying forces continue to carry out illegal actions in the occupied territories of the Kharkiv region, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine also said.

Kharkiv region in northeast Ukraine (Google Maps)

Vladimir Putins troops are forcibly deporting the population to the territory of the Russian Federation, and Russia is also spreading misinformation about the capture of Kharkiv, Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia  it said.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said: Russian occupiers are launching missile and bomb attacks and artillery shelling of civilian infrastructure and residential areas in the settlements of Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions.

The invaders also continue to illegally detain Ukrainian citizens and torture them.

Russias attack on Odesa runway resulted in no casualties

Saturday 30 April 2022 21:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Russia launched a missile attack on an airport runway in Odesa with the help of the Bastion coastal missile system from the territory of the temporarily occupied Crimea, according to a local official.

Maxim Marchenko, head of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, said that there were no casualties.

Earlier, it was reported that the runway had been destroyed and it can no longer be used.

UK PM tells Zelensky hes more committed to support Ukraine

Saturday 30 April 2022 20:01 , Lamiat Sabin

PM Boris Johnson told Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky that he was more committed than ever to reinforcing Ukraine against Russia.

This is according to a No 10 spokesperson following a call between the pair.

File photo of Johnson in central Kyiv with Zelensky (Reuters)

He confirmed that the UK will continue to provide additional military aid to give the Ukrainians the equipment they needed to defend themselves, the spokesperson said.

Mr Johnson also offered Britains continued economic and humanitarian support, they added.

Russia says it killed 200 Ukrainian troops in air strikes today

Saturday 30 April 2022 19:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Russias armed forces claimed to have killed 200 Ukrainian troops and hit 17 Ukrainian military facilities with high-precision missiles today.

It also destroyed a command post and a warehouse used to store rockets and artillery, Vladimir Putins military also said.

Air force strikes during the day destroyed 23 armoured vehicles, the Russian defence ministry also said in an online post.

The post made no mention of an attack on Odesa airport which the local governor said had been hit by a Russian missile, putting the runway out of action.

Angelina Jolie seen in coffee shop in Lviv, western Ukraine

Saturday 30 April 2022 19:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Angelina Jolie has been spotted in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv.

The American actress and filmmaker was seen visiting a coffee shop in a residential neighbourhood.

 Actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie was spotted at a cafe in western Ukrainian city of Lviv on April 30.



Jolie is a special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.



Video: Maya Pidhoretska via Facebook. pic.twitter.com/CBtR4HBMNR  The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 30, 2022

Journalist Maia Pidhorodetska wrote on Facebook: Nothing special. Just Lviv. Just went to drink coffee. Just Angelina Jolie. Just Ukraine is supported by the whole world.

Ms Jolie is a special envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Other images show her visiting the central railway station in Lviv to meet Ukrainians who had fled from Pokrovsk, a city in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Actress and filmmaker Angelina Jolie visits the central railway station in Lviv to welcome the internally displaced Ukrainians arriving on an evacuation train from Pokrovsk, a city in Donetsk Oblast, on April 30. Jolie is a special envoy of UNHCR.



Photo: Ukrainian Railways. pic.twitter.com/KNmnKyYur8  The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) April 30, 2022

Russia continues to target Mariupol steel works, Ukraine says

Saturday 30 April 2022 18:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Russian planes have continued to launch air strikes on the besieged city of Mariupol, Ukraines military said.

The attacks were mainly targeting the Azovstal steelworks where troops and civilians are sheltering, it added.

Azovstal Iron and Steel Works (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

In a Facebook post, the general staff of the armed forces also said the Ukrainian military had regained control over four settlements in the Kharkiv region.

Russia troops regrouping to try gain control eastern Ukraine

Saturday 30 April 2022 18:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Russia is preparing to intensify its attempt to gain full control of eastern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian ministry of defence.

Oleksandr Motuzianyk, spokesman for the ministry, said Vladimir Putins troops continue to regroup in preparation of doubling-down on its offensive in the region.

A Ukrainian serviceman repairing a tank in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

Mr Motuzianyk said: The enemy is conducting an offensive in the Eastern Operational Zone.

The enemy's main goal remains the same: to encircle units of Ukraine's Defence Forces, to establish full control over the territories of the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson Regions, and to ensure the stability of a land corridor to the occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

Pregnant soldier among those in prisoner swap with Russia

Saturday 30 April 2022 17:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Seven Ukrainian soldiers and seven civilians are returning to Ukraine after the country engaged in a prisoner exchange with Russia.

This is according to Iryna Vereshchuk, the deputy PM of Ukraine.

One of the Ukrainian soldiers was a woman who is five months pregnant, she said.

Ukrainian deputy PM Iryna Vereshchuk (Creative Commons)

Ukraine and Russia have engaged in several prisoner swaps since Vladimir Putin launched his invasion on 24 February.

On Thursday, Ms Vereshchuk said that Russia had handed over 33 Ukrainian soldiers, including 13 officers, as well as 12 civilians in an exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine.

Five of the troops exchanged on Thursday had been wounded, she said  but she did not say how many Russians were involved in the exchange.

Ukraine accuses Russia of hitting Odesa runway with missile

Saturday 30 April 2022 17:00 , Lamiat Sabin

A Russian missile has hit the runway of an airport in Odesa, according to Ukraines military.

The runway has been damaged and it can no longer be used, it added.

Russia accuses Ukraine of shelling checkpoint in Kursk region

Saturday 30 April 2022 16:40 , Lamiat Sabin

The governor of Russias western Kursk region said several shells were fired today at a checkpoint near its border from the direction of Ukraine.

Speaking in a video posted on his Telegram channel, governor Roman Starovoit said that there were no casualties or damage.

Kursk region of western Russia (Google)

Reuters could not immediately verify the report, and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
PEORIA  What started as a 7-year-old Peoria girl's question on why people were being hurt in Ukraine has evolved into a multi-state effort to ship medical supplies to the embattled nation.

And it led Chris Manson, who is OSF HealthCare's vice president of government relations, to wonder why he was on a plane bound for Eastern Europe a day before Easter.

At least, until he met an 18-year-old Chicago woman who was bringing supplies  including a Kevlar helmet and a ballistics vest  to her brother, who was fighting over there.

"I then thought I was going to let the trip happen," he said. "A sort of 'go with the flow.'"

And that flow carried him to the presidential palace in Poland and nearly 200 miles into Ukraine, where he was able to meet up with officials there, assess their needs and find out what happened to an AMT ambulance he had sent over there a few weeks earlier.

"I realized that what we are doing is having an impact, and I came away from the trip better off than when I left," he said.

'Hot button issue': Peoria wants to rein in panhandlers but can't tread on free speech

A 7-year-old's question

OSF HealthCare vice president of government relations Chris Manson shows some of the items he collected during his recent trip to Ukraine. Manson organized the delivery of an AMT ambulance filled with medical supplies to the war-torn nation.

It all began with a news program showing the carnage occurring in Ukraine. Manson's daughter asked what was happening, and why. She wanted to know what could be done.

Manson said that little seed of an idea led to him coming up with what he thought was a crazy idea  sending an ambulance to a war zone. He figured they needed medical supplies and the ambulance would help.

"We saw them using DHL delivery vans to move people out of the area and thought, 'This could be better,'" he said.

But how could it be done? He made several calls and was astonished at the reception he got.

"Not once did I get anything other than, 'How can I help?' It was amazing," he said.

A donated AMT ambulance arrives in Poland before being deployed to Ukraine.

Within a few weeks, an ambulance from Advanced Medical Transport was on its way to Ukraine. It was stuffed with medical supplies donated by OSF, but also by hundreds of employees who, out of their pockets, bought emergency blankets or "quick-clot" gauze bandages.

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Again, Manson was blown away by the generosity.

"Not a single person that I called didn't try to help," he said. It was a level of generosity he didn't expect. What started out as a single ambulance full of stuff quickly turned into two.

In other news: Think your Ameren energy bill was high last winter? Just wait for this summer

And this coming week, four more ambulances are headed there. Vehicles are from Tennessee, Minnesota, Ohio and North Dakota. A medical bag from the Dunlap Fire Protection District is now with the Rivne, Ukraine, regional fire department.

All those donations, he said, add up and show how it was and is a group effort. Even if the supplies don't last or are destroyed in the fighting, it's symbolic.

"It shows the Ukrainians that we are trying to help, and the message that I got when I was there was 'thank you,'" he said.

Inside Ukraine

He went over to Ukraine because he wanted to see how the ambulance and the supplies were being used. But it was risky. He hooked up with the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America, which donated a helmet and a bulletproof vest.

After 10 hours, he was in Poland. The next day, he went to Medyka, Poland, where he crossed the border into Ukraine and into the city of Shehyni.

"I walked across the border. I was dropped off by a taxi on the Polish side and met a driver I had previously arranged for on the Ukrainian side that took me to Lviv to meet with the Ukrainian officials."

He then went farther east to Rivne, which is about six hours west of the border  but still four hours east of Kyiv, the nation's capital.

While in Rivne, he met with the regional governor and toured a Ukrainian veterans rehabilitation hospital. He met with patients and staff at a regional hospital there and discussed what supplies they needed.

He also visited a fire station there, where he used his experience as a volunteer firefighter to discuss issues regarding their firefighting and emergency medical efforts amid the bombings

He was in Ukraine for two days and one night and said he never felt threatened. The closest thing he got to being nervous was on the way out when his driver was acting jittery.

A set of patches worn by first responders in Ukraine.

"He said that where we were was where a missile strike had come a day or so before. And he didn't like being there. I never really felt like I was in danger, though," said Manson, who is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. "When I left, I gave my body armor and my helmet to a school administrator there who was taking it to his son who was fighting on the front.

"The thing about what I saw is that everyone over there is involved in the war effort. They are all trying to do their part to help. It kind of reminded me of the American War for Independence. They just want to be free."

Another thing he learned while there is what they need and how they are coping. Ukraine, he said, is a modern nation and had spent years rebuilding infrastructure only to see it destroyed in the past two months.

Where he was in Rivne and Lviv, he saw soldiers, checkpoints and weapons that didn't let him forget there was a war. But there were also people trying to live their lives as normally as they could. People were getting coffee at cafes, he said.

Once he returned to Poland, he was invited to the Presidential Palace, where he met with Wojciech Kolarski  the secretary of state at the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland. There, the two talked about trying to get more resources into Ukraine as well as the Illinois National Guard's partnership with the Polish military.

Europe is already sending ambulances and supplies, but the need is so great that even a handful from the United States makes a difference.

"The level of gratefulness that the Ukrainian people demonstrated towards me and those who were bringing supplies in left a real mark on my heart," he said.

A remembrance: Former Peoria Heights educator fought to keep district from being 'swallowed up by Peoria'

More help on the way

Chris Manson, vice president of government relations for OSF HealthCare, holds up a Ukrainian flag he was given during a recent trip to Ukraine. Manson organized the donation of an AMT ambulance filled with medical supplies to the besieged nation, an effort that has garnered similar donations from other parts of the United States.

So, what now?

Manson said he and others are working with the Ukrainian Medical Association of North America to bring more medical supplies over. There are four ambulances headed over this week, bringing the total sent through his and others' efforts to six. They hope to get more.

"They need other things, like IV pumps and cardiac monitors, as well," he said.

What's happening, as best as he learned, was that in some cases, the supplies are staying in the "rear" or in the western part of the nation to replenish supplies sent to the front lines.

In other cases, the supplies from America are going right to where the battles are occurring.

A donated AMT ambulance is filled with medical supplies before shipping off to Ukraine.

Take Peoria's ambulance. It's operating in Kyiv and Bucha, the suburb of Kyiv where several atrocities have been reported. For security reasons, they aren't saying where things are or providing pictures. However, for him, that's not the point.

"The ambulance, if it lasts or not, is there to help people. If it's destroyed, then it served its purpose for when it was there," he said.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Ambulance from Peoria making difference in Ukraine, OSF employee says
Headed to the altar! Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barkers wedding plans are cooking up. The Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum and the Blink-182 drummer vacationed in a popular destination to plan for their official wedding.

According to a source to People, the couple headed to Europe to scout for wedding destinations. Kourtney and Travis had a wonderful trip to Italy. Their first stop in Milan was wedding-related, the insider said. They are getting married soon.

More from StyleCaster

Travis proposed to Kourtney in October 2021 after the duo started dating in January 2021. They later got married without a license in Las Vegas after the 64th Grammy Awards ceremony on April 3, 2022. Kourtney posted the Elvis officiated wedding on Instagram, Once upon a time in a land far, far away (Las Vegas) at 2am, after an epic night and a little tequila, a queen and her handsome king ventured out to the only open chapel with an Elvis and got married (with no license). Practice makes perfect.

Peoples source continued that the wedding will be small and Kourtney is keeping all the details secret. The source also hinted that there may be a direct location since the couple also vacationed in Lake Como for two days. They loved it.

Click here to read the full article.

According to the insider, it seemed like they were enjoying their time to the fullest. It was just the two of them and it looked like they enjoyed their romantic trip, the source confirmed. They were walking around hand-in-hand and wouldnt stop kissing. They looked very happy.

The Kardashians is available to stream on Hulu. Heres how to watch it for free.





Watch The Kardashians $6.99+





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"Kris Jenner...And All Things Kardashian" by Kris Jenner

For more about the Kardashians, check out Kris Jenners 2011 memoir, Kris JennerAnd All Things Kardashians, in which the momager tells her never-before-told story about how she led her six childrenKourtney, Kim, Khloe, Rob, Kendall and Kylieto international stardom and built their multi-million dollar empire. You may think you know the Kardashians, but as Kris explains in her book, whats in the media and in Keeping Up With the Kardashians is only the tip of the iceberg. In Kris JennerAnd All Things Kardashians, Kris reveals how she balanced six children (not to mention four stepchildren and numerous grandchildren) while building a business for her family. The book also dives into Kris relationship with Nicole Brown Simpson before and after her husband, O.J. Simpson, was accused of her murder. Kris JennerAnd All Things Kardashians is a must-read for any Kardashian fan.

Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think youll love as much as we do. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.

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Hello and welcome back to Max Q.

In this issue:

Launcher debuts full thrust of 3D-printed rocket engine

A "sustainable" satellite mega-constellation?

FAA's decision on Starbase delayed yet again

Dont forget to sign up to get the free newsletter version of Max Q delivered to your inbox.

Launcher demonstrated full thrust on its 3D-printed E-2 engine from NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The test demonstrated about 22,046 pound-feet of thrust (about 10 metric tons) using LOX/Kerosene at 100 bars of combustion pressure.

Though theyre still a ways off from getting to orbit, a successful test like this is a huge step toward a working launch vehicle. The Launcher Light will be small and very efficient, aiming for a low cost to orbit and quick turnaround. But of course first it needs working engines.

This is only one milestone among many to come for the engine; a turbopump with the necessary 3x pressure of the nominal combustion pressure is being tested in parallel. Theyll be integrated after being individually tested, and the resulting integrated engine will then begin its own proving phase.

Watch the test below:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGh_zY_reyA]

Are satellite mega-constellations incompatible with cleaning up space junk in low Earth orbit? OneWeb founder Greg Wyler doesnt think so. His new venture, E-Space, is aiming to reconcile the two by sending up a mesh communications satellite network composed of spacecraft that will also capture small debris before deorbiting at the end of their useful life.

When we talk about building 100,000 satellites or more [  ] we are carefully monitoring to make sure that we are significantly, hundreds of times, less impactful and basically in the noise from a probability of collision perspective, Wyler said. So while we have more satellites than anyone else we have a negligible increase in the probability of collision.

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Image Credits: Matthew Lloyd/Bloomberg via Getty Images

FAA delays decision on SpaceX's Starbase yet again

In news that surprises no one, the FAA has delayed its environmental review of SpaceX's sprawling launch facility in Texas and its Starship program until at least May 31, the fourth such time that the agency has pushed back its own deadline.

SpaceX cannot conduct an orbital test of Starship, the ultra-super-heavy reusable launch vehicle, until it is given the regulatory green light. The FAA has been working on the programmatic environmental assessment since November 2020, and has received more than 18,000 public comments on the project.

"The FAA is working toward issuing the final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the SpaceX Starship / Super Heavy on May 31, 2022," the agency said in a statement. "SpaceX made multiple changes to its application that require additional FAA analysis."

SpaceX Starship Starbase

Image Credits: SpaceX

More news from TC and beyond

Adranos , a startup developing next-gen solid rocket motors, closed a $20 million Series A round. The company "manufactures solid rocket motor propulsion systems for hypersonic boosters, tactical missiles, space launch vehicles, and other platforms."

Axiom Space's Ax-1 crew safely returned to Earth on Monday after a 15-day stint on the International Space Station, bringing to a close the world's first fully private mission to the station.

Capella Space , which operates a small constellation of satellites equipped with synthetic aperture radar, raised $97 million in Series C funding, with NightDragon leading the round and existing investors DCVC and Cota Capital also contributing.

China will set up a communications and navigation system for the moon, with the first launch for the constellation taking place in 2023 or 2024, Chinese officials said.

Eta Space has contracted Sollensys to implement space-based cybersecurity built on the blockchain. Eta is developing in-space cryogenic propellant depots that could be used to refuel spacecraft.

HawkEye 360 and the National Security Space Association launched an initiative to solicit funding for humanitarian aid support for Ukraine from the space industry, with 16 companies, including Relativity and Rocket Lab, agreeing to make a one-time pledge of $50,000.

NASA completed alignment checks on the James Webb Space Telescope. The telescope will now move into a final preparation stage called science instrument commissioning, which will take around two months, before operations commence in the summer.

Northrop Grumman is expecting an order for solid rocket boosters upwards of $2 billion from United Launch Alliance , Northrop CEO Kathy Warden said during a first-quarter earnings call.

Rocket Factory Augsburg won 11 million ($11.7 million) from the German Aerospace Center, as part of the Center's microlauncher competition. It was the second and final round of the competition. (Isar Aerospace won the first round.)

SpaceX launched Crew-4 on Wednesday, successfully ferrying a new batch of astronauts to the ISS. This is the fourth crewed mission SpaceX has conducted on behalf of NASA.

Starlink is coming to its first major airline. Hawaiian Airlines said it will offer Starlink-powered Wi-Fi aboard its planes, though further details are not yet known.

X-Bow Systems closed a $27 million Series A in advance of the company's static fire test of its solid rocket motor, dubbed "Ballesta." The round was co-led by Crosslink Capital and Razor's Edge Ventures, with participation from Lockheed Martin Ventures and Broom Ventures.

Photo of the week

nasa perserverance

Image Credits: NASA

Ingenuity, the NASA helicopter that's currently flying around Mars, captured this amazing photo of the landing gear the Perseverance rover used to land on the red planet last February. As Erin Gibbons put it on Twitter: "Space debris crash-landed on another world snapped by an aerial drone. What a timeline we live in."

Max Q is brought to you by me, Aria Alamalhodaei. If you enjoy reading Max Q, consider forwarding it to a friend.
Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Betsy Johnson

Democrats in Oregon have long enjoyed party dominance and an absence of viable opposition. The governors mansion especially has been blue for decades, with party outsiders seemingly unable to change its hue no matter the year.

But in 2022, former state Sen. Betsy Johnson might force that to change.

Shes well-funded, with millions in her coffers and no need to spend money on winning a party nomination. Shes drawing endorsements from both sides of the aisle and attracting top political operatives to her team. One independent poll showed that after hearing a positive message about Johnson, 30 percent of respondents supported her, compared to 24 percent who would support a generic Democrat and 17 percent that would support a generic Republican.

And shes throwing a massive wrench into the two-party system thats faced little challenge elsewhere.

Years ago, a third-party gubernatorial bid would be quickly written off in deep-blue Oregon. A Republican hasnt held the seat since the 1980s, with the states urban liberals vastly outweighing its rural conservatives.

But like most states, Oregons political divisions have only grown in recent years. Parties have become more polarized. Democrats are grappling with progressive v. moderate divides. Republicans are figuring out where their party stands in a sorta-post-Trump era. And governors have been put on the map amid the Covid pandemic, with state policies playing an unusually outsized role in their constituents everyday lives.

Amid those changes and frays in political loyalties, unaffiliated candidates like Johnson might have an opportunity thats not been available in years past.

Im going to win. I'm going to be the governor There are going to be shots fired at this effort. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest, she told The Daily Beast.

A native Oregonian, Johnson was first elected to the state legislature in 2000 and built a reputation as a centrist Democrat who wasnt afraid to buck party. But she says her leaving the Democratic Party wasnt a spur-of-the-moment decision. Instead, she says it was a result of years of polarization affecting both wings of the states politics and soiling practical policies.

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We've gotten really good at legalizing drugs and bad at educating our kids, Johnson said in a phone interview. And being able to have a front row seat to watch this urban rural divide tear Oregon apart motivated me to step up.

California, Washington, and Oregon Ditch Their School Mask Mandates

And shes not alone in that assessment. Oregons urban hubs in recent years have been a breeding ground for progressivism that some say has pushed the state Democratic Party too far left, leaving moderate voters without much of a home. Oregons Democratic Gov. Kate Brown has been a case study of that ire.

Even as the Oregon economy excelled in 2021, issues of homelessness, crime and education continued to dampen attitudes in the state. As with any political system, voters turned to leadership for solutions, and havent always been pleased with those outcomes.

In one Morning Consult survey last fall, Brown was found to be the least popular governor in America with just a 43% approval rating. She is now term-limited after assuming the role from Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) in 2015, who resigned amid numerous ongoing scandals. Progressive former state House Speaker Tina Kotek and moderate Tobias Read are among the leading contenders to replace her, once again putting party divisions to the test.

On the left, Johnson is hoping to tap into Democrats that feel left behind by the state party and are ready for a change. But in doing so, she could open up a new can of worms. A split among the Democratic base could thin the partys margins and give state Republicans new prospects.

If Republicans in 2022 can manage to keep their base togetherwhile Johnson potentially peels away voters from the leftthe Oregon GOP could have a chance in the gubernatorial race.

While Oregonians did go solidly for Biden over Trump by 16 points in 2020, state Republicans have a record of more narrow losses to their Democratic opponents in midterm elections. Brown won her 2018 gubernatorial election against Republican Knute Buehler by just over 6 points. In 2014, Kitzhaber beat Republican Dennis Richardson by just over five points.

Republicans have also been emboldened by the outcomes of 2021s two gubernatorial races. In Virginia, GOP Gov. Glen Youngkin swept the seat in what many saw as a gut-check on President Joe Bidens first year in office. In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy narrowly won re-election in what was expected to be a safely blue seat.

But others remain skeptical that Oregon Republicans have a chance in 2022regardless of Johnsons role. Buehler, the 2018 Republican nominee for Oregon governor, is among them.

Buehler, who switched from being a registered Republican to unaffiliated following the Jan. 6 Capitol riots, says itd take the best of circumstances for Oregon Republicans to land a gubernatorial win this cycle. As he describes it, thats unlikely.

He depicted the Oregon Republican Party as being riddled with infighting and having a deeply damaged brand following the Trump administration. State Republicans, in his assessment, are still sorting out the process of what happens after Trumpand were not there yet.

The Oregon Republican primary seems to uphold Buehlers argumentand is drawing some wild contenders. One of the Republican candidates, Reed Christensen, is under federal indictment for allegedly assaulting a police officer at the Jan. 6 insurrection. Another, Stan Pulliam, has admitted he was once a part of a Portland swingers club. Many in the crowded field continue to embrace Trumpwhile some others are more quiet about the former presidents legacy.

Oregon Guv Says Feds Agreed to Start Pulling Out of Portland. Feds Say Theyre Not Leaving.

So, Buehler endorsed Johnson instead.

Democrats, meanwhile, seem to recognize Johnsons pull. Just this week, a new Democrat-backed political action committee Oregonians for Ethics announced it plans to target Johnsons more conservative record, including her past votes to block gun control legislation and her position against a 2019 bill to cap Oregon carbon-emissions, per Oregon Public Broadcasting. The group, which was formed in February has had one contribution so far: $49,500 from the Democratic Governors Association.

Its likely that more money from groups in and outside of the state will be funneled into the raceand toward striking Johnson down.

After the Oregon primaries, which are slated to occur on May 17, the Republicans and Democratic nominees will have access to party resources, including cash, while no-party Johnson will be left to her own devices.

Party fundraising could even have an effect on who will publicly support Johnson, one lawmaker suggested. The overwhelming majority of Johnsons Democratic and Republican endorsers are retiredmeaning theyre not at risk of needing to tap into those same buckets of party funds again.

I think many of the Democrats are worried about offending the funding base, retiring Sen. Lee Beyer (D), whos endorsed Johnson, told The Daily Beast.

Johnson said she recognizes shell be without the machinery and the money of the entrenched political parties. But she dubs that as an advantage, saying it prevents her from beholden to the political strings of a national agenda.

I'm completely convinced that Oregonians are eager to recapture our trailblazing independent spirit and put the people back in charge, not the parties, she said.

One Democratic source told The Daily Beast dwindling Johnsons support among the left is simply about messaging. They argued that showcasing Johnsons conservative record will highlight deal-breaker issues for Democrats, while simultaneously prompting Republicans to vote for her instead of their own nominee.

Whether that approachor Johnsons approachwill work is yet to be seen.

I'm just not gonna give up on the state I love without one hell of a fight, she said. I justI won't do it.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Thousands of firefighters battled destructive wildfires in the Southwest as more residents prepared to evacuate this weekend.

The biggest fire in the U.S. grew to more than 117 square miles through the afternoon northeast of Santa Fe.
A man is accused of making threats against Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, and his family in 2016 in an indictment unsealed in federal court.

A May 2021 indictment against Italian citizenAlessandro Calcagni, which was unsealed Wednesday, also listed numerous bomb threats hes accused of committing against schools and airlines in other states. It also details a call Calcagni made to what he believed was Lopezs home threatening to kill his children.

Calcagni has pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, extortion call to a state senator, four counts of school bombs threats, five counts of airline bomb threats and six counts of conveying false information about bombs on airlines.

An "unindicted co-conspirator" is referenced multiple times throughout the indictment.

Sen. Ernie Lopez (R-Lewes) was the first Hispanic-American elected to the state Senate, according to his biography on the General Assemblys website.

The co-conspirator sometimes made threatening calls with Calcagni and/or paid him to make the calls himself, according to court documents.

Calcagni has not been charged with threatening Delaware schools, but in January 2016, Delaware schools were the subject of bomb threats and Lopez was motivated to issue a statement.

That led to a local news outlet sharing a story online titled Senator Lopez: Cowards making bomb threats will be caught.

The story was later found on the co-conspirator's laptop, according to Calcagni's indictment.

MORE: Teenager threatened Delaware state Sen. Ernesto Lopez

Shortly after the story was shared, Lopez and his family were the victims of two swatting calls in which the caller said they were holding people hostage at a residence associated with Lopez, court documents say. Both calls triggered a police response.

Recordings of both calls were later found on the co-conspirator's laptop, the indictment says.

In August 2016, Lopez received an email from someone later identified as the co-conspirator's, according to the indictment, with the subject line: I want to negotiate not harming you and your family. The writer said he would strike Lopez and his family without warning, court documents say, and go after his children first.

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Then, during a nine-day period in August and September 2016, Lopez and his family received four packages appearing to have been mailed from Europe or Canada, court documents say.

CRIME: Bethany Beach real estate agent charged with sex abuse of 3 young girls

One package sent to his home and addressed to one of his children contained MDMA (ecstasy), according to the indictment. Two other packages sent to his home were addressed to his wife, one containing heroin and another containing a credit card with a small knife inside. A package containing THC was sent to Lopezs business.

Receipts for the packages were later found on the co-conspirator's laptop, according to the indictment.

Later in September 2016, Calcagni called a residence he believed to be Lopezs, court documents say. He addressed the person answering the phone with Lopezs name and said he would kidnap Lopezs children and kill them in my basement if he was not paid two Bitcoin, court documents state.

Neither Lopez nor any member of his family was physically harmed by Calcagni.

More: Mark Purnell, who spent 16 years in prison due to unjust trial, suddenly released

Lopez released a statement Wednesday night, which said, in part:

With the unsealing of this federal indictment, the public can now be rest assured that the perpetrator has been found. Mr. Alessandro Calcagni, the individual who made these threats and so many others, has been identified and will live the rest of his days with the shameful stain of his cowardly actions.

"While Mr. Calcagni directed much of his anger towards my family, we were able to shoulder the burden and withstand his hateful attacks through the support of friends and colleagues who stood by us. We especially wish to thank local, state and federal law enforcement officials for not allowing the search for Mr. Calcagni to go cold," he said.

First elected in 2013, Lopez was the first Hispanic American to serve on the Delaware Senate, according to his state biography. He announced in July 2021 he will retire this year to spend more time with his children.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Man accused of threatening Sen. Ernesto Lopez in 2016
Roman Petrenko - Sunday, 1 May 2022, 11:00 A large number of copies of the newspaper Pridnestrovie [Transnistria], dated 2 May, have been printed in which the citizens of Transnistria address Vladimir Putin, President of the aggressor state. Source: Chief Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine Details: According to Ukrainian intelligence, the central material of the newspaper is the "Official appeal of the people of Transnistria to President Putin of the Russian Federation." The appeal requests that he "deploy the armed forces of Transnistria in the military actions of the Russian army." To this end, "mobilisation points" are being set up in Russia to recruit volunteers to fight in the Transnistrian army. The Kremlin is thus trying to legitimise the actions of thousands of Russian soldiers tasked with carrying out provocations from the territory of Transnistria. The newspaper also contains a series of propaganda materials about "bloody terrorist attacks on Transnistrians on the May holidays, in which dozens were killed, including children, the elderly, and women." As the newspaper was published on the eve of the holidays, there is a threat that the Kremlin authorities are plannig to commit a number of acts of terror among the local population, for which, as is its custom, it will blame "Ukraine and the collective West." The newspaper's texts are full of Kremlin cliches, such as "Transnistrians no longer have any chance of staying out of the war. Kyiv and its NATO puppet masters have already made their decision, they have already coordinated all their actions with Chisinau and Bucharest." The publishers of the newspaper pin all their hopes on "fraternal Russia's opposition [to the forces of Ukraine and NATO]." Foreign citizens are urged to join the armed forces of Transnistria. In particular, "Apart from the Russian Federation, mobilisation points are being set up in the Luhansk and Donetsk 'People's Republics', Abkhazia, and the Special Administrative Region [Kaliningrad Region]." Ukraine's Chief Intelligence Directorate believes that such actions on behalf of the Russian leadership can lay the ground for a new springboard for attack on Ukraine and for an "official" occupation of part of the territory of the independent Republic of Moldova.
No clinical efficacy or safety issues raised and no additional clinical studies required by FDA to support approval

Company plans to engage with FDA toward expeditious resolution of outstanding items

NEW YORK, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM), a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for the management of central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced that the Company has received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding its New Drug Application (NDA) for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine. The CRL did not identify or raise any concerns about the clinical efficacy or safety data in the NDA, and the FDA did not request any new clinical trials to support the approval of AXS-07.

(PRNewsfoto/Axsome Therapeutics Inc)

The principal reasons given in the CRL relate to chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) considerations. The CRL identified the need for additional CMC data pertaining to the drug product and manufacturing process. Axsome believes that the issues raised in the CRL are addressable and intends to provide potential timing for a resubmission following consultation with the FDA.

"It is our goal to work with the FDA to fully understand and adequately address their comments, so that we can make this important new medicine available to patients with migraine as quickly as possible," said Herriot Tabuteau, MD, Chief Executive Officer of Axsome. "The approval of AXS-07 would offer a much-needed new multi-mechanistic treatment option for the millions of people living with this debilitating neurological condition."

The NDA is supported by results from two Phase 3 randomized, double-blind, controlled trials of AXS-07 in the acute treatment of migraine, the MOMENTUM and INTERCEPT trials, which demonstrated statistically significant elimination of migraine pain with AXS-07 compared to placebo and active controls.

About Migraine

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Over 37 million Americans suffer from migraine according to the Centers for Disease Control, and it is the leading cause of disability among neurological disorders in the United States according to the American Migraine Foundation. Migraine is characterized by recurrent attacks of pulsating, often severe and disabling head pain associated with nausea, and sensitivity to light and or sound. It is estimated that migraine accounts for $78 billion in direct (e.g. doctor visits, medications) and indirect (e.g. missed work, lost productivity) costs each year in the United States [1]. Published surveys of migraine sufferers indicate that more than 70% are not fully satisfied with their current treatment, that nearly 80% would try a new therapy, and that they desire treatments that work faster, more consistently, and result in less symptom recurrence [2,3].

About AXS-07

AXS-07 is a novel, oral, rapidly absorbed, multi-mechanistic investigational medicine for the acute treatment of migraine, consisting of MoSEIC meloxicam and rizatriptan. Meloxicam is a new molecular entity for migraine enabled by Axsome's MoSEIC (Molecular Solubility Enhanced Inclusion Complex) technology, which results in rapid absorption of meloxicam while maintaining a long plasma half-life. Meloxicam is a COX-2 preferential non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and rizatriptan is a 5-HT 1B/1D agonist. AXS-07 is designed to provide rapid, enhances and consistent relief of migraine, with reduced symptom recurrence. AXS-07 is covered by more than 80 issued U.S. and international patents which provide protection out to 2036. AXS-07 is not approved by the FDA.

About Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies for central nervous system (CNS) conditions that have limited treatment options. Through development of therapeutic options with novel mechanisms of action, we are transforming the approach to treating CNS conditions. At Axsome, we are committed to developing products that meaningfully improve the lives of patients and provide new therapeutic options for physicians. For more information, please visit the Company's website at axsome.com. The Company may occasionally disseminate material, nonpublic information on the company website.

References

Gooch CL, Pracht E, Borenstein AR. The burden of neurological disease in the United States: A summary report and call to action. Ann Neurol. 2017 Apr; 81(4):479-484. Smelt AF, Louter MA, Kies DA, Blom JW, Terwindt GM, van der Heijden GJ, De Gucht V, Ferrari MD, Assendelft WJ. What do patients consider to be the most important outcomes for effectiveness studies on migraine treatment? Results of a Delphi study. PLoS One. 2014 Jun 16;9(6):e98933. Lipton RB, Stewart WF. Acute migraine therapy: do doctors understand what patients with migraine want from therapy? Headache. 1999;39(suppl 2):S20-S26

Forward Looking Statements

Certain matters discussed in this press release are "forward-looking statements". We may, in some cases, use terms such as "predicts," "believes," "potential," "continue," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "may," "could," "might," "will," "should" or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. In particular, the Company's statements regarding trends and potential future results are examples of such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the success, timing and cost of our ongoing clinical trials and anticipated clinical trials for our current product candidates, including statements regarding the timing of initiation, pace of enrollment and completion of the trials (including our ability to fully fund our disclosed clinical trials, which assumes no material changes to our currently projected expenses), futility analyses and receipt of interim results, which are not necessarily indicative of the final results of our ongoing clinical trials, and the number or type of studies or nature of results necessary to support the filing of a new drug application ("NDA") for any of our current product candidates; our ability to fund additional clinical trials to continue the advancement of our product candidates; the timing of and our ability to obtain and maintain U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") or other regulatory authority approval of, or other action with respect to, our product candidates (including, but not limited to, whether potential filing issues or issues identified by FDA during the substantive review may impact the potential approvability of the Company's NDA submission for AXS-05 in MDD or the timing of such approval; whether issues identified by FDA in the complete response letter may impact the potential approvability of the Company's NDA for AXS-07 for the acute treatment of migraine in adults with or without aura, pursuant to our special protocol assessment for the MOMENTUM clinical trial; the potential for the ASCEND clinical trial, combined with the GEMINI clinical trial results, to provide a basis for approval of AXS-05 for the treatment of major depressive disorder and accelerate its development timeline and commercial path to patients; the Company's ability to successfully defend its intellectual property or obtain the necessary licenses at a cost acceptable to the Company, if at all; the successful implementation of the Company's research and development programs and collaborations; the success of the Company's license agreements; the acceptance by the market of the Company's product candidates, if approved; the Company's anticipated capital requirements, including the amount of capital required for the Company's commercial launch of its product candidates, and the potential impact on the Company's anticipated cash runway; unforeseen circumstances or other disruptions to normal business operations arising from or related to COVID-19; and other factors, including general economic conditions and regulatory developments, not within the Company's control. The factors discussed herein could cause actual results and developments to be materially different from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this press release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstance.

Axsome Contact:

Mark Jacobson

Chief Operating Officer

Axsome Therapeutics, Inc.

22 Cortlandt Street, 16th Floor

New York, NY 10007

Tel: 212-332-3243

Email: mjacobson@axsome.com

www.axsome.com

Cision

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SOURCE Axsome Therapeutics Inc
May 2 (Reuters) - U.S. pipeline company Energy Transfer LP will supply two million tonnes of liquefied natural gas per annum to the Singapore unit of trading house Gunvor Group Ltd as part of a 20-year deal announced on Monday.

The LNG will be supplied from Energy Transfer's Lake Charles project in Louisiana and first deliveries are expected to begin as early as 2026.

Gas companies have in recent months rushed to cash in on a surge in natural gas prices as Western sanctions on Russian supply jolted an already tight market.

Last month, Energy Transfer signed deals to supply a total of 2.7 million tonnes of LNG to China's ENN Natural Gas and ENN Energy Holdings Limited.

Separately, NextDecade Corp said on Monday it would supply 1.75 million metric tonnes per annum of LNG to French energy group Engie SA. (Reporting by Ruhi Soni in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Soni)
Former President Donald Trump reportedly urged top military brass to shoot protesters who flooded the streets in the summer of 2020, following the police killing of George Floyd.

Thats according to a new book by former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, who recalls Trump asking deputies in a June 2020 Oval Office meeting, Cant you just shoot them?Just shoot them in the legs or something?

The alarming excerpt, first reported by Axios on Monday, details a surreal scene at the Resolute Desk, with this idea weighing heavily in the air, and the president red faced and complaining loudly about the protests under way in Washington, D.C.

The good news this wasnt a difficult decision, Esper writes. The bad news  I had to figure out a way to walk Trump back without creating the mess I was trying to avoid.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper speaks during a news briefing with President Donald Trump at the White House on March 18, 2020. (Photo: Alex Wong via Getty Images)

U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper speaks during a news briefing with President Donald Trump at the White House on March 18, 2020. (Photo: Alex Wong via Getty Images)

Espers account aligns with other reports from the summer of 2020, when Trump sent unidentified federal squads into cities such as Portland, Oregon, where they kidnapped protesters and wreaked havoc. Trump then portrayed the violence as originating from the Black Lives Matter movement.

In fact, the opposite was true: A statistical analysis by professors at Harvard and the University of Connecticut found the BLM protests were remarkably nonviolent, and that, when there was violence, it was often perpetrated by police or counterprotesters.

Trump reportedly told advisers that he wanted soldiers to beat the fuck out of BLM protesters, according to a book by Wall Street Journal reporter Michael Bender.

Bender also reported that Trump wanted federal squads to shoot protesters and crack their skulls, or at least shoot them in the leg  or maybe the foot, but be hard on them.

Esper publicly broke with Trump in early June 2020 over the presidents desire to use the Insurrection Act to send U.S. armed forces into states to act as domestic law enforcement.

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Trump fired Esper in November 2020 after he lost the election.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
Even when he speaks about it over the phone from the other side of the country, the love and appreciation in Sam DiMatteo's voice is crystal clear.

Last weekend, DiMatteo, a former two-sport standout at Center High School, was inducted into the California University of Pennsylvania Athletics Hall of Fame for his notable career on the baseball field. While it was his efforts that led to the recognition, when asked to speak about his big moment, all the now 35-year-old state of California resident could do was talk about others  the ones who made his success possible.

"I just kept thinking about the little community we had growing up in Center Township," DiMatteo said. "I took so much pride in being a Trojan. That little sports family we had was special. My family taught me to always be proud of your name and where you came from, and the environment I grew up in made it easy to do that."

Through the support of his "sports family," DiMatteo says he learned the importance of hard work and attention to detail, which translated into a Hall of Fame-worthy career with the Vulcans. In his four years at Cal U, he shined in nearly every statistical category. After the completion of his final college season in 2010, the catcher-turned-outfielder finished top 10 in school history in career hits, home runs, RBIs, doubles and runs, along with setting the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference career record for stolen bases (115).

That type of skill isn't developed overnight. DiMatteo says many people helped develop his game over the years, but none more than his father, Tony. During every step of his process, DiMatteo could count on his dad being there by his side  from little league through his six seasons as a professional in numerous independent leagues.

In early January 2021, the unthinkable happened. DiMatteo lost his favorite coach, his No. 1 fan and, most importantly, his father, to COVID-19.

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"I still think about him every day," DiMatteo said of his late father. "A lot of it hits me hard when I'm with the rest of my family. It just pulls it out of you when you're all together. It's tough but I know he'd be proud."

A little over a year after losing his father, the DiMatteo family showed up together at Cal U's campus to celebrate Sam's big achievement. After being named to the school's athletic Hall of Fame in 2020, a two-year pause for the induction ceremony due to the pandemic had finally come to an end.

"It was a great event," DiMatteo said. "The campus was well-renovated and looked beautiful. It was special to share that with my family and a few old teammates that I hadn't seen in a while  something I'll never forget."

The recognition was nice, but DiMatteo says it was sharing it with his family and representing his community that made him most proud. As the event came to a close, DiMatteo said his goodbyes and headed back to his home on the west coast, where he will continue to live a life that revolves around the baseball.

DiMatteo is no longer a player  he now takes his knowledge of the game and uses it to help others grow, serving as the head coach at College of the Desert, a community college located in Palm Desert, California. In his first season at the helm, DiMatteo led his team to its first conference title in 51 seasons.

When he isn't coaching, he's managing his non-profit, the SD Project, which helps provide sporting equipment to athletes who need it most. In its five-year existence, the SD Project has helped hundreds of young athletes all over the world. DiMatteo says his idea for starting the organization came from where he gets nearly all of his inspiration  back home in Beaver County.

Contact Noah Hiles at nhiles@gannett.com. Follow him on twitter @_NoahHiles.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Hall of Fame nod gives DiMatteo opportunity to honor those he loves
It was a long, winding and difficult road, but Officer Jason Douglas did it: He is back to work and has surrounded himself with the smiling, friendly faces at the Ocala Police Department.

Aside from a handful of times of going to the main headquarters at 402 S. Pine Ave. to sign documents, April 25 was the first time in a long time Douglas actually spent more than a few brief moments inside the building.

"It's only so much you can do at home. It's great to come back and be hands-on in the building," Douglas said in a recent interview with a Star-Banner reporter.

Officer Jason Douglas

The medical treatments of Officer Douglas

In late February 2021, Douglas wasn't feeling well and went to Ocala Regional Medical Center, now known as HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, for a checkup. A few days later, he was transferred to University of Florida Health Shands Cancer Hospital in Gainesville so doctors could treat him for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Medical officials said ALL is a blood cancer that can spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver and spleen.

For months, the police officer's body endured numerous tests, treatments and medications to help him fight the disease, which can be deadly if untreated.

"It definitely affects the body and there were complications and setbacks," said Douglas, who has been with OPD for 25 years.

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Although the cancer was caught early, is manageable and is now under control, Douglas said the medications and treatments strained his body.

For instance, initially he had to stay in the hospital for approximately a month. Then, once he was released, he had several chemotherapy sessions and each one was different, so his body had to adjust.

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With each session, he had to stay in the hospital for roughly a week so doctors could test and determine if his body was accepting or rejecting the care.

Officer Jason Douglas sits at his desk at the Ocala Police Department

During that time, Douglas' immune system was compromised. He lost weight, lost some of his hair, and sometimes his memory was hazy.

Those doctor trips have now been reduced. Douglas said his body is adapting to the treatments, twists and turns.

"I'm finally feeling much closer to being myself," he said.

Officer Douglas still must isolate at work

At work, Douglas is in a room by himself and his mask is by his side. He's on light duty; his job is compiling various police reports. While he was at home, he was doing similar duties, but only when his strength was up.

Douglas said before he could return to work, his doctors had to make sure that his body could handle being in an office environment.

"I love being here and to be back. But for now, I've got to be isolated," he said.

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken

Chief Mike Balken knows how difficult this has been.

"I'm ecstatic to have Officer Douglas back in the building," the chief said.

Together as a family

When Douglas was diagnosed with ALL, Balken vowed to make Douglas and his family whole.

"We wanted him to focus on his recovery," Balken said.

Douglas' colleagues put their arms around him with fundraisers, meal trains, gift cards and anything else they could do to ease the strain on Douglas and his family.

Capt. Charlie Eades said proceeds from fundraisers were used to assist Douglas with medical bills. Officers who signed up with the meal trains provided Douglas' family with food so his wife didn't have to worry about cooking. That allowed her to remain at Shands and spend more time with her husband.

Capt. Charlie Eades and his wife, Lt. Casey Eades

"I'm glad he was able to fight this disease," Eades said.

Balken said Douglas' cancer has him thinking about a plan.

"I'm working hard to bring a new component of physical well-being at the police department. Specifically, we're looking to collaborate with community partners to provide more robust physicals for our officers, which would include scans capable of detecting potentially fatal diseases such as cancer at an early stage," the chief said.

Officer Douglas looks ahead

Douglas said he appreciates all that the chief and his OPD family have done.

"It was incredible. It made a huge difference, and I thank them," he said.

As Douglas gradually eases his way back at work, he wants to one day return to his old job.

Officer Jason Douglas

"I miss my staff and my students at Hillcrest School and I want to go back to being their school resource officer," he said.

Balken is supportive of his officer's wishes.

"I look forward to seeing him return to his duties as a school resource officer with the start of the upcoming school year," he said.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Ocala, Florida police officer battling cancer now back at the office
STORY: Drone footage showed large crowds of people standing shoulder to shoulder outside the newly constructed Jakarta International Stadium for morning prayers, the first mass Eid gathering in two years in Indonesia since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Residents welcomed the relaxed measures, which also allowed tens of millions of Indonesian Muslims to travel back to their hometowns to mark the festival, but remained cautious about infection risks from COVID-19.

For the past two years, the Southeast Asian nation of 270 million people has grappled with one of the highest rates of coronavirus cases in Asia, but in recent months it has loosened many of its pandemic restrictions after a sharp drop in infections.
(Bloomberg) -- Italy raised its windfall tax on profits in the energy industry to 25% from 10% while approving a 14 billion-euro ($15 billion) aid package to shore up companies and consumers hit by surging costs.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The new measures, announced Monday evening by Finance Minister Daniele Franco, dont include additional deficits, and Rome will also extend tax breaks for energy-intensive industries.

The Italian government has already spent more than 20 billion euros this year to shield its economy from soaring energy prices and has taken significant steps to reduce its reliance on Russian supplies, which account for about 40% of gas imports.

Todays measures include reforms to streamline and boost renewable investments that will allow us to speed the transition to a green economy, Prime Minister Mario Draghi told reporters. This will allow us to become independent from Russias gas.

The announcement comes as the European Union debates an additional round of sanctions that would phase out Russian oil by the end of the year.

While Draghi has so far resisted pressure from political parties to further widen Italys deficit, calls to expand cost-saving measures are expected to grow louder in coming weeks, in particular if the EU quickly agrees on a new sanctions package.

The EU is also trying to maintain a united front in rejecting a Russian demand to pay for gas in rubles, a move the bloc says would violate sanctions. Russia has already cut off gas to two EU members -- Poland and Bulgaria -- that have refused to abide by the payment demand.

Draghi told reporters on Monday that Italy would abide by the EUs rules on the matter.

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The blocs energy ministers met on Monday to chart a path forward. At least one country, Hungary, has said it would accede to Moscows demands.

(Updates with Draghi comment in fourth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Retired Sgt. Victor W. Butler is turning 100 this month, and the WWII vet only has one wish: birthday cards.

Butler is believed to be the last surviving Tuskegee Airman in Rhode Island, WJAR reports.

"Oh, I'll read every one of them," he told the Providence-based news station.

Butler was a mechanic for the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, the first all-Black unit of the WWII Army Air Forces.

"The airfield was very nice. It was the visit to the town that was bad," he recalled to WJAR. "Being in Tuskegee, Alabama, it wasn't very acceptable to white people for black soldiers to be walking around."

More than 900 men trained at Tuskegee from 1940 to 1946. About 450 deployed overseas and 150 lost their lives during that period.

"You could say that one of the things we were fighting for was equality," the late Charles McGee told The Associated Press in 1995. "Equality of opportunity. We knew we had the same skills, or better."

Retired Sgt. Victor W. Butler

Courtesy WJAR

Butler, who enjoys doing puzzles to "occupy the time," shared a little bit of well-earned wisdom.

"Just enjoy life as it is. Be thankful," he told WJAR. "I'm thankful that I have a nice wife, and a nice home to live in."

"There are so many people that have lost their home and I am very fortunate to have a nice home and wife and my family who come to visit me often," he added.

Retired Sgt. Victor W. Butler

Courtesy WJAR

Butler is turning 100 on May 21. If you would like to send him a birthday card, you can mail it to:

Victor W. Butler

C/O Gary Butler

P.O. Box. 3523

Cranston, RI 02910
It was an ah-ha moment. Within last weeks story of the 2020 public relations crisis at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center was a crystal clear look into the dysfunction that has beset American politics for decades and that now howls at fever pitch.

The story featured two Western New Yorkers, both of whom have done dumb things in their public lives and both of whom have paid a fearsome price. A grown-up country  which is to say, one that is mature enough to learn from its mistakes  would surely see the error of its ways and insist upon change.

The morality play began and ended in 2020, with Republican operative Michael Caputo playing a prominent role in both acts. Unsurprisingly, Donald Trump figures in all of it.

The curtain went up in March of that year, just as the Covid-19 pandemic was taking hold. Laura Krolczyk, a senior executive at Roswell Park, was exercising her right to free speech but terrible judgment about what she ought to say. She quickly kicked over a political hornets nest.

Krolczyk is a Cheektowaga native who has worked in regional offices for Sens. Hillary Clinton and Kirsten Gillibrand, both Democrats. In 2020, she was Roswells vice president for external affairs.

On March 27, a Facebook exchange turned toward the Trump administrations reluctance to put $1 billion toward production of ventilators, which were essential equipment in the early stages of the pandemic. Among other things, Krolczyk wrote: Trump supporters need to pledge to give up their ventilators for someone else ... and not go to the hospital.

She signed off social media and when she returned, her life had changed: Everything was just, lit up, she said in an HBO documentary on cyberbullying. A friend told her Caputo was leading the mob.

Then I start to get calls and Im getting text messages from people I dont know. And its like, literally, my whole world is vibrating, Krolczyk recalled in the documentary. I issue an apology right away. But the frenzy just kept growing.

Roswell Park, which depends on government funding, quickly fired her. That angered Democrats.

Caputo defended his response, observing that even though Krolczyks post was meant for her contacts, there is no private on Facebook. Its an obvious truism, but it doesnt automatically demand a mob response. He made sure that it did.

I stand right, shoulder to shoulder, with every Trump supporter, Caputo said in an interview. And when she said Trump supporters should get Covid, she was saying that directly to me.

More likely, it was hyperbole, but it was enough, in Caputos estimation, to summon the hordes. You wonder if, since then, hes reconsidered that strategy, because only a few months later, the mob was after him.

In April, Caputo was appointed assistant secretary of public affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He quickly made enemies, based partly on grossly offensive tweets he wrote shortly before his appointment then, just two months before the election, by urging Trumps supporters to prepare for an armed insurrection and, without evidence, accusing scientists in his own agency of sedition. It was at least as foolish as Krolczyks misstep and even more damaging.

Caputo soon stepped down for medical reasons, but said he and he family were the targets of death threats and harassment. The hordes had turned; they were now coming after him.

So, Krolczyk, a private citizen, wrote something foolish about Trump supporters and paid with threats and the loss of her job, in part because of Caputos influence. Caputo, a highly placed public official, says foolish things and draws threats no one should have to endure and suffers what he called challenges to his mental health.

Both exercised terrible judgment, so it isnt surprising that they paid a price. But did anyone learn anything? Its not impossible, as the late Lee Atwater demonstrated. Once a Republican hatchet man for George H.W. Bush, Atwater offered an apology on his deathbed, belatedly comprehending what his vicious brand of politics had done to the fabric of American life. That damage has spread, thanks in part to social media, whose own algorithms encourage easy arrogance.

Heres a lesson that Krolczyk, Caputo and everyone with a smartphone or a public platform could learn: Dont do dopey things. And if someone does, try cutting them a little slack. Well all be better off.

An earlier version of this editorial misstated Michael Caputo's employment status after he became ill.

  

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.
Worshippers in colorful tunics and dresses filled the Teaneck Armory on Monday. The savory scent of potato-and-onion samosas wafted in the air.

The morning ceremony attracted more than 6,000 Muslims from the area to celebrate the end of Ramadan and the start of Eid al-Fitr, the three-day holiday that breaks a month of daylight fasting, prayer and charity.

The event united major mosques from around Bergen County, including Dar ul Islah in Teaneck and Minhaj ul Quran in Hackensack, and reflected the growing size and diversity of the North Jersey Muslim community. Attendance has more than doubled since the joint prayer service started 18 years ago, said Khaja Khateeb, a founder of the Eid Committee of New Jersey.

We need to let our upcoming generation know that this is the culture and let them come here and enjoy Eid, in a bigger place with more people, he said Monday, as balloons bobbed in the armory. It builds a lot of strength in the community  the way we decorate, the ambiance. The kids should feel like this is our Eid.

New Jersey is home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the country, making up 3% of all residents. The state has more than 100 mosques.

As the community has grown, many school districts have added Eid al-Fitr as an official holiday on the school calendar. Montclair is the most recent, closing for the first time this year. Paramus schools will add an Eid holiday next year, along with days for Diwali, Juneteenth and the Lunar New Year.

The Eid celebration follows four weeks of fasting and reflection for Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The period begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon, taking place this year from April 2 to May 1.

During Ramadan, Muslims gather in their homes, in mosques and at local restaurants after sunset for iftar, the meal that breaks the day's fast, which begins at sunrise.

On Sunday, the last day of Ramadan, Adam Bulent Ozdemir of Wayne started the day differently from others this past month. Instead of prayer, his family was preparing to commemorate Eid with foods such as baklava and hummus.

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The Eid Committee of New Jersey holds Eid al-Fitr prayers at Teaneck Armory on May 2, 2022. Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. Imam Saeed Qureshi of Darul Islah Mosque in Teaneck leads the prayers.

For Ozdemir, Ramadan prompted reflection on how to be a better person. He said he was sad that it had come to an end, but that he was looking forward to Eid.

"The fasting makes you discipline yourself," said Ozdemir, the executive director of Peace Islands Institute, a Turkish-American organization with a New Jersey office in Hasbrouck Heights. "You want to do more good things."

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Hakan Yesilova, the Turkish-American editor of Fountain Publishing in Clifton, said he enjoys the annual period of fasting and spirituality that runs through Ramadan and Eid.

"You get used to it. You feel lighter," Yesilova said.

Friends Rafia Shah of Teaneck and Ilhan Mohamed of Teaneck take a selfie before Eid al-Fitr prayers. The Eid Committee of New Jersey holds Eid al-Fitr prayers at Teaneck Armory on May 2, 2022. Eid al-Fitr is the Muslim religious holiday marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Eid al-Fitr is one of two official festivals on the Islamic calendar. The other, Eid al-Adha, comes at the end of the annual hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. It honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah's command.

Eid events continue throughout the week. The Al 'Ummah Community Center of New Jersey will host its Eid festival on May 7 from noon to 6 p.m. at 50 Oakdene Ave. in Teaneck.

Peace Islands, founded in 2003 to promote interfaith relations and dialogue, will host a public Eid festival Sunday, May 8, at 1 p.m. on the grounds of Pioneer Academy at 164 Totowa Road in Wayne.

Mary Chao    covers the Asian community and real estate for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news out of North Jersey, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: mchao@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ Muslims look forward to Eid celebrations after Ramadan ends
Drew Sidora

SplashNews.com Ralph Pittman and Drew Sidora

Drew Sidora is getting real about her marriage to husband Ralph Pittman.

On Sunday's The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 14 premiere, the Step Up actress, 37, opened up about a suspicious text message she found on Ralph's phone that led her to "pack up the kids" and go to Chicago.

"Ralph and I have been through a lot," Drew told cameras. "We're still trying to work through Tampa. And there's new problems. But as long as he continues to show up in marriage counseling and want to make it better, I'm willing to stay committed."

Opening up to newcomer and Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards-Ross, Drew revealed exactly what that text message said.

RELATED: RHOA: Drew Sidora Questions If Her Son, 9, Feels Same Love Her Husband Ralph Shows His Biological Kids

"I found messages in his phone that were saying, 'Oh I can come give you a massage,'" said Drew, referring to Ralph's new female assistant. "Like if she is doing business, where does her giving you a massage come in?"

"Finding out my husband was getting close with his assistant was really hard for me," she admitted. "I packed up my kids and we went to Chicago. I literally ran away from home."

Drew is mom to son Josiah, 10, from a previous relationship, and shares son Machai David, 6, and daughter Aniya, 4, with Ralph.

Drew Sidora

Drew Sidora/instagram Drew Sidora and her family

Later speaking with Kandi Burruss, Drew revealed she still sees the assistant's name "pop up from time to time."

When Ralph walked in, Kandi asked him, "What was your reply?" to the text message the assistant had previously sent. Stepping in, Drew said his reply was, "I'm a guy lol." And the assistant's response? "Well now I know for next time."

"Oh hell no," said Kandi. "I'm a guy means, 'If you come over here, it ain't going to be just a massage.' That's what that means. We all know how this goes. Let's be real. That's letting you know, 'If you ever decide, that's how it's going to be.' "

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Real Housewives of Atlanta

Bravo Media Drew Sidora

Brushing it off, the topic was then brought up for the third time at new housewife Marlo Hampton's fashion event for her company, Le'Archive.

Speaking with Kandi and Kenya Moore, Drew found out that Ralph's assistant posted a cryptic message that seemingly referred to the situation.

"He supposedly fired her and they were supposed to have no communication, but he's actually telling her some of our business," Drew told cameras. "It's complete betrayal."

RELATED: RHOA's Kandi Burruss Promises Fans 'a Different Vibe' for Season 14 After Casting Shake-Up

"You need to step in and go, 'This is what's going to make me comfortable. This is what needs to happen,'" said Kenya.

Last season, the pair had their first session with their new couple's counselor, Love McPherson, which came after Ralph told Drew on the Dec. 20 episode that he was "definitely down with counseling."

"Ralph and I have tried couple's counseling a time or two or three or a dozen, I've lost track. But after our huge blowup on our anniversary, which was probably the biggest argument we've ever had in our marriage, we know we have serious problems that we really need to commit to working out and fixing  quickly," she said to cameras at the time, noting that their six-year anniversary dinner two weeks prior ended with Drew in tears.

Drew Sidora

Drew Sidora/Instagram Drew Sidora and Ralph Pittman

As for transparency in her marriage, Drew told Love that she would like to know "if you're going somewhere, you know, being able to just share and say, 'Hey, I'm going to the store, I'm going to work out. I'm going to Tampa,'" she continued, referencing Ralph's multi-day trip to Florida, which he didn't tell Drew about in advance. "Just allowing me to know what you're doing, where your mind is."

Since the current season of RHOA premiered, Drew has been open about the state of her marriage, previously admitting: "We've got to get our act together for the sake of our kids and for our marriage if we want this thing to last."

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Speaking with PEOPLE about the new season of RHOA, Kandi said season 14 has a different feel for her after a casting shake-up.

"It's fresh," Burruss, 45, told PEOPLE exclusively ahead of the premiere. "Now, we got new blood on the show. Everybody is just different."

After the departures of Porsha Williams and Cynthia Bailey, the show will welcome Richards-Ross. But she won't be the only new face holding a peach.

RELATED VIDEO: Kandi Burruss Says Season 14 of RHOA 'Brings So Many Answers' to Years Long Questions

Hampton, a friend of the show since season 4, has been upgraded to full-time cast member. On-again, off-again housewife Sheree Whitfield will also return to the series. Drew Sidora and Kenya Moore will help round out the RHOA cast.

"Even though Sheree has been there before, it's like she came back with a whole new vibe," explained Burruss. "With Sanya, she just is just fresh energy."

The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo.
In March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Russian mothers to do anything in their power to prevent their sons from being deployed. If you have the slightest suspicion that your son could be sent to war against Ukraine, act immediately" to prevent him being killed or captured, he said.

Clearly, Kyiv knows the power of connection with soldiers families. The Ukrainian Ministry of Interior set up a hotline for the families of Russian soldiers. Anxious responses have come from as far away as Vladivostok, Russia, thousands of miles to the east.

'TikTok War'

Mothers are a force to be reckoned with when their sons are at war. That goes in spades for the mothers of some 15,000 fallen Russian soldiers, many of them young conscripts.

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Russian servicemen in eastern Ukraine on April 30, 2022.

It has become something of a cliche to call this the "TikTok War," but more so than any other war in the Information Age, Russians are communicating with their families from the front lines. Advances in technology mean that no longer do soldiers head off to war with slow and scant communication until their deployment is over. Soldiers arent robots fighting for dictators  theyre valued warriors who fight for a cause. They yearn for connection with family and friends they left behind.

Technology also allows their loved ones at home to see individual firefights, dead soldiers strewn in streets and refrigerator trucks with the bodies of the fallen.

'A sea of tears'

Recently, an image went viral showing a captured Russian soldier crying when Ukrainians allowed him to video call his mother. A smartphone recording has surfaced from Siberia with enraged women shouting down a government official who let it slip that conscripts had been sent into action unprepared for battle.

In Moscow, Svetlana Golub, at the Committee of Soldiers Mothers, has been fielding hundreds of calls. Its just a sea of tears, she told The Guardian.

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And its only the beginning. Most of the body bags havent made it home yet.

What about single moms: Mother's Day is coming, so this is for single moms and the families they're building

In Russia, maternal grief has been a particularly powerful, iconic force, tracing back to World War II, in reverence for the sacrifice of millions upon millions of sons killed while halting the Nazi invasion.

Bombed apartment building in eastern Ukraine on April 30, 2022.

But in the 1980s, Soviet veneration of the mothers started to backfire during the occupation of Afghanistan. A host of angry women rose up to protest the widespread abuse of new recruits within deployed units  to the chagrin of the military and politburo.

Vladimir Putin's nightmare

Russian soldiers mothers found a greater voice in the next decade. Fierce women mobilized against the Russian war with the breakaway republic of Chechnya. In early 1995, they demonstrated in Red Square; a few days later they headed to a devastated Grozny, ground zero of the hostilities. In the weeks that followed, they confronted Russian military commanders to gain the release of dozens of their boys and men.

When asked how she could grab her son by the collar and drag him past his commander, a leader of the group growled, Every general has a mother.

Such a scenario is Vladimir Putins nightmare. Its why, in his March International Womens Day address, he urged Russian mothers to be proud" of their sons. He repeated his cynical lie that draftees would not be deployed in his special military operation.

Vladimir Putin: His biography makes this dictator, and the Ukraine war, especially dangerous

Swanee Hunt

John Spencer

Beyond an autocrat targeting journalists and dissenters, Putin is now a ruthless dictator clamping down on independent voices, using draconian laws and penalties. His wrenching grasp presents an ominous threat to the mothers of his soldiers. Nevertheless, through social media platforms like Telegram (heavily used by Zelenskyy), Russian families can seek and find the truth about the fate of their sons. Imagine a legion of inconsolable mothers descending on the Kremlin. Imagine their collective voices raised in righteous grief that their boys have become cannon fodder.

As Putins war enters a bloodier phase, we are in awe of the will of Ukrainians united in ferocious defiance. We can hope the same of Russian women who gave birth to a soldier  whose fierce will as she watched his first breath is rekindled as his last breath is extinguished.

Swanee Hunt, former U.S. ambassador to Austria, is the founder of the Women and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is also the founder of Inclusive Security. John Spencer, chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Madison Policy Forum, is author of Connected Soldiers: Life, Leadership, and Social Connections in Modern War.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: End war in Ukraine: Russian mothers can pressure Vladimir Putin
A sunflower in a field among other sunflowers

Kazue Tanaka / Getty Images

The war in Ukraine has entered its third month, and the global supply chain has increasingly been affected by Russia's invasion of its eastern European neighbor. One of the more measurable consequences is both the increasing costs and dwindling supplies of sunflower oil. Before the conflict began, Ukraine exported nearly half of the world's total supply of the cooking oil, and supermarkets in the United Kingdom and in parts of Europe are starting to put limits on the number of bottles that shoppers can buy.

"Supply chains, already disrupted by Covid-19, have been further complicated by the war in Ukraine, which is causing shortages in some ingredients like sunflower oil and raising the price of substitute ingredients," Kate Halliwell, the chief scientific officer of the UK's Food and Drink Federation, told The New York Times. "Manufacturers are doing all they can to keep costs down, but inevitably some will have to be passed to consumers."

Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket chain, has put a three-bottle-per-person limit on all cooking oils, including sunflower oil. Two other chains, Morrisons and Waitrose, have instituted a two-bottle limit.

According to the BBC, the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) has temporarily given food manufacturers the OK to substitute coconut oil, soybean oil, or fully refined palm oil in place of sunflower oil. It has also said that, given the "extraordinary circumstances," manufacturers may also use rapeseed oil instead of sunflower oil and, at least for right now, they will not have to print new labels or update their ingredient lists if they do make these substitutions.

"Consumers should contact the manufacturer or brand for more information if they are unsure of the content of any product or have concerns about substitution," Emily Miles, the Food Standards Agency's chief executive told the outlet. (The FSA previously stated that the risk of allergic reactions to soybean oil was "negligible, and the risk from coconut or palm oil was low.)

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Last week, Unilever also confirmed that it had started to use rapeseed oil in some recipes that previously used sunflower oil. "One of the things Unilever's good at is flexing our formulations so that we can take advantage of differential cost increases," Unilever CEO Alan Jope said during a call that was quoted by Reuters. "As supplies of sunflower oil have got really tight from the Ukraine, we've been able to switch to other oils like rapeseed oil quite effectively."

If you haven't noticed higher prices on cooking oils, pay attention to your receipt after your next shopping trip. Marketwatch reports that vegetable oil prices hit a new record high in February, before increasing by 23 percent in March. The price of a metric ton of soybean oil has jumped by 255 percent since 2019, and palm oil prices have increased by 200 percent.

In the United States, soybean producers might be facing the challenge of trying to make up for the decreasing availability of other cooking oils. "Two of the three major edible oils export markets used by bakers are in complete turmoil  sunflower oil from Ukraine and palm oil from Indonesia," Robb MacKie, the president of the American Bakers Association, told the Times. "The disruption of this ubiquitous ingredient will cause further strain on America's food system."
Donald Trump has settled a long-running lawsuit brought by the DC attorney general over the financing of his 2017 inauguration, specifically focused on the Trump International Hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue.

In a statement, Mr Trump claimed to be settling the case with absolutely no admission of liability or guilt and couched the news in the context of violent crime, essentially saying he was giving the capitals law enforcement agencies a break. The settlement reportedly totals some $750,000.

Meanwhile, the sometime president has also joined other Republicans in decrying the leak of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alitos draft opinion overturning Roe v Wade in a case that has yet to be formally decided.

Mr Trump today told a right-wing radio show that the leak was a terrible thing, calling it demeaning and not good. With the prospect of an end to legal abortion highly unpopular across the country, many Republicans and right-wing commentators are already training their focus hard on the release of the draft.

Key points

Trump forgets JD Vances name at Ohio rally

Trump defends Nebraska gubernatorial candidate who has been accused of sexual misconduct

Elon Musk 'dismayed' Trump still barred from Twitter, report says

US Capitol riots panel to hold public hearings in June, says chairman

Right-wingers crediting Trump for the end of Roe

16:38 , Andrew Naughtie

The draft Supreme Court opinion leaked last night is not necessarily the final version of the courts decision, and nor has the vote on that decision been made clear  but many right-wing Republicans are already taking it for granted that Roe v Wade is dead, and that Donald Trump deserves the credit for appointing the jusitices whove buried it.

Because of Donald J. Trump, Roe v. Wade will be overturned.  Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) May 3, 2022

Read more below from Bevan Hurley.

Story continues

Madison Cawthorn and right-wing Republicans hail Trump for Roe v Wade move

Report: Capitol Police officer accidentally discharged gun in House office building

16:08 , Andrew Naughtie

It has emerged that a member of the US Capitol Police accidentally discharged a weapon in a breakroom at the Cannon House Office Building, which sits across the street from the US Capitol.

In a statement, Capitol Police spokesman Tim Barber said: The Capitol Polices Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating the discharge of a USCP weapon inside a breakroom in the Cannon Office Building. The officer has been suspended while OPR investigates the incident."

Capitol Police officer accidentally discharged gun in Cannon Office Building, sources say via @ChrisMarquette_ https://t.co/WAI8YOvv1x  John T. Bennett (@BennettJohnT) May 3, 2022

There have been other incidents involving Capitol Police officers and their weapons in recent years, including an infamous one where a lieutenant left his service weapon in a bathroom. It was eventually found by another officer.

Analysis: Republicans could face a dire Roe v Wade backlash

15:42 , Andrew Naughtie

After a night outside the Supreme Court reporting on the protests that followed the leak of Samuel Alitos opinion overturning Roe v Wade, Eric Garcia writes that for all the conservative jubilation at the prospect of the decision being thrown out at last, the consequences could be harsh for the Republican Party.

A Washington Post/ABC News poll published on Sunday found that 47 percent of voters trust Democrats as opposed to Republicans on abortion. That number is likely to nosedive even more if this leaked draft becomes the official opinion of the Supreme Court  especially considering other polls show that the majority of Americans support safe and legal access to abortion. This is really unprecedented, and just to be frank with you is going to piss a lot of people off across the country, Marcela Mulholland, political director for the progressive polling outlet Data for Progress, told me in the wake of the news. And theres been a lot of talk about this being a tough midterm cycle for Democrats. But I really think theres no telling how a decision like this could have ramifications and really be a backlash against conservatives who are stripping people of their constitutional rights to bodily autonomy.

Read his full dispatch below.

Republicans dont realize the backlash theyll face if Roe is overturned

Hillary Clinton on Alitos Roe opinion

15:05 , Andrew Naughtie

Hillary Clinton, whose defeat paved the way for Donald Trump to appoint three anti-abortion Supreme Court justices, has given her view on the leaked draft opinion from justice Samuel Alito that would effectively overturn Roe v Wade:

Not surprising. But still outrageous.



This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights, & lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law. It will kill and subjugate women even as a vast majority of Americans think abortion should be legal. What an utter disgrace. https://t.co/TNo1IX3Tl4  Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 3, 2022

Ohio primary: JD Vance not worried about Trump forgetting his name

14:35 , Andrew Naughtie

JD Vance, the Hillbilly Elegy author whose sudden conversion to hardcore Trumpism won him the former presidents endorsement in todays Ohio Senate primary, has shrugged off the embarrassing incident this weekend where the president appeared to forget his name at a rally.

He gives, what, thousands of words of speeches every single week, Vance told CBS News. Sometimes hes going to misspeak. Everybodys going to do that...Im not worried about it at all.

Mr Vance is loathed by many in the Republican ranks for his longtime opposition to Mr Trump, whom he once said could turn into Americas Hitler after being elected on an openly racist platform.

.@costareports asks Ohio GOP Senate candidate J.D. Vance his reaction to Pres. Trump referring to him as "J.D. Mandel" at a rally Sunday:



"Sometime's he's going to misspeak...I'm not worried about it at all," Vance says ahead of tomorrow's primary race. pic.twitter.com/SDxJgqx4MJ  CBS News (@CBSNews) May 2, 2022

Trump rails at Georgia grand jury on Truth Social

14:00 , Andrew Naughtie

As he finally embraces his formerly moribund platform Truth Social, Donald Trump has fired off a statement ranting about the grand jury being convened in Fulton County, Georgia to hear evidence that could result in him being prosecuted for pressuring state officials to illegally overturn the 2020 election in his favour.

GA is the one he is worried about. Its the one hes always worried about. Because this time, the perfect calls are on tape. The last line - he was just calling as Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the US. The president is nothing of the sort - thats his autocratic fantasy. pic.twitter.com/p0Ag3ohqwQ  Ron Filipkowski  (@RonFilipkowski) May 3, 2022

Poll shows Americans think Trump should face Jan 6 charges

13:23 , Andrew Naughtie

A new poll commissioned by the Washington Post and ABC News has found that more than half of Americans think Donald Trump should be charged with a crime for his role in the events of 6 January 2021.

The survey did not ask what specific crime respondents thought the president had committed  but it is notable that fully 56 per cent of independents think he is culpable in some way, perhaps signalling that Republicans efforts to delegitimise the investigation into the riot as a witch hunt may yet prove counter-productive.

NEW: 52% of Americans say Trump should be charged with a crime for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot by @JaxAlemany & @sfcpoll https://t.co/xmD38zk3JF pic.twitter.com/qZYJphycKf  Emily Guskin (@EmGusk) May 3, 2022

Report: Anti-Trump GOV governor to let rip in speech

12:43 , Andrew Naughtie

According to the Wall Street Journal, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, who stands as one of the few nationally known Republicans to vehemently oppose Donald Trump, is preparing to deliver a speech today in which hell issue his party a full-throated warning about the perils of yoking itself to the former president.

We wont win back the White House by nominating Donald Trump or a cheap impersonation of him, Mr. Hogan will say, according to a copy of his speech shared with the WSJ. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. https://t.co/9v4z7XPkrw  John McCormick (@McCormickJohn) May 3, 2022

It has been speculated that Mr Hogan could run for president in 202, but it is unclear what he himself thinks about the merits of joining a field expected to be dominated if not cleared completely by a returning Mr Trump.

ICYMI: Grand jury being selected in Georgia Trump case

11:48 , Andrew Naughtie

Authorities in Fulton County, Georgia, yesterday began the process of impanelling grand jurors in a case examining whether Donald Trump illegally tried to influence the outcome of the 2020 election by pressuring state officials to find enough votes to flip the state Mr Trumps way.

The case is one of the most serious of many legal threats to Mr Trumps political future, and hinges on a recorded phonecall from January 2021 in which the then-president told Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have.

Mr Trump continues to insist that Georgia was stolen from him via organised fraud, but has produced no evidence to back up his claims. Multiple re-examinations of the states votes have turned up no irregularities that could have affected the result.

Bevan Hurley reports:

Georgia grand jury to investigate Trumps bullying of official after election loss

Trump endorsee vanishes from university website

11:16 , Andrew Naughtie

Dr Mehmet Oz, the TV medic and Pennsylvania candidate who has won Donald Trumps endorsement over the objections of many conservatives, has apparently been all but completely removed from the Columbia University medical schools website.

The move comes after an erroneous report in January that claimed the school had changed his title to professor emeritus. Since then, the school has removed his biography from the site and modified pages that mention him so they do not link to the defunct page.

Dr Oz is controversial on the right because of his long-held support for abortion and gun control, core issues on which he has now reversed his positions as he seeks the GOP nomination. Before he entered the political fray, he was already a contentious figure because of his long history of promoting cures and therapies that he himself admitted often don't have the scientific muster to present as fact.

Andrew Feinberg has more.

Columbia University removes mentions of Mehmet Oz from website

The truth about Truth Social

10:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Truth Social, Donald Trumps bespoke free speech alternative to Twitter, fell disastrously flat when it went live earlier this year. Would-be users were stranded on a growing waiting list after the confused quasi-launch, and executives soon departed as its various technical and branding troubles became clear. Downloads and user engagement soon reached dire lows.

More to the point, Mr Trump himself declined to post on the app, despite the fact that his presence was supposed to be one of its main selling points. However, after the news broke that Elon Musk was buying Twitter, Mr Trump returned with an exuberant message: IM BACK! #COVFEFE

Does this mean that despite all predictions, Truth Social is going to survive and thrive? The Independents Alex Woodward has signed up to find out.

What youll find on Truth Social, Trumps social media platform for free expression

ICYMI: Jan 6 committee asks three congressmen for information

09:55 , Andrew Naughtie

The select committee investigating the 6 January attack on the US Capitol yesterday wrote to three Republican House members requesting that they explain what they knew about the riot and those participated in it, both before and after the fact.

Among them are Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks  who recently lost Donald Trumps endorsement in the Alabama Senate race  and Ronny Jackson.

Dr Jacksons letter in particular is of interest as it cites messages mentioining him that were sent during the riot by members of the Oath Keepers, an extremist militia whose leaders are now facing charges of seditious conspiracy over their role in the insurrection.

Andrew Feinberg has more.

Jan 6 committee asks Reps Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson for information

Whats at stake for Trump in tonights Ohio primary?

09:20 , Andrew Naughtie

Tonight marks the end of the bitterly fought Republican Senate primary in Ohio, where multiple candidates have been duking it out for the chance to fight for an open seat  one that their party will almost certainly need to hold if it wants to be assured of a majority after the November midterms.

The last major turn in the race was Donald Trumps decision to endorse JD Vance, the Hillbilly Elegy author and bitter Trump critic who reinvented himself as a right-wing culture warrior for the purposes of the election. His most conspicuous rival, the equally hardline Josh Mandel, has become a target of scorn from many in Mr Trumps orbit since the presidents endorsement came down, but as evidenced by Mr Trump mangling the two mens names together at his rally this weekend, it is unclear what weight the endorsement will actually carry at the ballot box.

John Bowden has this report from the ground.

Josh Mandel seeks a victory over Trump-endorsed JD Vance through Ohios churches

Trump rails against establishment Republicans in Nebraska, backs candidate facing sexual assault allegations

08:00 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump railed against establishment Republicans during a rally in Nebraska and backed a gubernatorial candidate facing several sexual assault allegations.

Mr Trump boosted for Nebraska Republican Charles Herbster, who has been accused by eight women of groping them or focrcing himself on them. He has denied the allegations, and Mr Trump  who also was the subject of sexual assault allegations  advocated for his character. The sexual assault allegations were first published by the Nebraska Examiner.

Its a shame, Mr Trump said. Thats why I came out here. I defend people when I know theyre good. Hes a good man. He was with us from the beginning ... hes an innocent human being.

He also took shots at Senator Ben Sasse, who he called an embarassment.

Twenty three Republican Secretary of State candidates in 19 states believe that Trump won the 2020 election

07:00 , Graig Graziosi

There are 23 Republican candidates for Secretary of State postings in 19 states who believe that Donald Trump actually won the 2020 election, and that massive voter fraud occurred.

Many of the candidates echoing Mr Trumps lies have been endorsed by the former president in their races.

Those candidates, if they win, could reshape the way elections occur, which some experts fear they could abuse to help Mr Trump win if he were to run again in 2024.

Jared Kushner to write White House memoir

06:00 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kusher is releasing a memoir of his time in the White House this summer.

He will be the first member of the Trump family to release a memoir about his time working alongside Mr Trump in the White House.

The book is titles Breaking History: A White House Memoir, and will be released on 9 August.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell rejoins Twitter only to be banned again in four hours

05:00 , Graig Graziosi

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, who was banned from Twitter last year for spreading US election-related misinformation, rejoined the platform after Elon Musks takeover, only to be suspended again four hours later.

Mr Lindell, a staunch supporter of former president Donald Trump, announced his comeback on Twitter with a new account on Sunday afternoon.

Hello everybody, Im back on Twitter. My only account is @MikeJLindell! Please RT and follow to spread the word, the MyPillow CEO wrote in his first Twitter post from his new account.

He was banned again shortly after.

Stuti Mishra has more in the report below.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell rejoins Twitter only to be banned again in four hours

Georgia forming special grand jury to investigate Trumps bullying of official after election loss

04:00 , Graig Graziosi

Grand jurors are due to start being impanelled in Georgia on Monday to examine whether former President Donald Trump and his allies tried to illegally influence the 2020 election.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has been investigating election interference in the state since early last year, requested the grand jury in January to allow her to issue subpoenas to those who have refused to cooperate otherwise.

The District Attorneys office is looking into a January 2021 phone call in which Trump pushed Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to find the votes needed for him to win the state.

I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, Mr Trump said during the conversation.

The Independents Bevan Hurley has more in the story below.

Georgia grand jury to investigate Trumps bullying of official after election loss

House January 6 committee asks Reps Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson for information

03:00 , Graig Graziosi

The House select committee investigating the 6 January insurrection has requested interviews with Republican Representatives Andy Biggs of Arizona, Mo Brooks of Alabama, and Ronny Jackson of Texas as part of its probe into the worst attack on the Capitol since 1814.

In a statement, Select Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson and Vice-Chair Liz Cheney said the panel has found several of our colleagues are in possession of information relevant to our investigation into the facts, circumstances, and causes of January 6th.

Read more from Andrew Feinberg on the requests in the story below.

Jan 6 committee asks Reps Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson for information

New book says Trump wanted troops to open fire on BLM protesters: Cant you just shoot them?

02:00 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump reportedly asked if law enforcement could just shoot George Floyd protesters who took to the streets in 2020 to demonstrate against police violence.

Mr Trumps secretary of defense at the time, Mark Esper, makes the claim in his upcoming memoir, A Sacred Oath: Memoirs of a Secretary of Defense During Extraordinary Times, which comes out on 10 May.

Read more in Nathan Places story below.

Trump wanted troops to just shoot BLM protesters, new book says

NYPD veteran found guilty of assaulting officer at Capitol riot

01:00 , Graig Graziosi

A former New York City Police Department officer and a US Marine Corps veteran has been convicted of assaulting a police officer during the Capitol riot. Jurors rejected his argument that he acted in self defence when he tackled an officer to the ground.

Thomas Webster is the direct 6 January defendant to be tried for assault and to attempt to make a self defece claim to justify his actions.

Alex Woodward has more in the story below.

NYPD veteran found guilty of assaulting officer at Capitol riot

Republican Governor of Arkansas mulling presidential run in 2024

Tuesday 3 May 2022 00:00 , Graig Graziosi

Republican Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson said he was considering a 2024 presidential run, and said former president Donald Trumps involvement in that race would not impact his decision.

Mr Hutchinson, a two-term governor, cannot run for a third term due to Arkansas state law.

He told CNN that he was not aligned with Mr Trumps ideas and wanted to take the country in a different direction.

I think he did a lot of good things for our country, but we need to go a different direction. And so thats not a factor in my decision-making process, he said.

Monday 2 May 2022 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

A Republican Federal Communications Commission member backed Tesla CEO Elon Musks purchase of Twitter, arguing that his state intention to ease Twitters restrictions on speech ... would almost certainly enhance competition and better serve those Americans, the majority, who value free speech.

Nathan Simington, the official, said Monday the FCC cannot, and should not, block this sale.

We should instead applaud Mr. Musk for doing something about a serious problem that government has so far failed to address, he said.

Ars Technica reports that Mr Simington was nominated to the FCC by then-president Donald Trumo in 2020. He replaced another Republican commissioner who disagreed with Mr Trump that the FCC needed to crack down on social media censorship.

Fox News correspondent says Trump will run again and lose

Monday 2 May 2022 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

Fox News commentator Geraldo Rivera appeared on Piers Morgan Uncensored and said he believed former president Donald Trump will run again, but that he will lose.

His ego has been rattled and its a grudge now, Mr Rivera said.

Watch the clip below.

"His ego has been rattled and it's a grudge now."



Journalist and political commentator Geraldo Rivera says he thinks Donald Trump will run for President again - but he won't win.@GeraldoRivera | @piersmorgan | #piersuncensored pic.twitter.com/GYyyYsoLFg  Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) May 2, 2022

What youll find on Truth Social, Trumps social media platform for free expression

Monday 2 May 2022 21:45 , Graig Graziosi

The Independents Alex Woodward writes,

Truth Social, former President Donald Trumps platform to stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech, as he described it, is the most high profile among several newer platforms to launch as a direct challenge to mainstream platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, viewed among right-wing figures and users as too constrictive or conspiring to remove their views after they were kicked off for flouting rules about Covid-19 misinformation, violence and harassment.

Take a deep dive into the former presidents social media venture in the story below.

What youll find on Truth Social, Trumps social media platform for free expression

Trucker convoy members suing Washington DC over barricades, citing First Amendment rights

Monday 2 May 2022 21:10 , Graig Graziosi

Sixteen truckers who participated in the Washington DC trucker protest earlier this year are suing the district for erecting barricades that prevented them from exercising their constitutionally protected right to free speech within the city.

The case alleges the truckers First Amendment rights were violated, according to DCist. It claims that the truckers were not able to excercise their First Amendment rights to protest a continued state of emergency declaration and Covid-19 related policies due to the obstacles.

DC Metropolitian Police and the citys Department of Public Work blocked exits on I-395 and I-695 on days during the protest. Police said they closed the exits to allow traffic to continue moving safely.

The blockades did not prevent total access to the city, and affected all drivers, not just the truckers.

Trump to support Liz Cheneys opponent in Wyoming

Monday 2 May 2022 20:45 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump will reportedly campaign against Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney in Wyoming later this month.

Mr Trump will reportedly back Harriet Hageman, an attorney who is set to take on Ms Cheney in the states Republican primary.

It will be a tremendous honor and incredibly exciting to have President Trump visit with us and it will no doubt be the largest political event in Wyoming history. His policies were the best that we have ever seen, from building the greatest economy in the world, to driving America to energy independence, to enforcing our immigration laws, and I expect thousands of Wyomingites to come out to thank him enthusiastically, Ms Hageman said in a statement.

Read more in Eric Garcias story below.

Trump to hold rally in Wyoming to support Cheney challenger

Trump calls into Arizona senate candidates campaign to complain about 2020 election audit

Monday 2 May 2022 20:30 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump called into Republican Senate candidate Blake Masters campaign event on Saturday night, where he said the country was going to hell due to the Ukraine war and high inflation. He also praised Mr Masters for championing his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen.

According to the Arizona Republic, Mr Masters challenged Arizona state Attorney General Mark Brnovich to a debate regarding election-integrity issues. Mr Brnovich has become a target for Mr Trump after a conservative-led audit of the Maricopa Countys 2020 election results found again that Mr Trump lost the election.

[Mr Brnovich] found all sorts of things, but he didnt want to do anything about it, Mr Trump claimed.

Monday 2 May 2022 20:10 , Graig Graziosi

The House committee investigating the Capitol riot is requesting interviews with three Republican lawmakers, claiming they have information regarding the planning of events on 6 January, 2021.

The committee seeks to speak with Representatives Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson. The request is voluntary, and the three lawmakers have not received subpoenas.

The Select Committee has learned that several of our colleagues have information relevant to our investigation into the facts, circumstances, and causes of January 6th, the committee said.

Trump plans to rally against Liz Cheney in Wyoming

Monday 2 May 2022 19:45 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump will reportedly campaign against Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney in Wyoming later this month.

Mr Trump will reportedly back Harriet Hageman, an attorney who is set to take on Ms Cheney in the states Republican primary.

It will be a tremendous honor and incredibly exciting to have President Trump visit with us and it will no doubt be the largest political event in Wyoming history. His policies were the best that we have ever seen, from building the greatest economy in the world, to driving America to energy independence, to enforcing our immigration laws, and I expect thousands of Wyomingites to come out to thank him enthusiastically, Ms Hageman said in a statement.

Special grand jury convenes to decide if Trump will face charges for allegedly interfering in Georgia election

Monday 2 May 2022 19:30 , Graig Graziosi

A special grand jury has convened in Georgia to determine if former president Donald Trump will face charges for allegedly interfering in the 2020 election in Georgia.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis asked a judicial panel in January for the grand jury because there was information indicating a reasonable probability that the states 2020 election was subject to possible criminal disruptions.

The special grand jury was narrowed from a group of 200 Fulton County residents to just 23.

Read the Jan 6 committees requests to three GOP congressmen

Monday 2 May 2022 19:15 , Andrew Naughtie

The 6 January committee has written to three Republican congressmen, Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson, requesting that they answer questions about what they knew in advance of the Capitol riot and who they communicated with about it.

One particularly eye-opening passage comes from the letter to Mr Jackson, in which the panel point to texts between members of the Oath Keepers who are now facing charges of seditious conspiracy. In the messages, which were sent during the riot, they refer to Mr Jackson needing protection and say he is carrying critical data.

The Select Committee has requested cooperation from three additional members of the House of Representatives:

 Rep. Andy Biggs

 Rep. Mo Brooks

 Rep. Ronny Jackson pic.twitter.com/ioB1rGxAG5  January 6th Committee (@January6thCmte) May 2, 2022

As we work to provide answers to the American people about that day, we consider it a patriotic duty for all witnesses to cooperate.



We urge our colleagues to join the hundreds of individuals who have shared information with the Select Committee.  January 6th Committee (@January6thCmte) May 2, 2022

McCarthy tapes: authors explain what Republicans think of Trump

Monday 2 May 2022 18:45 , Andrew Naughtie

Alex Burns and Jonathan Martin, whose book This Will Not Pass has generated story after story in the weeks leading up to its launch, have appeared on The View to explain why the tapes of Kevin McCarthy discussing Donald Trump after the 6 January insurrection are so important.

Take a look at Mr Burnss remarks below...

.@alexburnsNYT: "There is this enormous gap between what Republican leaders will say in public about Donald Trump and what they truly believe about him and what they say about him in private."



"They do have a problem with Trump, and no they're not going to do anything about it." pic.twitter.com/SEDOx721bj  The View (@TheView) May 2, 2022

Piers Morgan hits back at Trump over Nebraska rant

Monday 2 May 2022 18:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trump went on an extended ramble about Fox Nation host Piers Morgan at his Nebraska rally this weekend, musing that the host had supposedly revealed himself to be a ratings disaster once his encounter with the former president had been broadcast.

Mr Morgan, ever the pugilist, had this reply:

This is making me laugh so much. Let it go, Donald !  pic.twitter.com/JnYlU8waib  Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) May 2, 2022

ICYMI: New book confirms Trump wanted BLM protesters shot in legs

Monday 2 May 2022 17:45 , Andrew Naughtie

A new book from Mark Esper, who served as secretary of defense under Donald Trump until just after the 2020 election, confirms one of the more chilling stories that emerged from the summer of 2020: a report that Mr Trump was so disturbed and enraged by the sight of anti-racist protesters outside the White House that he asked his staff why the military couldnt just go in and crack skulls.

Nathan Place has more.

Trump wanted troops to just shoot BLM protesters, new book says

Jan 6 rioter found guilty

Monday 2 May 2022 17:16 , Andrew Naughtie

The latest 6 January verdict has been handed down in a Washington, DC court  and just like all those who have faced trial in the district in connection with the riot, Thomas Webster, a former NYPD officer, has been found guilty on multiple charges.

Guilty on all counts. Former NYPD officer Thomas Webster faces sentencing in September. DC jurors have convicted every Jan 6 defendant to face jury trials so far. On all counts. https://t.co/K0FzevjgfF  Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) May 2, 2022

The jury in the case was shown body camera footage showing him violently assaulting police officers with a flag pole and tackling them to the ground.

@GOP US Capitol Tourist, retired NY police officer Thomas Webster packed his NYPD-issued bulletproof vest, revolver & MREs (meals ready to eat) to come to DC in January. pic.twitter.com/Zypbb71wcq  @tinfoilted (@tinfoilted1) June 25, 2021

Report from Ohio: A battle for Christian votes

Monday 2 May 2022 17:09 , Andrew Naughtie

John Bowden is in Columbus ahead of tomorrows crucial primary in the Ohio Senate race, where Trump endorsee JD Vance is mounting a late surge against Josh Mandel, a young gun who has embraced a particularly theocratic brand of Trumpism in an attempt to appeal to the right-wing grassroots.

Mr Mandel, who is Jewish, has been making a major effort to round up votes among conservative churchgoers in the name of defending Judeo-Christian values. He and Mr Vance now have just over 24 hours until the polls close.

The race is tight. An Emerson College poll taken at the end of last week put Mr Mandel and Mr Vance within two percentage points of each other; a Fox News poll released just a few days earlier put the gap at 5 points. Complicating the races dynamics is persistent support remaining for fellow GOP candidates Matt Dolan and Mike Gibbons, the former of whom was just three points behind Mr Mandel in Emersons poll. Between the two frontrunners a side battle of national surrogates has begun. Mr Mandel was joined by Mr Cruz onstage at High Street Baptist while just a few miles away at the same time JD Vance was campaigning alongside two of the furthest right-wing members of the House, Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene. Hes also hit the trail with Donald Trump Jr, who remains eager to act as a surrogate for those Republicans privileged with the former presidents endorsement. Ms Greene was happy to lay into Mr Mandel on Saturday in Newark, Ohio at the Trout Club resort where Mr Vance spoke to fans. I didnt see the sincerity there. I didnt see the authenticity. I just saw someone that learned to speak MAGA, and just repeat it over and over she said to reporters. Im tired of those candidates.

Read his full report below.

Josh Mandel seeks a victory over Trump-endorsed JD Vance through Ohios churches

Jan 6 committee requests testimony from more House Republicans

Monday 2 May 2022 16:37 , Andrew Naughtie

The 6 January select committee has just announced it is requesting testimony from three more Republican members of the House of Representatives: Andy Biggs, Ronny Jackson and Mo Brooks.

Among the three, Mr Brooks is particularly notorious both for speaking at the 6 January rally outside the White House and for losing Donald Trumps endorsement in this years Alabama Senate primary, where he faded in the polls after suggesting Republicans should move on from insisting the 2020 election was stolen.

Andrew Feinberg has more:

Jan 6 committee asks Reps Andy Biggs, Mo Brooks and Ronny Jackson for information

GOP loses key legal argument against Jan 6 committee

Monday 2 May 2022 16:15 , Andrew Naughtie

The Republican National Committee earlier this year brought a lawsuit to stop the 6 January select committee accessing records related to its fundraising efforts before the attack on the US Capitol. Specifically, it wanted to block a subpoena the committee had sent to Salesforce, the owner of a digital tool the GOP uses to create and distribute fundraising emails, requesting documents and testimony regarding whether and how the Trump campaign used Salesforces platform to disseminate false statements about the 2020 election prior to the attack on the Capitol.

But after putting up a fight, the GOP has failed. And interestingly enough, the District of Columbia judge who threw out its case is a Trump appointee.

Timothy Kelly ruled against the party on various of its claims  and in one particularly important point, he wrote that contra the partys argument, the 6 January committee is in fact properly constituted, rejecting a claim that sits at the centre of many subpoenaed witnesses legal efforts to resist the panels demands.

Andrew Feinberg has more.

Judge rejects RNC lawsuit against January 6 committee

What is the Georgia case against Trump?

Monday 2 May 2022 15:55 , Andrew Naughtie

The grand jury being selected in Fulton County, Georgia will be hearing evidence in what could prove one of the most serious legal threats to Donald Trumps political future.

After the 2020 election, Georgia was one of the handful of states that Joe Biden won by a margin narrow enough that the Trump team to straight-facedly claim he had triumphed only via fraud. They presented no evidence to back up this claim, but pressured state officials heavily both in public and in private.

The most infamous part of that effort was a phone call Mr Trump personally made to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger in which he said I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. A recording of that call, which Mr Trump has since defended as perfect, sparked the investigation that is now approaching the next stage.

Bevan Hurley has the story:

Georgia grand jury to investigate Trumps bullying of official after election loss

Ohio Democrat hijacks Trumps blunder

Monday 2 May 2022 15:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Tim Ryan, a Democratic Congressman running for the open Ohio Senate seat whose primary is tomorrow, has seized on Donald Trumps mangling of two GOP rivals names yesterday  and picked up the domain name for the nonexistent chimera candidate to direct people to his fundraising page.

JDMandel [dot] com directs to Tim Ryans campaign home page.https://t.co/qwX3GxQVwK  Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) May 2, 2022

Watch: Trump on NE governor accused of groping women

Monday 2 May 2022 14:45 , Andrew Naughtie

At his Nebraska rally this weekend, Donald Trump stood up for maligned gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster, who has been accused by eight women of groping. I defend people when I know theyre good, said Mr Trump  who also supported the deeply controversial Roy Moore in the 2017 Alabama senate race after the then-candidate had been accused of sexually assaulting teenage girls.

Trump defending Herbster & campaigning for him in the face of a multitude of accusations, mirroring his defense of Roy Moore. Tonight in Nebraska: Hes been badly maligned, and its a shameI defend people when I know theyre good.



8 women have accused Herbster of groping. pic.twitter.com/T7OFAAPvP2  Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) May 1, 2022

Greene and Gaetz stump for Vance despite his Never Trump history

Monday 2 May 2022 14:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Trump endorsee JD Vance, whose name the former president forgot at an Ohio rally yesterday, also enjoys the backing of two of the best-known far-right Republicans in the House of Representatives: Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene, both of whom appeared alongside him this weekend to rail against former primary frontrunner Josh Mandel, whom they accused of learning to speak MAGA.

Mr Vance, of course, is hated on much of the right for his long history of calling Mr Trump and many of his followers racist (even warning the ex-president could become Americas Hitler).

My sister in Christ, JD called himself a "Never Trump guy." https://t.co/rrcjOTlqF9  Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) May 2, 2022

Another Trump official confirms ex-president wanted BLM protesters shot in legs

Monday 2 May 2022 13:45 , Andrew Naughtie

Axios reports that in his upcoming memoir, former secretary of defence Mark Esper recounts grisly details of a discussion he had with Mr Trump in the Oval Office during the anti-racism protests of summer 2020  confirming a previously reported demandfrom the then-president: Cant you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something?

According to the site, Mr Esper describes the moment as "surreal, sitting in front of the Resolute desk, inside the Oval Office, with this idea weighing heavily in the air, and the president red faced and complaining loudly about the protests under way in Washington, D.C.."

 SCOOP in @Axios AM: Former SecDef Mark Esper, fired by Trump, writes in "A Sacred Oath," out 5/10, that a red-faced Trump said as demonstrators filled DC after George Floyd's death:



"Can't you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something?" https://t.co/q7IoGOspqo  Mike Allen (@mikeallen) May 2, 2022

Senior GOP congresswoman rails against censorship"

Monday 2 May 2022 13:15 , Andrew Naughtie

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a moderate-turned-Trumpist who supplanted Liz Cheney in the House GOP leadership, yesterday fired off a tweet doubling down on one of her partys current ideological talking points:

Free Speech is American.



Censorship is Communism.  Rep. Elise Stefanik (@RepStefanik) May 1, 2022

Ms Stefaniks tweet overlooks the fact that her partys leaders in various states are taking aggressive steps to censor books and other materials, banning them from schools and public libraries, while sanctioning private companies who object to the crackdown.

Republican governors differ on culture war boundaries

Monday 2 May 2022 12:46 , Andrew Naughtie

As the controversy over his states notorious Dont Say Gay law intensified, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took an extremely intransigent approach to the row  to the point where he has endorsed full-on legislative action against Disney, the states largest employer, because of its expressed opposition to the legislation.

Mr DeSantis is, after Donald Trump, Republican voters top choice for president in 2024  but another potential contender, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, has pointed out that his party comrade is in fact tearing up some of the conservative movements most closely held rules.

To me, thats the old Republican principle of having a restrained government, he said. Its a fair debate about these special tax privileges. I understand that debate. But lets not go after businesses and punish them because we disagree with what they said.

Andrew Feinberg has the story.

GOP governor Asa Hutchinson criticises DeSantis for punitive approach to Disney

Mike Lindells return to Twitter crashes and burns

Monday 2 May 2022 12:10 , Andrew Naughtie

MyPillow CEO and devoted Trump defender Mike Lindell, whose conspiracy theory-mongering around the 2020 election has put him at the more unhinged end of the scale, spoke to an interviewer at the ex-presidents Nebraska rally and celebrated starting a new Twitter account, saying he hoped it wouldnt be taken down now that Elon Musks purchase of the platform has been arranged.

Lindell on his new Twitter account: Well see if Elon can stop them from taking it down pic.twitter.com/SQn5WeeMXI  Acyn (@Acyn) May 1, 2022

Sadly for the sometime entrepreneur, things have not worked out.

a story in 3 parts pic.twitter.com/hsgPEHjbOh  Matt Binder (@MattBinder) May 1, 2022

JD Vances rivals pounce on Trump forgetting his name

Monday 2 May 2022 11:37 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trumps endorsement of Hillbilly Elegy author JD Vance riled many conservatives, and the other Ohio Senate candidates into the bargain  and his failure to remember his endorsees name at his rally yesterday has sent the other condenders rushing to mock their late-surging rival.

GOP candidates in #OHSen already jumping on this. Mike Gibbons campaign blasts this out: Even after his endorsement, JD Vance is clearly irrelevant to President Trump, so much so he botched Vances name at his rally today in Nebraska. Quite the ringing endorsement, eh? https://t.co/EBpm00WqSS  Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 2, 2022

From nuns in grade school to coaches on the football field, no one's had a problem remembering the name Mike Gibbons. https://t.co/tT1waAIuff  Mike Gibbons (@MikeGibbonsOH) May 1, 2022

The former frontrunner, Josh Mandel, has meanwhile continued to pillory Mr Vance on what many see as his unpardonable sin: the years he spent decrying Donald Trump and many of his supporters as racists.

When Hillary Clinton was calling us Deplorables, JD Vance was calling us Racists and bragging about voting for Hillary Clinton. pic.twitter.com/5ed6fnILSe  Josh Mandel (@JoshMandelOhio) May 1, 2022

Adam Kinzinger condemns Marjorie Taylor Greenes victimhood"

Monday 2 May 2022 11:11 , Andrew Naughtie

GOP Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who sits on the 6 January select committee, yesterday remarked on his colleague Marjorie Taylor Greenes complaints that she is a victim of unfair scrutiny over texts she sent in the aftermath of the 2020 election and the Capitol riot.

For Marjorie Taylor Greene to say shes a victim, he said, its amazing how, you know, folks like her attack everybody for being a victim... and then when Marjorie Taylor Greene is confronted, shes all of a sudden a victim and a poor helpless congresswoman just trying to do her job.

Watch his remarks below:

GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger tells @margbrennan on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene:



"When [she] is confronted, she's all of a sudden a victim...That's insane...History is not going to judge her, or people like her, that are buying the big lie, well. I firmly believe that." pic.twitter.com/OnznlmBwpJ  Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 1, 2022

Ms Greene is awaiting a verdict in a case brought by a campaign group seeking to have her removed from office under the 14th amendment because of her alleged support for overthrowing the last election, even by force. She claimed in court not to remember any text exchanges she had or social media posts she posted during those months, but has since been confronted with various leaked records that have led some to question the credibility of her repeated claims of forgetfulness.

One of the most famous GOP congresswomen continues to Obfuscate about her pro-coup text messages.



pic.twitter.com/8MMyOt9iDx  Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) May 1, 2022

Devin Nunes calls Biden's new disinformation board 'dystopian'

Monday 2 May 2022 10:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Devin Nunes, the former Republican representative now working as chief executive of the Trump Media and Technology Group, has described the setting up of the Department of Homeland Securitys new Disinformation Governance Board to combat online misinformation as dystopian.

Mr Nunes joined a slew of other conservatives who have been voicing criticism of the disinformation board since the Biden administration announced its creation last week.

In an interview with Fox News, the Trump Media and Technology Group CEO said that Mr Trumps aim was to give American people their voice back. He also added that no big tech tyrant can take us down.

Donald Trump lashes out at Joe Biden at Nebraska rally and calls him 'an unmitigated failure'

Monday 2 May 2022 10:00 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trump on Sunday called US president Joe Biden an unmatched and unmitigated failure and said that he has caused more damage in 16 months [of his tenure] than the five worst presidents in US history combined.

Speaking at a rally in Greenwood, Nebraska, Mr Trump said: We have incompetent people running things. He spoke about the situation in Ukraine and said that it is a very dangerous thing and that this could be a world war.

The former president also said that Mr Biden was embarrassing the country and world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin no longer respect the United States.

Mr Trump claimed that the Russian president is throwing the word [nuclear] around all the time, because he doesnt respect our leadership.

Trevor Noah mocks Washington for hosting superspreader event

Monday 2 May 2022 09:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Trevor Noah mocked the White House for hosting Correspondents Dinner on Saturday evening which the comedian dubbed a superspreader event.

It is my great honour to be speaking tonight at the nations most distinguished superspreader event, he said to audiences laughs.

The host of The Daily Show mocked Washington for hosting a mass indoor gathering after multiple members of Congress tested positive for Covid-19 following another formal event, the Gridiron Dinner.

Watch the video here:

Trevor Noah mocks Washington for hosting superspreader event

Ohio Senate candidate sees surge in donations after Trump endorsement

Monday 2 May 2022 09:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

After former president Donald Trumps endorsement, the Ohio Senate candidate JD Vance  who had been trailing in the polls and was short of campaign money  has seen a huge surge in donations and support.

I see the desperation there these last few months, Matt Cox, a former Republican operative who was an early adviser to Mr Mandel before a falling-out, was quoted as saying by the New York Times. I think his strategy was: All right, Trump won Ohio by eight points twice. All I have to do to become the nominee is to become the most like Trump.

JD Vance says that when he said in 2016 that Trump voters were racists, what he really meant was only some of them are. Yeah, some Trump voters voted for Trump for racist reasons, but most Trump voters are good people. pic.twitter.com/lIxj1CMwLH  Ron Filipkowski  (@RonFilipkowski) April 30, 2022

Trump's bid to shape GOP faces test with voters in May races

Monday 2 May 2022 08:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Donald Trump has, so far, only endorsed those who corroborate his false claims of election fraud.

Now voters across a dozen states are set to decide primary elections this month that will determine the people and priorities leading the GOP into the fall midterms and beyond.

Read the full story:

Trump's bid to shape GOP faces test with voters in May races

ICYMI: Georgia grand jury convenes soon to investigate Trumps push to overturn election

Monday 2 May 2022 07:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Prosecutors in Fulton County, Georgia will on Monday begin the process of choosing a special grand jury to investigate whether former president Donald Trump or any of his allies broke state election laws while trying to pressure officials to throw out President Joe Bidens 2020 election victory.

Read the full story here:

Georgia grand jury convenes Monday to investigate Trumps push to overturn election

Trump mocked after accidentally switching his endorsement for Ohio candidate during rally speech

Monday 2 May 2022 07:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Former president Donald Trump appeared to have confused the names of Republican candidates that he has endorsed for the upcoming primaries that are scheduled to be held for several states this month.

At a Save America rally in Ohio on Sunday, Mr Trump said: You know, weve endorsed Dr Oz. Weve endorsedJ.P., right? JD Mandel, and hes doing great. Theyre all doing good.

Read the full story by Sravasti Dasgupta here:

Trump mocked after accidentally switching his endorsement for Ohio candidate

Fox News host accuses Democrats of waging 'war against Donald Trump'

Monday 2 May 2022 06:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Fox News host Mark Levin attacked the Democratic party on Sunday and said that they have waged a war against Donald Trump.

Mr Levin said that the Democrats in Congress had abused their powers and collaborated with media to take down Mr Trump as they viewed him as a threat for 2024 elections.

He attacked the prosecutors who had targeted the Trump Organization for alleged fraud and said that it is nothing more than a front politburo-type committee set up by Nancy Pelosi loaded with the most radical leftist Democrats you can imagine and two of the worst never-Trumper reprobates that you can imagine. Theres not a single lawyer on that committees staff, not a single representative on the committees staff to raise any objections to what that committee is doing. It is very Stalinist in its makeup.

The host also accused the so-called January 6 committee of violating the Constitution and said that the committee was a farce.Congress has two responsibilities  one, to legislate, two, to appropriate. They have no authority whatsoever to conduct criminal investigations. Thats a separation of powers issue. Thats what the executive branch does, he said. The whole thing is a horrific set-up. Its absolutely un-American.

Elon Musk 'dismayed' Trump still barred from Twitter, report says

Monday 2 May 2022 06:00 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Elon Musk is said to be dismayed that former president Donald Trump is still barred from Twitter.

According to sources quoted in a Wall Street Journal report, the Tesla owner  who recently had an offer to buy Twitter for $44bn accepted by the companys board  the tech mogul is not happy that the former president remains banned from the social media platform.

Since Twitter announced the buyout had been agreed, a string of banned far-right influencers have tried to rejoin the platform  but their accounts were quickly taken down again.

Donald Trump has, meanwhile, said that he wont be returning to Twitter.

He said in an interview with Fox News that I hope Elon buys Twitter because hell make improvements to it and he is a good man, but I am going to be staying on TRUTH,  referring to Trumps own social media platform Truth Social, the launch of which has been beset with technical problems.The bottom line is, no, I am not going back to Twitter, Mr Trump added.

Trump defends Nebraska gubernatorial candidate who has been accused of sexual misconduct

Monday 2 May 2022 05:15 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Dismissing recent sexual misconduct allegations against Charles Herbster, former president Donald Trump defended the Nebraska gubernatorial candidate and said that the allegations against him were malicious.

Mr Trump said on Sunday: Hes been badly maligned and its a shame. Thats why I came out here. He added: It would have been easy for me to say: I am not gonna come.

I defend my people when I know they are good.

The former presidents defence of Mr Herbster came just days after it was reported that seven women  including Republican state senator Julie Slama  had accused him of groping them at political events or beauty pageants. One woman has also accused Mr Herbster of forcibly kissing her.

Mr Herbster has denied these allegations.

A second woman came forward Friday on the record to allege that Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster had groped her.



From @asanderfordhttps://t.co/tf96CL4OQ8  Nebraska Examiner (@NE_Examiner) April 30, 2022

President Biden mocks Donald Trump at White House Correspondents dinner

Monday 2 May 2022 04:45 , Maroosha Muzaffar

Joe Biden mocked the former president Donald Trump during the White House Correspondents dinner over the weekend and said just imagine if my predecessor came to this dinner this year. Now that would really have been a real coup.

Mr Trump shunned the event during his years at the White House and the annual dinner was cancelled during the pandemic.

On Saturday, Mr Biden joked: I am really excited to be here tonight with the only group of Americans with a lower approval rating than I have.

Biden kicks off White House Correspondents Dinner: Im very excited to be with you tonight, the only group of Americans with a lower approval rating than I have.  Jack Detsch (@JackDetsch) May 1, 2022

The president also joked about the anti-Biden Lets Go Brandon slogan and said: Republicans seem to support one fella, some guy named Brandon. Hes having a really good year. I am happy for him.

Bob Woodward claims generals, Pentagon officials apoplectic about Trumps mental state

Saturday 30 April 2022 04:59 , Graig Graziosi

During a live recording of the Skullduggery podcast, famed journalist Bob Woodward said General Mark Milley and other Pentagon officials were apoplectic about former President Donald Trump and his mental state.

General Milley and people in the Pentagon were not just disturbed, [they] were apoplectic about it, and apoplectic about Trump and his mental state, he said.

Watch the clip below.

During a special live recording of the @SkullduggeryPod, @realBobWoodward explains "General Milley and people in the Pentagon were not just disturbed, [they] were apoplectic about it, and apoplectic about Trump and his mental state." pic.twitter.com/TwSdNseGSr  Yahoo News (@YahooNews) April 29, 2022

ICYMI: Republican Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert had to be separated during argument, report says

Saturday 30 April 2022 04:00 , Graig Graziosi

Representatives Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene may seem like an ideal extreme-right tag team, but reports from sources close to the lawmakers claim there may be bad blood between the two.

Despite their similarly MAGA-focused rhetoric, Ms Boebert reportedly cant stand being lumped in with Ms Greene and the two allegedly had to be seperated during an argument earlier this year.

Gustaf Kilander has more in the report below.

Marjorie Greene and Lauren Boebert had to be separated during argument, report says

Trump puts out rambling statement about Obama team

Saturday 30 April 2022 03:00 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump revived his bizarre theory that the Obama administration spied on his presidential campaign in 2016. Using the name Obamagate, Mr Trump baselessly claims that there was an organised effort by the former president to overturn the 2016 Presidential Election by spying on him.

Read the statement below:

NEW!



President Donald J. Trump:



I immediately call for the release of all text messages sent to and from Barack Obamas Chief of Staff during their attempt to overturn the 2016 Presidential Election. They spied on my campaign, they spied on my transition team, and they even pic.twitter.com/hvmG43cbuR  Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) April 29, 2022

Analysis: Why Republicans want Madison Cawthorn gone for good

Saturday 30 April 2022 02:00 , Graig Graziosi

In his dispatch for todays edition of The Independents Inside Washington newsletter, Eric Garcia takes a look at the deepening troubles of Madison Cawthorn  the extreme North Carolina Republican whose party colleagues in the House of Representatives seem keener than ever to get rid of.

Mr Cawthorn has claimed that RINOs  Republicans in name only  are conducting a smear campaign against him.

Read more in the analysis below.

Republicans are hellbent on kicking Madison Cawthorn out for good

Bill Barr tells Newsmax Trump shouldnt be 2024 nominee

Saturday 30 April 2022 01:00 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trumps one-time attorney general Bill Barr told far-right broadcaster Newsmax that he does not think his former boss should be the Republicans 2024 presidential nominee.

Mr Barr made the comments while speaking with another former Trump official, Sean Spicer.

Watch the clip below:

Bill Barr on Trump: "I don't think he should be our nominee...but if he was the nominee then I would vote for him over the Democrat." @seanspicer



MORE: https://t.co/wGzWm8f4E0 pic.twitter.com/x1TqgruGRv  Newsmax (@newsmax) April 28, 2022

ICYMI: Jan 6 committee member on McCarthys communications with Trump

Saturday 30 April 2022 00:00 , Graig Graziosi

Speaking on MSNBC last night, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren of the 6 January committee discussed the implications of the recently released audio recordings of Kevin McCarthy discussing Donald Trumps role in the Capitol riot.

Ms Lofgren confirmed that the committee will be sending another letter asking Mr McCarthy for his testimony, which he has so far refused to give  and noted that the private conversations released are not that different from what the GOP leader said in public immediately after the insurrection.

Watch the clip below.

"We would like to have more information about [McCarthy's] communications with the president...[January 6th] wasn't just some random event. This -- there were a number of things that preceded it" - @RepZoeLofgren w/ @NicolleDWallace pic.twitter.com/NXrUur9fCP  Deadline White House (@DeadlineWH) April 28, 2022

Nebraska Trump rally canceled due to weather

Friday 29 April 2022 23:00 , Graig Graziosi

A rally for former president Donald Trump was cancelled due to weather, according to a local broadcaster.

KETV reports that the rally, scheduled for Friday night, has been rescheduled for Sunday.

Thank you to all who waited in line for our Save America Rally tonight in Greenwood, Nebraska. Because of severe weather, including the possibility of 60 mph+ wind, hailstorms, and maybe even tornadoes, I will not be coming to Nebraska tonight, but rather, weather permitting, will be there this Sunday night, May 1st, Mr Trump said in an email on Friday. The most important thing is to keep you safe, and that cannot be done with such a terrible forecast. Thank you to Charles W. Herbster and his wonderful staff for working so professionally with us. See you on Sunday!

Newly released texts show Sean Hannity complaining about lunatics hurting Trumps cause

Friday 29 April 2022 22:40 , Graig Graziosi

Text exchanges between Sean Hannity and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows between election day and Joe Bidens inauguration show the Fox News host growing exasperated that MAGA lunatics were pushing for former president Donald Trump to overturn the 2020 election.

You fighting is fine. The fing (sic) lunatics is NOT fine. They are NOT helping him. Im fed up with those people, Mr Hannity wrote in one text to Mr Meadows, who said he was fighting like crazy.

Read more in Bevan Hurleys report below.

Newly released texts show Sean Hannity complaining about lunatics hurting Trump

Madison Cawthorn accuses establishment of targeting him as video with staffer becomes latest embarrassment

Friday 29 April 2022 22:15 , Graig Graziosi

Republican Congressman Madison Cawthorn has accused establishment Republicans of targeting him with a drip campaign to erode his re-election chances.

A video that emerged in which a male colleague places his hand on Mr Cawthorns crotch made waves on social media this week, and a Politico story focused on images of Mr Cawthorn wearing womens lingerie at a party.

He claims RINOs  Republicans in name only  are trying to smear him.

Graig Graziosi has more in the report below.

Madison Cawthorn accuses establishment of targeting him with scandal stories

Former Republican Idaho state lawmaker found guilty of raping intern

Friday 29 April 2022 22:00 , Graig Graziosi

A former Republican lawmaker from Idaho has been found guilty of raping an intern.

Aaron von Ehlinger, 39, a former Idaho state representative, was convicted on Friday of raping a 19-year-old legislative intern. During the trial, the intern left the witness stand as she was testifying, saying she cant do this.

He is expected to be sentenced on 28 July.

Gustaf Kilander has more in his report below.

Former Republican Idaho state lawmaker found guilty of raping intern

Trump set up MAGA gift stall in White House, new book claims

Friday 29 April 2022 21:30 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump reportedly set up a MAGA gift shop inside the White House, according to a new book.

This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for Americas Future, a new book by New York Times authors Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns, claims the former president set up a place for his faithful to purchase MAGA-themed gifts during their visits.

They literally hand you a shopping bag, and you took anything youd like, Democratic Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey recalled in the book.

Read Andrew Feinbergs full report below.

Trump set up MAGA gift stall in White House, new book claims

Ex-Giuliani associate linked to Trumps Ukraine scandal taunts Don Jr: You were not allowed in the White House

Friday 29 April 2022 21:10 , Graig Graziosi

A one-time associate of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani taunted Donald Trump Jr, saying he was not allowed in the White House.

Lev Parnas, a Soviet-born Florida businessman who was involved in former President Donald Trumps scheme to pressure Ukraine for dirt on Joe Biden and his family, taunted Donald Trump Jr on Twitter.

You were not allowed in the White House, but I would be willing to bet that Ivanka and Jared were there a lot more than 27 times. #LevRemembers, he wrote.

Johanna Chisholm has more on the squabble below.

Ex-Giuliani associate taunts Don Jr, says not allowed in White House

Governor thought Trump was having a nervous breakdown during phone rant about George Floyd protests, book claims

Friday 29 April 2022 20:50 , Graig Graziosi

Former president Donald Trump allegedly became so obsessed with his demands that governors stomp out civil rights protests in the summer and fall of 2020 that Governor Janet Mills of Maine thought he was having a nervous breakdown, according to a new book by two New York Times reporters.

The excerpt comes from the book This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for Americas Future by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns.

Andrew Feinberg has more in his report below.

Governor thought Trump was having a nervous breakdown during George Floyd protests

Second Oath Keeper pleads guilty to seditious conspiracy

Friday 29 April 2022 20:28 , Graig Graziosi

A second member of the Oath Keepers, a far-right gang that participated in the Capitol riot, pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy and obstruction.

The Justice Department said Oath Keeper Brian Ulrich will cooperate with federal investigators in their continuing probe into the Capitol riot.

He faces up to 20 years in prison for seditious conspiracy and another 20 years for obstruction.

Trump Jr calls Ukraine one of the most corrupt countries on Earth and says US shouldnt give it money

Friday 29 April 2022 20:11 , Graig Graziosi

Donald Trump Jr, former President Donald Trumps son, called Ukraine one of the most corrupt countries in the world after Joe Biden requested that Congress approve a $33bn aid package for the war-beseiged country.

Hard pass. How about we use it to help Americans in need? Or to perhaps secure our border? Maybe get our energy sector going again? Education? No, instead well give it to one of the most corrupt countries in the world, where Im sure most will be looted by corrupt politicians, he wrote on Twitter.

Read more in Alisha Rahaman Sarkars report below.

Trump Jr calls Ukraine one of the most corrupt countries on Earth

Bob Woodward claims generals, Pentagon officials apoplectic about Trumps mental state

Friday 29 April 2022 19:44 , Graig Graziosi

During a live recording of the Skullduggery podcast, famed journalist Bob Woodward said General Mark Milley and other Pentagon officials were apoplectic about former President Donald Trump and his mental state.

General Milley and people in the Pentagon were not just disturbed, [they] were apoplectic about it, and apoplectic about Trump and his mental state, he said.

During a special live recording of the @SkullduggeryPod, @realBobWoodward explains "General Milley and people in the Pentagon were not just disturbed, [they] were apoplectic about it, and apoplectic about Trump and his mental state." pic.twitter.com/TwSdNseGSr  Yahoo News (@YahooNews) April 29, 2022

Trump reportedly told lawyers he would not resign following impeachment, citing Nixon

Friday 29 April 2022 19:13 , Graig Graziosi

A new book claims that former President Donald Trump reportedly told his impeachment lawyers he would not resign, citing former President Richard Nixons infamous resignation following the Watergate scandal.

What f****** good did that do Nixon? Mr Trump reportedly asked.

The exchange was documented in the book This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for Americas Future written by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns.

Texts show constant communication between Fox News Sean Hannity and former White House Chief of Staff

Friday 29 April 2022 18:52 , Graig Graziosi

CNN obtained a trove of former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows text messages from 2020 and 2021, showing he texted Fox News Sean Hannity more than 80 times between the 2020 election and the inaguration of Joe Biden.

In the texts, Mr Hannity offers Mr Meadows advice and asks for guidance, blending his ostensible role as a journalist and as an unofficial advisor for Mr Trumps administration.

On the afternoon of election day, Mr Meadows gave Mr Hannity marching orders for pushing Republicans to get out and vote.

Stress every vote matters. Get out and vote. On radio, Mr Meadows reportedly wrote.

Yes sir, Mr Hannity replied. On it. Any place in particular we need a push.

Pennsylvania. NC AZ, Nevada, Mr Meadows replied

Got it. Everywhere, Mr Hannity said.

Trump swears under oath New York AG Letitia James has not subpoenaed his personal documents

Friday 29 April 2022 18:31 , Graig Graziosi

Former President Donald Trump said in sworn testimony that New York Attorney General Letitia James has not subpoenaed any of his personal documents.

On Monday, Mr Trump was held in contempt of court by a New York judge for failing to turn over documents relating to his personal finances.

Pelosi invokes Madison Cawthorns gun complaint as she slams GOP for being soft on security

Friday 29 April 2022 18:10 , Graig Graziosi

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cited Republican Representative Madison Cawthorns recent run-in with police while trying to carry a pistol onto an airplane as an example of why metal detectors are needed for lawmakers at the Capitol. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy opposes the detectors.

Eric Garcia has more on the exchange in his report.

Pelosi says McCarthy inconsistent about metal detectors on Capitol Hill after 6 Jan

Trump demands VA Secretarys five-year-old texts in bizarre statement repeating false spying allegation

Friday 29 April 2022 17:46 , Graig Graziosi

Former President Donald Trump released a bizarre statement accusing VA Secretary Denis McDonough of trying to overturn the 2016 election when he served as former President Barack Obamas chief of staff.

Mr Trump also repeated the unsubstantiated claim that Mr Obamas staff had spied on his presidential campaign.

Read more in Andrew Feinbergs report.

Trump demands VA Secys five-year-old texts in statement repeating false spy claims

Republican Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert had to be separated during argument, report says

Friday 29 April 2022 17:35 , Graig Graziosi

Representatives Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene may seem like an ideal extreme-right tag team, but reports from sources close to the lawmakers claim there may be bad blood between the two.

Despite their similarly MAGA-focused rhetoric, Ms Boebert reportedly cant stand being lumped in with Ms Greene and the two allegedly had to be seperated during an argument earlier this year.

Gustaf Kilander has more in the report below.

Marjorie Greene and Lauren Boebert had to be separated during argument, report says

Watch: Nancy Pelosi on dangerous GOP members

Friday 29 April 2022 17:30 , Andrew Naughtie

At her press conference today, Nancy Pelosi was asked by Eric Garcia what she made of Kevin McCarthys January 2021 remarks about certain of his Republican members potentially inciting violence against their colleagues. She was not to be drawn into too much detail  but did note the two incidents in which Madison Cawthorn was recently cited for bringing guns into airports.

Pelosi on McCarthy complaining about magnetometers on House floor even as he talked candidly about his members being dangerous: "It just seemed inconsistent to me, especially now that one of his members was seen taking a gun into an airport. I thought you were arrested for that." pic.twitter.com/t0hXLRvfjn  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 29, 2022

Trump puts out rambling statement about Obama team

Friday 29 April 2022 16:53 , Andrew Naughtie

In one of his signature messages issued via his Save America mailing list, Donald Trump has out of nowhere revived the nebulous conspiracy he for a while referred to as Obamagate  a baseless claim that there was an organised effort by his predecessors team to overturn the 2016 Presidential Election by spying on him, his transition team and his White House.

Read the statement below:

NEW!



President Donald J. Trump:



I immediately call for the release of all text messages sent to and from Barack Obamas Chief of Staff during their attempt to overturn the 2016 Presidential Election. They spied on my campaign, they spied on my transition team, and they even pic.twitter.com/hvmG43cbuR  Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) April 29, 2022

Analysis: Why Republicans want Madison Cawthorn gone for good

Friday 29 April 2022 16:10 , Andrew Naughtie

In his dispatch for todays edition of The Independents Inside Washington newsletter, Eric Garcia takes a look at the deepening troubles of Madison Cawthorn  the extreme North Carolina Republican whose party colleagues in the House of Representatives seem keener than ever to get rid of.

At the end of the day, Cawthorn has done most of this to himself. Just this week, he was reportedly cited for trying to bring a gun onto a plane  this is the second time hes been caught trying to do so. He was also recently cited for driving on a revoked license and given two speeding tickets. All these actions mean Republicans just need to keep shoveling till they finally pile up enough extra dirt. None of this means Cawthorn is definitively toast. Firstly, he spoke at one of Trumps rallies earlier this month, indicating he all but certainly has the former presidents imprimatur. Second, because the North Carolina legislature lowered the threshold to avoid a runoff from 40 to 30 percent, he needs fewer voters than ever to survive the split primary in his district. But if Cawthorn does lose, it will be because enough Republicans didnt like how he pissed all over them  and they intend to make sure it ends with him soiling himself.

Read his full dispatch below.

Republicans are hellbent on kicking Madison Cawthorn out for good

Report: Governor thought Trump was having a nervous breakdown over George Floyd protests

Friday 29 April 2022 15:40 , Andrew Naughtie

Next Tuesday sees the release of long-awaited book This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for Americas Future by New York Times journalists Jonathan Martin and Alex Burns. Much of the coverage of its sensational revelations has focused on the period between the 2020 election and Joe Bidens inauguration, but theres plenty else in there besides.

Among the stranger tales is a description of a conference call involving Donald Trump and several governors during the protests that followed the murder of George Floyd in 2020. According to the authors, Mr Trumps behaviour on the call was so bizarre that one of the governors, Janet Mills of Maine, called in a member of her security team to listen with her.

You gotta sit here and listen to this, she reportedly told them, because I think the president of the United States is having a nervous breakdown or something, and its scary.

Andrew Feinberg has the story.

Governor thought Trump was having a nervous breakdown during George Floyd protests

Marjorie Taylor Greene clashes with CNN reporter over Marshall law message

Friday 29 April 2022 15:08 , Andrew Naughtie

CNNs Jim Acosta yesterday accosted far-right Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in Washington to discuss a message she sent to Mark Meadows after the 6 January attack  one in which she said Marshall law had been discussed by Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Ms Greene, who herself is known for haranguing people including school shooting survivors on the streets of the capital, did not take kindly to the questioning, and shared a clip of it herself.

I am repulsed that people gladly take a paycheck to lie and mischaracterize me like this guy, Jim @Acosta.



I want to think good things about the press, but they behave like this and it makes me sick to my stomach. pic.twitter.com/jSOUPK9RM4  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) April 28, 2022

Read more from Johanna Chisholm below.

Greene accuses Jim Acosta of being a liar after he asks her about Marshall law text

Jan 6: Raskin on why interviewing Trump is such a delicate matter

Friday 29 April 2022 14:30 , Andrew Naughtie

6 January committee member Jamie Raskin has talked to the Washington Post about his panels ongoing work, explaining that only a fraction of the evidence its gathered has so far become public, predicting an early September release date for a report, and laying out some of the committees thinking as it considers how to go about asking Donald Trump himself to testify.

 We just need to frame very specific questions that we want him to answer based on all of the testimony that has come before... Trumps lawyers will not allow him to testify, because they think he will either subject himself to perjury prosecution  or, if in the unlikely case he tells the truth, he will essentially convict himself and all of his political confederates of major offenses. Nobody believes that we are going to figure out exactly the mechanics of the coup and the insurrection by having Donald Trump explain it to us. Nonetheless, I, as one member of the committee, have not given up on the idea of posing very specific questions to the former president about what he did, how and why.

The committees chair, Bennie Thompson, said yesterday that the committee will be holding at least eight public hearings starting in June, with a mixture of daytime and evening sessions meant to tell the story of the riot.

Read the Posts report below.

.@RepRaskin on interviewing Trump: We need to frame v specific Qs that we want him to answer based on all of the testimony that has come before. & then it's going to be up to him to decide what to do. But no decision has been made about that. https://t.co/w3NHGqqopS  Jacqueline Alemany (@JaxAlemany) April 29, 2022

JD Vance gets boost from Josh Hawley

Friday 29 April 2022 14:00 , Andrew Naughtie

Donald Trumps decision to endorse JD Vance in the Ohio Senate race has sent many conservatives into a flap, and its put him on a different team to various Fox News pundits and even sitting senators including Ted Cruz.

But as the formerly lagging Mr Vance bounces to the top of the crowded field on the back of the endorsement, he has started to attract support from other establishment types  and the latest to enter the fray is Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who along with Turning Point USAs Charlie Kirk will be stumping for Mr Vance starting this weekend.

Hawley to Ohio for JD Vance pic.twitter.com/jxASwayB2z  Alex Isenstadt (@politicoalex) April 28, 2022

Mr Hawley, lest it be forgotten, stood alongside Mr Cruz to object to the 2020 election result even after Trump supporters had violently stormed the halls of Congress in an attempt to subvert Joe Bidens victory.

Far-right congressman retweets war on white people claim

Friday 29 April 2022 13:30 , Andrew Naughtie

Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar, one of the most extreme members of the House GOP, recently drew outrage for speaking to an openly white nationalist conference  and while he claimed at the time that he had not fully aware of the events racist bent, he has now shared a remarkably blunt tweet from Charlie Kirk, the notoriously trollish organizer of hardcore conservative group Turning Point USA.
Southern Miss will increase the price of its tuition for the 2022-23 school year  another financial burden for students and their families to shoulder as the cost of living increases across the state.

All of Mississippi's public universities besides Jackson State University will increase their tuition for the 2022-23 school year.

The average cost of in-state tuition in Mississippi is $8,604, the 33rd highest in the U.S.

Southern Miss will raise its undergraduate tuition to $9,230, an increase of $136, according to data from the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning. Tuition at the university has increased by $716 since 2019.

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USM understands the importance of access to higher education and its ability to transform lives and communities," said Jim Coll, the university's chief communication officer. "That is why tuition rates do not go beyond what is necessary for the institution to operate in a way that meets students expectations."

Coll said the tuition increase will help the university account for increased costs of insurance premiums and utilities and help retain staff.

"The university is grateful state legislators increased appropriations to public universities this year, which assisted in keeping the increase as low as possible," Coll said.

Here is how Southern Miss' in-state tuition increase compares to other state schools' increases for the 2022-23 school year:

Alcorn State University : Increase of $303 to $7,869

Delta State University : Increase of $245 to $8,435

Jackson State University : No increase

Mississippi State University : Increase of $138 to $9,248

Mississippi University for Women : Increase of $110 to $7,766

Mississippi Valley State University : Increase of $346 to $7,274

University of Mississippi : Increase of $138 to $9,072

University of Mississippi Medical Center undergraduate programs: Increase of $610 to $9,600

Contact reporter Laurel Thrailkill at lthrailkill@gannett.com or on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: USM to increase in-state tuition for 2022-23 school year
Adam Kordes wants his monkey returned to him.

The black-capped capuchin monkey, named "Neo," was seized from Kordes' Westwood home in February by local animal control. The reason, according to a search warrant: A veterinarian in Florida had seen videos of Neo, believed the monkey had ingested Xanax and/or cocaine, and was "in dire need of veterinary care."

What is Ohio's exotic-animal law? You can own monkeys, but there are restrictions

Without care, the search warrant said, Neo could die.

Adam Kordes' capuchin monkey, "Neo," in a photo dated Feb. 7, 2022, the day animal control officers took the monkey from his home.

On Feb. 7, court documents say Kordes, 34, opened the door to his apartment and saw people "with guns drawn."

A spokesman for Cincinnati Animal Care, the organization that provides animal control services to the county, confirmed that its deputies (known as dog wardens) carry guns in the field. He declined to comment about the case.

'Neo' the capuchin monkey: What the case is about

Kordes has convictions that are more than 10 years old for driving while intoxicated and disorderly conduct, court documents say. He was involved in a serious vehicle crash in 2017 that killed a passenger and led to vehicular homicide charges, Those charges were dismissed, according to Rabanus, because Kordes can't recall the crash and was deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial. He is still receiving medical care for his injuries, she said.

For subscribers: Animal intakes are up 40% in Hamilton County. Why are we seeing more strays, cruelty?

Since Feb. 7, Kordes has been on a legal odyssey that culminated Thursday when a Hamilton County grand jury indicted him on a charge of cruelty to companion animals, a low-level felony punishable by up to a year in jail. Court documents say the monkey's urine tested positive for amphetamines.

Kordes' attorney, Lisa Rabanus, said she hasn't yet seen reports regarding those tests because her public records requests have been denied. She also said Neo is now in Florida.

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Why?

"That's one of many questions I have," Rabanus said.

She has filed a motion, asking a judge to return Neo to Kordes. Neo, she said, is his "emotional support animal." A hearing is set for May 12 in Common Pleas Court.

Local monkey rescue organization

A criminal case involving a captive monkey worth between $15,000 and $20,000 may be unprecedented in Hamilton County. Equally rare: On Thursday, a judge issued written order, telling Kordes to "stay away from companion/service monkey."

Also involved in the case is woman who runs what she describes as a monkey rescue shelter in Clermont County.

Teresa Bullock, of Misfitland Monkey Rescue in Moscow, knows Kordes and went to his apartment Feb. 6 after he called seeking help with Neo, who then was about 6 or 7 months old. Rabanus said Kordes bought Neo in August 2021.

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Bullock told The Enquirer that Kordes sent her text messages, saying Neo had gotten into chocolate, wasn't "moving right" and was crying. Kordes told her he also contacted a veterinarian who said to give Neo hydrogen peroxide, to make Neo vomit.

Kordes later got back to her, saying Neo had stopped crying. According to Bullock, Kordes said she was still welcome to stop by, but he now believed Neo would be OK.

Bullock went to Kordes' apartment, anyway, armed with a syringe filled with charcoal to help clear out the monkey's system. She told The Enquirer she suspected Kordes had given Neo "something."

Once there, Bullock became concerned because Neo's coordination "was completely off." She said she tried to give Neo hamburger on a plate, "but he couldn't, with his hands, get the food from the plate to his mouth."

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Bullock also was concerned because Kordes had owned a capuchin monkey that died shortly before he got Neo. She believes Kordes gave drugs to the other monkey.

Bullock provided videos of Neo, apparently shot on Feb. 6, to her friend, the veterinarian in Florida, Jodi Thannum. On Feb. 7, Thannum called Cincinnati Animal Care, according to the search warrant, saying Kordes had a monkey "that was being given narcotics, such as adult amounts of Xanax and/or cocain(e)," and warned that the monkey could die.

Two weeks after Kordes house was searched, he was charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to companion animals. Those charges were eventually dismissed.

Second search warrant

Then on March 3, Cincinnati Animal Care sought a second search warrant to seize any narcotics, including amphetamines from Kordes apartment. It was searched the next day, and he was arrested because a shotgun was found in the home (it had belonged to his grandfather, Rabanus said, and Kordes didn't even know it was in the apartment). Because Kordes previously had been deemed incompetent to stand trial, he is not allowed to possess a gun.

The gun and Kordes' prescriptions were seized, and prosecutors sought to charge him with felony cruelty to companion animals. But a grand jury ignored that charge on March 11. He remains charged with unlawful possession of a gun.

A few days after the grand jury decided not to charge him, Rabanus asked a Hamilton County Municipal Court judge to order Neo to be "returned immediately" to Kordes. That request was denied, although Rabanus says there were many legal problems with the seizure of Neo, including that Cincinnati Animal Care didn't hold a hearing before a judge to determine if there was enough evidence for the seizure.

More monkeys in the Queen City? No monkeys found in Cincinnati after multiple 911 calls overnight

That law exists, she said, to provide safe measures for the care and keeping of an animal, if it isn't returned to the owner.

"Although animals are still considered property under the law," she said in a court filing, "the fact that animals are living, breathing and feeling sentient beings demands this special hearing, which protects the due process rights of the owner and the animal."

Prosecutors again brought the case before a grand jury, which indicted Kordes Thursday on the felony charge of cruelty to companion animals. He is free on a personal recognizance bond.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man accused of drugging 'emotional support' monkey wants animal back
Adriana Cruz, Fair Work Centers outreach and education director, left, and OneAmerica organizer Audel Ramirez applaud along with guests at a May Day gathering in Yakima on Sunday, May 1, 2022. The gathering was held at the combined offices of OneAmerica and the Fair Work Center at 507 W. Chestnut Ave. in Yakima.
The Company seeks to go public in the coming year on the ASX

MELBOURNE, Australia, May 02, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hanhwa Aus Pty Ltd ("Hanhwa"), A global automotive manufacturer is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement ("Agreement") with GEM Global Yield LLC SCS ("GGY"), the Luxembourg based private alternative investment group, to provide Hanhwa with a share subscription facility of up to AUS 140 million for a 36-month term following a public listing. The share subscription facility will allow Hanhwa to draw down funds by issuing shares of common stock to GEM. Hanhwa will control the timing and the maximum size of such drawdowns and has no minimum drawdown obligation. Concurrent with a public listing Hanhwa will issue warrants to GEM to purchase up to 5.2% of the common stock of the company.

About Hanhwa

Since its formation in 2016, in Victoria, Australia, Hanhwa Aus Pty Ltd. ("Hanhwa") is an established Global Automotive Technology  Original Equipment Manufacturing / Engineering and Distribution Company, in the Automotive industry through a primary direct distribution model, with flexibility on special request by global automotive companies.

Hanhwa has a world leading product so has been able to partner with high profile international entities including Isuzu, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Fuso, Volvo, importing to the aforementioned locations as well as the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Hanhwas core verticals cover all automotive electronics technology related to infotainment, telematics, and electronic parts. Hanhwa has also been intimately involved in the eco-friendly electric vehicle segment, having worked over the last 2 years investing and developing in electric vehicle control solutions and displays for the electric truck market. With the development of eco-friendly vehicles there is an increasing demand for automotive electronic components and devices, as the vehicle begins to shift focus to eco-friendly, self-driving, and vehicle sharing - the vehicle is adapting and changing from an existing of "transportation" to become a "moving it device" highly linked to technological innovation.

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Hanhwa Aus parent company Hanhwa Hightech Co. Ltd (Hanhwa Korea) was established in 1998, and began supplying car audio components, tooling and supplying front panel escutcheons to a car audio manufacturer in Japan, and also developed and supplied car audio/ wiring harnesses for specific models of vehicles.

As a manufacturing plant, they have been playing a crucial role in producing the core products in South Korea and helping Hanhwa Aus becomes one of the leading Automotive parts supplier in terms of sales volume. Hanhwa Korea assists Hanhwa Aus to maintain its great reputation for its Automotive parts around the world and to expand into new territories.

"The AUD $140 million Capital commitment from our partners GEM significantly strengthens and accelerates our 5-year growth plan in becoming one of the leading Australian automotive manufacturers and distributors to further expand into the Global stage. Our technology and platform will be powered further with this financial arrangement and GEM will closely aide on the business strategy to meet the long-term vision and objectives of the company. We are pleased that our infrastructure and product development will be enhanced to unlock the value and expedite expansion which will continue to improve our successful model, with a year-on-year revenue growth in 2021 being 174%. The Hanhwa executive team are excited to leverage our prospects upon listing on the ASX to allow our existing and future customers to have the best equipment and value in this sector." Said Ryan Lee, CEO Hanwha Aus Pty Ltd.

About GEM

Global Emerging Markets ("GEM") is a $3.4 billion, alternative investment group with operations in Paris, New York, and The Bahamas. GEM manages a diverse set of investment vehicles focused on emerging markets and has completed over 520 transactions in 80 countries. Each investment vehicle has a different degree of operational control, risk-adjusted return, and liquidity profile. The family of funds and investment vehicles provide GEM and its partners with exposure to: Small-Mid Cap Management Buyouts, Private Investments in Public Equities and select venture investments.

For more information: http://www.gemny.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220501005034/en/

Contacts

Hanhwa: www.hanhwa.com.au , ryan@hanhwainternational.com

GEM: www.gemny.com , jbonnefoy@gemny.com
Vanessa Caudel, a nurse, sits at her work station in the Great Circle treatment center where she provides doses of methadone, which can relieve the "dope sick" symptoms a person in opioid withdrawal experiences in Salem, Ore., on Feb. 24, 2022. The center gets funding from Oregon's pioneering drug decriminalization law and illustrates an aspect of the new system, one year after it took effect.
Russia is not Putin. As a lecturer in Russian history, and an ex-Soviet Russian American, I have said these words many times. But now the treasures of Russias culture  its poetry, novels, movies, theater, symphonies  must be weighed against the current regimes premeditated murder of the innocent. In this new world, the rest of Russian history and culture is reduced to mere backstory by Feb. 24.

Start with what Ivan Turgenev called the great, powerful, righteous and free Russian language that should comfort me in days of dreary musings. As a writer whose sensibility was shaped by Russian and Soviet classics, I took great pains to teach Russian to my American-born children. I wanted them to read Alexander Pushkins verses, Anton Chekhovs stories and Mikhail Bulgakovs novels  all those books my husband and I brought with us to America  in the language in which they were written.

But I cannot view Russian today as righteous or free. I hear it as the language of Russian occupiers and officials telling Ukrainians to surrender, or of Ukrainian defenders swearing at a Russian warship: a tool for battlefield exchanges. Its the language wielded by mothers in Kharkiv, Kyiv and Bucha to curse the killers of their children. The war, cynically unfolding during the Great Lent, has tainted the Russian language, just as it has the Russian Orthodox Church, whose head blessed the invasion. I havent picked up a Russian book in seven weeks. Nor did I buy egg decoration kits for the Russian Easter last Sunday.

Then theres what I was taught to view as Russian character  my character. Teachers, movies, plays and textbooks told me that wars of aggression were the lot of other nations; that the very purpose of our existence was to heroically defend the Motherland. We were the nation of Peace to the World (a giant sign next to my house in the U.S.S.R.), of Ask those soldiers lying under the birch trees if Russians want war (a line from a song we learned in school).

But Vladimir Putin has hijacked the real suffering that World War II brought to the U.S.S.R. and used it to feed the cult of Russian victory. For years, his propaganda machine stoked aggression under the guise of celebrating heroism. But how can Russia be a nation of heroes if it kills and tortures its neighbors? As bombs pummel Ukrainian cities, the Russian part of my Russian American identity is slowly dying.

I held hope during the first days of war that at last Putin had gone too far. The Russian people would rise up, sweeping away the regime that deceives them, abuses them, steals their childrens future. Russia would wake up from its slumber, as Pushkin would put it, and do away with oppressive reign with a popular movement to stop the death and destruction, cracking open the door to redemption.

Two months in, the war shows no signs of abating. Thousands are dead, mutilated, brutalized. The hope for revolution is gone. The nation of Chekhov and Dostoyevsky has failed to stop the atrocities waged in its name. Plenty of Russians oppose the war, but whether deceived by propaganda or frightened by the ever-worsening repression in their country, many have been cowed into outward support or even acceptance. If theres no nuclear bombing, a relative in Moscow told me, one can live.

Most of the Russian Americans I know are in a state of shock, disbelief  and guilt by association. As we follow the plight of our Ukrainian family and friends, it feels as though were sleepwalking. It doesnt matter how strongly we have opposed Putins regime or how long ago we left. We know that theres no return to our pre-war selves: Our identities have to be rebuilt. Im not sure who I will be when I start sifting through the rubble.

Hope, however, is a stubborn thing. From a picture-perfect California college town, my older daughter sends me her poem. My heart beats, it starts, at the same fluttering pace as one that breathes the fumes of evil in Kyiv, and breaks the same, across the vast Pacific. My younger daughter, a high schooler, records a Ukrainian folk song and asks me to send it to my colleague in Odesa as he shelters in the underground garage of his apartment building from Russian airstrikes.

My daughters, born an ocean away, take this tragedy as their tragedy. They think about the world deeply. They are against this awful war. And they insist that they are Russian.

Since Feb. 24, I have felt like the words good and Russian can scarcely coexist. But as my first-generation Russian American daughters pray for peace and fundraise for Ukraine, I can envision a different Russian identity: humbler, freer and with a stronger sense of collective responsibility. First, we must end this war.
Rep. Kevin McCarthys obsequious relationship with Donald Trump was in its nascent stages as Trump prepared to assume the presidency in 2017. At a luncheon that January, Trump called McCarthy, the House Republican leader from Bakersfield, Calif., My Kevin. On inauguration day, McCarthy gave Trump a little pep talk during a quiet moment in the Capitol, just before he walked out to take the oath.

Youre gonna do great, McCarthy told Trump before snapping a quick selfie with him.

McCarthys fealty to Trump was distasteful but understandable at the time. Republicans had won the House, the Senate and the presidency. McCarthy saw himself as a unifier who could help the GOP make the most of its new power.

Five years, two impeachments and a deadly insurrection later, McCarthys continued allegiance to Trump shows his quest for power lacks a moral compass. Aiming to become the next speaker of the House, McCarthy is willing to ignore the truth that he publicly acknowledged last year  that Trump bears responsibility for whipping up the violent mobs that stormed the Capitol while Congress was certifying the election results on Jan. 6, 2021  and lie about having said privately, in the days following the attack, that he would ask Trump to resign.

After the New York Times reported last month that McCarthy had told colleagues on a Jan. 10, 2021, phone call that he would ask Trump to step down, McCarthy issued a statement calling the reporting totally false and wrong.

But it wasnt. Reporters Alexander Burns and Jonathan Martin released a recording of the phone call in which McCarthy told fellow House Republicans that he planned to call Trump, tell him he believed Congress would impeach him and say, It would be my recommendation that you should resign.

Once upon a time, being caught lying would have been a big deal, particularly about something as grave as how to proceed after a riot to block the peaceful transfer of power.

No longer. McCarthy was warmly received as the keynote speaker at the recent California Republican Party convention in Anaheim. Attendees were largely unaware of or unfazed by the revelation.

I just spent four hours in a room with 980 delegates  and this was not a topic of conversation, Jim Brulte, a former chairman of the California GOP, told an editorial board member last Sunday, adding that it was being covered only because of liberal bias in the media.

Nobody cares.

If McCarthy faces any consequences from Republican members of Congress who could keep him from becoming speaker, it will probably be because Martin and Burns growing cache of recordings show that in private he was insufficiently deferential to Trump  not because McCarthy lied.

Even then, consequences seem unlikely. Far-right Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida threw a few daggers on social media, then went on Newsmax to say that McCarthys ability to raise huge sums of campaign money for Republicans will probably keep him in the good graces of his colleagues.

Kevin delivers the goods, Gaetz said. He really gains his strength not by maintaining some great credibility of truth with people, but by ensuring that he will always be there with the checks.

And thats where the GOP is today  again rallying around a leader who lies with impunity and, when caught on tape, doubles down on his lies.

Voters decide how much truth matters. But how long can democracy stand when roughly half the voting population is willing to ignore falsehoods and reward political leaders for their dishonesty? Trumps Big Lie that he won the 2020 election  despite numerous audits and lawsuits that turned up no credible evidence  didnt come out of nowhere. It began with thousands of falsehoods he spewed during four years as president, and culminated in an attempted coup.

McCarthy recognized the danger posed by Trump and the Big Lie in the days after Jan. 6, which is why his retreat from truth is all the more appalling. Republican politicians who have kowtowed to Trump are thumbing their nose at the truth.

Elected leaders and candidates who ignore or deny the facts are chipping away the foundation of our electoral democracy and they do not deserve your vote.
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Now on until 28 August. A chamber exhibition presenting drawings by three Hungarian artists on the nightlife of Paris in the 1920s reflecting on the euphoria after the first world war opened at the Hungarian National Gallery on Saturday.

In focus of the exhibition is Dancing (1925), an album presenting twelve lithographs by painter, graphic artist, illustrator and set designer Marcell Vertes who, following the collapse of the Soviet Republic, moved from Budapest to Vienna and later to Paris in 1920.



There he frequented nightclubs and bars where he made sketches of guests dancing on the floor, jazz musicians and even people waiting at dawn to leave for home. He became famous of imitating Toulouse-Lautrecs style and in 1952 was hand-double for Lautrec in the film Moulin Rouge.



Vertess work on the film earned him two Academy Awards, for Best Costume Designer and Best Production Design, according to the exhibitions booklet.



Janos Vaszary, the second artist, returned to Paris in 1925 aged around sixty in search of new artistic experience. There he made sketches about shows in the Moulin Rouge, the Folies Bergere, La Cigale and the Casino de Paris which he later used for his oil paintings.



The third artist, Miklos Vadasz settled in the French capital in the early 1920s where he made a living by painting portraits while making sketches on the citys nightlife in his free time.



The exhibition also features segments from archive newsreels and the Mikiphone, the pocket phonograph designed by Istvan Vadasz for his brother.



The Mikiphone produced excellent sound quality and is regarded as the predecessor of the Walkman and the Discman. The exhibition runs until August 28.



Click here to read more about the exhibition



National Gallery

1014 Budapest, Szent Gyorgy ter 2.

Phone number: +36/ 1 /201- 9082
The entire editorial staff of weekly 168 Ora was let go for business reasons and cost optimization, writes Media1.

The site reports that 168 Oras chief editor, Jozsef Makai, is also leaving, as he did not agree with the decision to outsource future writing to external authors.



168 Ora owner Pal Mikovics confirmed that they had let 15 employees go. However, the editorial team for 168 Oras online edition, which works separately from the print edition, will stay on.



Milkovics said that the weekly magazine had been loss-making for a long time, and that they needed to cut costs and optimize.



Media1 also reported downsizing at Pesti Hirlap, which suspended its daily print run in the middle of April.
The restoration of the status of the city of Esztergom is long overdue, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Sunday after a mass at the Esztergom Basilica marking the anniversary of Esztergom becoming a city of county rank.

Esztergom is a city of nationwide importance, Orban said, adding that the city was home to every Hungarian even if they do not know it.



Today we pay the debt which we, Hungarians owe to ourselves, the prime minister said, adding that in recent years Esztergom had proven that it was not just its history that made it one of the most important cities in Hungary, but also the diligence, strength, culture and patriotism of its residents.



Orban highlighted the strong link between the fate of Esztergom and the history of the Hungarian nation. Esztergom is our intellectual centre and also our most important link to the Western Christian civilisation which we became a part of over a thousand years ago, he said.



Hungarian statehood would be inconceivable without Esztergom, Orban said. He called the institution of primacy Hungarys first constitutional court, arguing that in addition to being in charge of the coronation of kings, the Archbishop of Esztergom also had a duty to make sure that the king respected the constitution.



The prime minister also noted that over the course of its history Esztergom had endured its share of crises. The one-time nations capital was ravaged by the Tatars and later betrayed by foreign mercenaries to the Turks, he said.



The past century also took its toll on Esztergom, Orban said, noting that with two-thirds of Hungarys territory ceded to neighbouring countries, it had gone from being a city in the middle of the country to a border city in the north.



The elimination of the old county system by the communists in 1950 was the nail in the coffin for Esztergom, Orban said. We are here to restore this city of nationwide importance to its former status, he said.
Two separate demonstrations related to the war were held on early Saturday afternoon in Budapest not far from one another, reported Telex.

The Ukrainian Cultural Association of Hungary and the United Ukrainian Association held a pro-Ukraine rally at 1pm at Deak Square, while an hour later, a demonstration in solidarity with Russia began at 2pm at Freedom Square.



Shortly after 2:30pm, the two groups came close to one another after the pro-Ukrainian demonstrators marched from Deak Square to Martyrs Square.



Telexs field correspondent reported that there were around 200 people at the pro-Russian rally, while the one in favor of Ukraine drew around five times that many, with Ukrainians also present in the crowd.





MTI Photo: Zoltan Balogh
India is the world's second largest consumer and largest importer of cooking oil

Indonesia, the world's biggest producer of palm oil, announced last week that it would halt exports to stabilise spiking prices at home, which it blamed on the war in Ukraine and the pandemic.

Cooking oil is an integral part of the Indian diet. So much so that India is the world's second-largest consumer and largest importer of vegetable oils. Some 56% of its requirements are imported from more than seven countries.

Indians mainly cook with palm, soybean and sunflower oils. For palm oil, the country imports 90% of its requirement from Indonesia and Malaysia. Nearly half of that comes from Indonesia alone.

If this was not enough, half of India's sunflower oil requirements come from Russia and Ukraine, which account for 80% of global exports. The war in Ukraine is likely to lead to a 25% cut in supplies of sunflower oil in the next fiscal year, according to a report. Palm oil inventories in Malaysia, the second-largest producer, are also tight.

This year, India will end up spending about $20bn (16bn) in importing cooking oil, double of what it spent two years ago. "No country can depend so much on imports. We are bleeding now. This is a big crisis. We need to learn from this war to reduce our dependence on imports," says BV Mehta, executive director of the Solvent Extractors Association, a vegetable oil trade organisation.

India has cut tariffs on cooking oil to calm prices. But rising prices since 2020 and now the disruption in supplies due to the war in Ukraine have made things difficult. There has been a more than 300% rise in two years in global prices of palm oil - the cheapest oil preferred by Indian households, hotels, restaurants and bakeries.

Prices of cooking oil have shot up across the country

Not surprisingly, cooking oil prices have surged more than 20% in less than a month. There have been reports of people stocking up on supplies. Much of the country's fabled cheap street food is deep fried in oil. Along with rice, wheat and salt, cooking oil is a staple for the poorest Indians. "The rise in cooking oil prices is definitely hurting," admits Sudhanshu Pandey, India's senior-most food official.

Story continues

It also easily fuels food inflation, which hit a 16-month-high of 7.68% in March. Di Yang, a food economist with UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (UNFAO), says that if prices continue to hover around such high levels, India might need to ration supplies as "there is almost no alternative to compensate for import shortages in the short term".

To partially compensate for the shortages, India is pinning its hopes on a good crop of mustard and soybean this year. "Our increased domestic production has meant that India has still not felt the full impact of global inflation as the domestic price rise in cooking oil has been almost half of the global rise in prices," says Mr Pandey. "But in the end, we have to become self reliant and this will happen when farmers will switch to oil seeds when they fetch more attractive prices."

One plan is to grow more oil palm. On the face of it, the idea seems like a good one: it's a highly efficient crop - yielding several times more oil than similar crops like soybean. Palm oil is also highly versatile and can be used in consumer products and industrial applications.

Much of India's palm oil supplies come from Indonesia

But palm is also a water guzzling crop, and new plantations will require slashing down of vast swathes of forests. The government has proposed that a third of the new oil palm plantations can come up in India's hilly-north east. This has predictably raised the hackles of the environmentalists who cite the examples of Indonesia and Malaysia whose success as major palm oil producers has come at the cost of their tropical rainforests.

Mr Pandey says the government plans to treble India's domestic production of palm oil, currently a paltry 2.7%. For the moment, he says, Indians are moving to "cheaper alternatives" of cooking oil.

Traditionally, Indians have cooked with aromatic and strongly flavoured oils like mustard, groundnut, coconut and sesame depending on which part of the country they lived in. The move to foreign vegetable and seed oils like palm and sunflower has possibly something to do with rising urbanisation and cosmopolitanism. These oils are also cheap and makers have sold them as healthier alternatives. "Our cooking oil crisis is partly self-made because of lobbies which have successfully sold imported vegetable oils," says Pritha Sen, a food historian.

Many believe that with more people moving into cities - and migrating within the country - a lot of urban cooking is done with colourless and odourless oils like palm and sunflower to make the food friendly for families and guests with different regional palettes. "Bland and boring have come to define what many Indians cook and eat at home on a regular basis," says Marryam H Reshii, a food writer. "And much of this has to do with the choice of cooking oil."

The rise in prices of these oils is now hurting Indians, who are already facing a cost-of-living squeeze. "Vegetable oils are to Indian cooking what olive oil is to Mediterranean cuisine. The price hike will sharply impact our cooking practices," says Rakesh Raghunathan, a food show host. But then, who knows, this crisis could even nudge people to use cooking oil wisely, wonders Saadia Dhailey, a food writer. After all, a lot of Indians still like very oily food.
Ovarian cancer is the most deadly of gynecologic tumors. Fewer than 40% of those diagnosed with ovarian cancer are cured, and approximately 12,810 people in the U.S. die from the disease every year.

For the past 25 years, scientists have tried to identify a screening test to detect ovarian cancer in its earliest stages, when the chance of cure is high. Unfortunately, multiple clinical trials with hundreds of thousands of participants have failed to identify an effective way to screen for ovarian cancer. In fact, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force gave ovarian cancer screening a grade of D in 2018, meaning it recommends against periodic screening because it doesnt improve survival and can prove harmful to patients.

Because no effective screening test currently exists, 70% of people with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages, when chances of cure are poor. Around 60% to 90% of people with stage one or two cancer that stays around the ovaries and pelvis are disease-free five years after diagnosis, compared with only 10% to 40% of those with stage three or four cancer that has spread through the abdomen and beyond.

But even those with advanced disease have a higher chance of being cured if complete surgical removal is still possible. This makes early diagnosis all the more important for overall survival.

Without screening tests, many physicians wrongly assume that early diagnosis for ovarian cancer isnt possible. As a gynecologic oncologist who treats hundreds of ovarian cancer patients each year, I was frustrated by these late diagnoses, and wondered if better recognition of its symptoms could help clinicians and patients identify ovarian cancer earlier.

Ovarian cancer is often misdiagnosed.

Detectable symptoms

Ovarian cancer has historically been called a silent killer, because clinicians thought its symptoms were undetectable. Patients were often diagnosed so late that doctors thought nothing could be done.

But there have been many studies over the past 20 years demonstrating that ovarian cancer does have early warning signs. My colleagues and I conducted one of the earliest studies in 2000. Our survey of 1,700 people with ovarian cancer found that 95% of patients reported noticeable symptoms three to 12 months before diagnosis. The most common symptoms were pain in their pelvis and abdomen, increased frequency and urge to urinate, difficulty eating or feeling full quickly, and bloating or abdominal distension.

Importantly, people with both advanced- and early-stage disease reported similar types of symptoms. Subsequent studies from multiple researchers further confirm that patients with even early-stage ovarian cancer experience frequent symptoms.

We also found that providers often misdiagnosed ovarian cancer as another condition. When we asked patients what their doctors told them was the cause of their symptoms, 15% had their symptoms attributed to irritable bowel disease, 12% to stress, 9% to gastritis, 6% to constipation, 6% to depression and 4% to some other cause. Thirty percent were given treatment for a different condition. And 13% were told there was nothing wrong.

One major issue has been distinguishing ovarian cancer symptoms from those of common gastrointestinal and urinary conditions. In another study, my team and I found that patients with ovarian cancer have symptoms with a recent onset and occur more than 50% of the month.

To facilitate early detection of ovarian cancer, my team and I compared the symptoms ovarian cancer patients experienced with those of patients without ovarian cancer. We developed an index that identified six important symptoms of ovarian cancer: bloating, increased abdominal size, feeling full quickly, difficulty eating, pelvic pain and abdominal pain. Symptoms needed to occur more than 12 times a month but to have lasted for less than a year.

Based on these criteria, our index was able to detect ovarian cancer in 60% to 85% of the patients in our study, a range similar to that achieved through diagnostic blood tests for ovarian cancer.

Recognizing the symptoms of ovarian cancer could lead to earlier diagnosis. FatCamera/E+ via Getty Images

Preventing ovarian cancer

While early detection is important, there are also prevention strategies that can help reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

If you have a family history of ovarian cancer, inform your doctor, who may recommend genetic testing to fully determine your risk, or prophylactic surgery to prevent the development of cancer.

Oral contraceptives, tubal ligation (or surgery to close the fallopian tubes), pregnancy and breastfeeding all reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

Finally, up to 70% of ovarian cancers may arise from the fallopian tubes. Removing the fallopian tubes at the time of another surgery may be another option to help reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. This should be done only if you do not plan on becoming pregnant in the future.

[Get fascinating science, health and technology news. Sign up for The Conversations weekly science newsletter.]

Barbara Goff receives funding from National Institutes of Health, TEAL foundation, Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation and Marsha Rivkin Foundation.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
YORK  Arraignment proceedings have been held in a case where a man from Iowa is accused of hauling drugs through York County.

Lucas Benn, 21, of Gilbert, Iowa, appeared for arraignment this past week in York County District Court before Judge James Stecker.

According to court documents, a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol saw a Honda SUV on Interstate 80 in York County, which was allegedly moving down the shoulder of the roadway rather than in the driving lanes.

A traffic stop was initiated.

During that stop, according to court documents, the driver, Stephanie Benn, was allegedly argumentative, agitated and nervous.

Lucas Benn was a passenger.

During the troopers conversations with the two, Lucas Benn admitted to having a small amount of THC and while both claimed having certain bags in the vehicle, no one would take responsibility for duffel bags in the far back of the vehicle.

During a probable cause search of the vehicle, troopers found a heat sealer machine with heat seal bags, 155 containers with approximately 5.5 ounces of THC wax, 32 packages with 1.1 pounds of marijuana.

Troopers said Lucas Benn stated all the marijuana belonged to him.

Also in the possession of Lucas Benn, they found Adderall and Alprazolam.

Lucas Benn has been charged with five felonies: Count 1, delivery of a controlled substance, a Class 2A felony; Count 2, possession of a schedule 1, 2 or 3 controlled substance, a Class 2A felony; Count 3, possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony; Count 4, having no drug stamp, a Class 4 felony; and Count 5, possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony.

Benn pleaded not guilty to all charges.

A jury trial has been scheduled for late August.
YORK  An inmate at the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women convicted of assaulting other inmates has been sentenced to more prison time.

Jennifer Rodriguez, 27, was initially charged with second degree assault, a Class 2A felony, and being a habitual criminal. She is currently serving a five-year sentence for domestic assault (second degree) and assault of a peace officer. She had earlier served a two-year sentence for domestic assault (second degree) and use of a weapon in the commission of a felony.

She later pleaded no contest to the assault charge and the habitual criminal enhancement was dismissed.

She was facing a possible maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

This past week, she was sentenced to an additional term of 1-2 years in prison for the assault conviction.
YORK -- With its transition to university status this summer, York College held its final commencement ceremony last weekend.

Hosted in the Campbell Activity Center, nearly 90 students crossed the stage to receive their degrees  the seats and bleachers filled with proud parents, excited family members and friends.

President Sam Smith welcomed everyone to the historic event and addressed graduates stating, Were celebrating the beginning of your new season in life. We celebrate that York Colleges commitment to providing you with a Christ-centered education has indeed transformed you from a student to a teacher in your field of expertise. As president of York College it is my honor to welcome you to this amazing celebration.

Cassandra Savage, president of The Savage Group, LLC and a member of the YC Board of Trustees, was the featured speaker at commencement. She and her husband, Ken, own nine McDonalds restaurants in the Kansas City area where she has established a reputation for service to both her fellow operators and community. Savage received her Bachelor and Masters degrees from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She has held management positions in Education and with IBM, where she received numerous awards for outstanding performance and service. She and Ken are active members in the Overland Park Church of Christ and have three adult children and four grandchildren.

This is a momentous day both for you and for York College. It represents both an ending and a beginning, Savage said. Youre the last graduating class of York College; the class of 2023 will be the first for York University. It will be a huge change for everyone at York and as a new beginning, a step forward in the life of everyone here. For you, the ending and beginning is more personal. Some of you will go on to graduate school, but for many of you, today is the last time you will put on a cap and gown and receive a diploma. This is the end, perhaps, of your formal education. Soak it in. Enjoy it. Be proud of yourself. You have achieved something thats worth celebrating.

Its a time to be proud but not satisfied, Savage went on to say and then moved into her speech about The Race, the Pace and the Gift of Grace.

The Race: Having a plan doesnt mean having a step by step outline for your life. It means having a goal, faith, and then making decisions that get you there. You can continue on the path thats made you successful, but you shouldnt limit your perspective or your opportunities. Dont be narrow minded. You never know exactly where a road will lead you, she said.

The Pace: Make sure you take time to find your rhythm with your professional and personal life. Part of pacing means allowing for the curve balls life will undoubtedly throw you and changes you will naturally go through. If you are to really do something in life, the secret is how to lose. Nobody goes undefeated all the time, but if you can pick up after a crushing defeat and go on to win again, you are going to be a champion someday. Diversity and inclusion are paramount to building a successful world moving forward. We need all of you to work at making room for everyone at the table, she continued.

The Gift of Grace: I know we may not always achieve our goals, but my faith gives me the fuel and the stamina to power through. Something about your faith led you here. Now is the time for you to take that faith and the gift of grace out into the world. Dont be afraid to let your faith shine brightly. Grace is not only a gift from God but a gift we can give others.

Savage concluded saying, I congratulate you on today, but I am so looking forward to seeing what you plan for and accomplish in the future. Thank you again for honoring me with a place in your commencement. Heres to York Colleges past and York Universitys future.

After Savages address, York College Provost Dr. Shane Mountjoy recognized some of the academic achievements of the graduating seniors, calling attention to those who were wearing honor medallions inscribed with the college seal. Asking each group to stand, Mountjoy had the audience applaud for those who graduated Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Cum Laude. He also recognized both master and bachelor graduates who were wearing a medallion with a gold ribbon signifying cumulative 4.0 grade point averages for all their time at York College.

Dr. Frank Wheeler, retiring professor of Bible and chair of the department, was then recognized for his three-plus decades of service to York College and conferred upon with the status of Professor Emeritus. Dr. Wheeler came to York College in 1988, spearheading efforts that resulted in the College offering its first 4-year degree program since the early 60s, said Mountjoy. For 34 years, he has made many contributions to this institution while diligently teaching students in the classroom. Over the years, Frank has quietly served as an example with his composed demeanor, gentle voice, and sounding board for many faculty members. He is a personal friend and example to many of us employed here. His meticulous preparation, consistency, and calming presence are undeniable and have been experienced by all who have worked with him. His experience, wisdom, and perspective will be missed by many.

To his surprise, Dr. Mountjoy was then honored by President Sam Smith with his own Professor Emeritus status. Mountjoy, who also has served at York College for over 30 years, has accepted a position as associate provost for academic administration and dean of faculty at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.

Dr. Shane Mountjoy began his long tenure at York College in 1990 teaching history. I personally had the honor of being his student in 1993, meeting every Monday night in Hulitt Hall for three hours with about 20 other students. In 2006 he ventured into administration, taking the role of dean of students. He was added to the YC Senior Leadership Team in 2009, then promoted in 2010 to vice president of student development. In 2014, Dr. Mountjoy was named to the position of provost and he has served as York Colleges chief academic officer since then. Dr. Mountjoy has been ferociously dedicated to the progression of adding value for the education students receive at York College. In addition to collaborating with others to deliver new programs, Dr. Mountjoy has also led our campus toward meeting the standards of our accrediting body. While leading in various ways throughout his 30+ years of service, there have been also times where he has met countlessly with students that he mentored, that he fed, and he supported here at York College. Therefore it is my privilege to announce today that in recognition of the extensive contributions and sacrifices he has made over the last three decades inside and outside the classroom, York College is conferring the status of Professor Emeritus upon Dr. Shane Mountjoy.

Wheeler and Mountjoy join YC faculty emeriti Dr. Robert W. Lawrence, Dr. L. Ray Miller II and Gail Miller in this honor.

The ceremony continued as graduates lined up to walk across the stage to receive their diplomas from President Smith with a smile, a handshake, and frequently, a hug. Graduates were then hooded by their escort with the color of academic regalia that represented their field of study.

The York College Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Clark Roush, closed out the ceremony by performing Sweet Home and I Got a Home in-a-dat Rock before leading the audience in the singing of the York College Alma Mater.
Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest carmaker has reported a 6 per cent decline in total wholesales in April 2022. Maruti Suzuki dispatched 1,50,661 units to dealers across India in April 2022 as against 1,59,691 units in April 2021.

However, there's a considerable increment over month-on-month basis as Maruti, last month, reported 1,32,248 unit sales only. It was a decline on Y-o-Y basis with April 2021 when Maruti reported 1,42,454 unit sales.

Talking segments wise, Maruti Suzuki witnessed the biggest slump in small, entry level hatchbacks, resulting in decline in overall sales. Sales of mini cars, comprising Alto and S-Presso, fell 32 per cent to 17,137 units compared to 25,041 in the same month last year.

Also read: Automakers report positive sales in April 2022, Tata posts highest growth

Similarly, sales in the compact segment, including models such as Swift, Celerio, Ignis, Baleno and Dzire, slumped 18 per cent to 59,184 units against 72,318 in April 2021. Sales of mid-sized sedan Ciaz dropped to 579 units from 1,567 in April 2021.

However, utility vehicle sales, including Vitara Brezza, S-Cross and Ertiga, rose 33 per cent to 33,941 units compared to 25,484 vehicles in the year-ago month, MSI said. Exports jumped 7 per cent to 18,413 units against 17,237 vehicles in the corresponding month last year, the company said.

"The shortage of electronic components had some impact on the production of vehicles in FY 2021-22. The company took all possible measures to minimise the impact. As the supply situation of electronic components continues to be unpredictable, it might have some impact on the production volume in FY 2022-23 as well," MSI noted.

With inputs from PTI
Ahead of resumption of flying operations, Jet Airways has stated that they will follow the Vistara's model to hire the cabin crew for the airline. As per the airline, who is currently in the process of re-launching operations under its new promoters Jalan-Kalrock Consortium, they will initially hire female air hostesses on domestic flights followed by male crew members later.

Jet Airways, which has not flown since April 17, 2019, appointed aviation veteran Sanjiv Kapoor as the Chief Executive Officer of the airline on April 4, who has previously worked as the CEO of Vistara Airline.

Vistara, India's only full service provider air carrier had started hiring male cabin crew in March 2018, approximately three years after it was launched. Jet Airways will operate flights with female cabin crew members in its start-up phase and hire male cabin crew members once it reaches a certain operational scale, the airline said.

SpiceJet horror: Video reveals damage on Mumbai-Durgapur flight post turbulence

In a statement on Sunday, a Jet Airways spokesperson said, "We have a limited number of NCR-based cabin crew, trained and qualified on the Boeing 737 aircraft, on our rolls to operate our proving flights that should take place soon. Several of them have worked with Jet Airways in the past."

The airline will receive its air operator certificate (AOC) after it conducts it proving flights successfully. "While we only have women in our cabin crew in the current start-up phase, as an equal opportunity employer, we will be having men as cabin crew as well once we reach a certain operational scale," the spokesperson mentioned.

Jet Airways has always had a gender-neutral hiring policy, and that will continue, the spokesperson said. "The airline earlier proudly operated with a mixed cabin crew, and we will resume that and hire male crew once we get to a certain scale. It should be noted that it will be one of very few airlines in India that hire male crew, as we believe that it is the right thing to do," the spokesperson mentioned.

"The initial women-only crew is only to simplify and optimize rostering and training and layover (overnight stay) costs and crew ratios while we are still subscale and our crew requirements are limited, and is also reflective of the cabin crew applicant pool which is predominantly female," the spokesperson added.

IndiGo, India's largest airline, operates with only female cabin crew members. Full service carriers Vistara and Air India hire male cabin crew members. SpiceJet, Go First and AirAsia India also have male cabin crew members in their staff.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: The country's largest mortgage lender HDFC Ltd on Monday reported a 16 per cent rise in its standalone net profit to Rs 3,700 crore in the March 2022 quarter.

The company had posted a net profit of Rs 3,180 crore in the year-ago period.

Total income during the March 2022 quarter increased to Rs 12,308.46 crore from Rs 11,707.53 crore in the year-ago period, HDFC Ltd said in a regulatory filing.

For the full year 2021-22, the company's net profit rose to Rs 13,742 crore against Rs 12,027 crore in 2020-21.

On a consolidated basis, the net profit during Q4 FY22 surged 21.6 per cent to Rs 6,892 crore, against Rs 5,669 crore in Q4 FY21.

Income during the quarter on a consolidated basis, however, fell to Rs 35,060 crore from Rs 35,754 crore a year ago.

The company's board has also recommended a dividend of Rs 30 per equity share for FY22, HDFC said. The dividend payout ratio is 40 per cent.

In FY22, individual approvals and disbursements grew by 38 per cent and 37 per cent, respectively, compared to the preceding fiscal.

"In the month of March 2022, the Corporation recorded its highest monthly individual disbursements ever. This is despite the fact that the previous year entailed concessional stamp duty benefits in certain states, which were not there in the current year," it said.

Shares of HDFC were trading at Rs 2253.55 apiece in the afternoon session on BSE, up by 1.14 per cent from the previous close.
New Delhi: On Wednesday, May 4, 2022, the much-anticipated initial public offering (IPO) of life insurance behemoth Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will open for subscription.

The LIC IPO, valued at over Rs 21,000 crore, will be open for subscription until Monday, May 9, 2022, with a price band of Rs 902-949 per share.

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is the country's oldest and largest life insurance company. On September 1, 1956, it was founded by merging and nationalising 245 private life insurance companies, with an initial capital of Rs 5 crore. LIC is the fifth-biggest life insurer in the world and the country's largest asset manager, with assets of roughly Rs 40 lakh crore.

It has a market share of 61.6 percent in terms of premiums or GWP, 61.4 percent in terms of New Business Premium, 71.8 percent in terms of number of individual policies issued, and 88.8 percent in terms of number of group policies as of December 31, 2021, with 1.33 million individual agents.

It is owned by the government, which will sell 22.13 crore (22,13,74,920) shares in the public offering, or 3.5 percent of its investment in LIC. The IPO is purely an offer-for-sale (OFS), with the government expecting to raise more than Rs 21,000 crore from it.

As a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and continued selling by foreign portfolio investors (a net of Rs 1,48,078 crore since the beginning of December 2021), the size of the IPO was reduced from Rs 65,000 crore to Rs 21,000 crore. Despite this, the LIC IPO would be the country's largest public offering, surpassing the Rs 18,300 crore raised by Paytm last year.

Last week, the company announced a discount of Rs 60 per share for policyholders and Rs 45 per share for retail investors and LIC staff at the IPO announcement.

Qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) will receive half of the issue size, retail investors will receive 35%, and non-institutional investors would receive 15%.

Investors interested in subscribing to the LIC IPO might do so in lots of 15 equity shares and then in multiples. They will have to pay Rs 14,235 (excluding discounts) for a single lot of LIC at the top price band. Both the BSE and the National Stock Exchange will list the shares (NSE).

Applicants should also keep in mind that the UPI mandate confirmation deadline is Tuesday, May 10, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. If they do not comply, their application may be rejected.

The issue's book running lead managers are Kotak Mahindra Capital Company, Axis Capital, BofA Securities India, Citigroup Global Markets India, Nomura Financial Advisory and Securities India, Goldman Sachs India Securities, ICICI Securities, JM Financial, JP Morgan India, and SBI Capital Markets, while the issue's registrar is KFin Technologies.

The anchor component will be available for subscription today, May 2, 2022, before the IPO.
New Delhi: India will be celebrating the joyous festival of Eid-al-Fitr on Tuesday (May 3) marking the end of the month of Ramadan - considered to be the holiest month in a year for Muslims. For the unversed, during Ramadan, Muslims observe fast from pre-dawn to dusk for an entire month. In addition, they indulge in holy prayers, charity and good deeds to please Allah. Eid falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal - that is the tenth month of the Hijri calendar. As Muslims follow a lunar calendar, the crescent moon is sighted to mark the change in month.

Here you will get the moon sighting time in Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kashmir, Lucknow and other parts of India:

Delhi: 08:27 pm

Hyderabad: 08:00 pm

Mumbai: 08:26 pm

Kashmir: 08:50 pm

Lucknow: 08:08 pm

Unlike India, countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia and others will be celebrating Eid-al-Fitr on Monday (May 2).

On the occasion of Eid, people head out to markets and malls to shop for clothes and gifts for the festival. Ahead of the festival, they also begin preparing traditional dishes such as biryani, sheer korma, seviyaan, among other sweet and savoury dishes. Parents also give Eidi or cash gifts to their children and visit each others home.

To celebrate, women also apply henna on each other's hands. On Eid itself, muslims pray at mosques for Eid Namaz.
New Delhi: India will be celebrating the festival of Eid-al-Fitr on May 3rd. Meethi Eid or Eid-al-Fitr is celebrated after the month of Ramadan- that is considered to be the holiest month in a year by Muslims. During Ramadan, Muslims observe fast from pre-dawn to dusk for an entire month. They also increase their prayers, charity and good deeds to please Allah. Eid falls on the first day of the month of Shawwal - that is the tenth month of the Hijri calendar. As Muslims follow a lunar calendar, the crescent moon is sighted to mark the change in month. Unlike India, countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia and others will be celebrating Eid-al-Fitr on May 2nd.

Check out wishes, greetings, messages, photos, quotes to share with your loved ones on this special occasion.

May Allah gives you a million reasons to stay happy. Eid Mubarak, my dear!



On this special occasion of Eid, may Allah answers all your prayers. Eid Mubarak!



Our prayers have been answered. Eid is finally here to grace us with love, joy, and prosperity. Wish you and your family an amazing Eid!



On this day all I can ask Allah is to accept our prayers, sacrifices, good deeds, and always shower his blessing upon us.



May Allah accept your good deeds, forgive your transgressions and Sins and ease the suffering of all peoples around the globe. Eid Mubarak!



May this pious day brings you immense joy, happiness, peace and prosperity. Eid Mubarak!



Chand ki pehli dastak pe Chand Mubarak kehte hain, Sab se pehle hum aapko Eid Mubarak kehte hain.



Kuch is qadr pak ho rishta tere aur mere darmiyan, Jaise Taqreeb-e-Eid Aur Mah-e-Ramzan Ka. Eid Ka Chand Mubarak mere dost.

Muslims across the globe go for congregational prayers at mosques, listen to Eid sermon, dress up in new clothes and visit friends and relatives and prepare a feast at home to mark the auspicious occasion of Eid-al-Fitr. Children are given either money or gifts by their elders and it is termed as Eidi.
Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said they arrested three terrorists belonging to the outfit Lashkar-i-Toiba (LeT) in north Kashmirs Sopore.

In a statement, police said the recent killings of non-local labourers and grenade attacks in multiple locations were investigated and suspected individuals from various places were detained and sustained interrogation established the role of the LeT organisation behind the killings.

On May 2, three individuals were observed moving suspiciously along the orchards in the general area of Haigam.

The security forces challenged the individuals; however, they fled towards the orchards in the general area. The MVCP ( Mobile vehicle check post) chased the three individuals and the security forces deployed along the appreciated escape routes nabbed them, reads the statement.

Police identified the individuals were identified as Tafheem Reyaz of Usman-abad Warpora; Seerat Shabaz Mir of Brath Kalan Sopore and Rameez Ahmed Khan of Mirpora Brathkalan.

Police said the search of the individuals led to the recovery of three Chinese pistols and ammunition and incriminating materials. They added that more arrests and recovery can't be ruled out.

Meanwhile, Arms and ammunition were also recovered by security forces from a car(Scorpio ) in Ganderbal, one Lashkar e Toiba militant associate was also arrested and is being interrogated.
Patna: Bihar Police on Sunday (May 2, 2022) informed that a man stabbed his aunt multiple times, which led to her death, after a tiff over a sapling of a papaya plant in Darbhanga.

The accused is being identified as Ravi Kumar. The incident was reported from Subhankarpur locality under town police station in the Darbhanga district.

Kumar killed his aunt Vibha Devi following a heated argument between her and his mother on Saturday.

According to a statement made to the police, Vibha Devi`s daughter, Priyanka Kumari said that her mother Vibha had planted a sapling of papaya plant in a house and she used bricks to fence it so as to protect it from animals.

ALSO READ | Kerala teen dies of food poisoning after eating shawarma in Kasaragod, 18 hospitalised

"Ravi`s mother objected to the fencing and it led to a quarrel between her and my mother on Saturday. On Sunday, Ravi came into the house and assaulted my mother... he pulled out the knife and stabbed her multiple times. She collapsed and went unconscious," Priyanka said in her statement to the police.

As per an IANS report, the accused fled from the spot after committing the crime using a motor boat to cross the Bagmati river.

A local said, "Ravi is involved in several criminal cases. He was also involved in illegal trade of liquor and local police knew about his activities. Actually, Ravi was under the protection of local police. Hence, he is openly selling liquor. He used to threaten anyone in the locality with dire consequences."

A police official said, "We have registered an FIR against the accused. He is at large. We are making efforts to arrest him."

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti paid glowing tributes to the fortitude and patience displayed by the Muslim community in Kashmir and the rest of the country in the best traditions of Islam.

Extending the Eid-Ul-Fitr greetings on Sunday, Mehbooba Mufti said, "Muslims truly lived Ramzan this year in the spirit of the holy month by facing an unprecedented onslaught on the community by the BJP-led governments across the country with exemplary patience, I salute the resilience of Muslims."

In her message, the PDP chief said, "while bulldozer has become the symbol of state terror against the community, the 'demons of hate' unleashed by the government seem to be on a rampage in every form of their choice, depending on the occasion and the BJPs Hindu Rashtra roadmap."

In Jammu and Kashmir, she said, we have been witnessing atrocities of all kinds ranging from mass imprisonment of the population to unaccounted killings. "The people of the state faced these attacks on their existence as a distinguished part of the country with a silent dignity and fortitude without compromising on their aspirations," she added.

Mehbooba further said, "While we would continue our struggle through all democratic and peaceful means, we miss on this Eid our young and old prisoners of all ages who are in jails in and out of Kashmir without any charges.

The PDP chief said "our heart goes out to the families of those who lost their dear ones in staged encounters and those who were targeted for their political or religious affiliations," adding "The cries of family members not demanding justice but only the dead bodies of their loved ones killed in Hyderpora incident were distressing."

On this Eid, she said, "We also feel sad for the lives lost of jawans from all over the country and brave members of Jammu and Kashmir Police who are becoming a cannon fodder to the failure of our leadership to resolve political problems through diplomacy and dialogue."

"Our hallowed grand mosque, Jama Masjid, continues to be out of bound for Muslims even for Eid prayers, causing great hurt and sorrow to the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir, as does the prolonged detention of Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq," she said.

Expressing solidarity with young journalists like Fahad Shah, Asif Sultan, and Sajad Gul, Mehbooba said, "We stand in solidarity with them and human rights defenders like Khurram Parvez," adding "while in the rest of the country young Muslim intellectuals like Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam are in jail on trumped-up charges, our own Youth president Wahid ur Rehman Para has set new standards of resilience and silent resistance to targeted victimisation for following a democratic path."

She expressed confidence that this Eid will further strengthen the community bonds in all the regions of the Jammu province.
New Delhi: Union Power Minister R K Singh claimed that the Delhi government has been misleading the public with incorrect information about the power situation in the national capital, PTI reported on Sunday (May 1, 2022).

The Union Power Minister, in a letter to the Delhi power minister, expressed his concern and displeasure at the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government misleading the public.

Singh has replied to the Delhi power minister's letter and said the figures of the stocks were not correct.

Earlier, on Friday, Delhi power minister Satyendar Jain claimed that some power plants in the national capital have stock for only a day and raised an alarm on the issue.

ALSO READ | Power crisis: Arvind Kejriwal flags 'coal shortage'; Centre assures enough power supply to Delhi

According to the Union Power Ministers letter, coal stock at the Dadri plant was 202.40 thousand tonnes, which is sufficient for 8.43 days at 85 percent PLF (plant load factor) on April 29, 2022. On the other hand, coal stock at Unchahar plant was 97.62 thousand tonnes, sufficient for 4.6 days at 85 per cent PLF or capacity utilisation. Similarly, coal at Kahalgaon plant was 187 thousand tonnes (5.31 days), 234.22 thousand tonnes (8.38 days) at Farakka and 162.56 thousand tonnes at Jhajjar (8.02 days) on April 29.

Singh also claimed that five thermal power stations have sufficient reserve coal stocks for 5-8 days. Singh added that the stocks are replenished on a daily basis -- both from domestic sources and coal imported for blending purposes.

NTPC has also declared 100% availability from Dadri and Unchahar power stations, the minister mentioned in his letter.

Singh said panic was sought to be created by using wrong figures and this was reprehensible.

Citing some previous instances, he said in October 2021 panic was sought to be created among people about disruption of power supplies on the basis that gas supply to Delhi's gas-based plants was likely to be disrupted, which proved to be baseless.

The minister stressed that advance gas supply arrangement had not been made by the Delhi government and that the Power Department of Delhi is expected to monitor these issues.

(With PTI inputs)

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New Delhi: As the scare of a possible fourth wave continues to loom, Gautam Buddh Nagars active Covid-19 cases tally crossed the 700 mark with 66 new infections reported in the last 24 hours, reported PTI quoting official data released on Monday

The number of active cases in Gautam Buddh Nagar, of which Noida is a part, stood at 701 on Monday, the Uttar Pradesh health department figures showed.

According to official figures, 490 people have lost their lives in Gautam Buddh Nagar since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020.

Section 144 imposed in Noida

Amid the rising number of Covid-19 cases in Gautam Budh Nagar, Section 144 CrPC has been extended in the district from May 1 to May 31, officials said on Sunday.

The Police Commissionerate Gautam Budh Nagar said that wearing face masks has also been made mandatory in public places.

Covid assistance helpline for Noida

In the wake of a rise in cases, the health department has urged residents to contact helpline number 1800492211 for any immediate Covid-19 related assistance

Uttar Pradesh Covid bulletin

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh on Monday recorded 193 new coronavirus infection cases while the number of active infections in the state reached 1,621, the official health data showed.

Delhi Covid tally

Delhi on Monday reported 1,076 fresh infections, which is around 27% lesser than a day ago. However, the Covid positivity rate in the national capital was up by over 2% and rose to 6.42%, according to data shared by the city health department.

No death occurred due to the disease in a day.

With these new cases, the national capital's overall tally has increased to 18,85,636, while the death toll stands at 26,175.

A total of 16,753 Covid tests were conducted in the national capital on Sunday, according to the latest health bulletin.
PM Narendra Modi is on a crucial three-day visit to Germany, France and Denmark. The Prime Minister will cover the visit to these three different nations in a time span of just 65 hours. The Prime Minister arrived in Germany in the first leg of his visit today. Indians in Germany accorded a warm welcome to PM Narendra Modi. Many of the scenes at PM Modi's welcome have now gone viral on social media.

In today's DNA, Zee News Editor-In-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary analyses PM Narendra Modi's visit to Germany, France and Denmark.

First of all, we will show you the rousing welcome accorded to PM Narendra Modi in Germany. During the event, a boy recited a patriotic poem, while a girl gifted PM Narendra Modi his hand-made portrait. The Prime Minister praised the two children, and even gave an autograph on the same painting.

The Prime Minister's visit with a mega delegation has many aspects attached to it.

India, so far, has maintained cordial bilateral relationships with major powers like US, Russia, UK and France. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too shares a personal equation with the head of these nations. However, the scenario is not the same when it comes to India's relationship with European Nations.

The current visit is Narendra Modi government's mega-step towards creating a personal chemistry with European Nations.

Today's analysis is done on the basis of three major aspects:

1) PM Narendra Modi's game-changer diplomacy

2) PM Narendra Modi's popularity among the Indian diaspora across the world

3) Brand India's rising dominance at the international level

Watch DNA with Sudhir Chaudhary for a detailed and extensive analysis of PM Narendra Modi's visit to the three nations.
Saharanpur: The Uttar Pradesh police tightened the noose around former Bahujan Samaj Party MLC Haji Iqbal, whose properties worth Rs 21 crore were seized in Saharanpur on Sunday. The properties attached are in the name of Naseem, the servant of Haji Iqbal, said an ANI report.

Akash Tomar, SSP of Saharanpur told ANI, "There is a gang of Haji Iqbal in which there are many active members. The action was taken against them on April 9. We have seized properties worth Rs 21 crore under 14(1) Gangsters act that were in the name of a servant of Haji Iqbal Naseem."

UP | Haji Iqbal (ex-BSP MLC) has an active gang with many members in Saharanpur. Today, we have seized properties worth Rs 21 crores of Naseem, Haji Iqbal's Munshi, u/s 14(1) Gangsters Act. It is the biggest seizure under this act in UP this year: Akash Tomar, SSP Saharanpur pic.twitter.com/RObc9zyahH  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) May 1, 2022

"There are many shell companies through which he did the money laundering and was booked under the Gangster Act. Action would continue against such criminals in the future as well," ANI further quoted the SSP as saying.

Tomar further said that the police have identified some Benami properties and are in the process of identifying more such properties, adding "We will be in touch with the Central agencies like ED and ensure action against such properties of Haji Iqbal. This is the biggest seizure under the Gangster Act this year. We will identify more properties. We have identified some benami properties."

Notably, a joint team of police and revenue department had attached alleged illegal property worth Rs 21 crore registered in the name of former MLC Haji Iqbal's aide.

Haji Iqbal was BSP MLC from 2010 to 2016

Haji Iqbal, who headed the gang, was reportedly indulged in smuggling wood, illegal mining, threatening people and using fraudulent means to purchase government and non-government land, and registering them in the names of his aides, family members, relatives and even servants.

The former MLC had also amassed money from criminal activities and purchased a number of properties in Behat area of Saharanpur, the police said.

In another case, property worth Rs 4 crore in Barabanki district, belonging to drug smuggler Mohammad Saheem alias Kasim, too, was attached on Sunday, Additional Superintendent of Police, Barabanki, Manoj Kumar Pandey told PTI.

The police officer further said that Mohammad Saheem used to supply smack, also called black tar heroin, to some states.

(With Agency Inputs)
Ahmedabad: Gujarat Congress working president Hardik Patel on Monday (May 2) removed his designation and party poll symbol of 'hand' from his Twitter profile amid mounting speculation that he may leave the opposition party ahead of the Assembly polls due later this year, reported PTI.

The removal comes days after Patel expressed displeasure over the functioning of the state party leadership. The firebrand leader, who spearheaded the Patidar community agitation in Gujarat for reservation in jobs and education, has described himself as a "Proud Indian patriot" in his new profile on Twitter, as per PTI.

Earlier, rumors of Patel quitting Congress and joining the BJP were also on the street, however, he debunked all the rumors and said he has no plans to join the saffron party.

"News of my leaving Congress and joining the BJP has been circulating in the news for a long time. But under the present circumstances, joining the BJP is out of the question. I`ve no plans to join BJP. I welcome the political decisions that have been taken by BJP recently," Patel said. "If any such decision has to be taken in the interest of the state and its people, I will speak out," he added.

I am in Congress currently. I hope the central leaders find a way so that I continue to remain in the Congress. There are others who want Hardik to leave the Congress. They want to break my morale. @NewIndianXpress pic.twitter.com/zW1oHf5m52  Hardik Patel (@HardikPatel_) April 26, 2022

The Congress leader said that he has expressed his concerns to Congress and hoped that the party high command will listen to his grievances.

In a message to the Opposition, Patel said that they need to struggle against the government on the issues of the people.

"The opposition has to fight and struggle against the government on the issues of the people. But we are unable to do so. So people will look for another option. The party is strong in Gujarat as they have leadership with decision-making abilities and it is the time to make the right decision," he said.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday called India Germanys superpartner in Asia after his first meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Europe, reported ANI.

While addressing the media post-meeting with PM Modi, Chancellor Scholz said, India is a super partner for Germany in Asia in economic terms, security policy terms, and climate-political terms.

India is a super partner for Germany in Asia in economic terms, security policy terms, and climate-political terms: German Chancellor Scholz in Berlin pic.twitter.com/hdZ2vuHTG0  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2022

India is among our very important partners here. The world can only develop well if we are clear as to the fact that future relations in the world will be characterised and marked by many countries, not by a few powerful countries, he added.

Talking about Germanys special relationship with India, the Chancellor said he feels delighted that his administration's first inter-government dialogue held with the Indian government.

Delighted that the first Inter-Governmental Consultations of this Govt took place with Indian Govt. To me it's a sign of the spl quality of our relationship...I invited you as our guest to G7 Summit end of June & we look forward to welcoming you back to Germany: Chancellor Scholz pic.twitter.com/w0t3ZamsWE  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2022

We are delighted that the first Inter-Governmental Consultations of this Govt took place with Indian Govt. To me it's a sign of the special quality of our relationship...I invited you as our guest to the G7 Summit end of June and we look forward to welcoming you back to Germany, ANI quoted Scholz as saying.

The German Chancellor also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G-7 summit in Germany.

"I invited you as our guest to the G7 Summit end of June & we look forward to welcoming you back to Germany," he said. The agreement was signed after the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations, a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany, he said.

Discussions between Modi-Scholz, the first since the newly elected chancellor took office, covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.

During his visit, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on his arrival.

In his three-day visit, PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries.

He will then make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.
New Delhi: A 16-year-old girl died and 18 others were hospitalised on Sunday due to suspected food poisoning after they ate Shawarma at an eatery in Kasaragod.

Devananda, a resident of Karivallor near here, died at the Kanhangad district hospital, while undergoing treatment, police said.

A case has been registered against the juice shop, which has been sealed following investigations.

Eighteen school students were admitted to the district hospital after they fell sick, but none of them are said to be in a serious condition.

ALSO READ | Kerala Leader PC George taken into custody for controversial remarks against Muslims

"We are expecting more cases and have asked doctors and staff from other nearby medical institutions to be present at the Cheruvathur PHC and Neeleswaram Taluk hospitals. We plan to treat people with mild issues there and those with serious conditions will be shifted to the district hospital," District Medical Officer, AV Ramdas, told the media.

Meanwhile, Minister MV Govindan visited the students undergoing treatment at the hospital and said the state government will ensure that quality food is served in hotels across the state.

"The government will conduct inspections across the state to ensure that the food served at restaurants is of good quality," the minister said.

According to sources, the juice shop was situated near a Tuition centre.

Live TV
New Delhi: Amid the ongoing loudspeaker row in Maharashtra, which has now taken a communal turn, MNS chief Raj Thackeray asked his party workers against playing Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques on the occasion of Eid to avoid any communal friction, said his recent tweet.

In a tweet, which is written in Maharathi, Thackeray wrote, Tomorrow is Eid. I have spoken about that in yesterday's meeting of Sambhajinagar. This festival of the Muslim community should be celebrated with joy. Don't do Aartya anywhere on your festival day like Akshay Tritiya as decided earlier. The subject of loudspeakers is not religious but social and I will tell you what to do next about it through my tweet tomorrow. That's all for now!

Notably, it was Raj Thackeray, who began the loudspeaker uproar after he warned the current Uddhav Thackeray Maharashtra government to remove loudspeakers from mosques owing to the noise, or else his party will install speakers and play Hanuman Chalisa outside all the mosques.

Subsequently, the MNS leader reiterated his commitment during his speech on Maharashtra Day.

Raj Thackeray on Sunday warned and said that if loudspeakers are not taken down then the Hanuman Chalisa would be played with double volume compared to Azan from May 4.

Today is the first day of Maharashtra (Maharashtra Day). I won`t listen from the 4th day from now. Wherever we will see a loudspeaker, we will also chant Hanuman Chalisa in front of the loudspeaker in double volume, Thackeray said.

He further added that the loudspeaker row is not a religious issue but it is a national issue and warned that if they don`t stop, then we will also take a stand.

"This is not a religious issue. It is a national issue but if you stop us, we will also take a stand. All the loudspeaker speaker is not under the law and it is illegal, he added.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin on Monday (May 2, 2022). PM Modi arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit.

Upon his arrival, PM Modi was greeted by members of the Indian community. Numerous children were present at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin, where the Indian prime minister is staying.

PM Modi interacted with a little girl who presented him with a portrait of him and also took a picture with the girl who called him her icon. The prime minister also signed the portrait made by the little girl for her.

Take a look:

#WATCH Indian diaspora extends a warm welcome to PM Modi in Berlin, Germany (Source:DD) pic.twitter.com/H0yX5LWut4  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2022

It was early morning in Berlin yet several people from the Indian community came by. Was wonderful connecting with them. India is proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora. pic.twitter.com/RfCyCqJkPY  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

The people chanted Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki Jai on seeing the Prime Minister.

Follow Narendra Modi's 3-day, 3-nation Europe visit LIVE updates here

Earlier this morning, the Prime Minister arrived at Berlin-Brandenburg airport in Germany on the first leg of his visit to three European nations. Upon his arrival, PM Modi expressed confidence that the visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany.

Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany, he tweeted.

(With agency inputs)

Live TV
Mumbai: Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik, arrested by the ED in a money laundering case, was admitted to hospital on Monday after he complained of fever and diarrhoea, his lawyer told a special court here and claimed that Malik's health had deteriorated and he was in a "serious" condition.

Last week, Malik (62), who was lodged in the Arthur Road jail here, had sought interim bail on medical ground from the special court for trial of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs.

When the matter came up for hearing on Monday, Malik's lawyer Kushal Mor told the court that when the NCP leader's family members went to give him home food, they were told that he was shifted to the state-run J J Hospital.

Mor also told the court that Malik was ill since the last three days and that his condition has deteriorated and is "serious".

The lawyer prayed that Malik be shifted to a private hospital, saying that several medical test facilities are not available at the J J Hospital.

Special judge R N Rokade expressed concern over the prison authorities not informing the court about Malik's condition and that he was taken to hospital. The judge sought a report from the hospital and posted the matter for hearing on May 5.

Malik had sought interim bail for six weeks on medical grounds, citing multiple illnesses, including kidney ailments and swelling in legs.

The minister was arrested on February 23 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the activities of fugitive gangster Dawood Ibrahim and his aides, under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He is currently in judicial custody.

The ED's case is based on an FIR filed recently by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) against Dawood Ibrahim and others.

The NIA had filed its criminal complaint under sections of the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

The ED had recently filed an over 5,000-page charge sheet in the case against Malik.

The NCP leader had denied all charges levelled against him and moved the Supreme Court against an order of the Bombay HC, which had rejected his interim application seeking immediate release from jail. The Supreme Court had also refused to grant him any relief, noting the probe into the case is at a nascent stage.

Live TV
On a crucial visit to Germany, PM Narendra Modi today strongly favoured peace over violence in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Prime Minister, emphasising on the economic losses due to the Ukraine-Russia war, said that "each family in the world" has been impacted due to the war. "We have urged for a ceasefire. No one will win this war. All will lose. That's why, we are in favour of peace," PM Narendra Modi said.

"Oil prices have increased due to the Ukraine crisis. This has impacted every family in the world. Each nation has been affected due to this. However, developing nations would be the most affected," PM Modi added further. "India is concerned over the humanitarian impact of the Ukraine-Russia War. We have sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine," PM Modi added.

Modi, who arrived here on Monday morning on the first leg of his three-nation Europe trip that will also take him to Denmark and France, held talks with the German Chancellor on key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership as well as regional and global developments.

In their opening remarks at the IGC, both leaders highlighted key aspects of the bilateral relationship as well as shared perspectives on regional and global issues with Modi emphasising that the India-Germany partnership could serve as an example of success in a complex world.

He also invited German participation in India's Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.

The two leaders inked the Joint Declaration of Intent establishing the Indo-German Partnership for Green and Sustainable Development under which Germany intends to strengthen its financial and technical cooperation and other assistance to India with a long-term goal of at least 10 billion Euros of new and additional commitments till 2030.

On the Ukraine crisis, Modi said from the start, India called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and stressed that talks are the only solution to resolve the dispute.

"We believe that there will be no victorious party in this war and all will suffer losses. Therefore, we are on the side of peace," the Prime Minister asserted.

"Due to the disturbance caused by the Ukraine crisis, oil prices are skyrocketing, and there is a shortage of food grains and fertilizers, as a result of which every family in the world has been burdened," he said.

Modi said that the effect of this conflict would be more serious on developing and poor countries and added that India is also concerned about the humanitarian impact of the conflict.

On his part, Scholz said that through its attack on Ukraine, Russia has violated fundamental principles of international law.

The war and the brutal attacks against the civilian population in Ukraine show how Russia has been violating the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, the German Chancellor said.

A joint statement issued after the talks said "Germany reiterated its strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine by Russian Forces".

The statement further said Germany and India expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and "unequivocally condemned" civilian deaths in Ukraine.

They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states, the joint statement said.
New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Germany on Monday (May 2) for his 3-day Europe visit, the colours and diversity of India were displayed at Berlins iconic Brandenburg Gate to welcome the Indian leader.

The pictures and a video of the heartwarming gesture were shared by Prime Minister's office on Twitter. Watch!

A flavour of India at the Brandenburg Gate! Have a look pic.twitter.com/dek31R3aKt  PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 2, 2022

The colours and diversity of India are on display at Berlins iconic Brandenburg Gate. pic.twitter.com/nhBECQVLEp  PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 2, 2022

PM Modi reached Berlin on Monday, which is his first stop in the three-nation visit to Europe that includes Germany, Denmark and France.

The Indian leader received a grand welcome by the Indian diaspora in Germany. Amid his interaction with the Indians in Europe, a video of a small bot singing a patriotic song for PM Modi is going viral on social media.

In the video, the prime minister can be seen grooving and appreciating the little kid for his talent.

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi in all praises for a young Indian-origin boy as he sings a patriotic song on his arrival in Berlin, Germany pic.twitter.com/uNHNM8KEKm  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2022

PM Modi also interacted with a little girl who presented him with a portrait of his picture. He took a picture with the girl who called him her icon and also signed the portrait for her.

About the visit, this will be Prime Minister Modis first meeting with the newly elected chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The bilateral cooperation will be the focal point of the high-level meetings, but the situation in Ukraine may also come up during the discussions, said sources. One of the main agendas during the meeting would also be the post-Covid economic recovery.

Ministry of External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "On his first visit abroad this year, PM @narendramodi arrives to a warm reception in Berlin. Looking forward to reinvigorating the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, advancing our wide-ranging cooperation, and enhancing multilateral coordination."

Modis visit to Berlin will be an opportunity to hold detailed bilateral discussions with Chancellor Scholz, whom he met at G20 last year in his previous capacity as Vice-Chancellor and Finance Minister.
New Delhi: In the wee hours of Monday (May 2), Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Germany from New Delhi as part of his three-day visit to Europe. Giving information through a tweet, the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO) said, "PM @narendramodi emplanes for Berlin, where he will take part in various programmes aimed at strengthening India-Germany cooperation."

PM Modi is scheduled to arrive in Berlin, Germany on Monday, where he will take part in the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), along with German chancellor Olaf Scholz, said an ANI report.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will reportedly conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where PM Modi will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a tweet, called the visit "An opportunity to deepen partnerships, expand strategic convergences and enhance coordination on regional & global issues."

Earlier today, addressing a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra informed that Prime Minister will hold wide-ranging interactions with political leadership in the three countries, adding that he will also engage with the Indian diaspora and the top industrialists and CEOs during his visit.

"PM`s three days and three-nation tour have an intense schedule with a substantial and comprehensive agenda, including wide-ranging interactions with political leadership with these countries, the Indian diaspora and the top industrialists and CEOs," he is quoted by ANI as saying.

In his departure statement ahead of the three-nation visit, the Prime Minister said his visit to Berlin will be an opportunity to hold detailed bilateral discussions with Chancellor Scholz, adding "I see this IGC as an early engagement with the new government in Germany, within six months of its formation, which will be helpful to identify our priorities for the medium and long term."

(With Agency Inputs)
The Punjab Cabinet Monday approved recruitment on 26,000 posts in different government departments, and also gave its nod to roll out a doorstep ration delivery scheme.

The decisions were taken at a Cabinet meeting here chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Sharing information about the decisions taken in the meeting on his Twitter handle, Mann said the Cabinet also gave its nod to the roll out of a doorstep ration delivery scheme.

"Approval granted to recruitment at 26,454 posts in different departments," he tweeted in Hindi.

The decision is in line with Bhagwant Mann's promise of filling 25,000 vacancies in various departments after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) came to power in the state in March.

Mann also gave an approval to the notification for 'one MLA, one pension', which too is in line his poll promise that former MLAs would get pension for only one term not for all the terms they have served as an elected representative.

The cabinet also accorded the delivery of wheat to the doorsteps of 1.5 crore beneficiaries in the state covered under the National Food Security Act under which 5kg wheat or wheat flour a month is offered to beneficiaries spread over 40 lakh households in the state.

In another decision, the Cabinet gave approval to the disbursement of Rs 41.89 crore to cotton growers in Muktsar district.

Mann further said the duration for paying tax by small transporters has been extended by three months.

Last month, Mann had announced that the transporters whose business suffered due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown could pay their motor vehicle tax without any penalty in the next three months.
New Delhi: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Sunday (May 1, 2022) addressed a public rally in Aurangabad and remained firm on the May 3 deadline for removal of loudspeakers from mosques.

Terming loudspeakers as a nuisance, he said that if they are not removed, then all Hindus should play Hanuman Chalisa outside these religious places.

"I won't be responsible for what all happens after the May 3 deadline to remove the loudspeakers from the mosques," Raj Thackeray said.

The MNS chief also said that if the Uttar Pradesh government could remove the loudspeakers, what was stopping the Maharashtra government, led by his estranged cousin Uddhav Thackeray, from doing so.

"Loudspeaker is a social issue, but if it is being made a religious one, then we shall give a reply in the same manner. Eid will be celebrated on May 3. We don't want to vitiate the atmosphere. But from May 4, if loudspeakers are not brought down (from mosques), then all Hindus should play Hanuman Chalisa at double the volume in front of those mosques," he added.

Loudspeakers have no place in religion

Raj Thackeray stated that loudspeakers have no place in religion and therefore they should be removed. He added that the police should look into the matter and see that they are removed.

"If they (Muslims) don't understand nicely, we will show them the power of Maharashtra," he said.

"All loudspeakers (atop mosques) are illegal. Is it a concert that so many loudspeakers are being used?" he said.

At a rally last month, Raj Thackeray had given an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government, saying that if loudspeakers were not removed from mosques by May 3, then Hanuman Chalisa would be played outside them in a louder way.

"It was not the first time that I spoke on the issue of loudspeakers. The difference is that last time I gave an alternative (of Hanuman Chalisa). We don't want riots and the Muslim community should also understand that," he said.

Thackeray said one Muslim reporter had also told him that his family faces problems because of loudspeakers atop mosques.

"Don't force us to take an extreme stand. If loudspeakers in Uttar Pradesh can come down, then why not in Maharashtra. Loudspeakers at temples shall also be brought down, but only after them (mosques). Loudspeakers are illegal and they don't have permission. Why only we should suffer due to loudspeakers?" he added.

On the occasion, Thackeray announced that he would hold rallies in different parts of Maharashtra, including districts in Marathwada, Vidarbha, north Maharashtra and Konkan.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Save Soil echoed across the capital city of Azerbaijan, as the lovely children of Baku came together to welcome Sadhguru on Day 40 of his journey across continents to Save Soil, while over 500 Earth Buddies performed the now-viral Save Soil jig.

As a tangible step toward soil conservation, Azerbaijan joined the growing list of countries who have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Save Soil, as a commitment to protect the soil for future generations. Sadhguru also presented the Minister of Agriculture of Azerbaijan with the Policy Revitalization Handbook

Why do we need policies to Save Soil?

Whether it is a worm, insect, butterfly, man, woman, or any other animal that you see, everything has come from the soil. When I say soil, it is just 15-18 inches of soil. This is where the magic is happening in soil, he said, to a packed hall at the very famous and spectacular Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.

Soil extinction is not just another ecological challenge. It is an existential threat. If we do the right things now, we can significantly turn this situation around and regenerate the soil in the next 15-25 years.Sg #SaveSoil #ConsciousPlanet @UNCCD@FAO @WFP @UNEP @cpsavesoil pic.twitter.com/o0pgUMpiR5  Sadhguru (@SadhguruJV) February 10, 2022

In a conversation with TV Presenter Tural Asadov here, Sadhguru pointed out that there is no guarantee that the next generation will keep the soil healthy, he recommended It must be in the policy. If you hold agricultural land, a minimum of 3-6% organic content has to be there. For this incentive-based policy is needed.

The power-packed event also saw a captivating performance by a group of dancers from Project Samskriti, depicting the importance of soil in Classical Indian dance forms. Project Samskriti is an endeavor to nurture, preserve and showcase the magnificence of classical Indian arts as possibilities for transformation and inner growth, envisioned by Sadhguru.

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New Delhi: Political strategist Prashant Kishor, who reached Patna on Sunday, has hinted through a tweet on Monday (May 2) that he is set to take a political plunge. The tweet said that he would be ready to go to the people`s court, starting from his home state Bihar.

Giving this information, Prashant Kishor said, "My quest to be a meaningful participant in democracy & help shape pro-people policy led to a 10yr rollercoaster ride! As I turn the page, time to go to the Real Masters, THE PEOPLE, to better understand the issues & the path to Peoples Good Governance."

My quest to be a meaningful participant in democracy & help shape pro-people policy led to a 10yr rollercoaster ride! As I turn the page, time to go to the Real Masters, THE PEOPLE,to better understand the issues & the path to  -Peoples Good Governance  #   Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) May 2, 2022

Putting all speculations to rest, Prashant Kishor today gave this hint after his talks with the top brass of the Congres party has already failed. The tweet apparently holds significance as he is set to take a political plunge from his home state Bihar.

Kishor is not new to Bihar politics, as he was the vice president of the ruling Janata Dal-United led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The announcement has come within a week of his statement on Twitter that he had declined the Congress` offer to join a group on strengthening the organization in the run-up to the 2024 general elections.

I declined the generous offer of #congress to join the party as part of the EAG & take responsibility for the elections. In my humble opinion, more than me the party needs leadership and collective will to fix the deep rooted structural problems through transformational reforms.  Prashant Kishor (@PrashantKishor) April 26, 2022

According to reports, Prashant Kishor recently shared the strategy of building a strong alliance against the BJP by keeping the Congress at the Centre of Opposition parties. He had also proposed leaving out certain old allies of the Congress and joining hands with new allies, including parties like JDU in Bihar, TMC in Bengal and TRS in Telangana, said media reports

Last year, he had strategised for Mamata Banerjee's TMC which earned a stupendous win for the third term in West Bengal. He had also predicted that the BJP in West Bengal will score below 100 and also that he would quit the space after the results.
New Delhi: eKYC is also mandatory for PMKISAN Registered Farmers and is also very important in disbursal of instalment of PM KISAN money.

As the schedule for the 11th instalment of PM KISAN is approaching near, eligible farmers must be curious to know the deadline and other details regarding eKYC. (Also read: When to buy and sell stocks? Elon Musk shares This long-term investment advice)

The eKYC process can be done both online and by visiting your nearest CSC Center. (Also read: Dearness allowance hiked by 5% in THIS state, new rate from May 1)

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.

If you want to complete the process by visiting your nearest CSC centres for Biometric authentication based eKYC, you can follow the below mentioned procedure

- Visit nearby CSC Center

- Request CSCs VLE for the KYC process for PM Kisan

- Get your Aadhar Card with you. Remember that your mobile number should be linked with your Aadhaar

- CSC VLE will enters your detailed infor for biometric authentication

- CSC VLE will also ask you to put your Thumb impression for fingerprint authentication

- Once it is verifiedm your, eKYC will be completed

The eKYC process can be completed on PM KISAN portal https://pmkisan.gov.in/ using 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.

If you are looking to complete the PM-KISAN e-KYC process, you can check out the step by step process below.

- Visit the official PM Kisan website https://pmkisan.gov.in/

- In the right hand side, below the home page, you will see Farmers Corner

- There is a box just below Farmers Corner that mentions e-kyc

- Click the e-kyc

- A page will open that facilitates Aadhar Ekyc

- Now, you will have to enter your Aadhar number and then the Captcha code shown and click on the search button

- After that, you will have to enter your mobile number linked to your Aadhar card and click on Get OTP button

- The OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number

- Punch in the OTP and click on the Submit For Authentication button

- As soon as you click Submit For Auth button, your PM KISAN e-KYC will be successful

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme was launched by PM Modi in 2019. The Scheme aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. (Also read: Video circulating amongst bankers, scantily clad female dancers entertain UCO Bank staff at party hosted by SBI Life)

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.

ln the beginning when the PM-KISAN Scheme was launched (February, 2019), its benefits were admissible only to Small & marginal Farmers' families, with combined landholding upto 2 hectare. The Scheme was later on revised in June 2019 and extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings.
New Delhi: iPhone users will soon have access to a useful new function that will assist them in reading Microsoft Word documents. iOS users will now be able to listen to Word documents even when their phone screen is locked, as revealed by the Insider version of the Microsoft Office application. The paper will then function similarly to a podcast or audio file that can be listened to on the go.

The feature can be found in the current Microsoft Office Insider for iOS version. Even when the iPhone screen is locked, the version 2.61 upgrade adds the option to continue listening to Word documents. It's an addition to the existing Read Aloud tool, which can convert text to speech and read an entire Word document aloud to a user in a pre-programmed voice.

"Using this functionality on your iOS device is a terrific way to take a break from the screen and give your eyes a rest while listening to documents," Microsoft says in its announcement. It even explains how to turn on the feature and listen to your word documents as an audio file. Users will reportedly not need to modify any settings for this, since Read Aloud will now be enabled by default even for the lock screen.

This means Office Insiders on iPhones may simply select Read Aloud from the Review menu of a Word document. The Read Aloud icon in Word for iPad, which is located in the overflow menu, will provide the same functionality. The programme will then continue reading the text from the cursor's current location, continuing the narration even after the lock screen appears.

The new Word for iOS capability is scheduled to go out to non-Insider accounts soon. The capability is being brought out alongside another new feature on the Insider Office Mobile app. The software can now keep track of PDF email attachments forwarded to Outlook, according to Microsoft's update notes.

iOS users will be able to see all of the PDF documents they've ever received in Office Mobile as a result of this. The goal is to remove the time-consuming task of searching for a certain PDF within one's Outlook inbox. Users will now be able to find all of their PDFs on Office Mobile's Shared with Me tab.
San Francisco: After the encrypted messaging app Telegram previously gave up on its own token, it now supports crypto payments.

According to Protocol, the addition could make crypto payments on messaging platforms more mainstream.

The TON Foundation, which manages the toncoin token, has enabled fee-free payments, sending crypto to other users, using toncoin (TON) in the app. It also has added the ability to buy bitcoin within the app.

Telegram, which has about 550 million users, previously dropped its plan for its own token after a legal challenge from theAUS Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The SEC sued Telegram in 2019 after it raised $1.7 billion to develop its token, calling it an illegal token offering.

Telegram later paid a fine to the SEC and agree to return capital to investors.

Since then, Telegram's CEO Pavel Durov has endorsed a separate spin-off token Toncoin that is apparently independent from Telegram. That is the coin that is now enabled for payments on Telegram, the report said.

The TON Foundation said it has enabled the ability to send Toncoin "without transaction fees to any Telegram user", it announced on Twitter.
New Delhi: In the last and 10th week of Lock Upp, contestants were asked to perform an interesting task in which they had to pitch for each other to be in the finale and not themselves!

At the beginning of the episode, Munawar and Payal got into a huge fight as they started discussing each others' gameplay. The jailor congratulated all the contestants for reaching the last and 10th week, nearing the finale.

Surprisingly, Anjali was seen talking about Munawar to Payal and the two were discussing how Munawar used people to get ahead in tasks but never put individual effort in them.

Since the contetestants had to pitch for each other, Anjali went up to Saisha Shinde and asked her to support her and not Munawar as she has done a lot behind-the-scenes. Munawar, on the other hand, pitched his case to Anjali and said that he is the only one who cares about her in the show.

He also told her that despite the hardships in his life, he still came on this show and won the love of fans.

When the task begins, Munawar voted for Anjali and said that she deserved to be in the finale as she has shown great improvement in the show. However, the other inmates contested this by saying that Anjali had gotten so far by staying in Munawar's shadow.

In another surprise event, Payal pitched for Prince Narula and then ended up getting into a fight with in the next few minutes. However, she said she will not back away from her decision as she was playing the task based on her reasons not on her friendship.

At the end of the episode, Payal tried to end the long-drawn fight between her and Shivam Sharma but the duo just end up getting into an uglier fight with Shivam creating a ruckus in the middle of the night.
Rome: For travelers heading to Europe, summer vacations just got a whole lot easier.

Italy and Greece relaxed some COVID-19 restrictions on Sunday before Europe's peak summer tourist season, in a sign that life was increasingly returning to normal.

Greece's civil aviation authority announced that it was lifting all COVID-19 rules for international and domestic flights except for the wearing of face masks during flights and at airports. Previously, air travelers were required to show proof of vaccination, a negative test or a recent recovery from the disease.

Under a decree passed by Italy's health ministry, the country did away with the health pass that had been required to enter restaurants, cinemas, gyms and other venues. The green pass, which showed proof of vaccination, recovery from the virus or a recent negative test, is still required to access hospitals and nursing homes.

Some indoor mask mandates also ended, including inside supermarkets, workplaces and stores. Masks are still required on public transport, in cinemas and in all health care and eldercare facilities.

ALSO READ | No fourth wave in India right now, says ICMR amid spike in Covid-19 cases

As of Sunday, visitors to Italy also no longer have to fill out the EU passenger locator form, a complicated online ordeal required at airport check-in.

It was needed, said Claudio Civitelli, a Rome resident who was having his morning coffee at a bar near the Trevi Fountain. Until Sunday, patrons had to wear a mask to enter bars and restaurants, though they could remove them to eat and drink. We have waited more than two years.

At a nearby table, Andrea Bichler, an Italian tourist from Trentino Alto-Adige, sat with similarly maskless friends.

It's much better, Bichler said. Let's say it's a return to life, a free life.

Public health officials say masks still remain highly recommended for all indoor activities, and private companies can still require them.

Even with the restrictions increasingly going by the wayside, public health officials urged prudence and stressed that the pandemic was still not over. Italy is reporting 699 cases per 100,000 inhabitants and is recording more than 100 deaths per day, with a total confirmed death toll at 163,500. But hospital capacity remains stable and under the critical threshold.

Given the virus is still circulating, "we should keep up the vaccine campaign, including boosters, and keep up behavior inspired by prudence: wearing masks indoors or in crowded places or wherever there's a risk of contagion, said Dr. Giovanni Rezza, in charge of prevention at the health ministry.

Italy was the epicenter of Europe's outbreak when it recorded the first locally transmitted case on Feb. 21, 2020. The government imposed one of the harshest lockdowns and production shutdowns in the West during the first wave of the virus, and maintained more stringent restrictions than many of its neighbours in subsequent waves.

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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Berlin on Monday (May 2, 2022) amid a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Germany. Many children were among several people who turned up to get a glimpse of the prime minister at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin.

Some were lucky enough to interact with PM Modi. One of the children also sang a patriotic song and Prime Minister Modi grooved with him.

Watch:

#WATCH PM Narendra Modi in all praises for a young Indian-origin boy as he sings a patriotic song on his arrival in Berlin, Germany pic.twitter.com/uNHNM8KEKm  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2022

The Prime Minister also interacted with a little girl who presented him with a portrait of his picture. He took a picture with the girl who called him her icon and also signed the portrait for her.

#WATCH Indian diaspora extends a warm welcome to PM Modi in Berlin, Germany (Source:DD) pic.twitter.com/H0yX5LWut4  ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2022

It was early morning in Berlin yet several people from the Indian community came by. Was wonderful connecting with them. India is proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora. pic.twitter.com/RfCyCqJkPY  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

Es war noch fruh am Morgen in Berlin, doch es kamen viele Personen aus der indischen Gemeinde vorbei. Es war wunderbar, mit ihnen ins Gesprach zu kommen. Indien ist stolz auf das, was unsere Diaspora leistet. pic.twitter.com/xw7m2PEaiY  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

Earlier in the day, upon his arrival in Berlin, PM Modi expressed confidence that the visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany.

"Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany," he tweeted.

Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany. pic.twitter.com/qTNgl8QL7K  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 2, 2022

During his visit to Germany, PM Modi is scheduled to hold his first in-person meeting with the newly-appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. The two leaders will also co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

(With agency inputs)
Zaporizhzhia: The long-awaited effort to evacuate civilians from a steel plant in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol was underway on Sunday (May 1, 2022), as US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi revealed she visited Ukraine's president to show unflinching American support for the country's defense against Russian aggression.

UN humanitarian spokesman Saviano Abreu said the operation to bring civilians out of the sprawling Azovstal steel plant was being carried out with the International Committee of the Red Cross and in coordination with Ukrainian and Russian officials.

Video posted online by Ukrainian forces showed elderly women and mothers with small children bundled in winter clothing being helped as they climbed up a steep pile of debris from the plant's rubble, and then eventually boarding a bus.

The evacuation operation drew praise from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said more than 100 civilians, primarily women and children, were expected to arrive in the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia on Monday.

Today, for the first time in all the days of the war, this vitally needed (humanitarian) corridor has started working, he said in a pre-recorded address published on his Telegram channel.

ALSO READ | `Better for you to survive...`: Ukraine President Zelensky urges Russian troops not to fight

Later on Sunday, one of the plant's defenders said Russian forces resumed shelling the plant as soon as the evacuation of a group of civilians was completed.

Denys Shlega, the commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraine's National Guard, said in a televised interview on Sunday night that several hundred civilians remain trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous dead bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said. We need one or two more rounds of evacuation.

An aide to Mariupol's mayor said he also had received reports of renewed shelling. The cannonade is such that even (on the opposite side of the river) the houses are shaking," Petro Andryushenko wrote in a Telegram post.

As many as 1,00,000 people are believed to still be in blockaded Mariupol, including up to 1,000 civilians who were hunkered down with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian fighters beneath the Soviet-era steel plant, the only part of the city not occupied by the Russians.

However, the fate of the Ukrainian fighters still hunkered down in the plant was not immediately clear.

Like other evacuations, success of the mission in Mariupol depended on Russia and its forces, deployed along a long series of checkpoints before reaching Ukrainian ones.

Zaporizhzhia, a city about 230 km northwest of Mariupol, was the destination of the evacuation effort. Abreu said civilians who have been stranded for nearly two months would receive immediate humanitarian support, including psychological services.

Mariupol has seen some of the worst suffering of the war. A maternity hospital was hit with a lethal Russian airstrike in the opening weeks of the war, and about 300 people were reported killed in the bombing of a theatre where civilians were taking shelter.

The Mariupol City Council said in a post on the Telegram messaging app that evacuation of civilians from other parts of the city would begin on Monday morning.

People fleeing Russian-occupied areas in the past have described their vehicles being fired on, and Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russian forces of shelling evacuation routes on which the two sides had agreed.

A Doctors Without Borders team was at a reception centre for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, in preparation for the UN convoy's arrival.

Stress, exhaustion and low supplies of food were likely to have weakened the health of civilians who have been trapped underground at the plant.

Ukrainian regiment Deputy Commander Sviatoslav Palamar, meanwhile, called for the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian fighters as well as civilians.

We don't know why they are not taken away and their evacuation to the territory controlled by Ukraine is not being discussed, he said in a video posted on Saturday on the regiment's Telegram channel.

Meanwhile, Pelosi visited Kyiv on Saturday, the most senior American lawmaker to travel to the country since Russia's February 24 invasion. Her visit came just days after Russia launched rockets at the capital during a visit by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

During a Sunday news conference in the Polish city of Rzeszow, Pelosi said she and other members of a US congressional delegation met with Zelensky and brought him a message of appreciation from the American people for his leadership.

In his nightly televised address on Sunday, Zelensky said more than 3,50,000 people had been evacuated from combat zones thanks to humanitarian corridors pre-agreed with Moscow since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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A significant expansion of transfer degree options between technical colleges and the University of Wisconsin System marks a major shift in the states higher education landscape and may lead more residents to pursue college degrees.

The UW Board of Regents last month approved associate degree programs at eight of Wisconsins 16 technical colleges, a move UW has historically resisted and just last year said threatened the existence of some of its branch campuses.

The Regents approval signals much closer collaboration between the two systems that some have seen as competing against each other for a shrinking pool of students to enroll.

It also brings Wisconsin more in line with many other states by creating a seamless system of transferability between the two systems, Technical College System President Morna Foy said. Thats important in a rapidly shifting economy where more and more of the workforce goes back to school at some point to reskill or supplement their education.

Associate degree programs are the most common stepping stone for students to go on to a four-year university and earn a bachelors degree. The mechanics of degree transfer play an important role in where students enroll, how much debt they accumulate and how well Wisconsin can address its workforce needs.

Because only a handful of technical colleges had UWs blessing to offer the programs until recently, many students transferred to a non-UW institution where their credits were accepted. Technical college system data showed more than half of its students who transferred in 2019-20 enrolled in a Wisconsin private college or an out-of-state school, especially ones near the Minnesota and Illinois borders.

Thats not what wed like to see happen, Foy said. We want to keep more of our talent right here. This is another tool and another way for us to do that.

Beyond retaining current students, the new programs may also help attract new ones. Technical colleges largely dont see themselves in competition with UW campuses to fill seats. The average age of a tech student is 27, and most attend part-time. Some of them struggle to commit to a four-year degree but having a two-year option on a campus that fits their needs might be the difference-maker, Foy said.

Another way in which doors will be opened: Students taking general education courses at a technical college that doesnt offer an associate degree program have to pay out of pocket because they arent eligible for financial aid and veterans benefits, Foy said. Now that financial barrier will be removed.

A handful of technical colleges, including Madison Area Technical College, have already offered associate degree programs for many years due to state law or approval received from the Regents years ago. In reviewing those programs, along with the transferability of dozens of individual courses, the UW System saw an opportunity to increase access even more, said Carleen Vande Zande, who works in the UW Systems office of academic programs.

It was a historic insight and we really moved the needle on our thinking that we can put this together, she said. We can make this happen for every technical college student. We can increase access through liberal arts transfer.

The Regents are slated to consider the last batch of transfer degree programs this summer, Vande Zande said. If approved, that would mean all state technical colleges offer associate degree programs.

A Republican-authored bill introduced last year may have also helped push the UW System in this direction.

The bill, which received a hearing in an Assembly committee but not in the Senate, would have eliminated a longstanding requirement that technical colleges receive approval from the Regents before starting associate degree programs on their campuses.

UW officials warned last spring that the bill would allow technical colleges to operate in isolation and add duplicative courses at the expense of UW branch campuses, some of which are located near technical colleges and most of which primarily offer two-year associate degrees.

Thats not the case with the Regents recent approvals, System spokesperson Ethan Schuh said. The current setup encourages collaboration while also holding the two systems accountable to each other.

Vande Zande suggested the new transfer options may actually boost enrollment at branch campuses because of a System-wide restructuring in 2018 that gave the branches the ability to offer bachelors degrees.

How are the new pathways playing out? Its too early to say for most of the campuses. But Gateway Technical College, which received approval last fall to offer associates degree programs with UW-Parkside, may offer some clues.

Gateway President Bryan Albrecht said many students on his Kenosha, Racine and Elkhorn campuses showed a strong interest in liberal arts programs. But UW System for many years didnt have a whole lot of interest in granting Gateway authority, he said. The lack of a local option led some students to enroll at an Illinois community college instead.

That has all changed, Albrecht said. I was really pleased when (UW-Parkside) Chancellor (Deborah) Ford got behind the initiative.

The transfer program will launch next school year, Albrecht said. More than 80 students have enrolled so far.

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When their son Brody had a seizure at age 3, Molly and Matt Koslowski of DeForest were dismayed to learn he might have epilepsy.

Genetic testing brought a diagnosis even more dire: Brody had a rare condition, known as Batten disease, expected to take away his vision, movement and thinking ability, and end his life by age 6 to 8.

Then came opportunity and more adversity. A new treatment was available for Brodys form of Batten, delivered biweekly through unusual infusions directly into the brain. A UW Health team traveled to Chicago to learn how to give it, allowing Brody, now 6, to be treated near home.

But this past December, shortly after Molly quit her teaching job to care for Brody and two younger sons, she got her own disheartening medical news. The 37-year-old has breast cancer, for which she is undergoing chemotherapy, also at UW Health.

We already had his diagnosis. Why would I also have cancer? Molly Koslowski said. We can either curl up in a ball and cry, or we can fight and make the most of each day.

It was on a snow day in January 2019 when Molly, then a health teacher at Harvest Intermediate School in DeForest, and Matt, a science teacher at DeForest Area High School, first saw Brody convulsing. Matt was clearing snow from the front sidewalk and Molly was pulling Brody on a sled when the boy slumped backward and started shaking.

They took him to the emergency room, where tests confirmed a seizure. A week later, he had a second one. Doctors prescribed medications for seizures, with mixed results. Brody also had delayed speech, which suggested something else might be going on.

Dr. David Hsu, a pediatric neurologist at UW Health, recommended genetic testing. It found Brody has an inherited brain disorder called neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 2, or CLN2, one of 14 forms of what is collectively known as Batten disease. Batten affects an estimated 2 to 4 of every 100,000 children in the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health.

At first, the Koslowskis didnt know how the diagnosis was possible. They used an egg donor to conceive Brody, and the donor was a carrier of some type of rare gene mutation, they recalled. But Matts testing at the time was clear, meaning he wasnt a carrier. For a child to have Batten, both genetic parents must be carriers.

After Brody was diagnosed, Matt was tested again and found to carry an especially rare mutation for CLN2 that hadnt been picked up by his earlier testing, the couple said. When both parents are carriers, each child has a 25% of having the condition and a 50% chance of being a carrier.

The Koslowskis second child, Colton, 3, conceived prior to Brodys diagnosis using the same egg donor, is a carrier for Batten but doesnt have the disease. Their third child, Jack, who turns 1 on Tuesday, was conceived by Molly and Matt in what Molly called a pandemic surprise. He is not a carrier.

Treatment in Madison

When Hsu learned about Brodys CLN2 in May 2019, he knew that two years earlier the Food and Drug Administration had approved the first and only drug for any form of Batten. The drug, an enzyme replacement therapy called cerliponase alfa, or Brineura, by Biomarin Pharmaceutical Inc., is only for CLN2. It can slow or halt, but not reverse, the progression of symptoms.

Only a few centers were administering the drug. It costs more than $700,000 a year and is invasive, requiring a port to be implanted in the skull and infusions lasting four hours every two weeks. Wisconsin is expected to see a child with CLN2 only about once every two years, so patient volume for an infusion program would be low.

Despite the challenges, Hsu and others at UW Health decided to provide the treatment. He, three other doctors and two nurses went to Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, where Brody got his first infusion in June 2019, to observe.

By the time Brody needed his second infusion, the UW Health team was able to give it to him in Madison. His treatment is covered by the Koslowskis private insurance and Wisconsins Medicaid program.

Its one of the most horrible diseases we have to deal with, Hsu said, explaining his motivation for providing Brineura. The life goes out of their eyes. They just sit there. Sometimes they have really bad seizures, which we have a hard time controlling. Then they die.

Pursuing such treatments, despite the considerable cost, can improve and prolong life while enabling more scientific progress, Hsu said. Its a matter of what you think is worthwhile, he said. Brody certainly enjoys his life. His parents enjoy him.

Unlike most infusions delivered through a port in the chest, Brineura is given directly into the fluid-filled ventricles of the brain. That way, the treatment can bypass the blood-brain barrier, a layer of cells that keep out foreign substances.

The dexterity required to get the needle in the right spot to access the port, especially in a wiggly, nonverbal boy who is sensitive about people touching his head, is not to be underestimated.

It has taken us a lot of practice to be able to do it on one poke, said Alexa Beversdorf, a nurse practitioner who did the procedure on Brody last month at UWs American Family Childrens Hospital as Matt tried to hold his son still. Theyre moving targets.

UW Health is providing Brineura to two other, younger children from the Milwaukee area. The children receive a calming medication beforehand but arent sedated, as that would be too risky to do frequently, Beversdorf said.

Dealing with two diagnoses

Brody, who has had 76 infusions over nearly three years, can still walk, with assistance. He has lost most of his vision, which makes him hesitant on his feet unless his parents are holding his hands, they said.

He doesnt speak, but his parents said they have become attuned to his sounds and screams, and can understand what he needs.

He likes to swim, which led the Koslowskis to use some of the money raised by the community for Brody to buy a therapy pool to help him exercise after the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily shut down other swimming opportunities. He rides an adaptive bike, bounces on a trampoline and enjoys listening to movies, including Finding Dory and Ice Age.

Brody got a feeding tube last year, but its mostly used for medications. Molly or Matt typically hand-feed him small pieces of food, in part to help maintain his chewing and swallowing abilities. If he uses it, hes not going to lose it as quickly, Matt said.

As Brody approaches his seventh birthday in July, the Koslowskis have ordered a walker and wheelchair for him and a wheelchair-accessible van. They removed carpet and installed vinyl flooring in their home so he can move around more easily.

Hes still here and hes still kind of functioning, Molly said. He should be a vegetable, but hes not.

After she learned four days after Christmas that she has breast cancer, Molly started chemotherapy in January. She expects to get a double mastectomy this summer and eventually have her ovaries removed. She has a BRCA1 gene mutation that greatly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

After her diagnosis, Matt went on medical leave to help take care of the family. Even so, keeping track of Brodys medications, supplies and appointments, along with managing the younger boys and dealing with Mollys fatigue-inducing cancer treatments, can be a challenge.

I should be taking care of myself, Molly said. But I cant. I still have (Brody) and the other two that need me.

Hsu said Brodys future is hard to predict, but hell likely outlive the window of age 6 to 8 the doctor initially shared with the Koslowskis. I have hopes he could go many years, Hsu said.

Molly said treating Brody with the infusions is helping provide him with the best quality of life we possibly can.

The familys medical challenges are helping her and Matt to embrace each day and opportunity, she said. Simple things like going for a nice walk as a family of five mean so much to us.

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[May 02, 2022] SugarCRM Wins Gold Stevie for Best Lead Generation Solution in 2022 American Business Awards SugarCRM, provider of the award-winning AI-driven CRM platform, today announced it has won a Gold Stevie Award in the "Business Technology - Lead Generation Solution" category in the 20th Annual American Business Awards. The Stevie American Business Awards crowns top honors for achievement in the workplace. Winners were announced Thursday, April 28 and will be recognized during a gala awards ceremony on June 13 in New York City. Driving high-quality marketing leads into the sales pipeline is critical to business success. Still, generating qualified leads remains an elusive task for many organizations. Sugar's global survey of 1,600 sales and marketing professionals worldwide reveals that 54 percent of sales leads generated by mareting are deemed to be either poorly qualified or underqualified, resulting in wasted efforts and lost opportunities that prevents organizations from growing their business.

Sugar Market accelerates lead qualification and conversion with AI-based predictive lead scoring. By leveraging AI that's always updating based on the measurable activities that drive lead conversion, Sugar Market takes the guess work out of lead scoring and replaces it with science. With SugarPredict, Sugar Market analyzes historical lead activity, account, deal, and company data to predict which leads are most likely to become customers accurately. "It's a great honor to be named a winner in the prestigious Stevie American Business Awards," says Christian Wettre, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sugar Platform, SugarCRM. "This award reinforces Sugar's commitment to make the hard things easier for business professionals. By letting the platform score the leads through proven machine learning and predictive analytics, marketers can improve their odds of success - and eliminate blind spots, busy work, and roadblocks." Click here to learn more about Sugar's AI-driven marketing automation platform. About SugarCRM SugarCRM is how marketing, sales, and service teams finally get a clear picture of each customer to help businesses reach new levels of performance and predictability. Sugar is the CRM platform that makes the hard things easier. Thousands of companies in over 120 countries rely on Sugar to achieve high-definition CX by letting the platform do the work. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Sugar is backed by Accel-KKR. For more information about SugarCRM, visit: www.sugarcrm.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005056/en/

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Norwegian Police Warn Crypto Owners After Armed Robbery in Sweden

Source: Adobe/AGphotographer

Police in Norway have issued a warning to crypto owners, saying they should take measures to ensure their own security with things like multi-signature (multisig) solutions and alarm systems. The warning comes after a couple in Sweden in late April were assaulted and forced to hand over crypto worth a significant amount of money.

The incident took place on April 21 in the Swedish city of Norrkoping. According to local newspaper Aftonbladet, the couple was sleeping in their bed when armed strangers broke into their home, tied them up, and forced the couple to transfer unspecified cryptocurrency to the robbers.

The couple did suffer injuries as a result of the robbery, and were taken to hospital after they managed to alert the police, the report confirmed.

According to a police spokesperson, the robbery was clearly planned in advance, with the robbers being aware that the victims had access to significant crypto wealth. This is not a coincidence, the spokesperson told Aftonbladet.

The type of attack  known in crypto circles as a $5 wrench attack  has become increasingly common in recent years. And to help ensure it is not a trend that will spread in the Nordic countries, police in neighboring Norway last weekend issued a warning to crypto owners in the country.

Cryptocurrencies can be transferred quickly anywhere in the world, and it is challenging to store them securely. It is also very challenging for us in the police to stop transfers or seize proceeds, special investigator Ola Vassli at the Norwegian Police Services unit for financial crime told local outlet E24 on Saturday.

He added that because of how easily crypto can be transferred, people with large amounts of crypto wealth are more vulnerable to being robbed than those holding their wealth for example in the form of real estate, shares, or bank savings.

The special investigator went on to suggest that those holding wealth in crypto should take steps to ensure their own security. Among the measures he suggested was to ensure the home is sufficiently secured with locks and alarm systems.

In addition, he said crypto owners should be mindful of what they share on social media. Vassli also said that solutions like using a multisig wallet could work, although he warned that a multisig wallet alone will not be enough to prevent robbers from at least trying.

There is no guarantee that criminals will be able to distinguish between who has taken such measures and who has not, the special investigator warned.

____

Learn more:

- NFT Self Defense: Staying Safe in Web3

- American Entrepreneur Tortured by Gang Trying to Steal His Bitcoin



- Man Murdered as Crypto Miners Bid to Protect Rigs Turns Deadly

- Crypto Traders Murder Blamed On Social Media Bragging



- Hong Kong Crypto Robbers Strike Again: Gang Makes off with 450k Tether Haul

- Police in Latvia Thwart Brutal Crypto Theft and Murder Plot
The Pennsylvania State Police honored the departments 102 fallen troopers Monday in Hershey in conjunction with its 117th anniversary.

Homage was also paid to four members who died in the line of duty since the last in-person ceremony in 2019: Trooper Donald C. Brackett, who died on May 18, 2019, due to a medical emergency; Trooper First Class Dung X. Martinez, who died on Oct. 21, 2021, due to complications from COVID-19; and Troopers Martin F. Mack III and Branden T. Sisca, both of whom died on March 21, 2022, after being struck by an intoxicated motorist.

This year has been extremely difficult for all of our personnel as we solemnly etch additional names to the memorial wall, Col. Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police, said in a news release. The 102 names etched into the wall not only represent the individual troopers who died in service to the commonwealth, but also the sacrifices of family members and loved ones who suffered their loss. Today we honor all those who laid down their lives and will ensure their contributions to our department are never forgotten.

Gov. Samuel Pennypacker established the state police on May 2, 1905, making it the first uniformed police agency of its kind in the United States.

Starting with an original complement of just 228 men, the department has grown over the past 117 years to more than 6,700 men and woman. It is the tenth-largest police agency in the United States.

Gov. Tom Wolf marked the occasion by proclaiming May 2 as Pennsylvania State Police Day in the state.

The ceremony included a moment of silence, rifle salute and helicopter flyover, as well as the reading of the names of all 102 fallen troopers. An online version of the PSP memorial wall, including photos and biographies of each member who died in the line of duty, is available at https://www.psp.pa.gov/memorial-wall/Pages/The-Memorial-Wall.aspx.
Carlisle Police said they are searching for a person responsible for an assault and stabbing of an employee at Speedway gas station Thursday morning.
Information is from police reports and may be incomplete depending on the status of an investigation. Phone numbers are nonemergency.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  A top-level U.S. congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised the ferocity and resolve of Ukrainians face to face with their leader in a weekend visit to Kyiv undertaken in extraordinary secrecy.

Pelosi, second in line to the presidency after the vice president, was the most senior American lawmaker to visit Ukraine since Russias war began more than two months ago. Only days earlier, Russia bombed the Ukrainian capital while the U.N. secretary-general was there.

Pelosi and the half dozen U.S. lawmakers with her met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his top aides for three hours late Saturday to voice American solidarity with the besieged nation and get a first-hand assessment of the effort as she works to steer a massive new Ukraine aid package through Congress.

Our commitment is to be there for you until the fight is done, Pelosi is seen telling Zelenskyy in a video of the meeting released by his office. "We are on a frontier of freedom and your fight is a fight for everyone. Thank you for your fight for freedom.

You all are welcome, Zelenskyy told the delegation.

Pelosi told reporters in Poland on Sunday the delegation was proud to convey to Zelenskyy "the message of unity from the Congress of the United States, a message of appreciation from the American people for his leadership and admiration for the people of Ukraine for their courage. She is set to meet Polish President Andrzej Duda, a NATO ally, on Monday in Warsaw.

The delegation's trip to Kyiv was not disclosed until the party was safely out of Ukraine. Nor were details given on how they got to the capital and back. A week earlier, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Zelenskyy traveled to Kyiv overland from Poland for talks with Zelenskyy.

The members of the congressional delegation were unanimous in praising Ukraines defenses, in painting the battle of one as good against evil and in assuring continued long-term U.S. military, humanitarian and economic support.

This is a struggle of freedom against tyranny, said Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence committee.

The trip came two days after U.S. President Joe Biden asked Congress for $33 billion to bolster Ukraines fight against Russia, more than twice the size of the initial $13.6 billion aid measure that now is almost drained. The measure is designed to signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that U.S. weaponry and other forms of assistance arent going away.

Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado, a veteran and a member of the House intelligence and armed services committees, said he went to Ukraine with three areas of focus: Weapons, weapons and weapons.

We have to make sure the Ukrainians have what they need to win," he said. "What we have seen in the last two months is their ferocity, their intense pride, their ability to fight and their ability to win if they have the support to do so.

Scores of U.S. lawmakers are trekking to the region to witness first hand the wars toll and shore up U.S. troops in the broader region. Pelosis delegation was notable for the seniority of its members.

The trip also underscored Pelosi's stature as an ambassador on the global stage. The speaker is well known in Europe and elsewhere abroad, typically leads travel delegations and keeps close relations with allies overseas.

Though all in the delegation were Democrats, the U.S. Congress has displayed a rare and, so far, lasting bipartisan resolve to back Ukraine as it battles Russia. Pelosi has branded the war a conflict between democracy and autocracy and vowed Washington will stand with Ukraine until it defeats the invaders.

Pelosi came with Rep. Gregory Meeks, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, chair of the House Rules Committee; Reps. Barbara Lee of California and Bill Keating of Massachusetts, Crow and Schiff.

This is a time we stand up for democracy or we allow autocracy to rule the day, Meeks said. Crow said the U.S. "is in this to win, and we will stand with Ukraine until victory is won."

Schiff, as intelligence panel chair, said he was particularly focused on making sure Ukraine is getting the U.S. intelligence support it needs to defeat Russian forces.

The delegations visit followed those of several EU officials and European heads of state who have gone to show solidarity with Zelenskyy, starting with the March 15 surprise visit by the leaders of NATO members Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia.

More recently, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Thursday. A missile strike rained down on the capital barely an hour after their joint press conference, an attack Kyivs mayor said was Putin giving his middle finger to Guterres.

The delegation was visiting southeast Poland and going later to the capital. Poland has received more than 3 million refugees from Ukraine since Russia launched its war on Feb. 24.

We look forward to thanking our Polish allies for their dedication and humanitarian efforts, Pelosi said.

McGovern said Russias war had repercussions far beyond Ukraine and was exacerbating a food crisis that would be disastrous for poor people across the globe.

Putins brutal war is no longer only a war against the people of Ukraine, McGovern said. Its also a war against the worlds most vulnerable.

He added: I dont think that Putin cares if he starves the world."

Winfield reported from Rome, Mascaro from Washington.

A previous version of this story was corrected to show that Pelosi is second in line to the presidency, not third.

More AP coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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

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When Chris McCauls dad died, his career was at a crossroads.

For 35 years, he and his dad were business partners in Potosi. Hes an architect and his dad was a civil engineer.

(We) loved working in the country (and) kind of enjoy not having to compete with people in St. Louis, McCaul said. It started as a belief that we had: that rural Missouri deserved good engineering and architecture just as much as the large municipalities did.

But when his dad died in 2015, he had a decision to make.

The opportunities for me to find another structural civil engineer to move to rural Missouri were like zero and so I made a decision, he explained. I said, either I'm retiring, or I have to find something else to do.

So instead of moving to Alabama to be close to his grandkids, he decided to pursue an opportunity he had talked about with his dad and a close friend: bottling water from the spring on his familys farm.

McCaul founded H2O Technologies and LaRue Artesian Spring Water with coworker Amy Eisenbeis. McCaul is the president and Eisenbeis is the vice president.

I've worked with him for nearly 20 years and we've kind of toyed with the idea of doing the water, Eisenbeis said. Because on his family estate, there is a spring that runs a million to a million and a half gallons of water on average every day. So we first started kind of looking at that about 15 years ago, just kind of playing with the idea. Then when his father passed, we got a little bit more serious because we realized the engineering portion of our firm was no longer with us.

H2O is the bottling company they started in 2018 and LaRue is their own brand that they bottle. Their first bottle rolled out of their facility in May of 2020.

In their LaRue brand, they started with offering three and five gallon bottles. But in March 2021, they started offering smaller liter and half liter bottles. They deliver to businesses and personal customers within a 50-mile radius of Potosi. The water can also be bought at the local Save A Lots, including in De Soto, at the Ironton Town and Country, and the Mobile on the Run stores in St. Louis.

We recently entered the St. Louis market and we actually have three distributors under contract and we're in multiple states now, Eisenbeis noted.

Their goal is to have the state of Missouri covered by the end of the year.

With H2O Technologies, they also bottle for about 40 other private labels, including for local funeral homes, convenience stores, and churches.

We put our water in bottles and people put their labels and their logos on, she said. We provide graphic design and stuff for them.

From the spring to the bottle

About five years ago, they started the process of getting the water tested and the permits needed for bottling.

It did take a while to get through that process, Eisenbeis said. You can only imagine working with the with (the Department of Natural Resources), the (Department of Health and Senior Services), and (the Food and Drug Administration) and stuff, it's kind of a lengthy process. So we went through all of that, and determined that yes, the spring is exactly what we had believed it was. It was great.

Becky Petty, who is in charge of sales/marketing/social media, says the water sells itself and Eisenbeis agrees.

Once we have someone try LaRue or one of these companies that are considering having us bottle for them, the taste of the water really does the hard part of selling them on it because it's so good and it's so crisp and unique, she continued.

McCaul said they are blessed with a unique type of spring.

Im not sure DNR even knows of another one in the state of Missouri like it because most of them come out of out of caves or out the sides of hills, etc., McCaul explained. It gives us a source of extremely pure water right at the source. In fact, technically, the water right out of the spring meets all FDA requirements.

The water is filtered and put through the ozonation process, according to Eisenbeis. But it doesnt need to be chemically treated.

The artesian spring is located on the property that McCauls parents bought in 1965. His dad saw an ad for the property with log cabins and a spring when he was on a business trip to St. Louis from Chicago. The next weekend, his parents drove down to see the property and bought it.

McCaul said they dont bottle the water at the source of the spring because they dont want to tear down the 1840s-era log cabins on the property to build a place for bottling.

There's way too much historical value, he noted.

Instead, in 2019, they purchased several abandoned buildings in the Potosi Industrial Park and renovated them for their bottling facilities. The water is trucked in a tanker from the spring to the industrial park

They already had some buildings here and we thought why not repurpose something that was derelict and utilize it, Eisenbeis said. It's been it's been a huge blessing. We have eight buildings out here and we are growing.

More than water

According to Eisenbeis, the motto of their company is Water is life; pursuing living water matters.

We say we are a people company that just sells water, she continued. Our goal is to really help people.

On top of providing good, clean water, it starts with providing quality, well-paying jobs right here in rural Missouri, she said.

The company is also committed to helping with disaster-relief operations. They recently handed out water after tornadoes in Fredericktown and Mayfield, Kentucky.

Our goal is to give away as much as 10%, she said.

They also want to help other American and Missouri businesses. For example, their manufacturing equipment is made in Nebraska and their labels are made in Nixa.

Eisenbeis said they love to partner with local, small businesses like Save A Lot.

We appreciate other small business owners working with us and helping us grow, she said.

Nikki Overfelt is a reporter for the Daily Journal. She can be reached at noverfelt@dailyjournalonline.com.

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Two area residents face drug trafficking charges after a traffic stop last week reportedly yielded nearly a pound of meth worth more than $24,000, and four grams of fentanyl.

Daria Maylee Spier, 21, of Potosi, and Kristopher Anthony Benjamin, 46, of Cadet, have each been charged in St. Francois County with second-degree drug trafficking. Spier is also charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to a probable cause statement from the St. Francois County Sheriffs Department, police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for a window tint violation in Bonne Terre on Tuesday. The driver reportedly gave officers permission to search the car. Spier and Benjamin were both passengers inside the stopped vehicle, according to police.

The report states that during the stop, Spier threw a large bag of a crystal substance she had been concealing on her person.

After being placed into custody, the woman reportedly attempted to conceal more of the crystal substance in the vehicle. Police subsequently recovered about 440 grams of the substance from Spiers undergarments, the report indicates.

The crystal substance was tested using the TruNarc testing device and reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine. Also allegedly concealed on Spiers person were two glass pipes with visible residue.

Officials said the methamphetamine recovered has an estimated street value of more than $24,000.

When Benjamin exited the vehicle, the report states he handed officers a backpack he had in his possession, which he claimed contained powder. The substance was tested via a TruNarc testing device and reportedly tested positive for fentanyl. The amount weighed approximately four grams per the department-issued scale, according to police.

Spier and Benjamin were booked at the St. Francois County Detention Center. Spiers bond was set at $500,000, and Benjamin is being held without bond.

At an initial court appearance, Spier waived formal arraignment and is due to appear in court again on May 5 for a confined docket hearing.

Benjamin entered a plea of not guilty at his initial court appearance on Thursday. The man has a confined docket hearing set for May 5.

Court records show that at the time of his arrest on Tuesday, Benjamin had an upcoming probation violation hearing for a 2017 case in which he pleaded guilty to distribution/delivery/manufacture/production or attempt to possess with the intent to distribute/deliver/manufacture/produce a controlled substance in Washington County. The man faces up to 15 years in prison for violating his probation in that case.

Records further indicate Benjamin pleaded guilty in 2018 to possession of a controlled substance, receiving a seven-year prison sentence. That sentence was suspended after the man served 120 days of shock incarceration, and he was released on five years of supervised probation. Court records show multiple probation violations have been filed in the case, and Benjamin is scheduled to appear in court next month for a probation violation hearing.

Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com

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A public hearing was held prior to the regularly scheduled Fredericktown City Council meeting on April 25.

The council opened the floor to hear questions and concerns regarding a request for approval of the re-plat of lot 2 of KAS Subdivision into five lots located west of Jennifer Street, and north of Holmes and Watson Streets.

A citizen brought up concerns regarding flooding, street traffic and how his home would no longer be located on a corner lot if the new homes were built.

A representative from Kyle Stephens Construction said the five homes would be similar to other projects they have produced in the community, and he feels it is safe to say it would only help the community.

The plans show five lots, with two driveways at the end of Holmes Street, two driveways at the end of Watson Street, and one driveway coming off of Jennifer Street.

The public hearing was closed and the topic will be voted on at a future meeting.

Assistant Deputy Clerk Ashley Baudendistal gave an update on the February 2021 Purchase Power bill.

"In March, we paid off that high purchase power bill from February 2021, so that is now paid in full," Baudendistal said. "Also, just so the public and our customers know, the bill that they received this month is the last bill that will have those additional charges on it. The bill they receive May 1 will no longer have those on it."

The per meter charge, which will no longer be collected, was $11 for residential, $51 for commercial and $257 for the city's demand customers.

"We kind of just wanted to let everyone know where we are with that, at the year mark," Baudendistal said. "They should be seeing a reduction in that part of it."

The council also discussed the possibility of having occupancy inspections for commercial and industrial buildings.

"As of right now we do occupancy inspections on residential only," Building Inspector Jeff Farmer said. "We have a lot of buildings that need a lot of work. As of right now we can't do anything. I've reworked the occupancy chapter to include commercial and industrial buildings. I would like to be able to inspect those buildings also."

Farmer said, this would allow inspection of the properties when they change ownership.

"In my opinion that is very important, the way our downtown is constructed," Alderman Rick Polete said. "I was on the fire department several years, and you don't want anything getting started in that area. You could lose the whole block very easily. I think, personally, it is a good idea."

Polete said, it just makes sense if the residents are held to that standard so should the commercial and industrial owners.

The council directed the city attorney to draft an ordinance to be reviewed at the next meeting.

The council then approved a request from the water distribution department to purchase a locater, a budgeted item, from Subsurface Solutions in the amount of $5,711.

A travel request for Police Clerk Erica Johnson to attend the annual CJIS conference in Branson was also approved.

Lastly, the council sent a request for a minor subdivision to split a lot located at 205 DeGuire to the planning and zoning commission.

In regular session, four resolutions were passed. The first three added newly-elected Mayor Travis Parker as an authorizing signer for necessary accounts. The fourth appointed the city administrator as director to the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission with Alderman Kevin Jones as the alternate.

An ordinance was also passed amending the organizational chart of employment positions for the city.

During the mayor's report, Parker thanked everyone who helped clean up town Saturday during Team Up to Clean Up. He also said, the issue of truck traffic has been brought to his attention, and it is being looked into by the Police Department.

The next meeting of the Fredericktown City Council is May 9, immediately following the 5:30 p.m. work session at City Hall.

Victoria Kemper is a reporter for the Democrat News. She can be reached at vkemper@democratnewsonline.com

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Several Charlottesville-area residents have filed a lawsuit alleging the city violated their constitutional rights by declining to provide settlement information about police misconduct suits and other cases.

Filed Thursday in Charlottesville Circuit Court by attorney Jeff Fogel, the lawsuit claims that by refusing to provide certain information about police misconduct settlements, the City has violated the plaintiffs First Amendment rights and violated Virginia Freedom of Information Act guidelines.

The filing seeks a writ of mandamus  a mandate from a court that orders a government body to comply with an legal obligation  to force the City to comply with the provisions of FOIA that the plaintiffs claim were violated and to issue a declaratory judgment and injunction to enforce compliance with the First Amendment.

Three plaintiffs are named in the case: Cherry Henley, operator of Lending Hands and a member of the Peoples Coalition; local activist Tanesha Hudson; and journalist Dave McNair.

In the joint complaint/petition, Fogel wrote that the city did not properly respond to a recent series of FOIA requests for documents related to police misconduct and constitutional violation lawsuit settlements from the years 2017 through 2021.

The city provided emails and letters related to five cases, most of which were redacted, Fogel wrote. In nearly all instances, Fogel wrote that the city invoked several state code sections to justify its redactions. These code sections allow public entities to withhold personnel information, any information covered by the attorney-client privilege and attorney work product.

Although many of the redactions in the documents provided appear to be supported by the exemptions cited, Fogel wrote that there is a notable exception: a July 2020 letter from the lawyer of one of the complainants to a lawyer for the city.

[It] is hard to imagine how the redaction of any contents of a letter from the lawyer of a putative plaintiff to a lawyer for the city could be justified by the lawyer-client or the attorney work product privilege, Fogel wrote. More importantly, it is clear that the five cases covered by [the citys] responses were settled but [the city] failed to provide the actual settlement agreements or the releases provided by the plaintiffs or to justify their exclusion.

Among these cases with suspected settlements was a case filed against the city and several current and former officials by former city manager Tarron Richardson.

The federal lawsuit, which alleged the defendants violated his First Amendment rights, was dropped by Richardson in March with prejudice, meaning the suit is permanently dismissed and cant be reinstated.

However, according to the emails obtained via one of the FOIA requests mentioned in Fogels filing, it appears Richardsons case was settled by the Virginia Risk Sharing Association, the Citys insurer.

Both city attorney Lisa Robertson and Richard Milnor, who acted as the defendants counsel in the case, declined to respond to requests for confirmation about whether Richardsons case was settled.

According to Fogel, the City has a practice of referring most claims to the Virginia Risk Sharing Association (VRSA). Acting as an agent of the city, VRSA chooses the attorney and monitors the litigation, Fogel wrote. If a settlement is reached, it is reflected in a signed agreement and a release is provided by the plaintiff, he wrote.

In each instance in which a settlement is released, the City or its agent VRSA requires the claimant to sign an agreement not to disclose the terms of the settlement and/or the incident which gave rise to the complaint self and/or to promise not to disparage the City or any of its employees or officers, Fogel wrote.

According to the complaint, the city has claimed that VRSA does not inform the defendant of the outcome of cases in which a settlement is reached and that the city refused to disclose whether any cases were referred to VRSA that were not included in its responses to the petitioners.

On information and belief, when the City or an employee is sued, there is a mechanism within the City to direct the person or to refer the matter to the Citys insurer, Fogel wrote. No records of that procedure with respect to the five cases that were identified by [the City] were provided.

According to the joint complaint/petition, the citys policy and practice of requiring non-disclosure and/or non-disparagement agreements as a condition of settlement violates the First Amendment rights not only of the affected claimant but of the body politic which has a right to hear information about its government and how it is spending taxpayers money.

The plaintiffs are asking the Charlottesville Circuit Court to 1) issue a declaratory judgment that the practice of the City of Charlottesville requiring claimants, as a condition of settlement, to waive their right to free speech violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution; 2) issue a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting the Charlottesville from enforcing the non-disclosure provision in the settlement reached with Hudson; and 3) award the plaintiffs the reasonable costs and attorneys fees.

No hearing is currently set.

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Hundreds of people gathered this weekend where once stood businesses and homes and the thriving community of Charlottesvilles Vinegar Hill to view the premiere of a film that chronicles what once was and how it was lost.

Raised/Razed, a documentary by two Charlottesville natives, filmmaker Lorenzo Dickerson and journalist Jordy Yager, follows the story of Vinegar Hill and the people who lived there.

Home to dozens of Black families and the Black downtown for almost a century during Virginias required-by-law segregation, Vinegar Hill was razed in 1964 as part of the citys urban renewal efforts.

The documentary also touches on a similar destruction of the historically Black Hayti neighborhood in Durham, North Carolina.

The film premiered Saturday night on the parking deck of the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, adjacent to the former Black high school and a pillar of the Vinegar Hill community.

The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center, now located in the school building, served as story advisor for the film.

The documentary was produced with funding from VPM, the states Public Broadcasting Service affiliate, and will make its television premiere on VPM PBS May 12 at 9 p.m.

Dickerson said his goal with the documentary was to share parts of the Vinegar Hill story that people often dont hear and to celebrate the life of the neighborhood and not just the destruction.

Were very aware of the narrative that has been Vinegar Hill for the last several years, the narrative of the destruction of the neighborhood. Often when we hear about Vinegar Hill, we hear about it very briefly as it was a Black neighborhood in Charlottesville and it got destroyed, the end, Dickerson said.

We were really intentional with going in and creating this project. To tell about the life that occurred in Vinegar Hill for so many years before it was destroyed, he said. This film is showing you the sights, and the sounds, and the smells of the neighborhood with folks that lived there telling you about their own personal experiences, playing with their friends and knowing their neighbors across the street and going up the street to the store and going to school. We really want to hone in on that piece of the story.

Even the location of the premiere was intentional. Dickerson and Yager wanted the premiere to take place outside the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center not only because of the museums participation in the project, but also so viewers could look over the site of the former Vinegar Hill neighborhood.

Dickerson and Yager started working with VPM on the project in May 2020, but had the idea for the project long prior. Dickerson said the funding from VPM helped them get the project off the ground, even during a pandemic.

In the film, Dickerson and Yager interview 16 former residents and family members of residents of Vinegar Hill. They both credited their ties to the area as a benefit when looking for interviewees.

Being natives of the area, knowing a lot of folks and knowing who was in Vinegar Hill, and knowing the family surnames made it a lot easier for us to really connect with folks and figure out who was there, whose parents or grandparents were there at the time, Dickerson said.

Dickerson said most of the former residents and family members they interviewed still live in the Charlottesville area, and experience the effects of the demolition still today.

We often think about Vinegar Hill and we think about a physical home that someone lost, but generationally, its more than that. Its a lot more than that, because what does that home represent? he said.

Down the line you can take a loan out of that home and pay for your child to go to college or to start a new business or to help the next generation buy another piece of property. So that the ability to do all those things was also lost, Dickerson said.

The documentary also draws on oral history research conducted by University of Virginia students in 1980, reporting from The Daily Progress and The Charlottesville-Albemarle Tribune and thousands of pages of historical records, deeds and housing assessments.

One of Yagers major discoveries in his research came from property assessments completed on the homes in Vinegar Hill. The assessments were part of the case the city made to demolish the neighborhood.

What the figures showed was that houses owned by Black residents typically were in pristine condition with higher values than homes owned by white property owners who rented to Black families.

Those homes were often falling into disrepair due to the property owners neglect.

Theres this adoption of this narrative, that the neighborhood was a slum neighborhood or blighted neighborhood, Yager said. It forced us to kind of question that. [It] really wasnt like these pictures that were seeing in these homes. This does not look like falling down houses.

There were properties that met those descriptions, however.

Were looking at these blighted properties, but they were in fact owned by a white family that rented them exclusively to Black families, Yager said. And this white family was the family of the former mayor of Charlottesville, so this is a very prominent and well-to-do family, and there was no housing code to uphold.

The documentary ends with the suggestion that reparations should be made to residents and descendants of those displaced by urban renewal.

Dickerson and Yager said the goal of the project is for viewers to understand the Black life, success and joy that existed in the neighborhood and that Vinegar Hill was not a slum.

Dont believe what youve heard, Dickerson said.

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Michigan State University's Seth Jacobson and colleagues in China and France have unveiled a new theory that could help solve a galactic mystery of how our solar system evolved.

Specifically, how did the gas giants -- Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune -- end up where they are, orbiting the sun like they do?

The research also has implications for how terrestrial planets such as Earth were formed and the possibility that a fifth gas giant lurks 50 billion miles out into the distance.

"Our solar system hasn't always looked the way that it does today. Over its history, the orbits of the planets have changed radically," said Jacobson, an assistant professor in the College of Natural Science's Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. "But we can figure out what's happened."

The research, published in the journal Nature on April 27, offers an explanation for what happened to gas giants in other solar systems and ours.

It's a Nice model

Stars are born from massive, swirling clouds of cosmic gas and dust. Once our sun ignited, the early solar system was still filled with a primordial disk of gas that played an integral role in the formation and evolution of the planets, including the gas giants.

In the late 20th century, scientists began to believe that the gas giants initially circled the sun in neat, compact, evenly-spaced orbits. Jupiter, Saturn and the others, however, have long settled into orbits that are relatively oblong, askew and spread out.

So the question for researchers now is, why?

In 2005, an international team of scientists proposed an answer to that question in a trio of landmark Nature papers. The solution was originally developed in Nice, France and is known as the Nice model. It posits that there was an instability among these planets, a chaotic set of gravitational interactions that ultimately set them on their current paths.

"This was a tectonic shift in how people thought about the early solar system," Jacobson said.

The Nice model remains a leading explanation, but over the past 17 years, scientists have found new questions to ask about what triggers the Nice model instability.

For example, it was originally thought that the gas giant instability took place hundreds of millions of years after the dispersal of that primordial gas disk that birthed the solar system. But newer evidence, including some found in moon rocks retrieved by the Apollo missions, suggests it happened more quickly. That also raises new questions about how the interior solar system that's home to Earth evolved.

Working with Beibei Liu from Zhejiang University in China and Sean Raymond from the University of Bordeaux in France, Jacobson has helped find a fix that has to do with how the instability started. The team has proposed a new trigger.

"I think our new idea could really relax a lot of tensions in the field because what we've proposed is a very natural answer to when did the giant planet instability occur," Jacobson said.

The new trigger

The idea started with a conversation Raymond and Jacobsen had back in 2019. They theorized the gas giants may have been set on their current paths because of how the primordial gas disk evaporated. That could explain how the planets spread out much earlier in the solar system's evolution than the Nice model originally posited and perhaps even without the instability to push them there.

"We wondered whether the Nice model was really necessary to explain the solar system," Raymond said. "We came up with the idea that the giant planets could possibly spread out by a 'rebound' effect as the disk dissipated, perhaps without ever going unstable."

Raymond and Jacobsen then reached out to Liu, who pioneered this rebound effect idea through extensive simulations of gas disks and large exoplanets -- planets in other solar systems -- that orbit close to their stars.

"The situation in our solar system is slightly different because Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are distributed on wider orbits," Liu said. "After a few iterations of brainstorm sessions, we became aware that the problem could be solved if the gas disk dissipated from the inside out."

The team found that this inside-out dissipation provided a natural trigger for the Nice model instability, Raymond said.

"We ended up strengthening the Nice model rather than destroying it," he said. "This was a fun illustration of testing our preconceived ideas and following the results wherever they lead."

With the new trigger, the picture at the beginning of the instability looks the same. There's still a nascent sun surrounded by a cloud of gas and dust. A handful of young gas giants revolve around the star in neat, compact orbits through that cloud.

"All solar systems are formed in a disk of gas and dust. It's a natural byproduct of how stars form," Jacobson said. "But as the sun turns on and starts burning its nuclear fuel, it generates sunlight, heating up the disk and eventually blowing it away from the inside out."

This created a growing hole in the cloud of gas, centered on the sun. As the hole grew, its edge swept through each of the gas giants' orbits. This transition leads to the requisite giant planet instability with very high probability, according to the team's computer simulations. The process of shifting these large planets into their current orbits also moves fast compared with Nice model's original timeline of hundreds of millions of years.

"The instability occurs early as the sun's gaseous disk dissipated, constrained to be within a few million years to 10 million years after the birth of the solar system," Liu said.

The new trigger also leads to the mixing of material from the outer solar system and the inner solar system. The Earth's geochemistry suggests that such a mixing needed to happen while our planet is still in the middle of forming.

"This process is really going to stir up the inner solar system and Earth can grow from that," Jacobson said. "That is pretty consistent with observations." Exploring the connection between the instability and Earth's formation is a subject of future work for the group.

Lastly, the team's new explanation also holds for other solar systems in our galaxy where scientists have observed gas giants orbiting their stars in configurations like what we see in our own.

"We're just one example of a solar system in our galaxy," Jacobson said. "What we're showing is that the instability occurred in a different way, one that's more universal and more consistent."

Planet 9 from outer space

Although the team's paper doesn't emphasize this, Jacobson said the work has implications for one of the most popular and occasionally heated debates about our solar system: How many planets does it have?

Currently, the answer is eight, but it turns out that the Nice model works slightly better when the early solar system had five gas giants instead of four. Sadly, according to the model, that extra planet was hammer-thrown from our solar system during the instability, which helps the remaining gas giants find their orbits.

In 2015, however, Caltech researchers found evidence that there may yet be an undiscovered planet tooling around the outskirts of the solar system some 50 billion miles from the sun, about 47 billion miles farther out than Neptune.

There's still no concrete proof that this hypothetical planet -- nicknamed Planet X or Planet 9 -- or the Nice model's "extra" planet actually exist. But, if they do, could they be one and the same?

Jacobson and his colleagues couldn't answer that question directly with their simulations, but they could do the next best thing. Knowing their instability trigger correctly reproduces the current picture of our solar system, they could test whether their model works better starting with four or five gas giants.

"For us, the outcome was very similar if you start with four or five," Jacobson said. "If you start with five, you're more likely to end up with four. But if you start with four, the orbits end up matching better."

Either way, humanity should have an answer soon. The Vera Rubin Observatory, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2023, should be able to spot Planet 9 if it is out there.

"Planet 9 is super controversial, so we didn't stress it in the paper," Jacobson said, "But we do like to talk about it with the public."

It's a reminder that our solar system is a dynamic place, still full of mysteries and discoveries waiting to be made.

###

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 165 years. One of the world's leading research universities, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery to make a better, safer, healthier world for all while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

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Monday, May 2, is the deadline for Delaware County residents to register for the May 17 Primary Election. In order to register to vote in Delaware County, individuals must be at least 18 years old by Election Day, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the precinct at least 30 days before Election Day.

Voters who have moved within the last 30 days must vote at the polling place assigned to their previous place of residence. Voters are also required to register to vote at the address where they livesimply owning property or a business in the county does not confer residence status.

Voters who have changed their legal name or changed their party affiliation must update their registration in order to be eligible to vote in the May 17 Primary Election. This election includes only candidates from the Democratic and Republican parties and no referenda questions. As a result, under Pennsylvania law, voters who are registered as independents or with a third party are not eligible to cast a ballot during the May 17 Primary Election.

Residents wanting to vote in the May 17 Primary Election may register in-person until 4:30 p.m. at the Voter Service Center, located at the Government Center Building, 201 W. Front St. in Media, PA. Residents registering in-person are reminded to bring two forms of ID, at least one of which shows the voters current address, such as a Pennsylvania drivers license, PennDOT ID, current bank statement, pay stub, or utility bill. Voters who have a PA driver's license or PennDOT ID card number must use it.

Residents who want to vote in the May 17 Primary Election may also register online through the Pennsylvania Department of State website, accessible at delcopa.gov/register2vote. Online registrations must be completed by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 2.

Voters with questions may visit the Voter Service Center, refer to the Delco Votes! website at delcopa.gov/vote, or call the Delaware County Election Hotline at (610) 891-VOTE.
A two-vehicle crash on Highway 20 in Lincoln County left one dead Saturday, April 30.

According to a news release from Oregon State Police, at around 5:35 p.m. Saturday, OSP troopers and emergency personnel responded to reports of a two-vehicle collision near milepost 29, about five miles west of the Benton County line.

Through investigation, police discovered an eastbound white GMC Sierra driven by Devon Negathon, 52, of South Beach, crossed over the center line and collided head-on with a westbound gray Toyota Tacoma driven by Curtis Preston, 53, of Toledo.

Negathon was pronounced dead. His passenger Cheryl Anne Ballas, 32, of Newport was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center Corvallis with serious injuries. Preston was taken to the same hospital with serious injuries.

Highway 20 was reduced to one lane for about four hours, according to OSP.

The Philomath Fire Department, Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, Toledo Fire and Rescue and Oregon Department of Transportation Incident Response assisted OSP.

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Workers at a pangasius processing factory in Can Tho in southern Vietnam. Photo by VnExpress/Cuu Long

Many seafood firms have seen a year-on-year surge in profits in the first quarter this year thanks to surging prices and recovering demand.

Vinh Hoan Corporation, the largest listed seafood company, posted after-tax profits of over VND550 billion ($23.9 million) in the first quarter, up 4.2 times year-on-year.

Cuu Long Fish Joint Stock Companyalso saw its profits surge over 5.7 times against the same period last year to VND63 billion, the highest quarterly profit since late 2018.

IDI International Development & Investment also recorded after-tax profits of over VND200 billion, the highest quarterly profit since 2010 when it began releasing financial reports.

Nam Viet Corporation reported a three-time year-on-year surge in profits to VND206 billion while Camimex Group saw its profits double to VND25.1 billion.

Sao Ta Foods Joint Stock Company, another seafood firm, reported its profit surging nearly 1.5 times year-on-year to VND42.2 billion.

The surge in profits among seafood companies in the first quarter was credited to surging prices and recovering global demand.

Vietnams seafood exports grew by 40 percent year-on-year to $2.4 billion in Q1 despite direct impacts of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Growth was led by pangasius catfish, whose exports increased by 88 percent to $646 million and accounted for 27 percent of overall exports, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers.

Shrimp remained the top seafood export item, accounting for 37.5 percent of the total at over $900 million, up 37 percent.

A recent report by Rong Viet Securities Corporation said that pangasius exports would record a strong recovery this year due to increased global demand and supply shortage from Russia. The high selling price will last until the end of the second quarter due to increase in raw material prices.

An Binh Securities warned of downside risks like surging feed and logistics costs and fierce competition from other exporting countries like India, Ecuador and Indonesia.

On the stock market, the seafood sector has posted gains over the past months, with some hitting the ceiling regardless of the overall gloomy market trend.

On Friday, Vinh Hoan closed at around VND104,000, up 55 percent since January.
The U.S. flag (L) flutters next to the Vietnamese flag during a welcoming ceremony for U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter (not pictured) at the Ministry of National Defense in Hanoi, Vietnam June 1, 2015. Photo by Reuters

The upcoming visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to the U.S. reveals both sides' desire to strengthen ties regardless of the changing global geopolitical situation.

On April 21 Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang confirmed that Chinh would attend the May 12-13 U.S.-ASEAN summit in Washington D.C.

He will also pay a "working visit" to the U.S. and work with the United Nations.

Le Thu Huong, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said it is important for Chinh and President Joe Biden to meet in person and establish a rapport.

Both countries saw leadership transitions early last year and the new leaders have yet to meet, she said.

Given the countries' growing strategic and economic ties, a personal meeting is "overdue," she said.

"Both sides recognize their mutual importance and there is an appetite to make the relationship stronger."

The two nations could showcase practical cooperation like maritime security, she said.

On April 20, the American ambassador to Vietnam, Marc Knapper, said the two countries are working together on issues that are basic to their well-being, and the U.S. is committed to working with Vietnam to strengthen its maritime security and maritime domain awareness capabilities

Khang Vu, a doctoral candidate in political science at Boston College, the U.S., said the fact that the Vietnamese PM accepted Biden's invitation shows Vietnam's foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification is at work.

"Vietnam needs to balance its relations with the major powers, and [its] participation in the summit shows that it is still invested in the U.S.-Vietnam partnership."

As a member of ASEAN, Vietnam embraces the bloc's vision of resolving conflicts peacefully and renouncing the illegal use of force, he said.

Whether engaging with the U.S. multilaterally or bilaterally, Vietnam signals an intention to improve relations with Washington to the extent it does not upset China and helps it resolve disputes in the South China Sea peacefully, he said.

But Vietnam has not shown a willingness to upgrade the comprehensive partnership with the U.S. to a strategic partnership, he said.

Vietnam has established comprehensive strategic partnership with China, India, and Russia, and strategic partnership with Australia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and the U.K.

Incremental advances

John Bradford, senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the U.S.'s invitation despite its foreign policy attention being focused on the war in Ukraine shows that it continues to believe its relationship with ASEAN is important.

The U.S.'s Indo-Pacific Strategy does not include many surprising elements, and merely articulates the Biden administrations already established approach, and so he does not anticipate big surprises at the meeting, he said.

"Instead we should anticipate incremental advances in existing areas of cooperation such as enhanced trade, cooperation on climate, the reorientation of the U.S. supply chain, and maritime security capacity-building."

He said, at the multilateral summit, while a meeting on the sidelines focused on Vietnam is possible, the U.S. would be focused on what can be achieved with the region.

Khang said though the U.S. supports ASEAN's centrality in Southeast Asia, it expects the bloc to fall in line with its Indo-Pacific strategy, which in essence is to check the rise of China.

ASEAN states would seek more clarification about the U.S.'s commitment to Southeast Asia, which the Indo-Pacific Strategy does not elaborate beyond diplomatic language, he said.

The public could expect both sides to commit to future high-level meetings to discuss how to deepen U.S.-ASEAN engagement, he added.

Huong said Vietnam would want both further deepening of bilateral relations and more of Biden's attention and commitment to Southeast Asia.

The summit has been postponed several times either because of the pandemic or scheduling issues, and has become a glaring gap in U.S.-ASEAN relations, she said.

In over a year since leadership change in Washington, the U.S.'s focus has not been on Southeast Asia despite calling it the priority theater and a rhetorical declarations of support to ASEAN, she pointed out.

Hanoi would hope that the recent geopolitical developments, particularly the war in Ukraine, would not preclude Biden's engagement with the region, she said.

"So it is important that ASEAN member states attend to make the summit more than just a photo opportunity."
Four astronauts who have been aboard the International Space Station since November continue to prepare for their return to Earth.

This comes at the same time as four new astronauts are beginning their mission and getting used to living and working aboard the orbiting lab.

Expedition 67 Commander Tom Marshburn is getting ready to hand over station control to Roscosmos Flight Engineer Oleg Artemyev. The traditional change of command ceremony will take place Tuesday at 2:45 p.m. EDT live on NASA TV's app and website, when the station's nine flight engineers witness Marshburn handing over the station's leadership role to Artemyev.

In the meantime, Marshburn and Flight Engineers Raja Chari, Kayla Barron, and Matthias Maurer, are packing up and preparing for their return to Earth. The quartet will board the SpaceX Dragon Endurance later this week then undock from the Harmony module's forward port ending their stay on the space station. Chari will command the ride back home when the foursome parachutes to a splashdown off the coast of Florida about a day after undocking.

Meanwhile, the station's four newest crew members, who have been on the station less than a week, are kicking off their first science experiments while also getting up to speed with lab systems and operations.

NASA's first time space-flyers Robert Hines and Jessica Watkins worked in the Columbus laboratory module on Monday and explored how microgravity affects their dexterous manipulation. NASA Flight Engineer Kjell Lindgren, on his second mission, collected and stored his blood and urine samples then spent the rest of the day on station familiarization and handover activities. ESA (European Space Agency) Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti serviced life support equipment while also spending time adapting to life on the space station.

Artemyev, on his third space station mission, is about to take command of the Expedition 67 crew until late summer. Today, he worked on a pair of Russian experiments exploring future spacecraft and robotic piloting techniques, as well as effective ways to exercise in weightlessness. Flight Engineer Denis Matveev inspected the ISS Progress 80 cargo craft then continued cleaning up after April 28's spacewalk to activate the European robotic arm. Flight Engineer Sergey Korsakov swapped out a Russian computer before participating in more space exercise research at the end of the day.

On-Orbit Status Report

Payloads:

Cold Atom Lab (CAL): A crewmember performed a visual inspection of the CAL Moderate Temperature Loop (MTL) Jumper to check for leaks and reported the observed leakage. The MTL Jumper has been experiencing a small leak and periodic crew monitoring has been implemented while the ground assesses future remediation options. The CAL produces clouds of atoms that are chilled to about one ten billionth of a degree above absolute zero -- much colder than the average temperature of deep space. At these low temperatures, atoms have almost no motion, allowing scientists to study fundamental behaviors and quantum characteristics that are difficult or impossible to probe at higher temperatures. In microgravity, researchers may be able to achieve even colder temperatures than what is possible on the ground and observe these cold atom clouds for longer periods of time.

Grip: Following a review of the Big Picture words and setup of the hardware, the crew performed Grip seated science-1 (Dynamics Seated) and seated science-2 (References Seated) sessions. The Grip experiment studies the long-duration spaceflight effects on the abilities of human subjects to regulate grip force and upper limbs trajectories when manipulating objects during different kind of movements: oscillatory movements, rapid discrete movements and tapping gestures.

Light Ions Detector for ALTEA (LIDAL): LIDAL was temporarily relocated to allow the upcoming Grip and GRASP sessions room to be performed. The capability of Anomalous Long-Term Effects in Astronauts (ALTEA) to measure the linear energy transfer (LET) of protons and helium and the kinetic energy of protons and heavy ions was upgraded by the addition of a new time of flight (TOF) system detector called LIDAL. LIDAL upgrades the ability of ALTEA to make measurements that can be converted, by dedicated software in real-time, into radiation risk coefficients - effectively enabling ALTEA to become the first ever dosimetric (risk meter) aboard the ISS.

Nutrition Monitoring for the International Space Station (NutrISS): The crew set up the NutrISS bioimpedance device and performed a measurement session with the device. They also filled out the questionnaire related to the session. Long-duration spaceflight induces relevant changes in body composition and a loss of body mass. In the NutrISS investigation, a periodic assessment of body composition (body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass) during spaceflight aboard the ISS is carried out using a dedicated bio-impedance analysis device to allow for the measurement of long-term energy balance modification over time. It is hypothesized that an adjusted diet maintaining a near-neutral energy balance, and/or increasing protein intake can limit microgravity-induced bone and muscle loss.

Phospho-aging Mechanism of Accelerated Aging Under Microgravity (Phospho-aging): The crew performed blood and urine collections in support of the Phospho-aging investigation. Phospho-aging examines the molecular mechanism behind aging-like symptoms, such as bone loss and muscle atrophy, that occur more rapidly in microgravity. Using analysis of human premature-aging syndromes (progeria) in mouse models, scientists identified CalciProtein Particles (CPPs) as a pro-aging factor in mammals. CPPs behave like a pathogen, inducing chronic inflammation and systemic tissue damage that could be the mechanism behind accelerated aging in space.

Systems:

Spare Multiplexer/Demultiplexer (MDM) Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only memory (EEPROM) Refresh The MDM On-Orbit Tester (MOOT) is a collection of hardware and software that is used to perform testing and software changes to an uninstalled MDM. Today, the crew gathered required items and configured the MOOT, MDM, and laptop to complete a EEPROM refresh and checkout of two spare MDMs. The crew completed both refreshes nominally and finished the task by saving the results, tearing downing the worksite, and restowing the equipment.

Crew-3 Dragon Departure Preparations Activities: Today, the Endurance crew performed activities in preparation for Crew-3 undock and return, including Crew Dragon Emergency Hardware Transfer and Crew Dragon Suit Checkout. The Endurance crew also completed handover with the Freedom crew to familiarize the newly arrived crewmembers with living and working on ISS.

Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Functional Check: As part of regular maintenance, the crew activated the spare TOCA and cycled the Gas Mass Flow Controller to mitigate potential failure of the spare TOCA. TOCA primarily serves as a general indication of overall water quality of the Water Processor (potable water). The crew also tested the water samples for the presence of Coliform bacteria utilizing a Coliform test bag. The TOCA was restowed following the TOCA Functional Check.

Completed Task List Activities:

None

Today's Ground Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

HRF Rack 2 Rack Power Down Commanding

PRO EXPRESS Rack Remote Desktop Commanding

Cold Atom Lab Ops Commanding and Downlink

Look Ahead Plan

Tuesday, May 3 (GMT 123)

Payloads:

BCM ROBoT test

Food Physiology Fecal collect

GRIP Supine session

MSG/Transparent Alloy cartridge and data exchange

MSRR/MSL Vacuum sensor R&R

Photocatalyst filter check

POLAR ISS/Crew Dragon review

Standard Measures Saliva and urine collection and Post Sleep Questionnaire

Veggie/XROOTS ops

Systems:

Resupply Air Tank Setup and Initiation

Change of Command Ceremony

Farewell Ceremony

Cygnus Cargo Transfer

ISS Crew Handover

Wednesday, May 4 (GMT 124)

Payloads:

Actiwatch doff

Astrobee OBT review

Cold Stowage DCB pack

GRASP prep

Food Physiology Fecal processing

Photocatalyst filter check

Standard Measures blood, Saliva and Urine collect

Rhodium Crystal Preservation

Systems:

Crew-3 Undock

Emergency Equipment Transfer

T2 Monthly Inspection

Thursday, May 5 (GMT 125)

Payloads:

Actiwatch setup/stow

Astrobee/ISAAC lab mapping with Astrobee flyer

BCM ROBoT test

ER2 ELC BIOS update

Food Physiology transfers

GRASP seated

Photocatalyst filter check (Ax-1/ISS)

Wireless Compose-2 BCG and questionnaire

Systems:

WHC Does Pump Inspection

OBT ISS Emergency Preparation

OGS AAA Filter R&R

Today's Planned Activities:

All activities are complete unless otherwise noted.

Actiwatch Plus HRF Rack 2 Setup and Stow

CAL MTL Jumper Leak Check

Crew Alternate Sleep Accommodation Keep-Out Zone Check

COLUMBUS Bay 1, 2, 3 Clean-up

Crew Departure Preparations for Return to Earth

Installation of the DOSIS-3D passive detector packs in Columbus

Crew Dragon Tablet Stow and Sync

EHS TOCA PFU3 Functional Check

Grip Science Performance in Seated Position

HRF Generic MELFI Sample Operations

Handover of Increment 67 Crew

Light Ions Detector Move 2

MOOT Version 10.1 EEPROM Refresh and Checkout Gather

NUTRISS MO8 Questionnaire

First Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Setup & Measurement

Robotics On-board Trainer Setup

Photo/TV Node 2 Video Setup

Phospho-Aging HRF Centrifuge Frozen Blood Collection

Phospho-Aging Generic Urine Collection Male

Konstantin Chaykin Wristwatch Self-winding Performance Test

Prepare 2 Konstantin Chaykin wristwatch items for testing

Photocatalyst Filter Check

Victory Day photography

RS ZBook Handover

WHC Manual Fill Initiate

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As Vietnam celebrates a four-day holiday, tourists visit the Muslim community in the southern An Giang Province. For the occasion, visitors can rent traditional outfits and organize a photo shoot at Mohamad's shop, in the heart of Chau Phong village.

The weekend holiday coincides with the end of the holy month of Ramadan. During one month, Muslims worshipers abstain from eating, drinking, smoking from sunrise to sunset.

In Chau Phong, niched between Cambodia and Vietnam, 5,000 people from the Cham community respect the tradition, which is considered one of the most important from the Quran, as it helps spiritual reflection and remember the less fortunate.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of U.S.-Bangladesh relations. Since gaining independence over fifty years ago, Bangladesh has made extraordinary progress, said U.S. Agency for International Development Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman. Today, she said, Bangladesh is a model for emerging countries worldwide and a critical strategic partner for the United States.



USAID is committed to building on its legacy of development work in Bangladesh. Over the past five decades, USAID has contributed more than $7 billion in development and humanitarian assistance to the south Asian nation. This assistance, among other things, has helped alleviate poverty, drive rapid economic growth, improve food security, cut maternal and child mortality, electrify rural populations, and foster development and growth through clean energy.



Bangladesh recognized early on that investing in women is investing in its countrys success. Between 1990 to 2020, Bangladeshs female labor force more than doubled and women as a proportion of the Bangladeshi workforce has grown steadily year after year. USAID has provided leadership skills and development training for tens of thousands of women in ready-made garment factories. USAID is supporting greater opportunities for these women to elevate their career paths from working on the factory floor to management and leadership roles.



To help Bangladesh cope with the COVID-19 pandemic the United States provided nearly $134 million in funding. This pandemic still looms large, said Deputy Administrator Coleman, and our work is far from over. During the past year, USAID has supported the delivery of more than 61 million U.S.-donated vaccines, assisting the government of Bangladesh to fully vaccinate over 95 million people.



Our decades-long partnership to improve public health is especially remarkable, said Ms. Coleman, as we recall that Bangladesh has cut maternal and child mortality by two-thirds over the last 50 years.



Thanks to the rapid and widespread economic growth that Bangladesh has seen in recent decades, the country has been selected to progress beyond Least Developed Country status and is now on track to become an upper-middle income country by 2031.



Bangladeshis have proven that they can thrive when they are supported by their leaders. USAID looks forward to continuing to build on this solid foundation for decades to come.
The Mine Safety and Health Administration on May 2 marked the 50th anniversary of the Sunshine Mine Disaster, the day that changed the mining industry forever.

On Tuesday, May 2, 1972, at about 11:40 a.m., a fire broke out at the Sunshine Mine in Kellogg, Idaho. Smoke and carbon monoxide quickly filled the area in which the majority of the 173 miners were working. At 12:03 p.m., an evacuation was ordered after mine managers were unable to pinpoint the location of the fire. Ninety-one men perished due to carbon monoxide exposure, 80 escaped, and only two were rescued after a week of being entombed about 5,200 feet underground.

At that point in history, the Sunshine Mine fire was the largest disaster in the hard-rock mining industry since the 1917 mine fire at the Speculator Mine in Montana. The Sunshine fire exposed weaknesses in the administrative setup of the safety and health program for metal and nonmetal miners and, as a result, served as the catalyst for the Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The Mine Act continues to govern MSHA activities, and the number of mining fatalities has substantially decreased since the act went into effect.

Today we remember and honor the miners who lost their lives in this tragic event, and we remain committed to our mission to prevent death, illness, and injury from mining and promote safe and healthy workplaces for the industrys greatest resource  miners, said Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health Chris Williamson.

The deaths of 91 miners in the Sunshine Mine Disaster was a catalyst for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, whose provisions we at MSHA carry out every day to ensure miners can go home safe and healthy to their families, said Patricia Silvey, MSHA deputy assistant secretary. On a personal note, I was honored to work with a member of the then  Bureau of Mines rescue team who was the first rescuer the two surviving miners saw when they emerged from the Sunshine Mine.

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ELKO  The Northeastern Nevada Museum and several businesses affected by Covid-19 have received a combined $250,000 of ARPA funding from the City of Elko.

Fourteen businesses  mostly motels  received American Rescue Plan Act awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 under unanimous approval by the City Council.

The Council designated the disbursements out of the Citys $500,000 ARPA funding designated to local small businesses that experienced direct negative impacts as a result of the public health emergency.

Businesses awarded $25,000 grants were Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Rodeway Inn, Thunderbird motel, Elko Broadcasting and Stick with Us Amusement.

Grants of $15,000 and $10,000 were awarded to the Scottish Inn and Charlees Bar, respectively.

Economy Inn, Travelers Motel, barber Florecia Gayton, and coffee shop owner Sandra Marques each received $5,000 awards.

City distributes ARPA funding to small businesses, charter school ELKO  Eight businesses and the charter school received grants this week from American Rescue Plan Act funds designated by the City of Elko to

Financial Director Jan Baum explained the amounts disbursed to motels was determined through the owners applications and transient taxes verified by staff.

Baum added there is $155,000 remaining to be awarded of the $500,000 designated for small business.

Elko Convention Center will get $500K in Covid grants A $51,455 grant to the Elko County Recreation Board was tabled, however, because of concerns about conflict of interest

The Northeastern Nevada Historical Society and Museum, a nonprofit organization, was also approved to receive a $50,000 award for lost revenue funds for any governmental services.

City awards $3.4 million in ARPA funds for behavioral health services I cant think of anything more important than this that was in our applications. Im hoping this will really change the future of our community.

City staff recommends using a portion of the lost revenue allowance for community donations, Baum wrote in the agenda.

She noted the museum was closed for a long time due to the pandemic.

Mayor Reece Keener and Councilman Chip Stone abstained from their vote due to their business connections to the museum.

In January, the City received $500,000 to distribute among small businesses, and $3.4 million for behavioral services.

Nonprofits, including CADV, the Igloo Recreation Center, Horizon Hospice, have also received grants from a $1.15 million package earmarked for lost revenues.

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Pham Thi Kim Hoa (fourth from left) pose for a group photo with ambassadors of the ASEAN Committee in Brazil. (Photo: Embassy of Vietnam in Brazil)



During the visit, which aimed to tap new cooperation potential in order to strengthen the ASEAN-Brazil relations, ACB representatives inquired into Brazils forest protection efforts using its own advanced technology, which contribute to forest fire control and fight against deforestation.



Besides joining the ACB delegation's activities, Hoa attended a meeting with the head of the State Secretariat for Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation (SEDECTI), during which the sides pledged to closely collaborate and bolster cooperation in trade, aquaculture, tourism and mining, among others.



The Vietnamese ambassador also visited businesses owning production chains that turn waste into energy.



Amazonas, located in the north of Brazil, is the largest state of the country. It boasts a population of more than 4.2 million, equivalent to 2 percent of that of the entire country.



The Brazilian state is 98 percent covered by the Amazon Rainforest./.
Ukraine received EUR 495 million in grant funds from the United States, Norway and Austria (under one grant) through the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) under the Second Economic Recovery Development Policy Loan for Ukraine.

"We are starting the week with positive news on the international front. The national budget of Ukraine has received the regular part of grant funds from World Bank donors," Finance Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Marchenko said on Facebook on Monday.

According to him, in the near future, they are preparing to raise another grant support from the United States in the amount of $500 million.

The grant went to the general fund of the natioanl budget of Ukraine to ensure priority social, humanitarian, health costs, support for internally displaced persons, the Finance Ministry said.
The information that appeared in the media about the alleged withdrawal of assets from Alfa-Bank Ukraine or the legalization of assets in order to avoid negative consequences from sanctions is not true, billionaire Mikhail Fridman said in a comment transmitted to the Interfax-Ukraine agency.

"I have nothing to do with this transaction and learned about it from the press," he said.

The co-owner of Alfa-Bank emphasized that for 20 years of the bank's operation in Ukraine, not a single hryvnia of dividends had been withdrawn from it.

"I am fully aware of the seriousness of the sanctions and it would never have occurred to me to participate in adventures to withdraw funds. I condemn the war against Ukraine, I consider it a terrible tragedy. I am deeply confident in the bright future of an integrated, independent, democratic Ukraine - my homeland, where I was born and raised," the billionaire said.

According to the banking market participants, the seized bank accounts accumulated funds for the subsequent payment of debt obligations to Ukrainian investors  securities holders.

The bank considers the current situation a misunderstanding, since the funds were not withdrawn, but, on the contrary, they were brought to the bank: during the period of hostilities, the amount on these accounts increased by more than UAH 250 million.

"The bank will provide the regulatory authorities with all the requested information on accounts for the removal of blocking and the subsequent payment of funds to clients in Ukraine," the press service of the financial institution told Interfax-Ukraine.

The Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine and the Office of the Prosecutor General at the end of April announced the seizure of the assets of Cypriot companies in the amount of more than UAH 469 million, which are on the accounts of Alfa-Bank. The bureau accused the co-owners of the bank that on the eve and during the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine they organized financial operations aimed at legalizing the assets of these companies in the amount of more than UAH 1 billion and their further withdrawal from the banking system in Ukraine.

In turn, the bank stressed that it is operating normally, it is managed by the board and supervisory board.
Second tranche of macro-financial aid worth EUR 600 mln to be paid to Kyiv 'very soon this month'

The second tranche of the European Union's macro-financial assistance to Ukraine in the amount of EUR 600 million will be paid "very soon" in May.

This was reported to Interfax-Ukraine by a high-ranking official of the European Commission on Monday.

"The European Union has allocated EUR 1.2 billion of macro-financial assistance, of which EUR 600 million have already been paid, and the remaining EUR 600 million will be paid very soon this month," he said.

The official also said that on May 5, a donors' conference organized by Poland and Sweden will take place. "It will be a fundraiser for humanitarian aid," he said.

Speaking generally about the reconstruction of Ukraine after the war, the representative of the European Commission stated the need to restore the country in accordance with European standards, in accordance with the European Green Deal, the digitalization agenda, with the best principles of public administration, the rule of law, in every sense, in accordance with European standards. "This is exactly how we think it can be done, that we can do it together. Surely, on our part, this will require very deep cooperation with Ukraine," he said.
About 150,000 users connect to Starlink in Ukraine every day  minister

Starlink's satellite Internet in Ukraine has about 150,000 active users every day, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov has said, citing data from Apptopia.

"Now Starlink terminals work for social infrastructure facilities  these are schools, hospitals, village councils, fire stations. After the liberation of the cities of Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, operators began to restore communication using Starlink," he wrote.

According to Fedorov, there are villages in these regions where 10 km of cable was destroyed by shelling.

"Thanks to one Starlink station, the provider was able to quickly restore access to the Internet. This is a unique experience of using Starlink, which has never happened before in the world," the minister stated.

As reported, in addition to Starlink satellite Internet stations, head of Tesla Inc. Elon Musk also donated Tesla Powerwall solar panels to Ukraine.

Earlier, a representative office of Elon Musk's SpaceX company, Starlink Ukraine, was registered in Ukraine.

As reported, Starlink became active on the territory of Ukraine on February 27, 2022.

The National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radiofrequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services on the initiative of the State Special Communications Service, on April 20, decided to allow the use of Starlink satellite terminals by everyone for the period of martial law.

Starlink is a global satellite system for Internet access in remote corners of the Earth.
Suppliers of Crown Agents do not revise prices for drugs purchased with state budget due to war

Suppliers of the British purchasing agency Crown Agents did not revise prices for drugs purchased with state budget funds due to the war, Tetiana Korotchenko, head of Crown Agents Ukraine, said.

"Contracts were signed at the beginning of the war. No one is reviewing prices," she told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to Korotchenko, Crown Agents has not received any messages from suppliers or manufacturers that they want to terminate their deals with Crown Agents.

"On the contrary, deliveries are very rhythmic. We can say with confidence that all participants in the process worked perfectly, which made it possible to very quickly reformat supply chains and prevent interruptions in the supply of vital medicines," she said.

Korotchenko also noted that until the end of February, the full team of Crown Agents worked in Kyiv, however, due to the outbreak of active hostilities, the agency, its partners and suppliers, whose offices were in Kyiv, could not continue to work in conditions of constant missile attacks and bombing.

"We resumed work as soon as we were able to provide a safe working environment for our employees. In addition, there was a slight delay due to reformatting supply chains," she said.

Responding to humanitarian crises is one of the areas in which Crown Agents works, she said.

"We understand that civilians are also victims of war, and our mission is to help those in need. Thanks to our close relationship with the Ministry of Health, we receive daily updates on medical needs on the ground during the conflict. Based on the requests submitted by the Ministry of Health, we attract donor funds for the purchase and delivery of the necessary medical devices. These are, in particular, trauma kits, fentanyl, oxygen concentrators and incubators for newborns," the head of Crown Agents Ukraine said.

Currently, Crown Agents is working with the Ministry of Health under a contract for 2021, the contract for 2022 was not signed due to the outbreak of active hostilities by the Russian Federation, Korotchenko emphasized.

"We submitted our proposal for 2022, but, unfortunately, a full-scale invasion of Russia began, and the process was suspended," she said, recalling that the purchase of medicines by specialized international organizations was extended until April 1, 2023.

Korotchenko also said that Crown Agents continues to supply COVID vaccines. In particular, the agency supplied the Ministry of Health with more than 3.8 million doses of CoronaVac vaccines.
Ukraine's state budget has a deficit of UAH 146.6 billion for the first four months of 2022, including the general fund with a deficit of UAH 157.2 billion, with a planned deficit for this period of UAH 317.1 billion, such preliminary results were announced by the Ministry of Finance on Monday.

Taking into account its data on the results of three months, in April, a deficit of the state budget's general fund amounted to UAH 89.7 billion compared to UAH 80.6 billion in March, while in February and January there were surpluses of UAH 1.1 billion and UAH 12 billion, respectively.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kherson, Nova Kakhovka, Melitopol, Berdyansk, Dniprorudne and all other temporarily occupied cities and communities in which the occupiers are now pretending to be "masters" will be liberated.

"The occupiers are still on our land and still do not recognize the apparent failure of their so-called operation. We still need to fight and direct all efforts to drive the occupiers out, " he said in his video address.

"And we will do it. Ukraine will be free. The Ukrainian flag will return wherever it should be by right. Return with a normal life, which Russia is simply unable to provide even on its own territory," he said.
Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military shot down 10 of the aggressor's air targets, the Command of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

"Minus ten Orlan-10s, this is the result of the Ukrainian air defense on May 1," reads the message posted on Facebook.

It is noted that the Orlan-10 can perform various tasks (...) do target designation, be a repeater or a jammer. And it poses a serious threat to our troops. The target is not simple, not noticeable, however, every day Ukrainian defenders of the sky use different means of destruction to hit more and more of these UAVs."
Ukrainian Armed Forces units on Monday morning destroyed two Russian patrol boats near the Snake island, said commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Valeriy Zaluzhny.

"Today at dawn, two Russian Raptor-type boats have been destroyed near Snake Island. Bayraktar is working," Zaluzhny wrote on Facebook.
The Ukrainian side has managed to return 14 citizens previously captured by Russia, said Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Iryna Vereschuk.

"Today we have exchanged prisoners. We are returning home 14 of our people: seven military and seven civilians. This exchange is special for me: one of the military women is five months pregnant," Vereschuk wrote on her Telegram channel on Saturday.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny, in a telephone conversation with Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, discussed the promising model of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and further arms supplies.

"Today's phone conversation with U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley provided another opportunity to synchronize the watches on arms, ammunition and equipment deliveries to Ukraine. The formation of a list of requirements, the logistics system, the training of personnel and the use of the weapons provided are under strict control," he wrote on Facebook on Saturday.

Zaluzhny thanked partners for assistance "thanks to which we continue to defend Ukraine and the entire civilized world, freedom and democracy."

According to him, the sides discussed a promising model of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"Obviously, we are forced to give up Soviet weapons and equipment and switch to NATO models. And the sooner we start this process, the sooner we will complete it," the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine noted.

"I also informed General Milley of the difficult situation in the east of our state, in particular, in Izium and Severodonetsk directions, where the enemy has concentrated maximum efforts and the most combat-ready groups. Despite all the complexity of the situation, we are ensuring the defense, holding the occupied lines and positions," Zaluzhny wrote.
Hollywood actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie visited Lviv region, where she met with refugees and volunteers, head of Lviv Regional Military Administration Maksym Kozytsky said.

"In one of the medical institutions she visited the children who suffered from a Russian military missile attack on the train station in Kramatorsk. She was very moved by their stories. One girl was even able to personally tell Ms. Jolie about her dream. Also Mrs. Ambassador visited the boarding school. She talked and took pictures with the pupils. She promised that she would come again," wrote Kozytsky on his Telegram-channel.

Jolie also met with volunteers who provide medical and psychological assistance at Lviv railway station and with displaced people from war zones.

"This visit was a surprise for all of us. Many people who saw Jolie in Lviv region could not believe it was really her. But since February 24, Ukraine has shown the world that we have a lot of incredible things," he said.
The Ukrainian army liberated Verkhnia Rohanka, Ruska Lozova, Slobodske and Prylisne in Kharkiv region. The Russian occupiers continue shelling Kharkiv, storming towns in Luhansk region, and laying siege to the Azovstal plant in Mariupol. Additional units of the Russian Army are concentrated near the Ukrainian border and their redeployment near Izium continues, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

"As a result of an offensive by Ukrainian Defense Forces units in Kharkiv region, control was restored over the settlements of Verkhnia Rohanka, Ruska Lozova, Slobodske and Prylisne," an evening summary posted on the General Staff's Facebook page on Saturday reads.

It is also noted that the enemy continues to concentrate forces and means both in the temporarily occupied territories of Kharkiv region and in Belgorod region, in the immediate vicinity of the state border of Ukraine. For example, the occupiers moved units of the 55th Independent Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District to Volokhov Yar settlement and units of the 5th Independent Tank Brigade of the 36th Combined Arms Army of the Eastern Military District to the town of Izium.

The enemy is building up its anti-aircraft defense system and conducting aerial reconnaissance of AFU positions using UAVs in the areas of Velyka Kamyshevakha, Ivanivka, Chervone, Kurulko, Dovhenke, Nova Dmytrivka and Barvenkove.

Russian occupation troops continue to commit illegal actions in the seized territories of Kharkiv region. According to available information, the enemy is forcibly removing the population to the territory of the Russian Federation. The occupiers spread misinformation about the seizures of Kharkiv, Kyiv, and Zaporizhia.

Russian occupation troops continue to carry out air and artillery strikes against the city of Kharkiv in Slobozhanske direction.

In Izium direction, the occupiers, using individual units from the 1st Tank Army and 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 troops attempt an offensive in the directions of Izium - Barvenkove and Izium - Slovyansk.

In Donetsk direction, the enemy conducts active combat operations almost along the entire line of contact. Air strikes and artillery fire on the positions of the Ukrainian defenders do not stop.
Since the start of the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the Russian army has lost about 23,800 personnel, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported on Facebook.

The Russian army also lost 1,048 tanks, 2,519 armored combat vehicles, 1,824 vehicles and tankers and 38 special vehicles. It also destroyed 459 artillery systems, 152 MLRS vehicles and 80 air defense units.

In addition, Ukrainian troops destroyed 194 aircraft, 155 helicopters, 271 operational-tactical UAVs and 84 cruise missiles.

Eight ships were sunk.

"The largest losses of the enemy (over the past 24 hours) were observed in Izium direction. The data is being verified," the General Staff noted.
By Trend





Azerbaijani gas brought stability to Bulgaria, Director of the Center for Management at the University of Geneva Ventzeslav Sabev told Trend.

"As a Bulgarian by birth, I want to note that Azerbaijani gas brought peace and stability to Bulgaria in the context of the crisis with gas supplies from Russia," Sabev said.

According to Sabev, the presence of Azerbaijani energy resources in European market is of great importance.

He expressed hope that alternative supplies would be established, including from Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijans Karabakh region could become a very promising area for cooperation in the sphere of "green energy" and ICT in the future, Sabev added.

"Bulgarian companies may be very interested in developing these areas in Karabakh," he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized Turkey for preparing new routes for tourists from Russia at the same time as supporting Ukraine, calling it a double standard.

"Russian tourism has been bringing a lot of money to Greece for years. We think they make money on blood, and then they bring that money in. The situation is the same in Turkey. On the one hand, Turkey acts as an intermediary and supports Ukraine with important steps, but on the other hand, we see the simultaneous preparation of tourist routes specifically for Russian tourism. And if we want to have friendly relations, I, as President, must talk about it. This is not the way it should be," Zelensky said in an interview with the Greek ERT.

In his opinion, this is a double standard.

"It's not really fair, and that's why I'm drawing Turkey's attention to just such processes. It shouldn't be like that. You have to choose whether you are for the truth," he added.
French President Emmanuel Macron, in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed the readiness of France to become guarantors of Ukraine's security.

"We talked about the progress of negotiations to finally resolve the conflict and ensure the security of the European continent. In this regard, the president of the Republic recalled his commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and France's willingness to contribute to an agreement on security guarantees for Ukraine," according to a release made public on the French embassy's website Saturday evening.

Macron also reiterated his desire to work actively during his second term to restore Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity in constant coordination with European partners and allies.

Zelensky thanked France for the supply of military equipment. He noted that this support will continue to increase, as will France's humanitarian aid, which currently stands at more than 615 tonnes of equipment, including medical equipment, generators for hospitals, food aid, housing assistance, emergency aid, and vehicles.

He also added that at the request of the Ukrainian authorities, a mission of French experts will continue to help collect evidence as part of the fight against impunity and to ensure that international justice works for crimes committed during the Russian aggression.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress Nancy Pelosi, who was on a visit to Ukraine on May 1, the presidential press service has reported.

"I am grateful to you for this signal of strong support from the United States, the people and the Congress  bicameral and bipartisan support. This shows that the United States today is a leader in strong support for Ukraine during the war against the aggression of the Russian Federation," he said.

The President thanked the United States and Nancy Pelosi personally for the efforts to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country.

He stressed the importance of the address by President of the United States of America Joseph Biden to the Congress to provide Ukraine with financial assistance in the amount of $33 billion.

Pelosi noted that today Ukraine is heroically fighting for freedom, and the United States is ready to help our country until this struggle is over. According to her, Ukraine is the frontier of freedom.

President Zelensky awarded the Order of Princess Olha to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi for her significant personal contribution to strengthening Ukrainian-American interstate cooperation and supporting sovereign, independent and democratic Ukraine.
Russian troops have launched a missile attack on the bridge over the Dniester estuary in Odesa region, spokesperson of Odesa Regional Military Administration Serhiy Bratchuk.

"Odesa region. The enemy carried out rocket fire on the bridge over the Dniester estuary. The information is being clarified," Bratchuk wrote on Facebook on Monday.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said that Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's recent remarks about the Jews were inexcusable and outrageous, stressing that Jews did not kill themselves in the Holocaust.

"Foreign Minister Lavrovs remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error. Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust. The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of anti-Semitism," he said on Twitter.

Earlier, in an interview with Mediaset, Lavrov said: "He (Zelensky) presents the argument: what kind of nazification can they have if he is Jewish. I could be wrong, but Hitler also had Jewish blood. That means absolutely nothing. Wise Jewish people say that the most rabid anti-Semites tend to be Jews. "Accidents will happen in the best regulated families," as we say.
Ukraine expects any steps from the Russian Federation, including the use of prohibited weapons, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with the Greek television company EPT.

"We are considering any attacks by the Russian Federation. We can expect any moves," he said, responding to a question about Russia's possible use of nuclear weapons.

"They said there would never be a full-scale invasion. There is no trust, because the people at the very top who personally and independently make decisions say one thing and do another," the president said.

According to him, "on the contrary, when Russia says that this will not happen, questions arise for what it was necessary to say in the media.

"I believe that today after the use of banned weapons, such as phosphorus bombs, which were used on Kharkiv, on Mariupol, on the south of our state, on Zaporizhia, Donetsk, Luhansk regions, all this was used, although it is banned, everything suggests that Russia may use other banned weapons," he said.
Russian hackers attack not only regional services and local authorities, but also government agencies and companies that provide services at the national level.

"In cyberspace, we see that Russian hackers are carrying out cyber attacks on both local resources and nationwide. Sometimes cyber attacks are coordinated with attacks on the ground. An example is the attacks on telecom operators that have occurred in some regions. Sometimes there is no connection between military actions and cyber attacks," Viktor Zhora, deputy chairman of the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, was quoted on the agency's Telegram channel.

The State Service reported that the website of Lviv Regional State Administration has been recently subjected to a powerful DDoS attack, despite the fact that the Russian army is now focusing on the takeover of eastern Ukraine.

According to the Service, the attack on the website of Lviv Regional State Administration lasted more than 12 hours.
For Ukraine, progress in the negotiations would be Russia's decision to stop the war and de-occupy Ukrainian territory, head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak said this in an interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN published on Monday.

Commenting on the negotiation process with Russia, Yermak noted that the position of our state is transparent and clear: "Ukraine did not start this war. Ukraine did not occupy anyone's territories. Ukraine has never been an aggressive country; in particular, it has never shown aggression against Russia. The most important thing for us is our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. This is what we are fighting for. For our lands and freedom."

According to Yermak, progress in the negotiations would be a decision to suspend the war and for Russian troops to leave Ukrainian territory.

He confirmed that most Russian troops are now concentrated in southeastern Ukraine, especially in Donbas. Also, the whole world knows what is happening in Mariupol, where the situation is catastrophic - 90% of the city is destroyed.

"For us the fundamental things on which we are not prepared to seek compromise are our independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. We want to stop the war, our people seek an end to the war, but it is important to us that Ukraine wins this war. Our people continue to fight until victory. Our victory is to regain control over all our territories," Yermak stressed.

He also noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his entire team have remained in Kyiv since the start of the war.

"Our military is still fighting, they have no break. So, it is our duty - all the people in power, politicians - also to stay in their jobs and continue to do everything possible to bring victory closer," said the head of the Presidents Office.
The situation in Mariupol is extremely difficult, basically, the city is under the control of the armed forces of the Russian Federation, speaker of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Oleksandr Motuzianyk said.

"The situation in Mariupol is extremely difficult. The occupiers continue to block our units in the area of the Azovstal plant, block humanitarian corridors. The only thing is that there are certain agreements on organizing an evacuation corridor today. Basically, the city is under control of Russian armed forces, where Russian soldiers commit crimes, they are trying to carry out measures to filter the population. We have reports that the population is forcibly taken to the territory of the Russian Federation," Motuzianyk said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday.
Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak has called Lavrov's statement, which compared Zelensky to Hitler, "a manifestation of caveman anti-Semitism.

"Russia's anti-Semitism is becoming more and more obvious. They are no longer hiding and openly show it to the world. First, they hit the Babyn Yar memorial with rockets. Now Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is comparing Volodymyr Zelensky to Hitler, who killed 6 million Jews," Yermak wrote on his Telegram channel Monday.

"As, according to Lavrov, the most fierce anti-Semites are usually Jews. This is how russia tries to explain its nonsense about denazification by actually questioning not only the existence of the Ukrainian nation, but also the Holocaust. This is caveman anti-Semitism, covering up the conspiracy theories on which dictatorial regimes are always built," he also wrote.

Yermak expressed "full solidarity with the Jewish people. "Such unconcealed aggression of the Russians and disrespect for the historical memory of entire peoples should not go unanswered," he said.

Earlier, in an interview with Mediaset, Lavrov said: "He (Zelensky) presents the argument: what kind of nazification can they have if he is Jewish. I could be wrong, but Hitler also had Jewish blood. That means absolutely nothing. Wise Jewish people say that the most rabid anti-Semites tend to be Jews. "Accidents will happen in the best regulated families," as we say.
The Armenian armed forces have shelled Azerbaijani Army's positions in Kalbajar's Zeylik and Yellija settlements using grenade launcher and machine guns.

The Azerbaijan Defense Ministry reports that Armenia shelled from the positions of the state border in the Basarkechar district from 13:40 to 17:45 (GMT +4) on May 1.

The Azerbaijan Army Units took adequate retaliatory measures. There are no losses among the military personnel and equipment of the Azerbaijan Army.Currently, the situation in this direction is stable, the Azerbaijan Army Units completely control the operational situation.
As of May 2, law enforcement officers found and documented 1,202 bodies of civilians killed by the invaders in Kyiv region.

"To date, on the territory of Kyiv region... we have found and documented 1,202 corpses. These are civilians who were killed by the troops of Russia," Deputy Head of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv region Maksym Ocheretiany said at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday.

He said that as of today, in Kyiv region, in the territories that were occupied by the Russian troops, eight burial places of the killed local residents were found, most of them in the territory of Bucha district.

According to the deputy head of the regional police, bodies of civilians with signs of torture were found in the last burial place discovered by law enforcement officers. "They not only have their hands tied and blindfolded, but also injuries in the form of shot through the legs. Then they were shot in the head," he said.

Ocheretiany said that law enforcement officers had almost completed work on working off the de-occupied territory. "We will continue to carry out investigative actions and dig up the bodies," he said.
The anti-Semitic attacks by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Serhiy Lavrov towards the President of Ukraine and the Jews are absolutely unacceptable, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Oleh Nikolenko said.

"The anti-Semitic attacks of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov towards the President of Ukraine and the Jews are absolutely unacceptable. Russia is already too deeply bogged down in its nonsense, justifying the barbaric aggression against Ukraine. The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry has actually questioned the existence of not only the Ukrainian nation, but also the Holocaust. Lavrov deliberately insulted the memory of the millions of Jews who died at the hands of the Nazis during World War II," Nikolenko told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday.

He recalled that the Israeli government had already called Lavrov's statements "a terrible historical mistake."

"The deep-rooted anti-Semitism of Russian elites demonstrates to the whole world that Putin's Russia purposefully cherishes the 'superiority' of Russians and hatred of other peoples. Together we must stop Russia now, before its aggressive policy leads to even more catastrophic consequences," the speaker quoted the minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba as saying.

Nikolenko said that Ukraine calls on the governments of all countries of the world to give a decisive response to the Russian Federation.

"We express solidarity with the Jewish people. We call on the governments of all countries of the world to give a decisive response to the Russian Federation: isolate it even more, impose an embargo on Russian oil and gas that will deprive the Russian military machine of financial resources, increase military, financial and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, whose people now heroically opposes Russian evil," he said.
The lives of Ukrainian soldiers in Mariupol should not be left to the discretion of the Russian army, which continues to bomb their positions, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"All I can say now is that I can applaud the tireless efforts of the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to make this a reality. But everything is very fragile, everything can fall apart at any moment, so it's better to wait until the evacuation is over." "At the same time, I would like to emphasize that these evacuation efforts are limited to civilians, and Ukrainian defenders, including severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers, their lives should not be left to the Russian army, which continues to bomb their positions. We will work tirelessly to make sure we save as many human lives as possible in Mariupol," Kuleba said at a press conference with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod in Kyiv on Monday.
During the week from April 25 to May 1, forest fires broke out on a total area of over 800 hectares in the part of Kherson region temporarily occupied by Russian troops, while the occupiers did not allow Ukrainian forestry workers to extinguish fires.

"The fire has engulfed more than 800 hectares of forest in occupied Kherson region. And this is just for the last week! The orcs did not allow the forest guards to approach the fires until the fire reached their checkpoints. According to the latest data, the fire is localized, but there has been no communication with our colleagues for the last two days," head of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine Yuriy Bolohovets wrote on Facebook on Monday.

According to him, the number of fires in the region increased by 2.6 times compared to the same period in 2021, and the average fire area increased by 16 times.

"Friends, I remind you that there is now a ban on visiting the forest almost throughout the country. I ask you to refrain from walking in the forests, especially in regions that have recently been liberated from the invaders. This could cost you your life," Bolokhovets said in the message.

As reported, in Ukraine at the beginning of April, 600,000 hectares of forest land, six regional departments of the State Forest Agency, 17 enterprises of the department and 136 forestries were in the combat zone with Russian invaders.

The forestries of Sumy region suffered the most damage from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, since almost all the forestry enterprises of the region were either in the zone of active hostilities or in the occupied territories.
A number of countries are preparing bills that will economically hit the Russian Federation in order to stop financing the war with Ukraine, as well as allow for the inclusion of mechanisms for the arrest and confiscation of property of the Russian Federation, as well as individuals and legal entities directly or indirectly involved in the war in Ukraine, the website of the President of Ukraine reports.

Deputy Head of the President's Office Andriy Smirnov said at a briefing on Monday that the U.S. House of Representatives supported a bill that would allow the U.S. President to implement the procedures necessary to seize and confiscate the property and accounts of foreign citizens whose wealth was partly obtained through corruption associated with the regime of the President of the Russian Federation, or those who provide political support for his regime.

"Such assets should be maintained, used, administered, sold for the benefit of the people of Ukraine, in particular, for the reconstruction of the country and the provision of humanitarian assistance to its population, as well as other types of assistance, among other things, assistance in the security sphere," Smirnov said.

The Deputy Chief of the President's Office also said that changes to Canada's sanctions laws are underway to allow the redistribution of seized foreign assets to compensate victims or to help rebuild a foreign country after a war.

According to Smirnov, one of the important areas of work is providing real compensation to Ukraine, its citizens, companies and enterprises for the damage caused by the invasion of the Russian Federation. The Ministry of Justice has already developed the concept of a special mechanism for providing such compensation built on international cooperation. "The operation of such a mechanism will cover the issue of consideration by the commission of applications for damages, payments to victims from the funds of the created fund, and will also include issues of enforcement of decisions of the commission, international and foreign courts by local courts of foreign states," he said.

In addition to direct compensation for damage, it is assumed that such a mechanism will also allow foreign states to transfer assets frozen as a result of the application of sanctions against the Russian Federation, its leadership and persons close to it. In the coming weeks, negotiations and consultations will begin at various levels with partner states and representatives of international organizations involved in the implementation of the mechanism, Smirnov said.
Ukraine's victory in the war with Russia depends on sanctions, weapons and prospects for EU membership, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has said.

"There are three issues on which Ukraine's victory in this war depends. These are sanctions, weapons and the prospect of Ukraine's membership in the EU," Kuleba said at a press conference with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod in Kyiv on Monday.

Kuleba said that he and Kofod have a unanimous position that there should be no taboos when it comes to sanctions that should be applied against Russia.

"Regarding weapons, Denmark is doing everything in its power and at the bilateral level, and supports all collective decisions on the provision of weapons to Ukraine, and for this we are also grateful to it," he said.

The minister said "this war against Ukraine and all of Europe will continue as long as Putin believes that Ukraine has been left at a crossroads."

"And precisely because of this, the EU should continue the course it took after February 24 and contribute to the maximum possible European integration of Ukraine. The next decision that we expect is granting Ukraine the status of a candidate for EU membership. The issue of Ukraine's membership in the EU is literally the issue of war and peace in Europe," Kuleba said.
During investigations on the territory of the village of Kalynivka, Makariv community, Kyiv region, a burial place of two civilians was discovered, the occupiers tortured them and then killed them, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has said.

According to the statement, posted on the department's Telegram channel on Monday, law enforcement officers continue to document the crimes of Russian military personnel in Kyiv region.

"During the investigation, an unauthorized burial of two men with signs of torture was discovered on the territory of the village of Kalynivka in Makariv community. According to preliminary information, the servicemen of the Russian armed forces during the occupation of the settlement first tortured and then killed two civilians. The hands of the dead were with torn nails and tied behind their backs, gunshot wounds were found on their bodies," the prosecutor's office said.

Under the procedural leadership of Kyievo-Sviatoshynsky District Prosecutor's Office, criminal proceedings are being investigated on the fact of violation of the laws and customs of war (Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
Denmark will soon provide Ukraine with practical assistance in the reconstruction, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod has said.

At a press conference with Foreign Minister Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on Monday, Kofod said Denmark will partner and invest in the reconstruction of Ukraine. He reaffirmed Denmark's commitment to the restoration of Mykolaiv. According to the Foreign Minister, he wanted to move on to more detailed information from Ukrainian partners. Denmark has economic and practical assistance to Ukraine which is already on its way: it will help rebuild the country. He said it is needed to do everything possible to show that such destruction should not happen and that they will overcome it as soon as possible.

Kofod said Denmark would continue to provide military and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

The Foreign Minister said they have already provided over EUR 200 million of assistance to Ukraine, including a lot of weapons. Denmark also wants to continue its support in the fight against Russia. He said they also call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally withdraw from Ukraine.

The head of the Foreign Ministry noted the need to continue imposing tougher sanctions against Russia, continue to supply assistance to Ukraine, including appropriate weapons, continue the process of collecting evidence of Russian crimes and bring criminals to justice.
On Tuesday, May 3, at 12.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host the press center discussion entitled "War. Historic Dimension." Participants inlcude Director of the Institute for Global Strategies Vadym Karasiov; political expert Kostiantyn Matviyenko; Director of Ukrainian barometer sociological service Viktor Nebozhenko; co-founder of the national platform Dialogue on Peace and Safe Reintegration Oleh Sahakyan (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
Information Defence: Military-Political Situation in Ukraine as of May 2nd - Ihor Zhdanov

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 May 2nd, 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 conducting offensive operations in the Eastern Operational Zone in order to establish full control over the territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and to maintain the land corridor with the temporarily occupied Crimea.

The most intensive activity of the invaders is observed in the Slobozhanskyi and Donetsk directions. In the Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih and Mykolaiiv areas, the enemy regrouped troops, strengthened artillery units and air defence units. The enemy is trying to establish a system of logistical support for the grouping of troops in these areas.

The enemy continues to prepare reserves in order to further transfer them to operational areas in Ukraine.

The total combat losses of the enemy from February 24 to May 2 were: approximately 23,800 (+300) combatants were eliminated, tanks - 1048 (+22) units, armoured combat vehicles - 2519 (+48) units, artillery systems - 459 (+ 8) units, MLRS - 152 (+1) units, air defence means - 80 (+0) units, aircraft - 194 (+2) units, helicopters - 155 (+0) units, of motor vehicles and tankers - 1,824 (+28) units, ships / boats - 8 (+0) units, UAVs of operational and tactical level - 271 (+26), special equipment - 38 (+6), cruise missiles - 84 (+0).

It is reported that the greatest losses of the enemy of the past day were sustained in the Izium direction.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerii Zaluzhnyi said that on May 2, the Ukrainian military destroyed two russian boats near Zmiinyi.

According to unverified information, during the destruction of one of the enemy's command posts, the Chief of the General Staff of the russian armed forces, General of the Army Gerasimov, was wounded.

2. Information summaries, reviews and assessments of foreign, Ukrainian intelligence and think tanks.

According to WP sources in the US Department of Defense, including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Western artillery that has filled Ukraine will change the course of the war with russia and force both russia and Ukraine to act smarter to avoid serious casualties.

In particular, Lloyd Austin said that long-range artillery would be crucial in the next phase of the war. A senior Defense Ministry official has said that because the West continues to send so much artillery to Ukraine, it could be something like a shootout. The Pentagon estimates that russia is not as effective as it would like to be in the use of long-range artillery.

The Biden Administration is expected to approve the transfer of even more artillery to Ukraine in the coming days. According to Blinken, the new request of the US Congress in the amount of 33 billion dollars for additional assistance to Ukraine includes funding for "long-range artillery of heavier caliber."

According to UK intelligence in its review , russia has deployed more than 120 battalion tactical groups in Ukraine, which is 65% of its ground forces.

It is likely that more than a quarter of these units are currently incapacitated.

Some of russia's most elite units, including the Airborne Forces, have suffered the greatest depletion. It will probably take russia years to rebuild these forces.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency ( GUR ), russia is stepping up a campaign to recruit "volunteers" for military service under a contract in which each region will be forced to find 200 soldiers a week.

It is assumed that the "volunteers" must recover the combatants losses in the units that took part in the war in Ukraine. It is also planned to form several new units.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, russia is preparing to announce an open mobilisation on May 9th.

3. 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. In the Kyiv region, law enforcement officers have already found 1,202 bodies of Ukrainian citizens who died at the hands of the russian occupiers.

The police found eight new mass graves of civilians killed by russian invaders . According to the Deputy Chief of Police of the Kyiv region Maksym Ocheretianyi, another 148 people were found in these eight burial sites. All the victims have injuries, a forensic examination is underway.

The Security Service of Ukraine has identified nearly 900 russian invaders who committed crimes against civilians in the Kyiv region.

Prosecutors and police have identified the first suspect in the brutal killings of civilians in the city of Bucha near Kyiv - the commander of the russian National Guard, Sergei Kolotsei.

According to Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova on Facebook , Bucha prosecutors and police have established that it was this serviceman who killed four unarmed men in Bucha on March 18th.

The russian invaders are launching missile and bomb strikes on civilians, towns and villages. On the night of May 2nd, shelling continued in peaceful towns and villages in the Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson regions.

In the Dnipropetrovsk region there was no shelling at night. In the morning - several air attacks in Synelnykivskyi district, as a result, of one of them hit in the industrial zone, destroying warehouses. According to operative data, there are no victims there.

The Kharkiv region: night shelling of residential areas of the city continued. There were several fires, rescuers are at work there, according to preliminary data, there are no victims.

Bohodukhiv, Zolochiv, Mala Danylivka, Chuhuiiv were shelled in the region, 3 people were killed, 8 civilians were wounded.

The Luhansk region: 18 enemy shellings per day. Destruction of 28 houses. Three people were killed, three were wounded , among the victims was one child. In Lysychansk, a gymnasium was fired upon and burnt.

Donetsk: the region remains in critical condition due to hostilities. As a result of the shelling on Sunday evening and at night, 4 civilians were wounded: two in Velyka Novosilka and two Volodymyrivka (the Bakhmut district).

The Kherson region: explosions and shelling continue in the region. The occupiers continue fighting and looting in the Kherson region.

In the Odesa region, russian troops launched a rocket attack on the same bridge in the Gulf area for the third time in the last week.

4. Evacuation of civilians, exchange of prisoners.

Thanks to 9 exchanges of prisoners and hostages, 320 citizens, including 59 civilians, returned to Ukraine.

Two days ago, the occupiers allowed the first 20 people to be taken out of the Azovstal plant in Mariupol, which sheltered hundreds of civilians and wounded soldiers. Yesterday, Ukrainian authorities said more than 100 Ukrainians had been evacuated from the plant .

Mariupol City Council has announced that the evacuation, which has had to begin today, May 2 at 7:00, is underway. In the evening it became known that more than 100 civilians were taken out of the Azovstal bomb shelters to the unoccupied part of Ukraine.

5. Political and socio-economic situation in Ukraine, economic losses due to russian aggression.

Economic losses due to russian aggression. Almost 4.5 million tons of grain are blocked in Ukrainian ports - it is currently impossible to export them because sea routes have been closed due to the war.

Zaporizhzhia Metallurgical Plant "Zaporizhstal" in January-April this year reduced the output by 44.1% compared to the same period last year - to 630.1 thousand tons.

Retail gas station networks raised fuel prices from April 29 to May 2 as the government raised marginal trade surcharges on gasoline and diesel fuel as a result of the defeat of the Kremenchuh refinery by russian troops.

Signs of recovery of the Ukrainian economy and social network. A team from the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Government has developed a plan for Ukraine's economic recovery. This was announced by the head of the President's Office Andrii Yermak. The plan is based on 9 key principles:

1. Full access to the EU and G7 markets.

2. Obtaining candidate status and then a membership in the EU.

3. Building an economy on the principles of deregulation and liberalisation.

4. Establishment of logistics routes in the Western direction.

5. Transition from export of raw materials to processing in those industries that give the largest export revenue.

6. Development of the domestic military-industrial complex.

7. Self-sufficiency in energy will be achieved by increasing its own gas production and developing nuclear energy.

8. Climate modernisation.

9. Localisation not less than 60%.

In Ukraine, more than 3.4 thousand kindergartens resumed their work. 1.8 thousand displaced children also went to kindergartens,the Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Serhii Shkarlet has said . Some preschools are using distance learning.

Restoration of infrastructure in the occupied territories. In April, DTEK Energy Holding restored electricity supply to more than 522,000 families in the Kyiv, Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions, and opened 19 Customer Service Centres (CSCs).

According to the Kyiv City Military Administration in Telegram, the capital of Ukraine is provided with food, basic necessities and medicines - stocks are stored in different places so that the occupiers do not destroy them with one or more blows.

6. International support and assistance to Ukraine.

Political support for Ukraine. The Americans strongly support Ukraine, and a large bipartisan majority supports the strengthening of sanctions against russia, as well as military and humanitarian aid to our country. Washington Post-ABC has informed.

Overall, 73% of those polled say the United States is either doing enough or too little to support Ukraine. At the same time, 72% do not support direct US military action against russian forces, while 21% of respondents support this idea. Even among those who say the United States is doing too little to support Ukraine, 57 percent oppose outright military action.

Humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The Czech city of Brno will hand over 2 Tatra T3 trams and 6 Skoda 14Tr trolleybuses to its brother Kharkiv.

7. Statements, provocations and fakes of russian aggressors.

In Telegram, the russian Parliament Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin insulted countries that help Ukraine with weapons and called them war criminals because they allegedly push the world into catastrophe.

The occupiers' Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov said that Adolf Hitler had Jewish blood, and that the most ardent anti-Semites were usually Jews. Israel is outraged by such statements.

8. Political and socio-economic situation in russia, the impact of international sanctions on it.

New sanctions and restrictions against russia. According to German Minister of Foreign Affairs Annalena Baerbock, the country supports the EU oil embargo against russia, according to Zeit.

According to Bloomberg , Hungarian Minister Gergely Gulyas said that Budapest would veto any European proposal that would limit the import of energy from russia.

The European Commission can make an exception and release Hungary and Slovakia from the embargo on the purchase of russian oil. Two EU officials told this Reuters on Monday.

The European Commission is expected to complete work on the next, sixth, package of EU sanctions against russia for its actions in Ukraine on Tuesday, which will include a ban on buying russian oil.

Thanks to the capacity of the Gdansk refinery, Poland is ready to help Germany give up russian oil.

The Dutch docks have refused to unload a tanker carrying russian diesel fuel - it is currently standing near Amsterdam.

New Zealand has imposed additional sanctions against russian politicians and defence agencies that support Putin's actions in Ukraine.

The negative impact of sanctions on the russian economy. Gazprom's daily gas sales to key foreign markets fell to its lowest level in three months in April. Bloomberg has informed about this.

According to the agency, Gazprom supplied an average of 387 million cubic meters of gas a day in April to countries outside the former Soviet Union, which is 22% less than in March.

Finnish design company Fennovoima has announced that it has terminated the agreement for the construction of the Hanhikivi-1 nuclear power plant with Rosatom. The Finnish Ministry of Employment and Economic Affairs called the company's decision justified and consistent.

***

The Open Policy Foundation (hereinafter - the Foundation, http://openpolicy.org.ua ) is a well-known public organisation that conducts analytical research and information campaigns, in particular on Ukrainian and foreign policy, protection of the rights of young people from the temporarily occupied territories to receive higher education in Ukraine.

With the beginning of the russian aggression, the Foundation's experts, together with other leading Ukrainian analysts, have joined a team to implement the Information Defence of Ukraine project. Experts of the project prepare daily reviews of the military-political situation in Ukraine in Ukrainian, English, and Russian, the first review was released on February 26th, moderate the telegram channel Information Defence of Ukraine, https://t.me/info_defense_ua .

For three months now, we have been working on a volunteer basis, free of charge in the conditions of hostilities, sometimes under the sounds of air attack sirens.

If you like our reviews and want to continue to receive a quality analytical product that describes the objective picture of the Ukrainian-russian war, we ask you to provide charitable assistance to our team.

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Experts urge effective problem-solving mode in China-U.S. ties

Xinhua) 16:41, May 01, 2022

WASHINGTON, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Some U.S. experts have attributed the tense China-U.S. relationship to Washington, and urged it to take real actions to change the current stalemate between the two countries.

The United States has been trying to contain China's development as part of its tactics to maintain its global hegemony, they said.

"Americans would fall into a state of despair if they no longer believed that their exceptional and indispensable nation exists as an ideal for humanity," said Peter Isackson, Fair Observer's chief strategy officer.

With so many serious and worsening problems undermining the American consensus, the cultivation of a shared enemy may be the necessary key to maintaining that order, Isackson explained in an opinion piece on an independent news website.

Andrew Latham, professor of international relations at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota, said the U.S. foreign policy under President Joe Biden is "an incoherent mess."

The policy swings wildly, even chaotically, between three incompatible geopolitical visions, namely to contain China, to defend the global liberal order and to remain restrained, Latham said in an article on The Hill.

To solve the problem, the United States should choose one vision, which the author believed should be the vision of Restraint -- "a strategic vision grounded in a clear-eyed sense of both American national interests and the objective realities of today's international order."

Some observers have suggested creating a "problem-solving approach" to improving China-U.S. relations, calling on the U.S. side to settle one small problem after another in coordination with China.

"There is no doubt the U.S.-China relationship will remain competitive going forward," according to an article co-authored by Paul Haenle, the Maurice R. Greenberg Director's chair at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and research assistant Sam Bresnick.

However, preventing bilateral ties from becoming even more hostile and adversarial should constitute a common aim for both countries, read the article published earlier this year.

"Perhaps the United States and China should devote more energy toward trying to create a problem-solving approach for addressing more pointed irritants, such as limits on journalist visas and consulate closures," it said.

By committing to this pragmatic approach, the United States and China may be able to find a way to lay the foundation for taking on the larger structural issues in areas, like trade and technology, which will be key to determining the future health and welfare of the U.S.-China relationship over the long term, the article said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
Egypts parliament  the House of Representatives  gave final approval on Monday to a legislative amendment allocating an additional EGP 6 billion to the FY 2021/22 budget.
U.S. first lady Jill Biden made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine on Sunday, holding a surprise Mother's Day meeting with the nation's first lady, Olena Zelenskyy, as Russia presses its punishing war in the eastern regions.
Pope Tawadros II, the pope of Alexandria and the head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, has greeted Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayyeb on the occasion of Eid El-Fitr.

In a phone call on Saturday, the pontiff wished El-Tayyeb and Muslims all the best on this occasion.

For his part, El-Tayyeb thanked the pope for the gesture, wishing Egypt further progress and stability.

The three-day Islamic holiday Eid El-Fitr will start in Egypt on Monday 2 May, Dar Al-Iftaa  the main authority responsible for issuing religious edicts in Egypt  has announced as Shawwal moon was not sighted.

Muslims will be able to perform Eid El-Fitr prayers of the Islamic year 1443 in the early morning on Monday at 5:36am in Cairo, according to astronomical calculations, with slight differences in time in other governorates.

Head of the Evangelical community in Egypt Andrea Zaki visited El-Tayyeb on Thursday to greet him on the occasion of Eid El-Fitr.

Zaki, who was accompanied by a delegation of Evangelical leaders, extended greetings to all Muslims in Egypt and around the world on the occasion of Eid, wishing Egypt continued progress and prosperity.

He praised the recent stances by the grand imam of Al-Azhar, the world's leading Sunni Islamic institute, on the relationship between Muslims and Christians in the country, describing them as "healing in the homeland and authentic positions that contribute to safeguarding peace and common existence in society."

Zaki also expressed his pride in his relationship with the grand imam, describing him as not just an imam for Muslims, but an imam for all Egyptians.

El-Tayyeb, for his part, said that he greatly appreciates the greetings of the Evangelical community, which he said is always at the forefront of well-wishers on all occasions.

Eid El-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, is one of two major religious holidays in Islam, along with Eid Al-Adha.

Egypt's cabinet has designated the period between 30 April and 5 May a paid holiday for public employees, extending from Labour Day, which falls on 1 May, to the end of Eid El-Fitr holidays.

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Egypts celebration of Labour Day is an opportunity to highlight the progress made by loyal Egyptian workers in building the new republic, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said in a recorded speech aired Sunday on the holiday, which is observed worldwide on 1 May.

The new republic term has been mentioned repeatedly by the president since it was introduced for the first time in March last year with the inauguration of the New Administrative Capital (NAC). El-Sisi said that the relocation of the governments headquarters to the mega-city will be a declaration of a new republic.

[Labour Day] is also an occasion for us to foresee the future of our children together with a new spirit full of hope and to work together, as with work nations are built and civilisations are established, El-Sisi said.

El-Sisi congratulated male and female workers as well as the Arab and Islamic nations on the occasions of the three-day Eid Al-Fitr, which starts this year on Monday.

During his speech, El-Sisi hailed the Egyptian workers as the nation builders, hope givers and makers of the future of the coming generations, vowing to support their rights and stand by their side.

You are the solid foundation of this society, its main means of survival and continuity, and its driving force towards growth and prosperity, he added in his speech.

The state is aiming toward an important phase of work and production to reach new horizons for the future of the dear nation, El-Sisi said, affirming that this requires Egyptian workers to continue the right path that we have started.

Withstanding global crises

The president shed light on the situation of Egyptian workers during global crises, including coronavirus and the latest international developments that have a direct impact on global economic growth, referring to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Egypt is part of the world and is affected by what [the world] is affected by, the president said.

The state, therefore has taken preventive measures that aim at protecting the Egyptian economic system from disruption in light of the recent global developments, El-Sisi affirmed.

The successive achievements and mega projects that have been established in Egypt during the past seven years have become a major reason for withstanding challenges and crises, the president said.

He added that all the states national projects without exception aim first and foremost at improving the quality of life and achieving a decent life for Egyptian people.

In wake of the coronavirus, Egypt has also attached great importance to digital transformation of all the states services and sectors, the president said.

He noted that in-person work has been significantly harmed by the repercussions of the pandemic.

Millions of workers in the world have lost their jobs and new types of work have emerged that depend entirely on modern technology; the winner during that period was the one who made the best use of modern digital developments and kept pace with their speed, the president stated.

El-Sisi highlighted the states initiative to provide support and required social protection to the neediest during the pandemic, including by economically empowering and providing cash grants to irregular workers. This is in addition to securing job opportunities for them and working to integrate them into the formal work sector.

The wages of regular workers in distressed companies have also been paid through the workers emergency fund, El-Sisi said.

Also, the state has provided support to businesses amid the pandemic by issuing a package of exemptions and monetary benefits to ease the burden on their shoulders, he added.

These measures were praised by international organisations and bodies, which considered Egypts response to be a model internationally, the president said.

We all overcame this crisis in a stronger and more solid manner, El-Sisi stressed.

Curbing unemployment, raising wages

The state has intensified its efforts to curb unemployment, including by expanding the implementation of national mega projects, establishing the Egyptian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), and designing rehabilitation and training programs for job seekers, the president said.

To ensure that this is achieved, I instructed the government to quickly complete the national strategy for employment, which aims at securing new job opportunities for youth and ensuring an increase in jobs in line with the economic growth, El-Sisi said.

The president explained that this strategy will cope with the new reality of the labour market, keep pace with sudden economic changes and modern technological transformations, and effectively address future jobs.

El-Sisi also spoke about the states keenness to raise the minimum wages of workers at state institutions as well as in the private sector.

The National Council for Wages has reached a consensus on setting the minimum wage for workers in the private sector for the first time in Egypt in many years, El-Sisi noted.

In January, El-Sisi ordered raising the minimum monthly wage for public sector employees from EGP 2,400 to EGP 2,700 in the state budget for the fiscal year 2022/23.

The National Council for Wages also announced in December that Egypt would mandate a minimum monthly wage of EGP 2,400 for the private sector with a monthly bonus worth three percent of the employees insurance.

Women empowerment

Concerning women empowerment, the state has carried out many reforms related to working women, El-Sisi said, adding that he has urged the government to set a supportive framework to empower women in the labour market, support them to join future jobs and protect them in their workplace.

It has been clear that empowering women economically and enhancing their participation in the labour market helps accelerate the country's economic growth, contributes to increasing national income and doubles development rates, El-Sisi said.

Egypt has taken several steps over the past several years to boost women empowerment in all fields, including economically. The unemployment rate among women decreased from to 17.7 percent from 24 percent in 2020, Chairwoman for the National Council for Women (NCW) Maya Morsy said in October.

The state has also worked to ensure womens access to various positions and increase their representation in official bodies, including parliamentary chambers, the judiciary and municipalities.

Since 2014, the representation of women in parliament has increased to 28 percent, in the Senate to 14 percent, in ministerial posts to 25 percent and in diplomatic posts to 56 percent, Morsy said in a speech before the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) in Geneva.

Egypt has also adopted a series of procedures and policies to protect women against violence. The countrys constitution has included more than 20 articles regulating the issues of citizenship, equality and criminalising violence and non-discrimination, Morsy said.

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Egyptian authorities succeeded in releasing 20 Egyptian sailors who were held in Yemen over the past several days reportedly over charges of trespassing into Yemeni territorial waters without a permit.

The authorities confirmed that the sailors are all in good condition and receiving the necessary care, adding that preparations are ongoing to ensure their safe return home.

The step comes in line with the presidents directives to all the bodies concerned to provide support to Egyptian citizens inside and outside the country.

A boat carrying 20 Egyptian sailors started a fishing trip from the Egyptian Red Sea Port of Berenice on 18 March, however, their families lost touch with them 10 days later, when they were arrested by Houthis for trespassing into Yemeni territorial waters.

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Denmark on Monday reopened its embassy in Kyiv, Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod announced during a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital.

Related Denmark says ready to send 800 NATO troops to Baltic states

"It is a very strong symbol of Danish support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people that today we are reopening the doors of the Danish embassy," Kofod said in a statement.

The move, which follows similar ones by other Western nations, had not been made public in advance.

Denmark closed the embassy following the Russian invasion of its pro-Western neighbor.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen visited Kyiv on April 21, together with her Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez.

During her visit, Frederiksen announced an additional 600 million Danish kroner ($85 million, 81 million euros) in military aid to Ukraine, bringing Denmark's total military aid to one billion kroner.

Denmark is the first of the Nordic countries to reopen its embassy in Ukraine.

It will initially operate with limited staffing before gradually returning to normal levels, the foreign ministry said.

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European Union ministers met Monday to respond to Russia cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria -- and discuss plans for a possible oil embargo to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine.

The energy ministers from the 27 member states were coordinating efforts to counter what Brussels has branded the Kremlin's bid to "blackmail" the West with threatened energy shortages.

The EU is also working on a phased ban on Russian oil imports, hoping to cut off funding for its war effort and assert energy independence from Moscow.

"We will support full sanctions on all Russian fossil fuels. We already have coal -- now it's time for oil," said Anna Moskwa, Poland's environment minister.

But Poland is among the more hawkish member states. Others, such as Germany, are wary of the economic hurt a wider ban on Russian energy would bring.

So no decision on an oil embargo was expected Monday. Diplomats and European Commission experts are still working towards a proposal for an eventual sixth sanctions package.

Instead, the ministers discussed technical ways to wean their economies off Russian energy supplies.

They also looked at how to support countries that have provoked the Kremlin's wrath, such as Bulgaria and Poland, whose gas deliveries were halted last week.

France's ecological transition minister Barbara Pompili, whose country holds the EU presidency, said she had called the emergency meeting to "ensure our solidarity with our colleagues from Bulgaria and Poland."

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has demanded "unfriendly countries" -- which includes all EU states -- pay for their gas in rubles, which Warsaw and Sofia refused.

Doing so would involve western clients depositing in euros or dollars in a bank run by Russian state energy giant Gazprom, to be converted into rubles and moved to a second Gazprombank account.

The European Commission says that could breach EU sanctions on Russia. But Germany and Austria have been cautious about rejecting the Kremlin's payment terms.

"We appeal to countries not to support Putin's decree, not to support the initiative to pay in rubles," Moskwa said.

Face Saver?

Germany's minister for economic affairs and climate Robert Habeck said Berlin would follow EU policy even if it imposed costs on its economy.

But he also suggested the dual Gazprombank accounts plan could be "a face-saving solution for Putin".

France's Pompili said: "We will continue to pay in euros the contracts which were stipulated in euros, or in dollars those which were stipulated in dollars."

The European commissioner for energy, Kadri Simson, said Russia's decision to cut off the two EU members showed that Moscow was not a "reliable supplier".

She denied Russian reports that some EU countries have agreed to make ruble payments.

On Sunday, sources told AFP the EU will propose, perhaps as early as this week, a phased-out ban on imports of Russian oil -- but not gas -- in a fresh round of sanctions against Russia.

Several diplomats said the ban on oil was made possible after a U-turn by reluctant Germany.

The commission will propose a tapered ban over six to eight months, to give countries time to diversify their supply, the sources said.

The ban requires unanimous backing and could yet be derailed, with Hungary expected to mount strong opposition as it is dependent on Russian oil and close to the Kremlin.

Other countries are worried that a ban on oil would increase prices at the pump when consumer prices are already sharply on the rise because of the war.

"We must be very attentive to market reactions," one official told AFP on condition of anonymity. "There are solutions and we will get there in the end, but we must act with great care."

The sixth package of anti-Russian measures will also target the country's largest bank, Sberbank, which will be excluded from the international SWIFT messaging system, the diplomats said.

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Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi attended on Monday a celebration of Eid El-Fitr with the families of Egyptian Armed Forces and police personnel killed or injured in the countrys battle against terrorism.

The celebration was held at the Al-Manara International Conference Centre in Cairo after the president performed Eid El-Fitr prayers at Mosheer Tantawy Mosque.

During the event, the president participated in activitiesin a playground with the children of fallen officers, posing for a group photo and handing out sweets to the children.

The president also honoured a number of the families of army, police, andmedical personnel killed in the line of duty.

The event included an operetta performed by a number of artists as well as a performance by Nasheed artist Mishary Rashed, who chanted a number of Islamic songs dedicated to Egypt and its Islamic history.

El-Ekhteyar, Aedoon TV series

President El-Sisi thanked the cast of the TV series The Choice (El-Ekhteyar) and The Returnees (Aedoon), who attended the celebration.

Both TV series, which aired during the month of Ramadan, tell the story of the Egyptian state's efforts in combating terrorism before, during, and after the 30 June 2013 Revolution that ousted Muslim Brotherhood President Mohamed Morsi from power.

El-Sisi said that the two series portrayed "the heroics of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the sake of Egypt."

El-Sisi said that the events of El-Ekhteyar are factual and had to be told for posterity and so that the children of fallen servicemen can take pride in the actions of their parents.

"We were keen that no clashes would occur," he stressed, adding, "We did not assault [anyone] or exercise tyranny, even at the time when the 2013 statement was delivered," the president said, referring to repeated calls he made at the time for then-president Morsi to bow to popular will opposed to his rule and instruct his followers to abstain from using violence.

The words ousting of the president or terrorist group were never uttered during the [3 July] statement, El-Sisi said, referring to Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.

On 3 July 2013, as Egypt was engulfed by mass anti-Brotherhood demonstrations, then-defence minister El-Sisi  in agreement with the country's top political and religious leaders  announced in a televised statement to the nation the suspension of the constitution and the appointment of the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court as interim president pending new presidential elections.

The government then designated the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation in September 2013 following a slew of terror attacks by Morsi supporters against security forces and churches.

In the years immediately following the 30 June Revolution, hundreds of Egyptian army and police officers lost their lives or were injured in the battle against terrorist groups.

El-Sisi told the families of the fallen: "Do not ever believe that your sons and husbands fell victims in a battle for tyranny."

The president said that over the past seven years he had only referred to the [Muslim Brotherhood] as the "people of evil" in order to give them a chance to back down.

Brotherhood's threats

President El-Sisi revealed to the families of the fallen servicemen that the Egyptian army had received three direct threats from the Muslim Brotherhood group before June 2013.

One such threat was to late Field Marshal Hussein Tantawy, who, according to El-Sisi, was warned that the group would set the country ablaze if their candidate Morsi did not win the 2012 presidential election.

El-Sisi also cited another threat made by Khairat El-Shater the then-deputy supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, who is now jailed in multiple terror-related cases  that the group could set the headquarters of the National Security Agency on fire.

El-Sisi added that said El-Shater had also threatened him on a different occasion that the group would carry out acts of sabotage in the country.

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Archaeological museums all over Egypt celebrated Labour Day and the advent of Eid El-Fitr by organising special exhibitions in their foyers featuring collections of various artefacts depicting Egyptian celebrations across history.

These artefacts, which will be exhibited throughout the month of May, were selected based on the votes antiquities lovers worldwide on the official Facebook page of each museum.

The Museum of Islamic Art put on display a copper jar embellished with silver and gold, while the Jewellery Museum in Alexandria has an office set from king Farouks collection carved in lapis lazuli, showing a feather with a gold end, a stamp carved with the signature of the king, and a letter opener with a knife made of silver.

Furthermore, the Police Museum at the citadel is exhibiting a turtle shaped shield from the Islamic era and the Hall Three Museum of the Cairo International Airport is displaying a 3D model of a Middle Kingdom tomb at El-Assassif necropolis in Luxor depicting seven people brewing beers, baking bread, and cooking meat.

Additionally, the Suez and Ismailia National Museums have a collection of limestone Roman medical tools and a wooden model of a wheat gallery from the Middle Kingdom showing three people storing wheat in a silo and a scribe documenting the quantity of wheat stored.

The National Museum of Alexandria is exhibiting a pencil case embellished with silver and gold; the Tel Basta Museum is showing an agate bracelet with amulets; the KomOshim Museum in Fayoum has a wooden model of a boat with its full staff; and the Luxor Museum is displaying a collection of construction instruments.

Also, the Coptic Museum in Old Cairo is exhibiting a wooden engraving showing a group of women playing music along with a group of children performing acrobats as part of a feast.

The Farouk Corner Museum in Maadi is exhibiting a photo of king Farouks wedding with queen Nariman; and the Royal Carriage Museum in Bulaq is displaying the alay carriage that was used during official ceremonies to transport VIPs.

Furthermore, the Gayer Anderson Museum is showing a drum and a tambourine made of wood and ivory, while Hall Two Museum of Cairo International Airport Museum is exhibiting a Coptic Orthodox Christian manuscript for praises.

Meanwhile, the Tanta and New Valley Museums has symbolic wheat mummies from the Greaco-Roman era in the shape of Osiris and a faience pot decorated with foliage motive and the goddess Hathor on display.

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Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Poland Andrzej Duda.

Dear Mr. President,

I convey my most cordial congratulations coupled with the best wishes to you and through you, to your entire people on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of the National Holiday of the Republic of Poland  the Constitution Day.

It is gratifying to see todays level of traditional friendly and cooperative relations between Azerbaijan and Poland. Our constantly broadening political, economic and humanitarian ties, high level mutual visits and our productive cooperation in various areas mirror truly the nature of our relations.

I believe that active and mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries both bilaterally and within the European Union will successfully continue by our joint efforts.

On this festive day, I wish you strong health, happiness, and everlasting peace and prosperity to the friendly people of Poland.

Sincerely,

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 29 April 2022




Spain said Monday that the mobile phones of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Defence Minister Margarita Robles were tapped using Pegasus spyware in an "illicit and external" intervention.

Their phones were infected last year by software owned by the Israeli-based firm NSO, which is the target of numerous investigations worldwide, according to a senior official.

"It is not a supposition, they are facts of enormous gravity," said the minister of the presidency, Felix Bolanos.

"We are absolutely certain that it was an external attack... because in Spain, in a democracy like ours, all such interventions are carried out by official bodies and with judicial authorization," he said.

"In this case, neither of the two circumstances prevailed, which is why we have no doubt that it was an external intervention. We want the judiciary to investigate," Bolanos said.

He did not say whether the Spanish authorities had any indication yet where the attack originated from or whether another country was behind it.

Bolanos said that Sanchez's phone had been tapped in May 2021 and Robles' in June of the same year.

"A determined amount of data" was extracted from both phones, he added.

"There is no evidence that there was another tapping after those dates."

Official Phones Targeted

The El Pais newspaper said the hackers extracted 2.6 gigabytes of information from Sanchez's phone and nine megabytes from Robles's phone, but the government still does not know "the nature of the stolen information and the degree of sensitivity."

The attack targeted their work phones provided by the state, not their private phones.

Bolanos said experts were checking whether other members of the Spanish government were targets of spying involving Pegasus.

He said the government on Monday filed a complaint with a Spanish high court tasked with significant national and international cases, which have included terrorism in the past, in order to bring the full facts to light.

Pegasus spyware infiltrates mobile phones to extract data or activates a camera or microphone to spy on their owners.

The Israel-based NSO Group, which owns Pegasus, claims the software is only sold to government agencies to target criminals and terrorists, with the green light of Israeli authorities.

The company has been criticized by global rights groups for violating users' privacy around the world and it faces lawsuits from major tech firms such as Apple and Microsoft.

Amnesty International, the London-based human rights group, said the software has been used to hack up to 50,000 mobile phones worldwide.

Catalan separatists have accused Spain's intelligence services of using spyware to snoop on their mobile phones, reviving tensions with Sanchez's minority leftist government, which relies on their support to pass legislation.

Canada's Citizen Lab group said last month that at least 65 people linked to the Catalan separatist movement had been targets of Pegasus spyware in the wake of a failed independence bid in 2017.

Elected officials, including current and former Catalan regional leaders, were among those targeted by the controversial spyware.

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The sirah (life story) of a person outlives them, goes the Egyptian proverb that highlights the importance of the legacy one leaves behind.

This proverb captures the essence and great importance of sagas and epics in the Middle East and Egypt and might explain the survival of such traditional art for centuries.

Sirah of Bani Helal and El-Warsha Troupe

April witnessed an exceptional performance at the premises of the El-Warsha Theatre Troupe in Downtown Cairo, where for four successive days, the Sirah of Bani Helal was recited and hand painted live.

This is a fresh approach to the revival of the legendry oral rhymed saga that recounts the migration of Bani Helal Bedouin tribe from the Arabian Peninsula to North Africa in the 10th century.

Listed by Egypt in 2008 on UNESCOs representative list of intangible cultural heritage, the Sirah of Bani Helal has always been a hit in the story-telling repertoire of El-Warsha Troupe.

Since it was founded in 1987 by director Hassan El-Geretly, the independent theatre troupe has been focusing on reviving classic gems from folk heritage, including story-telling, sirah recitation, stick arts, folk singing, and classic musicals.

El-Warsha collaborated with the last and late sirah poet Said El-Daw, whom they learnt the authentic technique of sirah reciting from.

Ghazl El-Aamar (Weaving Lives) was one of the music plays that followed the Bani Helal saga after their downfall. It tells the tale of the return of Abu Zeid Al-Helali to his origins in Mecca, and his lamenting of the passing of his days of glory until he dies out of thirst, explained El-Geretly as he introduced the performance, which included a live sketching of the events as they were being told onstage.

5,800 pages of illustrated sirah

Stationed in the background of the theatre, young Egyptian illustrator Mohamed Wahba was the artist sketching the scenes from the Sirah of Bani Helal throughout the performance.

This talented artist first fell in love with sirah after he studied the basics of the art of comics under the tutelage of one of Egypts renowned artists in this field  Hani El-Masry.

For six years, I learned from him Japanese and French comic techniques. But most importantly, learned to look around and create illustrations that reflected our own identity, Wahba said.

The search for the Egyptian identity piqued my interest in studying intangible heritage texts; I started out by reading several versions of Arabian Nights.

It got me more acquainted with the art of storytelling, as it was one of the core art scenes of the moulids (Carnivals of faith) in Sharqiya, where I grew up, he added.

Researching the Sirah of Bani Helal made me realize that my own familys roots extend back to one of the four tribes of Bani Helal  the only one that settled in Sharqiya, he noted.

After concluding his artistic residency in France in 2020 and collaborating with El-Warsha Troupe, Wahba began his long-term art project to illustrate the Sirah of Bani Helal.

So far, I have illustrated 5,800 pages of the sirah that is based on true events of the migration of this tribe to Egypt during the Fatimid era.

One out of 10 more sirahs

Out of 10 sirahs, that of Bani Helal remains the most popular and the one that stood the test of time, explained Abdel-Rahim El-Hegrawi  a heritage researcher whose upcoming book and PhD thesis traces back the origins of sirahs and how they were dramatically adapted from storytelling to theatre, television, and radio art forms in Egypt between 1967 to 2011.

Among the first sirahs was that of Fayrouz Shah, which was created during the Umayyad caliphate and illustrated the conflict between the Arabs and the Persians, focusing more on the Persian side of the story, he said, adding that in reaction to Fairouz Shahs sirah, Arabs drafted the Sirah of Hamza Al-Bahlawan, which covered the victories of the Arabs over the Persians.

And so, one sirah led to another until 10 sirahs were created, including Zat Al Hemma, Seif Ibn Zi Yazan, El-Zaher Beibars, Al-Zeir Salem, and Ali Al-Zeibaa.

The oldest sirah is that of Antara Ibn Shaddad, which was written in the fourth century of the Hijri calendar during the Fatimid era. However, the Sirah of Bani Helal was still the most popular, and hence the most represented in Egyptian theatre, El-Hegrawi explained.

Between the year 1847 and 2022, 122 plays were written on the Sirah of Bani Helal in Egypt, he added, noting that this popularity relates to the fact that it was the longest and among the few sirahs that were recited and dramatised and broadcasted on national radio back in the day.

During the 18th century in Egypt, there were specific local coffee houses that would feature specific sirahs he said.

Is it based on True events?

Sirah by definition means that it is a long fictional folk story that is a result of the collective imagination of the masses and is divided into epics. Such a lengthy story unfolds the string of triumphs and defeats of renowned protagonists whose narratives can change from one country to another, yet their portrayals as extraordinary individuals remains a constant, However, such fiction could be inspired by true events or real life characters, for instance, the character of Barakat was mentioned in the writings of Ibn Khaldoun  the father of sociology, El-Hegrawi explained.

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Over the weekend, the Egyptian embassy in Washington hosted an Iftar to mark the centenary of Egyptian-American relations. In a set of speeches delivered by Egyptian and American officials, current and former, the strategic nature of relations between the two countries was thoroughly underlined in a way that seemed to sideline the concern shared in the diplomatic quarters over the current level of disagreements between Cairo and Washington.

According to an Egyptian diplomatic source, this is for a reason. He argued that the core of disagreement today in the relations between Egypt and the US relates essentially to the issue of Egypts internal political affairs  what they call human rights and what [Cairo] considers strict internal affairs.

In a meeting between Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and his American counterpart Anthony Blinken in Washington a little more than a week prior to the celebration of the centenary of Egyptian-American relations, this issue was very much on the table, according to Cairo-based foreign diplomats.

In a tweet, Blinken marked 100 years of strategic relations between Egypt and the US. The US secretary of state also 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.

Egyptian official sources agree. They also agree that there were views and concerns that the foreign minister of Egypt heard from his American counterpart and also from members of the Congress and think-tankers that he met with during his three-day visit to Washington. However, they add that it would be misleading to suggest that the talks were exclusively or even mostly focused on this file.

The sources argued that the regional developments, especially on the Palestinian-Israeli front, Libya and Syria were paramount. In over 100 years of bilateral relations, the regional issues were always far more significant and consequential than anything else; this is nature of these relations, the same Egyptian diplomat said.

On 28 April, to mark the centennial of diplomatic ties between Cairo and Washington on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken gifted his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry with two letters marking the start of relations between the two countries in the 1920s.

Prior to this, on 14 April, while Shoukry was in the US capital for diplomatic talks, Blinken had already gifted Shoukry with a copy of both letters.

The website of the US State Department also marked the centenary. The United States established diplomatic relations with Egypt in 1922, following Egypts independence from its protectorate status under the United Kingdom, it wrote. The United States and Egypt share a strong partnership based on mutual interests in Middle East peace and stability, economic opportunity, and regional security, it added.

Throughout this century of relations there was only one time when Egypt severed diplomatic ties with the US. In 1967, to reprimand the overt American bias towards Israeli aggression on Egypt, Gamal Abdel-Nasser decided to cut diplomatic relations with the US.

This dramatic shift marked a contrast with Nassers earlier attempts at rapprochement with Washington during the early years of the Free Officers rule of Egypt starting in 1952.

In a previous interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Abdel-Raouf El-Ridi, one of Egypts longest serving ambassadors in Washington, said that it was never true that Nasser was always trying to pick a fight with the US. The US, he said, was just too biased to Israel.

However, only a few months after the October Crossing in 1973, Anwar Sadat launched a new phase of Egyptian American relations with an exceptional welcome to the historic visit of US President Richard Nixon to Egypt in 1974.

The political career of Republican President Nixon was shortly undercut after the visit due to the Watergate scandal following the release of the Pentagon Papers. Sadat carried through his plan of establishing what is now called the strategic relationship with the US in a close dialogue that he established with Democratic US President Jimmy Carter who was elected to office right after the presidency of Gerald Ford, who had taken over from Nixon.

Upon the signing of the Camp David Accords, between Egypt and Israel with US mediation, Egypt became a recipient of generous economic and military assistance.

According to the US State Department website, since 1978, the United States has provided Egypt with over $50 billion in military and $30 billion in economic assistance. US assistance to Egypt has played a central role in Egypts economic and military development and in furthering the US-Egypt strategic partnership and regional stability, the US State Department website wrote.

According to several Egyptian diplomats who spoke on several occasions over the past 30 years, Egypts role in promoting regional stability was always key to the Egyptian-American relations in a way that was more significant than any disagreements on human rights.

In the late 1990s, upon his posting as the ambassador of Egypt to the US in the late 1990s, in an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Nabil Fahmy, later the foreign minister of Egypt in 2013, said that Egyptian-American relations should be conducted away from the agreements or disagreements over Egyptian-Israeli relations.

According to a retired Egyptian diplomat who had served in Washington twice during the second administration of Democratic US President Bill Clinton and the second administration of Republican US President George W Bush, it was only around the time of Bushs second administration that the issue of human rights and freedoms in Egypt became central to the bilateral relations. At the time, he argued, the US, traumatized by the 9/11 attacks, decided that the way out of terrorism was to fast-track democracy in all Muslim majority countries, including the Arab countries.

However, according to several diplomats who served in Washington over the past three decades, Middle East peace remained and will always remain much more consequential to Egyptian-American relations than anything related to democracy or human rights. This, they said, is a cross-partisan practice.

They agreed that it might have been more explicit with someone like former Republican US President Donald Trump. However, they insisted that it was always the case with other US presidents.

They noted that in the spring of last year, Democratic US President Joe Biden had two consecutive phone calls with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi over a few days when Egypt was mediating a ceasefire to put an end to the Israeli aggression on Gaza. The phone call came at a time when the disagreements on human rights and democracy practices in Egypt were still unresolved, following an election cycle in the US where Biden had made an issue of referring to the human rights situation in Egypt.

Today, Egyptian government officials insist that notwithstanding the fact that other regional players have become involved in promoting Arab-Israeli peace, Egypt remains a quintessential player in this respect.

According to one official, during most of his years as Palestinian president since 2004, Mahmoud Abbas would tell US interlocutors who made unreasonable offers on a possible deal with Israel, if Egypt would agree to this, then I would agree to it.

Egypt and the Palestinian presidency, he added, might not always see eye-to-eye today, but at the end of the day it is very clear for Washington that Egypts support is a must for any possible Palestinian-Israeli deal.

This diplomat agreed, however, that the effective suspension of Palestinian-Israeli talks had contributed to the current sense of distance in relations between Egypt and the US.

Still, he added, the US is very keen to engage Egypt on many other regional files, including stability in Libya, the war against terror especially in Sinai on the borders with Gaza and Israel, the promotion of energy cooperation around the Mediterranean and the situation in Sudan, East Africa and Sahel and Sahara zones.

Today, government sources insist that the US is still providing considerable support to Egypt on many fronts, including Egypts water security and economic stability. They refer to the role that the US ambassador in the Democratic Republic of Congo played last year during DRCs presidency of the African Union pushing the three-way talks of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

According to a New York-based diplomat, the US supported Egypt twice in its request to hold two UN Security Council sessions on the GERD.

According to Egyptian diplomats, in talks with the top Egyptian officials, US officials have underlined their support for Egypts water security.

Government sources also refer to the current support that the US is giving Egypt for its demand for a fresh loan from the IMF to help overcome economic difficulties coming as a result of long economic slowdown due to the pandemic and the war on Ukraine.

These sources say that there were always be a room for disagreements between Egypt and the US be it on governance, Israel or other foreign relations issues like Egypts decision not to denounce Russias war in Ukraine. However, they add, that what is at stake is a lot more significant. What is at stake, they say, is the stability of one of the most consequential countries in the Middle East/Mediterranean regions and the stability of these regions and that of East Africa.
























One in five homes bought in Gyeonggi Province last year were bought by a Seoul resident as property prices in the capital went through the roof.

The Korea Real Estate Board said 19 percent of 173,002 apartments that were sold in Gyeonggi Province from January to November last year were purchased by Seoul residents, up from 15.8 percent on-year.

The same is true in Incheon with 12.7 percent of 45,070 apartments sold in the western port city purchased by Seoul residents, up from 8.5 percent over the same period.


Beijing residents will need clear COVID tests to enter public spaces, officials said Saturday, announcing fresh virus controls at the start of a Labor Day holiday muted by creeping infections in the capital.

The five-day break is typically one of China's busiest travel periods, but the country's worst COVID resurgence since early in the pandemic is expected to keep people home.

Faced with the highly transmissible omicron variant, Chinese officials have doubled down on their zero-COVID policy, quashing virus clusters through mass testing and lockdowns.

Despite mounting economic costs and public frustration, the capital city announced it would further restrict access to public spaces after the holiday period.

Starting May 5, a negative COVID test taken within the past week will be needed to enter "all kinds of public areas and to take public transport," according to a notice on the city's official WeChat page.
China's lockdowns to control the spread of COVID-19 are "cruel" and Taiwan will not follow suit, Premier Su Tseng-chang said on Sunday.

Having controlled the pandemic with tough border controls and quarantines, Taiwan has been dealing with a surge in domestic infections since the start of this year, with some 75,000 infections driven by the omicron variant.

But with more than 99 percent of those having mild or no symptoms, a handful of deaths so far and high vaccination levels, the government has moved to ease restrictions as it seeks normalcy and to gradually reopen the island of 23 million people to the outside world.


Joyce added that aircraft cabins "would be specially designed for maximum comfort in all classes." There would even be "wellness zones" for exercise on board the planes that will also fly from Sydney to New York, a distance of about 16,000 kilometers.

At more than 17,000 kilometers, Sydney to London would be the world's longest commercial flight. The chief executive of Australian airline Qantas, Alan Joyce, described it as "the last frontier" for international travel. The non-stop journey would take about 20 hours.

Australian airline Qantas has announced plans for record-breaking direct flights from its biggest city, Sydney, to London and New York. Experts say the ultra-long-haul flights are one of modern aviations last great challenges.

The ultra-long-haul services are expected to begin in late 2025. Tickets for the long-haul jets are likely be more expensive than current flights, that stopover in cities such as Dubai, Singapore, and Los Angeles.

Professor Greg Bamber from Monash University's Business School said demand for the services is likely to be mixed because of the popularity of video conferencing technology, although other passengers will want to complete their trip as soon as possible.

"There is likely to be, on the one hand, increased demand for this kind of flight given that there are more concerns about infectious diseases, like COVID, about wars, as we have got in Ukraine at the moment. But on the other hand, there may be less demand because people have got used to using Zoom; businesspeople, for example, have been able to have meetings over Zoom for the last couple of years during the pandemic," said Bamber.

Qantas has ordered 12 aircraft from the European manufacturer Airbus in a multi-billion dollar deal to service the new routes. Experts say the announcement is a sign that global air travel is recovering from the pandemic faster than expected.

Qantas started direct flights between Perth and London in 2018. Those services were suspended because of COVID-19 border restrictions in Western Australia and the non-stop flights now operate out of the Australian city of Darwin.
Monday's ministerial meeting in Brussels comes after Russia cut off gas supplies to European Union members Bulgaria and Poland and warned that other so-called unfriendly nations risked the same fate if they didn't pay in rubles. Most EU contracts with Russian supplier Gazprom are in euros and dollars.

A number of European companies face gas payment deadlines to Russia this month. Some are reportedly looking for workarounds. European Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson ruled out any conversion to rubles as violating EU sanctions, even as she called for joint action.

"The decision by Gazprom to suspend gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria marks another turning point in the current crisis," Simson said. "It is an unjustified breach of existing contracts and a warning that any member states could be next. It is also an attempt to divide the EU, to which we respond by reinforcing our unity and solidarity."

The EU is preparing a possible sixth set of sanctions against Moscow in the near future and has called for becoming energy independent from Russian by 2030. Last month, the 27-member bloc approved a coal embargo. This latest sanctions package may include oil.
KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2022 - 20:30 | All, World, Japan

Japanese energy giant Eneos Holdings Inc. said Monday it will exit from a natural gas project in Myanmar due to political turmoil in the Southeast Asian country.

Eneos' subsidiary, JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration Corp., has a 40 percent stake in a Tokyo-based joint company taking part in the project.

The joint firm Nippon Oil Exploration (Myanmar), which owns a 19.3 percent interest in Myanmar's Yetagun gas fields, notified its business partners of the decision on Friday, Eneos said in a statement. The Japanese government is the top shareholder of the joint company with a 50 percent stake, with Mitsubishi Corp. having the remaining 10 percent.

Eneos said JX Nippon Oil & Gas Exploration, which has a stake of 19.3 percent in the project, took into consideration "the country's current situation, including the social issues, and project economics based on the technical evaluation" of the gas fields.

The oil refiner is the latest Japanese company to withdraw from Myanmar following the military coup in February 2021, which overthrew the elected civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

In February this year, Kirin Holdings Co. said it would withdraw from Myanmar's beer market to promptly end a business partnership with a military-linked entity in the country.

According to the statement by Eneos, the withdrawal will be effective after approval from the Myanmar government.

Eneos said the impact of the exit on its earnings is expected to be minimal.

Related coverage:

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KYODO NEWS - May 3, 2022 - 00:25 | World, All

A district court in South Korea has ordered the sale of a patent held by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. for forced wartime labor compensation to a Korean woman, a lawyer for the plaintiff said Monday.

The order, dated April 29, comes on top of a similar ruling by the same court in Daejeon in the central part of the country to two other plaintiffs in September concerning a patent and trademark held by the Japanese manufacturer but seized by the court.

The district court orders were based on a South Korean Supreme Court ruling in 2018 that ordered Mitsubishi Heavy to pay damages to a group of women for their labor during Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

The company has since appealed the court order for the two plaintiffs to the Supreme Court.

In 2018, the top court ordered another Japanese company, Nippon Steel Corp., to compensate Korean plaintiffs over forced labor during the colonial rule. Nippon Steel has appealed a December 2021 court order to sell its assets to pay for damages awarded to the plaintiffs.

Both companies have refused to comply with the ruling, with the Japanese government taking the position that issues of claims stemming from the colonial period have been settled under a bilateral agreement signed alongside the 1965 treaty that normalized ties between the two countries.

Plaintiffs in both cases are taking steps to see the liquidation of the corporate assets they have seized for them. But the Japanese government is considering taking retaliatory measures if the seized assets are sold and cause harm to the Japanese companies.

The wartime labor rulings in the Supreme Court sharply worsened Japan-South Korea ties, which have long been overshadowed by disputes stemming from the colonial rule, including the issue of "comfort women" who were procured for Japan's wartime military brothels.

The incoming South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has indicated the South Korean side understands Japan's worries and that the two countries should seek a solution together.
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a telephone on conversation on May 2.

The presidents congratulated each other on the Ramadan holiday and extended their best wishes to the brotherly peoples of Azerbaijan and Turkiye.

The heads of state expressed their confidence that the friendly and brotherly relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye would continue to develop successfully in all areas, and discussed prospects for bilateral relations.

President Ilham Aliyev invited Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Azerbaijan. The invitation was accepted with gratitude.
KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2022 - 07:12 | All, Japan

Half the respondents in a Kyodo News survey released Monday believe Japan needs to amend the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution to clarify the legal status of the Self-Defense Forces, with the level of support almost unchanged from a year ago despite growing concerns over regional security.

Against a backdrop of increasing calls for an amendment among lawmakers of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and some other parties following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 50 percent said it is necessary to revise Article 9 while 48 percent said it was not.

The figures compared with 51 percent in favor of an amendment and 45 percent against in a similar poll conducted last year.

The survey was conducted between March 1 and April 11 via mail ahead of Constitution Memorial Day on Tuesday, targeting 3,000 people aged 18 or over, of whom 65.3 percent gave valid answers.

Support among lawmakers for revising the article has gained momentum amid concerns over China pressuring Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island that Beijing views as its own, and renewed threats posed by North Korea's recent missile launches. Some security and political experts fear Russia's invasion of Ukraine could embolden China to attack Taiwan.

But the latest poll shows that Moscow's aggression in Ukraine has not contributed to increasing the momentum in favor of revision among the public.

Article 9 of the Constitution renounces war and bans the possession of military forces and other "war potential." Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said during his tenure that it is vital to clarify the SDF's legal status to put an end to arguments that Japanese forces are "unconstitutional."

The government has said the article does not prohibit the country from maintaining its ability to defend itself and thus allows Japan to possess defense forces.

The postwar Constitution, drafted under the U.S.-led Allied occupation of Japan after World War II, has never been revised since it took effect in 1947.

Any proposed revision needs to be approved by a two-thirds majority in both the upper and lower houses before the proposal can be put to a national referendum.

In the survey, 76 percent said that Japan has not waged war since the end of World War II because of Article 9, up 9 percentage points from the poll last year.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida repeated on a TV program that amending the supreme law, including Article 9, based on the LDP's proposal is a task that Japan faces in order to deal with the changing security situation.

However, the survey found that only 29 percent feel that momentum toward revising the article is increasing or somewhat increasing, while 70 percent do not.

Some 76 percent support the amendment of the Constitution to introduce an emergency clause to better respond to the coronavirus pandemic and other disasters while 23 percent oppose such a revision.

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By Keita Nakamura, KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2022 - 10:44 | All, World

With Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine showing up the United Nations as a malfunctioning world body, the time to push anew for drastic reform may have come for Japan and many other nations.

Even minor changes to the system of five permanent Security Council members holding veto power is likely to be difficult due to that very power itself. But experts say the world can make a start by first tackling more realizable goals such as expanding nonpermanent seats on the council and boosting the role of the General Assembly as a forum for expressing international opinion.

Japan, meanwhile, which has long aimed to become a permanent Security Council member, should take advantage of this reform "tailwind" to seek changes that would allow it to hold down a nonpermanent seat, and thus assert its presence in the council's discussions, for longer periods of time, according to the experts.

"Russia is challenging the United Nations by violating its Charter, so now is a very important moment that calls into question its raison d'etre," said Toshiya Hoshino, a professor at the Osaka School of International Public Policy at Osaka University. "U.N. reform might be unrealized forever if we miss this opportunity."

On Feb. 25, Russia vetoed a U.S.-led draft Security Council resolution that would have condemned Moscow's invasion of Ukraine launched the day before. Ten members joined Washington in voting for it, while three nations, including China, abstained. Since then, the organization has been unable to take effective measures.

"Where is the security that the Security Council must guarantee? There is no security, although there is a Security Council, as if nothing happened," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said via video at a Security Council session in early April. The body "simply cannot work effectively," he said.

Discussions on Security Council reforms have taken place many times before, but no proposals have been implemented as they entail amending the U.N. Charter, a process that requires ratification by at least two-thirds of the 15 Security Council nations, including all permanent members.

Yasuhiro Ueki, a professor at the Graduate School of Global Studies at Sophia University, said that it would be extremely hard to introduce any restrictions on the permanent members' veto power.

Even if the number of permanent members is increased instead, this could simply mean that vetoes are cast more frequently, he said, while noting that there would also be the issue of which nations to select to join the existing five with permanent seats.

Indeed, the benefit to Japan of gaining veto power would "not be that big as long as Japan and the United States maintain their solid alliance and close economic ties and share values, because Washington could effectively veto draft resolutions unfavorable to Japan on its behalf," Ueki said.

"The reality is that cutting to the heart of the permanent members problem from the very start will be tough, so the first thing to do is to concentrate on enlarging nonpermanent slots," said Ueki, who had a long career as a U.N. official.

He also proposed extending nonpermanent members' two-year terms to "about three or four years," as well as allowing their immediate re-election, which could pave the way for Japan to "stay as a member of the Security Council as long as possible, and be involved in its discussions as much as possible, as if Japan is always there."

Japan, which is currently not on the Security Council, has held a nonpermanent seat 11 times in total, more than any other nation, and is running for a 12th term in the next 2023-2024 period.

"The current situation will serve as a tailwind for U.N. Security Council reform, and also for Japan," Ueki said.

Hoshino, a former Japanese ambassador to the United Nations, agrees with the need to expand the Security Council's total membership and cites as a precedent an expansion in 1965 when the number of nonpermanent members rose from six to 10 out of the nearly 120 U.N. members at that time.

He said the fact that the world body's membership is now 193 nations, compared with the 51 original members, is a "persuasive reason" itself to include more nonpermanent members on the council.

He also points out the unbalanced composition of the current permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.

"There are no African or Latin American nations, and of course, all of the five nations are nuclear powers. If the composition remains unable to reflect the changing times, it could undermine the legitimacy of the Security Council," Hoshino said.

The experts also highlight the growing importance of the U.N. General Assembly, although its resolutions are nonbinding.

On Feb. 28, the assembly, the main U.N. policy-making organ, held an emergency special session, an unusual measure employed when the Security Council is unable to take action. Two days later, it adopted a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Russian military, backed by 141 members.

Hoshino lauded the move as conveying the consensus view of the international community and "succeeding in sending a strong message that Russia is isolated." He also referred to two other resolutions -- one suspending Russia from the Human Rights Council, and another demanding the humanitarian situation related to the war be improved.

Last Tuesday, in addition, the assembly adopted a resolution to seek accountability from veto-wielding members in the Security Council. The move was initiated by Liechtenstein, which has said over 80 countries signed on as co-sponsors including Britain, France and the United States along with Japan and Germany.

The resolution will "give another new role" to the General Assembly and is "a step forward," Ueki said.

"The most realistic way to call for permanent Security Council members to practice self-restraint (on casting vetos) is strengthening the role of the General Assembly," he said.

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KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2022 - 22:50 | All, Japan

Japan and Thailand signed an agreement Monday enabling the mutual transfer of defense equipment and technology, deepening their bilateral security cooperation amid the growing clout of an assertive China in the Indo-Pacific region.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha also agreed during their summit to work closely in extending humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its neighbors as Russia's invasion since February has sent over 5.5 million people fleeing the war-torn country.

To help Thailand recover from the COVID-19 pandemic fallout, Kishida announced that Japan will extend around 50 billion yen ($385 million) in loans and 500 million yen in grant aid to strengthen the quarantine regime in the Southeast Asian nation, a hub of Japanese corporate activities in the region.

Japan has been deepening ties with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as it seeks to promote its vision of a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region to counter China's growing influence. During the summit, the two leaders agreed to continue coordination to realize that goal.

"The signing of our defense equipment and technology transfer agreement is a major step forward in expanding bilateral defense cooperation," Kishida said in a joint press appearance with Prayut. Japan and Thailand will decide on specific equipment for transfer from now, he added.

Prayut expressed hope that the just-signed pact will "help promote Japanese investment in the Thai defense industry," adding that the two leaders agreed on the need for bilateral relations to be elevated to "comprehensive strategic partners."

Japan already has such deals with other ASEAN members, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Thailand is the third Southeast Asian country after Indonesia and Vietnam in Kishida's tour of the region as he seeks to coordinate efforts with his counterparts in responding to the crisis in Ukraine.

"Prime Minister Prayut and I agreed that we will never tolerate any infringement of sovereignty and territorial integrity in any region, any attempts to change the status quo by force, and we are opposed to the threat by or use of weapons of mass destruction," Kishida said.

Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand, have been cautious about joining efforts led mainly by Group of Seven nations to isolate Russia economically and diplomatically in response to its aggression.

Thailand is the chair of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum this year, which Russia is also a member of, apparently contributing to Bangkok's neutral stance toward Moscow and its invasion of Ukraine.

Thailand last month abstained in a vote to suspend Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council.

Kishida has stressed the need to keep communicating with other Asian nations that "cannot take the same action" as the G-7, including Japan and the United States. The G-7 has imposed a slew of sanctions to punish Moscow.

In Indonesia, Kishida and President Joko Widodo agreed Friday on the importance of upholding a rules-based order amid the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

But the Indonesian president did not single out Russia to criticize in a joint press appearance.

Vietnam, which announced humanitarian assistance to Ukraine through international organizations, has also relied on Russia for military equipment.

In Monday's summit, Kishida and Prayut also agreed to coordinate closely over regional issues, including the situation in Myanmar following a coup in 2021 and North Korea's missile and nuclear development.

Kishida's eight-day trip through Friday will also take him to Italy and Britain.

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KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2022 - 16:36 | All, World, Japan

Japan plans to send Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi to South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk Yeol's inauguration ceremony next week, deciding not to consent to Seoul's wish for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to attend, government sources said Monday.

Seoul had hoped for Kishida's presence at the May 10 event to help improve bilateral relations that have soured over historical disputes which stem from Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

But the sources said Tokyo has decided the Japanese leader cannot go without any guarantee of progress on the disagreements.

During his stay, Hayashi is expected to hold meetings with key officials of the new South Korean government with the hope they will agree to work toward mending political ties that have sunk to their lowest level in years under the administration of the current president, Moon Jae In, the sources said.

Calling for a "future-oriented" approach, Yoon sent a delegation to Japan last week for meetings with Kishida, Hayashi and other ministers to seek to repair bilateral ties, with the prime minister telling the visitors, "We have no time to spare in improving Japan-South Korea relations."

Tokyo, however, has not wavered in its stance that South Korea should follow through on agreements aimed at resolving the disputes including a 2015 deal that settled "finally and irreversibly" the issue of "comfort women" procured for Japan's wartime military brothels.

The South Korean delegation, led by Chung Jin Suk, deputy speaker of the National Assembly, was in Japan for five days through Thursday, but it did not present any possible concrete solution to the long-standing issues, according to the sources.

Some Japanese ruling party lawmakers are also against Kishida heading to South Korea at this point out of concern that Japan's stance could be interpreted as being too conciliatory.

Yoon's inauguration comes as the United States is seeking to boost its trilateral security cooperation with Japan and South Korea following North Korea's renewed missile and nuclear threat, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

When Moon's inaugural ceremony was held in May 2017, no guests were invited from overseas as he took office just a day after the election. His predecessor Park Geun Hye had resigned over a corruption and abuse-of-power scandal after being impeached by parliament.

During the period of Moon's government, the wartime disputes that cast a pall on diplomatic relations between Tokyo and Seoul included the issue of compensation demands from South Koreans over what they claim was wartime forced labor.

In addition, they have been at odds over islets controlled by Seoul and claimed by Tokyo, known as Takeshima in Japan and Dokdo in South Korea, as well as over Japanese restrictions on semiconductor material exports to South Korea imposed in July 2019.

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By Donican Lam, KYODO NEWS - May 2, 2022 - 10:35 | All, Japan, World

A Japanese live-streaming platform is going beyond providing a way for youths to earn money -- it is changing the lives of Ukrainians hit by the war.

Tetiana Dozhuk is one of two streamers that "Omusubi Channel" has already helped to evacuate to Japan since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in late February, with the platform also devising ways to support other Ukrainians who have fled to neighboring countries like Poland.

The 28-year-old from Odesa was staying with family in Chernivtsi, a western Ukrainian city located around 30 kilometers from the border with Romania, when she contacted the platform's founder Hiroki Okamoto asking if he could help her get to Japan.

"They were ready the same day. They said, whenever you're ready. And I was like, I need to pack my bags. I didn't think that it would be so fast," Dozhuk said, who arrived in Japan via Romania and Turkey on April 19.

Dozhuk started streaming on Omusubi Channel in January after meeting Okamoto through a language-learning app while he was still planning the project.

"In Ukraine, it's a very big problem to find Japanese people to practice Japanese with. So for me, Omusubi was kind of like a first interaction with Japanese people," said Dozhuk, who began studying the Asian language as a hobby in 2019.

Okamoto, who majored in Russian during university and worked for four years in Russia and Belarus, said he wanted to create a platform to help people studying Japanese abroad connect with locals in Japan.

"The coronavirus pandemic made it impossible for (Japanese learners) to come to Japan, which meant they had fewer opportunities to improve their Japanese and communicate with others. But all this can be achieved online," the 30-year-old said.

Omusubi Channel was launched on Jan. 17, a date bearing its namesake in reference to how volunteers helped victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake by distributing "omusubi" riceballs.

"Since then, omusubi have become a symbol of helping each other, so I decided to launch Omusubi Channel on that day as I wanted its users to also help each other," Okamoto said.

In the three months since its release, Omusubi Channel has amassed over 15,000 paid subscribers and around 300 streamers from 73 countries. The platform gained popularity so quickly that Okamoto had to suspend new paid subscriptions for around a month from March 5 to ensure he could maintain a high quality of service.

"The difference between our platform and others is that strict monitoring is carried out to ensure no hate speech," said Okamoto, adding that Russian streamers on Omusubi Channel have not experienced any discrimination.

In late March, Olha Voitsekhovska, a 21-year-old university student from Poltava, central Ukraine, became the first streamer Okamoto helped to evacuate to Japan via Hungary.

A fan of anime and manga, Voitsekhovska was studying Japanese at university when the war broke out. She had been streaming on Omusubi Channel since January to interact with native speakers and continued to report on the chaos in her area.

Although Voitsekhovska's hometown was not attacked, a curfew was imposed due to fears of bombing, and there was a shortage of daily necessities and food at one point due to many displaced people pouring in.

Okamoto said that while he is happy to help evacuate Ukrainian streamers who desire to come to Japan, it may not be the right decision for all.

"For me, I'm not sure if those not studying Japanese should come to Japan as they might find it difficult to stay here in the future," Okamoto said.

So Okamoto is working, he says, to support more Ukrainian evacuees by allowing those who can speak English, and not only Japanese learners, to become streamers on Omusubi Channel.

They are also eligible to earn $5 an hour just by streaming. Streamers on the platform usually only make money from donations or being gifted items that can be later exchanged for cash.

For Dozhuk and Voitsekhovska, the opportunity to be in Japan is exciting and both have enrolled in a Japanese language school in Tokyo, but concerns about their family back in Ukraine continue to weigh heavily on their minds.

"I'm always worried what if the city that is next to (Odesa) doesn't hold out and they come to Odesa. I'm very scared about that," Dozhuk said. "Every time something explodes there I call my mother or my brother (to ask), is everything okay?"

Voitsekhovska, whose mother and elderly grandmother remain in Poltava, said she plans to stay one to two years in Japan but has not decided beyond that, adding, "A child studying or living in another country, always returns to (see) their parents."

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Travelers are seen ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 30, 2022. (Xinhua)

Dhaka dwellers travel to their hometowns to celebrate Eid al-Fitr festival with their kith and kin in villages in an annual exodus previously halted over COVID-19.

DHAKA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The normally busy streets in the Bangladeshi capital saw less traffic over the weekend, while millions of people were on the move at bus terminals, train stations and river ports.

Dhaka dwellers are traveling to their hometowns this year to join the Eid festival celebration with their kith and kin in villages after the annual exodus had been stalled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, will be celebrated in Bangladesh on or around May 3 based on the sighting of the new moon.

"I'm going to celebrate Eid at grandpa's house," said Sabikun Nahar while getting onto a packed train with his family members in Dhaka's central Kamalapur Railway Station.

Traveler Tumpa Moni said many were unable to go home in the last two years due to the pandemic, but now the station has seen a mad rush of home goers since last weekend.

"Being able to go home in this crowd is a great joy for me," Moni said.

Travelers sitting on the roof of a train leave a station ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 29, 2022. (Xinhua)

Some of the travelers have to sit on the rooftops of the trains when there are no more seats offered inside.



Traveler Naeem said his feelings can't be expressed in words. "Eid with family is something very special. We're all happy. We'll celebrate Eid with everyone."

Photo taken on April 29, 2022 shows a child on a train ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh.(Xinhua)

The travel rush of millions of home-bound people could impact Bangladesh's entire transportation system during this Eid occasion, an expert at the Accident Research Institute at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, said recently.

"We found that 11.5 million people left Dhaka for Eid in 2019, but it reduced to only 6 million during the pandemic," said Professor Md Hadiuzzaman, director of the institute, noting the number will be doubled again this time.

"Some 3 million people may leave Dhaka every day in the four days before Eid," he said.

According to the expert, trains, buses and ferries have the capacity to transport 1.3-1.4 million passengers daily. "Therefore, there is no transportation system for (the rest) 1.6 million people," he added.

Travelers wait for trains at a station ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh, April 29, 2022.(Xinhua)

Bangladeshi Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan earlier this month said they would operate 92 intercity trains in a special arrangement and there would be no weekly break for seven days for train services before Eid.

Also, authorities have made the necessary arrangements to minimize inconvenience for travelers ahead of the busy period.

Bangladeshi Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said roads and highways across Bangladesh are in much better shape for the holiday travel rush this Eid than at any time in the past.

He said they have settled some common problems for Eid travelers in some places of mega highways in the northern part of the country as the road condition in Bangladesh is better. 
Afghan Muslims embrace each other after offering prayers outside a mosque on the occasion of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr festival in Kabul,Afghanistan, May 1, 2022.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)



Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran has assured the public that security arrangements are tight and Eid al-Fitr prayers have been offered a peaceful environment.

"Today is a joyful day for all the Muslims," said an Afghan from the northern Badakhshan province, wishing "Eid Mubarak" (blessed feast) to all Muslims across the globe and praying for the return of lasting peace and security to Afghanistan.

KABUL, May 2 (Xinhua) -- "We have offered our Eid al-Fitr prayers in a peaceful environment today," said Fakhrudin, a 35-year-old Kabul resident.

War-torn Afghanistan under the Taliban-run administration on Sunday celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Afghan security forces conduct security check at the gate of a mosque on the occasion of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr festival in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 1, 2022.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)



Although no security incident has been reported across the war-torn country so far today, the war-weary Afghans celebrated the Eid al-Fitr amid hope and frustration as security personnel have arranged foolproof security measures around all mosques in Kabul and other cities.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran has assured the public that security arrangements are tight and Eid al-Fitr prayers have been offered a peaceful environment.

"We have experienced war and miseries over the past 40 years. We need peace, happiness and prosperity to forget the past desolation," Fakhrudin told Xinhua outside a mosque where he offered his prayer.

Afghan Muslims offer prayers outside a mosque on the occasion of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr festival in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 1, 2022.(Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)



Some Afghan cities, including the capital city Kabul, have experienced deadly terrorist attacks recently, even inside mosques, in the shape of bomb blasts that claimed scores of lives.

On Friday, a blast ripped through a mosque in Kabul, killing at least 10 persons and injuring dozens others.

Following the U.S.-led forces withdrawal and the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the war practically ended in the country, which has been widely welcomed by Afghans.

"Today is a joyful day for all the Muslims," Nawedullah Afzali told Xinhua, wishing "Eid Mubarak" (blessed feast) to all Muslims across the globe and praying for the return of lasting peace and security to Afghanistan.

A stall selling food is pictured ahead of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr festival in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, April 27, 2022. (Photo by Aimal Kakr/Xinhua)

Afzali, 40, who came from the northern Badakhshan province to offer Eid al-Fitr prayer at the historic Shah-e-Doshamshira mosque here in Kabul, expressed his hatred towards war.

"This is my wish to see we Afghans get united and stop shedding our blood," Afzali said.

Prayer leaders in their sermons have also prayed for the returning viable peace in their country, besides calling upon Afghans from all walks of life to get united and help rebuild the war-ravaged Afghanistan. 
Aerial photo taken on May 1, 2022 shows a view of the Mount Qomolangma base camp at an altitude of 5,200 meters. (Xinhua)

LHASA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- What impact does an ultra-high altitude environment have on human health? What are the hazards for human bodies if they encounter environmental pollution at such high altitudes? What should people do to protect their health in a high-altitude environment?

Chinese researchers on the ongoing comprehensive scientific expedition on Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak located on the China-Nepal border, are trying to find answers to these questions. With its peak at 8,848.86 meters, the famous mountain provides an excellent opportunity for such studies.

A team of 27 researchers is monitoring the health condition of 50 volunteers positioned at varying altitudes: 5,200 meters, 5,800 meters, 6,350 meters and 8,848 meters.

Wearing sensors for saturation and electrocardiogram monitoring, Zhu Tong, leader of the squad, is himself one of the volunteers.

Scientific research members set up a wind lidar at the Mount Qomolangma base camp on April 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Carrying a backpack and holding a hiking stick, Zhu, head of the College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (CESE) of Peking University (PKU), has been trekking back and forth near the Mount Qomolangma mountaineering base camp, situated at 5,200 meters above sea level.

"Some of my team members have arrived at the 6,350-meter-high area. I'm training myself so that I can meet them there," said Zhu, 59. "As you rise in altitude, your body will change accordingly, which makes this intuitive data valuable."

Researchers will collect blood, urine, saliva, feces and other samples, measure blood pressure, and monitor the pulse wave velocity of the volunteers, including Zhu, to provide samples for the follow-up research.

Through long-term monitoring, Zhu's team has found that the Qomolangma area has a high density of ozone, almost at the same level as in some Chinese cities. Studies have speculated that such ozone pollution is caused by the high concentration of ozone-rich air in the upper atmosphere brought down by glacial winds on ice-cold Mount Qomolangma.

Scientific research members prepare to launch a balloon carrying radiosonde at the Mount Qomolangma base camp on April 30, 2022. (Xinhua/Jiang Fan)

Hua Qiaoyi, a member of the squad and doctor from the CESE, said that even a low concentration of ozone -- a strong oxidizing pollutant -- harms human health, having the potential to stir and damage the respiratory tract and the cardiovascular system.

"The expedition is a rare opportunity for our team to understand the harmful effects of high pollution levels on the body in ultra-high altitude and oxygen-deficient environments," Hua said.

The research takes time as the data is still being collected and sorted. Zhu said they will eventually have a lot of "interesting results," which may help provide preventive and protective measures for the health of people living and working at high altitudes, as well as short-term visitors.

Zhu's squad is part of the scientific research team consisting of more than 270 members in the comprehensive scientific expedition on Mount Qomolangma, which falls within China's second scientific research survey on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

With the most disciplines covered, the most scientific research participants, and the most advanced equipment utilized, the expedition is the largest since the survey on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau started in 2017. 
JERUSALEM, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on Sunday announced support for farmers in upgrading and setting up tomato and cucumber greenhouses based on innovative technologies.

The support, at a total of 60 million shekels (18 million U.S. dollars), is "for saving the Israeli salad, and meeting demand," according to a statement issued by the ministry.

The goal is to introduce technologies to Israeli crops in order to improve quantity and quality, increase productivity and farmer profits and ensure public food security, it added. 
Photo taken on Nov. 8, 2021 shows a refugee carrying a mattress at Bunagana in Kisoro, southwestern Uganda. (Photo by Nicholas Kajoba/Xinhua)

Relief agencies in Uganda say urgent funds are needed to cater to the critical needs of thousands of refugees fleeing fighting in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and sporadic clashes in South Sudan.

KAMPALA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Relief agencies in Uganda say urgent funds are needed to cater to the critical needs of thousands of refugees fleeing fighting in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and sporadic clashes in South Sudan.

UN refugee agency figures show that the number of refugees fleeing into the country since January has reached more than 50 percent of the anticipated 67,000 new arrivals by end of this year.

Since January, Uganda has received more than 35,000 refugees, a third of whom arrived in the past three weeks from the DRC, fleeing intense fighting in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office here.

UNHCR and 44 other relief agencies in the country on April 29 launched an emergency appeal of 47.8 million U.S. dollars to cover a three-month initial urgent response for an influx of up to 60,000 refugees.

This file photo shows South Sudanese refugees being seen at Ngomoromo in Lamwo, northern Ugandan, April 12, 2017. (Xinhua/Ronald Ssekandi)

Esther Anyakun, Uganda's Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugee, said the funds are needed to provide urgent assistance to new arrival refugees, mainly women and children in dire need of protection.

She said Uganda continues to offer safe asylum to people fleeing, making it the largest refugee-hosting country in Africa.

UNHCR Representative in Uganda Joel Boutroue said the country's asylum policy must continue to be supported generously. Boutroue said the emergency funds will be used to cater for protection, food, shelter and essential household items.

Funding will also support urgently needed healthcare supplies, and water, sanitation and hygiene services required to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases, according to UNHCR.

Francis Iwa, the executive director of Care and Assistance for Forced Migrants, a local nongovernmental organization, said, "While the world's attention is focused on Ukraine, we urge for peace in the DRC. Failing this, interagency partners need additional resources and supplies to meet the humanitarian imperative of the people who have fled to Uganda."

The funding appeal comes at a time when Uganda's response to more than 1.5 million refugees in the country is critically underfunded. An interagency report said as of the end of March, only 41 million dollars had been received against the country's refugee response plan of 804 million dollars in funding needs for 2022.

PEACE EFFORTS

There are ongoing regional efforts to pacify mineral-rich eastern DRC, which has faced decades of war. Regional leaders at a recent meeting in the Kenyan capital Nairobi directed all armed groups in the DRC to participate unconditionally in the political process to resolve their grievances. They also directed that a regional force be deployed to fight rebel insurgency in the country.

Following regional initiatives, the DRC government is engaged in peace talks with the different warring parties in the eastern part of the country.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame at a recent meeting in Uganda said a regional approach is needed to address the Congolese situation.

"This time we must insist on working together because these people have suffered a lot. I told President Kenyatta that if we don't come in as a region, Congo may become like Sudan," Museveni said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is Kenya's president and chairperson of the East African Community, a regional bloc bringing together Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, South Sudan, and DRC.

"They need to talk without leaving anyone behind," Kagame said, noting that the Congolese security situation must be addressed once and for all. 
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of a secondary school No304 constructed at the initiative of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in Sabunchu district, Baku.

The head of state and the First Lady viewed conditions created at the 960-seat school.

Executive Director of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Assistant to the President Anar Alakbarov gave information about the school.

The school has classrooms, labor, military and computer rooms, a laboratory, libraries, a canteen and a gym.














HOHHOT, May 2 (Xinhua) -- In north China's Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region, the rugged surface of an exhausted coal mine has received a major face-lift, newly populated by 1.12 million photovoltaic modules, beneath which numerous plants are flourishing.

The scene represents a workable solution to the question of how to restore areas scarred by years of coal mining in a way that balances ecological health with economic needs.

The Boortai Coal Mine, located in Ejin Horo Banner, city of Ordos, started mining operations in 2006. Owned by China Energy Shendong Coal Group Co., Ltd., it covered an area of 192.63 square km.

These days, the mining has stopped, but energy is still being produced, this time with greater focus on the ecological environment.

Guo Jun, a 56-year-old villager from the area, described the situation before the photovoltaic power station was built. "Coal was mined below ground and the surface was full of ravines. Although the company made greening efforts, the area still looked desolate," said Guo.

The company's solution was to combine ecological restoration with a solar-power generation base, thereby creating a situation with ongoing economic viability. The area, which has produced 175 million tonnes of coal, now boasts an annual solar-power generation capacity of 900 million kWh.

"The Boortai subsistence area is the company's largest contiguous coal-mining subsidence area. The company has been exploring how to improve the land and balance ecological and economic benefits," said Li Qiang, deputy chief engineer of the company's eco-environment center.

Inner Mongolia is rich in solar-energy resources. In 2020, the regional government issued a policy to support the construction of photovoltaic power stations in coal-mining subsidence areas.

Zhao Ming, deputy director of the natural resources department of Ejin Horo Banner, said that the mining area in Boortai boasts about 3,000 hours of sunshine per year on average, providing favorable conditions for the development of photovoltaic power-generation projects.

In addition to Inner Mongolia, other coal producing areas, such as Shanxi and Anhui provinces and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, have introduced photovoltaic power generation projects to reclaim mined-out land.

Like many fellow villagers, Guo has participated in building photovoltaic panels, planting grass and trees, leveling the land and irrigation.

"The daily salary is about 220 yuan (about 33.3 U.S. dollars). I earned more than 40,000 yuan last year," Guo said.

The power station operator has built cattle farms using alfalfa and other crops planted under the photovoltaic panels as breeding feed, providing a stable source of income for the locals.

Inner Mongolia has seen the total installed capacity of new-energy power-generation facilities exceed 50 million kilowatts, accounting for over a third of the region's installed power-generation capacity. More than a fifth of Inner Mongolia's total electricity consumption comes from new-energy resources.

Compared with the same amount of thermal power, the total emission reduction of Inner Mongolia's new-energy generation is equivalent to 180,000 hectares of afforestation. 
JERUSALEM, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel and Director-General of the Israel National Cyber Directorate (INCD) Gaby Portnoy on Monday urged communications companies to upgrade their cyber defense amid recent cyber attack waves against Israeli websites and networks.

According to a new initiative, Israeli communications companies will be required to prepare and implement cyber defense plans, which will for the first time include an orderly and unified working method, strengthen their defense levels and actively prepare for attacks, said a joint statement issued by the Communications Ministry and the INCD.

In the past month, attack waves aimed at creating artificial loads on Israeli websites and bringing about their downfall have increased significantly, Portnoy said.

"The communications market is the pipeline leading to the economy and the public. Therefore, a comprehensive regulation is required to raise the level of national readiness and safeguard the public interests," Hendel said.

Portnoy added that "the joint initiative will take a step forward in the level of protection and will serve as a type of air defense system that provides an additional layer of protection for the entire Israeli economy."

The plans will include protecting communications networks and combining monitoring and control mechanisms that will allow establishing an up-to-date picture of cyber protection while ensuring privacy, data integrity, and service availability, the statement added.

The required plans will also enable dealing with cyber attacks, through incident identification, inclusion, recovery, and periodic scans to identify cyber security vulnerabilities, the ministry and the INCD said. 
BUENOS AIRES, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 18 million Argentines have received a booster shot against COVID-19, Argentina's Health Ministry said on Sunday.

Based on its Public Vaccination Monitor, the online registry that tracks the immunization operation across Argentina in real time, the ministry said that since the onset of the pandemic here, 107,403,294 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been distributed, of which 98,785,071 have been administered.

Some 40,714,300 people have gotten their first vaccine shot, while 37,248,617 people have been fully vaccinated and 17,795,932 people have also gotten their booster shot.

As of Saturday, Argentina registered a total of 9,083,673 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 128,653 deaths from the disease, according to the latest report from the ministry. 
by Yosley Carrero

HAVANA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Cuba strives to boost its production of biofertilizers and plant biostimulants to increase crop yields in the face of six decades of U.S.-led sanctions that bar its access to traditional fertilizers on the international market.

Cuban scientist Alejandro Falcon begins his day early at a biofertilizer plant at Cuba's National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (INCA) located in the western province of Mayabeque, some 30 km east of the country's capital of Havana.

Falcon heads a scientific project to produce Cuban plant biostimulants PECTIMORF and QUITOMAX for coffee, sugar cane, tobacco and maize, among other crops.

"It has been difficult for Cubans to access fertilizers in the international market due to the U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba," said Falcon. "We are now betting on the use of environmentally friendly fertilizers."

The Cuban government is implementing a package of 63 measures to strengthen the agricultural sector and increase national food production.

As part of this initiative, the institute is projected to produce between 6,000 and 10,000 liters of homegrown plant biostimulants to help meet the local demands of state companies and farmers.

Founded in 1970, the institute oversees agricultural research and programs in over 70 out of the country's 168 municipalities while also producing Cuban biofertilizers AZOFERT and ECOMIC.

Yuliem Mederos, who works in the department of physiology and biochemistry at INCA, said locally produced biofertilizers minimize the use of pesticides in agriculture.

"Cuban agriculture needs to take off and subsequently increase productivity. We are doing our part," she said. "In the future, we would like to export our products."

Cuba has to import more than 70 percent of the food it consumes, according to official figures, making agriculture a strategic sector in the island's national development plan for 2030 and its business portfolio for foreign direct investment.

According to senior expert Ramon Rivera, the plan calls for new biofertilizer plants to be built in all of the island's 15 provinces in the coming years under the supervision of the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture.

"For the plan to succeed, we need to work on the production of green and organic fertilizers in Cuba," he said. 
Over 80 tons of medical supplies imported from Germany arrived in Shanghai on Sunday through fast customs clearance.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Photo taken on June 25, 2017 shows the CR400BF model of China's new electric multiple unit (EMU) train "Fuxing" in Beijing, capital of China. China holds complete intellectual property rights of "Fuxing" high speed trains.(Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

by Xinhua writer Yuan Quan

BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-seven years ago when Hu Guohua applied for a patent he had to queue overnight outside China's patent office.

Eight months later, he received a patent certificate for his invention, a color display device to help analyze satellite images. Soon after newspapers splashed photos of the spectacled aerospace engineer, who became the country's first patent rights holder.

Much has changed over the years, as China implemented numerous reforms to add efficiency to the entire system and has established itself as a leader in the intellectual property sector.

China's Patent Law came into effect on April 1, 1985, and the patent office received more than 3,400 applications on the very first day.

Hu's patent certificate has been in the National Museum of China collection since the patent expired. He kept a copy, as it is an important record of his innovative work.

Hu Guohua, who submitted China's first invention patent application, shows his patent certificate issued 37 years ago at a press conference held in Beijing, on Dec. 11, 2018. (Photo provided to Xinhua)

The 79-year-old scientist has never stopped his pursuit of innovations, having obtained patent rights on at least 10 inventions over the past decades. He has also espied China's rise to prominence as a veritable intellectual property (IP) powerhouse.

In 2019, China overtook the United States as the top source of international patent applications filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and has since stayed at the top.

In 1999, the WIPO received just 276 applications from China, and by 2021, the number skyrocketed to 69,540, marking a 250-fold increase in 22 years.

China's rapid growth to become the top filer of international patent applications was hailed by the WIPO director general Daren Tang as "an amazing achievement."

Though competition has become much fiercer today, there is no need to queue up to file an application as Hu did over three decades ago. China's patent evaluation system has been streamlined to the point that it can now be deemed world-class. The average processing time for the examination of invention patents was shortened to 20 months, while trademark registrations take just around four months.

The National Intellectual Property Administration (NIPA) has also established more than 40 centers nationwide, offering quicker services and reducing the duration and cost of IP protection.

Photo taken on Aug. 29, 2020 shows the IP International Exchange of Hainan in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. An international intellectual property (IP) exchange started operation on that day in Hainan, as the latest measure to support the construction of the Hainan free trade port. (Xinhua/Pu Xiaoxu)

A patent certificate is no longer an uncommon thing in China. The average ownership of invention patents reached 15.8 patents per 10,000 people by the end of 2020, exceeding the target of 12 patents set in the country's 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020).



While China has taken the global lead in the number of applications for patents, trademarks and industrial designs, it has also made enormous efforts to promote the transformation of this sector from pursuing the expansion of scale to quality improvement.

The country has attached greater importance to stronger legislation, with stringent punishment for any related violations.

Since 2019, it has promulgated a series of laws, regulations and IP protection guidelines, including the Foreign Investment Law, to create a fairer, more transparent and predictable business environment for foreign investors.

Photo taken on Sept. 24, 2016 shows the 500-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) in Pingtang County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. China holds the intellectual property rights to it. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

China also took measures including ending all patent subsidies and cracking down on improper behavior, to rectify the simple pursuit of patent quantity. And these efforts have won international recognition.

According to the WIPO's latest Global Innovation Index 2021 report, China moved up from the 35th place in 2013 to 12th in the world ranking and is now "knocking at the door of the top 10" among 132 economies, which "underlines the continued importance of governmental policies and incentives to stimulate innovation."

The Chinese currency renminbi has become the pricing and settlement currency of international expenses related to the WIPO's Patent Cooperation Treaty.

The China-European Union (EU) agreement on geographical indications (GI) took effect last year, which enables consumers from China and the EU to buy 100 authentic specialties, including wine, tea and agricultural products, from each other without worries about inferior quality or fake goods.

And the trend is only growing, with China promoting similar bilateral GI cooperation with France, Thailand and Japan.



China will continue to leverage IP to drive innovation, particularly in meeting the demand for new technologies and industries such as big data, artificial intelligence, gene technology and blockchain, Shen Changyu, head of the NIPA, told a press conference earlier this week.

Last year, China released the Outline of Building an Intellectual Property Rights Powerhouse (2021-2035), setting new goals for the next 15 years. China will seek to participate more in global IP governance and strengthen international cooperation, Shen added. 
A Fuxing bullet train enters Nyingchi Railway Station on the Lhasa-Nyingchi railway in Nyingchi, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region, March 31, 2022. (Xinhua/Han Xile)

LHASA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The gross domestic product (GDP) of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region grew 6.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2022 when calculated at comparable prices, the regional government announced at a press conference Sunday.

Tibet's GDP stood at 51.7 billion yuan (about 7.8 billion U.S. dollars) from January to March.

During this period, the added value of designated large enterprises in Tibet increased 17.6 percent year on year, 11.1 percentage points higher than the national average and ranking first nationwide.

Cai Min, deputy head of the regional statistics bureau, said that due to the rising international ore prices, the added value of Tibet's mining industry in the first quarter rose 24.2 percent from the same period of 2021.

In Q1, Tibet's market entities increased, and the employment situation improved steadily.

At the end of March, there were 414,900 registered market entities in Tibet, a year-on-year increase of 11.2 percent. 
BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China Development Bank, one of the country's policy banks, extended 21.1 billion yuan (about 3.19 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter to support the country's logistics system.

The loans went towards construction of national logistics hubs, cold-chain logistics bases and international logistics supply chains, the bank said.

For instance, in the first quarter, the Shenzhen branch of the bank issued 700 million yuan of loans to SF Express to help the delivery giant overcome financial difficulties, so that it can continue to play an important role in the transportation of epidemic prevention materials, vaccines and living materials.

For the next step, the bank has pledged more precise and flexible financial services to support the construction of the country's modern logistics system. 
KIEV, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine will continue the evacuation from the besieged city of Mariupol which began on Sunday afternoon, head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak said on Sunday evening.

In the first stage, Ukraine evacuated from Mariupol 100 women, children and elders, who will arrive in Ukraine's southern city of Zaporizhzhia, Yermak said on Facebook.

He thanked the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross for their support for the evacuation efforts.

According to Petro Andryushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, the evacuation began at 4 p.m. local time (1300 GMT) on Sunday.

The evacuation from Mariupol was the centerpiece of talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Thursday.

Mariupol, a key Azov Sea port city in eastern Ukraine, saw one of the worst bouts of violence in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 
BUDAPEST, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Hungarian government does not support the oil and gas embargo against Russia, a senior official said on Monday.

"The Hungarian position on the oil and gas embargo has not changed: we do not support it!" Zoltan Kovacs, secretary of state for international communications and relations wrote on his Facebook page.

Kovacs reacted to a report made by German public television channel ZDF, according to which following a change of position in Germany, all European Union (EU) member states were now willing to support the EU's suspension of Russian oil imports as part of a new crackdown on Russia due to its conflict with Ukraine.

Besides Germany, Austria and Hungary were the most strongly opposed to halting Russian oil purchases, as their economies are heavily dependent on Russian oil supplies.

"The most important thing is for the European Union not to adopt a sanction that will make it impossible to import Russian oil and gas," Gergely Gulyas, head of the prime minister's office, told Hungary's main public radio channel MR1 on Sunday.

Otherwise, Hungary would have to procure these raw materials at a much higher price, without which the price caps on household utilities and the functioning of the Hungarian economy itself cannot be ensured, he added.

"We must not adopt sanctions with which we primarily penalize ourselves instead of those we want to sanction," Gulyas said. 
By Trend

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will discuss the possibility of supporting the kingdom's $3 billion deposit in Pakistan's central bank by extending its term "or through other options," a joint statement carried by Saudi state news agency SPA said on Sunday, Trend reports citing Reuters.

Last year, Saudi Arabia deposited $3 billion in Pakistan's central bank to help support its foreign reserves. With a yawning current account deficit and foreign reserves falling to as low as $10.8 billion, the South Asian nation is in dire need of external finances.

Pakistan also welcomed a Saudi decision to extend an agreement to finance exports of crude oil products and oil derivatives, SPA reported.

The statement came after a visit by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Saudi Arabia, where he met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
COLOMBO, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka will amend its electricity law to remove impediments to procurement, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said on Monday.

"The law will be amended to remove impediments that delayed projects and to shorten the procurement processes," the minister said.

The minister said that he was consulting with senior officers to overcome the current fuel crisis.

Wijesekera added that he would soon present to parliament a report on the causes of the fuel crisis, especially the weak management at key institutions.

"We have also paid for a ship carrying coal needed for electricity production. With this we have enough coal until September," he said.

Sri Lanka has been suffering from power cuts since February due to a fuel shortage. 
Chinese scientists are mounting efforts to establish a meteorological monitoring station at an altitude of 8,800 meters on Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak, on the China-Nepal border.



Currently, the engineers in charge of establishing the station are still waiting for the perfect weather for mountaineering.

Including the highest, eight elevation gradient meteorological stations will be set up on Mount Qomolangma, which will collect the wind speed and wind direction data, as well as relative humidity on the north side of Qomolangma.







Produced by Xinhua Global Service




Aerial photo taken on Dec. 16, 2021 shows the automated production line of a technology company in the Economic Development Zone of Anji County in Huzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Photo by Xia Pengfei/Xinhua)

BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Faced with the global economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical factors, Chinese enterprises are braving the headwinds with the support of a variety of government policies.

China's industrial and services sectors have demonstrated resilience of growth despite disruptions, while entrepreneurs' endeavors in optimizing products and operations are adding new vitality to the market.

RESILIENCE OF INDUSTRY, SERVICES

China's value-added industrial output of major enterprises went up 6.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of the year (Q1), contributing to 2.1 percentage points of the economic growth, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows.

The added-value of the manufacturing sector rose 6.1 percent year on year, up 1.3 percentage points from the same period last year, while that for the financial sector and the sector of information transmission, software and IT services climbed 5.1 percent and 10.8 percent, respectively.

The profits of China's major industrial firms rose 8.5 percent year on year in Q1, with 24 out of 41 industries seeing a year-on-year profit growth, said the NBS.

"Even with the resurgence of COVID-19, our production and sales in China have remained relatively stable," said Zhang Weiwei, supply-chain director of Karcher Trading (China) Co., Ltd., a German manufacturer of high-pressure cleaners.

According to Zhang, the instability of the global supply chain has further strengthened the company's determination to pursue its localization strategy. "We will continue to increase investment in R&D, production and sales in China," Zhang said.

China's services industry also expanded in Q1, with the index gauging its output rising 2.5 percent year on year, and the combined revenue of major firms up 13.6 percent in the first two months.

Although contact-based sectors have taken a hit amid Omicron variant infections in March, businesses have reached a rather active level in modern service sectors, including insurance and telecommunications, radio, television and satellite transmission services.

New consumption forms have thrived, driven by the in-depth integration of 5G, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, which have promoted consumption upgrading and unleashed the potential of new businesses in the services sector, said NBS statistician Li Suoqiang.

Amid China's pursuit for high-quality development, the stellar performance of the high-tech industrial and services sectors has highlighted the vibrancy of Chinese enterprises.

The value-added industrial output of China's major high-tech manufacturers jumped 14.2 percent year on year in Q1, 7.7 percentage points higher than that of the major industrial firms, while their profits and fixed-asset investment went up 3.8 percent and 32.7 percent, respectively.

During the same period, the country's high-tech services industry saw fixed-asset investment rise by 14.5 percent year on year and foreign direct investment in actual use soar 57.8 percent, NBS data shows.

"The long-term economic fundamentals remain sound and the continued momentum of economic recovery has not changed," NBS spokesperson Fu Linghui said.

WORK WAY OUT WITH STRONGER SUPPORT

At an international trade market in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, sales person Kauthar Ding talks via video with clients thousands of miles away, introducing various crystal products with the help of a selfie stick.

Since the pandemic began, this kind of online trading practice has become commonplace in the Yiwu market, which is located in China's small commodity hub and used to receive many foreign clients.

Chinese entrepreneurs have made efforts to cope with the market changes at home and abroad. For example, with eat-in services seriously hampered, restaurants on popular dining streets in Beijing and Wuhan have expanded food-delivery services. Meanwhile, toy makers have designed products with interactive functions to attract more foreign buyers.

Placing the concerns of its 150 million market entities high on its policy agenda, China has unveiled a string of supportive measures, smoothing industrial and supply chains, easing tax and fee burdens, and increasing financial assistance.

To help factories resume production amid COVID-19 disruptions, China established a "white list" approach to support the resumption of work for key companies in the industrial chain and minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain.

Official data shows that the country's tax authorities have provided a total of 333.5 billion yuan (50.40 billion U.S. dollars) in tax and fee deferrals for micro, small and medium-sized manufacturing firms nationwide in Q1, while about 1.5 trillion yuan of value-added tax credit refunds will be completed this year.

More financing support has also been granted to cash-strapped companies, with data showing a 24.6-percent year-on-year increase in outstanding inclusive loans for smaller companies by the end of March.

The country's central bank lowered the reserve requirement ratio for financial institutions by 0.25 percentage points in late April, expecting to free up 530 billion yuan in long-term liquidity into the market.

On the fiscal front, 3.65 trillion yuan of special-purpose bonds for local governments are about to be issued this year, while the national general public budget will be increased to 26.71 trillion yuan.

Amid this support, China's market entities are thriving. The number of newly-added market entities reached 2.95 million nationwide in March, up 19.3 percent year on year. Of the 498 listed companies that have released their forecasts for Q1, 387 expect net profit growth.

"Once the epidemic is contained, our business will rebound in about a month and quickly return to normal levels," said Wu Hai, founder of Mei KTV, a karaoke-bar chain. "That's how we've gone from a few dozen stores two years ago to 200 now." 
NAIROBI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The loss of forest cover in Africa, escalated by climatic shocks, poor land-use practices and urbanization could slow down the continent's transition to a green and resilient future, scientists said on Monday.

Speaking at a virtual forum from Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, to coincide with the 15th World Forestry Congress underway in Seoul, South Korea, the scientists called for enhanced protection of African tropical forests to boost climate response.

Godwin Kowero, executive secretary of Nairobi-based African Forest Forum, noted that deforestation linked to governance lapses, poor farming practices and lethargic enforcement of laws is a threat to the continent's green agenda.

"Managing our forests sustainably will determine the success of green development in the continent," he said. "We must therefore find alternatives to charcoal and firewood in order to halt forest loss."

He said the 15th World Forestry Congress, taking place in the South Korean capital on May 2-6, will serve as a rallying call for African policymakers and scientists to place the resource at the center of the continent's quest for climate resilience at the grassroots level.

Djibri Dayamba, a senior program officer at African Forest Forum, said the continent's forest cover, estimated at 636,639 million hectares, or 16 percent of the global total, should be harnessed sustainably to advance the sustainability agenda.

The health of Africa's tropical forests and savannah grasslands will be crucial to food and water security, improved health and economic outcomes for local communities, he said.

Dayamba called on African countries to promote food systems that are harmonious with nature and to invest in clean energy and eco-tourism to strengthen conservation of forested landscapes.

Ben Chikamai, executive secretary of Network for Gums and Resins in Africa, said that providing alternative livelihoods to nomads, subsistence farmers and hunter gatherers is key to reversing depletion of Africa's tropical forests that acts as carbon sinks as well as source of food, fiber and herbal medicine.

Incentivizing local communities to protect indigenous forests would boost their resilience in the face of climate emergencies that have escalated in the continent, he said. Enditem
A vehicle passes by a gas station in Rome, Italy, on Oct. 9, 2021. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

According to a statement from the office of Prime Minister Mario Draghi, excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, liquified petroleum gas, and all forms of natural gas will be lowered starting Tuesday, until at least July 8.



ROME, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Italy's government on Monday adopted a decree that eliminates excise taxes on some forms of natural gas and methane to help tackle surging energy prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to a statement from the office of Prime Minister Mario Draghi, excise taxes on gasoline, diesel fuel, liquified petroleum gas, and all forms of natural gas will be lowered starting Tuesday, until at least July 8.

A staff member fuels a vehicle at a gas station in Rome, Italy, on March 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

For natural gas used for transport, excise taxes will be removed while value-added tax will be five percent.

Excise taxes on gasoline will be reduced to 478.40 euros (502.50 U.S. dollars) per 1,000 liters, whereas previously it was taxed at 564.00 euros per 1,000 liters. Meanwhile, taxes on liquified petroleum gas (LPG) will be reduced from 227.77 euros per 1,000 kilograms to 182.61 euros per 1,000 kilograms.

A staff member fuels a vehicle at a gas station in Rome, Italy, on March 12, 2022. (Xinhua/Jin Mamengni)

Fuel prices in Italy have climbed dramatically since late February when the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. At that time, Russia was Italy's single largest supplier of natural gas and a leading supplier of petroleum to the country. However, in recent weeks Italy has signed new gas supply deals with multiple other countries, including Algeria, Egypt, the Republic of Congo, and Angola.

On April 21, Italian Minister for Economic Transition Roberto Cingolani vowed that Italy would be "almost" independent of Russian gas imports by the second half of next year. (1 euro = 1.05 U.S. dollars) 
XIAMEN, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Xiamen, a coastal city in eastern China's Fujian Province, saw total exports to Regional Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries amount to 27.7 billion yuan (about 4.2 billion U.S. dollars) in the first quarter of 2022, up 15.3 percent year on year, according to Xiamen Customs.

Statistics show that the total trade volume of Xiamen with RCEP reached 68.3 billion yuan, taking up 33.3 percent of the city's total foreign trade.

During the January-March period this year, the trade volume of Xiamen's private enterprises with other RCEP members reached 22.4 billion yuan, up 13.2 percent while the state-owned enterprises reached 28 billion yuan, up 6.9 percent.

Major exported goods during the period included mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive goods. The former reached 12.2 billion yuan, up 12.2 percent, while the latter reached 6.2 billion yuan, up 10.4 percent. 
People observe Eid al-Fitr at Addis Ababa Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 2, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)

ADDIS ABABA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Millions of Ethiopian Muslims marked the Eid al-Fitr festival on Monday amid increasing religious tensions.

Ethiopian state media outlets showed video footage of tens of thousands of Muslims in the capital congregated at Addis Ababa Stadium early in the morning to observe the Eid prayers.

However, Addis Ababa police disclosed in a press statement a riot instigated by few individuals in one of the main Eid al-Fitr festival celebration areas of the city resulted in property damages.

The statement didn't mention the extent of the property damage and whether there were human casualties in the riot.

Footages circulating in social media apparently showed some Muslim worshippers in the city throwing stones, with security forces responding with tear gas shots.

There have been no reports of Eid al-Fitr celebration related violence in other parts of Ethiopia so far.

Tension has been rising across Ethiopia after deadly violence between the Christian and Muslim communities in northern Ethiopia city on Tuesday left at least 20 dead.

The violence in Gonder city was triggered by a longstanding competing ownership dispute of land surrounding a cemetery by members of both the Christian and Muslim communities.

Ethiopian security forces have disclosed 373 suspects have been arrested so far in connection with the deadly violence in Gonder city. 

People observe Eid al-Fitr at Addis Ababa Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 2, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)

People observe Eid al-Fitr at Addis Ababa Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 2, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)
RABAT, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Moroccan King Mohammed VI granted pardon to 958 prisoners on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr festival, the kingdom's Justice Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, will be celebrated on Monday in Morocco.

The statement said that 29 prisoners convicted of extremism and terrorism are among the pardoned people, noting they have participated in an initiative launched by the Moroccan government to rehabilitate terrorists.

Of these prisoners, 23 were released, while six got reductions in their sentences. 
ADDIS ABABA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday disclosed it has only received 22 percent of the 351 million U.S. dollars it requires to meet the needs of 9.9 million people in Ethiopia.

In a Humanitarian Situation report it published, UNICEF stated it needs the funds to meet the needs of 9.9 million people impacted by drought conditions in four regions of Ethiopia.

The UNICEF funding appeal to Ethiopia also includes funds needed to help 4.45 million children in Ethiopia.

UNICEF aims to provide life-saving supplies as well as standard health, nutrition, educational and sanitary services assistance to the needy.

The UNICEF statement also said nearly 650,000 children are out of school in Ethiopia's Oromia, Southern and Somali regions due to drought conditions.

The UNICEF statement further disclosed the drought condition has forced the closure of 2,000 schools across Ethiopia.

"Over four million people in 214 hotspot locations in the drought affected regions are in urgent need of water," the UNICEF statement disclosed.

The Horn of Africa region including Ethiopia is facing the worst climate-induced drought condition in 40 years. 
NEW DELHI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday ordered a probe into the turbulence incident in which around 15 passengers were injured, some of them seriously, during a domestic flight late on Sunday.

Two of the passengers are said to be in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), said media reports.

The domestic flight of SpiceJet, a private airline, was flying from Mumbai to Durgapur in the eastern state of West Bengal when it experienced a major mid-air turbulence while descending.

After the incident, the injured passengers were admitted to a local hospital.

The DGCA said it was taking the flight's crew off the roster, besides the aircraft's engineer and the in-charge of SpiceJet's maintenance control centre till the probe was over.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the matter was being dealt with utmost seriousness and deftness and the investigation report would be shared soon.

"The turbulence encountered by a flight while landing in Durgapur, and the damage caused to the passengers is unfortunate. The DGCA has deputed a team to investigate the incident," he said, adding that more details on the cause(s) will be shared once the investigation is completed. 
By Trend

India and Russia are engaged in talks over alternative payment mechanisms even as both sides are negotiating for about 20 million barrels of crude from Rosneft at heavily discounted prices, Trend reports citing The Print.

Having rebuffed European preaching over Ukraine at the Raisina Dialogue and with new statistics showing that sales of Russian crude to the US and Europe were over $70 billion, India is confident of charting its own path. The MEA has consistently stated that New Delhis objective is to stabilise its economic engagement with Russia even as there is a possibility that the Western sanctions against Russia might impact India. Our objective has been to see how (we) can stabilise the economic transactions or economic engagement that we are doing with Russia in the current context, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said.

There is a possibility that these sanctions might impact us and that is why we are having inter-ministerial discussions and other conversations to see how we can keep our economic interactions with Russia stabilised and also to see how we can ensure our interests are not affected, he added.

Indias strategy appears to be two-pronged. One, it is in the market along with China and several other nations to buy crude oil at heavily discounted prices from Rosneft, which incidentally operates the second biggest private refinery in India. Second, India is also keen to fill the vacuum in the merchandise sector after the withdrawal of European companies from the market and is looking at a boost of $2 billion. Due to the ongoing trade with European countries and even the US, Rosneft has several non-sanctioned intermediaries and trading companies which are in talks with Indian companies.
WELLINGTON, May 2 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand reported its second case of Omicron BA.4 variant at the border with 6,636 community cases recorded on Monday.

The Ministry of Health said a second person who has travelled from overseas to New Zealand has been confirmed to be infected with the BA.4 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The first infection of the Omicron BA.4 variant in New Zealand was reported at the weekend. Both identified cases are currently isolating at their homes.

At this stage, the public health settings already in place to manage other Omicron variants are assessed to be appropriate for managing BA.4 and no changes are required, according to the health ministry.

Meanwhile, the country reported seven new COVID-19 related deaths on Monday.

In addition, there were 90 new COVID-19 cases detected at the New Zealand border.

The country has reported 940,151 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

New Zealand is currently under the orange settings under its COVID-19 Protection Framework, where there is no limit for gatherings.

From midnight Sunday, New Zealand's borders have opened to visitors from 60 visa waiver countries for the first time since closing its international borders in March 2020 over COVID-19.

To prepare for the entry of a large number of visitors with COVID-19 tests required, the New Zealand government is partnering with Air New Zealand to trial an innovative new testing solution that uses Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology, Associate Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall said.

The "Lucira Check-It" test kits that are under trial are using the LAMP technology, with the test having the potential to combine the speed of rapid antigen tests (RATs) with the accuracy of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, Verrall said.

"LAMP tests are both cheaper than PCRs and more convenient: they are self-administered and provide results to users within 30 minutes. The accuracy of the LAMP test has already been established through clinical trials," she said. 
Technician Zhao Dong works on the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

By Xinhua writers Mao Pengfei, Leong Huey Mun, Zhu Wei

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Xinhua) -- 22-year-old Wang Hengyang has once imagined many ways of his future life before graduation from university. However, His current role as an operator of a 1,600-ton gigantic tunnel boring machine (TBM) to build an flagship project of the "Belt and Road Initiative" in Malaysia, is among the most incredible ones.

Measuring 266 meters in length, the super machine, reputed to be the biggest of its kind in Southeast Asia, is one of the two TBMs to spearhead the excavation works for the East Coast Rail Link's (ECRL) twin-bore Genting tunnel.

As a fan of Transformers, heroes of serial U.S. science fiction movies, becoming an operator of this machine dragon is a dream coming true for Wang, which also transformed him from a big boy, a greenhand graduate into a man and a disciplined engineer.

Installation of the arch frame, confirmed; accurate installation of the inverted arch block, confirmed; installation and extension of the TBM tunneling track, confirmed ... "My top priority is to keep the TBM running efficiently," Wang said.

"The first thing to do every day is to take over from the previous group of colleagues. These conditions must be met at the same time for smooth excavation," he explained.

The excavation work of the 16.39 km twin-bore Genting tunnel is crucial to the construction of ECRL, jointly constructed by China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), which runs from Malaysia's largest transport hub Port Klang and travels across the peninsula to Kelantan state in the country's northeastern part.

Located in the mountainous area in Pahang State, the surrounding rocks of the Genting tunnel site are mainly granite, schist, phyllite and argillaceous slate. The TBM is tailored for the unique geological conditions of genting tunnel by the CCCC, and at the maximum excavation capacity of 700m per month, it will be performing three main tasks underground: excavating the tunnel, removing excavated waste to the surface, and installing concrete walls in the tunnel.

After complicated installation and testing for several months, the TBM and the Chinese engineers are ready.

Deep inside the tunnel, it is a real challenge for engineers to work there in uniform and helmet with the extreme heat and moisture. With machines roaring and air stagnating, walking in the TBM is like in a submarine.

However, 32-year-old Zhao Dong and his colleagues of the maintenance team have to bustle around in it everyday.

To ensure the TBM's smooth operation, they have to check all the operating machinery in every shift, including abrasion status of blazes, maintenance of drilling rigs, and installation of protective devices, among others, so that problems could be solved as soon as they are found, said Zhao.

"We have to check around 280 items, and going through the whole procedure takes around three hours," Zhao said. "It's like screening a pile of rice for grains of sands. It's very hard to find the sand, but easier to clean."

"As the maintenance team, we must be very careful and work very hard to try to find the problems and nip them in the buds to ensure the good operation of the TBM," Zhao said, adding that being a part of this project is a proud experience.

After the excavation officially starts, it will take three years for the tunnel work to be fully completed, Malaysian Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said when visiting the construction site earlier this year.

Professionalism and close cooperation of the CCCC and its Malaysian partners in the ECRL bodes well for the mega project, Wee said, adding that the Chinese side honors whatever they promise.

The ECRL is expected to greatly enhance connectivity and bring more balanced growth to the country, by linking its less-developed region on the East Coast to the economic heartland on the West Coast upon its completion in 2026. 

A technician checks the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Technician Zhao Dong (R) and operator Wang Hengyang check the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Technician Dong Yuanxin works on the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Technicians work on the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Operator Wang Hengyang works on the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

A technician walks on the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Photo taken on April 29, 2022 shows the entrance of the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Technician Zhao Dong (R) and operator Wang Hengyang check the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Technicians work on the massive Chinese-made tunnel boring machine (TBM) at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Sun Guangbing (2nd R) checks the production of the prefabricated invert arch blocks at the construction site of the Genting tunnel of the East Coast Rail Link near Bentong in Pahang state, Malaysia on April 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
COLOMBO, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka is running out of chemicals that are used to control the dengue mosquito population, said the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) on Monday.

The NDCU identified places including Colombo, Gampaha, Kandy, Galle, Matara, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Puttalam and Ratnapura as the areas that are at high risk for dengue.

The pesticides they use to destroy mosquito colonies are low in stock, said NDCU Director Sudath Samaraweera.

The Health Ministry has been informed about this and will try to provide adequate stocks as soon as possible, Samaraweera said.

Samaraweera said that there is a 22.6 percent increase in reported dengue cases in the last week of April, compared to the third week.

Meanwhile, head of the Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) Upul Rohana told the media that they have run out of chemicals used to control mosquitoes.

Rohana said they are also facing shortages in materials needed to carry out full blood count tests to identify dengue patients.

He said that they have detected 17,123 dengue cases in the first three months of 2022, which is nearly half of the total cases reported in 2021.

The PHIU head said the number of dengue infections and fatalities will increase in the near future as dengue eradication and testing programs are disrupted. 
COPENHAGEN, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Nick Haekkerup's decision to resign as Denmark's minister of justice and a member of the parliament precipitated the country's second cabinet reshuffle in three months.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has promoted Mattias Tesfaye to the position of minister of justice, transferring Kaare Dybvad Bek to Tesfaye's previous position as minister for immigration and integration, according to a press release from the prime minister's office on Monday.

Dybvad Bek's former position as minister of the interior and housing has been transferred to Christian Rabjerg Madsen, a parliament member of the ruling Social Democratic Party.

Frederiksen had to deal with an earlier resignation in her government three months ago when former Transport Minister Benny Engelbrecht precipitated the last cabinet reshuffle.

Haekkerup's decision comes in the final year of Frederiksen's administration, which must convene its next parliamentary election by June 4, 2023. 
HELSINKI, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Tightened anti-smoking laws took effect in Finland on Sunday. Brand images and logos must be removed from packages of all tobacco products, including electronic cigarettes and refill containers.

Under previous laws, tobacco products must not be visible in a store, and customers must be able to identify the purchase verbally. The unified package formats have a transition time until May 2023.

Finland has been gradually banning smoking since 1976. Smoking in public transport and schools and selling tobacco to people aged under 16 were banned. The ban was later extended to cover all public indoor areas, including restaurants. From this week, the ban also covers public beaches and playgrounds.

Smoking in rental accommodations has been banned in new contracts for several years, and the ban concerns also balconies. In ownership-based condo units, the condo company can apply for a municipal order to ban smoking in the house. But owners can continue smoking in detached houses that are their properties.

While "characterizing" aromas or flavors such as menthol or strawberry have been illegal for years, the new amendment also prohibits products that consumers themselves can use to alter the flavor. Existing stock can be sold.

Establishment owners can maintain smoking rooms, but laws require costly, low-pressuring, and exhaust ventilation that takes the contaminated air out to the roof level of the building.

The legislative change is aimed at reducing the appeal of tobacco products, particularly to young people, and protecting young children from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. It is also intended to reduce littering and environmental damage related to smoking, said the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. 
ISLAMABAD (Pajhwok): Several persons were injured in a blast in Pakistan's southwest Quetta city of Balochistan province on Sunday evening, according to rescue and police officials.

At least two persons were seriously injured in an explosion outside a government building on Airport Road in Quetta, Balochistan's provincial capital, at around 8:00 p.m. local time. Xinhua news agency quoted Muhammad Mehboob, a senior officer of the Edhi Foundation Quetta's rescue department, as saying.

Following the incident, a large number of police officers and rescue teams arrived in the area and taken the injured to a local hospital, where at least one person was believed to be in critical condition.

A search operation was launched as security forces blocked off the area. The cause of the explosion is still being investigated, according to police.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has claimed that the current government is considering suspending former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's conviction order.

"The government and the judiciary have the power to suspend the conviction," Sanaullah told a private news programme, according to The News. He went on to say that the government could commute, decrease, or postpone anyone's sentence.

The Interior Minister stated that if an innocent person is wrongfully convicted, the sentence will be suspended and they will be given an opportunity to contact the court in a right manner. The government issued the former prime minister a new passport with a ten-year validity period late last month, allowing him to return to Pakistan.

The Supreme Court barred the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo from holding public office in 2017, and he moved abroad for medical treatment after serving only a few months of a 10-year prison sentence on corruption allegations.

Since being released from prison, he has lived in London for the past two years.

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Bengaluru: The Karnataka government signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel's ISMC Analog Fab Private Limited on Sunday to establish a semiconductor fabrication unit in the state with a USD3 billion investment.

According to an official announcement from the State Government, the company will implement the project over the next seven years, with the potential to employ 1,500 people. In the presence of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, Additional Chief Secretary in the Department of IT, BT Dr EV Ramana Reddy on behalf of Karnataka and Director of ISMC Ajay Jalan signed the MoU.

"Karnataka is already a pioneer in the IT, BT, and R&D sectors," Bommai said after signing the MoU. "This MoU with ISMC will make the State a place to look forward to in semiconductor technology." "Karnataka inked this major MoU at a time when many other states are vying for investment in the Semiconductor Fabrication sector. The Karnataka government recognises that attracting investors requires more than just concessions or incentives. It also requires a suitable environment. The state has the best infrastructure and highly trained personnel "said the Chief Minister.

It's a significant step forward for the semiconductor industry. There will be challenges ahead, but it would drive them to transform such challenges into possibilities.

The Chief Minister expressed his delight at the agreement, saying, "This Memorandum of Understanding is a significant agreement in the midst of a fierce battle among governments to recruit semiconductor fabs. Karnataka recognises that it is not just the financial incentives that matter, but also the availability of a favourable environment and overall ease of operations."

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New Delhi: More than 150 kg more heroin has been recovered from the hideout of Haider, a drug smuggler arrested from Shaheen Bagh in the Shaheen Bagh drugs case of the country's capital, Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh. The value of this heroin is being said to be around Rs 900 crore. This heroin has been seized by Gujarat ATS.

Haider was arrested by Delhi NCB from a house in Shaheen Bagh, then 50 kg heroin worth Rs 300 crore, Rs 30 lakh cash and 47 kg other narcotics were found from his Shaheen Bagh house. It is being told that today Gujarat ATS has seized 150 kg heroin by raiding the house of a neighbor near Haider's residence in Muzaffarnagar. In this matter, Gujarat ATS is going to hold a press conference in Gujarat today at 5 pm.

The same, on the Shaheen Bagh drugs case, NCB DDG Dnyaneshwar Singh has told that the fifth arrest related to the Shaheen Bagh drugs case has been made by hawala businessman Shamim Ahmed. Shamim lived in Laxmi Nagar area of Delhi. He has been arrested on charges of dealing in drug money and sending money to the main accused. It was sending drug money to Shahid in Dubai. The investigation of the case continues. So far a total of 5 people have been arrested in this syndicate. The wires of this drugs syndicate are also connecting with Dubai, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

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TEHRAN- Iran has promised to keep talking about restoring the 2015 nuclear deal until its "national interests are fully and comprehensively protected," an official media reported.

The remarks were made by Ali Bahadori-Jahromi, an Iranian government spokesman, in response to rumours that the US is close to admitting the Vienna nuclear talks failed, as per reports.

Iran's primary priority, according to Bahadori-Jahromi, is nuclear discussions. Iran will continue to work within the framework of international diplomatic channels until its economic interests and nuclear rights are protected, according to the official.

Iran and world powers signed a nuclear deal in July 2015, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), in which Tehran commits to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.

Former US President Donald Trump, however, withdrew the US from the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, causing the latter to gradually abandon several of the accord's nuclear commitments.

Several rounds of talks between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties have been place in the Austrian capital since April 2021 in order to resurrect the pact. Iran demands guarantees from the US government that it will not quit the deal again and that sanctions will be lifted in a transparent manner.

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By Trend





Asian Development Bank (ADB) plans to hold its annual meeting in Georgia in May 2024, Trend reports via the Ministry of Finance of Georgia.

The issue was discussed at the meeting between Georgias Finance Minister Lasha Khutsishvili and President of Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa as part of the annual spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group held in the US.

The parties assessed current economic prospects for Georgia, ADBs projects carried out in the country, among which has been the substantial support for combating coronavirus.

Despite the pandemic, Georgia was able to maintain its reform program, supported by ADB, the sides noted.

Khutsishvili and Asakawa expressed mutual hope that the partnership between Georgia and ADB will continue to develop further through structural and economic reforms.

Meanwhile, the meeting of the ADB in Georgia was planned to be held in 2021, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was postponed.
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden travelled to Minneapolis, Minnesota, to attend the late Vice President Walter Mondale's funeral service.

During the funeral service at the University of Minnesota on Sunday, Biden recalled his decades-long friendship with Mondale, the report said. Mondale died in April 2021 at the age of 93, although his burial was postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

After two terms in the Senate representing Minnesota, he served as Vice President under Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. In the 1984 presidential election, he was the Democratic Party's nominee, but he lost to Republican Ronald Reagan.

From 1993 to 1996, Mondale served as the United States Ambassador to Japan throughout Bill Clinton's presidency.

US President to meet PM Modi at the Quad Summit in Tokyo in May: White House.

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah vowed on Sunday that former Prime Minister Imran Khan would be imprisoned in a case involving hooliganism and sloganeering against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation during their visit to Madina earlier this week, the media report said.

Sanaullah declared in a statement: "They will not be pardoned for their actions. Imran Khan will undoubtedly be apprehended ". The minister stated that there is no basis for not filing a case against those who defiled the sanctity of Roza-e-Rasool, referring to the FIR filed against over 150 people, including Imran Khan.

If any person comes forward and requests action in this regard, the government will not put up any barriers, he stressed. He claimed that the event involving the harassment of PML-N leaders at the holy mosque was pre-planned and that the perpetrators were provoked.

A group of persons led by Aneel Mussarat and Sahibzada Jahangir arrived in Saudi Arabia from the United Kingdom for hooliganism at the Masjid-e-Nabawi, according to the plan, he claimed.

"Imran Khanis hell-bent on deceiving the next generation," he continued, asking if anyone had ever called for a Chand Raat protest. "Is there any need for proof following Sheikh Rasheed's press conference?" the minister asked, when asked about the plot behind the tragedy.

According to Sanaullah, the Saudi government has decided to take action against those responsible for the incident, with some persons being deported from the country.

Pakistan wants to quadruple its hydroelectric share By 2028-29

Seeing Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif, slogans of 'chor-chor' raised in the mosque of Medina, watch video"

Former US Ambassador to Pakistan pleads guilty to undisclosed lobbying
Jaipur: The name of 'Miyan ka Bara Halt' located near the Pakistan border in the Barmer district of Rajasthan has been changed. Now the new name of this station has now become 'Mahesh Nagar Halt'. An official function to rename 'Mian Ka Bara' railway station as 'Mahesh Nagar Halt' has been held in the Balotra area of Barmer district of Rajasthan.

Union Water Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Union Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Chaudhary and others attended the function on Saturday (April 30, 2022). In 2018, the name of the village was changed from 'Mian Ka Bara' to Mahesh Nagar, but then the name of the railway station was not changed. Union Water Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has said, "This is a long process of changing the name of a place. Both the central government and the state government give their consent, after which the name of the railway station is changed. The villagers had been demanding for a long time to change the name of this station. Keeping in mind the sentiments of the villagers, now the name of the railway station has been changed, so we also came to join the happiness of the village. 

Kailash Chaudhary said, "Naming Mian Ka Bara railway station as Mahesh Nagar is an essential step to maintain the local cultural identity. It's a historic day for the locals. The Central Government under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi is committed to bringing about such cultural changes along with development and advancement. '

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ISLAMABAD: During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's first visit to Saudi Arabia, the kingdom pledged to offer Pakistan with a "significant package" worth around USD8 billion to assist resuscitate the country's struggling economy.

According to a source published in The News, the package comprises tripling the oil finance facility, additional fun d in the form of deposits or Sukuks, and a rollover of the existing USD4.2 billion facilities.

"Technical details are being worked out, and it will take a couple of weeks to get all documents completed and signed," top government sources aware of the development said. Sharif and his entourage have left Saudi Arabia, but Finance Minister Miftah Ismail has remained to finalise the details of the additional cash offer.

The official stated the key components of the financial deal, saying that Pakistan suggested tripling the oil facility from USD1.2 billion to USD2.4 billion, which Saudi Arabia agreed to. It was also agreed that the USD3 billion in existing deposits would be carried over for another year, until June 2023.

"Pakistan and Saudi Arabia discussed an additional package of over USD2 billion in deposits or Sukuk, and it is likely that even more money would be handed to Islamabad," government sources said, adding that the entire package's size would be decided once the additional money was finalised.

Pakistan Interior Minister Sanaullah vows to arrest Imran Khan

Pakistan wants to quadruple its hydroelectric share By 2028-29

Seeing Pakistan PM Shahbaz Sharif, slogans of 'chor-chor' raised in the mosque of Medina, watch video"
CHENNAI: M.K. Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, praised External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday for accepting Tamil Nadu's offer to help the Sri Lankan people, who are facing a serious economic crisis.

Stalin took to Twitter to say: "Thank you, Hon'ble Dr. S. Jaishankar, for approving Tamil Nadu's plea to assist the Sri Lankan people. This kind effort, I am sure, will be warmly received by all and will contribute to improving the warmth and cordiality between nations. Let the goodwill to flourish in all areas." The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously passed a motion on April 29 urging the central government to allow the state to transfer critical supplies and medications to Sri Lanka on humanitarian grounds.

Stalin proposed the resolution, signalling a shift in the state government's position. The state's DMK government had previously requested permission from the Centre to provide the critical supplies only to Sri Lankan Tamils.

Stalin, who introduced the resolution, stated that "we must provide assistance" to the island nation, which is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis. Stalin referred to his earlier decision to offer essential supplies to Sri Lankan Tamils, saying that while the move was welcomed, the entire island nation was suffering and that support should be provided to everyone, not just the Tamils.

The state govt has planned to ship 40,000 tonnes of food (of Rs 80 crore), life-saving medications (worth Rs 28 crore), and 500 tonnes of milk powder (worth Rs 15 crore) to Sri Lanka, he said. Because the state cannot transfer things directly to Sri Lanka, they must go through the Central government and the Indian High Commission in Colombo, Stalin added.

Tamil Nadu cabinet: Udayanidhi Stalin likely to be inducted

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Tamil Nadu: Statue of Karunanidhi will be unveiled on June 3
Home  Nature  Resources  Marijuana in Nepal: As the government is opening medicinal use, activists renew pressure for commercialisation

When the news of two police officials being a part of a marijuana awareness fair in Dhankuta of eastern Nepal appeared on the front page of a national daily, it caused a lot of uproar among activists. As marijuana in Nepal is still deemed illegal, the police officials were apparently punished later.

The police were only there because they wanted to respect the invitation from the local ward chairs, says Rajiv Kafle, a cannabis rights activist. When I was inaugurating the event by watering the cannabis plant, the police officials left the area as a sign of protest. The news was a bit overblown.

This happening in the midst of the government looking at opening marijuana cultivation for medicinal purposes has started a discourse about legalising marijuana again.

While activists and industrialists want the government to start looking at legalising marijuana in Nepal completely for business purposes, the government officials say that for now, their plan is only to work on growing it for medicinal purposes. But, the activists are accelerating the advocacy.

One step at a time

Campaigners have been asking the government to legalise marijuana, tax it and regulate it. Photo: Chandra Bahadur Ale

We want to see where this goes first. Things like this cant happen overnight, says Bhisma Kumar Bhusal, a joint secretary at the Home Ministry who also looks after the Drug Control Section there. We want to conduct evidence-based research to see if opening the use of marijuana in Nepal for medicinal purposes is plausible. Only then can we think about recreation.

The Home Ministry says the proposal to open marijuana cultivation for medicinal purposes has reached the Council of Ministers. Supporting them are health and finance ministries. A concept paper has also been prepared by the Home Ministry, which is being taken to other ministries for suggestions and approval.

The concept paper is now at the Law Ministry. Were waiting for their review, after which we will start approaching government bodies to conduct research, says Bhusal.

Hope for change

Activists see opening the use of marijuana in Nepal, at least for medicinal purposes, as a positive thing as they believe that once it happens, they feel it might be seen as less of a taboo by the general public.

We want people to stop stigmatising it. This is something that has a lot of use. Its great the government has started to see that marijuana in Nepal has potential, says Kafle.

Health Minister Birodh Khatiwadas personal secretary Madhav Timilsina says things are looking positive. He says a privately-registered bill at the House of Representatives is being discussed at the grassroots level.

The ministry is working in tandem with other ministries to see how legalising marijuana in Nepal can be done in an effective manner. The minister is focusing on creating a proper mechanism, says Timilsina.

Bhusal from the Home Ministry also says creating a mechanism is what they want to do and try to replace opioids that are being given to patients.

We are trying to see if that is possible, he says. We want to see if we can stop giving methadone and use cannabis instead. For now, these are just on paper we need to conduct multiple research.

Hemp for the win

Another way that can end the stigmatisation of marijuana in Nepal, according to Kafle, is the promotion of hemp products. He believes most people only know it as a drug and are scared to talk about it. He believes once people start to realise the help, another name for the marijuana plant, can be used for more than just smoking, peoples mindset will change gradually.

When we went to Dhankuta during the marijuana awareness fair, we took with us hemp products. Seeing them for the first time, the locals, who only grow marijuana to sell, were pleasantly surprised. People from that small area bought the products worth Rs 70,000 in three days, Kafle says, adding the activists want to host more fairs displaying hemp products.

The hemp market is quite big too. According to Ganesh Aidi, the vice-president of the Hemp Association of Nepal, hemp products worth Rs 2 billion are exported every year to 83 countries around the world.

This is what we have been able to do without help from the government, says, adding they pay taxes to the government stating they produce these products from allo, a tall, stout and erect herb also known as the Himalayan nettle.

Aidi believes that if the government encouraged hemp production, the industry would boom.

If plantation of hemp plants were encouraged, it would help boost Nepals export. We believe we could export products worth Rs 1 trillion if the situation was more favourable, says Aidi. He says the industrialists just want the government to legalise marijuana in Nepal for such commercial purposes.

Kafle believes the hemp industrys growth would encourage more people to grow marijuana in Nepal to extract fibre to make threads for the hemp producers.

This would mean more money for the poor. Its a win-win situation I feel, says Kafle.

Encouraging hemp plantations would generate more interest among the youth too who would create new ways to make newer products. Women in Dang have already started to do that by making bath scrubs out of hemp.

We understand innovation is taking place and how much it would help boost the economy, but for now, there is no plan on legalising plantation for hemp, says Bhusal.

Further research is soon to be conducted by NAST, says Bhusal, adds the government also plans to allow universities to conduct research on the uses of cannabis.

I know that some students from Kathmandu University have asked permission for genetic profiling. These are positive steps, says Kafle.

But, legalising the use of marijuana in Nepal for recreational purposes is still farfetched. Even though people like former PM Jhalanath Khanal have talked about it and openly stated that it should be open to using given people are careful, at the government level, a lot of work remains to be done.
Bernie Rabik

John F. Kennedy had long been interested in the topic of political courage, beginning with his senior thesis at Harvard. The thesis was a study of the failure of British political leaders in the 1930s to oppose popular resistance to rearming, leaving the country ill-prepared for World War II.

Kennedys election to the House in 1946 and the Senate in 1952 gave him personal experience in dealing with the conflicting pressures which legislators face.

When Kennedy took a leave of absence from the Senate in 1954 to recover from back surgery, it gave him the opportunity to study the topic of political courage. The project resulted in the publication of Profiles in Courage, which focuses on the careers of eight United States senators Kennedy felt had shown great courage under enormous pressure from their parties and their constituents.

His own battles with physical pain and his experiences in World War II as a PT boat commander also gave him inspiration. Profiles in Courage, which Kennedy dedicated to his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy, received the Pulitzer Prize for biography in 1957.

Defining Political Courage

In the preface to Profiles in Courage, Senator Kennedy discusses the problems of political courage in the face of constituent pressures, and the light shed on those problems by the lives of past statesmen. He describes the three types of pressure faced by senators as: pressure to be liked; pressure to be re-elected; and pressure of the constituency and interest groups.

John F. Kennedy explains that the book is about his admiration of the courage shown by elected leaders in the face of adverse factions like their electorates, popular opinion, and political action committees which pull these elected men in different directions. He writes: This is a book about that most admirable of human virtues  courage. Grace under pressure, Hemingway defined it.

Impactful Excerpt

A man does what he must  in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures and that is the basis of all human morality.

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Since 1989, the Kennedy family has given out Profile in Courage Awards for protecting democracy. Named for John F. Kennedys Pulitzer Prize-winning book, the honor is awarded annually to a public official (or officials) at the federal, state, or local level whose actions demonstrate the qualities of politically courageous leadership.

Jack Schlossberg, Kennedys grandson, has announced the 2022 recipients of the award, under the theme Defending Democracy. For the first time in the awards history, five individuals will be honored: Ukrainian President Volodymyr

Zelensky, Wyomings Congresswoman Liz Chaney, Michigans Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Arizonas House Speaker Rusty Bowers, and Fulton County elections worker Wandrea Shaye Moss.

Schlossberg, when interviewed, emphasized: I think the issue of defending democracy is so important this year, which is why we chose five winners, not one. There are Democrats and Republicans on the list, all of whom who put country before party to defend democracy.

In addition to Zelensky, the four American nominees all played a part in standing by the results of the 2020 election. Chaney broke with most of her party, urged fidelity to the Constitution, voting to impeach President Trump. Benson refused to back down from fulfilling the duties of her office, even as threats and harassment from then-President Trump and his allies grew increasingly aggressive. Bowers, a pro-Trump Republican, resisted intense pressure from Trump and Rudy Giuliani and refused to go along with an illegal scheme to replace Arizonas legal slate of electors with a false slate of electors who would elect Trump. And Moss, despite being targeted by Trump and his followers with death threats, continues to work in Georgias Fulton County Department of Elections, doing the hard work.

When Schlossberg was asked what his grandfather John F. Kennedy would think of politics in 2020, he replied, Its always been tough, but I think he would

be very optimistic, as I am today. People tried to overturn the election in 2020, but they werent successful. People are attacking democracy all the time, but there are people with integrity, like these winners, who are standing up and defending democracy.

Final word: Are you willing to vote for those candidates who are willing to stand up and defend our democracy? Or will it be the same old, same old, those who put party before country, state, county, and municipality?

Bernard Rabik, a Hopewell Township attorney, is a columnist for The Times.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Bernie Rabik: 2022 Profiles in Courage
VANCOUVER, BC, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The global blue hydrogen market size reached USD 1.02 Billion in 2021 and is expected to register a significantly steady revenue CAGR during the forecast period, according to latest analysis by Emergen Research. Rising investment in research & development of cleaner energy alternatives and increasing government initiatives to shift towards clean energy sources are some major factors expected to drive market revenue growth during the forecast period.

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Drivers:

Rising investment in research & development of cleaner energy alternatives is an important factor expected to increase demand for blue hydrogen. Rapid increase in pollution due to burning of fossil fuels and other human activities has deteriorated the quality of air and led to rapid rise in global temperature. Governments of developed countries are making significant investments in developing environment-friendly alternative power generation sources, along with substantial financial contributions to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The Green Climate Fund is the world's largest climate fund, mandated to guide and support developing countries to increase and realize their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) objectives in the direction of low-emissions and weather-resilient pathways. This is expected to make significant contribution to revenue growth of the global market.

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Additionally, increasing government initiatives to shift towards clean energy sources is driving revenue growth of the global blue hydrogen market. Growing awareness about climate change, increasing global warming, and decrease in agricultural productivity are leading to increase in government initiatives to promote clean and sustainable energy sources, which is expected to have a major impact on the global blue hydrogen market.

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Restraints:

Presence of the greenhouse gas methane in natural gas is a significant factor hindering market revenue growth, as leakage of methane during the production of blue hydrogen is contributing to global warming. In addition, combustion of natural gas to produce large amounts of energy required for manufacturing blue hydrogen causes carbon dioxide emissions, which is also restricting revenue growth of the global blue hydrogen market.

Growth Projections:

The global blue hydrogen market is expected to register a CAGR of 14.8% over the forecast period, and market revenue is expected to increase from USD 1.02 billion in 2021 to USD 3.43 billion in 2030. Rising investment in research & development of cleaner energy alternatives and government initiatives to promote clean energy sources are expected to drive market revenue growth.

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COVID-19 Impact Analysis:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to downsizing of various businesses, thereby significantly limiting revenue growth of the global blue hydrogen market. Resources required for production of blue hydrogen were directed towards supporting health institutions and other initiatives to contain spread of the pandemic. The complete lockdown imposed to contain spread of the virus led to shutting down of various plants and manufacturing facilities, which negatively impacted productivity. However, after the withdrawal of lockdowns and resumption of economic activities, the market is expected to recover and register a signfcantly faster revenue growth rate over the forecast perod.

Current Trends and Innovations:

Rising awareness about clean energy is one of the major factors driving demand for blue hydrogen. Rising demand for vehicles is causing rapid increase in air pollution and consequently, numerous health problems and a deterioration of quality of life. In addition, it is leading to rise in global atmospheric temperature, due to release of greenhouse gases formed as by-products in the combustion of fossil fuels. This is increasing awareness and global activism for cleaner and sustainable energy sources, which is expected to contribute significantly to research & development of blue hydrogen as an alternative source of fuel, and thereby support revenue growth of the market.

Geographical Outlook:

The Asia-Pacific market is expected to register a significantly steady growth rate during the forecast period. Rapid Increase in population in countries in the region is leading to significant rise in pollution and subsequently, various government initiatives for pollution control. Japan, for instance, is a world leader in funding research on hydrogen technology, and the total federal budget support for hydrogen in 2021 was approximately USD 650.0 million. The Japanese government will build a commercial hydrogen fuel supply chain and use hydrogen in solid fuel cell and fuel cell vehicles, and in power generation, as part of the basic hydrogen strategy announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry in 2017.

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Similarly, the Government of China aims to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. According to the New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan (2021  35) released by China's State Council, China is currently focusing on expanding the utilization of hydrogen as a fuel in heavy transportation and developing infrastructure to support such expansion. These factors are expected to drive revenue growth of the Asia-Pacific market.

Strategic Initiatives:

Some major companies included in the market report are Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Linde plc, Air Products Inc., Cummins Inc., Siemens Energy (Siemens AG), Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corp., Equinor ASA, CertifHy Canada Inc., Xebec Adsorption Inc., and Uniper SE.

In September 2019, Cummins Inc. closed its acquisition of fuel cell and hydrogen production technologies provider Hydrogenics Corporation. The acquisition will enable Cummins to acquire expertise and an innovative approach, and is expected to strengthen its fuel cell capabilities. It is further expected to accelerate Cummins' ability to further innovate and scale hydrogen fuel cell technologies across a range of commercial markets.

For this study, Emergen Research has segmented the global blue hydrogen market on the basis of technology, end-use, and region:

Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, Volume, Metric Ton; 20192030)

End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, Volume, Metric Ton; 20192030)

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Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, Volume, Metric Ton; 20192030)

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Ownership of ErisX provides Cboe with entry to digital asset spot and derivatives markets, including clearing and settlement

Opportunity to build comprehensive digital asset market data offering, create indices and explore further derivative products

Network of industry partners, intermediaries and market participants of all types expected to contribute to ongoing development of client-driven solutions to increase adoption of digital assets and further mature the market

CHICAGO, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of global market infrastructure and tradable products, today announced it has completed the acquisition of Eris Digital Holdings, LLC (ErisX), an operator of a U.S. based digital asset spot market, a regulated futures exchange and a regulated clearinghouse. Ownership of ErisX allows Cboe to enter the digital asset spot and derivatives marketplaces through a digital-first platform developed with industry partners to focus on robust regulatory compliance, data and transparency.

(PRNewsfoto/Cboe Global Markets, Inc.)

"Adding ErisX to the Cboe network is another exciting chapter in Cboe's growth story. We see enormous potential in the digital asset market and are excited to apply our blueprint of success to this burgeoning asset class," said Ed Tilly, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cboe Global Markets. "Tom Chippas and the entire ErisX team have made significant progress bringing the regulatory framework and transparency of traditional markets to the digital asset space, and I look forward to working together, with our industry partners, to grow the digital asset market on a global scale."

Cboe plans to operate the ErisX business as a subsidiary with Thomas Chippas, Chief Executive Officer of ErisX, remaining as head of the digital asset business, reporting to Chris Isaacson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cboe. In addition to operating the existing spot, derivative and clearing platforms, Cboe also intends to develop and distribute a range of digital asset data products1. Using robust market data based fundamentally on actionable bid and offer prices from the spot crypto market, Cboe Digital plans to develop a benchmark data stream to help market participants evaluate the appropriateness of crypto execution prices.

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"I am incredibly proud of the ErisX team for their relentless pursuit of innovation in the digital asset space. From the beginning, our vision was to advance the digital asset spot, data, derivatives and clearing ecosystem by making regulatory compliance and operational integrity the foundation of the ErisX business," said Thomas Chippas, Chief Executive Officer of ErisX. "I couldn't be more excited for the future as we join forces with Cboe and our industry partners to leverage their collective market expertise and global resources to not only grow ErisX, but also to develop global regulatory and compliance standards that have a lasting impact on the entire digital asset space."

With Cboe, ErisX aims to be a digital asset market rooted in the exchange principles of transparency and regulatory compliance, supported by a network of intermediaries, providing client-driven solutions that help institutions fully embrace this emerging asset class. Digital assets are globally recognized and are expected to continue to benefit from a regulated derivatives market and central clearing to help mitigate counterparty riskproviding more efficient price formation, additional hedging tools, enhanced transparency, and deeper liquidity. Cboe believes meeting the demand for trading digital assets with the advantages of exchange trading is beneficial for all investors, and intermediaries have a key role to play in the ongoing development of Cboe Digital spot and derivatives markets.

"Increased retail participation has fueled record trading across equities, derivatives and digital assets, demonstrating how investors of all types want access to sustainable financial solutions," said Chris Isaacson, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cboe Global Markets. "Cboe is uniquely positioned to help the growing segment of retail investors access traditional and new financial markets through product innovation, education and collaboration with our industry partners and intermediariesand now we can leverage the regulatory framework, transparency, infrastructure and data solutions of those trusted markets to further mature and expand digital asset trading and clearing for a broader user base."

Market participants, including a growing number of institutional firms, have continued to request exposure to digital assets. The ErisX platform was built with the traditional exchange principles of transparency, price discovery and regulatory controls, laying the foundation for institutional trading of digital assets. ErisX's intermediary-friendly model has brought resiliency and security to the digital asset space with physically delivered futures contracts traded at and cleared through a CFTC regulated Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO). ErisX futures contracts trade alongside its spot market on an innovative and unified platform, bringing price transparency and collateral efficiency.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, however the company noted that the purchase price is not material from a financial perspective. ErisX is positioned to be a long-term leader as regulation is expected to play an increasingly prominent role in digital assets, and Cboe plans to make the early investments necessary to help maximize revenue growth potential over the medium and long term. Cboe anticipates ErisX will reach EBITDA profitability within two to three years, benefiting from a diversified stream of revenue drivers.

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives and FX, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

About ErisX

ErisX Futures are offered through Eris Exchange, LLC, a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) registered Designated Contract Market (DCM) and Eris Clearing, LLC, a registered Derivatives Clearing Organization (DCO). The CFTC does not have regulatory oversight authority over virtual currency products including spot market trading of virtual currencies. ErisX Spot Market is not licensed, approved or registered with the CFTC and transactions on the ErisX Spot Market are not subject to CFTC rules, regulations or regulatory oversight. ErisX Spot Market is offered through Eris Clearing, LLC, which is licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services and holds licenses in other U.S. states and territories. https://www.Erisx.com/disclaimer/

ErisX offers individuals and institutions a single, innovative platform to access crypto spot and futures markets. By combining professional tools, advanced technology, sophisticated regulatory oversight, and a diverse product set, ErisX offers compliant, capital markets friendly workflows to digital market participants. Backed by some of the world's largest trading firms and financial institutions, ErisX brings transparency and reliability to the digital asset class. ErisX, Eris Exchange, and the ErisX and Eris Exchange logos are trademarks of the Eris Exchange group of companies.

Cboe Media Contact ErisX Media Contact Cboe Analyst Contact Angela Tu Jessica Darmoni Kenneth Hill, CFA +1-646-856-8734 +1-312-756-8716 +1-312-786-7559 atu@cboe.com Jessica.darmoni@erisx.com khill@cboe.com

CBOE-C

CBOE-OE

Cboe, Cboe Global Markets, Cboe Volatility Index, and VIX are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the loss of our right to exclusively list and trade certain index options and futures products; economic, political and market conditions; compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; price competition and consolidation in our industry; decreases in trading or clearing volumes, market data fees or a shift in the mix of products traded on our exchanges; legislative or regulatory changes or changes in tax regimes; our ability to protect our systems and communication networks from security risks, cybersecurity risks, insider threats and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; our ability to attract and retain skilled management and other personnel; increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities; our dependence on and exposure to risk from third parties; fluctuations to currency exchange rates; factors that impact the quality and integrity of our indices; the impact of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic; our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others and the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights; our ability to minimize the risks, including our credit and default risks, associated with operating a European clearinghouse; our ability to accommodate trading and clearing volume and transaction traffic, including significant increases, without failure or degradation of performance of our systems; misconduct by those who use our markets or our products or for whom we clear transactions; challenges to our use of open source software code; our ability to meet our compliance obligations, including managing potential conflicts between our regulatory responsibilities and our for-profit status; our ability to maintain BIDS Trading as an independently managed and operated trading venue, separate from and not integrated with our registered national securities exchanges; damage to our reputation; the ability of our compliance and risk management methods to effectively monitor and manage our risks; our ability to manage our growth and strategic acquisitions or alliances effectively; restrictions imposed by our debt obligations and our ability to make payments on or refinance our debt obligations; our ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; impairment of our goodwill, long-lived assets, investments or intangible assets; the accuracy of our estimates and expectations; litigation risks and other liabilities; and operating a digital asset business. More detailed information about factors that may affect our actual results to differ may be found in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other filings made from time to time with the SEC.

We do not undertake, and we expressly disclaim, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

1 Subject to regulatory approval

ErisX, a Cboe Global Markets company

Cision

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SOURCE Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
By Trend





World Bank (WB) together with the Government of Kazakhstan will continue looking for new opportunities for assistance in agriculture, Trend reports citing the WB.

"Agricultural sector remains critical to Kazakhstans sustainable growth agenda. Therefore, the World Bank together with the Government of Kazakhstan will continue looking for new opportunities for assistance in this sector. We continue to have a policy dialogue with the Ministry of Agriculture and stand ready to provide technical and financial support to the reform process the Ministry is undertaking," the Bank said.

At the same time, World Bank continues to finance and advise operations in the livestock sector in the Central Asia region (e.g. in Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic).

Furthermore, in regards to the National Agro-Industrial Development Project (2021-2025), has been approved and will be financed from the allocated funds of the state budget.

"The National Agro-Industrial Development Project (2021-2025) will be financed from the state budget. The World Bank remains available to discuss options for technical assistance," the WB said.
Fintech companies and other entities have moved the needle for consumer payments in Latin America, particularly during the global pandemic, prompting consumers to be more comfortable with digital payments.

Chile-based Xepelin aims to do the same with business-to-business payments via a SaaS payments infrastructure that includes financial information in real time, embedded financial services and data models, all to be a companys digital CFO of sorts.

The company raised $230 million in an equity and debt Series A round last year, led by Kaszek, and since then expanded into Mexico, growing its client roster over five times to 15,000, growing Mexico revenue by 60 times and launching its new Xepelin Payments product 90 days ago that enables users to organize and automate payments to suppliers, with and without financing.

Since being co-founded in 2019 by Nicolas de Camino and Sebastian Kreis, Xepelin also grew its employee headcount to over 400.

This is a huge market, but no one is really focused on pure business-to-business, de Camino told TechCrunch. Businesses of means have access to bank funds, but around 95% of small and medium businesses are unattended. We believe there is $5 trillion in trapped cash that needs to be unlocked, and we have a forum to address that.

Now the company is doubling down in both Chile and Mexico, while also eyeing new countries for expansion and will hire additional employees and launch new products. Support for all of this comes from a new $111 million Series B round of funding  all equity this time  led by Avenir and Kaszek. Xepelin is touting the round as "the largest Series B investment round in the history of Chile and one of the largest in Latin America."

While this round is a doubling down for Kazsek, Avenir is a new investor joining the cap table. Kreis told TechCrunch that Avenir, having other investments in emerging marketings, was looking for the next B2B payments platform winning in LatAm and will help Xepelin get to the next level.

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Also participating in the round were PayPal Ventures, Wellington, DST Global Partners, Battery Ventures, MSA Novo, Endeavor Catalyst, FJ Labs, Picus, Amarena, Gunderson, Carlos Garcia, Cathay-Seaya Latam and Gilgamesh.

We can still grow a lot in Chile and Mexico, so it is more like when is the best time to go to other LatAm countries, Kreis added. We also want to win Mexico.
Company Logo

Dublin, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "China Construction Equipment Market - Strategic Assessment & Forecast 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The construction equipment market in China is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.17% by 2028



In-depth Analysis and Data-driven Insights on the Impact of COVID-19 Included in this China Construction Equipment Strategic Assessment and forecast Market Report



This report considers the present scenario of the construction equipment market and market dynamics for the forecast period 2022-2028. It covers a detailed overview of several growth enablers, restraints, and trends in the market. The study includes the volume and value sales with a segment analysis of the UAE construction equipment market.

CHINA CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT MARKET SEGMENTATION

By 2028, the material handling equipment segment in China is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.15%. Shift to prefabricated construction is driving demand for cranes. It is estimated that 30% of newly constructed buildings in China will be prefabricated by 2030 as Chinese infrastructure developers are majorly adopting the prefab construction techniques.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

The key players in the China construction machinery market are XCMG Group, SANY Group, Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. Ltd., Caterpillar, Komatsu Group, Volvo Construction Equipment, Hitachi, Ltd., Liebherr Group, KUBOTA Corporation, JCB, Lingong Group Jinan Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. (LGMG), Hyundai Doosan Infracore, Kobelco Construction Machinery, Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd., and Fayat Group.

XCMG Group, Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu Group, SANY Group, and Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. Ltd. are market leaders that accounted for nearly ~85% of the overall construction equipment market share in 2021.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

In 2020, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the construction of healthcare facilities increased. This primarily led to a growth of 13.6% in demand for new construction equipment in China for the same year.

Long-term industrial development will also be fueled by the government's intention to invest $573 billion in infrastructure projects. In December 2021, the government issued ~$555.81 billion and announced various projects including the expansion of the railway 19,000 kilometers, 12,000 kilometers high-speed rail, the expansion of public roads by 302,000 kilometers, with 29,000 kilometers expressways, building 29 new passenger airports, and the expansion of urban transit rail operating mileage by 3,400 kilometers.

Additionally, China Government plans to build 300,000 affordable rental homes by 2025, with around 60,000 to be completed by the end of 2022. The government allocated $23.6 billion for housing development in the 2021 budget plan. The new housing development projects will provide new opportunities for construction equipment in infrastructure development.

Climate change is a major concern for all countries worldwide, and therefore, many construction equipment manufacturers have incorporated new technologies in their products to reduce carbon emissions. For instance, in China Volvo's advanced I-Save intelligent fuel-saving system has stronger power, lower fuel consumption, and can improve fuel efficiency by 3%. Volvo also introduced China's first ECR25 electric mini crawler excavator. Construction equipment powered by green hydrogen fuel and electric construction equipment are likely to replace the fossil fuel-based construction equipment. In 2021, the China government approved the renewable mega-project for green hydrogen and also accelerated the electrification of construction machinery in the same year.

The construction equipment market is consolidated with XCMG emerging as the leader, followed by Caterpillar, Volvo, Komatsu, SANY and Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. Ltd. These companies have nearly 85% share of the total China construction equipment market.

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WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS REPORT?

This report is among the few in the market that offers outlook and opportunity analysis forecast in terms of:

Market Size & Forecast Volume (Unit sales) 2019-2028

Earthmoving, Material Handling, and Road Construction

Excavators, Backhoe Loaders, Cranes, Forklifts

End Users (construction, mining, manufacturing, and other industries)

Market Size & Forecast Value (USD) 2019-2028

Earthmoving, Material Handling, and Road Construction

Excavators, Backhoe Loaders, Cranes, Forklifts

End Users (construction, mining, manufacturing and other industries)

Major current & upcoming projects & investments

Gain competitive intelligence about the economic scenario, advantages in China's major projects and investments, dynamics, and market share.

Examples of the latest technologies.

Get presentation-ready format and easy-to-interpret data.

Enable decision-makers to make informed and profitable choices

Gain expert quantitative and qualitative analysis on value/volume incremental growth projections

Complete supply chain analysis

Get COVID-19 impact analysis of the market

Vendor capability matrix

Company Profile of vendors and distributors

Key Vendors

XCMG

SANY

Zoomlion

Caterpillar

Volvo Construction Equipment

Komatsu

Hitachi

Kubota

Liebherr

JCB

Other Prominent Vendors

LGMG

Hyundai Doosan Infracore

Kobelco

Sumitomo

FAYAT

Distributor Profiles

CamaMach

LuoYang Silon Industrial Co., Ltd

Sino Machinery Imp & Exp Co., Ltd.

Key Topics Covered:



Section 1 - Introduction

Market Snapshot

Executive Summary

Section 2 - Market Overview

Economic Scenario, Foreign Direct Investment

Section 3 - Market Landscape

China Construction Equipment Market by Type (Volume & Value)

Material Handling Equipment

Forklift and Telescopic Handler

Aerial Platform (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom Lifts, Scissor Lifts, Etc)

Cranes

Earthmoving Equipment

Excavators

Motor Graders

Backhoe Loaders

Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other Loaders, Bulldozer, Trencher, Etc)

Road Construction Equipment

Road Roller

Asphalt Paver

China Construction Equipment Market by End-user (Volume & Value)

Construction

Manufacturing

Mining

Others (Power Generation, Utilities Municipal Corporations, Oil & Gas, Cargo Handling, Power Generation Plants, Waste Management, Etc)

Section 4 - Market Dynamics

Market Drivers, Restraints, Trends, Advantage China, Key Economic Regions, Import/Export Trends, Supply Chain Analysis, Covid-19 Impact

Section 5 - Technological Development

Advent of New Technology

Section 6 - Competitive Landscape

Competitive Landscape Overview

Major Vendors (Xcmg Group - Sany Group - Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. Ltd. - Caterpillar - Komatsu Group - Volvo Construction Equipment - Hitachi, Ltd. - Liebherr Group - Kubota Corporation - Jcb)

Other Prominent Vendors

Distributor Profiles

Section 7 - Quantitative Summary

Quantitative Summary

Section 8 - Report Summary

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4wxdze

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




Silhouette of Oil Field at Sunset Getty Images

Europe can rely on the US if it stops using Russian oil, Vortexa's chief economist said.

US crude is "super suitable" for Europe's refineries due to its quality, cost, and availability, David Wech said.

Russia supplies a quarter of the EU's oil, but the bloc is scrambling to cut that following the Ukraine invasion.

Europe is under pressure to wean itself off Russian energy, starting with a ban on crude imports. It could prove expensive and politically tricky, but the region wouldn't have a problem covering that gap and the US is emerging as an ideal substitute, according to energy market intelligence provider Vortexa.

"The US will rank highly, that's natural, given its size, and its proximity and also the crude quality," Vortexa chief economist David Wech said in an interview with Insider. He added that the market security provided by the US also makes it an ideal supplier.

Russia supplies about 25% of the European Union's oil, and the bloc has paid Russia about $46 billion for its energy since the war in Ukraine started, a report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said.

Western countries have hit Russia with tough sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine, but the EU has not yet banned Russian oil and gas.

Germany said this week it is prepared to stop buying Russian oil, the Wall Street Journal reported, which would allow the EU to impose fresh sanctions on Moscow. Germany had already cut its intake from Russia, which now accounts for 12% of the country's oil consumption, down from 35% before the invasion of Ukraine, German Economic Minister Robert Habeck said.

Russia normally exports some 4 million barrels of oil per day by ship, with the rest of its roughly 7 million barrels per day in overseas sales going via pipelines east and west.

Much of this crude ends up in Europe, which takes around 2.7 million barrels per day, according to S&P Global Platts. Another 1 million barrels per day arrive via the 4,000-kilometer long Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Eastern and Western Europe and services Germany, the Netherlands, Poland and Austria, among others.

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Unlike natural gas, which arrives almost exclusively to Europe via pipeline from Russia, the remaining 1.7 million barrels a day that could be affected by an EU ban would be reasonably easy to source from a variety of crude exporters, Wech said.

"Europe is in a very favourable geographical position. Apart from Russia, there are also the Caspian countries, there is the production in the North Sea, there is production in North Africa, there is Africa, Nigeria, Angola, which is also very close from a distance perspective," Wech said. "Then, of course, there is the US."

Official data shows US crude exports hit a record 10.6 million barrels per day in the week to April 15 and Europe is its biggest customer right now. In the first four months of the year, 42% of shipments have gone to Europe, up from 38% last year, while 39% went to Asia, down from 44% at this point in 2021, Wech said.

The key is that US oil is generally light in density and low in sulphur content, known as a "sweet" grade, as opposed to Russian crude, which is heavier and more sulphur ous, known as a "sour" crude. A large proportion of US refineries are geared towards processing Russian-style grades and therefore, do not consume as much domestic output.

"(US) light sweet crude is generally suitable for the European market. It's generally crude that is relatively ample available, and is therefore relatively cheap," Wech said. "That's that's super suitable for Europeans also from the overall processing cost perspective."

Even though Europe can buy oil from other countries, a ban on Russian crude would risk an escalation of war in Ukraine, according to Wech, and hit consumers that are already struggling with sky-high inflation, largely driven by the price of oil and gas.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Flowr Corporation

TORONTO, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Flowr Corporation (Flowr or the Company) (TSXV: FLWR, OTC: FLWPF) announces that it will be issued a cease trade order (CTO) by the Ontario Securities Commission by virtue of not filing the following periodic disclosure documents (the Annual Filings) by the filing deadline of May 2, 2022:



the audited annual financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021;

the managements discussion and analysis of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2021; and

certificates of each of the Interim Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer relating to the audited annual financial statements.



As previously announced on April 22, 2022, the Company's 2021 audit currently remains ongoing due to combination of factors, including: (i) recent changes in the finance department of the Company, including to the site controller and finance manager; (ii) additional resources being allocated to the recently completed divestiture of Holigen Limited; and (iii) additional time required by the auditor to complete the remaining audit procedures. The causes of the delay are not material to the Company or its operations. Although the audit continues to progress well, it has taken longer to complete than originally anticipated. Notwithstanding the delay, the Company continues to operate normally without disruption and is working diligently and expeditiously with its auditors to complete the Annual Filings as soon as possible.

The Company anticipates that it will complete the Annual Filings on or before May 16, 2022. Revocation of the CTO is expected to occur within a few days after the Annual Filings are made.

The Company is not currently subject to any insolvency proceedings. The Company also confirms that there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed as of the date of this press release.

Despite the CTO, a beneficial security holder of the Company who is not, and was not at the date of the CTO, an insider or control person of the Company, may sell securities of the Company acquired before the date of the CTO if: (a) the sale is made through a foreign organized regulated market, as defined in section 1.1 of the Universal Market Integrity Rules of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada; and (b) the sale is made through an investment dealer registered in a jurisdiction of Canada in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Holders of the Company's securities are urged to consult with their own investment advisors or legal counsel about the implications of the CTO.

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A copy of the CTO will be posted on the Ontario Securities Commission website once issued. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to remedy its filing default and have the CTO lifted in a timely manner or at all.

About The Flowr Corporation

The Flowr Corporation is a cannabis company with operations in Canada. Its operating campus, located in Kelowna, BC, includes a purpose-built, GMP-designed indoor cultivation facility; an outdoor and greenhouse cultivation site; and a state-of-the-art R&D facility. From this campus, Flowr produces recreational and medicinal products. In 2020, Flowrs BC Pink Kush was recognized as the top indica strain in Canada by KIND magazine.

Flowr aims to support improving outcomes through responsible cannabis use and, as an established expert in cannabis cultivation, strives to be the brand of choice for consumers and patients seeking the highest-quality craftsmanship and product consistency across a portfolio of differentiated cannabis products.

For more information, please visit flowrcorp.com or follow Flowr on Twitter: @FlowrCanada and LinkedIn: The Flowr Corporation.

On behalf of The Flowr Corporation:

Tom Flow

Interim Chief Executive Officer

CONTACT INFORMATION:

INVESTORS & MEDIA:

John Chou

Chief Financial Officer

John.chou@flowr.ca

Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements made in this press release may constitute forward-looking information, future oriented financial information or financial outlooks (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information are often, but not always, identified using words such as seek, anticipate, plan, estimate, expect, intend and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information, readers should not place undue reliance on such information. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, Company's ability to file the Annual Filings in a timely manner and the subsequent revocation of the CTO. Forward-looking information is current as of the date it is made and is based on reasonable estimates and assumptions made by us at the relevant time in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances.

To the extent any forward-looking information in this press release constitutes future oriented financial information or financial outlooks, within the meaning of applicable securities laws, the purpose of such information being provided is to demonstrate the potential of the Company and readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. However, we do not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws in Canada.

There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information as discussed in the Risk Factors section of the Companys 2020 Annual Information Form dated April 28, 2021 (the AIF). A copy of the AIF and the Companys other publicly filed documents can be accessed under the Companys profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com. The Company cautions that the list of risk factors and uncertainties described in the AIF is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information.

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.




HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Last month, Vietnam's leading agriculture-based company GREENFEED confirmed two major deals with French-owned poultry brand LeBoucher and NTT Corporation , a global technology solutions provider. These milestones help the company inch closer to its ambition to become one of the country's most diverse conglomerates.

A GREENFEED Vietnam representative said, "Over the past 19 years, we have worked hard to improve our products and expand our reach. Starting the journey as an animal feed manufacturer, we now have deep expertise and a diversified business portfolio in various sectors such as feed, farm, food, technology, and so on. With the two latest deals, we want to take what we are really good at to the next level in order to innovate and create even more value for our customers and the society."

In March, the company officially completed all due process to acquire the business and trademark of LeBoucher, the chicken brand of Alain Glon Holding PTE. LTD (AGH) in Vietnam. The acquisition is a strategic move of GREENFEED to rapidly add a chicken chain to its current "from farm-to-table" product ecosystem. After the M&A, LeBoucher will become the fifth in GREENFEED Vietnam's growing portfolio of food brands, reaffirming its commitment to develop and expand a protein-based product portfolio in order to meet the demand for safe and high-quality food of Vietnamese consumers.

"We believe GREENFEED will enhance the brand even further based on the commitment to quality that we set out, and LeBoucher will reach further to many more consumers," added Glon Benoit Alain, Managing Director of AGH.

Mr. Quang Thanh Cuong, CEO of Food Segment, GREENFEED Vietnam and Mr. Glon Benoit Alain, Managing Director of AGH

In addition, after many years of investing in the technology sector, QD.TEK  a member of GREENFEED announced its entry into the data center business through the partnership with NTT Corporation, the world's leading telecommunications carrier and data center service provider. Under the agreement, QD.TEK, and NTT Global Data Center (NTT GDC), a member of NTT Corporation, will establish a joint venture, NTT Global Data Center HCMC1 Limited Liability Company (HCMC1), to develop a Data Center in Ho Chi Minh City.

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Imagery of Ho Chi Minh City 1 Data Center

The HCMC1 will provide full-stack, full-lifecycle ICT solutions to a wide range of clients, including government sectors, major financial institutions, telecommunications companies, IT companies, and manufacturers.

"Partnering with the world's leading telecommunications carrier and data center service provider is our great honor to provide ICT service excellence and benefits of a world-class data center to Vietnamese clients in which there is remarkable growth in demands for digital services and infrastructure," said Ngo Truong Da, President of QD. TEK.

About GREENFEED

Established in 2003, GREENFEED owns an integrated food chain Feed  Farm  Food with the mission to build quality and trusted brands that relentlessly innovate and create sustainable values for customers and society.

GREENFEED offers numerous animal feed brands, whose quality are verified by ISO 22000, HACCP, GLOBAL G.A.P and BAP, along with exclusive international-standard animal breeds. Additionally, GREENFEED's food brands - G Kitchen, MAMACHOICE, Wyn, GLALA, LeBoucher, bring tasty and healthy food solutions to millions of Vietnamese consumers.

GREENFEED was ranked as a top 100 global feed company (by Feed International magazine), a top 50 brand in 2020 (Forbes Vietnam) and one of Vietnam's 100 largest enterprises (VNR 500). GREENFEED is also one of the 100 best places to work in Vietnam (Anphabe). For more information, please visit website: www.greenfeed.com.vn .

SOURCE GREENFEED Vietnam
IEOM Society International

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The IEOM Society, an international organization of industrial engineers and operation management professionals, will hold its 7th North American Conference in Orlando, Florida, June 12-14, 2022. The venue is the Holiday Inn and Suites across from Universal Studio. The host is Florida Polytechnic University in collaboration with University of Central Florida. The conference chairs are Dr. Shahram Taj, Chair and Professor, Department of Data Science and Business Analytics, Dr. Ahmad Elshennawy, Professor, Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, University of Central Florida, and Dr. Ahad Ali, Associate Professor of LTU and Executive Director of IEOM Society. Some of the featured keynote speakers at the event are Dr. Randy Advent, President, Florida Polytechnic University, Dr. Kay M. Stanney, CEO and Founder, Design Interactive, Inc. Member, National Academy of Engineering (NAE), and Ms. Jessica Ascough, Chief Software Architect, L3 Harris Technologies, IEOM Society President, Dr. Hamid Parsaei said that he was delighted to announce that Amatrol Corporation and its President and CEO, Paul Perkins is sponsoring the Curriculum Innovation Development Award. Dr. Sagit Kedem-Yemini of Safir Academic College, Israel, and Dr. Tali Freed of California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo are the 2022 recipients. They will be recognized at the conference Award Ceremony on June 14.

The 6th IEOM Society North American Conference was held in Monterrey, Mexico. Dr. Luz Maria Valdez-de la Rosa of University of Monterrey, Mexico was conference chair and Dr. Jose Benito Flores-Juarez, Dean of School of Engineering and Technologies University of Monterrey, Mexico was the Honorary Chair. Dr. Flores-Juarez is the former President of the American Society of Quality (ASQ). The host of this event is the School of Engineering and Technologies of the University of Monterrey (UDEM). In addition, it has important co-organizers such as UDEMs Business School, School of Accounting and Management (FACPYA) from Autonomous University of Nuevo Leon (UANL), Tecnologico de Monterrey, Automotive Cluster of Nuevo Leon (CLAUT), and Latin American Network of Research in Energy and Vehicles (RELIEVE).

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The IEOM Society International is a premier organization of professionals who are committed to enhancing the use and implementation of industrial engineering to increase operational effectiveness and productivity around the world. It operates in more than 100 countries of which many are considered underdeveloped. As a student-centered organization, we have nearly 160 chapters in 54 countries. Each year the organization holds conferences in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. IEOM publishes its peer-reviewed International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Operations Management with Emerald.





Contact: Donald Reimer

Director of Communications

IEOM Society International

Southfield, Michigan, USA

313-300-4950

donreimer@ieomsociety.org




BANGALORE, India , May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Lawful Interception Market is Segmented by Solution (Devices, Software, and Services), Component (Mediation Devices, Routers, Intercept Access Point (IAP), Gateways, Switch, Handover Interface, and Management Server), Network Technology (VoIP, WLAN, WiMAX, DSL, PSTN, ISDN, Mobile Voice Telephony, and Mobile Data), Communication Technology (Voice Communication, Video, Text Messaging, Facsimile, Digital Pictures, Data Downloads, and File Transfer), and End User (Government and Enterprises): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2030. It is published in Valuates Reports under the Networking Category.

Valuates Reports Logo

The global lawful interception market size was valued at USD 2.69 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 22.64 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23.7% from 2021 to 2030.

Major factors driving the growth of the lawful interception market

The growth of the lawful interception market is expected to be driven by an increase in the number of criminal activities, an increase in the volume of data traffic, and a security threat due to advancements in VoIP.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF LAWFUL INTERCEPTION MARKET

The rise In the number of criminal activities is expected to drive the growth of the lawful interception market. As the number of criminal and terrorist activities around the world has increased, so has the need for technologically advanced crime detection technologies and favorable lawful interception legislation. To combat and control crimes like terrorism, domestic crimes, and cybercrime, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies use lawful interception to study suspects' communication data. The suspect's intercepted data is transferred to intelligence agencies by network operators and service providers, and a warrant is issued by the legal authority. The monitoring centers analyze forensic telecommunication data collected from service providers (SPs) and internet service providers (ISPs) to extract general information for law enforcement authorities about the suspect's groups, activities, and associations in order to track and monitor illegal activities.

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The amount of data transmitted over communication channels has increased at an exponential rate. The increased use of smartphones, particularly in Asian countries, will fuel the growth of data traffic. Voice calls can now be made in offices using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Individual consumers prefer to communicate using data-based services rather than traditional phone or mobile voice calls. Because of the exponential growth in packet data volume, cybercrime and data breaches have become more common. The government and other organizations use cyber data interception to protect national security. As a result, the lawful interception market is being propelled by two main drivers: an increase in data traffic and security concerns.

The concept of virtualization is gaining traction around the world as cloud computing advances. Modern data centers are becoming more virtualized, allowing vendors to offer cloud-based interception solutions and connect cybernetic traffic to physical monitoring tools.

Furthermore, advances in data-based communications have resulted in the expansion of telecommunication networks, which is contributing to the growth of the global lawful interception market. Mobile phone tracking systems are also being set up to help security agencies protect and preserve consumer interests. Aside from that, governments in both developed and developing countries are rapidly implementing lawful interception to monitor and decrypt digital and analog data. Furthermore, a number of companies are engaged in the research and development of cloud-based interception solutions.

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LAWFUL INTERCEPTION MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Based on type, the service segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period, due to an increase in the number of skilled workers and the need to maintain the security and functionality of the software.

Based on network technologies, the VOIP segment is projected as one of the most lucrative segments.

Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest rate of 24.5 percent from 2019 to 2026, owing to an increase in the adoption of efficient telecommunication technologies in countries like Japan, Korea, and China, which has resulted in an increase in data-based communication.

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Key Players

AQSACOM Innovating Intelligence

BAE Systems

Cisco Systems, Inc.

Fire Eye

Incognito software system Inc.

JSI Telecom

NICE Systems

SS8 Incorporation

Siemens AG

Utimaco GmbH

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SIMILAR REPORTS:

- In 2020, the global Surveillance market size was USD 34790 Million and it is expected to reach USD 67670 Million by the end of 2027, with a CAGR of 9.6% during 2021-2027.

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Image

Telehealth solutions leader will debut a series of new products and services at ATA2022, May 1-3 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

Arthur Cooksey, CEO of Let's Talk Interactive

Arthur Cooksey, CEO of Let's Talk Interactive

CHARLOTTE, N.C., May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Let's Talk Interactive, a leading telehealth solutions provider, today announces it will be exhibiting new telehealth solutions at ATA2022, the American Telemedicine Association's (ATA) 26th Annual Conference and Expo, May 1-3 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Let's Talk Interactive will promote the launch of TrustVideo, its next-generation enterprise telehealth solution, and IOFX, a new 3D printing and additive manufacturing solution, as well as new service offerings and product innovations at booth #1520. Additionally, founder and CEO Arthur Cooksey will join a panel discussion on Sunday, May 1, at 10:50 a.m. titled "School-based Telemental Health: Supporting Students with Access to Care."

"At Let's Talk Interactive, we continue to break the mold of what telehealth functionality will look like now, and in the future. We're excited to give ATA2022 attendees a sneak peek of those innovations," said Arthur Cooksey, founder and CEO of Let's Talk Interactive. "With more than 20 years of telehealth industry experience, we're confident our solutions will enable our partners to make care more accessible than it ever has been before."

"Let's Talk Interactive continues to build a global platform that brings consistent quality healthcare, confidentiality, and security to all," says Kathy Ireland, Chair and CEO of kathy ireland Worldwide and an LTI board member. "Through our shared values, commitment, collaboration, and innovation, we aim to continue to develop solutions that expand equal access to quality physical and mental healthcare," adds Ms. Ireland, who is named by UCLA as one of the Top 10 Women's Health Advocates in the country.

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TrustVideo - A next-generation enterprise solution

TrustVideo has the functionality of a complete modern healthcare ecosystem that drives utilization and improves access to care. Designed for enterprise health systems, the robust telehealth platform serves any medical use case and integrates seamlessly with any electronic health record (EHR). The interface is user-friendly for both the patient and provider.

TrustVideo users have unlimited licenses at no additional cost. Unique solutions such as medcart software, virtual clinic and on-demand queuing are included in the TrustVideo platform. Users also have access to custom hardware solutions, provider networks and secure web development from Let's Talk Interactive.

Telemedicine Software and Service Enhancements

In addition to TrustVideo, Let's Talk Interactive's new and improved medcart software features include direct integration with the vitals monitor API and the ability for users to save images both during the session and saved in TrustVideo to be pushed to an EHR. Users can also store all bioanalytics on the session automatically and have the bioanalytics pushed to the EHR.

Let's Talk Interactive is also expanding its patient acquisition services, including HIPAA compliant software and web development, patient portal creation and SEO services for healthcare systems.

3D Printing and Manufacturing

Let's Talk Interactive will launch its 3D printing and additive manufacturing brand, IOFX, to support advances in healthcare. A new, custom 3D printer will be on display in booth #1520 that will enable organizations to innovate in-house, streamline processes, develop prototypes and expedite custom clinical solutions. IOFX's initial focus is on designing and printing medical devices and prostheses, as well as custom foam solutions for telehealth hardware development and protection.

Custom Hardware

Let's Talk Interactive will debut three new telehealth hardware innovations. The new Premier Tabletop Kiosk is lightweight with a small footprint. Designed and built in the U.S., the kiosk is customized for medical use cases with a lockable storage compartment, external power button, 4-port USB hub with cable management, and powered by a micro form factor PC. An adjustable screen with tilt capability enables the device to work well on countertops of any height, with the option to bolt down the kiosk. The system boasts two forms of connectivity with a built-in wifi booster to ensure a strong wireless signal and a built-in external LAN port for hard-lined connections.

A new and improved Soft Telemedicine Kit is designed for mobile telehealth applications to improve the level of care in a variety of use case settings. LTI's lightweight, non-powered soft kit provides facilities with a simple and effective approach, allowing configuration for in-home care or physician consultation. High-density custom-designed 3D printed foam inserts securely house chosen technology or diagnostic devices and offer multiple storage pockets to accommodate multiple configurations.

Let's Talk Interactive is taking medcart customization to a new level. The integration of all-in-one PCs allow users to incorporate new features onto their carts such as "hotswap" battery power versus chargeable stations. For example, LTI's carts now come with options such as electronic and manual lift, and an option of integrated battery-powered, non-powered, or hot-swappable batteries.

All hardware is compatible with LTI's telehealth software which is an open platform that works on any monitor or operating system.

About Let's Talk Interactive, Inc.

Let's Talk Interactive, Inc. (LTI) is a client-centric technology company that empowers healthcare providers to deliver easy, fast and safe patient care anywhere in the world. Through cutting-edge HIPAA compliant video conferencing software, kiosks and medical carts, network solutions, virtual clinics, and proprietary safe and secure online video conferencing capabilities, LTI gives those in need instant access to care. For more information about Let's Talk Interactive, visit www.letstalkinteractive.com

Media Contact:

Caitlin Wolf

caitlin@letstalkinteractive.com

980-220-3777

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Image 1: Arthur Cooksey, CEO of Let's Talk Interactive





Let's Talk Interactive debuts new telehealth solutions at ATA2022.









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell walks on the hallway at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, U.S. February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Octavio Jones

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell rejoined Twitter on Sunday after he was permanently banned in 2021.

The account is currently unverified and includes a video of Lindell urging users to follow him.

Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment on if the account defies existing policies.

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell returned to Twitter on Sunday, after the executive was permanently banned from the platform in 2021 for spreading election-related conspiracy theories.

"Hello everybody, I'M BACK ON TWITTER. My only account is @MikeJLindell! Please RT and FOLLOW to SPREAD THE WORD," Lindell wrote in a tweet shared Sunday afternoon.

While the account is currently unverified, the announcement includes a self-shot video of Lindell urging Twitter users to follow him and cautioning against imitators.

"All those other ones are fake accounts and they've been using my name out there, so we started this account," he said in the video. "Please share with everybody you know, let everybody you know, so we can get the word out at Twitter in case they do take it down. Thanks a lot for helping out."

Twitter did not immediately respond to Insider's request to comment on the account and whether it was condoned by the company. However, several Twitter users responded flagging the platform's ban evasion policy, which states on its website it forbids "attempts to circumvent prior enforcement, including through the creation of new accounts."

While the details surrounding Lindell's Twitter return remain unknown, it comes just a week after Elon Musk purchased the social platform for $44 billion, a takeover rife with speculation that the billionaire plans on changing policies to relax moderation in favor of increased freedom of speech.

Lindell was one of several high-profile figures who was permanently banned for spreading misinformation tied to the 2020 election, following the suspension of former president Donald Trump in January 2021. YouTube and Vimeo also removed Lindell's two-hour film about the election, "Absolute Proof," from their platforms.

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According to a recent report from the Wall Street Journal, Musk is dismayed that Trump is still barred from the platform, though the former president has previously stated he does not intend to return to the site.

"I hope Elon buys Twitter because he'll make improvements to it and he is a good man, but I am going to be staying on TRUTH," Trump told Fox News.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Program Also Supported an Additional 400 Black-Owned Eateries with Training, Mentoring and Support That Helped the Businesses Obtain $1.6 Million in Contracts and Financing

While Progress Has Been Made, Many Black Restaurateurs Across the Country Are Still Struggling to Survive, Underpinning a Call for More Support

NEW ORLEANS , May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Black Restaurant Accelerator (BRA), a joint initiative of the National Urban League and the PepsiCo Foundation, today marked the milestone of its first 100 grant recipients with the soft opening of a new restaurant, made possible by the program. Part of PepsiCo's $400 million Racial Equality Journey commitments, the BRA is a five-year, $10 million investment from the PepsiCo Foundation in partnership with the National Urban League to preserve and support Black-owned restaurants.

Black Restaurant Accelerator Program

The program has been a lifeline for many across the nation who continue to experience the impact of the pandemic. A shining example of the progress that grant recipients in 11 other cities have made with the BRA's support, Vaucresson Sausage Co.  which has operated throughout three generations in the historic 7th Ward since 1899 and is the last remaining food vendor to have served the inaugural New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival  will launch Vaucresson Creole Cafe & Deli. This business expansion breathes new life into a century and a quarter of New Orleans' Creole tradition. Fellow Louisiana establishments include Addis Nola, Beaucoup Eats, Ray's on The Avenue and Taste & See Personal Chef Services. Nationwide, 100 restaurateurs used the $10,000 grants to:

Save more than 60 jobs and hire staff

Expand their businesses by opening new locations

Grow their businesses with by taking actions like upgrading or procuring delivery vehicles, investing in kitchen equipment, setting up outdoor seating amid COVID regulations, launching marketing efforts including digital platforms to reach more consumers

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In addition to supporting 100 restaurants with grants, 400 additional Black-owned restaurants were provided with support including:

1,150 counseling and 1,185 training sessions to provide resources needed to grow their businesses

Approximately $1.6 million of financing and contract opportunities

Creating 14 new business ventures

"Black-owned businesses are the beating heart of our communities. We've supported small businesses for decades and watched how they create jobs, inspire new enterprises, and establish legacies for generations," said Marc H. Morial, President & CEO, National Urban League. "While the pandemic has deepened disparities that hinder our communities, the impact of this program is a testament to the resilience we can foster when we provide the right support. And we need other members of the business community and policymakers to step up, join us and act with urgency to ensure these entrepreneurs have equitable access to critical resources."

The pandemic hit Black-owned businesses the hardest, with 58 percent already facing financial distress. According to a University of California, Santa Cruz study, 41% of Black-owned businesses have shuttered since February 2020 compared to just 17% of white-owned businesses.[1] In New Orleans, many had to make difficult decisions about the future of businesses that have been in their families for generations.

"Investing to ensure Black-owned restaurants survive is critical to enabling communities to thrive," said C.D. Glin, Vice President of the PepsiCo Foundation and Global Head of Philanthropy, PepsiCo. "Our partnership with the National Urban League and its Entrepreneurship Centers provides comprehensive support in that it provides more than just access to capital but also essential support services that help them reimagine their businesses and make them sustainable for generations."

"As we welcome back tourists against the backdrop of the cultural events returning to the city, it's essential to preserve institutions like the Black-owned restaurants," said Judy Reese Morse, President & CEO, Urban League of Louisiana. "The Black Restaurant Accelerator is key to addressing some of the historical challenges and turning the tides as we seek to preserve the businesses that feed the soul of New Orleans."

As one of the world's leading convenient food and beverage companies, PepsiCo recognizes the importance of combatting deep-rooted inequity and creating long-term economic opportunities for Black communities. In 2020, PepsiCo launched its Racial Equality Journey, which focuses on three pillars: People, Business, and Communities. More information can be found here.

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.

About The PepsiCo Foundation

Established in 1962, The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, invests in the essential elements of a sustainable food system with a mission to support thriving communities. Working with non-profits and experts around the globe, we're focused on helping communities obtain access to food security, safe water and economic opportunity. We strive for tangible impact in the places where we live and workcollaborating with industry peers, local and international organizations, and our employees to affect large-scale change on the issues that matter to us and are of global importance. Learn more at www.pepsico.com/sustainability/philanthropy.

About National Urban League

The National Urban League is a historic civil rights organization dedicated to economic empowerment in order to elevate the standard of living in historically underserved urban communities. The National Urban League spearheads the efforts of its 90 local affiliates through the development of programs, public policy research and advocacy, providing direct services that impact and improve the lives of more than 2 million people annually nationwide. Visit www.nul.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @NatUrbanLeague.

[1] University of California, Santa Cruz, 2020

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SOURCE PepsiCo Foundation
By Trend





The Embassy of Uzbekistan, together with the representative office of the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade, the Uzeltekhsanoat Association and the Chinese Chamber for Export and Import of Equipment and Electrical Engineering, held an online meeting to discuss the prospects for cooperation between relevant departments and companies, Trend reports citing Kun.uz.

At the meeting, issues of interaction in the field of electrical engineering and innovative technologies were considered, and the potential for the joint implementation of mutually beneficial production projects was presented.

An agreement was reached on signing a Memorandum of Cooperation in such areas as creating a mechanism for exchanging information on promising projects and technologies, consulting on attracting investments, developing trade, organizing and holding joint exhibitions, as well as generating proposals for potential partner companies.

Following the meeting, the parties agreed to hold a business forum in May with the participation of profile companies of the two countries.
Patricia Kosseim addresses House of Commons committee, emphasizing the need for safeguards, accountability, and transparency

TORONTO, May 2, 2022 /CNW/ - Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner, Patricia Kosseim , and Canada's federal, provincial, and territorial privacy commissioners issued a joint statement and guidance on the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement.

Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario Logo (CNW Group/Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario)

In her comments today before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy, and Ethics, Commissioner Kosseim stressed that while the guidelines will help guide police in their use of facial recognition technology, laws designed specifically to govern the use of this technology by police are urgently needed to better protect Canadians.

"Although we believe these guidelines represent important risk mitigation measures, ultimately, we recommend the establishment of a comprehensive statutory regime governing the use of facial recognition technologies by police," said Commissioner Kosseim. "Clear guardrails with the force of law are necessary to ensure police agencies can confidently make appropriate use of facial recognition technology, grounded in a transparent framework capable of earning the public's enduring trust."

In her remarks to the committee, the commissioner highlighted five key elements of the new privacy guidance on facial recognition for police agencies:

Before using facial recognition technologies, police agencies should seek legal advice specific to their jurisdiction and establish that they are lawfully authorized to use it

Police need to adopt strong accountability measures, including conducting a privacy impact assessment before deploying the technology and implementing a robust program that is reviewed annually to mitigate privacy risks Quality and accuracy controls are essential to avoid false positives and reduce the potential for bias against individuals, groups, and communities

Clear limits must be established for how long images will be retained and how they will be destroyed if they do not register a match or are no longer needed

Transparency by police is absolutely critical as are open communications with the public and consultations with local communities on the design of facial recognition programs prior to their deployment

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Facial recognition technologies have the potential to assist police in solving serious crimes and finding missing persons. They can also pose serious privacy risks, even in public places where people have the expectation of being able about to go about their daily activities anonymously.

The IPC has identified Next-Generation Law Enforcement as one of four priority areas to guide its work. The goal of this priority is to contribute to building public trust in law enforcement by working with relevant partners to develop the necessary guardrails for the adoption of new technologies and community-based approaches that protect both public safety and Ontarians' access and privacy rights.

Police must be transparent and accountable in their use of this technology to maintain the public's trust. The guidelines released today help guide law enforcement agencies, but a new legal framework must be developed to specifically govern the use of facial recognition technologies by police.

Learn more:

SOURCE Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario

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Patriot Battery Metals

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the Company or Patriot) (CSE: PMET) (OTCQB: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce a leadership transition as Mr. Blair Way has accepted to assume both roles of President and CEO of the Company effective today. Mr. Adrian Lamoureax will continue with the company in a new role as Vice President - Corporate Development. Both Mr. Way and Mr. Lamoureux will remain as directors of the company.



Blair Way stated, On behalf of the Company and Board of Directors, I would like to sincerely thank Adrian for his contributions over the last 8 years. Adrians corporate and capital markets expertise, connections and experience will be vitally positioned to continue to advance the Company as Vice President  Corporate Development. As CEO, I look forward to working more closely with the team and advancing the Company through the evolution of a start up to a project developer.

Adrian Lamoureux, adds, Our Team has worked hard and persevered through good and bad markets to now position the Company to its present corporate growth, and we are extremely proud and thankful to our shareholders and stakeholders. I started as CEO of the Company in 2014 and our Management and Technical Teams have been with us since the beginning. The Teams have done an amazing job acquiring and evaluating a strong portfolio of projects. We are fortunate to have the assets that we do, with their jurisdictional locations, metals & minerals of interest, and strong upside potential. Its now time for Blair to lead the Company forward into the next chapter of project development. I look forward to continuing to work closely with the Team and Blair, and to be an important part of the PMET Team as we take the Company to the next level.

Mr. Way is an experienced international executive with over 35 years experience within the resources and construction industry throughout Australasia, Canada, the United States and Europe. A highly respected project developer in the most challenging of environs Mr Ways experience spans the complete mineral development cycle from early stage exploration to project definition and studies culminating in implementation, commissioning and operations. His early career was with major resource companies advancing major projects however the last decade has been focused on the earlier stage projects of public mid and junior mining companies. Mr Way has experience in a wide range of commodities including gold, copper, nickel, zinc, magnesium, graphite, cobalt and lithium.

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About Patriot Battery Metals Inc.

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral properties containing battery, base, and precious metals.

The Companys flagship asset is the Corvette Property, which includes the wholly owned Corvette, FCI East, FCI West, Deca-Goose, Felix, and Corvette East claim blocks, located in the James Bay Region of Quebec. The land package hosts significant lithium potential highlighted by the CV5-6 spodumene pegmatite with drill intercepts of 0.94% Li 2 O and 117 ppm Ta 2 O 5 over 155.1 m (CF21-002), and 1.25% Li 2 O and 194 ppm Ta 2 O 5 over 58.1 m at (CF21-003). Additionally, the Property hosts the Golden Gap Trend with grab samples of 3.1 to 108.9 g/t Au from outcrop and 10.5 g/t Au over 7 m in drill hole, and the Maven Trend with 8.15% Cu, 1.33 g/t Au, and 171 g/t Ag in outcrop.

The Company also holds 100% ownership of the Freeman Creek Gold Property in Idaho, USA which hosts two prospective gold prospects - the Gold Dyke Prospect with a 2020 drill hole intersection of 4.11 g/t Au and 33.0 g/t Ag over 12 m, and the Carmen Creek Prospect with surface sample results including 25.5 g/t Au, 159 g/t Ag, and 9.75% Cu.

The Companys other assets include the Pontax Lithium-Gold Property, QC; and the Hidden Lake Lithium Property, NWT, where the Company maintains a 40% interest, as well as several other assets in Canada.

For further information, please contact us at info@patriotbatterymetals.com Tel: +1 (778) 945-2950 , or visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

BLAIR WAY

Blair Way, CEO, President & Director

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

Statements included in this announcement, including statements concerning our plans, intentions, and expectations, which are not historical in nature are intended to be, and are hereby identified as, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words including anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, expects and similar expressions. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Companys future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.




Priority Aviation, Inc.

Dallas, Texas, May 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Priority Aviation, Inc. (OTC Pink: PJET) (PJET) today announced the company has drafted a plan with Alternet Systems, Inc (OTC Pink: ALYI) that includes leveraging ALYIs Revolt Token (RVLT) partner to begin executing on the E-Bike program the two companies announced earlier in April.

The E-Bike market is expected to surpass $52 billion by 2028 .

PJET is a technology company focused on student life. The companys core technology is its soon to be launched Student Housing By Owner (SHBO) APP designed to connect communities local to college campuses with students through an APP similar to Airbnb and VRBO but specific to the college community. PJET plans to evolve the relationship with the students into a lifelong relationship that extends beyond graduation providing a more socially conscious Amazon alternative.

PJET is already working on an electric motorcycle pilot with ALYI and recently the two companies decided to expand the pilot to include E-Bikes. The two companies have developed a model for manufacturing and delivering the bikes with the backing of ALYIs Revolt Token partner.

ALYI has developed a cryptocurrency financing strategy for its overall EV ecosystem. Participation in ALYIs EV Ecosystem is facilitated through the sale of Revolt Tokens (RVLT)  learn more about RVLT at https://rvlttoken.com/ .

PJET and ALYI anticipate the first E-Bikes going into production this summer.

Company Website  www.pjet-info.com

Disclaimer/Safe Harbor: This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act. The statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Among others, these risks include the expectation that any of the companies mentioned herein will achieve significant sales, the failure to meet schedule or performance requirements of the companies' contracts, the companies' liquidity position, the companies' ability to obtain new contracts, the emergence of competitors with greater financial resources and the impact of competitive pricing. In the light of these uncertainties, the forward-looking events referred to in this release might not occur.

Story continues

Contact:

Steven Rash

Info@pjet-info.com

+1 (800) 861-1350




Safe Orthopaedics





Safe group announces its 2021 results and reiterates its 2022 objectives







2021 revenues of 4.6 million, up +24%.

+18% gross margin improvement

Operating income at pre-sanitary crisis level

+19% net income improvement

4 strategic axes recalled for 2022









Eragny-sur-Oise, France, May 2nd, 2022 08h45 CET  Safe (FR0013467123  ALSAF), a company specializing in the design, manufacturing and marketing of single-use technologies for spinal surgeries, delivering the safest treatment for spinal fractures urgently treated, announces today its 2021 results and reiterates its 2022 strategic objectives.

Safe group's 2021 Annual Financial Report will be available on the Company's website (www.SafeOrthopaedics.com) in the Investors > Documentation > Regulated Information section as of April 30, 2022.

Consolidated accounts  In thousands euros IFRS 31/12/2021 31/12/2020 21/20 31/12/2019 21/19 Revenues - Direct sales 1 775 1 647 +8% 2 109 -16% Revenues - Indirect sales 990 1 623 -39% 2 683 -63% Revenues - Production subcontracting sales 1 791 415 +332% - Total Revenues 4 556 3 685 +24% 4 792 -5% Cost of goods sold and inventory variation (1 985) (2 259) +12% (3 420) +42% % Gross margin 56% 39% +18% 29% +28% External loads (2 561) (2 081) -23% (3 257) +21% Human ressources expenses (6 693) (5 443) -23% (4 633) -44% Other operating exepenses (966) (569) -70% (939) -3% Recurring operating income (7 650) (6 667) -15% (7 456) -3% Other operating income and expenses 85 1 8 Operating income (7 566) (6 666) -13% (7 449) -1% Financial result 875 -1 640 -521 Net income (6 691) (8 306) +19% (7 970) +16%

In 2021, revenues reached 4,556k (after the impact of IFRS 15, which deducts sales agent costs directly from revenues), up 23.6%, driven by an increase in direct sales by Safe Orthopaedics and Safe Medical, although the Covid-19 pandemic continues to limit surgical procedures and commercial approaches.

Direct annual sales of Safe Orthopaedics increased by 8% thanks to the performance in Germany (+263 thousand) and the start of marketing in the USA (+122 thousand). To enable investments in the latter two territories and improve European operating income, a mutualization of sales and marketing staff and a reduction in the number of French sales teams (5 in 2021 versus 9 in 2020) have been implemented without reducing national coverage.

Safe Orthopaedics indirect sales reached 990 thousand, strongly impacted by the covid over the last two financial years 2020 and 2021. In Japan, the Otsuka Group sold the distribution of Safe Orthopaedics products to Teijin Medical, creating a temporary slowdown.

Safe Medical sales fully integrated into the Group in 2021 amounted to 1.8 million, up 106% between the second half of 2021 and 2020 (the company was acquired in July 2020). In parallel with this commercial acceleration, the construction of an Integrated Innovation and Production Center (CIPI) in Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle has been completed, and as of September 2021 will provide all the industrial equipment (microbiological cleaning and clean rooms) necessary for the in-house production of ready-to-use medical devices: the transfer of production of Safe Orthopaedics kits has begun and all SteriSpineTM ranges will be produced there in the first half of 2022.

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The group's first financial synergies are beginning to significantly increase Safe group's gross margin by 18%. After the transfer of SteriSpineTM technologies in the first half of 2022, the gross margin will be maximized, production lead times will be halved and working capital requirements optimized.

External expenses increased by 23% directly linked to the return to growth of the Group, the launch of new technologies such as Hickory, Sycamore or SORA and investments in Safe Medical, but reduced by 700k compared to 2019 for a similar level of sales. Safe Orthopaedics also accelerated its clinical investments by strengthening its clinical, quality and regulatory affairs staff in order to meet the new European MDR (Medical Device Regulation) requirements and demonstrate the clinical benefits of Sycamore (3-month clinical performance was published on December 20, 2021).

The 23% increase in human resources expenses is explained by the reintegration of Safe Medical's workforce over a full year (compared to 5 months in 2020), the end of government financial aid during the lockdown period in 2020 and by the recruitment of new clean room operators enabling integrated production and a reduction in external expenses in the last quarter of 2021. As previously explained, an optimization of Safe Orthopaedics' workforce has been initiated and correlated with commercial expectations in the direct markets (FR, UK, GER and USA) in order to improve the commercial contribution and respect the objective of financial balance within 24 to 36 months.

A review of the 2019 financial statements shows that while the health crisis was still in full swing in 2021, the operating result caught up with the pre-crisis level.

After a positive financial result of 0.87 million made up of currency variations in the subsidiaries' current accounts, the net income stands at 6.69 million, an improvement of 19.4% compared to the previous year.

"2021 was a year that was rich in creating value: the launch of new differentiating technologies such as Sycamore and SORA, the acceleration of sales in Germany, the commercialization of our technologies in the United States, the industrial and commercial development of Safe Medical. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still disturbing the execution, our sales have grown by 24% in 2021, our current operating income has recovered to the 2019 level even though significant investments have been made to build our Safe group, support our innovation and the conversion of the global market to our ready-to-use technologies" comments Pierre Dumouchel, Chairman and CEO of Safe group "Our 2022 roadmap was communicated at the beginning of the year and can be summarized in 4 main axes: Deploying quality global distribution delivering accelerated double-digit growth, innovating and digitizing the surgical act, reducing our ecological impact and improving our financial performance to reach financial balance in 3 years. 2022 starts in accordance with our plan: 31% growth driven by the US and Germany, several dozen SORA and Sycamore surgeries, 80% of our technologies produced in-house.





Safe reaffirms its strategic objectives for 2022:

Deploying high-quality global distribution that delivers accelerated double-digit growth. Our experienced sales and marketing teams are focused on driving adoption of our ready-to-use products and promoting their medico-economic benefits to hospitals, purchasing organizations and national health systems.

Sales in the US were 120K in Q1 2022 versus 129K for the full year 2021 (as a reminder, a sales person was recruited in February 2021). Sales outside the US reached 1.3M in Q1 2022 versus 1.07k in Q1 2021. The new Sycamore and Hickory technologies have already boosted sales by 30k while new customers were acquired at the end of the first quarter. The signature of an agreement with Clinicpartner was also published during the quarter.

Continue to innovate and digitalize the surgical act. Initiated by the S.O.R.A. (Safe Operating Room Assistant) program, our teams are working with surgeons and hospitals worldwide to deploy the surgical act 2.0, offering digital support from the first patient consultation in the operating room through to post-operative clinical follow-up. This data is extremely interesting for the design and production of our technologies.

Several dozen SORA-assisted surgeries have already been performed in the first French evaluation center. The close collaboration with its team of surgeons has made the technology more reliable, initiated new functionalities and accelerated sales by an average of 84% over two quarters. Safe Orthopaedics plans to deploy additional units in France in the second quarter and internationally in the second half of 2022.

Reducing our environmental impact. In conjunction with the SORA program and the modernization of its plants, the Group is working on the validation of "green-kits". Safe Orthopaedics is committed to reducing by 30% the waste generated in the operating room, and more globally the consumption of water, energy and CO2 emissions through its CIPI.

Since the qualification of the clean rooms in the summer of 2021, Safe Medical's French site has been certified IS013485 by the AFAQ on this new industrial perimeter and 80% of Safe Orthopaedics technologies are produced there.

Aiming for financial break-even in the medium term. Despite the economic and commercial consequences of COVID-19, which has limited the number of spinal surgeries performed in healthcare institutions worldwide, Safe Group continues to deliver double-digit growth and is aiming to break even within three years.

Safe held an investor meeting on April 14th to present its progress and financial strategy. The Group will publish its financial results for the first half of 2022 on 29 September 2022 and has already announced a new investor meeting on 22 September 2022 in Fleurieux sur l'Arbresle.

Cash flow

With a significant refinancing of 8.0 million at the level of Safe SA at the end of the year, and the receipt of a 0.8 million subsidy from the stimulus plan, the balance of which was received in March 2022, the Group's cash position amounted to 912,000 at December 31, 2021.





About Safe Group

Safe Group is a French medical technology group that brings together Safe Orthopaedics, a pioneer in ready-to-use technologies for spine pathologies, and Safe Medical (formerly LCI Medical), a medical device subcontractor for orthopedic surgery. The group employs approximately 150 people.

Safe Orthopaedics develops and manufactures kits combining sterile implants and single-use instruments, available at any time to the surgeon. These technologies are part of a minimally invasive approach aimed at reducing the risks of contamination and infection, in the interest of the patient and with a positive impact on hospitalization times and costs. Protected by 18 patent families, SteriSpineTM kits are CE marked and FDA approved. Safe Orthopaedics is headquartered in the Paris region (95610 Eragny-sur-Oise) and has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States and the Lyon region (Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle).

For more information: www.safeorthopaedics.com

Safe Medical produces implantable medical devices and ready-to-use instruments. It has an innovation center and two production sites in France (Fleurieux-sur-l'Arbresle, 69210) and in Tunisia, offering numerous industrial services: design, industrialization, machining, finishing and sterile packaging. Supported by the French stimulus plan in 2020, the company invests in additive printing and will be operational in 2022 on this new technology.

For more information: www.safemedical.fr

Contacts

Safe Group

Francois-Henri Reynaud

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

Tel. : +33 (0)1 34 21 50 00

investors@safeorthopaedics.com

Press Relations

Ulysse Communication

Pierre-Louis Germain / +33 (0)6 64 79 97 51 / plgermain@ulysse-communication.com

Bruno Arabian / +33 (0)6 87 88 47 26 / barabian@ulysse-communication.com

Attachment




SKAL International met in Torremolinos, Spain, for their annual mid-year meeting while also celebrating official SKAL DAY accompanied by several local officials and mayors.

TORREMOLINOS, Spain, May 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Skal International Executive Board and International Council held their annual mid-year meeting between April 27-30th in Torremolinos, Spain. They celebrated World Skal Day on the 28th of April.

Skal International Executive Board and International Councillors visiting SI HQ in Torremolinos, Spain.

SKAL World President Burcin Turkkan officially welcomed the executive board and international council members to their meetings and a final joint meeting between the board and Council. International Council president Julie Dabaly joined the Executive Board in their meetings and led the Council in three days of agenda-packed meetings where several local government officials attended to support the organization.

"As an organization, we are constantly searching for updating and optimizing ourselves for the benefit of our membership," said worldwide president Burcin Turkkan as they discussed the industry's challenges in post-pandemic times.

"Together we are stronger as One" is president Turkkan's theme for the year as she calls for all members and industry partners to work jointly towards the full recovery of the tourism industry.

Skal Day was also celebrated during the 3-day meetings, and a live message was delivered on two time zones by president Turkkan and her entire board together with the International Council. She also participated live via zoom-in celebrations and new membership inductions held in other parts of the world, sharing her message of unity.

Skal International strongly advocates for safe global tourism, focused on its benefits "happiness, good health, friendship, and long life." Since its inception in 1934, Skal International has been the leading organization of tourism professionals worldwide, promoting global tourism through friendship and uniting all travel and tourism industry sectors.

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For more information, please visit www.skal.org.

Press release contact:

Annette Cardenas, Director

Public Relations, Communications and Social Media

Skal International

annettecardenas55@yahoo.com

communications@skal.org

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skal-international-global-leaders-met-in-torremolinos-spain-to-discuss-and-plan-the-future-for-its-travel-industry-members-after-pandemic-301537606.html

SOURCE Skal International
Section 653:9 of N.H. law: "The presidential primary election shall be held on the second Tuesday in March or on a date selected by the Secretary of State which is 7 days or more immediately preceding the date on which any other state shall hold a similar election, whichever is earlier, of each year when a President of the United States is to be elected or the year previous. The purpose of this section is to protect the tradition of the New Hampshire First-In-The-Nation Presidential Primary."

There is magic in that law. It creates the mechanism and authority for our primary to be first and has been recognized as why no state has been able to hold an earlier primary.

Jim Splaine

Through the years, literally hundreds of Presidential candidates have come to our homes, meeting halls, streets and sidewalks to meet voters face-to-face, one-on-one. We have learned from them; they have learned from us. The nature of our primary forces candidates to step away from the television studios and podiums and talk with, not to or at, us. Eye-to-eye.

This year, the latest attempt to preempt our lead-off status is by the Democratic National Committee which is requiring Democratic Parties of all states to "apply" to hold an early primary and explain why they should be so chosen.

That dictate creates very difficult choices for the Democrats, and gives some options to the major political parties from which to choose:

1. Both major parties can recognize our primary date, encourage candidates to run here, and seat the delegates to their national conventions based on those results. It seems likely the Republicans will not challenge our "first" status. Democrats may.

2. The DNC could discourage candidates from running here when our primary is held, and/or disallow delegates chosen in the N.H. primary from being seated at the nominating convention in 2024, risking New Hampshire's 4 electoral votes.

3. If the DNC discourages candidates from running here, it is still likely that up-start candidates will file to place their names on the ballot. The Wednesday-morning headlines after our primary are important to any challenger. Through the years, those not initially endorsed by national establishments of their parties, such as George McGovern, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, John McCain, and Donald Trump, have shown that national party leaders don't always speak for the grassroots of their parties.

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4. The Democratic Party could decide to totally boycott our primary and discourage all potential Democratic candidates from filing. They would have to set up a separate process for selecting convention delegates at another time, paid exclusively by the party. They would also be passing up the media boost that our primary would provide for the Republicans who run for President on our state-chosen taxpayer-paid date, thus giving up important momentum for Democratic Party candidates.

None of those choices work well for Democrats, and it's a wonder why they are creating controversy just because out-of-state powers-who-are may dislike our lead-off system. It especially puts President Joe Biden in an awkward position: run on N.H.'s ballot on the date chosen by our Secretary of State, or not?

Fortunately, our state law gives both backup and backbone to the efforts of the leaders of our state parties to continue to make our primary important in the presidential-selection process. It is in our law books in ink, not pencil. In this case, it gives N.H. Democratic Party Chair Raymond Buckley, long a supporter of our primary status, authority not just to speak for the Democrats of our state, but for the people as well.

Today's Quote: "Candidates get a fair shot in the Granite State, and it has helped unknown Democratic candidates from Carter to Obama hone their campaigns and propel themselves towards winning the nomination and, eventually, the White House." - Raymond Buckley, in his letter to the Democratic National Committee, April 22, 2022.

Next Time: Are Portsmouth City Charter Changes On The Way?

Note: The columnist knows the state's First-In-The-Nation Primary law well. He sponsored the legislation quoted at the beginning of this column in 1975 as a member of the N.H. House.

Jim Splaine has served variously since 1969 as Portsmouth assistant mayor, Police Commissioner, and School Board member, as well as N.H. state senator and representative. He can be reached at jimsplaineportsmouth@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Splaine: New Hampshire Presidential Primary will be first in 2024
Renewed attempts by the United States and Taiwan to foster closer trade ties are underscoring Beijing's concerns over a deteriorating international environment, and analysts say these types of external uncertainties help illustrate why China is looking inward to get its economy back on track.

Chinese authorities remain caught in a dilemma as Beijing's zero-Covid strategy has disrupted supply chains and hurt investor confidence, while the Russia-Ukraine war, US Federal Reserve's interest rate increases and Washington's "strategic rivalry" take a heavy toll on the world's second-largest economy.

In recent months, the US and China disagreed over the terms of their phase-one trade agreement, which expired at the end of last year and has not been renewed. Their economic and technological rivalries have also intensified.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

And now, attention has increasingly shifted to Taiwan after Beijing's refusal to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Beijing, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province that must be brought under control, by force if necessary, strongly opposes official exchanges between other countries and the island.

During a virtual meeting on Monday, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai and her Taiwanese counterpart, John Deng, reviewed the progress of bilateral trade issues.

They also discussed their mutual interest in working together on issues of common concern, including regionally and in multilateral groups such as the World Trade Organization, according to the USTR's statement of the meeting.

The USTR statement did not specify details about cooperation with Taiwan.

Tai has been pushing for fair competition and for China to be committed to trade obligations.

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In her testimony at a US Senate Finance Committee hearing in late March, Tai said the US strategy must expand beyond merely pressing China for change, and must include vigorously defending America's values and economic interests.

And her meeting with Deng this week came shortly after six US lawmakers visited Taiwan to show their support for the island, in defiance of Beijing.

During the trip, Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, head of the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, praised Taiwan's global status as a manufacturer of semiconductor chips, while Republican Senator Robert Portman explicitly called for talks on a bilateral free-trade agreement.

"This is a sensitive moment, as the whole international situation and China's relations with the US and Europe have become very complicated. The key is whether any of their cooperation has touched on sovereign matters," said Lu Xiang, a senior fellow with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"Now that [China-US] strategic surprises could happen any time, it has forced China, as a defender, to raise its alerts more than ever and consider countermeasures."

Relations between mainland China and Taiwan soured after the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party took office in 2016.

In February, China downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania after it allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in its capital Vilnius last year.

Taipei is looking to reduce its economic reliance on mainland China, such as by trying to form alliances with Washington and Tokyo and by seeking business opportunities through the New Southbound Policy, which aims to strengthen exchanges with Southeast Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.

Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Taiwan and Ukraine are two distinctly different matters, refuting the deliberate comparison of the two by some US politicians.

"Such acts of playing with fire are exactly what have changed the cross-strait status quo," he said on Friday.

Zhang Monan, chief researcher with the US-Europe Institute at the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges, said trade cooperation with Taiwan is in line with Washington's plans to expand its Indo-Pacific strategy.

"The Biden administration has played alliance, trade-rules and multilateralism cards in the past year," she said. "For the US, which views China as a strategic competitor, Taiwan is a pawn to counter China."

Zhang also warned that Japan and South Korea could be the next targets in Washington's de-Sinicisation efforts.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesman for the mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office, said Washington is provocatively playing the Taiwan card, and he implored Washington to not support Taiwan's independence.

But despite their rhetoric over Taiwan, Beijing has announced a seventh batch of American commodity items that will be exempted from retaliatory tariffs from Sunday until the end of November.

Chinese exports to the US rose by 16.7 per cent from a year earlier to US$138.9 billion in the first quarter, customs data showed.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2022 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2022. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
EXETER, N.H., May 02, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Vapotherm, Inc. (NYSE: VAPO) ("Vapotherm" or the "Company"), a global medical technology company focused on the development and commercialization of its proprietary Vapotherm high velocity therapy products which are used to treat patients of all ages suffering from respiratory distress, today announced that it will release financial results for the first quarter of 2022 after the close of trading on Wednesday, May 4, 2022. Vapotherms management team will host a conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET to discuss the financial results and recent business developments.

To listen to the conference call on your telephone, please dial (833) 714-0922 for U.S. callers, or +1 (778) 560-2684 for international callers, approximately ten minutes prior to the start time and reference conference code 6179275. To listen to a live webcast, please visit the Investors section of the Vapotherm website at: http://investors.vapotherm.com/events-and-presentations/events. The webcast replay will be available on the Vapotherm website for 90 days following completion of the call. A replay of this conference call will be available by telephone through May 11, 2022 by dialing (800) 585-8367 in the U.S. or +1 (416) 621-4642 outside of the U.S. The replay access code is 6179275.

About Vapotherm

Vapotherm, Inc. (NYSE: VAPO) is a publicly traded developer and manufacturer of advanced respiratory technology based in Exeter, New Hampshire, USA. The Company develops innovative, comfortable, non-invasive technologies for respiratory support of patients with chronic or acute breathing disorders. Over 3.2 million patients have been treated with the use of Vapotherm high velocity therapy systems. For more information, visit www.vapotherm.com.

Vapotherm high velocity therapy is mask-free non-invasive ventilatory support and is a front-line tool for relieving respiratory distressincluding hypercapnia, hypoxemia, and dyspnea. It allows for the fast, safe treatment of undifferentiated respiratory distress with one tool. The Precision Flow systems mask-free interface delivers optimally conditioned breathing gases, making it comfortable for patients and reducing the risks and care complexities associated with mask therapies. While being treated, patients can talk, eat, drink and take oral medication

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Website Information

Vapotherm routinely posts important information for investors on the Investor Relations section of its website, http://investors.vapotherm.com/. Vapotherm intends to use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with Vapotherms disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of Vapotherms website, in addition to following Vapotherms press releases, Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, Vapotherms website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220502005188/en/

Contacts

Investor Relations:

Mark Klausner or Mike Vallie, Westwicke, an ICR Company, ir@vtherm.com, +1 (603) 658-0011
Kathy Boudin, a former member of the radical left-wing organization Weather Underground who was imprisoned for two decades in connection to the organizations 1981 Brinks robbery in New York, died on Sunday, leaving behind a complicated legacy with a domestic terror group that has largely faded into the history books.

At its height in the 1970s, the Weather Underground was responsible for at least 25 bombings of government buildings, including at the Capitol and the Pentagon.

But more than just a gang responsible for a string of explosions, the group was a tight-knit revolutionary organization promoting social change, which rose to national prominence during one of the countrys most turbulent moments in the 20th century.

Weather Underground began as a cry for social change

The Weather Underground began as a militant formation within the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), one of the largest left-wing organizations in the 1960s that pushed for an end to the Vietnam War.

At first the group referred to themselves as Weatherman, taking the name from the 1965 Bob Dylan song Subterranean Homesick Blues and its line: You dont need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.

They eventually adopted the name Weather Underground.

The Weather Underground rose, hot and angry, to  in our own terms  smite the war-mongers and strike against the race-haters, wrote Bill Ayers, a co-founder and leader of the organization, in his online biography and blog website.

Besides Ayers and Boudin, high-profile members included co-founder Bernardine Dohrn, John Jacobs, Jeff Jones, Jim Mellen, Mark Rudd, Howie Machtinger, Diana Oughton and Terry Robbins.

In a 1969 manifesto titled after the Dylan line, the group detailed their primary intention: to dismember and dispose of US imperialism.

In May 1970, when the SDS was beginning to dissolve, members signed a so-called Declaration of War against the U.S. government.

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Ayers wrote in his biography that after signing the declaration in 1970, within months we had established a pattern of action to ignite a literal firestorm across the country.

They were responsible for multiple bombings, some deadly

The first high-profile incident came in the Days of Rage in October 1969, when the group organized a massive protest in Chicago.

A bronze statue of a policeman was bombed at a Chicago park, but otherwise the group was thwarted in causing more mayhem. More than 120 protesters were arrested and criminal charges were filed against all the top leaders of Weather Underground, according to Influence Watch.

The following year, the Weather Underground attempted to bomb facilities in Detroit and Fort Dirx, N.J.

The FBI foiled the Michigan plot on March 6, and that same day, the Weather Underground accidentally detonated its own bombs in a townhouse in New York, killing three members of the group. Boudin was at the townhouse explosion, stumbling out of the burning building naked, according to The Washington Post.

After the deaths, the group pledged to carry out nonfatal bombings, promising to phone in to buildings and alert people before unleashing explosive attacks.

They bombed the New York City Police Headquarters on Centre Street with dynamite in the summer of 1970. The blast did not injure anyone as the group warned occupants to evacuate six minutes prior to the explosion.

The Underground was responsible for at least 25 attacks against government buildings from San Francisco to New York, according to the FBI, causing millions of dollars in damages. One strike on the State Department in Washington impacted 20 offices on three floors.

In 1978, the FBI arrested five members who attempted to bomb a California politicians office.

An attempted 1981 robbery of a Brinks armored truck in Nanuet, N.Y., led to the death of two policemen and the driver of the truck.

Boudin and several others were arrested soon after the robbery in one of the final chapters in the groups history.

Ayers and Dohrn, the two founding members who later married, had by that time already been outed from the group, which seemed to have fallen off the tracks and lost its sense of purpose.

In an interview with author Clara Bingham published on Soundcloud in 2017, Dohrn, who is now a retired law professor, recalled how the Underground did some core things right but also a lot of things wrong.

Feeling superior to other people was terrible, she said. The American people are largely asleep  but people wake up from time to time and eyes can be opened.

The group collapsed by the 80s

By the mid-70s, the Weather Underground had largely fallen out of the public conversation in the political world.

Another manifesto in 1974, Prairie Fire, represented a new direction toward seizing control of the entire political left and rising back to the surface instead of hiding out from law enforcement underground.

The group created the Prairie Fire Organizing Committee (PFOC) as a front for the groups operations on the surface, but it eventually led to their downfall.

Led by Clayton Van Lydegraf, the PFOC denounced Dohrn, Ayers and Jones as counterrevolutionaries and stripped them out of the Weather Underground.

But Van Lydegrafs group shrunk. After the arrest of several members who attempted to bomb the California state Sen. John Briggss office in 1978, only four members were left.

After the Brinks robbery, the group was all but gone. Over the ensuing decades, the FBI and law enforcement hunted the group down, though most of them, including Dohr and Ayers, evaded lengthy jail time.

Boudin was released on parole in 2003 and became a co-director and co-founder of the Center for Justice at Columbia University.

Jonah Raskin, who was a member of the group in the 70s, recalled in an article for Tablet Magazine how the organization now belongs largely to the pages of myth.

Writing about them feels like excavating the archeological site of a lost culture, Raskin said. The truth of the matter lies somewhere between the notion, on the one hand, that Weatherman and the Weather Underground are merely footnotes in the pages of American history, and on the other hand that they deserve a hefty chapter to themselves.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Trend





President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday released a message to congratulate the upcoming Ramadan Holiday, also known as Eid al-Fitr, and wish the holiday to be conducive to peace, tranquility and the well-being for Turkey, the Turkish nation, the Islamic world and all humanity, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

In his message, Erdogan congratulated citizens on holiday and said, "I want all members of our nation to turn this Ramadan Bayram into a great fraternity feast where 85 million embrace each other, regardless of their origins, beliefs or dispositions."

Ramadan Bayram will be observed between 2-4 May this year.
The body of an off-duty police officer was recovered Sunday from Hunting Run Reservoir in Spotsylvania, multiple sources said.

Numerous area law enforcement officials identified the victim as a Virginia State Police trooper, and there were multiple posts on social media expressing condolences and discussing a scheduled gathering to honor the victim. But state police Sunday did not officially release the victims name or respond to requests for information.

Jay Cullinan, chief of Spotsylvania fire and rescue, confirmed Sunday that his personnel were involved in an extensive search that began Saturday and went on well into Sunday. But Cullinan said he was not at liberty to discuss any details about the incident.

It was not clear why the victim was on the water or how he happened to end up in it. A website for the reservoir off Elys Ford Road describes it as a 420-acre water supply reservoir owned by the county that features such amenities as fishing and boat rentals.

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Virginias secretary of transportation and other transportation officials stopped in Fredericksburg last week for a meeting that kicked off a nine-stop tour across the commonwealth.

They came to talk about the state of transportation, local projects, transportation issues and the draft of the states 202328 transportation improvement program plan.

The six-year transportation plan has a $19.6 billion budget for more than 4,500 projects statewide. The funding is $2.5 billion less than the 202227 plan, because of less federal funding.

Yet, the state will still benefit from an influx of federal funds, as well as grants.

Virginias Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III told the gathering that Virginia will receive an additional $500 million over the next five years in federal funds as part of one program.

Miller said more federal funding will be available through grants, but jurisdictions will have to work for the money. He said state transportation leaders will work hard to make sure the federal grant money is won and the money is spread around the state.

There are lots of challenges, Miller said, but added that the state is better situated than ever.

Cedrick Rucker, the Fredericksburg District representative on the Commonwealth Transportation Board, said the district has more than $1 billion in funding in the draft plan.

Two area projects stand out: Garrisonville Road widening in Stafford County and a rehabilitation project on the Falmouth Bridge.

The plan includes a portion of the $55.4 million for widening Garrisonville Road and $60.2 million for the Falmouth Bridge.

Few details are available on the Garrisonville Road project, which calls for widening from Eustace Road to Shelton Shop Road, according to the online listing.

The 2023-28 program allots $12.73 million to the project. Stafford County plans to seek funding for the remaining funds in the upcoming round of Smart Scale.

From information available online, it doesnt look like the Falmouth Bridge project will focus on increasing capacity. Instead, the project is described as a rehabilitation.

According to local VDOT spokeswoman Kelly Hannon, the plan is similar to the rehabilitation recently performed on the Chatham Bridge.

According to Hannon, the project would include a mill and overlay of the bridge deck, replacement of the bridges concrete rail and sidewalk, and repairs to the bridges concrete substructure below the bridge deck. The bridges structural steel girders will be repaired and strengthened along the entire length of the bridge.

If the six-year plan draft is approved, and the project is funded, Hannon said design work would be underway for several years. Numerous utility lines are attached to the bridge, and extensive advance coordination will be required before work could begin.

There is one notable difference between the two bridge projects: the Falmouth Bridge would not be completely closed like the Chatham span, which opened in October after being shuttered for more than a year.

There is too much traffic that crosses the Falmouth Bridge, and U.S. 1 serves as an alternate route for Interstate 95, Hannon noted.

VDOTs counts, from 2019, show an average of 40,000 vehicles cross the Falmouth Bridge daily, while 16,000 cross the Chatham Bridge.

Most travel lanes would be open most of the time during the Falmouth Bridge work, and lane closures would be scheduled for off-peak times.

The Falmouth Bridge project consumes most of the $76.4 million allotted by the state to the Fredericksburg District for five bridge projects. The district also has another $22.5 million in federal funding for three other bridge projects in the program.

The six-year transportation plan budget includes a $526.3 million in state funding for bridges, along with another $429.4 million in federal funding. The Richmond District has the most combined bridge funding in the plan at $215.1 million.

Local officials took turns speaking during public comment portion of the meeting.

Some of them highlighted an interest in expanding Interstate 95 south of State Route 3, where the new Rappahannock River crossing expansion ends. The southbound crossing is open, with details expected to be finished in May. The northbound side is scheduled to open in 2024.

A project to widen the interstate between Route 3 and the Massaponax exit in Spotsylvania County will be submitted this summer for the upcoming round of Smart Scale, the states competitive funding program.

Local officials, including Fredericksburg City Council member Matt Kelly and Stafford Supervisor Meg Bohmke, also asked that state transportation leaders address issues with the Smart Scale scoring process.

Miller said they are dealing with the program and plan to address deficiencies.

The state is seeking comments on the draft plan, which can be sent electronically or by mail.

The CTB is expected to vote on the six-year program in June.

This article has been updated to show the funding status for the Garrisonville Road widening.

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A 2020 graduate of North Bend Central High School died Friday, April 29, in a horse training accident.

Callie Witt, 20, an exercise rider for trainer Joe Sharp, died Friday morning following a training accident on the Keeneland training track in Lexington, Kentucky, according to an article posted online by Thoroughbred Daily News.

The article said the incident occurred shortly after 8 a.m. when Witt was thrown from a 2-year-old horse.

Alpha Event Medicine, the tracks on-site medical team, immediately attended to her life-threatening injuries. Lexington Fire and Emergency arrived at the scene within six minutes and transported Witt to the University of Kentucky Emergency Department, where she was pronounced dead from blunt force injuries, the article said.

Funeral arrangements for Witt are pending at Moser Memorial Chapel in Fremont.

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Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont will be hosting its annual community prayer gathering on Thursday, May 5. The gathering is open to all who are interested in praying for our nation.

Prayers will be offered for families, churches, business aspects, education, military, government, as well as social/media aspects.

With Pastor Sean Tylers leadership, scripture and prayer will be offered at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday. Refreshments and fellowship will follow both times. National Day of Prayer resources will be available under the theme Exalt the LORD who has established us.

Peace Lutheran is located 1.5 miles east of Walmart, just south of U.S. Highway 30. All are welcome.

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Several medical experts testified to the grand jury investigating the death of Elijah McClain that he died of the 500-milligram dose of ketamine administered by an Aurora Fire Rescue paramedic, and the effects of the carotid hold a police officer subjected him to did not cause his death, according to a filing by the officers defense attorneys.
In a rare public statement, the Boulder Police Department is responding to a call by JonBenet Ramsey's father to take the case out of their hands and be given to an "independent" agency.

JonBenet Ramsey, who participated in child beauty pageants, was 6 years old when her parents reported her missing from their Boulder home the day after Christmas in 1996. She was found in the afternoon of Dec. 26 in the basement of the family's home, strangled, with a garrote around her neck. An autopsy later revealed she had suffered a blow to the head.

JonBenet's parents, John and Patsy, were looked at as possible suspects. But no one has ever been charged and the case remains unsolved. Patsy Ramsey died in 2006.

John Ramsey reportedly asked people at CrimeCon 2022 in Las Vegas to sign a petition to Gov. Jared Polis calling for genetic genealogy and other DNA testing to be used in investigating his daughter's 1996 death.

"Boulder Police are working hard to placate the public by telling the media that they hope DNA will solve this case while, at the same time, doing very little to make that happen," says the petition.

"Isnt it time for new perspectives and ideas?"

The petition had more than 1,800 signatures shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday.

In a statement Sunday evening, Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold said evidence from the case has been tested each time DNA technology changed, saying sophisticated technology has been at the forefront of the case since its beginning.

We have a shared goal to bring justice  and hopefully some peace  to JonBenets family and everyone who was impacted by her loss, Herold said. Our investigation with federal, state and local partners has never stopped."

The Boulder police's statement said to date investigators have traveled to 19 states to talk to more than 1,000 people about the crime. The department hosted a meeting with agencies and DNA experts as recently as March this year, said their statement.

A spokesperson for the governor's office said the state plans to review John Ramsey's petition "and look into how the state can assist in using new technology to further investigate this cold case and to identify JonBenet Ramsey's killer and bring him or her to justice."

In recent years, the Ramsey family has asked the Boulder Police Department to consider using new technology for genetic geneaology and other advances to investigate JonBenet's death. At the time, it was unclear what steps Boulder police were taking to advance the case.

John Andrew Ramsey, the oldest son of John Ramsey, told The Denver Gazette he would like to see Boulder police and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation work with the FBI and private DNA labs to solve his sister's killing. He was in college, visiting his mother for the holidays in Georgia, when his father told him JonBenet had been killed.

"Bring everybody to the table. The reality is everybody wants to work on this case. Call them and they will be in Boulder, Colorado, tomorrow."
The school board in Woodland Park has been court-ordered to comply with the Open Meetings Law by clearly, honestly and forthrightly listing all future agenda items, especially any pertaining to a charter school application, according to a Teller County judges partial ruling on a lawsuit a parent submitted earlier this year.

Woodland Park School District RE-2's Board of Education also is prevented from rubber stamping any board decision that does not comply with notice requirements, 4th Judicial District Judge Scott Sells wrote in his findings filed Friday.

The decisions come pending a trial for a lawsuit that Erin OConnell, a parent of three children in the district, has filed, seeking full accountability for what she claims are legal violations.

However, the judge denied a request from OConnell for a preliminary injunction to stop two members from discussing board issues outside of a public meeting, saying he found no violation of the law on the part of board members.

That ruling wasnt surprising, said Board President David Rusterholtz in an interview with The Gazette, since two members can discuss board business under the statute.

Four of the boards five seats turned over in the November 2021 election, with winners running as a conservative slate and now constituting the majority vote. One member resigned last month over criticism of statements he made while at the citys middle school.

OConnell also claimed that a Jan. 26 special meeting agenda item listed as board housekeeping was inadequate in that it did not mention the discussion would include Merit Academy, a charter school that the previous school board had denied for authorization and the new board now is considering.

The remaining seated member of the previous board, Chris Austin, questioned that wording at the Jan. 26 board meeting.

The judge agreed, saying it was a conscious decision to hide a controversial issue about Merit Academy. He also ruled that the board rubber stamped the decision at two subsequent board meetings, saying, An ordinary member of the community could not have understood or known what board housekeeping or re-approval of MOU with Merit Academy meant.

And, Defendants cannot demonstrate any legitimate reason for hiding their real agenda at board meetings, Sells wrote.

Rusterholtz said he has done better in his role of creating the agendas since those earlier days after the election.

I want to be transparent and follow the law in every way, he said.

A statement the board issued regarding the judge's ruling states, We recognize that public schools have become a place where competing world views are constantly in conflict.

So, we will best serve our community by striving to provide specific public notice of our anticipated topics of discussion and by always offering genuine, public debate amongst ourselves prior to taking action.

The board will continue to consider pursuing a memorandum of understanding with Merit Academy, Rusterholtz said, as the judge said it is not in his jurisdiction to rule on topic matters the board rules on.

Defendants argue in court paperwork that the lawsuit is less about the states open meetings rules and more about policy differences about Merit becoming a potential charter within the district.

OConnell said she thinks the judges decision demonstrates that her lawsuit is valid and not particularly about Merit Academy.

It is about the board following the law, their policies and being transparent, she said. Merit Academy is not what theyre doing wrong, its how theyre doing it thats wrong.
Colorado Springs is responsible for identifying a site for a passenger rail station that would serve Amtrak and intercity commuter trains, and the staff has narrowed the options down to four sites in the downtown area.

You voted:
A gunman shot a female near a strip mall in Colorado Springs Sunday night, Colorado Springs police said.

Officers responded to the 3000 block of Jet Wing Drive around 9:30 p.m. after the female was shot, police said.

Emergency responders took the the person to a hospital; her injuries were non-life-threatening, police said.

Officers did not release any information about a suspect or arrests.
Interview: China fundamental to Caribbean development, expert says

16:44, May 01, 2022 By Yosley Carrero ( Xinhua

HAVANA, April 30 (Xinhua)-- China is fundamental to the development of Caribbean countries in the coming years, a Cuban expert said here on Friday.

"The outcome of the bilateral relations of half a century between China and the Caribbean has been very positive in the economic and trade fields alike," Eduardo Regalado, senior researcher at the International Policy Research Center of Cuba, told Xinhua in an interview.

Thanks to China, concrete works have been materialized in Caribbean countries despite economic vulnerability, he noted.

Regalado said that the two sides "have strengthened their cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fishery, tourism, services and infrastructure," which has been highly beneficial for the Caribbean, and they have also advanced collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commenting on a foreign ministers' meeting held Friday via video link between Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi and nine Caribbean countries that have diplomatic relations with China, Regalado said both sides "have expressed their political will to develop their bilateral relations," adding that effective strategies have been set to create new opportunities.

Looking into the future, the expert suggested that the two sides further enhance mutual understanding through various channels, and level up cooperation and collaboration in the environmental and medical fields.

"China and the Caribbean could work together on the area of climate change impacts," which is essential for the Caribbean as many countries in the region could be affected by sea level rise, Regalado said.

Also, China has achieved fast development in renewable energy, "from which Caribbean nations could learn a lot," he said.

"It is fundamental to improve the performance of the health systems in the Caribbean when it comes to equipment, technology transfer and training of human resources," for which Caribbean countries need China's support, he added.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
By Trend





Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlut Cavushoglu discussed bilateral relations and an upcoming meeting in a phone call with his Kyrgyz counterpart Jeenbek Kulubaev, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

In the phone call, the two foreign ministers hailed the positive dynamics in terms of enhancing bilateral relations.

They also agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group at the foreign ministry level soon.

Meanwhile, they discussed holding the strategic cooperation councils meeting with the participation of the presidents of both countries in Kyrgyzstan.

Minister Kulubaev also hailed Turkeys mediating role in efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Colorado Springs firefighters extinguished a house fire at 2035 Tinsel Place near the Chapel Hills Mall in Colorado Springs Monday morning, the agency tweeted.

Firefighters responded to the blaze around 4 a.m. and put out the smoke and flames, the agency tweeted.

No injuries were reported and crews checked for hot spots after putting out the fire, the agency tweeted.
By Trend





An event dedicated to the Save Soil global movement, initiated by the Indian yoga guru and spirituality supporter Sadhguru (Jaggi Vasudev), who's visiting Azerbaijan, has been held in Baku, Trend reports.

Indian Ambassador to Azerbaijan Bavitlung Vanlalvavna, speaking at the event, said that the Save Soil Movement is a global Sadhguru movement representing the cultural values ??of India.

India is committed to taking action to make the Earth more resilient, Vanlalvavna noted.

"I hope that Sadhguru's visit to Baku will help understand such a global problem, as well as strengthen friendly relations between the peoples of Azerbaijan and India," the ambassador said.

He also expressed hope that people will be convinced of the need to take joint measures to save the Earth.

Sadhguru delivered a lecture to the guests and spoke about his initiative to unite people from all over the world to protect the environment, and about the support of leaders of all countries in the development of national policies and actions aimed at increasing the content of organic matter in cultivated soil.
Details

Basic sleds, snowboards, cardboard, saucers, etc. don't tend to work at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. You'll want a specific board or sled.

Rental options: Oasis Store close to the park's visitor center; SpinDrift in Blanca; or Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa. Rentals around $20 for the day. Vehicle entry to the park $25.

Other tips from the park's website:

 Wear light, long pants and shirt. Also have sunscreen and water. Consider goggles and face coverings for blowing sand in wind.

 Go early in the morning, avoiding afternoon heat and storms.

 For the long hike and risks on the highest dunes far out in the field, those are not recommended. Kids will enjoy small slopes from the parking lot, while teens and adults popularly hike the mile-plus to the first top ridge and hit lines along the way.
The demand for new homes in Colorado Springs doesn't appear to have slowed because of spiking mortgage rates  at least, not yet.

The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department issued 393 permits in April for the construction of single-family homes in El Paso County, a 9.8% increase over the same month last year, according to a report the agency posted on its website Monday.

The figure reflects permits issued for the building of detached homes, which make up the bulk of new residential construction in the Colorado Springs area; it doesn't include townhomes, condos, duplexes or apartments.

Single-family permits now total 1,552 for the first four months of the year, Regional Building figures show. While that's down 11.1% from the same period in 2021, the pace of local homebuilding remains relatively strong; the permit total during the first four months of 2022 is still one of the highest over the last 20 years, Regional Building Department data compiled by The Gazette show.

Rich Laden, The Gazette
A feud between Vail Resorts and town officials has developed over a 5-acre parcel on the east side of the mountain town where the resort wants to build affordable workforce housing.

Vail, like most Colorado mountain or resort towns, is experiencing a labor shortage because of soaring housing costs.

The issue is expected to come to a head Tuesday when the Town Council could vote to condemn the land  and possibly take possession of it  to stop the $17 million development that would add 165 units.

Mayor Kim Langmaid said the issue is over a herd of bighorn sheep that uses that area as part of its winter range.

Thats the primary issue and concern, Langmaid said in an interview. Thats what caused this whole condemnation question to arise.

But resort officials are crying foul, saying the development was already approved by the Town Council in 2019. They also cite luxury homes being built in that same area, wondering why council members dont appear to be concerned about sheep habitat when it comes to luxury homes.

It went through extensive environmental review, more than any other project of its kind in this area of East Vail, Beth Howard, chief operating officer of Vail Mountain (owned by Vail Resorts), told the council at an April 19 meeting. It went to state court, was tested again, and still approved.

We understand there are newly elected representatives on the Town Council, but the community must trust that the Town Council respects and lives up to the decisions of prior councils or there is no continuity for people and businesses to rely upon.

In 2017, the Town Council  with the recommendation of the Towns Planning and Environmental Commission  agreed to rezone the 23.3-acre parcel to allow for development on the 5-acre plot for an East Vail Workforce Housing Subdivision. The area is known as Booth Heights.

The court case Howard referred to was settled in 2019, when District Court Judge Russell Granger ruled the Town Council neither exceeded its jurisdiction nor abused its discretion in its decision to approve the development application.

Plans contain a wildlife-mitigation plan, including a $100,000 fund to be used by the Town and the Town Council for the enhancement and protection of the bighorn sheep habitat, according to the final court order.

Vail Resorts used input from wildlife biologists and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

At no point did experts say this development would cause the demise of the bighorn sheep herd; in fact, environmental experts conducted an extensive review of the East Vail affordable housing parcel during the approval process for the project and determined that development on the 5-acre East Vail parcel does not pose an issue for the bighorn sheep herd, Vail Resorts Senior Communications Manager John Plack said in a statement.

Langmaid said ever since Vail Resorts announced the plan, as far back as 2016, there has always been hope amongst community members to find an alternative site.

But any other sites would take five years or more to develop, Plack said, and this project is shovel ready and can deliver housing by late 2023.

Vail needs housing now, not development that might happen in five years, said Peck in a statement. If the Town can support luxury homes in East Vail, then it can support affordable housing.

Langmaid said those other developments are on land already platted in the 1970s.

Perhaps it should never have been approved then, but here we are with whats left, Landmaid said. Every single square foot matters and is critical to those sheep. This would greatly impact the herd.

She added Vail has invested millions in affordable housing, proving officials there care about the issue and know theres a need for more.

Vail Resorts' actions fly in the face of the companys Epic Promise commitment to protecting the environment, Langmaid said.

Former CEO Rob Katz is quoted on the subject, on the companys Epic Promise website: The environment is our business, and we have a special obligation to protect it. As a growing global company so deeply connected to the outdoors, we are making a commitment to address our most pressing global environmental challenge and protect our local communities and natural resources.

Vail Resorts officials maintain the development wont adversely impact the herd, and that it is not only their employees who need housing, but many who work for small businesses and restaurants in town.

Why would we, as a town, move to condemn affordable housing in the sheep range but not move to condemn all the luxury homes built, and some being built right now, in the sheep winter range? Howard asked council members. You must answer that question for the community before you condemn.
Sales of print equipment in the Middle East and Africa will reach an estimated AED1.6 billion ($435 million) in 2026, powering the industry to a period of modest growth in the post-pandemic era, a report said.



Amidst this positive window of opportunity, leading manufacturers of print equipment have confirmed to showcase their latest products and solutions at the forthcoming Gulf Print & Pack exhibition, the leading trade show for the commercial and package printing sectors in the region, scheduled to take place on May 24-26 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.



Industry stakeholders are expected to capitalize on the growth potential of the industry as outlined in the Smithers Pira report titled The Future of Print Equipment Markets to 2026.



Among those confirmed to participate include Konica Minolta Business Solutions Middle East which will be introducing a new addition in their Mid Production segment along with Automated Color Management system and Registration System  Intelligent Quality Optimizer.



Nayyar Ansari, Business Unit Head at Konica Minolta said: We were the first at Gulf Print & Pack five years ago to introduce and showcase digital labels in the region and pioneered the introduction of the digital embellishment solution to the Middle East at the event. This year, we promise to excite yet again with a product launched that will showcase technological advancements in the industry.



The way business is shaping up digital technology will influence equipment investment among customers as it provides more flexibility. High-spend clients demand uniqueness, and it can be achieved through digital technology advancements.



Its not only about simply printing but technology shapes up the effective use of a human resource, creating more variety that could be quickly produced, making changes and re-produce, he added.



As the industry moves towards digitalization globally not just in the region, innovation will be a key spotlight at Gulf Print & Pack.



Printing equipment is used to produce a vast number of different products, from print publications such as newspapers and magazines to packaging and labels as well as sign and display graphics. Our industry impacts a wide range of other businesses - such as food and retail, even logistics - that are innovating rapidly in response to changing consumer habits and needs. We welcome those who are interested in what new innovations are being developed and introduced in our sector that will have far-reaching impacts on the way we do business in the future, said Barry Killengray, show director, Gulf Print & Pack.



Another exhibitor, Vinsak, will be demonstrating its new range of label finishing equipment including USAR 430, tabletop rewinder, roll lifter (VRL series), and the Vinsak high build system for varnish and coating and digital foiling for labels and packaging.



Ranesh Bajaj, director of Vinsak said: Networking is essential when it comes to marketing your business, and nothing can beat connecting with your audience personally. Since Covid hit life has become a true hybrid. Vinsak is thrilled to learn that most of the events are now held in person and our team exhibiting at Gulf Print & Pack 2022 would be a huge step forward in reconnecting with our clients and customers outside the virtual zone.  TradeArabia News Service
Maria Helena P.T. Machadoss bilingual edition of Brazil Through the Eyes of William James expertly gathers and examines Jamess sketches, written correspondence, and diaries produced during the Thayer Expedition to the Amazon basin in 1865 and 1866, offering a fascinating glimpse into the formative voyage of one of North Americas preeminent thinkers. While adding to an important body of travel literature set in Brazil that spans from the early colonial era (Hans Staden) to the 20th century (Claude Levi-Strauss), the handsomely illustrated volume offers a comprehensive cultural and historical critique of the expedition and its participants, contributing to a greater understanding of U.S.Brazilian relations amid the contentious political climate of the U.S. Civil War era.



Jamess letters and journal entries are both typical of the era in which they were written and, as Machados argues in her lengthy introduction (comprising half the volume), highly idiosyncratic documents to the point of being mildly subversive. Consisting primarily of correspondence to his parents, brother Henry, and sister Alice, Jamess missives raise considerable doubts about the expeditions defining goals, namely, to find evidence supporting the creationist agenda of leader and Harvard luminary Louis Agassiz. As Machados points out, Agazziz was one of Charles Darwins most formidable and charismatic critics as well as one of the foremost U.S. public intellectuals of the period. As such, the Swiss-born scientist received a great deal of financial backing and accolades from both the U.S. South and imperial Brazilian government.



Although on a number of occasions, James, in his letters, declares admiration for his professor, in his journal entries he reveals the full range of his sentiments: that he abhors the tedious work of collecting species after new species, each new discovery evidence, in Agazzizs mind, of the stasis of nature and therefore a repudiation of evolutionary theory. James clearly considers his mentor intellectually impressive and physically tireless yet something of a self-righteous blowhard. Never, he writes, did a man utter a greater amount

of humbug. Jamess amusing caricatures of Agazziz and fellow voyagers reinforce his irreverent attitude toward their central mission, and provide a clear indication as to why he chose to abort the Thayer Expedition after 8 months of travel.





Which of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding Jamess communication with his family?



A. James, for fear of criticism from Agazziz, had to be implicit about the contents of his journal entries.

B. James used the correspondence with his family to voice his disillusion with his work.

C. It was necessary for James to create the illusion that he admired Agazziz so as not to raise his professors suspicions.

D. James was secretly a critic of Darwins theory of evolution.

E. James, unlike his creationist professor, was a staunch atheist.







In the passage, the author is primarily concerned with



A. summarizing the results of a study

B. analyzing the reasoning behind an argument

C. considering an opinion

D. speculating about a set of circumstances

E. defining categories







In the context in which it appears,  body  most nearly means



A. organism

B. carcass

C. trunk

D. consistency

E. collection Which of the following can be inferred from the passage regarding Jamess communication with his family?A. James, for fear of criticism from Agazziz, had to be implicit about the contents of his journal entries.B. James used the correspondence with his family to voice his disillusion with his work.C. It was necessary for James to create the illusion that he admired Agazziz so as not to raise his professors suspicions.D. James was secretly a critic of Darwins theory of evolution.E. James, unlike his creationist professor, was a staunch atheist.In the passage, the author is primarily concerned withA. summarizing the results of a studyB. analyzing the reasoning behind an argumentC. considering an opinionD. speculating about a set of circumstancesE. defining categoriesIn the context in which it appears,  most nearly meansA. organismB. carcassC. trunkD. consistencyE. collection
CHATHAM  A weekend event gave local youths the opportunity to show off their livestock-rearing skills in a community-focused environment characterized by support and friendly competition.

The Olde Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham hosted the 74th annual Pittsylvania-Caswell Junior Livestock Show on Friday and Saturday.

This years event was dedicated to Jimmy Craddock, a pillar of the Pittsylvania County agricultural community who died in October. In addition to his role as an agricultural educator for Pittsylvania County Schools, Craddock served the Junior Livestock Show for more than 50 years in various capacities.

Terry Burks, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, served as the official judge for the event, assessing animals and at times the presenters themselves via the showmanship classes category.

Though Burks has a long career of judging livestock, he enjoys these events because of their emphases on family values and youth development.

The great thing about livestock showing, is it is a family activity, in the truest sense of the word, Burks explained. You look in the stands, and theres grandmas and grandpas and moms and dads, and theyre all here.

Burks, who has worked in 43 states, noted he only adjudicates animals that can be sold for meat. He also was as youth livestock presenter himself as well as a 4-H club member.

This is about my  a little over 1,000  shows across the country, Burks said, noting he began this aspect of his career in December 1986.

Burks said he will perform judging duties at between 120-130 shows this year. Though well versed in the trends of the industry, he emphasizes the bedrock of these events centers on the youths.

All these kids that show livestock  theyre just grassroots kids that work like the dickens, and have tremendous responsibility and work ethic about them, Burks said.

Pittsylvania County 4-H extension agent Mandi Dolan  who served as secretary for the shows committee as well as the announcer for the event  said the annual show is special in that it connects the young people in the community to the regions agricultural legacy.

Livestock is such a big part of the heritage for Pittsylvania County, and its such a special opportunity for the youth to have a part in that and to see the impact that livestock has on the community, she explained. Not every kid has the opportunity to own their own animal.

Competitors in the livestock show directly participate in the rearing of the animals they present, often in the context of a small family operation. Although some participants live on family owned farms, others just raise a few animals for personal or educational use.

I think teaching kids the hands-on educational aspect of agriculture has become almost a lost art, but I can say that Pittsylvania County is doing an excellent job on making sure that the kids get those opportunities, Dolan indicated.

The Pittsylvania-Caswell show features goats, lambs, hogs and cattle. Competitors presented goats and lambs on Friday, whereas hogs and cattle were displayed Saturday.

For all categories of livestock, the animals were judged based on market classes and breeder classes. Market classes assess the carcass value, or value of the animal if sold for meat. Breeder classes assess the structural integrity of animals in the context of use for breeding.

Youths compete primarily for ribbons and bragging rights, but get the added benefit of socialization and community support.

For families like the Deloziers  six of whom participated in the competitive event  their participation provides socialization and community integration, as they choose homeschooling to fit in with their independent commercial farming lifestyle.

This and the state fair are our favorite shows, Moriah Delozier said, sharing the family look forward to the yearly show.

My sister, Lydia, won Grand Champion Junior Showmanship for goats, and my other sister won Grand Champion Senior Goat Showmanship, Moriah explained.

The Deloziers do get competitive  both within their family and with other families  but that it is all about having a good time at the end of the day.

They a family farm that contributes to Cattlemans To-Go, their farm-to-table restaurant that serves black angus burgers among other menu items. Though originally located in Penhook, the restaurant is currently relocating to Union Hall and set to reopen by June of this year.

Though most of the prizes are chiefly symbolic, the Halter in Hand scholarship is awarded every year in memory of Nathan Charles Pennell, who both participated in the Youth Livestock Show and later volunteered for the event.

The scholarship offers up to $1,000 per winner that can be applied toward purchasing livestock animals. This years winners were McKinley Bergeron and Kaylee Bergeron.

Pittsylvania County animal science extension agent Becky Roberts  who served as show director this year  indicated that events like these demonstrate a lot of hope for the future of agriculture.

You come to events like this and you see these youth really putting their heart and soul into these animals, and you start to see the potential that the future of agriculture really has, Roberts said.

We take a lot of pride in that, she said.
McCrae Dowless, the political operative who died last weekend while awaiting trial for an election fraud scandal that made national news, leaves a varied legacy.

Many politicians in southeastern North Carolina will remember him fondly, after years of work on the ground for their campaigns  at first for Democrats and, more recently, for Republicans.

Most people, however, know him only for the 2018 GOP fraud scandal in North Carolinas 9th Congressional District. Investigators say he and a team of helpers in Bladen and Robeson counties orchestrated what investigators say was a scheme to manipulate mail-in ballots on behalf of a Republican candidate for Congress, Mark Harris, who appeared to win the race until the state called a new election.

But perhaps the most impactful legacy Dowless leaves behind is something many dont know about at all  two changes to state elections law passed in the wake of that 2018 scandal.

One new law made it harder for groups to run the type of absentee ballot operations that he and other groups like the Bladen Improvement Association ran for years without legal trouble.

So far, the law seems to have worked.

State investigators, reporters and others in 2018 could see evidence of large numbers of absentee ballots in southeastern North Carolina being dropped off at the same time  by the same person. Since the new law passed, those tactics appear to have stopped  not just in Bladen and Robeson counties, but across the state.

We do not have any evidence of absentee ballots being returned in large numbers from a single source in recent elections, said Pat Gannon, a spokesman for the State Board of Elections.

The legislature passed the changes to crack down on such practices nearly unanimously in 2019, just after a new election was called due to the scandal.

Some Democrats were initially leery of the stricter rules, since a handful of get-out-the-vote groups at the time focused on mail-in voting and complained that the changes also made it harder for individual voters to request mail-in ballots.

Republicans ameliorated those concerns by adding a provision to the bill that allowed early voting to once again be held on the final Saturday before an election.

This carefully crafted proposal will provide greater access to voters, close the absentee ballot loopholes and secure our elections, said David Lewis, the Harnett County Republican who was the lead legi- slator on elections law in 2019.

The other change that happened during the Dowless scandal was much more controversial.

In the early days of the scandal, just before Christmas 2018 when it was just starting to gain national attention, lawmakers also passed a law to keep some future election investigations out of the public eye.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed it, calling the change devastating to the cause of fighting election fraud. Republicans had enough votes to override his veto, however, and passed it into law over his objections.

The change mandating more secrecy wouldnt have directly affected future absentee ballot cases, like the Dowless scandal, but it did make all campaign finance investigations secret.

Unbeknownst to anyone at the time was the fact that a top GOP official  Lewis, the Harnett County lawmaker  had that same year been taking hundreds of thousands of dollars that his supporters had given his campaign and secretly transferring the money into his personal bank account.

He later pleaded guilty in federal court in order to avoid prison time.

Lewis is far from the only politician to face a campaign finance investigation in North Carolina. Since the early 2000s numerous high-profile scandals have resulted in politicians eventually being found guilty, or entering pleas, for various crimes. Former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley, former Democratic Speaker of the House Jim Black, longtime Republican Sen. Fletcher Hartsell and state Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes are notable examples.

When Cooper vetoed the 2018 bill making state-level campaign finance investigations secret, he said voters shouldnt be kept in the dark about such issues.

The responsibility of investigators and prosecutors to find and eliminate wrongdoing in our elections, he said, is essential to maintaining integrity in our most sacred democratic process.
RALEIGH  Just days after in-person voting began in North Carolina, the 2022 primary election is seeing tens of thousands of people head to the polls.

The early voting period, which allows voters to cast their ballots ahead of the statewide primary election on May 17, runs from April 28 through May 14.

As of Sunday morning, 66,001 ballots had been cast so far, according to data from the State Board of Elections. That's up from 37,477 cast after the first three days of in-person early voting in the 2018 primary election  the most recent statewide primary election without a presidential race.

Known as a "blue moon" election, the 2018 cycle had no Senate or gubernatorial race at the top of the ballot to attract voters to the polls.

This time around, with a U.S. Senate race hanging in the balance and other heated congressional contests, voters are flocking to the polls.

In Guilford County, for instance, there were 2,304 ballots cast in the first two days.

In Wake County, turnout rose from just 431 ballots cast in the first three days of in-person early-voting in 2018 to 5,411.

And despite the higher turnout, people aren't waiting long to cast their votes, said Gary Sims, director of the Wake County Board of Elections.

"The worst you may see is, very first thing in the morning, you may have eight or 10 people in line," he said. "If you do go vote early, especially right now, I guarantee you, you're not going to see lines."

But Sims warned that as the election draws closer, turnout rates will increase further and longer waits could develop. He expects upwards of 30,000 people to vote early in Wake County, compared to about 11,340 in 2018.

"I honestly thought it would be higher," Sims added of turnout so far, "just because of the very competitive races and fields we've got out there."
RALEIGH  A national organization of university faculty members released a report late last week harshly criticizing the UNC System, saying it violates standards of shared governance, threatens academic freedom and fosters institutional racism.

The University of North Carolina system is in trouble, and not the kind of trouble that record enrollments or good rankings can fix, the report from the American Association of University Professors says. It is the kind of trouble that festers and spreads.

The special committee outlined examples of how it says the system is operating under pervasive and overtly partisan political control with the state legislature meddling in academic matters for political reasons through the UNC System Board of Governors.

From the selection of chancellors to decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic to the tenure case for Black journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones at UNC-Chapel Hill, the group cites what it calls the damaging effects of subtle and overt political pressures that faculty have been wary of for years. This report could also have lasting impacts on recruitment and retention of faculty if the American Association of University Professors decides to sanction the UNC System in light of this investigation.

In response to the release of this report, the North Carolina chapter of the American Association of University Professors held a news conference last Thursday at UNC-CH to discuss the mounting political interference at UNC and what the system can do to address problems.

The report deals at length with alarming standards of institutional governance, egregious political interference in the universitys mission and troubling threats to academic freedom, said Michael Behrent, who chairs the group.

****

Professors are particularly concerned by the way in which all of these problems undermine the essence of the American ideal of higher education and exacerbate the problem of institutional racism, Behrent said.

The investigation, which launched in September, was triggered by the hiring and tenure case for Hannah-Jones that thrust UNC into a national debate about race, politics and academic freedom. However, that problem itself was tied to much deeper governance and political issues in the UNC System.

The American Association of University Professors sets national standards and procedures for colleges and universities aimed at maintaining quality in education and academic freedom. It enforces those standards through investigations by special committees.

The very fact the UNC System came under investigation is a problem, Behrent said. What they found, I think, is something that should be a concern to everyone who cares about higher education in North Carolina and beyond.

Through its interviews, the group says, it found that a new era of the system began in 2010 when Republicans took over the state legislature and sought power through the systems Board of Governors. State political leaders have historically made board appointments. But after 2010, those appointees were more uniformly Republican, more interested in the political ideologies of campus actors and less experienced with higher education than their predecessors, according to the report.

Governance problems combined with long-standing patterns of institutional racism make the UNC System a hostile environment for faculty, staff and students of color, particularly at UNC-CH, according to the report.

We hope that this report may spur university leadership to action, the report says. Our interviews suggest that any steps they may currently be taking to address institutional racism are falling woefully short.

****

A special committee of American Association members interviewed more than 50 individuals across the UNC System, including faculty, former campus trustees, administrators and system staff members.

UNC System President Peter Hans, Board of Governors Chair Randy Ramsey, UNC-CH Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and UNC-CH Board of Trustees Chair David Boliek declined to be interviewed for the report. Kimberly van Noort, a UNC System senior vice president for academic affairs, responded to the report on behalf of Ramsey and the system in a letter to the committee.

Van Noort called the report disheartening as it offers a relentlessly grim portrayal of one of the nations strongest, most vibrant, and most productive university systems.

She acknowledged the systems challenges and shortcomings, while arguing that the report dismisses the enormous commitment of public dollars, faculty and staff dedication and policymaker support for the bipartisan mission of making higher education more widely available in our state.

Van Noort pointed out how the system has lowered and frozen tuition for students, improved graduation rates among low-income and minority students and made historic investments in its historically minority-serving institutions. She also mentioned the recruitment of faculty, raises in the recent state budget and securing $2 billion in capital funding for campuses. Each of those things set North Carolina apart in maintaining steady, bipartisan support of higher education, she wrote.

While she welcomes criticism and dissenting voices, she argues that these harshest critics should not be mistaken for anything like a consensus among the hundreds of thousands of students, faculty and staff in the system.

****

The report says the Board of Governors and other administrative bodies are exerting undue pressure and influence on those below them, often in reports to, or in anticipation of, political interference from the legislature.

The report also offers examples of how at Appalachian State University, the chancellor took unilateral action to appoint the provost, increased enrollment and chose not to attend faculty senate meetings after the group took a vote of no confidence in her.

And the report pointed out the controversial appointment of Fayetteville State University chancellor Darrell Allison, a former member of the Board of Governors who reportedly lacked support from the search committee.

The report points to three key cultural and structural issues in the UNC System related to race, including recent controversies of the Silent Sam Confederate statue and tenure case for Hannah-Jones and the systems inability to retain talented faculty and staff of color. The report mentioned several examples of actively engaged professors in leadership positions who left UNC and Appalachian State.

Those departures are in part fueled by a culture of exclusion, according to the report.

At the press conference, Nicole Peterson, an associate professor of anthropology at UNC-Charlotte, shared show her colleagues have experienced deferential treatment because of the color of their skin.

They see fewer opportunities to advance in their careers, weaker support for their research and teaching, less recognition for their expertise and lower salaries, Peterson said.

The silence of leaders around racist behaviors, including the Hannah-Jones tenure case, condones racism, she said. And it has led many exceptional people to leave UNC System campuses.

Institutions across the nation are confronting similar issues, but the committee found the UNC System leaderships consistent mishandling  and exacerbation of  race-related issues alarming.

The system is working toward acknowledging and fixing some of these issues through its Racial Equity Task Force, which was created in 2020. The task force has published two reports with recommendations and 28 action steps that campuses are implementing.
GREENSBORO  A legend got his legend back.

Forty-three years. Thats how long ago a beloved Browning 9mm was stolen from North Carolina music icon Bobby Hicks, who lived in Greensboro at the time.

The year was 1978. The gun was old and Hicks a young man, a fiddle player who would tour with bluegrass music titan Bill Monroe.

Not long ago, a Greensboro police detective informed Hicks that the Browning had been found at a pawn shop. That wasnt surprising. Made in the 1930s, the gun was worth hundreds and because of its age, certain to raise eyebrows if anyone ever tried to sell it.

Bobby called and said, Can you help me get this gun back? I dont want to drive to Greensboro, said Buddy Harwood, the sheriff of Madison County in western North Carolina. So I called Greensboro evidence section and they said, Sure, sheriff. Well get you the gun.

According to Harwood, when he called to have the gun transported back to Madison County, he urged the receptionist to explore some of Hicks playing.

The woman answered the phone, and I said: You havent heard of Bobby Hicks? Why dont you Google him. Hes got 10 Grammys. Hes got them up in his house holding his doors open, Harwood recalled. She said, Ill mail you that gun, sheriff. You talk about a legend getting a legend back. This gun was made in the 1930s.

While 43 years may seem like a long time to some, it wasnt long enough for Hicks to forget about the incident.

I never forget anything anybody steals from me, Hicks said. I had it laying on the headboard of my bed. Whoever took it knew where it was at. It was the only thing I was missing.

While authorities never found who broke into Hicks home, the musician said he suspects it was stolen by someone close to him.

I had two full-grown Dobermann Pinschers in my house, Hicks said. It was one of the older houses, where the bottom-half of the back door is wood, the top half is glass. They broke that window, and one of my Dobermanns had glass all in his fur. So it had to be somebody that I knew, that knew those dogs, because they would have ate him up.

According to Harwood, the gun has a resale value of roughly $600.

Hicks said he bought it for a lot cheaper than that.

I bought it for $20, the award winner reminisced. I was playing in a dance hall-type place in Reno, Nevada. This guy was in there, and he was an alcoholic. He needed a drink, and he didnt have any money. But he had that gun. I didnt know he had it until he offered it to me for whatever I wanted to give him. I gave him a $20 bill and put it in my pocket.

Harwood said the nearly 44-year period between the theft and its return speaks to the meticulous gun records that law enforcement agencies employ.

It was 1978 that his house got broken into, Harwood said. Somebody has kept up a good, hot file for all these years because you have to validate them every 30 to 60 days. When you register a gun, its entered into whats called a hot file. Somebodys keeping some good records in Greensboro.

With the pistol back in his possession, Hicks said it will go back into his safe with his other guns.

Hicks said his animals will deter any potential intruders should anyone try to take it from him again.

Ive got three dogs in the house now, he said.
U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorns penchant for confrontational politicking has landed him national name recognition, campaign dollars and a competitive primary at home.

Hes brushed off scandals in the past and recently named people he perceives as instigators.

In an Instagram video, Cawthorn said the North Carolina establishment was launching a coordinated attack against him ahead of the primary. His video came just after news that he got caught with a pistol at the Charlotte airport.

Were starting to see this coordinated drip campaign ... where theyre going to drop an attack article every one or two days just to try and kill us with death by a thousand cuts, Cawthorn said in the video.

Coordinated attack or not, Cawthorns reelection race in western North Carolina may be tightening. Recent polling found that Cawthorns support dropped among primary voters over the previous month, from 49% in March to 38% in April. State Sen. Chuck Edwards sat at 21%, with other candidates such as Michele Woodhouse, Wendy Nevarez and Rodney Honeycutt at 5%.

Though the polling isnt perfect, Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said it points to waning support for Cawthorn.

Theres enough drips now where its created a lake big enough to drown (in), Cooper said. And I think hes feeling the heat.

Cawthorn later apologized on Instagram for the Charlotte airport gun incident. I made a mistake yesterday. No excuse for it. Just a flat out mistake, Cawthorn wrote.

Complicating matters, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis has called for an investigation into whether Cawthorn was involved with insider trading following a published report.

This debacle is just the latest in his short political career.

When he said on the U.S. House floor being a female should be defined as two x chromosomes and no tallywacker, he posted a video of it on social media despite criticism about his views on gender.

After showing up to a local school board meeting in August and saying requiring masks in schools to protect against COVID-19 was child abuse, Cawthorns campaign contributions actually spiked.

Other scandals may not prove as fruitful.

Cawthorn was cited in March for driving with an expired license. Also in March, a video emerged of Cawthorn calling Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy a thug not long after Russia invaded the country.

In the district, things are changing amid the constant controversy, said former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin. Erwin renounced his support for Cawthorn more than a year ago. Since then, he said other area politicians are doing the same.

There are people who will support him no matter what he does, but Im starting to see more and more continually that people are abandoning him, Erwin said. People are seeing this stuff and were just disgusted with it.

Retired Waynesville Police Chief Bill Hollingsed and Transylvania County Sheriff David Mahoney are among the prominent people Erwin said have moved away from Cawthorn.

Erwin supports Rodney Honeycutt, a former Army colonel and one of Cawthorns seven challengers in the Republican primary.

The odds may greatly favor Cawthorn in the primary. Still, as the headlines pile up, so does doubt.

When you throw them all together, does it simply become too much for the people up there? asked Dallas Woodhouse, the former executive director of the state Republican Party.

Former state Supreme Court justice Bob Orr, a Republican and outspoken critic of Cawthorn, said the damage from scandals might have been lessened if they revolved around his policy or political talking points rather than his behavior.

Even the most conservative Republican doesnt really want an irresponsible representative, and theyve got a lot of other choices, he said.

In one of his TV ads, Edwards tells voters: If you want a celebrity, go watch the Kardashians. But if you want a proven conservative that will fight and win, then Im your man.

With every new headline and scarce support among GOP colleagues, the chances of a run-off grow daily, Western Carolinas Cooper said.

He created a monster that might eat him, he said. He went from firebrand politician to beleaguered politician in about a year and a half.
Revier Dubai, a 4-star lifestyle hotel modelled as a meeting point for todays gen-X while offering Swiss Hospitality in Business Bay, has recently appointed Mickael Chevalier as General Manager.



Chevalier joins the team with an impressive hospitality record of more than twenty-seven years of progressive experience in luxury hotels in various countries.



A French national, Chevalier played a leading role in shaping transformation, driving innovative guest experiences, and strengthening the brand positioning of the hotels he handled. His expertise lies in blending the essence of the Swiss Flair with the local destination to appeal to an international audience.



I am delighted to join the team at the iconic Revier Dubai. The hotel is renowned for creating inspired guest experiences, and I look forward to working with the team to further refine these in a highly competitive landscape, said Mickael Chevalier, General Manager at Revier Dubai.



He continued: Dubai is a world-class city, and Revier Dubai with its modern and edgy accommodation, young and fresh ambiance, and unique culinary concepts, is the perfect place to provide outstanding and innovative guest experiences to all UAE visitors and residents.



Prior to joining Revier Dubai, Chevalier worked in world-known international hotel brands. He spent his initial eight years of his career in Switzerland followed by another five years in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and then finally choose to be in an ever-growing destination i.e. the United Arab Emirates for the last 16 years.



On a more personal note, Chevalier said: Our guests are our valuable assets. We apply our core values with efficiency, authenticity, and simplicity in our work to achieve the highest level of guest satisfaction. I believe that guests come first. These values are the reason for any continuity and success of a hotel, wherever the place is, at all times, and across various cultures and economies. TradeArabia News Service
With half of Montanas tribal governments connected to a state database for reporting missing Native people, a task force voted Monday to make funding available for the other four tribes to join.

The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Task Force voted to make a total of $25,000 available to the Crow Tribe, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians and Chippewa Cree Tribe.

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Blackfeet Nation, Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and the Fort Belknap Indian Community received a collective $25,000 under the previous round of funding from the state grant program. A total of $50,000 was authorized by the Legislature in 2021.

The task force was created in 2019 in response to growing recognition that Native people go missing and are victims of homicide at a much higher rate than other Montana residents. The Legislature also created the grant program that year, called Looping In Native Communities (LINC), and initially funded it with $25,000 to create a system for reporting and tracking cases of missing Indigenous people in Montana.

The 2019 grant, awarded to Blackfeet Community College, helped pay the costs of setting up that system. Unveiled in 2020, the mmipmt.com website serves as a portal for families and friends who arent comfortable dealing with law enforcement to report missing people. It also allows visitors to view active cases that have been reported through the website.

Last year, the Legislature reauthorized the grant program with $50,000 to cover the costs of connecting each of the states eight tribes to the database. The noncompetitive grants provide $6,250 to each tribe that applies and provides a one-to-one funding match.

The task force is required to submit a report containing its findings and recommendations to the State-Tribal Relations Committee by July 1.

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As journalists, those of us who produce content for Lee Enterprises five Montana newspapers are firm believers in free speech.

But free speech isnt always without consequences or ramifications. Think yelling fire in a crowded theater.

So it is with our social media pages, which since their inception have included reasonable rules of engagement in an attempt to ensure civil discourse  making it clear that violators would be subject to hidden posts and outright bans.

Unfortunately, our pages on Facebook and Twitter have become landing pages for too many trolls, bots and content wed never allow in print or in online stories.

So starting this week, were committing to more rigid monitoring regardless of political persuasion or affiliation. In addition to post hiding or bans for profane or obscene language and content, hate speech or bullying, personal attacks and content that promotes, fosters or perpetrates discrimination, we will also ban outright trolls.

In an effort to help limit such consequences Lee Montana has compiled a (lengthy) list of inappropriate words and phrases that will either be automatically removed or hidden. This list is in place on Facebook pages associated with the Billings Gazette, The Montana Standard, Helena Independent Record, Missoulian and Ravalli Republic.

Our fervent hope is that our social media accounts are a place where readers with a wide variety of viewpoints can freely join in civil discourse about what matters most to Montanans.

Thank you to our readers for making Montanas digital newspapers some of the fastest growing in the industry.

Those with questions should contact Montana Editor Jeff Welsch at jeff.welsch@lee.net.

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DECATUR  You won't find these ingredients in any dish on the dinner table: two cups of glue, food coloring, baking soda and contact lens solution.

Chemistry is messy, said Donovan Pena, a chemical engineer for Caterpillar Inc. That's what makes it fun.

Engineers visited the junior high students at Our Lady of Lourdes School on Monday to talk about their careers and to do hands-on activities that they hope will get the kids excited about science and math. Pena made slime with the students.

Alexa Conway was designated to stir the slime, and while she isn't interested in becoming an engineer herself, her mother is an engineer.

She really loves it, the eighth-grader said.

In a chemical plant, Pena told the students, moving a solid substance like the slime means it has to hang together to get through pipes to its destination rather than fall apart and clog up the works. So knowing how fast a substance is likely to fall apart is critical. His slime held together as long as he didn't pull it quickly, so it would have to be moved slowly.

In another classroom, Chelsea Sargeant, an electrical engineer, showed the students how to make a simple electric motor using AA batteries and wire. When it was done correctly, the magnetic properties cause the wire to spin.

We have a group of Caterpillar engineers today from different specialties of engineers to show the different career types people can move into and why each type of engineering is important and what the future career paths could be for kids that want to go into engineering, Sargeant said.

We hope to inspire some curiosity in them, she said. To show them, hands-on, what engineering is like and see if that's a good fit for them in the future.

Eighth-grader Breniyah Smith said the activity with Sargeant was very cool.

I learned a lot, said Breniyah, who wants to be a lawyer someday.

Language arts teacher Joe Hooten said the staff hoped the day would give the students some ideas about future careers, just as the engineers hoped for the day.

(We hope) they learn a little more about science and its application in the process, he said.

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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For decades, the Democratic Party of Illinois has been an antiquated outlier among state Democratic organizations, focusing on parochial fundraising instead of using its status as a staunchly blue state in a Midwest field of red to influence national politics.

But a year after former House Speaker Michael Madigan relinquished his ironclad control as state Democratic chairman, the state party has entered the 21st century  decentralizing its organization, putting together its first email list of supporters, digitizing outreach activities and creating a recruitment, training and support infrastructure for Democratic candidates in the Nov. 8 general election.

Madigans decision to step down amid a federal investigation that led to his indictment in March has also led to a host of competitive races in the June 28 primary for seats on a Democratic State Central Committee no longer content to serve as merely a rubber stamp for its leader.

Im hoping that people feel that its a party worth getting involved in and they want to get active, said U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson, who replaced Madigan as state Democratic chair in March of last year.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the chambers leadership, said the races for state central committee seats are evidence of a pent-up energy after Madigan.

They want to be part of the party structure and make it work. Thats a very positive thing, he said.

While Durbin is not a member of the state central committee, he has significant influence over the party, which was evident in his endorsement of Kelly as the partys first Black and female chair. Kelly won a close committee vote over Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers choice, Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th.

Kelly said she sees her role as providing more diverse and inclusive leadership, and said she spent the last year on a listening tour to try to see what we could do better.

If people were active, what were their ideas? If people werent as active, what could we do to get them to be more active? How do we get more people involved with the party? Kelly asked. Ive kind of lost count in all kinds of the places where what I heard was, Wow, I was surprised to see the party chair.

Making Kelly the partys chair wasnt without controversy. As a federal officeholder, she is prohibited from raising money for state and local candidates because federal fundraising limits are tighter than Illinois.

The state Democratic Party went to the Federal Election Commission for approval to spell out the separation of Kellys chairmanship from any state and local fundraising activities. As a result, fundraising has become more decentralized than it was under Madigan.

Under Madigan, the state Democratic Party was largely a fundraising vessel for state House campaigns at the expense of other state and federal offices. It operated with an antiquated infrastructure  one of its most valuable assets was its postage meter, which allowed Madigan to send out bulk mailings in House races at a lower rate.

Madigans power as the nations longest-serving House speaker, a role he held for 36 years, and as state party chairman for 23 years, could be seen in the fundraising totals of the first three months of last year, when the party raised $2 million. The state party had more than $2.6 million in the bank at the end of March 2021.

This quarter, the partys state account raised more than $350,000 but ended March of this year with nearly $2.9 million in cash.

While the fundraising totals are down from a year ago, the party is no longer merely a pass-through fund for state House Democratic candidates, as it was under Madigans direction. Instead, through fundraising committees created as a result of the federal restrictions on Kelly, the party has been focusing on becoming a support organization for all Democratic candidates.

The $1 million the party had stored at the end of March 2021 for spending on federal races grew to nearly $1.4 million at the end of this March. Combined federal and state money raised by the Democrats totaled more than $712,000  with little party spending expected until after the primary when the Democratic field is set.

Youre seeing a totally new fundraising approach for the Democratic Party, and I have been really excited to see the number of people who are investing in the party, said Abby Witt, the partys executive director. It was a little bit of an experiment that has turned out really well. Were proud of it.

The modernization of the party also is reflected in a comprehensive post-primary campaign for Democrats across the November ballot that is expected to be unveiled in coming days. Funded and led by the billionaire Pritzker, the coordinated campaign will also enlist the state party organization, the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association and other ancillary groups.

You know, this is a challenging year and we shouldnt take anything for granted, Durbin said. So lets all get it together.

The partys evolution from the Madigan era also is seen in the development, from scratch, of a digital program, something Witt called a core part of how campaigns need to communicate in 2022.

Witt said Kelly had this vision for a modern professional party and how it communicates its message, as well as trying to engage volunteers and organizers and activists who will get that message to their network. The party is six months into developing its email program, and its mailing list now totals more than 100,000 people, she said.

For the messaging to work, the party has sought to bridge a void that had existed between the work of the Democratic National Committee and federal and state officeholders, often drawing a link between Democratic agenda items in Congress and within the state legislature. One example is a recent push by Democrats in Washington to limit insulin costs after Democrats in Springfield in 2019 established a $100 monthly cap for people covered by state-regulated insurance plans. The messaging effort has also extended to the media, which previously had been an afterthought.

The state party is also working with the county chairs association to develop and recruit candidates on the local and countywide level through a 12-week cohort program.

Of more immediate concern for the future of the party is the June primary when Democratic voters will select the 34-member state central committee members, one man and one woman from each of the states newly drawn 17 congressional districts.

There are contested elections for 20 of the 34 seats. The partys various factions and interests are vying for a seat at a smaller table, the result of Illinois losing one central committee seat as a result of the U.S. census that reduced the number of congressional seats from 18 to 17.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush is stepping down from his 1st Congressional District seat at the end of his term, creating a cascade of candidates seeking to replace him, but is seeking reelection to the state central committee. He faces three challengers.

In the new 3rd Congressional District, current state central committeewoman Iris Martinez, the clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, faces two challengers including state Rep. Delia Ramirez of Chicago, who also is running for the congressional seat. For the committeemans seat, Ald. Gil Villegas, 36th, who also is vying for the congressional nomination, faces state Sen. Omar Aquino.

In the 5th Congressional District, former state Senate President John Cullerton, a current state central committee member, is facing a challenge from state Sen. Robert Martwick.

Cullerton voted against Kelly for chair, citing the complications of a federal officeholder raising money for state candidates. He said his proposal for a compromise, making Kelly a co-chair with Harris, was rejected.

Thats still a big issue, he said of Kellys state fundraising limitation. Its not the same thing to not have the actual chairman of the party raising and doing the fundraising.

Still, Cullerton, a member of the Democratic National Committee, voted for Kelly as a co-chair of its Midwest regional committee, calls her a friend and says any differences are intramural stuff.

Kelly, who is expected to seek reelection as chair when the new state central committee is seated after the primary, said she has been satisfied with the progress the Democratic Party organization has made.

What we were able to accomplish in 2021 leading up to my first year is definitely helping us as we move forward into these elections. Kelly said. People nationally are really excited Illinois is back in the mix.

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CAIRO  A 68-year-old woman has been found guilty of first-degree murder charges in the 2018 death of 63-year-old Tomie Edwards, according to Illinois State Police.

On April 29, Mary Davis, of Carbondale, was found guilty on charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death during a jury trial in Alexander County.

Edwards body was discovered by Kentucky authorities in the Mississippi River on May 22, 2018.

The murder investigation was led by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 7.

The Illinois State Police was assisted by the Cairo Police Department, Alexander County States Attorneys Office, and the Kentucky State Police.

A sentencing hearing for Davis is scheduled for June 29 in Alexander County court. No further information will be disseminated at this time.

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The Lost City needed another rewrite.

Borrowing heavily from Romancing the Stone and, strangely, Jungle Cruise, it wastes the actors talent and, frequently, resorts to Sandra Bullock complaining about the sequined jumpsuit shes wearing.

The best bits  including one with Brad Pitt  turn up in the films trailer, which makes seeing the whole thing a bit redundant.

Bullock plays a reclusive author who agrees to do a book event with  get this  the model who has peered out from her books for years. Very Fabio, he steals focus and, early on, loses his long, flowing wig. When Bullocks Loretta Sage is kidnapped by a mad treasure hunter (nicely played by Daniel Radcliffe), Channing Tatums Alan attempts to prove hes more than his individual parts. He goes on a rescue mission and, soon, Loretta and Alan are in the jungle trying to find a way out.

Although most of the scenes look like theyve been done with green-screen technology, Bullock still pretends like shes hanging off a cliff, crawling into a cave and swimming under water for some lost treasure that few think exists.

Radcliffe, meanwhile, turns up immediately, as if he had a tracker on the two. Luckily, the mismatched adventurers have a night where they can bond and she can pluck leeches from his body.

Directed by Aaron Nee and Adam Nee, The Lost City doesnt have the spontaneity or chemistry of its predecessors. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner projected real swagger; Bullock and Tatum run through their own greatest hits. She plays shy, bumbling and smarty; he plays big, dumb and naive. Both guises have worked better in other films. Here, its what we have to endure until they can get out of the jungle and into a posh hotel.

Both are good at playing to type but it would have been a better movie if the two had swapped roles and no one talked about Pitt before he pops up. Hes a real treat (in the same way he was on Friends) and that little lift Lost City needs just when you think its struggling.

DaVine Joy Randolph, who was so good in Dolemite is My Name, has a subplot here as Bullocks handler, willing to move mountains to get her back home. Shes fun, but the Nees ignore her frequently, which undercuts the big statement about managers and publicists.

While the films real goal is never in jeopardy, it might have been nice to make it less predictable than it is. Great as she is as a physical comedian, Bullock never really lets down the glam guard. She looks good even in the worst circumstances and shouldnt be such a cinematic throwback.

The Lost City isnt bad (its one of those harmless date night films), just underbaked. Had the directors turned up the heat, it might have been the return of a genre. Instead, its just recognizable leftovers made with expensive ingredients.
PKF hospitality group, leader in hospitality and tourism consulting, with the support of PKF Poland is has announced a new operator for the Andersia Tower Hotel in Poznan, Poland.



The new tenant is RIMC Hotels & Resorts, which will operate under the Radisson Blu brand after an extensive refurbishment and has signed a long-term partnership with Deka Immobilien Investment.



The 172-room hotel with a total area of 15,000 sq m at Plac Andersa 3 is located in a mixed-use office tower in the center of Poznan and also includes extensive conference rooms and wellness facilities.



Adam Maclennan, Managing Director at PKF hospitality group: "We are very pleased with the successful completion of this project in a challenging time for the hotel industry. The successful operator placement demonstrates the high level of professionalism and cooperation of all involved in the process. We look forward to a great new future for the Radisson Blu."



Poznans hotel market has seen significant disruption caused by the pandemic but the fundamentals remain strong and the city has experienced some positive signs that the meetings and events, leisure and corporate segments are starting to rebound.



Audun Lekve, CFO at RIMC, said: "The country has a great economic potential and the hotel market in particular has been a part of our expansion plan for a long time. We are very proud to take over our first hotel in Poznan with such a highly reputed partner."



Valerie Schurmans, Vice President, Business Development at Radisson, said: "We are keen to continue our partnership with RIMC and to launch our Radisson Individuals brand for Poland in Poznan. We thank DEKA and RIMC for the continuous trust in our company and brands."  TradeArabia News Service
HICKORY  The community is invited to pack a dinner or purchase a meal at a local eatery and join Carolina Caring outside under the Sails on Thursday, May 5, and Thursday, May 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Union Square in downtown Hickory to connect with others who have experienced a loss.

Following dinner, participants will be invited to take a stroll on the Hickory City Walk. This event is part of Carolina Carings ongoing support programming for those in the community who are grieving the death of someone close to them.

Registration is required. For more information, visit CarolinaCaring.org/support, contact wspurling@carolinacaring.org or call 828-466-0466, ext. 3201.

Carolina Caring, founded in 1979, is an independent, community-based, nonprofit health care provider. It specializes in programs that offer relief from chronic conditions, serious illnesses, and the challenges they bring, including palliative medicine and hospice care for all ages, primary care and grief counseling. Currently, Carolina Caring serves 12 counties across western North Carolina and the Charlotte region. For more information about Carolina Caring, call 828-466-0466 or visit www.CarolinaCaring.org.
The photos this winter from the California ports of Long Beach and Oakland left many who depend on foreign trade both concerned and uncertain. In so many ways, supply chain backups like those in U.S. ports have made it difficult for both suppliers and customers.

During the April 27, 2022, Hoards Dairyman DairyLivestream, panelists explained a few of the bottlenecks that are causing chaos in trade.

Historically, as weigh powder would come out of cheese plants in the Upper Midwest like Wisconsin, it would go West and would eventually leave through Long Beach or Oakland, explained Ted Jacoby, who is the CEO of T.C. Jacoby and Company. The two ports that have the most problems are the two California ports  Long Beach/Los Angeles and Oakland. Today, a lot of those containers are going South and getting loaded out of Houston. Thats the beginning of the problem.

Beyond the borders of the United States, many ports globally are struggling to keep up as well. Jacoby highlighted the developing issues getting product into Chinese ports that have further complicated the supply chain.

While those two U.S. ports are really struggling, the transload ports in Asia are struggling even more, he said.

The transload ports are hubs that serve as transfer locations of import and export containers.

Its the containers that go through a hub, or a transload port, where its really struggling, Jacoby detailed. First, you have to get it in a container. Thats a struggle. Then, you have to get it into the port in time to get it on a ship. Thats been a struggle. Then, you have to get the ship to the transload port. Now, you have to get it off that ship, and then, you have to get it on the next ship so that you can get it to its destination port. Thats been a problem.

The important question according to Jacoby is how quickly the ports in Asia will be able to get caught up with the backlog. He had some hope that Chinese ports will be able to work through the 1,000s of ships that need loading and unloading.

Chinas a little different than the U.S. They probably have 10 times the number of people involved in every single unloading, Jacoby shared. Theyre probably less automated. The possibility exists that they will get through their logjam a little quicker than we have in the U.S.

These things are happening to everyone not just the dairy industry. What used to take three months between when we got an international deal done and when our customers got product is nine months now. Its easily three times as long. Thats not changing, Jacoby concluded.

To watch the recording of the April 27 DairyLivestream, go to the link above. The program recording is now also available as an audio-only podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and downloadable from the Hoards Dairyman website.

Register to continue receiving updates

The next broadcast of DairyLivestream will be on Wednesday, May 18 at 11 a.m. CDT. As of January 2022, we moved to a new system. If you have not yet, you will need to re-register to continue receiving email updates and links to the webcasts. You can sign up here now. Registering once will sign you up you for all future events.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022

April 28, 2022
The Winston-Salem Police Department is investigating an armed robbery that occurred Sunday morning at a local grocery store.

Police said Sunday that officers responded at 11:51 a.m. to the activation of an alarm within Keh Lani Groceries at 1215 Link Road, Suite F.

A store clerk told officers that there were two male robbers, one which possessed an assault style rifle, while the other had a black semi-automatic handgun.

The robbers forced the clerk to remove an undisclosed amount of the U.S. currency from the store's cash register.

The robbers exited the business and drove away in a silver passenger vehicle.

The clerk said both robbers wore a black face mask, black hoodie and black jogging pants.

Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to call the department at (336) 773-7700, Crime Stoppers at (336) 727-2800, or En Espanol (336) 728-3904.

The Text-A-Tip Program at (336) 276-1717 allows for anonymously texting tips, photos and videos to the department. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem Forsyth County is at https://www.facebook.com/crimestopperswsfc.

Crime Stoppers Tip Form is at https://www.cityofws.org/FormCenter/Police-Department-19/Crimestoppers-Tip-Form-100.

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In his most recent annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, Warren Buffett called BNSF Railway one of the conglomerates Four Giants.

With a record $6 billion in earnings and BNSFs mileage and cargo hauls topping the American railroad industry, Buffett wrote that Berkshire shareholders can be proud of your railroad.

One group thats not proud of how BNSF Railway is operating: The union representing BNSF railroad workers.

Dennis Pierce, president of the 33,000-member Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, said Friday at a press conference in Omaha that BNSF as well as Omaha-based Union Pacific railroad are both off the rails.

Pierce said employees have worked long hours the last three years during the COVID-19 pandemic without raises. Pierce said that negotiations on a new labor contract have been going on since January 2020.

Theres nothing that these union-represented employees at these railroads have asked for that these railroads cannot afford to provide, he said.

In separate emails, spokespeople for BNSF and Union Pacific said collective bargaining negotiations are ongoing.

BNSF spokesman Ben Wilemon the railroad has set aside money for pay raises in anticipation of an agreement.

The sooner an agreement is reached, the sooner our union-represented employees get pay increases and we can all focus on what we do best  running one of the largest freight rail networks in the world, he said.

Union Pacific spokeswoman Robynn Tysver said, Union Pacific believes our hard-working workforce deserve compensation that will keep them among the best paid in the nation. We need national agreements that provide raises, but the bargaining issues are complex and need more work before an agreement is reached.

The union also takes issue with BNSFs new HiViz attendance policy. Pierce called that as well as UPs attendance policy draconian.

The attempt is to keep people from taking a day off, and its working, Pierce said. Its also driving people out of the industry.

Wilemon characterized BNSFs policy differently. He said the attendance policy, which has been in effect since February, was implemented to improve the consistency of crew availability with the goal of also improving schedule predictability.

We understand that change is hard but, as with every other railroad and service business, delivering for our customers requires employees to be available to work their assigned shifts, he said.

Wilemon added there has been no change in how much time off an employee receives, and said the time off between each shift averages 24 hours. He also said that BNSF has more train crew employees now compared to a year ago and that 300 new employees are currently being trained.

Pierce said union employees ultimately could strike if they feel conditions dont improve and a contact they deem fair cant be reached. Striking, he said, would be a last resort.

I got to be crystal clear: Were not here to hurt the supply chain, he said. There are ways to resolve this without impact to the supply chain. The first one is a fair contract offer.

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A 9-1-1 emergency gets personal when the dispatcher call center goes up in flames. A familiar face returns to The Good Doctor as soon-to-wed Shaun and Lea become subjects of a documentary. Former American Idol favorites return for a 20th-anniversary celebration. A spy turns sleuth in Italy in Acorns Signora Volpe. Original NCIS star Sean Murray welcomes his daughter to the show in a guest role as a wayward teen.

8/7c

This time its personal. The 118 comes to the rescue when the dispatch call center they know so well catches fire, and Bobby (Peter Krause) risks his own neck to save wife Athenas (Angela Bassett) daughter May (Corinne Massiah) and her co-worker Claudette (Vanessa E. Williams). For the first time, Chimney (Kenneth Choi) works alongside his brother Albert (John Harlan Kim) as firefighters, and Eddie (Ryan Guzman) springs back into action with Buck (Oliver Stark) to help an electrician in peril.

10/9c

Antonia Thomas, whose warmth as Dr. Claire Browne has been missed, returns for the first of two guest appearances, just in time for the impending nuptials of Dr. Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) and Lea (Paige Spara). Their unusual relationship has caught the attention of a documentary filmmaker, whos following them with a camera to record their every move, because that wont be awkward at all.

Special 8/7c

The singing competition presses pause to mark the once-upon-a-time pop phenomenons 20th anniversary, reuniting some of the shows earlier stars to recapture those glory days in an hourlong concert. Among the pairings: Season 2 champ Ruben Studdard and Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks, Season 7 victor David Cook and his Season 8 successor, Kris Allen, and Season 10s all-country Final 2, Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina.

Series Premiere

Umbria, the green heart of Italy, is the glorious setting for a new series of three feature-length mysteries starring Emilia Fox (Silent Witness) as international spy Sylvia Foxor Volpe, because as a handsome local police captain reminds her, Everything sounds better in Italian. Sylvia arrives in Umbria to visit family after clashing with her colleagues at MI6, and before long, the spook becomes a snoop when her nieces dashing but mysterious fiance disappears on their wedding day. Naturally, Sylvia is a whiz at following cluesit helps when your toothbrush contains a secret flash driveand shes not bad at taking down bad guys when the situation demands.

9/8c

Its all in the family when original series star Sean Murray welcomes daughter Cay Ryan Murray onto the show as a guest star. Shes Teagen Fields, one of several partying teens caught breaking into Marine Base Quantico, and while investigating, McGee (Murray) forms a special bond with Teagen. Wonder why?

9/8c

After last weeks harrowing episode, the drama takes a bit of a breather to showcase an elaborate charade by Saul/Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) and Kim (Rhea Seehorn) in their ongoing crusade to ruin Howards (Patrick Fabian) reputation. And we get a rare glimpse into Gus Frings (Giancarlo Esposito) life at home.

Inside Monday TV:

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Two Lincoln teenagers are in jail and a third was referred to juvenile court after police tied the group to a weekend smoke shop burglary of more than $10,000 worth of product, according to authorities.

Lincoln Police Sgt. Chris Vollmer said officers responded at around 5:30 a.m. Sunday to an alarm at Generation V smoke shop, 1501 N. Cotner Blvd., where police found the front glass broken and vape products stolen.

Vollmer said "previous intelligence" from ongoing investigations into similar break-ins led officers to 30th and N streets, where they found the three teens and the missing products in a car.

Police arrested 19-year-old Kaiden Cleary and 18-year-old Jamaul Williams on suspicion of burglary, a class 3 felony. A 16-year-old boy was referred to juvenile court on the same charge.

Vollmer said police haven't officially linked the teens to any prior break-ins.

Cleary and Williams were taken to the Lancaster County jail.

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By early Monday evening the earth had become a muddy swamp, the rain dripped through the small opening at the top of one of the shelters and the resolve of the small group inside had not wavered.

They were among a group of Native community members and others who oppose a hotly debated housing development adjacent to Wilderness Park near First Street and Pioneers Boulevard.

At about midnight Sunday, they erected the Niskithe Prayer Camp -- a name taken from an UmoNhoN word meaning Saltwater -- to mark one week since the City Council approved zoning changes and land annexation that will allow the development to proceed.

The prayer camp name acknowledges the centuries-long relationship Indigenous people of many nations have had with this region and the Salt Creek waterway.

We are here today to take back our voice, which was stolen from us at last weeks City Council hearing, said Kevin Abourezk, a leader of the peaceful prayer camp, at the outset of their vigil. As Indigenous people of this land, we have had much taken from us over the past few centuries. Today we are standing up and saying, No more! We are here. We are strong. We will remain.'

Environmental activists and members of the Native community sent over 100 letters opposing the proposed development, and turned out in force to speak at a City Council public hearing against the development known as Wilderness Crossing.

They are concerned about the effect the traffic, light and noise will have on the native habitat and wildlife of the park  and that it will disrupt the sanctity of one of the oldest and most-used Native sweat lodges in the city. The sweat lodge is on private land thats surrounded by Wilderness Park across the street from the proposed development.

The group has a long list of changes they want to see: Everything from having the mayor veto the annexation and zoning changes, to creating a city Native Advisory Committee and developing city and county policies to protect special religious Indigenous ceremonial sites.

Ultimately, they want systematic change and more inclusion of Native voices in city government, Abourezk said. Theyd rather the development not happen, but at the very least, he said, theyd like some accommodations to protect the sweat lodge and policies in place to ensure this doesnt happen again.

Primarily at this point we just want more inclusion, he said. "We understand we wont achieve systematic change in the near future but we hope to start a meaningful dialogue with the city.

Theyll leave, he said, when that happens.

And he acknowledged the conversation has already begun.

As the day wore on, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird arranged to meet with leaders Tuesday afternoon, and City Council Chairman James Michael Bowers missed Mondays City Council meeting to meet with some of the groups leaders.

Bowers said they had a wide-ranging discussion about how to prevent this from happening again.

Theres a lot of hurt feelings, Bowers said. I will continue to engage with (Native) leaders.

Sam Manzitto Jr. plans to build 162 single-family homes, 134 townhomes and 205 apartments on about 75 acres south of Pioneers Boulevard between First Street and U.S. 77.

The Catholic Diocese of Lincoln plans to sell the land and has been working with Manzitto since 2018 on plans to develop it. The land has been designated in the Comprehensive Plan for future urban residential development since 2002.

Last week, the City Council  with the exception of Sandra Washington and Jane Raybould  approved zoning changes, annexation of 141 acres of land in the area and changes to the Comprehensive Plans land use designations in the area.

Washington unsuccessfully tried to exempt the piece of private land where the sweat lodges are located from annexation, and Raybould suggested some proposed homes be removed closest to First Street to create more of a buffer.

Members of the Native community were especially upset that only Washington and Raybould mentioned their concerns surrounding the sweat lodge, and after the meeting Abourezk specifically called out Tom Beckius, Bennie Shobe and Tammy Ward as council members hed previously considered allies.

The group wants a formal apology from the council and for members to engage in a restorative justice process with them.

Ward said she called Abourezk earlier this week to apologize, and to say shed intended to acknowledge the Native concerns at the meeting. She said she and some other council members have discussed how best to apologize more broadly to members of the Native community.

Beckius said the issue comes down to a discussion about land use and whether those uses  for private developers, by the Catholic Church and for Native ceremonies  can coexist.

He said he believes they can.

Im not sure the latest step (by opponents) is the path to resolution, he said.

After the council meeting last week, Abourezk said, opponents of the development didnt see a path forward, and when a friend suggested setting up the tipis, he knew it was the right next step.

The seven Native shelters were donated, and some belonged to Leo Yankton, a fellow Native activist and friend who died last year of cancer.

Leo had great vision and great love for his people, Abourezk said. Ive thought a lot about him the last few weeks. Its one of the things thats inspired me.

Because of the rain, supporters of the prayer camp brought cots and blankets up the slippery hill to help those who plan to sleep there stay warm and dry.

About 10 people who gathered in one of seven tipis set up on a high point of the land Monday afternoon talked about how the sweat lodge has helped many people in recovery, and how important the nature that surrounds it is to those who use it.

Even though the sweat lodge isnt on the land being developed, it is directly across First Street and part of the sanctity and the ceremony is experiencing the nature that surrounds it, said Cante Skuya, an Ogalala Lakota.

We pray with the land and the animals, she said. When you take that away from us it makes us sick.

Abourezk said city officials talk about how the land in question was designated for urban development 20 years ago, but questioned how many Native people were at the table then.

When were at the table it changes the conversation, he said. Every time.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7226 or mreist@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSreist

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On November 29, 2021 local time, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Gabonese Foreign Minister Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya in Dakar on the sidelines of the Eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Moubelet said, African countries are greatly encouraged by President Xi Jinping's strongest call for enhancing Africa-China cooperation in his important speech at the opening ceremony of this ministerial conference. China's cooperation with Africa is not an empty promise but tangible action. We genuinely feel that China firmly stands by our side amidst the pandemic.

Wang Yi said that President Xi Jinping just announced new initiatives of large-scale vaccine assistance to Africa. China will honor its commitment and deliver vaccines to every African people in need as soon as possible. All lives are equally important. The international community shall not sit idly by while Africa is beset by the immunization gap before the development gap is yet overcome.

Wang Yi said that China always regards its relations with Gabon from a strategic and long-term perspective and stands ready to deepen mutual trust and achieve greater cooperation outcomes. China supports Gabon in playing a bigger role in international and regional affairs.

Moubelet said that Gabon and China enjoy friendly and close relations, and the Gabonese people directly benefit from practical cooperation between the two sides. China is the first country to provide Gabon with anti-pandemic supplies and vaccines, which has played a vital role in its effective COVID-19 response. Gabon unwaveringly supports the one-China principle and looks forward to deepening cooperation in agriculture, forestry and other fields with China to achieve green development and win-win results.




BEATRICE -- A high-speed pursuit through Gage County Saturday evening ended with a suspect being shot by Beatrice Police.

The pursuit started north of Beatrice at around 10:30 p.m. when a sheriff's deputy spotted a vehicle traveling south with a headlight out. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle accelerated to speeds of more than 100 mph.

During a news conference on Sunday, Beatrice Police Chief Bruce Lang said his officers deployed spike strips at two locations along U.S. 77 inside the city limits in attempt to end the pursuit.

Its tires flattened, the vehicle eventually came to a stop near Second and Ella streets, where the driver fled on foot.

Police attempted a Taser deployment, but were unsuccessful.

The driver had made statements to the officers, I have a gun. Dont make me use it, and reached hands into his waistband, Lang said.  When the individual reached into his waistband a Beatrice police officer fired multiple shots at the suspect, striking him."

Lang said officers rendered first aid to the man, identified Monday as 36-year-old Bradley Allen of Lincoln. Allen was transported to Bryan West Campus where he was in critical but stable condition on Sunday afternoon.

Allen had a Lancaster County warrant out for his arrest after he failed to appear for an initial hearing in November on misdemeanor charges of obstructing a peace officer and resisting arrest, according to court filings.

Lang said as of Saturday night, no weapon had been found.

A female passenger remained with the vehicle when it stopped. She was not arrested.

The officer who fired the shots, Kelly Byrne, has been placed on administrative assignment pending an investigation by the Nebraska State patrol. Byrne has been employed by the department since December 2018.

Lang, who is retiring as police chief in June after 30 years, said this is the second officer-involved shooting in Beatrice during his career.

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A poll commissioned by GOP gubernatorial candidate Jim Pillen again showed the top three candidates in a dead heat for the Nebraska governors seat.

The survey showed Pillen, a University of Nebraska regent and hog producer, polling at 24%, Conklin CEO Charles W. Herbster at 23% and State Sen. Brett Lindstrom at 20%. Twenty-four percent of surveyed voters were undecided and 7% went with former State Sen. Theresa Thibodeau.

According to a memo from pollster WPA Intelligence, the survey included 505 Republican primary voters who were contacted via phone April 26-28. The polls margin of error was plus or minus 4.4 percentage points, so the gap among the top candidates fell within the margin of error.

Polling released by Lindstroms and Herbsters campaigns in mid-March already suggested a three-way race, as have more recent polls commissioned by the Lindstrom campaign and a political consultant.

An April 10-12 poll released by Lindstroms campaign showed Lindstrom and Pillen each polling at 27% and Herbster at 23%, with 12% of voters undecided and a margin of error of plus or minus 4.38 percentage points.

An April 19-20 poll by Data Targeting for Neilan Strategy Group found Lindstrom polling at 28%, Herbster at 26% and Pillen at 24%, with 16% undecided and a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.

Perre Neilan, the political consultant and strategist who owns Neilan Strategy Group, said poll results released by Pillen validate that survey, showing its a three-way race.

Randall Adkins, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said: The takeaway is the same, which is that the race is too close to call.

Adkins said Friday that he expected differences in numbers across recent polls, such as the breakdown of undecided voters, likely could be traced to different organizations using different screening questions to try to figure out whos likely to vote.

Whats gonna matter is whos gonna turn out on Election Day, No. 1, and, No. 2, how the undecided voters break, Adkins said.

The Pillen campaigns release of poll results represents an apparent shift in policy. Pillen, who has been viewed as a front-runner since early on due to a hefty war chest and big-ticket endorsements, told The World-Herald in March that his campaign wasnt releasing internal polling.

Friday, the campaign framed these new results as evidence that Pillen is leading and positioned to win.

Pillen is winning this race because Nebraskans recognize he is the most conservative candidate in the race, Pillen campaign manager Kenny Zoeller said in a statement.

Pat Trueman, spokesperson for Lindstroms campaign, pointed to previous polling from March that the Pillen campaign apparently had shared with donors. The poll also was conducted by WPA Intelligence, with a random sample of 2,000 registered Republicans, via live callers and text messages March 16-21. It showed Herbster with 28%, Pillen with 23%, Lindstrom with 18% and undecided voters at 21%; the memo did not include a margin of error. Trueman argued that this latest poll points to Lindstroms momentum and Pillens inability to grow his vote share despite far outspending Lindstrom.

Herbster campaign manager Ellen Keast said in a statement that the campaign hasnt seen any numbers that agree with the Pillen release. The campaign previously said its policy is not to publicly release specific polling data in the last 30 days of the campaign.

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A strike is underway by local unionized employees of CNH Industrial, the multinational company that owns the Case IH brand, which was founded by J.I. Case as Case Corporation.

Neither side has given specifics on where negotiations have broken down.

Our contract of six years ended. (Weve) been negotiating for the last month but didnt come to terms, one striking employee, Ed Copp, said Tuesday. We are striking to get a fair wage, fair pay, better benefits ... With (the prices of) everything going up in the world from gas to just basic needs, you have to accommodate the working class. I know the people up top get benefits and packages. The working class just needs more love.

Most of the other picketing employees at two local locations  2701 Oakes Road, Mount Pleasant, and 621 State St., Racine  declined to speak to a reporter.

The company declined to comment on specifics of the negotiations. In a statement, it said: CNH Industrial is disappointed that the parties were unable to reach an agreement and that the UAW has decided to call a strike. We recognize the Unions decision creates high anxiety among our represented employees in Burlington and Racine, as well as our other employees, our customers, and our community. We remain committed to reaching an agreement, and we are working to resolve this issue. We will continue to negotiate in good faith and trust that the Union will do the same.

According to the union, UAW (United Auto Workers) Local 180, there is overwhelming support for the strike from within the union. UAW said that a vote April 10 at Starbuck Middle School yielded 98.4% support for strike authorization.

At 2 a.m. Sunday in a public notice, the unions negotiating committee said it was extending the current collective bargaining agreement hour by hour as the parties (UAW Local 180 and CNH) continue to make progress towards reaching a tentative agreement. Just 34 hours later, at noon Monday, the strike began.

UAW reports that more than 1,000 of its members are now picketing in Racine and in the eastern Iowa city of Burlington.

In a statement, Chuck Browning, vice president and director of the UAWs Agricultural Implement Department, said Our members at CNHi strike for the ability to earn a decent living, retire with dignity and establish fair work rules.

Added Ron McInroy, director of UAW Region 4 (which is headquartered in Ottawa, Illinois), in a statement: Our members are working in solidarity and ready to hold out and fight for a contract they believe meets their needs ... Strikes are never easy, but the fight for better working conditions at work is worth it.

Nationwide

This is the latest strike by workers who believe they deserve more after keeping plants operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Unions have also been emboldened to take action because they believe the ongoing worker shortages give them an advantage in bargaining.

Tuesdays action follows a spate of strikes in the past year, including a high-profile monthlong strike at Deere & Co. that resulted in 10% raises and improved benefits for 10,000 UAW workers at that equipment maker.

Besides the Deere strike last fall, another group of UAW-represented workers went on strike last year at a Volvo Trucks plant in Virginia and won improved pay and health benefits after rejecting three tentative agreements with the company.

There have also been strikes at Kelloggs cereal plants across the country, a Frito-Lay plant in Topeka, Kansas and at five Nabisco plants nationwide. And meatpacking workers who were hit hard by the spread of COVID-19 have been winning significant raises when their contracts come up at plants across the country.

Workers have also voted to unionize at an Amazon warehouse in New York and at more than two dozen Starbucks stores across the country.

Reporting from Josh Funk of the Associated Press is included in this article.

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Alex Rodriguez Reporter Raised just outside of Mchenry, Illinois, Alex is a business reporter and a photographer for The Journal Times. He considers himself a Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen all-in-one. Alex is a graduate of SIUC in Carbondale, Illinois. Twitter:@arodatjt Follow Alex Rodriguez 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
SOMERS  The University of Wisconsin-Parkside will receive more than $40,000 from the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin (FCW) to enhance its water-related academic programs. Funding at UW-Parkside includes support for the following projects:

Freshwater Camp (Freshwater Career Related University-Introduction Summer Experience)  Student experience for high school juniors

The Root Magazine  Water issue

Human Interactions with Lake Michigan Coastal Ecosystems  Field-study course

Principles of Freshwater Informatics  Laboratory and field-study course

FCW funding is part of a statewide initiative, backed by the Wisconsin State Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers, to tackle 10 grand water challenges and support curriculum development, undergraduate research opportunities, career development and field-training experiences for students interested in studying water-related subjects at the 13 UW schools.

Water is a such a relevant topic across academic disciplines, said Dr. Lesley Walker, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities at UW-Parkside. For example, UW-Parkside students who produce The Root magazine may not typically be taking advanced courses in biology or environmental science. Working on the stories, they become more aware of water-related issues and might pursue additional education in these fields. At the same time, the magazine draws in a more diverse community of readers.

Throughout the UW system, the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin will support 42 grants to further develop water science programs, internships and research opportunities. High school and undergraduate students will have opportunities to participate in hands-on field and research experiences with faculty throughout the state, allowing them to develop a diverse range of skills. The Collaborative is also partnering with industry, nonprofits and community organizations to increase career development opportunities for students. Grant descriptions are available at freshwater.wisconsin.edu.

Wisconsin has abundant water resources; however, factors such as invasive species, pollution and climate change could significantly impact water safety and economic growth. The State of Wisconsin and the Freshwater Collaborative have identified 10 grand water challenges facing the state and are currently focusing research efforts on the top two:

Agricultural water management

Water quality safety/emerging contaminants

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KENOSHA  A group of teachers from across the country will soon take flight as embedded teachers with the Carthage College Microgravity Team.

A record number of four teachers have been selected to fly their microgravity experiments aboard an aircraft while experiencing periods of weightlessness. The teachers are from Wisconsin, Georgia, Iowa and Texas. The Embedded Teacher Program is a partnership between the Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium, the National Space Society and the Zero Gravity Corporation (ZERO-G).

The teachers and their experiments will each experience 11 minutes of weightlessness during a series of two-hour flights aboard the ZERO-G G-Force One Aircraft. They will float in free-fall as 30 parabolas are executed during the flights with each parabola lasting about 22 to 24 seconds.

Meet the teachers

Lisa Werner is the band director at St. Bruno Parish School in Dousman. She is also the Senior Symphony Orchestra manager at the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble director at Kettle Moraine High School in Wales. Werner will execute experiments designed to measure her ability to perform precise manual tasks such as keeping beat and responding to tempo signals in a weightless environment. She will also carry out a demonstration that will allow students to visualize sound waves using the free-float environment of the parabolic flight. Data from the flight will be used by Werners students to arrange an orchestral piece of music for performance after the flights.

I am beyond excited to get to experiment with sound and music in zero gravity, but above all else, I cant wait for my students to take the scientific data from my flight and turn it into a piece of music to perform at our spring concert days after my return, said Werner.

Becky Busby, gifted specialist at Frank Long Elementary School in Hinesville, Ga., is flying two experiments designed to study life-saving medical techniques in space and the use of PCR tests for water contamination in spacecraft. Busby has already involved over 700 students in her work on these projects through presentations, direct engagement with the research and outreach.

I am excited that I get the opportunity to show our students the importance of STEAM and how we can use the scientific process to solve problems and get excited about learning opportunities all around us, said Busby.

Ronda McCarthy, a science teacher at St. Theresa Catholic School in Des Moines, Iowa, is using her flight to examine the effects of capillary forces in liquids. She will recreate a 2013 demonstration performed by Astronaut Chris Hadfield on the International Space Station. Hadfields demonstration has long been a student favorite and is used to show how differently liquids behave in space. McCarthy will also perform an experiment by Astronaut Don Pettit in which small droplets of water in the presence of an electrically charged needle execute orbits around the needle, like planets orbiting a star. The demonstration helps students understand the nature of electrical forces in analogy to the force of gravity. More than 600 students are engaged in her flight experience, including 523 students across Iowa who sent in suggestions for experiments or helped design her final experiments.

Laura Tomlin, a sixth-grade science teacher at Salado Independent School District in Salado, Texas, started her career as a research biologist studying crops and pests of the California and Arizona agricultural systems. Tomlin is flying two primary experiments. One is designed to investigate how water transport in lunar and Martian soils (regolith) is affected by the different gravity levels on these bodies. The second experiment studies whether the microgravity environment suppresses enzyme function in the liver, possibly leading to liver damage during long-term spaceflight.

The project has required critical thinking, communication, and creativity, giving students a better understanding of the scientific and engineering process, says Tomlin. Enthusiasm for this project continues to grow with each accomplishment. A young girl remarked that she did not even know she liked science and now wants to work at NASA one day.

The WSGC Embedded Teacher program has flown eight teachers and their experiments over the past seven years. Each teacher works with Carthage Professor Kevin Crosby to develop their experiments for flight, but the ideas for the experiments often come from the hundreds of students involved in each teachers project. The teachers will bring the lessons and experiences of the program back to their classrooms to motivate students to pursue their own journeys in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

About the program

The program invites applications from K-12 teachers in STEAM fields to attend a microgravity workshop on the campus of Carthage College. Workshop participants will be invited to develop their own proposals for flight as part of the Embedded Teacher Project. More information on the workshop is available on the WSGC site https://spacegrant.carthage.edu.

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Princeton University says allegations that one of its professors  Sam Wang, who heads the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, which touted Gov. Tony Evers maps that were initially approved by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin before being rejected in March  skewed data to benefit Democrats are unfounded.

The Journal Times initially reported on the allegations Sunday, after the New Jersey Globe, a political news site founded by a Republican Party politician, David Wildstein, initially published a story about allegations Thursday. It quoted a whistleblower as saying Hed fudge the numbers to get his way. He had an agenda. He was good at hiding it when he had to, but it was clear Sam wanted Democrats to win and he was willing to cheat to make that happen.

On Monday, Princetons director of media relations, Michael Hotchkiss, said in an email to The Journal Times: Members of the University community are always free to bring forward any concerns they may have regarding their educational or working environment. When concerns are brought to its attention, the University investigates them in accordance with its policies and takes action to address them, if and as appropriate. While a review is pending, the University may implement interim measures if it deems them necessary to ensure that the investigation is thorough, unbiased and fair, and that the affected working or educational environment is appropriately managed. In general, the University avoids commenting on pending investigations out of fairness to those involved.

Based on an initial review conducted after the Congressional Redistricting Commission completed its work, the University knows of no credible allegations of data manipulation pertaining to the work product delivered to the commission.

Wang is also under investigation for fostering a toxic workplace within the Gerrymandering Project, which gave Evers maps an A grade while giving the Republican Legislatures maps an F, despite the differences between the maps only affecting a few districts and still giving Republicans almost guaranteed majorities in both houses of the Legislature despite statewide elections perennially being toss-ups.

Evers and his supporters repeatedly cited the Princeton Gerrymandering Project in aim of building support for his maps.

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RACINE  The Racine Unified School District received a $40,000 challenge grant from the Wisconsin Education Association Member Benefits Foundation to support school-based mental health programming, the district announced this week.

This is an unrestricted, trust-based grant that is part of a statewide pilot project to establish a funding path for philanthropic organizations that want to support school-based mental health programs in communities throughout Wisconsin.

RUSD is one of only four districts across the state chosen for this trust-based philanthropy project. The district plans to use the grant to help strengthen its mental health services by increasing access to the districts school-based mental health clinics. The money from the grant can facilitate this by offsetting the costs for families with high-deductible insurance plans.

The district currently has seven school-based mental health clinics and a community clinic at the Community Pathways Campus thanks to several partnerships with local organizations, mainly the Racine Collaborative for Childrens Mental Health. The goal is to expand the clinics to more schools.

Studies have shown that about 20% of all K-12 students face serious mental health challenges that affect their academic success. A 2019 study also found that students who receive mental health support in their school tend to achieve better outcomes than those who receive support solely from non-school resources.

One of the reasons we selected the Racine Unified School District for this pilot is that they already use this approach in their student mental health programming, so we know theyll make good use of the grant, stated Steve Goldberg, Executive Director of the WEA Member Benefits Foundation, in the release.

We are excited to participate in this pilot project and to receive this funding, stated RUSD Student Services Executive Director Andrea Rittgers. It will help us serve even more students and families. Since this is a challenge grant, we are challenged to try to double the funds. We invite any local businesses and organizations that are interested in supporting school-based mental health programs to step forward and partner with us!

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Millionaire businessman Tim Michels, who formally launched his campaign for governor last week, on Monday defended his Wisconsin residency status following a report detailing time he and his family have spent on the East Coast over the past several years.

Michels, who co-owns Brownsville-based Michels Corp., a family-owned international energy and infrastructure construction business, issued a statement in response to a recent report on the conservative website Wisconsin Right Now that questioned whether Michels had spent most of the past nine years in Wisconsin or in the New York City area, including at a $17 million home in Greenwich, Connecticut, that he purchased in late 2020. The report detailed more than $30 million in properties purchased by Michels in Connecticut and New York from 2015 to 2020.

Michels, who also owns a home in Hartland, said he has spent the bulk of my time in Wisconsin and blamed special interests in Madison for the report, though he didnt clarify how much time he spent in or out of the state.

I paid my taxes here, Michels said. I voted here. Wisconsin is home and always will be. Anyone insinuating anything to the contrary is just plain wrong.

Michels is one of several GOP candidates running in the Aug. 9 primary. Other Republicans in the race include former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Marine Corps veteran Kevin Nicholson, who ran for U.S. Senate in 2018, and state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, R-Campbellsport. The winner will go on to face Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is seeking a second term, in the Nov. 8 election.

Wisconsin Right Now reported that, between 2013 and 2021, all three of Michels children attended and graduated from high schools in Connecticut and New York City. Speaking with conservative radio host Dan ODonnell on Monday, Michels said his children may have spent much of the past several years outside the state, but added he has largely maintained residency in Wisconsin.

Im the guy on the ballot. Im the one that is running for governor because I cant take it anymore, Michels said in the interview. Anybody who is trying to portray my family as being anything other than genuine Wisconsin hardworking people  its just plain politics.

Michels, a U.S. Army veteran, said his primary place of residence during that time was in northwest Waukesha County, though he has split his time between Wisconsin and the New York area for almost 10 years to be closer to infrastructure projects secured there by his company.

Michels told ODonnell he has paid taxes in Wisconsin for every one of those years except 2015, when he spent more than half of the year in New York.

For the purposes of income taxes, a person is considered a legal resident of Wisconsin if they maintain a permanent home in the state, regardless of whether the individual is physically present in Wisconsin or living outside of the state, according to the state Department of Revenue. The definition of a permanent home depends on several factors, including where the individual lives, votes, pays rent or registers a vehicle.

A candidate must be an eligible voter in Wisconsin in order to run for governor. Records show that Michels voted, either at the polls or absentee, in Wisconsin elections for at least the past 10 years.

Ive never dropped a ballot in the mail from any other state, Michels said.

Michels also pushed back against claims in the Wisconsin Right Now report that he and his campaign did not adequately respond to questions on his residency before the report was published over the weekend.

I think its a complete misconception to say that we were ducking this, Michels said. I knew it would come up at some point  theres nothing to hide.

A Marquette Law School Poll published in late April found that, among Republican gubernatorial candidates, 32% of respondents support Kleefisch, 10% support Nicholson, 4% support Ramthun and 46% had no preference, similar to a poll conducted in February.

The Republican gubernatorial primary poll did not include Michels, who announced his candidacy earlier that week.

Kleefisch is the only Republican gubernatorial candidate for whom most polled voters had an opinion, with 27% holding a favorable view and 25% holding an unfavorable view.

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1. Yes. If inflation remains high and interest rates rise, the economy will be a major factor.

2. Yes. If the nation goes into a recession, it will be the issue on the minds of most voters.

3. No. Inflation will likely moderate by then; if so, the economy wont be a major issue.

4.No. All the turmoil involving Russia and Roe v. Wade will probably take center stage.

5. Unsure. Its hard to say how the economy will play with voters at this point.

Vote

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Viroqua Area Schools presented a 100th Anniversary Gala Concert, Sunday afternoon, celebrating Viroqua Bands 100 Years of Musical Excellence.

The concert, which was held in the Viroqua High School gym, opened with the sixth-grade band performing three songs. The sixth-graders were followed by the combined middle school bands playing Guardians of Liberty and the Blackhawk Band (a combination of the seventh- and eighth-grade bands) performing three pieces.

The Concert Band opened their portion of the concert with the world premiere of A Centennial Celebration by Robert Sheldon. The piece was commissioned by the Viroqua High School band in celebration of their 100th anniversary.

The band then honored Otto Brown, the bands first director, with the 32d Division March by Theodore Steinmetz. Brown was the director from 1921 to 1933.

There was a re-dedication of the VHS bands memorial chimes in memory of band members Jewel Bekkedal and Jane OConnor.

Cyndy Hubbard, a member of the VHS Class of 1974, shared a few words.

On May 18, 1974, the Viroqua High School band, under the direction of Bob Bestul, honored Emery Nordness, fondly known as Nordy, for his 31-1/2 years as the Viroqua High School band director starting in 1943.

Hubbard said in addition to honoring Nordy that night, new chimes were dedicated in memory of her classmates from the Class of 1974  OConnor and Bekkedal. Jane and Jewel had died almost five months earlier on Dec. 27, 1973, in a car accident while driving to La Crosse.

It seemed appropriate to dedicate something to the band in their memory since both Jane and Jewel had played in the band, Hubbard said. Jane had played the flute and Jewel had played the oboe.

Its hard to believe that the concert we gave for Nordy was 48 years ago, which means the chimes we dedicated that night are 48 years old and ready to retire, she continued.

This afternoon we are dedicating the new chimes and Mr. Thew and the band have graciously decided to dedicate these new chimes in memory of Jane and Jewel.

The band played Beautiful Savior to dedicate the new chimes, the same piece that was played in 1974 to dedicate the first set of chimes. A plaque on the chimes reads: In memory of Jewel Bekkedal and Jane OConnor, Class of 1974.

The concert band also performed A Musical Journey Through New Orleans, which featured Dan Solverson, Class of 1980, on trombone, Cameron Mastin, Class of 2017 on bass, Dean Saner on piano, and James Knutson on the drum set.

In addition, the VHS band performed We Will Remember Them, which honored the many past VHS band members, On, Wisconsin!  Trio, directed by Monte Dunnum, who was the high school band director from 1986 to 1994, and The Eighth Candle.

The concert also featured senior Arianna Pratt performing Over The Rainbow on marimba and the VHS Jazz Combo  Harry Devine, Jessica Anderson, Maxwell Thew, Devin Springborn, Carter Roels, Arianna Pratt, Charlie Durochik, Cammie Leer and Anika Nemes  playing Bags Groove.

The bands 22 seniors were spotlighted by their director, Brad Thew. Thew is retiring at the end of the current school year after having been with the district for 25 years.

Thor Thorson was the master of ceremonies. Video messages from Ron Kind and Loren Oldenburg were shared with the audience, as were a few letters highlighting memories of past directors.

Angela Cina can be reached at angie.cina@lee.net.

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CAVALIER, N.D. (AP)  Excessive rainfall has caused flooding in northeastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota where roads are closed and at least one small community is surrounded by water.

Neche, with a population of about 380, has become an island with the Pembina River cresting at 21.7 feet (661 centimeters), according to Pembina County Emergency Management spokeswoman Rebecca Flanders.

It's anticipated that the water level in Neche will be consistent for the next several days to a week, Flanders said.

About 16 miles to the south, officials asked residents in some parts of Cavalier to evacuate their homes due to the rising water.

The Pembina County Sheriff's Office says some areas will become inundated, and residents may be unable to leave due to flooded streets.

Cavalier Mayor Lacey Hinkle said Monday a few people left their homes and moved to higher ground. Sandbagging continued around local businesses, Hinkle said.

Cavalier, the largest city in Pembina County with about 1,100 residents, is about 80 miles (128.7 kilometers) northwest of Grand Forks.

The region received between 1.5 inches (38 millimeters) and 2 inches (50.8 millimeters) of rain between Friday and Sunday as did Thief River Falls and Crookston in northwestern Minnesota.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning Monday for Willow Creek near Willow City affecting McHenry and Bottineau counties and for the Red Lake River at Crookston, Minnesota.

Heavy rainfall has continued to cause rising levels on rivers within the Red Lake basin, the weather service said.

Roads remain closed in many locations due to flooding, including portions of Highways 54 and 18, as well as the Sorlie Bridge and the Point Bridge in Grand Forks.

In Pembina near the Canadian border, water is touching Interstate 29, but has not covered the road, according to emergency management officials. Sand is being delivered to the area and high school students will be volunteering to fill sand bags on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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

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PERRY, Ga.  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-based company, gathered with other officials Tuesday in a 120-acre 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 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.
Authorities are seeking information on a crash early Sunday morning on Highway 14 near Oregon that critically injured a 17-year-old driver.

At about 2 a.m. Sunday, Fitchburg police and emergency personnel responded to the northbound lanes of Highway 14, just south of Highway MM for a single-vehicle crash, Lt. Edward Hartwick said in a statement.

A tan 1999 Chevrolet Lumina was found in the median of Highway 14, where it struck a tree, Hartwick said.

Fitchburg Fire Rescue extricated the driver, who was alone in the vehicle. The driver, who was not identified, was taken by ambulance to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, Hartwick said.

No additional information was released and anyone who witnessed the crash or who may have seen the car driving before the crash is asked to contact Fitchburg police at 608-270-4300. Tipsters may remain anonymous by contacting Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014 or P3Tips.com.

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A man who threatened a woman and children inside of a residence was arrested after an hourslong standoff with police early Sunday, Madison police said.

Police responded to reports of a person who threated violence against a woman and young children in a residence in the 1900 block of Baird Street about 12:45 a.m., Madison police Capt. Michael Hanson said in a statement.

The suspect inside the residence did not surrender to police who arrived at the scene, prompting more officers, including UW-Madison Police, to get involved, Hanson said.

After hours of negotiations between police and the man, he surrendered and was taken into custody without incident, Hanson said.

He was taken to jail, police said.

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Dane County is suing the makers of firefighting foams containing toxic forever chemicals in an effort to recover the costs of cleaning up pollution around the Madison airport.

A lawsuit filed last week in Dane County Circuit Court seeks unspecified damages from dozens of companies  including DuPont, 3M and Johnson Controls as well as unknown manufacturers  that the county says sold products for decades despite knowing the contents were toxic and do not break down once released to the environment.

Assistant Corporation Counsel Amy Tutwiler said the county is prepared to pursue the case individually in state court, though the defendants may try to move the case to the federal courts and consolidate it with about 500 similar cases  including one filed last year by the city of La Crosse  in pending multijurisdictional litigation.

Under either scenario, we are prepared to take the action that is in the best interest of the county, Tutwiler said.

According to the complaint, the defendants began selling a water-based foam in the 1960s known as AFFF made with PFOA and PFOS, two of thousands of fluorinated compounds generally known as PFAS.

Highly effective for extinguishing liquid fuel fires, the foam continues to be used at airports and military bases, though the complaint claims AFFF can be made with different PFAS compounds.

The suit claims the defendants knew  or should have known  since the early 1980s that using AFFF according to their instructions would release PFAS to the air, soil and groundwater and that the chemicals could damage the liver, kidneys and nervous system, among other negative health effects.

Under pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency, 3M stopped producing PFOS-based foam in 2002.

DuPont began studying the toxicity of PFOA in the 1960s but kept the information from the public and government regulators. In 2005 the company agreed to pay the EPA more than $10 million for failing to communicate the risks. DuPont later spun off its chemical division  and associated liabilities  as a new company called Chemours.

The lawsuit alleges the manufacturers produced defective products and failed to warn consumers and the public of their dangers, creating public and private nuisances that persist to this day.

Because of the manufacturers failures, the suit alleges the airport continues to be contaminated, creating an environmental hazard and forcing the county to investigate, monitor, and clean up the damage at significant expense.

Its been four years since the state Department of Natural Resources informed the county, Wisconsin National Guard and the city of Madison that they were responsible for PFAS contamination on and around the airport, including several burn pits where firefighters trained with the toxic foam.

The National Guard Bureau is heading the remediation using a federal process under which actual cleanup may not begin for at least a decade.

But last month a Waukesha County judge said the DNR lacks authority to enforce the states spills law without first going through the Legislature to establish a definitive list of hazardous substances or an explanation of how it makes those determinations.

The ruling is on hold until June 6 and will likely be appealed.

Last year the state retained a private law firm to investigate and sue those responsible for PFAS pollution. In March, the state sued Johnson Controls over PFAS contamination near Marinette.

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Millionaire businessman Tim Michels, who formally launched his campaign for governor last week, on Monday defended his Wisconsin residency status following a report detailing time he and his family have spent on the East Coast over the past several years.

Michels, who co-owns Brownsville-based Michels Corp., a family-owned international energy and infrastructure construction business, issued a statement in response to a recent report on the conservative website Wisconsin Right Now that questioned whether Michels had spent most of the past nine years in Wisconsin or in the New York City area, including at a $17 million home in Greenwich, Connecticut, that he purchased in late 2020. The report detailed more than $30 million in properties purchased by Michels in Connecticut and New York from 2015 to 2020.

Michels, who also owns a home in Hartland, said he has spent the bulk of my time in Wisconsin and blamed special interests in Madison for the report, though he didnt clarify how much time he spent in or out of the state.

I paid my taxes here, Michels said. I voted here. Wisconsin is home and always will be. Anyone insinuating anything to the contrary is just plain wrong.

Michels is one of several GOP candidates running in the Aug. 9 primary. Other Republicans in the race include former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, Marine Corps veteran Kevin Nicholson, who ran for U.S. Senate in 2018, and state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, R-Campbellsport. The winner will go on to face Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is seeking a second term, in the Nov. 8 election.

Wisconsin Right Now reported that, between 2013 and 2021, all three of Michels children attended and graduated from high schools in Connecticut and New York City. Speaking with conservative radio host Dan ODonnell on Monday, Michels said his children may have spent much of the past several years outside the state, but added he has largely maintained residency in Wisconsin.

Im the guy on the ballot. Im the one that is running for governor because I cant take it anymore, Michels said in the interview. Anybody who is trying to portray my family as being anything other than genuine Wisconsin hardworking people  its just plain politics.

Michels, a U.S. Army veteran, said his primary place of residence during that time was in northwest Waukesha County, though he has split his time between Wisconsin and the New York area for almost 10 years to be closer to infrastructure projects secured there by his company.

Michels told ODonnell he has paid taxes in Wisconsin for every one of those years except 2015, when he spent more than half of the year in New York.

For the purposes of income taxes, a person is considered a legal resident of Wisconsin if they maintain a permanent home in the state, regardless of whether the individual is physically present in Wisconsin or living outside of the state, according to the state Department of Revenue. The definition of a permanent home depends on several factors, including where the individual lives, votes, pays rent or registers a vehicle.

A candidate must be an eligible voter in Wisconsin in order to run for governor. Records show that Michels voted, either at the polls or absentee, in Wisconsin elections for at least the past 10 years.

Ive never dropped a ballot in the mail from any other state, Michels said.

Michels also pushed back against claims in the Wisconsin Right Now report that he and his campaign did not adequately respond to questions on his residency before the report was published over the weekend.

I think its a complete misconception to say that we were ducking this, Michels said. I knew it would come up at some point  theres nothing to hide.

A Marquette Law School Poll published in late April found that, among Republican gubernatorial candidates, 32% of respondents support Kleefisch, 10% support Nicholson, 4% support Ramthun and 46% had no preference, similar to a poll conducted in February.

The Republican gubernatorial primary poll did not include Michels, who announced his candidacy earlier that week.

Kleefisch is the only Republican gubernatorial candidate for whom most polled voters had an opinion, with 27% holding a favorable view and 25% holding an unfavorable view.

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Between 150 and 200 students walked out of East High School Monday morning and marched down East Washington Avenue to the Capitol in an effort to draw attention to the lack of access to in-state college tuition and drivers licenses for undocumented people.

The crowd chanted protest slogans such as, Ho ho, hey hey, immigrants are here to stay and Si se puede (yes we can) as they filled the inbound lanes of East Washington Avenue.

At the Capitol, the students were joined by others from La Follette High School as well as students in grades 4 and 5 from Sandburg Elementarys dual language immersion program as they rallied inside of the building.

The march was organized by Raza United, a Latino student organization at East, and was a part of Voces de la Fronteras two-day general statewide strike, Days Without Latinxs and Immigrants.

Immigrants are a big part of our society, but we still get our rights taken away, said Maryangeliz Acosta, an East student and one of the organizers of the event.

Acosta said she hoped the student absences would draw the attention of lawmakers to the lack of access to drivers licenses for undocumented people and the lack of access to in-state tuition for undocumented college and university students in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin passed a law in 2006 that barred undocumented immigrants and people who do not have a Social Security number from obtaining a drivers license or state identification. The law went into effect in 2007.

Proponents of drivers licenses for undocumented people say their main concern is road safety. The licenses would not provide voting rights or allow a person to get a Social Security number.

In both of his proposed budgets, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers included provisions to allow undocumented people access to drivers licenses and in-state tuition, but Republicans rejected the efforts, said Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.

Republicans have said they opposed the measures in order not to encourage people to enter the country illegally and that the issue should be taken up by the federal government.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, founder of Voces de la Frontera, said she believes there is bipartisan support for access to drivers licenses, especially in rural areas where undocumented workers are pivotal to the economy.

East freshmen Jocelyn Cuahuizo and Dulce Santillan, who took part in the march, said having access to a drivers license would provide more freedom, safety and stability for undocumented people and that in-state tuition should be made available to all Wisconsin residents, regardless of their citizenship status.

There is no federal law prohibiting the admission of undocumented people to U.S. colleges, but higher education can be out of reach for many undocumented students who must pay higher out-of-state tuition while not qualifying for state or federal financial aid.

Thirty-four states provide Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients with access to in-state or reduced tuition to at least some of their public institutions, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. Wisconsin is one of a handful that explicitly bans it.

The cost of in-state undergraduate tuition at UW-Madison in 2019-20 was roughly $11,000, while the cost for out-of-state students was about $38,000.

Police closed down the inbound lanes of East Washington Avenue from North 4th Street to the Capitol from about 10 to 11:30 a.m. to accommodate the student marchers. Once the rally at the Capitol ended, at around 1 p.m., students returned to school on buses.

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Update:

Here's an earlier version of this story:

As investigators scramble to find a missing Alabama inmate, authorities are wondering whether the corrections official who left with him was a victim taken against her will or an accomplice who helped him escape.

"Obviously, she could have willingly participated. But we're also concerned that maybe somehow, someone got to her and coerced her or threatened her, forced her to assist in this escape," Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton told CNN on Monday.

"We're not sure. I'm not going to know the answer to that until we locate her."

Vicky White, an assistant director of corrections for the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, was last seen Friday when she said she was taking inmate Casey White, who was being held on murder charges, for a mental health evaluation at the county courthouse.

But the officer and inmate, who are not related, never arrived at the courthouse. Authorities later discovered there was no evaluation nor hearing scheduled for Casey White that day.

And the patrol vehicle Vicky White used to drive the inmate was abandoned, Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton said.

"It never arrived at the courthouse. And it was found later at a shopping center parking lot about 2 miles away from the detention center," Singleton told CNN Monday.

Shortly before her disappearance, Vicky White said she had also planned to get medical care because she wasn't feeling well, Singleton said. But she never arrived.

Video security footage in the area where the patrol vehicle was found didn't turn up any evidence showing what happened to Vicky White and Casey White, the sheriff said.

"We're still aggressively pursuing every lead that we get," he said. "The biggest obstacle we have right now is we still do not have a vehicle description for whatever vehicle they may have transferred into."

No evidence of a romantic relationship, but 'it's a possibility'

Vicky White was known as an "exemplary employee" with "an unblemished record," the sheriff said.

"All of her co-workers, all the employees in the sheriff's office, the judges, all have the most utmost respect for her," Singleton said.

The sheriff said Vicky White is a widow with no children, and her mother and two brothers live in Lauderdale County.

After about two decades with the department, Vicky White submitted her retirement papers last week, the sheriff said.

Despite her stellar professional reputation, Vicky White violated protocol Friday when she removed Casey White from the detention center by herself, the sheriff said. The policy required Casey White to be escorted by two sworn deputies.

"All precautions were in place," Singleton said. "The questions we have for Director White is why she violated policy."

The sheriff said there's no clear evidence as to whether Vicky White and Casey White had a personal relationship.

As the county's assistant director of corrections, Vicky White "was frequently throughout the cell blocks, has contact with all the inmates at one time or another," Singleton said.

"But as far as a romantic relationship or something like that, we have no evidence or proof that that was the case, although it's a possibility."

'She's definitely in danger -- willingly or not'

Casey White was serving 75 years for a series of crimes in 2015, including a home invasion, carjacking and a police chase, according to the US Marshals Service, which is now leading the investigation into the disappearance of the inmate and Vicky White.

Casey White also faces two counts of capital murder for the stabbing death of 58-year-old Connie Ridgeway in 2015, the US Marshals said.

In 2020, Casey White confessed to the killing and then pleaded not guilty, Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said. The inmate was being held while awaiting trial.

Now, with the murder suspect at large and the corrections official missing, "The community of course is concerned, as are we," Singleton said.

"She's definitely in danger, willingly or not. This guy's no one to mess with," the sheriff said.

"He's 6-foot-9, weighs somewhere around 250 pounds. ... We're assuming he's armed because she was armed."

In 2020, Casey White planned to escape the jail and take a hostage, but detention center employees caught him, Singleton said.

The prison then established a policy mandating two sworn deputies accompany him at all times, including during transportation to the courthouse, the sheriff said.

"He was in jail for capital murder, and he had nothing to lose," the sheriff said.

"Whether she assisted him or not, we don't know. And we won't address that until we have absolute proof that that's what happened. We are assuming at this point that she was taken against her will unless we can absolutely prove otherwise. But regardless, even if she did assist him, we think she's in danger."

Vicky White's mother, Pat Davis, told CNN affiliate WAAY she's in a state of shock.

"As a mother, I didn't know how to act because I thought at first it was a mistake," Davis said. "And then when I found out for sure it was, it was just disbelief."

Vicky White had recently sold her house and had been living with her mother for the past five weeks, Davis told WAAY. The mother said her daughter didn't talk much about work, didn't mention retirement and never spoke about Casey White.

"I didn't know anything about him," Davis said. "We don't know if she was took by force or if she was voluntarily in this. But we just want her back. That's all we want."

The US Marshals Service is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the location of Vicky White and the capture of Casey White.

CNN's Fredricka Whitfield, Rebekah Reiss, Keith Allen and Jamiel Lynch contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire  &  2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
Coon Valley Police arrested a Gays Mills woman after she was found traveling more than 70 mph over the speed limit in Coon Valley, Friday.

According to a press release from the Coon Valley Police Department, Amanda McKaig, 35, was arrested. Phone calls to the Vernon County sheriff's dispatch center from concerned motorists reported a vehicle traveling at very high speeds in the city of Viroqua, on U.S. Hwy. 14/61, and in the city of Westby.

In Westby's downtown area, the subject vehicle reportedly passed other vehicles at high speed in both the right parking spaces and the left oncoming lane. A short time later, the subject vehicle was found traveling at over 100 mph in the village of Coon Valley's 30 mph zone. Coon Valley Police Chief Philip Welch initiated a traffic stop.

After initially stopping, McKaig attempted to flee with her vehicle while the officer was at her open door, and physical force was required to overcome her continued resistance and effect an arrest.

McKaig was booked at the Vernon County Detention Center and made a subsequent appearance before Judge Darcy Rood on felony charges of recklessly endangering safety and attempted fleeing/eluding, a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest, and multiple traffic citations. McKaig is currently incarcerated on a $3,000 cash bond. McKaig's passenger was released at the scene.

Georges Auto assisted with towing the vehicle. Westby Police Officer Bounds and Vernon County Sheriff's Deputy Bellacero and K9 Dax were involved in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing.
If a legislator deletes an email, is it truly gone? Not necessarily.

On March 10, Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn ordered Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, to search for deleted emails that should have been preserved after an open records request from American Oversight, a watchdog group.

Weeks later, Vos team surrendered an astounding 20,000 emails recovered from the deleted items folders of government email accounts.

Obtaining records from state lawmakers can be especially difficult. Decades ago, the Legislature exempted itself from the states records retention statute. The smallest town in Wisconsin is required to keep some records for years, but the legislators and their staff can destroy records at will.

But the states open records law states that, once a record has been requested, destroying it is illegal. If you make an open records request, even legislators need to pause their deletions to properly respond to your request.

Judge Bailey-Rihn took this further, ordering Vos to search for records that had been deleted but were still retrievable. Steve Fawcett, Voss staff counsel, waited up to 13 days before he notified staff to stop deleting records that may have been responsive to American Oversights requests. On March 30, Bailey-Rihn found Vos in contempt of court in a different case, saying he and the Assembly had shown a collective and abject disregard of a prior order to produce the records.

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, who was hired by Vos at taxpayer expense to search for evidence of fraud in the 2020 election, was also ordered by a judge to stop deleting records.

The Wisconsin Legislative Council, the nonpartisan agency that gives legal and policy advice to the Legislature, concluded last year that Gablemans Office of Special Counsel is subject to the records retention statutes. And yet it was continuing to delete records it decided were irrelevant or useless to its investigation.

As the Wisconsin Examiner recently reported, the ability to request records that have been deleted opens up a new avenue for reporters and others seeking to hold public officials accountable  and perhaps provides an end-run around lawmakers ability to delete records.

Ive already changed my request template, Amanda St. Hilaire, an investigative reporter at WITI-TV (Ch. 6) in Milwaukee who makes hundreds of records requests a year, told the news outlet. Ive never thought to request specifically deleted records because, based on the way the law works, I always was under the impression that if they could retrieve those records, that would be responsive to my request.

Jeff Ylvisaker, director of the Legislative Technology Services Bureau, declined to answer my questions about its retention policies that might explain how much email is in their archives and perhaps still accessible.

Thats unfortunate, because lawmakers shouldnt be deciding which records to keep and which to destroy, a power that could be used to hide misconduct. Lawmakers exemption from the retention rules in place for everyone else should be eliminated.

But until then, citizens seeking to know what lawmakers are up to should be asking them to search the trash cans, too.

Foust is a computer consultant in Jefferson. Your Right to Know is a monthly column distributed by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a group dedicated to open government: www.wisfoic.org.
Looking back over the past several weeks, the durum market has remained flat with no impressive moves one way or the other. That said, most local durum bids are around $13 per bushel, which is still very good, historically speaking, but also disappointing from earlier trends and compared to recent strength in other wheat markets.

(Flat), thats kind of where weve been for the last couple months, said Jim Peterson, market director for the North Dakota Wheat Commission, adding that while most bids in the region are about $13, there are some down to as low as $12.60. The National Durum Index on April 26 was listed at $12.80. In early April the index price was at $12.60.

So that implies a little appreciation in values, though nothing significant, he said. New crop prices for that August/September harvest period, those prices are ranging from $10.80 to $11 and are trying to keep pace with some of the appreciation weve seen in the spring wheat market.

As far as any significant news in the market, producers are supposed to be in the midst of planting season, but late-season snowstorms and cold, wet weather in mid- and late April has suspended planting in a large portion of North Dakota and Montana.

Thats the dilemma the market is in now, he said.

Obviously, prior to the April storms, a lot of producers were needing moisture and the mid-April drought monitor still showed parts of western North Dakota and into Montana in a notable drought, with the more severe drought further into Montana. However, the weekend storm on April 23-24 caught more of that traditional durum area. The mid-April storm the week before was more in the central part of North Dakota.

Obviously, the last couple weeks weve had more liquid precipitation. Unfortunately it was in the form of snow, but it was more liquid precipitation than weve had in many months, Peterson said. Its certainly going to delay planting. As far as impact on acres, time will tell.

He explained that durum does have a little later planting window than some of the other competing crops. But the later planting is delayed, that also potentially pushes harvest later than normal, and if it gets extremely late, into late September or early October, that can raise quality risks.

Planting in the drought wouldnt give you much crop potential either, so planting later with moisture, I think, certainly points to potentially a better crop, he said. But the well below temperatures now, as well as with snow in the fields, have cooled the soil temps. It just depends on how much further were delayed.

The latest report from North Dakotas National Agricultural Statistics Service office included a statewide average start date of May 4, but that will certainly be later for areas that caught the recent snow and ice storm, and there was more precipitation forecast again for the first weekend in May.

April was a fairly wet, cold month. Its been positive from a drought standpoint, but I think the industry is going to have to get concerned if this next system brings more precipitation than expected and we really dont get rolling with planting until the middle part of May, he said.

Looking at the current planting progress numbers, as of April 24, North Dakota had just 1 percent of its durum crop planted. That compares to 10 percent planted last year at this time, and the five-year average of 4 percent. Peterson said he wasnt expecting any further planting progress until the first week in May at the earliest, so planting could fall further behind.

Although Montana caught some precipitation with the April storms, the state has been a bit drier and producers have been able to get about 5 percent of the crop planted. The five-year average is 6 percent.

Weather observers in Montana noted that despite 2 inches of recent precipitation, there were many areas that are still significantly below normal.

In Montana, about 80 percent of their topsoil is rated to be short-to-very short of moisture content. In North Dakota, just 26 percent of the topsoil moisture is rated short-to-very short.

Thats the current situation now. All we can do is watch and wait and see what the weather brings, he said.

Other news that could move the market was that Stats Canada came out with its 2022 planting intentions report and, in a bit of a surprise, the survey showed more spring wheat interest and also more durum interest and far less canola interest than a lot of the private analysts had been expecting.

For durum, Stats Canadas initial projection is calling for 6.2 million acres, which would be up 13 percent from a year ago. Some of the early private and government estimates were closer to a 9 percent range, so slightly higher than expected.

Peterson also noted that Canada hasnt had as much of the recent moisture as North Dakota and Montana, and is still characterized as somewhat dry. However, planting there has been hindered by cold temperatures, as well as some incremental moisture, although certainly not as inundated as North Dakota during April.

So that can be skewed as a little bit bearish in the market with the higher acreage numbers, but well see how the planting season unfolds up there, and if they get any late-season storms, as well, he said.

Somewhat bearish to prices and demand in the U.S. domestic market, according to Peterson, is the fact that most mills are on 4-5-day grind and still being throttled back in the pasta plants by labor shortages as well as supply chain issues.

In some sectors of the country, store shelves are still not fully stocked with pasta products, he said. I think were leaving some demand on the table and ultimately that comes back to price pressure at the local level for producers.

On the demand side, U.S. durum exports are at 6.4 million bushels (MB) in sales and there were very little sales on the books. The U.S. did have half a million bushels listed as unknown destinations. A year ago the U.S. had 2.6 MB of sales on the books. At the current pace, Peterson said its likely the U.S. will come up short of USDAs current projection of 15 MB.

On a positive note, we do have 2.5 million bushels already sold for after the first of June in the next marketing year, so expectations are that next year will be a much better export season for both the U.S. and Canada, he said.

From a world standpoint, the International Grains Council (IGC) came out with its first look at the 2022 world crop and projections and is projecting production will be up to 1.25 billion bushels (BB), up 10 percent from 1.12 BB last year. In a kind of reversal from a year ago, the IGC is projecting a pretty notable rebound in North American production, primarily in the U.S. and Canada with lower crops in the European Union and North Africa. Some of the early looks show the EU down just slightly due primarily to smaller crop production in France, but North Africa is down more notably, almost 25 percent from last year. Thats due largely to drought in Morocco. Algeria has also been dry, but the crop there is faring a bit better.

In North America, again this is a very early look, the crop is not even planted yet, so certainly things can change tremendously, Peterson said.

For the U.S., the IGC is forecasting a crop of 70 MB, which would be double last years crop. In Canada, the IGC is projecting production at more than double last year, going up to 228 MB, up from 100 MB in 2021.

The caveat in all of that is that the intention is there will be more planted acres, and are we going to rebound back to average yields, and thats what the IGC is using, he said. Obviously, were getting unexpected moisture now, but the drought outlook for both countries is for the summer period to be somewhat drier, but thats subject to change.

Looking at some of the other key factors, the IGC is forecasting another year of declining stocks, even with the higher production, and thats because overall use is up 5 percent.

We are going to see a rebound in food use, but its still down from the very robust levels set during the COVID period. Feed use is also up a little just with historically high corn prices, he said. And then trade is expected to make a significant rebound, up 44 percent, and led by Canada.

He also pointed out that some of the dryness and smaller crops in the EU and North Africa are putting a little bullish sentiment in world durum prices.

Going back to the start of his comments, Peterson reiterated that U.S. prices really havent moved much over the last couple months.

Well see what concerns over planting delays get to be. I think with the higher acre expectations in Canada thats probably going to temper durum prices unless planting delays would get even more acute going forward, he said.

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BOISE, Idaho  When a legislative intern came forward with rape allegations against an Idaho state lawmaker last year, she was subjected to months of online harassment and abuse.

She later testified about the attack at an ethics hearing, and some of the lawmakers supporters filmed her and chased her through the Statehouse.

This week, the young woman took the stand to testify in his criminal trial and became so distraught she fled the courtroom.

Aaron von Ehlingers rape conviction Friday was a rare victory for prosecutors in a criminal justice system that can be fraught with trauma for sexual assault survivors, experts say.

Only about a third of sexual assaults are reported to police, according to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, and only about 5% of assaults result in an arrest. Convictions are even rarer, with only about 2.8% of sexual assaults resulting in felony convictions.

Put another way, about 972 of every 1,000 perpetrators of sexual assault will never face a conviction, according to the organization.

It really means that we are not very good at prosecuting it and that the survivors very rarely get the desired results, said Elizabeth Jeglic, a professor of psychology at John Jay College with the City University of New York and an expert in sexual assault prevention and public policy. We have to really focus on prevention. I think thats where were going to see the largest change.

Von Ehlinger, a former Republican state lawmaker, was found guilty of rape and faces anywhere from a year to life in prison when he is sentenced this summer. The jury acquitted the 39-year-old on a second count of sexual penetration with a foreign object.

Von Ehlinger maintained during the trial that the two had consensual sex. His attorney Jon Cox did not respond to a request for comment.

The verdict came after a dramatic trial in which the young woman fled the witness stand during testimony, saying I cant do this.

Fourth District Judge Michael Reardon instructed the jury to disregard her statements since the defense couldnt cross-examine her. He then asked the defense if they wanted to request a mistrial  a step that would have forced a do-over for the entire trial  but Cox declined. Cox hasnt said if von Ehlinger intends to appeal.

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 was 19 and interning at the Idaho Statehouse when she met von Ehlinger and agreed to go to dinner with him.

But the night of March 9, 2021, was not the networking opportunity she expected, she later told investigators. Instead, she said, von Ehlinger brought her back to his apartment under false pretenses, overpowered her and forced her to perform oral sex while he straddled her chest, pinning her arms with his knees.

Doe reported the assault to her supervisor at the Statehouse on March 11, followed by police. She underwent a sexual assault examination, which revealed DNA that matched von Ehlinger.

Survivors must weigh the risk of not being understood or believed when they report, Jeglic said, as well as the intrusiveness of the investigation process.

While most of the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) nurses are well-trained, having someone touch you and look at your private parts and ask you intimate questions immediately after can feel like another violation, Jeglic said.

For von Ehlinger, the assault report triggered a legislative ethics investigation, and a legislative committee required Doe to testify during the hearing. A black fabric screen protected her from view during her testimony in the packed public hearing, but as she tried to leave the Statehouse some of von Ehlingers supporters chased her, filming her as she sunk to the floor, distraught.

The ethics committee recommended von Ehlinger be banned from the Statehouse, and he resigned.

For Doe, the report triggered an avalanche of additional trauma and harassment. Supporters of von Ehlinger doxxed her by releasing her name, photo and personal details about her life in far-right blogs and social media posts. One person even wore mocking costumes to political events with a sash emblazoned with her name. While some lawmakers lauded her courage in coming forward, others questioned her integrity or called her names like honey trap.

The constant attack on her really prevented her from starting the healing process, said Ada County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katelyn Farley, who argued the case against von Ehlinger. Hopefully it doesnt happen again to future victims, but it is something that happens all the time at this point.

Data from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that as many as one-fifth of sexual violence survivors who chose not to report their crimes to police cited the fear of retaliation as a primary reason.

This was a very public case, so people got to see kind of a real-time view into why people dont report sexual assaults: What a tough journey it is, and the scrutiny they face, and the ongoing trauma of having to retell your story and have people attack you constantly, said Annie Hightower, director of law and policy with the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence. The organization helps survivors navigate criminal justice system and provides civil legal services, and is representing Jane Doe.

That trauma was evident when Doe took the stand on the second day of the trial. She struggled to stay focused on the prosecutor, her gaze shifting between the exit doors, the packed gallery and the defense table where von Ehlinger sat. She haltingly described the first moments of the assault before abruptly standing up, saying I cant do this, and rushing out of the courtroom.

Its not uncommon for survivors to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder when recounting an assault, said Jeglic, with symptoms like increased heart rate and sweating.

If the trauma is overwhelming you might see symptoms of dissociation  where they look like they space out. They might feel jittery or have difficulty concentrating. The fight or flight reflex is activated at that point, because it feels like they might be back in that situation, Jeglic said.

Watching Doe leave the trial was heart-wrenching, Farley said. But deputy prosecutor Whitney Welsh, who worked with Farley on the case, noted that it was also a sign of Does agency.

I think its important that she decided to walk in the room, and she also decided to walk out  those were her choices, Welsh said.

Successful prosecutions in cases like von Ehlinger can help the public better understand the dynamics of power and control in sexual assault cases, Jeglic said.

I think one of the issues that we face as a society is the understanding of consent, what a rape looks like, and how power differentials come into play, she said. The more success we have in prosecutions, and the more we can prevent these things from happening to begin with, the better.

The conviction was a bittersweet moment in the midst of a tough journey, said Hightower.

The focus should be on my client and her healing  what happened today doesnt heal her, right? But the team brought some little form of justice today, Hightower said. I hope this will help survivors  other survivors who maybe didnt come forward, or are thinking of coming forward  to help them know that people believe them.

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

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TWIN FALLS  Chandra Carr asked for donations to launch her latest undertaking to deliver incredible smiles to town. She hit her goal overnight.

But folks didnt quit when the goal was reached.

They kept on giving.

One recent evening, Carr, a Twin Falls florist, requested $1,000 in online donations to give tulips to the elderly in town.

I was delivering yesterday for Tulip Tuesday to Brookdale (Senior Living), she explained in her request, and when I walked through the doors with my one little bunch of tulips, two of the residents reached out to me asking if they were for them.

I was heartbroken. I would like to deliver tulips to as many of the nursing homes as I can.

Carr, who owns Blush Floral, surprised the 70 residents at Brookdale with bundles of tulip blooms in every color.

The donations were well beyond what I hoped for and this will be just the first stop, she wrote in a Facebook update on the project. The smiles today were incredible.

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Time is ticking toward the May 17 primary election.

Perhaps youve noticed over the past week that we are making a strong push to get the voting age population engaged in that vote. If people of voting age arent registered to vote, they need to do so. The online registration deadline is 25 days before Election Day, so online registration is closed until the day after the upcoming election. But people can register in person up to and including Election Day with the proper identification and proof of residency. If you have questions concerning registration, absentee ballots, or accessible voting, contact your county clerk.

One good place to go to make sure youre all set to vote is the website voteidaho.gov provided by the Idaho Secretary of States office. The site has valuable information with voter education videos, giving the ability to check a voters status, requesting an absentee ballot, county clerk information, important dates for voting, and more.

Part of our push to get voters or potential voters engaged has been a full-page ad showing some startling statistics which well discuss here. In todays edition, youll also find a special tab with candidate profiles.

The startling statistics highlighted in the ad include this fact from the Secretary of States office: 83% of voting age Idaho adults did not vote in the 2020 primary election.

We are asking each qualified voter to not only vote, but to take another step  encourage everyone they know to participate in the 2022 Primary Election. It is a duty and a privilege we cant take for granted.

Too many people in Idaho do take that privilege for granted. Its a trend thats growing and needs to be reversed.

The Secretary of States office has released state election registration and turnout numbers from 1980 to 2020. In 1980, the voting age population was 646,000 with 483,564 registered voters for the primary, 75% of the voting age population. Of those registered voters, 199,895 ballots were cast in that years primary, 41.33% of registered voters. Thats just under 31% of the voting age population.

Since that time, the voting age population in the state has increased for every primary election but one, in 1990, and the primary after that saw a sharp increase. The number of registered voters has increased since then, but it hasnt seen the year-to-year growth in the number of registered voters, its seen ups and downs instead.

In 2020, the voting age population was 1,338,864. There were 901,182 registered voters, or 67% of the voting age population. Compare that to the 75% seen in 1980. In the 2020 primary, there were 232,160 ballots cast, 25.76% of registered voters. Thats 17.34% of the voting age population. Thats way too low, not even close to a majority.

The trend of the percentage of the voting age population taking part in primaries over that 40-year period is troubling, going from that high of just under 31% in 1980, staying around the mid-20s from 1982 to 1994, and for the most part dropping to an average around the mid-teens from 2004 to 2020s 17%. The lowest was 14.69% in 2016.

Looking at the general election statistics during the same period shows more respectable numbers. That just shows too many people are sitting out the primaries and waiting for the general election.

Heres the rub: in a Republican-dominated state such as Idaho, the primary election is  effectively  the general election. Here, the primary is often where the elections are decided for the year.

Now think about the numbers just presented. Why let the vocal minority take control? Thats a paltry 17% of the voting age population determining what the future of Idaho looks like.

Is that the way we want it?

Register to vote. Once youre registered, educate yourselves, study the issues, look for candidate forums to attend, ask questions of the candidates in public or in private. Dont vote in the dark.

Its not all up to the candidates to make a difference. The voters are the ones who really make the difference.

Please vote.

The Post Registers editorial board consists of Publisher Travis Quast, Managing Editor Monte LaOrange and editorial writer John Miller.

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Louisiana State University and collaborating institutions has discovered that abnormal activity in a particular brain circuit underlies anorexia in an animal model of the condition. Genetically and pharmacologically restoring the normal activity of the brain circuit improved the condition, opening the possibility of developing a treatment strategy for affected individuals in the future. The study appears in Nature Neuroscience.

"Anorexia is an eating disorder. People affected are highly concerned about gaining weight and usually severely restrict the amount of food they eat and exercise excessively, which leads to severe weight loss. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate among all psychiatric diseases," said lead author Dr. Yong Xu, professor of pediatricsnutrition and molecular and cellular biology at Baylor. "The condition has no approved treatment and the underlying cause is unclear. In this study we worked with an animal model of the condition that mimics many of the characteristics we observe in people to investigate brain circuit alterations that could be involved in the condition."

Previous work in the Xu lab and by other groups has shown that dysfunction of dopamine and serotonin neurons, which regulate feeding, is associated with individuals with anorexia. However, how these two populations of neurons in the brain contribute to the condition was not clear.

"First, we found that under normal conditions dopamine neurons do communicate with serotonin neurons, and we studied this interaction to determine how it regulates feeding," Xu said.

The researchers found that the strength of the signal transmitted along the dopamine-serotonin brain circuit determined how much the animals would eat.

"When dopamine neurons fired a lower-frequency signal, for example, between 2 and 10 Hertz, the result was inhibition of the serotonin neurons and overeating behavior," Xu explained. "On the other hand, when dopamine neurons fired at a higher frequency between 10 and 30 Hertz, the serotonin neurons were activated and this led to lack of feeding."

The researchers then investigated whether the dopamine-serotonin circuit would play a role in the development or persistence of anorexia in a mouse model. They discovered that this brain circuit is super activated in the animal model, when compared to controls, providing an explanation for the animals' lack of appetite and excessive exercising.

In addition, the team identified the dopamine receptor DRD1 as a key mediator of the hyperactivity of this circuit. Knocking out the DRD1 gene partially restored normal eating and exercise behaviors in the animals.

"The findings suggested that pharmacologically inhibiting the DRD1 receptor could also help reduce the circuit's hyperactivity, an approach that could have clinical applications," Xu said. "Indeed, we found that a drug that interferes with DRD1 receptor activity can effectively prevent anorexia and weight loss in the animal model. These findings support further studies toward developing a similar therapeutic approach for individual with anorexia."

Anorexia is more common in females than in males, but the reason for this difference is not clear. "In future work we plan to look into what mediates the differences between males and females and try to understand the mechanism," Xu said.

Other contributors to this work include Xing Cai, Hailan Liu, Bing Feng, Meng Yu, Yang He, Hesong Liu, Chen Liang, Yongjie Yang, Longlong Tu, Nan Zhang, Lina Wang, Na Yin, Junying Han, Zili Yan, Chunmei Wang, Pingwen Xu, Qi Wu, Qingchun Tong and co-corresponding author Yanlin He. The authors are affiliated with one or more of the following institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, Louisiana State University and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Explore further Activating dopamine neurons could turn off binge-like eating behavior

More information: Xing Cai et al, A D2 to D1 shift in dopaminergic inputs to midbrain 5-HT neurons causes anorexia in mice, Nature Neuroscience (2022). Journal information: Nature Neuroscience Xing Cai et al, A D2 to D1 shift in dopaminergic inputs to midbrain 5-HT neurons causes anorexia in mice,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-022-01062-0
The studys findings are timely in light of medical schools increasing emphasis on health equity, including a push to ensure greater diversity among physicians in the workforce. Credit: UCLA Health

New UCLA-led research finds that in states with bans on affirmative action programs, the proportion of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups in U.S. public medical schools fell by more than one-third by five years after those bans went into effect.

The findings are particularly timely given medical schools' increasing emphasis on health equity, including a push to ensure greater diversity among physicians in the workforce.

The study will be published May 3 in the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

"We know that a more diverse physician workforce leads to better care for racial- and ethnic-minority patients," said Dr. Dan Ly, the study's lead author, an assistant professor of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "But we have made such poor progress in diversifying our physician workforce.

"Our research shows that bans on affirmative action, like the one California passed in 1996, have had a devastating impact on the diversity of our medical student body and physician pipeline."

The researchers examined enrollment data from 1985 through 2019 for 53 medical schools at public universities, focusing on students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups: Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. The authors studied medical schools at public universities, not private ones, because states' bans on affirmative action applied to public postsecondary institutions.

Of the medical schools, 32 were in 24 states without affirmative action bans. And 21 were in eight states that banned affirmative action during that periodArizona, California, Florida, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington. Those states' affirmative action bans were enacted from 1997 to 2013; Texas' ban was reversed in 2003.

In the year before the bans were implemented, underrepresented students made up an average of 14.8% of the total enrollment of those states' public medical schools. By five years later, the research found, enrollment of underrepresented students at those schools had fallen by 37%.

The authors note some limitations to their analysis. The data may have also captured the indirect effects of affirmative action on undergraduate admissions, public discussion of affirmative action bans may have affected medical school enrollment even before the bans were implemented, some students may not have fully identified with the mutually exclusive racial and ethnic groups defined by the study, and the researchers did not assess the possibility that some schools without bans did not consider race or ethnicity in their admission decisions.

But the findings could lead to a better understanding of the lag in diversifying the medical student body and the physician workforce.

"As our country has spent the last two years weaving through the twin pandemics of racial health disparities amplified by COVID-19 and structural racism at large, our findings are critically important," said co-author Dr. Utibe Essien, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh. "As we observed, affirmative action bans have resulted in a loss of underrepresented physicians, who could have been at the front lines of caring for vulnerable populations throughout the pandemic and helping to alleviate disparities in care.

"My hope is that our findings will help provide policymakers with the tools to push back against affirmative action bans, not just for the diversity of the physician workforce, but for the equal and just health of our society."

The study's other authors are Andrew Olenski of Columbia University and Dr. Anupam Jena of Harvard University.

More information: Affirmative action bans and enrollment of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in U.S. public medical schools, Annals of Internal Medicine (2022). Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine Affirmative action bans and enrollment of students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in U.S. public medical schools,(2022). www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M21-4312
Boosted vaccine- and infection-induced spike-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses. a,b, Number, location and percentages of spike-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell responses to OLPs that are detectable in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinees after the second versus after the third dose of Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine (bnt162b2, measured 24 weeks after vaccination) (a) and in SARS-CoV-2 convalescent individuals who subsequently received a single dose of Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA boost vaccination (bnt162b2, measured 2 weeks after vaccination) (b). The heatmaps depict the data of one representative individual each. Targeted epitopes with sequence variations in Omicron/B.1.1.529, BA.1 are marked in red. c,d, Vaccinees and convalescent individuals with CD8+ (c) and CD4+ (d) T-cell responses within and outside highly conserved selective sweep regions in the spike protein are shown. Statistical analysis was performed with a two-sided Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Credit: Nature Microbiology (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01106-y

The omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has caused another major wave of infection worldwide. This is because even vaccinated individuals or those who had contracted a previous variant of the virus can become infected with omicron. Nevertheless, severe courses are relatively rare. Scientists at the Medical CenterUniversity of Freiburg have now broken down in detail how the cross-variant protection against infection or severe disease progression arises. The researchers published their results on April 28, 2022 in the online edition of the journal Nature Microbiology.

"We were able to show in our study that memory T cells formed after vaccination or infection with an earlier SARS-CoV-2 variant can also recognize the omicron variant very well and protect against a severe course of infection," explains co-study leader Dr. Maike Hofmann, who heads a research group in the Department of Internal Medicine II at the Medical CenterUniversity of Freiburg. Hofmann will be awarded the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize by the German Research Foundation next week for her research. "The binding ability of the antibodies to the omicron variant is greatly reduced. Therefore, even after a vaccination booster, they protect only quite briefly against infection with the omicron variant," Hofmann adds.

Immune response differs in vaccinated and recovered individuals

The scientists also investigated possible differences in the immune responses of the recovered and the vaccinated. "Both groups have a broad T-cell response: in recovered individuals, the T-cells recognize multiple viral proteins. In the vaccinated, the immune response is essentially directed against the spike protein, which is, after all, made from the mRNA vaccine in the body and then causes the immune response. The T-cell response against the spike protein is broader and stronger in vaccinated individuals than in recovered individuals," reports co-study leader Prof. Dr. Christoph Neumann-Haefelin, head of the Gerok Liver Center at the Medical CenterUniversity of Freiburg. "If recovered persons are vaccinated, T-cell responses also turn out to be more diverse, thus increasing protection against severe disease progression in future infections," says Neumann-Haefelin.

Two of the first authors of this work are the two young scientifically active physicians Dr. Julia Lang-Meli and Dr. Hendrik Luxenburger. They are supported, among other things, by the "Clinician Scientist" program IMM-PACT at the Medical CenterUniversity of Freiburg, which is funded by the German Research Foundation. It allows young physicians to be released for research. "These important results have only been possible thanks to the close networking of clinic and research," emphasizes Prof. Dr. Robert Thimme, Medical Director of the Department of Internal Medicine II at the Medical CenterUniversity of Freiburg.

"In the public perception, the immune response against SARS-CoV-2 is often reduced to the formation of antibodies. The study that has now been published makes a significant contribution to providing a more complete picture of immune protection in the context of SARS-CoV-2," says Prof. Dr. Lutz Hein, Dean of the Medical Faculty at the University of Freiburg.

Explore further Immunological memory after SARS-CoV-2 infection recovery

More information: Julia Lang-Meli et al, SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell epitope repertoire in convalescent and mRNA-vaccinated individuals, Nature Microbiology (2022). Journal information: Nature Microbiology Julia Lang-Meli et al, SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell epitope repertoire in convalescent and mRNA-vaccinated individuals,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-022-01106-y
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A method for delivering genetic material to the body is being tested as a way to repair damaged heart muscle after a heart attack. The ground-breaking research is presented today at Frontiers in CardioVascular Biomedicine 2022, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).

The COVID-19 messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines use lipid nanoparticles (tiny fat droplets) to deliver mRNA to the body's cells. This mRNA instructs the cells to manufacture a dummy spike protein on their surface to mimic the protein on the virus causing COVID-19. The body then mounts an immune response by creating antibodies which can be used if the individual becomes infected with the virus.

A similar method for mRNA delivery was used in the current study. However, instead of aiming for an immune response, the researchers' ultimate goal is to instruct the heart's cells to repair themselves after a heart attack.

This preliminary study was conducted to determine whether mRNA could be successfully delivered to the heart muscle in lipid nanoparticles. The researchers injected different formulations into the left ventricular wall of mouse hearts during open chest surgery under general anesthesia. Twenty-four hours after administration, the mice were sacrificed and the location of mRNA translation was examined.

The researchers found that mRNA successfully reached the heart cells 24 hours after injection. However, despite injection into the heart, the highest levels of mRNA translation were found in cells of the liver and spleen.

Study author Dr. Clara Labonia of the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands said: "High expression was expected in the liver, since it metabolizes the lipid nanoparticles. Nonetheless, it was encouraging to see that there was mRNA translation in the heart tissue which means that lipid nanoparticles could work as delivery systems for mRNA therapy."

She concluded: "The next step of this research is to test more formulations and choose the one which most efficiently targets the heart tissue. We will then assess whether delivery of mRNA to mice with ischemic hearts (resembling a heart attack) has any therapeutic effect."

Explore further Exploring the delivery systems of plasmid DNA and messenger RNA for advanced therapies
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Aotearoa New Zealand's community nurses and home and community care assistants have played a crucial yet largely invisible role in the country's response to the global pandemic.

Across the country, personal care assistants help patients with the activities of daily living while community, district and primary care nurses' roles include the delivery of complex nursing care and health promotion and health education.

COVID-19 highlighted that many community healthcare workers in Aotearoa had not been adequately prepared for the complexities and new demands on their roles that would emerge during a major public health crisis.

These included the need for additional reporting skills and ongoing assessment of patients' risk and their own general mental well-being, while protecting themselves, their families and vulnerable and often isolated patients.

The effects of this are highlighted in recent pay disputes, threatened industrial action, attrition and burnout of front line care staff.

Nevertheless, the experiences of community nurses and home and community care assistants have often been overlooked or trivialized in comparison to the experiences of doctors and nurses working in hospitals.

Our research focused on understanding the particular challenges community healthcare workers in Aotearoa faced during COVID and identifying how they could be better supported in future pandemics.

We spoke with 22 community-based health care workers, 15 registered nurses working in public health, district nursing, primary care and mental health, two midwives and five home and community care assistants.

We found the workloads of community healthcare workers often increased substantially. Having become the main source of support for patients left isolated by bubble restrictions, those we spoke to went the extra mile to provide the care their patients needed.

One Maori care assistant told us how working during lockdown involved "needing to do more dutiesgoing the extra mile. I would expect the same type of care for myself. I was brought up this way, being originally gifted as an adopted child to my aunt's Maori family, it is natural of me to care. So, I went the extra mile. I put laboratory test results in letterboxes and got extra groceries for those living alone."

Impacts on mental well-being

Doing all this extra work for every patient amounted to many hours of extra work. This workload, coupled with pressure to protect themselves and their families, put strain on personal relationships and sometimes led to a downturn in their mental and emotional well-being, particularly during the initial 2020 lockdown.

When we interviewed community healthcare workers, many described feeling they had to enhance their work duties to be seen as "good caregivers" or "heroes," particularly during lockdowns.

Caring for their patients in the community involved caring and worrying about patients and their families during the pandemic. This also had a negative impact on the caregivers' families and social lives as well as their mental health.

Despite vigilant monitoring of their personal protective equipment (PPE), the need to safeguard family and community members generated considerable stress and anxiety. Many caregivers also faced personal isolation and loneliness as a result of lockdown restrictions.

A Pakeha care assistant told us: "I am a home caregiver for older adults with severe health issues living alone. I needed to shower and dress them as well as feeding some through tubes, plus my 16-year-old son was living with me at home. So, to keep him safe I had three bubblesI slept in a shed to isolate him, so he was protected in his bubble, then I had all the work bubbles I needed to form with my home-based patients. I did this [] so we would be alright and would not be contaminated. And on top of that people I know looked sideways in the supermarket at me."

Undertaking extra safety protocols also increased workloads considerably, as a Pakeha nurse explained: "It's giving of yourself and then our workloads increased so much, with extra cleaning, tracing and hygiene protocols. These took so long. That's why nursing is so exhausting. It's giving of yourself, then giving more at home, and in our family, and now along comes COVID-19."

Improving work conditions

Improvements for community-based healthcare workers must focus on addressing the consequences of increased responsibilities and complexity of the work during a pandemic and recognizing that such work often takes place in profound isolation, professionally and personally. Professional and public recognition would go some way to reducing associated stress and anxiety.

We found the negative impacts of experiences during lockdowns often continued once restrictions had been lifted and we make several key recommendations for supporting community-based nurses, and home and community care assistants during respiratory disease pandemics.

First, we must acknowledge the crucial role they play and the stress and anxiety they endure. But at the same time we must demystify the heroism and self-sacrifice projected onto care workers.

Other improvements include the timely provision of adequate protective equipment, better remuneration and provision for time off, regular counseling, peer support groups and support with maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Such measures must extend well beyond lockdowns because the psychological and social effects of stringent pandemic control measures can be long-lasting. While especially valuable during and after a pandemic, these measures should be considered best practice for supporting community healthcare workers at all times.

Above all, it is vital to recognize the specific contributions made by community healthcare professionals during pandemics. Rather than collapsing them into an undifferentiated category of "essential" workers, we must acknowledge these distinct contributions and anticipate them in future pandemic planning.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

When you first break a bone, the body sends out an inflammatory response, and cells begin to form a hematoma around the injured area. Within a week or two, that blood clot is replaced with a soft material called callus that forms a bridge of sorts that holds the fragments together. Over months, the callus hardens into bone, and the healing process is complete.

But sometimes, that bridge between the bones fails to form, creating a nonunion. In patients with long-bone fractures (of the tibia, fibia, or femur, for example), nonunions can be particularly debilitating, severely affecting their quality of life and ability to work. For surgeons, nonunions can be difficult to diagnose as they require subjective assessments of X-rays taken over a period of six to nine months. The difficulty lies in that the bone could be healing, just very slowly, in which case additional intervention may not be necessary. But if it's not healing, the patient has endured months of pain and limited activity, only to face additional surgery.

In a perfect world, surgeons would have a tool that could identify nonunions earlier.

"The end goal is to save patients time, money, and frustration," says Brendan Inglis, a Lehigh University graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics. "Because if the surgeon comes back to you and says you have a clinically diagnosed nonunion, and you need further interventions, that's going to further delay your ability to get back to your life."

Inglis is the lead author of a paper recently published in Scientific Reports that shows how the dual nature of the healing zone, as both a soft and hard material, determines the mechanical rigidity of the whole bone. The work builds on research in the lab of Hannah Dailey, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics in Lehigh's P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. Previously, the team has shown the viability of using a non-invasive, imaging-based virtual biomechanical test to assess the progress of fracture healing. Additionally, the team has developed and validated a material properties assignment method for intact ovine bones using virtual biomechanical testing.

The problem, says Inglis, was that the virtual tests overpredicted the mechanical properties of the bone early in the healing process because parts of the callus are still too soft to be modeled as bone.

"When we applied that model to fractured ovine tibia, essentially a sheep's lower leg, the mechanical properties didn't match," he says. "Our hypothesis was that all the soft tissue and cartilage involved in the healing of a fractured limb was being overpredicted, meaning the callus was being assigned properties that were too stiff."

In other words, the previous model didn't accurately differentiate between bone and callus. If callus was treated as being stiffer than it actually was, it could imply that the bone was further along in the healing process than it actually was.

"Callus is a highly heterogeneous tissue, meaning it contains more than one density and stiffness value," says Inglis. "So if you're going to model an operated limb, you can't treat everything as dense bone. You need to come up with some way to treat callus differently. But the mechanical properties of callus still aren't well understood, and there wasn't anything in the literature that set the cutoff point between where you start treating the healing zone as soft tissue, and where you start treating it as bone."

To determine that cutoff, Inglis and his team worked with collaborators at the Musculoskeletal Research Unit (MSRU) at the University of Zurich. The Swiss researchers used a torsion tester to measure torsional rigidity in excised sheep tibia, and the Lehigh team used the corresponding CT scans and data to replicate those biomechanical tests virtually.

Inglis explains that the brightness of the pixels within the CT bone scans correlate to density. The brighter the pixel, the stiffer that area of bone.

"You can imagine that from a black pixel to the brightest white pixel, there's a whole spectrum of values. So essentially what we did was find the cutoff below which the pixels are getting darker and should be treated as very soft. We postulated that prior to this study, those darker pixels were being calibrated too high, and assumed to be too stiff in the model."

Utilizing a piecewise material model, they optimized a cutoff point that separates soft tissue from bone.

"When you get that density cutoff right, the virtual models can accurately replicate the rigidity you get from a bench biomechanical test of that same bone," he says. "Once you have a model that's validated to what was done on a bench test, you can start to predict different things about the behavior of healing bones. And the more we understand about why the healing process fails, the better our chances of creating a tool that could one day inform surgeons. So this model gives us a foothold into one day translating this work into the clinic."

To illustrate their findings, Inglis created an app that allows others in the field to interact with the data.

"As researchers, we often read a great paper, and come across a value we'll be curious about, and the citation just points us to another paper, which points you to another paper, and so it becomes this whole rabbit hole effect," he says. "This app is a nice way to visualize what we did, and build it into your own research. I think in an ideal world, there will be more sharing of information like this because in the end, that's the purpose of doing research."

Explore further A novel approach to determine when patients with tibial fractures can bear weight

More information: Brendan Inglis et al, Biomechanical duality of fracture healing captured using virtual mechanical testing and validated in ovine bones, Scientific Reports (2022). Brendan Inglis et al, Biomechanical duality of fracture healing captured using virtual mechanical testing and validated in ovine bones,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06267-8 App: inglis-lu-orthomech.shinyapps.  barItemExpanded=null Journal information: Scientific Reports
Federal guidelines geared toward curbing the overprescription of opioids have modestly reduced their use after medical procedures to implant pacemakers and other heart devices, new research shows.

But researchers say more needs to be done in the face of the nation's continuing opioid crisis.

"While we have seen some response, we still need to increase awareness and push harder on this," said the study's senior author Dr. David Frankel, an associate professor of medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

The study, published Monday in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, looked at opioid prescriptions for pain after procedures for pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. The small battery-operated devices can correct abnormal heart rhythms. After the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines in 2016, prescriptions fell a modest 2.5 percentage points, from a high of 18.9% in 2016 to 16.4% in 2020.

Opioid misusedue in part to overprescriptionresulted in 69,710 deaths in 2020, according to CDC data. In response to a substantial increase in opioid prescriptions and sales and a rise in opioid-related deaths, the CDC's guidelines recommend non-opioid therapy for pain other than that related to cancer, serious illnesses or people needing pain relief at the end of life. If prescribed, the guidelines recommend doing so at the lowest possible effective dosage and that people taking opioids be closely monitored.

Nonetheless, CDC statistics show drug overdose deaths in the U.S., including those related to opioids, continued to rise.

In a study published last year in Circulation, Frankel and his colleagues found that among the 11% of patients who filled opioid prescriptions within two weeks after heart device procedures, 1 in 8 went on to become a "persistent opioid user," which the researchers defined as filling a second prescription one to six months later.

Frankel said implanting devices to normalize irregular heartbeats is often done on an outpatient basis and shouldn't result in a lot of prolonged pain. For those who filled the initial prescription, "maybe they just had a lot of pain from the (procedure)," he said. "But there's really no reason to have pain more than a month later."

In the follow-up study exploring the 2016 CDC guidelines' impact, the percentage of patients filling opioid prescriptions after heart device implants rose steadily from 7.4% in 2004 to a high of 18.9% in 2016. After the guidelines were released that year, prescription rates began falling modestly, down to 16.4% by 2020.

However, the dosage prescribed did not drop significantly despite CDC recommendations to use the lowest possible dose. The authors noted the high dosages being prescribed placed patients at risk for persistent use.

"If your brain is wired in a certain way towards addiction, even a very small dose could set you on that road," Frankel said.

Pharmacist Sheryl Chow said that "while these results provide some cautious optimism that changing prescribing patterns are possible, the incidence of opioid-induced deaths continues to rise each year. So clearly there is a disconnect between changes in prescriber behavior and outcomes."

Chow, an associate professor of pharmacy practice and administration at Western University in Pomona, California, led the writing of a 2021 AHA presidential advisory about the impact of opioid use on heart and brain health. The report said some evidence suggests opioid use could interfere with medications used to treat people with cardiovascular disease and stroke, and there was an urgent need for more research.

Frankel said heart doctors may not realize the long-term impact of their prescriptions. In his initial study, he found that while it was a heart doctor who often wrote the first opioid prescription, it was rarely the same physician who authorized the refills.

"My hypothesis is that after they prescribe some oxycodone following the procedure, then the patient becomes addicted and seeks opioids any way they can," he said. "Maybe they complain of back pain to their primary care physician."

Part of the problem is the expectation in the U.S. that pain shouldn't be tolerated, Frankel said. So, patients should be told to expect some discomfort after a heart device procedure. "Pain is a natural part of the healing process, and it shouldn't be alarming," he said.

Other pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or aspirin, could be tried first, Chow said, noting the CDC is in the process of again revising its opioid use guidelines to encourage less addictive means for pain relief.

"There is much research needed in this area," she said. "We need to develop new and effective alternatives to pain management without addictive potential."

Explore further About 12% of patients who receive common cardiac device implants develop persistent opioid use

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SARS-CoV-2 (shown here in an electron microscopy image). Credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH

Researchers have discovered the blood clotting and immune protein pathways that are activated in severe cases of COVID-19 in children, paving the way for earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatments.

The study led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne and published in Nature Communications, has identified disease mechanisms in children with COVID-19 who present with multisystem inflammatory syndrome, where different body parts can become inflamed including the heart, lungs, and brain and acute respiratory distress syndrome, a type of lung disease.

MCRI researcher and University of Melbourne Ph.D. student Conor McCafferty said the main triggers for severe COVID-19 in children were blood clotting and how proteins in the immune system reacted to the virus.

"Children are in general less susceptible to COVID-19 and present with milder symptoms, but it remained unclear what caused some to develop very severe disease," he said.

"Our research was the first to uncover the specific blood clotting and immune protein pathways impacted in children with COVID-19 who developed serious symptoms."

For the study, blood samples from 20 healthy children were collected at The Royal Children's Hospital and samples from 33 SARS-CoV-2 infected children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome or acute respiratory distress syndrome were collected from the Hopital Necker-Enfants Malades, Greater Paris University Hospitals.

Professor Damien Bonnet, from the Hopital NeckerEnfants Malades, Greater Paris University Hospitals, said collecting samples to further describe the mechanisms of these syndromes and establishing worldwide collaborations were considered key issues to improve treatment and outcomes.

The research found 85 and 52 proteins were specific to multisystem inflammatory syndrome and acute respiratory distress syndrome, respectively. Both syndromes are major potential outcomes of severe COVID-19.

Mr McCafferty said the discoveries were possible due to proteomics, an experimental approach that allowed the researchers to investigate almost 500 proteins circulating in the blood at once.

Data shows 1.7 percent of reported pediatric hospitalized cases of COVID-19 included admission to the Intensive Care Unit. Children with COVID-19 who present with multisystem inflammatory syndrome also show similar clinical features to Kawasaki disease and toxic shock syndrome such as fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, skin rash and conjunctivitis, making it difficult to quickly diagnose patients.

MCRI Professor Vera Ignjatovic said the results provided an understanding of the processes that underly severe COVID-19 in children, which would help in the development of diagnostic tests for early identification of children at risk, as well as therapeutic targets to improve the outcomes for those with severe cases.

"Knowing the mechanisms associated with severe COVID-19 in children and how the blood clotting and immune systems in children react to the virus will help diagnose and detect acute COVID-19 cases and allow us to develop targeted treatment," she said.

Explore further Children older than 5 at higher risk of COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome

More information: Pathophysiological pathway differences in children who present with COVID-19 ARDS compared to COVID-19 induced MIS-C, Nature Communications (2022). Journal information: Nature Communications Pathophysiological pathway differences in children who present with COVID-19 ARDS compared to COVID-19 induced MIS-C,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29951-9
Brandon Dionne, Assistant Clinical Professor Department of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

The Biden administration announced this week that it will take new measures to expand access to Paxlovid, the first medication developed to treat COVID-19. The White House plans to nearly double the number of places that carry the drug, help educate providers and the public, and create more Test-to-Treat centers, where patients can get tested and pick up the drug in one visit.

Paxlovida protease inhibitor that prevents the coronavirus from maturing into a full-blown infectionconsists of a five-day treatment regimen, and is meant to be started within five days of the initial onset of symptoms. And while there are downsides to taking the drug, including potential drug interactions and interference with kidney function, it's proven to be incredibly effective, helping to reduce hospitalizations among unvaccinated people by up to 90%.

As COVID-19 cases start to rise in the U.S. again, the new measures could be critical in helping to get the life-saving drug in the hands of those who are at the highest risk of serious illness. But experts wonder if the plan will be enough to combat the pre-existing barriers to accessing the medicine, and whether drug-maker Pfizer's distribution strategy could leave the rest of the world in the lurch.

Raising awareness about the drug would be a welcome step, according to Brandon Dionne, associate clinical professor at Northeastern's Department of Pharmacy and Health Systems Sciences. Currently, providers are hesitant to prescribe Paxlovid, and patients might not even know that it exists. Dionne says that could be in part due to a faulty rollout strategy. When the drug was first authorized for use in December 2021, the supply was low, and it was reserved for only the most at-risk patients.

"We were trying to prioritize patients," Dionne says. "And in some ways that then backfired because there wasn't this big fanfare rollout."

Now, even though Paxlovid is more widely available, its reputation is one of low availability, causing doctors to under prescribe it.

"Now that there's more of a supply, we just need to make people aware," Dionne says.

But a lack of awareness is only part of the problem when it comes to connecting people to treatment. Paxlovid is only available via prescription, after a doctor verifies that the patient has tested positive, is part of a high-risk population, and will not experience adverse side effects. For those who don't have health insurance or a primary care physician, this presents a significant barrier, Dionne says. Plus, even if a patient does have insurance and a doctor, it can be difficult for doctors to know who carries the drug.

"Let's say that as a physician, you wanted to provide Paxlovid for your patient. You don't even necessarily know which pharmacy to send the prescription to," Dionne says. "That was probably the biggest limiting factor, is just confusion about the process."

That's why Biden's plan to expand the Test-to-Treat program is important. Currently, there are 2,200 sites nationwide where patients can get tested and treated at the same clinic, usually at a pharmacy such as CVS. For those who don't have a PCP or insurance, those sites can be the best bet for getting Paxlovid.

Expanding this program would be a welcome step, says Northeastern law professor Brook Baker. However, "that still leaves a lot of people uncovered who aren't near those kinds of facilities," Baker says.

Wyoming and North Dakota, for example, each have one Test-to-Treat location, not including military facilities, and South Dakota currently has zero. These "pharmacy deserts" will likely leave some people without access even after an expansion of the program. Both Dionne and Baker agree that creating prescriptive authority for pharmacists would be a key step toward resolving this issue, especially as the public likely won't ever see Paxlovid sold over-the-counter due to the risk of drug interactions.

Plus, while Biden works to make Paxlovid more readily available in the U.S., Baker says, the problem of inaccessibility is much worse globally due to Pfizer's monopoly over the drug. Currently, Pfizer is the sole producer of the drug. While it has licensed 95 countries to produce generic Paxlovid, Baker says these companies won't be able to sell until the end of the year.

"Everyone's turning to Pfizer as the sole source of supply," Baker says.

But according to Baker, the company hasn't done nearly enough to ensure that countries have equal access to the drug, instead prioritizing the richest nations. "[Pfizer] has already pre-committed the first half of 2022 production, which was only going to be 30 million courses of treatment, to rich countries," he said. While the Global Fund has agreed to purchase 10 million courses from Pfizer, and Pfizer made an agreement with UNICEF to secure 4 million courses to low- and middle-income countries, representatives for both organizations say that's inadequate.

"Pfizer has not done nearly enough to ensure affordability and adequate supplies in low- and middle-income countries," Baker says. "It's prioritized sales at higher prices to rich countries first."

The unequal distribution of the drug adds insult to injury for unvaccinated people around the world who are at the greatest risk of experiencing the adverse effects of COVID-19.

"In many respects, the people in the world who suffered inadequate access to vaccines are the populations that may most be in need of therapies," Baker says. "And if we're not prioritizing their access  then those patients are at a much higher risk. In some sense, the risk of serious disease is quite substantial in the countries that are underserved at this time."

Pfizer is also facing accusations of blocking Paxlovid access from studies that look at how it interacts with other drugs, something that Baker says is unacceptable. "They should clearly support ongoing innovation to find effective treatment regiments," he says.

Paxlovid could be a game-changer for these populations as the pandemic continues on. Dionne and Baker both agree it would be a mistake to assume that COVID-19 is under control. As the U.S. death toll nears 1 million and cases rise once again, Baker says, "We're not out of the woods in the U.S., and we're certainly not out of the woods globally."

Explore further Administration expands availability of COVID antiviral pill
Ric Parnell, a virtuoso drummer from This is Spinal Tap who called Missoula home, died over the weekend at age 70.

Parnell portrayed Mick Shrimpton, a drummer in Rob Reiners 1984 rockumentary, with tributes and obituaries flooding in around the internet on rock and film sites.

Here in Missoula, he was known not just for that classic film credit, but his drum skills.

While other musicians were floored by his ability, he described it simply: I hit things for a living.

His Tap co-star Harry Shearer wrote, No one ever rocked harder, in a Facebook post on Monday.

Parnell also hosted a show on the Trail 103.3 FM called Spontaneous Combustion, a reference to Shrimptons on-stage explosion.

According to a 2007 Missoulian interview, he was born in London in 1951, the son of a jazz band leader. He picked up music quickly, and by age 16 was touring with Englebert Humperdinck.

In 1970, he joined a prog-rock band called Atomic Rooster. (He said he was fired twice). That led to a gig with an Italian group, Ibis, then one called Nova that decamped for the United States.

Working in Los Angeles, Parnell heard of an audition for what became Spinal Tap.

He said he turned down an offer to join Journey to pursue his own studio group, Zoo Drive, which recorded for Bette Midler and Jeff Beck.

As a session musician, he performed on a No. 1 hit, Mickey, by Toni Basil.

He left L.A. after a series of hardships  studio work became more difficult to find, and he lost his house to a fire. In the wake of that, he moved back to England and then returned to the U.S. again for a Spinal Tap reunion tour and film.

Touring with a blues artist named Joe Houston, he played Missoula four times before deciding to make it his home.

Once here, he gigged with local acts, including Zeppo MT and Eden Atwood, among others.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for funeral expenses.

Ric Parnell, a great musician and an even better friend, has embarked on the journey to the other side. Ric doesn't have the means to cover his end-of-life expenses, including rent, cremation, storage space, and memorial services, the post says.

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Netflix has "quietly cancelled" a series created by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.

The 40-year-old royal - who has been married to Prince Harry since 2018 and has Archie, two, and Lili, ten months, with him - had been set to produce animated series 'Pearl' for the streaming giant, but production has reportedly been "quietly cancelled", according to Deadline.

The former 'Suits' actress - who, along with her husband, abandoned royal duties for a life in Los Angeles back in 2020 - created the series through the couple's Archewell Productions company and had described it as a family series that centres on the adventures of a 12-year-old girl who finds inspiration in a variety of influential women throughout history.

At the time, she said: "Like many girls her age, our heroine Pearl is on a journey of self-discovery as she tries to overcome life's daily challenges. I'm thrilled that Archewell Productions, partnered with the powerhouse platform of Netflix and these incredible producers, will together bring you this new animated series, which celebrates extraordinary women throughout history. [Co-producer] David Furnish and I have been eager to bring this special series to light, and I am delighted we are able to announce it today."

The couple had initially signed a production deal - thought to be in excess of $100m (72m) - with Netflix back in 2020 but are yet to produce any content for the streaming platform.

News of the series' cancellation comes just days after Netflix announced it had suffered a loss of 200,000 subscribers in a trading update released in mid-April and were looking at the idea of including adverts following the dip.

In a statement, Netflix boss William Ackman said: "While Netflix's business is fundamentally simple to understand, in light of recent events, we have lost confidence in our ability to predict the company's future prospects with a sufficient degree of certainty."

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MONDAY, May 2, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- British researchers are warning of one more rising health danger: a drug-resistant mold found in the environment that infects certain people's lungs.

Aspergillus fumigatus can cause a fungal lung infection called aspergillosis in people with lung conditions or weakened immune systems. Aspergillosis, which affects 10 to 20 million people worldwide, is usually treated with antifungal drugs, but there's evidence of emerging resistance to these drugs.

This resistance is due to the widespread agricultural use of azole fungicides, which are similar to azole drugs used to treat aspergillosis, according to the study authors.

Understanding the environmental hotspots and genetic basis of evolving fungal drug resistance needs urgent attention, because resistance is compromising our ability to prevent and treat this disease," said study co-author Matthew Fisher, a professor in the School of Public Health at Imperial College London.

The researchers analyzed the DNA of 218 samples of A. fumigatus from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland between 2005 and 2017. Around seven in 10 samples were from infected people, and the other samples were from the environment, including from soil, compost, plant bulbs, the air and other sources.

The researchers found six strains of A. fumigatus that spread from the environment and infected six patients, according to the study. The results were published April 25 in the journal Nature Microbiology.

Of the 218 samples, almost half were resistant to at least one first-line azole drug. Specifically, 48% were resistant to itraconazole, 29% to voriconazole and 21% to posaconazole.

More than 10% of samples (including 23 environmental samples and three from patients) were resistant to two or more azole drugs.

In the 218 samples, the researchers found 50 new genes associated with drug resistance, and five new combinations of DNA changes associated with drug resistance, including one resistant to multiple drugs.

The prevalence of drug-resistant aspergillosis has grown from negligible levels before 1999 to up to 3%-40% of cases now across Europe," Fisher explained in a college news release.

"At the same time, more and more people might be susceptible to Aspergillus fumigatus infection because of growing numbers of people receiving stem cell or solid organ transplants, being on immunosuppressive therapy, or having lung conditions or severe viral respiratory infections," he said.

The findings show the need for greater monitoring of A. fumigatus in the environment and patients to help understand the risk it poses, according to the researchers.

More information

There's more on aspergillosis at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCE: Imperial College London, news release, April 25, 2022

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U.S. children orphaned by COVID-19: What lies ahead?

CGTN) 18:28, May 01, 2022

More than 200,000 children in the United States have lost a parent or caregiver to COVID-19, according to a memorandum issued by U.S. President Joe Biden on April 5. Yet the the country offers very little support at a federal level to these pandemic orphans, potentially leaving them with tremendous difficulties ahead.

Researchers have pointed out that bereaved children are at an increased risk of mental ill-health and psychosocial problems, and are more likely to experience alcohol and substance abuse, dropping out of school, and poverty, according to multiple studies archived in the U.S. National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine.

A study conducted in three Nordic countries also found that orphans are twice as likely as non-orphans to commit suicide.

As the COVID-19 death toll in the United States rose up to nearly 1 million, one out of every 12 orphans under the age of 18 is resulted from a pandemic caregiver loss, Slate magazine contributing writer and New York University lecturer Tim Requarth wrote in The Atlantic.

So far, little effort has been taken by the country to address the plight of pandemic orphans even if decades of research has proved that immediate intervention is crucial for them to overcome challenges and might mitigate further threats to society.

Apart from a vague statement that the Biden administration will provide a support program, no further detailed resources or executive orders have been provided specifically for pandemic orphans. Meanwhile, trillions of dollars have been allocated as pandemic relief.

Less than half of all orphans in the U.S. receive the financial resources allocated to them, according to David Weaver's study on "Parental Mortality and Outcomes among Minor and Adult Children" in 2019.

Furthermore, many of the pandemic orphans are faced with systematic barriers from the beginning and are left unprepared as the virus spreads fast. The Pew Research Center discovered in 2019 that almost a quarter of U.S. children under the age of 18 live with one parent and no other adults, and about one fourth of single parents live in poverty.

The silver lining is that some states are taking action. California State Senator Nancy Skinner introduced a bill in January to set up a HOPE trust fund for each of the state's more than 20,000 pandemic orphans which would provide an annual deposit of $4,000 to $8,000, and Santa Clara County of California has set aside $30 million in federal relief funds for identifying and supporting children who lost caregivers to COVID-19.

Democratic representatives in New Jersey and Michigan have also called on the federal government to raise awareness of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on bereaved children.

However, "without a stronger centralized national strategy, tens of thousands of children are likely to fall through the cracks," warned Requarth in the article.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
MONDAY, May 2, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- There could be far fewer U.S. doctors trained to provide an abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court in a decision that is expected by the end of June, researchers report.

That's because nearly 45% of 286 obstetrics and gynecology residency programs across the United States are in the 26 states certain or likely to ban abortion if the court overturns Roe v. Wade.

The researchers' analysis of ob-gyn residency programs nationwide also showed that nearly 44% of just over 6,000 residents accredited in ob-gyn programs in 2020 are in states certain or likely to ban abortion, according to the study published April 28 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

"In 2020, 92% of obstetrics and gynecology residents reported having access to some level of abortion training," the authors wrote. "We predict that, if Roe v. Wade is overturned, this would plummet to, at most, 56%."

They noted that their study likely underestimates the reduction in abortion training because it did not include family medicine and other medical specialties where residents also receive abortion training.

"Decimating abortion training in half the country will have far-reaching impacts," said study senior author Dr. Jody Steinauer, director of the Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health at the University of California, San Francisco.

"It could affect the care of future patients of clinicians who trained in these states wherever they go on to practice. We need to develop new and innovative ways to train ob-gyns and other clinicians to provide this essential care," Steinauer said in a university news release.

Abortion training also provides residents with a range of other important skills such as counseling, trauma-informed care, miscarriage management and uterine evacuation, according to study first author Dr. Kavita Vinekar, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, Los Angeles' School of Medicine.

"Those are the skills I got in my abortion training that I use every single day in all of the non-abortion care that I do," she said in the release.

To prepare for the sharp drop in abortion training if Roe v. Wade is overturned, medical residency programs should plan out-of-state travel rotations, patient-centered early pregnancy loss training, and abortion simulation courses, the study authors suggested.

More information

The American Academy of Family Physicians has more on abortion.

SOURCE: University of California, San Francisco, news release, April 28, 2022

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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  Russia resumed pulverizing the Mariupol steel mill that has become the last stronghold of resistance in the bombed-out city, Ukrainian fighters said Monday, after a brief cease-fire over the weekend allowed the first evacuation of civilians from the plant.

More than 100 people  including elderly women and mothers with small children  left the rubble-strewn Azovstal steelworks on Sunday and set out in buses and ambulances for the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles (230 kilometers) to the northwest, according to authorities and video released by the two sides.

Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive in Zaporizhzhia on Monday as hoped for. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

At least some of the civilians were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The Russian military said that some chose to stay in separatist areas, while dozens left for Ukrainian-held territory.

In the past, Ukraine has accused Moscows troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas. The Kremlin has denied it.

The Russian bombardment of the sprawling plant by air, by tank and by ship picked up again after the partial evacuation, Ukraines Azov Battalion, which is defending the mill, said on the Telegram messaging app.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were underway among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on evacuating more people.

The steel-plant evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the southern port city and other places have broken down, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russian forces of shooting and shelling along agreed-on evacuation routes.

Before the weekend evacuation, overseen by the United Nations and the Red Cross, about 1,000 civilians were believed to be in the plant along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. Russia has demanded that the fighters surrender; they have refused.

As many as 100,000 people overall may still be in Mariupol, which had a prewar population of more than 400,000. Russian forces have pounded much of the city into rubble, trapping civilians with little food, water, heat or medicine.

Some Mariupol residents got out of the city on their own, by way of often damaged private cars.

As sunset approached, Mariupol resident Yaroslav Dmytryshyn rattled up to a reception center in Zaporizhzhia in a car with a back seat full of youngsters and two signs taped to the back window: Children and Little ones.

I cant believe we survived, he said, looking worn but in good spirits over their safe arrival after two days on the road.

There is no Mariupol whatsoever,'' he said. Someone needs to rebuild it, and it will take millions of tons of gold. He said they lived just across the railroad tracks from the steel plant. Ruined, he said. The factory is gone completely.

Anastasiia Dembytska, who took advantage of the cease-fire to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog, said her family survived by cooking on a makeshift stove and drinking well water. She said she could see the steelworks from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

With most of Mariupol in ruins, a majority of the dozen Russian battalion tactical groups that had been around the city have moved north to other battlefronts in eastern Ukraine, according to a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the Pentagons assessment.

In other developments, European Union energy ministers met Monday to discuss new sanctions against the Kremlin, which could include restrictions on Russian oil. But some Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc, including Hungary and Slovakia, are wary of taking tough action.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped more people would be able to leave Mariupol in an organized evacuation on Monday. The city council told residents wanting to leave to gather at a shopping mall to wait for buses.

Zelenskyy told Greek state television that remaining civilians in the steel plant were afraid to board buses because they feared they would be taken to Russia. He said he had been assured by the U.N. that they would be allowed to go to areas his government controls.

Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard, said in a televised interview that several hundred civilians remained trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said.

Also Monday, Zelenskyy said that at least 220 Ukrainian children have been killed by the Russian army since the war began, and 1,570 educational institutions have been destroyed or damaged.

Thwarted in his bid to seize Kyiv, the capital, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shifted his focus to the Donbas, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Russia said it struck dozens of military targets in the region in the past day. It said it hit concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region, which lies west of the Donbas.

Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow's troops are raining fire indiscriminately, taking a heavy toll on civilians while making only slow progress.

Zelenskyy's office said at least three people were killed in the Donbas in the previous 24 hours. The regional administration in Zaporizhzhia reported that at least two people died in Russian shelling.

The governor of the Odesa region along the Black Sea Coast, Maksym Marchenko, said on Telegram that a Russian missile strike Monday on an Odesa infrastructure target caused deaths and injuries. He gave no details. Zelenskyy said the attack destroyed a dormitory and killed a 14-year-old boy.

The missile attack took the roof off a church belonging to the Ukrainian Orthodox faction that is loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate, according to the secretary of Ukraines national security council, Oleksiy Danilov.

Ukraine said Russia also struck a strategic road and rail bridge west of Odesa. The bridge was heavily damaged in previous Russian strikes, and its destruction would cut a supply route for weapons and other cargo from neighboring Romania.

The attack on Odessa came eight years to the day after deadly clashes between Ukrainian government supporters and protesters calling for autonomy in the country's east. The government supporters in 2014 firebombed a trade union building containing pro-autonomy demonstrators, killing over 40 people.

Also Monday, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea.

Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas, is key to Russia's campaign in the east. Its capture would deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere in the region.

A full picture of the battle unfolding in eastern Ukraine is hard to capture. The fighting makes it dangerous for reporters to move around, and both sides have imposed tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

But Britains Defense Ministry said it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective  unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

Varenytsia reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, Lolita Baldor in Washington 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.

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A man was found guilty of murdering William "Bill" Conko-Camel in 2018 in Sanders County District Court two weeks ago.

Cavey Little Rossbach was convicted of deliberate homicide on April 19, according to a press release from the Montana Department of Justice. He was initially charged in October 2020.

On Oct. 5, 2018, Sanders County Dispatch received a call reporting shots fired in the Dixon area, and that there was a person lying dead on Frank McClure Street, according to court documents.

Conko-Camel had been shot five times, the press release said.

The victim's girlfriend told law enforcement she and her boyfriend were at a house visiting a friend that evening when Rossbach burst through the door and attacked Conko-Camel. Rossbach, the girlfriend told law enforcement, was yelling something about Conko-Camel being responsible for the death of Rossbach's wife.

As Rossbach and Conko-Camel fought, two others  Rossbach's son, Preston Rossbach, and Ty Butler  entered the house and joined Cavey Rossbach in the assault, according to charging documents.

The fight broke up and the three men left the house, the girlfriend told police. Conko-Camel followed them, and one of the three men said they were going to get a gun, according to court documents. After Conko-Camel was shot, the Rossbachs left the area. They were seen holding a rifle by witnesses.

Cavey Rossbach's wife told investigators she saw him shoot Conko-Camel. Butler told tribal investigators he threw Rossbach's rifle in the river.

According to charging documents in Cavey Rossbach's case, tribal police spoke with him a few weeks after he was charged about the Conko-Camel case. During an interview in 2020, according to prosecutors, Cavey admitted to the shooting.

The investigation appeared to be at a dead end, but the Flathead Tribal Police Department broke the case and was able to solve the homicide two years after it took place. The case was prosecuted by Dan Guzynski and Selene Koepke, the press release said.

Cavey's son, Preston, was sentenced to 60 years in state prison for a separate murder case that also happened in October 2018.

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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Thousands of firefighters battled destructive wildfires in the Southwest as more residents prepared to evacuate Friday into the weekend in northern New Mexico where strong winds and dangerously dry conditions have made the blazes hard to contain.

The biggest fire in the U.S. grew to more than 117 square miles (303 square kilometers) through the afternoon northeast of Santa Fe. Gusty winds prevented any aerial attacks by midmorning and crews lost some of the containment they had established in previous days.

The rapid rate of the spread of the fire was exceeding dire predictions in some areas, incident commander Carl Schwope said Friday night.

***

Over 1,000 firefighters backed by bulldozers and aircraft battled the largest active wildfire in the U.S., after strong winds had pushed it across some containment lines and closer to a small city in northern New Mexico.

Calmer winds on Saturday aided the firefighting effort after gusts accelerated the fires advance to a point on Friday when we were watching the fire march about a mile every hour, said Jayson Coil, a fire operations official.

Ash carried 7 miles (11 kilometers) through the air had fallen on Las Vegas, population about 13,000, and firefighters were trying to prevent the fire from getting closer, said Mike Johnson, a spokesperson with the fire management team.

***

In a small enclave in northern Arizona where homes are nestled in a Ponderosa pine forest and tourists delight in camping, hiking and cruising on ATVs, high winds are nothing new.

But when those winds recently ramped up and sent what was a small wildfire racing toward their homes, residents in the close-knit Girls Ranch neighborhood near Flagstaff faced a dilemma: quickly grab what they could and flee, or stay behind and try to ward off the towering, erratic flames.

Most of the property owners left. One couple stood their ground. Another raced to save animals on neighbors' properties.

Arizona wildfire forces fast decision: Fight or flee flames? Ferocious winds that sent what was a small wildfire racing toward homes on the outskirts of a northern Arizona city presented a dilemma. Most residents in the Girls Ranch neighborhood north of Flagstaff, Arizona, fled the flames. One couple stood their ground. Another raced to save animals on neighbors' properties. Two homes in the close-knit neighborhood were among 30 in the area that were destroyed. The wildfire left a mosaic of charred land before it was almost fully contained this weekend. The blaze is one of many this spring that have forced panicked residents to make life-or-death, fight-or-flee decisions as wildfire season heats up in the U.S. West.

***

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One of Governor Ted Schwindens favorite excuses for his failure to prepare Montana for the states disastrous droughts in the 80s was: Montana is a next year state. It means that even though our rivers dried up, fish died, crops withered, and as he infamously put it, the whole damn states on fire, we should all hope next year will be better. Well, its next year following last years severe drought and guess what, its not better, its much, much worse  and Republican Governor Gianforte is no more prepared for it than was his Democrat predecessor 37 years ago.

Having chaired the Governors Drought Task Force back in the 80s and early 90s, its grim business to hear the damage reports come in. River and reservoir levels dropping, wells going dry, crops desiccated, wildlife driven onto the last remaining green fields, and destruction of dewatered aquatic ecosystems.

Extreme droughts effects are widespread, as are the economic and environmental damages. When theres minimal snowpack and little precipitation the entire cycle of use and recharge is disrupted. The use goes on irrigators continue to dewater rivers, even going so far as to bulldoze stream beds into their own diversion dams to funnel whats left of our world-famous trout streams into inefficient, unlined ditches. The fish, of course, follow the water; they have no choice. And when the rivers are finally so low theres no more water for diversion, those fish die in the ditches.

The ugly result is society and the state wind up pitting one economic sector against another as the competition for scarce water grows more dire day by day. For those who make their living on the river, its the same old story  sorry, but our rivers are over-appropriated and by law the irrigators have legal rights to their diversions. When it comes to trout versus alfalfa, the alfalfa always wins  even if theres not enough water to bring in more than one cutting.

Right now one small example from that tale of woe is playing out on the Smith River that saw its float season shut down in early June last year and will likely see this season go by without enough water to float. Despite being the states only permit required river  and thousands of people across the state and nation pay to apply for permits to fish and float annually  were looking at another no float year.

As a Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman said last year: Our normal recommendations for suitable river levels for floating are 350 cfs (cubic feet per second) for drift boats, 250 cfs for rafts, and 150 cfs for canoes and kayaks. As per the USGS current conditions streamflow report, the river is running at 63 cfs at the top and 115 at the Eden Bridge take out, 59 miles downstream.

Unfortunately, this is not an anomaly  virtually all of Montanas rivers are running from one-third to one-half long-term average flows  and its nearly two months until summer. Municipalities are already asking residents to cut back on water, even though non-ag water use accounts for less than 4% of Montanas water consumption. As the Fairfield fire chief recently told reporters: ...if they want to be able to brush their teeth and flush the toilet, they better not be running it on their yards.

Schwinden often complained that he couldnt make it rain. Neither can Governor Gianforte. And given the lack of governmental preparation all these years later, it looks like Montanans are on their own again in extreme drought  as are our rivers, forests, fish, wildlife, and businesses.

George Ochenski writes from Helena. His column appears each Monday on the Missoulian's opinion page.

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Recent opinion articles in this newspaper have claimed government regulations and zoning are major causes of our housing crisis (Regulations Stand in Way of Attainable Housing, Missoulian March 20, 2022, and Montanans Deserve Affordable Housing," Missoulian, April 17, 2022). The housing crisis has been years in the making. These articles oversimplify the underlying causes of the housing crisis. Addressing governmental regulations alone will not solve the housing shortage because it is just one piece of the housing crisis puzzle. Our local elected officials  city and county  understand that government regulations impact housing costs and availability. The city and county are focused on zoning reforms, and they are doing the work needed to expand housing options.

The most significant costs of new housing are land and access to infrastructure such as water, sewer, and roads. Supply chain constraints and the pandemic have sent the cost of building materials skyrocketing. Labor shortages have driven up construction costs. And certainly, the government approval processes for housing development, local zoning codes, and impact fees increase the time and building costs. These are the four Ls of housing development costs  land, lumber, labor, and laws.

Laws, such as zoning and building regulations, help communities manage soils, slopes, floodplain and other factors of geography that impose natural limitations and determine good planning and zoning. Building codes ensure new construction meets minimum community standards for safety (plumbing, electrical, etc.) and aesthetics (curb setbacks, building heights, etc.). Local regulations are also enacted partly because citizens want them. Residents frequently object to multi-story apartment buildings being constructed in their neighborhoods of single-family houses.

Montanas state laws strongly endorse individual property rights; balancing individual rights with public needs is challenging for local communities. State code authorizes local zoning but also limits what local communities can and cannot do via zoning. For example, several Montana towns would like to use inclusionary zoning to encourage affordable housing development, but the state of Montana forbids it.

Both the City and the County are actively working on zoning regulations. This spring the City of Missoula will launch a 30-month zoning and building code revision process to provide more options for affordable housing that reflect sustainable design, smart growth, and new building practices. These updated codes will align with Missoulas Growth Policy adopted in 2015 as well as current housing and climate policies. Community engagement is part of the process; we the public, will be asked to weigh in at the front-end of the revision process.

Missoula County has been working on a zoning code update and map for several years, which will replace the 1970s era code. The Countys new zoning code will provide a wide range of housing types in more zoning districts, improving opportunities for housing development and increasing supply. A new draft code and map was posted on the Countys website on April 7, and the Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on May 5 at 2 p.m. This will be in person, Conference Room, 200 W. Broadway, or Virtual: missoula.co/bccmeetings.

Now is the time for everyone to become informed and involved in charting the course for affordable housing for Missoulas future. The most recent data from the Missoula Association of Realtors indicates that Missoulas median housing cost increased 43% since 2019. The League encourages Missoulians to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities to learn more and make your voices heard.

The League of Women Voters Missoula (LWV) believes that housing is a basic human right and supports current and future efforts to increase the availability of safe, decent, and affordable homes for moderate and low-income households.

Mary LaPorte is president of League of Women Voters of Missoula

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A protest calling for a Russian oil embargo in Cologne, Germany. Ying Tang/NurPhoto/Getty Imags

The European Union is finally seriously considering banning Russian oil, but the costs could be heavy.

The bloc has become heavily reliant on Russian energy and is now indirectly funding the country's war machine.

But a Russian ban would likely push up oil prices even further and could increase competition and tensions with China.

Only when tanks rolled into Ukraine in late February did Europe fully wake up to its reliance on Russian energy.

Two months later, and the European Union is finally thinking seriously about cutting off oil supplies from Russia, as it looks for more ways to economically punish President Vladimir Putin's regime.

Germany on Thursday dropped its opposition to a Russian oil embargo. But implementing a ban on Russian oil imports is a political and economic nightmare for the EU.

The prospect has left the bloc scrambling to find alternative sources of energy, and to reach an agreement on what an embargo would look like.

Europe 'asleep at the wheel' on Russian energy

The figures are striking. In 2021, 25% of the EU's oil imports and 39% of its natural gas imports came from Russia, according to the bloc's official statistics organization. The EU last year imported more than $100 billion worth of Russian energy.

The current high energy prices mean Russia is still bringing in serious money from its energy exports. The country has exported more than $66 billion of energy since it invaded Ukraine, with the bulk going to the EU.

The problem is particularly acute for Germany, Europe's biggest economy. One-third of Germany's crude oil imports and more than half of its natural gas imports came from Russia last year, according to Reuters.

"They fell asleep at the wheel during [Angela] Merkel's chancellorship, just completely relying on Russian supplies," Ole Hansen, commodity strategist at Saxo Bank, told Insider.

Europe has become highly dependent on Russian energy. Prepared by the Polish Economic Institute using Eurostat data.

Now, however, Germany is coming round to an oil ban. Officials have lifted their objections to an embargo, provided the process is gradual, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

Story continues

The EU is likely to unveil further sanctions on Russia in the coming weeks. Action on oil could be included, but analysts have said it's unlikely to take the shape of an immediate ban.

The politics are tricky. Hungary, whose leader Viktor Orban is closer than most with Putin, has previously expressed concern about tough sanctions. The EU  which is not known for moving quickly  has to weigh up the differing viewpoints of 27 governments.

A hunt for new sources

The race is on to find new sources of energy. The EU is aiming to be climate-neutral by 2050 and is stepping up its investments in green energy, but is now realizing it hasn't moved fast enough.

"You have this focus on trying to slow down or impede fossil fuel production, without a matching focus to try and shift to renewable alternatives," Richard Bronze, analyst at Energy Aspects, told Insider.

In the short term, the EU is scrambling to find alternative oil suppliers, with the US and Middle Eastern countries the most likely sources.

The OPEC+ group of oil-producing countries is slowly increasing output, and both the US and the International Energy Agency have announced they'll release oil from strategic reserves. This should make more supply available in the coming months.

But shunning Russian oil comes with heavy costs. By looking elsewhere for energy, Europe would be increasing its competition for supplies with China, potentially heightening tensions with the world's second-most powerful economy.

"Renewables is not going to happen overnight," Hansen said. "The problem right now is moving forwards, meaning you're putting money on other sources. That's when you could get into a global competition with Asia."

Higher prices will squeeze economies

An economic slowdown in China, driven by its zero-COVID policy, has reduced demand for oil and alleviated some pressure on global prices. But Beijing is keen to stimulate growth, and the country will keep guzzling oil, gas and coal over the coming years.

"As you look later in the year, it does become very challenging in crude markets," Bronze said. He expects Brent crude oil to rise to around $120 a barrel later in the year. Yet he said prices would be highly volatile, and could surge much higher than his baseline prediction.

Brent has already risen more than 40% this year, to around $109 Friday, increasing in turn the cost of gasoline and food.

Europe's economy is struggling as it is. Data on Friday showed that inflation in the eurozone hit a record high of 7.5% in the year to April, while economic growth came in at just 0.2% in the first quarter.

A further rise in energy prices is likely to worsen this combination of stagnating growth and high inflation, which economists call "stagflation."

Optimists say the crisis will spur a green revolution, but others argue that governments are realizing how important oil and gas still are.

In the short term, there's almost certainly more pain ahead. After years of relying on Russian energy, Europe faces no good options.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Is the University of North Carolina in trouble?

Yes. It always is.

That answer is accurate and not necessarily a bad one, because universities should raise, discuss and feature ideas  including controversial ones.

A university is a place where controversy and the conflict of ideas are necessary parts of the search for truth and the discovery and critique of new ideas.

But a university can find itself involved in too much trouble.

The headline of a Friday, April 29, New York Times article by Stephanie Saul stated, G.O.P. Leaders subverted University of North Carolina, Professors Group Says. The articles opening paragraph is as follows:

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.

In its lengthy report, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) set out a long list of recent troubling events on the campuses of UNC-Chapel Hill and other universities of the UNC System.

For instance, the handling of the removal of the Silent Sam statue; the botched attempted hiring of Nikole Hannah-Jones, primary author of The Times 1619 Report; the closure of the UNC Law Schools Poverty Center; the appointment of Darrell Allison as chancellor at Fayetteville State University although he had no leadership experience in higher education; the failure of the UNC-Chapel Hill board to reappoint Eric Muller, a renowned law professor, to the governing board of the UNC Press, although the board had reelected him unanimously to chair the board; and many other actions.

The report asserts that racism is embedded in the system. In a state that is about 20 percent Black, 5 percent of UNC faculty members are Black.

The report asserts detailed patterns of political interference by the North Carolina legislature into the administration of the UNC system, overreach by the board of governors and boards of trustees into specific campus operations, outright disregard for principles of academic governance by campus and system leadership, institutional racism, and a hostile climate for academic freedom across the system. Some of these patterns reflect national trends.

The controversies, coupled with constant mismanagement on the part of the system and campus boards for a situation is unique to UNC. The cumulative effect of these tumultuous events, especially since 2010, leaves the UNC system in a precarious position.

In responding to the report, UNC System Senior Vice President Kimberly van Noort said that it contains no empirical data about the true health of the university system and was a relentlessly grim portrayal of one of the nations strongest, most vibrant, and most productive university systems. According to the Times article, she cited lowered tuition, improved graduation rates among low-income and minority students, and investments in six historically minority-serving institutions.

Chris Clemens, professor of physics and astronomy, became UNC-Chapel Hills executive vice chancellor and provost on Feb. 1. He acknowledges his conservative views and believes the university can do a better job explaining to the legislature its value to the people of North Carolina. He talks about how research creates jobs and wealth for the state and how college and graduate education provide a bank of talented people.

If legislators are worried about the universities indoctrinating students to be liberals, Clemens asks them, Have you ever tried to indoctrinate an 18-year-old?

With people like Clemens trying to bridge the gap between the legislature and faculty, some of the worries outlined in the AAUP report can be minimized.

D.G. Martin hosted North Carolina Bookwatch, for more than 20 years. To view prior programs: https://video.pbsnc.org/show/nc-bookwatch/episodes/.
When Tim Rowe started washing trucks part time at the United Parcel Service when he was 18 years old, he couldnt have predicted that it would end in over 1 million miles, 38 years of safe driving, and 46 years of service.

Rowe still remembers the day he started at UPS: April 14, 1976.

I was graduating from high school at the time, and I had no idea what I wanted to do, Rowe said. As far as career goes, I [knew] college was not for me.

Rowe said UPS drivers had to be 21 years old, so he spent three years washing trucks until he was old enough. And sure enough, after he turned 21, he began driving a UPS delivery truck.

He made sure his last day of work was April 14, 2022. He wanted his tenure at UPS to be exactly 46 years.

Forty-six right on the nose, he said.

Its the only job Rowes ever had, he said, and it took good care of him and his family, he said. With his salary, Rowe and his wife of 43 years, Nancy Rowe, were able to buy a house and live in it for almost the entire time hes worked at UPS, and support his family when they welcomed a daughter.

It put her through Montana Tech, Nancy Rowe said.

The insurance and benefits, Tim Rowe said, are a lot of what kept him at the job for so long. Not only did the insurance cover medical expenses for their daughter, who has diabetes, but it took care of him when he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in 2005 that infected his lungs and kept him out of commission for 13 months.

[The doctors] said hed never go back to UPS, Nancy Rowe said. And I said You dont know him. Hell be back.

They both agreed that the company was very good to them during that time, and the insurance covered most all of the medical expenses.

Tim Rowe has 38 gold UPS pins for 38 (nonconsecutive) years of safe driving. He has awards from UPS on a shelf in his house, including a plaque he received last year celebrating 45 years of work.

He also has a collection of UPS trucks he received from managers and fellow drivers over the years, including a collectible one and a Lego one his granddaughter put together for him.

One of the most bizarre things that ever happened to him while he was driving was when he was picking up a package for a business in Dillon he regularly did business with. The package weighed about 125 pounds.

So he insisted on him [helping] me load it into the UPS truck, Rowe said.

Rowe and the business owner loaded the package in the truck together, and Rowe continued to his next stop four or five blocks away. When he stopped, he heard a female voice coming out of the back of the truck. A voice he recognized.

He got out of the truck and heard it again. When he opened the back of the truck, he realized the voice was coming from the box the business owner loaded up with him.

It turned out to be a woman who worked for the business, and it was supposed to be a joke.

Nancy Rowe found the joke funny. Tim Rowe did not.

It was not a good deal, Tim Rowe said. I was mad. I let him know that that was not a good thing to do.

Although hell miss the job, infuriating pranks and all, he said his body was telling him to retire. The constant driving was taking its toll and he was becoming more and more hesitant to drive at night, he said.

Now, he will get to spend time with family, and make up for time he missed while he was out driving routes.

Rowes had five routes in his career. The route he had before he retired was a rural route, where he started in Deer Lodge and then made his way to Garrison, Gold Creek, Avon and Elliston. In the past, hes driven a route in Butte, a route that started in Dillon and took him to Lima, Dell and Grant and a Whitehall route that he spent 13 years driving, among others.

He took great pride in not only doing his job, but doing it well. When he delivered packages, he took care to make sure the packages were out of sight of passersby and, if possible, somewhere the package wouldnt be in direct contact with weather elements like snow or rain.

When he would go on vacation, he would usually get at least one call every day from fellow drivers covering his route asking him where to put a package.

Even without his uniform on, UPS is a big part of who Rowe is. Now that hes retired, his phone has been silent where phone calls from his former co-workers are concerned, which kind of bugs him.

As far as the driver thats covering my route, Im done with UPS, he said. So, yeah, theyre not going to bother me. I wish they still would because thats just the way I am.

On April 15, UPS held a celebration for Rowe where they presented him with an award commemorating his 46 years of service. The Teamsters Union Local No. 2 was also there and presented him with a letter recognizing him and the work hes done throughout his career.

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COLUMBUS JUNCTION  Columbus swimming pool users will get free admissions again this year, thanks to a $10,000 contribution from the Columbus Junction City Council.

The councils action during its regular meeting on Wednesday marks the third consecutive year it has covered all admissions to the Columbus School District facility.

For the last two years we have given to the pool $10,000 and called it admissions, so that everybody gets in free, Mayor Mark Huston said before the vote.

Council member Hal Prior recalled some other details about the previous donations.

He said the money was split out monthly, so if the pool was closed at any time, the city money was not provided.

Correct, Huston replied.

Huston said the money represented the citys contribution to the pool and classifying the funds as admissions protected the school districts Public Education and Recreation Levy (PERL). In Fiscal Year 2022, the PERL is projected to provide $36,679 to the district, according to online budget documents.

Council member Tracy Harris asked if the city contribution was enough; and after being assured the amount had helped the pool establish a positive balance last year, wasted little time in putting the latest amount back on the table.

Id say lets do it again; thats my opinion, he said.

Council member Darin Mapel quickly seconded Harriss motion and the council unanimously passed it.

City officials acknowledged after the approval that the pool was aging and some plan needed to be developed for maintaining or replacing the facility.

Its worn out, Harris pointed out and Huston agreed.

Somewhere along the line theres going to have to be a change up there, he said, explaining a previous pool committee possibly would need to be revived in the future.

Revenue for the contribution has come from both the Roudy Fund and the General Fund, although the council later agreed to use the Roudy Fund this year.

In other action, public works staffer Jeff Vonnahme said the city crew had started patching potholes and also mowing. He said a hot mix trailer had been loaned to the city and the crew was making some needed repairs, and he hoped it would soon be available for larger patch jobs.

He also reported repair work on Oakview Street had started earlier in the day.

Huston also reported the Louisa County Ambulance Service (LCAS) had received its replacement ambulance, a used unit that will take the place of an older model that city officials indicated will be retired.

Harris took the opportunity with the ambulance discussion to thank Louisa Development Group Executive Director Cole Smith for his effort in developing a new financial report for the LCAS. He said Smith had also been performing well with housing efforts and other work.

In his report, Huston said he had recently talked with officials at Klingner Associates in Burlington and learned the consultants would distribute bid documents for the roof and other repair work on the Columbus Community Heritage Center Museum on Thursday.

Museum volunteer Gloria Newell had met with the council on June 9, 2021, to request the councils assistance to repair the city-owned building.

Following her report, the city approved a $36,400 engineering/architectural services contract with the company to inspect and prepare renovation plans for the building.

According to the schedule the company provided, work is expected to be completed by later this summer.

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WAPELLO  Louisa Countys $2.14 million allocation from the federal American Rescue Plan will be used for general government services, but no specific projects have been selected, the Louisa County Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday.

Under that category, the county could allocate the funds for a wide variety of projects that are not related to a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic effects.

County auditor Sandi Sturgell told the board it had that option because the countys allocation from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program was below $10 million.

The SLFRF was established to provide state, local and Tribal governments with the financial assistance to replace lost revenue. An interim final rule implementing the SLFRF was issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in 2021. It included authorization for counties to allocate up to $10 million of their total SLFRF allocation as lost revenue to spend on government services.

The supervisors and Sturgell quickly began compiling a list of projects they said could be candidates for the funding, including sidewalk and other surfacing repairs at the courthouse, annex and County Complex; courthouse windows, air conditioners at the Complex public records scanning, sheriffs office remodel and other work.

Supervisor Brad Quigley said after the meeting that the funds could help the supervisors decide on the fate of the former Louisa County Jail. He pointed out the roof had started to leak and mold had become a problem in the 100-year-old building, which has been vacant for several years.

While the supervisors did adopt a resolution approving the use of the funds as lost revenue to spend on government services, the actual decision on what those funds will be spent on will need to wait.

Sturgell said any spending that would be done yet in Fiscal Year 2022 would need to be part of a budget amendment to cover additional expenses she has been compiling from various county departments.

The funds must be allocated by 2025, officials said.

In other action, Louisa County Emergency Management Agency (LCEMA) Coordinator Brian Hall updated the board on activities related to emergency management, E911 and safety.

He said an April 14 meeting had been held with the stakeholders concerned with the proposed rail merger of the Canadian Pacific (CP) and Kansas City Southern (KCS) railroads.

According to previous reports, the merger will been an increase in the number of trains passing through Louisa County from about five to around 19 per day. He said representatives from Columbus Junction, Fredonia, Letts and LCEMA attended the meeting, along with a CP community relations and hazmat official and an Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) rail crossing manager.

That meeting was followed on April 19 with the second meeting of the Louisa Emergency Preparedness Committee (LEPC). Hall said that meeting focused on the current open window for public comment on the merger and grant funding.

He also reported a rail tank car incident training exercise would be held May 14 at the Louisa County Fairgrounds.

Under his E911 report, he said a grant had been submitted to help fund new 911 radio consoles at the county dispatch service, but if the grant failed, other funding options might be needed to the current aging units.

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WEST LIBERTY  According to Facebook posts from the city of West Liberty and from West Liberty Fire and Ambulance, communication has increased, but there is more work to do to find a middle ground and form a new 28E agreement inside a month.

The two sides have been at odds for three years when the city alleged the 28E agreement that formed the fire district had expired. During negotiations for a new agreement the rural fire district asked for an audit of the money used by the department. The former West Liberty mayor refused and said the 28E had expired and the city was out of it. In late 2021, the rural fire district filed suit against the city of West Liberty to continue to have fire service. That suit has kept the council from discussing the issues in open session.

Last month, the fire department said the city has actively waged a war upon the department through dangerous bureaucratic moves that endanger the community, including deliberately stalling attempts to hire EMS personnel.

It planned to end service to West Liberty by May 3.

On Thursday, Fire Chief Kirt Sickels said progress had been made toward a new agreement. He believes the public safety committee work session Tuesday started discussions to move forward. He commended Mayor Katherine McCullough for working with the department to establish the new 28e agreement. As of now, the deadline for the department to discontinue serving the city of West Liberty has been extended to June 3.

Her commitment to the community and efforts to open lines of communication has been greatly appreciated, Sickels said. Many kudos to Mayoress McCullough for taking her valuable time and effort to meet with our Volunteer Fire Department last night after the work session to try and ease concerns, answer questions and explain potential intentions to move the process forward.

The June 3 deadline is contingent on the issue being brought to the City Council during the May 3 meeting. The city's website says the public safety committee will give an update on the progress and the city remains committed to a resolution. During the meeting, the council will discuss what can be discussed in open session, as litigation is still in progress. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the West Liberty Community Center. The fire department is on the agenda.

The West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department and EMS serves the second-largest by size fire district in Iowa, and in 2021 the department responded to almost 800 calls.

City Manager David Haugland said he had spoken with neighboring fire departments and all agreed to respond to city fires. He said the city had 28E agreements with area departments including Wilton, Atalissa, Nichols, Muscatine and West Branch. Sickels stressed if the city did not choose to move ahead with negotiations, the department still would serve the rural fire district.

Sickels thanked the community for its support through this issue and asks they positively ask the council to support the effort.

In a previous Facebook post, EMS coordinator Sandra Heick asked the public to be courteous to city employees, saying the issue is with specific members of the city council.

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The first detailed report on the state of wastewater treatment in South Africa in nine years was released recently. It paints a dismal picture.

The Green Drop programme is a comprehensive auditing and reporting system designed to improve the overall performance of wastewater treatment plants.

It includes an account of factors such as the capacity of municipal wastewater managers and process controllers to operate and maintain the treatment of sewage. The programme was recently reinstated with the publication of the first Green Drop public report since 2013.

The report reveals an alarming and unacceptable state of wastewater treatment works in the country. In our view it represents a national crisis. What it shows is a worrying decline in the intervening years since the last report was published.

More than a third  334 wastewater treatment works (39%) out a total of 955 systems  are classified as critical. In the 2013 report the number of critical systems was 248 (29%).

In addition, only 22 municipal and one private wastewater treatment works achieved Green Drop status in the 2022 Report. The risk classification of municipal treatment works deteriorated from medium (65.4%) to high risk (70.1%) between 2013 and 2021.

Whats even more troubling is that some municipalities are increasingly incapable of addressing issues of wastewater management.

The Municipal Strategic Self-Assessment report released in 2019 painted a concerning picture of the state of municipal water services provision, and their inability  particularly in smaller municipalities  to respond to failures.

This is largely due to weak management, a lack of competent and experienced technical staff and very low levels of revenue collection.

The implications of poor quality effluent being discharged into the environment are dire. The more polluted the water sources are, the more expensive and difficult it is to treat the water for drinking (and other) purposes.

Even more importantly though, are the potential public health impacts. A stark example of this was deadly sewage contamination in a small rural town called Bloemhof in 2014. At least 18 babies died and over 200 people were hospitalised.

In our view South Africa needs an additional reporting system, similar to the Green and Blue Drop programme, that addresses water quality after the point of discharge.

The results need to be easily accessible to citizens in showing the state of the freshwater in the country.

This is a necessity and not an optional extra. Reporting systems draw attention to improving the rigour of data collection, validation and accountability.

Whats missing

The recently released report is important for creating awareness and transparency.

The Green Drop programme is administered by the National Department of Water and Sanitation. The department is responsible for arranging what is often time consuming and expensive annual audits that cover the sewer network, sewer pump-stations, and treatment systems.

But these audits dont include an assessment of the status of sanitation connected to the wastewater treatment works. Nor do they evaluate areas such as informal settlements where sewage often enters the environment without any treatment.

The Green Drop audit is able to identify the risk in some detail at each wastewater treatment plant. But measures to address the shortcomings and failures are far more complex.

The national Department of Water and Sanitation issuing a directive may have little effect if the human resource capacity in a municipality is limited and budgets are restricted.

Unless there is forward planning and means to overcome non-compliance and under-performance, municipalities will be unable to invest in new infrastructure or improve maintenance functions within annual budget cycles.

Many municipalities rely on the national department for support rather than being issued with directives. In any event these demands would overwhelm their capacity.

They also dont expect to be taken to a court of law for non-compliance by the national department.

The biggest risks

The most prominent risks highlighted in the Green Drop 2022 report are that wastewater treatment plants often exceeded their design capacity, had dysfunctional processes, ineffective disinfection equipment, poor flow monitoring devices, and were generally non-compliant in treating sewage and sludge.

The greatest concern is that treated effluent is not meeting the required discharge standards, particularly when it comes to bacteriological parameters leading to potential health risks for downstream users of water and deterioration of ecosystems.

An estimated R8 billion (US$ 500million) is required to achieve compliance in the short-term. In the meanwhile there are some obvious interventions that could make an immediate difference.

For instance, flow monitoring, which involves analysing the hydraulic characteristics of a sewer system, was highlighted as an issue of concern in the Green Drop Report.

The measurement of flow and volume at a wastewater plant is a crucial, yet often neglected, requirement for understanding and maintaining mass balances within the system. Its essential for calculating the retention time and chemical input required to treat sewage.

The Green Drop Report also has far wider implications than its assessment of majority of wastewater treatment works.

Compliance, for example, is determined against a limited number of known water quality parameters that are measured against general performance.

Contaminants of emerging concern are not measured. Most wastewater treatment works are incapable of treating modern products that find their way into a toilet, such as drugs, pharmaceuticals and microplastics.

The poor state of the quality of discharge into the receiving environment has a cumulative effect on water quality in rivers, lakes, wetlands and in groundwater. Most of South Africas rivers and wetlands ecosystems are threatened.

This spells further natural disaster because these systems play a vital role in supporting ecosystem services such as flood control, drought mitigation and nature-based water treatment.

A third concern, often overlooked, is that young scientific and technical graduates are not inspired to build their careers in the water and sanitation sector that generally exudes failure and where there is limited investment in innovation.

New innovations in the management and monitoring of sewage treatment and disposal are likely to attract the attention of a new generation of technically-minded young people who want to build a career on success not failure.

What next?

As much as we welcome the return of the Green Drop report, the truth is that the standards for reporting are too low. The Green Drop tool is still too forgiving and allows too much latitude.

Clearly the extent of non-compliance in the quality of discharge and inefficiencies at certain wastewater treatment plants is unacceptable.

Non-compliance of the majority of wastewater treatment works is a serious concern, but the sole focus on sewage treatment cannot detract from the discharge of other sources of pollution including informal settlements and farming activities.

There is growing evidence that climate change will increasingly affect water quality in the country because of increasing temperatures of water bodies, increased frequency of droughts and heavier rain falls.

In launching the International Decade for Action Water for Life 2005-2015, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reiterated this fact that

Clean water has become scarce and will become even scarcer with the onset of climate change. And the poor continue to suffer first and most from pollution, water shortages and the lack of adequate sanitation.

In the case of South Africa, it no longer has the luxury of waiting to address these issues. The time to act is now.

Kevin Winter, Senior Lecturer in Environmental & Geographical Science, University of Cape Town and Kirsty Carden, Associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and interim Director of the Future Water research institute at the University of Cape Town, University of Cape Town

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The first-grade class Rebecca Lacau first met last August was unlike any she had taught in more than a decade at Willow Elementary School in Napa.

For some of Lacaus two dozen or so pupils in her Napa classroom, it was their first time in a classroom  not a computer space where they had spent some or all of kindergarten year, but a physical one with desks and books, and at last, classmates and a teacher they could meet face to face.

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In a sense, these kids have never been to school before, the 46-year-old Lacau said last week. If they did come last year, they started kindergarten on Zoom. If they did come to class in person when we phased it in (starting in October 2021 and gradually expanding from two to four days a week), it was in a 2 -hour-a-day cohort where they had to stay 6 feet apart from other people and couldnt touch anyone. They had a very different kindergarten experience than what were used to having.

An elementary school teacher for 22 years and a teacher in the Napa Valley Unified School District for 11  first at Salvador Elementary and later at Willow, created in 2018 from Salvadors merger with the former El Centro school  Lacau took on the return of students after the coronavirus pandemic by deciding that her classroom would be more than her space, but her students too.

One thing we do a lot is (remind them) that we are a team, she said during a Wednesday interview. I am the teacher in the room, but its not my room, its our room. Thats a really important distinction; when kids feel ownership in this space and when they are decision makers and important members, they are more willing to take risks and raise hands and say, How about this? What about this? Im not the only who gets to have good ideas; those come from everybody. Its a really important feeling kids need to have in order to feel they can ask whatever they want.

Such efforts to create a welcoming space for youngsters  and to involve their parents in their childrens schooling  put Lacau on the path to the 2022 Napa County Teacher of the Year honor, which was awarded by the Napa County Office of Education last month.

Lacau was one of seven teachers to be nominated for the award by the Napa Valley, St. Helena and Calistoga school districts. The selection process included an essay by a nominee, a letter from a nominees principal, and a site visit from a team that included staff from the Napa Valley Education Foundation and NCOE, as well as the county office's superintendent Barbara Nemko.

Lacau will join other county-level honorees in the running for the California Teacher of the Year award.

Each of the nominees was outstanding in their approach to teaching, but Rebecca Lacau impressed the team with her dynamic classroom, where first grade students were actively seeking answers, with questions, teamwork and support from the teacher, Nemko wrote in the April 22 award announcement.

Nemko also praised Lacau for her work to use technology to regularly update and involve parents in their childrens learning and progress  and her gift of making every student in the classroom feel special and enthralled with learning.

Lacaus nomination began with letters of recommendation written by parents of two students, one of them a longtime teacher herself.

It was just that after being a teacher for 16 years, I just thought shes one of first teachers where I can hand him over and just not have to worry, Stephanie Miyamoto, whose son attends Lacaus class, said of her letter of support, written in December. Its not just what theyre learning, but how theyre learning, and how theyre learning to treat people.

Included with Miyamotos letter was her sons own three-sentence tribute to his first-grade teacher  not only for helping him solve complicated equations like 8 plus 3 equals 11, but for caring about her students feelings and making them feel happy and loved.

During the shutdown and into the return to in-person teaching, Lacau has turned to an online platform called Seesaw to enable parents to regularly check on their childrens classroom progress.

Although Seesaw was pressed into service before NVUSD abruptly closed its campuses in March 2020, the program became a valuable link between teachers and parents in the months of virtual learning that followed. As pupils shared their drawings, math equations and book readings on the platform, their parents could check in on their childrens progress  and even leave virtual love notes to praise assignments well done.

Its a way to continue the conversation at the dinner table or at bedtime, she said of Seesaw, which is password-protected to ensure adults can view only their own childrens assignments. It empowers parents, lets them know what to ask, and it gives kids a launching point.

On phone, they can see their kids work and respond, Hey, great job buddy! And the kids feel that love, that parent love, all through the school day, which is awesome. Weve had almost every child connected with their family, and if the parents dont send love notes, I do.

Guiding a class whose pupils range from those still trying to grasp letters to those reading near a fifth-grade level  a gap that has widened during the pandemic and its disruptions to schooling  Lacau stays keenly aware of the need to keep up every childs belief in themselves.

I always want my students to know (that) I believe in all my students, in their ability to do absolutely everything they set out to do, she said. That is so important for these little kids who dont yet know how to believe in themselves. But when the grown-ups around them believe in them, thats how they learn to believe in themselves.

In addition to naming this years top local teacher, the county education office also announced Napa Countys Classified School Employees of the Year, who like Lacau becomes eligible for statewide awards. The award-winning school workers include:

Charlene Rabanal, St. Helena Unified School District, Clerical and Administrative Services

David Perry, St. Helena Unified, Custodial and Maintenance Services

Ashley Bradford, Calistoga Joint Unified School District, Food and Nutrition Services

Amy Rikkers, Napa Valley Unified School District, Paraprofessional Services

Suzy Morris, Napa County Office of Education, Technical Services

Carlos Alvizar-Gutierrez, NVUSD, Transportation Services

Award winners and finalists for Teacher of the Year and Classified School Employees of the Year will be recognized at a community celebration at 4 p.m. May 18 at the NCOE headquarters, 2121 Imola Ave. in Napa.

You can reach Howard Yune at 530-763-2266 or hyune@napanews.com

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As a professor, Paul Wagner teaches about the wine industry, its history and sales and has written books on the subject. But wine marketing wasnt on his mind the day his daughter contacted him from Argentina complaining she had nothing to read. Since he enjoyed reading mysteries, he thought hed try writing one.

Id been telling her stories all her life, said Wagner, who has lived in Napa since the late 1970s. So, I wrote a book for her and set it in a place I love, the Sierra.

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His fictional hero, Dan Courtright, is a park ranger. The first book evolved into a series.

When I wrote one for my daughter, her older sister wanted one. Now its become a holiday tradition that I write one for someone each year.

Dan isnt a go-in-guns-a-blazing type of hero. Wagner said hes uncomfortable when he reads stories where the detective races into danger.

Hes not a rule-breaking renegade, said Wagner. When he senses trouble, Dan calls his friend Cal Healey, the local sheriff,

Wagner doesnt remember a summer growing up when he wasnt camping in state parks, tromping through muddy streams and forest glades. His father was state park ranger in the Sierra for a couple of summers at Donner Lake and D.L. Bliss State parks, and it was simply a part of life. During college and after he met his wife, backpacking became the norm and never stopped. He has a website devoted to it (www.backpackthesierra.com).

Is Paul Wagner like his fictional hero?

Dan is much more interesting than me. I like him. When I sit and write, I wonder What are Dan and Cal going to do today? Its fun.

Wagners first Dan Courtright novel, Danger: Falling Rocks (2021, Val de Grace Books, Inc.) introduced Dan as a mild-mannered park ranger going about his duties, until he stumbles upon a deadly accident. But was it an accident?

In the second novel, Bones of the Earth (2022, Albicaulis Books), hikers show him photos of bones they've found that may be human. That leads him to a mystery from decades ago.

Tony Hillerman and Donna Leon are his favorite mystery writers.

They write series set in their favorite places. Hillerman writes about (Navaho Tribal Police) detectives in the Southwest and Leon about (Commissario Guido Brunetti) Venice, Italy. Not only are their plots interesting, fun and involving but set in places they love dearly.

Although he claims to be retired, Wagner still teaches wine marketing part-time at Napa Valley College.

But Im cutting back; only teaching in the fall, and I plan to do even less. My business card says I am retired. Ask someone else. I love traveling to Europe to lecture and have an unpaid Expedia job on wine cruises to talk about wine. Wine tourism is a booming business.

In his meager spare time, Wagner plays classical guitar. Hes also learning watercolor painting.

I paint Sierra scenes of mountains.

When he hikes, he doesnt take notes for his books.

I dont think about the books when Im hiking. Hiking is rhythmic and I think about musical rhythms, especially when Im having trouble with a piece Im working on.

As fluid and effortless as his writing appears, he does have one concern.

Im afraid I dont do well enough describing the beauty of the Sierra. The blue sky, the gray rock; I never tire of it.

Has he had close calls on any of his hikes?

No, but there has been the potential for close calls. Once, my wife and I were hiking in a remote area and climbing over talus (a sloping mass of rock debris at the base of a cliff) and she said if one of us slips and breaks a leg, its going to be hard to get help and get out of there. Weve never had encounters with wild animals except in crowded campgrounds where theyve become accustomed to humans.

My pet peeve about hiking is trash on the trails. Its the worst to go into an isolated place and find previous hikers didnt clean up after themselves.

Getting older hasnt dimmed his hiking enthusiasm.

I like hiking the north side of Yosemite and hikes where you emerge onto a meadow and the mountain peaks seem to jump out in front of you. We dont focus on the big trails now, just find smaller ones where its not hard to get to good fishing, its beautiful and theres no one else.

The one thing about hiking to which hes acquiesced as hes gotten older is an air mattress.

Sleeping pads are a big deal. My wifes one complaint was that she didnt sleep well enough on our camping trips. She got a NeoAir mattress and one afternoon I took a nap on it. The difference is night and day. Its a bit expensive, but worth it.

Id like people to know that the older they get, they should find something they love and enjoy and do it.

The third book in his series, Holes in the Ground, will be published this June. Two more are scheduled for 2023 and hes working on the next one. The books are available at Napa Bookmine, which he says has been very supportive, Copperfields stocks his first book, and the usual websites also have them available.
Turkish Defense Minister urges Greece to solve bilateral problems through dialogue

Armenia has new head of mission to NATO

Dollar, euro fall in Armenia

France ambassador: We support Armenia government efforts to establish peace in region

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev arrives in Turkey

Ruben Rubinyan, several envoys discuss Armenia-Turkey normalization process

Ambassador-at-large: Armenia 6-point document transferred to Azerbaijan includes Artsakh status, security issues

35 people apprehended so far during Tuesdays civil disobedience actions in Yerevan

Japan imposes sanctions on 71 Russian companies

Turkey plans to open consulate in occupied Armenian Shushi city of Artsakh

Police apprehend opposition marchers near Lake Yerevan

26 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia past 1 week

Armenia 2nd-President Kocharyan, ex-deputy PM and now lawmaker Gevorgyan court session is held behind closed doors

Armenia Resistance Movement coordinator: Any incident of violence is reprehensible to us

Situation gets tense during Resistance Movement march in Zeytun district of Yerevan

Over 200 injured in mass protests in Sri Lanka

Unidentified Indians fire rocket-propelled grenades at police department

Armenia premier heads for Netherlands on official visit

Armenia ex-President Kocharyan, former-deputy PM and now MP Gevorgyan trial to reconvene

Azerbaijan establishes new border protection organization

New South Korean president urges North Korea to denuclearize

Azerbaijan FM says he had 2 telephone conversations with Armenia counterpart

Resistance Movement kicks off marches in Yerevan

Azerbaijan FM says Armenia's proposals cannot be called proposals

Azerbaijan MFA: Armenia authorities have not refused to normalize relations despite opposition protests

Azerbaijan hopes to get 7 villages in Armenia

Bayramov: Russian peacekeepers are temporarily deployed in Karabakh

Azerbaijan FM speaks against Armenia opposition

China's central bank cuts yuan against dollar to new low in a year and a half

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

Newspaper: 44-day war military casualties parents are summoned for questioning at Investigative Committee

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
I assess these actions of disobedience very positively. Eduard Sharmazanov, National Assembly ex-deputy speaker as well as vice-chairman and spokesperson of the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia, told this to reporters during Mondays march of protest in Yerevan.

"I want to inform our people once again that we are causing them inconvenience by closing the roads, but it's not because of a good life. We are doing this so that our society realizes that the homeland is on the verge of collapse, is in danger," Sharmazanov added.

And when asked what the opposition should do to achieve PM Nikol Pashinyan's removal from power, he responded: "We are doing what needs to be done. The society should react more actively. Yesterday there were quite a large number of people [at the opposition rally]; according to various estimates, 45-50 thousand. The matter is that the participants of the demonstrations, marches acknowledge that this is not a one-time movement to sit for an hour and go about their business. This is a constant work. The struggle for the homeland does not happen with power outages. We see day by day that society is waking up; but it needs to wake up faster."

Peaceful disobedience actions by the opposition have started in Armenias capital Yerevan early Monday morning. Accordingly, a number of streets have been blocked.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the opposition forces had set up tents Sunday at France Square in downtown Yerevan and stayed there overnight. Resistance Movement coordinator Ishkhan Saghatelyanthe National Assembly deputy speaker from the opposition "Armenia" Faction and a representative of the Supreme Body of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party of Armeniaannounced Sunday that peaceful acts of civil disobedience will begin Monday throughout Armenia, especially the downtown Yerevan streets will be closed off. Also, he called for boycotting school classes and holding labor strikes.
The police have apprehended Ashot Simonyan, an MP of the opposition "Armenia" Faction of the National Assembly, in Yerevan.

Prior to that, the police had attempted to apprehend opposition lawmakers Tigran Abrahamyan and Aram Vardevanyan during the ongoing disobedience actions in various streets of the Armenian capital, but, ultimately, they were not apprehended.

Peaceful disobedience actions by the opposition have started in Armenias capital Yerevan early Monday morning. Accordingly, a number of streets have been blocked.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the opposition forces had set up tents Sunday at France Square in downtown Yerevan and stayed there overnight. Resistance Movement coordinator Ishkhan Saghatelyanthe National Assembly deputy speaker from the opposition "Armenia" Faction and a representative of the Supreme Body of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party of Armeniaannounced Sunday that peaceful acts of civil disobedience will begin Monday throughout Armenia, especially the downtown Yerevan streets will be closed off. Also, he called for boycotting school classes and holding labor strikes.

To note, it is raining in Yerevan since the morning, and all these peaceful actions of civil disobedience are being held under the rain.
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan received Brice Roquefeuil, Ambassador of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France for the Eastern Partnership, APA reported.

To note, Roquefeuil is actually the French co-chair of the OSCE Minsk Group, but Azerbaijan persistently ignores that positionapparently, deliberately.

According to APA, Brice Roquefeuil said that France as the chair of the European Union fully supports the peace agenda in the South Caucasus, as well as the European Unions initiatives in various areas of relations with Azerbaijan.

During the conversation, they hailed the successful development of Azerbaijan-European Union relations, and recalled the Azerbaijani President's participation in the Eastern Partnership Summit of the European Union in Brussels last December.

The sides discussed issues related to the post-conflict period, normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, conduct of negotiations on the preparation of a peace agreement and delimitation of borders. Stressing that the Armenian side accepted the five principles put forward by Azerbaijan, the head of state noted that the Azerbaijani delegation was ready to start negotiations on a peace agreement.

During the conversation, they touched on Azerbaijan-France relations. President Ilham Aliyev pointed out his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Brussels last December and this February in a video format. The head of state also recalled that he sent a congratulatory letter to Emmanuel Macron on his re-election as President of the French Republic, APA added.
Several of our fellow MPs were detained, but now they are free. Many of our ideologues are now in police stations. Seyran Ohanyan, leader of the opposition "Armenia" Faction in the National Assembly and former defense minister of Armenia, told reporters this on Monday.

"The actions of these authorities are not proportionate; they use brute force. There are many videos of the police troops simply using force with a few people, beating our friends, demonstrators as wellwhich is not right.

These authorities are able to use force inside the country, but they are not able to use that force within the countrys borders and beyond. If the troops that are stationed in the city of Yerevan today had been stationed at our borders, our borders would have been strong. If these organized troops had been in Hadrut, Shushi [cities of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) during the war in the fall of 2020], had assisted our army, this catastrophic situation would not have happened, we would have achieved success," Ohanyan added.

Peaceful disobedience actions by the opposition have started in Armenias capital Yerevan early Monday morning. Accordingly, a number of streets have been blocked.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that the opposition forces had set up tents Sunday at France Square in downtown Yerevan and stayed there overnight. Resistance Movement coordinator Ishkhan Saghatelyanthe National Assembly deputy speaker from the opposition "Armenia" Faction and a representative of the Supreme Body of the opposition Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun Party of Armeniaannounced Sunday that peaceful acts of civil disobedience will begin Monday throughout Armenia, especially the downtown Yerevan streets will be closed off. Also, he called for boycotting school classes and holding labor strikes.

To note, it is raining in Yerevan since the morning, and all these peaceful actions of civil disobedience are being held under the rain.
The European Commission may relieve Hungary and Slovakia of an embargo on the purchase of Russian oil, two EU representatives said.

The Commission is expected to complete work on the next, sixth, EU sanctions against Russia on Tuesday, which will include a ban on the purchase of Russian oil, Reuters reported.

Hungary, heavily dependent on Russian oil, has repeatedly said it will not sign on to energy-related sanctions. Slovakia is also one of the EU countries most dependent on Russian fossil fuels.

To keep the EU united, the Commission could offer Slovakia and Hungary an exception or a long transition period, one official said.

The oil embargo is likely to be phased in and likely to come into effect only early next year, officials said.

According to the International Energy Agency, Slovakia and Hungary, located on the southern route of the Druzhba pipeline, which brings Russian oil to Europe, are especially dependent on oil, receiving, respectively, 96% and 58% of crude oil and oil products imports from Russia.

Germany, the EU's largest buyer of Russian oil, has said in recent days that it can handle the oil embargo.

In 2021, Germany imported 35% of its crude oil from Russia at 555,000 barrels per day, but has reduced that to 12% in recent weeks, the German economy ministry said in an energy security update on Sunday. An oil embargo with a sufficient transition period could now be controlled in Germany, subject to rising prices, the report said.

The EU sanctions package is due to be presented to EU government ambassadors on Wednesday.
Across the Horn of Africa, a third consecutive dry season has led to the worst climate-induced emergency in four decades, leading to malnutrition and ramping up the risk of disease.

Last September, 17 patients, most of whom had COVID-19, died when severe flooding inundated a hospital in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo.

And when wildfires rage across the Western United States each year, dangerous levels of pollutants increase in frequency, posing a risk to the cardiovascular system and exacerbating chronic diseases such as asthma and emphysema.

With health increasingly at the center of the climate crisis, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers will gather at the University of Miami for a daylong conference that will examine how climate change and extreme weather pose a threat to public health across the globe.

Themed The Health Effects of Extreme Weather and Environmental Justice: The Intersecting Peril of the Planet and Its Inhabitants, the Universitys 2022 Climate and Health Symposium will be held Friday, May 6, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science auditorium on Virginia Key.

The symposium will also be streamed virtually, and registration is required for in-person and online attendance.

Panels, one of which will be moderated by Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, will address everything from strategies to combat the detrimental health effects of climate change to the extensive research being conducted on the issue.

Humans are now the face of climate change, said Naresh Kumar, professor of environmental health in the Department of Public Health Sciences at the Miller School of Medicine, which organized the summit in collaboration with the Rosenstiel School and other academic divisions and departments.

But sadly, were still only scratching the surface on the issue of the burden of disease visibility associated with climate change, explained Kumar, whose area of research focus on environmental health risk surveillance. But the fact is, climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health, everything from clean air and safe drinking water to sufficient food.

He pointed out that the World Health Organization estimates that between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause at least 250,000 additional deaths per year.

Creating better access to health care by increasing the number of mobile medical units in vulnerable communities, building greener and more sustainable structures, and disseminating information on heat wave warnings in real-time are just some of the strategies that can serve as a prescription to cure the climate crisis, he said.

Many of those solutions will be addressed at the one-day summit, with researchers in architecture, business, communication, engineering, law, medicine, and atmospheric science presenting their ideas and findings.

Using data from across Florida, for example, one researcher will show a link between exposure to heat waves and premature births. Another investigator, a recent graduate of the Universitys Master of Science in Climate and Health degree program, will show how climate and weather can directly influence the viability of COVID-19.

The symposium couldnt come at a more critical time, Kumar said.

With the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warning that time is running out to avoid a climate catastrophe, climate change has become the single biggest health threat we face, he said. This conference will help raise awareness and guide policymaking.
Fifteen scholarships awarded at Women for OSU Symposium

Media Contact: Jennifer Kinnard | OSU Foundation | 405-334-1022 | jkinnard@OSUgiving.com

Fifteen student scholarships were presented at the annual Women for OSU Symposium at Gallagher-Iba Arena on Thursday.

The recipients are from a diverse set of backgrounds, with each demonstrating a strong passion for philanthropy and service. This years Women for OSU student scholars include:

Jaci Deitrick | Newcastle, Oklahoma Agribusiness and Psychology - Honors

Paul Delgado | Edmond, Oklahoma Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Morgan Garrett | Oklahoma City Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Tess Haddock | Stillwater Agricultural Economics with a Minor in Social Justice

Mackenzee Hester | Washington, Oklahoma Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Brooke Hightower | Cushing, Oklahoma Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Haley Howard | Oklahoma City Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Makinley Kennedy | Lawton, Oklahoma Strategic Communications

Tina Newton | Perry, Oklahoma Higher Education Leadership and Administration, Ph.D.

Chloe Scheitzach | Edmond, Oklahoma Physiology: Pre-Med

Alma Rios Wilson | Buffalo, Oklahoma Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine

Mary Erdmann | Tulsa

Sandra K. Trennepohl Women for OSU Endowed Scholarship

Microbiology and Molecular Genetics: Pre-Med

Kayla Morrison | Ponca City, Oklahoma

Wirt June Newman Memorial Scholarship

Horticulture

Denise Neal | Belize City, Belize

Ike and Marybeth Glass Women for OSU Endowed Scholarship

Language Literacy and Culture, Ph.D

Savanna Smith | Trophy Club, Texas

Sheryl Benbrook Women for OSU Endowed Student Scholarship

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

The symposium also recognized this years Partnering to Impact grant recipients.

Partnering to Impact is a donor-funded program that supports the university by strengthening Women for OSU partner engagement. It awards grants to areas at OSU that focus on four initiatives: Health and Wellness, Education, Campus Beautification, or Arts and Culture.

Six grants were awarded to the following OSU staff and faculty-submitted projects:

Fridays are for Careers

Opportunity Orange Scholars

Break the Chain: Stopping Sex Trafficking with Big Data

Partnering to Impact the Academic Success of Students with Disabilities

Supporting Local School Participation in NAISEF on the OSU Campus

LeadHERship Spears

At the event, former OSU First Lady Ann Hargis was honored as the 2022 Women for OSU Philanthropist of the Year.

Former OSU First Lady Ann Hargis (middle) receives a custom glass vase in honor of her Women for OSU Philanthropist of the Year selection.

Ann served OSU alongside President Burns Hargis, from 2008-2021, pursuing her passions of helping students and improving health and wellness on campus. One of her biggest accomplishments was the creation of Petes Pet Posse, which has grown to become the largest university pet therapy program in the country.

She also made considerable contributions to the arts at OSU and continues to be an active and engaged member of the Stillwater and state-wide communities.

The symposium also included an address from keynote speaker Lauren Bush Lauren, philanthropist, founder and CEO of FEED, a social business and impact-driven lifestyle brand. She is also the granddaughter of former President George H.W. Bush.

Emcee Julia Benbrook (left) hosts a Q&A session with keynote speaker Lauren Bush Lauren (right), founder of FEED Projects and granddaughter of President George H.W. Bush.

The event concluded with the announcement of next years speaker, Elizabeth Smart.

In 2002, a 14-year-old Smart was infamously kidnapped from her home by a couple in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her captivity lasted approximately nine months before being discovered 18 miles from her home.

Since her abduction, Smart has become an activist for missing persons and sexual assault.

For more information on this years Women for OSU Symposium, visit OSUgiving.com/women.

About the OSU Foundation

The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.

About Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 34,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 24,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 100 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 275,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation and the world.
Regents for Higher Education visit OSU Vet Med

Media Contact: Kaylie Wehr | College of Veterinary Medicine | 4057446740 | kaylie.wehr@okstate.edu

The Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine recently hosted the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Present at the tour was Chair Jeff Hickman, along with regents Dennis Casey, Jay Hem, Ann Holloway, Joseph L. Parker, Jack Sherry, Steven Taylor, Courtney Warmington and Chancellor Allison Garrett. Accompanying the regents was Dr. Jeanette Mendez, interim provost and senior vice president at OSU.

As part of a two-day visit to the OSU-Stillwater campus, the regents visited the veterinary college to learn more about the outstanding education, research and essential services the college provides to the state and beyond.

Dr. Carlos Risco, dean, gave a brief presentation about the CVM and the state of veterinary medicine in United States. He shared the colleges mission, goals and successes, as well as its challenges. Dr. Jerry Malayer, associate dean of research at the CVM, then spoke about the first-rate research that takes place in the college and the global impact it has.

The CVM will continue to graduate career-ready veterinarians and perform cutting-edge research, Risco said. We will continue to advocate for our students, faculty, staff and the future of veterinary medicine.

Following the presentation, the group took a tour of the OSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, led by Dr. Dan Burba, head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences.

We enjoyed hosting the regents, Risco said. We appreciate their time and interest in the CVM and hope to host them again in the future.
'Standard of overseas med schools is our main focus'

'Standard of overseas med schools is our main focus'

Health Secretary Sophia Chan said where a medical school is located is not part of the consideration, when authorities decide whether to include it under a scheme that will allow non-locally trained doctors to practise in Hong Kong.



To ease a manpower shortage in Hong Kong, the special registration scheme allows non-locally trained doctors from recognised universities to practise in the SAR's public medical sector without taking a local licensing exam.



The first list of recognised universities announced last week includes 27 schools from the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore, drawing disappointment from medical sector lawmaker David Lam over the lack of mainland institutions selected.



Speaking on an RTHK show on Monday, Professor Chan said authorities hope to announce the second list next month.



She said the government-appointed committee tasked with compiling the lists will consider factors like the school's international rankings and more.



"We won't say we must include medical schools from a particular country. We mainly consider the school's standards, and whether the standard of their curriculum is comparable to those of Hong Kong's two medical schools," Chan said.



"We will promote the scheme widely, as we hope doctors  especially Hong Kong residents  who are studying or working overseas and intend to come, are encouraged to come back as soon as possible."



Meanwhile, the health chief said authorities have not found any violations so far since Hong Kong's ban on the sale and import of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products kicked in over the weekend.



Professor Chan said authorities will continue to crack down on illicit cigarette activities, and she urged the public not to buy products through black market channels.



The government will also step up efforts to encourage people to quit smoking, the minister said.
Eight killed in fire at University of the Philippines

What's left of the informal housing settlement inside the campus grounds. Photo: AFP

Eight people died, including six children, when a fire ripped through a poor community in the Philippines capital of Manila on Monday and destroyed 80 houses, a fire official said.



Another three people were injured in the blaze which started around 5:00 am (2100 GMT) on the second floor of a house in a crowded, informal settlement inside the sprawling campus of the University of the Philippines.



It took nearly two hours to extinguish the inferno, said Senior Fire Officer Greg Bichayda.



An investigation into the cause was under way.



The victims were trapped inside their homes as "the fire spread quickly", Bichayda said.



Their ages are not yet known, but he said six were minors.



"The houses consist of light materials. When the fire broke out, people were shocked," Bichayda said.



"Our station was just nearby but they weren't able to call us immediately."



More than 13 million people live in the densely populated capital, with tens of thousands in overcrowded slums where fires are common.



Many of the residents have fled rural poverty to live in Manila where there are more jobs. (AFP)
Health authorities reported 283 new Covid infections on Monday, the first time that Hong Kong's daily caseload has fallen below the 300 mark in almost three months.Of the latest cases, 120 were identified by PCR tests and the remaining 163 came from people who took self-tests.Albert Au from the Centre for Health Protection said 11 infections were imported, adding that authorities are looking into the case of a 45-year-old man who tested positive after completing hotel quarantine.The patient flew from Thailand to Hong Kong on April 19 and has tested negative for the virus repeatedly, before his result from a community testing centre came back positive on the 12th day since his arrival."We can't say whether it is a local or imported case yet. But it could be a local case, as his RAT results have all along been negative, until it was positive on May 1. Because he came back from overseas within the past 14 days, so we would count it as an imported case first, pending genome analysis," Au said."If it's an imported case, it could be one with a longer incubation period," he added.Au also said it would not be surprising to uncover more Covid infections when kindergartens and secondary schools resume in-person learning on Tuesday."We expect to pick up some positive cases, because there are still hundreds of infections reported in the community daily, meaning silent transmission chains still exist, and might affect students as well. Many students will be returning to campus and many schools are resuming classes...so we have to manage the risks," he said."For kindergarten and secondary school students, it might have been a while since they've done a rapid antigen test, so it's possible to uncover some previous infections."Another five Covid patients have passed away, including three reported in the past 24 hours.Separately, the Hospital Authority said it is resuming services at 10 general out-patient clinics across the territory starting from Tuesday, citing the recent developments in the city's coronavirus situation and patients' demand.It added that the existing 23 designated clinics will continue to treat Covid patients in the community.______________________________General Covid-19 situation: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/ Covid-19 testing: https://www.communitytest.gov.hk/en/ Community testing notices: https://bit.ly/3ivX2Ce Community Clinics for Covid-19 patients: https://bit.ly/3q3tz6G RAT reporting platform: https://www.chp.gov.hk/ratp/ Vaccination programme: https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/sen/ Vaccination pass scheme: https://www.coronavirus.gov.hk/eng/vaccine-pass.html Hotline for Covid-positive patients: 1836 115
Israel outraged over Lavrov's remarks about Hitler

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told an Italian interviewer "I could be wrong, but Hitler also had Jewish blood." Photo: AP

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid on Monday slammed his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov for alleging Adolf Hitler may have "had Jewish blood" and summoned the Russian ambassador for "clarifications".



Since Russia's assault on Ukraine on February 24, Israel has sought to keep a delicate balance between the two sides, but remarks by the Russian foreign minister to an Italian channel sparked anger in Israel.



Moscow has previously said it wants to "de-militarise" and "de-Nazify" Ukraine.



Speaking to Italian outlet Mediaset in an interview released on Sunday, Lavrov claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy "puts forward an argument of what kind of Nazism can they have if he himself is Jewish".



Lavrov, according to a transcript posted on the Russian foreign ministry website, then added: "I could be wrong, but Hitler also had Jewish blood."



Lapid, in a statement from the foreign ministry on the "grave remarks", condemned the comments.



"Foreign Minister Lavrov's remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error," Lapid said.



"Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust. The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of antisemitism."



Israel's foreign ministry "has summoned the Russian Ambassador to Israel for a clarification meeting", the statement added.



Dani Dayan, director of the Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Israel, also criticised Lavrov's statement, calling them "unfounded, delusional and dangerous remarks which deserve to be condemned".



In a speech at the end of March to the Israeli parliament, Zelenskyy called on Israel to "make a choice" by supporting Ukraine against Russia, and asked the Jewish state to provide it with weapons.



Israel has provided helmets and bulletproof vests to Ukrainian rescue workers, but has not recently supplied the country with weapons, Israeli officials say. (AFP)
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], May 2 (ANI/PRNewswire): GeneStore's Founder, Anubhav Anusha, announced today the launch of the Company's Center of Excellence for Molecular Diagnostics and Proteomics in Gurugram, Haryana, India. The state-of-the-art research and manufacturing facility is dedicated to the development and manufacturing of RT-PCR kits for infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV, Dengue, Hepatitis C, Japanese Encephalitis Virus that contribute to a high public health burden in India. GeneStore's mission in India is to support the Government in drastically lowering healthcare costs related to diagnostic testing for infectious diseases through its highly affordable RT-PCR testing kits. We have a pipeline of RT-PCR diagnostic kits for over 80 infectious disease pathogens that are relevant across diverse regions across India and the world. GeneStore's model of affordability and high quality for RT-PCR diagnostic kits, which was perfected during the COVID-19 pandemic, will enable us to serve governments and NGO's across the world to better combat infectious diseases through affordability and innovation. GeneStore's Center of Excellence in India and the products it launches will surely save the Government of India billions of dollars in healthcare costs in the near future," said Anubhav Anusha, Founder, R&D Head and Global CEO of GeneStore. GeneStore, headquartered in France, is a genomics diagnostics and research company. GeneStore presently operates R&D and manufacturing facilities in France and India. The company has committed itself to the task of developing and delivering cost-effective molecular diagnostic solutions for infectious diseases at a global scale. Previously, GeneStore had brought about a major price disruption in the cost of RT-PCR kits and testing services for COVID-19. The Company was instrumental in the drop of the price of COVID-19 RT-PCR testing from INR 4000 to INR 299 in India. In support of the COVID-19 pandemic, GeneStore also established India's largest COVID-19 RT-PCR testing facility in Gurugram, Haryana under the banner of PathStore. GeneStore also developed and launched India's largest mobile COVID-19 testing laboratory network in late 2020. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 2 (ANI/NewsVoir): With the need for sustainable mobility solutions gaining a lot of ground and the Government of India pitching in by incentivizing the adoption of EV and Hybrid Electric vehicles, the need for professionals who can handle these emerging technologies is on the rise. To support the initiative of Government, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has tied up with Chitkara University, Punjab and has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer BE program in Automobile Engineering with specialization in Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles. Students will get to learn the fundamentals of Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Electric Vehicles in the first two and a half years at Chitkara University after which students would go to ARAI Academy, Pune to study latest technologies and get hands-on practical exposure in the next one and a half years. The last two semesters will be totally devoted to project work, which shall be carried out either in the Automotive Industry or at ARAI Academy. Dr Reji Mathai, Director-ARAI, Shri N B Dhande, Sr. Deputy Director and Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, Dr Archana Mantri, Vice Chancellor from Chitkara University along with other officials were present during the MoU signing ceremony. "We are excited to partner with Chitkara University for offering B.E courses with specialisation in EV. We sincerely believe that with tie ups like these, we will be able to give to the industry trained professionals in emerging EV technologies who will be fully equipped to solve problems in environment friendly mobility solutions," remarked Dr Reji Mathai, Director-ARAI. Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, Chitkara University said, "We are honoured to associate with ARAI for providing these cutting-edge courses. At Chitkara University, we are continuously innovating our program offerings and with the current scenario, this program will go a long way in providing our students with an education that will take them places. It is a step forward in our mission to make our students industry ready." Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) was established in 1966 and is the leading automotive R and D organisation in India set up by the Automotive Industry with the Government of India. ARAI is an autonomous body affiliated to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has recognized ARAI as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (SIRO). ARAI plays a crucial role in assuring safe, less polluting, more efficient and reliable vehicles by working in harmony with its members, customers and government. It provides services and expertise in the areas of Engineering Services, Certification and Standardisation, Research and Development, Technology Development and Knowledge Initiatives and also offers Automotive Technologies and India Specific Data Bases for automotive product development for Indian market. ARAI has been assisting Government in formulating automotive standards and regulations. Chitkara University has been established and managed by passionate academicians with the sole mission of making each and every student "industry ready". With more than 25,000 students and 1,700 staff from over 100 different countries, the university is proud of the impact that its graduates, life-changing research, and innovative campuses and industry developments have made-both in India and around the world. Chitkara University has been awarded the rating of A+ by the prestigious National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which places it among the 5 percent of higher education institutions (HEIs) in India to be granted such a coveted grade. For more information, visit to: www.chitkara.edu.in. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 2 (ANI/BusinessWire India): As India's premier luxury lifestyle platform, Tata CLiQ Luxury marks another milestone in its effort to offer the best luxury brands and experiences to its customers with the introduction of fine jewellery on its platform with the launch of De Beers Forevermark. With this launch, Tata CLiQ Luxury is strengthening its luxury jewellery category further by offering consumers a global diamond brand who has a legacy of diamond expertise spanning over 133 years. Nine trending collections will be available on the platform across various product categories, including rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants, nose pins and cufflinks. The collections available on the platform include the Avaanti Collection, Icon Collection, the Capricci nose pin collection, the stackable ring Tribute Collection apart from others. In addition, the exquisite Forevermark Artemis Collection created by renowned New York based fashion designer Bibhu Mohapatra, will also be offered on the platform. Jewellery marks a special moment in one's life, it symbolises a memory and helps stop time. Each De Beers Forevermark collection tells a story, and each diamond is hand selected for its beauty. For example, The ForevermarkAvaanti collection embodies the spirit of possibility, and the Forevermark Icon collection is inspired by the stars in the South African sky. Less than 1 per cent of the world's diamonds can carry the unique De Beers Forevermark inscription, proof that they are beautiful, rare, natural and responsibly sourced. The diamond jewellery is accompanied by a De Beers Forevermark Inscription Card, Grading Certificate and a De Beers Forevermark Diamond Jewellery Report from the state-of-the-art De Beers Institute of Diamonds. Commenting on the launch, Gitanjali Saxena, Business Head - Global Luxury, Tata CLiQ Luxury said, "We are delighted to introduce our fine jewellery portfolio with the launch of De Beers Forevermark on Tata CLiQ Luxury. With a 130-year legacy of diamond expertise, the brand is synonymous with luxury, exquisite designs, and timeless jewellery. Every De Beers Forevermark inscribed diamond is natural, hand-picked, and comes with a promise that is beautiful, rare, and responsibly sourced. We look forward to offering this iconic brand to our discerning customers and will continue to enhance their overall online luxury shopping experience." "We are delighted to offer De Beers Forevermark jewellery on Tata CLiQ Luxury. This partnership has enabled us to reach consumers across the country who are looking at purchasing natural, genuine diamonds. Just like Tata CLiQ Luxury focusses on sustainable business practices, we at De Beers are committed to providing responsibly sourced diamonds by ensuring that every diamond discovered creates a lasting positive impact for the people and places where it is found. We look forward to this association and hope that Tata CLiQ Luxury consumers appreciate our offering," Stated Sachin Jain, MD, De Beers India. Browse through the stunning engagement rings, decorative bracelets, everyday wear earrings, and other stunning jewellery, each designed to showcase the brilliance of a De Beers Forevermark diamond. Whether it's for a special gift or celebrating a milestone for yourself, discover the beautiful collection of diamond jewellery that is now available on Tata CLiQ Luxury. Shop here: https://luxury.tatacliq.com/debeersforevermark This story is provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/BusinessWire India)
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI/ATK): India's leading thermal insulations firm, Adarsh Insulations has been successfully expanding its horizons into different verticals including real estate projects, warehouses construction and service providing, consulting company, technical advisory company and many more. Based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Adarsh insulation takes pride in being a leader in effective industrial service that provides design, construction, installation and maintenance services for a wide range of industrial applications including industrial thermal insulation, industrial scaffolding. ADARSH INSULATIONS has highly experienced teams to look after every aspect of each project - quality control, labour, schedule, and cost - ensuring you a superior result. The firm aims at providing personalized attention to individual customers to meet their expectations and to ensure their full satisfaction. They strive to focus on the customer needs to secure the integrity of customer and long-term partnership. Started at a very tender age of 29, founder Dilip always felt to add values towards the economic development of the country. Without taking any financial back up from the family, decided to work day and night to set a new benchmark into the thermal insulations Industry. Seeing multiple ups and down of life and devoting his life towards Adarsh Insulations, Dilip has successfully executed over more than 500 projects over 43 years still counting. Dilip has proved when the vision is higher and the purpose is clear, one becomes unstoppable. Dilip, the Founder of Adarsh Insulations and Adarsh Group of Companies believes his family which includes Hetal Shah, Jigisha Shah, Pranav Shah and Hardik Shah are the pillars of emotions towards his development. Dilipbhai has been setting a new standard in thermal insulations Industry now since 1979 and by 2022 has been successfully expanded in 15 more ventures which are successfully growing across nations. Today, Adarsh Group of companies is set on the mission to provide extraordinary services, productivity beyond their expectation aligned with Quality of International standards. With a strong reason for serving the Nation since many years Dilipbhai and his team has served more than 8 states, 2 UT and 58 Cities across India Hetal Shah elder son expresses his views on thermal insulations industry by saying our industry plays a vital role in conservation of heat and impact the climate actions of the world. Pranav Shah, "Adarsh insulations provides design, construction, installation for a wide range of industrial applications including industrial thermal insulations, industrial scaffolding". Hardik Shah works rigorously for exploring new opportunities and converting those opportunities into new ventures for Adarsh group of companies. Talking about the success story of Dilipbhai and his team. Dilipbhai said, "My wife, pratima ben has played a great role of inspiration in my journey and has always supported me in my trials and I can't see my success without her". Serving with earning is the Motto of Dilipbhai ". As it is said, "Rome was not Built in a day", same goes with our company too. Struggling for the right turning point of life and settling faith for family in early days, Dilipbhai said he was inspired by his wife and parents who have played a great role in his life for today whatever he is. From excellent customer satisfaction to customer support 24/7, Dilipbhai and Adarsh Group of companies believe that serving is key for their success. With a skilful mind and outstanding vision to leave a benchmark in the society, Dilipbhai has joined hands with many social organisations to work upon with all his experience on social projects contributing India and believes that "Karma is beyond everything. Keep doing good deeds". Entrepreneurs, leaders and Humanitarians like Dilipbhai and his family are an example for the next generation for his noble contribution towards humanity and scaling up his life to the next level. This story is provided by ATK. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/ATK)
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI/SRV): CHAIIWAY, an upcoming startup, as part of its mission is working towards transforming the status of female workers and aims to provide a platform for women to become independent. CHAIIWAY has a remarkable working style wherein the company ensures 100 per cent purity and quality of the products. Further, the startup also provides free chai to the frontline heroes, the disabled and the old-aged population. Furthermore, CHAIIWAY is India's first-ever company that allows individuals to open a shop with the identity of their choice. What makes CHAIIWAY unique in India? CHAIIWAY functions as a problem-solving platform for those who want to feature their abilities. CHAIIWAY further aims to benefit everybody that it comes in touch with, including customers and franchise owners with 100 per cent assured taste quality. As part of its unique offerings, CHAIIWAY enables its customers to open shops with the name of their choice to provide a unique identity to the shop. CHAIIWAY's benefits for Customers CHAIIWAY works for the customers, with the customers, and from the customers. Customers' satisfaction is the company's highest priority, and it works to put that into action. At CHAIIWAY, customers can enjoy - - Free 'chai divas' on chhath pooja, Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Muharram, Hanuman Jayanti, and Christmas - 24x7 kiosk facilities and customer help assistant. Provision to answer 20 questions and take a free cup of chai - Delicious snacks made with the finest ingredients - Hygienic homemade products at reasonable rates with 5 per cent to 10 per cent price gifts. - Eco-friendly inbuilt software for students - Training and underdevelopment program on how to keep good health CHAIIWAY's benefits for Franchise Owners CHAIIWAY believes businesses are run with solidarity, and franchise owners are the foundation of every chain. In fact, CHAIIWAY contributes to a hassle-free, affordable, profitable, and growing platform for franchise owners, with a monthly profit of 4 per cent to 8 per cent on investments. Moreover, 51 free plants and management-technical support are provided on an investment of INR 99,999. From no franchise fee to free digital and online marketing, franchise owners can benefit from 100 per cent guaranteed, with that, 25 per cent shares will be given to individuals from weaker minorities, opening up a CHAIIWAY store. CHAIIWAY has got it all for franchise owners including low investment, higher margins, profits, and a rich income with the assurance of sales and production. CHAIIWAY's benefits for conciliators CHAIIWAY provides a surplus on a monthly basis and a corporate gift for every parallel space provider. With that, conciliation is a needed step in the business that enables CHAIIWAY to connect and reach out to more audiences. One of the most important parts of a food business is what it has on its menu and CHAIIWAY has given due importance to what it plans to serve its customers. The company brings to you the best chai (tea) and Indian delicacies (Litti Chokha, and Poha) in Noida. Furthermore, all the food is hygienic as it is homemade and is served with affection. How the idea for CHAIIWAY was born Shashank, 19, along with his co-founder Yashika, launched CHAIIWAY upon observing problems regarding the cleanliness and quality of the roadside food vendors. They then researched and thought about introducing a brand and plugging the existing gaps in the Indian market. Additionally, they also thought of incorporating initiatives that aid housewives and those unemployed in becoming financially independent. Throughout the journey, Kunal, a business consultant has played a vital role and helped them reach new milestones with CHAIIWAY. As a testament to their quality, CHAIIWAY has already received bookings for 26 food carts in the Delhi NCR region. For more information, visit - www.chaiiway.com This story is provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV)
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], May 2 (ANI/SRV): Patwarisaab a monitoring-based PROPTECH company started its operations in Hyderabad. Patwarisaab came up with a new platform to cater to builders, buyers, and channel partners. The startup tagline "secured and value investments" describes its core operational values. Where it is empowering channel partners and giving monitoring and asset reports to its customers. The brand initially caters to users in Hyderabad by providing access to use their user services. This first kind of platform allows its channel partner to access the product information at the fingertips and the sales support with higher commissions. Patwarisaab has created an expansive network by collaborating with reputed builders and developers to cater to their customers. Also, the company targets to onboard 2000+ partners on their platform. The team Patwarisaab promises to deliver legally verified and secured property to its users. And also, users will get periodical alerts about the property. The company is going to introduce drone technology to monitor the properties. "We at Patwarisaab aim to bring revolutionary technology to monitor the properties. when the customer buys a property, we not only help them to get a property, we also help them monitor the property by using the drone tech so that the property owners can view 360 bird view videos and images of their property and surroundings. The company is going to provide a report about the property appreciation and infra developments in the vicinity" - said Sandeep Reddy founder of Patwarisaab. "As of now, the company is focusing on the Hyderabad market. For the past several years, Hyderabad had one of the strongest momentum in real estate, which depicts demand strength. Where the Hyderabad market registers a significantly higher number of properties" said Harsha Raghavendra cofounder at Patwarisaab. The young yet experienced emerging team worked tirelessly to provide a seamless app that is easy to use and understand. Currently, Patwarisaab is recruiting people to be part of their team they are looking for seasoned professionals with advanced industry knowledge who have the profile and relate to the vision and mission of the brand. To know more visit https://patwarisaab.com This story is provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV)
The conclave which marks the silver jubilee celebrations of Surana Educational Institutions was presided by Dr Kiran Bedi, Retd. IPS officer and former Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry.

After unveiling the institution's autonomous status plaque, Dr Ashwathnarayan, said "Bengaluru, the Silicon Valley of India is a land of opportunities and the reason for India's brain gain." Highlighting the state's role in implementing the National Education Policy, the minister also mentioned that Karnataka is a model state when it comes to introducing transformational projects in the IT, BT & education sector.

While delivering the keynote address, Dr Kiran Bedi wanted students to achieve prosperity by having purpose and perseverance while putting people in the front. Dr Kiran Bedi commended Dr Archana Surana, Managing Trustee of Surana College for achieving the 25 year milestone.

On occasion Dr Kiran Bedi, Dr Ramana Rao, renowned cardiologist from the city, Dr H R Appannaiah, scholar and writer and Dr Mahantesh, Founder of Samarthanam Trust were felicitated with the GC Surana Leadership Awards.

The alumni who have made the college proud in various fields including celebrities like Pannaga Bharana, Film Director, Karunya Ram, Actress, Manjunath NS, International Percussionist and Sujay Shaunbag, Classical Dancer participated in the event. Over 40 alumni of the college were felicitated with the GC Surana achievement awards.

The day concluded with an alumni cultural extravaganza where Vasuki Vaibhav, Music Composer and Apoorva Sagar, Film Actress enthralled the crowd with a cultural performance.

Chairman & Managing Director of Micro Labs Dilip Surana, Surana College Principal Dr.

Bhavani M.R and thousands of students were present on the occasion.

This story is provided by SRV Media. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/SRV)
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI/NewsVoir): The premier learning and career platform for aspiring programmers in India, CodeQuotient is launching its first-ever 'CodeQuotient Academy' in partnership with Geeta University, Panipat. A first-of-its-kind initiative, CodeQuotient Academy aims to empower universities by making students industry-ready and giving them better job prospects, while simultaneously helping companies in the tech industry find the talent. As part of its tie-up with Geeta University, CodeQuotient Academy will introduce an industry-integrated program as a part of their degree curriculum enabling them to prepare students for challenging tech roles. This means students will have access to the project-based learning approach of CodeQuotient and they will learn software development by building real-world projects. What's unique here is that it is not just another online program added to their curriculum. Instead, CodeQuotient's mentors will visit the university and train students in the classroom. They are not confined to a screen, but they can interact with their fellow students and mentors in real-time. Students will get unparalleled exposure to internships & jobs at any of the 100+ technology companies that are a part of CodeQuotient's partner network. Furthermore, during the tenure of the course, students will get hands-on developer experience by working on the live projects of CodeQuotient's hiring partners. A program of this kind is unheard of in India compared to the west, especially in USA universities, where such programs are quite popular. And the cherry on top? They will get paid for these projects, and their fees will also be sponsored. Industry Integrated programs of CodeQuotient Academy are designed in liaison with companies and are empowered by their tech platform which enables project based learning, real-time mentoring from industry experts, community-based learning and deep analytics of the students' performance. The aim of this is to create a large talent pool of students who are competent and industry-ready. Commenting on the same, Dr Vikas Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Geeta University says, "The demand for industry-ready professionals has been rising and our partnership with CodeQuotient is a big step towards empowering our students & making them industry ready." He also added that, "There is a lot of interest among the students about this course being started by CodeQuotient." Speaking about this and announcing plans for the coming year, Arun Goyat, Founder and CEO, CodeQuotient says, "CodeQuotient Academy is a breakthrough education model that helps universities become powerhouses of tech talent and judging by the student & campus response at Geeta University, we are extremely delighted and are partnering with four more universities this year." CodeQuotient is a learning and career platform for aspiring programmers that empowers learners, colleges, and companies with their pathbreaking programs and prepares students for high-growth careers in the digital economy. Thousands of students have successfully completed CodeQuotient powered programs and more than 100+ companies employ them. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier research and development institution and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the areas of telecom and information and communication technology, the Ministry of Communications said on Monday. As part of the deal, both C-DOT and C-DAC have agreed to collaborate and work jointly, in the identification and development of activities in the areas of 4G/5G, Broadband, IoT/M2M, packet core and computing. Specific project agreements will be signed as and when required to enumerate the specific roles and responsibilities, the ministry said in a statement. The signing of the MoU will help both organisations leverage each other's strengths in their respective domains. C-DOT is the premier R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) is an autonomous scientific society of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The agreement was signed at Semicon India 2022 event in Bengaluru on 30th April 2022 with the objective of working together in the diverse areas of Telecom and ICT to boost indigenous technological design and development, the ministry said. (ANI)
Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], May 2 (ANI/NewsVoir): St+art India Foundation in collaboration with Asian Paints have launched the very first St+art Care initiative. The annual project is an art intervention that aims to bring art into government-run institutions. The first to benefit under this initiative is The Post Graduate Institute of Child Health, Noida. A hospital's physical environment affects the patient's recovery time. A growing number of studies suggests that an aesthetic environment is an important factor in contributing to children's perceptions of the overall healthcare experience, while potentially contributing to feelings of wellbeing. Infants experience separation and stranger anxiety when they are exposed to new people and relations such as those with hospital staff. They often have to spend long hours without their family and miss their home comforts. The presence of an unfamiliar environment in a hospital makes children scared and anxious. Hence, there is an immediate need to create a warm and welcoming environment in a hospital. Hospital space can provide healing at all levels psychological, spiritual and physical, with the architecture and interior design affecting all of them. Providing compassionate, quality health care services in a patient and family-centered environment is important. Art helps to heighten patient and family satisfaction with the healthcare provider as well as the overall quality of care. It also increases staff satisfaction within the workplace as it gives invaluable aid to staff in either distracting children or positively engaging children receiving intensive and difficult treatments. Art has renowned therapeutic power along with transforming sterile environments into welcoming, joyful spaces. With the first project of St+art care, the vision is to contribute to turning the stressful and intimidating experience of the hospital into a more friendly one, especially for its young patients. The first hospital to benefit from this project is The Post Graduate Institute of Child Health (an autonomous Institute under the Govt of UP), located in Sector 30, Noida. The art interventions will be phased, and would be initiated over the span of a few years. For the first phase, the focus will be on the outer facade of the hospital. Arjun Bahl, Co-founder St+art India Foundation says, "We are excited to kick off the first project under the St+art Care Banner. St+art Care aims to bring art to and transform spaces, which are usually neglected such as Pediatric Hospitals, Old Age Homes, Orphan Homes etc. Our mission is to contribute to spaces, which are funded, by Governments, NGOs and Nonprofits by bringing visual narratives, color and vibrancy to them. Research has shown that the presence of art and color in interior spaces significantly adds to the healing process by uplifting the mood and morale of the patients, doctors and the caregivers. It also alleviates despair and uncertainty associated with these spaces. We are grateful that our vision partner Asian Paints is partnering with us on vital projects such as these. I would also like to thank the administration and faculty members of The Post Graduate Institute of Child Health, Noida for working with us on the 1st edition and enabling our vision of creating spaces where art becomes accessible to those who need it most." Prof. Ajay Singh, Director Postgraduate institute of Child Health, says, "In association with Asian Paints & St+art India foundation, there is an effort to introduce art in hospital settings to enhance the healing of children who come for both outpatient and inpatient services. In phase 1 of this project, the facade of the building is being transformed with murals of children that show happiness, nature and positivity. The creative arts and healing have been scientifically linked. Art and health have been intrinsically linked since the beginning of recorded history. Visual art, music, dance and expressive arts like storytelling have a significant impact on the minds of children. It helps in generating a positive frame of mind, gives a refuge from the emotional turmoil of illnesses, and helps focus on healing of the body and mind. We are positive that art installations such as these will go a long way in improving the outcome of our children who visit our hospital. As the next phase, a photo gallery, art installations in outpatient and inpatient wards, CT scan and ultrasound rooms, operation theatres etc. are being planned in the institute. The institute caters to super specialty care of children and is one-of-a-kind institute in our country. There are similar art installations in many children's hospitals in developed countries." Amit Syngle, CEO & MD Asian Paints Ltd. says, "The crux of our partnership with St+art India Foundation is the shared belief that art needn't be restricted to galleries and should to be enjoyed and appreciated in public spaces. We thus joined hands with St+art over 8 years ago to make art more accessible to the masses through various art interventions across the country with many talented artists and community outreach programs. We are now very happy and proud to begin work on our latest collaboration - St+art Care - the first initiative under St+art Care will bring much needed respite and joy to those who need it the most; patients, specifically children and healthcare staff at The Post Graduate Institute of Child Health. We look forward to unveiling this exciting art installation and hope that it will be enjoyed by all who get a chance to see it." Artists Swati & Vijay begin work on the outer facade of the hospital this month. The theme of the artwork is an interpretation of nature within the framework of urbanization. The mural will show children lifting the glass block indicative of buildings today to show nature behind it. Two other kids look on with amazement from another block, at the beauty of nature beyond mass urbanization. St+art contributes to urban regeneration and community living through contemporary urban art projects. The foundation enables a vision for democratized public spaces through interdisciplinary art interventions that are rooted in the social context. The foundation's aim is to engage the public imagination by connecting communities and providing a platform for artists and cultural exchanges. Since 2014, the foundation has organized multiple festivals and public art projects in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Coimbatore etc. creating iconic landmarks within all these cities. Each new edition of festivals and public art districts brings to civic spaces curated interventions, which are embedded in urban culture, and activate alternative spaces for art enabling people to reimagine how public spaces can be utilized. For the foundation, which has been responsible for making urban art a movement in India, public art interventions are a celebration of the street as a canvas for visual creativity. Since its foundation in 1942, Asian Paints has come a long way to become India's leading and Asia's third largest paint company, with a turnover of Rs. 217 billion. Asian Paints operates in 15 countries and has 26 paint manufacturing facilities in the world, servicing consumers in over 60 countries. Asian Paints has always been a leader in the paint industry, innovating new concepts in India like Colour Ideas, Home Solutions, Colour Next, and Kids' World. Asian Paints manufactures a wide range of paints for Decorative and Industrial use. The company is also present in the Home Improvement and Decor segment and offers bath and kitchen products. The company also introduced lighting, furnishings, and furniture in its portfolio. In the Health and Hygiene segment, Asian Paints offers a range of Sanitizers and Surface Disinfectants. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
New Delhi [India], May 2 (ANI/Mediawire): Does the word "ERASMUS" ring a bell? If not, read on... Erasmus stands for European Region Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students. It is a programme established in 1987 by the European Union (EU) to support education, training youth and sport for students from across the globe, in partner universities, in partner countries across Europe. Since then, it has grown into the largest ever programme in the world for mobility opportunities and also funds cooperation projects. With a budget of EUR26.2 billion (Rs 2,096,94 crore) for the 2021-2027 period this is, the main aim of this programme is to promote academic and youth mobility and cooperation within Europe or between Europe and other regions in the world, including Asia. This program allows students to choose between studying abroad, participating in internships, volunteering, or other exchanges and is a dream come true for many aspiring students. With just 3,244 students from 11 countries participating in the programme when it started in 1987, today Erasmus+ sees a participation of over 3,00,000 people from 167 countries training under it, and accounts for more than 10 million direct participants! Celebrating 35 years of success On the occasion of Europe Day, i.e. May 13, 2022, as a part of the French Presidency of the EU Council, the French Embassy in India will be hosting a "fun soiree" for Indian Erasmus+ Alumni, to commemorate the completion of 35 years of Eurasmus+ programme. This is a 'by invitation only' event that needs prior registration. It will be graced with the presence of European embassy diplomats, corporate members from various industries and researchers from various fields, giving Erasmus+ alumni an excellent opportunity to meet partners and expand their professional network while celebrating 35 years of the Erasmus+ programme. Another reason to be a part of the gala evening if you are Erasmus+ alumni is that in the course of the event, a delegation of the European Union and Euraxess will also prepare a directory of all Erasmus alumni to enhance the network and prepare for future events. source: www.dreamstime.com Welcoming Indian students to Europe, Ambassador of France to India, Mr Emmanuel Lenain said, "The European Union is deeply committed to welcoming Indian students, and France has been translating this into action over decades - as borne out by the rising number of participants in the Erasmus+ programme. In 2021, India ranked #1 for the number of students granted the Erasmus Mundus scholarship. Since its inception till date, over 6000 Indian students and academics have been to Europe and enjoyed unparalleled educational and cultural experiences. We attach great importance to this as we believe that people-to-people and youth ties are the foundation of the strong bond between the 27 EU countries and India." Erasmus Mundus Scholarship For almost 20 years now, the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs) award EU-funded scholarships to Master students from around the world. Earning the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship will cover not only your tuition fees, but also your travel and living allowance. Programmes usually run for two years, during which students study in at least two different European countries, and upon graduation obtain a joint, double, or multiple degree. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (EMJM) are master programmes of excellence and high-level integrated transnational study, offered by an international partnership of higher education institutions, and are open to students from all over the world. -Among the recruited students, the highest-ranked applicants are awarded a full EU-funded scholarship for the duration of the programme. -The scholarship covers travel, visa, accommodation and subsistence costs. -Additional financial support is available for students with individual needs depending on the level of disability/support. source: www.dreamstime.com Says Says Elsa Mathews an alumnus of the Erasmus+ programme, "I was lucky to learn about the European Erasmus+ programme when I made up my mind in 2008 to pursue my Masters in Media, Communication and Cultural Studies abroad. I opted for an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree combining communication technologies and cultural studies, by attending courses at two different universities, Universite Stendhal in Grenoble (France) and the University of Aarhus, (Denmark) over a time span of 18 months (2008-2010). My professors were very receptive to my academic needs and gave me a lot of freedom to explore various options. As a student of the Erasmus Mundus programme, I got a multi-dimensional perspective of my field of study, which proved very useful in my work later with the Embassy of France in India, the United Nations in India, and with the International Language School of Canada, where I currently teach French." Today Elsa is also the Country Representative of the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) for India and is actively involved in promoting its many programmes and creating a professional development network for its students and alumni. Along with world-class education, Europe also throws its doors open to its treasure trove of art, stunning architecture, lip-smacking cuisine, and rich history. Studying in Europe is enriching not only academically, but also culturally. To top it, students get considerable discounts on travel; and museum and theatre tickets are almost free of charge, allowing them to expand their scope of learning beyond the classroom. Europe not only is an outstanding place to study but it also provides endless opportunities to students. Click here to find out more about the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarship and be a part of this exciting journey! Click here to register if you are an Erasmus+ Alumnus for an evening of fun on 13th May 2022, at The Residence of France 2/50E, Nyaya Marg (Gate 4), Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021 Follow-@ifiofficiel @FranceinIndia @eu_in_india @euraxessindia @erasmus_india For any further queries send a mailto:erasmus@timesgroup.com https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/ source: www.dreamstime.com This story is provided by Medawire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/Mediawire)
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], May 2 (ANI/NewsVoir): Jagran Lakecity University celebrated its 9th founding anniversary with a graceful evening function that included JLU Annual Awards and a musical extravaganza mounted by students. The day also marked Jagran Lakecity University's stepping into its 10th year of remarkable journey. The programmes included awards, keynote speeches, musical performances, felicitations and showcased JLU film in the presence of academic and industry leaders, guests, parents, faculty, alumni and students. The Chief Guest for this event was Harsha Upadhyaya, Chief Investment Officer and President, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co Limited. Speaking on the occasion, Hari Mohan Gupta, Chancellor, Jagran Lakecity University said, "Rewinding nine years of our unique journey, we celebrate the unique ecosystem of learning and leadership. Our journey, that started with a single step, saw bestowed upon us various prestigious accolades & laurels and a proud legions of outstanding alumni and students. Our salutation to our members of faculty and staff. As we step into the 10th year of our remarkable journey, we pledge to continue to strive for excellence, for which the foundation was laid on this very day, nine years ago." Students and faculty members were awarded for their contribution in various categories. Jagran Lakecity University was founded in 2013 and has been a frontrunner in changing the landscape of higher education in the state. The institution was recently awarded "University of the Year- Central" by ASSOCHAM. In a recent survey done by India Today, Jagran Lakecity University was ranked among top 40 in India. Chief Guest of the Award Ceremony Harsha Upadhyaya praised JLU for its research focus and providing Skill based education to its students and motivated students to imbibe positive attitude, self-belief and work towards the betterment of the country. He said, "I am absolutely delighted to be at JLU campus which I can see has done tremendously well in last 9 years especially in areas of teaching & research, industry connect and in mentoring students to make a positive impact in the working world. I am impressed with JLU's world class infrastructure as well." Jagran Lakecity University awarded scholarship worth Rs 5 crore lakh for 2020-2021 & 2021-22 academic sessions. The 9th anniversary function saw 434 students and faculty members being awarded and felicitated for Chancellor Scholarships, Academic scholarships, excellence in consultancy, research achievements, sports, colloquy engagements, student competitions like MUN, class leadership excellence et al. Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) Sandeep Shastri, noted in his welcome address about stellar achievements and growth journey of Jagran Lakecity University and congratulated the students alumni, faculty members and all well-wishers of JLU for their contribution. A musical and cultural extravaganza was showcased by students of JLU on the occasion. This celebration marked an expression of JLU's diverse pillars of vision that make it Central India's Global University. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], May 2 (ANI/NewsVoir): Dr Neha Tuli, Founder of 6DOF Solutions Pvt. Ltd. (an EdTech startup) incubated by Chitkara University, Punjab, was honoured with the prestigious 'Women Entrepreneur of the year' award by Software Technology Parks of India, Mohali & TIECON 2022 at its Annual STPI Awards 2022. TIECON is the world's largest technology conference designed by Silicon Valley leaders for entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and investors. The award was presented by Arvind Aggarwal, Director General STPI, Jitin Talwar, President TIE Chandigarh and other dignitaries. 6DOF Solutions Pvt. Ltd. founded by Dr Neha Tuli and Shivam Sharma (both alumni of and currently serving at Chitkara University) provides immersive tech solutions for the EdTech industry using technologies like Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. Neha has won many accolades in the past too for her innovative products through her start-up. She was the runner up in TIE Women Global Pitch Competition - 2021, recognised in Startup India Innovation Week, 2022 & won first prize at IIT Bhubaneswar Hackathon on AR/VR. Her startup is supported by Chitkara Innovation Incubation Foundation (CIIF) with a MEITY TIDE 2.0 grant support of INR 7 lakhs. Dr Neha Tuli said, "I am very thankful to Chitkara University for providing me an unparalleled eco-system for starting my company, providing seed funding and now providing all support to scale it up. When I was working on my PhD thesis and came up with the first product in AR/VR space, I had never thought, I would come this far. It is a dream come true!" Dr Archana Mantri, Vice Chancellor, Chitkara University and Director, Immersive and Interactive Technology research Lab (IITL) has mentored many successful startups in the past. Dr. Neha Tuli is also her mentee. Dr Mantri congratulated Neha on her wining this award and said, "It is a proud moment for all of us at IITL and at Chitkara University. I wish, many more young women entrepreneurs should come forward and take this less travelled path." Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor of Chitkara University, herself is an accomplished women entrepreneur. She has supported and mentored the whole eco-system of entrepreneurship at the University. She said, "I knew that Neha will go places. I have seen her product line of AR-based Education products and I was mesmerised. I wish her luck and best in all her future endeavours." Chitkara University has been established and managed by passionate academicians with the sole mission of making each and every student "industry ready". With more than 25,000 students and 1,700 staff from over 100 different countries, the university is proud of the impact that its graduates, life-changing research, and innovative campuses and industry developments have made - both in India and around the world. Chitkara University has been awarded the rating of A+ by the prestigious National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which places it among the 5% of higher education institutions (HEIs) in India to be granted such a coveted grade. For more information, please visit: www.chitkara.edu.in. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
They took to their Twitter handle and wrote, "There is a surge in #COVID19 cases. Delhi Police urges everyone to mask up, maintain social distancing & avoid crowds. Let's work together to keep Delhi safe and win this battle just like #HarryPotter defeated Voldemort. Happy #HarryPotterDay!"

The objective of this social media post was to spread awareness and urge citizens of the national capital to follow all the Covid-19 protocols and keep Delhi safe, amid increasing cases.

The meme shared by the Delhi Police department featured a conversation between two vital characters of the series, Professor Albus Dumbledore and Professor Severus Snape.

In the meme, Snape looked nervous as he said, "Headmaster, I'm afraid Covid-19 has returned, time to mask up." Professor Dumbledore then asks him, "Are you serious?" In response to this Snape quips, "No' I'm Severus".

The Delhi Police department often looks forward to educating people on different issues such as cybercrimes, safety of women and children, among several other important similar topics of public interest. (ANI)
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday, requesting him postpone the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET PG 2022) scheduled for May 21. The doctors urged the minister to postpone the NEET PG 2022 for a reasonable period of time so that the current NEET PG 2021 aspirants get sufficient time to prepare for the same. "MCC announced on April 30 that the provisional stray vacancy round of NEET PG counselling, the results of which had been previously announced on April 29, was made NULL & VOID, and the final result of the stray vacancy will be released on Tuesday. As soon as this is completed, the state governments can conduct a mop-up round. Several states have already released dates for the same, most of which revolve around the middle of May," read the letter. In the wake of so many barriers to overcome, the candidates of NEET PG 2021 deserve a fair chance to participate in the ongoing counselling process and also get adequate time to prepare for the upcoming NEET PG 2022, the letter added. "Since the NEET PG 2022 date is May 21, we urge the concerned authorities to look into this matter urgently and further postpone the NEET PG 2022 for a reasonable period of time so that the current NEET PG 2021 aspirants have sufficient time to prepare for the same," the letter concluded. Talking to IANS, FIAMA President Rohan Krishnan said that the concern is very genuine as NEET PG is one of the toughest exams a doctor has to go face. "Preparations do take around a year and the last two-three weeks before the exam are more crucial. We cannot expect them to attend the counselling and at the same time prepare for the exam," he added. --IANS avr/arm ( 317 Words) 2022-05-02-21:30:07 (IANS)
Little more than a year ago, IDEA -- India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture -- was moved by the government had given its thrust on digitalisation spanning all sectors, majorly on agriculture with increasing farmers' income but there is no clarity about who will own the data that will be generated from it. It all started, officially, in June 2021. The government brought out a concept paper; constituted a High-Level Task Force; invited comments from various stakeholders -- subject experts, farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and even the members of the public; all for coming up with a framework for creating what it termed as 'AgriStack' in the country. AgriStack in simple terms is a stack of digital datasets, starting with land records, it can and may include soil health quality, weather, crop patterns and so on and so forth. This will serve as a foundation to build innovative agri-focused solutions leveraging digital technologies to contribute effectively towards increasing the income of farmers and improve efficiency of the Agriculture sector in the country, that is what the government's claim is. In fact, in her budget speech earlier this year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had emphasised in a major way on various steps that the government is taking or planning for digitalisation in agriculture and increased use of technology, all that is geared to increase farmers' income. After the concept note was floated, the government went ahead and signed 10 MoUs with private companies, including the giants in the software/data fields such as Microsoft, wanting them to develop proof of concept (PoC) towards AgriStack for select districts. These PoCs will help in understanding the uses of Agristack and service & solutions that can be built using available data and some of them, if found beneficial to the farmers will be scaled up at national level, the government said. What will happen to the information collected of individual farmers and also of aggregated data sets is a question still being debated among stakeholders. The government tried to allay fears stating that there is nothing called a national database as all the data about land rests with the state governments. Of the many plans and projects towards digitalisation in agriculture, the government has under National e-Governance Plan in Agriculture (NeGPA) provided funding to more than half a dozen states for enabling use of technology for farmers. However, as of date, all such exercises are happening in silos. Another digital exercise that is well underway across states and even at the national level is the use of a multitude of Apps in farming. Be it government Apps such as KisanSuvidha or for weather or for availability of fertilizers or seeds etc. or be it from private players for example providing information about mandi prices. Here too, data is being collected that is both at individual level and aggregated but either by the government or by the App makers/owners. Rohin Garg, Associate Regulatory and Parliamentary Counsel, Internet Freedom Foundation, cautioned about grand plans without giving ownership of data to the farmers. "The lack of transparency can impact the trust factor and also, it can promote in-equitability of bargaining power. In fact, the point about data privacy came up again and again two days ago at a consultation meeting organised jointly by Bharat Krishak Samaj, an NGO/think tank working for farmers' for over five decades, Internet of Freedom and IT for Change. But then there were good suggestions to tide over that fear too. Ravindra Shevade, chief strategy officer at the NeML (NCDEX e-Markets Limited) said, only those companies/entities that are into contract farming, lending and insurance need data at individual level, rest all can do with aggregated data at block or village level. Last year, when the government had put out the consultation paper on agri-digitisation in June 2021, multiple farmers' organisations had expressed grave concerns and demanded that the government not rush into the IDEA proposals and should in fact withdraw the MoUs. One of them, an Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), too had dashed off its comments. Nachiket Udupa from the Steering Group of ASHA was very clear when he asked why should the farmers' database be centred around land records? Another point that Udupa raised was the exclusion of all other kinds of farmers -- as acknowledged by the Swaminathan Committee too -- that do not have land. For instance, cattle owners, fisherfolks and those tilling others' lands among the over dozen categories. Pramod Meherda, joint secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, who is in-charge of the digitalization process, said: "The most important fact is trust. If you have to buy milk? You buy from a brand that you trust. Today, there are many farmers that are benefitting from private players, say, seeking advisories but it is not necessary that the farmers trust them. Now here is an eco-system which is trust-worthy, which is enabled by none other than the government. There are going to be checks and balances in the system." "Digital technology is neutral technology. The first thing that it will dismantle is the middlemen, who are trying to force farmers. Technology will enable farmers to make choices. That kind of enablement, that kind of empowerment will make the system trustworthy," Meherda said. In a reply to a Parliament question, the Ministry had replied on April 5 that the "Digital Agriculture Mission is yet to be finalized. The Department has constituted a High-Level Task Force, which is in the process of finalizing 'India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA)' report." The stakeholders are hoping their concerns are addressed and that the farmers will not need to pay 'data lagaan' as famously put forth once by activist Vandana Shiva. (Nivedita Khandekar can be reached nivedita.k@ians.in) --IANS niv/pgh ( 972 Words) 2022-05-01-20:32:52 (IANS)
On Maharashtra Day, which falls on May 1, residents of the city revealed startling preferences and opinions during a survey conducted by C Voter for IANS in the last week of April. Among the many questions asked about political, social and local issues, one was: Who do you think has been the most influential politician in Mumbai since Maharashtra became a state in 1960? While the media in Delhi seems to think Sharad Pawar, the formidable and veteran chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, should be the pick, residents of Mumbai were of the opinion that the late Balasaheb Thackeray has been the most influential politician. The respondents were divided into two categories: those born in Maharashtra and those born outside the state. Both categories overwhelmingly favoured Balasaheb Thackeray. More than 46 per cent of local Marathis chose Balasaheb Thackeray while more than 50 per cent of non-Marathis picked him as their choice. Sharad Pawar, who could possibly lead the opposition challenge to Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is nowhere close to the founder of Shiv Sena. Just about 8.4 per cent of local Marathis opted for Sharad Pawar while a meagre 4.5 per cent of non-Marathis opted for him. In fact, Pawar was well behind former Chief Minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis who was the preferred choice of 9.5 per cent of both local Marathis and non-Marathis. Even Union Minister Nitin Gadkari ranked higher than Sharad Pawar with 8 per cent of Mumbaikars voting for him. The current Chief Minister and son of Balasaheb, Uddhav Thackeray managed to get just about 4.5 per cent of the votes. The results of the survey should be food for thought for the MVA that currently rules Maharashtra. The Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP formed the MVA after the 2019 assembly elections in the state. --IANS cv/d ( 320 Words) 2022-05-01-20:40:03 (IANS)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday said that his DMK government is for the uplift of the workforce as he extended greetings on the International Labour Day. Addressing a public function on the occasion, he said that his government was not only extending greetings to the labour force but also working for their upliftment. The Chief Minister said that the DMK government has provided free electricity to 1 lakh farmers in the state and that this was for the first time in the history of Tamil Nadu. He also said that it was the DMK government that converted hand-pulled rickshaws into cycle rickshaws and said that his government would never tolerate any exploitation of the labour class. Stalin also said that the workforce is the major contributor to the economy of the country and the world and that the governments must provide them with excellent working conditions and financial security. He said that the Tamil Nadu government under him was committed to the welfare of the labour community and would take all steps to provide the workforce necessary support. --IANS aal/vd ( 198 Words) 2022-05-01-20:56:07 (IANS)
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will go ahead with his plans to visit Osmania University here on May 7 despite the authorities denying permission for the same, a senior party leader said on Sunday. Member of Parliament Uttam Kumar Reddy declared that Rahul Gandhi will visit the campus and interact with students to know their problems. He and several other leaders condemned the denial of permission by the university administration. He also slammed Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government for denying permission for Rahul Gandhi's visit. "When BJP leaders can visit Osmania University and address meetings and when birthdays of KCR and KTR can be celebrated, why can't our leader visit the campus. Is it the property of CM KCR," he asked. He argued that the visit by Rahul Gandhi is not political in nature as he plans to go around the hostels and mess and interact with students to know about the problem of unemployment. State Congress chief Revanth Reddy said since Osmania University played a key role in first and second phase of Telangana movement, Rahul Gandhi is keen to visit the campus to interact with students and gather details. "Why is KCR scared?" he asked. Congress spokesperson Dr Dasoju Sravan also slammed the KCR government for denying permission for Rahul Gandhi's meeting with students in Osmania University campus. "Why is KCR and KTR company fearing Rahul Gandhi so much," he asked. Sravan alleged that the TRS government has been stooping to new lows with arrests of NSUI and Youth Congress members. He challenged TRS Working President and minister K.T. Rama Rao to an open discussion in front of Arts College, on the issue of students and unemployed youth of Telangana. "It is absolutely shameful that the TRS government has denied permission for Rahul Gandhi's visit to Osmania University. KCR, KTR and company should remember that it was because of Congress President Sonia Gandhi that Telangana state was achieved and all the power being enjoyed by KCR and his family is because of her. Forgetting everything, how can they deny permission to Soniaji's son, when he wanted to visit OU to know about students and unemployed youth's problems?" he questioned. Earlier in the day, when NSUI and Youth Congress activists held protests at Osmania University and Ministers Quarters, Banjara Hills, they were arrested. Police even took TPCC Working President T. Jagga Reddy into preventive custody, when he visited Banjara Police Station to inquire about the arrest of NSUI activists. Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Telangana on May 6 and 7. He will attend a public meeting at Warangal on May 6. He is scheduled to hold a meeting with party leaders at Gandhi Bhavan in Hyderabad on May 7. He will also meet family members of some Telangana martyrs. --IANS ms/vd ( 473 Words) 2022-05-01-20:56:09 (IANS)
"Additional 1000 troops have been deployed in the district. Security forces are deployed in all the sensitive areas and checkpoints. Areas are being monitored through drones and all inputs are being taken care of," said Ankit Jaiswal, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Khargone.

Meanwhile, the curfew will be relaxed between 8 am to 5 pm on Tuesday.

"There will be a relaxation in curfew from tomorrow between 8 am to 5 pm. Shops will open but all religious places will remain closed," he said.

Curfew on May 2 and May 3 has been imposed in the district that witnessed violence following a stone-pelting incident during a religious procession last month.

To avoid any such situation, admiration has passed various orders limiting public gatherings during the festival week.

"Eid prayers to be offered at home. Also, no event on Akshaya Tritiya and Parshuram Jayanti will be allowed to organize in the district," said Sumer Singh Mujalda, Additional District Magistrate, Khargone.

In the violence that erupted on April 10, several people, including police personnel, were injured when groups of people pelted stones at each other during a Ram-Navami procession.

The stone-pelting started at the beginning of the procession leaving around four persons injured, including a police inspector. (ANI)
Terming loudspeakers on mosques as "a social and not a religious issue", Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray demanded that the Maha Vikas Aghadi must bring down all loudspeakers by his stipulated deadline of May 3. "It's now or never.... All loudspeakers must be removed after May 3. After (Ramzan) Eid.... From May 4, I will not listen to anybody. All Hindus will blare out Hanuman Chalisa outside mosques at double volume," Raj thundered, at a well-attended rally in the tourist centre of Aurangabad late on Sunday. Taking the demand on a bigger scale, he urged that loudspeakers must be taken off from all religious places all over the country, even from temples, but only after they are removed from the mosques. Raj further warned that "if the government fails to heed his ultimatum by May 3", then he would not be responsible for the consequences, adding that he was neither interested nor keen to have disturbances in the state. Reiterating that loudspeakers were a "social" and not a "religious" matter, he made it clear that if Muslims try to make it a 'religious' issue, then Hindus would also reply to it with religion. "I request the police personnel here.... Go and start removing those loudspeakers right now.... This is not a new issue, it was always there, but I am giving the solutions.... It's now or never," he declared amid intermittent rounds of applause. Claiming that all loudspeakers in the state are illegal, he asked if Uttar Pradesh could bring them down, then why not Maharashtra. He again slammed Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar for starting casteist politics in Maharashtra which has done huge harm and has now percolated even to educational institutions where students first think of their caste before making friends. "Pawar regularly invoked Shahu-Ambedkar-Phule, but never Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.... After I raised the issue, he started doing it and speaks of the Maratha King.... He is an atheist as per his own daughter (Baramati MP Supriya Sule)'s statement in the parliament.... After I pointed it out, photos of the family doing prayers are now going viral," Raj claimed. The MNS chief said he held just two rallies in Mumbai and Thane last month and "look how they are blabbering", and announced that in the coming days, he would hold rallies in each of the (36) districts in the state. --IANS qn/pgh ( 411 Words) 2022-05-01-22:08:07 (IANS)
"Chief Minister instructed police officers to take strict actions against the perpetrators who tried to attack Barman leaving his driver and personal guard injured. He also spoke to the Director-General of Police (DGP) of Tripura Police to take the needful actions," said sources.

Tripura Police has said that one person has been arrested in connection with the case.

However, the identity of the arrested accused person has not been disclosed yet.

Congress leader Sudip Roy Barman allegedly came under attack by some miscreants when he was visiting advocate Somik Deb at his residence in the Agartala district of Tripura.

Barman escaped unhurt in the alleged incident, however, his driver and bodyguard sustained injuries.

"The state is undergoing complete lawlessness. The miscreants armed with sharp weapons attacked my driver suddenly. There were more than 50 bike-borne people all hiding their faces by wearing helmets," said the Congress leader.

According to Barman, the miscreants snatched the weapon of his personal security guard.

Both the injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment and a case has been registered in the West Agartala police station. (ANI)
Congress' student wing National Students' Union of India (NSUI) on Sunday protested outside the administration building of Osmania University in Hyderabad seeking permission for Rahul Gandhi's visit to campus on May 7. "It has been decided that Rahul Gandhi will address the students here at the Osmania University on May 7. So we (NSUI) have come here to give a representation to the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University but he is not giving us the permission (to hold Rahul Gandhi's visit) as he has been ordered to do so by the government of Telangana," said Mahesh, member of NSUI. The police have detained the NSUI members protesting in the universities and a case has been registered for obstructing the public servant in conducting their duty. "18 people who were protesting in the administration's building have been taken into custody. When we tried to stop the agitators they pushed our staff including lady constables. Agitators pelted stones to break the glasses on the window and went inside the building. A case has been registered under obstructing the public servant in conducting their duty," said Ramesh Naik, Circle Inspector. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to visit Telangana for a two-day visit on May 6 and 7. (ANI)
As many as nearly 60 per cent of non-Marathi respondents in Mumbai have said that they have never been treated badly by local Marathis. As per an IANS-CVoter survey, the question was posed to only those who were born outside Maharashtra. The question posed was when you are outside your home, have you or any of your family members ever been treated badly by local Marathis? As per the survey, 59.9 per cent said they have never been treated badly while 22.5 per cent said sometimes they have been treated badly, and 10.4 per cent said they have been often treated badly. To another question on whether outsiders are a threat to Marathi language and culture, which was asked only to Marathis, 58.3 per cent said the outsiders are not a threat, while 25 per cent said they are a threat to a great extent, while 8.3 per cent said they are a threat to some extent. On Maharashtra Day which falls every year on May 1, residents of the city revealed startling preferences and opinions during a survey conducted by C Voter for IANS in the last week of April. Among the many questions asked about political, social and local issues, one was: Who do you think has been the most influential politician in Mumbai since Maharashtra became a state in 1960? While the media in Delhi seems to think that Sharad Pawar, the formidable and veteran chief of the Nationalist Congress Party, should be the pick, residents of Mumbai were of the opinion that the late Balasaheb Thackeray has been the most influential politician. The respondents were divided into two categories: those born in Maharashtra and those born outside the state. Both categories overwhelmingly favoured Balasaheb Thackeray. More than 46 per cent of local Marathis chose Balasaheb Thackeray while more than 50 per cent of non-Marathis picked him as their choice. Sharad Pawar, who could possibly lead the opposition challenge to Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, is nowhere close to the founder of Shiv Sena. Just about 8.4 per cent of local Marathis opted for Pawar while a meagre 4.5 per cent of non-Marathis opted for him. --IANS san/vd ( 381 Words) 2022-05-01-22:44:06 (IANS)
In one of the biggest arms seizure in Mizoram, Assam Rifles on Sunday seized a large cache of arms, ammunition and explosives, including 24,000 gelatine sticks (weighing 3,000 kg) and detained four people in this connection, officials said. Assam Rifles officials said that acting on a tip-off, a team of the paramilitary force intercepted two vehicles near Kelsih village in Aizawl district and seized the arms and ammunition, which include three pump action shotguns, five 0.22 rifles, 20 boxes of pellets, seven telescopes, 44 kg safety fuse, and 100 kg of gunpowder, apart from the 24,000 gelatine sticks. The two vehicles, which were ferrying the weapons were also seized, the official said, adding that the detainees are being interrogated by the senior officials. An Assam Rifles statement said that use of such war-like stores could have endangered the lives of innocent people and led to various illegal activities. "This recovery has prevented the loss of precious lives. This operation is a huge setback for all anti national activists. The operation's success would go a long way in establishing peace and harmony," the statement said. Intelligence and security officials suspect that the arms and ammunition were smuggled from Myanmar, which shares 1,643 km long unfenced international borders with Mizoram, as well as Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. Besides arms and ammunition, varied harmful drugs, especially heroin, highly-addictive methamphetamine tablets, also commonly known as 'Yaba', poppy seeds, opium, ganja (marijuana), morphine, bottles of cough syrup valued at hundreds of crores, various other contrabands, gold, and foreign cigarette are often smuggled from Myanmar to northeastern states, especially Mizoram and Manipur. --IANS sc/vd ( 279 Words) 2022-05-01-22:44:08 (IANS)
Bhojpuri superstar Khesari Lal Yadav has urged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and DGP S.K. Singhal to take action against a person who has threatened to rape his wife and daughter in a video uploaded on social media. The accused person, sporting a saffron scarf, threatens to rape Yadav's wife and daughter, amid extreme abusive languages directed at the superstar. "We have urged CM Nitish Kumar and DGP SK Singhal to take immediate action against that person. The accused looks to be mentally ill and poisonous person. He is not only using abusive languages at me but also threatening to rape my wife and daughter," Yadav posted on social media platforms. "I am hopeful of getting justice from the administration and stringent action will be taken against that poisonous person. I leave it to my fan to decide what would I do against him. I live for my fans and always follow their suggestions," he said. He also posted the famous urdu dialogue "Koi Lakh Bura Chahe To Kya Hota Hai, Wahi Hota Hai Jo Manzoor-e-Khuda Hota Hai," he said by signing off his tag line "Thik Hai". --IANS ajk/vd ( 205 Words) 2022-05-01-22:52:05 (IANS)
Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and Rajya Sabha MP Sushil Kumar Modi on Sunday said that Kashmiri Pandits must get the minority status in Kashmir. Modi said the Central government has filled an affidavit in the Supreme Court that if any state government would like to award minority status to any community in the state, it must be allowed. However, he said, the apex court's decision on the affidavit is still awaited. Citing the demographic population of northeast, Modi said that over 80 per cent population is Christian in the region and Hindu population is only 10 per cent. "In such cases, how Christians can be called minority there, Hindus are in minority there," said Sushil Modi. Modi made the remarks while speaking at an event 'The Kashmir Files in Distant Lands and Now Beyond' held by the Global Kashmiri Pandits Diaspora where four International Chapter Heads of the diaspora shared their thoughts on the film -- 'The Kashmir Files' in their countries. Modi that he will raise this demand of "giving Kashmiri Pandits the minority status in Kashmir and declaring them as victims of genocide". He said that the government must also come with a White Paper to document all those episodes of atrocities that happened with the Kashmiri Pandits. "This diaspora should do the first work of documenting all the atrocities to narrate the stories of genocide to the coming generation. Otherwise, no one will know this incident after 15 to 20 years later. However, film director Vivek Agnihotri has already documented much of that for the film," said Modi. He also said that over a dozen films have been made on Kashmir, but not a single line has been mentioned in those films about the pangs of Kashmiri Pandits. "Instead, they tried to justify the terrorism in Kashmir," he said. "This land has been the origin of India's cultural conscience," Modi said. He also said that the credit of reaching the film "The Kashmir Files" to every household of the country goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "For the first time, he mentioned about this film in the BJP Parliamentary meeting and said it has rattled to the entire ecosystem which claims to be the torchbearer of freedom of expression but does not want truth to be told," said Sushil Modi. --IANS avr/pgh ( 401 Words) 2022-05-01-23:14:04 (IANS)
The arrested person is identified as Sujith Shetty, 26, a resident of Nitte near Karkala town. According to police, he had barged inside prayer hall for women and misbehaved with several on April 28.

The accused had targeted the women who had come for special prayers organised at the mosque. The accused had held the hand of a woman and dragged her, police said.

The complainant had also mentioned that the accused had lowered his trouser and flashed his genitals. Before the women could react the accused had managed to escape.

The police had lodged complaint under various sections of the IPC including 448 (tresspass), 354 (assault or criminal force to women with intend to outrage modesty), 509 (gesture or act intending to insult modesty of women) and 295 A (deliberate malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings).

--IANS mka/vd

( 180 Words)

2022-05-01-23:20:06 (IANS)
"A team of doctors including a paediatrician examined Devananda (deceased) but could not save her life. Rest a total of 18 students are admitted in the hospital and all of them are in stable condition," said Kasargod Medical Officer on Sunday.

The Kerala Health minister Veena George has directed an investigation into the incident and has sought a report from the authorities.

Meanwhile, the shop where students consumed shawarma has been sealed and the cook has been taken into custody by police.

"The shop has been closed and the cook has been taken into custody. Food poisoning may be the primary reason for this. Health Department is monitoring the situation. A special team has also been constituted to investigate the matter," said M Rajagopalan, MLA Trikaripur.

The MLA further informed that the samples of the shawarma have also been sent for testing. (ANI)
Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union minister of state for agriculture Kailash Choudhary, among others, attended the event on Saturday.

Earlier in 2018, the name of the village was changed from Miyan ka Bada to Mahesh Nagar but the name of the railway station was not changed.

"It is a long process. Both Central government and state government gives their nod and then the name of the railway station changes," said Union Minister Shekhawat.

He added that it was a long pending demand of the villagers. (ANI)
"A huge number of devotees have arrived in the Belur math. There is great enthusiasm among them," said Swami Satyapriya Nanda, Monk in Belur Math situated in the Howrah district of West Bengal.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also extended her wishes to the monks and devotees attached to the Ramakrishna Mission.

"I convey my best wishes to the monks and devotees of, and all the students' community attached to, the Order of the Ramakrishna Mission on their 125th-year celebrations. May the message of Thakur- Ma- Swamiji continue to inspire us all," tweeted Mamata Banerjee.

According to the Belur math website, Ramakrishna Mission and Ramakrishna Math are non-political, non-sectarian spiritual organizations which have been engaged in various forms of humanitarian, and social service activities for more than a century.

The organizations were brought into existence by Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886), the great 19th-century saint from Bengal and his chief disciple, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), one of the foremost thinkers and religious leaders of the present age. (ANI)
With the celebration of 'Yoga Utsav' at Red Fort organised by the Ministry of AYUSH on April 7, the countdown began for the International Yoga Day which is celebrated every year on June 21 since 2015.

This year will be marked as the 8th edition of International Day of Yoga (IDY) on June 21 which was recognized as the IDY by the United Nations General Assembly under the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 by a unanimous vote. (ANI)
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will chair a three-day Health Summit being hosted at the Statue of Unity in Gujarat's Kevadia from May 5-7. During the three days meeting, which will be attended by the Health Ministers of all states and Union Territories, there will be a detailed discussion on India's fight against COVID and the Centre's initiative --Heal by India and Heal in India -- which has been a major focus of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. Sources aware of the development told ANI that there has been an overall study of how certain states were able to keep the Covid numbers in check and also how they managed to boost the vaccination drive. "The whole purpose (of the meeting) is to share these best practices with other states, which will be the topmost priority," sources said. Sources said that a three-minute presentation will be made by each state and UT on their experiences in dealing with the pandemic, followed by a brief speech by the various Health Ministers. Another key focus area will be to encourage states to boost National Health Infrastructure since the budget assigned to various states and UTs is often seen to be under-utilised. 'Heal by India', a campaign recently launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would also be key on the agenda for the three-day summit to focus on bringing investment in the health infrastructure. PM Modi, when in Gujarat on April 20, at the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, spoke about the same at the Ayush investment Summit about the huge potential for traditional medicines and wellness products. The Summit was also attended by World Health Organization (WHO) Director Dr Tedros and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. In order to boost "Ayush", the Centre has also announced that they will be issuing a separate category of visas for those who want to travel to India for medical reasons and would want to avail of AAYUSH facilities. "The possibilities of investment and innovation in AYUSH are limitless as India has witnessed unprecedented growth in the production of AYUSH medicines, supplements and cosmetics," the Prime Minister had said in his speech at the Summit. The choice of venue for the summit is also interesting as Gujarat is heading for Assembly elections in the next few months and Mansukh Mandaviya hails from the state. (ANI)
The pamburguesa, made with two all-beef patties, a sauce referred to as salsa especial, American cheese, pickles and sliced white onions, at the restaurant Con Todo Cantina y Cocina, 2853 N. Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Ive eaten hundreds of burgers over the past six years, but Ive never encountered anything quite like the pamburguesa at Con Todo Cantina y Cocina in Logan Square.

From a few feet away, youd have no idea it was a burger. Instead, the dish looks like a pambazo, a traditional Mexican sandwich coated in a dark-red chile salsa and toasted in a pan with oil, singeing the salsa to the crust.

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Yet, look between the slices of bread and youll find a burger that shows striking similarities to a certain iconic dish from a fast-food empire headquartered in Chicago. You wont spot any lettuce or sesame seeds, but you will find two all-beef patties, a sauce referred to as salsa especial, American cheese, pickles and sliced white onions. Bite in, and youll catch the crackly crunch of the bread, plus a tinge of heat. Then youll encounter the juicy, savory middle, which is punctuated by crisp onions and pickles, and a tart and creamy sauce. In other words, imagine if a Big Mac vacationed in Mexico and ended up loving it so much it stayed.

The pamburguesa sums up Con Todo fairly well. This is a kitchen unafraid to take the time to do things the hard way  making corn tortillas from scratch, cooking the al pastor over charcoal  yet which also isnt afraid to cast aside the traditional for whatever sounds most exciting.

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Chef Jonathan Zaragoza at Con Todo Cantina y Cocina on Feb. 3, 2022. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)

Most of the menu was designed by Jonathan Zaragoza, one of Chicagos most promising young chefs. He grew up helping out in his fathers Southwest Side restaurant, Birrieria Zaragoza, where the art of roasting goats is taken as seriously as any place I know. But Zaragoza also spent time in various kitchens around the city, and has consulted for restaurants all over the world.

The elote dip ($7) at Con Todo Cantina y Cocina. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

Zaragoza should offer his consulting services to Gordon Ramsay. When I reviewed Gordon Ramsay Burger, I mentioned how the elote dip was greasy and bland. But at Con Todo, the starter is bulked out with a sweet corn puree, so each bite stays creamy, yet tastes lighter and has more corn flavor. Even better is the silky smooth rendition of sikil pak, a blended pumpkin seed, tomato and habanero dish from Yucatan.

But while Zaragoza crafted the menu and was the focal point of most of Con Todos press before opening, he just announced last month that he is no longer involved with the restaurant. I figured something was up after talking to him for this review, since Zaragoza was clear that he planned to be less involved. (Con Todo) needed some help on the culinary side of things, and I had the time, Zaragoza said. I do have another project lined up.

While Con Todo is hardly the first restaurant to go this route, part of me worries that we are going to see more restaurants following suit and hiring a famous name to create a menu and buzz, before he or she leaves after a few months. It might be lucrative for the chef in question, but without constant involvement, can we expect great things from this type of arrangement? I have my doubts.

So the worst thing I can say about Con Todo is that its not the ambitious Zaragoza project some of us were hoping it would be. But with Zaragoza out, its also easier to see Con Todo has its sights set on something different. Essentially, Con Todo is like a refined version of Big Star: a great place to down a few tacos and cocktails, but with a bright Mexico City vibe instead of a chaotic whiskey-soaked honky-tonk one.

The owners, brothers JC and Edgar Castaneda, certainly have Mexican restaurant experience to spare. Both grew up in their familys Mexican restaurant, Lalos, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021. Edgar went on to help run both Zocolo and Taco Joint, while JC spent years working as a bartender for the Boka Restaurant Group (J. Parker, Momotaro, Cabra) and RPM Italian.

J.C. Castaneda is one of the co-owners of the restaurant Con Todo Cantina y Cocina in Logan Square. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

For Con Todo, which means with everything in Spanish, JC and Edgar traveled around Mexico City for inspiration. We wanted to bring the ethos of Mexico City taquerias to this restaurant, JC said. That includes little details, like serving tacos on the same colorful plastic plates that are common in the city.

The star of the taco lineup is the al pastor, made by marinating slices of pork, stacking them on a vertical rotisserie known as a trompo and then grilling until the pork is crispy. Unlike most places in town, Con Todo cooks the meat with charcoal instead of gas. This means that each bite has an intoxicating aroma of smoke that lingers in the background. Topped with a generous splash of salsa verde, this is a fine way to start any meal.

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The al pastor taco ($4.75). (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

The sweet potato sopes might sound like a consolation for the vegetarian crowd, but the masa base is golden brown and crackly, while tender roasted sweet potatoes are balanced by salsa macha  a chile, nut and oil mixture thats becoming increasingly popular around the city.

Con Todo also serves a couple larger dishes, including a very good Sinaloa roadside chicken. Rubbed with an adobo chile mixture and then grilled, the half chicken is impressively juicy and only moderately spicy. Its also a lot of food for $24, especially since it comes with pickled vegetables, salsa and freshly made corn tortillas.

Dessert is limited to a pineapple upside-down cake, which gets a boost of flavor from grilled pineapple and whats referred to as a burnt cinnamon whipped cream.

Cocktails manage to be both approachable and fascinating. I particularly liked the Pina, which pairs Uruapan Charanda rum with fresh pineapple, lime and orgeat, an almond-flavored syrup. I also admired the Jamaica, which mixes smoky mezcal, pungent ginger beer and a dark red tea made with hibiscus flowers, water and sugar.

Its also thrilling to see an all-Mexican wine list. It might surprise some that Mexico has been making great wine for hundreds of years in the Baja California state. Representation is really important, JC Castaneda said. Its just really hard to source Mexican wine from major wine distributors. But they are out there if you look hard enough. If youre not sure where to start, try the 2019 Acrata Tinta Del Valle from the Guadalupe Valley, a lively red wine made mostly with grenache.

Likewise, the beer is either made in Mexico or by Mexican Americans in Chicago. That includes a couple of offerings by Casa Humilde, a promising local brewery run by another set of brothers, Javier and Jose Lopez. They are fantastic brewers and couldnt be kinder people, JC Castaneda said.

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Zaragoza may no longer be involved, but as long as the Castaneda brothers keep the quality as high as it is now, settling for a thrilling taqueria with great cocktails, fascinating Mexican wine and top notch al pastor tacos is more than a consolation prize.

nkindelsperger@chicagotribune.com

Con Todo Cantina y Cocina

2853 N. Kedzie Ave.

773-681-0674

Eat. Watch. Do. Weekly What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now. >

contodochicago.com

Tribune rating: Between good and very good

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Open: Wednesday to Saturday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Prices: Starters, $5 to $20; main course, $15 to $24

Noise: Conversation friendly

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, bathrooms on first floor
Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "May 03, the doors of "Yamunotri Dham" dedicated to Goddess Yamuna will open on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya. I wish all of you devotees a devotional, smooth and pleasant Chardham Yatra. #ChardhamYatra2022"

Notably, Yamunotri is a part of Char Dham (along with Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath), the four most revered Hindu pilgrimages in the Himalayas.

Yamunotri Dham attracts thousands of devotees every year and is the commencing point of the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage, which proceeds from Yamunotri to Gangotri and finally to Kedarnath and Badrinath. This temple is dedicated to Yamuna, the second-most sacred river after the Ganga, as per Hindu beliefs. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday while saying that bodily autonomy and integrity are constitutional rights and no individual can be forced to get vaccinated against COVID also affirmed the Central government's COVID-19 vaccination policy. A bench of Justices L Nageswara Rao and BR Gavai also held that the vaccine mandates imposed by various state governments and other authorities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic are "not proportionate". Saying that restrictions on unvaccinated individuals in relation to public places and access to resources are unreasonable, the bench suggested the states remove such restrictions. The bench said it is satisfied that the current vaccine policy cannot be said to be unreasonable and manifestly arbitrary. It further held that no substantial data has been produced on record by the Centre to show that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 virus from the unvaccinated persons is higher than from the vaccinated persons. The top court also directed the Centre to make public the data on the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccination. On COVID-19 vaccination for children, the apex court said that it is not possible for it to second guess the opinion of experts and the vaccination indeed follows the global standards and practices. The judgement of the apex court came on a PIL filed by Dr Jacob Puliyel alleging coercive vaccination of citizens and seeking disclosure of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial data and post-vaccination data. It sought public disclosure of COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial data and post-vaccination data, claiming that it is mandatory and required that the government must publish the data as per the international medical norms. Dr Puliyel had also sought a stay on the COVID-19 vaccine mandates that are being issued by authorities in various parts of the country. He had also said that the Helsinki and World Health Organization (WHO) mandated that all COVID-19 vaccine data and trials be made in a transparent manner, which, in this case, was not made. The plea sought direction to the Centre to disclose the reasoned decision of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granting approval or rejecting an application for emergency use authorization of COVID-19 vaccines and to also disclose the post-vaccination data regarding the adverse impact of vaccines -- who got infected, who needed hospitalization and those who died after such infection post-COVID-19 vaccination. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Education minister Dhan Singh Rawat on Monday said that Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Gita will be taught in schools across the state. Speaking to ANI, minister Rawat said that Uttarakhand will be the first state to implement the new National Education Policy (NEP) this year. "We are going to implement NEP this year in the upcoming session, Uttarakhand will be the first state to implement it. We will be including Vedas, Gita, Ramayana, and the history of Uttarakhand in the syllabus after taking suggestions from the public and consulting the academicians," the education minister said. Minister Rawat noted that the new education policy states that the syllabus for the students should be prepared based on Indian history and traditions and that states can choose 30 per cent to 40 per cent of what is put in their syllabus. Meanwhile, the minister pointed out that preparations for the Char Dham Yatra had begun this year and preparations have begun to welcome lakhs of visiting devotees. "It is not mandatory for the travellers to carry a negative test report or COVID-19 vaccination certificate this year," Rawat said. (ANI)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has put up 'Chalo Ayodhya' posters in Mumbai, appealing to people to join party chief Raj Thackeray on his visit to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh on June 5. In the poster written in Hindi, it reads, "Jai Shri Ram. Dharmada nahi main bhi dharm abhimani. Chalo Ayodhya (loosely translated as Jai Shri Ram. I am not religious for goodness' sake. I am a regious person. Let's go to Ayodhya.)" The MNS chief on Sunday termed the use of loudspeakers in mosques as "a social and not a religious issue" and exhorted that he was firm on the May 3 deadline for their removal. Amid the ongoing political row over the use of loudspeakers at mosques, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Sunday warned and said that if loudspeakers are not taken down then the Hanuman Chalisa would be played with double volume compared to Azaan (a call for prayer by Muslims) from May 4. Addressing a gathering at Sanskrutik Mandal Maidan in Aurangabad, where a huge crowd was gathered, the MNS chief said on Sunday, "Today is the first day of Maharashtra (Maharashtra Day). I won't listen from the 4th day from now. Wherever we will see a loudspeaker, we will also chant Hanuman Chalisa in front of the loudspeaker in double volume." Thackeray further said that loudspeaker is not a religious issue but it is a national issue and warned that if they don't stop, then we will also take a stand. "This is not a religious issue. It is a national issue but if you stop us, we will also take a stand. All the loudspeaker speaker is not under the law and it is illegal. The Supreme Court already said it was illegal, it was not a matter of Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad). When we take sabha they say it was an education zone, a temple zone, you can't take sabha, but for them, there is an objection. Who gave you rights?" asked the MNS chief. On the loudspeaker issue, he said, "One journalist asked me why do you take a stand on loudspeakers today. I said that we chant Hanuman Chalisa and Muslims should listen. A Nashik journalist told me that he is a Muslim and that he also has a problem with loudspeakers. His children can't sleep." He further requested the state police to stop the use of loudspeakers otherwise "we won't keep quiet". He also announced that he will do more rallies in Marathwada, Vidarbha and other cities as well. "I will do rally in all cities Vidarbha, Kokan, west Maharashtra, east Maharashtra," he said. (ANI)
Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday said that the ongoing debate on Uniform Civil Code in the country will give positive and constructive outcome for the nation. He said, negative and positive are the only two outcomes, the good thing is that there is a debate. Minority Affairs Minister said, "I am happy that Uniform Civil Code is one of the responsibilities we have with our constitutional rights. Today, while we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Independence, this topic has emerged as a national debate. Many people like it and many don't. People are putting forward their opinions, either positive or negative but the discussion is on. I am sure the country will experience positive and constructive outcomes out of this national debate." Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said that the Uniform Civil Code should be implemented in the country to end the practice of polygamy. "If Uniform Civil Code will not be implemented then polygamy system will continue in our society where a man marries 3-4 times curtailing the fundamental rights of women, our mothers, sisters. Uniform Civil Code should be implemented for the greater interest of our Muslim girls and women so that a man does not engage in polygamy," said Sarma. Encouraging the statement of Assam CM, Naqvi said, "Uniform Civil Code is a constructive debate and positive and negative is a part of the discussion. The thing is, there should be a debate. People should have more positive debates on this topic." He further said, "UCC is not being introduced for the first time in the world, our constitution-makers said that we must move towards adopting UCC. It is a different matter that it has been 75 years since we are moving." Notably, in Bharatiya Janata Party's 2019 Lok Sabha election manifesto, BJP promised the implementation of UCC if it comes to power. Earlier Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government will be examining the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code. (ANI)
Sivasagar (Assam) [India], May 2: The Ayush Ministry with active support from the Assam government on Monday organised a Yoga Utsav at the iconic holy site of Shiva Dol in Sivasagar to mark the 50 days countdown to the International Day of Yoga, 2022. The event, conducted by Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) under the Ministry of Ayush, saw the participation of more than 8000 Yoga enthusiasts. The Utsav was simultaneously held at seven historic locations of the Sivasagar district in Assam which included Thora Dol, Rudrasagar Dol, Ronghar, Tolatol Ghar, Kareng Ghar and Joydol. The event is aimed at creating awareness about the various dimensions of Yoga and its ability to enrich human lives. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Women & Child and Ayush Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai Kalubhai along with the State Health Minister Keshab Mahanta attended the event. Senior officials from Central and all North-East states including eminent dignitaries and experts, Yoga enthusiasts and students participated in this Utsav. Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this wonderful branch of Indian civilisation has got the necessary push to augment brand India as well as Yoga." Today's event is a manifestation of our effort to put the beautiful heritage of Sivasagar on the international tourism platform, the minister said. "I am happy that today's event was successful. Our rich socio-cultural heritage is highlighted among the people beyond Assam. The idea behind the Utsav is to encourage people to take up this wonderful fruit of Indian civilization and use it to enrich their quality of life," Sonowal said. He further said that Sivasagar has been selected for the Yoga Utsav because the Prime Minister of India had unveiled a plan to develop five Archaeological sites viz. Rakhigari (Haryana), Hastinapur (Uttar Pradesh), Sivasagar (Assam), Dholavira (Gujarat) and Adichanallur (Tamil Nadu)) into 'iconic' sites across India. The 8th edition of International Day of Yoga (IDY2022) is being promoted through multiple programmes by the Ministry to take the message of Yoga across the world to a wider audience. A curtain raiser event to mark the 100 days countdown to IDY2022 was celebrated on March 13 while a 75-day countdown event was organized at the Red Fort in Delhi. The 25 days countdown to IDY2022 will be celebrated in Hyderabad. The International Day of Yoga is celebrated across the world on June 21 every year. This year, the Yoga Utsav is being celebrated across 75 heritage sites of historical importance as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' in order to give a fillip to the brand India. (ANI)
The COVID-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) will review the data of COVID-19 vaccines for the children aged 5 to 12 years on May 4, said sources on Monday. "After looking into the safety and efficacy data of the vaccines, the second level Standing Technical Sub-Committee (STSC) will review and discuss the recommendations by the working group. The STSC will again review the data and then give their decision to the final group of NTAGI that will take the final call," said sources. Recently, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted emergency use authorization to Biological E's Corbevax for children in the age bracket of 5 to 12 years and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for kids aged 6 to 12 years. Last week, NTAGI approved the Serum Institute of India's COVID-19 vaccine Covovax for the age group 12-17. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that vaccination for all eligible children at the earliest with "special campaigns" in schools is a priority for the government. Covovax has already been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for children above 12 years of age, but its administration has not been allowed yet. COVID-19 vaccination for minors in India started from January 3 onwards for those in the 15-18 age group with Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. The drive later expanded on March 16 to include children aged above 12 for Corbevax. India is currently administering two COVID-19 vaccines for children above 12. (ANI)
MP Navneet Rana's lawyer on Monday wrote a letter to the Superintendent of Byculla Jail stating that the BJP leader has spondylosis which is increasing due to continuously sitting and lying on the floor in jail. The lawyer further stated that Rana needs to undergo a CT scan so that the doctors can understand the seriousness of her condition, adding that the jail authorities denied permission for the same. He warned that if Rana's condition deteriorates due to a lack of timely diagnosis, then the jail authorities will be responsible for the same. Rana's lawyer in his letter said, "Navneet Rana has a problem of spondylosis which is increasing due to continuously sitting and lying on the floor in jail. In view of this, she was taken to JJ Hospital on 27 April. The doctor of JJ Hospital has specifically written that it is mandatory to do a CT scan of Rana so that they can understand how serious the problem of spondylosis is, but the concerned authorities did not allow for the same. Until this does not happen, it is difficult to decide what medicine or treatment should be given to Rana." He further wrote, "We have requested the concerned authorities but our request has not been accepted. If Navneet Rana's problem increases even more and something happens to her, then you will be responsible for it." MP Navneet Rana and her husband Ravi Rana, who is an independent MLA, were arrested on April 23 from their Mumbai residence after declaring that they would recite the Hanuman Chalisa outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's home in Bandra. The two were booked in two FIRs lodged on charges of sedition, promoting enmity, and assaulting a public servant to prevent discharge of duty. Rana was jailed after her arrest at Khar Police Station. She was later moved to the Byculla women's prison the following day. On April 24, the couple was sent to judicial custody for 14-days by the Holiday and Sunday court of Metropolitan Magistrate, Bandra. The Mumbai police asked them to file their statement on the bail plea on April 27. The Mumbai Sessions Court on Saturday heard bail applications of the couple. However, the court decided to deliver its verdict on Monday. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice on a PIL challenging the construction, operation and maintenance of upcoming commercial shops, retail space, food court, and multilevel car parking facility by demolishing/razing the Primary school (in existence since 1927) on Bank Street in Delhi's Karol Bagh. The bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Navin Chawla on Monday said the Court will definitely examine the issue and sought a response from the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), Delhi Government, Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), and OMTECH Construction and Infrastrucure Ltd. The court fixed the matter for July 15, 2022. However, the court refused to stay on the construction as of now. Meanwhile, appearing for Delhi Government, Advocate Santosh Kumar Tripathi opposed the decision of conversion of 'land use' and construction on school land. He submitted that decongestion cannot take place at the cost of the education of the children, if the concerned Corporation is unable to run this school, the Delhi Government is willing to run the school. The lawyer of NDMC while opposing the plea said this is the sixth petition in this regard and it is a clear proxy petition to safeguard some persons. The Corporation followed all rules and regulations while changing the land use of the concerned plot and a resolution was also passed in this regard. Advocate Amit Sahani, a social activist and petitioner in person has submitted that the NDMC has in October 2021 proposed to construct the multi-level parking by demolishing the building of the municipal school. The land of school measuring 4200 sq. metres was sold to OMTECH for Rs 181 crores under the garb of directions issued by the Delhi High Court for the construction of multi-level parking thereon. The petition has stated that in 2019, the NDMC stopped using the school building by shifting the students to another school in Shiv Nagar, measuring only 1,420 sq metres which is much smaller in size than the previous one and does not have infrastructures like playground and green area. Shiv Nagar School is overcrowded as after the COVID pandemic, most of the parents are not able to afford private schools and send their children to government schools, the petition stated. Respondent OMTECH is advertising the project as a commercial building with a food court, shops and offices. As per the advertisement, the parking will be underground and would be for 500 vehicles only. It would be insufficient for the parking need of the area, it added. Advocate Sahni further said the NDMC and Delhi Government are duty-bound to provide free and compulsory education to the children below the age of 14 and DCPCR is statutory watching for the protection of child rights. The plea further said that NDMC has sold the said school land in violation and directions passed by the High court and the Supreme Court. This would adversely affect the constitutional rights of the deprived sections of society whose children study in government schools, it added. (ANI)
After rolling out the May 2022 Android security patch for the Galaxy S22 lineup last week, according to GSM Arena, the company will now be releasing the same for the Galaxy S21 series along with a new software update.

The new build has firmware version G991BXXU5CVDD and is currently seeding for the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra in Italy.

However, the rollout is expected to expand to other European countries in a few days, followed by the rest of the markets.

As per GSM Arena, for those who haven't received the new update on their S21/S21+/S21 Ultra yet, they can check for it manually by heading to your phone's Settings and then the Software update menu. (ANI)
Xi Story: Hard work on even harder land

Xinhua) 09:04, May 02, 2022

Aerial photo taken on July 29, 2020 shows a view of Liangjiahe Village of Yanchuan County in Yan'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

BEIJING, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is not only widely recognized as a hard-working leader, but also known to the public for his respect for manual labor.

Today, when people visit the village of Liangjiahe in Shaanxi Province, northwest China, they are greeted by swathes of lush, green farmland. Such scenery is largely attributed to a functioning check dam, which could not exist without the ingenuity and hard graft of Xi.

Xi arrived in Liangjiahe in 1969. During that period of time, he was just one of the millions of urban educated youth who were sent to the country's rural areas to "learn from the peasants."

The dam was first proposed by Xi, Party chief of the village at the time, and he personally took part in its construction. The young Xi worked from dawn to dusk, and not merely in a managerial capacity. He rolled up sleeves and trouser legs, and got his hands thoroughly dirty, shoveling dirt, packing earth, and carrying large stones to build the embankment. In the piercing cold of winter, he walked barefoot to scoop up ice from the ditch's bed.

Xi and his fellow villagers' work transformed the notoriously harsh, dry banks of the Loess Plateau's characteristic yellow earth into fertile farmland.

"Xi spared no effort in his work and never shrunk from hardship," recalled Wang Xianping, a Liangjiahe villager, adding, "he never tried to coast but worked even harder than us."

While the project illustrates how the hard labor of working people can transform the lives and prospects of a community, it had an even wider-reaching impact. After all, Xi's attitude toward these crucial members of society was cultivated in his seven years in Liangjiahe, and he has taken it with him throughout his political career, and across the country.

While working as the Party chief of Zhengding, north China's Hebei Province, he joined local villagers in hoeing and seed thinning as skillfully as an old farmhand. In Ningde, east China's Fujian Province, Xi personally participated in a canal renovation project.

Xi developed a hard-working ethic and has kept his respect for manual labor even to this date. As the country's top leader, Xi participated in tree-planting activities for 10 consecutive years. He was seen using a trench digger to plow the sand into trench and spread wheat straw on it during his inspection tour to Babusha Forest Farm in Gansu Province.

Xi also wrote to manual workers, visited them at construction sites, presented medals to model workers and heaped praises on them.

"No matter how the times change, we must always treat work and working people with reverence and respect, and we must always attach significance to the leading role of the working class and working people." These words by Xi encapsulate his decades of concern, support and respect for the workforce.

"People's beautiful dreams can be realized only through hard work," said the president, and he has long been committed to helping their dreams come true.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
NEW YORK  Donald Trumps post-presidency enters a new phase this month as voters across the U.S. begin weighing the candidates he elevated to pursue a vision of a Republican Party steeped in hardline populism, culture wars and denial of his loss in the 2020 campaign.

The first test comes on Tuesday when voters in Ohio choose between the Trump-backed JD Vance for an open U.S. Senate seat and several other contenders who spent months clamoring for the former presidents support. In the following weeks, elections in Nebraska, Pennsylvania and North Carolina will also serve as a referendum on Trumps ability to shape the future of the GOP.

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In nearly every case, Trump has endorsed only those who embrace his false claims of election fraud and excuse the deadly U.S. Capitol insurrection he inspired last year.

The month of May is going to be a critical window into where we are, said Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan, a Trump critic defending incumbent GOP governors in Georgia, Ohio and Idaho against Trump-backed challengers this month. Im just concerned that there are some people trying to tear the party apart or burn it down.

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Few states may be a higher priority for Trump than Georgia, where early voting begins on Monday ahead of the May 24 primary. Hes taken a particularly active role in the governors race there, recruiting a former U.S. senator to take on the incumbent Republican for failing to go along with his election lie. For similar reasons, Trump is also aiming to unseat the Republican secretary of state, who he unsuccessfully pressured to overturn President Joe Bidens victory.

While the primary season will play out deep into the summer, the first batch of races could set the tone for the year. If Republican voters in the early states rally behind the Trump-backed candidates, the former presidents kingmaker status would be validated, likely enhancing his power as he considers another bid for the presidency. High-profile setbacks, however, could dent his stature and give stronger footing to those who hope to advance an alternate vision for the GOP.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz predicted a strong month of May for Trump and his allies.

The voices in Washington that want him to fade into obscurity or to be silenced are engaged in their own form of wishful thinking, Cruz said in an interview. Thats not going to happen. Nor should he.

As Republicans grapple with Trump, Democrats are confronting their own set of revealing primaries.

Candidates representing the Democrats moderate and progressive wings are yanking the party in opposing directions while offering conflicting messages about how to overcome their acute political shortcomings, Bidens weak standing chief among them. History suggests that Democrats, as the party that controls Washington, may be headed for big losses in November no matter which direction they go.

But as Democrats engage in passionate debates over policies, Republicans are waging deeply personal and expensive attacks against each other that are designed, above all, to win over Trump and his strongest supporters.

Florida Sen. Rick Scott, who leads the GOPs effort to retake the Senate, described the month of May as a brutal sorting period likely to be dominated by Republican infighting instead of the policy solutions or contrasts with Democrats hed like to see.

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The primaries too often become sort of character assassinations, Scott said in an interview. Thats what has happened.

He added, Hopefully, people come together.

No race may be messier than the Republican primary election for Georgias governor. Trump has spent months attacking Republican incumbents Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. He blames both men for not working hard enough to overturn his narrow loss in the 2020 presidential election.

The results in Georgia were certified after a trio of recounts, including one partially done by hand. They all affirmed Bidens victory.

Federal and state election officials and Trumps own attorney general have said there is no credible evidence the election was tainted. The former presidents allegations of fraud were also roundly rejected by courts, including by judges Trump appointed.

Georgia Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, a frequent Trump critic who is not running for reelection, described Trumps decision to back former Sen. David Perdue against Kemp an embarrassing waste of time that could undermine the GOPs broader goals this fall.

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Duncan predicted Trump would ultimately win some races and lose others this month, but he was especially optimistic about Kemps chances to beat back Trumps challenge.

If a sitting governor is able to defeat that whole Donald Trump notion by a huge amount  and others down the ticket  I think were gonna send a message that its gonna take more than a Donald Trump endorsement to call yourself a Republican, he said.

For now, however, Trump is unquestionably the nations most powerful Republican as even those who find themselves on opposite sides of the former president are careful to note their loyalty to him. Cruz, who is backing opponents of Trump-endorsed Senate candidates in Ohio and Pennsylvania, downplayed any disagreement with him in an interview. Cruz noted he made his picks long before Trump did.

For the four years he was president, Donald Trump had no stronger ally in the Senate than me, Cruz said.

Six months before the general election, the Republican candidates in key primaries have already spent mountains of campaign cash attacking each other as Democrats largely save their resources  and sharpest attacks  for the November.

With early voting already underway in Ohio, a half-dozen Republican candidates in the states high-profile Senate primary and their allied outside groups have spent more than $66 million this year combined on television advertising as of last week, according to Democratic officials tracking ad spending. The vast majority of the ads were Republican-on-Republican attacks.

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Mike Gibbons, a Cleveland real estate developer and investment banker, spent $15 million alone on television advertising as of last week. That includes an advertising campaign attacking Vance highlighting his past description of Trump as an idiot.

The pro-Vance super PAC known as Protect Ohio Values, meanwhile, has spent $10 million on the primary so far, including a recent barrage of attack ads casting Cruz-backed candidate Josh Mandel as another failed career politician squish.

On the other side, the leading Senate Democratic hopeful, Rep. Tim Ryan, has spent less than $3 million so far in positive television ads promoting his own push to protect Ohio manufacturing jobs from China.

The spending disparities in high-profile Senate primaries in Pennsylvania and North Carolina were equally stunning.

In Pennsylvania, where Trump-backed Dr. Mehmet Oz and former hedge fund executive David McCormick are locked in a fierce fight for the GOP nomination, the candidates and allied outside groups have spent more than $48 million on television advertising so far. Democrats spent just over $10 million.

And in North Carolina, Republican forces have spent more than $15 million on a divisive primary pitting Trump-backed Rep. Ted Budd against former Gov. Pat McCrory. Democrats, who have united behind former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, spent just over $2 million.

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Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, who leads the effort for Democrats to keep the Senate majority, said Republicans are essentially creating the Democrats general election ads for them. He described the intensity of the Republican infighting in several states as toxic for the character of the Republican candidates.

Theyre trying to compete to see who is the Trumpiest of the Trumpsters, Peters said. Theyre not talking about issues that people care about.

At the same time, Peters acknowledged his own partys challenges, particularly Bidens low popularity. He said it would be up to every individual candidate to decide whether to invite the Democratic president to campaign on their behalf.

I think the president can be helpful, Peters said of Biden. But this is about the candidates. Theyre running to represent their state in the United States Senate. And they have to rise and fall by who they are as individuals.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP TKS Elangovan on Monday said that the situation in Sri Lanka, which is undergoing a severe economic crisis, is "pitiable" and further welcomed the decision of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to accept the request of the Tamil Nadu government to supplement India's humanitarian aid to the island nation. Earlier today, Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his gratitude to the EAM for accepting the state's request to supplement the aid being sent from India to Sri Lanka during the time of the nation island's severe crisis. Speaking to ANI, Elangovan said, "Sri Lanka is our closest neighbour, we have to support people who are suffering from a dearth of food and medicines. It is a very pitiable situation in Sri Lanka and people have started coming to our country as refugees. Hence, we sought permission to support them by providing them with food, medicines and other things that will help them. EAM has stated that we can do the same and we welcome that." The DMK MP further stated that thanking the Union Minister was not a part of the politics. "We are in government, it is politics. Is thanking the EAM politics? No. We requested something, he agreed and therefore, we thanked," Elangovan said. Notably, Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution seeking permission to supply rice and essential medicines as an aid to Sri Lanka. Responding to that Jaishankar said that Tamil Nadu Government's assistance can supplement what is being provided by the government of India and informed that Sri Lanka prefers inclusive distribution. Earlier in the day, taking to Twitter, Stalin wrote, "A personal thanks to Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar for accepting Tamil Nadu's request to help the people of Sri Lanka. I am sure that this humane gesture will be greatly welcomed by all and help to improve the warmth and cordiality between nations. Let the goodwill grow in all spheres." Jaishankar in a letter addressed to CM Stalin said that the mission in Colombo was consulted over Tamil Nadu's request. The Ministry in a letter stated, "MEA offers that Tamil Nadu Government's assistance can supplement what is being provided by the government of India. The Government of Sri Lanka's preference is for inclusive distribution." On the proposal by the Tamil Nadu government to provide humanitarian assistance to the Island nation, Jaishankar noted the state government can direct TN Chief Secretary to coordinate with the Centre for supplying the relief material. Presently, Sri Lanka is struggling with acute food and electricity shortages, forcing the country to seek help from its neighbours. (ANI)
The Prime Minister's Employment Generation Program (PMEGP) has worked wonders for Jammu and Kashmir. The Union Territory leads ahead of all other states in self-employment opportunities under the PMEGP. Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) under its flagship programme PMEGP created 1.73 lakh new employment in 2021-22 in the Union Territory. The PMEGP scripted history by setting up 1.03 lakh new manufacturing and service units and creating over 8.25 lakh jobs in India in the year 2021-22. But this employment spree holds more relevance in J&K, as it will go a long way in controlling the menace of terrorism in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The Government of India has accelerated the pace of development in Jammu and Kashmir, which had been neglected for decades. The government has opened new avenues for the development of Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative will provide a major boost to the domestic manufacturing of different types of products and services. It will help reduce dependence on imports and will simultaneously increase export capacity. For the industrial development of Jammu & Kashmir under the new scheme, Rs 28,400 crore will be spent up till 2037. Under this scheme, industries will be promoted and a new chapter of industrialisation will be ushered. The scheme is designed for bringing about a massive change in the current industrial eco-system of Jammu and Kashmir by focusing especially on employment generation, skill development and sustainable development, according to a note by the Ministry of Home Affairs. In the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "Today, the development of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of top priorities of our government. Whether it is women empowerment, opportunities for youth, the welfare of dalits, downtrodden, oppressed and deprived or about statutory and basic rights of the people, our government is taking decisions for the betterment of the state. Jammu and Kashmir has a great heritage and its graceful people are adopting as well as suggesting new ways to make the state stronger." The majority of the PMEGP units were set in terrorism prone areas. KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena has said that the employment spree bears testimony to the fact that people are participating in government schemes after the abrogation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. The PMEGP is a credit-linked subsidy programme administered by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC), a statutory organisation under the administration of the Ministry of MSME is the nodal agency at the national level for the implementation of the scheme. In 2021-22, KVIC had set a target of 3,360 PMEGP units in J&K but buoyed by the government's major push to local manufacturing, it exceeded the target by a massive 544 per cent. With 21,640 manufacturing and service units, J&K now stands way ahead of bigger states. In 2021-22, a majority of the PMEGP units in J&K have been set up in districts like Baramula, Badgam, Pulwama, Anantnag, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Bandipora and Doda that are largely prone to militancy. As many as 16,807 (78 per cent) of the 21,640 PMEGP units in J&K belong to the service sector, that is, units like beauty parlour, boutiques, embroidery, mobile/computer repair shops and food outlets. This is followed by 1,933 units (9 per cent) under rural engineering and biotechnology like steel fabrication and steel furniture, artificial jewellery making, vermi-compost and bio-fertilizers units. The PMEGP was launched in 2008 and for the next six years till 2013-14, KVIC had set up just 10,401 PMEGP units in J&K. Whereas, in the last eight years, 52,116 units were set up by KVIC. Further, KVIC created a total of 85,719 employment under PMEGP in the first six years (2008-09 to 2013-14) whereas the last eight years have seen a massive 4.10 lakh employment in J&K under PMEGP. It is pertinent to mention that the development of J&K has been the focus area of the Indian government. Special thrust has been given on the creation of local employment in the Union Territory since 2014-15 and the efforts have been fortified since 2019 when J&K was made a union territory. Jammu and Kashmir Khadi and Village Industries Board (J&K KVIB) has released Rs 348.48 crore as margin money (subsidy) in favour of entrepreneurs who had applied loan from the board since 2019. Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, Vice-Chairperson, KVIB said: "KVIB has no cap on extending assistance to local youth and can provide handholding to any number of youth willing to start their enterprises in the UT. The board has created employment avenues for lakhs of educated unemployed, poor, down-trodden and marginal sections of the society. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Monday extended the interim order for the reopening of five floors of Bangle Wali Masjid at Nizamuddin Markaz premises till October 14. The High court had passed an interim order on April 1 on the application moved by Delhi Waqf Board and Management committee. Justice Jasmeet Singh on Monday adjourned the matter till October 14 at the request of the counsel appearing for the Central Government. The bench also continued the interim order at the request of both parties. The matter was to be heard today but was mentioned out of turn by the counsel for the centre. Earlier, the High Court had allowed the reopening of Masjid for Ramzan on the same condition as were laid down at the time of reopening for Shab-e-Barat for offering namaz by devotees. The bench had also said that the arrangements will be only for the month of Ramzan and will end with the culmination of Eid. The bench had also directed to install CCTV at the entry, exit and stairs for the event. The bench directed that there will be prayers, and namaz only but no Tablighi activities and no lecture will be there. This application was moved in the petition by the Delhi Waqf Board and management committee for the opening of masjid Bangle wali for Shab-e-Barat and for the month of Ramzan. Earlier the High Court had, on March 22, allowed the reopening of the Masjid Bangle wali at Markaz premises for Shab e Barat after removing the condition of limiting the number of devotees proposed by the SHO Hazrat Nizamuddin Police station. The court had asked the Delhi Waqf Board and Management committee to follow the covid-19 protocol and social distancing and to deploy volunteers with a thermal scanner to check the temperature of the visiting devotees. It is also asked the applicants will arrange the thermal scanners. Besides, information regarding the conditions for entry of foreigners will be displayed at every gate. Advocate Wajeeh Shafiq's counsel for the Board had argued that the Markaz premises should be reopened according to the order of February 26 issued by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). "What DDMA has said about other religious places will govern this place also. It has been lying closed since 2020," said Wajeeh Shafiq's counsel. Senior Advocate Rebecca John appearing for the Management committee argued that there is no reason why there should be a restriction on the opening of the premises. The petitioner Delhi Waqf Board through advocate Wajeeh Shafiq has sought to reassess the necessity of keeping the waqf premises, situated at Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin between Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin and police Station Hazrat Nizamuddin, under their locks. The petition said that the respondents have put the waqf premises Masjid Bangley Wali, Madarsa Kashif-Ul-Uloom and the attached hostel situated as Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi under their locks since March 31, 2020. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Minority Welfare Minister Danish Azad Ansari on Monday said that the state government is organising 'Qaumi Chaupal' to reach out to the minority communities and make them aware of the welfare schemes being run by the state government for them. The Yogi Adityanath government will organise the event in all districts of the state and propagate the work done by the government for the minority communities. Speaking to ANI, Ansari said, "With the Qaumi Chaupal, the government is reaching out to the minorities and also extending the benefits of the important schemes introduced for them. The main motive behind initiating this outreach programme is to advertise the schemes rolled out for the minorities and also extend their benefits on the ground level." The Minister further said that there are many schemes which have been rolled out for the minorities, however, they are not aware of them, and this outreach programme aims to apprise them about the schemes. "There are a lot of things that the government is doing for the minorities but they are unaware of them. We have started this chaupal for this purpose. We will organise the Chaupal for three days in various districts from Thursday to Saturday. I organised the first event in Ballia where I went to various localities of the minority communities and interacted with them. The response of the people was good," he said. Elaborating on the government's roadmap for the welfare of the minority communities in the state, the Minister said that the government has set up a 100-day agenda for the purpose of bringing about changes in the condition of minorities in the state. "The government has set a 100-day agenda under which a mobile app is being launched to modernise the syllabus in the Madrasas. The government is also giving grants to the marriages of the daughters of the minority communities. The scholarship scheme is being modernised further. Work is also being done for the infrastructure development of the minority communities. Employment fairs will be organised in Muslim-dominated regions. Chapters of the freedom fighters would also be taught in Madrasas," Ansari said. Speaking about the much-talked-about Uniform Civil Code in the state, the Minister said that the government would hold interactions with the people from the minority communities and every section of the society before taking any decision on the implementation of the legislation. "Whatever decision the government takes, would be for the common man. There are some laws that are the need of the hour and should be brought in. But whatever the laws would be made, will have the opinion and participation of the people," he said. "We will reach out to the minority communities and every section of the society if the state government takes the decision to bring in the Uniform Civil Code," the Minister stated. Asked about the Opposition's allegations of the BJP being an anti-Muslim party, Ansari said that people from the minority community feel safe in the state. "I am holding meetings with the people of the Muslim community. I don't think that they have a sense of fear or insecurity. They feel safe in the state," he added. (ANI)
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has appealed to party workers to not perform 'maha aarti on May 3, the day of Eid and Akshaya Tritiya festivities. In a tweet on Monday, Thackeray said that the party does not want to cause any obstacle to anyone's festivities and the issue of loudspeakers was not a religious but social issue. He also said he will comment on the issue on Tuesday. "To Maharashtra Sainiks (MNS workers), tomorrow it's Eid. In yesterday's Aurangabad rally, I have already spoken about that. Please don't do Maha Arti on the festive occasion of Akshaya Tritiya as decided earlier. We don't have to bring any obstacles to anyone's festivities. The issue of loudspeaker is not a religious matter, but it's a social issue. What we have to do about it will be decided in future. I will put forth my views about this through a tweet tomorrow. Only this much for now," the MNS chief tweeted in Marathi. The MNS chief on Sunday had also termed the use of loudspeakers in mosques as "a social and not a religious issue" and said he was firm on the May 3 deadline for their removal. Amid the ongoing political row over the use of loudspeakers at mosques, Raj Thackeray had on Sunday aid that if loudspeakers are not taken down then the Hanuman Chalisa would be played with double volume compared to Azaan (a call for prayer by Muslims) from May 4. "Today is the first day of Maharashtra (Maharashtra Day). I won't listen from the 4th day from now. Wherever we will see a loudspeaker, we will also chant Hanuman Chalisa in front of the loudspeaker in double volume," Thackeray had said while addressing gathering at Sanskrutik Mandal Maidan in Aurangabad. He also announced that he will do more rallies in Marathwada, Vidarbha and other cities as well. (ANI)
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has warned the Kerala government that if the Justice Hema Committee's report is not released within 15 days, then an independent enquiry will be conducted into the problems faced by female actors in the Malayalam film industry. NCW Chairman Rekha Sharma has written to the Chief Secretary of Kerala, VP Joy to share the findings and recommendations of the report. The NCW Chairman, while speaking to media persons today, alleged that the Kerala film industry has been ridden with complaints of sexual harassment at the workplace for several years. The Commission will also approach members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) regarding the issue. Sharma alleged that the production houses in the state have not constituted an internal committee to address the problems faced by women despite mandatory guidelines from the government. "Quite a lot of time has passed since the Justice Hema Committee was formed. I went to Kerala two months back and raised this issue there because many people came and met me there on Justice Hema Committee's report. The report is not been out yet, where the internal committee report or any report of sexual harassment should come within three months," Sharma said. She further said that she returned on March 22 and wrote a letter to the Chief Secretary, seeking a detailed report. "When I came back on March 22, we had written a letter to Chief Secretary to send a report copy to us, also to the public. We asked to send a copy of that report to the complainants without mentioning the names and details of the complainants, but we have not received the copy yet. Today we have sent a reminder to the Chief Secretary," the NCW Chairman said. "If the report doesn't come to us we will have our independent enquiry into the matter. We will send a team or maybe I will accompany the team and we will enquire into the matter," she added. THE NCW Chairman also said, "We will be waiting for 15 days for a report from the secretary and if we receive it, we will go through the report and if needed, we will be sending the team." She further said that it is mandatory to send the report to the complainant within three months alleging that it has not yet been sent." Then it depends on the complainant whether they want to make it public or not, but they have not even given them to the complainants," Sharma added. Calling for the formation of an internal committee, she said that Justice Hema Committee should not have been formed. "The complaint should go to the internal committee. Because there is no internal committee they formed this. It should be seen as an internal committee, not as a special commission. Where is an internal committee in these production houses? This committee was formed because there was a lack of internal committees in production houses," Sharma said. "Unless I see the complaints or the report, I won't be able to tell which names are there or which are not because even women have not come forward to the NCW. We can take suo-moto cognizance. We will be taking it if they'll not come forward. I would also like to say to Women in Cinema Collective that they should come forward and complain to us," Sharma added. In 2017, the Justice Hema Committee came into being in the state to study the gender issues in the Malayalam film industry. In 2019, the report based on the findings of the committee was submitted to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Reportedly, one of the reasons why the report was shelved is because of the secrecy of the statements. (ANI)
Accusing the BJP of corruption in MCDs, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday alleged that close aides of Delhi BJP chief Adesh Gupta had set up an NGO which had been tasked with setting up 'digital classrooms' in MCD-run schools and MCD officials have been told to get CSR funds for the non-government organisation. Addressing a press conference here, Sisodia alleged that BJP was "indulging in corruption" through party-run MCDs. He sought early municipal elections in the city. "BJP is finding new ways of corruption through NGO in the name of creating digital classrooms in MCD schools," he alleged. He said the NGO 'Drop in Ocean' "had been set up by close aides Adesh Gupta" and MCD has done "an agreement with the NGO under which it will create digital classrooms in MCD run government schools using CSR (corporate social responsibility funds). The thing to note is that the MCD officials will get CSR funds for the NGO," he alleged. "The BJP has turned MCDs into dump yard of corruption. People are facing problems for the past 17 years. BJP has formed new laws for MCDs, the elections should be held early," he said. Aam Aadmi Party alleged in a tweet that the NGO has no office or other details," "BJP-ruled MCD crosses all limits of CORRUPTION!! Adesh Gupta's close aide sets-up fake NGO- "Drop In Ocean". MCD signs MoU with NGO for digitalization of Schools. BJP forces govt officials to collect CSR funds for it. NGO has no office or other details," the party said. (ANI)
Gujarat Congress Committee working president Hardik Patel, who recently expressed discontentment with the state party leadership, on Monday removed "Congress" from his Twitter bio. Speculations were rife about Patel joining the BJP which the Congress leader repeatedly dismissed stating that he has no such plans, while also adding that he is upset with the state party leadership. There have been reports of the infighting in the Congress Gujarat unit leading to speculations of him joining the ruling BJP. The Aam Aadmi Party, which is spreading its wings in the western state, also invited Patel amid speculations of him quitting the grand-old party. Notably, Patel has welcomed the political decisions of the BJP in the recent past like praising the revocation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. However, the Congress leader recently dismissed the rumours and said that joining the BJP is "out of question" in the present circumstances. "News of my leaving Congress and joining the BJP has been circulating for a long time. But under the present circumstances, joining the BJP is out of the question. I've no plans to join BJP. I welcome the political decisions that have been taken by BJP recently," Patel had said. The Congress leader had, however, said that he would speak out in the future if "any such decision has to be taken in the interest of the state and its people". Patel had also expressed his concerns to Congress and hoped for the party to listen to his grievances. He had also associated himself with Hindutva, a line toed by the BJP leaders in general. "I come from a Raghuvanshi family, I have Hindutva. We have been associated with Hindutva for thousands of years," Patel had said last month. However, Patel has not announced his exit from Congress yet. His removal of the name of the party has ignited another spate of speculations regarding his politics. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to decide within two months mercy petition of Balwant Singh Rajoana, who was awarded the death sentence for the assassination of the then Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh in 1995. A bench of Justices UU Lalit, S Ravindra Bhat and PS Narasimha asked the Centre to decide Rajaona's plea without being influenced by the fact that the appeals filed by other convicts in the case are pending in the top court. The bench posted the matter for hearing in the second week of July and in its order stated, "In terms with directions issued by this Court on December 4, 2020, the matter be considered by the concerned authority without being influenced by the fact that appeals by co-accused are pending consideration. Let the decision be taken as early as possible, preferably within two months from today." The top court has been hearing Rajoana's plea seeking commutation of the death sentence to life term on the ground that he has been in jail for 26 years. Rajoana had moved to the top court two years ago seeking implementation of a decision taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in September 2019 to commute Rajoana's death sentence to life. He had said that the Central government had in 2019 announced its decision to commute his death penalty and grant remission to eight other convicts to mark the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. He sought for the implementation of that decision and alternately prayed to commute his death sentence on the ground of long delay in considering the mercy petition. Earlier, the Supreme Court directed the Central to immediately take a decision on granting pardon to Rajoana and asked it to file an action taken report on the decision. The apex court was irked over the Centre for not taking any clear stand on the despite given time by the court to do so. The top court had said that it is untenable on part of the Centre to take a stand that the proposal for commutation of the death sentence of Rajoana, a former Punjab Police constable, was not processed because of the pendency of appeals of co-accused in Beant Singh killing case. The bench had said once the government has decided to recommend a Presidential pardon for a condemned man, the pendency of appeals in the Supreme Court of his co-accused cannot delay the process initiated under Article 72. The top court had said that appeal pending by other co-accused has no relevance to the decision by the Ministry of Home Affairs to commute the death sentence of some convicts taken to commemorate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. It had noted that in a letter dated September 27, 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs had written to the Chief Secretary of Punjab that on the occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nayak Dev, the release of some prisoners is proposed. The convict, Balwant Singh Rajoana, was sentenced to death for the murder of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh who died in a bomb explosion in Chandigarh on August 31, 1995. The Centre had decided in September 2019 to commute the death penalty of Rajoana to a life sentence on the special occasion of the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. More than two years have passed but the decision is yet to be implemented. A Chandigarh court had, on July 27, 2007, awarded the death sentence to Rajoana which was upheld by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on October 12, 2010. Rajoana has not filed an appeal against the decision and instead filed a mercy petition before the President. (ANI)
Earlier today election strategist Prashant Kishor posted a cryptic tweet on his timeline in which he said, "My quest to be a meaningful participant in democracy and help shape pro-people policy led to a 10yr rollercoaster ride! As I turn the page, time to go to the Real Masters". In the same tweet, he also said that the beginning will be from Bihar. Prashant Kishor, popularly known as PK, is currently in Patna and is planning to meet people from all walks of life in Bihar. It is learnt nearly 1,500 people have been drawn from various professions and different walks of life including teachers, lawyers, farmers and traders. This journey will start from Bihar since Kishor belongs to the state and lived there during the previous tenure of Nitish Kumar. It is understood that such meetings will also be held in other states at a later stage. People known to him say that his move may not be necessarily seen as a political plunge and in future, he may work in any field and any stream depending on the views and suggestions he gets from people. As his tweet suggests, people have a better understanding of the issues and the path to 'jan suraj' His mentioning of the word 'jan suaraj' indicates that he will be following Gandhian political philosophy and his focus will be on making people aware. It will not be a referendum but an initiative to understand from the people whom he meets in the coming days. Recently his talks with Congress derailed as he declined to join the grand old party after rounds of talks with Gandhis. He also gave a detailed presentation for the party to improve its electoral prospects. After belting out victories in Bihar, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab and the latest in Bengal, PK will be scripting his own model now. He will be announcing his future course of action in a press conference planned in the coming week. (ANI)
ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine  The first civilians evacuated from the bombed-out steel plant that has become the last stronghold of Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol slowly made their way toward safety Monday, as others who managed to escape the city described terrifying weeks of bombardment and deprivation.

More than 100 civilians  including elderly women and mothers with small children  left the sprawling, rubble-strewn Azovstal steel mill on Sunday and set out in buses and ambulances for the Ukrainian-controlled city of Zaporizhzhia, about 140 miles to the northwest, according to authorities and video released by the two sides.

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Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told the BBC that the evacuees were making slow progress and would probably not arrive on Monday as hoped for. Authorities gave no explanation for the delay.

At least some of the evacuees were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists. The Russian military said that some chose to stay in separatist areas, while dozens left for Ukrainian-held territory.

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In the past, Ukraine has accused Moscows troops of taking civilians against their will to Russia or Russian-controlled areas. The Kremlin has denied it.

Orlov said high-level negotiations were underway among Ukraine, Russia and international organizations on more evacuations.

The steel-plant evacuation, if successful, would represent rare progress in easing the human cost of the almost 10-week war, which has caused particular suffering in Mariupol. Previous attempts to open safe corridors out of the southern port city and other places have broken down, with Ukrainian officials accusing Russian forces of shooting and shelling along agreed-on evacuation routes.

Andrii Fedorov hugs his son Makar as they reunited at a reception center for displaced people in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, May 2, 2022. Makar and his mother Dariia Fedora fled from Mariupol as thousands of Ukrainian continue to leave Russian occupied areas. (Francisco Seco/AP)

Before the weekend evacuation, overseen by the United Nations and the Red Cross during a brief cease-fire around the steelworks, about 1,000 civilians were believed to be in the plant, along with an estimated 2,000 Ukrainian defenders. Russia has demanded that the fighters surrender; they have refused.

As many as 100,000 people overall may still be in Mariupol, which had a prewar population of more than 400,000. Russian forces have pounded much of the city to rubble, trapping civilians with little food, water, heat or medicine.

Some Mariupol residents got out of the city on their own, by way of often damaged private cars.

As sunset approached, Mariupol resident Yaroslav Dmytryshyn rattled up to a reception center in Zaporizhzhia in a car with a back seat full of youngsters and two signs taped to the back window: Children and Little ones.

I cant believe we survived, he said, looking worn but in good spirits over their safe arrival after two days on the road.

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There is no Mariupol whatsoever, he said. Someone needs to rebuild it, and it will take millions of tons of gold. He said they lived just across the railroad tracks from the steel plant. Ruined, he said. The factory is gone completely.

Anastasiia Dembytska, who took advantage of the cease-fire to leave with her daughter, nephew and dog, said her family survived by cooking on a makeshift stove and drinking well water. She said she could see the steelworks from her window, when she dared to look out.

We could see the rockets flying and clouds of smoke over the plant, she said.

In other developments, European Union energy ministers met Monday to discuss new sanctions against the Kremlin, which could include restrictions on Russian oil. But some Russia-dependent members of the 27-nation bloc, including Hungary and Slovakia, are wary of taking tough action.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he hoped more people would be able to leave Mariupol in an organized evacuation on Monday. The city council told residents wanting to leave to gather at a shopping mall to wait for buses.

Zelenskyy told Greek state television that remaining civilians in the steel plant were afraid to board buses because they feared they would be taken to taken to Russia. He said he had been assured by the U.N. that they would be allowed to go to areas his government controls.

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In the wake of the evacuation from the plant, Russian forces resumed shelling there Sunday, according to one of the defenders.

Denys Shlega, commander of the 12th Operational Brigade of Ukraines National Guard, said in a televised interview that several hundred civilians remained trapped alongside nearly 500 wounded soldiers and numerous bodies.

Several dozen small children are still in the bunkers underneath the plant, Shlega said.

Thwarted in his bid to seize Kyiv, the capital, President Vladimir Putin has shifted his focus to the Donbas, Ukraines eastern industrial heartland, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014.

Russia said it struck dozens of military targets in the region in the past day alone. It said it hit concentrations of troops and weapons and an ammunition depot near Chervone in the Zaporizhzhia region, which lies west of the Donbas.

Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscows troops are raining fire indiscriminately, taking a heavy toll on civilians while making only slow progress.

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Zelenskyys office said at least three people were killed in the Donbas in the previous 24 hours. The regional administration in Zaporizhzhia reported that at least two people died in Russian shelling.

The governor of the Odesa region along the Black Sea Coast, Maksym Marchenko, said on the Telegram messaging app that a Russian missile strike on an Odesa infrastructure target caused deaths and injuries. He gave no details.

Ukraines military claimed to have destroyed two small Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea. Drone footage online showed what the Ukrainians described as two Russian Raptor boats exploding after being struck by missiles.

Mariupol, which lies in the Donbas, is key to Russias campaign in the east. Its capture would deprive Ukraine of a vital port, allow Russia to establish a land corridor to the Crimean Peninsula, which it seized from Ukraine in 2014, and free up troops for fighting elsewhere in the region.

A full picture of the battle unfolding in eastern Ukraine is hard to capture. The fighting makes it dangerous for reporters to move around, and both sides have imposed tight restrictions on reporting from the combat zone.

But Britains Defense Ministry said it believes more than a quarter of all the fighting units Russia has deployed in Ukraine are now combat ineffective  unable to fight because of loss of troops or equipment.

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Ukraine said Russia also struck a strategic road and rail bridge west of Odesa. The bridge was heavily damaged in previous Russian strikes, and its destruction would cut a supply route for weapons and other cargo from neighboring Romania.

Varenytsia reported from Kyiv, Ukraine. Associated Press journalists Yesica Fisch in Sloviansk, Jon Gambrell and Yuras Karmanau in Lviv, Mstyslav Chernov in Kharkiv, and AP staff around the world contributed to this report.
"Mandaviya will embark on a visit to Israel and Jordan to ensure availability of various types of fertilizers for the country during the second week of May."

In the month of March, a delegation from Jordan met Mandaviya to discuss the supply of phosphatic and potassic fertilizers as well as raw materials from Jordan to India.

Besides phosphatic fertilizers and raw materials, Jordan is also a regular supply source of MOP (Muriate of Potash) to India.

India is boosting fertilizer imports from nations like Jordan and Israel to ensure sufficient supplies for the coming Kharif season. (ANI)
Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy on Monday said that Rahul Gandhi will meet the detained National Students' Union of India (NSUI) members in the Chanchalguda jail who were detained for staging a protest outside the administration building of Osmania University in Hyderabad. Notably, the NSUI members protested outside the University seeking permission for Rahul Gandhi's visit to the campus on May 7, following which the police detained them and registered a case for 'obstructing the public servant in conducting their duty'. Speaking to the media here, Reddy said, "Police arrested our student leader Venkat Balmoor and other 18 members in a false case. On May 6-7 Rahul Gandhi will come to Hyderabad, we've given representation to Chanchalguda jail superintendent to allow him to meet the arrested leaders." The Congress leader said that the party would continue their fight against Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and his government. "We will come here under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi on May 7 and meet Venkat Balmoor and extend him support. We stand by his family. We will continue our fight against KCR and his government," Reddy said. Earlier on Sunday, Ramesh Naik, Circle Inspector said that 18 people who were protesting were taken into custody. "18 people who were protesting in the administration's building have been taken into custody. When we tried to stop the agitators they pushed our staff including lady constables. Agitators pelted stones to break the glasses on the window and went inside the building. A case has been registered under obstructing the public servant in conducting their duty," said Ramesh Naik, Circle Inspector. Notably, leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Telangana for a two-day visit on May 6 and 7. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday extended best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr and hoped that the auspicious occasion enhances the spirit of togetherness and brotherhood in the country. With the sighting of the crescent moon today, the month-long fasting observed by the people of the Muslim community during Ramzan has come to an end and Eid-ul-Fitr is set to be celebrated across the country on Tuesday. "Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious occasion enhance the spirit of togetherness and brotherhood in our society. May everyone be blessed with good health and prosperity," PM Modi said in a tweet. Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims around the globe to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramzan. Ramzan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, according to Islamic belief. Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which involves rigorous fasting for about 30 days. During this month, Muslims do not consume food or water from dawn to dusk. They eat Sehri (a pre-dawn meal) and break their day-long fast with 'Iftar' in the evening. Eid ul-Fitr marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan. The festival is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The festival is celebrated by sharing a delightful dish Seviyan (Vermicelli) that comes under different varieties like Hath Ka Seviyan, Nammak Ka Seviyan, Chakle Ka Seviyan and Laddu Seviyan. All these variants can be used in the dish called Sheerkurma, which is also prepared on Eid and distributed among friends and relatives. (ANI)
Lt General DP Pandey, GOC Chinar Corps on Monday, said that there had been only one infiltration attempt this year which was foiled and that terrorists have not been able to breach our anti-infiltration grid. While talking to the mediapersons in Srinagar, he said, "This year only one infiltration attempt was made from across the border and it was foiled. Terrorists have not been able to breach our anti-infiltration grid." On Pakistan-based terrorists neutralised in Kashmir, he said, "Majority of these terrorists here remained quiet and put local youth as the face of terrorism here. As numbers of local terrorists decreased, they're now getting exposed & contacts are happening." On reports of satellite phones and night vision devices being used by terrorists again, he stated, "They've found them, but they're not in large numbers. We've also changed our rules of engagement & procedures. It's not a big challenge." (ANI)
These constituencies are Brajarajnagar in Odisha, Thrikkakara in Kerala and Champawat in Uttarakhand.

According to the Election Commission, the polling in these seats will be held on May 31 while the counting of votes will take place on June 3.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is not a member of the state Legislative Assembly, is likely to contest the Champawat bye-election.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Kailash Gehtori had resigned from the Champawat Assembly seat paving the way for Dhami to contest assembly by-polls.

Dhami lost from Khatima constituency in the polls held in February.

Assembly elections were held in Uttarakhand on February 14 to elect 70 members of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly. The results were declared on March 10. (ANI)
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the blast took place as a joint team of police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were conducting an area domination exercise in the Larmoo area of Tral.

"A joint team of police and CRPF were conducting area domination in 2 BP bankers during which a minor IED blast took place in Larmoo Tral, Awantipora. Two CRPF personnel got minor injuries. Our team retaliating and reinforcement sent along with senior officers," tweeted Kashmir Zone Police while quoting IGP Kashmir.

Meanwhile, an incident of firing happened in the Charso area of Awantipora. The police have cordoned off the area.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
The meeting took place at the residence of party national president JP Nadda in New Delhi and was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and National General Secretary (Organisation) BL Santhosh.

Notably, the BJP would complete three years at the Centre on May 26 after its win in the 2019 general elections and eight years of its thumping victory in 2014.

According to the sources, a detailed discussion was also held on the methods to apprise the people of the achievements of the government.

Nadda also apprised the top leaders of the party of the organisational works that are underway. The senior leaders were also told about the meetings that took place regarding the upcoming elections in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, said the sources.

Notably, the meeting of the four senior leaders took place after a long gap which comes during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three-nation visit.

The BJP has already kickstarted its preparations for the 2024 General elections which include the training of the party workers. Reaching out to the people to apprise them of the achievements of the government is a part of the 2024 preparations. (ANI)
India on Monday proposed cooperation between institutions under its Ministry of Earth Sciences and German scientific/research agencies in the areas of tsunami hazards and various ocean science and exploration-related projects. "For bilateral cooperation (with Germany) in Ocean Exploration, Blue Economy is an important dimension of ''Vision New India''. We need joint collaboration in areas such as coastal marine spatial planning and tourism, marine fisheries, aquaculture, and fish processing, coastal and deep-sea mining and offshore energy," India''s Science & Technology & Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh said on the second day of his Germany tour. As part of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Commission, Singh held a delegation level talk with German Federal Minister for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection Steffi Lemke with the agenda of ''Adaptation to Climate Change, Biological Diversity, Oceans and Artificial Intelligence for Environmental Protection''. The meeting discussed subjects including tsunami hazard assessments, early detection of tsunamis, including ''typical tsunami'' generated by the under-sea landslides triggered by earthquakes, geodynamic modelling of Earth''s subsurface for submarine landslides and crustal deformation monitoring using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data, tectonic settings of subduction zones in the Indian Ocean (more emphasis on Makran Subduction Zone)and integrating machine learning methods. The two also discussed capacity building activities to strengthen pre-disaster preparedness and risk reduction programmes such as tsunami readiness, cooperation in the area of long term Arctic (Polar) observations & studies and cooperation in the field of gas hydrates and underwater drills. Singh also noted that German experts and institutions are part of the initiative wherein India is working towards Probabilistic Tsunami Hazard Assessment (PTHA) in the Makran region through United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC) and funded by United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia & Pacific (UNESCAP). "German Environment Minister Lemke reciprocated the proposal and briefed on German advancement in these areas and agreed to work out new collaboration," officials said. The following are the institutes under Ministry of Earth Sciences: National Centre for Coastal Research, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology,India Meteorological Department, National Centre for Seismology,Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Earthquake Risk Evaluation Centre (under the Atmospheric Sciences and Seismology sector), Indian Tsunami Early Warning CentreCentre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (under the Ocean Science & Technology sector), Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology, National Center for Earth System Sciences. niv/uk/vd ( 329 Words) 2022-05-02-19:08:48 (IANS)
Gearing up for the Rajasthan assembly polls next year, the BJP has started reaching out to people from the state residing in other parts of the country. As part of an outreach programme, Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia has started meeting people from Rajasthan living in other states through the 'Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan'. Such programmes have been held in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and will be held in other states also where people from Rajasthan reside. "Through these outreach programmes, we are not only reaching 'pravasi' but they are also able to get an opportunity to connect with their roots back home in Rajasthan. They also get an opportunity to understand the BJP's plan for the state. The programme also provides an opportunity to raise their concerns and demands if any as a community," a Rajasthan BJP leader said. A senior BJP functionary told IANS that a sizable Rajasthani population is present in many states of the country and a large number of them still have their name enrolled in the electoral lists in Rajasthan. "Large population of people from the state living in other parts of the country and majority of them who shifted base in recent time are enrolled in the electoral rolls in Rajasthan. At the time of election, they come back to exercise their franchise. The idea is to reach out to people from Rajasthan living in other states and to their families back home and encourage them to vote for the BJP in next year's assembly polls," a party insider said. The Rajasthan assembly polls will be held at the end of 2023. Another senior functionary explained that the party has started working for next year's assembly polls in Rajasthan on several fronts. "On one front, the party leadership is working on plugging loopholes in the organisation or has hit the streets against the mis-governance of the Ashok Gehlot government. On the other hand, it started reaching out to voters with its agenda in and outside Rajasthan," a senior party leader said. A top party leader in Rajasthan claimed that the BJP is the first party to reach out to people staying outside the state. "No other party from Rajasthan ever tried to reach out to our people staying in different parts of the country. BJP is first to reach out to them. Through 'Pravasi Rajasthani Sammelan', BJP will reach out to Rajasthanis living across the country," he said. --IANS ssb/uk/bg ( 423 Words) 2022-05-02-19:42:13 (IANS)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Monday slammed Prashant Kishor after the election strategist dropped hints about launching his own political party. RJD spokesperson Ejaj Ahmed said Kishor should reveal the relationship between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar first, and then talk about Jan-Suraaj in the state. On Monday morning, Prashant Kishor tweeted: "My quest to be a meaningful participation in democracy and help shape pro people policy led to a 10 years rollercoaster ride." "As I turn this page, time to go to the Real Masters. The people to better understand the issues and the path to Jan Suraaj - People's good governance starting from Bihar," he tweeted. "When JD-U sacked Prashant Kishor, Nitish Kumar said that he had included him on the recommendation of Amit Shah before the 2015 assembly election of Bihar. Now, he should clarify whether his relations with Amit Shah and Nitish Kumar are the same or not. So far, Prashant Kishor has not given any clarification on this matter," Ahmed said. The JD-U had expelled Prashant Kishor in January 2020. "As far as Jan-Suraaj is concerned, first he should establish relations with the people of Bihar over common issues and then talk about Jan-Suraaj," he said. "He had talked about the same issue in 2020 but left it soon as he was concerned about the commercial interest of his I-PAC more than the interest of the people of Bihar," Ahmed said. Nikhil Anand, national general secretary of the BJP's OBC wing, said: "PK is a political broker and his new party will be a political shop." "Kishor is not a sociologist or an economist or a social psychologist or a political scientist, a journalist or a psephologist. He has a private firm which works for various political parties with the expertise of image making and political propaganda works with Facebook, Twitter, and social media handling. He is purely a political broker who provides different types of services to different political parties and their leaders by taking money," Anand said. "He has political ambitions for which he has met leaders from all over the country but after being disappointed, he is now going to launch a political party. It seems that some political parties and their leaders want to promote Prashant Kishor to launch his political party so that he can help them by establishing his existence in the role of 'vote katwa' (vote cutter)," Anand said. "BJP is a party based on organisation, ideology, struggle and we have an army of more struggling, capable, knowledgeable workers on the streets and booths, who are far better than PK, due to which BJP is the largest political party in the world today. We don't take serious notice of political touts and politics shops," he said. Jan Adhikar Party president Rajesh Ranjan a.k.a. Pappu Yadav, however, welcomed PK launching a political party in Bihar. --IANS ajk/pgh/bg ( 504 Words) 2022-05-02-19:46:05 (IANS)
A view from a back yard in the 4300 block of South Honore Avenue on May 2, 2002, shows the damage from a house fire in the Back of the Yards neighborhood the previous evening. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

More than a dozen people were displaced Sunday night when two fires occurred at residences in Back of the Yards  both of which appear to have been intentionally set, Chicago police said.

Authorities are investigating the fires as arson, according to an online media notification from Chicago police. The first fire was reported around 8:50 p.m. in an apartment building in the 4500 block of South Wood Street, officials said. Two residents were displaced as a result of that fire.

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2 11 4320 Honore now struck out. Three buildings and one automobile. 7 pic.twitter.com/SQJgjJxpRs  Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) May 2, 2022

It was later determined that an accelerant was used to start the fire and it is being investigated as an arson. There were no reported injuries and no one is in custody, according to police.

Roughly an hour later and several blocks away, police and firefighters were called to another apartment building on the 4300 block of South Honore Street in the Back of the Yards neighborhood about 9:45 p.m., police said. Chicago Fire Department officials said it was an extra-alarm blaze that ultimately damaged parts of three buildings plus a vehicle.

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Officers responded to a fire where several residences were damaged. There are 15 people displaced with no reported injuries, police said.

Fire officials initially said a firefighter battling that fire suffered a minor injury, but in a subsequent correction, they said there had been no injuries.

Chicago police continue to investigate the fires as arson, but no arrests had been made as of Monday morning.
Jammu and Kashmir police along with security forces busted an inter-district narcro-terror module by arresting two terrorist associates in Baramulla, and recovered heroin -- valued at Rs 1.5 crore, and arms and ammunition from their possession, officials said on Monday. Police said Baramulla Police and Army (52RR) during routine checking at Chenad crossing, Baramulla intercepted a vehicle (Tipper) with two persons on board. "During checking, 800 grams of heroin like substance was recovered from the vehicle," the police said. Both the persons have been identified as Nisar Ahmad Khan, a resident of Khahmoh Rafiabad, Baramulla and Mohd Rafiq Khan, a resident of Lountha Tanghdhar, Kupwara. "They have been arrested and shifted to police station where they remain in custody. The vehicle used in the commission of crime has also been seized," police said. "During questioning, they admitted that they are working with proscribed terror outfit LeT and were in close contact with handlers of the LeT from across besides, working with LeT associates/ OGWs. Upon their disclosure, one AK-47 Magazine, 15 live rounds of AK-47 and one Chinese grenade have also been recovered from the stepney which they had concealed inside," police said. "It is pertinent to mention here that both the terrorist associates were given task to sell the contraband and the money so realized was supposed to be used for funding terror activities." A case has been registered and investigation set in motion. --IANS zi/pgh ( 247 Words) 2022-05-02-20:20:04 (IANS)
The Congress state in-charge of Punjab has written to party president Sonia Gandhi for action against former state party president Navjot Singh Sidhu for speaking against the party line. The letter written by Harish Chaudhary says that Sidhu can't be allowed to portray himself above the party. In the letter he said, "I am forwarding Shri Raja Warring's detailed note regarding Shri Sidhu's current activities along with this letter." He wrote that Sidhu's actions are inexcusable and he should be asked for an explanation and disciplinary action should be initiated. The Congress was wiped out in the Punjab elections due to the internal rift. After the unceremonious exit of former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and the party's mauling the Congress relied on the feedback of Navjot Singh Sidhu who was against Singh. Later the Congress ignored Sidhu to make Charanjit Singh Channi the Chief Minister, irking both Sunil Jakhar and Sidhu and all were speaking in different voices during the state elections. The Congress has taken action against Jakhar recently. Sonia Gandhi, on the recommendation of the Congress disciplinary committee, has stripped Sunil Jakhar of all posts and he will not be given any post till two years. After this decision Jakhar has been more vocal on the issue. While Sunil Jakhar had spoken about former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, his comments have offended the Dalit leaders in the party, and Udit Raj had demanded his expulsion. "Mr Sunil Jhakhar, Punjab Cong leader, must be expelled from the Party for his casteist & feudal comment that Mr Channi, being lowest caste, couldn't have been made CM. His place is on his feet instead of on head." --IANS miz/bg ( 298 Words) 2022-05-02-20:22:02 (IANS)
MES leader Shubham Shelke had posted a map Maharashtra that included Karnataka dustricts of Belgavi and Karwar, stirring a row. He had also shown Bidar and Bhalki as parts of Maharashtra.

"Despite being a hardcore Maharashtrawadi, we can not wish Maharashtra Day. It has been more than 66 years since the first bloodshed for the United Maharashtra movement. The border residents of Belgaum are still waiting for justice," Shalke had stated in his post. He had also shared a video.

The posts have stirred a controversy in Karnataka with Kannada organisations demanding that MES should be banned for encouraging its leaders to create rift in the state on the basis of language.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Monday slammed the state's BJP government for adopting a soft approach towards MES leaders.

Dubbing MES leaders who indulge in inciting violence as 'terrorists', Kumaraswamy slammed Shalke for provoking Kannadigas and demanded immediate action against him.

Kumaraswamy also demanded that provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act should be invoked against Shalke.

"Do we have a government of Kannada people or one which acts as per the diktat of Maharashtra," Kumaraswamy questioned.

"The state government should ban MES in Karnataka and arrest Shalke. Nationalism against the interests of the state will never be tolerated by Kannadigas," he added.

--IANS mka/arm

( 262 Words)

2022-05-02-21:20:03 (IANS)
A school student was allegedly attacked with knives by unknown miscreants outside his school campus Mangolpuri area of New Delhi on Monday, said a police officer. "The boy has told us that after giving an exam on Monday when he was leaving school, a bike that was crossing from there accidentally hit him. The victim boy had an argument with the bike rider and pillion. The bike rider called two more people and they all started beating the schoolboy. They attacked him with a knife. He somehow managed to rush back to the school campus to save him," said Sameer Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police Outer Delhi. The DCP further said, that on receiving the information about the attack, a police team was sent to the spot. "The boy (victim) was already taken to the hospital before the police team reached the spot," he added. The MLC (medical test) of the boy has been done and it has been found that "injuries are not superficial" (deep cuts through knife). Meanwhile, police also said that CCTV cameras around the area have also been examined but no footage regarding the incident has been found yet. Police teams are inquiring in the area reading the identity of the assailants. An FIR under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code has been registered. (ANI)
India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday signed an agreement with IIT Bombay to work together for developing climate solutions for the stakeholders at village, city, and district levels through user-friendly weather forecasting applications. The partnership is expected to yield climate forecast and information-based smart applications for different sectors such as agriculture, farming and irrigation, health, etc. using technologies such as AI and ML, etc, meteorological aviation, observational and instrumentation applications and climate change policy information, and human resource development. "Some of the important outcomes of this collaboration expected are development of sensors and drone-based Smart Monitoring System, climate-smart agriculture technology for water and food security, intelligent and automated early warning systems, climate and health, smart power grid management, wind energy and heat wave forecasts," an official said. The IIT Bombay said it aims to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Climate Services and Solutions within its Interdisciplinary Program in Climate Studies (IDPCS) that will leverage the expertise of its students and faculty members to conduct solution-oriented research to help mitigate climate change. The agreement coincided with the 10-year completion of the IDPCS that was set up in 2012 with major financial support from the Department of Science and Technology. The agreement was signed by K.S. Hosalikar, who heads IMD's Climate Research and Services at Pune, and Professor Milind Atrey, who is Dean, Research and Development, at IIT Bombay. Secretary, Earth Sciences M. Ravichandran said: "IDPCS is a very good initiative by IIT Bombay as it is important for studies of climate science. Science itself is interdisciplinary as it involves mathematics, engineering solutions, and social sciences amongst other disciplines and these are required to understand the discipline of climate studies as well." --IANS niv/vd ( 298 Words) 2022-05-02-21:22:03 (IANS)
Amid a simmering political crisis in the Island country, Sri Lanka's parliament is set to convene on Wednesday in a session that may see a no-confidence motion being brought against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Sri Lanka's leader of Opposition and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa on Saturday had said that the no-confidence motion will be brought against Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa during the next session of the country's parliament. Premadasa made the announcement while speaking at the commencement of the fifth day of the 'Samagi Bala March' organized by the SJB against the government, Colombo Page reported. Premadasa had signed the impeachment motion against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the no-confidence motion against the government on April 11. The Wednesday parliament session is scheduled to witness an election of the Deputy Speaker after the resignation of Ranjith Siyambalapitiya from the post on April 30, as per Colombo Page. Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya decided to resign from the post of Deputy Speaker following the decision taken by his party, which was one of the coalition partners of the government, to withdraw its support to the Mahinda Rajapaksa led government. The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) plans to nominate Dilan Perera for the Deputy Speaker post, whose nomination, the principal Opposition party SJB is reportedly opposed to, Colombo Page reported citing sources. If such a situation arises, a group of opposition members have also discussed nominating MP Anura Priyadarshana Yapa for the post of Deputy Speaker, the report said. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the people, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a fall in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reckless economic policies, like the government's move last year to ban chemical fertilizers in a bid to make Sri Lanka's agriculture "100 per cent organic". Due to an acute shortage of Foreign exchange, Sri Lanka recently defaulted on the entirety of its foreign debt amounting to about USD 51 billion. The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (ANI)
Addressing a May Day rally organised by his party in Polonnaruwa, former Sri Lanka President and the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday called for fresh elections in the country. Saying that politicians should take the side of the people at a time when the country is facing a great tragedy, Sirisena said that he took to the streets on International Labor Day for this purpose, Colombo Page reported. "I also too took to the streets as this government doesn't leave even when people from the country's richest to the innocent suffering farmers and public servants took to the streets demanding the government to go home. I want to form a new government in the country. We will do it," Sirisena was quoted as saying by Colombo Page. The former president added that he could not stay at home when the people were in a state of distress with thousands of problems in the country. "Farmers in Polonnaruwa who dreamed of making a country self-sufficient in agriculture from the Moragahakanda Reservoir are now unable to cultivate even on a daily basis. Today I participate in the May Day rally of the working class which raised the voice of the farmers' community and expressed its problems and challenges to the ruling class of the country," Sirisena was quoted as saying. The former president also cautioned that if the current leaders stay on, there would be a situation where people would die at home, adding that two or three lakhs of people in the country were already starving and he was receiving calls from people all over the country asking for food. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the people, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a fall in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reckless economic policies, like the government's move last year to ban chemical fertilizers in a bid to make Sri Lanka's agriculture "100 per cent organic". Due to an acute shortage of Foreign exchange, Sri Lanka recently defaulted on the entirety of its foreign debt amounting to about USD 51 billion. The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (ANI)
Addressing a May Day rally organised by his party in Polonnaruwa, former Sri Lanka President and the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Srisena on Sunday called for fresh elections in the country. Saying that politicians should take the side of the people at a time when the country is facing a great tragedy, Srisena said that he took to the streets on International Labor Day for this purpose, Colombo Page reported. "I also too took to the streets as this government doesn't leave even when people from the country's richest to the innocent suffering farmers and public servants took to the streets demanding the government to go home. I want to form a new government in the country. We will do it," Srisena was quoted as saying by Colombo Page. The former president added that he could not stay at home when the people were in a state of distress with thousands of problems in the country. "Farmers in Polonnaruwa who dreamed of making a country self-sufficient in agriculture from the Moragahakanda Reservoir are now unable to cultivate even on a daily basis. Today I participate in the May Day rally of the working class which raised the voice of the farmers' community and expressed its problems and challenges to the ruling class of the country," Srisena was quoted as saying. The former president also cautioned that if the current leaders stay on, there would be a situation where people would die at home, adding that two or three lakhs of people in the country were already starving and he was receiving calls from people all over the country asking for food. Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the people, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a fall in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reckless economic policies, like the government's move last year to ban chemical fertilizers in a bid to make Sri Lanka's agriculture "100 per cent organic". Due to an acute shortage of Foreign exchange, Sri Lanka recently defaulted on the entirety of its foreign debt amounting to about USD 51 billion. The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (ANI)
Moscow [Russia], May 2 (ANI/Sputnik): The Russian military will not forcefully adjust their actions during the special operation in Ukraine to any date, including Victory Day, which is celebrated in Russia on May 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. "The pace of the operation in Ukraine depends, first of all, on the need to minimize any risks for the civilian population and Russian military personnel," Lavrov told the Italian Mediaset broadcaster, saying that "our troops will not artificially adjust their actions to any date, including Victory Day." Lavrov specified that Russia is focused on its main objectives in Ukraine, which had been announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin, namely, the protection and security of the civilian population, the absence on the territory of Ukraine of any threats related to offensive weapons and Nazification, which the West is actively trying to downplay. Asked whether Russia wants Ukrainian President Volozymyr Zelenskyy to surrender, Lavrov said that Moscow is "not demanding that he surrender" but demands "that he give the order to release all civilians and stop resistance." Lavrov emphasized that Russia wants to ensure security for all people in eastern Ukraine "so that they are not threatened by either the militarization or the Nazification of this country, and that there are no threats to the security of the Russian Federation from the territory of Ukraine." "Our goal does not include regime change in Ukraine. This is an American speciality. They do it all over the world," Lavrov stressed. (ANI/Sputnik)
Jabhat al-Nusra terrorists shelled the Idlib de-escalation zone four times in the past 24 hours, Zhuravlev told reporters on Sunday, adding that another attack took place in Latakia.

"In the province of Idlib, as a result of artillery shelling carried out by terrorists from the Fatterah region at the positions of government forces in the area of

the settlement of Mellajah, one Syrian soldier was killed, one was injured," Zhuravlev said.

In March, Zhuravlev said that militants of Albanian and Caucasus origin from the non-government controlled Syrian province of Idlib were headed to Europe to take part in hostilities in Ukraine. (ANI/Sputnik)
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday that she was not happy about violence that again touched downtown Chicago over the weekend and ended with a cancellation of Sunday nights performance of the musical Moulin Rouge.

Were working our tails off every single day. Obviously not happy about this weekend, Lightfoot told reporters at an unrelated news conference. Particularly distressing is, again, the number of young people that seemingly are involved in acts of violence. Its clearly not acceptable and thats why weve got to keep doing the things that we know are working.

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The violence follows a period of concern among hoteliers and restaurateurs who rely on downtown tourism for their livelihoods. It also comes at a politically fraught time for the mayor, who could announce at any time she is seeking reelection, and for her police Superintendent David Brown, who some of her opponents have promised to dismiss if they unseat her.

People walk in the Loop the day after a 27-year-old man and 55-year-old man were shot near the the Chicago Theatre, May 2, 2022, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Chicago police statistics have shown an uptick in violence that coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, and that was marked by more crime spreading into traditionally safer parts of the city.

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In one shooting over the weekend, Chicago police said six men were engaged in a drug deal inside a downtown taco restaurant Sunday when one of the men robbed three others. All six fled the business and one of the victims fired shots, striking two bystanders behind the Chicago Theatre just before 5 p.m.

The victims, two men ages 27 and 55, were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where the younger man was treated for a wound to his right hand and the other treated for a nonfatal wound to the head.

The shooting led to the cancellation of a production of Moulin Rouge. The Broadway in Chicago group issued a statement attributing the scuttling of the show to the nearby disturbance.

We are so very sorry for the late notice to you, our patrons, the statement read.

Hours earlier, in the Gold Coast neighborhood, an 18-year-old man was killed during a shootout inside the Sonesta ES Suites hotel in the 200 block East Walton Street, according to authorities. At a midday news conference Monday, police said women renting a room at the hotel let several men in through an emergency exit and the shooting followed a verbal altercation. The shooting happened in an area known for its expensive condominiums and five-star hotels.

A Chicago police vehicle outside the Chicago Theatre in the Loop the day after two men were shot near the theater, May 2, 2022, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Im not going to rest and I know the superintendent and the entire department shares my resolve that weve got to do more to give people confidence and make them feel safe because they are safe, Lightfoot said.

As Ive said, weve made progress this year, but its not good enough, and we talked a lot over the course of the weekend and again today about more resources we need to commit to the CTA and making sure people have confidence not only in the CTA but all modes of transport and downtown. Weve obviously got to step up our efforts, the mayor said.

Chicagos central downtown business district, which includes the Loop, the Mag Mile and the Gold Coast, is one of the citys most-policed areas, though it is nowhere near being among the most violent areas, which have remained for years in communities on the South and West sides. Downtown remains outsized in its political influence as the citys chief economic engine, with its concentration of tourist and shopping destinations, as well as City Hall.

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Safety concerns about downtown have risen since a rash of looting at high-end stores and hundreds more businesses that took place after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. The CTA has also grappled with crime and violence on trains and at stations, a reality that has come with promises of fixes from police and city leaders.

Chicago police officers walk through the CTA Red Line State/Lake station while working the scene where two people were shot in the 100 block of North Wabash Avenue in the Loop on May 1, 2022. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

In all, Chicago had 32 shooting victims and seven homicides during the period from Friday evening to Sunday night, according to police.

Brown said at a news conference Monday that homicides and shootings were down at the end of April, compared to last year. But that news, coming after a two-year surge in gun violence, was eclipsed perhaps by the shootings in the downtown area.

Brown blamed a widespread increase in the use of guns to resolve conflicts for the spike in violence.

A third shooting over the weekend saw someone killed during a domestic argument on North State Street outside a bowling alley. Police also highlighted a carjacking that took place to the south of downtown.

Almost everywhere in this country personal conflicts are being resolved with guns, he said. I dont want you to characterize this as a victim downtown is more important than a victim on the West Side or the South Side.

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But Brown also pledged to beef up police resources downtown.

Were putting together immediate plans that will start this week to add even more resources to our downtown area, he said.

A Broadway In Chicago statement regarding Sunday evenings performance of @MoulinRougeBway



Click here for further details and the schedule for remaining performances: https://t.co/t6pDdFL0Hd pic.twitter.com/Mh5gzyjnxA  Broadway In Chicago (@broadwaychicago) May 2, 2022

In a statement, the Chicago Loop Alliance called Sundays shooting near the theater district unfortunate, but pointed to ways that it had addressed safety, including its contracting of unarmed private security to patrol State Street overnight four days a week, and its Ambassadors program, a team of workers who clean State Street and answers questions from the public.

These isolated occurrences do not represent the average day or night for those of us who live, work and play in downtown Chicago, said Michael Edwards, alliance president and chief executive officer.

Lightfoot said Brown still has her 100% confidence. She also bucked questions about facing more questions about crime during an election year.

It doesnt have anything to do about the election. Its about making sure our city is livable for our residents, particularly those residents in neighborhoods that have long suffered from outrageous amounts of crime and violence, Lightfoot said. Its about making sure people in those neighborhoods also feel safe because they have lived with the lack of investment, theyve lived with a lack of focus and attention on violence for way too long.

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"Twelve embassy employees against whom this measure was taken have already returned to Belgium," a spokesperson of the Belgian Foreign Ministry told the Belga news agency on Sunday.

The diplomats and their family members left Moscow on a Belgian military transport aircraft since there are currently no regular flights between the two countries.

According to the foreign ministry spokesperson, the Belgian embassy in Moscow will remain open despite the reduction in its personnel.

In April, Belgian Ambassador to Moscow Mark Michielsen was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry in connection with the decision of Brussels to expel 21 employees of Russian foreign missions in Belgium. In response, Russia declared the employees of the Belgian Embassy in Moscow persona non grata. They were ordered to leave Russia by May 3. (ANI/Sputnik)
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has recently been pushing the limit with his US and NATO allies in the war in Ukraine, while at the same time, due to the dire economic situation facing Turkey, he is trying to mend relations with oil-rich former adversaries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In the war between Russia and Ukraine, as Turkey maintains good relations with both countries, Erdogan is trying a delicate balancing act. On the one hand, he strongly criticized Moscow's invasion but refrained from implementing the sanctions imposed by most Western countries, claiming that he opposes sanctions on principle. As Turkey continues to buy Russian oil and keeps its airspace open to Russian civilian flights - whereas 31 countries on the European continent have closed their airspace to Russian companies- probably with a view to deflecting criticism, Erdogan tried to play the role of mediator between Ukraine and Russia and hosted an unsuccessful meeting in Antalya between the Foreign Ministers of Ukraine and Russia. Turkey also indicated that it is ready to be a guarantor of a future deal between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called on Turkey to be a "guarantor" in any future agreement with Russia, along with the United Nations Security Council's five permanent members which include Russia and Germany. Russia may accept Turkey as a mediator, but at the same time is angry because Turkey has supplied its drones to the Kyiv government, which helped Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion and reportedly played a decisive role by providing precise targeting information to the Ukrainian Neptune missiles that sank the "Moskva", the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. So, Ankara has good reasons to fear the wrath of Moscow. Soner Cagaptay, of the Washington Institute, points out: "Turkey fears a Russian defeat only slightly less than it fears a Russian victory...If Putin has a list of countries he will punish for supporting Ukraine after the war, Turkey is close to the top of that list after the Baltic states, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Erdogan's ultimate goal is to avoid a showdown with Putin, who could use economic leverage or even cyber-attacks to derail the Turkish President's re-election prospects." Ankara's mediation efforts and its offer to be one of the guarantors of an agreement between Ukraine and Russia have certainly improved its relations with Washington, that in recent years had been steadily deteriorating. The worsening of relations between the two countries was mainly due to the purchase by Turkey of the Russian S-400 missile system, for which last December the US imposed sanctions on the head of Turkey's military procurement agency Ismail Demir and other top officers. But the crisis concerning the S-400, although put on the back burner due to the war in Ukraine, maybe far from over, as Ismail Demir said last Tuesday that Turkey was still talking with Russia about purchasing a second batch of S-400 despite the war in Ukraine. Demir also repeated Turkey's position that it wanted to maintain good relations with Moscow during its invasion of Ukraine. Although Erdogan has embarked in the past few months on "a charm offensive", trying to improve relations with European countries, and has scored some success in this respect, he suddenly makes some moves that destroy the whole effort. For example, Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had announced during their talks on March 13 that they decided to improve the relations between the two countries. Despite this, on April 24, when Greek Orthodox people celebrated Easter day, Turkish F-16 fighters made 17 violations of Greek airspace. The violations continued on Easter Monday, while last Wednesday Turkish F-16 made 126 violations of Greek airspace. Another example is the case of Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala, who was sentenced last week to life imprisonment, allegedly for trying to overthrow the government by financing the Gezi Park protests in 2013. Two years ago, the European Court of Human Rights decided that Kavala should be released immediately, but the Turkish Court ignored the decision. Now infringement proceedings will be initiated, which could end in Ankara's suspension from the Council of Europe. On April 27, Germany summoned the Turkish Ambassador over the sentencing of Kavala and Ankara responded immediately by summoning the German Ambassador and reminding him of the principle of not meddling in internal affairs. Last October, Erdogan caused a major diplomatic row when he threatened to expel the ambassadors of the US, France, Germany and other seven European countries after they reiterated the need for Turkey to respect the ECHR ruling. As Turkey is passing through one of its worst economic crises in recent history, Erdogan who is facing a tough election next year is making feverish efforts to boost the faltering economy of his country, trying to improve economic relations with the oil-rich Gulf States, as well with Israel and Egypt. Having succeeded to mend ties with the United Arab Emirates and securing a promise by Abu Dhabi to set up a USD 10 billion fund to support investments in Turkey, Erdogan on Thursday travelled to Saudi Arabia and had meetings with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. It should be noted that ties between Turkey and Saudi Arabia were strained after the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan had accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of giving the orders but Ankara has since sharply softened its tone. Just three days before Erdogan's visit to Saudi Arabia, a Turkish prosecutor decided to transfer to the Kingdom the case of 26 Saudi suspects tried in absentia, removing in this way a thorn in the relations between the two countries. Speaking to reporters on his return from Riyadh, Erdogan said, "We agreed with Saudi Arabia to reactivate a great economic potential through organizations that will bring our investors together." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on a three-day visit to Europe, is set to arrive in Germany on Monday and will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). India has the IGC only with Germany, which is held every two years. The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also interact and address the Indian diaspora in Germany. In his departure statement ahead of the three-nation visit, the Prime Minister said his visit to Berlin will be an opportunity to hold detailed bilateral discussions with Chancellor Scholz. "I see this IGC as an early engagement with the new government in Germany, within six months of its formation, which will be helpful to identify our priorities for the medium and long term," he said. India and Germany have had a 'Strategic Partnership' since 2001, which has been further strengthened with three rounds of Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC). The last IGC was co-chaired by PM Modi and German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel who visited India. The fifth round of IGC was held from October 31-November 1, 2019. The consultations were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Noting the long-standing commercial ties between India and Germany, the Prime Minister informed that he will also jointly address a business roundtable with the goal of energising industry to industry cooperation, which will help strengthen the post-Covid economic recovery in both the countries. PM Modi's three-nation visit will have a substantial and comprehensive agenda during his bilateral and multilateral meetings. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Criticizing the freezing of Afghanistan's assets by the United States, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Islamic Emirate Prime Minister, on Sunday urged the international community to stop interfering in Afghanistan's internal affairs. "We said that we will do no harm to anyone or any country and we do not want to be interfered with by any country. We keep our promises because we are Muslims. We call on foreign countries to not create problems for Muslims, and to keep your promises," said Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund. He further asked Afghans to return to their country, stressing on country's good security position. However, it still looks like a far cry as the country is grappling with a serious humanitarian crisis according to international assessments. Afghanistan has now the highest number of people in emergency food insecurity in the world, with more than 23 million in need of assistance, and approximately 95 per cent of the population having insufficient food consumption. Sirajuddin Haqqani, the acting Minister of Interior, said in a statement on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr that the amnesty decree was the pledge of the Islamic Emirate's leader, which everyone must follow, and forces who violate it will be brought to justice in the near future. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, rolling back women's rights advances and media freedom - the foremost achievements of the post-2001 reconstruction efforts on gender equality and freedom of speech, according to media reports. Notably, the situation of human rights in Afghanistan has worsened since the collapse of the Afghan government. Although the fighting in the country has ended, serious human rights violations continue unabated. (ANI)
With Shehbaz Sharif as the country's Prime Minister, the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz is considering quashing or suspending the punishment of his brother and former prime minister Nawaz Minister in alleged corruption cases, local media reported. This comes amid media reports that the Pakistan government has issued a new passport to Nawaz Sharif that will enable him to travel to the country. In conversation with a private TV channel, Federal Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan said that the Punjab government had the powers to quash or suspend the punishment of an accused and offer him a chance to plead his case afresh before a court of law for being 'wrongly' sentenced earlier in the case, reported Dawn. According to the Interior Minister, the PML-N supremo will take a decision on his return on the basis of his health. 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. Ousted premier Imran Khan had been slamming Nawaz Sharif for going abroad for treatment. Earlier in February, Khan noted that letting the PML-N supremo leave Pakistan was a "major mistake" of his government. Rana Sanaullah, during his talks with the media, said that there is a need to amend the constitution and relevant laws. He said that the presiding officer conducting the election of the prime minister or the chief minister must be empowered to administer the oath to the prime minister or chief minister instead of leaving the task to the president or governor. He made these remarks after weeks of delay in the oath-taking ceremony of Punjab CM Hamza Shehbaz despite Lahore High Court orders. (ANI)
After weeks of delay in the swearing-in of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz as the Chief Minister of Punjab, the formation of a new provincial cabinet is also likely to be delayed till the removal of incumbent Governor Omar Sarfaraz Cheema. Earlier, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Parvez Elahi and Governor Cheema had made it difficult for Hamza to take oath even two weeks after he got elected in an assembly session marked by unprecedented mayhem, reported Dawn. One of the senior leaders of the PML-N revealed on Sunday that the discussion to finalize the names for the PML-N-led Punjab cabinet was underway, but the process might be delayed for a couple of weeks till the governor's removal. Slamming the Punjab Governor Cheema, the senior PML-N leader said, "As long as Cheema is in office, he is not going to administer oath the to new Punjab cabinet for sure, compelling us to move the court. Therefore, we have decided instead of seeking court's intervention again for the purpose, [we should] wait till his (Cheema's) ouster by mid of this month." PML-N leader argued, "The PML-N does not want oath-taking matter of new Punjab cabinet to be taken to the court like that of Hamza's and can wait for 10 days or so, seeing the ruling coalition's own governor taking the charge." The cabinet formation is also mired with controversy. A sword of de-seating was still hanging on the 26 PTI dissidents who voted for the PML-N leader in the election of the chief minister. Hamza Shahbaz was elected as the new chief minister with 197 votes on April 16, just a few days after the ouster of PTI chairman Imran Khan's government however his oath-taking ceremony was delayed. Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema had rejected the former Punjab CM Usman Buzdar's resignation, deeming it "not constitutionally valid". Cheema ruled his election controversial due to the ruckus that took place in the Assembly. Moreover, former federal minister Moonis Elahi of the PML-N called the Punjab CM fake and accused him of stealing the PTI chairman Imran Khan's mandate to become a 'controversial' chief minister, as per the media outlet. He also expressed hope that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would not prolong the case of PTI turncoats and de-seat them as they had defected to the PML-N. (ANI)
Farmers of Pakistan fear that the urea crisis would be severe this year because of the reduction in the gas supply that has been diverted to help overcome the electricity shortage in the country. Gas supply to at least two fertilizer manufacturing units in Punjab has been further worsening the compost crisis before the last Rabi season. The official urea fertiliser rates that farmers pay in Pakistan are very high. Urea fertiliser rate per bag is Rs 1,768 but the farmers had to purchase it for Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,700 per bag, and that too after standing in long queues for hours, reported Dawn. The struggling farmer had been voicing their concerns about the urea shortage to the ex-Imran Khan-led government as well, however, they had fallen on deaf ears. The PTI government had been justifying the spike in Urea prices while comparing them with the international prices of Rs 11,000 per bag. Last year, gas supply to the fertiliser industry had been suspended from June to September, making a dent of 200,000 tonnes in the production of urea compost. As the 2021-22 Rabi season had started with an inventory of 116,000 tons against the 472,000 tons of the previous year, urea supply and prices had spun out of control impacting the Rabi crop cycle and threatening the coming Kharif. With less production of compost, farmers are struggling to meet the demand. Moreover, the prices of the compost are also leading to the smuggling of the fertilizer. The government's inability to address the issue has played havoc on the supply and is causing a severe crisis of one of the most essential agricultural inputs. Pakistan Kissan Ittehad president Khalid Mahmood Khokhar accused the former Minister and said that Imran Khan's government diverted the blame onto the political opposition, as per the media outlet. The closure of factories earlier than even the last year means a further drop in production and thus widening the demand and supply gap, bemoans Khokhar. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin on Monday. PM Modi greeted members of the Indian community, who were awaiting his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime Minister's arrival. The people chanted "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" on seeing the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister also interacted with a little girl who presented him with a portrait of his picture. He took a picture with the girl who called him her icon and also signed the portrait for her. Earlier this morning, the Prime Minister arrived at Berlin-Brandenburg airport in Germany on the first leg of his visit to three European nations. Upon his arrival, PM Modi expressed confidence that the visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany. "Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany," he tweeted. During his visit to Germany, PM Modi will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will also co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also interact and address the Indian diaspora in Germany. India and Germany have had a 'Strategic Partnership' since 2001, which has been further strengthened with three rounds of Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC). The last IGC was co-chaired by PM Modi and German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel who visited India. The fifth round of IGC was held from October 31-November 1, 2019. The consultations were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PM Modi's three-nation visit will have a substantial and comprehensive agenda during his bilateral and multilateral meetings. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will rejig postings of the country's envoys later this month after consulting State Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and other senior officials. Pakistan diplomats posted in important world capitals would undergo a major shakeup later this month, reported The News International. As per several reports, the new government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, instead of appointing political envoys, would prefer to provide opportunities to career diplomats belonging to the Foreign Service in the upcoming reshuffle. Former ambassador for the United States Dr Asad Majeed Khan, who was in the news for the so-called diplomatic cable in March that the former Prime Minister Imran Khan claimed revealed the US conspiracy to oust him, has been allowed to leave the country for his next posting. Dr Asad Majeed was retained at the headquarters for more than two months for discussions and probes. He will assume charge as Pakistan's ambassador for Belgium and European Union (EU) in Brussels early next week. He will take over the assignment on May 10. According to the sources, Pakistan will have new ambassadors/high commissioners in different capitals soon where the contractual envoys are working who were appointed by the previous government, reported the news portal. They are deemed to resign with the change of the government immediately and the sources pointed out that the new government is yet to make up its mind to retain any such envoys. The country's permanent representative (PR) for the United Nations, Muneer Akram, 79, would be relieved of his assignment forthwith. He is availing of contractual service for the period of two years for the second time in a row. Pakistan's ambassador to the United States Sardar Masood Khan and other non-career/ contractual ambassadors/ high commissioners will be submitting their resignations straightaway according to their contracts. Pakistan's ambassador for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Afzal Mahmood is also reaching superannuation later this month. The UAE will have a new ambassador early next month. Well-placed diplomatic sources told the media outlet on Sunday that Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, who has completed three years in his incumbent assignment, would be assigned an important capital on a contractual basis in a couple of weeks. His replacement will be discussed soon after the Eid vacation. Pakistan's ambassador for EU and Belgium Zaheer Aslam Janjua will become the country's high commissioner for Canada later this month. He will be leaving Brussels later this week for proceeding to Ottawa. Pakistan's ambassador for Japan Imtiaz Ahmad after attaining superannuation has left the charge in Tokyo. Senior diplomat Ismat Hassan Sial has taken over as charge d' affairs in the mission. She will continue as long as the new envoy reaches the Japanese capital. The High Commission in Dublin for Ireland and Athens for Greece is also becoming vacant this month. As per the sources, there could be a change of high commissioner in London to replace Moazzam Ahmad Khan, who would be asked to return to the headquarters. He will be retiring from the service by the end of the year. Pakistan will have a new high commissioner for the United Kingdom later next month. (ANI)
Taking a jibe at PML-N leaders during a press conference in Islamabad, former interior minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed questioned the dynamics of the party while also claiming that Sharif and his party members are planning to kill him. "I have registered a case against seven people at the secretariat police station as my life is in danger," Ahmed said, Geo News reported. The former interior minister further said that as soon as PML-N came to power, they removed the names of a hundred people from the Exit Control List (ECL). "I request the army to scrutinise the list of people who have been removed from the ECL", he said. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government has changed the rules controlling citizens' exit from the country following which 3000 names were struck off from the black list also known as Exit Control List (ECL) in an attempt to end the practice of keeping people on the no-fly list for years and even for over a decade. In a fugitive statement, he also said that the PML-N, soon after forming a government, started transferring all those people who had initiated investigations against them. "They are coming up with fake cases against [PTI] members which are putting a burden on the judiciary," the politician added. Rasheed also criticised Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah and said that "this man will push this country into a civil war, therefore, he should be stopped." "How could they make this lunatic person the interior minister of the country," Rasheed questioned. "This man only wants bloodshed." In a dig at leaders of other parties, Rasheed said that "Shehbaz Shareef resorted to his flagrant bootlicking of the army 14 times, while Asif Zardari is responsible for spreading corruption in Punjab. In an effort to counter the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) public meetings, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to hold rallies after Eidul Fitr. According to sources, the incumbent ruling party has formulated its strategy in response to the former ruling party's mass mobilisation attempts. (ANI)
Northwestern University ended an active threat event alert after a carjacking suspect was apprehended on its Chicago campus Monday afternoon, Chicago police said.

Officers pursuing the suspect tried to make a traffic stop near Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive and Chicago Avenue around 1:30 p.m., but the suspect fled the vehicle, police said.

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The man, 19, ran into the Northwestern Memorial Hospital Feinberg Pavilion and was in there for about 30 minutes before being taken into custody, police said.

A gun was found in the vehicle, police said. Charges are pending.

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A Chicago police officer guards a crime scene at Chicago Avenue and DuSable Lake Shore Drive where a stolen vehicle was recovered on May 2, 2022. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)

There were no injuries at the Northwestern University campus where the incident occurred, according to the Chicago Fire Department.

The initial carjacking occurred about 12:50 p.m. in the 2000 block of West Arthur Avenue in the West Rogers Park neighborhood, police said.

No further information was available about the carjacking.
"When decisions are in favour of the Sharifs, courts open at night and when there is any case against them, it takes court years to decide, which is surprising," the PML-Q leader said, reported The News International.

Speaking on the programme "Naya Pakistan" at Pakistan-based media outlet, Geo New, Elahi also accused the Election Commission of Pakistan of being biased.

PMLQ leader said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had summoned members of the National Assembly who even did not cast their vote against the PTI, while the cases of lawmakers, who had cast their vote and breached the party line, were pending.

This comes at a time when ECP has rejected Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf's (PTI) plea seeking a joint investigation in foreign funding cases against all political parties.

Notably, Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi sent a reference against the dissident Members of the Parliamentary Assembly to the ECP, urging it to declare them defected from the PTI since they had allegedly violated party discipline.

He also showed his support for the PTI long march towards Islamabad. The PML-Q leader showed no regret of supporting the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. (ANI)
Former Pakistan Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed's nephew Sheikh Rashid Shafiq who was arrested on Sunday for his alleged involvement in the Madinah incident, has been sent to remand in police custody for another two days. In the Masjid-e-Nabawi incident in Saudi Arabia, protesters had raised slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation. The court approved two-day physical remand and directed police to present him on the second day of Eid before the court. Earlier, the police sought his physical remand for seven days to probe his alleged involvement in the matter before the duty judge. The court granted on Sunday granted one day's remand of Sheikh Rashid Shafique to the police. However, it has been extended for two days now. Police had produced Rashid Shafique in the court of duty judge Mushtaq Janjua in Attock. Sheikh Ahmed confirmed his nephew's arrest, saying that he just landed in Pakistan after performing the Umrah when he was nabbed. The former Interior Minister further said, "None of us was in Saudi Arabia, but cases were still registered [against us]. Residences are being raided after the registration of the cases." He said that people could harass them (PM and his delegation) whenever they wanted. It is worth mentioning that the former Interior Minister is Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan's close aide. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia police arrested five Pakistani nationals for "abusing and insulting" members of PM Shehbaz Sharif's delegation at the Masjid-e-Nabawi (PBUH) in Madina. The spokesperson of the Madina Police said that the suspects have been referred to the competent authorities after completing the legal procedures. "Their actions contradict the sanctity of the place and impact the safety of visitors and worshippers," the Spokesperson was quoted as saying. A viral video is in circulation 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. In a video, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and member of the National Assembly Shahzain Bugti were seen along with others. 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," she said. Dozens of officials and political leaders have accompanied the Pakistan Prime Minister on his visit to the Kingdom. (ANI)
The first lady will leave for Romania on May 5, pay a visit to Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base on the following day and depart for Bucharest on May 7 to hold meetings with the country's government officials and humanitarian workers, CNN reported.

The report added that Jill Biden will travel to Bratislava on May 7 to meet with the US embassy staff before leaving for Kosice and Vysne Nemecke in the country's east, where the first lady will express support to displaced Ukrainians.

On May 9, the first lady will meet with Slovakian officials before her departure to the US, according to the report.

More than 5.4 million refugees have fled Ukraine since the start of Russia's military operation, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency. (ANI/Sputnik)
With the blame game still on between Pakistan's present and former governments, Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif has blamed the Imran Khan-led PTI government for excessive load-shedding and ongoing power crisis across the country. This comes as the country's electricity shortfall reaches between 7,000 and 8,000 megawatts while unannounced load-shedding reaches its peak in Punjab, including Lahore, due to the electricity shortfall. According to The News International, the Nawabshah town of Sindh remained the hottest place in Pakistan on Sunday where the mercury soared to 49.5 degrees Celsius under the influence of an intense heatwave that has gripped the plains of Sindh and Punjab, Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) officials said. Whereas in Sindh, the mercury touched 49.5 degrees Celsius in Shaheed Benazirabad (Nawabshah) on Sunday, the report added. Other cities of interior Sindh also experienced extremely hot and dry weather including Jacobabad with 49 degrees Celsius, Mohenjodaro at 48.5C, Larkana, Sakrand and Padidan experienced 48 degrees Celsius on Sunday," an official of the PMD told The News. A maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius was recorded in Karachi on Sunday. People from different cities of Sindh complained of unannounced hours-long power breakdowns amid extremely high temperatures, saying due to high fuel costs, they were unable to use generators for domestic power generation. The power supply in Pakistan has been disrupted due to the shortage of 300 megawatts from the national grid, cited the spokesperson of the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation Limited, as reported by The News International earlier. In Punjab, Rahim Yar Khan remained the hottest place with a maximum temperature of 47.5 degrees Celsius while the temperature in Lahore remained at 42 degrees Celsius. In Balochistan, Sibbi remained the hottest place with 47 degrees Celsius followed by Turbat with 43 degrees Celsius while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Dera Ismail Khan remained the hottest place with 45 degrees Celsius followed by Peshawar and Bannu with 42 degrees Celsius in each city. Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir remained the hottest place with a maximum temperature of 41 degrees Celsius, PMD officials said adding that even in Islamabad, stated the local media reports. The frequent power load-shedding in maximum areas of Pakistan just a few days ahead of Eid ul Fitr has increased the miseries of people who are struggling to perform daily chores, especially during the Sehri and Iftar timings, reported local media. Criticizing the mismanagement of the Imran Khan-led PTI government and calling it "incompetent and greedy for money", Shehbaz Sharif blamed the former prime minister for excessive load-shedding in Pakistan. Due to lack of fuel and other technical drawbacks, heatwaves continue to punish the country's citizens in full swing. (ANI)
Moonis Elahi, Pakistan Muslim League Qaid (PML-Q) top leader, claimed a political vendetta behind the registration of FIR against the former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, and warned the Sharif brothers to refrain from any kind of revengeful moves. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, another top leader of PML-Q, said in a statement, that Sharifs have neither taken any lesson from the history nor stopped targeting their political rival, Ary News reported on Sunday. He added that the 'imported government' is taking dangerous steps by using religious cards in the country. "Imran Khan has no connection with the Masjid-e-Nabavi PBUH incident and the PTI chairman has also clarified his position," he further added. PMLQ leader also said the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had summoned members of the National Assembly who even did not cast their vote against the PTI, while the cases of lawmakers, who had cast their vote and breached the party line, were pending. Two separate groups, a 150-member group from Pakistan and another group from London, had been sent to Saudi Arabia, who harassed Pakistani pilgrims and stopped them from performing their religious rituals at Masjid-e-Nabawi, read the FIR, according to local media reports. After Faisalabad, a case was registered against the former Prime Minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan and others in Attock over the Masjid-e-Nabawi incident. A case has also been registered against Imran Khan and others at the New Airport police station in Attock for disrespecting the sanctity of the holy place. Apart from Imran Khan, those nominated in the case include former information minister Fawad Chaudhry, National Assembly former deputy speaker Qasim Khan Suri, MNA Sheikh Rashid Shafique, Aneel Mussarat, a British-Pakistani businessman, and others. The PML-Q leader showed no regret in supporting the former Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. (ANI)
Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Foreign Affairs Department In-Charge, said that Ukraine will be an important part of deliberations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's three day Europe visit. "Bilateral collaboration with the three European countries and Ukraine will be an important part of deliberations during this visit," said Chauthaiwale. He also added that on the backdrop of post-pandemic recovery which is challenged by the Ukraine war the importance of PM Modi's three-nation visit cannot be emphasized more. PM Modi who arrived in Germany will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. On Monday is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. The BJP official noted that all three countries have a unique partnership with India and added that the visit encompasses diverse sectors such as defence, healthcare, science and technology, trade and investment, sustainable development as well as education. While Ukraine will be an important part of deliberations during this visit, the above-mentioned sectors of bilateral collaboration are also equally important, he added. He also said that the India-Nordic summit will also bring a unique opportunity to address several issues of mutual interests. Notably, during his visit to Germany, PM Modi will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will also co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). India has the IGC only with Germany, which is held every two years. The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin thanked the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for accepting Tamil Nadu's request on supplementing India's humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, an island nation gripped by the severe economic crisis. Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution seeking permission to supply rice and essential medicines as aid to Sri Lanka. Responding to that Jaishankar said that Tamil Nadu Government's assistance can supplement what is being provided by the government of India and informed that Sri Lanka prefers inclusive distribution. Taking to Twitter, Stalin wrote, "A personal thanks to Hon'ble @DrSJaishankar for accepting Tamil Nadu's request to help the people of Sri Lanka. I am sure that this humane gesture will be greatly welcomed by all and help to improve the warmth and cordiality between nations. Let the goodwill grow in all spheres." Jaishankar in a letter addressed to CM Stalin said that the mission in Colombo was consulted over Tamil Nadu's request. The Ministry in a letter stated, "MEA offers that Tamil Nadu Government's assistance can supplement what is being provided by the government of India. The Government of Sri Lanka's preference is for inclusive distribution." On the proposal by the Tamil Nadu government to provide humanitarian assistance to the Island nation, Jaishankar noted the state government can direct TN Chief Secretary to coordinate with the Centre for supplying the relief material. The EAM said, "You may wish to direct TN Chief Secretary to coordinate with Government of India for supply and distribution of humanitarian relief material to Sri Lankan Government. Relief material will be shared with the Government of Sri Lanka to be distributed appropriately in the current circumstances." Presently, Sri Lanka is struggling with acute food and electricity shortages, forcing the country to seek help from its neighbours. The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a clampdown on tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is unable to buy sufficient fuel and gas, while the people are being deprived of basic amenities as well. (ANI)
PM Modi, who arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

The Prime Minister greeted members of the Indian community, who were awaiting his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime Minister's arrival.

The people chanted "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" on seeing the Prime Minister.

Before departing for Federal Chancellery in Berlin, PM Modi was again greeted by the Indian diaspora.

During his visit to Germany, PM Modi will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will also co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in Germany.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed happiness after meeting the members of the Indian community in Berlin and said that India is proud of the accomplishments of its diaspora. "It was early morning in Berlin yet several people from the Indian community came by. Was wonderful connecting with them. India is proud of the accomplishments of our diaspora," tweeted PM Modi. PM Modi, who arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin. The Prime Minister greeted members of the Indian community, who were awaiting his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime Minister's arrival. The people chanted "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" on seeing the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister was all praises for a young Indian-origin boy as he sang a patriotic song on his arrival in Berlin. He also interacted with a little girl, Manya, who presented him with a portrait of his picture. He took a picture with Manya who called him her icon and also signed the portrait for her. "It was a wonderful experience meeting PM Modi. He is my icon. He signed the painting I made of him and said to me "Shabash"," said Manya following her interaction with the prime minister. "PM Modi's visit is like a dream for us Indian people living in Germany. We see how PM Modi is doing development in India and feel proud that our country is not behind any European country," said Manya's mother, adding that she feels lucky to see the Prime Minister in person. Another member of the Indian community, Amay Pradhan, who came to Frankfurt from Berlin, said that he had been waiting for PM Modi's arrival since yesterday. We have been waiting at this hotel since 4.30 am in the morning. We were very excited about PM Modi's arrival in Germany. We want that India further the bilateral ties with Germany and our country emerges as a manufacturing hub," he said. Earlier this morning, the Prime Minister arrived at Berlin-Brandenburg airport in Germany on the first leg of his visit to three European nations. Upon his arrival, PM Modi expressed confidence that the visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany. "Landed in Berlin. Today, I will be holding talks with Chancellor @OlafScholz, interacting with business leaders and addressing a community programme. I am confident this visit will boost the friendship between India and Germany," he tweeted. During his visit to Germany, PM Modi will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will also co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in Germany. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Pakistan state television PTV was unable to make an on-the-spot coverage of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's Lahore visit last week due to the "non-availability of a functional laptop". The PTV after suspending employees for failing to ensure 'proper' coverage of Sharif's events, reinstated the officials. This comes after PM visited Kot Lakhpat jail and Ramazan Bazaars in Lahore on April 24, but the PTV team was unable to cover the events properly. As per the sources, the PTV had failed on Sunday as well to broadcast live the first-ever visit of Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz to southern Punjab, reported Dawn. The state broadcaster had to rely on private television channels for live coverage of the event. The logos of private channels covering the event were visible on the PTV screen. Sohail Bokhari, a PTV spokesperson, informed that the suspended officials will be reinstated with effect from May 1. "The employees concerned have been informed that they may resume their duties on the first working day after the Eid holidays," informed the spokesperson. Among those who were suspended included the General Manager of Lahore PTV, the coordinator for VVIP coverage, and senior news editors. According to a statement released by the PTV, the state-run organization "ensures its coverage integrity in line with its stated SOPs, but these were not followed during the Prime Minister's Lahore visit". "Taking cognizance of gross negligence on part of the team, the management suspended the employees responsible for the whole coverage and the matter was put to detailed investigation," the statement said, as per the media outlet. "The suspensions were made as part of the standard operating procedure in place in the state media to avert the recurrence of such incidents. But the management, taking a tolerant view of this negligence, has restored the services of these employees," it added. In 2018, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government has ordered for immediate removal of Arshad Khan from the post of Managing Director (MD) of PTV after the state-run news channel was involved in a major goof-up during Prime Minister Imran Khan's recent visit to China. The PTV news channel spelt the dateline "Beijing" as "Begging" on the top left corner of the screen during the live broadcast of Khan's speech in China. The typo continued to remain visible on-screen for around 20 seconds and became a target of trolling by netizens. (ANI)
Chicago police scrubbed evidence that could have helped clear a man convicted of the murder of off-duty Officer Clifton Lewis, and kept further evidence hidden from both prosecutors and defense attorneys, a new court filing alleges.

Attorneys for Alexander Villa, who was convicted of the murder in 2019 but is still awaiting sentencing, want an order from a judge letting them inspect police files directly, instead of relying on what police have turned over to attorneys.

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Lewis, an eight-year veteran of the department, was fatally shot in December 2011 at the West Side convenience store where he was working as a security guard. Prosecutors described the attack as a botched robbery.

A Chicago police officer stands guard at the scene where off-duty Officer Clifton Lewis was shot and killed overnight at an Austin neighborhood convenience store, Dec. 30, 2011. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

Police investigating their colleagues slaying withheld a slew of information that could have been helpful to Villas defense, his attorneys argued in a motion filed last week, including an FBI report that shows the alleged getaway drivers cellphone was three miles away from the scene of the shooting. Police also destroyed FBI reports that showed they were considering two other men to be viable alternate suspects, according to the court filing Wednesday.

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In addition, prosecutors and defense attorneys did not learn until April that police had in fact examined the cellphone of Villas sometime girlfriend, Monica Rivera, who according to Villas phone records was texting with him around the time of the shooting.

CPD has provided no explanation as to why the exculpatory text messages were seemingly scrubbed from (the report), the filing states. CPD has certainly provided no explanation as to why CPD withheld the doctored report from both the prosecution and the defense.

The allegations echo the decades-old controversy over Chicago polices former practice of keeping two different versions of a file on each case: a court file that would be given to prosecutors, and a more detailed street file that would remain under wraps. The practice was supposed to have been eliminated by general order in 1986.

The department had no immediate comment on the allegations, and the Cook County states attorneys office also did not address it.

Alexander Villa, was convicted in the 2011 slaying of Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis. (Chicago Police Department)

Villas former attorney said in closing arguments that he could not have been the shooter, since surveillance footage shows the gunmen walking toward the convenience store at roughly the same time Villa was texting his girlfriend. But the substance of those texts was not available from Villas records, and prosecutors argued that he could have easily sent a short text before walking into view of the cameras.

The newly unearthed report on Riveras phone does show the content of her texts  however, it does not show any texts or calls between her and Villa in the days leading up to and after the shooting. The logical conclusion is that police deleted those texts from the report altogether, Villas attorneys argue.

Lewis slaying made headlines across the city in 2011. Graphic security video shows two masked gunmen charge into the M & M Quick Foods in the 1200 block of North Austin Boulevard and fatally shoot Lewis, who took cover behind the counter and returned fire. The decorated officer, described as a gentle giant, had just gotten engaged a few days before he was killed.

Three men were ultimately charged with Lewis murder. Villa and Tyrone Clay were the two shooters, prosecutors allege. Edgardo Colon was charged with being the getaway driver.

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A Cook County jury convicted Villa in a late-night verdict in 2019. Prosecutors argued that surveillance video of the shooting, while not particularly sharp, showed the large tattoo on Villas neck. They also relied on witnesses who said they overheard Villa admit to the shooting, though they did not come forward until long after the killing.

The casket is carried from the church following funeral services for slain Chicago police Officer Clifton Lewis on Jan. 5, 2012. (William DeShazer/Chicago Tribune)

The other two cases have also taken complicated paths. Colon was convicted of murder in 2017, only to have the case overturned on appeal. His constitutional rights were violated when police continued questioning him after he indicated he wanted a lawyer, the appellate court found. Colon is free on bail awaiting a second trial, at which prosecutors will not be able to use his videotaped confession against him.

Clay has been in jail for more than a decade awaiting trial. Several years were spent in legal wrangling over whether Clays videotaped statements could be shown to jurors. His attorneys argued that Clays limited intelligence and verbal comprehension made him unable to competently waive his Miranda rights. Cook County Judge Erica Reddick ultimately agreed and threw out the statements.

Prosecutors appealed that decision; it took the state appellate court a year and a half to render its order saying Reddick was correct and the confession should not go before a jury.

Clay is slated for a hearing next week to determine whether he should be released on bond awaiting trial. In a recent court filing, his attorneys note the newly unearthed cellphone location records for the men allegedly involved in the shooting. Villas phone was roughly 4 miles northeast of the shooting scene 20 minutes before the shooting, and again about 15 minutes afterward, according to an affidavit filed by an investigator with the Cook County public defenders office. And Colons phone was nowhere near the convenience store at the time he was allegedly acting as getaway driver, they argue.

In addition, defense attorneys are hoping that an old PlayStation can be repaired and tested to support an alibi that Clay was playing video games at the time of the shooting.

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mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
"Kyiv is completely different now compared to what it had been. This also means that we can directly support [Ukraine] and closely cooperate, having our embassy and the ambassador in the heart of the Ukrainian capital," Kofod said on air of Danish broadcaster TV 2.

The Foreign Minister arrived in Kyiv with a small delegation to attend the reopening of the embassy. At the same time, Denmark urges its nationals to "avoid any trips" to Ukraine.

On February 24, the Danish embassy in Kyiv suspended work for security reasons after Russia started its military operation. (ANI/Sputnik)
"Expanding India-Germany cooperation. PM @narendramodi and Chancellor Scholz meet in Berlin. @Bundeskanzler," Office of the Prime Minister of India said in a tweet.

The Prime Minister earlier today received a guard of honour at Federal Chancellery in Berlin on Monday in the presence of the German Chancellor.

PM Modi, who arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

The Prime Minister greeted members of the Indian community, who were awaiting his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime Minister's arrival.

The people chanted "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" on seeing the Prime Minister. Before departing for Federal Chancellery in Berlin, PM Modi was again greeted by the Indian diaspora.

During his visit to Germany, PM Modi will hold his first in-person meeting with the newly appointed Chancellor Olaf Scholz. PM Modi and Olaf Scholz will also co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in Germany.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
The wounded man was soon transferred to a Civil Hospital in Quetta, reported the Dawn newspaper. The fire tenders also arrived within an hour after the incident took place and put out the fire.

It is presumed that the fire broke out after an explosion at the office. Although reports claimed that an explosion have caused the fire, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Abdul Haq Imrani did not confirm the reports and dismissed claims of a supposed blast.

However, he said that the authorities were investigating the matter to find the source of the fire. According to the police, several files and records were burned to ash because of the fire, reported the Dawn newspaper.

Further, Sanaullah, a security guard who was appointed at the office when the fire erupted, said that before the "explosion and the subsequent fire", three armed men were seen barging into the office. The unidentified men also held the staff members hostage. Soon after they departed, the fire broke out.

"They tied [the staff members'] hands and tortured them," said the security guard, as reported by Dawn newspaper.

Meanwhile, the SSP said that the security guard would be questioned." (ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Monday shared the footage of US defence analyst Rebecca Grant who confirmed that their country had played a role in ousting PTI Chairman Imran Khan through the vote of the no-confidence motion. Answering the queries during the interview on US News Program, Grant said, "Pakistan will have to support Ukraine, stop making deals with Russia, cut ties with China and end anti-US policies." She was asked about any new message that the US had for the new Pakistan government, ARY News reported. Grant further confessed that this is the reason that Imran Khan was ousted a couple of weeks ago through the no-confidence motion because Pakistan didn't listen. She said, "Now a time came that Pakistan should end Anti American policies, and cut relations with Russia." PTI leader and former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari shared the interview on her Twitter handle and asked if people needed more proof of the US conspiracy involved in ousting the elected Prime Minister Imran Khan for not following the US demands, reported ARY News. "Need more proof of US regime change conspiracy against elected PM IK for not kowtowing before US demands? Admission by US National Security and Defense analyst Dr Rebecca Grant that the US had a role in ousting Imran Khan thru VoNC," she tweeted. Another PTI leader Asad Umar also shared the footage of Grant on his Twitter account and tweeted, "Listen to a US perspective on why the vote of confidence against @ImranKhanPTI succeeded. A clear statement that one of the reasons was independent foreign policy being pursued by Imran Khan." Meanwhile, on Saturday, Imran Khan sent letters to President Arif Alvi and Umar Ata Bandial, the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), demanding the constitution of a separate judicial commission to probe his "foreign conspiracy" allegations. Imran Khan claimed that both the Chief Justice and the President were in possession of a letter handed over to Asad Majeed Khan, the former ambassador of Pakistan by Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State, as reported by Ary News. "The PTI government, as reflected in the last cabinet meeting, was of the view that there was a regime change conspiracy to remove PM Imran Khan from the office," he said. Further, after sending the letter, Imran Khan urged the President to investigate the matter. He even added that it's the responsibility of the President to look after his people and protect them from foreign conspiracies. "But, the apparent silence from the Presidency, as well as the Supreme Court, is creating a sense of betrayal and helplessness amongst the people of Pakistan," said the ousted Prime Minister. However, noticing Imran Khan's claims, the National Security Committee (NSC) had discussed the contents of the "threatening" telegram with the Pakistan embassy in Washington and concluded that "there has been no foreign conspiracy" to oust Imran Khan's government. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has staged several protests across the country against the United States for an alleged "foreign conspiracy" to oust the country's former Prime Minister Imran Khan from power who has been unseated after the no-confidence vote initiated by the Opposition was carried in the National Assembly. (ANI)
The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour and received by Chancellor Scholz at the Federal Chancellery. The two leaders thereafter met in one-on-one format followed by delegation-level talks.

Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz began bilateral discussions after their one-to-one meeting.

"This is their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. The momentum of high-level exchanges with our Strategic Partner continues," MEA said in a tweet.

PM Modi, who arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

PM Modi and Olaf Scholz co-chair the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC).

The 6th IGC will be followed by a high-level roundtable where PM and Chancellor Scholz will interact with the top CEOs of both countries. PM Modi will also address the Indian diaspora in Germany.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) leader Fawad Chaudhry filed a written petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday requesting that blasphemy cases registered against the party's leadership be declared "illegal". Asad Khan, the high court's assistant registrar has confirmed that they have received the petition. Also, Advocate Faisal Fareed and Advocate Ali Bukhari, who belong to the legal team of PTI, filed the petition on Fawad's behalf, reported Dawn newspaper. The respondents of the case include the Federation of Pakistan, Interior Minister, Rana Sanaullah, director-general of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), accompanied by police chiefs of Islamabad, Sindh and Balochistan. In the plea, Fawad mentioned that the PTI leadership was targeted by Rana Sanaullah. Sanallah had also "openly threatened" the PTI with grave consequences, reported the Dawn newspaper. Fawad further mentioned in the petition that, the present government intended to teach a lesson to the PTI leaders, one that they would never forget. The PTI leader also said that the government was wrongly accusing him, and ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan, along with others for the Masjid-i-Nabwi incident. Rana Sanaullah had even booked Fawad and other PTI members in false criminal cases. FIRs had been launched in Faisalabad, Burewala and Islamabad, stated the PTI leader. The petition also urged the Islamabad High Court to probe on what ground Fawad and the other PTI members were charged for the criminal cases. It also requested the IHC to hold the FIA and police "illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional", reported Dawn newspaper. Meanwhile, sloganeering cases were registered against some of the Pakistani pilgrims after they attacked newly-elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation during their visit to the Masjid-i-Nabwi in Saudi Arabia last week. However, the petition noted that former Prime Minister Imran Khan had organized an event at his house on the same day when the unfortunate incident occurred at the mosque. Hence, all the PTI members were present at the event celebrating the 27th of Ramazan. (ANI)
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar informed that both the leaders discussed the Ukraine conflict and Indo-Pacific.

"Good conversation with FM @ABaerbock. Reviewed our bilateral cooperation. Discussed the Ukraine conflict & Indo-Pacific. Signed agreement on direct encrypted connection between the two Foreign Offices. Will be reporting at the Inter-Governmental Consultations Plenary," Jaishankar tweeted.

This comes as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Germany. PM Modi held a meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin as the two leaders look forward to expand India-Germany cooperation.

The Prime Minister earlier today received a guard of honour at Federal Chancellery in Berlin on Monday in the presence of the German Chancellor.

PM Modi, who arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit, got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

The Prime Minister greeted members of the Indian community, who were awaiting his arrival at Hotel Adlon Kempinski in Berlin. Many children along with their parents were present at the hotel, waving their hands at the Prime Minister's arrival.

The people chanted "Vande Mataram" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" on seeing the Prime Minister.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
A tense situation erupted in Sri Lanka's Galle Face protest site after the riot police were deployed on the ground, resulting in protesters engaging in a verbal battle and eventually asking the riot police to leave the site. Video footage showing the riot police, carrying the batons was deployed in the area which led to a heated argument with the protesters and the police eventually having to leave, Daily Mirror reported. Upon this incident, Sri Lanka's senior police officer said that the additional security has been deployed as the protesters were trying to set up a stage at the entrance of the presidential secretariat, which would block the vehicles from going in and out of the premises. The senior police officer further said that they have urged the protesters to avoid doing this and the riot police were deployed as a precautionary measure, reported Daily Mirror. "As long as the protests are peaceful, we will not interfere. But they cannot block the entrance of any premises," a senior police official said. The protestors had informed the police that they were peacefully protesting for days and they should leave the premises without causing any hindrance and eventually the riot police left the site. Mass protests over economic mismanagement escalated in early April, prompting the president to declare a state of emergency on April 1. Sri Lanka has been gripped by an economic crisis considered the worst since the country gained independence in 1948. Due to energy shortages, some parts of Sri Lanka have rolling blackouts. Sri Lanka's foreign debt is estimated at USD 51 billion. (ANI)
Of all the crises confronting Pakistan today, water scarcity is the least talked about but most challenging for a country where over 30 million citizens have no access to clean drinking water. In three years, Pakistan will be staring at acute water scarcity, a situation which would leave millions of people and their land gasping for a trickle. Back in the 1950s, it was a water-abundant country with about 6,000 cubic metres per capita. Today, it is 1,017 cubic metres per capita only. With a very limited storage capacity for annual rainfall, not more than 10 per cent, Pakistan is slated to become the most water-stressed country in South Asia in the next two decades. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that Pakistan was already the third most water-stressed country in the world. Besides the crippling inadequacy in developing robust water infrastructure, the most compelling reason for Pakistan becoming a `dry` country in the near future rests with the civilian and military leadership of the country which invested more in traditional security needs and not on urgent public issues like water. Even water, like other natural resources, was labelled as a security issue and not as an existential issue for the country. This collective leadership failure has put Pakistan in dire straits in terms of water security in the near future. This monumental water crisis has not happened all of a sudden. It has been gradually building up with water resources getting depleted and its management caught up in corruption and poor policy options and, most important of all, intra-provincial conflict. According to the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, a premium think tank on water issues, the crisis has been building since the 50s--it first reached the "water stress line" in 1990 and the 'water scarcity line' in 2005. Experts cite several reasons for this crisis--the country is located in a semi-arid area where annual rainfall is less than 240 mm. Coupled with changing rain patterns and resulting droughts due to climate change have made matters worse. The effect of climate change is clearly visible on the water quality and supply. Freshwater supplies are becoming salty. Much of the water in Asia comes from glaciers, 303.6 million cubic feet a year but fast eroding glaciers have created a debilitating combination of floods and a decline in water availability in Pakistan rivers. It is feared that by 2025, the total shortfall would equal almost two-thirds of the entire Indus River system's annual average flow. An important part of the water supply has been groundwater which is under threat because of fast depleting aquifers like elsewhere in Asia. More than 60 per cent of irrigation, 70 per cent of drinking water and 100 per cent of the industry depend on groundwater. The aquifer in the Indus Basin, considered the lifeline of Pakistan's economy, is the second most stressed in the world. In most areas, groundwater tables have fallen by up to 100 feet within the last decade or so. According to a 2022 report from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, over 80 per cent of water resources were utilised by four major crops --rice, wheat, sugarcane and cotton--which contribute only 5 per cent to GDP. Though the agriculture sector accounts for one-fifth of GDP and almost half of the country's employment, it contributes less than 0.1 per cent to total tax revenues, leaving little funds for maintaining the old irrigation system. The rundown water infrastructure contributes to extensive water wastage. The poor upkeep and development of the irrigation system make it one of the most inefficient in the world with an overall efficiency of 39 per cent. This means, that out of 143 Billion Cubic Meters (BCM) of water available at the canal headwork, only 55 BCM is being used for the farm sector. The rest (61 per cent or 87 BCM) of water is lost during conveyance through canals, distributaries, minors and watercourses and during application in the field. Old and unscientific crop choices are causing immense depletion of the available water supply. For example, sugarcane is twice as water-intensive as rice and four times as intensive as wheat. Pakistan's obsession with being a top-five sugar producer is driving the water crisis. Another critical factor affecting an equitable distribution of water is the interprovincial and intra-provincial water distribution issues. The Water Apportionment Accord signed into effect on March 21, 1991, is the most significant water legislation in Pakistan after the Indus Waters Treaty. Based largely on the historical use of waters of the Indus Basin rivers by the provinces, Punjab was allocated 47 per cent, Sindh 42 per cent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 8 per cent, and Baluchistan 3 per cent of the water. But legislation alone is not enough to settle historical tensions between Punjab and Sindh. Last year, the province received 35 per cent (5.38 million acre-feet (MAF) less irrigated water, affecting the cultivation of major crops like red chilli, cotton and rice crops output. These tensions have become acute by declining allotted shares from the river system. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has stated the Punjab province received a mere 29,000 cusecs of water against a demand of 60,000 cusecs while Sindh province received merely 22,000 cusecs of water against a demand of 45,400 cusecs. This situation has arisen because the agreements are silent on apportionment for shortages. Lesser quantities of water in various months have caused water conflicts between the upstream province of Punjab and the downstream province of Sindh and between Sindh and Balochistan over the years. The only way out of this crisis is for the civilian and military leadership to give up their futile game of politicking and take up the challenge of addressing the most pressing problem facing Pakistan and its people today. It requires a dramatic change in mindset, one that cares for its people and nation. No amount of guns and bullets can bring back the vanishing sliver of water from Pakistan. (ANI)
India is an attractive hub for chemical companies. Chemical industry is one of the most significant contributors to the growth and development of any economy. In sync with that Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce & Industry in a recent tweet, called it, "India's Bonding with the World". This was about India's organic and inorganic chemicals augmenting export growth by 106 per cent. It was in tune with PM Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. In fact, the growth of the Indian chemical industry is expected to double to reach USD 304 billion by 2025, clocking an annual growth rate of 15-20 per cent. An investment of Rs 8 lakh crore is anticipated in the sector by 2025. In July 2021, production volumes of key chemicals stood at 909,310 MT and petrochemicals at 1,867,351 MT. The specialty chemicals sector is expected to reach USD 40 billion by 2025. India's share in the global specialty chemicals market increased to 4 per cent from 3 per cent between FY15 and FY21. This is news with massive multiplier effects. Chemical industry is one of the most significant contributors to the growth and development of any economy. So much so, that the industrial development of any country is measured on the basis of consumption of sulphuric acid, as the chemical industry acts as a backbone in the development process of the nation. Basic chemicals and their related products (petrochemicals, fertilisers, paints, varnishes, glass, perfumes, toiletries, pharmaceuticals, etc.) not only constitute a significant part of the Indian economy, but also indicate the pace of growth of the economy. FDI inflows in the chemicals sector (other than fertilizers) reached USD 19.09 billion between April 2000 and December 2021. In November 2021, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) announced plans to invest Rs 3,681 crore (USD 495.22 million) to set up India's first mega-scale maleic anhydride unit for manufacturing high-value specialty chemicals at its Panipat Refinery in Haryana. The government recognises chemical industry as a key growth element of Indian economy. In chemical sector, 100 per cent FDI is permissible. The petrochemical demand is expected to grow at 7.5 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from FY 2019-23, with polymer demand growing at 8 per cent. The agrochemicals market in India is expected to grow at 8 per cent CAGR reaching USD 4.7 bn by FY25. According to a report by McKinsey, India's chemical industry is a global outperformer regarding total returns to shareholders (TRS),1 and this has resulted in high expectations for sustained, continual growth. "The macro perspective on India indicates that while the short-term outlook is challenging, the country's long-term-growth story remains positive." Rise in demand from end-user industries such as food processing, personal care and home care is driving development of different segments in India's specialty chemicals market, stated India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). The Indian chemical industry is one of the largest worldwide. In 2020, it ranked fifth in the world in terms of revenue. It has over 80,000 products and it is also one of the most diversified sectors in the country. The overall market size of the Indian chemical industry is standing at USD 178 billion in 2018-19. India ranks 14th in exports and eighth in imports at global level (excluding pharmaceuticals). Chemicals constitute ~5.4 per cent of India's total exports. India already has a strong presence in the export market in the sub-segments of dyes, pharmaceuticals and agro chemicals. India exports dyes to Germany, the UK, the US, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, Singapore and Japan. The McKinsey report suggested to the industry players to accelerate to build an at-scale business and take advantage of economies of scale. This could benefit companies in India by opening geographic areas and customer segments; providing exposure to cutting-edge technological capabilities and to economies of scale in capital expenditures and fixed costs; and giving access to alternative and cheaper feedstock. It said industry players and associations could actively work with the government to address sector-level challenges. Supportive government measures could include an integrated petrochemical and specialty-chemical master plan and fast-tracking the implementation of Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Regions. The Indian chemical industry is the source of raw materials to many end-user industries such as food processing, personal care and home care is driving development of different segments in India's specialty chemicals market. The domestic chemicals sector's small and medium enterprises are expected to showcase 18-23 per cent revenue growth in FY22, owing to an improvement in domestic demand and higher realisation due to high prices of chemicals. Consequently, India's specialty chemicals companies are expanding their capacities to cater to rising demand from domestic and overseas. Once again, in order to provide a secured and reliable supply chain to the world, the chemical sector in India has the opportunity for significant growth. (ANI)
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin signs an autograph for students after touring health clinics at Drake Elementary School in Chicago on April 21, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

For decades, the Democratic Party of Illinois has been an antiquated outlier among state Democratic organizations, focusing on parochial fundraising instead of using its status as a staunchly blue state in a Midwest field of red to influence national politics.

But a year after former House Speaker Michael Madigan relinquished his ironclad control as state Democratic chairman, the state party has entered the 21st century  decentralizing its organization, putting together its first email list of supporters, digitizing outreach activities and creating a recruitment, training and support infrastructure for Democratic candidates in the Nov. 8 general election.

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Madigans decision to step down amid a federal investigation that led to his indictment in March has also led to a host of competitive races in the June 28 primary for seats on a Democratic State Central Committee no longer content to serve as merely a rubber stamp for its leader.

Im hoping that people feel that its a party worth getting involved in and they want to get active, said U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson, who replaced Madigan as state Democratic chair in March of last year.

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Rep. Robin Kelly, D-Matteson., attends a House Oversight and Reform Committee meeting in 2019 at the Rayburn Building in Washington. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the chambers leadership, said the races for state central committee seats are evidence of a pent-up energy after Madigan.

They want to be part of the party structure and make it work. Thats a very positive thing, he said.

While Durbin is not a member of the state central committee, he has significant influence over the party, which was evident in his endorsement of Kelly as the partys first Black and female chair. Kelly won a close committee vote over Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers choice, Chicago Ald. Michelle Harris, 8th.

Kelly said she sees her role as providing more diverse and inclusive leadership, and said she spent the last year on a listening tour to try to see what we could do better.

If people were active, what were their ideas? If people werent as active, what could we do to get them to be more active? How do we get more people involved with the party? Kelly asked. Ive kind of lost count in all kinds of the places where what I heard was, Wow, I was surprised to see the party chair.

Making Kelly the partys chair wasnt without controversy. As a federal officeholder, she is prohibited from raising money for state and local candidates because federal fundraising limits are tighter than Illinois.

The state Democratic Party went to the Federal Election Commission for approval to spell out the separation of Kellys chairmanship from any state and local fundraising activities. As a result, fundraising has become more decentralized than it was under Madigan.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 84 Former Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan departs from his lawyers' office, March 9, 2022, after making his first virtual court appearance for his indictment. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)

Under Madigan, the state Democratic Party was largely a fundraising vessel for state House campaigns at the expense of other state and federal offices. It operated with an antiquated infrastructure  one of its most valuable assets was its postage meter, which allowed Madigan to send out bulk mailings in House races at a lower rate.

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Madigans power as the nations longest-serving House speaker, a role he held for 36 years, and as state party chairman for 23 years, could be seen in the fundraising totals of the first three months of last year, when the party raised $2 million. The state party had more than $2.6 million in the bank at the end of March 2021.

This quarter, the partys state account raised more than $350,000 but ended March of this year with nearly $2.9 million in cash.

While the fundraising totals are down from a year ago, the party is no longer merely a pass-through fund for state House Democratic candidates, as it was under Madigans direction. Instead, through fundraising committees created as a result of the federal restrictions on Kelly, the party has been focusing on becoming a support organization for all Democratic candidates.

The $1 million the party had stored at the end of March 2021 for spending on federal races grew to nearly $1.4 million at the end of this March. Combined federal and state money raised by the Democrats totaled more than $712,000  with little party spending expected until after the primary when the Democratic field is set.

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Youre seeing a totally new fundraising approach for the Democratic Party, and I have been really excited to see the number of people who are investing in the party, said Abby Witt, the partys executive director. It was a little bit of an experiment that has turned out really well. Were proud of it.

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The modernization of the party also is reflected in a comprehensive post-primary campaign for Democrats across the November ballot that is expected to be unveiled in coming days. Funded and led by the billionaire Pritzker, the coordinated campaign will also enlist the state party organization, the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association and other ancillary groups.

You know, this is a challenging year and we shouldnt take anything for granted, Durbin said. So lets all get it together.

The partys evolution from the Madigan era also is seen in the development, from scratch, of a digital program, something Witt called a core part of how campaigns need to communicate in 2022.

Witt said Kelly had this vision for a modern professional party and how it communicates its message, as well as trying to engage volunteers and organizers and activists who will get that message to their network. The party is six months into developing its email program, and its mailing list now totals more than 100,000 people, she said.

For the messaging to work, the party has sought to bridge a void that had existed between the work of the Democratic National Committee and federal and state officeholders, often drawing a link between Democratic agenda items in Congress and within the state legislature. One example is a recent push by Democrats in Washington to limit insulin costs after Democrats in Springfield in 2019 established a $100 monthly cap for people covered by state-regulated insurance plans. The messaging effort has also extended to the media, which previously had been an afterthought.

The state party is also working with the county chairs association to develop and recruit candidates on the local and countywide level through a 12-week cohort program.

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Of more immediate concern for the future of the party is the June primary when Democratic voters will select the 34-member state central committee members, one man and one woman from each of the states newly drawn 17 congressional districts.

There are contested elections for 20 of the 34 seats. The partys various factions and interests are vying for a seat at a smaller table, the result of Illinois losing one central committee seat as a result of the U.S. census that reduced the number of congressional seats from 18 to 17.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush is stepping down from his 1st Congressional District seat at the end of his term, creating a cascade of candidates seeking to replace him, but is seeking reelection to the state central committee. He faces three challengers.

In the new 3rd Congressional District, current state central committeewoman Iris Martinez, the clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, faces two challengers including state Rep. Delia Ramirez of Chicago, who also is running for the congressional seat. For the committeemans seat, Ald. Gil Villegas, 36th, who also is vying for the congressional nomination, faces state Sen. Omar Aquino.

In the 5th Congressional District, former state Senate President John Cullerton, a current state central committee member, is facing a challenge from state Sen. Robert Martwick.

Cullerton voted against Kelly for chair, citing the complications of a federal officeholder raising money for state candidates. He said his proposal for a compromise, making Kelly a co-chair with Harris, was rejected.

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Thats still a big issue, he said of Kellys state fundraising limitation. Its not the same thing to not have the actual chairman of the party raising and doing the fundraising.

Still, Cullerton, a member of the Democratic National Committee, voted for Kelly as a co-chair of its Midwest regional committee, calls her a friend and says any differences are intramural stuff.

Kelly, who is expected to seek reelection as chair when the new state central committee is seated after the primary, said she has been satisfied with the progress the Democratic Party organization has made.

What we were able to accomplish in 2021 leading up to my first year is definitely helping us as we move forward into these elections. Kelly said. People nationally are really excited Illinois is back in the mix.
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar said that both the leaders discussed climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains and the economic impact of the Ukraine conflict.

"Pleasure to meet German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development @SvenjaSchulze68. Discussed climate action, resilient and reliable supply chains, third country partnerships and economic impact of Ukraine conflict," Jaishankar tweeted.

"Signed agreements on Triangular Development Cooperation and Renewable Energy Partnership," Jaishankar wrote in another tweet.

Jaishankar also met his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock and signed an agreement on a direct encrypted connection between the two foreign offices. He also said that they discussed the Ukraine conflict and Indo-Pacific.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on an official visit to Germany. PM Modi held a meeting with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday.

PM Modi and German Chancellor Scholz participated in the 6th edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations at the Federal Chancellery.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Inter-Governmental Consultations is a unique biennial dialogue mechanism allowing governments to coordinate on a wide spectrum of bilateral matters.

Moreover, PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries, along with other high-level interactions, the visit will conclude with a stopover in Paris on Wednesday where the Prime Minister will meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would review security arrangements for the Chinese nationals working in Pakistan soon after Eid al-Fitr in the wake of the suicide attack in Karachi that claimed the lives of three Chinese, a media report said on Monday. Shehbaz Sharif would assess all the mechanisms earlier devised for ensuring the security of the Chinese nationals. The security plan would be presented to Pakistan PM in the first week after Eid in view of potential threats being faced by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other joint ventures between the two countries, The Express Tribune reported citing sources. After the deadly blast, the Pakistan government last week promised to provide security to the Chinese people, projects and other institutions to boost the China-Pakistan friendship. Chinese Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Wang Wenbin had earlier affirmed that the Pakistan government has assured to probe the Karachi suicide attack where a suicide bomber killed three Chinese nationals in Pakistan, grievously wounding four others. Wenbin added that Pakistan has sworn to maintain the China-Pakistan cooperation and not let any force undermine it, reported Geo News. "We believe that the Pakistani side will earnestly take robust measures to ensure that China-Pakistan cooperation moves ahead in a safe and smooth manner," said the spokesperson. Further, Wenbin also mentioned that both the countries have the capability and resolve to stop the terrorism prevailing in Pakistan, causing the deaths of the three Chinese individuals, reported Geo News. In addition, the spokesperson said that they will make the terrorists "pay the price" for their crimes. The Chinese spokesperson even boasted of the strong friendship the two countries share, highlighting that China will go on to support Pakistan's national development, in the social and economic sectors. According to Wenbin, Pakistan is trying its best to investigate the people behind the Karachi killings, providing medical support to those who are injured as well. The newly-elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shebaz Sharif visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad conveying his heartfelt condolences to the victims of the attack. He further asserted that an in-depth investigation will be held pertaining to the incident and the perpetrators will be subjected to strict punishments, reported the local media. A full-blown search operation has already begun by the local authorities in Sindh and Karachi. (ANI)
IGC is a unique mechanism which brings together several ministers and officials from both sides to engage in bilateral discussions culminating in a plenary session which is chaired by the two leaders.

It reviews cooperation between the two countries across a range of areas as also to identify fresh areas of partnership.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the IGA will encompass a broad spectrum of areas of mutual interest.

"For growth and resilience. For mobility and prosperity. For a greener and sustainable future. For an open and peaceful Indo-Pacific. The 6th edition of the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations gets underway," the MEA said in a tweet.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the Inter-Governmental Consultation between India and Germany illustrates the special nature of this friendship. "Prime Minister @narendramodi, Chancellor Scholz and top Ministers from India and Germany meet in Berlin," PMO said in a tweet.

Earlier today, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021.

Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.

The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on his arrival in Germany. He arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit and got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Underlining the importance of India's bilateral ties with Germany, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said both countries share several common values and have made significant progress over the last few years. Addressing a joint statement with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, PM Modi said, so many firsts in this visit show how much priority India and Germany accord to this important partnership. "As democratic countries, both India and Germany share several common values. Based on these values, our bilateral relations have made significant progress over the last few years," he said. "Since our last Inter-Governmental Consultations in 2019, several important changes have taken place in the world. Recent geopolitical incidents have shown that world peace and stability is in critical condition and showed how all countries are interconnected," he added.Speaking on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Modi said that talks are the only way to solve the Ukraine crisis. "We believe that no party will be victorious in this war," he said.Earlier today, PM Modi and the German Chancellor signed the green and sustainable energy partnership at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. This was signed after the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations, a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany. IGC is a unique mechanism which brings together several ministers and officials from both sides to engage in bilateral discussions culminating in a plenary session which is chaired by the two leaders. It reviews cooperation between the two countries across a range of areas as also to identify fresh areas of partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the IGA will encompass a broad spectrum of areas of mutual interest. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the Inter-Governmental Consultation between India and Germany illustrates the special nature of this friendship. PM Modi today also held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments. The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on his arrival in Germany. He arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit and got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Amid a declining economy, Pakistan might face an imminent political turmoil for a prolonged period, especially during the early elections to Pakistan's National Assembly. Further, Shebaz Sharif's foreign visit to Saudi Arabia adds to the burden of the economic woes of the people. He has brought a package of loans and concessional fuel supplies that further add up to the already piled up USD eight billion. He is also planning to find support from other nations like the UAE. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has resumed its talks with Pakistan for a bailout of USD six billion. However, the recent incident at the Masjid-i-Nabwi mosque in Saudi Arabia where pilgrims chanted slogans of "chor, chor" to the Shebaz Sharif-led delegation showed otherwise. Noting that Islamabad needs to develop good ties with Washington, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also reported to say that Pakistan "cannot afford enmity" with the United States. This comes after, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has staged several protests across the country against the United States for an alleged "foreign conspiracy" to oust the country's former Prime Minister Imran Khan from power who has been unseated after the no-confidence vote. To bring home more financial aid to the economically-hit country, the newly-elected Prime Minister is also keen on visiting China's Beijing in lieu of the recent terrorist attack in Karachi which killed three Chinese students at the Karachi University. In addition, the Sharif regime can also begin trade with adversarial India. Supposedly, it would help diminish the current economical dependence of Pakistan on China because Pakistan is heavily indebted to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). (ANI)
This was signed after the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations, a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany.

IGC is a unique mechanism which brings together several ministers and officials from both sides to engage in bilateral discussions culminating in a plenary session which is chaired by the two leaders.

It reviews cooperation between the two countries across a range of areas as also to identify fresh areas of partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the IGA will encompass a broad spectrum of areas of mutual interest.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the Inter-Governmental Consultation between India and Germany illustrates the special nature of this friendship. "Prime Minister @narendramodi, Chancellor Scholz and top Ministers from India and Germany meet in Berlin," PMO said in a tweet.

Earlier today, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021.

Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.

The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on his arrival in Germany. He arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit and got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
In 2017-18, China renamed and reorganized the airborne unit of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Such troops, along with China's marine corps, would be in the vanguard of any rapid expeditionary operation by China around the world, as well as any potential invasion of Taiwan. However, the abject failure of Russian airborne units involved in February's invasion of Ukraine raises questions as to the utility of such troops in a contested invasion of somewhere like Taiwan. The 2006 Science of Campaigns, a core document for Chinese military officer education, summarizes the role of the Airborne Corps like this: "Through air mobility, the airborne force carries out operational activities in the enemy's depth in order to achieve specific strategic and campaign goals." Airborne troops, inserted by parachute, aircraft and helicopter, would form an important part of a joint cross-strait invasion of Taiwan, adding a complicating vertical element for defenders. In such a campaign, this Chinese doctrinal document lists three main phases: preliminary operations; assembly, embarkation and transit; and assault landing and establishment of a beachhead. According to Chinese doctrine, then, airborne units would first be inserted to conduct sabotage raids behind enemy lines to help the PLA seize command of the air. Key objectives would be enemy airfields, radars, command-and-control nodes and munitions storage facilities. Furthermore, according to Science of Campaigns, airborne landings can then combine with "a frontal assault onto land...to assist and complement landing force operations with active actions". In theory, at least, air-inserted units could attack predetermined targets, causing mayhem while an enemy tries to organize resistance and to counter airborne bridgeheads. They would also disrupt enemy counterattacks against a PLA amphibious lodgment. While the PLA ground force and the PLA Navy Marine Corps (PLANMC) have received wide discussion in regards to their utility for Taiwan invasion scenarios, the PLAAF Airborne Corps has not received as much attention. Nonetheless, Author Cristina L. Garafola, in a report for the China Maritime Studies Institute of the US Naval War College, listed four steps or phases that the PLAAF Airborne Corps would be involved in in such an invasion scenario. She noted that, firstly, the PLA would need to seize information superiority and command of the air as preconditions for use of paratroopers. Secondly, the PLA would conduct preparatory fires. Thirdly, the airborne troops would be transported across the Taiwan Strait and conduct paradrops or landings in selected locations. After landing, the troops would begin the campaign's fourth phase of ground operations, where they would capture landing sites, set up PLA operations for follow-on landings, carry out ground offensives and transition to defensive operations if need be. Yet, such ambitious employment of airborne units throws up some important lessons after watching Russian airborne troops, known by their acronym VDV, during the invasion of Ukraine. The VDV, considered an elite unit of the Russian military, was at the vanguard of the ground advance early on in the campaign. Furthermore, many troops conducted an airborne assault at Hostomel Airport near Kyiv, using approximately 30 helicopters. Their aim was to seize the airport so follow-on forces could roll in and achieve a surprise thrust that that would decapitate the Ukrainian political leadership. However, through to tactical errors and stubborn resistance by Ukraine, these troops failed to expand their airport perimeter and keep Ukrainian assault forces at bay, and no follow on forces were fed in. Essentially, the Russian leadership left the VDV to its fate, and the operation turned into a failure. Such airborne units are supposed to be able to conduct rapid, unexpected and deep-penetration strikes, so they were a first choice for Russian war planners. However, their strengths turned into serious disadvantages as they were contained behind enemy lines and then rolled up by defenders. Involved in the invasion of Ukraine was the 331st Guards Parachute Regiment for example, an elite unit that had served in the Balkans, Chechnya and the 2014 intervention in Donbas. In the latter conflict, the unit stands accused of killing hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers at Ilovaisk, breaching a ceasefire agreement. However, this time the regiment was decimated by stout Ukrainian defense, including reservists and territorial defense units. Its BMD infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) proved no match for Ukrainian defenders armed with antitank guided missiles (ATGM) and other weapons. It can be seen that armored vehicles light enough to be transported by aircraft truly have insufficient protection. Now, the combat reputation of the VDV, which serves as a strategic reserve for Russia, has been severely dented by the invasion of Ukraine. Yet, the PLAAF's Airborne Corps is very similar to the VDV of Russia. It is equipped with an estimated 180 ZBD-03 IFVs that can be dropped by parachute or landed by transport aircraft. In fact, the 8-tonne ZBD-03 is a copy of the Russian BMD. The corps also possesses CS/VN3 4x4 tactical vehicles, but the Chinese airborne's weaponry is not even as heavy as that of the VDV. It also owns more than 160 artillery pieces, including 54 PL-96 122mm towed howitzers, 54 PH-63 107mm multiple rocket launchers and 54 100mm mortars. Some HJ-9 ATGMs are mounted on vehicles, while air defense is provided by QW-1 man-portable missiles and 54 PG-87 25mm towed guns. After restructuring over the past five years, the Airborne Corps now contains six combined-arms brigades (encompassing three light motorized brigades, two mechanized brigades and an air assault brigade); one transport aviation brigade (which may include a former helicopter regiment); a special operations brigade; a combat support brigade; a training base; and a training brigade. Indeed, the corps' major restructuring has better suited it to anti-Taiwan operations, particularly the creation of the aforementioned combined-arms brigades. The Airborne Corps' integral aircraft fleet includes six Y-8s, 20 Y-5s, two Y-7s and twelve Y-12Ds, as well as eight Z-10K attack helicopters, eight Z-8KA combat search and rescue helicopters and 12 Z-9WZ multirole helicopters. These help support missions such as transport and parachute training, but they are wholly insufficient for an airborne invasion. Therefore, the corps would reply on numerous aircraft from the wider PLAAF in order to conduct airborne landings. The PLAAF owns Y-20 (of which about 40 examples are already in service) and Il-76MD (about 20) heavy transport aircraft, plus about 30 Y-8C and 25 Y-9 medium transports. Interestingly, Chinese paratroopers made their first parachute jump from the Y-20 in 2018. In the past five years, the number of PLAAF heavy transport aircraft has more than doubled, thus starting to eliminate one of the greatest weaknesses of the Airborne Corps, its lack of airlift. Garafola, in her China Maritime Studies Institute study, summarized the growing capability of the Airborne Corps. "In recent years, the corps has reorganized to improve its capability for mechanized maneuver and assault, leveraging the PLAAF's larger inventories of transport aircraft, particularly the Y-20; improved the sophistication of its training at home; and gleaned insights from abroad via training with foreign militaries. Garafola also mentioned increasingly realistic training, something in common to the PLA in general: "The corps also appears to be increasing its training on complex topics, including in combined arms and joint contexts. However, like the PLA writ large and the PLAAF in particular, the Airborne Corps suffers from a lack of combat experience. It has not conducted combat operations abroad, but rather has been tasked to support the regime during periods of domestic turmoil or for domestic humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations." She continued: "The corps has incorporated more complex topics into its training regimen, including training for night-time operations; with greater numbers of aircraft, troops and equipment; in complex geographic and weather conditions; and with other PLA and PLAAF forces." They have been engaging more in international exercises too, particularly withRussia. For example, last year airborne troops joined the Zapad exercise in Russia.In her assessment of the potential effectiveness of the Airborne Corps, Garafola raised four key questions. The first is unity of effort and how China will integrate operations by similar units such as the PLANMC and heliborne ground forces. These various types of units, while enhancing the PLA's three-dimensionality, need to be able to work together without overlapping. She assessed: "...The extent to which airborne forces and sister units in other services are able to coordinate directly or via higher headquarters in the event of a contingency is not clear." The second question is how well Chinese airborne units can operate in complex or degraded conditions. This includes training and operating in poor weather, harsh climates, at night, against stiff opposition and in degraded electromagnetic environments. Can Chinese airborne units adapt to difficult circumstances, and act effectively when lacking up-to-date information, to avoid mission failure? This is largely unknown, especially as it connects with the third question below raised by Garafola. Indeed, the third unknown is the Airborne Corps' lack of relevant experience. The PLA as a whole has not engaged in combat since 1979, when it invaded Vietnam, so the warfighting efficiency of China's military, let alone the Airborne Corps, is an unknown quantity. Apart from the odd small-scale exercise, the corps only ever deploys domestically. Being untested in combat must have a bearing on the PLA's combat capabilities. One other incidental consideration is that the Airborne Corps may also have a role inprotecting the Chinese Communist Party regime. That means it is unlikely the whole corps would ever be deployed simultaneously, as some units would remain in reserve. The fourth and final factor is the corps' reliance on aviation forces. The PLAAF would have to suppress enemy air defenses before transport aircraft can begin ferrying in troops and equipment to Taiwan. And once on the ground, they still need continued air support for resupply, reinforcements and medical evacuation. But can the PLAAF defend airborne packages in contested environments, and can it maintain high operational tempos over a sustained period of time? Large-scale airborne operations during World War II - such as Germany's taking of Crete, or by the British in Arnhem - show that historically these are inherently risky undertakings. Those risks have only grown as new weapons such as surface-to-air missiles came on the scene. Indeed, Russia's contemporary experience in Ukraine shows that these extreme risks have not dissipated in any way. Remember, too, that once Chinese airborne troops are on the ground on the island of Taiwan, there would be no easy way to retreat if amphibious lodgments do not succeed. Interestingly, a 2020 commentary by a PLAAF Command Academy researcher took arelatively expansive view of the Airborne Corps future role, describing them as "strategic fists" that can not only support major conflicts central to a country's national security, but also to "defend national interests and expand national security space on a global scale." Given Russian mistakes in Ukraine, China may well be reassessing its application of airborne troops against Taiwan. It is therefore possible that the PLA will indeed use airborne forces, not primarily against Taiwan, but for a broader array of operations farther afield and in less-contested environments. (ANI)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday praised India and shared the information about their discussion during the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations. After signing the green and sustainable energy partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Scholz said, "During our 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations, we also focussed on global issues and these consultations help us deepen our relationship." German Chancellor also expressed his happiness over signing the agreement with the Indian government. He said, "Delighted that the first Inter-Governmental Consultations of this Govt took place with Indian Govt. To me, it's a sign of the special quality of our relationship." Scholz also said that India is a very important partner of their country in Asia in economic terms, security policy terms, and climate-political terms. He further said, "India is among our very important partners here. The world can only develop well if we are clear as to the fact that future relations in the world will be characterised and marked by many countries, not by a few powerful countries." German Chancellor also invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G-7 summit in Germany. "I invited you as our guest to G7 Summit end of June & we look forward to welcoming you back to Germany," he said. The agreement was signed after the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations, a unique biennial format which India conducts only with Germany. IGC is a unique mechanism which brings together several ministers and officials from both sides to engage in bilateral discussions culminating in a plenary session which is chaired by the two leaders. It reviews cooperation between the two countries across a range of areas as also to identify fresh areas of partnership. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the IGA will encompass a broad spectrum of areas of mutual interest. Earlier today, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments. The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour on his arrival in Germany. He arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit and got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Monday invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the upcoming G-7 summit in Germany in June. "I invited you as our guest to the G7 Summit end of June and we look forward to welcoming you back to Germany," Scholz said while addressing the joint press conference with PM Modi after the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC). Speaking at the presser, Scholz said that such consultations help India and Germany deepen their relationship.The German Chancellor also expressed his happiness over signing the agreement with the Indian government. "Delighted that the first Inter-Governmental Consultations of this government took place with Indian Government. To me, it's a sign of the special quality of our relationship," he said. The German Chancellor also said that India is a very important partner of their country in Asia in terms of economy and security policy. "India is among our very important partners here. The world can only develop well if we are clear as to the fact that future relations in the world will be characterised and marked by many countries, not by a few powerful countries," Scholz added. PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments. He arrived in Germany on the first leg of his three-day Europe visit and got a rousing welcome from the Indian diaspora in Berlin. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Germany and India expressed their serious concern about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, said the joint statement after the 6th Inter-Governmental Consultations between the two countries. "They unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine. They reiterated the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They emphasised that the contemporary global order has been built on the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and the territorial integrity of states," the joint statement stated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed a joint press conference in Berlin. They discussed the destabilizing effect of the conflict in Ukraine and its broader regional and global implications. Both sides agreed to remain closely engaged on the issue. In the statement, Germany reiterated its strong condemnation of the "aggression against Ukraine by Russian Forces." On the regional and multilateral interests, both sides stressed the significance of a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, recognizing the centrality of ASEAN. They acknowledged the Policy Guidelines for the Indo-Pacific of the German Federal Government, the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative enunciated by India. "Both sides underlined the importance of unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation in accordance with International Law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, in all maritime domains including in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea," the statement read. As an important milestone in Germany's growing engagement with the Indo-Pacific region, both sides also welcomed the port call by the German Navy Frigate 'Bayern' in Mumbai in January 2022. "Germany also agreed to welcome an Indian Naval ship on a friendly visit to a German port next year." PM Modi today also held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Left, in red coat, Mark Legenza of Long Grove distributes samples of craft beer made by his brewery On Tour Brewing Company Brewery and Tasting Room of Chicago. Images from Craft Beer Fest in Long Grove on April 30, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

More than 500 people attended Long Groves Craft Beer Fest Saturday in the Stempel parking lot, in front of Buffalo Creek Brewing.

People are craving to get out, said Mike Marr of Vernon Hills, brewmaster of Buffalo Creek Brewing.

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Dave Gayton of Long Grove, an event volunteer, said, I think people just want to get out. People have been bottled up too long. It just started, and its already packed.

A party tent accommodated the turnout. Breweries poured samples in small keepsake glasses for ticket holders.

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The beer tent is packed. Images from Craft Beer Fest in Long Grove on April 30, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

The number of breweries at 22 was the biggest number since the launch of the event several years ago. The last two event years were bye years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ryan Messner, spokesperson with the Craft Beer Fests organizing group, the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association, said, This is the tasting experience of the year.

Tom Keith of Evanston, representing Sketchbook Brewing Company of Evanston and Skokie, poured a lager and an IPA. He said the large turnout showed people need events like the Craft Beer Fest for, so many reasons. Just, gotta let it go.

Mark Legenza of Long Grove distributed samples of a golden ale and an IPA from his brewery, the On Tour Brewing Company Brewery and Tasting Room of Chicago.

Its wonderful, he said. Its great to see such a big pouring out of support. Depending on the weather, to be a beer drinker in Illinois right now, you have every option available.

Whatever theyve got a taste for, theres going to be more than enough options, Legenza said.

The sun has come out and beer fans holding tasting glasses emerge from the beer tent to access the bright outdoors in the food truck and sponsor table area of the event. Images from Craft Beer Fest in Long Grove on April 30, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

We just love being a part of the community, said Kendra Perri of Long Grove, a volunteer. Its just a fun community to live in.

The event included food truck fare, sponsor tables and vendors like Ashley Snyder of Arlington Heights, who calls herself cupcake extraordinaire on a business card.

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Snyder and fiance Chris Savers staffed The Pink Cupcake Creations booth, which sold cupcakes made with spirits. Their most popular cupcake was the maple bourbon bacon flavor, with bacon sprinkled on top.

Pretty in pink is a maple bourbon bacon cupcake. Ashley Snyder of Arlington Heights calls herself cupcake extraordinaire on her business card. Snyder and her fiance Chris Savers staffed the booth for the business The Pink Cupcake Creations. Images from Craft Beer Fest in Long Grove on April 30, 2022. (Karie Angell Luc / Pioneer Press)

I think everyone needs an alcohol-infused cupcake because  because why not? Snyder said with a smile.

Kristina Mallek of Mount Prospect, who attended with a group, said, I love it. I think its awesome.

I like all the Long Grove fests that I come to, she said. We come all the time.

View Historic Downtown Long Groves event itinerary at https://longgrove.org.
In another anti-government protest witnessed in Sri Lanka in the Mirihana area, 15 protesters were summoned before the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to record a special statement. In the heated protest between the angry mob of protesters and the Sri Lankan police, over 26 people were injured, reported the Colombo Page. Formerly, the police arrested 54 persons in connection with the incident. They were brought before the Nugegoda Magistrate's Court but later released on bail. However, out of the 54 arrested, 15 protesters were summoned before the CID for the police to record their statements. The others who were involved in the demonstration are due to be called upon before the court in the following days, reported the Colombo Page. Amid a simmering political crisis in the Island country, frustrated Sri Lankans, tired of the prolonged power cuts and food shortages had gathered near the private residence of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Mirihana. The protesters chanted slogans of "go home" against Rajapaksa and demanded solutions to the many crises the country had befallen into. The protesters clashed with the police outside Rajapaksa's residence. A bus attached to the Sri Lanka Army and a jeep were set on flames by the protesters. As the situation got out of control, the police imposed a curfew in several areas in Colombo. Sri Lanka's economy has been in a free fall since the COVID-19 pandemic due to the crash of the tourism sector. The country is presently facing a foreign exchange shortage which has led to a food, fuel, power and gas shortage and has sought the assistance of friendly countries for economic assistance. Further, Sri Lanka is also witnessing at least 10-hour daily power cuts. Its's currency has been devalued by almost SLR 90 against the US dollar since March 8. (ANI)
"The law will be amended to remove impediments that delayed projects and to shorten the procurement processes," Xinhua quoted the minister as saying.

Wijesekera said that he was consulting with senior officers to overcome the current fuel crisis.

He further said that he would soon present to parliament a report on the causes of the fuel crisis, especially the weak management at key institutions, Xinhua reported.

"We have also paid for a ship carrying coal needed for electricity production. With this we have enough coal until September," he said.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since independence with food and fuel shortages, soaring prices and power cuts affecting a large number of the people, resulting in massive protests over the government's handling of the situation.

The recession is attributed to foreign exchange shortages caused by a fall in tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as reckless economic policies, like the government's move last year to ban chemical fertilizers in a bid to make Sri Lanka's agriculture "100 per cent organic".

Due to an acute shortage of Foreign exchange, Sri Lanka recently defaulted on the entirety of its foreign debt amounting to about USD 51 billion.

The economic situation has led to huge protests with demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (ANI)
Calling Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a 'puppet PM', Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday accused US President Joe Biden's administration of 'regime change conspiracy'. In a series of tweets, Imran Khan, while sharing the video of US defence analyst Rebecca Grant, asked Biden, "My question for the Biden Administration: By indulging in a regime change conspiracy to remove a democratically elected PM of a country of over 220 mn people to bring in a puppet PM, do you think you have lessened or increased anti-American sentiment in Pakistan?" He further tweeted that if people had still any doubts related to the US regime change conspiracy, then this video will remove all the doubts, ARY News reported. "If anyone had any doubts about US regime change conspiracy this video should remove all doubts as to why a democratically elected PM and his govt were removed. Clearly, the US wants an obedient puppet as PM who will not allow Pak choice of neutrality in a European war," Khan said. Imran Khan said that the US wants such PM who will be obedient to them, who will not sign the agreements with Russia and who will downgrade the strategic relationship with China. He further said that if PM asserts their sovereignty and an independent foreign policy, then he will be removed from the position. "After this reaffirmation of US regime change conspiracy that was evident from the cypher message sent by our Envoy in Washington conveying State Dept Lu's threat, it is surely the duty of Chief Justice of Pakistan to form Commission to hold public hearings on who all were involved here in this conspiracy," Khan tweeted. In the video, Defence analyst Rebecca Grant while answering the queries during the interview on US News Program, said, "Pakistan will have to support Ukraine, stop making deals with Russia, cut ties with China and end anti-US policies." She was asked about any new message that the US had for the new Pakistan government, ARY News reported. Grant further confessed that this is the reason that Imran Khan was ousted a couple of weeks ago through the no-confidence motion because Pakistan didn't listen. She said, "Now a time came that Pakistan should end Anti American policies, and cut relations with Russia." Meanwhile, on Saturday, the former PM demanded the CJP to form a judicial commission to probe the US-backed conspiracy to oust his government, ARY News reported. Imran Khan claimed that both the Chief Justice and the President were in possession of a letter handed over to Asad Majeed Khan, the former ambassador of Pakistan by Donald Lu, the US Assistant Secretary of State, as reported by Ary News. "The PTI government, as reflected in the last cabinet meeting, was of the view that there was a regime change conspiracy to remove PM Imran Khan from the office," he said. Earlier, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has staged several protests across the country against the United States for an alleged "foreign conspiracy" to oust the country's former Prime Minister Imran Khan from power who has been unseated after the no-confidence vote initiated by the Opposition was carried in the National Assembly. (ANI)
"Ambassador Abhay Kumar called on Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar today. They noted the progress made in the bilateral ties between #India and #Madagascar and discussed ways to further strengthen them," India in Madagascar tweeted.

Last month, Kumar called on Madagascar Prime Minister Christian Ntsay in the capital Antananarivo and reviewed the progress made in bilateral ties.

India and Madagascar's bilateral ties are going from strength to strength since the visit of President Ram Nath Kovind to Madagascar in 2018 under the collaborative vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

India sees Madagascar not only as an important bilateral partner but also as a vital role in the collaborative maritime vision of SAGAR.

There are a number of MoUs in the sector of health, education, culture, training of Human Resources, environmental protection, custom matters, and information exchange which have been finalised between the two countries and are likely to be signed soon.

An India-Madagascar Chamber of Commerce was launched last month in Antananarivo to further strengthen the trade ties between the two countries.

A Green Triangle named after Mahatma Gandhi was inaugurated in Madagascar's capital Antananarivo in March this year.

Madagascar has over 17,500 people of Indian origin, mostly from Gujarat, living and working there. (ANI)
Tokyo [Japan], May 2 (ANI/Sputnik): Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will meet with Pope Francis on May 4 during his official working visit to the Vatican, the Kyodo news agency reported, citing the Holy See. Kishida's trip to the Vatican will mark the first visit of a Japanese prime minister to the country in eight years. Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the Vatican in 2014. Kishida is seeking to enlist the Pope's support for a "world without nuclear weapons," a thesis, to which the head of the Japanese government attaches special importance. Last Friday, Kishida started his tour of five nations in Southeast Asia and Europe. Following his visits to Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, the Japanese prime minister will fly to Italy on Tuesday. After that, he will travel to the United Kingdom. The purpose of Kishida's tour is strengthening relations with partner countries amid China's growing power and the wide condemnation of Russia's military operation in Ukraine. (ANI/Sputnik)
"Building on our business ties. PM @narendramodi and @Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz interact with top executives from German and Indian companies. Discuss ways to further the vigour and vitality of the Indo-German economic and commercial partnership," Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a tweet.

This meeting was held after the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations which were co-chaired by PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz.

The Prime Minister said the Inter-Governmental Consultations were productive.

"The 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations were productive. Chancellor Scholz and I, along with Ministers, officials from Germany and India discussed ways to boost cooperation in areas like sustainable development, mobility, economic growth and more," PM Modi said in a tweet.

In a joint statement, both governments welcomed active people-to-people exchanges including among students, academia and the professional workforce.

Both sides agreed to support each other's efforts to expand the internationalisation of their higher education systems, to interlink further the innovation and research landscapes of both countries, and to strengthen dual structures for vocational education and training.

Germany and India also expressed their satisfaction at the growing exchanges between the two countries in the field of education and skill development. They also expressed their appreciation for setting up digital preparatory courses to enable selected Indian students to pursue undergraduate courses in German Universities.

PM Modi today also held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021.

Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments.

PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Pakistan investigators have arrested an alleged suspect who might have facilitated the suicide bombing at the Karachi University(KU) which killed three Chinese individuals and a Pakistani civilian. Bebgar Imdad, a KU student, and resident of the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area were taken into custody by the rangers, police personnel, and intelligence agencies, reported the Express Tribune. Later, he was transferred to an undisclosed location, as stated by an investigation agency officer. Sources reveal that the suspect was traced by the investigators with the help of a mobile phone link. Investigators of the case hinted that they have clues which lead to the fact that the KU student was the one, responsible for facilitating the female suicide bomber at the university. Further, some foreign literature accompanied by laptops was recovered from the possession of Bebgar, reported the Express Tribune. They are said to be related to a social networking site. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cyber Crime is also interrogating the detained student regarding the attack. According to the sources, the Pakistan police even interviewed over a dozen people while raiding various parts of Gulistane-Jauhar, Safura Chowrangi, Gulshan-e-Hadid and Old City Area. Earlier, the police arrested another alleged facilitator of the bombing incident on Wednesday, reported the Express Tribune. Three Chinese nationals and a Pakistani van driver lost their lives in a car explosion inside the premises of the Karachi University of Pakistan on Tuesday. The three Chinese individuals who were killed were professors of the Confucius Institute. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has also condemned the attack. (ANI)
Members of the Indian community raised '2024: Modi once more' slogan as they waited for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address at the community event here on Monday. The slogan '2024, Modi Once More' resonated as people in the gathering at an auditorium cheered and waved flags. PM Modi is into his second successive term as Prime Minister. He led BJP to a second successive victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls with the party getting more seats than in 2014. The next Lok Sabha elections will be held in 2024. PM Modi has addressed diaspora events in several countries he has visited and has sought to establish a stronger connection between Indians living abroad and India's development journey. PM Modi also tried his hands on a drum, as he arrived at Theater at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin to address members of the Indian community. "I'm fortunate that I received the opportunity to meet the children of 'Maa Bharti' in Germany. It feels great to meet all of you. Many of you've come here to Berlin from different cities in Germany," PM Modi said in his speech. "Today, I'm here to neither talk about myself nor Modi Govt. I want to talk to you about the capabilities of crores of Indians and sing their praises. When I speak about crores of Indians, it includes not only the people who live there but also those who live here," he said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz co-chaired the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations. Prime Minister reached Germany earlier in the day and received a rousing reception from the members of the Indian community. (ANI)
Kishida met with his Thai counterpart, Prayut Chan-o-cha, in Bangkok to discuss issues of global and regional significance. Among other things, they agreed to cooperate on extending humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and neighboring countries, as well as work together over the situation in Myanmar and North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

"The signing of our defense equipment and technology transfer agreement is a major step forward in expanding bilateral defense cooperation," Kishida said during a joint conference, as quoted by the Kyodo news agency.

The specific equipment for transfer will be discussed by the two countries countries, Kishida added.

The Japanese prime minister has been on an international tour since last Friday, during which he has visited Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand and will travel to Italy and the United Kingdom. Kishida will return to Japan this Friday. (ANI/Sputnik)
Addressing the Indian community in Berlin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that of the total real-time digital payments that took place throughout the world in 2021, 40 per cent took place in India. PM Modi was highlighting the work done by his government in integrating the use of technology with governance. "The way technology is being included in governance in India shows the new political will of the new India as well as is the proof of democracy's delivery capacity," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister in his address to the Indian diaspora highlighted his government's work and also took jibes at the Opposition, primarily the Congress. Talking about making a number of services of various government departments online, Prime Minister said, "Almost 10,000 services of the Central government, state government and local self-government have become available online be it government assistance, scholarship, payments to farmers, everything is transferred directly to the bank account." "Now no PM will have to say that I send 1 rupee from Delhi, and 15 paise reach (the people)," PM Modi said, in a jibe directed at former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. "What kind of 'hand' was that, which scrubbed off 85 paise," he added. Addressing the diaspora, PM Modi said, "This is the same country, which you left to come here, the country is the same, the bureaucracy is the same, the offices are the same, the table is the same, the file is the same, the pen is the same, the government machinery is the same, but the results are much better now." The Prime Minister also talked about the success of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes, highlighting the large volumes of money that have been transferred directly to the beneficiaries. "India has transferred more than 22 lakh crore through DBT in the last 7-8 years, it is more than 300 billion dollars, this amount has reached directly into the accounts of the beneficiaries, with no middleman, no cuts, no cut money," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister also talked about the "record number of airports being built in the country", large scale work on metro construction, as well as connecting villages with optical fibre network. "Before 2014, wherever you see, everything would be a work in progress. I am not criticising anyone but if a road was made, then it's dug up for electricity, then for water. To end this, we've made PM Gati Shakti Master Plan to bring all stakeholders to one platform," PM Modi said. This address to the Indian community was given shortly after the 6th India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations which were co-chaired by PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz. The Prime Minister said the Inter-Governmental Consultations were productive. PM Modi today also held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments. PM Modi is also scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
Attorney Thomas Frederick stands near the property just yards from his Lisson Road home in Naperville that has been rented out as a boarding house and for vehicle storage, in violation of city ordinances and court rulings. Frederick has taken his neighbor to court in a civil suit in an effort to get city codes enforced and illegal tenants removed at this property and four others in Naperville. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Loud parties, profanity-filled arguments, a drug overdose and abysmal upkeep plague the five single-family houses Terry Gaca owns in Naperville, according to court documents and interviews with neighbors.

Code violation fines for what the city says are illegal boarding houses at 202 Pepperidge Road, 72 Bunting Lane, 4 W. Bailey Road, 422 Carriage Hill Road and 2401 Lisson Road are now in excess of $765,000, courts documents filed by the city of Naperville show.

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Yet every action taken by the city the last five years to stop Gaca from renting out rooms to multiple tenants has been met with counter lawsuits and continued noncompliance from Gaca, court documents show.

Frustrated, attorney Thomas Frederick used his status as a neighbor to the Lisson Road property  Gacas former residence  to take legal action.

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Ive retired because of this litigation, because I dont have time to do my job as a partner at a major law firm, Frederick said. Its just going to stop right now, and Im going to do what I can to stop it. Thats the bottom line.

Attorney Thomas Frederick's home off Lisson Road in Naperville backs up to property with an old bus shelter and home, the former of which has been rented out to boarders, court records say. Frederick quit his law firm job to pursue a case full-time against property owner Terry Gaca, who has refused to follow city codes. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

A Will County judge last year allowed the city to join Fredericks lawsuit, and could rule this summer on an injunction to stop Gaca from illegally operating boarding houses at all five of Naperville properties, including the four in DuPage County.

Gaca, a retired lawyer who now lives in Chicago, said he cannot comment on the situation because of the pending litigation.

Revolving tenants

In court documents, 71 neighbors say Gacas properties are poorly maintained, rundown, an eyesore, and adversely affects property values in the neighborhood. Fifty-four say they fear retaliation if they were to file their own lawsuit, the documents show.

Katie Woletz said her family moved to Napervilles north side in 2015 for Naperville District 203 schools and for an easier job commute to Chicago for her husband.

She said shes witnessed a revolving series of tenants, sometimes as many as six adults at a time, living in the home at 202 Pepperidge Road located adjacent to her backyard.

DuPage County real estate tax records list Terry Gaca as the owner of the property at 202 Pepperidge Road in Naperville. (Suzanne Baker / Naperville Sun)

Because the garage was rented out to non-tenants for storage, residents sometimes park their cars over the sidewalk and in the front yard, she said.

Woletz said she and her husband reached out to the city for help and complained repeatedly.

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In July 2017, court documents show Gaca was charged with operating an illegal boarding house and improperly removing a tenants doors at the Pepperidge property. He pleaded guilty to operating an unlawful boarding house and was fined $325, court records show.

She said the situation fell off the rails when a person died of a drug overdose. That was when we were starting to figure out what was going on over there, Woletz said.

On Nov. 15, 2018, police were called to 202 Pepperidge Road, where they found a 24-year-old woman unconscious and not breathing. Police reports show the woman was taken to Edward Hospital in Naperville, where she was pronounced dead. The DuPage County coroner ruled the death as an overdose.

While nothing changed at the property, Woletz said the intimidation started.

Woletz said Gaca cut off the top of a tree adjacent to her back yard and placed a creepy mask on the trunk with a sign stating, If theres something strange in your neighborhood, who you gonna call Nprvl code goon squad, a photo included in court documents shows.

The mask scared her children, then ages 4 and 6, who didnt want to play outside. The couple quit calling the city for fear of retaliation.

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Its horrendous. I mean, hes continued to be able to operate this way with no consequences, she said.

DuPage County real estate tax records list Terry Gaca as the owner of the property at 422 Carriage Hill Road in Naperville. Neighbors have complained that Gaca fixed the houses roof with three or four different types of shingles. (Suzanne Baker/Naperville Sun)

Rainbow fence

Ken Sem said when he moved to the neighborhood near Scott Elementary School in 2017, he noticed strange activity almost immediately next door at 422 Carriage Hill Road. There was a revolving door of tenants and police being repeatedly called to the residence.

After neighbors complained to the city about the boarding situation and property maintenance issues, Sem said Gaca painted a metal fence rainbow colors and patched the roof with a hodgepodge of spare shingles so now the roof is three or four different colors.

The chimney, if you can call it a chimney, is no longer brick, Sem said. Its wrapped with sheet metal and spray painted and held together with metal straps.

Bricks were installed next to the driveway to give tenants more room to park.

Sem said complaints to the city about the driveway expansion prompted Gaca to post a large cardboard sign on his mailbox stating he had done nothing wrong and Naperville code enforcement wasnt going to do anything about it.

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Im really disappointed, to be honest. I mean, I never would have thought in moving to Naperville that they would allow this to happen for so long, Sem said.

No stopping it

As president of the Maplebrook Homeowners Association, Lori Jones said people call her all the time about the condition of the houses at 4 W. Bailey Road and 72 Bunting Lane, the latter of which was put up for sale last month and currently is listed for $399,000.

To be honest, we on the board stopped calling the city about it years ago, she said.

The last time was when a rental advertising sign placed perpendicular to the Bailey Road propertys back fence so it could be seen by drivers on Washington Street. Jones said the sign came down after the homeowners association complained, and Gaca sent a letter to the association.

After that letter came, I would say we all were very reluctant to report him again, she said. Were all volunteers. We all have reasons we dont want our reputations maligned.

DuPage County real estate tax records list Terry Gaca as the owner of the property at 4 W. Bailey Road in Naperville. (Suzanne Baker / Naperville Sun)

What Jones said she finds most frustrating is the Bailey Road house is located at the subdivisions main entrance.

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It looks like a haunted house, she said, and is an absolute disaster due to unrepaired damage from last Junes tornado. The concern is its dragging down home values in their neighborhood.

Maplebrook homes boast amenities homebuyers want, including a pool club, proximity to an elementary and junior high school, and a location near downtown Naperville, said Jones, a Realtor since 2004.

Where I see the problem is if you are trying to sell a house within view of one of his properties, it definitely affects it. ... It does cut down on your buyer pool for those houses for sure, Jones said.

City response

City spokeswoman Linda LaCloche said Naperville has pursued more than 20 actions since 2017 to bring Gacas properties into compliance with zoning ordinances, including code enforcement citations and lawsuits in state and federal court.

DuPage County real estate tax records list Terry Gaca as the owner of the property at 72 Bunting Lane in Naperville. (Suzanne Baker / Naperville Sun)

The city charged Gaca in July 2017 with operating an illegal boarding house and improperly removing a tenants doors at the Pepperidge property. Court documents show Gaca pleaded guilty to operating an unlawful boarding house and was fined $325.

The city brought Gaca to court in June 2018 for violations at four properties and his failure to provide the city with written leases and inspection access, according to court documents.

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Court documents show Gaca, who was living at 2401 Lisson Road at the time, responded with his own legal actions in Will County court, suing the city and a zoning code enforcement officer for assault, intimidation, trespassing and official misconduct. A Will County judge in October 2018 sided with the city and ordered Gaca to pay $199.61 in court costs, court documents show.

Despite the win, the city dismissed the zoning violation claims against Gaca because Gaca filed a federal lawsuit in September 2018 challenging the provision of Napervilles zoning code ordinance, according to court documents.

The Naperville City Council responded by repealing sections of the city code requiring boarding houses to provide inspections and proof of leases upon request.

In the two years since the passage of (the ordinance), the requirement of written leases and inspections has proved to be an ineffective tool in the enforcement of unlawful boarding facilities, city attorney Kristen Foley said in a memo before the Nov. 18, 2018, council meeting. The enforcement of unlawful boarding facilities can be effectuated through other means, including the standards that define boarding facilities in the zoning ordinance.

Gacas federal suit was dismissed in January 2019, though court records show he amended his federal complaint twice in early 2019, challenging the city ban on boarding houses in residential districts. Both cases were dismissed.

Despite the citys success in those cases, the property owner remains obstinate concerning code compliance, LaCloche said.

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Tree limbs on the ground separate Thomas Frederick's property on Lisson Road from that of his neighbor, Terry Gaca. Frederick said he had no problems with Gaca until Gaca moved out, converting his home into a boarding house and creating a vehicle storage location in violation of city ordinances. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Junkyard next door

It was in early 2019 that attorney Thomas Frederick said he started noticing changes on the property next door to his quiet Bonnema Woods neighborhood.

Frederick had almost no contact and never had problems with his neighbors, Gaca and his wife, Janet Wayman, for two decades until he started seeing large box trucks, cars and a trailer parked on the property to the south, he said.

There were over 25 vehicles parked, I mean it looked like a junkyard next door, he said.

As a litigation and trial lawyer for 37 years, Frederick said he did a little digging and found the couple had moved to Chicago and turned their Lisson Road property into a vehicle storage facility and a boarding house with at least six residents.

He appealed to Naperville for help, but the city kind of threw up their hands and said, you know, were not really equipped to do that, Frederick said.

Frederick filed a lawsuit against his former neighbor in August 2019, citing the Adjoining Landowner Act, which allows anyone living within 1,200 feet of a property to sue to force compliance of zoning regulations.

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After months of requests for dismissal and a complaint filed against Frederick with Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission, which was dismissed, records show the court in February 2020 ordered Gaca, his wife and their trusts to shut down the boarding house and parking and storage business on the Lisson property.

The decision was affirmed on appeal by the Third District Appellate Court, and the Illinois Supreme Court rejected Gacas appeal in September 2021, court documents show.

Frederick said throughout the process he asked Naperville officials to intervene on behalf of the neighbors near the four other boarding houses.

In December 2020 the city agreed, and in March 2021 was allowed to join Fredericks lawsuit, documents show.

Frederick said the order forcing compliance was not carried out on the Lisson property because in June 2020 he filed criminal a contempt action against Gaca in Will County, accusing his former neighbor of filing three false affidavits in an attempt to get the civil case dismissed.

The judge presiding over the contempt allegations stayed the boarding house suit ruling until February 2022, court documents show.

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While the order was put on hold, Gaca filed frivolous litigation and engaged in other retaliatory misconduct against Frederick, former tenants cooperating with him, and the city and its employees. Gacas eight lawsuits filed against Frederick and the city were dismissed, court documents show.

Court records show those include a false police report against a zoning code officer related to the Lisson property in February 2021, a small claims action against the city and another code enforcement officer in March 2021, a false complaint made to the ARDC about city attorney Joseph Solon in February 2021, and another federal court action against the city seeking to re-litigate the citys ban on boarding houses, also in February.

When the stay was lifted this year, Frederick said he and the city began working together to get a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against the other boarding houses.

In court documents, the city says Gacas properties are a public nuisance because they continue to violate Naperville zoning codes, and the city is asking the court to prohibit Gaca from operating any boarding houses in Naperville.

The city also has assessed fines of at least $100 for each day Gaca unlawfully operated boarding houses at the five locations, which totals more than $766,500, court documents show.

LaCloche said the hope is for a final judgment that provides relief to the city and the neighbors.

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The best outcome would be for the court to grant a permanent injunction enjoining the property owner from operating these residential properties contrary to city codes, she said.

Frederick said hes is seeking $35,000 in attorneys fees and costs and more than $50,000 in sanctions in his original civil action plus more than $1 million in sanctions and compensatory and punitive damages from other lawsuits related to the case.

subaker@tribpub.com
Addressing a press briefing at the conclusion of the first leg of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Europe visit on Monday (local time), newly appointed Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that India's position on the ongoing war in Ukraine "amply takes care of our principles as also our interests". The Foreign Secretary made the remarks, in response to a question asking "what India's value space considerations are in this conflict (in Ukraine)?" "We have consistently right from the onset of the conflict talked about an immediate and early cessation of hostilities and the resolution path which goes through diplomacy and dialogue. I think these have been the central pillars in terms of our position which we have explained many times," Foreign Secretary Kwatra said. "The question of principles, question of values, question of interests... I think eventually it's a question of balancing principles and interests and I think our position amply takes care of our principles as also our interests," the Foreign Secretary added. The Foreign Secretary also answered a question on oil imports from Russia, highlighting that India's imports from the country are a small fraction of what the rest of the world imports from Russia. "In terms of oil embargo again, if you look at the actual situation on the ground, I think the oil imports by India from Russia is probably a small fraction of what perhaps the rest of the world imports from Russia," the Foreign Secretary said. He added that India ultimately looks at the question of oil imports from Russia "from the perspective of energy security", saying that this is how the other countries too pursue the matter. The briefing started with Foreign Secretary Kwatra summarising the Germany visit of PM Modi which included participation in the Inter-Governmental Consultations, as well as interaction with business leaders with the German chancellor Olaf Scholz. "It has been an intense day, but it has also been extremely productive both in terms of the range of discussions, the scope of the partnership, assessment of the overall range of the cooperation and the agenda chopped out in terms of what the two countries and the two systems will be working together on going forward in months and years ahead," the Foreign Secretary said. The Foreign Secretary also highlighted that a number of bilateral documents were signed between the two countries, including 10 billion euros of new and additional development assistance to India until 2030, triangular development cooperation, migration and mobility partnership agreement, collaboration on green hydrogen and renewables among others. The briefing took place shortly after the conclusion of the private dinner hosted by German chancellor Scholz for PM Modi, which was the final segment of the Prime Minister's official program in Germany. PM Modi today also held a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Scholz. This was their first engagement since Chancellor Scholz assumed office in December 2021. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation under the overall strategic partnership, as well as regional and global developments. PM Modi is scheduled to visit Denmark on Tuesday to hold talks with leaders from Nordic countries. He will also make a stopover in Paris on Wednesday and meet the newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron. (ANI)
A 19-year-old Lake Wales man was charged with fatally shooting his mother on Thursday after she reprimanded him about smoking in the house, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

Sheriff Grady Judd said the 52-year-old woman was found unresponsive by one of her sons outside the room of another son about 9:30 a.m. She was rushed to Lake Wales Hospital where she determined to be deceased. At first, medical staff could not determine a cause of death.

"There was no blood," Judd said.

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But later Thursday morning, hospital staff told the Sheriff's Office the woman had suspicious puncture wounds, Judd said. The Sheriff's Office rushed to the hospital and to the family home.

After interviews with the family and medical staff, Judd said deputies arrested Seth Settle, 19, on charges of second-degree murder with a weapon, tampering with evidence, discharging a firearm in a residential area and giving false information during an investigation.

According to Judd, Settle's mother, whom he did not identify by name, had arrived home from taking her daughter to school and smelled smoke coming from Settle's room.

"She opens the door, and she said, 'I told you before about smoking in this house. Now quit smoking in the house.' And she closes the door, and he shoots her through the door," Judd said.

Gang shooting: 2 Winter Haven teens, 1 adult indicted on first-degree murder charges in connection with apparent gang shooting

Judd said the woman had entrance and exit wounds on either side of her torso below her arms.

"She falls to the floor," Judd said. "He jumps up, runs to where his 24-year-old brother is ... and is screaming at his 24-year-old brother, who's in the bathroom and doesn't here what he said."

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Judd said the 24-year-old brother came out, but Settle had fled. He found his mother on the floor near the game room and outside Settle's room and called 911.

"There is no blood. He doesn't know what happened. He didn't hear a gunshot. Seth's fled. They call EMS. EMS cancels us, it's a medical event,"

Judd said the hospital staff also didn't see any blood or wounds and couldn't determine a cause of death.

"Only later, when they're preparing to move mom, did one of the nurse's notice ... there's a small amount of blood. And in fact, what had happened was she was shot," Judd said.

He said the medical examiner said she was shot through the torso from the side, and the bullet immediately stopped the heart, preventing more blood flow.

Judd said deputies arrested Settle and took him to the station, where he confessed. He said Settle told detectives that he was depressed, and when his mother opened the door to tell him to stop smoking, he had a gun to his head. When she closed the door, the gun accidentally discharged, he said.

"We don't believe that because by all accounts, all accounts, even his admission, that mom was an absolutely, totally wonderful person and the best mom you can have," Judd said. "There's no way she would've closed that door with her son holding a gun to his head."

Judd said Settle fled to a friend's house and told him he accidentally shot his mom. He told detectives he threw the guns into a wooded area off Chalet Suzanne Road. But detectives later found Settle had asked another friend to go to the house to collect the guns. That friend gave the firearms to sheriff's detectives.

Judd said the family was unaware Settle had weapons, and Settle was too young to possess firearms. He said they weren't reported stolen, and Settle told detectives he bought them off the street.

Correction

A previous version of this story misspelled suspect Seth Settle's name.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Sheriff: 19-year-old shot mother after she told him to stop smoking
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Retirement can be a big change. Not only is it a big change in terms of lifestyle, but it can also be a big change in income. For instance, the average Social Security payment for retired workers was $1,665 in March 2022.

Find: 20 Best Places To Live on Only a Social Security Check

Advice: 25 Things To Sell When You're Ready To Retire

Some Americans rely on Social Security as their sole source of income. In other words, someone who receives to average payment could be living on less than $20,000 in annual income.

For those retired workers, absorbing high costs of living is likely not an option, especially if they have little to no retirement savings. Hence, cities with a high cost of living (CoL) should be avoided.

Here, we'll take a look at the worst cities for living on just a Social Security check, highlighting data such as rent for a one-bedroom apartment and the overall CoL.

Gary Fink / Getty Images/iStockphoto

22. Plano, Texas

Cost of Living Index : 109.3

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,483

Livability Score: 88

Plano has a dense suburban feel and plenty of restaurants, coffee shops and parks. It also has an excellent livability score of 88.

Despite its perks, though, its CoL is rated at 109.3 against the U.S. average of 100, according to Best Places. Rent for a one-bedroom is $1,483 in Plano -- that alone consumes most of the typical Social Security check.

POLL: Do You Think States Should Suspend Their Gas Taxes?

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21. Tampa, Florida

Cost of Living Index : 100.1

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,472

Livability Score: 74

With its laid-back feel and beach lifestyle, Tampa could be attractive to those looking for a comfortable place to retire. However, the city isn't quite as livable, with a score of 74. Plus, rent for a one-bedroom is about the same as the cost in Plano.

The one benefit of Tampa, at least given its place on this list, is that the overall cost of living there is almost precisely in line with the national average.

franckreporter / Getty Images/iStockphoto

20. Austin, Texas

Cost of Living Index : 119.3

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,519

Livability Score: 72

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People have been flocking to cities like Austin in recent years in search of high-paying jobs. Austin, in particular, offers high-paying tech jobs in a city that is more affordable than San Francisco.

However, all of those high earners moving to Austin have driven up the cost; one-bedroom rent is $1,519, and its overall cost of living is rated 119.3. Plus, the city isn't particularly livable, rated at 72.

bobbyuzda / iStock.com

19. Orlando, Florida

Cost of Living Index : 104.1

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,492

Livability Score: 69

Home to "The Happiest Place on Earth" -- also known as Disney World -- Orlando is a big draw for a lot of people. Of course, the city has hundreds of resort hotels overall, and people love going there for its warm weather and sunny days.

However, its livability leaves something to be desired with a score of 69. Plus, rent is nearly $1,500, and its CoL is above average at 104.1.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

18. Miami, Florida

Cost of Living Index : 123.1

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,639

Livability Score: 65

With beaches, parks and tropical weather, there are a lot of reasons Miami might seem like a great place to move. And while the pros are definitely there, one can't deny the downsides to the famous beach town, especially if you are living on Social Security.

For starters, one-bedroom rent is $1,639, which is almost the same amount as the typical Social Security check. The overall cost of living is above average at 123, and the city isn't very livable, rated 65.

benedek / Getty Images/iStockphoto

17. Denver, Colorado

Cost of Living Index : 128.7

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,483

Livability Score: 63

Denver is a vibrant city with rich arts and culture and an excellent night life. Plus, the city can be seen as a cheaper alternative to the expensive West Coast.

But the cost of living index for Denver is 128.7, so it isn't as affordable as one might like. Plus, the livability score is a paltry 63. Rent is lower than most of the cities before it, though.

Art Wager / Getty Images

16. San Diego, California

Cost of Living Index : 160.1

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,901

Livability Score: 71

San Diego is a beautiful city. Not only is the weather gorgeous, but it features stunning Spanish and Victorian architecture.

However, the city's perks come at a cost. Rent is just over $1,900, and the cost of living is rated at 160.1, putting it out of reach for most Social Security recipients. Its livability score isn't the best, either; it's rated 71 in that category.

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15. Chula Vista, California

Cost of Living Index : 147.1

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,693

Livability Score: 67

Chula Vista is a part of the San Diego metropolitan area, located just to the south and sitting right on the San Diego Bay. The city boasts more than 52 square miles of coastal landscape, canyons, rolling hills, mountains, quality parks and miles of trails

While Chula Vista is more affordable than San Diego, costs are still high; one-bedroom rent is $1,693. It also isn't very livable, receiving a 67 livability score.

On the Flipside: 12 Best Big Cities To Live on Just a Social Security Check

Ultima_Gaina / Getty Images/iStockphoto

14. Jersey City, New Jersey

Cost of Living Index : 146.8

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,932

Livability Score: 69

Located just across the Hudson River from Manhattan, Jersey City is one possible alternative for those who can't afford Manhattan rent. However, rent in Jersey City is still high at over $1,900, and the overall CoL isn't much better. Plus, the livability score is just 69.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

13. Seattle, Washington

Cost of Living Index : 172.3

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,681

Livability Score: 65

Home to companies like Starbucks and Amazon, Seattle is a big draw for those in search of high-paying jobs. However, if you're living on Social Security, Seattle is one city you may want to avoid.

While rent isn't the highest on this list, it still consumes all of the average Social Security check. The city is expensive overall, and the livability score is only 65.

Davel5957 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

12. Irvine, California

Cost of Living Index : 187.1

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $2,846

Livability Score: 80

Irvine is located in Orange County, about an hour southeast of downtown Los Angeles. Despite being reasonably far from the big city, Irvine is quite livable with plenty of bars, restaurants, coffee shops and parks.

However, the cost of living is very high at 187.1. The one-bedroom rent is over $2,800, which is easily the highest rent on this list.

MattGush / Getty Images/iStockphoto

11. Anaheim, California

Cost of Living Index : 152.2

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,794

Livability Score: 62

Another town located southeast of Los Angeles, Anaheim is part of the Greater Los Angeles metro area. The city is best known for being home to Disneyland, but there are plenty of bars and restaurants in town, too.

Unfortunately, its livability score is not the best, and both rent and the overall cost of living are high.

MattGush / Getty Images/iStockphoto

10. Riverside, California

Cost of Living Index : 133.1

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,720

Livability Score: 59

Riverside, too, isn't far from Los Angeles, although it's much closer to San Bernardino. It offers most of the typical suburban fare, such as coffee shops and parks. Rent isn't terrible with an average of $1,720; the same can be said for the cost of living at 133.1.

However, we are getting into territory with very low livability scores here -- it has just a 59 in that category.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

9. Long Beach, California

Cost of Living Index : 160.4

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,593

Livability Score: 59

Long Beach is also near Los Angeles. In fact, you can be in L.A. in under 40 minutes by taking I-710 (traffic permitting). As its name suggests, the city is located right on the water with, well, a long beach.

While rent is much more affordable than it is in L.A., it is nevertheless nearly $1,600 for a one-bedroom. The overall CoL is high at 160.4, and the city is not very livable with a score of 59.

OlegAlbinsky / Getty Images/iStockphoto

8. New York City, New York

Cost of Living Index : 187.2

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $2,068

Livability Score: 67

Known as "The City that Never Sleeps," there is always something to do in New York. Perhaps more importantly, there is something for everyone, as the city is extremely diverse and vibrant.

However, the one-bedroom rent is over $2,000, making it unaffordable for those on Social Security. The overall cost of living is 187.2, and the livability score is just 67.

NicolasMcComber / Getty Images/iStockphoto

7. San Jose, California

Cost of Living Index : 214.5

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $2,004

Livability Score: 67

Located in the Bay Area, San Jose is another place that might offer a slight reprieve from the expensive real estate in San Francisco.

While the city is undoubtedly nice, rent is still over $2,000 in San Jose. The overall cost of living is nearly 215 as well. Livability matches that of New York, rated 67.

Tanarch / Getty Images/iStockphoto

6. Washington, D.C.

Cost of Living Index : 152.1

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,786

Livability Score: 56

With its status as the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. is a popular place for visitors and residents alike. Whether it's touring the White House or hanging out on the National Mall, D.C. has plenty to offer.

However, once the novelty wears off, you have a livability score of just 56. Rent isn't very affordable at over $1,750, and the CoL is rated 152.1.

f11photo / Shutterstock.com

5. Boston, Massachusetts

Cost of Living Index : 162.4

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $2,016

Livability Score: 59

Boston has some of the richest history of any city in America -- not to mention having prestigious universities such as Harvard and Boston University.

The city is not rated particularly livable, though, scoring just 59. Plus, one-bedroom rent is over $2,000 per month, and the overall cost of living is rated 162.4.

MattGush / Getty Images/iStockphoto

4. Santa Ana, California

Cost of Living Index : 146.3

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,795

Livability Score: 54

Also located in Orange County, Santa Ana is just south of Anaheim. The city does offer easy access to pristine beaches, and costs are lower than they are in the surrounding area.

Still, rent is nearly $1,800 per month for a one-bedroom, and the overall cost of living is 146.3. Worst of all, the livability score is 54, which leaves a lot to be desired.

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images/iStockphoto

3. Oakland, California

Cost of Living Index : 174.4

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,653

Livability Score: 53

Located just across the bay from San Francisco, Oakland offers another cheaper alternative to the high rents in S.F. There are plenty of shops and restaurants, and Oakland is served by the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system.

Still, its livability score is 53, which is dead last, at least among cities on this list. The overall cost of living is still high, too, at 174.4.

Chones / Shutterstock.com

2. Los Angeles, California

Cost of Living Index : 173.3

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $1,756

Livability Score: 54

We've taken a look at many of the cities in the L.A. area, and now we have the big city itself at #2. Needless to say, the city has endless things to do; it's highly unlikely you would ever be bored.

However, public transportation is lacking, and traffic is atrocious. That could explain its paltry livability score of 54. While rent is high for someone on Social Security, it's not as high as others on this list. Still, the overall CoL is high at 173.3.

Sean Pavone / Getty Images/iStockphoto

1. San Francisco, California

Cost of Living Index : 269.3

2022 Average 1 Bdr Rent : $2,360

Livability Score: 67

We have also looked at areas in the San Francisco area, and now we have San Fran itself, rated the worst city for those receiving only a Social Security check. San Francisco is undoubtedly beautiful, but it's also one of the most expensive places to live in the country.

It has by far the highest rating on the cost of living index on this list, rated 269.3. Keep in mind that San Jose, which is in the Bay Area, is #2 for CoL. Rent is nearly $2,400 for a one-bedroom, and the livability score isn't great, coming in at 67.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 22 Worst Big Cities To Live on Just a Social Security Check
Hampton is looking for a way to combat traffic jams in the city caused by eastbound drivers trying to avoid backups on Interstate 64.

The City Council is considering a pilot program that would close access to the Settlers Landing Road eastbound I-64 ramp from 3-6 p.m. on weekdays. In June, the access would be closed coming from Hampton University. In July, the closure would change and access would be closed coming from Woodland.

One of the major traffic issues weve had in the city in recent years is where some of the mapping applications have sent people through our city to avoid the traffic on I-64 because of backups that occur related to the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, said Brian DeProfio, assistant city manager.

The gridlock on city streets makes it difficult for customers to get to businesses and for residents to get into their homes. The congestion is overflowing into Phoebus and downtown Hampton.

And the problem is expected to get worse as construction on the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel continues, according to DeProfio.

The Virginia Department of Transportation warned city officials in the fall of 2020 that congestion in the city would increase while work was done for the $3.8 billion expansion project. The hope is that when the project is finished, Hamptons traffic problem will be too.

The city launched a similar two-month pilot program April 1 that closed the Mallory Street Bridge Ramp from 3-6 p.m. on weekdays.

Since we started that program in early April, we have significantly reduced the traffic concerns in downtown Phoebus, said Jason Mitchell, the citys public works director.

During the first three weeks of the closures, there were times eastbound traffic on the interstate was backed up as far as Rip Rap Road, but there werent any backups in Phoebus, Mitchell said.

He asked the City Council to consider extending the Mallory Street pilot program for an additional 60 days while the city also tries to address the traffic at Settlers Landing Road.

If approved, the pilot programs will be used to collect data on the impact the measures have on city streets while the city continues to explore options to reduce traffic.

Jessica Nolte, 757-912-1675, jnolte@dailypress.com
Bravo

Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker have been making some big changes to their home, and on the May 8 episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, the couple finally shared a look at their new-and-improved indoor pool room. "I've changed this whole pool room," Todd said in an interview as before-and-after photos were shown. "Check the floors out: It's the black marble look. It's looking current. You know, before it was that tan, that old school [look]." Although the renovation had "kind of slowed down,"
Leading aid groups want Congress to ramp up funding for food and other global humanitarian needs exacerbated by Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, saying not enough of President Joe Bidens new $33 billion request is devoted to such concerns.

The aid groups are drafting a letter laying out their worries to senior U.S. lawmakers who oversee appropriations. They calculate that less than 6 percent of Bidens latest funding request is directly aimed at relieving an immediate humanitarian crisis that has rippled well past Ukraines borders. At least $5 billion is urgently needed for food and nutrition assistance, some say.

The world is facing a hunger catastrophe on an unprecedented scale, with the crisis in Ukraine serving as a hunger multiplier for emergencies around the world, states an excerpt from the draft letter, which is expected to be sent later this week.

Its not unusual for aid organizations to want more funding, but officials with the groups say their current concerns are driven by atypical circumstances: The war itself is between two important economies, and it is spurring hikes in prices of food, fuel and other items, making aid groups work more expensive to carry out all over the world.

Ukraine and Russia, for example, have both been leading producers of wheat, corn and other staples. The fighting in Ukraine, coupled with international sanctions on Russia, has disrupted such supplies, spiked prices and led some countries to limit their food exports.

The cost of fuel is going up, too, given Russias role in the energy markets, affecting aid groups ability to transport humanitarian supplies. All of that is on top of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which has been disrupting global supply chains for some two years now.

Humanitarian organizations are being asked to respond to more needs with resources that are buying less, said Kate Phillips-Barrasso, vice president for global policy and advocacy for Mercy Corps, one of the groups drafting the letter. The humanitarian assistance levels requested by the administration are simply not enough to respond to this perfect storm.

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Mercy Corps is on the ground in Ukraine, Romania and Poland, according to its website, and its work includes steering funding to local organizations who know their community needs best.

The aid organizations have at least two sympathetic ears in Congress.

Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement that much of the Biden administrations request, while important, had a medium to long-term view, and that his office is working on ways to boldly increase the rapid humanitarian funding needed to mobilize live-saving food assistance efforts swiftly.

A spokesperson said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who is close to Biden, will try to use every tactic to ensure were prepared to address the scope of the current crisis, whether by stretching our food aid dollars further by cutting red tape and waiving cargo preference requirements, or increasing food aid spending levels in upcoming supplementals.

Biden administration officials did not immediately offer comment for this story.

More than 5.5 million Ukrainians have fled the country since Russias full-on invasion began on Feb. 24, while millions more are displaced within Ukraine. Many Ukrainians have sought refuge in nearby nations such as Poland, but some have reached the United States or at least made it to the U.S.-Mexico border. The arrival of refugees has strained infrastructures in many host nations.

In documents laying out its $33 billion funding request to Congress, the White House says $3 billion is meant for humanitarian needs in Ukraine and beyond. That figure includes funding for food support and medical supplies. But it also covers anticipated needs such as resources for U.S. school districts to support Ukrainians arriving in America.

Mercy Corps and other groups say the funding requests real figure for traditional humanitarian assistance  such as food  is less than $2 billion. The $5 billion they seek would cover such immediate needs in Ukraine and places elsewhere that are feeling the knock-on effects of the war.

Ethiopia, Afghanistan and Yemen, where wars have left many starving, need food aid in particular, but the work of humanitarian organizations in such places also has been affected by price hikes and shortages of goods spurred by Russias invasion.

In a statement criticizing the Biden administrations funding request as not nearly enough, aid group Save the Children said Congress should provide at least $5 billion for emergency global food security funding.

The International Rescue Committee echoed many of the concerns, pointing out that droughts in places like the Horn of Africa are adding to the overall humanitarian crisis. In a statement, Amanda Catanzano, IRCs senior policy and advocacy director, urged Congress to build on the administrations request.

The fighting in Ukraine has largely shifted to the countrys east and south, especially the Donbas region. But Russian airstrikes still occasionally hit targets elsewhere in Ukraine, including railway stations, which can affect the transport of food and other aid.

The International Committee of the Red Cross noted that the people now trapped in Donbas often are the most vulnerable  ones who couldnt afford to leave earlier, for instance. The infrastructure that has supported them is now crumbling under bombardment.

Local supply chains have broken down and in places where fighting is intense, health care facilities are struggling to cope with the influx of patients, the ICRC said in a statement.
Dan Moezzi is a family practice physician in Alamogordo at Indian Wells Family Practice. He is also an Iranian refugee who saw two revolutions and lived on three continents before coming to New Mexico in the 1990s.

Moezzi said when he saw news coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine he was moved to help. So he traveled to Ukraine and lend his services as a doctor to Ukrainian hospitals and clinics.

"I felt I am in a position to help," Moezzi said. "It was a great experience. It was one of the best trips I've ever done in my life."

The Lviv Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital is a "city within a city," Moezzi said, as it is walled off from the general population.

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Alamogordo doctor Dan Moezzi at the train station in Lviv. Moezzi recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Ukraine.

The Lviv Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital was built in 1870 and currently holds 845 patients. The hospital provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare, Lviv Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital Acting Director Irina Halamai wrote in a letter to Moezzi.

"Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, our clinic has admitted to inpatient treatment of about 300 patients from eastern Ukraine, about 1,500 patients received outpatient treatment," the letter states.

The hospital continued receiving patients at the end of March including 220 patients who were evacuated from Kharkiv Psychiatric Hospital on March 23 and 62 patients who were evacuated to the Lviv hospital from Bakhmut Psych-Neurological Boarding School on March 25.

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Conditions at the Lviv Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital were bleak, Moezzi said. Beds were a spring base with a thin foam mattress for patients to sleep on.

The letter from Halamai included a list of needs: medical exam tables, gurneys, an X-ray viewer, digital ultrasound machines, resuscitation trolley kit bags, disposable kits such as are used for spinal taps, tracheostomies and pleural punctures.

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Ukrainian Refugees from Donbas area of Ukraine on their way to Poland. Alamogordo doctor Dan Moezzi is pictured on the back row in the second from the right. Alamogordo doctor Dan Moezzi recently returned from a humanitarian trip to Ukraine

Halamai also asked for printers, an ambulance and a car to transport up to nine people.

When Moezzi went to Ukraine, he took supplies donated from Alamogordo locals and businesses including Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, Walmart Neighborhood Pharmacy, Rotary Club, American Medical Response (AMR), Lillie Lewis, Renee French, Melinda Brooks, Bob Patillo, Dr. Douglas Dodson of Southern New Mexico Surgical Center and Indian Wells Family Practice.

Moezzi set up the Facebook Page New Mexico with Ukraine documenting his trip there. He has also partnered with Ukraine Children, Inc. for donations.

Nicole Maxwell can be contacted by email at nmaxwell@alamogordonews.com, by phone at 575-415-6605 or on Twitter at @nicmaxreporter. If you have questions about your subscription, please contact Customer Service at AlamogordoDailyNews@Gannett.com or call 1-877-301-0013.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Alamogordo doctor returns from humanitarian trip to Ukraine
855,000-square-foot Amazon fulfillment center in Staten Island Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

Amazon will cover up to $4,000 per year in medical care travel costs for US employees.

The new coverage is for non-life threatening treatments, including abortion and transgender care.

Amazon follows similar moves by large employers like Citigroup, Apple, Levi's and Yelp.

Amazon will cover up to $4,000 per year in travel costs for US employees seeking non-life threatening medical treatments, including elective abortion.

The company notified workers in an internal message that was first reported by Reuters, and a spokesperson confirmed Reuters' reporting to Insider. An employee source also shared screenshots of the announcement with Insider.

Several large employers have announced similar policies in the wake of increasingly restrictive laws passed by Republican-controlled states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Alabama.

"In response to changes in reproductive health-care laws in certain states in the U.S., beginning in 2022 we provide travel benefits to facilitate access to adequate resources," Citigroup told investors in a filing after Texas Governor Greg Abbot signed a law banning abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected.

Other companies include Apple, Bumble, Levi's, and HP.

Amazon's plan is intended to cover travel and lodging for treatments that are not available near an employee's home. The plan expands on an existing policy and covers not just abortion, but transgender care, cardiology treatments, cellular gene therapies, and substance-abuse disorder services as well.

One employee told Insider he supports the initiative, but expects there will be backlash from states like Texas.

The employee benefits plan previously included travel coverage of up to $10,000 for the treatment of life-threatening medical issues, Reuters reported.

Corporate and warehouse employees and their dependents who are enrolled in the company's Premera or Aetna health plans are retroactively eligible for the coverage dating back to January 1, 2022.

Read the original article on Business Insider
By Jeffrey Dastin

(Reuters) -Amazon.com Inc, the second-largest U.S. private employer, told its staff on Monday it will pay up to $4,000 in travel expenses annually for non-life threatening medical treatments including abortions, according to a message seen by Reuters.

The decision makes the online retailer the latest company after Citigroup Inc, Yelp Inc and others to respond to Republican-backed state laws curbing abortion access, helping employees bypass them. It shows how companies are eager to retain and attract talent in locations that remain important to their operations despite legal changes impacting employees' health.

The U.S. Supreme Court is due to rule by the end of June in a case that gives its conservative majority a chance to roll back abortion rights or even overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized the procedure nationwide. About two dozen states including Oklahoma and Alabama have laws poised to limit abortion access should the Roe ruling be overturned.

Amazon's new benefit, effective to Jan. 1 retroactively, applies if an operation is not available within 100 miles (161 km) of an employee's home and virtual care is not possible, the company's message said. It is open to U.S. employees or covered dependents enrolled in Premera or Aetna health plans, whether they work in a corporate office or a warehouse.

The reimbursements that Amazon announced on Monday are not specific to abortion. They provide for other non-life threatening treatments such as around cardiology, cellular gene therapies and substance-abuse disorder services as well. Separately, Amazon offers up to $10,000 in annual travel reimbursements for life-threatening issues.

The news came on the day Amazon stopped offering paid time off for U.S. employees diagnosed with COVID-19, letting them have five days of excused unpaid leave instead. Amazon employees at a warehouse in New York are having their votes counted on Monday as well that will determine whether the facility unionizes. A group of current and former workers known as the Amazon Labor Union has pushed for better pay and job security.

(Reporting by Jeffrey Dastin in Palo Alto, Calif.; Editing by Will Dunham and Chizu Nomiyama)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  Australia and New Zealand will meet in a mid-week Bledisloe Cup test for the first time in almost three decades when the Wallabies host the All Blacks on Sept. 15 in Melbourne.

The match will be played on a Thursday night because of a crowded sports schedule at a time when the Australian Football League and National Rugby League finals are underway.

The second test in the annual Bledisloe Cup series will be played on Sept. 24 in Auckland.

Australia and New Zealand havent met in a mid-week test since the Wallabies won 20-16 in Sydney on a Wednesday night in August 1994.

Rugby Australia is spreading its home games around the mainland state capitals in 2022, with tests against England in Perth, Brisbane and Sydney in July, followed by Rugby Championship tests against South Africa in Adelaide on Aug. 27 and in New South Wales on Sept. 3 and the Bledisloe Cup encounter in Melbourne.

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More AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
A recent interview with Eiza Gonzalez stated that she is currently working with many Chinese actors and has learned a lot about China for the upcoming Netflix original series, "The Three-Body Problem."

The actress revealed this in a video released on April 23 by Maoyan, a film ticketing and marketing platform, during a promotional event for her new film "Ambulance," directed by Michael Bay.



"I'm working with a lot of Chinese actors right now. So there's a lot of Chinese in the show. I've learned so much about the history of China and its culture, and everything about it. And when you immerse yourself in projects that are solely based on a culture like China, you have to really educate yourself about it," she said.

Gonzalez added, "So it's been such an incredible experience, and I am so excited to share this project with China. And obviously, we hope to go and promote a lot in China."

Hong Kong director Derek Tsang is directing the first episode of the highly anticipated series, "Three-Body Problem," based on Chinese writer Liu Cixin's award-winning sci-fi epic. The plot revolves around a young physicist's contact with an extraterrestrial civilization known as the Trisolaran and the subsequent centuries-long clashes between the aliens and humans.

In 2020, Netflix was granted the rights to produce an English-language adaptation from Three Body Universe (Shanghai) Cultural Development Co., Ltd., and Yoozoo Group.

The team behind the project is a star-studded lineup of writers and executive producers led by David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Alexander Woo, as well as executive producers Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman, Brad Pitt, and Rosamund Pike. Chinese executive producers include Lin Qi, the late chairman of rights-holders Yoozoo Group, and Zhao Jilong, CEO of the rights-holder Three Body Universe, a subsidiary of Yoozoo Group.

The star-studded casting includes Gonzalez, Benedict Wong, John Bradley, Saamer Usmani, Liam Cunningham, Jovan Adepo, Tsai Chin, and Jess Hong.



The novel's author Liu Cixin has signed on as a consulting producer alongside Ken Liu, who translated the book into English, for which he won the prestigious Hugo Award in 2015.

"The Three-Body Problem" will also have a parallel Chinese-language adaptation entitled "Three-Body" produced by Tencent Video, which has finished shooting and could be released this year. The Chinese version stars Zhang Luyi and Yu Hewei and is directed by Yang Lei.
By Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters) - Beijing is concerned about the tense situation on the Korean peninsula, China's Korean affairs envoy said as he arrived for talks in Seoul this week, adding that both the symptoms and root cause of tensions needed to be addressed.

Amid stalled denuclearisation talks, North Korea has conducted a flurry of weapons tests this year, from hypersonic missiles to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

North Korea had not conducted an ICBM or nuclear weapons test since 2017. Officials in Seoul and Washington say there are signs of preparations for a new nuclear test.

The "legitimate and reasonable concerns of all parties" need to be acknowledged for there to be a political settlement, Liu Xiaoming, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Korean Peninsula Affairs, told reporters at Seoul's airport late on Sunday.

"We call on all parties to stay cool-headed and exercise restraint, and we disapprove (of) actions by any party that could escalate tension," he said in a summary of his remarks on Twitter.

In his first visit to South Korea since taking office in April 2021, Liu is due to meet his South Korean counterpart, nuclear envoy Noh Kyu-duk, on Tuesday. He may also meet representatives of South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who takes office on May 10, Yonhap news agency reported.

The United States has pushed for more United Nations sanctions on the North. But China and Russia have signalled opposition, arguing that sanctions should be eased to jumpstart talks and provide humanitarian relief to the impoverished North.

The issues on the peninsula can be resolved politically and China will continue to play a "positive role," Liu said.

However, the key to resolving the issues is in the hands of North Korea and the United States, he added.

(Reporting by Josh Smith; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
IRYNA BALACHUK - MONDAY, 2 MAY, 2022, 12:27 pm

Ukraine's military intelligence has found that internet connections are being disabled for Belarusians in order to conceal the movement of Russian military equipment through Belarus.

Source: the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine on Telegram

Quote: "To conceal information about the movement of Russian occupying troops through the territory of Belarus, Belarusians access to the internet is being disabled."

Details: It is reported that full and partial restriction of internet access for Belarusian mobile subscribers was first recorded on 1 April.

Following this, for the entire month, access to the Internet was restricted for entire regions of Belarus south and southeast of Minsk, where the movement of military equipment of the Russian invading forces was most frequently recorded.

The Main Intelligence Directorate notes that it was special services that coordinated disconnecting users from the Internet.

"This way, the KGB of Belarus and the FSB of Russia are trying to limit the communication of patriotic citizens and prevent the dissemination of information on social networks about the movement of Russian military equipment through the territory of the republic," concluded the Main Intelligence Directorate.

Read also: We are a private intelligence agency. Anton Motolko from "Belaruski Hajun"

Background:
President Biden and former President Clinton had lunch together at the White House on Monday, a White House official told The Hill.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed the meeting for reporters and said the pair were having a wide-ranging discussion. She noted Biden has had a number of conversations with the former president.

And they talked about having lunch just a few weeks ago so this is an opportunity to do exactly that, and Im sure they will have a broad conversation, she added.

Clinton was in Washington last Wednesday for funeral services for former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who served in his administration.

Bidens lunch with Clinton comes just months before a challenging midterm election in November, though Psaki did not respond to a question on if Biden sought advice on the midterms from Clinton.

The press secretary on Monday also said that Biden had lunch last week with former President Obama. Obama also visited the White House in early April to celebrate the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act.

Former first lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was in town last week for the Albright funeral, where she delivered a eulogy, but did not attend the lunch with Biden and her husband.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden met Monday with the parents of Austin Tice, an American freelance journalist who has been held hostage in Syria for nearly 10 years, as they continue to desperately seek his return to the U.S.

Tice was abducted in Syria in August 2012 after crossing illegally into Syria from Turkey and traveling to Daraya, a suburb of Damascus, to cover the country's civil war. Tice, 31 years old at the time, is now 40.

The meeting at the White House came one week after the Biden administration orchestrated the return of former Marine Trevor Reed from Russia through a prisoner swap.

More: Bring my journalist brother home by Thanksgiving

In this image taken from undated video posted to YouTube, American freelance journalist Austin Tice, a former U.S. Marine who had been reporting for U.S. news organizations in Syria until his disappearance in August 2012, prays in Arabic and English while blindfolded in the presence of gunmen. The Associated Press could not independently confirm the origin or the content of the clip, but the Tice family released a statement to several media outlets confirming it was their son in the video. Although the video footage shows a group of captors dressed and behaving like Islamist extremists, the clip lacks the customary form of jihadist videos.

A former U.S. marine captain from Houston who saw duty in Afghanistan, Tice set aside studying law at Georgetown University for journalism. His parents, Marc and Debra Tice, pleaded with Biden for a meeting for months.

Former Marine returns: Trevor Reed back home in the US after nearly three years in Russian jail

In a statement, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden "reiterated his commitment to continue to work through all available avenues to secure Austins long overdue return to his family."

She added the president "further emphasized that his administration will work relentlessly until Austin and other Americans held hostage and wrongfully detained worldwide are safely at home with their loved ones."

Tice's case garnered new attention at Saturday's White House Correspondents Association Dinner during a tribute to journalists who have died or risk their lives covering wars overseas.

Tice's parents attended the dinner as guests of the Washington Post.

Austin Tice, a Houston native and Marine captain who served in Afghanistan, gave up his law studies at Georgetown University to cover Syria's civil war in May 2012.

"Mom, I'd like to meet you and dad to talk about your son," Biden told the couple during his remarks at the WHCA dinner.

During a press briefing Monday held before the meeting,, Psaki declined to provide any updates on Tice's whereabouts.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met with the Tice family in December. Since then, other National Security Council officials have meet with them on three occasions including last week, according to the White House.

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Psaki said Biden's national security team will remain in regular contact with the Tices and other families of Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad.

"We appreciate the bravery and candor of families enduring these harrowing experiences, and we remain committed to supporting them and, most importantly, reuniting them with their loved ones," she said.

The U.S. has a reward of up to $1 million for information that leads to Tice's recovery and relocation.

Reach Joey Garrison on Twitter @joeygarrison

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden meets with parents of kidnapped Journalist Austin Tice
Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates warned that more investment would be needed to prevent a future pandemic from happening, saying it was possible the worst of this pandemic had not yet occurred.

It seems wild to me that we could fail to look at this tragedy and not, on behalf of the citizens of the world, make these investments, Gates said to the Financial Times.

Gates was also concerned about the future of the COVID-19 pandemic, despite restrictions loosening around the world.

The current [World Health Organization] funding is not at all serious about pandemics, he said. Were still at risk of this pandemic generating a variant that would be even more transmissive and even more fatal.

Its not likely, I dont want to be a voice of doom and gloom, but its way above a 5 percent risk that this pandemic, we havent even seen the worst of it, he added.

Gates has proposed a global epidemic response and mobilization initiative, which he says should be run by the World Health Organization.

The amount of money involved is very small compared to the benefit and it will be a test: can global institutions take on new responsibilities in an excellent way, even in a time period where US-China [relations are] tough, US-Russia is extremely tough? Gates also asked.

Gates first warned that the world was not prepared for a pandemic in 2015, well before the COVID-19 outbreak.

Since the start of the pandemic, the U.S. has seen more than 80 million COVID-19 infections and more than 993,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.

While case rates are down from highs seen at the height of the omicron surge, some experts have echoed Gatess sentiment and warned of another uptick in infections.

Deborah Birx, a leading member of the Trump administrations White House coronavirus task force, said on Sunday that the U.S. should be preparing right now for a potential surge in this summer across the southern United States, citing figures in South Africa that she said were predictive of what could happen in the U.S.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
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 []
Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna walk the red carpet together on May 10, 2016. (Photo: Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

After two weeks of dramatic testimony  and just two days of deliberations  the $100 million trial pitting Blac Chyna against the Kardashians has ended, with a Los Angeles jury siding with the reality TV family in a resounding repudiation of claims made by the model, whose real name is Angela White. The verdict was announced on Monday afternoon, as Kardashian family members were 3,000 miles away in New York City to attend the annual Met Gala.

As TMZ reported, the court clerk asked the family attorney where they were, to which the attorney responded, "at some gala."

Chyna filed her suit in 2017 alleging that the family defamed her and conspired to get Rob & Chyna, the 2016 reality show that she did with former fiance Rob Kardashian, off the air and ruin her career. Meanwhile, the defense had argued that the couple's breakup was to blame for the end of the show.

While Chyna's lawsuit initially included Rob  the father of her 5-year-old daughter, Dream, and whom she was engaged to in 2016  her allegations against him, including assault and revenge porn for posting explicit photos of her online, will be dealt with in a separate trial. In this case, her allegations pertained to Rob's sisters Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, as well as his mom, Kris Jenner.

On Friday, a judge reportedly removed Kim from the lawsuit. Her lawyer had argued that none of the comments Kim had made about Chyna in communications with E! executives or her family members had been defamatory, and Judge Gregory Alarcon agreed. The other women were still named.

From left, Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian and Kim Kardashian at the E! People's Choice Awards on Nov. 10, 2019, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo: Jean-Baptiste Lacroix/AFP via Getty Images)

Here are some of the more notable moments that went down in court during the trial:

Rob Kardashian says Blac Chyna put a gun to his head and tried to kill him

He alleged that she had held the gun, strangled him with a cord from a phone-charger and hit him with a 6-foot metal rod in a much discussed December 2016 incident. "She tried to kill me," Rob told the court during his testimony on April 27.

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In all, he said Chyna had beat him at least five times.

Chyna's attorney argued that Rob had not show any signs of a beating the day after she allegedly hit him, asking, "Did you have as much as a Band-Aid on you?"

"I just told you it didn't leave a mark on my face!" Rob responded. "And the gun to my head two different times during the night didn't leave a mark to my temple!"

Chyna had testified previously that she was never violent toward him. Her attorney said that, if he had really thought his life was in danger, he would not have left their daughter in the house.

Blac Chyna says wrapping cord around Rob's neck was a joke

"I came up behind him, doing that jokingly," Chyna said under oath on April 20. "I just went like this to get his attention." He had been playing a video game. She said the move came on Dec. 14, 2016, the day they found out their E! reality show had received the go-ahead for a second season. However, the Rob & Chyna baby special that aired four days later would be the last of the episodes. She also recalled that she had picked up an unloaded gun that he kept on his dresser while he was on FaceTime with a friend, and Rob understood that she hadn't meant any harm.

Rob's mom had a much different story. According to her, the violent fight between the two left him rattled. "He was a mess," Kris said in tears, noting that daughter Kim had been held at gun point in Paris just two months earlier. "I could only imagine how he felt."

Corey Gamble says he saw Blac Chyna strike Rob

On April 27, Kris's partner, Corey Gamble, testified that he witnessed Chyna punching Rob and hitting him with a cord from a phone-charger. It happened Dec. 15, 2016, when he rushed to the couple's residence, after Kris had received a call from her son. When Gamble arrived, he said, he watched Chyna throw down a metal rod, then punch Rob and hit him with a cord.

"By the time she got to him, she started hitting him," he said on the stand. "I was able to get in the middle of them two. I even got hit two or three times."

Kylie Jenner testifies that Tyga told her Blac Chyna attacked him... and Chyna had once threatened her

Kylie Jenner attends a New York Fashion Week event with Tyga on Feb. 13, 2017, in New York City. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Philipp Plein)

Kylie's ex Tyga, who once dated Chyna and shares a son with her, had told her that a 6-inch scar on his arm was from Chyna, Kylie testified. Still, she noted, she didn't witness anything herself, just heard about what had supposedly happened.

She also said that she'd once received "threatening" texts from Chyna, although she hadn't considered them to be serious and hadn't reported them to police. Kylie's mom confirmed that she had been told about the incident and hypothesized that Chyna was upset with Kylie because she was with Tyga.

Blac Chyna reveals what ended her relationship with Rob

The model said her partner's jealousy caused them to split. She cited that Dec. 15 altercation, when she said that Rob took her phone and shut himself in a closet to see if she had been contacting other men. She then smashed a nearby gingerbread house and TV, although she insisted that she didn't hit Rob. "In the past there had been a cycle of him taking my phone and posting things from it," she said, "and I was really getting sick of it."

Rob Kardashian declares he never loved Blac Chyna

In fact, Rob told the jury, he was at his "weakest" when he met her.

"I was probably at the worst place in my entire life," he said. "She was catching me at my lowest."

He insisted that he hadn't loved her.

"It was not real love," he said. "Otherwise, we would've been married."

Chyna had disrespected his family "a hundred different ways," he added, including when she did not attend a baby shower they threw for her.

Kris and Kylie Jenner and Khloe Kardashian had urged producers and E! execs to end Rob & Chyna

Emails and text messages presented showed the three asking that the show be ended following that Dec. 2016 violence. For instance, Kylie had sent an email to execs insisting that Chyna would "proceed with using and physically abusing my brother," while Kris told the Rob & Chyna showrunner that Chyna had beat "the s*** out of Rob's face."

However, former E! President Adam Stotsky told the court that the three "don't have the authority to actually do that."

Kim Kardashian had refused to film with Chyna

Although she's been cleared in the lawsuit, Kim did say that she had demanded that Chyna be kept off Keeping Up with the Kardashians after she heard about her alleged altercations. "I will not go into a toxic work environment," she told the court on April 26. "On my own show, I have the power to do that."

Pete Davidson makes an appearance

Kim's Saturday Night Live beau sat in the courtroom during closing arguments and even gave her a kiss. While that appearance was unexpected, it wasn't exactly shocking, since the two have been inseparable since they were first seen together in October 2021.
Blake Lively is known for making an entrance when she attends the Met Gala.

This year, she served as a co-chair of fashion's biggest night and wore a Versace Atelier gown.

Lively's dress changed colors and was full of references to famous NYC landmarks.

Blake Lively took inspiration from the Statue of Liberty for her Met Gala look.

The actress, who is a co-chair for the 2022 event alongside husband Ryan Reynolds, arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday in a custom Versace look that changed from bronze to green to mirror the oxidation of the famous New York City landmark. The tulle dress is embroidered with crystal and metallic leather and tri-tone copper foil.

Reynolds kept it classic in a black velvet Ralph Lauren suit with a white bow tie.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the 2022 Met Gala.

Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds at the 2022 Met Gala.Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / Getty Images

When Lively first arrived, the dress had an oversized copper bow at the hip that led into a long, dramatic train. The bow unraveled as she walked along the red carpet to reveal the green color.

Lively's dress changed to green as an ode to the Statue of Liberty. Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Lively told E! on the red carpet that the front of the dress was designed to emulate the architecture of the Empire State Building. She also said that her Lorraine Schwartz crown was another accessory meant to mimic the Statue of Liberty.

E!'s Zanna Roberts Rassi said that the green side of the train was embroidered with a celestial map inspired by the same 12 zodiac constellations that are painted on the ceiling of Grand Central Station in New York City.

This is Lively's first time at the Met Gala since the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination"-themed event in 2018. She walked the famous Met steps that year in a Versace gown that took more than 600 hours to make.

The ornate ruby-and-gold gown was designed with a jewel-encrusted corset. Lively then accessorized the already dramatic look with a spiked headpiece, Christian Louboutin shoes, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

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Blake Lively at the 2018 Met Gala. Jackson Lee/Getty Images

In 2017, Lively wore another Versace look for the "Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garcons: Art of the In-Between"-themed event. The actress wore a long-sleeve, gold chainlink dress with a train that had four different shades of blue feathers. She completed her look with sapphire and gold jewelry.

Blake Lively at the 2017 Met Gala. Jackson Lee/Getty Images

And in 2016, Lively looked ethereal in a pink-and-red Burberry dress for the "Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology" gala. She was pregnant with her second child when she walked the red carpet.

Blake Lively at the 2016 Met Gala. Karwai Tang/Getty Images

Representatives for Lively and Versace did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Insider
Police are seeking the identity of a man they say stole $30,000 from two people trying to send money home to their families in China.

A man and woman told police they searched online for a faster way to transfer money home to China due to delays in international banking. They said they were referred to a chat group on a messenger app, where they spoke with someone who claimed he could help with the transfers, according to police.

After three days of communicating with the man, they met and gave him $30,000, with the understanding that it would be deposited in Chinese currency to their family members, police said.

The man counted the money and ran off on foot, according to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boston Police Department at 617-343-5619.

Anonymous tips may be left at the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Monday it would provide 300 million pounds ($375 million) more in military aid to Ukraine, including electronic warfare equipment and a counter-battery radar system, on top of around 200 million pounds of assistance so far.

Britain has sent Ukraine more than 5,000 anti-tank missiles and five air defence systems as well as other munitions and explosives since Russia's invasion on Feb. 24, which has destroyed cities and left thousands of people dead or injured.

The United States has provided $3 billion of military aid to Ukraine so far, and last week President Joe Biden asked the U.S. Congress to approve more than $20 billion in military support.

Russia last week said NATO countries were in effect engaging in a proxy war by providing arms to Ukraine, where it says it is conducting a "special operation" to disarm the country and rid it of anti-Russian nationalism fomented by the West.

Ukraine and the West say Russia launched an unprovoked war of aggression to seize territory, which threatens to spiral into a much wider conflict.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's office said that as well as the other equipment, Britain would offer night vision devices, tools to jam satellite navigation, heavy-lift drones to resupply Ukrainian troops and armoured cars for civilian officials.

Johnson intends to address Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday morning via videolink.

"Your children and grandchildren will say that Ukrainians taught the world that the brute force of an aggressor counts for nothing against the moral force of a people determined to be free," Johnson plans to say, according a speech extract provided by his office.

While Britain has provided significant military aid, it has so far accepted relatively few of the more than 5 million Ukrainians who have fled their country. As of last week, Britain's government said it had issued 86,100 visas to Ukrainians, of whom 27,100 had reached Britain.

($1 = 0.7987 pounds)

(Reporting by David Milliken; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
World's highest automatic weather station to be set up on Mt. Qomolangma

Xinhua) 09:13, May 02, 2022

Photo taken on April 24, 2022 shows an automatic meteorological station set up at an altitude of about 5,200 meters on Mount Qomolangma.(Xinhua)

LHASA, May 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists are mounting efforts to establish a meteorological monitoring station at an altitude of 8,800 meters on Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak, on the China-Nepal border.

If the station is established successfully, it will replace the one at an altitude of 8,430 meters set up by the British and U.S. scientists on the south side of the mountain in 2019, to be the world's highest of its kind, according to the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP), Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Equipment weighing some 50 kg will be dismantled and distributed to mountaineers, each of whom will carry no more than 7 kg up onto the mountain for the establishment, said Zhao Huabiao, a researcher with the ITP.

Currently, the engineers in charge of establishing the station are still waiting for the perfect weather for mountaineering.

Including the highest, eight elevation gradient meteorological stations will be set up on Mount Qomolangma, one of the main tasks in China's new comprehensive scientific expedition on the world's highest peak at the height of 8,848.86 meters.

Three meteorological stations were established at sea levels of 7,028 meters, 7,790 meters and 8,300 meters, respectively, earlier this year on the north side of the mountain, bringing the total number of operational weather stations between the altitudes between 5,200 meters and 8,300 meters to seven. Last year, four stations at sea levels of 6,500 meters, 5,800 meters, 5,400 meters and 5,200 meters were set up.

The new comprehensive scientific expedition on Mount Qomolangma is part of China's second scientific research survey on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which started in 2017.

Zhao said the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is facing a warming tendency along with global warming, and the higher the altitude is on the plateau, the more the temperature has risen.

Such a conclusion is only based on the data of weather stations at sea levels below 5,000 meters and the estimated calculation in accordance with the remote sensing data, because weather monitoring data from high-altitude stations were missing in the past.

The eight stations will collect the wind speed and wind direction data, as well as relative humidity on the north side of Qomolangma, and the elevation gradient meteorological station system is of great significance for monitoring the melting glaciers and mountain snow at the high altitudes, said Zhao.

The expedition team will also set up glacier radar and measure the thickness of snow and ice at the summit of the mountain, he said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Bianji)
A senior industrial official has called for all-out efforts to ensure the stability and connectivity of industrial and supply chains to maintain industrial growth.

Efforts will be made to ensure the solid implementation of the "white list" approach to support the resumption of work for key companies and remove bottlenecks that still exist in some places, Xin Guobin, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said in an interview with Xinhua.

Xin made the remarks in response to the new challenges that emerged since mid-March, including sporadic resurgences of COVID-19 and a complex external environment, resulting in the suspension of some factory activities and freight transport.

With countermeasures taken swiftly to stabilize the industrial and supply chains, the country's industrial economy has shown positive signs of stabilization, seen in a narrowed decline in industrial electricity consumption for two consecutive weeks since the second week of April, Xin said.

Currently, the country has seen an accelerated pace of resumption of work and production in key areas and industries, Xin said, adding that 86.8 percent of enterprises among the 666 companies included in the first batch of the "white list" in Shanghai have resumed work by April 28.

Noting that the difficulties are short-term and temporary, Xin said the sound long-term fundamentals of China's industrial economy remain unchanged, and the overall trend of steady development will not change as well.

For the automobile industry, which was hit hard by the epidemic, Xin said the ministry will strengthen monitoring of the production in key automobile firms, proactively promote consumption and improve weak links in auto chips.

Moreover, the official also pledged further efforts to improve the business environment and help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tide over difficulties.

Efforts will be made to ensure the solid implementation of the relief measures that have already been formulated and provide targeted services to the SMEs, Xin said.
In response to the Sunday killing of 13-year-old Landry Anglin in Shreveport's Highland neighborhood, the Caddo Parish Commission wants the Louisiana Legislature to increase the penalties for drive-by shootings from one year to five years.

The Commission advanced a resolution at its Monday work session requesting the increased penalties and will vote on whether to send it to the state at the Thursday meeting.

Commissioner Mario Chavez proposed the resolution.

More: Caddo Middle Magnet principal talks about shooting death of student

Caddo Parish Commissioner President, Mario Chavez, speaks during the Monday afternoon press conference at Government Plaza.

Commissioners spoke about the amount of attention the shooting has garnered. Some said there's a disparity between the outrage and talk of action.

"The level of attention and press and concern that I've seen around one specific accident, that has to take place any time a life is lost in our community," Commissioner Steven Jackson said. "We can't afford to say that didn't happen on our side of the tracks."

It didnt surprise me that we heard a lot talk today about what happened over the weekend. We have to realize this has been going on for years now  decades. Just because it goes into one neighborhood doesnt make that child more valuable than somebody in another neighborhood," said Commissioner Lyndon B. Johnson.

Commissioner President Lyndon B. Johnson during the Caddo Parish Commission meeting, Thursday afternoon, October 21, 2021.

It's just the truth about human nature: we respond to things that happen closer to our homes, said Commissioner John-Paul Young, adding that he agreed all shootings deserved the same amount of attention.

"I know you heard the shootings before now because I live near South Highlands and I can hear it," said Commissioner Steffon Jones.

Kendrick Dante writes for the USA Today Network and is a government watchdog reporter in Shreveport, Louisiana. He enjoys cooking, concerts, and content. Email him at kdbrown1@gannett.com or connect on Twitter @kendrickdante.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Caddo Commission wants tougher penalties for drive-by shootings
An empty wheelchair in front of a big glass window. Getty Images

A 31-year-old Canadian woman with chronic illness is seeking a medically assisted death.

Denise told CTV News that she has failed to find affordable housing that doesn't worsen her illness.

"Relieved and elated," is how Denise said she was feeling about her impending death.

"Abject poverty" has led a 31-year-old Canadian woman to pursue medically assisted death after a futile search for affordable housing failed to produce an apartment that doesn't exacerbate her illness, according to CTV News.

The Toronto woman  identified in the outlet's report by the pseudonym Denise  lives with several chronic illnesses, including Multiple Chemical Sensitives, which causes rashes, difficulty breathing, and hemiplegic migraines that can lead to temporary paralysis.

The illness means chemicals such as cigarette smoke, laundry fumes, and air fresheners make Denise extremely ill, according to CTV, putting her at constant risk of anaphylactic shock and possibly-fatal allergic attacks. A previous spinal cord injury has also rendered Denise a wheelchair user, the outlet reported.

Because of the seriousness of her conditions, Denise has spent months searching for a wheelchair-accessible apartment that has cleaner air. Dr. Riina Bray, one of Denise's physicians, told CTV that Denise needs "immediate relocation for her safety."

The doctor added that people living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities often start to improve in environments that are chemically cleaner, and Denise, herself, told the outlet that her symptoms have lessened significantly when she's been able to stay at a wheelchair-accessible hotel with cleaner air  a short-term fix made possible by donations from friends and supporters, but a solution which Denise said is "not sustainable."

Denise told the outlet that she and her friends have called 10 different agencies in Toronto over the last six months looking for housing that offers reduced chemical and smoke exposure within her price range  a total monthly income of only $1,169, which comes from Ontario's Disability Support Program.

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"None of them were able to do anything meaningful in terms of getting me relocated, getting the discretionary emergency, or temporary housing and emergency funds," Denise told the outlet.

Amid the frustration of her unsuccessful search, Denise said she began her application for medically assisted death in the summer of 2021. The process involved several "sign-offs" from physicians, including a psychiatrist who approved her mental competency, a medically assisted death provider who reviewed her history, and another physician who is now finalizing her end-of-life documents.

Denise told the outlet that she has asked to waive the 90-day waiting period required of "Track Two" cases like hers, where natural death isn't quickly looming.

As she awaits final approval, Denise said the prospect of her impending death makes her feel at ease.

"Relieved and elated," Denise told CTV. "I was scared that they weren't going to say 'yes.'"

Medically assisted death in Canada was first approved by the Senate in June 2016 as a way to ease the pain of those who were close to dying. But in March 2021, the government expanded the legislation to include people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

David Fancy, a disability rights advocate who has been assisting Denise, told CTV that he fears the policy may encourage those who are losing hope to make the difficult decision to end their lives.

"The gauntlet tends to push people in the direction of the legislation that is there," Fancy told the outlet. "I've got a very significant concern that this is the tip of the iceberg."

Devorah Kobluk, a senior policy analyst with the Income Security Advocacy Centre in Toronto, echoed his sentiments, telling CTV that many people living with disabilities struggle with poverty.

Earlier this year, CTV reported an eerily similar story about another Canadian woman living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities who received a medically assisted death in February after she too failed to secure chemically clean housing.

Read the original article on Insider
Canton Police Department, Ohio

CANTON  A man police say was shot April 16 by a teenage boy in the 3100 block of Gilbert Circle NE has died.

Dajuan T. Wheat, 26, of Canton, was pronounced dead at 10:15 p.m. Saturday at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital, said Gary Guenther, investigator for the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.

Police had arrested Anthony Steven Hinton, 17, of Canton, the day after Wheat was shot.

More: Two teens charged in connection with shooting death in Canton

Hinton was booked into the Multi-County Juvenile Attention Center on Sunday on juvenile charges of attempted murder and felonious assault, according to a news release Monday from the Canton Police Department.

Lt. Dennis Garren, police spokesman, confirmed Monday that police were seeking to amend the charges in the wake of Wheat's death, the seventh homicide in the city this year.

Police had been called at 4:07 a.m. April 16 to the Gilbert Circle area, arriving to find Wheat in the grass between apartment buildings. He had a gunshot wound to his side, an injury police at the time said was life-threatening.

Fire department medics took Wheat to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, and he was transferred on to the Akron hospital.

Police released no motive for the shooting.

The shooting was the seventh teen-involved shooting so far this year. Wheat's death and the arrest of Hinton brings to 10 the number of teens involved so far this year in a total of seven separate, violent, gun-related crimes.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton gunshot victim Dajuan Wheat dies in Akron hospital
A state prison inmate serving a life sentence for stabbing an elderly Monrovia couple to death has died, and prison officials suspect his cellmate killed him, authorities said.

Alfredo Valenzuela, 50, was found unresponsive in his cell at Kern Valley State Prison during a security check early Saturday morning, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He was taken to the institutions medical area for treatment and pronounced dead 26 minutes later. His next-of-kin was notified.

Valenzuela shared a cell with Noe Herrera, 36. Prison officials said they are investigating Valenzuela's death as a homicide, and Herrera has been removed from the rest of the prison population.

Valenzuela was sentenced in Los Angeles County in November 2010 to a life-without-parole sentence for two counts of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary and vehicle theft. Valenzuela was convicted of murdering Charles Shaum, 78, and his wife, Bernice Shaum in 2003 after breaking into the couple's Monrovia home.

Herrera has been at the prison since August 2019 after he was convicted of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder in Santa Barbara County. He is serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole, officials said.

Another California inmate was suspected of killing his cellmate in March in Wasco State Prison in Kern County.

Scott Gunter, 59, was found unresponsive in his cell at Wasco State Prison and was pronounced dead 34 minutes later, after efforts to save his life failed, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said in a statement.

Gunters cellmate, Eugene Stroud, 44, is a suspect in the homicide investigation, authorities said. The two men were cellmates and had been at the prison for less than a month.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Absent some new development in the case, no one now will atone for the fatal shooting of a Vietnam veteran who was killed while sitting in his car in the garage of his Columbus home.

Prosecutors have dropped an involuntary manslaughter charge against Eric Randall Spencer in the April 28, 2018, death of 74-year-old William Ronald Meadows, found dead in the drivers seat of his car.

Spencer was one of two suspects initially charged in Meadows death. The other, Raphael Antwan Raymond, was allowed to plead guilty to a misdemeanor earlier this year, and released from jail.

Spencer will be sent to prison after pleading guilty to reduced charges in an earlier 2018 homicide, but he so far has not been held accountable in Meadows case.

Court filings show Senior Assistant District Attorney Peter Hoffman moved to have Spencers charges dead-docketed, and Superior Court Judge John Martin signed the order on April 26.

It was dead-docketed based on the evidence and the ability we have to prosecute the case right now, Acting District Attorney Sheneka Terry said Monday.

The charges may be revived if prosecutors decide to renew their effort, she said.

The shooting

Police had alleged Spencer and Raymond were in a car passing Meadows Alta Vista Drive home when they fired a pistol out the window to test it.

The bullet that hit Meadows in the head was not aimed at him, investigators said: It was among a barrage fired from the street, where police found nine 9-millimeter shell casings. Four bullets struck Meadows house as one came through the back window of his car and hit him behind his right ear, detectives said.

Crime-scene tape borders the yard April 29 at 1545 Alta Vista Drive, where 74-year-old William Meadows was found dead in the drivers seat of his car, which was parked in his garage.

Neighbors found Meadows, an Air Force veteran of Vietnam, dead in his car the next day.

Spencer, who with his girlfriend was in the car with Raymond, claimed Raymond fired the gun out the car window, because Raymond was thinking of buying the pistol and wanted to make sure it worked, authorities said.

But police suspected Spencer also fired the weapon, as he photographed himself holding the gun and sent the photo to a friend at 4:02 p.m. that day, around the same time neighbors reported hearing gunfire, police said.

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Officers initially charged Raymond with murder, and he was indicted and held in jail 1,311 days before pleading guilty in January to the misdemeanor of firing a gun on a public street. Sentenced to a year in jail, he was released with credit for time served.

That left Spencer the remaining suspect. He also had been indicted for shooting a gun on a public street, and for involuntary manslaughter by causing Meadows death while committing that offense.

But first Spencer was set for trial with four others charged in the April 6, 2018 death of Branden Denson, gunned down at a Buena Vista Road Pizza Hut where robbers took 16 pounds of marijuana from his Jeep.

The only conviction

Just before he went to trial in Densons death, Spencer negotiated a deal in which his murder charges were dropped as he pleaded guilty to armed robbery, using a firearm to commit a crime and being a convicted felon with a firearm. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with 10 to serve and the rest on probation, and agreed to testify against his codefendants.

Spencer testified against them on March 24 and 25, but then recanted his testimony, claiming he had lied on the witness stand. After that, Senior Judge David Emerson ruled that the evidence against two defendants was insufficient to support the charges against them.

The judge dismissed charges against Tyree Jaquan Smith and Johnathon Lemorris Swift, and the jury on April 4 found the other two suspects, Dover Bartlett Coppins and Tommie Jamal Mullins Jr., not guilty of murder and armed robbery.

Spencer now is the only suspect who will serve prison time for Densons homicide.

Who shot Meadows?

In Meadows death, police initially charged Raymond with felony murder based on his allegedly causing Meadows death while committing the felony of first-degree criminal damage to property.

But on Dec. 17, 2020, a grand jury indicted him for malice murder based on the allegation his killing Meadows without provocation was evidence of an abandoned and malignant heart.

Raymonds attorney, Anthony Johnson, said accounts of the shooting Spencer gave police made no sense.

Johnson said Spencer, Raymond and Spencers girlfriend were in a 2017 Hyundai Veloster the girlfriend had leased, and Raymond shot the gun from the front passengers seat, though that was not on the side of the car facing Meadows home.

Police are searching for this vehicle in connection with the April 29 homicide of William Meadows on Alta Vista Drive.

A more likely scenario, Johnson said, is that Spencer fired the pistol to test it, because he was the one thinking of buying it, and Raymond had teased him, telling him the gun was not worth the price.

Police said their investigation indicated either suspect could have fired the shot that killed Meadows: Spencer was driving the car, and the drivers side of the car faced Meadows house, they said.

But Spencer and his girlfriend both claimed Raymond sat up in the open passengers side window and fired the pistol over the car roof at the victims home, so Raymond also could have shot Meadows, detectives said.
Charlottes proposed $3.2 billion budget for fiscal year 2023 includes pay raises and bonuses for city employees as well as a starting pay increase for people employed by the police and fire departments.

City Manager Marcus Jones told reporters Monday the city has taken employee feedback into account, with salary hikes for some employees at 8% over the next year. The money is meant to help recruit and retain people as companies and municipalities across the country have struggled to find labor. City workers also have protested over their compensation.

Weve been listening to the employees and we feel  this is something that is mutually accepted, Jones said.

Among the pay increases, the city hopes to increase the minimum wage for all full-time workers, from about $18.30 an hour to $20 an hour, starting in January. The City Council and mayor also would receive a pay raise of 4%, which matches whats proposed for salaried employees.

The budget requires City Council approval. The vote is scheduled May 31, and the 2022-2023 fiscal year starts July 1.

READ MORE: Budget means no free Saturday parking, other increases

Jones said the proposed budget includes no increase in health care premiums for city workers. There are also no tax increases, layoffs, furloughs or reductions in core services.

This is not the end-all-be-all, but this is a big step for the city to take while not having a single property tax increase, Councilwoman Dimple Ajmera said of the city worker minimum wage increase.

The city would also set aside $2 million for employees who cant live in the city because they cant afford a deposit or down payment on a home.

Councilman Malcolm Graham said one employee who spoke to the City Council in March couldnt make ends meet with his city salary, and the employee has been on the councilmans mind ever since.

The proposed raises and bonuses are a step in the right direction, Graham said, but he added that hell ask probing questions during the vote to see if more is needed.

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Councilman Braxton Winston said hes preliminary supportive of the proposed budget and that he pushed for a raise for people who work late shifts, which was included in the city managers proposal.

Ill dig into the budget, he said. We know that we have a lot more work to do to make Charlotte a livable city for all of our workers, but particularly our city workers.

Breakdown of Charlotte raises, bonuses

The bonuses and pay raises for employees across the city include:

 8% raise for all hourly employees. This would go into effect in two stages, with a 4% increase in July and a 4% increase in January.

 2% of salary bonus for all hourly, salaried and public safety workers. Theres a $1,000 bonus minimum for all those groups.

 An additional 2.5% salary increase for any worker whose labor requires a commercials drivers license, and a 2.5% increase for people working second and third shifts.

 4% merit pool raise for all salaried employees who dont work in public safety.

 3% increase for all public safety employees.

 10.5% increase to the starting pay for all police and fire department employees  9% by July and 10.5% by January.

What else is in the budget?

With $3.2 billion to account for, theres a lot more in the proposed budget.

It includes a 5.5% bump in the police budget to account for increases in compensation, health care and retirement.

There are fee increases for services such as solid waste and water. The increase for water would be 3.54%, or about $2.49 a month for the average home owner. The storm water service fee would increase 3.8% on average, about 34 cents a month. Curbside pickup would go up 92 cents a month.

The street parking rate for uptown and South End would also jump from $1 an hour to $1.50, and the city would start charging people to park on Saturdays. Jones said the city hasnt changed rates since the late 90s and would expect to generate an additional $700,000 a year from the fee increase.

Jones said revenue from the parking fee increase should help deal with cuts the city has seen for street improvement projects.

In all, the budget includes about $100 million for affordable housing efforts, Jones said.
COLOMBO (Reuters) - China supports crisis-hit Sri Lanka's decision to work with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restructure its debt, Beijing's ambassador Qi Zhenhong told Sri Lankan Finance Minister Ali Sabry at a meeting on Monday.

Sri Lanka last month unilaterally suspended external debt repayments before approaching the IMF for help. China is one of Sri Lanka's largest bilateral lenders with about $6.5 billion in loans.

"Ambassador Zhenhong also assured Minister Ali Sabry that as a major shareholder of the IMF, China is willing to play an active role in encouraging the IMF to positively consider Sri Lanka's position and to reach an agreement as soon as possible," Sri Lanka's finance ministry said in a statement.

(Reporting by Uditha Jayasinghe, Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
A Chinese food delivery worker described by loved ones as a hardworking father was fatally shot in Queens on Saturday night.



Zhiwen Yan, 45, was making a delivery near 108th St. and 67th Dr. in the neighborhood of Forest Hills at around 9:30 p.m. when a man began firing shots in his direction, according to police.



A bullet hit Yans chest, and he fell off his scooter. Medics brought him to Elmhurst Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead.



The shooter reportedly fled in a light gray or tan sedan toward Queens Blvd. As per the New York Post, police are investigating a 50-year-old customer who has several ongoing disputes with staff members at Great Wall restaurant, where Yan worked.



The customer has been accused of threatening the employees with a gun in January and vandalizing their vehicles twice. An employee claimed that after one of the incidents, the customer fled in an older model of a Lexus RX3 SUV, which was the same vehicle present during Saturdays shooting.



Yan, who arrived in the U.S. in 2001, leaves a wife and three children  aged 2, 12 and 14  behind. He juggled three jobs before his death.





Surveillance video shows Yan getting on his scooter after delivering food to an apartment complex. He pulls out onto 108th street when someone walks up to him and shoots him in the chest. Suspect drives off in a light gray or tan Lexus eastbound on 67 Drive. pic.twitter.com/U3MuDwTnPa

 Christina Fan (@Christinafantv) May 1, 2022







My husband wakes up every day and just works, said Kunying Zhao, who also goes by Eva, told the New York Daily News.



Yans nephew, Michael, called the shooting a brutal murder.



Its unacceptable that this happened. This is a very peaceful community. This never happened, this kind of issue, Michael told the New York Post.



A small memorial was held for Yan at Great Wall on Sunday. Residents of Forest Hill called Yan a fixture of the neighborhood.







Anytime you'd pass he'd say hello my friend, Philip Jacoby told Spectrum News NY1. Snow, rain, hurricane he was out delivering. He was the nicest guy. Hardest-working guy in the neighborhood.



He was the heart of Forest Hills to so many, Matthew Murray told FOX 5 NY. He was the hardest worker. He was always out on Queens Boulevard, he would always say hi to you. He would say Hi my friend to you.



Yans death came less than a day after Mayor Eric Adams met with top police officials to discuss solutions to address violent incidents in the city.



Zhao set up a GoFundMe page for her husband on Sunday. So far, it has raised over $45,000.



No arrests have been made as of this writing.







Featured Image via CBS New York

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The city of Charlotte said it will be dropping attempts to regulate short-term rentals, like Airbnb properties, after a ruling from the states highest court.

Channel 9 has covered issues related to short-term rentals in Charlotte for years. Some of the complaints were reports of parties, homicides, scams and neighborhood complaints, and many have asked city council members like Dimple Ajmera to do something about it.

The city is trying to address the concerns that have been raised by our residents around late-night parties, noise, traffic while also ensuring we are protecting our taxpayers legally, Ajmera said.

ALSO READ: Warrants shed light on murder inside uptown high-rise apartment building

Charlotte city council was set to discuss adding regulations to the citys Unified Development Ordinance, but for now, councilmembers are holding off.

They said the decision was made after the North Carolina Supreme Court ruled against the city of Wilmington last week in a lawsuit over its short-term rental regulations.

Representatives for the city told Channel 9 that Wilmington could appeal the ruling, further complicating what rules will be upheld.

The North Carolina General Assembly said it is set to discuss regulations for short-term rentals.

City leaders said it is unclear what rules could legally be held up, which can be frustrating because community members are asking them to do something now.

READ MORE: Heres how your property rights could be impacted by new Charlotte ordinance

Its like building a plane while youre flying. Thats what it feels like currently, Ajmera said. We are waiting on additional guidance from our city attorney.

Ajmera said if and when the city is able to create regulations, leaders were looking to stick a balance that addresses neighbors concerns without hindering short-term rental owners.

There needs to be a balance where we are creating economic opportunities for our residents but at the same time addressing the quality of life concerns. And that balance is very hard, as you can see, Ajmera said.

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The citys Unified Development Ordinance is a living document, so it can be updated with regulations whenever there is more legal clarity. North Carolina lawmakers are looking at regulations, so that could impact anything the city would want to do locally.

(WATCH BELOW: Residents question security after deadly shooting inside uptown high-rise apartment)








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U.S. President Joe Biden traveled to Minneapolis, Minnesota on Sunday to attend the memorial service of former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Biden recalled his decades-long friendship with Mondale during the memorial service at the University of Minnesota.

Mondale died at age 93 in April 2021, but his funeral was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mondale served as U.S. vice president between 1977 and 1981 under Jimmy Carter after representing Minnesota in the Senate for two terms.

He was the Democratic Party's nominee in the 1984 U.S. presidential election but lost to the then incumbent and Republican Ronald Reagan.

During Bill Clinton's presidency, Mondale was U.S. ambassador to Japan from 1993 to 1996.
Village damaged during fighting in Ukraine Photo by Dogukan Keskinkilic/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

More than 3,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb. 24, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights announced Monday.

According to Reuters, the OHCHR put the total at 3,153 but "said that the real toll was likely to be considerably higher, citing access difficulties and ongoing corroboration efforts."

On Friday, the death toll stood at 2,899 killed  including 210 children  and 3,235 injured for a total of 6,134 civilian casualties. The vast majority of these deaths and injuries occurred in Ukrainian-controlled territory, but the U.N. also notes that 94 civilians have been killed and 370 injured in the Russian-backed separatist republics in eastern Ukraine.

"Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multiple launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes," the OHCHR reported.

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By Tom Balmforth and Oleksandr Kozhukhar

KYIV/LVIV (Reuters) -The European Union was preparing sanctions on Russian oil sales over its invasion of Ukraine after a major shift on Monday by Germany, Russia's biggest energy customer, that could deprive Moscow of a large revenue stream within days.

The European Commission is expected to propose a sixth package of EU sanctions this week against Russia over its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, including a possible embargo on buying Russian oil.

Kyiv says Russia's energy exports to Europe, so far largely exempt from international sanctions, are funding the Kremlin war effort with millions of euros every day.

"This package should include clear steps to block Russia's revenues from energy resources," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address.

Germany said on Monday it was prepared to back an immediate EU embargo on Russian oil.

"We have managed to reach a situation where Germany is able to bear an oil embargo," German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has been more cautious than other Western leaders in backing Ukraine, has been under growing pressure to take a firmer line.

Scholz vowed sanctions will not be lifted until Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a peace deal with Ukraine that Kyiv can support, he said in an interview with ZDF public television.

Weaning Europe off Russian oil is likely to be easier than reducing dependence on Russian natural gas. Moscow has demanded European customers pay for gas in roubles, which the EU rejects. Last week, Moscow cut off supplies to Poland and Bulgaria.

EU ministers meeting on Monday warned that complying in full with Moscow's demand for gas payments in roubles would breach existing EU sanctions.

Ambassadors from EU countries will discuss the proposed oil sanctions when they meet on Wednesday.

EVACUATION FROM MARIUPOL

The first civilians to be evacuated from a giant steel plant in Mariupol arrived on Monday in the Ukrainian-held city of Zaporizhzhia after an overnight bus journey across the front-line.

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Ukraine says hundreds of civilians have been trapped inside the Azovstal plant along with the city's last Ukrainian defenders. Dozens were able to leave on Sunday in an evacuationorganised by the United Nations, the first to escape since Putinordered the plant barricaded last week.

Captain Sviatoslav Palamar, 39, a deputy commander of Ukraine's Azov Regiment, told Reuters from inside the plant that fighters could hear voices of women, children and elderly people trapped below ground, and lacked the equipment to dig them out.

"We were planning to tear up the bunkers, the entrance to which is blocked, but all night into Monday naval artillery and barrel artillery were firing. All day today aviation has been working, dropping bombs," Palamar said by Zoom.

Efforts to organise the evacuation of civilians from other parts of the city, now held by the Russians, ran into delays. Ukraine says 100,000 people are still in the ruined city, enduring desperate conditions after months of Russian siege.

"Our house is completely destroyed. We had a two-story building, it's not there anymore. It burned to the ground," said Natalya Tsyntomirska, a Mariupol native who reached Zaporizhzhia on Monday in a funeral service van.

Zelenskiy said the evacuation effort was continuing and he expected more movement of people through humanitarian corridors on Tuesday from Berdyansk, Tokmak and Vasylivka.

For its part, Kyiv hopes a massive influx of Western military aid will allow it to repel that assault and then turn the tide with a counter-attack.

Russian forces shelled the city of Kharkiv five times on Monday, injuring five people, according to regional governor Oleh Sinehubov. Further south, Izyum remained a battleground, with most of the houses in the city destroyed, he said.

After being forced to abandon an assault on Kyiv at the end of March, Russia launched a major offensive in eastern Ukraine focused on the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, parts of which were already held by Russian-backed separatists before the invasion. Russian troops are now trying to encircle a large Ukrainian force there, attacking from three directions with massive bombardment along the front.

Ukraine's military said on Monday Russian forces were trying to take over the frontline Luhansk province town of Rubizhne and prepare an assault on nearby Sievierodonetsk.

The heaviest clashes were taking place around Popasna, farther south. Shelling was so intense it was not possible to collect bodies, said regional Governor Serhiy Gaidai.

"I don't even want to speak about what's happening with the people living in Popasna, Rubizhne and Novotoshkivske right now. These cities simply don't exist anymore. They have completely destroyed them."

Russia has also been striking targets far from the front line with missiles. A 14-year-old boy was killed and a 17-year-old girl was wounded in a missile strike in the southern port of Odesa when a missile hit a dormitory, Zelenskiy said.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett in Brussels, Hamuda Hassan and Jorge Silva in Dobropillia, Ukraine, Natalia Zinets in Kyiv; Additional reporting by Reuters journalists; Writing by Peter Graff and Doina Chiacu; Editing by Nick Macfie, Tomasz Janowski, Cynthia Osterman and Lincoln Feast.)
May 2A Clark-Shawnee High School faculty member was recently honored by Clark County Partners in Prevention.

Clark-Shawnee High School Counselor Sherry Akers was one of four community members awarded at the Clark County Partners in Prevention's Coalition Appreciation event, the school announced in a release.

Akers, who was instrumental in founding and naming the organization, received the Outstanding Contribution award for her work with students at the high school.

"This award is really about the community that has supported our students and the programs they have supported," Akers said. "The coalition has assisted in implementing programs at Shawnee in relation to mindfulness, alternative to suspension programs, Addiction and the Brain, and youth-led groups. I am very appreciative of their support and partnership for our students."

Akers remains involved in the organization during the school year and summer, and has been the school sector representative the past five years to help identify needs affecting local youth, the release stated. She also started the first Clark County youth-led group to focus on substance abuse prevention  Students Talking About Real Stuff (STARS), and she is involved in the district's Red Ribbon week, Camron's Crusaders, and the coalitions' anti-vaping task force.

"Sherry is truly deserving and a champion for youth and prevention in our community," said Carey McKee, the coalitions' Drug Free Community Project Coordinator. "She gives insight to the needs of school age youth in our community and utilizes her skills to provide prevention efforts at Shawnee High School."

Next year, Akers will help lead the coalition efforts in Clark County as a member of the Planning Committee.

The other three community members who were recognized include: Brett Turner received the Megaphone Award for his work in spreading awareness in the community; David Cotto was honored with the Community Spotlight award for his dedication to Clark County; and Deputy Josh Pacine, Clark-Shawnee's Resource Officer, accepted the Partner of the Year Award on behalf of the sheriff's office for their prevention efforts including Get Recovery Options Working (G.R.O.W.), drug takeback collection services, vaping task force, Youth Anti-Vape Calendar Ceremony, and Overdose Awareness Day.

Clark County Partners in Prevention works to address substance abuse in the youth of Clark County with a task force that has representatives from 12 community sectors  youth, parents, business, media, schools, youth serving organizations, law enforcement, volunteer organizations, religious organizations, health care professionals, local government, and substance abuse organizations  to inform and prevent substance abuse in the community.

For more information, visit the Clark County Partners in Prevention website or Facebook.
Good Morning America

Alabama murder suspect Casey White has been interviewed extensively since he was apprehended on Monday, ending an 11-day, multistate manhunt, and is cooperating with the investigation, authorities said. After escaped inmate Casey White, 38, and Lauderdale County Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White, 56, were spotted at an Evansville, Indiana, hotel on Monday, they led police on a car chase in a Cadillac, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding said. The crash ended in a wreck and Vicky White was hospitalized for injuries from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said.
In just a few days, the only emergency room hospital south of Interstate 20 in Fulton County will close.

Channel 2 Action News has already reported the plans for Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center South to transition from an ER hospital to a 24/7 urgent care facility.

Channel 2s Audrey Washington has learned that community leaders will meet with hospital officials later this month, but the emergency room is still set to close this week.

Washington spoke with Wellstar AMC South patient Charles Brice as he walked out of the medical center Monday.

I was over there getting some blood work, Brice said. When I had COVID, I was about to leave the world and they had some good doctors in there.

Brice said the scheduled closure of the hospitals emergency room in East Point this week is unfortunate.

I think its going to be a sad thing for the area, Brice said.

In a statement, the Wellstar Health System CEO cited low patient admissions as a partial reason for the closure.

RELATED NEWS:

Data shows that on average there are 140 emergency department visits a day at AMC South, with only seven resulting in inpatient hospital care (5%). For this reason, Wellstar is transitioning AMC South to a care model that provides the primary care, chronic care, medication care and rehabilitative care that our community needs and is using.

According to Wellstar, when the AMC South ER closes, patients in need of the emergency room will be rushed to Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center in Atlanta. That is nearly 10 miles away.

Minutes could be the difference between life and death, city of South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau told Washington.

Kamau said he and the mayor of East Point have a joint meeting set up with Wellstar officials later this month.

Making sure that South Fulton residents have access to urgent care even if its not in the form of a traditional emergency room, Kamau said.

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He said though he cant stop the ER closure, he and East Points mayor will try to figure out a Plan B with Wellstar.

I think its going to be the beginning of a series of conversations that were going to have, Kamau said.

There have been efforts and talks to slow down the closure, but at last check, the ER is set to close May 6.

RELATED NEWS:
Melina Abdullah is carried out of the Cal State Los Angeles debate hall Sunday night by campus police. (Ringo Chiu/For The Los Angeles Times)

Sunday's mayoral debate began with a leader of Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles being forcibly removed from the auditorium by multiple campus police officers just before cameras started rolling and ended with the candidates sharing their favorite locations to visit in the city.

During the intervening 90 minutes, five of the leading candidates for Los Angeles mayor traded arguments and accusations over how to address crime, homelessness, climate change and other issues. At times, they appeared almost as frustrated as the voters of Los Angeles.

Rep. Karen Bass, City Councilman Joe Buscaino, real estate developer Rick Caruso, City Atty. Mike Feuer, and Councilman Kevin de Leon all argued at different points that the city is facing a crisis. Caruso sought to pin the blame on the other four.

"The tragedy down at City Hall -- the lack of humanity, the lack of compassion for the way people are living -- is literally 10 minutes from the offices of everyone to the left of me," he said. "And for some reason you've been driving the other way, not driving into that problem.

The four other candidates onstage objected strongly to that message. Bass also issued a warning to the other candidates, saying they should be mindful about their messages about the city's problems.

If you lead a campaign that says the city is going to hell in a handbasket and everything is awful in Los Angeles, then that just builds on the despair and the fear, she said.

The debate, which was held at Cal State L.A. and aired on ABC 7, was hosted by the university's Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs and the League of Women Voters of Greater Los Angeles.

Unlike a forum held the previous day, it went without live disruption from the activist groups that have dogged the major candidates in recent months. But there were protests preceding it and activists were forcibly removed from the audience minutes before the debate was set to begin.

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Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles leader Melina Abdullah  a professor at Cal State L.A. and former chair of the school's Pan-African studies department  said she was carried out of the room by police officers for being at the ticketed event without a ticket. Videos shared on Twitter showed multiple police officers dragging Abdullah outside the auditorium.

Rick Caruso, left, speaks with Joe Buscaino at the start of Sunday's mayoral debate at Cal State L.A. (Ringo Chiu / For The Times)

Debates should be public, "especially at a public university," Abdullah said via text, noting that students, faculty and the public weren't allowed inside "a near-empty theater."

Admittance to the campus auditorium had been closely restricted, and several candidates not invited to participate  including Gina Viola, Alex Gruenenfelder, Craig Greiwe and Ramit Varma  protested outside before the debate.

In many ways, Sunday's event felt like a retread of the last debate to feature these five candidates, with criticism once again trained on Caruso, which in turn enabled him to receive extra debate time to respond and make his case.

Caruso, as he did in March, issued broad-brush attacks on the other four candidates, all of them elected officials, tying them to homelessness, rising crime and other ills. The candidates, in turn, defended the idea of public service and accused Caruso of trashing their profession.

I dont spend time disparaging people in office, said Caruso  known for developing properties such as the Grove and the Americana at Brand, as well as his several years on the Department of Water and Power board and as president of the civilian Police Commission. What I disparage is elected officials that dont produce results.

The four other candidates sharply pushed back on that argument, saying they have in fact produced results. Bass described her work in freeing up billions of dollars in federal relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feuer, in turn, touted his work in cracking down on the proliferation of firearms and working to ensure that children with preexisting conditions obtain health insurance. Caruso, he said, "chose to build glitzy malls. I chose to fight for seniors and kids and families."

Buscaino and De Leon highlighted their work on air quality and the environment, and described their efforts to move people off the sidewalks and under a roof. De Leon has opened tiny-home villages and other interim housing in his Eastside district, while Buscaino has done the same in neighborhoods near the port.

"Rick, you say you support local elected officials who get the job done, who are results-driven," Buscaino said. "Well, I'm your candidate."

Polling conducted about a month ago showed Bass and Caruso in a dead heat well ahead of the rest of the pack, with 24% of likely voters backing Caruso and 23% supporting Bass.

De Leon, who had 6% support in the poll, was a distant third. Buscaino and Feuer polled even further behind at 1% and 2%, respectively. The debate offered all three men another opportunity to try to distinguish themselves with voters and possibly break out from the pack with just a little over a month to go before the June 7 primary.

De Leon's debate rhetoric was particularly sharp: At one point he lashed out at Caruso, calling him a "consummate insider" who has been a politician all along.

During another memorable moment, the councilman  who is the son of a Guatemalan immigrant and was the only Latino onstage  responded entirely in Spanish to a question about street vending.

"I'm running for mayor because I'm tired of seeing people like my mother left behind, an immigrant woman with a third-grade education who cared for us by caring for the very wealthy," De Leon said at another point.

Kevin de Leon, left, speaks with Mike Feuer and Karen Bass at the start of Sunday's mayoral debate. (Ringo Chiu / For The Times)

Sundays debate became especially heated when the candidates were asked about the broken windows theory of policing  the idea that police officers should enforce minor crimes in a neighborhood to prevent more serious crimes from taking hold.

De Leon argued that Caruso, while serving on the Board of Police Commissioners, used that approach to criminalize homelessness.

"They put you in jail because you were poor or you were drug addicted, De Leon said. They never dealt with housing, they never built housing ... and that's why we have such a big, giant epicenter of homelessness in the city of L.A. They criminalized the homeless using the broken windows theory.

"It's a grotesque lie, and you know that, Kevin," Caruso shot back. "And it's shameful to say things like that about the good work of the men and women at LAPD "

De Leon interrupted: "I don't besmirch the members of the LAPD "

"Yes, you just did," Caruso said, adding: You're criticizing the men and women of LAPD who brought crime down 30%.

Buscaino attempted to break in to offer his view, but ABC 7 anchor Marc Brown, the moderator, cut him short.

"Nobody's speaking out of turn," he said.

Toward the end of the debate, Feuer said the city was on the verge of having its mayoral race outcome decided by money, rather than merit or values.

"Imagine Mr. Caruso as a candidate without the money. Would that be a viable candidacy?" Feuer asked.

Campaign finance disclosures show that Caruso has spent more than $23 million since entering the race in early February  an unprecedented sum that is more than four times what the other candidates have spent combined. Caruso has poured $22.5 million of his own money into his mayoral bid.

When the debate wrapped up, the five candidates were also asked to name their favorite places to visit in Los Angeles. Caruso and Bass said the beach; Buscaino mentioned the Korean Friendship Bell in San Pedro; and De Leon cited a state park in Chinatown. Feuer chose both City Hall and the Venice boardwalk.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
With rising costs, its a struggle to find affordable housing.

Home prices and rents are through the roof.

The most recent statistics here in metro Orlando, rent has gone up 38% year over year. A one-bedroom apartment on average is now costing a bit over $2,000, said Catherine Steck McManus, with Habitat For Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County. We are truly trying to bring as many single family homes to the market that are affordable.

She see the impacts firsthand.

READ: Developers: Heres how to solve Central Floridas housing crisis

I had a young woman walk into our office. She said to me, I have nowhere else to go. Im living in my van with my three children. I have a job. I dont know what to do. Thats the story that were going to continue to hear more and more if we dont collectively come together and try to find a solution, Steck McManus said.

A new Habitat for Humanity subdivision in Pine Hills had 32 homes already occupied, with more under construction.

Steck McManus said the cost of building a house today with all the supply chain issues makes it hard to keep things affordable.

Its costing Habitat for Humanity $25,000 more per home to build this year than last year, Steck McManus said. Weve got to take a look at those supply chain and material issues. I dont know that thats a quick win. But its certainly something if we can have some of these costs go down. It allows us to be more flexible.

READ: Why Orlandos housing market is so attractive to investors

High demand and low supply are also pushing prices higher.

Weve got less than a month of inventory statewide. A balanced housing market should have six to nine months of inventory, said Scott Snaith, director of the University of Central Floridas Institute for Economic Forecasting.

Florida lawmakers sent a letter to the governor, calling for action to bring stability to the volatile market.

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READ: Rising interest rates pricing buyers out of the housing market, realtors say

If we dont find a solution collectively, this crisis is only going to get worse, Steck McManus said.

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 head of Cumberland County Schools is asking the county to provide the school system with an additional $5.1 million in the next fiscal year.

Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr. presented his recommended budget to the Board of Education's budget and finance committee Thursday. The budget seeks $88.2 million in local funding from the county Board of Commissioners, which is 6.2% higher than the current year.

Connelly said most of the increase would go toward providing cost-of-living raises and other salary increases for school employees.

Clyde Locklear, associate superintendent of business operations for Cumberland County Schools, told the committee that the total cost of the salary and supplement increases is about $19.46 million. He said that about $3.9 million of that can come from state and federal funds and other sources, leaving the funds needed at about $15.56 million.

The recommended budget calls for asking commissioners to launch a funding model that would provide money to implement competitive salary and supplement schedules for school employees.

Cumberland County Schools' Superintendent Marvin Connelly Jr., seen here speaking at E.E. Smith High School on April 7, presented his proposed budget to a school board committee on Thursday.

Connelly said the budget calls for the school system to use money from its fund balance and COVID-19 relief funds to pay $10.4 million for the increases in the first year and $5.2 million in the second year. The county would provide all the funding from the third year on, he said.

We understand that implementing this funding overnight may not be feasible for the county, he said.

Pay increases: Bus drivers, teacher assistants in Cumberland County Schools likely to get raises in July

Cumberland County Schools: Cumberland County Board of Education approves school construction resolution by 6-3 vote

Board member Charles McKellar said he supported the proposal.

I really believe that its the right way to go, he said.

McKellar said the budget puts the request in the hands of the commissioners.

I think as a board thats all that we can do, he said We give it to them, and were honest and up front with what our needs are.

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The committee voted unanimously to approve the budget. Board member Carrie Sutton is chair of the committee. McKellar, Donna Vann and Susan Williams also are on the committee.

The full school board is expected to consider the recommendation at its May 10 meeting.

Locklear said the school board is required by state law to present a proposed budget to county commissioners by May 15.

The total proposed budget is $699 million, which is 8% less than the current year. It provides employees with a 2.5% salary increase or raises up to $15 an hour for those who make less than that amount now.

Connelly said that as the COVID-19 pandemic ends, school officials have an opportunity and most importantly, a moral imperative to work together to help students learn while supporting the employees.

They deserve no less, he said.

Connelly said the budget seeks to ensure that every student will have equitable access to engaging learning that prepares them to be competitive, collaborative, and successful in our global world.

Local news editor Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3572.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County Schools' superintendent proposes employee raises
Bakhmut, Ukraine  The evacuation of civilians who've spent two months holed up in tunnels under a sprawling steelworks in the besieged southeast Ukrainian city of Mariupol resumed on Monday. About 100 of the estimated 1,000 civilians who've been hiding out in the makeshift shelter during weeks of relentless Russian bombardment managed to escape on Sunday, officials said, and the ceasefire enabling those evacuations appeared to be holding.

Ukraine's president said more than 100 civilians had been evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant and were due to arrive in Ukraine-controlled Zaporizhzhia on Monday, with more evacuations planned. The civilians have been hiding in the Soviet-era tunnels under the plant along with about 2,000 Ukrainian forces  the last holdouts after Russia's devastating effort to completely capture the strategic port city of Mariupol.

Congress urged to meet Ukraine's "desperate need" for more aid

"For the first time, there were two days of real ceasefire on this territory. More than 100 civilians have already been evacuated  women and children first of all," said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Members of the Azov Regiment of Ukraine's defense forces walk with civilians during U.N.-led evacuations from the sprawling Azovstal steel plant in the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, after nearly two months of siege warfare on the city by Russia during its invasion, in a still image from handout video released May 1, 2022 by the Azov Regiment. / Credit: David Arakhamia/Azov Regiment/Handout/REUTERS

As CBS News senior foreign correspondent Charlie D'Agata reports, they emerged as dazed survivors from beneath the rubble and remains of the pummeled plant.

"I can't believe it," said Natalia Usmanova as she stepped into the daylight on Sunday. "Two months of darkness. We did not see any sunlight. We were so scared." Families  many with children and even pets  are among those now headed for the relative safety of Ukrainian-held territory. D'Agata says that their rescue, after so many failed attempts, marks a significant achievement for both the United Nations and the Red Cross which spent weeks negotiating the humanitarian ceasefire.

It has also raised some hope that lives can be saved in Ukraine, even from besieged cities like Mariupol. But D'Agata says that while the guns fell silent in the port city, fighting has continued to rage along the front-line battlefields of eastern Ukraine.

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A grinding Russian offensive there has forced the few remaining residents in towns like Lyman to flee. There, D'Agata and his team saw volunteers risking their own lives to save others.

Right after the CBS News team left, a Russian airstrike destroyed a railway bridge leading out of the town. It was part of a wider campaign by Russia's military to try to stop more weapons from the U.S. and other Western nations from reaching the Ukrainian forces fighting on the front lines. As the fighting in the eastern Donbas regions escalates, however, there have been further indications that the war President Vladimir Putin started is extending beyond those front lines to Russian soil. Explosions were reported in the Russian border town of Belgorod, where social media video captured a military installation on fire.

Russia's forces are also being targeted on the water. Ukraine's Ministry of Defense said a new video showed its forces using drones to destroy two high-speed Russian patrol boats in the Black Sea.

Ukraine's exhausted soldiers remain outnumbered and outgunned, however, and they can only hope the latest $33 billion worth of promised heavy weapons from America gets to them before the Russian military does.

Why Russia's military operations have fallen short of expectations

Some civilians escape from Mariupol; Russia introducing the ruble to Kherson

MoneyWatch: Protecting financial and mental health amid stock market drop
Three students with the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology died in a car accident Friday after a successful storm chasing outing. From left, Drake Brooks, Nicholas Nair, Gavin Short. (GoFundMe)

Three University of Oklahoma meteorology students died in a tragic car crash on their return trip from Kansas Friday, where they had successfully intercepted a tornado while on a routine storm chasing outing.

According to a report from The New York Times, Nicholas Nair, 20, Gavin Short, 19, and Drake Brooks, 22, had been traveling southbound on Interstate 35 in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, a small town near the Kansas border, when their truck hydroplaned and stalled in the middle of the road before being hit by a truck. The students were pronounced dead on the scene, and the truck driver, who was hospitalized with injuries, survived the crash.

Their deaths have shocked the weather community, leading to touching tributes from across the field of meteorology.

In a statement, AccuWeather Founder and CEO Dr. Joel N. Myers and President Stephen R. Smith grieved the fact that such promising young lives had been cut short.

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"The pursuit of science, especially for the ultimate purpose of saving lives and keeping people out of harm's way, is the most noble pursuit there is," Myers and Smith wrote. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the families."

Extreme Meteorologist and storm chaser Reed Timmer posted multiple tributes for the chasers and said that his future chases will be dedicated to the trio.

"Heartbreaking loss of 3 OU students in an accident on the way back from chasing. These students are close to my heart and a shining light in the weather community," Timmer tweeted. "Words cannot describe the sadness. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends. RIP my friends."

My future storm chases are dedicated to the @MetCrewChasers lost team members Nic, Gavin, and Drake. I wear proudly your sticker on Dominator Fore. I am so sorry this happened to you. Your passion will always shine bright and inspire weather enthusiasts far and wide #RIPOU3  Reed Timmer (@ReedTimmerAccu) May 1, 2022

Several National Weather Service offices also chimed in with tributes, with forecasters with the NWS in Norman, the office closest to the University of Oklahoma, releasing a weather balloon into the atmosphere with the names of the three lost chasers on it. In a somewhat eerie coincidence, it turned out that Drake Brooks himself had released a weather balloon in almost that same spot earlier in the year.

A number of students in the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology added their own personal tributes to their friends and colleagues on Twitter, remembering their kindness and their positive impacts on the world.

Drake, Gavin, and Nic. You were my best friends and brought so much happiness and laughter to my life. I can't believe you're gone, but your memories will never be forgotten and we will make sure of it. I will forever love and miss you guys pic.twitter.com/dYVmH8VJTn  Mara Davis (@marajdaviswx) April 30, 2022

Robby Frost, a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology, said on Twitter that wished he could "hug y'all and let you know the impact y'all have had on my life." Frost described the late students as "the most kind, motivated, selfless, strong people I know," and added that he was honored that they had been a part of his life.

The University of Oklahoma School of Meteorology released a statement Saturday that said its tight-knit community was "deeply saddened" by the tragedy.

"Our leadership and faculty stand ready to support each of our community members in the days, weeks and months ahead as we all grieve this unthinkable heartbreak," the school said.

Following the news, a number of storm chasers and meteorologists took to Twitter to remind storm chasers young and old that driving is arguably the most dangerous part of the hobby.

"Driving home is the most dangerous aspect of storm chasing and you don't convince me otherwise," tweeted Jordan Hall, a multimedia journalist with SevereStudios, a severe weather videography company.

Storm chasers have died and been injured in traffic accidents before. In 2017, three storm chasers, Kelley Williamson, 57, Randy Yarnall, 55, and Corbin Jaeger, 25, were killed in a car accident near Spur, Texas. Williamson and Yarnall, both of Cassville, Missouri, were contractors for The Weather Channel, featured in the network's special program Storm Wranglers.

I guess the cat's out of the bag on the news I heard this morning. Driving is the most dangerous part of storm chasing and it is not even close, and it doesn't have to be you that messes up. Overnight drives in intense weather systems are extremely unnerving for me.  Spencer Dant (@sdantwx) April 30, 2022

Storm chasers were also killed during the El Reno tornado in 2013, a twister that became infamous for its unusual movements, intense strength and unprecedented 2.6-mile width, which led to the deaths of three well-known storm chasers with a tornado research team known as TWISTEX: Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras and Carl Young.

In 2012, storm chaser Andy Gabrielson was killed in an off-season crash when a car going the wrong way hit his vehicle head-on.

At a memorial for that storm chasing team, some gathered to honor Nair, Short and Brooks as well.

Storm chaser Brandon Copic tweeted that he stopped off at the TWISTEX Memorial to drop off three cheeseburgers to honor the lives of the three students. "Cleaned the memorial and prayed for them and their families as well as for their guidance in keeping us all save (sic) in the field. Gone but not forgotten," Copic said.

A GoFundMe started to help the families of the deceased chasers has raised over $35,000 in less than a day, with support still pouring in.

For the latest weather news, check back on AccuWeather.com. Watch the AccuWeather Network on DIRECTV, Frontier, Spectrum, fuboTV, Philo and Verizon Fios. AccuWeather Now is now available on your preferred streaming platform.
 Flash

After visiting the US states of Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota from April 19 to 25, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang said he felt confident about the future of China-US ties.

"I leave the heartland with my heart filled with friendship and cooperation and, more importantly, filled with confidence in the future of China-US relations," Qin Gang wrote in an article published by The Des Moines Register, an Iowa newspaper.

The stories of win-win cooperation and of friendship passed through generations, the common qualities of Chinese and Americans, and young people's respect and appreciation for each other's country and its culture had touched him during his visits, Qin said.

At the Kimberley family's farm in Maxwell, Iowa, Qin helped promote US beef and bacon in a livestream and tried his hand at driving a John Deere tractor. The Kimberley farm hosted President Xi Jinping during his visit to the US in 2012, when he was vice-president.

At the Zoetis Inc plant in Charles City, Qin learned that most of the plant's animal vaccine products are exported to the Chinese market.

At the Smithfield processing plant in Denison, Iowa, Qin and his team had lunch with the workers. They were told that the world's largest pork producer has created thousands more US jobs since its acquisition by a Chinese company.

Qin said that the journey had afforded the Chinese delegation a panoramic view of the whole industrial chain of US agriculture, from which they can see that US farmers and agricultural companies need China, benefit from China and look forward to further cooperation with China.

"China and the United States are natural partners for agricultural trade. With the Chinese market wide open, the two sides have broad space for further agricultural cooperation, and this is a call to action to create conditions for two-way, normal agricultural trade and lift the additional tariffs and other obstacles," he wrote.

"On top of that, our cooperation should not just be about 'buy and sell'; it can go deep into agricultural technology, climate action and sustainable development. Economic and trade ties, especially those in agriculture, are the ballast of China-US relations, and the American business community and farmers are the backbone of a stable China-US relationship-this trip has deepened my belief in this basic fact."

Qin and his team visited the Sino-US Friendship House in Muscatine, where Xi stayed during his visit to Iowa in 1985. They met with old friends Sarah Lande and Luca Berrone, who had welcomed Xi twice, and attended the signing ceremony for Chinese enterprises participating in a program to sponsor Iowa students who want to study in China.

"We could tell that the seeds of friendship first sown by President Xi have taken root, sprouted, blossomed and borne fruit in Iowa. We could also see from this experience that the bond between China and the United States is unbreakable, and such a bond is forged by all those people who champion the cause of China-US friendship and cooperation," Qin said.
By Alexander Cornwell

DUBAI (Reuters) -Delivery service Deliveroo on Monday put on hold plans to cut pay and extend working hours for its drivers in the United Arab Emirates after a rare strike over the weekend.

The Amazon-backed company said in an email to restaurants, seen by Reuters, that it had paused proposed changes in its rider pay structure and that it would engage with its riders over the weeks and months head.

A day earlier, Deliveroo told restaurants that "riders are striking and refusing to attend their shift or deliver orders" and that it would "protect Deliveroo rider earnings to remain the most competitive in the market".

Human rights groups have criticised the UAE and other Gulf states for their treatment of low-paid migrant workers who make up a large part of the workforce. Migrant drivers comprise Deliveroo's workforce.

A Deliveroo spokesperson confirmed that the company was halting all changes and that it would work with delivery riders to ensure a structure that would work for everyone.

"Our initial intention with the announcement was to propose a more well-rounded structure for rider earnings in addition to other incentives," the Deliveroo spokesperson said without providing details.

"It is clear that some of our original intentions have not been clear and we are listening to riders."

Social media posts on Sunday showed large groups of delivery drivers in teal-coloured Deliveroo uniforms striking in Dubai.

Two Deliveroo riders separately told Reuters the company had sought to cut earnings by about 15% to 8.75 dirhams ($2.38) per delivery and extend shifts by three hours to 12.

Both riders, who said they were employed via agencies, said they had to pay for fuel, housing and employment visas out of their own wages.

It is illegal in the UAE for an employee to pay visa costs.

One rider, a Pakistani, said he worked nine hours a day, seven days a week to earn a monthly take-home salary of 390 dirhams ($106).

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The driver said while the pay cut had been scrapped, his current roster continued to show 12-hour daily shifts.

A second Deliveroo representative later said shifts would not be changed and that agencies who employ the riders were obliged to cover visa costs.

The representative added that action would be taken against any agency in breach of contractual obligations but did not provide specifics.

Authorities in the UAE, where independent trade unions and labour strikes are banned, did not respond to requests for comment.

Human rights group Equidem in a statement urged Deliveroo to pay workers a living wage and called on UAE authorities to permit trade unions and not punish workers who go on strike.

In response to the Deliveroo strike, some users on social media called for a boycott of the company while others encouraged people to tip delivery workers. Deliveroo competes in the UAE against Uber-owned Careem, among other services.

($1 = 3.6726 UAE dirham)

(Reporting by Alexander Cornwell and Lina Najem;Editing by Bernadette Baum, Louise Heavens, Jane Merriman and Cynthia Osterman)
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark will reopen its embassy in Ukraine on Monday following its closure immediately after Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, the Danish foreign ministry said.

"It's a very strong symbol of the Danish support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people that today we are reopening the doors to the Danish embassy," Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, who will reopen the embassy, told Danish broadcaster DR.

Several other countries, including France, the United States and Britain, have recently announced they are moving their embassies back to Kyiv.

Moscow says its presence in Ukraine is a "special military operation" aimed at demilitarizing the country.

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Stine Jacobsen; Editing by Nick Macfie)
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark's one-party Social Democratic government on Monday announced a reshuffle after Minister of Justice Nick Haekkerup resigned to become head of the Danish Brewers' Association.

Haekkerup will be replaced by current Minister of Immigration and Integration Mattias Tesfaye, who in turn will be replaced by Minister of the Interior and Housing Kaare Dybvad Bek, the government said in a statement.

Member of Parliament Christian Rabjerg Madsen will take the role at new minister of the interior and housing.

Haekkerup will also resign from parliament to take up the role as head of the Danish Brewers' Association, a lobby group for companies like Carlsberg and Royal Unibrew.

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Stephen Coates)
(Twitter)

The Department of Justice (DOJ) this week launched a website to streamline information and resources related to open missing and murdered Indigenous persons cases.

The new page within the DOJs Tribal Justice and Safety website details the federal governments increased efforts to address the disproportionately high rates of violence impacting Indigenous communities.

The website page allows visitors to quickly report or identify a missing person; view unsolved Indian Country cases: contact the office of tribal justice; and learn more about current initiatives and upcoming listening sessions.

Last year, President Biden issued a proclamation to declaring May 5, 2021 a day to remember the Indigenous people who we have lost to murder and those who remain missing and commit to working with Tribal Nations to ensure any instance of a missing or murdered person is met with swift and effective action.

Six months later, the President signed an executive order that calls for interagency cooperation in criminal justice and public safety systems addressing missing and murdered Indigenous peoples: the act directs the Departments of Justice, Interior, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security to work together with tribes.

Simultaneously, the Department Justice launched the Steering Committee to Address the Crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons, tasked with consultation with tribal leaders and stakeholders, with reviewing the Departments current practices, and developing a comprehensive plan to strengthen the departments work. That plan is slated to be submitted to the President in July 2022.

About the Author: ""

Contact: office@nativenewsonline.net
Orange County deputies identified a woman accused of firing shots in an Orange County McDonalds over the weekend.

The incident began at 10:35 p.m. Saturday after deputies responded to an armed robbery call at the McDonalds on Orange Blossom Trail and Holden Avenue.

Deputies said the shooter, Shandricka Warren, 30, fired a handgun inside and made threatening statements. All employees and customers were able to get out unharmed.

READ: Saturday night shootout at McDonalds in Orange County after woman fires gun at deputies

Once deputies arrived, they said Warren opened fire again from inside the McDonalds, which led the them to return fire from outside the store.

No one was injured.

Deputies said they attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender. The negotiations lasted for more than six hours, and at 4:45 a.m. Warren surrendered to deputies.

READ: Truck spills pavers, shuts down I-4 near Turnpike in Orlando

Warren was charged with burglary in a structure with assault with a firearm. Additional charges are pending.

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 feud between Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Disney continues as the governor slammed the company for profiting off of its relationship with Communist China, without condemning its human rights abuses, and warned that the country is "flexing muscle" over the Western Hemisphere in part due to President Biden's "floundering" leadership.

"Disney has done a lot to partner with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and has really made a fortune over there without raising a peep about any of their atrocities," DeSantis said Monday during a press conference announcing $30 million for manatee protection.

"I think China is the number one geopolitical threat that this country faces," he said. "I think that we need to have strong alliances with the Japanese, South Koreans, I think India needs to be in our orbit to try to check China's influence around the world, but particularly when you start talking about the Western Hemisphere, it's a big problem. It's not just South America, you see them in the Caribbean flexing their muscle."

DESANTIS SLAMS 'WOKE' DISNEY AFTER CEO CONDEMNS PARENTS' RIGHTS BILL

Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World Resort on July 11, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Kent Phillips | Walt Disney World Resort via Getty Images

"So, we need to get real here and understand that China's a threat. I think you've had the ruling elite in this country for decades have basically done all they can to elevate China. And a lot of them made a fortune off it. But it's made our country weaker, it's eroded our industrial base," the governor said.

The Walt Disney Company has used its voice to campaign against DeSantis parental rights law. The new legislation bans Florida school employees or third parties from giving classroom instruction on "sexual orientation" or "gender identity" in kindergarten through third grade.

Despite their activism on the parental rights bill, Disney has garnered criticism for remaining silent on the ongoing Uyghur Muslim genocide in China  even as they film movies there.

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In addition, DeSantis signed legislation last month stripping Walt Disney World of a decades-old special agreement that allowed the theme park to govern itself.

DESANTIS BLASTS DISNEY EXECS' ATTACK ON PARENTS: WALT DISNEY WOULD NOT WANT THAT

DeSantis continued to say that Chinese President Xi Jinping is "tougher" than any leader China has ever had, which makes the country even more hostile to the U.S. and its allies.

"It's a hostile regime and their influence in our hemisphere is not something that is in the best interest of the United States of America," he said.

The governor also took a shot at Biden and his "floundering" leadership against the CCP.

DeSantis responded to a question about how the U.S. could fix its image on the world stage: "It's sad, but we have a floundering president, there's no leadership right now. That's just the reality, I wish that wasn't the case. But we have somebody who clearly isn't capable of exercising the type of leadership on the world stage that is going to inspire confidence from our allies and that is going to inspire fear from our adversaries."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis appears with Senate candidate Adam Laxalt at a campaign event on April 27, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ronda Churchill/Getty Images

The governor said Putin's invasion of Ukraine was a result of a projection of American weakness. "[Putin] would not have done that if he didn't think Biden was a pushover."

Disney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on DeSantis' remarks.
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
Forgive me a little self-indulgence, but something I have waited all my life for  perhaps without even realising it  has arrived: a smart, sassy, tough telly detective from Leicester. Yes, thats right. Not the streets of San Francisco, the rural idyll of Midsomer, or the brooding Scandinoir, but the second city of the East Midlands. Indeed so. A world first, even if she is actually on duty in a lightly fictionalised version of Birmingham. And it doesnt get more glam than that.

Detective Inspector Rachita Ray (Parminder Nagra, also from Leicester) is a gifted response officer who wins a transfer, at last, to her dream job in the murder squad after winning a bravery award. The chief inspector tells her proudly that, despite being overlooked for so long, she is exactly what we need right now. What this turns out to be is an assignment in the sensitively named Culturally Specific Homicide (CSH) team. Ironically, this turns out to be something of a hostile environment for her, as they even view someone from the East Mids (no one says that in the Midlands) as some sort of visitor from a more advanced civilisation. She has a uniformed subordinate, also of South Asian background, PS Tony Khattri (Maanuv Thiara), but all he does is make snide, culturally loaded remarks about her agenda.

When he boasts of his fluency in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu, she retorts that shes got a GCSE in Spanish. She always speaks English, even when suspects, witnesses and indeed her sidekick dip in and out of it. Her white colleagues commit all the usual unconscious faux pas  mixing her up with another PC who is a person of colour, asking where are you really from, and, arguably, tokenising her in the culturally specific team, as if a butchered white victim is too good for her. As Ray explains to her secret boyfriend, also a copper, (Jamie Bamber), she feels she has only been brought in to tick a box.

But has she? Her CSH group is surprisingly undiverse and led by a markedly unsympathetic character, DCI Henderson (who frankly behaves like she wouldnt be all that bothered if her own kids were butchered in a gang shoot-out. Or indeed if DI Ray suffered a similar fate). The tension between the pair is exquisite, and the hatred actually runs so deep there isnt any need for racial tension. They just despise each other for what they are. Which is progress, I suppose.

All DCI Henderson wants is for a couple of innocent Asian lads to be convincingly framed for what looks like a routine killing of another Asian  and thats putting only a mildly unkind gloss on it. A young Muslim man, dating a Hindu girl, has been stabbed to death, and the Kapoor brothers (Ryan McKen and Manpreet Bachu) look to be the obvious culprits in a typical honour killing, underpinned by a business rivalry. Their alibi, that they were at temple and then a petrol station at the time of the crime doesnt add up. Henderson doesnt want to waste any more time on it, even though the girlfriend who needs questioning has disappeared. Its DI Ray who fills the holes in the alibis with some sharp observation and impeccable logic (petrol station CCTV has the wrong timestamps). She also manages to reach out to the terrified girl. Nagra, petite and vulnerable, makes us want DI Ray to succeed and were rooting for her. Shes a cop. Shes not that in love with being one but wants to be: its a perfect balance.

Being a Jed Mercurio production and written by Maya Sondhi, DI Ray has plenty of twisty bits, and the subplot of her relationship with a white officer meshes well with the search for the killer.

Theres a moderate amount of overt racial abuse, but much more of the subtle, casual, microaggression kind that many are only now coming to understand is wrong, intended or not, and has been deeply distressing to people of colour for decades. Low key in tone and atmosphere, DI Ray, cop and show, that is, deserves to be a success. Mercurio ticks another box.
For beginners, it can seem like a good idea (and an exciting prospect) to buy a company that tells a good story to investors, even if it completely lacks a track record of revenue and profit. And in their study titled Who Falls Prey to the Wolf of Wall Street?' Leuz et. al. found that it is 'quite common' for investors to lose money by buying into 'pump and dump' schemes.

So if you're like me, you might be more interested in profitable, growing companies, like Alpha FX Group (LON:AFX). While profit is not necessarily a social good, it's easy to admire a business that can consistently produce it. 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 Alpha FX Group

How Fast Is Alpha FX Group Growing?

The market is a voting machine in the short term, but a weighing machine in the long term, so share price follows earnings per share (EPS) eventually. It's no surprise, then, that I like to invest in companies with EPS growth. As a tree reaches steadily for the sky, Alpha FX Group's EPS has grown 34% 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. Alpha FX Group maintained stable EBIT margins over the last year, all while growing revenue 68% to UK77m. That's progress.

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 it's always good to see growing profits, you should always remember that a weak balance sheet could come back to bite. So check Alpha FX Group's balance sheet strength, before getting too excited.

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Are Alpha FX Group Insiders Aligned With All Shareholders?

Like standing at the lookout, surveying the horizon at sunrise, insider buying, for some investors, sparks joy. Because oftentimes, the purchase of stock is a sign that the buyer views it as undervalued. However, insiders are sometimes wrong, and we don't know the exact thinking behind their acquisitions.

Despite -UK20k worth of sales, Alpha FX Group insiders have overwhelmingly been buying the stock, spending UK280k on purchases in the last twelve months. You could argue that level of buying implies genuine confidence in the business. It is also worth noting that it was Independent Non-Executive Chairman Clive Kahn who made the biggest single purchase, worth UK139k, paying UK17.50 per share.

Along with the insider buying, another encouraging sign for Alpha FX Group is that insiders, as a group, have a considerable shareholding. Indeed, they have a glittering mountain of wealth invested in it, currently valued at UK199m. That equates to 23% of the company, making insiders powerful and aligned with other shareholders. Very encouraging.

While insiders already own a significant amount of shares, and they have been buying more, the good news for ordinary shareholders does not stop there. The cherry on top is that the CEO, Morgan Tillbrook is paid comparatively modestly to CEOs at similar sized companies. For companies with market capitalizations between UK319m and UK1.3b, like Alpha FX Group, the median CEO pay is around UK1.1m.

The Alpha FX Group CEO received UK694k in compensation for the year ending . That comes in below the average for similar sized companies, and seems pretty reasonable to me. CEO compensation is hardly the most important aspect of a company to consider, but when its reasonable that does give me a little more confidence that leadership are looking out for shareholder interests. I'd also argue reasonable pay levels attest to good decision making more generally.

Is Alpha FX Group Worth Keeping An Eye On?

Given my belief that share price follows earnings per share you can easily imagine how I feel about Alpha FX Group's strong EPS growth. On top of that, insiders own a significant stake in the company and have been buying more shares. So it's fair to say I think this stock may well deserve a spot on your watchlist. We should say that we've discovered 2 warning signs for Alpha FX Group that you should be aware of before investing here.

There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. So if you like the sound of Alpha FX Group, you'll probably love this free list of growing companies that insiders are buying.

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.
An elderly Asian American woman was pushed to the ground while crossing the street in Manhattan, New York.



The New York Police Department Hate Crimes Task Force released surveillance footage of the 68-year-old woman holding her hands up and running from a man who chased her at about 8:50 a.m. on April 24.



The footage shows the man hitting the woman in her torso and knocking her to the ground next to a parked car before he walks away. The incident took place at the intersection of 9th Avenue and West 19th Street in Chelsea.



The victim was taken to Lenox Health Greenwich Village Hospital in stable condition but suffered bruised ribs and back pain, according to Fox5.









Authorities are looking into what may have led up to the incident and the suspect's possible motives. They are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime and are currently searching for the attacker.



Those with information on the suspect are asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or to submit a tip on their website or Twitter @NYPDTips.







Feature Image via @nypdtips

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California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta is up for election to a full four-year term after having been appointed to fill a vacancy. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Rob Bonta was appointed California attorney general barely a year ago by Gov. Gavin Newsom to fill a vacancy left by the departure of Xavier Becerra to become U.S. Health and Human Services secretary. Because Bonta was not elected, because his record in one of the states most important positions is short, and because he is serving at a time of increasing crime and pushback against the states historic criminal justice reforms, there is more motivation than in most election years to seriously study whether a challenger might be a better fit for the office.

But an extensive examination of the five candidates, their records, their positions and their statements makes it abundantly clear: Bonta is the right choice. He should be elected to a full term as attorney general. He has shown a commitment and an ability to effectively enforce laws that Californians have adopted, either directly by ballot or through their elected representatives. By contrast, the three leading challengers want to undermine or overturn many of those same laws  a dangerous stance for candidates seeking to be the states chief law enforcement officer.

Bontas brief tenure has been solid so far. In the midst of Californias housing affordability and availability crisis, he has stood firm against cities resisting laws requiring them to make space for more residents. For example, he called out Pasadena for its ploy to restrict multifamily housing in broad swaths of the city, and similarly warned Woodside to drop its plan to designate the entire city as a supposed mountain lion sanctuary.

Hes been strong on environmental protection as well  for example, by investigating fossil fuel companies for their role in exacerbating a plastic pollution crisis that is so pervasive that microplastics have been detected in human blood.

At a time when the right of a woman to choose whether to end her pregnancy is in jeopardy in much of the nation, Bonta has made clear he will protect womens rights in this state. After two women in Kings County who used illegal drugs were prosecuted and imprisoned for murder after their stillbirths, Bonta corrected district attorneys on their interpretation of the law. Pregnant individuals will be protected by the law, not criminalized by it, Bonta said.

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But the attorney general's job is best known for its role in the criminal justice system. The AG is in essence the captain of a team that includes county sheriffs, district attorneys and police chiefs. Unfortunately, much of the work these days involves debunking the many false claims that police and prosecutors make about crime and safety. If performed properly, the job should promote reforms in the interests of justice.

Bonta is clearly pro-reform, as evidenced by the bills he sponsored as a member of the state Assembly. But he is particularly impressive because he tempers his ideology with a healthy dose of pragmatism. For example, asked by The Times' editorial board about the omission of domestic violence from the list of violent crimes ineligible for release credits or parole under Proposition 57  a 2016 ballot measure to expand inmates ability to seek parole  Bonta agreed that the issue required examination. At this point he has offered only words, though, and we're looking forward to the follow-through.

Four people are challenging Bonta in the June 7 primary. Sacramento County Dist. Atty. Anne Marie Schubert is a Republican-turned-independent who has positioned herself as a vigorous opponent of most of California's landmark criminal justice reforms. Her statements blaming those reforms for increases in crime that began during the pandemic  for example, her false statements that Proposition 47 is responsible for so-called smash-and-grab armed robberies  mislead and frighten Californians who instead deserve an attorney general who provides fact-based guidance.

Schuberts election would strike a blow on behalf of a rollback movement long supported by many law enforcement organizations but so far has been wisely rejected by California voters. Judging from her rhetoric, it seems as if she believes shes running against her counterparts, L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascon and San Francisco D.A. Chesa Boudin.

Former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman and attorney Eric Early, both Los Angeles Republicans, are if anything more extreme than Schubert. It is particularly troubling that Early expresses a lack of confidence in the integrity of the 2020 presidential election but can cite no persuasive evidence of misfeasance. Hochman won't say whom he supported in that race.

Early was counsel to the Newsom recall campaign and ran unsuccessfully against Becerra in 2018 and Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) in 2020. Green Party candidate Dan Kapelovitz, a Los Angeles attorney, was a candidate in the Newsom recall.

In this race, Bonta is far and away the best choice. Hes the one candidate of the bunch prepared to uphold and defend the laws that Californians have repeatedly supported.

Read more endorsements at: latimes.com/endorsements.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union was preparing sanctions on Russian oil on Monday, with possible exemptions for wary countries, and warned that complying in full with Moscow's proposed scheme to receive gas payments in roubles would breach existing EU sanctions.

The European Commission is expected to propose a sixth package of EU sanctions this week against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including a potential embargo on buying Russian oil - a measure that would deprive Moscow of a large revenue stream, but that has so far divided EU countries.

Russia supplies 40% of EU gas and 26% of its oil imports.

To keep the 27-nation bloc united, the Commission may offer Hungary and Slovakia an exemption or a long transition period - with any overall ban likely to be phased in by the year-end, officials said on Monday.

Both Hungary and Slovakia are heavily dependent on Russian crude. Hungary has said it would oppose energy sanctions.

Resistance from other countries to an oil embargo appeared to be fading ahead of a meeting on Wednesday when ambassadors from EU countries will discuss the proposed sanctions.

"We have managed to reach a situation where Germany is able to bear an oil embargo," German economy minister Robert Habeck said on Monday. "This means it won't be without consequences."

Austrian climate and energy minister Leonore Gewessler said Vienna would agree to oil sanctions if other countries did.

EU countries have paid more than 47 billion euros ($47.43 billion) to Russia for gas and oil since it invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, according to research organisation the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

GAS CRISIS TALKS

At a meeting of EU energy ministers on Monday, the bloc sought to clarify its stance on Russia's demand that countries effectively pay for gas in roubles, or face losing their supply.

Russia cut gas supply to Bulgaria and Poland last week for refusing to comply with its payment scheme, raising fears that other countries could be next.

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The Commission on Monday said complying with Russia's proposed scheme in full would breach existing EU sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, but promised more detailed guidance on what companies can and cannot legally do.

"Paying roubles through the conversion mechanism managed by the Russian public authorities and a second dedicated account in Gazprombank is a violation of the sanctions and cannot be accepted," EU energy commissioner Kadri Simson told a news conference after the ministers' meeting.

Moscow has said foreign gas buyers must deposit euros or dollars into an account at privately owned Russian bank Gazprombank, which would convert them into roubles.

Many European companies face payment deadlines this month and are seeking clarity on whether they can legally pay, after Brussels last month said complying with the scheme could breach EU sanctions, but also suggested countries could make sanctions-compliant payments if they declare the payment complete once it has been made in euros and before its conversion into roubles.

Russia's decree said a buyer's obligation would be deemed complete only after the foreign currency was converted to roubles.

European capitals have split over whether to engage with the mechanism at all, as the EU struggles to forge a united response.

Poland and Bulgaria refused to use the Russian scheme before Moscow cut their gas supply, and Warsaw on Monday said it was not acceptable for countries to engage with Russia's mechanism.

Germany last week echoed the Commission's suggested workaround to allow companies to pay and Hungary said it would send euros to Gazprombank for conversion into roubles.

An immediate cut-off of Russian gas would tip countries including Germany into recession and require emergency measures such as factory closures to cope, according to analysts.

In the longer term, the EU plans to slash reliance on fossil fuels to meet climate change goals. Brussels will unveil plans later this month to expand renewable energy and renovate buildings faster, to help countries quit Russian oil and gas within a few years.

Simson said countries were expected to reach agreement within a few weeks on emergency legislation requiring them to fill gas storage 80% ahead of this winter, allowing them to start negotiations with the European Parliament, which must also approve the rules. EU gas storage is currently 33% full.

($1 = 0.9488 euros)

(Editing by John Chalmers, Barbara Lewis, William Maclean)
As the fourth week of Johnny Depp's defamation lawsuit against Amber Heard gets underway in Fairfax County, Va., his ex-wife's legal team is set to present her defense beginning Tuesday.

Heard, who recently hired a new crisis PR team after reportedly growing frustrated with coverage of the trial, is expected to take the stand this week. Depp testified over four days last week, and was grilled by Heard's defense on his drug and alcohol use, controversial text exchanges with friends and former costars (including Paul Bettany), and alleged physical and emotional abuse.

Depp is suing Heard for $50 million over her 2018 Washington Post op-ed chronicling her experiences as a domestic violence survivor. Though Heard never mentioned Depp by name in the piece, his lawyers maintain the references to him and her public abuse allegations were clear and that the op-ed damaged his career and reputation. Heard filed a $100 million countersuit in response, alleging that Depp and his legal team defamed her by referring to her abuse allegations as a "sexual violence hoax." It's up to the jurors to decide if Heard acted with "actual malice" or "reckless disregard" for the truth when she penned the piece. They'll also review issues put forth in Heard's countersuit.

Here's what to expect from Heard and her legal counsel this week.

Amber Heard in the courtroom at the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 2, 2022

STEVE HELBER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Amber Heard in court during Johnny Depp defamation trial

When will Heard take the stand?

Heard is expected to take the stand Wednesday. She will be the second witness for her defense, following testimony from a psychologist and expert in interpersonal violence and abuse on behalf of her team on Tuesday.

What can we expect from her testimony?

Like Depp, Heard will likely revisit and rehash moments in their volatile relationship, including the incident in Australia. Many of those moments were also dissected in Depp's libel lawsuit against British newspaper The Sun (over the publication's use of the term "wife-beater" when reporting on Heard's allegations) in 2020. At the time, both Heard and Depp revisited the bloody altercation, which involved Depp dipping his injured finger into paint and leaving messages on furniture in their shared residence. Heard will also very likely have to revisit Depp's claims that she left human feces on his side of the bed following an argument in 2016.

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Who's her first witness?

Dr. Dawn Hughes, a clinical and forensic psychologist and expert in interpersonal violence, abuse, and traumatic stress, will testify about Heard's post-traumatic stress disorder and other forms of psychological distress as a result of statements Depp made about her to the press. Hughes is expected to share analysis that corroborates Heard's allegations of domestic violence, including text messages, medical documentation, therapy records, and collateral interviews, among others. The testimony, an effort to dispel myths about domestic violence, will also push back on claims made by psychologist Dr. Shannon Curry, who testified on behalf of Depp last week.

What accusations will Depp face?

Heard's team is expected to outline Depp's alleged cycle of mental, physical, and sexual abuse. Heard has accused Depp of striking, choking, sexually assaulting, and throwing items at her, allegations he has denied. In opening statements, Heard's attorney vowed to expose Depp, recalling the couple's infamous 2015 fight in Australia that led to Depp's severed finger. "As you go through those three days in Australia, some pretty horrendous things happen to her," her attorney said. "He rips off her nightgown; he has her jammed up against a bar; he has hurled bottles and bottles at her; he has dragged her across the floor on the broken bottles and liquor; he has punched her That's the Johnny Depp you're going to hear about in this case."

Will James Franco and Elon Musk be called to the stand?

Along with psychologists, law enforcement, and employees, Heard's witness list includes some famous names: James Franco, whom Heard starred opposite in Pineapple Express and The Adderall Diaries, and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and soon-to-be owner of Twitter. Heard previously testified in Depp's libel lawsuit that Franco had seen her bruised face after an alleged altercation. As for Musk, the two were in a brief relationship in 2017. It's still unclear if Franco and Musk will be called to the stand to testify on Heard's behalf, whether in person or via remote call.

Related content:
Think you know a lot about Cinco de Mayo?

The annual event, which originated in Mexico and also is celebrated all over the United States, is here, and plenty will be partying like it's 1999 (even if it's actually May 5, 2022).

More: Cinco de Mayo festival kicks off in Gadsden

More: Cook with chili peppers for Cinco de Mayo

But how well do people actually know the holiday? Here are some facts about Cinco de Mayo you might not have been aware of.

Not What You Think

One of the most common beliefs among most people is that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico's Independence Day. It's not  in fact, it's not even a federal holiday in Mexico.

The actual Independence Day for Mexico is Sept. 16. So, then, what is Cinco de Mayo?

The day is celebrated to commemorate a victory by Mexico over the invading French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Mexico actually had been an independent nation since 1810.

The event's significance is that it was a morale-boosting military win for an undermanned, poorly supplied underdog against a world power and would-be conqueror.

Helping Hand

Cinco de Mayo originated in Mexico, but how did it get so popular in the United States?

Other than the obvious "It's an excuse to drink and party," it actually took a while after the Battle of Puebla before it fully expanded into the U.S.

According to studyspanish.com, President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 instituted his "Good Neighbor" policy encouraging relations between the U.S. and Latin America.

As Cinco de Mayo celebrations became more prominent in the U.S., beer companies jumped on board, targeting Spanish-speaking populations beginning in the 1970s. This helped give a big charge to the holiday's popularity.

Unique Traditions

Some places celebrate Cinco de Mayo in, um, different ways.

According to tastemade.com and livescience.com, Chandler, Arizona, has the traditional parades, dancing and food  but it also tosses Chihuahuas into the mix.

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Among the activities the tiny dogs take part in each year are races, with a cash prize to the owner of the winner, and a beauty pageant involving around 150 of the animals.

In Vancouver, British Columbia, the holiday is celebrated in a way you'd probably never see anywhere else  "skydiving boogie," which involves a large gathering of skydivers performing aerial acrobatics and planes putting on air shows.

Official Food

Since Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexico and its culture, a lot of folks think the official dish of the holiday would be a popular food that originated there  like tacos, burritos or guacamole, similar to candy for Halloween or turkey for Thanksgiving.

However, it's none of the above. According topurewow.com, the official food of Cinco de Mayo is the lesser-known mole poblano.

A dark brown sauce made with Mexican chocolate and a large variety of spices, mole poblano is noted for its bold flavor and texture.

And fittingly, mole poblano and Cinco de Mayo both originated in the same place  Puebla.

Consumption

People drink and eat on Cinco de Mayo, generally more so than on non-holidays.

But how much of each is done every May 5? A lot, to put it lightly.

According to parade.com, Americans drink, on average, 3.5 alcoholic beverages per day on Cinco de Mayo. (Margaritas of course are popular.)

In addition, it's estimated that, in the U.S., a total of 80 million pounds of avocados have been consumed on the holiday since it began.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Cinco de Mayo is much more than a holiday excuse for people to party
A soldier stands guard at the ferry landing and entrance to Molovata Noua, Moldova. Charles Davis/Insider

Insider traveled to a small, isolated village that borders Transnistria.

Transnistria is a breakaway region supported by Russia, which stations around 1,500 troops there.

Locals said they fear the war in Ukraine could spread to their homes in Moldova.

MOLOVATA NOUA, Moldova  Victor Besleaga remembers well the start of the war that killed his brother. It was dark when Russian troops surrounded the station in Dubasari, a 20-minute drive from the border with Ukraine, where he was working as a police officer.

Less than a year earlier, in 1991, Moldova had declared independence from the Soviet Union  and, according to the propaganda that helped spark a conflict that killed hundreds, it was now oppressing Russian speakers in a region that today is known as Transnistria, a breakaway republic aligned with Moscow but unrecognized by the international community.

A firefight broke out, leaving one of the soldiers dead; to save their own lives, the police soon gave up their arms and surrendered. Victor remembers being transported to Tiraspol, the self-proclaimed capital of Transnistria, and paraded before cameras broadcasting back to Russia. Overnight, this veteran of the Soviet military, trained as a paratrooper in Belarus, had become a "Romanian Nazi infiltrator."

He spent the next month gasping for air in a tiny basement cell, packed in with 14 others, before being released in a prisoner swap. He went straight to the hospital  and from there, rejoined the police and fought to retake the city he served in.

Today, Victor, 50, with salt-and-pepper hair, gray-blue eyes and wearing a black Champion tracksuit, lives in the village where he was born, Molovata Noua, speaking in the classroom he attended as a child, now a local history museum run by his wife. It is a 15-minute drive (and a Russian military checkpoint away) from the city where he once worked as a cop.

There is no bridge to this village, where 10 people died in the conflict that began in the darkness of March 2, 1992, and concluded some four months later. Five of the deceased were combatants who fought to keep it part of Moldova.

Story continues

They prevailed. But today the village is an isolated enclave surrounded by a hostile entity. The government of Russian President Vladimir Putin insists the residents of Transnistria, next door and all around the village, are still being oppressed. There have been claimed terrorist incidents there, pinned on Ukrainians. The old fears are back.

Victor Besleaga said even some veterans who fought against Russia in the 1992 Transnistria war now believe its propaganda. Charles Davis/Insider

A country divided

Transnistria is, for the most part, located to the east of the Dniester river all the way to the border with Ukraine, while Moldova's central government in Chisinau, for the most part, controls everything to the west, up to the border with Romania. Molovata Noua is different. The negotiations that ended the 1992 conflict resulted in oddities, like this community of just over 2,100 people being engulfed by a separatist region and divided from the rest of the country by a wide river.

The only way to reach the village directly by road requires driving through a hostile entity, where as many as 1,500 Russian soldiers operate alongside Transnistrian forces, and a handful of Moldovans, as "peacekeepers"  and where some 300,000 people have forged a separate national identity, a generation now having been falsely taught that their erstwhile neighbors tried to carry out a genocide of Russian speakers.

Transnistria controls just about everything to the north and south of the village. It is an area of single-story homes with white paint and tile roofs, green meadows. A small herd of goats can be seen fenced in behind one of the houses. Outside the village are agricultural lands, growing fruits and vegetables; a road connecting north and south Transnistria runs through it, and the authorities have consistently harassed the owners and defied the 1992 peace agreement, seizing crops, and even asserting ownership over the land.

Peacekeepers stand near a BTR-70 armored personnel carrier by the road to Dubasari and the Molovata Noua ferry in Moldova. Charles Davis/Insider

For those unwilling or unable to pass through the separatist region  where oligarchs backed by free-flowing Russian gas control the politics, and where authorities maintain a blacklist of personas non grata  there is a ferry, free of charge and capable of carrying both people and cars, departing every two hours during the day. But the ferry does not operate if it is too windy or when the river has frozen, as typically happens a couple weeks a year. During the pandemic, Transnistria closed its borders altogether to arrest the spread of COVID-19, eliminating that travel option for more than a year.

The village itself hosts Russian and Transnistrian forces, who greet visitors as they get off the ferry, and an old but regularly maintained BTR-70 armored personnel carrier from Russia, an indignity  foreign usurpers on land that was mutually agreed to be Moldova  that some now find intolerable.

"The feelings about the Russian peacekeepers were always negative, because they are staying illegally in the village," Victor said. "After the war started, the relationship between locals and peacekeepers became even worse."

The anger at their presence, and intrusive searches, takes the form of people talking back. But there's an underlying fear given what Russian troops are up to elsewhere: "That the so-called peacekeepers could occupy the administrative buildings in minutes, using their armored vehicle and guns." Indeed, Russian operatives carried out a similar invasion of Crimea in 2014, one that was over before the outside world knew what had happened.

That fear has been exacerbated in recent days by a 24-hour series of explosions in Transnistria, including a purported attack with a grenade launcher on a building used by security services in Tiraspol, the self-proclaimed capital, and the destruction of radio towers there. Authorities also alleged that an attack was launched  from Ukraine  near an ammunition depot that is guarded by Russian forces and believed to be one of the largest in Eastern Europe; Ukraine has denied this.

Transnistrian leaders insist they want nothing to do with the war raging next to them. In Tiraspol, where Russian flags hang on every government building, there is no public propaganda in support of Russian intervention there; it's as if the war, just 20 minutes away, does not exist.

But Victor believes the recent explosions in Transnistria are the work of Russian military intelligence, designed to justify Moscow intervening further there and expanding a foothold that could be used to threaten not just Moldova but states in the Balkans, some of which are part of the NATO alliance. Whatever it is happening, he does not think it bodes well.

Military experts generally don't think much of the forces currently stationed in the breakaway republic. Their equipment largely consists of museum pieces, even if the raw numbers  a combined Russian and Transnistrian force of perhaps 10,000 men  are more than twice the size of Moldova's army.

But in Molovata Noua, locals say they can hear regular combat training. The threat may not be great, particularly to Ukraine, but to them it feels real. And their fear is that, even if the current rumblings from Transnistria do not culminate in all-out combat, as in 1992, Transnistria, with Russian support, could exploit Moldova's desire to avoid an existential war with Russia by consolidating control over its side of the river without much of a fight, providing a feel-good victory for "Russian speakers" that the Kremlin could trumpet back home.

A shrine in the village museum remembers the lives lost in the 1992 Transnistria war in Molovata Noua, Moldova. Charles Davis/Insider

Russian propaganda destroys friendships



The last military conflict in Moldova broke apart the country, family and friends suddenly finding themselves on different sides of a new de facto border, and consuming wildly different narratives about what had just happened.

Now the conflict in Ukraine and Russia's plans for the region are fraying relations within the same communities.

Now, as then, "war is dividing families and friends," Victor said. And people think what's happening in Ukraine could change their lives here again.

"It's already destroyed relationships," Alexandra Besleaga, Victor's wife and the director of the local history museum, said over instant coffee and a smorgasbord of sweets imported from Ukraine. She is 47, wearing a light blue hoodie and gold hoop earrings. Behind her was a portrait of her mother, who also lived in the village. They look identical.

Relations with in-laws are tenuous in the best of times. But now Alexandra and Victor say they hardly ever talk to the parents of their daughter's husband, who also live in the village. It's impossible without fighting.

"I've studied history," Alexandra said. "They've studied YouTube."

Alexandra Besleaga said the war in Ukraine has fractured relations among villagers in Molovata Noua, Moldova. Charles Davis/Insider

The village, like many in Moldova, has seen many young people move away, leaving an older population who are "victims of propaganda," she argued, namely from Russia. Some are nostalgic for the time of the Soviet Union, she said, "mainly because people were young and healthy, everyone had a job, real problems were hidden by the regime and there was no border between Moldova and Transnistria."

But the rose-colored sentimentality is exploited by a geopolitical agenda found on television and in online news, Moscow portrayed as a besieged defender of the Orthodox faith and the traditional family in the face of constant attacks from a decadent Europe. "Russia is protecting Eastern Europe from LGBT communities in the West, Nazis from Ukraine have to be destroyed, Russia is a great economical power, etcetera," Alexandra explained.

"Unfortunately, there are families in which children who are living abroad tell their parents that life in Western Europe is much better," she added, "but their parents don't believe them."

About a third of the population, she said, would welcome a Russian intervention. The local gossip is that some have already stocked up on rubles, awaiting the day.

But even as they say they are used to Transnistria and its Russian backers making noise and causing problems, this time it feels different. However unlikely, there is a war in Ukraine.

Victor said he would stay and take up arms again  if the government gave him any.

Alexandra has asked him to leave. As a veteran of the 1992 war, she worries he'll be targeted before any conflict even begins. Of course, she hopes one never does. She loves living in the same village as her mother, and her mother before that.

"People are really kind," she said, "except when you start talking about politics."

Andrei Rusu provided translation.

Have a news tip? Email this reporter: cdavis@insider.com

Read the original article on Business Insider
ProFootball Talk on NBC Sports

After Jarvis Landry was released by the Browns in March, there was word that the team was interested in bringing him back on a different contract. The lack of a new deal over the last couple of months was a strong suggestion that conversations about such a deal were not fruitful and theres now a [more]
The sale of free-range eggs in the UK was suspended in March after British hens spent the last four months indoors (Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribu)

Free-range eggs are now available in the UK again more than a month after their sale was suspended over avian flu outbreaks.

Previously, British hens had spent the last four months indoors after all birds, including free-range ones, were ordered to be kept indoors to control the avian flu outbreak last November. Since October 2021, over 100 cases of bird flu have been reported in the UK so far.

Under EU law, free-range laying hens can be kept indoors for a maximum period of 16 weeks for their eggs to still be labelled free-range. However, that period expired on 21 March when it was announced that free-range eggs will be labelled barn eggs, or the name given to eggs produced by permanently indoor birds.

Free-range eggs, which account for over half of all eggs produced in the UK, come from hens which enjoy unrestricted access to the outdoors during the day.

However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that other safety measures will remain in force.

The four veterinary chiefs in a joint statement to bird keepers said that scrupulous biosecurity remains the most critical defence to ensure the health of their hens.

The recent cases of avian influenza show that its more important than ever for bird keepers to remain vigilant for signs of disease and maintain stringent standards of biosecurity, the statement read.

British Free Range Egg Producers Associations chief executive Robert Gooch, however told the BBC that while it was really good newsthat supermarkets can stock free-range eggs, lifting the housing order does not solve the crisis facing the egg sector.

He indicated huge hikes in energy, transport, feed and labour costs as significant challenges for bird keepers.

The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has adversely impacted the price of bird feed, the BBC reported, since the eastern European countries are among the worlds largest agriculture and food producers.

The price of wheat  a crucial ingredient in feed  has risen since Russias invasion of Ukraine began in February.

One poultry farmer quoted by the publication revealed it cost him an additional 400 per day to feed his hens.
By Tassilo Hummel and Michel Rose

PARIS (Reuters) -Momentum was building on Monday behind attempts by French left-wing parties to form a united front against President Emmanuel Macron in next month's parliamentary elections, after radical Jean-Luc Melenchon clinched a deal with the Greens.

Macron was re-elected for a second term last month, but he needs support from a majority of lawmakers to push through a pro-business and pro-EU legislative agenda that also includes a plan to increase the retirement age.

Early polls for the June 12-19 elections suggest he could achieve that, but opposition parties on the left and right are negotiating tie-ups in the hope of controlling parliament and thereby blocking Macron's reforms.

Melenchon, who heads the hard-left France Insoumise (LFI, France Unbowed) party and almost pipped far-right leader Marine Le Pen to contest the presidential runoff against Macron, is pressing for an unprecedented alliance with the Greens, the Communists and the Socialists.

The Greens and LFI hailed Monday's deal as a "historic moment" and said agreements with other parties of the left would follow. The Communist party could join them imminently, its presidential candidate, Fabien Roussel, said.

"DISOBEYING" EUROPE?

A Harris Interactive poll from April 24-25 showed a united left garnering 33% of the legislative vote, the same as an alliance of Macron's party and the conservatives, though under the two-round system that could well translate into a majority of seats for the president.

The same poll put the far right on 31%, though at that end of the political spectrum, moves to build an alliance are less clear-cut, with members of the conservatives torn between wanting to join Macron's coalition, remain independent or gravitating towards Le Pen, who shares Melenchon's euroscepticism.

Adding the Socialist party, the former dominant force on the left, to his alliance also appears tricky, however.

Story continues

Negotiations between them and the LFI were briefly suspended last week, with their respective stances on the EU a major sticking point.

In Melenchon's deal with the Greens, the two parties said that, even if they agreed France should not exit the EU or abandon the euro, they were "ready to disobey European rules", including on budgets and competition issues.

Socialist party head Olivier Faure baulked at the idea. "We're not Frexiters," he said on Sunday. He did however agree that some EU some free-market policies needed reforming, and he and Melenchon were seen hugging during May Day demonstrations.

Melenchon served as a Socialist minister in the early 2000s but broke from the party in 2008 after failing to dilute its pro-EU stance. He also wants France to leave NATO.

His deal with the Greens includes plans to lower the retirement age to 60, raise the minimum wage and cap prices on essential products.

Suggesting Macron's allies were taking the threat from the left seriously, his lieutenants went on the attack on Monday.

"Selling yourself to France Insoumise, a europhobic and nationalist party, in exchange for a few constituencies says it all about the ideological collapse of the Greens," Pieyre-Alexandre Anglade, a lawmaker in Macron's party, tweeted.

(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel and John Stonestreet)
Ronkonkoma, New York --News Direct-- G6 Materials Corp.

G6 Materials Corp.

Ronkonkoma, New York, USA - TheNewswire - May 2, 2022 - G6 Materials Corp. (G6 or the Company) (TSXV:GGG) (OTC:GPHBF), a high-tech company with expertise in advanced materials and developing innovative composites for a wide range of industrial uses, is pleased to announce that it has filed its unaudited financial results for the third quarter of the fiscal year ending February 28, 2022, the highlights of which are included in this news release. The full set of Condensed Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis can be viewed by visiting G6s website at www.g6-materials.com or its profile page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Financial Highlights (all amounts expressed in US dollars unless otherwise noted)

Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results

Revenues were $337,921, an increase of 28% from the $263,425 reported for the third quarter of 2021.

Gross profit was $207,909, a 199% increase from the $69,432 reported for the previous three-month period, due to increased sales and improved management and cost allocation of inventory, partially offset by the increase in the shipping costs as a result of the pandemic effect.

Total expenses were $630,009, as compared to $476,373 for the third quarter of 2021, due to an increase in research and development expenses.

Comprehensive loss for the three-month period ended February 28, 2022 increased by 26% to $404,152, as compared to a comprehensive loss of $321,152 for the third quarter of 2021.

Nine Months Ended February 28, 2022 Financial Results:

Revenue for the nine-month period ended February 28, 2022 was $999,259, a 48% decrease from the $1,938,991 reported for the same period of 2021, which was primarily due to consulting services provided to third-party clients, the ongoing sale of the Companys air purification products and the receipt of a one-time payment as per the terms of a license and option agreement, all occurring in fiscal year 2021.

Gross profit for the nine-month period ended February 28, 2022 was $418,774, a 41% decrease from the $704,944 reported for the same period of the prior year, due to the same aforementioned reasons in 2021.

Total expenses for the nine-month period ended February 28, 2022 were $2,022,333, as compared to $1,308,452 for the same period of the prior year, primarily due to an increase in research and development expenses, office and administrative expenses, and professional fees.

Comprehensive loss for the nine-month period ended February 28, 2022 was $1,801,474, an increase of 239% as compared to a comprehensive loss of $531,146 reported for the same period of the prior year, which was primarily due to a combination of the reasons provided above.

As of February 28, 2022, total assets were $6,916,831, compared with $5,912,649 on May 31, 2021.

Story continues

Summary of Key Quarterly Financial Measures

(all amounts expressed in US dollars unless otherwise noted)

Quarter ended Feb 28, 2022 $ Quarter ended Feb 28, 2021 $ Nine Months ended Feb 28, 2022 $ Nine Months ended Feb 28, 2021 $ Revenue 337,921 263,425 999,259 1,938,991 Cost of goods sold (130,012) (193,993) (580,485) (1,234,047) Gross profit 207,909 69,432 418,774 704,944 Operating expenses (630,009) (476,373) (2,022,333) (1,308,452) Other income/ (expenses) - 83,300 - 83,300 Net income (loss) (422,100) (323,641) (1,603,559) (520,208) Comprehensive income (loss) (404,142) (321,152) (1,801,474) (531,146) Net income (loss) per share (basic and diluted) ($0.001) ($0.002) ($0.01) ($0.00)

Management Commentary

Daniel Stolyarov, President & Co-CEO of G6 Materials Corp. commented, We are pleased to report successful third quarter earnings, where we saw continued strong demand for our innovative formulations, along with impressive customer response to the relaunch of Graphene Supermarket. Together with the impending launch of our Breathe+ Pro medical grade air purifier product in the coming weeks, along with several major customer deals in the pipeline, we anticipate a very strong close to our fiscal year. Looking ahead, I am excited about the progress we are making in streamlining our operations, to scale up our manufacturing capacity to meet the growing demand for our products.

Business Highlights for the Three Months Ended February 28, 2022 and Subsequent Events:

New Base of Operations in California: On December 1, 2021, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Graphene Laboratories, Inc., opened a new location in Cerritos, California, that is used as a distribution center for the Companys products. In addition, the Company has also engaged the services of a California-based third-party logistics company to increase its distribution capacity.

ISO 9001 Certification: On December 14, 2021, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Graphene Laboratories, Inc., received ISO 9001 certification (ISO 9001) for its manufacturing facility in Ronkonkoma, New York.

Exclusive 5-Year Supply Agreement with Global Microconnector Company: On December 14, 2021, upon ISO 9001 Certification, G6 entered into a long-term supply contract with an established client in the design, manufacture and sale of flexible printed circuits. Pursuant to the terms and conditions of the agreement, G6 shall supply its products for a variety of smartcard applications.

Testing Services Agreement with the U.S. Army Engineer Research Development Center: On January 17, 2022, the Company announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Graphene Laboratories, Inc., had entered into a Testing Services Agreement with the U.S. Army Engineer Research Development Center in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Company will assess the ability of graphene oxide materials to solve environmental challenges through the adsorptive removal of contaminants.

Launch of Redesigned Website for Graphene Supermarket (GSM): On March 1, 2022, the Company announced the launch of its redesigned website for Graphene Supermarket (GSM) at www.graphene-supermarket.com. The redesigned website features an updated visual identity, along with an improved user interface and more streamlined and accessible website design experience for customers.

Expanded its Executive Leadership and Operations Team to Support the Company in its Next Phase of Growth: On March 21, 2022, the Company announced the expansion of its executive leadership and operations team to support the Company in its next phase of growth. Elena Polyakova had rejoined G6 as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Director, while Roman Rabinovich stepped down as a member of the Board of Directors. The Company also hired Scott Pelt as Financial Controller and Matthew Abenante, IRC as Head of Investor Relations.

About G6 Materials Corp.

G6 Materials Corp. is a high-tech company with expertise in advanced materials and developing innovative composites for a wide range of industrial uses. Graphene Laboratories Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of G6, sells a range of graphene-based products and other materials, including but not limited to conductive epoxies, high-performance composites, and R&D materials, with numerous customers from among the Fortune 500 list of companies, as well as NASA and leading universities. Graphene Laboratories Inc. is developing other innovative products including graphene-enhanced air purifiers and it plans to enter the global filtration market once all testing is complete and applicable government approvals are received.

G6 has identified new graphene-based applications to accelerate growth into the future. Accordingly, the Company has a valuable IP portfolio currently comprising five granted patents. The Companys management team and employees have a deep understanding of graphene technology based on decades of aggregate academic and commercial experience. Graphene Laboratories Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of G6 located in Ronkonkoma, New York, has established its premium research laboratory and scalable production facility is equipped with advanced analytical and material processing equipment.

The Companys e-commerce websites are listed below:

Conductive Epoxies: Adhesive materials distributed under the G6-EpoxyTM trade name and can be purchased at www.g6-epoxy.com

D Materials: Graphene Laboratories Inc. currently offers over 100 graphene and related products available at www.graphene-supermarket.com

Contact Details:

Commercial Inquiries:

Telephone: (631) 405-5113

Email: info@g6-materials.com

Investor Inquiries:

Matthew Abenante, IRC

Head of Investor Relations

Telephone: (631) 405-5114

Email: investors@g6-materials.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD: Daniel Stolyarov, President & Co-CEO

For more information on G6 Materials Corp., please visit www.G6-Materials.com or its profile page on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the applicable securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this news release includes but is not limited to information about the graphene-enhanced air purifier (including efficacy and potential commercialization thereof); information about the potential for the Companys long-term growth; the business goals and objectives of the Company, and other forward-looking information concerning the intentions, plans and future actions of the parties to the transactions described herein and the terms thereon.

The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the risk that actual results in commercial applications of the graphene-enhanced air purifier may differ significantly from the Test Results; the Test Results may not be accepted by applicable regulatory agencies required to approve commercialization of the graphene-enhanced air purifier; the Company may not receive required approvals from regulatory agencies to commercialize the graphene-enhanced air purifier; the Company may not achieve further stages of commercialization of the graphene-enhanced air purifier as anticipated, or at all; risks associated with adoption by industries of graphene-based products health and environmental factors affecting adoption of these technologies; the company may fail to obtain appropriate government approvals or accreditation related to the business operations and technological processes; the results of the tests being performed by an independent laboratory may be unsatisfactory and prevent the company from receiving government approvals and accreditations; the market conditions and demand for its product as well as the market prices of such products being developed by the company may change over time; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers, directors or promoters with certain other projects; competition; dilution; and the volatility of our common share price and volume.

The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law.

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: G6 Materials Corp.

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/g6-materials-reports-30-increase-in-revenue-199-increase-in-gross-profit-for-the-third-fiscal-quarter-of-2022-619852589
Conservative attorney George Conway threw some of Donald Trumps recent taunts back at him on Sunday after the former president appeared to forget who hed endorsed in Ohios U.S. Senate race.

His mind is shot. Can't imagine what Stormy did to him. Must have been really horrible. Sad! https://t.co/NVhkcUicZ2  George Conway (@gtconway3d) May 1, 2022

At a political rally in Nebraska on Sunday, Trump told attendees, Weve endorsed ... J.P.? Right? J.D. Mandel. And hes doing great.

The Ohio candidate Trump endorsed a little more than two weeks ago was actually J.D. Vance, a venture capitalist and the author of Hillbilly Elegy. Vance is running against Josh Mandel in the May 3 GOP primary.

Conways tweet echoed a statement released by Trump on Thursday that attacked Conway and his wife, Kellyanne Conway, who served as Trumps senior White House counselor until August 2020. George Conway is one of Trumps most prominent conservative critics and helped found the anti-Trump PAC The Lincoln Project.

Hes mentally ill, a very sick man, Trump wrote about George Conway in the statement. I dont know what Kellyanne did to him, but it must have been really bad. She has totally destroyed this guy  his mind is completely shot.

Conways return swipe referred to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, who claimed she had sex with Trump in 2006 and was bribed to stay quiet about it.

Trumps former fixer, attorney Michael Cohen, admitted to making hush money payments to Daniels and another woman on Trumps behalf before the 2016 election to prevent them from speaking out. Cohen later served time in prison on several charges, including campaign finance violations, in connection to those payments.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
A Georgia teacher who was accused of groping a student was allowed to return to work before he was arrested, according to WRDW.

Scott Hooker, 40, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of improper sexual content by an employee, sexual battery and simple battery. He was a teacher at Burke County High School in Augusta, according to WJBF.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

According to WRDW, Hooker was accused of groping a 16-year-old girl whose mother later reported the incident to police. The victim said that for two weeks, Hooker had been hugging her from behind and tugging her hair while she was at lunch. On March 25, he hugged her, causing his hands to rub across her breast area, according to an incident report.

Hooker was placed on paid administrative leave on March 29 pending results of the investigation.

After the conclusion of the investigation, he was told he could return to work on April 10.

TRENDING STORIES:

He was advised of the findings of the investigation, actions to be taken, and due process, the Burke County School District said in a statement.

The district said that on Monday, they got notification of an ongoing investigation and that Hooker may be facing criminal charges.

The employee was then instructed to work from home until further notice, the district said. That was his last day on campus.

He was arrested two days later.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Similar complaints were filed against Hooker in Feb. 2017 when he worked at Evans High School, though he was never charged, WRDW reported. Authorities were called again on April 2017.

He started teaching at Burke County High School in 2018.

According to the Burke County School System, hes entitled to due process before unpaid leave is imposed.

The school district would never knowingly compromise the safety and well-being of students, Superintendent Dr. Angela Williams said in a statement. Once the complaint was filed, the employee was immediately placed on administrative leave pending investigation and is not currently working on campus. We have cooperated fully with the appropriate governmental agencies in connection with this investigation and will continue to do so. Any additional information will be released by law enforcement.
BERLIN (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's comments to Italian television in which he suggested Adolf Hitler had Jewish origins are "absurd" propaganda, a German government spokesperson said on Monday.

During an interview with Rete 4 channel on Sunday, Lavrov was asked how Russia could say it needed to "denazify" Ukraine, when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was Jewish.

"I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it means nothing," Lavrov said via an interpreter, in comments that drew a sharp protest from Israel. [L5N2WU1A3]

The German government's anti-Semitism commissioner also decried the Russian foreign minister's remarks.

In comments to the Funke group of newspapers, Felix Klein said Lavrov's remarks "mock the victims of National Socialism in an unacceptable manner and shamelessly confront not only Jews but the entire international public with open anti-Semitism.

"Lavrov is cynically twisting victims and perpetrators of past and present."

(Reporting by Rachel MoreEditing by Paul Carrel, William Maclean)
BERLIN (Reuters) - Senegal, South Africa, India and Indonesia will be invited as guest countries to attend the G7 summit hosted by Germany in June , a German government spokesperson said on Monday.

(Reporting by Rachel More, Editing by Miranda Murray)
As Hartford police officers responded to a report of a shooting on Mather Street Sunday night, a man who had suffered gunshots wounds arrived at a local hospital, police said.

The victim, a male in his 30s who was not identified, was suffering from gunshot wounds that are believed to be non-life-threatening at this time, police said.

The officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Mather Street at about 6:47 p.m., police said. As the officers canvassed the area, evidence of gunfire was found, police said. While the officers were on scene, a victim arrived at an area hospital for treatment, police said. The hospital was not named.

Then, at about 8:03 p.m., officers were dispatched the 400 block of Park Street on a report of another shooting. The officers found a gunshot victim; the male in his 30s who also was not identified was taken to an area hospital, where he was listed in critical, but stable condition, police said.

The Hartford Police Major Crimes and Crime Scene Divisions responded and is investigating both incidents, police said.
The war in Ukraine has pushed the United States to expedite its investment in cybersecurity amid constant  though so far unrealized  warnings of Russian cyberattacks on government agencies, election systems and critical infrastructure.

Meanwhile, former President Obama is campaigning against the spread of disinformation after failing to fully appreciate the issue while in office.

This is Hillicon Valley, detailing all you need to know about tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Send tips to The Hills Rebecca Klar, Chris Mills Rodrigo and Ines Kagubare. Subscribe here.

Ukraine war expedites US cyber agenda

The war in Ukraine has pushed the United States to expedite its investment in cybersecurity amid constant  though so far unrealized  warnings of Russian cyberattacks on government agencies, election systems and critical infrastructure.

Following the invasion of Ukraine, federal agencies have invested millions in cyber technology, seized and sanctioned hacking forums, charged Russian cyber criminals, and issued almost weekly warnings on the latest threat risks.

Even lawmakers in Congress have stepped up their efforts, with the introduction of several cyber-related bills, and the passage of a new law requiring companies in critical sectors to report significant cyberattacks within 72 hours and ransomware payments within 24 hours.

The war in Ukraine is sort of a focusing event for getting some legislative initiative and momentum, and getting some public support that this is an issue that their representatives should care about, said Jason Blessing, a research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Read more here.

Obama campaigns against disinformation

When former President Obama gave an hourlong speech on disinformation last week, it wasnt just a one-off, sources around him say.

Those close to Obama said the speech was a particularly important one for him and explained why he devoted so much time to the topic.

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These big speeches are rare. He hasnt done a ton of these in the post-presidency, one source close to the former president said of the speech. Hes really trying to move the needle on it.

The source said he views the topic as falling under the umbrella of democracy and the speech was part of an ongoing conversation the former president plans to continue in the coming months.

Read more here.

RUSSIA TAKES NUANCED APPROACH TO CYBER

Russias approach to cyber warfare against Ukraine has proved more subtle so far than many expected.

This weeks Microsoft report on the operations reveals that Moscow-backed hackers have launched more than 200 cyberattacks against Ukraine, including nearly 40 destructive ones that targeted the countrys government organizations and critical sectors.

Cyber experts say the analysis suggests hidden depths to Russias cyber operations in Ukraine because although it has the capability to launch more damaging cyberattacks, it has chosen to inflict less harmful ones for the moment.

The Microsoft report illustrates the complicated, nuanced role of cyber operations in the Russian-Ukraine war, said Michael Daniel, president and CEO of Cyber Threat Alliance.

Read more here.

AMAZON WORKERS VOTE AGAINST UNIONIZATION

Workers at an Amazon facility in Staten Island, N.Y., have voted against unionizing, the first loss for a nascent campaign to organize the e-commerce giants American locations.

Of the roughly 1,600 workers at the LDJ5 sorting facility, 618 voted against being represented by the Amazon Labor Union. Three hundred and eighty voted to unionize, with two ballots determined to be void.

Were glad that our team at LDJ5 were able to have their voices heard, said Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel. We look forward to continuing to work directly together as we strive to make every day better for our employees.

Read more here.

TWITTER CEO FACES BACKLASH AFTER MUSK BUYOUT

Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal fielded heated feedback from employees during a Friday meeting over Elon Musk recent purchase of the company, according to Reuters.

The feedback came during an internal town hall, which Reuters gained access to.

Im tired of hearing about shareholder value and fiduciary duty. What are your honest thoughts about the very high likelihood that many employees will not have jobs after the deal closes? one Twitter employee asked Agrawal.

The CEO responded that the company always worked to care for employees and the impact its platform has on the world.

Read more here.

BITS & PIECES

An op-ed to chew on: Polling shows both sides of the aisle support reining in Big Tech

Lighter click: The things we take for granted

Notable links from around the web:

The Wikimedia Foundation has stopped accepting cryptocurrency donations (The Verge / Emma Roth)

ICE spends $7.2 million to increase facial recognition and location tracking of migrants (Insider / Caroline Haskins)

Grindr User Data Has Been for Sale for Years (The Wall Street Journal / Byron Tau and Georgia Wells)

Hacking Russia was off-limits. The Ukraine war made it a free-for-all (The Washington Post / Joseph Menn)

Nobody knows where the red line is for cyberwarfare (Bloomberg / Katrina Manson)

One last thing: Twitter fight

Elon Musk and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Friday got into a bizarre Twitter exchange after the latter posted a veiled tweet criticizing the tech billionaire.

The social media interaction came after Musk reached a deal earlier this week to buy Twitter for $44 billion.

Tired of having to collectively stress about what explosion of hate crimes is happening bc some billionaire with an ego problem unilaterally controls a massive communication platform and skews it because Tucker Carlson or Peter Thiel took him to dinner and made him feel special, the New York congresswoman wrote in a tweet.

Stop hitting on me, Im really shy, Musk tweeted back with a smiley face.

Read more here.

Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Technology and Cybersecurity pages for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow.

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Innovative and determined, Black people make waves across the world, and Britain is no exception. If youre a fan of the Notting Hill Carnival in London, thank Claudia Jones of Trinidad for making it possible. Not everybody knows about the carnivals origins, but its important to give credit where it is due.

To better appreciate Jones as the mother of the Notting Hill Carnival, it helps to know the broader history of Caribbean impact on Britain. After World War II, people from the Caribbean islands were recruited to help revive the British economy. The first wave of Caribbean immigrants arrived on the Empire Windrush in 1948, and other ships followed. These people were part of The Windrush Generation, and mostly hailed from Jamaica and Trinidad. They made their homes in Notting Hill and Brixton, and werent spared the effects of racism and xenophobia.

A member of The Windrush Generation herself, Jones saw the poor treatment of Caribbean immigrants when she got to London in the 1950s. According to Vogue, she witnessed racial tension and anti-immigration rhetoric as chants of no Blacks, no dogs, no Irish became a common anthem in Britain. She quickly took on the role of protector and advocate for the 100,000 strong Caribbean community in the capital.

Jones was an advocate for Black causes well before her arrival in the UK. While living in the US, she dared to challenge the establishment, which was a bold move in the McCarthy era. She published essays and lambasted racist systems like Jim Crow. As Jones often ran afoul of US law with her communist sympathies, the British colonial governor of Trinidad barred her from returning to the island. So she went to England, where she spent the rest of her life.

Vogue noted that in the summer of 1958, violent riots broke out on the streets of both Notting Hill and Nottingham, which lasted five nights over the bank holiday weekend. Instead of encouraging more violence, Jones created an event called The Caribbean Carnival. Her objective was to try and turn down the temperature of racial hostility and elevate Caribbean culture. She said that a peoples art is the genesis of their freedom, and in addition to creating the carnival, Jones pioneered the first Black British newspaper: The West Indian Gazette.

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The first Caribbean Carnival took place at St. Pancras Hall in 1959, and was held at other venues like it over the years. It became a street extravaganza in the 1960s; attracting throngs of locals and tourists who gravitated toward the music and feel- good vibes. Eventually, the event was called The Notting Hill Carnival. Sadly, Claudia Jones didnt see the fruits of her labor for long since she died in 1964. But she is a heroine of Black British history who deserves more recognition on both sides of the pond.

To commemorate the arrival of the first wave of Caribbean immigrants, Britain designated June 22 as Windrush Day. In 2020, the day took on added significance as thousands of Brits came out to protest the killing of George Floyd and the long-standing problem of police brutality.

It was a sobering reminder that racism is as much of an adversary now as it was decades ago.
Film crews set up lights outside a home on Edward Foster Road in Scituate, Monday, May 2, to shoot scenes for "Finestkind."

Two South Shore towns are ready for their closeup in the crime thriller Finestkind, which stars Tommy Lee Jones, Jenna Ortega, Ben Foster and Toby Wallace.

The production took over a home on Edward Foster Road near Peggotty Beach in Scituate to shoot scenes this weekend. No stars were seen outside in the seaside neighborhood Saturday morning, but yellow-and-black signs (sporting the code name Cruller) posted at intersections from Hanover to Scituate indicated an active film production.

Hollywood comes to Braintree: 'Boston Strangler' films at old Foster School

The Finestkind crew is a busy putting together pieces of rustic green steel to build a replica of the Tobin Bridge inside The Hangout at Union Point in Weymouth on April 20, 2022.

Signs hanging at Assinippi Center, the Route 3A rotary and New Kent Street directed cast and crew to the set. A security guard paced along the driveway of the home on Edward Foster Road, next to the Scituate Maritime Center, a fully operational boatyard and marina. The 3,684-square foot home has a wraparound porch, a three-car garage, a roof deck and a widows walk. A white catering tent and crew parking area were set up nearby on Inner Harbor Road.

Set amid the New Bedford fishing industry, Finestkind'' follows two estranged brothers (Foster and Wallace) who get tangled up with an organized crime syndicate in Boston while a young woman (Ortega) is caught in the crossfire. Along the way, sacrifices are made and the bonds between brothers, friends and a father (Jones) are tested.

A sign points toward the set of "Finestkind," a crime thriller being shot in Scituate, on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

Tobin Bridge replica in Weymouth

A few miles away in Weymouth, the Finestkind crew is also busy putting together pieces of rustic green steel to build a replica of the Tobin Bridge inside The Hangout, a 33,000-square-foot former fighter-jet hangar left over from Union Points previous life as the South Weymouth Naval Air Station. The bridge scenes will be filmed in front of a green screen.

'Don't Look Up': Ariana Grande concert scene filmed in Weymouth

At Union Point on Saturday, crew parking and basecamp placards were hung on light posts and telephone poles surrounding the area at 26 Memorial Ave. A large white catering tent was set up in the parking lot of The Hangout. About a dozen film production trucks and vans filled the parking lot. About a week ago, the outline of the bridge and rows of illuminated lights were visible to passersby through an open doorway and windows.

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Film crews set up lights outside a home on Edward Foster Road in Scituate, Monday, May 2, to shoot scenes for "Finestkind."

Director Adam McKay last used the hulking gray hangar to re-create Londons Wembley Stadium for his Oscar-nominated satire Dont Look Up. Other movies shot at The Hangout were the video-game blockbuster Free Guy, Mark Wahlbergs Patriots Day, Jake Gyllenhaals Stronger, Disneys Godmothered and Paul Feigs all-female reboot of Ghostbusters. Scituate has served as the backdrop for scenes from The Witches of Eastwick, Good Kids, Thoroughbreds and the Netflix movie The Sleepover.

Christmas movie: 'Spirited' starring Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, will shoot in Braintree

The majority of the filming for Finestkind will take place in the Whaling City with other stops in Fairhaven, Stoughton and Brockton. The production started in late April and will wrap up mid-June.

Signs direct films crews working on "Finestkind," a crime thriller being shot in Scituate, on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

Finestkind '' will debut on Paramount+ in late 2022. The movie was written and is being directed by Brian Helgeland, who was born in Providence and grew up in New Bedford. Helgeland won an Oscar for penning 1997s crime noir LA Confidential and wrote the screenplay for the Boston-set Mystic River. He also wrote and directed the Jackie Robinson biopic "42" with Chadwick Boseman and "Legend" with Tom Hardy.

Scituate to 'Selling Sunset': Emma Hernan stars in Netflix real estate reality series

The title of the film is Helgelands nod to New Bedford fishermen. The phrase finest kind was commonly used in New England fishing communities to mean the best. In a statement from Paramount+, Helgeland said he feels privileged to make this movie.

A sign points toward the set of "Finestkind," a crime thriller being shot in Scituate, on Saturday, April 30, 2022.

Having spent a year after college as a Massachusetts fisherman, I created a script that brings a level of authenticity by being able to weave in my own personal experiences, Helgeland said. I come from a long line of commercial fishermen and have experienced their hard-working world firsthand.

The film is being produced by Gary Foster and Russ Krasnoff of Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment.

Kendall Cooper Casting is filling roles for extras throughout the filming schedule. Go to https://www.kendallcooper.com/finestkind.html for more information.

More: New movie studio opens in Quincy's Marina Bay, scores deal to film Whitney Houston biopic

The stars of the crime drama "Finestkind" are, from left, Tommy Lee Jones, Ben Foster, Toby Wallace and Jenna Ortega.

More movies shot on the South Shore

Moviemaking is as busy as ever in the region. Finestkind is the latest high-profile project to film on the South Shore in recent months. Boston Strangler with Keira Knightley filmed scenes in a former elementary school in Braintree. The Christmas movie-musical "Spirited," which filmed scenes at the South Shore Plaza and stars Ryan Reynolds and Will Ferrell, will premiere on Apple TV+ this December. Ben Afflecks The Tender Bar filmed in a residential neighborhood in Braintree last year and can be streamed on Amazon Prime.

Hollywood takeover: Sprawling Cohasset estate turned into film set for 'Confess, Fletch'

Additional films to shoot on the South Shore in the past year include "Confess, Fletch," the crime-comedy reboot with Jon Hamm in the title role, and the Whitney Houston biopic "I Wanna Dance with Somebody," hitting theaters Dec. 23. Some scenes for the HBO Max series "Julia," about famed chef Julia Childs, were shot at Adams Shore Supermarket in Quincy.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. Please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription. Here is our latest offer.

Reach Dana Barbuto at dbarbuto@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Tommy Lee Jones drama 'Finestkind' shooting in Scituate, Weymouth
Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks speaks at a White House press briefing on March 1, 2021. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik

The Department of Homeland Security announced a "disinformation" board last week, prompting criticism.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said the board will not monitor US citizens.

He said it's a continuation of work DHS has been doing since before the Biden administration.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Sunday the agency could have done a better job communicating its newly announced Disinformation Governance Board.

The board was announced on Wednesday and is intended to counter misinformation that poses a national security concern, such as Russian disinformation or misinformation spread to migrants by smugglers.

"The spread of disinformation can affect border security, Americans' safety during disasters, and public trust in our democratic institutions," DHS said in a statement to The Associated Press.

The disinformation board drew swift criticism from conservatives, sparking concerns over policing speech. Some drew comparisons to the "Ministry of Truth" from George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984."

Mayorkas addressed some of those concerns in an interview on Sunday with NBC's "Meet the Press."

"We could have done a better job of communicating what it is and what it isn't," Mayorkas said of the board, adding that "it's a working group" that will look at best practices to address "disinformation that presents a threat to the security of our country" in way that doesn't "infringe on free speech" or "on civil liberties."

Those best practices will then be shared with US officials who have operational authority to combat such threats. He said the board itself will not have any "operational authority."

Host Chuck Todd asked about the controversial decision to have Nina Jankowicz lead the board. Jankowicz, a disinformation expert, has been accused of having a political bias.

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Mayorkas said she was an "eminently qualified individual" and a "recognized expert on battling the threat of disinformation that presents a threat to the security of our homeland from Russia, from China, from Iran, from the cartels."

Mayorkas also appeared on CNN to address concerns about the board and said it would not monitor American citizens, adding that it's a continuation of work Homeland Security has been doing since before the Biden administration.

Read the original article on Business Insider
May 2Honolulu Ocean Safety rescued a 28-year-old paddler this morning in waters off Lanikai Beach.

According to an email from the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, the Kailua man's Outrigger canoe broke off and flipped over after hitting the reef.

A 911 call alerted Ocean Safety and lifeguards to the paddler in trouble. At 9 a.m., rescuers brought the man to safety, while his canoe washed onto the shore, EMS said.

No injuries were reported. No other details were immediately available.
A coalition of 25 human rights organizations on Monday called on the United Nations to condemn Russias imprisonment of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a journalist, activist and Kremlin critic who is being held for speaking out against the war in Ukraine.

The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy called on U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to make public comments condemning Kara-Murzas detention.

The U.N. has so far not released a public statement condemning the activists imprisonment last month.

These charges are spurious and aim only to silence dissent inside Russia. They reflect the Putin regimes fear of the truth, the coalition said in its statement.

Russia jailed Kara-Murza in late April on charges related to a March 15 speech to the Arizona House of Representatives, in which he is alleged to have denounced the war in Ukraine. He is being held in pre-trial detention until June 12.

Arizona officials who met with Kara-Murza during that trip praised the dissident. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) called the charges against the Russian activist abhorrent and disturbing.

A freedom fighter through and through, I was honored to meet Kara-Murza just last month, Ducey tweeted last month.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, in what it called a special military operation, the Russian Parliament created a new law imposing up to 15 years of imprisonment for anyone who spreads fake news about the war in Ukraine or Russias army.

Russia also opened criminal cases against journalists Ilya Krasilshchik and Maria Ponomarenko over similar charges.

Kara-Murza is a former associate of late Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. He has been an outspoken critic of the Kremlin for years and has survived being poisoned in both 2015 and 2017.

Before his arrest, Kara-Murza was speaking out actively against Russian disinformation and propaganda.

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On April 10, the activist spoke to MSNBC about Russias war of censorship amid the ongoing offensive in Ukraine, saying independent news sites were being shut down en masse and all signs of dissent were being suppressed.

This is the reality of [Russian President] Vladimir Putins Russia in 2022. This is really George Orwells 1984 come to life, Kara-Murza said in reference to the 1949 book about a dystopian society. Its a total blackout, its a total iron curtain that has descended on us here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HUNTER LASHES OUT - Hunter Biden ripped David Axelrod in a 2015 email for allegedly telling then-Vice President Biden not to run for president in 2016. Continue reading 

NEW EVIDENCE - A missing teen who turned up dead on a San Francisco street months ago might have been sexually assaulted when she died of a drug overdose. Continue reading 

MANCHIN CROSSES PARTY LINE - Sen. Joe Manchin appeared in a Republican primary ad defending Rep. David McKinley against the claim that he had supported President Biden's Build Back Better agenda. Continue reading 

BOULDER PD - The Boulder Police Department responded to John Ramsey, father of murdered JonBenet Ramsey, to allow an independent agency to test DNA. Continue reading 

ANTIFA BREAKS UP RALLY - Antifa allegedly assaulted Portland GOP rallygoers as understaffed police struggled to respond in a timely manner. Continue reading 

NO CRISIS GO TO WASTE - A top Biden official said Sunday that the global food shortage crisis would push farmers toward relying on more green energy. Continue reading 

TREY GOWDY  Fox host told the media that Americans aren't focused on the leaked tapes of Kevin McCarthy despite the media obsession. Continue reading 

MARK LEVIN  Fox host went on a blistering tirade against the Democratic Party for their "war against Donald Trump." Continue reading 

STEVE HILTON  Fox host blasted DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas after he insisted that the Biden administration has effectively managed the border crisis. Continue reading 

TASK FORCE KLEPTOCAPTURE Schumer says U.S. should seize, sell yachts, mansions, and other Russian oligarchs' assets, then send Ukraine the proceeds. Continue reading 

CUTTING OUT PARENTS - A legal group sought answers if a school district violated student privacy rights for surveys on sexual orientation, parents' political beliefs. Continue reading 



WITCH HUNT CULTURE  MSNBCs Joy Reid and Vice News reporter Paola Ramos slammed the "witch hunt culture" of GOP bills to ban abortion, CRT promotion and gender and sexuality instruction to young children. Continue reading 

Story continues

WHITE MALE OBSESSION  Time magazines Charlotte Alter dismissed Elon Musks quest for free speech on Twitter as a white male "obsession." Continue reading 

GROSS HUMOR -Karol Markowicz said it was "gross" to watch Biden laugh off jokes on the high prices of gas and food, which are "affecting regular Americans not attending fancy black tie dinners." Continue reading 

LEFT DOMINATION - WSJ's Jason Riley claims the Left won't be satisfied until they have 'total dominion' over everything. Continue reading 

PATRICK ELLIOTT - The Supreme Court could fumble a major case with a former high school football coach who sought to impose prayer on his players. Continue reading 



ELI STEELE - Lifelong Los Angeles resident recounts what she witnessed as a child on the 30th anniversary of the Los Angeles riots. Continue reading 

ANDREW MOROZ - My time in Ukraine has confirmed one thing I already knew  the spirit of Ukraine and her people will never be broken. Continue reading 

DR. ALVEDA KING - I realize in America today, so many people are sensitive about ethnic and cultural identification, and we equate skin color with race all too often. Continue reading 

JIM GILMORE - The consistent message of every person I met in Ukraine was that Ukrainians are not Russian and would never be made into Russians even if conquered. Continue reading 

FENTANYL FAMILIES TALK TEST STRIPS - Families who have lost kids to fentanyl share mixed feelings about today's test strips. Continue reading 

AMBER HEARD TAKES THE STAND - Actress Amber Heard is slated to testify in Johnny Depps explosive $50 million defamation trial. Continue reading 

READY TO START HITTING  After the Houston Texans picked Derek Stingley Jr., he was ready to start work and said he was going to give it his all. Continue reading 

GIVEN THE BOOT- Meghan Markles animated Netflix series "Pearl" was dropped during development, a report said. Continue reading 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TRAVIS - On Saturday, reality TV star and makeup mogul Kylie Jenner took to her Instagram story and commemorated Travis Scott's birthday. Continue reading 

Whats it looking like in your neighborhood? Continue reading

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JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Millions of Muslims in Indonesia returned to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in full swing Monday after two years of subdued festivities due to pandemic restrictions and travel curbs.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the Islamic holy month Ramadan, when the faithful fast from dawn to dusk.

The return of the Eid tradition of homecoming has caused great excitement for people in the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country, as family gatherings and meet-ups with friends were on peoples lists while shoppers flocked shopping centers despite surges in food prices.

In the past week, millions of Indonesians have crammed into trains, ferries, busses and  in greater numbers than ever  motorcycles, as they poured out of major cities to return to their villages to celebrate the holiday with families amid severe traffic congestion starting to occur on major thoroughfares across the country.

Flights were overbooked and anxious relatives weighed down with boxes of gifts formed long lines at bus stations for journeys that can take days.

The annual exodus tradition, known locally as mudik, returned this year after President Joko Widodo surprisingly announced last month that the government decided to ease restrictions for the holiday festivities for the first time since it was banned two years ago due to COVID-19.

The country had largely recovered from a third wave of COVID-19 infections as an omicron-driven surge peaked at around 64,700 daily cases in mid-February. New daily infections had fallen to around 200 by May. About 80% of Indonesias eligible population of 208.2 million people have been fully vaccinated as of Sunday.

The government estimates around 85 million travelers were expected to crisscross the vast archipelago that spans 17,000 islands for Eid al-Fitr this year, with about 14 million travelers departing from Jakartas greater metropolitan area. This is significantly higher than pre-pandemic, when some 30 million people participated in the annual exodus tradition.

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Worshippers wearing masks joined communal prayers shoulder-to-shoulder without physical distancing in the streets of Indonesias capital, Jakarta, and in mosques across the city.

In Jakartas Istiqlal Grand Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, tens of thousands of Muslims attend prayers after authorities shuttered the mosque in 2020, when Islams holiest period coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The Istiqlal mosque was totally closed during 2020 and remained closed for congregational prayers in 2021.

Words cant describe how happy I am today. After two years we were separated by pandemic, today we can do Eid prayer together again, said Epi Tanjung, a resident in Jakarta. Hopefully all of these will make us more faithful, he said after worshiping with his wife at Jakartas Al Azhar mosque where Muslims were seen embracing one another after prayers.

Despite soaring food prices in the past month, popular markets such as Tanah Abang in Jakarta were teeming with shoppers buying clothes, shoes, cookies and sweets before the holiday. Security personnel were overwhelmed by thousands of shoppers and traders who ignored health protocols.

The Trade Ministry has said that prices of imported staple foods including wheat, sugar, beef and soybeans had seen the sharpest year-on-year rise in 2022 as a result of rising global commodity prices and supply chain disruptions, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Prices may go higher as loosened pandemic restrictions coupled with the Eid al-Fitr festivities and the end of the Ramadan fasting month increase domestic food demand.

Food prices, which are getting higher day by day, certainly affected my life, said Aneke Karolina, a mother of two in Jakarta.

"But falling trust in government makes it harder, as this is an annual problem ahead of Eid, she said, adding that she hopes the prices would return to normal as they have in the past after the holiday celebration's end.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  The Taliban members who killed her activist husband offered Zahra Husseini a deal: Marry one of us, and you'll be safe.

Husseini, 31, decided to flee. Through swaths of lawless flatlands she and her two small children trekked by foot, motorcycle and truck until reaching Iran.

As Afghanistan plunged into economic crisis after the United States withdrew troops and the Taliban seized power, the 960-kilometer (572-mile) long border with Iran became a lifeline for Afghans who piled into smugglers pickups in desperate search of money and work.

But in recent weeks the desert crossing, long a dangerous corner of the world, has become a growing source of tension as an estimated 5,000 Afghans traverse it each day and the neighbors  erstwhile enemies that trade fuel, share water and have a tortured history  navigate an increasingly charged relationship.

In past weeks, skirmishes erupted between Taliban and Iranian border guards. Afghans in three cities rallied against Iran. Demonstrators hurled stones and set fires outside an Iranian Consulate. A fatal stabbing spree, allegedly by an Afghan migrant, at Iran's holiest shrine sent shockwaves through the country.

Political analysts say even as both nations do not want an escalation, long-smoldering hostilities risk spiraling out of control.

You have one of the worlds worst-simmering refugee crises just chugging along on a daily pace and historical enmity, said Andrew Watkins, senior Afghanistan expert at the United States Institute of Peace. Earthquakes will happen."

The perils are personal for Afghans slipping across the border like Husseini. Since the Taliban takeover, Iran has escalated its deportations of Afghan migrants, according to the U.N. migration agency, warning that its sanctions-hit economy cannot handle the influx.

In the first three months of this year, Iran's deportations jumped 60% each month, said Ashley Carl, deputy chief of the agency's Afghanistan mission. Many of the 251,000 returned from Iran this year bear the wounds and scars of the arduous trip, he said, surviving car accidents, gunshots and other travails.

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Roshangol Hakimi, a 35-year-old who fled to Iran after the Taliban takeover, said smugglers held her and her 9-year-old daughter hostage over a week until her relatives paid ransom.

"They would feed us with polluted water and hard, stale bread, she said. We were dying.

The lucky ones land in the jumble of Tehran, squeezing into dank and crowded alleyways. Iran estimates at least a million Afghans have sought refuge in the country over the last eight months.

Like many, Husseini lives in legal limbo, vulnerable to harassment and exploitation. Her boss at the tailors shop refuses to pay her salary. Her landlord threatens to kick her out. She can barely cobble together enough cash to feed her children.

We have nothing and nowhere to go, she said from a cramped room in southern Tehran, furnished with just a donated gas heater, chairs and a few velour blankets.

As more Afghans arrive, helping them gets harder. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh lamented last month that waves of displaced Afghans cannot continue to Iran because Irans capacities are limited. Iran's youth unemployment hovers over 23%. Irans currency, the rial, has shriveled to less than 50% of its value since 2018.

The biggest challenge is that Iran is not ready for the new situation of refugees," Tehran-based political analyst Rea Ghobeishavi said of the increasing friction between Afghans and Iranians.

Iran has grown more anxious as a string of bloody attacks in Afghanistan targeting the country's minority Hazara Shiites makes clear that extremist threats proliferate despite Taliban promises to provide security.

There are reports that some extremists are entering Iran easily with refugees, said Abbas Husseini, a prominent Afghan journalist in Tehran, describing mounting paranoia in Iran.

Last month, Irans most sacred Shiite shrine in the northeastern city of Mashhad turned into a scene of carnage when an assailant stabbed three clerics, killing two  a rare act of violence at the compound. The attacker was identified in media as an Afghan national of Uzbek ethnicity.

In the following days, a surge of videos agitating against Afghan refugees flooded Iranian social media. Impossible to authenticate, the grainy clips  footage showing Iranians insulting and beating up Afghans  have been dismissed as misleading in Iran but in Afghanistan have dominated headlines, stoking public fury.

Demonstrators attacked the Iranian Consulate in the western city of Herat with stones and protested at Iran's Embassy in Kabul. Stop killing Afghans," pleaded protesters in the Afghan capital. Death to Iran," chanted crowds in Herat and the southeastern Khost province. Iran suspended all of its diplomatic missions in Afghanistan for 10 days.

Even as the gate of its consulate smoldered, Irans special envoy for Afghanistan deflected. Hassan Kazemi Qomi blamed the escalating tensions on a vague enemy" seeking to subvert the nations' relations. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi raised his concerns with the Iranian ambassador.

The ill-treatment of Afghan refugees in Iran adversely affects relations between the two countries ... allowing antagonists to conspire, Muttaqi was quoted as saying.

His careful tone betrays a troubled history.

In 1998, Iran nearly went to war against the Taliban after 10 of its diplomats were killed when their consulate was stormed in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. But after the U.S.-led invasion, Tehran's Shiite leaders grew wary of the American military presence on their doorstep and took a more pragmatic stance toward the Sunni militant group.

Now, analysts say, with both nations severed from the global banking system and starved for cash, they have come to depend on each other. Neither wants to see tensions mount further.

Through neighbors, Iran can sanctions-bust, exchange currency, barter and keep its economy alive, said Sanam Vakil, deputy director of Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa Program.

But the neighbors nearly came to blows last week when Taliban guards tried to pave a new road across the border. Iranian guards went on high alert. The vital crossing closed.

Aware of the stakes, the countries are vigorously pursuing diplomacy. Last week, Khatibzadeh promised Tehran would accredit Taliban diplomats for the first time to help process the mountains of consular cases. Taliban officials visited the capital to discuss Iran's treatment of Afghan refugees.

Many of those refugees fleeing Afghanistan's repression and destitution harbor humble dreams: of scraping by as construction laborers, factory workers and farmhands in Iran.

Others, like Hakimi's 9-year-old daughter Yasmin, hope to continue on to Europe. She fantasizes about Germany. Her father, a police officer killed by the Taliban in Logar province, instilled in her the importance of an education, she said.

We dont want to have a bad future, Yasmin said from her dilapidated Tehran apartment. We want to become literate people, like my father.

___

DeBre reported from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
By Crispian Balmer

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel lambasted Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday for claiming Adolf Hitler had Jewish origins, saying it was an "unforgivable" falsehood that debased the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust.

Leaders from several Western nations denounced the foreign minister's comments and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of having forgotten the lessons of World War Two.

In a sign of sharply deteriorating relations with Moscow, the Israeli foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador and demanded an apology.

"Such lies are intended to accuse the Jews themselves of the most horrific crimes in history that were committed against them," Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement.

"The use of the Holocaust of the Jewish people for political purposes must stop immediately," he added.

Lavrov made the assertion on Italian television on Sunday when he was asked why Russia said it needed to "denazify" Ukraine if the country's own president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, was himself Jewish.

"When they say 'What sort of nazification is this if we are Jews', well I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it means nothing," Lavrov told Rete 4 channel, speaking through an Italian interpreter.

"For a long time now we've been hearing the wise Jewish people say that the biggest anti-Semites are the Jews themselves," he added.

Zelenskiy, in his nightly video message, noted Moscow has been silent since Lavrov's comments. "This means that the Russian leadership has forgotten all the lessons of World War Two," he said. "Or perhaps they have never learned those lessons."

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken weighed in later on the comments by his Russian counterpart saying it was "incumbent on the world to speak out against such vile, dangerous rhetoric."

The German government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, said Lavrov's remarks mocked the victims of Nazism and "shamelessly confront not only Jews but the entire international public with open anti-Semitism."

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Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi called the top Russian diplomat's comments obscene, while Canada's Justin Trudeau expressed disbelief.

Dani Dayan, chairman of Yad Vashem, Israel's memorial to the 6 million Jews killed in the Holocaust, said the Russian minister was spreading "an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory with no basis in fact".

The identity of one of Hitler's grandfathers is not known but there has been some speculation, never backed up by any evidence, that he might have been a Jew.

There was no immediate response to requests for comment from the Russian embassy to Israel or from Lavrov in Moscow.

STRAINED RELATIONS

Israeli Foreign Ministry Yair Lapid, whose grandfather died in the Holocaust, said accusing Jews of being anti-Semites was "the basest level of racism". He dismissed Lavrov's assertion that pro-Nazi elements held sway over the Ukrainian government and military.

"The Ukrainians aren't Nazis. Only the Nazis were Nazis and only they dealt with the systematic destruction of the Jewish people," Lapid told the YNet news website.

Israel has expressed support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion in February. But wary of straining relations with Russia, a powerbroker in neighbouring Syria, it initially avoided direct criticism of Moscow and has not enforced formal sanctions on Russian oligarchs.

However, relations have grown more strained, with Lapid last month accusing Russia of committing war crimes in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president has also run into flak in Israel by looking to draw analogies between the conflict in his country and World War Two. In an address to the Israeli parliament in March, Zelenskiy compared the Russian offensive in Ukraine to Nazi Germany's plan to murder all Jews within its reach during World War Two.

(Additional reporting by Dan Williams in Jerusalem, Valentina Za in Milan and Pavel Polityuk and Oleksandr Kozhukhar in Ukraine; Doina Chiacu in Washington; Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Jeffrey Heller, Bernadette Baum, Richard Pullin and Lincoln Feast)
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Israel on Monday lashed out at Russia over unforgivable comments by its foreign minister about Nazism and antisemitism  including claims that Adolf Hitler was Jewish. Israel, which summoned the Russian ambassador in response, said the remarks blamed Jews for their own murder in the Holocaust.

It was a steep decline in the ties between the two countries at a time when Israel has sought to stake out a cautious position between Russia and Ukraine and remain in Russias good stead for its security needs in the Middle East.

Asked in an interview with an Italian news channel about Russian claims that it invaded Ukraine to denazify the country, Sergey Lavrov said that Ukraine could still have Nazi elements even if some figures, including the countrys president, were Jewish.

So when they say How can Nazification exist if were Jewish? In my opinion, Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it doesnt mean absolutely anything. For some time we have heard from the Jewish people that the biggest antisemites were Jewish," he said, speaking to the station in Russian, dubbed over by an Italian translation.

In some of the harshest remarks since the start of the war in Ukraine, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called Lavrov's statement unforgivable and scandalous and a horrible historical error.

The Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust, said Lapid, the son of a Holocaust survivor. The lowest level of racism against Jews is to blame Jews themselves for antisemitism.

Later, Lapid said Israel makes every effort to have good relations with Russia. "But there's a limit and this limit has been crossed this time. The government of Russia needs to apologize to us and to the Jewish people, he said.

An Israeli official confirmed late Monday that Russia's ambassador, Anatoly Viktorov, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss a diplomatic matter, said that Israel stated its position and that the sides agreed not to elaborate.

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Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who has been more measured in his criticism of Russia's invasion, also condemned Lavrov's comments.

His words are untrue and their intentions are wrong, he said. Using the Holocaust of the Jewish people as a political tool must cease immediately."

Israels Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem called the remarks absurd, delusional, dangerous and deserving of condemnation.

Lavrov is propagating the inversion of the Holocaust  turning the victims into the criminals on the basis of promoting a completely unfounded claim that Hitler was of Jewish descent, it said in a statement.

Equally serious is calling the Ukrainians in general, and President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy in particular, Nazis. This, among other things, is a complete distortion of the history and an affront to the victims of Nazism.

In Germany, government spokesman Steffen Hebstreit said the Russian governments propaganda efforts werent worthy of comment, calling them absurd.

Nazism has featured prominently in Russias war aims and narrative as it fights in Ukraine. In his bid to legitimize the war to Russian citizens, President Vladimir Putin has portrayed the battle as a struggle against Nazis in Ukraine, even though the country has a democratically elected government and a Jewish president whose relatives were killed in the Holocaust.

Ukraine also condemned Lavrov's remarks.

By trying to rewrite history, Moscow is simply looking for arguments to justify the mass murders of Ukrainians, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak tweeted. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Lavrov's remarks exposed the deeply-rooted antisemitism of the Russian elites.

World War II, in which the Soviet Union lost an estimated 27 million people and helped defeat Nazi Germany, is a linchpin of Russias national identity. Repeatedly reaching for the historical narrative that places Russia as a savior against evil forces has helped the Kremlin rally Russians around the war.

Israel gained independence in the wake of the Holocaust and has served as a refuge for the world's Jews. Over 70 years later, the Holocaust remains central to its national ethos and it has positioned itself at the center of global efforts to remember the Holocaust and combat antisemitism. Israel is home to a shrinking population of 165,000 Holocaust survivors, most in their 80s and 90s, and last week the country marked its annual Holocaust memorial day.

But those aims sometimes clash with its other national interests. Russia has a military presence in neighboring Syria, and Israel, which carries out frequent strikes on enemy targets in the country, relies on Russia for security coordination to prevent their forces from coming into conflict with one another. That has forced Israel to tread lightly in its criticism of the war in Ukraine.

While it has sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine and expressed support for its people, Israel has been measured in its criticism of Russia. It has not joined international sanctions against Russia or provided military aid to Ukraine.

That paved the way for Bennett to be able to try to mediate between the sides, an effort which appears to have stalled as Israel deals with its own internal unrest.

The Holocaust and the constant manipulation of its history during the conflict has sparked outrage in Israel before.

In a speech to Israeli legislators in March, Zelenskyy compared Russias invasion of his country to the actions of Nazi Germany, accusing Putin of trying to carry out a final solution against Ukraine. The comparisons drew an angry condemnation from Yad Vashem, which said Zelenskyy was trivializing the Holocaust.

___

Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome and Frank Jordans in Berlin contributed to this report.
A composite image of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Nazi leader Adolph Hitler. Sergei Ilnitsky/Getty Images; Hulton Archive/Getty

Top Israeli officials slammed Sergey Lavrov for suggesting that Hitler may have been Jewish.

Lavrov, Russia's top diplomat, made the debunked suggestion during an interview over the weekend.

Lavrov was seeking to defend Russia's ahistorical defense of its war as "de-Nazifying" Ukraine.

Top Israeli and Ukrainian officials slammed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday for his false suggestion that Adolf Hitler might have been Jewish, causing a diplomatic rift with a country that has so far refused to sanction Russia.

"Such lies are intended to accuse the Jews themselves of the most horrific crimes in history that were committed against them," Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a statement.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid called Lavrov's comments "unforgivable" and an example of "the lowest form of racism." Reuters reported that Israel summoned Russia's ambassador to Israel for formal admonishment, a sign of outrage over Lavrov's statement.

"Foreign Minister Lavrov's remarks are both an unforgivable and outrageous statement as well as a terrible historical error. Jews did not murder themselves in the Holocaust," Lapid wrote on Twitter. "The lowest level of racism against Jews is to accuse Jews themselves of antisemitism."

Lavrov's comments came during an interview Rete 4 channel, an Italian news outlet, over the weekend. He was asked to defend Russian President Vladimir Putin's ahistorical and false suggestion that Russia could defend its war in Ukraine under the banner of "de-Nazifying" the country. The interviewer also pointed out that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is Jewish.

"When they say 'What sort of nazification is this if we are Jews', well I think that Hitler also had Jewish origins, so it means nothing," Lavrov said, speaking through an Italian interpreter, Reuters reports.

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The claim that Hitler, the leader of the Holocaust that killed six million Jews, is Jewish himself is a debunked conspiracy theory traced back to claims Hitler's personal attorney made in a memoir published after both men had died. Historians who have looked into Hitler's lineage have found no proof of it.

Ukrainian officials also harshly condemned Lavrov's comments.

"FM Lavrov could not help hiding the deeply-rooted antisemitism of the Russian elites," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter. "His heinous remarks are offensive to President @ZelenskyyUa, Ukraine, Israel, and the Jewish people. More broadly, they demonstrate that today's Russia is full of hatred towards other nations."

Israel has taken a far more cautious approach to the Ukraine war than its Western allies thus far. The Israeli government has offered rhetorical and humanitarian support to Ukraine, while taking in Ukrainian refugees and condemning Russia's invasion in the UN. But Israel has also refused to sanction Russia or provide weapons to Kyiv.

Israel's reluctance to take a hardline stance against Moscow on the Ukraine war is tied to its security concerns in Syria, where it coordinates with the Russian military to conduct strikes on Iranian targets.

Israel is a rare example of a country with relatively amicable relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, and since the Ukraine war began Bennett has offered to help broker peace talks.

Lavrov drawing Israel's ire with his Hitler comments risks alienating one of the few countries with strong ties to Washington that has not joined the West in imposing crippling economic sanctions on Russia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol is seeking voluntary testimony from three additional members of Congress who appeared to have some coordination with rioters and efforts to block President Bidens electoral victory both before and after the attack.

The letter to Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) notes that former President Trump asked him to help keep him in office even after Jan. 6.

A letter to Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) references his involvement in discussions to secure presidential pardons in connection with efforts to unwind the 2020 election. It also focuses on his involvement in planning for Jan. 6, both in meetings at the White House and with Stop the Steal organizers, and his coordination with state legislators.

And a letter to Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Trumps former White House doctor, points to exchanges between members of the far-right Oath Keepers militia group citing the need to protect the lawmaker.

The Select Committee has learned that several of our colleagues have information relevant to our investigation into the facts, circumstances, and causes of January 6th. As we work to provide answers to the American people about that day, we consider it a patriotic duty for all witnesses to cooperate, Chair Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) and Vice Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said in a joint statement.

We urge our colleagues to join the hundreds of individuals who have shared information with the Select Committee to get to the bottom of what happened on Jan. 6.

Neither Biggs nor Brooks immediately responded to request for comment.

The committee has already asked three other Republican lawmakers to appear before the panel  Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) and Reps. Jim Jordan (Ohio) and Scott Perry (Pa.)  but all have rebuffed the committee.

The interest in Biggs follows a series of reporting that has identified him as being involved at nearly every level in efforts to keep Trump in office. Ali Alexander, a Stop the Steal organizer who has already spoken with the panel, identified Biggs as well as Brooks and Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) as being among those who schemed up [the idea] of putting maximum pressure on Congress while they were voting.

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But the letter points to new testimony in seeking out the Arizona lawmaker.

Recent information from former White House personnel has identified an effort by certain House Republicans after Jan. 6 to seek a presidential pardon for activities taken in connection with President Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Your name was identified as a potential participant in that effort, the committee wrote in its letter to Biggs.

We would like to understand all the details of the request for a pardon, more specific reasons why a pardon was sought, and the scope of the proposed pardon.

Texts former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows provided to the committee as well as the testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson, a former special assistant to the president and Meadows, also broke down involvement from Biggs at a number of meetings to discuss Trump campaign efforts, including legal theories like blocking the certification of votes.

Biggs also texted Meadows about the idea of having states send alternate electors.

While the committee doesnt specify its line of questioning for Biggs, it notably points to a recent court decision in which a judge determined such methods were likely illegal and ordered the Trump campaign attorney who drafted the strategy to release his communications to the committee.

Meanwhile, the scrutiny of Jackson comes after a court filing in a case against a member of the Oath Keepers, which highlighted evidence showing members of the militia group were texting as the riot was unfolding, with one member alarmed that Jackson needed protection.

One of those messages said that Jackson had critical data to protect.

It is evident from the exchange above that the individuals believed the violence in the Capitol would threaten the lives and safety of Members of Congress. And the exchanges above raise several specific questions for you: Why would these individuals have an interest in your specific location? Why would they believe you have critical data to protect? Why would they direct their members to protect your personal safety? With whom did you speak by cell phone that day? the committee asks.

Several members of the Oath Keepers have since been charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the attack. Other information in the filing went into further detail about the extent they also sought roles as personal protection staff for various speakers at the rally that preceded it.

The committee notes that Jackson attended the rally near the White House before the march to the Capitol.

We would like to discuss how and when you returned from the Ellipse to the Capitol, and the contacts you had with participants in the rally or the subsequent march from the Ellipse to the Capitol, the panel wrote.

Jackson said Monday he would not cooperate with the panel.

Yet again, the illegitimate January 6 Committee proves its agenda is malicious and not substantive. It speaks volumes that the Committee would choose to share its letter with the media before it was shared with me. I do not know, nor did I have contact with, those who exchanged text messages about me on January 6. In fact, I was proud to help defend the House Floor from those who posed a threat to my colleagues, Jackson said in a statement calling the committee a political tool against conservatives they do not like.

For these reasons, I will not participate in the illegitimate Committees ruthless crusade against President Trump and his allies.

Brooks, in conversations with reporters, has not ruled out speaking with the panel after losing an endorsement from Trump in his Alabama Senate race.

The revelation from Brooks that Trump continued to pressure lawmakers to block Biden from taking office even after the events of Jan. 6 came in March, shortly after the dis-endorsement.

President Trump asked me to rescind the 2020 elections, immediately remove Joe Biden from the White House, immediately put President Trump back in the White House, and hold a new special election for the presidency. As a lawyer, Ive repeatedly advised President Trump that January 6 was the final election contest verdict and neither the U.S. Constitution nor the U.S. Code permit what President Trump asks. Period, Brooks said in a statement.

The committees letter focuses narrowly on that exchange.

The exchange you have disclosed with the former President is directly relevant to the subject of our inquiry, and it appears to provide additional evidence of President Trumps intent to restore himself to power through unlawful means, they wrote.

Updated: 1:30 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Japanese energy conglomerate ENEOS Holdings said Monday it will withdraw from a gas project in coup-hit Myanmar, days after its Thai and Malaysian partners announced they would pull out.

ENEOS is the latest energy giant to retreat from the Southeast Asian country, whose military has waged a widespread crackdown on dissent since it ousted and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi last year.

The company is involved in the Yetagun project off southern Myanmar along with the Japanese government and Mitsubishi Corporation.

Together they hold a 19.3 percent stake in the gas field, which has been operational for two decades.

ENEOS said it had "decided to withdraw after discussions taking into consideration the country's current situation, including the social issues, and project economics based on the technical evaluation of Yetagun gas fields".

"This withdrawal will be effective after approval from the Myanmar government," it added in a statement.

An official at Japan's natural resources and energy agency told AFP that the government "takes the same position" as ENEOS, noting the Yetagun project has experienced a reduction in output over the past decade.

Malaysia's Petronas and Thailand's oil and gas conglomerate PTTEP also announced their withdrawal on Friday. Petronas subsidiary Carigali holds a roughly 41 percent stake in the Yetagun project, while PTTEP owns 19.3 percent.

More than 1,800 civilians have died in Myanmar during the military crackdown and more than 13,000 have been arrested, according to a local monitoring group.

With the economy tanking and pressure mounting from rights groups, companies from France's TotalEnergies to British American Tobacco and Norway's Telenor have upped sticks.

Tokyo is a major provider of economic assistance to Myanmar, and the government has long-standing relations with the country's military.

After the coup, Japan announced it would halt all new aid, though it stopped short of imposing individual sanctions on military and police commanders.

hih-kaf/dan
JD Vance and Donald Trump shake hands

Once considered a literary darling for his bestselling 2016 memoir-turned-film Hillbilly Elegy, author JD Vance had previously described President Donald Trump as "reprehensible" and his policy proposals as ranging from "immoral to absurd".

Now, with an endorsement from Mr Trump, Mr Vance has won the race to become the Republican candidate for the US Senate seat from the key state of Ohio.

But how did a child of the hardscrabble Appalachians-turned-US Marine, Yale Law graduate and venture capitalist become such a controversial political figure?

The story of James David Bowman, later Vance, began in Middletown, Ohio - the heart of the American Rust Belt - in 1984.

His mother, Bev Vance, struggled with addiction, first to alcohol, then drugs. His parents split up when he was still a toddler; his father, Don Bowman, was largely absent for the early years of the young JD's life.

But home, for Mr Vance, was elsewhere: with his maternal grandparents, known as "Mamaw" and "Papaw", in Jackson, Kentucky, in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the vast inland region that stretches from the Deep South to the fringes of the industrial Midwest.

Stability amidst turmoil

His family were what he calls "hillbillies": white, working class, mostly of Scots-Irish decent and with no education beyond secondary school.

In his book, Mr Vance remembers the family as proud, clannish and occasionally violent. Aspiration was rare. On the other hand, addiction - increasingly to prescription medication - was commonplace.

Mamaw, in particular, is the star of the book: foul-mouthed, hot-tempered, but affectionate and a source of stability for her grandson.

Parts of Appalachia, once coal country, are now grindingly poor

Mr Vance credits that stability with his eventual success and ability to lift himself out of the grinding poverty of the Appalachians.

Rather than sink into a familiar pattern of sporadic employment, drugs and violence, he joined the Marines for four years and served in Iraq before going to Ohio State University. There, he gained a degree in political science and philosophy.

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From Ohio State, he gained admission to Yale Law School, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the US.

While at Yale, Mr Vance met one of his mentors, law professor Amy Chua, and author of Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. It was Ms Chua who convinced him to write his memoir, published in 2016 just as Donald Trump was making his ultimately successful pitch for the US presidency.

While the book does not mention Mr Trump, some commentators described it as a window into a conservative white working class often overlooked by Ivy League-educated coastal elites. Profoundly conservative, Mr Vance put the blame of the hillbillies' failure to thrive on culture and a lack of personal responsibility, rather than systemic issues of economics and policy.

Rod Dreher, a columnist for the American Conservative, later wrote that the book gave poor white people "voice and presence in the public square" at a time when they were key supporters of Mr Trump.

In 2020 it was turned into a film, directed by Ron Howard and starring Glenn Close as Mamaw. Despite unfavourable reviews, it was one of the most-streamed films on Netflix at the end of the year.

While Mr Vance was no Trump loyalist - and was sometimes harshly critical - he repeatedly said he understood the reasons for his popularity.

In a July 2016 interview, for example, Mr Vance explained that Mr Trump was critical of "the factories shipping jobs overseas" and defended working class white Americans from "condescenders".

Return to his roots

In 2017, Mr Vance moved back to Ohio from California, where he had been working in biotech. He married a Yale Law classmate, Usha Chilukuri (now Vance), who had clerked at the Supreme Court. In Hillbilly Elegy, he described her as his "Yale spirit guide", who helped him navigate the socially treacherous waters of the Ivy League and the recruitment rounds of the big law firms. The couple now have a son.

Vance speaks at TechCrunch Disrupt SF 2018

Mr Vance later joined Revolution, a company established by AOL founder Steve Case to funnel venture capital to the parts of the country that otherwise went overlooked - places such as Middletown, Ohio. He considered, and then decided against, a Senate run.

In 2019, he set up his own venture capital operation, Narya Capital, with backing from PayPal founder Peter Thiel, a sometime libertarian and rare Republican in Silicon Valley.

In early 2021, Mr Thiel gave $10m (8m) to a committee seeking to recruit Mr Vance as a Senate candidate to succeed Rob Portman, who had announced he would not be seeking a third term in 2022.

In July 2021, Mr Vance officially entered the race.

The announcement came with an abrupt change in tone regarding former President Trump, with Mr Vance apologising for previously calling him "reprehensible" and repeating Mr Trump's claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election.

His repudiation of his earlier views on Mr Trump quickly became a prominent feature in media coverage of Mr Vance's political views.

In July 2021, for example, The Atlantic described the abrupt about-face as being carried out with "ruthless cynicism".

"If I actually care about these people and the things I say I care about," he told Time magazine. "I need to just suck it up and support him."

In April, Mr Vance secured a much-coveted endorsement from Mr Trump.

The former president also noted Mr Vance had previously said some "not so great things about me".

But the Trump imprimatur gave him an immediate boost in the polls.

He clinched the hotly fought primary race in early May.

Mr Vance will face the winner of the Democratic primary - congressman Tim Ryan - in a general election in November.
Bravo

After turning 45 last month, Jennifer Aydin celebrated her birthday with a belated bash on Saturday, May 7. Though The Real Housewives of New Jersey cast member had a blast at her epic party, the night didnt go entirely smoothly, as she later revealed on her Instagram Stories. Alright guys, so last night, I got home and Im taking some pictures, and what do I notice? My 9-carat yellow diamond is gone, Jennifer explained in a series of videos the day after the party. As RHONJ fans will remembe
First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden

John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock Jill Biden

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden on Monday kicked off a preview of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's "In America: An Anthology of Fashion" exhibition ahead of this evening's Met Gala. Prior to taking a tour of the exhibit, Dr. Biden delivered remarks about the importance of fashion, saying "style helps us express things that can't be put in words."

"No matter the words we choose or the speeches we give, the world sees the totality of who we are," Biden, 70, said. "The way we carry ourselves, how we put our shoulders back when times are hard, or offer a friendly smile even when we don't agree. How we choose to show up for our communitiesthe small acts of kindness that are remembered long after they are offered."



She continued: "And that includes what we wear."

RELATED: Jill Biden Wears Face Mask Embroidered with Ukraine's National Flower amid Russian Invasion

During her remarks, Dr. Biden touched on the role that fashion plays in politics, speaking specifically about the dress she wore during her husband's first State of the Union address  which offered a subtle nod to the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

"As the State of the Union approached, I knew the only thing that would be reported about me was what I was wearing," Biden said. "So, I ordered sunflower appliquesthe flower of Ukraine and a symbol of hope and solidarityand had one sewn on the cuff of my dress. It was smallbut it shined against the deep cobalt-blue of my sleeve."

First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Jill Biden

She continued: "And that night, sitting next to the Ukrainian ambassador, I knew I was sending a message without saying a word: that Ukraine was in our heartsand that we stood with them."

Dr. Biden noted that, later this week, she'll head to Romania and Slovakia to visit with American troops and "spend Mother's Day with Ukrainian families who've been displaced by Putin's war."

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"As we celebrate the designers and the fashion that has shaped the very identity of America, I hope it will inspire all of us to keep learning," she said. "I hope it will help us to see the beauty and art that surrounds us every day. And most importantly, I hope it will remind us to be bold and brave."

RELATED: Met Gala Glam! See How Stars Are Getting Ready for Fashion's Biggest Night

Following her remarks, the First Lady toured the exhibition with Met Museum interns and curators in a private tour that was closed to press.

The 2022 theme serves as a part two to last year's "A Lexicon of Fashion" and pays homage to the diversity of American fashion.

The official exhibit will be on display across 13 of the American period rooms in the historic museum from May 7 through Sept. 5.

Guests are being asked to interpret a "Gilded Glamour" white-tie dress code for Monday night's Met Gala, which will channel the time period between 1870 to 1890, according to Vogue.

Dr. Biden will not be attending the evening festivities, and instead will host a celebration of Eid al-Fitr with her husband, President Joe Biden.
By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - First lady Jill Biden will visit Romania and Slovakia from May 5-9 to meet with U.S. service members and embassy personnel, displaced Ukrainian parents and children, humanitarian aid workers, and teachers, her office said on Monday

On Sunday, celebrated as Mother's Day in the United States, Biden will meet with Ukrainian mothers and children who have been forced to flee their homes because of Russia's war against Ukraine, her office said.

The wife of President Joe Biden will meet with U.S. military service members at Mihail Kogalniceau Airbase in Romania on May 6, before heading to Bucharest to meet with Romanian government officials, U.S. embassy staff, humanitarian aid workers, and teachers working with displaced Ukrainian children.

The trip also includes stops in the Slovakian cities of Bratislava, Kosice and Vysne Nemecke, where Biden will meet with government officials, refugees and aid workers, her office said.

Biden's visit is the latest show of support for Ukraine and neighboring countries that are helping Ukrainian refugees by top U.S. representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi met Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday during an unannounced visit to Kyiv.

Jill Biden has also been closely engaged. In March she and her Polish counterpart, Agata Kornhauser-Duda, worked together to speed medical assistance to the frontlines of the refugee crisis sparked by Russia's invasion.

Russia describes its actions as a "special military operation."

The U.N. refugee agency last week said nearly 5.5 million people had fled Ukraine https://data2.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine/location?secret=unhcrrestricted since the start of the war on Feb. 24 and the number could grow to 8.3 million this year.

By April 27, more than 3 million Ukrainians had fled to Poland, with Romania taking in around 817,300 and Slovakia absorbing nearly 372,000, according to U.N. data.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Bradley Perrett)
On Last Week Tonight With John Oliver the host explains why restricting Disney Worlds self-governing abilities will hurt the state of Florida in the long run.

Last week, Floridas state senate voted to strip The Walt Disney Co. of a 55-year-old special district that has allowed Walt Disney World to largely self-govern its theme park property. Reedy Creek Improvement District allows for this self-governance as they provide fire and EMS services to the property. However Oliver mentions there is one thing they are missing.

More from Deadline

Disney provides essential services except a morgue. Why? Because no one has ever died at Disney and no one will ever die at Disney, he exclaims.

The states governor, Ron DeSantis, asked lawmakers to take the step after Disney announced its opposition to the states recently passed parental rights bill, which opponents have dubbed dont say gay. Republicans in the House also are expected to approve the move. It would take effect on June 1, 2023.

DeSantis didnt think this one through, as according to Oliver, stripping Disney might be against Florida state lawwhich requires that the county assumes a districts debt when its dissolved. Orange and Osceola counties, where Disney is located, would inherit upwards of $1 billion dollars in debt.

In response to this, the governor tells citizens dont worry but of course this is cause for concern. Theres nothing more immediately off putting than someone starting a sentence with dont worry. He [DeSantis] sounds like a frat boy trying to reason with the cops after a noise complaint. 

There is a lot of talk about this, but the Orlando Sentinel spoke to reps at the Governors office who told the press, The Governors office does not have a written plan in place for how the dissolution [of Disney] will proceed.

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Of course it doesnt, said Oliver. He continues, Do I think its bad if Disney pays more taxes? No I dontthat would be a good thing. I dont love that it might not happen through meaningful tax reform, but because of one right-wing dipsh*t who is scared of gay people and doesnt understand the first amendment.

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HBO

After a one-week absence, John Oliver returned to the Last Week Tonight desk on Sunday and dedicated a big chunk of his latest episode to Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, whos running for re-election.

Though Villanueva ran as a Democratic reformerthe first Democrat to be elected LA County Sheriff in 138 yearsduring his tenure he not only has moved to the right but also has been asked to resign by the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission over a perceived lack of accountability.

His re-election bid this year has been overshadowed by claims in the L.A. Times that he directed a cover-up of an incident where one of his deputies knelt on a detainees head for three minutes, said Oliver. It is a damning story about abuse of power and lack of transparency, and Villanueva took swift action against those responsible for everyone finding out about it.

A Los Angeles Times story revealed video showing that on March 10, 2021, after being punched by inmate Enzo Escalante, Deputy Douglas Johnson and other deputies took Escalante to the ground, positioning him facedown. After he was handcuffed, Johnson kept his knee on Escalantes head for three minutes. Allen Castellano, a Los Angeles County sheriffs commander, subsequently filed a legal claim against L.A. County alleging that Villanueva watched video of the incident five days after it occurred and said, We do not need bad media at this time, while directing Assistant Sheriff Robin Limon to handle the matter. (Villanueva has denied any wrongdoing and claimed to have not seen the video in question until eight months after it happened, at which point he immediately launched an investigation into Johnson.)

Villanueva proceeded to hold an absolutely absurd press conference where he pointed fingers at his political opponent in the sheriffs race, Max Huntsman, as well as Los Angeles Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian, who broke the story about the cover-up, saying: The matter is under investigation. This is stolen property that was removed illegally from people who had some intentcriminal intentand it will be subject to investigation.

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OK, when youre accused of being complicit in a terrible act, being more concerned about who said it than the accusation doesnt exactly convey innocence, said Oliver.

Sweeping things under the carpet seems to be Villanuevas style, he continued, because, despite campaigning four years ago as a reformer in an infamously corrupt department, his record since then has not been great. A 2019 IG report found that over just a two-month period, officials working under him canceled 45 administrative investigations into his employees, some of which involved domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual misconduct with an inmate.

Plus, Villanuevas re-election bid has been filled with culture war nonsense, including speaking out against woke-ism. Oliver also took aim at Villanuevas 30-second campaign ad, which he called maybe one of the dumbest things that I have ever seen.

Trevor Noah Holds Nothing Back in Brutally Funny White House Correspondents Dinner Roast

The ad includes a beautiful woman rollerblading past tents of unhoused people, a mother and child gleefully playing in a sandbox with unhoused people in it, and a man giving a woman a foot massageseemingly having the time of their livesas people are stealing stuff from their home, all as Ave Maria plays and Villanueva talks vaguely about standing up to the corruption in a voiceover.

Now, obviously, that is all idioticfrom the 1990s rollerblader to the song choice for your California dream ad being Ave Maria and not, I dont know, California Dreamin, to the fact that everyone there is having an absolute ball, including the people experiencing a break-in. Ive honestly never seen anyone this happy getting robbed, and Ive seen Glenn Close at the Oscars eight times, Oliver said.

He proceeded to call it the most unwatchable depiction of Southern California since La La Land.

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Washington  The Supreme Court unanimously ruled Monday that the city of Boston violated the First Amendment when it rejected a request from a Christian civic organization to fly a flag bearing a cross on a flagpole outside of City Hall.

Justice Stephen Breyer delivered the opinion for the court, which sided 9-0 with activist Harold Shurtleff and Camp Constitution, a group whose mission is in part to "enhance understanding of our Judeo-Christian moral heritage," in the free speech dispute.

The case, known as Shurtleff v. City of Boston, arose in 2017 when Shurtleff, director and founder of Camp Constitution, asked to fly what was characterized as the "Christian flag" outside of Boston City Hall. Since at least 2005, the city has allowed groups to hold flag-raising ceremonies on City Hall Plaza, during which participants can hoist a flag of their choosing on one of the three flagpoles that stand outside the entrance to City Hall.

Throughout the program, flags that have been displayed include those of other countries or flags marking Boston Pride Week. Between 2005 and 2017, the city approved an estimated 50 unique flags that were flown at 284 ceremonies.

Boston did not deny a request to raise a flag until 2017, when Shurtleff asked to hold a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall Plaza to "commemorate the civic and social contributions of the Christian community" and raise a white flag that featured a red Latin cross set against a blue backdrop in the upper left corner, described as the Christian flag.

But the city denied Shurtleff's request due to concerns that displaying a religious flag outside of City Hall would violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.

Shurtleff and Camp Constitution then sued, arguing the city's refusal to allow them to raise their flag violated their free speech rights. A federal district court ruled in favor of the city, finding that flying private groups' flags from City Hall was government speech, and the city acted within its authority in rejecting Shurtleff's request. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision, after which Shurtleff and Camp Constitution appealed to the Supreme Court.

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In his opinion, Breyer wrote the case turned on whether Boston's flag-raising program expressed government speech, and the court concluded that it did not. As a result, the city's refusal to let Shurtleff and Camp Constitution fly their flag amounted to impermissible viewpoint discrimination in violation of their free speech rights.

"While the historical practice of flag flying at government buildings favors Boston, the city's lack of meaningful involvement in the selection of flags or the crafting of their messages leads us to classify the flag raisings as private, not government, speech  though nothing prevents Boston from changing its policies going forward," he said.

In a separate opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote: "Under the Constitution, a government may not treat religious persons, religious organizations, or religious speech as second-class."

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Shannon FinneyIt appears that far-right provocateur Dinesh DSouzas new movie peddling election lies is too batty even for Fox News host Tucker Carlson and Newsmax.The conservative firebrand took to Twitter on Monday to gripe that sympathetic MAGA media was supposedly suppressing 2000 Mules, his latest propaganda film peddling a wholly flawed and faulty premise about ballot fraud in the 2020 election.DSouza was the toast of Trumpworld last week after he premiered the movie at Mar-a-Lago, insis
Kathy Boudin, a former Weather Underground radical who served more than two decades behind bars for her role in a fatal 1981 armored truck robbery and spent the latter part of her life helping people who had been imprisoned, has died at age 78, according to her family.

Boudin, who lived in New York City, died of cancer Sunday surrounded by family, including her life partner David Gilbert, who was released from prison last year for his own role in the infamous Brinks armored truck robbery.

Boudin had expressed remorse for the robbery, in which a guard and two police officers were killed north of New York City. Behind bars, the former 60s radical was described as a model prisoner. She was released on parole in 2003, a move that infuriated some relatives and friends of the three men slain in the botched Brinks robbery. Boudin kept a low profile after her release and continued to work on behalf of inmates and former inmates.

Her son with Gilbert, Chesa Boudin, said his mother devoted herself to others well after her cancer diagnosis in 2015.

Kathy Boudin, a member of the Weather Underground in the 1970's, is lead from Nyack Police Station following her arraignment on felony murder charges in connection with the armed heist of a Brink's armored truck in Nanuet which ultimately led to the death of two Nyack Police officers and a Brink's guard 10/22/81 (The Journal News File photo)

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She, as a mother, offered not only unconditional love and pride, but also a model of how to live redemption and own responsibility for horrific mistakes without allowing them to entirely define her life, Chesa Boudin, the district attorney of San Francisco, told The Associated Press on Monday.

Kathy Boudin was the daughter of civil rights attorney Leonard Boudin and became a radical activist in the 1960s, joining the Weather Underground. The group that helped define the radical anti-Vietnam War movement with its violent protests and bombings. Boudin was once seen fleeing naked from a 1970 explosion of a Greenwich Village townhouse police said was used by radicals as a bomb factory.

She and Gilbert joined members of the Black Liberation Army in the Oct. 20, 1981, robbery, stealing $1.6 million in cash from an armored car outside the Nanuet Mall near the Hudson River community of Nyack.

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Constance Frazier, cousin of Nyack police officer Waverly "Chipper" Brown, puts her arm around Diane O'Grady, widow of Nyack police Sgt. Edward O'Grady, Jr hugs , during the 40th annual Brinks Memorial Service in Nyack Oct. 20, 2021. O'Grady and Brown were both killed in the Brinks armored car robbery on Oct. 20, 1981. Also killed in the robbery was Brinks guard Peter Paige.

Brinks guard Peter Paige was killed in the robbery and two police officers, Sgt. Edward OGrady and Officer Waverly Brown, were killed when a getaway truck was stopped at a roadblock and gunmen burst from the back with weapons firing.

Boudin, who had been in the trucks passenger seat, was apprehended as she fled. She pleaded guilty in 1984 to murder and robbery, while maintaining that her role in the crimes was limited and that she was unarmed.

I feel terrible about the lives that were lost as a result of this incident, Boudin said in court, standing next to her father. I have led a life committed to political principles. I believe I can be true to these principles in various ways without engaging in violent acts.

She was sentenced to 20 years to life. In prison, she developed a program on parenting behind bars and helped write a handbook for inmates whose children are in foster care. She earned a masters degree and worked to help inmates with AIDS.

After her release, she founded a program that provides health care for people returning from incarceration and co-founded the Center for Justice at Columbia University, which seeks alternatives to mass incarceration. She earned a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers College and taught at the Columbia School of Social Work, according to the Center for Justice.

Gilbert, who did not plead guilty, was sentenced to 75 years to life. Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo granted clemency to Gilbert just before the Democrat resigned last summer.

Boudin and Gilbert were married after their arrests and later divorced in prison, but remained close and had been spending their days together since Gilberts release, Chesa Boudin said.

The prosecutor, who ran on a progressive platform, was 14 months old when his parents were imprisoned. He was raised by Kathy Boudin and Gilberts Weather Underground compatriots, Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, but kept in close contact with his biological parents.

I have boxes and boxes of letters that she sent me from prison, Chesa Boudin said of his mother. We spent countless hours every month on the phone.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Kathy Boudin, imprisoned in fatal 1981 Brinks heist in Nyack, dies
Inmate Casey White and corrections officer Vicky White were captured Monday after leading U.S. Marshals on a chase in the Evansville, Indiana area.

The two were seen the morning of Friday, April 29 leaving the Lauderdale County Detention Center in Florence. A Blue Alert was issued for the two later that afternoon when colleagues noticed the two had not returned.

Soon after, an investigation revealed the escape plan must have been underway well before then.

Here's what we know about their capture and how they escaped.

Inmate and officer captured in Indiana

Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton announced Monday afternoon that Casey White and Vicky White are in custody.

Casey White and the jailer led U.S. Marshals on a chase after they were spotted at a motel near Evansville, Indiana. The Cadillac they were in wrecked, leaving Casey White, who was driving, with minor injuries.

Singleton said a tip from a citizen led to the hotel where the couple was staying.

In custody: Casey White, Vicky White captured after U.S. Marshal chase in Indiana

Vicky White dies from self-inflicted gunshot

After U.S. Marshals crashed into the Cadillac the couple was in, Vicky White shot herself, Falkenberg County, Indiana Sheriff Dave Wedding said during a news conference. She was taken to Deaconess Hospital, where she later died Monday night, said Vanderburgh County Coroner Steve Lockyear.

Images of now fired Lauderdale County Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky Sue White, believed to have helped a capital murder suspect escape custody April 29.

What will happen to Casey White?

Casey White will be brought back to Lauderdale County, and despite overcrowding in the jail, Singleton said he will be locked in a cell alone. He said Casey White would be kept in handcuffs and shackles even when he's in that cell.

Whenever Casey White is brought back "if it's at 2 o'clock in the morning" a judge will come in for an immediate arraignment, and White will go back to state prison, Singleton said.

What happened when they went missing?

Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White and inmate Casey Cole White, who are not related, left the Lauderdale County Detention Center at about 9:30 a.m. Friday, bound for the courthouse.

Story continues

Sheriff Rick Singleton said Vicky White told subordinates she was taking Casey White for a mental health evaluation, and afterward would be seeking medical attention herself.

He said investigators have since learned there was no scheduled mental health evaluation or any other court appearance, and that the officer never sought medical attention.

Rather than going to the courthouse, she drove to a strip mall and abandoned the sheriff's unit there. Investigators now know they got into a 2007 Ford Edge that Vicky White had purchased sometime before, and apparently left it in the parking lot in an area where vehicles for sale are often left overnight.

Mario Centobie: Could an Alabama corrections officer help an inmate escape? It's happened before

'Special relationship' confirmed between Vicky White, Casey White

The sheriff's office in a statement said inmates at the detention center informed authorities of the purported relationship between capital murder suspect Casey Cole White, 38, and Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky Sue White, 56, over the weekend, and that investigators had confirmed the relationship by "independent sources and means."

Thursday, Singleton clarified that Vicky White and Casey Cole White had been in contact by phone between 2020 and 2022.

'Convinced she orchestrated this': Vicky White flew under the radar before escape with Casey White

Warrant issued for Vicky White

Lauderdale County authorities on Monday, May 2 obtained a warrant for Assistant Director of Corrections Vicky White, accusing her of permitting or facilitating an escape.

Warrant issued: Warrant issued for jailer in Lauderdale escape; 6'9" inmate called 'extremely dangerous'

Escaped inmate, missing corrections officer: Reward offered for information on missing Lauderdale County inmate and corrections officer

Vicky White sold home, was set to retire the day of disappearance

Vicky White is a 25 year employee of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office, where she serves as the Assistant Director of Corrections.

Singleton said on Monday, May 2, that Vicky White had sold her home about a month ago and had talked about going to the beach. Friday was to be her last day at work before retirement.

A warrant has been issued for Vicky White's arrest on charges of 1st degree committing or facilitating escape.

"Those of us who work with Vicky White, and have worked with her for years, this is not the Vicky White we know, by any stretch of the imagination. She has been an exemplary employee," Singleton said Monday.

Who is escaped inmate Casey Cole White?

Singleton described Casey White as 6 feet 9 inches tall; a "Blue Alert" issued by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says he is 6 feet 6 inches tall, 252 pounds. He was an Alabama Department of Corrections inmate, but had been brought to Lauderdale County in February 2022 to face capital murder charges.

The News Courier in Athens reported in April 2019 that Casey White had been sentenced to 75 years in prison after his conviction for two counts of first-degree kidnapping and attempted murder. He was accused of trying to kill his ex-girlfriend and kidnapping her two roommates. He also was convicted of first-degree robbery, first-degree and third-degree burglary, burglary of a vehicle, animal cruelty for shooting a dog, and attempting to elude.

He faced capital murder charges in the 2015 murder-for-hire slaying of Connie Ridgeway. She was found dead in her Meadowland Apartments home. Charges in the case were brought in September 2020, WAFF TV reported.

Singleton said his office had thwarted an escape attempt planned by Casey White while he was held in their facility in 2020.

What is a Blue Alert?

A Blue Alert is activated when a local, state or federal law enforcement officer in Alabama has been killed or seriously injured and the perpetrator is at large, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The alert was issued the evening of Friday, April 29.

Donna Thornton, Miranda Prescott, Kirsten Fiscus, Houston Harwood, Jon Webb and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: What we know about Vicky White, escaped inmate Casey White
Jared Kushners upcoming book will focus on the investigation into Russias election interference, former President Trumps impeachment trial and other topics, according to his publisher.

The book, from Trumps son-in-law and former White house aide, titled Breaking History: A White House Memoir, will offer an honest and nuanced look at one of the most consequential presidencies in recent times, according to Broadside Books, which is a conservative imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

It is set to be released on Aug. 9.

His memoir is his account of the most astonishing presidential campaigns in history, the high-stakes Russia investigation and impeachment trial, and the existential crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, Broadside Books wrote in a statement. Kushner reveals what really happened inside the Trump White Housenot to settle scores, but to give a true insider account of history.

Kushner was one of the former presidents closest and most trusted advisers during his four years in office. He had a wide ranging portfolio but largely focused on the Middle East, with one of his largest accomplishments being the Abraham Accords, the joint statement establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

He currently heads Affinity Partners, a global investment firm.

The publisher said Kushner takes readers inside debates in the Oval Office, battles at the United Nations, meetings in Arab palaces, and high-stakes negotiations in Israel, North Korea, China, Mexico, and beyond.

From his office next to the president, senior adviser Jared Kushner operated quietly behind the scenes, preferring to leave the turf wars and television sparring to others as he focused on advancing high-impact goals that experts dismissed as impossible, the publisher added.

Kushners upcoming book is one of a number of memoirs from former administration officials recounting their time in the White House. Writers have included former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham and former Attorney General William Barr.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A 33-year-old Lind man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of animal cruelty.

Deputies with the Adams County Sheriffs Office said they received a report on Wednesday about some neglected horses in the 700 block of South Longmeier Road.

Deputies who investigated said they discovered two horses and a mule that were emaciated at the property and then sought a warrant to seize the animals.

On Saturday, the deputies returned to the property and seized the horses, mule, two dogs, and a cat with the help of Adams County Pet Rescue, law enforcement officials said. The property owner was not present at the time.

The animals were taken to a location where they received food and medical treatment, officials said.

On Sunday, deputies said they contacted the man about the animals condition and booked him into jail on three counts of first-degree animal cruelty.

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Singapore has banned a controversial Indian film about the exodus of Hindus from Muslim-majority Kashmir, citing concerns over its "potential to cause enmity between different communities". "The Kashmir Files" has been praised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Hindu nationalist followers, and has proved a box office hit, but critics say it is loose with facts and fans anti-Muslim sentiment. "The film will be refused classification for its provocative and one-sided portrayal of Muslims and the depictions of Hindus being persecuted in the ongoing conflict in Kashmir," the Singapore government said in a statement on Monday in response to media queries.
Sunday, around 3 p.m., a police dispatcher got a call from 45-year-old Delvekeo Wallace saying he was ready to die, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).

Thats just one of many calls Memphis Police got from Wallace on May 1, MPD said. Officers spoke with the man who was, unbeknownst to officers at that time, held up in the Bellevue Inn with a gun, but said that Wallace did not meet the criteria for emergency commitment.

So, Memphis Police officers went out to the motel and spoke to Wallace through the door and window, according to the department.

Once police arrived, the manager of the motel gave them a master key so that they could gain entry into Wallaces room.

Memphis Police said they opened the door but couldnt get a clear look because a dresser was blocking the entrance. Officers did, however, report seeing Wallace with a gun in his hand.

Those officers stepped back and took cover while police in nearby rooms evacuated.

Police said they continued to talk to Wallace, trying to encourage him to leave the room.

After several hours of trying to get Wallace to come out without the gun, Wallace laid down and pointed the gun at the police, according to MPD.

Soon after, members of the TACT Unit were able to take Wallace into custody without a shot being fired, police said.

Wallace was taken to Regional One Hospital and then to 201 Poplar where he was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

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A man was hit by a train while crossing a set of tracks in northern Ohio, but when police arrived, he was nowhere to be found, outlets reported.

The call came in to the Bucyrus Police Department around 12:23 p.m. on Sunday, May 1, the Bucyrus Telegraph Forum reported.

The train conductor told authorities that the man slipped through the crossing gates and was attempting to walk to the other side of the tracks, right in front of the moving train, the newspaper reported. He was struck by the front of the train.

Fire, EMS and Ohio Highway Patrol also responded to the scene, Crawford County Now reported. They searched the area but the man  believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s  was gone.

The man was last seen sitting near the tracks, police told the outlet. Investigators believe he must have gotten up and walked away, despite whatever injuries he may have sustained.

We are concerned about his welfare, the Bucyrus Police Department said in a Facebook post.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the department at 419-562-1006, ext. 251.

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A Detroit man, wrongfully incarcerated for 15 years, is a free man after long-hidden DNA evidence cleared him of two sexual assault and kidnapping charges. A chance review of his case by a prosecutor in 2019 led to the discovery of a lab report which contained vindicating proof that was never shared with the court.

On Wednesday, April 27, a Michigan 3rd Circuit Court judge dismissed Terance Calhouns 2007 rape and abduction convictions, which found him guilty of violating a 13-year-old girl and attempting to sexually assault a 15-year-old girl in two incidents in the fall of 2006.

Terance Calhoun with family on the day of his release (ABS Screengrab)

The judges decision to have him immediately released from the Woodland Center Correctional Facility to his family, came after reviewing new information provided by Valerie Newman, a lawyer within the Wayne County prosecutors office Conviction Integrity Unit.

Newmans job is to canvass cases that fall under her offices jurisdiction with a probability of wrongful imprisonment.

In 2019, while combing over cases, she discovered several flaws in Calhouns case, specifically evidence of genetic material from a condom used during the assault of one of the victims that did not match Calhoun. (The evidence did match another man who has not been identified but prosecutors say is being charged as the suspect.)

After noticing the errors in the case, Newman contacted the State Appellate Defender Office, known as SADO. SADO, in turn, contacted the WMU-Cooley Law School Innocence Project, and together the three bodies helped exonerate the man.

Another red flag the prosecutors discovered was the composite of the attacker, given by the women. They described their attacker as having braids and a puzzle tattoo. At the time, the 20-year-old Calhoun had neither.

Despite this, both victims misidentified Calhoun in the two separate lineups and in court as the man who attacked them.

Calhouns attorney, Michael Mittlestat, an assistant defender with State Appellate Defender Office (SADO) said, If theres one thing about the system people need to realize its that innocent people plead and eyewitness misidentifications are real and false confessions are real.

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People need to understand that witness identifications can be faulty and have been proven to be faulty, he continued. They are not as reliable as laypeople and many people outside the criminal justice system believe.

Newman said of the case, There were so many things missed along the way.

One of the things missed is news about the condom, discovered a few months after Calhoun was sent to prison, was never shared with his attorney. Without this information, the now-35-year-old spent a decade and a half in a prison cell for a crime he did not commit.

Today is about the myriad of things that went wrong that caused the wrongful conviction of an innocent person, Newman told Judge Kelly Ramsey, the official who approved her request for criminal erasure. Theres so many things that happened in this case that are troubling. While this is ostensibly a DNA exclusion case, there is a lot more going on here that supports Mr. Calhouns innocence.

The team had questions around the 2007 case and Calhouns defense strategy. His former attorney, Ilsa Draznin, had him plead no contest to the charges. The reasoning behind this move cannot be fully understood because the lawyer is now deceased. However, SADOs report may give clues.

The report stated, Police failed to consider Mr. Calhouns intellectual limitations. Neither a lawyer nor his parents were present when he gave what police claimed were incriminating statements, and his interrogation was not recorded.

Mittlestat said, this is an example of how vulnerable people can get caught up in the system and unfairly convicted.

They dont have oftentimes the sophistication, the resources to work with their lawyers and defend themselves and communicate with their lawyers, and they become victims of a system that opens cases and closes cases in an expedient way that turns out to be wrong later, the attorney said. Its just unfortunate that Mr. Calhoun really was one of those very vulnerable people.

Originally, Calhoun was scheduled for exoneration Friday, April 22, but that was stopped because a member of the Detroit Police Department came forward saying he had information relevant to the case. Police Officer Robert Kane, one of the officials who testified at Calhouns preliminary examination in November 2006, said he had a binder of information proving Calhoun deserved to be in jail.

At the time, Judge Ramsey said, It is my belief that it is my role and responsibility to ensure the courts role is to ensure that justice is done and the court is also mindful of the need to ensure finality in its orders.

Given the circumstances before this court, there needs to be an opportunity, due diligence that exceeds whatever happened this morning to whenever Mr. Kane hopefully went to the prosecutors office.

However, Kanes information did not trump the new discovery.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement about the case and her teams work, A series of unfortunate events and a lot of very hard work by quite a few people led to my decision to exonerate Mr. Calhoun.

The decision, in this case, was the culmination of years of long work on this and unrelated cases, she continued. We will leave no stone unturned to get justice for defendants like Mr. Calhoun.

Calhoun was originally sentenced to a minimum of 17 years. He served 15. When the judge set him free, he didnt say a word. He just smiled, as the judge wished him luck in his future.

Calhoun will not be eligible for a million-dollar payout like others whove had their wrongful convictions tossed out. Michigan laws, should he sue, state monetary compensation for the wrong conviction may not exceed $50,000 for every year he was locked up, totaling $750,000. There is no word on if he will exercise this opportunity for an award.
The U.S. Marshals Service is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the capture of escaped inmate Casey Cole White and the location of "missing and endangered correctional officer" Vicky White. The two disappeared Friday after Vicky White took Casey White for what she told others was a mental health evaluation.

"Do not attempt to apprehend this fugitive," U.S. Marshal Marty Keely said in a statement Sunday.

Casey White, 38, was being held at the Lauderdale County Jail in Alabama awaiting trial on capital murder charges prior to his disappearance. He was already serving time for a series of crimes in 2015 that included "home invasion, carjacking, and a police chase," the Marshals Service said, when he "confessed about the murder."

White is described by the Marshals Service as being 6 feet 9 inches tall and weighing around 260 pounds with hazel eyes and brown hair.

The Lauderdale County Sheriff's office on Sunday released the most recent images of Casey White that it had.

Vicky White, the assistant director of corrections, left the jail with Casey White at 9:41 a.m. on Friday, according to Lauderdale County Sheriff Rick Singleton. The two are not related. She told other officials she was going to drop Casey White off at the courthouse for a mental health evaluation and then was going to go to a doctor's appointment, Singleton said at a Friday press conference.

According to Singleton, Vicky White's patrol car was found in shopping center parking lot around 11 a.m. and officials became aware at around 3:30 p.m. that Casey White had never been returned to custody and that nobody was able to get in contact with Vicky White.

Vicky White was armed with a 9mm pistol at the time of her disappearance, Singleton said, leading authorities to assume that Casey White is now armed and "extremely dangerous."

Singleton on Friday said that after speaking to the court, officials confirmed that there had not been any scheduled mental health evaluation. He also said that Vicky White's decision to take the inmate to the courthouse alone was "a strict violation of policy," as someone charged with that severe of a crime should have been accompanied by two deputies.

Story continues

"Obviously, you know, we're looking at all angles," Singleton said Friday. "Did she assist him in escaping? That's obviously a possibility. So we're looking into that as one angle of the investigation. Was she kidnapped en route to the courthouse? You know, taken against her will? That's obviously another angle we're looking at."

The sheriff's office has not provided any other updates beyond the new images of Casey White released on Sunday. A press conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Monday.

The Marshals Service said those with information should contact the service at 1-800-336-0102 or leave an anonymous tip through the U.S. Marshals Tip App.

Victoria Albert contributed reporting.

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To date, Texas is the only state in the nation to have already held primary elections this year. But that all changes on Tuesday, as voters in Ohio and Indiana head to the polls.

The contests in the neighboring Midwestern states kick off a frenetic schedule this month, with 13 states  including the crucial general election battlegrounds of North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Georgia - holding primaries.

THE LATEST FOX NEWS POWER RANKINGS IN THE 2022 MIDTERM RACES

At stake  crucial party nominations for senator that could influence whether the GOPs able win back the chambers majority in Novembers midterms. And voters will also choose their partys nominees for governor, the House of Representatives, and other down ballot contests.

And even though his names not on the ballot, Donald Trump is very much on the line in the May primaries, as the former presidents made endorsements in key GOP primary showdowns.

Heres a look at some top primary face offs this month.

The race for the GOP Senate nomination in Ohio has been one of the most crowded, combustible and expensive primaries in the nation.

Eight candidates are running to try and succeed retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman. And all but one of the top five contenders for months had been making hard pitches to land the endorsement of Trump, who more than 15 months removed from the White House remains the most popular and influential politician in the GOP as he continues play a kingmakers role in Republican primaries and repeatedly hints about making another presidential run in 2024.

OHIO GOP SENATE PRIMARY SHOWDOWN: DOLAN ENJOYS LAST MINUTE SURGE

As the leading candidates tried to one up each other in showcasing their support and loyalty to Trump, the nomination battle turned increasingly antagonistic, with the candidates and outside groups backing them attacking each other. Things got so heated that two leading contenders - 2018 Ohio Republican Senate candidate Mike Gibbons, a Cleveland entrepreneur, real estate developer and investment banker, and former Ohio treasurer and former two-time Senate candidate Josh Mandel - nearly came to blows at a debate.

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Trump stayed neutral until a few weeks ago, when he endorsed venture capitalist and bestselling author J.D. Vance. While the former presidents backing  and an ensuing Trump/Vance rally in Ohio  helped Vance surge in the polls, the latest surveys  including one from Fox News - indicate the race remains competitive, with plenty of voters undecided.

The winner of the GOP primary may face off in Novembers general election against longtime Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan of northeastern Ohio. Ryan is considered the favorite for the Democratic nomination in the race that also includes progressive Morgan Harper, a former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau senior adviser and 2020 congressional candidate.

TED CRUZ JUMPS INTO OHIO SENATE RACE TO BOOST JOSH MANDEL

With many of the leading Republican candidates able spend millions on their own bids, and with well-financed super PACs backing many of the major contenders, the race has become one of the most expensive in the nation to date this cycle.

Candidates and outside groups have shelled out $69.8 million in the Ohio GOP Senate primary, according to AdImpact, a leading national ad tracking firm. By comparison, only $3.4 million has been spent by candidates and outside groups in the Democratic Senate primary.

The battle to succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska has turned into a heated three-way fistfight thats grabbed attention far beyond the Great Plains states borders.

The top candidates are Charles Herbster, a multimillionaire agricultural executive, multimillionaire hog farmer Jim Pillen and state Sen. Brett Lindstrom.

Herbster, who in recent weeks has faced multiple accusations that he sexually assaulted eight women, is a longtime top donor and ally of Trump. The former president endorsed Herbster last autumn and held a rally with the candidate in Nebraska on Sunday.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS POLLING IN THE 2022 MIDTERMS

Ricketts, the co-chair of the Republican Governors Association, is backing Pillen and has spent months slamming Herbster as unfit to hold office. And Ricketts, whose wealthy family owns Major League Baseballs Chicago Cubs, along with his father  billionaire TD Ameritrade founder Joe Ricketts  have contributed big bucks to an outside group slamming Herbster in TV ads.

The key general election battleground state of Pennsylvania is holding high-profile primaries in the races to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Pat Toomey and term-limited Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf.

The GOP Senate primary, like its counterpart in neighboring Ohio, quickly turned into a crowded, divisive, and extremely expensive contest thats included plenty of attack ads as well as a last-minute endorsement from Trump.

Mehmet Oz, celebrity physician and U.S. Republican Senate candidate for Pennsylvania, center, speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference in Orlando, Florida, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The top two candidates are Mehmet Oz, the cardiac surgeon, author and well-known celebrity physician who until the launch of his Senate campaign late last year was host of TVs popular "Dr. Oz Show;" and David McCormick, a former hedge fund executive, West Point graduate, Gulf War combat veteran and Treasury Department official in former President George W. Bush's administration.

McCormick and Oz are the two polling front-runners in the primary race and have vastly outspent the other candidates to run ads across the Keystone State, as they fight to win the Republican primary in a crucial general election contest thats one of a handful that could determine whether the GOP wins back the Senate majority.

OZ, MCORMICK TRADE FIRE FOLLOWING TRUMP ENDORSEMENT

The two candidates traded fire for months over a host of issues, including who is tougher or softer on China, charges that McCormick outsourced Pennsylvania jobs, Ozs dual citizenship in Turkey, and over fracking. And outside groups backing each candidate have spent tens of millions of dollars in recent months to launch attack ads against McCormick and Oz in a race thats become the most expensive Senate showdown in the country.

Dave McCormick, Republican Senate candidate from Pennsylvania, greets supporters during a campaign event with Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, at Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays in Coplay, Pa., on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Getty Images

McCormick and Oz are part of a GOP field of eight contenders that also includes Jeff Bartos, a real estate developer, philanthropist and 2018 Republican nominee for lieutenant governor; veteran and conservative political commentator Kathy Barnette; and Carla Sands, a real estate executive and major Republican donor who served as ambassador to Denmark during the Trump administration.

THIS STATE HAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE SENATE RACE IN THE COUNTRY

While all the top contenders made a hard sell for Trumps endorsement, the former president a couple of weeks ago decided to back Oz. And hes headed to Pennsylvania on Friday to team up with the celebrity doctor at a rally.

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is the polling front-runner in the Democratic Senate primary, in an increasingly combative race that also includes Rep. Conor Lamb and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.

In the gubernatorial primary, the Democrats have closed ranks around Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is considered the partys presumptive nominee.

The Republican gubernatorial primary is a wide-open battle that includes former Rep. Lou Barletta, State Senate leader Jake Corman, Montgomery County commissioner Joe Gale, political strategist Charlie Gerow, former Rep. Melissa Hart, former U.S. Attorney William Mc Swain, state Sen. Doug Mastriano, and former Delaware County council member Dave White. Trump has remained neutral in the race.

As with Ohio and Pennsylvania, the key battleground state of North Carolina is also home to a combative GOP Senate primary.

The top contenders are Rep. Ted Budd, former Gov. Pat McCrory, and former Rep. Mark Walker. Trump surprised many by endorsing Budd last June.

WALKER TURNS DOWN TRUMP'S OFFER TO DROP OUT OF THE SENATE RACE

But for months Budd was unable to leverage the former presidents endorsement to boost his poll numbers and fundraising figures. But in recent weeks Budd has surged to front-runner status in the increasingly contentious primary showdown.

Rep. Ted Budd, who is running for the Senate, joins the stage with former President Donald Trump during a rally at The Farm at 95 on April 9, 2022 in Selma, North Carolina. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Democrats have coalesced around former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley  who made history as North Carolinas first Black state supreme court chief justice - as their Senate nominee.

Conservative Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia is facing a Republican primary challenge from former Sen. David Perdue, who enjoys the backing of the former president.

FIRST ON FOX: KEMP BRINGS IN BIG BUCKS AS HE FACES TRUMP-BACKED PRIMARY CHALLENGE FROM PERDUE

Four years ago, with the support of Trump, Kemp narrowly defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams to win the governorship. But Kemp earned Trumps ire starting in late 2020, after the governor certified President Biden's narrow victory in Georgia in the presidential election following multiple recounts of the vote. Trump, who had unsuccessfully urged the governor and other top Republican officials in the state to overturn the results, has now returned to Georgia twice to campaign against Kemp.

Trump for months urged Perdue to challenge the governor, and late last year he endorsed Perdue a day after the former senator launched his bid. Perdue declared his candidacy a few days after Abrams, a voting rights champion and rising star in the Democratic Party, launched her second straight bid for governor.

But regardless of Trumps endorsement, with three weeks to go until Georgias primary, Kemp enjoys large leads over Perdue in two key campaign metrics  public opinion polling and fundraising.
Robert Forsyth might be considered Augusta's first cop.

Born in Scotland, he came to America and fought well in its Revolution. He and his family arrived in Georgia in 1785 and President Washington appointed him the area's U.S. marshal.

Robert Forsyth, the first U.S. marshal slain on duty.

Marshals had a variety of duties in this era before municipal police departments, and Forsyth did these jobs well. He was not only the chief law enforcement officer in Augusta, but served as tax assessor and justice of the peace, and he became a trustee of the new Richmond Academy. He also helped construct a jail.

Things looked good for Robert Forsyth, until 1794 when he became something else  the first U.S. marshal to die in the line of duty.

His slayer was a former Methodist preacher named Beverly Allen.

Allen was another early American success story, but also his own mystery.

Described as handsome and articulate, he had enjoyed evangelical acclaim for his preaching in South Carolina and was said to have moved many to faith with his passionate pulpit persuasion. But then something happened.

Exactly what, is unclear, but Allen and the Methodist leadership  particularly Bishop Francis Asbury  had a falling out and Allen moved to Elbert County, north of Augusta, and went into the mercantile business with his brother William.

That business brought them downriver to Augusta in 1794 where one of their transactions became contentious. Two centuries later, it appears to have been minor. Still, an Augusta businessman made a legal complaint to the marshal, and Robert Forsyth went to Mrs. Dixon's boarding house (where George Washington probably stayed three years before) to do his duty.

It is said Forsyth tried to handle the dispute discreetly, but Allen retreated to his room, got a pistol and fatally shot the marshal through the door.

Robert Forsyth was mourned and Beverly Allen went to the newly built jail.

He soon escaped.

Another mystery. We don't know how he got out  persuasion, bribery, faulty jail construction, but Beverly Allen went back to Elbert County and perhaps figured Augusta  now lacking a marshal  wouldn't come after him. He figured wrong.

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Augustans raised a $300 reward for his capture and Elbert County Sheriff William Barnett and a posse soon had the Allen house surrounded. When they would not surrender, it was set on fire. William Allen immediately gave up. The blaze was put out and Beverly was found inside. He went to jail again.

And he got out again.

This time a group of some 200 Allen supporters  believing the local boys had been denied justice  broke them out.

For years a variety of Georgia histories reported that the Allens then rode off to Texas, never to be heard from again.

But in 2007 a Tennessee newspaper told a different story  a feature about the first doctor in nearby Logan County, Kentucky. He was a former Methodist preacher named Beverly Allen.

According to the article in the Nashville Tennessean, Allen had come to an area north of Nashville called "Rouges' Harbour" with his brother Billy from Elbert County. Billy eventually went home, but Beverly Allen stayed, earning a reputation as a practicing doctor and "captivating" gentleman.

According to a remembrance recorded years later, a minister named Peter Cartwright visited Allen on his deathbed in 1816 and prayed with him.

Cartwright said Allen confessed shooting a marshal back in Georgia, but said he had warned him before he entered his room.

Bill Kirby has reported, photographed and commented on life in Augusta and Georgia for 45 years.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Monday Mystery: Augusta's first cop killed by a wayward preacher
More than a quarter of troops that Russia sent to fight in Ukraine are now believed to be "combat ineffective," the United Kingdom announced Monday.

The startling statistic comes as Russias bloody invasion of Ukraine is in its 68th day. Prior to the assault from Vladimir Putins army, it was estimated that Moscow assembled around 150,000 soldiers to participate in the war.

"At the start of the conflict, Russia committed over 120 battalion tactical groups, approximately 65 percent of its entire ground combat strength," the U.K. Ministry of Defence said in a tweet. "It is likely that more than a quarter of these units have now been rendered combat ineffective."

RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES

"Some of Russias most elite units, including the VDV Airborne Forces, have suffered the highest levels of attrition," the Ministry also said. "It will probably take years for Russia to reconstitute these forces."

Combat ineffectiveness is the ability for a military unit to carry out its assigned duties, and is impacted by troop and equipment losses, according to the Associated Press.

As of Monday, Ukraines military claims that Russia has lost nearly 24,000 soldiers, more than 1,000 tanks, and around 500 artillery systems so far in the war.

The figures could not be independently verified.

Of those troops still fighting, they are continuing to "conduct full-scale armed aggression against Ukraine and offensive operations" in the eastern part of the country, the military added.

"The threat of missile strikes on military and civilian infrastructure from the territory of the Republic of Belarus by the Russian enemy remains," it also said.
Nashville police are investigating after 22-year-old Jerious D. Johnson was fatally shot in the rear parking lot of a community center Saturday evening.

Officers responded to the scene at 6:20 p.m. at the West Park Community Center on Morrow Road, a news release from the Metro Nashville Police Department said. Johnson died at the scene.

Police believe a black SUV pulled up alongside a red pickup truck in the parking lot before shots were fired. Johnson was in the SUV. Both vehicles fled the scene, MNPD said.

No other information was immediately available Monday morning.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers can remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.

Find reporter Rachel Wegner at rawegner@tennessean.com or on Twitter @rachelannwegner.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville police: Man dead after shooting in The Nations
A century after its fraught foundation, Northern Ireland looks set for a constitutional earthquake this week with the pro-Irish party Sinn Fein on course to win regional elections.

Apart from periods of direct rule by London, pro-UK unionists have monopolised power ever since Britain carved out a Protestant-majority statelet in 1921, when the rest of Ireland achieved self-rule.

But pollsters expect victory on Thursday for Sinn Fein, which was once the political arm of the paramilitary IRA, in polls for the devolved assembly in Belfast.

The party took the deputy leadership in a power-sharing deal with unionists when Northern Ireland achieved peace in 1998, after three decades of sectarian bloodshed.

Across the province, high streets and junctions are festooned with election posters. In Newry, near the border with Ireland, a Sinn Fein billboard says that "Irish unity" is "the solution to Brexit".

"There has been a seismic change in society, particularly in the aftermath of Brexit, something that we didn't vote for, but which has been foisted upon us," said Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill.

But the party is downplaying the prospect of a united Ireland anytime soon, wary of alienating centrist voters and moderate unionists whose focus is on healthcare, education and a UK-wide cost-of-living crisis.

Sinn Fein is averaging a poll lead of six to seven points over the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which puts the republican party on track to take the post of first minister in the devolved government.

But the administration cannot function unless the second-ranked party agrees to share power -- and it remains to be seen if the DUP will commit to a once-unthinkable step for the Protestant unionist camp.

- Losing our identity -

In DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson's Lagan Valley constituency, the unionist's face beams out from the red, white and blue of the UK flag.

A red "number one" urges voters to pick Donaldson as their first choice under Northern Ireland's voting rules, which give voters the chance to rank candidates in order of preference.

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The DUP has been agitating for London to scrap a trade protocol with the European Union, afraid that Northern Ireland's status in the UK is being eroded by the post-Brexit arrangements and by Sinn Fein's rise.

The party walked out of the assembly this year in protest at the "Northern Ireland Protocol", and the UK government says it is ready to scrap the pact unless Brussels agrees changes.

The DUP, riven by infighting and watching warily an even more hardline party to its right, has been striking ever-more strident warnings that the protocol poses an existential threat for the union.

"When is the government and my prime minister going to restore our place in the United Kingdom?" DUP lawmaker Jim Shannon asked Boris Johnson in parliament last week.

Brexit -- which a majority in Northern Ireland voted against -- has frayed the carefully stitched compromises that were integral to the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

The peace deal saw London and Dublin agree to hold a cross-border referendum on whether all of Ireland should reunite, if there was popular support for one.

But how to define popular support was left deliberately vague -- and whether a Sinn Fein victory this week reaches the threshold is unclear. The DUP argues the threat exists, as it tries to rally its base.

- 'End the pantomime' -

Sinn Fein is also riding high south of the border and hopes to break the historic grip on power of Ireland's two biggest parties at the next general election, which is due by 2025 but could come sooner.

While Northern Ireland's unionist and nationalist camps square off, polls suggest the unaligned centre ground is also set for significant gains on Thursday.

Alliance Party leader Naomi Long said "the days of designations are over", arguing: "It is time that this pantomime around the first and deputy first minister office was brought to an end."

Alliance and two other small parties collectively held 11 of the 90 seats in the outgoing assembly.

"If they come back with 16, 17, 18 MLAs (Members of the Legislative Assembly), that could provoke a fundamental renegotiation of the Good Friday Agreement," David McCann, a commentator for the political website Slugger O'Toole, told AFP.

Jacqueline Hirst, a lifelong unionist voter living in the port town of Larne, said she was voting Alliance for the first time.

The 52-year-old civil servant said she was concerned about the EU protocol's impact on trade, after noticing "a lot of things in the supermarket disappear already".

But these concerns were secondary to dysfunction at Stormont sparked by long-running feuds between Sinn Fein and the DUP.

"We have to talk, and that's the only way we're going to get any further," Hirst said.

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May 2Those entering Hamilton City Council chambers will soon have to pass through a metal detector as an added security measure following the recommendation from the city police chief.

Will Butler County Commissioners follow suit with increased security to the county portion of the building that shares a lobby with the city?

The short answer is no, or not at least anytime soon. The court wing entrance to county common pleas and domestic relations courtrooms on the second floor have standard metal detectors, armed deputies and equipment for searching all bags, but the rest of the building remains open.

In addition to the three-floor court wing, the 11-floor Government Services Center houses numerous offices, including clerk of courts, county treasurer, county coroner, Job and Family Services and county prosecutor and public defender office.

Built in 1999, the GSC has numerous points of entry, stairwells, escalators and multiple elevators from the ground floor to the top level. There are no metal detectors to walk through and no security personnel in the lobby or on most floors.

But that doesn't mean someone isn't watching. Over the years, the camera security system has been been upgraded, and personnel is watching through monitors.

And according to County Administrator Judi Boyko, "nearly all" individual offices have built-in safety measures ranging from secure entries, to glass enclosures, to smart ring technology, where visitors are identified in some manner before entry into an independent office.

Boyko said the county is conducting a real property inventories and space analyses of commission-owned property, which has happened in some form in past years, but she said "I'm optimistic the 2022 approach will address and hopefully achieve the board of commissioners' objective to emphasize safety and security of the Government Services Center, its visitors and tenants, while acknowledging taxpayers funded the building."

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Two county commissioners say they have never felt unsafe in their offices on the sixth floor or in the commission chambers on the second floor mezzanine that is open, perched above the lobby.

Commissioner T.C. Rogers said, "It's a matter of balancing it for the amount of threat you think is out there. I realize one incident can be a crisis, but do you change your whole system for the possibility of one incident?"

Is Rogers concerned about someone with a threat accessing the council chambers?

"With my background, I am ready," he said.

Rogers did acknowledge the commission has had "concerns" at some meetings and did have increased security  armed deputies  in the room.

"It is the people's building and we don't have plans to change things now, but we have studied different levels of security, when we up those that is still under consideration,' Rogers said.

Commissioner Don Dixon said the county is always evaluating security that has to evolve and change with the times and there is a committee evaluating the issue.

"We don't have any immediate plans (for added security) but that doesn't mean there won't be some changes made shortly because they have been talking about it," Dixon said

Dixon also referred to GSC as "the people's building" and added he would "hate" to see overly restrictive security measures.

People should be free to walk in, go about their business and leave without being searched and questioned, Dixon said.

"I would personally like to keep it that way as long as we can. We haven't had any major incidents on our side," Dixon said. But he said there are suggestions for added security, especially in the lobby, that could happen in the near future.

Commissioner Cindy Carpenter, former county clerk of courts, believes more security is needed now and the talking and space studies are not moving fast enough to address the needs.

"What has to happen, does someone have to get hurt before we do something?," Carpenter questioned.

Carpenter said she believes waiting on the results of the most recent space study is a "cop out." She noted past studies have shown the county is paying for vacant space and there is real need for more security in the entire building.

"But there isn't a majority of the commission to support it," Carpenter said.

The Butler County Sheriff's Office is responsible to secure the court wing at the GSC. And talking about specifics of measures in place isn't "good security," said Chief Deputy Anthony Dwyer.

He said it is the commissioners' decision to secure the entire building.

If that decision is made, Dwyer said the sheriff's office would work with the commission to make it happen.

"There have been a lot of discussions about the building since it was built, reviewing security protocols and discussions with county administrators," Dwyer said, added the sheriff's office can have more discussions if requested by the commission.

If any office holder reaches out to the sheriff's office for added permanent security, Dwyer said they would work to provide it. BCSO is contracted to provide armed security to several offices, including Job and Family Services.

"But we try to be good stewards. If anybody in that building thought they had a contentious issue and asked for our assistance we would grant it," Dwyer said.

The chief deputy stopped short of saying the GSC needs enhanced security, but said he has "concerns" about all county buildings that are not secured.

"Every place where someone could be upset concerns me," Dwyer said. "Not just GSC. That building as well as others could draw an irate person, but to secure every county facility in the whole county I don't know is reasonable."

He did say he believes the GSC is more secure than many county buildings because of the armed presence in the court wing and the response time is a matter of "seconds" to the lobby and many other offices should a violent incident happen.

"That is a huge deterrent," Dwyer said.
A proposal by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees to delegate some services to other United Nations agencies has sparked outrage among Palestinians, who have warned of a plot to "dismantle" the body.

Established in 1949, a year after Israel was created, UNRWA is the only major UN body dedicated exclusively to one conflict and one people, and holds a symbolic role that experts say matches its importance as provider for Palestinian refugees.

The agency has long been a target of Israeli criticism, with accusations it has fuelled the conflict in part by teaching anti-Zionist messages at its schools.

UNRWA is "not just about the delivery of services", said Muhammed Shehada from the Swiss-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor.

"As long as UNRWA is there, it's a reminder that the international community has a responsibility to solve the issue of Palestinian refugees," he told AFP.

The agency tasked with assisting Palestinians who were forced from their homes during the war surrounding Israel's creation -- and their descendants -- has faced a funding crunch for years, regularly falling tens of millions of dollars short of its stated needs.

At first glance, the announcement last month by agency chief Philippe Lazzarini that UNRWA could ask other UN bodies to help with service delivery may have looked like a bland, bureaucratic cost-sharing plan.

Counting primarily "on voluntary funding from donors would not be reasonable" going forward, he said in a statement.

"One option that is currently being explored is to maximise partnerships within the broader UN system."

Palestinians saw those remarks as a potentially devastating blow to UNRWA's long-term mission.

Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said the plan would "violate" the UN resolutions that set up UNRWA, while the Palestine Liberation Organization said refugees would be outraged.

Mohammad al-Madhoun, a senior official with the Islamist group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, described the proposal as "an attempt to dismantle UNRWA as a prelude to ending its work".

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- Budget gaps -

With more than 30,000 employees and a budget of some $1.6 billion this year, UNRWA is a frontline provider of healthcare, education and other services to some 5.7 million Palestinian refugees spread across the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank as well as in Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Former US president Donald Trump publicly sided with Israel in blasting UNRWA and cut off its funding.

The agency has firmly defended its school curriculum against pro-Israel critics, though Lazzarini told European Union lawmakers last year that problematic issues were being "addressed".

President Joe Biden's administration has since restored funding, but Lazzarini warned in November that UNRWA was facing an "existential threat" over budget gaps.

Agency spokeswoman Tamara Alrifai told AFP that this year would see another $100 million shortfall that could worsen given "the increased cost of commodities and food that the ongoing Ukraine crisis has provoked".

- 'Green light' -

For Samer Sinijlawi, head of the Jerusalem Development Fund, which specialises in Palestinian humanitarian affairs, Lazzarini's proposal was in part an attempt to test "the Palestinian pulse" ahead of a 2023 UN General Assembly vote on renewing UNRWA's mandate.

But it also gave "a green light" to countries that have been trying "to manipulate this mandate and gradually end the work of UNRWA", Sinijlawi told AFP.

He accused Lazzarini of overstepping his authority, arguing the Swiss national's job was not to consider scaling back UNRWA's work but rather to implement UN resolutions on Palestinian refugees, especially on the right of return.

Former agency spokesman Chris Gunness said that "even if UNRWA is dismantled or its services farmed out, Palestine refugees remain human beings with inalienable rights."

He stressed that while any blow to UNRWA's future could be perceived as a win for Israel, it would not mean that "Palestinian refugees and their right of return will magically evaporate".

But Shehada from Euro-Med Monitor argued that any "de-prioritisation" of the agency would be seen as diminishing "the Palestinian cause in general".

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A group of US congressional representatives, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, visited Warsaw, Poland to hold talks on Ukraine.

Meeting with President Andrzej Duda and Polish lawmakers on Monday, the US delegation shared their gratitude for the humanitarian support the country has provided to Ukrainian refugees as well as other kinds of aid to the war-torn nation.

Ms Pelosi was joined by six other US lawmakers on the trip to Poland, which comes after the group visited the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, during which they pledged American support for Ukraine until the end of the war with Russia, which invaded on 24 February.

Ms Pelosi said in a statement that Mr Duda is a valued partner in supporting the people of Ukraine in the face of Putins brutal and unprovoked war.

She added that the US delegation expressed Americas deep gratitude to the Polish government and Polish people for opening their hearts and homes to Ukrainian refugees, and we reaffirmed our nations pledge to continue supporting Polands humanitarian efforts.

More than 5.5 million people have fled Ukraine since Russias invasion, with most of them, more than three million, arriving in Poland, and many have remained in the country.

Polish citizens have welcomed Ukrainians into their homes, while the government and volunteers have set up other ways to help war refugees.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Marshal Jozef Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, Poland, on 2 May 2022 (EPA)

Nancy Pelosi, 3rd from left, and Poland's President Andrzej Duda, 4th from right, meet for talks in Warsaw, Poland, Monday, May 2, 2022 (AP)

Nancy Pelosi and US Ambassador to Poland Mark Brzezinski during their meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw, Poland, on 2 May 2022 (EPA)

Nancy Pelosi attends a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at Marshal Jozef Pilsudski Square in Warsaw, Poland, on 2 May 2022 (EPA)

The congressional trip came two days after President Joe Biden requested that Congress approve a $33bn aid package to Ukraine, including both military and humanitarian assistance. The package is more than twice the size of the initial $13.6bn sent so far, almost all of which have now been used.

The package is intended to show Russian President Vladimir Putin that the US will support Ukraine for the long haul and that American military aid for Ukraine isnt fleeting.

During a press conference on Sunday in Rzeszow, Poland, the US lawmakers lauded Ukraines defence efforts and framed the war as a fight between good and evil and assured that US military, humanitarian and economic support would be present long-term.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

The Independent has a proud history of campaigning for the rights of the most vulnerable, and we first ran our Refugees Welcome campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and launch this petition in the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we are calling on the government to go further and faster to ensure help is delivered. To find out more about our Refugees Welcome campaign, click here. To sign the petition click here. If you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page.
A former plainclothes Philadelphia police officer who shot and killed a 12-year-old boy who allegedly fired into the rear window of an unmarked patrol car has been charged with his murder.

Edsaul Mendoza faces charges of first- and third-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and possessing an instrument of crime in the death of Thomas TJ Siderio, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced Monday.

He turned himself in Sunday night and is being held without bail.

On March 1, Mendoza and three other plainclothes officers on the South Task Force were in South Philly investigating a social media post about a teenager with a gun when TJ allegedly fired into their car.

Mendoza and another officer, Kwaku Sarpong, got out to chase TJ and each fired one shot at the fleeing boy, according to Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. Sarpong then held back while Mendoza kept chasing him, firing twice. One bullet hit TJ in the upper right back and exited through his left chest.

TJ was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center and pronounced dead 20 minutes later.

The 9mm Taurus semiautomatic handgun that TJ allegedly fired, then tossed was found five houses away from where he was killed, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Mendoza was less than half a cars length from Siderio when he fired the third shot, close enough that he would have been able to see Siderio clearly, Krasner said Monday. The officer was standing above the boy, who was on the ground, when he fired.

Mendoza knew that TJ Siderio was unarmed before he shot him through the back, Krasner said.

Asked if he considered this an assassination, Krasner said it was important that he not characterize it. Instead, he said, he would leave that up to a Philadelphia jury.

I find this very very disturbing and very difficult to watch, the district attorney said.

Mendoza was fired a few weeks after the shooting, with Outlaw noting that it was clear that the use-of-force policy was violated.
As the Philippines headed into the final week of campaigning for the May 9 presidential election, social media posts shared thousands of times claimed the government pledged to give cash handouts to all voters. However, the rumour originated from a Facebook page impersonating the country's social welfare agency. A representative for the agency said it was not doling out cash to voters.

"P10K aid for all voters / Message us so we can send you the financial aid immediately," reads a Tagalog-language graphic posted on Facebook on April 27 and shared more than 15,000 times.

It features the logo of the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and photos of a man and woman flaunting 1,000-peso bills.

The graphic was shared on a Facebook page called "DSWD Ayuda 10K 2022".

"Ayuda" means "aid" in Tagalog, while the purported handout of 10,000 pesos is equivalent to $190.

The post also links to a website that shows a "payouts schedule" by date and region.

Screenshot of the false post taken on May 1, 2022

The graphic circulated widely on Facebook, including here and here, as the archipelago geared up to vote in May 9 elections.

Some social media users appeared to believe the posts showed a genuine financial aid scheme.

"I hope I receive the cash handout for the sake of my three children," one person commented.

"There are four voters in our family, I hope you can also send us the handout," another said.

However, the DSWD said the posts were a scam.

"It is not true that the DSWD is giving a 10,000-peso cash handout to voters," a representative from the agency's social marketing service told AFP.

Imposter account

They said the "DSWD Ayuda 10K 2022" Facebook page was "not affiliated with the Department".

The DSWD's official Facebook page features a blue verification badge and was created on September 7, 2010.

However, the scam page is not verified and was created on April 26, 2022.

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The DSWD imposter account (left) and the DSWD's official Facebook page (right)

Furthermore, the photos of a man and a woman holding 1,000-peso bills were taken from a Facebook post from the agriculture department for Central Luzon region in February 2022 about rice farmers who received aid from the government.

The photos of a man and woman in the scam post (left) and in a post about rice farmers receiving financial aid (right)

AFP previously debunked a scam promising cash handouts for mothers in the Philippines during a Covid-19 lockdown.
MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines is considering donating to Myanmar five million doses of Sputnik V COVID vaccine that are close to expiry, a senior health official said on Monday.

The donation would be the first by the Philippines to another nation, after it scrambled for much of last year to procure vaccines for its 110 million population.

Health officials have said the Philippines now has ample supplies.

Authorities are seeking clearance to donate the Russian vaccines through the Myanmar Red Cross Society, health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire told a regular news conference.

According its health ministry, less than half of the 53 million population have received two doses of a COVID vaccine in Myanmar, a country in turmoil since the military seized power 15 months ago.

That compares to nearly 67.9 million people vaccinated in the Philippines, which has battled one of the worst COVID crises in Asia.

(Reporting by Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Martin Petty)
A Phoenix police vehicle.

Phoenix police say a man is in critical condition after an officer-involved shooting at noon Sunday near 19th and Southern avenues.

Officers from the South Mountain Precinct were in the parking lot of a gas station working on an unrelated matter when they were notified of a man with a machete in an open field to the south, police said.

According to Phoenix Police Department, officers spoke with the man and commanded him to drop the machete, as he walked eastbound in the field toward 19th Avenue.

Police continued to ask the man to drop the machete as he walked southbound down 19th Avenue, in the road.

The man was shouting in Spanish and due to the language barrier, officers were unable to understand.

There were vehicles driving by and pedestrians walking nearby on sidewalks, said Phoenix police.

While the man was in the middle lane of 19th Avenue, an officer with a stunbag shotgun approached him and gave him several warnings to drop the machete.

"The officer delivered several rounds from the stunbag which did not seem to affect the man," the Phoenix Police Department said in a statement. "He continued to yell in Spanish while advancing towards the officer with the machete still in hand."

The officer switched to his handgun and fired at the man, striking him and "ending the threat," police said.

Police approached the man, removed the machete and began first aid.

Phoenix Fire Department responded and took over care of the man, who was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.

An investigation is ongoing. The man has not been identified.

Reach breaking news reporter Haleigh Kochanski at hkochanski@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @HaleighKochans.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man with machete walking down 19th Avenue shot by Phoenix police
David Arakhamia/Azov Reginment Handout via Reuters

After nearly two months trapped inside the strategic Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, a woman named Yuliia and her three daughters finally escaped with stories almost too horrific to tell.

Yuliia, who shared her video diary with a friend in the U.K. who gave it to the BBC, says she and her kids were excited every time it rained because it meant they would have water to drink. When it started to rain, first of all they were able to drink from the puddle and that water was so, so, tasty, she said in the video diary. Then they found some pans to fill with water.

Yuliia, who hid with her children in a makeshift bomb shelter in the bottom of her destroyed apartment block, said she fed her children their one meal a day at bedtime so they could sleep on a full stomach. I had money but I couldnt buy anything because there was nothing anywhere, everything was broken, everything was looted and destroyed.

She and her kids, ages 11, 6, and 3, finally made it to relative safety in Zaporizhzhia. They are being joined by hundreds of other Ukrainian civilians, including some who are finally being evacuated out of the Azovstal steel millalong with the dead bodies the survivors had to pile up in one of the underground tunnels. Drone images over the mill show trucks reportedly carrying the bodies to mass graves. It is unclear who is managing the burials.

Most of the 1,000 civilians who are hiding in the mill have some affiliation with it, either employees like Natalia Usmanova, who told Reuters about her experience. The shelling was so strong and it kept hitting near us. At the exit of the bomb shelter, on the top few steps one could breathe, as there was not enough oxygen. I was afraid to even walk out and breathe some fresh air, she said. We did not see any sunlight. We were scared.

She described the lack of hygiene, including having to use a bag for a toilet at night and eating only one meal a day. I feared that the bunker would not withstand itI had terrible fear, Usmanova told Reuters. When the bunker started to shake, I was hysterical, my husband can vouch for that. I was so worried the bunker would cave in.

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Continuing evacuation efforts were hampered Sunday and Monday because of sporadic shelling and reports from inside, including from Ukrainian forces holed up with civilians, say the situation is increasingly dire.

Some of those evacuated were taken to a Russianfiltration center set up in Bezimenne about 15 miles away, according to CNN. Once registered, they are taken further into Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said it sank two Russian military vessels in the Black Sea with drone strikes, showing video of Bayraktar TB-2 armed drones hitting two Raptor-class patrol boats. Outside sources have not confirmed the strike.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, chair of the Commerce Committee, will introduce legislation this week to restore authority that the Federal Trade Commission lost when the Supreme Court ruled last year that it overstepped in fighting deception and fraud.

If it becomes law, the bill would make it easier for the FTC, which also enforces antitrust law, to sue deceptive companies and scammers to recover the money that they took from consumers, Cantwell's office said in a statement on Monday.

The FTC had been suing companies and scammers for decades to recover ill-gotten gains but was stopped in April 2021 by the Supreme Court, which found that the agency went further than it could legally in its practice of seeking court orders to make fraudsters return money.

Given the court decision, the FTC needs Congress to expressly give it authority to demand disgorgement of ill-gotten gains. The House of Representatives passed similar legislation last year.

Business groups had complained that the FTC aggressively extracted billions of dollars in monetary awards from companies in recent years.

"If the FTC remains disarmed of this critical authority, millions of consumers and small businesses whove been scammed, swindled, or locked out of competitive marketplaces will never be made whole," Cantwell said in a statement. The senator also released a committee report to support the need for the legislation.

The legislation that Cantwell will introduce will authorize relief for consumers hurt by violations of consumer protection law, her office said in a statement. It also would put a 10-year statute of limitations on lawsuits, the statement said.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz; Editing by Howard Goller)
The Daily Beast

ReutersRussian authorities in Ukraines occupied city of Donetsk are tossing the bodies of their dead soldiers in a secret dump by the thousands and charging their loved ones money to find them.Thats according to a new audio recording released by Ukraines Security Service on Tuesday, which is purportedly an intercepted telephone conversation between two Russians discussing how one of their missing friends was finally found.In the two-and-a-half minute recording, an unidentified man tells his
Melina Abdullah, a leader of Black Lives Matter-L.A. and a professor at Cal State Los Angeles, is removed by police from Sunday's mayoral debate on the campus. (Ringo Chiu / For The Times)

A Black Lives Matter-Los Angeles leader was forcibly removed by campus police from a mayoral debate Sunday night at Cal State Los Angeles.

Melina Abdullah  a professor at Cal State L.A. and former chair of the school's pan-African studies department  told The Times she was carried out of the room by police officers because she did not have a ticket to the event.

Protests about the exclusion of certain candidates from the stage preceded the event, and attendance had been closely monitored, with only a small audience of 40 to 50 people allowed inside the auditorium.

Videos shared on Twitter showed police officers dragging Abdullah outside the auditorium.

"Debates should be public ... especially at a public university," Abdullah said via text, noting that students, faculty and the public weren't allowed inside "a near-empty theater."

The university released a statement: "One person was removed from the debate, arrested, and released at the scene. There were no other arrests. Cal State LA's Department of Public Safety has no comment. The university will provide a statement after a fuller review of the incident."

Abdullah, however, said that police "were attempting to arrest me" but did not arrest her at the scene and told her they would be reaching out to her later.

Just minutes before the debate, a couple sitting on the back were escorted/dragged off by campus police officers as the women chanted "This is public university!" pic.twitter.com/0pnJxuDRB1  Jeong Park  (@JeongPark52) May 2, 2022

Activists have dogged the major candidates in recent months and briefly disrupted a mayoral forum focused on Asian American Pacific Islander issues that was held Saturday in Little Tokyo.

Sunday's debate went off without interruption, but Abdullah and at least one other person were forcibly removed from the audience minutes before it was set to begin. Cal State L.A. police did not respond to requests for comment.

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Protesters did not say what they were calling for but chanted "Shame on you" and "This is a public university" as candidates looked on.

Raphael Sonenshein, executive director of Cal State L.A.s Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, which co-sponsored the debate, was seen pacing near the stage as he was informed about 20 minutes before it began that people without passes had entered the area. A Times reporter saw Sonenshein ask campus police officers what options they would have in removing protesters.

"I should have been able to watch the mayoral debate that was happening on my own campus," Abdullah said to The Times in a written statement. "Im still processing the fact that Raphe Sonenshein, someone who called himself a friend, who Ive known well since I was in graduate school, called the police and had me forcibly and brutally removed."

Abdullah added: "Im processing that as I was yelling for help, that I was being hurt and called for Karen Bass and Kevin De Leon  two people who have been very close for more than 20 years, they said nothing, not even a simple 'Please put her down,' nor did any other candidate. Its both hurtful and outrageous."

Sonenshein declined to comment.

Agustin Rojas Navarro, 20, a sophomore political science student, said the crowd ran to the other side of the auditorium as Abdullah was being removed, creating a huddle around her to protect her.

Navarro said he was disappointed to see Abdullah removed and criticized the restricted nature of the debate.

"I was really interested in this debate, and I was so disappointed at my school for not having a representative here," Navarro said.

The debate is one of the last major events for the mayoral candidates to make their case before mail-in ballots go out for the June 7 primary.

After the debate ended, candidates made statements similar to those they have given about previous disruptions.

"I wish there hadn't been that exchange at the beginning. But by the same token, I think it's really important that everybody is respected," said Mike Feuer, L.A. city attorney. "That includes all the viewers, the candidates and the people of Los Angeles who are entitled to have a debate that isn't interrupted."

City Councilman Kevin de Leon said everyone has a right to express their views, but they should do it in a "constructive" way.

"I think the debate was civil and well-organized," said Peter Ragone, spokesman for mayoral candidate Rick Caruso. Ragone, who said he had been watching in another room, later clarified that he was referring to what he had seen on TV and not the altercation, which he had not witnessed.

Abdullah contributed $1,000 to the Bass campaign in December, according to campaign records. Last month, she donated $214 to mayoral candidate Gina Viola, who was not invited to Sunday's debate.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Kenneth "Lee" Burgett, 46, of Knoxville, and Patrick Petty, 30, of Harrogate, are the two men who died in a shootout outside Hatmakers Bar & Grill on Friday night.

No suspects have been arrested.

A 36-year-old man and a 28-year-old man were found on scene suffering from nonlife-threatening gunshot wounds, according to the Knoxville Police Department.

A fight involving members of two motorcycle clubs broke out in the parking lot and shots were fired, a department spokesperson said. Petty and Burgett were killed and the two other men were taken to the hospital, he said.

Additionally, a 30-year-old man arrived at the Claiborne Medical Center suffering from a nonlife-threatening gunshot wound after reportedly fleeing from the scene.

The two men who died were from rival motorcycle clubs, according to the police department spokesperson.

One club made news in Knox County more than a decade ago when then-Sheriff Jimmy "J.J." Jones authorized a raid on their clubhouse and arrested two members for allegedly threatening an undercover officer and stealing his vest. Those charges were dismissed, but motorcycle club's former president Mark Lester was subsequently convicted of a federal racketeering charge and served 18 months.

Anyone with information is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165, easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org, the P3 Tips mobile app or by texting **TIPS. Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible to receive a cash reward.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Police identify two men killed outside Knoxville bar on Friday night